I spent an amazing weekend at SPARK Sessions, Toronto’s first Fashion & Beauty Blogger conference.
 |
| With TOBeautyReviews, CrazyStyleLove, ChicDarling, DaintyGirl, RockThatLook, MyFashAvenue & SummerXSkin |
I met SO many people – from bloggers I had admired from afar, to key PR and Brand representatives. With our shared passion for fashion and beauty, it was such a pleasure chatting with everyone!
 |
| Closing Keynote with LaineyGossip!!! |
The panels were so comprehensive and informative. Top bloggers and industry insiders provided numerous tips to help navigate the constantly evolving world of blogging. Topics ranged from ‘How to monetize your blog?’ (banner ads, affiliate links & sponsored posts) and ‘How to find a brand’s PR contact?’ (google “company name+press release”) to unwritten rules, expectations and etiquette.
I really enjoyed the location and set-up of the event – there was a lot of attention to detail and everything looked so chic and glam. After the panels ended on the first day, the venue was transformed into “Speed-Dating” tables with Brands and PR companies – we got the opportunity to network and make valuable industry connections!
Almay (one of the title sponsors of the event) were SO generous – each attendee got to choose a makeup kit personalized just for them – including foundation, blush, mascara, eyeshadow and lipbalm. I’m already enamored with my Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm (in Just Plum) – and I can’t wait to try the Smart Shade Blush (in Coral).
SMART SET (another event sponsor) challenged us to #StyleLikeSwag and create a look from their clothing racks. We uploaded our final looks to Instagram for the chance to win the outfit we styled (and a duplicate to give away to one of our followers!). I’m in love with the pieces I styled – especially the drape-front blouse and the sequined camisole top – they’re both SO me!
We left the event with AMAZING gift bags – including jewelry, skincare, makeup AND giftcards to clothing stores. The swag bag alone more than covered the ticket cost of the event!
Here are my event OOTDs – wearing all-black is a rare occurrence for me, but since I ended up helping with registration at the event, I followed the volunteer dress code!
 |
| ZARA necklace, Old Navy Cardigan, Tights & Boots, Dynamite Lace Dress |
 |
| Ily Couture Necklace (similar), Old Navy Sweater & Flats (similar), Garage Jeggings and GAP clutch (similar) |
If you’re in the Toronto area and looking for insider tips to take your blog to the next level, I would highly recommend attending this event – follow @sparksessions on twitter to be the first to find out about future events – tickets sold out early this year and it’s not something you’d want to miss out on! And for ALL bloggers, scroll down the #sparksessions feed on twitter for tips that were livetweeted during the event – it’s the next best thing to attending the event itself!
Wow, everything looks incredible! I really need to try almay, as it's a brand I've never tapped into before! Please do reviews Ella! And you looked fab of course 🙂
Yes – I'll definitely review the rest of the Almay products – this lip balm feels amazing – so soothing and such a pretty color too, I've been wearing it all day!
I love the ensemble you put together from Smart Set! The conference sounds really interesting and informative- good to hear that it was well worth your time!On the Daily Express
Thanks – it really was an amazing conference – I loved every aspect of it 🙂
So glad you had fun … You already know how sad I was to miss this 🙁
I'm so sad too – hope everyone's feeling better!
Thanks for this post Lady! Glad you enjoyed your weekend at Spark Sessions!xoDeanne Castrohttp://ellaprettyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/attending-spark-sessions-torontos-1st.html?m=1
Thanks Deanne – I'm so glad I got to meet you 🙂
Such an amazing event! You look radiant and what an awesome swag bag!
Thanks sweetie! The swag bag was unexpected and unreal…am especially excited about the clothing gift cards – time for some shopping 🙂
Im not a blogger just a reader, you are one of my favorite blogs because you seem down to earth and honest on top of being a fashion/product junkie like myself 🙂 I trust your reviews as opposed to other blogger's persuaded reviews despite what they claim. But I just wanted to say that if I am on a site that takes too load or is slow to navigate because of ads, that I do not bother with them at all. And a website with too many ads, just seems insincere and again, I dont revisit them. Just putting my two cents in!
Thanks so much for your comment! Being open and maintaining my integrity is SO important to me – I always think of my friends and family when I'm writing my posts – if it's not something I am excited about in person, then there is no way I could recommend it on my blog :-)I agree, ads interfering with reading a blog can be very annoying – for me personally, I steer away from ones with pop-ups or with embedded videos – I like my blog-reading to be a peaceful experience!
The event looked like fun! Love your outfits, beautiful and classy.