As promised…here are some of the secrets I uncovered at the recent 40+ Blogger Meet-Up
Melanie who hails from the universe of all things fan-feckin-tabulous really does eat cake and ice cream for breakfast, lunch and supper.
Unfair!
She also has fans and an entourage that follow her everywhere.
People often make a point of stopping her in the street to tell her they love how she is dressed.
Melanie is the “it” girl of Vancouver.
Sue…oh the horror stories I could tell you about Sue!
Joking!
I got nothin’.
She is just as sweet and bubbly as you think. I find her presence very calming.
Sylvia is a party animal.
No joke! This woman can DANCE!
I was blown away by her moves. That woman is full of surprises!
The Unknown Blogger (AKA Shawna) got her moves on
and showed us the newest trend on how to wear a scarf.
She was energetic and full of life, contrary to what we often see on her blog. We were lucky she saved all her energy for the meet-up.
Anne was spotted from outer space
wearing some of her own kaleidoscope pattern creations.
This is what I call a fantastic high visibility traffic stopping outfit.
Anne is just one big smiling masterpiece of colour and pattern. Her art reflects her well.
I always thought Patti looked suspiciously young in photos.
She does in real life too!
What am I doing wrong?
Spill your secrets lady!
Patti is intelligent, reflective and inquisitive. I wish I’d had more time to talk to her and that it didn’t take her 24 hours of late planes and missed connections to get to Vancouver. You’ll still come and visit me in Toronto Patti right? I’m only 3 hours away by plane!
What to know how to be 93 and still fabulous?
Just ask Tami’s Mom.
She can still party with the best of them.
No wonder why Tami is smilin’ she has the whole aging thing sussed out.
Tami has a wonderful bold laugh and great energy. I wish I’d had a chance to get to know her better.
Sheila Ms. Bossy Pants was this guy in a previous life.
But nicer of course.
She can out style, out talk, and out boss anyone.
Sheila is no nonsense and to-the-point. The kind of gal you want on your team.
Don’t let Trina’s diminutive size fool you.
This lady is a power house of quiet focused energy. She ran every day while in Vancouver, outside, rain or shine for an hour.
I tried to pair her up with Jodi,
the triathlete, for a style blogger running challenge…but Jodi disappeared the next day.
Did Trina scare her off?
We all expected Ally to show up looking like this…
Instead she decided to fool the customs guards into thinking she was a Canadian politician pressing palms on the campaign trail and showed up looking like this.
Her bluff was called when her she didn’t know what a double double or toque was and her Noo Yawk drawl sounded suspicious.
I knew this meet-up would be challenging and rewarding for Ally. I’m glad she chose to make the trip.
Tiina Mrs. Robinson married a sweetie 8 years her junior.
She figured out that generally men die 8 years earlier than women and didn’t want to spend the last 8 years of her life lonely.
Such a romantic!
Tiina came across as shy but I get a feeling that is just part of being Finnish. She has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to share them.
Greetje, my roommate doesn’t snore, sleep-walk or hog the bathroom.
She will however, inadvertently steal someone else’s pizza order if you’re not paying attention.
In her defence she did try to give it back after she’d eaten part of it.
You know how much I love Greetje from my previous post about her.
Tracey was a surprise.
Lively, fun and a brilliant photographer.
Her personality eclipses the confines of her blog.
I’m most certainly going to look her up the next time I’m in Vancouver.
Pao is pretty much open to anything, the sign of a great artist.
I didn’t get a chance to really talk to Pao, but her creativity was evident when she brought and passed around Girl Guide badges for everyone in attendance. I LOVED that!
I like playing Barbie.
While we were at Holt Renfrew a friend of Melanie’s and wonderful sales associate by the name of Corey dressed me in this outfit, Prada skirt and coat, Theory top and he even chose the glasses for me. It was so much fun having someone else play the stylist for a change. If I had an extra $15,000 laying around I’d have picked up the entire ensemble.
I also have a hair twin, Jane.
Jane is a writer from Denman Island. I look forward to reading about her thoughts on the meet-up. After the tenner I palmed her expect some good press! {wink}
I freely admit that I strongly resent Instagram
and the triple chin and sour old face I get when trying to post.
I promised I would try my hardest to keep people in the loop by posting regularly to IG during the meet-up. Honestly though, looking back, I wish I didn’t even own a phone. It took me away from all the fun and action. Instead of living in the moment I was posting about moments past. I don’t know that I’ll ever learn to love social media.
My dreams of being a successful blogger are crushed yet again.
There are a few people that I didn’t have enough time to collect dirt on get to know.
Wendra
Vancouver Barbara
Chloé
Louisa
They are probably breathing a happy sigh of relief.
I’ll get you next time!
In the end I’m left wondering if it was all just a dream.
One lost pair of sunglasses, laryngitis, serious chest and sinus infections are proof it really did happen.
Thus why I have been MIA for about 10 days now. That’s okay…hoping a dreadful visit to the place I despise Dr.’s office today will get me back on my feet.
I couldn’t have asked for two more capable planning partners.
We did it!
Thanks to all of you that showed up.
We might have planned it, but you made it worthwhile!
You win! You win! What a brilliant wrap-up post Suzanne…your post meet-up illness hasn’t affected your witty writing style, that’s for sure.
My best LOL moment? Greetje’s two pizzas. OMG, that was a funny moment, and your one liners captured it hilariously!
Now, get yourself better! That’s an order…{oh yeah, I laughed when I saw the clip}
I am so jealousssssssssssss. I wish I could have been with all of you, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Definitely you must invite me pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well done, Suzanne! I wrote something about each person but didn’t have photos to go with it so scrapped that idea. It was an amazing event and we are all so fortunate to have you, Melanie and Sue with the mad skillz to organise it. Take good care of yourself and get better soon! xoxo
Here is where your so appreciated wit kicks in. I laughed so much. I already started to grin when I saw “all the dirt” and then Melanie’s face hahaha. Evrything was funny. Loved my pizzas too. However it was a genuine mistake. How you turned it into “she tried giving it back after she’d eaten part of it” is a very clever twist hahaha.
As far as I am concerned we can share a room again. You were wonderful as a roommate.
Greetje
Brilliant! I had missed a lot of the dirt (like the dancers) so I feel caught up now. Thanks for your kindest words. I am really 32 years old so I actually look like sh!t. I still can’t fully process how much fun it all was, and how meaningful as well. And yes, I will come to Toronto. Hell, sounds like I could ride my bike to Toronto. Hope you are feeling much better soon. xox
Dare I say that it looks like a little TOO much fun was had? I mean–stealing pizzas and all that?
Such a great title, how can anyone resist?! It’s so much fun to see evidence of the meet-up again and get to re-live it. Your snippets that go along with each photo are inspired. Nice to know I’m open to pretty much anything…guffaw. Here’s to the best of health!
Suzanne,
This is a great portrait of people I wish I had met, but thankfully got a little intro here! Everyone looks fabulous and it is clear, a good time was had by all!
Now rest up…. I know you over did it while there…
XX, elle
http://mydailycostume.com
1) I want that cake. 2) OMG, Anne! <333 3) Glad I'm not the only one who eats pizza with a fork and knife. Hehe. All of you look fantastic. So jealous that I couldn't partake in the festivities!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
What a beautiful meet up. I love that everyone seemed to have so different styles and backgrounds and all had a great time!
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
How fun!!! Enjoyed getting to know all the ‘dirt’ on our fellow bloggers. Hahaha
Hope you are starting to feel better!
Darlene
I just have two things to say – One, I hope you’re feeling better. I’m not surprised all that mad partying/laughing/shopping tired you out. Two, you are already a successful blogger (and event planner). And three (bonus point), what an amazing post! Now I really feel like I was there.
So, so envious. Everyone looks lovely and I know you all had a wonderful time. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
This meeting really screams energy replenishment.
I read this before nipping off to the pub last night and was late meeting everyone because I loved every word.
Brilliant summing up, wicked photos and your spot on sense of humour. Blog perfection.
Feel loads better soon, Suzanne. xxxx
Fabulous photos, you have encapsulated your impressions of the attendees perfectly. With so many people there, it’s not surprising that it proved impossible to spend lots of time talking to everyone, but then that’s what next times are for!
Hope you are feeling better. xxx
You nailed us. Completely. Brilliant wit here. Thanks for the effort to create this and the event. I hope you’re feeling better.
“Double double”? Toque”? No clue. My cover is blown. 🙂
Suzanne, this was a wonderful post. I enjoyed every photo and loved your commentary. Looks like a highly successful and thrilling event. Hope that you’re feeling better soon!
WooooooEEEEEEEoooooo Beam me up Scotty! You are hilarious!
LOVE this recap. Mine is coming out in dribbles.
Wanna help plan LA 2016? Hehheh.
The meetup was everything that I wished for, and more. xxox
Lies! This is how these vicious rumours about being bossy start!
Ha, jk, Suzanne! Awesome summary!
Great wrap-up post Suzanne! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone’s take on the event. You and your two partners-in-planning did a wonderful job. I’m sorry you’ve been ill since returning home, but it hasn’t diminished your sense of humour. Hope you’re feeling much better soon.
Bwahahaha! You’ve blown the secret: the only way to shut me up is to stick a brownie with ice cream in my face. I’m glad you snapped me with the utensil as a prop, usually I just stick my whole face in there. Hahaha.
Suzanne, what a brilliant writeup! Your state of delirium has managed to reflect the meetup to perfection. I hope the doc fixes you up!!
You have so many fantastic photos of everyone and your captions are priceless! I’m glad you got one of Sylvia dancing (oooh, yes, she has got moves!) and Greetje with her pizza, a hilarious mistake. But you know I love that last photo best. What a ride it was. You’re a woman of action and made this happen. Hugs.
Wow! Great pictures and a great post. I hope you’re feeling better now. It looks like a good time was had by all.
Always happy to know that I can still surprise! Please do let me know next time you are in Vangroovy, would love to meet up. It was a lovely time, thanks for organizing. It was much more fun than large blogging conferences I have travelled to attend. And a well needed boost of blogging inspiration.
Fabulous report about the Blogger Meet-up!! What a wonderful time you all had!!
I’m in Germany and can’t catch up on comments at the moment because I’m without Internet most of the time.
Have a great weekend!
♥ carmen
I did not expect anything less from you – a sweet word about everyone mixed with your sense of humor! Great photos too, you’re all amazing and wonderful! I hope you’re feeling much better! xxxx
Great post, Suz, with -as to be expected from you- an original, different and hilarious angle!
So sorry to hear the toll it has taken on you. If I would have decided to attend, I’m sure I would be in the same place you are in now, medically speaking. It sucks, dear. Feel better soon!
Yay! I was hoping this post would be waiting for me when I got home from my trip to Michigan. It looks like a total blast, and I love that you rounded up all of these fashionable women and gave us some insight into their styles and dynamic personalities. What a great opportunity, and it sounds like you had a fun-filled, memorable time!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
I always love how what you share of your impressions of other bloggers is so positive while still giving us this feeling of what the person is really like. You just seem to GET people. Also- how fun that you got to see Greetje and Ally again! As well as all the others!
And, while not the main point of the post, I’d be so interested to hear your thoughts on social media. There are times I really enjoy it (um, usually on vacation and usually in larger cities. To be honest, this might have to do with the fact that I am waiting in lines in big cities and not at home), but forget about it when at home…
Honestly I HATE social media. Like you, the only time I engage in it is when I have to wait in line. Then I’m all about catching up. Otherwise I avoid it…other than to promote my blog. If I could get away with not being on social media I would. I’m waiting for the magical moment when I’ll start to love it.
What a great wrap-up! I believe my favorite is Greetje stealing the pizza order, her first reaction was priceless (she wasn’t about to give it up after realizing this order was much better than hers). It really was just like playing barbies while in Holt Renfrew, well at least you made it seem so. Don’t you just wish we could have a little Corey follow us around shopping all day, he was the best! Once again, thanks for the wonderful meet-up.