Accessories Council Valentine's Day Gift Picks 2015

With Valentine's Day is just a few days away, here's a look at the Accessories Council top picks for your last minute gifts! 

The Petite Eye Cheek and Lip Palette by bella j. ($18, retail value of $75) has all the makeup essentials you need for touch ups at the office or going out after. The palette includes a blush (Pink Peony), lip gloss (BerryBash), four eye shadows (Espresso, Cafe Au Lait, Nude, and Cream) and a surprise charm. 

I love how pigmented the Jing Ai Velvet Shine Lip Jewels ($22) are! They are infused with 100% natural macadamia seed oil, shea butter and jojoba seed oil. You don't even need to ever sharpen the lip crayon - just twist it to advance the tip!

I've been addicted to Chuao Chocolate ever since I tasted the Baconluxious flavor. The new Strawberry Waffle Wild and Cinnamon Cereal Smooch flavors are as equally addictive!

The Crystal Kodada Limitless Tote ($498) was designed for the woman in need of functionality & versatility for her busy on-the-go lifestyle. I love the zipper and slip pockets, which are perfect for storing your phone or metro card. This tote allows you to be organized and efficient, yet stylish at the same time. 

If a backpack is your style, then you'll love this luxurious Mr. Parker Backpack ($395), made with Italian bubble lambskin. 

The BWESTIE oversized clutch from Steve Madden ($78 at Lord & Taylor) and the Mondrina Tallulah Fringed Bucket Bag ($485) are the Accessories Council's top fringe picks!

Betsey Johnson's Pushing Daisies Wallet ($58 at Belk and Dillards) works as a crossbody bag or as a fun addition to your tote bag. It's perfect for carrying your phone, credit cards and lipstick for a quick lunch outing or for going out after work.

These Pico Design Sphere Drop Earrings ($112) feature gorgeous spheres suspended from delicate wires. 

Feel extra cozy and fashionable with these Boy Meets Girl sweatshirt ($55), leggings ($45) and Boy Meets Girl x Roman Luxe bracelet ($125). 

For the man in your life, surprise him with a pair of cufflinks from Robert Graham or Ike Behar. 

The CAROLEE Heart Collection ($24-$70)includes heart design necklaces, earrings and a pin in faceted crystal and silver tone metal. CAROLEE is donating $5 to Go Red for Women from the sale of each piece. Available exclusively at Macy's Herald Square and Macy's.com. 

Alanna Bess offers unique jewelry pieces, such as the Cleopatra Cuff ($295) in 18K sold gold hammered brass with a facetted pyrite stone. Two of my personal favorites include the hinge bangle (perfect for tiny wrists) and the druzy rose gold necklace. 

Roman & Sunstone Crystal Inspiration Bracelets ($35) make the perfect unisex gift to fit any wrist size. These bracelets feature an adjustable black braided cord, genuine crystal and a moveable bead with the words "Live," "Laugh" and "Love." 

Eye of the Sea features handmade beaded bracelets and signature charms from Greece, such as the Rose Quartz Crystal Bracelet ($50). Each bracelet comes with a signature Eye of the Sea pouch and a Gemstone Meaning card. Rose Quartz is stone of the heart and unconditional love. It helps dissolve emotional wounds and resentment. Balancing emotions it restores inner peace, calm and lowers stress. Colors and sizes of the beads may vary slightly making each bracelet unique. 

Trollbeads presents a stunning and stylish sterling silver bangle ($199), featuring an Italian glass bead embedded with crystals throughout, in brilliant blue or pretty pink.

One of my favorites from the preview are Marcolin-Swarovski sunglasses. The Swarovski Eileen Sunglasses ($150) have a cat eye silhouette accentuated by a cascade of sparkling crystals, arranged linearly to create a bright geometric pattern. 

Perpetual Shade Metallic Luxury Silk Sleepmasks ($69) are made of the highest quality silk, ensurig exceptional comfort while maintaining ultimate functionality. all the masks are handmade in NYC. Masks range from leather to lace and velvet lined with 100%silk.

The colorful Luxchilas TechChila iPad Case ($95) is made with leather, 100% cotton Wayuu Mochila cloth and embellished with crystals.

- Kim Weling

Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale for Men & Women

Here's an update with the price lists:

HUGO BOSS Sample Sale

The Latest in New Beauty with Scouted by SEPHORA

 

Last week I got a peek at the hottest, most buzzed-about new brands and products at the Scouted by SEPHORA preview. My afternoon filled with beauty and skincare featured one-on-one experiences with TonyMoly, dr. brandt skincare, Peter Thomas Roth, Erborian, boscia, FOREO, Bésame Cosmetics, KAPLAN MD and Flash Tattoos. Lookout for these new products at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

New to Sephora is Korean beauty brand TonyMoly, instantly noticed for their fun, stylish packaging. The English word "tony" means "stylish and elegant", and the Japanese word "moly" means "to package." Tony Moly's Shea Butter Bbo Bbo Lip Balm is already a favorite of mine, and also available in Blueberry. Bho Bho (means "kiss" in Korean") Lip Balm is packaged in a metallic, oversized lip-shaped compact, which will definitely be the center of your makeup bag!  

Get the most advanced Botox-inspired home treatment ever created, with dr. brandt skincare's newest launch, Needles No More ($89). This instant wrinkle relaxing cream targets lines on forehead, crow's feet and between brows. 

It is formulated with an exclusive tri-blend wrinkle relaxer that works synergistically in 3 stages to help relax and smooth lines. It provides an instant and long term smoothing effect and visibly improves the look of expression lines. Just after 60 minutes, 96% reported skin looked smoother and 100% reported skin around the eyes has a more lifted appearance. Dr. Brandt recommends applying to cleansed skin to areas of concern - frown and forehead lines and crow's feet, in am and pm. 

This month at Sephora, look for Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox De-Puffing Eye-Cubes ($50). Cucumbers, Arnica, Green Tea, Chamomile, Aloe, Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid are presented in an "ice cube" form and then placed in a soft pouch for application around the eye area. 

This treatment helps reduce puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Make sure the eye cubes are stored in the freezer and completely frozen before use. After applying the eye cubes around the eye contour, my dark circles were gone, and my eyes felt refreshed, awake and brightened in just 3 minutes!

I love trying new, unique products like Erborian's Perfect Morning BB mask ($35)! This one-minute 3-in-1 green tea powder mask helps tighten pores, cleanse the skin and give a radiant glow. The Perfect Morning BB Mask uses Organic Matcha Green Tea from the famous Boseong tea garden in Korea. 

Each box comes with eight travel-friendly powder sachets - perfect for on-the-go, to be used 1-2 times a week. Just pour the powder in your hand, add a few drops of water, apply to face and leave on for one minute! The result is clean, velvety smooth skin!

New from boscia is the the Exfoliating Peel Gel ($34)! This lightweight peel gel works in three ways: as a physical peel to remove the outer layer of dead skin, as a chemical peel to penetrate deep into skin for in-depth exfoliation, and as a treatment to firm and brighten for a healthy complexion. 

Antioxidant-rich multi-fruit AHAs help to further remove oil, toxins and bacteria, while Pomegranate Enzymes infuse deep into the skin for firming and brightening. This gentle exfoliation is the perfect third step after removing your makeup and cleansing your skin. 

Swedish brand, FOREO, has launched its stylish, innovative ISSA ($199) silicone toothbrush at Sephora! FOREO's Issa is a winner of a Silver A'Design Award, utilizing high-intensity pulsations channeled through non-abrasive, bacteria-resistant silicone bristles. It is healthier and gentler on gums, and the quick-drying, nonporous silicone also makes the ISSA easy to clean and helps prevent bacteria buildup that occurs with standard nylon bristles. The 3D functionality in the ergonomic brush head adapts to any tooth surface and curves to the shape of the mouth to reach every crevice. 

The FOREO Issa is unlike any other toothbrush I've ever tried. It is incredibly gentle on the gums, yet very effective at cleaning teeth. I find it amazing that you only have to replace the brush head once a year, and when you do, you can even choose choose a different color brush head to colorblock your FOREO! Another plus is that you don't need a charging dock and the battery lasts up to 365 uses per full charge! It's the perfect travel toothbrush! The  FOREO Issa's newest colors are now available in Lavender and Mint, and also comes in 6 more exciting colors. 

Vintage-inspired Bésame Cosmetics introduces Vanilla and French Vanilla Brightening Face Powders. The powders are cruelty-free and hand-made in Los Angeles. Both brightening powders instantly brighten dark circles around the eyes and can be worn over foundation to set or without any other product. The Vanilla Face Powder is perfect for light to medium skin, while French Vanilla is perfect for medium to dark skin. 

Bésame Cosmetics Boudoir Brushes are super soft and luxurious, inspired by Hollywood makeup artists of the 1930s. This Long Hair Finishing brush is ideal for making powder almost invisible on the face, blending powder to a near flawless airbrush appearance. 

KAPLAN MD created the Perfect Pout, a natural solution for fuller, healthier, more youthful lips. It instantly plumps the lip contour and smooths fine lines, while hydrating and protecting against sun damage. In just two steps, the Perfect Pout works to redefine the lip contour, reduces fine lines and wrinkles on and around the lips, quench lips with intense circular hydration, exfoliates dry, chapped skin, protects against sun damage with SPF 20 sunburn protection and plumps and enhances natural lip fullness. Key ingredients include 22 USDA Certified Organic Extracts, two types of [High & Low Molecular Weight] Hyaluronic Acid, Marine Collagen Peptides, and Papaya Enzymes. 

The LIP 20 Mask should be spread onto clean lips for 3-5 minutes, and wiped off with a soft cloth or tissue and then apply LIP 20 Balm to seal in hydration. As a nighttime lip treatment, spread a thin layer of LIP 20 Mask onto lips, then pat on a thin layer of LIP 20 Balm. 

Flash Tattoos are jewelry-inspired temporary tattoos for fashionistas. Flash Tattoos are non-toxic and last 4-6 days, but can be removed from the skin quickly and easily. Styles range from classic to boho, with 12 original and unique colletions to match any style or mood. Collections rangs from $20 - 30 for 3-4 sheets if various designs per pack. 

- Kim Weling

Rue 58, by SMITH, Rune NYC Co-Op Sample Sale

Zeusvision's Digital Media Bus Featuring FashionablyPetite.com

I was first introduced to Zeusvision's digital media buses back in October, and as a fashion and lifestyle blogger, I was excited to be given the opportunity to participate in one of their campaigns. For a two week period, my ad for Fashionably Petite, featuring an image from my SHANE by AxelJordan photo shoot, was spotted on Zeusvision's digital media bus on the streets of Los Angeles, from approximately December 8th through December 22nd, during 9-6pm. 

For this campaign, I was hoping to generate brand awareness for my blog on the west coast, since I have more of a presence in the local New York City area. I was happy with the campaign, as I saw that some of my new social media followers were coming from the Los Angeles area when the campaign was running.  

Since this is a very new concept, I look forward to Zeusvision's launch in NYC and seeing what kind of advertising runs locally. For any blogger planning on running a campaign with Zeusvision, I think it would be beneficial to incorporate a contest or giveaway, or promote an upcoming event. Zeusvision is really easy to work with and is quick to provide tips and feedback while putting your campaign together. 

I would like to thank Zeusvision for including me in one of their digital bus advertising campaigns for their public launch. Read about my initial feature on Zeusvision's public launch here and learn more at zeusvision.com.

- Kim Weling