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rewardStyle Conference 2017 Recap & What I Wore

Hello, there! I’m finally feeling settled back in here at home since being gone so much lately, so today I thought I’d share a little more about my rewardStyle conference experience (and of course what I wore!)

For those who may not know, rewardStyle is a platform that connects bloggers and social influencers with relevant brands, and the conference is specifically geared to fashion blogging. Like any other business conference, there are general sessions, break-out sessions, networking opportunities, and some fun events.

As much as I was excited to learn and be inspired, I was most looking forward to hanging out with Cyndi all weekend!

We did have fun, but we learned a lot too, and we definitely came back inspired to grow our businesses and cultivate this community that we both love. Thank you for being part of that community! Without you, I couldn’t do this as a job, and I never forget that.

THURSDAY

This first outfit is what I wore to travel to and from Dallas. The black version of this thermal cardigan is on sale at 6pm.com for $60. All colors are on Amazon, and prices vary depending on the color and size you choose. Some are marked down and some aren’t. I never understand Amazon’s pricing structures, and they fluctuate a lot, but if you know what you’re looking for, you can get a good deal there sometimes.

I finally got smart and wore my Felicia flats instead of my Minnie travel flats. The medallion on the Minnie is metal so it always sets off the metal detector when I go through security, and I end up taking off my shoes even though I have TSA Precheck. The Felicia flats passed security just fine, I’m happy to report, so they’ll be my to-go airplane travel shoes from now on!

rewardStyle Conference 2017 Recap & What I Wore: my travel outfit

thermal cardigan // cold shoulder top // Felicia flats // AG raw hem jeans

Evidently my suitcase had an altercation with someone in Baggage Claim. It isn’t nearly as handsome with the leather trim falling off. I’m going to reach out to Delsey and see if they’ll replace it or at least send me new leather trim pieces to glue on.

Lindsey was on my flight from Philly, and we met up with Cyndi at the Dallas airport and shared a Lyft to the Hotel Crescent in downtown Dallas. We got in around 1PM and dropped our bags in our room and went out in search of lunch. We had a great time chatting and getting to know each other.

It was warm, so I took off my thermal cardigan and just wore the cold shoulder tee with my jeans to lunch. I also changed into more fashionable shoes. You would not believe how people were dressed for travel — girls were arriving at the hotel in stilettos and little dresses with perfectly airbrushed makeup. I felt like quite the suburban housewife in my ballet flats and thermal cardigan and 2-day ponytail hair, lol. I guess that’s what I am, after all!

That night was the kick-off party by the pool in the hotel. The weather in Dallas fluctuated significantly during our time there. It was 85 the first day and 55 the last. We froze on our last day at the garden lunch and sweltered at the night opening pool party. (It’s not all glitz and glam, no matter how it looks on Instagram! LOL!)

As a result, I have no pictures of the pool party. I was too busy trying to finagle myself through the throngs of people without spilling my cocktail on my white blouse. Plus I was enjoying mixing and mingling and talking to people that I didn’t even think to get a picture with any of them. I think I did a few Snaps, and that was it. #badblogger

After the pool party, a small group of us went to dinner at a fantastic seafood and steak house. It was super fun, but again, I have no pictures.

FRIDAY

This next outfit is what I wore the first day of the conference. I finally wised up and had someone take my picture. That’s the good part about a blogging conference, everyone gets it, and they’re happy to take your picture whenever you ask. They may even give you some tips along the way.

Good Vibes striped pouch // orange top via Stitch Fix // my go-to white jeans // stacked heel lace-up sandals (30% off at Zappo’s!) // monogram necklace: 3XL w/ 16″chain

Contrary to how it may appear, we don’t spend every second taking pictures of each other, but it may look that way if you scroll through the #rStheCon hashtag on Instagram. Most of us like to get our outfit shots when we get to the venue and then spend the rest of the time enjoying the event. I guess there are always a few who seem to be taking group shots all night long, but hey, to each her own!

In this case, Lindsey and I took advantage of one of the breaks during the morning sessions, and we went back to this courtyard and took turns shooting each other’s outfits. We only had our iPhones, thus the poor picture quality, but it gets the job done.

That night, there was a cocktail party in this open area behind the hotel where they’re putting in some high end shops and cafes. It’s such a pretty area, and the weather was perfect that evening. There was more room for us to move around, too, which was nice. We stayed for about an hour, then we changed into jeans and went out for Mexican.

rewardStyle Conference 2017 Recap & What I Wore: White House Black Market Seamed Sheath

My dress sold out, but this ruched knit sheath is similar and very pretty. I’m wearing my Sam Edelman Yaro Heels, and I’m pleased to report that I was comfortable walking and standing in them for an hour or so. Clearly the style is popular, since you can see below that 3 out of the 4 of us had on some variation of this shoe. LOL!

SATURDAY

I got up early and had a photo shoot with Megan Weaver. I can’t wait to get those pictures back and share them with you. She’s super sweet and great to work with. I skipped my morning sessions and came back to my hotel room to put together my Instagram Roundup. It was a good decision. I really needed that downtime.

I wore this Topshop floral blouse to the garden lunch sponsored by Topshop. (For size reference, I have the 8.) The lighting wasn’t great, but I couldn’t resist getting my picture in front of the rewardStyle flower wall.

Because it was so cold and windy, the sponsors (thankfully!) went out and bought about a hundred blankets and started passing them out. Caryl and I had to document the ridiculousness of it all on Snapchat. On the plus side, lunch was absolutely delicious. I’m still dreaming of that salmon dish.

That night, we went to Wyly Theater for our finale party. I wore this fringy lace sheath, and I felt really good in it. My jewelry is from Stella & Dot, but it’s sold out. The clutch was actually gifted at last year’s rewardStyle conference.

rewardStyle The Conference 2017 Recap & What I Wore: J.Crew Fringy Lace Sheath

There was food, drinks, dancing, and a photo booth. We had fun, and we almost made it to the end. Last year I think I made it all of a half hour, so that’s progress, right??

In case you’re wondering what all the LIKEtoKNOW.it and screenshot branding is about, LIKE toKNOW.it is the app owned by rewardStyle that allows us to share our affiliate links to what we’re wearing on Instagram. (Because Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in their comments, this is the solution rewardStyle came up with.)

Just a few months ago, rewardStyle launched their screenshot technology that makes it even easier to access the links via an app (no email required.) I explained how it works in this post. It’s a brilliant innovation, and I never cease to be amazed at what the minds at rewardStyle come up with.

my nails: CND Winterglow

The co-founder, Amber Venz Box, is only 29 years old, and was recently named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs. Seriously impressive stuff.

As a side note, I ended up meeting her dad at this party and chatting with him for a bit. He’s quite a ham, and I could tell he’s incredibly proud of his daughter’s achievements (as he should be!)

And that’s pretty much a wrap for the conference recap! It was tiring, but I’m definitely glad I went. I came home inspired to do more with my Facebook Page and Instagram Stories, but my blog is my bread and butter, and that’s not going to change. I just want to make sure I’m maximizing the potential of the social networks available to me, while keeping the blog my #1 priority.

Next year if I go, I’m going to try to remember to take more pictures, and I’m going to try to put myself out there a little bit more. There were quite a few bloggers there who I know casually online, and I wish I’d gotten to know them better. I tend to get over-stimulated and then retreat to the privacy of my hotel room, but I wish I’d hung out more in the lobby and common areas so I could have connected with more people.

That said, I have no regrets. Live and learn, right!?!

For me, the best part of a conference is always the random conversations and impromptu get togethers with small groups of people where we share ideas and learn from each other. I had a lot of those experiences, so I’m happy!

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30 Responses

  1. I feel that way in life—do I enjoy what is going on, or try to stop and take photos??
    I remember as a 20 year old, I’d always be the one that took a picture of the group before we went out—and everyone groaned—until I brought the photos back the next time (you know, before digital–ha ha)!
    So it is nice to have some—it’s a balance, right?
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  2. My goodness, as much as I would love to go to one, a fashion conference would scare the living daylights out of me!
    The black fringy dress is just gorgeous. everything about it is perfect.
    Really enjoy your blog and happy to hear you are keeping it as is!

  3. OK, I visit other blog sites and have seen similar styles and outfits from time to time, so at a conference for Bloggers, how in the world do you go out to a cocktail event and NOT see someone else in your same dress? Love the floral top but worried the 8 would be too small and the 10 just sold out 🙁 I waited too long…

    1. It’s certainly a risk, lol! Amazingly, I didn’t see any duplicate dresses at any one event, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I know that Lindsey saw her blue dress twice during the weekend, but not at the event when she wore it. 🙂

  4. Love hearing/reading about the conference – thank you for sharing! What size do you get in that thermal cardigan? I usually wear a 6 or small but not sure how this size runs? (sorry – i know you are pushed for time….I couldn’t find a size reference) Have a blessed day!

  5. Thank you for this post, it is so much fun to read about your trip and the conference in Dallas!!!
    I miss your post on Sunday with the coffe talk, but I feel this post was the coffe talk.
    Thanks
    Georgina.????

  6. Thanks for the recap! I follow you on multiple social media sites and enjoy them all, however the blog and the daily emails I enjoy the most. I am glad to hear there will be no changes to them.

    Love the pic of you in front of the flower wall! I think we all need one of those in our houses for photo ops lol!

  7. I love the red dress on you, very elegant! Would you please tell me where did you get that small handbag? I am looking for something like that, simple but so elegant to me. Thank You

  8. Great recap Jo-Lynne! I think it would be very overwhelming. I’m curious about how many ladies were in attendance. I love the flower top in front of the flower wall. Good luck with the third college visit today!

  9. How fun! Thanks for sharing your time in Dallas with us. I always enjoy conventions/conferences, but I find them rather exhausting, too. Having to “be on” for two or three days straight can be tiring. But I guess it’s good for us, too. 😉 And I know you learned so much! Always a boost in the arm, huh! I love that feeling you have when you first get home from an event like that: exhausted but raring to go! And a little overwhelmed maybe? 🙂

  10. You are a credit to your industry! Thanks for all your hard work. Looking forward to more great blog posts!

  11. Thanks for sharing about your conference! I ordered the skimmers from WHBM that were on sale! I have a pair of jeans in this style and love them! Thanks for the tip! Even with tax and shipping they were still half price???? Love, love WHBM!

  12. Your use of the word ghetto to describe your suitcase made me cringe. Completely offensive and inappropriate from anyone, but especially from an incredibly privileged white suburban woman.

    1. I didn’t catch that. Maybe the post was edited. If so, thank you, Jo Lynne for making that change. Know that is is appreciated.
      Enjoyed hearing about the conference From your perspective.

  13. WOW! Jo-Lynne!!! I remember when you went to the conference last year soon after I discovered your blog and reached out for advice as a newbie!!! I saw this post and can’t believe it’s been a WHOLE year since we’ve been blogging buddies! I’ve been a little out of touch since I started working late last summer – MY BAD SO sorry! But seriously, you look gorgeous in all these pics. How fun to go to a fashion blog conference. I think I would be super intimidated!!! Seriously, way to go! Hope you had lots of fun and learned a ton of stuff.

    xo-Shannon

  14. the dark pink dress on you is my favorite. 🙂 and I love the peach top with white jeans.. those are my two favorites.
    hope you had a good time!
    Marie

  15. First you look amazing in all your outfits ~ I’m sure it was a bit stressful deciding what to wear. But you did a great job. I started reading your post while I had my coffee before work this morning and like a good book, I almost couldn’t stop reading it. Lol Thanks for sharing!

  16. What a fun post to read. NIce you shared your weekend and you looked great in all the outfits you wore. I LOVE the fringe black dress. So pretty and great style. I love how you are so real and down to earth. I too would have to get away and go to my hotel room for awhile. Its hard to be around that many people for so long. Thanks for all your hard work and glad you will continue to do your blog/email post. I only do those. 🙂

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