Camp

Top? Jen's Pirate Booty Jean via consignment (as top here or maxi here) Shorts? Vintage 

Boots? Steve Madden (similar here) Purse? Vintage Earrings? Bebe Sunglasses? The Edit (re-stocking soon!)

Sometimes I repeat my jokes. Yes, it happens, even to good people... 

One of my oft repeated jokes is when I say that the best reward of blogging all these years has been great friends... and my clipless hair curler*. I know, not my best material, but we can't set our standards high every day. 

The great friends part is the biggest reason I decided to go down to Austin for TXSC a few weekends back. I was on the fence about going but when the organizers said it was the last conference they were doing, I thought it would be cool to be there when they close a chapter of what has been a great part of many bloggers' story. 

I don't do a lot of conferences because the whole lack of money and time thing and the fact that I have just recently learned the art of handing out business cards without breaking into hives but I think it terms of conferences, TXSC has always been fairly laid back. This year they made it even more laid back by hosting the conference at a remote Girl Scouts Camp... 

I shall be honest, at my advanced age of 31, I have discovered I can be a little high maintenance and I am a big fan of big fluffy hotel beds and giant bathroom counters to spread my arsenal of products on but it was kinda a hoot to kick it low-key and share a bunk room with Merl, Andrea and Jessie. I got the top bunk and it was the squeakiest thing of life and I would be dying to go to the bathroom in the morning but I knew that getting off the bunk would wake up everyone in the room and well, you are welcome Merl, I did what I could to ensure you got your beauty sleep...;)

The conference itself was well organized and beautifully set up. I felt so bad that it rained at first though because so many awesome activities had to be pared down or cancelled (ropes courses, archery, horseback riding...). But at the end of the day, the conference was about creating a meaningful presence and I think the laid back camaraderie of the weekend was a testament to the success of its theme (Julie's picture round-up and post gives a good idea of the time at camp). 

Merl, Andrea and I did a work shop on taking your blog into the local world or 'turning your online life into your offline career' was the tagline a glass of champagne and I decided on. I think sometimes people think that having your blog become your full time job is the only measure of success for your blog but that might not be for everyone. It's funny how having a 'silly fashion blog' has shaped so much of my life in ways I never expected.

It was just nice to see so many friends and meet new lovely ladies. Everyone group hug now... And props to Indiana for taking on way too much and organizing these things...  Thinking about how much work it must have been makes me want to break into hives for the second time in one post...

And these glowy pics are all Andrea. My drapey sheer top and some sunshine must have inspired her because she was sure yelling 'ethereal nature princess' at me a lot... Thanks lady, I love them!

*This clipless curling iron. If I hadn't accepted it back the day, I would probably still be fighting my waves into submission with a straightener...