SNAP! Conference Overview in Instagram – Part 1

If you follow me on Instagram (@jennuinelife), you might have noticed that I attended SNAP! Conference which was held April 25-27 in Salt Lake City.

Against the advice of many, I did take my DSLR but found that the advice to leave it behind was warranted; I hardly used it at all and instead relied on my phone or tablet for photos.

My trip to SNAP! began with me missing my flight out due to a combination of a flight schedule change and my tendency to push the limits of the check-in window.  I was able to get a flight a few hours later, and utilized the time to catch up on e-mail and give my blog a mini makeover – how do you like it?

When I arrived in SLC, my friend Lauren Dahl picked me up at the airport and we grabbed some coffee.  I had tentatively arranged to get together with Lindsay from The Cottage Mama so while Lauren and I chatted, I texted with Lindsay to arrange to meet up at the hotel.  Lauren snapped a pic while I was typing and I laughingly asked if I had angry resting face to which she replied that I had “I’m texting Lindsay from The Cottage Mama face” which fortunately is much more pleasant than angry resting face!

It was fabulous getting to meet Lindsay and she was just as sweet and personable as she appears on her blog.  I didn’t think to get a photo with her – not even on the day that we were fashion twinners with us both in Washi dresses with large-scale prints, cuffed jeans and a belted cardigan.  I really could kick myself for that one!

The first evening I was there, Lauren and I met up for dinner with some other sew-y ladies who were either in town for SNAP!, or were local.  It was fabulous to get to meet Karly from Paisley Roots, Crystal from That’s What She Crafted, Marissa from Raegun Ramblings, Sabra from Sew a Straight Line, Scary and Al from Shaffer Sisters, and Alexia from Lexi Made.  Lauren and I had a comical time trying to find parking and ended up with one of those ridiculous boxes where you shove folded up dollar bills into the slot corresponding to where you park.  Who’s job is it to unfold all that money?  Anyways, we had an amazing time and I got to rub shoulders with some really great virtual friends who I now feel I can simply call friends.  Somehow we forgot to take any pictures at dinner – like I don’t think anyone had their camera out – can you say blogger fail?  If I’m wrong and one of y’all have a photo, tag me or something so I can grab it!

The first day of the conference coincided with Fashion Revolution day and following along with Celina, Laura, Abby and hundreds of other makers, I wore my #handmadeinsideout for the conference.  I fully expected to be explaining my unusual fashion statement the entire day, but I found that I had to volunteer the explanation in almost every instance.  Either people were being way too polite to tell me i had my top on inside out, or they simply didn’t notice.  I’m a little concerned for those who just didn’t notice – clearly I didn’t bother to change my serger thread and my bust darts couldn’t be any more obvious!

I made friends at check-in at the Elmer’s photo booth – that’s Elise from Elise’s Pieces, Danielle from Busy Mom’s Helper, and Carissa from Creative Green Living.

In my middle-of-the-night packing haste, I had forgotten to pack a hairbrush.  So I was more than happy to take advantage of the Rust-Oleum pamper lounge and get my hair ‘did by a professional.  I had curls that just didn’t stop after this!

Lauren and I grabbed a sanctioned bathroom selfie and coined the hashtag #hexicrotch.  Later in the conference, those ill-placed hexigons were mysteriously removed.

For lunch on Thursday, we took advantage of the local food trucks and had some amazing Korean BBQ in a cup with some entertainment from the guys inside the truck.

Lookie there!  I met Dana from MADE!  She taught a sewing class to make shorts from her kid shorts pattern.  I didn’t get to chat with her because she was busy with the class, but it was so cool that these amazing sewing bloggers were added to the curriculum at SNAP!

The first evening’s entertainment was Alex Boyé, the YouTube sensation known for his renditions of Let it Go and Royals.  He wove storytelling into his act and had all the ladies swooning!

Phew!  That’s a lot to talk about, and that was just the first day of the conference!  I’ll go over the rest over the next few days.