My Top 10 Things to Avoid Before Heading to #BlogHer12

Being a BlogHer newbie I’ve read tons of posts on what to do before you head to BlogHer (NYC in this case) but I haven’t found one that warns about some of the {insane/idiotic/crazy/sad} things I’ve done to prepare. So, without further ado, here are 10 things to avoid before heading to BlogHer (I’ve learned these the hard way.)

Don’t…

… Go on an online shopping spree for clothes. I bought several pair of pants from Old Navy and they got in 2 days ago – great shipping time! Now, if only I wasn’t swimming in them and able to carry a small child in the pocket I’d be good.

… Dye your hair at home. I did this in an effort to save time and money – the cheap and lazy effort showed through when I looked and had about 8 different colors in my hair. Back to the salon I go to drop even more money and time.

… Put all of your hens in one basket (thanks Granny!) When you rely on a single source of income or transportation or anything the chances of it falling through are increased. Always have a backup plan – always.

… Waiting until the last-minute to organize your schedule. Having 3 parties in 1 time block not only means you have to forego 2, but you may have taken an opportunity from someone who was able to commit.

… Avoid looking at a map. Who cares where you’re going right? Wrong! When you have parties lined up, especially those that are close together (getting out of 1 and heading to another within a 5 minute time frame or closer) it’s nice to know how far away they are from each other. Especially when you’re not familiar with the city.

… Get stuck in your head. Overthinking a situation can leave you anxious and doubting yourself. Go in with complete confidence and own your blog – you rock!

… Shop for shoes online. I have wide feet – like Frankenstein feet wide – and finding shoes that fit is one thing, making sure they’re comfortable is another. I’ve went through 6 pairs of shoes trying to find ones that are comfy enough for the tons of walking I’ll be doing. I’ve found 1 pair that are completely hideous but they fit, they’re comfortable and I wont have blisters after 1 day of walking. If you must shop online make sure you have plenty of time to send them back and replace if they don’t fit.

… Let the salon try a new wax on your brows. Especially when you’re scheduled to leave in 3 days. Allergic reactions, skin irritation – whatever the issue may be it’s not a pretty one. I’m struggling to get my eyes from this to normal in 3 days – I’ve got a “Little Engine that Could” mentality going right now – I think I can, I think I can…

… Miss out on networking opportunities. Twitter is all aglow with #BlogHer12 chatter – don’t be afraid to get your toes wet – just dive in head first. Networking is the name of the game; reach out, say hello and stop being shy. You’re about to be surrounded by 4,000 bloggers and tons of awesome companies and their reps – break out of your shell.

… Forget about the other bloggers who will be there. Having a blogger as a BFF is amazing. Not only do they get it when you talk about blog related stuff (instead of looking at you like you’re speaking a long-lost dialect) they’re some really awesome peeps! Seriously, think about how much time and effort goes into maintaining a blog – we’re some seriously dedicated ladies – that dedication carries over into our personal lives. Having a blogging buddy to pal around with at sessions, parties and the like will help you get out of your head and your shell.

What do you think is the most important thing to avoid when heading to BlogHer? Feel free to come by and say hi {or poke me with a stick} if you see me at BlogHer!! You can’t miss the bright red hair!