Blog Fete Recap

This past Saturday I attended Blog Fete in Orlando at the East End Market. It's a small group (only 30 attendees), and a panel of four bloggers and shop owners. You're sure to recognize a few if you are a blogger or pay any attention to the blogosphere. Sarah Hearts, Ashley Brooke Designs, Carmen of The Flair Exchange, and Melissa Creates (BlogFete founder) made up the panel. All of the panelists were totally relate-able, very forthcoming with their tips, and were willing to answer any question thrown at them. There were four main topics discussed: blogging (duh), branding, social media, and shops.

Our swag bags from this event were awesome! Every single thing in our bags I know I will use. First of all how cute is this Hello Beautiful tote from Alexis June Weddings.

More goodies! Everything from sweets, to party balloons, to paper products, koozies, and soap. 

On to the sweet things. The cupcakes and fancy frosted rice krispie treats were from Deja Vu Sweets. I loved that the logo of Blog Fete was on the cupcakes, too cute! Onli Beverages provided their sparkling waters. I'm normally not a sparkling fan but these were really tasty, specifically the Green Tea.

Oh man, and the caterer, Cuisiniers was awesome. If I was in Orlando I would definitely hire and recommend them to everyone for their weddings and events. The blackened shrimp tacos, fancy mac and cheese - magnifique! Then they brought out their Chocolate Budino with Salted Caramel and a Banana Anglaise. Wow. This was like the best tasting creme brulee/flan dessert I have ever had.

Desserts first! ;)

Royal Design Studio was there sharing an adorable stencil set and pumpkin spice coffee. I can't wait to finish mine and hang it up!

Because this was a smaller event we were able to talk one on one with the panelists too. Kori Clark Design was there giving design advice and caught this photo of me chatting with Sarah of Sarah Hearts about dogs and DIY. The usual topic of choice for me. ;)


Ashley of Ashley Brooke Designs was one of the panelists at Blog Fete. I have been following her shop and blog for over a year so it was really cool to actually meet her! I finally bought one of her mugs there too, her original "everyday I'm hustlin'" design. Too funny and definitely a good motivational quote to see in the morning before work, or in the evening while blogging over tea. ;)

Mandy of Waiting on Martha Skyped in with us and told us a bit about her experiences in getting to a full time blogger. It's so inspiring to hear other bloggers stories, going full time can be done! It just takes late nights and lots of coffee. 

How cute is her dalmatian wallpaper?! I'm in love and must have more dalmatian in my life!

It was a super motivational event. I'm going to start working on getting a shop started as an extenstion of Just Me aghan this fall/winter. I know it will take a lot of hard work and a good amount of my "free" time, but I know it will be so worth it!

That's all for Blog Fete, you can see more photos from the other attendees here. If you have a chance to attend next year do it! I will be buying my tickets as soon as they go on sale. (Thank you hubs for the tickets! What an awesome Birthday present, right?!) I met a handful of other bloggers too and had time to get to know each of them and what their blogs were about. Making new blogger friends is always so much fun, it reminds me I'm not the only nerd editing photos and typing my life away into the internet. :)

The past few years when I've attended blogging conferences in Orlando I always take a picture before the event, so here's this years. Kisses!

Mug Swap Reveal

I recently joined a mug swap through Kallie with But First, Coffee. This was my second journey with a swap and again I seem to have gotten very lucky with my partner/new friend.

Ashley, a fellow baker with a love for dogs and peacocks, is from Glendale Arizona and is amazing at picking gifts for someone knowing only 15 things about them. She sent me a mug in my wedding colors with gorgeous flowers, a pretty shade of blue nail polish, some chai tea, and a candle holder to add to my collection of owls.

 I've already enjoyed a couple of chai teas in my beautiful new mug, I love the little saucer it came with too. It seems so mannerly and polite. Thanks again Ashley!!!
Ashley is awesome at painting her own nails, check out these ombre peacock nails she did last week. She is considering starting a blog so be sure to tweet her at @smasheroonskie and tell her to just do it! You can see some of her other nail creations on her Instagram too!

https://twitter.com/smasheroonskie/status/441305092260519936

Have you been involved in any swaps before? 

Would you be interested in being involved with one if I held one here on Just Me aghan?

Insta Me aghan: Life Lately

Today I just wanted to share some Instagram shots from around Saint Augustine over the last couple weeks. Don't you just love my little town!?

At the edge of the Ponce de Leon looking onto the marina and the visiting pirate ship.

Caught a beautiful sunset over at a friends house in Vilano Beach.
It looks a lot warmer than it actually was, don't be too jealous of Floridians.

A foggy morning in Saint Augustine, FL.

My 3 everyday bracelets.
Dogearred moon & star bangle, Sailor's Omen bracelet, gold & silver bracelet

Homemade Margs, fresh flowers from the hubs and my new Erin Condren planner.
Check these out and spend the money to get one if you are a planner nut like me.
I won't be looking at all the planners in Marshalls this year because this one has everything I could ask for!

Find me and follow along on Instagram @justmeaghan, I'll be sure to follow you back! :)

Twitter / Facebook / Bloglovin'

Florida Blogger & Social Media Conference 2013

Last weekend was the Florida Blogger & Social Media Conference in Orlando. This was my second attendance to the conference and will not be my last. I love the opportunity to be around like minded individuals, also interested in writing. In addition to the networking, the motivation and knowledge from the speakers is incredibly valuable to a blogger.

Apparently I was deep in thought...
Photo Via Macbeth Photography

At last year's conference I met Kat of Sneakers and Fingerpaints, throughout the year we've kept in touch via Twitter and it was great to see her again. To read about her fitness journey and current endeavor to run a marathon be sure to check out her blog.

Lunch provided by Bahama Breeze.

Bahama Breeze provided lunch for the attendees. Their new cocktail, the Curly Tail, was served along with a to die for chocolate mousse for dessert. The green beans, salad and fruits were good too, but we all know I'm about the dessert. ;) They also had shrimp and grits (with bacon-boo!), looked good but I'm still not eating meat so I went for a veggie lunch.

I also finally got to meet Amy of The Funky Fork, another Saint Augustine blogger. Amy writes about fitness and healthy eating on her blog. Be sure to pop over, as a trainer she has knowledgeable insight we could all use.

Goodies from #FLBlogCon13

Sadly I had to leave early, and missed the afternoon sessions. But it was great while it lasted and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the other bloggers.

Have you attended a conference on blogging? Are you scheduled for any coming up this year?

Vintage Oddity

This little shop is fabulous! Kersey, you are amazing and I apologize for not writing this up sooner.
http://vintageoddity.bigcartel.com/

After a miscommunication I was greeted with not only the pair of faceted earrings I ordered, but a second pair too!
I love these fuchsia ones especially. I have 2 holes in each ear, and when I wear the light blue pair they cover my second hole. So I truly do appreciate the smaller ones- but sometimes I of course just go with the blue and skip the second hole. :)

The fuschia is so bright, and the light blue glimmers and reminds me of winter after snowfall.  Oh and even better, a pair of these babies go for $9! What a steal!

I'm so grateful I just found her card stashed in a purse, in addition to her delightful shop, is her DIY blog I will be adding to my daily blog-roll. Check it out here at www.ardorblog.com.

Ombre Hair

Update:
This post has gotten so many views that I wanted to incorporate some of the links where you can see my hair with the ombre highlights.  It's been a year and I still have it and don't plan to get rid of it anytime soon. I definitely would recommend this trend.

Click here for pictures of me with the Ombre hairstyle.


Original Post:
I am just a wee bit nervous, excited, anxious to get my hair done tomorrow.  (One of the best perks to working in a salon & spa/gym- I can actually afford to have my hair done on a regular basis and not from a BOX!  Not hatin' on the "box dyers," I'd been doing mine that way for the past 2 years.)
I'm having ombre highlights put in, if you're not sure what that is picture grown out highlights-basically intentional roots.  I know it doesn't exactly sound glamorous, but it just looks so cute.  It reminds of grown out beach bunny/sun goddess/surfer chick hair.  I often wear my hair dried naturally and with the flat, one-toned color I currently have it's hard to tell where the waves begin and end, I think this adds more visual definition.
Here's some of the pictures I showed to Courtney (the stylist doing my hair).

You probably recognize the actress in the first 2 images from Hart of Dixie (Rachel Bilson) and I believe the girl to the right is a model for Victoria's Secret.

via

Oh! And I can't forget Sincerely Jules, this girl has the best ombre highlights and a fabulous fashion sense-add her blog to your reading list, this is a must people!!  Back to her hair though, check out how perfect her beachy waves always are.  I must find out which products she uses in her hair, does anyone have any beachy waves tips?  I have my own concoctions I use, but am always up to try something new out.

I haven't had any highlights in my hair for about 2 years now, I've been black and dark brown but nothing even close to how light this is.  Hence my hesitance and nervousness, I can always dye it dark again if need be...

Here's a shot of how dark my hair is currently.  This was after running the Pink up the Pace 5K a couple weeks ago, bright eyed, bushy tailed, with no makeup.
I'll post an after picture soon too.  The man may be taking me to Universal Studios this weekend to see the Harry Potter part they recently added!! So hopefully I'll have some pictures from down there to share with my new hair. ;)