Bloggy Bootcamp 2011 | A Blissful Nest

Bloggy Bootcamp-Part 2 {Fun Pictures!)

2011

This is the fun post of Bloggy Bootcamp where I get to share all our fun pictures. First off when I got to the Bahia I parked in the wrong area! So I had to go move my car and I was a good 5 minutes late. Super embarrassed, I desperately started searching for where to go and found these 2 lovely ladies looking too. Do you recognize them with Miss Lisa Leonard?

{Lisa (on the left) with Lindsey (of The Pleated Poppy), and Mique (from 30 Handmade Days)}

I super wished I had at that moment (but I was nervous, late, and not expecting to meet famous bloggers!) I did however really check out Lindsey’s outfit and it was fabulous- of course!!

Then through the day we heard some fabulous speakers (see my post HERE from this morning) and then it was time for some lunch. This was assigned seating as well and I got to sit next to this little sweet thing- Kathleen from Kathleen’s Sugar and Spice and Sugar Jones of Sugar In The Raw.

{Me with Kathleen}

Kathleen and I have SO much in common and you may see somethings from us together- I hope!! But the best is that both our little girl’s name’s are Lauren! How sweet, right?

{Me on the left and Sugar on the right}

Yes, that’s right. This is the only picture I have of me with Miss Sugar. We had a shoe moment if you can’t tell.

Next we got to meet back up with friends and decided what speakers we wanted to hear for the afternoon. So here are some pictures of the “party girls” after we heard some amazing speakers on business and contracts.

{Jillian of Catch My Party, Genevieve of Superchick, Joanne of Oh Goodie Designs, Amy of The Savvy Mom’s Guide, Me, Noelle of Sweet Craft Cakes, Kerry of Sweet Craft Cakes, and Bri of the Savvy Mom’s Guide}
I love each and everyone of these girls and adore spending time with them. I was so sad to say goodbye to Gen as I know she lives so far away and is moving back to Canada soon!! hugs to each and everyone of you ladies!!

Here are some fun pics of us:

{Me and Gen of Superchick}

{Noelle and Kerry of Sweet Craft Cakes}

{Noelle, Me, Kerry, Joanne, and Gen}

{Me and Lisa Leonard}

{Me and Joanne}

{who’s shoes are who’s??!}

{cheers to my Superchick!}

[Jillian and Me}

And this was the best picture of the night with the bunny from HOP!!

And lastly here are some great read carpet moments!

This last picture is of me (on the left) and Gen (on the right) cheersing Tiffany of SITS to David Mirassou family story!

Can’t wait for next years camp!

Filed Under: Bloggy Bootcamp 2011

What I Learned At Bloggy Bootcamp-Part 1

2011

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(Me with Nina of Momma Go Round)

Last weekend I was fortunate to attend Bloggy Bootcamp in San Diego. BBC is put on by the SITS girls. If you don’t know them you need to!! They are the foundation of support for mom bloggers and they are 2 of the most amazing, funny, and beautiful (Yes Tiffany you are stunning!) out there!! BBC is a day long event of speakers hand chosen to speak on the topics that are most important to women bloggers, beginning businesses and learning about the power of social media. Okay I knew it was powerful but walked away with a whole new retrospect of what is really before us in business. So besides meeting my posse of party girls (we will get to that a little later), here are the top 5 things I learned this weekend (boy was it hard to narrow it down to just these!) WARNING-Long post! Sorry!!

1. How important it is to have a voice and use pictures to tell a story- Thank you Ashley of Little Ms Momma!!! It is amazing how visual people are and everyone loves beautiful pictures. Pictures can speak a thousand words (I know we have all heard that one before!) so maybe you will be seeing some posts from me in the future that are just pictures. Having a voice that is you and unique is important to build the trust capital between you and your readers. It is funny you really CAN tell when someone is being sincere or not and if the way they are writing is really who they are. I know some days I feel not so up in the clouds and guess what this is not going to turn into a negative blog but I think you just might see that a little more. I think it may just bring us all closer. What do you think??

2.To Vlog or not to Vlog- that is the question. Okay Mama Mary- like I said in the elevator- BRING IT ON! You just might be seeing some vlogging going on here. I am actually trying to think what my first one might just be. I had no idea Ytube was as large of a social media outlet as it is. I mean come on. I really thought it was for people to post cute videos of their kids or stupid tricks on scateboards. but for business? Mary talked to us about how to create one of these little bad boys and how it increases your SEO. So stay tuned on this one people!

3. You must BRAND yourself before someone else does (from the fabulous Amy BHole). I never thought of it this way. I actually wonder what my brand is in the eyes of you all. Well, I am hoping to solidify this on Monday with the new site reveal! This is where we learned how important trust capital is over social capital. Its great to have a lot of followers (hey I LOVE getting new people on here), but if you dont have your readers trust then who cares if there are followers- they just become a number. Okay so let me say it right here everyone on here is NOT a number and I love when people comment and tell me what they think. I hope we get more of that going soon!!

4. The power of networking. I was so inspired by Lisa Leonard. She is so sweet, down to earth, and genuine! And her products, blog, and website speak volumes of this. She talked about building a story with your products and have it incorporate yourself and inspirations. How joining forces with those around you can further this vision to your readers. She spoke of knowing your weaknesses and hiring them out. Boy did I love hearing this one. She gave an example of how she was spending 7 hours on a Saturday packing and getting ready all the shipments and how she was missing out on that time with her family. She hired a high school student to help and it made her life so much easier. Oh how I could have listened to her go on and on!!

5. Be prepared to be able to accept new endeavors that may come your way. Never thought of this one as I thought how can you prepare for something you have no idea is going to happen. Francesca of SITS talked about media kits and what they include. It is like almost always having an up to date resume on hand to email to anyone who would ask. I never knew people made these who had blogs in case an opportunity should arise.

(Do you see Amy from The Savvy Mom’s Guide right there?!)

If you have stayed with me this long through this post then you are a rock star and you will be rewarded with a few pictures. But not until later today! It will be a fun post of all the people I met and some fun group shots of us party girls.

So stay tuned until this afternoon . . .

Filed Under: Bloggy Bootcamp 2011, Social Media Conferences

Weekend Recovery!

2011

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Oh what an amazing weekend it was. First to start was a fabulous photoshoot for our new product line with Nicole Benetiz Photography featuring Kait Emerson Designs and Gum Drops Hair Candy. I just can not WAIT to show you but for now here is a little sneak peak!

Then I was off to Bloggy Bootcamp. I have never been to a conference like this before and OH BOY was it amazing! I learned so much and you all are going to be in for a treat as we roll out all the new ideas that now are so possible for me to make to this little site. Later in the week I will give you a full recap but for now here is a sneak peak (I am just full of those today!!)