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Thursday evening in NYC – BlogHer10

Posted on August 12, 2010 4:53 pm by TheAngelForever

One week ago, we packed up the boys to go to Nana and Papa, met Christina and were on our way to BlogHer10. We drove into NYC in style via our Chevy Tahoe Hybrid courtesy of Chevrolet for the ChevyBlogHer carpool. TechyDad wrote about our adventure and included a video of the pictures from the road. By the time we arrived and had finally left our car to the valet, our nerves were a bit frazzled.

After circling the block several times, seeing a few too many yellow cabs nearly crash into us, and being told the parking lot of the Hilton was full – we were ready to get inside and relax. Luckily, the valet found our rather large SUV a spot to sleep in for the weekened and we were able to head into the hotel to get our rooms. TechyDad and I went to drop off our things in our room on the 31st floor.

We quickly called the boys, left our things and went back downstairs to see when we could officially register for BlogHer. It was still too early, so we went back to our room and I tried to get in touch with Debra, Cathi, and Kailani about the event we were all going to. While I waited, I got ready to head out for a night in NYC. Just as we were about to go down, I heard back from the ladies that they would meet me at the Hilton. They figured they could register and then we would get a taxi to the Toy Industry Association’s Girl’s Night Out.. Christina met us down stairs and we posed for a quick photo all dressed up and ready to go.

Soon it was time to head out with Debra and Cathi, Kailani would be meeting us later on at the dinner. So the three of us went to get a taxi. Thank goodness Debra and Cathi knew what they were doing. We quickly got one and were off to the Dashing Diva Salon for the start of our Girls’ Night Out hosted by the Toy Industry Association. Let me preface this with a HUGE thank you to Adrienne, Stacy, Reyne, Kristen and Joan who made an amazing event for all of us in attendance.

When we walked into this pink palace, there were drinks on the table and gorgeous specialty cupcakes. We signed in and then set off to select a polish color to start with a pedicure. It was during this time that I was able to chat some more with Debra. We had met at DisneySMMoms in February, but never had a lot of time to talk. Here are some photos from the time here.

During our time here, I also met other bloggers. While sitting with my fingers and toes drying, I got chatting with Selfish Mom. As we were talking, she mentioned that she had lived in our area while working at the New York State Theater Institute. When I asked which productions, she was able to list them off and I had actually seen at least two of them. It truly is a small world!

Eventually, it was time to head from the Dashing Diva Salon to Cafeteria for dinner. Once again, we needed to get a cab from one side of town to the other. Here are Reyne and Debra getting us a cab to go.

Once we arrived at Cafeteria, we were whisked away to a private room in the basement. Here there were cocktails and an array of amazing foods served. Check out the bacon popcorn, their infamous macaroni and cheese, and amazing goodies at the end. (I goofed and was too busy chatting and enjoying the other food to take photos.)

Of course, the night was also about finally meeting friends that I have been talking with online for years now. Here are the four of us with our Twitter names above. We represented Hawaii, California, Texas and New York proudly at this dinner.

We also had wonderful conversations with Reyne and Helen from Working Mother Magazine. The evening flew by so fast as we talked about our life experiences, blogs, travel, and love for toys.

When it was time to go, we thanked everyone from the Toy Industry Association, gave lots of hugs and went back in a taxi toward the hotel. TechyDad met up with me to walk back to the Hilton where we went to bed to get ready for a day filled with non-stop sessions, connections and fun. Thank you again to Adrienne, Stacy, Reyne, Kristen and Joan for a magical start to the BlogHer10 weekend. I look forward to working with all of you in the future.

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends BlogHer food glorious food friends fun photos TechyDad yummy

The many characters of BlogHer10

Posted on August 11, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends BlogHer fun photos TechyDad Wordless Wednesday

A childhood best friend

Posted on August 5, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It’s only fitting that today, while heading to BlogHer, I write about long time friends. Later today, while at BlogHer, I will finally be able to meet many people that I have known in the blogosphere for three or more years. I am so excited about this. The list of people that I hope to meet and some see again (from DisneySMMoms) would be too long to list here, plus I no doubt would leave out someone important without meaning to hurt feelings.

Last Friday, I had a reunion of a different kind. I have to admit, I was really giddy about this. I actually called my parents to see if I could have a friend come over to "play" at their house. When my parents heard that it was my lifelong friend and former neighbor Julespearl, they immediately agreed. Heck, they were excited at the prospect of seeing her. They had probably not seen her since my wedding, nine years ago.

Growing up, Julespearl and I were inseperable. The two of us would knit together on the porch in the summer, watch Little House in the Prarie first thing each morning, and share our dreams of teaching. She was actually one of the few people that knew I secretly wanted to teach when I started off at pharmacy school.

Julespearl and I have tried to get together in the past, but things just didn’t work out. This time we both knew it was a must. So the other night I sent her a message. I asked if she could come over to play – seriously! For old times, TechyDad even made WhirlyPop popcorn that I brought and we had ice tea as we chatted while the boys played. The sad thing, Julespearl had never actually met my boys in person while we both lived in the same city all these years.

It was like time had stopped and we had never grown up. We talked and talked and talked. Each of us catching up on things that have or are happening in our lives. We both commented on how special our neighborhood was growing up. All of the kids played together, summers did not need camp because we all went on adventures to the park and beyond together. It really was a different time period. As much as I love our neighbord here, our busy schedules means that we do not see each other often and it is sad especially based on my childhood.

As dinner time approached, Julespearl had to head home. She and her hubby were heading out to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Just another reminder that we had indeed grown up.

So today, as I make new friends and see others once again, I also look forward to making more memories when I get back home from BlogHer with my good buddy. I can not wait to sit down and knit together with citronella candles lit listening to Beetles in the background.

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends BlogHer friends jsl knitting looking back me moments nhl photos

NYC and BlogHer bound

Posted on July 30, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

A week from today, I will be in NYC at BlogHer. I am excited, nervous and overwelmed in a good way. There are so many people that I can not wait to meet, sessions that look incredible and fun parties that will add to the experience. Last year, I was one of the people that was not at BlogHer ’09 in Chicago. I had planned on it, but opted for a family Disney World vacation earlier instead. I remember sitting at my computer wishing I was there with everyone in Chicago. I saw all of the pre-BlogHer posts and drooled, then sulked when everyone was there and live blogging/Tweeting.

I vowed not to over write about BlogHer before the conference. Since this will be my first BlogHer experience, I am going in naive with the expectation to take it one moment at a time. Sure, I have a tentative schedule of everything I would love to do. Will I be upset if it doesn’t work out? Not really, there is so much that I will learn from BlogHer and I am thrilled to be able to go.

So my question to you this week:

Have you ever been to BlogHer in the past and will you be there next week? If not, please know I feel for you and hope that one day you will be able to attend if that is your wish.

P.S. One last thing before I go. I would like to take the time to thank Chevrolet. I am part of a group that will be carpooling to BlogHer in NYC in a Chevy sponsored vehicle. CutestKidEver, AlbanyMommy, TechyDad and I will be driving in a Tahoe Hybrid to our destination.

We are one of ten groups that were selected. They will be providing us with the vehicle, one tank of gas, ON STAR access, and parking once we arrive. They are not paying for additional gas, lodging or our tickets to BlogHer. If you would like to follow along with our journey and the others carpooling to BlogHer ’10, you can follow #ChevyBlogHer on Twitter.

Update: For those taking part in the #ChevyBlogHer carpool and want to use the banner, Lisa asked me to share. Here is the code to use:

<p><a href="http://www.blogher.com/carpool-blogher-10-chevrolet" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.theangelforever.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ChevyBlogHer.jpg"></a></p>

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #110

Categories:
Aloha Friday Blogging Conference bloggy friends BlogHer me moments road trip TechyDad

It’s time to Wear Pink for Cora

Posted on July 23, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

July 30th is only a week away and I have a question for you. Will you be wearing Pink for Cora? (Please note my Aloha Friday question is below) If you are unfamiliar with Cora, you can learn more about this precious angel and the work her courageous mother Kristine is doing in her memory.

Kristine, her husband Ben and Cora are helping to save lives. In June, I wore pink on the 30th for Cora.

As word is spreading, more and more people are wearing pink all over to help raise awareness about CHD. Simply put, Cora is helping to save lives.

Recently, Kristine set up another website called Wear Pink For Cora.

Here she focuses on the amazing things that people have done on the 30th while wearing pink for Cora. As Kritstine puts it, the 30th of the month is a day to do good, have compassion and spread Cora’s love and beauty.

So my question for you this week is inspired by Kristine, Ben and Cora:

What good deed will you try to do next week on July 30th in honor of Cora?

Please join me next week and wear pink, so something special and help to spread the word. Let’s show Kristine how much her little girl can help to change the world one good deed at a time.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.