I came. I “squee”d. I heard Problogger speak. I have just been Blogopolised.
As I braved the early morning Melbourne chill (so that’s where winter’s been!) to be ever-so-slightly late for my pre-conference coffee date with Zoey, I wondered what the day would hold. Having never been to a blogging conference before, but pleased to be in an environment where my incessant tweeting would actually be considered normal, I figured nothing but good could come of this trip.
I learned so much in one short day – that Melbourne definitely wants me to come live there, that you will miss out on an awesome lunch if you don’t follow Jeroxie, and if you don’t own an iPad, you’ll be devastatingly envious of those who do.
I love blogging, and I love being around like-minded people. To absorb their collective energy and knowledge in one room in one day was like absorbing a roomful of owls. Super-wise and all-knowing, and some really feathery.
The future of blogging in Australia is big, and it’s exciting. We’re influential, we’re interesting, we’re funny and we are here to stay. We love to write, we love to connect, we love to read. Most of us also like chocolate. And goody bags. And chocolate in the goody bags.
I was really proud to represent FOODO, my sponsor, on the day. It’s exciting to find businesses, companies, brands and people that are on the same (web) page as you. It also doesn’t hurt that I want to buy pretty much half their online store stock.
The future is so bright for all of us that want to be a positive part of this new media.
Our plane was delayed an hour and a half. I also forgot to check in the bags under my eyes. Not a good start.
Sitting with people you’ve only ever chatted to online is a real blast. Especially when they turn out to be seriously gorgeous, hold your baby for you, make you laugh and make you feel at home.
Zoey’s Squishy and my Veggie Baby are old hat at this blogging baby business, after hanging out together at Bloggaroke in Sydney last month and Blogopolis now. And no, we didn’t pose them – they just immediately hold hands when put anywhere near each other. Adorable much?
So impressed that Nuffnang also organised a rainbow for us! Good work guys 🙂
And at the end of the day, when you can bask in the glow of a day well spent, and you’re not finished tweeting yet; you can throw on your PJs, eat good food, watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with your best mate and rifle through the goody bags. No, just me? …awkward.
Belinda says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amIt's me, MrsKypo. Don't know how to put my pic on here via iPad?
Belinda says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amGorgeous photos. Veggie Baby and Squishy make me cluck, cluck, clucky.
Tat says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI didn't go to Blogopolis, but reading all the posts about it makes me feel like I was there, too. Those baby photos are so cute. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Larissa_MyPigeonPair says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amLove it! Visiting via flog yo blog and I am now following you! Veggie baby is too gorgeous for words! I too would have had extreme ipad envy!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amOoh yes, next time 🙂
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amIsn't it! Such an energising feeling.
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amThey seriously just do it all by themselves!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amThey love each other 🙂
Ink Paper Pen says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amSounds fabulous! Would have loved to go myself but instead I am relishing in all the posts about it. Next time, perhaps…x
Gill
Desert Rambler says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amBeautiful photos. Glad you had such a great time. It certainly is exciting to be part of the Aussie blogging world at the moment!
Tamsyn Riley says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amHow cute are they holding hands like that!! Adorable 🙂
Ashley says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amAh, but diapers and crying and spitup and all that…I'd stress way too much. Plus I've got some genetic predispositions that I don't want to pass on. I'd feel horribly guilty if I ended up passing on bipolar or (name one of many conditions that run in my family).
I'm horribly shy, so I don't know how I'd fare at a conference. :/
Suzi -Under The Windmills says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amOh how fun! I really wish I could have been there. Those photos of the babies holding hands are adorable 🙂
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amWe're getting to be proper friends now, I like it!! I think I might stop at one baby… surely lightning couldn't strike twice?
Penny says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amSo lovely to see you again. Veggie Baby is just divine. Such a good baby.
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI hope you survived the weekend xo
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amWe'll have to have a babyhug playdate soon, yes?
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amThey were so the highlight of mine! Will definitely catch up at the next one x
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amHaha I obviously have the worst timing on Earth.
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amBut that's half the fun! Little bloggers getting out there and meeting people and finding each other out.
I totally understand how you feel – I missed AusBlogCon in Marche because I was doing those things that get you a baby. And it wasn't pleasant, but damn, she sure is!! You do forget. The cliche is true – they ARE worth it 🙂
~Ashley~ says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI was so jealous watching all the tweets, as I follow a lot of Aussie bloggers (I'm in America)…and several American bloggers going to BlogHer, as well as some going to a 20SomethingBloggers Summit that is during my school finals week. I feel a little stuck. I want to meet all these people I see online all the time. Such is life. I don't have the funding to get there anyway. Maybe one day. I'm not that big anyway. Nobody would know who I was.
Found you through Where's My Glow- FYBF. Cute babies 🙂 I want one, but…not willing to go through all the stuff to get one. I'll just hold other peoples' babies and hand them back when they start to cry and whatnot. 😛
~Ashley~
* Perpetually Me *
Alicia @ Madcap Mum says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amLove the wrap up! It was great to meet you and lovely to get some cuddles from that gorgeous girl of yours. 🙂
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI could not have said it better myself… that's you inside my heeeaaaadddd!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amSuch a charmer. So much more social than me!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amJust like her dad, haha x
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amtotal Blogging BFFs 😉
Kirsty says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amIt was so lovely to meet you finally Stacey!! Next time it will be good to have more than 2.5 seconds holding of veggie baby!! We will definitely have to try and catch up soon!!
Jody Makin says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amHi, i couldnt make it to the conference, but i loved reading your wrap up! hope to make it to the next one! And the babies.. divine, i bet they were the high light of the day! x
{lemonrhodes.blogspot.com}
bronnie marquardt says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI'm so bummed I didn't get a chance to cuddle veggie baby, who seemed to be blissfully sleeping whenever I came near. You, though, are an extremely Yummy Mummy. And both veggie baby and squishy were the most adorable little humans in the world!
Fussy Eater's Mum says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI am so going to the next blogging conference…Glad you had a great time!
toushka says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amomg how adorable are those babies together.
MummyK says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amYou awesome woman! So glad to see you again!!
Megan Blandford says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amSo lovely to meet you – and oh my goodness how gorgeous is Veggie Baby!
Iron Chef Shellie says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amnawwww how gorgeous is Vegie Baby making friends too!! <3
Miss Pink says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amWhat bags? The only bags I saw were the goodie bags 😉
Eva Iezzi says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amJealous! (also, Veggie Baby is a squishy-cheeked muffin of deliciousness, thanks for sharing photos!)
Kelly B -- Be A Fun Mum says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amWonderful sum up! So glad you had a blast!
Nikki says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amGorgeous photos Stace … I think Veggie Baby will be blogging before she can walk x
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amBless you, this is a fabulous-looking place! I will do as you advise xo
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amI found it to be extremely well-run and all content relevant – how many conferences can that be said about?! I truly did enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Corrie Sebire says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amoh I didn't get to say hi but I saw you and your gorgeous baby as I was ducking through the room! you have to go back to melbourne to go to soulmama my all time fave vegie restaurant down in melbourne! you would love it! it's so cool! http://www.soulmama.com.au/
Planning Queen says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amSo lovely to see you again Stacey and your beautiful Veggie Baby
David Krupp says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amGlad you liked the day!
Annieb25 says
August 25, 2011 at 5:49 amLooks like so much fun. Wish I could have been there too.