27 Mar Turning Heads Linkup – Jambu / Good Housekeeping Blogger Event in NYC!

Morning friends

Despite the delay, ( 2 additional days, which I will write about on Friday)

I made it back to Charlotte, after the Noreaster and the amazing blogger/JAMBU event I attended in NYC! I had been anticipating this event for a few months, after being invited to the City with 4 other bloggers, ranging from their 20s to 60s. I am utterly exhausted feeling like I was run over by a truck,  but wanted to post about my experience.  Last time I was in NYC, was a few years ago for Fashion week, and it was a whirlwind trip. This time, I was going to meet other fashion and travel bloggers along with part of the Jambu team. I was a bit nervous, but never have too much of a problem meeting and talking to new people. ( Thanks mom!)

After blogging 4 years, this was an event i didn’t want to miss! I had previously been invited in 2016 to the Lake Austin Spa retreat with Jambu and other bloggers,  for a few days, and because of my illness, I was unable to attend. I have since made some progress, and did not want to miss this opportunity! So glad I did! As a Jambu Brand Ambassador, believing in this Brand, and making strides with my health, I was thrilled to be able to attend this event. I has taken me more time to recouperate, but I expected this.

Listening to the news before leaving for the trip, made we wonder exactly what to pack, as a fashion blogger as I was to promote the sandals and Spring New Arrivals from Jambu. I packed my comfy wedges ( which I also wore at the airport, and are so easy!), my Rio sandals in taupe ( which I will be posting about soon) and my red gladiator heels ( Sugar Too) which would be worn with a floral dress for dinner the night before… ( however, the weather changed that plan)

Jambu is such an “on the ball” brand, very organized ! Everyone was so nice and it was great meeting my contact, Mary Grace, after corresponding for over 2 yrs. ( the amount of time I have been working with Jambu). Yetzalee, was wonderful to meet as well; she conducted my Facebook interview.

First, upon arrival, we checked into the VICEROY HOTEL. A luxury hotel, I was pleasantly surprised at the larger bathroom and bath that was provided. The room had a king size bed, and view, but after a long day, I was so glad i could soak in the large tub! The Viceroy is next to CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL, THE RUSSIAN TEA ROOM< and across from CENTRAL PARK. It was a great location, as we walked to most of the restaurants and events.

Meet and Greet Dinner

I was looking forward to meeting the other bloggers, and see what Jambu shoes they were wearing. I told Mary, as I wore my JAMBU RIo the first night, that “purple toes don’t look good !” ( It was quite cold!). Sheree wore my other favorite shoes, the Sugar Too, in red, which you have seen me post on the blog, wearing them with socks to keep the chill out!

I had done a bit of reading about the restaurants we were going to and thought the variety would be so fun! We first had a “Meet and Greet” with 2 Marketing ladies, and my contact, from Jambu, Mary and Yetzalee. Both lovely ladies, they planned a dinner at “Beauty and Essex”, a quirky, beautiful restaurant and speakeasy. I loved that the outside and front of the restaurant was a working Pawn Shop, in which you could purchase items. Guitars on the wall and jewelry in cases, looked quite tempting! We then opened the door to the restaurant, and a stunning chandelier hung from ceiling. The place was packed on a Monday night, and after enjoying many sumptuous tapas plates, I knew why! We sat and chatted about ourselves, our blog, and business. I loved finding out about the ladies from Jambu and how they liked the company.

We started with champagne, had a toast to the event and then enjoyed some wonderful tapas plates we all shared. I don’t eat red meat, and that was not a problem. There was so many delicious combinations of food to enjoy. I had such an amazing time, just getting to know the 4 other bloggers at our table. —Below, there was ( from left to right) Briana of Milk and Honey, Sheree of She She Show,  Me of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Alison of Wardrobe Oxygen,  Lauren of By Lauren M, and Katie of Katie’s Bliss. Yetzalee, from Jambu is next to Lauren. 

DAY OF THE EVENT

Jambu had contacted me previously to do a FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEO about how I love Jambu, my blog, and some background. Knowing the interview was at 8 ( pre) and then 8:30 LIVE, I knew I had to set an alarm to make sure I get up, as Jess doesn’t normally do early mornings! With ALEXA and my hubby’s alarm going off, it probably sounded like England’s Big Ben in my hotel room. Anyhow, the video went well, and I had posted about it prior, so I hope you got a chance to view it.

BREAKFAST

Norma’s was right next door to the Viceroy, so we all enjoyed the convenience. The stunning hall and spacious dining area was such a lovely place to start our day. Most of the ladies chose the empanadas and i had a craving for peach and walnut pancakes. We chatted about our day and shared tips on posing for Fashion blogging.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING EVENT-located in the Hearst Tower

I had mentioned this event to my Mom, and she was equally excited for me to go! Everyone knows Good Housekeeping Magazine and the Seal of Approval. I was surprised to find out that Good Housekeeping began in 1909, and continues this day.  I wanted to know more about it, and as the tour went through the building, we saw each lab- Makeup products and skin care, The Test Kitchen, Textiles, Appliances..  We were told that in testing hair for frizziness, they have a climate controlled room and buy hair for the testing. Interesting! I wouldn’t mind working in the test kitchen either! Good Housekeeping make sure that the product’s claims are valid, and if not, they must show evidence to the effect. We were given a private tour, and I was thankful, as Mary was very attentive to my needs, as walking slowly and standing is hard with EDS. I tend to get fatigued and start feeling pain, but Mary wanted to make sure i was comfortable, as I propped myself on the wall, as we listened to the tour.

LUNCH at The GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Institute

The setting was beautiful, with flowers and place cards for our luncheon with the Marketing team, Style director and Fashion director., Before lunch, pictures were taken, and we enjoyed a Sangria cocktail, refreshing and toasted to the day! The lounge room was very regal and contained priceless rolling pins on display. Jambu was displayed throughout the luncheon room, and everyone was wearing their Jambu shoes from the New Arrivals! I love how they were all styled differently!

We enjoyed a puff pastry, chicken and vegetables, salad and sorbet for our meal. We spent time talking about our blogs, introducing ourselves, Jambu, and having a Q and A with the style director, Laurie Bergamato and Fashion Director, Kristen Saladino  The marketing team- Christine Rannazzisi and Barbara Semmel  along with  Associate publisher, Sara Rad ate with us as well. . It was a fabulous time!

The Marketing, Style and Fashion Director ( center) I listed above.

GIFT BAGS Both GH and Jambu were lovely to give us gift bags. I will be posting on Instagram what we received.  GH gave full sized products o Jimmy Choo perfume, several skin care products, magazines.

WALKING SHOES -JAMBU

Some of the other shoes the ladies wore were the sneaker styles to walk around with all day. These  AZALEA pair were so cute and stylish too! I wore my NAOMI  peep toe wedge sandals I showed you in THIS POST, and my feet were pretty happy all day! I was thrilled that I could walk around New York City all day in these comfortable shoes and not feel any back or leg pain, they were great! Lauren had a pair of sandals on THE VIOLA, that I will be posting about at a later date, they are so cute! One of the bloggers had on the ELEGANCE, with this thin strappy sandal surely making a hit this Spring. All of the styles are very fashion forward, and the memory foam can’t be beat! I love that Jambu shoes are both comfortable and stylish, and this trip was proof of just how cushioned and comfy they are.

BRYANT PARK AND CENTRAL PARK

This picture on FB got another brand’s attention, they wanted to know if I was going to be in New York to discuss a collaboration. 🙂

GRAND CENTRAL STATION

After our lunch and tour at Good Housekeeping, we went to Bryant Park for some photo shoots. The photographer was wonderful, as we could pull him aside any time we wanted pictures! I took some pictures on a bench in the park and enjoyed trying a few different poses. We then went for our private tour of Grand Central Station. For a landmark, this was the first time I had visited the Station. Impressive and beautiful inside, our tour guide, gave a history of the place, along with the movies that were shot here. I loved the ceiling, design and the grandeur of the place. With hypermobility, and difficulty standing, I had to take a break and sit down, about halfway through the tour. Although I was sorry to miss it, Mary Grace was lovely and sat down with me, as I rested for the time. i have learned to listen to my body!

PHOTOGRAPHY-

Our photographer Di, was with us for most of the day. He began taking pictures of us at the Good Housekeeping Institute through Grand Central Station. It was so fun being about to shoot in these locations, and experimenting with poses. I loved getting shots in the NY subway!

DINNER

We had  planned to go to a diner where the waiters are Broadway singers, but the line was halfway around the block, so there was a plan B. We had fun going to dinner at a Country music restaurant. I had such an amazing time with the ladies and Jambu, I am so glad I went, and was afforded this opportunity! I will be sharing more JAMBU shoes with you from their New Arrivals, in upcoming posts! They have been put to the walking all day in New York City test, and passed with flying colors!

We had plane tickets to leave Wednesday afternoon, but do to the Noresaster, flights were cancelled. Flights were quickly then booked for Thursday, so we waited until Friday to fly back to Charlotte. Something good came out of the storm and delaying our flight.. Ill talk about that on the blog, FRIDAY!

Missed some of my JAMBU posts? Read about them here:

The Naomi sandal by Jambu

New spring arrivals by Jambu

AS A READER, TAKE 20% OFF ON JAMBU USING CODE STYLISH18 GOOD UNTIL JUNE 30! 

I will also be posting more on INSTASTORIES, and New York Cirty pictures via INSTAGRAM, so follow me there! 

Thursday Fashion Files hosted by Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom

Thursday Moda hosted by Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood

A Labour of Fashion hosted by Linda of A Labour of Life

Ill be back to picking my most clicked and pinterest pic next week. NOW, LETS HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH THE TURNING HEADS TUESDAY LINKUP PARTY! LINKUP INSTAGRAM, OLD AND NEW POSTS. PLEASE DO COMMENT ON SEVERAL BLOGGERS PER POST. THANKS!

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