After recently looking through old family folders, I realized that throughout my childhood I was raised a typical girly girl. I took ballet and violin lessons, had a best friend named Barbie, and played dress up like it was my job. Some of my earliest memories are of me trying on my mother’s clothes, and applying sloppy makeup that I was sure looked fabulous.

It’s funny how our past can resurface.

Today I would consider myself a seasoned girly girl. I still love to dance and, although I gave up playing with Barbie quite some time ago and stopped playing violin once I reached college, through much practice, I like to think I now know the tricks of the trade when it comes to applying makeup. And needless to say, dressing up in glamorous clothes continues to be a passion of mine.

You can only imagine that I was on cloud nine when I was told that I would be wearing some of Sherri Hill’s newest designs on Monday. As I slipped into one dress after another, I couldn’t help but think that five-year-old me would have been in awe by the gems, jewels, glitz, and glam that I was now experiencing.

I can only describe Sherri’s new styles as nothing less than exquisite. The extreme amount of detail and thought that clearly went into making each dress made me feel as though I was wearing a piece of art.

Both the little girl in me, and my 21-year-old self could not have been happier at that moment.

One dress in particular must have struck a chord with Sherri herself, because she asserted that I need an event to wear something sparkly to. I could not agree with her more. Since then, I have desperately been trying to find a reason to wear one of the beautiful dresses, but for the moment the girly girl in me is plenty happy with the fact that I had the opportunity to dress like a princess.

xo

Summer means vacations, weekend trips to the beach and constant traveling. As a self-professed beauty and fashion addict, I know from much first-hand experience that stuffing every necessary item into one suitcase is much harder said than done.  And the devastation that ensues from a potential eruption of a bottle of shampoo over my favorite summer dress is far more than I can handle.

Luckily, Mini Kittour has come to my rescue on several occasions with the Jet Setter, a deluxe travel train case that is more than just storage for your toiletries.  In fact, this luxurious 18-piece set kit includes a compartment for every item you might need on your trip; six leak-proof portable bottles, a 3-piece dual-ended brush set, a self-standing, double-sided magnifying mirror, a quilted passport cover, pill case, memo pad (with waterproof labels to personalize your products, of course), black sharpie mini pen and a removable key ring (charms included) are only some of the items included in this masterpiece of a traveling case.

And if that weren’t enough, there is still enough room leftover to pack other essentials, like lip gloss, jewelry, perfume or any other knick-knacks that your heart may desire.

Not only is the kit functional, but it is also extremely chic and fashionable, and comes in both Champagne and Chocolate colors so as to match the individual’s unique traveling style.

So just remember as you’re stressing about packing for your next vacation, when it comes to collecting all of your toiletries, Mini Kittour’s Jet Setter traveling case will take some of the stress off of our shoulders and compartmentalize it with the greatest of ease. You will be jetting off to a relaxing vacation in no time!

Enjoy!

xo

I can’t tell you how many times someone tells me, “why do I want a facebook page, I have so many better things to do with my time”.  Facebook when used properly can be a smart and effective tool for building a small business and its a great way to network without leaving your desk.  From a business perspective Facebook is a valuable tool that can develop a voice and a personality for both your business and you.  Posting articles of special interest to your target audience can position your Facebook page as a go-to source of information, which clients (and potential clients) really appreciate.  You can also use Facebook to post news about a new hire and their background and skills, a new product or service you are launching – and most importantly about yourself!  Have you been asked to speak at an industry event, or received an award?  All your posts can polish your brand in subtle ways.  I believe that revealing a little bit about myself and my private life is also good for my business and keep about 80% of my posts business oriented and 20% about things I like to do, a great book I am reading, a fantastic restaurant I just discovered.  You may ask why I bother revealing these types of things to a wide audience?  You never know what will catch someone’s eye or attract them to my Company and hence begins the conversation…

Blonde Thinking!  Carol A. Ientile

I know some of you think “tweeting” is a complete waste of time.  Really who cares what someone ate for breakfast, where they are, or what place they have garnered their own 15 minutes of fame at since they are the “mayor”?  Like it or not Twitter and those tweets are now part of our social culture – who did not hear about (or see) Congressman Anthony Weiner’s, well weiner!  For people who are just getting started, it‘s useful to first grasp and familiarize yourself with some of the common terminology associated with Twitter.  Here’s a look…a some popular Twitter Vocabulary…

Twitter Handle: Also known as a username. This is the name you select to represent yourself on Twitter. Its proceeded with an “@” symbol.

To Follow: To subscribe to someone‘s updates on Twitter. You do this by clicking the ―Follow‖ button on that specific person‘s Twitter page, which can be found at http://twitter.com/USERNAME. (Insert the specific person‘s username into the URL, like http://twitter.com/HubSpot). When you follow someone, their updates will be displayed on your Twitter homepage so you know what they are doing and can read their tweets.

To Follow Back: To subscribe to the updates of someone who has recently started following you. In Twitter‘s notifications settings, you can indicate whether you‘d like to receive an email alert whenever a new person follows you receive. In the email, there will be a link to that person‘s profile. By clicking the link, you can check out who they are and decide to follow them back or not. It is not required to follow everyone back, but many people like to.

Follower: A person who has subscribed to receive your updates. You can view your total number of followers on your Twitter profile page.  These are those mega numbers you hear in the media.  When Twitter first started actor Ashton Kutcher had the biggest numbers of followers – he has been uprooted – and just like in facebook with your number of friends, the amount of followers you have can help your messages receive a wider worldwide audience….but don’t worry about this now…

Update: Also known as a tweet. Each update can be no longer than 140- characters. So messages need to be short and sweet.  You can post an update in the white text box under ―What‘s Happening?‖

@Reply: A public message sent from one Twitter user to another by putting @USERNAME anywhere within the body of the tweet.

Direct Message (or DM): A private message sent from one Twitter user to another by either clicking the ―message‖ link on their profile or typing D USERNAME. Think of it as Twitter‘s version of an email/inbox.

Twitter Stream: A list of a person‘s real-time updates. Every time you post an update, it goes into your Twitter stream, which is found on your account page also at http://twitter.com/USERNAME.

Tweet-Up: An event specifically organized for Twitter users to meet up and network, usually informally.

Hashtag (#): A Twitter tagging system used to aggregate the conversation surrounding an event, topic, or theme. Hashtags can easily be created by combining a # with a word, acronym, or phrase (#WORD) and used as a tag within tweets.

Retweet (or RT): To repeat what someone else has already tweeted. People do this if someone has said something especially valuable and they want their own network to see the information too.

Example: Retweet @USERNAME: Check out this cool resource

Twitter Lists: Public lists that any Twitter user can create. Twitter Lists generate Twitter streams that include specific Twitter users.

Trending Topics: Displayed on the right-hand side of your Twitter homepage, trending topics are words, phrases, or hashtags that are popular (trending) on Twitter at a given time. These can be organized by location and are updated in real time.

Promoted Tweets: Tweets that have been supported and promoted by paid marketing efforts. Think of them as the pay-per-click of Twitter.

Happy Tweeting!  Carol A. Ientile

This is a fantastic article written by Katie Morell and posted on American Express Open Forum I could not have said it better myself..well maybe I could have..but I liked what she had to say and feel CIV would pass the test with the highest rating….my comments have been added in bold…

Think about the last great article you read. The piece may have mentioned a few products or companies—possibly prompting you to research them in more depth. Chances are, a public relations firm was behind that placement.

Editorial placements can turn into big business for companies of any size, giving organizations a credibility lacking in traditional advertisements.

If you’re looking for a PR firm, here are 10 questions to ask before signing a contract:

Do you specialize?

PR firms come in all shapes, sizes and specializations. Some are experts in travel, others in home design, and others in entertainment. It is important to find an agency that knows your business.  Yes, it is best to find an agency that knows intimately and has strong relationships with the media who cover your products and services.

“If you can work with an someone who knows your industry, there will be less of a learning curve and it can really work to your advantage,” says Jenna Oltersdorf, principal at Snackbox, a public relations and design firm in Austin, Texas. “If you can’t find someone who knows your specific industry, find someone who knows about something that parallels your industry.”  This is so important  to make sure the pr agency speaks the language of your specialty – you should not have to educate them about your product or services – the best matches are when the agency seamlessly becomes the mouthpiece for your brand – make sure when they open their mouth they know what they are talking about!

Who will be working on my account?

According to Oltersdorf, some agencies will send out their A-players to pitch, but then assign your account to another team with whom you’ve never met. It is important to meet the team/person who will be in charge of your business right off the bat.  This is a no-brainer – and why sticking to a boutique agency is best.  I personally spearhead every client account and when pitching or meeting with a media director or other senior management its me that goes to the meeting and makes the placement!

What will be your approach to promoting my product or service?

“You want to make sure your PR agency is on the same page as you are,” says Jennifer Berson, president of Jeneration PR, a public relations firm focused on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, based in Sherman Oaks, California. “You want your public relations approach to be in sync with your sales and marketing goals. Your agency needs to understand your products, competitive advantage, brand history and story.”  Partnerships are like a marriage, one always needs to know what the intentions and goals of the other partner are or neither partner will feel fulfilled  - sharing goals and successes are all part of the program…

How do you measure results?

This can be tough. Editorial placements are never guaranteed, so it is important to have a frank conversation about metrics.

According to Berson, most firms will measure ROI based on a comparable ad placement. For example, if a firm lands you a full-page story in Vogue, they may value the placement at the rate of a full-page ad in the same magazine.

“Circulation of the magazine and impressions are also important,” she adds. “That said, there are also things a firm can secure that aren’t measurable, such as brand awareness.” This is where I disagree totally…Industry metrics show that publicity is valued 3 to 4 times the comparable ad rate – which positions pr as a much more valuable tool.  Consumers today are savvy and know the difference between when a brand purchased an ad or receives coverage from a third party via publicity placement…

What is included in a typical contract?

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you are on the same page.

“Ask when they expect payment, what happens if payments are late, etc.,” Oltersdorf says.

Equally important is determining how expenses will be handled.

“Ask if your firm will charge for phone calls, packages, etc.,” suggests Berson. “Make sure there won’t be any surprises.”  Yes, all of these items are spelled out clearly in your contract and services should not be on a chinese menu of pick and choose – a good program should offer everything that is needed for one retainer that allows you to see the results you saw in their portfolio!

How much do I need to spend to achieve my goals?

Editorial placements can take time. It is very rare for a PR firm to hit the ground running and have a story appear in The New York Times two days later. Newsstand magazines can have three-to-six month lead times, turning goals into a waiting game.

Come prepared to talk about goals right away, Oltersdorf recommends.

“Tell them what you want and ask them how many hours it should take,” she suggests. “Remember, it is always okay to negotiate. Make sure to have upfront conversations about money tied to goals.”  A good seasoned publicist/pr agency would never enter into an agreement where they did not know that they would be successful – why would you want to generate bad press about your own agency – unfortunately I hear all the time about pr agents who sell a huge line of BS to get a client and don’t deliver – ask the agency’s previous clients about their integrity and standards…

What do you need from me to hit the ground running?

Before interviewing a PR firm, gather together materials that will help them do their jobs more efficiently.

“A brand needs to be ready with product samples for media outreach,” says Berson. “Also, make sure to have high-res JPEGs of your product on clean, white backgrounds. I also recommend having a press kit. If you don’t have one, ask the agency if it will help you develop one and how much it will cost.”  I agreed with everything except a press kit – chances are your expertise is not in developing press materials – thats our expertise..we create and develop every clients marketing packages and your agency should as well – pr writing is a developed accepted style and your press kit is an integral tool in getting real placements.

How often will I hear from you?

This is incredibly important. Since editorial placements can take months to secure, small business owners are wise to communicate regularly with PR firms.

“It is reasonable to hear from your agency at least once per week—just a check-in to hear what they are generally working on,” says Berson. “It is also fair to get a report once per month on placements secured from the prior month and plans for the following month.

“In addition, you should be hearing from your agency with every new opportunity when they’ve secured it.”  Right on!  Communication is key to the client/agency relationship to keep all informed of the latest – these calls and emails reveal information and sparks of ideas that can lead to the next big story…

Who else is on your client roster?

Before contacting a PR agency, check out their website for a client roster. From there, Oltersdorf recommends researching what is happening in the news with the clients listed.

“This will give you an indication of the caliber of work the agency is capable of,” she says, adding that some firms will list an outdated roster. “Ask for a list of current clients. Find out how your project will affect their workload and how you will compete for their attention.” What I would like to add here is be wary of an agency that has a long list of clients with similar products and services.  We never sign direct competitive brands or companies manufacturing the same type of goods or services.  Its hard for me to speak with the media on the merits of one client one moment and than offer the same pitch on another client the next day.

Who are your references?

“Hiring a PR firm is like hiring an employee—it is important to ask for references,” Oltersdorf says. “Always call or e-mail references. Also, look into the firm’s past clients and find out why they don’t work with the firm anymore.”  Good advice and ask both who resigned who – so many people assume the relationship ends because the client ended it –when in fact we resign more clients for not living up to what they told us than for clients leaving our agency…

Carol A. Ientile

What I love the most about owning a home and living year-round in East Hampton – is the natural environment – the ocean, the bay, the woods, the dunes, the deer – need I say more….But the desire to socialize and put my energy into things I am passionate about got me out and about in a more social animal style recently…

First there was the need to support the recently passed New York Gay Marriage laws and what better way than to attend Empire State Pride Agenda at their Annual Summer Tea Dance in Bridgehampton.  Oh what a night!  Lady Bunny spun the tunes and we danced a hot and steamy night away with the Belevedere Vodka (sponsor) reigning just as much as the men!!!!  I got to improvise on my new summer house drink the “pink pamplemousse” (2 parts pink grapefruit infused vodka (belleverdere preferred), 1 part Solerno blood orange liquor, tonic, splash of ruby red grapefruit juice and lots of fresh squeezed lime) Ah Carumba!!!  You will love this…next it was off to Sun Trust Capital’s Marc Leder’s beautiful oceanfront to boogie down to friend Karin Ward’s dance party music, cocktails and sunset – great views, a great gathering of people from all walks of life – the way to throw a really fun and not so “typical staid”  south of the highway fete…capping off another glorious weekend was the The Great Bonac Fireworks Show over Three Mile Harbor a three-decade Long Island tradition of Grucci fireworks that was spectacular.  We sailed out on a great boat, anchored, tied up with other boats to watch the sunset and the most glorious moon rise before the best ever display I had ever seen…So happy there are many more days and nights to soak in the beauty of the east end…

Carol A. Ientile

Hamptons Magazine held its annual clambake in Montauk this past weekend. I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to the Montauk Yacht Club on the warm and breezy Sunday evening to participate in my first “Hamptons event”.

Being a Chicago suburban girl, I was thoroughly enamored by this event – it was everything I imagined it would be and more. Samples of luxurious brands were generously offered throughout the night, and extravagant cars were on display to satisfy any enthusiast’s fancy. Names such as Beth Stern, Katie Lee, Cindy Barshop, and Star Jones were in attendance and mingled with other patrons. As the night progressed, guests continued to socialize, and many hit the lawn-turned-dance floor.

Besides the amazing cocktails, the beautiful location, and the great weather, I must say that the highlight of my night was meeting Dina Lohan. Yes, that is Lindsey Lohan’s mother. Needless to say, I was somewhat star struck. But despite having an uber-(in)famous daughter, Dina was extremely down to earth and revealed to us that she was suffering from a dilemma that many people endure at one or multiple times of their lives: the plight of the lost cell phone. There wasn’t much we could do to help her since she seemed thoroughly distraught (she has four kids – one of which is Lindsey – that she has to keep in touch with), so we gave her encouraging hugs and said our goodbyes.

All in all, the soiree was the type of event that I would absolutely love to experience again. The people were friendly and relaxed – who wouldn’t be with a view of the sun setting on the water as you socialize with your friends and neighbors?

xo

Daphne du Maurier and Alfred Hitchcock were on to something in the 1952 novelette-turned-horror movie, The Birds. Although the reason might not be a flock of vicious seagulls that attack an entire country, birds have certainly taken over the globe… that is, they’ve taken over the fashion world.

Feathers are not just “for the birds” anymore, Au contraire, they were a definite trend at Paris Fashion Week and the trend is going global. Just ask designers Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino or our very own Sherri Hill. Whether appealing to your wild side, channeling your inner peacock or aiming for subtlety and softness while wearing tan pheasant feathers, there undoubtedly exists a bird out there that will bring out the flying creature in us all.

Although birds might not be conspiring against the human race any time soon, feathers are certainly in style and, if you haven’t already, you can be sure to see this feather frenzy hitting stores soon.

Ninety-degree weather, kids playing in sprinklers, air conditioning blasting, beach-goers galore – no one can deny that we are at the pinnacle of summertime. And regardless of the fact that I have far too many clothes to keep track of, I always find myself staring at the heap of outfits lying on my floor, unable to decide how best to dress at times like these. There are few conditions I hate more than being sticky and sweaty, so choosing an ensemble every morning can be a process, to say the least. Yet, I am proud to say that I am well on my way to mastering the perfect summer comfort level. To do this, I’ve learned that a few things are necessary to help beat the heat: drinking an almost-uncomfortable amount of water will keep you hydrated and at a reasonable body temperature; maintaining your personal space will prevent unwanted encounters with sweaty people emitting extra heat; and, wearing the perfect summer dress will keep you aerated and, most importantly, fashionable!

I don’t know about you, but when I think summer, I think vacation. I think of the ocean, and the sun, and having time to do what I promised I would do throughout the year but barely got a chance to do – relax and have fun.  While (unnecessarily) searching to expand my wardrobe as the summer began, I was excited to find that designers must be thinking the same way I do. This summer’s dress trends cater to those interested in the island-inspired look, and floral patterns, as well as plain bold colors for those people who might be hesitant to attempt a patterned look. I would be surprised if there is not a summer style for everyone this year, and that is good news for picky shoppers like myself.

Luckily, for those of us with social lives (or for those of us who like to pretend we have them…), it is still possible to have fun in this sweltering weather while looking good doing it because Sherri Hill makes it easy to follow this summer’s latest trends. Sherri knows that every girl likes to be comfortable while still being fashionable at a cocktail party, on a date, or at any other special event. Whether it’s a long royal blue silk chiffon dress, a tropical-colored silk satin bubble dress, or a floral-print silky gown, Sherri Hill never fails to provide us with unique and jaw-dropping dresses for any occasion without abandoning the fashion-savvy woman’s desire to stay on top of ever-changing trends.

So here’s the overall lesson learned: it is not necessary to forfeit comfort (or sanity, depending on how you look at it) in this weather in order to be stylish and vice versa. As many designers, including our girl Sherri Hill, have recognized, style and comfort can go hand-in-hand.

This realization has really been an enlightening experience for me. For that reason I have made an important decision: if this weather keeps up, it’ll mean that I’m going to need more dresses. Shopping trip, anyone? I mean, my bank account might not be thrilled, but it’s the only way to beat the heat, right?

ATTENTION: It’s summer time Ladies And you know what that means, it’s time to look bronze and beautiful! Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with gorgeous, glowing skin naturally, but have no fear!

Addiction NV Cosmetics to the rescue! Addiction NV’s tinted moisturizer “Life’s a Beach” is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and no I am not just saying that. Being the makeup addict that I am, I do not take beauty matters lightly at all! There is nothing worse than a full-on heavy face of foundation in the summer. It’s hot out there and sweat does not mix well with caked on foundation.

So what’s a girl to do? We want a clear, glowing, bronzed complexion, yet, do not, I repeat DO NOT, want to look as if we have put on a mask to hide our flaws. Addiction NV’s “Life’s a Beach” will give you the coverage you want, moisture you need and glow you crave! This naturally sheer, ultra-hydrating formula gives you that beautiful hint of tint, creating a dewy, sunny glow so signature of those California Girls! And it’s even SPF 20!

“Life’s a Beach” contains Addiction NV’s signature Natural High, a fusion of natural skin-loving extracts. Natural High blends Panax Ginseng Extract, an ancient Chinese herb that refreshes and tones tired skin; Olive Leaf Extract, an anti-oxidant rich moisturizer that combats acne and inflammation; and emollient, soothing Chamomile Extract. And it’s available in six fabulous shades to suit the fairest to the darkest skin tones!

This is a guaranteed summer 2011 must-have in my makeup bag!