Robert Verdi’s Luxe Laboratory, February 2011 Fashion Week Retreat

It was another fun and fabulous season at Robert Verdi's Luxe Laboratory Fashion Week Retreat! Every time I visit during fashion week I find it hard to make it to the afternoon shows - I completely skipped out! A few hours or lounging and relaxing is always a must during fashion week!

FoodParc provided an assortment of muffins, bagels, cream cheese, sliced Scottish smoked salmon, sliced meats and fruit.

For dessert I indulged in single serve layered pie and cheesecake snacks from Temptations by Jell-O, which comes in 6 flavors for 150 calories or less! I think Double Chocolate Pie and Raspberry Cheesecake are my favorites. There are also French Silk Pie, Apple Custard Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Lemon Meringue Pie.

I couldn't lounge without enjoying a drink from Perrier-Jouët Champagne, celebrating their 200th anniversary this year!

I took a closer look at NOOK Color by Barnes & Noble - the first full-color touch Reader’s Tablet. It’s an easy way to read books and your favorite magazines. It has a 7-inch color touchscreen and a thin, portable design that easily fits into your purse or bag! I love the fashionable new NOOK covers by JACKSPADE, kate spade, Dalton and Dessin.

Vintage Revolution Jeans were back with new fits and washes! I heard a new fitted boyfriend jean is coming soon - can't wait!

Body Wrap Shapewear's new Sheer Iridesscent collection is sexy and stylish, with an innovative paneling system. The differing levels of control slims and enhances to your needs.

Chelsea Taylor, the sterling silver and Swarovski™ crystal jewelry line, offers three different collections, Classics, Semi-Precious Stones and Dynasty, which reflect upcoming Spring 2011 trends featuring 70’s and 80’s glamour, animal prints, furs and leathers. Prices range from $50.00-$2,000.00.

Lifetherapy allows you to "Choose Your Mood" with five body lotions, body cremes, handcremes and pulse point oils - flirt, chill, vacation, escape, and play. It was fun to sit down and choose my mood with Lifetherapy founder Lynette Lovelace. My moods were a cross between escape and play.

Lynette Lovelace

SOLSTICEsunglasses.com just launched their e-commerce site in November 2010 with over 40 luxury, designer and sport sunglass brands available online, including Gucci, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Carrera among others.

Okabashi eco-friendly sandals and flip flops for men and women are 100% recyclable and made from 30% recycled material. These sandals and flip flops are made with MicroplastTM, which provide support, stability, cushioning and durability. These retail for under $20!

Make-up touch-ups by Mally

Manicures from Incoco

- Kim Weling

Robert Verdi's RV/FW10 Fashion Week Retreat

Robert Verdi's Fashion Week Retreat is one of my favorite stopovers during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I had such a great time at RV/FW10 in February, I couldn't wait to preview the brands and products being showcased this season. So many exciting launches!

Jee Vice offers a fashionable, luxurious collection of sunglasses. Some of the sunglasses styles even have a heel on the temple.

Vintage Revolution Jeans is debuting this fall at stores including Bloomingdale's and Fred Segal, retailing between $118-$148. I tried on the Black Overdye Bell Flare in a size 24, which has a sexy, snug fit through the leg. I can't wait to try the legging in the rinse wash, which also comes in a faded grey wash. I've been looking for the perfect denim legging for awhile now!

I'm really excited about Tulle's women's clothing line - sweaters, jackets, skirts, dresses, shorts, pants and accessories. They carry XS/0, but also carry a selection that appeals to all body types, so there's definitely something for everyone. I love this double breasted vintage wool coat that I got from Tulle in black, XS. The sleeves are a little long so I'll have to get that hemmed but getting a fall coat was on my shopping list.

Coca-Cola created Fashion Pops, fashion-forward accessory pairings matching each of the aluminum bottles with a limited edition custom ring inspired by it's own unique personality and flavor. A limited number of Fashion Pops have been created exclusively for Robert Verdi's RV/FW10 Fashion Week Retreat this season. Guests were tweeting the pairing that best reflected their own personal style to #rvfw at a chance to win a full set of Fashion Pops.

I am definitely in need of a new iron and I think I have found it - the lightweight, Panasonic 360-Degree Freestyle Cordless Iron. I love the sleek design of the slightly convex, multidirectional soleplate. The iron also makes it easier to smooth out collars, cuffs and difficult areas around buttons. The iron is set to launch in October and will retail for $99.95.

Other features include:

• Detachable water tank makes refilling safe & easy
• Electronic Temperature Control sets precise heat for all fabrics
• Pushbutton steam feature removes stubborn wrinkles from delicate garments
• Anti-drip feature protects fabrics
• Auto shut-off after 10 minutes helps eliminate worry
• Convenient case with handle

Another amazing product is the Panasonic Massage Sofa Chair. I wish I could replace this with my regular sofa chair! It's available in avocado green or latte washable fabric. The massage Sofa Chair delivers a full body massage, mimics the movements of a massage therapist's hands and automatically adjusts to the height of the user.

I sat in the chair for about 15 minutes and just melted away, feeling the stress and tension leave my body. I really felt the difference than regular massage chairs I've experienced while getting a pedicure. This really did customize to my height, and even pinpointed where my head rested to hit every spot on my head, back, shoulders - you name it.

The sophisticated massage-head mechanism that accurately simulates kneading with the palm of the hand (Swedish massage), soft shiatsu with the thumbs, and gentle tapping with the fist. The hidden Air Ottoman System delivers a more complete, contoured lower body massage of the shin and calf muscles and the feet. The massage Sofa Chair retails for $2495.00. Maybe someday I will get one!

I love Linea Pelle's handbags and accessories. The Italian leather is so soft, and the pieces are so versatile and functional, especially the Dylan Folding Tote, which comes which also comes with a messenger strap. I love that it can be worn folded or unfolded, and has multiple pockets.

Dylan Long Zip Wallet, $135


Left and middle: Alex Zipper Speedy, $455


Alex Zipper Cross Body, $225


Dylan Folding Tote (folded), $535


Dylan Folding Tote (unfolded), $535


Left: Dylan Medium Tote, $435

Guests enjoyed getting primped with hairstyling, manicures and makeovers




I enjoyed a soothing cup of mochachino with the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto™ single-serve coffee machine, lauching in October. I was amazed at how quick and easy it is to make a mochachino! I love the space-saving design of the Piccolo. There are four designs total - Piccolo, Melody™ 2, Circolo and Creativa™.

Left and Right: Circolo™
Middle: Piccolo

Let's not forget to stay hydrated with Glaceau Smartwater, Vitamin Water and Vitamin Water Zero with all the running around.


- Kim Weling