My First Blogger Event!

Last week I was read a post on Destiny's blog about a blog mixer she attended for DownEast Basics. I found myself wondering, "How do people find out about/get invited to these things?" so I went ahead and asked. It's lucky that I did, because there was going to be another one coming up and I was able to get on the list with the information she gave me. Like a good blogger, I quickly made up some cards and tucked them into my business card holder, put on real shoes (not just flip flops!) and headed out the door.

I've loved DownEast Basics since they were just a little cart in the mall years ago. I swear I still have some camisoles I bought there over five years ago that are still in perfect condition. As an, ahem, chubbier person, some times it's hard to find layering pieces that are long enough. Even if they're okay when you buy them, they tend to shrink over time. The DEB ones don't do that, and they don't fade, and they don't get all weird and misshapen. Best of all, they're really reasonably priced.

I haven't bought anything there in a while, so I was looking forward to checking out what they had in their store, and also getting to meet new people. I don't know about you, but when people find out I blog, they act like it's weird that I let strangers read my journal. To be surrounded by like minded people is always nice.

When I got there, the store was PACKED. I signed in and got my little welcome goody bag that contained a catalog, some chocolate, and a $25 gift card. SCORE! What a lovely surprise. After checking in I looked around to see if I recognized any of the women there. I love finding local blogs to read because I can identify with the places those bloggers talk about. I mean, don't you hate reading about this awesome new place on someone's blog, only to find that they live across the country? Talk about a bummer!

The only blogger I recognized was Beth.

(note to self - LIPSTICK IS YOUR FRIEND.)

Isn't she cute? We chatted for a bit then went our separate ways to browse. I told myself that I had to chat with at least five people before I left the store. It's freaking HARD to go up to a stranger and introduce yourself, especially when it seemed like everyone else was there with a friend or two! I did it though, and managed to hand out several of my cards too.

I had a great conversation with this gal and her friends. One was taking this photo and the other was hiding from the camera, haha! I also talked with another group of girls (Sweet Rose Studio, The Diary of Dave's Wife, and Polka Dot Elephant, who's blog I can't seem to find yet) for a while as well as chatting with the manager for a bit. They had everyone come outside the store for a group photo:

After all the visiting and browsing, it was time to try on some things! This is what I wore from my own closet:

Dang cheese gut.

That tee is from DEB and is about four years old. It makes my boobs look massive, I'm noticing here. Dang. Check out what a difference switching to a black top with a v-neck instead of a scoop neck will do for you though:

I look about ten pounds thinner! Yup, that means I bought it. I also picked up another tank top in navy that has a nice lace hem. Navy's practically a neutral so it will be handy come fall when I can start busting out my cardigans. I also picked up a cute coral top and a black top that is long with ruching on the side that I can wear now and also when I (hopefully!) get pregnant. Very cute! I'm so glad to have some cute tops to wear when I leave the house that aren't plain tee shirts.

I saw this on a car in the mall parking lot as I was leaving:

How is that for random?

***Although I did receive a gift card for attending the event this evening, they didn't ask me to blog about it. All the opinions expressed in this post are my own. ***