Back From A Tiring Hiatus & Summer Planning

After three intense months on extended vacation and replenishing from a "designer's drought" (which is like writer's bloc, but worse), I am back this summer to be my fashion-fueled state of mind again! Just to fill everyone in on the past fourteen or so weeks, allow me to explain why I took the break.

Beginning at night near the end of March, I had an unexpected sensation of chills while I was sitting in the living room watching a history documentary. This was not an ordinary cold shock though. The occurrence felt like as if I had a strong gust of a snowstorm, electrocution, and worriment simultaneously attacking me. Believing the supernatural cause was a one-hit wonder, I turned off the television and went straight to bed hoping to feel better in the morning. The strange feeling went away; however, throughout April, the "chill" returned and I found out the "chill" was a battle among a cold war of blasts and anxiety. Nathan had to carry me like a sack of sugar to bed over and over. This was the time doctors had to be involved because I did not know if this was a medical case or a case of hysteria. After a diagnostic, my physician handed me the results: I had "severe internal frostbite", a rare case of blizzard-like symptoms only found in Poptropicans in their mid-20's. Due to my health stooping to dangerous levels, I had to take prescriptions for two months and was warned to stay off hobbies like regular exercising, go to a restaurant, and *gulp* design clothes for the time being in case I faint if the frostbite occurs. Luckily, I did just that and after a couple more "chills", I have never felt better. I am just glad to be back to doing the things I enjoy.

To celebrate, I wanted to give everyone who is still visiting this blog my full article on the 2015 summer edition of PopFashion Magazine!

I bought the magazine at a newsstand in Ellisburg, Mainland Poptropica this evening, and I have decided to showcase the article I was interviewed for + mannequins modeling my latest summer apparel. (Fun fact: Giucarmo Stazzio and Nathan & I stumbled upon each other at a Queequeg's two months ago and Giucarmo was really generous to offer a free cup of coffee to us. We then chatted for ten more minutes and it just so happened we were all fashion enthusiasts!) Wow, this is the longest photo description I have ever typed.

I am looking forward to this summer as many new ideas and mediums will be unleashed from the concept board including:

• An Elle Magazine (Poptropica) cover shoot and interview
• Returning to Sprite soda as an advertisement spokesmodel
• A back-to-school preparedness guide

and one no Poptropican fashionista would want to miss out...

• The unaired PoptropicaStars Fashion Fever S2 FINALE!

(I'm truly impressed that the winner of this season has not even boasted about her victory at this point. By the way, the winner did receive the PC$100,000 already and all the contestants are safe and sound. The season and reunion was pre-recorded before airing on television, but the finale and reunion was cut from the reboot on Lifetime Poptropica due to time constraints for their scheduling.)

And for the sweepstakes, Laura and Renee Sorenti won the grand prizes and we went shopping a couple weeks before the panic attacks initiated. I would love to go the mall again with them some time in the future.

Shopping Spree Sweepstakes Finalists

Sweepstakes co-sponsored by Queequeg's Coffeehouse

Two weeks ago, I assigned the sweepstakes participants the task to uncover more interesting stuff about their nominee. As of now, the nine finalists of the contest followed directions properly and have successfully sent in snippets of fascination from their loved one or pal. Click to enlarge the below photo in order to read about the finalists!

With the short profiles in check, now is the time for the public to vote for which paired duo should win the exclusive shopping spree and a $20 Queequeg's Coffee & Tea gift card! Polls are open until March 1, 2015. May the favor be in your grasp! Good luck!

Sweepstakes co-sponsored by the Poptropican division of Target Corporation

Sweepstakes Grounds

Thanks to everyone who applied in the Shopping Spree Bonanza sweepstakes two weeks ago. And a gigantic congratulations goes out to the nine finalists/nominees who have advanced to the contender dugout, all of whom are fair game to win the shopping spree and two $20 Queequeg's Coffee & Tea gift cards provided on my discretion and featured sponsors (Queequeg's Coffeehouse, Madelyn's Closet, Target Corporation, and Banana Republic). Below is the official sweepstakes nominee roster.

Sweepstakes roster in alphabetical order by nominee

• Absidee Marano, friend and fellow fashion consultant of nominator Porschea Sonata
• Catie Goldsmith, best friend of nominator Kimberly Hallstone
• Chanelle Harrison, stepsister of nominator Brittany Menos
• Doreen Wolf, best friend of nominator Sammi Alexis Aikens
• Gabriella Martinez, best friend of nominator Liana Williams
• Jessica Jensen, friend of nominator Crystal Klark
• Laura Sorenti, daughter of nominator Renee Sorenti
• Linda Simone, sister of nominator Julie Simone
• Sidney Michaels, childhood best friend of nominator Brooke Edmonton

Now's not the time for an achievement party yet! The sweepstakes is still in progress. Calling all nominators, here is your first task. Considering the fact you have nominated one of your loved ones, find out more about their creative preferences, skills, and talents that they would not mind sharing. This may be a tough shell to pull someone out of, but you may learn undiscovered wonders in the process. However, nominee idiosyncrasies and interests must be sent in to the sweepstakes e-mail address before 12:01 A.M. on February 7, 2015 in order for the information to tally. Attributes given should be posted within the week after the above due date.

Good luck finding social treasure troves!

Nominate Your Loved One!

Sweepstakes co-sponsored by Queequeg's Coffeehouse

The day is here! Time to nominate your Poptropican loved one or friend to win a shot at winning a 15-minute shopping spree at the two select stores of your choice... possibly with your nominee too! Here are all the contest details:

Shopping Spree Bonanza Contest Rules

To cast an appropriate entry into the sweepstakes, you must provide your legal first and last name, or profile via LiveJournal, WordPress, TypePad, or AIM for AOL users in the "Name" section of this post's comment area. Inside the comment box, answer the following description requirements in a downward arrangement to nominate the Poptropican of  your choice.

• Nominee's full name; not Poptropica-given nickname [example: "Scary Flyer"]
• Nominee's age (nominee must be 15 yrs. or older)
• Nominee's hometown (must be resident of either Poptropican islet territory, Mainland Poptropica, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, or New Zealand)
• Nominee's primary occupation
• Your relationship to the nominee
• Nominee's interesting or unique background
• Nominee's favorite hobbies
• The most fascinating activity your nominee has done
• Nominee's list of volunteer work completed
• In your honest and kind opinion, how would you artistically describe your nominee's fashion style?

A photo will be required to be sent via e-mail to poptropicastarssweepstakes@gmail.com showing the physical aspect of your nominated Poptropican. A snapshot or picture from the Avatar Studio's blue background is accepted. The photo must be at least 150 x 225 pixels in size, text-free, unaltered in photo quality (no difference in light gradients, reversed in hue, pixelation, or upside-down pictures) and contain the nominee's name somewhere in the e-mail description. However, changes in apparel, cosmetics, hair, and lips are accepted. Only matching descriptions and photos before 8:01 P.M. Pacific Time Zone on January 20, 2015 will be successfully entered into the contest. Later entries will not be accepted.

If you and your nominee advance onto "Sweepstakes Grounds" presented on Saturday afternoon, January 31, 2015, come in contact with missions to be announced to earn the grand prize of a springtime shopping spree and $20 Queequeg's Coffeehouse gift card for each winning player! However, it is very important to check back frequently as possible for sweepstakes tasks because live feeds are not available.

Sweepstakes co-sponsored by the Poptropican division of Target Corporation.

Shopping Spree Bonanza

Nominate your Poptropican loved one to win a chance at a Poptropican shopping spree! Game deets to be posted Wed. on http://t.co/Kzp20NWL7z
— PoptropicaStars (@PoptropicaStars) January 12, 2015

In case you haven't seen the Tweet above, I will be hosting an exclusive sweepstakes where you must attach a photo of one of your Poptropican loved ones and describe their intriguing personal background, hobbies, volunteer work, and fashion style. For more opportunities, the nominee doesn't even need to like fashion. You, the entry contestant, will be able to earn a chance at winning a shopping spree at two of these stores in small print:

American, Australian which will include New Zealand territory, and British-available fashion retailers (some stores may be available in Mainland Poptropica):

• Banana Republic
• BCBG Max Azria
• H&M
• Macy's
• New York & Company
• Target

Poptropica-only fashion retailers:

• Abbey-in-Milan
• HC-17
• Madelyn's Closet
• Prezona & Davidson
• Rucker's Athletic Complex

What I couldn't fit in the Twitter post is that the candidate winner won't be left empty-handed. He or she will also win a shopping spree at the two retailers of their choice AND a $20 Queequeg's Coffee & Tea gift card.