Join Me at #BlogHer17 and Save $150!

Are you an aspiring influencer, pro-blogger, writer, experienced social media star? Wherever you are in your journey, the #BlogHer17 conference taking place in Orlando this June is for you.

I attended my very first BlogHer conference at the beginning of my blogging career the same day I left my corporate job in 2010. I walked right out of the office and directly into the registration line across the street in Midtown Manhattan to start a new chapter in my life. Back then, I learned a lot of the basic technical skills and industry etiquette I would not have known if it weren’t for the great sessions. I also made connections that led to my first big influencer campaigns.

As a fashion blogger, I loved the big fashion show they had that year. Long before the style industry made diversity and body inclusivity a hot topic, this show already flaunted body shapes and full figures of all types. I saw models that were physically challenged, models from all backgrounds and the fashion brands who supported them. I didn’t know then how ahead of their time they were.

By the time BlogHer 2012 rolled around, I had progressed quite a bit more in my career. Social media had changed quite a bit. I was proud to attend panels in a much more advanced track this time around. I followed seminars much more focused on business, networking and media training. Keynote speaker Martha Stewart ended up being the perfect example to demonstrate all the points we had just learned in that session.

 #BlogHer17 will have several tracks of sessions tailored to wherever you are in your digital influencer, blogger or writing career. If you are just starting to create content, there will be panels that help inspire your creativity. If you are a media star, network with other panellists to navigate legal issues, political issues, business contracts. The conference attracts a lot of brands that are supportive of this journey. I was always impressed with the value of going to this conference. You won’t go hungry, amazing teams organise and think of your every need, no matter what they may be. I love the inclusive, supportive culture at #BlogHer17. There are parties, brand experiences, outings that are planned, but that certainly doesn’t include the festivities you put together with your colleagues and new friends.

If you get your ticket now, you can click here to save $150 off your #BlogHer17 pass. I am looking forward to a few days in Florida and would love to see you there!

This post is sponsored by SheKnows and #BlogHer17; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 

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Shop Your Holiday Dress With B. Michael at Macy's

Haven't found your perfect party dress yet? Holiday shopping at Macy's is an event unto itself. There are fashion shows with designers, Santaland, fireworks, tree lighting, parades or Believe Day in cities all over the country. In New York, I will be joining fashion designer B. Michael on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, from 6 PM - 8 PM.

B. Michael has brought the glamor to past New York Fashion Week runways and will be at the Macy's Herald Square location to help party gals like you and me find that special dress. He's the ultimate NYC designer, starting on Wall Street before working his way through the ateliers of Oscar de la Renta and Louis Feraud. He is proud to make manufacturing his collection New York a priority. Writing as someone who has worked the industry, that is a challenging commitment to make.

Some of the looks I plan on trying on Wednesday evening include a few shimmering sheath dresses and jackets in elegant abstract patterns. I particularly love the outfit with the red printed evening topper. 

You can consider Wednesday evening's Macy's event with B. Michael a party in itself. There will be live music and treats in addition to the fashion presentation. Just call it holiday soiree #1 (of many?) It's free! Care to join me?

Just show up and play #MacysBelieve

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy's; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 
Photos courtesy of  B. Michael America

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Stylish Event Tip: Olives From Spain

I love the fall and all of the parties that come with it. Taking a break from Bridal Fashion Week, I got to indulge in Spain's tastiest exports at the Spain's Great Match event in Manhattan. I was able to explore the various wine regions of Spain and the rich wines, sherry, and Cava they produce. The big star of the event? Olives From Spain. I never knew they were so versatile.

Rushing between photo shoots, I was ecstatic to try the delicious offerings at the Spain's Great Match event. I am currently planning a huge party at the end of the month and searching for great nibbles that are appropriate for Halloween. I needed food that looked good, tasted better and easy to prepare. The most surprising bite of the event was the combination of black olives, oranges, and fresh mint. Not only did these have seasonal colors, but the flavors were also terrific and paired perfectly with Spanish wine.

Olives are an ancient food whose domain spans Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is not a surprise then that a significant range of global cuisines use olives. They encompass a full range of tastes in salty, sweet, bitter and sour for the perfect umami element in your dish. I learned that olives are generally classified by when they are harvested and how they are processed. There are many varieties of olives, but only a few types are actually eaten as a table olive instead of being pressed for olive oil.

I loved all the Spanish cheeses of the event, starting from Manchego to Iberico. Another tasty combination that paired well with Rioja wines were the big green olives tossed with marinated red peppers and stuffed with Cabrales cheese. Stuffed olives are one of the easiest hors d'oeuvres you can put together for your event. You can stuff them with cheese, pimientos, anchovies or really get creative with them. The Olives From Spain site has an extensive list of recipes from top chefs, most of them are easier than they look.

If you need a bit of escapism this week, grab a bottle of wine and a lovely board of cheeses, Jamon Iberico, and delectable olives from Spain to make a night of it. If you are coming to my next party, you know what will be in store!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Olives from Spain.

To learn more about Olives from Spain please visit their website at http://olivesfromspain.us/

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AccuWeather Throws Shade to Wrap Up NYFW

Another season of New York Fashion Week draws to a close. This September, the weather was hot, humid and at times rainy. The fashion influencers who used AccuWeatherMinuteCast, minute-by-minute forecast, were able to impress the hordes of street style photographers outside of the fashion show venues.

The key was to dress in relaxed, light fabrics. Jumpsuits were a big hit. Bright prints and stripes were popular. A light jacket was needed as the air conditioning was on full blast on the runways. Of course, when your sartorial choices are weather dependent, the most valuable item to have during fashion week is a stunning statement purse. 

If you got lucky, the energetic models of the AccuWeather street steam were there to provide you with some shade in between fashion shows. They were able to protect stars like Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks, Nicky Hilton and Hoda Kotb from UV rays and rain. I was grateful for their umbrellas to protect my load of camera gear from the runway to taxi.

On the runways, the designers were prepared to repeat weather from this week for their spring and summer 2017 seasons. At Nicholas K, the collection was desert-worthy with a Bedouin theme. Big floppy hat, airy tops, and shorts were the looks of the season. At the Custo Barcelona fashion show, the designer dressed his male and female models in colorful patterns and tinted shades. On the Vera Wang runway, models were dressed in minimalist white or black. Lightweight, tailored jackets were paired with flowing skirts or dresses. You could add or remove layers depending on the temperature and still keep the serene look.

 The night of New York Fashion Week’s second day, the rainstorm hit the NYFW crowd hard. While crowds of fashionistas packed the entrance of the tents, I just consulted my AccuWeather MinuteCast app on the smartphone. It told me when the downpour would subside so I could time my sprint to transportation without getting my equipment wet.

I am currently packing to head to London Fashion Week now. My app has already warned me of cool temperatures and more rain. I am packing mini-umbrellas and my most stylish raincoats. Make sure you dress and pack appropriately for your day, and that starts by planning ahead with AccuWeather MinuteCast.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of AccuWeather MinuteCast. 

To learn more about AccuWeather and its applications, please visit: http://www.accuweather.com/

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#NYFW GIVEAWAY: Fashion First Aid To the Rescue

In my ultimate kit of fashion emergencies, only one name comes to mind, Fashion First Aid. Sure, the celebs and street style stars of NYFW always look like they are perfect. In reality, they, like us, have a million wardrobe malfunctions to contend with every day.

I will be party hopping and shooting the runway from the photographer's pit all through New York Fashion Week. I am also armed to be your fashion emergency fairy Godmother. If you are attending the shows, up and around New York for the next few days and need some help, I will come to your rescue.

Fashion First Aid has sleek little kits that fit right into your clutch handbag to solve all of your sartorial problems. There are products to save your feet in heels, lint magnets, nip slip savers, quick covers to hide tattoos, ultra-powerful magnets to keep your cleavage from busting open your blouse (I relate to this one the most) and bra strap savers to name a few.

These little kits are already best friends to many of the runway models at New York Fashion Week. The ladies keep them close by as they get their hair and makeup done before the shows.

For me, I go through all of these issues at one time or another (or all at once). If you don't catch me at NYFW, you can read our coverage of the shows on the blog, and you can win a big box of Fashion First Aid's greatest hits ($65) every day during New York Fashion Week.

You can win the Fashion First Aid Box for NYFW several ways: 

-Share your NYFW inspired outfit on Instagram or Fashion First Aid's Facebook page and tag @Fashion1stAid with hashtag #fashionemergency:

-Tweet your fashion emergency to @Fashion First Aid and hashtag #fashionemergency

UPDATE: We have chosen a winner! Congratulations to Gina Blades of Santa Clarita, CA.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fashion First Aid

To learn more about Fashion First Aid and how they rescue you from a fashion emergency, please visit: http://fashionfirstaid.com/

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How To Dress for a HOT Humid NYFW

Every influencer, selfie stylist, and fashion editor planned their wardrobe for maximum street style impact for New York Fashion Week. As the person behind the camera, I am dressing for NYFW with maximum efficiency while still looking cute.

The most important app that I need for the next few days is the AccuWeather MinuteCast one I downloaded for the summer. I already know that it is supposed to rain today and tomorrow, with lots of humid. That is so enjoyable while carrying around all of my camera equipment. I am ready with my Pucci rainboots with backup foldable flats from Coach. It is too hot for a jacket, but a tiny umbrella that fits into my camera bag will work. I am relying on layering lightweight jumpsuits (I just bought one from Catherine Malandrino) while adding one of Diane Von Furstenburg's pretty printed chiffon tops for fashion show venues with aggressive indoor A/C.

This summer, for both New York Fashion Week Men's and Miami Swim Week, they both were sweltering hot with breaks of heavy rain showers. The AccuWeather MinuteCast, minute-by-minute precipitation forecast helped me determine when to dash for my next fashion show or take cover for a few extra minutes. If I had rival runway presentations, knowing when it would rain helped me decide which show to attend.

Friday will be rough at 91F. I will be running from Pamella Roland's fashion show downtown to Tadashi Shoji in Midtown in a late summer haze. At least I have fair warning. I am planning a super lightweight silk crepe top and shorts for that day with plenty of water to hydrated. While a cute handbag for this fall is ideal for street style shots, (I miss my haircalf purse from BCBG and Marc Jacobs leather daisy bag, but just not practical during the day) my camera sling with specialty fabric to keep my skin cool is what I will be wearing for most of the week.

When it finally drops down to a cool 59F on Sunday night, I will be able to break out my more dramatic fall fashions and hit the after-parties. That is when you will see my leather and fur Isabel Marant boots, maybe a moto jacket paired with a printed dress I bought Alexander McQueen's diffusion brand McQ.

The AccuWeather app is not the sexiest application of NYFW but it will be the one who tells what is hot and what will chill you out on the most hectic of days. It gets a permanent place in my squad of most valuable tools on my phone.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of AccuWeather MinuteCast. 

To learn more about AccuWeather and its applications please visit: http://www.accuweather.com/

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