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  Lucky Magazine editor in chief Brandon Holley (left) and Rachel Zoe

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  Aliza Licht (left) and Erica Domesek

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Rachel Sutherland

Rachel Sutherland has been a professional journalist for 14 years, most recently as the Style Editor for the Charlotte Observer. Her writing and styling work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. She is often a featured guest on syndicated radio programs The Matt & Ramona Show and The Satisfied Life. Find her at www.rachelsutherland.net or email her: rachel@rachelsutherland.net.

*Or what I did while NOT at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

While seemingly the entire city of Charlotte stood at attention with wide smiles, miles of fencing and tons of law enforcement at the ready, I left town, destined for New York City. That’s not to say I didn’t partake in early DNC fun: I helped organize the 1,000-attendee Unity Through Community LGBT welcome party, which took place Sunday night. My flight left Monday morning.

But I digress. I headed to NYC with my blogger pals Kisten PolishPauper and Michelle PinQueenCity to take part in Lucky Magazine’s LuckyFABB (Fashion and Beauty Blogger) conference.

It was the largest FABB I’ve attended (Kisten and I are old school — we go way back to the first one in February 2011. Aw … if you look at the pics, you can tell I still had a Blackberry!)

More than 300 super chic bloggers attended. The day was packed with a spectacular line up of guest speakers that included Rachel Zoe, Steven Kolb, Lauren Bush and my most favorite speakers of the day, Simon Doonan and Anna Sui.

I had my fashiongirl superfan going all day. Look! It’s Aliza Licht, also known as @dkny pr girl! Or the fabulous Erica Domesek of @PSIMadeThis. The panel discussions were on point, incredibly informative and inspirational.

I will say, I was completely caught off guard by Rachel Zoe’s (relative) normalcy — she spoke honestly about balancing motherhood with work. She encouraged women to make opportunities for themselves — hard work pays off. And it’ll likely take you longer than you expect: she’s been styling for almost 18 years.

I plan to do a few more posts about my LuckyFABB experience (there’s more to share from the conference, and a full, shopping-filled recap of our guided shopping tour of SoHo on Day 2).

But one big take away: Mobile technology, especially when it comes to shopping and commerce, isn’t going anywhere. @manrepeller Leandra Medine says “Social shopping on the phone hasnt had its moment yet.”

So there you go.

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