And hugs back to you Michelle! I woke up and 0-dark-thirty because like the little boy in the Disney commercial, "I'm to esited to sleep!" While the mysterious Aida and bubbly AJ slumber peacefully in the next room, let me tell you what's *really* going on.

This meet-up is the most amazing and crazy thing I have done in a long, long time and I can tell it's going to be such a shot in the arm for me! The women are just as incredible in person as they are online, but even more so! Yesterday, we met Rae, Marley and Vicki, along with her dashing husband Mike. The only funny thing is when you realize someone is not as tall or short as you thought they were. My comment to Aida that I thought she was about 5'10" was met with, "Well, I dress to look tall!" So there's that!

Rae is so beautiful and her deep sexy voice took me by surprise! I was so pleased when I learned that she doesn't straighten her silky long hair; it's completely natural. Marley is so sweet and kind and is having fun watching/helping us shop, even though she is on SYC. Vicki is the most thoughtful and gracious hostess! And their house looks like Candace Olsen designed their recent and complete reno. Too bad my 99Cents Only store batteries died after the first day rendering my camera useless.

At the mall yesterday, it was so much fun to critique each other in the dressing rooms and hear everyone's advice for styling. I'm feeling more confident about pattern mxing, wearing black with navy and wearing pearls in a casual way. Even with all of the advice, the camera (not mine!) still has it's role. I tried on a faux fur collar that I though was wonderfully retro and ladylike on me in the mirror. Someone helpfully snapped a pic and that's when I realized I looked more like Grizzly Adams than a 1950's starlet!

So far, I've only bought one top, but that was about what I expected. Today, we go to the swap meet where all of the clothing is a dollar. I may or may not take home a big haul. I'm becoming more discerning and I'd rather build my wardrobe slowly than have to cull some impulsive purchases later. So even though it seems impractical to fly somewhere, sleep in a hotel and rent a car just to go shopping for one top, I'm taking away SO much more than that in style education and I'm cementing friendships that will last a lifetime! If you ever get a chance to go to one of these YLF meet-ups, I hope you jump on it.

Angie, we miss you, but feel that you are with us in sprit. Aida gave us a lovely discription of you and relayed your greetings. I only with you could have been here in person.

Well, I'm off to get ready for another exciting day.
Cheers, all!
Claire

Thanks for the details, Claire! Your write-up is the next best thing to being there.

Thank you all for posting the little "teasers" for us to fill us in and whet our appetite for the big blog post. I'm so excited to hear more.
If there is a repeat of this weekend next year, I'm SO there.

I can't believe I'm missing all the fun! (Submerged in a freelance assignment, and a wedding today.) Please know I'm thinking about you all!

I tried calling AJ yesterday but got sent to VM. You guys must be having way too much fun to hear the phone, lol.

More updates, please!

Oh, I am loving this thread! Having been to two YLF meetups this year (Seattle and Manhattan) I can totally envision just how amazing you all are feeling right now. It is mystifying how so many women, from so many areas and lifestyles, can bond so quickly. But it is happening once again in LA, just like other meetups.

Once again we have Angie and Greg to thank for setting just the right tone on the site and communicating everything in such a way as to foster friendships that cut across all the differences that might, in other circumstances, divide us. But here we stand...united, and ready and willing to have FUN with fashion. Woo hoo!!! Keep those posts and photos coming, ladies.

This is just so GREAT! I'm so glad you all had such a great weekend. Can't wait to hear more details.

Yay! More pics! Fun to see everyone and such a great update from Claire!

Thank you, Claire for thinking of the rest of us

I just got home a little while ago from the second day of the of the wild, crazy, FUN Southern CAL YLF get-together - and I cannot wipe the smile off of my face. I just feel so honored and blessed to have gotten to spend the weekend with such quality women (AND savvy shoppers!) I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I had. I am soooo thankful that AJ decided that she was going to spend a weekend in CAL - and that she just put it out there on the forum - and people responded. (Kind of like "If you build it, they will come.") We had so many laughs and it was so much fun to help/suggest/find wardrobe items for each other. When I had to tell them all goodbye earlier tonight I felt as though I was saying goodbye to some of my best girlfriends! AJ - thank you, thank you, thank you for having the courage to put your idea out there! It was the BEST idea - personally, I really needed a weekend like this - it was a healing experience for me - and I just cannot wait for the next YLF weekend - and I really hope that more of you will be able to join us!

I would write more of the details (I really, really want to !) - but a blog post is being written about it - so I'll keep my mouth shut for now - even though its hard!

If you build it, they will come! How apt, Marley!

I'm just now winding down after returning home - MAN what a weekend! Never an awkward moment from the second I spotted Vicki's charismatic hubby waving me over to the house. Words cannot describe my sadness at not being able to stay longer and join the foray into Loehmann's. My hubs can hardly believe all the fun a group of "strangers" had together.

Although I'll be returning my two biggest purchases (NOT a reflection on the group's eye for style, but on my own unfamiliarity with my work wardrobe), the weekend of shopping was a huge success. You know you're doing something right when you return home from two straight days of hardcore mall hikes and feel *more* energetic than before you left!

Y'all, words can not even describe the fun we had today with our big group lunch. Nine YLF'ers from all over converged at Macaroni Grill. The restaurant resounded with our squeals from first time greetings and outfit marvelings!! Each lovely gal was just as fantastic as I had imagined plus more!! I actually felt a bit like a YLF groupie; just in awe of how I was actually in the same room with all these women who've I've only seen on my computer screen. Those three hours were the highlight of many fabulous moments I had this weekend!!

I will not say more so as not to ruin the blog post, but I just wanted to say thank you to Rae, Khris, MaryK, Una, Vicki, Marley and special thanks to my roomies Claire and Aida!! You gals are just AWESOME to take the time to spend with me and make this weekend one I'll never forget. Let's do this AGAIN!!

1) Double dose of shoe FABULOUSNESS!!
2) Claire thrifted a pair of John Varvatose for Converse eyelet cons and officially joined Team Wear!!
3) Toasting Angie and Greg for bringing us all together!
4) I had to pose with the killer to the power of KILLER duo Una and MaryK!!

Me too! What she (AJ) said. Happy and tired now. Nighty-night all!

I looove following this thread. I feel like I'm right there with you all. Cannot wait to read the blog post!!!

I'm so sad to have missed most of the festivities, but all the ladies are just as fab and wonderful in person as they are here on the forums. More even! Plus getting to spend quality time in the car with Una was a dream come true. And lunch at Macaroni Grill? Best. Girls'. Lunch. Evah.

Totally jealous but in such a good way! Sounds like the best gal's weekend ever!

You all look so amazing and stylish and happy!

I'm sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to board and reflecting on our incredible weekend.

I missed hearing about the planning of this weekend until if was only a week or so away. How amazing was is that AJ welcomed me to share her hotel and rental car (along with Aida)? All I had to do was hop on a standby flight and go along for the ride!
And what a ride it was. AJ is so friendly and welcoming. She set the tone for such a nice time. I love her cute casual style; nobody can rock a hat like AJ! I'm coming away with great some new ideas!

Aida is incredibly smart, beautiful and adventurous in her style. With youth on her side, she loves the 80's look and it doesn't look warmed over on her! She had some amazing picture taking tips (she could write a manual on this, and probably should). She also shared some posing pointers that were really helpful. It made me feel less self-conscious about having my picture taken and gave me some things to work on.
She shares her knowledge freely without ever making you feel stupid for the way you have been posting pictures! It's a process, for sure.

In fact I felt so welcomed and part of the group even though I'm still new on YLF, I don't have sophisticated style, a high powered job or a fat clothing budget.
Everyone gently encouraged me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. It really helped to see how style was modeled on everyone else and hear their comments in the flesh! What fun it was to have them tweak my outfit combinations to take me from "buttoned-up" to relaxed California-casaul!

Well, my flight is boarding. More on the other fabulous ladies I met later!

Still grinning from ear to ear this morning. LOVE the shot of Claire actually getting the SA to remove the tags from the shoes so she could wear them out of the store!

Aaahhh - I have such a warm, fuzzy feeling today. Thanks everyone!

- and Aida I have one more question about setting my camera but I know you're getting on your plane right now - so I'll give you a chance to get home first. :-))

It was so great meeting new YLFers (and seeing others again). The whole experience was a little overwhelming, but having a slew of feedback in the dressing room was awesome.
I can't wait until we can do it again!

I'm home safe and sound! I thought I'd tease y'all one last time with some final pics.

1) Aida, Claire and I had a room picnic for our last meal together.

Departure outfits:
2) Claire again batting for team wear with her new striped top.
3) Aida is killing me with the animal print shoes!
4) Had to have good 'ole BBQ brisket as soon as I landed!

<<HUGS>>

It looks like an amazing time was had by you all! As a newbie, I think it's great to see the comraderie of this forum transferred to RL! Fun! Looking forward to the blog post...really curious about the items you bought in Cali, what the styles are in the OC, food porn pics, and of course the gorgeous scenery! Ahhh, envious up here in Canada where we are experiencing very gloomy weather.