Homegirl Quel (kel) in Austin

HomeGirl and Friends Did Good! Johnsons's® "Girl Talk Cause Party" for Dress For Success Austin

Recently, I had the honor of hosting a Johnson's® "Girl Talk Cause Party". All I need is any old excuse to throw a party, so I jumped at the opportunity to host a party for a good cause when I received the email from the Blogalicious marketing network, bLink, a few months ago. Johnson's® provided body care goodies for my guests, encouraging me to bring women together to celebrate friendship and to make a difference in our community by creating awareness and support for a charity that supports women. I was excited to create awareness, have a blast and send everybody away with a goodie bag, but I also wanted to really do something for the charity I selected. I wanted my party to make a tangible difference. So I contacted Dress For Success Austin to invite them to my event and find out how we could support them.

Dress for Success is a worldwide organization that provides interview suits, work clothes and support through career mentoring programs for women who have found themselves at a disadvantage. Judy, Executive Director, told me that they had a strong need for hair care products. Later, my tour of their facility confirmed that there was not one bottle of shampoo on their shelves. Y'all know hair is one of the many topics I write about on this blog. I understand the relationship between the appearance of our hair is to our confidence, especially in job interview situations. By collecting hair products, I felt like in some small way, my party would affect the mini-makeover process for a handful of women (and much fun are makeovers?!).  Thus, HomeGirl's Shampoo & Cupcakes  For A Cause party was officially on!

The Latest Blogalicious 2009 Recap EVER...and a contest!

The Blogalicious 2009 conference in Atlanta was a blast! It was the inaugural year and was a hit! I was honored to be an ambassador last year to help spread the word about this first ever conference of its kind. I got to meet some of my favorite bloggers and tweeters in person, made great connections with new bloggers, and even made some friends. Attendees were treated to an exclusive performance by Priscilla Renea (pics and video of her performance here), an exclusive behind the scenes preview of The Princess and The Frog by Disney, star treatment at exclusive Blogalicious parties, and some awesome panel discussions lead by break-out bloggers and marketing pros.

The opportunities that have come my way as a direct result of having attended Blogalicious 2009 confirmed (for me at least) that blogging is the best hobby ever! I cannot wait to see what Blogalicious 2010 has in store. I know it's going to be bigger and even better this time around.

First, the organizers offer a discount to register early for Blogalicious 2010 in Miami and now, there's a contest to win a FREE night at the Ritz during the conference weekend! I  don't know about y'all, but I am all about any and every way to get to Blogalicious Weekend 2010 with as little expense as possible...or at least with a little more spending money. I am sure I can find one or two ways to spend the $65 I'll save by registering early ( plus the $199 I'll save on a night at the hotel--if I win) on a night out in South Beach.

You have to enter to win! Click here for details.

 
Me, Luvvie and Clumps at Blogalicious 2009. Blogstarras were out!

More pics from Blogalicious 2009 after the jump.

Fashion Friday: It's A Wrap!

Wrap sweaters deliver instant style--a cool edge to your look with as little effort as just throwing them on. They take on a different shape every time you wrap them, so it's like many sweaters in one. More importantly for those of us with a little more up top, there is no sweater more flattering than wraps. My philosophy when it comes to sporting big boobs: either flaunt 'em or camouflage 'em, but don't just lug 'em around. Before I discovered wrap sweaters, I was a lugger--a standard cardigan girl, and those things are so unflattering on a girl like me with more up top and less everywhere else.

That's me in the picture...looking wrapalicious at Blogalicious 2009. I think I ended up wearing this Old Navy sweater to every daytime event while I was there, because it goes with EVERYTHING, even in green! I dressed it down here with dark-rinse skinny jeans, a white tank and black ankle boots,  and later dressed it up with tan wool crepe J. Crew slacks, a pomegranate top and heels. I even rocked it with boot-cuts and chucks on the plane ride home. I liked this look so much that I actually went back and got the same sweater in black! 

Above: Splendid Cape Wrap $87 - piperlime.com;Roll-Up Wrap Sweater $40 - Old Navy;Loose wrap blouse -$688- brownsfashion.com

Tip for my HomeGirls: When you find something you like, especially a high-style, reasonably priced classic like the one I'm wearing here, go ahead and get it in at least two colors. Definitely a DO with jeans. We all know that jeans that fit perfectly are a gem, so when you find the ones that hug you just right, buy two pair or even three of the same ones if they're on sale. That way, you won't have to wash and wear one pair to death. When they're beyond that chic, broken-in point, you can pull out a fresh pair and keep it moving.

Wordless Wednesday: It's Diane Amos, "The Pine-Sol Lady"!

Priscilla Renea's not a doll, but is SUCH a doll.

Sunday, with just a stool and a guitar, Priscilla Renea gave a special performance and charmed us all at Blogalicious 2009 (more on my amazing experience at Blogalicious later). She performed her hit single, Dollhouse, as well as Mr. Worker Bee and was awesome! I took some footage of her performance! Enjoy it. And after the jump, a video I found of an acoustic performance of Dollhouse. Learn more about Priscilla and listen to more of her music HERE. Don't put her in a box--you couldn't even if you wanted to. Get into Priscilla Renea, y'all. She's what's next.

Continue reading to see acoustic video of Dollhouse...

Fashion Friday: Ode To My Black Trench Coat

Don't be surprised that I'm about to spit a rhyme about an article of clothing. Many of you already know that I'm sort of a goofball. Remember back in 2005, when I wrote Ode To My Thermos? That was real and from the heart, y'all. It's been a few years, and I'm feeling like waxing poetic again. My love for my black trench coat is real. I'm feeling extra amorous right now, because while trying to figure out what to wear to Blogalicious 2009, one thing I never doubted was that I would take my black trench coat. This weather down south is all over the place right now, and my classic trench coat is perfect for it all. Plus, it looks just as fab with my favorite pair of jeans and Chucks as it does with a cocktail dress and heels. I love my black trench coat, y'all. I wrote a poem about it. 

Here you go:

To borrow from the great E.B.,please, "let me count the ways".
You stylishly complete me on those cool and sunny days.
And when the rain surprises us the way it always does,
I simply pop your collar--when it rains or just because.
And when you cross my mind at night the way you sometimes do,
You discreetly cover what my lover gets to view.
While fashion trends may come and go like random acts of kindness.
You, my love, will always be-- classic and chic and timeless.

*takes a bow*

Blogalicious 2009 Or Bust!

 
It's that time y'all. Tomorrow I'm heading to THE conference designed for (but not limited to) female bloggers of color in Atlanta. I'm so excited to be attending this event in it's inaugural year. I've already met some awesome bloggers since becoming an ambassador for the conference and am looking forward to some serious networking and FUN this weekend. Like a good bloggerista, I will have my BlackBerry and laptop in tow, so I'll either be posting from Blogalicious or drafting posts from Blogalicious to share with you guys next week. Either way, please stay tuned.

Also, Blogalicious Tweeting will be non-stop during the next three days. If you're not already, please follow me on Twitter! For Blogalicious tweets and pics, find me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HomeGirlBlog.Oh! And Fan me on Facebook!

Blogalicious Fashion Chronicles: What to wear to Blogalicious 2009?

Now that Blogalicious is less than a month away, we're all registered (September 25th is the deadline to register for you last minuters), business cards are printed up and hotel rooms are booked, we can now focus on actually planning for the trip. The conference agenda is packed from sunup to sundown and non-stop on conference days and we all want to look awesome for every event. With conference sessions and cocktail parties and nights out on the town scheduled back to back, there is a lot to think about. Namely, how to look great at each event in all the blog and twitter pics and not be in the same outfit every time--you know, the important stuff. :)What better time to be discussing this than on the heels of New York Fashion Week?!

Miss DoingSoWell has officially started something. The looks she posted on her blog are definitely for the fabulous bloggerista and are beyond inspirational. As I remarked over there, I am closet shopping (mostly) for this event and have managed to pull together some decent sets. My main objective was to pick looks that:

1. I can wear to the conference all day then tweak a bit to hit the parties later on,
2. Fit comfortably in a carry-on bag, because hello?, paying extra to check bags is not awesome,
3. Fit comfortably ON me all day, and most importantly,
4. Match my personality and my real personal style. There's nothing worse than playing dress-up and totally not being yourself...especially when you're meeting new people. Well, there are worse things, but we're talking about clothes right now so...

The following looks are what I'll be wearing to Blogalicious 2009. I don't have all the pieces here, but the ones that I have and could find online are here alongside awesome look-alikes of my digs. I chose pieces that easily layer on and off , dress up or down and fit into a carry-on bag with room left over for awesome conference goodies. What my looks say about me: I love my legs (even if you don't, but you SO do because they are awesome), I love my feet (comfort first, then style), and I love dresses! That last one is very new...I usually wear jeans and Chucks whenever possible, but dresses have officially grown on me--I'm rollin' with that.

Continue reading to see my looks...

Blogalicious 2009 is right around the corner!

Updated 9/10: Registration extended to 9/25!

Time is winding down! Register before midnight tomorrow for Blogalicious 2009 to get in, y'all. There are only a few spots left, and a sale on admission tickets, so don't miss it. Get the scoop on the awesome panels, events and sponsors for Bogalicious and (most importantly) register for the conference>>here<<.

I'm looking forward to meeting my some of my favorite bloggers in person. Looking at the agenda, and I fully expect to come away from Blogalicious with information, tools and new blogger buddies to take my experience as a bloggerista to the next level. That's what's up! 

Now, I need to figure out WHAT TO WEAR and how to pack it all into one carry-on! Conference, cocktails, and parties, oh my!

Hope to see y'all in Atlanta!

Blogalicious 2009! Get Ye There!

Who knew that I'd be attending out-of-town conferences after leaving the workforce?! I just got back from the National Mocha Moms conference in Chicago a  few weeks ago and now I'm on my way to Blogalicious 2009 in Atlanta in October. My life has changed in so many ways since becoming a mom 18 months ago. I always imagined I would be kind of isolated, but my life...especially my social life...has really opened up. Lovng it!

Blogalicious 2009 is right around the corner. For me, October 9-11 can't come fast enough. This conference designed for female bloggers of color (but ALL are welcome) is going to be so much fun, and SO informative! I just took a look at the conference agenda and am impressed by the panelists and session topics attendees can look forward to. And the sponsors?! Some really big players in business are sponsoring this conference.  I'm so proud. So many bloggers of color (and of no color) are planning to be there. There are only 40 spaces left, so the conference is sure to sell-out on it's inaugural year, which is awesome! It's going to be at The W in Atlanta--fancy. I really want to enjoy the hotel, so (like I did with the Mocha Moms conference last month) I'm going a little early, before this mega-social event gets on and poppin', to get a mini solo vacay day.

If this sounds like a pitch, that's because it is. You should SO get down to Atlanta to this conference in October. Remeber, there are only 40 spots left! Don't feel like dealing with airports, no worries. Chevrolet and OnStar are  providing vehicles for bloggers to road trip and blog their way to Blogalicious and back. Check the conference website for details.

And if you're in Austin, email me! Chevrolet and OnStar might give us a car to carpool over to the conference together!

Hope to see you there!

Black People to The Blogsphere...

"We're here are we're awesome!" :) Not that I speak for all black people, but I'm just sayin'. I'm feeling a bit excited is all. Why?

First of all, Blogalicious 2009 will be happening at The W in Atlanta on October 9-11, and I am SO looking forward to being among my blogging sisters. This conference is designed with female bloggers of color in mind, but white girls, y'all better get down there too. This conference is sure to be enriching and educational for all bloggers in attendance, and most importantly, all are welcome to attend. Just take a look at the conference agenda and you'll see that Blogalicious 2009 will have something for all of us girls. Oh! And the who's who of the brown bloggeratti will be there! I don't know about you, but what I'm looking forward to most is meeting my favorite blogstars in person. I cannot even front.

Secondly, The 2009 Black Weblog Awards Finalists have been named, so make sure you get over there, check out the nominees and VOTE!   I'm biased towards some of my favorites, but am thrilled about some of the new ones I had no idea where out there. Y'all, we are doing it out here right now. I'm enjoying reading the blogs from the list of nominees. They are inspirational. I'm SO proud.

In virtual reality and in our reality, we are minorities, but we are doing it BIG right now. Holla! LOL

Friday Randoms

• I went to see Maxwell live with my husband this week. It was so fun! The opening act was Laura Izibor. I hadn't heard of her before the show. She's Irish,has awesome hair and is a wonderful singer/songwriter. She performed with only a keyboard and a guy with an acoustic guitar, which was all she needed. That and her AWESOME HAIR! Maxwell put on a quite sexy show. The live band was so tight. He was so funny too! He talked a lot in between songs. After the show, he was like, "Austin, I really appreciate y'all getting dressed up and moisturizin' and getting your hair did, and fellas puttin' on your cologne." He gave Austin much love and we gave it right back. I tweeted through the opening act and after the show. Did I mention how sexy his show was?
• VOTE for ME! in the Black Blog 2009 Awards. Vote <<HERE.>>
• Dear lady at the gym who caught me looking at you crazy, I would say sorry, but I won't. Because when you wear a bra top to the gym sporting a 2-liter instead of a 6-pack, you should expect to be looked at crazy. Put a shirt on!
• Reminder, to any of you guys thinking about attending Blogalicious 2009 (at the W Midtown in Atlanta on Oct. 9-11), early registration for the conference ends on July 11th. After July 11th, the fee goes up to $265. Blogalicious attendees get a special promotional rate of $149 until mid-September. So register and book your rooms early!
  IMPORTANT NOTE: The sessions and events at this conference will focus on interests and issues of the female blogger of color, but it's all love at Blogalicious 2009--we're all brothers and sisters, so to my non-color blogger peeps, you are welcome! Come! You know you want to. 
• My twin brother is here with me! And my mom AND my bff are on the way and will be arriving today! I'm going to be in my happy place this weekend. :)
• And speaking of my twin...here's a totally random photo/photo of the day:

And yes, that's me with a LOT less hair. We'll talk more about that later. Happy Friday! :)

I'm a Blogalicious 2009 Ambassador!

This weekend I received the news that I have been selected to be an ambassador for Blogalicious 2009, a fabulous conference for female bloggers of color to be held in Atlanta on October 9-11. I'm beyond excited and honored to be on board! Please show some love to the other lovely members of the Blogalicious 2009 team. I'm SO looking forward to working with these ladies to help make the first ever Blogalicious conference simply awesome.

If you haven't registered for the conference yet, be sure to do on or before July 12 to get the early bird special. Get more details about the conference and register <<HERE.>> I'll be hosting an Austin Blogalicious event too, so ATX bloggeristas, stay tuned...

And speaking of blogger conferences, if you're one of those lucky ladies who got tickets to the Blogher Conference in Chicago--and even if you didn't---you do not want to miss the private soiree hosted by Lush Cosmetics @ Macy's just for Blogalicious Divas. If you're in Chicago on July 24th, you should attend The Lush Experience. RSVP now, because space is limited.