Saturday, April 17, 2010

Cynthia Rowley for Roxy







American designer Cynthia Rowley hosted a party on April 1st at the Soho Barney's Co-Op to mark the launch of her latest collaboration with Roxy, a deal set to endure over the next 3 years.

The surf-inspired line has surf chicks covered whether they are hitting the waves or the boardwalk bar. Wetsuits, swimsuits, dresses and board shorts in green neons and pastels (Rowley said she was inspired by the colors on one of her Meyerhoff surfboards), topped off with great sandals and accessories, including an awesome gold shark tooth pendant.

Price ranges from $13 to $225.

Fittingly, Rowley had pro surfers Kassia Meador and Lisa Anderson (four-time world champ) model some of the looks. Anderson was decked out in a neoprene dress, while Meador rocked a bandeau top and leggings, paired with her own blazer.

They both also had on Rowley for Roxy footwear.


Cynthia Rowley:

She's TINY. I was shocked to hear her say that she grew up surfing in Montauk.

Finally, my favorite pic (and outfits) of the night.

Images courtesy of Beauty by Benz

The line hits stores this month - you can find it at Barneys, Colette, and Cynthia Rowley and Roxy stores. You can shop at Cynthia Rowley for Roxy at roxy.com.

- Stephanie Wu

Monday, April 12, 2010

Spa Week Spring 2010 is Here!



Here's a list of participating spas in New York. For more information, go to www.spaweek.com.

Happy Spa Week everyone! It's your week to enjoy a relaxing facial, massage or other spa treatment of your choice for $50! Exhale Spa is definitely on my list to try out, but I do have a few recommendations in the NYC area - if you need a bikini wax, try Completely Bare. I've tried Jurlique's facial during Spa Week before. They didn't offer extractions but I did feel refreshed after their facial, and love Jurlique's products. I was so happy during a previous spa week experience, I bought a spa package consisting of facials and aromatherapy massages at Nina's Day Spa and Laser Center. They are located in mid-town, a few minutes from my office, which makes it very convenient for me. So take your pick and indulge! I'd love to hear about your spa experience!

- Kim Weling

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Spa Week Spring 2010 Media Party

The Spa Week Media party is always a much-anticipated event for me, to indulge in spa services, learn about the Spa Week sponsors and and pick up the fabulous spa week gift bag filled with amazing products, both new and familiar to me.

The
Spa Week Spring 2010 Media Party was held at the Prince George Ballroom, on March 8th. I had just gotten back from CA the day before - when I made my travel arrangements, I made sure I was back in time!

I wish I could have gotten there earlier, as appointments had booked up in a flash.
Spa Chicks On-The-Go were giving hand massages and energy readings, but were completely booked. I was able to get my eyebrows waxed by Feline Day Spa. They did an incredible job shaping my brows! Next I got a scalp, shoulder and neck massage by Caudalie. Elle was my massage therapist. The treatment was so relaxing - I love the Caudalie beauty elixir that Elle sprayed on my hair and face.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to stay for the next available appointment at
Bare Escentuals, who was providing makeovers. I haven't tried it yet but the bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation is supposed to feel weightless and natural, with flawless coverage.

I had stopped by
Flame Deal Events & Catering while they were in between samplings. They did have some tasty looking sauces, including sriracha, garlic chili paste, soy sauce, citrus ponzu, sweet chili sauce and hot oil. I haven't tried it yet but I did get a jar with fresh herbs sauce.

As for sweets,
The Wedding Channel sampled mini cupcakes and let's not forget the chocolate fondue fountain on hand to dip pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and bananas in.

My last stop was to see what
Dove Deodorant was up to. They had fully-booked appointments for "Piticures", a spa treatment for your armpits. I found the Light Radiance PitiTini (made with lemonade, sparkling water and fresh lemons absolutely refreshing and hydrating. I really enjoyed the underarm skincare tips from Dr. Debra Luftman that were spread out in the Dove lounge.

Here are a few of the tips I saw:

- Did you know that shaving reduces the top layer of skin by 20 percent? Dove Ultimate Beauty Care deodorant contains a tri-moisturizing system that soothes shaving irritation and helps replenish delicate underarm skin.

- Ladies, don't keep razors in the shower! They can become bredding grounds for bacteria and lead to shaving irritation and infection.

- Don't sweat it! Dove Deodorant delivers outstanding skincare benefits while providing 24-hour odor and wetness protection.

- Did you know that dryness and inflammation can cause uncomfortable and unslightly razor bumps and nicks? Dove Ultimate Beauty Care deodorant is the most caring invisible solid formula made by Dove.

- Dr. Luftman's Shaving Secret: Women should wait to pick up the razor until the end of their shower because prolonged exposure to warm water and steam opens pores, resulting in less irritation and best of all - a closer shave.

It has been another successful, informative and relaxing
Spa Week party. I encourage everyone to pamper themselves by indulging in at least one of their favorite spa treatments! I am definitely overdue to get a massage!

- Kim Weling





Fresh sauces from Flame Deal Events & Catering



Light Radiance PitiTini


Listen to my interview with renowned dermatologist Dr. Debra Luftman, as she worked with Dove Deodorant to create the perfect at-home spa treatment to care for your underarm skin.

Dr. Debra Luftman talks about what makes Dove Deodorant different from other deodorants on the market.

Armand de Brignac Champagne - "A Taste of Luxury"










Alex Garcia of Calle Ocho restaurant
Photos courtesy of Esther-Mireya Tejeda

On March 25th, I attended the "El Sabor de Lujo" event, celebrating
Armand de Brignac Champagne's (also known as Ace of Spades) recent rating as the No. 1 Champagne in the world! Armand de Brignac beat out Cristal and Dom Perignon in a blind taste test of 1,000 brands.

"The Aces" have become the Champagne of choice for A-list celebrities - Jay-Z, P.Diddy, Beyonce and Alex Rodriguez.

Armand de Brignac is packaged in a flashy, high end hand-dipped metallized bottle with four hand-applied and polished pewter labels.

The event featured a champagne tasting of Gold Brut, Rose and Blanc de Blancs cuvees, with Latin chef Alex Garcia of Calle Ocho restaurant hosting the event.

I caught the tail end of this event, sampling the delectable desserts by Alex Garcia - mini pancakes topped with caviar and donut-like pastries filled with warm hot chocolate mousse, paired with the Rose.


- Kim Weling

Learn more about
Armand de Brignac Champagne

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

American Eagle Outfitters Summer 2010

Half day Fridays and beach weather is right around the corner. Do you have your summer wardrobe ready? Check out what American Eagle Outfitters has in store for Summer 2010.

Tanks, camis and halters are must-haves for the summer, available with so many different but simple embellishments that aren't overstated - sequins, studs, jewels, embroidery and crochet details. Or you can skip the embellishments and go for a plain boyfriend tank.

I have always had a hard time finding shorts. I still have casual pairs of shorts from AE that are still favorites of mine but it's time to get some new shorts. I definitely want to try out the denim and linen bermuda shorts ($39.50).

I loved everything I got from the American Eagle Outfitters preview, including a boyfriend shirt ($39,.50) that has a long, loose fit on me, perfect for me to wear belted or as a sleepshirt, with the sleeves rolled up. I can't wait to wear the San Jose floppy orange/purple straw hat ($24.50)to the beach along with my AE embroidered tote. The hat looks fabulous with my sunglasses! Don't forgot the accessories! Rhinestone beaded cotton/metal braid bracelets ($15.50) look great when you layer two or three of them.

I also love what aerie has to offer this summer. Aerie offers everything from underwear (cute tangas, boyshorts and boybriefs) swimwear and athletic wear to tops and dresses. White button front dresses and lace mini skirts are lightweight and comfortable.

I absolutely love the aerie grey cropped graphic pants I got at the preview. I am not accustomed to wearing sweat pants but these are soooo comfortable and soft! They are one of my favorites, perfect for lounging.

American Eagle and aerie's sizing fits well, especially for a petite frame. The S/P sizing is perfect for me.

Look out for aerie Botanicals, a new skincare and makeup line that will make its way into select American Eagle Outfitters stores. Hand cream, body butter, body butter and body wash will be available in three fragrances - violet leaf lychee, fresh citrus + papaya and apple blossom + cucumber. Lip glosses and eye shadow palletes will also be available. Fruity scents are my favorite - so I can't wait to get my hands on these!

- Kim Weling

Leather AE zip pocket crossbody bag, $24.50



Drape neck pullover in grey or cherry ice, $29.50






AE embroidered shirt, $34.50


AE tropical print dresses



AE citrus yellow smocked tiered skirt, $34.50 (left)
AE shirting jacket, $59.50 (right)



Leather AE Kiona sandal, $29.50

aerie cropped graphic pant, $29.50

aerie stripe boyfly boybrief, $7.50, shown in monarch orange (back right)
aerie Hawaiian floral boyshort, $7.50, shown in aqua plunge (center)
aerie square printed scarf, $19.50 (center)

aerie F.I.T. wired sports bra, $24.50 (right)

aerie lace button-down dress, $39.50 (center)
aerie lace trim skirt, $34.50 (left)



Saturday, April 3, 2010

LOFT Summer 2010

Here's a sneak peak at what you can expect to see online and in-store at LOFT this summer. Lightweight pieces are perfect for layering, wearing to the office and hitting those outdoor happy hours afterwards. Turquoise, coral, fuschia, mustard yellow and zebra prints stand out against neutrals. The fun-colored animal prints are safari chic in an urban jungle.

Some of my favorite pieces include the turquoise or mustard yellow beaded neck silk shell, shine twist neck top, pocket tank, drop waist tunic and dobby military blazer. My favorite accessories are the blue pom-pom scarf, zebra print scarf and woven canning leather clutch. The LOFT jewelry keeps getting better and better each season.

There are a few pieces that are definitely on my list, including the grey fabric bib necklace (which I got during the LOFT preview), long multi-colored beaded necklace, multi-colored sequin bib necklace, silver and wood exotic necklace and shell stretch bracelet. The bib necklaces may sometimes be too overpowering for my tiny frame but I can get away with wearing the smaller bib styles. Definitely worth trying on.






Looking for a dress? Check out the sleeveless eyelet sheath dress with ribbon show flower pin(left), empire waist dress with ribbon hem (middle) and broken stripe print dress, worn with a grey fabric bib necklace.







I've been meaning to get a boyfriend blazer, preferably this white one for summer. I love the drop waist tunic worn with the long multi-color beaded necklace.

I love this maxi dress border print. It doesn't appear super long, so I may actually be able to get away with wearing this dress without having to hem it.


If you need a summer jacket, check out this cotton poplin one with the double wrap studded belt, worn over the animal print mosaic dress. Definitely a great summer color, this coral silk-tie waist blouse is worn underneath a cap sleeve beaded pullover. The ruffles of the blouse and sequin detail on the pullover look great paired together, without appearing frumpy or overdoing it.



Shine twist neck top with sleeveless sequin tank underneath.


I love pocket tanks. They can be worn with jeans, shorts, leggings or thisornate zebra pencil skirt. The large raffia pin on the skinny braided belt adds a nice touch.






I love these LOFT leather sandals!

- Kim Weling