Monday, February 9, 2009

Blissdom update

*If you're coming over from the Fashion Friday post, scroll down.
I am beginning a regular Frugal Fashionista post about dressing in designer outfits for under $15. I began receiving many requests for tips on shopping the 2nd hand stores without looking like you did. :)

For those of you that just read my blog for fun, and info, and have no interest in blogging - my sincerest apologies. :)

I spent the last three day meeting many of the friends who live in my computer....and I can't even begin to touch on them all. Nor do I have the time to explain the processing that goes on with an event like this since I should be schooling my children.

Seeing as it was in Nashville, I did most of my processing with Emily and The Nester on our eight hour ride home. I have known them for years, but the opportunity to share, and pick each others brains about everything having to do with life, may have been worth the whole trip.
Heathalee (who didn't come to the conference but came to meet all of us... she's a doll), Me (with my $1 comfiest ever pink shirt and $5 jacket), Emily, the Nester

I am someone who loves to cherish friendships in real life. I never thought I could actually make friends on line (that might not be potential balded headed stalkers posing as a mommy blogger), nor that I would appreciate the depth of closeness one could feel when you "meet" for the first time, and it feels like you've known them forever.
It's possible, probable, and perfectly wonderful.

I roomed with Kimba and Rhoda (we missed you, Kristy), who I have already gone on about in past posts...both are just like you would think they are.
Talented, inspiring, and a blast to be around.
I think Rhoda and Kimba still love me even though I kept waking them Saturday night when they were trying to sleep - so sorry.

Some of favorites friends in the hall. Susie Harris commented on my first ever blog post...will love her forever because of it.
She and her sister, Missy, are another wonderful duo (like Emily and the Nester) to watch and wish you had a sister relationship like them.

Sandy (4 Reluctant Entertainers) and I both have a passion for hospitality with our families, and you will be blessed by her wisdom.
Dinner night out...Melissa from the Inspired Room....always a joy!

Meredith from Like Merchant Ships is a new found blogging friend. We share our love for frugal homemaking. She is wisdom personified, and such a sweet, gentle spirit. :)

So many others to mention, but I am sticking with only those I had a picture of....bummer.

Frugal Fashionista UPDATE:
I know I said I would do a whole fashion show of all my designer clothing outfits for under $10, but I forgot to take pictures...ugh. I will have to re-dress and do this for real. Not the re-dressing part....just the fashion show. I think we'll have to do a frugal fashion week. :)

FRUGAL FASHION SNEAK PEEK
Dressy tank top - $1 - yard sale
Earrings - $1 - yard sale
Shawl/wrap - $2.50 (with the brand new price tags on) thrift store

Pants - $1 - yard sale
Nine West leather boots - $2 thrift store
This is the epitome of casual dress, and I hate this is the only other picture I have, but the whole outfit with the leather BASS shoes,
Anne Klein Jeans, and fun shirt that looks way better in real life.....
$10.


Sheesh...I don't even have the buttons done. :)

63 comments:

{darlene} said...

sooooooo jealous! What fun, oh, and great outfits!

Tanya said...

Love the outfits! I really needed to attend that conference but I pray that my chance will come again in the future. So glad it went well.

duchess said...

Great clothes. I love seeing all of my favorite blogging girls all together.
Glad you had a good time.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, my photography skills made it on the blog-ha! Jen, you're an absolute DOLL, inside & out & I had a blast rooming with you and Kimba. Thanks for letting me tag along, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without you 2 to hang out with & share all the information we tried to take in. I'm still on overload!

It's so much fun to meet girls in real life that have taken over our lives in blogging & I now consider you a real life friend too!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Jen,

It was GREAT to meet you in person--you are a DELIGHT! And you looked fabulous at every moment!!

blessings,
melissa

"Create Beauty" said...

Ooooohhhh! Thanks for the posting! I am excited to hear more about Blissdom ... to be there
through everyones photos and postings! And your outfits are great! I love finding treasures that others cast off : ) You are a genius at it!!!

edie said...

Jen,
Meeting you was such a highlight for me. You come across so well on your blog that I felt like I knew you already. You are so genuine and sincere and approachable. I wish we would have had more time to chat too!

Liz Harrell said...

This looks like it was so fun! And I LOVE the outfits!

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

How fun...I'm only slightly jealous my friend! What an awesome time you girls must have had together. I can only imagine what it would be like to have so many great minds and kind hearts all in the same room. I'm already planning for next year!

~Amanda

p.s. Your nifty thrifty outfits look amazing. Reminds me of my Mom. She is the deal queen. Every time she gets complimented on something cute she is compulsive about telling people her whole outfit cost less than $5...broken down by price per piece. (lol)

Amanda said...

you are just too cute! Did you get to meet my in real life friend Kristen from WeareTHATfamily. she is a sweetheart!

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

Love those pants with the cute button detail!

Heathahlee said...

I remember thinking that the capris and boots outfit was SO gorgeous Saturday night! I can't believe how little you spend on those things!

I feel so privileged to have met all of you. Of course I'm already making plans to actually attend the conference next year, not just stalk it! : )

Gina said...

Look at you, Miss Thang! Glad you had fun. I'll get over my jealousy. Don't worry....

Robin's Nesting Place said...

What a fun experience for you all! I came to your blog through Rhoda's. I'm so glad I discovered you!

Shell in your Pocket said...

You look GREAT!!! What fun pictures...so glad you had an awesome time! Maybe next time for me:)!
-sandy toe

Kim @ Forever Wherever said...

It looks like you had a blast! Welcome back!
-Kim

Madison Sanders said...

Loved that necklace in last picture! Looks like you hasd a blast.

The Nester said...

It was so much fun and your outfits were amazing!

Donnetta said...

Here via Sandy's place. It looks and sounds like you all had such a fantastic time!

I enjoyed seeing some of the various outfits. I've been wanting to get a pair of boots and didn't even think to look at the thrift store. Now I will be next time I am in there! Thanks for sharing the info.

Shannon said...

Looks like you had so much fun! I enjoyed all of the pictures! Cute outfits too!

Darlene said...

Oooooo some day I want to be able to go and meet all of you!!! It looks and sounds like all of you had such a blast!!!! Cute, CUTE outfits!!!!

Elisabeth said...

What a fun event to go to. I bet you are ENTHUSED!

Snazzy outfits, by the way.

Mommy said...

It was a pleasure meeting you over breakfast with Emily and the Nester. Love the Blissdom commentary (and your outfits were perfect). See you soon!

Hugs,
M

Carolina Mama said...

What an awesome post! Thanks for sharing. :) Y'all had a ball. I'm with Sandy Toes, maybe next time for us. :) Your outfits look like a million bucks!

ExtraordinaryMommy said...

Love your post! Thank you for messaging me on Twitter. So bummed we didn't meet, but I know exactly who you are :) I was sitting at the table in front of you during one of the sessions....the girls at my table were telling me about your outfit! You looked fantastic!

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

You looked so good in your thrifty outfits this weekend! It was so fun meeting you in person.

Anonymous said...

Girlfriend!!!! I never knew!! I was one of your first??? Well I know talent when I see it and you have jumped in it, rolled around, and are dripping with it! I just went on and on the whole way home about how sweet you are and just wayyy too pretty,lucky thing. Looks and talent. The Lord blesses I tell ya! Really it was so good to meet you and now Im just sitting back and waiting for next year to hurry and get here~

Valarie Lea said...

I am so glad everyone had a great time!

Kristen said...

I enjoyed meeting you! It was a great weekend! Can't wait til next time.

Melissa Lester said...

Oh, how fun! I can just feel the friendship even through the photos. I know you are still walking on air after that great weekend, all the better for not adding wear to your fabulous boots!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Looks like everyone had a blast. I love the frugal fashion show idea.

These Are The Days said...

So glad you had a blast and were surrounded by such great company. I think your frugal finds are unbelievable...you look great. Can't wait for you frugal fashion week. I'm so jealous I couldn't go to Blissdom, to add insult to injury, Kimball was out of town for 3 days so I was SUPER lonely.

southerninspiration said...

Gotta go, gotta go, to the next one that is!!! Loads of fun ya'll must have had!! And you do indeed look like a fashionista!!!

Suzanne

Melanie said...

I'll be watching for the frugal fashion show.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Emily said...

I am so jealous! I feel like I know almost all of you already so the photos of you all together make me green with envy. I love your fabulous frugal fashion. I keep meaning to do a whole series of posts about frugal fashion. You've inspired me!

Emily@remodelingthislife

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Oh, that looks like an amazing time!! I SO wish I was there! Your outfits are unbelieveable!! Lookin' good :)!
If you get a chance, come and sign up for my giveaway on my blog!!

Blessings,
Stacey

Anonymous said...

Glad that you had a great time. I love your outfits. I can't believe that you paid so little for them.

Unknown said...

Your outfit was so cute and you are awesome. But I was totally too intimidated by you ladies to get my picture taken with y'all.

Kristen said...

Looks like so much fun! And I love the clothes. You also heard correctly, I am going to SheSpeaks. Will I see you there too?

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I want to go next year...This sounds like so much fun!!

dmvoccola said...

Had no idea you were a bargain shopper like myself. You sure didn't look like one--which by the way is the absolute best compliment you could get. Your welcome!

Smelling Coffee said...

So glad you had such a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing your take on this awesome weekend. AND, your outfits look beautiful! I love how the Lord dresses those who depend upon Him to help!!!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I know I already told you this, but I'm so glad I had the chance to hang out with you over the weekend--it was so much fun getting to know you in person! And I still can't get over how little you spent on those fab outfits. Hope to see you again next year! :-)

@BarbaraJones said...

So glad that you had such a great time!! And I cannot believe your frugal finds--you looked amazing all weekend! Thanks again for coming!

Miss G said...

So fun to read about all of y'all's experiences! I was thinking about you all this weekend. So glad y'all had fun. You look great in every pic I've seen of you out there in blogland and here on your blog. You even inspired me to go dig around my closet a little when we went out with friends for sushi tonight (I was the only one eating cooked stuff!) :) Also, wanted to tell you that I got started cutting coupons today! It was kind of a thrill I tell you. :) Also, everytime I see a bottle of smuckers hot fudge sauce I flip it around to see if there is one of those peely things. :) Oh how blogging changes our lives. :) Kelly

Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.net said...

It was so great to meet you! And, I am utterly amazed at your fashion finds! I need you to go thrift store shopping with me. You looked fab and a paper bag would have looked like a million bucks on you :-)

Can't wait until the next one!!!

Musings of a Homeschooling Mom said...

I LOVE the outfits! What great finds! It sounds like you had a great time!

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

I'm having blissdom withdrawal and am loving reading all of these summary posts. Great pics of friendship and fun! Thanks so much for sharing :).

megan said...

WOW, you weren't joking with the small amount of cash you spent on those clothes! I would love to shop like that. My eyes glaze over as I dig through the racks and the 3 year old tries to run off, and the baby starts to squeal...any advice?? =)

I am so glad you had fun, I think they should hold a confrence in Seattle so I can go!

Blessings,
Meagn

MDiskin said...

Wait, your outfits cost less than $5? My jealousy is SO kindled. SO good to meet you at BD09!
--squeezy hugs, Melissa D

Jennifer said...

That is awesome!

Rachel Spence said...

It was so good to meet you Sunday at breakfast. Now that I have checked out your blog--I will be keeping up! :)

Staci Loalbo said...

i need to go to one of those....looks like soo much fun!

really.truly said...

I just love the outfits/bargains you found! Amazing.

Our Complete Family said...

I had fun reading your last few posts to catch up on your blog hun! Looks like you had a fun time at Blissdom! Yea for that! Hugs, Les

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

I know...I wish'd we had longer and i coulda hung with you...and chatted away. I REALLY wanted to be able to talk with you. Maybe next time!

fivejs said...

See, I just realized I haven't been reading your blog enough. I didn't know you were queen of frugal clothing! I LOVED your outfits. So awesome that you got them for so cheap!

It was fantastic to be able to meet you in person. I hope we get the chance again some time.

Joy @ Five J's

Scooper said...

Love all your cute outfits! I'm a thrift-store junkie myself. Sporting some $80 thrift store jeans as we speak.

So glad ya'll had a great time! I'm so sad I missed it.

Still have a nursing baby. I hope to go next year!

Kimberly Tripp said...

cute outfits! I just got 2 jackets at GW for $1 each this morning. It just made my whole day :) I also got a little footstool to reupholster for $4. I don't know when it was from, but I totally cracked up when I read your post about NOT buying a new strapless bra to wear once a year. Bleach is a wonderful thing, no? I wish I had known blissdom was in Nashvegas, I like to think I would have tried to get a sitter and come visit. Oh well, I'll pay better attention next time!

Anonymous said...

I loved reading about everyone's fun time. You crack me up with 1$ clothes. We used to live in a ritzy part of town and when I got bored of my clothes I could head to the Thrift Store and buy a whole new wardrobe for 30$$$!!! I miss those days.

Kate said...

I wish we had had more time to chat, but it was still wonderful meeting you. Your outfits were awesome!

SECRET AGENT MAMA said...

I loved meeting you in the Apprentice room, over your boots! You were styling and I just LOVE all your pictures and your recap!!

Anonymous said...

Great outfits and even better prices! Love them. I too shop thrift stores and yard sales. I never underestimate someone else's trash.

-FringeGirl