CHEERS TO BLOGGING!

Moving to a different country or a new city means making new friends, and if you're an introvert like I am, that's a pretty daunting prospect.  Some of the friends I've left behind are people I've known for over 15 years!  They've known me a loooooooooong time, they get me and are far more likely to forgive me for the stupid things I say and do. Starting friendships from scratch? Well that's a little intimidating.

I realized pretty quickly, however, that if I didn't put the effort in to meeting people, then transitioning to our new home would be even harder than it already was.  If I'd managed it in India, I could do it here.  So as I did in India, I forced myself to get out there and meet people.  I joined meet ups and attended local events, I even searched twitter and Instagram for people to reach out to, but do you want to know what has proved to be the best way to meet people here in Pittsburgh?  Blogging!

Through blogging I met these three talented ladies: Ashely, Kimberly and Tori and last week we pulled off Pittsburgh's first ever fashion blogger meet up. We loosely talked about setting up some sort of fashion blogger meet up when we met at the #StylishPittsburgh Day proclamation ceremony and a few weeks later Kim emailed us saying "let's do this!".  Countless emails were exchanged, a few glasses of wine were enjoyed and before long, plans for the event grew from a small get together over cocktails, into a full scale fashion blogger event held at Number 14 boutique!

Number 14's signature cocktail, the Fourtini

Props for the Instagram competition.

Ashley made these beautiful name-tags!

She also made these DELICIOUS cupcakes!!

There are oodles of fashion and style bloggers in Pittsburgh and so many of them turned up to the event.  There was a fantastic group of people in that room and there was so much energy and so much support for one another! It was brilliant!!

I forgot to take photos after people started arriving (oops!) but thanks to our Instagram contest, there are some great pictures on Instagram... 

Working the champagne! @nicolecarlin7189 #StyleSocial14 #Pittsburgh @no.14_boutique

A photo posted by Kimberly Allera (@yeswearthat) on Sep 9, 2015 at 4:25pm PDT

another capture from last night w/ this beauty! sorry my hair is eating your face @jennaboron, it cannot be tamed 😁 || #stylesocial14 #stylishpittsburgh #no14boutique #pittsburgh #fbloggers #balanceandchaos #wavyalabaster

A photo posted by @jessagibboney on Sep 10, 2015 at 8:53am PDT

Fabulous, Darling!!! All the details from last night's #stylesocial14 event are linked up with @liketoknow.it www.liketk.it/1JKqd #liketkit plus some extra skirts from @chicwish because they are just so gorgeous! -------------------------------#blogger #bloggerevents #chicwish #chic #wiw #ootd #latergram #regram #fashion #fashionista #afternoonespresso #stylishpittsburgh #shoppgh @no.14_boutique #shoplocal #boutique

A photo posted by Ashley Pletcher (@ashleypletch3) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:32am PDT

To old #insta friends and new ones! @sparkleeveryday @theicecreamsocialistparty @mandyholesh #stylesocial14 #stylishpittsburgh

A photo posted by Leslie McAllister (@juju_pgh) on Sep 9, 2015 at 3:53pm PDT

I thought I'd share one more picture from last night's #StyleSocial14 event in honor of #tbt. It was awesome seeing and catching up with @gardeninginhighheels, a fierce and loyal friend I can always count on for honest feedback and encouragement. Glad we both have the same low tolerance for high heels after a long day! | #becauseimkeepingitreal #stylishpittsburgh #stylesocialpittsburgh #fbloggers #whoinvitedthenonfashionblogger #underdressed

A photo posted by Marissa (@marissaburdett) on Sep 10, 2015 at 2:45pm PDT

Met some amazing ladies tonight! #girlsrule #stylishpittsburgh #stylesocial14

A photo posted by Mandy Holesh (@mandyholesh) on Sep 9, 2015 at 7:18pm PDT

Me and @theicecreamsocialistparty! This lady's outfit was amazing, check out that fringe belt! 😍 #stylishpittsburgh #stylesocial14

A photo posted by Niki (@nikiwhittle) on Sep 9, 2015 at 8:35pm PDT

Why didn't I eat more of these ah-may-zing cupcakes last night? #WeRegretTheThingsWeDidntEat #StyleSocial #StyleSocial14 #StylishPittsburgh

A photo posted by Angelica Ross (@syntaxxerrorrr) on Sep 10, 2015 at 5:53am PDT

This lady landed back in Pittsburgh from Las Vegas yesterday, after a crazy busy week and still made it to our #stylesocial14!! @slizzyp you rock! #stylishpittsburgh

A photo posted by Niki (@nikiwhittle) on Sep 9, 2015 at 8:44pm PDT

Here's to blogging and to making new friends!