The Maiedae Mixer and what I learned....

Last weekend was exciting.  I talked my friend Trisha into taking a 16 hour road trip to Georgia with me to attend the Maiedae Mixer.  There were laughs, there were cracked windshields, there were up-all-night conversations, and there were cupcakes.  I couldn’t have asked for a better trip (well minus that whole windshield thing) and I learned so much.

I got so wrapped up in all the fun that I barely took any photos.  I have about fifteen on my memory card and every single one of them is a blurry mess of giggles and dancing.  So instead I am relying on the #hashtagged photos that other people posted, thanks for saving my hiney once again Instagram. And thanks to these girls for taking awesome photos.  Hi Jenny!  Hi Savannah!  Hi Amber!  Hi Anna!  Hi Hillery!  Hi Jana!  Hi Stephanie!  Hi Meghan!  Hi Holly!  Hi Natalie!

On top of being a completely gorgeous event, the hosts won me over with adorable goodie bags. I couldn’t even tell you what I am most excited for because it would be too hard to pick a favorite, I love it all.

They also knew the way to my heart….with a photobooth. I just can’t get enough. This little shindig wasn’t all about coffee, cupcakes, and conversation though.  I wanted to learn.  I wanted a crash course on blogger meetups and boy did I get one.

Here are the five things no one warned me about. Trisha and I planned on eating, I promise.  But it wasn’t until we arrived at the Mixer that we realized we hadn’t ate in 10 hours.  In all honesty, I am not sure I could have eaten anything that would have calmed those figgity butterflies down but at least I could have had a base coat for all the sugar I was about to ingest.  I ended up getting a little tummy ache after I came down from the sugar high, so maybe next time some Saltines will hang around in my purse just in case. You may notice that in the last Smilebooth photo up there, my hands were quite full…the hand not throwing the gang signs.  All night I seriously struggled to hold onto business cards, my phone, a camera, drinks, and my overall sanity.  Everyone says to bring along a business card holder, but I am warning you to bring a functional one.  I dropped mine on two different occasions, and opening it was a joke.  This could be the reason for my lack of photos as well.  Next time I am bringing pockets and a wristlet to tame all my important bidness. It took me a good hour before I was ready to approach anyone new.  In my head everyone already knew each other and no one wanted to talk to little ole Missourian me.  I think everyone goes through this at some point, and I can usually tell myself “these people will never see you again” but in this context where it is very possible I will go home and stalk them….that mantra was useless.  After Meghan was brave enough to come up and chit chat, I realized that’s what we were there for.  To meet people, to connect, to step out of our comfort zone.  Next time, I hope to walk in with a better attitude. Not much to say here, just wish I had those handy wipes that tame the whole “shine bright like a diamond” thing I had going on my face.  Never makes for cute pictures, and probably doesn’t make you any more approachable.  Should have brought gum too, one macaron in and I was paranoid-breath-checker-girl. Not sure why this surprised me.  Bloggers have style, bloggers have grace….and bloggers can wobble.  Be prepared and practice your moves before hand so that you can hang with the Beyonces.  I did not, so I just snapped pictures like the paparazzi and called it a night.  Next time I will have the moves like Jagger.

Do you have any tips to add to my list?
Have you ever dropped a stack of business cards in a dress that’s too short?
Any recommendations for some no-shine goop?