#GIRLBOSSES – Simply Stylist Recap

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend Simply Stylist, an annual fashion blogger conference located in LA, Chicago and NYC. I also interviewed a few of the speakers. Let me tell you, these ladies are BOSS.ES. I sometimes find the answers to the simple questions just as telling as the harder questions. So I kept it pretty light and breezy. Hope you take away a few key notes and nuggets of inspiration! And if you are in your 20’s or 30’s, I am loving Stephanie’s advice. So true!

What and where did you eat last night? We went to Sidebar. And I had a trio steak with broccoli.

When was the last time you were told “no”? To be honest with you, I feel like I am my worst critique. It gives me  reflection, encourages me to push forward but perspective to stay grounded.

What is the one thing we should take away from your speech today? Give it time. Knowing your “why” is extremely important. I was initially a financial advisor for many years at Wells Fargo. I looked at financial statements all the time and it takes three years for a business to grow. If nothing is happening for 6 months, give it time, massage it and learn the culture.

How do you take your coffee? Black with a dash of brown sugar.

What time do you typically start your day? I don’t sleep. I stay up until 4:30 AM – mainly because of the time my blog post goes live (7 AM on the West Coast). I see the sunset and sunrise every day! I don’t auto schedule my posts because I get so paranoid it won’t go live. I don’t recommend it. Ha!

Who should everyone be following right now? I have my favorites. I love the Olsen Twins because they are my size. They push the envelope so well. They are small and they do whatever they want on their own terms. It gives me inspiration and courage to just do it.

What is one piece of advice you would offer? The blogger space is very crowded but it doesn’t mean there isn’t space. Identify your energy as a blogger. What can you give or add on to the community? Find your why. From there be patient and it will grow.

What and where did you eat last night? I ate at Piccolo Sogno. It was amazing. I had the ricotta stuffed squash blossoms, buratta and prosciutto, kale salad and the salmon. Then we went across the street to a really amazing place and had crepes for dessert. It was a good food night!

When was the last time you were told “no”? Everyday by everyone.

What is the one thing we should take away from your speech today? Work hard. Find a way to be different from everyone else. Be nice.

How do you take your coffee? With almond milk. That’s it. Or soy milk if almond milk is not available.

What time do you typically start your day? Normally around 8:00 AM. In my mind it would be 10:00 AM, but that’s not an option!

Who should everyone be following right now? The Coveteur.

BONUS: What is one piece of advice you would give someone in your 20’s and 30’s? I think your 20’s and 30’s are very special because a lot of times you don’t have the commitment of a mortgage or kids. If you are unhappy in what you are doing, it’s really one of the only times in your life where you can change and make the leap to do something that really satifies you and that you want to do. So to take advantage of that is really important. When everything was happening and I was contimplating starting The Covetuer, my mom said “do it now, because it will only get harder.”

What are you wearing? Tanya Taylor. Her clothes are insane.

What and where did you eat last night? I ate at Balena. I love it. It’s in my neighborhood. It’s in Lincoln Park and we are obsessed and go all the time. Their pizza is amazing but their pasta is unreal.

When was the last time you were told “no”? This week. From one of our vendors. And probably one of our clients that didn’t like our idea or wanted to do something different. But pretty much every day. You just have to be creative, go with it and come up with something new.

What is the one thing we should take away from your speech today? My experience is a lot different from the rest of the other ladies speaking. I am coming more from a marketing and sales aspect versus a fashion and blogger background. I will be talking about how I got my internship at CS. and how you can work your way up and really grow. Put a lot of effort into what you love and being at the right place at the right time is key. 

How do you take your coffee? Americano.

Who should every one be following right now? Catt Sadler. She’s awesome. So down to Earth and sweet.

What and where did you eat last night? I ate at The Four Seasons and I had halibut.

When was the last time you were told “no”? Yesterday when I wanted to get an extra blanket at my hotel room and they didn’t have one. Ha!

What is the one thing we should take away from your speech today? To be authentic. There’s always room for people who are authentic. It’s a really saturated space and everyone really fears going into it. But I think if you are authentic, there is always space for you.

How do you take your coffee? A little skim milk.

What time do you typically start your day? 6:30 AM.

What is one piece of advice you would offer? To be fearless and to be authentic. Tying into what I said earlier, there is always room for you if you are different. Recognize what a privilege it is to have the ability to go after whatever it is you are dreaming. You have your health and the ability to dream. And what a privilege it is to go after those things.

Who should everyone be following right now? Wendy from Wendy’s Lookbook! I love her.