CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Creative Solutions - Coloring Book Giveaway!

When I was asked to lead a round table at this year's ConnectHER conference, I agreed, but I wanted to do something a little less traditional.

You see, after attending years of blogging conferences, I've come to feel the best part of attending any of them is meeting and talking to other bloggers. I learn a little from the panels, but I learn much more from conversations shared with influencers at a lunch table or sitting in the lobby. 

And then I thought it might be fun to bring a brand I love to work with along for the ride and turn the dialog into opportunity. 

So I sent an email to my friends at Ulysses Press because lately, I am obsessed with COLORING! Not only did they jump on board with enthusiasm, they sent me a ton of beautiful coloring books from talented artist Wendy Piersall (find her collection here on Amazon)! Suddenly my conversation about blogging was now experiential; so now that we were going to be creative, I decided to them the session as a brainstorm about "creative solutions." 

Look how lovely it looked on Sunday:

I was so happy to send home my round table attendees with some new ideas for their blog and some well deserved coloring therapy! 

We all need a distraction every now and then, don't we? When I pick up a coloring book and my colored pencils, I get really absorbed. It keeps me from checking my phone, using my laptop, snacking, or staring mindlessly at the television. And when I'm done, I have something pretty to share. 

And the giving keeps going! Ulysses Press wanted to send one of my readers some of Wendy's beautiful coloring books! The winner gets quite a prize: Coloring Animal Mandalas, Coloring Flower Mandalas, Coloring Ocean Mandalas, Coloring Dream Mandalas, Coloring Bird Mandalas and - my favorite because you can mail them! - Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards. PLUS! They will throw in a set of colored pencils so you can dive right in the moment you open the box. What could be better?! Make sure you fill out the form below where there are tons of ways to earn entries, and come back daily to earn even more! (HINT: There is a bonus way to get entries at the very bottom so scroll down!)

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

BONUS ENTRY: Post a photo of something you've recently colored on Instagram. Tag me (@ajfeuerman), @UlyssesPress and @WendyPiersall in the comments! We want to see your beautiful pieces! 

GOOD LUCK!

And Then.... I Had Brunch (Of Course)

It's been a busy, busy Summer. I took a vacation to Portland! I've been away for work three or four times! I've seen movies and friends. I've eaten meals and colored. I just got back from BlogHer and am speaking at ConnectHer in two weeks -- all of the "hers," eh? 

Here is where I am not going, though -- I am not going to BrunchCon. I was disappointed that they did not seem to be working with bloggers - a mistake in my opinion. I have a lot of pride and cannot get over that I was not approached to support (I offered, I was ignored). And I was turned off by a lackluster list of vendors and the price of admission, which is not an unlimited admission -- it only entitles you to a limited quantity of tickets to trade for bites and sips.

PASS. 

I do have a whole bevvy of new brunch places to recommend, though, if anyone is looking. 

MERCADO

They have three locations. I like the one on West 3rd which opens up to the street and is quite lovely on a nice day. Visit their website for more. 

My picks: The guacamole and queso and the chilaquiles. Particularly the pork in the chilaquiles. WOW.

LEDLOW

A charming, new spot downtown! Visit their website for more.

My picks: The Brandy Milk Punch (right), the Burrata toast... and the very attractive manager. ;)

FAT DOG

They have two locations. Visit their website for more info.

My picks: The short rib hash or the strawberry mascarpone pancakes.

Well, now I am sufficiently hungry. Damn. 

I have a back-log of brunch photos and blog posts and ideas that I swear will not continue to go ignored. This site is definitely due for another rebrand, right? Please be sure to follow me on ajfeuerman.com as well -- I am blogging there as well, of course. And don't forget you can sign up for my exclusive, monthly brunch e-newsletter there.