August 6, 2017
Meeting Holly & Amy
Amy also wrote up about the day which you can read here, I love how she’s written about it! Make sure you check it out, as usual, she’s hilarious.
After a few weeks of discussing it, I finally met up with Holly and Amy last weekend.
We met up in Manchester for lunch. Initially, we couldn’t decide where to go and have lunch but after setting up a Twitter poll (Twitter is SO reliable!) we ended up going to have Italian food. Is that surprising? Yes. No. Probably. Yes.
I can’t even begin to describe how nervous I was as I was walking to the restaurant; I had to phone Matt to reassure me! I’ve met bloggers before, for example, Micah, Chynna and Mutay, just last month but I always get nervous just in case I completely shock the hell out of whoever I’m meeting (catfish, anyone?)
I have to say though I’ve become much better in the past year of endless networking!
I saw Amy first and felt a rush of excitement because she was right there in front of me. I was probably grinning like an idiot because I recalled all of Amy’s blog posts and how much they made me laugh in real life whenever I read them. I finally got to tell her how funny she is. 😆
When Holly arrived, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I felt when I read her little message in the birthday book that Matt created for me. 😊 Gratitude. Happiness. Excitement. Because she’s actually real?!!?! THANK YOU, HOLLY.
I remember thinking throughout lunch “omg, I can’t believe the little display photos I’ve been seeing on Twitter are like actual people? whaaaa?” I had a similar thought when I first met Chynna, Mutay and Micah. It was surreal!
Italian 🍝
We ate at The Pasta Factory.
Glancing at the menu, we all agreed that we couldn’t pronounce anything or even fake an Italian accent. I have mentioned before that I usually just point at what I want or Hamdah says it for me. Holly hilariously shared this article which explained our whole situation.
They didn’t serve my favourite mushroom risotto, unfortunately (every other Italian place usually does and risottos are always the ‘regular’) so I was a little disappointed but the waiter was really nice about it especially when I asked out of the blue. 😆
“I’m too short (and drowning) to be damn fine”
After Italian food, we went to have ice cream at Gino’s Gelato. On our way there, Amy spotted the following… which resulted in hilarious photos naturally.
*gets ice cream everywhere and jokes about it*
I got the kinder bueno and chocolate gelato. 😍
The woman who was serving me sort of scared me and WHO PUTS THE FLAKE LIKE THAT?????
Okla
Holly took us to this really cute shop that was just screaming hipster, cute asf, ‘alternative’. It reminded me of the store I spent all my remaining Euros in Amsterdam.
The super hipster bookstore
This was my favourite part of the day! I discovered the ‘Brainbook’ from visiting this store, which I have just finished and absolutely LOVED.
We also found an amazing set of books on famous, intelligent, incredibly talented women for girls. I was blown away and wished that I was exposed to such wonderful books when I was little – instead of the stories about princesses (not saying that these are bad because let’s be honest – THEY’RE GREAT TOO) but it would’ve been so inspiring learning about the likes of Marie Curie when I was little.
There was also this book, “Goodnight stories for rebel girls” which is bedtime stories on 100 inspirational women, again aimed at young girls. Ahhh, loved it so much!
Also, Amy pointed this out to me when I said I wanted another pin to add to my bag pin collection.
Afflecks
We wondered around Afflecks. For those who don’t know what Afflecks is, it’s a cluster of small, independent stores and cafes. It reminded me a lot of the Chelsea Market in New York.
Pigeon-watching and dodgy people
The rest of the afternoon was spent at Piccadilly Gardens where we sat and talked about everything. Ranging from schools, University, work, hilarious stories from Amy (as per 😂 She’s exactly how she is online haha!), women and tech (my favourite topic 😆), hackathons, coding. I’ve always felt inspired by Holly’s background in Geography but securing a badass role as a developer, but it was even more inspiring hearing the whole story of how she applied in real life.
Not going to lie, the part of Piccadilly Gardens we were at was a little shady. There were shady-looking people walking back and forth exchanging items, pigeons courting other pigeons when they’ve clearly said no and another pigeon hugging up to Amy where she then rejected it and it continued to be sad in the corner. 😆
Overall I enjoyed meeting with Holly and Amy. It was great to finally get to see them in real life and talk to them without a screen in between us. Thank you for the wonderful day ladies, it was just what I needed! I’m looking forward to seeing them again soon 💖
Another successful blogger meet up! I’m much more motivated and confident to meet other bloggers in the future, if you’re ever around in the area, let me know 😊
Leave a comment
Michelle
Glad you met such wonderful online friends 😀 Amy is amazing and so is Holly <3 You three are amazing and glad that your time together was great!
Cat
I already wrote this on Amy’s, but I love that the three of you met up! I always get nervous before meeting an online friend for the first time, even though it always goes well. I worry that I’m not what they expect or that I’m super awkward!
hahaha, I like that photo of you with the cut-out. I’m really short, so that would totally be me too! The store you went to has such cute stuff. I love the photo with the flower crowns!
Aahh, those books look so cool. I think I saw the Goodnight stories one before, but I didn’t know about the Little People, Big Dreams series. I want to look those up now!
You guys look so happy together! I’m glad you had a fun time!
Chynna
I AM STILL ON A PASTA HYPE.
Haha, I have the exact same thoughts when I meet bloggers IRL too. Remember when we met and I was like, “OMG YOU’RE REAL. YOU’RE HERE. I CAN TOUCH YOU.” (such a perv)
That little shop you guys visited looked so cute <3 Also LOVE those books – I definitely need to get those for my kids one day!
Am so glad you guys had fun 😀
Cristina Cocioaba
I am so happy that you guys managed to meet up and spend time in real lifeee!!! I widh I could meet all of you, really. So bad that I am so far away :(.
The books are soo cute. I heard about good night stories for rebel girls and I am planning on buying it. The idea is sooo good and I find it perfect for little girls to have role models.
I am so happy for you and I hope you will meet again in the future. Take care <3
Hiro
Meeting up with online friends is the best. You get to finally put a physical presence to the texts and emojis over the years. I’ve gone to Japan and Germany and all over the US to meet up with my online friends, and it’s always been great. Just recently, I met an LJ/Tumblr friend from YEARS ago because my blog happened to have cross-posted to my old old Tumblr that she was still following. We had ramen. Hahaha.
Internet is great.
Seems like you guys had so much fun too. One of these days, I’ll make it back out there, and then you can give me a gastro-tour of London!! It’s so strange to consider that from seeing your photos you could be in NYC, going around downtown, and it would look pretty similar. LOL.
Adrianne
Judging from your past posts with food, it’s no surprise to me that you would end up in yet another place of Italian cuisine XD. There’s a very small gelato parlor/bakery cafe in my area that creates very authentic gelato that they alternate the flavors every single day. They’re small and relatively unknown except for the locals, but they’re very well known for “unorthodox flavors” (Black Sesame, Mango Picante, Chocolate Bacon LOL, etc.) not normally seen or sold in a lot of gelato parlors. I think I’ve taken some photos of it a few years ago and posted them on Instagram. When I get to it I’ll show them to you one day. 😀
It’s great that you’re able to meet a lot of bloggers that it seems that you all live very close by to one another haha! The U.S. is too big, too expensive in some parts, let alone California. I’ve met a lot of California niche-less bloggers, but never a single one in my area. I think the people here are way too serious with blogging and are mostly niche bloggers. (tech, food, beauty, etc.) And to think, a lot of the blogging platforms (Blogger, WordPress, Livejournal, etc.) were developed here. The irony LOL.
enyiie
Hi Pauline!
This is such a cute post and loved the photos. Meeting other bloggers is honestly one of my dreams and it was so relaxing to read this. The bookstore looks amazing – Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors and I’ve always been a sucker for crime fiction and mystery novels. I also once did an art project on Frida Kahlo! I would be so thrilled to read about Marie Curie and Amelia Earhart too. Glad your meet up went well 🙂
Eena
Is it weird that I knew you were going to have Italian food?! Because of how much I think you love Italian food?! Hahaha. I’m glad you were able to meet Amy & Holly, and you guys had a grand time!
The food pictures look so good (seriously… I just read through Nancy’s food/hike/travel post and now this?!). I don’t generally crave pasta as much but I sure do need some spaghetti in my life right now.
Aw sorry about being too short to take a proper photo! Don’t worry, I’m pretty short myself – I wouldn’t manage to put my head on even if I stood on tiptoes. I’m glad you guys had a great time! ♥
Nancy
It’s so cool that you got to meet Holly and Amy in person at the same time! I love how we’re getting to the point where we’re old enough to go meet blogger friends and have a good time beyond the screen. I love how excited you all have been leading up to the event! How about a UK blogger meetup? XD.
The food all of you had looks super delish. UGH making me hungry now!!!!
The shop Holly took you both to looks cute! I know I’d love their floral headwear. Oh man, I know what books I’d be giving my daughter(s) if I ever have the chance! The cat pin looks super adorable.
It’s always interesting to hear stories about how people make it to coding/tech. I’ve seen people coming from different backgrounds. It’s all possible as long as they’re willing to learn! Hey, maybe I should’ve studied in culinary school then switched to tech! Just kidding ;).
Glad to see you all having a great time!
Maroon Caludin
Sounds like lots of fun! Sometimes I wish I could do meet ups, but they scare me too! Also love that cloud lamp! So cute!