I set out on a trip to Austin, TX this past weekend for BlogHer Food 2013. I flew Delta and had a layover in Atlanta before arriving in Austin. While at the airport had a nasty $8 salad, of which I only ate the toppings leaving the yellow ends of a Romaine lettuce. I remedied this meal mishap with a chocolate croisant and an almond latte. I’d say that made up for it. 🙂
Once I arrived in Austin on Thursday afternoon, I had a brief moment to check in to the hotel with my roommates: Erin, Nicole and Miryam, before I was whisked away on a limo to a spa party sponsored by Dixie Crystals/Imperial Sugar! Let me tell you, that was the most genius party ever. Nothing says, ‘we love you’ like a massage, dessert and good conversation. Let’s just say that the masseuse asked if I could come back that weekend because I was so tense. 😉 Oye.
Katie
Katie and Amelia (sorry for the blurry photo…moving car)
Next, we were off to the Whole Foods party on the roof of the flagship Whole Foods! It was huge….I mean multi-story underground parking garage and escalators in the grocery store! I nibbled on some warm chocolate and caraway macarons before heading off to the next party!
The grilled cheese sandwiches below were served at the Stonyfield/Organic Valley party, held at Parkside in Austin. They were sitting on a bed of BBQ sauce…genius. There was also a buffet of desserts, including donuts and this chocolate praline parfait Oh, was it great! As was the VERY interesting talk by one of the Organic Valley dairy farmers/blogger/mom. 🙂
After a long day of travel we headed back to our room on the 26th floor!!! with a lovely view of the highway? 😉
The next day was the beginning of the conference, filled with sessions and keynotes…followed by this lunch:
And I couldn’t help but show my favorite way to get nourishment throughout the conference, my ipad mini. Apple Juice anyone?
After another night on the town, full of parties, I stopped by the PicMonkey PJ party! The spread of donuts and cupcakes was spectacular.
Kristy and me
The next day was filled again with sessions and keynotes, but for lunch a bus load of us were driven to the top of a gorgeous hill? mountain?, to this amazingly modern house (hello, dream house!) for the Dole luncheon. Chef Ben Ford gave us a little food demonstration poolside and prepared the lunch for us.
(L to R of who I can point out) Carrian, Joanne, Ali, Laurie, Katie and Megan
After a long day, the closing party had arrived. The highlight in my book was this awesome ice cream sandwich from Cool Haus…it was even edible paper! Worth every bit of mess.
And of course had a bit of fun at the photobooth.
Kristina (Stonyfield), Amelia, me and Chandra (Stonyfield)
Kristina (Stonyfield), Amelia, me and Chandra (Stonyfield)
Kristina (Stonyfield), Amelia, me and Chandra (Stonyfield)
Maegan, Sam, me, Katie and Cathy
Maegan, Sam, me, Katie and Cathy
Katie and me
One more stop to the Stonyfield Greek Yogurt party for great laughs and more good food.
Back to the 26th floor we went to rest up for the travel day home ahead.
A brief breakfast in the Executive Lounge with a much better view of Austin:
…before heading out to the bus stop for my $1 bus ride to the airport.
After some delay on the plane, I made it home safe and sound after 11 hours of traveling.
I’m so happy to be home, but so grateful for all of those amazing people I was able to meet at BlogHer Food. I didn’t take nearly the amount of photos as I should have, but I’ll always treasure the memories with new and old friends.
Some other recaps that you should check out:
Shelly @ Cookies & Cups
Amanda @ Kevin and Amanda
Maria @ Two Peas and Their Pod
I’ll update the recaps as they are published or if I missed any leave them in a comment and I’ll link up!
Loved finally meeting you! It was a fun weekend, but thank goodness we are home with our little guys:)
I’m so glad we got to finally meet Maria! I sure am glad to be home with my boys, though. 🙂
Looks like so much fun! Definitely wish I was there so we could hang out again! Next conference… 🙂
It’s a date. Next conference indeed. 🙂
So glad we got to meet and chat. Loved your recap.
I’m so glad we got to meet too Meagan! Isn’t it funny how it took two conferences back-to-back to meet! 🙂
This looks like a blast! A tiring blast, but I can’t wait to go next year!
It was a lot of fun! I hope I get to go next year too! 🙂
Great recap! It was so nice meeting you and taking a fun pic together! Love your blog!
It was so great meeting you too Maegan! 😀 That photobooth was such a great idea!
So nice to meet you at BHF! Keep in touch.
What a small world that we would live in the same city…almost. 😀 Talk to you soon Brady!
What a great weekend, so wish I could have been there!
I wish you could have been there too Erin! We missed you! Next conference. 🙂
Thanks for sharing sweet Caroline, Hope I can join you there one day in the not to distant future 🙂
Me too Emma! Someday we’ll get to hang out in person! 😀
What a treat to meet and spend so much time with you in Austin, Caroline! Can’t wait for the next time. Loved your recap 🙂
I had such a great time getting to know you Amelia! See you next time! 😀
So much amazing food! I’m hungry after seeing all of those pictures. And seriously… a real limo for your ride? How fun.
I know, right? I hadn’t been on a limo since high school prom! 😀 Wish you could have been there with us! Missed seeing you.
SO good to see you again, friend!
It was SO good seeing you too Cassie! Wish we got to hang out some more, but we’ll have to do that next time. 😀
Great recap, Caroline! Loved your photos and loved meeting you finally!
I’m so glad we finally got to meet to! You were such a delight to talk to!
Love all the pics! And the ipad-hilarious 🙂
Thanks Nessa! Love my foodie inspired ipad photo cover. 🙂
Wait there was seriously a 1 dollar bus ride to the airport? Boo! I thought I got a deal with my 15 dollar supershuttle! hahah!
ps. what was with that chair in the elevator on the last day?
Haha…oops. 🙂 Best $1 I spent all weekend. Oh and I have no idea what the chair’s deal was. It was just hanging out in the elevator. I have a feeling that someone drunk put it in there. With 26 floors. it does take a long time to reach the top. 😉
how fun!!!!!! gosh all i think is maybe next year 🙂
Next year would be fun! I wonder where it’ll be! 🙂
Love your recap and so glad we were able to spend so much time together!!!
Thanks Katie and thank you again for all of your help! You are amazing.
Loved meeting you! I’m gonna snag that picture of us:)
Yay! I’m so glad we got to meet! 😀 I like that photo of us. Weee!
You put up a recap? And already?
Man. I feel so inadequate as a blogger.
Nice recap! Love that you included the chair. 😀
I NEED TO MEET YOU!!!! And I never tried one of those awesome ice cream sandwiches. I need to find one, stat!