I had no intention of writing a recap post for Blend 2014.
For real, I know everybody and their mother is going to be getting in on this action and far be it from me to get on people’s mothers. That’s just awkward and highly inappropriate.
I don’t want to follow the herd either and share a bunch of photos and lovely sentiments where I say I love every single person I met there in Park City, Utah, and it was the best weekend of my life. Obviously these ladies have never spent time with the Hubby because man’s got skillz with a Z, and as I much as I love those gals, that’s one itch they can’t scratch.
Instead, I will say there was highs and lows, with emphasis on the highs, although not the illegal kind because that would have been a whole different retreat, probably in Colorado. Come to think of it, next year’s conference has been moved to Boulder. Hmm.
The lows were mostly the squats at the 7 a.m. workouts, of which I attended only one, the altitude which sucked all moisture out of my body, so maybe it was best the Hubby wasn’t around because chaffing, and the lack of music, which is why I thought a recap called Blend To Music might have been a good idea. Then I went and looked at all my photos and realized I had almost none, except for the hiking trip, and a post centered completely on The Hills are Alive to the Sound of Music might be a bit much, even for me.
Equally as awkward as me in a habit singing down the mountain, and my singing probably could take down a mountain, would be skipping a recap post altogether. What would be people think? ‘Eh, that actually doesn’t bother me so much, but it would appear as if my lovely audience wants me to say a few words and tell a few tales, so I decided what better way than to share some blogging secrets. Yes, I’m about to give you the Blend back story because I’m that kind of girl.
- These bloggers can’t keep their paws off of giant animals. I’m telling you it was borderline obscene. So was the number of selfies taken.
- Spoons is a greater kisser. Just kidding…. or am I?
- Blend is marketing mania and mayhem, and I was completely unprepared for that aspect. I’d like to think I learned something but my head is now swimming with social media love via Tweets, Hashtags and Instagram handles. #holymarketingbatman
- Sam is a self-professed crier, which I’m sure has nothing to do with the fact that our combined initials are S&M, and we spent some time strapped together.
- I’m taller than Laura which you really can’t see in this picture, but I swear it’s true. We’ll gloss over the fact her bicep could eat mine for breakfast and that she also managed to turn her non-ass ass into an ass. #assenvy. Oh look, I’m already getting better at this hashtag thing.
- If left unattended, Broccoli will try to get you liquored up and cause you to miss your plane ride home, successfully too I might add.
- Everybody had Lindsay Cotter’s balls in their mouth at one point or another, myself included. My favorite was the hidden gems inside. #espressobeans #whatwereyouthinking #youanimalyou #ilikeit
- Healthy Living Bloggers are obsessed with the movie Frozen, Whole Foods and Café Rio. Sure the food was good, but this vegetable lover was missing her fajita veggies. They did give me lots of cilantro though.
- They’re a bunch of dirty birdies. They work out and then eat breakfast, while sitting in a pool of their own sweat. To be fair, I did most of the sweating, but I also showered before stuffing my face.
- For some reason, they kept calling me the #publicbanana girl. Weird, am I right?
Since I happily revealed all their secrets, I should probably share one of my own. Even though they specifically included “underthings” on the Blend packing list (#notevenjoking), I failed to bring the right pair for my little black dress, which means I went commando to the cocktail party. Thankfully, I didn’t have to climb out of any cars because that would have been a whole different show with a rather kinky sponsor.
Have you ever attended a blogging retreat? Would you want to? If you were there this weekend, share one secret. I promise not to tell.
HAHAHA, I love this post so much. So good to meet you this weekend!!! <3
Lindsay @ Lindsay Weighs In recently posted…Bondi Band Winner!
Why thank you. It was wonderful meeting you too!
I love this approach at a “recap”! It sounds like you (mostly) had a great time!
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life recently posted…Memorial Day
You’re such a sheep. Can I just copy your post? I can’t too this awesomeness. #twss
Seriously. You are incredible. I’m really sad I didn’t know you went commando. I totally would have ensured you flashed everyone. Maybe even with Cotter’s balls in your mouth.
Come see me. I’ll get you drunk, make you squat it out, and parade you through Atlanta eating #publicbananas. #whathappensinatlstaysinatl #justaskbroccoli
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Growing Blend-ships
I thought you might have been on to me with the amount of times you grabbed my ass at the cocktail party. 🙂
I want to #publicbanana all over Atlanta.
I did, thanks Liv.
This was my favorite recap post so far! I’m glad you ended up writing one 🙂 It made me snort-laugh out loud several times, and I love our suitemates picture! Hope you are settling back into reality nicely!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition recently posted…Blend Retreat Weekend in Photos
Thanks Katie. Snort laugh out loud is definitely a good sign.
I really enjoyed meeting you too, and I hope your ankle is holding up ok.
lol i wrote the packing list and apparently underthings was a good thing to put! but going commando is better. i am so glad you came! you’re a babe and it was lots of fun. i hope you didn’t learn anything about blogging because our biggest goal is to avoid that and make it the most relaxing, fun, non-educational weekend ever. and.. yeah.. why do you think we will be in colorado next year? #highaskites
Best hashtag ever.
I had a great time. Thanks so much for hosting and having me there. 🙂
I don’t know how I posted that as a reply to Olivia… But hiiii!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Growing Blend-ships
Olivia will love it. At least I hope so.
I was wondering too! Especially cause there is not really a relation between ‘you had a great time’ and ‘I would have made you flash to everyone’.
Anyway, I love this post as well – and you girls watch out when blonde Swiss chalet turns up in Boulder. For balls. Awesomesauce.
I’m going to be cliche and post a recap tomorrow, but that’s how I roll. It was so great to meet you in person!! 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…Southwestern Hash w/ Goat Feta {MMAZ #71}
I like how you roll.
It was great meeting you too!! Good luck in your competition.
I stinking love you! seriously….
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Blend 2014
I think you’re adorable.
Easily the best recap I’ve read! LOL. I love it! It was so wonderful meeting you!! Glad you loved the weekend as much as I did. 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Thinking Back on Blend ‘14 (Part I)
Wow, the best recap yet. Don’t I feel honored. It was great to meet you as well. You were so friendly and kind, even though we had never met. I really appreciated it. You are a sweetheart.
I definitely just cracked up when I got to me on here. You are hilariously awesome and I’m so happy I got the chance to get to know you better over the weekend!!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…I’m Alive!
Back atcha babe. Seriously, I had the bestest time with you and Spoons.
Holly funny batman! You crack me up. Great meeting you. Keep in touch.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life recently posted…Vega Bars Review
You too Megan. I hope your foot heals soon and I’m glad to hear your mom is doing so much better.
BAHAHAAHAH YOu freaking complete me. This was the best recap that I will read, I can guarantee that now. I died..DIED I TELL YOU.
Brittany recently posted…ob·ses·sion
I love you. I wish you had been there so badly. We could have danced on the mountain.
I can’t believe you spilled our little secret to the world! What happened that night was suppose to stay between us! Now I have to worry about your Hubby coming after me 😉
But in all seriousness, it was so good to meet you this weekend. I flippin’ adore you, and I’m definitely hoping that wasn’t the last time I get to see you because I need more vanilla gorilla in my life. You know this.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. rice krispie stuffed dates .
I know, I need more Spoons in my life because I certainly can’t eat with scissors.
Did I mention there’s a Chipotle by my house?
I’d have loved to have gone but being a broke Brit living in Argentina (home in ONE MONTH!) it wasn’t really gonna happen…Ha.
EPIC post, cracked me up at the end of a crappy day! Some of my American friends here always used to tease me as I always snack on bananas and obviously say them banAna with my accent!
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…{MIMM} An Argentine fútbol match
Home in one month!! That is fantastic!
I’m so glad I made a crappy day so much better. I like to hear that. It makes me happy.
One secret…I slept in on Sunday and had the room all to myself and took the longest shower ever. I needed that alone time to recharge because..so many people and constant activities! I know I’m not alone…my roomie did the same thing Saturday night.
So good to meet you! I wish I hadn’t lost you (or did you lose me?) on the hike! I was expecting more blend bonding time with the sassafrass behind this blog! It also would have helped if I actually saved your number in my phone. I am super organized like that.
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…PF Changs Meals For 2
I had a couple of recharge moments throughout the weekend and even a nap on Friday. Those bits are what keep me going.
Oh and you totally lost me on the mountain. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…You Can Do It; Put Your Pen Into It
You would write easily one of the best recap posts of the whole weekend, this sounds like as awesome of a weekend as I thought it would be and it looks like you ladies all had a lot of fun! Glad to see your back safe in Cleveland 🙂
Aw thanks sunshine. It feels great to be home.
Bahah this was the best recap ever. #IwasgoingtothinkofacleverhashtagbutIthinkLaurasgotmecoveredinhercomment
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate recently posted…May Favorites
Thanks Love!
did you have both my balls in your mouth? jk.. or am i?
Glad you are taller than laura! and i want to meet your husband… baby
lindsay recently posted…5 Reasons Athletes Should Eat Fish and Mediterranean Baked Cod
I was double fisting your balls. 😉
I’d love to meet the kiwi too. Us Sherpa wives have got to stick together.
My secret– I was commando at the cocktail party too! But not by accident. that was all planned. I hate those #underthings! 🙂
Mollie @Sprinkles of Life recently posted…5 Things I Learned at #blend2014
You dirty birdie. I love it.
Oh my gosh, my whole face (mostly my nose and skin over one eyelid) is still super dry!
Julie recently posted…MIMM: [Blend Retreat] Roommates and Soulmates
So much dryness.
What fun! I would love to have gone and met some of my favorite bloggers in real life. I’m signed up to go to 2 maybe 3 healthy blogger events this year 🙂
jill conyers recently posted…Sweet Potato Black Bean Taco Casserole
You should have come. It would have been great to meet you.
Oh Meg. I love your twist on the recap. I wish I was there, because we would have taken selfies of ourselves with the butter knife in hand and a block of cheese….and actually eaten it. NOT a prop in our eyes.
I also would have gone singing down the hills with you. Scrap that, shrieking.
You forgot this hashtag though- #blendisbetterwithA.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…My Birthday on a Plate
I wish you would have gone too. It would have been a blast. We would have eaten cheese while simultaneously shrieking down the mountain.
I love the hashtag because it’s true.
you just OWNED every other blend recap I’ve read. I say we have a conference of our own…in Colorado DUH.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…Cold Sesame Ginger Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp
Thanks Davida. I was hoping to shake the traditional recap up a bit. Glad to know I succeeded. 🙂
I like this conference of our own idea.
LOVE THIS SO MUCH! hahaha Next time I do a Tough Mudder, you’re doing it with me so that I can laugh while submerging myself in the torture that is the Arctic Enema. Deal?
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Blend Retreat: Part 2, Exploring Park City
Deal. Just remember you need to pull me out. 🙂
I’m back! Not that that’s news. I didn’t comment on anyone’s blogs or blog much for like a year. But anyway, yours is one of the first I checked out again!
I’ve never been to a blogging conference because no way was I going to fly all the way from England. However, I absolutely would love to meet everyone and since I’m moving back to the US soon perhaps I will attend in the future!
sara @ real fun food recently posted…cloudy lemonade.
Yeah! I’m so glad to see you back in the blogging world so I can do more than just stalk your Instagram. I wish you would fly all the way from England. That would have been awesome. Please come to the next one once you’re stateside again.
Meghan recently posted…Arman: You’re My Boy Blue
Hahaha so much fomo, it’s not even funny! Love this recap and can’t wait to meet you, Ms Meghan- it’s gonna happen one day ;-)!
Khushboo recently posted…Sandbells workout
Now that would be amazing. I’m pretty sure we’d get along just fine. Better than fine really. 🙂
#stilllaughing
#seriousenvy
#cantstoplaughing
#Iwouldhavesangwithyouandkilledthemountains
Juli @1000lovelythings recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #22 – Let’s count…
#sohappytohearit
#singawaybabysingaway
#imissyou
This post is amazing and hilarious and makes me want to attend Blend 2015 even more!!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Oh, Universe
Why thank you. You should definitely go; it was a lot of fun.
I wish I would’ve gone to Blend this year! I want to meet you at some point. :/ Glad you had a good time!
Calee recently posted…Ch-ch-ch-changes
Are you for real right now? A post called Ch-Ch-Changes. I am literally working a post with this very same title. I just talked about it today.
Man – we are eerily similar. Would love to meet you someday.
First off, BEST INTRO EVER! Secondly, I laughed my ass off (and believe me, there’s a lot of it now ;)) at the commando thing! Ha! Hmm, don’t think I have any secrets to share…because this year I laid it all out there and seriously had one of the best times of my life! I’m so glad you went…and I hope you’ll come to Colorado next year. Promise I won’t even enter the airport with you on the way back this time! :-/
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli recently posted…If There Were More Time…
It’s actually not your fault I can’t tell time, and I’m glad I had the chance to catch up with you. Funny it took us stranded in the airport to get an opportunity.
Thank you for asking me to come. I never would have otherwise. Seriously, my participation there was 100% due to you.