IFB February 2012

It has been almost a year since I started my blog and there have been a few times this year where I wanted to walk a way.  Times when I felt like my blog was not making an impact, times when I would obsessively check my stats, as if they would grant me some sort of approbation for the work I was doing.  There were times when I felt like I wanted to flat out quit.

Yesterday I attended the IFB Conference at Milk Studios in NY.  There were so many wonderful, and interesting bloggers that were thrilled to be at the conference.  They were excited by what they were doing, inspired by the different panel topics and starstruck by the professional blogger panelists.  While practical topics about driving traffic, monetizing, affiliate marketing and connecting with readers were discussed.  The resounding sentiment from everyone there was they started to explore this brave new digital world because it was topic that interested them (fashion) and blogging became something they loved doing, period.  Hearing this and being surrounded by bloggers new and old yesterday reaffirmed why I am doing this and helped me reassess what I want this blog to be. 

This time around I decided to create a photo journal from my day to give you a peak inside the conference and the sights of the surrounding city.  Enjoy! If you were at the conference I would love to hear your thoughts, and if you wrote about it leave your link.

A little early so I stopped in Starbucks and sat by the window sipping green tea.  People watching to my hearts content.

When I arrived there was already a whole lot of people there and excitement was in the air.  I scanned the room and found a few friends I met at the last IFB conference. 

Color, color everywhere.  If I had to sum up one major fashion theme that people were sporting,it would have to be rainbow brights! From shoes, to tops, to bags oh my it was electric.

To borrow from Ms. Medine for a moment, I had a definite arm party going on.  Glancing over the panelists creds and schedule for the day. I sported the bright color trend on my nails.

I was seated right next to a big column in the middle/left side of the room.  While it wasn't the best seat (I had a hard time seeing the panel), I was fascinated by the workings of the Live Stream crew.  They probably thought I was really creepy for the amount I was staring.

Leopard print and top knots abound!  A couple of stylish gals in front of me.

Lunch break, I went across the street to Chelsea Market with the awesome Jessica (Bows & Sequins), Katie (Today I Want), Lindsay (Black & Blonde) and Stephanie (Kitschy).  After scarfing down some food, so hungry.  I went to explore a bit and discovered this journal in a little stationary shop.  Honestly I am horrible at journal keeping, but I am a sucker for anything Jane Austen. No, I didn't buy it, practical me won out.

J Brand had a little boutique set up at the conference where they were showcasing their new RTW collection.  Attendees were asked to style a unique look using pieces from the collection for a chance to win J Brand prizes (more on that later).

The look I styled using J Brands Lennox blazer.  This slim fit blazer was gorgeous, such a soft supple leather with an asymmetrical button closure. The color is a neutral mix of taupe and grey.  I later found out it retails for something like $1,000.  Gasp...I am horrified they let me even touch it. I loved it, but at that price... le sigh...it's not for me.

I finally decide to move up to the front to get a shot of Panel 4, "How to Make Your Blog Irresistible".  From left to right Ann Colville Somma (Holier Than Now), Nicolette Mason (Nicolette Mason), Grace Atwood (Bauble Bar/ Stripes & Sequins) Wendy Nguyen (Wendy's Lookbook), Ande Torres (Style Scrapbook), Connie Wang (Refinery 29), Erica Domesek (P.S. I Made This).

After I left the conference I was walking back to the subway when I saw this building that stopped me in my tracks.  I think it was a hotel, aside from the crazy cool architecture, what struck me was the marque around the entrance. While you can't see it in the picture the marque had the word dream scrolled repeatedly around it.  Perfect way to sum up the day, you have got to have a dream otherwise what's the point.

Shout out to the new bloggers I met this time around Cathy (Petite Therapy), Christa ( Fresh Squeezed Fashion), Dana (what-the-frock) and Stephanie (Kitschy).

For more photos, video and tweets check out the coverage from livestream:
http://new.livestream.com/madefashionweek/ifbcon/videos/130455

If you are a blogger who wrote about or photographed the conference please leave your link in the comments.

I'll Be At The IFB Conference Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be stepping away from the computer and trekking into NYC to attend the Independent Fashion Blogger's Conference at Milk Studios.  If you can't attend this year you can still tune into the action here, I will be streaming IFB feed live from my blog.  If you can't watch (ahem work) but would love to catch up on twitter make sure to follow me @jrosestyle and the Independent Fashion Bloggers @_IFB.  If you are going to be at the conference, please come up and say hi, this is what I'll be wearing.



Live video from your iPhone using Ustream

Keeping It Classic-IFB Outfit

I will be the first to admit that I am not too diligent about planning ahead.  In fact I'm a big fan of procrastination.  That being said I have learned that in some instances it's really important to plan ahead. For example when attending a big event.  Then it is crucial to make sure you have everything you are going to need from undergarments to the right shoes.  Now I make sure to try the outfit on a couple days before the event to make sure all the pieces are just right.

The outfit that I am wearing to the winter Independent Fashion Blogger's Conference is no exception to my careful planning.  A couple of weeks ago I was actually dead set on wearing something entirely different than the look you see hear.  What happened?  Well fate intervened...I was wandering around one of my fav thrift stores when I found a beautiful black wool pleated skirt.  I could instantly tell this skirt was high quality and well made, I checked the tag, Yves Saint Laurent.  Shut my face ( you know cause my mouth was hanging open)!  I only had to pray that it fit, which after a quick try on I saw that it did.  I was going to just buy the skirt but then I saw a black and white polka dot top (I'm a sucker for polka dots) that I thought would work with the skirt.  It did and I walked out of there with both pieces for under $20.  Those finds completely changed the course of my outfit.  Without further ado (blah, blah, blah from me) here's what I'm wearing.

1.Merona Trenchcoat, $0, Hand Me Down  2.Pocket Watch Necklace, $?, Gift  3.Ann Taylor Blouse, $8, Thrift Store   4.Owl Pin, $2, Thrift Store  5. Bunch o' Bangles $?, Gifts or Borrowed, 6. Michael Michael Kors bag, $99, MK Store   7.Yves Saint Laurent Wool Skirt, $11, Thrift Store  8. Rockport Janae Bootie, $160, Shoes.com  9. Houndstooth Stocking, $11, Nordstrom

Are you going to the conference? Please leave me your link if you posted your outfit, I would love to see what you are wearing.