Monday 23 June 2014

What a Weekend...

How on earth do I begin to summarise the wonderful whirlwind that was Britmums Live 2014? A fantastic weekend conference of networking, learning, growing and reflecting. Blogging has become such a precious hobby to me, and it was wonderful to mix up with likeminded people and grapple through creative, technical and collaborational ideas.

So here were my top five highlights!

1. Meeting wonderful bloggers...
So I know it's kind of a weird thing to say you have "friends" on the web... But when you get to know other mummy bloggers, you kind of have this weird understanding between you; you know pretty much all about each others lives, have lots of conversations through social media, share the joys and the woes of parenting, "get" the whole blogging thing... and so meeting face to face is just about the coolest thing ever. I got to catch up with some genuinely lovely bloggers who I met at Christmas, got to know some new friends, and met some of my blogging "heroines" and discovered they are totally normal, down to earth girls who love a good chat and a cuppa.

Chilling over lunch in the courtyard

The lovely Jess who was my travel buddy!

2. Getting back to creative basics
The gorgeous Lucy from Capture by Lucy did a brilliant workshop on blog design, and I was really challenged to get back to basics, strip everything back and remember what my blog is all about... Five words that I want people to feel when they get to my space; I want this blog to feel creative, colourful, faith-filled, homey and welcoming... That's my aim! Better get to work...



3. Seeing the potential of my blog as an agent of change...
I was honoured to meet Hayley Goleniowska who blogs at Downsideup... Hayley's daughter Natty has Downs Syndrome, and Hayley has fought tooth and nail to help others personally, and nationally, to overcome some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions surrounding Downs Syndrome... She has been an incredible agent of change and it was so inspiring to hear her story. Our blogs are a platform to raise our voices and talk about what matters and, as Emma Freud reminded us in her usual witty way, to postitively counteract the negative trash that the tabloids are filling our nation with.

Hayley and her daughter Mia have just published a book to support Downs Syndrome families.
You can buy it here. It is fabulous!

4. Getting my head round tricky technicalities...
There are two main challenges to blogging; the creative, and the technical... And instinctively I lean to the creative side. I love the challenge of writing something new every day, of finding some little moment, or a thought, or an observation to write about... But the technical side? That's not my thing...  The prospect of creating a blog badge, or using Google+, or adding plug-ins ("what??!" I hear you say... Yup... I feel the same!) fills me with dread, so the weekend was a wonderful opportunity to get my head around the more technical side of blogging.

5. The goodies!
And of course, then there's the goody bag... With so many great sponsors, you knew it was going to be good (yes, that is a Joules bag in the background... gasp! I landed myself a lovely Joules scarf!) and so I came home laden with goodies for myself, and sweeties, books and a bucket and spade filled with all sorts of sand toys for the girls...

They were happy bunnies.

And I'll be honest, so am I.

A fabulous weekend. I have learnt so much, met so many lovely people and feel truly grateful to have become a part of this wonderful blogging community. It really is special, and I could never have foreseen, when I wrote my first post 7 years ago, the journey that it would take me on.

Of course, I have to give a shout-out to my fab hubby and lovely parents who looked after the girlies so their Mama could head to the city! You are all superstars.

So there you have it... You'll have to watch this space... You may see some changes to come (or can you spot any already??!)




21 comments:

  1. Fabulous round up! It's an.emotional.experience, being surrounded by people that you 'know' but have never met, isn't it? x

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    1. It is a funny one... you feel like you know each other so well because, not only do you know everything about each other, but you also have this weird bond thing going on because you actually understand the whole "blogging" thing... was a pretty emotionally charged weekend with some of the speakers too. But fabulous. Utterly fabulous! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Lovely to see you. I have lots of ideas buzzing round my head now x

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    1. Oh, me too Louise... now it's just finding the time to put them into practice! Was lovely to see you too!

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  3. Looking forward to the "new" things you will add to your blog....and enjoying all that you share with us in it! Having to spend lots of time resting, your little blog enriches my life Claire - thank you x

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    1. Bless you Sharon. Thank you for your faithfulness in reading my little web space here. It's so lovely to have the support of so many. It is muchly, muchly appreciated!xx

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  4. Shame I didn't meet you there! I agree, there was so much to take away from the event. I still don't know about plug-ins but I gained lots of other things.

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    1. Lol. I feel like my head is fit to burst with information. Just so glad I took so many notes! Sorry I didn't meet you... next year!x

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  5. Lovely post and a great round up. It was inspiring wasn't it?

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    1. Inspiring is perhaps the understatement of the year... I can't wait to try out some of the things I learnt and began to consider. Love this world of blogging!

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  6. I wish I had been to Lucy's session too it sounded really inspiring

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    1. It was brilliant... I took copious notes if you want me to wing them your way?!

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  7. So many sessions I wanted to go to but I seemed to spend more time chatting to inspirational women. I have returned inspired and feeling loved and surrounded by incredible voices, yours being one. Thank you for believing in the book. so delightful to meet you. Hayley xxx

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    1. Bless you Hayley. Was so lovely to meet you! Keep doing what you are doing... it is amazing, and know we are all behind you and your gorgeous family.xxx

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  8. was lovely to meet you, thanks for lettin me and Sun bear tag along! :) xx

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    1. Oh! He is such a cutey! And was so good! Was lovely to put a face to a name. See you again next year!

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  9. Oooo that sounds like you have all sorts of exciting things planned - I'm looking forward to seeing them (welcome to Instagram by the way) - and it was just so lovely to meet you in person :)

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  10. Wish I'd actually got to talk to you, no way I'm working next year, I miss too much. Mich x

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  11. Sounds like it was really fun! Do you have to be a Mum to go???

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  12. I really wanted to go; mainly for Lucy's session. It sounds like you had a really lovely time and I love your blog!

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  13. It was so lovely to meet you Claire, I have really enjoyed getting to 'know' you through your blog the last couple of months and was great to know that you are just as sincere and lovely in the flesh. I am glad that you enjoyed your first Brit Mums experience! x

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