HSN Launches Forsaken Fragrance & Beauty Collection Inspired by HBO's True Blood

On July 26th, I celebrated the launch of HSN's Forsaken luxury fragrance and beauty collection, inspired by HBO's True Blood. Kristin Bauer van Straten, who plays Pam De Beaufort on True Blood, co-hosted the launch alongside HSN and HBO at AIRE Ancient Baths at 88 Franklin Street. Guests indulged in the collection and enjoyed signature cocktails, complimentary manicures and channeled their own inner vampire at the photo booth with a lipstick touch up and fangs.

The Forsaken collection, debuting on August 9th, includes an exclusive fragrance developed by Givaudan, luxury home goods from D.L. & Co and a first-ever lip color with coordinating nail shade from Deborah Lippman.

My favorite in the collection is the Forsaken Eau de Parfum, a sultry, seductive fragrance with pulpy fruits paired with crisp pear notes, followed by mid notes of night blooming jasmine and closes with the dark muskiness of amber and patchouli. A body cream and shimmering body veil powder is also available.

The Forsaken fragrance is cleverly incorporated into nail lacquer developed by Deborah Lippmann. The lacquer that carries the fragrance is entitled “Let It Bleed” and is part of a combination set with a coordinating lipstick – Lippmann’s first ever -- called “Bite Me,” which is also at the top of my list. Lippmann also created two additional sets for the collection: “Sookie Sookie” featuring full-size “Human Nature,” “Fairydust” and “Bad Things;” and a trio of minis including “Strange Love,” “New Flesh” and “Bad Blood.”

Luxury candles and diffusers make the perfect home gifts for any True Blood fan.

Forsaken will launch exclusively on HSN, HSN.com and via HSN mobile. The collection will also be available at the HBO Shop in September and at specialty retailers in late 2012.

Be sure to tune into HSN for the Forsaken launch, with four one hour segments running throughout the day on August 9th, starting at 12:01am.

- Kim Weling

An Afternoon with Kate Walsh and Her Boyfriend Fragrance

I recently met with Kate Walsh at the Greenwich Hotel, to learn about her Boyfriend fragrance and body care collection. Ever miss the scent of an ex-boyfriend? That's what inspired Kate to create her fragrance.

"I thought, 'I really miss his scent,' so I went to a fragrance counter and bought a men's fragrance and went, 'Wait a minute you don't need a boyfriend to have a Boyfriend! So many women I know wear men's fragrances, and what really appealed to me was the idea of the boyfriend store. Everyone has one to share." - Kate Walsh

Boyfriend is a sensual, intimate fragrance, reminiscent of a man's scent that lingers with a woman after he's gone. Kate worked with fragrance house Givaudan and perfumer Mary Pierre Julien to create the perfect masculine and feminine mix. The scent combines notes of amber and vanilla woods with dark plum, myrrh and night blooming jasmine.

I love the story surrounding her fragrance and how the bottle has the names of boyfriends imprinted on it. What I really love is that you can layer the Boyfriend body crème or dry body oil with the fragrance without creating an overpowering scent.

I really admire Kate for creating the fragrance and Boyfriend brand the way she wanted it to be, rather than licensing it. There are too many fragrances out there that have generic packaging with a celebrity's picture on it. How many fragrances out there actually tell a story?

Boyfriend is available at Sephora and at HSN. Be sure to catch Kate on HSN on July 30th!

Checkout the Boyfriend webmercials Kate had created at yourboyfriend.com, featuring Chuck's Ryan McPartlin! My favorite is Boredroom, which was nominated for a FiFi Award for Best Media Campaign of the Year – Women’s.






Available at HSN - I love the Solid Perfume with Zippered Case, $44.95! It is unique and luxurious! The Body Crème, $45, also smells and feels amazing on!


The Boyfriend Kit, $95 at Sephora, contains: 0.5oz Eau de Parfum, 0.16oz Pulse Point Oil Mini, 1.oz Dry Oil Mini, 1.6oz Body Crème Mini and Votive

Kate is known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on Private Practice, a spin-off from Grey's Anatomy. Since I am a fan of both shows, I was delighted to meet Kate! She is so sweet, beautiful and down-to-earth!


- Kim Weling