#TBSCON Recap!

A couple of weeks ago I was in Charleston, SC (one of my fave US cities) for The Blog Societies annual conference. I've been a member since the beginning and missed only the first conference. I thought I'd share a recap since so many of you requested it. Settle in--there are lots of pics ahead:

photo credits Kim Graham Photography--her pics are featured throughout this post 

Website: http://www.kimgraham.net

Charlie and I left Thursday morning and the drive up to Charleston was rough, with the bad weather and all. Charlie was awfully quiet because apparently he had found one of my "chicken cutlets" and was using it as a chew toy. Then I lost a shoe and had to wear flip flops to the first event. I had to laugh!!

Before the conference, some of the sponsors had little events. I went to the It Cosmetics one--you might have seen me there on my Insta Stories or Snapchat, where they were doing touchups on makeup and introducing new products. I made the makeup artist laugh because every product she was showing me I had already. #beautynerd

Part of the conference was held at the beautiful Belmond Charleston, where most of the bloggers stayed. I stayed with a friend who lives in Charleston instead. I would suggest staying with others because I felt lonely most of the time since everyone was hanging out with their roomies, but I did save some $ though!

I got ready and noticed my earring was missing a back, so an eraser to the rescue! Y'all know I love a good beauty hack. Add that to my one chicken cutlet that was left, and I was ready for the Vera Bradley opening party--a mixer where myself and 74 others got to mingle, have cocktails, take pics as it stormed outside. Believe it or not I cannot stand having my pic taken--I'm never photogenic --and tried to hide whenever I saw the photographer.

The next morning was the conference, held across the street at the Riviera Theatre (in the very top pic). I learned so much from the presenters. I was sitting alone until some of the Atlanta girls let me sit with them, so it was good to see everyone in person instead of just on blogs/social media and catch up. Each year the speakers are better and better--how to get press, Instagram tips, website design, and more.

After lunch we all headed to the Gifting Suite--I shared all of my swag on my Snapchat. Most bloggers are style, but they had sponsors who did beauty and other things, so it wasn't all clothes and jewelry (not complaining about that one bit!!!). But I appreciated that. We got so much stuff! I'm still going through it all.

Once that was over, I took a nap--I heard a lot of the other girls did too--before heading out to Folly Beach for some seafood and some salty water between my toes. I will not pass up on opportunity to see the ocean. Charleston is very dog-friendly, and Charlie was treated like a celebrity. Everyone kept coming up to love on him.

It was Charlie's first time at the beach and he was SO scared of the waves. My hope of him being a beach-lover like his mom were dashed. ;) He liked digging in the sand though. We headed back and watched the Opening Ceremonies.

The next morning was breakfast hosted by Kendra Scott. If you squint your eyes you'll see me in the back next to Rachel. It was so nice to meet her in person! We immediately talked about our dogs, of course. Charlie was asked to be in wedding pictures that day by some strangers who saw him! He was a natural. He never acts like that when I am taking his pic, as evidenced at the end of the post.

Next up were the sessions. You got to choose 3. I attended sessions on Reward Style (I haven't applied for LTKI yet), SEO (the AMAZING Lindsay from White Oak Creative, pictured), and Photography. There were ones on accounting, founders, and more. All of them were great and gave me a ton to think about. This was new this year to the conference and I really enjoyed it.

That night Charlie and I went out for dinner again, but this time next to a harbor, and walked around the beautiful parks and Rainbow Row--this pic was taken right down the road from it. Being near the sea and a beautiful sunset always does the soul good.

Not ready for our closeups

The morning we left I tried to take some family pics, but it was SO DANG hot that Charlie and I were kind of over it.  It was too hot to do my makeup, so I threw on some red lipstick and hoped for the best. I look like I'm shooting a bird--maybe I am subconsciously at the heat! ;)

He is famous for looking away whenever I try to take his pic. My sweet boy, and destroyer of chicken cutlets (y'all know what I'm talking about, right?).

Still not ready for our closeups 

Real life y'all: Posting this outtake of the sun in both of our eyes--makes me laugh! We look mad, but we aren't, we just can't see. My tip is to go there really, really early so there aren't people in your pics (and the heat isn't as bad as later on). I cropped this pic because I didn't realize there was a person bathing in the fountain.

And it just isn't a trip without a pic of the Pineapple Fountain. A fun time was had by all and I can't wait til next year. Thanks Jessica and Cathy for another great conference! Here's a video below of the conference in nutshell:

The Blog Societies Convention from Drew Glickman Films on Vimeo.

Have you ever been to a Blogging Conference?