BlogHer Day Two - SWAG

After my tour of the Kraft Kitchens I head over to the Social Luxe Party. I think this was the party was the one I looked forward to the most. It promised primping and pampering and let me tell you I got all of that. I had a backrub. I had some photos taken for a new avatar. I had a makeup artist touch up my makeup. I even went crazy and got a tatoo. OK not a permanent one but I did get a tattoo. It was a Henna one and I selected a Chinese symbol for luck and wealth. I can truly use both.

The swag I received was GREAT. Let me start by adding this disclosure policy.

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I made it a point to meet the Swiffer Representatives. I wanted them to see the video I had made for their contest a couple of years ago. Now I will admit that for me it was my time to shine. what I didn't know was that these two ladies would treat me like a Hollywood movie star when they discovered that I made the video. They couldn't wait to see it.

My Swagbag included things like a Proflowers Gift card, cards, One Hope wine, a Kodak Zi6 and so much more. I will be uploading a video of this swag so you can see it. Once again, YouTube is acting very slow so it might be a couple of days before I load the video.

Finally at the end of the party I trudged back to the hotel hauling my HUGE bag of goodies. When the elevator door opened to my room I saw an employee pushing a huge cart with vases of flowers. I joked with him, "Oh they must all be for me." He said, "I already put one in your room." Just an exchange of words nothing more.

Boy was I wrong. When I opened the door to my roomm I was greated to a lovely bouquet of flowers that included four yellow roses. They were from Colombia, Land of Flowers. Just too beautiful. Did I mention I love BlogHer so far?

There are also some contests that are going on here that are exclusively for people attending BlogHer. I've entered both of them. There might be more but I will find out soon.

I’m High On Valentine’s Day

Let me tell you I can’t think of a better Valentine’s Day. I thought last year was awesome but this one tops that one. Last year I won a Vermont Teddy Bear so I ordered the Fairy Tale Princess Bear. I also won $50 worth of flowers from 1800Flowers. Really I thought I was living high off the hog. A teddy bear, flowers, and all we had to pay for then was dinner out at TGIFridays. TGIFridays was having a special dinner price which included an appetizer, dinner, and dessert. Wow. I felt I was really spoiled and I felt good about not breaking the bank.

This year is shaping up to be even better. Darryl and I have a challenge going on at ThriftyMaven.com to see how inexpensively we can celebrate Valentine’s Day. This year neither 1800Flowers nor ProFlowers were having video contests or essay contests. So I said, “I guess this Valentine’s Day will be a lot less Wow.” I wasn’t disappointed because I figured even if we just went out to dinner it would be great.

Then the Valentine’s Day wins started coming in. First I won a Tower of Treats, then a stuffed Koala Bear, then a $50 gift certificate to Carabba’s for dinner, then last night I won a $70 gift card to ProFlowers. How wonderful. I’ve been sweating this whole win a vows renewal contest because I thought that way I’d get the food and music all at once but I’m kind of getting over the fact I might not have won. Then I received a call from the AJC. Turns out I won Valentine's Day at the High February 14, 2009, 6-10 p.m. It’s normally $25 per person, $40 per couple. Free for members.

Here’s what’s going to go on there:

LOVE. ART. Valentine's Day at the High, 6 to 10 p.m. Pamper your valentine with an evening filled with music, dance, poetry, and more!

Expand your experience with Fanfare: A Musical Feast at the Woodruff Arts Center. Learn more about this 3-course dinner here.

MUSIC
Romantic Flute and saxophone provided by Richard Jones and Guitar music presented by Steve Dwiggins of Gentle Rain Productions.

Latin rhythms by Orquesta Lyrica, featuring Enrique Mercado and musicians from Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela.

DANCE
Learn a sultry tango or sexy salsa from Audi Lopez-Rice of Mezcolanza Dance Company.

INSPIRE
Take a self-guided "love and romance" gallery tour or visit The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army and The Louvre and the Masterpiece.

PAMPER
Complimentary chair massages and hand parafin dips provided by Ecotage Spa & Salon from Macy's Lenox Square. Register on-site to win an exclusive spa package.

INDULGE
Valentine's Day Book recommendation: Chinese Love Poetry by Jane Portal and Qu Lei Lei, available for purchase in the Museum Shop.

SPLURGE Enjoy a complimentary flower provided by one of our own Terracotta Warriors!

Drinks, hors d'oeuvres and desserts available for purchase.

So imagine this, I get a massage, a hand paraffin dip, AND dancing lessons in addition to all this other stuff. WOWWWWWWWEEEEEE. This is the best Valentine’s Day ever. I know I said last year couldn’t be topped but this year is over the top. Just plain over the top with how wonderful it will be. Best of all it’s ALL FREE.