The Friday Forum - April 12

Yesterday evening, I attended a retirement/going-away party hosted by Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie for Jodie Hawk, retiring Lancôme product specialist - and one of the sweetest, most talented people I know. Jodie was celebrated by many representatives of the store, her Lancôme account executive, and customers - customers who are already making her promise to let them know when she will be in the store for special events. I'm one of her many admirers. Jodie is a special person in so many ways. She has an eye and appreciation for beauty of all kinds - not only Lancôme beauty, but also the heart and soul of everyone she knows. Jodie will be missed, and although she will miss her customers, she's looking forward to helping her very pregnant daughter (who was there, along with many other family members) after the birth of her child. Congratulations, Jodie. We love you.

While I was out and about yesterday, I stopped in at Saks Chevy Chase. They are having a three-day Chanel Escape to Venice event, which started yesterday and will continue through Saturday. "Venice...a destination where water, stone, and sky create a unique and fascinating light. Beauty reigns supreme across the canals. Enchant your senses at this exclusive makeup, skin care, and fragrance event." To book an appointment with one of the Chanel specialists who have flown in for the event, call (240) 497-5363. Things were winding down yesterday when I was there (and took this photo), but I suspect it will be hopping there today and Saturday. Still, if you live in the DC area, I hear they have a few appointments left. Snag one!

What else did I see? The new YSL summer color collection has arrived at Saks. I must return to play with the new quads - neutrals with pizazz. Debbie O'Malley would love to tell you all about the collection.

I found - and purchased - Jo Malone's new Osmanthus Blossom Cologne ($110). If you are a Jo fan, this beautiful fragrance will leave you swooning. I'll feature it over the weekend - and tell you all about it. In the meantime, if you'd like to get your hands on this beauty, give Sydelle St. Jules a call at Neiman Marcus at (202) 966-9700, extension 2249. She's a doll and will take good care of you.

One of the highlights of my week was the arrival at my house of a big gift box from NEST Fragrances. I pulled out the new White Narcissus Collection. Steady my heart, it skipped a beat when I sprayed on White Narcissus Body & Soul Spray. It's serious love. I will tell you all about the beautifully packaged collection this weekend. I've been a bit "down" over the hunt for work. White Narcissus perked me right up.

Did you know that Guerlain will be launching a BB Cream called Lingerie de Peau in May? Called a "beauty booster," it's a Skin-Fusion Multi-Perfecting Makeup with SPF 30 PA +++ ($51). That's another news flash I must cover soon - very soon.

Remember I've been showing you a single bud as it opened on my star magnolia tree? That bud and all of the others were in full bloom this week. Today, I fear, the heavy rains will wash many of them away. Nature seldom cooperates. Two days ago, the temperature at my house was 95. Yesterday, it was 88. I could "feel" the blossoms melting.

It's time for the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. 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.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway contest. The winner will enjoy Bobbi Brown's Party Eye Palette. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, Saturday, April 13. Good luck!

Daffodil photo by annscreativephotograpy.com; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Coming Attraction: NEST Fine Fragrances

Mid-September, NEST Fine Fragrances is introducing new products, Eau de Parfum ($115), Body Cream ($50), and fragrance Rollerballs ($30), in three fragrances: Amazon Lily, Midnight Fleur, and Passiflora. This is an "event" because I'm a NEST chicken. Are you? If not, you don't know what you're missing.

I have NEST products everywhere - in my bathroom (liquid soap), in my hallway (NEST diffuser), and at my Mom's house (NEST diffuser). That's just at this moment! NEST's home fragrance scents are divine, and now I'm thrilled that NEST is extending its "reach" with personal fragrance. NEST started with the introduction of bath and body products in its most popular scents. Now perfume!

The NEST Fine Fragrances collection was inspired by the 18^th century British artist, Mary Delany, who, at the age of 72, created a new art form, mixed-media collage. By cutting shapes of paper, painted to capture nature's colors, Mrs. Delany cut and designed them to mirror the exact likeness of various plants, including flowers. She became famous for having created over 1,000 cut-paper, botanically correct works of art.

Laura Slatkin, creator of the NEST Fine Fragrances Collection, explained, "While her work was highly regarded for her technique, what moved me was the actual beauty of her botanicals. There is an elusive, sensual quality to them that resonated with me. Her botanicals are beautiful works of art, and they inspired me to create my Fine Fragrances Collection.

Slatkin selected the Russian artist Alexander “Sasha” Solodukho to interpret Delany’s work for the fragrances’ black glass flacons and outer packaging. She asked perfumer Christophe Laudamiel to create Amazon Lily and Passiflora and Jerome Epinette of Robertet to develop Midnight Fleur. I'd like to spend a day with Mr. Laudamiel. He created my kind of fragrances.

Amazon Lily is describe as being "infused with refreshing hints of Brazilian lime, tangerine, and bergamot with a base of Galapagos driftwood and white musk." OK, must have.

Midnight Fleur is composed with exotic woods, patchouli, and black amber, blended with the sensual notes of night-blooming jasmine and vanilla orchid. It sounds lovely to me - all the notes except for the patchouli, which is a nightmare to my nose when I can detect it. Those who love sultry, sexy fragrances should love it.

Passiflora carries notes of passion flower, water hyacinth, and lily of the valley, infused with an overdose or lush signature green notes as watery nuances. Can I have it now, please? I know I'm going to adore it. Those notes, the green - it's my kind of fragrance!

The DC-area Neiman Marcus stores will not be receiving the fragrances at launch (sadly), but many other Neiman Marcus stores will, and, I assume they will be available at Neiman Marcus online. Bergdorf Goodman will be in on the launch, so you'll have a shopping choice. Maybe they will arrive in time for Bergdorf's gift card event. There will be a huge spread for these new NEST fragrances in the Neiman Marcus Holiday Catalog, but you heard it here first.

I'm eagerly awaiting my chance to try the fragrances. I promise I'll report back here as soon as I do. Keep your eyes peeled for them.

Photo courtesy of NEST