H&M Harlem Re-Opening and Preview Event

On Thursday, July 30th, I attended the H&M Harlem VIP re-opening party at 125 West 125th Street. During the preview, guests enjoyed Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Seabreeze and Tonic cocktails, hors d'oeuvres catered by Sylvia's Restaurant, music and shopping of course!

This H&M event wasn't celebrity-driven. It was all about the shopping, with guests entitled to 25% off the evening's purchases. I normally don't find much at H&M - in the past I've found the clothes to not be fitted enough or too long and this time I had the opposite problem. Everything fit - size 2 and XS (except some pieces are a little snug around the armhole).

I ended up buying 6 pieces, including this jersey tank for $12.95 (plus 25% off!)!

This was my favorite find, and looks even better with the sleeves pushed up - $34.95, plus 25% off.

Can't wait to wear this dress out. I can't believe how perfectly it fit (just have to make sure I don't eat a lot when I have it on) and how it was only $39.95, plus 25% off!

Too bad they didn't have this dress in my size. I really liked this one, especially since it had pockets. I love dresses with pockets! I think this was only $49.95.

So mission accomplished. I got some great shopping done. The best thing about attending a preview is that I can find my size on the rack! It feels great to be able to snatch the only size 2 or XS available.

I'm sure the re-opening to the public on Friday was packed, with the first 200 shoppers in line receiving an H&M T-shirt and Access to Fashion Pass,valued from $10 to $300. One lucky winner received an All Access Fashion Pass, allowing them early entry to the store and a personal style consultation from an H&M stylist.

Opening offers will go on throughout the weekend for the entire family including: ladies' dresses starting at $3, men's shirts starting at $5, and girls' leggings starting at $3. Happy shopping!

- Kim Weling

Dermalogica Academy Grand Opening

On Wednesday, July 28th, Dermalogica celebrated the grand opening of the Dermalogica Academy, with Dermalogica Founder Jane Wurwand and Step Up Women's Network. Dermalogica Academy is the first undergraduate curriculum for skin therapists. The new 6,000 square foot training facility is located in the heart of Chelsea, at 140 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Students (maximum 12 per class) will be able to complete the New York State licensing requirements of 600 hours in less than 18 weeks. The Academy is divided into five separate learning centers: classroom, lab, MicroZone stations, Skin Bar and Treatment Room. By day two, students move into a hands-on mode, beginning the process of working directly with the skin by learning and practicing initial techniques on fellow classmates. Four and five weeks into their studies, students interact with clients at the Skin Bar, and by week eight begin to give treatments to clients who visit the Academy at a significant price reduction. 20 Minute MicroZone treatments are $20, 60 minute skin treatments including extractions are $50, 15 minute touch therapies (stress relief at back, aroma-point at face or deep tissue at face and shoulder) can be added to skin treatments for $10 and extremely inexpensive waxing services that range from $5 to $30.

There are future plans of opening as many as 10 Dermalogica Academy locations across the United States during the next eight years as well as providing teacher training for licensed instructors and financial assistance offerings for students.

Here are some more pictures I took at the opening. As big as this facility is, it was a jammed packed event. I look forward to coming back to experience one of the skin treatments, with the certificate I received in the gift bag. I also look forward to using the "meet Dermalogica skin kit as well as the UltraCalming™ sampler pack.

- Kim Weling

Diptyque Annual Sample Sale - Extended!

Diptyque is one sample sale you don't want to miss! I found a lot of great gifts and some favorites for myself. The sale has actually been extended until Friday!

I rounded up some of my favorite scents, in the form of a candle - Choisya, $25, eau de toilette tester - L'Ombre dans l'Eau, $10 and essential oil kits - Baies and Figuier, $10!

This sample sale is a great way to pick out some of your favorites if you don't have any already. I tend to gravitate toward the fruity and floral scents:

Choisya - This orange flower, so evocative of Mexico, sparkles with its bitter-sweet scent.
L'Ombre dans l'Eau - The rustling of petals and the leaves of bushes heavy with fruit in an English garden
Bais - A bouquet of roses and blackcurrent leaves, a companion to diptyque eau de toilette, L'Ombre dans l'Eau.
Figuier - The warmth of fig wood, the freshness of its leaves and the milky sap prolong the pleasure of Philosykos eau de toilette.

You still have Thursday and Friday to hit the sale so get to it!

11 East 26th Street, Suite 600

between Madison and 5th Avenues

Thursday, July 29th 9AM - 4PM

Friday, July 20th 9AM - 2PM

Shop diptyque's luxurious offerings such as candles, body care products, and fragrances at 40-90% off retail prices.

*Quantities are Limited*

ONLY Credit Cards Accepted. No Cash or Checks. No Returns.

- Kim Weling

Drink It Up This Summer with Xanté

If you are looking for a new drink this summer, pick up a bottle of Xanté Liqueur. I had been introduced to Xanté back in April when I attended a "Women in the City" event, for the book signing of Why She Buys by Bridget Brennan and in collaboration with Dress For Success Worldwide.

I was hooked on the Xanté Berry martinis. It's now one of my favorite martinis and I wanted to share the recipe for you so you can try it yourself the next time you need a drink or want to throw a party!

Xanté Berry

1 1/2 oz. Xanté

3/4 oz. frshly squeezed lemon juice

1 barspoon of strawberry liqueur (optional)

3 strawberries

3/4 oz. simple surup

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass with a sugar coated rim.

Here's another refreshing drink recipe I look forward to trying:

Xanté Cucumber Tease

1 1/2 oz. Xanté

1 oz. gin

3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

approx. 2 chunks of cucumber

Fill with ginger ale

Muddle cucumber, add all ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a highball glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish: Long strips of cucumber.

You can find more drink recipes at drinkxante.com.

Xanté is the intimate result of a ménage à trois between the finest French cognacs, the affection of French limousine oak with its touch of vanilla, the perfect penetration of pear and the slow, tender mating process which seals the great conception delivering a flavor and taste beyond all experience.

- Kim Weling

Jewelry Information Center's Fine Jewelry Luncheon & Preview 2010

The Jewelry Information Center (JIC) Fine Jewelry Luncheon took place on June 23rd, 2010 at Vermilion Restaurant.

Event Sponsors include the American Gem Trade Association, Cultured Pearl Association of America, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company and World Gold Council.

I had the privilege of attending last year's JIC luncheon for the first time, and this year I have found it to be even better, with more beautiful, stunning pieces of jewelry.

What made this year's luncheon even more special is that I won one of the raffle items! I won 14K yellow gold drop earrings with aquamarine and cultured freshwater pearl (retails for $250), by deJonghe Original Jewelry. Was I ever surprised when my name was called! These earrings are the perfect size for me!

Adam Graham, Marketing Manager of the American Gem Trade Association, was happy to present me with the deJonghe Original Jewelry earrings.


Other raffle items included an Alberian & Aulde 18k floral stacking ring (retails for $510), Sara Blaine Egyptian Collection sterling silver "Cleopatra" cuff (retails for $550) and "Cleopatra earrings (retails for $170), TRU Jewellery Brioche Agate floating pendant (retails for $160), Retailers' Reference Guide (retails for $100), Jewelmer Signature "Stella" 30th Anniversary necklace (retails for $800) and a iPod Touch (retails for $499).

The gift bag included rock candy from AGTA, soap from Carved Solutions, polished South Sea Golden pearl shells from CPAA, Crane & Co. stationary, canvas tote from Dogeared Jewels & Gifts, card holder and cloth from Jewelers Mutual and Jane Basch Designs sterling silver and pearl long drop earrings (retails for $225).

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the preview:

Left: Pamela Froman "Royal Crush" 18k pink and yellow gold necklace with diamonds and a crackly fire opal center stone (retails for $8,800)
Middle: Michelle Farmer "Lexi" chocolate pearls and leather necklace (retails between $1,800-$3,500)
Right: Lorinczi opal and pavé diamond "Talon" necklace in 14k green gold pendant with opal and pavé set diamonds, on 14K white gold faceted ball chain (retails for $995)


Left: Todd Reed 18k yellow gold, silver with patina, rose-cut diamond and white and black brilliant cut diamonds (retails for $18,700)
Center Front: Sevan 24k gold and sterling silver ring with black diamonds, green diamonds and yellow diamonds with more than a carat of white diamonds featuring 2 citrine carvings on each side of the ring (retails for $340,627)
Right: Leeza Braun 18k and platinum ring with center stone with pink and white pavé diamonds surrounding (retails for $44,000)


Left: Robin Koffler 18k yellow gold with faceted labradorite (retails for $4,200)
Right: Rina Limor 18k multi-hued color and rose-cut diamonds (retails for $11,600)

Back: The Pearl Exporting Company Akoya keshi pearl necklace, Japanese akoya keshi pearls, 333 sapphires with an 18k gold clasp (retails for $14,000)

Center Front: Yael Designs "Mosaic" collection fused with Pacifica 18k two tone gold, tanzanite with black diamonds and white diamonds (retails for $16,914)

Luxuriator Collection sunglasses in 18k yellow gold (retails for $7,500)

- Kim Weling

Restaurant Week at Rayuela / Summer Brunch at Macondo

Last night my friends and I had dinner at Rayuela for Restuaurant Week, which ends tomorrow, July 25th.

Rayuela (Spanish for “hopscotch”), located on the Lower East Side at 165 Allen Street, serves up 'Freestyle Latino' cuisine, which Executive Chef Máximo Tejada redefines traditional Latin American and Spanish dishes including ceviche and tapas.

We started off with a refreshing gazpacho, followed by shrimp guacamole with chips, and then started with our 3-course meal. For just $35 I had the corvina ceviche with calamari and sweet potato croquettes as my appetizer, grilled swordfish with rocoto coconut chaufa (mix of chorizo, shrimp, mussels, and eggs) with an aji-amarillo mango sauce as my main course and chocolate custard with coffee granite and white chocolate mousse for dessert. For $15 more I added a tasting of wines from Spain. Everything was delicious, as I knew it would be, since I went to Rayuela for dinner during last Restaurant Week. It's definitely a place I enjoy coming back to, especially with excellent and prompt service.

I look forward to having brunch (Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm) at Rayuela's sister restaurant, Macondo, located at 157 East Houston Street, near Allen Street.

For brunch, Macondo is hosting an open cava mimosa brunch. Guests enjoy unlimited cava with fresh seasonal juices such as mora, mamey or guanabana for $7 and a menu of summer Estilo Libre Latino brunch items, such us Huevos Rancheros, Lamb burger, Isla Mangu, Blueberry Pancakes, Gazpachos and more. On Sundays, a truck sponsored by Leblon cachaca will serve complimentary virgin caiprinha sorbets outside Macondo while DJ William spins Latin beats into the evening.

- Kim Weling

Hugo Boss Rooftop Party

Last night was the Hugo Boss Rooftop Party, featuring Robin Thicke. I would have loved to say I had a great time, but that never happened. I waited a half an hour outside, just to get on another half hour line inside the building. I asked the PR reps out front where the press list was. They said it was inside, yet you still had to wait on the same line that everyone was on. Why was there not a press list outside????? I waited an hour to get into this party, just to be told that I was not on the press list.

Now, sometimes it's hard to tell if you are confirmed or not - I go to an event, I'm not on the list. I don't go to an event, and I find out I was on the list. Sometimes you are not on the list, and pull out your confirmation, and still they say no. You never know how things are going to go. And then there are those party crashers that always seem to get in regardless.

All I have to say is that the way Hugo Boss PR handled this event is one of the worst that I've had to experience. Even though I'm sure those who actually attended the event enjoyed it, I'm sure they did not appreciate that ridiculous line! What a waste of my time! The last thing I want to do after working late is wait on a one hour line for nothing.

So since I planned on covering this event, there you have it. Next time I'll skip the drama and bitchiness at check-in. Beware next time you try to go to one of their events.

I do want to say thank you to all those PR agencies and companies with in-house PR that do it right and go out of their way to accommodate their guests and build on relationships with the press.

- Kim Weling

alice + olivia for MAC Cosmetics Launch

Stacey Bendet
Photo by Patrick McMullan

On Wednesday, July 14th, guests crowded into Beauty Bar to celebrate the launch of alice + olivia for MAC Cosmetics.

I caught the tail end of the party so alice + olivia designer Stacey Bendet was no longer in sight, but party-goers were still enjoying complimentary manicures with the alice + olivia for MAC nail lacquer shades - So Rich So Pretty (bright purple with pearl), Morning. After (creamy turquoise) and Military (black matte with silver suede pearl). My favorite is the Morning.After!

The bar area was packed, as attendees enjoyed cocktails and music by DJ Mia Moretti and DJ Chelsea Leland.

I am excited to try all the alice + olivia for MAC products I got in the gift bag, including all three nail lacquer shades, Partylicious (turquoise with silver pearl) and Later. (black with transforming pearl) pigments and If It's Pink... (hot pink) dazzleglass creme. The outer and inner packaging sleeves of the nail lacquer, pigment and dazzleglass creme feature a collage of elements from Stacey Bendet's Fall '10 mood board.

Most of these limited edition products are already sold out at maccosmetics.com. I wish you the best of luck in finding them - they are definitely worth tracking down!

- Kim Weling

Partylicious Pigment

Left: So Rich So Pretty Nail Lacquer
Right: I.Want.Candy Dazzleglass Creme

Jodi Arnold for The Limited Fall 2010 and The Limited Fall 2010 Collections

Jodi Arnold for The Limited

If you are a fan of Jodi Arnold for The Limited, you'll be happy to shop the fall collection when it launches in stores and online at thelimited.com on August 15th. Jodi Arnold for The Limited Spring 2010 was such a hit, and the momentum continued this fall.

Jodi Arnold for The Limited is designed with The Limited's messsage of "Your Personal Success" in mind: the Fall 2010 Collection is a celebration of women discovering their own personal freedom of expression, reflected in the signature embellishments, unique prints and Jodi's trademark attention to detail.

Tops featuring Jodi's signature detailing will retail for $39.50 - $69.50; embellished dresses, $98; tailored skirts and leggings, $49.50 - $79.50; menswear-inspired sweaters and jackets, $69.50 - $148. You can still catch what's left of the drastically reduced spring collection here.

For her second collaboration with The Limited, Jodi uses a playful mix of feminine and masculine -influenced design as a metaphor for the 1920's and 30's, a time when American women embraced greater personal independence. Influenced by social reformers, glamorous stage performers and middle-class women entering professions previously closed to women, the Jodi Arnold for The Limited Fall Collection honors the tremendous strides made by the dynamic women of the era.

"My passion for design is driven by love of fabric, texture, and prints," says Jodi, "and my need for newness pushed me to find the next way to evolve my next collection for The Limited."

I spoke to Jodi about her inspiration, staple items and what her favorite piece is in the collection.

The Jodi Arnold for The Limited Fall Collection integrates seamlessly with The Limited's Fall 2010 Collection. It is easy to mix pieces from both collections to create a cohesive look.

Elliot Staples, VP of Design for The Limited, discusses the upcoming fall collection and pieces that work well for a petite frame.

Here are a few of my favorites from the upcoming fall collection. I like the ruffle detaling on this white blouse.

This brown leather jacket is one of my favorite fall pieces. It looks great with a dress or with pants. The combination of brown and green works really well, especially the ruffled green sweater with the tweed skirt.

- Kim Weling

Ann Taylor Fall 2010

For Ann Taylor Fall 2010, inspiration comes from the idea of mixing European sophistication with timeless American style. If you love leopard prints, you'll definitely see them this fall. Some pieces I am always sure to stock up on are ones I can wear from season to season, like pencil skirts, cardigans, tanks and shells. Ann Taylor has a Chunky Sweater Jacket that looks great with a wide belt and can be worn with anything - skinny jeans, dresses and skirts. If you are looking for skirts, you'll find some great tweed and embroidered ones. I definitely need to add some new jackets into my wardrobe for fall, especially a military jacket! I don't have an image shown here, but if you are looking for a coat this fall, ask for the grey Boiled Ruffle Topper Coat (knee length), $278. I love the dramatic ruffles around the collar.

Here are a few of my favorite looks.




Right: Silk Leopard Top, $78 with Perfect Ponte Skirt, $78


Jaguar Print Pencil Skirt, $118
Long Chain Link Necklace, $98


Fringe Tulle Party Dress, $248

Left: Textured Open Cardigan, $78, with Pearl and Rhinestone Tee, $54

2nd from left: Plush Wool Gallery Coat, $298 with Polka Dot Oversized Cashmere Scarf, $98

2nd from right: Featherweight Wool Cardigan, $58 with Tiered Chiffon Shell, $68 - love this!

Right: Blurred Animal Print Sheath Dress, $168

Chunky Sweater Jacket, $128

Long Sleeve Silk Trim Sheath, $148
Signature Satchel, $248

Leather Motorcycle Jacket, $348

Lightweight Cap Sleeve Blouse, $68

Brushed Tweed Skirt, $98

Sparkle Ribbon Necklace, $58

I love the weighted, chunky necklaces and bracelets. You would think because I am petite that these are too overpowering but the key is too not overdo it! I can't wear a chunky necklace and bracelet together, but wearing one of these pieces makes a statement, as long as I keep my outfit simple or classic.

There are plenty of pieces to choose from to embellish yourself - Swarovski, Pavé and other sparkles. Since I have a tiny wrist, the stretch bracelets are perfect for me.

Leather gloves is a must-have! I've been on a search for a pair of long, leather gloves, especially to wear with 3/4 sleeve jackets. Hope these fit me!

Can't wait for peeptoe booties! Ann Taylor adds extra padding in their shoes, lining them with leather so that every pair feels as comfortable on the inside as they are beautiful on the outside! I have a pair of Ann Taylor patent pumps and I have to agree - they are comfortable. Their size 5 fits me well!

Melanne Oxford Peeptoe Bootie, $198

Aimee Military Peeptoe Bootie, $228

- Kim Weling