An overlap in work (that got cancelled at the last minute, thanks guys) prevented me from attending this Fall’s Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference– as it has EVERY YEAR.  II’m bummed to miss it, and the chance to meet some of my favorite bloggers, but I’m always excited that I can at least catch it through the livestream.

If you’re a fashion blogger, or a reader who just has interest in how we do all of this, join me in watching the stream below.  The upside? Watching through my site COULD help me win a trip to IFBCon in the Spring… and wouldn’t we all love it if I got to hit up NYFW?  Fresh fashion, original photos, and lots of shoe pictures…

I’ve been lucky enough to be an active member of the IFB community since it began, and I love seeing how far it has come.  I’m also quite humbled that I can contribute on a weekly basis, to the site and helping thousands of fashion bloggers.  All of this is to say, big thanks and mad love to the fabulous Jennine at The Coveted who makes all this happen, who is so generous with her knowledge and resources, and who makes it a better place for fashion bloggers to write. One of these days, girl, I’ll get to give you a huge, huge hug!

To see the schedule and blogger involved, see below!

Bloggers Tool Kit [9-10:30]

Brought to you by Pose.com

Learn how to promote yourself through social media and find out which metrics work best for bloggers. Are Twitter and Facebook really all that effective? Find out here.

Moderator: Christen Rochon, Divas & Dorks • Panelists: Leandra Medine, Man Repeller • Vahni Georgulakos, Grit and Glamour • Sammy Davis, Sammy Davis Vintage • Erica Chan Coffman and Lauren Kolodny, Honestly WTF, Alisa Gould Simon of Pose.com

Is the Social Media Industry Broken? [11:00-12:30 pm]

We all know expertise and time doesn’t come free in other industries, why is social media different? Social media was born out of the ‘free model’– we start blogging for free, use Twitter and Facebook for free…so where do we go from here?  This panel will discuss the role bloggers play in the digital landscape and what the future holds for this rapidly-changing form of media.

Moderator: Tony Wang, post.fashionism • Panelists: Carol Han, Milk and Mode • John Jannuzzi, Textbook • Mark Beeching, Digitas • Yuli Ziv, Style Coalition, Bryce Grober, The Luxury Spot, Meghan Donovan, Wit & Whimsy

Balancing Act: Business & Blogging [1:30-3:00 pm]

Need tips on how to create an amazing career through blogging without losing your soul? It’s a balancing act! We’ll discuss how bloggers keep their cred and build their business, as well as delve into the subject of ethical blogging practices.

Moderator: Grechen Cohen, Grechen’s Closet • Panelist: Coco Rocha, Oh So Coco • Annie Tomlin, BellaSugar • Aimee Song, Song of Style • Natalie Suarez, Natalie off Duty • Kristina Medhus, Pretty Shiny Sparkly • Ari Goldberg, StyleCaster

Evolution of Fashion Media [3:30-5:00 pm]

Gone are the days when fashion media was all about glossy magazines and red carpet photos. As mainstream media moves online, how do blogs differentiate themselves from fashion sites? This panel–an IFB Conference first–will touch on this and more.
Moderated by: Ann Colville Somma, HolierthanNow • Panelist: Mr. Mickey, PaperMag • Mary HK Choi, MTV Style • Claire Sulmers, Fashion Bomb Daily • Ari Seth Cohen, Advanced Style • Joyce Chang, People Style Watch •  Christian Remrod,  Fashion Networks

Key Note Speaker:6:00-7:00 pm

Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE Magazine
Interviewed by Tina Craig, BagSnob

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Getting Fit For A Bra

After my first post with Playtex, I swung by my Macy’s to get a bra fitting.  Statistics say that 70-80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra, and these are a few reasons why I think it happens:

• Weight loss and gain, change in diet and exercise, aging, and more cause fluctuations in our weight that make our bra size change substantially.  When these happen, we tend to restock our bras in the size we think we are (or the size we were) without realizing our size may have changed.  Afterall, bras DO stretch out, so it’s an innocent enough mistake to assume we’re still the same size & our bras are out of shape!
• Being mismeasured.  I’ve had some bra fittings where I’d measure one size (like a 38B), only for the sales girl to hand me a 34DD!  While you often can go down a band size and up a cup size to find the perfect fit, a vast difference like that will just have a girl in the wrong size bra–no matter what!
• Inconsistencies in bra sizes between brands–much like women have with clothing (who hasn’t encountered wearing a size 10 pair of jeans at one store, and a size 14 at another!).  That being said– while you may have to try on a few bras to find the size you are for that brand, I’ve found that with EVERY fitting technique, if done correctly, leads me to the same size.

My fitting at Macy’s was quick, painless and pretty nice.  A lovely older woman took me in to the fitting rooms, measured my overbust and then measured from the center of my breast to the space between my breasts.  It was a totally different technique than Playtex’s Find Your Bra Size Guide, but the end result was the same. Bra Magic!   We had a quick conversation about how difficult it was to find bras in my size and how I typically ordered them online– a must for finding the best selection!

Playtex’s Best Kept Secret

With my size confirmed, Playtex sent along my newest bra– and, Ladies, ask and you shall receive!  In my last Playtex post, I signed off with “If I could combine the best features of these bras (and add in a zesty color or pattern), it’d probably be very close to my dream bra.”

LO AND BEHOLD! The next bra that arrived for my use and abuse– the Playtex Secret Perfectly Smooth Underwire bra in BLUE LEOPARD.  I kid you not when I say I squealed when I opened the box.  Now I’m not sure if the squeal was audible to anyone other than dogs and my own internal monologue, but it was there.

Pros & Cons of the Perfectly Smooth Underwire Bra:

• PRO: Padded cup & underwire.  As I mentioned before, these two features are pretty much a must in my book.  I love the lift an underwire provides, while the light padding smooths and enhances my bust.
• PRO: No slip straps.  I HATE having to adjust my straps throughout the day, especially if I’m at work– it makes me feel unprofessional to have straps hanging out.  In the two days I wore this bra, I’m not sure I had to fix the straps once.
• CON: Like the first two bras I reviewed, this one wasn’t plunge friendly with my shirts.  So, for regular wear (or when I don’t want it shown off), I have to be more cautious about what I wear it with.
• PRO: AMAZING BLUE LEOPARD PRINT!  The Beau wasn’t crazy about the pattern, but I felt like one of The Misfits in it. Any day I feel like a cartoon character is a great day.
• BONUS PRO: IT GLOWS UNDER BLACK LIGHT, as I found out when I wore it under a sheer t-shirt to the club and all my friends commented on it (including an ex Beau, which makes a girl feel GOOD).

This is a super great bra, and I see much wear of it in my future.  I’m also regretting not buying a black sheer shirt from ASOS when it was on sale, because then it would be easier to show it off.

 Playtex Giveaway! — Giveaway Closed

Congrats to Terri, winner of the giveaway!

In accordance with FTC policy, I was compensated for my participation in the Playtex Brand Ambassador program.
Playtex Assurance: No blue leopards were harmed in the production of this bra.

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Seeing Spots & Playtex Giveaway!, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

I just wanted to take a moment to say happy birthday to my best lady, Mallory from Miss Malaprop!  She’s all I could ask for in a best gal– hardworking, smart, big hearted & awesome.

Tonight she’s hosting the Miss Malaprop Do-Gooder Birthday Bash– how many people do you know that host a dance party for their birthday where they’ll be accepting donations for Kiva and Our School at Blair Grocery. (You can also donate online if you can’t make it out for her birthday bash!)

Happy birthday, Pookie! I’ll see you tonight!

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Happy Birthday, my darling Miss Malaprop!, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

On a rough & tiresome week, I woke up to a sweet feature on 33 avenue Miquelon by Cameron.  I met Cameron when she sought me out for some advice following an IFB post.  I adore her thoughtfulness and intelligence, along with the clever way she transfers Twitter memes to regular post series.  Her series “Le suivre vendredi” is everyone’s favorite Follow Friday!

Why should you add Dramatis Personae to your reading list? You love those who make the world just a bit more interesting, you love to learn new things–especially if they help your own blog–and you love shoes… a lot.

Please pop over to Cameron’s site and share her some love!

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Sweet Feature on 33 avenue Miquelon, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

I’ve long been a fan of Hetty Rose shoes, though I’ve never had an opportunity to buy from her until now.  I jumped at the chance to buy from her on eBay, though inevitably the shoes ended up too small (I felt a bit like Cinderella’s ugly stepsister trying to get them on).  Each pair of shoes is handcrafted by Hetty in the U.K., and they’re made from vintage kimono fabrics.  It’s okay, I know I’ll just save up to get a bespoke pair made.

I want them to find a loving home as opposed to sitting on my bookshelf, looking beautiful but unworn.  I’m selling them at the price I bought them for, and that includes US shipping (international gals ask, and I’ll get you an international shipping quote!).

Marked a UK 6, they’re a best fit for a 7.5-8. Measure about 9.25″ long & 3-3.25″ wide. 4″ heel. Price $85.

For the Fierce & Femme Fashionista: labeled UK 5 (about a US 7-7.5). Measure about 9″ long by 3″ wide. 5″ Heel with 1.5″ platform. $125.00

These beauties also come with super long leather laces so you can lace them up to your thighs!

Hetty’s Ready to Wear line start at £190 and go up– her bespoke shoes cost upwards of $400+. In other words, these are stupidly great prices. Both pairs are samples; I believe the orange & red pair are never worn, while the LOVE shoes have been worn in a shoot.  Both are in spectacular condition.

If you’re interested, shoot me a message at mischief my dear @ gmail.com!

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed For Sale: Hetty Rose Sample Shoes, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.