Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Blend Day 1 Recap
Greetings!I
t’s Tuesday morning, and I’m feeling a bit more on track with regular life. Things have been kinda hectic ‘round these parts (good stuff though!) and with the weekend away in Utah. I’m not even sure how to put this weekend into words, but I’m going to try. But for the sake of not having one long gigantic post, I’m going to split up the Blend recaps. Today’s is all about the first day and night at Park City.
In the weeks leading up for the Blend Retreat, I’d talk about to my friends, telling them I was so excited to go to Utah. The conversation usually went a little something like this:
Me: I’ll be in Utah next weekend!
Friend: Oh yeah? For what?
Me: Blend Retreat 
Friend: What’s that???
Me: Well, hm. It’s a retreat for a bunch of healthy living bloggers – or bloggers of the like, and we’re all going to get together and…
Friend: Blog?
My point is that I couldn’t really accurately describe it before. But now I know exactly how to describe it: it’s one big vacation – a girls weekend (with a couple guys 
) – where we all are doing what we love – having fun together hanging out, eating, drinking, a little fitness, and exploring a city.
On Friday afternoon I headed up and over the mountains to Park City, and was blown away by the view coming in.
Isn’t that cool?! I’ve only been west of the Rockies once, when I went to Vegas, and I remember how COOL the mountains looked that far up in the sky. Like the ground just erupts upward toward the sky.
I met a few girls – Kindal, Lindsay, Christine, Lindsay, and Abby – at the airport since all of our planes were getting in around the same time. We hopped in a shuttle van to take the 40 minute drive from SLC to Park City. The entire way there, I was craning my neck, looking at the gorgeous mountains.
They’re different than the ones here in Colorado. They seem to be a lot closer to everything, which was really cool.
Once I found my room, my jaw hit the floor. The Hyatt Escala that we stayed in was incredible. I kinda wanted to live in the room. Or at least steal the kitchen. And the views. After scoping it out, I ditched my stuff, splashed some water on my face, and headed down to the “meet and greet” to pick up my swag and meet everyone!
Meeting Momma B! (picture from Lindsay’s blog – her husband, Travis, was the photographer for the weekend.)
Well, not everyone, but a lot of people. Here I met my blends, Sarena, Michelle, Lori, Annette, Lindsay, Christa and so many more!
(Picture from the fabulous, Annette – tall bloggers unite!) So much talking. so much fun. There was also some graham crackers and Justin’s Nut Butter for a snack.
After meeting other bloggers who I’d felt like I’d already met before, I came back to the room to crash for a bit before dinner, and met my flipping awesome roommates.
Well, where I met Erin and Tiffany – who are both awesome and hilarious. Of course I already knew Lauren, and I met Heidi back when I first moved to Colorado – I went on my first hike as a CO resident with her I loved rooming with these girls. Luckily, Tiffany, Lauren, and Heidi all live in Colorado. Now to convince Erin 
Cocktail hour and dinner was next. Silk sponsored the cocktail hour and offered 3 yummy drinks for everyone to sip on for an hour or so while mingling some more.
Loved hanging with these girls!
There were also some tasty black bean cakes and spring roll thingies to munch on.
Oh, and there was a photo booth, which proved to be WAY too much fun. If that were a real thing.
Let’s just say I laughed until I cried multiple times that night. Oh man.
Then we tamed down a little bit for dinner. It was a buffet style with lots of yummy options. It seemed all of the meals for Blend were accommodating to those with allergies, and there was something for everyone! Naturally, I took one of everything.
Chobani sponsored the dessert, which was great for our path de pastry:
dessert domination.
We stayed around and hung out a bit after dinner, and then came back and relaxed in the room before crashing out. I was pretty wiped by the end of the day, and slept hard. The first day was so much fun, but it went by so fast! I knew the rest of the weekend would just fly by. And it did…
Day 2 recap to come…sometime this week.
Have you ever met up with other bloggers or blog readers at a conference/retreat – or where you live?
sooooooooooo fun!!! the photobooth was the best!!! 🙂 🙂
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…Blend Retreat 2013
What a fun conference! I hope to make it next year!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…My College Graduation and Bridal Shower
It really was such an amazing weekend and it was so nice to meet you!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Blend: HOW
Looks like a blast! I’ve never met up with other bloggers, but I have plans to make it to HLS this year.
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted…Sad Day
Sounds like so much fun! And Park City looks beautiful. I’m jealous! 🙂
Kristi @ lifesprinkles recently posted…Costco, Coffee & Vet Swag
It’s so fun to read everyone’s recaps. When I tried to tell people about Blend, I think a lot of them thought “healthy living retreat” meant either “hippie gathering” or “secret rehab.” Lovely.
Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted…Blend 2013 Recap: Friday
I’m so glad you gals all had such a great time! It’s so great to see some of my favorite blogger gals all in one place. SLC is beautiful, isn’t it? Glad you were able to enjoy the views! 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Oh How I’ve Missed You!
Oh, all these recaps are making me wish it was next year already! I’m definitely going if at all possible. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet any blogger friends in real life, but I’m hoping I can meet some of you fantastic Colorado girls on some of my trips out there in the near future.
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Day One!
Love this — can’t wait to the next recaps!
Lindsay recently posted…sunday = whateverday & some food prep.
Looks like so much fun! I’ve been looking forward to everyone’s recaps since I couldn’t be there myself. I will have to make it next year 🙂
Danielle recently posted…All You Need to Know About Juicing Plus my Top 5 Juice Recipes
what a great time! all of the food looks delicious!
I’m sitting here in my measly living room wishing I was back at the Escala!
Yet on another note, I’m laughing hysterically at the photo booth pics. It was nice to finally meet you this wknd 🙂
Tiffany @ Snack Snark Bark recently posted…Field trip
I know, me too… Where’s my hidden dishwasher and refrigerator? And whirl pool tub?!?!
I’ve met up with bloggers a handful of times, but never at an official retreat or conference. I am planning to make it at least one this year though!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Coming to Terms With My Sweet Tooth.
It was such a fun weekend but it went by entirely too fast!! It was great to meet you. Love your photo booth pictures. I can’t wait to go back next year 🙂
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Blogger + Friend = Blend
That photo booth was serious fun! And I agree, the mountains were very different than what we have in Alberta too, I totally fell in love with Park City!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…{MIMM #3} Blend 2013 Edition!
lol. I had a friend ask me the same question: “What are you all going to do? Blog?” 🙂
I’m so glad we had the opportunity to meet (you are a sweetheart!), and I’m excited to start checking out your blog!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted…Blend 2013!!!
You have the perfect explanation of Blend – it’s tough to explain to people who don’t blog, but you nailed it! 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…LiveFit Trainer: Week 6 Recap & Blend Workouts!
Blend is almost indescribable, but you totally hit the nail on the head! It was soooo incredible meeting you face to face, but really, I feel like I already knew you!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Blends!
It was so wonderful to meet you this weekend!!! I hope to be able to come hiking with you and Lauren soon. 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Work It Out: Intuitive Eating
Yes!! I would love that. Great to meet you, too, Laura 🙂
How tall are you?
I have never been to a blogging conference or retreat, but I have met a bunch of the bloggers that went to Blend. Off hand – Laura, Lauren, Lindsay, Sarena, Heather, Heather, Heather. Haha!
My husband and I are actually going to be in Colorado for a vacation the first week of June. I’ve talked to Lauren (Oatmeal after Spinning) about it, but maybe we can meet up. Our plan is to stay in Denver for two nights and then Boulder for two.
Lee recently posted…Gloomy Sunday Cooking
I’m almost 5’10. There are so many Atlanta bloggers! Yes – I would love to meet up with ya when you’re in Boulder 🙂
you’re such a beautiful person and even more beautiful in person! we are so honored to have had the chance to connect with you at Blend!! HUGS
purelytwins recently posted…those moments in life
It looks like SO much fun. I wouldn’t really know how to describe it either, I didn’t think it’d be so much like a fun girls weekend. I definitely need to go next year!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…WIAW #33: Keepin’ it Real Simple
so glad i got to meet you! sad we didn’t get to meet up on Monday, but I’m sure I’ll be back in CO sometime … with furniture.
calee recently posted…Vacation pix and baller guest post