logo
  • Home
  • Find Recipes
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Work with Me
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Privacy Policy
  • Love Lists
  • Life & Baby
  • Reviews

Tag : blogging

My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

May 30, 2014 64 comments Article

It’s been nearly two weeks since the BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference hit Miami and I’m still processing it all. If you don’t know about BlogHer (I didn’t until recently), it’s a media company comprised of a network of some 5,700+ bloggers and social media influencers. BlogHer has a huge blog conference every year for all types of bloggers—this year in Silicon Valley on July 23-24th. They also have BlogHer Food, just for food bloggers like me! This year BlogHer Food was held a short 10 minute drive from my home in Downtown Miami. How could I possibly miss it?

I’ve been to my share of conventions, but BlogHer Food was an entirely new experience. There were keynote speakers, business-building strategies, discussion panels, cooking demonstrations, and food was everywhere. It was two long days of blogging boot camp with a side of food tasting and endless business card exchanging.

Whole fried fish | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

The BlogHer conference was a big deal to me in more ways than one. It was also the longest amount of time I had ever been away from my son (at 17 months). For two days, I was at the conference. I spent nights happily packing my car up with bloggers to play tour guide.

Blogging mommy | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

I made sure to stop home a few times for a quick change of clothes and a few cuddles.

  BlogHer Highlights

McCormick Lunch | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

Lunch sponsored by McCormick spices with a delicious spice-guided menu. Followed by keynote discussion:  What Superfoods Are, and How They’re Going to Change the Health Destiny of America.

Speakers included Jaden Hair (Steamy Kitchen), Dr. Melanie Palomares (City of Hope) and Dr. Wendy Bazilian (The SupeFoods Rx Diet).

BlogHer Lectures | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

I attended an enlightening  panel discussion, Turning Online into a Product Line with Laura-Jane Koers (The Rawtarian) and Jadah Sellner (Simple Green Smoothies). Later that day, chef, author and blogger, David Lebovitz took the stage for an interview.

The second day, I enjoyed a kitchen demo, The Flavors of Miami. I thought I knew all about cooking Miami-style, but it turned out I learned a few things about Puerto Rican and Cuban cooking from instructors, Carla Cancio-Bello (Cuban Cuisine UK) and Meseidy Rivera (The Noshery). Thanks Ladies!

Blogger friends | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway A few of my fellow bloggers and I escaped for a lunch break to Juvia on Miami Beach for a bite. Its a restaurant perched on top of the coolest parking lot I’ve ever seen. and I’ve always wanted to visit. We took a stroll on Lincoln Road and headed back to the conference  for more. Here I am enjoying the view with Lina of Skandalous Cakes and Crystal from Sweet Sassy Palette. 

Food tasting | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway Did I mention all of the food? BlogHer and the sponsors took good care of us, providing breakfast, and seemingly unlimited food throughout the days. We never stopped tasting.

Closing Party | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

The closing party was held Saturday night at Cafeina Wynwood Lounge with hostesses Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman), Jaden Hair (Steamy Kitchen) and Elise Bauer (Simply Recipes). Flamenco dancers performed and everyone got down on the dance floor.

So what did I learn at BlogHer Food?

  • I learned that there are lots and lots of bloggers out there just like me. They are friendly and sometimes a little shy
  • Bloggers are deeply passionate about what they do
  • Blogging for a living is possible, but also hard
  • Stay focused. Identify what you and your blog are all about
  • I learned that I’m doing pretty damn well with Love and Duck Fat so far
  • Mostly, I was inspired. I learned that I was part of a thriving community that is becoming more important every day. Bloggers don’t often meet each other in person, but we are closer than we may think.

Win a big bag of swag!

The sponsores at BlogHer Food were insanely generous. My arms were loaded down several times during the conference and I ended up winning a KitchenAid stand mixer! It was like Christmas. To share the love, I’m giving away a big bag of swag from BlogHer Food. 

Because you visit Love and Duck Fat, I’m encouraged each and every day to put in the time it takes to keep it going.  Even if you never drop me an email or leave a comment, I see those little blips on my Google Analytics and know you are there (sometimes I even wave hello).

Big bag of swag | My First BlogHer Food Bloggers Conference + Big Bag of Swag Giveaway

So what’s inside the big bag of swag? Here’s the rundown:

  • Gold Emblem Abound (new from CVS) Heavenly Light Popcorn – full size bag
  • Gold Emblem Abound (new from CVS) Oat Bran Cookies – full size box
  • Gold Emblem Abound (new from CVS) Lime & Pepper Baked Rice Thins – full size
  • Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle Chocolate Chip – full size bag
  • KitchenAid Ice Cream Scoop
  • 1 Madagascar Vanilla Bean from KitchenAid
  • Analon Beech Wooden Spoon
  • Colgate Total Mouth Wash – sample size + $2.00 coupon
  • Gourmet Sea Salt from South Walton, Fl
  • McCormick Chipotle Chili Pepper (.9 oz bottle)
  • Baileys Coffee Creamer USB (memory stick)
  • Vintage Italia Pasta Chips – Mediterranean Sea Salt –full size + $2.00 in coupons
  • even more stuff (I like surprises, don’t you?)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stay tuned for more recipes coming your way from Love and Duck Fat! Thank you for visiting and be sure to follow my social media pages for more. 

Tags: Blogging, BlogHer
Tweet
Pin It

I’m Going to BlogHer Food Miami + The TODAY Show Feature

May 15, 2014 21 comments Article

There’s a lot going on this week, so I took a moment to write up a quick update since I won’t have enough time to add my usual recipe posts.

First of all, I’m attending the BlogHer Food Conference in my hometown of Miami this weekend. Its two full days of food blogging boot camp, attended by many of the top bloggers in the country.

BlogHer is a media company with a community of thousands of blogs. They work to empower female publishers in all publishing genres.  There will be keynote speeches, panels to attend and lots of FOOD to taste and photograph. This year David Lebovitz is speaking along with many others.

This is my very FIRST blogging event and I’m looking forward to all the fun and opportunities. My business cards are ready to be picked up and I’ll be sure to wear comfy shoes. Be on the lookout for play-by-play Twitter and Instagram shares this Friday and Saturday to see what I’m up to.

I want to send a big THANK YOU to my husband for gifting me a ticket to BlogHer Food this Mother’s Day, and listening to my nonstop bloggie talk,  and watching our son while I’m off at the Conference. Love you!

Fry Pan | Love and Duck Fat

To add a little more excitement to my week, one of my recipes was featured on The Today Show website, Today.com!

Did you think I was going on the Today Show? Nope–it’s not THAT exciting 🙂

May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day and they included my chocolate chip cake recipe in their story, Chip away! Try these 9 scrumptious recipes starring chocolate chips. Let’s take another look at that cake.

Chocolate chip cake recipe
It’s always nice to be featured! Thank you Today.com and a big WELCOME to my new visitors.

Have a great weekend

♥Marni

Tags: Blogging, BlogHer, Conference, Press
Tweet
Pin It
Like Me On Facebook Follow Me On Pinterest Follow Me On Twitter Follow Me On Instagram Follow Me On Google Stumble Me RSS Email Me

Most Loved Recipes

  • Baby finger food | Sweet potato bites
  • Homemade baby food | Quinoa ratatouille
  • Homemade baby food recipe | Vegetable lasagna
  • Baby food recipe | Chicken stew
  • Caribbean goat stew
  • Breast milk pancake recipe | Whole wheat and banana
  • Chocolate pumpkin cake with spiced brown butter frosting
Appetizers

Baby Food

Breakfast

Desserts

Main Dishes

Side Dishes

Soups

Veggies

Recipe Categories:

  • Appetizers
  • Baby Food
  • Breakfast and Brunch
  • Chicken and Poultry
  • Desserts
  • Healthy/Low Fat
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta
  • Salads
  • Seafood
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Vegetables
  • Vegetarian and Vegan

Recent Posts

  • Freaking Sweet Jars
  • Finding Healthy Food Recipes for Clean Eating
  • A New Website: Delivering your favorite snacks to your door!
  • Little Red Pocket Hens
  • Benefits of iPad Till Systems for Restaurants
  • Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs | Turmeric & Onion Dyed Eggs
  • Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps | Paleo & Gluten Free
  • Macy’s Culinary Council Event: Chef Marcus Samuelsson Cooking Demonstration
  • Japanese Cucumber Salad | Sunomono Salad Recipe
  • 18 Healthy Summer Salad Recipes
  • About
  • Find Recipes
  • Contact Me
  • Disclosure Statement
  • Privacy Policy

Don't Miss a Recipe

You have Successfully Subscribed!

All images and copy © 2013 Love and Duck Fat
Logo Design by Shayla Grace

facebook twitter google pinterest email Rss