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Blog Brulee Recap (aka the most epic blogger sleepover ever.)

{Disclosure: My attendance at Blog Brûlée was partially funded by the Sponsors of the event. I was not compensated to write this post.}

So this past weekend I ventured up to Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont for Blog Brulee

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For the weekend, 23 registered dietitian bloggers got together to learn about:

food styling and food photograhpy from Regan, Gretchen, and Deanna.

the art of online storytelling from Robin and Brierley.

SEO from Carolyn.

building a virtual community from EA.

branding in the blogosphere from Meal Makeover Moms.

monetizing your brand from Anne.

contact negotiations from the Blog Brulee Founders.

At this point, the trip was the best thing I’ve done for my career.  With so few attendees, the event had a very intimate feel and gave me a chance to really get to know the other bloggers.  On top of that, I got to room with Brierley and Danielle.  Sometimes blogging can be a lonely thing.  A weekend filled with people who love the same things I love was so enjoyable.

Saturday started with a quick oatmeal + pb + banana breakfast.

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After some lectures, we headed to Boyden Valley Winery for a wine & cheese tasting (at 10am lol). 

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I had never done a wine tasting before.  I feel like every week for me involves a cheese tasting.  I love my sharp cheeses.

I really enjoyed the wine tasting, even though a lot of the wines were white wines, ciders or liquors.  I’m more of a red wine person. 

The winery was gorgeous.  All dark, cozy wooden beans and wrought iron chandeliers. 

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My favorite cheese from the tasting was the Apline Cheddar by Cabot.  Holy smokes it was so good.  The cheddar was sharp, but it was also slightly sweet.  Different than a normal sharp cheddar.  I don’t know how else to describe it other than so freaking yum.

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One cheese we tried was Bonne Bouche by Vermont Creamy, which was like brie meets blue cheese.  I’m not a real big brie fan, but if you are…eat your heart out<3.

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After the tasting we headed back to the Smugglers’ Notch Resort for lunch.  I ended up with a plate filled with a scallop & shrimp kabob, jicama slaw, watermelon & feta salad (yes, more cheese), corn on the cob and asparagus.  I was feeling a wee-bit tipsy after the wine tasting, so lunch was needed.

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After lunch we bundled up in our coats and headed outside for a campfire & s’mores.  There is nothing that bonds people quite like eating s’mores together.

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Then we had a couple more afternoon lectures before we broke for a break before dinner.  I had plans to walk the nearby trails with some of the girls, but it was rainy.  I ended up walking back to our cabins with Julie and Kara.  On the way, we were talking so much that we ended up getting a little lost.  It was nice to move our legs after a couple hours of sitting though. 

Then it was dinner time!  Salads with goat cheese, sugared walnuts and an amazing poppy seed dressing.  Then sesame salmon with roasted veggies and rice.

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After dinner we headed to a chocolate tasting with Lake Champlain Chocolates.  We got to try 34% milk chocolate, 54% dark chocolate (their best seller), 72% dark chocolate, spicy aztec 55% dark chocolate (with pumpkin and cinnamon flavors), peppermint dark chocolate, and a raspberry truffle.  When I went to the Lake Champlain chocolate store before Blog Brulee, I saw that they had a few spicy hot chocolate drinks.  I’d love to try one of those in the future!  Or maybe make a version myself soon.

I thought the chocolate tasting was awesome (who wouldn’t?), so I wrapped up all the leftover chocolate and brought them home with me so I can do the chocolate tasting with Andrew.  However, he has a powerlifting meet this weekend and has to be in a particular weight class so chocolate isn’t exactly on the meal plan for him.  I’m not the best with patience, especially when it involves chocolate.  It wouldn’t surprise me if those chocolates ended up eaten before the end of the week;)

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Phew.  And that was only one day!  That night, some of us played a game called Fishbowl and just hung out for a couple more hours.  Then SLEEP!

Sunday morning started with a quick (uphill) morning run with Anne.  Then breakfast in our rooms before meeting for a couple more lectures. 

Around 9:30am snacktime was upon us with these Chocolate Chip Chia Bars from Kashi that I loved.  I’m such a chewy food person, but these were absolutely delish!  I snagged a few more bars to take home with me before the weekend was over.

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After a few more lectures, it was time for goodbyes. 

Loved getting to meet Min from The Adventures of MJ & Hungryman.  Luckily, we don’t live too far away from one another so we’ll definitely be meeting up for dinner sometime soon.

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Janice & Liz from Meal Makeover Moms.  It is so fun to see these two around one another.  They’re hilarious.

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And the trip wouldn’t have happened without our wonderful founders

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…and our fabulous sponsors:

Cabot || Smugglers’ Notch Vermont: America’s Family Resort || Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits || Mountain States Rosen Company || Davidson’s Safest Choice Eggs || Kashi || Welch’s || The Soyfoods Council

Tomorrow I’ll have a recap of my traveling after Blog Brulee!  I headed up to Maine with my parents for a few days.  I never knew this about myself, but I LOVE MAINE!!!!  See you tomorrow with lots of lobster roll pictures!

15 comments

  1. This trip looks so amazing!!! Living vicariously through you right now!

  2. Was SO great meeting you, Kylie! I feel the same way that blogging/working for yourself can get lonely at time so hanging with everyone this past weekend was such a breath of fresh air! Loved getting lost with you and Julie at the resort :). Can’t wait to hear about your Maine adventures!

  3. Wow jealous!! Looks amazing! Lake Champlain is my absolute favorite! Did you get to try their layered bars??

  4. i had been waiting to read this post. thanks for sharing…..

  5. Loved meeting you, Kylie! And YES, double date next time we’re in town ;). I get really lonely and lost in this blogosphere from time to time as well, and it’s so awesome to know that you’re so near! The thought of wrapping up the chocolate to share with the hubby didn’t even cross my mind (you’re such an awesome wife) until the next day when they showed up again in our lunch box! I did eat the dark chocolate on on the plane, but everything else the hubby got to try. Success. Hope yours will get to them before you do haha.

  6. Ahhh my grandparents have a time share at Smuggler’s Notch and we used to go every year growing up! Makes me miss it, and want to go back and try the winery. We usually would go to the Cabot factory (soooo gooood) on our way out to the Ben & Jerry’s factory :P. Glad you all had a great time!
    London

  7. It was so nice to spend time with you – crazy how much alike we are :) can’t wait until your latest project you were talking about is complete! I’ll be the first one to buy it!

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  9. Great meeting you (again) at Blog Brûlée Kylie. It’s always fun to read your blog and savor all of your gorgeous recipes … I’m just so impressed with everything you’re doing on your blog, especially your new e-cookbook. I hope our link love helped to spread the word a bit!! Looking forward to seeing you again soon and visiting w/ you on your blog :)

  10. Kylie please tell me that you will commit yourself to making #sofreakingyum the newest trending hashtag :)

    It was so awesome spending this weekend with you. Thanks for all that you do to make the healthy blogging world and better and more beautiful space!

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