Last week Tuesday through Saturday was Sheckys NY Summer Event and Sam Murdock Cosmetics participated for the first time and it was a huge success. I meant to do daily blogs but honestly I was so tired after each event that I just did my books and inventory and fell out…every night. I was so busy at the event that I was only able to take a few pics. There are a few below…

Anyways, I hired two official makeup artists for my company, Suzan and Jude, who did fabulous makeovers at the event…and 9 out of 10 times when they did, the clients ended up purchasing products. We actually made a lot more money than I ever thought we would and I think we did better than almost of the other vendors (there was about 100) at the event. Our area stayed busy and usually there was a line of 3 or more people waiting for each of the artists. Im so grateful for the hard work that my artists did that I decided that anywhere I go, they will be with me because I strongly believe that I could not have done it without them. Anyways, the next event will be in the Hamptons in another week and a half..I can’t wait. Check out Sheckys.com for more information on Sheckys events and visit my website at sammurdockcosmetics.com for more info on my line.

I received a free copy of this book in my Sheckys giftbag last week and I was heisitant to read it because Ive never read a Harlequin book before. I always thought that they were overly romantic books and Im more of a mysteries kind of girl. Little did I kinow that Harlequin has a section called “Romance and Mystery” and produce several books per month in this category. Well, on my way home on the train, I was bored so I started reading this book and I was immediately hooked. Here is a synopsis from the publisher:

After Hudson Savage betrayed her, Dana Cardwell hoped never to lay eyes on the seductive cowboy again. Until a bunch of old bones showed up on her family ranch. Suddenly her former lover was back in her life in a big way-to investigate a decades-old crime.

Five years ago, Hud left town with a heart load of regrets. But now, as acting interim marshal, he had a job to do. And this time he wasn’t walking away. Because now Dana’s life was on the line-as the unsuspecting target of a killer who still walked the canyon. Hud would do whatever it took to keep Dana close. Even if it meant risking his own heart for a second chance for both of them….

I highly recommend this book because it keeps the reader enthralled and the ending is quite unpredictable. It is appropriately paced and well written and I will be getting another Harlequin book soon…hopefully its just as good.

P.S. Harlequin is celebrating their 60th anniversary and with it, they are giving away a few books via downloads including this one. Click here for their website.

Last week I had a great photoshoot with a wonderful Long Island based photographer name RyanStylist Cameron Carpenter, Hairstylist Tresa and model Doris…I had a great time at the shoot and knew that the pics were gonna be hot! I just got the pics…here they are…

I took these pics back in Feb. and I just received them yesterday but I think that they were worth the wait….

I am so excited that my first Sheckys show is next week here in NYC(June 23rd-27th). Its been really overwhelming and stressful though trying to get everything ready. I had to get my NY State Tax Certificate which came yesterday. I honestly thought that it would not come in time and then I would have been assed out because I would not have been allowed to sell at Sheckys and I would have forfeited all the money that I paid for the event…and honey, it was aaaaalot…trust me! I had to empty an account to pay for it…anyhow, I also ordered a wireless credit card machine and some brochures that came yesterday also. However, I ordered only 100 brochures…and 10,000 women are expected in the 5 days! For some reason when I was ordering them, 100 seemed ok…but now I realize that its retarded on my part to only have so little brochures there..so tomorrow I have to order at least another 500 and hope that they get here by Tuesday…

Yesterday I also interviewed 15 people who were applying to be my Makeup Artist/Salesperson at the event. I put out 1 ad on Craigslist and was bombarded with resume and applications. I honestly did not think that so many people would respond but they did. So I picked the best people that I thought were qualified and met with them for a very informal interview. Honestly, this was the first time that I had to hire people (not counting model casting..which is completely different) and it was so hard to choose. I really liked everyone and had to think long and hard at it but then I finally decided on 2 people..Jude and Suzan…both excellent Makeup Artists..both worked for Chanel, Dior and other big name lines not only as MUAs but as trainers also. I decided to pick them on not only on their qualifications but how I think that they would work and mesh with each other and myself for the 5 days. They both had that hardworking, helpful, professional and fun personalities. But guess what? After I call them to let them know that they were hired, Suzan told me that she not only knew who Jude was but has worked with him also! What are the odds that out of all the people (around 50) that applied, I would pick the two people who worked together before? And Suzan sang only praises of Jude…which reinforced in my mind that I pick the right people.

Well today I had the hard task of contacting the other 13 people to let them know that they were not hired. That was so hard! I knew from their interviews (and calls and emails after the interview) that they really wanted the job. I had to let them know that I did not choose them but that I would consider them for future events…and I will.

I am still waiting for some things for next week though…I ordered some beautiful pink shopping bags from Amazon.com but I don’t think that they will be here in time so im gonna have to just get some generic ones from Staples. I also ordered 12 acrylic poster holders from ebay for signs that I need to make up and Im praying those get here by Tuesday morning the latest! Besides those things I have to pick up my makeup from my manufacturer and do and get countless other things. I can’t wait for the event to not only start, but to finish so that I can get a break…even if its just for a few day because in about another 2 and a half weeks the Hampton event will be taking place…hopefully that one will be easier since its only for one day!

I will keep you all posted on how the event is going/went…

So a couple of months ago I had an online store and an ebay business online and they were both doing pretty well. I had to take them down because I was going through some person *ish and didn’t have time to take and ship out orders. Well yesterday I set back up my store on the web and on ebay..and Im so excited because now Im carrying discounted designer clothing, books, skincare products, makeup and much more(for men, women, and children)..

Here are the links:

My ebay store (only my favorite pieces):
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/City-Chick-Weekly

My online store (men, women, plus size, kids, etc):
http://www.citychickweekly.com

Here are just a few of my favorite things on the sites:

(Kay Unger Red Printed Stretch Dress retail $330, my price $120 w/free shipping on Ebay )

(Badgley Mischka Dark Blue Strappless Dress retail $695, my price $330 on Ebay w/free shipping)

(Marc Bouwer Silver and Purple 2tone sequins dress Retail $595, My price $250 on Ebay w/free shipping)

(Peppe Peluso sleeveless spagetti dress w/satin bow trim and hanging beads on dress $10.50 on my website)

(Jes by Anna K. Junior Top $4.90 on my website)

(Je Veux Velvet Travelbag With Snake Skin Trim and Removable Shoulder Strap $7.15 on my site)

Last Saturday I had my sample sale @ Hillar Flowers Boutique and I had a great time. It didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped but I had a good time nonetheless.

Hillary had her photographer friend Fernando come thru and take some pics of me and some models. I did only one model’s makeup and this was my favorite out of her set..

*Pics courtesy of Nandovision

So I just read an amazing blog by this designer that also showcase her designs @ Hillary Flowers and on her blog she had her “Bucket List” and I thought it would be fabulous for everyone to really think what they want to accomplish in their lives before its over. Here is mine in no particular order…

-I want to be a grandmother and I want to spoil my grand babies rotten

-I want to own a successful beauty empire that not only makes me filthy rich, but also empowers women and give them an opportunity to be just as filthy rich as I am

-I want to travel to Europe and Asia and see all the world’s greatest art that Ive only seen in books or online.

-I want to raise happy, healthy, productive, caring, independent children

-I want to be bi-coastal and also own a home in Paris

-I want to have an office that would make Kimora Lee Simmons and Anna Wintour jealous

-I want to ride on an elephant

-I want to learn to swim

-I want to volunteer more and give more of my time and money to charities that mean the world to me such as Green Peace or anything to do with women and children

-I want to buy my mother a really fabulous house

-I want to pay for my baby sister college fund

-I want to own a really, really big closets that I can play dress up with my future daughter(s) in

-I want to marry the love of my life and have him make me feel like Im the most beautiful thing that God ever created…even when im 90 years old and im wearing leopard print muumuu’s and a pink boa, lol…

-I want to always be surrounded by a sisterhood of wonderful, powerful, socially conscious women

-I want to be happy and have absolutely no regrets!

I just finished building my makeup artist website and I think its kinda cool…Its very, very simple and clean…just the way I like it…

www.sammurdock.com

I will be having my first sample sale/makeup party at Hillary Flowers Boutique on Saturday, May 30th from 4pm-8pm. If you are in NYC that day, please stop by and try out some of my makeup! I will also be offering 20% off my entire line for those 4 hours so don’t miss out

Hillary Flowers Designer Collective
40 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002
Between Rivington & Stanton Streets
http://hillaryflowers.com/collective.html