This Chica Met Pioneer Woman at BlogHer (and a giveaway winner)
When I told some of my non-blogger friends that I would be attending a conference for women bloggers I got a few “wow, ya’ll have conferences/what the heck do you talk about” looks accompanied by smiles and nods.
I didn’t plan on attending but when I snagged a ticket to the sold out soiree a couple of weeks ago I figured how bad could it be? If it’s that bad I could always hop on the subway and take myself back to Brooklyn.
BlogHer10 would have been totally worth it if all I got out of it was a picture and five minute conversation with Ree, aka The Pioneer Woman. I wish I wasn’t wearing one of the dresses that at a particular angle makes me look pregnant. But she squatted down a bit so that my short self wouldn’t look like a midget so I can live with the dress. She was beautiful, gracious, sweet and everything I thought she would be. Thanks Ree 
(On the left is one of my favorite bloggers Joanne over at Eats Well With Others who, I found out this weekend, is a great dancer)
Pioneer Woman and estrogen overload aside, being around hundreds of other female bloggers taught me so much. These lessons weren’t just about myself, the chica blogger. They were lessons that all woman should embrace.
Ladies – be true to yourselves and know that no matter what anyone says that you have the power to realize great and beautiful things in your lifetime. Don’t let this power go to waste. Sure I’m not saving going to find a cure cancer, end to homelessness and hunger or achieve world piece via my humble little blog. But it’s my form of self expression and my way of letting the world (or those that care to read) know that I have something to say.
Sometimes all I will have to say is that I wish I could bathe in a tub of Swiss Meringue Buttercream (seriously, I wish I could). But other times I will delve deeper into my life and say that I am proud of my heritage and where I come from, my people and our food, my curly hair (when it’s not raining), my hips and thighs, olive skin and beautiful rhythm. No matter who you are or what you have to say, be proud and say it loud so that everyone can hear you!
Whoa – now that I got that off my chest, it’s time to announce the winner of my Booze Cakes cookbook giveaway. The winning (and randomly selected) comment was number 11 by one of my favorite bloggers – Mary The Food Librarian.
Thanks to all who entered and stay tuned as there will be more giveaways in the coming weeks. In case you missed it, I am also raffling more books (20 in total) for a great cause over here. Don’t miss out.
Share
Megan — August 9, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
I just read about your meeting with Joanne over on her blog. What a fantastic get together! And you all look fabulous.
megan — August 9, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
beautiful lessons. and I'm jealous you got to meet Ree!
Wish I could have gone
Barbara GF — August 9, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
Sounds like a fabulous time, Eliana. I am going to check out those other bloggers as well. You are so right about expressing yourself and being who you are and liking it — all important life lessons for sure.
Whatever Dee-Dee wants — August 9, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
So jealous! I wish I could have gone.
Katrina — August 9, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
Fun that you got to meet Ree and glad you had such a good time! You look great!
Amy (Sing For Your Supper) — August 9, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
Get it, girl!! You look beautiful!
Stoich91 — August 9, 2010 @ 10:19 pm
This is so sweet! I love it! Glad to hear you had a great time! You totally do NOT look preggers…lol Pretty!
Emily — August 10, 2010 @ 12:35 am
Was lovely meeting you at lunch on Friday – I look forward to following along on your blog!
Justin — August 10, 2010 @ 1:53 am
looks like fun
Stephanie — August 10, 2010 @ 2:19 am
How stinking cool! Sounds like you had an awesome time!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy — August 10, 2010 @ 2:25 am
Sounds like you had a great time! I came over here from Joanne's blog!
The Duo Dishes — August 10, 2010 @ 2:36 am
Awww, BlogHer sounded like a ton of fun. It would've been awesome to meet you and Joanne. Looking forward to reading everyone's posts about it.
Chris — August 10, 2010 @ 3:35 am
You look so cute! Bummed I couldn't go. But, I am glad you were able to meet up with Bren!
Diana's Cocina — August 10, 2010 @ 5:17 am
Eliana~You look beautiful. And I'm sure the conference was a blast!!
Marisa — August 10, 2010 @ 11:38 am
Conference sounds like a lot of fun – always awesome to meet up with some virtual friends.
Joanne — August 10, 2010 @ 11:46 am
You can mock my dancing skillz (um yes, skillz with a "z") all you want, but at least I was better than the Friday dancers. Fo sho. I do what I can.We look awesome! And you SO do not look pregnant. Now. Which picture to hang on my wall. Little do you know, I'm going to crop you out and then blow up a photo of JUST YOU and hang it on my wall. Creepy? Maybe. Necessary? Definitely.
5 Star Foodie — August 10, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
Sounds like such a fun conference and cool meetups!
hannah {thepastrykook} — August 10, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
well, i just wish i could soak in a tub of warm velvety chocolate!
Jessica @ How Sweet — August 10, 2010 @ 2:38 pm
Love this! I so wish I could have gone to Blogher.
Jeanine — August 10, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
Looks like a fantastic time was had by all! What a great experience, glad that you were able to go.
(and totally jealous that you met Ree! Too cool!)
Shandy — August 10, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
What a great convention! Who knew you would meet such wonderful women; we see and visit the blogsites, become inspired and leave feeling better. The points you walked away with and shared made me stop and think about my own world. Hopefully, I can grow and allow myself to come out of my shell and share more of my own world. You are wonderful as always! =)
Jessica of My Baking Heart — August 10, 2010 @ 6:42 pm
Awesome photo! Wish I was there with you!
Cristine — August 10, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
Great picture! Glad you had a good time!
Amanda — August 10, 2010 @ 7:51 pm
Great advice!! Such a pretty blog!Be blessed-Amanda
The Diva on a Diet — August 10, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Hi Eliana! So great to meet you, if only briefly, at the BlogHer bookstore on Saturday! Love your write up and what a great picture with The PW! Gosh your blog is gorgeous, so glad we met so I could keep up with all of the yumminess you've got going on here!
Juliana — August 11, 2010 @ 12:42 am
Wow, what a fun time you had…good for you
Salsa Verde — August 11, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
I believe you had an amazing time!!Love,Lia.
Tracy — August 11, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
Looks like you had a wonderful time! I hope I get to meet PW someday!
Damaris — August 11, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
Mary is one of my favorite food bloggers too. I met Ree last year at Food BlogHer and she was ALL that. I'm so glad you enjoyed your experience at BlogHer. When I went back in 2008 I felt like I was the only woman of color. It was a bit daunting. I think it's getting more diverse, which is good. I loved this post!
Velva — August 12, 2010 @ 12:21 am
I am so envious. What a great opportunity to hang with such wonderful women. Next year, I have to put this on my list.
Bren — August 15, 2010 @ 7:16 pm
How fabulous that you got to meet her. What a gorgeous lady. I’m still mad that I couldn’t fit it in to come back and see you and attend more of the panels. I totally mistimed everything. Or, needed help in getting all these things done!
jen — August 15, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
I met you at blogher
your blog is soooo so cute! I love The Pioneer Woman
ingrid — August 17, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
Loud & proud!
~ingrid