Clara Kasavina Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

It's not too early to start thinking about those holiday and New Year's parties, and you'll need to start thinking about an evening bag to go with your fabulous dress. Check out these luxurious, hand-crafted clutches from Clara Kasavina's Fall/Winter 2010 collection, with many of the pieces set with Swarovski Elements.


Rosina Cross Body Clutch in curly French velvet, $650


New Tess Flapper Clutch with beading detail, $200


Tsipora Art Deco Feather Clutch, $785


Leane Round Crystal handbag, $1,300


Lilia Floral Jeweled Handbag, $1,685

Agave Nectar - New Bath & Body Collection from Thymes

Thymes recently launched Agave Nectar, a new bath & body collection. The fresh scent of agave nectar is paired with ruby red grapefruit, tangy guava, and succulent lemon blossom. The citrus scent is light, clean and invigorating. This has quickly become another favorite of mine, along with Thymes' Azure and Red Chérie.

Agave Nectar is available in an assortment of products, including body lotion, body wash, cologne candle, hand wash and hand lotion sink set and more. These items would make great gifts for the holidays.

I think you'll be happy with any Thymes product you try, but the hand and body lotions are definitely my favorite products. The lotions are moisturizing and hydrating and the scent lasts for hours. The body wash is also a favorite, with a refreshing rich, lather.

- Kim Weling

Still Time to Get Lucky Shops Tickets!

Have you gotten your tickets to Lucky Shops yet? This is one shopping event I have anticipated year after year! If you've never attended, you'll be amazed at the selection of designers and discounts! I have met so many people that aren't even from the NYC area and fly or drive just to attend this shopping event!

The Lucky Shops weekend kicks off with the 10th Anniversary VIP Shopping Party. Tickets are limited for the exclusive, red carpet opening night gala celebrating Lucky’s 10th anniversary. Attendees will enjoy a night of amazing designer deals (up to 70% off) music, cocktails and major giveaways. Your ticket also includes a VIP gift bag valued at more than $500!

Lucky magazine will gift 50% of the net proceeds of each $185 ticket to Free Arts NYC.

If you can't make it to the VIP Shopping Party, you still have Friday or Saturday to shop and enjoy giveaways and complimentary cocktails. Don't worry, inventory will be refreshed throughout the day! Click here to read about my experience at Lucky Shops last year.

To purchase tickets and view the list of vendors, go to luckyshops.com.

If you are a ZYNCSM Cardmember, you'll enjoy exclusive Lucky Shops benefits, including:

• Fifteen percent (15%) off the regular price of tickets
• Access to preview shopping on Friday and Saturday
• Early access to Lucky Shops via exclusive ZYNC Cardmember entrance when you show your valid ZYNC Card

- Kim Weling

Rock & Republic The Warehouse Sale

If you are shopping for jeans and missed 7 For All Mankind The Warehouse Sale, here's another chance - this time to catch Rock & Republic The Warehouse Sale! If you plan on going to Lucky Shops on November 6th, then you are in luck because this is right next door! November 6th is the last day so you know what that means - even further markdowns on the last day! To rsvp for the Rock & Republic sale, click here.

- Kim Weling

Pink Matters! with Verbatim's Pink Edition 500GB Acclaim™ USB Portable Hard Drive

One thing you should always do is make sure you back up all your files, which you can do while helping a great cause, with this special Verbatim PINK Edition 500GB Acclaim™ USB Portable Hard Drive. This stylish hard drive is sleek and compact in shiny pink. It is Windows and Mac compatible, includes Nero BackItUp & Burn Essentials software*, bonus Norton Online Backup (5GB) and is backed by a 7-year limited warranty. The hard drive retails for $89.99.

From September 1, 2010 through October 31, 2011, Verbatim will donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® $8.00 of the retail sales price per PINK edition Acclaim Hard Drive sold, with an aggregate minimum guaranteed donation of $35,000. Komen will distribute 75% of donations received from program sales in Canada to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

- Kim Weling

Support Breast Cancer Awareness with Aveda and Origins

Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn't over yet - you can still show your support with these Origins and Aveda products. I happened to stop over at Origins and Aveda during the Garden State Plaza Westfield Style Tour this past weekend. They are both two of my favorite brands!

You can de-stress with Origins Peace of Mind® On-the-Spot Relief. You can feel the tension and tightness leave your body as you apply this to the back of your neck, temples and earlobes, leaving you with a soothing, tingling feeling.

Throughout October, Origins will donate $35,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. On-the-spot relief will not impact the amount of the Origins donation. This contribution supports the research dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime.

When you purchase Pink Ribbon Hand ReliefTM, $4 goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It's the perfect moisture treatment for soothing dry, chapped hands, leaving them softer and smoother.

Yves Saint Laurent Friends and Family Sale at the Metropolitan Pavillion's Gallery

The Yves Saint Laurent Friends and Family Sale starts Thursday, October 28th at the Metropolitan Pavillion's Gallery! I've never been to this sale. Let me know how it is if you go or have gone before!

Rebecca Taylor Fall 2010 Favorites

Rebecca Taylor is one of my favorite designers. My must-have Rebecca Taylor piece for fall is this wool femme military cape, $625.

Here are my favorite Rebecca Taylor looks for fall. Her pieces are so versatile, with so many different ways to incorporate into your own personal style.

Runway images courtesy of nymag.com

Westfield Style Tour at Garden State Plaza with Stacy London

Yesterday, October 23rd, was a long, fun-filled day at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ for the Westfield Style Tour. I can't believe I spent 7 1/2 hours at the mall! Half of the day was participating in events and the second half of the day was lots of shopping! I was excited to meet Stacy London from TLC's What Not to Wear.

I was surprised and thrilled when I found out a few days ago that I was the winner of the 'Claim It and Win' contest through Garden State Plaza's facebook page. They had several prizes you can enter to win daily. I won the $150 gift card to Nine West. I bought the Trinity Flat Leather Riding Boots for $159.99 (thank you to Leena and Rosa for their help at the Nine West store!), so I literally paid $10 after using my gift card!

When I checked in at noon at the Neiman Marcus Court, I started with a makeover touchup from Clinique. 'Claim It and Win' winners and participated in free beauty treatments and consultations with professional stylists.

After my makeover, I headed over to the Lord and Taylor Court for the fashion show
hosted by Stacy London. Fashion Editor Heather Zwain of 201 Magazine kicked off the show by introducing Stacy.

Heather Zwain, 201 Magazine


Stacy London from TLC's What Not to Wear

The show was all about showcasing the latest fall trends:

Camel coats - if you are not used to wearing as light of a color as camel, you can always wear it with a dress color you are comfortable with - black, navy, or red

Nude colored shoes - it's not all about black anymore

Plaid is in, but if you are over 30 you shouldn't be wearing a skirt this short. Looks like a look you would see on Gossip Girl, either on Blair Waldorf or one of her minions during their high school years. Sporting a knit blazer is also in. I love the boots! I'm looking for a low boot/heel for fall, especially for walking around the city and pairing with jeans or a skirt!

I have my BB Dakota faux fur vest for the fall, but a flair jean and clogs is not really my style. I'd rather pair my vest with a pair of denim leggings and high heeled booties or long black leather boots. Or even with a dress! It all depends on your personal style! So many different ways to style with a faux fur vest.

This is my favorite look - military inspired look with black lace leggings and cinching the waist with a belt.

I think with heels the right jumpsuit would actually elongate my frame, but that would definitely require tailoring.

Some other trends for fall are gold dresses, tweed suiting, belted handkerchief hem sweaters (which I can't pull off because it would literally look like I am wearing a blanket - too much fabrics for my petite frame), strapless dresses (a strapless silhouette never goes out of style!) and knit handbags (during the show I had just remembered I have a blue tweed Missoni bag at the bottom of my closet somewhere that I have never even worn - I must dig it out and wear it this fall!

After the fashion show, the 'Claim It and Win' winners met with Stacy in groups of 5 to ask her some personal style questions. I was happy to hear she liked my Charlotte Ronson silk blouse with the sequin shoulders and cut out arms that I got at Lucky Shops last November.

I had tried my luck at the texting contest Virgin Mobile was holding - the fastest texter wins a $1,000 shopping spree. I am horrible at texting on a keyboard. I gave up halfway while trying to text the Snookie phrase that was given. Ever since I switched to touch screen I can no longer press keys! Touch screen is so much faster for me now!

Then it was off to shopping! Along with my Nine West boots I bought a pair of Petite Black Coated Leggings from LOFT, and a basic long sleeve crew from Gap Body. Specific retailers were participating in offering special sales for the Westfield Style Tour weekend.

Also, when you spent $200 or more (which I did) you were eligible to receive a $10 Westfield Gift Card and a $20 card to be used at Aveda.

Since I didn't get to do a skincare treatment, Eric from Origins (thank you) directed me to the Origins store where they were doing free facials and makeovers. I'd like to thank Adrienne for providing a facial/makeover. I love Origins Modern Friction, and Adrienne introduced me to the Out of Trouble® 10 minute mask and VitaZing™ SPF 15 Energy-boosting moisturizer.

I was sure to stop over at Aveda, since my gift bag included a card that entitled me to free hair samples (look forward to trying the Pure AbundanceTM Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner), stress-relieving neck and shoulder massage and Aveda Comforting Tea with Godiva Chocolate. Thank you to Elysia for all her help! I will definitely visit her back at the Aveda store once I figure out what I want to spend with my $20 card! I was lucky I went to Aveda when I did because as I was leaving, a flock of customers entered the store!

I am grateful for having enjoyed such a fabulous shopping day filled with fun events. Thank you to Garden State Plaza and the WestField Style Tour team, Stacy London and all the people that work at the stores I visited and shopped in. Everyone was so friendly, helpful and nice! I'll be on the lookout for the Westfield Style Tour next year!

- Kim Weling

Eric Daman Holiday Dress Collection for Charlotte Russe Preview

This is my favorite dress - One Shoulder Mini Dress, $39.50

Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman has launched an exclusive collection of holiday party dresses for Charlotte Russe. I attended the holiday preview on October 19th at RdV, which included asymmetrical, one shoulder, strapless dresses, all under $50!

Kim Weling and Eric Daman

Asymmetrical Dress, $49.50

Embellished Neck Dress, $34.50

If you are wondering why some of the mannequins have no jewelry, it's because attendees were welcome to help themselves to any accessories on display! That included earrings, necklaces, bracelets, clutches and the shoes! I got there later in the evening so all the jewelry was wiped clean off the mannequins!

Left: Embellished Shoulder Dress, $39.50

Right: Fitted Black Dress, $39.50

Dot Print Dress, $39.50

Rhinestone stretch bracelets that look flashy and fabulous when layered together

So many fun, trendy Charlotte Russe shoes in different colors and styles - peeptoe, pumps, flats, and booties. Unfortunately all that was left was size 9! Whoever was a size 9 was extremely happy to score some shoes! My friends did find me a pair of peeptoe platform slingbacks in a size 6, so thank you to them! I'm normally a size 5, but sometimes I can make a size 6 work with some tights or socks!

The Eric Daman holiday dress collection is now available at these Charlotte Russe stores and at charlotterusse.com. You can shop the collection here, starting at $34.50.

- Kim Weling

Bobbi Brown 'Beauty Rules' Book Launch / Teen Vogue "Fashion at Work" Party

Beauty Rules by Bobbi Brown, $24.95

On October 14th, Teen Vogue and Bobbi Brown celebrated the launch of her new book, Beauty Rules, during the Teen Vogue "Fashion at Work" party, with Jenna Lyons, Abigail Breslin and Amy Astley also in attendance.

Beauty Rules focuses on fabulous looks, makeup how-to's, beauty essentials, style secrets and life lessons for teens and women in their twenties. The book features hundreds of photographs of real girls embracing their natural beauty.

I think this book has something that everyone can learn from. I love Bobbi's basic life rules - they are simple, yet true and motivational. It makes me want to create my own list of life rules! I also love the makeup shopping tips, quick tips for amazing eyes, beautiful lips and amazing hair.

My nieces are a little too young for makeup (10 and 9 years old), but I can't wait to share this book with them a few years from now.

In celebration of Beauty Rules, Bobbi Brown designed a limited edition Beauty Rules Face Palette including edgy eye, lip and cheek colors, and eye pencil.


Bobbi Brown and Kim Weling

Guests were excited about making their own gift bags with copies of Beauty Rules, rulers, pencils, stickers, gumballs and jellybeans and hair bands. There were also tote bags, sunglasses and J.Crew bracelets but those items were all gone by the time I got there!

It is always a pleasure to see Bobbi! She gladly signed copies of her book and took pictures with attendees.



Guests enjoyed hair styling, makeovers and manicures






After hair and beauty treatments, attendees got styled to participate in a photo shoot.

Images by fashionably petite

- Kim Weling