Cat Footwear Winter 2012

Corrine Boot, $230

 

I've had my eye on Cat Footwear for quite some time now, and was thrilled to finally try out a pair! Cat Footwear sells a wide range of footwear, from boots to casual styles, and is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. and the global footwear licensee of Caterpillar® Inc.

 

My favorite from Cat Footwear Winter 2012 is the Corrine Boot ($230), part of the Legendary Raw Collection and a modern take on the classic riding boot. Like many of Cat Footwear styles, this boot is rugged yet feminine and will look more and more appealing with each wear. I chose the Corrine in black, which has more of an inky appearance, perfect to wear with a dark pair of jeggings. The Corrine in black comes in full grain leather while the sienna and brown colors come in leather with a canvas upper. This boot is comfortable for trekking around all day in the city, and the size 5 fit perfectly. I am really impressed with the craftmanship and quality and expect these boots to be a favorite of mine for a long time. 

 

Here's a look at some of the other styles in the winter collection, available at catfootwear.com. 

 

Left/Center: Hepburn Boot, $210

Right: Rosie Boot, $210

Annette Boot, $170

 

Rita Boot, $170

 

 

Boots from the Cat Footwear x Shontelle Collection

Shontelle Bridgetown Boot, $190

Shontelle Bajan Boot, $200

 

Here's a sneak peek at the Spring 2013 styles!

Jazmyne

 

Marilyn, $100

 

Criss Cross, $100

 

- Kim Weling

Last-Minute Holiday Gifting with Sabon

So there's only one more shopping day left this holiday season, but let's not forget those post-holiday gifts to get for friends and loved ones you may not see until after the holidays, and of course well-deserved gifts for yourself. For my last gifting recommendation before the holidays, I'd have to go with Sabon and their amazing bath and body products including lotions, shower gels, body scrubs, soaps and oils. I also love their packaging - just take a look at some of the images I took at the boutique. 

I must admit, I haven't been in a Sabon boutique in quite awhile since I've been pretty stocked up on products for myself, and was amazed at how much Sabon has added to their product line. With a visit to the Soho boutique for a private tour and press preview earlier this month, I was introduced to men's, mother and baby, face and hair care lines, candles and diffusers for the home as well as travel-sized products. 

The best way to choose your favorite Sabon scent is to visit a store and experience a hand treatment, by trying out one of the scrubs, followed by the creamy scrub and oil, resulting in super-soft skin. My favorite scent/product is actually the newest addition to the Sabon collection - the men's Gentleman Body Scrub, $30, which has a Patchouli Citrus scent. I found out from the boutique associates that a lot of women actually love to this scent and body scrub, which makes a great unisex gift. 

You can learn more about Sabon at sabonnyc.com and find boutique locations here.

     

  

- Kim Weling

Last-Minute Holiday Tech Accessories & Gifts

Here are some of my favorite tech accessories and stocking stuffers:

1. Apple iPad mini, from $329 - 7.9" display and easily fits into your bag to tote around every day.  

2. Matrix nrg 3.5mm Portable Bass Speaker, $29.99 - this portable bass speaker is great for travel, the office or the beach. Plugs into your iPad or iPhone or other portable media player/cell phone. Available in a variety of colors from red to blue (do these portable speakers remind anyone else of those UV light pods in Blade II?)

3. Sol Republic Customized Headphones, from $119.97 - choose a FlexTech Sound Track interchangeable headband, V8 sounds engine speakers and Cleartalk cables 

4. Monster Power Outlets To Go 300 for Laptops, $24.95 - includes 3 outlets and 2 USB ports

5. GoSwype Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, $1.99 - removes dirt, oil, grime, fingerprints and up to 98% of germs and bacteria

6. Monster iClean, $14.95 -  iPhone and iPod screen cleaner comes with 1 travel bottle and 2 antimicrobial cloths

- Kim Weling

Lavanila Laboratories Holiday Stocking Stuffers and Gift Sets

Lavanila I Love Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit, $49.50

Just two more shopping days left!If you happen to find yourself looking for last-minute gifts at Sephora, check out Lavanila Laboratories healthy fragrances. Lavanila fragrances ($58) are all based around a vanilla scent. The collection includes Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Passion Fruit, Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Coconut, my favorite Vanilla Grapefruit, and the newly launched holiday fragrance - Blackberry Vanilla. Lavanila's scents contain natural ingredients like essential oils, 100% natural botanical extracts, spring water and organic cane alcohol, and are free of drying alcohol, petrochemicals and phthalates. The scents are healthy and sweet-smelling, yet not overpowering. Some of the natural ingredients include Goji Berries, Kakadu Plum, Olive Leaf Extract and Canadian Willowherb. 

Lavanila's rollerball ($19) and mini deodorant ($10) make great stocking stuffers. I love to keep both the rollerball and mini deodorant at the office, but they are are also great for travel or to throw in your gym bag or purse. My skin is sensitive to deodorants, and I'm glad I finally found one I like that has odor protection and doesn't irritate my skin, or have harsh chemicals. The Healthy Deodorant is free of Aluminum, Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Talc, Phthalates and Triclosan. It is formulated with health-promoting beta-glucan technology packed with anti-oxidants, active botanicals and essential oils. 

If you are thinking of gifting several of Lavila products, check out the gift sets. Lavanila Laboratories is available at Sephora, sephora.com and lavanila.com. 

Lavanila Pamper and Protect Pure Vanilla Gift Set, $30

- Kim Weling

Yankee Candle and Bridgewater Candle Company Holiday Fragrances

 Time to pick up those last-minute gifts! I lost track of how many candles I own but it's still a gift I love getting and giving, especially when you come across an amazing fragrance. My favorite this season is Yankee Candle Red Velvet. Red velvet happens to be my favorite dessert flavor and this smells like the real thing - a delicious, sweet mix of brown sugar, red velvet cake and creamy frosting. Red Velvet comes in different candle sizes from the large jar ($27.99) to the tumbler ($15.99) and small ($10.99).

Bridgewater Candle Company holiday scents include Mistletoe Wishes, Snow Day and my favorite of the three - Dear Santa, which smells like freshly baked gingerbread cookies. These festive scents make a great gift as a large candle ($20), petite reed diffuser ($18) or candle tin as a stocking stuffer ($10). Purchasing a Bridgewater Jar Candle also helps a great cause, as Bridgewater Candle Company will make a donation to Rice Bowls to feed one orphaned child for a day. 

- Kim Weling

Last-Minute Holiday Gifts at HSN

 Rarities: Carol Brodie

Who isn't done with their holiday shopping yet? I'm not! If you love to shop online and want to avoid the crowds of shoppers, HSN has everything you need to get all your last-minute gifts, from jewelry and handbags to cosmetics, skin care and fragrances as well home decor and accessories. Take a look at some of my favorite gifts you'll find at hsn.com. HSN also offers Super Express Delivery to ensure your items arrive before December 25th. 

Joan Boyce

 Vince Camuto clutches

Sharif Convertible Cross Body Bag

boscia

  

Korres

CLEAN fragrances

Billionaire Boyfriend by Kate Walsh

Benefit

MoMA Design Store earbuds and cord wrappers

Highgate Manor faux fur throws

Colin Cowie 2 Tier Slate Cake Plate

Emeril 4-piece knife set with 5-piece cutting board

Scentaments diffusers

Carleton Varney diffuser sets

- Kim Weling