I actually really felt a disconnect in such a large place.  It was huge and I couldn’t find hardly anyone I knew unfortunately so I stayed in my room or with Christine or George. Other than these things, it was fun and I always enjoy meeting up with PR and seeing blogging buddies.  Something some of you should know that did meet me….I’m not good around a big bunch.  I tend to zone in on what I’m doing or where I’m going and don’t pay attention to things around me.  I have the world’s worst memory, my friends and family can attest to that.  And I’m terrible at meeting folks….I’m much more shy than you probably think, or at least until I get to know you really really well.

I arrived Wed at noon. Because I hadn’t even went to sleep Tuesday night, I chose to hang out in the lobby of the Hilton for a good 5+hrs, sitting there, resting.  Christine arrived late that evening with her sister Sara, whom I have since fell in love with.  Talk about meeting someone special now.  She’s a pretty amazing gal with a heart of gold and I’m thrilled that I got to hang with her.

THURSDAY–

We started the day with a tour of ToyRUS which was AWESOME!  I loved seeing the huge transformer, the gigantic ferris wheel, and the humongous dinosaur.  That store has so many cool toys that I had never seen in our stores so it was super fun to take the tour and see the hot toys for the season.

A cool game I want.

Hanes Party was fabulous!!! We got to hang out with ABC Extreme Homemakeover: Home Edition interior decorator star Michael Moloney and Jenn Falik (a regular on Rachael Ray and E!).  We got bra fittings, hand/foot massages, and of course learned about some of the new Hanes line.

Then we headed over to the SocialLuxe Party where I was a VIP award presenter (along with Christine) for best Eye Candy. Fabulous event and the sponsor Avery was awesome. Gave us some really useful items!

And then there was Nikon….I heart Nikon of course.  I got to drool and hold some powerful cameras.  Some lucky gals got to get a makeover and photoshoot with a celebrity photographer and my friend Tina, was one of them! She’s getting all dolled up!

FRIDAY–

I started the day with a Skechers Shape-ups walk with fitness expert Andrea Metcalf.  It was a BLAST!  I loved walking with her and doing the exercises at the end..and of course loved the shoes.  This was one of my most favorite times.

Then before I knew it, it was time for the Getting Gorgeous event that my good friends Audrey & Vera put on.  They did an outstanding job..I mean outstanding!!  From beauty makeovers to free designer jeans, it was a big hit!  Speaking of jeans, fashion stylists Robert Verdi, said to me “Oh no honey, you do NOT need to go up a size and you need the straight leg, not the boot cut.”  Apparently he knows his stuff because I got a few compliments the rest of the evening. heheehhe

The jeans, MiracleBody

I was thrilled to finally meet Audrey’s husband. I feel like I’ve known him forever!!  I can’t wait for the day I get to meet their kiddos!!  I also got to finally meet Audrey’s dad who is so sweet!  I freakin’ love their whole family!

More fab photos from the Getting Gorgeous event!

After the Getting Gorgeous event, there was Stride Rite and Hallmark but to be honest, I petered out right before Stride Rite. The Stride Rite party was classy, had FOOD, and places to sit.  Giving away prizes throughout was fun and the little footprints across the floor were too precious.  The Hallmark party was very fun. There were crafts, storybooks, prizes, and a room with a view.  Then I was in official shutdown mode.  I needed sleep.  I hung out with Sara and Christine in our room that looked like this.

SATURDAY–

To be honest, I didn’t want to go anywhere.  I was a little crabby but decided to go to the E.L.F/Xbox event where I got to see, first hand, how the AWESOME Kinect worked!  It was the coolest thing and we didn’t even get to see all the features.  We did dance though and enjoyed the  E.L.F makeup makeovers.  It was fun to see everyone getting into it.  I totally want one now!  Photo is by Stephanie from BizzieMommy!  Hopefully she doesn’t get mad that I stole her photo!

I had planned on attending a couple of more events but decided to just got back to the room and rest.  Here are a few more photos that were taken during the weekend.

Padma Lakshmi (Top Chef)

Jimmy Dean “The Sun”

Overall, it was a FABULOUS time. A little exhausting but I got to represent the cool, sustainable booth for Walmart (who by the way, sponsored my trip to NYC/Blogher in the first place…so thanks Walmart!), meet with one of my most favorite PR peeps (like you Jessica), hang out with all my close friends, meet friends I’ve known online but never met offline, and be a woman.  It was awesome!  Blogher is set to be in San Diego for 2011….Yes, I’ll be there!  Hope you are too.

]]> http://acowboyswife.com/nyc-blogher-2010-recap/feed/ 23 http://acowboyswife.com/5-for-consideration-paying-for-others-if-denied/ http://acowboyswife.com/5-for-consideration-paying-for-others-if-denied/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:06:54 +0000 A Cowboy's Wife http://acowboyswife.com/?p=3293 Yesterday Trisha wrote a post about the Savvy Blogging Summit put on by some women (not Trisha).  There a few things I’m not fond of but am specifically against the fee. The NONREFUNDABLE $5 fee to apply to even be considered to attend the summit. Just to say that again….. You pay $5 to apply. You may or may not be approved. If chosen approved, you pay the $250 summit fee. If you are NOT approved, you get nothing.

There is no other way for me to say it but it’s just plain wrong. To have the denied applicants paying the bill for approved applicants is wrong. The reasoning behind the fee is “the $5 is to make it for people who are really into taking their blogging to the next level etc”.  One person said it well (and I won’t mention his name just in case they don’t want to be known), if people are willing to shell out the $250 summit fee and travel expenses, don’t you think they ARE serious??

Just to give you an idea—If 500 apply but only 200 are chosen, that leaves them with pocketing $1500 from those unapproved applicants.  EDITED TO ADD:  I heard that only 60 are getting chosen…ummm, no comment.

I got TONS of DM’s and emails yesterday from people who don’t want to speak up because they are friends with some of these “savvy bloggers” but I’m speaking up because I DO NOT want any people who follow me to think it’s okay to be charged like that.  To pay to apply and if not approved, get nothing.  IT’S NOT OKAY!  And if other bloggers are worried about stepping on toes, I understand, truly I do but for me, it’s about protecting the new bloggers that will fall prey to it. If you are not approved, you should at the very least get your money back, no ifs ands or buts about it.

What really ticks me off is that when a question/concern is asked, some of the “savvy bloggers” decided to be snarky or call it drama or jealousy but that’s the furthest thing from many of our minds.  We simply want answers to our valid questions/concerns.period.  We simply are trying to make sure that people aren’t be taken advantage of.

I want to thank Erin for doing her best to answer some of the questions in a professional, respectable manner…too bad some of the others didn’t follow suit.

My suggestion is to completely do away with the fee and preferably the application process(which is a whole ‘nuther story).  If you need that $5, add it to the summit fee.  There are better ways, this is not one of them.

P.S. It’s not about the money. It’s not about trying to stir up trouble or anything like that. It’s simply saying it’s not okay.

And just another thing to add….most of these are FRUGAL bloggers right??  Well that’s real frugal. #justsayin’

Would love to know who all plans on attending!  Lemme know:)

WOOHOO!!