I love BlissDom, where blogging moms feel like rock stars for four days. In an everyday life filled with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and homeschooling, it’s a fun and welcome change of routine. (Thanks Alli and Barbara!)
One of my boys—my oldest child at home—turned 16 that week so I took him with me. It was a no-brainer: be a loser mom who misses her son’s 16th birthday or a cool mom who takes her son on a four-day trip to Opryland Hotel in Nashville. I am so thankful for the fine folks at DaySpring who not only gave him a job while he was there, but provided him with food, friends, and male fellowship in the sea of estrogen that is BlissDom.
That’s us being silly on the way back to our room after the (in)courage beach house party, which I told him was in honor of his birthday.
DaySpring and (in)courage
Speaking of DaySpring and the second annual (in)courage beach house party, they had a gorgeous suite full of products, which they gave away both during and after the event. My son loved the “Everything is Beautiful” canvas on the top row of this collage, so it’s ours now.
I can hardly describe what a blessing it is to be part of something like (in)courage. Not only is there a strong sense of community in the website itself, but among the authors as well. I love spending time with these women and I’m looking forward to good things in store for (in) this year.
Journey of a Flat Friend
My buddy Sprittibee couldn’t make it this year—her new baby bee was born just three days after the conference ended—but I took her along with me in spirit. “Flat Heather” had a great time!
Sponsors
BlissDom’s sponsors ROCK!
I participated in focus groups with Freschetta Pizza and Unilever’s Don’t Fret the Sweat campaign on Saturday. After years of buying the cheapest name brand pizza that I could find, I have now given myself approval to indulge in adult pizza, too. Freschetta had both a scientist and a chef who spoke to us about their production process and I’m impressed, especially with the taste.
The Brick Oven Spinach and Mushroom pizza is to die for.
I shot a BlissTV segment for Unilever with author Rosalind Wiseman, but it’s too soon to know if any of my interview will make it into the finished product. I brought home Rosalind’s book Queen Bees and Wannabees, which looks like an interesting read.
Photographic Evidence
I even have proof that I was there! I’m so glad I passed my camera around and got some photos with these lovely ladies: Jenn, Ruthanne, Melissa, Edie, Abby, Amber, Sara, and Ashleigh.
Jenn is a fellow Quaver Advisory Council Blogger, and Abby is their PR whiz who brought us on board.
Like my fake curls?
THE FLASH MOB!
The experience of BlissDom this year was THE FLASH MOB! Around 90 of us were part of a secret Facebook group that contained videos, individual “wave” info, and everything else needed to pull off an Improv Everywhere-style event.
At the end of the closing keynote by Unmarketing’s Scott Stratten, Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” started playing and the flash mob began. We popped up dancing in multiple “waves” throughout the double ballroom. I was in the second, or blue wave.
At one point we all moved toward the front of the room, into the space between the stage and the front tables, and that’s where we finished the song. It was just a phenomenal experience, an adrenaline rush!
Kudos to Jana for recording the videos, organizing this, making us believe we could do it. She truly enabled a dream-come-true moment for a lot of women.
Because I can’t get enough BlissDom flash mob, here are two versions, edited and unedited:
BlissDom ’11 Buzzword: Vulnerability
If I had to summarize the “theme” of BlissDom this year, it would be vulnerability. Brene Brown, opening keynote speaker said, “When you tie yourself to what people think, you lose the capacity to be vulnerable.”
I can say without question that I have allowed a fear of vulnerability to inhibit what I write in this space.
Scott Stratten’s closing keynote was excellent, too, with quotes like “It’s not my job to tell my market HOW to consume my product. I just want them to consume it.”
This post has turned into a compilation of all the smaller BlissDom recaps I could have written.
If you attended BlissDom, what was your favorite moment?
Sounds wonderful, uplifting and inspiring. I made it my goal to be there next year. Any advice? 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Blessings, cat
I love the comment about vulnerability. I hope interesting things open up for you as you allow yourself to be vulnerable. You look amazing. Love the hair and love the picture of you and Christian.
You are SUCH a cool mom! I told you at Blissdom, I loved the curls 🙂
I’m so glad that I got more than 2 minutes with you this year!!!
I could sit and say Yes to everything you said, friends, sponsors, Brene, everything.
YES!
Also — Flashmob — one of my favorite experiences EVER
<3
Spending time with people you love, meeting new people, and just feeling a sense of Bliss.
I love you, Dawn!
Cat, I’d do a little research in advance, find bloggers in your niche or whom you’d like to meet and build relationships online. The #BlissDom hashtag is very active on twitter before (and after) the event, and that’s a good way to find people who’ll be there. I roomed with my son this year, but finding one or more roommates is a good thing, too. Last but not least, don’t be afraid to dress like yourself – your clothes are new to everyone there – and bring some comfortable shoes. (Bonus tip: I take Tylenol PM so I can get some sleep.)
Mishelle, you got it: it’s spending time with old and new friends. 🙂
Rachel, you are one of those people I love having the time with there, although I missed our group keynote cryfest. Brene Brown was pretty emotional, though. I think she made an impact on a lot of us.
Jamie, in regards to vulnerability in blogging: I realized I’ve been blogging under my initial, 2006, blogging “directives” in some areas, and it just isn’t working for me anymore. 🙂
thanks for the shout-out dawn.
i loved seeing you flitting around the conference, snapping pictures and saying hello to everyone!
i just loved seeing you, period!
and your son was so fun – not a surprise after meeting your hubs in nashville!
great wrap up – i bet you are exhausted from all that linking :).
have a great weekend!
It looks like so much fun. I’d love to make Blissdom happen next year.
Ohhh it looks like so much fun! Really impressed you made that first picture look so good! Like an effortless pro! Love it.
Katie, honesty compels me to admit that the top pic wasn’t a one-shot effort. It took a few to get the aim and the focus. 🙂
I didn’t attend blissdom..but one day! I really hope too!
sandy toe
i heart u
Ditto!
Dawn this was lovely, fabulous eye candy and so many beautiful words! It brought me right back and I am so grateful that you were a part of our mob. Your boy is a doll and I absolutely adore that photo of the two of you. I don’t even want to think that it may be another year until I see you again. xoxo Thanks honey:)
i loved the quiet moments sitting and chatting with new friends i’ve seemingly known forever
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