And just like that, I’m back in Boston. What a whirlwind trip! Who am I? What day is it!?! 
So, I bet you’re wondering what I was doing in Dulles, Virginia today. Well, last week, the Vice President of Corporate Events & Community Relations at AOL invited me to sit on a blogger panel at an internal leadership meeting at their headquarters. Sounds fancy, right? Basically, the VP wanted a small group of female bloggers to share their experiences and insights with the group. I was honored to be asked to participate.
The AOL headquarters was cool! 
Modern, bright, and funky.
When I arrived at AOL, I had about two hours to kill before the start of the panel, so I hung out in one of the “staging rooms,” where I found a huge spread of food– perfect for Second Breakfast!
I ate First Breakfast at 6:00 AM, so a few hours later, I was hungry again! (When am I not hungry!?! )
I immediately hit up the coffee table. Copious amounts of caffeine have fueled my day today! 
I’m such a sucker for flavored creamers. Saturated fat? What saturated fat?!
I started with a cup of coffee, a pastry, and some berries. Then, moved onto another pastry and (I don’t know how) many cups of coffee.
Overall, I think the panel went pretty well. I wasn’t super nervous and said (mostly) intelligent things. However, there were a number of instants that I felt completely unprepared. Not so much with what I had to say, but with regard to my goals for Carrots ‘N’ Cake and developing my “brand.” The session definitely made me realize that I have a lot of work to do if I want to keep growing CNC.
The other blogger on the panel with me was McLean Robbins, who writes about travel, beauty, and fashion. She was cool. She also blogs about her dog, Deacon!
After the panel, a car picked me up to take me back to the airport. I still can’t believe how quickly the whole thing happened!
The Dulles airport was very quiet, so I whizzed through security and had about an hour to kill before my flight. I wandered around the terminal for awhile, looking for lunch, and eventually decided on Vino Volo.
Wine, food, relaxation. Sounded good to me!
I also liked sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories.
To drink, I picked a 3-wine sampler, called “Shades of White.”
I went down the line and tried a sip of each wine. I liked them all, but my favorite was the Riebeek Creek Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. It was bright with tropical flavors and a crisp finish– just my style. I actually drank the other two wines and saved the Sauvignon Blanc for last so I could savor it.
To eat, I ordered the Brie & Prosciutto Sandwich, which was served with warmed brie cheese, Italian prosciutto, fresh greens, and fig jam.
Um, yum. It was the perfect compliment to a flight of white wine.
I’m pooped after a full day of travel, so I am very thankful that my husband is cooking dinner for us tonight. He picked a recipe from Pioneer Woman! I have a feeling that I am in for a treat!
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
What a busy day!! That breakfast looks amazing….I love flavored creamers:)
Wow, busy day! My least favorite part of being a Communications major and Public Speaking is being asked questions I wasn’t prepared for. Easiest way to get me to turn bright red and want to run in the other direction.
Very cool- busy day for you!
If I came home from a day of traveling, I can guarantee the only thing my husband would be “cooking” was a frozen burger. You have a keeper.
prosciutto and fig jam!? that’s the best combo i think i’ve ever heard of
Woah talk about an awesome day
What cool headquarters- and such a neat panel to a part of!
You’ve been a busy bee today. Must be cool to be recognized by AOL!
What an awesome opportunity! The spread at AOL looks amazing!
That sandwich sounds wonderful. There is a sandwich at the local Whole Food here called The Barton Creek and it turkey breast, brie, fig jam pressed hot on a baquette. So so good!
That is so cool you got to speak on a panel.
Mmmmmm….I love Sauvignon blancs. That wine and sandwich sound delicious.
Geez Tina what a crazy day! At least you get to sleep in your own bed tonight
And Yay for South African wines!
crazy day! can’t wait to see what pioneer woman meal you have
Looks like you had such a fun and fast paced day! I loved the choice you picked for a restaurant at the airport! It actually looks good for airport food!
wow what a quick trip! Traveling exhausts me, I bet you are tired!
I too love flavored creamers. Hazelnut is my favorite. yum!!
The panel sounds really cool, very neat to be invited to something like that!
I work at AOL and wish they had told employees about the panel! It sounds so interesting and I’m a full-time blogger for them — would have been a blast to attend. :/
What an awesome yet chaotic day! Enjoy your special dinner
Wow, crazy busy day!!! I, too, am a sucker for flavored creamers.
I cannot wait to see the Pinoneer Woman’s recipe…she is a genius!
The picture of your wine flight is making me want a glass of wine. Actually, just about anything makes me want a glass of wine. Who am I kidding?
i love your layouts with WLR!
also– totally jealous of your trip! looked fantastic!
It’s weird to think of yourself as a “brand”, right??
Hope you have some time to relax a little.
That is so cool! Happy someone so awesome was there to represent female bloggers! congrats!
Wow, what a fantastic day trip. And I love finding these fancy little places in airports. Sometimes they have THE BEST food!
Can’t wait to see what Mal is up to tonight in the kitchen. I bet it’s going to be wonderful.
Pastries for breakfast and wine for lunch? Yes please!
What a great opportunity, Tina. And what a whirlwind trip, I am impressed!
The wine flight looks fun. I’ve never done that.
The place is totally great! Sure was a busy day for you.
What a day! You were in my neck of the woods however, VA always seems like such a hike from my abode in MD. Congrats on the great bake sale!
Wow! I bet you will crash tonight, hehe.
what a great idea for an airport, a wine bar. um perfect
Oh, what a wonderful day to make up for your crazy-early start! What are flavoured creamers? We definitely don’t ahve those in Australia!
Your blog posts are always so interesting – they break up my work day and inspire me to be a better blogger! Congratulations on being asked to participate in the AOL blog panel. That’s quiet an achievement! I would be very appreciative if you had a look at my blog and gave me some tips on how I could improve and grow my following. Thanking you in advance, Shari
What a fun and busy day! And I love the wine sampler… I’m a sucker for wine. Forget the beer and mixed drinks that college students drink, I’d take a nice glass of wine over that stuff any day.
My mom works for AOL in Dulles!! I should have tagged along with her to work to see you speak!
Wowza that was a quick trip!! Looks like a ton of fun though..but very busy!
That sandwich sounds delicious!
P.S. I’m a sucker for flavored creamer as well
sounds like a fun trip with yummy food! can’t wait to see what your husband whipped up for dinner!
McLean Robbins went to Wake Forest! I knew she must have…with her dog being named Deacon! It is a very popular name for pets amongst Demon Deacon grads
Glad you had a good trip!
Wow! What a day! My favorite part was that you described the other blogger as “cool”, which kind of brought me back to 7th grade (in a cool way though – hehe!
)
What a great experience!! I also like flavored creamer in those small containers–for some reason when it’s free and in different packages, it is much more appealing
This is so awesome! Being from DC, I have been so curious as to what you were here for…congrats on such a great professional accomplishment. Being on a panel for the AOL leadership team is huge!
Definitely feel the same way about flavored creamers. Or flavored coffee for that matter.
I love sitting at bars and chatting up bartenders. Even chatting up other people is fun. I’ve met other bloggers and someone even bought me a drink when they found out my husband was in the military!
I am proud of you for doing something outside your comfort zone. And I’m sure you did a great job. Your down to earth and regular person nature are why everyone loves you, dear!
When you said “second breakfast” it reminded me of hobbits!
Ah, AOL HQ! I used to visit there regularly for work when I lived up there. Cool campus huh? My contact there made her own hours and regularly showed up for work in flip flops and cargo pants! I think they have an insane gym, cafeteria, etc… I love how funky and modern it is in there. Did you meet Regina Lewis? I used to see her there once in a while. She’s always on TV plugging all things online.
Tina – it was so great to meet you yesterday and to do the panel together!! And yes, Bess, you’re right … I went to Wake and chose a highly original name for my dog
Can’t wait to become a regular fan of Carrots n’ Cake!
Ohh, and here’s my take on the event: http://deacondoesdc.blogspot.com/2010/12/luxe-life-deacon-does-aol.html
Hi Tina,
You should come on a
glad you enjoyed the wine tasting. I am from South Africa and so when you mentioned that you had some of our sauvignon blanc.. I got all excited
wine-tasting vacation sometime and I can show you around Cape Town!! x
Oh wow you were right in my neighborhood! Sounds like the panel went great!