Events

Jane About Town: Swoozie’s Housewarming Party

People who say there’s nothing to do in Birmingham simply aren’t paying attention. Most weeks there’s so much going on I have trouble deciding what events I will and won’t attend. If you’re a Birmingham social butterfly you probably have his problem too. That’s where Jane About Town comes in. With this new feature I’ll highlight local events I think would be of interest to women who write and blog. 

Swoozie’s Housewarming Party

You are invited to Swoozie’s Housewarming Party at their new location at The Summit (next to Bed, Bath & Beyond). Swing by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for cocktails, a chance to snag great door prizes, and big discounts. 

You may know Swoozie’s best for its personalized printing services, but the store has so much more to offer. Swoozie’s would be a great place to grab gifts for Mother’s Day or for the graduates in your life. If you’re getting ready for a summer soiree, check out Swoozie’s stylish drink pitchers, wine glasses and serving platters. If you’re headed to a baby shower soon Swoozie’s has you covered there too with everything from plush stuffed animals to chew-beads necklaces — a trendy trinket for mom that’s also baby friendly. Swoozie’s also has a wide variety of stationery, jewelry, gift books, and more. 

Why should you go? Swoozie’s is a company that values bloggers. Wednesday evening Swoozie’s hosted a special exclusive event for bloggers that I was honored to attend.  And not only is Swoozie’s a good place to get gifts for family and friends, but you’ll find great gifts for you too. With journals, notebooks, and notepads galore — Swoozie’s is a writer’s dream. 


Looking Ahead


How to Win Awards and Influence Readers in 439 Days and 668 Blog Posts


Wade Kwon
Would you like to learn how to win awards and influence readers in 439 days and 668 blog posts? Then you don’t want to miss the next See Jane Write members-only workshop. 

Communications consultant Wade Kwon will be speaking to See Jane Write members on this very topic. Wade is the founder of Birmingham Blogging Academy and the Y’all Connect social media conference. The Poynter Institute selected Wade as one of 35 Influential People in Social Media. Birmingham Magazine readers selected him as Best Tweeter in the Best of B’ham 2010 and 2011 online polls.

A Birmingham, Ala., native, he started his award-winning blog Wade on Birmingham in 2005, and has worked with Time Inc. and Scripps-Howard on blogging and new media. He is also one of the founders of the Alabama Social Media Association, a nonprofit group dedicated to educating people about social media.

Wade has been a writer and editor at Southern Living magazine and the Birmingham Post-Herald newspaper, winning numerous journalism awards.

This event is for members-only. To receive an invitation to this event become an official See Jane Write member today. Click here for information on how to join. 


Alabama Writers Conclave Conference 


T.K. Thorne
Set for July 11-13, 2014, the Alabama Writers Conclave Conference will offer workshops on fiction, poetry and more. See Jane Write member T.K. Thorne will lead a workshop on historical fiction versus the historical novel. For registration and more information visit http://www.alabamawritersconclave.org. 




If you have an event you would like to be featured in Jane About Town send details to javacia@seejanewritebham.com. 

    5 Lessons Bloggers Can Learn from Fashion Designers

    Milo Beloved of Harold&MOD

    Last week while covering events for Birmingham Fashion Week 2014 I had the opportunity to interview Milo Beloved of the locally-based vintage lifestyle brand Harold&MOD. Located at 2323 1st Avenue North, Harold&MOD is a unique shop offering fashion, art, jewelry, gifts, and home decor all locally designed and produced and they specialize in revamping vintage clothing.

    While chatting with Milo I was struck by how so much of what he said could be valuable advice not only for fashion designers but for bloggers too.

    Here are five lessons bloggers can learn from fashion designers like Milo Beloved of Harold&MOD.

    1. Tell a story. In a recent video interview with Ivette Thomas of AllAboutBham.com, Milo said that he and his partner Heidi Smith try to tell a story with their store and with their designs. Likewise, you need to tell a story with your blog. Even if you’re simply trying to pass along information, tell a story with each post. Furthermore, think of your entire blog as one big story. And the next time you’re struggling with your blog’s focus or theme simply ask yourself: What story do I want my blog to tell?

    2. Find out what’s missing. Milo says that he wants to design for a variety of women from “the business woman” to the “fun, flirty college girl.” So he makes sure his inventory reflects this goal. “When I see one end  (of the spectrum) start to dissipate I try to provide for that,” Milo said. Take a look at the different aspects of the mission of your blog and see if you’ve been slacking a bit on one of those objectives. Did you start a fashion blog that you hoped would tackle tough industry issues but lately all you’ve been doing are outfit posts? Then step up your game! Also, if you’re trying to refocus your blog figure out what’s missing in your niche. What is the blog you want to read but can’t find? That’s the blog you need to write.

    3. Embrace being in the South. Birmingham-based bloggers, this tip is for you. Birmingham may seem an unlikely place for a shop like Harold&MOD but Milo thinks it’s just right. The Harold&MOD line debuted last year with a pop-up shop during Birmingham Fashion Week 2013. That was a huge success and soon the brand was being featured in magazines and Milo and Heidi were being asked to help with video shoots. “There was this collective energy around it that pushed us forward and launched us in a way that I don’t know I would get in a bigger city,” Milo said. So instead of thinking you need to move to New York for your writing career to blossom, decide to bloom where you’ve been planed and know that you can find the support in Birmingham to do just that. In the South, Milo said, “We’re friendlier, we’re warmer, we’re a little bit more relaxed in a lot of ways. There’s something sweet about Southern fashion that you don’t necessarily see in other places. You can make up your own rules if you’re daring enough to do it.” Be daring enough to not only make up your own fashion rules, but make your own rules about your writing career too.

    4. Pay attention to people. “I watch our customers very closely,”  Milo said when asked how he decides what he will design next. And he said he feels a true connection with his customers, too. Likewise, bloggers should get to know their audience and be sure to produce content that will add value to their readers’ lives.

    5. Keep moving up. “I always want to think up and think bigger,” Milo said. He went on to say he’d like to see the Harold&MOD shop offer more local art and that they’re working on creating a product that they can mass produce. So what’s next for you? Figure out how you can take your blog to the next level. Maybe it’s a new feature. Perhaps your blog needs a new look. Or maybe you want to completely change the focus on your site. Decide what you need to do to get bigger and better and then do it!

    A few looks from the Harold&MOD featured at this year’s Birmingham Fashion Week:

    Want more from Birmingham Fashion Week 2014? Check out the Birmingham Jane feature on designer Elizabeth Singleton at SeeJaneWriteMagazine.com.

    Bloggers Who Brunch Roll Call

    Thanks to everyone who came out to today’s Bloggers Who Brunch event at the Egg & I in Vestavia. We didn’t have a formal program. I just wanted to give local ladies who blog and write an opportunity to nosh and network. We had a blast (and so did that adorable little boy you see in the picture).

    Here’s a list of who attended:

    Javacia Harris Bowser (that’s me!)
    In addition to this website, I also blog at WriteousBabe.com.

    Chanda Temple
    chandatemplewrites.com

    Bertha Hidalgo
    ChicInAcademia.com

    Vanessa Culpepper
    BuddingFashionista.com

    Lissa Peterson
    LissaP.wordpress.com

    Jane Bussey
    awritersmuses.blogspot.com

    Shella Sylla
    SisterGolf.com

    Abiola Sholanke

    Mandy Shunnarah
    offthebeatenshelf.tumblr.com

    Cathy Porterfield
    golministries.com

    Media White
    medawhite.com

    Wade Kwon
    YallConnect.com

    During brunch I enlisted a few ladies to help me with a fabulous event I’m planning for the summer. Details coming soon!

    If you’d like to be informed about future events, email me at javacia@seejanewritebham.com.

    Join Us for Bloggers Who Brunch



    You’ve heard of ladies who lunch, but the women of See Jane Write are bloggers who brunch!

    Let’s get together on Sunday, April 13 for a casual brunch to discuss blogging and any other writing matters on your mind. There will be no formal presentations. This will just be a good opportunity for you to network with other women who write. This event is open to all; you’ll just need to cover the cost of your meal. (Guys are welcome to come, too.)

    We’ll meet from noon to 2 p.m. at the Egg & I in Vestavia Hills, located at 700 Montgomery Highway. 

    So if you’re a church-going gal, go to an early service and then come join me for good food and good fun. 

    And don’t forget to bring your business cards!

    PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, APRIL 11 via Facebook or in the comments section of this post.


    See you Sunday! 


    Reconnect with Your Fearless Self

    Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans signed a declaration
    of her support of Birmingham libraries.
    (Photo Credit: Chanda Temple)

    What do you want to be when you grow up?

    Do you remember what answer you gave to that question when you were a child? I wanted to be the first female president of the United States. Alabama legislator Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans had this same dream as a girl and shared this with me and the dozens of other female entrepreneurs who gathered for the Power in Heels business workshop on March 28. The free event, hosted by Operation HOPE Birmingham, was held in the Arrington Auditorium of the central branch of the Birmingham Public Library. 

    Coleman-Evans was the keynote speaker at Friday’s event and she talked to us about being fearless and fierce. Like many of us, Coleman-Evans had plenty of fierceness and fearlessness as a girl dreaming presidential dreams. 



    But she not only talked the talked, but she also started making strides toward achieving her lofty aspirations. In 2002 Coleman-Evans was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives when she was only 28 years old. 

    But that’s only part of the story, Coleman-Evans told us. Along her road to success, she faced a speed bump: fearfulness. She began to to doubt herself. 


    Perhaps you’re dealing with doubt too. Perhaps you’re dealing with a significant other, a family member, a co-worker, or a friend who is discouraging you from pursuing your writing or business goals. Perhaps you’re doubting yourself because you’ve faced rejection. 

    But Coleman-Evans gave us a simple charge: Don’t let anyone else dim your light.

    She urged us to remember that boldness we had as girls and to reconnect with our fearless selves. Coleman-Evans closed her talk with a song many of us knew from childhood: “This Little Light of Mine.”

    She invited us all to stand to our feet, clap and sing along. She wanted us to declare, in song, that we will let our lights shine everywhere we go. 

    When you were a child what did you dream of becoming? Why did you let that dream go? 

    Sometimes we let go of dreams because our goals and interests change. I realized I wasn’t interested in politics enough to run for any office. I realized writing was my true passion. But sometimes we let go of dreams because we start to doubt ourselves as we grow older and face failure, rejection and fear.  But what would happen if we chose to believe in ourselves anyway? 

    Dare to have childlike faith in yourself.