Better Homes & Garden StyleMaker Event 2017

Have I told you lately that I love you?

I mean, really, really really love you?!?! I love each of you that come here every day to support this blog.

It’s because of YOU that I am doing exactly what I love.

If you are new around here, you may not know that I left the corporate world three years ago when Sweet B was born. I didn’t know then if I would love it or hate it but I knew I wanted to give this whole “stay at home mom” thing a whirl. Three years later, I am still home and wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

DRESS   |  CLUTCH   |   BOOTS    |   TASSEL EARRINGS  |   WOOD WATCH  |  NAIL POLISH

That said, I honestly don’t know if I could handle being home without this little side project that I started on a whim so many years ago. I love that it has turned into my side hustle and has opened so many amazing opportunities for me. I am seriously doing my dream job right now! One that I can share my crazy ideas and where I can meet so many other women (with crazy ideas :)) just like me. But that still allows me the flexibility to be a mom first. 

A couple of weeks ago I had the complete pleasure to join the Better Homes & Gardens StyleMaker event for the second year up in New York City. I mean, PINCH ME Y’ALL! 

My roomies & Jamie

This was my second time to the event and I didn’t think they could outdo the fabulousness of last year…. but they somehow managed! The StyleMaker event is where Better Homes & Gardens invites a handful of bloggers up to NYC for a day chock-ful-of beauty and inspiration. 

This year the event was at One Brooklyn Hotel. Upon arrival on Wednesday, we went straight to the rooftop bar for a happy hour with views of Manhattan. Watching the hustle and bustle of the city from a birds eye view was completely surreal. I had never been on this side of the city and the skyline views were absolutely breathtaking.

We arrived at the event on Thursday morning and were greeted with a beautiful breakfast spread. We had a day full of five different sessions including hearing from the magazine’s Editor in Chief Stephen Orr. As someone who has a degree in advertising and a career in marketing, it is so incredibly interesting to hear behind the scenes insight on how a magazine is put together every month. Some of their shoots are over a year out!  Then there was a great speaker about how to brand yourself. Even though I spent my career in brand marketing, branding yourself is a completely different animal and it is always awesome for opportunities to continue learning. 

Next up- we got to hear from BHG food stylists where they shared their tips and tricks for beautiful food photography. They then unleashed the room of bloggers to create their very own shot of avocado toast. Here we are brainstorming on our spread….

And then apparently Sarah and I figured it was a good time for a photo opp? LOL. I’m telling you, getting a group of bloggers together is always an interesting experience! 🙂 

Oh wait, this is a better picture to show you what bloggers do when they get together. AAAANNNDDDD everyone get your phone out so we can airdrop the 1,000,000 pictures we just took! #loveit  #mypeople

Hmmmm….. actually this one is the winner! Bloggers like to take pictures, the end. And I mean, it’s too bad we didn’t have any fun! 

This was the view from our room of the Brooklyn Bridge! Completely amazing. 

And this was the view of Manhattan at night. I simply could not get enough! 

On Thursday night BHG hosted a super chic cocktail party.  They had swanky drinks and hipster bartenders. In other words, it was completely amazing! 

Of course, getting the perfect Boomerang was at the top of our priority list. See note above about the 1,000,000 photos we take. #caseinpoint #priorities

Heather, Chelsea, Charlotte, Me, Rebekah, Jessica, Rachael,
 Jen Woodhouse, Haneen, Sarah, Crazy Chic Design

Sarah and I showed up twinning for the second year in a row! 👯

On Friday, my roomies and I were able to enjoy some free time and stroll around the city on the most perfect Autumn New York day. We may or may not have had fun. 🙂

While the event itself was absolutely amazing, what really makes this kind of stuff so incredible is the people. Over the years, I have formed so many friendships and have met so many inspiring women. Truly,some of these awesome ladies I text and talk with every day and I am so thankful for their friendships! 

Well I guess I am just feeling thankful today. So thankful for all of you supportive and amazing readers. Thankful for the inspiring women who have created their own side hustle and are following their dreams. And EXTREMELY thankful to Better Homes and Gardens for such an incredible opportunity and such a fabulous and inspiring event. 

xoxo-

Heather

** All professional photographs were provided by David Keith through Better Homes & Gardens.