FashionSpeak 2015 Recap

I'm a big fan of fashion events. I'm a really big fan of fashion events that include furthering my education in the field. The type of events where you can not only network with other industry insiders, but also learn from the industry's experts.

FashionSpeak is just that type of event. The one day conference is the only conference that brings together all of the area's style experts and fashion connoisseurs. Comprised of 5 panel presentations on 5 separate topics, there's something for everyone, whether you're a student (shoutout to the 45 Central Michigan University fashion students who attended) or a longtime business owner. There's also a lot of really amazing fashion eye candy.

After last year's stellar turnout and thoughtful lineup of speakers, my expectations were high. I was especially excited to see Roslyn of Detroit is the New Black (I'm admittedly a huge fan of both Roslyn and the brand and own this, this, and this from her shop). She shared her story from intern to buyer to shop keeper and had everyone taking notes. Designer Kevan Hall - who has dressed everyone from red carpet celebrities to Michelle Obama - also gave a phenomenal interview. Honest, bold, and full of wisdom (check my Twitter feed for some of my favorite quotes of his), he inspired the entire room to be persistent and tenacious and start knocking doors down to achieve your dreams.

Check out all the details from the day below and be sure to attend next year's event!

hustling

Some of the best dressed guests: Bruna of Style Mile, C'erra of Anthony Neil Brand, Lex of That Chic Lex, and a CMU student

CMU students. I definitely did not dress this well in college.

Thanks Bruna for snapping pics of me during the event!

top: j.crew (similar)

pants: shopbop

sleeveless coat: ann taylor (similar)

shoes: nordstrom (similar)

watch: shinola

bracelet: stella and dot renegade cluster

Fall Fun

I effing love fall. Everything about it. The leaves, the smells, the colors. Bonfires, football, cider. I love all of it.

This past weekend I had the most quintessential, clichéd, fabulous fall weekend ever. My husband, puppy and I rented a lake house, complete with vibrant changing leaves. I canoed. I sat by the fire. I picked apples. I checked out giant pumpkins. I drank cider. I wore wool and plaid, cozy sweaters and leather boots.

It was perfect. No pumpkin spice latte necessary.

sweater: old (similar)

vest: c/o south moon under

denim: c/o south moon under (currently 20% off!)

boots: j.crew (old, similar)

sunglasses: ray-ban

How to Wear Flares

Remember when skinny jeans became all the rage? We were all wearing bootcut jeans and suddenly skinny jeans were the "it' denim to own. Remember for a crazy minute everyone thought you had to actually be skinny to rock your skinnies?

Well our newest denim challenge is the flare. With a 70s vibe dominating the retail scene right now, flared denim is back with a vengeance. And with the flare trend in full force, I've had an overwhelming number of friends, family, and clients tell me they are too short/too curvy/too whatever to wear them. Just like with our favorite skinny jeans, there's a huge misconception about who can wear this denim style.

So when South Moon Under asked me to team up and style a pair of denim for their Denim Event, I knew I wanted to focus on flares and talk about how versatile and easy they can really be.

Without further ado, here are my tips for wearing flares:

1. To elongate your legs, go for a higher rise and higher shoe. Unless you already have long legs, flare pants just look better with heels (look how tall this 5'0 blogger looks in her flares). 

2. Keep the hem grazing the floor or barely off of it - unless you want to be bold and try out the new cropped flares (so not my jam), in which case, be intentional with it.

3. Keep the "flare" under control. We are not headed to studio 54 in our bell bottoms. Don't let the diameter of the flare overwhelm you and go too far into costume mode. 

4. If you have curves, stick to a more fitted top to show off your shape. If you do decide to go for a looser top, tuck it it to define your waist (like I did in this post). Got hips? A bit of a flare actually helps to balance your proportions (loving the example from this blogger). 

And finally,

5. Be confident and own your look!

Who's loving the trend this season? Tag me (@closetconfessional) in your pics and show me how you're rocking your flares! And if you're hoping to invest in a new pair of flares (or other jeans), check out South Moon Under's Denim Event and get 20% off all full price denim until October 25th!

top: c/o south moon under

denim: c/o south moon under

vest: old (similar)

clutch: pitaya (similar)

necklace: stella and dot

sunglasses: ray-ban

ring: kendra scott

Everybody Vs. Cancer

I'm going to get serious for a minute (if you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know why).

This past week has been extremely emotional and difficult for me. Two weeks ago I began experiencing constant pressure in my chest and shortness of breath. All too familiar symptoms. Cancer symptoms.

On Monday, I met with my radiologist to discuss a possible relapse. On Tuesday. I got poked and prodded and scanned. On Wednesday, I waited. I waited the longest 22 hours and 52 minutes of my life. I waited as each passing second felt like an eternity. As anyone who has had cancer and has then relapsed from cancer can attest, every single second feels like a torturous lifetime.

I was lucky. After spending my time in limbo panicking (because getting cancer for the third time in as many years does not typically yield positive outcomes) and attempting to not completely lose it, my scans came back clean. Three days before my 3rd year of clean scans.

So on October 3rd, I took a deep breath and celebrated making it to 3 years.

I'm not totally in the clear yet (medically, I'm not "cancer free" until year 5). Because of previous cancer treatments, I am still dealing with health issues every day. My thyroid remains out of control. My body doesn't properly absorb nutrients, meaning I am severely deficient in most of my vitamins regardless of how  much green juice I consume. My digestive system is in full on dysfunction mode. The pressure in my chest still needs to be addressed.

But all of that? I can deal with. Because all of that? Is not fucking cancer.

Life is crazy and unpredictable, so take a moment and appreciate it. And I promise on Wednesday, I'll be back to our regularly scheduled program, appreciating clothing and shoes and accessories.

tee: detroit vs. everybody

skirt: zara (similar here)

shoes: zara (similar here)

clutch: clare v. via willys detroit