VVC Galarama and time with Sayward

My dear friend, Sayward, moved from Portland's gray winters back to her native land of sun and sand in SoCal.  I miss her terribly, and was so glad that she was back for Vida Vegan Conference! (She is an author and blogger at www.bonzaiaphrodite.com)

We met up for drinks and dinner at Bye and Bye- a vegan pub specializing in hipster bartenders and drinks in quart-sized mason jars.  Yup.

She invited me out to the Galarama on Saturday night.  I don't get out much, and certainly not after the boys' bedtime, so I was very hesitant.  I told Kraig about it and he insisted that I go.  There was a condition, however; I had to kiss Isa Chandra-Moskowitz and thank her for the chickpea cutlets.

Deal.

Purdy.

 There was a vegan ice cream sundae buffet.  Oooooh yes.

There were vegan cheese plates (the author of Artisan Vegan Cheese is on the right, reaching over and arranging her cheese plates.)

There were free liquor tastings.

 There were a lot of vegans in a pretty cool event space.

And finally, I did what I came to do. Isa was very gracious. I was starstruck.

VEGAN CHEESES!

I am so glad I went.  I met so many wonderful people- famous bloggers, authors, and well-known personalities.  I ate a lot of food, had some good talks with good friends, and danced a bit, too!  It was nice to get all dressed up and not worry about the kids.  Kraig got the boys to bed without consequence.  

I also made some pretty exciting connections for some of the side projects I'm working on.... Yay! I'm excited for next year when I will attend the entire conference (it's in Chicago in 2014) and have more time to network.