I was due to leave New York on Monday afternoon, but boy oh boy I didn’t account for the dramatics of the day. First things first – you know that Afrobella is typically a positive blog. I try not to trash something unless I’ve had an absolutely abhorrent experience. And this is why, when I say to you – don’t waste your money at the Edison Hotel – please believe me. It may be cheap, but you will find yourself asking – was this worth it?
Although the joint came up OK on BedbugRegistry.com – believe me, Nadine Jolie and I checked and double checked before bed – something still didn’t feel right. The rooms were grubby. The hotel lobby is very…1940’s crime drama decor, crowded with lots of people trying to get information from the front desk. I finally found out why, that morning. I had issues with my room key and seriously the staff at the front desk made me feel like I was some kind of criminal trying to break into their janky hotel. It was a shakedown just to get another room key. I just got my replacement key and left ASAP.
In all that hubbub and stress, I forgot to put my jewelry on. Which bummed me out later – I would have LOVED to have been wearing my official NYFW statement necklace by Peace Images, or the banging earrings she also sent my grateful way. Because had I known I’d be taking THIS photo later in the day…
I would have wanted to have my jewelry on. Also – where’s a blotting sheet when you need one? Le sigh.
But instead I wound up with just my dress, purse, and boots. Oh, and this POWER LIP.
Do you like it? That’s Milani’s new hotness, the Lip Flash full coverage shimmer gloss pencil. It is SO hot. And super affordable! Go get yourself some of this awesome at your nearest drugstore!
So the last day of NYFW started with hotel drama, ugh…then I went to the Diesel show. And my day didn’t get better until I started hanging out with the homie Kristin Booker of Fashion Style Beauty. On the bus en route from Diesel to Lincoln Center, a handsome stranger waved at me. Me? I mouthed. YES, YOU, he mimed, then pointed to his phone. Well that handsome stranger turned out to be Charles Wade – AKACharlesWade – incredible stylist to the stars, who I am happy to call my Twitter friend. YAY! So wonderful to finally put a face to the name!
Kristin and I headed into Lincoln Center where we quickly met up with our beauty blog buddies. Hugs all around! And just as I expressed dismay that I didn’t have time to go to Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lounge this time around…there he was! So I went over to say hello. And who was he with? MISS JAY ALEXANDER!
Robert is amazing – always sweet, friendly, welcoming, and funny. He’s got such great energy. Miss Jay was super nice! But from our discussion, Miss Jay had some unfortunate experiences with bloggers before. Which brings me to a larger point about Fashion Week, and blogging in general.
When you become a blogger, you aren’t just representing yourself. You represent US as a GROUP. So when you attend an event like Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week – which is an honor – please realize that your interactions with other people and your posts about your experiences, can then result in assumptions about the group. So class up. And act accordingly.
Miss Jay was very sweet, friendly, and fun to chat with. And I hope that in turn I was able to dispel some ideas about bloggers in general. Some of us conduct ourselves professionally, really!
Meeting Miss Jay and seeing Robert Verdi again was the cherry on top for my NYFW experience. After that I had a wonderful, wild, and super fun lunch across the street at Rosa Mexicano with my fashionable friends. Dirt was dished, tea was spilled, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute! Then I had to run. One of my best friends – up and coming cinematographer and director AJ Abucay – had come to pick me up to take me to get my stuff, and then to the airport.
But before that – one last stroll to a scenic and sad part of New York’s history.
This photo was taken outside of The Dakota, the building where John Lennon lived, loved, and was so tragically killed in 1980.
A smile seemed very inappropriate, given the location. RIP, John Lennon.
What am I wearing?
Lace ruffle dress by INC at Macy’s (on sale for like $40!)
Boots by Nine West
Bag by Betsey Johnson Betseyville (but I got it at 6pm.com).
No earrings, no necklace and by the end of the day, no lipstick. I feel so bare and unadorned =(
After that it was to the hotel to get my stuff, and straight to LaGuardia. Adios, NYC! Until the next time!
Oh Bella,
I think you looked Fab in those pictures.
Sometimes not wearing the jewelry only makes the accent on your face which is just beautiful. When you don’t have accessories accenting the face is the way to go. I loved your makeup and style.
I liked your post on Miss Jay. In agreement, there are some bloggers I would really like to follow but when they proceed to “tear down” our celebrities and make fun of their looks and clothes and their personal style, it is a MAJOR turnoff for me. Yes it may seem cutesy and “funny” in the moment but the overall damage for their image and the image of blogging is irreparable. After a while, the nasty slant of that type of blogging “gets old”.
I believe that how you treat your subjects and guests is your “brand”.
I love your brand.
Weeeeeeellll….not to say I’m a blogger. I tried, but the effort it takes is RIDICULOUS for me. But I hate for anybody to say, “You represent Large Section so act such and such a way.” Honestly, it bothers me. I’m black, so I hate when other black folks don’t “act right”, but really, we have no right to ascribe a certain decorum onto other people just so the majority don’t get the wrong impression of us(in this case, bloggers) as a whole.
Just like I expect white people to know that ignorant, loud, irritating black folk are not the majority, I expect celebrities to know that rude bloggers are not the majority either. And even if the ARE the majority(I’ve never met one, so I couldn’t tell you) I would expect that celebrity to meet that blogger without prejudices.
wish i could attend this event one year
You make a good point about representing bloggers as a whole.
Your smile is your best accessory. You looked great.
Good post. FYI Lennon would be 70 this year if he was alive. Like the dress.
Loved this one. Looks like you had an amazing time! Jealous!
this is such a sweet comment, thank you SO much for that Sandra!!
well i’m so glad that your day turned out to be fabulous anyway! next time you’re in NYC, let me know. we don’t have a smarmy staff, but we do have a guest bed, and if you’re timing is right – you’re totally welcome to stay!
ps – i’m not a creepy random commenter. ok i guess this is kind of creepy, but really, i’ve been following your blog for a really long time, and my heart just breaks to hear that you had a rough time of it in NYC. we really are a friendly bunch! anyway – hope to see you back up here sometime soon.
xoxo
nettaP