Boston: MiniLuxe

Above: Elizabeth in OPI's "Big Apple Red"

You've heard me rave about MiniLuxe before, but this time it was even more EPIC because I was with a group of lovely ladies organized by Janee, who I recently met and adore!

As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing better than spending a chilly winter evening in the warmth of MiniLuxe's spa-like atmosphere with a group of wonderful, smart and funny women, getting our nails did! Forget "selfie" as the word for 2013, I think it should be LADY DATE.

It was terrific to hang out with Janee, Elizabeth, Ana, Alaina, Molly and Emily. The proof is in the iPhone photos (this one below is from Alaina):

Of course we all selected varying shades of RED...'tis the season, afterall!

Above: Ana in OPI's Malaga Wine

Thank you once again to MiniLuxe for hosting all of us and for my lovely manicure.

For amazing recaps, check out Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard, So Alaina, Scavengenius, Wicked Cheap and Seagrass Studio.

Boston: Blog Better Boston Style Summit

This past weekend was the Blog Better Boston Style Summit, a local blogging conference organzied by Amy and Alana and held here.

I was honored to be invited to host a discussion session on Instagram sharing 10 tips on How to Make your Instagrams Better and Finding Your Voice (Thank you Kait for this shot of me!).

I also enjoyed attending the style summit to hear the other speakers discuss topics such as working with brands, creating content calendars and media kits. 

It was so wonderful to meet bloggers in person (Kaitlin, Melissa, Georgina, the JustUsGals, Allie, Tieka, Julie, Emily, Alyssa, Susan, Brooke, Holly, Sheryl) and see others I hadn't seen in a while (Alison {who I accidentally called Amy during my sesh!}, Shauna, Alana, Amy, Emily, Kristen, Amanda, Surabhi, Noelle and Elissa)

If you missed my Instagram discussion, here's a recap:

10 tips on how to make your Instagrams better

• Find your voice on Instagram by connecting and following others in the IG community
• Hashtag so that people can find you!
• ie: #igersboston (Instagrammers in Boston), #igers, #igdaily, #ignation etc., will allow you to connect with other IGs in Boston and around the world!
• Take a genuine interest in others, and leave comments
• Be visible, not just online (attend events such as Blog Better Boston and other blogger events)
• Be passionate about your IGs, treat them as you would photos with a real film camera
• Explore other apps to make your IGS better (ie. VSCOcam, Instasize and Afterglow)

There were a lot of sessions I wanted to go to, but alas, could only attend a handful, so here are some things I learned:

Working with Brands led by Kristen

• know your stats using google analytics
• a media kit is really important to introduce yourself
• create a pitch and send to a brand you really like and identify with
• know which posts are most read on your blog (most interaction/likes/views)
• your time is valuable
• follow up once you have worked with the brand/done a post

Creating a content calendar led by Julie:

• identify your priorities
• create a content calendar and schedule posts so that there is consistancy for your readers
• use google calendar or even a paper calendar and pencil, whatever works for you
• stick to a general theme and find your niche
• save your great idea for when you have time

Creating a media kit led by Tieka:

• a media kit is a pre-packaged set of promo material on YOU
• selling yourself to give a brand a few facts on whether or not you are a good fit for them
• include: about page, you and your blog, site stats, past brands/partnerships
• what you can provide as a service (ie. sponsored blog post, giveaway, side bar ads, text links, be gifted products to review)

Here are just a few snap shots from the Style Summit, as I was mostly taking notes! For more #BBBos coverage, check out the Twitter feed, and for more photos and updates follow Blog Better Boston on Facebook.

Thank you Amy and Alana for having me, and for all the sponsored goodies!

Here's how you can join the next Blog Better Boston summit.

Boston: Neiman Marcus, CUSP Launch

Neiman Marcus recently launched CUSP, at Copley Place. All of Neiman Marcus' contemporary departments have been revamped into modern, young and hip sections within each store. Carrying designers such as Alice + Olivia, DVF, Rag & Bone, A. L. C., Theory and Alexander Wang, to name a few, the concept is to provide a boutique feel that's fresh and updated.

Last week's launch was hosted by three of Boston's fashionable bloggers, Lissy (A Girl in Boston), Lani (Mon Petite Chou Chou) and Erika (Radiant Republic). Each of them styled a model in three different looks but it was at time easy to pick out who styled who. I was pleased to capture the festivities!

Hair styling by Jeffrey Lyle Salon // Catering by Broadway Gourmet // Models: Marie Wu, Jessica Clements, Olivia Guiny, Sarah Hodge, Kara Benghanem // DJ - Liz Ladoux

In keeping with the fresh new concept, it was recently announced that NM is looking for A Blogger on the CUSP, are you the one?

Boston: David Yurman at Lux Bond & Green + GIVEAWAY!

Last week, my sister, niece and I were excited to check out the unveiling of David Yurman's Fall 2012 Collection at Lux Bond & Green. The line will only be available for purchase in September, so it was nice to get a sneak peek. Thank you to Shauna, Sheryl, Trevor, Judy and Denise and everyone at Lux Bond & Green for the invitation and for graciously assisting us in trying out all the beautiful David Yurman jewellery!

It was lovely to see some of my favourite Boston Bloggers: Julie, Khatu, Lani and Hannah and I got to meet Amanda, Chelsea and Shauna's sister Kasey, for the first time, while we "tweeted" it up amongst champagne and cupcakes. Tweeting pays off people, look what Amanda and I won!

Thank you to my sis who took all the photos of me (in my favourite cobalt dress)!

I'm happy to announce that Lux Bond & Green would like to give one lucky reader of Hogger & Co. a $75 gift card for Lux Bond & Green!

To enter, simply follow the instructions below!

Contest ends at 12:01am EST Monday June 25, 2012 

A winner will be picked at random! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Boston Blogger February Meet + Greet

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