My trip to BlogHer09 was enhanced by a few companies that reached out and put an ambassador hat on me. I don’t know if you know it, but I wear hats really well.

First and foremost, Lane Bryant, one of my favorite plus size clothing stores for my plus size body, came through with a $100.00 gift card that was used in conjunction with a $50.00 off coupon.  They also sent me a great bra that make ‘the girls’ look like they never even suckled one baby, let alone FOUR!

Not only was LB good to me in the way of sponsoring a supplement to my wardrobe, I was treated very well at both store locations that I visited.   As a matter of fact, I am always treated very well by the associates of that store.  They are almost always plus sized women, too, and that really makes me feel welcomed, accepted, and understood.

I got the most compliments on this outfit, and I even wore the skirt twice.  I know, I know, mortal sin, eh, but it’s comfortable and I love it so.  Lane Bryant, I consider us kin.  After all my last name is…Lane.

The next ambassador hat that I donned was from Yummie Tummie.  At first I didn’t know how I felt about Yummie Tummie.  I’m glad that I measured myself before choosing the size that was right for me.  But, yeah, at first I was a little ambivalent about the shape wear.  After wearing it for a week, though, I do like how versatile it is. I like how pulled together it makes me feel, and it’s a whole lot easier to put on compared to my Spanx.  I’ve been a shape wear fan for many years.  I’ve always loved to wear body suits under my clothes because I just don’t like to feel the flabbiness.  No denying I am plus sized, but–dammit–if I feel pulled in, I feel awesome.

Out of no where I got this email from one of my sister-friends, Angie.  She put me in touch with Lily Oswald from Sorrelli Jewelery.  I had the hardest time deciding what to pick to wear because everything is just so beautiful.  I ended up with this set:

Thank you to all three of these companies for letting me represent them. They contributed to making me feel even more beautiful at my first BlogHer experience.

You can relive that experience by visiting my Flickr set: BlogHer09 by Mishelle Lane

Dear Sisters,

There are so many of you that I cannot even begin to put your names in this letter. From cousins to old friends to long lost neighbors to bulletin board mamas to blogging super stars; you are abundant in my life. You are what makes up the fiber of my being. Your similarities and differences make me whole. You are my sisterhood. There’s no other way to describe it.

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of having my own true sister. I wanted to fight with her just to make up. I wanted to tell her a joke just to make her laugh her guts out. I wanted to steal her favorite sweater just to make her see that I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to lie for her just to show her how loyal I was and would always be. But it was all just a dream. My parents wouldn’t have any more children. I was it for them. I would have to search through my life for the ones I’d call my sisters.

When you are young you screw up a lot. Little girls have fights. Little girls make up. Little girls say they never wanna be friends again. Little girls just. don’t. know. The screwing up period lasts a long time and for some it never ends. I should know; I’ve lived it and am living it again through my daughter. Oddly enough she will be searching for her sisters in life, too. A daughter among sons; a sister without one of her own. I can only reassure her and say, “Baby, don’t worry…you will find your sisters in life. I swear.”

How do I know? Well…because I have found mine. Or they have somehow found me? Time and time again.

During my trip to Buffalo, this month, I was lucky enough to be able to see old sister-friends at MAKfest09. Then I was invited to a “Girl’s Night Out” at an old friend’s house, where many other old (and new) sister-friends came together. I photographed the children of sister-friends from high school, not to mention the ones that are related to me, bound by tradition. I sat in the apartment of one of my favorite sisters, where we laughed and felt whole. I met an old sister friend for coffee one night sharing stories about life. The minutes flew as if they were mere seconds, but we rejoiced in each other.

Then towards the end of my visit I hopped on a plane to Chicago. There I would see many sister-friends. We’d hug. We’d laugh. We’d cry. My sisters are definitely heart piercing. The whole BlogHer09 experience is one that I’m still processing chock full with so, so many highs. The only lows came during good-byes. That’s when you know you are in love with something. Your head is in the clouds while you are there. You feel oozy and dizzy and fantastically sound. But when it’s time to leave, and you’ve left, you feel a longing to be there once more. That’s what it was for me. The best part, though, and the only part that allows me to deal with the apartness from these friends is that I see them everyday. On twitter. On their blogs. On Facebook. Whenever I need them, there they are.  No matter where they are from or where they may be, I always know where to find my sisterhood.

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I am lucky enough to be speaking at the up coming Type A Mom Conference. I am also lucky enough to be a part of The Sister Project.   These are just two whole new ways that I will connect and re-connect with sisters of the blogging world.  I am proud to say that…I Blog with the Sisterhood! There’s one more day to enter the sisterhood sponsorship for TAMC in September.  I urge you to tell all about your sisterhood.  Not only for the sponsorhip, but to let them know just how you feel.

Meet Mario. He does luggage. And he’s damn good at it.

My flight didn’t leave until 4:47pm on Sunday.  Because of this I had the pleasure of walking around Chi-town with Tara and Heather.  *Lou was taking both Tara and I to the airport, so it was only natural that we hang.   I was thrilled because I didn’t have a chance to do that with either.  It was special and I look forward to getting to know these two friends more.

Back to Mario:

I had my bags with me, as I was checked out, Sunday morning.  Luckily the Sheraton offers a service where they will hold your bags.  I had three…my big suitcase, the swag [that I just got and didn't get in fights for] duffle bag, and my laptop.  Mario proceeded to attach a tag to my main suitcase.

“Ummm shouldn’t we put one on each bag? I mean, what if they get lost?”

“No; one will do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Look.  You blog; I do luggage. I’m sure!”

And sure enough when I came back my bags were intact.  None were lost.   After all, I had Mario to handle things.

*Lou — He who will have one whole post dedicated to his kindness!