Bloggers that I've met and liked

Wendy Brandes and Sharon from Thrift My Style show off their jewellery.

After almost five years online, I finally stepped out from behind the dashboard, and into the real world, and went along to a blogger's meet-up. An Online Outing. A Google Gathering. Of course, I've met bloggers individually before and even spoken at a Blog Fest, but I've never been to a proper meet-up. So I was scared. It's not that I'm an anti-social networker, just that meeting virtual friends fills me with fear. Like going on a first date, or to a job interview. All the inevitable worries spin round inside my head like flies around a light bulb on a hot summer's afternoon. I'm filled with self-doubt: will they be alarmed by my wrinkles and wonky teeth? Disappointed that I'm nowhere near as glamorous or witty in the flesh? But experience now tells me that the people you gravitate towards online - because you like their style or humour or the way they write - are generally people that you have something in common with, and can relate to, in real life. Phew.

Top shirt action from me & Wendy. With Sharon, Kate from Twisted Skirt and Mr B.

Like jewellery designer and blogger Wendy Brandes (above) who arranged a London get-together over afternoon tea at Balthazar. It was great to meet Wendy and Mr B, he's a very wise man.

Elizabeth from Vintage-a-Peel sniffing scones.

And when top Aussie blogger Faux Fuchsia was on her Garden's Of Great Britain Tour with a host of other grown-up bloggers from around the globe, I did my bit for international relations too.

Here's FF (on the right of the photo) with a Francis Bacon hand  - and the very lovely Sarah from Neutral Territory - and I can confirm that she's just as glamorous, sparkly and fun in the flesh, as in the blogosphere. Knowing that FF hates chipped nail polish, I had a minor panic on the way to this meet-up and had to dash into Boots to buy some remover. Fortunately, Janet from The Gardener's Cottage was on hand to put me at ease. This was Janet's first trip to Europe, she'd been living in her parka all week and surviving on a vegan diet of carrots and mashed potatoes. Janet, if you ever venture over this side of the Atlantic again, I'll take you to a decent vegetarian restaurant. Promise.

Janet on the right , with Sister FF - and a young toff.

It's just a shame that when Sarah (Neutral Territory) and I met the fabulous Susan from Une Femme d'un Certain Age, it was such a brief encounter that we didn't have chance to take photos. But then I guess, not everything in life is a blog post.

Huge apologies for the inconsistent quality of these photos. I blame the nerves.


How do you feel about blogger meet-ups?



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