NEST Fragrances Holiday Gifts

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting Laura Slatkin, founder and executive chairman of NEST Fragrances. NEST Fragrances is a luxury lifestyle brand, offering a full range of fragranced products for the body, bath, and home. NEST is well known for its beautiful fragrances, high-quality ingredients, and exceptionally beautiful packaging. The photo above shows Laura with the members of her team who accompanied her to Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland. That's Laura in the middle above, Doreen LaSala on the left, and Wil Galvez on the right. I am sorry my photo is dark. I've found it difficult to get shadow-free photos in that store.

The holiday display (above) shows several of NEST's holiday specials. The red and gold velvet box is as gorgeous as the Classic Candle, scented with pomegranate, Mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber. Birchwood Pine graces the top row. It will fragrance your room with the aroma of a majestic winter forest, created by a blend of white pine, fir balsam, and birchwood over a base of rich musk and amber. Hearth, shown below the Classic Candle, is woody. It combines rich oud wood with frankincense and hints of smoky embers. I have a friend in the beauty industry who has already purchased Hearth. He loves it!

All of these fragrances are available not only in candles, but also in diffusers. Check out the NEST Holiday Boutique for more information. NEST products can also be purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. You will be surprised that NEST's beautiful scented candles, diffusers, soaps, and other offerings are very reasonably priced for luxury products.

There were several other large displays of NEST's elegant products spaced around the room. My favorite was the flower arrangement above. The photo shows me with Laura. I wish I had thought to take off my sunglasses before Wil took this picture using my camera.

The photo above shows the liquid hand soaps with a pump top that I can't live without. I have one at every sink in my house. I purchased a holiday special set of liquid hand soaps at a great price. I needed them!

I've met many industry people during my years of blogging. I want you to know that Laura Slatkin is one of the most gracious women I have ever met. She took time to sit with me and talk - not only about her company, but also our parents and our experiences as they aged. Talking with her was like talking to a best friend, and we had just met. She is absolutely lovely in every respect.

I asked her about spring. What will be introduced? One fragrance called Corsica sounds like a must-have. Imagine a blend of figs with other Mediterranean scents. Heavenly! NEST's first four-wick candle presented in a porcelain-like oblong container can be used on the dinner table even after the candle has reached the end of its life. Just fill the container with flowers, and you will have an instant centerpiece. I am ready for spring - even though we are having spring weather this week.

A NEST purchase will make a lovely Christmas gift or hostess gift. Or you could treat yourself. The friends to whom I have given NEST's products were thrilled.

I want to thank Wil for inviting me to this cozy gathering. I had much fun with the NEST Fragrances team that night. They made me feel at home.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Join Me in Paradise (Eau de Parfum) Courtesy of NEST Fragrances

The moment NEST Fragrances' Paradise Eau de Parfum ($65) was launched, I purchased a bottle. Then, NEST sent me a rollerball ($25). I was already in Paradise from this divine fragrance, but having a convenient way to take it along with me made me a very happy - and fabulously scented - gal. You wouldn't believe the compliments.

Paradise perfectly captures a luscious burst of fresh, Mediterranean blood orange. The vibrant character of the fragrance is balanced with watery nuances, a hint of white ginger, and a lingering base of cedarwood. Inspired by the works of Eighteenth Century British artist Mrs. Mary Delany, Laura Slatkin collaborated with master perfumers to translate these works of art into luxurious fragrances that capture the essence of each of the botanicals that adorn the products' striking packaging.

Spray on Paradise, and you will think you were peeling a juicy orange. I'm a huge fan of seriously juicy citrus fragrances (think Orange Sanguine, although Paradise is much more sophisticated and nuanced). It is so satisfying. If you concentrate - hard to do when you are reveling in citrus - you will detect the other notes, particularly at dry-down, when the aquatic notes come into their own.

NEST calls Paradise vibrant, sparkling, and luminous. Check. I'd add addictive. How can you keep your nose away when you apply some to your arm? I can't.

I've written several times this summer about fragrances that transport me. I'll bet some of you have noticed my infatuation. Perhaps I need to be transported to the tropics. For now, NEST Paradise is a perfect substitute for the travel.

Did I tell you the bottle is beautiful? You can find it at NEST and Sephora.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances and eWeb4.com

The Friday Forum - July 25

Here's a big-time sale alert, but it's only good for today. NEST Fragrances is offering 50% off its Beach Collection and a few other wonderful items. The sale will end tonight. You must use this link, and you must enter the promotional code of CHANNEL7. Your shipping should be free. This is an ABC "secret sale," but I have permission to share it with you.

As soon as I got the code last night, I pounced. I love Beach. A fresh, aquatic fragrance, Beach captures the essence of sparkling turquoise water and lush coconut married with juicy melon and a luminous base of lotus flower and sensual woods. It is divine, and, of course, especially this time of year.

I'm enjoying my new Clé de Peau eye shadow quads. It's ironic, though, that today I'm wearing one of last spring's introductions. I used the large portion of a flesh-toned shade to cover my lid under the crease and then blended in the prettiest teal green shade into the outside corner. Since I'm wearing black and white today, my eye shadow jazzed up my look.

I do have some knee news, but it will probably stun you as it did me yesterday, when I went for my second opinion. After four emotional months (plus) of believing that my bionic knee had come loose from the bone (per the doctor's diagnosis), I learned that the prosthetic itself is fine. It is still attached to the bone on both ends. My ligaments around the knee have stretched!  They call it ligamentous laxity. The good news is that they can cut into my knee again (well, relatively good) and replace the plastic "spacer" between the two metal piece parts, which will make my knee equal the ligament length properly, and all should be fine. The recovery is not supposed to be gruesome as it was on the original replacement, so I should be able to follow with a right knee replacement after a relatively short period of time. My right knee has reached the agonizing stage pain-wise, so I am ready.

I was stunned when I got this news from my surgeon's own partner! How could two accomplished physicians - both on the best doctor's list - come to such entirely different conclusions? I asked the politically insensitive question to the second surgeon, "Will you do my surgery?" He said yes - that the first doctor wouldn't be upset. So it looks like I'll be going in for new plastic. I'll wait until summer is over since he said a delay would not harm anything. He actually said the surgery wasn't totally necessary, but I don't want to live with the pain. He recommended I keep going to physical therapy to strengthen my thigh muscles.

It's time for our weekend sharing, the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. What new products did you discover this week? We have all seen the upcoming Tom Ford collection, so I think we can skip that 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.

Happy weekend!

Photo courtesy of kelticclothing.co.uk

NEST Fragrances Lemongrass & Ginger Home Fragrance Collection

NEST Fragrances has a new Home Fragrance Collection, Lemongrass & Ginger. When I first saw it at Facebook, I had an immediate sensory reaction: Asian food. I had no idea whether I would like that combination in a home fragrance, even though I love both ingredients in food. I was confused.

Then, last week, I received a sampling of the products from NEST as a gift. Was I excited as I unpacked the box! I could smell the most divine scent emanating through the packing peanuts. I had a July 4 present - and was I happy! Many thanks to PR for thinking of me.

In addition to lemongrass and ginger, NEST added an herbal infusion of eucalyptus, thyme, and sage to the blend. It is fresh and clean. The overall effect is citrus, but it has a slight earthy side to remind us that the notes - the central ingredients - all grew from the earth (and some are adored by wild bunnies).

I have burned the Lemongrass & Ginger Classic Candle ($34) in the collection for a short time so far. I have to be careful because curious Charlie could possibly tip a burning candle over - even though it's heavy and bottom-centered. He's a muscular furboy. So I stay in the room in which the candle is burning.

I was sitting in my bedroom reading a Kindle book and enjoying the freshness of the candle, which was invigorating and actually the only thing keeping me awake. I'll tell you about the book sometime. It should have been interesting since it was related to beauty over 50, but it was a dud (in my humble opinion). The candle gave me an opportunity to revel in a daydream of foreign lands and exotic fragrances.

I have to admit I haven't used the Lemongrass & Ginger Reed Diffuser ($38) yet. I adore NEST's diffusers, but I think my mother adores them just as much. I'll have to decide whether I'm generous enough to give it to her. She has an advantage: my love for her. Her age trumps me too. I did take a sneak whiff of the diffuser and had a transporting moment. I can always buy one for me and give Mom my gift. Right?

Now, I have to share that I live with NEST's Liquid Soap ($22). I have one in the bathroom, one in the powder room, and one in the kitchen at all times. I rotate through the various scents because I love all of them. I'll also tell you about one of my little secrets. Occasionally, NEST has special discount offers (some through magazines, e.g., Lucky), and I always stock up when that happens. I'd pay full price, but I love discounts. Make sure to follow NEST on Facebook, where you may learn about special offers.

The new Lemongrass & Ginger Liquid Soap is currently residing in my kitchen. I moved the Sicilian  Tangerine that had been there upstairs to the bathroom because my Moss & Mint had hit bottom. Lemongrass & Ginger is a perfect scent for a kitchen soap. I wash my hands frequently, and the fresh scent is perfect for food preparation. Suddenly, opening cat food just became more pleasurable. I can clean up the bits that stuck to my hands with Lemongrass & Ginger.

I have always been a huge fan of home fragrance. I think it's a necessity of life, not just a luxury. Once I discovered NEST (I had known Laura Slatkin's earlier brand), I had an abundance of choices. By rotating them, I've always have a new scent in my life - even if it might have passed through a year before. Then, with new introductions a few times every year, I'm always happy with the way my house smells - and looks. NEST's products are elegant and enhance the decor, no matter where they are placed.

My next in the rotation? Beach. It's perfect for this time of year. Beach captures the essence of sparkling turquoise water and lush coconut married with juicy melon and a luminous base of lotus flower and sensual woods. It's divine. There is a Beach Room Spray that I could purchase to instantly turn my house into an oceanfront paradise. It will be perfect for August.

You can find the new Lemongrass & Ginger Collection at NEST Fragrances' Web site, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and select Nordstrom stores. Take a look and let us know what you think of Lemongrass & Ginger. You may end up as devoted as I've quickly become.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances

NEST Fragrances Birchwood Pine 3-Wick Candle

As a rule, I dislike Christmas candles. I know I shouldn't generalize, but the smells of bayberry, synthetic evergreens, cinnamon, and other scents that "someone" associated with the holidays, gag me. Not so with NEST's beautiful Birchwood Pine. NEST sent me a Birchwood Pine 3-Wick Candle ($42) as a gift, and I plan to start burning it on Christmas Day. It's the closest thing to a real pine without the tree I've ever smelled.

Imagine the aroma of a majestic winter forest. NEST created it by blending white pine, fir balsam, and birchwood over a base of rich musk and amber. It is divine - and the packaging is elegant.

NEST's candles are made with a proprietary, highly refined cosmetic-grade wax that incorporates the same grade of waxes used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The wax is made of a blend of paraffin, soy, and natural oils creating a base that is super-clean burning and optimized for superior fragrance throw. The company's candles are all first class.

This year, I'll have a Christmas tree without the tree. My new candle will suffice. I'm thrilled!

You can purchase Birchwood Pine from NEST, at Neiman Marcus, and other luxury stores, such as Candles Off Main. If you order from NEST today, they will get one to you by Christmas Eve.

Photo courtesy of NEST Fragrances

NEST Fragrances White Sandalwood Eau de Parfum

NEST's new White Sandalwood Eau de Parfum ($25 or $65) surprised and delighted me. NEST sent me a rollerball to try, and I was thrilled to try it, given my love of all things NEST.

A sophisticated fragrance that combines white sandalwood from India and Australia with creamy almond, white musk, and exotic spices, this alluring fragrance balances sensual woody notes with decadent essences. It's just a tad sweet too, which shouldn't have surprised me, given the sweet nature of sandalwood.

Meticulously formulated by the world’s most accomplished master perfumers, NEST Fine Fragrances offers an extraordinary collection of signature scents. The first were introduced about a year ago.

White Sandalwood is housed in a a gorgeous glass bottle uniquely adorned with the original botanical artwork that inspired the fragrance. This artistic collaboration defines NEST Fragrances’ reverence for a modern, stylistic approach to perfumery. The NEST Fine Fragrances collection was inspired by the 18th 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.

White Sandalwood blends some notes I like (with the exception of "exotic spices," which normally means I won't like a fragrance). The notes are white sandalwood, mimosa, acacia blossom, creamy almond, exotic spices, musk, and cedar. The style is described as sophisticated, exotic, and warm.

The first thing I smell when I apply White Sandalwood is almond. A few seconds later, the other notes cut in, leaving me with a slightly floral, very creamy almond that keeps my nose going back for more. As the fragrance dries down, I'm left with sandalwood and musk. To my nose, the exotic spices are missing (fortunately), and the cedar is barely there. I'd categorize White Sandalwood as a gourmand that will cross borders to please both floral and gourmand fans.

Sandalwood is widely used as a striking note in fragrances. The botanical illustration above is white sandalwood. Both the sandalwood and the oil produce a distinctive fragrance that has been highly valued for centuries. Sandalwood smells somewhat like other wood scents, except it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. Sandalwood has a rich, balsamic, sweet fragrance with delicate wood notes. The oil has a woody, exotic smell, subtle and lingering, and the color is pale yellow to pale gold. When used in small proportions in fragrance, it is an excellent fixative that enhances the "headspace" of other notes.

NEST's collection of fine fragrances debuted at Sephora in September. That means that this week you can use your V.I.B. discount to discover one or more. Each fragrance in the collection is available in a specially designed 0.27-ounce rollerball or a 1.7-ounce spray. There are two new scents: this one and Dahlia & Vines, which I purchased the minute it opened at Sephora. I'll be buying a bottle of White Sandalwood because the rollerball will not last me forever.

I'd highly recommend you check out White Sandalwood when you shop this week. It's an extremely pleasing fragrance, and it's definitely office-appropriate. I love the entire collection. This one vies with Midnight Fleur for my "favorite" designation.

Photos courtesy of NEST/Sephora; indianpublicmedia.org, and wikipedia

NEST Fragrances PASSION Scented Candle, Supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

I'm not sure what initially attracted my attention: the exquisite color of the candle or a scented candle in the NEST display that I didn't recognize. I gave the "tester" a sniff, then I swooned.

After doing a little research, I learned that Laura Slatkin, Founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances, created the PASSION Scented Candle ($28) to honor the memory and the extraordinary achievements of Evelyn H. Lauder, Founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. As October, breast cancer awareness month approaches, the timing of PASSION's release was perfect.

Evelyn Lauder's passion and dedication to finding a cure for and preventing breast cancer by establishing The Breast Cancer Research Foundationare are legendary. Not only did she raise awareness of breast cancer globally, she also inspired leading scientists to study the disease by funding groundbreaking research at renowned medical centers worldwide. "I was inspired to create PASSION after hearing Evelyn’s husband Leonard lovingly announce his commitment to continuing her critically important work [after her death]. They were in this fight together, and NEST Fragrances is pleased to join them in their efforts by supporting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation with PASSION," said Laura Slatkin. NEST Fragrances is donating 10 percent of the retail price of each PASSION Candle purchased to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

PASSION combines the essences of blooming peony and dewy garden roses with warm sandalwood and a hint of flowering pittosporum, Evenlyn Lauder's beloved fragrance note. This peony is the real thing - so different from the many fragrances that claim to feature peony That's why I swooned with my first whiff. I was transported to a mid-May garden, with pink and white peonies scenting the air around them. I was so impressed, I walked around Neiman Marcus making all my friends experience PASSION. To a one, they all agreed it was divine.

I haven't purchased mine yet. I am waiting to see if the lunatics in Congress shut down the government. As soon as I know the coast is clear, I will be at Neiman Marcus or NEST's Web site with credit card in hand. It's so good, I may be "forced" to buy two - perhaps three since 10% will be donated to charity.

Photo courtesy of NEST Fragrances

NEST Sicilian Tangerine Home Fragrance Collection

NEST Fragrances has introduced a new home fragrance collection, Sicilian Tangerine. I had heard from PR it was coming. Based on a verbal description, I knew I would love it, and I do!

The first time I was able to get a whiff was at Neiman Marcus, when the representative from another line took me over to smell NEST's newest, which he had bought the moment it arrived. He was very excited about it. He purchased multiple diffusers and is enjoying them in his home. He told me how sublime it was to awaken in the morning to the fragrance of Sicilian Tangerine. When I got that whiff, I knew instantly that it would have the same effect on me.

So far, there are only two pieces in the Sicilian Tangerine Collection, but more are coming. Votives, a three-wick candle, and NEST's liquid soap will debut in September. Today, you can find a Classic Candle ($34) and a Reed Diffuser ($38). NEST sent me the Sicilian Tangerine Classic Candle, which transports me - even before I light the wick. Cue Rachmaninoff and roll Somewhere in Time.

I'm in a garden in Sicily - the garden of a large estate that houses my hotel by the sea. I feel like I've been here before, although my mind tells me that's silly. I'm surrounded by greens, an orchard, and walking paths, and their aromas mingle with the Mediterranean air to convince me there may be no better place on earth. - Flight courtesy of NEST.

Sicilain tangerine and bergamot are entwined with the tropical nuances of exotic mango and passion fruit blended over a base of musk and praline. The citrus scents are dominant, producing a fragrance that is fresh, crisp, and beckoning - tranporting.

The Classic Candle offers 50 hours of burn time, ensuring that I'll return to that garden frequently. I think Henry Van Dyke was there before me, for he wrote...

O garden isle, beloved by Sun and Sea,
Whose bluest billows kiss thy curving bays,
Whose amorous light enfolds thee in warm rays
That fill with fruit each dark-leaved orange tree...

I won't be traveling to Sicily (again) any time soon, so I'm grateful to NEST for the luxurious addition to my life. Beauty originates within. I'm convinced that tranquility does as much as skin care to help us look and feel our best. The luxury that NEST Fragrances brings to my home is incomparable.

You too can experience NEST's new Sicilian Tranquility - err, Tangerine. The collection is available now at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and their Web sites, as well as at NEST Fragrances.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances and homeaway.co.uk

NEST Fragrances White Narcisse Collection

NEST Fragrances, one of my very favorite designers and manufacturers of luxury scented products for the bath, body, and home, has introduced an indulgent new collection for spring: White Narcisse. Last week, I received a gift box from NEST filled with NEST's new beauties and immediately applied the Body & Soul Spray and the Body Cream. I was suddenly transported to a spring garden, with daffodils, lilies of the valley, and other narcotic scents from the flowers blooming all around me. Then I took the elegant candle out of its box and let it perfume my bedroom. I was a very happy gal - and I still am. I've been wearing the Body & Soul Spray every day since.

The limited-edition White Narcisse Collection debuts in a Luxury Scented Candle and three personal care products: a Body Wash, a Body Cream, and my beloved Body & Soul Eau De Toilette Spray. The White Narcisse Collection products are available for purchase separately, and the personal care items are being offered for purchase together in a chic, luxurious gift box. If your mother has tastes anything like mine, she will be thrilled. Here are the items and prices for these beautiful new products.

• Classic Candle - 8.1 oz., $48
• Body Wash - 6.7 oz., $34
• Body Cream - 6.7 oz, $34
• Body & Soul Eau De Toilette Spray - 3.4 oz, $48
• Luxury Gift Set - $98

Laura  Slatkin, Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of NEST said, “After seeing the floral artwork I commissioned for White Narcisse, I was inspired to create another NEST scent that would translate beautifully into both a personal and home fragrance. The sheer beauty of the artwork is matched by the intoxicating, modern white floral fragrance; I am so excited that White Narcisse is debuting in April…just in time for spring hostess and Mother’s Day gift-giving!”

White Narcisse is an elegant fragrance composed of white narcissus blended with hints of French mimosa, dewy muguet, and creamy sandalwood. The collecton features original artwork by Russian artist Alexander Solodukho. The White Narcisse Candle is housed in a fine, handmade porcelain container with an intricately sculpted interpretation of the floral artwork on the packaging. It's elegant; it looks like a fine carved antique cup. The boxes signal the luxury we've come to associate with NEST.

The White Narcisse fragrance is divine. It's fresh. It brings springtime indoors and close. It exults in the dappled shade as the sun rises over the horizon at dawn, and it sparkles with the sunlight that dances in the garden during the day. As the day fades to night, the white narcissus serve as the garden's beacons - a testament to a glorious day. There's something about this scent that's mood-enhancing. See if it enchants you the way it does me.

The new White Narcisse Collection is available for purchase at select Neiman Marcus stores and NeimanMarcus.com, Bergdorf Goodman and BergdorfGoodman.com, Shop.NESTFragrances.com, and select specialty boutiques and retailers nationwide.

With apologies to William Wordsworth for a slight modification to his lyric poem, I offer "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" to explain the emotion I attach to the White Narcisse Collection.

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of narcissus daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
and twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
in such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

When I'm up to the task of assigning the emotions of White Narcisse's scent in a way that might equal Wordsworth's, I'll be back with my attempt. Perhaps I'll be inspired by the Narcissus of Greek mythology, a young man who pined away in love for his own image in a pool of water and was transformed into the flower that bears his name. Don't think that nails it. The White Narcisse Collection evokes happiness.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances, hgtv.com, and by Best Things in Beauty

NEST Fragrances Body & Soul Sprays

Yesterday, as I sprayed myself - my whole self - with NEST Fragrance's Body & Soul Spray ($48) in Orange Blossom, I had a sudden bout of euphoria. Seriously, I wanted to jump into the air and click my heels together. If it weren't for my back, I would have.

NEST's Body & Soul Sprays, technically eau de toilettes, remind me of aromatherapy. Any scent I can spray to elicit a feeling of well-being and pleasure is a tonic in a bottle.

After Orange Blossom had died down, I sprayed myself with Grapefruit Body & Soul Spray and re-ignited my euphoria. NEST's Body & Soul Sprays are like a drug. Who needs pills when a eau de toilette can make you this happy? I must purchase a bottle of Grapefruit for a friend who adores the scent. I'm not giving mine up.

NEST Fragrances introduced its Body & Soul Sprays this month to complement its existing Body Wash and Body Cream fragrances, which were introduced last summer. NEST customers and loyal followers, who have been scenting their homes for years with NEST's luxurious candles, diffusers, and soaps, repeatedly requested personal fragrances to match their favorite scents. Now, we can layer one of six scents, starting with the Body Wash, following a bath or shower with Body Cream, and then spraying the Body & Soul Spray with abandon. Because the sprays are a generous 3.4 ounces, you can spritz at will. Need another hit every few hours? Easy! The large bottles encourage you to spray. Too large to take with you? Decant a bit into a travel spray.

Imagine, you are sitting in a depressing meeting at work. You've lost all incentive to participate. Why bother? You've lost interest, hearing nothing but "blah, blah, blah." You excuse yourself for some water (whatever), and you spritz with Moss & Mint Body & Soul Spray. Your senses awaken your mind. You return, energized, and you solve the problem the group is discussing. Not only that, your colleagues gained a new impression of you - smart and attractive. All it took was a little NEST.

Packaged in custom-designed ombré glass bottles that corresponds to each fragrance, the new Body & Soul Sprays are lightly scented to perfume and refresh the skin while enlivening the senses with spirited, best-selling NEST fragrances that span the most important fragrance categories: citrus, floral, fresh, and spice. There's a fragrance choice for everyone.

• Bamboo (floral): flowering bamboo, white florals, sparkling citrus, and fresh green accords (I think this may be the most popular NEST candle)
• Grapefruit (citrus): pink pomelo grapefruit, watery green nuances. lily of the valley, and coriander blossom
• Moroccan Amber (spice): Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope, bergamot, and eucalyptus
• Moss & Mint (fresh): Garden Mint, apple blossom, muguet, oakmoss, and vetiver
• Orange Blossom (floral): orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower, freesia, tangerine, lemon, and musk
• Wasabi Pear (fruit): Anjou pear, fresh and ozonic watery notes, and wasabi

The scent from the Body & Soul Sprays lasts and hour or two on me. When I need a new fix, I just spritz again. I cover my neck, arms, and when I'm home, my uniform T-shirt. I've sprayed my hair and my knees. I'm sure I'll be telegraphing a blooming orange grove when I go to my doctor's appointment on Friday. I know he appreciates nice fragrances. Perhaps Orange Blossom will inspire him to aim that needle right at the nasty nerve that's giving me problems.

I think the Body & Soul Sprays could be even more refreshing if kept in the refrigerator during the summer. Envision coming in from a hot day and heading straight to the frig. Not for a drink, but for a spritz. Maybe both.

Everyone needs at least one of these. I want all of them except Moroccan Amber, which I would like if it weren't for the patchouli (a note which which I have a bad relationship). NEST sent me Orange Blossom, Wasabi Pear, and Grapefruit. Now I must order Bamboo (seriously need) and Moss & Mint. I'm using Moss & Mint Liquid Hand Soap for my hands right now, having just finished my Orange Blossom, and I love the scent.

The new Body & Soul Sprays - all unisex - are available at select Neiman Marcus stores, NeimanMarcus.com, Bergdorf Goodman and its online site, and at the NEST Fragrances Web site. If you spend $100 at NEST, shipping is free, so I stock up when I order.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances

NEST Fine Fragrances - My New Addiction

Recently, I featured Laura Slatkin's new NEST Fine Fragrances ($115 or $30 for the rolleball). At the time, they were a coming attraction. Today, they are available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus.com, and select Neiman Marcus stores. If I were you, I'd check them out.

I was sure when I featured them that my favorite would be Passiflora or Amazon Lily. They carry notes I love. Midnight Fleur reportedly has patchouli among the notes, and I can't tolerate patch in most fragrances - basically whenever my nose detects it. I assumed it wouldn't be in contention for my favorite. Was I wrong! Surprisingly, I think Midnight Fleur is the most compelling of the three! I love them all, but Midnight Fleur is so sultry, so sexy, so addictive I want to live in it.

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. Her art inspired the amazing packaging for the three fragrances (and the body creams). The floral designs on black backgrounds will be at home on the most elegant vanities around the world. You can read more at my original feature.

Amazon Lily is infused with refreshing hints of Brazilian lime, tangerine, and bergamot with a base of Galapagos driftwood and white musk. 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. NEST sent me pre-release samples, and I have been wearing Amazon Lily and Passiflora to work. They are gorgeous scents - and fortunately fragrances I can wear to work without worrying about offending anyone.

Midnight Fleur is sex in a bottle. It's composed with exotic woods, patchouli, and black amber, blended with the sensual notes of night-blooming jasmine and vanilla orchid. I don't smell the patch. I would describe it as a blend of all the night-blooming flowers that inhabit tropical gardens and attract the creatures that thrive and mate or pollinate at night. Whenever I go out in the evening now, I wear Midnight Fleur. I just ordered a full bottle from Bergdorfs. I don't ever want to be without it.

The body creams ($50) are just as heavenly as the fragrances. Filled with lush scents and rich hydrators, they are beautiful complements to the eau de parfums.

If you'd like to order from Bergdorfs, give Maddi a call at (212) 872-2733. She will take good care of you.  The list of Neiman Marcus stores where you can sample follows.

• Scottsdale
• Bal Harbor
• Boca Raton
• Coral Gables
• Orlando
• Tampa Bay
• Atlanta
• Michigan Avenue
• Las Vegas
• San Francisco
• Beverly Hills
• Fashion Island
• Northpark
• Houston
• Willow Bend 

I was mystified that, once again, DC was considered a backwater. Why didn't one of our stores make the grade? I was lucky NEST helped me sample.

You will love at least one of these new fragrances. If you love florals, you may find you need them all (as I did). Once you have a chance to test, please let me know what you think.

NEST Fragrances Beach Home Fragrance Collection

Want to go to the beach, but you cant? Bring the beach to your home with NEST Fragrances newest home fragrance collection: Beach!

The essence of sparkling turquoise water and lush coconut, married with juicy melon and a luminous base of lotus flower and sensual woods.

It's a lovely description, evoking the sights and scents of the beach, but it doesn't begin to convey the lusciousness of the Beach fragrance. Laura Slatkin said, "Beach reminds me of tranquil turquoise waters and warm ocean breezes...it transports me to where I want to be most of the time."

It reminds me of my trip to Barbados, many years ago. Barbados had all the scents of the beach, including the gorgeous blue-green ocean water. I loved walking that beach, right at water's edge, with the warm sand under my feet and the beautiful water nipping at my toes. In the late afternoon, we repaired to the hotel bar, where they served fresh coconut slices with our cocktails. I will never forget those pleasures. Beach brings them to the forefront of my mind - every time I wash my hands.

Beach Liquid Hand Soap ($22) currently occupies a place of honor in my bathroom. It was my first Beach purchase, but won't be my last. Beach is available in a candle, diffuser, and soap. Pick your pleasure.

Inspired by the natural and elegant beauty of sea urchins, the Beach Collection's refined handmade porcelain containers are polished with a luxurious bisque finish and presented in unique gift boxes that are wrapped with a contrasting texture of fine, mesh linen over a natural-colored paper.

Everything about the collection is inspired by the beach - the fragrance, the containers, and the packaging. Take a trip with NEST Fragrances. You can find these wonderful products at Neiman Marcus (where I bought my divine Liquid Hand Soap) or online at NEST.

Photo courtesy of NEST Fragrances

Jason Wu Orchid Rain Candle by NEST Fragrances

Jason Wu, internationally renowned fashion designer and favorite of Michelle Obama, and Laura Slatkin, founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances, one of my very favorite luxury home fragrance manufacturers, have launched Jason Wu’s first fragrance, Orchid Rain, in a scented candle that combines style with a divine fragrance. I was burning it as I wrote this feature yesterday, and I was intoxicated by the fruity-floral fragrance that filled my room and spilled into the next.

Decorated with an understated floral print inspired by Wu’s Spring 2012 fashion collection, Orchid Rain features a unique, exotic combination of notes. The new Jason Wu Orchid Rain Candle debuted this week.

“Florals play an important role in my designs, so for my first fragrance, I wanted to create a floral scent that would reflect my feminine design aesthetic,” said Jason Wu. “As a long-time fan of NEST Fragrances, I knew that Laura Slatkin and her talented team would be the perfect partner to create a luxury scent that would represent my ideals.”

For his first fragrance, Wu wanted an exotic fragrance mix highlighting the crisp freshness of rare, fragrant Cattleya orchids infused with Asian nashi pear, pomegranate, and goji berry. The fruity-floral essences are enhanced with blonde birchwood and hints of pink pepper and coconut. To create this multifaceted combination, Slatkin tapped master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel, who has created
fragrances for some of the biggest names in the business (including the CEW Award-winning Elton John Black Candle).

The sophisticated, custom-made porcelain candle vessel features Wu’s signature grey, black, and white floral petal print with a light bisque finish. In colors that will fit into any color scheme, the candle is topped with an elegant, gold-plated lid. The classy lid protects if from dust, cat and dog fur, and any debris that might be floating around the house when the candle's not in use.

“While reading a feature article about Jason Wu last February, I was delighted to learn that his favorite scented candles are from NEST Fragrances,” said Laura Slatkin. “After exchanging notes with Jason, I learned that he was very serious about home fragrances, which led us to this collaboration. Having worked closely with Jason on this project, I have come to respect his tireless work ethic, boundless creativity, and genuine kindness. He is a true visionary and a very special person.”

Packaged in one of Jason Wu’s classic soft grey, ready-to-gift textured linen paper boxes - beyond elegant - the Jason Wu Orchid Rain Candle by NEST Fragrances is available in a seven-ounce candle for $48. You can find it at Neiman Marcus (where shipping is currently free with code FSMAR), Bergdorf Goodman, and select luxury boutiques nationwide. It would make a nice gift - if you could part with it. I would find that very hard to do. Mine was a gift from NEST.

More about Jason Wu...

Jason Wu launched his Ready-to-Wear Collection in the spring of 2006. Fast forward to today. Only six years later, he has emerged as one of the leading global talents based in New York. He is committed to making beautifully crafted clothes, and the idea of creating a collection that merges American sportswear with old-world glamour. Influenced by the classic photography of Richard Avedon and the works of Charles James and Jacques Fath, his collections aim to revitalize the art and perfection of dressing with a relaxed and youthful attitude. He is committed to maintaining strict quality standards and produces over 80% of his collections in New York's Garment District, which is also the home to his design studio and showroom. You cannot have escaped the news that Wu is one of the First Lady's favorite designers.

I'll have more to tell you about Laura Statkin soon. I hope to interview her next week.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

NEST Liquid Hand Soap - One of Life's Luxuries

I'm sure I rival the most avid germ phobes with my frequent hand washing. I can't count (and don't want to try) the number of times I wash my hands each day. I never walk in the house from being somewhere (anywhere) without washing my hands. I wash my hands after I get the mail or drag in a box left at my doorstep. I wash my hands before and after I touch food (or my face). If I'm out and about, I go wash my hands after I open a door or touch a public handrail (or make sure not to touch my face or food if I can't). After I'm seated at a restaurant, I'll go wash my hands unless I remembered to use a barrier to open the door (maybe wearing gloves is a good idea!). I even slip out to wash my hands after a round of business hand-shaking (a custom that I think should be discontinued for public health reasons). Call me crazy, but since I became a fanatical hand washer, I rarely "catch" viruses, so there's a payoff to my madness.

I haven't had a bar of soap at any sink in my house for over 10 years. I prefer scented liquid hand soap, and because I'm such a frequent hand washer, I consider it a luxury to use only the best. I was joyful when I learned that Laura Slakin had added Liquid Hand Soaps ($22) to the NEST Fragrance Collection. I love NEST, so it made sense that I would love the new hand soaps - and I do!

"This is a very important new product launch for NEST Fragrances; our Liquid Hand Soap launch is the first of many more to come," said Slatkin, founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances. "Plans are underway to transform NEST Fragrances into a luxury lifestyle brand. Over the coming year, we will be expanding our repertoire to include a wider range of fragranced products. Our customers have expressed a deep interest in having us translate these fragrances into personal care and other beauty products."

Containing natural plant extracts that clean and nourish the skin, while leaving behind a light, luscious fragrance, the new Liquid Hand Soaps are housed in custom-made, sleek, and modern plastic bottles that feature NEST's iconic branding. They are available in 10-ounce bottles in the following scents.

• Bamboo - flowering bamboo, white florals, sparking citrus, and fresh green accords (who doesn't love the Bamboo candles?)
  
• Grapefruit - pink pomelo grapefruit, watery green nuances, lily of the valley, and coriander blossom
• Moroccan Amber - Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, helioptrope, bergamot, and eucalyptus
• Moss & Mint - garden mint, apple blossom, muguet, oakmoss, and vetiver
• Orange Blossom - orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower, freesia, tangerine, lemon, and musk
• Wasabi Pear - Anjou pear with fresh, ozonic watery notes and wasabi

How good does it get? NEST sent me some samples to try, and I'm "living in" Orange Blossom. It's a "me" kind of fragrance. Not only does it make washing my hands enjoyable (so I linger as I lather), it leaves a divine scent with me for about 30 minutes. I'm actually smitten with every one of them, except for Moroccan Amber, which contains notes that just don't appeal to me. It's masculine and exotic. I got a whiff of Grapefruit and Bamboo at Neiman Marcus and swooned. The only one I haven't had the opportunity to sniff yet is Wasabi Pear - and I must.

The bottles are beautifully designed. I care that my hand soaps don't take up too much room on the counter. The NEST bottles are sleek without being top-heavy. They dispense the right amount of liquid soap with one pump. Fortunately, they are plastic. I have a tendency to knock things over, and if I don't, Charlie will. There will be no soap all over the tile floors in my bathrooms.

If you want to join me in NEST nirvana - and you should - you can find the new Liquid Hand Soaps at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, along with specialty stores nationwide. Even if you don't want one for yourself, they make amazing house gifts. Take NEST's new Liquid Hand Soap to your next host or hostess, and you will be the most popular guest at the party.

Photo by NEST Fragrances

NEST Fragrances - Tahiti Vanille and Pumpkin Chai Candles for Fall

I can't remember when I became a fragranced candle fanatic. It was a long time ago when I discovered the mood-altering properties of a great candle. Unlike air sprays or diffusers, candles bring the warmth of a flame that's comforting (as long as I'm in the same room). When I plan to park myself to read, watch television, write, or relax - stay in one spot - I love to burn a fragranced candle.

I have to admit that I collect them. Yes, I use them entirely, but I always keep a choice of fragranced candles at the ready - for myself and for gifts. I think they are lovely gifts and wonder why no one ever gives me candles. Maybe it's the cats. We do have to be careful that curious or frolicking kitties don't knock them over when they are burning.

NEST Fragrances, a leading luxury home fragrance company has added a new, fine vanilla fragrance, Tahiti Vanille ($32), to its FiFi Award-winning NEST Fragrances Collection. Debuting this fall, Tahiti Vanille joins other favorites Black Fig & Honey, Moroccan Amber, and Wild Oats & Bourbon in the company's sophisticated gourmand fragrance category. Gourmand fragrances are especially popular during the cooler fall and winter months because of their warm, reassuring, and comforting qualities. You can bring the kitchen to your bedroom without the crumbs!

“While traveling through the French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific last summer, I had the opportunity to visit a vanilla farm on the island of Tahaa,” said Laura Slatkin, founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances. “As I passed racks and racks of vanilla pods drying in the sun, the aroma was so alluring and intoxicating it inspired me to create a vanilla-scented candle, Tahiti Vanille.”

Slatkin took Tahitian vanilla bean, white chocolate, and cinnamon and blended them with caramel and a touch of white rum. The result is divine, with a scent that's literally scrumptious. With no one ingredient overpowering the others, it's a blend that telegraphs comfort. The candle definitely creates an "island ambiance," perfect for our transition from summer's glory to the autumn "nesting season." NEST sent mine to me, along with Pumpkin Chai (see below), and I've been burning Tahiti Vanille ever since. The Pumpkin Chai is waiting for cooler weather.

NEST's new Tahiti Vanille candle can be purchased exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and specialty stores nationwide beginning this month. I've seen it online (e.g., Candles off Main), but I haven't seen it on the shelves at Neiman Marcus yet.Pumpkin Chai ($32), with packaging evocative of falling leaves and Halloween, will create a cozy autumn ambience with a blend of wild pumpkin, spicy Masala chai, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. This special-edition candle is housed in a sophisticated brown translucent glass with a blush orange wax. Like all NEST candles, it would make a welcome hostess gift, if you could bear to part with it.

As long as you keep the wicks of NEST's candles trimmed to about 1/4 inch, the candles burn evenly and won't leave a grey residue on the glass container. The offer quality outside and in. They will burn for 50 hours, and in small increments, it takes me a long time to go through an entire candle. They are a great value.

Just in case you don't know, NEST Fragrances was founded and is owned by Laura Slatkin. NEST is a specialized home fragrance company that emerged from its parent company, Slatkin & Co., after an acquisition. I can't even count the number of Slatkin-developed candles I've purchased over the years.

Laura Slatkin has a long-standing reputation as a leader in the home fragrance industry and is well-known for her luxurious scented candles, room sprays, diffusers, and other essentials for rooms and environments. NEST’s client list currently includes more than 50 prestige companies in the fashion, beauty, and home fragrance industries - all of whom turned to NEST to develop their exclusive lines of home fragrance products.

In 2008, Laura launched her own home fragrance collection, NEST Fragrances, which won the 2009 FiFi Award for Interior Scent Collection of the Year. In 2010, Laura launched her second and third fragrance collections, Sprig Fragrances and Project Art by NEST Fragrances. NEST draws on decades of experience in the home fragrance industry with a special expertise in designing, developing, producing, distributing, and marketing home fragrance collections that capture each client’s unique brand image and style. For more information, visit NEST's Web site. NEST can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances