My First Blogger Meetup

I had so much fun last night!

After work, Michelle picked me up at the house (in full dating fashion) to head down to Matteo’s for our first blogger meet up. Matteo’s is a family-style Italian restaurant on International Drive (and was Nelore previously for those of you in the Orlando area.)

Michelle and I arrived a little after 6:00pm and the parking lot was empty. So, we did what any normal girl would do. We sat in the car for 15 minutes, took self-portraits, and waited to go in so we didn’t look like stalkers being the first ones there.  

Michelle checked her Tweets to make sure the meetup wasn’t canceled. If it was cancelled, we were going to get drunk and cry and hold each other all night.

After about 15 minutes, we still didn’t see anyone we stalked online knew, so we went in and ordered a drink.

I have to say, we were pretty nervous to meet all our fellow bloggers! Michelle and I have read several of the lady’s blogs for awhile now, so it was like meeting celebrities to us. 🙂

Thank you Three Olives grape vodka and soda for relieving me of that nervousness.

The food at Matteo’s was DELICIOUS.

Michelle and I started with a salad. I don’t see the name online, but it was a spring mix with goat cheese, Craisins, walnuts, with a raspberry vinaigrette (on the side). Amazing.

Then we had the Burned Vegetables. Sounds strange…but it was the JAMMY JAM. I didn’t get a picture because it was eaten too fast, but picture vegetables. Then picture them burned.

If I see Matteo’s describe those veggies as the JAMMY JAM on their menu, I’m suing for copywrite infringement.

For our main course, we shared the Grilled Colossal Shrimp Matteo served over primavera vegetables.

These veggies were drenched in all sorts of oil and butter, but it was so fresh and nom-tastic. (New word. Use it!) I would definitely recommend this place. Great food and great service. The waiters even offered our 10-top table a drink on the house afterwards but we declined since we didn’t want to look like alcoholics in front of each other just yet were driving.

This is the first time I’ve ever gone out with a bunch of ladies I didn’t know and I had so much fun. We chatted all night about everything and it felt like we had all been friends for a long time. It was the strangest thing! I can’t wait for the next meet up because it was crazy fun.

Our server, Craig, was kind enough to take a picture of us all. He also made sure to tell us his name started with a C. I’m glad he did, too. I was worried it was spelled “Kraig.”

If you don’t already read these ladies blogs, you should check them out.

From left to right:  my buddy Michelle from Crazy Running Legs, MomJovi (best blog name evaar), Me!, Christine from Cook the Story, J from J’s Everyday Fashion, Katy Widrick, Jamie from Work Your Closet, Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers, Colleen (and possibly my new drinking buddy) from Lady Ballers, and Bess from Central Florida Top 5.

After dinner, Michelle dropped me off at home and I went back out to meet up with my friend Morgan at the Wine Bar in Baldwin Park.

Morgan is in town from Reno for one night. Today, she drives to Tampa to try on her wedding dress right before heading back home. Morgan is getting married next year, so I’m saving my pennies for the festivities. 🙂

Fun fact:  Reno is in my top 5 list of places I would like to move to in the U.S. I just LOVE that town. So, maybe one day I will pack up the hubs and the bunny and head out there.

Tonight, I have a workout with the personal trainer and then a 4:45am wake up call for the first run with my marathon training group Saturday morning. We’re running 10 miles. No need to ease us into it. Good Lawd. I can’t wait to see how it goes!

Not the waking up part. That won’t go well.

If you could live anywhere, where would you choose? (I also love Seattle and San Diego (which is close to my family.)