Last year we threw a party.
Not just any party but an Any Other Party.
And it was good. In fact, it was better than good, it was bloody brilliant and I want to share my recollection of it with you. Yep, I’m good to you. Like most of the people who attended, I’d not met anyone else who was going to be there. I don’t mind admitting that I was a little nervous. After all, who in their right mind would want walk in to a room full of people they didn’t know, who were bound to be so eloquent, well read and funny? I was expecting it to look like a witty, stylish photo shoot for magazine. ‘Caitlin Moran does Vogue’ or something.
Image by lovely Lucy Stendall
So I did what I do when I’m feeling nervous. I stuck on a pair of tottery high heels, took a deep breath and went for it. I’m so glad that I did.
Unlike some other internet weirdie meet ups I’ve been to, this was an absolute joy. No stress, no pretension, no hint of competitiveness or the feeling that people were looking over your shoulder to spot the next person coming along. There were cocktails and there was cake (thanks, Rachebakes!). Heck, there were even flattering photos by Lucy Stendall and Rachel Tweedale. Without exception, each person I spoke with was lovely. I bet Vogue were green with envy. Real life women (and a handful of gents) showing the world how it’s done. It was the epitome of this blog, just in 3D and with a slight waft of booze.
Image by the fabulous Rachel Tweedale
Clare, Aisling and Anna were absolutely blown away by the number who made the effort and I knew I’d found a community I wanted to be a part of. I don’t mind telling you that the Any Other Party is one of the highlights of the annual Any Other Diary (yes, we have a diary. A colour coded one. What of it?) and we’re proud to be able to host it. Each and every one of you who attended the party made it the truly special occasion that it was and we’re so grateful for that. This blog is about all of us – the AOW community – and we’re delighted to have so many of you within it. The ability to celebrate our community spirit in person is, well, wow.
Image by the lovely Rachel Tweedale
Fast forward a few months, we’ve re-launched, we’ve grown in size and plans for the second Any Other Party are in full swing. We’re busy finalising a few details but will soon be revealing the nitty gritty. In the meantime, I can tell you that it will be held in London, where the streets are paved with gold, and that a fine evening in September will be our date.
Image by the lovely Rachel Tweedale
You can expect a warm welcome, plenty of friendly faces and excellent conversation. There’ll be laughter, stories shared and friendships forged, certainly if the first AOP is anything to go by. The invitation extends to you all, whether you’re a reader who comments frequently or not at all (though if not all all, please do! Jump right in. The water’s warm), sponsor, fellow blogger, industry chum or supplier. We want to meet each and every one of you and we promise not to lick your faces. Well, we promise we’ll to try to behave, that’s about the best we can offer.
Image by super Lucy Stendall
For safety’s sake we’ll be operating a guest list in order to give out the details and keep our venue in the loop but we hope to be able to accommodate as many of you that would do us the honour of being there. Just drop me a line at sarah@anyotherwoman.com (or get in touch via Twitter @SezSaysStuff) and let me know if you’d like to come along.
We’d also love to hear from anyone out there who fancies getting involved with any goodie bag action. We’d love you forever.
We’re so excited we might pop. So, ladies and gents, are you in? We really hope so.
43 Comments
Oh, how exciting!
I shall be large with child by September so will have to eat cake in absentia – but will be very happy to ooh, ahh, and eeeeh over the post AOP pics and blog dissections
I would LOVE to come, if I possibly can! My best friend is getting married in September so I’m out of action certain dates, but if I’m free I will be there with bells on. Actual bells.
K x
How funny Katielase, one of mine is too! I nervously await the date…. eek x
Eeeek! Really hope I can make it! Lots happening in Sept, I have a wedding to attend too! Count me in if I can though!!
I really hope I can make it too! I have a couple of prior engagements that month, but diary & babysitters permitting, I’d love to come.
Ooh! I might have to (nervously) take the plunge – even if I don’t know anyone there’ll still be gin and cake, right?
I also have a wedding to go to in September…
Me too! Exciting
xx
Oooh and is it liking to be a Saturday for us Scottishers travelling from like a whole other country?! x
*likely – so excited I can’t spell!
I will be there if I possibly can. Last year’s was really, really great and I can’t wait to meet more of you wonderful ladies.
Oh look, it’s my big face! Hi, face.
All of my September weekends are pretty much booked up already. Sad face. But I *might* be in London for one of them, so we’ll see. Fingers crossed – I loved meeting everyone at the last AOP. Although it did precipitate an almighty blogging breakdown on my part, but I’m sure the two aren’t connected!
Kirsty you make me laugh!
I love your face. This picture always makes me smile!
Speaking of pictures, we have a gallery up on our Facebook page. Feel free to tag your beautiful faces, people.
Scottish people, can we start some sort of Any Other Travel service so we can all go together?!
YES!!!
Oh gosh I needed the AOP Scottish travel service last year – I was so hungover I missed my bus back to Glasgow and had to cry at the station until a man took pity on me and let me get on the next one! I am so excited about this – count me in!!
Hells yeah – count me in!
Oooh exciting! Have been waiting for this post for what feels like ages!! We’re off on holiday in September but if we’re back by then count me in.
xx
YAY! I am there if possible. Being sent (business, like) to Belgium for a week and a half to a conference so hopefully I’ll be back. Hopefully I’ll be able to just swan off the Eurostar straight into a bucket of gin. All appendages crossed!
x
That would be amazing!
Hurrah! Sorry I can’t give you a date today – we need to know approximate numbers in order to finalise our plans. It’s likely to be during weeks 2 or 3 of September though – we hope as many of you as possible are able to make it.
Well I have 3 out of 5 weekends in Sept free, so birthday and anniversary aside, I’ll hopefully be there
I’m getting hitched 15th september and then homeymooning but if it’s before then I would love to come *looks shyly at the ground and hopes people talk to her*
Caroline, one thing I can promise you is that everyone talks to everyone at Any Other Parties. EVERYONE. It’s the rules.
Caroline if I’m able to go, I’ll talk to you! Good luck with wedding planning!
Count me in! Also happy to donate for the goody bag.* Will drop you a line, S. x
*pasta necklaces are still in fashion, yes?
Yippeeeee! So far I’m free ish in Sept. I have some 30th bdays coming up but will keep fingers crossed that I can def make it.
xoxo
Oh, I’d love to, fingers crossed! We’re on hols for a week and I have a university reunion on another weekend but if I possibly can I’d love to come. Eeek!
Sounds great – would love to come along. Last year’s was lovely & I didn’t know anyone before. Thank you for organising.
There is a flash of my blue lace…..right there.
I’m on holiday for some time in September (what with being 30 and all..read lying in a darkened room) but if I can be I will be there with bells on***
Obvs
***Only if Emmi is going.
P.S. If I go this time I’ll wear coral lace
Do what my friend is doing – celebrate your 29th birthday for the next 5 years!
F x
Just to confirm, yes please!!
Would love to be there if I can – honeymoon is a big feature of September! Good luck organising! x
Wah. No internets in the new pad coupled with a day spent in hospital with G means I’m only seeing this now but colour me excited and count me in!
G’s fine by the way, just a bad asthma attack…
I’d love to be there and meet you lovely/clever ladies. Will depend on the date as surf’s up in September, as always!
Would love to come:) Fingers crossed for no date clash with father’s 65th, or brother’s 30th!
Not entirely sure I’m cool enough for you guys but if it’s not my hen do or fiance’s birthday weekend away and if I can summon up the courage, I’d like to come.
I swear to you Peridot – Anna and I are the least cool girls you’ll ever meet. (Sorry Anna).
I have a couple of epic weddings to photograph in September and a 30th birthday party to throw but all being well everything will coordinate marvelously and I’ll be there!
There can be no AOP without Lucy Stendall, so we better make this work.
Ooh I’d love to come please (isn’t it weird that a year ago when you had the first AOP I barely knew who you were and now I read regularly and have even written for you…) Gemma C-S, will you talk to me if no one else does?!
I really hope it’s going to be on a date I’m free! I’d love to meet you all! x