You can read Part I and Part II of my BlogHer 12 adventures, too. You know I couldn’t keep it at just one post!
Don’t worry, though, we’re nearing the end of my BlogHer Chronicle. First, because I know everyone is curious — the swag. I had to take several pictures (categorized by type of item) to get it all in:
First, coupons — including free eggs, free Stonyfield Yogurt, and free Dannon yogurt:
Some random stuff — a Furby t-shirt, fleece blanket and some Lysol 
Toys, from the Hasbro Party bag and the Baby’s First Test Baby Shower. I was most excited about this since I can get several Christmas gifts/baby gifts/stocking stuffers from this:
Health & Beauty Products, including a whole bunch of Udder Cream I won. Many of these will be great donation items:
Sixteen (!!) reusable bags. I really like the Cotton totes- they’re heavy duty and nice for kids’ stuff. I think I’ll use some of these as a “green” wrapping alternative:
Finally, there weren’t a TON of green or natural companies, but the ones who were there were great. There is stuff from Boiron, Maty’s, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Econuts, and Weleda:
Oh, and I was thrilled to have the amazing Beth Terry sign my copy of Plastic-Free: How I kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too! I look forward to reading it and reviewing it soon:
In all candor, though, the very best part of BlogHer was meeting my roommates! Yes, I said meeting, because even though Jenny @thecrunchywife and I have been online friends for nearly 3 years, I had never “met” our other three roommates. 5 women. 2 double beds. 1 dry ice debacle (yay, we’re all alive!). It could have been so, so bad. But it was fantastic, primarily because of these cool chicks:
from left to right: Jenny from The Crunchy Wife, Mindi from Simply Stavish, me, Jennifer, from MommyHuh, and Natalie from Growing Up a NJ Wife.
Ultimately, I think BlogHer12 was a success. I was away from my family for 3 nights for the first time, both my children had a great time with my husband and their grandparents, and I was able to have a chance to remember how to have a good time with some great friends. My ROI (return on investment): On a personal level, I believe it was worth it. I became even closer to a dear friend that I previously only knew virtually. I made several new friends, and was inspired by many, many women who are working to change the world for the better.
In terms of financial ROI, I’ll let you know in about 6 months. I made some great connections with stellar brands like Wholly Guacamole (@EatWholly), Maty’s Natural Health(@Matysproducts), and Stonyfield Farms(@Stonyfield). I’m looking forward to working with those brands and more in the future. I enjoyed the sessions I went to (about Branding Your Blog, Working with Brands, and another one that I can’t remember right now lol), but I feel like the benefit of the convention for me was making connections with awesome green bloggers and companies who share the same goals.
Oh, and it was pretty freakin’ fun.
Did you go to Blogher? What were your thoughts?
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They best part was meeting people like you. It is so fun to see the person behind the blog.
Anna
Loved the pictures of your swag.
I have to say the Amicare gel is amazing, my husband and I both ended up using it as soon as I came home from BlogHer (he had a hockey injury and I had bashed my elbow on the door…we are a clumsy group).
I was also disappointed in the Lysol! Even if I wanted it how did they think I would take a huge bottle of liquid home?
The best part were definitely the connections. So happy I was able to meet you.
ROI is so subjective in that case, but I hope it is a positive for you and your blog!
Meeting new people & spending time with old friends was definitely the best part of this year’s convention. It appears brands are also eager to follow up this year, I hope you form some solid working relationships!
I would love to go to BlogHer ’13 how does one get to attend one of these events?
There are a ton of different blogging conferences, to learn more about BlogHer 13 (in Chicago), go to http://www.blogher.com
Yep, I was there! Glad I went! And really want to go back, just because it was fun, but someone (can’t remember who) did a thoughtful post about the ROI (return on investment) of attending BlogHer, and it really put into perspective that I probably didn’t get a very good ROI. I’m a DIY blogger, focused on thrift stores, home improvement, and general DIY crafts stuff. I didn’t see that niche represented. I think I probably would benefit from attending one of the DIY conferences instead. But, I STILL had loads of fun at BlogHer and would love to return, just for the free shyt and cool people I met
Serena
Thrift Diving
Serena, I hear ya! I definitely felt like the sessions, while cool, were a distinct 2nd place to meeting such awesome people.