I was cool with being basic. Now I’m cooler being Next Level Basic.

Next Level Basic, #NLB, is a best seller by Stassi Schroeder, an author, reality TV star, and podcaster. Being Next Level Basic is about having fun and celebrating yourself. Stassi is totally L.A.–via New Orleans– beautiful, slender, semi-famous with gorgeous hair, a boob job and a spray tan. Basically speaking, she loves Ranch Dressing, could guide a hot dog themed travel tour, and believes you can tell a lot about a person based on their astrology. She embraces her basic and brings it next level.

I’m DeKalb basic, lol. Midwest, mid-fifties, a gray grandma, but you know what? It is what it is and I’m okay with it. The idea of NLB is to fully embrace what it is. Who YOU are. Be the best damn you you can be. And, most importantly, do not judge others for embracing whatever their basic may be.

So, yeah, no gorgeous hair, boob job, or spray tan for me. I wear band t’s and jeans and I like it.

When I was getting ready to attend Stassi’s new book release event in support of, Off With My Head, sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, it occurred to me that LOTS of people are basic band t’s and jeans, so how can I be next level?

Not with Cheap Trick, The Ramones, or AC/DC*.
Nope, I’m going true Mary NLB with Billy Squier. And not just jeans. Not even store bought pre-ripped holey jeans. I worked those trendy holes in my old jeans. Next Level Basic is about earning your style.**

This author event was very interesting…we were given pre-signed books upon arrival. (We were early and actually saw her signing the books in a side room! It was kind of a fangirl moment.) We took our seats and waited. Watched and waited. Very interesting crowd. Pretty sure there’s a blog in there somewhere! Stassi came out and spoke for about three minutes–long enough to tell us she doesn’t usually speak, but there was a stage and a photo opportunity, so she graced us with a few words. And an Instagramable selfie.

After that brief intro, she went to the staging area and we all lined up in order of reservation number. Considering the 500 person crowd, I was pleased we were #178. They hustled us in, posed us, took our photo and guided us out. Nothing about the book, the author, or the writing experience, but this is Stassi’s world. And true to her beliefs, she embraces it hardcore.

Stassi may not be your thing. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure she was my thing–but you know what? I thoroughly enjoyed the silliness, honesty, and voice of her first book. And if you don’t share my opinion? We’re cool with that. You do you.

*I do have these shirts. I wear them often.
**It’s okay, I chuckled as I typed ‘style’, too.