House Life Food Fashion

Holiday CRAVE-ings Shopping Party!

Last modified on 2012-11-26 21:12:13 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I’m thrilled to have come across this event just in time to let my followers know about it! It’s coming up THIS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28th! I’m 100% against over consumption at Christmas time and shopping for the sake of shopping, in an over-crowded mall, for things that people don’t need. But, I’m 100% in favour of giving things that are useful, locally made, having fun with girlfriends, and supporting women in business in my home town – and this event combines all of those things. I know several CRAVE women, including Kim Page Gluckie of MPowered Marketing and Krista Duckworth-Hopfauf, owner of Rewind and Better On You Consignment stores, and I know that anything they’re part of is worth attending (since they were both integral parts of my last event, he he he!)

Many Local Calgary Businesses Come Together for One Night of Shopping, Entertainment, and Mingling on November 28th for the 1st Holiday CRAVE-ings Shopping Party Event…

WHAT: This November comes “The Perfect Package”: A holiday party and shopping trip in one! The Holiday CRAVE-ings Shopping Party will be an exclusive, glamourous evening of fun filled with shopping and entertainment for both women and men. A variety of clothing, jewelry, handbags, treats, décor, gourmet food and much more will be featured by many local Calgary female-owned businesses and boutiques. Customers will have the chance to mingle with other customers and business owners while getting the latest trends and completing their holiday shopping lists.

Tickets may be purchased at http://thecravecompany.com/calgary/events/holiday-craveings-2012/ for $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Swag to be given to the first 100 guests to visit each pop up shop.
Look for your CRAVINGS SAVINGS of the night, each pop up shop is giving one item or more away for half the price.

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
6:00pm – 9:00pm

WHERE:
Venu1008 (east Inglewood)
1008 14 St. SE
Calgary, AB T2G 3K2

MORE:
For more updates, be sure to follow CRAVE Calgary on Twitter (@CRAVEcalgary #CRAVEparty #holidayCRAVEings), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cravecalgary), and by attending the official Holiday CRAVE-ings 2012 Facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/122893411198609/). Facebook giveaways will also be featured on various Fridays in anticipation of the event.

ABOUT CRAVE CALGARY:
CRAVE Calgary innovatively connects small business owners with the customers they CRAVE. We host business chats, symposiums, and other fabulous parties to connect you with savvy entreprenesses. We spread the word about the need-to-know women in your city with our CRAVE guides. Our blog and social media provide valuable forums for sharing business tips and learning what women all around the world crave. CRAVE is your one stop shop for connecting with smart, successful women business owners and discovering new, innovative ways to boost your business!

CONTACT:
Kim Page Gluckie // 403-479-9669 // kimpg {at} craveparty.com

Marketing Yourself 2: Creating Your Personal Brand

Last modified on 2012-04-30 22:09:56 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

THIS EVENT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED!
I had such a great time last year putting on Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum and Fashion Show that I’ve been busily working away with my new partner, Krista Esau, (owner of Unforgettable Occasions) on preparing another amazing event for small businesses to help them network, learn and promote their great ideas and products!

While the last event focused on social media, this time we’re offering a networking and educational event specifically designed for women in business to share their knowledge with each other and learn from expert panelists on how to build and sustain a personal brand, both virtually and in person.

Mission Statement:

To provide an opportunity for women in business to gather to network, discuss and see first hand the value of building a personal brand – and learn how to do it with practical advice from industry experts in fields such as marketing, self-help, fashion, cosmetics and image consulting.

• Networking Hour with Cocktails and Light Appetizers

• Q&A with Expert Panelists on the Role of Image in Business

• “Reinvent, Re-imagine and Recycle Your Closet” Runway Show and Workshop by Meagan Kelln of HouseLife

• Fashion and Personal Care Market

Date: Saturday April 28th, 2012

Time: 5pm-10pm

Place: Mount Pleasant Community Hall 602 22nd Ave SW

Itinerary

Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Krista Esau at events@unforgettableoccasions.ca or 403.888.3185

Sponsorship Opportunities

Krista Esau: Owner, Unforgettable Occasions, Event Co-Organizer

Krista resides in Airdrie and her company is active in Calgary and all surrounding areas. Krista is the founder, sole owner and lead event planner for Unforgettable Occasions (www.unforgettableoccasions.ca). Krista is a certified Event & Wedding Planning Professional (IEWPP) graduated in April of 2011. Planning the ultimate event is Krista’s passion, from large and lavish to elegant and intimate, her creations will reflect your vision, style and sensibilities. You will be hooked once you experience the exquisite style, meticulous planning, flawless execution and unprecedented service. Whether your celebration is a party for two or gala for two thousand, she can orchestrate a wedding or special event of any size. Krista is very excited about this event and especially so because working along side with Meagan from HouseLife will be an honor and a very enjoyable learning experience!

Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum and Fashion Show

Last modified on 2012-04-30 22:12:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Purchase Tickets

Ticket Types:

NOTE: Both Tickets WILL be sold May 27th and at the door (pay in cash or via paypal on site)! However, because of the deadline to place the catering order the $55 day pass will NOT include access to the luncheon. Thank you!

Social Media Forum, Fashion Show & Exhibition ($55) – This ticket includes a pass to everything you see on our Itinerary (below) including the Social Media Presentation, Catered Networking Luncheon, and Fashion Show & Exhibition. You can use your ticket the evening of the 28th to come back for live music and dancing!

Fashion Show & Exhibition ($20) – This ticket includes everything from 2pm on! A pass to the Small Business Exhibition and Market and a Fashion Show courtesy of HouseLife. Don’t forget, you can use your ticket to come back the evening of the 28th for live music and dancing!

Exhibitor Application Form

So, you’ve decided to apply to be a vendor at “Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum and Fashion Show”! We want to help you and your business, and in order to provide the best opportunity that we can for you in our exhibition we need to ensure that you’ll be a good fit with our other vendors, and that there will be no one else with your particular business present. Click Exhibitor Form to apply and we’ll get back to you within 72 hours to let you know if you’ve been selected to exhibit on the 28th!

Itinerary

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Preparations & Refreshments

The hour and a half leading up to the official kick-off of Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum and Fashion Show are reserved exclusively for our business vendors. This is a valuable opportunity to network with other small-business owners and local, innovative organizations. It is also a chance for all vendors to set up their displays, arrange product for visitors, and organize promotional material. During this time, complimentary coffee/tea and pastries will be provided to all business vendors, courtesy of Waves Coffee.

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Kelly Martin: Social Media Presentation

Kelly Martin, CEO and Founder of My Social Media Bridge, will be delivering a one-hour comprehensive presentation addressing the usage of social media for promoting businesses as well as for individuals. Kelly has been helping businesses with their marketing strategies for over ten years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience relating to using social media and capitalizing on an online presence. The three major topics that will be addressed in Kelly’s presentation are:

• Facebook: the advantages and disadvantages of profiles, business pages, and group pages; how to set up various pages within Facebook; how to use Facebook effectively
• Twitter: how to set up an account; building followers; constructing an effective tweet; the purpose behind tweeting; how to tweet for your business
• LinkedIn: how to set up a profile; the advantages of joining LinkedIn; how LinkedIn offers a different aspect to social media usage; how to use LinkedIn effectively

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Social Media Q&A Panel

Following Kelly Martin’s presentation on social media, an interactive question and answer period pertaining to promoting businesses online, specifically through social media, will be held. A panel consisting of experts in marketing, promotion, and branding will be present to answer questions from everyone attending the event. This is a valuable opportunity to clarify any information presented in Kelly’s talk, as well as draw on the unique expertise areas of our guest panel.

12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Catered Networking Lunch

A catered lunch will be provided for all business vendors as well as event attendees. While enjoying locally-prepared delicious food, everyone attending Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum and Fashion Show will have the unique opportunity to network in an environment of like-minded businesses and individuals. Take the time to introduce yourself, exchange business cards, educate yourself on new businesses in Calgary, and promote what you have to offer to the world! Beer and wine will be available for purchase from this point on.

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Small Business Exhibition & Market

The afternoon exhibition and market creates a prime opportunity for business exposure, marketing, and networking. Visitors from the public will be exposed to a variety of small businesses, new and upcoming ventures, and entrepreneurs representing a wide range of products and services. Small business owners who have set up display tables will have the time to explain their business, meet with potential new clients, sell products, and take orders. In addition to the trade show and market, visitors and vendors will have the opportunity to purchase wine and beer, and be provided with complimentary snacks to fuel their conversations!

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
HouseLife Presents: Fashion Show

Specifically for this event, HouseLife Owner & Stylist Meagan Kelln has created a fashion show to demonstrate how to maximize the positive image you project, regardless of your business industry. The fashion show is designed to help you learn how to dress in order to give others the best possible impression of you, your skills, and your business. From creative artists to corporate boardroom representatives, Meagan has put together an impressive lineup of current outfits to work for any image and any budget, male or female.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Break

During this time, visitors and vendors are invited to take a break from the event to stretch, eat dinner, and collect their thoughts – it’s been a very full day up until this point! Vendors are also encouraged to take advantage of this time to dismantle their display tables and pack up their products. Although there will be additional time for cleaning and packing up marketing materials at the end of the evening, this is the best time to do so. Remember to keep at least a few business cards on hand for networking into the night, though!

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Live Music & Dance

The final phase of the evening is a showcase of local talent – a fantastic lineup of musical artists and bands will be providing the soundtrack to a night of dancing and fun! This is the last chance to mingle with the people you’ve met throughout the day, and kick back and appreciate some of the extremely talented musicians we have here in Calgary. All sound and lights for the dance have been provided by Calgary Sound Rentals. At 10pm, we’ll wrap up Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum & Fashion Show and go our separate ways, armed with a wealth of new knowledge, business contacts, and ideas for the future!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Please contact us via email or phone for more detail – we would love to work with your business to find somewhere within these packages that will fit with your business vision and budget.

Platinum Level ($1000+)

Our Platinum Level sponsors receive the most benefits, marketing and exposure of their business. These organizations are also given priority as feature sponsors for future events hosted by HouseLife and/or Calgary Sound Rentals. As a Platinum Level sponsor, you will receive:

* Placement of a banner that you provide across the main stage – 15 feet of prime space
* A full-length feature blog post promoting your business on both the HouseLife and Calgary Sound Rentals websites
* Business posting on HouseLife’s “My Community” webpage for 6 months
* Feature business promotional interview on the Calgary Sound Rentals Weekly “Behind the Scene” Podcast
* Your business’ full-color logo on all event posters and signage
* Your business’ profile (30 word maximum), contact information, and logo (B&W) in the event program, given to all event attendees
* Detailed feature mentions on the P.A. during the event

Gold Level ($500 – $999)

Our Gold Level sponsors receive significant exposure both on the event day as well as online both before and after the event. These organizations also get early notification of sponsorship opportunities for future events hosted by HouseLife and/or Calgary Sound Rentals. As a Gold Level sponsor, you will receive:

* Business posting on HouseLife’s “My Community” webpage for 3 months
* Feature business promotional interview on the Calgary Sound Rentals Weekly “Behind the Scene” Podcast
* Your business’ full-color logo on all event posters and signage
* Your business’ profile (30 word maximum), contact information, and logo (B&W) in the event program, given to all event attendees
* Multiple mentions on the P.A. during the event

Silver Level ($250 – $499)

Our Silver Level sponsors have the opportunity to contribute monetary funds or make their sponsorship in-kind through the donation of a door prize or multiple door prizes (dependent on estimated value of goods and/or services), or through tote bag items (samples, gifts, coupons, and/or gift certificates) that total a minimum of $250 in value. Silver Level sponsors will also receive exposure in the following ways:

* Your business’ logo on all signage at the event
* Your business’ profile (30 word maximum), contact information, and logo (B&W) in the event program, given to all event attendees
* Multiple mentions on the P.A. during the event

Bronze Level ($50 – $249)

Bronze Level sponsors have the opportunity to contribute monetary funds or make their sponsorship in-kind through the donation of a door prize or multiple door prizes (dependent on estimated value of goods and/or services), or through tote bag items (samples, gifts, coupons, and/or gift certificates) that total a minimum of $50 in value. Through event marketing, Bronze Level sponsors receive invaluable exposure for their business. Bronze Level sponsors receive:

* Inclusion of promotional material (catalogues, business cards, and/or flyers) in tote bags given the first 25 to purchase tickets, and/or mentions of your business and product on the P.A. while distributing your door prize
* Your business’ profile (30 word maximum), contact information, and logo (B&W) in the event program, given to all event attendees

White Shirt Workshop

Last modified on 2011-01-26 03:01:53 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

White Shirt Workshop: the follow up

Last modified on 2011-03-01 20:49:19 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The White Shirt Workshop was a hit – thank you to everyone who was involved that helped to make it the success it was! I really got to cut my teeth on this event, and I feel ready to take an even bigger bite for the next one. For those of you who took a chance on my first event, look forward to more experiences like this one! And if you missed the February 8th event, don’t worry! Many of the fashion tips and all of the outfits are in this blog, so read on! Also, stay tuned to this blog and sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss out on upcoming events…

We commenced the evening with an intimate trade show and market in which our vendors and sponsors had an opportunity to meet with the public, talk about their products, take orders and sell their wares. We think this the most effective way to market our home-based businesses – and the workshop participants benefited too with discounts and samples, and exposure to new businesses that they were interested in. We had everything from tea and treats to skin care (from Avon, Arbonne and Mary Kay), and unique clothing for sale (paperbag clothing) to mini-massages (Performance Spinal Health & Fitness)! It was a win win for everyone involved,  and we’re going to repeat this format next time – with even more products and vendors. As well, based on the helpful feedback from the participants, we’re going to do our best to have wine and more clothing and accessories for sale. You ask, and I’ll deliver – so keep the comments coming!

Everyone was blown away by the tote bags and door prizes. Thanks again to the sponsors for their generosity! Special thanks to MPCA Playgroup, Home Harmony Tea and Fraiche Desserts for the food and beverages – they were such a nice treat! Also, the fashion show wouldn’t have been nearly as spectacular without the stellar styling and makeup skills of Rachelle and Shawna from Ymay Hair Studio. Thanks to Calgary Sound Rentals for the sound and lighting support for the event, I look forward to working with you again for our upcoming events! Finally, I’d like to give a special shout out to Kari for offering up her Stella & Dot jewelery to help our models really sparkle on the runway.

After we mixed, mingled and otherwise enjoyed ourselves, we moved on to the Fashion Show! I designed the White Shirt Workshop with two purposes in mind. First, I felt it would be valuable to show how important basics are to build a versatile and easy wardrobe. With only a few pieces, it is possible to create a good deal of variety, as well as be cost effective and simplify your daily dressing routine. I wanted to show that the most important thing with a basic is that it is a good fit for your body, and your lifestyle. If you build yourself a great collection of basics, all you need to do each season is pick up a few fun and current pieces to liven up your staples and you’ll be able to carry your wardrobe through the year with minimal fuss.

The white shirt spoke to me as a great star for the show for three reasons. First, the colour is a blank slate, and unlike other neutrals transfers easily from season to season. You can wear white in the dead of winter and height of summer and not look out of place or be uncomfortable. Second, it is just as appropriate for a professional setting as it is for a casual outing. You can wear the same shirt under a blazer to work, as you can over a pair of faded jeans for a weekend lunch. Third, I like white because it can carry a lot of detail. You can have rosettes, pleating, and tucking and still make it work as a basic. I love structure because is a great way to hide some imperfections in the physique, and also give a lot of personality to an outfit. If you have all of that structural detailing on a patterned or brightly coloured blouse it becomes a very special piece and it won’t have as much wear-ability as a white shirt will.

The secondary focus of the workshop was to demonstrate how important it is to me as a stylist to take into account a client’s existing wardrobe, lifestyle and budget while building a wardrobe for them. When they open their closet in the morning, I want my clients to feel like they are looking at their clothes, and that they will be comfortable and appropriate in what they put on for what they have planned for the day. To help me illustrate that, I asked four friends (who are not models in their day jobs, but definitely could be!) to show off some clothes. I found them all their perfect white shirt and I styled it into three outfits for all the occasions in their lives. They are real people, with real bodies, lifestyles and budgets and I took all of those things into account while I styled them. Furthermore, I found everything at the mall at very reasonable price points and in a wide variety of sizes. If you’re interested in the details for any of the clothing just email me and I’ll happily send you a list!

Model: Kyla

Kyla has to juggle being a mommy and starting her new business (something I know a little bit about!). Her new company, ÉGAL Natural, is in the beauty industry so she needs to reflect that with a polished, pretty and creative wardrobe. She lives an urban lifestyle, living in city center with her partner and son, and loves to get out and enjoy trendy restaurants and entertainment – so I had to find her clothing that would get her all the places she needs to be in style!

Her white shirt is a soft off-white blouse from Urban Outfitters. I loved the ruffles across the bust, the pretty buttons down the back and the banding on the bottom that make it work both tucked and untucked. The ruffles help balance out a hip, but beware of giving too much volume to a chest that is already larger with this kind of detail.

Outfit 1: from a business meeting to a picnic in the park and everything in between! Belt the jacket to balance out the fuller a-line skirt, and look for this kind of silhouette if you want to balance a hip as well.

Outfit 2: Casual day at the Market, or a friend’s for a BBQ. Careful if you’re wearing a jean this flared that it doesn’t cling at the knee – this will create a mermaid silhouette that could accent your rear end more than you’d prefer…

Outfit 3: Church, garden party, brunch. This is a great way to wear a strapless dress without having to wear a strapless bra! Just a little bit of tucking and fluffing makes it look like they are all one piece.

Model: Jocelyn

My beautiful sister! She’s been away for the last four months working and researching in South America and she’s back into full time studies and teaching at the University. She leads an active outdoorsy lifestyle and much of her current wardrobe reflects that. I wanted to find pieces that would work well with what she had, and also give her some polish and urban flare. She needs clothes for going out and to give her an edge at upcoming presentations and job interviews.

Her white shirt is an easy cotton tank from Banana Republic. The burn-out texture of the jersey and the ruffles give it some sophistication and also conceals any imperfections in her figure . Also, you can see in outfit 3 that the ruffles zig-zag across the body which makes it more flattering than if they were straight horizontal lines.

Outfit 1: Weekend BBQ’s, coffee dates, shopping. The pop of colour and the texture of the flat along with the beautiful cascading front of the striped cardigan make this outfit super grown-up and beautiful. But, it really isn’t that much of a departure from a hoodie and jeans making it comfortable and chic!

Outfit 2: Academic presentations and upcoming job interviews. Though the colour palate may be monochromatic, each piece has such great detailing that the whole effect is understated, elegant and professional. Look for special details like texture, interesting seaming, structural elements and sheen to pull this look off.

Outfit 3: Trendy evening outfit for dinner and drinks out. This shows that jeans and a tank can be a polished look for evening if you add a dose of texture, colour and shine. This shrug can be worn in two ways, as a sweater or draped over the elbows for a fancier evening cover up.

Model: Caitlin

Caitlin is my trusty copy writer and book club buddy, and she’s venturing out on her own as a freelance writer! I wanted to give her some options that would create a powerful, competent and professional look. I also wanted to give her some pretty things that would work well for hot dates with her fiancé…

Her white shirt is a plain tailored oxford button down from The Gap. There’s a reason this shirt hasn’t changed much over the years, it flatters the figure and the clean lines and classic cut make it a great choice for a professional outfit.

Outfit 1: Evening business networking events, cocktails or dinner. This tuxedo jacket says all the right things: I’m on trend, I’m confident and I’m powerful! Check out where the shirt hits on her hip, this creates the right proportion on top of a skinny jean – long enough and cut closer to the body is the way to go.

Outfit 2: Business casual look. The details of this blazer make it current, creative and cute! The folded ¾ length sleeve and rounded bottom make it appear “shrunken” which makes it an updated classic. Paired with these jeans, it comes across as a suit, despite being separates, that will give her a lot of mileage in her wardrobe.

Outfit 3: For weekend walks in the park whilst whispering sweet nothings into her lover’s ear…This sweater works as outer wear despite not having a closure because we belted a heavy scarf in between. It also defines the waist and shows off her hourglass figure.

Model: Melissa

While she works in a fairly casual retail environment, Melissa needs to fit in with her downtown location. I also needed to consider that most of her current wardrobe is very casual, so I needed to incorporate a few special pieces to liven it up and give her some polish.

Her white shirt is an easy crinkled tie-back peasant blouse from Old Navy. The tie works well for Melissa because it highlights her small waist, and the longer length makes it work with leggings (a favorite for her!) as well as with jeans.

Outfit 1: Business Casual. This sweater is a great low-cost alternative to a jacket. A great strategy to balance out a larger chest is to add volume above at the shoulder, and bring the eye down with a longer length. Belting at the smallest part of her ensures that her tiny waist doesn’t get lost.

Outfit 2: Fabulous evening out on the town! These suede rose coloured booties are a great neutral for Melissa in the rest of her wardrobe. Because they are so similar to her skin tone they elongate the leg while a black heel could shorten the appearance of her legs – and longer is always leaner! This tunic is actually a little too long on her, though! To create her ideal silhouette we would make sure the hem hit just above the widest part of the hip, not on it, which both minimizes the hip and elongates the leg.

Outfit 3: Casual daytime look for the weekend. This outfit gives the impression that she is having a laid back kind of day, and a lot of that is because all of the colours are right beside each other on the colour wheel. More contrast would create a more polished look, but this is great for just hanging out – and it suits her personality perfectly.

Thank you to my models for their time, energy and bravery! They all really rocked the runway and the clothing, all while supporting me throughout my first event. Finally, many thanks to Anna Chan for the photography during the trade show and fashion show. Anna also sells products for home, beauty and life from Capture Simplicity.

Valentine’s Craft Fair

Last modified on 2011-01-26 03:04:05 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Join Houselife at the Scrapbooking Studio and Calgary Sound Rentals presentation of:

Valentine’s Craft Fair
Sunday, February 13th
9am-4pm
Free Admission
107 3009 23rd ave s.w.

Come and Enjoy free coffee, hot chocolate, samples from our vendors as well as live acoustic performances by local musicians!
Vendors participating are:

The Scrapbooking Studio: free make-and-take Valentine cards; handmade Valentines for sale

Chezzy’s Chocolates: free samples of their signature “Baileys and Cream Chocolate Hearts” and
many other hand-made chocolates for sale

Chelsea’s Custom Cakes: free samples; Valentine Fondant cupcakes and larger cakes for sale

Sybillinart by Sabine: Decoupage Artist Sabine sells her beautiful hand-made Valentines crafts

Danielle’s Candy Bouquets: Beautiful candy adorned stems in Valentines decorated vases

Second Cup on 17th Avenue: Donating the co ee and hot chocolate! We love you Second Cup!

Sandi’s Jewellery Handmade Wire Art: A ordable handmade creations for that special someone

Bev’s Baking: Hand-made cookies and brownies decorated for Valentine’s Day

Houselife Food Fashion: kitchen and fashion styling services

And many more!!! Come and enjoy!

Event Information via down loadable PDF
2011-02-13_promo