H&M Fashion Against AIDS Launch

On May 19th, I attended the preview and shopping event to celebrate the launch of the H&M Fashion Against AIDS collection at the H&M 42nd Street store.

The collection includes men's and women's apparel and accessories, as well as headphones, sandals, sleeping bags and tents. 25% of proceeds from sales benefits youth HIV / AIDS awareness projects.

Attendees enjoyed a 20% discount on their entire H&M purchase, excluding the Fashion Against AIDS collection. I got there late so it was a frenzy trying to shop, drink and eat hors d'oeuvres, so I think I am going to have to go back to do some shopping!

There was a Missoni-like tank dress I really wanted to get but I couldn't find my size left and an banded belt with a zipper closure that I need to go back for. There are some really chic, inexpensive pieces in this collection so check it out at select H&M locations!

- Kim Weling

Here are some pieces from the collection:

bodycology & Dr. Teal's Therapeutic Solutions

Back in March I attended a preview showcasing the newest collection of body washes from bodycology® and Dr. Teal’s® Peppermint Foot Soak as well as current products offered from both collections.

For the past two months, I've been using several of the products from bodycology® and Dr. Teal’s® and have been very pleased with the quality and affordability. The body washes are available in three formulas - Hydrating (Aloe Vera and Vitamin E), Nourishing (Soy Milk and Shea Butter) and Skin Softening (Silk Extracts and Avocado Oil).

What amazed me the most is how affordable bodycology® products really are, especially for the bottle size! The body washes (18 oz) and shower gel and foaming baths (16 oz) are both just $4.99 each! My favorite shower gel scent is the BerryPear.

These are other bodycology® products that come in a variety of different scents, including Coconut Lime, Cucumber Melon, Fresh Waters, Brown Sugar Vanilla, Vanilla Cupcake, Midnight Garden, Sweet Petals, White Gardenia and more.

Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap - $2.50
Antibacterial Scrubbing Hand Soap - $2.50 (my favorite is Brown Sugar Vanilla)
Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer - available in two sizes - 8 oz bottle, $2.50 and 2 oz bottle, $1.99.
Body Cream - $4.99 (my favorite is Cherry Blossom)
Hand & Body Lotion - $4.99 (my favorite is Brown Sugar Vanilla)
Body Mist - $4.99

Dr. Teal’s® Epsom Salt Soaking Solution is perfect for adding to a warm bath and great for relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, improving circulation and expediting healing time of minor aches and pains. A 3lb bag retails for only $4.99! Available fragrances include Lavender to sleep, Eucalyptus Spearmint to relax, Chamomile to calm, Amber Vanilla for sensuality and Mandarin Lime for rejuvenation.

I love the Dr. Teal’s® Vapor Bath. All you have to do is add 4-5 capfuls of vapor bath under warm water to enjoy an aromatherapeutic, soothing bath. The vapor bath has a gentle foam formula with fragrant essential oils.

Dr. Teal’s® Peppermint Foot Soak is the perfect way to relax your achy feet after a tired day of walking, standing or wearing high-heeled shoes. The foot soak is an Epsom Salt based formula infused with Peppermint - a foot friendly essential oil, Menthol - a natural derivative of peppermint with cooling effects and the added bonus of baking soda to eliminate and prevent foot odor. This retails for only $3.99.

You can check out bodycology.com and drteals.us for store locations nearest you. Walgreen's and Bed Bath and Beyond carry bodycology®. You can find Dr. Teal’s® at Duane Reade, WalMart and Kmart.

- Kim Weling

Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Launch Party Hosted by Matthew Williamson & Leigh Lezark

Roller Girls

Estelle, Matthew Williamson, Kelly Osbourne

Leigh Lezark and The MisShapes

Chelsea Handler

Ashley Olsen

Kelly Choi

Photo credit: Marion Curtis, StarPics

Here are some images courtesy of matthewwilliamson.com, of the limited edition Matthew Williamson for Belvedere Pink Grapefruit kaftan, $1,195 and all-in-one, $1,695.

On Thursday, May 13th, Belvedere Vodka celebrated its newest maceration, Pink Grapefruit, and unveiled the limited edition Matthew Williamson for Belvedere Pink Grapefruit kaftan.

Matthew Williamson and Leigh Lezark hosted the event, with celebrity and VIP guests including Ashley Olsen, Chelsea Handler, Kelly Osbourne Estelle and Kelly Choi.

Attendees enjoyed Pink Grapefruit cocktails and tunes spun by Leigh Lezark and The MisShapes. Lezark was modeling the kaftan, available exclusively at Matthew Williamson boutiques and matthewwilliamson.com.

Guests lucky enough to attend the party received a bottle of Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka.

The Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Pop-Up in the Meatpacking District was the place to be for 5 nights of exclusive parties, ending tonight, May 16th. After two nights in a row of indulging in Belvedere Pink Grapefruit cocktails, I had to call it quits and give my liver a rest from all this 'maceration'.

- Kim Weling

Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka Launch Tasting

What is Maceration?



Pink Grapefruit Ramos Fizz

On Wednesday, May 12th, I attended the Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka launch tasting, presented by Master Distiller, Claire Smith. For 5 days the pop-up space was home to a series of exclusive parties and promotional events at 414 West 14th Street, opposite the Matthew Williamson Store.

The launch also celebrates the partnership with designer Matthew Williamson. Williamson has designed a limited-edition print inspired by Pink Grapefruit. The vibrant kaftan print captures the spirit of summer and femininity.

Even though the tasting centered around Pink Grapefruit, other flavored Belvedere vodkas include Citrus, Orange and Black Raspberry. My favorite drink of the night was the Pink Grapefruit Ramos Fizz, which included Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka, passion fruit syrup and Campari shaken with egg whites.

- Kim Weling

Rebecca Minkoff Collection Exclusively Available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Rebecca Minkoff’s new luxurious handbag line, Rebecca Minkoff Collection debuts this month exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue. The Collection features exotic skins, customized rose gold hardware and multi-strand shoulder straps that mimic long necklaces. Rebecca’s signature ‘Morning After Bag’ gets a hip makeover in this Collection with grid studwork and exaggerated buckles on the sides. Prices range from $450 - $850.


Side Saddle Bag
(Available in Fog and Brown Lambskin)
**Rebecca's Favorite**

The Hypno Stud MAB Mini
(Magenta/Black Lizard, Black/Black Lizard, Mist)
**Custom Gunmetal hardware**

Cinch Purse
(Available in Sun or Brown)
**Custom Rose Gold hardware**

Upcoming Sample Sales Galore - Rebecca Minkoff, Lela Rose, Twinkle by Wenlan, Opening Ceremony and Nicholas K

I've been waiting for some good sample sales to come around and they have finally hit! Some of my favorite designers are deeply discounting my favorite looks from the runway so I'll definitely have to check them out!




Don't miss out on the Lela Rose Spring/Summer 2010 Sample Sale!
Place: 224 West 30th Street, 13th Floor (between 7th and 8th Avenue)
Dates/Times: Wednesday, May 12th from 9-7pm, Thursday, May 13th from 10-6pm, &
Friday, May 14th from 10-5pm
Telephone: 212.947.9204
Payment: Cash and Major Credit Cards Only


Cashmere Boyfriend Cardigan
Original: $550
Sample Sale Price: $195

Ribbon Stripe Skirt
Retail: $695
Sample Sale Price: $250

Silk Faille Wave Front Strapless Dress
Original: $1295
Sample Sale Price: $595


I love Twinkle by Wenlan's mini dresses in fun, colorful prints. I had a bad experience last time I tried to go to this sample sale, where the staff was snooty and ridiculous, but I'm willing to give this sale another shot just because I love these dresses so much....I'll be sure to get names and video footage if they act like that again!




OPENING CEREMONY
2010 SPRING SAMPLE SALE
MAY 13–16th
THURSDAY–SATURDAY 11am–8pm, SUNDAY 12pm–7pm
33 HOWARD STREET (between LAFAYETTE & BROADWAY)
60-90% OFF MERCHANDISE FROM
Acne, Alexander Wang, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Band of Outsiders, Erin Wasson x RVCA, Final Home, Jeremy Scott, Loden Dager, Opening Ceremony, Patrik Ervell, Proenza Schouler, Rachel Comey, Sabatino, Tsumori Chisato, United Bamboo, Vena Cava, & more...
accepting CASH & CREDIT CARDS with a minimum purchase of $100
http://www.openingceremony.us/

Nicholas K Sample Sale
2 Great Jones Street (between Broadway and Lafayette)
Thur May 20th - Sun May 23rd

Thursday 10AM-8PM
Friday 10AM-8PM
Saturday 11AM-6PM
Sunday 11AM-4PM



- Kim Weling

Free Birthday Perks

So I just celebrated another birthday this past week. If it's one thing I look forward to, it's all the free stuff you can get for your birthday. Here's a list of my favorites. I don't get to take advantage of all of them but make sure I redeem some of them. The expiration dates vary from one week, two weeks to even a month so don't feel like you have to do everything all at once!

AMCEntertainment.com - Since I am a MovieWatcher member, I received a coupon via email for a free large soft drink. This is valid for one month.



Aveda - Join the Aveda Birthday Club and receive a free Personal BlendsTM Pure-Fume SpiritTM or body care product (worth up to $25) custom-blended with the aroma of your choice. Valid for over 2 months.

Baskin-Robbins - As a Baskin Robbins Birthday Club member, you receive a coupon via email for a free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream. Valid for about 10 days.

Bonefish Grill - instead of a free dessert this year, I received a gift card for complimentary bang bang shrimp. The gift card is mailed, but needs to be activated online. This is valid for a little over 2 weeks.

DSW - As a DSW Rewards Member, you receive a $5 certificate during the month of your birthday.



Freepeople.com - I received an email for 15% off my next order (online only).



Loehmann's - If you like shopping, sign up for the Insider Club Card and receive 15% off your purchase during any one day of your birthday month.

Longhorn Steakhouse - I think I'm a Longhorn Steakhouse Western Hospitality Club Member, which is why I received an email to print out for a free dessert. Valid for 2 weeks.

Macy's - I received a $10 off certificate for the month of my birthday with my next Macy's card purchase of $30 or more (in-store only).

Sephora - When you sign up to be Sephora Beauty Insider, they will email you a voucher to redeem your free birthday gift. For my birthday this time around, they offer the 'Beautiful Eyes Kit' including lash plumper mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow. Last year I got a 3-piece mini lip gloss set and the year before I got the vanilla cupcake shower gel. Redeemable 2 weeks before or after your birthday.



Starbucks - When you join My Starbucks Rewards, they will mail you a postcard for a free drink. The postcard is valid for over a month.

- Kim Weling