Recap: NYC, Lucky FABB and Chicago!

TOP: Big Picture PR press preview - Bushakan lifestyle accessories / coworker and I / Porter Lyons jewelry MIDDLE: Recovery mask #boo / Lucky FABB #evasquared / After a long day at Lucky FABB #shamelessselfie BOTTOM: Going out in Chicago / Skydeck over 103 floors / Rickshaw through the city #ridindirty

I'm baaaack! The past week has been a whirlwind - a New York work event, Lucky Fabb, and visiting a girlfriend in Chicago! I'm still recovering from a week of eating pizza on the east coast (hellooo jet lag and tight jeans :/)... 

First, I headed to New York to assist in hosting a press preview for the pr company I work for. There we showcased clients' new lines and collections for magazine and online editors. I shouldn't play favorites, but I'm kind of obsessed with the new jewelry line Porter Lyons. The Louisiana based and inspired brand combines natural elements such as alligator bones with luxe metals - resulting in a unique feel. All the editors went crazy for the line - check it out here. 

Thursday I headed to Lucky FABB, which was a great event, but I have mixed emotions on what I came away with (*note: I only attended Thursday). Pros: I got to meet a couple lovely fellow bloggers I've known online including Ashley of SideSmile Style and Jess of Jess Styles Rules and also met the adorable Misse of Honeybee Weddings- who I snuck away at lunch with to hit up a YSL sample sale (no luck though). The speakers were also very interesting and Eva Mendez was totally endearing- her scarf trick was a fun highlight. Cons: The conference was understandably geared towards the (inspiring) professional blogger, which I am not. It really emphasized how in order to be successful you needed to spend lots of time on all your social media channels ect. As someone with a full time job, I just don't have that sort of time to commit to my blog. Although I love the creative outlet blogging gives me, Lucky FABB made me want to take a step back and focus on the reality which pays my bills. 

Friday after morning meetings and an hour of power shopping, I flew to Chicago to visit a girlfriend I hadn't seen in way to long. We hit the town, drank wine, gossiped, watched movies, spent hours in the line before getting 20 seconds on a plexiglass overlook 103 floors up at the Willis Tower, and in general had a blast. A girls weekend was exactly what I needed to end a busy and at times discouraging trip. 

Style wise I have a bit of a disclaimer: as you can see, I'm pretty into black & white stripes at the moment. My goal for this trip was to only take a carry on and I'm proud to say, I was successful! I managed to accomplish that by keeping a monochrome/neutral palette which I jazzed up with accessories.  Key items for me were: silk trousers, striped top, leather sleeve blazer, a statement watch, and slick black pumps.