It’s
hard to believe that a week ago tomorrow I was getting up at 6.00am on a Sunday
to make the 2 hour journey to Swindon for the much anticipated ‘Gorgeously
Green Gathering’ organised by Rach (All Natural Aspirations), Sarah
(Sugarpuffish) and Jen (Jen’s Green Skincare).
For
me, this was my first official blogger event and my first green beauty one too.
I was excited and nervous about the day. You spend so much time reading people’s
blogs, watching You Tube videos, and tweeting behind your computer that it can
seem a touch surreal to be finally meeting everyone face to face for the first
time.
I
needn’t have worried though, as everyone was just so lovely. I’ve met Kim from
Botanical Brands and Elijah from Bodhi & Birch before so it was great to
catch up with them both again. It was also good to make new contacts with
Rachael of MyRoo and Olga of The Rose Tree. Both these smaller artisan brands
are new to me. I’ve read about them on other green beauty blogs but never tried
their products. Finally Caroline, a Weleda Wellbeing Advisor came and spoke to
us on behalf of Weleda.
I
truly love to find out more about how a brand began. Having launched my own
online boutique I know that we all have our own personal story to tell, about
why we took our passion for green beauty that one step further. Each and every
one is different and I think it’s that which came across on Sunday. Each brand
is so unique because the founder’s personal journey is so different. I found it
inspiring to hear of other’s journeys and unwavering determination to make
their brand a success in what is now a very competitive marketplace.
I
also enjoyed finding out more about the essence of Weleda. I use their
products and have always wanted to attend one of their Insight Days. As a
Holistic Therapist I really resonate with the length they go to in making their
products. It’s not just about the ingredients; it’s also about the people too.
Weleda is about the energy vibration that goes into each and every one of
their products. Now to some that may sound a touch “hippy” or “out there”,
however for me, it makes my connection to the brand that much stronger. So
thank you Caroline for making me fall in love with the brand just a little bit
more than I already did x
In
the afternoon, we were all given an informative make up tutorial from Ailish
(The Glow Getter) using make-up from Living Nature and Lippy Girl using Bathing
Beauty’s beautiful new make-up brushes. Amber (Amber’s Beauty Talk) was Ailish’s
model and whilst watching, it made me realise that I could really do with a
one-to-one make up tutorial all of my own! I’m rubbish when it comes to make up
– probably why I don’t wear much of it – so watching tricks and tips of how to
make your eyes “pop” or defining your cheek bones was really worthwhile. Thanks
Ailish.
We
were also let loose on a box of Living Nature & Lippy Girl make-up on each
table. Alex from The Greener Beauty Blog make me giggle with her enthusiasm for
getting stuck into the goodies – see picture. It was great to see the joy
natural make up can bring to a table of women!
Rach,
Sarah and Jen had organised a raffle in aid of the charity Facing the World.
They raised a fabulous £165 and I was lucky enough to win some of Living Nature’s
make up – yay! Prizes were generously given by the brands who attended the day
so a huge “thank you” to them.
We
had a networking session at the end where we could chat and connect with the
Brands and I’d say that this was the part of the day I wish had been longer.
There didn’t seem to be enough time to chat and connect with fellow bloggers
and the brands, so if I had one recommendation for next time (if there is one),
then this would be it.
We
were sent home with fabulous goody bags, so a huge “thank you” to the brands
for these and also to The Primal Pantry, Consider It and Essential Trading for
the yummy foodie additions to the bag. Yummy scrum.
I
had a fabulous day and was absolutely knackered by the time I returned home. I
imagine that Rach, Sarah and Jen collapsed in happy heaps when they got home
after all the hard work which went into making the day such a success. Thank
you all.
I
hope there’ll be another Gorgeously Green Gathering next year. I think it was a
lovely way to bring green bloggers together in one space so we could all network
and chat. I’m looking forward to trying out my skincare goodies particularly the
brands I’ve not tried before.
Thanks
again guys. Until next time x
********
If
you’re interested in seeing a video of the day, then check out Rach’s You Tube Video here. You can also see other pictures and blogposts from other bloggers at the event in this Twitter feed.
This sounds like such an amazing day. I'd love a make up tutorial too.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa - It was a fun day and lovely to meet so many familiar faces in person. Hopefully the first of many blogging events to come :) Perhaps if there's a GGG 2016, you could speak at it xx
DeleteSorry to hear you felt networking was too short, we tried to cram a lot into the day but we were there until 6pm so it's a difficult one to get right and trying to judge how much time people have to spare & need for travelling etc isn't an easy one.
ReplyDeleteYou, Rach & Jen did an amazing job of packing so much into just one day :) I truly enjoyed every bit of it. I suppose as I've not met any of you before, chatting and networking was higher up on my agenda than for some. Thanks again for organising a great day x
DeleteAwww sounds like you and everyone had a fab time. I MUST go if they ever have another one. And wow those goodies, have fun trying them :) xx
ReplyDeleteIt would be so great to meet you Annmarie if you were able to make one of these Green Blogger Events. We spend so much time chatting on Twitter, email and here in the comments, that it's so great to actually meet people in the flesh :) xx
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