Snap-rific, Snap-tastic, HOLY-SNAP-OLY... it HAPPENED!
SNAP 2012 was a total success!!!
(If you can't tell from the picture of the SNAP team below)
:)
Photo: Kristen Duke Photography
I'm not even sure I can put into words how truly amazing this past weekend was for me. Not only was I surrounded by 325+ of the most amazing women EVER... but the scenery around each corner was completely breathtaking. Thank you Katie, for letting me snag these beautiful photos you took!
Photo: Sweet Rose Studio
As 11am quickly approached on Thursday morning at the registration desk, and crowds of women started piling in, it was like a thousand butterflies were set free in my stomach. My heart started pounding and I found myself purposefully trying to stay busy, so that I wouldn't burst into tears at the first big "hello" and hug, that I knew would be coming in just moments. I wasn't sad, or really even that nervous,
I was literally just filled with ridiculous amounts of happiness.
The preparations for SNAP were stressful and tiring, and I'm sure that all of us felt, at SOME point or another, that we just wanted to scream... "WHY ARE WE DOING THIS!?"(lol) but the minute our SNAP team gathered on Wednesday to decorate, stuff swag bags, exchange matching t-shirts and finalize plans for the next few days... that's when everything really started to sink in...THIS WAS HAPPENING!
All of Tauni's countless hours of working on securing our amazing sponsors and venue, Lara's crazy late-night designing sessions and all of our teams' hard work of pulling on amazing speakers and organizing each event... was finally going to pay off!
Hoards of beautiful, confident, funny, smart, talented women bloggers in one room, all at the same time?
Be still my heart.
Photo: Rhonna Designs
Blog world is quite wonderfully-strange if you think about it:
All of these remarkable women, sharing their thoughts, ideas, projects and feelings with each other EVERY day, and most of us not ever really having a chance to meet face to face. We support each other through the toughest of trials, rejoice with one another when times are happy, and most of all, whether we intend to or not... inspire, motivate and uplift each other.
Photo: The 36th Avenue
Sassy, cute Desiree and me
Photo: Orange Blossom Shop
Shauna and the Eighteen25 girls
As bloggers we have been given such an amazing platform to voice and share our opinions, thoughts and life experiences to the world. For me, taking "the word to the street" (if you will, haha) and being able to speak "out loud", just brings blogging full circle, in my eyes. There is nothing better than being able to laugh, cry, hug and scream yelps-of-joy at each other, when you finally get to cross paths IN PERSON, with the bloggers who inspire you on a daily basis.
Discovering and Defining your Style, panel: Me, Ana White (Knock off Wood) Emily (Decor Chick) and Kate (Centsational Girl)
I have to say that the BEST part about SNAP!, was that it was basically just a bunch of friends getting together who ALREADY knew so much about each other! We're almost able to skip the "hello, tell me about you's", and just get straight to the hyper clapping fits and crazy amounts of hugging!
Photo: The Diary of Daves Wife
Yes... Kristy DID request a "Tater-Smith" Sandwich... and here at SNAP!, we aim to please.
:)
Becki and Me
There aren't a whole lot of places where you can feel 100% at home, without actually being... AT home, but SNAP! was definitely that for me. From crazy faced photos and laughing till we cried, to a sweaty, crazy-loud dance party... we pretty much did it all.
My only regret, is that it flew by so fast! I tried to soak in each spare moment between moderating and attending classes that I had, to get to know all of the amazing bloggers better who came to SNAP!...but I'm pretty sure I'd need at least another week or more, to really feel like I could go home satisfied.
PS. I'm totally pushing for a full day of just food and talking next year. It should be an all day event, and nobody would be able to leave until they had met EVERYONE.
What do ya say? :)
To wrap things up, I just wanted to leave you with a little quote that I think ties in perfectly to what I talked about during my discovering your style panel, and also SNAP's theme this year of "Just Be You".
So often in life we feel the need to conform to what we THINK everyone else wants us to be... instead of just embracing the role we were born to play. Don't get me wrong, I think there is always room for improvement in our lives, but I believe that true happiness on the outside AND inside can only really come, when we decide to love and respect ourselves.
One of our classes at SNAP! this year was on trends and how to be a trend-setter. I loved ALL the panelists advice, but something that Lara said, really stuck out to me.
"YOU be the trend."
When you stop trying... you start being.
Live in the moment, find happiness in the everyday, and rise above the rest, by just being... YOU.
Ha-my pictures made it onto House of Smiths-I can now die a happy woman :) I had a blast at SNAP and can't wait for next year. Speaking of which-when do tickets go on sale? haha I want to buy my ticket EARLY so that I know I'm going! Your amazing and wonderful-keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteKari
Newlyweds on a Budget
Fabulous recap post my dear!! I am so happy that I got to see you again! SNAP was so awesome and all of you amazing ladies did such a fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteShelley!! I love this post. I just need to tell you...you were one of my favorite parts of SNAP. Honestly girl, you are HYSTERICAL and can captivate an audience. I really wanted to meet you and when I did, you were just as great in person as you are reading this blog. And I know I wasn't the only one who felt this way. I was sad I never got a photo with you. I really hope to attend SNAP 2013 and meet you again. SNAP knocked my socks off and I appreciate all of you ladies who took the time to make it happen!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great meeting you Shelley! You are just as fabulous in person. And please don't be surprised if we ask for a Tater-Smith sandwich next year. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing conference, I never even heard of it before until I started reading your blog a few months ago. I'd love to go next year! Is there anywhere that I can subscribe so I don't miss next years? Like a SNAP website or facebook page?
ReplyDeleteP.S. You look fanastic & healthy!
Looks like a blast!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad I didn't get to talk to you! Thanks to you and the other ladies for putting on a fabulous conference!
ReplyDeleteShelley--you look ABSOLUTELY amazing!! You are truly inspiring. Please...WHERE do you shop--darling outfits!!
ReplyDeleteSNAP looks like a blast. Hmmm...maybe next year?!
What a great recap! It was such a delight to meet you and listen to your wise (but Hil-AR-ious) words of advice. A day of food and talking would be great (because I know there were amazing women there whom I did not have an opportunity to meet.) It was a great event and you all went above and beyond our expectations. Well done! Two Snaps up in a circle!
ReplyDeletei was too nervous to come introduce myself to you, haha! I agree, the only thing missing from SNAP was more down-time to sit, chat and eat ;) I hope to officially meet you next time! xo
ReplyDeleteI've always said you have the cutest kids ever and I see where they get it. You look soo good, absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing you again!!! You looked amazing miss skinny minnie!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome weekend you had. I am seriously so proud of you and all that you have accomplished!
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds like the best time! I am so hoping to go next year! By the way, all of your outfits look awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous recap! Listening to you talk on your panel was one of my favorites--you have such a gift of making us go from crying to laughing in, well, a snap! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'm totally game for a whole day of food & chatting! That was my one BIG regret this year--time went by too quickly and there were loads of people I wanted to talk to more but just didn't have time to!
Snap was one of the greatest moments of my life! Loved it! It was awesome to finally meet you!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you all had a ton of fun... What a great way to get together and finally meet :) I hope one day to attend!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Diana
Thank you so much for this. I hope to be there next year! :-)
ReplyDeleteI meant every word of the way I feel about that little piece of advice from Miss Shelley House of Smiths. It will change me forever. Thanks for doing awesome things, and writing amazing wrap-ups, and giving amazing advice. You, are amazing.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your roundup, Shelley! You guys did such a fab job making this event happen. I'm so glad I finally got to meet you! I think there should be some sort of speed dating type event so we can all meet each other next year. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, Shelley, what a perfectly YOU recap of SNAP! I loved being there & getting to spend a little time with you & all the other SNAP girls. y'all did a fantastic job, it was a complete 100% success. I enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait for the next one. Blogging is wonderful and the friendships I've made, just life-changing. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kari on this one; my pics on HOS and I can die a happy girl! But seriously, you are one seriously awesome lady and I loved getting the chance to meet you in person. SNAP was fab and I can't wait until next year {and to do your headshot!}.
ReplyDeleteholl.A! This was sooo much fun! LOVED every single bit...& ALL of your hard work paid off...we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts! *& I was giddy to see you shared my stuff....mmmmwah! *** xoxo R
ReplyDeleteLoved your re-cap! And thanks for letting me smoosh in with you and Jen for the #tatersmithsandwich :0) I was afraid I was being slightly stalkerish...But I just couldn't help myself ♥
ReplyDeleteIf ya help do you get in for CHEAP!!! I'd love to come next year and I am good at grunt work!
ReplyDeleteI wanta come next year!! Is there a cinderella discount for those willing to do grunt work??
ReplyDeleteGreat re-cap with so many details and great pics. How do you put it all together so quickly? I love that you related the Dr. Seuss quote to the theme of SNAP! I think many of the classes and closing speaker did a great job at encouraging us to "Just Be You." I really felt inspired and motivated to share more of my true self through blogging.
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun being roomies. You are amazing and I am so blessed to have you as a friend. You are amazing. Love you!!!!!
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo
Shelley, Love your post...They are always so light-hearted and fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for being a part of this amazing adventure with me.
xoxo
Tauni
I loved your post Shelley, all the pictures, and your great perspective... I am in total agreement for a fun all day food and gab session! And girrrl, I heard you tore up the dance floor?! The DJ and the dancing was so awesome. Hopefully next year I won't get sick and can get out there with you! It was so great to meet you finally, and I am so glad that you all worked so hard to put together this amazing conference. Tauni deserves an award, hehe.
ReplyDeleteI expect no less than a great re-cap from you, you have such wisdom;) I agree on the day to chat with everyone. So many I didn't get to chat with...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a blast!
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how photogenic you are. Every photo you take it looks like that moment is the best moment ever.
Beautifully written and inspiring. I'm planning on going to my VERY first conference in June ~The Haven Conference~ and I don't know why but I'm SO nervous!! You made me get excited! Thank you! ~Linda
ReplyDeleteIt was great seeing you again and thank you so much for including me in your wrap up post! All you ladies did an amazing job with the event and I can not wait to see what the future holds for SNAP!
ReplyDeleteShelley, it was such an honor to meet you! You are a doll and like Vivienne said, "Hil-AR-ious"! You guys did an amazing job with Snap - thank you!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove it, girl!! I really enjoyed sitting with you and gushing about our awesome hubbies!! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me, and thanks for be an inspiration to everyone. You, my dear, are awesome!! XO
ReplyDeleteWould you please please please do a source list on your clothes.. LOL... I love the outfits and would enjoy knowing where you got them! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED it all! and I loved that night with you, just what I needed. Yay for Snap! Can't wait for Snap 2013!
ReplyDeleteSO fun! I loved seeing you get all giddy and emotional on Wednesday! IT was finally happening! Man was it a huge blast and success!
ReplyDeleteNext year I WILL be at SNAP! I live in Florida so its a long haul for me and extra expensive plane ticket, but its definitely a 2013 goal for me! :) I want to meet you and so many other bloggers I follow on a daily basis!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I got to hang with you a bit at Snap Shelley! I love that picture of of us with Rhonna! It was all too much fun, I'll definitely be back next year. Love the idea of a day of food and talk, that's perfect! Also, rumor has it that we have you to thank for the awesome dance party, so thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteThat was SO MUCH FUN! Thanks for all the effort & hard work the SNAP team put into making it so fabulous. SO glad I came! And, OF COURSE,
ReplyDeleteWarmly, Michelle
Love your recap! It was super cool to meet you in person! You guys did some an awesome job on the conference. Thank you for all of your sweat and stress!
ReplyDeleteSeriously is there anything you can't do? You are so amazing. By far the best public speaker, so motivational, darling, hilarious, relatable, kind, beautiful, made me cry nearly each story, and just down right you. Thanks for allowing us to know you through Snap and for all your hard work. You all did so much and I am so glad to have FINALLY met you. Please say hi whenever you are at Gygi's, would love to see you again.
ReplyDeleteNewest follower! Came over from My Craft Channel. COme over and say hello :)
ReplyDeleteSo I never ever post on blogs, I'm just a reader, but I just have to say, you are looking amazing! Congrats on your weight loss and keep up the good work!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteShelley! What a recap! You, my dear, are a goddess, a gift, a gorgeous lady. A stud, a sweetheart, a sassy girl, a super talent, a sensation, and soon-to-be stencil pro! It was beyond wonderful to meet you and all the amazing SNAPtastic ladies last weekend!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help with the stencil class and can't wait to see you next year!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of pictures--and I love Michele's idea of a "speed dating" set up for next year ;) I'm glad I got to say hi and pretend I was dancing with you!
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm for life and for this SNAP conference makes me want to attend. And I'm not even one wit crafty! Love your blog - it inspires me to think about getting crafty. :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure why my comment didn't post? But trying again...
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm for life, and for this SNAP conference is catchy! Love your blog - it inspires a non-crafty girl to think about getting crafty!
You are a ray of sunshine Shelley. Your heart and personality captivate everyone and I adore you! Thank you for all of your encouragement and wise words. SNAP was awesome and all of the teams' hard work paid off tenfold! xoxo
ReplyDelete