So I’m leaving in two days for New Orleans and I’m starting to have a small panic attack. 

Whatever for?! You may ask.

I’ll tell you what for.  It’s not just because I have to interview CEO’s and CFO’s and Presidents of large corporations, including Sears (although I am nervous about that, but I’m pretending I’m not because if I think about it too long, my hands start to shake).  It’s not because I might get to hob nob with influential public figures or meet other fantastically talented writers, because chances are I won’t actually be hob nobbing with much, although I like to pretend that when it’s all said and done I’m going to be BFF’s forever with all sorts of artsy creative folks.

Oh no.  I am nervous because I don’t know how to pack.  I don’t know what to wear.  This is serious stuff, folks.  I have to look cool and put together.  What do I wear when I’m in a position of working as a volunteer while simultaneously being listed as part of the Press Corps? 

I have literally googled the phrase photos of Extreme Makeover Home Edition to see what the ladies on that show wear when they’re working.  I’m that desperate for ideas.  Pitiful, yes?

I have dug through my wardrobe and have questioned all manner of clothing and have come to the conclusion that I could really benefit from a stylist.  Darn Hollywood stars who set the fashion bar so high…

I need functional cute clothes for working and casual cool clothes for evening events and fun party clothes for going crazy on Bourbon Street.

Just kidding…not that last part.  I don’t think I’ll be going to Bourbon Street.  Or maybe I will – I dunno, actually.  I have to get up at 3:00am on Thursday morning and be ready to go by 4:00 when a car service will pick me up.  Upon arriving at my New Orleans hotel, I have an immeditae meet and greet with the PR company putting all this together.  So I need to look presentable.  Something tells me that I’m not going to up for late night galavanting after a long day of working and travelling.

That and the fact that I’ve never been much of a galavanter, anyway.  I’m not even sure if I know how to galavant…

So what are your suggestions?  How should I dress for something like this? Literally, my itinerary suggestions casual and cool clothing.  Um…I’m not sure what casual cool means or looks like.  I’m heading to the mall now in the hopes that there will be some wicked sale racks filled with clothing that screams CASUAL COOL.

Wish me luck…