Brooklyn Fit Chick /Fitbloggin’ 2013 Highlights
The City of Portland, Giving Speeches, Chloe Sevigny’s Arm, Paleo Food Trucks and
Experiencing the Joy of Multiple Hugs
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
I am back from Portland and slowly getting back to my “real life” as just little old me versus “Brooklyn Fit Chick”—it’s a tough transition.
When I was in Portland I felt as if I could just be myself all of the time and not hold back on giving someone a hug or being a total goofball. It was such a wonderful time and if I were a better writer I would be able to express how grateful I am each year to have a place where all of my personality quirks are fine and no one cares what size I wear or how much money I make. My goal is to bring more of this into my life. More joy, more laughs and certainly—more hugs.
First day was kind of a wash because my flights on Virgin airlines were so behind schedule that I was had to fly through Los Angeles instead of San Francisco and did not get in until almost midnight (sheesh!)
However, this turned out to be kind of a cool diversion because sitting right in front of me the way to Los Angeles was none other than actress Chloe Sevigny who was quiet and very sweet.
I took a quick picture of her delicate arm (hope she doesn’t mind!)
In the first class section sat Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker star Patty Stanger but since I have been warned that Patty is made of snakes (a nod to the fabulous Julie Klausner) I kept my distance from her.
At the hotel (The Nines which provided the best guest experience I have ever had) I was greeted by my amazing roommate Christine of Dubya Wife who had good enough manners to ignore my calls to room service for glasses of wine at midnight and my lack of any initiative for early morning workouts (hmm—are those two things related?)
Christine is my sister/friend and I am SO grateful she is in my life. Thank you Christine! (And see you at Mardis Gras 2015!)
This was the first year at Fitbloggin where we had a fashion show (created by the insanely lovely Emmie Ho Sandford of Skinny Emmie) and it featured just about all of my favorite people in the world including Carla Birnberg Miz Fit Online, Jennifer Mitchell of Comeback Momma and Tamara Grand of Fit Knit Chick.
Me and Emmie catching up. (Love her to pieces!)
On Friday I faced a big fear of mine and actually gave a speech in public—yikes! Very happy to report the Writing the Perfect Pitch workshop I co-presented along with Kymberly Williams-Evans and Alexandra Williams of http://funandfit.org/ and Jamie Walker of “Sweat Pink/Fit Approach” http://www.fitapproach.com/sweat-pink/ (they are all sublime women) went over so well—big whew!
(Also a BIG “thank you” to my friend Martin who helped me put the presentation together—I owe you big, my friend.)
It was a particular thrill for me to meet the Williams sisters as I have been following them for years but I was not smart enough to remember to take a picture with them (dammit!)
Instead, here is a photo of me looking up to Kymberly as she gave a kick ass speech.
After our workshop I felt the need to go for a walk and explore the city a bit which is when I discovered how cool Portland truly is. What a wonderful city filled with smart, interesting and NICE people.
My mission was to try and find the food truck I read about in Paleo magazine called Cultered Caveman. Holy smokes! First of all— I got to meet the owner Joe Ban who is not only a cool guy that can cook a mean Brazilian chicken but he also looks like Matt Damon—score!! Needless to say I went back Saturday as well to try out their mini-meatballs and brussel sprouts & broccoli mash (sooooo good.)
Friday night we had the annual “Ignite” presentation where fellow Fitbloggers talked from the heart about where they are in their lives and how they want to use their situation to help others. Two of my favorites that night were Sue of Mrs. Fatass and my roomie Christine.
Here is a photo of Sue.
This is a quick clip of Christine’s presentation. http://youtu.be/6Z_SvR69Fjw
Saturday morning I met up with Brandi Koskie of Diets in Review as well as her husband and daughter to check out the Saturday outdoor market in Portland. This is located by the main campus of Portland State University and I was completely blown away by the beautiful homes surrounding the market.
Here is the Simon Benson house.
The Portland market entrance.
This is Paisley—say hello to the world baby girl!
Saturday afternoon (after I explored every single booth at the Portland Saturday Market downtown) I came back to the hotel to witness my first in-person flash mob. Margo of This is Not Your Momma’s Blog put the whole thing together and let me tell you it was a BIG hit with the crowd. (Yay for Margo power!)
Link to the Flash Mob clip: http://youtu.be/G_1CEC-90Ic
Two Margos hugging.
Saturday night was filled with hugs, drinking and more hugs with a few more terrific people I want to mention before I need to lie down and just think about Fitbloggin some more.
Shelton, Brandi and the gorgeous Lisa Johnson of Lisa Johnson Fitness.
Me and fellow Sweaty Betty Valerie Kirkland of Livefit Journey
Alicia of Poise in Parma (love this gal!)
Me, Suzanne of Workout Nirvana and Tamara Grand.
Sometime on Saturday night the music started blaring and then this started to happen…
Chef Jason Roberts cutting a rug.
Gangnam Style!
I needed to part ways sometime when the karaoke started (never been a fan—sorry!) My flight to NYC was leaving Portland at 6:30 am so I needed some shut eye time and was fully intending on going straight to bed when Lifetime TV had to put on the Anna Nicole Smith movie. Sheesh! Am I only human, people!
So this is my last image from Portland. I think it captures the movie quite well, don’t you?
That is all for now. My next post will feature my exclusive “Fitbloggin Goodie Bag Giveaway” so y’all come back now ya hear?
Ox Ox,
BFC
Brooklyn Fit Chick
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Bravo! What a fantastic recap of A LOT of events!
So happy to have met you in real life and can’t wait until the next meet up!
Thank you Tamara! So glad we had a chance to bond in person. ox ox!
Margo,
I totally missed chatting with you this year. The perils of being at a conference where you want to say hello to everyone.
I love your photos and the fun. We’ll make up for this next year.
Aw I can NOT believe I missed you. Sad face 🙁 Next year for sure!
Love YOU to pieces!! xo
Please keep in touch! I want to hear all of your plans. ox ox!
So great to meet you. Great recap. Hope to see you again next year if not sooner.
I hope we can hang out together real soon. Come back to Brooklyn!!! 🙂
Mwah ha aha You are as funny and fun in person as you are in your posts! As for your presentation, you had so much personality and presence I would never have guessed you were nervous. I LOVED being on this panel with you! As for Karaoke, apparently not even wine can make it better so I hear you there. ha aha aaaa (me laughing some more as you are such a kick!)
Maw, thank YOU so much. You were so much fun to hang out with and I hope we can present together again real soon. Please come to NYC! Ox ox, Margo
So sad I was not there for the fun & meet you in person!!!!!! GREAT RECAP & pics!!! 🙂
Hopefully next time you can make it!