The last six days of my life have been action-packed! In the last six days I have probably got about eighteen hours of sleep total. Lol I know, crazy right! I jetted out to New York Friday morning to participate in the New York Fashion Week 2018 festivities. It’s soooooo harddddd trying to put looks together for NYFW because you know so many other fashion killas are going to be there and you’re trying to partake in the slay too. I stayed up until about 1:30am trying on things, doing several turns in the mirror, and then finally deciding to pack certain things.  With only three hours of sleep, I was up at 4:30am getting to it! Shower, make-up, the whole shabang.

One of the events we participated in this weekend was called Simply, a Fashion and Beauty Conference. If you are into blogging, photography, make-up, fashion, or entrepreneurship, GOOOOOOOO! It’s not so much about the inside tips they give you, but more so the fuel they give you to keep you driving towards your goals. The event was broken into several sessions that were topic specific and included a panel of successful fashion and beauty moguls. Two of my favorite panelists were Rodial founder, Maria Hatzistefanis and Fashion Blogger, ColorMe Courtney. Both of them were so raw and real. And the world needs more real!

I watch Project Runway everyyyyy Thursday so to be that close to Maria when she was just on an episode two weeks ago had me a little starstruck lol. She also gave me a free book, authored by her, called “How to be an Overnight Success” which I am dying to read. What I loved most about her is that she wasn’t afraid to admit that she struggled for eight years until her company finally became what it is today. And that’s what I mean when I say the conference gives you fuel. You look at someone of that stature and you’re like okay my business may not take off right now but in due time, and with hard work, it will be a force to be reckoned with. And Courtney was just the cutest. Starting her blog about two years ago, her energy and confidence radiated the room. She shared almost every fashion enthusiasts’ struggle: Their parents telling them fashion is not a real job and therefore forcing their children to pursue something else in college. If I could go back and do it again, I would have definitely started my business my freshmen year of college and been consistent with it.

Which brings me to something else that resonated with me at the conference.  I guess attendees like myself, must have been asking too many times how can they become the next Aimee Song (the freaking biggest blogger on planet Earth) which must have annoyed Beca Alexander (founder of Socialyte) because one of the first things she said when she got on stage is that we will neverrrrrr be Aimee. I know, sounds a bit harsh right? But in actuality it’s the truth. I will never be Aimee, I will be Chelsea Nikole, and who knows, Chelsea Nikole just may be better than Aimee Song! 🙂 She went on to say that bloggers like Aimee started eight years ago, at a time when they were the only ones really blogging. I started mine six years ago, but what makes theirs different from mine is that they stayed consistent. I ask myself, “Wow! Where would I be if only I had stayed consistent?”

Another panelist, Besidone Amoruwa, Instagram Emerging Talent Manager said these words: “You have to be consistent. Your audience is depending on you to be consistent. Just like they expect Love and Hip Hop to come on every Monday, they are also looking for you.” I haven’t produced any content in the last two weeks because I haven’t had a photographer to work with and I really didn’t want to put out any crappy work, but I’m realizing that it is not only about the quality of the photos, but the consistency of them as well, so for that, I apologize to you ladies for going ghost for these two weeks.

Beca Alexander said that bloggers want three things: Cash, Perks, or Status. And while I do want ALL three of those things, my blog was started to pursue my childhood dreams of working for Vogue. Although I may not work for Vogue, the blog allows me to produce the most beautiful rhetoric about the most beautiful art known to man, fashion.

Before I conclude, I do want to recognize my friend, Aasiya, another fashion blogger. I met her seven years ago and through her I have learned about so many fashion opportunities and was inspired to pursue my own thing. She had her blog wayyyy before me and seeing her create/manage her own site made me pick up my laptop and learn how to create/manage mine. She also was the one that told me about the Simply Conference and now I am sharing it with you guys! So yeah, thanks Aasiya!

Throughout my post you have seen pictures of me at the Simply Conference. Although the look may seem simple, honey I’m telling you the people lovedddd it. Rule of thumb, if at least one gay guy doesn’t compliment your outfit then it’s not cute and the gay guys were definitely loving me lol. One guy shouted across the hall “You are a dream” I was like yessssssssssss! lol ColorMe Courtney even asked her boyfriend to snap a quick photo of us together. And besides her, so many other random people asked me to take pictures. I speculate that I have pictures circulating everywhere. Not to worry, you can get the look too.

Outfit Details Below:

Rainbow Sweater Dress: here // Red Boots: here // Blue Leggings: here