My trip...

I must say my trip to Thirty-One National Conference was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I was packed and ready to leave by 5:30 the day we departed. Of course, everything I packed was in a Thirty-One bag.

By 6:30 all five of us were packed and on the road for the six hour drive to Columbus, Ohio.

Once we passed the Cincinnati Bengals & Reds stadiums I felt like we were getting on the last leg of our journey.

We stayed at the Columbus Marriott Northwest. The staff was fantastic and the rooms were very luxurious. It was great to get a good night sleep every night because our days were filled. 

Once we got checked in, we caught one of the deluxe shuttle buses to take us to registration.

My first look of the Columbus skyline.

We went straight in the Convention Center to get our registration packets.

We got our first amenity along with all kinds of goodies.

We all just sat down in a hallway to look at our stuff and put our name badges together with our ribbons and buttons. 

Then we walked a couple of blocks to the Nationwide Arena for our first look at over 14,000 Thirty-One sisters.

Our fonder, Cindy Monroe's, husband Scott and his band were warming up the crowd. We got to hear them play before and during every session. They were awesome. 

Then Cindy herself took the stage. It gave new meaning to the statement "And the crowd goes wild." Everyone was on their feet. You would have thought you were at the biggest rock concert in history. It was awesome. 

We had a lot of presenters and speakers, but my favorite was Leigh Anne Tuohy who was made famous when her family story was told in The Blind Side. She was fabulous. Very down to hearth and very hilarious. She was one of my favorite speakers of the weekend. My other favorite was Lisa Harper, you need to check her out on You Tube. She was awesome.

We had a lot of entertainment and information brought to us by the home office staff. Pink was everywhere you looked. 

Here was our group with our director Colleen (far right, second row). This was a fabulous bunch of gals and I loved the opportunity to get to know them all better. 

Colleen got us all a little gift for attending conference. I love my new bag.

When they said they painted Columbus pink, they weren't kidding. I had my picture made with the Pink Man. He never talked or cracked a smile the whole time we saw him. Upon under the tents behind him was a band made up of home office staff. They call themselves The Rolling Totes and they were out of this world. The first morning we got there they played for a huge patio party for us before the first general session.

And of course I did some shopping at the Conference Store while I was there and naturally I had to have my picture made with the giant tote.

Between the freebies they gave us and the stuff I got at the store, I came home with lots and lots of goodies. PLUS they told us they are shipping us a box with a few more things in it that should arrive this week or next week. I can't wait.

I got to meet my National Executive Director, Misty Thomas. That was awesome. I even sat with her during part of the Friday General Session. I had to stop by her "tower" and leave a note. She is a fabulous NED and I am very proud to be in her down-line.

On our last night we got to attend an awards dinner for all the gals that promoted up this year.

It was a great time and the dinner was delicious. Steak, chicken, mashed potatoes and some veggies with assorted cheesecake for dessert.

We all got together afterwards for a group photo on our last night. 

But the best part was getting a sneak peak at the new patterns and products for fall. This is the new enrollment kit that new consultants who sign up after the 16th of August will get....for just $99. It's an awesome kit. We did get a catalog and more are being sent to us. I am loving all the new products that I got to see.

My favorite is the mini Cindy tote. I just fell in love with this in the gray houndstooth.

And in the plum tweed. I may just have to buy them both.

Well, as you can imagine, I had a very fun-filled, action packed trip and I have been pretty exhausted. But I am finally getting my energy back.