You Know You're Grown Up When...

...Just seeing the box for your new Shark Rocket Powerhead is exciting.

 

BlogHer15 had lots of giveaways and one that I was especially interested in was sponsored by my friends at Shark. I'd been reading about the Shark and friends had recommended it. I was delighted to find out that I was one of the winners of the giveaway. I sent the needed tweets to Shark and settled in to enjoy the rest of the summer. I didn't forget about my Shark, but it was well in the back of my mind. Until today...

 My floors and I thank you, Shark!

 

 

When I was in elementary school I always replied "toys," when I was asked what I would like for my birthday or Chanukah. When I got to Junior High, books and clothes were at the top of my list. They're probably still at the top of my list, but I'm loving my new vacuum. This is definitely not the gift I would have asked for in years past, but it's the gift the grown Buttercup is thrilled to receive. Thanks, friends at Shark.

 

My new vacuum wasn't my only surprise this week. My sweet goddaughter, J., sent me a copy of "The One that Got Away" by Bethany Chase. It looks terrific and I can't wait to read it and then share it in a giveaway next week to formally kick-off "Fiction Friday." My goal for the rest of this year is to write about one novel every Friday. Fiction lovers, hope you will stop by.

 

Our first "Fiction Friday" giveaway next week features "The One that Got Away." 

 



 

It's a beautiful autumn day in New York. I'm feeling much better and was able to enjoy being outside this morning. I'm still barking, but much less and my energy is coming back. So glad and grateful to be more of my peppier self. 

 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday!

 

 

 

Thanks, BlogHer15, for the Memories

Thanks, BlogHer, for the memories.  

This was my fifth time attending the BlogHer conference. I thought I knew exactly what to expect. I knew I would take a goofy picture or two, hear/meet a celebrity or two and find something fun for a blog giveaway. Check, check, check.

I got to meet and chat with Sheryl Underwood, who was as funny and nice as I had expected.

I've shared my photo with my guy, Acquaman, and I've got two things tucked away for a blog giveaway later this summer. 

 

 

I had two goals specific to this BlogHer. I wanted/needed information on better organizing my every growing photograph collection. I also had seen several sponsors offering headshots that I could use on social media. I hoped to get a professional photograph that one day might be on a book jacket or the electronic equivalent. I did attend a session on photo organization and it should be helpful. I think I need more than one session, but it's a good start. Thanks to my friends at Prudential, one of the BlogHer sponsors, I am the very happy possessor of a professional headshot. I'm really happy with it and I plan to use it forever. Prudential provided not only a professional photographer, but a wonderful makeup person.

 

One of the things I didn't expect was to make friends at the conference. I've found in the past that I didn't come away with a lot of new blogger friends. In the past, I've generally exchanged a number of cards, but after the conference I might keep up with only one or two people. Actually I was a little nervous going to BlogHer this year. Though I'm a friendly person the thought of walking into the Hilton Ballroom knowing no one was intimidating. In an effort to be more comfortable I signed up for several smaller activities that I thought would be more my style and that was a great idea.  Ironically I sat down at breakfast the first day and found that the woman sitting next to me was speaking at the luncheon I had signed up for. For my fifth BlogHer friends seemed to appear all around me. The small events were great, but I also met bloggers while charging my phone and at the photo seminar.

 

This year the focus seemed to be more on social media in general and less on blogging in specific. I was initially taken aback by this, but as a few days have passed I'm appreciative for insights into issues I otherwise might not have gotten. I hope to be part of a social media effort that will be released in the fall, and is still under wraps. No fear, I will be writing about this issue that I am excited to share and to be part of.

 

Thanks to Acquaman I'm well supplied with tooth paste and I'm excited about the giveaway here, to come. But most of all I'm grateful for new friends and ideas. I can't ask for more from three days.



 



As ever, thanks for visiting and have a sweet Wednesday!   

 

BlogHer15 Pink Saturday

This is the first in a series of three -- possibly more -- posts about BlogHer 2015, including a very fun giveaway. While I was in the exhibition hall meeting sponsors I looked for things that were pink with an eye to a  BlogHer Pink Saturday post. I only found a few things that were pink, but there are several others that made for pretty pictures and I liked them very much.


 


 This was definitely the pinkest picture I found. The figure in pink represents Fitbiotic which is one of Garden of Life's probiotics. I've wanted to try a probiotic product and was grateful for the opportunity from Garden of Life. The pink figure is holding a stuffed DNA. If anyone would like a stuffed DNA -- can't call it a stuffed animal -- just let me know and I will be glad to give it a good home with you.

























The next semi-pink picture is courtesy of Best Buy. They had a very pretty setting at BlogHer and I loved this display of cookies. I can't tell you how they tasted, because in a true spirit of restraint, I didn't eat one. I knew once I started I'd be back for the entire wedding party.

There were many treats at BlogHer, but these may have been the prettiest.

 

 

Best Buy had lots of pretty in pink décor and I fell in love with both Kenny Lattimore, singer extraordinaire, and the beautiful couch behind us. Kenny could not have been nicer and I was so impressed with his kindness and friendliness. 

 

This bouquet isn't pink, but I thought it was lovely. The conference took place at the Midtown Hilton, which went out of their way to welcome BlogHer. They set up a section in their lounge -- complete with chargers, coffee, lemonade and cake pops -- all the necessities for a conference rest space. While my phone charged I loved watching the passing parade on the sidewalks of New York.  

 

 

These are just a few of the moments I captured at BlogHer, and in some ways they're a quick snapshot of moments of the conference. This post doesn't include the people I spent time with -- some terrific bloggers -- and the serious discussions that took place about social media, the status of women around the world, maternal health and social issues in America. Those issues are for other posts. 

 

But now I'm (somewhat) back to my regular life -- grocery shopping, the gym and Weight Watchers. However, without quite realizing it, this would-be romance writer signed up for several events for the Romance Writers of America Conference that takes place in New York this week. Both programs should be fun, so it's not quite a return to regular life just yet. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a sweet week.

 

Please note: I received Garden of Life probiotics as a review product. The opinions are all my own.

 

In the BlogHer Tradition of...

...Meeting the California Raisin, the Smith Brothers of cough drop fame and Mr. Brawny, I give you -- drumroll, please --

Buttercup meets Mr. Acquaman, he who vanquishes tooth decay. It wouldn't be BlogHer without a photo of one of my idols. 

 

The last two days held many fun moments, thoughtful moments and the opportunity to meet and speak with some terrific bloggers. It's somewhat hit and miss when the ballroom holds 2,000 people and I pick a seat, but luck was with me this morning and I sat with several people at breakfast that I had the chance to get to speak with during the day as well and became better acquainted with.   

 

I'm planning to call it a night soon and I'll make this a quick post. Bloggers need their beauty sleep for a big day tomorrow. But I will leave you with a rare photo -- Buttercup vacuuming. It's just about my least favorite domestic chore -- ironing is at the bottom of the list -- but I took a whirl at the Dyson booth. For five minutes I thought it was kind of fun, though I think it would take more than even a Dyson to make it a favorite activity. 

 

 The Happy Homemaker

As always thanks for visiting and have a sweet Saturday!

 

#BlogHer15 Is Coming to Town

I hope Santa will excuse me for using his song, but I'm as excited as a kid waiting for Santa's arrival. BlogHer15 is coming to New York City -- just a short bus ride away -- in July. Last year's trip to San Jose took a lot of flights and I'm happy that this should be a lot easier to get to and, I am sure, just as much fun. 

There's always one speaker in particular I am eager to hear. Last year it was Kerry Washington and this year it's Ava DuVernay, who directed "Selma," one of my favorite movies. The keynotes are just one part of the experience and I'm looking forward to meeting blog friends new and of long-standing, sharpening my blogging skills and having fun at the exhibitions. Is anyone else in Buttercupland planning to attend? There's still time to get a ticket.  

If  you need any encouragement here's a photograph of Columbus Circle, just five short blocks from the Hilton, where the conference will be taking place. I took this on Thursday, one of the most perfect spring days ever.

Kodachrome look, courtesy of Google.

 

 

I'll be back tomorrow with some Pink Saturday/Sunday fun. As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a great weekend.