Blogalicious 2011: Bloggers, Brands & Beauty — Oh My!

October 27, 2011 By 4 Comments

This past weekend, right here in my backyard, at the Gaylord National Conference Center & Resort, the ladies of Blogalicious hosted their annual conference. It was my first Blogalicious conference, although I’ve been to other blogging conferences before – however, this one was phenomenal!

Not only did I meet some great women (and a few men) who are very passionate about their blogs, but the conference was totally — BRANDED! Take a look at the pictures and you’ll see what I mean.

Aleysha Proctor and Gain at Blogalicious

Gain's New "Unique" Scents

Gain detergent sure has come a long way! Not only do they have new scents like Apple Mango Tango, Icy Fresh Fizz and Dazzle & Shine, but they also have other products like dryer bars and in-wash scent boosters (which we received full-sizes of) that can make doing the laundry (almost) fun!  :-)  
 
 
 

American Cancer Soceity's More Birthdays party at Blogalicious 2011

The American Cancer Society's More Birthdays party

The American Cancer Society’s More Birthdays (tm) party was so moving. They sponsored a segment where we heard the story of a cancer survivor. Their slogan is “You can create a world with less cancer and more birthdays”. One of my friends and fellow-bloggers broke down and cried next to me as she shared that her Mother had lost her fight with the disease. Awareness and treatment is crucial! 
 
Blogalicious 2011 goodie bag

Pure SWAG!

 
 You totally had me at SWAG! I love a good gift bag. And the Blogalicious 2011 gift bag was loaded with full-sized products from household name brands, novels, cookbooks, and every day items to be used by the whole family. And there were additional items given to us throughout the weekend to make this bag so heavy that it couldn’t swing or swag anymore!
 
Black Atlas/American Airlines cupcakes

Hmmm.... the signature pink cupcake box!

 Not only did I win a gift card from American Airlines’ Black Atlas, but they also had custom made Georgetown cupcakes at their booth! No need to stand in a line that wraps around the store here. 

the lovely new Cover Girl Paula Patton

Me and Actress & Cover Girl Paula Patton

 The Cover Girl Queen Collection lounge was graced with the presence of their newest “face” — the lovely actress, Ms. Paula Patton!

 
The Food Network's "Big Daddy" - sponsored by Aunt Jemima

The Food Network's Aaron "Big Daddy" McCargo, Jr.

 Saturday evening’s dinner was sponsored by Aunt Jemima. We had breakfast for dinner and cooking demonstrations by the Food Network’s Aaron “Big Daddy” McCargo, Jr.  It was such a fun evening!

I won the centerpiece from the Aunt Jemima's dinner

Centerpiece from the Aunt Jemima's dinner

 And look at this beautiful centerpiece that I won from the Aunt Jemima breakfast at dinner event! Lovely, isn’t it?!

Hats off to Justice Fergie and Justice Ny of Beblogalicious for doing such an excellent job!  The 2011 conference was filled with fun, laughter, wisdom, information, AHA moments and friendships. Things money can’t buy.

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I’m So Glad that He’s Not Forgotten!!

December 7, 2010 By 2 Comments

On November 18th, my sister Anjela and I went to the ICE exhibit at the Gaylord National Harbor, MD. Even though I originally thought it was just for children, I had to see what all of the hoopla was about.

After making our way through the Dr. Seuss picture gallery (love him!), it was time to get our parkas and go into the deep freeze of the ICE exhibit, where the temperature was said to be 7 degrees! Oh my!

When we entered, we expected to see the Grinch and the Who’s from Whoville, in solid ice chiseled to perfection!

I'm about to have green eggs & ham with Mr. Grinch!

  

 And we saw just that! Tons and Tons of ice, in all different colors, shapes, sizes and objects.

As we neared the end of the ICE exhibit and saw the big “THE END” sign written in typical Dr. Seuss fashion, we continued to make our way to the exhibit — and what we found left us in total AWE!

The Gaylord National and the sponsors of the ICE exhibit (Coca-Cola) didn’t leave Christ out of Christmas!!! Hallelujah! In a society that wants to teach our children everything but about Jesus Christ, I was so overwhelmed with joy that I had to tweet about it as soon as possible (and @GaylordNational retweeted me.)

Look at what we saw!

The Nativity scene in ice!

Jesus with a lamb on His shoulders - all in ice!

 
 

There was also an angel who had to be about 10 feet tall! Must have been a replica of the archangels Michael or Gabriel.  :-)

And if that weren’t enough – as you finished making your way through this heavenly ice exhibit and stepped into the warm gift shop, where someone awaited you to take your parka – there were Christian souvenirs!!! What?! I was almost in tears at the adoration of the Santa figurines -

What adoration! "At the name of Jesus EVERY knee shall bow!"

I just can’t tell you how overjoyed I, and the other extremely pleased Christian visitors, were that night. I’m just so glad that He’s not forgotten!  He’s the reason for the season.
(You can see the ICE exhibit for yourself until January 9, 2011. Visit the Gaylord’s website for more information.)

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