First of all, you may notice a slightly new look to the blog. And if you came by last night or earlier today (and use a monitor like mine) you hopefully got a good laugh out of the Overflowing Bra header, I know I did. I almost miss it now. Anyways, there are a few more little changes left to take place, but overall, I’m really excited and really grateful for all the work Jenna has done. If you notice anything that’s not working or isn’t user friendly, let me know and I’ll fix it let Jenna know and she’ll fix it.

But, that’s not really what I’m going to write about.

One month from today, thousands of bloggers from all over the country and even, perhaps, the world, will be convening in New York for 2ish days of complete madness, alcohol, swag and no sleep. And since about half the internet has posted their BlogHer must do/see lists, and I love me a good bandwagon, I’m hopping on it. If you’re not going to BlogHer, I promise to make it entertaining anyways.

1. There is no swag in the world worth hitting a baby for. And while I have no idea who did that last year, let’s just make this a life rule- DON’T HIT BABIES. Period. Ever. Especially not for a vibrator. I mean really, I can’t believe this has to be said.

1a. Did you know that swag stands for stuff/shit we all get? I had no idea. File that under things I learned at BlogHer last year.

2. Bring business cards. If you don’t have them, make some or order some. I highly HIGHLY recommend moo cards. They’re easy to create and not too pricey. If you can’t manage the cost (because dude, BlogHer is crazy expensive) print your own or even hand write some. You’re going to come across hundreds of people and most of them will want to know more about you and having business cards with your blog, email and twitter stuff on them is a great way to do it.

2a. Be creative with your cards, but don’t be all TMI. I’m just going to leave it there.

3. Leave yourself room in your suitcase for the way home. You’re going to get swag, don’t hesitate to weed through it before you leave, but you’ll need space for it. Last year I packed my small suitcase inside my larger one and on the way home I checked both. Granted, it didn’t cost me anything to check luggage because my airline wasn’t trying to rob me of every last dime I have like the one this year, but, yea. If you’re unwilling or unable to check 2 bags, just leave yourself room to pack goodies.

4. If they hand out chocolate in the swag it will probably be gross. So you can just give it to me. I’ll take that nasty chocolate off your hands.

5. Do not skip meals. There will be alcohol, there will be some smallish rooms and if you’re not paying attention, you’re gonna give yourself a good case of the omg I’m so famished I might pass out and die in this tiny room. Especially if you’ve already given me all of your chocolate. Then you’d be a real predicament.

6. RSVP for everything. You may not make it to everything, but you won’t get into anything if you don’t RSVP.

7. Be outgoing, but don’t be crazy. And if someone tells you that they’re not MckMama, they’re not. Don’t keep asking them. I really wanted to meet a certain blogger last year, but I chickened out and I regretted it for a while. I’ve since met her and she’s entirely lovely. Just FYI.

7a. Not everyone is as lovely and fluffy and wonderful as you want them to be or as nice they sound on their blog. They’re all humans like you and many of them profoundly lack social skills or like me, are SUPER awkward in new situations. But if they’re treating you crappily, walk away. There’s no reason to keep trying and there are just WAY too many people there who are lovely and fluffy and wonderful (I’m not sure what I mean by fluffy, but whatever) to spend your time trying to convert the assholes.

8. Bring a variety of clothes and shoes. I wore skirts and t-shirts to the panels during the day and dresses and jeans/tank tops to the parties at night. But be yourself. If you hate dresses, don’t bring a dress. You’re going to be miserable in it and then you’re one of the previously mentioned non-fluffy assholes. Don’t be one of those. Also pack layers because some of the rooms last year were so cold they nearly froze my fingers off and others were so stuffy I nearly had to step out.

9. Do not, I repeat, do not miss the community keynote on Friday night. It is one of my very favorite things about BlogHer. It’s where you’ll get to hear (and apparently this year, see) some of the best and funniest writing you’ve had the privilege of hearing in a while. Frankly, you can pretty safely miss the other keynotes (I did last year), but don’t miss the community keynote. And bring tissue. Ohdeargod bring tissue.

10. Please, please, please introduce yourself to me. If you’re reading this and you’re going to BlogHer, please find me. I am really friendly, really really awkward, but really friendly and I want to meet people, that’s a HUGE part of why I’m going.

10a. My name is Katie, but I’ve decided I’ll respond to Overflowing Bra too. I’m a big fan of irony like that.

11. Have a freaking good time. If you’re going, it means you paid for tickets, for airfare, for hotels and for other crap too. And that’s entirely too much money to not have a good time. Get away for a little while, take naps if you need to, but make this experience the best it can be for you. Don’t worry about what other people are doing or saying or thinking, don’t be a shit starter (no one likes those people), and just have some fun.

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