So yeah – I’m going this year. And I’m pretty excited about it. I would have loved to go last year, but it conflicted with family vacation plans, and the year before that, I had only been blogging for a few weeks – so it seemed a little early to fly out to San Francisco for a conference.

Both years, I read all of those “Can’t wait! See you there!” posts, as well as countless recaps. And I loved them. It was like reality programming. In an “I don’t know why I find this so captivating, but I just can’t get enough” kind of way. And I don’t even like reality TV… Except for Project Runway. Which brings me to my next topic.

The ONLY thing that made me seethe with jealousy last year was that Tim Gunn was going to be there. I love Tim Gunn. I generally agree with everything he says to the designers, and I’m always just as aghast at how unfair or apparently blind the judges can be in their own critiques. Tim and I are are very much on the same page. On many a rushed Monday morning as I ran after half dressed toddlers, I imagined Tim drawling, “Kate, you have two minutes before rush hour starts, and you haven’t even started on hair and makeup yet. This concerns me…really, it’s make it work time.” So of course I felt very cheated that I wasn’t able to meet him in person (and probably just squeak out a hello before realizing I have nothing very interesting to say and then skulk away to feel boring – but STILL!)

So I very much hope that Tim will be there again since it’s New York. I can’t think of any other celebrity that would thrill me more. Seriously – if People Magazine approved hunks, Hugh Jackman, Robert Pattison and Johnny Depp were standing in together in the Hilton lobby, fighting over who could take me out to dinner, I would pole vault over them to confirm a rumor that Tim Gunn was sighted at the concierge desk.

Slight exaggeration – but you get my point. And that is IT for my stalker potential. I never recognize anyone in real life anyway (I even wrote a post on some of my NYC missed celebrity sightings once). So stars are wasted on me. I once stood in line behind Matthew McConaughy and Sandra Bullock at a Starbucks and my only thought was, “wow – they’re really good looking.”

I live nearby in the DC area and went to college in the Bronx, so I’ve spent enough time in Manhattan to know what I like to do best there. And sadly, I don’t think there will be much time. I just love walking (if you do too, see Marinka’s walking tour post). There’s always something to look at and you never get lost (at least not uptown where the streets are an easy grid). Don’t get me wrong – I also love shopping in New York, but my financial advisor doesn’t think a tour of Fifth Avenue is doable right now. Maybe one pair of shoes from Saks?

Moving on… This conference isn’t really about exploring New York for me. I’m fortunate enough to have proximity on my side for many return trips. No – I’m just really looking forward to meeting all of the people (or at least most of them since – sniff – not everyone can go) that I’ve been “virtually” getting to know over the past couple of years.

I won’t bombard you with links since the list would be far too long – but I will make one mention. Anna from An Inch of Gray is going to be my roommate. And that is rather full circle for me because she was my first real blog friend. I started commenting on her posts before I had even started The Big Piece of Cake. And then after a while, we realized that we’re practically neighbors. I’d love to say that I see her all the time – but unfortunately, it’s not nearly enough. If you’ve never read Anna’s blog, you should rectify that immediately. She’s funny and insightful and exactly the kind of person you could see as your best friend.

We’ll both be working a couple of shifts at the Serenity Suite (so come by and say hello on Friday 12-12:30 p.m. or Saturday 2-3 p.m.), but other than that, I’m not really committed to anything. I have some RSVPs in for the open parties (People’s Party, Mouthy Housewives, Blogalicious and Sparklecorn) and I even have ONE private party invite for an event at Martha Stewart HQ (because I asked for it) – but that’s pretty much it. Now I’ve mentioned this on Twitter…and I’ll throw it out there again…you know, just in case. But I wouldn’t mind at all filling in as someone’s guest (or even taking their spot if they can’t make it) for the Ralph Lauren party. Honestly – don’t be shy – just e-mail me. I’m nothing if I’m not generous – and [only slightly too tight grasp on your forearm] if you are going to that party? I’m here for you.

On subject of Twitter (we were just talking about it – I mentioned it several lines above)….

I have been tweeting my ass off! Is “tweeting” the right way to say that? (I’m still enough of a novice to not be sure.) Anyway – I opened a Twitter account shortly after I started my blog and never quite understood how it was so “addictive.” I would try to get into it, but always felt kind of like a foreign exchange student in a high school locker room – all of these conversations going on that I didn’t quite understand. But now that I have a reason to tweet (I’m pretty sure that’s right), I think I might actually be getting the hang of it. I just thought it would be useful at the conference when I’m trying to figure out where to meet people, and everyone’s all, “I’ll be on Twitter – so just check in there.” With another week under my belt, I’ll be fully proficient. So tweet me @BigPieceofCake and we’ll do drinks or coffee or roaming around a crowded lobby not seeing each other even though we’re on either side of the same potted plant.

I’ll be staying at the Hilton, so feel free to invite me to any late after-parties. I have a hard time sleeping at conferences. Actually – that’s not exactly accurate…I was a meeting planner for about ten years so I always worked at conferences and wasn’t really allowed to sleep, what with the late nights and early wake up calls and all. But potato-potahto – I doubt I’ll sleep that much at BlogHer either.

While my ticket and hotel weren’t sponsored in any way – I DID luck into a group sponsorship from… All things sponsorship must go on my giveaway and review site, As Good As Cake, so go there to find out who sponsored me and where you can find their “sweet” suite at BlogHer 2010!

Now – since I have done the “conference thing” for years and I have a little insight into that, I was trying to think of any tips I have that I haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere. Here are a few:

1. Some people will tell you to wear great shoes and others will tell you to wear comfortable shoes – but I’m telling you now that it’s all about “the devil you know.” Maybe all of your comfortable flat shoes look like they belong at the community pool OR maybe you have plenty of comfortable shoes, but you don’t think they’re nice enough. My advice is DON’T go out and buy some Easy Spirit semi-heels expecting them to feel like clouds strapped to your feet after a day of walking the exhibit hall floor. They won’t. I’ve done that and paid for it in very painful blisters. I suggest picking some of the most comfortable shoes that you actually own, and go with them. And they may be heels. In fact I’m going to be wearing a pair of heeled sandals at least one day and two nights simply because they’re really are comfortable and will look good with outfits that I’d like to wear. Will my feet be sore at the end of the day/night? Probably, but I know exactly how sore. AND I know that I won’t get blisters. If you are just casual and that’s it? Own it. Wear whatever makes you feel great and don’t feel intimidated by shiny new stilettos. Just picture the blisters forming on the heels of the women wearing them and have compassion. Know they may be crippled for the second half of the conference. Offer them your seat on Saturday. It’s the kind thing to do.

Also? Open toe or sandals will make a world of difference if you have anything like that.

2. Sticking with the superficial stuff… I also suggest that you pick your most time consuming maintenance issue and have a plan for streamlining it. Do you really want to spend hours of your precious conference time in your room getting ready? I think not. And if that means adding a flat iron to your already bulging suitcase – do it! Spending an hour with the hotel supplied hair drier and your brush will be a huge waste of time you could be spending with friends. Hair is definitely my most time consuming “get ready” activity if I wear it down. So instead of running out for the trim that I really want, I decided to leave it alone and go with the low pony tail for most of the weekend. I can get ready in five to ten minutes (including a shower) with the exception of my hair. My hair is fairly short now, so I part it on the side and pull it into a low pony tail while it’s wet. Takes two seconds, lasts all day, and looks (dare I say it) incredibly chic when paired with pretty much any outfit. And if it’s imperative that you look perfectly coiffed (and you can afford this…) have your hair done professionally. For god’s sake, it’s New York! You have tons of nearby salons at your disposal. Book an appointment and make a mini-event of it. Grab a glass of champagne afterward. Live a little.

Maybe hair isn’t your issue. Talk to someone who is an “expert” in whatever you’re dealing with and have them help you plan some time saving shortcuts.

3. This tip I read somewhere else – but I think it’s just so ridiculously smart, and deserves repeating. Have a plan for what you will be wearing each day and night. I know – again with the superficial… What can I say? I fly by the seat of my pants when it comes to social stuff, but I need to have a plan for the clothes and styling. Either way – this applies to everyone since it will simplify packing and keep your suitcase as small as possible. I can’t remember where I read this…but the person who suggested it even put accessories an plastic bags to attach to the hangers! I doubt I’ll be that organized – but before I zip up my suitcase, I know it will include everything I need for:

-(wearing) Thursday day – travel
-Thursday evening parties
-Friday – conference day
-Friday evening parties
-Saturday – conference day
-Saturday evening parties
-Sunday morning
-(BONUS: Sunday mid-day travel, one to two back up outfits for day/night in case I spill a Diet Coke down the front of my shirt…it could happen…)

That’s a maximum of 10 outfits; and for me, jeans will be involved in at least five to six of them. I’m not going to be wearing LBDs and Louboutins (I wish!) each day – so I’m definitely coming from a regular girl perspective here…my clothes will be a mix of J. Crew, Anthropologie and Target. And no – I won’t state the ratio on that.

4. MORE SUPERFICIAL! But seriously – this is practical travel advice when it comes to accessories. Put the family heirlooms back in the lock box and wear fashionable fakes for a weekend like this. If you have both diamond anniversary earrings and a pair of cubic zirconia? Bring the CZ. The last thing you want is a ruined day/night that involves lost jewelry and security reports. No one will notice the difference. Try to be as Holly Go-Lightly as possible with what you pack. You don’t want to arrive home in tears over what you lost – you do want to be emotionally filled to the brim with what you gained.

5. Finally, this is non-superficial advice for myself as well as anyone else. Act about ten times more confident than you actually feel. Not cocky or obnoxious…just happy. When in doubt? Smile. BIG. And walk up to people to introduce yourself. If anyone seems less than thrilled to meet you, assume you caught them at a bad time and move on. Seriously – from my personal life experience combined with what I’ve read about this particular conference, you will find plenty of people who WANT to talk to you, who are THRILLED to meet you and who may even become close future friends. But only if you try. Only if you put yourself out there. ONLY if you don’t let the little things get to you and appreciate the wonderful people right next to you at the moment.

If only I could go back to high school and give 15 year old Kate the same advice… Sigh. She would just smirk and think I’m old. But only behind my back, because she was a very polite girl.

So that’s all I have for BlogHer. You won’t hear anything about it here again until I’m back.

For those of you not going? You’ll be missed, I’ll take pictures, and I’ll try to convince you to make it work (you tell ’em Tim!) next year.

For those of you who are? I’ll be on Twitter. Can’t wait to see you there.

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