CT and NE Bloggers Meet Up!

Let's meet up for a fall blogger brunch/lunch!

We're welcoming a new season with some live social blogging fun by introducing new connections, ideas, suggestions and of course support!

Saturday, September 27 @ 1:00pm

Vito's by The Park Restaurant

Downtown, Hartford

DEADLINE FOR RSVP IS SEPTEMBER 22!

Click here for the evite and to RSVP

Connect with us!

CT Bloggers Meet Up Recap!

On Saturday, May 3rd, Connecticut reps Kallie and Meg hosted the second CT Blogger Meet Up.  At Black-Eyed Sally's in Hartford, the seven ladies in attendance ate delicious barbecue, tried some great cocktails, and discussed everything blogging.  Here's the whole group:

 

Left to right:
Natasha [One Woman's Style]
Annie [New England Romance]
Znara [Hot Mama Hikers]
Kallie [But First, Coffee]

Amanda [MandaLoves]

Jamie [Welcome to New Haven]

Meg [Borrowed Heaven]

The event was sponsored by six Connecticut-based Etsy shops:

• Good Sailor Design: handmade greeting cards and high-quality prints
• Our Secret Treehouse: fun, hand-drawn artwork made into buttons, magnets, and prints
• Anne O'Brien Design: handcrafted bags and accessories
• Sweet Daisy Products: all natural balms, bath salts, and salves
• Believe Change is Good: handmade jewelry
• ChelDesigns: custom, hand-painted photo frames and canvases

We highly suggest you check out some of these fantastic shops!  On the left is what each lady received in her goodie bag thanks to the top three sponsors, and on the right are all of our door prizes from the bottom five sponsors [yes, some overlap - thank you all for your generosity]:

 

If you're a CT blogger already in the Northeast Bloggers Network, be on the lookout for more Meet Ups like this one or our first was back in November, and if you're from another state and would like to join our mailing list for future events, please email Meg!

 

Interested in having a meet up near you?  Contact your State Rep today and you can start planning one together!

Connect with us!

Connecticut Bloggers Meet Up in Hartford!

Connect with us!
Bloglovin //Twitter //Pinterest //Facebook

CT Bloggers Meet Up Pictures!

On Friday, November 22^nd, Connecticut State Reps Meg and Kallie hosted the first CT Blogger Meetup. 

 Held at Esca Wine Bar in Middletown, CT six bloggers from across the region met for great conversation and delicious food.  

The highlight of the night was Connecticut trivia sponsored by Cocoashak, a fantastic chocolate company located in Cheshire, CT.  Questions included the state bug, the candy company whose US headquarters are in Orange, CT, and where you can see seals every day in our state.  

 

Each person took home some delicious treats!  Thank you to Cocoashak for your sponsorship!

Bloggers in attendance were (from left to right):

Adriana @ Dog Hair is an Accessory 

Kallie @ But First,Coffee 

Meg @ Borrowed Heaven 

Wendy (and Greg – not pictured) @ Connecticut Bloggers 

Amanda @ MandaLoves 

The next meetup is already in the works and will take place after the first of the year!  If you not from Connecticut, but live nearby and are interested in participating in future CT Blogger meet ups, please email Meg to join the mailing list!

Connect with us!

Friday 5: Five Great Spots to Check out in Noank, CT!

Today we are heading to Noank, Connecticut, to check out five of Kallie's favorite spots!  Here we go....

1. Stop by a local favorite spot, Ford's Lobster.

If it's too busy you can just stroll down the road to one of my other favorite spots, Costello's Clam Shack.

2. Costello's Clam Shack

One of the best things about Costello's? (besides its fried seafood goodness) Its B.Y.O.B policy. I love when there is a B.O.Y.B option, especially at these types of restaurants. We were all feeling quite fancy, and so we popped some champagne while we waited for our food.

Ahhhh, champagne oceanside. Blissful. And the moment only got better when our food arrived. I'd chosen the Fish and Chips and was not disappointed. 

 3. Next was time for a stroll along the sweet little streets of Noank to walk off our lunch.

After all that good-for-us exercise, it was time to fuel up once again. We headed to Mystic for another local favorite, The Sea Swirl. This time we were only interested in feeding our sweet tooth.

4. The Sea Swirl

The perfect end to a wonderful day!

5. Another great place to check out if the Dog Watch Cafe.  This restaurant is to-die-for. They make a friend calamari salad that will knock your socks off and a great cocktail list!

Connect with us!

Today's Friday Five post comes from Kallie who writes over at But First, Coffee. Kallie is a Northeast blogger from Connecticut who loves her dog, DIY projects, beautiful things and of course, coffee!

NE Life: Summer in Connecticut!

I am often asked how our family wound up in Connecticut. I like to cause Connecticut the compromise state…I grew up in New Jersey, my husband grew up in Massachusetts. Connecticut was in the middle! Luckily, it has been the perfect place to raise our family. Summer in Connecticut is amazing as well, and I am so excited to share some of our places which are on our “top five places to revisit” list this summer. 

  

Jones Family Farm, Shelton, CT

We love visiting Jones Family Farm to pick our own fresh strawberries in June and blueberries in July. I love to make this a family adventure – but always see couples, groups of friends, or individuals out there picking the delicious fruits! 

Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport Connecticut

The Beardsley Zoo is Connecticut’s only zoo. While it is not a large zoo – it is packed with great exhibits, and the kids love it. Some favorite areas are the prairie dog hill, where the kids can climb through the tunnels and get up close and personal with the prairie dogs! My children also love the farm area…and we never leave without a stop at the carousel.  This summer they are also starting Camel Rides – I can’t wait to go and check those out!

Norwalk Aquarium, Norwalk, CT

Now we love to be outside in the summer, but let’s be honest, sometimes we have to go inside! On those super hot days, or the time where we just need a break from the heat, one of our favorite places to visit is the Norwalk Aquarium. Our favorite exhibits are the meerkats, and the seals.

Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Stamford, CT

The Stamford Museum and Nature center is a wonderful place to go to really sit back and enjoy, well, nature! Trails to walk on, a peaceful meadow for a nice picnic, animals….a favorite spot here is the Otter Pond. Who doesn’t love those little otters?

Ferris Acres Ice Cream Shop, Newtown, CT

Nothing says summer like ice cream!  Ferris Acres is the last working dairy farm in CT. The ice cream is made onsite…and it is truly amazing. We have been known to go for ice cream, and take home an ice cream cake to enjoy after the visit. Love sitting back, eating ice cream, and watching the cows. Perfect perfect summer treat!

Have you been to any of the places above? What do you think?

Do you have any favorite places in Connecticut to add to this list? 

Connect with us!

Today's guest post comes from Dana of Mastering Mommy Brain.   Dana is a Northeast Blogger who has two adorable children and dreams that one day she will have a clean and orderly house!