Hi. My name is Alissa and I’m traveling around to meet strangers from the internet. Actually, this is the third time I’ve done this. But let me back up. This kind of all started back in college when I started developing blogger friendships. Sara emailed me and told me that she actually had a relative in Kansas and we started chatting. For months. Then texted. And then I was head to New York and she traveled to meet me there at a Top Chef contestant’s restaurant. I was alone, not only in New York, but meeting a stranger. And then I flew to her bachelorette party to meet even more strangers that are now friends.
Skirt: Exact (size 12 and on majooorrrr sale!) / Shirt: Exact (size 10) / Shoes: Exact / Bag: Similar, Similar
Then on the flip side, Melissa I’ve know for five years. She’s re-done my blog, designed everything in the world for me, sent me cookies and sour gummy worms. We’ve pretty much done everything friends do. Except meet. I could repeat this story for at least 10 other bloggers who I’ve been lucky enough to “know” but not meet. Heck, I’ve sent birthday gifts to people I’ve never met before.
Later this month I get to visit Jess for dinner and catch up on let’s day like, the last two years, in one night! I have a work trip in Chicago that I found a way to work in some personal fun. In September I’m working at an industry trade show in Dallas. I excited to get to go to the event, but I’m taking two days to travel to Austin! I’ve wanted to meet Nicole, Chelsea and Rachel soooo badly. Plus Austin has been on my travel bucket list for years!
I’ve got 2 days in Austin and the entire time is basically me meeting a bunch of strangers that I’ve “known” for years. Don’t worry mom, I promise you they aren’t serial killers. Check out their blogs. Anyway, I’m jumping on a 45 minute flight the morning after and booking my own Air B&B (I am SO excited about this!) and exploring! I’m calling it a mini “creative retreat” because I’m taking a photography + editing lesson from Chelsea and I am going to explore Austin which I know is going to spark so much creativity and visual inspiration. Plus the food. Omg can we talk about the food?
I want to make an Austin bucket-list for the very short time that I am there. I know that the girls are going to be uhhhhmazing tour guides and I am going to eat way too much and also spend too much money. But I anticipate having the morning to myself and I’d love to know what to do! I want to stay in one pretty central location (South Congress I think?) that I can hit a lot of spots in one or two trips!
Skirt: Exact (size 12 and on majooorrrr sale!) / Shirt: Exact (size 10) / Shoes: Exact / Bag: Similar, Similar
More than anything, it’s amazing to me that I’ve had friendships with people for years, we’ve supported each other, been cheerleaders for each other without even knowing what each other’s voice sounds like! Side note: I have a thing about not doing videos on social media. I think that hearing someone’s voice can be a detriment to what you think they sound like. I know, it’s strange, but I stand by it.
Rachelle
it’s always so fun to meet blogger friends in person, enjoy your trip girl and this photography class sounds so fun.
xo
Pinksole
Sonia Aicha
you look stunning, I love the skirt and the bag, so feminine 🙂
Sonia
http://www.soniaaicha.com
Closet Fashionista
Yayy!! I never thought I would want to meet strangers I had known online in real life but I did it starting with Harry Potter people and then with bloggers as well. It’s crazy how you know someone so well before ever speaking in person.
Looooving that skirt too, super pretty!
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Keri
Love this outfit <3 It's always so amazing to connect with friends in real life!
Enclothed Cognition
Rachel
I remember meeting my first blogger friend- it was a little awkward haha! But then she reached out for a hug and I sighed a breath of relief 😛
Karen
I completely agree with you about the voice thing, there’s a few bloggers I follow on Instagram that I won’t watch their videos, somehow that just doesn’t work for me.
Maddy
I love this! have SO much fun!
xo, Maddy
http://cassidylou.com/
Beverly
I’m from Austin, and I’m so glad you’re travelling to my hometown! Graffiti Park is fun/a good picture-taking place. Please eat all the tacos! 😉
AJ
Please have an entire pie from Home Slice for me! I love Austin. Hop over to The Driskill if you’ve got time and have a martini in the lobby bar – it’s super cozy and they have an amazing little olive app that I love. There’s an amazing vintage store on South Congress called Feathers you should check out. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of meal recommendations but I also love Moonshine for dinner or brunch! Have so much fun!
Kristina
This sounds so fun girl!!! And I agree with you about the voices hahaha – sometimes it’s better not to know.
Kristina does the Internets
Karly
This is so fun! There are so many people from this community that I consider friends but have yet to meet. I’d love to do that someday, with you included! 🙂 Hope you have the best time!
lauren
it’s so awesome that you’ve cultivated so many friendships, near and far, through blogging. you will love austin… the food, the vibes, all of it!
Nicole
That sounds like an amazing trip! Austin is high on my list also. It is amazing some of the relationships that develop through blogging.
Nicole
Nicole to the Nines
Whitney Damrau & Blaire Bingham
I love that you have made so many great relationships through blogging. It make what we do even more fun! We have some great bloggers, that we now call friends because of it too.
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Sevi
Let me know if you want the scoop on Dallas. It’s kind of my jam!
Ruth
It’s so amazing the people you can meet because of the internet. Friendships can come near and far!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Samantha
Such a cute outfit! Love that top!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Priya
YES! I can’t wait til we can hang one day. xo
Patricia
Funny thing about the voice before contact! I watched a video of you long after we’d been internet friends. You were everything I thought you’d be. You were walking fast in an airport and your voice was energetic, young & excited, I think you were late or meeting someone. Your eyes were big and beautiful, the outfit you had on billowed out behind you as you moved along rapidly. You were talking rapidly and excitedly and I watched it over and over, like 10 times, telling myself someday, someday! For me “meeting you” in video format first worked! Must be our stars were meant to align <3
Kim
That’s awesome! I have met a few friends online from my first year of blogging and to be honest, they seem more involved in my life and more caring than some of my IRL friends – eeek. So glad you made the best from this community!
Kim
Simply Lovebirds