I slept really well last night in my big ol’ bed 🙂 Woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the lake –
At 6:30 I met about 50 bloggers in the lobby for the 5K Fun Run. We walked to the lake front and then took off. It was totally casual and I had fun talking to It Ain’t Meat, Babe, who recognized me!!!!!, and Red Headed Lefty, who works for BlogHerAds and knew KERF!!!, and 3 Giraffes, who was cool! Also RonisWeigh, MizFit and so many others.
I ran just under 4 miles and came back with a cool swag bag and t-shirt!!! (Size small!!!!)
I am STOKED for this InTak BPA-free water bottle. I’ve been wanting a new water bottle for ages!
After showering and using the Bliss spa products (Mandarin and Lime!) in the Sheraton bathroom, I came down to find Eating Bender and breakfast! There was a wonderful selection –
I wanted to eat one of everything – yogurts, cereal, muffins, donuts, tons of fruit, egg sandwiches but I decided to put together a balanced breakfast with fruit, a protein, a dairy and a grain.
I actually chose one of the egg sandwiches (the version without bacon or cheese) for some grains and protein. Not something I’d normally choose (I had yogurt + cereal in my hands and changed my mind) but I was in the mood for something hearty after waiting in the 30 minute registration line and getting REALLY hungry!
And I filled up on tons of berries + fruit!
And another out-of-character choice – skim milk! It just worked today and tasted awesome. And Earl Gray. I decided against coffee because I was feeling anxious and knew it would only make me shake.
There are bloggers everywhere!!!
After breakfast we watched the opening session led by the BlogHer women. Women’s media rocks!
BLOGHER 2010 IS IN NYC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m totally going however I can!!
I actually grabbed a coffee to warm up – cold air always blows on me from somewhere!! It’s like the rain cloud that follows a cartoon! Starbucks = blech.
After the morning welcome and speed dating (met about 15 new bloggers) we had a break. Turns out Ketchum was providing COCKTAILS at 10AM!!! They looked delicious, but I wasn’t really in the mood for vodka 😉
I had 5 minutes to slip into the exhibition hall and WOW – it’s huuuuuge!!! Many times bigger than last year.
I had a taste of Izze – yum!
I met Jenn for the first session at 10:30. Laptops are clicking everywhere!
I got this awesome lip balm from Eos that I found in my swag bag. What a funny way to serve lip balm! It’s minty and delicious. I got shave gel too!
The session was called: The Business Of You: Bloggers Are Pioneers In A Post-“Employee” World. It was really helpful to listen to experienced bloggers talk about their experiences with freelancing, negotiating and being proud of your skills and value. Freelancing is definitely the direction I want to head in the coming years as a writing extension of KERF, so I found the info great.
Bottom line: Don’t settle. Decide what you are worth. What value do you add beyond the actual work. Market the business side of you, not just your blog.
Gave out a few coupons!
Jenn and I hit the expo floor while we worked up an appetite for lunch. SO MUCH COOL SWAG!
A t-shirt purse by Hanes!?
Suave!
Chocolate
from All
Eucerin did an analysis on my face to show me how I’d look at age 72 if I didn’t take care of my skin. YIKES!!! He said I am green because of my make up undertones, but I think it just means I”m turning into a frog… (Get it Kanz!? Frog!)
Mary Kay
T-mobile
I had to unload all my swag in my room to lighten the load!
Lunch was sponsored by Ragu and was over the top with decor! This giant jar was made entirely of veggie!
Edible centerpieces!
The selections included Caesar salad, chicken parm, rice with veggies, a vegan chickpea + sun dried tomato dish, upsidedown meat pizza, focaccia bread and cannolis!
I filled half my plate with salad drizzled in a little dressing the tomatoes and mozzarella and had a little taste of the chickpea salad (which was really good), the veggies + rice, a small piece of pizza (ate half) and split some bread with Jenn (ate half)
I do not care much for cannolis in general, but this was FANTASTIC!!! Jenn and I split one
+ a few tiny cookies
Blog Talk Radio!!!
After lunch I had a special interview with Blog Talk Radio and you can listen to it here!!!
PepsiCo At BlogHer – Kath Eats
And then a shooting of two cooking tips for Trop50’s The Juice!
Off to see and do!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
Looks like a blast! Glad you’re having so much fun…
Erin says
Great to know about NYC! That’s my backyard. 🙂
Looks fab Kath. Enjoy it all.
Jen says
OMG. So. Much. Food. Mmmmm!
So excited to see your inspirational updates from BlogHer, Kath! I *just* resurrected my blog (like, literally, last night) — had one on Blogger a few years ago, retired it, and it’s been born again on WordPress.
Aaaaaaaand, thrilled to see the BlogHer ’10 is in NYC: my city! I hope to be a part of it.
Thanks for all you do. Seriously. I had an oatmeal smoothie in your honor this morn!
xoxo
Becci says
Oh, wow! That looks amazing! I can only imagine how much fun you are having!!!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
WoW! That looks like a wonderful time. I LOVE the Ragu decor! Totally awesome, would love to be there!
Jenn
jess says
That looks like so much fun – I wish I had gone this year. I’ll have to try to go next year – maybe I can score a sponsorship like you! 🙂
Ashley says
Awesome! It’s SO coll you are actually here, in ‘my’ city!
I was at the Sheraton back in May for an electronic convention (helping someone set up, not attending). Unless things have changed in a few short months, I could slip in. SO tempted. Gotta love swag!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Looks like so much fun!
Jenn (Eating Bender) says
Hm, that Eos lip balm reminds me of something. Can’t quite place it…
I love how your version of the Ragu picture turned out! Can’t wait for cocktails tonight 😉
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Wow, glad you are keeping busy and having fun! Such awesome freebies… totally jealous. And all the food looks so amazing. Have a wonderful afternoon and evening!
Ada says
That conference looks like a blast. I can’t believe it’s in my hometown of NYC next year, so exciting!!!
Whitney says
I just listened to the interview, great job!
Andee (Runtolive) says
Wow looks amazing! Looks like you scored some nice swag
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
great interview, too – just listened!
Eve says
Looks like so much fun! I love conferences. I can’t wait to FNCE in Denver this October!
Jessicuh! says
How did you get this lucky? I am so Jealous! Please, send some links to events like this my way. i’d totally appreciate it!
J.
Deva says
I’m so jealous! I may have to try for BlogHer 2010!! 🙂
Christie @ Quit Your Diet says
Wow, it looks like you are having a really run time!!
Lola says
HAHA the picture of you at 72 made me laugh out loud – sooo ridiculous!! I hope I turn green when I’m old…I would have so much fun scaring children.
Marisa (trim the fat) says
What an amazing and informative conference! So cool to see so many successful women learning from each other!
That Ragu jar and centerpieces are so impressive:)
Kristen says
Remarkable! I would have been eating those cherry tomatoes right off of the centerpiece! 🙂
Sheri says
Great post Kath! Looks like you have had quite a full day so far…but it looks so fun! Going to mark my calendar for next year in NYC!
Plus you have scored some pretty nice swag too!
JohannaB says
Great photos. Wish I was there. Here’s to NYC in 2010. I’ll wager that tickets will be in short supply.
EatingRD says
oh my goodness, what a wonderful time! In regards to your recent twitter post I wanted to write something a little longer than what is allowed 😉 I just got a canon rebel xsi and I really like it compared to the old janky one I had before. It performs really well in low light situations and there is so much you can do with it. And there is the downfall, I haven’t quite mastered it and I feel like I need to take a class or something. Also the lenses, most of them cost a lot! yikes! Also it’s pretty darn bulky so it’s hard to travel with or take places without drawing a little attention lol.
In all honesty I think your pictures are phenomenal with the camera you got and I actually wish I would have gotten that one mostly because I would have saved about $400! But, man I’m sure you could do some awesome stuff with a DSLR and it’s kind of fun to experiment with. If it’s something you want to invest in and continue to invest in for the future I say go for it! I’m kind of scared of mine too still. I have a little tripod but it’s not the most sturdy and it fell and almost hit a big pile of candle wax which would have been really really bad! Good luck!
-kristen
Jen says
WOW what an amazing time!!!!!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs) says
Wow, this looks amazing. Good thing you have extra suitcase room for all that swag!
Faith says
This looks like such a fun time! Wow, FANTASTIC eats! And I love giant veggie Ragu jar!
Matt says
Fun day! Wish I could be there but I’ll have fun brewing beer tomorrow too!
And I think you’re still pretty hot in green – ribbit
VeggieGirl says
Hooray for meeting Jenn!!! She’s the best.
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl says
Wow, NYC? That’d be awesome!!
I love that water bottle and t-shirt purse. So cool! And I listened to your Blog Talk Radio interview–congrats! It’s a fab interview.
🙂
Holly says
looks like SO MUCH FUN! love all those samples and fun stands – and Miss Eating Bender. Awesome. keep having so much fun in chitown 🙂
Christine p. says
I am sitting here with my sister from Savannah and we r getting excited about starting our own food blog where we can share our family food history.
Melissa says
My goodness! Look at all of that fun free stuff you are getting!?! hehe, I love getting freebies! I love trying out new products – I would probably go crazy there! I just wish I was good at blogging…
Anyway, I just got finished listening to your interview on blog talk radio! It was great!! I heart your blog a lot and I am so glad that I found you! Have a fun night! I totally look forward to sitting down to nurse my baby so I can read up! 😉
~Melissa
Hallie (Healthy Twists) says
Wow! Events like these where you really learn a lot are so much fun (ones that are boring with crappy swag…not so much). I bet you’re picking up some tips to use on the Healthy Living Summit!
Irene says
What an awesome event! Love all the swag!
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) says
That looks so awesome! How do you get to be a part of something like that, does BlogHer invite you?
Looks like a blast!
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
This looks like my little version of heaven. SO excited the next one is in NY!!!
Loving your pictures Kath, seriously! It’s so great to get to visually follow you such a cool experience! 🙂
PS – Glad you were finally able to ditch the sweater for a little while 😉
Gab* says
The food looks amazing!!! I don’t know about doughnuts for breakfast though! You look like you’re having a great time!
Nicole says
Wow! This looks so fun. I loved your interview!
Cynthia (It all changes) says
Looks like a blast. All that food looks great and is making me hungry. Enjoy the rest of the conference!
Rebecca says
Oh man!! I’m definitely going to try to go to the one NYC!! I live in NY!! It looks like you’re having a great time!!!
caitlin says
im super jealous – looks like it is tons of fun!!
Stacey says
OMG, I am so jealous!! Lol, I’ve been behind on my blog reading..and I was just about to email you about a run on Monday, just to see that you have traveled more!! I swear, do you ever stay put?? Haha 🙂 Glad you are getting some free goodies!!!!!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) says
Wow, looks like you are having a blast! That Hanes purse is hilarious.
katey says
wow- looks like you had an awesome time! That looks like a lot of fun 🙂
Anna says
Chicago is a great city! I have visited it twice. The “bean” is so much fun to see! Your pictures reminded me of mine!Hope you are having a good time 🙂
annaseats.com
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) says
WOW looks like you’re having an amazing time. Too bad I won’t be able to make it down to the city to meet and greet again but hope to see you in New York next year. Totally missed out on tickets this year and it’s in my own backyard LOL
Looking forward to reading more about BlogHer.
Vince says
Looks like you are having an awesome time! I think the woman at the canoli table was not thrilled to have her picture taken as she grabbed one LOL
Tammy says
Wow, that looks amazing! Have a great time!
emmy says
Has anyone else seen “The Ugly Truth?” Now the bean photos take on a whole ‘nother meaning!
Kathy (Moving Beyond Perfection) says
I am so jealous of your Oikos coupons!!!! They are SO expensive, but I LOVE them – even more than fage 🙂 Anyway, glad to see your having a blast!!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Wow Kath that looks so fun! And New York next year – amazing!
Jessica says
wow that looks amazing … is this just a convention for bloggers?
all that food looks sooo good.
-muffy
Susan says
Wow, that looks like such a huge conference!! The 5k fun run sounds like a great way to start your day 🙂 Love all the swag, although, I’d probably be most excited about the water bottle too 😉
Krissy (Single Serving) says
It looks like a great time. I’m very, very new to blogging but now that I know 2010 will be in NYC I might just have to attend. Since I live here the cost shouldn’t be too bad! Thanks for such an in depth report!
Michelle says
Those water bottles are INCREDIBLE. I have one and it never leaks.