#welldressedmw

Initially, when I was privileged enough to be invited to the the VIP Blogger Lounge presented by the Well Dressed Midwest network, I was thrilled. Then came the butterflies in the pit of my stomach. While I was thrilled at the opportunity, I was so nervous because I had no idea what to expect…networking with PR people and founders of companies sounded both exhilarating and stressful.

 Since I went into it knowing that there would be plenty of brand representatives at the event, I decided that I needed to make a good impression no matter how nervous I was. As it turned out, all of those worries washed away the very minute I walked in the door. The comfortable atmosphere made it easy to converse with all of the amazing different companies that were represented.

I talked with brand representatives that had graduated from my university and majored in the same thing that I am currently majoring in. I met local business owners whose entrepreneurship skills are absolutely out of this world. I met people that I am SO having style my hair for my next big event. I even talked to wonderful people all about their experiences in different countries dealing with fair trade fashion and social justice.I connected so much with the people from Partners for Just Trade, a non-profit that works with artisans in Cambodia, Peru and Haiti. Of course, if you’ve been following the blog for a little while, you’ll know how passionate I am about fair trade and providing long-term relationships and fair wages to artisans. I even was able to get a coupon code for 25% on things from the website! If you enter code DOGOOD at the register, 25% is automatically deducted from your order! Supporting others around the globe and getting a good deal? How much better does it get?

Through fun activities like getting flash tattoos, getting my nails done, turning a strip of my hair pink and having waaaay too much fun in the photo booth, this evening was not one that I will be forgetting any time soon!