Aug 13th 2010 12:30:44 pm

This is my last BlogHer-related post, I promise!

The BlogHer conference last weekend included two large expo halls where companies had booths to promote their brands and new products – very common for large conferences. The companies in the expo halls were giving out lots of free samples and swag. And by lots, I mean more than you could carry home!

I toured the expo halls twice. I met some really nice people, got my photo taken with the Jimmy Dean Sun, and tried my best not to pick up too much free stuff. Despite my best intentions (I try hard not to be a greedy swag grabber), I came home with two large bags of product! I managed to collect everything from NyQuil to tuna fish – a very random assortment!

The company reps were all extremely sweet and informative (that’s their job, right?) and none of them required any of the conference attendees to commit to blogging about their product. The free stuff really was “no strings attached,” so why am I having an ethical dilemma? I probably shouldn’t be, but I feel guilty for taking the free swag! I tried to only accept things that I truly thought I could use, but I still feel guilty. Should I be feeling this way? Do the big companies know that we will feel guilty about the free product and feel compelled to reciprocate in some way? Am I a sucker?

There is no way I can blog about all of the companies I met, plus, I don’t want to. I have never done paid or otherwise compensated product reviews on this blog (although, I have received some free product that I have reviewed for Craft Critique) and I only write about brands that I really, truly like.

I do not plan to change my style just because I received some free product, but I do feel some pressure to acknowledge my gratitude for the companies’ generosity in some way… So, I would like to highlight some of my favorite things that I received at the BlogHer Expo. Is that an acceptable combination of integrity and reciprocation? I hope so!

My favorites of the BlogHer swag:

• TheYellowUmbrella.org is an organization created by Christine Baze to help educate women on how they can prevent cervical cancer. I received an actual yellow umbrella from Christine and promised I would help spread the word about her cause. Check out the Yellow Umbrella’s sister organization, Say Something!, to learn about how you can help spread the word about cancer prevention.
• The Bounty paper towel area in the P&G House at the Expo was co-hosting a collage art project table with the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. I actually use and like Bounty paper towels (they are thick & sturdy) and I was impressed to see them supporting and promoting a NYC nonprofit arts organization. The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation was founded in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons and is dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant arts exposure, access and education as well as providing exhibition opportunities to early and mid-career artists and artists of color. Very cool!
• The one piece of free product that I was most excited about was my new pair of Assets underwear. Yes, underwear! I know that is extremely weird, but Assets are the new, less-expensive line of Spanx undergarments and the company was handing them out to us at the conference. (Don’t worry, we got to choose the perfect size!) Ladies out there know how incredibly popular, but how terribly expensive Spanx are, so I am excited to see the company offering a more “value” version. Assets will be sold at Target.
• PUR Water Filters handed out free aluminum water bottles and hosted water filling stations all over the conference. BlogHer was trying to go more “green” this year and not providing bottled water was one step they took. PUR sponsored the water stations as an alternative. I actually love my new aluminum bottle (it isn’t too large and it has a little carabiner hook on top that you can use to attach it to a bag…) and I filled it up many times throughout the weekend.
• The new Jimmy Dean French Toast Griddlers that they were handing out at their booth were truly delicious – plus they use turkey sausage. I would honestly recommend them and will probably purchase them in the future. (And the actor who plays the sun is really sweet.)
• You already know that I love S’mores! Or at least you should, because they are one of my favorite foods. So I couldn’t resist the Hersheys + Honey Maid + Jet Puffed suite at BlogHer. You could visit the room anytime and make delicious S’mores over their mini fires. I only had one, but it was fantastic! I also picked up a little S’mores backpack and plan to use it and show my devotion to the treat.

For those who went to BlogHer, what were your favorite swag items?

9 Comments » Categories: Art, Fashion, Food, Thinking

Jun 10th 2010 02:41:05 pm

So… I am not really sure I want to tell you about this lovely website that I recently found. You see, it is a giveaway site that has really fantastic daily giveaways that you can enter just by leaving a comment. If I tell you about it, then you will enter all the giveaways and it will reduce my already miniscule chances of winning… But, I’m a nice gal, so I’ll spread the love…

You must check out TheBrightSideProject.com! It has really pretty posts featuring the best in style and design, and every day they give something nice away. Sadly, I haven’t won anything yet, but the site has turned me on to lots of lovely things, like the stuff seen above:

• Toy Watch, in white like Chanel
• By Boe reminder bow ring
• Chan Luu wrap bracelet
• Ayofemi Jewelry necklace
• Tarte’s new glam gams bronzing leg stick
• Prismera Design Fiona necklace
• Seychelles sandals
• and… Banter Banners

The daily posts are a quick read and I almost always leave a comment to enter the giveaway… It doesn’t hurt!

No Comments » Categories: Fashion, Just for Fun, Lovely Things, Website, design

May 7th 2010 10:35:35 am

I needed an escape from the world of email today, so I spent some time fantasy shopping for summer…

• Kate Spade Alberta 2 sunglasses
• Tory Burch Rattan Clutch
• Chanel Brilliant Lip Shine in Laser
• Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray for pretty summer hair!
• Bobbi Brown Brightening Spot Treatment Corrector SPF 25 for pretty summer skin!
• J.Crew Breezy Dot swimsuit
• Banana Republic Heritage Zebra Top
• Anthropologie Wavelite Hoop Earrings
• Sigerson Morrrison Belle sandals

I could live my entire life in a blue and gold palette…

3 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Just for Fun, Make-up & Beauty, Shoes

Mar 10th 2010 04:02:10 pm

So, I know I am a bit behind on writing about the Oscars…. I actually watched a good amount of the Academy Awards this year and I really thought all of the actresses looked super-great, so I had planned on doing a fairly extensive blog post about my faves. Then, my computer totally died. Magically, Travis was able to revive it and I actually got some work done today! Yay! I was going to forget about my red carpet post all together, but I noticed that many of my picks for best dressed have been landing on the worst dressed lists across the web… so I wanted to show my support! ha!

My favorite dresses from the Academy Awards (that I saw):

I want reiterate that I really thought everyone looked superb – they are movie stars, after all – but I especially loved these dresses. I am drawn to things that are unique… classic is always beautiful, but a little boring.

• The first dress is Givenchy worn by Zoe Saldana. I just think it is awesome. She looks so beautiful in purple and I love that it has sparkle and a lot of flair. This was my very favorite dress!
• The second is Sarah Jessica Parker, of course, in Chanel. Lots of people did not like this dress, but I thought it was unique and pretty. I like that SJP takes risks. Now, her hair, on the other hand, I did not love…
• The third is an Elie Saab dress worn by Rachel McAdams. I think it is so fun and young, but still really elegant. It looks like a dress you would wear to have a good time at the event – not be the very fanciest. It is unpretentious glamour. (Is that an oxymoron?)

What were your favorites of the night? Any red carpet looks you really disliked?

10 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Just for Fun, Television

Mar 2nd 2010 12:37:55 pm

When we ventured out to Soho on Saturday, one of my intended stops was the Kate Spade flagship store on Broome St. I had heard about a cool neon tape art installation by Rebecca Ward and wanted to check it out in person. Rebecca Ward is an installation artist who creates colorful, site-specific environments using mostly tape. (btw: I loved the installation in the store, but it wasn’t as extensive as I had anticipated.) The Kate Spade brand sometimes feels a little too ladylike for my current style, but I have always loved its playful use of color and pretty designs. For a long time, Kate Spade was my very favorite designer, mostly because she is from Kansas City, like me, but also because her designs were always so simple, but unique. It is exciting to see the brand supporting such a hip, young artist in such a public way! In addition to the cool installation, I also loved all of the corresponding displays throughout the store – so beautiful!

After the stop at Kate Spade, Travis and I continued our stroll over the the Madewell store. (my favorite!) I was totally caught off-guard by the awesome airmail-themed windows and displays there.

Vintage airmail envelopes and mail packages were everywhere! I think that they were all reproductions – not actual old letters – but I was still tempted to swipe one to take home… I love anything mail related because it reminds me of Swap-bot. Don’t worry, I didn’t end up stealing any of the envelopes, but I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of the displays. Three cheers for snail mail!

And in a serendipitous turn of events, Gilt Groupe was having a sale on Kate Spade accessories on Monday! With my “free shipping” coupon, I scooped up this airmail-themed cosmetics case at a nearly-free price. I am going to use it to carry my Swap-bot arsenal to crafty events. Who knew that fashion and the postal mail went together so well… Swap-bot is so stylish!

3 Comments » Categories: Art, Fashion, Lovely Things, New York, Swap-bot, design

Jan 7th 2010 02:08:17 pm

I haven’t done one of these magazine collages in over a year (the last one was posted in September 2007). They are just fun little pages where I glue all of the things that catch my eye from a single magazine issue. I don’t usually hang on to old issues of fashion mags, so this is a way to digitally archive the things I liked.

Recently, Cookie magazine shut down and they replaced my subscription with one to Lucky. I don’t mind. (Well, I do mind that Cookie is gone – I liked that mag.) I have fun looking through fashion magazines; I just never felt quite right subscribing to Lucky, the self-proclaimed “magazine about shopping.” But, now it is here, so I might as well enjoy it!

My favorites:

Gap chambray down vest – Man, I love this denim puffy vest! Sadly, I can’t find it on the Gap website… (p. 99)

CupcakesandCashmere.com – A new blog I will check out. It is about shopping… (p. 30)

Philosophy Divine Illumination- This moisturizer claims to disguise imperfections and brighten your skin tone. It is new, and I am always game to try something new! (p. 69)

Lavish crochet and glass bead cuff bracelet – crocheted gold wire with beads – very cool. (p. 84)

Coach Kristin Bag – I really like these new handbags from Coach. I am thinking about a black one… (p. 58)

Neutrogena Ageless Restoratives 5 Minute Facial – A new, gently exfoliating at-home treatment. (p. 75)

Fresh Strawberry Flowers Eau de Parfum – I like the fresh brand and this perfume sounds really pretty… I guess I would need to smell it first to confirm. (p. 75)

Romeo + Juliet – So, this isn’t really a fashion item, but Romeo + Juliet was referenced as an influence for one of the fashion spreads in the magazine and it really took me back. The movie came out when I was a sophomore in high school – back when PG-13 movies were still quite cool in my mind – and I was just blown away by it. I don’t think any other movie could be more cool to a 15-year-old girl! I need to watch it again asap! (p. 39)

Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion – Intriguing. It is a powder that transforms into a lotion that claims to give your hair body and texture. (p. 26)

Cropped, pleated pants- These usually wouldn’t be something I would go for, but they are coming into style for spring and I think I could pull them off. Maybe. (p. 88 & 110)

That is about it… I picked out more beauty products than clothes this time. Maybe January isn’t the best time for fashion – it is too early for spring styles, but winter clothes no longer have any appeal… What has caught your eye this month?

3 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Just for Fun, Magazines, Make-up & Beauty

Nov 8th 2009 11:27:16 am

I had a busy weekend. It flew by. You can read about today’s adventure over on my husband’s blog, but I am too pooped to write my own re-cap. This photo is from Saturday morning at the dog park. I am wearing my new coat, which I love more and more every time I wear it. It is very warm and snuggly. The Hunter boots I bought last year for Oregon’s rainy season, but they will really come in handy here in NY, too. They are super-trendy and also warm, so I am planning on wearing them all winter long! I feel prepared for winter… although I certainly did not mind the beautiful 60 degree weather we had today. I wish the weekend could last forever.

2 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, New York

Oct 27th 2009 06:25:45 pm

The excitement over my new coat sent me into a fashion frenzy. I just couldn’t help but put together a (fantasy) outfit to go with the coat:

• Start with a plain henley t-shirt and dark toothpick jeans from J. Crew.
• Add this awesome sweater vest from Abercrombie… which I was coveting while in the store over the weekend.
• The focal point of the outfit is definitely the amazing belle boots from Sigerson Morrison. They are so pricey, but I can’t stop thinking about them!
• Add a little sparkle with any of the earrings from Elva Fields, like these or these.
• And the final touch, a new handbag from Tory Burch.

1 Comment » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Shoes

Aug 26th 2009 04:27:05 pm

Have you seen the new fall stuff at J.Crew? I think there is someone at that company who is specifically making things just for me (I wish) – I love everything they’ve got going on right now!

For your reference, the items above are the Winnie Jacket (I need a coat with gold buttons for fall!), the Fraces Cami in light sage, of course, the Carlin Coat in blossom, the Merino ethereal ruffle V-neck sweater (it has a little ruffle of chiffon around the collar!), the Jeweled garland bracelet which I REALLY love, the Jemma T-strap heels, and the Lexi Satchel… but everything on the website is dynamite. Yes, dynamite.

(I also really like this skirt… and this t-shirt… and this necklace, too… you get the picture.)

4 Comments » Categories: Accessories, Clothes, Fashion, Lovely Things

Jul 21st 2009 10:01:18 am

Summer is zooming by. Between getting a little sick (sore throat and cough, not H1N1) and preparing for an upcoming trip to California, there has been no time to blog. Today, however, I have a little bloggy gem for you! I have been completely obsessing over a few things lately that I feel the need to share:

1. Madewell – My new most favorite clothing shop ever! Madewell is a sister company to J.Crew, but I found out about it through a blog that I can’t seem to find at the moment… I signed up for the email updates a while ago, but it took me until last weekend to venture out to the Madewell store in Soho. I am in LOVE!! Such laid-back, cool, perfectly-on-trend-but-not-trying-too-hard style and everything seemed to fit me perfectly. I went a little wild in the store! I bought a pair of “rail straight” jeans made with some sort of fancy Japanese denim. Of course, they were the most expensive pair in the store, but the sales lady gave me an extra 20% off just because! I also got some t-shirts, a pair of shorts, and a very awesome cardigan. If I were a celebrity or fancy-pants rich person, Madewell is the store where I would say “give me one of everything in my size” each season.
2. Coach Spotlight bag – I do not have this bag, but it is the one I keep returning to when dreaming about my ideal fall bag. I want (need?) a super-big, cross-body, black bag for fall. I feel the need to branch away from Coach because I have really already given them way too much business, but this bag just seems to fit all of my criteria… I can’t stop thinking about it! What is wrong with me?!
3. NARS Orgasm Nail Polish – I have been coveting this nail polish for years, and I think I picked the best time to finally break down and buy it. Neon orange polish is totally what the cool kids are all wearing on their toes this summer, but neon is a little more than I can pull off. This NARS nail polish is a summery orange-peach color with a little sparkle that I think is a more subtle substitute. I was a little disappointed with it at first because you have to put on three coats to make it opaque, but I am really digging the color.
4. Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo – Ok. This is absolutely ridiculous: $140 shampoo. I do not own it, I have never tried it, and I am trying hard to resist it. BUT, supposedly it is a miracle. I try not to blindly trust the reviews in fashion magazines, but the consensus on this product is that it is worth every penny and that it grants you your every hair wish – shiny, healthy, bouncy, beautiful hair. Oh man, I am a sucker. I want to try it!
5. J. Crew Linen shorts – I bought these linen shorts a few weeks ago and I have worn them almost every day since. They are slouchy and they get a little wrinkled, but they are easy and comfy and just the right length. I didn’t know if I would ever buy shorts again (I am not thrilled with my pale, less-than-toned legs), but these actually look good on me – wow! It seems that they are sold out on the J.Crew website, but these striped shorts are very similar.
6. Sam Edelman sandals – I bought these gold sandals in April because I thought they were cool, and New York-y, and kind of gladiator trend-ish. I had not bought Sam Edelman shoes before, but I would highly recommend them now. The sandals are all leather, comfortable, and I have worn them just about every day walking all around the city this summer. I have worn them on the subway, shopping in Soho, touring museums, and walking for hours at a time exploring NYC. They have held up amazingly! I am truly impressed. They still look shiny and nearly new. (I did almost loose one of the gems when I tripped on a Subway stair, but it easily slipped back into place.) I never expected a pair of sandals to survive this long in this city – and if they can stand up to New York, they can survive anywhere!

Those are the material objects that I am obsessing over this summer, but I should probably add one more thing: Gilad Bodies in Motion. I have been sticking with my commitment to do the TV workouts every weekday for over ten weeks, and I think I am actually starting to see some nice results. I am still a long way from wanting to get my photo taken in a bikini (but really, why would that need to happen?), and I still need to work on my eating habits (isn’t that a perpetual battle?), but I feel stronger and more fit. And – as stated above – I am feeling comfortable in shorts, which is a small miracle! Thank you, Gilad!!

So, what are you digging this summer? Anything awesome that I shouldn’t be missing?

1 Comment » Categories: Clothes, Exercise, Fashion, Feeling Happy, Health, Make-up & Beauty, New York, Shoes