Last Thursday I arrived in Dallas, Texas for rewardStyle's conference known as #rSthecon. In its fifth year, this conference is for the top 200 influencers who use rewardStyle to monetize their blog or social media channel. I've always felt my blog was lower-mid tier; I make money from it but it's not like I'm rolling in the dough or being flown to tropical locations on a company's dime. I was invited last year too but declined decided against it after hearing negative reviews from friends. I also didn't realize that it was invite-only. This year I decided immediately to go and booked my flight that same day. I think for an event like this you have to experience it at least right?
I didn't get any decent photos of my flight outfit, and I know that is likely what you all are the most interested. Here's the selfie I took at BWI airport that was so meh I didn't even share it on
InstaStories. I wore my
black ponte blazer from Rachel Roy, an old gray and white striped drapey tee from Gap, leather-front ponte leggings, and my
Adidas Superstars. I carried
my ALLSAINTS tote and I own
this bag from Delsey and
this bag from Delsey and took them. Nope, I made no attempt to fit my luggage for a fashion blogging conference in carry-on!
I got to the Hotel Crescent Court and immediately saw
Susan from une femme d'un certain âge and
Cathy from Bay Area Fashionista in the lobby. I have known
Susan virtually for over a decade, but we had never met until this day. Cathy I connected virtually few months ago, but again, never before met in person. We hugged and chattered on like old friends, but after the flight all I wanted to do was check in, unpack, and take a long hot shower. We promised to meet up later.
The first event of the conference was at the hotel's rooftop pool. A day or so before the event we were informed this party would be Tulum-themed. That's fine and good, but it wasn't changing what I was going to wear.
DC Style Factory suggested I order
this jumpsuit from Eliza J and I wondered what they were smoking. On the Nordstrom site it had a giant pink bow around the waist. "Trust me," Rosana said and I ordered it. The giant bow was only held on by two threads (and is now in Emerson's dress up box). Without the belt, the jumpsuit looked light and airy.
We styled it with
orange suede pumps I already owned, a pair of
dirt cheap but darn awesome chandelier earrings from ASOS, and an
ivory fringy clutch bag. To stay away from matchy-matchy, I went with a
hot pink lip.
I had exchanged numbers with a few bloggers I knew were coming; Cathy and I ended up ready at the same time so together we headed to the party. There was a DJ, a bar, a taco station that was beautiful but ignored, and dozens over overdressed women surrounding a pool decorated by floating lotus flowers. It was hot and there wasn't any shade. Everyone was either posing or taking a photo. It was weird, but Cathy and I did the same for one another.
Soon other bloggers and influencers we knew or knew of and followed showed up and conversations and greetings happened. I snagged this photo from Erin's InstaStory of
Cathy, me,
Maria,
Angie,
Beth, and
Erin at the party. Who says this conference is only for the 20-something bloggers? It was fun to meet everyone but it was so hot, I think I lasted maybe an hour.
Cathy and I met up in one of the many beautiful courtyards of the hotel to take outfit photos of one another; she captured the ones you see in this post of me in my outfit. It was really great to know a few women ahead of time, to have a photo buddy and moral support the first night. However, people were quite nice. I have a post coming that delves more into this, but I was pleasantly surprised by how kind, friendly, and real the majority of the attendees were at this conference. Don't believe the snark, I met many of the women who are critiqued on message boards and in Facebook groups and I have to say for most of them, you're wrong with your assumptions. Super nice, super friendly, and yes, that beautiful and thin in real life. I'll delve more into this in a future post...
As for the outfit, it was perfect. The chiffon overlay was festive and kept me cool while keeping me covered. The elasticized waistband gave me some shape but didn't dig. I love these heels, they're pretty comfy for the height and gave a necessary pop of color. The earrings got so many compliments, as did the bag.
Lessons Learned Day 1 of the RewardStyle Conference:
- Don't judge a book by its cover.
- Get your clothes tailored. You can hide a visible bra strap or a gaping waistband in an outfit photo but you can't in real life.
- This season is about the statement earring. It's a cheap and fun way to update your wardrobe.
- Kindness always wins. Give strangers compliments, when standing alone wear a smile with your sunglasses, say excuse me and thank you, if you go to the bar offer to grab a drink for another.
Shop the Post:
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Jumpsuit: Eliza J (14) | Shoes: Nine West | Bag: Loeffler Randall | Earrings: ASOS | Lipstick: Revlon
