When thinking of what my own Mother would like, I know this lovely Ultimate Gift Set from Crabtree & Evelyn would be on her list.

In a great  large linen weave tote are some of their fabulous premium Naturals bath and body care items. This sure to be adored set contains:

• Cocoa Butter Nutmeg & Cardamom Body Scrub 
  
• Illipe Butter, Lemongrass & Sugar Body Butter 
  
• Mango & Grapefruit Shower Mousse 
  
• Mint, Fennel & Ivy Body Polisher 
  
• Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber Body Lotion 
  
• Mango Butter & Cranberry In-shower Moisturizer 
  
• Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber Body Mist 
  
• Cocoa Butter, Nutmeg & Cardamom Body Bar
  

With the Kiehl's Earth Day Initiative and their new products featuring fairly traded moroccan argan oil, I think it is fitting that I wrap up green week with my experience at the Kiehl's flagship store. I was lucky enough to have a private tour of the store and play with some of their products when I was in NYC with Glam earlier in the month.

The store on Third Avenue, between 13th and 14th street has been in existence since 1851. They have expanded the site all the way to the corner, but it is special to experience a part of history in the store, as about half of the store and it's furnishings are original.

"It was 1851 and a small apothecary opened on “Pear Tree Corner” at Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue. The Brunswick Apotheke served the citizens of the burgeoning Lower East Side medicinal herbs, unguents and concoctions mixed to family recipes. After thirty or so years, a gentleman by the name of John Kiehl began working for the owners of the small apothecary, eventually taking over the business and renaming it the John Kiehl Apothecary. Along with his apprentice, Mr. Irving Morse, the two gentlemen pioneered many of the traditions in service and product formulation which characterize Kiehl’s today. "

The store is amazing, and the customer service is unprecedented. Many of it's employees have been working at the store for years, many of them for more than ten years. It is like a family, and they welcome you into their family by making sure you select products that are actually right for you. They have countless testers and samples and are happy to help you in any way.

I quickly discovered their Original Musk Oil Eau de Toilette Spray, and it is now my signature scent. I use it daily and the I am constantly being told that I smell so nice. Not "what are you wearing?", as if I have on too much of a scent. Why I did not pick up the shower gel and lotion in the Musk scent is beyond me. I thought it might be too much, but I now know I cannot get enough of it.

The story behind the Kiehl's signature scent is awesome: "In the early 1920’s, a unique fragrant oil was formulated in our humble apothecary – Kiehl’s flagship store, located at Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue in New York’s East Greenwich Village. For reasons unbeknownst us, it was stowed away in the store’s basement in a vat labeled simply “LOVE OIL”. The vessel was discovered in 1958 when the store underwent renovations and in 1963, the essence, renamed “Musk Oil” for its richly sensuous scent, was reintroduced to our patrons. It was an instant success not only as a scent, but as one of the great fragrance trends in the industry."

While at the store, I picked up another one of my favorite products, the Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak. It was one of my favorite finds last Summer, and it is still one today. My hair thanks Kiehl's for this again and again. Some of my other favorite Kiehl's products include Intensive Treatment for Dry or Callused Areas - perfect for both hands and feet; Abyssine Lotion SPF 15 - helps to fight off free radicals and keep my wrinkles at bay, and included the must-have SPF protection; Ultra Facial  Cleanser and Toner, two of my newest favorites that I need to post all about, as the toner is like any other that I have used before; and their newest Superbly Restorative Products infused with the fairly traded argan oil.

The  visit was amazing and I cannot thank Kiehl's enough for hosting us that rainy morning. It was an experience, and one you must partake in when in NYC. You will thank me and your hair and skin will thank Kiehl's for getting to know them better too.

Earth day is almost upon us, and great companies are taking a stand. One of my favorites, Kiehl's, has a great offer, good on Earth Day (April 22nd) only.

The first 50 customers to return their empty Kiehl’s bottles to one of the Kiehl's free-standing stores on April 22nd for recycling, will receive a Kiehl’s reusable canvas tote bag. Of course, this re-usable tote will come in handy and it will help to reduce consumption of plastic and paper shopping bags.

What a beautiful idea, Kiehl's.

Log onto Kiehls.com to search for a location nearest you. I bet you won't have a hard time filling up your bag with some of Kiehl's most fabulous products either. (I have so many product suggestions, as I had a private tour of the original Kiehl's store when I was in NYC. You will have to stay tuned for that!)

I am a huge fan of the Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial soaps. Seriously, if you have to keep as clean as can be, the soaps might as well smell pretty, no?

While I was in B & BW yesterday to stock up on my soaps, I noticed something new that many of you might be interested in. They have added a new product to their most popular scents in their Signature Collection. It is  called Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion. Formulated to give you an instant sun-kissed radiance, along with a gradual self tanner built right in, mixed with their most popular scents - beautiful.

In taking a smell of the Japanese Cherry Blossom tube, it smelled just like the original scent. I wonder how well it covers up the starchy dha scent when activated on the skin. I imagine that it does a nice job, as only a few of the gradual self-tanners have a really awful smell (hello - Jergens Natural Glow!).

I struggled with the idea of picking up a tube for myself, but I think I am pretty well stocked up on self-tanners for the season, hopefully. But I did grab a tube for my sister. Hopefully I can get it over to her soon and she will give it a try and report back here or maybe over on The Fragrance Fanatic. 

Right now I see Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion in just 6 scents: Cherry Blossom, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Wild Honeysuckle, Enchanted Orchid, Sea Island Cotton and Sweet Pea. Maybe they are just testing it out to see how well it does. I am wishing for it in a more Summer-y scent like Creamy Coconut or Strawberry Lemonade.

The 6 oz. tube is $14, available at Bath and Body Works stores and online, of course. 

Finding the perfect body wash is no easy task.

I don't think I have ever even finished an entire bottle of shower gel or body wash. Not because I do not like one or another, there are just so many wonderful washes on the market each with it's own qualities. Let's face it, a new or different scent is always so welcoming in the shower making the discovery of the ultimate wash so difficult. Yes, I am very wishy-washy when it comes to body washes.

First, to be a good wash, it needs to smell nice. Not overpowering where it will interfere with any body creams or fragrance, but a scent that smells nice when simply worn alone. I like a good lather - the more bubbles the better - but I have found some washes that I really like that have a minimal amount of bubbles, but make up for it with another quality. Finally, I like to feel moisturized from my wash, clean too. Not left with a film or feeling stripped, but feeling and smelling fresh and clean, using it as intended.

Over the past week or two, I have used a number of different washes, ten in fact. One was a scrub, the other just washes. Two of them have made their way to my husband's shower, and one to my son's. The rest I am sharing with my daughter - and she can't even pick out a favorite either.

Olay Calm Release with Violet and Lavender* - This body wash has quite a strong smell, but nice, that suds up quite nicely. It feels very moisturizing and almost slippery, but it contains a large amount of petrolatum (second on the ingredient list after the water) and I think that is why I feel moisturized without really getting moisturized in the end. This is my daughters favorites as she loves the heavy violet scent.

Sephora Coconut Body Wash - When I smelled this in Sephora, I just had to have it. Being that it was probably 20 degrees outside, I think it conjured up thoughts of warm sun as I took it in. It makes me feel the same way when I use it in the shower. The scent and nice sudsing has me looking for it a lot, only to find that my husband sneaks this one out of my shower. When I remember to, I sneak it back in before my shower.

Bath and Body Works Velvet Tuberose* - Though this is not made with the finest of ingredients (I hate that B & B W uses so much mineral oil as fillers in their products), this Signature Shower Gel in the Velvet Tuberose scent makes one think that it is. I sort of think of my grandmother who loved to travel and was a bit mysterious when I open this scent. And just look at the notes in the fragrance: top notes - Modern Citrus, Dewey Magnolia, Juicy Apricot, Ylang Ylang, Green; mid notes - Tuberose Accord, White Freesia, Tender Cyclamen, Diamond Orchid, Heady Gardenia, Indian Jasmine, Succulent Fig; base notes - Addictive Ambers, Sensual Sandalwood, Exotic Spices, Cashmere Accord, Warm Musks. As with all the B & B W washes and gels, there is a lot of soapy lather and I like the way a little goes a long way and the bottles seem to last forever.

Philosophy Soul Mates in Grapefruit - This citrusy scent also makes one think of Summer, or at least a warm sunny winter day. The scent is great, more citrus than actual grapefruit, in my opinion, and a superior wash like all of the Philosophy famous 3-in-1's.

Suave Exhale Calmly Body Wash* - This is a bargain body wash that I really like. Just because it is such a bargain, does not mean it is not bubbly and beautiful feeling on the skin. The Lavender and Vanilla scent, which was so overdone years ago, is a softer version scent in this wash.

Dove Cream Oil Body Wash in Ultra Rich* - Dove is really making a dent in the mass market these days, and I will be honest that this was my first try with a Dove bath product. Ultra rich is right on, as this is a thick wash, almost creamy, yet lathers nicely. It has a nice florally scent, nothing too fancy or overdone. For a first timer, I am pretty impressed.

Lancome Body Delisse Immediate Soft Touch Moisturizing Body Wash - After my Lancome facial a few weekends ago, I have a new found love for the Lancome fragranced products. This wash is no exception. It smells divine and is very moisturizing. It makes a smaller lather, but feels very rich as it cleanses my skin. I just noticed that Salicylic Acid is in the ingredient list, and I think this is why my skin feels extra smooth when I use it.

GapBody Body Scrub in Night Fall* - Initially I wondered if this were a product for men, which probably explains why my son grabbed this one up right away. I used it just once, but liked the gentle scrubbing action of the sugar and sea salt. The Night Fall scent is very dark and woodsy, like I said, making me think it is better to stay with my son in his shower.

Avon Skin So Soft Fusions Body Wash* - A winner from Avon, I love the little micro beads in this creamy body wash. I am not overly crazy about the scent, and it definitely lathers less than most, but the way my skin feels after cleansing, definitely makes up for it. I need to investigate to see if this is available in other scents and it might be one of the more permanent residences in the shower.

Caress Exotic Oil Infusions Moroccan Body Wash* - A creamy wash that foams as it lathers, engulfing the shower with a very exotic scent, as in the title. The scent does not stay with me, but the scent it left in the bathroom made my son grab this one up too. Just as well, as I just don't like dark, musky scents in the shower all that much - unless, it is mixed with a floral, that is.

*Thanks to Total Beauty, I got these new washes in my CEW goodie bag! 

I think that Cameron Diaz is absolutely darling. And she looked beautiful at the Academy Awards last night - with one exception. Her tan lines! Someone needs to tell Cameron about the wonders of self-tanners and bronzers.

With so many bronzers, temporary tanners and long-lasting self-tanners, there was just no excuse for this fashion faux paus. 

Some easy remedies to blend in tan lines:
Bronzers
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer - $42
Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer - $28
CARGO Bronzer - $25

Instant/Temporary Tanners
LORAC TANtalizer Body Bronzer - $30
Benefit Cosmetics Jiffy Tan - $24
Sephora Super Sheen Bronzing Mist - $12

Self-Tanners
ModelCo Tan Airbrush in a Can -  $36
Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel - $30
Xen Tan Mist Intense - $29

At long last Cameron blend, blend, and blend some more!  Those tan lines can really be blended away in very little time.

I love thick, rich body creams. Sometimes, even in the harshest and driest of winters though, a thick cream can be too much, especially during the day. This is why I have become very dependent on various shea butter formulaes. I have found a new body cream, though that has changed my thoughts, my ways, and my skin.

Meet Lancome Nutrix Royal Body Cream. This cream is very similar to a whipped shea butter, though it appears much firmer until you dig your fingers into it.  The smell is strong, at first, but it dries down to a soft, almost powdery, light floral scent.

Nutrix Royal Body Cream is made with Royal Lipideum, which is a patented technology enriched with Royal Jelly that supplements your skin's own natural lipids for intense hydration.

Within just a few days use, my dry patchy knees and elbows are so much softer. I generally use this right in the shower after I turn off the water. I like to rub it into my skin while I am still wet as to get rid of any heavy or thick cream feel. At night, I have even been smoothing this rich cream over my feet, making them look, feel, and evn smell divine.

This wonder cream from Lancome retails for $34.00. If for some reason you are afraid of a thicker cream (which there really isn't a need to be in this case) or generally prefer a lotion, there is also a Nutrix Royal Body Lotion available as well.
 

Just because I do not indulge in the eating of chocolate today, does not mean that I do not enjoy the fabulous bath and body treats in luxurious chocolate scents. My pick this year - these beautiful pieces from the Laura Mercier Chocolate Truffle Bath & Body Collection.

Unfortunately, all of the items are sold separately, but are worth it each and every one. Imagine this all boxed together in a gorgeous gold box with brown bow - with a single rose wrapped in the bow. Perfect for a last minute gift today, don't you think? 

Whether it is one piece or all of them, these pieces are the ultimate in chocolate luxury:Souffle Body Creme $55, Honey Bath $40, Creme Body Wash $36, Candle $42.

Yum!!!