My Experience of Britmums Live 2012- Sponsored by Crayola

Sporting my Crayola Brand Ambassador tshirt, just a few weeks ago I hit London to attend Britmums Live.

Britmums Live is an event where 500 bloggers all come together to celebrate, learn and improve their blogger skills. There is a range of workshops on offer, everything from Beginners guide Vlogs (Video Blogging) through to a workshop on SEO and Legal Implications. There was also a very busy ‘Hub’ which included lots of brands who each had something very different to offer.

I arrived on the Friday and after some coffee and a cake, we had our Introduction to Britmums by the founders of Britmums. Then there was an inspirational talk from Ruby Wax who inspired us with her talk about how she came through the ‘Tsunami of all depression’. It was an inspiring talk which had some great light hearted laughs thrown in. It was then time to hit ‘The Hub’ where many brands were there to show us what goodies they had. I have to say I am VERY glad I found Welches who were serving up Mocktails using their grape juice, they were simply delicious!

Friday nights entertainment included some eye candy just before the BiB’s award (brilliance in blogging awards)…in the shape of #winebuffs who provided the alcohol drinkers with a steady stream of champagne and wine (me with Welches)

The BiBs award was good fun,but I was a little shocked to find us being asked to leave and go home after the awards finished at 8.01pm, not just once (while we were talking to fellow bloggers) but twice. I continued on the sober partying and went for dinner with Spud and Spike and Ramblings of a Suburban Mummy.

One of the things I was most looking forward to was chilling in my own hotel room and getting a good nights sleep, after all it is not often that happens when I have 3 kids and a husband. I set my alarm early enough to get a little bit of make up on to cover my hormone-crazy skin, and I even got to ‘Bloggercise with Lucy’ in time to take part in the exercise class! It was an invigorating stretch session, although some of which I had adapted for my bump (It turns out I cannot touch my toes any more).

I then met my partner in crime Joanne from Mummy 2 Five. She decided breakfast of a smoothie made from spinach from Vitamix was the way forward meanwhile it made me gag and run. I found a great substitute to satisfy my carb-cravings, Panasonic were making fresh bread throughout the whole day. Fresh warm bread, and butter!! Did I mention I LOVE Panasonic?! (along with their 10kg washing machine which made me green with envy).

My first session was ‘Beginning Blogging-SEO Tips and Legal Essentials.’ Something that is always worrying as a blogger. But I actually left happy that I am doing ok as far as legal implications go, although I could do a lot more about SEO but the next session I attended bought home to me why I blog. The session was ‘Sod the Stats! Blog for Happiness.’

Meanwhile in the sessions, some bloggers got busy with Crayola and done some doodles which will be revealed soon!

In the afternoon I went to a workshop of ‘How we use Pinterest’, which is something I have dipped my toe in and loved, but haven’t yet hit with the addiction like I do Twitter and Facebook. I plan to have a lot more boards and pins coming to my Pinterest account soon, along with some fabulous craft ideas.

Back in ‘The hub’ there was also stands from many other companies. LEGO DUPLO who were giving away a fabulous goody bag, they also had a cupcake decorating competition, here was my rather useless creative entry.

I met the fabulous team at Warner Bros who showed me the fabulous new Ultra Violet technology and I chilled in the TXMAXX and Home Sense Style Lounge with some other bloggers who got me laughing, alot.

Piggy Bank Kids is where I found some thereputic painting. I painted my very own piggy bank (for a donation of £5 to their worthwhile charity). It was a welcome sit down and I found it really relaxing, I have made a vow that I shall spend much more time on crafts as I enjoy it so much (it also puts my art grade A gsce to good use).

I left just before the Bloggers Keynotes as I wasn’t feeling well, which turned out to be a bad idea as I couldn’t get a taxi and found the nearest tube was shut so had to walk (with my very heavy bags) back to Liverpool Street station. Needless to say, I was pleased when I got home, absolutely exhausted but buzzing with creativity. I cannot wait to get started on my new goals, including more crafting, more posting about crafting, and Pinterest.

I had an awesome weekend, and would like to say a massive thank you to my sponsor, Crayola. They made it possible 🙂

As Crayola Brand Ambassador, Crayola paid my hotel, ticket and travel costs for me to attend Britmums Live 2012.