As many of you enjoyed Father's Day or simply a gorge day in NYC, I was in a cab heading to the 59th Bridge to make my way to JFK as I'm super picky about getting to the airport at certain times especially when there is an International flight. While sitting in the car watching the city slowly coming to life, people hopping over to their nearest bodega and bagel spots, I thought about the fact that this time last year, I was super busy going to Editor's appointments and press trips to fun locales where you learning about a brand or checking out the tourism of a city etc. I loved it but yet when I think about how often I fly and the reasons behind it - I definitely feel like I have truly stepped into the role of a business woman. I love that I hit Tampa very regularly so I can appear on air at HSN for Sebago and that I also head to Dominican Republic quite frequently as I have my soon to be released Kimmie Smith x Sebago Fall 11/Holiday 11, Kimmie Smith x Sebago Spring 12 and just completed and absolutely beyond phenom Kimmie Smith x Sebago Fall 12 collections.
Sitting in the car, I thought about a number of the collab design projects that will be rolling out next year and there is something to be said for knowing that the Kimmie brand has a nice selection of diversified lines that all have my "K" logo'd on the product in conjunction with the fab brand. In addition, I'm loving the ambassadorships as well as the fab partnerships (one so large that it calms me everytime I might get a tad antsy) that will be able to be announced officially just in time for New York Fashion Week as this season will be my busiest as I will tackle covering the shows, have some fabulous major mag placements as well as hosting a series of events that take everything to another level. WIth all of that good stuff it definitely means I travel a lot and although every now and then I let you know what I love love love. Here are more items!
I snapped a quick pic of my fave restaurant just outside of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (I believe this is in Boca Chica) - Boca Marina. I love that this gorgeous restaurant is like a lavish, large tiki hut with candles, shells and more and then outside is this large deck area. I have been here over their holiday weekends and you know that the Presidente's never stop flowing and the food - beyond! I highly suggest there calamari, fried cheese and the best bread ever when it comes to appetizer selections. Then for the entree, if you're starved, the Lobster Lasagna is a must and you'll never finish it (whether you're a guy OR girl) or the Sopa - yum! It's an experience and as the lights come down you feel like you're in South Beach such a cool vibe.
My travel must was having my jeggings which are fab to travel in and can be paired with my Havaianas which allow me to go through TSA super fast. Whether I'm on the flight OR in the factory in the offices upstairs, having my scarf ensures that my throat stays warm. Of course, I don't travel without Virgins, Saints and Angels OR Ted Rossi as it looks super fab, amps any outfit and people notice (love that the leather supplier having dinner with us that night said "Hey is that VSA" - that would be why I'm the Accessories Expert) and of course my lips are super important and I have been obsessed over Dior Addict Lip Maximizer (as well as Glow)!
I am spending the last portions of my morning here in Santo Domingo finishing my third collection for Sebago (Kimmie Smith x Sebago Fall 12) which is going to be phenomenal when it hits stores next year as there are fab boots (yes knee length and ankle) as well as some fab old school style shoes brought forward! This time, I stayed at a different hotel - Embassy Suites which is nestled inside of the Metro Country Club outside of Santo Domingo. Interestingly enough, not only do a lot of the Sebago related people stay here but Jet Blue Stewardesses (I was asked if I was one of them) and various team trainers for Major League Baseball Teams for the training camps that they run here in the area. I was able to hang out with trainers from the Boston Red Sox, Yankees and more while I was here. Many had their families here with them and it made me think of the casual dress when being here as June, July and August are the hottest (via temperature) times to be here.
Today's post is indicative of the perfect way to dress when you're in this new business kind of environment complete with a tee from J Crew, hat from Brixton, fun flip flops from Havaianas and boardshorts which are great for running around and then heading into the pool or your nearest ocean from Almond Surf Shop!
Today, I'm in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic as I design yet another fabulous collection for Sebago which will be out in Fall 12. You can't come to this gorge island without thinking about fab bikinis that you want to rock! Even though I'm here for work, you know I have to sneak in some beach AND pool time! I'm loving this aqua bikini available at Victoria's Secret with a fab cuff at Free People that is intended to be worn on the arm as opposed to on the wrist! Cap it off with this super fab and simple Christian Louboutin's to ensure that you have that casual glam that I am such a fan of. Finally, you're never dressed without a fab bag and much like Saturday's post, you can never go wrong with a Marc Jacobs bag to make everything easy breezy!
Whether you do a lot of travel or you are simply grabbing items as you head out the door, I have some phenom essentials. The day before any trip is hectic for me, tomorrow I'm jetting off to "the beautiful Dominican Republic" which is said by every stewardess as we are moments from landing. Although I hear the weather has been rainy in Santo Domingo, I'm hoping that Sun is gorge since it's the only day I won't be working as the factory is closed. Then Mon - Wed, I will be designing my Kimmie Smith x Sebago Fall 12 collection (my third collection with them). I was just there in May designing my Spring 12! As you know, I travel each month whether it's heading to do another segment on HSN, a press trip, designing shoes and meeting with my brands so I have my system down to a science! With that said, I will pack my bags today but I always have last minute packing that goes into my large purse.
Earlier this week, I attended the holiday show and fell in love with Lug Life is all about keeping you organized for the day, overnight, in fitness, for moms and when traveling. They have a phenom Clipper Flat Iron Case which allows you to curl your hair and slip it in one of many color cases so that it can cool and that it can leave with you without you worrying about waiting for it to cool down. You only have precious minutes before your car service gets a little testy that you're delayed! Of course I have many cosmetic bags and many do go in my luggage as typically, I carry it on the plane but I always have the items that I use that morning in my bag. I'm loving Bottega Veneta's cosmetic case which is luxe and so essential as I do my perfected eye and head out the door. I carry Rebecca Minkoff with my everyday whether it's her fab key python studded case (love), her matching iPad cover (LOVE) and when I travel I always have her MAC bag in my luggage! But I also love her Lunch Money Pouch which is cute but I put a few extra dollars in here to give out tips as I'm going in and out of airports, hotels and when I am buying my guilty pleasures (Life & Style, Us Weekly etc). Finally, as an Accessories Expert, you know it's always about my bags and everything goes into something luscious. My bag of the moment, it's got to be about MJ! I wear his oversized sunglasses in a number of hues and I have always been about Marc Jacobs bags as well - this is a bit bling with the accessory on the bag, the textured patent leather and the fact that all this and more can be stored in here as I make my way to the car to head to Terminal 5!
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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