This past weekend, I attended the BlogHer Food Conference in Miami, FL which brought together food bloggers of all levels (big time bloggers and newbies like myself) for learning, interacting and getting to see some really neat sponsors.
The conference was held at the Hilton Miami Downtown, and let me tell you, if I am ever in the remote vacinity of Miami, I will stay at their hotel. After 15 hours of traveling, cancelled flights, delays and a $100 cab ride, I made it to the hotel, in one piece, at 3:30 am. The lovely woman checking me in must really have felt sorry for me (who wouldn’t look like a mess after a day of dealing with rude gate agents) and sent me to my room saying ‘I think you’ll enjoy your room more than your travels.’ So I go up to my room, insert the key, and was wowed! This was the view at 3:30am:
Then I turned the corner, and found there was a whole second room! Check out these stunning views from the day:
So after getting about 2.5 hours of sleep and running on pure excitement and adrenaline, I met up with the two lovely ladies I was lucky enough to hang out with, Abby and Karis, and we headed down to the conference.
For me, the entire conference and weekend in Miami just flew by, and I mean FLEW! I feel like I blinked and was already having to decide which of the awesome Swag Bag items I was going to try and take with me.
Was it the lack of sleep? The fun I was having with Abby and Karis? The truly unique and amazing interactive sponsor displays? The lectures and panels? The South Beach outing? The Closing Party? I’m going to say it was a combination that made this conference very memorable.
Pictures from Top Left:
- Abby, Karis, and I inside the Visit South Walton sponsor display, they had a looping feed of ocean waves and it smelled super good!
- Cheers with Mojitos at the Closing party at the Wynwood Cafeina Lounge
- Beautiful palm trees in South Beach as we made our way to Lincoln Road Mall
- Abby, Karis, and I inside the CVS Abound Lounge. CVS is coming out with a delicious line of snacks this summer!
- The three of us at Laduree…the worlds best best best macarons. I was told they are flown in from France!
- Lastly, the beautiful artwork at Cafeina!
On our little afternoon outing, Karis (who happens to live in Miami) and her husband took us to see the Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive, there was so much color and beauty!
Besides all the beautiful scenery and sun, the one inspirational I walked away with is one of the panels I attended where Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies said ‘you can’t compare your beginning with someone else’s middle.’ That really inspired me to keep on keeping on and work on improving my blog and skills!
I’ll leave you with this funny picture from my travels home…I guess the Starbucks barista liked my pedicure and turned ‘Phi’ into ‘Feet’? lol
Rita says
Love your description of your blog conference and the pictures and views where great. Loved it all, Rita
Karis says
I am so sorry you had to go through a day of hellish travel but am so happy that Hilton made up for it. Your room was amazing! Hope to attend another conference with you again soon.
Sweetphi says
I hope to attend a conference with you again soon too! Handing out with you totally made it such a fantastic experience and made me forget about the travel issues. Also, a forever big thank you for waking me up so I didn’t miss out on the Closing Party 😉
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
It was so great to meet you, even for 2.5 seconds! I’m sorry we didn’t get to hang out more, but can I get a rain check for some old fashioneds in Milwaukee? Pretty please! Also, madly jealous that you went to Laduree. HOW did I miss that?
Sweetphi says
It was great to meet you too, and yes, we will for sure get together for some old fashioneds in Milwaukee…and I have a few spots in mind where we can go try some Macarons 🙂
Ashley says
Looks like you had a great time! And the feet on the starbucks cups … so funny (and ridiculous – how did they get that???)
Sweetphi says
It still cracks me up about that starbucks cup…I think when the barista asked for my name and I said Phi – pronounced like the ‘fee’ you pay at a toll-she heard ‘feet?’ lol, I seriously am laughing right now thinking about it, who would want to be called ‘feet?’…you should see the funny iterations they come up with when I try to say my full name ‘Philia’ lol
tea says
It looks like it was such a fun trip!! 🙂
Sweetphi says
It truly was a fun trip – it flew by though!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
Wowieeeee!!!!! This sounds like suchhhhhh an amazing experience!!!!! That view from your hotel room at 3:30 am! :O It’s just BEAUTIFUL! What an amazing experience!!!!!!!!!!!! *-*
Sweetphi says
Thanks girl, it truly was a unique experience! And the hotel was just amazing, can’t say enough good things!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Love hearing about your trip! You all were making me so jealous with your oceanside pics and delicious food. I hope to join next year!
Sweetphi says
I’m glad you liked hearing about the trip – there was definitely a lot to share! I do hope to meet you in person (because your are so sweet and awesome) at a food conference in the near future 😉