Back-to-School Shopping at Staples with Nick Cannon

  

Last month, I previewed Staples back-to-school shopping with Nick Cannon as he took us through his collaboration with Monster NCredible N-Tune On-Ear Headphones and N-Ergy In-Ear Headphones, which are just as comfortable as they are fashionable, at an affordable price.

 

Back-to-school shopping is also a great time for anyone to get in gear with office supplies, home organization accessories and technology. Along with Monster headphones, some of my must-haves include Kingston's DataTraveler SE9 8GB USB 2.0 USB ($6.39), Apple USB Superdrive ($79) for my new MacBook Air, and for a tablet, the Microsoft Surface RT with Black Touch Cover, 64GB ($549) with touch screen and keyboard.

 

For organization products, Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery features everything from stylish drawers and trays to journals and tablet and laptop cases. I love the mint desk accessories, including Stack+Fit Shagreen Document Storage Boxes ($13.99), Shagreen Drawer with Inbox ($16.99), Stack+Fit Shagreen Box ($2.99) as well as the Message Board, Flourish ($13.99) and Chalkboard Labels, Flourish ($5.99).

 

In addition to Staples members earning five percent back in rewards on everything in the store, Staples also has a Back -to-School Savings Pass, which provides customers with a 15 percent discount on supplies. It is available for purchase for $10 through August 31st, and valid until September 21st, and can be used once a day. Students can also take advantage of receiving Microsoft Office 365 for free ($79.99 value) with the purchase of select touch screen laptops from Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, and Toshiba.

 

 

  

 

 

- Kim Weling

GLITTERRINGS Sample Sale

IKEA 2014 Catalog Launch

The new 2014 IKEA U.S. catalog themed "All Moments Count", launched this August, filled with design inspiration and solutions for every area of the home to help families make the most of their time spent together. It's all about everyday moments, whether it's putting dishes away on the BEKVAM kitchen cart or watching tv on the SODERHAMN sofa. 2014 also marks the 63rd anniversary of the first IKEA catalog.

The launch of the new STOCKHOLM collection makes me want to redesign my entire living space. I first got a glimpse of the STOCKHOLM collection at ICFF during the HTC Design Tour with the HTC One. The 79-piece collection of higher-end, modern furniture is now available in select US stores. The STOCKHOLM collection ranges from $8 cushion covers to a $1799 sofa, with checkered and fern prints and solids in green, yellow, beige, brown, gray and black and white.

Some of my favorites from the Stockholm collection include the chandelier ($99), high-back armchair ($499) in Mosta green, swivel chair ($399) in Sandbacka yellow and sofa ($999) in Sanbacka green. I'd also want to get the serving bowl ($29.99) in Walnut veneer and display my statement necklaces on it.

Here's a further look at the STOCKHOLM collection I previewed at the 2014 IKEA Catalog Open House last month.

 

 

 

- Kim Weling

Tuleste Sample Sale

THE BROWSHOP completely bare + joey healy launch

Photo credit: Paul Bruinooge / Patrick McMullan

Completely bare has always been my go-to for wax and laser treatments and also recently added hi-tech facials to their offerings. Now I have another reason to visit, with the launch of THE BROWSHOP.

On August 14th, celebrity eyebrow stylist Joey Healy and completely bare founder Cindy Barshop celebrated the launch of THE BROWSHOP at completely bare with a private preview at completely bare's newly renovated 103 Fifth Avenue location.

During the preview, eyebrow specialists Ronia Alaoui and Jennifer Dirnfeld held full shaping sessions and THE BROWSHOP Eyebrow Calibrations. The eyebrow specialists serve as ambassadors for the Joey Healy brand, providing eyebrow shaping and tinting services at THE BROWSHOP using Healy's methodology.

Ronia took me through a personal consultation, including my eyebrow's natural hair growth pattern, and customized brow design suited to frame my eyes. After a precise sculpting process of trimming and tweezing, I was all set with my new brow shape, with a recommendation to come back every 4-6 weeks for brow touch-ups. Thank you Ronia!

 

The BROWSHOP will officially open September 2013 at completely bare's Fifth Avenue and Bond Street locations.

- Kim Weling

Accessories Council Bridal Picks

Joseph Anthony Carillo Makeup / Carolina Herrera Fall 2013

On August 13th,  the event space at 91 Horatio Street was beautifully transformed with gorgeous flowers and amazing hors d'oeuvres by The Upper Crust, as the Accessories Council and Millie Martini Bratten shared their favorite bridal accessories.

Bulova is one of my favorite watch brands, since they always have styles that cater to the petite wrist, including this watch, ($325) accented with diamonds from the Highbridge Collection. Sprout's eco-friendly Advanced Crystal Collection watches ($70-75) sparkle with Swarovski Crystals and can be dressed up or dressed down. Ritani is known for their custom-made diamond engagement rings, loose diamonds and other fine jewelry, like the Thin In-and-Out Diamond Hoop Earrings ($750) in 18k White Gold (0.24). Roman & Sunstone's Roman Bride collection has the perfect bridal party gifts, like the Infinity Necklace ($20), which features a silver infinity symbol and simple white pearl, packaged in a white pouch with white bow detail. The Ornate Crystal Bracelet ($60), Bold and Unique Crystal Earrings ($28) and Pearl & Crystal Headband ($30) are also included in the Roman Bride collection.

Boy Meets Girl's Classic Coco Hoodie is the perfect gift for the bride-to-be or bridesmaids. You can choose from a pre-made "Bride/Groom" hoodie ($59) or personalize your own ($69). The pre-made hoodie also comes with a free pair of Boy Meets Girl slippers with your online order. Jack Rogers Palm Peach Navajo Mid-Wedge ($136) is the perfect summer shoe for a beach wedding, while still adding some height for anyone petite. This leather upper is also comes in a flat and high wedge style. ManuelRacim makes made-to-measure dress shirts ($225) for the groom, for a perfectly tailored fit. The dress shirts are made in France, with a choice of over 200 fabrics, 20 collars, 15 cuffs and 12 button types.

A favorite handbag for a summer daytime wedding is Marchesa's envelope shoulder bag ($3,695) with pearl and leather cut embroidery, crystal quartz lock and nickel hardware. The perfect evening bag is Lena Erziak's classic clutch ($3,595), encrusted in Swarovski crystals with 24 k-gold plating on hardware. Bridal fragrance favorites include Tru Blooms ($38-$65), a bright floral perfume made of elegant sheer rose, traditional lavender and sensuous violet and Marchesa Parfum d'Extase ($85) with light florals and a combination of fresh and sensual notes.

The Upper Crust's wedding planning team led by Dan Fehlig, transported us into a beautiful wedding atmosphere for the bridal preview, with amazing hors d'oeuvres including duck canapés, lamb chops, and lemon and chocolate squares. You can check out The Upper Crust catering menu here:

The Saucon Creek lavender prosecco was amazing! Here's the recipe:

Saucon Creek

2 dashes Scrappy's Lavender bitters

.25 oz fresh lemon juice

.75 oz rosemary honey syrup

prosecco

Before adding the prosecco, mix other ingredients in a champagne flute.

Here's a look at the brands showcased

- Kim Weling

Alexander Wang Sample Sale

Summer Favorites from Urban 1972

Glitters Like Gold Peplum, $33 and Vanessa Peplum Skirt, $34

 

L.A.-based Urban 1972 is a hip and trendy clothing line ranging from sizes small to large, with size small equivalent to sizes 0, 2 and 4. Favorites from Urban 1972 include peplum styles, mini and maxi dresses. 

 

The Isabella Mini, $26 and Colored Up Maxi, $28

 

- Kim Weling

Mixing Summertime Florals with Neutrals

 

Summertime florals like this Ashley Satchel by Darling and

Saner Reina Slingback by Iron Fist look great when paired with neutrals such as this Bella Dahl Popover in Evergreen. Iron Fist's footwear comes in trendy prints and start at a size UK size 3, which is equivalent to a US size 5.

 

- Kim Weling

Summer 2013 Eyewear Trends from William Rast, Marciano, Guess, Candie's, Gant and Harley-Davidson

With fall season a few weeks away, it's a great time hit up those summer sales and stock up on accessories such as eyeglasses and sunglasses. William Rast, Marciano, Guess, Candie's, Gant and Harley-Davidson are some of the diverse fashion eyewear brands developed by Viva International Group develops. Here's a look at some of this summer's eyewear trends, including animal prints, color blocking, rhinestone accents and retro styles. William Rast is one of my favorite brands, especially when it comes to eyeglasses. My summer pick is WR 1069 in a two tone plum color, with an oval, cat-eye shape. This is more like a bordeaux/wine color to me, which is a popular color for fall. The WR 1069 is a classic style that can be worn all year round.

- Kim Weling

More Ways to Wear the Von Vonni Transformer Dress

Look #1: Transformer Dress, Jimmy Choo sandals, Polarized Eyewear

So I recently found a few more ways to wear my Von Vonni Transformer - as an asymmetrical dress, skirt or tunic. I love the way the lightweight jersey flows with a slight breeze, adding more volume. This royal blue is one of my favorites of Von Vonni colors, especially for transitioning into fall. The Transformer is easy to dress up, dress down, or layer with.

 

Look #2: Geren Ford top, Transformer Dress as a skirt, Silvia Tcherassi for Payless sandals, Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad case, Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's sunglasses

Since I hemmed the dress, it was too short to wear as a strapless dress, but perfect for wearing as a tunic and pairing with a pair of leggings and a vest.

Look #3: Helmut Lang vest, Transformer Dress as a tunic, The Promise Collection by Tommy Hilfiger necklace, Duro Olowu for jcp, Lanvin sunglasses

Amy O. Jewelry Rocker Wonder Woman rings, Raquelle Bianco bracelet, Sodacase iPhone case with design by Jayson Atienza

Photos by Bri Weling

- Kim Weling

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

The 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target launch is just a month away, hitting stores on September 15th. The 100-piece collection includes men's and women's clothing, shoes, bags and accessories priced from $19.99 to $299.99.

The collection is great for the anyone on the go, with separates that can work for morning, noon and night, from leather to grey sweats and animal, camo and paper floral prints.

- Kim Weling

Casio G-Shock's 30th Anniversary with Performance by Eminem

On Wednesday, August 7th, Casio G-Shock celebrated their 30th anniversary with a press conference featuring special guests James Marsden, Jessica Stam, Brook Lopez and Louie Vito at Basketball City, 299 South Street, Pier #34. During the press conference, three exclusive timepieces were presented: MTG, Rangeman and GDX6900.

The excitement centered around the MT-G Metal Twisted G-Shock Collection, consisting of luxury timepieces creafted at Casio's advanced factory in Yamagata, Japan, for select premium styles. Jessica Stam introduced the fashionable Baby-G BA110, BA111 and BA112 timepieces, available in nine colorways with a layered 3D metallic face. My favorite is the white Baby-G with rose gold, which would look perfect on a petite wrist. Other announcements included the launch of the new 2nd Generation Bluetooth model, lightening yellow models, G-Aviation model and many more.

After the press conference, guests enjoyed an opening act performance by Yelawolf and the anticipated hour long performance by Eminem, singing "Criminal", "Lose Yourself", Won't Back Down", and "Love The Way You Lie".

Check out last year's G-Shock press conference and Eminem performance here.

Introduction of MT-G Metal Twisted G-Shock Collection

James Marsden talks men's fashion and introduces the MT-G luxury timepieces

Here's a look at making sure watch standards are met, through various forms of testing

Brooke Lopez

 Baby-G

Jessica Stam introduces Baby-G

Louis Vito introduces the GLS-8900LV

Here are a few clips from Eminem's performance

- Kim Weling