If you’re meeting someone at a blogger meet up for the first time that you’ve only “seen” on the internet be prepared.
Just as in online dating they may have exaggerated their height, weight, age, social status and job description.
Or as in the case of my latest blogger meet-up they may have played down their freaktacular fabulousness.
Case in point this blogger… Miz Baggs of Bag and a Beret. (I made the one-off t-shirt for her based on this post.)
I will admit I was a bit worried about meeting Melanie. Her bold one-of-a-kind online presence, brain bending use of the English language and insane artistic abilities are more than a little intimidating. I wondered if I would be able to keep up with such a creative force of nature.
I had visions of Miz Baggs arriving in a golden egg a top four well oiled shirtless body builders on roller skates wearing horses heads, Givenchy tuxedo pants and bow ties. Although the horse heads were no where to be seen Miz Baggs’ attitude, raucous wicked sense of humour and all consuming ego were well in tact. Needless to say, we got along like two drunken sailors fresh off the boat.
I’ve heard many have been hypnotized into submission with just a side glance of her glacial blue widows to the soul.
I saw it first hand when a lady walking outside winked at her. No joke. We were sitting at the restaurant seated next to the window and a well dressed lady gave Melanie a flirty wink. Such is the gravitational pull of the planet called Melanie.
Her choice of foot ware ensures that all cower below her.
I am actually crouching down a bit here ( I swear!). Bowing to the greatness that is Melanie.
Lucky for us Sue her hat makes her taller.
How about that for psychedelic pattern mixing?
Sue from A Colourful Canvas and I are now old friends as this is our second blogger meet-up.
She is a beaming ray of soul hugging sunshine on a typical rainy winter’s day in Vancouver. A bundle of positive effervescent energy, quick to laugh and so easy to be with. It was good to have her there to reign in Mel and myself when we started getting a bit too “Bloggers Gone Wild!”
If I were to describe Melanie as the sushi of bloggers Sue would be the comfort food. You walk away satisfied, content and happier just for having spent some time together.
So what to expect when some 40+ bloggers get together? Crumpets and tea with some mild mannered talk of the weather?
Or rowdy uncontrolled laughter you’d expect from some half drunken teenagers?
I’ll let you decide.
I gave Sue a vintage handbag and told her to look inside, there was an extra surprise. Someone had tucked a very old comb inside the inner pocket. She kept a brave face though when I told her that I was sure that the ancient comb had many stories to tell…and no…I hadn’t disinfected it. I figured that might ruin its magic.
Suzanne Man-Voice, Sue Sunbeam and Melanie MegaSchtar
I really couldn’t get enough of either of these gals. We spent most of the day together, talked for hours, did a bit of thrift shopping, closed down one coffee shop and yet it ended all too quickly. Learning what makes each of these ladies tick was far too complicated for just one brief afternoon. We are already planning our next get together… a PJ party was mentioned, but it is all top secret for now.
I’m catching up from a week away, trying to get over jet lag and the inevitable sad feeling that follows a great visit with family and friends that live on the other side of Canada.
BTW…Melanie drew me this precious pug!!!
We were talking about a 40+ bloggers meet-up sometime in the summer of 2015 on the West Coast. Do you think you might be interested?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
So cool! Meeting other bloggers is the best way to turn online acquaintances into real friends. We instantly know if we click with them or not — and when we do, wonderful friendships bloom. Afterward, our online interactions are infused with deeper knowledge of the other person and more intense personal interest in them.
Good for you!
I flew from NY to MN to meet bloggers. Flying to the west coast of Canada isn’t out of the question…
Exciting! I’m pencilling you in as a possible “maybe” .
Loved Melanie’s post about your meet-up and yours is just as much fun. You can tell by the photos how well you all got on and why not? You’re three fabulous, fun and genuine women.
I know exactly what blogger meet-ups are like – booze, laughter, posing, trying stuff on, snorting with laughter, swearing, gossiping and beating the blokes off. Here’s to more in 2015! xxxx
Every Blogger meet-up I’ve been part of has been loads of fun, and the other women were just as witty and entertaining as they present themselves on their blogs. What a lovely, lively trio of dames you are! I would love to fly to the west coast for a major meet-up but they are going to have to lower the airfare from Toronto to Vancouver first!
Sometimes West Jet has sales!
How fun that the group of you got together! I think the power of blogging can be pretty amazing. =) what a community!
xo,
nancy
I still cannot believe I won that incredible necklace! I’m flipping out in the best way!
Thank you!
And thank you for “taking us along” on your meet-up and describing Sue and Melanie in ways that make us feel we know them. What a wonderful connection you all have.
Anxiously awaiting my prize! Again, thank you so very much.
I can’t wait to see you wearing it : )
Looks like you had a great time with some great ladies!
Such a fun meetup and 3 of my favorite bloggers! I can only imagine how much fun you would have had. Would love to attend a meetup but it’s just so far away… However, I’m planning to go to New York next year. Would you be up for that?
Oh you must let me know the dates so I can try to arrange to meet up! And maybe we can try to put the call out to other bloggers in the area that would be interested.
You silly! I parked my golden egg and oiled men around the corner.
Bwa-ha-ha. What a wonderful write-up Suzanne. Yes, we were drunken sailors, all the way. Bloggers Gone Wild. Such a great day, a highlight of this season for me, It’s Suzanne Fire Woman, not man voice. Sue and the comb…bwa-ha-ha. You guys are the best.
As I said, I was the intimidated one, and there you both were, welcoming kindred spirits.
Yes, a blogger meetup. Anyone else interested? West coast, next summer…
Damn if I’d known they were just around the corner I’d have gone to have a peek. ; )
I love when bloggers meet up. Especially when they are my favorite bloggers. I could feel the good vibrations all the way down here in Southern California.
Southern California is only a hop skip and a jump up to Canada for the meet-up Connie! Hint, hint!
Oh look at you gorgeous women! I think a blogger meet-up with you three would be insanely fabulous. I know first hand that getting together with fellow bloggers is always a joy, and Sue and Mel must be great companions for a riotously funny day out. Love the pics, love the pug, and love that you had a fantastic day! xxx
Looks like you 3 ladies had a blast time. I haven’t done an a casual blogger meet up (not that I’ve met a ton of bloggers) but it was really nice to meet the person behind the blog. Would that West Coast be Los Angeles (I am hoping!!) and I am in 🙂
You are right that your skirt looks very similar. I have similar pieces in my closet and will need to copy your outfit.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
No it wouldn’t be LA, Alice. We were thinking more Vancouver or Seattle. It wouldn’t be a long flight for you though! Plus, have you ever been to Canada? In the summer it is gorgeous.
You will need to let me know the plans once it’s finalized. I would need to bring the family with me since my hubby has not been to Vancouver and would make a great vacation. We are in the midst of making our plans for next year.
I need to talk to Melanie and Sue again so we can all start promoting the idea and get a tentative list of attendees.
So you’ve been to Vancouver already Alice? I would so LOVE to meet you and your family! I think they will enjoy it. Plus you get more bang for your buck here since our dollar has dropped against the US dollar.
I will let you know any more details as we start putting it together.
This all looks to me like a meeting of Forces of Nature … it must have been amazing. Everyone here makes art and loves clothes.
Seems like I haven’t been good enough this year for Santa to get his act together to get me one of your Ts but there’s time, I hope. I’m plotting … Santa better watch out when he goes back to his real job on Friday!
Have a fabulous Christmas, darling Suzanne!
Thanks for popping by Jan. I do hope you managed to squeeze in some great relaxing days at Christmas and it wasn’t all work.
You always ,are meeting bloggers sound so fun.
….oh my gawd….what a brilliant, witty post Suzanne! There’s as much laughter here as what we shared that day! Only a week ago, but seems like for-evah! Fortunately, we have our memories {still, LOL}.
You two are so seriously entertaining, and together? Well, crazy fun you both are!!!
You 3 are super gorgeous, I think you have this appearance thing, down pat.
yes, I would expect some girlish laughter, maybe some howling ( at the moon..?)
I would expect ALOT of Pinot to disappear.
Love the pug, and will check out these bloggers.
Happy, Merry, and Cheers!
xx, elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
It would be a bit of a flight for you Elle but I can guarantee some excellent thrifting opportunities ; )
Where is the West Coast? Which specific area do you mean?
Love your bloggers meet-up. It takes me back to our times in August.
Love
Greetje
The furthest west you can travel in Canada…to the Pacific ocean rather than the Atlantic. Vancouver to be exact, although we were considering Seattle too since it isn’t very far from Vancouver.
OMG .. I would totally be interested in a bloggers meet up in the summer! Keep me posted! I’m dying to meet some of my new online fashionistas in person! What an awesome group you three make!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Are you in Northern or Southern California Dawn? Either way it wouldn’t be too bad of a trip for you as you are already on the West Coast.
How fun! You three all look fabulous and I can’t imagine the shenanigans that ensued! Love that fur scarf you’re sportin’ my friend. 🙂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
Well, no wonder I haven’t been reading your posts – Bloglovin’ has just now dumped all of them in my feed! I haven’t been getting them for weeks, but I’m so glad I saw this one. What an amazing meet-up!! You three were definitely in sync with your faux furs and your plaids, and I can imagine the laughter spreading like sunshine over Vancouver. And the best part is – I’M ON THE WEST COAST! So, yes, let’s have a West Coast meet-up!!!
Sorry they dumped the whole lot on you. I guess that is what happens when I transfer from my old blog to this new one. That is why you weren’t getting the feed I assume, you hadn’t signed up to the new blog. Thankfully Sue told me how to get all the members transferred over to the new blog.
I’m pencilling you in Val! : ) It would be so wonderful to finally meet you!
I read it out loud (to share with Justin the exciting possibility) and laughed out loud too! I can’t imagine why any of you would be intimidated. I probably would be though as I don’t even speak English very well (writing is a different asset). But a glass of red wine or a little vodka should relax any awkwardness. :)) I was thinking who else might be interested in joining. There are Shawna and Monika on Canadian side, and other than Val and Bella, there are Joni and Krista on American side… That would be so wonderful to meet you all!! xxx
Oooh! Start spreading the rumour around so we can see how many other bloggers we can get interested then we can start doing some real planning.
“Glacial blue widows.” Damn, girl. Haha. I would be honored to have someone talk about me like that. This woman must truly be one-of-a-kind. I would be so awkward at one of these meetups. My social ineptitude would shine like a blinding beacon. Haha. I’m so happy you had a wonderful time! <3
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Blogger meet ups are one of the best parts of blogging! I live in Seattle, and even though I’m not nearly as fashionable as you lovely ladies, I would love to attend a meet up here or in Vancouver! How fun!
Wow! That seems fun… And terrifying! I would love to meet some of my blogger friends, you being one of them, but oh man, it just seems scary to me. What lovely women you described! And how lucky they are to have you as a friend who describes them so sweetly. I can barely get my house cleaned up since Christmas… Meaning, I haven’t. Planning a get-together makes my brain heart and palms sweaty. Thanks for sharing!
Jenni
Woo! I’m in! I sent you an email – I will even take that Friday off so that I have more time in Vancouver with y’all!
Isn’t Melanie the best? We meet her every March when we go to Van.
Suzanne, you are so funny and I love it!! Let me confess you that I’ll be a little afraid to meet you then comeback to your blog and read about it…lol
I love to see how you all had so much fun, I wish I was a fly on the wall and be able to laugh quietly in the background.
Sue looks so beautiful, she is a true beauty and Melanie so elegant and chic. You of course with that gorgeous mane always looking fresh.
Thanks for sharing these pictures.
xo
Carelia
What a fun, lovely meet-up! Green with envy;-). Good for you, gal, creating new friendships!