One of the greatest treasures a person can have is a circle of friends. I mean real true genuine friends. Those individuals who make you laugh, who love and accept you . . . just the way you are, who make you a better person, and understand you personally. Sadly, in today’s world people willingly trade friendships for computer time, text messaging, facebook friends, and faces on the tv screen. True friendships are developed, kept, and treasured simply by spending old fashion TIME with one another. In fact, I believe the greatest gift you can give a friend is your time.
That’s why a few months ago when Suzanne (Suzanne Carillo) and Sue (A Colourful Canvas) and Melanie (Bag and a Beret) decided to host a bloggers meet-up in Vancouver BC, I jumped on board. I knew this would be an opportunity to really become friends with women I had been corresponding with on this bloggers world.
And I was right . . .
Just take a look at my friend Greetje (no fear of fashion). We have been corresponding with one another for almost three years so the friendship was instant. She was just as much fun as I had imagined.
As well as entertaining . . .
And talk about a shopper . . . Wow, this woman knows how to shop!
I was also able to spend quality time with Suzanne, which was a true pleasure. Especially watching her model for the cute sales guy.
As well as Sylvia (40 pluss style) and a new blogger friend, Wendra.
Getting to know Sue on a personal basis was also top on my list, and she is just the cutest thing ever. Can’t you just see how series these women took their planning and this event?
Meeting the ever talented Anne (spy girl-amb.blogspot.com) was also a delight.
One of the highlights of my trip was being able to connect with Melanie (bag and a beret). This woman is a pure delight and talk about gorgeous.
Her unique style got us noticed by most every sales associate we came in contact with, not to mention most people on the street, and I mean this in a very good sense.
(here she is modeling for the sales-assciate)
On the last evening we were asked to bring a few items of clothing for a clothes swap.
Does this look fun or what?
To tell you the truth I really didn’t think I would participate, although I did bring a few items to share I just wasn’t planning on taking anything home (suitcase space). But then I seriously think Melanie went through her treasure chest and brought items just for me. So how could a woman resist, I mean that’s what I call a true friend.
And I’m having so much fun pretending to look like Melanie (OK, I know that’s totally impossible).
As one of my treasured friends, Tamera Beardsley wrote a few weeks back on the importance of great girlfriends, and she is exactly right. It’s an incredible gift . . .
Thank you to all my old and new friends for making my circle so enriching.
Linking up with Jess for THT
It all looks amazing. Lucky you!!
This looks like such a wonderful gathering of friends! I hope they will plan more in the future and hope I can participate one day.
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Stop by for a chance to win up to $75 credit to Jord Watch!
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
At first I thought you were going, which I was so excited about. So sad you weren’t able to make it work this time. I’m definitely going to contact you next time I’m in LA.
You are so right Trina. Connecting with people (in the real world) is what makes this world go round. It was such a pleasure to finally meet you. You are a sweet person, much more quiet than loudmouthed me. When I look at myself in your post I think “calm down woman” haha. Great post. Did it take you so much time to make too? You came away with a very cute dress from the swap. Styled it simple and very well.
Greetje
Greetje, you were the reason I made this trip and you made it well worth it. You were exactly the person I had imagined; fun, outgoing, entertaining, stylish, and just an all around genuinely nice and sincere friend. What a blessing it was to finally connect with you. You are not a loud mouth, just a ton of fun! I really did come away with three beautiful dresses that are so me. I swear Melanie brought them just for me, haha.
Great post, Trina. You said it: you can’t beat face-to-face time with a friend. I wish everyone would just move here! But then I’d never get any sleep at all. It was truly a great pleasure meeting you and I look forward to connecting with you again.
By the way, you look waaay better in that dress than I ever did! I’m so happy you have it.
You are waaaay too nice, about the dress, although I’m so happy its mine now. My daughter even commented several times on how incredibly gorgeous you are. And, just see what connecting in real life did for the two of us, two women who just thought they had nothing in common. Well, we proved that wrong. Can’t wait to spend more time up there. In fact, next time I would love to do some photography for you, if that sounds fun.
Trina how amazing that you have found friends that are really true. Such a rare gift. Have a lovely week. Jo
Well Jo, I consider you one as well now too.
Great post. I’ve had two dozen meetups with other bloggers and they always enrich my relationships to those people. It’s fun to correspond online but meeting in person tells you the whole story. As did this event. My only regret is that I didn’t have more opportunity to chat with you. You were hanging out with the cool kids at the other end of the table. 🙂
You’ve had two dozen meet-ups? WOW! You must spend half your time traveling, haha. I’m so grateful you made this meet-up, it was a pleasure getting to know you. I, too, feel bad we weren’t able to chat, I should have just made my way down to the other side of the table.
Great post Trina! I was delighted to meet you and so happy you made the effort to come out for the meet-up along with your charming husband.
I adore your style, creativity and discipline. I think between you and I we could hit the 5 Anthro stores here in one day : )
I truly do hope you will come to Toronto and we can spend some more focused time together. I think I’d better start training now if I need to keep up with you each morning!
The red boots are waiting for you : )
bisous
Suzanne
Oh, I definitely plan on making it up to Toronto, in fact I’ve already started bugging Par about it; after all, I have my partner in Anthro waiting as well as some killer red boots. You seriously did an amazing job of hosting this meet-up. Are you feeling better now?
Ditto what the others are saying. This is one great recap post!
LOL, it looks like the clothing swap was for me personally! And you wear that dress so much better than the flat screen TV! Awesome…it looks awesome on you!
And HEY…fireworks! So cool that you could see them from your room!
So thrilled to have met you, and I look forward to our next visit!
It was such a great pleasure finally meeting you. You are absolutely delightful. I do believe the dress looks better on person, haha. Just wait until you see the other two Melanie handed over . . . they’re quite the treasures. Yes, the firework show was perfect on our balcony! I’m already looking forward to our next visit.
A wonderful, fun and stylish women’s meeting, stylish and attractive. I love your dress.
Yes, it was an entertaining meet-up. I thoroughly enjoyed finally being able to actually meet these women in real life. And, the clothing swap . . . well, it paid off for me.
Oh what fabulous pictures and such a wonderful bunch of stylish women! I am reading all of the posts, and somehow after all of my reading i will convince myself that I was there ! 😉
I love your brought dress you look so slim and lovely, am not surprised to learn that you run everyday. Melanie’s style is great fun to see ! As is all of the bloggers. Looks like you ladies did some shopping!! 🙂
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Elle, you can read all you want, but you were greatly missed. Some day I sure hope to meet up with you.
ok, i meant bright, but vivid is a better choice, anyway….
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Such an absolutely beautiful recap of your lovely blogger meet up! Well done my dear friend!!
xoxo
Tamera
Thank you. You were a huge help with this, as you well know.
Great to meet you Trina! LA in 2016 for sure! xxox
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post! The meet up looks like pure pleasure and how exciting to meet friends that you have connected with for years. Connections are the best part of blogging!!! And you look stunning in every photo!
Yes, connecting is the gift of blogging. I sure hope to connect with you as well some day.