The Diptyque Sample Sale

Caldrea Holiday Collection

Happy New Year! The holidays have come and gone, but you can still enjoy those holiday fragrances while stocking up on homekeeping products, from countertop sprays and dish soaps to hand soap, hand lotion and candle tins. Caldrea's newest holiday fragrance, Juniper Laurel Mint, joins Vanilla Quince Santal and Crimson Pear Ginger as part of the holiday collection. One of my favorite home fragrances this time of year is that fresh pine scent that Juniper Laurel Mint has, mixed with juniper, eucalyptus and Siberian Fir.

Crimson Pear Ginger is as juicy and bubbly as a light signature cocktail of citrus zest and holiday spice, with natural essential oils - mandarin, spearmint, ginger and cinnamon. Vanilla Quince Santal is a gathering of spicy vanilla, sweet fruits and warm amber. 

Caldrea's limited edition holiday collection is available at caldrea.com and birchbox.com.

- Kim Weling

Last-Minute Holiday Gifting with Sabon

So there's only one more shopping day left this holiday season, but let's not forget those post-holiday gifts to get for friends and loved ones you may not see until after the holidays, and of course well-deserved gifts for yourself. For my last gifting recommendation before the holidays, I'd have to go with Sabon and their amazing bath and body products including lotions, shower gels, body scrubs, soaps and oils. I also love their packaging - just take a look at some of the images I took at the boutique. 

I must admit, I haven't been in a Sabon boutique in quite awhile since I've been pretty stocked up on products for myself, and was amazed at how much Sabon has added to their product line. With a visit to the Soho boutique for a private tour and press preview earlier this month, I was introduced to men's, mother and baby, face and hair care lines, candles and diffusers for the home as well as travel-sized products. 

The best way to choose your favorite Sabon scent is to visit a store and experience a hand treatment, by trying out one of the scrubs, followed by the creamy scrub and oil, resulting in super-soft skin. My favorite scent/product is actually the newest addition to the Sabon collection - the men's Gentleman Body Scrub, $30, which has a Patchouli Citrus scent. I found out from the boutique associates that a lot of women actually love to this scent and body scrub, which makes a great unisex gift. 

You can learn more about Sabon at sabonnyc.com and find boutique locations here.

     

  

- Kim Weling

Thymes Holiday 2012 Favorites

Around the holidays, Thymes Frasier Fir is always my go-to candle, with a real, fresh Christmas tree scent. The forest fragrance captures the aroma of Siberian fir needles, cedarwood and sandalwood with undertones of rich floral musk. Frasier Fir has a new look this season, also available as a candle tin ($18.50), as a 3 wick candle ($50) and as a set ($34.50). Take a look at the other Frasier Fir products here.

Another favorite that is new to me is the Thymes Brandied Pumpkin & Chestnut candle, a warm and cozy scent infused with Madagascar vanilla, cinnamon bark, sweet nutmeg and spicy clove. The 2 oz votive candle ($12.50) makes a super-cute stocking stuffer! Check out Brandied Pumpkin & Chestnut's assortment including a few candle options, diffuser ($60), diffuser oil refill ($30), home fragrance mist ($18), potpourri ($44) and refresher oil ($19). 

Filigree is one of Thymes' popular limited-edition collections, with an elegant scent of rich amber, juniper berry, warm cedarwood and neroli, blended with spearmint, lavender and spicy ginger. This holiday season, Thymes has added a Filigree body lotion ($25), body wash ($19), Eau de Parfum ($60), gift set ($44) and home fragrance mist ($17).

- Kim Weling