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BlissDom 08: A Recap

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**Photo by Secret Agent Mama

This past weekend I had the chance to attend the BlissDom 08 conference, put on by Blissfully Domestic and One2One Network, entirely sponsored by Epson. I knew it would be a fun time of networking and learning, meeting some of my favorite bloggers face to face, but I had no idea how fantastic it would be to finally see a piece of the South, and bond with smart women who I know now will have my back any time I call.

The weekend started by me finally meeting my fellow One2One team members, and seeing that yes, we were meant to work together. They are fabulous and fun and so smart. Loves.

Slowly the Nashville girls started sauntering in, and I soon realized that I couldn’t help but speak like them whenever I talked to them. Apparently a southern belle lives inside me somewhere. Who knew?! I think she rarely gets out on a account of the hippy in me always stealing the spotlight.

I had the pleasure of seeing my darling Velveteen Mind again, this time having some real bonding, brainstorming, how-we-are-going-to-take-over-the-world talks. I sat in her room with Mrs Fussypants, Looking Towards Heaven, Pensieve, Nester, Simple Mom, Emily and we dished about all things blogging. Ya’ll they are AMAZING women, and you need to go make them you’re new best friends immediately. Trust.

I saw how kind and welcoming women bloggers are (too many to list!), as I looked around the swanky lounge our conference was held in, and saw not a single person on the margins. No one was alone, even if they came alone. If you’ve never gone to an event where you could meet bloggers or tweeple in person, I encourage you to take the step and GO. You won’t regret it, and you may even benefit in profound and multiple ways (like I have).

There was a professional photographer at the event, and we were able to immediately pop the memory card into the Epson Artisan 800 printers that were there, to see first hand how awesome the printers are, and to take home a little memory of the day.

We had panels all day, which I twittered about furiously (go to twitter search and look up #BlissDom08, or #BlissDom to see what I learned and thought about the day), and during our lunch break even had a private performance by new artist Jessie Baylin. We got photo op’s with her afterward, where she was charming as ever (and I’m a new fan, have been playing her album on repeat ever since). She was incredible, and perfect for the mood the day had set. Smart, swanky and the place to be.

We ended the day with Blisstinis, a drink created just for that night. We continued to chat about life, blogging, planning on new partnerships, brainstorming how to take our blogs and brands to the next level, and creating lasting bonds.

I’m so honored to be there representing not only myself and my blog, but also On2One Network. We loved working with the Blissfully Domestic crew, and Epson’s generosity goes above and beyond. They are a company that truly “gets” social media, and the power of the voice of women bloggers.

If you missed this one, stay tuned, because this was a “teaser” event, and the big BlissDom will be in February. Mark your calendars now!

Edited to add: I’ll blame the fact that I’m still recovering from sheer exhaustion bliss as the reason I forgot to mention our lovely keynote speaker, Lynn Terry. Check out her website, ClickNewz, and go see what brilliance she has going on, and how you can use it to take your blog even farther.

October 22, 2008 | Filed Under Blissfully Domestic, Bloggy Friends, One2One | 14 Comments

Jet-setting: BlissDom 08

I’m at the airport getting ready to board my plane, wondering how much I’m going to regret the fact that I left my video camera at home. You see, I’m heading to Nashville (for the first time ever, I hear they talk funny there) to attend and help put on (with my new company, One2One Network, sign up if you haven’t already!) the BlissDom 08 conference. It will be a weekend of smart ladies, food, networking and fun. I do have my camera and plan on taking plenty of pictures of all the tom foolery that is sure to ensue.

Because I don’t have enough on my plate, and also because I adore her, I’ll be one of the experts on a panel at tonight’s virtual blog warming party at Resourceful Mommy at 9pm eastern.

I’m being called to board, see you all tonight!

October 17, 2008 | Filed Under Blissfully Domestic, Bloggy Friends | 12 Comments

Social Strategy At Its Best

Have you ever decided on a goal, worked day and night for that goal, been entirely committed and passionate about what you were doing, and ended up achieving your goal in a new and better way, and setting new, higher, more amazing goals? It’s rare, it doesn’t always happen (many times we give up, give in or get lost) but right now it’s happening to me.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had been applying for a job. I thought that the job was everything I had been hoping for, but when I got the call that they were not picking me, I thought to myself, “here we go again, another dream lost.”. The good news? I only had literally about a minute to feel that way, because I immediately got a call that there was a different, perhaps even *better* job that was available, and that I was the person for that job.

In a whirlwind of calls and laughs and me barely breathing, I ended up being hired for that other job. A position much more suited for me (just as the other job was suited for the person who got that first position). And all at once it started sinking in that what I’d been working towards for weeks, months, perhaps years without realizing it, was coming to fruition. That I’d not hit the end of the road, but that I’d finally stepped onto that next stone in my life, onto the edge of tomorrow.

So, I’m excited to be able to share with all of you my new position, as Director of Community Development for One2One Network. I’ll be working on marketing, blogger outreach and social strategy. If you think it sounds cool–you’re right. Working with the bloggers I know and love, connecting them with the companies trying to reach them, it’s all so fun and so perfect for me. You can read the press release and feel all official here:

One2One Network Hires Arianne Segerman as Director of Community Development

And you can read all about One2One in that press release, and also go explore at the One2One Network site itself. It’s a network of word of mouth marketing focused on hip and fun women, and it’s Founder/CEO is the fabulous Barbara Jones, my new BFF. Barbara and I hit it off immediately, having many things in common personally, and having the same dry sense of humor we’ve been enjoying the first couple weeks working together (at least I have, let’s just pretend she has too). If you’re a woman of influence online, or in your circle of friends and family, be sure to head over to One2One right now and get signed up to try out the latest products, get freebies, and you may be contacted to take part in all this fun.

I’m so looking forward to where this edge of tomorrow leads, because I know it’s just the beginning to the next chapter of our lives. I am able to see how working hard sometimes *does* pay off, and I can’t wait to share with all of you my journey as it unfolds!

October 14, 2008 | Filed Under Myself and I, One2One | 38 Comments

Method Mavens Unite (A Giveaway!)

A couple nights ago I had the privilege of being one of three hostesses for a fabulous Method Maven party downtown in Chicago (go here to learn all about Method products and go here to read their blog). We’ve been planning on the party for weeks, however our lovely sponsors required nothing of us except for a guest list.

I’m already a big fan of Method, having raved about them at Mama Speaks, but to be called a Method Maven? Well, I was beyond giddy.

After Steph and I drove downtown with our respective mothers (and of course Princess Ivy), we arrived a bit early and partook in the tom foolery of a free photo booth. We took pictures with Method products, made crazy faces, and generally made goofs of ourselves. That was when my addiction set it, and throughout the night I’d re-visit the booth a total of NINE times (I’ll have all the photo booth pics up on Flickr very soon). I could not get enough, people. What can I say? It had great lighting and only cost me my reputation as a serious professional. A bargain, I say.

Throughout the night, almost all of my favorite local Chicago-land area ladies showed up and we enjoyed gourmet food, plenty of wine and best of all–crafting with one of my favorite people around, Danny Seo. He’s a famous eco chic designer (you may have seen him as the guest judge on this week’s Top Design on Bravo) and an environmental lifestyle expert, and gave us a tutorial on how to create fun designs and re-glaze old recycled plates. He was also very sassy, which I loved:

(Jen, Danny, Steph & Ivy)

We crafted, we drank, we explored all the gorgeous Method products, and we laughed over and over again. The Method store is a pop up shop, only open for a month in Chicago while they held these parties. It was stocked with all the products we know and love, while the entire back of the store was a mid-century modern dwelling that I was wishing I didn’t have to ever leave. The staff were friendly and stayed out of our way (which is a must) and not once did anyone try to sell us anything. No presentations on products, no suggestions of purchases, and in fact the only time they talked to us about the products was when they were telling everyone about the huge goody bag full of products we were each getting to take home.

It was a fabulous evening, one I really needed, and I want to thank Method and Brand About Town for putting this shindig on!

But that’s not all…

Method gave the Mavens something so that all of you can take part in the fun too. I have a big bag of goodies to giveaway! One winner will receive the the entire bath line (all 5 items) and a stylish Method reusable bag to carry with you everywhere. The Lil Bowl Blu alone is enough to make this giveaway rock my socks. It’s bananas.

There are a few ways to enter, and you can increase your chances by doing all three!

1. Comment on this post telling me your favorite Method product and favorite scent. Mine’s the baby bubble bath and cucumber.

2. Get two additional entries by tweeting about this contest (make sure to comment with your tweet!)

3. Get three additional entries by grabbing my blog button on the right and putting it on your site/blog (again, let me know you did it).

So yeah, you can get a total of SIX entries by doing all three things. Cool, right?

The Method store is open until Sunday, but you can always get the products from their website. Contest ends on Wednesday October 15th at 11:59pm. Winner chosen at random. Good luck!

October 10, 2008 | Filed Under Bloggy Friends, Green Living, Mama Speaks | 165 Comments

Begging For Mercy

I recently had to create a video about myself for a job interview (which I will share more about very soon!) and I thought it would be fun to share it here. It was fun to make, and the only hard part was containing my spaz-goofball-carni-self from coming out. Turn your sound up and enjoy!

Begging For Mercy from To Think Is To Create on Vimeo.

October 3, 2008 | Filed Under Myself and I | 29 Comments

Oh Baby, That Hair

My youngest is 16 months old, and could very well be my last baby. I find myself feeling more bittersweet than ever as I watch him grow like a weed and stand up to his two big brothers all on his own (smacking their faces is his weapon of choice).

So, not surprisingly, one of the things I’m holding on to right now is his hair. Not literally holding on (although I do play with it a lot…so silky!), but holding on to his baby look. He’s never had his hair cut, and I know how that first meeting with scissors can make baby boys turn into big boys, and all at once my baby will officially disappear. Leaving me in a puddle on the floor.

My family has launched a full fledged campaign to try and convince me, pressure me and cajole me into cutting his hair, but it’s not…um…cutting it. I won’t do it. You can’t make me. You’re not the boss of me.

I mean, just look at this:

How could I possibly? He’s been accused of having a mullet, but I propose mullets are back in style. It’s a baby mullet, or, a “bullet”. Bullets are the new black.

How about this: as soon as he can say the words “I want my hair cut off so I look way older”, then I’ll let scissors get near him. Until then? Accept the bullet, beyotches.

October 2, 2008 | Filed Under Family | 20 Comments