Fashion's Night Out 2012 Recap

Fashion's Night Out, being the first day of fashion week is always exhausting for me. This Fashion's Night Out, I really wanted to avoid the crowds and hang out amongst friends at some exclusive events. Even though I had six events scheduled on my list, I ended up going to three of them.

On my way back from the Nicholas K Spring 2013 show, I visited the Maybelline Color Studio parked at 41st and Broadway from 10:30-1:30pm. A complimentary manicure or makeup touch-up was available to anyone that stopped by. I went with the makeup-touch up, including Dream Fresh BB cream. The Maybelline Color Studio was also in Union Square later that afternoon.

In preparation for FNO festivities, Style invited me to get primped and pampered with complimentary mini-manis by Spa Chicks On-The-Go, makeup touch-ups by Bobbi Brown, eyelash applications and a beauty bag filled with Style must-haves. It was nice to relax and enjoy some cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Jeannie Mai, host of Style Networks "How Do I Look?"

I could not stay away from the candy/dessert bar, complete with a take-home-box!

My last stop was at the Journelle boutique for a party and preview of the Stella McCartney Lingerie Autumn/Winter 2012 collection.

- Kim Weling

Chantelle Fall / Winter 2012

Chantelle Fall / Winter 2012 channels Parisian style with precious detailing. The Paris-Paris line features leavers lace combined with printed satin jacquard, with a corset, waist cincher and half cup bra as key pieces. The Vendome line combines embroidered tulle with straps fashioned in an ornamental style. The Orsay line incorporates saddle stitching and a square diamond signature at the centrepiece.

The palette is inspired by precious stones - ruby reds, amber, black pearl and white gold. Chantelle lingerie has a luxurious fit with sexy, gorgeous lace and impeccable details.

My favorite pieces from the fall / winter collection are the Eternelle demi underwire and push up bras in fatal violet.

Here are some images from the Chantelle Fall / Winter 2012 preview I attended on August 8th. ILOVEAGOOD's Jenny Altman and Danielle Black hosted the preview alongside the Chantelle team, while media guests enjoyed champagne and desserts.

- Kim Weling

The Lingerie Alliance Launch Party & Lingerie Fashion Show

Left: Nevaeh Intimates / Right: Dirty Dolls Lingerie

Photo credit: Bennett Raglin of BR Photo Creations

On August 4th, The Lingerie Alliance founders Moira Nelson and Luis Paredes celebrated their partnership and launch of the site at the Griffin, 50 Gansevoort Street. The Lingerie Alliance is the first online, collaborative community of Intimate Apparel professionals.

The "Intimate Affair" launch party and lingerie fashion show was emceed by celebrity stylist and author of The Bra Book, Jené Luciani and sponsored by leading lingerie brands Affinitas & Parfait.

The fashion show featured SS13 collections from Affinitas & Parfait as well as independent brands Angela Friedman, Clare Bare Eco Intimates, Dirty Dolls Lingerie, Nevaeh Intimates, Ombrato Sleepwear and Lingerie and With Love Lingerie.

Here are some images I took during the launch party and fashion show

Jené Luciani

- Kim Weling

Celebrate "Have An Extra Dessert Day" at Macaron Café

On September 4th, Macaron Café and Greek beauty brand KORRES® are pairing up to celebrate "Have an Extra Dessert Day." For one day only, all three of Macaron Café's Manhattan locations will be giving away an extra "sweet treat" from KORRES® to any customer who purchases a half dozen macarons ($14) or more. A richly indulgent treat, KORRES® Lip Butter melts into lips for the ultimate luxurious hydration.

Macaron Café has three Manhattan locations: 485 Seventh Avenue on 36th St., 750 Third Avenue, and 625 Madison Avenue on 59th St.

New Yogurt / Frozen Yogurt Favorites

Even though Cherry is my favorite yogurt flavor, I love to try different flavors and brands. Olympus Greek yogurt has a thick and velvety texture, with flavors including Blueberry, Vanilla, Cherry, Peach, Strawberry and Lemon. There's also the Authentic Greek 0% strained yogurt with honey, which I like to add a little granola to.

Yoplait Trix yogurt has been reformulated to contain no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners of high fructose corn syrup, and continues to be a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Yoplait Trix yogurt comes in five flavors that kids will love: Strawberry Punch, Strawberry Banana Bash, Raspberry Rainbow, Triple Cherry and Cotton Candy. Cotton Candy was too sweet for me, but I do want to give the Triple Cherry a try.

Healthy Choice low-fat Greek Frozen Yogurt just launched nationwide in August. It's deliciously thick and creamy, made with dairy protein, real fruit, real nonfat milk and yogurt cultures. It's the perfect frozen treat with 100 calories and 4g of protein per serving. It comes in Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Blueberry and Raspberry. Look for Healthy Choice Frozen Greek Yogurt in the freezer aisle by Healthy Choice meals. It is sold in a three-pack carton ($3.49) with 4 fl oz. in each cup. So far I have only tried the Vanilla flavor but I am hooked!

Ben & Jerry's Greek Frozen Yogurt also newly launched so you should start seeing this at your local supermarket. Traditional Greek yogurt is mixed with Ben & Jerry's "traditional" chunks & swirls - how can you not love that? The four Greek frozen yogurt flavors include Strawberry Shortcake, Raspberry Fudge Chunk, Banana Peanut Butter and Blueberry Vanilla Graham. So far I've only tried the Blueberry Vanilla Graham which was okay, but I'm dying to try Raspberry Fudge Chunk and Banana Peanut Butter, which are also available in mini-cups. The mini-cups are great for sampling new flavors!

- Kim Weling

Fashion Week Snack Favorites

Unless I happen to be lunching at a fashion week lounge, there's no time to eat in between fashion shows or presentations. I have to rely on purse-size snacks to get me through the day. Here a look at some of my favorites that I'll be sure to have with me at Lincoln Center and at off-site shows.

Balance Bars provide that on-the-go energy without the sugar crash of a candy bar. They contain 14g protein, 200 calories, balanced 40-30-30 nutrition (40% of calories from carbohydrates /30% from quality protein / 30% from dietary fat), excellent source of antioxidants & vitamin D and 23 vitamins & minerals. I've been addicted to the Chocolate Mint Cookie Crunch and Double Chocolate Brownie bars.

Fiber One has been a continuing sponsor at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, with 90 Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookie brownies (20% Daily Value of fiber / 5 Grams of fiber per serving) and Chewy Chocolate and Chewy Strawberry PB&J bars (20% Daily Value of fiber / 10% Daily Value of calcium) as the newest products in the Fiber One mix.

Crunchies Food Company offers the perfect snack-on-the-go with their popular pouches of all-natural, freeze dried fruit and vegetables. Some of my favorite Crunchies include Mango, Strawberries, Pear, Salted Edamame, Buttered Sweet Corn and Roasted Veggies. You can view the entire assortment at crunchiesfood.com.

Mott's Original Fruit Flavored Snacks and Mott's Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks made their way into stores this summer. Mott's Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks, available in Assorted Fruit and Berry varieties are made with real fruit and vegetable juice.

- Kim Weling

Fashion Week Accessories and Solutions

With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just a few days away, I'm in a frenzy scheduling shows and presentations to attend as well as figuring out what to wear. Here are some of my favorite fashion week accessories and solutions I plan on bringing with me to the tents or stashing at the office.

Ditch your Canon camera straps and take pictures in style with SLR/DSLR camera straps by Capturing Couture. These fashionable straps feature tapestry, silk and animal prints. Men's straps are also available in pinstripe, gingham and argyle patterns. Prices range from $35-$49 at capturingcouture.com.

Foot Petals Sexy Safari Kit will keep you comfortable while wearing those 4" heels. The 3 pair kit features Killer Kushionz, Tip Toes, and Heavenly Heelz for $24.95 in leopard, tiger and zebra prints. Killer Kushionz 3/4 insoles can be worn in open toe shoes for ultimate support, Tip Toes ball-of-foot cushions stop feet from sliding forward and Heavenly Heelz back-of-heel cushions help keep heels from slipping in and out of shoes.

"In A Pikle" bag contains 8 clear, removable pouches, packed with over 20 items including tissues, wipes, band aids, manicure set, mirror and sewing kit. This organizer is small enough to fit in your bag for those on-the-go fashion emergencies or can be kept in your office drawer. You can also purchase refill paks or customize your own kit by adding extra pouches. I need to get ready for fashion week and pak my essentials, consisting of lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner, concealer, blotting paper, fashion tape, hair tie and Advil. "In A Pikle" comes in different colors and prints, priced from $24.99 to $39.99 at inapikle.com.

Top Left: Relish Pikle in white or posh purple / Top Right: Bread and Butter Pikle in turquoise

Bottom left: Sweet Pikle in grey floral and lint flap / Bottom right: Dill Pikle in paisley print and coral flap

- Kim Weling