IFB Conference Photo Diary

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The Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) team put on another great conference last week, kicking off New York Fashion Week at the Altman Building in Chelsea. IFBcon is a great anchor for my week-long Fashion Week visits to NYC for so many reasons. It's a way for me to support IFB in one more way, giving thanks for the invaluable resource they provide us with this community. 

I always meet new amazing bloggers, catch up with other blogging friends and discover new fashion startups or up-and-coming bloggers when I attend. IFBcon's content is great if you are a casual or beginning blogger, with a variety of topics ranging from affiliate marketing, the future of blogging, social media and the business of blogging as a career.

Day 1 outfit: Crooks & Castles varsity jacket (similar) / Madewell Heartstripe sweater / Zara corduroy trousers & boots / Barney's Co-op collared sleeveless blouse

Seattle in full effect at IFB! Andrea of SkinnyPurse, AlixRose and Sydney of Sydney Loves Fashion

Blogger bestie Alix and I had so much fun in the Alex & Ani photo booth :)

I was so excited to meet one of my favorite bloggers in the game! Rachel Seville of Pizza Rulez & Four Pins

With my NYC blogger bestie Vintage Vandalizm; the lovely Poshmark girls and Jennine, founder of IFB

More fun in the photobooth

Oh hey Tyson Beckford!

Day 2 outfit: Thrifted ASOS romper (similar) / Uniqlo Heat-Tech tights (fleece tights were a must this week! Similar here) / Zara boots

Couldn't resist :)

Fresh Style: NYC Outfit Diary

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I had such a fun week in New York for Lucky FABB, the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference & Fashion's Night Out last week! I'm catching up on real life and will crank out these NYC posts as quickly as I can. I took in the sights of the Big Apple, so I've got some posts coming about boutiques, markets and restaurants I enjoyed there. First off, the outfits:

Though I didn't attend any shows this season, I stopped by the tents for an obligatory photo after a blogger lunch one day. Trina Turk for Banana Republic top (similar BR top here)/ Vintage mandala print high-waist shorts from Everybody's Buying Vintage (similar here) / TopShop velvet studded flats / Vintage sunnies / J Project  wrap bracelet

My IFBcon outfit! Vintage orange hi-low tuxedo blazer from Kippy Ding Ding / Reconstructed vintage sheer print top from Moksha / Forever 21 faux leather shorts / Nine West strappy heels (similar here)

The perfect maxi for a low-key night out on the town. IntiMint black maxi dress & Flirt Catalog aqua skinny belt w/gold plate c/o Bollare / Dolce Vita t-strap leopard sandals / gold jewelry via Lucky FABB  

My Lucky FABB outfit: Yellow tiered tank w/lace back from Moksha / Forever 21 leopard print pants (similar here) / Julian Louie for Aldo wedges

After traipsing the streets of Manhattan & Brooklyn all day, I decided to keep it super casual for Fashion's Night Out. Quiksilver Women tank (similar here) / High-waisted harem pants from Moksha / Triangle necklace from Strut (Portland)

Sunday brunch in Williamsburg followed by Brooklyn Flea browsing & MoMA Quiksilver Women tank / Forever 21 necklace / Vintage Levi's cutoff shorts

Leopard flats & floral top for shopping with fellow bloggers in SoHo!

Floral print tee from Moksha / BCBG high-waisted leather shorts from Sell Your Sole / Dolce Vita leopard oxfords

Exhausted but loving life! Jack by BB Dakota Harland jacket / Report Shoes boots

Fresh Life: Fresh Jess' Summer

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As I prep for the next Independent Fashion Bloggers conference (#IFBcon) and Lucky FABB (#LuckyFABB), I'm also finally taking a moment to reflect on the summer. This has been a season of building my business, and since I told you what I was up to back in late April (Fresh Jess the Freelancer), I've put my all into getting clients and doing some great work. 

Unfortunately, it's taken me away from blogging as much, which is what I intended to build my freelance life around in the first place. Life is all about balance, and while I'm grateful for all of the work I've been able to do this summer, I'm excited to dive headfirst into a week focused just around my blog. I am learning what kinds of projects I like to work on, and what kind of clients I enjoy working with. I'm looking forward to even more prosperity and opportunity in the fall.

This is a photo series to show you what I've been up to this summer, and to tell you that I'll be back in the swing of blogging things here soon :)

Cheered my boyfriend on for his third professional mixed martial arts win! And this is just his hobby!

My dear friends Anisa & Carrie were home in Seattle for quick vacations. I was extremely grateful to spend so much time with them both! 

We made sure to make time for fitness with our girl time, including a hike up Rattlesnake Ridge.

I worked with Madeline on a project for the Bellevue Arts Museum last month. When you work with such a fun place, it definitely doesn't seem like work!

Spent lots of time taking the pup out to Alki

I was a special guest Twitter host for Seattle Art Museum's SAM Remix last week at Olympic Sculpture Park. My friend TigerBeat was on the turntables at SAM Remix keeping the dance floor active! (Photo credit Sarah Lovrien)

While getting my outfits together for IFBcon & Lucky FABB, I scored this amazing crimson leather jacket with puff sleeves and a sweet scoop collar! It fits perfectly and is the first of many leather jackets I'm hoping to get my paws on this fall.

Spikeand I are savoring the last bits of summer.

 Follow more of my daily life over on Instagram! @JessEstrada

Fresh Style: A gla.MAR.ous Night Out

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The sweethearts at gla.MAR.ous sent me the Meadow chain headband from their new Pink Label collection, and I decided to take it out for a night out on the city!

gla.MAR.ous is a fun, playful, exhilarating fashion line created by designer Mary Beirne.  I met Mary and her dear friend Nubia at IFB con in 2011 and we've kept in touch ever since. 

Mary gets her inspiration anywhere from classic movies to the pinup and bohemian eras. She also patented the gla.MAR.ous zipper headband in 2009, which can be worn in at least 7 different ways & are comfortable (i.e. prevents headaches!)

gla.MAR.ous is made for the chic, versatile girl, that not only turns heads but breaks necks while she's at it. As Mary puts it, "No one covers classy - fierce - fresh like us!" I'm down with that!

My Meadow headband came the same day as another sweet gift. Sneak preview here, and style post coming soon! :)

AlixRose and I drove out to Tacoma to celebrate our girl Nicole's birthday. This picture doesn't do justice to the birthday girl's dress & tan. She looked radiant!

Afterwards, we headed back to Seattle to dance the night away at Trashed, the monthly electro party at Baltic Room. This month's Trashed featured two of my favorite DJs, Four Color Zack & Tigerbeat. 

This is Brian Oh, a regular feature on Fresh Jess & official photographer for Trashed.

The Meadow stuck with me all night long with no problems. It was easy to adjust but didn't fall off my head, even with wearing it on sleek, long hair. I love the chain style, too. It fits perfectly with almost everything in my closet right now, so you'll probably see this a lot this summer. 

You can find gla.MAR.ous and the Meadow headband ($26) online, Twitter, and Facebook. Thanks ladies!

IFB Links a la Mode 5/24/12 - edited by Fresh Jess

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I edit the Independent Fashion Bloggers' Links a la Mode once a month (every 4th week.) If you're an IFB member, Links a la Mode is a great way to be featured in the massive community. Each week, you can submit your best blog post for consideration in LALM. We (the editors) then read each submission and select 20 for that week's roundup. I'll be writing another post soon that goes more into detail in what I specifically look for when I'm going through submissions. If you're not an IFB member, take a look at some of my favorite fashion blog posts from the last month :)

DIY Days of Summer

Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess

The bloggers are taking it to the crafts these days! What better way to get your wardrobe ready for summer than breathing new life into what you’ve got? This week’s Links a la Mode is chock full of quick & easy DIY projects for everything from crystallized shoes and Miu Miu-inspired clutches to top buns and accessories laced with neon. If getting crafty’s not on your to-do list this week, don’t fret. We’ve also got thoughtful posts on personal style, dressing for summer events, supporting local designers and blogger besties. These posts are getting better and better every week and it was hard to choose just 20 of them. Keep ‘em coming!

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: MAY 24TH



SPONSOR:
Spring Sale at Shopbop: Magda Berliner, Weitzman, Rachel Roy, Badgley Mischka, Raquel Allegra, Garde Paris, Rebecca Taylor,Oliver Theyskens & Sonia Rykiel

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Fresh Style in NYC

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Snaps of my outfits while in NYC. Shouts to Mollie for taking these! 

With Mollie & Michelle (Amuse Bouche) outside Chelsea Market

Climbing the steps up to the Highline

Illin' in Soho

H&M denim shirt / Vintage crossbody bag & sunnies / Necklace & speckled denim from Moksha / Steve Madden boots

At the tents!

Uniqlo J+ kimono down coat / H&M colored denim / Zara booties

Had a blast with Mollie!

IFB Conference Feb 2012 - Recap

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The February 2012  IFB conference was the perfect way to kick off New York Fashion Week! This was my third time attending and my first as a speaker, moderating the "Media Goes Mobile" panel.

The audience was full of fresh faces and judging by the #IFBcon tweets, they had a great time and learned a lot from all of the speakers!

I hadn't really considered myself a "veteran" blogger - in fact, I still don't since I have a lot to learn and do! However, it was really fulfilling to be onstage sharing information and advice on social media and blogging.

Milk Studios was absolutely PACKED to the walls for each panel, so my pictures are mostly backstage. Enjoy!

Vintage plaid cape, bib necklace, belt & clutch from Sustalux; bracelets from Moksha, Sustalux & Urban Xchange

The panel! Karen Moon (StyleMusee), Macala Wright (Fashionably Marketing Me), Tom & Lorenzo, Bryan Boy & Aliza Licht (DKNY PR Girl)

H&M sleeveless top w/back cutout; vintage belt from Sustalux

With Jennine Jacob, founder of IFB

With Karen Moon & Bryan Boy

With Aliza Licht in our capes

With Macala & Aliza before our panel

Tom & Lorenzo

Met one of my favorite bloggers, Vintage Vandalizm!

Another fabulous panel

bling!

Guest of a Guest has their conference photos up already. Check them out!

I am in town for the rest of the week catching a few shows and catching up with some great friends. Tweet at me if you're around! @JessEstrada

IFB Evolving Influence Part III: The Afterparty

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I'm not gonna lie, I thought I had more pictures of the IFB Evolving Influence conference afterparty at The Chelsea Room, but I don't :) Guess I was too busy gaping open-mouthed at the reality TV show that was being filmed simultaneously there. It was like watching a train wreck, only with Jersey cougars. Weird. Anywho, thanks so much to Jennine and team (especially to DJ Lani Love, Windows Phone and TheFind.com.) for such a great conference and a rockin afterparty!

Check out IFB's recap of the Evolving Influence conference and afterparty here.

IFB Evolving Influence Part II: What I Learned

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If there's anything I learned at the IFB conference, it's that not all bloggers are created equal. I am of the camp that still blogs for leisure. It's fun for me and I like sharing about some cool things I'm in to. At the conference, I was in the company of bloggers who do it for a living, whether falling into it for the love of fashion or a natural evolution from a lifetime of writing. I think Evolving Influence did a great job appealing to bloggers like myself as well as to those who are looking to make (or are currently making) a career out of it.

One session in particular stuck out to me.

Moderated by Kristina Medhus (Pretty Shiny Sparkly) and featuring: Sasha Wilkins (Liberty London Girl), Rebecca Stice (Clothes Horse), Kristin Knox (The Clothes Whisperer), Lindsey Calla (Saucy Glossie) and Rachna Shah (KCD),

"Working with Brands Gracefully" gave some really great insight into how brands and fashion bloggers can work together successfully. The panel addressed the sensitive subjects of gifting and brand ambassadorship while maintaining credibility and keeping your personal brand true and intact. Here are some of my favorite points shared during the talk:

  • Be honest with your readers. Be clear about paid posts ("This is an advertorial" or include mention of working with the brand organically in your post)
  • Maintain creative and editorial control. The brand will have some input on what they want you to say, but remember to stay in line with your personal brand and your blog's purpose. Would you write about a free facial when your blog is focused on outfits and styling?
  • Be smart about how you deal with gifting. Accepting offers and product from brands shouldn't be about "getting free stuff." It's a chance for you as a blogger - an influencer - to share knowledge with your readers that stretches across various boundaries (geographical, financial, etc.) It's rarely about displaying a brand in a positive light just because they give you something. They want honest feedback, and as a blogger, you should feel like you can share your truthful opinion about a product or service. Successful partnerships between brands and bloggers build over useful reviews and feedback.
  • Be ready! Brands will sometimes offer bloggers brand ambassadorship, essentially creating a long-term relationship with that blogger to help promote the brand. For bloggers, that means your readers have access to events and insight into things they wouldn't otherwise have. If you want your favorite brands to reach out to your blog, get your press kit ready so you can show them the value of working with you.
  • Earn your brand ambassador status! Prove to brands that you're passionate about what they're doing. They'll respond when you bring ideas to the table.
  • Protect yourself. If you do work with brands, you'll be sharing ideas and thoughts all your own. Make sure to get a non-disclosure agreement drafted and signed by both parties.
  • So...what metrics are important to brands? Ahh, the age-old question asked by bloggers, brands and social media agencies alike :) There's no true answer for that, but the two things to remember are: analyze what you can, and remember that numbers aren't the only thing that matters. Be able to speak intelligently about your audience and traffic.

Hope these gems of advice can help you! For more from the Evolving Influence conference, check out the live blogs on IFB.

IFB Evolving Influence Part I: The Pictures

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When I first got into blogging and Twitter a couple of years ago, I found myself gravitating towards a specific group of Seattle girls who were also into blogging and social media: Jordana (Clutch 22), Sara (SPUN), Alix (AlixRose), Birdie (BonneVie) and Nadine (Girl's Guide to Seattle). It was through these amazing ladies that I learned about and joined the Independent Fashion Bloggers community. Though I don't consider myself a purely fashion blogger, IFB has been a great resource for blog trends, news and of course, networking with other bloggers. I've grown fond of IFB's founder, Jennine and her blog The Coveted and commend her for creating this community for us!

The Evolving Influence conference is IFB's bi-annual all-day workshop that coincides with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NY. Evolving Influence is chock full of valuable information for bloggers to really take their craft to the next level. This was my second time at the conference and I'm so impressed how much it's grown in the past year.

I've split up my coverage of Evolving Influence into three parts: The Pictures, What I Learned, and The Afterparty. Enjoy Part I!

En route to the conference. Cozy in my vintage fur hat!

The stylish crowding the sidewalks outside Milk Studios

Darling, understated Tavi (Style Rookie)

We're here!

The crowd looks on as Jennine introduces a panel

Me, Mary (Shop Glamarous), Nubia (Nubia's Nonsense) and Alix (AlixRose)

Playing with laptops at the Microsoft station

The Microsoft laptop station. Really wanted to take that art home & find it a new place in my living room.

Pamela (Market Publique), Taylor (Sterling Style), Alix, me and Amy (PunkyStyle)

Beachy keen in the Aldo booth. Those sweet wedges won't be on sale until March! I want

Me, Nichelle (StyleMom), Alix & Amy (Midtown Girl)

Super fun times with AlixRose in the Levi's "Shape What's to Come" booth

Proenza Schouler keynote

Ethan (Elle.com  / Titans & Co.) and I

What I wore:

Green & black checkered vintage duster coat

Vintage bib necklace

Urban Outfitters cream scarf

Vintage shoulder bag

JetSet latex high-waisted leggings

L.A. Made white double-V tee

Dolce Vita shearling boot

(not pictured)

Tete Couture feather headband

Moksha black double-rope belt

Vintage fur hat

Fresh Friends: Clutch 22 (and a call to action!)

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I met Jordana of Clutch22 early this year and she's been a force in my life ever since! She's the true embodiment of one of my favorite quotes by Madeleine Albright:

"There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

While making a name for herself professionally in the world of (digital tech & fashion) PR, Jordie has always been willing to lend her time and energy to help her friends. She was a catalyst in driving me to take FreshJess.com much more seriously, branching out to new creative ideas and ways to differentiate my blog from other lifestyle blogs out there. Despite her recent move to NYC, she's been there to bounce ideas off of and is a constant support in my plot to take over the world :)

Jordana was featured recently in DList Magazine's Young Seattle issue as "The Blogger" and is a regular contributor to the international online community Independent Fashion Bloggers.

She needs our help in the home stretch of the America's Most Stylish Blogger competition by BlueFly.com & StyleList.com. Jordana is representing style that's made her fashion blog Clutch22.com a hit - Seattle-influenced and now with an NYC edge.

The AMSB challenge ends December 1st , and you can vote daily in the AMSB widget in the sidebar <-----

Every time you vote, you're entered in to win $1000 to spend at BlueFly.com! Check out her past outfits (w/links to her commentary) and stay tuned for her last one tomorrow. Seattle - show your girl some love and vote every day through Dec 1!

Challenge 4: Red English Plaid Top

Challenge 1-3: images via J. Bruner & J. Matthews

Challenge 4: image via

21 Arrondissment