Seeing WWDMAGIC In A Whole New Light

 So I've been in the shoe business for... well, ever really- and have attended TONS of shoe shows/ trade shows. I'm usually, however, on the vendor side. That's industry speak for 'I'm with the people slinging the product' (in my case, the shoes). This trip though, I was hired by WWD's Footwear News Magazine to go to the show and blog about my experience and about what I saw happening in and around the FN Platform show.

HOW FUN!

 When you're on the selling side you're working like a dog. You're meeting customer after customer selling them shoes, convincing them that your line is better then the countless other lines they've seen, and kissing lots of butts. Now I'm not a sales person so that's just my version of what happens. Don't quote me ;) It's exhausting and I think our sales team is awesome!

When you're someone like a buyer, or say- a blogger... that was me this trip... the tables are turned a bit. You're not someone who needs others to like their product- you're someone that others want to impress. Instead of being greeted at the booth entrance with a skeptical eye ("who's this vendor trying to spy on my goodies") YOU'RE the one they welcome with open arms. It's great!

"Come check out our product! We'd love it if you'd feature us... would you like a water? We have fun giveaways for bloggers!" 

Like I said- quite a difference.

 For the 3 days of FN Platform I got to walk the show with my "Official FN Platform Blogger" badge and check out all the booths from my new perspective and it was really a lot of fun! We did little blogger roundtables 2x a day where we discussed the different trends and shoes and shared our personal favorites. Tuesday was extra fun because Kristen Cavallari joined our roundtable and we all got to do a little Q & A with her about her shoe line. (A separate post about that coming up as soon as I get photos) She even gifted each of us with a pair from her line. 

On the last day I stopped by the BCBG Generation booth and they even had a blogger suite! They were doing nails and hair and had a candy bar and made us all our own personalized bracelets! SO cool!

 I saw lots of shoe brands that I didn't know about, as well as brands I'm very familiar with. I had a lot of fun and hope to be invited back to do it again. The other bloggers were great and I feel like I made some new friends :) 

 OMG speaking of friends! Did you guys see my Instagram!? On my way to Vegas I sat next to Gretchen of RHOC and we got stuck on the plane for a few hours before takeoff and she and I had a blast! She's exactly how I thought she'd be- so fun and sweet.

It's good to be home because as fun as it was, it was even more exhausting! It's been really cool getting back into the swing of things with the blog. It's been so long I almost forgot how to start a new post. But I'm trying!! And I'm still working on that 7 month revamp ;)

XOX

My TV Debut on RHOBH!

Did you guys watch Real Housewives of Beverly Hills last night!?
I'll be totally honest, I've been waiting all season to see if I made the cut and I'm super excited that I did! Even if it was for mere moments and I barely said a word.

We filmed a total of 4 times and it was cut down to these few shots, but I got my name up there which was beyond cool!

I'm glad there were shots of the runway show and party at Adrienne's house where I wore my Miu Miu dress that I am OBSESSED with. (Perfect LBD!)

My mom is there taking a sip of champagne 4 people to the right of me on the screen up there. Hi mom! Your cleavage looks great! hahaha

It's funny that I was sitting next to Brandi and didn't know who she was yet since the season hadn't aired. She was really sweet and friendly and if you watch the show you'll see me laughing hysterically at something she said.

I'm so stoked to have been a part of this process. Adrienne is amazing and easily my favorite housewife! They didn't really show the shoes we made for her, which was weird and kind of a bummer, but here's a quick shot...

As for Lisa and her "Vander Pumps"... stick to Giggy and maybe a line of doggy clothes. Adrienne's got the shoe thing covered. ;)


I hope you enjoyed my TV debut, and possibly also my TV retirement. I don't know how these ladies do it week after week. I truly have a new respect for them. I was nervous and sweaty and over analyzed every shot and hated my hair and thought I made funny faces and on and on... it's all too much! Kudos to you girls that do it on the reg.



XOXO,

 

Real Housewives Tonight!!!

Hello from New York! I am, as I type, watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills... getting hot flashes.
Make sure you tune in because you'll see yours truly in my TV debut. ;) Don't blink or you'll miss me!




 XOXO,

Reality... Shoe?

Right before I left for Europe we had a reality show filming at work. It was really fun actually, and though I can't tell you everything about it, I can tell you that it is a show created by the super talented Sam Mettler of Intervention and it's produced by Ryan Seacrest's RSP. It will air on A&E, though I'm not sure when.

On the show, I interview a potential designer... but that's it! That's all I can say ;)

We filmed in our showroom. Shoes shoes everywhere!

It was really cool to see how a reality show works. They hid a mic in my cleavage and after wearing it for a while I really did forget about it. I used to think it sounded funny when reality stars would say that they "forgot the cameras were there" but I guess I can see how that could be the case. 

I was so nervous at first, going about my business and pretending like I didn't see cameras filming me but after I got comfortable and used to the idea, I was able to be totally natural.

It was a really cool experience and I can't wait to see the outcome.

I wore my super sexy Louboutins. I love these shoes!

Talking about my latest (and sadly, last) collection.

Jackie at Laura Mercier did my makeup. Thanks girl!! She's really good so all you local girls, go visit her at South Coast Plaza :)

I can't wait to tell you more about it and I will as soon as I can!

Up next: Posts about my shopping trip to Europe!

You Wanna be a Stylist?

I LOVE crappy reality shows. The cheesier the better. I love the drama, the competition, and the crazy characters that make fools of themselves.

Well here's a show that fits the criteria! Glam God on vh1. It's hilarious, and has all the ingredients to make a lovely batch of tacky goodness. 

The show's about aspiring stylists fighting to get the title of Glam God. The stylists have challenges where they dress models to see who is the best at styling for each given situation. There are so many strange and dramatic people on this show, as you can imagine. Get a bunch of eccentric fashion people in one room and who knows what'll happen! Id' say that so far Handry is my favorite contestant. He's some kind of Hispanic and has the best accent ever. Think Birdcage... Very flamboyantly gay. Very dramatic.

And speaking of flamboyantly gay... Vivica Fox hosts and is the closest thing to a gay man without being either gay, or a man.

Anyway, I'd say this show is worth checking out if you like mindless TV. Thursdays on vh1 :)