SoCal Social 2013

I haven't been to any of the huge blogging conferences, BlogHer, Blissdom, etc. but I have been able to go to several smaller more local blogger events, including the SoCal Social I went to this weekend.

I only knew a few people that were going to be there and there were several familiar faces but when I got there I ended up joining up with a group of complete strangers (both on-line and in person), by the end of the night I knew I had made some new friends that I am excited to meet up with again.

The first part of the day was filled with visiting all of the quaint shops of Downtown Orange.

There are so many cute antique and specialty shops including Vintiques Home Decor.  The owner was so nice and even had his social media guy there ready to take a picture of us bloggers as we came in and was sharing the pictures on social media (smart man who understands bloggers!)  This is the picture they took of the group of ladies I was with.


From left to Right: Amanda of Kaleidoscope of Colors; Alma of Created by Soul, Tori Lil' Mrs. Tori, Me!, Melody of Meldoy M. Nunez, Kristi of Courtsey of Kristi

Oh and I really am not that short, I was just between the two tallest women in the group!

We took a nice long break at Provisions where I drooled over the cheese.   The jalapeno deviled eggs they gave us to sample were quite interesting with quite the kick.
Then we continued on our way visiting cute shop after shop and getting so much fun swag from some awesome vendors and sponsors!  As we were walking we heard some random person say, we need to go join them they are getting all this free stuff. One of my personal favorite shops is Country Road Antiques; the store is huge and they are a supplier of Annie Sloan paint (I've got a big painting project coming up!!) Everything from antiques, to seasonal decor- Halloween and Christmas!  We did laugh a bit at the spelling of "beautiful". We even got a nice cool treat from Front Porch Pops The night ended as we all were entertained and inspired by Eva LaRue (formerly on CSI Miami) and Mark Montano (formerly on TLC).  They spoke about going after your dreams and getting rid of that ceiling and fear that holds you back.   Mark was even so generous as usual and is giving all the attendees an e-copy of his newest book coming out soon.  I also had to get a picture with Jamie of Polka Dots on Parade as she and I are instragram buddies! She is so much fun and so full of life!  Dinner was so yummy, there was fun giveaways, which I won a beautiful apron that Amanda made (need to take a picture still!) and we just sat and talked and had so much fun!  We were one of the last tables to leave for the night, only about 4 other people remained. While we talked we learned that life is good as long we keep Amanda fed and that she is the queen of chalk paint and sewing (she made her vintage-style dress!).  I got so many great tips from her for my upcoming painting project.  We learned that Melody just recently published a book (can get it here- I just bought it!), that Tori has two adorable little boys and moves around a lot (something I could relate too), that Alma wasn't even on Instagram until the day before the conference and we were having to teach her how to use it, but we still love her;  oh and they figured out the mystery of why I wasn't drinking the sample of beer and coffee during the day (I'm a Mormon).  It was such a wonderful day and Viv and Bev did an awesome job making the whole day come together beautifully once again.     It really is so fun having a day with people who just get you as they understand this whole crazy blogging thing.
Have you been to a blogging conference?   P.S.  One week from today will be 10 Things to Smile About this Month!  You know this Friday is my birthday month and as is tradition I always ask for lots of you to link up as  birthday present to me and October is by the month with the most links, so let's keep the tradition going!

The Benefits of Living in SoCal

Sometimes I kind of forget where I live, no I don't get lost and can't find my house or anything like that, I forget that I live in a state and a part of the state that a lot of people like to come to.  A place where people save up their hard earned money to come for a once in a life time visit-- and it is in my backyard!

Now before you all go on hating me for where I live, trust me there are a lot of downsides too; extremely expensive, completely bankrupt state with crazy politics, etc. etc.

But, when one of those people who saved up some money to have an awesome vacation is your former college roommate and she gets to stop by my house because it is literally on their route to their destination (wow long run on sentence) then it is awesome!

Sunday, my Amy and her family stopped in for dinner and a visit.  We had a great dinner (thanks to my husband for cooking it all while I was at a meeting)

 The kids all played so wonderfully.

My kids and Amy's kids - check out the curls on Amy's oldest, just like Ryder! 

...And I got to see my Amy!
The time went way too fast, she wanted to spend the night (and I happily would have let her) but her husband didn't really feel like taking all the kids to their vacation rental himself and putting them all to bed- party pooper!

I have to be honest, I really am not the best at keeping in touch with Amy, other than facebook and instragram, no weekly phone calls or anything, but when I saw her it felt like no time had passed at all- we were ready to put on our pajamas and go running again!

Amy and I freshmen year of college in our pajamas ready to go for a run

So yes, this weekend I was very grateful for one of the many benefits of living in Southern California.  Do you live in a vacation destination location?

Meeting Bloggers in Real Life

If you blog you probably understand- the friendships, the connections- for many of us these friendships and support are a lot of the reasons we continue to blog. If you talk to a non-blogger about it, they just don't really get it- they have a hard time understanding and believing that someone you never met could be such a close friend. And as you make those connections, you will often find yourself wishing you could at least get to meet that person in real life.

On Friday I got that chance, with not one but 7 other bloggers.

From Left to Right:  Impulsive Addict, Viv of V-Spot, Seriously Shawn, Me, Jen Harried Mom of Four, Becca of Texas Darling, Jenny Kate, Connie of Young and Relentless

Friday, I crashed the Huntington Beach Bloggers Party for lunch.  Right before I left to head there my stomach was suddenly filled with butterflies, why was I feeling like this?  Thankfully as I made the drive they all disappeared. 

I knocked on the door to the beach house and Impulsive Addict and Viv of the V-spot opened the door.  It is strange meeting someone that actually is a complete stranger yet you know them so well.  They were just as I pictured them, though even prettier in real life.

I went back to the patio to meet the rest, hugs all around.  Connie of the Young and Relentless was taller than I pictured.   Jen of Harried Mom of Four was the only one I didn't really know but she was friendly right from the start.

We loaded up into two cars and drove to Schooners and Later- a cute restaurant right on the harbor with lots of patio seating.  While we waited to be seated we hit up some random strangers to take our pictures, tons of cameras being handed to the unsuspecting strangers- they didn't realize they were dealing with bloggers who document everything. 

 Casey of the Starnes Family who is another Cali blogger joined us for lunch

Throughout the meal the phones and cameras were constantly being whipped out- taking pictures of the menu, the food, writing down funny moments that happened- like when a bird basically landed on Seriously Shawn's lap and she screamed leaving the whole restaurant momentarily silent.  I was in my element- these girls knew me and understood me- the need to document everything, the constant whir of your brain thinking of what would make the next good blog post.

 My lunch- Eggs Benedict with avocado and crab- Viv And Jen got the same thing, they just got theirs with fruit

Bloggers, we really are an odd bunch if you think about it.  But it's a wonderfully odd group that I am happy to say I am part of.

We found the Holy Grail!

Wait, don't leave- yes you made it to Emmy Mom's blog-- just a whole new look. What do you think? I used to love my old design and it was still great, I just get itchy and needed something new. Plus I just wanted a little cleaner look. Don't forget I have my new button over on the sidebar to go with my new look that you can grab.

Are you ready for some exciting news?

We found the Holy Grail!!

This weekend Lourie (CA Girl) and I were out thrifting and we could not believe our eyes!We found some other treasures too, like a shirt Lourie bought for herself that is not too friendly with the girls. Or the skirt she bought for her daughter that doesn't fit. Or the dress she bought for her other daughter that is too short.

Dang.

Good thing we found the holy grail.

And had a yummy lunch at Panera Bread--
oh and did I tell you that Lourie had the exact same thing- she totally copied me.

I did find these adorable pictures for Ryder's room- at $1.48 each
And our trip to Tai Pan left me drooling over thisAnd we got our required pictureSo despite a few flops, it was an awesome day.

Do you thrift? (Is that even the proper use of the word? Or did I just create it and so am super cool and inventive?-- even if it's real just stroke my ego I won't mind)

P.S. TOMORROW is Ten Things to Smile About this month. I have loved how many of you have been linking up and looking back and finding ten things that made you smile in February. You can see some examples and more info here

Cookie Extravaganza!

This week we had a cookie party

I was inspired by this website..
beware..this website will make either
1) inspire you
2) make you feel like the least creative person ever

We had friends over and made lots of sugar cookies
everyone got to make their namesand of course frost the cookiesthanks everyone for comingit really made the morning go quickly!

*****************************************************
If you haven't voted yet
please go HERE and vote
for "Get This Party Started" by Pink

The friends we choose....

How is it that we get the friends we have? When I was little it was all about location. The girl that lived across the street and the one that was two doors down became my friends. We would walk right over to each others houses and spend most of the day at one home or the other. There was also a boy our age that lived a few houses down... but well I was little--boys had cooties.

As time passed I got in a fight with the girl from across the street. We were never friends again after that.... So it was the girl from two doors down. I did go to other friends houses that lived close too.. ones I probably met in school and got invited to their birthday parties.

After 6th grade something happened, my best friend from two doors down moved to the other side of town and I began Junior High. Suddenly there were lots of new people from the other elementary schools... suddenly location wasn't quite as important. Then I was friends with people in my classes and friends with people in band. It was during junior high that I met, but did not yet really become friends with, the one friend from high school who I have really kept in touch with.

Then we left the junior high world for high school. Now there were chances for even more extra curricular activities and more friends.

All of this time I also belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So I had my church friends. Growing up in Illinois there were not too many of us, so most of the church friends lived far away... but we would still get together. So church and school...

Now the question is how do adults make friends?? I have always had an easy time and have had immediate friendships thanks to my church. We move, and boom, there are more people with similar beliefs and life styles so friends. I often wondered what I would do without the church. In Durango I would always take Lucas to the park. I would talk with the other moms there and we would be friendly then go on our ways. It was not until litterally weeks before we were to leave Durnago that one of the mom's I was talking with invited me to join their play group. All I know is if this had been my only outlet, two years is a long time to not have any friends!

As we have once again moved, I once again have the church and many wonderful ladies who are friendly. This time I also have family close by, including a great cousin-in-law who has a little boy who has quickly become best friends with Lucas. I have fun visiting with these people and am so greatful for the playmate for Lucas.... but it makes me also miss those few friends who I have met and held onto over the years. There truly are only a handful that have withstood the test of time.... and to them I am grateful.

As I read this it almost seems like I am ending on a sad note and I don't want it that way... I guess I am just in one of those reflective moods and using my blog to vent it. So thanks for reading :)

Goodbye denial!

Maybe it's due to buyers remorse (I spent too much money at Target), maybe it's the fact I'm living surrounded by boxes, maybe it's the partially to mostly cloudy days we have had since moving here (I am so not used to that coming from AZ), maybe it's the fact that Lucas got invited to a party and I am worried about us dropping him off as he has never even met the birthday boy (nor have I), but it has hit me.....

I have moved!

I am no longer by my friends.

I feel alone and very sad.

Up to this point I have lived in the sweet drug of denial. Even at my going away party it felt like just a group of girls having a ladies night out--and I liked it that way. I even told my friends not to feel offended if it didn't seem like I was going to miss them--it was just hope I cope.

Well guess what, I miss you all!!

Now I am sure over the next little while I will be feeling good again. I will make friends, the boxes will soon all be gone, there will be some totally sunny days...
just right now, it feels good to feel sad.

It is good to feel human and to miss and be missed.

Friends are the reason I started this blog--this is the reason I am following my friends blogs (which most of you really need to update).

Life is good--I am taking it one day at a time--this is just a sad day.

Thanks laides!

Last night I was able to have a wonderful goodbye dinner with 3 amazing ladies. When I first moved to Arizona the four of us instantly had a bond as we were all pregnant! Two of us were due in December (both babies which ended up being born in November), and the other two were due in February.
That bond has changed but lasted this whole time. It has been fun to watch our kids get bigger together. Last night we enjoyed appetizers, salad and cheesecake and the Cheesecake Factory. All of which I felt later, but happily so! Our waiter at times was horribly slow but we were too busy talking and having fun to really notice. It just made me wish we would have done it more often. Thanks ladies! I will miss you and so many other friends I have made while living here...
I can't believe that tomorrow I leave.