We Love – Kim Bloomberg Designs


Hello my Lovelies,

I am alway on the lookout for new and upcoming designers, products and services.  I found a gem when Kim Bloomberg asked me to join my Pinterest board.  I am such a fan of beautiful and delicate jewelry.

Kim pieces

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I love simple pieces that make statements which is exactly what Kim’s pieces are about. I had a little converstaion with Kim about her great pieces and here’s what she said.

How did you get started?

I started glassblowing when I was 16 years old at Buck’s Rock Camp in New Milford, Connecticut.  I continued straight through college and then segued into glass bead making. I ended up with thousands of glass beads but did not know how to make jewelry.  I taught myself how to wire wrap beads to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Glass blowing taught me that sometimes pieces don’t work out – colors might not harmonize and glass can break. There are times when it is necessary to persevere and start from square one to get it right.  I also learned that a beautiful piece can happen by accident. It is important to enjoy the process even if the end result isn’t what you want it to be. Many lessons were learned through glass blowing, but funny enough I don’t do anything with glass anymore.

What/Who are your inspirations?

WHAT:

I am inspired by nature; both in terms of the colors I see outside as well as the way nature is in a constant state of balance.

WHO:

Originally, my Grandmother’s love of jewelry motivated me to begin designing, but today I have a lot of people who continue to motivate me. My family supports my love and appreciation for art both by encouraging me to do what I love and also through example. My husband is an accomplished saxophone player, my father a talented sculptor, my mother and brother are gifted writers and my grandfather started his life in America by building sets at Radio City Music Hall. I am continually inspired by my children and their instinct to create just for the pure pleasure that it brings to them. Creativity is in my blood and I am inspired by all of the people who continue to teach me that anything is possible with hard work, practice and determination.

 

What’s your favorite piece?  That’s a tough question. I love the complicated pieces with the most vibrant stones most. If I had to pick a favorite piece today it would be “Bridge” earrings, but if you ask me tomorrow, my answer might change. Here they are: https://www.etsy.com/listing/156592239/london-blue-topaz-with-ethiopian-fire?ref=shop_home_active_3

 What’s the most challenging thing about your business? There are many challenges, but for me it is the back office side of the business. I love creating and coming up with new ideas. It took me a long time to realize that my business wasn’t going to grow through osmosis or word of mouth, but that I would have to work at it through marketing, social media and promotion. Once I got comfortable with putting my work out into the world, the business truly started to grow.

What’s the best thing about your business? The best thing about my business is that it belongs to me. My name is the brand and because my name is attached to it, I am committed to crafting the highest quality pieces that I feel reflect the vision I have for Kim Bloomberg Designs. It is also nice that I have the flexibility to be my own boss and make my own decisions for the future of my company.

What can we expect from Kim Bloomberg Designs in the future? I love this question. I have short term and long-term goals for my company. In the next twelve months, I plan to do my first wholesale trade show, get my work on the neck or ears of a celebrity, appear in a national publication and double my sales. Long term I hope to expand my collection through trunk shows at high-end retailers and for Kim Bloomberg Designs to be an internationally recognized brand of artistry. I’ve got to dream big, right?

Kim out together a few pieces just for me and I love how these pieces arrived at my door.

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That’s all for today my lovelies. Do you have any jewelry designers you love?  Hip me up @KaraAllan on Twitter or Kara@KaraAllan.com.

If you have a product you would like have shown here, or an event you want us to visit, let us know! Contact us at Kara@KaraAllan.com

Making the Life of Your Dreams, A Reality!

Ciao,

Kara

http://styleforhire.com/index.php?q=stylist/62

5 Ways to Look More Polished


Hello my lovelies!

I am so happy that it is finally Springtime and we are getting some semi-normal weather. In my days of meetings, and lunches and clients I have been observing all the ways that people’s grooming, the good, the bad and the thought worthy. It takes just as much time to look good that it takes to be sloppy so why not choose the former? Like it or not we are a visually judgy society.  Within 30 seconds people make an assessment of who you are by the way you look and the way you carry yourself.  There are benefits and drawbacks to both.  I would like to focus on the positive so today I am going to give you some tips on how to look polished!

1.  Grooming:  It may seem stupid and you would think most adults would get this but, um, yeah a lot don’t.  Take a shower, wash, dry and style your hair.  Cut your nails and if you want, polish them, just don’t have crack, chipped, polish.  Put on deodorant and ladies wear makeup! You don’t have to do a drag queen impression, but for God sakes, don’t go out of the house looking like you just rolled out of bed! Use lotion and get a pedicure. Guys this goes for you too! Nobody wants to look at or touch scaly dry skin, ick.

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2. Choose a perfume/cologne that speaks to who you are. There is nothing more intoxicating and sexy than a woman or man who smells divine.  I love Chanel Chance Eau Tendre.  It’s a fresh fragrance that is not overpowering.  I also love Gucci Guilty Black which I wear when I wanna be…. bad.

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3.  Practice Good Posture – Good posture speaks volumes about your confidence. The trick is to be relaxed and not stiff.  Imagine yourself being pulled ever so gently up by a balloon by the top of your head. Nicole Kidman has fantastic posture try and emulate! Good posture is sexyyyyy.

 

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4. Get rid of the shine.  It’s hard I know, especially when you live in a warm climate.  But a flawless finish speaks cool and relaxed. Get a foundation that has a little powder in it like  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish.  It works.

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5. Get Enough Sleep.  There’s nothing sexy about looking tired and disheveled. Nothing.  Give your body the beauty sleep it deserves. Sleep can speed healing with breakouts give you great skin!  It also helps relieve stress.  Get your zzzz’s

 

Beauty-Sleep

 

That’s all for today my lovelies. Do you have any beauty tips that work for you?  Hip me up @KaraAllan on Twitter or Kara@KaraAllan.com.

If you have a product you would like have shown here, or an event you want us to visit, let us know! Contact us at Kara@KaraAllan.com

Making the Life of Your Dreams, A Reality!

Ciao,

Kara

http://styleforhire.com/index.php?q=stylist/62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Don’t You – Develop A Spirit of Giving


Hello My Lovelies,

I love doing for others, especially when they don’t expect it and I love finding ways to surprise someone, even a person with whom I am not acquainted.  I believe an attitude of gratitude and helpfulness goes a long way.  To that end I have researched a few ways you too can give and help make someone’s day or life. Find one or two that melt your heart and give generously.

Donate to help kids in shelters get Pajama’s

Pajama Program

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Help local families who have had illness, domestic violence or other tragedies keep their lights on

Small Can Be Big

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Change the world with your wedding by linking your registry to your favorite cause!

I Do Foundation

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Do some pro bono work! Taproot matches you with a non-profit in your community that needs your skills!

Taproot Foundation

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Donate to supply children with vitamin supplements!

Vitamin Angels

 

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Hit me up on @KaraAllan on Twitter!  Which one do you like the most?  Let me know if you are planning to donate to one  and how it goes!

If you have a product you would like have shown here, or an event you want us to visit, let us know! Contact us at Kara@KaraAllan.com

Making the Life of Your Dreams, A Reality!

Ciao,

Kara

http://styleforhire.com/index.php?q=stylist/62

Why Don’t You……


Hello Lovelies!

Spring is finally here and we need to get outside and enjoy it before a blizzard shows up and ruins it.  I jest but not really.  I got to thinking that a little sun would do us all good.  Why don’t you have a picnic with a bottle of wine and a few friends by the waterfront either at National Harbor, Georgetown or Hains Point?  All these little ditties below will help you have a fantastic day, just be sure to pick your company wisely.  Tata for now lovies!

wine

 

My favorite wine!!

 

umbrella

 

A fancy umbrella to keep the shade or the rain off

 

 

speaker

 

 

A fantastic speaker that will have you singing all day long

picnic bag

 

Picnic blanket in a bag!

Hit me up on @KaraAllan on Twitter!  Have you had a picnic lately?  What was the best part? Let me know if you are planning one  and how it goes!

If you have a product you would like have shown here, or an event you want us to visit, let us know! Contact us at Kara@KaraAllan.com

Making the Life of Your Dreams, A Reality!

Ciao,

Kara

http://styleforhire.com/index.php?q=stylist/62

Long Live Diana Vreeland


Hello My Lovelies!!!

Today  I want to talk to you about a legend, an icon, the Empress of editing, Diana Vreeland.  Before Anna Wintour there was Diana. Born in 1903 in Paris, France, Her publishing career began in 1936 as columnist for Harper’s Bazaar and later became Editor at Vogue.  Diana had no formal education in Fashion, but has said her education came from the world. She was an original for sure. An awkward teenger, Diana found her footing when she attended a Russian school in New York where she became a dancer. She met her husband Reed and moved back to London where they started their family. She was approached by Carmel Snow, Editor of Harper’s Bazaar to start a column, which she did called “Why Don’t You.” It was very decadent in the midst of recession. Diana then became Fashion Editor.  AFter some time Diana skipped over to Vogue and there’s where the real journey began. Diana brought adventures and glamour to the pages of the magazine.  She reigned supreme from 1963 -1971. She launched the careers out of many of the models that graced the pages such as Lauren Bacall and Angelica Houston. Diana personified style, grace and personality. She rounded her career out as a consultant to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she started the MET balls!  I learned about DIana after watching a show about her called The Eye Has to Travel, I highly recommend it. In honor of this fantastic, dynamic woman, I will be add to my blog, once a week a Why Don’t You Entry.  I am looking forward to sharing with you!

 

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