It’s true.  I had a blast at Brandcation in Pensacola Beach!

I was able to reconnect with old friends and meet a ton of new friends!  I loved learning about my fellow bloggy buddies, past the profile pics and status updates!  It was awesome!

Here are 30 things I learned at Brandcation: Bloggers Gone Coastal!

  1. I made new friends, like Mogo Charms, we just click.  That’s all there is to it!
  2. Two bottles of YUMMY Ayala’s Herbal Water can fit into a Tervis Water Bottle.
  3. Capsul Cases and the people behind them absolutely ROCK. I. Love. This. Company.  May the force be with them.

    Nicole from theblondecritic.com (Photo by Brandy Goleman Photography)
  4. The Village Company offers more than just Mr. Bubble!  They have aromatherapy products that I can’t wait to try out!
  5. Hasbro has the Game of Life for an iPad.  Who knew?  Now, who needs an iPad?  hehe!
  6. My kids flip out over Kidz Bop.  I don’t care how old you are… you’re not too old for Kidz Bop.
  7. Those handy little pediatric kits with the thermometers and syringes from Carex are great for feeding sick puppies.
  8. Kids love Lush Nuts from Lush Gourmet Foods.  Me?  I wouldn’t know.  I wasn’t able to taste them.  It’s on my shopping list!
  9. Nivea products are fantastic at making your suitcase tip the 50 pound mark, and so good that you’ll pay the penalty just to keep them!
  10. Lady Fortunes are KSA Kosher!  They’re also yummy and SO cute with your brand or logo on them.
  11. I should have taken my Pami Pocket zip lining with me!  I’d have WAY more of my own photos if I would have had a place to put my camera.
  12. When in need of the perfect blogging music, leave it to Island Def Jam Records to deliver!
  13. Ayala’s Herbal Water (mentioned above) is fantastic for late night balcony chit chat with your blogger bestie!
  14. Announcing that there are Wikki Stix in our bags will excite a group of mamas as if you are announcing the arrival of Gerard Butler.
  15. Get a Phone Fetcher.  Period.
  16. Women LOVE personalized products.  Page Stationery rocked the swag by putting our blog names on cards!!!
  17. CereusArt wine charms are so pretty, I want matching earrings.  Just sayin’.
  18. I can’t wait to try out and bring my readers more info about Annemarie Gianni Skin Care!  It’s organic, natural, and wild-crafted! Squee!
  19. If you’re looking for something made with Bird’s Eye Chilis, Veri Peri Sauces are for you!  YUMMY and spicy!
  20. Twin Cottage Industries is awesome.  They employ young adults with mental illnesses and women with a need to work from home!  AWESOME hand crafted gifts!
  21. Our 8 hour one way trip is going to be AWESOME this summer thanks to Kids Gear!  No more fighting over the volume in the backseat!
  22. I only thought I had a Smart Mouth until I got to Pensacola!!  Now, it’s smarter! haha!
  23. Great big awesome things come in small packages.  Just check out Sacs of Life. LoOoOoOoVvVeEe!!
  24. There was no doubt that my plain black laptop bag belonged to me after I put my bright yellow Bright Star Kids label on it! Take that airport security!
  25. I can now flirt with Andy from across the room, quietly, thanks to KleenSlate!  *blush*
  26. Now, the world KNOWS I’m a “Blogging Geek” with my new stick figure for my van window from EAD Designs!
  27. Brandcation Bloggers were the very first people to see the all new Wahmies Eats products that I’m stooooked to share!! (And no, they’re not worn on your head like Nicole in the pic above!)
  28. Tell Tale from Blue Orange Games put into Hawk’s hands are going to bring TONS more laughs around our house!
  29. The Cook’n Recipe Organizer Software from DVO Enterprises is a must have when it comes getting organized in your kitchen!  Yep, I need the help!!
  30. Although Wordlock is a proud sponsor of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, you can’t use BOOBS as a combination, but you can use DONOR, so check ’em out and donate to the NBCF!!

There you have it, folks!  A glimpse into my over-the-weight-limit checked “swag” suitcase!!  I brought all of this fantastic stuff home with me from Brandcation, and I’m super excited to use every bit of it (although Kylie has already taken some of it into the teengeon!

I would like to thank all of the swag sponsors for all of the fantastic goodies you sent us.  We had a great time, and our bags were overflowing with goodness!