Friends, I can’t even tell you how hard it is to narrow down all the awesomeness that was the Lucky FABB Conference into just five top moments!  I learned so much, met so many people, and was completely overwhelmed by it all {in a good way}!  But since I can’t sit down for coffee with each of you and babble on for hours, here’s an as-quick-as-I-can-make-it overview of my five favorite moments from the experience!

5. Meeting other bloggers and brand representatives

The first person I connected with was Ellen from Ask Away, who I had chatted with prior to the conference in a Facebook group for bloggers who were going to be attending.  Our plan was to meet up in the train station {Penn Station NY} and walk to the event together.  You should have seen us trying to find each other in that huge place!  Finally, after a lot of back and forth texting, Ellen found me by following the music…there was a man playing the violin right near where you got on the subway to head into Times Square.  I also was able to connect with Jen from Life Unrefined, Jennifer from France Luxe, Rebecca from Mommy in Heels, Becky from The Fluff Report, and lots of other fabulous fashionistas!

4. Being in the same room as Eva Mendes and Kate Bosworth!

I splurged when I bought my ticket and got the All Access pass, which got me into the executive gifting suite {yay for more fabulous free stuff!} and also granted me VIP seating.  I was in the third row, literally about 15 feet away from these speakers.  Close enough that with my macro lens, I took the above photo of Kate Bosworth myself.  Aah!  I loved hearing all their fashion and style tips.  I think my favorite piece of advice, though, came from blogger BryanBoy, who said that there’s no shame in wearing your favorite piece over and over {and over and over and over…}.

3. Getting photographed four times

As we waited in line outside the buildings on both days of the conference, there were photographers going up and down and selecting certain people to photograph.  The first day, a photographer snapped a shot of me with Ellen by the Lucky FABB sign, similar to the one I shared at the top of this post.  The second day, as I was waiting in this line {see me?}, a photographer singled me out, took me out of the line, and had me pose on the sidewalk for a picture.  I wasn’t the only one he photographed, but still, I was thrilled to be chosen!  This is the outfit I was wearing…more later on why I switched from my original outfit plan.

Dress: Tailor & Stylist // Jacket: DKNY // Necklace and Bracelets: Charming Charlie
Watch: Target // Tights: NY&Co // Shoes: Old Navy

I also got photographed individually two other times.  One was when I exited the conference, hauling my gi-normous swag bag that I could barely lift.  And the other was actually instigated by me.  As you know, I’m rarely entirely serious, so while attending the Barbie lunch, I went up to the photographer and asked him if just for funsies I could take a picture of him taking a picture of me.  He laughed and humored me…so here’s my side of the shot.

I have no idea where, when, or how those pictures will be used for anything, or if they’ll even get used at all, but it was just fun to be able to say I got photographed at Lucky!  Meanwhile, if by some ridiculous chance one of them ends up in the magazine, you might literally hear me squeal all the way from Maryland.  And you probably won’t be able to buy a copy even if you want to because I will have ordered them all.

2. Participating in the P&G New Voices of Beauty Contest

The Monday before the conference, I received an email asking for bloggers who wanted to participate in the P&G New Voices of Beauty contest to be an Honorary Blogger for the main sponsor, P&G Beauty.  I figured if I was going, I might as well take in everything I could possibly experience, so I applied even though I wasn’t entirely sure what all it entailed.  I never heard back, so I figured I didn’t get in.  Then, the first day of the conference during our lunch break, I got an email saying I was going to be participating!  I was given a list of questions I had to answer on camera the next day: things like what differentiates my blog from others, what my favorite P&G beauty products are, and more!  I found out that the videos would help P&G narrow it down to 8 finalists, then the four winners who would each receive a year’s supply of product, mentions on their mass media, the title of Honorary Blogger, and a feature in a video! This is why I decided to go for a dress on day two instead of my original outfit with jeans.

When it was time for the videotaping, those of us who were participating were taken to the 6th floor of the Condé Nast building, where Lucky’s offices are!  Unfortunately, *honestly*, I have to say I think I did a lousy job.  I thought we’d each get to do it individually, but there were three interviews going on in the same room at the same time, and it was incredibly distracting and hard to think.  Also, I’d prepared what I thought were good answers, then right before going in we were told to be as brief as possible with our responses.  If you know me, you know I’m awesome at some things, but brevity isn’t one of them.  I found it really challenging trying to communicate everything I wanted to and do it quickly.  So, I think I can pretty safely guarantee that nothing will come of it, but it was an awesome experience.  AND while we were chilling on the 6th floor waiting for everyone to finish up, the rather infamous Anna Wintour {editor of Vogue!} walked by!!!  Pretty sure no one breathed until she got in the elevator.

1. “Unapologetically Plastic”: Lunch with Barbie

I don’t know about you, but I looooooved Barbie as a little girl.  So when I heard about the opportunity to attend this luncheon, I couldn’t resist!

We got to ride a special elevator to a high-up floor in the Condé Nast building where this setup was waiting for us!  Michelle Chidoni, Barbie’s “Chief of Staff” presented a slideshow about Barbie’s cultural relevance, her mission, and the fact that Barbie is designed to teach girls that anything is possible.  She also gave us a preview of two new products: Digital Dress Barbie, and an a-MA-zing Digital Makeover toy that interacts with your iPad to let the little girls in your life {or you!} apply digital makeup…it’s crazy-cool!

The food was delicious too, and after the lunch, I had an opportunity to talk with Michelle about possible partnership ideas that, if they happen, may include some other bloggers as well!

There are so many more things I could mention, like all the good food, the other amazing speakers, and a gift bag so big I could climb inside it.  For realz.

But, for now, I’ll leave you with these top 5 highlights!  I’m counting down the days until next year’s event!!

Hugs & Glitter,