Wordless{ish} Wednesday: BlogHer 11.

BlogHer was amazing. Yes, it's insanely busy... you're always scheduled to do something... BUT, it's worth it. I learned quite a bit at the sessions I did attend... but, the best thing about this conference is being around all of these bloggers! It was so great to be able to talk about my blog without getting the, "yeah, I know you blog already" look. The bloggers were my favorite part of the whole conference. Loved it. Seriously... these bloggers are CA-razay! In a good way.... of course. ;)

Sooo.... There are so many lovely blogger ladies in the photos below. I'm just going to list their names and sweet blogs here: Mae from Parenting in Progress, Jill from Baby Rabies, Jenni from the Blog, Torie of 25 Designs, Beth Anne of Heir to Blair, Morgan from the 818, Alena from Charmingly Chandler, Hannah from Peggy Ann Design, Jenna from Blogged Bliss, Mandy from Harper's Happenings, Erika of Bird E Studios, Dumb Mom from Parenting by Dummies, Suzanne of Bebeblog, Mandey from Mama and the Dudes, Molly from a Day in Mollywood, Stephanie from Mrs. Stephanie T., and... of course: I was there!

 Ummm.... and, here are my millions of iPhone pics I took. :D Linking up with Amy of course. :D

AND... because this post should just be longer.... This is how we kicked off BlogHer '11:

 

I have more to share about what I'd do different next year... and what I've learned (because I know you want to know...). For now... just a few highlights and dislikes.

Highlights:

- The bloggers.

- The sessions.

- Hand-dipped Dove bar.

- The session with Gluten Free Girl.

- Seriously... all the bloggers I met. The BEST thing.

- The first day in San Diego. So fun.

- My roomies.

- Your mom. Just kidding... just checking to see if you were still paying attention. ;)

- Day drinking... I know... But, it was fun.

- The first day's breakfast.... hash browns... bacon... WTF? Yes. AMAZING.

Dislikes:

- Lack of sleep.

- Missing my baby.

- Not being able to clone myself to be two places at one time.

- missing my baby.

- Thinking it was a good idea to fly out at 6:30 am on Sunday morning... wha? Yeah... 3 hours of sleep. 

- Lack of sleep.

- The second day's breakfast.... oatmeal... bagels... fruit... meh.

 Sadly... I met these ladies (and two dudes) and did not manage to get photos with them (well, I think I'm in a couple cell phone pics with a couple ladies): Jamie from the Grumbles and Grunts, Kylee from Two Pretzels, Krystal from Tie a Little Ribbon, How to Be a Dad's, Katie from Pickles and Paisleys, Miranda from Not Super Just Mom, Amanda from a Martini Always Helps, Angry Julie, Stephanie of Goober Grape and Monkey Man, Kelly from Turnip Farmer, Nanette from Say it, don't spray it, and so many more!

{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. BY the way: Shawntae from A Little King and I now share our Wednesday Linky's. :D. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too... 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, Supermom, And Then She Snapped, and Live and Love Outloud.}

♡ Chelsey

Hair Tutorial: Wrap-around side-braid

Hey! Missed you guys! Well... I'm back from BlogHer... BUT, I'm still recovering. I'll blab all about my wonderful trip tomorrow and the next day... and the next day... and the next... :) For now... how about another hair experiment....

So... I do this hair style A LOT. It's nothing fancy... it's more of a get this hair outta my face style. :) BUT, it's cute and simple to do. Simple is a SUPER plus for me. I have really long hair... but, I'm completely weird and I don't usually like it down... So weird. So, up it goes.... The wrap-around side-braid shouldn't need any bobby pins... just 3 clear hair ties and some hair spray for fly-aways. 

Ok.... here goes...

1. Grab just a small chunk of your bangs right up against your part, I started on the right side of my head (if your bangs are super short... just let them hang and grab some hair behind them).
2. Start braiding (Or, french braiding I guess). I braid to create a sort of crown of braid on my head... grabbing small chunks of hair to weave in and hold the braid up every couple of braids or so.
3. When you get to the back of your head start braiding down to bottom of the opposite side of your head (for me this is the left side). When you reach the opposite side of your head: stop grabbing hair to weave in and just finish off that braid and put a hair tie on it.
4. Split your hair in half in the back. Take the remaining hair on the right side and start french braiding the hair on the nape of your neck towards the left side. (This is a great step I take for me. My hair is super slick and always slips out if I don't do a second braid by my neck.) 
5. When you get to the back left side of your head finish off the braid and put a hair tie on it.
6. Now, with all of your hair on the left side split your hair into four pieces (the 2 braids will each count as a piece). And, you'll do a four chunk braid. I have no idea what this sort of braid is called... but, it makes my normally skinny braid SO much thicker. How about instead of me trying to explain it... just check out this image I found below. It really is simple once you get the hang of it. 
7. That's it! You now have a super/amazing/awesome wrap-around side-braid. Ta-dah!

{Found here.}

If you try this hairstyle out and blog about it with a link back to me... let me know! I'd love to link you to this post to inspire others to create pretty hair!



♡ Chelsey

Off to BlogHer!

Alright lovelies! I'm off! I can't believe TOMORROW I'm flying out for BlogHer. It seems like I've been talking and blabbing about this FOREVER! And, now it's time! I have a super early flight.... so, today's post is short and sweet.

I got my hairs all prettied and my shoes and I are headed out. See you all next week! BUT... don't forget to visit! I have a some AMAZING bloggers lined up to guest post while I'm away. So much fun! Be sure to check it out! And, I may or may not pop in here and there on the blog... we'll see. ;) You will definitely find me wandering around on twitter for sure. Check it out: @thepapermama

Byeeeeeeeee!

♡ Chelsey

Sunday Challengin'

Scavenger Hunt Sunday:

Music to My Ears

Ruari laughing and chasing bubbles... music to my ears for sure.

Hat

My paper hat.

Clear

My old granny sunglasses that my mom and hubby hate. :D


Out of this World

These cheesy bites from the wine bar.... so freakin delicious!


Sprinkles

It's hard to beat sprinkles of Feta....

Steppin Out Saturday:

Me:

Shirt: Target (for like $2... yeah clearance!)

Shorts: Anthropologie

Shoes: Ross... purchased many moons ago.

Mike and I stepped out for a date night! We finally got to see Harry Potter... and, then we ended the night with some dinner and drinks at a fun wine bar. The weather was so lovely too. :)

And, if you all get a moment.... 

I'd LOVE a vote! :D

QUICK NOTE: I still have sponsorship space available! All the large spots are sold out, but there are still medium and small spots... along with the extra large spot! Lots of perks to the extra large spot! More info here... I'd LOVE to have you.

♡ Chelsey

Thrift Find: Blowfish Shoes!

I just needed to brag a little about this awesome find! I found me a pair of the most comfortable/amazing Blowfish shoes at a resale shop!!!!! AND, they were my size. AND, they have never been worn. AND, I love them. That is all. I also found a sweet sweater. Yay!

And, if you all get a moment.... 

I'd LOVE a vote! :D

♡ Chelsey

Warby Parker's.

So... I have had the same glasses for about... 5 years now? Which is fine... I still like them. BUT, I'm a wee bit bored. I discovered Warby Parker one Sunday morning and instantly fell in love! It's a very young business... but, an awesome one! $95 for every pair of frames! Amazing. AND, in addition to the low cost... Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses for each pair you buy (sort of like TOMS).

Another neat thing.... they have a 5 for 5 program! Yes, they will send you 5 pairs of glasses for 5 days for FREE! They encourage you to try them on... take some photos... and ask your friends what they think! So, that's what I'm doing. Right here. Right now.

Which do you like best? Out of the 5 my favorites are Roosevelt, Miles and Owen. Webb was too tight.... while Thatcher just seemed WAY too big for me. What do you guys think? These 5 have been sent back to their Warby Parker home... and, I may just order another 5, including the 3 I like, with 2 different styles. Hmmmm....

And, if you all get a moment.... 

I'd LOVE a vote! :D

♡ Chelsey

Sunday Challengin'

Scavenger Hunt Sunday:

Black and White

  Reflections in Glass

Headlights

 
Seeing Double

Bare

Steppin Out Saturday:

My outfit: 

Little pearl earrings: Gift

Brooch: Thrift find

Dress: f21

Slip: Anthropologie

Shoes: Blowfish

This Saturday I stepped out to the bridal shower for my friend Nedra. I took some pretty sweet photos of these girls and their little hair facinators. I will share soon. :D Loved it. Ruari stayed home with daddy for the day. It was pretty nice to get out with baby at home... girl time. :) I hope you all had a lovely weekend too! <3

And, if you all get a moment.... 

I'd LOVE a vote! :D

♡ Chelsey