Blend Retreat was pretty much a life changing experience for me. I have never felt so rejuvenated, alive and happy after such a jam-packed weekend. I also barely recognized myself, being so enthusiastic and interactive with all of the other women there (versus hanging back and doing most of the listening, like I tend to do when I’m around a ton of people I don’t know). It was electric there and all of the bloggers were so friendly and willing to participate in the activities.
My dear friend Heather (look at us bustin’ out some yoga outdoors!) and I agreed to attend together (she’d been in the past) and that really helped me feel comfortable. All of the other women in my suite were ones I’d only “met” online or seen on Instagram. To put a face, voice, height, and personality with the words and pictures I’d seen was truly remarkable. I can confidently say that I made friends there that I will have for life. Like, text and plan on flying to see you kind of friends. Real stuff. (Laura brought me this amazing malt chocolate crack spread from Switzerland! Seriously!)
From morning boot camps and afternoon hikes, to cocktail parties and foodie paradise dinners in Park City, this was the most amazing weekend ever.
I met and talked to some of my favorite companies too. Quest, which you all know I’ve been writing reviews for for 3 years, since before they were sold in stores(!), came and I developed an even stronger bond with the company I love, sponsored a breakfast at the event and gave away a super generous amount of product. Silk was the main sponsor for the event, and I can confidently say I love them even more now after hiking for 2 hours, gabbing non-stop with their rep about recipe development, then having their product table hand me a delicious smoothie to chug because I was obviously in need of sustenance the second we got back. Love. And then Nature Valley, who sponsored my girl Heather, happened to send her a tee shirt that was my size and so we chose to be twinsies and matched for the hike. Their bars saved me during the hike and then again in the airport on the way home. I even snapped a photo they loved too.
I could write for days (and already have), but I just had to show you the amazing weekend I had. I can’t thank the beautiful, hard working ladies that organized it enough and all of the sponsors too. And my amazing husband for picking me up from the airport at 1am after my flights were delayed over 4 hours (no, they didn’t offer us free wine while we sat on the tarmac for an extra hour…cheers to never wanting to fly United ever again).
Such an incredible weekend! I’m so grateful I got to meet you – that in itself was easily a highlight! 😉 xoxo
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Thinking Back on Blend ‘14 (Part I)
Awe thank you! I feel the exact same way about meeting you!
What a fun weekend!! I’m really hoping to go next year!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…Staying at Turtle Bay – Our Trip to the North Shore
YAY!! I have been looking forward to these re-cap posts! 🙂 And I heard it’s in Boulder, CO next year which ROCKS because that’s where I went to college and it’s an easy trip from LA!! WOO WOO!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Clamming Around With My Dad
waaaaah makes me so jealous! glad you had a great time though 🙂 🙂
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…2 month old baby William
Let it be noted that I totally said “I wish Lindsay could’ve come!” at least twice during the weekend! <3
I still can’t get over how amazing the weekend was – so much fun!! I adored meeting you!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…I’m Alive!
I loved it and you too! I think that weekend needs to happen twice a year! I can’t wait a whole year to do it again!
So great to meet you this past weekend! I hope to see you next year and get to hang out even more! 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…The Greatest Girls Weekend
I couldn’t agree more!!
i am so glad we got to meet and hug and chat and drink and hike and laugh and all! haha
I’m so glad too!! I’ve been waiting far too long to do that!
It was fabulous to meet you, you crazy lady. I can see why Heather adores you. I can’t wait to climb more large animals together. Until then….
Muahahahaha – yes, an evil laugh…because climbing animals definitely calls for that, no? 😉
It was so great to meet you this weekend, lady! I totally agree that it was a life-changing experience and I can’t wait to do it again next year 😀
I loved meeting you! You’re so sweet and gave me such a new outlook and perspective on life!
Ok, so I know I’ve already said this half a dozen times, but I AM SO GLAD YOU CAME THIS YEAR! We rocked it out! Everything was exactly as it should’ve been…relaxing, spontaneous, exciting, new, crazy, delicious, fun…well, everything except those damn flight delays that is! Ugh, I swear I thought I’d never make it on the drive home! I about fell asleep in my driveway! Haha!
You got some great shots! Hope you don’t mind if I gank a couple of them! 😉
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli recently posted…Blend or BUST!
SO, so, so glad I got to finally hug you!!!!
I’m so jealous! It looks like so much fun. ONE of these days we WILL meet up!
Jolynn recently posted…Fun Facts Friday
So glad I got to meet your pretty self! You and Heather make me want to do MORE YOGA!!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…PF Changs Meals For 2
I love nature valley bars! Glad you guys had fun!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks recently posted…Peach, Caramelised Onion & Goat Cheese Flat bread with Balsamic Glaze
Hooray for crack! Creak spread, I mean… 🙂
It was so amazing to meet you. You’re even cooler in person, if possible. Mwah! Reunite sooooon!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Utah Dining with Blends
It was so great to meet you this weekend. I love reading rascals & hearing that everyone had an amazing time – this is why I love Blend! Where else can so many women hang out and enjoy getting to know each other without all the drama?! 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…Ready to Create with Zest?