Be Crafty Arizona - the ladies

Remember when I said I may blog twice this week. This is part two to my trip to Arizona for Be Crafty.

When I left Tulsa I was all ball of emotion. I've never flown by myself. I've flown many times, just never alone where I was responsible for everything. So there were some nerves there. Add in leaving my family for the weekend and missing them dearly with the excitement of seeing Amanda again and meeting new friends in actual real life that I've followed for years. Crazy mess of emotions.

I grabbed a coffee at the airport and smiled when the barista spelled my name right.

It's the little things folks. It took my mind off all the emotions I was feeling. But then the caffeine started taking effect. Now I was a jittery mess of nerves.

But then the craziest thing happened. I made it to Arizona and as soon as I saw Amanda waiting for me near baggage claim, all those crazy emotions were put to ease. We hugged, got my bags and then we met up with Kate (who I got to meet at the OK Be Crafty!) to head out to Sprinkles.

I've also never had a Sprinkles cupcake and they lived up to the hype.

It was so easy sitting and laughing with those girls. I had missed them and was so thankful to be with them again.

After we savored the cupcakes, it was time to head to dinner at Heather's.

I have followed Heather's blog and instagram for a while now. And here's a fun fact, she had me for a mug swap partner this past year.  So I felt like I knew her and couldn't wait to meet her in real life. Also, her house is just as cute an amazing as it looks through the screen.

After I digested the fact that Arizona homes don't have grass and instead have rocks in their front yards - it's a dessert y'all, I walked in to Heather's amazing house and was greeted by so many ladies I have to admire and love through social media. Isn't it a weird thing? Going through life and meeting people online, connecting through blogs or pictures of lives, texting or emailing about little nothings and creating a friendship without having shared a cup of coffee in real life?!

 

Anyway. I had been waiting a long time to finally meet some of the ladies there but I also got to make new friendships with girls I'd never met. I am so thankful I got the opportunity to hang out with these ladies in person. They were all just as I imagined. Better actually.

I finally got to meet my girl, Katy. Our friendship begin years ago after I stalked Katy when I found out she was my first mug swap partner. We connected over coffee, kids and we both have etsy shops and now we're real life friends. Katy is good people.

I wish I could talk about each lady because they were all so wonderful but I'm just getting back to this whole blogging thing so - I'm going to stop while I'm ahead. But just know,  Leigh, Ruth, Rebekah, Heather, Annalea, Kim, Amanda, Cole, Katy and Kate - you ladies are so beautiful inside and out. I'm so thankful for our short time together. And Lauren! Thank you for the amazing photos you captured and your sweet little self. You rock.

Maybe it was the full heart from a blessed weekend or the excitement to hold my family again but thankfully, the trip home was much easier.

Until next time Arizona.