Blog Event: Google+

Yesterday I was invited by the iFabbo team to visit the San Francisco Google headquarters. The iFabbo team and I met Lisa and Inci from Blogger. Lisa and Inci moderated a webinar demonstrating how Bloggers can use Google+ to reach their readers and share content.

First of all I was super excited to check out the Google offices and let me tell you, they lived up to the hype. Photobooths, Telephone booths, a massage room and bidets were just some of the Google luxuries I saw while walking around. Second of all I was really interested in learning more about Google's new social network Google+.

Lisa and Inci explained the basics of Google+, a social network with real time public sharing features (think Twitter), and private controlled groups "Circles" that allow you to selectively share the right content with a target group of users. For example you might not want to share your Friday night shenanigans with your boss, and your friends might want to hear about the work conference you attended, or see pictures from your Grandma's 80th birthday.

The same concept works for blog content. By using Google+'s Spark option, you can also selectively share blog content with groups of people that specifically want to read your content. For example if have a fashion blog, or want to find a new fashion blog, Google+ allows you to find and share content with a sub-group of like-minded people. And the Google+ Hangout video sessions allow you to "hang out" with friends, and readers virtually. It's by far one of the coolest video chats I have experimented with.

I had a great time learning about Google+ from the Google staff, themselves. However, I'm still not totally sold on the network. I have always found that Google apps are not easy to use, or intuitive. Although I think Gmail is the best email system out there, I have yet to organize my Gmail inbox, or figure out the full potential their email gadgets. We will see where Google take their social network and what people use it for, in the meantime I 'll be playing around on Google+ to see how it works for me and my blog.

At the headquarters. Myself, Sinead iFabbo founder, Nancy from FashionCHICsta, Inci and Lisa from Google, and Sara From The Makeup Snob.

Getting Geeky.

Playing around with the Hangouts with Sinead and iFabbo memener Jen from My Beauty Bunny.

I have 10 Google+ invites to giveaway, leave a comment with your email (has to be a Gmail email) and I'll send you an invite.

Things I love: Blogher '11

This Thursday I am heading down to San Diego for the Blogher '11 Blog conference. I'm super excited and can't wait to make new friends and to learn more about blogging.
Are you going?
Are you in San Diego?
If you are I'd love to meet you!

Amber's {Blog Event} Notebook: Wacoal Fit Event

On Monday I attended the Wacoal fitting + cocktails event and it was, what I would call, a "life changing experience". You see, I have never been fitted for a bra, nor have I ever enjoyed bra shopping. It's not fun, slightly embarrassing and always yields purchases that don't quite fit but do the job. So on Monday when I learned what my true size was AND tried on a handful of bras that fit perfect -- it kind of blew my mind.

I now know how important it is to be fitted, and by someone who truly cares about finding your true size. The Wacoal team showed me that bra shopping doesn't have to mean wading through picked over semi-annual sale bins, while fending off sales women asking if you want a store credit card with angelic rewards.

However, I was hesitant about the outcome of the Wacoal fitting event. When I was emailed about this event I was asked what bra size I was. I almost didn't know how to answer, as, I didn't really know how to answer. So I responded with a size I didn't really wear, but figured it was probably what I would measure.

When I was first measured by my Wacoal fit expert, I clutched my sauvignon blanc not only out of anxiety but out of slight embarrassment. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to hear what size she told me I was, and see what bras she would bring me that would fit. I feared for the worst.

After taking my measurements, my fit expert handed me bra after bra to try on. After each try-on Kim examined where my fit issues were and determined what needed to be adjusted and why, until finally a perfect fit/size was determined.
I was giddy after trying on a bra's that fit me like they were made for me -- that has never happened. I will now be a Wacoal costumer for life. I love that I can search their website by my perfect size, in order to see what bra's that would work for me. Walcoal also has a hip new B.Tempted line that totally fit my style, as well as lot's of other awesome under garment items.

I'd like to thank the Wacoal team not only inviting me to the fabulous event they hosted at the Prescott Hotel in San Francisco but for teaching me the importance of being fitted for bras. I will now continue to be fitted as my body grows and changes. I hope this post inspires you to check out Wacoal's Fi(gh)t for a Cure Event in your area and find your true fit.

Things I love: Kate Spade

On Friday Annie and I went to a blog event at the San Francisco Union Street Kate Spade store thrown by Mission Closet and it was a blast. So many fun colors, bags and girls in one place. I have so many things on my wish list (like this wallet) and I can't wait to go back.

What's not to love about shoes, girls and PINK!?

Things I Love: Blog Meetups

Yesterday evening I headed out to The City to meet up with some of my favorite blogging ladies. I had so much fun at the last blogger gathering and I was very excited for this one. Between the catching up, meeting new friends, snacking on appetizers, and sipping sangria I couldn't ask for a better way to spend a rainy evening. Big thanks to Lindsay and Catlin and the folks at LaLoLo for making sure we had a fabulous time!

Taylor, Alicia and I having a giggle fest.

The fabulous Gift bag and Giveaway prize area. Paige even won a night stay in Napa!

Taylor's awesome accessories. I want her Forever21 bracelet!

Alicia snapping away.

I won a darling pair of Elva Fields earrings.

And some of the fun business cards I picked up!

love these ladies!

Some of the ladies I chatted with:
Sacramento Street
Cheetah is the New Black
Sterling Style
TheArtof Style SF
The Wonder Girl
Catlin Dentino
Like Fresh Laundry
Yes to Carrots
CarinaOst
Thrifty Solutions for an Urban Gal
mission closet
note-ify
deliciously organized
neat san francisco
savvy in san francisco
free honey
shop sweet things
I'd rather be shopping
with style and grace
petit chandelier
*let me know if missed you and I will link you
I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone but that just makes me that much more excited for next time!

Things I love: Lovely Ladies

On Friday Night I went to a Bay Area Blogger's meet-up and I met a bunch of fabulous, fashionable and friendly ladies -- who I share at least one thing in common with: blogging and reading blogs. It was so nice to meet so many ladies I felt as if I already knew, like, Laura (OnTheRacks), and Taylor (Sterling Style). As well as meet bloggers I didn't previously follow like Katie (sweetest girl ever!) and Caitlin (felt like I knew the second I meet her). As well as SO many others! I can't wait for another meet-up!
Thanks to Taylor, Catilin and Katie and everyone else for organizing!

Laura, Myself and, The Art of Style SF

Some of the other lovely ladies that I chatted with:

Cheetah is the New Black
Sterling Style
TheNeoTradtionalist
Matchbook Mag
The IFabbo Ladies
Cottage Farm Etsy seller
Kelly L Cox Phototgraphy
Thrifty Solutions for an Urban Gal
Circle the Confusion
Shanners in the City
In the City with Crystalin
Sharp In the City
MSBChic
FVNCY
Silver Lining
Logical harmony
Camp Comfort
TheArtof Style SF
Pinklayers
Stylish Bird
The Wonder Girl
Catlin Dentino
Like Fresh Laundry

I didn't get to say hi to everyone but that only gives me something to look forward to at the next meet-up!!

Look of the Day: Three Piece Suit

I have been seeing versions of this outfit everywhere recently and I love it. It's easy to wear and it can rotated in regulary but changing up the blouse. I wore similar versions last fall and I'm glad to have options like this back in the rotation. It's so simple throw on and always looks put together. Just a blouse, belted jeans, and a hat. I threw in some bangles for fun, my arms feel bare without them.

H&m blouse (an Elle pick, I got it this week), J brand Doll jeans, Cynthia Vincent for Targert wedges and Forever 21 hat.

I went to an event last night with a super chic blogger, details to follow!

Blog Award: Confessions of a Shopaholic

LC from Let them Eat lentils (how CUTE is that blog name!?) nominated me for A Beautiful Blog Award over on her blog. THANK YOU LC! =) LC and I meet back in October at Kath's Kerf meetup, love that girl, we need to meetup again soon! I am so grateful to have meet so many great blog friends. Anyways I am supposed to list 7 random facts about me and then pass it on to 7 more amazing bloggers.

I could NOT think of anything but here it goes!

1.My Mom was born and raised in Prague but shamefully I have never been and can't speak a lick. But we plan to go this summer and I cannot wait!!Image from http://www.incoczech.com
2.I am not a "beauty" person. I can't do makeup or hair at all, headbands are my friend. Good thing my good friend Jen helps me out it in that department.

3.Most of the new friends I have made over the past 4 years have been online ones and I have become extremely close with them. #iknowsomeonelikethat

4.For a high school project my Parents arranged for me to fly down to the Roxy Quicksilver headquarters so I could meet their clothes designers and job shadow them. Pretty much awesome since 15 year old Amber was obsessed with Roxy at the time, case in point...WOW! ....Dad that was for you ;)

5.I love Seinfeld, HIMYM,The Big Bang Theory, SNL, Friends, and most recently Tosh.0. Basically I love comedies and comedians, and I feel like I kind of missed the boat on the whole Reality TV thing.

6. I am a complete and total Star Wars Geek. Definitely expect a Princess Leia and Senator Padmé Amidala/Queen of Naboo Style Icon post one of these days......seriously, they have LEGEN- wait for it -DARY style. Bigger Nerd could I be?

7. I am a huge baseball fan. And I mean HUGE! Go GIANTS! 102 days until Opening Day =)

Ok now my turn to pass the torch. I nominate some of my favorite ladies
*participation not required =)

1. Kara from Fashionably inspired, love this girl! One of my online friends turned real friends.

2. Chelsea, I meet Chelsea at Kath's KERF meetup and became fast blog friends, I*heart* her!

3. Nicole we have been online friends for awhile now, and face it that chick has STYLE!

4.Lynn who I need to meet-up with soon. She is my future best blog friend.

5.Brittany from It's Exhausting Being This Juicy! Such a sweetie, with a closet that I want to raid.

6. J from the Look for less because she is just straight up rad.

7. Andrea from Faded Plains. Because her store rocks and we share a love of ruffles.

May the Force be with you =)

Look of the Day: The Plant - Partie Deux

Yesterday I headed out to San Francisco to celebrate my friend Johnny's birthday and to grab a healthy dinner with fellow blogger's Lindsey and Jenna. Jenna was working the Green Festival in San Fran and brought us samples of Amazing Grass, which I can't wait to try! Thanks Jenna!
Thank goodness I met up with the girls to eat because my only other option for food last night would have been a greasy birthday "cake" pizza. The girls and I dined at The Plant and once again it was amazing. There were so many amazing options on the menu I had a hard deciding what to order. While deciding we were given a sample of the soup of the day, a black bean soup which was so good but I knew I needed to eat more food than that. So I ordered the California Plant burger, which many of the bloggers ordered on Monday night. It did not disappoint, it was pretty much the best veggie burger I had ever had. It missed the camera's eye but it was almost creepy how much it looked like a rare hamburger, check out Jenna's blog for pictures of her burger. After dinner we checked out the most adorable candy shop, I only wished I liked candy because the store was darling. I couldn't help but snap pictures of it, not to mention ohh and ahhing over all the adorable displays. After I said good bye to the bloggers, I met up with my crew of friends who were finally assembling down in North Beach, which is where we spent the rest of night celebrating Johnny's birthday.

My look of the day. Urban dress, Joie Jacket and necklace made by moi.


Amazing grass samples from Jenna. I have been reading about these for months and can't wait to finally test them out!Pictures inside Miette the adorable candy store.


The birthday "cake" pizza I was happy NOT to call my dinner.
Staint Peter and Paul's church. So stunning to see at night.

Friday Fun

I am off to the city to celebrate our best friend's birthday Johnny. Johnny is one of Casey's oldest friends, he was Casey's best man in out wedding. So we can't wait to celebrate his birthday with him. The boys have their own plans before and are going separately from me. So I was a little stressed out about what I was going to eat for dinner but then the timing worked out perfect to meet Jenna, you know that famous blogger from Eat Live Run. We are going back to the Plant Cafe, I'm hoping for a Jenna Weber famous wine pick, but i have a feeling she may be wined out! In any case I will update with my eats and outfits later!

In the mean time here are some pictures of Johnny and I causing trouble in Beijing from our trip there this past summer. Casey was behind the camera's lens.

That thing was HARD to drive.

Look of the Day: Okie Dokie Artichokie

I love artichokes, they are so pretty looking and fun to eat. But big meaty artichokes seem to take forever to steam, which is such a pain. Today when I planned dinner, I was inspired by last night's KERF meet-up dinner conversation about crock pots. Crock-pots save time and energy, right Kelly?? Well I guess I saved some time and energy today when I used my hand dandy crock pot to cook my artichokes. I just threw them in with some water and lemon slices for a little under 3 hours and they turned out PERFECT. I highly recommend this method.

Arties ready to cook.
When I came home they were steamed to perfection.
And the outfit I rocked while my little 'chokes cooked.

Check out Kath's new crock pot and Chelsea's crock pot recipe that were also posted tonight! Who doesn't love the convenience of crock pots??

And thank you to all the new readers who found my Blog through Kaths!!

Look of the Day: Amber Wears Real Clothes

Last night I went to Kath's KERF blog meetup dinner. Other bloggers attending were Holly, Lauren, Kelly, Chelsea and Cara , among other non bloggers. It was a wonderful Monday night dinner We dined at The Plant Cafe in the city and it was the perfect place to Eat Real Food! After all my indulging this past weekend, clean food was exactly what I needed. The menu was phenomenal and making a decision was hard, I could have eaten anything on it. I went with soup of the day, a roasted pepper soup and a build-your-own salad, topped with avocados, tomatoes, peppers, sunflower sprouts and a lemon flax vinaigrette. It was amazing to say the least. Kath let me steal some of her hummus to add to my salad and it was the best hummus I have ever had. I'm defiantly going back there! It just happens to be right around the corner from my favorite shopping area in the City.

At the meetup I rocked another one of my Heritage 1981 purchases, a darling heart printed dress. A worker at the cafe asked me if I get compliments every time I wear it. lol!
I love the girly details on it. It had buttons on the shoulder, hard to see in the picture. It came with a sash but I added my own belt.
My amazing salad and not so amazing photography.

Red Hot

Today started off with coffee at Bread and Cocoa in San Francisco with bloggers Kath, Jenna, Maggie, Linda and other new friends. It was nice to meet a group of girls that share some of the same interests as me. Like REAL food. Kath shared Nayosa coupons with us, so nice of her! Kath and I also chatted about our Canon Rebels, which I was able to put to use later in the day.

After my coffee in San Francisco I headed to The D'Elegance Car Show. It is a great car show that supports a wonderful cause, research for Parkinson's. And my Dad and my step Mom were showing their car at the show as well. So my afternoon was spent in the heat, in a sea of Ferrari red. To get out of the heat we took a cake break to celebrate my Step mom's birthday. The cake was a replica of one of the cars at the show. Here are some images from the show.