My first blogging meet up – BritMums

I’ve only been blogging seriously for a relatively short time, but have received so much support and guidance from various blogging communities, I have been amazed.

When I was selected as an Izziwizzi Kids #playfest Toy Reviewer I was slightly nervous about how existing bloggers would feel about a newbie joining the ranks, but my fears were immediately allayed – one fab group of bloggers who have been very patient with me and generous with their time.

Through conversations with the #playfest group, I discovered BritMums – another fantastic community.  I’ve found lots of lovely blogs through BritMums and joined a few Linky’s through them too. I was even featured on the #PoCoLo Linky as #newbieshowcase hosted by the lovely Vicky @ VeViVos on 12th April – a website and Linky I found through one of the groups on the BritMums website.

I noticed a while ago that BritMums were holding a Meet Up for bloggers and brands in Oxford on 24th April, the location is only a half-hour drive away from me, so I took a deep breath and put my name down to attend. I then started to panic!  I’m a newbie, will anyone talk to me, what will I say, will any be interested etc.  As the date got nearer, I felt slightly more confident, the blog has moved on so much in the last few months, I’ve got involved and feel a part of the community – hopefully, I wouldn’t look like a complete idiot on the day!

So Wednesday morning arrived, Monkey went off to pre-school and I headed off for Summertown (outskirts of Oxford) to Barefoot Books, who were hosting the event for BritMums.  Traffic behaved and I found a car parking space.  Anyone who knows me knows that I can’t park to save my life and spend so much time stressing about parking!  Stupid, but true.  Anyway, I was parked up and early (nothing new there then!).  I took a deep breath and opened the door to the most beautiful children’s bookshop – I was in heaven and just relaxed 🙂

I met some Susanna, who runs BritMums, Katy Hill, the ladies behind Barefoot Books, and some lovely bloggers and brands.  We were all made to feel so welcome and comfortable.  Unfortunately, I could only stay for the first 45 minutes, as needed to be home for pre-school pick-up, so didn’t get to meet everyone properly.  But, I’m really glad I went, and would definitely go again.  My first face to face blogging event completed and a success 🙂

p.s. If you get the chance to visit Barefoot Books – then DO!  They have a really beautiful range of books.  By coincidence, I’d completed an online survey for them recently and received a £10.00 voucher to spend in-store.  I was spoilt for choice.  They also very generously gave us all a goodie bag with a few more wonderful books inside.  Monkey is enjoying them already.  I’ll post about them next week …..

31 thoughts on “My first blogging meet up – BritMums

  1. sounds like fun! i would love to have a chance to go to something like that one day. glad your little one was feeling well enough for you to be able to go!! would have been a shame to miss out

  2. That sounds like a wonderful event! I’m really looking forward to the North West events we have coming up, it’s always so lovely to chat with people who ‘get’ this strange obsession we all have! I think we should all pledge to go to Britmums Live in 2014, I just wish I was going this year!

    1. It was lovely, shame I couldn’t do the whole session. Susanna asked if I was going to BritMums this year; would love to go but as OH works so many hours it’s just not possible this year. Next year sounds like a plan – just need to persuade OH to take 2 days off work to Monkey sit 🙁

  3. Sounds Fab 🙂
    I’m looking forward to Blog Summit but also very nervous.
    I’m going Britmums this year as RedRoseMummy says would be great to have a meet-up next year there.

  4. So glad to hear you had such a wonderful time! I went to BritMums Live last year and was so nervous but it was so much fun! I’m going again this year and can’t wait 🙂

    I bet the Barefoot Books shop was amazing! We got an atlas from them in our goodie bag last year and it is such a fantastic book!

    1. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to go next year, can imagine it’s a bit daunting with so many people. Barefoot Books is just amazing – the decor alone is so wonderful, the books are brilliant.

  5. It’s lovely that you managed to get over there. It is a bit nerve-wracking, and trying to remember everyone’s names and blog names is one heck of a challenge!

    I also stress about parking. I can drive for 200 miles and be worrying about where I’ll park the entire time! 😀

  6. Lovely! I really want to go to one of these. So pleased it was a positive experience. Popping over from PoCoLo xxxx

  7. I am a new blogger too – only started last month. I have been overwhelmed by how supportive and inspiring the blogging community. Thanks for sharing this, I will have a look to see if there is anything similar going on near me in London. Well done for making the leap – it can be scary to do things like that when it’s all usually cyber-based.

    Popping over from #PoCoLo

  8. Well done for being so brave! I’m going to Britmums Live! this year and haven’t done anything like this yet – now 1 year in, I’m plucking up the courage!

  9. Thank you for the lovely mention :), it sounds like you had a wonderful time. As we discussed on Twitter the other day I love Barefoot Books. Wish I had made the meet up but I don’t think the girl taking her driving test would have been impressed!! Thank you for linking to PoCoLo and for your support xx

  10. Aw – a fairly new blogger here too. I hope to be able to make it to one of the events one day – it would be nice to meet the real people behind the great writing! For now, if anyone is from /in/around Edinburgh and fancy a coffee – give me a shout 🙂 x

  11. How great that it turned out well in the end, must have been so lovely to connect with other bloggers face to face. I am a little nervous and excited about BritMums Live as it will be my first blogging event, but you have made me feel less worried! xxx

  12. It was great, wasn’t it?! I am going to post about it as well, my post is still in the draft version. It was lovely to meet you!

  13. How brill! I would have been completely wracked with nerves so well done you! What a great way to meet other bloggers too! #PoCoLo

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