SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Win a Lauren Merkin Silver Patent Calfskin Clutch & a John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer

Over the holidays, John Frieda and Lauren Merkin teamed up to release two limited-edition clutches, both of which perfectly fit one vital John Frieda styling product. 

Since we swear by the John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer, a tube with a mascara-style wand that allows you to brush a frizz-controlling serum to any unruly strands and stray hairs while on the go, we're swooning over the Lauren Merkin for John Frieda Full Repair clutch. 

Not only will you be receiving a full-sized tube of this John Frieda beauty essential, but you'll get your hands on an authentic clutch by New York-based designer Lauren Merkin. This taupe-ish silver calfskin clutch features a glossy patent leather finish, a slim rectangular shape, an envelope-like top flap with a darker-colored accent strip along the curved bottom of the flap, and red suede lining along the interior. Made in NYC, the clutch measures 9.5" in width and 5.5" in height.

The John Frieda for Lauren Merkin clutch retails for $275 at LaurenMerkin.com and it could be yours for free, so enter now!

To enter, visit our official giveaway page on Facebook (you can find it under the "Promos" tab on the left-hand side of the Sicka Than Average fan page) and make sure to take the steps indicated:

1. Like Sicka Than Average on Facebook (Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg)
2. Like John Frieda US on Facebook (Facebook.com/JohnFriedaUS)
3. Like Lauren Merkin Handbags on Facebook (Facebook.com/LaurenMerkinHandbags)
4. Follow @SickaThanAvg on Twitter
5. Follow @JohnFriedaUS on Twitter
6. Follow @LaurenMerkin on Twitter
7. For en extra chance to win, tweet the following: "I just entered to win an @LaurenMerkin and @JohnFriedaUS clutch from @sickathanavg!"

For extra chances to win, leave a comment below or tweet about the giveaway on Twitter!

That's it! The contest ends on January 20th, so best of luck!

 

We're Giving Away Two L'Occitane Hugs & Kisses Duos!

 

It's a simple formula: the smoother the hands, the gentler the caress; the softer the lips, the more tender the kiss. With its limited-edition L'Occitane Hugs & Kisses Duo ($22 at USA.Loccitane.com), the French skincare brand is helping star-struck lovers all around the word turn the variable in this formula into constants, ensuring that their every touch is electrifying. Each Hugs & Kisses duo, then, includes a 0.5 oz. tube of Shea Lip Balm and a 1 oz. tube of Shea Hand Cream, both formulated using top-quality shea butter produced by women in Burkina Faso. The duos come in their original scent (and, accordingly, each product is packaged inside its classic silver tube with the blue L'Occitane logo) or in one of the three scents developed for this year's Limited-Edition Shea Butter Collection: Hibiscus Flower, which has the tropical ease of the hibiscus flower extract's scent, along with the perkiness of zesty, citrus notes; Cocoa Flower, which incorporates cocoa flower harvested in the Ivory Coast and smells powdery and inviting; and Desert Rose, which boasts muddy rose aroma derived from Moroccan rose extract.

The delicious Limited-Edition shea lip balm and lip hand cream tubes are packaged in festive tubes with bright colors and geometric shapes inspired by the beautiful bogolan fabrics traditionally mud-dyed by women in West Africa. These duos are then inserted into pyramid-shaped cartons in colors matching their packaging (orange for Hibiscus Flower, pink for Desert Rose, and green for Cocoa Flower), each bearing an illustration of its contents and featuring a top flap with a tab closure for easy opening and closing.

To celebrate the opening of the amazing new L'Occitane flagship store in New York City's Flatiron District (located at 170 Fifth Avenue) — a veritable emporium of Provençal treats, featuring everything from a skincare bar for consultations and mini facials to easy-to-find sections dedicated to each collection's star ingredient (among them immortelle, verbena, lavender, and almond), and  photo booth where customers can snap their picture against a green screen and then select from a number of settings in the South of France — and to show our appreciation for our most loyal readers, we're giving away two Hugs & Kisses duos!

How do you enter? It's easy!

ENTER TO WIN ONE OF TWO HUGS & KISSES DUOS

Rules: You must be 18 years or older to enter. Contestants must reside within the continental United States.

Dates: The giveaway kicks off today, December 22nd, and ends on December 30th, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. EST

Winners: Two winners will be selected at random. These winners will be announced on our Facebook page, on Twitter, and in the comments selection below, PLUS they will be notified via e-mail.

How to enter:

There are just a few steps you need to take to enter.

1. "Like" Sicka Than Average on Facebook (Facebook.com/sickathanavg)

2. Follow us on Twitter (@sickathanavg)

3. In keeping with the Hugs & Kisses theme,l eave a comment below about who you'd like to kiss underneath the mistletoe (could be anyone from your boyfriend or husband to, say, Brad Pitt, but do keep it clean, ladies!)

4. For bonus entries, mention our giveaway on Twitter, making sure to @reply us.

Sample tweet: I entered to win a L'Occitane Hugs & Kisses gift set from @sickathanavg! 

 

That's it! Good luck, gals! 

Naturalizer Fall 2011 Footwear Collection Hits On Major Style Trends AND Check Out Our Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to preview the Naturalizer Fall 2011 collection and meet Angelique Joseph, the company's Director of Product Development, as she explained some of the straight-from-the-runway trends that inspired her footwear designs. Historically, the Naturalizer brand has been synonymous with comfort rather than chicness, but Joseph is hoping to change the style discerning public's perception of the brand — all without sacrificing the wearability and ease yielded by the brand's trademark N5 Comfort elements: extra cushioning at the insole and under the ball of the foot, breathable linings on the sock cover and interior, balanced heel to toe shapes, flexible soles, and lightweight materials. 

One of the main sources of inspiration: the Fall 2011 "Remote Lands" trend, which materialized  on the runway via dramatic fur coats, shearling-trimmed handbags and footwear, embroidered floral elements providing a Bohemian flair, wool and leather coats with exaggerated fur-trimmed collars and sleeves, suede fringe handbags, and more. The Naturalizer Trinity Boots ($110 at Naturalizer.com), shown second from top, speak to this trend via microfiber faux suede uppers in an earthy tan, along with cream-colored faux fur trim along the sides of the shaft and at the wide cuff. The knee-high boots feature a 3/4" platform and a sturdy 2 3/4" heel for a reasonable total heel height of 3 1/2 inches. Another example of the trend: the Naturalizer Tyla Boots ($119 at Naturalizer.com), a lace-up bootie style with faux leather uppers, an adjustable velcro strap running across the vamp for a biker chic twist, and a fold-over faux fur-trimmed collar. The Tyla boots, shown above at top, easily topped the list of editor/blogger favorites (including my list, I might add), with their fashion-forward silhouette and the urban-meets-rural elements of their design. Another popular style within this category was the Kailtyn Oxford Brown Suede Wedge ($80 at Naturalizer.com), shown fourth from top, a lace-up suede wedge with folkloric-feeling contrast-stitching in diamond-like shapes along the side panels and a 3-inch heel.

The fascination with Mad Men-ish, '60s-inspired, retro prim looks also served as inspiration for the Fall 2011 Naturalizer collection. This trend was interpreted via tiny details such as rounded toes, vintage-looking brooch buckles, understated ruching, and bow details. Perhaps the Naturalizer Dinka Boots ($150 at Naturalizer.com) function as the best example of this trend. The knee-high Dinka Boots, shown third from top, feature leather uppers, a 2 1/2" heel, a rounded toe, and a lace-up detail with a dainty bow along the back of the shoe, at the base of the shaft.

Last, the androgynous aesthetic we saw on the Fall 2011 runways was infused into such designs as the Naturalizer Kendall Wedge ($69.99 at Naturalizer.com), a slip-on suede wedge style with fringed details and a stitched leather strap at the toe that lend the shoe a loafer-like effect.

And now for the fun part: one lucky reader will have the chance to win a pair of Naturalizer shoes from the Fall 2011 collection. Yes, gals: free shoes!

The giveaway starts today, October 25th, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on November 4th. You must be 18 years or older to enter, and all contestants must reside in the continental U.S.

 

Now, to enter our Naturalizer giveaway, simply follow these steps:

1. Like Sicka Than Average on Facebook at Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg

2. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/sickathanavg

3. Visit Naturalizer.com, pick out your favorite style and, in the comments section below, list your favorite shoe style (make sure to mention the specific name) and your shoe size.

4. Make sure to leave an e-mail address at which you can be contacted should you win the giveaway.

 

That's all, folks! The winner of the giveaway will be announced on November 5th here, in our comments section, as well as on our Facebook page.

St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion Offers A Softer Touch AND Two Chances To Score Some Lotion!

With winter looming ominously ahead, many of you may have started to feel that itch. No, I don't mean the urge to jet off to a tropical island. I'm referring to increasingly parched skin that itches as badly as a Boy Scout's limbs after a tumble in poison ivy.

Fortunately, you don't have to start from scratch (or with scratch)! The new St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion ($4.99) quickly hydrates skin, not only providing greater comfort but also increasing softness, improving texture and restoring a vibrant youthfulness's to dull skin. The key to this lotion's effectiveness: its Alpha Hydroxy Acid-rich formula.

What in the world is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid, you ask? Well, these acids are naturally derived from plant sugars (particularly fruits like pineapple, peach, and papaya), and they penetrate the skin, unclogging pores and exfoliating skin by promoting cellular turnover.

Not only does the St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion deliver radiant, supple skin, but it won't make a dent on your bank account thanks to its $5 price tag.

On to the best parrt: the prizes!!

First, St. Ives has launched an amazing giveaway for its Facebook fans, offering fans a year's worth of St. Ives Body Lotion (yes, you heard right -- enough lotion to last all 365 days). If you need to stock up on lotion (and who doesn't?), log onto Facebook.com/StIves and sign up for the sweeps. One winner will be announced weekly through October 27th, so there are plenty of chances to win!

Second, since we want to give you even more chances to win, we're holding our very own giveaway! Through October 16th at 11: 59 p.m. EST, Sicka Than Average readers can enter for a chance to win a full-sized bottle of the new St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion. On October 18th, two lucky winners will be announced here and on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg).

You must be 18 or older and you must live in the continental United States (sorry, overseas readers!).

To enter, simply complete the following steps:

1. "Like" us on Facebook (Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg), click on the "Promos" tab, and fill in the entry form

2. For an added chance to win, leave a comment below completing the following sentence: "My must-have beauty buy from St. Ives is ________."

3. Make sure to leave an e-mail address at which you can be contacted should you win.

That's it! Spread the word and make sure to enter for a chance to give your skin some TLC as we transition from one season to the next!

Fashion's Night Out Countdown — The Fun Begins Tonight!

We've already told you about the events at Ash Footwear, Caudalie, Jo Malone, Kiehl's, MAC Soho, the NARS flagship store, and Rebecca Taylor going down this Thursday, as well as the festivities at Saks, Macy's, Mackage, Sephora, Searle, Dylan's Candy Bar, and Scosha —and now, we've got even more to dish about!

Below, find our final round of Fashion's Night Out 2011 event picks for your perusal.

So now that you've got our top selects for the evening, tell us: where will you be heading? And don't forget to upload photos of all your FNO fun onto our Facebook page: Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg!

 

Meet Drop Dead Diva's Brooke Elliott at Avenue

Who better to make an appearance at plus-sized retailer Avenue (711 Third Avenue) on FNO than Broke Elliott, the star of Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva? Stop in between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to meet Elliott, get style advice from expert Jacqui Stafford, and emerge feeling like a drop dead gorgeous diva. The first 100 guests will also receive an Avenue gift bag, and they'll be entered to win a $500 shopping spree.

 

Learn all about the new Velvet Eyes eyeliner patches and get a complimentary makeover at Dior

Step inside the Dior boutique (19 East 57th Street, between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue) between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and get a makeover courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Ricky Wilson and scoop up the new Velvet Eyes reusable eyeliner patches available in four different shades exclusively on September 8th at the artistry station inside the boutique. 

 

 

Enjoy a performance by Estelle at DVF

Let British singing sensation Estelle serenade you at the Diane Von Furstenberg Studio (440 West 14th Street) where, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a DVF Home Installation, sample the new fragrance Diane, enjoy cocktails and finger foods, and receive a free gift with any purchase.

 

Check out the new Kenny Scharf for Jack Rogers collection

Brooklyn-based, California-born painter Kenny Scharf has created a new capsule collection for Palm Beach-flavored footwear and accessories brand Jack Rogers which will be unveiled on Thursday between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the Jack Rogers store (1198 Madison Avenue).

 

Stop by the Joe's pop-up store

To toast Fashion's Night Out, Joe's will be opening a pop-up store at 77 Mercer Street in Soho. Founder Joe Dahan will be hosting the evening's festivities alongside Something Navy’s Arielle Nachmani and her sister, celebrity stylist Danielle Nachmani (who has worked with the Olsen twins, among others). Guests can get the scoop on fall denim trends from the Nachmani sisters and vie to create the most stylish ensemble in order to win a $1,00 gift card. DJ Alex Daniel will supply the tunes, Ward III mixologists will serve up drinks, and Rickshaw Dumpling, the Gorilla Cheese Guy, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream trucks will be parked outside the pop-up store to sate customers' appetites.

 

Take in a Nicholas K trunk show, pre-shop the latest Bijules collection, and jam alongside School of Seven Bells

In addition to grub from Taim Falafel and food trucks Kimchi Taco and Wafels & Dinges, guests who drop by Treasure and Bond (350 West Broadway) can check out a Nicholas K trunk show and purchase new jewelry pieces from Bijules from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., then chill out and enjoy a performance by electronica-laced indie rock band School of Seven Bells from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Shop for Paige Novick jewelry and benefit the NYC AIDS Fund

Jewelry designer Paige Novick has joined Bergdorf Goodman's "Wheel of Fashion" event, going down between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., during which guests can buy a ticket to spin a giant Price Is Right-style wheel and, if they get lucky, score a special prize. Robert Verdi will host the event and designers like Michelle Smith from Milly, Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia, jewelry designer Eddie Borgo, Libertine's Johnson Hartig, and Tibi's Amy Smilovic. All of the proceeds form ticket sales will benefit the New York City AIDS Fund of the New York Community Trust.

 

Snatch up pieces from Seville Michelle Anastos, M.Y.O.B., and David Dalrymple for House of Field at the Patricia Field Boutique

Professional model Byrdie Bell will be co-hosting the FNO festivities at the Patricia Field Boutique (302 Bowery, between Houston and Bleecker), where you can shop for jewelry from designers Seville Michelle Anastos and M.Y.O.B., and scoop up some gear from David Dalrymple for House of Field.

 

 Have you hair dry-styled at the Redken Gallerie and Exchange

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., swing by the Redken Gallerie and Exchange (on Fifth Avenue between 46th and 47th Street) and give your hair a pick-me-up. When you spend $20 or more, you'll be gifted with another star products from the Redken line and, if you spend upwards of $40, you can have your mane dry-styled into one of the looks seen on the New York, Milan, and Paris runways. The hair stylings are available on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure to prioritize this spot, chicas!

 

Pamper yourself with full face makeovers and complimentary manicures at Ricky's NYC

Unlike the Victoria referenced in the Victoria's Secret name, the Ricky mentioned in Ricky's NYC is a real person — and, on Fashion's Night Out, you'll have the opportunity to meet this famed entrepreneur in the flesh at his Upper West Side store (2387 Broadway, between 87th and 88th Street). Shop for beauty supplies, get a blow-out for just $25, and score a free makeover and complimentary manicure by Patricia Yankee, Katy Perry's nail artist, when you spend $40 or more. 

Get a mini manicure and eyebrow shaping from a Sally Hansen expert at Talbots

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. get style and beauty advice from Mary Alice Stephenson and let Sally Hansen experts pamper you with mini-manicures and brow shapings at Talbots (525 Madison Avenue, between 53rd and 54th Street). If you're an early bird and you happen to be among the first 100 folks to drop by the store, you'll score a gift bag stuffed with Sally Hansen items.

 

Get a skincare consultation from Tata Harper at Space NK

Explore one of the leading organic skin care lines, Vermont-based Tata Harper, at Space NK (99 Greene Street) between 7 and 9 p.m. The line's founder will be on site to offer skin care consultations, plus guests will be able to sample the calendula, borage, and arnica oils harvested from Tata's farm. 

 

Raise funds for HIV/AIDS patients alongside Zero + Maria Cornejo

Rather than simply focus on turning a profit, designer Maria Cornejo is looking to give back to her New York community, donating 5% of the evening's sales to Housing Works, an organization that works to deliver proper medical services and living conditions to HIV positive patients. In addition to shopping, guests who stop by 33 Bleecker Street (between Lafayette and the Bowery) or 807 Greenwich Street (at Jane Street) can enter a raffle to win a set of rare Polaroid photographs and art books by Mark Borthwick. Customers who spend over $500 will receive a large Zero + Maria Cornejo silk scarf in the new book print introduced for Fall 2011.

 

Enter To Win A Superdry USA KitBag On Facebook!

The color orange gets a bad rep. In the Department of Homeland Security's formerly color-coded terror alert ranking system, level orange signified an elevated risk of attack (second only to red, which meant high vulnerability). And that's not all — it's the hue chosen for prison jumpsuits, traffic cones and detour signs, reflective rail worker vests, construction worker hard hats, life savers and floating devices. More often than not, then, orange is linked to distress signals, potential hazards and danger ahead.

Fortunately, the color wheel's resident ugly duckling (once favored only by overzealous self-tanning addicts like Lindsay Lohan and Snooki) is now being recognized as a conduit for swan-like magic thanks to the blood orange, pumpkin, apricot, coral, and paprika dresses and blouses that sauntered down runways for Spring/Summer 2011 — not to mention models' striking tangerine and vermilion pouts.

Of course, apparel company Superdry USA never relegated the orange shade to the peanut gallery, incorporating neon versions of the hue into everything from graphic tees to flip-flops, tank dresses, and varsity-style hoodies.

Fans of the brand, which incorporates Japanese lettering and graphical styles and fuses these with laid-back, vintage Americana designs, will love the opportunity to win this Superdry KitBag which comes in the season's surprise hit hue: orange. Each hefty Superdry KitBag, valued at $150, features a zippered top flap, two adjustable black nylon handle straps, and a longer cross-body strap with a padded shoulder strip. This travel-ready duffel features the "Superdry" logo emblazoned across its side in a bold, rounded, oversize white font, along with Japanese lettering directly above it. 

For a chance to win a heavy-duty KitBag, enter Superdry USA's current Facebook giveaway, which concludes this week. To enter, visit Facebook.com/SuperdryUSA, "like" the page, and fill out the contest form therein. Four lucky winners will be announced on Friday, August 5th, so enter and find out if you'll have an extra reason to say TGIF come Friday!

Enter To Win Swarovski's Iconic Nirvana Ring

Over a decade since it was first introduced, the Swarovski Nirvana Ring still feels as relevant and luxurious as it did when it was first unveiled in 1998. distinctively embodies Swarovski’s iconic design. The statement piece has traditionally been crafted out of clear faceted crystal, with a silver-plated inner ring adding to the piece's brilliance and luminosity. Over the years, the Nirvana has been reinvented in a broad spectrum of colors including red, blue, jet black, emerald green, and lavender glitter, with a new shade introduced each season. For Fall/Winter 2011, Swarovski is introducing the Nirvana Petite Ring, a smaller, daintier interpretation of the classic style.

To celebrate the transcendent ring's rich history, its role as the gatekeeper to style enlightenment, Swarovski is giving away a Nirvana ring every month through the end of 2011. For a chance to win the clear crystal and silver Nirvana Ring, priced at $190, visit Swarovski.com/Nirvana and fill out the entry form.

Here's hoping your path to Nirvana will be a success!

 

Giveaway Alert! Win A Skindinavia Makeup Finish Spray

Summer heat and humidity don't have to mean makeup meltdowns — all you need is a combination of makeup primers and makeup setting sprays (plus some pocket-sized blotting papers for on-the-run touch-ups). Want to lock in that makeup as securely as a Fort Knox vault? Look no further than Skindinavia, which specializes in hypoallergenic, paraben- and sulfate-free, dermatologist-approved makeup finish sprays that can be spritzed onto the face to keep makeup looking fresh, avoid any smearing, streaking, or clumping, and ensure the skin remains healthy and luminous.

Since launching in 2005 with its Original Makeup Finishing Spray, which keeps makeup looking flawless for up to 16 hours, Skindinavia has expanded its range of offerings to include various setting sprays tailored to specific skin types. Tailored to women with dry skin, the Skindinavia Moisture Lock Makeup Finish features a time-released hydrating technology that keeps the skin moisturized throughout the course of the day. The Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish helps women with dry to oily skin avoid any potential T-zone trip-ups and combat overall greasiness thanks to a formulation that keeps the top surface of makeup cooler than the skin beneath it, hence slowing the trajectory of oil particles to the top of your foundation, blush, or powder. Designed for women with mature skin, the 10 Years Younger Makeup Finish includes a blend of four moisturizers that keep the skin supple and taut, thereby ensuring that makeup doesn't sink into fine lines and wrinkles. We swear by the No More Shine formulation for the summer months, when your skin will likely be producing oil at an accelerated speed.

To kick off our summer beauty coverage, we're offering one lucky reader the chance to win a full-sized Skindinavia Makeup Finish Spray (the formulation will be of her own choosing, of course!). This sweeps is only open to readers within the 50 US states (sorry, international readers!)

Follow these easy steps to enter:

1. Log onto Facebook and "Like" both Skindinavia (Facebook.com/Skindinavia) AND Sicka Than Average (Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg)

2. Follow @Skindinavia AND @sickathanavg on Twitter

3. Leave a comment below stating which makeup setting spray formulation you'd most like to try and why

Easy breezy, right?

The contest ends on June 15th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be announced in the comments section below by June 19th and will also be contacted via e-mail.

Good luck, mújeres!

Recap Of Sicka Than Average's "Fashion Blogger Forecast" Bash At Stone Rose Lounge

Above, from left: Celia San Miguel, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sicka Than Average; Eloy Hernandez; Sowmya Krishnamurthy of ICED Media; and Izzy Ruiz, Contributing Editor at Sicka Than Average.

Above, from left: Sowmya Krishnamurthy and Celia San Miguel

Gift bags with goodies from sponsors Physicians Formula, Redken, Junkprints, and Sally Hansen, as well as giveaway items from Katherine Kwei, SOBRAL, Swatch, Clarisonic, and FromTheBronx.com

 

Katherine Kwei Cleo handbag raffled during the party

Above, from left: Adriana Nova of Ideeli.com and Yana Lusher of MyOwnJudge.net

From left to right: Sowmya Krishnamurthy, Adriana Nova, and Celia San Miguel

Last Sunday, May 15th, we celebrated Sicka Than Average's third anniversary and the conclusion of Time Warner Center's amazing "Fashion Blogger Forecast" initiative (in which we were featured, to great fanfare, alongside three other NYC fashion bloggers). The cocktail party was held at Stone Rose Lounge in Time Warner Center from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. DJ Uri Adal presided over the wheels of steels, spinning a mix of dance, hip-hop, pop, and R&B, with a set that included everything from Usher's "OMG" to Bjork's "The Hunter," Robyn's "Dancing On My Own," Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World," Shakira's "She Wolf," and Lykke Li's "I Follow Rivers" (check out his full playlist here). Guests grooved to the music, enjoyed cocktails and appetizers, mingled, and took in the gorgeous view of Central Park from the sky-high windows lining the venue's walls.

Among those present were Malak Atut, founder and designer of ZAIKEN jewelry; rapper/producer Mike Jaggerr; jewelry designer Susan Suh; up-and-coming fashion designer Tori Nichel; super publicist Jourdann Lubliner of Kaplow PR; ICED Media Marketing and PR Specialist Sowmya Krishnamurthy; Nicole Newsum of Bratskeir PR; seasoned hip-hop journalists Jayson Rodriguez and Alvin Blanco; Cacy Forgenie Culture Editor at GlobalGrind.com; Adriana Nova, Social Media Manager at Ideeli.com; Raquel Huston, Integrated Marketing Specialist at TV One; beauty bloggers Paula Wade of OlderGirlBeauty.com, Meredith Edwards-Cornwell of RetrodivasBeauty.com, and Yana Lusher of MyOwnJudge.net; Public Relations maven Real Hamilton-Romeo; and many more.

All VIP guests received Sicka Than Average gift bags filled with goodies from our sponsors Redken (each bag contained either a bottle of Redken Glass 01 Smoothing Serum or a tube of Fresh Curls Curl Recovery); Physicians Formula (who provided us with their amazing Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer, the answer to a healthy, summer-ready glow); and Sally Hansen (who graciously blessed us with their brand new, buzz-y Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips so we could give guests a special treat).

To add some excitement to the evening, we raffled off special prizes from more fabulous sponsors, with the key items being: a Clarisonic Mia in Garnet; a pair of SOBRAL Chick Shock Encanto Earrings in blue (priced at $58); a SOBRAL Pop Art Bangle (worth $50); a chic Katherine Kwei "Clea" Cross Body purse, which has a retail price of $300; a zebra-striped Swatch watch worth $60; two graphic tees from the brand new apparel line FromTheBronx.com; and two gift cards from Stone Rose Lounge worth $75 each.

I, of course, tried to look my very best for the big event, so I slipped into a va-va-va-voom, minimalist but ultra sexy, flesh-toned dress from Onno, reached for a pair of gold and aqua blue Kendra Scott earrings and SOBRAL's Cantalago Rio-inspired bangle bracelet, and Pour La Victoire's light aqua Aria slingback platform pumps. To add a dash of color, I selected a turquoise-colored handbag for the evening: the incomparable Katherine Kwei Clea in Turquoise, an embossed lizard lambskin cross-body bag with gold trim along the front flap and edges, a slim gold shoulder strap, and the designer's signature Chinese eternity knot motif along the top flap. To finish the look, I slicked my hair back, pulled it into a bun and accessorized with Colette Malouf's stunning Crystal Net Mother of Pearl Headband. Chck out the complete look in the photos here!

Overall, the nice was a huge success, and we're looking forward to putting together many more events in the near future. Take a look at some pictures from the event above and after the jump!

 

My Night At Stone Rose Lounge, The Finished "Fashion Blogger Forecast" Look, And A New Giveaway

On Monday, I told you gals all about the amazing time I had shopping at Time Warner Center as part of Sicka Than Average's involvement in the "Fashion Blogger Forecast" campaign. In my quest to style the perfect ensemble for a "Girl's Night Out" at Stone Rose Lounge, I perused through the stellar offerings at BOSS Hugo Boss, bebe, Stuart Weitzman, A/X Armani Exchange, and True Religion (all retailers in The Shops at Columbus Circle). I wanted an ensemble that was sexy but edgy, sophisticated but with a hint of the audaciousness and boldness we associate with glam rock — and, in the end, I put together the ensemble you see here for my after-hours chill session.

The main pieces in the final look are: an ultra snug, red bandage dress from bebe ($109); a black leather jacket from bebe with paillette details ($259); Stuart Weitzman's color-blocked, ankle-strap, raffia Bradfrod sandals ($359); a black leather cross-body bag from BOSS Hugo Boss ($450); and a black-and-white modal scarf from A/X Armani Exchange ($38). I then piled on the silver jewelry to add the necessary touch of rock-n-roll flavor. The statement piece here is a multi-strand silver necklace from A/X Armani Exchange ($38). Since the necklace was rather elaborate, I didn't want the earrings to be so large that the pieces would be competing for the limelight and so I chose a pair of small, wing-shaped stud earrings with pavé stone details, also from A/X Armani Exchange ($28). I then opted for a matching wing-shaped ring from A/X Armani Exchange ($32) and a large buckle-shaped, gunmetal-colored hinge bracelet from A/X Armani Exchange ($38). The last two jewelry pieces came from bebe: a multi-strand, twisted, silver metal chain bracelet with clear rhinestones ($24), and a mammoth silver-colored ring shaped like a cobra ($24).

Putting the various components together was fairly simple: I shimmied into the bebe dress and slipped my feet into the Stuart Weitzman shoes, then covered my back and shoulders with the biker-flavored bebe jacket. Next, I strung the A/X Armani Exchange necklace over my neck and secured the A/X Armani Exchange earrings to my lobes. Then, I put the A/X Armani Exchange buckle cuff on my left wrist and the bebe chain bracelet on my right wrist. Since the bebe jacket had zippers along the sleeves, I was able to unzip the cuffs for a peek-a-boo effect that enabled me to show off the bracelets even when I still had my jacket on! As far as the rings, I wore the cobra ring on the pointer finger on my right hand and slipped the A/X Armani Exchange wing ring onto the ring finger of that very same hand (I love wearing multiple rings on each hand!). To add some panache, I draped the scarf over my shoulders, tucking  it under the collar of the leather jacket.  I then grabbed my BOSS Hugo Boss purse (in which I tucked a tube of NARS Jungle Red lipstick), and headed to Stone Rose Lounge to meet the gals!

Since Stone Rose Lounge has such a "grown and sexy" feel to it (one wall is made of slithers of tainted, blood red glass), the outfit seemed pitch-perfect. I felt confident, and I'm sure it showed.

Below, you'll find more photos of the final outfit, as well as some shots of my night out at stone Rose Lounge, where I enjoyed some delicious cocktails, admired the view of Central Park from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and swapped stories with my homegirls. 

Check out the pics after the jump and don't miss the giveaway announcement — you could win part of this look, ladies!