When I walked out of the San Diego airport to head to BlogHer ’11, the first thing I did while I waited impatiently for the hotel shuttle that doesn’t exist to arrive was to text Patrick and tell him that we were moving. 2 minutes outside in the year-round sunshine, 50% humidity, 72º temperature, and ocean breezes, and I was ready to pack up my life and move to San Diego.

But with two swift text responses, Mr. Debbie Downer put the kibosh on our future move to paradise.

Jerk.

Because, seriously. THIS, would be worth every penny.

I’d never been to California and never put my toes in the Pacific Ocean. Thursday, I dragged 4 other people, 3 of whom I’ve never met, to Coronado to fulfill a life dream of mine. Seeing the Del Coronado hotel, the inspiration for my now-2nd-favorite hotel, the Grand Floridian at Disney World, was something I’d wanted to do for at least the last 20 years. I’m somewhat of a hotel nerd seeing as my Bachelor’s major was Hospitality Management, so visiting the Del Coronado was a must-do on my list of Shit To Do.

SOME people may have laughed at me said it was a small dream to visit the Del Coronado and have dinner on the beach (thanks to Brand About Town & being #NintendoEnthused), but for me, it was not small.

Yes, I may have teared as we walked around the hotel and the beach. Yes, I have small dreams compared to others. But they are my dreams. It couldn’t have happened if so many big things hadn’t aligned, so fulfilling a dream to visit THIS hotel, was and is a big deal to me.

I will go back and stay there someday. I will go back and stay in a fancy hotel room and not care about the cost of my $16 margarita on the beach.

I will go back one day and stay at the Del Coronado with my family and fulfill another life goal.

For now, as Oprah and Miss Britt say, I’m going think of bigger dreams to dream while I drink margaritas the size of my face.

all photo credits: Me, and no, you can’t copy them. You can see all of my best San Diego photos on my Flickr.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, blogher 11, california, pacific ocean, san diego

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Past Pick-a-Random-Photo-from-My-Flickr Sunday editions: #100 #146 #89

Picked from page #36 (number randomly selected by my Vodka Angel, Allison)

Dragonfly Macro Closeup

Picked from page #145 (number randomly selected by my other Vodka Angel, Meredith)

I LOVE MY MISHI! from BlogHer '09

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, dragonfly, flickr, Friends, macro, mishi, photos

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Minor disclaimer:

I’m just going to come right out and say it: I love receiving “sponsored” products.

There’s rarely a person, online or off, who would say they don’t like getting things sent to them in return for writing about the products. It’s kind of one of the perks to being famous on the internet a moderately successful blogger.

Yes, there are many people who disagree with me who want to be paid actual cash money for writing a review or mentioning they received “sponsored” products, but for me, if I like something, I’m going to tell you about it whether it’s sponsored or not. <<<< long sentence alert

I used to feel obligated to tell the people of the internets all about a sponsored product I received and make sure I told the world about it in a succinct and proper professional manner. But times have changed. I’m the one in control of my blog and my online persona. I get to tell you want I want you to hear. I’m not controlled by the companies and PR firms sending me the free stuffs.

Yes, I’m a rebel.

OK, not really, but I do a good job of playing a rebel in my head. I’m also insanely rich, have a pet spider monkey, and can dance like Michael Jackson in my head, but that’s a different story.

Not everyone agrees with me, and that’s OK for me. I’m not sure if it’s OK for them, but c’est la vie. <<<< totally googled that

Above disclaimer aside, I’m in LUUURRVE with the Sorrelli jewelry I received this year to wear at BlogHer ’10. LOVE. Wanna marry. Would live in a cabin by a mountain lake for eternity with this jewelry.

Before I started blogging, I found out about Sorrelli because every gay man, woman, and rich child in my hometown was wearing it with everything from t-shirts to evening gowns. It’s stunning jewelry. When I started this whole conference-going thing and realized I could ask companies to send “sponsored” products to me in exchange for my opinion and spreading the word about the products, I twittered @sorrelli and asked if they’d want to participate in “Decorate Angie for BlogHer ’09.” Because I’m Awesome, they loved the idea, and they sent me and a few other lucky ladies some jewelry.

Jump ahead to this year’s BlogHer ’10, I asked again, and since they still love me, Sorrelli said, “Heck yeah, we wanna send you some fantastical jewelries!” or something like that.

This year, I received THE. MOST. GORGEOUS. necklace and earrings combo.

SOOOO, since that picture isn’t the best representation of the gorgousness this necklace embodies (is that even proper verbage?), here’s Sorrelli’s stock photo of the earrings/necklace combo (click on pics to see more about the jewelry on Sorrelli’s site):

Flat-out beautiful, right? If I want to be noticed (see: hair is fixed, clothes without an elastic waistband), I wear one of my Sorrelli pieces. It’s impossible NOT to receive a compliment when I wear one of my necklaces. It’s also a good way to pretend I’m important, and it distracts people from my fat belly rolls.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blogging, blogher, jewelry, sorrelli, Sponsored

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This is that special time of year when the grass is green, the pools are full of splashing kids, boobs are sweating, and bloggers prepare for the big trek to our Mecca.

BlogHer 2010

If you’re not going to BlogHer this year, you should be. Also, I’m sorry. You can stop reading now, or continue for the laughs. I hope to have laughs, but considering the foul mood I’m in for no reason, you may not get laughs today. bygones Also, I need all the help I can get.

Anyhooters, I’m going to BlogHer in August. Patrick is going to BlogHer. Our girls are going to gramma’s for a week. SWEEEET deals all around.

Mine isn’t the only husband tagging along for the lady-heavy event. I don’t plan to see him much other than some of the parties and when I stumble into bed. And really, he’s OK with that and I’m OK with that. It’s NYC for frick’s sake. He and the other dozen or so husbands will be off having their own circle jerks non-shopping, heavy-on-the-drinking bonding time.

The biggest worry for any lovely lady attending The Blogging Event of the Year is WHAT TO WEAR? Last year I was lucky enough to be sponsored by Lane Bryant for some of my clothing, and this year I’m hoping for the same (this is me standing in front of a company, asking it to love her and sponsor her). If that does or doesn’t happen, I still need to find some clothes.

This girl? She has none. No, really. OK, almost none.

I’m on a mission.

A mission to find adorable shirts (I have good shorts & capris – I KNOW! AMAZING!) and flattering dresses.

Now, dear internets, please to be shopping for me.

* I’m a size XL.
* My belleh needs hiding.
* I can accentuate the boobages.
* My ass is lumpy (see: no form-fitting)
* I ain’t got the monies to be spending tons, so inexpensive is the way to go.

I BEG of you. PLEASE find mama some clothes.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, clothing

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This is how me and my people roll.

These are (some of) the people of my internets. They are gorgeous, smart, hilarious, friendly, loved, creative, and lovely.

These ladies will be at BlogHer ’10. It will be epic.

Mishi, Lotus, Piper all making out together.

My Piper is going through a tough time. Still.

I, along with my people, are doing what we can to support Piper.

PLEASE go see how you can help, too.

Donate $10 to help Piper and enter to win something fabulous. You know, like an iPod Touch, pretty pictures, a personalized stamper. Cool stuff from cool people. There’s always the chance that you could win the opportunity to paint Avitable’s nut sack (not yet on the list of prizes, but for the right price, I’m sure it could be).

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, donate, piper, prizes

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Yes, this is another BlogHer 09 recap. Move along if you don’t want to read another one. suckit

• A good bra is way better than a pocket or purse for carrying an iPhone. It also draws a lot of attention when you pull things out of your bra.
• Soft beds are meant for napping, not for all-night sleeping in a bed with someone you just met whom you try not to touch while the room is spinning.
• I like kissing my friends.

1. Kissin on Mr Lady, 2. Kissin on Terra, 3. Kissing on Sugerpants, 4. You can’t stop the blond curls from uniting, 5. Flinger Kisses Lotus – and Mishi?, 6. Kissin on Maria, 7. Sam loves my kisses, 8. Kissin on Anissa Mayhew

• My new BFF is Ree, The Pioneer Woman. For realsies. We cried together at the Community Keynote. (photo courtesy of The Pioneer Woman)

• I don’t like being alone.
• I like having a plan.
• Trying to get +/- 20 people together for a dinner is an impossibility and it will end you up at a place with very salty pasta and overpriced alcoholic drinks. Note: I didn’t actually pay for the 1/2 full drinks. I know how to snake a drink when someone leaves it sitting there.
• Babies and kids do not belong at bars or adult parties.
• I like free stuff and I’m not ashamed to say it, but I will NOT cut a bitch or elbow a baby to get it.
• Bossy still gives the best hugs. I’d like for all of you to try to be better next time, k?
• I don’t want to call out my new/old friends because I will inevitably forget someone whom I now love in real life.

ADDED: I see you people lurking. I know you’re here, now just comment, dammit. It’s how I measure my self-worth. And while you’re at it, add me to your feed reader and follow me on Twitter. Yes, I’m shameless, but that’s why you should love me.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 74 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, blogher09, Friends

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I’ll be very honest – I’m a lucky girl.

VERY lucky.

Not only do I get to go to BlogHer 09 tomorrow (or today, or three months ago depending on when you read this), but a few very awesome companies have given me their products to show off.

Lane Bryant, or the lovely store for the ladies with the lovely lady lumps, offered $100 gift card along with an incredible $50 off coupon for me and a few other BlogHer attendees (thanks, Amy!) to shop for some outfits for the conference. I’ve been a fan of LB for a few years (since I became a fatty), so I was more than happy to show of their plus-size clothes. Why? One word: fit. More specifically, the Right Fit jeans fit my butt. That, my friends, if muy importante when it comes to jeans.

I HEART Sorrelli jewelry. Like, LOVE. If you want/like/enjoy/feed on attention, wear Sorrelli jewelry. No matter when I wear it (dinner, party, Target, etc.), I receive compliments. Seriously. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

It’s beautiful.

The semi-precious stones and Austrian crystals sparkle more than my eyes. That’s saying a lot considering my mama tells me all the time that my eyes sparkle. Right, Mama? Right?

I’ll be wearing Sorrelli every night of BlogHer, including the pieces below given to me by Sorrelli. GOR.GEOUS. Right now through Sunday, July 26, Sorrelli is offering an additional 5% off your order EVEN sale items, with coupon code BLOGHER5. Speaking of sale items, the Summer Sale at Sorrelli.com is going on through THIS FRIDAY ~ save 15% on orders of $100 or more. Combine the two for 20% off Sorrelli. HUGE. MASSIVE. GET YOU SOME!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I sell and have sold Sorrelli jewelry in my store, but this promotion has nothing to do with me selling Sorrelli or my connection with Sorrelli.

Here are a few of the items I’ll be showing off:

I’ll be honest, I have yet to wear the two pieces Yummie Tummie is giving me to lift my shirt to show off, but it’s waiting for me at the hotel. They’re giving me two of their tanks, one being the Boyfriend Tank below.

Yummie Tummie shapewear is made to make your middle tight, but it’s different than underwear because it’s meant to be worn on the outside or as a complement to your clothes. If it makes me look like this girl, I’m giving my 2nd born to Yummie Tummie. She’s a hard worker when motivated by candy.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, clothing, jewelry, Sponsored

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If you’re not going to BlogHer, please turn around and walk away, cause until sometime in August, that’s all you’re gonna hear about here. suckit

I’m crazy-excited to go. Crazy nervous-poops excited. ALREADY.

2 weeks away!

I have all of my clothes purchased, and my Sorrelli jewelry is on its way.

I shall be the hotness.

I will NOT, however,

• *lose the extra 50 pounds I need to lose
• *have enough money for a new tattoo
• *be the cutest girl there (that’d be OHmommy w/ her hotass Louboutins)
• *have a most excellent bag/purse/satchel
• *miss out on tackling all of my imaginary friends

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher

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I’m a self-proclaimed Lazy* Perfectionist** with a blog named A Whole Lot of Nothing. That pretty much sums me up in the social media world.

A good day for me starts after 9am, I find clothes out of the laundry room, it continues with DVRd shows to watch as I Twitter, and ends with clean towels in the linen closet.  A normal day would be up at 8:30am, lucky to find clean undies, watching Noggin shows with my girls making a mess, and ends without a shower.

I do not cook. I do not clean. I do not claim to be any sort of housewife other than the kind that succeeds at surviving the day with semi-happy children. I am lucky enough to have a husband that understands my low-achieving lifestyle and suffers through my inadequacies.

My accomplishments in life include my two girls, an abnormally high knowledge of crap TV shows, my semi-successful online store, Good for the Kids, and I somehow earned a Master’s degree along the way.

*I wrote this as a bio for a super secret, don’t ask don’t tell, upcoming site. Don’t ask me what it is or I’ll have to kill you.
I hate it when people keep secrets.

**Lazy Perfectionist meaning: if I can’t do it perfectly, I don’t do it at all, so nothing gets done.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blogher, Lazy

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Most of ‘us’ are here on the interwebs for very important, very diverse reasons.

The main reason: socializing without having to actually get dressed or talk to someone face-to-face. According to my highly-scientific research, 90% of the lovely ladies and germy gents socializing online are way too nervous to meet anyone in person.

Which makes the annual BlogHer conference the biggest anxiety-ridden social experiment of the year. In an attempt to make my attacks of rub-upping more comfortable, here’s my Myth/Reality guide to making myself yourself feel better about exiting your hotel room and talking to actual people.

Myth – “People won’t know who I am and when I tell them my name and blog name, they won’t think I’m good enough to talk to.”
Reality – Many people you talk to WON’T know you by your name, but rather will know by your Twitter handle, your blog design, your reputation, and most importantly, your avatar. If they DO know you, 99% of them will love you and want to squeeeeeeeze on you. If they DON’T know you, they want to know you and will end up squeeeeeeeezing on you. If they know you and don’t like you OR don’t know you and don’t care to know you, call them a cunt behind their back.
Solution: Give less than a ladybug’s crap about what other people think.

Myth – “People will laugh at me.”
Reality – Yes. Yes they will, but only if you want them to. (See: Me) If you don’t want them laughing at you, don’t fall on your face or walk out of the bathroom w/ your skirt in your undies.
Solution: If/when you fall on your face, laugh with them; and don’t wear undies so the skirt doesn’t get stuck. Going ‘Commando’ is very freeing and lets your lady bits breathe.

Myth – “I won’t be as cute as everyone else.”
Reality – Hell yeah you will be! Start your shopping now (if you haven’t already) and build your outfits. You’ll need at least 2 outfits/day WITH accessories. Get your friends (or sister) to help you shop, but make sure you buy clothes that are beyond awesome and you feel good wearing. TRUST ME, you will wear something someone else wants.
Solution: If you think something looks good on someone else, TELL THEM. There’s nothing better than hearing a compliment from another lovely lady. Then ask where she got it and buy a copy when you get home. It’s not copying – it’s inspiration.

Myth – “I’ll be too fat and too embarrassed to show my fat.”
Reality – You might think you’re fat, but really, you’re not the fattest in the room. ——> She is.
Solution: Shut your fat face and OWN IT. Plus, no one else cares.

So, dear anxiety-ridden ladies, know you’re not alone. Even us funny girls are as nervous as all get-out at meeting you, too. Just do it.

If you need, I’ll be your BlogHer buddy. I’ll be the fat one you’re laughing at all medicated-up on Zoloft.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing • Your Favorite Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 41 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: anxiety, blogher

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