The way I see it, the Problogger Training Event is a bit like The Bachelor, except everyone goes home with a rose.
Stay with me petal.
We’re all compatible. Tick. We’re all interested in living happily ever after with our Bachelor blog. Tick. We’re unafraid to “put ourselves out there”. Tick. We’re all “on a journey”. Tick. We’re all aware that this one episode could be life changing. Tick.
Instead of issuing roses, this year I’d like to hand out a few awards.
The envelope please…
Best bling
The award goes to Stacey from A Healthy Mum. I first spotted her engagement sparkler when we were engaged in conversation. In case you’re wondering, it’s an aquamarine and she designed the setting. Don’t you just love it? I do. I do.
P.S. I can happily report Stacey’s bright personality matches her beautiful bling.
Stacey from A Healthy Mum
Best Brit
Sammie from The Annoyed Thyroid was on page one of my “must meet” list. I wasn’t surprised she was just as delicious in real life as she is online. However, I was surprised she’d baked me chocolate fudge. What a sweet, sweet gesture. Please be advised: photographic evidence is unavailable. Let’s just say, I’ve had a lot to chew over and Sammie’s chocolate fudge was the perfect accompaniment to my plotting and planning.
Me with Sammie from The Annoyed Thyriod
Best all-rounder
She drove Miss Daisy me to the event, took photographs of me, entertained me, helped me and supported me. Drum roll please.
Caroline from Palatable Thoughts, please take a bow.
Me with Caroline from Palatable Thoughts
Best skirt (made by a relative)
Behold. I love this skirt with every thread of my being. Robyna from The Mummy and the Minx literally stopped me in my tracks when I saw her in this incredible number. But wait….there’s more. Her talented father, an artist, hand-painted the fabric. I have requested he attend next year’s event as I would love to don one of his designs. Who’s with me?
Robyna from The Mummy and the Minx
Best skirt (made by a non-relative)
I must begin with an admission. I literally chased Carly Findlay. She was minding her own business when I just about bowled her over. I simply had to have the deets of her AMAZING skirt. Apparently she bought it from Chicwish but we’re not sure if it’s still available. One thing I do know for certain, Carly is one of our community’s most generous and fashionable bloggers.
Me and Carly Findlay
Best baby bump
I was pretty chuffed to catch up with Jasmine from Pretty Chuffed. You know that “pregnancy glow” they talk about? Well let’s just say Jasmine really shines.
Me and Jasmine from Pretty Chuffed
Were you there? What awards would you like to hand out?
Robyna | the Mummy & the Minx
You are too kind! Hmmm.. maybe I should have ironed that skirt first. And man, my Dad in a room full of that many creative people would be awesome – he’d LOVE it.
Tonia
Robyna, he was the talk of the town. That skirt is sublime. So glad we got to connect over art. The best combo, I reckon.
Zoe | A Quirky Bird
What did I say Robyna, your Dad is talented. xx
Mumma McD
I loved meeting you Tonia!! It was wonderful to be able to put a face and a voice to the words on the screen. Your award winners are all very deserving 🙂 xx
Tonia
Ditto Rachel, I’ve so appreciated your online support and I was thrilled to see you. Hope you had a smooth trip home. xx
Caroline Culleton
Tonia You’re a bloomin’ rose: lovin’ your review of a stylish weekend. And always welcome to accompany me when next we are traveling in the same direction.
Tonia
Aw, thanks champ! I had an absolute ball. Let’s do it all again sometime soon.
Isabel
This is great – love these awards. LOVE Robyna’s windmill skirt too. I was not there but I enjoyed Carly’s live tweets, helped me feel like I was. Would like to go next year…I wonder where it will be held?!
Tonia
Oh Isabel, I really hope you do make it to next year’s event. Everyone is super friendly and the atmosphere is fantastic. Last three years have been on the Gold Coast but I don’t know about 2016 as yet. Fingers crossed our paths cross.
Tash @ Gift Grapevine
Based on all of Sammie’s delicious looking creations in her blog posts I can only imagine that the fudge would have been an absolute winner! Unfortunately I couldn’t make it over to this year’s event but still managed to have fun playing along at home thanks to some excellent and thorough live tweeting from Carly and Em Hawker plus lots of IG pics from attendees. So lovely seeing all of those happy faces on my IG feed (plus I loved all the shiny outfits)! Next year…do you think people would make the trek over to Perth?!
Tonia
Tash, it would be great to see you at next year’s conference. I met a few folk from Perth – one of them had flown in on the red eye. Trust me, it is well worth the trip. Glad you enjoyed Carly and Em’s live tweets, I was watching them and they didn’t miss a beat. Great effort.
Carly Findlay
wow Tonia thank you so much for the mention! It was so good to meet you – and totally flattering to be chased down by paparazzi! I am glad you enjoyed the conference – I did too 🙂
Tonia
Carly, it was so lovely to have the chance to meet you. Thanks for being so sweet about my crazy sprint to find you! p.s. I’ve checked out that website – how awesome is that store? I think I need that San Fran bridge skirt. I think I also need to wear it in San Fran. Yep, I’m daydreaming about holidays. AGAIN. x
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
Oh Tonia, I was pretty stoked to see I was one of the stars of your blog post and not just because meeting you was one of my conference highlights! High five to you for publishing a post-conference post faster than the speed of light and I hope you enjoyed your fudgegasm!
Tonia
Oh you’re too kind, thanks Sammie. I’m actually still on the Gold Coast so I had plenty of time. No rushing for flights for moi this time ’round. P.S. sun is shining and I’m sitting here looking out at the golf course as we speak. If only every Monday could be so dreamy. Thanks again (for everything) x
Zoe | A Quirky Bird
What did I say Robyna, your Dad is talented. xx
Zoe | A Quirky Bird
Tonia I have fudge envy. Everyone I met told me about Sammy’s amazing treat. I managed to run into her, fudgeless but, unfortunately didn’t get to meet you. Another time and loved you’re little wrap up. Zoe xx
Tonia
Thanks Zoe and snap I wish we’d met too. As for that fudge, I have one word for you. DELICIOUS. I think we need a Problogger Bake Off. What say you?
Fran
So you are still on the Gold Coast relaxing and enjoying yourself. See what a great Problogger conference does for you – No “Monday mourning”.
Tonia
Fran, truer words were never spoken. Absolutely no sign of Monday mourning today. I’ve just come back from a beach walk and have booked in a facial for tomorrow. Bliss. (p.s. am squeezing in some work too, it’s a working holiday but so far so very good). Lovely to see you at the conference. x
Zita
Great awards! Am sorry to have missed it and can’t wait to read more blog posts about it!
Tonia
Hey Zita, from memory you must still be in Canada yes? Hopefully you’ll be back in time for next year’s event. It was so much fun.
Kathy
It was great to see you Tonia and I look forward to seeing where your plotting, planning and inspiration take you. x
Tonia
Kathy, I’m sorry I had to dash off when I saw you in one of the last sessions. Hope our paths cross again before August next year. p.s. You looked so well (and glamorous, as always). Take care, hope to talk again soon. x
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama
Love this post! Thanks for sharing the goss for those of us who didn’t make it this year x
Tonia
Janet, you’d have loved every minute of it. Hope to see you there next year. x
The Hipsterette
Ha ha – love the Bachelor and rose collection. Tonia, you forgot to give yourself an award for the best Bambi print. Maybe next year I’ll bring my fox bag and scarf, and give you a run for your money. You are “safe” for this year.
Tonia
Thank you, thank you for commenting. I had made a note to track down your blog and voila here you are. I’ve just popped over to subscribe. Love the look of your layout but that’s no surprise given how beautifully presented you were at the conference. You are one very stylish lady. I’ll hold you to that fox bag and scarf next year…I’d love to see them. Hope you enjoyed the conference as much as I did. Was great to meet you x
Jasmine @ Pretty Chuffed
Oh gosh thank you so much Tonia! It was fab seeing you again and bumping into each other in the lines for the Ladies’ 🙂 And I totally agree, just like an episode of the Bachelor where everyone gets a rose! I would like to give you an award for being your lovely, generous and funny self and making my first Problogger experience all the richer. Look forward to seeing you again soon x
Tonia
Aw, what a lovely thing to say. Thanks Jasmine. It was wonderful to have you there. I hope you enjoyed the conference as much as I did. So much info to take on board. I think I’ll be chewing it over for weeks. Really hope I see you at a Brissie blogger meet up well before the next conference rolls ’round. Have a great week and thanks again for stopping by the blog xx
Sarah @theroutinequeen
Awesome wrap up there Tonia, I wasn’t there and am totally not jealous at all pfft. Meanwhile I agree with The Hipsterette- cutest damn Bambi dress ever!!
Tonia
Hey Sarah, thanks so much. That dress is actually from your neck of the woods. I bought it down in Melbourne and it really is a favourite of mine. Fingers crossed we see you at the next conference. You and your sister would love it, I promise.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young
So lovely to catch up with you again Tonia 🙂
Tonia
Ditto Toni x p.s. I saw your welcome home snaps on Insta – what a cute reunion you had.
Danielle
Looked liked SO much fun! Great article. Hope I can go next year.. X
Tonia
Danielle, you’d love it. Lock it in for next year, my friend. x