Thoughts from a 62 year old Influencer at the LTK Conference

It hard to articulate what a contrast this week is to last.

Last week was magical with my family. It was slow and tender.

This week is…full of thought corrections, hard work and uplifting “women supporting women” moments.

Just wanted to pass along a couple quick sales or codes. First, PrintFresh, the really cute fun printed robes & pjs gave me a code for 15% off but it’s only good until the 29th, so didn’t want you to miss that. It’’s NANETTE15.

Second, Boden 20% off ends Sunday night. (they extended it)

Third, Ann Taylor has $99 select styles, and 30% off sitewide. Note sure if it’ll last until Sunday when I usually send out the Sunday Browsing stack.

Oh, one more. Allie & Bess will be 30% off sitewide Friday-Sunday with code YEAR7

Nanette

Each week I find the good, the sweet in a moment or season that is hard, challenging, nasty or difficult.

I felt like a fraud.

And still trying not to feel like one.

The LTK Conference that I’m attending is an invite-only conference for the top 300-400 creators on the Shop.LTK app (there’s over 300,000). About 3 years ago I won the Fashion Rising Star Award and attended my first conference.

Be honest, when you think of content creators or influencers…don’t you think of 20-30 somethings?

Ya. Me too.

This isn’t imposter syndrome.

It’s ageism. And I’m the one guilty of it. I preach about Sweetfringebenefits, about finding the best in each season of life, but this week I have just been deep in to my 62 year old self, and vividly seeing everyone’s younger age around me.

I wrote a post on Instagram the other day about how “I belong in the room” at the conference. I’ve haven’t been in the right head space about the conference all week. Partially due to coming off a family vacation high, missing being together, not being as organized as I would have liked, and part because I just don’t look like everyone else.

I don’t feel like everyone else.

My lowest point was at a party 2 nights ago. I loved my outfit, but it was very different than what most were wearing. And I hadn’t been able to get out of that comparison/ageism space all day. When I went to order a mocktail, the menu was so small, I couldn’t read it. I was mad. I was frustrated. I was not pulling out my glasses one more time. I walked away, turned my back, dabbed my tears, and tried to recover.

I woke up yesterday morning being tired of feeling old, inadequate and irrelevant. (It’s painful to read this back, as I can see the lies. But, its exactly how I was feeling and believing.)

Here’s what I did:

I showed up at a workout class. It was outdoors in the Texas heat, and miraculously, with a light breeze and shade, it felt cleansing.

I put on the best outfit I brought. I might have been a little overdressed. I prefer that.

I talked with a bff, my morning routine when I’m at home. She always sets me straight.

I looked the younger crowd square in the eyes and smiled. I had conversations. And I spent a little time in my room recharging, and allowed it.

Please know, I understand. If you’re surrounded by the younger crowd at your job, or maybe just notice everyone younger while running errands, and your brain is throwing up an awful lot of lies that you don’t belong, fight back!

Today’s Sweetfringebenefit is recovery. I don’t think I did it perfectly, but I did it. And I’ll keep regrouping/rethinking/recalibrating. I don’t like the other option…living in that sour pitty party condition.

I want to make you proud. I want to represent this community and lead the way. Just know, that I’m just not that girl sometimes. Sometimes we need a pep talk, sometimes we just need to go through it. Guess we’ve been around long enough to know that.

I just forget sometimes.

I do make a small commission (called affiliate commission) if you make a purchase through my links at no additional cost. The brand pays for it, think of it as coming out of their marketing budget.

As if we already needed a reason to love our #WalmartFinds we now have another one to add to the list. They've launched the new brand Scenario in clothing, accessories and shoes! And we get to shop and wear it right now. #WalmartPartner I've selected a few styles to showcase how to wear them now in "hot fall" and later in the cooler temps.

With dresses, adding a boot (highly recommend these tall boots if $50 is your budget) or a clog is an easy was to make the look for season appropriate. And now, with these gorgeous funnel neck cable knit sweaters, we can layer up and create a rich cozy vibe too.

Scarves are a huge trend right now, but maybe you don't want that extra layer around your neck. Tie it on your bag! This oversized studded tote looks so much more high end, and is under $40! And look how a simple scarf can create that shift in season. From a Mary Jane (get any color they have available as they are fantastic and beginning to sell out) change in to a bootie. This bootie has a low kitten heel and is the type of boot you can wear all day.

Thanks Walmart for partnering with me!

Just as a reminder, LTK is the best way for you to browse my outfits with shoppable links. Get the free app and follow me here.

My days are quite different having left the day job, but I assure you, I am anything but retired. I appreciate you being here and supporting Sweetfringebenefits. Every time you open this email, click a link, share a post, and purchase through my links…it all helps!

Thank you.

Nanette

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