Better Homes and Gardens Stylemaker 2019

We were so honored to be invited to Better Homes and Gardens Style Maker 2019 event in New York City last month. This was our first year attending the event, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect. All I can say is that the BHG team did an outstanding job with every aspect of the event. It did not disappoint. The venue was beautiful, the food was great, and everyone we met was just amazing. They managed to assemble a group of 80 bloggers from all walks of life, every age group, and crossing many niches. The amazing part about this was, we ALL had something in common that connected us. In this industry, a lot of times people do not understand what we do, how we do it, or even why we do it. For a couple of days we were surrounded by people who understood and got us. For a couple of days, when someone we just met visited our site, we didn’t need to explain why we decided to put pumpkins and twinkle lights in the sink for a photograph, they just got it. This industry can be hard and taxing on your emotions, and it can be difficult at times to ignore the harsh comments made online by a few people. More than once, we were reminded that we aren’t the only ones who have a few people who love to criticize, and we have to choose to take their criticism and either ignore it if it is unfounded, or learn from it and become better. Now….on to the trip.

As soon as we arrived, we made our way through JFK, got an Uber, and headed for the Public Hotel. Believe it or not, we had a very stressful first couple hours in the city. We each had our luggage, and carry-ons, and the traffic was awful. When we started getting out of the Uber, Penny’s cell phone fell out of her bag and slide under the seat. Needless to say, the driver was long gone before we even noticed it was missing. Thank goodness, we were using an Uber, and the app allowed me to contact him directly. He was already back at the airport, nearly an hour away, but he turned around and came back to bring the phone to us. He saved the day!

We met up with friends, Kristy- The Pickled Rose, Karan- Designs by Karan, and Lory- Designthusiasm, who were also in the city for the Stylemaker Event, and had the best lunch at a small Italian restaurant right down the street. Our proximity to Little Italy made for several awesome Italian meals.  Penny had a classic spaghetti and meatballs, and I had spinach ravioli, all pasta was homemade, and it was incredible. We are so thankful to Better Homes and Gardens for bringing this group of like-minded women together.Our next adventure was heading to Broadway! I am sad to say there aren’t that many photos because we were too busy getting turned around in the subway! But, we made it with time to spare. We walked around Times Square for a bit, then headed to the New Amsterdam Theatre to see Aladdin!Back at the Public Hotel that evening we were so ready to get some sleep, and excited to know that the Stylemaker Event was just a few hours away! This amazing and dizzying elevator is the gate-way into the Public Hotel from the street! Everyday without fail, we saw so many people stopping to take this photo!The next morning we got up early and headed upstairs to check-in for Better Homes and Gardens Stylemaker 2019!

(We would like to thank David Keith Photography for all the great photographs they provided for the next section of this post!)Checking in we were already running into old friends and meeting new ones! We were headed to our first stop, which was an amazing breakfast spread. I must say, the view was pretty good this morning.Of course, we found out that the event had some very nice sponsors behind it. Sleep Number, Maybelline, Tito’s Vodka, Magnum Ice Cream, and Behr Paints.

[soliloquy id=”3877″]

The speakers were also great! First we heard a video message from Marie Kondo, followed by a session on the KonMari method by Patty Morrissey.Perhaps our favorite speaker was  Marian McEvoy. She was the former editor in chief of the magazine Elle Decor.Her session included many stories from her worldwide travels, writing assignments, and unique decor style that has set her apart in the industry for her entire career.The afternoon sessions including a panel discussion about the importance of Podcasting, and an interview with Bobby Berk from Queer Eye. Afterwords, we spent some time. They ended the daytime events early, so we could all rest a bit a change clothes before the evening rooftop party started! Here are a few pics from the evening!
[soliloquy id=”3897″]

The event was so much fun. It is hard to believe we did so much, and it only lasted a day. Thank you so much Better Homes & Gardens for inviting us, and making us one of your Stylemakers for 2019!