Meeting Brenda Kinsel (& Link Up)

July 5, 2018

One thing I love the most about blogging is meeting other bloggers!  When I started blogging, it actually never really crossed my mind that I’d be making friends with other bloggers.  I guess I never expected a chance to meet others .. and I certainly never expected them to be so darn nice!  But over time I’ve made amazing connections with some cool and interesting ladies. I’m super grateful to blogging for bringing such inspirational women into my life!

This week I got to meet Brenda Kinsel, who I had been following on Instagram for years.  Cathy of Bay Area Fashionista came along for the fun, and of course she’s one of my besties who I met because of our blogs as well.

 

How adorable is Brenda?!

This is what I wore (more on that later).

 

 

Meeting Brenda

Brenda and I decided to meet up at a pastry and coffee shop. As soon as I rounded the corner, I recognized her right away and immediately felt her warmth and kindness.  We have lots of in common including a love of style and writing, a background in teaching, and birthdays a day apart!

I was fascinated to learn more about this chic and interesting lady!  Brenda has been an image consultant for years (way before blogging was even a thing).  She runs her own business, has loyal customers, and even teaches other people to become image consultants.  Along with all that success, Brenda is a published author of several style books!  One meeting with her and now I can’t wait to dive into her books!

Of course Brenda and I talked about everything … blogging, style, families, and aging.  Soon Cathy joined us and it was a three-way chat fest about everything under the sun from there!  Bottom line, we all can’t wait to do it again soon!

Check out Brenda’s blog!

 

What I Wore

Now when you make a blogger meet up date, the first question on your mind is always “what will I wear?”!!  This day I decided I wanted to wear this retro 70’s polyester button front shirt that I had bought awhile back at a vintage store.  I just loved it when I saw it … the colors were perfect for me and it fit like it was made for me.  If you see a piece that makes your heart sing, I always say buy it and the rest will fall into place.  This day I wore the shirt with cropped flares, funky buckle boots, big pink sunnies, and fun new dangling Kendra Scott earrings.

Style tip:  When styling a vintage item, it’s usually best to keep the rest of the outfit more current so that it doesn’t look like a costume.  The other items here are modern but share a bit of that 70’s aesthetic.  What do you think?  How do you feel about styling vintage items?  Do you have any tips or rules?

 

 

SHOPPING LINKS

 

Also on the blog this week: what I wore for the 4th, including a new J.Jill cotton weave blouse perfect for the summer heat.

Hope your 4th was fabulous and fun!  Please share your style with us by linking up a blog post or Instagram post!

Fun & Fashion 

Dawn Lucy

An InLinkz Link-up


Link Ups: Visible Monday! Shoe and Tell!  #iwillwearwhatilike link up! Hello Monday! How I Summer! Creative Mondays!  Turning Heads Tuesday! Confident Tuesday!   Style Perspectives! Trendy Wednesday! Style on the Daily!  Jersey Girl Texan Heart! Color and Grace! Thursday Fashion Files! Chic and Stylish! Labour of Fashion! Thursday Favorite Things!  Thursday Moda! Top of the World Style!  Welcome to the Weekend! Passion for Fashion! Fabulous Friday!   Flashback Fashion Fridays! Weekend Wear Link Up!  Edge of the Week! Nancy’s Fashion Style!   Sharing a Journey!

32 Comments

  • Reply Mica July 5, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    What a fun shirt, and how nice you got to meet and catch up! I’ve met some bloggers a few times and it’s always fun to see friends you met online in person!

    Thank you for the link up!

    Hope that you’re having a great week so far! 🙂

    Away From The Blue Blog

  • Reply Gina July 5, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    Meeting up with fellow bloggers can be so fun! Glad to hear you all had such a nice time. And your outfit is fabulous! Love that blouse and especially your new Kendra Scott earrings.
    Gina || On the Daily Express

  • Reply Jodie July 5, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    It is so incredible to meet the fabulous ladies behind the blogs we read!! What a treasure to meet Brenda!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  • Reply Terri Gardner July 5, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    I follow Brenda also and get her newsletter. It must have been such a joy to meet up with her.

  • Reply Laurie July 5, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    It’s so lovely to meet up with blogger friends! I wish I wasn’t so far away! Xx

  • Reply Pam Greer July 5, 2018 at 3:58 pm

    I love your outfit! What fun to meet up with fellow bloggers!

  • Reply Nicole at High Latitude Style July 5, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Yes, it’s exciting to meet a fellow fashion blogger. You outfits are great!

  • Reply Brenda Kinsel July 5, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    Such fun! I’ve been scheming ways for us to connect again before you head back to the classroom. This was a dream come true, Dawn! For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of meeting Dawn in person, I’ll just let you know she’s so much fun. Make the trip! It’s worth it!
    XO Brenda

    • Reply Dawn Lucy July 6, 2018 at 6:14 am

      Haha … that’s the best compliment, Brenda! I do like having fun! :D. And yes, let’s plan another meet up before school starts!! Sending you the biggest hug!
      OXOX

  • Reply Anna Marcus July 5, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    What a lovely opportunity to meet your fellow bloggers in person and have real fun. Love your blouse and cut off jeans.
    https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/

  • Reply Anna at Muttonstyle July 5, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    I think I try to blend with modern or go for a boho look when I use vintage. Just scraping my memory on when I’ve done it recently. It’s always fun meeting fellow bloggers. I’ve made a few good friends that way. Sounds like you had fun.

    https://www.muttonstyle.com

  • Reply Nancy Baten July 5, 2018 at 11:40 pm

    Isn t it fantastic to meet other bloggers IRL! What a lovely post!

  • Reply Kathrine Eldridge July 6, 2018 at 4:04 am

    What a fun meet up! Love your casual chic look and thanks for the link up!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

  • Reply Kim Tuttle July 6, 2018 at 4:24 am

    Dawn- you look great, as per usual! Love the black pants and booties. Also loving Brenda’s blue glasses. Such an inspiring woman! Thanks for linking up- hope you enjoy the weekend!

  • Reply Joi @INMYJOI July 6, 2018 at 4:26 am

    Love your bag!!!
    Joi | http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com

  • Reply Kellyann July 6, 2018 at 4:30 am

    I had the pleasure of meeting my blogging bestie in person just a few weeks ago and it was the best! Looks like y’all had a great time!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  • Reply Amy July 6, 2018 at 4:59 am

    How fun! I love Brenda’s style!

  • Reply Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies July 6, 2018 at 5:44 am

    Brenda seems so lovely! How lucky to have a meet up. You two look like firm friends already! And both of you ladies look totally stylish! xx

  • Reply Linda Cassidy July 6, 2018 at 6:28 am

    I so love when IRL collides with blog life. It’s a whole new world I am not sure any of us expected to find. Don’t forget to stop by every thursday at A Labour of Life’s Link up

  • Reply Jessica A Jannenga July 6, 2018 at 6:45 am

    I had a great time meeting the other bloggers in NYC in March, it must have been fun meeting Brenda. I follow her on Instagram and love her style. Looks like you had fun!
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

  • Reply Cheryl Tucker July 6, 2018 at 6:57 am

    I love Brenda and her blog is fabulous! I read her all the time! Your outfit is so perfect. I would love to copy it exactly!
    Peace!
    Cheryl
    http://www.northwestmountainliving.com

  • Reply Rosemary Davis July 6, 2018 at 7:20 am

    Wow, what fun! I love following Brenda and think she is amazing!
    Great outfits, too!
    Rosemary

  • Reply Elle July 6, 2018 at 8:27 am

    What a beautiful trio you make. It looks like you have been friends for such a long time. This indeed looks like so much fun. I really love what all of you are wearing. Thank you for sharing this.
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

  • Reply Julie Caron July 6, 2018 at 9:20 am

    So true. It’s been great getting to know other bloggers. It really is a community. Thanks for hosting the link up.

  • Reply Cheryl July 6, 2018 at 10:47 am

    I follow Brenda on Instagram too—I love that you guys met up in real life! I also really love your black bucket bag!
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

  • Reply Shelbee on the Edge July 6, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Your blouse is fabulous and I love the way you have it styled! And isn’t it so much fun to meet other bloggers?! It really is one of my favorite things about this gig…meeting so many wonderful, beautiful, interesting, empowering people. I have been following Brenda on Instagram since the very beginning of my blogging journey as well. She is so fabulous! What a wonderful meeting for you all. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  • Reply Darlene July 6, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    Hi Dawn,
    How fun to connect with a fellow blogger! I, too, have been following Brenda on Instagram; she is truly an accomplished lady. As are you, as I know teaching English AND blogging is no easy task! Haha! I like the way you styled the blouse with the 70’s vibe. Totally works! Happy weekend.
    xx Darlene

  • Reply Angie July 6, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    Hi, Dawn
    I love Brenda Kinsel and would have liked to hear more about her. You both looked great, and it’s amazing you have birthdays a day apart! It must have been such a meaningful exchange.
    Thanks for sharing your meetup,
    Angie
    http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com

  • Reply Chrissy Rowden July 7, 2018 at 3:19 am

    Brenda is adorable! And I’m with you, I didn’t expect to make friends through the blog but as it turns out, that’s the best part! I’ve not tried to style vintage items before but I love your advice for saying away from the costume “look”

  • Reply jacqui July 7, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    Super fun times! I’ve only met three blogging friends and would love to meet more! Thanks for sharing and hosting. Jacqui Mummabstylish

  • Reply CHERIE July 9, 2018 at 4:35 pm

    Oh, you girls look like you had so much fun! I love Brenda!! Are you girls both Geminis? I seem to remember your birthdays in June?? If so, me too. Love your vintage top!! XO

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com
    STYLE NUDGE

  • Reply Emma Peach July 10, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    I love meeting up with other bloggers, it’s always so much fun! Fabulous vintage shirt!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

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