This one time... at a blog conference

I made the mistake of saying I was feeling a little bored. I was feeling like I didn't have direction, losing a little bit of passion and feeling just a smidge lost.
Then I voiced those feelings out loud.
Well God delivered. I am now brimming with ideas and super excited (that passion is back!) about so many different things! I can't wait to share them all with you but want to make sure I do it all in the right way.
What I do want to share with you today is a little bit about my journey to Elevate.

photo creds all to the amazing Chrissy at Let Me See You Sparkle

Something on my Brave list this year was to attend a blog conference. Specifically Elevate. I had wanted to go last year but chickened out, then spent the whole day stalking the pictures then regretting not going. So this year it wasn't going to happen! The day of I had set alarm for ticket sales, as I was about to buy I started to get nervous. I was going to talk myself out of it until I saw this amazing community between bloggers that had already gone and people just buying tickets. Everyone was encouraging "newbies" to do it- we wouldn't be disappointed! They were right.

I got there a little early and sat in my car for a minute. I was beyond nervous, shaking, and having to really calm myself down. But why? I was gonna be brave this year dangit. I had to pull up those big girl chonies and do it.
The atmosphere of the day was all fun. Tons of laughter and a lot of hugging. It's funny how bloggers act- to the outside world I'm sure it's super odd. I mean really- who hugs people you've never met. But I know we feel like we've all met each other. We share such intimate parts of our lives with anyone who wants to read it, why wouldn't it feel like we were all besties.

Only a few of the lovely ladies I got to meet! I regret not going up to more people and asking for a
selfie! Because I should have. Next time

The conference was at Newport Dunes with the beach as our backyard, everything was set up beautifully and you could feel the buzz going through the air. Jen & Summer really know how to put on a good day. But my favorite part of it all. The people you get to meet.

Let's talk speakers- 

Desiree from The 36th Avenue won me over with her super fun quirky personality. Best take away- don't be afraid to be you.

Chrissy from Let Me See You Sparkle has the best smile (and heart!) loved hearing from her about the best way to photograph for your blog. Plus she got us to take a selfie, which I may do more often!

Fellow first timer Amy- we have hit it off, if you can't tell by our #ussie

Some pro-tips from Cara, Ashley and Alissa was all I needed to know I'm ready to kick-start this blog again. (Plus total fan moment- who doesn't love Little Miss Momma?!)

Last but certainly not least- Lisa Leonard. For reals, I flipped when I found out she would be speaking. What stuck out most was-Be You. Be Brave. I love her heart and they way she speaks to me (because duh- everything she said hit home for me!). I have a personal connection with her jewelry- a story I will tell soon. So when I met her I couldn't not share how much of a fan I was. She introduced herself to me twice, so by now I'm sure we are BFFs. 

Some bad cell phone pics but too exciting not to share.

Minute to Win it winners.. #Boom.

Sign by Salty Bison.. Speaks to my soul (and for reals is all over the place screaming at me!)

I learned a lot. I grew a lot. I was brave. And I met some really awesome women who I hope to get to know much better in the future. All in all, it was a great day.. Counting down till next year!