What Over 40 Bloggers Wore At The RewardStyle Conference

It’s been a few days now, but I can’t stop thinking about the fantastic time I had at the RewardStyle Conference in Dallas last weekend. This was my second year attending, and it was so much fun! Here’s me by the Joule Hotel pool at the opening night party!

If you’re not familiar with RewardStyle, it is a fashion technology company that was started by style blogger Amber Venz Box and her husband Baxter Box to help bloggers monetize their sites. Rewardstyle links bloggers to retailers, paying us commissions for clothing and other products that we feature in our posts.

Every year RewardStyle invites 200 of their top bloggers from around the world to the conference to discuss blogging trends and to socialize. As you know, most fashion bloggers are young and gorgeous! Last year I was worried I’d be the only mature blogger there, but luckily I ran into Cyndi Spivey (who was feeling the same way), and we had a great time.

This year was even better because at least a dozen 40, and 50+ bloggers attended. We were thrilled to meet each other and we hung out the entire weekend. Everyone looked fabulous. Here’s what they wore.

Opening Night – Cocktail Party by The Pool

Left to Right – One of the first gals I met was Maria, who was all the way from England. Her blog is called Looking Stylish and she sure looked it, in a pretty peach top and floral pants. Beauty and Lifestyle YouTube vlogger Marnie Goldberg was a delight to meet and looked lovely in her rich navy dress.

I’m there in the middle in a flowy coral top from BCBG that I wore with white cropped jeans and my new Michael Kors gold chain sandals. Then, of course, there was Erin from Busbee Style, who looked like a Goddess in her long, pleated skirt and one-shoulder crop top.

There were a lot of Texas bloggers there including Cathy, who you may remember as one of my featured Styleblazers. Cathy is from The Middle Page. Doesn’t she look glam in this strapless, striped, peplum top and black skirt?

I’ve got to tell you, I was in love with the Texas weather, or maybe it was the Texas water because my hair never felt so full. I have fine hair, but down there, I got so much volume out of my blow dry. I was in heaven!

Two more Texans made up our Girl Squad at the conference. Heather from Style by Fluent is known for her love of denim and looked casually cool in this midi jean skirt and feminine white top. Sheree from She She Show was ready to party in her tie-dye palazzo pants and matching top. Cocktail anyone?

Day 1 of the Conference What do you Wear?  

Dressing that day turned out to be a totally mixed bag. Cathy looked pretty in this gorgeous seafoam green floral blouse and frayed white jeans. I had some sponsor meetings, so decided on a cute dress in my signature color, orange. My dress is by DVF, and I wore it with perky floral pumps and a delicate sculpted floral necklace from the Banana Republic.

To my right, that’s Sheree again. How cute is she?…and look at those gold sneakers! What a fab fashion statement. More denim from Heather; this time a sporty waist tie jean jacket, frayed white jeans like Kathy’s ( I must get a pair), and sexy pumps.

Day 1- After the Conference – Evening Cocktail Party on the Lawn 

Now here’s a pretty picture. This is the gang at the end of day one at the Joe Fresh cocktail party which was held at the park across the street from the Joule Hotel.

Left to Right – Tanya Foster is another Texas beauty who joined us. I loved her black and white maxi with its sassy pink bow. I wore an Elie Tahari Tropical Print Sheath with touches of lace at the neckline, block heels (because we were walking around on grass), and a gold leaf cuff bracelet.

Sheree shimmered in this fun, very colorful dress with big fringe circles. Erin looked hot in this dramatic red jumpsuit. Cathy went soft, and a little boho in a pretty crocheted midi, and Heather looked perfect in pink. Her hat was fabulous. 

Isn’t that floral decorated swing adorable? Posing for this photo made me feel like a lovely Southern Belle.

Now you may think my dress looks a little short in this photo above, but…..

I threw in this shot of me outside The Joule Hotel so you could see it was a nice cocktail length. I loved the lace detail on the top of the dress. It was so subtle but made the dress look very feminine and classy.

You’re probably wondering what the heck that big eyeball is? Its art – “The Eye” – is a famous landmark in the heart of Dallas and it makes a wonderful backdrop for this photo which includes some over 40 and 50+ bloggers.

Left to Right-  There’s my pal Cyndi Spivey from Grace and Beauty looking vibrant and fresh in a bright yellow dress and wedge sandals. Sheree is next, and in this photo, you get a better view of that fab dress that has a bit of a go-go girl feel to it with all that fringe. Shake it up, baby!

Jo-Lynne Shane is in the middle beside me in a pretty red and black maxi skirt and a jean jacket. I had been dying to meet Jo-Lynne ever since I featured her on the blog, so it was lovely to finally connect. Alison Lumbatis from Get Your Pretty On was also there and looked super cute in this blue tunic dress. Maria, from England (remember her from the first night?) looked glam in a gold top and silky, wide-leg pants.

Second Day of Conference

You know how that goes on day 2. Everyone relaxes and dresses down a bit once the big meetings are over. I decided to try a different look and wore my new Michael Kors wide-leg jeans; a peach layered top by White House Black Market, this adorable jacket from Smythe, and my Gucci Soho chain bag.

Let me tell you, I am tall, but those pants were very long, so I ended up wearing high wedge suede slingbacks, which were surprisingly comfy. I felt very 70’s.  It was fun and cool.

One note about my layered charm necklace from the Banana Republic. It was long with many layers and looked great, but I’m warning you that you need have patience if you are going to buy a necklace like this. I must have spent 15 minutes fiddling around trying to untangle it before I put it on. I guess it was worth it because I got a lot of compliments.

Last Night- White Party at The Dallas Opera House

Maria, Jo-Lynne, and I at the Like to Know. it party. I had never been to an all-white party before.

White is not my best color. It’s quite stark against my pale skin, so I chose a gorgeous cream-colored lace top from BCBGMaxAzria. It comes with a nude camisole, so it’s not too bare, and it has the perfect sleeve length. I wore it with these wonderfully soft, comfy, and chic slim cropped pants also from BCBGMax Azria. ( My necklace is Ann Taylor from last year, but here is something similar)

Notice the gorgeous clutch? It was a gift from GiGi New York. They monogrammed it for me with my initials in gold. I adore it. It’s a pale peach color called blush, and it is extremely classy looking. Watch for more from me about this brand. I can’t say enough about their superb bags.

SPECIAL OFFER!  GiGi New York just emailed me to say they are offering my readers 20% off this bag until Mother’s Day. Just use this link and the code GIGISPRING.

So there you go. It looks like I have made some wonderful new blogging buddies. I can’t wait for the next time we are all together! Friendships are what make blogging really special.