Event Recap :: Meeting Rebecca Minkoff

Hi everyone! This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to meet one of my favorite designers - Rebecca Minkoff! She came to Chicago for a personal appearance at Nordstrom where they showcased her spring collection, offered light appetizers and refreshments, and had a meet & greet with Ms. Minkoff, herself!

I've always loved her designs for their tomboyish-chic appeal and how easy they seem to wear. They're the perfect balance of femininity - with floral prints and pretty dresses, and toughness with leather jackets and sharp cut blazers. It's hard not to want every single piece, I would be perfectly happy if I could only wear her designs for the rest of my life, haha!

And don't get me started on her bags! The Mini-M.A.C.'s are obviously a classic, and I almost purchased one during the event, but unfortunately being a responsible adult, paying bills have to come before purchasing designer bags :( 

However come next paycheck, all bets are off :D

Showcasing her new studded speaker clutch and M.A.C.'s all lined up

Completely obsessed with her laser cut handbags, especially this cerulean Skylar crossbody.

I thankfully arrived on the early side so I didn't have to wait too long in line to grab a quick photo and have her sign the inside of my Rumor crossbody, which she informed me they were going to be bringing back!

I will officially never give up this bag!

Happy Friday y'all! Hope everyone has a splendid weekend and as always - Thanks for reading!

Event Recap :: Lucky Fabb, Day 2

Hi everybody! And we're back with a full recap of Lucky Fabb Day 2! This day was filled with smaller breakout sessions, a handful of brand experiences, and opportunities to network with all those fabulous bloggers!

Here is a quick look at what I wore for the second day. I was going for a classic California-bohemian look with a white eyelet AllSaints dress, JustFab cut out wedges, a denim jacket, and chunky jewelry (check out more awesome styling from Lucky Fabb on their Who Was Best Dressed page)

Source

I started the day off with a private breakfast hosted by Miss Me Jeans where Vanessa Flaherty, VP of Brand Development from DBA discussed points of differentiation you can apply to your blog. She touched on similar points that were expressed the day before during panel discussions including developing a unique voice and artistry, becoming an expert in you niche, being truthful, and evolving by changing things up and going to the next level.

It was a great refresher of all we learned the previous day and a wonderful start to the topics covered in the various breakout sessions. The breakfast was also an opportunity for me to meet some more bloggers I hadn't the day before including Ana from Scorching Style, Veronica from CidStyleFile, Carlina from Allergic to Vanilla, Romy from Romy Raves, and Madeline from Style Me Thrifty (be sure to check out their blogs, they're all fantastic!)

The breakout sessions included everything from how to pitch and new ways to monetize to styling resources and beauty tips. My favorite session by far was Grow Your Traffic with VP of Marketing for TheFind, Dave Cook and Raman Kia, Executive Director of Integrated Strategy for Conde Nast Media. Both were excellent speakers, we had a really great SEO chat and I definitely left learning some new SEO tactics.

In between breakout sessions there were brand experiences hosted by various sponsors of the conference including JustFab, LeSportsac, AG Jeans, L'Occitane, Style Network, and Tacori.

Source

Following all the breakout sessions was cocktail time (my favorite time of the day) hosted by ModCloth, where we all got to mix and mingle one last time before saying goodbye and grabbing our ridiculously massive gift bags.

I have to confess it was hard to say goodbye even after only two days, it was such a supportive and inspiring environment I didn't want to leave, haha! But I'm ready to apply what I learned to Kinks are the New Pink, I have a feeling there are some exciting opportunities that may come our way and definitely some changes that are going to be made within the month, so stay tuned!

Thanks so much reading! Happy Monday!

Event Recap :: Lucky Fabb, Day 1

Hi all! I can't believe it's been a week since Lucky Fabb, where did the time go? Either way, today I'm bringing you a full recap of day 1. This day was full of panel discussions chock-full of awesome presenters from notable bloggers, social media mavens, brands, and (of course!) celebs!

To kick off the day Miss Kelly Osbourne sat down to chat with Lucky Editor in Chief, Brandon Holley, and what an inspiring and empowering woman she has become! I also love how she has managed to keep her edgy, cool sense of style and still remain completely classy. And, how badly does she make you want to dye your hair purple? So cool, yet chic! Is it just me?

Via Lucky Magazine

While Kelly talked all about fashion & style (she advises to put your money in shoes, bags, and a knock out blazer, everything else - vintage or high street), what I took away were her thoughts on finding your confidence - "Do what you do for yourself and nothing else". This, ironically, became an ever underlying theme throughout the entire day of discussions. However, my favorite quote by far from Ms. Osbourne -

"Fashion is about finding those things that make you feel amazing. F*ck what anyone else says". 

Preach, girl, preach!

Following Kelly were various panel discussions that covered topics from expanding your expertise and blog to the business behind blogging and creating an authoratative voice. Here are a few points I took away from the discussions...

"It's all about organic growth...listen to what people are looking to you for and from from that feedback...Listening is very important"

"It can feel like high school with the need to compare, but comparison is the death of happiness"

"Evolving is key, or else you're a dinosaur...but you must stay true to your original idea"

"The rules of success - 1. Be happy 2. Have a strong team behind you 3. Stay true to your vision 4. Be nice, have integrity"

"Never follow another blogger's path"

"Discover your 'it' factor"

                        "Tell a story with your brand" 

"Have integrity and be educated in business - you're running a business, treat it like one"

"Find your niche and why you're relevant, then show it as a blogger"

"Don't be afraid of competition, be aware and grow from it"

             "In order to build a voice you need to work, it's a craft and doesn't happen over night"

"Be who you are, not who you think people want you to be"

Such an inspiring and educational day, but it wasn't over! As following the discussions was Ms. Drew Barrymore!

Can I just say she is absolutely stunning in person. Her skin was glowing, her hair was radiant, and she looked the cutest in her mixed print outfit and white pumps (which I noted I need to add to my shoe collection). Yet another inspiring lady, Drew does it all, and then some - actress, director, producer, wife, mom, spokeswoman, and new business entrepreneur with her new beauty line Flower.

She chatted with Brandon Holly about her new beauty line, being a new mom, and how to do it all, which coincidentally is by not doing it all - you've got to prioritize and choose what's important to you, then throw yourself into every aspect of it. And to her, happiness is the best makeup :) She is truly an amazing woman and I personally think we should be besties, call me Drew! ;)

Note: Taking photos with the iPad = super awkward

So now you'd think the day was done, but no! Enter Betsey Johnson! What a hoot she was, can you believe she's 70 years old?! And she was bouncing around as if she were 25, I can only hope I'm that sprightly in my old age.

We ended up watching a screening of her new Style Network show "XOX Betsey Johnson" (which Betsey is sooo excited about, it was the sweetest thing!) while sipping champagne thanks to the Style Network. My seat buddies and I actually hoarded snagged a couple glasses to enjoy, haha! It looks to be a pretty entertaining show, so definitely tune in (it premieres May 12)!

And that, my friends, was only Day 1!

You can imagine how exhausted I was! Heck, I'm exhausted from recapping it, haha! But as I said, amazing experience, I felt so empowered to grow not only KATNP but myself as a creative contributor and that was one of my goals for attending, getting inspired again!

It's been a little crazy this week playing catch up after my LA escapades so I'm happy the weekend has finally arrived. I'm actually attending my first ever Gilt City Warehouse sale on Saturday, which I'm sure will be a blast! Any of my Chicagoan readers going as well? I'll be there for the afternoon session, you can find me near the shoes and/or bar ;)

Be sure to check back Monday when I recap Day 2 (yes there was a whole other day of this!)

Thanks for reading!

*Author's note: All photos were taken by me, unless stated otherwise. You're free to use them, but please give proper credit back to KATNP, thanks!

Spring is in the Air for TopShop

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! This past Wednesday I attended TopShop's Spring Style Party hosted by Emma Arnold (Tres Awesome) and Amy Creyer (Chicago Street Style). It was one of the first events I've attended and introduced myself as a fashion blogger, I'm slowly trying to network and (hopefully) make new friends within the Chicago blogging scene and I must say I've met some wonderful people so far!

I think the party was a big hit, there was a live DJ, complimentary drinks (which is always a plus in my book, haha!), a beauty bar where you could get your hair and/or nails done, personal shopping stylists, and a fun photobooth. I mostly mixed and mingled within the crowd, hung out with familiar faces including Taylor from The Wearist, Flavia from LuLu Abroad, and Nikia from ChiTown Fashionista, met some new faces and even got to chat with the hosts Amy & Emma for a bit. It was a really fun time!

I took some snaps of their new Spring styles, lots of covetable pieces! I'll definitely be making a trip back to the store to snatch up a few items, as should you ;) Enjoy the photos below!

Colorful denim, including ombre pink!

Canary yellow blazers + minty green knits

Funky prints

kinda obsessed with the print on this dress

What I wore :)

Lots of shoe eye candy, clearly I was really digging the loafers

Floral + Sheer +Oxfords

Have a wonderful weekend!

'Till Next Time...

Note: All pictures were taken by me and my iPhone :)