On The Road with Disney Social Media Moms in Phoenix #DisneySMMoms

As a blogger and big fan of social media, I make most of my connections online. When I have the opportunity to meet my colleagues in person, it's hard to pass up! At blogging and social media conferences, I get a chance to connect with online friends in real life and I also learn a great thing or two from industry leaders. Connecting with event sponsors is also a big plus. Celebrity sightings are known to happen every now and then!

Pin Exchange, Photo Gift from HP, Business Cards from my new friends, Disney Treats, and THE Grumpy Cat caught napping! I was going to wake her but feared she would be PISSED OFF Cat instead of just Grumpy.

The Disney On The Road event with the Disney Social Media Moms led me to Arizona this year. This event was held on June 25 and the venue was the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess 7575 E. Princess Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85255.  About 100 attendees were expected for this event, but I believe that a few had to miss the program due to unforeseen circumstances.

I have been to three Disney Social Media Moms events to date. This is my second On The Road experience and the weather couldn't have been any more different than the last one! Last year the event was held in San Francisco and it was a cold and rainy day. This year we met in Phoenix and it was dry and hotter than HOT! I think that it's great that going on the road exposes me to climates other than my own! It sure makes me appreciate the wonderful weather in San Diego! Now that we've discussed the weather, let's chat about the event!

First off, I am grateful and honored to be included in the invite-only conference. Thank you Disney Social Media Moms and BSM Media!  I was so happy visit with friends that I haven't seen in a while, to make new friends, and to meet the ones that I regularly chat with online face to face. The energy at these events is awesome. The day goes by SO FAST!  I wish that I could have met more of the ladies that were there. But the day just whizzes right by. You will definitely come away feeling inspired. Throughout the program random drawings for door prizes are held which adds to the fun. This year we also did a pin exchange.

Here was an attempt at a group selfie. Melissa, so sorry that I cut you off - I'm going to have to practice a little more!

Mindy, Raquel, Me, and Melissa

I am so happy that my San Diego friend was attending this year! Raquel was completely in her element at the Disney event! She is a Disney Mom through and through!

San Diego Disney Social Media Moms

What did we do during the conference? Here's a snapshot of our speakers and the agenda for the Phoenix leg of the 2014 three city tour (Chicago, Philadelphia, and Phoenix):

Panelists for Lessons Learned, Experiences Shared – The Life of Mom Business Owners:

Allyson Phillips is mom, inventor of Tilty Cup, and a business owner
Romy Taormina is Co-Founder of Psi Health Solutions, Inc., the maker of Psi Bands
Lisa Cash Hanson is the CEO & Mom Inventor behind Snuggwugg INC

I was a tiny bit disappointed that Gary Buchanan, Walt Disney World Social Media Managing Editor wasn't at the Phoenix event. He is a riot! The picture below was taken earlier this year at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at the Disneyland Resort. You can see Gary above us in the big screen photo bombing! 

From the Disneyland Resort with San Diego Friends and Disney Social Media Moms, Melanie & Chelsea.

We all enjoyed talk of Disneyland's upcoming 59th birthday. I know that I'm excited!  In 2015 the Disneyland Resort will celebrate 59 years of magical memories! We can all get a sneak peek on July 17 at 10 am Pacific time on DisneyParksBlog.com. Make sure to follow along on Twitter @Disneyland with the hashtag #Disneyland60.

Each of the speakers had very useful information to share. We received advice, heard success stories, and a got a BIG dose of encouragement and inspiration. If you ever get that magical invitation, I encourage you to attend. For those interested in applying for future events visit Disney Social Media Moms and follow on Twitter @DisneySMMoms.

Disclosure: I was invited by BSM Media and Disney Social Media Moms to attend the conference.  I received complimentary registration, breakfast, and a Disney gift bag. All opinions contained in this post are my own.

Whole Body Department at Whole Foods Market #WFMSummerFun

Thanks to an event sponsored by Whole Foods Markets in San Diego, I had an amazing opportunity to learn about skincare, beauty, and bodycare items that were selected with the highest quality standards in mind.

Whole Foods held an event to showcase their Whole Body Department. I enjoyed the product demos, food, drinks, AND information about the high standards that Whole Foods Markets maintains as far as the products that are offered in their stores.

Attendees received a goodie bag full of products from their bodycare line. THANK YOU Whole Foods! I enjoyed the added bonus of catching up with my blogger friends!

Whole Body Quality Standards:

• Whole Foods Markets carefully evaluate each and every product sold.
• They are passionate about aromatic, luxurious, effective personal care products and the pleasure of sharing them with others. 
• They encourage vendor partners to use plant-based and naturally-derived ingredients, pure essential oil fragrances, gentle preservatives and non- petroleum ingredients.
• They are committed to high-quality body care products that have a proven track record.
• They ONLY sell personal care products that have not been tested on animals.
• Provide personal care products that support health and well-being. 

After seeing this LONG list, I decided to go home to see how many of my current products had ingredients from this BAD list!

The following brands meet the Whole Body Department standards for body care products and were at the event to demonstrate their products:

Mineral Fusion
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Evan Healy
Aura Cacia

Mineral Fusion

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

Learn more about the Whole Foods Whole Body Department by following them on facebook and on twitter.

Products that I received in my goodie bag. ALL meet Whole Foods Market Standards.

San Diego residents are in for a treat! For ONE DAY ONLY, on June 27th, you can use the coupon below to save 25% off of Bodycare items at Whole Foods Markets!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Market La Jolla. All opinions are my own.

WIN a Mamma Chia Vitality Prize Pack and #SEEDYOURSOUL

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mamma Chia.

Mamma Chia is a conscious and sustainable company with a mission to share the magic of chia through delicious, high quality, organic chia-based foods and beverages. This spring Mamma Chia unveiled several highly anticipated new products including:

• Two new Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack flavors – Mango Coconut and Wild Raspberry

• Convenient four packs of the Chia Squeeze Vitality Snacks

• Mamma Chia’s organic bagged chia – black and white seed varieties

WIN Mamma Chia goodies! Total retail value: $75. Winner will be selected at random and prize fulfillment is direct from sponsor. Giveaway open to U.S. residents. Winner must reply with 24 hours with address and T-Shrirt size, otherwise an alternate winner will be selected.  The Mamma Chia prize pack includes:

• One week’s supply of Mamma Chia products - 7 Chia Squeezes (varied flavors) and 7 beverage vouchers

• One copy of Janie’s book – Chia Vitality 

• One Mamma Chia T-Shirt

a Rafflecopter giveaway Chia Vitality – the debut book from Mamma Chia’s founder and CEO Janie Hoffman. This book details Janie’s personal story of how she suffered from a host of debilitating autoimmune diseases, including severe lupus and chronic fatigue syndrome. After years of trying Western medicine, she turned to alternative methods, including mediation, an organic diet, and, eventually, the chia seed. Within three months of making chia a daily part of her diet, she was symptom-free. Chia Vitality nourishes the body, mind, and soul with a combination of yoga, meditation, service, and, of course, the amazing chia seed. In 30 days, this plan harnesses the power of chia as part of a healthful lifestyle to boost stamina, lose weight, get healthier, and feel more alive than ever before.

Founded in 2009, Mamma Chia is a category innovator and maker of the first-to-market chia beverage, as well as the Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Janie Hoffman created Mamma Chia in the kitchen of her small, rural San Diego farm.

Mamma Chia donates one percent of gross sales to support farmers, community groups and organizations that build healthy local food systems. Mamma Chia is available in natural food markets and mainstream grocery stores nationwide..

Disclosure: We have partnered with FitFluential and Mamma Chia to share the news about Mamma Chia products.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 EXPERIENCE IT IN IMAX 3D

Looking for an action-packed weekend of fun for the whole family? Head to your local IMAX® Theater for the premiere of How to Train Your Dragon 2!

Starting this Friday, June 13th, the second chapter of DreamWorks Animation's beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise is soaring to all IMAX theatres domestically in select engagements. The IMAX 3D release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, creating a unique environment that will make audiences feel as though they are flying alongside heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon, Toothless.

Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig reprise their respective voice roles, joined this time by Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, Djimon Honsou and Kit Harington.

For more information about How to Train Your Dragon 2, please visit DreamWorks Animation's official website.

For IMAX Theater locations and local showtimes click here!

Disclosure: The information for this post was provided by IMAX®.