My Life: Volunteering and Fundraising

Sorry about the lack of posts, I was experiencing some technical difficulties and wasn't able to post anything.

So, what have I been up to. Let see for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I made time to volunteer at a senior center and in the evening I attended a speaker on African-American Artists from past to present at the museum.

A wonderful way that we can embrace Dr. King's philosophy is to celebrate our differences and know that we can learn something from each other. Our life experiences are what makes us unique. The world would be so boring if we all were the same. Maybe it's hokey to feel that way but maybe one day it will happen.

As for what going on with PR, lately I have been focusing on more causes and charitable organizations trying to help raise money for worthy causes. For anyone looking to enter PR, fundraising for museums is a great entry level way to get experience.

My Life: Bored with Extreme Shoes

Shoe shown: Report Signature Suede Lattice 'Percy' Platform Pumps $132.00 Bluefly.com

Any one else really bored with the shoes that are currently out there. I can't wait for this "ugly" shoe trend to hurry up and go away. I like statement shoes but it's getting ridiculous with all the extra details (studs, extreme platforms, multiple straps and zippers, etc). It reminds me of when the big bag trend was getting out of control and they had every detail they could think of on a bag. However, Spring fashion looks promising.

Fashion wise, I haven't really seen anything that really stands out. But I've been stocking up on fall staple pieces (with all the good sales). I did buy a pair of really great boots. I also found an amazing soft throw to curl up on the sofa with a good book. I'm not really a snuggie person, so I like to buy a nice warm throw for the fall and winter.

How was your Halloween weekend? I had fun, I went to a friend's Halloween party. It's surprising that how creative people can get with their costumes. I also saw a lot of vampires (I can't wait for the vamp trend to die down, I'm a bit tired of seeing vampires). I passed out a bit of candy before I left. I remember how fun it was to trick or treat when I little.

Sorry for the lack of posts

I went from a business trip straight into my vacation. However, my cousin (since she was out for summer break) volunteered to keep my blog updated while I was gone. Some how she lost or misplaced the log-in information and didn't post a thing and since it was my vacation I wanted to be as technology free as possible which means summer reading and relaxation. So, I will try to update hopefully sometime today but most definitely on Thursday.

Have Fun!!!

My Life: Friends' Job Lost

I have a couple of friends who have recently lost their jobs in the PR industry and one was in Fashion PR. She was let go because the company wasn't doing that well. It's hard to promote luxury products in a shaky economy. Consumers are not buying and they have to let employees go.

Unfortunately, Marketing and PR are some of the first to go when money starts to get a little tight. I feel really bad and hopefully they will be able to find something else even if it's not in their field.

For a little bit of inspiration while job searching, here's a good book to read:

Just Who Will You Be? Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. by Maria Shriver

My Life: I need more time to get organized

2009, has surprisingly, been a little busy. So busy in fact that I'm finding myself becoming a little unorganized at home. Hey, it happens to pretty much everyone. I'm organized at work and for projects but I just can't seem to find the time for getting organized at home. I really need to declutter and clean out my closet. Like everyone else I just need more time to get everything organized again.

I also have been lacking in posts which many of you have e-mailed and asked if I was still writing. Yes, I am. Lately, I have been getting quite a few museum exhibit event releases which I will try to upload as many as I can.

I have also been trying to volunteer my marketing and pr skills with a few non-profit organizations. I try to help out as much as I can.

My Life: Getting out the winter rut.

As cold as it's been the last couple of days the only thing I feel like doing after work is curling up on the sofa with a really good book. So as not to get in a winter rut, I'm trying to do something throughout the week. Tonight, I'm going to an art show. It's mostly college students showcasing some of their pieces and a few starving artist types. Nothing big or fancy just artwork being displayed.

Maybe I'll talk with the person who put the event together to see if they might need some help with promoting if they plan on doing this again. I'm always looking for ways to expand my PR skills and plus I just love art.

My Life: Food and Fundraisers

Today just seemed to fly by. Right now, I'm re-editing a press release that I'm going to send out tomorrow. I'm a little excited because tonight I'm going to a private fundraising gala for a friend's new charity. I can tell how excited and nervous she is about it. I'm sure once her charity launches it will do just fine. I'm going to try to squeeze in some time at the gym this afternoon you know just to make sure I look nice and tone in my dress.

If you read my blog you can pretty much tell beside the fact I love fashion that I'm a foodie. I love to cook as well as go out to restaurant. I'm always looking for a new cookbook or new recipe. to try. One recipe that I've cooked recently is One I picked up the other day is "The Comfort Table" by Katie Lee Joel. The recipes seem pretty easy to do even if you're not regularly seen in the kitchen.

As I look at the clock I better return any last minute phone calls and get ready to head to the gym.

Bye for now

My Life: Movies, Networking and Lookbooks

It was no surprise what movie was going to be #1. I went over the weekend to see Batman and I really like it, full of action all the way through. If you haven't seen it I would definitely reccommend it, you will not be disappointed.

Today's very busy. I have a couple of meetings and a telephone meeting throughout the day. I'm also going to a networking event a friend put together after work. It should be interesting she has one of these events once a month. It's so important in PR to get professional contacts and not just to help yourself. Networking is a good way to get your name out there in your industry. Let people see you and learn about you.

I got a quite a few fall lookbooks e-mailed to me and I can't wait to look them over. It's obvious that I love fashion and checking out the latest looks. I'll see if I can post a few.

My Life: All Work and No Play.....

Can leave a girl needing to burn off stress and party. Besides work most of my extra time is focused on getting my upcoming freelance Marketing and PR company together. This week has been crazy, I've been non-stop busy. But tonight I'm going out and having a good time with my friends maybe dinner and then hit up a night club who knows. I know I want to go dancing.

I'm also planning a birthday party for my mom with my dad and sister for Saturday as well as two upcoming parties: a baby shower and a dog birthday party.

Away on Business

I will back to posting on Thursday. Traveling for business, attending conferences and more.

I'm sure everyone watched the MTV movie Awards, I was happy to see Johnny Depp win awards for both "The Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Sweeney Todd", Will Smith for best male performance in "I am Legend" and "Transformers" for best movie. The Wayne's World skit wasn't really fun as well as the rest of the show was kind of boring.

I'm also sure everyone picked up the June issue of Vogue with the amazing spread with Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth but there is also a fabulous article and fashion spread with model Liya Kedede.

For the teens pick up the June/July CosmoGIRL with Megan Fox on the cover which has tons of fun stuff for a Hot summer.

My Life: Busy Morning

I can't believe how cold it is today. Looking out the window the sun is shining and it looks warm but it's not. Especially with May around the corner, it's hard to believe it was so nice and warm just the other day. I'm sitting here looking over a few beauty samples I got in the mail, which I can't wait to try while working on a short PSA, sorting through press releases, returning phone calls, etc. I also just got a text from a friend asking if I want to meet up with her and a couple of friends after work maybe for dinner. I think I will, seeing as the last time I think I met up with her we went for a little after work shopping at Sephora buying tons of beauty stuff (which we probably didn't need). But just browsing the aisles will pretty much brighten up just about any bad day.

Being so busy (particularly, with trying to start a freelance PR business), I'm having to figure out ways to squeeze in a little exercise. I like to try different types of exercises or it starts to get boring. I recently tried a combination of gymnastics + yoga for flexibility.

Before I get so busy with work I better pop off for lunch. Until tomorrow.

Style and Focus

My Life: Just on my mind 3

* I watched the NBA All-Star game last night I thought the half time show was great because it incorporated the spirit of New Orleans. The game was cool, I was rooting for the East and I'm glad that they won.

* Over the weekend I went to an estate sell with my mother and she purchased 16 old and classic books for only $5.00. If you get a chance attend one you never know what you might find. I looked but did not see any antique teapots.

* I received an e-mail asking me What's going to be hot for spring? What's hot is pretty much whatever you like but colors are always in and this year the color yellow seems to be quite popular. As for accessories, I noticed less = more and simple delicate pieces are going to worn. For make-up, soft pinks and peaches paired with fuller but neat eye brows.

* I don't know if you've noticed but there seem to be less ads and commercials using "sex" to sell. I remember reading a study that showed that most people don't even realize what product is being promoted. The formula doesn't seem to have the impact it once had. Constantly bombarding the potential customer with sexy ads just pushes the product right out of their mind.

My Life: Sick Dog

I have to take my dog to the vet because she is really sick. She hasn't been feeling well lately so I rushed her to the vet when her symptoms were starting to get worst.

Will upload fabulous new posts tomorrow.

My Life: Freeing Up Space

This weekend, I decided to stay in for a couple of reasons: 1) I think I'm a little partied out almost every weekend I do something. So once in a long while I just stay in and relaxed. 2) I needed to get together the things I'm going to donate on Tuesday. I scheduled a pick-up for the Salvation Army and I'm also going to drop off a box of books to the library this week.

I thought it was a good time to reduce some of my stuff and help out at the same time.

Next Saturday, A friend of mine is holding a fashion party where she sells off various clothing and accessories. I decided to add a few items to be sold that I don't really wear anymore. They are in great condition and are classic pieces so that they will still be in style. I figure I would free up some space in my closet.

This weekend not really exciting but exactly what I needed.

My Life: Just on my mind 2

* I think a lot of people who are thinking about entering into the Fashion or Lifestyle PR field don't realize how much work you really have to do everyday. My day starts early and most times it's long. It's not as glamorous as it appears on TV or in the movies. I considering myself very energetic and ambitious with a passion for this. On some level, I think you have to be because there is so much more than attending events, meeting celebrities, etc.

* A friend of mine who's new to PR has been feeling really frustrated with pitching and wondering why she's not getting her clients a lot media attention. I asked her to send me pitch letters for a couple of her clients. I read it and realize that nothing stood out or seemed interesting. Also, there is nothing in it for the media as in what do they really get out it (for instance is it something that their readers or viewers would really be interested in). The letters just seem a little generic. I ask her to really think about her clients products and really get interested in them because if you're not interested in them then why should anyone else be.

* I received quite a few e-mails throughout the year letting me know that they like my blog because it's not completely focused on celebrities. I really don't like to focus on the tabloid kind of information but I hope that you find it interesting. Thank you for all the e-mails of praise and I hope to continue to bring you great information.

My Life: Celebrating and Having Fun this Weekend

Happy Birthday Sis!!

Tonight I'm going to go bowling with my sister and some of her friends to celebrate her birthday. She just wanted something fun and little low key but before we go bowling the two of us are going to dinner with our parents. Tomorrow, we're going to do a little light Christmas shopping and then go out to lunch (my treat). Saturday evening I'm just going to go out with friends. I just want to truly relax and have some fun.

My Life: Sick and a little Tired

I am really busy and then to top it off I seem to be under the weather with a cold. I am starting to feel better and will be able to put more time and energy into Style and Focus PR.

Halloween was pretty good, I didn't throw a party just attended a few. I have to take a trip to Chicago this Friday so I am trying to make sure I feel better.

I will be updating soon. Thanks for visiting.

My Life: New Projects

Sorry for the lack of posts, I was working on a few things and one of the projects I am working in on is deciding to start freelancing. I am currently rearranging and organizing my life to get more focused on this new area.

Later on today, I will post a couple of new posts. I hope you like them.

I'm also planning a small fall partying for clients and a princess theme party for an eight year old so that should be fun.

My Life: Helping a friend plan a party

At this moment, I'm trying to help a friend plan a party over the phone (she lives on the west coast). The party's Wednesday and she wanted something for that new show "Gossip Girl". I'm always helping friends plan some kind of themed party (something I got used to doing as social chair while in my sorority).

Tomorrow, I'll post something on the drink selections for the party and the basic theme. I'm pretty sure it will turn out fine. I'll see if she will e-mail me some pictures to post later.

My Life: Just on my mind

I hope eveyone had a great Labor Day weekend. I had a fabulous time and the Tea Party I gave on Saturday was so much fun.

I don't really have time today but in a couple of days I'm going to post a few of my favorite fall collections.

Over lunch I was flipping through my Sept. issue of Teen Vogue and there are a few things that stuck out:
-- Quite a lot of celebrity filled ads promoting everything from clothing to perfume
-- That Anne Hathaway has a good head on her shoulders
-- Chace Crawford is adorable (more on him in a later post) and may give me another reason for watching "Gossip Girl" in a couple of weeks
-- Also, who ever the marketing genius was that suggested shrinking Teen Vogue, I hope they got a raise because by making it smaller you make it more convenient to carry. You can easily carry it in your handbag, tote or bookbag. Plus, it stands out amongs all the other magazines.

Another thing that came to mind was, Fashion should not be taken so seriously like it's shown on "The Fashionista Diaries". The Director of Seventh House PR Mandie Erickson should really take a look at herself inside and out before she starts demeaning others based on looks and appearance such as with making comments about the new girl Laurie's shoes. She should also stop descriminating against others based on where they live such as with Nicole who lives in Queens. I lose respect for people like her, who look down their nose at people they don't deem worthy.

Even though it's a TV show, Ugly Betty's Betty Suarez has to deal with people that judge her based on the fact that she's from Queens and she has to work harder than the others to justify her working there. I know it's my opinion but I think it's wrong to do that.

I will probably have to tape "Lincoln Heights" because I'm going to a fundraiser tonight to benefit childhood cancers. Tomorrow, I will post some of my fall essentials.