Real Simple Magazine’s Beauty And Balance Event Was An Absolute Blast!

First of all, let me start this off by saying, I have NO CLUE how I got invited, but I am so glad I was. I signed up a couple of my friends, but they couldn’t make it and some how I worked up enough courage to go alone! This was the first event I’ve ever gone to like this, since I usually turn down invitations in fear of going alone and feeling awkward. However, I will no longer be turning down invitations, so if you have an event coming up soon, go ahead and invite me! (Lol)

Real Simple’s photo backdrop in the kitchen

Anyway, I had to work until 5pm, so I didn’t get there until about 5:30, just in time for my facial appointment. (Lucky for me the Andaz Hotel, which is where the event was located, is only a couple of blocks away from my day job.) I must have been really lucky because there weren’t too many people there when I got there and I got to go straight in.

A lovely lady by the name of Angela did my facial and let me tell you! I am SO glad she gave me her Facebook, because not only have I already added her, but I will definitely be keeping her in mind when my birthday comes around! That 5 minute mini facial was amazing! I’ve never had a facial before, but I guarantee you there are plenty more to come!

What made it even better was how friendly she was. She walked me through everything, told me what she was using, etc. Sometimes, you get someone that’s quiet and just does what they’re supposed to do because they’re supposed to, but not Angela! She talked to me the whole time I was with her and even a little bit after everything was finished! It was great! That was the first time I’ve ever been so relaxed in all my life, seriously, so that’s how you know she was good. It was the perfect way to start the Beauty and Balance Event and an even more perfect way to end the work week.

My view from my isolated table in the kitchen area during the wine tasting

By the time I was done with my mini facial, all of the hair stylists were pretty busy, so I decided to just hang out in the kitchen for awhile so I could take everything in. A nice young lady came by my table (looking to grab a couple more pieces of the Ghiradelli chocolate that were placed on the table) and talked to me for a bit. She mentioned that the wine she was drinking was really good, and since I didn’t believe her I decided to go check it out for myself! (Lol)

Here’s Jeff you guys! lol Wish I had gotten a pic of Louis, he was sooo nice

Turns out she was right! OMG!

Me drinking my first glass of Warre’s Vintage Port 2003

I tasted all three wines, but the Warres Vintage Port 2003 was the best! Hell, it’s the best wine I’ve ever tasted so far. It was so good, I ended up getting a second glass after talking to Jeff about it and asking for his name. (Lol) The Cabernet Sauvignon (which I had after eating a prune) was absolutely disgusting. I took a sip, tried to enjoy it, didn’t, and then left the glass right there and began to drink my port again. (I know, I know, horrible, but still … I just couldn’t drink it.)  

This is the best wine I’ve ever tasted – Warre’s Vintage Port 2003

After talking to Louis for awhile about not just his wine, but also the port, I tasted the Merlot Seven Falls 2011 after eating cherries and then again after eating the Ghiradelli Twilight Delight chocolate. It wasn’t as bad as the cabernet, but it wasn’t as good as the port either. Although, I did take a couple more sips as Louis talked to me. He ended up telling me about how he and his friends got drunk after drinking the port and he ended up with a really bad headache for a few days after. Which of course scared the hell out of me since I was drinking on an empty stomach! (Lol)

Not great, but not bad either – Merlot Seven Falls 2011

After the wine tasting, I decided to check out the hair styling again, since I had made by appointment for 6pm, and guess what? My luck streak was still going strong people, because as soon as I got there I gave them my name again and went right on in. My hairstylist’s name was Shimikka and she was also really nice. (So I pray that I’m spelling her name right, because I did ask to make sure I wouldn’t spell it wrong, but now I can’t remember if she said one k or two. Lol)

After drinking two glasses of Warre’s on an empty stomach, I had no choice but to sit for awhile on the NYPL steps across the street

After gushing about how great my hair was, she decided that I should go with the waves look, which I agreed with since I’ve been dying to figure out how to do it myself. She told me how to do it, and then began, and then told me how great my hair was again. (Lol) My hair came out really nice and took about 10 minutes to do, since my hair was already straight from last weeks blow out. However, Shimikka was nothing like the lady that did my hair before. She was gentle and really careful when brushing. It didn’t hurt one bit! (My scalp is really tender, so everything hurts! Lol) 

Loving the waves in my hair, but sooo not loving the way I was feeling after glass number two lol

Even though I did miss out on the Pure Barre exercise class, the Laura Geller mini makeover and none of my friends could come along, I still had a really great time! Those people weren’t lying when they said our swag bags were heavy and that it was best if we took them when we were leaving. (So glad I listened! Lol) 

Real Simple‘s swag bag was definitely the greatest thing I’ve ever received, ever! It sure as hell beats the Wedding Salon’s swag bag, and there’s had really good alcohol in it! (Lol) 

How pretty is Real Simple Magazine’s swag bag? I’ve already used it lol

Honestly, at first, I really wanted to go to this event just for the swag. Like I was seriously thinking of just going, grabbing my bag, looking around and then leaving before things got awkward. But it never did, and I ended up really enjoying myself. Hell, I didn’t even care about the swag bag anymore because I was so darn happy. I had actually been to a real press event, by myself, talked to someone, and enjoyed it! Never thought I’d be able to say that! But since I know you’re all dying to know, here’s what was inside of my swag bag!

Here’s what was inside my Real Simple swag bag

1. Ghiradelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight Chocolate
2. Aloha Drink Blends (3 samples – berry blend, original, chocolate blend)
3. Aspen Bay Candles (Scent: Gardenia Fig)
4. Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme
5. S W Basics Citrus Lip Balm
6. Well People Bio Brightener Stick
7. Laura Geller Baked Blush N Brighten (Color: Tropic Hues)
8. One Love Skincare The Cleansing Sponge (Bamboo charcoal heart)
9. ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
10. Yogi Tea (2 samples – skin detox & cinnamon vanilla healthy skin) + $1off coupon
11. Pink Olive Stickers 10 Pack (You are loved)
12. Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight Sample
13. Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil Sample
14. Rifle Paper Co Graph Notepad
15. Aveda Thickening Tonic
16. Real Simple Beauty Bag
17. Pure Barre Gemini Capri (Pants)
18. The Real Simple Guide To Real Life (Book)
19. The Suja Juice Solution (Book)
20. Real Simple Magazine 15th Anniversary Issue

I know, I know, best swag bag ever!

(Even if I’ll never use some of these items. Lol) 

Although, I am looking forward to trying out some of these and writing reviews on them! So stay tuned (and follow my blog) for more.

But it was pretty funny how everyone kept asking what I did, and I just kept saying oh I’m a lifestyle blogger. (I mean it’s not like I was going to make things awkward on purpose and say “I work at Toys R Us”, right?) But now that it’s all  over, I’m pretty happy I’m going back to school to get my BBA in Marketing Communications this summer, because blogging is something I’ve always wanted to do as a career.

But anyway, I’m pretty sure I’ve talked enough about my evening at Real Simple Magazine’s Beauty and Balance Event. Once again, I had an amazing time and I’d like to thank everyone that I talked to, everyone I  engaged with and of course Real Simple Magazine for such a wonderful experience.

If you attended the RSBeautyBalance event this weekend, or any other event for that matter, leave a comment below and let me know!

Note: All photos seen here in this post were taken by me during the event on Friday April 17, 2015.