Dressing to Impress: Style at PRSSA National Conference 2013

This October, I attended the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) 2013 National Conference for the first time in Philadelphia! I was fortunate enough to get in contact with Mallory Richardson, the National Committee Publications Editor in Chief, to set up a feature story while I was there. As a Public Relations Major and Journalism Minor, this was the perfect opportunity for me to test my skills as an interviewer, writer, photographer and fashion expert. What resulted was this feature on style at National Conference.

Conference requires one to wear business formal outfits during a majority of the morning and afternoon. After all, we are dressing to impress at this conference (and maybe score an internship while we're there!). However, just because you have to dress professionally, doesn't mean you can't be stylish too. Here are the six people I interviewed who exemplified this philosophy and stood out from the crowd!

A big thank you to the people who allowed me to bother them during the Job Fair and Awards Dinner in order to compile this feature and Mallory Richardson for giving me this opportunity!

Brittnie Curtis

Junior - Texas State University San Marcos

Position in Chapter: Social Media Manager

Outfit

Pants: Forever 21
Top and Blazer: JC Penney
Shoes: Charlotte Russe
Bag: Target

1. Who inspires your style?
"Kerri Washington and E! Network."
2. What have you taken away from conference?
"It solidified for me that this is what I really want to do."
3. What is your favorite part of the PR industry?
"The fact that you can be in almost any field. Everybody need PR!"

Isis Darks
Senior - University of Toledo
Position in Chapter: Vice President of Member Services

Outfit
Dress: H&M
Shoes: Dillards

1. How would you describe your personal style?
"I would describe my style as laidback sophistication - a mix of chic and boyish wear."
2. Who influences your personal style?
"Solange Knowles, who embraces bright hues and patterns. I also like Rihanna's style, because she has this tom-boy laidback style that I also embrace."
3. What is your favorite part of the PR industry?
"I love the crisis control portion of PR. PR is needed int eh sustainability of companies because there are always scenarios that can escalate to a company's downfall if crisis control is not in place."

Anna Case

Senior - University of Alabama

Position in Chapter: Member

Outfit

Blazer and Pants: J-Crew

Top: Francesca's

1. How would you describe your personal style?

"Comfortable and neutral, with a lot of fun accessories."

2. What have you learned at conference?

"I've learned that there is so much more to learn! I'm learning about a variety of careers in PR."

3. What is your favorite part of the PR industry?

"I started as an English major. With PR I'm staying busy and I like that. There will always be a need for PR."

Alvin Odems

Junior - University of Toledo

Position in Chapter: Member

Outfit

JC Penney and Macy's

1. How would you describe your personal style and who influences it?

"My personal style is not basic. I'm influenced by Russell Simmons, GQ, Larry Burns and my fraternity Phi Beta Sigma."

2. What has been your favorite part of conference?

"There are so many successful people here. I really liked the CEO of You session. I like the idea of branding yourself. You have to follow before you lead, but then you can personalize everything about you."

3. What is your favorite part about being in PRSSA?

"Networking! I like meeting people because we all have the same mind set and will be in the same industry but we are all taking different routes. Everybody's different."

Ben Butler

Senior - Geneva College

National Committee Member: Vice President of Public Relations

Outfit

Suit and Shirt: H&M

Belt: Michael Kors

Shoes: Penguin

Bow-tie: Vintage 50's

Pocket Square: Custom made

1. How would you describe your personal style and who influences it?

"My style is classic with a unique twist. I'm influence by class celebrities and notable gentlemen like Cary Grant and James Dean."

2. What is your favorite part about being in PRSSA?

"It provides students studying PR with a chance to really prepare themselves for the industry and connect with real professionals."

3. What is your favorite part about the PR industry?

"It's exciting. It's never the same...it's strategic and it's all about reputation. It's invisible and powerful. It's everywhere and it will never die."

Ian Michael Crumm

Pre-Junior - Drexel University

Position in Chapter: Vice President, Member of National Conference Planning Committee

Outfit

Jacket: Juicy Couture

Shirt: Gift from Miami

Shoes: Ashton Gray

Tie: Vintage - Great Grandpa's

1. How would you describe your personal style?

"Eclectic, quirky and colorful."

2. Who influences your personal style?

"Brad Goreski and past decades. I like vintage thrift stores. I tend to create my own trends and not follow typical trends."

3. What is your favorite part about PRSSA National Conference?

"The opportunity for networking. It's a chance to make lifetime friends and solid relationships with people across the country even when you don't see them every day."

Stay tuned for more lovelies! My personal outfits from National Conference coming soon!

-M

The Intern Diaries

I've started my internship with Che Bello Boutique, a small local boutique in Marquette, MI where I attend Northern Michigan University.

I've only been to two sessions and I'm already so in love with this internship. In short, I get to online shop except I do it for a business. I also work around the store unpacking, tagging, and moving merchandise when it comes in.

My favorite part about this internship is that I have the opportunity to run the style blog that accompanies it. My first post is going live this week and will be about transitioning summer style into the fall.

I'm going to chronicle my time as a fashion intern on here in order to share with all of you and also to help remember the little tricks I learn along the way.

If you'd like to follow the blog for the store, follow this link: http://chebelloboutique.tumblr.com/

Stay tuned loves!

M

A Jewelry Artist's Story

Hello Lovelies,

It's been a while, I know, but I am now done with my first year of college and ready to dedicate some time to this little blog I started.

Today, I want to tell you about a very fascinating girl I had the pleasure to meet named Elsy. Elsy is a student at the same university I attend. She is from the Ivory Coast of Africa, which means she speaks fluent French as her first language, and is the designer behind Nao Designs. Nao Designs is the name of her Jewelry design business. She creates absolutely stunning original handmade ethnic jewelry and accessories. When I visited her to talk to her about her designs, I was fortunate enough to see her incredibly vibrant and extensive collection of beads and other pieces she uses in her designs. When I asked where she gets her inspiration from, she told me about the times she visited Tunisia and how that influences her jewelry as well as inspiration from internet sites like tumblr. I couldn't be more impressed by her work and creativity and I urge all of you to have a look at some of her creations.

She has an etsy account and a bigcartel shop, but unfortunately because she is an international student right now, she can't have these open until she goes through the requirements to sell internationally and as an overseas student. However, you can check out her facebook page at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/NaoDesigns

You can like this page to keep up with her business and designs as well as stay tuned into this blog to find out when her pieces will be available for purchase on sites like etsy and bigcartel. In the mean time, here are some photos of what I was able to see when I sat down with her. Sorry, for the quality, my camera was inoperable so these were taken with an iPhone camera. Enjoy!

Stay tuned!

-M

Big Spring Beauty Haul: Lush, Sephora, and The Body Shop

I went downstate with my boyfriend to do some spring shopping. I purchased a few clothing items but mainly had a list of beauty items I needed or wanted to pick up while I was at Somerset Mall. The first store I went to was LUSH.

I was so excited to finally pick up the Popcorn Lip Scrub. They run out of it in store so often. I first tried this after seeing it in on of Ingrid or Missglamorazzi's videos.

I also picked up this Celestial Facial Moisturizer. This formula is for sensitive skin, which is perfect for me. I've been using this every day and I love it.

I also picked up this little tin from LUSH called Shine So Bright. It is a split end treatment. I'm very excited to try this because ever since I started coloring and treating my hair, my split ends have been  little out of control. I'm hoping this will tame them.

The second place I went was the Body Shop. I bought mostly travel size items so I could test out a lot of products. Also, I had 40% off the entire store!

This Pink Grapefruit Scrub smells so good. I can't wait to try it.

I picked up these two travel size body butters. The Strawberry one smells amazing. I also bought the Shea body butter. They are so moisturizing and feel luxurious.

I picked up this Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream because I thought it would be perfect for the hot and humid summer months.

I always get sucked into the little products at the checkout. This Guava lip butter smells amazing and tastes even better. I had to have it.

The last Body Shop product I picked up was this Almond Hand and Nail Cream. I have been using this every day since I bought it. I have quite dry hands and this has been perfect for me.

I finally made it to Sephora and there were so many things I wanted to buy but I only picked the most important four things.

I was finally able to pick up a bottle of the Urban Decay de-slick makeup setting spray. My skin is more on the oily side and this has been helping my makeup stay in place all day.

After months of hearing people rave about the benefit They're Real mascara, I caved and bought some. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet but I can't wait.

I have been drooling over YSL lipsticks since I started wearing makeup. I was on a mission to find this shade, Rouge in Danger, while at Sephora. I needed a beautifully pigmented deep rich red lipstick. 

I also finally bought my first ever NARS product. This is the powder foundation in Light2 Mont Blanc. I love the way this feels on my skin and the coverage is just right. 

This last item I actually picked up in Urban Outfitters. This texturizing salt spray is amazing. I've been using it almost every day. I usually use my Bumble and Bumble salt spray, which I really like, but I think this is a good dupe for the B&B. It was only 8$ and I really like the way it feels in my hair. It doesn't feel crunchy and the spray nozzle sprays a nice fine mist all over.

I picked up so many products that I am loving or am so anxious to try out and let you all know what I think. Stay tuned for a post about my first Birchbox followed shortly by my second Birchbox and an April Favorites post. Maybe I'll even have some videos up soon! My school year is almost over and I can't wait to go home and dedicate some real time to my blog and my youtube channel. Thanks for reading!

-M

In Jamaica, we don't have problems. We have situations.

Hello all!

I arrived home from Jamaica a few days ago and I thought I'd let you know how it was. We stayed at Riu Negril which is in Negril on Bloody Bay. With the water being so beautifully blue and green, I wondered why our beach was called Bloody Bay. Well, here's your answer:

Some believe it is in reference to a pirate battle that happened there. The real story is that when whales were hunted many many years ago, they were processed here and the blood from the whales tuned the bay red back then. Interesting and tragic really.

However, now it is a sight to behold. Our resort was an all inclusive, which I was particularly fond of. That meant all food and drinks were including in your vacation package. The food was amazing. You could get delicious fresh or hot food any time of the day. And, of course, I had to have some Jamaican Jerk chicken and pork while I was there. It burned my mouth in the most delightful and delicious way.

Our routine was one I found out of the ordinary for my vacation style. You woke up feeling as if it was 10 or 11 am, when really it was only 7:30! We made great use of our time and spent LOTS of time relaxing by the pool and the ocean. We did some market shopping of course and went on a one day excursion. On this excursion we went to Margaritaville, took a catamaran out into the open ocean, had an opportunity to snorkel, then went to a place called Ricks Cafe where we were able to jump off of the cliffs.

Another great part about our resort was a 14 hour working entertainment crew. They were the nicest people I'd ever met and they held activities and shows from 9 am until 12 midnight every day.

The people of Jamaica in general were the most laid back, kindest and most respectful people I'd ever had the pleasure to meet. They are all super friendly. Even though most have nothing, they don't bother anyone and they are always happy. They would always say "Peace, Love and Respect" and "No problem, mon." It offered me a lot of perspective.

Well, here's the best part. I'll post some photos below for you to look at. If you ever get a chance to go to Jamaica, take it. And stay at the Riu Negril. You won't regret it.

Sunset just after exiting the catamaran

Ricks Cafe

Me and my crazy boy

Steel Drum Band

Vacation

Well, it's finally time for me to actually kick back and relax. Tomorrow morning I board a plane to Jamaica for some real down time with my boyfriend and his family. I will try to post pictures during my week and a half stay on Negril beach. Cody and I will also be making some videos to post on my youtube channel when we return.

I couldn't be more excited for this trip and I can't wait to share it with all of you! Stay tuned!

-M

Neglect

It's been one of those weeks where no matter what I'm doing I'm already thinking about the next thing on my to do list. So what I'm trying to say is I'm way off schedule and have been neglecting my infant blog. Since this school year is winding down, i'll probably be pretty busy until May, but then I can dedicate some serious time to developing this style blog and sharing much more of myself and my style with all of you.

I do hope to make another video this weekend with my boyfriend and also edit the haul I did last week.

Stay tuned!

-M

Walgreens and Target Makeup Haul

Today, I went a little makeup and face product crazy at Walgreens and Target. I have been obsessively watching videos and following the blogs of Ingrid and Zoe which I will link at the end of this post. The first product I got was the Revlon Colorstay foundation for combination/oily skin in the shade Sand Beige. I have heard Ingrid absolutely raving about this foundation and it was only $9.99 at Target. I can't wait to try this. 

This is the Maybelline Clean Express makeup remover. What attracted me to this is the ultra gentle, oil free formula for removing waterproof  makeup. It is also safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes, which I am both of those people. Ingrid raved about this as well.

This Clay Mask from Freeman was something my friend Chelsea told me to try. I've been looking for a nice yet reasonably priced mask and this was under $5 at Walgreens. 

This is yet another product Ingrid has been raving about for a while. I got the Maybelline Falsies  mascara in the waterproof formula. I also get oily and watery eyes so my eye products I prefer in waterproof formulas.

Another Ingrid recommendation, I finally broke and bought a Maybelline Baby Lips. I got the shade Peach Kiss. 

This Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer is something I see Ingrid use in all of her tutorials and favorites videos. I just had to try it. I got the shade radiant.

I have heard so much about the Maybelline BB cream and my suitemate uses this product. She recommended I try it. I got the shade light/medium.

This elf baked eyeshadow was only $3 at Target. I couldn't pass up the deal. The shade here is called Pixie. 

I've been dying to get a Maybelline Vivid lipcolor since I saw Zoe and Ingrid talk about them. I went crazy and got the shade Hot Plum. 

I love the outer casing on the Vivid lipcolors. 

This is what the color looks like. Almost a fuschia but it is a bit more purple-y.

I also got a Loreal Colour Riche lip balm in the shade Provence Romance. This isn't very pigmented at all but is a really great balm. 

The pretty casing is what attracted me to it right away.





That's all for today! I can't wait to try these products and let you all know what I think of them! Please go check out Ingrid and Zoe! They are amazing!

Zoe Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/zoella280390
Zoe Blog: http://www.zoella.co.uk/
Ingrid Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/missglamorazzi
Ingrid Blog: http://missglamorazzi.blogspot.com/