"Blogging Your Way" NYC Meetup

Recently I took an online blogging class called Blogging Your Way. It was way more than the technical stuff you need to know about blogging. It went much deeper than that. I really enjoyed it and feel like I am more focused because of it. You will definitely be seeing some new changes here soon!!

So, as the class was coming to a close, I thought it would be a fun idea to organize a meetup with fellow NYC students so we can meet in person rather than only having an online friendship. I put it out there, got some responses and set the date.

We decided to meet a couple of days ago at Flute - a champagne bar in midtown. I thought it would be a good location because it's very cozy and comfortable. Instead of just "hanging out at the bar", they have little nooks set up with couches and coffee tables. Would be a perfect spot for "date night" as well.

It ended up being 5 of us. Two more were supposed to come but unfortunately one person got sick (awww) and the other had a biz meeting. (yay - work it !!) We'll have to catch them next time around.

It was really a special night. 5 strangers getting together starting out with handshakes and 3 hours later ending up embraced with hugs. It was so interesting to hear every one's story, their lives, why they started a blog, and of course discussing the class.

Before the evening was over, I had to snap a picture of these great women.

First up is Christine. Her blog is called Happy Lady Decorates and she's all about interior design.

Suzanne from Cinderella Patch - a city girl that loves crafts! Could it get any better?!?

Ivy from IvyAllOver. Ivy shares her beautiful artwork on her blog. She even had one of her pieces featured in the winter issue of Artful Blogging magazine - one of my favorite mags!!

Then there's Johanna (the H is silent). Her blog is called The Shutter. We both share a love for photography.

We also asked the server to take a picture of all of us.

Our first offcial in-person get together. Looking forward to our next one!

Do you do any networking in your area? How do you feel about getting together with strangers?

*** Self Absorbed Superficial Side Note ***

Isn't it funny when you look at photos and there's one with you in it, all you notice is yourself?? I KNOW you know what I'm talking about! I just have to say, I looked like a completely different person 12 hours prior to when this photo was taken. Only you curly haired obsessive crazy people out there like me will relate. I put so much effort into my hair that day. It looked GREAT when I left my apartment early that morning. I even got compliments from strangers!! The weather in the city was threatening rain all day so it had that cold wet humidity going on. By 7pm, it had no chance.

Thanks for listening.

Had to get that off my chest.

I'm on to more important things now - tomorrow's field trip!

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Bakerella Book Signing Event

One of the first blogs I started to follow is Bakerella. She makes the cutest cake pops! If you don't know what a cake pop is, think of a small ball of cake on a stick. I made them a couple of times. I made rainbow cake pops and patriotic cake balls. If you have time you should also check out Bakerella's blog. Lots of inspiration!

So when I found out she was going to be at Williams Sonoma for her NYC book signing, I just had to go. I wanted to get her book when it came out but figured I'd wait until I meet her.

I'm not really someone that cares about autographs. Normally I couldn't care less. But I am someone that just LOVES books! I'm also so happy for her. From reading her blog, I've really watched her success blossom. It's very inspiring and motivating!

My birthday was exactly a week ago and my girls gave me a gift card to Barnes & Noble. They also know how much I love books! So, since I was early to the book signing, I figured I'd head over to B&N, buy my book there with the gift card, then come back to Williams Sonoma to get it signed. Sounds like a good plan, right? I thought so also until I got to W.S. and they told me she'd only be signing books purchased at their store. Their rules, not hers.

Errrrrr!!!

Had to buy another copy!!

Waiting on line wasn't too bad.

I got to chat with some nice people.

This woman was just ahead of me.

We had a nice little chat Turns out she's a nurse and a runner. Can you guess what her blog is called? Nurse On The Run!! So appropriate.

As you get closer, you see 2 big trays of cake balls.

They look pretty good! They had red velvet and Golden yellow. I chose the yellow. I shoved it in my pocket and waited until after I met Bakerella to try it. The last thing I wanted to have happen was to have cake bits stuck between my teeth!! Wouldn't be pleasant for me, or Bakerella!

Now it's my turn - there she is waiting for me!

When it was my turn, I handed my camera to a William Sonoma worker to take our picture. There was also a professional photographer taking pictures as well.

We smiled,

we chatted

and then it was all over in just a few minutes.

I left with my cake ball in my pocket and my book signed.

Have you ever been to a book signing event? Who was the author?

{Photo Challenge} Orange

One of my new favorite sites I Heart Faces is having a photo challenge this week and the theme is "Orange" and the photo has to include a face. Makes sense from a site called I Heart FACES!!

So, I decided to enter. Here's my entry...

Will let you know how it goes!

Birthday Brownies

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday. Happy Birthday to me!!

In our house, the cake is the most important part of the birthday celebration. Everyone always gets a special one decorated by yours truly. Everyone but me, that is. And this is totally by choice. Although I absolutely LOVE to decorate cakes, I don't really like eating them. So, when the hubbs asked what he should do for a cake I told him I wanted birthday brownies. I LOVE brownies!!

I was just expecting a box mix tray of brownies which would have been fine.

Instead I got this...

Look familiar?? The hubbs got all creative on me!! Threw me for a loop! He made a stencil of the girl in my logo (me) and dusted it with powdered sugar to get the design on top of the brownies.

Looks like there's more than one cake decorator in the house.

I have to admit, it did feel a bit weird cutting through what was supposed to be my face. But, once I tasted it I quickly got over it. YUM!!

What's your favorite birthday treat?

{I Heart Faces} Fix It Friday #77

Here are my edits for this week's Fix It Friday.

Original Photo (not mine)

My edits:

Crop, ran Boost action from PW Actions

Crop, ran another one of PW Actions. Honestly I got distracted so I can't remember if it was Lovely & Ethereal or Soft & Faded. Sorry!!

Images Of Fall

This week my little one was home sick with a stomach virus. I'll spare you the gruesome details, but for you that means I couldn't do a field trip this week.

It's a dreary day here in NYC which is a reminder that Winter is soon upon us. A few weeks ago, during peak Fall foliage, we went to a dam up in Croton. The view was amazing! Since I don't have a field trip this week, I thought I could at least share some of those photos.

Does it still look like Fall in your area?

Have a great weekend!

{Recent Project} Bat Mitzvah Minis

I love party favors! My favorite being the edible kind! Think about it - how many little picture frames or candles does one person need?

Chocolate on the other hand, especially when it's personalized is a sure winner!

Recently I was asked to design a personalized chocolate bar wrapper for an upcoming Bat Mitzvah. Two friends were going to have it together. One girl liked purple whereas the other liked gray/silver.

No problem! They provided the photos, I provided the editing :) and custom design

The front of the wrapper had each girl's face and the back had the Bat Mitzvah details. They decided to go with minis which I think looked so cute!!

I'm in the final stages of getting my shopping cart up and running so you'll be able to see lots of wrapper designs!

What's your favorite type of party favor?