Weekend Links: Blissdom ’11 Edition

To say my head was spinning after the Blissdom blogging conference was an understatement. Quotes, notes, stats, names, and faces all played themselves on a loop in my mind to the soundtrack of the top-secret flashmob that I performed in with 90 others. Yep, crazy times.

Jotting down the stream of information in point form has helped clear my head a bit since I’ve been back, as has forming one massive To-Do list, and putting names to Twitter handles and those handles to blogs -  but that pesky Miley Cyrus song still continues to roll!.

It’s daunting to think of summarizing Blissdom ’11, and I’m not going to attempt it, (although, if you’re curious, there’s a short, but thorough snapshot HERE) but I have to give a shout out to the incredible women (and guy!) that I connected with.

Simple Living Media Community

As you know, Simple Bites is part of a larger online network, Simple Living Media. All of us who edit the various channels and many ladies who contribute to the different sites were present at Blissdom, and it was momentous!

L-R: Nicole (@simple_organic) Mandi (@mandiehman) Tsh (@simplemom), me, Kara (@simplekids), and Jamie (@simpleschool).

On the first evening, I sat in a fine Italian restaurant with Tsh, Kara, Nicole, Jamie, Mandi (our ad manager) and Terry (works with Mandi on ads), and marveled at how we clicked. There was a sense of coming home, of really belonging to this marvelous community that we are so blessed to be a part of.

Speaking of community….Tsh threw a party for Simple Living Media staff who were present at Blissdom – editors, contributors and our solid ad manager.

Pictured L-R:

• Top row: Maya (@thinkmaya), Jamie (@simpleschool), Kara (@simplekids), Tsh (@simplemom), Shaina (@foodformyfamily), Katie (@kitchenstew)
• Bottom row: Emily (@emilypilotswife), Mandi (@mandiehman) Nicole (@simple_organic), me, Katie (@makingthishome)

It was incredibly humbling to be in the same room with so much talent; these girls know their stuff! The casual brainstorming that was going on would make your brain spin.

Some of the chatter about creating apps and building homes made from recycled tires had me marveling, but I did provide some homemade marshmallows that sparked some conversations of their own. =)

Thanks for a great party, Tsh!

Sessions

Photo by Aimee Giese of Greeblemonkey Yours truly, proving that I did look, listen and learn at Blissdom and it wasn’t all about relationships!

Most of the sessions had me wanting to jump up and down with excitement. Once I got over the thrill, relief, and sheer luxury of listening to people who spoke my language, I started taking notes as fast as I could and tweeting the occasional hot tip.

All the panelists were stellar, but unforgettable were both Brene Brown and Scott Stratten, who bookended the conference. Go follow them NOW: @BreneBrown and @UnMarketing.

Brene’s thoughts on Free-Range Social Media were bang on. Definite recommended weekend reading.

Sweet friends: Bridget, Kristen, Kristan, Cheryl, Amy, Shaina.

Connect

As can be expected, a large part of the conference is connecting with other like-minded bloggers. I am not a shy person, but I’ll admit to being a tad apprehensive at the thought of meeting a ton of new people IRL (in real life). I shouldn’t have. When one is surrounded by people who get them, there’s no room to be uncomfortable.

I made some new friendships and solidified existing online relationships. Here are but a few of the fantastic women I connected with and intend to stay in touch with over time.

• Katie (@kitchenstew) of Kitchen Stewardship
• Mrs.Q (@fedupwithlunch) of Fed Up With Lunch
• Bridget (@bakeat350tweets) of Bake at 350
• Tara (@unsophisticook) of Unsophisticook
• Shaina (@foodformyfamily) of Food for My Family
• Cheryl (@tidymom) of Tidy Mom
• Amy (@wearsmanyhats) of She Wears Many Hats
• Rachel (@sthrnfairytale) of A Southern Fairy Tale
• Heather (@heathersolos) of Home Ec 101
• Jen (@HowToSimplify) of How to: Simplify
• Kristen (@dineanddish) of Dine and Dish
• Becky (@beckyjwebb) of Our Peaceful Home
• Kristan (@bakescupcakes) of Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
• Amanda (@foodonthetable) of Food on the Table
• Tricia (@onceamonthmom) of Once a Month Mom

Now, if you haven’t watched our awesome flashmob, go check it out!