Reminder: Fashion Week Swag Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter to win one of four swag bundles from New York Fashion Week! This giveaway runs until October 16, 2012 and is open to ALL readers in USA! I will pick four different winners via Rafflecopter. Here are the rules: become a follower in Google (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on the original post letting me know what which prize you would love to win most. Check out the Rafflecopter widget for more ways to enter and keep your fingers crossed!

Giveaway: Fashion Week Swag

One of my favorite things about Fashion Week is free stuff. Besides the general glitz and glamour that comes along with attending all the events there are generally goodie bags filled with samples and gifts. Honestly, I am kind of a hoarder about it but, I digress... After going through the copious amount of swag I had at the end of Fashion Week festivities there were plenty of things that I didn't really see myself using. I'm more than happy to share hence my current giveaway. With four different winners and a plethora of ways to enter your chances are looking pretty great.

Up for grabs is:

The Makeup Bundle

• Allure Magazine Makeup Case
• Julep for Trina Turk Fall 2012 in Otte
• Julep for Trina Turk Fall 2012 in Delaunay
• MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Reel Sexy
• Votrevu Anti-Aging Eyelid Smoother in Light
• Votrevu Daily Brow Definer in Fair
• Votrevu Tantilizing Bronzer Duo in Monaco
• Origins Gin-Zing Refreshing Eye Cream 
• Hard Candy Lash Call Lengthening Mascara in Peacock
• Violent Lips Temporary Lip Tattoos in The Violet Glitteratti

The Jewelry Bundle

• Crystal Studs from Sorrelli
• White Fabric Rosette Studs from Our Sweetest Blooms
• Gold Chain Earrings from LaureLuxe

Small Case Bundle

• Small Blue Wallet from Tumi
• Black Patent Leather Wristlet from Stella & Dot 

Black Sprout Watch

Now for the fun stuff, this giveaway will be until October 16, 2012 and is open to ALL readers in USA! I will pick four different winners via Rafflecopter. Here are the rules: become a follower in Google (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on this post letting me know what which prize you would love to win most. Check out the Rafflecopter widget for more ways to enter and keep your fingers crossed!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Getting Into Fashion Week

I'm assuming you noticed the flurry of New York Fashion Week activity flooding Facebook, Twitter, and your other social networks. There are always so many fabulous runway shoes, presentations, and events it's hard to keep track. Right now Fashion Week is drawing to a close as quickly as it came but, that doesn't mean you can't plan on taking part in the festivities next season! I'm not guaranteeing front row Marc Jacobs in your future but, there are always a few fun Fashion Week related event that you can take part in no matter who you are or where you are located. Here are some of my tips and tricks for getting on the proverbial red carpet and through the velvet ropes.

1. Fashion's Night Out - This is a nation world wide event that takes place when various fashion hubs host Fashion Week. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the generosity of major brands and party! Some stores will have food and drinks, some stores will have free samples/services/goodie bags, and some stores will have celeb appearances. There are a plethora of choices when it comes to Fashion Night Out that allow you to meet, greet, see, and be seen! Even if you don't live in the thick of one of these fashionable cities your local mall, big box department store, or small stylish boutique might have something planned. I would definitely check their website or call and ask.

Image courtesy of SarahShah.com

2. Start a blog (if you haven't already) - While blogging is a full time job for some or just a fun pastime for others (raises hand) it can be a means to an end for a both. Being able to approach a brand or PR company and say that you would be happy to cover an event for them on your blog is a great way to get in the door to some fun Fashion Week festivities. It's also great reason to hand out business cards at events (like Fashion's Night Out *winkwinknudgenudge) so people and brands can see why they might want to work with you. If you don't immediately garner a press pass or attention from companies through blogging don't be discouraged, you're not the only fashion/beauty/OOTD blogger out there. Even if they reject you at least they know you are interested and they might reach out to you at a later juncture or for a different event. Don't forget to follow up, networking is everything!

3. Check Eventbrite - There are always a variety of activities on Eventbrite that you can take part in any week of the year. That, naturally, holds true for Fashion Week, as well. Just run a quick search and see what you find. I'm know there will be a mix of paid and free events for you to choose from. Obvi we want everything to be free but, just because it is doesn't mean it's worth going and just because it isn't doesn't mean that it's not. Either way, I would try to stick with events out on by well known brands; those will have the best turnout and best take homes.

Image courtesy of blog.eventbrite.com

4. Consult with your fashionable friends - While you might not be hooked in with the fashion elite anybody yet maybe someone you know on a personal level is. See if there are any general (or invite only) Fashion Week events that you can tag along with them to. If not maybe they know of some events that you can RSVP for even though you didn't recieve a direct invite. Maybe they are willing to give you their invite to a show or event. Or, maybe they know of some fun general things devoid of a guest list that you can attend. There are definite possibilities, just ask around. Honestly, I had almost all of my Fashion Week fun this time around through second hand invites from friends and friends of friends. It's been a blast!

Image courtesy of The Tiny Tierant

5. Host your own event- Maybe  all of my tips and tricks are completely useless because absolutely none of this is relevant to you. Don't be discouraged, you can still have fashionable fun. You can have girlfriends over and stream the runway shows live from the comfort of your own home. Maybe you can partner with a local store or boutique and host an Fashion Week event at their establishment. The sky is really the limit with this, see what you can do!

Do you have any other tips, ticks, or ideas on how to get in on Fashion Week festivities?

Blogger's Night Out

On Friday while everyone was getting into the swing of things for Fashion Week I was right there with them (in my mind) at Blogger's Night Out. There was also an event downtown sponsored by Lulu's.com which I didn't know about. Who felt like a lame blogger? That would be me but, I digress...

Blogger's Night Out was hoppin' either way; If you follow me on Twitter you might have noticed my live tweets from the events so you have an idea of all the action. This is me and my GF in the picture hot spot.

Plastics Make it Possible definitely had the most impressive display with a plethora of outfits composed entirely of items made from plastic! Love them... I think my favorite part of the night came when I was talking with one of the lovely ladies from Plastics Make it Possible to enter a giveaway for one of the snazzy outfits and she recognized my blog plus, said she was a follower! So surreal/awesome.

It was very crowded but, these pictures don't do it justice! It was a challenge to squeeze from one end of the bar to the other. I have to say there was alot more room last year which I appreciated while I was trying to make it around to see the different vendors or to the bar to get a yummy (free) drink.

The Style Lounge in the back, organized by Marshalls and TJ Maxx, provided a nice respite from the crowds up front at the bar. It was like finding a secret treasure trove...

This is just a small sampling of all the great items on display. Unfortunately, you couldn't buy or take anything home which was a little disappointing if you found something that you fell in love with like some ladies. There was one person I overheard saying that it was meant to be and the item that she found matched her outfit perfectly but, to no avail.

While their displays were a total tease Marshalls TJ Maxx definitely had the best game. Basically, they presented you with an item and you had to guess their retail prices based on the original MSRP. I won two things and my GF won an awesome purse. Lucky us! It got so popular that you couldn't guess again if you had already won and they eventually ran out of items.

After all the giveaway winners had been announced and the night wound down it was time to get gift bags and head out! It was a mad house because the gift bag pick up was at the coat check which was a little frustrating because I left my coat in the car to avoid that crowd in the first place... The moment when the night really ended was one some lady (accidentally) punched me in the ear trying to get her coat on. Thankfully I had a fun ride home with GF and some new friends and there was some fun swag to be had.

Did you go to Blogger's Night Out, the Lulus.com party, or some other even cooler thing that I didn't know about? How was it?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Shopbop giftcard!!

Fashion Week In Pictures (Mostly)

I went to a few events for Fashion Week and I wanted to share all of my experiences with you! It was definitely very surreal to be at those types of events because of my own merit. Normally, I would be going to a show or hanging out at an event because I knew someone; This time it was all me! 

The first event that I went to was the meetup that Katy from Modly Chic put together at a rooftop bar in midtown. Thank goodness there was a roof on the roof because the rain was torrential! A bunch of other lovely blogger ladies came and we chatted sipped drinks and of course took some pictures. 

Me, my friend Katie, and Katy from Modly Chic

Allie from Fashion Enthusiast (far left), Christine from Feed My Sole (next far left),  Heather  representing Marshalls, Me,  my friend Katie, Katy from Modly Chic

One of the coolest things was the Katy was able to put together goodie bags thanks to the generosity of We Love Colors and other cool brands. Mine got destroyed a little in the rain but, that's ok the contents inside survived!

Thursday was Fashion's Night Out which we all know I missed but, the next night I was Blogger's Night Out which just seemed so much more apropos! I started out the evening at an invitation only clothing swap organized by Swapaholics and ModCloth! I got a great dress from ModCloth and swapped some items I was considering donating to the thrift store for a few cute dresses from Re/Dress NYC that the owner Deb bought. I was so happy she brought some "normal" sized clothes. 

As you can see it got pretty swamped so when the time was right I made my way down to Blogger's Night Out which was actually very close. I will say at the two parties I felt very under-dressed but, decided to take pictures anyway because the opportunity felt very unique!

Me and Nicole from Black Shoes Diary

 

There were lots of different companies there and tons of fun things to explore including Zoya's new line of polishes for the fall. 

One of the sponsors was Lulus.com. They had a Wheel of Fortune type set up and you could spin to win discounts, or even free items from the selection to that had. I actually ended up winning an item which I'm sure you will see soon!

On Saturday I got invited to attend Robert Verdi's Luxe Laboratory. I had no idea what that meant before I went into it but, when I showed up I was pleasantly surprised. The whole point of the exhibition was to celebrate the use of plastic in fashion. It goes into alot of what we wear/use and has really great properties! 

There were tons of companies there showing of their wares! 

Of course this party got pretty packed too but, I happened to stay long enough that Robert Verdi came and hung out! He was very sweet...



Robert Verdi and I

Overall, I had a total blast and got tons of cool swag which I will be rolling out... What did you do for Fashion Week?

SWAG!