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."