BODHI Fall 2011

Place Vendome Safety Clutch in Oyster, $498

BODHI Fall 2011 introduces luxurious leathers combined with innovative, edgy silhouettes. Design Director Joseph Janus is inspired by "Classic and timeless shapes that take a twist on the conventional." The bags are truly a work of art, such as the popular soft leather Place Vendome Safety Clutch to the Sunset Blvd Temple Bag.

You'll also find an inspirational mantra sewn into the interior of each bag with sayings such as "Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye" and "Those who bend in the wind are strongest."


Place Vendome Shoulder Bag in Oyster, $448


Melrose Avenue Large Button Wallet in Metallic Silver, $148

This metallized soft leather crossbody is one of my favorites

Sunset Blvd Crossbody in Silver, $198


Sunset Blvd Temple bag in Silver, $298


Covent Gardens Flap Shoulder Bag in Chocolate Pebble, $248


Piccadilly Circus Crossbody in Dusty Purple Pebble, $168


Park Avenue Muff Clutch, $198

The Tech Collection features cases for MacBooks, laptops, e-readers and iPhones.

Studded iPhone Wallet in Silver, $98


Shoe Bag, $468, holds up to 8 pairs of shoes


Nook Sleeve in Silver, $98


Men's iPAD Tab Easel in Flannel with Black Cowhide Trim, $98

The men's weekender bags have that classic vintage appeal with a modern twist.

Flannel Duffle, $398


Expandable Gym Duffel in Steel Cowhide, $798


Distressed Leather Duffle in Brown with Black Cowhide Trim, $698

- Kim Weling

Lulu Guinness Launching First Luggage Collection

Lulu Guinness will be launching her first luggage collection this month! It will consist of carry-on and wheeled luggage sets designed for the most chic of travelers.

These new styles will be available in Lulu's Bleecker St NYC store and for all US customers online at luluguinness.com.


Hard sided with red lips

Hard sided with black lips

Jacquard lips in black

To celebrate the collection, entitled "The World is Your Oyster," Lulu has collaborated with award-winning animation director Vicky Mather to create a short film using Vicky's creative style of stop motion animation and live action. Lulu worked closely with the director to bring the collection to life in the brand's first animated film, which charmingly depicts the adventures and travels of Lulu's luggage.


The World is Your Oyster from Lulu Guinness on Vimeo.

- Kim Weling

Todd Reed Jewelry Preview and Party

On July 27th, I attended Todd Reed's Jewelry Preview at Home Studios at 873 Broadway. Todd Reed jewelry is incredibly exquisite and features raw diamonds. The meticulously hand crafted pieces are luxurious works of art. The jewelry pieces are created in Todd's design studio in Boulder, Colorado, using high carat recycled gold and other precious metals with the most unique diamond specimens in the world.

Each jewelry piece I viewed seemed to have its own character. The raw diamonds have a natural shape about them, with a mesmerizing, breathtaking spectrum of colors.

Here are some images I took of the cuffs, rings, earrings and necklaces. These are some of the most amazing pieces I have ever seen! As I gazed upon some of the rings, I felt like I was staring into a gleaming galaxy!





















This cuff retails for $47,000. I felt like I had a piece of heaven on my wrist and didn't want to take it off. It was a little loose on but any of Todd Reed's jewelry can be customized for the perfect fit.
































After the preview we enjoyed a delicious culinary showcase prepared by Chef Hosea Rosenberg with Chef Lee Anne Wong.




- Kim Weling

Votre Vu's VuBAR Featuring Bébé Duette

On Wednesday July 27th, I visited the Votre Vu VuBAR, parked on Avenue of Americas between 51st and 52nd Street. The VuBAR featured Votre Vu's newest product, Bébé Duette Luxe Lips, Luxe Lips Framboise and Hand Crème, $39.50. The 2-pack is a petite version of the original Duette Luxe Lip Balm and Hand Crème. One version comes with clear lip balm and the other has raspberry lip balm located in the cap with a mirror.

The clear lip balm is made from coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax, leaving lips soft, supple and shiny, with a deliciously light and natural coconut flavor. I am loving the new raspberry lip balm, which has a citrusy, natural passion fruit flavor and adds a light touch of color to the lips. The Luxe Lips Framboise (raspberry) also has a vitamin E infused anti-aging formula, and both lip balms have UV filters to add extra protection to your lips!

The Tarte D’Amande hand crème has a decadent almond and coconut fragrance and leaves your hands feeling super soft and luxurious. This hand crème also has sun filters for UVA/UVB protection to maintain skin tone.

The Bébé Duette is great to throw in your purse or gym bag and makes the perfect travel gift since it's TSA approved!

Votre Vu VuBAR

- Kim Weling

Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival

Tickets for the fourth annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine are currently on sale! 100% of the Proceeds Benefit Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®.

The Festival takes place September 29 – October 2, 2011. A complete line-up of events for the 2011 Festival is available now at www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com. A taste of new and returning highlights include the following:

The unique Soho space 82 Mercer will be home to three of the Festival’s marquee events this year, including:
• San Pellegrino’s Meatball Madness hosted by Giada De Laurentiis
• Creekstone Farms presents Tacos & Tequila hosted by Bobby Flay
• Godiva Chocolatier presentsSweet sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Mumm Napa hosted by Sandra Lee

Festival’s favorite Bank of America presents Chelsea Market After Dark is kicking it up a notch this year with host and first-time New York City Wine & Food Festival participant Emeril Lagasse.

Defending 2010 People’s Choice Award winner Bobby Flay will return to the Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats which will be hosted by none-other than Whoopi Goldberg, who is filling in for Rachael Ray for this year only.

Signature event Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite with Culinary Demonstrations presented by KitchenAid moves to its new home at New York City’s historic Pier 57.

Tyler Florence hosts first time event FRIED, which will take place at Elizabeth Karmel’s popular hotspot Hill Country BBQ.

Last year’s hit event Sandwich Showdown returns with a make-over as The Best Thing I Ever Ate Between Bread hosted by Duff Goldman.

Pier Sixty will host some of the finest names in the wine and culinary industries during the inaugural Tribute Dinner honoring His Royal Highness Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Jacques Pépin presented by Bank of America. Chefs Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse, Laurent Gras, Alain Sailhac and Jacques Torres will cook for distinguished guests and dishes will be paired with fine wines from Château Haut-Brion and Clarendelle, while Martha Stewart serves as the emcee for the evening. This dinner is held in partnership with Les Dames d'Escoffier New York.

Other new and notable veteran events include: Brooklyn’s Bounty hosted by Adam Richman presented by Edible Brooklyn, Rock & Bowl hosted by Anne Burrell, Thrillist’s BBQ & The Blues presented by Merrilat hosted by Curtis Stone, Carts in the Parc hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Cooking Channel’s Meatpacking Uncorked presented by The Corcoran Group, and so much more!

Returning Festival sponsor Whole Foods Market presents an unprecedented dinner series throughout the weekend, including the following:
• Red Rooster Dinner with Marcus Samuelsson, Andrea Reusing and Hedy Goldsmith
• Delta’s Catch of the Day with Hung Huynh, Michelle Bernstein, Franklin Becker, Michael Chiarello, and Andrea Robinson
• Nuevo Peru hosted by Gastón Acurio
• The Standard Grill Dinner with Dan Silverman, Marco Canora and Bill Telepan
• New Culinary Discoveries with David Bouley
• Among the Flowers: An Intimate dinner at Ai Fiori with Michael White
• The Journey of an Urban Italian to Find American Flavors with Andrew Carmellini and Marc Vetri

Plus the TimesTalks series returns with a one-of-a-kind line-up that includes the world-renowned Ferran Adrià, Eric Ripert & Jennifer Carroll, Guy Fieri and more; as well as Lifestyle and Wine Seminars hosted by Food & Wine, an unparalleled program of events that make up Meatpacking Local presented by The Corcoran Group and Kids Get Cooking!

- Kim Weling

Piazza Sempione Fall / Winter 2011

Piazza Sempione Fall / Winter 2011 collection, “Back Home: A Tale of Beauty and Poetry” is inspired by the discovery of lost beauty. The craftmanship of the pieces are impeccable, from edgy leather pants or a dress with leather trimmings to a sophisticated, soft cashmere coat.

During the preview, we were able to create our own look and have it featured on one of the models. The first image shows the look I chose. The dress seems super short on the model but keep in mind I was visualizing this outfit being worn by a petite person. I love the color combination of teal and pumpkin orange, which fits in well with the neutral palette of grey, ivory and tan and a burst of red.

The collection is very uptown chic, with a modern elegance.





















- Kim Weling