Thursday night my lovely husband accompanied me to my first blogger event. Chalk Me Up and I will say it was actually better than I thought it would be. I’ve always been the shy girl in the room. You can ask anyone. My family, husband and even close friends. Becoming a blogger and blogging about my passion has opened me up more as a person. When you work in a field or job you dislike, you will start to sway or distance yourself from certain aspects.
Back in October, I took the plunge and quit my job to officially start my blog and also stay home with my three year old son. I knew it was going to be hard especially at certain times but I know in the end it will be worth it. I know there may be times I might struggle even financially but at this point of my life I figured hey why not.
I was working as a call center supervisor and was miserable. Plus I worked mid day-nights so I had no time for anything making a low wage where I still could barely pay my bills but it was the most convienient since I have a three year old and the cost of daycare is just as much as the cost of rent/ mortgage.Then, the Fall came and my son was starting Pre-k Mon-Fri. I would be lucky if I saw him two hours a day.
The event was at the Vine Brooke Tavern in Lexington, Ma and hosted by a cool company called Chalk Me Up. Chalk Me Up is a tee shirt. The center of the tee has a chalk board feel to it. You’re able to color any type of design with chalk. You’re able to wash it off at anytime which also happens when you throw it in the washer. It’s definitely a great aspect for kids. They even offer fundraising for schools. A is still a little too small but I know I’ll get into that later on.
The whole upstairs was reserved just for the event. I was greeted by the organizers and we took a look around. The best part was I even got to grab myself a drink. As a stay at home mom life can be so hectic and crazy. 
In honor of Valentine’s Day they had heart shaped shirts.
Since they had the dinosaur we had to pick that one out since A is so obsessed with Dinosaurs right now. We were right he loved it.I was able to mix and mingle with a few others which was so out of my comfort zone but something I loved. Explaining what my blog is about etc and how people reacted so positively about it was something I needed. As a blogger or business owner sometimes your always second guessing yourself especially when your doing everything on your own.
I even got introduced to a few PR people which is up my alley in the long run. I’ve been working on the face of the blog online but most of my audience is from the west coast. My main goal is to work more with local businesses and bloggers. All in all it was a great event. I can’t wait to go to my next one.
homeboundbuthopeful
So glad you stepped out of your comfort zone a bit and ultimately enjoyed yourself! I’m hoping to find some blogging events local to me to start attending as well.
Jalisa
homeboundbuthopefulThank you. I found this local group on FB and they normally send out invites etc so I would deff check FB to see if you can find anything. Boston doesn’t have much so when they do I hope to get out there lol.
Meredith (@mommyinleggingz)
How awesome!! I will also say that I’m with you in the shyness department…Honestly one of my favorite things about blogging is that I can be social without the commitment of going somewhere or being with lots of people, as crazy as that sounds!!!
Jalisa
Meredith (@mommyinleggingz)lol. I totally get you. It was super fun and was also not something they teach in college even in those public classes lol. It was so fun though.
Mommy Engineering
Wow I would really like to join this next time! I haven’t been to anything blogger related but I really want to try this year
Jalisa
Mommy EngineeringDefinitely meeting pr reps help out a ton. ?
GlamKaren
Congrats for taking that (frightening) first step and quitting your day job to blog (and take care of your child). Also – this blog event sounds like a blast! Love hearing of blogging events and what people think of them.
Jalisa
GlamKarenAww thank you ?
Elizabeth
I never thought about blogging events near me. I’ll have to check out what’s available locally.
Jalisa
ElizabethI know next year I’ll attend a conference but for now I wanted a little something close to me.
Leah
Congrats on putting yourself out there! Sounds like a really cool idea and a fun night.
Jalisa
LeahIt’s a really cool company. I had a great time. Thank you for reading.
babiestobookworms
That sounds awesome! I have to start looking into some events near me for bloggers. Although it would be way out of my comfort zone too!
Jalisa
babiestobookwormsIt was definitely a fun time.
Janel Berchielli (@JanelB)
This sounds like a super fun event. In my city in the fall we have a Chalk It Up event but each artist pays for a space and creates beautiful art on the sidewalk.
Jalisa
Janel Berchielli (@JanelB)That sounds so cool.
Ana De-Jesus
Well done for taking the plunge and leaving your full time job, like you said it was making you miserable so you made the right decision! Well done for attending your first blogger event as well that is fantastic!
Jalisa
Ana De-JesusThank you so much. It was a great time. I was so surprised on how brave I was.
Amanda Love
I prefer working on my own and being on my own so you can just imagine the struggle when I started going to bloggee events. I think it’s awesome that you gave it a try. It sounds like a great event.
Jalisa
Amanda LoveSometimes its so scary going to events then once you’re there its like it never happened.
Stephanie Lowry
How exciting! I never heard of this before! I can’t wait to attend my first blogger event!
Jalisa
Stephanie LowryIt’s great for the kids. I hope u make it to one soon.
theresasreviews
That’s awesome you went to your first blogger event! It looks like you had a blast.
Jalisa
theresasreviewsI sure did. I was the only mommy blogger there but it was a great time.
Terri Steffes
How fun! I love going to teacher conferences, so I bet a blogger one would be a complete blast! Thanks for sharing your fun.
Jalisa
Terri SteffesThank you for reading.
Amber Nelson
That sounds like a lot of fun. If I lived closer to a bigger city, I would quit my job in a heart beat! Good for you!
Jalisa
Amber NelsonIt was a great decision. I worked the worst schedule so I had no time for family or free time. I’m glad I did it.
planningthemagic
That’s so cool, I’ve never heard of shirts like that. Are they messy at all? Also congrats on quitting and blogging for a living. That’s such a far dream for me.
Jalisa
planningthemagicNo not at all. The center is in a shape of what they offer and you can color with chalk. It washes off with water.
lisa
Blogger events are a lot of fun and a great way to meet like minded people. I’m glad you made it to one and hope there are many more in your future!
Jalisa
lisaI hope so too. It was such a fun and inspiring time.
Joanna Brittain
What a cool event! I have never heard of these shirts before, but I know that they are going to be huge as soon as I can get my hands on one, because my daughters will totally want them, and so will there friends! I also love that your hubby went with you! 🙂
Jalisa
Joanna BrittainLol. If your kids love chalk they will love these shirts.
bettybrico
Wow those shirts sound cool. Congratulations braving the social event. I’m a shy one too so I’d definitely have been having a drink too!
Jalisa
bettybricoThey are the coolest tees.
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
This looks like fun! I would love to go to a local blogger event!
Jalisa
Vicki @ Babies to BookwormsIt’s definitely a great way to meet other bloggers and even businesses.
We're the Joneses
What a fun event! I’ve never heard of these tees before, they sound so fun! I know my 4 year old son would love them!!
Merichelle | http://werethejoneses.com
Jalisa
We’re the JonesesHe would love them. When I came home and showed my son what we made he was so happy and excited. He loved it.
onepeainthepod
That sounds like a really fun event!
Jalisa
onepeainthepodIt was. Learning all about the company Chalk Me Up was very cool.
lovelysilvia
That’s amazing! I’m glad you were able to go to an event! I remember my first one and I was full of nerves!
Jalisa
lovelysilviaI was super nervous but in the end I was glad I attended.
Tereza
Awh what a lovely event! I always question going to blogger events so much but once i’m there I always have such a good time! They are ace when you find people you really click with! x
Jalisa
TerezaHaha yes.
Rimsha
Aw congratulations on your first blogger event! I attended my first just last Friday and I could identify with this post so much <3
Jalisa
RimshaI never knew what to expect. But everyone was super nice and welcoming.
Kathy
Amazing! It’s hard to try new things sometimes but sounds like it was well worth it!
Jalisa
KathyIt was definitely a fun event to go to.
Heather
I would love to go to a blogger event! Alas, it seems I am too far deep in Maine to ever hear about any even in New England 🙂 It looks like fun! Good luck on your blogging journey, it is definitely fun!
Jalisa
HeatherHahaha tell me about it. I moved closer to the city a couple years ago. Before that I was on the border of NH.
thecoffeemom0617
It looks like you had a ton of fun! I have been wanting to check and see if there are any blogger events close to me that I can go to.
Jalisa
thecoffeemom0617It’s always a fun time. I would definitely try and check them out if you have any closer to you.
lrramnath
Those are fun shirts!! Sounds like it was a great event. I love that you were able relax because I know how important that is being a SAHM!
Jalisa
lrramnathDefinitely. I forgot how it felt to go out without the little one.
cvnxena
This is awesome! I’ve never been to a blogger event but you are definitely making me want to go now!
Jalisa
cvnxenaI’m trying to get myself out there more this year. That is one of my goals.
workoutwithdi
This sounds like a fun event, glad you got out of your comfort zone to go. Those chalkboard shirts sound so much fun too!
Jalisa
workoutwithdiThe shirts are different but fun.
Cara (@StylishGeek)
How awesome for you to share your Chalk Me Up blogging event experience! I wish we have our own blogging meet ups where I live! So envious!
Jalisa
Cara (@StylishGeek)Normally there are none so I was so glad I caught one.
jlawsonn
I would love to go to a blogger event it seems like so much fun. I’m from a very small community in a pretty small province in Atlantic Canada so I doubt there are many around here.
Jalisa
jlawsonnNormally I have to drive into the city so I was glad there was one nearby.
Tabitha Shakespeare
What a sweet post! Congrats on taking the leap and staying home with your babe! This blogging thing has been such a blessing for us in that department!
Jalisa
Tabitha ShakespeareAww thanks. I’m glad I did it. Im glad ur having such a good time with blogging.
Lydia
Congrats on the blogger event! Blogging events are such a fun way to meet up with other bloggers instead of just online. This is such a fun event!
Jalisa
LydiaDefinitely. It was a way to get me out of my comfort zone.
reesann723
How fun! We don’t have a lot of blogger events here in NJ, so I have to travel to NYC which isn’t so easy anymore. I hope you get to attend lots of future events!
Jalisa
reesann723Aww thanks. I totally get you on the event part. Boston doesn’t have too many either.
The Cool Mom
What a cute idea for a shirt! My son would love this just as much as I do.
Jalisa
The Cool MomI thought it was coolest too.
Sarah
How fun! I really need to find some local blogger events to attend near me. It’s hard being an introvert but I need to make it happen!
Jalisa
SarahI totally understand that.
The Everyday Mom Life
Sounds like a fun event! Events are certainly a highlight for bloggers and this looks like a fun one.
Jalisa
The Everyday Mom LifeYes. Boston doesn’t have too many so when I heard about this one I had to go.
Yona Williams
That sounds like a really fun event to participate in. I love the concept of a T-shirt that you can draw on! I am also that wallflower at social gatherings…I need to get out there more myself.
Jalisa
Yona WilliamsIt definitely helps to go go at least once in a while.
Hil'Lesha O'Nan
This sounds like a lot of fun! I have been blogging for 13 years, but I have never been to a blogging event before. I’m always so busy! However, that shall change someday.
Jalisa
Hil’Lesha O’NanOh my goodness. I’m still in year one lol.
projectlifewellness
This is so awesome! I wish they had something like this near Chicago. Would totally go! I love meeting like-minded individuals!