Blogfest2012 in Review
I ran into Hearst Tower (five minutes late, which is my M.O.) on Tuesday morning and butterflies cartwheeled in my stomach.
Forgetting the elevators in Hearst have no buttons, I scurried onto a full lift as the doors closed. Fast forward .8 seconds, I was dumped out 15 floors too soon and aimlessly wandering the offices of Harper’s Bazaar while a: playing it unbelievably cool b: breathing into a paper bag while wondering if I would ever find my way to the 44th floor.
Thank goodness for an incredibly kind and totally stunning woman who noticed the color draining from my face and offered to help me find my way. She led me to a back elevator and, as we rode up to 44, we gabbed about how gorgeous the tower is. I reached out to shake her hand and thank her as the doors opened and she said
“I’m Dara, Editor of Veranda Magazine.”
As in…
Dara Caponigro, founding editor of freaking DOMINO. Former Design Editor of Elle Decor. Current Editor-in-Chief of Veranda.
This was already the best morning EVER and I hadn’t even reached the 44th floor.
For the record, she is unbelievably sweet. BFFs for sure.
Finally on the 44th, I made my way over to the coffee. When reaching for the sugar cubes, I elbowed (by total accident, I swear) Newell Turner. Just an average Tuesday, sipping coffee with the Editor in Chief of House Beautiful, right? The paper bag breathing commenced. And please don’t get me started on the panels that morning. Darryl Carter (WHAT!), Michael Herold (so unguarded and candid, which I admired) Jill Goldberg (owner of Boston’s own Hudson boutique), and Jon Call (who I absolutely adored!). I could have listened to their words of wisdom all day. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the panels:
“American designers have an I-can-be-anything attitude.”
- Dara Caponigro (referencing high and low design sensibility.)
“A presumption is that neutral is not kid friendly. There are ways to navigate this – it’s really all about durability.”
-Darryl Carter (on his design approach.)
“Finding an ‘aha!’ moment in a project and enhancing it for the end result without tampering with the designer’s aesthetic.”
-Newell Turner (speaking on House Beautiful’s approach to portraying spaces in the magazine.)
“When you get comfortable, you settle. And then, you’re not pushing yourself to new experiences.”
“Sharing a goal is important for (being held to) accountability and receiving support in the journey toward meeting it.”
I loved spending time with my blog buddies, too. I draw loads of inspiration from these magnetic and talented ladies – and loved sipping champagne and indulging in girl chat. These ladies are going places.
Here I am (way above) with Laura Trevey, who I was thrilled to finally meet in real life! And I couldn’t believe my eyes when she sent me home with these gorgeous watercolors. I am on the search for the perfect frames and can’t wait to show you where I hang them!
And I love this picture (above) of Meg, Chassity and me hanging out at the Elle Decor house. These two are just the most fun, darling ladies you can imagine. I seriously adore them.
Speaking of Chassity, how sweet was she for organizing this fun get together at the Dry Bar? Here I am (above) with Chassity, the always-adorable Mackenzie and Alli Webb – the Dry Bar founder. She was in town from LA and stopped in to meet us! Her branding is genius and I loved her sweet staff. And is ok that I say our hair looks amazing in this pic?? I chose the Mai Tai from the blow dry menu – loads of beachy waves to stand the test of the weekend’s rain and humidity.
I loved chatting with Jennifer Powell, Scot Meacham Wood and Sarah Baynes at the Savant party (above.)
And here I am having a rare solo moment at the Elle Decor Concept House. I loved this serene outdoor oasis.
That was Blogfest in a very long, babbling nutshell. I couldn’t have abbreviated it one bit – and could actually go on and on. A remarkable experience from which I’m still suffering heart palpitations. Thank you to Kravet and all of the wonderful Blogfest 2012 sponsors for an amazing time in NYC!
Remember to enter to win this pretty pair of earrings and get out there and own your Wednesday!
xx
Erika
Stella & Dot Giveaway
Happy Monday! Did you enjoy the long weekend?
We spent time by the beach and with temperatures climbing into the 80s,
it finally felt like summer.
This summer, I’m already smitten with turqoise and gold.
And isn’t this the prettiest pair you ever did see?
I think they would look gorgeous on you! Would you like to win them?
Well aren’t you lucky!
Francesca Desforges, independent Stella & Dot stylist,
is giving away a pair of Serenity Drop earrings to one lucky RR reader!
To enter:
Leave me a comment letting me know where you will wear your pretty new earrings.
Then, like Francesca’s Facebook fan page and leave an additional comment letting me know you did.
The winner will be chosen on Friday, June 1st at 9am ET via Random.org.
This giveaway is only open to US residents.
Good luck and happy new week!
xx
New York, New York
If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know that I just spent a few days in New York for a design bloggers conference. With a wait list almost outnumbering the attendees, I counted myself among the lucky ones – and what an unbelievable event it was! As I catch up on my inbox and pack my bags for a long weekend on Cape Cod, I’m already bursting at the seams to tell you every detail of Blogfest.
Did I ride up in the elevator at Hearst Tower with the editor-in-chief of my favorite design magazine?
(Hyperventilating as I type.)
Did I muster the courage to ask a question of the panel of magazine editors in front of 160 of my peers?
And who made a (very exciting) surprise appearance during our pre-conference visit to a NYC blow dry bar?
Ahhh. It was an amazing few days and I am still reeling from the experience. For now, I leave you with two @RadiantRepublic Instagram preview peeks of my journey to the city.
And on Monday, let’s kick summer off with a giveaway. Ok?
And if you live in Boston, be sure to mark Camp Beauty on your calendar and RSVP to me at radiantrepublic@gmail.com! I would love to catch up with you beauty queens in real life!
Happy long weekend!
xx
Beauty Column #3
Today, I’ll stray from the instructional post and let you in on a fun event I attended two weeks ago. Jeffrey Lyle and Dani Wagener decided to throw a fabulous party to celebrate their latest collaboration. What a fun excuse to try new hair styles for summer days and beauty tricks (hello, smoky eyes) for summer nights! I also did a little style spotting along the way.
Champagne, blow outs, long lashes and arm parties were abundant. Can you image a more fun fete?
Those super models are Shannon Walsh of the Jeffrey Lyle Salon and my future sister-in-law, Wesleigh! I love the soft beach waves Wesleigh has here. Shannon is the Curling Iron Queen.
Which summer looks are you dying to try? Stay tuned for upcoming tutorials! (And we just might choose one of your ideas!)
Happy Thursday!
Hello from NYC!
Good morning from Manhattan! I’m in town for a couple of days and already having loads of fun. Blogfest begins today and I’m over the moon to meet the editors of House Beautiful, Veranda, Traditional Home and Architectural Digest Magazines! I’m also so excited for the parties thrown by Elle Decor, Savant (hello Thom Felicia!) and the New Traditionalists. And all while hanging with my favorite design bloggers from around the country (and even world)?
Amazing. Let’s get this party started.
But first, I’m off to DryBar to get this mane in check. (Especially with today’s downpour.)
I’m signing off until Wednesday, but have two fabulous places where you can visit me. And I hope you will!
I’m talking all about my dream day over on Sam’s blog, The Peak of Tres Chic.
And giving tips on what to give your favorite bride-to-be on Wayfair’s My Way Home!
See you soon and happy Monday!
xx
Packing
This morning, I’m packing for a few fun days ahead. Tomorrow, I set sail (by ferry) to Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate one of my very favorite girls for her bachelorette weekend. And Sunday, I head to NYC for an exciting conference, where I’ll see many of my favorite ladies (and gents!) from the blogging community.
In the meantime, I’m dying over the fact that this pretty Kate Spade dress is not in my closet.
Speaking of Kate Spade, you know today is the last day of their surprise sample sale, riiiight? Get over there!
xx
Get the Look: Lucite, Tulips & Cecil Beaton
This image stopped me in my tracks on Pinterest yesterday evening.
Pink tulips, oil on canvas, CECIL BEATON??
I adore every detail. Down to the pastel M&Ms from the 75% off Easter candy aisle.
(I know aisle 14 well.)
This lucite coffee table has been appearing in my dreams a lot lately.
Maybe something we need to add to the aforementioned registry?
(Are coffee tables on registries a thing?)
I’ve recreated the look with a few of my favorite finds in the design realm. Isn’t the palette vibrant?
Megan Biram abstract painting // Design Darling pillows // Wisteria coffee table // West Elm rug
Secrets of Stylists // Cecil Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook
I’ve long-admired Meg for her bright, abstract originals in her art shop and Mackenzie for her perfectly preppy curation that is the Design Darling boutique. Have you visited their respective online shops yet? Be sure to say hello while you’re there!
Happy Wednesday!
xx
