Bloggy Boot Camp Dallas Recap!

Yes, this is belated. I mean, seriously belated, seeing as how I left for Dallas 12 days ago to head up to the beautiful Doubletree by Hilton at Campbell Centre to spend the weekend with 100 other bloggers, most of whom were a.) women (seriously, all but one!), and b.) fellow Texans. In my defense, I've been busy. But another part of why I've been putting off writing this post is simply the massive amount of information I've been attempting to process.

First and foremost, let me tell you this: I am so happy that I went. The conference itself was wonderful, with some of the most knowledgeable people in blogging presenting on topics such as the business of blogging, the how and why of ebooks, top ten tips to blogging success and keeping your content authentic. There were plenty of other things discussed (isn't that the nature of a room full of 100+ women?!?!), but even having been blogging for over three years, I learned so much about the aspects of monetization, working with businesses and brands and basic SEO, and met so many lovely ladies!

At the Kroger Reception with Stephanie from Food and Fitness 4 Real, Melissa from Domestic Engineering, Leigh Ann from Genie in a Blog, and the Barefoot Wines guy! Yes, I'm drinking a wine sno cone. Whatevs.

The lovely Laurie Turk from Tip Junkie - such an inspirational speaker!

  Again, and with wine again, with Leigh Ann and Melissa. These ladies were my awesome carpool buddies and roommates, and I had such a blast getting to know them better! 

The Doubletree by Hilton Campbell Centre. Melissa had a fancy rewards card, so we got to stay on the top floor. Awesome view! 

Second, being away from Ava? It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Most importantly, she survived, as did my husband. In fact, it'd be safe to say that they thrived! He not only took her down to his parents, but also they went to the Houston Zoo to spend the day, which she absolutely loved. She remembered the lion (Jonathan) by name and fed the giraffes again - so fun! I'd be lying if I said that I pined for her every second. Sure, there was plenty of times when I missed her, but there is little as rejuvenating as sleeping in a bed without a toddler, not having to locate a pacifier regularly, and being in charge of only myself. I mean, wow. If you've yet to get away overnight, I highly suggest it! Now to just get away overnight with D so we can how it goes, and then maybe we'll get a honeymoon yet!!!

Third, and potentially most eye-opening, is that I have zero desire to be a "big" blogger. I don't mean to put down those bloggers who write more sponsored material than original thoughts and content - to each their own. But for me, I will always be about the writing and the connection and community that blogging provides. As the first mother in my friend group, it was absolutely essential to me to connect with a community of ladies who had similarly-aged children and who were going through similar things. Ashlie, Emily, Anika, Rene, Jenn, Jen, Kristin, Stephanie and many more - you guys have been lifesavers on countless occasions, giving me comfort and support through your words as well as your responses to my own. And so when they talked about your tribe and who you write with in mind when you blog, I thought immediately of you guys, not of businesses I'm trying to attract. When that happens organically, it's so great. I've partnered with some local businesses that I'm proud to promote, and because I take pride in their organization, I feel great doing that. Again, it's about the community - local Austin mothers and mother-run businesses have so much in common and so much to contribute to one another, and I adore those opportunities. But like I said before, this is about me, and us, and having a supportive outlet, not about plugging ads for BBQ sauce and the like, and whereas I think a lot of people may have walked away from BBC Dallas with a renewed interest in advertising, I feel stronger now than ever that I am on the right path for me limiting my partnerships to companies and people I really believe in, and that are doing what they can to help mothers and families (ahem, Plug & Play).

So, in a nutshell, those are the three main things I took from this experience. I learned so much, and met some wonderful women, but more than anything, I came home with a renewed interest in writing (I know there have been months on end when I post mainly picture-centric posts!) and creating authentic content that suits my original purpose (to keep family and friends up to date on A and our family happenings!), and furthers my goals (to collaborate with local businesses and fellow mothers to make life a little easier and better for all of us!).

Happy blogging, everyone! 

 (What would have been my new headshot, had the flash not made my eyebrows look nonexistent. Eh, oh well.) 

(Note: my picture uploading is a bit screwy, so pardon the choppy photo inserts...)

Five Things I Learned at Bloggy Boot Camp This Weekend!

As you may have known, I spent the past weekend in Dallas with two of my fellow Austin Bloggers members (Melissa at Domestic Engineering, and Leigh Ann of Genie in a Blog). While a more in-depth post is to come later - once I've caught up with all that I missed in my first overnight trip away from Ava and found time to sort through my thoughts on all that I learned at BBC Dallas - here are five things I learned at Bloggy Boot Camp this weekend:

1. I apparently like to take pictures of my food:

2. Brunettes outnumber blondes in the blogging community...

3. I'm socially awkward. This comes as little surprise, but it is hard for me to come up with things to talk about with fellow bloggers, despite that we obviously have something in common right off the bat.

4. Traveling with people you don't know very well can make for a surprisingly fun time. I had some great convos with the girls I was staying with, and was happy to have roommates - a pleasant surprise!

5. I'm not the low-maintenance under-packer that I think I am...oops!

(Yes, that shit is all mine, all for a 48 hour period.)

And, for a bonus, Dallas is actually kind of a cool place. Who knew?

A less BS post to come with a handful of things I actually learned at Bloggy Boot Camp Dallas and pictures of more than just my dirty clothes on the floor....

Dallas, Here I Come!

This weekend, I'll be attending the infamous day-long blogging conference, Bloggy Boot Camp, in Dallas. While I'm excited to have it take place in a nearby city, Dallas is still a good 3-3.5 hours away, meaning that I'll be staying overnight both nights.

I'd be lying to say I wasn't looking forward to going. The thought of adult company, meeting and connecting with people I only know online, making new friends and having the chance to learn things that will not only better my blog, but my writing and freelance work as well, all sounds like a blast. But...

It'll be my first ever time away from Ava. Ever. 

I mean, sure, I've spent a few hours here and there away from her, but the longest stretch ever was during my bachelorette party - and I was gone from about 11am until after dinner, when my lame self trekked it back home because I apparently can't do both day and night drinking these days. Anyhow, I've never been away from her overnight. And I'm a little bit freaking out about it.

It's not that I don't trust my husband. In fact, he's definitely the more cautious of the two of us, since I've adopted a laidback attitude about parenting that's come from years of working with children on a daily basis. I just feel so scared and worried and anxious that something bad could happen, especially with him driving three hours each way to his parents with her (!!!), and that I'll never see her again.

Ridiculous, I know. So was the fact that I used to stay awake night after night monitoring her breathing, when it comes down to it. But I'm afraid of little as a parent except losing my child, and that fear is taking over right now.

I really kicked around canceling my trip to stay at home. But then I thought more and more about it, and that's ridiculous. I didn't go to the first conveniently located bloggy boot camp two years ago because I didn't want to leave Ava - and it was in Austin! I just would've been gone for one day. And now, of course, I'm wishing I would have gone then, so I'd have some modicum of comfort with the situation now. So I'm pushing out of my comfort zone, trusting in my husband and having faith that all will be ok (knock on wood!!!), and biting the bullet: I'm packing up my car, picking up some other local bloggers (shout out to Leigh Ann and Melissa - woot!), and heading to Bloggy Boot Camp for the weekend! Dallas, here I come!

Any advice for a mama leaving her baby 2.5 year old for the first time? Are these feelings normal? Am I insane (a question likely better left unanswered)?!?

(Also, I feel like I should clarify since this makes me sound like an insane, hovering, anxiety-ridden mama, which I am generally not. In fact, I'm usually quite the opposite, sitting back and letting Ava do her own thing and following her lead. Just so you first-timers reading this don't think I'm, well, crazier than I really am. Which is still pretty crazy.)

Guess Who's Going to Bloggy Boot Camp Dallas?!

Yeah, that'd be me. Definitely not the most difficult guessing game, now, was it?

A couple years back, I tossed around the idea of attending Bloggy Boot Camp in Austin, but was unable to come up with both the time and the money then. I've regretted missing it ever since, though, having heard so many positive things, and so when I heard that the SITS girls would be heading back to Texas this coming September, I knew I had to go!

Though they won't be in Austin this time around (aw, shucks!), they will be heading North of our capital city to the Big D, and so myself and several other area bloggers are planning to head the three hours up IH-35 to attend! 

I'm looking so forward to the opportunity to attend and hear from some amazing speakers, including the lovely Holly Homer from June Cleaver Nirvana, as well as Kathy Bouska from Mama's Losin It and many others! I'm equally looking forward to connecting in person with bloggers/writers that I have only previously known on the internet, and making some great new friendships!

Speaking of, I connect with several of you on a regular basis in the Dallas area, and would absolutely love to meet you, whether you'll be attending the one-day conference as well or not. I'm hoping to be in town Friday through Sunday, though that depends significantly on whether or not I can secure sponsorship, but I would love to meet some of you if you'd like!

If you're interested in attending Bloggy Boot Camp, either in Dallas or otherwise, click here for information on tickets, locations, and how you can benefit!