We are so excited to be featuring wisdom from our amazing Community Leaders – welcome to the BlissDom Insider’s Guide!  

Today we have Do’s and Don’ts of Blissdom’s Night Life from Amanda Henson, one of our ‘Don’t Niche Me In’ Community Leaders for BlissDom 2012!

Whether you’re a seasoned conference goer or a total newbie, an important part of BlissDom is the after party. You’ve spent all day in sessions cramming your brain full of everything you need to be true to your passion and now it’s time to let your hair down, throw on something sparkly, and have fun with your girls!

Before you step out for a night of Bliss, think about these 10 Do’s and Don’t of BlissDom’s Night Life:

1) Do dress to impress. BlissDom’s night life is the perfect time to dust off your favorite dancing dress, add some glitter, and go all out on yourself!

2) Do spend quality time with your best bloggy buddies. If you’re like me conferences are often the only time I get to see some of my best friends so I try to enjoy every minute with them.

3) Do reach out to at least two new faces. We’ve all been there (or maybe you’re there now!), it’s your first conference and you don’t know anyone, so you sit by yourself feeling lost and left out.

4) Do know you limits. I’m not just talking about with alcohol (but rest assured I am talking about that as well). Know your limits physically and mentally; knowing when it’s time to say goodnight is a valuable asset.

5) Do bring your business cards. You are at a conference, right? Well, you need to be prepared. Just like you won’t be able to remember all the names you take in, handing out your business card will help you stay in the mind of your new acquaintances.

6) Don’t forget we live in a social world. That dancing you did on the

tables at the club last night? Yeah, that’s going to be shared via Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Pinterest by the time you wake up the next morning. So don’t do anything that would embarrass your Mama.

7) Don’t leave your drink unattended. This is an obvious one. Bad things happen to sparkly good people, be aware and on your guard. NEVER leave your drink unattended.

8) Don’t hide from the camera. We want to see your beautiful face!! Share your gorgeous smile with the world and ham it up for the BlissDom photographers.

9) Don’t take it personally if someone you’ve met before doesn’t recognize you immediately. Lots of faces are seen and names heard over the course of a conference, so please don’t be offended if you’re not immediately recognized.

and most important of all…

10) DO HAVE FUN! This conference is all for you!

So let loose, have fun, and make some new memories!

All photos by Moosh In Indy

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Through a rather bumpy start at blogging, Amanda has encountered all sorts of madness as she blogs at High Impact Mom, manages a successful digital marketing company, corrals two busy daughters, attends college fulltime, and occasionally even finds time for a date with her husband. Amanda is a fellow social media addict (follow her @HighImpactMom), a compulsive volunteer, and a hard rocking, Jane Austen reading, devoted mama…she might also be a little bit crazy. As volunteer coordinator for the Type-A Parent conference since 2009 and having attended numerous other conferences (this will be her third BlissDom), Amanda has had her finger on the pulse of the blogging community for many years. Fully versed in the ins and outs of attending conferences, Amanda knows when to take a break, when to let loose, and when to keep it professional…and she can’t wait to share her knowledge with you at BlissDom! 

Say the word out loud.  Noodle it around in your brain for a few minutes. What does it mean to you?

Depending on the day, our ‘hopes’ can vary from the harried and unimportant (I hope I remembered to pack my favorite shoes) to the heartfelt and crucial (I hope the test results are normal).

With this week’s BlissDom Speaks prompt, we are talking about hope and a cause that is special to us, the issue of Child Hunger in America.  In partnership with Con Agra Foods, a long time supporter of BlissDom, we wanted to introduce Child Hunger Ends Here, a program designed to combat the problem of child hunger.

Con Agra Foods and Child Hunger Ends Here believe ‘HOPE’ can feed children.

“What Does HOPE Mean To You?”

How to do it:  Email your pictures to Danielle [at] extraordinarymommy [dot] com or for a dropbox request to send your video. Please don’t post your video to YouTube – I cannot access it to edit – I need the raw footage!

Remember:  Take a picture or shoot a quick video responding to the prompt.  For a sample of what we are doing, take a look at our first (and fabulous) BlissDom Speaks video.

When I chose to attend BlissDom in 2009, I didn’t know a soul.  Not. One. Person.  I was equal parts thrilled and petrified.  What if no one would speak to me?  Worse…. what if they hated me when they did? But what if I found MY PEOPLE?

I had this beautiful desire to push myself forward… to know more.  To flourish.  And somehow, I knew planting  seeds at BlissDom would help me to grow into the person, the businesswoman, the blogger, the friend I am now.

I’m so glad I came to BlissDom.  It was my beginning.

And…. drum roll please…  This week’s winner of the Free Night at Opryland is….. KIM BORCHERT! (chosen at random from last week’s submissions of pictures and videos!)

Congratulations Kim – and thank you for submitting three fabulous videos!

Don’t forget to submit for this week’s prompt: How Has BlissDom Changed You? (or how do you HOPE it might change you?) You have until Tuesday, January 31st at 11:59pm CST to send pictures and video.

We are so excited to be featuring wisdom from our amazing Community Leaders – welcome to the BlissDom Insider’s Guide!  

Today we have Opryland Tips & Tricks Part 2 from Deanna Garretson, one of our Photography Community Leaders for BlissDom 2012!

This will be BlissDom’s 3rd year at the Opryland Hotel – for those of you new to the “bio-dome”, I have gathered a few tips and tricks to help you navigate…

1. Keep a map on you at all times! It seems funny at first that they give you this map of the hotel when you check in. DO NOT LOSE THIS MAP – it will be your lifeline – you will figure out how to get to the conference, the restaurants, special events, your morning coffee fix…you may want to ask for extras.
2. Ipod App – for those of you with iphones, ipods, and ipads, there is an app for the Gaylord resorts – it has maps, attractions, events, and again MAPS – the best part is it’s not dependent on a wifi connection to work, so for those with ipods, or ipads without 3g, you can still use the app.
3. The carpet code – this is a funny, but oh-so practical tip. If you look at your map, you will notice that each part of the hotel is color-coded. If you ever wonder where the heck you are, look down – what color is the carpet? It will match a section of the hotel on your map – ta-dah!! Now you know where you are! If it’s red, you are in the Delta…Green? The Garden Conservatory.
4. Shoes – WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES – I can’t stress this enough. I know, you want to show off your cute shoes to all your friends – but trust me on this…wear flats (I love wearing fun funky converse!), and bring your cute shoes in your bag. Change when you get to the conference area. Your feet will thank me.
5. Best place to get coffee/snacks – the Conservatory Cafe in the Garden Conservatory. Good coffee,great sweet tea, salads, pastries, and snacks. It’s also become a favorite gathering spot for many of the attendees.

You’ll have an amazing time during the conference – getting lost or dealing with sore piggies shouldn’t be part of it!

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Curator of awesome (including, but not limited to: cupcakes, ruffles, books, mustard yellow and grey together, iPads, vintage anything, mason jars, funky aprons. airstreams and a good steak), a fabulous photographer & designer (duh!) and mom of two adorably nutty boys.

Deanna first began her love affair with the internet back in 1997. Since then, she has graduated from AOL and WebTV to html, css and seo. As a blogger, then blog designer, she has worked with first-time bloggers, large corporations and everything in between. She has also turned her passion for photography into a successful local business, and manages to cook once in awhile too…

We are so excited to be featuring wisdom from our amazing Community Leaders – welcome to the BlissDom Insider’s Guide!  

Today we have Opryland Tips & Tricks from Sami Cone, one of our Frugal Community Leaders for BlissDom 2012!

What to See

Even though the BlissDom schedule will keep you busy, you’ll want to be sure to catch one of the nightly fountain shows in the Delta or simply people watch at the new Cascades bar. Opryland now also hosts the Dreamworks Experience, so you’ll see some of your favorite Dreamworks movie characters scattered throughout the hotel! You’ll also want to be sure to catch Country Music’s longest running radio program, WSM, at their studio just off the Magnolia lobby. You can also catch up on your Nashville Flood history and how it affected Gaylord Opryland in this post.

Where to Eat

Don’t worry, you’ll be fed well while at BlissDom, but I do have a few favorite foods I wanted to mention. The fries with truffle oil and shaved cheese are to die for at Findley’s Irish Pub, as are the milkshakes at Stax. Solario’s boasts a table-side made guacamole this is yummy and one of my new favorite’s is the Opry Backstage Grill found in their sister hotel just across the street!

Not all of us travel as frequently as we might like, so since travel etiquette guidelines change all the time, I wanted to include this guide to make sure we’re showing the STARS of Opryland proper appreciation while we’re there:

Tipping
Tipping can get expensive and confusing if you are not prepared. I suggest setting cash aside in a separate envelope that you use only for tips and then you can write directly on the envelope as you spend the cash so you can keep accurate track of your travel expenses. Here are some guidelines:

Valet: $1-2 when they bring you your car
Bell Man: $1-2 per bag (depending on weight/size)
Room Service: 15-20% (typically included in bill)
Restaurant: 15-20% (18-20% will be added automatically to larger parties)
Room Delivery: $1 per item as a courtesy

Parking
We know a lot of you will be driving in for BlissDom, so we wanted to make sure you knew your parking options:
Self Parking: $18/day {special BlissDom discounted rate!}
Valet (day): $25/day
Valet (overnight): $26/day

Believe me, I’ve tried all parking options, and I think the Valet is definitely worth it (especially if you’re going to be carrying bags back and forth!). My best advice when it comes to parking is to choose the right lobby to park at:

Cascades: their main lobby where check-in is located. Convenient to rooms in the Cascades wing, but not necessarily to the conference.
Magnolia: the Magnolia lobby is the original lobby of Gaylord Opryland and not only is it less busy than the Cascades lobby, but it is a straight shot to where the majority of the BlissDom meetings will be held! (Less walking equals happier feet!)

Well, there you have it! I can’t wait to host all of you at my favorite hotel in my town of Nashville. Opryland is a destination in and of itself, so if you have extra time to stay before or after BlissDom, I know you’ll find some fabulous ways to fill your time.

What about you: what are your favorite parts about Opryland?

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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. She appears regularly on TV and morning radio as a Frugal Expert. Sami and her husband of eight years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children. Sami will be a Frugal Community Leader at Blissdom ’12, but before that you can catch up on her story at SamiCone.com or find her on Twitter at @TheSamiCone.

For some, it is a new friendship, a new way to tackle the business of their blogs, a better understanding of the community – or maybe a feeling of belonging.

What is it for you?

This week’s BlissDom Speaks prompt is just this:

“How has BlissDom Changed You?”

or….. if this will be your first BlissDom ever: “What do you hope to learn?”

Remember:  Take a picture or shoot a quick video responding to the prompt.  For a sample of what we are doing, take a look at our first (and fabulous) BlissDom Speaks video.

How to do it:  Email your pictures to Danielle [at] extraordinarymommy [dot] com or for a dropbox request to send your video. Please don’t post your video to YouTube – I cannot access it to edit – I need the raw footage!Remember:  Take a picture or shoot a quick video responding to the prompt.  For a sample of what we are doing, take a look at our first (and fabulous) BlissDom Speaks video.

We are so excited to be featuring wisdom from our amazing Community Leaders – welcome to the BlissDom Insider’s Guide!  

Today we have advice for all you BlissDom mothers from Meagan Francis, one of our Writing Community Leaders for BlissDom 2012!

So you’re feeling a little guilty, worried or sad about leaving your children behind while you head to BlissDom. Hey, it’s normal – but don’t let those feelings get between you and your excitement as you plan your trip.

Guess what? There are a lot of reasons why Mom going away for a little while can be GOOD for kids – and, in fact, the whole family. 

Mom going away gives Dad a chance to spend special time without the kids.

1) It gives Dad the chance to step up to the plate–and hit a home run. Unless he stays home with them while you work, Dad probably rarely gets to spend whole days and nights as the sole responsible party. And too often, we don’t trust dads to be able to get it right, so we put off leaving them in charge far too long. He might not do things the same way you would, but chances are good your baby’s daddy’s no dummy. My husband Jon is a very competent dad…but he didn’t become that way automatically. Just like me, he needed practice to become good at wrangling the kids, remembering appointments, and figuring out which clothing size each child wears. He becomes even more competent and confident every time he has the chance to take over for a while. Which in turn allows me to relax a bit, because I understand that the family actually can function without my micro-managing every second of the day.

2) It’s good for kids to see Mom having a vibrant outside life. When you invest time in your passions and personal life, it helps your kids learn that you’re a multifaceted human being who doesn’t actually live solely to grocery shop, turn over half your earnings to pay for ballet and soccer camp, or slice apples into much-more-palatable eighths. They aren’t likely to take notice when they’re little, but if you keep demonstrating that you’re a whole person deserving of happiness and fulfillment, the lesson will stick–and hopefully serve as a small reminder when they are teenagers that, actually, the world doesn‘t revolve around them. (We can hope, right?)

3) It gives everyone an excuse to relax standards a bit. If your house is anything like mine, it’s Mom who keeps everything running like a well-oiled (though perhaps sometimes rather tightly-wound) machine. But everyone needs a break from the daily grind once in a while, and that includes the kids. Under somebody else’s watch, they can eat questionable cereal for breakfast, stay in their pajamas all day, or sleep on the living-room floor. They get all the fun of relaxing the rules, and you don’t have to be there to witness it. (Just request that all evidence, including any Sugar Snappin’ Krispies embedded in the carpet fibers, is attended to before you get home.)

4) You have to keep your well filled to be a happy, healthy and effective mom. Whether it’s letting your hair down a little, sleeping in a big, comfy bed all alone, dressing up for the first time in a year, or relishing in conversation with other women you really connect with, Mom, you need a chance every now and then to do things just for yourself. The good news is you’ll come home refreshed, relaxed and revitalized…and that’s good for everyone, especially your children.

5) If Dad’s going away too, it gives your children a chance to bond with other members of your “village.” Imagine how delighted you’ll be one day when your son or daughter finally loosen that grip a little and allow you a whole weekend to enjoy the grandkids on your own terms. And think back to when you were little: didn’t staying with special relatives or family friends rank up there with some of your fondest memories? Kids benefit from being allowed to form strong, loving attachments with other people, and we benefit from being able to lean on those people when parenting gets tough.

We asked, and you answered.  Beautifully.

How do you describe BlissDom to someone who has never been?

Thank you to the amazing women who added their voices, their hearts and their pictures to this week’s BlissDom Speaks.

As promised…each week, we are choosing someone who contributes either video or pictures for our BlissDom Speaks project as the winner of a free night at the Opryland Hotel during BlissDom.  This week’s winner is Bridget from The Ivey League.  Congratulations, Bridget!  And thank you to everyone for sharing.

Don’t forget to submit for this week’s prompt: Why did you decide to come to BlissDom (either in the years past OR this year?) You have until Tuesday, January 24th at 11:59pm CST to send pictures and video.

As a blogger who has both worked with and stayed at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center more than most, I wanted to take it upon myself to share some tips and tricks that will not only help you get the most out of this beautiful hotel, but also give you the things you need to go before you go that are specific to the BlissDom Conference!

What to Pack

This is always the ultimate question, isn’t it?

The most important thing to remember about Opryland is that it is HUGE! Chances are, you will spend, on average, 15 minutes walking to and from your room, which means two things:

1. Bring what you need for the day when you leave your room in the morning and
2. WEAR COMFY SHOES

If I could give you any advice, good shoes (like this adorable Naturalizer Cacy Ballet Flat) & a great bag (like the Ebags Piazza Day Bag) are a MUST! You want to look and feel great in your shoes and also carry a bag that will hold your essentials, like your netbook/iPad, as well as leave room for everything you’ll pick up at the conference in the exhibit hall.

It’s also not a bad idea to bring an extra tote that can fold up in your suitcase for the trip here, but that you can fill with all your SWAG for the trip home. You’ll also want to be armed with the following:

*Plenty of business cards (& a system for labeling them before you leave)
*Computer power cord (and a power strip doesn’t hurt either!)
*Camera/Video Camera to capture your memories

What to Wear

I’ve already told you that Opryland is not the hotel to wear heels in, so leave those at home. However, as is typical with most convention centers, you will find a wide range of temperatures between your hotel room, the meeting rooms and where you travel in between. The key is to layer. Make sure to bring light cardigans you can easily put on and off over a cute top or wrap dress. You’ll want to be comfortable, but still carry a professional image when meeting fellow bloggers and brands. Think jeans with a cute sweater, a tunic with leggings and boots or that jersey dress that rolls up in your suitcase and looks perfect when you pull it out at the hotel!

Do you have any questions I haven’t answered? Just leave them in the comments section below!

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With a passion for teaching and mentoring others as her inspiration, Sami Cone began blogging to encourage others to live their dream life and pursue their passions. A published author and seminar speaker, she draws on her experiences as a writer, editor, university professor, performer, professional athlete, and pageant winner to help women realize their full potential in life. She appears regularly on TV and morning radio as a Frugal Expert. Sami and her husband of eight years, Rick, thrive in Nashville with their two children. Sami will be a Frugal Community Leader at Blissdom ’12, but before that you can catch up on her story at SamiCone.com or find her on Twitter at @TheSamiCone.

Photo Credit: The Lovely Laurie Turk: TipJunkie

You hear about this amazing conference.  You know *something* happens there, but you aren’t sure just *what* it is.  You watch the Twitter Stream.  You can sense the excitement, the energy, the enthusiasm that seeps from the pores of everyone who has been.

You are trying to decide.  Do you do it?  Take the chance and head to Nashville?  Do you gather friends first…make sure you will have moral support?  Or do you head off on your own?

This week’s BlissDom Speaks is all about your Tipping Point.

We are creating a series of videos celebrating all things beautiful and extraordinary about BlissDom and we need your help!

Prompt: What Made You Decide To Come to BlissDom?
(If you have been before…think back….why did you decide to take the chance?  If THIS is your first year (WE ARE SO EXCITED YOU ARE COMING!) but what pulled you in?

Remember:  Take a picture or shoot a quick video responding to the prompt.  For a sample of what we are doing, take a look at our first (and fabulous) BlissDom Speaks video.

How to do it:  Email your pictures to Danielle [at] extraordinarymommy [dot] com or for a dropbox request to send your video. Please don’t post your video to YouTube – I cannot access it to edit – I need the raw footage!

And for the kicker: A BlissDom Style Giveaway. (Last week’s winner wil be announced the day the video is revealed, next Monday, the 23rd.)

Everyone who submits a picture or video will be eligible to win a one night hotel stay at the Opryland Hotel during BlissDom.  A winner will be chosen at random from everyone who submits. Once you have submitted a picture or video, please leave your name (or a sweet – can’t – wait – to – see – you) in the comments section of this post.

Please send me your video by next Tuesday, January 24th.  The next video will appear here on this site on Monday, January 23rd, the following video will be on the 30th and so on.  I trust you can come back on the following Mondays for a look-see, yes?  And next Wednesday for our next video prompt?  I’ll be watching for you.