reLYME

Thank you all for entering the reLYME China Glaze Giveaway. I had a great response, and thoroughly enjoyed reading about how each of you like to spend YOUR birthdays.

Now, on to the main event:
The winner of the 6 China Glaze Kicks Collection Nail Lacquers is...

Michelle from Decline Designs.

Congratulations!

Thank you again for entering. There will be more random giveaways to come!

As the summer is winding down, and most likely so are your summer vacation plans, it's time you start planning ahead for cooler days while looking for a way to unwind. (That's kind of a pun...I'll explain when you're older, if you don't figure it out by the end of the post.)

Why not try knitting?

Before you go out an over-indulge your need for chunky knits at overpriced department stores, consider this: you can make that yourself!

The Cup of Yarn Scarf Knitting Kit in Very Berry comes equipped with all you need to start your first purl stitch - wooden knitting needles, yarn, and instructions.

Best of all, it's cheap and arrives in delectable packaging!

For even more adorable knitting ideas or for knitting help, check out Stitch 'N Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller and Knit Aid by Vickie Howell.

Unlike a lot of folks, I don't hate on Hilary Duff. In fact, out of all of the celebs I witnessed pre-catwalk prepping at the Red Dress Heart Truth Show during NYFW Fall 2009, I was most excited to see Hilary.

So, it goes without saying, that I'm actually kind of looking forwarded to the release of her collection for DKNY Jeans called Femme.

Are you ready to really witness reLYME geeking out? OK, then. You asked for it:

I love art, I love fashion. So, when both come together in an exquisite way, well, let's just say this girl is well pleased. A friend of mine introduced me to the art of Isabel and Ruben Toledo a few years back. My life was forever changed. And though I have yet to acquire authentic Toledo artwork of my own, I am still very much a fan.

Now, a former Literature major, there is NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING that makes my heart jump quite like the sight of classic literature novel. Quite honestly. Ask my boyfriend, who has accompanied me to many a squealing trips to Strand.

So, when art, fashion, and literature meet, my friends, I'm absolutely kvelling! Toledo's latest project, combining his lovely illustrations with the covers of classic novels, is coming to bookstores on August 25.

The works of Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice), Emily Brontë (Wuthering Heights), and Nathaniel Hawthore (The Scarlet Letter) are being redesigned, and will retail for $16. And you know I'll own all three!

When you think of Avon, your initial thought might be the latest in greatest in beauty products sold at a fantastic price point. As I discovered at the Avon Beauty Plus Market Day event last week, Avon provides shoppers with so much more!

The summer collection of Beauty Plus, the fashion and accessories line of products at Avon, is rife with brightly colored sandals and jewelry at prices that won't break the bank. 

Pictured above-
Sunset Embellished Thong, $19.99
Bright Faceted Collar Necklace, $9.99
Bright Bangle Watch, $19.99

Click here to find an Avon Representative.

Just thought I'd share the latest piece I wrote for Independent Fashion Bloggers about the importance of establishing a consistent rhythm with your blog posting. (reLYME is living proof!!!)

Once upon a time, I used to help bloggers expand their brand online. I watched tiny blogs grow to very big blogs, and very big blogs grow to take over the Web. All the while, I preached the gospel of consistency.

I would tell my clients that you must find your rhythm (frequency of posts, time posts occur, regular features, etc.) so that readers learn to trust you as a respected resource. Little did I know that my advice would come to bite me in the behind, so to speak.

Fast forward a few months, and I was living in a spacious studio apartment in Manhattan. My fashion blog, reLYME, had opened a lot of doors for me. However, in trying to get used to my busy New York life, I’d ended up closing the door on my blog.

I went from humble-and-not-ultra-impressive traffic (about 3,000 MUV, give or take), to having less than 200 monthly unique views. That’s nearly a 93% decrease in traffic for my math people. And how did this happen, you ask?

If you’re one of my fashion blogging buddies, you already know the answer: I disappeared! I wasn’t active in social media, I hadn’t posted on my blog in months, and I simply didn’t care.

These days, I’m burning the midnight oil, trying to post more regularly in hopes that I can, once again, rebuild my readership–and all of this with the realization that I won’t be attending this season’s NYFW

So, my point, fellow fashion bloggers, is this. You MUST find your rhythm! And here’s how:

• You’ve heard people mention editorial calendars. Make one! Stick to it. Decide what you’re going to write about and when. If you’ve committed topics to paper, you’re more likely to stick to deadlines. They’re not written in stone, so if a more pressing piece comes up (or you’re pitched by an amazing brand because you’re getting more traffic) you can just pull an ol’ switch-a-roo. You’re a journalist, so you should act the part.
• If you’d like to include regular features (link love posts, look of the day, must-have item of the week), choose a particular day you’ll include these features, and stay consistent.
• Plan a time of day people can expect to see your latest offerings. Do you want to reveal your masterpieces in the morning, in the afternoon? (This is why the automatic post feature that is inherent to most blogging platforms is magical!)
• Make sure you know how often you plan to write. For some, posting once or twice a day is a lofty goal. So, if you can only squeeze out a few posts a week, by all means, bust a move! But, try to consistently post around the same time every week.

Finding your rhythm and maintaining your consistency, helps your readers to know that you respect them, and that sharing your knowledge or insider scoop with them is important to you.

It can also open up a lot of doors as far as sponsorships and advertisers are concerned–they will be more likely to invest in a professional blog that maintains consistency.

And again, the more you post, the better your chances are of welcoming many new readers, and building a community!

So, even though it’s tough, and you might have to sacrifice a girls’ night out (or boys’ night out, as the case may be) every once in a while, it’s worth it. Trust me, I know first hand.

image by lanuiop

UPDATE: I'm so excited that reLYME has now met the minimum number of entries required for the contest! The contest is officially closing on July 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

There's still time to enter. Good luck!

It's my birthday, and being one who loves receiving presents, I love giving presents even more! So, I figured, why not share the spirit of birthday giving with reLYME readers?

I'm giving away SIX China Glaze nail lacquers from the Kicks collection!

What do you have to do to win these six fabulous colors?

All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me your favorite way to spend your birthday.

(Minimum of 26 entries)

Good luck!

-Beka

Hudson Jeans, the brand that offers the perfect marriage of London and California style, has just selected their newest muse, Georgia May Jagger. (If the last name sounds familiar, that's because she's the youngest daughter of American model/actress, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.)

Her British/American heritage makes her the perfect model for Hudson.

In more Hudson news - the brand is planning to expand their line to include pieces such as the ripped denim jeans and lace-back jeans Jagger wears in the campaign, as well as putting more emphasis on menswear.

Not since Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis took Washington by storm with her fashion-forward clothing has a political public figure garnered so much attention for her (or his, as the case may be) style.

And, if you read the paper, watch gossip television, or read fashion sites at all, you know a certain First Lady has been making headlines for quite some time for her fashion choices. Today was no exception.

As First Lady Michelle Obama paid homage to honorees at the 10th anniversary of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards, attendees including design, Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa looked on in amazement.

Decked in a sunshine yellow Michael Kors skirtsuit and lizard-skin pumps, Mrs. Obama looked absolutely stunning as she spoke about her fascination with the advancements of design.

(Photo By AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

The news of the Rachel | Rachel Roy Pop Up Store's Sept. 9 opening ran in WWD, and outlines the exciting details:

• The 1,800-square-foot store will sell the entire Rachel Rachel Roy line
• The opening is timed around the beginning of Fashion Week and Fashion’s Night Out, and will remain open for 10 days, or while supplies last
• Pop sensation, Estelle will be hosting opening night
• Graffiti artist, SEN One will be creating custom pieces for customer purchase
• A graffiti covered ice cream truck parked outside will be handing out free ice cream
• A percentage of all sales will benefit Roy’s favorite charity, New Yorkers for Children

Best of all, Rachel Roy plans to visit the store regularly to give customers the total Rachel Rachel Roy experience: “Having your own store is the only medium through which you get to tell your story to the customer in its complete essence.”