One of my favorite perks of this blog is the opportunity to tag along and document behind the scenes, whether it’s backstage at fashion week or on the set of a photo shoot. I’ve had the chance to meet and work with some of my favorite models, incredible makeup artists and hair stylists, photographers, and designers. Getting to pull back the curtain and see how much work goes into capturing a single photograph has given me, as a consumer, much more appreciation for the entire production. Over the summer (on one of the hottest days of the year), I had the ultimate honor of partnering with Americana Manhasset and joining them on the set of their Holiday 2013 Lookbook, featuring Lindsey Wixson and RJ King and photographed, styled, and produced by Laspata/DeCaro. We started our day bright and early on the boardwalk of Coney Island, which was chosen (along with the Rockaways and Catalina Beach Club of Atlantic Beach) to showcase the resilience of some of New York’s hardest hit areas from last year’s storm. Less then one year later (at the time of the shoot), the boardwalks were bustling, rides were up and running, and the Rockaways were once again a summer destination. We still have a long way to go, but it’s well on its way!

If you follow me on instagram, you may have already seen some teasers. But now that it’s launched, I can finally share a few of my favorite shots from behind the scenes. You all know I love a Coney Island day, in all its campy glory. But while we were all melting in the intense heat – frozen lemonades helped a little –  Lindsey was a total champ. With myriad outfit, hair, makeup, and location changes, I never heard one complaint from her – and she was sick with a bad cold! Talk about a true professional. Or maybe she was already in the holiday spirit, despite the heat?

And speaking of the holiday spirit: in celebration of their beautiful new lookbook,  Americana Manhasset is giving one of my lucky readers a $500 gift card to spend as they wish. With over 60 shops to choose from, that leaves a lot of room for holiday shopping! I recently took a tour and did a little shopping there, and believe me: you want to win this. It’s the ultimate shopping experience! Here’s how to enter:

To enter, simply check out the Americana Manhasset Holiday 2013 Lookbook and comment below with your favorite look from the shoot!

Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, 11/19 at 9PM EST. I will select a winner at random. Good luck!

*Before entering, please note that the gift card is only valid at Americana Manhasset’s physical location (Long Island, New York)

The winner is Dresden Parker. Thank you for entering!