InStyle's Best Dressed at the Grammys

source: cnn.com

All eyes were on Lady Gaga at this year's Grammys and, as expected, pop's newest sensation pulled off something most unexpected: a partnership with the last designer anyone would ever have dreamed of pairing her with -- Giorgio Armani.

In fact, the self-installed Queen of the Fame Monsters, whose crystal-shard-in-your-face stage antics are as deliberately avant-garde as they are rivetingly entertaining, was outfitted not once, but three times in out-of-this-galaxy Swarovski-drenched outfits by the venerable white-haired lion of Milan.

To Read more click link (INSTYLE's BEST DRESSED AT THE GRAMMYS)

To see Gaga live check out the video below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7CrIvrikFU

Golden Globe Trends: How real people can benefit!

Come on, we all watched it... the Golden Globes, like it or not, predicts the trends consumers will crave for the next few months.

So besides the crazy cleavages that many celebs did not hesitate to bare (umm, Mariah you know what I am talking about!) mostly the Globes inspires our color choices and elements of design.

Top 3 trends

1. Neutrals

As seen by many celebs its okay to be neutral/sheer. It's sexy without baring it all.

How can real people follow this trend?

Its about simplicity with intricate fabrics, shapes and design.

2. Colorize your accessories

Check out Courtney Cox's and Julianne Moore's gorgeous earrings (I think they are the almost same, whose getting fired over that one!)

Both ladies are dressed in black, but know how that color and $100,000 earrings (or more) can truly make an outfit.

Real people can follow this trend?

Add pops of color to their wardrobe with pops of color in their bags, purses, shoes, scarves and jewelry.

3. Be unique

No celeb would be caught dead wearing the same dress as another leading lady. Have fun with fashion and give your wardrobe a touch of you. These celebs look like no one else and have embodied fashion in way that relates to their personalities.

How can real people follow this trend?

Be yourself and have fun with color and fashion.

Kiss and Make Up meets the Rainbow.

Melissa Beth's cosmetic cases are the cutest they have ever been (if I do say so myself!).

Check out our new limited colors and prints this holiday season.

Want all 3 of our signature styles? No prob- we will even give you a DEAL!

Our "Bags in a Box' Allows includes a Kiss and Make Up Case and a 'Don't Leave me Hangin' hanging traveler AND a jewelry roll for FREE.

What's great is that you can mix and match the colors with our Bags in a Box set.

Packaged in a cute box- this is the perfect prezzie for any product junkie.

My favorite colors: Seafoam, Tropical Teal and Hot pink.

Melissa Beth Pop Up Shop in New York

On a mission to conquer the boring bag world, Melissa Beth has a great pop-up shop this holiday season in New York City.

Stop by Bryant Park, K13 (40th in between 5th and 6th), from November 6th- January 3rd and check out our latest designs (some of which are not even on the website yet)!!

Bryant Park has a magical shopping market, FREE skating rink and 40 foot christmas tree that will make your holiday season and shopping magical!

Trade Shows: How to Survive and How to Succeed

Part of my business includes doing wholesale and retail trade shows. 

It seems glamourous that I am able to travel around to exhibit my products in cool cities and meet interesting people.  Sometimes it can be, however, getting everything together to display our beautiful bags can be exhausting.   Anyone that has been to a trade show on the vendor side will agree with me here, setting up the booth and breaking it down is ALWAYS the worst part!!!  

Even if you don't have a lot to display or pack up- set up and tear down sucks!!   I do not pack light, so you can imagine the time it takes to create a beautiful booth-especially when I am the one with the drill doing most of the manual labour :)

Here are some pics of how my booth arrives, what it looks like displayed and what happens when you are not careful when using an exacto knife.  

Some tips for successful trade shows:

1. Try and stay focused on your budget, design and overall sales goals.

2. Think long-term and follow up with the customers you meet.

3. Network with fellow vendors.  The information you share can be really valuable.

4. Hire help to assist you with sales, set up and tear down.

5. Take advantage of the city you are in.  It shouldn't be all work and no play! 

Sorry for the lame pictures they are from my blackberry!

And, FYI, my finger will be okay! 

Gimme 5.. ways to get inspired

Five Easy Ways to Stay (or Get) Inspired.

1.  Hang out with people who are energized and are excited about what they do.  Trust me-their enthusiasm will rub off on you.    You may even find you can share ideas and help each other.

2.  Draw upon nature for inspiration in your designs, colors and patterns.  You will be amazed at what you see if you just take a closer look.   

3. Make a plan.   Maybe its been a while since you made a plan for yourself.  Write down your goals and what you would like to achieve.  You will naturally be inclined to achieve your goals if you put them down on paper and hold yourself accountable.

4.  Travel.   You don't have to go far- but if you can, do it.      You will naturally be inspired by the people, culture and landscape.   One of our new neoprene laptop sleeve prints (which will fit 10.2" netbooks, available this August) was inspired from this window in India.

5.  Review.  It's time to look at your accomplishments and praise yourself.    It's easy to push yourself down sometimes, so now its time to be your very own cheerleader and pull yourself up.  If you can see how far you have come and what you have achieved it will motivate you to keep moving forward. 

Graduation Gifts for Tech Savvy Fashionistas

So your little girl is graduating high school, college, university, post grad or elementary school. These days she is so into her laptop, facebook, twitter and anything technology related you wonder if you will ever be able to relate to her.

Well, here are five sure fire ways to not only relate to your tech savvy gal, but also get her a graduation gift she will love to bits.   Grads- you can thank us later! 

1. The new iphone  What young lady wouldn't love the new iphone? You might even want one for yourself! There are so many new cool applications that will make your young lady's life a lot easier at the touch of a button! You can even track her whereabouts at all times through google mobile friend tracker if you have one too!

2. Netbook Now that your graduated girl is moving up the ladder in life she will clearly need to be connected. Technologically connected that is. It's no surprise that these cute light weight netbooks (mini 8"-10.2" laptops) are the fastest growing area in computers.  There has been evidence to suggest that females are noted as heavier users of laptops than their male counterparts. So of course, any gal, at any age would jump at the chance to own a light weight, easy to carry laptop.  I think Toshiba is even making them in pink.

3. Laptop Sleeve Now that your girly grad is fully understanding her laptop why not keep her laptop pretty protected with a feminine laptop sleeve . Be sure to get one that has ample foam protection and reflects her feminine side.  Check out our luxe laptop sleeves and velour laptop sleeves.   Need a netbook laptop sleeve?  Not to worry- check back with us in August (or email us to pre-order) when our new pretty printed neoprene netbook laptop sleeves will be available. 

4. Skype Credits So is your graduated darling leaving town? Nervous she wont call you? One of the best and most affordable ways to keep in touch is through Skype. You can video conference through your computer for free once you have account. Okay, so you may be "old-school" and prefer a typical phone call. Buy her some skype credits and she will be able to call you from her computer for much less than using a regular phone. And since most parents help out with the bills these days for college kids- you will be able to save a little and stay connected?!

5. Still can't decide?  How about a gift card to her favorite mall or online store. She will be able to buy anything she likes and it will save you a trip because you wont have to do a return.

Good luck gift givers.   

Don't stress to much- it's the thought that counts!

Where in the world is your Melissa Beth bag?

I recently traveled to Nepal and India with my husband and had the most wonderful experience.   

As I was looking through our photos I noticed my favorite Melissa Beth bags in almost every shot.

This inspired me to start a new contest on our blog called "Where in the world is your Melissa Beth bag?".   

Send your favorite photos to us at sales@melissabeth.com and if your picture is selected you could win $100.00 gift card to our online store.   We will post the winners pictures online. There is no limit to how many pictures you can submit and we will select winners until the end of 2009.

Check out some of my pictures from Nepal & India below.   

#1

Amer Fort, Jaipur India

(Don't Slouch bag)

#2

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

(Grey Don't Slouch Bag)

#3

Golden Temple, Amritsar India

(Grey Don't Slouch Bag)

#4

Namache Bazaar, Nepal 

(Eggplant Weekend Bag)

#5

Chitwan National Park, Nepal

(Chocolate Brown Belt it Out Bag)

Send us your best travel pics! 

Sushi Anyone?

If you like sushi as much as I do... (mmm.. is it too early in the morning to order some spicy tuna rolls?), you may be interested to learn how Chef Nobu built his sushi Empire. He survived "fire and bankruptcy on the route the culinary independence".

Click on the highlighted link below for the full article.

By Nobu Matsuhisa, as told to Maggie Overfelt

CNN: Money  How Chef Nobu built his sushi empire

I don't fit neatly into one category

I don't fit neatly into one category.   But who does?! 

I have had this blog domain for weeks now and I've been thinking about the best way to use a blog on melissabeth.com.    I have zillions of posts (and by zillions I mean 8) sitting in my draft file waiting to be posted.  But, I've been too scared to make the wrong blog category choice.    Those of you who know me well know I am sometimes slow when it comes to making a decision.

I've himmed and haaahed about whether my blog should be about fashion, style, only melissa beth designs topics, laptop bags, technology, bags in general, inspirational businesses and the list goes on and on...

But today I have made my choice.  As the sole writer of the blog (for now).   The blog will be about all of the above.    Everything that interests me, my likes and dislikes.    Ultimately, I think this is what will make my blog interesting.   I am not only interested in fashion or talking about my amazing Melissa Beth Designs products.

I love business, beauty products, bags and traveling.   I am a mild tv-aholic with a lot of thoughtful insight into the world of LOST and other amazing reality tv shows.    I am a young woman who started a business at the age of 23 and now, 5 years later, is faced with the challenges of growing a business in a sour economy.

Maybe I am about to commit blog-suicide, or maybe I am a blog genius and I just coined a new word.  But, I, much like my business Melissa Beth Designs, fit into many categories.   

My blog will offer insight into not only the coolest fashion finds and beauty products but also provide business and life lessons as I experience them.