BLOG ON XMAS 2017 - MY FIRST BLOGGING CONFERENCE


On Sunday the 24th of September, I finally attended my first ever Blogging Conference. I was super nervous, and I felt so ill for a few days before the actual day. Anxiety is a bugger. My first conference was supposed to be BritMums last year in July, but I wasn't able to attend because I was heavily pregnant with Freddie and if I'm honest, I don't think I would have attended in the end - pregnant or not. I did think for a minute that I wasn't going to attend BlogOn because my nerves were getting too much, but I'm so glad I just went.

My partner took me to my nearest town by 7.30am to meet the lovely Rebecca from Becster. I've never met her before, and she is the loveliest person I've met. She made me feel comfortable right away, and we had a good chat and laugh on our travel up to the conference. When we finally arrived at Hotel Football, which was right next to the Manchester stadium (not that I'm a football fan - but it was cool), we tried to find somewhere to park. Road works were going on, and we ended up going round in circles, but it was funny, and we eventually found somewhere to park. 

We headed towards the hotel, and we saw Nige (DIY Daddy), Leanne (A Slice of Wales), and then Lucy (Hello Beautiful Bear) joined us at the entrance. We got our badges and went for breakfast. There was a huge queue in one room, so Lucy and I decided to head down to the bottom floor to get breakfast there. It was in the room where the brands were, and we were stopped by one brand - Starkidz, and we took a photo. They offer birthday parties and look great. We finally had breakfast then headed to one of the rooms upstairs for the welcome talk. The sessions started not long after, and the first two sessions I attended was the Photographing with Kids with Sara-Jayne (Keep Up With The Jones Family) and Instagram by Harriet (Toby and Roo). I learnt a lot in both sessions, and they were both amazing. 

After the two sessions, Rebecca and I went for lunch, and I met the lovely Anca (Anca's Lifestyle). I then spent the rest of my time with her and went to the same sessions. Originally I planned to go to other sessions, but because I enjoyed the photography session with Sara-Jayne, I decided to make this year to learn more about photography. I went to the Festive Photo Styling with Mel Knibb (Le Coin De Mel) and Photo Styling with Lucy (Captured By Lucy), and although they were both amazing, I realised photo props just weren't for me. Although I learnt a few bits, they're not sessions I would attend again, but they are amazing sessions if you like props and flatlay photography. I regret not attending the Blog Life Balance and Camera Shy sessions, I think I would have learnt a lot with them.


The brands were lovely, and it was great to see all the toys, and I was mostly amazed at the new Luvabelle doll. At first, I thought it was kinda creepy, but they're actually quite cute. I'm sure my girls would absolutely love her. Another favourite was the Snopake stationery brand which I loved. They had a fountain pen that didn't leak or smudge - I received two goody bags of pens from them, and I've got a favourite pen. I rarely talk about stationery on my blog, but I am a huge fan. 

We were also able to vote for the best toys from different categories, and at the end of the day there was a raffle (the raffle money went to charity, and we all raised over £2000), and the prizes were one of the toys - which were amazing. I won a raffle and chose the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'n Tag Movi - I had my eye on it as I was voting, so I was super happy when I was able to choose it as my prize. I haven't opened it yet as I'm going to keep it for a Christmas present for Freddie, but it looks amazing. 


The day took me as a surprise as I was nervous I was going to be by myself and more nervous that I wasn't going to 'fit in' anywhere or with anyone. I felt the total opposite - I felt so comfortable there. In the morning as I was heading towards the breakfast area, the lovely Franca (A Moment With Franca)  stopped me and said hello. What she said to me really picked my confidence for the whole day. It was so lovely to finally meet her. I also met some of the lovely girls from my favourite Facebook Group #BlogBumpClub - Alex (Lamb and Bear), Hannah (Budding Smiles), Jade (Raising The Rings), Sarah (Run Jump Scrap) and I'm sure there were more, but my mind has gone blank. I will add on if I remember. Sorry if I missed you.

There were a few other bloggers who stopped me to say hello or said hello as they passed, but I am so bad with recognising faces so I honestly can't remember. I saw other bloggers who I wanted to say hello to but was too nervous too. But one thing I would like to say is a massive thank you to Alex from Lamb and Bear (who also sells baby/toddler leggings here) who came up to me when I was by myself at one point. 

At the end of the day when I arrived home, although it was an amazing day - one of the best days this year - I wasn't so sure if it was for me. But after reading everyone's posts about the day, thinking more and more about the day, I am actually looking forward to going again next year in May. I hope to be a lot more confident next year. 

Thank you, Laura and her team for organising such an amazing day. 

The goody bag was amazing - but I will do another post about that, however, here's a sneek-peek-photo!





14 comments

  1. It looks fun! I've been blogging for over 3 years but never been to a blogging conference. I never seem to be available for them, there is Britmums this weekend but I'm on holiday! One day I'll make it to one... #BloggersBest (P.S nice to meet new bloggers through this linky! I'm MommaBossBlog!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ah it was good to meet you but never got a good chat. It was a bit of a crazy day and I missed a few people too! I enjoyed it though and think will try and go to another. You should too. Thanks for linking with #bloggersbest x

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks like you had a great time. I have yet to go to a bloggin conference, work and life just keep getting in the way.
    #brillblogposts

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like a great day! I would love to go to a blog event but I'm just a bit worried about feeling awkward and alone or nobody having a clue about my blog haha #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like it was fab. I would be really nervous too. Maybe I should do it next year! #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  6. right, that is it. next year im doing a conference. less for the blogging but more to meet people! sorry to hear your nerves took over at first but pleased you got in to. I can imagine Franca would give good advice too :) #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ah you make me wish I'd gone now. #coolmumclub

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad you got there! I was anxious about it too, and having a heavy cold didn't help matters! It was a brilliant weekend though. I saw you from a distance but didn't say hi (I was in a turkey hat, if you remember that).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Also, I meant to say #coolmumclub :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm glad you had a good day. I was there too and it was my second time having gone to the one in May too. I was also super nervous but spoke to so many lovely people. I missed you on the day but I will be going again in May so maybe I'll see you at that one. Well done on your raffle prize, there were so many great toys in the awards, glad you got the one you had your eye on.
    Thanks so much for linking up with #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time x

    ReplyDelete
  11. everyone said it was amazing and i was gutted i couldnt go!
    Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks like it was an amazing event! I have never attended anything like that - the fact that you all get to meet each other is the biggest plus! Amazing! Not sure if we have things like this in the US, but you are all celebrities to me! #KCACOLS xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. This looks like it was a fun event to attend. I'm always way too anxious for this sort of things but I was glad you were able to make it. #kcacols

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks so much fun and definitely the conference I want to attend in the future! #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate every comment left on this site.
I do kindly ask no advertising brand websites. If you would like to know more about working together or just a friendly chat, please email me:
bethmiaelliw@outlook.com
Thank you