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Two weekends ago I headed over to New York to attend New York Fashion Week! It was a short trip, but one that I will never forget! This is my second time attending fashion week–the first time was over two years ago where I basically hung out in the tent for hours and got to go backstage. You can read more in detail about it here. The shows that I was invited to were held on Saturday and it was my dad’s 60th birthday, so I missed the shows and caught an early flight Sunday morning. I didn’t see any shows, but I attended a few parties on Sunday and left Monday morning. The main reason I went to New York was to attend the RewardStyle party. I have been wanting to go to this party for years–last year I was invited but couldn’t attend, so this year I wouldn’t miss it for the world and I am happy I went! More on this party later.
When I arrived in New York Sunday morning I went straight to my best guy friend’s apartment to get ready as I was not able to check into my hotel room until 3pm and I had an event to attend at noon. My first event of the day was held at the NYFW headquarters hosted by Papyrus and blogger Marianna Hewitt.
I am a stationery gal. I keep a box filled with old cards and invitations given to me by friends and family. I even buy cards just because I think they are cute, so you can guess I was pretty excited for this party. There was tasty little bites and Bellini’s being served and you were able to shop a wall filled with stationery (free stationery) and decor. Give me free cocktails and free stationery…..I am yours. You were also able to write a card to someone and have them send it for free. I opted to just take a bunch of free cards.
After the party I raced back uptown to Chelsea to see if I could check in early at my hotel. Which I couldn’t, so I walked across the street to have lunch at Rare Bar and Grill. After lunch I was able to check into my hotel room where I relaxed for a few minutes and refreshed my hair and makeup before heading out the door to the RewardStyle party.
why yes, yes I am!
To say I was nervous for this party would be an understatement. I knew I was going to be surrounded by a few of the worlds most fashionable ladies and this was a chance to meet new friends in the blogging world. Leading up to the event I think I tried on dozens and dozens of outfits and bought 6 outfits for it…. yes, 6. I did my homework and looked through pictures of past RS parties for fashion week to see what people were wearing. It ranged anywhere from jean shorts to cocktail dresses. I knew no matter what I wore I would be ok as long as it fit who I am and my brand. Still, I am a girl, and this is a huge event, so nothing felt right. I was also nervous because I didn’t know anyone going. Sure I would recognize people from Instagram, but no one that I have actually met in real life.
I ended up wearing this dress from DVF (now on sale!). It is flowy at the bottom and on the sleeves, yet fitted around the waist and bust. The second I put it on I knew it was perfect for the event. I knew I wanted to wear a dress as I am an avid dress lover. It was dressed up enough, but not cocktail attire. I love the sheer sleeves and the coloring was perfect for fall and for summer. It felt modest and classy, something that I could wear for years to come.
Remember how I said I was nervous for the party? Well to my luck, when I was heading to the party in the taxi, I realized that I ripped my dress. Yep, I slightly ripped the the right sleeve. I don’t know how. I almost had the taxi turn back to my hotel to change into another outfit as I had a mini panic attack. But I thought no, I bought this to specifically wear to this party. No one will noticed it anyways, and what a great ice breaker! Still I was even MORE nervous now, and what does a nervous girl with a ripped dress do when they are at a party that they have been wanting to attend for a while? She spills wine all over herself when she first arrive. I had to laugh when I did, ’tis my luck.
Anyway, the party was held at Hotel Americano on w 27th street. While walking to the entrance, I heard someone yell my name and it was Tillie from My Stiletto Life (pictured above). Tillie and I know each other through Instagram, so I was relieved when she spotted me and to finally meet her! Now I had a friend to walk into the party with and hang out with, instead of standing awkwardly alone with spilled wine and a ripped dress.
The party was beyond anything I imagined. I had an amazing time and met a lot of new friends. The decorations at the party was so well done with fun flamingos by the pool that had #rsnyfw lettering in it, cute leaf pillows, a DJ, yummy treats, tasty drinks, and fun crazy straws that spelled LTKI for LIKEtoKnow.it. Nike ID was there and you were able to create and design your very own sneakers for free. I am not a sneakers fan at all (only wear them to workout and it still takes me forever to decide on one) so I thought it was best to let others design one instead of myself since there was a waiting list.
The party was filled with such stylish, chic girls with some of the best outfits I have ever seen. Jillian Harris was there, I wish I said hi to her, but knew if I did I would fangirl her and knew she was already getting it from other people. So I stuck to mingling and making new friends. I love nothing more than being in a room filled with stylish, smart, creative, and career driven women. It feels so empowering. I will say this to the end of my days, but I absolutely love what I do, and being surrounded by other women who have the same passion, it is really something truly amazing.
Anyway, remember my ripped dress that I almost went home to change into another outfit? Well I am happy I did not. There was another girl at the party, Mackenzie from Design Darling, who had the same exact print as me, but in a romper version. Twins! When we spotted each other, we quickly became friends! She is just as sweet as I imagined she would be. I have been following Mackenzie’s blog and cute online boutique for years. I talked with her and some other girls for the rest of the party. When it was over (sadly) Mackenzie, Ali from A Dash Of Details, Ashley from Impossibly Imperfect and I went to Barbuto in the West Village for dinner–so good! I was suppose to go to the POPSUGAR party that night, but decided dinner with new friends was a better way to spend the evening. We had a great time sharing stories and laughing over a few bottles of rosé. All the girls are so fun and sweet, I am glad I met them!
The next day I headed to the new coffee shop Ralph’s Coffee Shop located in the Ralph Lauren store on 5th avenue. I have heard great things about the shop and had to try it. I am not a coffee drinker, but I am a tea lover, so I had some green tea and watched the hectic morning hustle and bustle of the people of New York. God I miss this city! I spent the rest of the day shopping at Bergdorfs and walking around Union Square (which is the area I worked in when I lived there, so it feels like home to me) before heading back to Columbus.
The entire trip was short, but amazing! I can never get enough of the city–will be back for a whole week in a month!— and attending the RewardStyle party was definitely one for the books. I felt so blessed to be there!