Day one is done! Here's the view from my window at the Sheraton. Not bad, huh?
Today was a free day - the actual BlogHer Conference doesn't start until Friday morning. This is my first time in Chicago, so I walked around for a few hours before the pre-parties started. Here's the ferris wheel at the Navy Pier:
There's a beach in the middle of the city!
I walked along the Magnificent Mile. (Did you hear Oprah's voice while you were reading that? I know you did.)
While all of the fancy people were at Ferragamo and Armani, I visited the Lego store:
After my long walk and a personal-size deep dish pizza, I went back to the hotel to get ready for the first party. There was a knock at the door. "Delivery for you!". For moi? It was a vase of flowers courtesy of Colombia, Land of Flowers and a totebag from ivillage:
All of the BlogHer attendees staying in the hotel got them. Swag-mania has officially begun!
The SocialLuxe Lounge party was at the Hyatt down the street. I caught up with two great Philly mommy bloggers, Whitney from MommiesWithStyle.com and Colleen from ClassyMommy.com. There was one other famous person in the Hyatt, but we didn't get to a chance to chat:
Yes, he was in the building.
But back to the party. You could get your nails done there!
Upon arrival, I received one drink ticket and one raffle ticket. You know that my drink ticket was gone in the blink of an eye. And then the party hostesses started pulling tickets out of a hat and calling the numbers for the raffle tickets. While I was busy trying to figure out a way to steal another drink ticket, they announced my raffle ticket number! Yay! I won a prize from shopbop.com:
I couldn't believe all the stuff in that bag. A shirt, a dress, three pieces of beautiful jewelry and a $100 gift certificate!
These are the three lovely ladies from shopbop.com - they were so friendly. Kelly (in the middle) was nice to me even after I told her that I had never heard of shopbop. They drove all the way from Madison, Wisconsin to come to ONE party and then had to drive all the way back. Too bad they couldn't stay and hang out. But, it worked out for me, since they didn't need their drink tickets. ; ) Thanks so much, ladies!
Before leaving the SocialLuxe party, I received a stuffed-to-the-gills oilcloth swag bag to take home:
Here's one thing that was in it:
Okay. I think I could get used to this. It is the Kodak Zi6 HD video camera in Red Rouge.
For some reason, I was equally excited to get this pack of girly office supplies from Office Max:
What a loser I am.
It's time for me to get ready for a full day of learning and schmoozing. The swap meet is at lunchtime today - I will let you know how it goes! I might be tweeting occasionally, so be sure to follow me on twitter. Twitter is free to join, and you don't have to interact with people if you don't want to - you can just "follow" people and read what they have to say.
And if you want even more inside scoop, do a search for blogher on twitter. There are 1000+ women tweeting about it all day and all night!
You're not a loser at all - I love those office supplies. Actually, all your swag looks fab so far. I'm new to blogging myself. I just started a few weeks ago after voraciously reading freshvintage and other inspiring blogs. Mine is www.peas-porridge@blogspot.com if you want to chesk it out. Also, I hope you share some blogging tid bits from the conference. It sounds like so much fun. Have fun in Chicago. That's my hometown. For some fun shopping, take a cab or ask for directions to Wicker Park. If you cab it, just ask to go to North and Damen. Walk north and south (up and down) Damen and you will find tons of cute shops.
Posted by: ajc | July 24, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Haha, I would SO be equally excited about the office supplies! Looks like fun; I can't wait to go next year!
Posted by: Candice | July 24, 2009 at 06:04 PM
I'm not sure the lure of office supplies, but I find them pleasurable too!
Hope your having a great time.
Posted by: lisa | July 24, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Hey Colleen - love the blog, it was great to meet you in line for the Mom and Pop party :) Hope to see you around this weekend.
Posted by: jodimichelle | July 24, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Wow! What great stuff you got! It sounds like you are having a wonderful time! Take care, Caroline
Posted by: Caroline's Lost and Found | July 25, 2009 at 07:54 AM
Aunt Colleen - Jake here. How about giving that awesome video camera to me, your godson. Please :) Have fun in Chicago.
Posted by: farmerswife | July 25, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Did you get to go junking while here in Chicago? You came on a good weekend... Randolph Street Antique Market & heaps of estate sales. :)
Posted by: Leilani | July 26, 2009 at 09:09 PM
That is SO FREAKIN' AWESOME! Everything!!!
Posted by: denise:) | July 28, 2009 at 04:00 AM
Hi Colleen! It was great meeting you at Social Luxe. Love the shots you got of Chicago--such a great city!
amie
(from shopbop)
p.s. I just looked at your packing post below this one. Your suitcase is the coolest.
Posted by: amie | July 28, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Hey Colleen,
It was really great meeting you. I'm so glad you liked the gift bag. Those pictures you took of Chicago make me want to spend more time there. Oh, and your kids are adorable!
Kelly (from shopbop)
Posted by: Kelly Petersen | July 28, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Love the Shopbop schwag!!!
Posted by: tjgill | July 28, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Colleen! I had so much fun meeting you and had to stop myself from asking for an autograph-hehe. I am lucky to have been able to see your items in person, buy one AND look at a vagina with you (okay, in the book but still, who woulda thought?). Your #1 non-stalking fan!
Posted by: Jennifer (Savor) | July 28, 2009 at 09:01 PM