The Southern Women's Show Blogger Update

Last week I went to the Raleigh area Southern Women's Show. It was my first year going and boy did I have fun. I went to the blogger sneak peek party first, the day before.That was an awesome way to kick off the events just right. Barbara from Teen Cancer America spoke to us first sharing the reason behind LetMyLoveOpenTheDoor.com. PDQ catered dinner and it was an amazing spread. They even had free #Margaready for us (which I don't drink but hey). We got a sneak peek tour of the buildings and all it would hold during the show. 

Sweetheart Treats was at the party too sharing with us there delicious cakes & cupcakes. Look these sweet ladies up on Twitter @yoursugarfix & Instagram @yoursugarfix 

I met one of the speakers at the Sneak Peek event that would be at the Southern Women's Show Barbara Grufferman, who truly inspired me. I was happy to connect with her one on one before the show started Friday. Barbara stays busy,  the author of The best of Everything After 50, a spokes person for Always Discreet & a few other companies, makes t.v. appearances & a traveling speaker, author, blogger. WOW you name it. Her message was on time for me that night with somethings I am struggling with at this stage of life. Grufferman spoke on a few key topics for us bloggers. Keep YOUR voice, she taught. I so needed to hear that In a world of blogging sometimes you may look at someone else's blog and try to be like them. She said BE YOU. She also spoke on natural beauty and to be the BEST you, aging positively. She is 60 and looks amazing! Babara runs marathons and stays fit, I so admire that, truly displaying & encourages age is only a number. She is YOUNG! What a sweet heart she even blessed me with a signed copy of her book out of no where. Speaking with her was like speaking to a friend I knew forever. As I am now aging into my 40's I think her wisdom is right on time and I can't wait to read her book. Connect with Barbara on Twitter @BGrufferman and on IG @barbarahannahgrufferman

I NEVER take selfies lol but she took a selfie of us.

How can she be 60? WOW

Click to set custom HTML

Ok now I heard bloggers get swag bags and of course they hooked us up. I was so tickled to be a part of this event & meet other bloggers. I will be doing this again next year for sure. 

Now about the event it self  when it was opened to the public the next day, & was fabulous. The only day I could go was Friday, but they held the show all weekend. I took a friend and stayed all day. I even gave some tickets away to other sweet ladies who wanted to go. That was FUN! It was amazing. I really did shop till I dropped y'all. There was just to much awesomeness to capture it all for you here. I suggest you visit the Southern Women's Show web site to see what all they have and stay in touch so you can catch the show each year in your area!

• There was celebrities all the way  from soap stars to "tWitchBoss"!
• Cooking shows
• Free make overs
• Free samples of everything a lady could want
• Shopping
• A fashion show
• A doggy fashion show
• Health advice
• Demonstrations
• Food
• I am sure I forgot some more awesomeness lol
• 
  

This darling dog was chillin during the show, just to cute not to capture a picture

Food Lion had cooking shows all day including their live with real chefs version of the show Chopped!

The best part is I met some of the sweetest vendors in the world. I made connections with them and listened to why they started their business. I love small business and want to really connect with the local Raleigh small business & show support. There was over 200 vendors at the show. But here are some shout outs of my favorites below. I had so many favorites I can't fit them all here today but will share some. I loved truly getting to know these people and hearing their story. I love these Made in the USA home grown shops! I will be doing an up-close view at each of these businesses and sharing their story with you in an upcoming posts. I can't wait to share with you what they do and why they do it!

So the Southern Women's Show is a mega party that rocks! You meet awesome people and get to spend girly time doing what girls like to do. Loved it and will do this again in the future. So stay on the look out for the up & coming reviews of some awesome vendors from the show soon.