Hello Lovelies,
I know this post is a little late, but I have been sick due to the horrible weather we experienced during the conference. Before leaving for the conference I actually had bronchitis and an ear infection. I went in to Urgent Care the Monday before the conference so that I could try to get better to be able to leave on that Friday and was given some antibiotics to clear things up, but where I went wrong was not finishing up my meds and then heading to Austin without them only to get sick again…but nevertheless I’m feeling a whole lot better now.
Iyann and Maria from Kitties + Couture (also the beautiful ladies behind Poshmark)
The beautiful ladies behind Swap.com and my Curve Appeal sis LaTanya from Musings of L. Michelle
My experience at Texas Style Council was overall an OK one. I was able to actually meet some of the bloggers that I follow and it was great being able to meet them in person and they were just as humble and down to earth as I imagined them to be. I’m sure that this will be my one and only time attending because I don’t agree with how some things played out. There wasn’t any diversity meaning not any African American on panel and we all know there are so many out there to choose from so that was a bit shocking to me..well sorta kinda, but expected. What I didn’t like about the conference period is if you aren’t considered an “experienced blogger” (which is silly to me because no of us are famous or anything like that and we each start out in the same place) you are basically looked at as a no one, but I was under the impression that it wouldn’t be that way. I know for sure that I won’t be attending again next year because of how I didn’t agree with certain things. I had met the organizer personally one other time a few months before at a Grand Opening in San Marcos and I was very friendly and nice to her and so was she, but during the conference I walked into the the Swap on Day 1 and ran right into her as I came in through the door and wasn’t even greeted with a smile even after I tried speaking to her, but I got nothing and it continued that way for the remainder of the weekend. As an event organizer if no one else is expected to be friendly, the organizer should be no matter what. I believe it’s just common courtesy…wouldn’t you agree?! It’s not a US vs. THEM!! At least to me anyways.
On the flip side there were some things that I did appreciate. I enjoyed the thrifting experience and all the advice and pointers the bloggers spoke on. I also enjoyed the swap on Friday when we arrived and the Posh Party that Saturday as well. It was great getting all dressed up taking pictures, mingling and having laughs with my new friends that I had made during the conference.
I wasn’t going to write this post because I was unsure of how it would be perceived, but this is how and I feel and I’m entitled to express my feelings because this is “my” blog. I’m not bashing anyone by all means, but it just didn’t sit well with me and it made me feel very unwelcome to an event that I actually paid for. Aside from that there also wasn’t much representation in regards to plus size and I was also surprised by that too only because we all come in a variety of shapes and sizes and that would have also been nice to see. Other than that I did meet so many AWESOME bloggers and made some new friends as well at that I appreciate. It was definitely great networking with everyone!
Again no hard feelings these are just my thoughts and that’s just it! It’s very unfortunate, but it would be nice to see more diversity in the blog world with more black fashion bloggers, because we each do the same. Many are unrecognized and it’s very upsetting.
Juanette from Fashionettework
Reiko from God’s Favorite Shoes
Kourtney from Cheap, Chip & Curvy
Tanvii from The Fabulous Life of Not-So-Rich and Infamous
What are your thoughts on this…please share?!?!
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Hey Tyesha!
So good hanging out with you … cannnot believe it was 2 weeks ago. Great re-cap. Let’s meet soon.
∞ © tanvii.com ∞
Great post and wonderful pictures and I was so looking forward to you coming back and hearing all you had to say and now that you have if I where a Fashion Blogger I would not have gone back either as I am also Plus size and they need to cover that as there are a lot of us who are and there is also so many classy Black Bloggers that they should have been on the Panel.
I loved seeing you again! Missing Texas already so I know we’ll be back soon. 🙂 Thank you for being such an amazing Poshmarker. XO
Maria
kittiesandcouture.com
I agree with you on so many levels, but mostly about the hostess of the event. I was next to her several times and not even acknowledged. There really did seem like there were the *bloggers* and then *fans* when in reality we are all bloggers. It was nice meeting you and several other ladies that I met but I will not being going back next year.
I want that mustard blazer! Love it! All your outfits were so cute! I love the short hair on you too. xo, Rita
Great write up girl!! You killed your outfits in every picture, if nothing else, I am glad you met some great women. Some of the women you met, I actually recently just found their blogs and followed. It is hard as a black blogger. This is my second year blogging and I love my very small following and I’m looking for ways to grow my blog, but if they are treating you ladies with tons of followers, features, and sponsors, this way, I’m scared of how they would treat lil ol me…:/ stay blessed and keep that awesome attitude! 🙂
Chocolattesbox.blogspot.com
You finally did a post! I’m glad you said how you felt. It is your blog and you have the right to say what you want:) I can’t believe we both had bronchitis and an ear infection. I still have a light cough! Grrr! I am glad we got to hang out! You were a mess and I loved every bit of it!
Hi, Tyesha. I just now read this recap (ha! 1.5 years later), and realized that I apologized to only a couple people who had this same critique of the event and the organizer (me!).
Humbly, I want to just tell you that I’m sorry. Planning events is not my forte, and being pregnant last year while trying to pull off something so large with a team of three was just dumb. I was stressed, and I didn’t feel like I had a moment to even catch my breath, let alone take time out to talk to anyone who wasn’t on my staff. I was so focused on the minutia of it all that I came off as a jerk. That is 100% my fault, and I heard everyone loud and clear after the fact.
This year, we’ve changed things up thanks to thoughtful recaps and emails like this. We scrapped the panel format completely so people can have face time with mentors. We’re going to have a public conversation about the lack of diversity (size, race, economic status, et al). I’ve hired a professional team who will help me execute the weekend a lot better, thus freeing up my time and my propensity to worry so that I can actually be a kind hostess.
I *hate* that this is what you walked away with. I hate it because this is not at all representative of my character or the conference. I’d love it if you gave us (and me!) another change this year.
I owe you an email. :0)