Blog Sugar is 2 SWEET!

Remember THIS fabulous event I told you about last February?  Well, we had such an amazing night at that first event that we all knew it was the beginning of something wonderful.  Blog Sugar 2 was last Friday and I had a truly amazing time!  Our generous hostess, Rachel of Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane opened her home once again for 60 diverse bloggers.  Our group of local bloggers tripled in size!  58 remarkable women and a whopping 2 men celebrated the world of blogging together, in one place.  It’s such a cool thing to make an acquaintance in cyberspace and then become friends in person.   Together we were not only able to get to know each other but we could celebrate our similar interests and our unique differences.  I met some amazing and talented women, each with a unique perspective on life as shown through their blogging.

I have really come to love blogging.  Over time, it’s become a part of me in a way I never could have predicted or explained.  I may not blog often about “important” topics or controversial issues.  I may not blog about the latest fashions or the coolest new shopping trends.  I may not have much of a schtick BUT my blog allows me to express myself in ways I never could in another medium.  My blog has morphed and taken on a life of its own.  It’s transformed as the events of my life have taken me in new directions.  Overall, blogging gives this quiet, mellow wallflower a voice and I’m officially inspired to speak up more often about a wider variety of topics.  Our speakers at Blog Sugar, Rachel and Andrea from Four Flights of Fancy, talked a little bit about blogging with a PURPOSE.  I think this was probably the single most inspiring piece of advice these ladies could have given.  My purpose has changed over time, even becoming a bit fuzzy at times, but I’m energized and ready to really redefine what I want this blog to be.  Most importantly, I want my blog to be a genuine expression of me and my work.  I’ll be back in the near future with a more complete “to-be list.”    I believe that if I focus on what I want to BE at the source, the rest will fall into the place not only with blogging, but with my business,  and my life as a whole.  I’m the source of it all and striving to be the best version of myself is the best way to succeed.

So, here are a few shots from the great evening that was Blog Sugar.  I can’t wait for the next one!  I can’t wait to meet even more amazing new people and have the most random conversations, making instant friends.  I also can’t wait to meet the winner of a free portrait session from yours truly!  I’m looking forward to the opportunity to give back.  May was National Photography Month after all, so it was the perfect time for a free session, don’t you think?  Whoever you are, I can’t wait to work with you!

Sugar is never lacking at a Blog Sugar event.  You can always count on that!

A small sample of business/contact cards from the rad people I met.

Super delish chewy, sugary lemon cookies from Miss Amanda over at Vintage Ruby Lemon.  Just one of my fab new lady friends who apparently has mad baking skillz.
Our oh so fabulous hostesses, Rachel & Andrea.
A subtle Hawaiian theme was executed perfectly so that it was beautiful and never kitschy.  Loved it!
Swag!!!  There’s never a shortage of free goodies at B*S either.  I sported this adorable pin from The Pleated Poppy on my cardigan today.  Love it!
These events really are so much fun.  My type B personality usually doesn’t allow me to enjoy large crowds of people.  Sometimes “mingling” is difficult for me.  BUT these people are all so wonderful and easy to talk to, so warm and welcoming, so genuinely happy to meet each other that it just becomes fun and effortless.  I got to talk shop with a number of other local photographers and meet the owners of new favorite Etsy shops.  I’m looking forward to the possibility of working together with some of these fab people on future projects and developing deeper friendships.  Thanks again to Rachel for hosting yet another wonderful night.  I had a great time.

If you’re a SoCal blogger and are interested in being a part of future Blog Sugar events, keep an eye out!  I’ll be sure to spread the word for the next one so this amazingness can spread!  Good times!