Maybe I have lived a sheltered life? Or perhaps I am easily impressed. All I know is that I cam home from Chicago with a smile on my face and my mind blown.

Being a Blogger, or a person in digital media isn’t really a glamourous existence. I spend a whole lot of hours tapping away at my computer, struggling with wordpress and battling the balance of working and parenting from home… all at the same time.

But, being a blogger (or a person in digital media) does put you in places that are amazing and extraordinary.

it means you are able to start your first night in Chicago on a lake cruise aboard SeaDogs at Navy Pier.  It means you drink champagne, watch fireworks and win coach purses.

(Well ONE coach purse. And yes, I DID win it.)

Being a blogger means sharing stories with people around the world, learning at workshops and engaging with brands who DO ACTUALLY want to engage WITH YOU.

It means a private screening and reception for the new Smurfs movie, with TheMoms, a private event at American Girl and a chance to have Vince Vaughn speak directly to YOU!

(Well, ok. It was just a taping… but I do think he WAS speaking to ME, and me alone)

It means getting living on a diet of cupcakes and champagne for a week, (and it is possible, just not pretty) It means getting blisters from fabulous shoes (when you normally sport flipflops) and most importantly it means loving what you do.

Laughter, amazing friends and great stories.

Oh, and yes, a coach purse.

Was attending this massive blogging event everything I expected?

Oh lordy no.

I could never have imagined what I experienced last week. It was so much more than anyone could. It was full-on, fun filled, relationship building, fabulous networking, brand loving and education filled.

Will I go back…

Your bet baby! And I am looking for a roommate too!