Sunday, November 21, 2010

Toronto Design Bloggers Meet-up and a Giveaway


Last night I attended the Toronto Design Bloggers meet-up.  It was great fun and I'm so happy to have met such interesting talented women and found some great new blogs.  

The event was held at the Hotel le Germain in Toronto. It was the perfect venue - modern, cool and very hip - much like me!  Just kidding, but have a look at the pretty shelves in the lobby.  I love the mirrored backing, the square shape of the shelves, and the restrained placement of glassware.

Over 50 bloggers attended, which was a bit of shock to me that there were that many bloggers in the Southern Ontario area.  Now a few of us design-wannabe bloggers, like myself, attended as well so it wasn't strictly design bloggers.

Thanks so much to Vie from Verdigris Vie, Daniella from Dress Design Decor, and Jennifer from Rambling Renovator and anyone else I missed, for making this such an outstanding evening.  They found sponsors for the evening, including GK hair (the representative who spoke had the most gorgeous hair) and Delta faucets (who have a new one-week old blog called Beige is Dead).  Greenery, decorating the tables, was provided by Coriander Girl and photos were being taken by Natalie of A Bit of Blue.  There were also giveaways and lootbags, but more about that later.


I have to confess that for weeks I have been both excited and nervous about going, but as the event got closer I got progressively more nervous.  When I entered the room and did the old look-around-to see-who-I-know, there was nobody I recognized.  I almost turned around and walked out, but I convinced myself to stay for ten minutes and if I didn't find somebody to talk to I would leave.  I'm so glad I stayed as look at all the cuties I met and chatted and laughed with. 

Kelly from Jax does Design, Tara from The Cinnamon Post, Vanessa from Decor Happy, Emma from The Marion House Book,  Jennifer from Rambling Renovator, and Lindsay from Aubrey+Lindsay

See here's proof that I was there (well along with the somewhat blurry photos I am posting due to the low light conditions).

Lindsay from Aubrey + Lindsay, Sarah from White Blossom, and me (do you like how my shawl matches the room decor - see the drapes in the above photo.  Does that make me a wallflower?  Just kidding)

As I mentioned before there were giveaways like hair products, showerheads, design books, and cookbooks. I even won something, which I'm very excited about:


Looks like I'm going to be dressing up and partying with the cool kids in Toronto.  I had no idea this was going to be such a season of stepping out for me.  I'm totally pumped about it.

There were also sweet lootbags.


Look at all the loot we got - there is a ticket to the One of a Kind craft show, a coupon for 10% off Pistachio Eco Essentials store, a free alphabet print from Lindsay at Penny People, some GK Hair hair products and hair brush, and the Christmas issue of Canadian House and Home and Style at Home magazines.  Amazing, eh?


I'm a bit of a magazing junky so I already have these two magazines (thanks Mom and Dad for renewing my subscriptions every year for Christmas).  Sooo, I was thinking I would pass these two magazines on to some of my readers.   

Here are the giveaway details:
I will give the magazines to two separate people so let me know in a comment which one would you prefer to get (and if you both want the same one I'll have to do rock-paper-scissors with myself to pick).  I'm going to limit this draw to Canada and the USA because of shipping costs.   All you have to do is leave me a comment below, making sure you leave me your email address so I can contact you, and I will select two winners on Friday, November 26th (that way you will get the magazine in time to enjoy it before Christmas).  You're in for a treat as these are both outstanding issues!

23 comments:

  1. Great loot bag for sure! Looks like you got to meet some fun people and good for you for sticking it out. That is something I would find challenging attending on my own. You look very stylish with the colourful pashmina/shawl piece.

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  2. Just wanted you to know that I love your blog...

    I would love to win the House and Home Magazine.

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  3. What a wonderful party!Looks like you had a wonderful time in spite of your initial misgivings. I would love to have either magazine, love them both. Margaret K.

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  4. Margaret. Please, don't forget to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

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  5. That looks like so much fun! I'm thinking of organising one here in Melbourne. Thank you for the shopping link you sent me too! Rachaelxx

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  6. That looks like such a fun time. As a magazine junky also, it looks like I'll have to move to Canada or the USA!

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  7. Hi Grace-
    You look so pretty! Good for you for staying....I might have just walked right back out if I didn't notice anyone :) How fun to meet new people. Maybe they will do that in San Diego some time!
    Take care
    Kristin
    XO

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  8. Hehehhehe! I have to laugh that you called me Jax in the photo caption - Jax is my dog's name! :-)

    I'm so happy you stayed and that we had a chance to chat :-) It was such a wonderful evening, and great to meet so many fantastic ladies :-)

    No need to enter me in our giveaway, seeing as I have a swag bag of my own :-)

    Kelly (aka Jax!)

    PS: SNOW!

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  9. It was so fabulous finally meeting you! And I'm so glad you won the IDS giveaway. Another reason to break out the party dress, yay!

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  10. What a lovely time you had Grace and I love the picture of you...you are definitely not a wall flower!

    I would love to win either one of these great magazines, so if I'm lucky enough to win I'll let you decide which one to send!

    Congratulations on your lucky streak!

    Kat :)

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  11. It looks like a great evening! I would love ti win the Style at Home magazine. Thank you!
    teresacline2001(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Oh my! You are so brave! I would've just died...I could never get the courage up to do something like that-but in my heart, I would LOVE to attend something like that. It all seems so Hollywood...or maybe that's because I'm from smack in the middle of nowhere. I don't know either of these magazines really-but bet I would enjoy either one of them. You are so generous! :)

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  13. So glad you had a great time Grace! I am a bit shy when it comes to attending functions where I don't know anyone so good for you for sticking it out. I would love either of those magazines. Thanks so much!

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  14. Sounds like you all had fun. Sorry I wasn't able to attend ... Greenery Weekend with the Girls ... I'll be at the next one.

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  15. Hi Grace!! Looks like you had a fabulous evening. The hotel looks amazing!!

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  16. Great post. Was so nice to meet you Grace and congrats on winning the tickets to the Gala. I'll see you there! Thanks for taking this photo which I am going to borrow if that's OK.
    (You don't need to enter me in the draw.)

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  17. Yay! Love your post and I'm so glad you stayed! Sounds like everyone had a good time though eh? I'm so happy! Look out for more pics up on the blog soon... hopefully this week! It was so nice to meet!

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  18. What a fun night! You look smashing in your little black dress.

    I'd love a Style at Home magazine. But really, either would be great.

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  19. I so so badly wanted to attend! I was trying to figure out a way to get there, but I could not. I am so glad you had a wonderful time—it would have been great to finally meet. Judging from the pictures, the event went so so well. Thanks for sharing them!

    Have a great Monday,
    xo

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  20. Hi Grace, It sounds like you had a great time and got some nice goodies! I have never seen the Style At Home magazine so that would be my choice.

    Thanks for your visit and I hope you will show us your holiday decor at my party.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  21. Wow! What fun! Would love to win those fun magazines!

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  22. There you are, like Cinderella all dressed for the ball. I'm glad to hear that you had such a good time.

    I will confess that I am a magazine addict, so either of these will be fabulous if I win (leaning toward the one with Sarah Richards in it, tho. She's the best!)

    Happy (American) Thanksgiving!
    Connie

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  23. I would love to attend next year, I will have to keep my eyes open for it. I also love the Hotel Le Germain!

    I am already a subscriber to both of these wonderful Canadaian magazines, so no need enter me.

    Chania

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