Britmums Live: A First Timer’s Account

I have been excited about Britmums Live for the past year. I started my blog in May 2014 and when I saw the waterfall of tweets from last years event I knew I had to get involved. I booked my super earlybird ticket as soon as I could and could not wait!!

Britmums, for anyone who doesn’t know, is the largest 2 day blogging event in the UK. Everyone in the blogging world goes crazy for it and the hype building up to it is mental! As a first timer I only had other people’s experiences to go on but even still, I was pretty excited myself! Months of blogging, tweeting your favourite bloggers and then the chance to meet them- hurrah!!

I packed the a few days before, was so worried I would forget something- normally it is my business cards but I was sent my Britmums ones by instantprint so they were first in my bag! The night before I cleared all of my memory cards in preparation… this was my first mistake!

Time to go!

Friday morning, off I go to the station when it dawns on me… sd card is still in my laptop!!! Rush home to retrieve it and somehow still manage to make my train. I was meeting my roomie for the trip, Jenna, at the Travelodge so made my way to Old Street tube station and walked the 5 minute walk to the hotel.

Once we were checked in it was time to go for lunch. For a first timer it is so good to organise to meet up with other bloggers before the event. It gives you a chance to chat and say hi to people you have chatted to online for so long. There were so many people I was looking forward to seeing – bit like celebrity spotting if I’m honest!!

With Leigh- Headspace Perspective

The Event- Friday

We headed to The Brewery and were given our passes for the weekend. The venue, although large, actually felt quite intimate and there were enough rooms that you didn’t feel like you were surrounded by hundreds of bloggers at any given time.

With Hannah – MumsDays

They give you a schedule, which you can see online beforehand but I always like to have a hard copy so I can star which talks I am going to go to. The whole thing is a bit surreal really, you have in your head what it is like and for me it wasn’t so. Not in a bad way but just different. I think the fact they say 700 bloggers you imagine it to be a bit like the Ideal Home Exhibition with people all in a huge room but it just wasn’t like that at all.

With Katie- Pouting In Heels

The brands were all in a room, each with a little stand to go say hi and give them your business cards. They were all so friendly and approachable which was just so lovely as you are so nervous putting yourself out there but they certainly made me feel at ease.

There are 4 conference rooms, all spread out so make sure you have comfy shoes to be trekking up and down the stairs if you are thinking of going next year!! Although I have to say I survived in wedges the whole of Friday- quite pleased with myself!

The BiBs

I had a couple of friends up for BiBs awards, I felt so sick as you just want them to win but then of course there are other bloggers you admire up for the same award so it is so hard. None of my closest friends won their category and you just feel so gutted for them. It makes me feel sick to my stomach to think that will be me in a few months. I may have to hide in a cupboard until it is over!

With the Twirly Woos

The awards are really short, wham bam thank you mam and then the bouncers quite literally force you off the premises and you are sent packing!!! A few of us went for dinner but I was so hungry I felt too ill to eat my delicious bbq pulled pork burger!

Day 1 thoughts: I was absolutely 100% starvin’ Marvin’ by the end of the day. I did not bring any snacks with me and that was a huge mistake. However, had a fab afternoon meeting some of my blog crushes so the hunger pangs were worth it!

Saturday

Bright and early back to The Brewery for pastries and apple juice. Miniature portions again so you probably want to be having your own breakfast before you arrive. The brands are there again and I managed to complete the circuit and meet everyone. I felt more confident talking to them the second day, practice makes perfect!

Haha this makes me laugh- Me going in for a kiss with Caro – The Twinkle Diaries (It was for a competition and I won haha, obviously a great tweet!) 

The talks were great, I wont bore you with the details but will be sharing more on Live. Love. Blog on Wednesday if you want to hear about what I learned. It is definitely worth going through the schedule and working out what will benefit your blog most as you can panic at the time and follow the crowds!

I actually skipped one of the sessions and enjoyed a nice chat with some of the bloggers in the outdoor area. It is such a social event compared to the other blogging conferences, was lovely to just chill with fantastic and inspiring women!

With Aby- You Baby Me Mummy and Katie- Mummy Daddy and Me Makes Three

The day was rounded off by a keynote speech by Caprice, who is just lovely. She shared her tales of becoming a mum and I think won us all over. She was followed by the keynote bloggers. You may have seen people could submit posts that would be shared by the blogger themselves to everyone there.

I have not cried so much in such a long time. Some of the posts were so emotive and beautifully written which are enough to make you cry anyway but some of the events being talked about have happened in the past few months and I have watched things unfold over social media. To hear those bloggers reading such heartbreaking stories just left me feeling emotionally drained but just so proud to be part of such a wonderfully inspiring group.

Blogging has changed my life, I have spoken about that before but the main thing that I always am so grateful for is the window you have into people’s lives. To hear about their families, their struggles and how they are dealing with it or fighting for good causes is just such an inspiration. Hearing their stories make me want to be a better mum.

Of all of the posts it was Helen of Actually Mummy who touched me the most. I heard of her daughter’s condition through her blog and social media when she was diagnosed and so hearing Helen talk about it and seeing her get emotional was so sad. But it was her message in the post that got to me. She spoke about how it used to be a countdown to bedtime, a ‘phew the kids are in bed’ type feeling.

We all get it don’t we? But now she doesn’t take it all for granted and how she feels that through everything she is now a better mummy, someone who takes the time to get to know her children. I sat and listened, I cried for her and I cried in understanding. I have those days, more often than not, and I need to stop. I need to savour each and every second with my girls.

Day 2 thoughts

Fab day talking with brands, mingling with amazing bloggers, rounded off by a sense of pride being part of a community so richly talented. Also still starving!

So there we go, bit of a rambling post but that is how I felt about it all. My only regrets are that I didn’t recognise enough bloggers to say hello to and that I didn’t take enough photos! Anyway, I am going to be booking my super early bird ticket in a week or so – hopefully I will see you next year!!

Have you been before?