Brooklyn Nets Foundation Hurricane Sandy Benefit with Cookie’s Kids and AMEX

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Brooklyn Nets on-hand for the Hurricane Sandy Benefit at Cookie's Kids

It was only 6 weeks ago that Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey and New York City Area. It was awful to see the images of people who lost everything – memories, their homes, everything they built for themselves. What I did find incredible was the amount of volunteers that quickly came together to provide essentials to people in need. Many areas – like the Rockaways and parts of Staten Island – are still devastated as people are trying to rebuild their lives and that also includes families that are trying to provide their kids with having a holiday experience. To help families out the Brooklyn Nets Foundation and the Brooklyn Nets (Andray Blatche, Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Josh Childress, Reggie Evans, Kris Humphries, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, Tornike Shengelia, Jerry Stackhouse, Tyshawn Taylor, Mirza Teletovic, Gerald Wallace, C.J. Watson and Deron Williams) hosted an incredible campaign where they shopped with children for toys thanks to a $250 gift card that was provided to each child from AMEX.

Kids affected by Hurricane Sandy getting ready to shop with the Brooklyn Nets

Held at Cookie’s Kids in Brooklyn, 75 children that were affected by the storm from Coney Island and the Rockaways sat patiently as players from the Brooklyn Nets greeted them. The Brooklyn Nets Community Manager got the kids excited when he told them that they would break into groups of five to shop with a basketball player. Cookie himself was also on-hand as he spoke about their toy selection and how the kids could pick out anything that they wanted. The kids broke off into groups and piled up their bags with name-brand selections from Cookie’s – that also happened to be discounted thanks to the off-pricing at their stores. Bags quickly filled up as kids filled them with tech toys, dolls and more. The kids were beaming as they were able to shop with some of their favorite players, and the New York Nets were also excited as they went from aisle-to-aisle finding the perfect toys.

I attended with my daughters where my older daughter got confused as to why she couldn’t shop. I explained to her about the storm and how these kids lost a lot. She understand and said that we have to help each other out. I was shocked that she could conceptualize this, but it also made me realize that we all do our part and someone she understand that we do that for those that need our help the most.

Cookie’s Kids is also on Facebook and Twitter 

“I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and CookiesKids.com #CBias #SocialFabric” and #cbBigapple

 

 

Filed Under: Causes, Events Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Pre-Jingle Ball Party in NYC #DRJingleBall

December 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Having grown up in the NYC-area I am constantly finding it interesting to think of the different experiences I have had as a child, teen, adult, and now a mom. When I was a teenager, I loved (and still do) going to shows in Manhattan. Irving Plaza, Bowery Ballroom and Hammerstein Ballroom. I also remember some bigger shows – like my first experience at Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden when I saw Fiona Apple, Backstreet Boys, Aerosmith, Hanson, Sarah McLachlan, Savage Garden, Chumbawamba, Fiona Apple, The Wallflowers, Lisa Loeb and so on.

I recently had the chance to re-visit the Jingle Ball experience during the Z100 and Coca-Cola All-Access Lounge, a pre-party that featured guest hosts, musical performances and visits from Z100 DJs. Held at Hammerstein Ballroom, the concept also featured various brands – including Duane Reade – that allowed guests to sample treats, interact, listen to music and enjoy various experiences before the concert began at MSG.

As part of the Duane Reade experience, there were various stations featuring KIND bars, Axe, Help! I Need Remedies line, simple manicures from imPress, hair makeovers from infiniPro Conair, Makeup by Maybelline and OneADay vitamins. I was assigned to learn more about OneADay VitaCraves Vitamins. This gummy line is a great alternative for adults who have issues swallowing pills. At the event, I learned that the Gummies contain 11 nutrients, antioxidants and immunity support thanks to their dose of Vitamins A, C and E. They also have beneficial vitamins for heart and eye health and vitamins that assist with the ability to convert food into energy, so that you can feel powered up for your day.I also loved learning that these Gummies are easy to find and can be a great addition to any healthy diet.

I then checked out the makeup station, and got glam thanks to the Maybelline makeup artist who I learned is also the founder of Green Beauty Team. Using products found at Duane Reade she transformed by eyes using a beautiful collection of colors from the fall collection. It was fun to look polished as I learned some tips on how to do this at home – even though I was only heading to pre-k pick-up. Through this Duane Reade Experience I was able to have a taste of my former concert days – as girls filled the space getting excited about Justin Bieber and other bands that I was unfamiliar with. This is the next wave of concert-goer and I was so excited to be apart of it in this new way.

For more pictures, check out my Google + album 

Duane Reade is also on Facebook, Twitter (follow the conversation with #DRJingleBall and#cbBigapple) and YouTube.

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric and #cbBigapple

Filed Under: Cosmetics, DIY Beauty, Events Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Fashion Forward Conference Highlights

September 26, 2012 By 2 Comments

Last week I found myself walking down a red carpet wearing a gorgeous Maggy London dress (click here to check out how you can win one yourself!) and soaking in so much information about how the business side of blogging within the fashion, beauty and style categories. Having just experienced my first BlogHer, I was excited to experience a smaller niche conference that would allow me to meet with brands, network and learn about the business side of blogging as well as branding within this growing industry.

As the managing editor of Momtrends, Nicole never ceases to amaze me with her savvy business sense, ability to work under pressure and her passion for supporting her team with both advice and opportunities. I have learned a lot since I started working for her in 2010, and I continue to do so as the website grows and expands towards working with high-quality brands, hosting niche events and focusing on specific content. So, when she told me about the first-ever fashion conference for moms called Fashion Forward it made sense that she discovered a way to both expand on her brand as well as feature a platform for other bloggers – whether new or novice – to learn more about the branding side of the industry as well as a way to showcase real women in the underserved fashion industry.

Created by Nicole (Momtrends); Audrey McClelland (MomGenerations); Vera Sweeney (Lady and the Blog) and Brooke Stewart of Power Moms Media, this innovative conference included panels (style your success and the power of partnerships), an inspiring keynote from Jill Herzig of Redbook magazine who spoke of her stints at Cosmo and Glamour magazines; a fun real moms and kids’ fashion show, amazing networking opportunities and the chance to learn more about branding and how to grow your personal brand.

Through the panels, I was struck by the focus on the business side of blogging, which whether you are in fashion or not focused on not accepting free work, developing a media kit and forging partneships that can grow your brand and message.

I also loved that the show focused on women, real women, of various ages and sizes who all love fashion and still want to look and feel amazing. As Nicole focuses on, this means that fashion is not just for girls in their 20s but real women in an underserved market. To prep for the show we were treated to hair hair styles from Robert Stuart Salon and makeup from Evy Drew and then took to the catwalk where moms (check out the complete list below) wore fashions from brands like LOFT, Levi’s, Sonsi, Eileen Fisher, Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Rent the Runaway as well as accessories  from Tribe Bags, Cambridge Stchels, ECCO shoes, Casa Couture, Aerosoles, Marie Todd and Theodora & Callum. Kids were also involved in the show and rocked looks from the Tea Collection and Stride Rite as well as featured hair styles from Cozy Cuts.

Check out the list of women involved in the show and the amazing looks they wore:

  • Nicole Feliciano @momtrends – Levi’s and Snugli and Rent the Runway
  • Audrey McClelland @audreymcclellan – Levi’s
  • Andrea Fellman @savvysassymoms – Levi’s and Rent the Runway
  • Sherry Aikens – @babypop – Sonsi
  • Nancy Horn @mamamaven – Sonsi
  • Linda Grant @nycsinglemom – Sonsi
  • Beth Felman @rolemommy – Look sponsored by GM
  • Julie Edelman @accidentlhswife  - Look sponsored by GM
  • Roo Ciambriello @roociambriello – Look sponsored by GM
  • Melissa Angert @melissaangert – Look sponsored by GM
  • Maria Colaco @pluslily -Ingrid and Isabel
  • Nicole Daley @daleyprnews – Ingrid and Isabel
  • Liza Huber @sagespoonfuls – Ingrid and Isabel
  • Sharon Langert @fashion_isha – Eileen Fisher
  • Clarissa Nassar @theposhparent -Eileen Fisher
  • Pam Kirkbride @triplethreatmom – LOFT
  • Jyl Johnson @momitforward – LOFT
  • Lainie Gutterman @meandbabyi – Lauren by Ralph Lauren
  • JoLynne Shane @jolynnes –  Lauren by Ralph Lauren
  • Serena Norr @mamagoesnatural – Maggie London
  • Lyss Stern @divamoms – Maggie London
  • Brooke Stewart @powermomsmedia – Jeans designed by Clorox

As a first-ever style conference for moms, I was inspired by the founders, motivated by the amazing panelists as we all learned how to push our brands to the next level and successfully grow our websites within this growing and ever-burgeoning industry.

Check out the video from iVillage about this amazing event:

 

For a more in-depth review, check out my post on Momtrends.

I was not paid for this post. I received a complimentary ticket to the event as a staff member of the Momtrends’ team.

All photos were taken by © Bellamy Blue/www.bellamyblue.com.

 

 

Filed Under: Events, Fashion Tagged With: , , ,

Shot@Life Mobile Launch in NYC

September 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last Friday, I found myself traveling to the city with the kids for an incredible Family Night to learn more about the organization Shot@Life, a movement that is focused on “protecting children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines” as well checking out their exciting new mobile app. My girls were both elated at the space where Maya went to work at a cookie decorating station that was set up by the company You Cake and Emma looked on at the sprinkles and tasty creations being made. We later made our way around the space and came across a collection of arts and crafts tables complete with coloring and t-shirt making as well as face painting, balloon animals and a wandering magician called Mike that had everyone on their feet. The event was also stocked with delicious snacks from Ella’s Kitchen, KIND and Peeled Snacks and dinner from California Pizza Kitchen that keep us full and ready to party.

While the kids loved the event (both for different reasons), I really enjoyed learning more about Shot @Life and how their new app is designed to showcase a child’s “firsts” while also illustrating how vaccines can help save the live of kids around the world. While listening to both Shot@Life and Holly of Momentum, I was struck by the complex medical system around the world that meant that children were left without vaccinations that many of us take for granted.

Living in a digital age, change and getting the word out about these important causes is now conducted online where we can information can be spread right through our phones. This app is an excellent example of how the digital world can impact change and foster the movement towards education and awareness about vaccines.

Through the app, you can watch, track and share the developmental milestones of your child from age 0-5 through various social platforms (twitter, facebook or email) as well as take pictures and view and create albums within the app. The mobile app also allows you to keep track of your child’s upcoming well-visits as well as provides a list of recommended immunizations. It was noted at the event that a “child dies every 20 seconds from a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine.” Through this app, Shot@Life is spreading the word about how to “reduce vaccine-preventable childhood deaths — and giving children around the world a shot at a healthy life, all while capturing the “aww”-inducing moments with your special little one.”

An evening of dancing, education and fun was also a powerful way to learn more about this app as well as to slow down and appreciate both what we have and the moments in life that matter.

The app is free and available in both Apple iOS and Android.

Thank you to Trumpeting Media, Shot@Life, and the United Nations Foundation for the invite to this incredible event.

Filed Under: Causes, Events Tagged With: , , ,

Bloggers Gone Bad: Fun Video for PopChips

August 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

BlogHer was extremely busy (to say the least). Although I’m used to the hustle and bustle of NYC and attending events, this was nothing compared to the intensity of my first BlogHer. In-between the networking, sessions (um, session – I only made it to one), and conference floor, I had an amazing experience spending time with Michelle (Everything’s A Buzz) and Kerri (Raising Three Savvy Ladies) where we bunked together and enjoyed being in NYC sans the kiddos. We also had the chance to meet Diane Mizota, a TV personality, who also works with the brand PopChips. She asked us to be in a compilation video where we would be lip singing to Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” that would also feature other bloggers from the conference. I probably wouldn’t have done it if isn’t wasn’t for those girls, but I’m so glad I did. What a fun and different experience that I’ll always remember about BlogHer. Check out the video below:

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