The title of this post is slightly misleading because this post is in fact not my complete BlogHer Conference recap. My recap is entirely too long to put in one post, and because I imagine that you are like me, I do not burden you with extremely long posts because when I open a post with 100 paragraphs, I freak out and close the page. This one, therefore, will only have 99 paragraphs.
As I mentioned in my previous post, this BlogHer conference was my first blogging conference of any kind, and I went in not knowing what to expect. I flew in on Thursday, July 24th at 11:35 AM. Between 11:35 AM and 1:00 PM, I had to make it out of the plane, grab a cab to Hilton Hotel, do a change of outfit, put some makeup on, and make it to the taping.
Weeks before the conference, I had the pleasure of being contacted and selected to do a round-table [taped] conversation about comfort, hosted by Stayfree. I didn’t mention it in the previous post because I wanted it to happen first. It was my first ever of doing something like this, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The entire taping took about an hour, but by the time the video is edited (I’ll show it here when it’s ready), it’ll probably be down to 3 minutes or so. We talked and talked (and sometimes had to do second takes, repeating what we had just said and pretending that it was the first time we said it), and I began to wonder how it would be when I am finally on television. I want to be on television. It’s just one of my many dreams.
BlogHer Conference – The ladies who did the video. I should link their blogs, but I can’t go through the cards right now
By the time night came on Thursday, I felt like a log of wood. I had woken up so early on the East Coast (4:00 AM), and I was now in the West Coast, which was 3 hours behind my time, so when it was 11pm in California, my body thought it was 2:00 AM and it badly wanted to rest. Friday came, and I was a little energized. There was so much information from the speeches and break out sessions. Most times, my brain soaked up the knowledge like a sponge, and other times, they might have as well been talking to a rock.
There were so many sponsors, and they all wanted you to take their product and share a selfie with it online. Some preferred Twitter. Others preferred Instagram. I felt like a walking billboard, and I LOVED it. I felt right at home. Yoplait – you know how much I love them – were there giving yogurt out. By myself, I must have eaten 30 cups during this trip. Judge away. I loved it so much that I literally put 4 cups in a ziplock bag and checked the luggage in. After 11 hours of traveling, they were still good. I also took part in the taste test where I was given two cups of yogurt and not told which was which, and I tasted them both and picked one. When they looked under the cup I picked, it was Yoplait (the other one was Chobani). This is love.
I was too happy to have chosen Yoplait
BlogHer Conference – On the 2nd day, I was more rested
BlogHer Conference – Just A Few Of My Advertorial Selfies
I met so many people, most of whom I was fascinated by. The rest I found peculiar. Especially that lady I spoke to about Nigeria. I’ll blog about her later. For the most part, I admired people. It was absolutely beautiful meeting so many intelligent women with just as many points of views. I felt in the company of greatness and bravery. Listening to women speak about big and important issues, and hearing some of the speakers say phrases like, “Fuck it” and “Fuck that,” it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Proudly.
Ironically, you know what questions I got asked most? “Are you a fashion blogger?” Or “Are you a beauty blogger?” Or “Are you a makeup artist?” It was all very flattering, but every time, I answered a clear, NO. I am none of those things. Countless people told me, You’re so beautiful. It reminded me that I am indeed beautiful. If it sounds like I’m tooting my own horns, I have no apologies. We must all remind ourselves that we are beautiful. And I was asked by most people, “Where did you buy that dress?” And each time, I said all too proudly, It was custom made. And although not always asked, I still added, most times, I got the fabric from Nigeria.
BlogHer Conference – At The Closeout Party
I met bloggers whose blogs I read and I met some Sweet Potatoes. I also met so many BlogHer staff, women whose emails and names I knew by heart, but not their faces. I was blown away that these wonderful people of BlogHer knew my name and my blog. Stacy Morrison, BlogHer’s Editor-in-chief even mentioned Igwe’s name. I think my heart stopped when that happened. I also met Shannon, a Program Manager at BlogHer. Just from her emails alone, I liked her a lot, so I really wanted to meet her, and I did. I met Susan Getgood, BlogHer’s VP Sales Marketing. She had some very nice and encouraging words for me. I bet she thought she was merely speaking, but her words struck a cord in me, made me feel like I could do it. And I met Doreen, Sr. Sales Marketing Manager at BlogHer. I wanted to hug her every time I saw her. She was so welcoming. I have a love and respect for these women that even I cannot explain.
BlogHer Conference – With Shannon, Program Manager at BlogHer
BlogHer Conference – Me and Brooklyn Morrison, Editor-in-chief at BlogHer
BlogHer Conference – With Susan Getgood, VP Sales Marketing at BlogHer
No big deal. Just me and Khloe Kardashian. Not like I don’t see her everyday.
Again, I’m too lazy to go through the cards to find hers so I can link her.
BlogHer Conference – Me and Nichole (Blogger). Got her link from the badge in the picture.
BlogHer Conference- With A Sweet Potato. She’s so sweet!
I was very excited about keynote speakers, Kerry Washington and Arianna Huffington. Kerry was exactly what I expected: sweet and warm, like someone who would be my very close friend. I wish I could have met her and taken a selfie, but I have a feeling that we will meet again. I bought Arianna’s new book, Thrive, and she autographed it. What struck me, however, was that she was giving us her business card. Now why would Arianna need to give away a card? Everyone knows her. I fell in love with her a little more. A separate blog post about what I learned from Arianna will be up soon.
BlogHer Conference – Getting a massage from Amlactin. It was sooooo good!
BlogHer Conference – Rev Run at the closeout party. He was freaking awesome.
I felt so many different things from this conference: Enlightened. Empowered. Able. Unstoppable. Informed. Connected. Inspired. Confident. Motivated. Open. Like someone. I felt like someone. I do not take my chance to go for this conference for granted because as recent as last year, I could not afford to go.
P.S. I took my Nikon DSL-R camera, but I quickly realized how bulky and inconvenient it was to carry it around, so with the exception of the first picture, everything else was taken with my Samsung Galaxy S5.
P.P.S. I love my phone now. LOVE it.
P.P.P.S. There are so many more pictures! But I’m tired. If you’re curious though, you can check my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for photos that didn’t make it here.
P.P.P.P.S. I am so inspired by this conference, you don’t even want to know how I’m feeling inside.
BlogHer Conference – Selfie on the last day
Your face…precious! You ARE beautiful, Vera! And your dreams are valid, no matter how crazy you or anyone else think they are 🙂
Awwwwww!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Maggielola! You’re making me blush.
Awww looks like you had so much fun! I love that you wore African outfits throughout great way to stand out!
Thanks, Pendo. I knew most people would not be in African prints, and the last thing I wanted was to look like everyone else.
Looks like you truly
enjoyed your self and also learnt a lot on the trip. Oh Rev Run came too menh that his show on Cooking Channel is WACK!
Haha at his cooking show. Never seen it. Well, he was good with the mic, as you can imagine.
I’m so glad that this conference met your expectations and then some! Pretty soon you’ll be leading sessions at subsequent conferences!!
Amen! Thanks, GNG, I can hardly wait!
Now I wish I hadn’t given up my blog…*face in hands* You do look beautiful Vera especially with your natural bun. It added a quality to your look that made u look different, though I cannot find the accurate word to describe it. AND you wore all African fabrics. Very nice! And omg, u saw KW speak? I saw her in passing in 2004 when I was a student & working at the Home Depot . I asked her “Are u KW? She nodded and kept pushing her cart. This was in the Bronx. Cant wait 4 Scandal Season 4.
Thank you, Brooms! Why did you give up your blog? And not to worry, there is still more than enough space on the internet to start another one. Do it girl! Kerry Washington was amazing. She seemed like someone I’d be good friends with, no kidding. Just so laid back, the girl next door, and strong enough to remain herself. That’s my perception of her anyway. I might be wrong.
Thank you for the compliments 🙂
There’ no stopping ur Vera!…. Keep flexing. Pls post d rest of d updates,really love reading from you. No dream is too big, indeed your dreams are valid. Cant wait to see u on my tube someday *wink*
Woot, woot!!! I’m updating as soon as I can with the conference updates. I put up a post about Arianna. Have you read that one?
Welcome back Vera. I am glad you had a fantastic time. You look smashing as always.
Thank you, Adabeke! Thank you very much.
Worraheck happened to my comment?!?!?
Anyways, I hope I remember what I wrote yesterday.
1. Nice trad outfit
2. Fun times for you
3. I dunno how to harness Blogher!!!! Like how do I put my membership to good use?!?!
Berry,
I’ll look in the spam folder for your comment. Sometimes, comments fall in there.
1) Thank you!
2) Yes indeed
3) Are you already a member? If so, apply for ad network and influencer network. Then, attend a conference!
Aww, beautiful Vera! You look like a dollbaby. Lol
So happy you went had such a wonderful and inspiring experience. Keep up the great work 🙂
Thank you, DameDera! And whatever happened to the blog we talked about?
Lol, it’s still in progress. But, soon 🙂
Mirror Mirror on the wall! Who’s the finest of them all? Verastic is the finest of them all. I’m so proud of you for wearing all those African print dresses. You have inspired me to embrace my africanness proudly. I was beginning to blend in small with the oyinbos 🙂
Awwwww. Manny, you don’t know how exciting this is to hear. I have inspired you? Yaaaayyyy! And lol at blending in. We don’t want that. We never, ever want that!
It was a delight to meet you Vera, and I am so very glad that you were inspired by the conference. My very favorite part of the BlogHer conference? You, and all the other attendees who find their inspiration, their path, their tribe, their digital home at BlogHer. Folks like you make my job worthwhile, so THANK YOU!
Oh my God, Susan, you left a comment! Thank you so much, Susan. You rock!
I’m new here. My husband reads/talks about your blog so you see why i had to follow :-). It is every inch worth it though plus you do justice to colours and i LOVE this!
Awwwww. Send my love to your husband, and thank him for reading! Thanks for the compliments 🙂
love, love, love your closing party dress! Looking forward to checking out your post on A. Huffington…I missed it in favor of the expo hall.
You ARE beautiful! And I was one of those people who told you that I loved your dress at the closing party, and you DIDN’T tell me that it was custom made or that the fabric was from Nigeria! That’s cool. 🙂 I love your other outfits too. And what a great post. I love your writing style – I can totally hear you talking. So nice to meet you there!!! 🙂
You sure had a lot of fun.
I liked the facts that you wore lovely Nigerian prints…#Beautiful