#Blogalicious5 Recap & Real Talk

I survived another awesome blog conference!  Blogalicious, the conference that celebrates diversity in the social media community, took over Atlanta last week.  The crazy lady that I am, I wore a few hats during the conference as well as trying to maintain the Baby Shopaholic household since it was in Atlanta.  

The Bag Ladies team (Danielle Erin and myself) held it down as the official social media partner for the conference sponsored by EDEN BodyWorks!  

What I Wore at #Blogalicious5

Happy Friday!  I have so much that I want to share with you from this years Blogalicious experience.  Since I'm still trying to catch up with life I will share with you what I wore to the Blogalicious conference in Atlanta last week.  I kept my looks very simple and easy.

#BagLadiesLive at #Blogalicious5

Today kicks off the 5th annual Blogalicious Conference!  This year the conference is being held in Atlanta!  WooHoo!  I didn't have to travel ($$$)!  This isn't my first Blogalicious rodeo!  I went two years ago when the conference was held in DC.  I wasn't even a year into blogging when I went but I made some of my greatest connections there.  One of the connections I made was with Bag Ladies Radio creator and producer, Erin.  Since meeting Erin two years ago, I'm now one of her co-host for the Bag Ladies Radio show.  Meeting Erin, led to me meeting my bloggy BFF Danielle from The Style and Beauty Doctor, who was co-hosting the show when I came on as a guest.  See how Gawd works?  I'm telling you guys this story to say that Bag Ladies Radio will be LIVE at Blogalicious 5!

Bag Ladies Radio is the official social media partner for this years Blogalicious!  During the Blogalicious conference the Bag Ladies Radio Team will be hosting a fabulous suite sponsored by EDEN Body Works, FabKids, Lulu*s and Flat Out of Heels.  We will dishing on the fashion scene, speakers, recaps and GIVEAWAYS!  Follow us on twitter with the hashtag #BagLadiesLive and @BabyShopa, @BagLadiesRadio @StyleNBeautyDoc.

I'm looking forward to seeing "old" internet buddies and meeting new ones!  Are you heading to Blogalicious?  Make sure you stop by our suite! 



This post is sponsored by the Bag Ladies Radio suite sponsors.

Blogalicious: What I Learned

Blogalicious was amazing!  I met the most inspiring and encouraging women (and a few men) at Blogalicious.  I was welcomed you with open arms. 

The conference was held at the uber fab Gaylord Resort on National Harbor!

The conference kicked off Friday with a little eye candy that is Jesse Jones from U-ology!  This fine young man is only 30 and now speaks all over the place.  Here are some great things that he shared with us.

• Uncover your Passion (there is that word again)
• Talk about it and be about it!
• The most important connection is within!

Next, Corine from Complicated Mama and Tina from Life Without Pink spoke during the Your Social Evolution: Building Your Network!

• While networking find a common ground and make a mental note
• Twitter lists are great
• Email is not dead! Follow up using email!
• Pay it Forward
• Collaborate with other Bloggers

Tips for attending a conference or event:

• Before the event
• Find out who is going
• Identify people you want to meet
• Start a conversation before had via twitter or facebook
• During the event
• Leave your comfort zone, don't always sit with the same people
• Don't pitch, listen!  Don't walk up to people and just go in about yourself
• After
• Follow Up!
• Make it personal
• Continue the relationship

Great stuff!  I wanted to steal the faux fur jacket that Corine was wearing!  She ran away from me before I could get a picture : )

The next session was The Truth About Brands, Bloggers and ROI: A Conversation with PR Rockstars

The panel consisted of Don Moore of Burell Digital, Ted Rubin of Collective Bias and Nancy Martira with Ketchum PR, all PR Rockstars! Here are some bullet points from them.

• Content is NOT King, Great Content is King!
• "Engagement is Queen" Ted Rubin. 
• PR companies like to see you engaging with your community.
• You are selling yourself to a brand, Lear to sell
• Bloggers are more influential then Celebrities
• Just by learning a few simple things about agencies can catapult you.
• Follow the brands you like
• Research PR companies

Great stuff from these Rock Stars!  Can you believe blogger are more influential then Celebs?

After the PR session we had a cupcake party for the American Cancer Society More Birthday Campaign.  We all song Happy Birthday!  It was very moving, bring us to tears.
Then it was lunch time I was talking and meeting people that I did not make it to any formal sessions.  I did enjoy all the sponsor booths.

Saturday morning after breakfast we welcomed by a gospel choir promoting the move Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah coming out in January! 

Next session was Setting Your Own Stage: Creating An Outlet for Your Voice.  Helana Andrews author of B$tch is the New Black and Damon Young of Verysmartbrothas.com

First, Helena is HILARIOUS!  I had to get her book!  Her book as actually is becoming a movie working with the creator of Greys Anatomy!  Congrats to her!

Here are some of the great points that stood out to me.

• People should know your voice
• Be confident and stand by your content
• You want people to make you a part of their daily routine ex; coffee then Baby Shopaholic : )
• When guest writing know your audience
• Sometimes for inspiration you just need to put the computer away and just live.

The keynote speaker on Saturday was Rene Syler of Good Enough Mom.  She was talking about Reinvention ROCKS! I have to say this was the my favorite part of the conference!  Rene is a former anchor on CBS' The Early Show.  She has also sat on Oprah's couch!  She had some awesome points that really resonated with me as a new mom.

• Surround yourself with the right people!  Don't have the wrong people sucking up your energy!
• Everything happens for a reason. The life you lead is seldom the life you laid out for yourself.
• Not everyone will like you. Let that be their problem!  WORD UP!
• Being nervous is okay. Because you can use it as rocket fuel.
• Fear is NOT your friend

I just love the phrase "Good Enough Mom".  As a mom we want to be the Perfect Mom and Wife. Rene reiterated that your best is Good Enough!  That is so powerful!

I found this little diva, Alice taking party in the conference wearing a Missoni outfit.  She is the daughter of DC mom blogger A Parent in Silver Spring.

Another great session was Working with Brands Workshop.  It was ran by The Clever Girls Collective.  Here s a summary of working with brands.

• Make sure your blog is Pretty!
• No typos (I fail at this one)
• Photos
• Layout
• Business side
• Get your metrics together and put together a media kit.
• Know your value
• Follow up with PR or companies you meet
• Cold Call
• Find out who the company is working with
• Learn about them
• Follow them on twitter or Facebook
• Don't burn bridges!
• Develop relationships

The Lovely Danica from Be Everywhere sporting a I Heart Baby Shopaholic canvas bag!  Do you like the bag?  I'm still working on the design.  Would you purchase one if proceeds went to a charity?  I would love your feedback on this.  Comment or send me an email: thebabyshopaholic at gmail.

I hope some of these notes will help you on your blogging adventure!  I really loved Blogalicious and plan on going next year as well!  I also plan on attending Blogher (who was one of the sponsors for Blogalicious) next year. Are you inspired to attend a blog conference in the future? 

Again, if you have any question feel free to email me.

Blogalicious: The Outfits

I am back from Blogalicious in Washington D.C. and it was AWESOME!  So happy I attended and will do my best to go next year!  I met a lot of incredible women, learned a ton about the blog business, inspiring speakers and a lot of swag!  Before I get into the details and notes from the conference lets go over the outfits.

Friday was the 1st official day of Blogalicious.  I wore a Gap bow blouse with Gap Long and Lean bootcut jeans.  Blazer aka The Pimp Jacket is made by Iceberg, I got this jacket 12 years ago when Iceberg was HOT!  But I think this jacket is still HOT.  Belt is from Forever 21.

Here I am with my new Bloggy BFF's Tamara from Blitz and Glam and Monica from SoFamily.

I met Shrek!

I took the Pine-Sol personality quiz so this is what I had to put on.  They got it right! I was trying to do a toe touch.

Blogalicious had a few parties Friday night.  First, we hit up the Middle Sister Wine suite.  Do you like how turned the sophisticated lady look back on after acting a fool a the Pine-Sol booth?

They we headed down to the XBox Kinect Party!  I am wearing a dress from one of those cute cheapy stores in the mall, can't remember the name.  It was $34!  You WILL see this dress again!  I love this dress.

Of course my Christian Dior Mary Janes made it to Blogalicious!  I should have practiced walking in these shoes, they were higher then any shoe I have ever worn!  I had to lean forward in order to walk!  Not a good look!  I may have to have surgery to relocate my ankles so I can wear these shoes! 

Tamara and I getting ready for our Let's Dance battle.  My earrings are from Pretty Girl Glam.

Here we are in action dancing to "Party Rock"! Peep I am wearing my Ugg boots!  Look at Monica!  She was getting it!  Bomb Kat!

Here is my Saturday fit.  Sweater from H&M $10.  Blouse from Express $25 using a coupon.  Scarf is from Kohls, $3.  Pants are also from Express, I purchased these before I had Peyton and never wore them.  Spike Bracelet from Pretty Girl Glam.  Shoes are from Sole Society.

The Beautiful Paula Patton came to Blogalicious representing Cover Girl!  She is so adorable.  She took time to speak and take pictures with everyone!  She is such a lovely person!   Her look is to die for!  That dress is amazing!  She said she was a Baby Shopaholic too!

Check out her shoes and legs!  I need a leg transplant!

This is what I wore flying in.  I got this jacket last year from some teeny bopper store for $10.  Check out my new bag!  It's from Deux Lux!  I picked it up from Nordstroms.  I told the sales lady I needed a big bag with a long strap and she found this!  I had never heard of the line but now I am in love.   I carried it during the conference, it held my new large camera and personal items and shoes when my feet ran out of gas.

Here I am ready to go home!  I know, it looks like what I came in.  Pretty much.  I just added my Missoni for Target hat.  Can you tell I was tired but so ready to get home to Peyton. 

Stay tuned for more Blogalicious recaps!

Blogalicious! What Am I Going to Wear?

Next weekend I will be headed to the Blogalicious conference in Washington DC!  This will be my first conference (away from home) and my first time in DC.

I really love this blogging world and want to learn more.  I did not plan on loving blogging this much so I never thought about attending a conference. I plan on attending Blogher next year in NYC!  (Who else is going? Let's kick it!)  But I will be at BLOGALICIOUS!!! Here is a brief description of the conference:

Founded in 2009, the Blogalicious Weekend conferences are aimed at celebrating the diversity of women of all ethnicities in social media. Over the course of 3 event-filled days, savvy, influential and talented women bloggers will ignite a sense of unity within the multicultural blogging community as well as educate marketers on the importance of our demographic in today’s marketplace, all while networking, building relationships, and promoting inspiration and success for each other

This may be a young conference but it is sold out!  From what I hear and others experiences, it is off the chain!  I am looking forward to learning how to be a better blogger and meeting other bloggers in real life!

Now that we got the technical stuff out the way, what am I going to wear???

My girl Natalie from Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers posted about Claudia Shaffer last week with looks that I love!

You know I will be sporting a bow blouse!  Wouldn't it be cool if I rocked shades during the conference : )Do you like these looks?

Hopefully I will have something pulled together this weekend so I can show you guys.

What do you think of going to blog conferences?  Are you going to Blogalicious?  Do you plan on going to any in the future?