Micaela  (Mindful Momma), Anna  (Green Talk), me, Harriet (Climate Mama), Leigh  (Green 4 You), Katy (Non-Toxic Kids) and Brenna  (Almost All the Truth).

Bear with me please. I can’t stop writing about BlogHer 2012. Not because it was so extraordinary (it was) and not because there’s so much to say. The truth is I feel compelled to share all of my photos from BlogHer 2012 since I have a new camera and I can’t stop playing with it. So hang in there. This could very well be the last BlogHer 2012 post, then back to our regularly scheduled programming.

I already took you through day one at BlogHer with Stonyfield Organics and through my vegan findings in New York City, but there’s still more to share.

On Friday night I had a chance to meet-up with the some of the fabulous bloggers (I’m one of those bloggers!) and editors at Moms Clean Air Force.

Throughout this enormous conference (5,000 bloggers) I found ways to connect with new and old friends during smaller dinners and parties. Each of these meet-ups were by far the best part of the conference.

Lindsay, me, Julia, Heather, Sommer, Beth, Tiffany, Stephanie, Anna, Micaela, Katy and Janice (photo credit).

I even had a chance to meet my cousin Aviva for the first time. She blogs over at Old Mom Young Child-check her out!

The celebrity line-up at BlogHer didn’t disappoint. Clearly bloggers are a force to be reckoned with. Just look at who took time out of their busy schedules to speak to us. To kick off the conference, President Obama addressed the crowd and reminded us that “The Choice Women Face This Election Could Not Be Bigger”. Then came Martha Stewart (my camera was in my room).

And then Katie Couric rocked the crowd, promoting her new show: Katie. Katie is just as vivacious in real life as she is on television. She knows how to speak to her audience and was able to relate to all of us. Just adorable. And check out those pipes and legs (can’t see them in the photo, but trust me they were spectacular), which she attributes to spinning.

Next up Christy Turlington Burns (Every Mother Counts), Soledad O’Brien (Soledad O’Brien and Brad Raymond Foundation) and Malaak Compton-Rock (The Angel Rock Project) who were all inspirational and passionate about making the world a better place.

Soledad O’Brien is a remarkable woman.

Me, Soledad O’Brien, Katy Farber and Micaela Preston

There’s no question BlogHer is what you make it. There were pieces I loved and parts that I didn’t. That’s true with most things in life. Right now I’m planning to head to BlogHer 2013 in Chicago next year. I’m hoping to add on a little extra time to see my family in Wisconsin and my friends in Chicago.

If I didn’t see you at BlogHer this year I hope to find you at the next one!

The Stonyfield Gang (L to R) Chandra, Carrie, Kristina, me, Micaela from Mindful Momma

Whew. I just returned from a crazy fun weekend in New York City.  BlogHer 2012 has come to a close after much laughter, sweat (incredibly hot and humid), reconnecting with old friends and making new. BlogHer is the largest blogging conference and this year was a big crowd with over 5,000  bloggers, speakers, brands and others.

Getting to NY was a breeze. I took the Acela (high speed train) from Boston  for the first time and loved it. After a 3 1/2 hour ride with WiFi and a few of my Stonyfield friends I found myself in Penn Station. After  quick cab ride to the hotel I was ready to enjoy my weekend.

My first night in New York was spent at a small, intimate party hosted by Stonyfield Organics and Healthy Child Healthy World.  Micaela Preston from Mindful Momma and I were blogger ambassadors for the party. I had a chance to address the group and spoke a bit about how both organizations hold a place near and dear to my heart.  As some of you may know, I’m a Yo-Getter ambassador for Stonyfield and I’m a Parent Ambassador for Healthy Child Healthy World.

The party made a huge conference feel much more manageable by bringing together a small group of  active, green, like-minded and passionate people.

Photo: Lindsay Dahl (Safer Chemicals Healthy Families), Micaela Preston (Mindful Momma), Anna Hackman (Green Talk), Karen Lee (Eco Karen) and me

After the party a small group of us were treated to dinner at Chelsea’s Table - a new restaurant opened by Stonyfield founder Gary Hirshberg.

The chef brought out course after course of delicious food.

And that was only the first night……more details of my fabulous weekend in New York coming soon.

Big thank you to Stonyfield Organics for sponsoring my trip to BlogHer12. I also received a complementary pair of Neuaura Mulberry shoes from Compassion Couture Shop which kept my feet happy at BlogHer. All opinions and comments are my very own.

It’s hard to believe an entire year has flown by since I went to my very first BlogHer. It was just one year ago that I was celebrating my one year blogaversary in the fantastic city of San Diego. The conference was everything I had expected and then some. After 4 days away I stumbled home needing a nap and a good foot massage, but filled with inspiration, new friendships and confirmation that Groovy Green Livin is the right place for me.

What is BlogHer?

Imagine thousands of bloggers all in one space. Add to that speakers, brands and many others that make BlogHer the blogging conference that it is.  BlogHer is the largest blogging conference for women (and a handful of brave men). This week I’m headed to New York City forBlogHer 2012. New York City has always held a special place in my heart-I was born there and my family has longstanding roots in the City. I’m very grateful that I’ll be celebrating my second blogaversary with new and old friends in the city that never sleeps (not sure I will either!).

President Obama, Katie Couric and Martha Stewart

This just in-President Obama will be will be addressing the BlogHer Attendees on Thursday. Wow. We will also be hearing keynotes from Martha Stewart and Katie Couric. There’s so much more happening. I promise to share the highlights.

Big News: I’m sponsored by Stonyfield Organic

Not only am I going to this uber-cool conference, but I’m also honored and beyond excited to have my trip to New York sponsored by one of my all-time favorite brands: Stonyfield Organic. I’ve been working with Stonyfield Organic over the past year as a Yo-Getter, which is their brand ambassador program. I’m also very excited to join forces with fellow Yo-Getter and my friend Micaela from Mindful Momma, who will also be working with Stonyfield at BlogHer!

If you’re not familiar with Stonyfield products you can find their delicious organic yogurts, smoothies, soy yogurts, ice cream and milk in most supermarkets, natural food stores and colleges across the country.

Not only do I love Stonyfield products, but their mission is right up my alley: “to work towards all sorts of healthy”.  This company supports hundreds of family farms and keeps over 200,000 agricultural acres free of pesticides and other toxic chemicals commonly used on nonorganic farms.

I’ll be filling you in on all my Stonyfield adventures and happenings during the conference. If you want to follow my BlogHer12 adventures while I’m in New York be sure to follow me on Twitter (hashtag #BlogHer12) and Facebook. I’ll hopefully post some pictures too. You can also follow Stonyfield on Twitter and Facebook for great promotions, information on organics and exciting new products.

My feet

Last year I was told comfy shoes are a must for BlogHer. Did I listen to the advice? Not so much. I ended up with very sore, blistered feet. This year I am excited to try out my Neuaura Mulberry shoes from Compassion Couture Shop, a shop where all the products are 100% animal friendly and are produced by labels that incorporate sustainability into their practices. The shoes are adorable and comfy and will hopefully keep my feet happy throughout the evening parties during the conference.

Time to go to BlogHer!

I can’t wait to connect with so many of you this year. There’s nothing like meeting in real life. I want to extend a huge thank you to Stonyfield Organic for the opportunity to work together and making this year’s trip to BlogHer extra special.

If you are headed to BlogHer this year let me know. I’d love to connect!

Disclosure: Stonyfield Organics is graciously compensating me for my trip to BlogHer this year. I also received a complementary pair of Neuaura Mulberry shoes from Compassion Couture Shop to keep my feet happy at BlogHer. All opinions and comments are my very own.

Photo © Peter Gabriel #3196156

Imagine 3,400 bloggers all in one space. Add to that speakers, brands and many others that helped wow me this past weekend in San Diego for BlogHer.  My days were packed with fabulous sessions, meetings with amazing women and time spent checking out the unimaginable amounts of swag available for the taking.

After four incredible days it was time to head home. The trip was long but thankfully I was sitting next to two bloggers,  one who blogs anonymously so I don’t want to give any of her info away and Megan, who entertained me for the entire 5 + hours on the flight. After giving my boys too many hugs and kisses to count, I spent a good portion of the day yesterday digesting the whirlwind surrounding my adventures at BlogHer.  It’s impossible to document each and every amazing encounter over the weekend, but I will try to highlight a few. I will say that the group of women I met couldn’t have been more interesting, intelligent and diverse. And there was one thing that brought us all together: blogging.

Highlights from BlogHer 2011

View of San Diego from my hotel room. San Diego weather rocks. Thanks to Cathy and Megan for sharing the view.

A highlight of the weekend was connecting with a few of the amazing women from the Green Moms Carnival: Micaela(Mindful Momma), Mary (In Women We Trust), Amber (Strocel.com), Katy (Non-Toxic Kids), Beth (My Plastic Free Life) and Harriet (Climate Mama).  Most of us were armed with our reusable water bottles and disheartened by the amount of single-use plastic disposables used throughout the conference.

Vegan table of food -there was also a gluten free table.

A 5K around the San Diego marina. Thanks to Jess and Kath for pacing me and pushing me to take it up a notch.

Early morning yoga overlooking the water.

Elizabeth and I had fun doing an interview with Mom Central.

Advanced screening of The Help (not the best photo). Two pieces of advice: 1. Go and 2. Bring tissues. It opens August 10, 2011.

So there you have the highlights, but it’s impossible to leave out mention of the decadent parties at night (including a fab greenie party by Calley over at The Echo Chic), the blisters on my feet and the awesome flash mob by 5 Minutes for Mom.

NYC 2012! Anyone in?

Happy one year blogaversary to Groovy Green Livin.

It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by since I first launched this site. Time flies when you’re having fun! There’s no way I could let this date pass without a big thank you to all of YOU. Without you I would be doing a whole lotta talking to myself and that wouldn’t be any fun at all.  So thank you for stopping by and providing me with oodles of support, suggestions, thought provoking comments, questions and ideas. You, my loyal and amazing groovy greenies,  help to make  this work.

In honor of my blogaversary I’ve decided to throw myself a little party and it’s happening in San Diego starting tomorrow. Some of you will be there and some of you won’t-but you’re all invited.  I’m going to celebrate in style at BlogHer.  BlogHer is a conference that brings together thousands (no joke-over 3,000) of women bloggers (and a sprinkling of men) from around the world to discuss, inspire and connect with each other. There will also be brands, brands and more brands there.

I’m ready. My schedule is somewhat daunting, with parties into the wee hours of the night. But I can’t think of any other way I’d want to celebrate. It’s my hope to connect with a handful of some of the incredible bloggers and brands that I’ve gotten to know virtually this past year. Beyond that……I’m willing to wait and see.

My problem of the moment: Getting my red carpet wardrobe together. I’m an over packer and I’m seriously out of control.  Hopefully that will be the biggest issue of the weekend.

If you want to follow my BlogHer adventures be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for updates galore. I’ll hopefully post some pictures too.

More posts about  my blogaversary to come. Stay tuned.

So off I go to celebrate…..thanks for everything!

[Photo used under Creative Commons from D. Sharon Pruit/Flickr]