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

This Week's Sample Sales - Leg Resource / Alice + Olivia / Sachin + Babi / Kimberly Ovitz / Nili Lotan

Left: Kratos Vest - Sale price $148 - Original Retail $515

Right: Aisu Dress - Sale Price $88 - Original Retail $495

Noland Sweater - Sale Price $98 - Original Price $485

Nordstrom Beauty for Holiday Gifting

It's hard to believe December 25th is already next week! If you are looking for those last minute beauty gifts, you'll find everything you need at Nordstrom Beauty, including MAC, Deborah Lippman, philosophy, L'Occitane and Clarisonic! Nordstrom Beauty features over 200 makeup, hair, bath and body, skincare and fragrance brands and limited-edition holiday items and gift sets. 

If you have any specific beauty questions or help finding a product while shopping, be sure to ask a Nordstrom Beauty Stylist, who are like personal shoppers except just for beauty! They are educated on all brands in Nordstrom Beauty, so they can easily help you pick out the right gift. You can get free assistance from a stylist in-store, by phone (1-800-7beauty) or live chat. Also, if you are looking to try any beauty items, from fragrances and skincare to hair and bath and body, did you know if a sample is not available you can make your own sample? You'll find empty sample containers at the Nordstrom Beauty counters so explore and sample away! 

Here are some Nordstrom Beauty favorites for holiday! 

L'Occitane Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives: Hand Indulgences and Hand Cream Confections

Aveda 'De-Stress' Gift Set, $66  

MAC Sinfully Chic Face Kit, $70

Right: Clarisonic 'Mia 2 - Black Cherry Croc' and Clarisonic 'Plus - Python'

philosophy 'the gingerbread girl' and 'cranberry spritzer'

philosophy 'bake shoppe' duo

Nordstrom 'Natural' Eye Palette, $15, Nordstrom Essential Eye Palette, $28 and Nordstrom Hair Chalk Set, $14.95

Nordstrom Beauty Palette, $28

 Nordstrom Cosmetic Palette ($250 Value), $35.00

Nordstrom 'Gold Bling' and 'Silver Bling' Nail File Sets, $9.95

Create your own samples! Just look for the 'TAKE ME, I'M YOURS' signs and sample containers at Nordstrom beauty counters!

- Kim Weling

The Accessories Council and Lord & Taylor Top Holiday Picks

Last week the Accessories Council and Lord & Taylor hosted a holiday press event, introducing the Accessories Council's top holiday gift picks available at Lord & Taylor. My favorite pick is the vintage inspired Botkier Valentina shoulder bag ($295). I love the metallic brown with satin brass finish in cowhide leather. This bag can be worn from day to evening and is perfect for anyone who is petite. 

Other personal favorites include the Anne Klein Rose Gold & Crystal Watch ($75) and Echo Touch Gloves ($42) for staying warm and fashionable while texting, Jessica Simpson Feather Wool Fedora ($58) in Black, Deep Lichen Green and Sequoia Rust and the Swarovski Studio Bracelet ($90), featuring black calfskin and woven cotton cords adorned with Swarovski crystals. The bracelets have an adjustable button closure to fit even the tiniest of wrists, and are great for layering and stacking. The Minnie Rose Cashmere Ruana ($196) is lightweight, perfect for layering travel-friendly and is one-size fits all. 

The chicBuds Retractable Crystal Earbuds ($40) and Crystal Fauvette Bird Speaker ($40) make fashionable stocking stuffers for any music-lover. 

The Vince Camuto Jennah Cross-Body Bag ($148) is compact yet roomy and available in several colors.

- Kim Weling

The 15th Annual New York Chocolate Show

November 9-11th marked the 15th anniversary of The New York Chocolate Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The festivities kicked off with a press breakfast on November 9th, with a cooking demonstration by Zac Young, from Top Chef Season 1. Zac walked us through making rich, decadent Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns. Zac wanted to create something that brought out all the nuances of chocolate - salty, sweet and savory. Here are some tips on creating the sticky buns: use apple with smoked or dry cured bacon, for a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with butter and bake the bacon in the oven at 275 or 300 degrees. If you get a craving for these Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns, you can find them at David Burke Kitchen at The James Hotel in Soho.

Zac Young making Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns

During the press breakfast Paul Joachim worked on creating a cake sculpture of Lucille Ball, inspired by the I Love Lucy chocolate episode. The sculpture is cake from base to shoulders, with the head made out of chocolate. 

Marie Antoinette chocolate sculpture

Leaves and vines made out of chocolate

Sugar Plumm chocolate displays at the press breakfast

After the press breakfast, I worked around the show floor to check out over 45 national and international chocolate companies showcasing chocolate and chocolate-inspired confections, from chocolate bars and truffles to chocolate wines and delectable chocolate baked goods. Take a look at highlights from this year's show.

Tache Artisan Chocolatier

John & Kira's Chocolates

MarieBelle New York

screme Gelato Bar - amazing flavors like Figs & Tequila

Oliver Kita Chocolates - vegan, organic and fair trade chocolates, including a best-seller and my favorite: Cognac Crème Brulée

Chocolate Shop

Quady Winery favorites: Red Electra California Muscat Wine and Electra California Orange Muscat Wine

Paul Joachim working on the Lucille Ball cake sculpture and life-size sculptural piece of a NYC woman holding a champagne glass

Jean Luc Pele at work, whisking up a chocolate decadence

Valrhona Chocolate 

I love Maison Boissier's colorful ball candies housed in tins inspired by vintage powder cases

Maison Boissier

Signature truffles by 5th Avenue Chocolatiere

ChocolatRouge Wines

Salt of the Earth Bakery

Fleur de Xocoatl

Patisserie Lac

For the first time at the New York Chocolate Show attendees were able to purchase chocolate lover tote bags and bracelets. French designer Agnès de Boissieu had designed limited edition “I love Chocolate” bracelets to show the world your passion for chocolate. The pink (raspberry) and dark brown (chocolate) bracelets are made of a small silver plate with a heart shaped cutout to express “I love chocolate!” 

This year The Chocolate Show also teamed up with New York Cares to run a coat and jacket drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy, in which attendees were encouraged to donate a new or gently used warm jacket. Learn more about The Chocolate Show here.

- Kim Weling