#SBOC2012

This weekend I attended the first annual Style Bloggers of Color Conference. As many of you know, my blog was one of four blogs nominated for Best Rookie Blog. Although I didn't win the award, I gained new friends and developed valuable relationships. The weekend started off on Friday night with a fashion show/networking mixer at INK Art Gallery in Castleberry Hills. Although there were some glitches in the evening, I reconnected with some bloggers that I hadn't seen in a while and made some new friends, too!

Gorgeous paper flower wall

@mattieologie & her crew #sboc2012

The Runway

Saturday was when we got down to business with the panel discussions. With amazing panelists like Nicole Garner from The Garner Circle, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista, and Danica Kombol from Be Everywhere, the general consensus of all the panelists was to “be you”. You are the element of your blog that makes it unique, so embrace your own writing style. Don't try to be something you aren't. Help each other out. We are stronger in numbers and you never know who will have the potential to help you in the future.  Also, be consistent and be deliberate with your content. Have your business in order. When you are looking to approach a potential brand or sponsor, have a media kit with concrete facts. Everyone that was featured on the panel worked hard to reach the level of success they have, and the reason they are so successful is because they do what they do for love and not the money. Anything you don't have to work hard to get isn't really worth having.

The Style Pundit, Allison Pregner

Dea Wynn of @pgrdresses, @dumpyduchess & Me

Tia Lou of If I Were a Brit Girl

After soaking up all of that valuable information, we got to let our hair down at Curls Night Out! This was an upbeat event that had an AWESOME DJ, fabulous vendors (The Spoiled Diva was of course representing) and the Shoetini signature cocktail! I am also proud to announce that in addition to winning a #SBOC2012 twitter contest earlier in the day, I also won the grand prize drawing of a year’s worth of shoes from Sole Society! How AWESOME is that?!?!?!

One of My FAVE accessories designers @thespoileddiva

Customized shoes by Ms Mary Mac Shoes

Nicole Garner of The Garner Circle & Me modeling The Spoiled Diva

Posing with my winnings from Sole Society

Finally the culmination of the weekend’s events was at the awards ceremony on Sunday. Claire Sulmers, founder of The Fashion Bomb Daily, was the keynote speaker and gave a very encouraging and inspiring speech. She gave us her personal story which highlighted her struggles as well as her successes. She never gave up on her dreams and sacrificed a lot to be where she is today. She closed by sharing her favorite quote by Henry David Thoreau; "Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." That quote was the perfect ending to the weekend.

Claire Sulmers of The Fashion Bomb

I hope this recap inspires you to continue pursuing your dreams, believe in yourself and of course to "Make the world your personal runway!"

See you on the front row-

<3 Parker S.