HP x Style Coalition’s Project Runway Premiere Party

A couple weeks ago in honor of the season premiere of Project Runway, Style Coalition decided to host a truly fabulous party with HP at the Style Coalition Lounge.  Seriously being surrounded by some of my favorite fashion loving ladies with white sangria, macarons, pineapple ice pops, and appetizers after an intense 11 hour work day was just what the doctor ordered. 

All of the above images are courtesy of Ana Schechter Photo

Call me a tech dork but after saying some hello's I ran to play with the HP TouchSmart 610 not even realizing they were part of Style Coalition's own mini Project Runway challenge and began sketching up a storm.  At first I didn't have a sense of the program I was using, but soon enough I got the hang of it and was having a blast.  I previously tried out the TouchSmart TM2 laptop/tablet, but with an even larger work area I had the freedom to create art projects with ease.  I soon started using the back side of a pencil in combination with my finger for precision details and also fluid movement.  I had so much fun that I could use it all day.  I have always been a fan of mixed media, but in my NYC life, don't actually have the room to have too many art supplies.  So I love that the TouchSmart offers a huge variety of tools at your fingertips.  You can jump between pencil, air brush, glitter, crayon and so much more with ease.  Plus there is no need to cleanup tools and forget erasers because with an undo button, you can pretend mistakes or unfortunate lines never even happened.  What do you think of my sketches above?

Here are just some of the sketches that we all created!  Later on in the evening we printed out best work and were judged on our creations.

Check out Jordana of Clutch 22’s fun rendition of Wonder Woman – she won our Project Runway inspired competition for the evening and a great little camcorder to boot!

Between hilarious commentary and tweets we narrowed down our new fave contestants to root for this season.  I couldn't help but cringe at Anya Ayoung-Chee’s lack of sewing skills, be pleasantly surprised at the success of Bert Keeter’s boxer dress and burst out in laughter at Rafael Cox’s unwillingness to part with his do rag.

Thanks HP & Style Coalition for a super fun evening that has me lusting for a TouchSmart of my very own.

PS. HP is currently running a competition to be judged by former Project Runway contestant Mondo Guerra that let’s you put your sketching skills to the test and win your very own HP TouchSmart 610! Four finalists will win an EliteBook Tablet PC - just like the one that the contestant’s use on the show.  What are you waiting for? Get sketching!

Express x Lucky Magazine Cocktail Party

Last week in the midst of insane city heat wave I was a little afraid of what a rooftop party would be like. Was I ready face the suns rays beating relentlessly in 100 degree weather? Not really.  Fortunately my fears were alleviated once the doors to the elevator opened and I set foot into the gorgeous glass penthouse/roof at The Cooper Square Hotel.  The large glass windows/walls looked out unto the city and there was even a glass shower that had floor to wall windows.  Kind of ridiculously luxe and definitely kind of baller.  The penthouse was surrounded by a large balcony with glass railings for a completely non obstructed view of the city. So while in the full comfort of AC you can still view the city without having to go outside. It was a lovely location for the EXPRESS party with Lucky Magazine.

I was soon playing dress-up with some of the latest accessories from EXPRESS including straw floppy hats, snake print scarves, giant stone rings, candy bracelets and dripping chain necklaces.  I tied a scarf to my head, threw on some glasses, dripping chain necklace, cocktail ring and a few pearl bracelets as well as grabbed a leopard clutch.  Since my outfit was a bit busy with the floral culottes, I probably wouldn’t have chosen these accessories for this outfit although I thought they were all individually fabulous.  I think I ended up looking like not quite myself and as Lani put best – very Harajuku.

 

After snapping a quick picture we all joined the CMO of EXPRESS,  Lisa G for some cocktails and socializing.  Lisa G shared how she’s been Tweeting before Twitter even and about how she is embracing social media.  Her genuine down-to-earth nature is charming the room as she shares how excited she is to be working with us all.  Her excitement about the fashion show was definitely catching.

I ventured outside to really take in the views and have a chance to hang with some familiar faces and meet so many lovely new friends. Had such a blast with Miss Whoever You Are, Tineey, Donna Daily, The Budget Babe, Court and Hudson, Diary of a Fashion Addict, Sweet Caroline in the City, Pretty Connected, Aspiring Socialite.

Since I had so much fun I decided to let myself get caught in the excitement and braved tourists, Times Square and serious heat for the chance to be a part of something bigger than myself.  I took a part in setting the new World Record for most models to walk down a runway.  With 1243 models, EXPRESS easily smashed the previous record set by Galeries Lafayette in Paris who previously held the record with 521 models.