Calling all Southern Bloggers!

And non-Southern bloggers, too!

This October I am going to do something that I've never done before.

I'm going to a bloggers conference!  Not just any bloggers conference, The Southern Bloggers Conference that's going to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, October 12th and 13th!

For those of you who know me and/or have followed my blog for a while, know that I totally stress out about situations like this.  I really don't know why that is.  When I finally do decide to go, I ALWAYS have a fabulous time!  I just have to bite the bullet and go for it.

When I first heard about this conference, I was intrigued.  It seemed small enough that I wouldn't be too overwhelmed (like BlogHer), but large enough to be fantastic.   It's being held in North Carolina, which is one of my favorite places to visit AND it's an easy drive from here (many hours, but almost all Interstate). And as the list of speakers* were revealed, that made me want to go even more.

BUT, the icing on the cake for me was one woman who is one of the planners and speakers of this event:

Barb from The Everyday Home blog (formally Grits & Glamor). 

I've "known" Barb for YEARS!  I actually first "met" her before I really even knew what a blog was, on a home decorating message board.  I loved her style, her personality, and her talent!  We both started blogs from that message board and our friendship has continued to grow all this time.  She shared my itty-bitty blog with her readers several times, and for that, I am eternally grateful!   I wouldn't know half of y'all without Barb!

A few months ago, she was in Atlanta for another blog conference.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet her then.  I'm not going to let that happen again!  As soon as the tickets went on sale, I decided to go for it!

I'm finally going to get to meet Barb in person! 

I'm definitely doing a **Happy Dance**!

Not only do I finally get to meet Barb, I get to meet 99 other equally fabulous bloggers!  People who actually understand the whole "blogging thing" and won't look at you crazy when you bring up blogging subjects/topics.  I'll be in a room-full of people who GET IT!

I am also hoping to learn a lot about the business side of blogging.  I know only a very small percentage of bloggers are able to make a living just by blogging, but it would be nice to make some extra money by doing something I love!  I am a total novice when it comes to that side of things.

Check out this list of speakers*:

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality

(Who I met at the Alabama Bloggers Lisa Leonard event a couple years ago. She is FABULOUS!)

Go visit her site for a chance to win a FREE ticket to the conference!

Kari Ann of Thistlewood Farms

Heather of At the Picket Fence

Annie Omar of Maison Blanche Paint Company

Kristen Dobson of Sophia's Decor

There are still tickets available, but are going fast!  You can order them by going HERE!

I hope I get to meet a lot of you there!