Style Collective: Why I Joined & Raleigh Meetup

On July 17, 2017, I made one of the best decisions I could make for my blog, career, and personal goals…I joined Style Collective! Truly, I have never been happier to be a part of such a caring, inspiring, and motivating network of true #girlbosses (in every sense of the word!)

Style Collective was founded by the incomparable Annie Spano, as a result of workplace bullying, that in her own words, left her “feeling defeated and emotionally drained.” Annie wanted to create a community where women could work together and help each other to achieve success. I’d say she succeeded!

Style Collective is a platform for female bloggers and influencers to connect with one another, to grow, and to learn their craft! When you become a member, you instantly gain access to the community of women, but also to a library of fantastic (and super helpful) e-courses (the Monetizing e-course is EVERYTHING!!!); an exclusive education library with articles on content,photography and posing, monetizing, and branding yourself on social media; webinars and mentorship panels from other top bloggers (like Dede Raad: @dressupbuttercup on Instagram!); and a totally exclusive BRAND DIRECTORY with connects to the company execs for the brands you want to pitch to!!! That alone is worth membership! I got help creating my Media Kit, by following the Style Collective template, and I used the free stock photos as content and branding for my blog!

Style Collective screenshot
The SC Sister map, and a peek at the Groups home page!

So, not only do you get all of this access by joining Style Collective , but you also get ongoing help in the form of monthly content planners (these are soooo helpful! You can tell that Annie really puts her all into these!), and from other members themselves. When you join, you gain access to the Forums and Groups. I love using the Link Love feature in Groups…when I write a new post, I can add any link to Link Love, and get page views and comments from my sisters! Yes…your fellow members are called SC Sisters, and the name truly fits! I’ll be sharing the deets from this past Sunday, when I met up with my regional SC Sisters at the Quarterly Meetup, below!

I got a chance to meet up with some of my regional SC Sisters at the Cowfish (a super fabulous fusion restaurant featuring sushi and burgers. Great concept, right?!) I was so nervous…I’m relatively new to blogging, and I would be meeting up with some of my fave bloggers! It felt like the first day of school: I had my outfit all ironed and hanging on the door. ? I was also nervous because Annie Spano had recently moved to NC, and I had a feeling she would be in attendance. Well, all my nervousness disappeared when I walked in and was able to laugh, eat, and learn with some of the sweetest, knowledgeable, and beautiful women! Annie was present, and I was pretty starstruck when I saw her. I couldn’t think of what to say, but I did manage to let her know that she is such a role model and inspiration to me. The meet up was great, and the food was fantastic! This was my first time eating at the Cowfish, and I had a Spicy Crunchy Roll, and a Philly Roll. Both were phenomenal! The other ladies had Bento Boxes or burgers, and it appeared as though they enjoyed their meals as well.

Me with Annie Spano!

From L to R: Savannah Patrone, of The Perfected Mess; Amy Michelle of Style & Sequins ; Annie Spano of AnnieSpano.com; Ashli Carnicelli of The Skincare Belle; Cat Marchetta of CatherineMarchetta.com; and Azanique of Lots of Sass. Be sure and give these ladies a read, and a follow! ?

I wanted to share my outfit details with y’all because my blouse from NY & Company is a new favorite! I ordered it in three colors: the fuchsia shade shown here, as well as a lavender, and a floral print color! I am short waisted, and my belly is a problem area, so I love tops that skim over my tummy, and enhance my waistline. I paired this mock neck, faux wrap blouse with skinny jeans, and these killer (but comfy) leopard print pumps from DSW. You can click the links to purchase, or shop the widget below! My blouse runs true to size (I’m wearing an XL). I did size up in the pumps. I’m normally a size 8, but I took a size 8.5 in these!

See you next time!

 

New York & Company

About

Fashion, Lifestyle, and Travel blogger, based in NC.

43 comments

  1. Beautiful look.

    1. TheSuburbanSocialite

      Thank you so much!

  2. Congratulations Amber! I’ve heard about style collective but have yet to research it. Thanks for sharing your experience with them

  3. I am totally joining! This seems so awesome! BTW, your outfit was killer!

    1. TheSuburbanSocialite

      Yay! I think there’s a waitlist right now, but you can add your email. If I’m not mistaken, I had to go through the waitlist as well, but the process was quick!

  4. Style Collective sounds like a great group to join if you’re blogging in that niche. It’s so great to have a blogging tribe! Beautiful top!!

  5. This sounds like my kind of group! I love things like this – besides any excuse to go for sushi is a bonus, right? Love the pink blouse too!

  6. Love this! Our homebase is Raleigh so I loved seeing a post close to home 🙂

    1. TheSuburbanSocialite

      Oh yay! I hope our blogging paths will cross some day!

  7. This is so great! I would definitely love to join but sadly I live in Miami. I will definitely look into groups nearby, thanks for the idea.

    By the way, you look amazing!

  8. Loveeeee this post and love being able to support other SC ladies!

    xx Rebecca // The Crystal Press
    http://www.thecrystalpress.com/shop-richmond-crystal-press/

  9. Very cool! I’m going to bookmark their site — they’re not taking new members right now, apparently so I want to keep an eye on them for when they “reopen.” 🙂 Thanks for the tip and I hope you have fun at the conference! 🙂

    1. TheSuburbanSocialite

      Oh yes! Definitely join the waitlist!

  10. I’ve not heard about style collective and I don’t even know why. Its nice to be able to have a place of like minded people who are there to help and guide you through any help you need.

    1. TheSuburbanSocialite

      I love your blog, and you’d definitely enjoy, and benefit from Style Collective. I was not able to make sense of SEO, or pitching brands until I joined. But the friendships are what’s best!

  11. I’ve heard of style collective, but havent had time to look much into it. can you create your own widgets on here with your affiliate, do you know?

  12. I haven’t heard of this site before. I’ll have to check it out for sure. I really like your outfit. The top is so pretty.

  13. As much as I’ve heard decent things about style collective, I find the fee to be kind of off-putting, especially since it’s about community and bringing people together in the same circle…

    1. TheSuburbanSocialite

      I can understand that! I chose the $10/mo rate, and I find that it was well worth it for me! I’ve subscribed to sites where the material is there, but is not updated regularly, so it ended up being a bum deal. With Style Collective, new guides are always coming out, and the monthly content planners and calendars are worth the $10/mo for me, anyway! They are really helpful. Plus, I can’t put a price on connecting and networking!

  14. I have been an SC member from the start and Annie has really done an amazing job at growing the SC Community and making it a one-stop-shop for everything you need to know to be a successful blogger!!

    xoxo, (Your SC Sister) Kristen
    http://www.theglamorousgal.com

  15. i will surely look into this! as a new blogger this will be very helpful for me to expand and network! thanks for sharing!

  16. I absolutely love this post! I am so jealous about your meetup. There aren’t any others from my area to do a meetup. Hoping it grows soon and I will have other local bloggers to meetup with. Connecting online and all the resources have been amazing though.
    Krissy | https://www.thoughtfullyunraveled.com

  17. Girl you are rocking that red! And you know I love SC – it’s been so fun to connect with likeminded ladies like yourself. Hopefully there is an SF meet up in the near future! xx Shannon || http://www.champagneatshannons.com

  18. Thanks for this post! I’ve actually been on the fence about joining SC, so now I know I need to! <3

  19. I love Style Collective! So glad to be part of this community. And I adore your outfit!

    Linda
    https://lindatenchitran.com/2018/01/09/denim-jacket-winter/

  20. Wow! this is a fantastic opportunity. I am actually looking into it right now.

  21. This sounds like something I want to join!

  22. jeanettereneeblog

    You are a darling girl boss. I’m so glad you found a supportive and loving support system.

  23. This was so sweet, Amber! It was wonderful getting to know you! Cannot wait to see you next quarter and at conference! Also, the lotion you gave me is AMAZING! I can see why it’s your fave! Have a great week, sweet friend!

  24. Really like your look. Good to know about Style Collective, it is always so encouraging to be in the company of like-minded individuals.

  25. Is it only about style and fashion? I love connecting with other bloggers, but for food it’s a little harder.

  26. omg red is definitely your color you look so happy, and sushi? yum! sounds like the perfect time!

  27. Not trying to change the subject but that outfit is really darling on you. I would love to be a part of girl bosses but I live in Hicksville, USA, deep in the heart of rednecks. There’s isn’t anything around here like this.

  28. Amber!!! I just saw this post and I am the one who always feels so honored to meet my #SCSisters IRL!! Thank you again for driving so far and I look forward to seeing you at the next meetup and/or the conference! Big love to you! xo Annie

  29. natalielovesbeauty

    I had never heard of Style Collective until now! Thanks for introducing me to it, I will definitely look into joining!

  30. I heard about style collective from my friend… I would love to join it…. By the way your outfit looks great 😀

  31. Wow what an awesome opportunity and network you have found! It sounds like the perfect decision for your blogging career! You looked fabulous for it and I think you handled the meet up much better than I would have. Lol heck I wouldv’e gotten star struck even meeting up with a local news anchor that I see on t.v. everyday! ?

  32. Congratulations on joining the Style Collective community! It is always great to work with amazing likeminded people. Your shoes, omg is hot!

  33. I have never heard of style collective before. It sounds like a very interesting platform to connect with other bloggers. Connecting with other influencers is such a good thing.

  34. Finding a blogging tribe that helps and is supportive is always an added bonus. Glad you had fun with them.

  35. What a nice meet up with your friends! I love those sushi! Looks so tasty!

  36. Thank you for sharing your experience joining Style Collective. I just heard Annie speaking on an influencer podcast and immediately put my name on the waitlist. I created my blog the end of 2017/beginning 2018, but I have yet to launch until I build up enough posts. Do you think Style Collective will be beneficial in taking that step to launch or should I wait until I have a following to join? Thanks!

  37. Love this post! I joined SC this year and recently started my blog 🙂 Are you attending the NYFW week event for SC? Would love to meet up with you if so 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.