As you might imagine, being a blogger/stay-at-home mom can feel isolating. When we lived in Omaha, there were days when the only adult interactions I had were with my husband and my son’s teachers! Now that we’re living with my parents, I get to have more grownup conversations throughout the day, but it’s definitely not the same as socializing with colleagues in an office setting.
That’s why I’m grateful for opportunities to attend workshops and parties like the BHG Stylemaker Event in New York City two weeks ago. Better Homes and Gardens invited 70 bloggers to their offices for a whirlwind day of classes taught by the magazine’s print and digital editors. It was a privilege to learn from Oma Blaise Ford, Ellen Miller, and Katherine Pushkar (among many others) on their home turf.
And you know that working at a magazine has always been my dream job, right?
A highlight of the event was the lively panel discussion with three women featured in the September Stylemaker issue — Gen Sohr of Paper & Pencil Co., Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking? and Susan Feldman of One King’s Lane. It was hosted by the always charming Nate Berkus, who seriously has the best hair in the business. (I’m trying to convince both my dad and JB to adopt his hairstyle, which we’ve dubbed “The Full Berkus.”)
The day ended at the trendy Gansevoort Park Avenue hotel for a Stylemaker celebration. Sadly, I don’t have any photo booth evidence of my attendance — I was too busy chatting to get in any group shots! But talking shop with bloggers and editors, especially those who support and encourage me, is the real reason I go to these types of events.
I loved spending time with blogging friends old (Sarah, Jeran, and Melissa) and new (Susan, Katie, and Rachel). It was also a treat to meet some of my online favorites in person, including Carrie, Jen, and Jessie. I took away so much from the honest conversations I had with them and others about time management, working with sponsors, and growing audiences.
A big thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for letting me participate in their Stylemaker event for the second year in a row. I hope we can do it again in 2015!
Have you ever attended an event for bloggers? Which one? What did you get out of it?
(photos courtesy of Avi Gerver Photography)
Jessie
You were ABSOLUTELY one of my favorite folks to meet at the event… Now that we’re both in NJ, I hope I’ll get to see you again SOON. 🙂 Any chance you and the fam would trek into Hoboken for a day of fun? XOXO
I would love to see you again! I plan to pop into Hoboken every once in a while. Perhaps a coffee date? And whenever you’re in my neck of the woods, let me know!