The Friday Forum - March 30

 

This has been the best year ever for hellobores in my garden. The clumps of nodding flowers brighten my garden when nothing else is blooming. From the white flowers shown above (you can't see their beautiful green speckled centers) to the darkest of reds below, the blossoms have been glorious.

I had to lie on the ground to get the photo of the dark red flowers. Even though they look a bit bedraggled, they were fine - just protecting themselves on a cold day.

May I call the weather schizophrenic? Psychotic? We went from 80-degree days to a frost in one day. While we haven't had severe weather, other parts of the country are having unusual spring snow storms. Our cold night killed off the last of my star magnolia blossoms. Littering the ground, like spilled popcorn, they're still a reminder of the stunning 10 days they gave me.

I received a few fragrance deliveries this week. Right before Sephora's V.I.B. event (not my smartest move to pay full price, but they are currently sold out), I ordered two of the new Flora by Gucci Garden fragrances: Tuberose and Magnolia. I've only opened one of them; I like to space out the fun. I'm bummed to report that Tuberose doesn't smell like tuberose. It's a pretty white floral blend, just not characteristic of the sultry tuberose, with its distinctive scent. The notes are listed as violet leaves (Do they have a fragrance? I'll have to go outside today to see), peach, tuberose, orange flower, rose, cistus, and white cedarwood. The tuberose is hiding.

I also received two new Keiko Mecheri Bespoke fragrances from MiN New York: Canyon Dreams and Tangeri. I had previously tried them after MiN sent me samples of the full Bespoke Collection. Canyon Dreams and Tangeri were my favorites of the seven new scents, but I could easily have ordered two more. It's a beautiful collection. You can check it out on MiN's Web site.

Are you interested in fragrance? I wonder at times. This week, many readers commented on my makeup features, but no one commented on the CREED post. CREED's Acqua Fiorentina Pefumed Oil will beautify your life - just in a different way than the latest lipstick does. I want to keep writing fragrance features. I hope someone reads them.

I'll be headed over to Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie today, hoping they received the rest of Le Métier de Beauté's Cherry Blossom Collection. We've been waiting for the glosses and brown liquid liner. I'm ready for a color treat as the trees show their leaves and the azaleas start to bloom.

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 have two giveaways underway this week. Both end tomorrow, March 31, at midnight. Make sure to enter after you buy your Mega Millions tickets. I've got mine, and I'm dreaming winning over a half-billion dollars. You could win Sephora's acclaimed Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Color of the Year Lip Gloss set here, or John Masters Organics Bearberry Oily Skin Balancing Face Serum here. Don't leave your entries on the Friday Forum, please. Just comment on the giveaway feature that interests you. Good luck!

Update: The Bergdorf Goodman Gift Card Event starts soon (April 18-22). You can pre-order now. Spend $500 and get $75 off. Spend $1000 and get $200 off. Call Jason Beers (Guerlain) for all your fragrance and beauty needs. He will be able to help you with Guerlain's summer collection (check out The Non-Blonde and Temptalia), which you won't want to miss. Jason can be reached at (212) 872-2734.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty