Yesterday I had my very first meet-up with fellow bloggers at
Bumble, the yellowest, happiest cafe in the Bay Area. I was very, very nervous as a couple of my best friends once confessed they didn't like me when they first met me as I come across as ditzy and a big old blurter. So I tried to keep the old trap shut and act my age.
It was so fun, the food was great and we had loads to talk about.
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| Asparagus and Fontina (what's that?) Flatbread |
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| French champers and scones - Qui, please! |
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| Something for everyone: sprogs can play in the sandbox |
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| Me with the URL, now IRL (In Real Life) friends |
I actually had known Elizabeth through a mutual friend, Linda. (See Elizabeth's house
here: more is more in her book). She's known in these here parts as La Contessa for her extravagant wear. One year she had a black velvet full-length opera cloak sewn up (as you do). She wears it to Safeway. "Well, let's face it - where else else would I wear it?" she said to me as we blatted along the motorway in her celadon-green Fiat. "The Italian husband" called; would she be home in time to take him to the dentist? Here's a man who is clearly besotted after 30 years together and two grown sons. "Ciao Ciao" I said and he laughed. Very polite husband, I'd say.
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| Elizabeth (La Contessa) made this necklace herself from vintage clips |
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| Elizabeth cooking us lunch last year in her kitchen. |
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| The bar area in her house |
Elizabeth has such a distinct personality that when our mutual friend saw a
piece in the SF Chronicle about a reader who had found a shopping list in her cart which contained the scribbled addendum -
"4. The Italian Husband/ crazy because:/ compost/ spaghetti fork/ garden hole in wrong spot/ computer file." - she immediately knew that mystery shopping list belonged to Elizabeth.
So have you been brave enough to do a bloggy meet-up? And by the way, what have people confessed about their first impressions of you?
Looks like you had lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteLovely ladies!
They are lovely ladies, Rose!
DeleteI have done a URL to IRL convert!!! I met Cilla from Cilosophy who is smart, kind and beautiful and a Doctor. And, Mimi from A Tray of Bliss, who is an absolute doll, her generosity knows no bounds, she donates heaps of her time to all sorts of great things. I LOVED meeting these two. Mimi is in my area and I will be ringing her for another meet up soon. Your meet-up would have been fun. I love The Contessa, what style!!! I haven't really ever had an opinion from someone as to what I was like to first meet. But, I reckon it would be 'aloof' or 'unfriendly' because I am quite shy....I also can't joke well because I don't smile enough when I say something and people think I am serious! Good advice keeping trap shut and growing up...
ReplyDeleteXx
My usual expression is mouth down, I can't help it with my buck teeth. Usually builders call out: "It's never going to happen love!" The Contessa fully embraces colour and sparkle.
DeleteJody you are amazing you got this out already! Loved your snaps.. I have got to get to Elizabeth's house and see it.. I am already sure I'll love it like her.
ReplyDeleteYou come off as funny, smart and even prettier in person. Adorable!
What a fun lunch. Feel so lucky to have made you IRL friends now!! x
Kim - you can tell I'm doing my usual procrastination - I have deadlines so I do my blog instead...
DeleteIt was great fun. I did notice you were a bit quiet which was a shame, because I love to let it rip nd know you to have a wickedly funny sence of humor.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had much feedback from first meetings but I would imagine the words wouldn't include"shy, quiet or serious"!
What did you think? Be honest! After all it's jut between us :-))
Haha! I'll, I'll be my usual blurty self next time
DeleteLooks like fun Jody! I have done a blogging meet up - with Faux Fuchsia, Romy (from Diary of a Hobart Housewife) and a blog reader Pamela. We spent a weekend in Melbourne last year, and I felt SICK the week leading up. I was so worried we would not get along etc. But we did! And we're planning another trip this year to catch up. They were all just like I expected, except taller. I have no idea what they thought of me though? My husband did make me text him after I'd met them to let him know that I was still alive...
ReplyDeleteHeidi, that sounds so fun - and lovely and sparkly!
DeleteI've been to a couple of blogapaloozas with bloggers in the south of France. We had lunch in Avignon the first time, and in Montpellier the second. It was lovely to put bodies to bloggers.
ReplyDeleteSarah, corker way of putting it - bodies to bloggers. I've read about some bloggy meet-ups and people sometimes say the mystique is gone or the blogger is completely different from their blog.
DeleteThis sounded like a lot of fun!! I haven't met any blogging friends yet, as we all live so far from each other, but I am hoping one day to. The kitchen looks amazing, I like all the bits and pieces. Am glad you enjoyed yourself xx
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to look at at Elizabeth's house
DeleteYou all look fabulous and it looks like it was such great fun! Now you need to come to London x
ReplyDeleteWould love to come to London and do the dim sum and P Road with you (you know when I lived right there, i never went down POrtobello Road1)
DeleteOh how great! So far I am met Ema and Dani. It is awfully fun to meet people and this is quite the dramatic crew - I would have been in heaven!
ReplyDeletep.s. I think I am a blurter, too!
It's always so funny and relevant in my head...my husband always says also I start in the middle of a story which is very confusing for new people
DeleteSounds like a grand time. Stay and babe ...do not turn into a crone. I've only had one person, many years ago, tell me she thought I was a bitch when first met. I just must have been on the rag. Pretty much what you see is what you get. I did meet up with Ina from Ina in Wonderland earlier this year. Hubs was with so it was hard to get a word in. We had a lovely time over a three hour lunch...I think we talked about everything but sex...just not enough time ;)
ReplyDeleteBB - you crack me up. On The Rag, have not heard that expression since the Eighties.
DeleteBB, I was also sweating pits so I had to remember not to raise my arms . I once read a celebrity who said they use that as an ice-breaker, but think for us mere mortals its arms down for the duration
DeleteLooks like you had a grand ole' time. Wait, what's wrong with being ditzy and a big old blurter??
ReplyDeleteReckon.
Deletelol keeping your trap shut must have been interesting hahaha yep, hopped a plane to NY once and met up with a blogger, fun indeed
ReplyDeleteHopped a plane! Was it an optimistic existentialist situation? (true romance?
DeleteI've had a couple opportunities (in LA, in Chicago, in NY & here) to connect with other bloggers and it is always great to meet in real life. I am always extra nervous about the gatherings, but end up having a great time.
ReplyDeleteThat grocery list cracks me up!
I know. was just thinking would anyone recognise me from my shopping list (mine are very dull and always have TP on them)
DeleteI have had some very good blog meets... a couple of bloggers are now proper regular friends.
ReplyDeleteI''m hoping to meet a couple more this year. Unless they throw alcohol down my throat I am usually on the quiet side.
Sx
Yes a frosty glass of savvy always reveals the best of my personality...alls good when I have my wine glasses on
DeleteIt sounds like a fun lunch with those wonderful women!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea that sandbox is too for those wee ones...we could use that idea here!
Wow La Contessa has an amazing home...next time you will probably be more relaxed and the chatter will fill the air.
They have a play area out the back for kids too. Gosh I wish they had these places around when my sprogs were small. We had the screaming tantrums in Starbucks on Notting Hill when they i gave them the blue lollipop instead of the red one (Harley, now 16)
DeleteYou all look so very gorgeous.....and I started to make a brooch necklace for the wedding but nobody seemed to like it but me! so I chickened out of wearing it...I guess the veiled hat was enough. I am sure you are as funny and friendly in real life as you are in blogland too. The first time I met a blog buddy was a few years ago...we got on so well that first time fuelled by bottles and bottles of red wine....and then she held my hairback as I threw up everywhere! we are still friends to this day...only we don't drink quite as much now....seem to be moving on to the tea and cake brigade...sigh.....
ReplyDeleteLibby - you should have worn that necklace - i love the veiled hat. Love your story about the meet-up. We will do white wine when we meet up, lots more vitamins!
DeleteAhhh Jody-These are some of my favorite blogger friends. I loved seeing your pics! I've traveled with both Kim and Jennifer and we've become IRL friends for certain. Love those two. I met La Contessa (so fab!) in Napa. I was sorry you weren't able to join us due to being out of town. You are lucky ladies to all live fairly close. Next time I come down from the 'valley' would love to meet up. Is it true about the white wine and vitamins? I love a little savvy myself. Happy weekend!! xx, Heather
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, vitamins and sauvy, a rumour at this stage but I'm sure a true one
Deletewhat stunning women! it looks like you had a great time. i have met some seriously amazing bloggers and now consider them lifelong friends.
ReplyDeletethat shopping list was too funny!
I know. I never actually found out what else (groceries wise) was on the list. Pasta for sure as her husband eats it as Italians do, by itself as one course
DeleteI have never met up with any bloggers that I follow but I would love to hop on a plane to California anytime. Fill me up with champagne and blurt away, I don't mind. Or you could hop a plane to Atlantic Canada and I'll fill you up with East Coast lobster and local micro brewed beer and you can blurt away...your choice.
ReplyDeleteOh I love lobster, blimin tempting. Champers for you if you're here, can't promise the home made scones though!!
DeleteFIRST IMPRESSIONS of me.........that would be a good chuckle!
ReplyDeleteDitzy and a Blurter...........NO WAY!I think your one of the funnest people I have met in a long long time!
YOU ROCK!Who are those GIRLFRIENDS anyway.....KIWI"S or AMERICAN"S?
As far the LIST........I'm certain it had bread,milk,salad makings on it.........nothing too exotic!
How exciting to meet up with bloggy friends, I've not done that yet!
ReplyDeleteFirst impressions of my, I think are that I'm a bit thick!! I'm shy and very afraid of saying the wrong thing so invariable say nothing and just smile (like an imbecile!!)
Wonderful restaurant and delightful company: sounds like a stellar day!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome day!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I met up with Faux Fuchsia in London, my kids sang a chorus of "Mummy's going to get murdered" as i went out the door, which was nice, meanwhile FF's sisters were on high alert and arranged to meet me in Waitrose to make sure I was not a loopy stalker..since then FF has been to stay with me and last year I went to Paris with her and her sis - it was all fabulous! I love the sound of the Contessa and the opera cloak in Safeway, what class! XXXX
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