Gluten Free, Naturally by Caroline Byron Book Launch

Model turned gluten-free chef Caroline Byron, known for her blog Simply-Caro.com, celebrated the launch of her book Gluten Free, Naturally on June 18th at Ladurée Private Garden in Soho in NYC.

Gluten Free, Naturally features one hundred recipes for meals on your own, weeknight suppers, and for larger gatherings with friends and family. The range of balanced, healthy recipes include soups, broths, salads, and stews, with lots of vegetarian options. Gluten Free, Naturally is filled with lots of kitchen basics and a useful gluten-free flour glossary. This cookbook is perfect for anyone that has celiac disease or is looking to cut down on gluten or has gluten intolerance. 

There are some tasty recipes I can't wait to try, including Exotic Rose and Cardamom Milk Pudding, Zesty Beet and Pomegranate Salad, Asian Summer Rolls, Peach, Almond and Raspberry Crisp.

Caroline trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York and now runs her own successful catering company. Her gluten-free recipes have gained her thousands of followers on Instagram and Twitter, and she has been featured in such publications as Vogue and Town & Country.

- Kim Weling

Rachel Zoe "Living in Style" Launch Party at DreamDry

On Wednesday, March 26th, I celebrated the launch of Rachel Zoe's new book, Living in Style: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Glamour with ELLE and essie at DreamDry, at 35 W. 21st Street. Rachel Zoe signed copies of her book for guests, as they enjoyed cocktails, delectable sweets, dry styling and braids by DreamDry and complimentary essie manicures with the new essie spring 2014 collection. 

In Living In Style, Rachel offers tips and advice, along with style insights from fellow insiders, friends and family members. You'll find photographs from Rachel's private archives and learn about her personal icons and earliest influences as she shares the story of her own style evolution.

- Kim Weling

Live4Life Foundation / Leggy Blonde Book Launch at Red Door Spa

Melissa Breitbart-Sohn, Andy Cohen and Aviva Drescher

On February 26th I joined Red Door Spa, the Live4Life Foundation & Gallery Books for the launch of Real Housewife of New York Aviva Drescher's new book, Leggy Blonde: A Memoir. The event took place at the Red Door Spa NYC Flagship, featuring manicures and makeup touchups. Notable guests included Andy Cohen, LuAnn de Lesseps and Ramona Singer.

Proceeds of Red Door Spa services and the book benefit the Live4Life Foundation, a non-profit organization that benefits research at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. To learn more about the Live4Life organization and founder, Melissa Breitbart-Sohn, and her battle with melanoma, click here. 

Guests received the new Red Door Spa Professional Solar Defense SPF 20, which is a lightweight oil-free formula with added antioxidant protection and anti-aging benefits. This special formula includes Beta Glucan, Vitamins A, C and E to help improve skin's tone and texture. Events that benefit a great cause such as this one is a reminder to make sure we take care of our skin with sun protection and regular skin checks, especially as we head into the warm, sunnier months. 

10% of all Red Door Spa services and treatments will be donated to the Live4Life organization thru March. 

- Kim Weling

Votre Vu & Tatiana Boncompagni SOCIAL DEATH Book Launch

On March 6th, Tatiana Boncompagni held a lunch party for her new book, SOCIAL DEATH, at the Madison Avenue Nanette Lepore store. In collaboration with the book release, Votre Vu has created a limited edition French Kiss Moisture Riche Lipstick, aptly named SOCIAL DEATH. 

SOCIAL DEATH is a scandal-packed murder mystery of a beautiful New York City heiress set on Mahattan's Upper East Side.

Votre Vu's Limited Edition French Kiss in SOCIAL DEATH is a true red lipstick referencing the setting and graphic cover image of Boncompagni's book. This lipstick has a creamy formulation with a bit of gloss to it, handcrafted of pure, enriched natural plant waxes, vitamin E, anti-aging ingredients and SPF 8. 

Lip tip: For a more defined and flawless lip, line lips with Drawmatic Lip Pencil before French Kiss color application. Finish off with Lip Lustre gloss. 

Votre Vu Limited Edition French Kiss in SOCIAL DEATH is now available exclusively at www.votrevu.com for $23.00. Votre Vu donates $1 from every French Accents product purchased to the St. Baldrick's Foundation for the 46 Mommas' campaign to treat and cure pediatric cancer. 

Below images courtesy of Jimmy Lepore Hagan for Nanette Lepore

Votre Vu's Ann Brodette, Nanette Lepore and Tatiana Boncompagni

- Kim Weling

7 Years Younger: The Revolutionary 7-Week Anti-Aging Plan

Back in November, I got a first look at 7 Years Younger, the revolutionary 7-week anti-aging plan by the editors of Good Housekeeping, which kicks off with a 7-day Jumpstart plan. The event at Hearst Tower's Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) was hosted by Rosemary Ellis (Editor-in-Chief), Miriam Arond (Director, GHRI), Nina Judar (Beauty Director) and Samantha Cassetty (Nutrition Director, GHRI). 

I was able to participate in breakout sessions pertaining to nutrition and diet, fitness, brain health and beauty, skin care and hair care. What's great about the book is that you can pick and choose what sections of the book you want to focus on - it's all about customizing your own plan. This book is full of tips, tricks and tools for including anti-aging meal plans, better before-bed habits and at-home exercises you can do on your own time. 

The beginning of the year is a good time as any to make some healthier choices and 7 Years Younger can act as a useful blueprint to fighting aging and looking younger. 7 Years Younger just launched earlier this month. To learn more and where you can get your copy of the book, click here. 

Samantha Cassetty introduced us to recipes and dishes straight from the book, with foods that boost calcium and protein levels, from chicken and lean beef to Greek yogurt.

Roast Beef Sammy

Veggie Wrap

Pita Pizza

Makeovers with the Laura Gellar team

Always great to see Laura Geller!

A look at Good Housekeeping anti-aging 2010 award winner picks

- Kim Weling

The Seasons of Veuve Clicquot: A Social Cookbook for All Celebrations Book Launch

On December 7th, I had the pleasure of attending an intimate gathering at the penthouse of Pamela Johananoff and Matthew Adell, for the launch of The Seasons of Veuve Clicquot: A Social Cookbook for All Celebrations by Stephane Gerschel, global communications director of Veuve Clicquot. Vanessa Kay, President of Veuve Clicquot USA, hosted the event, while guests enjoyed champagne and canapés.

The Seasons of Veuve Clicquot: A Social Cookbook for All Celebrations, published by Rizzoli, is the perfect cookbook to gift for the holidays. The cookbook is divided into four chapters - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, "highlighting centuries-old traditions and expertise of champagne-making while chronicling the brand's world-renowned events and original recipes for celebrations fit for each season".

I couldn't ask for a better way to spend a rainy evening - with amazing food, including a to-die-for black truffle risotto, which is the best risotto I've ever had, and a beautiful performance by Stephane's cousin, that made me feel like I was in France.

I can't wait to try out some of these recipes!

Stephane Gerschel

Mixed Berry Tarts

Guests were able to sample a chosen recipe from each of the four seasons featured in the cookbook

Left - Spring: Spring Vegetable Ratatouille - pan seared red mullet fillet, diced baby zucchini, red bell peppers, eggplant, flowering thyme sprig

Right - Summer: Smoked Salmon Tiramisu - house smoked salmon layered with salmon roe mascarpone, baby arugala, sun dried tomato pâté, crema soaked whole wheat bread

Autumn: Duck a la Automne - seared sliced duck breast, pan roasted fall root vegetables & apples, Jerusalem artichoke purée

Winter: Black Truffle Risotto - riso carnaroli, beef stock, Veuve Clicquot, aged parmesan, panna, shaved black truffle

- Kim Weling