Cocktails and Cuisine on the Patio - Rochester Blogger Network Launch

One week ago today, over forty local bloggers and writers gathered at Napa Wood Fired Pizzeria in the South Wedge to celebrate the launch of the Rochester Blogger Network.  Guests mingled, sipped signature cocktails, and were treated to an exclusive tasting menu created especially for the event.  

The energy on the patio was electrifying - so much local talent in one space.  I loved getting to know all of the bloggers and hear about the different genres and topics that Rochester writers are exploring.  From local happenings to fashion and parenting, to social commentary and tech, there was such a variety of interests represented.  What a great night!

Rochester Blogger Network Co-Founders:  Amy Riposo and Jennifer Sanzo

View More Photos from the Event Here.

To be able to bring together so many unique voices with so many important things to say was not only inspiring, but humbling as well.  The future is looking awfully bright:  there are so many great things in the works for the Rochester Blogger Network.  This is only the beginning!

As I sit here looking at these photos and thinking back to last week, all I can tell you is that I feel blessed beyond measure, giddy with anticipation for the future, and grateful to be a part of such an amazing community of writers!

I love this city!

Thanks to everyone who came out and for all of your support!

xoxo

Jenny
The Flower City Fashionista

The Rochester Blogger Network is the collaborative effort of Amy Riposo (Rochester A-List) and Jennifer Sanzo (The Flower City Fashionista) and is a place for local writers, bloggers, and businesses to connect and form creative partnerships. Members will receive advance access and discounts to educational seminars, networking events, and inclusion in our directory of blogs in the Rochester, New York Area.  Interested in joining?  Want more information or a gauranteed invite to our next event?  Email your name, blog url, and topic to bloggerhh@rochesteralist.com.

Sewn Seeds - Some of the Best of Rochester

On Saturday, Amy Riposo, owner of Rochester A-List and I were prepped by Allora Salon and Spa's beauty team for Shop Peppermint's Sewn Seeds fashion show.  Our celeb-worthy beauty treatments included gel manicures with Kaitlyn, blow outs with Danielle, and makeup with Erin.  They really rolled out the red carpet for us, and come highly recommended.  Allora rocks!

Here we are all done up at Sewn Seeds:

Ms Amy Riposo
Owner of Rochester A-list

Wearing: skirt and necklace from Shop Peppermint, shirt from Marshalls, 

earrings from Loehmann’s NYC, and Chan Luu bracelet from Mann’s Jewellers

Me
The Flower City Fashionista
Rochester A-List Fashion and Beauty Blogger
Get my outfit details here.

The show was a fantastic collaboration that showcased some of Rochester's best talent.  It demonstrated the high caliber design and style lurking right in our own back yards.  Paris, Milan, New York, and now Rochester?  Okay, maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but why can't we be a hub of fashion, style, and design?  Shouldn't we pride ourselves in being a city that values creativity, craftsmanship, and the entrepreneurial spirit?  A city that supports its local fashion and art scene; who knows that we are bursting with talent and just waiting for the world to take notice?  I think we are DYING to bust out and be the city of our dreams... so let's do it!  We're all in this together - and that togetherness was never more evident than it was Saturday evening.  Seeing djs, designers, stylists, photographers and the like come together to celebrate local talent was so refreshing.   The overwhelming support from the local community demonstrated the need for MORE.  We are craving  more events like this one, more fashion, more art, more to do, more ways to express ourselves, and most importantly more people like Tanvi, who kick fear to the curb and inspire us to all to go for it, follow our dreams, and CREATE something.  Sewn Seeds was a celebration and it was truly inspirational.

Three local designers were featured, each of varying backgrounds, none of which was fashion.  It was so interesting to hear the stories of how each of their journeys lead them to design.  Sewn Seeds celebrated not only hard work and passion but also reminded us about the importance of the creative spirit, which is not all that separate from the human spirit.  Just think of what a sad, sad world this would be if it weren't for the artists; they add color to our world.

Please enjoy my photos from the show (all taken with my i-phone, so quality varies) and take a moment to celebrate the creativity, design, and entrepreneurialism that are all alive and well here in Rochester, New York.

Knitwear by Andrea Geer Designs:

Debut Collection by Josean Vargas:

Peppermint Collection by Tanvi Asher:

This was my favorite piece.  I need to buy it.  Now.

Finale

It was a fantastic afternoon of pampering followed by a well-executed, high-end fashion show, and VIP after-party at TRATA.  Nothing like experiencing all the best in Rochester in one day!

Were you at the show?  What was your favorite part?  And what did you take away from the experience?  What would you love to see emerge on the Rochester fashion and social scene?  Share your thoughts below.

xoxo

Jenny
The Flower City Fashionista

Ae Anti-Aging Facial by Amy Riposo

In January,  Rochester A-List Fashion & Beauty Blogger Jennifer Sanzo (aka The Flower City Fashionista) and I were lucky enough to visit AE Spa in Brighton for facials customized for us and recommended for women in their thirties and forties.  Jennifer is sharing her experience in her own words here, but you forty somethings are stuck with me. This is my first and highly anticipated (by me at least) blog. Who am I? Amy Riposo, owner and creator of Rochester A-List, and now you all know, forty something.  :/

When I heard AE Spa offered the best anti-aging facial in the spa industry I was um, more than interested in trying it out. Let’s face it, aging is cruel. Something to reduce the signs of aging? I was in! There’s nothing better to break up your routine in the cold of winter than to schedule a beauty treatment to unwind, de-stress, and bonus if it promises to make you look younger, and improve the health of your skin. My anticipation was growing all week. Finally, appointment day arrived!

Here are a few shots of the Spa as I stepped inside awaiting my fountain of youth:

Andrea Sands, my esthetitian has been in the business for 22 years. I couldn’t wait to get her expert advice on skincare and to see what this facial was all about.

Let the pampering begin!
 

First, Andrea analyzed my skin to customize the facial for me.  Normal skin status: extremely dry

Next it was warm towels and steam to open my pores and prep my skin.

I'm in there somewhere!  Relaxed and ready for what's next.

I got to experience the Microcurrent with Microdermabrasion Facial (voted best anti-aging facial in the industry)!  “This is an ultimate service with ultimate results! The microdermabrasion to the face and neck will resurface the skin. The Microcurrent will lift, plump and re-educate the muscle at a cellular level.”

This facial was an amazingly relaxing experience. A significant portion of the time I received an incredible massage- face, neck, hands, and feet! A hot stone massage during a facial? Yes! Complete with warm mitts for my hands, while Andrea tended to my skin needs. Carefully selected products were massaged onto my skin after the clarisonic brush prepped and cleaned my skin. Heavenly.

I love a good massage, and this one was heavenly.

The Good Stuff:

Microdermabrasion:  This didn’t hurt at all. It wasn’t even uncomfortable. Microderm strips off layers of dead cells from the epidermis to reduce fine lines and blotchy pigmentation while improving skin texture. The brush uses airflow and sterilized crystals. It sounds harsh, but wasn’t at all.

Microcurrent:  You don’t actually feel the current so there is no discomfort. It just felt like another part of the facial. A micro-current is sent to muscles that are slacking, drooping. The low current electricity contracts the muscles, firming, and toning the skin. 

The end result: My skin was moist, supple and felt like someone else’s skin, but it WAS mine! It felt like there was more collagen in my skin. I was impressed. My forehead lines were noticeably reduced, if not gone!

I would highly recommend making a trip to AE Spa for a customized facial and if you are over 40, get the microcurrent, you’ll love the results. The harshness of upstate NY winters takes a toll on your skin, and Andrea will bring your skin health back to where it should be: beautiful. Put AE Spa on your speed dial! Andrea recommends getting a facial every 6 weeks.

I have it on good authority that AE Spa will be offering an exclusive deal for A-Listers on this facial (Micro Derm and Micro Current) and on the Signature Facial Jennifer received during the month of March. These two beauty treatments just got even more amazing!

xoxo

Amy

Owner and Creator of Rochester A-List

www.Rochesteralist.com

www.ae-spa.com