Highlights from the 2014 Fashion Forward Conference in New York City! @fashforwardconf #FashForward

The Fashion Forward Conference is organized by Audrey McClellan, Vera Sweeney, power moms media and momtrends.

I am not a mom but I absolutely love their motto: 

"The Fashion Forward Conference aims to to bring aspirational and attainable fashion and style to real moms – after all why should women lose their sense of style just because they became moms…"

Many of you had the chance to follow my live tweets and I posted quite a few pictures via instagram as well, but I also wanted to do a full recap and include some hi res photos and video too.

Pink Roses by Passion Roses! Pretty! Looks like a full itinerary is ahead of us!

Conference Organizers from Left to Right: Nicole Feliciano, Audrey  McClellan, Vera Sweeney

Sponsors/Exhibitors (In no particular order!):

Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks

Staying healthy and keeping hydrated couldn't be easier with Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks, I got to try out a few flavors during the Fashion Forward Conference and really like these!

You guys know just how much I love Dyson, and I was happy to see them again at The Fashion Forward Conference in New York City! I have reviewed both the DC65 and the DC44 by Dyson and they are both amazing!

Gold Emblem Abound Snacks are sold at CVS

CVS also helped to keep up our energy with their Gold Emblem Abound Snacks! There were Bars and Trail Mix and they were both really good! (These would be a great addition to some of my health monthly subscription boxes!) If you are a blogger and like me maintain your blog during 'off' hours, keeping these in stock instead of greasy chips or chocolate might be a great way to keep your energy up while writing and not packing on the pounds from snacking so late!

Dansko Shoes

I adore animal prints, so needless to say these shoes by Dansko caught my eye!

CAbi makes selling social with a personal shopping experience and sought after home based Career Opportunity, needless to say I honed in on the Animal Print Leggings!

Christy Turlington Burns is the founder of Every Mother Counts an organization that is dedicated to raising funds that help support maternal health programs around the world.

Miraclesuit at Fashion Forward Conference in NYC

I met the team at Miraclesuit earlier in the year at a Trendy Travel event and was lucky enough to win their raffle for a new swimsuit! I wore that suit this summer to Atlantic City (HERE is a post with me wearing it), and I just love it! Well guess what? Lightening can strike twice my friends as I won the raffle for Miraclesuit AGAIN at Fashion Forward! (I haven't picked out my prize yet but you will see it when I do!)

The Boodle Box - A monthly subscription service for 'fashionistas-in-training'

Here is a peek inside one a Boodle Box (I love that TAI Bracelet and the bag as those are MY initials!!!)

I am a huge fan of subscription box services and was introduced to one I was not yet familiar with at Fashion Forward - the Boodle Box, a subscription box service for girls and teens loaded with Accessories and Jewelry that are fab and age appropriate! I'm thinking my nieces would LOVE these!

End of the adult fashion show (there was one for the little ones as well) with all the models, brands being worn by the models included: CAbi, Dansko, Miraclesuit, J. Jill, Gwynnie Bee, Heucy, Talbots, Alex and Ani and Mark by Avon.

Check out the Video Highlights:



My Take:

I have been attending Fashion Forward since it's inception and it has been wonderful to see it grow and evolve. No two have been alike, and the speakers are always phenomenal! I loved the Fashion featured, totally functional and perfect for life - while runway fashion during Fashion Week here in New York City is always fun to look at, not all of it really works in my daily life, so it's nice to see a Fashion show that features clothes for women of ALL shapes and sizes and all walks of life. I loved discovering healthy goods too like Kelvita and Gold Emblem Abound, I hadn't heard of them before this, but will be going out to purchase these now. (I keep telling brands that sponsoring conferences and local events too are always smart, when women are passionate about something we ALWAYS share!). From the new brands now on my radar and seeing new stuff from brands I already know and love, no two Fashion Forward conferences are ever the same and that's exactly why I love them!

Is there a brand above that's new to you butterfly? Which would you most like to try? (Who knows, if there is a brand you really love maybe we can get them to come back and do something fun for readers!)

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FTC Disclosure: I was invited to this conference as a member of the Digital Media, I was fed, and gift bags were provided to attendees, however all opinions expressed in this recap are 100% my own! No monetary compensation has been received to share my recap of the Fashion Forward Conference.

{#MotivationMonday} #GettingGorgeous 2014 With @MyVO5 & @angelodavidhair – Full Event Recap with {#Photos}!

Brand Sponsor List for Getting Gorgeous 2014

With this week holding non-stop events and a conference at the end of the week, it got me thinking how between appointments, commitments, events and travel there has been very little 'me' time on my plate. It's been AGES since I got a haircut (my ends will attest to that), and even longer that I have taken some time for a good manicure either.

That's why when an invite hits my inbox for Getting Gorgeous I know it is one annual event that I absolutely, positively will NOT allow myself to miss. No matter how busy my week looks on paper. It's what I call the best parts of a good conference, shrunken into sessions so that everyone will truly get a chance to do more than swap cards with a brand and move along. Getting Gorgeous lets you interact with brands in a laid back way, and even though you are learning, you are also encouraged to stop and take some time to get pampered. This year there were quite a number of ways to do that, A hair touch up, a foot massage or hand massage, a manicure and even a 'scent matching session' with an Astrologist!

Romio Booth Display at Getting Gorgeous 2014

The first booth I encountered was ROMIO which helps users to find the best services nearest them using local recommendations that you can trust. I haven't had time to personally take this for a test drive, but once I get more caught up I will definitely check it out or even sign up as an expert myself!

Alberto V05 Display at Getting Gorgeous 2014

For obvious reasons this booth stopped me in my tracks! The heat and humidity in New York City have my hair acting all nutso, so anything hair related right now certainly gets my attention! Alberto V05 brings back memories of my teenage years as I used to use the Hot Oil treatment frequently! They have re-formulated and we were sent home with samples to try out which I am totally excited about!

Alberto V05 Products on Display at Getting Gorgeous 2014

As if a ton of great haircare wasn't enough, the stylists from Angelo David Salon in New York City were offering Hair Touch Ups, and you know I HAD to jump on that! Here is a shot of me 'in progress':

Stylists from Angelo David Salon offer hair touch ups at Getting Gorgeous 2014

She wished she had her scissors with her as my hair desperately needs to be cut, my ends are super split and fried ville city! I'm definitely thinking a trip to the salon for more than a touch up is definitely in order! Here is my completed hair below:

Ascending Butterfly gets her hair styled by Angelo David Salon stylist at Getting Gorgeous 2014

I'm definitely all smiles after seeing how great my hair came out! Cute curls and super shiny!

Body Fantasies Signature at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Fragrance Rebel (Home of Parfums de Coeur) offered several of their different brands including Body Fantasies Signature Spray, Bod Man and Designer Imposters!

Bod Man at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Above: Men weren't left out with Bod Man, and Below you can check out Designer Imposters:

Designer Imposters at Getting Gorgeous 2014

I was super excited to find out they had a match for one my favorite all time summer scents Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue!

Astrologer Diana Brownstone at Getting Gorgeous 2014

For those feeling over-whelmed or a bit indecisive with all the scents to choose from, they even offered us the services of an Astrologer who could help us select a scent based on our particular natal charts, pretty cool right?

Calgon at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Anyone too young to remember the 'Calgon Take Me Away' commercials please note (a) I HATE you, and (b) they're back! (OK so I don't hate you.....) but the display says it all! A long hot bath has always been my favorite way to relax after a hard day, and I am a bit excited to see all these brands from my past making come backs! Relaxation and Aroma Therapy all in one? COUNT ME IN!!! Thanks Calgon!

Vitabath at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Keeping with the Bath and Body theme, Vitabath was also in attendance and I love that you can also shop them by Gift Set on their website!

Voli Vodka at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Taking you around the room in order, the next stop was a refreshment break with Voli Vodka who offered guests two signature cocktails - The "Volito" and the "Raspberry Goddess", they were both great but Raspberry Goddess was definitely my fave! (But then again anything that helps you embrace your inner Goddess is all good in my book!) Too bad their spokesman "Mr. Worldwide" aka 'Pitbull' wasn't there!

Bali Intimates at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Bali Intimates gave everyone fittings and showed us a wide variety of colors and styles, I can't wait to get my mine in the mail! My cup size has changed (gotten a little smaller) so it was super helpful to get properly fitted as I was buying Bras that were a cup size too large! To get the right look under your clothes, you need the right fit!

Rexist 360 at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Rexist 360 showed us their resistance bands and I can tell you they offer quite a workout! It's never too late to get toned thighs ladies!

Rexist 360 Gift Bags at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Resistance workouts are a great way to get in shape! Best of all, it's like a gym that can easily travel with you! (So no fellow bloggers, conferences can't be an excuse for not working out anymore! LOL)

Summer Infant at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Above: You know Ascending Butterfly always follows the butterfly. And they always lead me to something good! Notice how Summer Infant uses a butterfly in their logo too?

Shaved Ice Stand at Summer Infant Booth at Getting Gorgeous 2014

To help bloggers beat the heat in New York City, Summer Infant had a super cool Shaved Ice stand at their booth! They offered both Cherry Lemongrass and Lemon Basil flavors, I mixed both in one cup and had a super flavorful Shaved Ice!

Pampers at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Pampers was also at Getting Gorgeous!

Christian Dior Nail Polish on display at Getting Gorgeous 2014

There is always time for a manicure at Getting Gorgeous! And of course I opted for a Red!

Vanity Projects Manicure at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Vanity Projects was also offering Nail Art, but I had an event that night and wasn't yet sure what I was wearing so I opted for my Manicure sans the Nail Art! Would definitely like to go back to them and try out some fun nail art for the summer!

Passion Roses at Getting Gorgeous 2014

Passion Roses certainly knows how to treat a Lady, as we received a dozen stunning roses on our way out of Getting Gorgeous, what a thoughtful and beautiful way to wrap another great Getting Gorgeous Event in New York City!

My Take:

(My apologies to Stop & Shop I can't find the booth shot I took of them! BTW, did you know they DELIVER?) Getting Gorgeous is always a well-curated and super fun event, it's a reminder to take time for yourself, isn't that what Motivation Monday is all about?

What put the Motivation in your Monday today Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I was under no obligation to share my event recap and all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.