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2.11.2013

A Hot Mess

Blazer:  Ann Taylor (old, similar here), Sweater:  Express (similar here), Jeans:  Citizens of Humanity, Laptop tote:  Target{perfect size for the MacBook Pro 13"}, Pouch:  c/o Gigi New York, Shoes:  Valentino, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Belt:  Forever 21
I wanted to delve deeper into the events of last week after having a chance to sit and breathe for a moment over the weekend.
First and foremost, as I briefly mentioned on Friday, I had a WONDERFUL time at the IFB conference.  For all beginning bloggers out there, I would highly recommend attending.  I made a lot of useful contacts and met some genuinely wonderful men and women.  The panelists were fantastic and the workshops were super-informative.  For the first time since I started Classroom Couture, I actually feel as though I'm a part of something bigger!

On a not-so-happy note, last week before leaving for IFB I got in a pretty major car accident.  I'm TOTALLY FINE {uninjured} and so is everyone else involved.  It was a 4-car pile up on a major highway.  My car is totaled which stinks, but I'm completely aware of how lucky I am to have walked away unharmed.  This just put a little damper on my week {my neck and back were pretty sore} and added to my already chaotic life.  That said, I left for IFB sans my camera {and clean underwear, my iPhone charger, etc.}.  So I apologize that I don't have wonderful pictures to provide for you, but as the post title states I was truly A HOT MESS.

I've been asked by several readers to share some of the things I learned at IFBCON.  It's hard to narrow down the plethora of important information but here goes:
~Stand out! Stay true to yourself and your style.  Have a unique voice.  Be useful, be interesting, be clever.
~Don't be afraid to reach out not only to brands, but to other bloggers who share similar interests.  There is an entire community out there, and as I learned at the conference, bloggers are very friendly and supportive of other bloggers!
Lastly, I'd like to share a few words from Lisa Salzer {founder/CEO of Lulu Frost}, who I found to be extremely intelligent and inspiring:
"Don't let doubt hold you back...Success = opportunity + preparedness...If you're surrounded by people who don't think you can succeed, I suggest you find other people to hang out with."

24 comments:

  1. You poor thing! I was in a 5-car-pile-up on the freeway years ago and it was awful...so glad you are okay!! Love the jacket & those skinnies look amazing on you :)

    www.pennypincherfashion.com

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    1. Thank you so much Kimberly. It totally stinks but I am so lucky. Sorry to hear that you had a similar experience ~ accidents can be so scary!

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  2. So sorry to hear about the accident, but thankfully you're ok. On a cheerier note you look really nice.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

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    1. Rachelle, thank you so much for your kind words!

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  3. I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well! I can only imagine how terrible the whole ordeal was for you. Thank you for posting a few tips from the conference, the quote you chose is totally true! I wish you all the blogging success in the world and can't wait to see more from you pretty lady.

    xoxo,
    Chelsea & The City

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    1. Chelsea, thank you! The best is yet to come :)

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  4. Glad to hear that you are fine and well. What a whirlwind of events! Thanks for sharing your IFB thoughts, that quote from Lisa Salzer is amazing - i will definitely be posting that up.

    http://www.merchmaven.com

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    1. Thank you Candida! Lisa Salzer was so inspiring ~ I wish I could have recorded her whole speech. Such a successful & talented woman!

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  5. That stinks about your car but I'm glad you are okay. I definitely want to make it to a conference at some point! I think it would be great. I love this look by the way. You are so chic, stylish, and classy all at the same time.

    Amy

    Fashion and Beauty Finds

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    1. Thank you Amy ~ so nice of you to say! Rumor has it that there is another conference on the West Coast in April, and then in NYC again in Sept. Now that I have attended IFB, I'm going to try to attend Lucky Fabb next! I could use all the blogging tips I can get :)

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  6. So glad you are okay - you are definitely lucky. On a happier note, you look fabulous. Those jeans are so sexy & chic!
    xx Annette
    www.iheartvintagecouture.com

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    1. Annette, thank you ~ you're so sweet :)

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  7. Those Valentino heels are AMAZING!! I have been craving them forever. Found you via the Lucky Contributor page.

    xoxo
    Erin

    www.thefashioncanvas.com

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    1. So happy that you found me ~ thank you Erin!

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  8. love this look you look beautiful ;)
    follow back, if you like ;)

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  9. So sorry to hear about your car accident! That's truly scary stuff, but I'm so glad to hear you walked away unharmed (though no doubt incredibly rattled!) And so amazing that you attended IFB! I've had my blog for 3 years now and STILL haven't made it to IFB, but I'm determined to make it someday! On an outfit related note, I am loving your shoes here! Just gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Kate! I'm so happy that I attended ~ it was very informative for me. I've heard that for the more experienced bloggers Lucky Fabb is the way to go. I think they just announced the dates for Lucky Fabb for April in Cali. Have you ever attended that conference? Wish I could attend that also!

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  10. I love this outfit! /thanks so much for sharing some info from the conference. I hope that you have the opportunity rest up after such a hectic time.

    -Karen
    www.yourstylistkaren.com

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    1. Thanks Karen ~ I am off all this week for winter break and am definitely looking forward to some much needed R & R :)

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  11. Thanks for sharing some advice!! I really wish I could have gone! I am a teacher as well and it is so hard to find time to go to things for my "other" job! :)
    -Bridgette
    http://bridgettenicole.blogspot.com

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    1. I know what you mean ~ I was going back and forth about whether or not to take off but finally decided to just go for it! The last conference {this past September} coincided with the first days of school for me so this was a much better time to go :)

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  12. I'm soooo bummed I couldn't go to IFB this season - but I'll definitely be there again in September. The weather is so much better for NYFW then anyways ;) I hope we will be able to meet then! I always LOVE your outfits! They're so chic.. p.s. I NEED that Target tote! Is it recent? I'm running a giveaway right now and would love for you to enter it.
    xoxo,
    Nikki at www.bedazzlesafterdark.com

    Enter my giveaway to win a Monogrammed Leather Clutch here

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    1. Thanks Nikki ~ really glad I attended and I hope to go in Sept too! The Target tote is recent and my link should go straight to it online {if its not sold out}. Perfect laptop case!!

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