Having gotten into San Diego at 11pm on Wednesday instead of the 1pm we should have arrived, I was happy my Thursday BlogHer events started out slowly.
We started off the day at the 
P&G Life Well Lived event that included some really amazing speakers, a nice brunch, and a really good opportunity to chat laundry with Tide, make plans to see some handmade and local jewelry, and meet all the awesome ladies {and one man} behind the Social Soiree party. Truly a great time and the perfect way to get my feet wet at BlogHer and make some friends at the same time.
Next, a coffee date with a PR firm was cancelled last minute and rescheduled for the next day, which gave a good opportunity for the family to pick me up for a little outdoor shopping for some new adventure luggage courtesy of Collective Bias. Much, much more on this to come…
After shopping, I got the opportunity to meet with Step2 and Infantino, two of my absolute favorite kids brands, in an afternoon playdate on Coronado Island. We were escorted by the Matts of Mom Central {you may know them as the dudes in an office of divas} by bus to a gorgeous house filled with toys, activities, and candy, and served snacks and drinks while we mingled. We were given time to create gift baskets, offer input on new top-secret ideas brewing at Step2 {prepare to have your mind blown}, see demos of some new products including the Right Angle Tummy Triangle, Kimono Carrier {which I really, really want to try after seeing the demo}, and new Step2 kitchen, as well as create our own inspiration boards and personalized rubber duckies to take home. The playdate was laid back and fun, which I was relieved about since this was my first official event and I really just wanted to mingle and have a relaxing afternoon in a beautiful place with some of my absolute favorite people. It was a great way to start off the weekend of activity and really connect with other bloggers and the people behind these amazing brands.
Next stop was to the iFabbo Glamour Suite which was nothing short of amazing. I walked into Robert Cromean’s salon a pale, minimally made up chick from Seattle and mere minutes later I walked out looking like a rockstar. One Beautisol spray tan, curly ‘do, and Stila Cosmetics glamour makeover later and I was truly ready to take on BlogHer. Even more amazing than my smoky cat-eyes? The awesome beauty-filled goodie bag and a much greater appreciation for the amazing iFabbo Network. Having seen what these ladies and men can do in a matter of minutes, I truly believe they really are nothing short of magicians. Not only do they know how to create an awesome beauty retreat in the middle of a big city, they are also incredibly nice and lovely to work with. Hopefully you will be hearing a whole lot more about iFabbo in the coming months!
A whirlwind tour through the Big Toy Book Sweet Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel reconnected me to some awesome brands I’ve worked with in the past, like LeapFrog, Tolly Tots, and Corolle as well as introduced me to a whole host of new names and companies I’m excited to work with. I can’t wait to introduce you to some of the new companies and products I found in the suite, including Fisher Price, Adora Dolls, BananaGrams, and more that you will be hearing about closer to the holiday season. Want to see something adorable? Check out kidzvuz.com to see toy and game reviews from kids themselves!
Last stop of the night was to Hotel Solamar which was hosting the Clever Collective “I’m With the Brand” rockstar party. Having chatted with the Clever Girls for months and weeks beforehand and being elated to find out they would be sponsoring some of my BlogHer trip, I was so excited to just meet them, shake their hands, and let loose with them in a beautiful rooftop suite. Even though I knew hanging out with these ladies would be a great time, my expectations were blown completely out of the water as soon as I arrived. We’re talking Smurfs, treats and drinks, Ubisoft, Lady Gaga, an awesome dance-off, and even custom flip books made on the spot. But! Know what else? They are also some of the coolest chicks anywhere, gracious hosts, and funny as heck. But, then again, you probably already know that. Only disappointment of the night? I didn't win the Epiphanie Camera Bag they were giving away. Seriously, I need an Epiphanie bag!
If all this doesn’t make you jealous… well, then you probably shouldn’t come to BlogHer. If it does, you should come back for more conference and party coverage from our week in San Diego!