Hello, hello from back home in Alberta 😀
I landed in Edmonton early yesterday afternoon and I’ve been doing my best to get settled in since them. First order of business? Food in my belly. I literally flew through my front door, shedding bags left, right, and center, and raided my kitchen for anything/everything edible. I ended up inhaling an ABJ sandwich and some random veggies while standing over the counter, but man was it good to be back in my own kitchen.. especially because it meant being reunited with this guy right here…
I think I may have a slight problem… 4 days without kabocha and I was going through some serious withdrawals. Anyone want to start a support group? Squash Addicts Anonymous? On second thought, never mind… I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to my addiction, and we’re jumping ahead of ourselves! Before I got to tackle the squash, I had to tackle my suitcase…
Ick. And the worst part of it all? I didn’t even end up using at least half of what was in there. Apparently I’m a fan of overpacking, but in my defense, I did fly in to Minneapolis with only half my suitcase full – I just got assaulted by swag while I was over there…
Yup. They definitely spoiled us. My only complaint is that, because of my allergies, I can’t eat at least 75% of what’s in there, but I imagine it shouldn’t be too hard to find some good homes for those goodies. As for me, I’m quite content with the two things I picked up while I was down there…
Almond butter and books – what more do you need?
Soooo… Healthy Living Summit… Where do I even begin? I mean, I could talk about the sponsors…
Our Gold sponsors, Wild Harvest.
Build your own popcorn and parfait stations.
Blue Diamond almonds GALORE…
There were some amazing flavours like Caramel Macchiato, Mocha, Toasted Coconut, Blueberry, Strawberry, and Wasabi & Soy Sauce. And the best part of all? They’re made in a peanut-free facility #happydance.
I could talk about the speakers…
I could even talk about the city…
But while those were all important parts of it, the best part was definitely the people…
Gina // Kim // Sam — Chipotle for us Canadians 😉
Me and Ari – the jelly to my almond butter 😉
Sam // Gina // Me — photo booth fun.
Kim // Hannah // Sam // Me // Gina — at the cocktail party.
Sam // Me // Gina — at the cocktail party.
I got to spend the weekend with some pretty fabulous ladies, and that, more than anything else, was what made the weekend for me. Yes, I came home with a bunch of free stuff, and yes, I learned some new blogging tips and tricks (which I’ll share with you guys tomorrow), but at the end of the day, it was getting to spend time with the people that really made the weekend for me. After all, what would blogging be without the community? My only complaint is that I didn’t manage to find everyone I wanted to meet, and because of the packed schedule, didn’t get to spend as much time with some people as I would have liked… But there are always other conferences 😉
And now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to cook some oats for breakfast since I haven’t had them all weekend. I’ll be recapping what I actually learned at the conference in tomorrow’s post, so be sure to check back in for that!
Happy Monday, friends 😀
Are you guilty of overpacking? Heck.yes.
What are some of your plane essentials? iPod, books, gum, water, cereal, dried fruit.
Have you ever met any bloggers? Yesssss! But I still have lots on my bucket list.
I went to HLS last year and had a blast – wish it would have worked with my schedule this year. Glad you had a great time!
WHAT A BLAST!!! You all look gorgeous in your cocktail outfits! I need to go to one of these blogger meetups, NEED NEED NEED TO! I am so glad you went and had such a great time.
Damn skippy straight you need to! You’re on my Meet the Blogger bucket list!
I overpack only if I’m traveling by car. Otherwise I HATE lugging a heavy bag across the airport so I generally pack pretty smart. Looks like you got quite a few goodies to bring back. I’ve never met any bloggers, but I really want to change that! I love the online community and I can only imagine that it’d be even better in real life.
yay! so happy you went this year and got the time to meet bloggers in person. honestly that is the best part of things like this. But come on,that is some killer swag! So many things I have been dying to try
How fun! Glad you had a great time and got to meet awesome people too 🙂
I still need to try Justin’s PB!
Love that dress on you btw!
First, I love seeing pictures of you since you’re GORGEOUS and do not post nearly enough of them! I’m so, SO happy you had a great time at HLS. I wish so badly I could have gone. But hey, if you can’t find anyone to take your goodies you know someone who will definitely take them 😉 Second, if you ever hear about other conferences let me know so I can possibly make it to one!! Yesss for Chipotle! I’m so glad you got your fix!
The pics – I know! It’s something that I seriously need to get better at. And it would have been amazing if you could have gone! If it’s still happening next year, I’m really hoping to check out Blend… so I’ll try to work my powers of persuasion and make you come to that 😛
Love that picture of you guys in the coco via dreamland. So funny! It looks like you had a great time. That’s an insane amount of swag. As for planes/packing, I’ve done that enough times to count on my hand. But I have to start thinking about it because I will have to go on a plane next month and I want to only bring a carry-on.
Ahh looks like you gals all had a great time! And wow – you really scored on all of that swag! I’ll be happy to help you take some of that off your hands. 😉
I’m totally guilty of overpacking too. You’d think I’d be an expert packer since I went back and forth between my mom’s house and dad’s house all growing up, but I still pack WAY too much wherever I go. I always say it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?!
That looks like an awesome weekend! I keep thinking we should do something similar in the UK / Europe but I wouldn’t know where to start to be honest! Loving the swag 😉
I honestly wish we had a Canadian version of it as well, but yeah… these kind of things seem like they need a crazy amount of planning.
I love this! If I were there- I probably would’ve said the same. The people make those kinds of gatherings memorable and awesome. I’ve met up with local bloggers once before and it was a lot of fun. You just feel like you’re already old friends sometimes.
Looking forward to hearing more about the summit!
So glad to hear you had a great time! The people really are amazing. So sad I couldn’t make it this time around 🙂
Ahhh so jealous but also so psyched that you got to go and meet up with some amazing people 🙂 I always overpack haha. You should have seen my bag for my race this weekend…pretty sure I packed every running thing I own “just in case”….joe just rolled his eyes and helped me carry it to the car haha. Wise man 😛
Wow talk about swag! They really took care of you. Looks like it was fun! I’ve never met any bloggers but I’m hoping that as my blog continues I get to meet everyone. The community is so engaging and helpful. Everyone’s great!
Ohmygoodness, I adore you. I was seriously considering switching my plane ticket and hopping on a flight to Edmonton 😉 I definitely agree that the social aspect and spending time with other bloggers was the HUGE highlight of the weekend. Getting to meet/see people that you’ve been reading about their lives is pretty interesting!
And I am going hunting for kabocha today. Chelsea mentioned one store in London where she’s seen it before sooo…i want it. And if I find it, I will be roasting immediately. And oatmeal was definitely a necessity this morning – the oatmeal on the buffet was not exactly up to par.
My laptop ended up being really useful on the plane – I was able to do some of the research that I’ve been neglecting all weekend…for good reason :-p
P.S. the cocoa via picture is priceless. I clearly have no idea why i’m holding a giant cocoa bean or what they hell I’m supposed to do with it.
You knowwwww… we have plenty of kabocha here in Edmonton. Just sayin’ 😉
And California…;-)
Pshh I can’t handle all this hotness- you girls are look fabulous in those dresses :)! HLS sounded like such a blast and part of me is kinda envious on the sweet swag you guys scored. However a LOT of me is envious that you guys all met- some of my fave bloggers (including you) were at HLS this year! I’ve met a couple of bloggers in the past and both ended up being such a fun experience. It really felt like I was catching up with an old friend and fortunately there were no awkward silences. Now if only I can find a way for us to meet, preferably sooner rather than later 🙂
That would seriously be amazing. I know you frequent London, and it’s on my bucket list, so maybe we just need to coordinate our visits 😀
Sounds like a wonderful time! I’d be trying every new product on my way home haha. I’ve never met any bloggers yet…!
I am the QUEEN of overpacking. I’m sure I’d make you look really good. But I would have a serious problem fitting all of that set in my suitcase.! The sponsors looked incredible.
You girls are so pretty! I loved seeing all of you together and I wish I could have been there.
Chipotle is pretty much the only fast food place I eat at, love it!
Great pics with so many familiar faces! Love your dress too – rawwwrrrrr!!! Enjoy the swag. 🙂
It was so nice to meet you this weekend, Amanda! And I’m TOTALLY guilty of overpacking. I definitely packed 6 pairs of shoes for the 48 hours I was at HLS. HA!
What a picture loaded recap. Love it! Good thing you had some place in your bag, these is a good bucket full of freebies. And how cool that you got to meet all these amazing girls. Looks like you had a fabulous time. I love your cocktail dresses ladies – and the three of you rocking the black n white combo, awesome!
Lol it’s funny how we all coordinated colours – totally unplanned.
It was so nice to meet you, even if just for a few minutes 🙂 And I’ve actually gotten pretty good with the over-packing thing. I only bring what I know I like and what I will wear – it helps a lot!
Aw, I’ve decided not to be jealous [or at least not dwell on it] but just super happy for you and the others getting to meet each other! It’s awesome to hear you had a marvelous time and all of you look gorgeous in the pictures.
Overpacking? Me? Noooo [read: yes, absolutely and I cant help it at all.]. Maybe I should take part in a blogger meet-up just so I could pratice filling my suitcase only half at least for the outward flight ;)?
I’ve met two other German bloggers so far but I wish I could meet all of you over there, too.
I hope you’re not having a too hard time getting back into the daily grind and missing all of the other ladies. Happy Monday!
Ahhh I love your dress! And I’m glad to hear that you had oodles and oodles of fun. Also, I’d be more than honored to take anything (or everything) you can’t eat off your hands…just lemme find a way to get up to Canada. 😉 Welcome back and happy Monday!!
Thought of you when I came across the Justin’s AB… Just sayin’ 😉
Wow that looks like a ton of fun. I honestly overpack like it’s my job so I completely understand that one. I am sure it was quite a change and refreshing to meet people face to face after reading their blogs for so long. Looks like a lot of fun. 🙂
i’m so glad you got to go stock up on ALMONDS! haha. And those women, such amazing community! <3
LOVED meeting you! You are absolutely as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside 🙂
Awwr right back at you, lady! <3 I just wish we had more time!!
Oh I haven’t been up to see Tyler in a few weeks and have been missing that wonderful kabocha! In excited to go up to see him and the squash this weekend :). I’m glad you had a good trip! It must have been so, so fun to meet and hang out with everyone while you were there.
How wonderful! I am definitely a fan of overpacking (you never know what you MIGHT need) and I am making HLS 2014 a must attend. Soo glad you had a great time
I could definitely join your support group for Squash Addicts Anonymous! I am obsessed!!
Definitely tend to over pack, I like to be prepared for anything! Looks like you had a fabulous time at the HLS! I have met a few bloggers before and it’s always interesting to see the personalities in person and not just in writing!
Yes – meeting other blogger gals (or guys) has got to be the best part of a conference! So glad to see you met these lovely ladies-yall all look AMAHZING! So far I have met Dixya – but, like, you, I would lurve to meet a ton of others. And yowzers – thats some seriously great loot yall were hooked up with!
Looking forward to your next posts…
I overpacked, too, but I was so nervous of not knowing what I was doing while at HLS so I wanted to be prepared. I am still sad we weren’t able to meet in person, but we’ll have another time (hopefully!). 4 days for the next HLS? Maybe it will be easier to find the free time. =) And I met some bloggers I have wanted to meet, along with many new ones! I still have a few I’d like to me though!
Gah! So sad that it didn’t work out… And the worst part of it is that I -swear- we were in the same place on so many different occasions! I just felt so awkward trying to approach people saying “Heyyyyy, are you _________ from ________?”
I am too! And I think we were definitely in the same place so many times. I felt sort of intimidated walking up to people as well, so it isn’t something to feel bad about! I am glad to hear that you did enjoy your time in my home state of MN!
So I’m really jealous and excited to hear all about this weekend from different perspectives! I LOVE your dress that you wore and you guys all look so happy! I love meeting up with bloggers who I talk to behind the screen- it puts a face to the words and allows you to connect even more. Next time I’m crashing this blogger party!
I am so excited that you had a good time – wish I could have been there…Perhaps you need a trip to NY? lol….I am quite good at packing light, it makes it so much easier to travel. I have learned that I never wear half of what I pack and since I wear mostly leggings, they don’t take up much room so that is an added bonus as well.
I would -love- to visit NY! It’s on my bucket list, so I’ll definitely let you know when I’m heading in that direction!
SO glad you had a great time! The people make the event, I say.
No such thing as overpacking, I say. Better to be overprepared than underprepared 😀
Lol, YES I always overpack. I don’t know if it’s a woman thing or a Canadian thing, but I always feel like I have to be prepared for EVERY potential weather situation.
It looks like you girls had such a great weekend – I’m glad you finally got to meet up with Sam. I could feel the love through IG, hahaha.
My plane essentials – almonds, Simply Bars, water, and if it’s a long flight, I pick up a salad from Planet Organic/Community to take with me.
Haha, I totally feel the same about those kabocha withdraws. I swear it’s the real deal 😉
Ah, the people is for sure the best part about meeting bloggers, it’s kind of amazing to meet those friends in real life!
I’m so glad to hear you had a blast, it looks like so much fun and you all look beautiful!
Love your dress too!
Bebe 😉 And totally because of you 😛
so first of all- you all look gorgeous!! and I love seeing my favorite bloggers in the same photo! it looks like so much fun, I really want to attend next year. and that swag- amazing 🙂 and yes- if im going somewhere and dont really know what to expect- i over pack like i’m moving there. i pack for all seasons, all possible variations of dressiness, the list goes on. anyways, glad you had fun- looking forward to tomorrows post!
Gah, I am SO guilty of always overpacking when I go somewhere. I always plan for every situation or type of weather and end up packing SO much more than I ever need or use. But, it’s better than being under-prepared! Looks like you had an absolutely fab time, with some absolutely wonderful people (and super tasty treats!!!!) Plus, you ladies look gorgeous! Glad to hear it was a great time for you!!
Yay! My comment on all these recaps – so excited you had so much fun but I SO wished I could have been there too!
Love all the pics, you ladies look lovely!
That Blue Diamond table is heaven, I brought a ton of them home last June, love it!
I am SO guilty with overpacking. Sandro always asks if I will stay longer than him, because I pack about 3 times more than him. I ALWAYS pack way too much despite talking myself into not overpacking this time. Sigh.
Plane essentials: nuts, bars, iPod, book, trash magazines, water, moisturizer and tooth brush.
Welcome back lovely lady!
It would have been AMAZING if you could have been there, Lucie! Hopefully it’ll happen one day 😀 And omigosh… don’t even get me started on men and their ability to pack like… nothing. I can’t manage it no matter how hard I try.