Recap: Celebrate the Season InStyle Event

On October 28th, I attended the Celebrate the Season InStyle blogger event, presented by Single Edition Media at The Glass Houses at Chelsea Arts Tower. Bloggers networked with fellow influencers and received tips from InStyle.com and other amazing sponsors while enjoying wine and bites courtesy of Gardein. Other sponsors included Sears, Jergens, Tagspire, Silk'n, Elizabeth Arden, Gardein, Bulova, DSW, Vigoss, Etienne Aigner, Sugarwish, Skinnygirl and Brancott Estate. 

The evening ended with a presentation on holiday trends, featuring InStyle Beauty Director Kahlana Barfield, TV Reporter & Stylist Rachel Zalis, Celebrity Makeup Artist Pati Dubroff, and other leading experts. 

Rachel Zalis presented the new Metaphor Collection, including coats, chunky knits and embellishments and highlighted looks for the season. 

  

Karim Hijazi previewed the new Tagspire spcial commerce network 

Emma Robinson shared product overviews and benefits of at home laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.

Kelly Cook gave us insight into DSW's social media and promotions. 

Presentation highlights also included Thierry Casias discussing Bulova jewelry and watch trends, such as jewelry encrusted, military and aviation inspired, as well as mechanical movements and a thinner, slimmer Bulova watch design. Christina Bennett took us through Elizabeth Arden holiday beauty trends including bold red lips, and walked us through newly launched fragrances for the hoiliday season. Christina Gibson shared fun ways to serve up Gardein, from mini tacos to disposable Thanksgiving spoons and fish filet served up in mini cones. 

- Kim Weling

Botkier New York Sample Sale - 11/12 - 11/16/14

Botkier New York Sample Sale

Where: Chelsea Market

              75 9th Avenue

              New York, NY 10011

When:  November 12th-16th

              9am - 7pm

Included at the sale:

· Trigger Small Satchel in Purple Original price: $298 Sale Price: $149

· Logan Satchel in Olive - Original price: $298 Sale price: $149

· Trigger Crossbody in Red -Original price: $198 Sale price: $99

· Leroy Crossbody in Purple - Original price: $298 Sale price: $149

Rebecca Taylor Sample Sale - 11/11-11/15/14

INGLOT + Disney's The Lion King Savannah Sunset Color Collection

On September 25th, I attended a reception at INGLOT Cosmetics at Chelsea Market in honor of Savannah Sunset by INGLOT, the color collection inspired by Disney's The Lion King, one of Broadway's most beloved Tony-Award winning musicals. Guests enjoyed makeovers, sips and snacks while mingling with members of The Lion King cast. 

The Savannah Sunset Collection consists of INGLOT Freedom System Eye Shadow Palette #606, #108R, and #329, Face Blush #40, Freedom System Lipstick Palette #20 and #21, Nail Enamel in #042, Secret Volume Mascara, and INGLOT Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen.

The Lion King is now in its 17th year, and is the highest-grossing Broadway show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. The Lion King is now playing at the Minskoff Theatre.

INGLOT's The Lion King Color Collection launched in July 2014 and can be found at INGLOT boutiques around the world and inglotusa.com.

- Kim Weling

Recap: Birchbox + Juice Beauty Birchblogger Event

On October 9th, Birchbloggers celebrated Juice Beauty's partnership with Birchbox, at the Birchbox SoHO store at 433 W Broadway. The VIP Hour included complimentary instant eye lift treatments from Juice Beauty, hair touch-ups from Number 4 Hair Care, Soda Bar by Brooklyn Soda Works and delicious snacks.  

I was first introduced to Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular Instant Eye Lift when it launched in the spring. The eye mask instantly brightens and lifts the eyes, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It's a quick two-step process: first you pour the entire vial of Activator Fluid on top of the eye masks, then once it is fully soaked in you apply each mask under your eye area and leave on for ten minutes.  It leaves your eyes feeling revived, smooth and hydrated. Each box comes with 6 algae eye mask sets. 

We also got sent home with Juice Beauty's GREEN APPLE Peel Nightly Brightening Pads, which brightens, smooths and corrects skin tone. The bamboo pads are saturated with antioxidant rich organic fruit acids to brighten while extracts of algae, Vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. 

Since I am already a big fan of Juice Beauty's GREEN APPLE Peel Full Strength, I knew I would love this latest addition to the GREEN APPLE product line. The pads are very thin and not overly saturated, yet it does feel like it really gets into the skin. Just after a few days I can notice the difference, and feel this actually does help with brightening. I can't wait to see how it continues to work as I use it through the fall/winter season. 

I also keep Juice Beauty's Reflecting Gloss in Guava in my bag, but since I'm almost completely out of my gloss I'm glad we got one at the event, and this time I get to try it in Pink. The gloss glides on so easily and is smooth and non-sticky.

For my hair touch-up, I decided to have my hair styled half up, half down, with some braiding and loose waves, using Number 4 styling products such as the Thermal Styling Spray and Texture Styling Crème. 

- Kim Weling

Recap: Fitness Magazine Blogger Meet and Tweet 2014 #FitBlogNYC

On October 16th, I attended the annual Fitness Magazine Blogger Meet and Tweet at the Mercedes Club in NYC. Fitness Magazine Editor-in-Chief Betty Wong kicked off the morning welcome to attendees, followed by speaker sessions on The New Formula For Fitness Success with Holly Rilinger, moderated by Fitness Deputy Editor Mary Anderson, CrossFit, Mud Runs, Marathons! How to Stay Healthy in a Hard-Core World with Marci A. Goolsby, MD, moderated by Fitness Senior Editor Lisa Haney, and Eat Healthy in a Healthier, Live Happier: Game Changing Cooking Secrets with Carla Hall, moderated by Fitness Executive Editor Pam O'Brien.

After the speaker sessions attendees enjoyed lunch and met with event sponsors including Eddie Bauer, Hoka One One, Dermalogica, Tria, Tonalin, Balance Bar, Pure Protein, Luna and Oster Versa. 

After lunch and sponsor meet and greets, there was a panel discussion on My Digital Brand is My Business with Lisa Elaine Held, Bianca Jade, Anne Mauney, RD, and Laura Sykora, moderated by Fitness Digital Director Amanda Wolfe. The day ended with a run sponsored by Hoka One One and an amazing gift bag from event sponsors. Thank you Fitness Magazine for hosting another fun and fabulous Blogger Meet and Tweet!

Eddie Bauer introduced their Incendiary long-sleeve crew and 1/4 zip baselayers, shoes and down vests from the current fall collection. The baselayers are perfect for going cold-weather activities from running to hiking.

Hoka One One showcased their running shoes, which was my first introduction to the brand. Their shoes seem lightweight and incredibly cushioned, so I can't wait to test them out.

It's always great to see Dermalogica! They were showcasing their skin hydrating booster, protection 50 sport spf50 and after sun repair. One of their latest products that caught my eye was the redness relief primer spf20.

I've heard so much about Tria but have never actually tried one of their hair removal devices yet. Luckily I won the Tria Laser Precision from tweeting during the event! It's designed specifically for the underarms, bikini line and other small, sensitive areas. 

  

Tonalin CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) softgels are taken twice a day to help promote fat reduction and increase lean muscle mass. This is another product I've never tried, but look forward to seeing how it works out. 

My new favorite energy bar - Balance Bar Sea Salt Caramel Nut!

Balance Bar Cookie Dough and Chocolate Mint Cookie Crunch

Pure Protein Bars - Dark Chocolate Coconut

Pure Protein Vanilla Cream Shake

Luna Bars in Lemon Vanilla

Oster Versa showcased their blenders and served up smoothies during lunch

Pear & Pineapple green smoothies blended by Oster Versa

Lunch was incredibly healthy and delicious, including Arugula salad with butternut squash, pumpkin seeds and pecorino, Quinoa with herbs, pomegranate, pickled red onion, cucumber and pecans, roasted vegetables, and Grilled chicken served with Salmoriglio (olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and oregano).

Baked spiced appleswith granola (dried coconut, flax seeds and sunflower seeds) and vanilla bean whipped cream for dessert

- Kim Weling

Inside the Alexander Wang x H&M Pre-Shopping Event

Earlier tonight I stopped by the Alexander Wang x H&M pre-shopping event at 589 5th Avenue at 48th Street. I had gotten there during the last half hour of the event, and just about all the accessories were gone and everything had been picked through. Some of the coveted accessories included, sunglasses, goggles, boxing gloves and a leather backpack. 

I had seriously been considering buying the $399 leather jacket, but sleeves that are too long is one of my pet peeves and the sleeves were bunching up on me a bit. So I ended up just getting the black/yellow sports bra, black crop top and black tank top. There were a few other pieces I had considered buying but were long gone by the time I arrived. I had heard that the party was a madhouse at the start of the night, but I figured it would be! By the time I left, die-hard Alexander Wang fans already started to camp outside of the store. 

You can check out the entire collection here. What are your favorite pieces from Alexander Wang x H&M?

- Kim Weling