Boston: Blog Better Boston Style Summit

This past weekend was the Blog Better Boston Style Summit, a local blogging conference organzied by Amy and Alana and held here.

I was honored to be invited to host a discussion session on Instagram sharing 10 tips on How to Make your Instagrams Better and Finding Your Voice (Thank you Kait for this shot of me!).

I also enjoyed attending the style summit to hear the other speakers discuss topics such as working with brands, creating content calendars and media kits. 

It was so wonderful to meet bloggers in person (Kaitlin, Melissa, Georgina, the JustUsGals, Allie, Tieka, Julie, Emily, Alyssa, Susan, Brooke, Holly, Sheryl) and see others I hadn't seen in a while (Alison {who I accidentally called Amy during my sesh!}, Shauna, Alana, Amy, Emily, Kristen, Amanda, Surabhi, Noelle and Elissa)

If you missed my Instagram discussion, here's a recap:

10 tips on how to make your Instagrams better

• Find your voice on Instagram by connecting and following others in the IG community
• Hashtag so that people can find you!
• ie: #igersboston (Instagrammers in Boston), #igers, #igdaily, #ignation etc., will allow you to connect with other IGs in Boston and around the world!
• Take a genuine interest in others, and leave comments
• Be visible, not just online (attend events such as Blog Better Boston and other blogger events)
• Be passionate about your IGs, treat them as you would photos with a real film camera
• Explore other apps to make your IGS better (ie. VSCOcam, Instasize and Afterglow)

There were a lot of sessions I wanted to go to, but alas, could only attend a handful, so here are some things I learned:

Working with Brands led by Kristen

• know your stats using google analytics
• a media kit is really important to introduce yourself
• create a pitch and send to a brand you really like and identify with
• know which posts are most read on your blog (most interaction/likes/views)
• your time is valuable
• follow up once you have worked with the brand/done a post

Creating a content calendar led by Julie:

• identify your priorities
• create a content calendar and schedule posts so that there is consistancy for your readers
• use google calendar or even a paper calendar and pencil, whatever works for you
• stick to a general theme and find your niche
• save your great idea for when you have time

Creating a media kit led by Tieka:

• a media kit is a pre-packaged set of promo material on YOU
• selling yourself to give a brand a few facts on whether or not you are a good fit for them
• include: about page, you and your blog, site stats, past brands/partnerships
• what you can provide as a service (ie. sponsored blog post, giveaway, side bar ads, text links, be gifted products to review)

Here are just a few snap shots from the Style Summit, as I was mostly taking notes! For more #BBBos coverage, check out the Twitter feed, and for more photos and updates follow Blog Better Boston on Facebook.

Thank you Amy and Alana for having me, and for all the sponsored goodies!

Here's how you can join the next Blog Better Boston summit.

Boston: Jason Wu at the ICA

The Institute of Contemporary Art recently hosted fashion designer Jason Wu for a conversation with chief curator Helen Molesworth.  

I met up with Elizabeth, Jaime, Noelle and Elissa for the talk and I think we were all impressed by how warm, candid and genuinely funny he was!

Wu credits his parents for allowing him to go to any college he wanted, with the only condition being that he went to boarding school. Wu went to Parsons.

He also thanked Debi Greenberg, owner of Louis Boston for being a tastemaker and one of the first stores to carry his designs.

He reflected on how gorgeous the First Lady Michelle Obama is, and how well-dressed!

He mentioned that his "approach to fashion is that it's super wearable" and reflected upon the first time he saw someone wearing his clothes, thinking "That's look #9!"

A few quotes I tweeted:

"As designers we have to react to what's relevant." "It's the ability to do something when it makes sense" - @JasonWu @ICAinBOSTON #JasonWu

"I'm most myself when I'm doing my work." @JasonWu "I do things that I want to do" @ICAinBOSTON #JasonWu #ICABoston

Wu laughingly remarked:

"A Jason woman doesn't want to talk to you. She's a little bit bitchy."

For more coverage of the event, be sure to check out Elizabeth and Elissa's awesome recaps!

Boston: Neiman Marcus, AnaMaria Pimental for SPRING!

Is it Spring, yet? Honestly, we're so close, yet so far.

At Neiman Marcus, at least, Spring was in the air, thanks to AnaMaria Pimental who is Neiman Marcus's Fashion Accessories Director. I was invited to photograph her colorful fashion presentation on all the trends coming up this season.

So, what's hot? Blues and oranges! As is, "relaxed chic" all the way down to a studded-toe Miu Miu sneaker!  Also, prints are here to stay, which is good because I'm always a fan of a good dose of flowers.

Some of the highlights included this Judith Leiber William Crystal Frog purse, Charlotte Olympia shoes (the likes of which we've already raved about here) especially the Eiffel Tower sandals and the cute cat-face slippers. So, hooray for a range of flats and heels (like these amazing Alexander McQueen studded booties) for Spring.

And I picked up a fun styling tip for carrying a scarf: wrap it around the handle of your bag (as was done over this beautiful Nancy Gonzalez bag) making it look stylish and also easy to carry.

My favorite had to be this Alice + Olivia's embroidered jacket! How stunning, right? Styled with beautiful jewelry designed by Dina Mackney, the jacket looks polished and colorful!

So, come in from the cold and look ahead to a fashionable Spring with AnaMaria's cheery presentation of pretty looks on the always gorgeous Maggie models: Marie, Lauren, Marta and Amber.

Also, Roger Daltrey from The Who barely escaped my lens as he shopped! Thanks to Elizabeth for pointing him out to me, and to Lei Ann for capturing my photographer's stance!

What are you most looking forward to wearing this Spring?

Boston: Neiman Marcus, CUSP Preview Party!

I've been meaning to try Bar Method for over a year now. No, really. I meant to join a few of my favorite Boston bloggers at the studio in Boston, and never did, and now they're at Level 2, and I've still been meaing to go.

So, I was definitely excited to meet Bar Method Boston owner McKenzie Howarth at the Neiman Marcus CUSP Preview party and see some of the demos first hand!

Along with amazing Kate Somerville's Dermalquench facials, Estee Lauder spring make-overs and music by DJ Liz Ladoux, McKenize and Adrian demonstrated many a bar method move, making each look effortless and elegant.

They were even giving away passes to a MONTH of free classes! I think everyone who was at the CUSP party was inspired by them and (like me) immediately considering signing up for a class the next day.

In fact, I really am going tomorrow. I WON a month of free classes! I'm nervous. Wish me luck!

Have you tried Bar Method?

Boston Ballet: All Kylián

All Kylián is one of the most moving ballets I've ever seen. I was excited to attend opening night on Thursday and happy that Anna was able to join me at the Opera House! The last time I was there was for this magical production by the Boston Ballet!

The show is comprised of three pieces which are now being performed for the first time by an American company, the Boston Ballet. The choreography is by world-renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián, and I was amazed by the incredible beauty and epic strength of the dancers in executing the most complicated to minute movements to an enigmatic score.

Full of allegory, beauty and strength, the first piece: Wings of Wax opens with a giant overturned hanging tree and a single rotating light over the cast of eight dancers. Their simple costumes made it easy to notice all the subtleties in their dance movements. I literally was holding my breath during this entire piece. It was so moving.

Tar and Feathers set the tone with a beautiful piano accompaniment by Japanese pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama, playing from a grand piano elevated 10 feet above the stage. The whole piece is puncuated by Jiří Kylián himself, asking "what is the word" resulting in a most amusing and breathtaking choreography of quick movements and repetitive gestures. This piece was my favorite!

The Symphony of Psalms, first choreographed in 1978 is set to a luscious backdrop of several Persian rugs hung from the rafters. The dancers exude elegance, power and poise throughout, and it's mesmerizing to watch.

As photography is not allowed, I am sharing some images (by Rosalie O'Connor) courtesy of the Boston Ballet, however, I did manage to Instagram curtain call and the interior of the beautiful Boston Opera.

All Kylián is playing at The Boston Opera House until March 17, 2013, for tickets please visit: http://boxoffice.bostonballet.org

Boston: Neiman Marcus, Beauty Event Kickoff PARTY!

Neiman Marcus sure knows how to throw a party!

Last Thursday night's festivities to kick off the Beauty Event of the season was no exception.

Hosted by the amazing Katie Boyd of Miss Fit Gym, she was joined by the beautiful Miss Massachusetts, Miss Teen Massachusetts and Miss New Hampshire.  Sterling Williams of Chanel created magic with his super team, and the gorgeous "belles" of Honeybelle Body Buffer Nancy Donahue and Susan Pasanen were there for a night of beauty.

Top ALL of that off with overflowing champagne?? That's a party!

And I was happy to capture all of it...

Neiman Marcus's Beauty Event is on until March 3 2013!

NYFW Brandon Sun FW 2013

Last year at Brandon Sun's Spring presentation, I fell in love with all of the soft furs and flowy chiffon in greys and white.

This season, I was unable to attend due to the weather, but thanks to Anjali and Rohina, the shows were covered for Hogger & Co.

Here's Rohina's take on Brandon Sun's FW 2013 Collection:

Just got back from an amazing short trip to NYC. The show started really early in the morning which was perfect since I am a morning person. Got ready and took a New York cab to the Lincoln center. It was really nice to see the Mercedes Benz Fashion week sign. Since it was my first fashion show, I was overly excited. Thanks to Hogger & Co. we were able to attend the Brandon Sun presentation. As we entered the room the models were standing like statues. It was breathtaking. It was like an art museum. The press was surrounding the artwork, snapping away. All the pieces were on the darker scale; shades of grays, dark blues, dark green and black with touches of white. Uses of fur and velvet, silks and leather. Such an amazing and beautiful presentation.

Thanks Rohina!

NYFW Herve Leger FW 2013

I was so excited to have been invited to shoot backstage and runway at Herve Leger this season, however I was prevented from going to NYC because of THIS, so Anjali was gracious enough to cover backstage and runway for me, last minute! Thanks girl :)

It looked like a GORGEOUS SHOW with many celeb sighted with designers Max Azria and Lubov Azria including Petra Nemcova, Coco Rocha, Miss USA and Russell Simmons!

Here's what Anjali thought of the show:

PeTA beware, fur is definitely back in 2013.  After seeing a few fashion shows for FW 2013, one trend I definitely see is bold leather and fur.  Herve Leger's futuristic FW collection seems what a retro collection in the year 2030 would look like.  Modern materials with intricate embroidery and different prints in body hugging cuts seem to reign supreme. The leather cutouts are layered on top of fine knits and add a textural appealing quality. Black caps are used as accessories to give some of the fine quality garments a harder edge. In this collection, the attention is definitely in the details.

Thanks again Anjali! :)

NYFW Candela FW 2013 RTW

Candela's FW 2013 RTW presentation took place recently, and Anjali who lives in NYC was there covering for me. We were both at the Spring presentation last year.

Here's what she said:

The themes for this collection seem to be a blend of country chic and the roaring twenties. The romantic feel of some of the designs transport me to the time of the Great Gatsby. The flapper like dresses with bugle beads and sequins are a definite hit as are the long silk gown in a perfect shade of peach with a low sequined back. The deer sweater with fur collar mixed with the finely knit cashmere lace skirt show that the two can be combined. There are juxtapositions of hard and soft mixed together as with the black leather motorcycle jackets and flowy lace sheer skirts. The presentation made me feel like I was walking through an artist's studio as models became the subject of paintings. In this case, the fashion was the muse not the models.

 

NYFW BCBG Max Azria FW 2013

I am so grateful that Anjali Patel covered some of FW for me this season as I couldn't make it to NYC this month, first because of my schedule, then because of Nemo!

I first met Anjali at Fashion Week last September (when we both asked each other for photographs with Vanessa Williams after the Carlos Miele show) and I knew she'd have fun covering backstage (Miss USA was there!) and runway for Hogger & Co.

Thanks Anjali!

Here's what she had to say about BCBG Max Azria Fall and Winter Collection:

Bon Chic, Bon Genre.  I think the word to define BCBG FW 2013 collection would be attitude, as in an edgy  attitude.  The only thing soft about this collection is the fur.  Lace mixed with knit sweaters and caps are draped with bold and bright animal print fur to create a luxury bohemian look.  I really like the heels with leather leggings and steel toes to create a sexy open toe boot look.  The leather has a masculine aesthetic but the cut and stitching combinations are very feminine.  For those that are looking for a non snow bunny look next Fall, BCBG has several choices for you.  The FW collection color palette ranges from pure white (even after Labor Day) to deep purple and blues.  I see this as a collection of contrasts: leather and lace, white and dark, fur and sheer silk.  Asymmetrical skirts show just enough skin but balance the outfit.

NYFW Candela SS2013 RTW

I'm such a huge fan of Candela...everything is bohemian and playful, demure and sweet.

Don't you want these beautiful head of braids and those SHOES?

It was nice to see Candela designer Gabriela Perezutti and Ken Downing, the Senior Vice President and Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus.

Here a look at SPRING, at the Candela RTW SS2013 Presentation...

NYFW Brandon Sun

Looking back today on Brandon Sun's immaculate SS2013 RTW presentation at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Animal prints with beautiful, luscious fur. Sexy, flowy gowns mixed with pencil skirts and sculptured accents. Draped, yet structured and impecably tailored.

I want it all.

My Beauty Must-Haves!

Can we talk about skincare and make-up today?

l've always had problem skin for as long as I can remember. I even had a love-affair with Proactiv for a while, which lasted about six months and then started to irritate my face.

After trying PH balanced products (like La Roche-Posay's Effaclar) the glycolic acid toners like Murad's Clarifying Toner and spending from $5 on scrubs to $100 on treatments, I discovered Boscia.

It's working, you guys.

So, I put together my beauty must-haves, the things I can't do without, from cleansing, to minimal make-up to a full face for a night on the town.

I LOVE Boscia's clear complexion kit because I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily. The kit has been wonderful; it includes the cleanser that you use to wash your face, followed by the spray tonic, then the treatment and finally the moisturizer. I've found it doesn't irritate my skin and has a mild, clean scent.

So after I used that, I of course, wanted to try everything else Boscia had to offer, and absolutely LOVE the black mask - not only is it so fun to peel off, but it really tightens and tones.

On occasion I like to use the Boscia clarifying detox mask, which is a clay mask that I found really took care of excess oil, which was great for my T-zone.

My favorite primer to use is Laura Mercier's Hydrating primer which is water based, not oil based. The oil-free formula didn't feel as good as this on my face.

After this, I like to use a little bit of concealer under my eyes and problem spots. I have tried a. lot. of. concealers. My go-to now, is Dior's Nude, in Honey. Goes on light but stays put and doesn't feel greasy or cakey.

Next, for full foundation coverage for parties and such, I recently discovered (thanks to my sister) MAC's Matchmaster SPF foundation. It glides on easily, blending easily, stays matte all day. I wear it in 6. The SPF coverage is a bonus.

To apply foundation, I use Cynthia Rowley's Beauty Blender, which I found at Marshalls for $5.99! You can find many variations of it at Target and online, and it looks like this. Makes blending a breeze.

For blush I absolutely love NARS in Torrid. Two of my besties use the same shade and we are all very different in skin tones. It's a pretty shade which I think works for winter and summer.

As an all-over powder, I like MAC's Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium. I apply it using a great buffing brush from Eco Tools.

If I do a highlighter for my high cheek bones (or lack thereof) I adore MAC's Gana Frost which was a limited edition when Mickey Contractor (Bollywood's most sought-after makeup artist) did a line with MAC. I also like Benefit's High Beam.

For eye make-up, when I do a cat-eye, I rely on Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Liner - it's waterproof, and really stays put!).

For a smudgy smokey eye, I love using Urban Decays eye liners. They're all so beautiful.

Dior's SHOW is the.best.mascara. I've ever used. Makes my lashes look really long, and doesn't clump.

If I do eyeshadow, I prime my lids first, with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It's so easy to apply, just a dot on each lid really helps shadows stay put.

And if I'm going for a really dramatic evening look and want to darken my brows, Anastasia's Perfect Brow Pencil is my go-to for a fuller brow. Love having a brush with it!

Can we talk lipsticks for a second? What are your faves? I've recently fallen for MAC's Party Line, perfect for a Wintery look.

After all the fun and games, if washing my face doesn't do it, and even if it does, I go to Korres. LOOOOOVE KORRES!! These wipes work really well and smell so refreshing. And the Pomegranate Toner really picks up dirt and makeup but feels gentle and doesn't dry my skin.

TELL ME, what are some of your beauty-faves?