DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Posts Tagged ‘blmgirls’

BLMGirls DMV Experience

Hello Friends and Happy Monday, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

*

Last Saturday I attended my first Blogger’s Meetup which was held in Washington, DC and sponsored by the BLMGirls DMV Chapter.  BLMGirls.com akaBloggers Like Me is an online community of women bloggers created by Leslie Young  dedicated to the positive exchange of ideas, tips and advice about fashion, beauty, relationships, faith and everything in between.  Through blogging, meetups and social networking we encourage each other and focus on REALationship building!”   

The Experience was also simultaneously being held by the Chapters in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.  When I initially registered for the event I didn’t realize it was during the Labor Day weekend and I almost changed my mind as I did not want to be stuck in Holiday traffic.  Thankfully, the trip to DC was delayed only by a few minor back ups about a half an hour from the venue.   At 2:30 pm, I arrived at the 201Bar, after finding a free-to-park lot across the street on Massachusetts Ave NE (I love FREE).  Upon entering this modernly decorated tavern I was immediately greeted by our hostesses Whitney James and Karen Curtis.

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 003 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 005

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 020

Each table setting held a pink Welcome Folder that contained worksheets including a “Getting to Know You” form and on a separate table there were Swag Bags.  I was the first to arrive but shortly afterwards more lovely ladies began to enter, including my Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority sister who had traveled up from North Carolina.

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 008 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 012

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 007

As more ladies arrived it quickly became a festive atmosphere enhanced only by the mingling which intensified as we got down to the business of completing the “Getting to Know You” form.  As we mixed and mingled the waitstaff began to bring out trays containing the most scrumptious Hors d’eouvres; an assortment of Egg Rolls, Mini Crab Cakes, Jerk Shrimp, Skewered Beef, and Flat Bread Pizza.   We were also given 1 drink ticket for which I used mine for a glass of the house Red Wine – you know me!

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 009 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 013

  BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 024 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 017

The theme of the BLMGirls Experience was Building and Growing your Brand by building REALationships.  Our guest speaker, Arsha Jones of BrandBuildSell provided a lively and very informational presentation on Branding Your Blog. Throughout the presentation she allowed ample time for sharing as well as questions and answers from the group.  We took a short break to dine on Seasoned Chicken Wings, Rolls, Sliced Turkey and Mini Dessert Bars.

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 030    BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 031 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 032

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 028 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 026

At the conclusion of Arsha’s presentation, Whitney’s husband, the designated photographer took a few group photos outside and The Experience ended just as it had started – Perfectly.  Our “Swag Bag” contained a #BLMGirls TShirt and a sample of “Capital City Mumbo Sauce, a product made and marketed by Arsha and her husband.

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 035

It definitely was a wonderful Experience and I’m glad to have met some amazing Bloggers Like Me and to finally see the faces behind the blogs. Driving home was smooth sailing and I look forward to the next BLMGirls DMV Experience.

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 014 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 015 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 016 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 018 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 018 BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 019

BLM Weekend and After Labor Day 037

DSC_0120 (2)

dedivahdeals-signature


On The Road Again

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!

I’m on the road again, this time heading to our Nation’s Capital for a BLMGirls DMV Blogger Meet Up.

I am super excited and can’t wait to get there!

If you too are traveling, be safe and we’ll chat next week!

on the road to dc

BLMDMV

dedivahdeals-signature


Nikon CoolPix P520 Camera

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday

Inspired by some awesome photos I’ve seen taken by you guys I decided to upgrade my camera from a Canon PowerShot SX150 to a Nikon CoolPix. Not that a camera will make me a better photographer, it will however, (I hope) make my photos pop with less of a need to rely on editing software.

My husband recommended that I go to Cameras etc and take a look at their selection of used cameras of which was extensive, but I was more interested in the Nikon Coolpix P100 on sale that I had seen in the newspaper.

August 2013 094

Armed with the advertisement I drove into Newark, to Main Street on the campus of the University of Delaware and fed 4 quarters into the parking meter.  Entering the store I was immediately greeted by Imaging Consultant Todd.  I explained what I wanted, showed him the ad and stated that I had “Liked” them on Facebook hoping for a discount.

Cameras etc

Unfortunately, they didn’t have the advertised model in stock but Todd did show me a higher priced model the P520, but before you scream, “bait and switch”, he didn’t try to push me into purchasing it.  He called their Wilmington store and asked to have one shipped for  arrival the next day.

Nikon Camera

Todd explained all the features on the P520 and how it compared to the P100 so that I would be familiar and comfortable before making the purchase.  He also took time to show me some used Nikon cameras in the same price range but after I took the camera outside, snapped a few pictures I decided then to buy it.

The time and patience that Todd spent in explaining all the features was awesome, I even had to feed two additional quarters into the meter, I see why they have been a successful business since 1977.

Cameras etc.

This camera is an early birthday present to myself and I am looking forward to using it this weekend as we celebrate our 23rd Wedding Anniversary and at the BLMGirls event in DC on the 31st.

August 2013 097

August 2013 098

August 2013 100

August 2013 102

Thank you friends for your inspiration and thank you Todd for your patience!

dedivahdeals-signature


OOTD – Heading to the Dentist

Yesterday I had a dental appointment and because I live in Delaware, it didn’t make since to drive to work in Pennsylvania afterwards so I took a vacation day.  The weather was extremely nice, not too hot and humid so instead of a maxi dress, I wore shorts, and a tank top with flip flops.  I joined the BLMGirls Facebook group and while reading the blogs I found recommendations for various photo editing websites, I used Pixl to edit and create this collage.

 

Polka Dot Top – Goodwill//  Shorts – closet staple// J. Crew Flip Flops – Goodwill// Clutch – Avon// Earrings – Burlington Coat Factory// Wooden Bangles – Flea Market Vendor