BlogHers Flashmob to Lady Gaga

Had to miss BlogHer '11 in San Diego this year but got a kick out of watching an official BlogHer flashmob to the dulcet tones of Lady Gaga!

"The Beach Trees" by Karen White, A Mystery and a Love Story

"The Beach Trees" by bestselling author Karen White is a mystery and a love story all rolled into one.

Set in post-Katrina New Orleans, the book transports the reader with lyrical language and unforgettable characters.

The book is one of the latest selections from the BlogHer Book Club and you can read my review here.

 

 

An Awesome BlogHer '10 from a New Yorker's Point of View

New York, New York--it's a helluva town, and last weekend it was a helluva BlogHer town.  If I must say so myself, I thought New York did a first class job of hosting the biggest gathering of women bloggers in the world, but as a native New Yorker, I'm biased.

From the Battery to the Bronx, BlogHers were all around the town, taking in all the Big Apple had to offer.  Some did it in tutus, walking and running for a good cause, while others partied like it was 1999.

The hub of activity of course was the New York Hilton on 54th and 6th Avenue, where the conference took place.  The Hilton and I go way back.  One of the first Star Trek conventions ever was held there and as a kid, I ogled William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and George Takei in the Hilton's hallowed ballrooms.  Ah, the memories!

Five Special Things I Learned From BlogHer '10

BlogHer Founders Lisa Stone, Elisa Camahort Page and Jory Des Jardins

Last week, remember how I was saying I felt a little nervous about this year's BlogHer '10?  Well that feeling disappeared quickly enough!  Right after I ran into BlogHer assignment and syndication editor Rita Arens and we exchanged a big hug.

I was sweating like a cheap tart in church but that was all I needed to have the nerves disappear.

Humor Writing Panelists at BlogHer Awesomely Luvvie, Jessica Bern, Lizz Winstead

I learned a whole bunch of things at BlogHer '10 and I'll be writing more about them in the coming days, but first I wanted to give you a quick review of five special things I learned at BlogHer '10.

1. The energy and inspiration at the conference was so strong and so exhilarating, I need to bottle all those good feelings of support, and learn to trot them out when I'm feeling the most down about my writing or about life in general. 
2. The women who spoke at the international bloggers keynote put things into perspective when you think we were told we couldn't take pictures or video of a couple of them because they might be killed because of their work.
3. On a decidedly less serious note, Magnolia cupcakes are a sin sent from the devil himself.  The nice folks in the Mozilla Firefox suite were showing off a beta of the new Firefox 4.0 and the awesome new BlogHer toolbar add-on, and if that wasn't enough, provided the cupcakes.
4. Don't squeeze eight women into a tiny, elegant elevator with one handsome, slightly frightened young man.  We were in the Warwick Hotel on our way to a "decorate your sex toy party" sponsored by Eden Fantasys, and the poor guy almost didn't get out of there alive.
5. The lemonade spiked with Vodka at Volstead on East 54th Street is to die for.  I knocked back two of those suckers when I hung out there with Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess), Mochamomma and a group of other fabulous bloggers on Saturday night.

***Honorable Mention***

Jason Mayo's community keynote rant, Valentine's Day is A Greedy Whore was one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time.  My favorite line? 

"F**k you and the winged unicorn you rode in on!"

Good times.

More later this week, but first check out some of my photos from BlogHer '10 in my Facebook photo album.

BlogHer '10 Has Arrived, and I Don't Have to Pack

BlogHer '10 has arrived but it feels like BlogHer '09 was just over.  Where does the time fly?

This year as y'all probably know, BlogHer '10 is in my home town of New York City. 

I can't tell you how strange it feels to read everyone's tweets and Facebook entries about packing and traveling when I'm not doing any of those things.  I'll just be hopping on my usual Manhattan-bound commuter train.

Besides the lack of traveling, this year feels a little strange for me in other ways as well.  Though I'm excited and eagerly anticipating seeing my fellow BlogHer Contributing Editors, a whole bunch of bloggers that I read throughout the year, and new bloggers I haven't even heard of yet, I'm a little apprehensive. 

This year, for the first time, I haven't had the time to immerse myself in the blogosphere as I would have liked.  Life and work changes, some good, some bad, yet all of them time consuming, have gotten in the way.  It makes me feel a bit cut off from my usual blogosphere connections.

Also, and this is highly unusual for me since I'm a bit of a ham, I'm feeling a bit shy about being around the nearly 2200 people who are attending. Yeah me, shy!

Who'd a thunk it?

Now, I'm certain all of these weird feelings will go away the minute I throw myself into the mix.  I'll be live blogging a couple of sessions for BlogHer Business tomorrow, so that alone should warm me up nicely for the big event on Friday and Saturday.

But feeling weird or not, I wouldn't miss it for the world, and I expect that by the end of the weekend, I'll be exhausted, yet re-invigorated about the power of blogging and where it might take me next.

I'll be sure to let you know!

Ideas For Fun in NYC During BlogHer '10

Ideas for Fun in NYC During BlogHer '10

New York City is my hometown so I'm beyond excited that within a couple of weeks, bloggers from all over the world will be arriving for BlogHer '10.  And though a lot of time will be taken up with conference events, hopefully many of those attendees will explore some of the fun stuff the Big Apple has to offer.

First off, if you're going to do some sightseeing, get yourself a Metrocard and a CityPASS.  The Metrocard is for public buses and subways all over NYC.  The CityPASS is a booklet of tickets to six of New York City's most popular museums and attractions and will save you a total of 45% off the regular admission prices. 

Now, here are some of my favorite NYC experiences. 

Go Hunting with Watson Adventure Tours Scavenger Hunts

My cousin first introduced me to these fun scavenger hunts when she gave me one as a birthday gift a couple of years ago.  It was a murder mystery hunt through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and my friends and I had a ball. 

In addition to their museum hunts, Watson also organizes scavenger hunts in Chinatown, Central Park and even one in Greenwich Village that features locations from "Sex in the City."

Hunts start at around $25/adult and can go up to $40/adult for museum hunts.  Check out the Watson website for schedules and prices. 

Tassimo Coffee Maker Review and Giveaway!

Okay coffee junkies, have I got a giveaway for you!  I've tried out a Tassimo coffee make and courtesy of Tassimo and BlogHer, I'm also giving one away.

I'm a big coffee drinker and I like my coffee strong, dark, rich and hot--just like my men.  So sashay on over to my review blog, Meg's Rad Reviews, read about the Tassimo and enter the Tassimo Coffee Maker Giveaway.

Arbor Mist Review and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Hey loyal readers, it's the season for giving and I'm doing a giveaway of a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Over at Meg's Rad Reviews you can check out my new giveaway courtesy of Arbor Mist and BlogHer. 

I put together a basket of goodies for a game night with friends that included Arbor Mist's sparkling wines.

Read the post and then enter to win a $100 Visa Gift Card.

Good luck!

"Bundle of Trouble" A Mystery Novel Review

One of the things I love most about the annual BlogHer conference is meeting some of the amazing women who attend. 

Last month, I was taking a break in the Microsoft lounge, hoping to capitalize on some poor BlogHer forgetting her manicure appointment so I could slip in and get my nails done.  As I waited with my complimentary Starbucks and chocolate snacks, I overheard a woman talking about mystery novels.  Turns out her first was about to be published.

We got to talking about mystery writers--she likes Elizabeth George, so do I, and she actually knows Gillian Roberts, whose books I love.  Well, she was so excited about the coming launch of her book, I couldn't help but be excited for her. I told her to send me a copy and I would review it. 

With a smile she whipped out a copy from her bag and handed it to me.  The name of the woman was Diana Orgain and her book is called "Bundle of Trouble."

After chatting a while longer, we parted, and promised to keep in touch.  It wasn't until later that I began to worry, suppose I didn't like the book!?

After all, it's one thing to slam the book of a total stranger but something else again to slam the book of an author I'd just met.  An author who worked long and hard, writing and getting her book published.  An author who liked the same mystery writers I did.  

Suppose the book was the worst mystery I'd ever read!?  I'd have to crush this lovely woman I'd just bonded with over Starbucks and chocolate!

What if....!? 

BlogHer '09: The Community Keynote, What Blogging Is All About (Video)

It's several days later and I'm still recovering from BlogHer '09.   I'm still suffering from a lack of sleep, endless travel--I landed at JFK six hours after I was supposed to last Sunday--and trying to get myself back in the swing of my day job.

What I haven't forgotten however, was how much I enjoyed the conference and how mingling with so many smart and passionate women helped to energize my own aspirations and dreams for the future.

One of the highlights of my BlogHer was the Community Keynote.  The brainchild off Eden Kennedy of the blog Fussy, the speakers in the community keynote were a select group of bloggers whose posts were submitted in a variety of categories, such as travel, humor and rants.

Because I was a participant in the first community keynote last year, I had the honor of helping choose among the submissions for this year.  That's why when the time came, I camped out at one of the tables in the front of the Sheraton ballroom for a ringside seat.

All the keynotes were wonderful in their own special and unique ways but there were a couple that stood out for me.

Karen Walrond's thoughts and emotions on election night 2008 when she realized Barack Obama would become President of the United States reflected what so many black and multiracial citizens of this country felt that night. 

Danielle Henderson had us rolling with laughter when she told her story about the feminine hygiene product she thought would be her doom.  Ladies, a little advice, if you think you're dying, go to a doctor! 

We chuckled quite a lot during the retelling of Wendi Aarons' fairy tale romance with a soft drink.  As we did during Melissa Ford's description of a titillating yet lesser known aspect of infertility--that is until she choked up with tears, as did we.

BlogHer '09: An Interview with Style Guru Carson Kressley, Plus A Word About The Great Nikon Baby Incident! (Video)

Can I just tell you that although I had a fabulous time at BlogHer '09 in Chicago, I am wiped out? All those bloggers, all those sessions, all those parties!   However, get 1500 women bloggers together in one place with their laptops and their attitudes and you're bound to not only have lots of fun but maybe a bit of controversy.

But first things, first.  One of the celebs that made an appearance at BlogHer '09 in Chicago was style maven and TV host, Carson Kressley.   Carson attended the conference to give out style tips, chat with BlogHers and also to represent BlogHer sponsor, Nikon and their "How To Look Good In Pictures" campaign.   To publicize the campaign, Nikon threw a swanky cocktail party the first night of the conference at Chicago's Flatwater club.

Though many BlogHers attended, not all of them had the chance to interview Carson like I did.  During the party, my fellow CE Laurie and I chowed down on delicious noshies--my favorite was the bacon wrapped shrimp--specialty drinks and for dessert, homemade marshmallows dipped in a chocolate fountain.  Hmmm...decadent!

There were makeup and photography tips for the BlogHers and a chance to see some of the Nikon CoolPix cameras.

Last year I did a podcast interview with the very smart and funny Kelly Park, one of the guests on Carson's Lifetime show, "How To Look Good Naked."  So I was very excited to have the chance to chat with Carson himself.

BlogHer '09: The Posts and Pictures, They Are A Comin'

Y'all know I've spent the last few days in Chicago at BlogHer '09.  What you don't know is I've tried four times to write even brief posts covering some of the action and excitement but I was thwarted every time.

Usually it was because of exhaustion and excessive partying but last night it was because of the Weather Gods descending on New York and keeping me stranded on the ground in Pennsylvania with other Delta Airlines travelers.

And man have I got stories to tell and pictures to share!  I met some fabulous bloggers, danced the night away, was energized by what I learned and hung with celebs.

There was fun, pathos and just like when any 1500 women get together, a bit of controversy.  So as soon as I get my act together, the posts will be coming fast and furious.  Expect the first one by tomorrow morning.

Blogging While Brown 2009: An Interview with Gina McCauley of What About Our Daughters

Have you heard of Gina McCauley?  If you haven't, listen up--this is a woman who's on the cutting edge of the internet and social media and you need to get to know her right now.  If you do know who she is, read the following interview anyway, because I defy you not to be inspired by her story, her passion and her good old fashioned smarts.  Just the kind of black woman the MSM almost never talks about.

Gina's the outspoken publisher of the blogs What About Our Daughters and Michelle Obama Watch, and she's also the organizer of the blogging conference for people of color, Blogging While Brown.  After attending last weekend's successful 2nd annual conference, I had some questions for Gina and she was kind enough to make time to answer them for me.

What did you hope to achieve with this year's conference and do you feel you accomplished what you set out to do?

My goal was to bring people together so that they could meet other people, learn something new and have a good time. My hope before the conference that people would develop relationships with others they could partner with and collaborate. I think we definitely accomplished that. I was afraid that we couldn't replicated the amazing "vibe" from last year, and we didn't. The "vibe" this year was even better than the vibe int he room from last year. People genuinely liked each other, were excited for each other, encouraged each other and enjoyed each other's company to the point that they would leave :)

On the way out the door, three women who live in Chicago who didn't know each other before they came to the conference and attended the bootcamp and conference said they were going to collaborate together and start a group blog. That's so important because blogging can be a very solitary experience. Blogging While Brown makes blogging a family experience. You know you're part of this loud lovely group that loves to get together and chat.

How was this year's conference different than last year's?

First, we added the beginning blogger bootcamp and I think its fair to say that was an overwhelming success. We got raves about that, and we'll be expanding our "nuts & bolts" training next year. We had a really small class that met before the conference began. They got each other. I think it was less intimidating when the entire conference convened because they already had their bootcamp friends. My goal was to take civilians and turn them into lean mean blogging and podcasting machines and we did that.

We clearly had more people this year. We eliminated Sunday morning events, which I think is wise :) We had all conference events in the same location. I actually did very little organizing this year because I delegated logistics to our conference coordinator, Shalon and programming to Shawn P Williams from the Dallas South Blog and literally the conference was able to take without me. I arrived to both the kick reception and the Saturday workshops after they had started and they in full swing without me. So that means from a delegation standpoint, it was successful because I had a good team who made sure the conference could take place without me... AND we had power outlets EVERY WHERE this year! That was something we learned from last year when we blew the convention center power grid during the conference.

Blogging While Brown 2009: Making Money, Making Friends and Making Movies

I learned quite a bit from last weekend's Blogging While Brown conference.

One very productive, not to mention entertaining panel was on branding by Hajj E. Flemings, author of "The Brand YU."  During his presentation, Hajj circulated through the audience Oprah-style and fired questions about slides of a variety of products.

When a photo of a Tiffany box appeared, Hajj asked the attendees the first thing that came to their minds.

 

"Love!" Shouted one woman.

"Expensive love!" Shouted another.

 

After explaining that just the appearance of the Tiffany blue box, without any knowledge of what might be inside created an instant association, Hajj proclaimed, "Branding turned sneakers into Nikes."

 

When using social media he told attendees they should use the same avatar and screen name across mutliple platforms.  For example, his photo on his website, his book, his business card, and his social networking sites, all have him in the same suit, in the same pose and wearing the same expression. 

 

He then went on to emphasize the importance of connections, "Somebody else besides your mother needs to know you're doing great things."   And he added, "Don't be the smartest person in your group."  The implication being that you must find associates from whom you can learn. 

Blogging While Brown 2009: An Interview with Angel Laws of Concrete Loop (Video)

As part of my coverage of the Blogging While Brown conference last weekend, I was able to interview Angel Laws, the founder and publisher of the very successful entertainment blog, Concrete Loop.

Angel started the blog as a hobby and built it into one of Time Magazine's 50 Best Websites of 2008.  The blog covers black celebrities and gossip that for such a long time were ignored by other gossip sites.  Now she says she gets 700,000 unique visitors a day and makes $250,000 a year with her blog.

Angel was part of a panel about making money online and she had some great tips for bloggers:

• Never work with just one ad company.  She works with six.
• Figure out who reads your site and get feedback about your site using polls.
• Remember that keeping readership can be harder than getting it.

Here's more advice from Angel.  On what happens when big success comes: