IFB Conference: What I Wore, What They Wore & Everything in Between

Don’t look now, but I’ve finally surfaced! I’m so sorry to leave you all hanging. It is My Life While Shopping and this time life got in the way.

Ever feel torn in a thousand different directions? That’s been me the past couple weeks. I know I promised you a “rant” last week, but I find it annoying when people whine and complain on their blogs. I save that for my personal trainer! Thanks, Lisa! Let’s suffice it to say that the dark skies have finally parted to sunshine! I’m back to life while shopping! Oh, and it’s Friday — yippee!!!!

I’ve got to finally tell you about the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference in NYC. After being out of the work force for fourteen years, it was so refreshing to be learning again and doing something that makes me feel intelligent. It was great to be surrounded by so many bright, motivated and successful women. It was also extremely intimidating to dress to impress all these bright, motivated and successful FASHION bloggers!

I pretty much had myself worked into a tizzy over what I was wearing to this thing. I know it sounds silly, I mean come on, I’m nearly 46 years old. I don’t know why I let something like this get to me, but I did.

So you know when you try really hard to put something together and it doesn’t turn out, well this was one of those times. Here’s what I wore day one:

It’s not the best picture in the world, but I’m wearing a Bernardo Leather Moto Jacket (Nordstrom Exclusive) (picked up this jacket in Vegas, and I love it!), a Henri Bendel scarf (Henri Bendel screams NYC) and black straight leg jeans by Cabi. Really, I was dressed just fine, but I hadn’t worn these jeans in a while and by mid-day they were almost falling off me because they had stretched out so much. Don’t you hate that? Not a nice look! Top that off with the fact that I met someone from a PR firm in NY who had previously made a comment about my legs on Twitter. As I approached her in my baggy stretched out jeans, she looked at me and asked, “Why aren’t you working your legs?” (DARN IT! I knew I should have worn my jeggings!!!)

The second day I wore this outfit only with black jeggings. I have to say, I felt like I blended in much more with the crowd (can you tell this was very important to me?):

Quite honestly, almost everything went in terms of clothes at the IFB.  However, I’d have to say, I’ve never seen so much Zara in one place in all my life.  And it wasn’t only the attendees. Many of the guest speakers and panelists were in Zara. If you’re not familiar with Zara, it’s a retailer that offers trendy lower priced lookalike products of high-end fashions. I would classify their clothes as being “street style”. That is very chic “of the moment” clothing. There’s a Zara on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and of course you can always shop on-line.

Here are a few of the pieces I saw coming and going during the two days of the conference:

I left the conference inspired to try Zara myself. It didn’t help that I walked by their 5th Avenue store everyday on my way to conference! You’ll soon be seeing me on the blog in my new Zara blouse. I’m loving polka dots right now!

Oh, and what were all the fashion bloggers wearing on their feet you ask? Check this out:

No, this wasn’t staged!I’d say wedge booties are where it’s at! Thinking I need to get me some of those leopard print booties!!

Here are some other highlights from the conference. I learned so much, met some wonderful fellow bloggers and had a great time!

So what’s on the agenda for your weekend? Hope you’re surviving this icky month of February! Talk to you soon!

Renita