We interrupt this regularly scheduled What I Ate Wednesday to bring you a very important recap from Blend.
It was fabulous. That is all.
😆 I kid, I kid. Well, not about the fabulous part — because it was — but that’s not all. There’s actually a ridiculous amount that I could say about it, but in the interest of your sanity and mine, I’ll try to keep things brief. And by brief I mean I’ll be sharing a general overview today and some random thoughts from the trip tomorrow, Thinking Out Loud style. Aaaaand go!
Thursday…
Even though the retreat officially kicked off on Friday, I opted to go a day early so that things wouldn’t feel so rushed and I could have a little more time to enjoy all the things that Utah had to offer. My day started bright and early with a flight to Vancouver, followed by a short layover, and then a flight to Salt Lake City. The flights were uneventful for the most part, but I should probably mention that landing in Salt Lake City was super bumpy… which is apparently pretty normal.
The fun started at the SLC airport, where I met up with Sam to catch a shuttle to Park City, which was about a 30 minute drive away. We both committed a huge blogger fail by not taking a single picture that day. Oops. I guess we were just too excited to see each other (#truestory #lovethatgirl).
The hotel we stayed at was the Hyatt Escala Lodge, and it was gorgeous.
I didn’t manage to snap any shots of our room, but we opted for a 4 bedroom suite that we shared with 8 other girls (for a total of 10 of us in the suite). Sam and I were originally going to go with a single room, but I’m glad we decided against it — having the extra ladies around made for a great way to meet some new people.
Other than that, not much else happened on Thursday. Met some roomies, hit up Whole Foods to stock up on snacks, and hung out at the hotel until we called it a night and passed out.
Friday…
Friday morning involved a lot of lounging around and chatting until the retreat officially kicked off around noon with registration; and you all know what that means — SWAG BAGS!!
Spoiled doesn’t even begin to cover it. Between the swag bag and random presents being left in our rooms while we were out, I ended up accumulating so much loot over the weekend that I had to leave some of it behind because it wouldn’t all fit into my suitcase. There were a lot of things that I couldn’t eat because of my peanut allergy, but I still made out juuuuuust fine; and what I can’t have will go to family, friends, and you guys (keep an eye out for a future giveaway!)
After registration there was a fun run sponsored by Oiselle and led by Janae from Hungry Runner Girl. I think we did something like 2-3 easy miles, which ended up being fun but not that easy because of the higher elevation and hills. I don’t think anyone was running by the end of it.
Then it was time to get all cleaned up and ready for cocktails and dinner!
(B&W because the lighting was BAD and no amount of filters would help)
All in all, it was an awesome evening filled with food, friends, and fun (read: the best kind).
Saturday…
Saturday started bright and early with a group workout sponsored by Onnit. I opted to sit that one out because I wanted to save my energy (and legs) for the hike later in the day. The workout was followed by a breakfast sponsored by Quest Nutrition, and then it was time to take the gondola up to Canyons Resort with Organic Valley.
The hike was probably my favourite part of the entire weekend. It just felt so good to be out in the fresh air with such gorgeous views and good company… and you guys know how much I love the mountains.
We took the gondola halfway up, hiked the other half, and had the option to either ride or hike back down. I took the long way and loved every minute of it, despite the fact that I ended up with a sunburn on my head.
After the hike, we lounged around the hotel for a while before hitting up Main Street in Park City and going to dinner at Purple Sage.
Sunday…
Sunday started with another bootcamp workout sponsored by GPP Fitness, which I opted to sit out of yet again because I had to finish packing since I had to catch an earlier flight — but I heard it was a good one! Bootcamp was followed by breakfast, which was sponsored by Yoplait and Nature Valley.
(ninja’d from Heather)
After breakfast it was time for me to say goodbye 😥 I booked an earlier flight to avoid getting home at 1 AM, which was great aside from the fact that I was pretty much the first one to leave and had to miss the closing ceremonies. I did manage to get in on the group picture though, thanks to my shuttle running late!
Can you find me?
And that pretty much sums it all up! My weekend in Utah was amazing. I finally got to meet a tonne of the ladies that I’ve been talking to for years, and they were all as wonderful in person as they are online. My only complaint is that there wasn’t nearly enough time to get to talk to everyone for more than a few minutes.
And if you’re wondering why I didn’t spend much time talking about the food, it’s mostly because there wasn’t much there that I was actually able to eat. Between “traces of peanuts” in most of the snacks, nuts out at most of the meals, and open jars of peanut butter and peanuts that made my nose itch when I was in the same room for too long, I was a little too nervous to have anything that was offered so I stuck to the food I packed… just like I did when I went to Healthy Living Summit last year.
Bloggers… they do love their PB, but that’s okay — I love them anyways. And you’d better believe that I’ll be in Boulder next year for Blend 2015. Can.not.WAIT 😀
Have you ever met another blogger in person?
Were you at Blend this past weekend?!? 😀
Are you planning on going to Blend next year?
More places to find me!
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Awww, I’m so happy you got to visit Sam at Blend! Out of all the blogger retreats out there, this one looks the most appealing to me.
I’ve met Jen from nut case in point IRL – she was funny & fun. I’ve met a couple readers too. Actually, one reader turned friend is moving in with me next weekend! It’s going to be such an awesome summer!!
Sounds like such an awesome time! I think that hike would have been a highlight for me too – it looks gorgeous. I wish I’d gone!
You’re going next year! Even if I have to fly over to TO and drag you over myself 😛
Yay! So glad you had fun. Thanks for sharing some pictures with us. The hike looked gorgeous 🙂
Sounds like such a fun time! I wish I could have gone, but I have way too much going on in my life this year. Hopefully next year!
Talk about SWAG!! Looks like a totally awesome time, and you look utterly gorgeous, as always 🙂 Glad you had a great time!
Oh girl, it was SO good to meet you! It sure was a wonderful weekend. 🙂 xoxo
Ahh! Looks like too much fun! I’m a tad jealous of you all, but I am so happy to hear that you all had a lovely time. I really hope I can go to Boulder Blend 2015!
Sorry to hear that you couldn’t have much of the foods there 🙁 At least you were very well prepared! And I can take all those peanut products off of your hands for ya 😉
That looks like so much fun. I’m glad you had a great time and truly enjoyed yourself. You look absolutely gorgeous by the way, I love that dress!
Awwwr thanks Hollie. It’ll probably be the only one I wear until next year’s retreat 😆 And I know you know what I mean about hardly ever dressing up 😉
Oh wow that looked like so much fun! Really wish I could have been a part of it.
I would love to meet fellow bloggers in person – I don’t even know another HLB in the UK!
Can’t wait to meet you in Boulder in 2015! I will be attending since I won’t have to fly 🙂
It’s interesting to read all the different accounts of Blend – they’re all similar (obviously, everyone was in the same place), but the individual experiences are just different enough. Looks like a great weekend!
PESKY ALLERGIES >< But I am so, SO glad you had a great time!!! I hope I can somehow get enough money together to go next years, but we shall see I guess! For now, I'm just savoring all of these Blend recaps and hoping I someday get to meet some of you lovely ladies :o)
It was so good to see you again, even if it was just briefly! 🙂 I agree with you – the hike was by far my favorite part. I wish I lived near the mountains so I could do that on a daily basis. I can’t wait to see you NEXT YEAR in Colorado!! xo
Ditto, lady! Ugh… 11 more months 😡
Looks like you had a fantastic time! Blend seems like it’s so much fun (especially with all that swag…), and that’s great that you got to meet so many bloggers in real life. Definitely looks like an awesome weekend 🙂
It looks like so much fun and I can’t get over all of that swag!
I can’t imagine how hard it is to go to events like this while having a peanut allergy. I’m sure it is a little frustrating but you seen to handle it really well.
Thea recaps are so fun to read, glad you ladies had a great time! Can’t wait till we meet, because YOU KNOW the day will come 🙂
Blend sounds like so, so much fun! That hotel looks absolutely amazing and it sounds like you got to do so many fun things. That swag…wow!!! You need a separate suitcase just to bring it all home!
Yay! So glad I made it on to your recap. 🙂 It was so good meeting you, even if we didn’t get a chance to really talk.
Also, is it acceptable to do a giveaway for things I’m iffy about? (Ahem, Quest bars, I’m looking at you…) I felt a little bad using some of the food in our swag bag to do a giveaway (and therefore promote my blog)…
I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I’m doing it and I heard of a few other girls who will be doing it as well. Better than making it go to waste! And it’s a nice treat for those who couldn’t be there 🙂
I REALLLLLY want to go to blend next year! so bummed i didn’t get to go, looked like a fab time!! 🙂
It was so great to see you lady!! PS: I didn’t realize your peanut allergy was so severe! Next conference, I will bring you peanut free treats! 🙂 xoxo
You already know I had a fabulous weekend with you. You’re one of the reasons it was so much fun and special. I got nothing but big love from Cleveland for you.
Right back at ya, lady. Except love from Edmonton 😛
You guys are so cute, and I wish I could have been there!!! (I guess my honeymoon was a good excuse for missing out though, haha)
That looks like such a fun trip! Super jealous of that hike and all the swag you got. Maybe someday one of these things will come to Willamsburg so I can join in!
Love the recap and it was SO great seeing you again! Glad you were there!
I’m glad you had such an awesome time at Blend, Amanda. 🙂 I did get to meet Heather @ Girl Goes Running when we both ran Boston this past April. We both geek out over each other’s blogs so it was fun to meet up and chat before the race… and walk to the starting line together. Very cool experience, indeed!
I met a bunch of bloggers at last year’s Fitness Magazine Meet and Tweet which I will hopefully attend once again in the fall. And I hope to come to Blend next year!
It won’t be in June next year so you have no excuses! And CO is closer to you than UT 😛
Looks like a great time and those pics in the place of the mountains are gorgeous!!!
Not to self, before Blend next year learn how to master the collage LOL. Glad you had a great time! So.much.swag!!!
I really hope I can go to Blend next year – plus I LOVE Boulder! So many people I want to meet!
I’ve met a few bloggers in real life – and have loved them! I think it makes it easier because you know about them and you have common interests!
I would love to go to Blend one day! It looks like you had such a good time 🙂 and the setting looks fabulous!
This looks like so much fun! I need to go to one of these retreats! Too bad about all the peanuts though! I would have been in my glory (blogger who loves peanut butter over here)
I just met a blogger in person yesterday for my first time. It was so great to finally chat in person rather than by computer.
Okay… so I’m already planning to attend next year. That really sounds like my cup of tea and I love that you guys had a huge room with lots of girls… super great idea!
You definitely should, Kim! I honestly liked it a lot more than HLS… It was just like a weekend getaway with the girls 🙂
It looks like such a fun retreat!!
What a fabulous time you had! So glad!
Awwww you and Sam look so pretty! You clean up VERY well, miss! Those mountains are absolutely beautiful. I want to go to Utah one day!
What can I say, I’m jealous. The picture of the mountain is breath taking. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and thanks for convincing me it’s time for a vacation. I’m a teacher from Buffalo so the I have just under a month and I’m free!
It sounds like a truly fantastic weekend! I think staying in a suite was a great idea- that’s what I did this weekend for the Runner’s World festival and it made it so much more fun and I got to know so many more people that way. I would love to get to Blend one year- it seems like one of the most relaxed blog conferences out there.
I honestly liked it a tonne more than HLS. It was just like a weekend getaway with the girls and I definitely recommend making Blend a priority when it comes to blogger conferences 🙂
considering that you almost ran over a small child so that we could hug at the airport, I’m not surprised in the slightest that we were too excited for pictures on Thursday :-p
Ahhh I’m feeling all sorts of nostalgic. What an amazing weekend. Have I ever mentioned that you are awesome and that I love you? True story.
That was supposed to be our little secret! Don’t make me start spreading rumours that you’re a snorer 😛
Ow Ow! Look at you rocking that black dress. So pretty! 🙂 Can’t even begin to tell you how jealous I am of all this fun you ladies had.. but if anything, it just gives me a HUGE reason why I WILL attend next year… no matter what!
It would definitely be awesome to see you there, lady!
Looks like a great time. What an amazing experience to be able to meet and hang with all those girls!