Mom 2.0 in (Slightly Crappy) Photos

I'm about to do two really obnoxious things. I'm going to post tons of pictures of my trip to an exotic locale and a photo of me taken via my phone inside of a bathroom. I am not, however, making the duck face in the photo and since I've snapped it in a hotel bathroom there is not a pile of dirty clothes in the background so I've committed only 1 of 3 photographic sins. 

I spent last week at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne, Florida for the Mom 2.0 Summit. In what is probably the best decision I've made in months, Heather and I arrived a day early to decompress before things got under way. 

It was glorious. 

The hotel was so wonderfully luxurious, beautiful, gracious, and accommodating I almost forgot that the beer in my hand cost $10.

(These guys were everywhere. Apparently, they are like the squirrels of Key Biscayne.)

If you are a blogger and are trying to decide which conference will give you the most bang for your buck, I cannot recommend this one enough. It was magic. Laura Mayes is a born event planner. Probably because when you meet her she has the best energy. You can't say no to her and you want to work with her. 

Taken at a party at the Versace Mansion. Yes. I'm serious.

Behold! The offending photo. This shift dress is now my favorite thing that I own and surprise! It's white. A color I'm normally terrified to wear, but was forced to try due to the fact that one of the parties was, true to Miami Beach tradition, a white party. I feel like a million bucks in it and every woman deserves to feel that way. Right?

My favorite take away from the conference? Advice given by Karen Walrond during her panel. 

"Find what lights you up." Simple and brilliant.

Also, this presentation by one of the most wonderful, friendly, and compassionate people I met at the conference, Helen Jane, was pure awesome. Just check out those slides. Girlfriend has got skills.

There is no way I would have had the experience that I did, though, without my roommate, Heather. Anxiety disorder is a monster I'm still taming and having her introduce me around helped me resist the urge to hide in the room all week.

You guys, she is one of the most truly good, big-hearted, and genuine people I have met in a long time. 

And I think that's all the gushing I'm allowed to do in a blog post that already contains a camera cell phone self-portait taken inside of a bathroom. So, I'll wrap this one up right about here.