Are you one of the many bloggers who couldn’t make the September 9, 2010 Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) Evolving Influence Conference in New York? Yeah, well join the club. Boo. This year’s conference is bigger than ever, and I am super excited to see how far IFB and fashion bloggers have come in such a short time.

While it’s no fun being stuck at home, for the majority of the IFB community, that is the case. But that doesn’t mean you have to feel out-of-the-loop. Here are a few ways you can follow the IFB conference from afar.

Go FASHION BLOGGERS!

Follow my comprehensive IFB Evolving Influence list on Twitter

Get real-time coverage through live tweets from conference speakers and sponsors, in a single list I’ve already created for you.

Follow my IFB 2010 list on Twitter |  See who’s on the list

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Watch the IFB livestream

Check back for livestream access details. I will provide details or access here if possible.

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Conference schedule

ONE: It’s Just Business: Make a living with your blog
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Brought to you by Bloglovin’ |  Speakers: Mattias Swenson - Bloglovin’ • Phil Oh - Street Peeper

Whether you’re getting up and running, or taking monetization to the next level, this session will help you demystify the business of blogging.

TWO: Get Involved: Cultivate a passionate readership
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Brought to you by theFashionSpot |  Speakers: Yuri Lee - LOOKBOOK.nu • Gala Darling - Gala Darling

One of the best parts about blogging is community engagement. Learn from the masters how to get your readers excited about your blog, and how to keep the love alive!

THREE: Foot in The Door: Launch your new career with your blog
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.  |  Speakers: Susanna Lau - Style Bubble • Bryanboy

Blogging can open the doors to amazing new careers in fashion. This session will share experiences from those who made it happen for them.

FOUR: Content is Queen: Captivate your audience with compelling content
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Brought to you by TheFind |  Speakers: Amy Odell - The Cut • Emily Schuman - Cupcakes & Cashmere • Rumi Neely – Fashion Toast

What makes a great blog? Writing? Photography? Style? Je ne sais quoi? Here we’ll talk about how content will always bring your blog to the next level.

Big thanks to Grechen of Grechen Blogs for including me in her excellent 5 things {project}! What a valuable resource and reflection on blogging, by bloggers, for bloggers.

Hop on over to read 5 things I’ve learned about blogging: Grit and Glamour.

PS: For those of you blogging on WordPress, Grechen has a stellar list of WordPress resources on the right rail of her blog. And I will preach it as often as possible: Blogger users, please, make it easier on yourself and your readers and move over to WordPress!

Talk about making my day! Working through my reading list at Bloglovin’, imagine how surprised I was when I hit The Jersey Gem and saw this! I told y’all in my last Sunday Coffee that Meg (of  The Jersey Gem) was talented. Well, if this ain’t quite the rendition, I don’t know what is! 

An illustration of yours truly (and in my fave vest! ) by Meg of the Jersey Gem.

And here’s the inspiration, from WVW: Fall Preview: 

Woot! Let’s celebrate. Tomorrow is the first day of September, and in my head, that marks the beginning of fall. BOOT TIME!

This week, Katy decided to take her Friend Friday* questions in a more lighthearted direction ( fall 2010 fashion!), and I’m so glad she did. Because from about the beginning of August annually, I just can’t wait to get back to fall, so all my beloved boots and cozy knits can come out and play.

Here are the questions:

1. What new fashion trend are you looking forward to sporting this fall?
2. Which item in your closet is most likely to be your go-to transition piece?
3. What item from last year are you looking forward to reinventing this fall?
4. What is your favorite part about this time of the year?
5. Will you be attending any fashion events this fall?

*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.

Is fashion blogging nothing more than conspicuous consumption? Well, if you’re shooting outfits and giving details about who designed each item you’re wearing, and perhaps even listing where you purchased items, I think that’s kind of a no-brainer. Inconspicuous people don’t post details about what they buy and wear on the Internet.

While the expression “conspicuous consumption” seems to carry a negative connotation, I don’t necessarily see it that way. Being conspicuous isn’t always a bad thing; attention-getting style or personalities are what make some bloggers so compelling (hello, Gala Darling).  I believe it’s the blogger’s intent and voice that determine how readers interpret conspicuous displays of acquisitions and style. Some are conspicuous and well-received, some are loathed.

But can all fashion blogs be labeled as conspicuous consumption?  That’s this week’s Friend Friday* topic. We were asked:

1. Do you think fashion blogs are often just conspicuous consumption? Are some?
2. As bloggers do we have the obligation to explain our personal financial status, how we pay for the things we showcase, if we have debt, etc…
3. Critics often say that fashion bloggers should use their money to support more worthwhile causes than clothing themselves in a different outfit daily. What’s your reaction to this?
4. Since you started blogging, do you spend more money on fashion and beauty products?
5. Life is about more than what money can buy. What are the things that top your list of what life is all about?

PS: I hope y’all ALWAYS come back to my blog, though!

*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.

It’s been a week of questions, and thankfully (for these at least), I do have answers. I was recently selected by a couple bloggers to answer the following questions, but I’ve also answered a few on Formspring lately as well. Have you got a question? You can always ask it anonymously—just go to Grit and Glamour on Formspring. 

••  Questions from Tex of Fashion Butter ••

Do you wear a watch?
Yes. Most of the time.

What types of things do you refuse to spend money on?  Splurge on?
Hair products. I always come back to Pantene no matter how expensive the other stuff is or what it claims to do. I splurge on shoes and bags. If that wasn’t already terrifyingly apparent.

Favorite animal?
Men. Followed by dogs.

The best concert you have ever attended?
The Cult and Billy Idol back in the late ’80s. Ian Astbury (with the long hair) and Billy Idol, both in their prime. Need I say more?

What’s the oldest piece of clothing you still own and wear?
My BCBG black jersey skirt. 13 years of year-round wear, and holding.

How do you *really* feel about cat print rompers?
I suppose it depends on the romper. And the wearer.

What towns/cities have you lived in over the years?
I’ve only lived in three different cities. Sydney, Australia is one of them.  What a trip that was, literally and figuratively.

Hot sauce … evil or yummy?
Yummy. But if we’re talking sauces, then the yummiest of the lot is the foie gras truffle butter sauce at Peninsula Grill in Charleston. Now you’re speaking my language.

••  Questions from Anika of Sweetfaced Style ••

What is your happiest memory?
In recent times, my wedding night in Sydney. Followed by the night I saw a Shakespearean production at the Sydney Opera House.

What is your passion?
Writing. Fashion and style. Great food and great drinks with great company!

What would you do if you had the guts to?
I’d open my own boutique. And it would be swank, hi-fi, and like no other. Anyone want to lend me a few mil?

Do you smile at strangers?
I do when I’m walking by them on the sidewalk or if they smile at me.

What pisses you off?
Betrayal. And dishonesty…which is betrayal. Cruelty to animals and children. And when people don’t say thank you when I hold the door for them.

What makes you laugh out loud with joy?
Some of the things my parents and nephew say.

What is the best choice you have made this far in life?
Going back to school and getting my Master’s degree.  It opened up so many doors for me.

What is the one question you secretly want to be asked?
I’m an angel investor…how much money would you like for your startup?

••  My Questions  ••

In turn, I am supposed to select bloggers and ask them my own set of questions. Aren’t I lucky…I get to nominate 16 of you to share more about yourselves. I’ve tried not to select those who may have already been selected by others. But if I did, please forgive me.

Oh, and of course, if you don’t want to answer, that’s cool, and if you’re not on the list, who cares! You can always answer on your blog anyway. I love reading everyone’s answers. It’s so much more interesting than just passing on awards, isn’t it?

1. A Fashion Adventure
2. Beautifully Invisible
3. DailyDivaDish
4. Fashion Coconuts (‘Cause I know your answers are going to be hysterical…)
5. Fierce
6. In Professorial Fashion (Aren’t I smart? Two for the price of one, A-Dubs and D-Med.)
7. Jersey Gem
8. Leia’s Delights
9. Lipstick & Lumber
10. Mis Papelicos
11. Miss Jones & Me
12. Prêt à Porter P
13. Style Underdog
14. The Fashionable Life of a Navy Wife
15. The Fashionista Next Door
16. VOGUE GONE ROGUE

And this is what I want to know:

• Practically everyone is six degrees from a celebrity, political figure, or famous person. Will you explain your six degrees of separation from someone famous?
• What have you always wanted to do, but haven’t yet?
• Your favorite meal is…
• If you could only save one pair of shoes in your closet, which pair would it be, and why?
• Which handbag would you buy if money were no object?
• Who is your girl crush?
• What is your vice?
• Last song you listened to?

Some recent negative comments about a model’s size/weight prompted this week’s Friend Friday* topic. Not that we need any blog brouhaha to bring SIZE to the forefront; it is always brewing just below the surface of fashion’s often implausible ideals.

We were asked:

1. Should someone’s size stop them from fashion blogging or having a voice in the community?
2. In your opinion, can the terms “curvy” and “plus-sized” be used interchangeably when it comes to fashion?
3. Many people make the argument that catering to plus sized women would promote being overweight as “okay.”
   What do you think?  Should more designers be catering to plus-size women?
4. Should the mainstream fashion industry be showcasing more plus-size models?
5. For you personally, how do you view your size, the struggle with it through the years, your ideal size, etc.

PS: Thanks Kristin, for making me the Freshly Picked Rosebud of the week on Bon Bon Rose Girls! I am so appreciative!

*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.

Recently, Leia of Leia’s Delights wrote a guest post for G&G about The Stunning, Sensual Sari after I read a post on her blog about the traditional dress of her culture. I asked Leia if she’d be willing to share more because I have been fascinated by the beauty of the sari for years. Along the way, I came to know Tanvi of The Fabulous Life of Not-So-Rich and Infamous, and in exploring her blog, I saw some incredible photos of Tanvi at her wedding and I immediately wanted to know more about another mysterious and magnificent aspect of Hindu culture: mehndi.

Tanvi agreed to explain this custom, and I am so grateful. Thank you Tanvi!

Relevance of Mehndi in Hindu Traditions

By Tanvi of  The Fabulous Life of Not-So-Rich and Infamous
Portions of this post by Tanvi were sourced from Importance Of Mehndi In Indian Culture.

Photo by Juanita Tommy. Source: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo969412.htm.

Over the last four years I’ve been blogging, I’ve struggled with whether I should remain cloaked in anonymity, or if “coming out” on my blog was the right thing to do. Obviously, I chose the latter; it’s a calculated risk, but also me accepting responsibility for my words—whether I’m being praised or chastised.  So that’s what we’re talking about for Friend Friday* this week: privacy and the role it plays in blogging.

We were asked:

1. Do you think privacy is something we should worry about as bloggers?
2. Do you use your real name or a pen name? What was behind that decision?
3. How much personal information do you reveal about your life beyond the blog?
4. What will you never reveal?
5. As bloggers, we have to an extent made ourselves ‘public’ figures. But still there are things that are intimate to each of us that does not need to be known by anyone that stumbles across our blog. How do you determine what is appropriate for public consumption and what is private to you?

What I neglected to mention: I’d never, ever join Foursquare or allow geo-location of Tweets. That is just nuts. I don’t think it’s safe for bloggers to reveal their exact whereabouts.

*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.

I am terrifically excited to be the August 1, 2010 featured article on Wikifashion. Wikifashion? If you haven’t heard of it, maybe you’ve seen Wikipedia, which is basically a big collaborative online encyclopedia. That means anyone can contribute to it. Wikifashion is the same thing, but exclusively for topics related to fashion.

Grit and Glamour featured on Wikifashion on August 1, 2010.

What is Wikifashion?

Wikifashion’s About page explains it beautifully:

Wikifashion is a way for fashion lovers to catalogue brands, designers, fashion shows and all things fashion in a highly effective and collaborative way. Wikifashion will allow fashion lovers and designers alike to update clothing from season to season and to enable access to the most up-to-date information on fashion.

All members of the fashion community- from fashion lovers to designers are encouraged to contribute and edit content.

Wikifashion is based in Brisbane, Australia and was founded by Madeline Veenstra (the fashion lover) and Coen Hyde (the techie).

Information that is contributed to this site, should remain unbiased and not include any form of advertising.

http://wikifashion.com/wiki/Wikifashion:About

It’s been on my to-do list for a while, but I finally got around to creating a proper page for G&G on Wikifashion, which, admittedly, is not as simple as it may appear. I sent a tweet about it and Madeline Veenstra contacted me and said that she wanted to feature me on the site, and I was so flattered. (Thank you Madeline!) It is a great resource that fashion lovers and bloggers should support.

Since I knew I’d be featured, and having had some challenges in creating my own Wikifashion page, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to spread the word about the site and as well as some tips (and code) for creating a page for your blog on Wikifashion.

Creating a Wikifashion Page

• First, take a look at the page for Grit and Glamour on Wikifashion so you get some ideas for your own page. I also encourage you to explore other pages within the site.
• Next, you’ll need to create an account and be given permission to upload files.
  Tip: To save yourself trouble later, make your username your blog name, the way you want to appear on the site.
• Also take a look at the In-depth Manual and  Blogs Style Guide so you can get an idea of how the back-end works. These sections of the site will be very helpful as you develop your page or contribute to others.
• Get into edit mode for your new page. Copy and paste the code below from my page into yours. I’ve left my copy fully-intact—be sure to replace relevant portions with your own info.{{Blog
  | name = Grit and Glamour
  | created = 2006
  | author = Vahni Georgoulakos
  | style = Fashion and lifestyle
  | image = [[Image:Gritandglamour3.jpg|frameless|center|250px]]
  | website = [http://www.gritandglamour.com www.gritandglamour.com]
  }}

  ==About Grit and Glamour==
  Grit and Glamour is a fashion and lifestyle blog by Vahni Georgoulakos. With wit and honesty, Vahni explores topics and trends in fashion and how they relate to her own personal style (and ever-growing shoe collection).

  ==About Vahni==
  Vahni is a professional writer and Web content manager with a Master’s Degree in English. She is a first-generation Greek-American from the southeastern U.S., who is also a contributor to:

  * [http://heartifb.com Independent Fashion Bloggers]
  * [http://www.intheircloset.com In Their Closet]
  * [http://www.askmissa.com Ask Miss A]
  * Examiner.com—[http://www.examiner.com/x-17462-International-Style-Examiner International Style Examiner]

  ==Features and Coverage==
  [[File:Grazia_feature_GritandGlamour.jpg|frame|Blogger Vahni of Grit and Glamour in the November 23, 2009 issue of Grazia Australia.]]
  Grit and Glamour has been featured in the print edition of [[Grazia]], and was selected by Jennine Tamm for a Blogger Spotlight on [[Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB)]] in July 2010.

  On Vahni and Grit and Glamour, Jennine wrote, “Aside from her lovely and wearable style, beautiful photos, great life and style tips and pop culture, she’s also contributed great posts to IFB. We love her enthusiasm, knowledge and belief in the community.” Tamm, Jennine. Blogger Spotlight: Grit and Glamour. Independent Fashion Bloggers. [http://heartifb.com/2010/07/28/blogger-spotlight-grit-and-glamour/ http://heartifb.com/2010/07/28/blogger-spotlight-grit-and-glamour]

  Additional coverage includes:

  * [http://areflectionbytuesdai.blogspot.com/2010/07/interview-by-her-grit-and-glamour.html A Reflection by Tuesdai], July 8, 2010 featured blogger.
  * [http://www.beautifulstranger.tv/blog/post/2010/06/Vahnis-Grit--Glamour.aspx BeautifulStranger.tv blog], June 10, 2010. Featured entrant in ”Are You the Next Beautiful Stranger?” blogger contest.
  * [http://www.beautifulstranger.tv/blog/post/2010/06/Vahnis-Grit--Glamour.aspx Jeffrey Campbell blog], June 1, 2010. Featured in “NEW STYLE ALERT: MUCHO. Are you a bootie, or a cuffed pump?”
  * [http://missvinylahoy.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/featured-blogger-for-may-grit-and-glamour/ Miss Vinyl Ahoy], May 2010 featured blogger.
  * [http://stylesamplemag.com/2009/11/holiday-shopping-what-will-you-buy/ Style Sample Magazine], November 2009. Featured in ” Holiday Shopping: What will YOU buy?”

  ==Contact/Follow==

  * [http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/1191017/grit-and-glamour/follow Grit and Glamour on Bloglovin']
  * Twitter: [http://twitter.com/gritandglamour @gritandglamour]
  * In a reader: [http://feeds2.feedburner.com/gritandglamour/bHJu Subscribe to Grit and Glamour through RSS]
  * Email:[mailto:gritandglamour@gmail.com gritandglamour@gmail.com ]
  * Ask a question: [http://www.formspring.me/gritandglamour Grit and Glamour on Formspring]

  ==References==

  [[Category:Blogs]]

  [[Category:Blogs of USA]]

• Once you have permission to upload files, upload a photo for your page that is exactly 250 pixels wide. It will not automatically be re-sized for the info box on the right of your page. After uploading, grab the filename and replace my filename (in orange above) with yours.
• If you don’t want as many subheadings, or want more, you can create more easily by copying and pasting relevant sections of the code above, or by simply deleting.
• If you want to include additional images in the body of the page, you can. Read more about images and placement.
• You can preview your page before publishing/saving. You can move pages to a new page if you mess up, but you can’t delete without special permission. Read more about deleting a page.
• The key is to present accurate, factual information—like you’d find in an encyclopedia—about your blog. What you choose to list is totally up to you. I created my page on my own. If you choose to include your blog on Wikifashion, you decide what you are comfortable sharing with the world.