{fun} @BatesDesigns Blogger Studio Event

It was one of those nights where you are surrounding by really great people and the conversation just flows.

Let me just start by saying I am a major fan girl of Ms. Bates!  After all, she’s from the westside of Chicago just like me.

Lol, but besides that it was just lovely to be in her studio and hear her talk about her journey thus far and where her heart is currently leading her.

Barbara Bates started her business in 1986 and has been a celebrity favorite every since. Michael Jordan (yes MJ!) was one of her first famous clients. She is self taught and actually does not sew (which gives me hope for my own design aspirations)!

There are so many fab things I learned about her that made me love her even more, but one thing in particular stood out.

In 1999, she started her charity, the Barbara Bates Foundation, which donates prom dresses and formal wear to inner city students.

The recipients are students who are thriving in spite of the challenges of their environment.

I love that.

Janice is rockin a chic Barbara Bates dress

I also got to meet the gorgeous Catrice Armstrong, who handles PR for Barbara Bates. 

She is such a sweetheart.

Here I am with the fab Aminah Hanan, the Executive Director of Blogging While Brown.

(I so hate that I wont be able to attend it this year)

I loved chatting up Bianca of Avant Blargh and her photographer Daniel.
{I seriously need to get me a photographer! ;/}

They are working on a special project. Check out her blog!

As I mentioned above, I pulled out all the colors for the evening.
I had initially planned to keep it simple and wear a white t-shirt but couldn’t find the one I wanted.
So I pulled out this incredible scarf that I purchased at h&m at the last minute

Jacket: Jones New York | Jean: (similar) | Cap toe flats

I love this jacket! I will be wearing it with everything as I did with these neon stripes.