I'm back from spending an amazing weekend in Boston with so many lovely fellow bloggers! I chose to forego blogging during my time there so that I could meet and interact with all the fabulous ladies! So that means, I have LOTS to share and to talk about! Where do I even begin? I also didn't take as many pictures as I should have, so a lot of the pictures you're about to see (minus day 1) were stolen from others who did the work..oops...confession of a newbie blogger. More than the pictures though, I want to introduce you (if you don't know them already) to all the incredible ladies who inspired me more than anything this weekend.
I arrived in Boston on Thursday, and met one of my roomies, Danielle, at the airport. We decided to be brave and adventurous and took public transportation. I acted confident and knowledgeable, but who am I kidding...I was so terrified we would get lost. However, we made it to the hotel in one piece (and only paid $2.5o as opposed to $30) and met our other 2 roomies, Danielle and Mindy! Room 513 united! 2 Danielles, Mindy, and Min..it was meant to be. Ladies, if you have any pictures of all 4 of us (other than the priceless photo booth one hehe) please let me know so I can attach one right here. :).
I thought that things would get a lil' hairy with 4 girls sharing a room, but that was not the case AT ALL! We hit it off right away (or at least that's what I thought hehe..I am on the messier, beastly side).
Danielle is sooo adorable and incredibly sweet! She's from Pennsylvania and works as a producer at a local television news station! How cool is that! I probably annoyed the heck out of her, since I just didn't leave her alone with my babbling. We're both crazy about our dogs and missed them dearly! She was a trooper and went to all the organized fitness sessions! She sure is worthy to be a fitfluential ambassador ;). She's also getting married next year!
Danielle is from Ottawa, and I just loved her accent! She's a free-spirited soul who loves to travel and strives to continuously expand her horizons. She has the gift of talking to anyone and everyone and is just so engaging. I could talk to her for hours! I can't wait to follow her as she begins a new chapter of her life in Peru! Seriously, I'm going to live vicariously through her!
Mindy had the privilege unfortunate task of sharing a bed with me. Thank goodness I remembered to take my mouth guard! Apparently, I grind my teeth like there's no tomorrow. However, I didn't know how to keep myself from taking over the whole bed. Sorry, Mindy!! Please don't hate me! I admire her for how far she's come in her journey to health. She has lost 75 pounds and is training to run a marathon this October! She used to hate running, but now it's one of her main passions! See? She's a real testament to the idea that if we set our minds on something, we can do anything. I still can't forget.."so I can't find my clothes that I wore last night..." haha!
Several mini-mingles were organized on Thurs and Fri, and I attended most of them. What a great idea! To be quite honest, I was really nervous about the weekend, but these lil' gatherings made meeting new faces a lot less intimidating and a lot more enjoyable.
(Photo via Kristin)
p.s. I'm the creeper in the back with the camera. Clearly I didn't get the msg that it was picture time 😮
Kristin organized a dinner at Russell House Tavern. I knew that Kristin was from Austin and was so excited to meet another local blogger! And she sure is a foodie all right. Loved her excitement and how her eyes glow at the sight of food ;). We're definitely going to have to organize something here now that we're back. What do you think?
I also met Katie for the first time! She was exactly the way I imagined her to be - so encouraging, warm, kind, friendly, and radiating with positivity. She made me feel so at ease and comfortable. I'm so glad that we got to spend a lot of time together this weekend! More to come in later posts!
Meghann did a tremendous job in facilitating...well everything! The first words that came out of my mouth were, "You're meals and miles!". Umm..why couldn't I have just said "Hello!". So embarrassing... I don't know how she kept herself sane this whole weekend as she had to be everywhere all the time!
Ok, now let's get to the food, shall we? Russell House Tavern is a New American Tavern with a fun and delicious selection of food and wine. I ordered a pizza, called The Andria, made with very local burrata, black mission fig, and sweet garlic! You know me and my love of pizza! And I'm a sucker for wording. Very local? I MUST try that! And the verdict? Omg soo soo good! The perfect balance of savory and sweet! The burrata cheese, which is made from mozzarella and cream, was very mild, soft, stringy, fresh...oh I can go on and on. And the fig! Oh the fig...I want some right now.
Next we met up with some more people for ice cream at J.P. Licks, organized by Alicia. What a fun gal she is! So easy-going and down-to-earth. As a fellow full-time student, I loved how she reminded me that it's ok to not post if I don't have time. I do the best I can. There's no pressure here!
They had everything - ice cream, hard yogurt, sorbet, soft and tart yogurt, sundaes, frapps, you name it! This place was def hopping! And with flavors like black and white malt, sangria, maple walnut, brownie batter, coconut almond chip...it's no surprise.
I ordered the oatmeal cookie, and it was divine! The best oatmeal cookie I've ever had! Two desserts (cookie and ice cream) in one!
So that just about wraps up Day 1...and this was only the beginning.. Stay tuned for Day 2!
Ellie says
LOL, this post made me smile!!!! awww I've met Katie too! I was just astonished at how sweet, humble, and REAL she is! I agree with your opinion 😉 I so so so wish I could have gone to HLS--and to top it off, crossfit happened there, which I would like to try someday just for fun.
Min says
She is such a sweetheart! I wish you were there too! IT was a lot of fun! When will we meet?!? There were too many people n the room to do a regular session of crossfit, so we just squatted and jumped for about 5 minutes.. I was a lil' bummed.
Kym says
I was just reading someone else's recap of HLS... sounds like it was the place to be this past weekend!! How cool is that? I wish i would've known about it earlier so i could plan to go! Oh well, there's always next year? 🙂 Do they do it in different places every year?
Min says
HI, Kym! It was tons of fun! You should def attend next year! Yup, it's at a diff place each year.
kcrean88 says
best fro yo rec ever! Glad I got to meet you 🙂
Min says
Agreed! I'm glad we met also! Wish we got to talk more but next time!! 😉
peaceloveandoats says
I tasted the oatmeal cookie - it was AMAZING! Couldn't get a whole cup of it because it had gluten in it, but that taste was so good! Can't wait to see the rest of your recaps, it was GREAT to meet you!!!!
Min says
Yay! glad you tried it! Life-changing, no? I'm so glad we met, Katie! Hope to meet you again soon!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I'm glad you had so much fun! And I love the sound of those ice cream / frozen yoghurt flavours - wow 🙂
Min says
right? it was amazing! Love that place!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
I miss you already, Min! I feel so blessed to have met you through blogging, and know that you're going to be a lifelong friend! <3 Thanks so much for the wonderful chat Saturday night; now I need to travel to Austin so that it can be continued! (Or, you can come to DC! OR....both?!) 🙂
The fig and burrata pizza you ordered looks amazing! You already know this, but I have a soft spot for local food too. If it's from a nearby farm, I'm in! Oooh, and on Sunday I returned to JP Licks with Katie (Peace Love and Oats) and sampled the Oatmeal Cookie ice cream! You're right--SO good! I ended up going to Pinkberry so that I could satisfy my peanut butter froyo cravings, but I'm glad I tried that ice cream. 🙂
I'm looking forward to recap Day 2! xoxo <3
Min says
Hi Sara! Seriously, I feel like we had an instant connection! You MUST visit! We'll have a blast. Guaranteed! I'll visit you one of these days too! I have never been to DC!
That pizza was soooo good! I'm glad I chose that..It took me forever as I'm so indecisive. Oh you tried the flavor? Amazing right? ANd I'm glad you got your pinkberry fix! Gotta try that pb flavor! I'll be in Cali next month so don't have to wait that long 😉
myhealthyohana says
YAY! So happy that you had a great time at HLS and met some wonderful new friends 🙂 I love JP Licks, went there once when we were visiting my brother and it was amazing!! Glad to have you back (I'm sure Tim is too!) and can't wait to read more of your recaps 🙂
Min says
That place is really awesome! Oh...oatmeal cookie..
Reuniting with my boys has been great! Kona is very clingy and needy these days..more than ever.
myhealthyohana says
Aw, he missed his mommy!!
Danielle says
I'm so glad we were roomies! You are an amazing person. Your passion for nutrition was really inspiring - I know you are going to be great at your internship this fall. It was a wonderful weekend - here's hoping we will be able to reunite next year at HLS13!
Min says
Danielle, I miss you! I don't need caffeine..just need you ;). Definitely! I'd love to spend more time with you!
Kristin @ FoodFash says
We'll definitely have to get together in Austin! I'm so glad we were able to finally hang out 🙂
Min says
So glad we met, Kristin! Looking forward to hanging out with you more! And eating of course 😉
afterdinnerdance says
The whole weekend sounds like it was a blast! I wish I would have gone! I bet you're glad to be back in the Texas heat 🙂 - I haven't missed that at all!
Min says
OH boy..yes, you're correct! The heat is no fun..I had to go to school today, and I nearly melted. It's going to be a fun semester.
Danielle (@itsaharleyylife) says
Min I miss you already! I loved our talks! I'm glad we got to figure out a way to the hotel together! (: Something I will def. never forget haha!
Min says
Me too, Danielle! How're you feeling today? I'm feeling the pain today..And our lil' adventure was quite fun 😉 what a way to break the ice, no?
IHeartVegetables says
It sounds like you had a fun time, Min!! I wish I could have been there 🙂
Min says
me too, Liz! Wish you were there! Hope you had a great weekend!
Julie says
The ice cream looks so good. Good pick on the flavor too!
Min says
It was AMAZING! I seriously will never forget it! Never had the flavor in my life!
Lauren says
Sounds like so much fun! I wish I could have been there to hang out and meet everyone! I didn't realize it was in Boston, for some reason I thought you were in San Francisco....hehe. You know (with my blog name) that I would have chosen the same ice cream as you... 😉 ....nice!
Min says
I hope I'll get to meet you in person someday! Boston is an amazing city! Have you ever been? And yes...that ice cream...oh boy..
HealthyDiva (@HealthyDiva31) says
I was SO lucky and blessed to meet you and to have quality time with you on our walk and next to each other at the dinner Thursday night! You are so beautiful inside and out! I love how sweet and positive you are! You are simply wonderful Min! I am so glad we got to meet and it was a marvelous weekend for sure! <3
Min says
Katie!!! I need some of your positivity right about now..what a rough day. But, I got a lot accomplished so that's good, right? No stress..no stress..and omygoodness..you must be talking about yourself! That's you Mrs. positivity and bundle of sweetness! I miss you, my lovely lady..
Michelle says
I am sitting in between classes (YAY for the first day!) and had to check if you had a recap up. Even though it makes me a little sad that I wasn't there, I love that you had such a great time!! Way to go for taking public transportation in a new city - I would have been nervous too! I can't wait to click on your links and find some new fun blogs to read!
Min says
I missed you, Michelle! But I'm glad to hear that your first day went well! I've been stalking you on twitter ;). Yup! That was the whole point! All these ladies are soo amazing that I hope more people will get to know them!
freshlifefindings says
Min it looks like you had so much fun! I loved the recap and can't wait to hear more 🙂 I'm so jealous you got to go to HLS, I hope to sometime! Can't wait to hear all your learned too 🙂
freshlifefindings says
you**
Min says
I know! Wish I got to meet you! Next time for sure! A lot of learning on Saturday, Day 3. Just an awesome experience 😉
Courtney says
Sounds like a fun day! And I totally would have said, "You're Meals and Miles!" too 😛
Min says
Hehe..ok at least I'm not alone..I was rather quite embarrassed that those were the first words.