Lets Meet Connecticut - #LetsMeetCT

Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet up with approximately 50 photographers and bloggers, most from the Connecticut area, but some from New York and New Jersey, in beautiful Essex CT to share some photography and social media tips, and capture the last of 2015's fall foliage.

Essex Connecticut is the idyllic New England town, located on the banks of the Connecticut River. It is home to charming Federal, Victorian, and Cape Cod homes, the Griswold Inn (the longest continuously operating inn in the U.S), and the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. Settled in 1648, and incorporated in 1852, its thriving township consists of three villages, Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton. [info compiled from Town of Essex CT at www.essexct.gov].

Early bird that I am, I decided to fuel up at the historic Griswold Inn before heading down to Essex Town Park for the meetup. I had a quick lunch of a bowl of Clam Chowder and a Pumpkin Pie Martini and listened to some Dixieland Jazz by Freight Train Five, who play most Sundays from 11:00am to 3pm for the Gris' Sunday Brunch enjoyment.

The Historic Griswold Inn

Pumpkin Pie Martini and New England Clam Chowder
Griswold Inn

Freight Train Five
Dixie Land Jazz at the Griswold Inn

After lunch, I headed down to the Essex Town Park where I met up with our group for the first ever Let's Meet CT Meet Up!

Host Janievy Hilary (@neivy) hadn't arrived yet, but we were quickly welcomed by photographer Jesse Romano (follow him at @indue for AMAZING photography) who was kind enough to talk camera tips with us. (Jesse you'll be happy to know that today I traded in my humongous purse for a smaller one!) 

Yup, that's me on the left with the suitcase sized purse below!!

The First "Let's Meet CT" Group - Photo by Janeivy Hilary
Photo Source Instagram @Neivy  

It was great to meet some new friends, see some old friends, and finally meet some great photographers that I already follow, as well as find a few new ones! See the link at the end of this post for some amazing photographs from some talented artists.

And I absolutely love this picture that Wendy from CT Lifestyles took of me playing with the fallen leaves.

Photo Source Instagram @CTLifestyles

Here are some of the pictures I took from our self-directed Essex Walking Tour for #LetsMeetCT

Because our meet up was the day after Halloween so many residents had their fun decor up!

The group moved in a few different directions without any set itinerary, and after strolling through downtown Essex, Gina from WanderLaughs Travel and I headed back to the Griswold Inn for some cocktails where we were later joined by Greg and Wendy from CTLifestyles for a quick bite to eat by the Gris' roaring fireplace.

For more really great pictures of our day  

follow the fun on Instagram at #LetsMeetCT 

and get out there and take some pictures of the state YOU live in!

*****

Are you from CT? Where would you recommend we hold a meet up?

Not from CT? Where would you recommend people visit in your state?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Connecticut Blogger Meetup at Las Vetas Fairfield CT

A few weeks ago the Connecticut Blogging Community (#CTBloggers) held a blogger meetup at Las Vetas Lounge in Fairfield CT.

It was the cutest and brightest little place located right in downtown Fairfield!  It's just steps from the railroad station with lots of fun shops and boutiques surrounding the entire downtown area.

It's called a "lounge" - but it's actually a great little coffee shop that offers munchies like sandwiches and stuff!

What a great time we had!

Although Nicole from OberBargain had arranged the meetup, she was unable to attend. But she was there in spirit because I saved a barstool for her in our mutually favorite color of "Banana Republic" yellow!

Nicole knows Banana Republic is one of my FAVORITE stores...so she always shares info from their upcoming sales with me!  (thanks Nicole!  Missed you!)

Nicole's website ==> OberBargain always has great info on discounts, bargains, and sales! Check it out!


Wendy from Connecticut Bloggers gave a great information session on SEO (search engine optimization) and "no follow" links.  Wendy and her husband Greg also run the blogs  Sweeties Picks,(books) Sweeties Reviews, (product and party reviews) in addition to Connecticut Bloggers (everything CT!). They have even more web blogs - did I mention they blog a lot!?

I also got to meet some bloggers who I've been following but hadn't met before! Below is Joe (left) from Nutmeg Junction, a great little cartoon about Tony the Trolley and his escapades all around Connecticut. Joe and co-creator Jessica Ponticelli also feature their Nutmeg Junction work on Ann Nybergs Network Connecticut.

On the right is Dana from Mastering Mommy Brain - a cute blog about, well, Mastering Mommy Brain, of course!  Dana shares recipes, toddler tips, and some of her secrets for juggling work and family, with one on the way!!!

I also got to meet Latanya from the blog Sprinkles and Booze. Latanya is a fun blogger  with a great quirky sense of humor! Her funny status updates on facebook and observations on twitter always leave me smiling! Follow her!

In addition, I finally got to meet Chelle of Everyday Polish - a great lifestyle blog, about making it all work. You know, fitting in work, life, friends, blogging, beauty.  Chelle helps us "have it all"!

And I was able to catch up with some of the other amazing bloggers I've met before that were there!
Left, April, who also has a boatload of blogs, but my two favorites are Crafting the Magic (hobby blog) and Land of Melted Clocks, one of my very favorite personal reflection blogs. April is always honest with her feelings and makes you realize that you're not alone on this journey we call life.
On the right is the magnificent Jenny of Sweet Jenny's CT. Jenny bakes like a demon...and her blog simplifies things so well that it makes me feel like I can bake like a demon too! Her food pics are AMAZING!

Last, but certainly not least, my three old blogging buddies:
Natasha (left) from One Woman's Style Evolution, a fashion and beauty blog for those of us 40+ and over a size 10!  Hilary (middle), of My Own Blog Review, who lets me live vicariously through her and does fabulous fashion recaps, and product reviews, and Erin (right), from Accidentally Stylish, a fashion and beauty blog, who loves to find thrifty vintage pieces!

I would be remiss if I didn't send a big thank you to Whole Foods Market who provided us with a great gift bag full of snack and protein bars, candles, chapsticks, and all sorts of goodies!

and Shirley J's Mugging, who provided a cooking mug for a future review. This product is fool proof! Just add the ingredients in the mug and bake a dessert for one!  Sounds good to me!  Look for my recap of this product soon!

If you're in the area, stop at Las Vetas Lounge, 27 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield CT. 

It's a fun place!

For more pictures of our meet up - visit and like the Home Place facebook page HERE

Do you have any favorite places to meet up with friends?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!