Levi's® Spring 2011 Collection

Last Thursday, November 4th, I attended Levi's® Spring 2011 Press Preview at Levi's® Photography Studio at 18 Wooster Street. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and music as they admired the photography and took a glimpse of the spring collection.

As soon as I saw the models, I immediately got a hippie/rocker-inspired, vintage feel for the collection. The pieces look comfy yet sexy, with some tops bearing the midriff, and light to medium wash denim updated with a modern fit.

Levi's® also previewed their new 'WaterLess Collection', made from finishing processes that significantly reduce the amount of water used. The 'WaterLess Collection' will be in stores in January 2011.

I had four events total to run around to that night, so unfortunately I didn't get to stick around for the musical performance by British rockers, The Duke Spirit, featuring singer Liela Moss. The Duke Spirit, a mixture of dirty blues and sexy, soulful rock 'n' roll is the perfect choice for the spring collection.

As part of the performance, The Duke Spirit introduced a new song, Procession, which is available for free download on levi.com here.

Photo credit for above images: Phillip Angert

Here are some pictures that I took during the preview

I was really impressed by Levi's® Photography Workshop space. I love the openness of the space and high ceilings, photography and collection of vintage cameras.

- Kim Weling

Lanvin for H&M Favorites

I can't tell you enough how much I look forward to November 20th for the launch of Lanvin for H&M. I had the pleasure of previewing the collection last week at the Cooper Square Hotel and easily picked out my favorite pieces shown here. First on my list is the black faux-fur vest. That vest is so versatile, it can be worn with a dress, skirt or with skinny jeans.

The dresses have a lot of flounce and volume. Up close you can see why the dresses retail for $199 (this is a steal compared to how much Lanvin dresses normally retail for, from $1000 upwards to $3000+). I am curious to see how the dresses will fit, since they start at a size 4. They look like they may run big, meaning some tailoring would definitely need to be involved.

What I love about this collection is that it's not just about the dresses. There are also coats, accessories and shoes, and I love seeing it all pieced together. So if you aren't looking for a cocktail dress, maybe you'll opt for an accessory.


Left: Dress $199, Vest $99, Shoes $99, Necklace $49.95, Bracelet $29.95, Earrings $19.95, Sunglasses $19
Right: Dress $199, Shoes $99, Leather Gloves $49.95, Necklace $29.95, Sunglasses $19.95


Left: Coat $199, Shoes $99, Necklace $39.95, Sunglasses $19.95
Right: Dress $149.99, Shoes $99.99, Leather Gloves $49.95, Necklace $29.95, Earrings $19.95, Sunglasses $19.95

Here's a closer look at the $99 shoes, which start at a size 36. I am usually a 35, so I'll just have to try them on and see if they fit! Hopefully they run small. I love these first two pairs of shoes. I don't really wear leopard print but those shoes are hot, especially with the bejeweled heel!

Images courtesy of H&M

- Kim Weling

J. Crew Sample Sale

Looking for pieces to add to your fall / holiday wardrobe? Check out the J. Crew sample sale running from Tuesday, November 9th to Friday, November 12th.

Clothingline
261 West 36th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10018
10am - 7pm

Lucky Shops 10th Anniversary VIP Shopping Party and Saturday Shop-A-Thon

On November 4th, I attended my most anticipated shopping event of the year - Lucky Shops, celebrating its 10th Anniversary. When I arrived the VIP shopping night was in full swing, with a ton of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and designer merchandise at up to 70% off (and let's not forget the fabulous gift bag worth over more than $500 that VIP shoppers received in a purple canvas Lucky tote).

Here are some highlights of the shopping night, including stops at my favorite designers.

Maybelline New York Color Studio provided complimentary mini-makeovers with the season’s hottest shades.

Ford Warriors in Pink had t-shirts, totes and more, with 100% of the net proceeds going to Susan G. Komen supporting breast cancer research.


DVF leather gloves with the ruffle detail


Always one of my favorite spots is the 'Jeanius Bar', with jeans from Goldsign, Citizens of Humanity, DL1961, MiH Jeans, AG Jeans and more. The only thing that was missing was the free on-the-spot tailoring that used to be offered when you bought any jean at the denim bar. I hope Lucky Shops brings that back next year!


Rebecca Taylor


Cocktail Bar

The Free Arts NYC boutique included a fabulous array of pieces from designers like Doo.ri and Erin Fetherston. Plus, limited-edition items created exclusively for Lucky Shops!

Tracy Reese

Jill Stuart

Botkier


My favorite design duo - Nicholas K! They had great fall pieces, including leather jackets, coats and sweaters.

Since I had three other events I had to go to on Thursday, I didn't have any time to really shop so I went back on Saturday from 3-5. Now compared to Thursday's VIP shopping night, everything on Saturday seemed to be picked over, although you got the best deals on whatever was left, with deeper discounts taken.

My best find was a pair of the DVF leather gloves with the ruffle detail reduced from $75 to $45. I would have loved to get them in grey or cobalt blue, but they only had them left in purple, which I still love! During the last half hour, everything at Alice + Olivia was $79. Everyone made a mad dash over to see what was left, which wasn't much. There was a size 0 cocktail dress but it would have been huge on me. It originally retailed for $550! I spotted a pair of booties I wanted from Nine West's Vintage America Collection for $50, but they didn't have my size. Jill Stuart Dresses were down to $125 and Yumi Kim tops were $50!

So if you plan on going next year, my advice is if you are looking for particular pieces, go as early as you can, whether it's the VIP shopping night, Friday preview day or Saturday morning. If you are just looking for the best deals, then go within the last few hours on Saturday and take your chances on what you may find.

Thanks to Lucky Magazine for another great Lucky Shops this year!

- Kim Weling

Shecky's Beauty Night Out

On Wednesday, November 3rd I attended the annual Shecky's Beauty Night Out held at La Venue.

I was happy to see some of my favorite beauty brands and learn about new product launches, and visit with brands I was not familiar with.

One of my favorites is Fresh skincare, cosmetics and fragrances. Fresh received Shecky's Beauty At Its Best Award for Best Lip Moisturizer for their Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 and Best Fragrance for Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum Rollerball.

Arganica's argan oil is a Shecky's Beauty At Its Best award winner for 2010. This argan oil is my new favorite - it is lightweight, absorbing into the skin without leaving an oily feeling. It's therapeutic as well as hydrating. The love the scent of argan oil mixed with frankincense and lavender. They recently launched a restorative elixir, mixed with argan oil, aloe vera and white tea. The elixir is great to use for irritated skin, especially in the winter months when your skin gets really dry.

Jodie Tassello and Bianca Beldini, co-founders of Arganica

Dermalogica has a great line of skincare products, with a newly launched AGE Reversal Eye Complex. Some of my favorite products are included in the Ultracalming™ system. The Shecky's Beauty gift bag included Dermalogica's multi-active toner and climate control lip treatment - the lip treatment will be great for colder weather and preventing chapped lips.


Another favorite makeup brand is Sue Devitt Beauty, with the Eye Intensifier Pencil and Mini Lip Gloss as two of my favorites. The fall collection includes a new Lash Intensifier Treatment & Lengthening Mascara.


A new brand that I am not familiar with is Rice Force, winning Shecky's Beauty At Its Best award for Best Makeup Remover. They offer a Deluxe Trial Kit of their Deep Moisture Series to try out for just $29.80.


The Body Shop won Shecky's Beauty At Its Best Award for Best Cleanser for the Nutriganics Foaming Facial Wash and Best Body Moisturizer for its Body Butter.


So overall it was a good night, especially once you add cocktails to the mix. One thing I don't get is that it is supposed to be a night focused on beauty, so why would there be jewelry, apparel and accessory vendors there? I've liked some of the previous Shecky's Beauty Night Out events better, where there were more free treatments - hand massages, eyebrow shaping, manicures, makeup and hair styling, and less focus on vendors trying to sell their product. If it's one of your favorite brands, then it's convenient to buy something there, but to be pushed into buying product you've never tried before just doesn't interest me, especially when you don't know if it will irritate your skin. Just like I prefer to try on clothes before I buy them to make sure they fit, I also like to sample skincare products to make sure it's right for my skin.

I loved it when you just went from booth to booth, learned about the product and received samples to try out. Also, I was surprised to see that there were no actual makeup products in the goodie bag. In the past I remember receiving products such as Laura Gellar blush or Sheer Cover mineral foundation. There was no Dove lounge and no giveaways with Johnson & Johnson or Boots this time. Instead of the beer tasting, it would be cool if you used that sit-down space for a how-to session on how to apply a smoky eye, or steps to properly cleanse, or do a skincare sampling class. I hope Shecky's will really focus on improving the Beauty Night Out event for next year.

- Kim Weling

BRUTslap.com Launch Event

I've always thought of BRUT as a classic scent, that's been around for decades and worn by older men. Now I have a different take on BRUT, marketed as the Essence of Man, with the BRUT Slap campaign and web launch targeting men in their 20s to 50s, as well as women who appreciate humor.

On BRUTSlap.com, which launched November 1st, you'll find several entertaining interactive features like creating your own BrutSlap Symphony, voting on who needs to be slapped next, or slapping the man in the towel (which looks more like a slap at Old Spice).

I had a great time at the media preview on October 28th, at Light Space NYC, 347 West 36th Street. The cherry lemonade cocktails made with Evan Williams Bourbon were quite tasty and so were the hors d'oeuvres.

Some Men Just Need to Be Slapped is exactly what I was thinking when I saw pictures of The Situation, Tiger Woods and Ryan Seacrest next to the tag line. There was a big flat screen setup that allowed guests to tap the screen to move to the next image.

I even got a chance to slap one of the models!

-Kim Weling

Vieta Fall 2010 Collection

If you are looking for some new clutches or handbags this fall, but don't want to spend a fortune, take a look at these faux leather bags from Vieta. I'm actually in the market for some cross body clutches. These are some of my favorites.

Vieta Eaton, $73

Vieta LEPERE Clutch, $65


Vieta NEAL, $86