starstruck

i had the greatest weekend ever. i spent it with over 100 ladies (& maybe one or two gents) who are creative, inspiring & overall just complete visionaries. i loved getting the opportunity to meet and greet a few new, & several familiar faces. i loved chatting & getting to know new friends. i loved feeling important as i exchanged business cards. & i loved, loved, loved, LOVED getting to meet several of my absolute favorite blog crushes... marie of make & takes, allison of petite elefant, & carrie of this is me journal & this mama makes stuff (okay, you caught me. carrie & are practically bffs from way back when, but i did LOVE getting to spend the weekend with her). but that wasn't all! i also got to spend a little time with the beautiful, creative & awe-inspiring heather bailey. (excuse me for a moment while i pinch myself, i still can't believe i actually got to meet her. & yes, she is absolutely amazing! definitely one of those people you want to hate, but you just can't - she is just sooo incredibly genuine & gosh darn nice!)

make & takes marie, this is me carrie, petite elefant allison, & me
(photo stolen from allison. & allison, you're right...
the close-up, in your face pictures look way better.)

it was so incredible being surrounded by so much "greatness." i felt like a starstruck little kid, visiting disneyland for the very first time. it took everything i had to restrain myself from taking pictures with everyone & asking each one of them for their autograph.

soon, i'll be breaking out my mickey ears.

a couple of nights ago i had the opportunity to get together with several women entrepreneurs. we chatted, we snacked & we learned a TON thanks to two incredible women, heather fish & patty vogan. both are amazingly successful business women & are just as superhero-like in real life. the night was incredibly powerful. &, there is no way i can possibly convey all that happened. but, whether or not you are business-minded, anyone & everyone can benefit from what i feel is a very important lesson they both stressed over & over... always, always, always stay true to yourself & your goals. whether it's in business or simply in life, decide now what your ultimate goal is, what your desired end-result is, & work backwards - figure out HOW to get there, don't just let it happen. as patty says "life is always a fun adventure live it by DESIGN not DEFAULT!"

if just a couple of hours one night can have had such a profound impact, i can't even imagine what will result from an entire weekend. you & i both know that i love any excuse to spend time at the happiest place on earth. but this particular weekend, you just might want to join me. if you're in the southern california area, or if you're willing to hop on a plane or in your car & head on down to the oc, & you're interested in meeting some incredible women, networking & learning about marketing to women online, then you definitely want to sign up for THIS. i'll be there. i'll be very very pregnant, but i wouldn't miss it for the world. & maybe, i'll even wear my mickey ears.