City Chick Online

My work outfit for today (that's Zoe..my employee's dog...she always tries to get in my pictures lol)

Top: Oscar de la Renta
Skirt: Zara
Boots: Bakers
Bag: Dont have logo but got it from Marshalls
Jewelry: Samantha's Consignment

NICOLE MILLER Silk Chiffon Dress in SIZE 4 $59.99

GUCCI EQUESTRIAN Scarf $169.99

MINT FENDI Handbag in TAN/BROWN SIGNATURE FABRIC $99.99

COACH HOBO Handbag in CAMEL SUEDE $49.99

BRASS CUFF bracelet with HOT PINK ACCENT $39.99

www.samanthasconsignment.com

I just added these new itme to my online store tonight:

MARC JACOBS Handbag in GOLD METALLIC LEATHER - Palm Beach Limited Edition $329.99

VINTAGE CHANEL SILK/WOOL Scarf $269.99

BLACK Leather GUCCI BOOTS in Size US 7 B $139.99

White Rubber GUCCI RAIN BOOTS in Size US 5 or European 35 $69.99

CYNTHIA ROWLEY IVORY LACE/ BLACK TULLE Dress in SZE 4 $99.99

VINTAGE HERMES HARNAIS A L'ANGLAISE Scarf $199.00

To see these items and more, check out my store at www.samanthasconsignment.com

Last week, me and the rest of the Blok Tv crew attended the Fashion Police Film launch. Unfortunately I couldn't close my store early and pretty much missed the majority of the event, including the red carpet (*sad face*) but I did get to hang out with my Blok TV fam for the first time in forever. I had fun that night and was even a tad bit tipsy (damn u Patron!) but I lost my new camera with all the pics that I took :-(...These are the only ones I have from that night...oh well, good times nevertheless..

I just got back the final images from the 2 shoots that I styled last month for Frank Bradford and I'm very happy with the results. These are from the Advanced Location Lighting Workshop:

And this is from the Vera Wang Shoot:

:-)

Yesterday was my store, Samantha's Consignment, 1 year Anniversary and I am so happy and grateful that I made it. The first year of any business is the toughest and this year was pretty tough for me. I had to fire an employee, sue someone, deal with crazy customers, etc. I had to be an accountant, a plumber, a cleaning crew, an employee, and a boss all in one. Honestly some days I was (and still am) mentally and physically exhausted. At times I questioned if this was the right thing I was doing. I had invested my entire life savings in my dream and feared that it wouldn't work out. I've worked in retail a long time ago, but nothing could prepare me for opening up my own store. Yeah, I knew it was going to be tough but I just didn't know how tough it was truly going to be (especially when you open up during a recession!).

But despite all the things I previous said, I absolutely LOVE it! My store is pretty damn awesome lol. I love the location (downtown Glen Cove), I love my customers who I know by name, I love my employee Kat who is like a mentor, friend and lifeline all rolled up in one (lord knows I couldn't do it without her). I simply love everything about it. Never once in the one year that I've been open have I ever said "damn, I have to go to work today!". NEVER! The freedom you get from owning your own business is priceless...you just can't buy it. If I have to open late, I do. If I want to close early, I do. If I don't want to work that day, I just tell Kat and she always covers me. I answer to no one (except my bill collectors hahaha). I adore the fact that my store is cute and quirky and that it has enable me to be a real stylist. I love helping women find the perfect outfit for a date night, for prom, or as a gift for a loved one. I love being surrounded by beautiful things on a daily basis..tons and tons of jewelry, clothings, antiques, bags..I love the fact that now, I almost shop exclusively at my store so that the money is coming right back to me (hey, that you can't beat!). I am truly happy and I know that this is what I was meant to do. If it's God's will, (please Jesus!!!!), I hope to be here for the next 25 years at least. Do I see myself opening up another store in the future? NO... but I do see myself having this one for a very long time and I hope that does come to fruition. :-)

This past Tuesday, I had another shoot with Frank Bradford at the beautiful Planting Fields Arboreum here on Long Island. This was another event in his and DJ LaDez's lighting seminar week and it was sponsored by Berger Brothers (www.berger-bros.com). This was my first time at the Arboreum and it was breathtaking! We had 2 great models for the day, Svetlana Kapralova and Marianna Postma and me and Flor (Makeup Artist) decided to split Makeup duties for the day (Me with Svetlana and Flor with Marianna). The best thing about that day though was the Vera Wang dress that was loan to us. This dress was just beyond...It's from their Fall 2011 collection (right off the runway from last Fashion Week) and one of the most beautiful wedding dresses that I've ever seen. Besides the Vera Wang gown, I styled both models for a total of 3 looks that day. Here are a few behind-the-scenes photo. And as always, as soon as I get the final images, I will post them here :-)

Svetland wearing the Vera Wang gown

Makeup by me

Frank Shooting Svetlana

Makeup done by me

One of the looks

And another rocked by Marianna

(one of the looks from that day)

Last Saturday, May 21st (the day that the world was suppose to end lol), I had a photoshoot at the fabulous Studio 385 in Tribeca (www2.ExposureCapture.com). The shoot was put together by my photographer Frank Bradford and lighting expert DJ Dez. It was sponsored by Lumedyne and it kicked off a week of four Lighting Seminars given by Frank and DJ throughout NY. I was the stylist for this event and I had an amazing time! Here are just a few of the behind the scenes photos from that day. We had 2 models and a total of 5 different looks between them. I've seen a few of the final shots, like the one above, but as soon as I get them all I will post them here.

Me and the team getting a model ready (Flor Diaz, Makeup artist and Julius Toussaint, Hair Stylist)

Some of the Wardrobe for the day

Jewelry

A few more

Flor and Julius doing their thing!

A few shoes

Pinning the model into the clothes

I love steamers...

I live for this dress *sigh*

This past Sunday, May 15th, I went to the Makeup Show for the very first time and it surpassed all my expectations. I kind of had an idea of what to expect from reading other blogs and watching youtube videos but nothing could prepare me for all the fabulousness that this event offered. Before going, I had an itinerary of all the workshops and seminars that I wanted to go to and a list of all the makeup that I wanted to buy. Let me tell you, my day did not go at all as planned.

My day actually started off pretty crappy. I got 3 hours of sleep because I went out the night before (see previous post) and didn't get in until a little after 4am. I woke up around 7am to get to the Show by 9 and I was a walking zombie. On my way to the train, I put a bottle of water in my bag so that I would have it just in case I got thirsty. That would have been a great idea if I would have remembered to actually put the top back on the water bottle...like I said, I was a walking zombie. The water spilled all over everything in my bag and ruined all my business cards, notebooks and my camera. I was most devasted over the camera because my boyfriend had bought it for me for my birthday last year. After that happened, I was extremely cranky and irritated and after getting to the Metropolitan and seeing a line down the block, my attitude just got worst. However, as soon as I stepped inside, my mood instantly changed and I was happy and overwhelmed with excitement.

Like I said before, I had my entire day planned out before going there but realistically you can only plan so much in advance. My first stop was the MG agency booth because I am a member of the NYC Makeup Artist Meetup and a few of the members were there so I stopped to chit chat for a minute. Right across from them was Dinair, who were on my list of people to see. I spent 2 and a half at that one booth. I missed 2 seminars that I wanted to go to but I learned all that I wanted to about their airbrush system and makeup. I ended up buying their system for a ridiculously cheap price along with a few additional foundations and blushes. After that, I went to the Sam Fine seminar, hung out with one of my friends who was working at Stila (where I picked up the Major lash mascara and a liquid eyeliner) and then went to the Billy B seminar. I didn't even get to visit 95% of the booths that were there. It was just not enough time. At first I was wondering why people registered for both days (besides the fact that there were different seminars on Monday) its just honestly impossible to do and see everything in one day. I didn't even make it to the business floor smh. Well, I know for next time! I will not only be there again, I will definitely register for both days. Here are some pics from the first day:

Billy B Seminar...He was amazing!

Sam Fine's Seminar

Sam Fine's model..Left side of face with makeup, the other side without.

What I bought:
Dinair Airbrush System with 14 colors (foundation + blush+eye brow colors)
Stila Major Lash Mascara
Stila Eyeliner in Black
Alcone Powder Puffs

Ok, ya'll don't even know how excited I am about going to this show. It's my first time and I can't wait! For anyone who don't know The Makeup Show is the largest PRO-ONLY event in NYC (they travel to different cities also) that brings the professional beauty industry together. At the show there are top industry artists and pro-driven companies presenting the newest products, seminars, forums and hands-on workshops. Everyone who is anyone in the makeup biz will be there such as Billy B, Sam Fine, Crystal Wright, Michael DeVellis, James Vincent, just to name a few. And there will be tons of companies such as Make Up For Ever, Temptu Pro, Inglot, Stila, Crown Brush, Alcone, Mac, etc.

I'm seriously putting myself on a budget before I even get there because I know myself lol. I really want to attend the seminars more than anything though. These are the ones that I will be attending:

*Working in NY
*A Career in Makeup with Sam Fine (LOVEEEE HIM!!!)
*The business of Beauty with Billy B (I love him too *sigh*)
*HD Bridal Tattoo Coverage

The event is from 9am-6pm at the Metropolitian Pavilion (125w. 18th street) and I'll probably be there all day. I need to pick up a Pro Airbrush Kit and I'm on a serious quest to find the perfect mascara, since I have yet to find one that I can't live without. I will be taking alot of pics that day and will be posting them here. :-)

If you are in the beauty biz (Makeup artist, salon owner, etc) and want to learn more about The Makeup Show, please visit www.themakeupshow.com