| BY RAQUEL RINGGOLD |

Lights. Camera. Action.



A few days ago I was invited to come visit and tour around the ABC/Disney Studios on the Upper West Side. As soon as I saw the World News Tonight set, I had to sit in the desk and pretend to report the news. It felt pretty good if I do say so myself. It was amazing to see how much technology controls the entire studio allowing there to be a very small staff. I pictured a ton of employees and cameramen running around, but there was none of that whatsoever. Seeing all of the correspondents dressing rooms and the control room was so surreal. I could imagine my favorite celebrities sitting the the guest star rooms or in front of the green screen. 

Who knows? Maybe one day I'll be on your TV screen reciting "This is Raquel reporting live on ABC News!"

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When You Lose a Stiletto...




In the dire situation of loosing just one beautiful almond, six-inch, chunky heel stiletto, just save yourself the agony and buy a new pair. That's what happened to me after a photoshoot in SoHo in the fall leaves where I must have left the right heel. My face was priceless when I got home that night and I realized that I only had one shoe in my garment suitcase. Anyway, the next day I went back to the store to re-purchase the shoes once again and it wasn't on sale this time which was such a bummer. The moral of that story is don't dwell on the problem because that only adds stress. The easiest thing to do is find the easiest solution that will satisfy you. There are much greater issues, so just make the small obstacles stress-free and let it go. The rest of the day? Don't worry, it was so much better! I can't wait to see some of the shots for my new comp cards.

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You're Invited



Cosmetic Fall Fashion Week is almost here and I am so excited! I wanted to personally invite all of my readers in the New York/New Jersey tri-state to the Beauty Trend Show at Nordstrom Garden State Plaza on November 7. Bring all of your friends because this is the place to be!

I am sure you have heard about the bi-annual show that brings in thousands of customers and many celebrities (including celebrity nail artist, Jin Soon!) to hear every top cosmetic company reveal fall's top beauty trends. The schedule is packed with classes, free one-on-one services with NYFW pro-stylists, consultations, and freebies all day long. Don't worry, they will give you a free Nordstrom tote bag to carry all of your goodies!

Your spot must be reserved for this show, so contact me directly if you want to be part of this exclusive event. Tickets are only $20 each and your ticket is a Nordstrom Beauty department gift card, so it is redeemable to shop! Doors are going to open as early 7:30am and the shows begin at 8am. XOXO 


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Walk Fashion Show at NYFW



I'm back with really fun show I was invited to during NYFW. I headed to Chelsea to the show location at Studio Arte. Once again I was on doing great on time and was there a little early, so I sat next door in Starbucks for a bit to hide from the rain and check on social media. I eventually went over and the crowd started to form. The show took a little while to begin, but it was very very interesting. They show featured many designers with all types of styles. I saw everything from classic garments to totally Lady Gaga inspired! It was lots of talent and entertainment in one show. Two of the designers even got engaged at the show. You have to love NYFW! 
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NYFW: Oxford Collections

I've seriously been anxious to post because it has been way too long. Like I actually feel deprived of blogging. Since school started, I have been having super long days and not enough sleep. That didn't stop me at all from heading to NYFW though and obsessing over everything for SS16. I have a lot to share in my upcoming posts since so much has been happening in many aspects. 

Day 1 started out with a Chanel pop-up event I was invited to featuring their new Boy.Friend watch. The event was very Chanel and they had super cute entertainment like photobooths and selfie zones. 


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First Meeting as a Fashion Ambassador




Like promised before I wanted to do a quick post sharing a little bit about my first meeting as a Fashion Ambassador for Nordstrom. We got to met our awesome director and learn all about the perks that we get as an Ambassador. I feel so blessed to be part of such a prestigious group of young and hard-working fashionistas. There are many expectations for us to follow in order to be a good example as the next generation taking over the fashion industry.

We got to discuss the influences of social media and how it effects the way we dress. I think this concept is huge because we are all using social media not only for fun, but for school and work also! Whenever a clothing item or accessory is trending we instantly know about it because we saw it on Instagram already. We are really shaping the world!
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Off to the Races




I'm still too young to officially make bets, but I did give my parents some good pointers of which horses I thought were going to take the lead. I'm new to the racing world, so my main method was just picking out the horses with the coolest names! Luckily we did end up winning a couple times. 

Saratoga Race Track is a great mini summer getaway because it has three of my favorite things: stylish fashion, great food, and horses! I love going to cool towns with even cooler people and this is one of those places. 
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Giveaway: Firmoo Eyeglasses-CLOSED

It is definitely time for a back to school giveaway, so here we go! A few months ago I reviewed a pair of prescription glasses from the #1 online eyeglass store, Firmoo. They are actually the best quality glasses I've ever owned! 

Their website is full of every style of frames and you can virtually try them on the website by uploading a selfie. Online eyeglass shopping is so convenient and that is why I am so excited to be doing this giveaway for you. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Even if you don't wear glasses, feel free to enter and you can rock some non-prescription frames for a fun accessory!

What you will win: A free pair of Firmoo eyeglasses with any frames you chose from the special blogger collection. They are standard prescription 1.50 index single vision lenses with free shipping, of course! You can get fancy and upgrade lenses (ex: bifocal or progressive) or special add-ons for a extra fee.

Rules: This contest currently limited to the US only. This contest ends August 24th, 2015. Good luck my dolls :)



a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Auto Immune Metro Style Fashion Show

A special message from the owner behind the fashion show and CEO/founder of Sabre' INC: "I Sabre’ Thank you for your time and consideration. My goal and mission is to share my remarkable story to the world. Auto Immune Metro Style means a lot to me, and the people around the world who suffer, from an auto immune disease. I am trying to make a difference, with the help of great and knowledgeable peers … I am delighted to say I will be able to announce and spread the word as I have been doing for the Last 7 Years!  I will overcome my fear and deliver a testimony like no other as I unveil that I to, have an Auto immune disease, called "Graves”.  If I can put a smile on a child’s face for one moment, erasing the memory of being stuck … Or give that Special Child a toy, or a friend a hug, speak with Congress, research cures I will search high and travel low to make a difference until God calls me home!"



Saturday I was in Midtown Manhattan attending the Auto Immune Metro Style Fashion Show. This show was nothing like any other fashion show I attended in the past. It not only had some of the best children fashions I've ever seen, but I became more aware about the importance of finding a cure for auto immune diseases. 

From the hilarious hosts to the talented performers, I really enjoyed this one. I also won a charm bracelet from The Glitzy Girl which I am loving. I bought five new charms for it already!  

While I was there I even got to meet a ton of amazing people including Madeline Stuart, the beautiful teen model with down syndrome. She is a social media superstar and this girl is going far! 
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Showroom to Showroom

Our tour by one of the merchandisers at Saks 5th Ave...





For two days this week, I attended a fab fashion workshop with Berkeley College. The first day we all headed into the city and went to NES Jewelry and learned about the showroom and marketing. It was pure bliss with accessories everywhere! Next up was One Jeanswear Group that has leading brands that covers all types of fashion demographics. Many of the different workers spoke about what they specifically do and the daily roles they play in the industry. We even had the honor to listen to the CEO himself!

The second day was a blast and we spent it at Saks 5th Ave (which has always been one of my favorite places). Our fantastic tour guide, John, lead us through all 10 floors of the store and explained the reasoning for the store arrangement, the history, and some of their merchandising techniques. 
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Preoccupied in '99

Photography by Falcone Reale
Hair by Nikki Latty
Makeup by Maria Dutcavich

Here is a little sneak peak of my last photoshoot where I decided to embrace my inner spirit of being a 90s baby. I rocked a high hairstyle and a comfy vintage Calvin Klein shift dress. I also found this vintage bag while thrifting with my mom to give the final touch. Have a great weekend beauties!
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Visiting Cosmo




Sorry I have been a little M.I.A. these past days. I have a totally acceptable reason though! I have been studying precollege fashion journalism at F.I.T. for the past few days. I can't even explain the amount of things I have been studying and learning. 

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Huge Announcement!

I'm so happy that the big news is official so I can share it with you! Last month I got chosen for an interview to become part of the Nordstrom Fashion Ambassador program. This program is for high school juniors and seniors who adore fashion. You get to learn about the industry and attend special events while even becoming an influence for the insiders at Nordstrom. 

I went to the store for an interview and got to chat with a few of the other girls. Everyone had the same love for fashion and we had so much in common! For the interview we had to create a fashion project that showcases what we have to offer for the board. I decided to use the blog since it's a full reflection of myself and everything I love. The interview itself was great and I was asked different questions about my community service and reasons why being on the board would be beneficial to me. 

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#GIRLBOSS

So if you haven't read #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso (A.K.A. the amazing genius founder/CEO of Nasty Gal), you MUST add it to your summer reading list. Add it right this second and make it number one! I am a book worm at heart, but if you aren't just trust me because this book will have you crying, laughing, and everything in between. Sophia is not only a legendary #GIRLBOSS, but she made a path for herself the non-traditional way. She never planned to have a huge corporation, it basically found its way into her arms as she was doing what she enjoyed. 

Sophia grew up as a totally rad girl that grew up not fitting in (I'm sure many of us know that story!). She didn't bother with college and went from job to job, even stealing at some points. One day she created an eBay store that she named Nasty Gal. Eventually she ended up getting kicked off the site and she made her own online shop. Lets just say that the rest is history and Sophia has taken the fashion world by storm.
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Get to Know Marist Senior Designers

I am sure you can tell that I adore the Marist Fashion program based off of my last posts about them! If you missed it, click here to see behind the scenes of their fashion department and click here to get the scoop all about the Silver Needle Runway & Awards 2015. It was great having the chance to interview five of their gifted senior designers from the program. Learning about the ladies inspiration for their collections helped me understand the meaning to their designs as I watched them come to life on the runway earlier this month. 

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Iris Apfel



Credit: The Talks

Lately I've been obsessed with fashion documentaries as seen in one of my latest posts about Dior and I. I went back to The Moviehouse in Millerton with one of my besties to see the latest flick, Iris. This film follows Iris Apfel who is the fashion icon. She is 93 years old and still rocking her style down the streets of NYC. It is seriously amazing how talented and fabuluxe she is. From being an interior designer, Iris has an art and fashion collection that is beyond words. She even had an exhibition based off of her at The Met back in 2005. Iris defines the true meaning of fashion and she remains a huge icon with her witty and genuine personality (also her iconic glasses!). There is no one else to compare to Mrs. Apfel. She is certainly a #GirlBoss!

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My Baking Box


I am no pro chef, but I have always loved being in the kitchen. I'm pretty sure always using my Easy Bake Oven as a kid sparked my baking habits. I currently have a few dishes and pastries that I excel at making besides my favorite ready-to-bake cookie dough. Knowing me, I'm always up for a new challenge and I found a great new way to do so. Sometimes I want to try something new, but I don't know where to begin. My Baking Box solved my problems and I couldn't be happier that I got the chance to work with them to review this.
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Wisdom from DVF


I have always adored Diane von Furstenberg and her extensive wisdom. A few of the things you can identify her as is: former royalty (still royalty in my mind), president of the CFDA, queen of the fashion world, feminine icon, and the best reality TV show star (House of DVF has kept me up forever at night!). This week one of my besties and I went to the beautiful New York Public Library for an amazing event where she discussed her life and career. We checked in and got seats right in front of the stage! The author Rhonda Garelick who wrote Mademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History, was also on the panel. 


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Sebamed




With summer edging from around the corner something that I think is extremely important is skincare. Most people conclude that the only thing necessary for a nice body is a toned waistline. I think that healthy, radiant skin is even better though. Recently I have been so pleased using a dermatologist formulated skincare line line. Thank you Sebamed for gifting me two awesome products that I've been testing out over the past weeks! 
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Chroma Stationary


One huge obsession of mine is stationary. Not only is it practical, but it's super cute! I've always carried little notebooks and journals around for fun ever since I can remember. I'm that girl who always gets excited for school supply shopping each year to make sure that I have certain notebooks. Also being a blogger, it is important to jot down new ideas, sketches, scheduling, and information at all times. 
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Teen Vogue Handbook

A couple of weeks ago I won a Teen Vogue essay contest and received their Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion. Being a faithful reader of the magazine forever, I was so happy. This is their brand new updated edition and I was super excited when I got the email from the headquarters stating that I won a copy! Getting a glimpse about all of the amazing fields in fashion is extremely interesting. It covers careers such as: designers, editors, digital media, stylists, models, beauty artists, photographers, and more!
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Flo Accessories


When traveling I like to be as compact as possible, even though I probably still bring too much with me. Hey, it's better to be safe than sorry! No matter if I am flying somewhere or just heading out for a day trip, I am always ready with quality essentials. I teamed up with Flo Accessories to try two of their on-the-go products. Before reviewing these products, I was familiar with the company from seeing their items retailing in Ulta and Sephora. They are highly reputable which made me super excited to see what they have to offer!


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The Battle of Versailles at F.I.T.


Last night I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC for their Fashion Culture Book Signing on The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History. This is written by Robin Givhan, a Pulitzer Prize winner for Criticism. I had the amazing chance to have her autograph my copy and speak to her for a bit after the show concluded. I am so excited to begin to read the book after hearing Robin illustrate the event in its entirety. 

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How to Prepare for the Hudson Valley Parent Magazine Cover Kid Event

If you live in the Hudson Valley and know someone between 6 months and 16 years wanting to break into the acting or modeling industry, the Cover Kid contest on April 19th at the Newburgh Mall is calling them. I am a former Hudson Valley Cover Kid and this contest gave me the skills needed to keep striving for what I wanted in the industry. I am currently an agency signed model and Miss Dutchess County Teen 2015 all at the tender age of 16!
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Behind the Scenes with Marist Fashion


One day this week, I got to experience the college life and go to Marist College for the day. Marist is known for being a high tier school with fantastic teams, majors, and of course, its Fashion Program. Every year people near and far wait for the huge annual Silver Needle Runway Show. Extremely talented student designers spend long hours creating gorgeous collections to display on the runway. I was invited to attend one of their lookbook photoshoots and I had the opportunity to learn about the program, speak with a few of the designers, and even shop around the campus store, Fashionology. 
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The Start of a LiLash~LiBrow Journey

Who doesn't obsess over long lashes and perfect brows? I literally think that it has taken over the beauty industry for 2015. Personally I am lucky to have pretty long and full brows. Genetics plays a role for sure along with a good lifestyle, healthy eating, exercise, and taking daily vitamins. In all honesty though, volume is somewhat harder to come by. I guess that is the whole concept of just wearing mascara, fiber lashes, or falsies, but there is nothing better than just having them naturally. 




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Winter Gala Art Showcase

Yesterday evening I was invited to attend an art and live music exhibition at Teran Studio in Newburgh, New York. I totally fell in love with how the art was composed by the artists, with some being constructed of the most clever materials. Studying each piece tells such a distinct story and some even have hidden illusions if you look close enough. There is something great about a piece that just stands out from the rest due to the motivation behind it. The attention to detailing in particular also adds a unique touch. Isn't visual art something else?  



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NYFW: Blogger Packing Essentials

Guess what is two weeks away? Guess what is coming our way? Must be NYFW, Must be NYFW, Must be NYFW.....

The best time of the year is almost upon us and as glamorous as it may appear, the preparation can be stressful if you do not organize yourself ahead of time. You will be busy enough heading to shows, attending events, meeting new people, and posting all day, so the last thing needed is a migraine from a heavy Louis on your shoulder! Packing your bag before hand is great and will help you prepare faster during the week in the morning. This will guarantee that you will have a smooth running day. The way to have a successful NYFW is all survival of the fittest: come prepared, pumped, and professional.

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Life Lessons from a Pageant Girl



Well sorry I have been completely MIA for a a good bit of the month. This month was my state's teen pageant and I competed. It took months of preparation, but it had to be one of the best weekends on my life. I did not win the pageant, but I do get to continue to represent my regional area as a local titleholder. The amount of friendships that I have made in one weekend is amazing and I am so excited to go back. I had done a few other pageants in the past, but this has to be the biggest one that I have done so far. Pageants can be extremely misunderstood due to all of what the media puts out, but trust me, there are many types of pageants. I promise you that over 95% of pageant systems require a certain presentable eloquence and the ability to be articulate while being confidently beautiful at the same time. It is all about radiating from the inside, out. There are many lessons learned that apply to everyday life such as:


  1. When all goes wrong, keep your head up and smile. It does not matter if your shoe broke, you fell on the stage, or completely forgot your name. You must learn that in tough situations, you must fix your problem quickly and remember the show must go on.
  2. There will always be undercover competition. You honestly can never tell which amazing girl will win. Every judge is looking for something different and there are too many factors to guess. You are your only competition because you can't predict others outcomes!
  3. Enhance, do not cover. You can only go but so far by covering your true self up! At the end of the day, your true colors will show so be yourself. Trust me, perfect is out. People like quirky talents and fun facts about yourself!
  4. You can help others without doing huge deeds. One extremely important thing I learned is being under pressure. Something as simple as helping a girl who is already in a gown and needs help to fix her shoe can be a huge help. Maybe a quick hairspray assistance perhaps? Every little deed means a lot when you need a hand.
  5. Working with all sorts of people. In life you will deal with everyone! In different stressful situations people have many reactions to nerves- they may laugh it off, become defensive, or stay quiet. Who knows? Learning how to help the people around you and learn to work together is the most important lesson.
  6. Confidence isn't a choice, it's a requirement. The point of growth in pageants is confidence. You must be able to feel good within yourself before you have the full potential to change others lives. 
I truly recommend pageants to any girl wanting to try something different. They are truly life changing and you will learn so much about yourself while preparing. It is currently Miss Universe season as tonight is the preliminaries competition and this weekend will be the finals. Make sure you tune in the Miss Universe pageant this weekend! xoxo
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