Pure bliss, poutine goodness, and maple sweetness

It has taken me a while to write my BlissDomCanada post because there is so much going on in my head it's hard to make sense of it all.

Also, the pressure to be a better writer and to suck less has been causing me major stress! Just kidding. Sort of. In all honesty, though, after hearing the fabulous talent speak at BlissDom Canada, I have come back wanting to be a better writer and I am also ready to take on the challenges that have been scaring me. I'm a tiny bit more brave now. Baby steps, right?

Warning—this post uses words like 'awesome', 'so much fun' and 'good times', so if that makes you roll your eyes... um... sorry? (And surely you're used to me by now?)

It didn't take me a long time to write about my experience at BlogHer, which tells me I enjoyed BlissDom more—that says a hell of a lot because I had the time of my life at BlogHer. Are you following me? I liked BlissDom more. It was awesome.

Coming home from conferences like these—BlogHer being my first—there is a lot to take in. I have been blogging for four years now. Blogging has taught me so much. I love it. I love it because I love to write, because I love to read, and because it's my way of being creative. I'm not artistic like my talented mother. This is my thing. My best friends don't get it. But I do.

Blogging has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and to meet people I otherwise never would have considered being friends with. Blogging has opened my eyes to so much good. Blogging has made me a better person—more compassionate, more understanding, more caring.

I love the people I have met, the connections. the friendships. It is real. The people I know are talented, beautiful, smart and funny. The blogging community, it's great. Sometimes there is negativity, but most of the time, it's wonderful. It's weird, but people I have just met are people I feel I can trust more than certain people I've known my whole life.

BlissDom Canada was like an intimate weekend with close friends where after a day on the slopes, you gather in your ski lodge with the fire place on, sharing stories, laughter and a few too many drinks. It was a slumber party of good times, amazing discussions, and tears. (BlogHer was more like The Amazing Race!)

I am happy to have hung out with so many amazing women—many whom I have met before, like Sam, and many whom I just met. Everyone was fabulous.

I loved meeting Bon, Tanis, Katie, Schmutzie, and Karen for the first time—these women are talented and incredibly nice in person.

I enjoyed the sessions I attended—about becoming a content creating 'ninja', about work/life balance, about monetizing your blog and about blogging for social action, community and empowerment. I loved listening to well-spoken friends.

Of course, the parties were incredibly fun, too. Mabel's threw one very blissful party where we enjoyed fabulous drinks mixed by the Cocktail Deeva herself, a photo shoot by my favourite photographer, Cherie-Lynn and a mini make-over. (Not to mention those awesome noodles! Yum!)


After the Roots party, Adam, Casey and I enjoyed some poutine, which was very filling, and then it was off to the Speakeasy party... a very cosy and intimate way to spend part of Thursday night.

The Friday night costume and karaoke party was even more fun that I expected—I think it's safe to say we ALL had a blast.

It was a perfect way to end the very first and very awesome Canadian BlissDom. It really was pure Bliss, from start to finish. I only wish I had taken more pictures!

There was also talk about us finding our 'one word' - I'm still struggling to find mine. Do you have your word? What is it?

Catherine, Allison, Barbara and Paula did a wonderful job organzing and putting together the first BlissDom Canada. Well done, ladies! We are all so thankful. I can't wait for next year.