 |
| Creative Brilliance Panel |
This past Saturday I attended the Blogger Brilliance Conference in Tampa, along with my gal pals Kara, MJ, & Veronica. It was an amazing conference. I learned so much & met so many great people. We met at the International Academy of Design & Technology for two informative panel discussions, and then headed over to the International Plaza Mall for a special fashion show hosted by Tim Gunn, featuring pieces from Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, and Lucky Brand. Afterwards, we hung out at the private lounge in Neiman Marcus for some socializing & fashion eye candy. To wrap up, we headed over to Gabriella’s for a mixer. It really was a fabulous time.
Here’s a brief recap of what I learned from the conference & the amazing panelists:
Creative Brilliance Panel ( Panelists: Carrie of Carrie Wildes Photography, Vahni of Grit and Glamour, Holley who is the host of Studio 10 & author of Hollisphere, Jodi of Live FabuLESS, Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly, & Sasha of Everything Fabulous)
~ Fan pages on Facebook & post a link to your blog is a great way to get your blog out there (Holly)
~ Developers of new social media channels can help you to promote your blog, all you have to do is
ask & create a relationship. (Sasha)
~ Don’t post unless you have something to say. (Vahni)
~ Quality is better than quantity. Be consistent. (Kristina & Vahni)
~ Re-purpose items in your closet instead of buying. (Kristina & Jody)
~ An example of a way to help boost your social media outlets could be conducting a Twitter or
Facebook only contest. (Sasha & Kristina)
Business & Technical Brilliance Panel (Panelists: Carrie of Carrie Wildes Photography, Holly of BlogFrog, Dree of HSN & Create That Style, Vahni of Grit an Glamour, & Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly)
~ Brands are most interested in your following, how much engagement you have, your klout score,
how much influence you have, and how dependable you are. (Holly)
~ Be selective when choosing who you will work with (Holly & Kristina)
~ Incorporate, trade mark your name, own your name & your blog (Holly & Dree)
~ If you plan or dream to go pro, your blog is your business, and should be treated that way. (Vahni
& Kristina).
 |
| Shoes!! From left to right: Strappy Wedge (similar here), Mia Shoes Kayte Pump (here), Sam Edelman Bootie (similar style here), Jessica Simpson Dany (here) |
 |
| MJ, Kara, & Veronica |
 |
| From left to right, top to bottom: Jimmy Choo Rosalie Flap-Top Tote (here), Amazing silver skirt (similar sequin version here), Yves Saint Lauren Accordion Wedge Over-the-knee boot (here), pretty tree decoration |
 |
| Bracelets (forever 21), Ring (h&m), Bag (R&Em), Necklace (Modcloth), Jacket (INC), Dress (h&m), Shoes (Jessica Simpson Collection), Nail Polish (Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips in Glitz Blitz) |
After all of the running around, Kara, MJ, Veronica & I headed back to the hotel to change shoes (and I changed into these amazing high-rise retro flares I recently got from Old Navy. Amazingly comfy!). It was such a wonderful feeling to be in flat shoes! When we arrived at the hotel where the mixer was being held, we spotted this super awesome, colorful, & almost circus style couch. There was no doubt that we had to snap some pictures!
 |
| Kara, MJ, & Veronica |
 |
| Me, MJ, & Veronica |
I was super excited to meet one of my blogger friends, inspirations, and one whom I look up to, Vahni from Grit and Glamour. She is just as phenomenal in person as she portrays on her blog. I am so glad I had the chance to chat with her. Plus, she never fails to look amazing. She is totally and completely a rock star.
 |
| Vahni of Grit and Glamour & I |
I also met one of the two BonBonRoseGirls, Kristin. She is amazing. Sweet, friendly…just over all an incredible person. It was definitely a treat to meet Kristin. She is one of the first bloggers I connected with when I started blogging a little less than a year ago.
 |
| Kristin of BonBonRoseGirls & I |
I also had the treat of meeting Kristina of Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly. She is incredibly sweet, smart, and fun. Her smile literally lights up the room. I only wish I had snapped a photo of us!
I leave you with a few quotes from the fashion show, from the brilliant Tim Gunn:
”The most important thing in fashion is silhouette, proportion, and fit”. – Tim Gunn
”Whatever you are doing, do it at 150%. Take risks. People will notice.” – Tim Gunn
Sounds like a fun and super informative day! (And you look gorgeous as usual!)
It was SO wonderful meeting all of you! Thank you so much for driving all that way to attend. And you rock a MEAN read put lady! xoxo
Oh I was telling MJ how jealous I am that you guys got to go to this. i’m going to BlogHer next year though since it’s in NY! Will you be making it up to NY for that conference?
I love this quote: “Whatever you are doing, do it at 150%. Take risks. People will notice.” – Tim Gunn
It makes you really think about things. My blog is an extension of my business so i def. agree with what was said there about treating it like a business.
Such a fabulous post, it sounds so fun! I love those quotes, very inspiring. And you look super stylish as always, I love the black and gold theme! xx
So much fun meeting you, Kirstin! Love the photo! Be sure you link your post in mine.
And thanks for your ongoing support and friendship!
I am glad to read how great this conference was. Wish I could have gone but I had to choose between this and IFB. I love the Bon Bon Rosegirls and Vahni- they really are inspirations. Looking forward in seeing you and your blog grow too. Thanks for sharing the Blogger Brilliance with us. xo. -Bella Q
PS: your crew is awesome I love Veronica, and am just getting familliar with the rockin’ Kara and MJ. Lucky you and lucky them to get to hang wid youse!
You girls look so cute. I really need to go to one of these conferences, I feel like it has taken me FOREVER to build a fan base/following. Ugh. Pass your wisdom along!
xo
http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/
So great meeting you too Kirstin! Also bummed we didn’t get a photo together. Next time, next time
Girl we had an AWESOME time! Loved that you included tips and advice from the conference and your pictures were amazing!
Fantastic post and to the point.
Love all you are wearing.
You are fabulous.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx
These posts always make me wish we had blogger meetups in my area!
-Meagan
http://spunkychateau.blogspot.com
Kirstin!!!!! I had so much fun with you guys this weekend. I also love that included the tips like MJ mentioned. Thank you again for doing all the driving, look forward to our next hang.
I was at blogger brilliance too – what an amazing event! The panel was so knowledgeable and friendly. Also I was beyond spazzing out over meeting Tim Gunn.
Thank you so much for sharing your notes with us on the conference! I was supposed to go but had family in town that weekend! Sounds like you learned alot and you got to meet Kristin from the bonbon rose girls, one of my favorite people in the blog world. I am still relatively new, have been blogging for about 5 months so I am still trying to figure out how and if I want to take it pro. These are great tips and I am so glad to come across your blog!
Looks like y’all had so much fun and learned a lot!! Thanks so much for posting your takeaways!
I like that photo even more now that you described the couch as circus-like! Such a fun weekend, I’m still reeling.
WHY WAS I NOT HERE?!?!!?
Dammit. The St. Louis area blows chunks. We never get anything cool.
Next year, I will be here. Fo shizzzzzzle.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Thanks so much for sharing Kristin!! This looks amazing! Seeing as I’m just getting back into the blogging swing of things and couldn’t attend any conferences, I really appreciate you sharing what you took away from the conference. Plus, you look gorgeous! You must show us a full-length of the flares sometime. I tried on a pair myself the other day but didn’t take the plunge. Kind of wishing I had!
Love your post and even more, your style!!!
xxDree
http://www.createthatstyle.com
Sweetie, this has got to be my favorite post of yours. I can tell you had an amazing time — I can feel your blogging passion through your words! Looks like you have an adorable little group down there!!!
Looked like a fantastic time; wish I could have flown over & went too!
it looked fabulous! and i love the photos. reading through this post made me feel as though i was there!
i am yet to meet a fellow blogger at some event but i can imagine the excitement!
love your outfit too, kirstin! especially the jacket – those gold buttons are lovely!
gah, i really wished malaysia had such brilliant blogger events! x
Looks like so much fun!
xx Cristina
I really like this post! So fun and lovely! And it looks like you all enjoyed it so much
I love those boots with the accordion heel and the amazing amazing military-inspired jacket!
Wish I would have met you! Glad you had such a fabulous time. Love your jacket!
Awesome! Love the outfits too!
Hearts,
Nicole D http://www.vantagepointvintage.com/blog/
Oh I heart MJ, Veronica and Kara…those are stellar blogging buddies. I love your bullet point it looks like Blogger Brilliance was very informative and a good time!
Also LOVE the sequins skirt and you girls all look fantastic!
I saw this conference on twitter. You gave a very clear summary of the panels. Right on! I especially incline to quality is better than quantity.
Ou this looks like fun
I lovvveee your outfit, your jacket is AH-MAY-ZING