CE Week 2014 Highlights in NYC

It's back-to-school time, but also back-to-fashion week, as I prepare for some non-stop fashion with the latest tech accessories. It's the perfect time to highlight my favorites from CE Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion/Altman Building from June 23-27th, where I previewed the best of battery packs and case chargers, portable speakers, SD cards and more!

With the Ztylus camera case and lens kit, it's like taking pictures with a digital camera instead of just your smartphone. Although I love my iPhone 5, it doesn't have impressive camera features or capabilities. The sleek camera case protects your phone from scratches and drops and has an integrated foldable kickstand. The lens kit has 4-in-1 interchangeable lenses including a wide- angle lens, super macro lens, circular polarizer filter, and extreme fisheye lens. 

Another popular item you can find at ztylus.com is the OnSlot On-Hot Shoe Cleaner which attaches to the hot shoe of your camera. The microfiber cleaning pad removes smudges, dust, oil and grease from your LCD screen.

Mimoco showcased their new MimoPowerBot - character-based universal backup battery for smartphones and tablets. I'm really excited about the Star Wars X MimoPowerBots, featuring Darth Vader and R2-D2, which will be available in November. Mimoco also showcased the MimoPowerTubes. These portable chargers are fun and stylish, like one of my favorites - Powersavers. 

Kensington iPad and tablet keyboard cases

The Thinium Charge is ultra-slim, portable wall charger that provides a quick 1 AMP charge directly from a wall outlet, laptop, computer or USB source without the hassle of cables.

Fashionable PowerPacks from PNY with a soft leather feel and thin, lightweight design

Every CE Week I look forward to the Monster Press Conference. Noel Lee introduced the latest Monster headphone launches. Click here for my interview with Noel. 

iHome speakers and home audio systems

Happy Plugs colorful earbuds, ultra thin cases and charge & sync cables. Rose Gold earbuds - that would definitely be my choice!

Duracell Power Banks in neon brights

Duracell Car Charger kits

Uniden Power Bank

ChargerLeash charge/sync USB charging cable with loss prevention technology. When you unplug your device from the ChargerLeash, an alarm alerts you to make sure you unplug your ChargerLeash and take it with you. 

STM Bags - features laptop sleeves and shoulder bags

Geometrical Inc. introduces the Pocket Tripod - a card-size iPhone stand that adjusts to any angle in both portrait and landscape.

Miggo camera straps transform into a protective case for easy shooting and storing in your bag. 

Selfy is a phone case integrated with a wireless remote camera shutter, making it easier to take pictures and videos with your smartphone. 

Olloclip Macro 3-in-1 lens for iPhone 5/5s 

Altec Lansing Bluetooth Shower Speaker

Altec Lansing Solo Jacket Bluetooth Speaker

Altec Lansing Life Jacket Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Motorola Digital Cordless Home Phone with Answering Machine

A-Audio Legacy Over-Ear Headphones

Verbatim Ultra-Slim Power Packs, 

Verbatim Flash Memory Cards

uNu Battery Cases

uNu Ultrapak Portable Battery Packs

Velodyne Designer Skins

MVolt Fast Charger Combo Pack - comes with dual USB car and dual USB home Android and iPhone ports.

Philips In-Ear Headphones

Philips Portable Bluetooth Speakers

- Kim Weling

Marcelle Cosmetics Birchbloggers Breakfast and Lux Gloss Giveaway

Last Friday I started my day with a visit to the new Birchbox SoHo store at 433 West Broadway for a Birchbloggers breakfast with Marcelle Cosmetics. Our morning included a makeup demo which allowed us to get more familiar with Marcelle's products. My favorite Marcelle product so far has been the BB Cream in Golden Glow. It's great to use in the summer since it combats shine and oily skin. 

Some of Marcelle's products that I am excited to try next are the 2 in 1 Retractable Eyeliner, BB Concealer and Monochromatic Pressed Powder. There were some great makeup tips we picked up during the demo:

Tip #1: Start with applying your eye makeup first, so that when your cleaning up any running eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara, you aren't removing any other makeup you would have applied - concealer, foundation, etc. 

Tip 2: When applying the BB Concealer, massage the roll-on from the middle, and then outward in a figure-8 motion to stimulate circulation and decrease any puffiness. 

Tip #3: To keep your eyeliner from running, be sure to set your makeup with a powder.  Apply Marcelle's Monochromatic Pressed Powder under your eyes.

Tip 4: To transform a day look into night, add a liquid liner, darker lip and a little bronzer.

Next we visited the Marcelle x Birchbox Gloss Bar to make our own custom-made lip glosses! The gloss in made in minutes just after you choose your base color (or mix two or three together), finish and special effect. The Lux Gloss comes out semi-sheer with a high-shine finish. I went with red/magenta and ultra violet shades for the upcoming fall season. In addition to the glosses we also got to leave with deluxe samples of the BB Cleanser and BB Cream and a brand new Make-Up Palette. 

Thank you Marcelle Cosmetics and Birchbox for hosting such a fabulous Birchbloggers breakfast! Since it was my first time visiting the SoHo store, I spent my entire morning exploring the store and even created a BYOB (Build Your Own Birchbox)!

Now it's time for a giveaway! I am giving away one of the Marcelle Lux Glosses I created in a Tangerine/Ultra Violet shade, Copper Finish and Drops of Jupiter effect. To enter, leave a comment below with your email address.

MARCELLE LUX GLOSS GIVEAWAY

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Must be legal U.S. resident. Contest ends on September 13th at 11:59pm ET. Fashionably Petite will determine (1) winner via random.org, who will be rewarded a customized Marcelle Lux Gloss. Odds of winning are dependent on the total number of eligible entries. Winner will be contacted by email. Giveaway sponsored by Fashionably Petite; Prize provided by Carmex.

Lux Gloss Giveaway! Enter to win!

Christina's final makeup look: flawlessly gorgeous!

My Marcelle Lux Gloss creations

Here's a look at the BYOB (Build Your Own Birchbox) I created. You are able to pick one sample from every category at $15 per box - Skincare: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit, Hair: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, Body & Nails: RUFFIAN Dressing Room Nail Lacquer Remover Towelette and Nail Lacquer in RUFFIAN Naked, Fragrance: MCMC Fragrance Phoenix Eau de Parfum, and Makeup: Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer. The samples that are available get changed up during the first week of the month. 

There were three Birchbox Man boxes to choose from. This one was my favorite, since it comes with a gigantic deluxe sample of Davines Energizing Shampoo.

- Kim Weling