My first official day at BlissDom started off with an amazing breakfast which I’m positive I took a photo of, which inconveniently disappeared somehow. Either way I have way more exciting photos to share with your besides the food that went into my belly.
I actually couldn’t contain myself and the newcomers night, I popped into the Philosophy area and took all these great pictures. They had a cozy sitting area with some treats. I tried all of them out, naturally. Each day, Philosophy had a different gift basket to win. You betcha I put my name into their draw.
I also didn’t “get” how CotyPrestigeCA, Philosophy and Veritas all were in the one same spot, under Philosophy. But Kim, who is the PR manager at Coty, explained it all to me. I was lookin’ a little confused ;) Isn’t she gorgeous? Super friendly too. I clearly didn’t know who she was at first when she came to introduce herself to me. But now I know the face behind the name. Tada, selfie time. 
I had a skin consultation the next day with Robin (taller woman) and told me I was a nut. In a good way. HAHA. She clearly knows her stuff. I guess she would seeing how she’s the director of international education and global press at philosophy. Hi Sarah too, yay!!
She flew in all the way from NYC (can I be her?) to tell us all about Philosophy. The first thing she mentioned to me when I sat down to get a consult, was “Tell me what products you already have/know about from here.” I swear, I pointed out over 60% of the products. I think she suggested I sit back down after I was like “Oh .. and this too. I love this product.” She must’ve read my mind, because when I sat down with her she gave me a lot of information about the Miracle Worker with retinoid treatment. Something I’ve been looking to get into, but keep forgetting to read about it, or ask people about it.
Philosophy even had this pretty decorative tree in their area and asked you to write on these pieces of paper #WhatReallyMatters. What matters to me? My family in Newfoundland. Can I receive a collective “awww” please?
I walked around to most of the sponsors that were there and just chatted with them. As much as I thought I’d be intimidated being at the conference by myself, it actually pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me walk up and chat to the sponsors, and bloggers. I definitely got comfortable with being uncomfortable. In fact, I felt so outgoing this weekend, that I even chatted to the housekeeping woman on the floor I was staying on. Her name is Mira, and she was very sweet. We bonded over talks about me being a housekeeper at the hospital in Newfoundland. Then told me I was very friendly, and it must’ve been because I was from Newfoundland. Found out one of her co-workers was also from there. Mira, like the nice lady she is, hooked me up with handfuls of more Philosophy goodies for my room. YES. Delta Meadowvale uses Philosophy at their hotel. I know!!
Next stop was over to the Collective Bias suite where I hung out and drank copious amounts of Tetley throughout the weekend. I balanced it all between this room, and the Tim Hortons room. I also met a few more people that I’ve been dealing with over e-mail for the past 2-ish years. I mean, Bailey flew in from Arizona USA to come up to BlissDom. Amazing, right? I also put a face to 3SP Media, and it was great to meet those two men. We had a bit of an awkward encounter when I introduced myself. I said, Bonjourno. Then followed up with a “uh. Wait. Don’t talk french to me. I only know English. Not that Bonjourno is French or anything.” One of the men laughed and told me no, it was just bad Italian. Ha ha ha.
Once I had some more caffeine in my system to keep me going I spotted Lena in the hotel lobby. I’ve never met her before, and I swear I was more excited to meet her than I would’ve Oprah. I didn’t keep my cool at all. I had a complete fan-girl-alert meltdown. I know, right? What was I thinking? I hope she doesn’t think I’m crazy.
MC DONALD’SÂ SPONSORED LUNCH. Holy craperdoodles. Can I come back every year to BlissDom? As you guys know, if I’m a fan of something I rave about it. Constantly. Sometimes I do it subconsciously. Like I do with McDonalds. I mean for heaven sakes, I go there for Valentines Day with the Boyf each year. It’s been an 8 year tradition! See? and oh… see? 
Jared, the guy behind McDonalds Canada on twitter came up to me over lunch. He was in a suit. I didn’t know who he was. I mean, why would you? He didn’t look like Ronald McDonald. He introduced himself and told me I was their biggest fan, ever. BAHAHAHAHA. How embarrassing. But true, none the less. I told JB I was surprised I wasn’t fat from eating it all the time. Which, now that I think of it — probably wasn’t the best thing to say. Anyway. He surprised me and told me that it’s probably because I do so much CrossFit. WHAT! I know. McDonalds knows me. Crazy huh? I was impressed. Not only that, he had this awesome Australian accent. And? Scored some more free McDonalds coupons. Heck yea I ain’t sharin’. Sorry I chopped off your head Jared.
I knew Brandy, one of my “readers” (I find it funny to type that) was going to be at the conference and I couldn’t find her for a day and a half. Her and I were tweeting back and forth trying to meet up with one another but ended up crossing paths as I was heading back to the hotel room! Soo glad I met you B! Like everyone said. I love your voice, it’s so cute :) I hope you had an amazing time at BlissDom!
My belly was satisfied from eating a Spicy Thai Chicken Chili wrap, some apple slices and 2 cans of coke (don’t judge). It was time to walk it off. But not at the gym. Ain’t nobody got time for that, especially when I could be writing cards to my friends. I sent two Hallmark cards, one to Kaitlin at Chevrolet Canada for sending me to BlissDom, and one to Philosophy. Of course. Thanks for supplying us with goodies, Hallmark! Fun!
At one point throughout the day I went to the Tim Hortons suite. Probably drink more tea and sit on their massive bean bag chairs. 
They had a decorating your own donut contest. I can’t think creatively on the spot like that so I just made mine to be a dipped chocolate donut with some candy. I surprisingly didn’t go overboard with the decorating. The white chocolate donut next to mine in the upper right hand corner actually says something on it. Can you read it? It says Lazy Day! Justin made it, and I thought it was brilliant. And talented. 
I met Justin and his wife Dayna the night before and they hooked me up with a bunch of swag from Chapmans. You betcha I was their first swag-receiver. Ice cream calls I’m the girl that’s first in line. Thanks so much guys! I swear I was in their hotel room a good hour or more, just talking to them about blogging. They were great, really.
More ladies hear the sounds of icecream and came up, too! @ASweetBaker, @MyDustBunnies, Me, @TransformTheNow, and @FanofPreemies.
They weren’t the only folks handing out swag. I put together little packages of Make Up For Ever mascara minis to give away to 11 lucky people at the conference. @Mom2Michael, @alimentageuse, @ThisBirdsDay, @FanofPreemies, @LSSocialEngage, @InSearchOfYummy, @JacEarnst, @MyDustBunnies,  @LazyDayCA, @ASweetBaker, and @TransformTheNow.
I knew the Great Canadian Outdoors Party was later on in the evening, so I decided to primp and prime my hair by getting it done with the The Beauty Team. Fitting name. My hair never looks good, it had to be documented. By the way, yea — I totally lived in my MPG hoody all weekend long. I was known as the coral hoody girl at some points.
Two red carpets in one day? (McDonalds had one at Lunch). I feel spoiled. Supper was provided by Maple Leaf. There was a tent set up outside, and everything was bacon themed. Can’t say no to bacon, am I right?
It looked luxe with the chandeliers and fire thingies (technical term).
Bacon encrusted chicken strips. Bacon and cheese wrapped around a hot dog? I’m in my element, right here, right now.
Once the sun went down, we had some musical entertainment for the night. Tenille, an 18 year old country singer set the stage. 
Up next, was Jully Black. You know the song Seven Day Fool? That’s her!!!
Sarah & Jesse LaBelle (you’ll know him from the song Heartbreak Cover Up) was also at BlissDom, sitting in on one of the panels about Cyber Bullying. 
The night was SO much fun. I met Julia aka NuggleMama that day and was thrilled to finally meet her in person!, that we took a ridiculous amount of pics together :) No harm in that.
Dayna‘s make up looked great this night!
I don’t know how many glasses of wine I drank, but I finally needed to just go inside and sit down. This is when I met Julie Nowell, who gave me a huge pep talk on my blog. We have similar personality traits and I feel like she reminds me of one of my cousins, it was so easy to talk to her, and spill my guts about stuff. Plus? SHE LIVES ON A FARM! Chickens and ducks. She needs to get some goats. 
Next up… the final day at BlissDom with Lentils, PayPal and a PJ party.
When I’m not drinking peppy mo’s I’m drinking tea out of my Santa mug that I picked up pretty much for everyone on my list this year. They’re adorable. Like my “christmas” (more like bridal) nails?
So I took selfies, naturally.
I wore my McDonalds oversized tote as a purse. It’s way too big to use as a purse.We whipped out Alfie’s winter coat out of storage, finally. He’s wearing a Canada Pooch jacket (that I reviewed a while ago). He does flips and rolls around in the snow with it on, it’s both adorable and hysterical at the same time.
Earlier on in the week, we gave him his semi annual bath. It was a team effort, despite his little size. He wasn’t squirmy but I would rather have four hands go at him, than just two. I scrubbed him down with some dog shampoo and once I wanted to rinse him, I got The Guy to hold the shower head while I rinsed everything out. Then of course we couldn’t not document his drowned rat look. I forget how tiny the little guy really is. He has SO much fur.
