New Boots- Thanks JustFab!

So, if you haven't checked out JustFab yet, you're missing out! This subscription-service company works just like Fabletics (who I also adore) and allows you to choose from countless amazing shoe, bag, clothes and accessories options each month. Your first purchase usually comes at a heavily discounted rate, too, like mine did.

I chose the Sharona bootie, because it'll be a perfect fit for my upcoming London trip. They were only $9.99, including shipping! Suuuuch a great deal, and they look super cute.

You can get something new every month or skip however many months you want. If you're going to try it out, use this link so I can get free shoes (or bags!) http://vnlink.co/S2WjtyI

Half-Lucid Jewelry's Babecatchers Featured in a Magazine

A pair of my Babecatcher earrings was featured in this gorgeous shoot for NFocus Louisville, chosen by Project Runway's Gunnar Deatherage. Love it!

Grab your own pair of custom (or already made) Babecatchers: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HalfLucidJewelry
Photo source: http://nfocuslouisville.com/fashion-destinations/

Getting Ready for All-Stars? Get to Know Your Designers...

Tweet tweet, Kendry Bird here!

I can't even explain how excited I am to see some of my favorite designers coming back to television. This could be a show where we just follow these creative people in their day-to-day lives and I'd be happy, but it is, of course, a competition show. Everyone will be vying for top prize!

To get you ready for October 30th, I've compiled a list of interviews I've done with Dmitry, Michelle, Fabio, Kate, Alexandria, and Gunnar. Some are radio interviews and some are print, so dig right in and get to know everyone. Comment below about your favorites and requests for interviews with these or other designers.

Happy Wednesday, fashionistas!

Listen:

Interview with Fabio Costa
 Interview with Dmitry Sholokhov
Interview with Alexandria Von Bromssen 
Intervew with Kate Pankoke
Interview with Michelle Lesniak

Read:

Interview with Gunnar Deatherage

Interview with Dmitry Sholokhov (2014)


You'll want to keep an eye out for my interview with Project Runway's Fade Zu Grau. It's gonna be awesome!

Some Very Exciting Project Runway News...

First of all, here at KendryBird I try not to pick favorites, because I have the opportunity to talk to countless talented, lovely, exciting and creative people. That being said, I can't help admitting a special excitement to hear that my personal fashion favorite, Dmitry Sholokhov, will be back on TV in October!

Dmitry, along with a group of incredibly talented PR alum, will be part of the Project Runway All Stars S4. Some other KendryBird favorites among the group are Michelle Lesniak, Fabio Costa, Gunnar Deatherage and Alexandria Von Bromssen.

Here's the EW write-up for it.... can't wait!

Also, I'm incredibly honored to announce some upcoming guests here at the blog- Fade Zu Grau, to talk about his time on the show, his decoy collection and how you can purchase his pieces; Melissa Fleis, a favorite here at the KendryBird blog and IPMNation studios, talking about her Defiant Collection, and the lovely Dom Streater, to talk about fall fashion, tumblr and what she'd design for Tom Hiddleston.

Here's a great new song for you to rock out to, fashionistas, and let the posts begin!

Fashion Week

Last September I was in New York City in September for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. My 3 1/2 days in the city were a whirlwind of fashion shows, long lines, rooftop parties, late-night drinks and meeting amazing new people. I snagged some freebies at the Lincoln Center and chatted with countless designers, models, makeup artists and photographers.

There's a certain "missing out" feeling one can't help experiencing when they attend Fashion Week one year and then don't get to return the next year. You see pictures of fabulous street fashion, you see celebrities making appearances, and you see gorgeous new collections from your favorite designers.

But Fashion Week got me thinking about all of the incredibly talented people I've spoken with over the last few years, though, and I plan to catch up with some of them here soon.

So watch this space! And enjoy all of the MBFW shots with me, hmmm?

Cory Wade Hindorff's Triumphant ANTM Return

Perhaps the most satisfying part of the season premier of America's Next Top Model Cycle 21 (aside from the always fabulous and inspirational Tyra being both fabulous and inspirational) was seeing Cory back onscreen again! Looking more comfortable and confident than ever, he introduced the new season to both the contestants and viewers. Cory has a certain power and charisma to his body language that many people struggle for and don't quite achieve, and I can't help thinking a lot of that is due to his positive nature and intelligence.

Seriously, check out his Facebook and follow him on Twitter. And listen in to my interview with him from earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpkcx7yp2XE

Here's a picture of Cory and Tyra during the premier, snagged from Cory's instagram: http://instagram.com/p/r4lp5RQzUP/ Follow Cory for more pics! http://instagram.com/corywadehindorff

Living, and Loving Life... Even With Panic Disorder

Yesterday I made this as a reminder to myself about how I need to face life with anxiety and severe panic attacks. I don't talk about my condition in public very often but I wanted to share this:

My name is Kendra L. Saunders. I'm a published author, fashion blogger, music store nerd, frequent traveler...and I also suffer from severe panic attacks.

With much love from some special friends and family, I'm working hard to battle my panic and depression, and love life with all of its challenges. It's not easy, but as the lyrics to one of my favorite songs says, "I live, but I love this life." (Coldplay)

A few of the important things I've learned recently are:

*We all have quirks, strengths and weaknesses. Just because someone else seems to have a perfect life doesn't mean they do. Just because we feel we have overwhelming odds against us doesn't mean we need to give up.

*Anxiety is fear of fear. It's fear that you will be afraid, you will react badly, you will suffer again out of fear of something that has or hasn't happened. Knowing this helps take away some of its strength.

*We don't usually see our best moments coming any more than we see the bad ones coming. Just because we've had a series of unexpected misfortunes doesn't mean we'll never have another moment of happiness. It's all fluid, it changes, and it goes up as well as down.

*Look back to your favorite memories to be reminded that you got through darkness and found light, not to make yourself feel bad for what's happening right now in your life.

*Most panic attacks only last five minutes if you don't fight them or feed into them. Only FIVE minutes! That's not so bad, really, is it? Just let your body do its panic thing, tell yourself you're going to let it happen for five minutes and wait it out. The more you accept it in the moment, the faster it will pass.

*You are more than your mental illness, depression or anxiety. You are a multifaceted human being with loved ones, dreams, talents, and a future. Accept your dragon, whatever form it takes- anxiety, depression, etc- and then say, "This is MY dragon. And I will fight it." Battle it, but remember that it is yours, it's a part of you, and that's okay, but it is not all you are made of.

*When panic begins to form inside you, just tell yourself, "This is it! Another challenge! And when I beat this one, I'll be one step closer to being panic-proof!" Think of it however works best for you- imagine battling your anxiety in a video game, or imagine a big calendar with check marks, each day and each check getting you close to vacation, aka the end of feeling so overwhelmed by your anxiety.

*Something that a very sweet person told me recently made a huge difference with my panic attacks. She told me to think of what made me feel most alive. Think of it fully, in detail. She said some people think of a person who is vibrant and colorful, some think of a beach or a fond memory. For me, its the Tick Tock Diner in NYC. I'm stepping off the bus, I'm turning right off the bus and adjusting my backpack strap and popping my headphones in, looking up at the late-afternoon sky, listening to cars and trucks roll by, half-noticing the tourists buying cheap scarves and bags and pictures of Marilyn Monroe, smelling second-hand-smoke and burned hot dogs. It's my happy place. It's where I feel alive. When I feel like I'm about to lose control of my anxiety, I tell myself that I'm there, I will BE THERE again, and let that soak clear through to the cells of my being. Find your happy place, find what makes you MOST ALIVE. Be there. Live in that moment, always.

Living with panic disorder can sometimes feel like you're not living at all, but you're not alone, and there is always a new opportunity for you to fight- and win- whatever is holding you back. Much love to you, and feel free to tweet me anytime if you need to talk about this. @kendrybird