Texas Style Council 2013

Here I sit again with zero clue on how to begin, what to write, how to put it into words or explain the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend that just took place in my life.

I guess I can start by saying that it was Texas Style Council (#TxSC13) weekend and I spent three days with the some of the most brilliant and beautiful ladies friends in all the land. 

I will do my best to try and paint a vivid picture of the BEST blogging experience of my blogging life. Bear with me.

So, as I already mentioned 2.2 seconds ago, Texas Style Council finally happened this past weekend and thank the Lord it was hosted in my great city of Austin (insert I didn't have to buy a plane ticket or shack up in a hotel room). Ladies, it WAS the place to be and for the love of all that is holy, be sure to high tail it here next year. Make a mental note that you will kick yourself in the derriere over and over if you miss it again. 

Before the vomit of photos begin, let me say a few words....

I suck at blogging when it comes to taking quality photos at events. I am shamefully admitting that I did not use my DSLR camera one time this weekend. Heck, I didn't even whip out my point and shoot. So, forgive my unprofessional, iPhone photos. But, I bet you will still get the full picture of the epicness regardless of quality. I just needed to mention that I am not a photographer...just a poser with a hand on the hip. Note to self, buy a cute camera bag, bring said camera to events and actually use it for things other than fashion posts.

For anyone out there...and yes, this includes both bloggers and blog readers, this blogging thing is legit. It's not a waste of time. It's not JUST about followers, stellar posts, pretty pictures, social media, making money or trying to become blog "famous"...it's about this...what you are about to see. It's about developing REAL friendships with women all over the world. Lifting one another up. Encouragement to become a better you. To push ourselves to learn, explore and grow. My life has forever changed. And no, it didn't change because of the past weekend. It changed the day I started blogging. It has graced me courage, self esteem, knowledge, accountability, dedication, opportunities I never imagined and most importantly friendships that will never be forgotten; ones that all started in front of a computer screen. Who would have thought? Not this girl, but I am living proof, along with hundreds of other girls that it DOES happen and it is genuine and REAL. Okay, enough sap...let's get to the good stuff....PICTURES!!!!

Friday night we kicked off Texas Style Council weekend at happy hour with rewardStyle at La Condesa (one of the hippest places I have stepped foot in) in the 2nd Street District. I cannot say enough about this company and if you are a style blogger, do not pass go. Go straight to their website, get yourself signed up and start making things happen for yourself. The co-founders and their staff are nothing short of pure genius and a crazy good time.

Then we took our steamy, humid filled walk (in heels) down to the LuLu's clothing swap. One word, INSANE. It was hot, packed and clothes were flying in all directions. In all honesty, it was way too many warm bodies in one place for my claustrophobic self, but good times nonetheless. Free clothes, free drinks, a free flow of conversation and freestyle photo moments. Not too shabby.

 

This is the part where I may or may not sound super stalker-ish, but I pinky promise that I am not...okay, maybe I am just a tad. I actually spoke to, hung out with, have photo proof of and hugged three of my blog idols. And the winners are Kendi, Mara and the sisters of A Beautiful Mess. I am sick that I didn't have the courage to ask Elise & Emma to take a picture with me, but I swear we did talk...you know, normal topics about dresses, where to shop in Austin and me telling them how bad ass they are. Yeah, I may have dorked out. Now, let me get back to Kendi and Mara. Holy shizzle, I heart these two more now than before. This may come as a shock to you because it did for me, they are real...like as in they aren't snooty, unfriendly, unapproachable women. They are actually cool as the hello. They are pretty freaking famous in blog land, so for some reason I had it in my close minded head that they were going to be stand-offish. I was oh so wrong for the 2,056th time in my life. They were equally amazing, sweet, funny, talkative and actually seemed interested in hanging out with me for more than five seconds. Another note to self, no matter how GINORMOUS a blogger might be or become...at the end of the day all of us, behind this here computer screen, are actually real people, real voices, real personalities that live real lives. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in content and beautiful photos that we often forget they are just as much like us as we are like them. Absolute highlight.

And then came prom with women dancing with women. Who needs boys anyway? You guys, this was by far better than any high school prom I attended ages and ages ago. Let me just recap the highlights even though the photos speak for themselves.

1. Little 'ol me was nominated for best local blogger. Wha? Huh? Yep, I said the exact same thing. My running mate was none other than Jenni herself. I knew she was gonna win by a landslide, but just being in a category with her seriously had me on cloud nine. Thank you, Langford Market for sponsoring my nomination and for the dazzling little numbers that I took home...soon to be styled on this here blog.

2. Funny and awkward photo faces.

3. Getting fancified.

4. A hair style that was a TOTAL fluke.

5. 1,000 iPhone photos holding monstrous wooden frames.

6. Meeting the girls behind some of my favorites stores and brands; Alatr'd State, Noonday, Langford Market, Ruche and LuLu's.

7. Late night dining inside Whataburger in our prom dresses. No shame. We were HUNGRY!

8. And this....this right here. A hand drawn photo of a photo booth photo that looks TOTALLY like us in real life. Don't you think? This one is going in a frame ASAP. I heart you, Stesha....blogging soul sisters FOREVER!

For the record, believe it or not, there was LOTS of wisdom gained this weekend. This post may seem like all we did was party like a bunch of college freshman, but oh my goodness gracious, the bulks and bulks of knowledge I gained this weekend was unfathomable. I am hoping to squeeze in a post and chit chat this week about advice, tips, tricks and countless ways that we can all grow as bloggers. Just give me a few days to sort through all my chicken scratch note taking. I was writing faster than I could think. I will do my best to get back with you soon, just not making any promises. 

Before I go, I must mention my partners in crime over the weekend. Without them, this weekend would not have been complete. Okay, I am going to go cry now and come to terms that this weekend is over. 

Classic and Bubbly

Tucker Up

So Shay

The Mrs. & The Momma

Secondhand Magpie

Story of My Life

Amanda Marie Blog

My girl Jessica who WILL be starting up her blog again soon. I am keeping her accountable.

Yee-haw! Can't wait until next year! Y'all better be there too!

P.S. Here are a few links to what I wore over the weekend. Sequined Dress c/o Wallis. Floral Strapless Dress c/o Altar'd State (not online yet, sold in stores).