What Do Fear, Homecoming Queens, and Bloggers Have in Common??

My TX Blogger Day Look:
Top& Earrings: Chicos
Pants: Talbots
Minnetonka Sandals: Stien Mart
Simply Vera Bag: Kohls

To this day, I do not know who nominated me for homecoming queen my senior year in high school. I’ve always wondered, Was it a joke…or from sincere admiration? My feelings were just that mixed up at the time…one moment I wanted to hunt them down and slap them…the next moment I wanted to hug them!



Let’s just say…I was not the typical homecoming queen type! I was not dating anyone (Who are, who are, who are we, Dateless girls of Robert E. Lee)….my mother made most of my clothes…I was much more academic than social (I realize you can be both, no letters please!)…. But, I did have a hot car …maybe that was it.


Once nominations came out, a faculty representative met with all of the nominees to go over the rules of the election. Walking into that meeting was one of the hardest things I have ever done (That was the exact time I wanted to slap the one who nominated me). I felt like a fish out of water…all eyes would be on me…Why is SHE here?…silent snickers would roll across the room…as the gorgeous girls watched me walk in. I can remember thinking…I don’t need this…I am fine without it…maybe I won’t go. But, deep inside I wanted to experience it for a moment. I wanted to know just for a little while what life on the other side was like.

Favorite Shopping Location of Austin Bloggers!



These feelings and this moment returned as I prepared to go to the Texas Style Blogging Conference in Austin this past weekend. I knew the events would be packed with young, fabulous fashionistas and the messages in my mind were….


Why am I doing this….


I must be a glutton for punishment…


They will inwardly laugh at the older woman..


I am wasting my time…..

Kyla of Blue Collar Catwalk & Erin of
Work With What You’ve Got
(Kyla’s necklace is from JC Penneys and
Erin grabbed her top at the
Friday night swap!)



Fear is rarely a good thing. Oh, it’s good to have fear if you are thinking of crossing the freeway on foot. But, the kind of fear that holds you back from experiencing life and people just never works. I discovered in the “homecoming queen” room that there were genuinely kind girls who greeted me with acceptance. In fact, the girl who eventually won queen was beautiful and sweet.


I discovered the same at the blogging conference. So many genuine, kind, creative, talented young ladies. I don’t know what they really thought of me, but to my face they were wonderful and helpful. I did not attend the events on Friday and Saturday, because I listened to the fear and decided I could be in the background at the workshops. After a day with this group, I regret not attending the other events and will do it differently next time. Fear caused me to lose out on some great fellowship and networking time. Workshop day was a whirlwind and though I did get some valuable information I would have loved more time with some of these ladies. Each panel I listened to was so rich in information, I was always sad when the conversation stopped.


Erin of Work With What You’ve Got proved that courage pays off….she stood to ask a marketing question and ended up with a designer jewelry account …representative in the audience!! BTW, Erin is one of the cutest, friendliest bloggers you will ever meet. She spent at least 10 minutes discussing cameras with me and was so helpful!!

Other incredible woman attending:

 Gabrielle @Gabsbags.etsy.com; Penney of Maybethisdoor.com; and
Dianne Talley of diannetalley.com  Penney is so cute
and made everyone these delicious chocolate
covered pretzels!!

So, here’s how I am going to do this…..you can read all kinds of information at Texas Style Council.

Indiana of adoredaustin.com, one of the
conference organizers is friendly, classy,
genuine, and a mother & wife!! Very impressive
young woman!



But, beginning tomorrow, I will bring to you what I took away from the workshops on Sunday. Pictures will feature some of the blogging superstars as well! This was worth every bit of time I gave to it and I encourage all of you to try to get to a meet up or conference somewhere.


Also, I won one of the biggest prizes given at the conference….reveal tomorrow!!

And, finally, if you would like to read about comments from the social director of Etsy, just click below for my San Antonio Express News version of over50feeling40:
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/over50feeling40/2011/03/todays-economy-is-perfect-for-entrepreneurs/

21 Comments

  1. Oh Pam! You so deserve to be there as well as a Homecoming Queen. I can totally understand your self doubt. Sometimes I wonder why I even blog, but I just plug away at it. You represent the more mature woman, and for that I am grateful!

  2. You look great! Can't wait to hear what you learned (even tho I am not a fashion blogger, and do know how to spell) and find out what you won.

  3. You go, girl! Thanks for being there and flying the flag for us over-40, non-homecoming-queen types. Nobody could represent us better, and you absolutely deserve to be there. HAVE FUN!!!

  4. I am sooooooooooooooo proud of you to be there representing us all. After all age is a number.I am inspired by young girls of 15 as much as 90.
    looking forward to all your info, my dear Pam.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  5. I think that as long as no one dumps a bucket of blood on your head, Carrie style, you should enjoy all unexpected opportunities.

  6. So jealous of you
    Looks like it was a great success and lots of fun
    Wish I still was living in Dallas or Houston just so I could have gone. LOL
    Brett

  7. I think all of us have to deal with those nagging thoughts inside telling us we're not ___ enough.
    I know my husband had to put up with me freaking out trying on dress after dress going 'everyone is going to look nice and i'm going to look lame! i'm not cool enough to be going!' and then I met everyone and people were so nice and welcoming that I was silly to think that.
    And when you told the story about your daughter after getting you name drawn I was so happy that you won it. It was meant to be! I don't think we actually got to meet or talk, but I'm happy someone else had such a good experience this weekend
    🙂

  8. It was so fabulous to have you there. I seriously got all teary eyed when you won that sewing machine and you talked about your daughter. I am currently training for my second marathon to raise money for Love146 which is a charity that works very hard to stop child sex slavery. I wish I got to meet you and spend a little time chatting.
    Have a great week!

  9. What Jen said! I loved that you won that sewing machine and came to hang out with all the blogger ladies. I can't wait to see what your daughter makes…

  10. Pam~ You must have had a ball tho! So glad you went. Terri, Serene and I have talked of a blog meet where we could all meet each other–and I don't know if I'd go to one without one of the "over 40's". Can't wait to hear all the tips! Congrats!

  11. Pam–I'm glad you overcame your fear. I would have been nervous too, but it is fantastic to see you with faces I've "met" online. Perhaps all of us over 40's should go next year and represent!

  12. Pam, I'm THRILLED for you that you got to go! I could just kick myself when I let fear get the best of me….but we're only human right? I wonder how many other bloggers, regardless of age, felt exactly the same things you did. Everyone's style is so different and it's really not an age, weight or culture thing at all….it's about expressing your own personal style, in just the way you want. I think you look so great! I really am feeling your outfit that you wore for the trip!

    BTW, I've so often thought of blogging in comparison to High School! Hugs! ~Serene

  13. I'm so glad you overcame you fear an made it out! I, too, suffer from fear of social situations, and know how hard it can be to put on a brave face and have fun! Thank you for your inspirational comment (I won't say what since you haven't revealed your big win yet!) it made me remember that fashion blogging can be about more than just clothes — it can empower women! Take care.

  14. LOVED meeting you. I cried when you won the sewing machine. What a blessing from God. I've emailed BurdaStyle so we can get that to you or your daughter ASAP.

    Can't wait to have you at EVERYTHING next year, Pammy!

  15. Oh my goodness! I had a bit of fear before attending as well, but it turned out to be one of the best weekends ever for me. Everyone was so sweet!

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