Fresh Faves: In God We Trust

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While AlixRose and I were on one of our many excursions exploring the streets of NYC, we came across the Ludlow outpost of In God We Trust, a jewelry and clothing line born and bred in the Big Apple. I first saw IGWT's witty little heart necklaces on The Covet Shop, with such sweet nothings as "Let's Make Out", "Lucky Bitch", "Really Fuckin' Cute" and "Sweet Tits" engraved upon them. I was really excited to discover not only that they had stores all over the city, but that they carried so much more than just great necklaces.

Made in Brooklyn, New York, designer Shana Tabor uses raw metals to create a antique feel to her line of jewelry. She's also got rings, bracelets, flasks, lighters, biz card holders and more, not to mention a few clothing pieces for men and women. Check out her online shop at Refinery 29 here.

This little gem came home with me:

And I wouldn't mind getting this for my birthday :)

Vivienne Tam F/W '11 Collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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I know I am super late with this coverage but I'm posting it anyway. My first Fashion Week show was for Vivienne Tam's F/W 2011 collection. It was such an honor and pleasure to catch the show!

Featuring what I'm calling "Roaring Twenties' Flapper Warrior" style, Tam's latest collection included tons of fringe detail, flowing bell sleeves, drop-waist dresses, dark navy & grey against vibrant red and teal colors and outerwear with very sculptured shoulder and collars.

Thanks to my dear friend Jordana (Clutch 22) who works with the designer often, my seat was up close and personal. I got some video of the final walk and though it's from the side, it's a pretty good capture of the collection. You can view pics of the full collection at Fashionista.com.

IFB Evolving Influence Part III: The Afterparty

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I'm not gonna lie, I thought I had more pictures of the IFB Evolving Influence conference afterparty at The Chelsea Room, but I don't :) Guess I was too busy gaping open-mouthed at the reality TV show that was being filmed simultaneously there. It was like watching a train wreck, only with Jersey cougars. Weird. Anywho, thanks so much to Jennine and team (especially to DJ Lani Love, Windows Phone and TheFind.com.) for such a great conference and a rockin afterparty!

Check out IFB's recap of the Evolving Influence conference and afterparty here.

IFB Evolving Influence Part II: What I Learned

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If there's anything I learned at the IFB conference, it's that not all bloggers are created equal. I am of the camp that still blogs for leisure. It's fun for me and I like sharing about some cool things I'm in to. At the conference, I was in the company of bloggers who do it for a living, whether falling into it for the love of fashion or a natural evolution from a lifetime of writing. I think Evolving Influence did a great job appealing to bloggers like myself as well as to those who are looking to make (or are currently making) a career out of it.

One session in particular stuck out to me.

Moderated by Kristina Medhus (Pretty Shiny Sparkly) and featuring: Sasha Wilkins (Liberty London Girl), Rebecca Stice (Clothes Horse), Kristin Knox (The Clothes Whisperer), Lindsey Calla (Saucy Glossie) and Rachna Shah (KCD),

"Working with Brands Gracefully" gave some really great insight into how brands and fashion bloggers can work together successfully. The panel addressed the sensitive subjects of gifting and brand ambassadorship while maintaining credibility and keeping your personal brand true and intact. Here are some of my favorite points shared during the talk:

  • Be honest with your readers. Be clear about paid posts ("This is an advertorial" or include mention of working with the brand organically in your post)
  • Maintain creative and editorial control. The brand will have some input on what they want you to say, but remember to stay in line with your personal brand and your blog's purpose. Would you write about a free facial when your blog is focused on outfits and styling?
  • Be smart about how you deal with gifting. Accepting offers and product from brands shouldn't be about "getting free stuff." It's a chance for you as a blogger - an influencer - to share knowledge with your readers that stretches across various boundaries (geographical, financial, etc.) It's rarely about displaying a brand in a positive light just because they give you something. They want honest feedback, and as a blogger, you should feel like you can share your truthful opinion about a product or service. Successful partnerships between brands and bloggers build over useful reviews and feedback.
  • Be ready! Brands will sometimes offer bloggers brand ambassadorship, essentially creating a long-term relationship with that blogger to help promote the brand. For bloggers, that means your readers have access to events and insight into things they wouldn't otherwise have. If you want your favorite brands to reach out to your blog, get your press kit ready so you can show them the value of working with you.
  • Earn your brand ambassador status! Prove to brands that you're passionate about what they're doing. They'll respond when you bring ideas to the table.
  • Protect yourself. If you do work with brands, you'll be sharing ideas and thoughts all your own. Make sure to get a non-disclosure agreement drafted and signed by both parties.
  • So...what metrics are important to brands? Ahh, the age-old question asked by bloggers, brands and social media agencies alike :) There's no true answer for that, but the two things to remember are: analyze what you can, and remember that numbers aren't the only thing that matters. Be able to speak intelligently about your audience and traffic.

Hope these gems of advice can help you! For more from the Evolving Influence conference, check out the live blogs on IFB.

IFB Evolving Influence Part I: The Pictures

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When I first got into blogging and Twitter a couple of years ago, I found myself gravitating towards a specific group of Seattle girls who were also into blogging and social media: Jordana (Clutch 22), Sara (SPUN), Alix (AlixRose), Birdie (BonneVie) and Nadine (Girl's Guide to Seattle). It was through these amazing ladies that I learned about and joined the Independent Fashion Bloggers community. Though I don't consider myself a purely fashion blogger, IFB has been a great resource for blog trends, news and of course, networking with other bloggers. I've grown fond of IFB's founder, Jennine and her blog The Coveted and commend her for creating this community for us!

The Evolving Influence conference is IFB's bi-annual all-day workshop that coincides with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NY. Evolving Influence is chock full of valuable information for bloggers to really take their craft to the next level. This was my second time at the conference and I'm so impressed how much it's grown in the past year.

I've split up my coverage of Evolving Influence into three parts: The Pictures, What I Learned, and The Afterparty. Enjoy Part I!

En route to the conference. Cozy in my vintage fur hat!

The stylish crowding the sidewalks outside Milk Studios

Darling, understated Tavi (Style Rookie)

We're here!

The crowd looks on as Jennine introduces a panel

Me, Mary (Shop Glamarous), Nubia (Nubia's Nonsense) and Alix (AlixRose)

Playing with laptops at the Microsoft station

The Microsoft laptop station. Really wanted to take that art home & find it a new place in my living room.

Pamela (Market Publique), Taylor (Sterling Style), Alix, me and Amy (PunkyStyle)

Beachy keen in the Aldo booth. Those sweet wedges won't be on sale until March! I want

Me, Nichelle (StyleMom), Alix & Amy (Midtown Girl)

Super fun times with AlixRose in the Levi's "Shape What's to Come" booth

Proenza Schouler keynote

Ethan (Elle.com  / Titans & Co.) and I

What I wore:

Green & black checkered vintage duster coat

Vintage bib necklace

Urban Outfitters cream scarf

Vintage shoulder bag

JetSet latex high-waisted leggings

L.A. Made white double-V tee

Dolce Vita shearling boot

(not pictured)

Tete Couture feather headband

Moksha black double-rope belt

Vintage fur hat

NYFW: Rebecca Minkoff Afterparty Hosted by Smirnoff

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After a whirlwind week in NYC for Fashion Week and Social Media Week, I'm back in Seattle and ready to unleash some awesome blogs for you!

One of our stops on the Fashion Week party circuit was Griffin, for the Rebecca Minkoff afterparty hosted by Smirnoff.

"The World's #1 Vodka" even invited bloggers to try The Smirnoff Challenge, where three vodkas were up for a taste test. Now I am never one to turn down a taste test - and I ended up choosing Smirnoff!

Yum!

I had a blast meeting the Smirnoff & Rebecca Minkoff teams, as well as hanging with some of my favorite digital/lifestyle/fashion blogger friends.

Thanks Smirnoff & Rebecca Minkoff for such a fun night!

Ever the social media maven...

Find Smirnoff on Twitter, Facebook and online

Find Rebecca Minkoff on Twitter, Facebook and online

Tanqueray's GINgle All The Way Party Recap

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I had the honor of attending Tanqueray's GINgle All The Way holiday party last month at Seattle speakeasy Needle & Thread. The soiree brought together some of Seattle's foodie & lifestyle bloggers and media for some sweet bites, fun networking and really great cocktails! I don't think I'd ever had Tanqueray before that night, so I'm glad I got to be part of the experience. The drinks were amazing - perfect for a fancy dinner party at home or for a night out at your favorite speakeasy with friends. Check out the specialty cocktails they served:

·Self Starter: Tanqueray, Lillet, Apricot Brandy, Absinthe

·Pegu Club: Tanqueray 10, Lime, Cointreau, Bitters

·Devil’s Crayon (my personal favorite): Tanqueray Rangpur, Lime, Red Pepper, Elderflower, Habenero, Chocolate Bitters

Some pics from the night, courtesy of AJ Ragasa, Cameron Newland and Birdie of Bonne Vie:

Cheers!

Thanks Tanqueray!

Follow Tanqueray on Facebook and Twitter

Resolutions

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I thought I’d share a few of my New Year’s resolutions. Though I’m not really a fan of the concept of “New Year’s resolutions” (I mean, shouldn’t you always be working to better yourself, not saving it for a certain time of the year?) – here are some things that have been on my mind. “Like to hear it? Here it goes…”

Say “no” more.

If 2010 has taught me a damn thing, it’s that I really cannot do it all. At least, not well. If I’m gonna be a superwoman, I’m going to do a few things very well, and all other requests will have to take a walk. So what are those things, you ask? Right now I am focused on marketing the hell out of Banyan Branch, more FreshJess blogging, and helping out my friends SPUN Sustainable Collective and Tigerbeat. Maybe this year I might even have time for myself :)

Say “yes” more.

Yes to all things that make me happy. Yes to taking a breather every once in awhile. Yes to a spa day. Yes to doing nothing on a Sunday. Yes to a good book. Yes to an amazing meal. Yes to another set of squats. Yes to my family. Yes to my friends. Yes to life.

Next level Gym Jones

I work out maybe 3x a week if I’m not super busy. This year I’m about to get serious about being there more. I’m subscribing to fitness blogs like nobody’s business for tips on some good workouts that I can keep myself on track with. I’m talkin bout mixing in more yoga, hot yoga, bikram yoga, maybe some hikes with my beautiful family. Maybe some Sassy Fit. Maybe some trapeze. I don’t know. I’m down for whatever. Except for running :)

Get my mind right.

I am cursed/blessed with the mind that runs a million miles a second, and a laziness that’s too slow to write all of my ideas down. Sometimes I blame this on the nature of working at a social media agency, but ultimately I take responsibility. I want to find an organization system that works for the many facets of my life. I’ll find you soon dammit!

Get my money right.

I think that speaks volumes in and of itself.

R.I.F.

I can count the number of times I’ve opened my Google Reader in the past year on two hands. I can count the number of books I’ve read this year on one.Yes, I’ve been that busy, but I’ve also been that miserable and lost without making any time for myself. That changes ASAP. I’ve challenged myself to read as many of the BBC’s 100 Greatest Books (that list is subjective - look it up and you'll find at least 4 variations. I'm just gonna pick and choose amongst the lists :)) I’ve started to organize, update and add to my Google Reader and soon it will be so on point with some of my favorite social media, fashion, music, design and lifestyle blogs I won’t be able to resist it. Hella looking forward to filling my brain with awesome reads! Always learning, always growing.

Eat more tofu.

Because tofu is freakin delicious! Don't believe the haters. I don’t have enough of it in my life. I got it from my mama!

GTFOH.

There are work and blog things that will have me around the country this year, but I really want to travel more. Who doesn’t, right? First and foremost, I need to pay some homage to the motherland and make my way to the Philippines. I want to see my grandparents’ house, where my parents grew up, and hopefully meet some of my cousins who I only have the pleasure of knowing thanks to Facebook. Aside from that, I have a laundry list of places and things I’d love to do and see. Time to start racking up those frequent flyer miles!

the world is...

Happy new year! Looking forward to sharing many more posts with you in 2011.

Fresh Jess

2011. Get ready for it. I came to win.

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I wasn’t going to write a New Year’s post, but after reflecting on the past year and talking about next at two different parties last week (thanks to the amazing Melody Biringer of CRAVE and Hazel Grace Dircksen), I sort of talked at blueprint of this post out for myself.

2010 was definitely a challenging year. Some of that I brought upon myself; other challenges life decided to toss my way. I’d left my events director job for a social media agency (then in startup mode) and took on CRAVE Seattle at the same time. Both opportunities were such amazing learning lessons and culture shocks for me, but eventually the stress of trying to keep up with both got to me. For the first time in my life, I realized I’d reached the point of doing too much. Despite my stubborn, overachieving side denying anything was wrong, my lack of free time, my irritability and overall unhappiness told me it was time to finally say no. I can’t do it all anymore.

the deep end.

I also made some changes in my personal life this year that were incredibly hard but so necessary for me in order to figure out who I am. Couple that with the most devastating heartbreak 
I’ve ever experienced, and this year’s made for quite the tumultuous ride. Many things that defined me at the beginning of the year aren’t there or don’t make sense anymore. I am staring at redefinition of self square in the face.

Luckily, I continue to have so many things to be grateful for. I’ve attracted some amazing, incredible people who color my life with great conversation, tons of laughs and unnerving support. I have the best family in the world. I love my job and work with some truly talented, intelligent, sincerely kickass people. Opportunities come to me thanks to the wonderful world that is social media.

With that said, I can’t help but look towards 2011 with confidence, a strong will and a giving heart. I’m still dealing with figuring out what joy and love look like with no Meatball in my life (maybe I’ll always be?), and I’m in the midst of trying to figure my shit out. Regardless, I know that whatever I do, I do it well and I aim for nothing but excellence.

"Get ready for it. I came to win." – Nicki Minaj

Shake ya hairfeather: Featherlocks hair extensions

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A few weeks ago, Swink Style Bar invited a few girls in to try out hair tinsel and Featherlocks hair extensions. Initially I went in to get some tinsel but as soon as I saw my stylist Megan's hair, I knew feathers were the way to go. Featherlocks by Condition Culture are actual feather extensions that are easily and inexpensively applied to your hair without using chemicals or damaging your hair. Think of it as a sweet and simple way to add some swag to your hairstyle :)

Feather sisters: @JessEstrada &  @KnitPurl

Featherlocks can be washed, dried, flat-ironed or curled. I'm told they can stay in hair up to 4-6 weeks - though the feathers last well beyond that and can be reapplied without losing their original shape or color.

Feathers out on the town: Reina & me at the Grocery fashion show

Swink itself is a fabulous place to get your hair done for your birthday, wedding, gala or any other special event for a really reasonable price ($30 gets you a choice of different blowout styles.) For the Featherlocks treatment, $45 gets you a style and two feathers, with each additional feather just $10 more. Insider's note: Enjoy $10 off hairstyles on $20 Tuesdays! Sweet deal, yeah? I'm feeling a little addicted to the place already. I mean, who couldn't use a boost to their hairstyle even with nowhere special to go? Swink is absolutely darling and the staff is super nice. They also offer makeup, lash extensions and coming in January - facial waxing as well. Peep their service menu here.

Thanks to Natalie, Keridwyn, Megan, the Swink team and Featherlocks for my feathers!

Give the Gift of Love with Krochet Kids - and FreshJess!

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FJ fave Krochet Kids is bringing back their highly successful "Give the Gift of Love" holiday campaign. At this time last year, the Kids employed a group of 10 women in Uganda, but thanks to continuous support they've now given jobs to 87 women through their programs. Their goal for the campaign is to sell 10,000 hats thru the month of December.

It's been awesome to see Krochet Kids grow from a small Spokane operation to a California warehouse that stocks hats, tees and accessories in the likes of PacSun and Nordstrom. In just a year!

I have something extra sweet for you to help Give the Gift of Love this season. FreshJess.com readers can enjoy 15% off at KrochetKids.org with discount code FRESHJESS.

Buy a hat. Spread love. Change a life!

These are in my cart:

The Helm

All Bundled Up & Everywhere to Go

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Well, summer never showed up in Seattle and the crisp air of fall is here with a vengeance. They say that this winter is supposed to be absolutely ridiculous for the Pacific Northwest - which is awesome because not only do people not know how to drive in adverse conditions here, but the city has no idea how to appropriately prepare itself for storms of any kind. Awesome. Don't take me for just my cynicism, though...I'm looking forward to lots of snowboarding, caramel apple cider and staying bundled and cozy in my little apartment.

Naturally I need outerwear that can keep up with me during this fall & winter. I'll still be out and about at numerous events, shows and parties despite what the weatherman is telling me. It's a fine art to stay stylish yet bundled up without looking like the kid from A Christmas Story, yo. Hopefully I can avoid that tragedy :)

Here are some of my outerwear picks from some of my favorite online shopping haunts:

fly like a furball. Meaty forever. fur barrel coat - opening ceremony

navajo illin / blanket jacket - obey

ugh. i die over the draping of this one. little filipina riding hood

Kai-aakmann hooded wool trench coat - nasty gal

detail euphoria! those buttons. that puckered waistline. holy cow

belted velvet detail military coat - asos

utilitarian classic.

mackage sasha coat - manhattanite

A Mother and Her Child

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Do you like how I made this big deal about starting to blog again and then barely blogged ever since? I've had good reason.

Our beloved english bulldog, Meatball, passed away unexpectedly in late August.

I've never given birth. I don't know what it's like to change diapers, stay up at all hours of the night soothing a crying baby, teaching them how to walk and speak their first words.

I do, however, know what it's like to be a mother. Meaty was my baby.

I know what it's like to feel love like a mom. The first time I laid eyes on Meaty I decided it was my purpose to take care of this little creature. To clean up slobber & bulldog vomit. To find little dog hairs in everything I own. Feed him better than we feed ourselves. To deal with it when he damn near singed my nose hairs with his farts. Shower him with toys, love and affection. There was absolutely nothing in this world I wouldn't do for him. No matter what I did in life, my adventures, opportunities & successes - nothing quite compared to seeing his handsome face when I got home and cuddling with the cuddlemaster himself.

Meatball was amazing. I know every owner says this about their pet but he seriously was the most handsome dog on planet Earth. He had facial expressions and personality like you wouldn't believe! And for a bulldog, he was so athletic - energetic and full of life.

Now I can say that I know the true depths of loss. Of pain. Of anguish. Of heartache. In my lowest moments I can't understand how life could possibly be so unfair. Why did you take my baby from me? Why?

Then I remember how much sheer joy, love and happiness Meaty brought into our lives - mine, my boyfriend's, our family and friends, even random people we'd see on the street during our walks. People would stop and take pictures with the little guy! I tell myself that these are the memories I need to hold on to. Not of losing him. He was the most incredible dog, pet, companion, friend, SON and he meant - means - the world to me. Like the craziest of hurricanes, he came into our lives and out with a bang, leaving behind pawprints in many people's hearts.

We started a PAWS fund in Meaty's name, and I now have his name tattooed on my left wrist - close to my heart and where I can see him all the time. I love you Meaty. Thank you so much for blessing us with your presence for a little while. You're my angel now. Keep heaven on their toes my crazy baby :)

xoxo

Jess

styleXSW: black, white & freezing

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austin has a secret i was never expecting yet got hit in the face with on my last day there. it does, in fact, drop to temperatures i would have never guessed. how naive of me to think it never gets cold in Texas! my luggage was puking out summer attire: tank tops, sandals, tees, and one jacket. needless to say, we were absolutely miserable in 30 degree weather.

what you see in this outfit is my meager attempt to get some style points. eventually i gave up completely on style, went back to the hotel and put on about 7 thin layers to stay warm while braving the elements in the name of Diplo and Mad Decent's Carniville. but before that, this was my getup for a leisurely stroll down 6th Ave for one last day of SXSW fun.

despite the disgustingly cold and windy weather, this day was really fun. Jill and I checked out the Market Publique party, Carniville, the American Apparel rummage sale (a chaotic mess in itself) and tasted some true Austin fare at Iron Works BBQ. i had a great time in Austin but the face-numbing cold reminded me i love nothing better than being at home in my sweats :)

vintage leather jacket

plaid shirt: Hurley

SPUN tank

leggings: f21

gold sparkly goodness: TOMS shoes

styleXSW: structured comfort

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i really liked Austin. for some reason, it reminded me a lot of Seattle & Portland. it might've been because Waterloo Records, where much of my time was spent, is at the same intersection as Whole Foods HQ & next to Lululemon Athletica. i especially loved this wall along the side of lululemon - it's like an inspiration board all in itself. there are quotes of positivity and encourage all over it. an unexpected gem in the middle of rockstar SXSW chaos.

as for my outfit, i guess you could call it something different from what i'd call the official SXSW outfit; sundresses, cowboy boots and as much leather as possible. my style is so random and all over the place, so i never quite fit in anywhere i'm at. oh well, who cares right? i'm in love with every piece in this outfit. structured zipped & striped skirt, SPUN tank, vintage accessories...<3

SPUN tank

owl necklace: Bombshell Vintage (portland)

structured skirt: Moksha (seattle)

sandals & sunnies: see previous post

styleXSW: fierce florals

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i never pack right when i travel. this is proving even more of a problem on work trips - not only do i not have what i need, i also have no time to go shopping for it. yikes! i did okay for the first couple of days down in Austin for SXSW, but more on my/our epic packing fail in a later post :)

before my NYFW trip and again for SXSW, i made it a point to visit my favorite indie boutique in Seattle and quite possibly in the whole universe: Moksha Clothing & Art Repository in the University District. aside from my online & vintage finds, i shop almost exclusively at Moksha - mostly because i love Aleph, Elvia, Rose & every great soul who works there, but also because i am pretty sure that i will never be caught in the "same outfit, same party" situation. a stylish nightmare!

working at SXSW all day (and staying at a hotel a

good 30 minute cab ride away) meant all of my outfits had to last from day into night. this is my first sunny weather outfit of the year and i absolutely love it. the lace floral tank top is beautiful and though i bust a hole into it, i'm still planning on wearing it all year. it's a versatile piece that works with everything, yet the detail helps bring some pop to the outfit. the flower print bubble miniskirt was the total clincher for me. it poufs out in a perfect bubble and has a stretch waistband. i'm usually really lazy with accessorizing but i threw on the vintage mustard yellow stretch belt over the skirt to bring it together and it worked! top it off with my black gladiator sandals and Cole Haan purse and i was set.

this last pic is of me and my girl Jill of Zaxy.com fame. she's probably the most gorgeous gamer girl on the planet!

sunnies: Redux (portland)

sling purse: Cole Haan

lace floral tank, gold spike bracelet & bubble skirt: Moksha (seattle)

belt: Katie Kay Accessories

sandals: Bliss (seattle)

Fresh Reads: Kelly Cutrone & Mireille Guiliano

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being in an industry that requires a good amount of time in front of the computer really makes you appreciate the times when you're not staring at a laptop or desktop screen. for my flight down to and back from SXSW, i totally relished the hours uninterrupted by phone or internet. i took the time to write, sleep, and also managed to blaze through two books by two absolutely compelling women - Mireille Guiliano and Kelly Cutrone.

i don't feel like there are enough examples of power women who like to help other women out there in the world of business. a lot of the successful ladies we see depicted in movies and on TV are the kinds of women nobody wants to be around: mean, disrespectful, lonely, hostile and with a warped sense of entitlement. Ms. Cutrone herself is privy to this on her own show plus the ones she's previously been a part of. anywho, i always gravitate towards the books by power women in all kinds of industries. they have so many life lessons and tips to share with young ladies like myself :)

i really enjoyed reading both Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire and If You Have to Cry, Go Outside. These two women could not be any different and yet offer up such similar pieces of advice.

Guiliano oversaw the Veuve Cliquot enterprise in the U.S., expanding from 1% of market share to a good quarter of it. Intermixed with great lessons on how to wine & dine, interview, network, make presentations and hold your own in the office & on the field, this amazing French powerhouse also shared her personal thoughts on fashion, work/life balance and taking care of yourself (which we as women tend to put to the side in our quest to be all things motherly for everyone else.) i was really entertained and inspired by her many stories of holding her own against the stereotypes of the male-dominated industry that the wine world was - and how she always stood true to bringing new ideas to the table to bring her brands to the top of consumers' minds.

Kelly Cutrone is an incredible force of nature. While dispelling almost everything that's been depicted of her on TV, she shares an incredibly intimate peek into her life - from a bored teenager trapped in upstate New York, a hipster in the wild days of 70s NY nightlife, a young divorcee piecing her life back together on the west coast to legendary pillar in the fashion PR industry. what i loved most about Kelly was learning how huge her heart is. in regards to her employees - as long as you give her your all and show that your heart is truly in the right place at People's Revolution, she will bend over backwards to take care of you and give you the tools to succeed in the industry (or wherever you want to end up.) her book is a quick read but chock full of great advice for anyone who wants to be (or work for) an entrepreneur. i love that she constantly stresses the hard work, the stress and the hours it takes to succeed; i feel like so many people i meet who want to "be in fashion" don't actually have the heart, the drive or the passion to do it. she makes it crystal clear that those people are a dime a dozen and quickly find they have no place in the fashion industry at all.

so what are some of the things both Mireille and Kelly taught me? here are a couple of my favorite lessons from both fabulous ladies:

  • What's the worst that could happen? Life is all about taking risks, right? For women in business, taking risks is the key to finding success - and encountering failures (lessons learned.) Both ladies often asked this question throughout their books, to demonstrate why they made the decisions they did. I love posing risks in that perspective. You'll find that things don't seem so scary or daunting if you stop and ask, "What's the worst that could happen?"
  • You will get somewhere if you put your heart into it. Mireille & Kelly are full of experiences where they went above and beyond what was required of them to get what they want and ultimately elevate their present business situation. This is one of those lessons I feel are easiest to listen to but hardest to put in place. You have to keep at whatever it is you're doing, especially when you reach the point where you feel like you can't do it anymore. As my friend Darcey Howard likes to say, you're not an entrepreneur if you don't want to vomit at least three times a week :)
  • Take care of yourself! Ugh. The first thing women do is forget about themselves when trying to have it all. I am a repeat offender of this. I have to remind myself that I am in dire need of "me" time, all the time. Mireille goes into some depth in pointing out the differences between how the French and Americans view vacation time. We have a lot to learn from the well-vacationed Europeans, I can tell you that! Kelly even points out that while she has created a life where her home and work are in the same building, she is adamant about unplugging when she leaves the office, to cook, bake, focus on her daughter and basically have time to herself.
  • Learn to say no - and how to hear it. It was so comforting to me to read different takes on this from both women. Mireille stresses that you have to know when to say no - to promotions, new jobs, new responsibilities, whatever - in order to maintain your inner peace and some sort of balance in your life. Alternately, I LOVED reading Kelly's stories about getting yelled at (and yelling at) impossibly difficult clients. It comes with the territory - and it's how you build that tough-as-nails blood Kelly's got streaming through her veins.
  • Dress for success! For Mireille, it's injecting your personal style so that you make an impact in the boardroom without making a spectacle of yourself. For Kelly, it's cutting-edge style, and a uniform of all-black (only at fashion shows & events) - timelessly chic, always stylish and a way for her team to find each other in the midst of chaos. Regardless of where you are in your career and what you happen to represent at the moment, I think both women would agree that the most important thing you can wear is a relentless confidence of self. Nothing looks better than a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it.

I read a ton of books but I'm glad these two made it on the plane with me. I highly suggest these to any power girl who needs a little more mentorship from other power girls in the world.

for the girl who has everything (on her): the Ramsay Rock Tote

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debuting the Ramsay Rock Tote at SXSW in Austin. rockin

i have always been the kinda girl who carries every possible thing she can in her purse, and then some. who knows when i'll get home after leaving the house, where i'll go and what i'll need when i'm there? i am a "need to be prepared" kinda girl, you know? and the dawning of the digital era has made it so that every bag lady now has an extra few lbs to haul around via laptop, smartphone, Kindle, iPad, what have you.

needless to say, i have always gravitated towards the biggest totes i could find. i mean, the most gigantic, olsen twin-style bags i could find. i am a power girl on the go and i need my bag to house everything i need to succeed. luckily, Handbag Heaven has fulfilled my needs by blessing me with the Ramsay Rock Tote.

the Ramsay Rock Tote is amazing. i'm really picky when finding a bag that fits both my needs & my style & this tote hits the mark on both points. it's incredibly roomy, has great pockets to fit the small stuff, handles and a longer strap in case i want to throw it over my shoulder or across my frame. the gold, grey & silver stud detail are icing on the cake for me, in a "don't mess with me" icing way :)

thanks to Handbag Heaven for giving a bag lady what she wants & needs!

a peek into my life, clockwise from top left:

Ramsay Rock Tote, $77.99 (+ 15% off w/code SPRING2010)

Paper calendar...because I can't put my whole life online :)

Various cordage

Cole Haan purse (the little bag that holds the littler stuff)

Notebook

Keys

My escape from reality (iPod)

Laptop w/inCase sleeve