New York Fashion Week Survival Guide

With the Mercedes-Benz Fall/Winter 2014 Fashion Week right around the corner, I thought it was only right if I provided you with my ultimate Survival Guide for NY Fashion Week.

Read below for my top tips and don’t forget to comment below and tweet @candywashington letting me know about your experiences.

Have your +1 BFF in place

The only thing better than attending the after and pre-parties and runway shows, is watching in awe of the new collections, sipping champers, and snapping selfies with your fashion-partner-in-crime. Hands down, the secret weapon of surviving Fashion Week is having a bestie to share the experience.

Smartphone and charger

It’s a Twitter and Instagram world, so make sure that your phone has the technical capabilities to tweet and post pictures and videos in-real time from the shows. Be sure to have your charger with you in case you run out of juice. Vine and Snapchat are others savvy platforms to share your fashionable content.

A killer pair of heels and a killer pair of flats

Unless you’re only going for one show or party, then be sure to pack your comfiest, yet cute, pair of ballet flats for when you’re running from show to show, downtime when you’re not in front of the camera, and waiting in the long lines to get to the shows. 

Survival toiletries:

·      Altoids and hand sanitizer – so you can meet and greet in confidence

·      Coconut Water – it’s important to stay hydrated so you don’t burn out

·      Lipgloss – so your smile is all you need to flash to get through the velvet ropes

·      Notebook and paper – call me old-fashioned, but sometimes you just need to write your notes down

Your statement outfit

During Fashion Week you can always bet on black. But it’s also the perfect occasion to be a bit daring in your ensemble – sequins, feathers, leather, sheer, and next-big-thing are all welcome. But the trick here is that whatever you choose to wear, wear it with confidence and rock it.

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Insights for Launching Your Own Site

I feel like I have just given birth. I’m exhausted and elated all at the same time. So like any savvy babe with a blog my goal is to of course, monetize it. This means taking not only the content but also the design of my site to the next level. So after a few weeks of updating copy, refreshing content, tweaking photos, importing blog posts, hours of tech support, and crafting my core offering, my new online destination Candy Washington: Pop culture with style was born.

To make sure that my labor pains weren’t all in vain, I want to share with you some key insights that I learned during the process.

Insight #1: Create what you love.

I’m literally obsessed with my site – with writing, blogging, posting pics, tweaking the little details, and bugging my friends to check it out. This passion and love are what fuel me to keep at it when I’m tired from work or fried from an audition.  But remember the purpose isn’t perfection; it’s to create an outlet for yourself that fulfills you both professionally and creatively. My site really is a labor of love.

Insight #2: Figure out what you have to offer.

So I love fashion, giving relationship advice, writing, and acting – well, so what? My “so what” is that I figured out that I can turn my passions into profits with purpose. If I’m able to add value to the lives of others by offering them my unique perspective and guidance on a styling problem, relationship issue, or need for an actress to bring a character to life while being able to make rent, then my “so what” transforms into a “why not?”

Insight #3: A little bit of healthy competition never killed anyone.

Before embarking on the journey of launching my new site I made a list of similar sites that I admired within the fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle industries. I then made a list of what I liked about them – how they talked about themselves, what products and services did they offer, what brand image were they creating, etc. After I completed my competitor analysis I decided which characteristics, attributes, and strategies I wanted to use, make my own, and apply to my site.

Remember the trick here is to take inspiration from people at the level you want to be at and then apply it in your own unique and authentic way.

Insight #4: Ask for feedback but trust your gut.

It’s always a good idea to ask for an objective opinion when you are deeply involved in a project and need an extra set of eyes with a different perspective than your own. I brainstormed a few ideas for the name of my site and then tossed them around with family and friends to see what their reactions were to each name. I also asked them when they thought of my brand, what came to mind and if my site reflected those attributes. Next up was which pictures to use and where.

But remember, everyone has an opinion and at the end of the day you have to go with the tagline that resonates the most with you, the photo that you just love, and the copy that gets to the core of your offerings. Be open and listen to others but trust your gut.

Insight #5: Promote, promote, promote.

Now that the new site if out in the world I need to start generating buzz. I’m going to write a press release highlighting the new site design, features, services, and offerings and distribute to sites, publications, friends, and family. And of course, I’m going to promote via my social channels.

Remember marketing and promotion is a process and not an event, you have to be continuously promoting your site but more importantly, make sure that your products, services, and content are of quality and of value and they will speak for themselves. Nothing is more powerful than word-of-mouth.

Insight #6: Make a plan for sustainable content generation.

So now that I’ve up-leveled from a blog to an online destination, consistent and quality content has never been more important. To keep the content coming I’ve created an editorial calendar around dates, events, and themes that I want to feature on my site. This will ensure that the content is fresh and switched out in a timely fashion and is relevant to viewers.

Don’t forget about the power of repurposing. Repurposing content is a great way to get more bang for your buck out of each post and to keep content coming when you might be in bind for time. Highlight an old post on “Throwback Thursday” or use an old post to accompany a new post if they are on related topics. Don’t forget to make sure that you are repurposing your own content and are being transparent that it was previously posted but is still of value now.

For more insights on launching your own site or how I made Pop culture with style come to life comment below or tweet @candywashington

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“LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL” ANNOUNCES “LIVE’S LOOK AS YOUNG AS YOU FEEL MAKEOVER” CONTEST

One Grand Prize Winner Will Win a Glamorous Makeover

and a Trip to “LIVE’s After Oscar® Show” in Los Angeles, CA

NEW YORK, NY – January 22, 2014 – This morning on top morning talk show “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan announced “LIVE’s Look As Young As You Feel Makeover,” a contest for those in need of an age-defying style intervention for an upcoming special event. Those selected will receive head-to-toe makeovers, including a shopping spree and a fresh hair color treatment by a Pantene and Clairol Expert Collection colorist. Plus, one grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, Calif., with seats at the Academy Awards® red carpet and tickets to “LIVE’s After Oscar Show.”

To enter, viewers must submit an entry on “LIVE’s” website, Facebook page or by mail, describing an upcoming special event for which they need a makeover, by February 6, 2014. From the entry pool, “LIVE’s” team will select the top three most-deserving entrants, who will travel to New York to receive a glamorous new look.  While in town, the three will meet with “LIVE” fashion guy Lawrence Zarian, who will transform their wardrobes from drab-to-fab, and Clairol Color Director James Corbett will complete the makeovers with a dazzling new hairstyle. 

The three finalists will appear on “LIVE” during the week of February 24-28 to show off their incredible transformations.  After the last makeover has been featured, “LIVE’s” viewers will vote to determine the grand prize winner, who will be announced Friday, February 28, on “LIVE.” The winner and a guest will be immediately whisked away for an all-expense paid trip for two to Los Angeles, Calif., where they will be treated like A-Listers with exclusive seats at the legendary Academy Awards red carpet, and VIP tickets for “LIVE’s After Oscar Show.”

“LIVE’s After Oscar Show” will be broadcast live on March 3 at 9:00 a.m. ET, from the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, the very stage on which the Academy Awards presentation will have wrapped up just hours before. This will be “LIVE’s” third year broadcasting this one-of-a-kind special, and this year more of Hollywood’s finest will drop in to sit down with Ripa and Strahan. Plus, the hosts will recap their own Oscar night, with Ripa backstage, grabbing interviews with presenters and winners fresh from their acceptance speeches, and Strahan manning the red carpet. They’ll also get the lowdown on the biggest parties, and showcase the stunning gowns, shoes and jewelry of the Hollywood elite.

About Procter & Gamble 

P&G serves approximately 4.8 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Ace®, Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Duracell®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Fusion®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Iams®, Lenor®, Mach3®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, Prestobarba®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, Wella®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit

http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands, and follow Clairol and Pantene on Twitter, @ClairolColor and @Pantene.

About “LIVE with Kelly and Michael”

“LIVE with Kelly and Michael” is distributed in national syndication by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York and executive produced by Michael Gelman, “LIVE” airs in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Visit “LIVE” on the web at LIVEKellyandMichael.com, on Facebook, or follow “LIVE” on Twitter and Instagram, @KellyandMichael.

# # #

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Experience the Super Bowl like a VIP. #SuperBowlVIP

I’m obviously excited for Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to storm the stage for Super Bowl 2014 on Sunday, February 2nd. But what I’m even more excited about is to share with you all how get the ultimate VIP experience during Super Bowl weekend.

To rock the Super Bowl like a celebrity and a VIP, and for an experience that you won’t forget, check out PrimeSport. PrimeSport sells a VIP Experience at the Super Bowl. During Super Bowl weekend, you can bypass the lines and attend exclusive parties, obtain premium game tickets and the best seats, get invited to pre-game hospitality parties, and chill out and get your game on in-stadium hospitality parties.

Luckily, the Super Bowl this year is in New Jersey and is giving me a reason to conveniently leave New York City for a weekend of exclusive parties, cheering on my favorite team during the biggest game of the year, rocking a stylish jersey, and hanging out with friends and other VIPs. If you’re not in New York or New Jersey, don’t worry, PrimeSport has got you covered with exclusive Super Bowl travel packages.

To join the conversation about the biggest sports night of the year and to share your VIP experience, check out #SuperBowlVIP.

 More about PrimeSport:

PrimeSport is the leading global Sports Travel and Event Management company, offering tickets, corporate and fan travel packages, and hospitality events for corporations, professional sports teams and fans. Official partnerships with professional and college sports organizations include the Carolina Panthers®, Chicago Bears, New York Jets®, Seattle Seahawks®, Minnesota Vikings®, Washington Redskins®, Baltimore Ravens®, San Diego Chargers®, Sugar Bowl®, Orange Bowl®, and Rose Bowl®. The company is the official provider of hospitality programs with select NCAA Championships including the NCAA® Division I Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, NCAA Men's Final Four®, NCAA Women's Final Four®, NCAA Men's College World Series®, and NCAA Men's Frozen Four®

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Trend Alert: All white for summer

We may have just kicked off the New Year during the wintery holidays but SpottedOnCeleb is ahead of the game and highlighting the coolest trend for Summer: white hot looks.

I can't wait to wear these looks while sipping on a Mai Tai, can you?

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Swapdom: The Newest Way to Shop

What better way to keep the momentum of the New Year going than to update your wardrobe by swapping and sharing new clothes with other like-minded fashionistas? That's where Swapdom, an online swapping community comes in and it offers the easiest and most affordable way to get a new look in 2014.

Swapdom  is a new way to let go of pieces from your own wardrobe and trade them in for unique secondhand items. It’s extremely easy to use: simply request items you love, tell Swapdom what you will offer in exchange, and then sit back and let Swapdom organize a multi-person swap for them. It’s the perfect way to get a new look for the new year!  

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Get the look: HBO "Girls" Season 3

Hannah, Marnie, Jessa and Shoshanna are quickly becoming style icons, much like their predecessors from Sex And The City.  With the HBO premiere having just kicked-off, I wanted to share with you all how to channel your inner GIRL with inspired looks by eShakti.

Hannah

Her style is quirky, sometimes ill-fitting with lots of whimsical patterns. With eShakti you can opt for a fun pattern to channel your inner Hannah, or avoid her faux pas by making sure clothes are tailored to a flattering fit, no matter your size or shape. Also just like Hannah (and Lena Dunham) eShakti champions real bodies with curves of all sizes, whether you’re a size 0 or 36W!   

Marnie

With her art-curator ambitions, Marnie is all about classic elegance. Look for structured, form-fitting timeless staples to channel this character. And don’t forget your high heels!

Jessa

When channeling your inner Jessa, the wilder the fashion choice, the better! Some kind of combination of eccentric prints, flowy pieces, flower-power aesthetic should do the trick. Jessa is not one to follow cookie-cutter fashion trends, and with eShakti you too can create your own styles by choosing skirt length, hemline, neckline… for a look that’s truly your own!

Shoshanna

Sweet, innocent, preppy Shoshanna. You can never go wrong with pastels and a cute collar dress to replicate Shoshanna’s young style! Luckily, eShakti has options-galore for this look!

Golden Globe Predictions 2014: Who'd Win if Younger Fans Called the Shots

On Sunday night, I'll be glued to my TV screen and Twitter, scanning the media's reactions to the winners and losers of the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards, hosted by funny gals Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

But what might be even more surprising than who will take home the gold and who will be left empty-handed is the impressive list of contenders that did not even make the cut. If the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) had consulted our generation for this year's nominees, the following actors, shows, and films would be going for the gold:

1. James Franco for 'Spring Breakers'

James Franco been easy on the eyes while exuding an unspoken intellect since his days on Freaks and Geeks. The actor stepped outside of his comfort zone when he transformed into the wannabe-gangsta Alien, adding an extra layer of grit to Harmony Korine's controversial Spring Breakers.

2. Oprah Winfrey for 'The Butler'

Oprah is a superstar. We still love to chant, "And you get a car! And you get a car! And you get a car!" whenever anyone mentions her name. A catchphrase she made famous was recently added to the dictionary. And she did a knockout job playing Gloria Gaines opposite of acting heavyweight Forrest Whitaker in The Butler. Is there anything this woman can't do?

3. The cast of 'Modern Family'

Although Sofia Vergara is up for an award, the rest of Modern Family's cast was unfortunately left out in the cold during this year's nominations. The show has helped to redefine the typical American family mold, and Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, and Ed O'Neill are simply hilarious.

4. 'Fruitvale Station'

Fruitvale Station is based on the real-life shooting of Oscar Grant III by a police officer in 2008. The riveting film's themes surrounding racial tension were mirrored by the tragic Trayvon Martin case rocked our nation in 2013. Despite its relevance, Fruitvale Station was left out of the running. This would have been lead actor Michael B. Jordan's first Golden Globe nomination.

5. 'The Walking Dead'

Somehow the massive cult following that The Walking Dead has amassed over its last four seasons wasn't enough to land the outrageously popular show a spot on the Golden Globes' nominee list. The snub is enough to make us want to eat brains.

6. Woody Allen for 'Blue Jasmine'

Though the film was proclaimed as one of his best pieces of work, Woody Allen failed to receive a nomination for writing and directing Blue Jasmine. We'll always love him for iconic films like Manhattan and Annie Hall, and for pairing Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. But it would have been great to see this legend get some Golden Globe love for Jasmine.

7. Claire Danes for 'Homeland'

No one defined a generations teenage angst like Claire Danes as Angela Chase on My So-Called Life. Danes is all grown up as CIA officer Carrie Mathison on Homeland, but still manages to master "the cry face" that made her so endearing all those years ago. We would want to see her win just to see her cry some tears of joy.

8. James Gandolfini for 'Enough Said'

The late and great James Gandolfini didn't earn a nom for his showing his softer side in his second to last film, Enough Said. He will always hold a special place in our hearts as the beloved Tony Soprano, but he deserved the proper recognition for his range and depth as an actor.

9. 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'

Ben Stiller may have made an everlasting mark on our generation with There's Something About Mary, but his directorial debut in this year's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty didn't make a strong impression on the voters at the HFPA. Nevertheless, his whimsical story of a man finding his own way would have made our list.

10. 'Game of Thrones'

Favorite obsession: Models off Duty Fashion Style

One of my favorite places to find fashion inspiration is watching what models wear when they're not walking the catwalk or all dolled up for a photo shoot. Do you like their style? Where do you go for fashion inspiration? Tweet @candywashington or comment below to share!

Adore color: Textile Federation Autumn/Winter '13 Fashion Collection

New for Resort 2013, Bright Light City is the latest collection from fashion label and design initiative Textile Federation. Featuring neoprene shift dresses, tube skirts and sweaters alongside high-neck cropped tops and skater skirts, oversized t-shirts with leggings and sleeveless bodycon dresses, Bright Light City is a celebration of fashion-forward design.