Lucky Fabb Conference hits New York

#OOTD Details:

Felicity Paisley Swing Dress - Boohoo.com / Quilted Wedges - Seychelles / L.O.V.E. Belt - Forever 21/ Vintage bracelets

Last Thursday, I made my way from New Jersey on the 7:30 a.m. train headed for New York to attend Lucky Magazine's fashion and beauty conference, Lucky FABB, for the third time! The conference has become one of the fashion blogging community's most-anticipated events, but for me, it means catching up with friends, meeting new ones and taking the day to be in my fashion blogging element.

With new Lucky Magazine Editor-in-Chief Eva Chen at the helm hosting her first #LuckyFABB, the conference had a fresh twist on panels, interviews and experiences. 

Donning a mint green mani and a DKNY sweater right out of her mother's closet, Eva dished on her career, and being an optimist. "It's cool to be nice," she quipped. "Knowing who you are, your value, and your voice are the most important things."

Brands like Fabletics, Paige, Pantene, Lagos and COVERGIRL had fun stations set up to snap photos and scope out new products. My personal favorite was the COVERGIRL mani cam station!

The stunning Eva Mendes wore pieces from her latest New York & Company collection. She mentioned that many of her style icons are from the 1950s, but her current day style muse is Vanessa Paradis. 

The changes to this year's Lucky FABB gave bloggers a more up-close-and personal, intimate feel as the interviews were more conversational, and panels hit topics that were relevant on helping push bloggers in the direction of viewing their blogs as brands and businesses. 

"If you're pulling out the right words, no matter how long [the content] is, people will read it," said Aliza Licht aka DKNY PR Girl during the Blogger's Choice panel: Where to Post What. 

John Jannuzzi, Senior Digital Projects Editor moderated the discussion which included Kate Spade New York's Social Media Manager , Suzanne Schloot (far right), FarFetch CMO Stephanie Horton and Instagram's Amy Cole.

Wearing a leather sweatshirt, Stella McCartney wedges pumps and a metallic silver skirt from her latest collaboration with TopShop, the always lovely Kate Bosworth spoke about being in the public eye, and her quests in high-low shopping. 

But the best part of the conference for me was catching up with my friends, most of whom, live on the West Coast. The friendships I've forged because of Lucky FABB mean so much to me - they're amazing people who I'm very fortunate to have as friends beyond the blogosphere.

Nicole of Manners and Moxie is my California hair twin! Love her! DreamDry hooked us up with some serious curls! 

I'm not sure what is it about me, but I seem to make friends with bloggers who aren't from New Jersey. It's all good, as it now means I have friends in Seattle and San Francisco! Above: Emily of Rivet and Sway, Alyson of Crushing On Clothes, Marie of Kitties and Couture and yours truly.

Mugging for the camera with Jes of Ryzenberg On, Nicole of Manners & Moxie, Monica of Blueprint for Style, and Lucky Magazine Contributor and blogger Margie Ashcroft of Margie Plus!

Thanks so much to Lucky Magazine for extending an invite to me! Looking forward to next year!

A Controlled Experiment: Color Me Pink

Even though it felt like we leapt over September and stepped into October with the cold weekend weather, I managed to squeeze in a day for shorts last week.

Outfit:

Kimono Cardigan - won via ShopSosie.com (similar style here)

Crewneck top - Gap

Pink shorts - Forever 21

Dany platform shoes - Jessica Simpson Collection

Leather satchel - Zara

Pyramid stud bracelets - Forever 21

Sparkling Sage Necklace - Ideeli.com, courtesy of my Lucky FABB credit!

Just like anyone else, I have my own style preferences. But entering fall, I'm trying to step outside my comfort zone in terms of color and pairing outfits that I might otherwise think wouldn't appeal to me. And this means experimenting with everything - from accessories to even my makeup. 

For example, wearing pink. I used to hate the color pink up until a couple years ago. I remember one Christmas, my mother bought me a pink turtleneck sweater. And you know when receive a gift you don't fancy, and you don't want to hurt their feelings so you attempt to fake an appreciative grin? That's what I tried to do, but instead, burst into tears at the thought of a.) a wearing turtleneck and b.) a pink one. (Keep in mind, I was 10.) Lucky for me, my mom is from the school of "if you don't like it, bring it back." 

Yet as I've grown older, I turn toward the cotton candy shade more frequently. Even the top I'm wearing, a dark wine, is becoming my favorite hue for Fall. And the kimono cardigan, I won through a contest on ShopSosie.com! I may not win the lottery, but I have luck when it comes to winning clothes for some reason. Let's hope my karma stays that way!