My third BlogHer Conference. Here we go again!!!!!!!!
Woke up definitely not feeling even close to my best this morning. Blech. We didn’t get much sleep either because we had to get up super early to drive back to San Francisco.
As I showered, put on clothes, put on make up and got some coffee, I felt better and better step by step.
We ventured to the breakfast room to grab some breakfast for the road. I took some fruit and coffee, but wasn’t really hungry at all so I just drank the coffee.
[Enter 60 minutes of travel]
By the time we got to the conference though, I was ready to dig into this buffet!!
Paninis –
Pastries + breads + FRUIT!
Wallaby Yogurts (wish I’d wanted one because I like these a lot!)
And finally, these beautiful Peach Smoothies by the California Milk Advisory Board
I grabbed a smoothie, which came along with a recipe card 🙂 I ended up drinking half
I also piled on the fruit
And had a little egg + cheese + ham panini and half a croissant. Today is all about the flava, y’all!
Coffee – in a gorgeous teacup!
Unfortunately I still feel kind of hung over today. I was really hungry, but food make my hangover worse 🙁
The best part about BlogHer’s conferences are the exhibits. I stopped to check out Cuisinart’s –
Drooled on some Pillsbury frosting (going back for that later!)
And jumped up and down over some shrooms!! The Mushroom Council’s shrooms to be exact.
Jessi helps me get my posts onto the Mushroom Channel
SWAG! Was excited to see Popchips, Nature’s Path (which I just ran out of!) and these gourmet bars of chocolate.
What’s really cool is that whatever swag that people don’t take home with them is going to a food bank. What a great idea for the canned goods I can’t take on the airplane.
This is the most beautiful hotel. Every nook and cranny is gorgeous –
The ballroom chandeliers!!
Session 1: Developing Your Visual Voice.
I basically just drooled over Heidi Swanson + Matt Armendariz’s food porn for an hour. Love beautiful food!
Snacktime – found some Pellegrino
Then watched Top Chef’s Ryan Scott make a frittata sandwich
He found the mushrooms!
I had one bite, but it was oniony 🙁
At noon the doors opened for a beautiful seated lunch
Wine country! These were St. Supery – one of my favorite wineries! Merlot, Cab + Sauv Blanc. I liked them all and despite my hangover, they tasted good 😉
We ran into Danica of Danica’s Daily!!
I pass some Nasoya coupons around the table 🙂
Green Olive rustic roll – fab. I ate about 3/4 of him.
Lunch began with a Salad Nicoise that was fabulous! I could have just eaten more of this and been happy.
Our lunch entertainment was Rocco Disprito!
He did some cooking demos while we munched
For lunch we sampled some of Bertollis frozen dishes.
The Lemon Herb Shrimp –
It was not my favorite (didn’t finish my pile). I didn’t care for the sauce too much (or strong garlicky / onion taste)
Next some Meat Lasagna Rustica arrived
We all agreed this one was much better!
Lastly, Tri Color Cheese Ravoili, which seemed pretty heavy for lunch! I had one bite, and it wasn’t bad! Lasagna was my favorite though and I’m not a lasagna person either.
I had had my eye on these frosted cupcakes all morning (HI MOM!!!)
So I knew I wanted a taste for dessert.
Pillsbury had a whole topping buffet to go along with their new easy squirt frosting
I took a chocolate cookie and tried the three flavors – with coconut and sprinkles! I ate mostly the icing and left the cookie base. Always on the hunt for a means to deliver icing!
However, the Milk Chocolate Mocha Caramel Pana Cotta to end the lunch. I am not a Pana Cotta fan, so I hadn’t planned on eating any, but I couldn’t resist a taste. It was actually pretty good! I had two bites and the kettle corn and was stuffed.
As you’d probably guess, I’m uncomfortably full right now. I though I did a good job just taking a few bites of each thing and not finishing my portion, but having such rich foods for lunch is tough on the stomach!
Why the delay in blogging today? Because I forgot my USB port to upload my photos! But just a while ago I discovered that my laptop actually has an SD card slot!!!!! SAVED THE DAY!
I am sitting through a lesson on Advanced Food Photography and need to pay attention about White Balance. See you tonight. Hoping not to drink more than a drink so I can feel better tomorrow.
FOOD RULES!
Naomi(onefitfoodie) says
WOW that looks like lots of delicious food at the conference, very cool that sponsors were there sharing out their food and tools (esp the pillsbury cupcakes!!)
hopefully your hangover is getting better by now!
have a great rest of your trip, Kath! 🙂
Mom says
Hi to you and those gorgeous cupcakes. Send me one through the wires!
Morgan (lifeafterbagels) says
Kath you look like you’re having an awesome time. I find Rocco so funny and charming! Hope you feel better in the morning.
Morgan says
Beautiful pictures, it looks like you are having an incredible time! That hotel looks gorgeous!
So many fun things to see and try, I’m jealous
BTW, the coffee cups look just like my china pattern!
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
hehe loved this comment “Always on the hunt for a means to deliver icing” So cute. Glad you guys are having a ball of a time. Please share the photography tips!!! I’d love to hear them.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
OHmigosh that cupcake looks so divine! And the conference looks like a blast!
Leianna says
Thats so many great foods and entertainment for one afternoon!
I want to make my own cupcake!
Kirsten says
The food there looks amazing! I love cupcakes!!!
angieinatlanta says
You are not alone in your pain – food always makes my hangovers tons worse! I just have such a weak stomach after drinking.
Looks like you girls are having a GREAT time! I can’t wait to read about all the cool things you learn!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
the food bank for leftover swag is such a great idea. glad you’re having fun and sorry you’re not feeling your best!!!
Leah @ Simply Fabulous says
haha I just realized my computer had an SD slot as well! duurrr!!! It comes in handy!
Love the day you girls are having… the photos look great. Saw those cupcakes on Tina’s blog and now you girls are ALL making me want some!!
kay (eating machine) says
mmm icing is usually better than cake isn’t it?
Natasha says
Random – but, LOVE your cardigan… where is it from (if you don’t mind me asking)? Thanks!
Kath says
Natasha,
It’s a shirt and I got it at Loehmann’s.
Kath
Beth says
I love St. Supery Wine (esp. the Sauv Blanc). What a treat…might have to go hunt some down:)
Krista says
Wow… all of that food looks delicious and the hotel is beautiful! Thank you for sharing everything with us!
Katharina says
AMEN! Food does rule. Wow everything looks so beautiful. That mushroom thing that you said was onion-y.. do you know what ingredients he put in that? Because that looks like an awesome mushroom burger. Beautiful hotel, beautiful food from beginning to end. I know you’re enjoying your weekend madame!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
OMG, that spread looks fabulous! All the fruit, smothies, and other healthy foods sound like a perfect way to recover from your eventful evening. And I’m so impressed by that hotel. Those details are amazing!
Sues says
Could you make me any more jealous?!?! Not to mention, Jessi is one of my very best friends who I met through blogging a few years ago 🙂 LOVE that girl and have posted on the Mushroom Channel for her too! Keep having fun 🙂
Jenna says
great fun filled day kath!
yeah i heard all the other bloggers weren’t a big fan of the bertolli frozen meals, but you all seemed to like the lasagna the best!
beautiful hotel and pics! hope you are learning lots.
jenna
Lee says
I’d love it if you shared what you learned in the food photography class.
Tay says
Wow looks awesome, delicious, and fun! And your pictures are gorgeous as usual, BTW.
Leah says
Food DOES rule! 😉
Cara (Cara Craves...) says
Wow, what a feast!
You lucky girl, you.
skinnyrunner says
all the food looks to die for. cupcake bar? yes please!! and celebrity chefs! wowzers!
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
You’re such a sweet blogger sharing your Nasoya coupons 🙂
I lvoe that their donating food to food banks, that’s really thoughtful
Michelle-pure2raw says
Looks like you girls are having an amazing time ; ) The hotel looks beautiful, you take such great pictures! I enjoy them all! Drink a glass of wine for me : )
Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) says
What fun!
Three words: Yum Yum Rocco.
Love the sprinkles- I’m OBSESSED with sprinkles these days- nothing is safe from the shaker- smoothies, milk foam yogurt!
Hope your hangover goes away!
christie, honoring health says
What an awesome day filled with delicious food and interesting topics! I have no idea what white balance is so I am looking forward to a recap 😉
Julie @savvyeats says
I’m so jealous you got Scharffenberger chocolate! We toured their factory when we visited San Francisco in January, and its some of my favorite chocolate now!
Marissa says
hope the trip continues to go good!
maria says
Those chandaliers are gorgeous! Seriously!!! I love them.
Ashley says
Wallaby yogurt is THEE best. I think my fav’s are the maple and vanilla bean. mmmm Your trip looks amazing so far. Very jealous but excited for you, that you got to take the photography class and see all the amazing food porn!!!! =) =) What a fun weekend!!
Susan says
Aaahhh! Rocco!! I used to love “The Restaurant.” Ohman, as soon as I saw all the wine in the last post, I knew there would be some hangover action today! Hope it eventually wore off! Although, I bet the tasty wine was worth it 😉
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Yummy food! Looks like you are all having a blast at the conference :). Loving the look of that hotel too!
BroccoliHut says
Look at all those shroomies! My roommate would love to snag some of those for her mycology class;)
Danica says
I always LOVE your picture – they are awesome, but, now I know why. You are seriously intense when taking pictures 🙂 It was great to have lunch with you – thanks for letting me join in!