Today I am recovering from the past 2 long and education packed days at Lucky Magazine’s LuckyFABB conference. I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first time, but it was a blast. It’s likely my favorite event I’ve ever been to, learned the most at, and got the most motivation from. I can’t even put it into words…my blog is now undergoing a metamorphosis. I entered the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills as a caterpillar, and I left feeling like a butterfly! There was a bevy of fabulous brands, panels, and speakers that educated, connected, and appreciated all bloggers, no matter how small.

8:30 AM: I arrived at the SLS hotel feeling anxious! I met Jesica from RyzenberOn in line and caught up with my friend and fellow beauty blogger, Stephanie from Aquaheart, Carly from Lipgloss and Crayons, and Marina Curry from BeautyCon! Phew, now that I’m not alone, I feel better and ready to start! Thankfully I got a seat in the 2nd row.

9:00 AM: This event is Lucky’s EIC Brandon Holley‘s brain child. This is the 2nd year it has come to the west coast, so it’ll be exciting to see how it grows in the future! She really emphasized how she wanted FABB to help bloggers turn blogging into a full-time job.

9:15 AM: The first speaker of the day was Kelly Osbourne. I was elated to hear her thoughts because I have followed her career since her family had “The Osbournes” reality show on MTV. I remember she had gotten a small heart tattoo, so I told my parents that I wanted a small heart tattoo! Now she has made a career for herself in fashion…and boy, does she know her stuff. She’s a hair chameleon, thanks to her mom, Sharon, and her obsession with Vidal Sassoon. Kelly got every single haircut in a book by Vidal Sassoon,which Vidal gave to her mom in the 60s! Kelly’s must-have beauty product is her favorite fragrance, Mûre et Musc Extreme. She says everyone in her family has a signature scent, and that one is hers! The biggest fashion advice from Kelly: “Put your money in your shoes and your handbags and one good blazer and buy everything else vintage or high street.” And if you’re curious about her ultra-cool outfit…She wore a top and skirt from Zara, a Karl Lagerfeld Letterman Jacket, and Stella McCartney shoes (that are visible in yesterday’s post!). I loved her spiked clips in what she calls her “blavender” colored hair. She can really rock it!

10:00 AM: I got a lot of useful information during the “Your Voice, Louder” panel. I was looking forward to seeing Eva Chen speak (I interviewed her for a project at FIDM last year!), and to see Elle and Blair Fowler speak again. I’ve followed their videos for the longest time, even before I made my own! They’ve changed into a lifestyle brand, and it’s interesting to see how they’ve changed since the first time I met them at IMATS in 2009!

“Don’t worry about the numbers- focus on your content” – Eva Chen

On YouTube: “Do consistent videos- have a schedule,” – Elle and Blair

11:30 AM: Lucky held a contest pre-FABB to pick 3 bloggers to pitch themselves to the above panel. The prize? being Lucky’s correspondent at New York Fashion Week! It was great help for me to learn how to talk about myself…which is sometimes the hardest thing! The lucky winner was the fabulous Marie Denee, blogger at The Curvy Fashionista!

12:30 PM: Lunch! Boy was I hungry…I regret not eating the yummy fruit and pastries a few hours ago. I sat down to a huge plate of food and chatted with Stephanie and Jen from My Beauty Bunny for an hour!

1:30 PM: We sat back down after a delicious lunch to hear more blog advice! Emily Schuman,author and blogger at Cupcakes and Cashmere gave a great tip on picking and choosing who to work with- “refrain from saying yes to everything. Sometimes it’s important to say no.” Her 3 tips? Find your vision (and stay authentic to it, be nice, and have fun. Simple!

Geri Hirsch, blogger at Because I’m Addicted and creator of LEAFtv gave similar tips: “Be happy with what you’re doing (or you won’t be successful), have strong people around you, and stay true to your vision.”

2:25 PM: “The Tools You Need To Grow Your Business” panel was a mother lode for ways to increase traffic, and tips for better SEO. I loved what Tina at BagSnob had to say because she is a not only smart, she is witty to boot (or bag?). I learned more about the Fohr Card, a service that brings brands to bloggers more easily, and that I can post widgets of my Pinterest boards on my blog! And the 10,000 hour rule you  may not have known: after doing something for 10k hours, you’re an expert! I think between 4 years of YouTube, 2 years of blogging, and 2 years studying at FIDM…I have reached it!

3:45 PM: “Creating a voice of authority” was about making the reader stick around for more than a casual encounter. I was excited to hear from Alle Fister, founder of Bollare PR, which I visited on the FIDM Beauty Study Tour, and Mandana Dayani, the VP of Rachel Zoe, Inc. (and she’s also on her Bravo TV show)! I was even brave enough to ask a question about being authoritative at a young age. Thanks to Mandana and Alle for answering me and giving some great advice!

“Check your ego at the door.” – Mandana Dayani

“The comment section is the best but scariest place!” – Kimberly Tobman

“You can’t be all things to all people” – Gillian Gorman Round

I was especially ecstatic to hear from Drew Barrymore, who recently launched Flower Beauty and is Lucky’s May 2013 cover girl. I’ve already reviewed a few Flower products and can’t wait to try more! Drew is so kind and she really knows her beauty. She isn’t just slapping her name on a package- she went through the entire creative process! Some of her favorites out of Flowers 181 products (and soon to be growing), the khaki shimmer, aubergine, and navy eyeliner for some color play for Fall and Winter!

“I think happiness is a choice. I swear to god happiness is the best makeup.”

Her desert island product that she will not live without? “concealer or you could just kill me now.” She would mash some berries to make blush and burn a wine cork to make kohl liner! She recommends Skincognito from her line, a stick foundation that covers without a pancake face.

I eyed her polish while she was speaking…and it’s the shade I’ve already reviewed! Eye of The Tiger Lily, a neon orange!

5:15 PM: Style Network gave us a sneak peek at Betsey Johnson‘s new reality show (airing May 12!)…WITH Betsey Johnson herself! The show is awesome, her daughter is gorgeous, and seeing her reactions to the show that she had not seen prior was hilarious.

5:45 PM: After the screening was done, there was a brief Q&A with Betsey where she was very frank about her business (including her 2012 bankruptcy). Can you believe she is 70 and still doing cartwheels? I need some of whatever she’s drinking! She spoke about being close with her daughter, Lulu, who lives in the same building as her and is starting her own fashion line (seen on the show). Her best advice she was given? “To quit. If it doesn’t feel good GET OUT!” Betsey’s company is still kicking, which some may not know. Even though her store has shut down, Steve Madden, fellow designer (and her friend) purchased her company!

“People are terrified of not being liked”

“You’re only as good as your last twitters.”

“We get up in the morning and do our best. Nothing else matters”

6:00 PM: Conference wraps…off to go home and prepare for Day 2!

Stay tuned to see my recap of Day 2 tomorrow…which features the massive 18.5 pound LeSportSac gift bag…yes, I weighed it!

Check out my bonus pics from day 1!

Check out some of the ladies I saw during LuckyFabb: L.A. Girl Fancies, The Working Girl’s Shoe Closet, The Love Hanger,Posh Urbanite, Bree Cooley/Stylist Diva, Scorching Style, Blushing Basics, Curves and Chaos, Good, Bad, and Fab, Always Stylish Mama, My Other Closet is Couture.

So many new friends, girlcrushes, information, and style ideas! Off to work on it…

Check out my LuckyFABB Day 2 Recap!

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