Photo by Austin Woman Magazine photographer Courtney Runn
As I am sure you all have seen all of last week SXSW has been taking of the city of Austin once again. It is a tradition for me for sure and this was my fourth year attending! I’m not like many Austinites that flee the city during this time, I am down off in the action embracing it, haha. I’m going to be writing about my experience this as well as show you the outfits that I choose over the course of the week.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH
Kicking off the weekend, I went with my roommate to the HUE natural hair event. We got to see Monique Rodriguez of Mielle Organics speak and watch a demo of her new product line. After that, we ate and left with these VIP bags that had 10 or so full-size products in there!! There was also a bunch of products for all types of hair and I have been using ALL of them.
Then it was off to Rainey Street to the Express house at Bungalow. As we were standing in line I told Mimi that I wanted to connect with a rep from Express that works with influencers. Then GUESS WHAT?!
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First of all, I literally only follow like 3 guys that are style bloggers and I got to meet Marcel Floruss of One Dapper Street. He is one of the nicest and funniest people I’ve ever met! As we were talking with them I ended up meeting Lauren who is with PR Specialist that works with influencers.
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I’m just gonna take a minute and say that if you are wanting something to happen, SPEAK IT INTO EXISTENCE! I literally told her that right before I came in here, I was talking to Mimi about meeting a rep who worked with influencers. So yea…that happened and I am excited to see where that partnership will lead!
Outfit Details
Dress: Zara Plaid Dress-similar here
Shoes: Zara Gold Bulchers-similar here
Backpack: Zara Ecru Backpack-similar here
Sunday, March 11th
The Create and Cultivate Pop Up! I went allllll out for this event.I missed it last year so I was up and ready to get there super early and get in line. I had my outfit laid out the night before, my business cards packed, and even woke up at 5:30 am to get ready and struggle to put on fake eyelashes haha I was so excited for this event because anytime they put on this event it is huge. It is completely centered around women in entrepreneurship and making connections with other women in the industry. My favorite moment was at the very beginning when we had 15 minutes to meditate. I don’t really do that so since I hadn’t had a quiet time in a while, I just used that moment having some 1:1 time with the lord. From that, I already knew that I was gonna have an amazing week ahead of me. I got some pretty great shots in this outfit so I’m going post several pictures below:)
Outfit Details
Dress: Zara Abstract T-Shirt Dress
Denim Jacket: Topshop Oversize Denim Jacket
Shoes: Forever 21 Pointed Toe Boots
Sunglasses: Quay X Desi Perkins High Keys
Monday, March 12th
My best friend got me a wristband to the GSD&M event and they had amazing artists playing including Lukas Nelson. Oh and let’s not forget the open bar hosted by Deep Eddy’s. Sooooo that’s definitely a place I would be haha
Tuesday, March 13th
My interview piece with Austin Woman Magazine dropped!! I didn’t participate in anything SX related but that was still a huge part of my week. If you haven’t read it yet click HERE!
Photo by Austin Woman Magazine photographer Courtney Runn
Outfit Details
Dress: Zara Diagonal Knit sweater
Shorts: Pacsun Mom Shorts
Shoes: Zara Platform Derby Shoe
Wednesday, March 14th
I am finally off work and I’m headed back downtown to the Dell & Create Cultivate Panel. This panel was all about Fashion and Tech and how they will influence each other in 2018. They served brunch, Mimosas and even a machine that made bloody mary’s. I think bloody marys are disgusting, but I really wanted to try the machine…So I ended up sucking down half the drink before tapping out lol I made some new friends, took some pictures, and had several mimosas of course!
Outfit Details
Romper: LA Hearts Long Sleeve Romper
Belt: Express Double Buckle Belt
Shoes: Express Heeled Slide Booties
Sunglasses: Quay X Desi Perkins High Keys
Thursday, March 15th
I went to the Pandora house during the day with Mimi and Ray. Pandora had this interactive wall set up that had you choose different songs that popped up on the screen. From your selections, it actually created a song specifically for you. It was super cool! I need to find those songs so I can share them with yall. 🙂 We then moved to Rainey street and spent most of the afternoon there, before I left to meet up with Chelsey and Jonathan. After meeting up with them, We headed to west 6th for the Wildfox party.
Outfit Details
Top: Express Off the Shoulder top- similar here
Bottoms: Pacsun Mom Jeans
Scarf: Express Scarf-similar here
Shoes: Express Heeled Slide Booties
Sunglasses: Quay X Desi Perkins High Keys
Friday, March 16th
I dressed so comfy because my feet hurt from my poor shoe choices from earlier that week. I only wanted one thing that day and it was to see Billie Eilish that evening. So Mimi, Ray and, I hung out on Rainey street for most of the day, then we left for the ACL Live venue to get in line for the Rae Sremmurd Showcase. As we were waiting in line Mimi and I went to Austin Java to get something to drink.
There I discovered Austin Java happy hour which basically changed my life. From 3-8pm they have $1 Austin Eastcider and $2 Bottles of beer…How have I not heard of this?! So I ordered an Eastcider because I was budgeting myself but still wanted to have fun. And you know what’s not fun, paying $9 for a drink at ACL Live lol So we finally make it inside the venue. I only was there for 15 minutes because I had to walk back to Rainey Street to get in line for Billie Eilish. Her set was really good, despite the sound issues they were having. I really want to see her when she comes back through Austin.
Outfit Details
Top: FSG Prints Selena LS Top- similar here
Bottoms: Pacsun Mom Shorts
Shoes: Adidas Superstar Originals
Sunglasses: Quay X Desi Perkins High Keys
Saturday, March 17th
So guess what?! The gang is back on Rainey street again haha We went to the showtime house at Clive Bar because Kev and V from Shameless were bartending there! We didn’t end up getting in because the line was so long but I did get a picture with Shanola Hampton. Then I headed to Kimpton Hotel Vand Zandt to meet with Valerie of The 125 Collection. They sell the best soy candles and I say that because of what is printed on them. Each candle has different motivational quotes on them! And yall should know by now that I love a solid motivational quote. So the one I choose was “Great things never came from comfort zones”. As you read in my first post of 2018, I talked about different goals that I have set for the year. I am very much focused on pushing myself this year to a whole new level. So that candle is in my room next to my frame that says, “Don’t tell people your dreams, show them”.
Outfit Details
Romper: Kendall and Kylie Romper
Shoes: Steve Madden Austyn Boots
Earrings: Forever 21 Tribal earrings
Sunglasses: Quay X Desi Perkins High Keys
So that basically wraps up my SXSW 2018 recap. I spent the rest of my evening on Saturday on west 6th until all hours of the night lol This has been one of the most successful weeks that I had at the festival. I gained so much motivation to keep pushing and chasing my dreams and growing my brand.
Did any of yall attend SXSW or have any fun plans for spring break? Let me know below!
