Fresh Jess at Lucky FABB West 2013!

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I'm in L.A. for the next couple of days for my third Lucky FABB conference! 

A year ago this month, I was fresh into my freelance life when I attended this conference for the first time. With so many tumultuous thoughts on my life and career floating around in my head at the time, I decided to head to Santa Monica with a clear mind. 

No live-tweeting, no incessantly checking work email, no client fires I'd have to put out during a talk, no uncomfortable drinking with co-workers I'd otherwise never share a drink with. I would absorb Lucky FABB for what it was, and just soak up every moment. 

And it was wonderful. I can't tell you the last time I'd attended a conference and truly just enjoyed it. For being there at such a crucial turning point in my life, Lucky FABB will always have a special place in my heart. I'm looking forward to another round of excellent speaking panels and keynotes, workshops and parties!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for all the action!

30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!

Fresh Style: Coast to Coast Cool

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C&C California sponsored the Lucky FABB conference back in September and invited us to show our "Coast to Coast Cool" with pieces from their fall/winter '12 collection. I was drawn again to the leather pieces, and chose a laser-cut tank along with a hi-lo wax-coated sweater. 

I styled these two pieces with other winter staples and classics from my closet. I had a lot of fun playing with mixing textures as much as I could; velvet over leather under chambray denim, and one of my favorite vintage brocade dresses underneath the waxed sweater. The results are more of that signature casual but cool. Fresh :)

C&C California leather laser-cut tank / Tobi velvet skirt / H&M chambray top / Zara leather jacket / vintage necklace

Thank you C&C California!

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

Lucky FABB: Conference Day Recap

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After a jam-packed Sunday of networking, mimosas & sun, I was eagerly anticipating Lucky FABB conference day. Though the skies were grey for most of the conference, the beachside venue made for a perfect day full of awesome photo opps in the midst of learning from some inspiring speakers.

I was really impressed with the diversity in talent, industry and experience that Lucky brought together for this conference. I was actually drawn more to the tech mavens like Brit Morin, Randi Zuckerberg and Soleil Moon Frye. It was also super cool to learn about the great things Jessica Alba is doing with The Honest Company; Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant's various ventures; and Elizabeth Banks' lifestyle website. All of the speakers and panelists had such unique insight from brand, personality and blogger experience that I left with a ton of wisdom and to-do list items.

If you'd like to take a look at my notes (they're messy!), check them out on my Evernote.

The view from the Annenburg Community Beach House. A perfect place for a conference!

Credentials in hand. Ready to roll!

Conversation wtih Zac Posen

Stay True to Your Voice

Sophia Rossi, HelloGiggles.com / Kristin Ess, The Beauty Department / Jane Marie, The Hairpin / Bri Emery, DesignLoveFest / Brit Morin, HelloBrit.com

Just one of the many beautiful installs in The House of Zappos

A Conversation with Jessica Alba & Christopher Gavigan of The Honest Company

What Hollywood Can Teach Fashion

Christin Trogan, Funny or Die / Will Gluck, Film Director, Screenwriter & Producer (Easy A) / Ashley Madekwe, Actress & Blogger, Ring My Bell / Hillary Kerr, WhoWhatWear / Jeannie Mai, television host & digital correspondent, NBC Fashion Star

A Conversation with Mad Men's Janie Bryant & Kiernan Shipka

My outfit via Value Village Fashion Ambassador: thrifted yellow wool blazer / Banana Republic silk sleeveless top / H&M high-waisted skirt / With Deena & Ozzy nude booties

How I Became An Entrepreneur

Soleil Moon Frye / Alli Webb, DryBar / Wende Zomnir, Urban Decay / Jenni Radosevich, I Spy DIY / Kate Sommerville, Kate Sommerville Skincare / E.J. Johnston, co-creator, NBC Fashion Star

How Brands Work with Blogs

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI / Quinn Donnelly, Benefit Cosmetics / Geri Hirsch, Because I'm Addicted / Gabrielle de Papp, Neiman Marcus / Aimee Song, Song of Style

A Conversation with Elizabeth Banks

A Conversation with Randi Zuckerberg (My absolute favorite part of the day!)

After all of these fabulous panels and fun times in the sponsor gifting suites, it was time for the closing  party. I got to say thank you to Lucky's editor-in-chief,

Brandon Holley

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After the party, we were sent home with LeSportsac duffle bags FILLED with countless beauty, skincare, fashion & fitness goodies. This is the most serious swag bag I've ever seen in my entire life. So much amazing stuff:

Lucky FABB was without question my favorite conference to attend. Lucky took such great care of us for the short time we were together. I made countless connections with brands, other industry professionals and fellow bloggers. I'm really looking forward to the next!

Lucky FABB Recap: Day 1

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The Lucky Magazine Fashion & Beauty Blogger (FABB) conference flew by earlier this week! I spent a whirlwind 48 hours in sunny Santa Monica with some of the most stylish ladies, coveted brands and inspiring speakers in the country.

Lucky FABB was created just under two years ago as a means for the fashion mag to connect with some of its most influential readers. At its first West Coast venture, Lucky FABB hosted over 150 bloggers and a slew of the hottest brands & style sites in the land. Lucky was awesome enough to pack the day before the conference with events for all of us to meet each other and get a taste of California style. I flew down Sunday morning (it's just a two-hour flight from Seattle to L.A.) and made it just in time for the Lucky FABB Brunch, hosted by RewardStyle at the beautiful Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica.

Lucky FABB Brunch hosted by RewardStyle. So many beautiful outfits!

Lucky FABB was a great excuse to catch up with my girl Jammie, who recently moved to L.A. from Seattle. We'd only met in person a couple of times in Seattle, but have kept in touch on Twitter. She's one of the nicest, most giving & motivated people I've met in a long time, and she was the first to tell me about Lucky FABB! She's a FABB veteran, having attended all three so far.

After brunch, we hopped on a sweet double-decker bus for a Lucky FABB Shopping Safari hosted by HaveToHave. Lucky's West Coast Editor, Marlien Rentmeester & HaveToHave swooped us down to Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach for shopping and sun at Marlien's favorite AK boutiques. I hadn't spent a lot of time in Venice prior to this trip, so for me it was a lot of fun seeing the sights while networking with some amazing bloggers!

During our safari, we Instagrammed & tweeted out our most-wanted pieces in each of the boutiques. You can peep and vote for your favorite safari finds on HaveToHave.com right now.

Lucky FABB Shopping Safari hosted by HaveToHave. 

Marlien talking about one of her favorite finds at Heist, for HaveToHave

Sweet beachwear at Undrest by the Sea

Dog bone bracelet & sick nails on Kelci of Two Point Oh L.A.

We closed this fabulous day at the Kelly Wearstler boutique in West Hollywood for the Lucky FABB opening cocktail party. The beautiful Ms. Wearstler herself was in the building to greet all of us for FABB, in addition to an army of Lucky editors and staff. Not only is she a master fashion and interior designer, she is absolutely stunning in! She was super sweet and chatted up everyone at the party. We even went home with a sweet neon distressed muscle tee which I may or may not have worn a few times already :)

With the amazingly sweet Caroline Waxler, Lucky's digital content director and executive producer of the Lucky FABB conference!

Finally met Erin of Apartment 34, a fellow but former Seattleite who's now in the Bay! Love her

So naturally, after a busy and productive day, I'm starving. Jammie was kind enough to take me to one of L.A.'s finest - the original Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles! It was my first time at Roscoe's, and now my tastebuds will know nothing that compares to a good old Roscoe's meal. Can't wait to come back here!

All in all, day 1 of the Lucky FABB conference was packed full of networking and fun with some serious fashion mixed in. I had a fabulous day and went to bed excited for the conference day to come.

See all of my Lucky FABB photo adventures on the Fresh Jess Facebook page!