Blogalicious 2009 Was Great!
What it does, folks? So I’s back from Atlanta from Blogalicious (conference for Women of Color bloggers) and it was FANTAWESOME! I was mainly there to rep The Red Pump Project because my goal is to get 500 bloggers “Rocking the Red Pump” on their blogs to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and women. But AweLuv got some love too because people recognized me by my avatar.
There were many Blogalicious highlights:
* The Panels and speakers – They were sooo helpful. I live-tweeted the Intellectual Property panel with Latoicha Givens, that discussed the legal ramifications of blogging and many folks replied to me saying they were taking notes. I need to pull those tweets out for when I do my Blogging 202 series. Y’all remember my Blogging 101 posts? Yeah that panel may very well be the most useful one I’ve been to in ALL the conferences I’ve attended. That is saying a lot. But yeah, the lineup was dopeness.
The keynote speaker was Karen Walrond of Chookooloonks, and she was so interesting that she kept my itis at bay. That is no small feat. Her speech on “The Beauty of Different” was hilarious, heartfelt and humbling (alliteration makes me swoon). Anytime a speaker ends with “You guys don’t have any questions? That means I AM the shit!”, an angel gets its wings groomed. LOVED her!
* Meeting up with fellow bloggers – This is the best part of any blogging conference. Getting to meet up with those you’ve connected with online is a great experience. When I ran into Brittany of Clumps of Mascara before the panel she spoke on, first thing she said to me was. “OK here’s a wall. Let me see your WALL SLIDE.” LOL. Then she went “Wow. Your cheekbones. Your profile is ridiculous. If you rocked some bronzer, they’d POP!” I giggled like a schoolgirl and blushed. LOVE HER!
I also met (for the first time) The Broke Socialite, Raquel of HomeGirl Blog (who recognized me by my avatar. LOL), Tasha of That’s so Yummy. They rock socks.
I got a chance to catch up with my conference buddies (we’ve went to at least 2 together): Adria, Ananda Leeke, Corynne of That Black Girl Site, Renee of Cutie Booty Cakes, Natalie (The Frugalista), Senam (TweetMeBlack), MomNoir (aka Sunkissed Mommy). These women are fabulous.
* Seeing Kim Coles – At the plenary session on Saturday morning (which I, of course, was late to) I was minding my own bitness when Mignon of Intellectual Soul tapped me to look up. I looked up and saw Kim Coles sitting at my table. This is when I lost all semblance of being able to ack right. I ain’t know what to do with myself. I wanted to go up to her talmbout “Hey Sinclaire! How’s Overton an’ em?” Then the theme song kept playing in my head.
“We are Livvvviiinnngg Single, o in a 90s kind of world, I’m glad I got my girls. Keep your head up. What? Keep your head up. That’s right!… My homegirls standing to my left and my right. True blue, we tight like glue…” I had to sing that song in full before the day was over for my soul to be appeased.
Hey Sinclaire! I snuck a pic of Kim Coles sitting at my table. Her braids game is so proper. They STAY laid! Brandy’s old braids are somewhere jealous
It took EVERYTHING in me not to get up and bust out into the bounce and rolling backwards. Lawdamercy. I kept staring at her grinning like a fool. Mignon was just shaking her head at me. I didn’t say nothing to her though. I was too busy being an ogling groupie.
Sidenote: I’m pretty sure that if I was to ever see Queen Latifah, I’d do holler “IT’S THE QUEEN!” and do the Bro Franklin and pass out. Would be so uncouth.
Oh and the first night of the conference, there was a suite that had a cupcake party, provided by Lenox Cupcakes. Corynne, Adria and Natalie and I were the first ones in the suite and we MAXED some cupcakes. I ate 5 within 10 minutes: 3 caramels, a red velvet and a pink velvet. Then we all compared notes on the one we liked best. Caramel won unanimously. Yummmmm.
I was in heaven. This was the spread of cupcakes. *drools*
Sidenote: This was my first time in ATL, and the weather was amazing throughout. I will say this though. Why does Atlanta have so many Peachtree streets??? They are like Bubba Gump when it comes to Peachtree. Peachtree Lane, Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Battle, Peachtree Drive, Peachtree Avenue, Peachtree Boulevard… I mean, I THINK they’re trying to let us know that ATL loves peaches. Does Atlanta need ideas for street names? I won’t mind a Luvvie Street. I’m just saying. How do folks even know what Peachtree they need to be at? It runs across the whole city too.
* The Swag – I got so much free stuff that I had to get them shipped to me. They took up a huge duffel bag-like thingimajig and my luggage was not fitting any of it. I made it a point to not check in anything (that $20 fee is no joke) so I couldn’t even attempt to stuff everything in. Among the freebies: Suave lotion, pink clutch, E.L.F. makeup, USB jump drive. I even won a raffle that got me even more stuff. I can’t remember it all because I haven’t received my shipment yet. But this part rocked for sure.
Anywho, Blogalicious was DOPENESS! The people, the program and the atmosphere were so positive. I loved every part of it. At the closing remarks, it was announced that 2010’s conference will be in Miami. I am in there like funk on a hobo! I demand that all panels have a view of the ocean. I can’t wait! *does jig*
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31 Comments
OMG! You are HILARIOUS. I knew it., but seeing how you broke down the conference just made me double over. Great seeing you! Miami 2010 we're going to do it again!
Many hugs to you, Doll! I loved you AND your spirit. I am so thrilled about the work you do and can't wait to see you again. And you're right… Sinclaire's braids ARE the business.
Great review of the conference. You got me wanting to go to the Miami one and I'm not even a blogger…yet.
The food WAS off the chain!!!
Great recap! Too funny about ATL ad the peachtree thing. On the conference–there really is something so powerful about so many women of color getting together on a mission to lift each other up. The love at Blogalicious was incredible. Luvvie, you're one of my blogstarras. I'm SO glad to have connected with you. See you in Miami!
great recap, seems like you really enjoyed your first visit to the A. and yes, all the Peachtree streets is SO ridiculous out there, lol.
I am not a blogger. I am however a follower and I must say I picked up a thing or two obviously you enjoyed the conference. Now I am anticipating your IG at a level 10X!!! Funny as always informative as well!! Oh by the way I am an ATLien as well so I must politely axe you to back up offa the Peachtree thaing showtie! What you think we're the Peach state fo nuffin?? *thugsnarl*
Luvvie, that conference sounds like it was amazing. I wish I could've been there. I could definitely have used the networking connections and ideas. I'm planning a blog conference myself so I am very intimidated by Blogalicious & Blogging While Brown. Your reviews of both are making me step my game up!
Also, the conference I am planning is the main event to a non profit that is dedicated to uniting Bloggers of Color. The conference will be in NYC 2010. And I already have you in mind as one of the workshop leaders for the humor workshop. You are too funny! I'll be in touch soon for more details!
LOL! Love your post! How funny! Next time, if you ever see me around at a conference or so, and you want your pic with anyone (including celebs) let me know! I am happy to do the "i'm a professional photographer, may i take your pic with.." thingy! lol! Everything you saw is so very true here, so ditto…and here's to 2010 in Miami!
You are hilarious my dear. It was fun hanging with you as usual, can't wait until the next time. Hopefully it will be before BlogHer10!
Luvvie,
You are beyond AWESOME because you are everywhere at once and you bring so much positive energy to events! I dunno about real red pumps but I'm going to throw the widget on my sidebar for ya!
Hehe thanks! And definitely, Miami 2010! WOO HOO!!
A muinte saved is a minute earned, and this saved hours!
TBS, you're so FIERCE! Loved your haircut and those leopard print flats? *swoons*
Gurl when you become a blogger, you gots one reader in me. You're dope!
You are so right. All those tan women passing on positive energy made for a very awesome space! You rock, Raq (hehe I'm a dork).
I did enjoy ATL. Glad u know the Peachtree overload is side-eye inducing lol.
Hey OlaDP! You ATLiens MUST admit that the Peachtree streets are too much. Come onnnn. 🙂 Don't worry. U won't be a traitor or nothing.
Oh I'm intrigued! Keep me up to date on that conference!
YESSS!! I will take u up on that offer! I'll be the one cheesing too hard and making a dorky peace sign next to whatever celeb it is. See ya in MIA!
Indeed! always a good time hangin w/ ya.
Adria!! I heart ya much.
I like your coverage of the event. I wish I could have been there. I have to make one of the blogging while brown events in the future!
Good job!
Yer Bestest Awesomelynessis,
A “conference of women of color bloggers”?! HEY?! Where was MY Invite?!
Wow. All those luscious … (I’m checkin’ myself right here …) …
It’d be like shootin’ fish in a kiddie pool! The one grain of white rice in the brown bowl …
Uh, maybe I could use a better set of expressions, ya think?
PS. Glad you really enjoyed yourself, are back safe and blogging (for our pleasure). And survived taking only 3 pair of shoes, lol!
I have to say this, I am really upset that I didn't get the opportunity to attend Blogalious! I learned about it the Thursday before so it was way too late. I heard that next years will be in Miami. I WILL DEFINITELY be there. I am disappointed that it won't be in the ATL again as I absolutely LOVE Atlanta!!!
I'm glad it was such a hit and I can't wait to go next year.
I will definitely keep you posted!
Yes indeedy! They've been so empowering for me.
Yeah they will be rotating the cities annually, Cant wait for Miami. Hope to see you there!
LOL @ the one grain of white rice. There were a couple of other white grains there. And yes, I am still proud of only taking 3 pairs. That is historical.
OMG, you ain't lyin' about the 928 Peachtree streets in ATL. What's up with that? Is it bad that I am already planning crazy things for us to get into for Blogalicious '10? Ohhh yeahhh!!!!! And I betta get my wallslide then! LOL!
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