Simply Stylist NY 2015

This past Sunday I went to my first real fashion and beauty conference, Simply Stylist NY at the W Hotel. Months ago they offered a early bird rate and of course, I missed it by one day and they would not extend it for me. Then a week ago they offered free tickets on Instagram and Facebook and I missed it again. Luckily I got an email thru Shopstyle Collective for a free "Social Butterfly" ticket for the last few hours of the conference and I signed up! Blogger friend, Lakeisha of The Fashion Sherlock actually signed me up too just in case I missed the email :)

As always, I waited until 5 minutes before I was out the door to get dressed. I wanted to wear something new but I also wanted to get noticed. I haven't worn my Peter Pilotto for Target dress in about a year so I figured I could revisit it. My dress did not disappoint - the vibrant colors and mix of patterns always packs a punch.

From head to toe:

• Earrings: Dannijo, Rent the Runway sample sale, $30
• Lipstick: MAC Miley Cyrus Viva Glam, Nordstrom (free after notes)
• Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target, $25 (50% off)
• Belt: BE&D leather studded Garbo belt, thrifted $10 (retail $495!)
• Cuff bracelet: Dannijo Valentina, sample sale, $50 (retail $595)
• Bangles: Chanel (2), 75% off at Neiman Marcus, & the spiked bangle was $.01 from the Rack
• Pouch: Jimmy Choo, sample sale, $25
• Shoes: Tamara Mellon Bad Girl Sandals, sample sale, $55 (retail $750!)

Y'all know how much I love free stuff so I had a ball at all the sponsors' booths.  I started at Dove where they let you mail a friend one of their Dry Sprays (I mailed it to myself LOL) and spin a wheel for prizes. Shira of A Sequin Love Affair won a $50 Spa Finder giftcard and I won a "fashion accessory." I was excited until I saw my choices later. I ended taking some not very exciting earrings but it was the best of the bunch. I wish I at least won a Kate Spade notebook or the $5 Starbucks card. Oh well. I actually love their spray deodorants so I snagged a bunch more on the way out :)

I quickly accessed the room and grabbed a KeVita drink and it was soooo good. The guy asked me if I was a blogger than gave me a card for a free case to be delivered to my house. I told him that Shira was even bigger (in the Blogosphere) than me and she needed a case too LOL. See, the power of the dress!

Our next, and pretty much final stop was Lily Qian's booth - we spent almost two hours in line to get one of her illustrations! And good thing we got on line when we did because I got the last one! All the poor girls who waited on line behind me got turned away empty handed. As it is mine was a little rushed but it's still a beautiful illustration.

Poor Lakeisha and Dinara (of Practically Haute - check out her sample sale reports!) who were right behind me and wasted two hours of their lives LOL.

I just needed to share Lakeisha's OOTD - check out her gorgeous fur vest. I picked up its' twin at the Elizabeth and James sample sale and it will be in my next blog sale! I love the ombre but it looks way cuter on her. 

Here are the few other booths - I had time to snap a few pics while waiting on line LOL.

Shopstyle's booth had drinks, snacks and free EOS lipgloss. Grabbed some for my girls (and me too!)

Here are the Dove earrings (I told you...), my Shopstyle EOS and Ortholite insoles. As an old lady with foot issues I have so many variations of these jammed in my shoes.

And that was that! I was so flattered when several of you (readers) came over and introduced yourselves. If any of you ever see me - please come say hello. I love knowing that someone out there is listening and you guys appreciate my work (and bargains!)

As I was walking to the subway I couldn't resist taking a pic of the MetLife building. NYC at night comes alive and I really do miss it. On a good day it takes me about 15 minutes from my doorstep to the subway at 178th (where I shoot downtown on the A train). So while I'm not that far away, it's not quite the same here in suburbia.

As always, thanks for reading! Comments below are always welcome :)

XOXO
Shoppinggal