Sephora Self Tanning and Bronzing Summer Favorites

If you are looking to achieve that summer glow, check out these self tanning and bronzing favorites available at Sephora.

This Dr. Dennis Gross Beauty To Glow ($14) packet is perfect for on-the-go, and comes with two anti-aging exfoliating self tanner Alpha Beta Glow Pads for the face and two textured exfoliating self tanner Alpha Beta Glow Pads for the body, both with Active Vitamin D.

Kate Somerville Golden Glow Kit ($58) comes with Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, Somerville360° Face Self Tanning Pads and Somerville360° Body Self Tanning Towelettes.

The St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Summer Bronzing Kit ($54) comes with St. Tropez Self Tanning Mousse, super-lightweight and velvety, infused with conditioning aloe vera, dries in 60 seconds and delivers a rich-bronze tan without the self tan aroma. The kit also comes with St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion, St. Tropez Skin Illuminator Gold and St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Tan Applicator Mitt, which ensures a streak-free application of St.Tropez products and protects the palm of your hands from staining.

- Kim Weling

La Maison du Chocolat and Bernardaud Chocolate & Sake Pairing

Genuemon Sudo with a bottle of Junmai Daiginjo

On Wednesday May 9th I attended the La Maison du Chocolat and Bernardaud chocolate & sake pairing at the Bernardaud at 499 Park Avenue. I'm used to chocolate & wine pairings, but pairing chocolate & sake was new to me.

Guests experienced featured sakes including Urakasumi, Sudohonke, Masumi and Masuizumi, in a Bernardaud Anno cup designed by architect Sylvain Debuisson.

Genuemon Sudo introduced me to my favorite sake, Satononohomare Junmai Daiginjo from Sudohonke Brewery. It is a sweet sake with good acidity and 16% alcohol content, pairing well with foie gras and desserts such as chocolate. It is currently not available in the U.S. but would retail for about $300. The tasting wouldn't be complete without trying "Kakunko" Junmai Ginjo, which is a $700 bottle of sake you'll find at Jean Georges.

Sudohonke Brewery boasts a legacy of 55 generations of family ownership, with water sourced from the family's own wells in Obara, which is still used to produce it's sake.

Urakasumi Brewery was founded in 1724 in Shigama. Koichi Saura represents the company's 13th generation of sake masters and is Vice President of the Association of Sake Masters. The brand name is derived from an old poem and means "misty bay." Urakasumi produces classic and elegant sake utilizing its own premium yeast and is the first to sell unpasteurized sake.

The Masumi Brewery was established in 1662 in Nagano. Masumi means "transparency or truth" and produces sake praised throughout the centuries by Shoguns and warriors. Katushiko Miyasaka Masumi's 24th generation of the family-run enterprise.

Ryuichiro Masuda is a 5th generation sake master for Masuizumi Brewery, located in Toyama. Sake making begins every year on the Tai-an, an auspicious day in the Buddhist calendar in October. After the cutting in the rice fields is done, the winter making of sake begins with the Toji (head brewer) in command.

Junmai Arabashiri Nama Ginjo Masumi with Andalousie Dark Chocolate Ganache infused with Fresh Lemon Zest

Nagano Daiginjo Masumi with Anastasia Dark Chocolate with Almond and Hazelnut Praline

Kijyoshu Masuizumi with Yoku Dark Chocolate Ganache

Junmai Daiginjo-shu SP Masauizumi with Valencia Dark Chocolate Ganache with Grand Marnier

Left: Junmai Ginjo-shu Urakasumizen with Garrigue Dark Chocolate Ganache infused with Fennel

Right: Yamadanishiki Junmai Daiginjo Urakasumi with Jolika Pistachio and Marzipan enrobed in Dark Chocolate

Satononohomare Junmai Daiginjo-shu Sudohonke with Caracas Intense Dark Chocolate Ganache

Left: "Kakunko" Junmai Daiginjo-shu Sudohonke with Liselotte Milk Chocolate filled with Hazelnut Giandujia

Right: Satononohomare Junmai Daiginjo-shu Sudohonke with Caracas Intense Dark Chocolate Ganache

- Kim Weling

Grand Gourmet - The Flavor of Midtown

New York Central at the Grand Hyatt New York: Chef Christian Ragano - Spring Pea Mousse with Braised Morels, Pickled Ramps, Foie Gras and Jamon Iberico

The past few weeks have included numerous food tasting events, including the Grand Gourmet - The Flavor of Midtown, held earlier this month on May 10th. Grand Central Partnership's (GCP) annual event held at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall, benefits and recognizes the work of the Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation, an independent, not-for-profit organization serving the needs of the homeless throughout Midtown.

Guests sampled delicious dishes, desserts and beverages from over 35 of Midtown Manhattan's finest restaurants. Here is my pick of the best from the Grand Gourmet.

The Wheeltapper Pub: Chef James Donahue - Potato Napoleon with Irish Smoked Salmon and Apple Smoke Chutney

Bobby Van's Steakhouse: Chef Nile Medford - Sliced Filet Mignon over Toast Points with Horseradish & Mustard Sauce

Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant: Chef Sandy Ingber - Raw Bar with 2 Oysters, 1 East Coast and 1 West Coast

Ruby Foo's Times Square: Chef Darrell Raymond: Fluke Tartar with Fresh Wasabi, Shiso and Plum Sauce

La Fonda del Sol: Chef Christopher DeLuna - Oysters Escabeche with Olive Oil

Silverleaf Tavern at the 70 Park Avenue Hotel: Chef Massimo De Francesca - Duck Confit "Taquitos" with Avocado Mousse and Lime Creme Fraiche

The National: Chef Paul Corsentino - Grilled Octopus Salad with Cranberry Beans, Herb Vinaigrette and Fennel

Lexington Brass: Executive Chef Franklin Becker - Spring Bean Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette, Berkshire Prosciutto and Quail Eggs

Michael Jordan's The Steak House N.Y.C.: Chef Ted Pryor - Michael Jordan's Lobster Macaroni

Murray's Cheese Shop: Manager Will Whitlow - A Selection of Murray's Cave Aged Cheese

Ciao Bella: Chef Danilo Zecchin - Selection of Gelato & Sorbet

Li-Lac Chocolates: Chef Anwar Khoder - Hazelnut Truffle Squares and Marzipan Squares

Magnolia Bakery: Chef Bobbie Lloyd - Assorted Mini Classic Cupcakes, Banana Pudding and Peanut Butter Bars

American Girl Place NY Cafe: Cafe Manager Adam Czartoryski - Cookies and Assorted Sweet Treats for Two

Grand Gourmet Signature Cocktails by Bookmarks and The Campbell Apartment: Featuring Kansas Clean Distilled Spirit Whiskey and Cocktail Rum - Featured Drinks: Bookmark Martini, Grand Punch and The Campbell Fizz

- Kim Weling

Tracy Reese & Plenty by Tracy Reese Sample Sale

Lela Rose Sample Sale

• Canvas short-sleeved dresses: $595 (orig. $1,095)
• Reversible zip-up jackets: $895 (orig. $1,695)
• V-neck full-skirt dresses: $995 (orig. $1,495)

Cynthia Steffe Sample Sale

Last day of the Cynthia Steffe sample sale!

Sachin + Babi Sample Sale