The most amazing Real Simple Dinner

Friday night of the Blogher conference, I was a bit tired and grumpy.  The conference had ended and the cocktail party had started, and I wasn't finding any food.  As in, one lone guy passed me with a tray, and on the tray were tortilla chips topped with tuna, I think.  Yuck.  I found the bar and grabbed a drink and found some wild and crazy people to hang with, one of whom I didn't know AT ALL. (This factors in later, I promise.)

I was grumpy and tired because I hadn't slept well the night before - I was too nervous because of the whole speaking thing.  I had gotten up early and worked out, and then swam in the afternoon and walked the 1.5 or so miles to the conference.  So, combined with no food, I was out of sorts.  (I know, surprise, surprise.)  So when I realized I wasn't finding any food, I decided that I'd make it over to the dinner that Real Simple was hosting, a dinner that I'd been invited to with some other bloggers. My two erstwhile companions, having been invited themselves, joined me.  We all agreed that we'd go for a while, and I vowed that if it was no fun and the food wasn't worth it, I'd bow out.  I was hungry, damnit and wanted to eat.  And relax and have fun.

We went up to the dinner and were greeted by three employees of Real Simple, who were kind, gracious and funny.  There were two ladies there who offered to organize our pocketbooks, but since I didn't have one, they just gave me the pocketbook insert, which was really a black pocketbook all its own.  That was coolness number one.  We were given forms to fill out and directed to a table inside the formal dining area.  Because I am an idiot, I didn't read where the paper said to INTERVIEW someone, and instead answered my own questions.  A waiter came by, offering beef on a stick.  The most delicious, tender beef that one could have had.  Next came tuna sashimi, little grilled cheese sandwiches and small cups of tomato soup, quesidillas, and right behind us was the most gorgeous set up of cheeses and fruits.  Our small group quickly grew and grew, and we pulled cubes up to one table to fit everyone in.  It was like a grown up pajama party, and I had more fun there than I think is legal. 

Despite totally filling our bellies with appetizers, we were still given a dinner.  The most amazing dinner with salad and steak and salmon.  And what happens when you bring a beautiful plate of food out to bloggers?  Why, they record it to post on their blogs, of course.

(Somehow, someway, I WILL figure out how to make my pictures look better.)

Mothergoosemouse, Three Kid Circus and Not Calm.  Three insanely funny women that I am so honored to know.

Drowning in Kids, Daring Young Mom, and Kerflop - all who I want to be when I grow up.  Someday.

Oh My Stinkin' Heck - a wickedly funny woman who is more humorous than should be legal.  I didn't know her before this night, and I most certainly talked her ear off, but I now have a new idol and a new blog to add to the list.  It was a true testimony to me that last year I never would have held a conversation with her, being too intimidated and shy, but this year was so much better for me.

We ate until we were stuffed beyond our limits, and then they served dessert.  Tiny finger treats, coffee and teas.  We were all full and tired, but we knew there was a grand prize drawing for four hours with a Real Simple Organizer, live at YOUR own house.  So we waited and waited, all the while goofing around and impersonating friends and politicians.  And working on our posture.     

Finally, FINALLY, the winners of the home organization were called.

I won.

ME!  I WON!  Plus, they gave us goody bags, with the most recent issue of the magazine - darn it all, I read it on the plane - and a $25 gift card to iTunes.

I love Real Simple.  Already did, before this classy dinner, where I felt like I wasn't just a number but a true person, but this kind of cemented it.

Comments

[amy]

sounds very fun! I hope you will document when they come to your house and organize you!

[Monica]

Wow, that sounds like such a great night, especially since I'm a sucker for good food.

Congrats on winning, I hope you blog about how it goes.

[OMSH]

Carmen! You DO have to post pictures. Drive the woman/man insane, but not DURING ... just AFTER, y'know, so you get your certificate's worth.

That was a horrible sentence I vomited right there - sorry 'bout that.

Okay, off to read the Elff. I have to find my place in the archives. Today I think I might have had my last coke for a while. I swear if you make me thin I might have to eat you.

[Pat]

I'm really fighting some envy, here. I've never won so much as Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey, and you actually won useful services! Would like to see before and after photos of the part of your home/life that most needed organization.

[Margaret]

Carmen- You are my organizational IDOL. What can this Real Simple person possibly DO in your house??? Send him/her over HERE!!!

[Sara]

Knowing how much you love Real Simple, I think it is so appropriate that you won! Yay!

Sounds like you had a much, MUCH better time this year. Good for you that you gave it another try. A lot of people wouldn't have - you go girl!

It must be so cool to meet these "famous" bloggers. I'm jealous that you got to meet Jessica. She seems like a good friend-candidate. I love her blog.

[kerflop]

Wooo! I love you Carmen! I have absolutely nothing witty to say having finally hit sugar hangover meltdown. But I got your email and will look into your url/feed troubles post haste!

xo

[Katie]

Wow, you won! You'd give my mom a run for her money, she always wins the door prizes and random other things like that. Congratulations and I'm glad you have a wonderful time!

[mothergoosemouse]

YAY! I'm so glad you won. And moreover, I'm so glad you had a good time at BlogHer this year. It was wonderful to see you, and now that my tummy has settled down, I will be digging into that peanut butter!

[Brandy]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time, after they fed you! Seriously, have a blast with the Real Simple Organizational person!

[Paige]

you won!? Wow! I'm so stinkin jealous! That is so wonderful! I'm sure you'll document it when they come to YOUR house to organize you, and then I'll have to be jealous again!

[Cassie]

Oh my gosh, that's so flipping awesome!! I hope that one of these years I can make it out to BlogHer. ::sigh:: Tell more stories!! :)