BHG Stylemaker Event NYC 2019

If you read my last post then you know how profound it is to be invited to the Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker event. Even before loving BHG myself, I remember my mother had her favorites, BHG was one of them, but of course. So to fast forward all these years later and be recognized as a Stylemaker in my field by this revered publication is beyond. This is my 6th year going and I still get butterflies before walking in.

This year felt a little different though, I’m not gonna lie. Not sure if many of you know this but I get anxiety with these sort of things. And this event is a big one. So this year I asked for a little help.

My dad was such a warm & welcoming guy and such an inspiration to me in so many ways. He went to USC on a scholarship, didn’t know a soul. He came from the “wrong side of the tracks” (his words) and in many ways felt like an impostor living this life in LA. He was by far the poorest person there (again, his words) and almost left many times because his bank account was always in the negative. Things changed when he landed a job at CBS studios. He rubbed shoulders with all the glamorous Hollywood stars of the day. There was Lana Turner, Kurt Douglas, Ronald Reagan and more. Man, did he love to tell those stories. Anyways, here is a guy who left NY for a place he had no real idea about. There was no internet, no easy way to travel and no back up plan. So you can see why he inspires me, right?

After he passed away I began to see things differently and when you go through something so painful a lovely thing called perspective gives way. When we packed up his home of 45 years to sell it, I came across boxes and boxes of memorabilia. The man kept everything. And now I have his everything.

I began to see his life unfold and told in this beautiful way, bruises in all. The realization that all these opportunities are gifts, period. That times wasted feeling nervous and not enough are just that, a waste. This might sounds crazy but I asked him to walk with me through this day. Guess what, I had no nerves, just joy and excitement. I was myself, reserved at times, not a big fan of posed pictures (as you will see) but grateful, happy and kind. I know anxiety can’t always be helped but in this case it was.

I had incredible conversations with new friends and old ones I have admired for a while. It was amazing!!

There were sessions with editors, leaders in their field and yes a celebrity. They inspired us with their creativity, determination and wit:).

Maybelline, Sleep Number, Titos, Magnum and Behr were sponsors. They had great interactive stations set up, it was fun! It was held at the Public House in NYC, an awesome hotel with an incredible view!

Love this saying below, it speaks to intuition and the power that often times you already have the answers within you.

 

Myself and Beth, pretty much the only posed picture, taken by her iPhone, ha! These pictures are from the roof top cocktail party.

Bobby Burke!!! He was hilarious and his session at the end of the day made me laugh so hard. His story was incredibly inspiring. It always nice to hear that a person such as him (so successful) has had failure and struggle too.

Stephen Orr, the editor in chief for BHG, another witty gem!!

Photo credit by David Keith.

In keeping with my dad’s story, I’ll just say I hold onto everything too. The BHG Stylemaker event went right into a memory box, along with all the others. Maybe someday, years to come I can share this event with my grand-kids.  Maybe they will even think I am cool:).

“The most beautiful things in life are not just things. They are people, places, memories and pictures. They are feelings, moments, smiles and laughter.” -author unknown.

*****************************************************

City Farmhouse and Co launches is in 4 days!!! Be sure to follow me on INSTAGRAM so you catch ALL the news!!

There will be 2 collections of pillow covers, my own line of fabrics-the Montauk Collection and the California Collection, which is vintage inspired.

The shop will open at 12pm EST on Tuesday Oct 22!!!

Have a happy Friday friends!!