Beachy Keen at LuckyFABB

May 6, 2012

LuckyFABB-1

Last week, I attended the LuckyFABB (Fashion and Beauty Blogger Conference) in Santa Monica, CA. Held at a beautiful beach house on the sand, it was thrilling to be among so many familiar faces (mostly familiar because they grace my Bloglovin’ and RSS feeds). It was also terrifying, because I had to pack several outfits worthy of being seen in the graces of women much, much more stylish than myself. The shoes alone at this conference were enough to make anyone drool in envy.

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The conference was slated to last 12 hours on a single day, so what better a time to make the misguided decision to break in these blush spiked Sam Edelman heels, right? There’s nothing like 12 straight hours of speaker panels and planned activities to see what your shoes and feet are made of.

These babies lasted an entire 11 hours before I had to give my feet a break…not bad for breaking in a pair of four inch, pointy-toe heels, huh?

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Normally, when I take photos for the blog, I take them myself in the garden surrounding my home. I set my camera up on a tripod, and take the photo with a camera remote control. It’s not an exact science, and admittedly the lighting is bad and background is monotonous. It would be wonderful if I were brave enough to set up my little photo-shoot contraptions in different places around town, but I’m not fond of public humiliation, let alone the thought of my camera being several feet away, ripe for thievery.

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Thrilled to be somewhere other than the garden with my camera, I knew I needed to wrangle someone to help me get at least a few outfit shots in before the end of the day. Wendy and Mystery Man also attended LuckyFABB, and were incredibly kind to offer to take some outfit photos for me. What started as “just one photo on my little camera would be great” escalated into Mystery Man down on the ground with their mega camera, taking photos of my shoes and instructing me on the ways of walking action shots. I’ll be hard pressed to go back to my little tripod in the garden setup back home.

Outfit Details - H&M blazer :: James Perse top :: Blank jeans (and here) (post) :: Sam Edelman shoes (also at Zappos, Neiman Marcus & CUSP) (post) :: J.Crew handbag :: Ann Taylor belt :: Kate Spade watch (customized) :: Stella & Dot bracelet (and in silver) :: Daisy Knights ring :: Lux Accessories necklace

  • http://www.extrapetite.com/ PetiteAsianGirl

    Ah, how did I know these beautiful photos were the work of Wendy’s bf?

    Btw, the key to avoiding public humiliation and possible camera thievery is to take outdoor outfit photos at or before 7am ; )

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Gah! I knew you were going to tell me that! The anti-morning person inside me is stomping in protest. I don’t know how you and Nick do it. =P

  • http://twitter.com/frmheadtotoe Jen

    LOVE LOVE LOVE these shots!!! Especially the shoe close-ups. *drool*

    Thank you to Wendy and MM for taking such breathtaking shots! Kelly, you look like you caught on to the modeling lesson with ease!

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Thanks Jen! =)

  • wendyslookbook

    I LOVE your walking shots Kelly!!!  Drop by my place anytime and we’ll do more photo-shoots for you!!!

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Whoohoo! Thanks again for letting me borrow your man and your equipment…hehe.

  • http://twitter.com/MsKTReed KTR

    Beautiful photos Kelly!!! 

  • http://de.dawanda.com/shop/pimpIT pimpIT

    LOL! You can’t ask a genius/perfectionist to do something just quick ; ) He’s done  fantastic shots of you! I love the walking and the detailed shoe pics so much! I totally know what you mean always taking the photos by yourself! It’s such a difference if you have somebody to do it professionally. The quality is so relevant to the statement. Lucky Wendy ; ) I have to ask my neighbor, my husband or even my little boy (he’s really talented though) to shoot the photos of myself for my shop.
    But one thing: Your garden pictures might be monotonous- as you call it- but I would have never thought that you did it by yourself, Kelly! Considering that your photos are absolutely great!!! Maybe you just ‘engage’ MM once in a while = )
    LOVE
    Corinna

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

      “You can’t ask a genius/perfectionist to do something just quick”  <– so true!!

  • carol_prettythings

    Kelly, you look amazing! Love these photos! I hope you tell us more about your time at FABB. :)

  • http://profiles.google.com/petitelg Petite LG

    Love these walking photos, Kelly! The background creates a beautiful backdrop for your photos. Wendy’s bf did a fantastic job (as always!). Of course, I am drooling over your shoes. They’re so darling! Glad you had a great time at the conference. Have a great week.

  • http://rebeccalately.blogspot.com Rebecca Barnes

    I love how you styled those shoes!  The walking shots look awesome.  :)

    Funny, I thought you shot your normal pictures in public!

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Thanks Rebecca! Nope, I’m a big ol’ chicken and haven’t worked up the nerve to be that crazy girl taking photos of herself with a tripod in public just yet. Hehe. =)

  • http://tobrightenmyday.blogspot.com/ Cee

    Kelly, I love these photos, but most of all your outfit against the backdrop is stunning! I’m so glad to hear your shoes hardly required any breaking-in. 11 hours in its initial debut? Now THAT is courageous.

  • http://www.professionallypetite.com Elissa

    wow mystery man’s photos look great!

  • http://respecttheshoes.blogspot.com respect_the_shoes

    Great photos, and fantastic outfit. Those shoes are killer – I’m going to have to spy them for myself!

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       I seriously love them to death. And they are surprisingly comfy. I think you’d rock them. =)

      • http://respecttheshoes.blogspot.com respect_the_shoes

        How’s the fit on these? I’ve got a couple pairs of SE shoes and dependent on the shoe, vary between my normal size and 1/2 size up.

  • http://www.hoggerandco.com Hogger & Co.

    Sam Eds makes my favourite shoes – you look fabb!! And love the jeans rolled up, great take. 

  • Iliyana Licheva
  • http://www.thatsaprettyhat.blogspot.com/ Kathleen Lisson

    Love this blazer. Lucky for me, my fiance takes the photos for my blog. I think people just assume it’s a legitimate photo shoot because I’m always wearing a hat.

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Hehe…yes, I’m sure a hat helps. =)

  • http://www.thatsaprettyhat.blogspot.com/ Kathleen Lisson

    what were Mystery Man’s tips? I’d love to learn!

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Some of Mystery Man’s tips were:
      - White/creamy backgrounds bounce better light off your skin and clothes for prettier photos.
      - More exaggerated walking looks better on camera.
      - More distance between yourself and the background gives great depth of field in your photos (and great blur if you have a lens that can handle it).

  • Lisa Ng

    Love the blush top and blush shoes! Super impressed that you lasted 11 hrs on those shoes! I can only imagine the fabulousness at such an event. I’m sure you fit in and even stood out!! Wow, that Mystery Man sure is amazing with the camera! But your photos are gorg with the tripod and remote!!!!

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Thanks Lisa! You’re too kind! I’ve been doing some photo experimenting, trying to find new photo spots, which will hopefully be better than the garden shots. =)

  • Arts

    love those shoes, but I’m not brave to wear that :)

    still love your pictures in the garden, although you call it monotonous…please post more pictures from the conference.

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Thanks Arts! Unfortunately, I didn’t take very many photos from the conference. =(

  • witheachpassingday

    Mystery Man’s is a good photographer. He has mad skills. Wendy is so lucky to have him.  Kudos for wearing those awesome shoes for 11 hrs. I don’t know if I can last that long in those heels.  Your outfit was perfect for the event. 

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Thank you, Ying! Yes, Mystery Man has some skillz!

  • http://newpetite.blogspot.com New Petite

    Love that Blazer paired with the white pants! 
    Gorgeous pictures and the walking shots are the best! Did Wendy & MM give you anytips that you’d like to share with us :-)

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

       Thanks! MM’s best tips were: – white backgrounds reflect nicer light against your skintone – a more exaggerated walk looks better on camera. =)

  • http://fastfoodandfastfashion.com Elle

    These pictures are gorgeous!!!  I’ll have to agree with Jean on the extra early outings – I take mine between 6:30-7 these days, when I can.

    And I love seeing that blazer on you, it looks terrific!

  • http://dietingfashions.com/ Helen

    Awesome photos! Wendy and MM make each photo look like a work  of art. You are very lucky to have talented friends.

    Your shoes are to die for!

  • Mady

     love the shoes! they are so amazing!

    xoxo
    Mady

    thegirlfromthemirror.blogspot.com

  • http://twitter.com/PetiteAdventure Petite Adventures

    Love your look!
    I’m so jealous you got to go to LuckyFABB – it sounded like it was an amazing and inspiring experience!

  • http://sewpetitegal.blogspot.com SewPetiteGal

    Gorgeous photos!  Love the outfit and how long your hair is getting.  Also, super impressed that the shoes lasted so long – such a rarity!

  • http://www.petitetherapy.com/ Petite Therapy

    Those shoes definitely put you in the stylish fashion blogger category. Beautiful!  The photos are totally mystery man-esque! =)

  • SME

    Kelly, the color combination is very striking.  This is a fantastic outfit on you

  • TOBeautyReviews

    Ahhh you look amazing!!!  I love the “action” shots MM did a great job. 

  • http://www.hauteguiltypleasures.blogspot.com/ Brianna La’Sha

    I love this look. The color combo, the blazer over botton-up , and THOSE SHOES work perfectly together! I feel inspired!

    http://www.hauteguiltypleasures.blogspot.com

  • Kori Donahue

    You look adorable honey! I’m heading to Lucky Fabb for the 1st time this year. Are you going again? Any tips or suggestions for me? I’d love to hear anything you can offer! Thanks so much and loving your outfit!!!! Kori xoxo

    • http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

      Hi Kori! I don’t think I’m going to LuckyFABB this year, but I had a blast last year! Tips: attend any events before and during that you can…this is where you’ll start making friends. Don’t bring too many bags or anything too bulky. You’ll get a few things here and there, and you’ll wish you could consolidate everything. So don’t bring a computer bag, camera bag, and handbag, or anything like that. Just bring a medium size handbag, stick your camera in it, and go. You won’t need a computer, but bring something to take notes on. I took notes on my iPhone, and lots of people had iPads. Bring business cards for your blog.

      Have fun! =)

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