Well now. This is a post I never thought I’d be conjuring up, but here I am three days before heading to a blogging conference. My take on this whole idea of a “blogging conference” pre-thissummer would’ve likely been a bunch of super extroverted girls (or maybe just social media-obsessed gals with socially awkward realities – haha!) all gathering around a metaphorical campfire to chat about Longchamp bags and monograms and sororities (and maybe how excited we all are about the return of the PSL amiright?) and the magical world of blogging. But now that I’ve got some solid besties from le internet, I can’t even make fun. Instead, I can just get pumped for this coming weekend when I head up to the Big Apple to chat about blogging and beyond, enjoy talks on a variety of topics in communications and brand-based industries, and meet some awesome new gals. Seriously y’all, blogging is SO much more than it’s sometimes cracked up to be.

I’ve already spent more time than I’d like to admit trying to plan out packing for the weekend; you’re heading to a place where literally every person there is documenting every moment for a blog, an Instagram post, a Snap story…it’s gonna get insane, and everyone wants to look picture perfect. Literally. While I want to make sure I’m putting my best pink pointy-toe forward and always lookin’ on fleek, I also need to focus on consolidating and packing concisely.

Typically, I’m just blatantly bad at this. On my last conference trip with J, I packed seven dresses. I only needed *two*. Why I couldn’t just make up my mind ahead of time is beyond me. Having choices meant options, but it also meant less space for other things and more crap to lug around. Not cool – and especially not cool when I’m going to be in transit between states, on various means of transportation, in lodging, at conference halls…you get the point.

I’ll have to follow-up in a week on whether or not my picks here are en pointe, but for now, here’s what I’ve gathered to be the set of essentials to pack for a blog conference. And below it all, I’ve linked as many similar things as I can possibly find for your own conference-packing and shopping pleasure!

Work supplies.

This is a blogging conference after all…gotta be ready to #werk! I’m packing my camera, planner/editorial calendar/notebook extraordinaire and my favorite colored pens from Pilot for taking notes and remembering everything come Monday. A stack of business cards will be in my pocket always (gotta be prepared for anything!), and my Polette sunglasses will be on hand for any spontaneous outside runs to Starbucks (since that will undoubtedly happen, and it shall be photographed all the way). I’ve got my chargers in tote (and not pictured, my iPad for any work during the conference itself) and a kickbutt travel coffee mug from A Cup of Quotes – use code BLOGANDCOFFEE for free shipping on your own sass-filled mug! – for caffeinated refills. My new Kate Spade will be making an appearance too, because it’s all about looking fetch, right? Right.

Beauty essentials. And my cat.

 

She’s just too cute to leave at home. She was also hella comfy and did n-o-t want to move for pictures, so meet Pumpkin. Besides the kitten, I’m grabbing a few of my beauty essentials to throw in my Vera Bradley duffel before setting sail for NYC. In the upper right, I’ve got three Physicians Formula goodies that are CLUTCH. Their Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit is absolutely awesome – a near-perfect lookalike to the Younique 3D Fiber lashes, but for half the price. And you guys know I love my fiber lashes. Then there’s the Physicians’ Formula Argan Wear Renew BB Cream – my current favorite. It goes on flawlessly with great coverage but still feels light, making it the quintessential face goop for summer. To the right of that is my PF Argan Wear Glow Renewing Argan blush (what a mouthful, right?); it has gold flecks on the top of the compacted powder, so you end up with a rosy glow that literally glows.

My two lippies of choice for travel are my Nyx Butter Lipstick in the shade Pop – an Ipsy find – and my Maybelline Brazen Berry lipstick. This Maybelline lippie is another all-time fave; it’s bold and bright, but subtle enough to not distract from the rest of your face! (No “grape lip” effect, as my fiance as so fondly dubbed it). Both go on smoothly and easily without a mirror, making them musts for on-the-move conference weekends!

The lower righthand product and the circular tub are both hitting the blog in the near future, so stay tuned. BUT. You know how we love our coffee around these parts? (We do!) This Moisturize 911 cream is from Posh Pampering. It’s caffeinated. Literally a neck and face cream that has caffeine in it to perk up your senses and get you feeling more lively, sans ingestion. It. is. fabulous. And my tub of goodness, as I’ve named it, is actually a Brazilian Bombshell body butter, also from Posh. It’s creamy – but not greasy – and oh-so-indulgent, quickly absorbing into your skin and leaving you feeling moisturized and coconutty and bombshell-y. (It made last month’s Favorites!)

My Remington wand is a finishing touch here, because girl’s gotta have her ‘do done right. Ya feel? This wand gets my hair curled and ready to go in <10 minutes, and leaves me with a style that lasts for at least three days. Yup. Three. Days. Enough for a weekend conference for sure.

Things to wear.

*And pack and paint on your nails.

All toiletries are travel-size and going in a clear plastic sheets bag for easy storage and travel, because the WORST thing is having some bottle of goop explode all over your stuff. The. Worst. I’m bringing my pointy pink Forever 21 heels for some fun and color during conference days, but you can bet I’m packing comfy sandals to squeeze in my bag should my feet not be feelin’ heels. The lower black jumpsuit is my go-to power piece from Ann Taylor; it’s perfect for professional wear, but also is just so cool and looks amazing for a classier night out. Then I’ve got a color-poppy ensemble, pairing a hot pink fit n’ flare high-waisted skirt with this pleated seafoam green tank from Target. And what would a blogging conference be without some hometown representation, right? Repping roses with this fun Boohoo romper for traveling around.

 

 

The gist is this: Pack for versatility and flexibility. Any outfits should be able to easily go day to night…same with shoes, bags, supplies, the works. Pack tightly and compactly with travel-friendly things that serve multiple purposes to max out efficiency and effectiveness. Have all of your essentials close at hand: business cards, notepad, lippy, wallet, phone, gum, pen, etc.

Have you ever been to a blog conference? What are your must-haves to pack?

Will report back after the weekend with details on the actual conference. My excitement is definitely building, especially since I learned we’ve got Chipotle for lunch errrr’day. #BringOnTheBurritoBowls.