Here's To a Happy New Year - 2015!

Normally, I try to avoid doing this when a new year rolls around but I figured this year would be the one and only exception.

For the past few years, I've been going through this transition with myself physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially (have I used every -ly word that I can to describe this change?). What I'm trying to say is that it took me a long time to find myself and basically what really made me happy as a person. Just me. Not anybody else. Not my boyfriend, not my parents, not my family, not my friends, not my boss. Just me.

While I'm sure I haven't fully figured that out 100% yet and I'm still trying to find a balance for myself in the real world, I am excited about the progress that I've made so far and everything that I have planned for myself, my career and for you all!

So with that said, here's looking at 2015!

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xoxo1

#FTBCxCCC #Shoefie For A Cause Donation and Winners!

I have to take a moment to thank each and every one of you that took the time to post your blue #shoefies! Now that the information has been confirmed, I can announce that we were able to raise $880 that will be donated to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer - and that donation is coming just from our Instagram posts!

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Thank you all so much for your support of breast cancer awareness! This was truly a great social media campaign created by Nine West, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer to engage shoe lovers to show their support and of course - their amazing shoes!

Also, I have to give a big congrats to the two winners of my #FTBCxCCC #shoefie for a cause winners @mrsmandarino and @itsnikkisworld! Both of you have won a $25 giftcard to DSW – Designer Shoe Warehouse! Please email me at cynira@candycoatedclosets.com within the next 48 hours to claim your prize!

Again, you all are amazing and stay tuned! I have bigger things in the works that is sure to knock your shoes off!

*Please check out the original post for more information on the social media campaign*

xoxo1

The Start of A New Week!

Putting in a 50+ hour work week last week was absolutely insane and obviously very time consuming since I didn't have the chance to talk to you guys! :-(

Despite the crazy hours and the 5,000 boxes of clothes, shoes and make-up that I received last week -judgment free zone- I was still able to check on the progress of you all posting your blue #shoefie photos for breast cancer awareness! #9WFTBC and #FTBCxCCC

So far we've been able to raise over $500 for our photos uploaded on Instagram - $10 for every blue shoefie photo uploaded.

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Don't forget we have until the end of the month to post pictures in our blue shoes in support of Breast Cancer.

Each photo upload equals a $10 donation toward Nine West’s $275,000 goal supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, a charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Plus, each photo you upload gets you an entry into my giveaway for a $25 DSW giftcard - 2 winners!

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#Shoefie For a Cause! Post a Blue Shoe and Enter to Win a $25 Designer Shoe Warehouse Giftcard!

First, I'm not sure what I did to deserve this awful cold but it has literally knocked me off of my feet for the past week. :-( I was hoping that I would at least be feeling better by now so that I could update you all but unfortunately my body has had enough. No, literally, I tried getting out of bed Sunday morning to do a photoshoot and my body said "Girl, are you crazy? Get back in bed and go to sleep" This is the worst!

On the bright side, I have some fun news for you all...it's #Shoefie time! By now, you should know that as obsessed as I am with giving back to the community, I am equally ecstatic about a great #shoefie. So I was very excited to hear about this #shoefie for a cause campaign!

For the 5th year in a row, Nine West joins forces with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. During the week of October 15 – October 21, with each purchase in-store at retail, outlet or online of $125 or more, Nine West will donate $25 to FTBC. As a thank you to customers for their purchase and donation, they will receive a Nine West/FTBC branded pouch. Additionally, the brand will be accepting donations during the entire month of October in support of breast cancer awareness. Exclusive this year, Nine West has designed a limited edition Nine West/FTBC pump that will be available in NYC retail stores only and on Ninewest.com. Lastly, in an effort to engage the community, Nine West has created a social media campaign tied to the cause. For every photo upload made by a celebrity, blogger, editor or customer wearing a blue shoe using hashtag #9WFTBC and tagging @NineWest during the month of October, the brand will make a donation to FTBC.

Now, here is where we all make this #shoefie campaign the best that it can be. During the month of October, I'm challenging you all to post as many pictures as you can of you wearing a blue shoe. Blue pump, blue sandal, blue boot - I don't care as long as it's blue! At the end of the month, I will gather up all of the entries and I will choose 2 winners to win a $25 giftcard to DSW - Designer Shoe Warehouse. That's it!

Not only will you be participating in one of the most fashionable social media campaigns ever (obsessed with shoes, hello), you'll have a chance to win a free giftcard just for doing your part to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

Here's how to enter: 1. Take a picture of you in a blue shoe. 2. Tag @Ninewest & @candycoatedclosets and use #9WFTBC and #FTBCxCCC in order to enter. Please make sure you follow this rule exactly and use the appropriate hashtags (make sure they are spelled correctly). 3. Tag a friend on your picture/s and spread the awareness.

You can enter as many times as you like until the end of the month. Again, just make sure you tag @Ninewest & @candycoatedclosets and use the appropriate hashtags #9WFTBC and #FTBCxCCC. That's the only way you can enter my giveaway to be one of the winners at the end of the month. This contest will end on November 1, 2014 at 2:59 EST.

Here's is a screenshot of me posting so you can get an idea of how to enter!

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xoxo1

Let the posts resume!

-Door knocking- Oh hello opportunity! It’s nice to meet you.

Ok I know that was kind of cheesy but that one line pretty much explains the reason for my absence. I told you all that I had to take a little break from my writing duties, reviews and posting pictures because I had to adjust to a few new things happening in my life.

Of course one can never fully adjust and I’m realizing there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything that I need to do along with the things that I want to do (and sleep right?) but I’m figuring it all out day by day.

With all of that said, I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things, so it’s time to catch you all up on the pretty little things happening in Candy Coated Closets! Yes, my shoe pictures may have dwindled but that didn’t mean I would stop shopping! I mean, honestly!

Make sure you’re following me on Instagram @Candycoatedclosets Since I’m on the go so much now, I’ll be able to engage and interact with a lot more of you on there!

xoxo1

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Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Bowling Kick Off Event

On Saturday, March 22, I visited AMF Syosset Lanes in Syosset NY for the Crohn's & Colitis Bowling Kick off event. Crohn's & Colitis is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to raising awareness and mission-critical funds to find cures for digestive diseases.

The Bowling Kick off event was held as a meet and greet for Team Captains and other Take Steps Walkers to introduce themselves, share their stories and learn great fundraising tips and ideas, so that everyone can achieve their fundraising goal. During the event, people were encouraged to sign up for the Long Island Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Walk - which is a fun, family event that is being held on June 8th. Click here to register.

The bowling kick off event turned out to be a fantastic day of family fun. Teams were able to bring their kids and mingle with Directors, Board Members, Managers, and other Take Steps walkers to learn more about their goals for the fundraiser.

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    I hope to see a lot of you at the next event!

xoxo1

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