The Friday Forum - March 16

Clouds - beautiful, but so inconvenient. As is the case in mid-summer, not March, our late afternoons have been cloudy. I've been at work during the day and unable to get swatch photos. As soon as I get home, the big, dark, late-afternoon cumulus clouds roll in. They are glorious, but they do get in my way.

We have had record-setting high temperatures this week. Today, it was 85 degrees when I left the office. No one could believe it. As we approach St. Patrick's Day, we should have cold nights and warm (not hot) days. The cherry blossoms are confused and popped early. Trees and flowers are blooming - and melting. The daffodils open with hope in the morning, and by afternoon, they have been burned to a crisp. Perhaps we are moving from our mild winter right into summer.

What a week this was! I received my new fragrances from MiN New York and CREED. Can't wait to tell you about them. I haven't even tested all of them, but I do want to tell you about a very special - and exciting - set you can purchase if you'd like to try a new collection of lovely fragrances.

I don't think I've ever featured Keiko Mecheri, but I own and love many of her fragrances. Check out her biography at this link.

Mecheri has a new collection of "Bespoke" scents, and they are all featured in a Discovery Coffret ($125). In a stunning presentation, the set offers large samples of all seven of the new Bespoke Eau de Parfums in 10-ml atomizer sprays.

Fragrances imagined in accordance with Keiko Mecheri values of artistry and authenticity. Unparalleled quality and attention to craftsmanship with hand-crafted traditional methods and millesimal harvesting. Only the highest quality materials are used to compose these unique blends, thus creating perfumes that are almost tactile. Rich and carefully selected compositions to stimulates the senses. Absolute luxury.

I received samples of all seven new fragrances from MiN New York, and I had a hard time selecting only two to purchase - for now. I suspect that at least two more will be headed my way before long. This Discovery Coffret is an amazing value, and you can purchase it from MiN. The large decants of each fragrance will give you the opportunity to sample Mecheri's latest interpretations of rose, vetiver, leather...a variety of dominant notes blended with "supporting characters" that provide an educational experience with scents to wear and enjoy. All of the fragrances are soft and office-friendly. If you're in the mood to sample, I highly recommend this set.

It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

I am waiting for a box of lipsticks that should have arrived by now. Maybe today. My UPS guy has arrived every day this week, but not with my lipsticks. Yesterday evening, I told him, hopefully, "See you tomorrow!" It's amazing that some companies can ship so slowly when others exceed expectations.

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest. You might win a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Tawny, if you enter before the deadline tomorrow, March 17, at midnight.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty and courtesy of MiN New York