BlogHer 10 in NYC

Bike doily anyone?

Remember the first time I went to New York with DD and Katy when we morphed into Tourists On Crack? LOOK! The Statue of Liberty! Central Park! Soho! Noho! The Piano! The Brooklyn Bridge! Hot dogs! Pretzels! Ridiculous Caricatures That Look Nothing Like Us! Let's do it all NOW!

Well, this time wasn't much different, except that I brought my friend/assistant Lauren with me. And she put our previous adventures to shame. Turns out Lauren is The Sightseeing Champion of the World. Oh you might think you know how to explore a city. You, with your little guides and google searches. I think we were there fifteen minutes when Lauren had memorized the entire map of Times Square. Hungry? There's Chinese on 48th, Korean on 37th or the best take out in Manhattan on 23rd. Okay, I'm exaggerating. But the truth is that I was truly amazed by the amount of activity she was able to squeeze into our short time. Even on her last day before she had to be at the airport. It's 9am and I hear the hotel door open. It's Lauren.

Groggy-eyed Me: "Where'd you go?" I'm thinking Starbucks, to make a phone call, maybe she was sleepwalking in her street clothes...

Lauren: "Oh, I just got back from St. Patrick's Cathedral."

She is a rock star. 

Lauren and I are always texting each other like 12 year olds during Housewives, so you can imagine our joy when we saw this. No way! 

Way.

We also celebrated her birthday while we were there. Here she is saying that Facebook is so good for your birthday ego. Happy birthday Lauren! We love you!!

We also roomed with my friend since Houston, Meredith. She had multiple images displayed at the Gala event, which wasn't surprising because her talent is phenomenal. And so is her heart. I adore her.

Have you guys seen the Grayson Chance video yet? Apparently, I was the only one who hadn't. He became a YouTube sensation after singing his version of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi. Well, at that same event we got to see him in person. And for as skeptical as you (okay I) might be about another Justin-Teenie-Bieber, I had to admit that he's pretty spectacular. 

I also got to spend time with Ms. Chookooloonks.

The best way I can explain her is by what I told Jason on the porch the morning after I got home. Drinking coffee I said, "She's a dichotomy... like a force of creative, positive energy which makes you feel like you can conquer the world, mixed with the calming sense that you can stop performing. She recently wrote a book called The Beauty of Different, which you can pre-order now. I can't wait to get my copy.

And because I really do think she is that rare person who believes everyone is beautiful, I decided to get over my neuroses and ask her to take my portrait for her 1000 faces project. You have no idea how hard this was for me. 

You can see the result here (and gorgeous Lauren too). Thank you, Karen. Thanks for pushing me out of my comfort zone even when I did my best to bail at the last minute. 

As usual, I didn't take nearly enough pictures. But the other highlights of my weekend were finally getting to meet some of my favorite online people like Rachel, Amber, and fellow Shutter Sisters Kristin, Stephanie and Jen, and Kate. Thanks for a great time everyone!

Tomorrow I'll be posting my life list (finally!) as well as one of my favorite family sessions ever, plus a fun contest on the Epiphanie blog! So stay tuned!

Also, thanks to everyone who was rocking their Epiphanie bag at the conference! I can't tell you the joy it was to see people sporting something that used to be a figment of my imagination... just right on there shoulder as a part of their normal day and routine and life. AHHH! It was awesome and you guys rock.

More soon. xo 

Comments

[Samantha DePoy-Warren]

Hot damn on the new portrait. I loves!

And so glad you had fun taking NYC by storm. I miss you!

[stephanie]

Great post. I felt as excited as if I was really there. Speaking of Epiphanie Bags, did I tell you that when Lola is off duty as a camera bag, she becomes the 'sneak as many goodies as you can fit into the movie theater' bag? She can hold a lot of candy!

[Lauren]

One of the best birthdays ever thanks to you! xo

[bklyn76]

you and lauren are beautiful in your portraits! love the epiphanie bags!

[Xanthe]

Love this! X.

[Karen from Chookooloonks]

I *suspected* when I crawl all over furniture to get a shot, I look like an ass. Happily, I LOVE looking like an ass -- I love that shot of me balancing on the sill!

And Maile -- my portrait! I freaking *love* it. And I hate photographs of myself. Thank you SO MUCH. You can shoot me ANY TIME.

All I ask in return is you allow ME to shoot YOU anytime. Because your face, Maile. Your FACE. Your BEAUTIFUL FACE.

Thank you SO much for this great time. Spending Thursday with you was one of the highlights of my trip.

K.

[Heather B.]

Maile - have I mentioned enough times how much of a pleasure it was to meet you? You really are a bright light and every time I saw you I smiled and then had to tell you about how fantastic my bag is. Of course.

[Rachel - Southern Fairytale]

I am SO envious that y'all were all together! Also.. YOUR assistant is soo cute! ;-)
LOVE that pic of Karen adore y'all so much!

Facebook ROCKS for birthday ego ;-) We camp back from our camping trip and I had so many FB messages it rocked ;-)

[dana]

How DID you get over your fear of asking? I can't jump the hurdle, put myself out there and take the chance. I admire your fearlessness. Yay you! And your photos, just lovely.

[Laurie]

I was so happy to see you. Karen's pictures of you are exactly as beautiful as you are. And I meant what I said -- I take the DSLR everywhere and the Ginger has changed my life. Can't wait til I can justify a black Lola. :) Hope to see you again soon.

[sweetsalty kate]

Oh Maile, I loved meeting you. I still can't believe how fast it all went, and I wish there'd been more time. I lost you on the way to the Volstead - how can that be? Dreaming of some other shutter sisters gathering. Dreaming, dreaming.

And that photo of you by Karen? Radiant. xo