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Join Us for a Blogger Brilliant Time!

In Events, Fashion on September 16, 2011 at 6:13 pm

Fashion’s Night Out was just last week… but who wouldn’t want some more fashion fun before Tampa Bay Fashion Week? — I sure do! Join us this Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Blogger Brilliance event!

Blogger Brilliance will bring together fashion, food, travel and lifestyle bloggers from across the country. The conference gives bloggers the opportunity to learn from experts and seasoned bloggers about marketing their blog with the use of social media tools and branding. Bloggers are also able to network with other bloggers who share the same passions, like food and fashion. Oh yeah – this is my kind of conference!

The blogger conference will include a full, fun day of activities from 9 to 6pm on Saturday, Sept. 17. We’ll start at the International Academy of Design & Technology for panel discussions from experienced bloggers and media. Then we’ll move the fun to International Plaza & Bay Street where everyone will split into their fashion or foodie track. Fashion-fun attendees will attend a fashion show presented by Tim Gunn – Yes! The Tim Gunn! Famous fashion expert and Project Runway host!! Foodie-fun attendees will attend an exclusive foodie experience at Pelagia Trattoria. Then we’ll all meet up again for a special mixer to wrap up the day!

Panelists speaking at Blogger Brilliance:
Carrie Wildes of Carrie Wildes Photography
Holley Sinn, host of Studio 10 & author of Hollisphere
Holly Hamann of BlogFrog
Jodi Furman of Live FabuLESS
Kristina Medhus of Pretty Shiny Sparkly
Marjorie Harper from HSN
Sasha Ezquerra from Everything Fabulous
Vahni Georgoulakos from Grit and Glamour

Join us this Saturday at Blogger Brilliance! When purchasing tickets, be sure to select if you’re participating in the Fashion OR Foodie track. Get your tickets here!

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Join us at FNO Tampa Bay!

In Events, Fashion on September 8, 2011 at 3:21 pm

Hey Tampa Bay fashionistas – are you going to Fashion’s Night Out this Thursday, Sept. 8? Trust us, you don’t want to miss it! International Plaza and Bay Street is pulling all the stops by celebrating their ten-year anniversary with Fashion’s Night Out Tampa Bay. It’ll be an evening of fashion shows, hot music, new fall fashion collections, cool red carpet photos, dining, giveaways and after parties throughout International Plaza and participating stores and restaurants. So many things happening in one fun, shopping event – What to do first? Where to go?  What to wear tonight!?

There’s certainly plenty to get into before Tampa Bay Fashion Week and we want you to join us in all of the fashion fun! We hope to see you at FNO Tampa Bay as we shop-til-we-drop!

Here are some of the juicy details:

DEPARTMENT STORES

Neiman Marcus
Showcasing exclusive trunk shows from designers including Christian Louboutin and John Hardy, as well as a Lipstick Lounge and Beauty Bar where make-up artists from the world’s most renowned brands will be sharing complimentary tips and secrets. Enjoy sips and DJ beats.

Dillard’s
Meet fashion icons (designers from Adrianna Papell, Jessica Simpson, Tahari ASL and more) at Dillard’s fashion shows at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as a Cosmetics Trend Show at 6:30. There will be hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, gift with purchases and sweeps worth over $5,000 in prizes.

Nordstrom
Come celebrate fashion’s biggest block party as Nordstrom rolls out the red carpet for a night of fun and fashion with friends. Enjoy refreshments, yummy treats and check out the stylist lounge debuting the latest trends and beauty tips of the season.

DINING

Pelagia Trattoria
Dine on special $35 prix fixe menu with your choice of salad, entrée and dessert.

Brio Tuscan Grille
A $35 prix fixe menu along with $2.95 Tuscan Tasters and $5 martini’s will be available for shoppers from 3-7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.

Ocean Prime
Enjoy a free FNO Smoking Cosmo martini and special $39 three-course menu. The Lexus Limo from Bay Street Valet will provide shoppers with complimentary round-trip transportation.

The Capital Grille
Receive a free signature Stoli Doli martini sample with the FNO three-course menu for only $39. Choose a soup or salad, entrée, accompaniment and dessert.

ENTERTAINMENT

Runway Fashion Show by Dillard’s 
Watch runway fashion shows by Dillard’s from 6 to 7:30pm. Meet reps of some of the hottest fashion houses and some of the hottest designers including Adrianna Papell and Jessica Simpson.

Lipstick Lounge and Beauty Bar by Neiman Marcus
Complimentary touch-ups and make-up expertise

INTERNATIONAL PLAZA’S FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE

Just make a purchase of $500 or more in one day of shopping at International Plaza to receive this exclusive signature gold-tone clutch with a detachable gold, cross body chain. Gift also includes a voucher valued at $100, good for two (2) best available tickets to any Florida Orchestra concert during the 2011/2012 season (some restrictions may apply).

FASHION’S NIGHT OUT SWAG

Is it possible to look fabulous in a t-shirt? Totally! Especially when we’re talking about the official Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt. Check out the rest of the FNO collection at Neiman Marcus: here. Totally getting the white FNO t-shirt!

For more information about participating stores, live performances and entertainment, visit http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/fno

Oh, and by the way, in the spirit of all things shopping ~ we’re going to be having a sale, too! From 5pm-11:55pm this evening, you can purchase tickets to the Tampa Bay Fashion Week runway shows for only $30!! FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! Limited number of tickets will be released for this price and last year we sold out! Set your timers and get ready here.

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How I Celebrate A Birthday

In Events on September 6, 2011 at 10:59 am

About a week ago, I said farewell to one of my most favorite years to date and hello to another birthday. My birthday involved three celebrations (unsure how that happened – but no complaints): 1. Attended a Tampa Bay Rays game with my family, 2. Ate an Italian dinner and tiramisu cake with my boyfriend, and 3. Went out to Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club with friends. Ciro’s is a 1930s prohibition-era restaurant/bar located in South Tampa. It was perfect for a classy birthday celebration! After we gave the password at the door, they brought us inside to our booth. The booths are curtained-off lounge areas with nesting cocktail tables, L-shaped benches and a lot of pillows. Quite cozy! To top it off, all of their food and drinks go with their 1930s speakeasy theme. Cheese fondue, duck fries and the Tryst cocktails were my top three faves! Overall… I love their efforts on being a hidden bar during the prohibition era! Totally recommend going there for a date night or girls night out! Just be sure to make a reservation.


Sometimes all you really need are those fun nights with friends. You know… the ones you’ll chat about over and over again. That’s one of the reasons why I’m on the Tampa Bay Fashion Week team – to help create memorable moments for not only myself, but for everyone to enjoy!

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TBFW 2011 Model Casting

In Events, Fashion on September 2, 2011 at 9:51 am

Can you believe it’s the end of summer? And Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2011 is around the corner!? Only a few more weeks to go! In the meantime, we’ve been working hard towards making this year’s fashion event the best one yet – and it certainly will be!

Our model casting call was just two Saturdays ago at the Art Institute of Tampa. More than 100 models came out to strut their stuff… and based on their fierce walk and gorgeous look, the designers chose who would walk in their runway show on September 23rd. Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures of the model casting call:

Congrats to the models who were selected! Can’t wait to see you walk the runway on Sept 23rd! Selected or not-selected this year: You are all fabulous and we hope to see you again soon!

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PURE Haus: Backer Benefits

In Designers on August 17, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Does the Tampa Bay fashion scene have your back? We’re asking for your help with creating the first ever fashion pop-up retail store in Tampa Bay. Becoming a founder of the PURE (Pop-up Retail Experience) Haus project is super easy and fabulous! All you have to do is choose to “Back This Project” and make a donation. Remember… every dollar counts and we appreciate your involvement. With your help, Tampa Bay’s first Fashion Designer Pop-Up Shop, will showcase garments in front of enthusiastic shoppers at a storefront location in September 2011. The shop will feature the region’s most talented fashion and accessories designers, and everything from couture dresses to swimsuits will be available for purchase.

Time is running out – we only have until Friday, August 19th to make it happen! Help bring the first pop-up shop to Tampa Bay today! Click here to make a donation.

Want to learn more on why you should get involved? Watch this message from two Tampa Bay designer favorites, Ivanka Ska and Essence Flowers!

Overall… back up the PURE Haus project for three reasons:

1. Become a part of the fashion scene in Tampa Bay

2. Help your fashion community, and

3. Make fashion history!

Plus, you get free stuff with every donation and there is no loss to you. Your pledge is only accepted if we make our goal. If we don’t, your credit card is never charged. If we do make our goal, you get a cool item for your pledge and get to shop some of Tampa Bay’s best designers! Read the information below to see what you’ll receive when you donate.

Click here to back up PURE Haus.

The PURE Haus Backer Benefits

If you have any questions, write it in the comments box below. Thank you for being a part of Tampa Bay fashion history! Before you know it, we’ll all be shopping PURE Haus and enjoying our backer benefits!

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Make Fashion History with PURE Haus!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on August 5, 2011 at 10:38 am

Want to be a part of Tampa Bay fashion history? Then help us make this cool new project a reality – PURE Haus, the first ever Pop Up Retail Experience for Tampa Bay shoppers!

Designers will come together to create the pop-up store for Tampa Bay fashion consumers. With your help, we’ll be able to make it a reality!

Here are the details that we’ve put together to better explain PURE Haus:

WHAT: PURE (Pop-Up Retail Experience) Haus

WHO: Local Bay Area Designers including: Ivanka Ska, Essence Flowers, Kimberly Hendrix, Dali Hernandez, Dolly Donshey and more! Click here to watch a video on why YOU should get involved.

WHEN: Pledge deadline is August 19th. Pop-up slated to open in September or December for 30 days only.

WHERE: Our dream location is International Plaza

WHY: Because Tampa Bay has style that needs to be seen! Plus, you get free stuff with every donation and there is NO LOSS to you. Your pledge is only accepted if we make our goal. If we don’t, your credit card is never charged. If we do make our goal, you get a cool item for your pledge and get to shop some of Tampa Bay’s best designers!

Every pledge of $10 or more will receive their name on the pledge wall and be a part of Tampa Bay fashion history!

HOW: Click here to make your pledge donation.

We must meet the fundraising goal of $18,000 in order to cover the costs of the pop-up store project. If 700 people contribute $25, we’ve reached our goal!

Join us in this collaborative project and help to give local designers a retail outlet to grow their brand and customer base in the community, bringing them together in one place. Every little bit helps so get involved… and make fashion history!

~This blog was contributed in part by Holly (fellow FWTB Organizer).

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How A Stylish Mom Matches Her Baby

In Fashion on August 1, 2011 at 10:45 am

Last Saturday, the Fashion Week Tampa Bay organizers met up at Kaleisia Tea Lounge. While discussing juicy details about this year’s event, the newest and most adorable member of the TBFW team joined us! Her name is Adele.

Arcadia, Tampa Bay Fashion Week Committee Member recently had a precious baby girl named, Adele. Arcadia may be one of the busiest new moms in Tampa Bay, but she isn’t too preoccupied to put together stylish outfits. Among them – a stylish mommy and daughter set. I loved how they weren’t wearing identical outfits, but were matching by wearing the same color scheme, fabric material and clothing detail. It inspired me to write a post all about mommy and baby fashion. The following are stylish mom and baby matching looks from Old navy, all of which are affordable and adorable.

Baby Girl Outfits

Stylish mom look matching her baby girl

Baby Boy Outfits

Stylish mom look matching the baby boy

This stylish mom look matches well with both the baby girl and boy outfits.

How would or do you – if you’re a new mom – dress stylishly with your baby? What are your guidelines when putting together a stylish baby mama look?

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City Blocks & Boutiques

In Fashion on July 15, 2011 at 9:44 am

The variety of stores in the Tampa Bay area makes fulfilling my love for shopping easier. One minute I could be having a shopping spree at International Mall and the next, I’m exploring the lovely boutiques owned by local fashionistas and designers. And let’s not forget the hours spent shopping online… there’s nothing like finishing the day with some fab finds before I go to sleep or at work “during my lunch break.” Hey… I know I’m not the only one…

Last week my friends and I went over the bridge to St. Petersburg (which is where I grew up) for lunch and boutique shopping downtown. Ever since I attended the 600 Block Party event a couple of months ago, I’ve wanted to have a girl’s getaway, shopping day there.

Misred Outfitters was top on my list! Their vintage clothes have a way of being extra trendy – love their stuff! I bought a postcard romper, white embroidered blouse and a yellow long sleeve blouse.

Ever since I first saw this postcard romper on Misred’s Facebook page, I knew it had to be mine! Next on our list was All Sewn Up boutique. I heard that they re-did their store so I had to see what all the buzz was about. The boutique has a artsy feel with sounds of the sewing machine coming from the back and an awesome arrangement of merchandise.

Shopping the 600 block boutiques is making me so ready for this year’s Tampa Bay Fashion Week, which is all about celebrating the area’s fashionable artistry. The Bay area certainly has a great variety of stores for fashionistas to indulge in. Whether original pieces or vintage finds are on your shopping list, I suggest you and your girls head over to the 600 block boutiques in downtown St. Petersburg.

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Creative Clay Showcase

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on July 5, 2011 at 3:56 pm

Giving back is always in style! There is really nothing more fabulous than a generous and caring heart. Ivanka Ska, fashion designer and featured designer participant in Fashion Week Tampa Bay (2008 & 2009), has always been active in her community. For the past two years, she has been a guest artist at Creative Clay, a non-profit organization providing local artists with developmental, physical, and/or emotional disabilities an opportunity to pursue their passion for art making.

Creative Clay has a mentoring program called ArtLink, which pairs up local artists, like Ivanka, with Creative Clay member artists for a six month period. The local artist mentors, develops ongoing projects and helps their ArtLink partner create statements, resumes, a budget, the importance of networking, and community involvement. After the completion of the mentoring program, they present the final project they have been working on for six months.

The ArtLink showcase will take place at the St. Petersburg Museum of History this Saturday, July 9th at 7pm. Ivanka’s student, Galynn L. is very excited to showcase what she’s been working on. Galynn loves to draw fashion designs, play with her dogs, and spend time at Creative Clay. Ivanka said that they had so much fun together making art with their “fashion heads.”

“This is my second time working with an Artlink partner. Last year I had a great time working with Artie, who at the end of her program presented an amazing fashion show,” Ivanka says. “I’m so excited for the connections I make during my wonderful time with the Creative Clay students who have mental and physical disabilities. Seeing how art can perform miracles leaves me speechless.”

Witness what the power of making art and helping others can do this Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the Creative Clay ArtLink showcase.

Ivanka and Galynn

Galynn making art!

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Darling Dresses for Summer Weddings

In Fashion on June 30, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Wedding season is in full swing, and if the weekends on your calendar look anything like mine do, I have to imagine you’re in need of a dress or two. I’ve only attended a couple of weddings my entire life, and I actually have two this month back to back. What are the odds of that happening? Saturday, June 18th was my boyfriend’s older brother’s wedding and the following Friday, June 24th is a friend’s wedding, which unfortunately I wasn’t present but sent my blessings all the way from Ireland.

When shopping for that perfect wedding dress, Ann Taylor LOFT was top on my list. No surprise there since I’ve shared my love for LOFT with you before. I’ve found so many fabulous pieces at a great value in their summer collection. They have an awesome summer collection filled with wedding-appropriate dresses. Just take a look at these darling dresses from LOFT, all under $100.

Wedding outfit idea: Wear a colorful dress that’s flirty and flattening to your body then match your dress with some classy feminine accessories. You’ll outshine everyone at the wedding (besides the bride, of course)! Below is what I wore to the first summer wedding of the season. Red is the color of love, no?

Wedding Wear: LOFT red wrap dress • BCBG shoes • Charlotte Russe bag • LOFT gold chain necklace

Below are some other darling dresses from LOFT that are perfect for summer weddings!