Chictopia.10: The Outfit

Cardigan - vintage, necklace - made by me, dress - Asos, bracelets - antique, ring - made by me, nail polish - Office (American Apparel), bag - Nich boutique, wedges - Forever 21

Jasmine from Transient Withdrawal was kind enough to take these photos for me... in the rain, nonetheless! I met her last February while in NYC, but we didn't have much opportunity to talk. We chatted a bit more this time - she's so cute!

The conference itself was incredible! I was a bundle of nerves in the beginning, since I was speaking on the first panel, but afterward, I was able to relax and enjoy what other tastemakers had to say. Naturally, the crowd was very well-dressed... so many different styles! So many covet-worthy pieces!



I opted to wear something simple (surprise, surprise) for my day-trip to New York. Look, I'm wearing a maxi dress! I suppose the fact that it's not dragging on the ground makes me look taller, but it's a petite size. But in all seriousness, I felt tall (despite the amount of heels in the room!)

I like to think that normally I appear put together, but by the end of the day, I was a tired mess... my feet were killing, I was toting a dripping umbrella, and my dress was being splattered with rain. However, I threw my Keds on after stopping to purchase a birthday gift for my mom, then headed over to Maoz Vegetarian (seriously, probably the cheapest food in NYC).

I have to admit, I fell in love with the Jeffrey Campbell 99 wedges last fall, but didn't have the money to buy them/the lining is leather. So understandably, I was thrilled upon discovering these at Forever 21... which means I caved. I haven't purchased much from there in a while. However: they hurt. Not blister-inducing, but they put such strain on my feet. Ow.




I'll be posting more on the conference itself once I obtain more photos - I have a few of my own, but I want my readers to see me speaking! Ha.

xox Catherine

PS I love this nail color.

Home from Chictopia.10

Dragged myself off the train less than an hour ago... I'm so exhausted. But I had an amazing day in NYC at Chictopia.10 - still can't believe I was invited to speak there! It all feels like a pleasant dream.

More photos to come soon - I've some homework to do!

xox Catherine

PS Thank you to anyone who introduced herself today! I was incredibly flattered to be approached by readers, especially ones who told me they follow my blog religiously! Such a huge compliment.

8.18 and 8.19

So, this is going to be a long post...

8/18/2010

Shirt - Olive and Olivia via Ideeli, dress - Target, cuffs - antique, boots - Urban Outfitters

All of the shots from this day came out grainy and/or blurry. It was rainy so the lighting sucked... and I couldn't get any good photos inside.




Moving on... 8/19/2010

Dress (worn as top) - Tracy Reese, necklace - antique, cuffs - antique, skirt - Urban Outfitters, sandals - Urban Outfitters

I much prefer these photos. The sun was setting, and if you're familiar with Cape May, you would know that Sunset Beach is at the end of Sunset Blvd. I was standing on Sunset Blvd, so I figured having a setting pink sun would be pretty cool especially with the colors of my outfit. Take a second to notice the color of my skin. Yeah, pretty strange, right? I used these photos as an entry to the Make Life Juicy contest on Chictopia, but I have some very exciting news to announce.




I've been invited to speak at Chictopia10! I'm so excited, and I have to admit, I'm a little nervous too! Are any of you going to be there?

xox Catherine

PS Today's the last day to enter my giveaway!

NYC Part 2: 2/14 - photoshoot in Bryant Park and lunch Spice Market

Day 3: 2/14/2010
My day started waking up 45 minutes late, but still managing to be relatively on-time. We then walked over to Bryant Park for our photo shoot, which was really cool. Despite managing to take my own photos pretty frequently, I'm very camera shy. So I'll admit, I was a bit nervous when a real photographer was taking my picture...'

But beforehand...


Above: Lydia's awesome purple boots... and a little bit of her neon green tights. I really admire how she puts together colors.
Below: I was kind of lurking on Erin from Calivintage having her photo taken, how cool is that dress?



Above: Brittany having her photo taken in a breathtaking dress that her friend made, isn't it incredible?
Below: Annie with Lydia in the background... this was entirely candid.



Above and below: standing around in Bryant Park



Below: photos from Spice Market, the restaurant we ate at for lunch, planned by the girls at ModCloth. I literally fell in love with everything there - the decor was lovely and the food was so delicious. I always worry a little bit before going out to eat because of my veganism, but they were really cool about it and had options for me (finished with the best sorbet I've ever had - definitely trying to go back if I ever have the chance).





And my last photo from the trip...

Street art in the Meatpacking District (right across from Spice Market). I really did fall in love with this area - a little ironic, I guess, because one would think that the name of the neighborhood would indicate meatpacking takes place there.

I still have outfit photos to post, but this basically wraps up my observations of the trip. It was so much fun, and as I mentioned before, all of the people I met were really awesome. I definitely hope that this won't be my last trip to NYC for fashion-related events (during fashion week).

A huge, huge thanks to Chictopia! I feel that this was such a positive experience, and I really wish they continue this in the future for other bloggers.

xox Catherine

PS If you're in any of these photos, feel free to snag them (while giving me credit of some form, I'm not too picky about how you do so)! I do have more saved on my computer that I'd be delighted to send if you think there were some that I missed, so just ask!

NYC Part 1: 2/12 to 2/13 - Chictopia10 conference and after party

Day 1: 2/12/2010

Only photo I have from the day, which consisted of lounging around and reading magazines then deciding to leave my hotel room to go on a journey since there were so many pieces in the magazines that specified were available in "NYC."

I didn't go shopping... instead I took the subway down to Greenwich Village (I believe) to go to the vegetarian restaurant Red Bamboo. I definitely would have taken some photos, but I didn't take my camera.

After I arrived back at the hotel, I waited around until we all met in the lobby for our orientation. It was kind of surreal - seeing "computer people" in one room! Any bit of nervousness I had disappeared once I talked to everyone - they were all so sweet!



Day 2: 2/13/2010
I started the day by going to a diner to get breakfast with Annie and Pauline, which was followed by me running back into my hotel room to get changed for the conference. So we all headed over to the conference together...


Above: Lydia, Pauline, and Brittany; Below: Annie and Lydia



Above: Taghrid, Liz from Late Afternoon, and Danny from Igor+Andre (I developed a crush on him! He's so cute!)
Below: Rebecca from the Clothes Horse and Judy Alridge from Atlantis Home



Above: Annie while taking her outfit photo; Below: Jasmine (the first prize winner!)



Above: the crowd at the event!


Models from JCheikh... all of the clothes were so wonderful, not to mention the gorgeous models.



Alexandra Greco (below) and her model (above). Her designs were so pretty - I'll definitely keep an eye on her!



Alyssa Nicole from Alyssa Bird... she was so cute and I fell in love with the dress her model was wearing! Another designer I'll make sure I watch!



Above: 41 Greenwich Ave; Below: a few shots from the party (I didn't get that many good ones, though I'm sure my flash did blind a few people... sorry!)

NYC Preview

I had a great time in NYC and I'm kinda bummed I couldn't stick around for the IFB Conference today. However, my weekend was really awesome and I met some other cool bloggers!







A huge thank you to Chictopia for giving me and 9 other contestants to attend the Chictopia10 event.

I have a ton more pictures - mostly candids, but expect a huge post sometime this week.

Until later, xox Catherine

What?

Cardigan - BDG, tshirt - H&M, dress (worn underneath) - Forever 21, necklace - antique mall, leggings - Forever 21, boots - Doc Marten

I'm ridiculously excited for NYC. This whole thing is totally ridiculous - in the best way possible. It would've been enough to go to NYC for fashion week. It would've been enough to have been randomly selected to attend. But I won. It was me. I love writing - especially when it comes from inside. And it did. I wasn't expecting to win. I didn't even expect a chance. Who am I to win such a wonderful thing? I'm me. And that's perfectly fine.

I can't even explain my reaction. I was in entire disbelief (even more so than now). I finally told my family about my blog/blogging habits. It's not that I've been embarrassed about it, but most times it was irrelevant to what I normally discuss. However, as much as I hate to admit it, I always have a bit of self-doubt. I told a friend while a little... ermmm, on New Years, and I've just come to terms with it being a part of me. I've had this blog for almost a year, but my Chictopia account is what got me into the whole "blog scene."

Anyway, this outfit was from yesterday, which involved school, ceramics club (and encountering a certain someone I used to have a huge semi-secret crush on...), trying to rest, then going to a coffee shop with some friends to see some local musicians. A good day - pretty busy, but very satisfying!

It's now very, very snowy where I reside... probably not leaving this weekend! I intended to get a haircut, but I'm not sure that'll be possible...

Thank you, all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

xox Catherine

My big news...

Check this out, eighth name down...

In case you don't feel like clicking the link, I'm a winner of the Chictopia10 contest! So next weekend I'll be heading to NYC for the Chictopia10 conference and some other activities arranged for the winners. I'm so excited! And truthfully, I'm very surprised that I won! I must say, receiving the email yesterday morning made my heart skip a beat.

I'm super excited to meet all of the other bloggers - I know it's going to be a fun time!

xox Catherine