Suzanne Carillo

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!