A Few of My Favorite Things From BlogHer

I wanted to call this “my favorite swag” but I felt that was kind of rude.  You know, like the rest of the free stuff sucked or something.  Honestly, I love everything I came home with.  I did drop a few things off at the recycling room.  I also picked up a few things with the intention of handing them off to friends (especially the mom-related items).

In no particular order:

• multiple thumb drives - I’ll probably keep one or two and the others I’ll probably give away to friends
• Zivio bluetooth headset by Joby (the guys that brought you the Gorillapod adjustable tripod - it’s been on my Christmas list for the past two years…this year, if I don’t get me a Gorillapod, I’m getting it myself!) - this bluetooth baby is awesome!  It’s super small and light weight, has a retractable mic that you can use in loud or windy situations, and my favorite part, it has six different type and size ear buds for that perfect fit!  It’s not yet out on the market, but when it comes out in late summer, be sure to pick one up.  You’ll love it!
• Soap Nuts from LaundryTree - these little guys are Nature’s answer to eco-safe, all natural, laundry detergent…dried fruit from the Sapindus Mukorossi tree found in India and Nepal that’s naturally soapy.  I’ve been wanting to try these out for the past month after having read about them in Sophia Ulian’s Gorgeously Green book (still hope to interview her shortly - once I get a moment to contact her) and now I finally have the chance.  Look out laundromat, your world is about to change!
• Kirtsy mints - just because Kirtsy is cool and well, mints are always good to have.  Don’t you agree?
• Merci chocolates - they gave me three pounds packages of the chocolate, but I was smart enough to immediately give one away. The other will be enjoyed by yours truly with the last one being sent out to a friend when the weather cools in time for National Thank You Day (which was why they were given out to begin with).   Just think, twenty sticks of German chocolate goodness!  PMS your dreams have been answered!
• The Closer Crimson Essie polish - one of those perfect red polishes for the toes.  And it’s Essie, one of my favorite brands (even if I don’t watch The Closer).
• Michelin Man tire gauge - I don’t know about you, but I just know my tires are improperly inflated.  I never bothered to buy a tire gauge and now I don’t have to.  I wound up chatting with one of the guys from Michelin and he told me that they arranged for the carbon offsets for the entire BlogHer conference.  How cool is that?!?!
• Aluminum bottle from LeapFrog Toys - I’ve been meaning to get my own Sigg bottle, I just never got around to it and now I don’t have to.  So while I don’t use LeapFrog products myself, I do get them for gifts and I really appreciate my new eco-friendly bottle.

So there you have it, some of my favorite products that I came away with from BlogHer.    I also got a couple of decent pens (who doesn’t need decent pens) and a T-Mobile pre-paid card which will most definitely come in handy when I’m traveling and need to get online.  Now I just need to put is some place safe - LOL.

Finally, Some Photos From BlogHer!

To be honest, I only took the camera out once while waiting in the hall for the entrepreneur breakout session and then again, when Jennifer from TheSmartMama and I won our bags at the Macy’s closing party.  So bear with me.

The Pile o’ Business Cards (I will compile a list…eventually)

Some of the Swag (some was still buried in the suitcase)

Speaking of the suitcase…I had to take out all my clothes and squish them in a carry on bag to make room for the swag

Lookee above, I won a bag!! Not my style and I’ll be putting it up on eBay, but still very cool!

And check it out…a blogger…blogging!! (actually I just now realized that that’s Patricia Handschiegel formerly of Style Diary - second time I heard her speak…she’s got her shit together and isn’t afraid to share her ups and downs - I really need to reach out to her)

And now I must head out to lunch with a LWL friend. Need to catch up…

I’ve Been Done In By a Hoover Steam Cleaner!

But God help me, my carpet looks good! I probably should have done it twice by seriously, that thing is a pain in the ass.  Not to mention that every third of our tiny room I have to empty the dirty (so gross!) water and refill the soap and hot water.

Now I just have to wonder how long it will be before I can move back in to the living room.  I mean our place is only so big - and I did the spot by my desk under my greasy (hand me down) chair. So really, that doesn’t leave all too much room to spread out in.

And well, since I’m sweaty, disgusting and probably stink (I refuse to take a deep breath) it’s not like I can run out some where.  Then again, I basically can’t shower until I put the living room back together since that will make me get all sweaty and gross yet again.

Of course, the hall is still soaking wet (I tried, but it’s such a tiny space), but I’m just too lazy (again) to lock up the dog, protect the cat and dig out the machine to suck up the water.  I also cleaned the kitchen floor a bit.  It looks better, but it’s still pretty bad.  But what do you expect, I think that flooring (hell, it’s that industrial crap they used to use in schools) is at least 20 years old.  How clean would I expect it to get, right?

And don’t even get me started in the major mess I made in the bathroom while dumping out the water.  I have brackish, black water everywhere!!!  So yeah, it is a pain in the ass, but dayum does my living room look good!

Now I’m off to eat my leftover tostada pizza from CPK.  It’s a salad. It’s a pizza.  It’s a salad pizza!!!! Yummy!

PS - It’s really boring when you can’t walk around your apartment, catch up on missed TV shows (since the hubby watches as well) and can’t really sit comfortably at the desk to poke around online.  Guess I’ll go read one of the many, many books I have to catch up with.

Some Things I’ve Learned This Weekend

This is a pretty quick and non-BlogHer related post, but now that I’m home and setttled in a bit, I realized that I’ve learned a couple of things this weekend.  In no particular order…

• It seems as though I’m allergic to something in our home (besides our cat).  Every time I go away, my throat clears up and I lose the post-nasal crap.  So there’s something in our apartment that just doesn’t agree with me.
• As much as I love being around other women…I really only like being around supportive and positive women.  There was some jealousy and negativity in the air this weekend and it was palpable, and downright uncomfortable.
• I really and truly can and will talk to anyone about anything.  Anywhere.
• I like initiating contact with strangers - especially when I meet some great people (waves hello to my new friends!!!)
• Traveling is tiring.  Even though I got a good 7-8 hours of sleep a night, I’m freakin’ wiped out exhausted today.  Like the kind of exhausted where I can barely think clearly.  What’s up with that.
• I can surprisingly travel lighter with swag than with a suitcase full of clothes.  Who knew?!?
• Even when you stop the mail, they still deliver the crap.  What’s up with that?!?!
• As much as I love having the bed all to myself, I miss my boys and my husband.
• I hate unpacking.  And even when I tell myself I’m packing light (I only packed an extra sweater, otherwise, I wore everything - one outfit for each day - once) it’s still too much shit.
• I believe my eye lash curler is what has been setting off the TSA luggage search these past few flights.  It’s the only common thing (outside of regular make-up and a brush) that I had with me in my small, checked bag, that I didn’t have with me the last time I traveled.  Guess I won’t be bringing that with me any more.
• Raisinets does not a lunch make.  And well, sadly, American chocolate sucks and I just need to stop eating it.  It’s just not worth the calories since it really isn’t even satisfying or tasty.
• I am SO thankful that the ONLY thing on my agenda tomorrow is that I have to pick the hubs up from the airport.

On now, I’m off to veg or sleep or whatever comes first…

I Have No Voice Thanks to BlogHer08

But don’t get me wrong, I had a blast.  I have some video clips, a couple of photos (not many come to think of it), and tons of business cards, but with such a wonky connection here in the room, it’s not worth even trying to get any of it up.  So instead, I thought I’d just post a little something while I wait for my shuttle back to  Oakland.

I really can’t wait to dig into my pile of biz cards and start checking out those new sites.  I met some awesome people that I know I’ll be keeping in touch with: Clair, Erica, Jennifer & Heather to start with (no blog links right now, but I believe I mentioned them in the previous post…dunno right now).  And it was great to finally get a moment to chat with Sizzle over champagne in Macy’s!

I’ll go into the pros and cons of the event itself in another post.  The things that were right, were so spot on.  The things that need some rethinking and improvement would make the event even better still.  But since I don’t won’t anyone to get offended or bothered (so much work goes into planning these sort of events), I don’t want to write it up on the fly.  Make sense.

Speaking of Macy’s, that was one helluva party.  We had private areas on four floors: purses, shoes, lingerie and a “club” in furniture.  We had wine, champagne, new Starbucks protein drinks, plenty of yummy appetizers and tasty macaroons.  We had contests to enter (which was how I won a new Lacoste bag - and of course, they have some flashy, flash site and I can’t find the damn bag!) and samples to pick up.  Then we ended up lounging around the living room sets just munching on food and drinking good wine from Oops.  Of course, eventually, the crowds and the music got to be too much and well, now I don’t have much of a voice.  Oh well, it happens right?

Okay, time to get downstairs and wait for my shuttle.  I should be fine with my bags.  All my clothes are in a carryon size bag that I’m checking and all my swag is in my actual suitcase.  Here’s hoping I’m not exceeding the 50 pound limit this way.

Catch you on the flip side!

Look Who I Met at BlogHer Last Night

This list is based purely on business cards and two others I remember chatting with…

• Clair @ clairnation.blogspot.com & endorphineaddtict.blogspot.com - does a local San Francisco based blog with lots of photos
• Jessica @ ItalyLogue.com - she’s a travel writer that writes all about Italy.  Great job or what?
• Sarah @ findableblogs.com - she does blog design
• Jennifer @ thesmartmama.com - a blog about reducing toxic chemicals in the house - she’s the goto gal for having that eco house and raising kids eco-safe
• Heather @ desperatelyseekingsanity.com - how great is that title?  A cool mom-ish blogger that blogs about a lot more than just being a mom. This lady has one jam-packed life.
• Brie @ jujucoop.blogspot.com - an almost library and sometimes DJ from Vancouver
• Siz @ Sizzle Says - we didn’t get to chat long since she was working the front signin desk
• Kristy over at BlogHer - again, didn’t get to chat long since she was working

And for those nonbloggers

• Met one of the gals handing out Soap Nuts - so excited
• Sallie - is a PR gal that works with the Fresh & Easy chain (we lover their apricot/peach newtons)
• Sally - another PR gal, this one working in children’s entertainment, like Jim Henson’s team and PBS shows
• Jan - works with Her Room, a online women’s lingerie shop (she’s actually here at my hotel).

Off to a great start and having fun.  Networking at it’s best

Greetings From San Francisco!

Here’s a brief tour of my hotel room here in San Francisco.  I’m waiting on my wine opener and crackers now - scratch that, they’re bringing me chocolate instead!  Woohoo!  Gotta love hotels with loyalty programs!

Trying to decide if I want to head on over to Fisherman’s Wharf on my own or just hang low today.  I’ve never been to Fisherman’s Wharf (except to run out and squish a penny while we were zooming through my first time in SF), but I’m just not so sure I’m up for siteseeing by myself right now.  Hello, it’s tea time downstairs right now and I just might meet fellow blogHers down there! I already introduced myself to the lady checking in before me.  She’s not here as a blogger, but as a vendor.  So there’s no stopping me now.

Then there’s the newbie party at the Westin (just mere stumbling steps away) tonight at 8:00.  I’ll need to shower and change (even having a good hair day) before heading over.  Oh and in hindsight, I wish I’d have brought my purse with me afterall instead of just the wristlet.  At least tonight I’d have easily been able to carry my biz cards, my camera and my Flip.

And speaking of the flip, I’m just sitting her (the chocolate has arrived - will go great with my glass of Cab!!!) listening to the mighty Oprah (boring topic) and waiting for the video clip to upload to YouTube. Sure takes a while.  Hurry hurry, I want to head downstairs for tea & sherry.

Crap, my wireless connection might be too slow for the upload.  I called the front desk, they had me call tech support.  I don’t have high hopes for getting a strong enough signal to upload.  Guess I’ll be bringing my laptop with me tomorrow afterall.  Grrrr.   Maybe I should try again from tea & sherry downstairs - no go…they don’t use the same service downstairs.  Double Grrr!

Video tomorrow then.  Now, I’m off for tea and sherry.

Have You Read These Books?

I need to pick a book to bring with me on the plane to BlogHer.  Well, since the folks at Elle Magazine have provided me with a stack o’books, I thought I’d ask y’all.

So have you read any of these?  Any recommendations?  Which would you choose (they’re all hardbacks) if it was up to you?

• The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perotta
• Ellington Boulevard by Adam Langer
• Willing by Scott Spencer
• All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown
• The Seamstress by Frances de Pontes Peebles

BlogHer Here I Come!!!

Well, I leave tomorrow, but same thing.  I mean I don’t know if I’ll have time to post something before I go tomorrow since I have to drop the pupster off before heading out.  And today, man, well today I still have a list of things to do…deal with our newspaper subscription (neither one of us recalls the login info), return to cient calls, write some blog posts for my other sites, get the contest up on my other site, and book my airport shuttle.  Oh yeah, and pack.

I guess I better check the forecast before I start throwing clothes in the suitcase.  Since I’ll be inside most of the day, I’m thinking that longish-sleeve tops would be fine.  And outside of the one casual dress for Thursday’s newbie event, I’ve decided to stick with a darkwash pair of jeans and call it a day.  I might wear sandals during the day, but throw my walking flats into my backpack in case I need to head out into the city.

Believe it or not, my biggest question is which jewelry to take since I have two longish silver necklaces that I love (and need to polish).  Guess I should also dig up my wedding ring too since I rarely wear that.  Hmmm..maybe I should ask for a new band for our 5th since this one is hollow and digs in a bit - but any bigger and it would be too big.

I’m also really excited that I got my Flip video camera.  I might put up a quick video tomorrow sometime.  It’s great fun to play with.  I look forward to asking various bloggers to give me a burning blogging answer to share with my biz blog readers.

And now it’s back to packing.  I expect to still be around and maybe sending out a tweet from time to time.  But I doubt I’ll be carrying my laptop with me to the event (since I’m not in the same hotel).  So don’t expect any quality blogging in my absence.

Oh Crap! Still More Books!

I know I mentioned in the not-so-recent past that I have books a’plenty, I mean piles of books to read.  Not counting stuff I want to read or business books and ebooks that I really need to read.  Well a while back, a friend introduced me to the a reading panel for Elle Magazine.  I chose the fiction package and received three books to read and review (I actually hated all three including the Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner - so sad, I love her stuff).

First thing this morning, I go to let the dog out and there’s a DHL package sitting on our stoop.  I figured it was the marketing, business stuff I ordered so I just brought it in and sat it by my desk.  Turns out it’s five more books from Elle!!!  I have until August or something to read these five (well, four, since Certain Girls was included again) books.

Hello, I have my own shit to read!  Let’s just hope that these four books are all better than the batch that I had to read that first time around.

Oh if anyone wants a copy of Certain Girls just let me know since I now have two copies.  I can ship it out to you media mail.