techSTYLE Lounge at New York Fashion Week

Hair styling by Bumble and Bumble, sunglasses by Velvet Eyewear

Bumble and bumble hosted the techSTYLE Lounge on September 9th and 10th at the House of Bumble at 415 W. 13th Street, during New York Fashion Week. Bumble and bumble provided complimentary dry styling and The V Spot served up tasty vegan empanadas and organic quinoa with salsa. 

The techSTYLE Lounge was the perfect place to unwind and recharge, while checking out lounge sponsors including pop chips, Bella Terra cosmetics, Pour le Monde Perfumes, Namecheap, shopping app Shadoobie, Efva Attling, Velvet Eyewear, Julie Brown Designs and Just Soles. I'm obsessing over ALTAR Herbal Martinis, alcohol-free beverages that can also be paired with fine spirits. There are five different flavors - Aphrodisiac, Bliss, Chi, Restore and Chill. PINCHme provided attendees with early access to boxes filled with product samples from top beauty brands.

Here's a video highlight from the techSTYLE lounge

- Kim Weling

Vogue Runway Retreat at New York Fashion Week

Above Photo by Grant Friedman

The Vogue Runway Retreat took place at Bar Boulud on September 6th-8th during New York Fashion Week. Media editors indulged in makeup touch-ups from Jane Iredale and hair styling by Pantene. After getting 'front row ready', guests were able to style their look with one of the bags from Brahmin Atelier's fall collection. Brahmin also showcased their latest tech accessories, including embossed leather iPad and iPhone 5 cases in Racing Green. 

Guests also got a sneek peak at The Eva Mendes Collection, exclusively at New York & Company, which launched on September 19th in select stores and online at nyandcompany.com. 

At Runway Retreat with Hallie Friedman of Sleepless in Sequins

Brahmin iPad and iPhone 5 tech cases

I even won a signed copy of Leandra Medine's new book, Man Repeller: Seeking Love, Finding Overalls, which just launched on September 10th.

Here's a video highlight of the Runway Retreat

- Kim Weling

GBK and Sparkling Hill Resort Luxury Gift and Styling Lounge at New York Fashion Week

GBK returned to New York Fashion Week this season, hosting a Luxury Gift and Styling Lounge with Sparkling Hill Resort on September 6th and 7th at The Empire Hotel. Celebrity guests included Jay Manuel and Miss J of "America's Next Top Model", Celebrity Stylist June Ambrose, Ice-T of "Law and Order SVU" and his wife and model Coco Austin and Matt Letscher, Katie Findlay and Chloe Bridges of "The Carrie Diaries". 

As soon as I walked through the door I was greeted by Sparkling Hill Resort, a European-inspired wellness resort known as the first resort in the world to incorporate Swarovski crystal elements into every aspect of its design. 


At the lounge there was a bevy of beauty and fashion brands, but first I had to try the Mango and Strawberry Moscato from Viva Diva Wines by Christina Milian. The sweet Mango Moscato is a new favorite of mine that I'll be looking for the next time I'm at Wal-Mart.

Two brands I looked forward to seeing again were Presenting Sponsors Pilot Pen and Hard Candy. Pilot Pen offered their new assortment including their FriXion Clicker, Acroball Pure White and G2 Fashion FriXion Clicker erasable pens. Some of my new Hard Candy favorites include the green 'Ivy League' Mod Quad baked eye shadow set, All Lid Up creme eye shadow in 'Quick Sand', All Dressed Up hydrating lip stain in 'Chic' and Megawatt Smile lipstick + tooth whitener in 'Stay Bright'. 

There were some more beauty brands I had the pleasure of meeting with, including D'Mademoiselle Pure Mineral Makeup and Skincare Product, Nikki's Magic Wand and EcoGenics Active Botanical Skin Care. I look forward to using D'Mademoiselle's Illuminating Finishing Powder in 'Moonbeam', Lip Toxyl Sheer - an advanced, lip plumping gloss infused with real diamond dust in 'Princess' and Dual Action Makeup Remover in for eyes and lips. Nikki's Magic Wand will come in handy for scraping out what's left of my almost-empty lip gloss tubes. EcoGenics Active Botanical Skin Care is a unique combination of nature and science, paraben free and ideal for all skin types. Their 5 Steps to Beautiful Skin Travel Kit comes with a cleanser, skin serum, moisturizer, micro-dermabrasion cream and a mineral masque souffle. 


Cynthia Gale Jewelry showcased modern, urban eclectic, art inspired, sterling silver jewelry. Lulu Avenue featured their fashion jewelry such as the Madrid Double Wrap Bracelet and Venetian Cuff. 

d'andrea handbags featured edgy leather clutches with studded, spike and quilted detailing in a variety of colors. 

Wild Soul Sunglasses featured acetate sunglasses named after untamed wild animals. Wild Soul Sunglasses allow you to donate a portion to the charity of your choice.  

A few other brands at the lounge included Connecticut Cookie Company, with cookies and treats made with grandma's hometown vanilla, Prima Dolce Company - Bella's Fruit Compotes and Latta Russian Kefir sampling Latta Russian Kefir probiotic yogurt and non-dairy green teas. youthH20 was sampling their 'Daily Superfood Nutrition' supplement with Age Defying Benefits enhancing your Beauty, Performance and Wellness all in one.

Visit San Luis Obispo County and Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast were promoting the SAVOR Central Coast Food & Wine Festival, which took place Sept 26-29th.

Here's a video highlight of the lounge, featuring Pilot Pen, Hard Candy, D'Mademoiselle, Nikki's Magic Wand, Wild Soul Sunglasses, Viva Diva Wines by Christina Milian, Latta Russian Kefir, Cynthia Gale Jewelry, Lulu Avenue and Rive water bottles. 

- Kim Weling

Scotch & Soda Sample Sale

Birchbox October 2013 Sneak Peek

It's hard to believe it's already October, especially when it still feels like summer in the city! Check out this sneak peek video of new arrivals in the Birchbox shop and exciting beauty-must-haves included in this month's October box (the amika GWP is definitely 'fashionably petite')! This month is all about the most buzz-worthy beauty products, from cult favorites to award winners and celeb favorites. What beauty product has received the most buzz for 2013? Watch the video to find out how you can win all the October samples featured in this month's video - worth over $150! 

To help you get stocked up on fall beauty, you'll receive 15% off any purchase of $50 or more in the Birchbox Shop with code BIRCHBLOGGER15 at checkout! Enjoy!

- Kim Weling

butter LONDON Lounge with Katie Jane Hughes at New York Fashion Week

butter LONDON cosmetics used for my makeup look

On September 12th, butter LONDON and Global Colour Ambassador, Katie Jane Hughes hosted the butter LONDON Lounge at the Soho Grand Clubroom. For the last day of fashion week, attendees relaxed and recharged with complimentary make-up touch ups and manicures and checked out the latest launches from butter LONDON, including butter LONDON's first cosmetics collection, Rock Your Colour, celebrating self-expression with shades inspired by the catwalk. 

butter LONDON's Rock Your Colour Bespoke Colour Cosmetics collection, which launched at Henri Bendel in September, includes five new Nail Lacquer shades. The collection introduced 6 shades of WINK Mascara, 6 shades of WINK Cream Eye Shadow, 6 shades of WINK Eye Pencil, 6 shades of LIPPY Tinted Balm and 6 shades of CHEEKY Cream Blush.

For my make-up touchup, 'Inky Six' and 'Union Jack Black' mascara were used to create a bold blue eyeliner. I also received a great tip: 'Brown Sugar' mascara can be used on the eyebrows too! After my make-up touch up, I received a 'glitterfall' mani - a combination of Cuppa and The 444 colors. 

butter LONDON 'glitterfall' mani 

butter LONDON's Spring 2014 nail art by Katie Jane Hughes. Click here for the recap of the looks backstage at New York Fashion Week.

- Kim Weling

Backstage with butter LONDON at New York Fashion Week Spring 2014

butter LONDON x Tadashi Shoji

butter LONDON's Global Colour Ambassador, Katie Jane Hughes, created the looks for Tadashi Shoji, Nicole Miller, Monique Lhuillier, Louise Goldin, Lela Rose, Band of Outsiders, Karen Walker, ICB by Prabal Gurung and Milly Spring 2014. Here's a recap of the looks backstage at New York Fashion Week. 

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2014 was inspired by liberation and empowerment. The collection allows women to assert confience with femininity as illustrated through soft, delicate materials. Backstage at Tadashi Shoji, Katie created a chic, muted nail look. "We wanted the nail to mimic the gorgeous organza fabrics seen throughout Tadashi's collection," said Katie Jane Hughes. "butter LONDON Naul Lacquer in Hen Party and the Matte Finish Topcoat really transformed the nail to give this glistening, textured effect."

Nicole Miller's Spring 2014 collection was inspired by the opulence, glamour and beauty of Versailles - the gardens, mirrors, mazes and chandeliers. Backstage at Nicole Miller, to create the "glitterfall" nail look, Katie first applied a layer of butter LONDON's new Nail Lacquer in The 444. To create a cascading effect, she used butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in The Blak Knight and applied upward from the tip of the nail. She lightly dabbed the nail lacquer where the two shades met to blend the look. Finally she reapplied The Black Knight to finish the ombre effect. 

butter LONDON x Nicole Miller

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2014 was inspired by sheer elegance through the use of bright, bold colours in clean and modern silhouettes with feminine details. For the look, Katie Jane Hughes applied a coat of butter LONDON Nail Foundation followed by two coats of butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Pink Ribbon. The soft nail look was juxtaposed by a bright red on the toes. Katie used butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Pillar Box Red.

 butter LONDON x Monique Lhuillier

Louise Goldin Spring 2014 was inspired by summer activities; specifically tennis and concerts which inspired the colour palette and prints within the collection. Katie first applied two coats of butter LONDON Nail Foundation followed by a coat of butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Pink Ribbon. 

Lela Rose Spring 2014 was inspired by mid-century, modern furniture design. Katie created two looks for the runway. For look 1, Katie applited two coats of butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Lady Muck and finished the look with the butter LONDON Matte Finish Shine Free Topcoat. For look 2, Katie applied butter LONDON Nail Foundation to create a clean, nude base. She then used butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Lady Muck to create a half moon effect. 

butter LONDON x Lela Rose 

Easy bohemian meets sporty sleek for Band of Outsiders Spring 2014. Whites transitioned into vivid colours, using transparent and athletic fabrics. For the look, Katie applied two coats of butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Cotton Buds and completed the look with the butter LONDON Matte Finish Shine Free Topcoat. 

Karen Walker Spring 2014 combines traditional Eastern utility with modern urban practicality. For the look, Katie creates a bespoke colour, blending butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Kerfuffle, Cuppa and Bumster. She completed the look using butter LONDON Matte Finish Shine Free Topcoat. 

butter LONDON x Karen Walker 

ICB by Prabal Gurung was inspired by holographic textures and contemporary fluorescent light artists such as Dan Flavin. The ICB girl is street chic with a sleek downtown vibe. For the look, Katie applied butter LONDON Nail Foundation tothe nails followed by the new butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Leccy - a sheer, blue opal fleck overcoat (available October 2013). She placed colorful holographic foild down the center of six nails and completed the look by adding a glitter top to three accent nails.  

Milly Spring 2014 was inspired a recent trip to Tokyo and contemporary Japanese architecture, the collection is an ultramodern interpretation of traditional feminine silhouettes with the use of three-dimensional fabrics, layered transparency and architectural illusions. For the lookKatie applied butter LONDON Nail Founcation to create a clean, nude base. She then used butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Cotton Buds to create a half moon manicure. 

butter LONDON x Milly

- Kim Weling