September Book Review

It's finally beginning to feel like fall.  I spent the month of September in New York City and it was hot!  It hasn't been until the last few days that it's seemed like fall.  I'm so excited to wear boots, sweaters and hoodies!  And we can't forget pumpkin everything!  I can't wait to curl up read read read during October.  Until then, let's take a look at the books I've read this month.

The Perfect Letter by Chris Harrison

Is there anything this man can't do?  Not only does he host the most dramatic shows ever, he's an author, too; and a good one at that!  The whole time I read this book, I kept thinking if they make this a movie, I want to play Leigh.  She's a country girl living in the Big Apple and is a book editor...does that sound like anyone you know? ;)  The book reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks book and I hope Chris Harrison writes another book ... SOON!

Meet Your Match by Lindzee Armstrong

I've now read every one of Lindzee's books and am impatiently waiting for the release of Not Your Match.  Remember how I said my only complaint about Miss Match was that I wanted more background into Brooke and Luke?  This was the answer!  Well, actually, it was released before Miss Match but I didn't know that and read that book first.  I've talked about this book so much that my mom has finally downloaded it and is almost halfway through.  In fact, she just called out "My book is going to end too soon!"  Good thing there's another book in the series she can read!

Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Another month, another Hannah Swensen mystery.  These books are such great reads and offer recipes, too!  I love the small town setting and feel like I'm at home in Lake Eden.  If Hannah is ever looking for more help at The Cookie Jar or solving mysteries, sign me up!

What books have you read this month?  I'm always up for suggestions!  Be sure to follow me on Goodreads to keep up with all my reads!

NYFW Days 4-7: Fashion Guerrilla

The last few days of fashion week were a little slower paced, but no less exhausting.  We focused solely on Fashion Guerrilla, an overseas project sponsored by the government in Hong Kong.  The goal is to promote designers from the country in the overseas.  Ten designers traveled to the United States for fashion week.  Four of the 10 showed collections and the remaining 6 set up shop in a showroom for market appointments.

My main job in the days leading up to the show was to assist the designers in whatever they needed.  This gave me a chance to meet the designers and get to know them and they were all so sweet and excited to be showing in NYFW.  I also helped create the rundown for the programs by writing the descriptions of all the outfits.  The collection Daydream Nation had some of the best names for the clothes: "The Chuckle", "Dreamers Paradise Tea Dress", "Lazy Pants" and "Chihuahua Garden Embroidered Tee" just to name a few.

Here is some of the collection (Photos by InDigital and Courtesy of Factory PR):

Before the show started, I helped with placing (and folding 250+) programs and seating cards on the seats. 

My favorite of all the Fashion Guerrilla designers was Methodology.  The clothes are super cute and super girly and something I would totally wear.  Plus, the designer, Glory, was the absolute sweetest.  Here I am with her.

Here are some of my favorite looks from her collection (again, all photos are by InDigital and Courtesy of Factory PR):

The day after the fashion show, we hosted a reception for the designers as a chance to meet and network.  We interns took it as a chance to snap a few pictures together.

Add one more day of cleaning up and tearing down the showroom, and that was the end of my first NYFW experience.

Friday Favorites

I promise there's more that I have to share about Fashion Week, but between trying to recuperate and having my parents in the city for a visit, I haven't had much time to write.  But it's Friday and I'm linking up with Narci, Andrea and Erika to share this week's Friday Favorites!

I escaped the city last weekend and spent it with a friend and her family in New Jersey.  This was our table set for dessert Sunday night.  Isn't it gorgeous?!?  This picture really doesn't do it justice.

If you know anything about me, you know just how much I love ketchup.  Guys, it's a serious problem.  You may laugh, but some years I've given it up for Lent and it's truly a struggle.  I put it on everything: burgers, fries, corndogs, hotdogs, chilidogs, meatloaf, eggs, grilled cheeses, everything.  We were out to lunch this week at a new NYC favorite, 99 Miles to Philly, and just check out this ketchup bottle!  Just to give you a little perspective, that's a 16.9 ounce water bottle beside it.  My parents have named this the "Angela-sized ketchup."

Now that my internship with Fashion Week is complete, it's back to looking for a job.  It can get really stressful and emotional but when I opened my email, this email from Outback made me smile and forget about the stress for a moment, because according to them, I've "got nothing to worry about..."  (And yes, that is an email from One Direction.  Their new CD Made in the A.M. comes out exactly 6 days before my birthday, so if you're looking to get me an early present...just saying!  #noshame)

And speaking of stress and the job hunt, a friend of a friend posted this on Facebook and it was one of those things that I really needed to see.

For lunch yesterday I had this deliciousness.  In case you're wondering what it is, it's the Holiday Sandwich from Earl of Sandwich.  It's like Thanksgiving on a sandwich any time of the year.  I was introduced to this at Disney this year and have been hooked ever since.  (Seriously, we ate there 3 times during our 10 day stay!)  Since there's not one close to us in West Virginia, it's a real treat to find an Earl of Sandwich; Mom and I took full advantage of it!

Friday Favorites

I'm linking up with Narci, Andrea and Erika to share this week's Friday Favorites!  This week's favorites are all items that have helped me survive fashion week.

Before ever riding in an Uber, I was totally skeptical.  Some random person comes and picks you up in their car and drives you somewhere?  How can you trust them?  I'm pretty sure I'd read articles about people being abducted and raped.  (I did work in the news industry for a year and a half as well as watch waaaaaay too much Law & Order: SVU.)  I used a ride service for the first time in LA with a friend and realized it wasn't so bad.  After arriving in NYC, I had Uber credit so I decided to put it to use.  You guys, I'm obsessed with it now!  It's cheaper (and nicer!) than a cab and tipping isn't expected!  In fact, once you arrive to your destination, your card is automatically charged.  Their website even says, "there's no need to tip."  I used it so much during fashion week and never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a car.  It's so much easier than hailing down a taxi only to have them tell you they won't drive you to your destination (even though that's against the law).  I tried UberPool (where they can pick up one other passenger going along the same route and you split the fare) the other day because I had a credit specifically for that; we never picked up another person and I still got the cheap rate!  If you've never used Uber before, download the app and enter the code angelap751 for $20 off your first ride.  And while we're at it, download Lyft and enter ANGELA209716 for $20 off your first ride.  You might as well download Gett and enter GTCKOLM for $30 off your first ride!  Stick with me and you'll rarely pay full price for anything! ;)

Alright, I know I've already used my Gnome Charger as a favorite once, but it saved my life so many times this week!  I was on my phone A. LOT. for work and it drained my battery.  Luckily, I have this charger and was able to plug my phone in and carry it around with me as I worked instead of being tethered to a wall while my phone charged.  By the way, have you seen this?

I feel like I should write Jimmy a thank you for this hilarious thank you.  It's so true!  With my Gnome Charger, though, I'm leash-free!

Another favorite is in that charger picture, my Kindle!  I'm staying with a friend on 181st Street and working on 28th Street.  Thanks to my Kindle, the 30-45 minute subway ride seems to fly by!  I either download an episode of TV to watch, or read a book and before I know it, I'm at my stop.  I was against e-readers for so long until I traveled out of the country and realized I couldn't carry enough books for more than 30 hours of flying and almost as many layovers, plus the two and a half weeks I was in Brazil.  I borrowed my mom's Kindle and realized how much easier it made traveling.  That Christmas, Santa brought me a Kindle of my own!  Mom must have told him she was tired of sharing! ;)  Don't get me wrong, I still prefer an actual book, but with as much traveling as I've done lately, it's been great!

TRESemme offered a pop-up shop where you could get your hair done FOR FREE!  (Remember how earlier in the post I said to stick with me and you'll rarely pay full price for anything?  Prime example right here!)  They offered it 24/7 throughout all of fashion week.  I don't know why I didn't discover it until Tuesday, but once I did, I may have hit it up twice!  The lady who did my hair the first time said they'd had some people come in two and three times in one day so I didn't feel badly going 2 times in 3 days.

The first day I opted for beach waves, but are you guys ready for my next styling?!?

#straighthairdontcare!!  When's the last time you've seen me with straight hair?  Let me answer that for you, maaaaybe winter if not earlier.  I honestly can't tell you the last time I straightened it.  I feel like my hair gets really dry if I straighten it (more so than when I curl it), plus I have so. much. hair. that it's just easier to wash it, stick the dryer on it for 2 songs (see what I'm talking about here) and call it a day.  Guys, there are some friends I've had for years and they've seen me with straight hair, once, maybe twice, if they're lucky.  Also, when did my hair get this long?!?!  Between curls/waves and having my hair pulled up for the past few weeks while prepping and working fashion week, I had no idea my hair had gotten this long!

And last, but certainly not least, my not-just-Friday-but-all-day-every-day-favorite is Jesus.  I was riding the subway yesterday and had my headphones in when I heard the lady next to me mention the movie War Room.  I haven't seen it yet but really want to -- for those of you who don't know, it's a Christian movie.  I quickly took my headphones out and started talking to her about the movie.  She was so sweet and we talked about the movie 90 Minutes in Heaven and I told her about the Broadway show Amazing Grace; a show about the song and John Newton, the writer.  When my exit came, she told me to get home safely and have a blessed day.  I quickly texted my mom and said "Jesus made me a friend on the subway!"  Earlier this week while riding the subway, someone got on the train and started asking for money.  It always breaks my heart to see this, but I didn't do anything.  Then I saw someone hand the person food from their bag.  It made my heart so happy to see this small act of kindness and to know that God was right there on the subway, who knows how far under the city of New York, with us.  I remembered I had a granola bar in my purse and made sure to give it to the next person I saw asking for money.

Have a great weekend! xo

NYFW Day 3 Part 2: Betsey Johnson

Oh Betsey!  I can only hope to be half as fabulous and spunky as she is when I'm 73!  Well, let's be honest, I can only hope to be half as fabulous and spunky (and flexible! Have you seen her splits?!?!) as Betsey at 24!  Seeing her show was so magical.  Words truly can't do the show justice.  It's a nonstop party from when the first person arrives backstage to when the last person leaves.  Champagne was flowing and a DJ was spinning and that's before the show even started.

Upon arrival, I helped place seat cards, programs and gift bags for 1,000 guests.

Some of the signs backstage.  They had these everywhere!

There was even a sign for us!

A wall of Betsey!

The models during rehearsal.

This show was so cool!  This is the 50th anniversary of Betsey and she dedicated this show to her former dance teacher, Ann Pimm, who is now 93 and based out of Wethersfield, CT. She even made the trip to the city for the show!

The name of the show was "The Curious Case of Betsey Button".

Waiting for the show to begin!!  I helped seat people and then headed to the back of the house to watch the show.  This show featured clothes from every decade of Betsey's career.  I wish I had better pictures, but I was too far away and too focused on the show.

The model walks were so different from the regular serious walk.  Betsey's models danced up the runway and sang along to the music.  When I tell you it was a party from to start to finish, that party carried onto the runway.  It made me want to be a model just to be up there dancing and joining in on the fun.

I totally teared up during the last collection.  The music changed to Broadway songs: "Don't Rain on My Parade" kicked it off, and I got instant chills.  Everything just sank in.  I was at Fashion Week.  I was WORKING Fashion Week.  How surreal is that?

Everyone stood up to see the famous split and cartwheel which blocked my view some so the next few pictures are from Getty Images.

Then the models ran out with balloons:

A Betsey show is truly an experience and so much fun.  I still can't believe I got to work it; but I have this baby to make it real!

And as if my day wasn't great enough, I got upgraded to a signature room when I checked into my hotel!  Thanks, Hotel Edison!

I then proceeded to sleep for almost 9 hours!  The end.

Oh, and one more Betsey quote because she's just the best.