Texas Style Council Recap Pt. 1

Tye and I with the lovely ladies of Swap.com

I have been an Austinite for 12 years, but I have never attended any South by Southwest (SXSW) events. I know horrible. I have friends that would pay good money just to be here in the Capitol City during SXSW! I am sure that the price of the badge could have something to do with it, but there are so many free or discounted events, that it's relatively easy to find SOMETHING to do during the events.

Me and Diana of The Frugal Fatshionista
(I love this chick)

My reluctance to attend events changed this year!! One night I was being nosey on Twitter and I noticed a tweet that the Texas Style Council had opened up registration and that slots were filling fast. I immediately went to the site and paid my registration fee and then tweeted my good friend Tye over at Diary of a Chic Mommy to make sure she registered  as well. I am glad we got in when we did because slots quickly filled up!!

The Texas Style Council conference is the brainchild of Austin's own blogger Indiana of Adored Austin, and seeks to "connect women who love fashion with other women who love fashion and to raise the bar in the way we all do social media."  As a first year attendee I had no idea what to expect, but I knew that whatever it was, it was going to be fun and that's exactly what I did!

I had the opportunity to meet some GREAT fashion bloggers, as well as bloggers that I have stalked!! Finally the friends in my head have become my friends in real life!!

Some of the bloggers that I met and had an awesome time hanging with, include: 

Reiko of God's Favorite Shoes

Juanette of Fashion Nette-Work

Kourtney of Cheap, Chic, & Curvy

Rocquelle of Consider Me Lovely

Diana of The Frugal Fatshionista

Sondra of Always Never Age Appropriate

Me and Juanette of Fashion Nette-Work
She is sooooooo cool!!!!

Additionally, Tyesha and I had the chance to hang out with Reiko, Juanette, and Kourtney at South Congress' Magnolia Cafe until the wee hours of Sunday morning. We joked and laughed with no regard for time, and it was a GREAT feeling!! And the food was DELICIOUS! If you're ever in Austin, I HIGHLY recommend Magnolia Cafe! My favorites are the banana pancakes and the chicken enchiladas!! 

One of the things that Tye and I were worried about was that more experienced bloggers wouldn't take the time to hang out with newer bloggers but we were well received by all bloggers in attendance. It was sooooo much fun! I could go on and on, but I won't...you just have to come next year and see for yourself!! I will post more about it tomorrow, plus I have added more picture to the new Musings of L. Michelle Facebook page! Please go by and click "LIKE."

Reiko of God's Favorite Shoes and I
(I felt like a kid in a candy store!!!!)

Those of you that remember my 35 Things To Do Before Turning 35 list (don't judge me) will remember that attending a blogger conference was on my list, but I never thought I would have as much fun and learn as many things as I did this past weekend! I can't wait to attend my next conference and I plan on doing it sooner than later! 

Lane Bryant and Laila Ali: Sports Bras for plUS!

Source

Lane Bryant and Laila Ali and Marika have teamed up to create a new sports bra collection!!! I am excited about this and can't wait to snag me one of these babies! I love that these bras have style and color!! No more boring black and washed out white! We have options, ya'll! According to the LB website, the bras will retail for less than $40.00!

Maybe this is the inspiration I need to get back into the gym! #dontjudgeme

Check out all of LB's sports bras here.

We've Lost an Icon....

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow. If I fail, if I succeed...at least I live if I believe...no matter what they take from me...they can't take away my dignity!!!!"

Thank you Whitney, may you continue singing in the Heavenly choir. Give my uncles Dan, Otha, and William some dap when you see them.

Source

The Happy Kitchen :: Cooking for a Cure!

A few weeks ago, I received an email about participating in a cooking class for cancer survivors! As many of you know, last year I made a promise to myself that going forward, I will be a "better" cancer survivor. When I initially made the statement about being a "better" survivor, I was thinking along the lines of encouraging others as they go through their journey. But, what better way to be a "better" survivor than making sure that I am taking care of myself first?! Yes.

So, enter The Happy Kitchen and Livestrong.
The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™, is a nationally recognized cooking and nutrition education program, that aids individuals and institutions in making lasting dietary and behavioral changes.

Livestrong is a partner of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), which exists to provide support for people affected by cancer.  LAF was founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. The LAF states that its mission is "to inspire and empower' cancer sufferers and their families." The LAF also aims to provide practical information and tools for cancer sufferers via public health and research. The organization is based in Austin, Texas.

There are so many great causes here in Austin, so it just felt very good to me to take this class. It's being offered for FREE at Livestrong. It's a six week class, where we are taught how to cook healthy, using cancer fighting foods.  Then we are provided the groceries to take home to recreate what we learned in class! It doesn't get any better!! I've attended two classes so far and I love it!! Below are pictures from the first class and my re-creation of the meal we learned to make, Fried Rice!!

Instructor Beckye

Instructor Candyce

Free groceries and recipe!

The finished product! YUMMY!

14 Days of Loving: Sexy Red Heels!

In the past few years, I have been transformed from ballet flats and sneakers to heels, heels, heels!! An ex that I remain friends with always jokes about how he couldn't get me into heels at all when we were together, and now I love them. I told him he wasn't patient enough!
Nowadays, I prefer heels!! Especially when I am going out or trying to make a statement.
To be sexy for your beau this Valentine's Day, check out some of the hottest red hot pumps that I could find! Notice that most of these styles have a platform, which really helps to take away from the pain of a high heel!  

Red Hot Pumps by lmichelle1 featuring patent heels

14 Days of Loving: Sexy Lingerie pt. 2 inspired by Torrid!

I received a LOT of emails from the Sexy Lingerie pt. 1 post! I am so happy that I have been able to give you ladies some ideas on what to wear this year in the boudoir! 

So much, that I decided to do a pt. 2 post because one of my favorite stores, Torrid, is having a lingerie sale on some cute, cute, cute items!! Check out the lingerie sale here, by clicking here.

There is only one Torrid, here in the Austin area, at Lakeline Mall, and there's one sales associate that has been in the store the last two times that I have gone in to shop. She has been dressed so well in Torrid items and has given me lingerie ideas to pair up for a semi-casual date night.

Check out my Torrid inspired looks! Have you ever worn lingerie for a more daring, casual look? This is the time to do it!! Especially since Torrid is currently having a lingerie sale!

Taking Lingerie Casual by lmichelle1 featuring tripp pants

14 Days of Loving: Romantic Movies

I love a good movie...I mean one that while you're watching it, you don't want it to end, that's how good it is. I have a diverse taste (I like to think) so I like watching movies over several genres.

So, I decided to go through my collection and pick a few romantic movies that a real man wouldn't mind watching with his love...especially if it could benefit him in return!  This year, take some time to watch some of you and your beau's favorite love stories!

My top three are below, what are yours?