Last night was such a great night! There's something about great ideas coming together! Although this is not the full recap, I had to share! About a week ago, Celebrity Hair Stylist, Kristan Serafino and Beauty Blogger of Serafino Says and I talked about life, business and everytihng in between. By the end of the conversation, we knew we wanted to create an event that had celebs, beauty and accessories! Within less than a week, Accesshairize was born! None of this would have been possible without our great partner and sponsor, the James Bentley Salon.
We honored Laura Osnes, the 2012 Tony Award Nominee (our fingers are crossed for her on her big night on Sunday at the TONY Awards) and we chatted all things beauty and accessories while hearing her talk about Broadway, her show Bonnie and Clyde as well as her upcoming role in Cinderella! More details will follow but thank you Bartenura for the fabulous Moscato which everyone enjoyed (and HUGE thanks to Peg Samuel of Social Diva and Stiletto Consulting for the connect). Huge shout out to Nina Handbags and Ted Rossi who have always been phenomenal partners of Kitten Lounge and have carried their support into Accesshairize! I'm glad that Kaaral beauty products and Victoria's Secret had fab spritzers AND we all nibbled on Georgetown Cupcakes that were TONY Award themed. Not to mention, that it came just in time to the season opening of Georgetown Cupcake's new series where they take on opening a shop here in NYC (watch it on TLC tonight at 9pm!).
We will have another post updating this event and we appreciate all who came and we're already planning on the next one!
This week has been a busy week and we're already at the midway point! But we kicked it off this weekend by shooting my Kimmie Smith x Sebago Spring 12 lookbook which was a lot of fun as we had access to a penthouse suite at Kimpton's Hotel at Ink 48 which is a phenomenal way to see the city with all of its varied energies! In addition, I was so happy to rock Virgins, Saints and Angels, Ainsley, Sean John and a special tribute to Paul's grandfather who was a lead electrician on the Intrepid! You'll also read about my inspirations and more which is always nice to know the reasoning behind each creation!
She stays connected with her Blackberrys - one for work and one for personal!
TV addicts who are always out can depend on their DVRs to keep them connected! Holly's guilty pleasure is a show her mom tuned her into - Criminal Minds (my mom loves this too) she loves the suspense and since she's catching up on 6 seasons she watches it 3 - 4 times a week at her leisure!
But when it's about being back in NYC, her recent obsession is Osteria Morini's Gramigna pasta dish which she has been dreaming about!
Your fave meal is affected by zipcode! Holly has been going to Bridgehampton with her boyfriend and his family for the past few summers and adores Trata's Octopus Salad.
Not only is Holly Bernesser, Manager of Global Communications at Beauty Bank but she is also the fab Flirt It Girl that chats with us via videos!
Holly Bernesser is a busy girl! Not only is she Manager of Global Communications for Beauty Bank (which is apart of Estee Lauder) but she can also be seen talking about Flirt Cosmetics on their fun videos for Flirt It Girl on YouTube! She lets us know about new items that are popping up within the brand and I had the pleasure of joining her in a Spring Accessorizing video earlier this year! With all that work, she's always being taped, traveling and much more! Above you'll find out about her fave places to eat, her guilty pleasures as well as how she stays connected!
In addition to the above, I loved hearing that although her Nook is also one of her favorite tech toys that keep her connected for personal travel, it also has internet access as well (news to me). When it comes to app this tweet-a-holic loves using Twitter which is an essential wherever you are. There's tech style and personal style - I have always loved the way Holly is so put together and that's probably because she rocks Boho Chic so well which is something that I love as well! She's obsessed with all things 70s inspired from drapy one shoulder silhouettes, bright colors and the gold jewelry! She also loves bold lipstick – orange, pink, even purple! My two must-haves from FLIRT! right now are Chickstick Smooth & Shiny Lipcolor in Sangria (bright pink) and Energy (orange-coral). These are definitely on trend this season and she wears it well.
Our busy jetsetter seems to be on my page when it comes to some vacation spots - whenever there is a spare moment. She's wanted to get to the Greek isles for some time and would love to visit Brazil. Actually, anywhere with a beach sounds good to her right about now! Somehow this sentiment has been echoed by a number of those that have been within our Mingling Mondays posts so she is not alone!
Having two distinct roles as someone who is involved in Global Communications with Beauty Bank and as someone who brings the Flirt It Girl to live and interacts with so many personalities via videos and tracels, I wanted to know what she has learned from being on the segments that gives us insight into the brand. "I’ve learned tons of great makeup tips and tricks. I’m constantly inspired by the looks our product development team develops for the brand – and I’ve even been introduced to new shades in the line I haven’t personally tried through the tutorials we produce, if you can believe it. With over 250 shades in our line, there is always something new to try, or a new look to create and it’s just so much fun for me!" She definitely has a lot of energy and makes it all seem exciting and fun. With the brand's recent inclusion within the 2011 Billboard Awards Gifting Suite in Las Vegas this past weekend, it's just another example of the hectic but colorful life that Holly leads! We're also loving that for every celeb that snags a bag, due to Flirt's partnership with Prom Fairy, will allow the brand to donate a gift to the fund so that girls will look fabulous as they head out for their big moment! But I love that as much as she learns a lot from the brand she explains that she has "really enjoyed getting to interview some of my favorite experts from the world of beauty and style – like our Celebrity Style Ambassador, Heather Morris of Glee and some of my favorite bloggers and style experts like Jeannine Morris (Beauty Sweet Spot) and Kimmie Smith (so sweet) of course!
The most essential part is how she keeps it flirty as she is definitely a fab expert in this! Holly says, "I think it all comes down to confidence. If you feel good about yourself your true personality will shine through. And of course, a good mascara never hurts!" Truer words have never been spoken and I definitely agree that the eyes are definitely a way to bring in flirty action!
So last week, I attended the Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala at the New York Public Library at Bryant Park. Being able to walk around the library after hours with a cocktail in hand was definitely a lot of fun and I loved the little sign details that directed you to areas that had more beverages and more that didn't! I have to say that this sign (Paul directed me to it) seems to definitely encompass a lot of what is going on within the Kimmie and Kitten Lounge brands! It's always fun to see amazing emails about items as well as attending meetings and trips about Project(s) X but it's so hard not being able to share them until I'm given the green light! It's a constant state of giddiness, I will say that! I feel that over the past few months that the team has been working double time when it has come to Kimmie's Gimmies (fun event tomorrow thanks to our partners at Lucky Magazine, Bloomingdales and Dior - tweets will be flowing), appearances and networks that I have recently joined which are always good things!
I love that next weekend (Memorial Weekend) I'll be back on HSN May 27th at 2am and 7am and then again on May 28th at 6am sharing fab shoes from Sebago on air for an hour each. Interestingly enough, an hour for each slot seems to run by like 2 seconds and of course, I'm in the final days of choosing what my final looks will be for each slot. I love that literally the same day I'm flying out I will have a super cute photoshoot as I'm joining a fab magazine network which definitely makes me super happy and you'll hear tweets about this next Thurs I'm sure.
Beyond that, we also know that I will be working on my Kimmie Smith x Sebago Fall 11 collaboration which will be out soon - working on the official photoshoot is always something that I enjoy doing and having notables involved with it is even better! Of course, I always have to do things above and beyond so I can't wait to show how this lookbook will truly come to life and of course, while I'm at it, I will do the same for Kimmie Smith x Sebago Spring 12 which is a new baby that's been added to the mix! With so much going on, the sign is actually comforting to know that this is just the normal state of things in terms of Team Kimmie and Team Kitten Lounge but the best part of a secret is when you have the opportunity to share it!
Everyday you get the opportunity to see things that I love but I felt that it was time to also bring together some of my favorite bloggers and influencers by introducing items within themes! From that second, Kimmie's Gimmies was born and since we're all thinking of warmer weather we're kicking off our Spring Break theme which starts next week by having an intimate group of fellow bloggers to see my pics in terms of my favorite place as well as items that are perfect for Spring Break! I rounded up Shyema of Beauty and the Feast, Dorian of Big Apple Style, Kitty of Kitty Bradshaw, Makeda of Glamazon Diaries, Lorna of The Fabulous Report, Shoshi of Modern Day Courtesan Magazine and NY Near Say, Christine of Tineey, Charu of Butterfly Diary and Shaunequa of Temple of Glam.
We arrived at Polished Beauty Bar on the UWS to get fab manis which is the perfect way to begin thinking about Spring Break. Obviously, I went to my stand by - Zoya's Indigo which is the perfect shade and everyone picked their fave colors! While we were getting pampered, we were able to not only get to know each other but owner and Celebrity Stylist of the salon, Susan Nam shared stories of shoots that she had been apart of and other fun facts. In addition, we were visited by one of our sponsors - Lush (on the UWS) so fun and who doesn't love it! Once we were perfectly polished, Susan shared how we can stay summer ready with our nails and explained what will keep our manis intact. With all that info, we had to delve into my top pics that were stuffed inside our fab bag!
I'm so excited to have had phenomenal sponsors including Polished Beauty Bar of course - CND (not only did they provide items from their effects line but they included Jason Wu's new colors that he did in collaboration with the brand - not available in stores until next month!), Zoya products, fragrances by Natori, Queen Latifah, Jessica Simpson, Gabriel Organics, a fab pop of color with Skagen Denmark, Monet Jewelry, Batiste Hair (dry shampoo which made Shyema excited), Lush Cosmetics, MD Solar Scienes and Amala! Take some time to check out images from this event as well as the fun video!
A huge thank you to all of our partners that made this event a success! Next month we have an amazing make up event to help you get that amazing look for all of your cocktail parties as well as in June having a fun dinner party! Kimmie's Gimmies will always be themed letting you know what's amazing and what you should be including!
There will be updates to this post with links of other attendees coverage!
It's time to pack it up and I am on my way to the airport but had to say some things about a city that I have definitely embraced and can't wait to come back to. In addition, this trip (no shocker here) also spurned a lot of business contacts for Kimmie Smith the brand as well as for Kitten Lounge. Deets to follow can't wait to come back to NYC to my Kittens, Dolls & Glamazons! Watch the vid, wheels up!
She's Kimmie is a virtual scrapbook and is the best way for fans of Kimmie to connect with her, see where she's heading next and of course to get fab insider info!
As an Accessories Expert, Kimmie appears on HSN, designs, is quoted/featured in various publications talking about style from an Accessories Forward perspective! To work with Kimmie or to see project portfolio, visit her site here.
Kimmie is the Co-Founder/Creative Director of Shoe Week which launched during NYFW Sept '12 and is styling a number of shows as well as having evening leading up to our second season of shows during NYFW Sept '13.
Co-Founder, Kimmie, connects brands with bloggers in intimate event settings via Style Tweetup.
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