Nicholas K Fall / Winter 2011

Left: Stoltz Jacket (Black), Halen Shirt (Evergreen), Meg Shirt (Pine) and Killian Pant (Black)

The first full day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 kicked off with Nicholas K, one of my favorite designers.

Nicholas K is known for leather jackets, plaid shirts, sweaters and scarves, with the addition of velvet this fall. It's a cohesive collection with strong separates that are easy to layer. These wearable pieces are definitely ones that you can carry over from season to season, while creating an edgy, modern look.

"I was inspired by the woods and rustic living; the survival instinct and going back to primitive ways. The fall colors of the forest are reflected in the palette and overall aesthetic and I used a lot of texture and incorporated Navajo inspired prints. Think log homes, gypsies, stone fireplaces, owls, camping and migration," explains Nicholas.

Nicholas K collaborated with Vintage Shoe Co. to create limited edition boots, including a unique and edgy"Creeper" style for both men and women.

Left: Avery Blazer (Black), Chap Pant (Black) and Jive Scarf (Pine/Hunter)

Left: Tempus Shirt (Charcoal) and Harp Skirt (Charcoal)

Right: Shelton Crop (Grey Heather), Harp Skirt (Charcoal) and Jive Scarf (Straw/Charcoal)

Above images courtesy of nymag.com

Below are some of the images I took during the show.

Bolt Jacket (Black), Stein Sweater (Pine) and Zinger Pant (Black)

Bolt Jacket (Black) and Breaker Pant (Black)

Watts Sweater (Art), Dyson T (Black), Meg Shirt (Pine), Zedler Pant (Black) and Jive Scarf (Celedon/Leaf)

Essex Zipfront (Art), Cruise Shirt (Evergreen), Meyer Hoody (Charcoal), Tracker Shirt (Pine) and Pavel Pant (Cement)

Stilt Sweater (Pine), Steele Shirt (Forest Plaid) Jarvis Pant (Straw) and Jive Scarf (Pine/Hunter)

Here's a look at the finale walk from the show

- Kim Weling

Pucker Up with these Lip Products for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just one week away! Keep your lips kissable with these lip products.

Love Balm ($15) by Jurlique is a skin salve made with Vitamin E, Olive, Soybean and Safflower Oil and scented with Tangerine oil. It can be used to apply to lips , elbows and hands to moisturize, soften and protect dry or chapped skin. For the month of February, you can actually get Love Balm for $9 at jurlique.com when you enter LOVEME at checkout!

Champagne Kisses Enhancing Lip Balm ($29) by Votre Vu is a lip enhancer that soothes, nourishes hydrates and heals with sweet almond oil, coconut oil and shea butter. These ingredients make for a delicious, natural flavor. Daily use may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and help prevent lipstick from bleeding and feathering. I have been toting this balm around for weeks, applying it a few times a day and also use it as a base before applying lipstick or lip gloss.

EroSticK™ ($15.99) by Kama Sutra is a clear lip gloss meant for pleasures far beyond kissing. It is specially formulated to accentuate your pout with a luminous shine, a deliciously kissable flavor and exciting sensations. This lip polish comes in three flavors - Kiss-Me-Cherry and Tempt-Me-Strawberries, both with a warming glow and Love-Me-Mint with a cooling tingle. I can't say I've tried this yet but I am intrigued!

- Kim Weling

mauboussin.us e-boutique Launch

This past Thursday, February 3rd, I dropped by the Mauboussin store at 714 Madison Avenue at 63rd Street to celebrate the launch of the mauboussin.us e-boutique. Guests viewed the Spring 2011 collection while enjoying champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

The jewelry is absolutely exquisite, especially the engagement rings.

Lisa of Beauty By Benz was the lucky raffle winner, and got to take home the Amour, Nuit Coquine, Nuit Câline Ladies Watch ($545). Congratulations Lisa!

- Kim Weling

Leonor Greyl Lait Luminescence Launch

Last month I attended the launch of Leonor Greyl's Lait Luminescence with Leonor Greyl's CEO, Caroline Greyl. Guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres with amazing La Caravelle champagne bubbly in The Stanford White Studio of the Chatwal Hotel.

Lait Luminescence is a leave-in, detangling milk styling spray that leaves your hair shiny, smooth and manageable. Active ingredients include plant extracts and vegetal oils. This styling product is ecologically friendly -it is sodium laureth sulfate free, paraben free, silicone free, alcohol free and is not tested on animals.

After shampooing all you do is apply to damp hair, length and ends, to de-tangle and protect the hair.



I can't wait to try my other Leonor Greyl products, including the Bain TS shampoo,
Regenerescence Naturelle purifying scalp oil and Serum de Soie Sublimateur silk protein serum. I would also like to really try the Huile de Magnolia face and body oil - this smells incredible!



- Kim Weling

Charles David Spring/Summer 2011

Here's what you'll see in stores from Charles David for Spring/Summer 2011. Expect to see lavender, blue and beige/khaki in the upcoming season's palette. If you love bright vibrant colors, you can also expect to see some styles in yellow, pink and red.

I can always count on Charles David to have great shoes in size 5! The lavender lace-up peep-toe bootie is one of my favorites - can't wait to get those! I also love sandals with zippers and buckles! What kind of sandals are you looking to add to your wardrobe this spring/summer?

- Kim Weling

Spanx Spring/Summer 2011

Last season, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2011 I stopped by the Spanx Lounge to preview what was new for spring.

Spanx tights are my favorite tights to wear, including tummy-trimming tonal tights in bright new colors as well as patterned ones.


I love the luxe, sexy Haute Contour pieces, including the Sexy Sheer Back Bra ($118) and Lovely Lace Thong ($88).




On Top and In Control Essential 3/4 Sleeve Bateau ($98) is the perfect layering piece, or can also be worn alone. It's too cold for me to wear a strapless dress in this weather, so I may just have to wear this top under it! It also has invisible shaping built in! Check out the other On Top and In Control styles!

I can't wait to try the Skinny Britches Skort ($48)! An ultra sheer slip and shaper in one, that can be layered over the Skinny Britches short and hipster!


I love the color and style of this High Style Bandeau One Piece ($198). It's flattering to the figure, with a two-way stretch shaping-power-mesh liner that slims through the tummy. The convertible strap can also be adjusted or removed.


New from ASSETS is the ASSETS Brilliant Bra, $32. This bra has a front closure, hidden adjustable straps and a sleek smooth back! The ASSETS Fantastic Firmers Open-Bust Cami, $28 is perfect to pair with the bra. The open-bust style enhances the chest yet slims the waist!


- Kim Weling

Valentine's Day Gifts at The Plaza Beauty

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! If you are looking for skincare or beauty gifts for a special someone, or want to treat yourself to some well-deserved essentials, head to The Plaza Beauty!

At the top of my gifting list is Sara Happ's Red Velvet Lip Scrub, $24. It's a Holiday 2010 limited edition, so this won't be around that much longer! I was immediately hooked on it when I tried it, especially since red velvet is my favorite cupcake flavor. This lip scrub is actually edible, and I found myself tasting it while applying. It tastes good, smells sweet, and does a great job of exfoliating your lips and leaving them soft, smooth and kissable! I'm a big fan of Sara Happ's other products - The Lip Slip and Vanilla Bean Body Scrub. Creating a set with all three products would be the perfect gift!

Looking to try some new makeup? Check out this line from Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. Youngblood products are oil free, fragrance free, talc free and paraben free. It's ideal forall skin tones, types and conditions. The foundations have a lightweight feel and contain a natural sun protectant. They use recyclable materials for their sleek packaging and never test their products on animals. Along with the makeup, I can't wait to try the Eye Impact Quick Recovery Eye Cream ($58), Mineral Primer ($41) and Mineral Radience Moisture Tint ($43).

Egon Schiele Cosmetics is inspired by the great art of the famous Austrian Expressionist, Egon Schiele. The colors compliment the lustrous hues of Schiele's paintings and drawings. The Cheek and Lip Hue ($24) two-in-one cheek and lip color is the perfect multi-tasking gift. It's packed with mango butter and camellia oil.

Caron's Venitienne Loose Powder ($45) is scented with Caron's classic Bulgarian rose, and doubles as a fragrance.

Dr. young promotes "Healthy Beauty" through their skincare line consisting of day, night and special care products for dry, oily and combination skin. I'm always looking for skincare products that are different from what I am currently using, that may be more beneficial for my skin. My top pick is the Camellia Deep Cleansing Oil, which dissolves make-up and residues. I'd also like to try some the new products in the Anti-Pore Line, including the Sebum control & Soothing Toner and Pore Eraser.

Goldfaden is an all-natural, medical grade, dermatologist developed skincare line, formulated with antioxidant-rich Organic Red Tea. I can't wait to try the Daily Scrub Red Tea Infused Daily Exfoliant ($65).

Miriam Mirani Vie d'Amour Women Eau de Parfum is infused with Bergamot, Turkish Rose, Jasmine and Orange Blossom, leaving a lasting scent of Vanilla-Bourbon, Oak moss and Sandalwood. This gift set at The Plaza Beauty is packaged with a mini bottle of wine.

- Kim Weling