Tacori Jewelry Launch with Whitney Port

Whitney Port


Whitney Port and Paul Tacorian

I started my evening at the Michael C. Fina store, at 545 Fifth Avenue, to celebrate the launch of Tacori's fashion jewelry line, 18k925, with Whitney Port and Paul Tacorian of Tacori. The 18k925 line is a stylishly modern to the classic Tacori. The 18k925 jewelry compliments Whitney's dresses nicely, both party-ready.

During the event, attendees received a $100 gift card with any purchase from the 18k925 collection. Whitney looked amazing in a Jill Stuart dress and Giuseppe Zanetti shoes.

- Kim Weling

Ports 1961 Sample Sale

Definitely can't miss this! Ports 1961 is having their sample sale this Friday from 11 am to 7 pm at 601 West 26th Street Suite 875. Prices start at 85%.

Press sample pricing:
Coats: $75
Jackets: $40
Tops: $20
Shoes: $75

Holiday Gifts Under $25

Chinchilla and Madison cupcoats

Zebra and Giraffe cupcoats

Mackinzie and Anne cupcoats

Chamonix cupcoat - perfect for holiday

Whether you are on a budget this season or agreed on spending up to $25 for a gift exchange, check out these two favorites of mine:

For all those coffee and tea drinkers out there that run to the office with a fresh cup in their hand, get them the fashionable cupcoat, 'high fashion thermal sleeves for paper cups' from Cup Couture. Cupcoats are the perfect accessory this winter. With the temperature drop in Manhattan over the past few days, I've been more apt to drop into Starbucks for a Gingerbread or Peppermint Mocha Latte. I have the Zebra Mist cupcoat (faux fur with sky blue lining, $12) but definitely want to get the Chinchilla (silky faux Chinchilla with black lining, $18 retail) or Madison (black faux mink with hot pink lining, $16 retail). These styles are both sold out at Cup Couture, so you may want to contact them to see when they will have more stock. There are plenty of styles to choose from, with my other favorites including the Giraffe ($12 retail), Mackinzie (wool plaid, $12.00 retail) and Anne prints (flocked black velvet on a woven linen background, $12 retail).

They are fashionable, but also serve their purpose well. They are reusable and thermally insulating. The cupcoats come in one size and fit most 12, 16, 20 oz. paper beverage cups. Their slim profile allows you to easily hold your cup while walking and can be used in most vehicle cup holders. Also machine washable and lays flat when not in use, so very easy to carry along in your bag. I can't wait to be sporting mine at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February!

Loofah Exfoliating Blend

Mango Cleansing Blend


Coconut Exfoliating Blend

My next gift recommendation: the all-natural handmade soaps from Wembé, 'enriched with exotic moisturizing and detoxifying ingredients to awaken the Amazonian soul'.

My favorite is the Loofah Exfoliating Blend, made of soap and moisturizing butters, specifically sodium salts, vegetable sponge, almond oil, dill and essential vegetable oils. The 3 pack retails for $25. I saw that there were loofah speckles embedded in the soap, but as I tried it out I was amazed to find an entire loofah within the soap! With regular use, this exfoliating bar eliminates dead skin cells, stimulates blood circulation, cleanses the body and improves the complexion.

I've tried both the Mango Cleansing Blend ($7.65 retail) and Coconut Exfoliating Blend ($7.00 retail). I love the uneven, edge at the top of these two soaps, great for massaging the body. The scents are both refreshing and invigorating. Just be sure to cover the soap when it's not in use. If you keep it uncovered while your shower is running, it will dissolve more quickly.

The brand is named after one of the most well known exotic plants only found in the rainforest, the Wembé. Wembé is a Paraguayan company based in the Dumbo neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. You can purchase Wembé soaps online at wembe.com.

- Kim Weling

Upcoming Sample Sales - DVF and James Jeans

After a long Thanksgiving hiatus (in which I splurged at the outlets in Sonoma) I should now be focusing on Christmas shopping on other people instead of myself, but that's kind of hard to do with all these enticing sample sales going on. The DVF sample sale is coming up this week, along with James Jeans. James Jeans samples from $15-$50? How can I not check that out.

Hayden-Harnett and The Collective Showroom are also having a 40-80% off sale. I recently bought a leather wallet from them at Lucky Shops, and wonder if their bags will be reduced even further. Worth a look!

December 8-10, 2009

Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

16 W. 36th Street (between 5th & 6th Aves), Ste 501

Clothingline is having a Theory sample sale through December 9th. Shop this Monday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The selection will include current fall merchandise for women - tees, knits, blouses, pants, dresses, blazers, leather & more.

tees $35

knits, shirts, cashmere $79 - $109

skirts & pants $79 - $99

dresses $109

blazers $149

sizes 00 - 12 / petite - xlarge

- Kim Weling

Ed Roth's Stencil 101 Décor Book Launch at Chocolate Bar

Ed Roth

On December 3rd, I ended my night at Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar in the West Village to check out graphic designer Ed Roth's Stencil 101 Décor book launch. Stencil 101 Décor contains ten oversized repeat pattern stencils for walls, furniture, floors, and more.

Based in Brooklyn, Ed founded Stencil1 in 2004 and has received praise from Martha Stewart, The New York Times, ReadyMade and Country Living for his iconic, reusable stencils.

Alison Nelson and Ed Roth have collaborated on a few projects, in which Roth had designed the packaging of a chocolate gift set with his signature stencils. In spring 2009, Roth stenciled the tabletops at the Eighth Avenue Chocolate Bar location.

- Kim Weling

WORKS Holiday Party with Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams and pooch, both dressed in The Limited

It was great to see Nicole Williams again, now that her Girl On Top two-month book tour has ended. A holiday party was just what Nicole had in mind to celebrate the tour end back in NYC, with new and old friends. Last time I saw Nicole was the beginning of her book tour in October, at The Limited pop-up store. I was surprised to learn that The Limited pop-up store was still around, as it was originally only supposed to be open for 4 days. You'll be happy to know that the pop-up store is open through December 24th. The store is restocked with new merchandise since the last time I was there in October. I controlled the urge to shop this time, but guests were entitled to 40% off their entire purchase, while enjoying champagne and cupcakes by Crumbs Bake Shop. On their way out guests received a gift bag including a ruffled scarf and stitched obi belt from The Limited.

- Kim Weling

Gen Art Shop NYC + Styles 2009 Awards

Accessories Winner: Lady Grey


Avante-Garde Winner: Johan Ku Design Studio


Eveningwear Winner: Kimberit

Menswear Winner: Claude Grant

Ready To Wear Winner: Whistle & Flute

Gen Art Shop took place on December 2nd at the West Loft at 7 34th Street. I arrived just in time for the announcement of the Styles 2009 Award winners:

Accessories: Lady Grey (Brooklyn, NY)

Avant-Garde: Johan Ku Design Studio (Taipei, Taiwan)

Eveningwear: Kimberit (Berlin, Germany)

Menswear: Claude Grant (New York, NY)

Ready to Wear: Whistle & Flute (New York, NY)

The 5 winners were among the 25 finalists, selected from over 1,000 global submissions. The judging panel included designers Victoria Bartlett, Douglas Hannant, James Coviello, Justin Chang, Wenlan Chia of Twinkle, and Michelle Siwy; Elle's Anne Slowey; Style expert Katrina Szish, and "Ford Supermodel of the World" Hyoni Kang. Emmy Award winner CW Morning reporter / anchor Tamsen Fadal was the Award's Host.

After the winners were announced, I headed over to start my shopping, with 50+ high-end emerging designers selling overstock and current season samples. I stopped by to visit two of favorite designers, Ardistia and Sally Tseng, (thank you Sally for extending an invitation to me to attend Gen Art Shop this season!).

My first stop was at the eDressMe shop, where I found a purple turtleneck dress on the $10 rack! At Jae Basilio, I got a purple cashmere top for $25! This Gen Art Shop was the best yet! Make sure you check out the next one!

- Kim Weling