Monday, March 17, 2014

Vogue Pairs Cats & Flats With Purrfect Results


Pignoli

I've always been enamored with high-fashion cat photo shoots, and Vogue.com doesn't disappoint with their latest installment of meow-couture. Every day this month they've been combining the exquisite combination of felines and flats, into a daily photo feature highlighting the hottest spring shoes. 


Mind you, this is Vogue and these aren't just any cats. The Grace Coddington-approved models include adoptable cats from Anjellicle Cats and Bideawee in NYC, and Instagram glitterati like Princess Monster Truck, whose striking underbite is redefining standards of beauty in the feline world, and beyond. 


Check out "The Cat and the Flat: Spring Shoes and Kittens Make the Perfect Pair" for even more stunning shots, and watch for a new image to be posted there every day through the end of March!



Rihanna is up for adoption from Bideawee.


Tommy


The internet's own Princess Monster Truck.


Florence is up for adoption from Bideawee.


George


Charlie and Tiramisu, whose nickname is "Susy" BECAUSE OF COURSE IT IS.

Not to play favorites here, but let me just tell you that there is a new "IT" cat in town, and her name is TARAJI.



Taraji works..


Taraji lurks...


And Taraji's tiny face is the only thing that could distract you from these amazing $725 patent-leather printed Miu Miu flats. 

THE END.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Grumpy Cat, Cash Cats & Cat Parties: SXSW From A Cat Lady's Perspective


Animal Planet Cats Live Here Party 

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. I've been dreaming of going for years now, and when I finally got the opportunity as part of my job as a Community Manager at Purina, I couldn't believe it!

I was in town with Pro Plan Cat, who were one of the sponsors of the MO FILM 2014 SXSW Awards. During the party, which included a film screening and gourmet BBQ, one talented filmmaker received a prize for creating a cinematic cat video that answered the question, "What's so great about a cat?" 



Dave told me what was so great about his cat, Miss Trinkles. (via @ProPlanCat)

We were also there gathering stories for @ProPlanCat, which just went live on Twitter and Instagram last week! I'd love for you to follow us and tag your cat photos with #MyGreatCat for a chance to be featured in the community. As an added incentive, if you also mention @catsparella in your tweets or Instagram posts, I'll send you a surprise when we launch the Pro Plan Cat Facebook page in April! 

As for the rest of the conference, it truly was a cat lovers paradise. After taking in an inspiring discussion with Nasty Gal CEO Sophia Amoruso
, we headed to the infamous Mashable House, AKA heaven on earth for a pop culture enthusiasts who spend the bulk of their waking hours on the internet. 


I came in like a Wrecking Ball...

After signing signing my life away on a release form, I had the opportunity to swing on a wrecking ball, Miley style. 



S.H. + G.C. = Best Frans Forever

Next, I turned into a real life cat emoji when I got to take a picture with Grumpy Cat! The internet's most famous feline was there representing Friskies (another Purina brand, natch), and delivering food to needy cats in the Austin area.



The Iron Throne just got a whole lot cattier.

I thought I couldn't take any more excitement after that, but boy, was I wrong. A stop at the Game of Thrones exhibit across town was another highlight of the trip, and a chance to sit on the Iron Throne brought out my inner Cersei (after a brief hiatus, my cattitude is back!). 



Cat Cash: The Economy of Internet Cat Videos Panel

Afterwards, I rushed back to the Austin Convention Center for the most highly anticipated session of the conference: Cat Cash: The Economy of Internet Cat Videos.
 The panel included Will Braden (Henri, Le Chat Noir), Ben Lashes (Meme Manager to Grumpy Cat, Nyan Cat, Keyboard Cat and more), Grace Suriel (Director of Social Media at Animal Planet), and Scott Stulen (Curator of the Internet Cat Video Festival). Lil Bub's dude, Mike Bridavasky, was also in the crowd, but nothing caused more pandemonium than when Grumpy Cat made a surprise appearance


Quincy insisted that I get her good side.

The rain wouldn't let up, but an an emergency umbrella run led us to Wild About Music, where we were greeted by an awesome shop cat named Quincy! This spunky girl made my already unforgettable day complete, and wouldn't you know it - she's a social media maven like myself, with her very own Twitter account!


A+ Cat Swag

Day 2 of the conference consisted of a heavy day of sessions (including one about Twitter and Sharknado, because why not), but once the sun went down, it was time to get my cat party on. The cool cats at Animal Planet were kind enough to send me a VIP invite to their Cats Live Here Party, a celebration of all things feline. Needless to say, the kitty-themed bash was all I could have dreamed of and more. 


The Glamourpuss was the must-have cocktail of the night (by me).

Guests were treated to cat-themed cocktails, quirky buttons, and cake pops.


Kicking it with Lil Bub in the VIP lounge.

There was even an appearance in the VIP lounge by none other than Lil Bub!


A view from the top of the best cat party ever.

The culmination of the bash was a rousing performance from 80s cover band, The Spazmatics. I must say, if you're in Texas, you must check these guys out. After dancing the night away, I ended up standing in line for a free cronut at 2 a.m. (alas, it did not come to pass). But if that's the worst thing that happened all weekend, I think I did OK.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to! If you'd like to keep up with my latest project, follow @ProPlanCat on Twitter and Instagram, and tag your pics with #MyGreatCat for a chance to be featured in our new community! 


Saturday, February 22, 2014

It's Caturday!

She lives!! I know it's been quiet around these parts for awhile, but I've been busy at work, consumed with all things dog! Earlier this month I covered the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with the Purina Pro Plan social media team, and and even met last year's winner, BANANA JOE! The delightful Affenpinscher has catlike qualities which I admire, and his handler, Ernesto Lara, couldn't have been nicer.


Oh look, it's me and 'NANA JOE.

Now that the dog show is done, I'm turning my attention back to cats as we get ready to launch the Pro Plan Cat community on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It's just one more place where I'll be able to help cat lovers share their stories with the world, and to say I'm excited would be an understatement!



Shinobii

This week's featured feline is a self proclaimed "black beauty," who is "on a mission to show the world how loving and sweet black cats truly are and erase all traces of superstition."

Daniela writes:


This is my gorgeous black beauty, Shinobii. She's changed my life with her beauty, elegance, love, and sweet personality. 



In the words of the Fashion Queens, "10s across the board!"

She walks with confidence and never gets tired of hearing how beautiful she is. Her regal attitude is only fit for a queen. 



Curious


Sophisticated

I hope that those who see her as queen see the true beauty of black cats. 



Playful


Uninhibited 

I hope that those who see Shinobii see how beautiful and sophisticated black cats are and begin to opening their hearts towards them.


Coy


Fierce

If you can't get enough of this regal feline, you can find her on Instagram (@shinobiicat) and Facebook, or visit Daniela's Gatinela Cat Fashion & Accessories Boutique, where Shinobii is the star!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year & An Update!

Catsparella has been on hiatus for the past few weeks while I've been settling into my new life in St. Louis. As I mentioned in my last update, I moved here at the beginning of December for a job opportunity -- which as some of you correctly guessed is at Nestlé Purina PetCare!

I started this blog from my bedroom in 2010 as a creative outlet, and as a way to escape an unfulfilling job in human resources. I am extremely grateful and humbled that I was able to channel my passion for cats into a blog, and eventually a career. It was difficult for me to leave everything I've ever known back in New Jersey, but I'm also very excited to start this new chapter in my life.

Purina is home to iconic cat brands such as Cat Chow, Tidy Cats, Friskies, and Fancy Feast, and as part of my role as Community Manager, I will be leading the Pro Plan Cat community. We are gearing up to launch a brand new page on Facebook and Twitter in the coming months, and I hope you will join me there!

As I look back over the past 3 and a half years, more than anything, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful individuals (human and feline) that I have met. It's been an honor telling your stories, and sharing all of my favorite cat finds with you week after week. That being said, this isn't a goodbye. While I continue to figure out my new life here, I will still pop in with news and updates (and Caturday posts!), and hope you will stop by to say hello and see what's new. 

Thank you again to everyone who has gone down this road with me, and taken the time to read, comment, and share one of my posts. Catsparella has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I am forever changed because of it. 

Wishing everyone and their kitties a very happy new year filled with cats, cupcakes, and love! 

-Stephanie