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!

Boston: Neiman Marcus, Forevermark by Maria Canale

I was delighted to capture the spirit of Neiman Marcus's Forevermark Diamond Collection designed by Maria Canale. With over 30 years of design experience, 20 of which was spent designing for Tiffany & Co., Canale has created many remarkable and recognizable collections. Needless to say, she is no stranger to 'romancing the stone'.

Luxurious is an understatement for these elegant and BRILLIANT baubles, but the true mark of a good diamond is where it comes from. Forevermark diamonds are sourced responsibly under fair practices from a small number of mines located in various countries including Botswana, where I grew up!

The line of rings, necklaces and earrings is the first collaboration between Canale and Forevermark for Neiman Marcus. Join me, along with Corinne Grousbeck, Katherine Chapman, Laura Rehnert, Gwenn Snider, Jeannie Blasberg and more for a night of champagne and diamonds galore!

Models are Adriana and Claire who I last photographed at Zac Posen!