Oh Happy Day!

I can't explain it, but sometimes there are days, or in this case nights where my thoughts ache to find their way through my fingertips and onto my computer screen.

Does that ever happen to you?

I could blame it on the two glasses of orange juice I had before bed- hello energy- but really this longing to turn thoughts into words, comes from one of the most inspiring days of my life (well, my blogging life anyway).

On Saturday I attended the Elevate Blog Conference.  Holy Macaroni was it amazing!

Have you ever seen a more beautiful location (Newport Dunes) or such fabulous little details?
 Summer, Jen and Nichole know how to throw a party!

Nat, presented our service project, Sole Hope (check it out!) and we all flexed our crafting muscles! 

Now something you ll need to know is I am not the most outgoing person.  For some reason, I have no problem spilling my guts to computer screen, but saying hello in person requires an internal pep rally.  Introductions get exponentially harder when surrounded by beautiful, stylish, crafty, eloquent and all around amazing women.

You'll see quite a few familiar faces in these photos including my favorite sparkle bunny Chrissy of
Let Me See You Sparkle. Don't ask me why I dubbed her sparkle bunny, things just happen.

Sharing a room with bloglebrities like Sarah, Erin, Kimmie and Ashley was a little intimidating to say the least.  I quickly learned these women struggle, want to quit and question themselves as much as I do, but then seek the joy in life and share their findings with the world- which made me like them all the more.

 Alissa from Rags to Stitches(who's instagram I stole this picture from!) met us for post event drinks!
Also with Lauren of Pink on the Cheek, Kristine of the Foley Fam, Nay from Coffee N Ink,
Sam from The Ellison Family Expansion Plan, April from The Gingerbread Blog
and Rachel from Polka Dots and Lemonade

I learned that like me, many of my fellow blogerettes have learned to bask in our awkwardness and find solace in the tapping of those little black computer keys.  I learned that even though I have found comfort and fluency in so many of their words painted across my computer screen, I found an even stronger kinship in person.

The swag bag and all of it's implied swag

I took away so much more than a tote filled with goodies, I took friendships, genuine connection, great advice, thoughtful words, unparalleled inspiration and an unusual comradeship I have rarely experienced before.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from our speakers:

"Your words are powerful, especially written from the heart...Use your words."
Sarah, Little Penelope Lane

"Love well online and it will love you back."
Erin, Living in Yellow

"Allow yourself to adapt, not only as a blogger, but as a woman."
Kimmie, Sugar and Dots

"That which is most personal is most universal"
Ashley, Little Miss Momma

It may have been my first blog conference, but it certainly won't be my last!  I'll be sure to let you all know when the 2014 conference is announced so you all can have the chance to feel all warm and fuzzy inside too!