Happy May Day

If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring?

Pilgrims!

Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13. Need some gift ideas?

For the young Mom who is still running around after a toddler:

Keds has a funky line of Slip-Ons and Skimmers designed by Nanette Lapour. The designs are fresh and colorful and will remind her that she is still young even though the kids may be running her ragged.

Juicy Couture Hoodies are soft, comfortable, and youthful. They come in a variety of colors.

For the working Mom who is always on the go:

Mom can de-stress after work with L’Occitane’s Cherry Blossom Bath & Body Set. The lovely scent will erase the work day and leave her feeling refreshed.

A digital picture frame from Sharper Image will allow Mom to load up on pictures of the kids to keep on her desk at the office.

For the Retired Mom or Grandmom:

Pictures of the adorable grandchildren are always welcome. Create a digital photo book at Shutterfly.com.

A Ferragamo scarf will help Mom accessorize in classic Italian style. Many styles and colors are available.

The History of My Life in Perfume

As a child, my introduction to perfume came from Avon. Love’s Baby Soft was extremely popular among my girlfriends. I also had a tiny faceted bottle of Raining Violets, which I didn’t really like the smell of but loved that the perfume was purple.

My sister had a bottle of Avon’s Roses, Roses, the truest rose scent I’ve ever smelled. It came in a limited edition yellow bottle in the shape of a woman.

When I started high school at age 14, I moved on to a more adult perfume. Halston was my signature scent. I’d probably loathe it if I smelled it today, but back then it was so chic. It came in a teardrop-shaped bottle and the perfume was rich and smoky and dark. I thought it was so exotic. Surely, Studio 54 must have smelled like this.

Toward the end of high school I switched to Niki de Saint Phalle, because I fell in love with the artistic bottle with two coiled snakes. I still love that scent but can’t find it anymore.

Another favorite at the time was Lou Lou by Cacherel. Once in a while I’ll spot tiny sample-size bottles in discount stores and snatch them up. I still love to wear it now and then.

On a trip to New York when I was a freshman in college, I bought an Italian perfume called Donna. I can’t remember who made it. But it was from NYC and that was all I cared about. I also bought a copy of an Italian fashion magazine called Donna at the same time on an actual New York newsstand. It was about 2 inches thick, cost me $14.00, was in Italian, and I couldn’t read a word of it. But I thought I was on the inside track to the fashion world. My life’s dream at the time was to write for Vogue.

One snowy day at college I was stuck in the school library and came across a huge oversized biography of Coco Chanel. It was full of pictures and I fell in love. When developing her first perfume, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel said she wanted a scent that reminded her of Arctic moonlight. I immediately had to have Chanel No. 5. It’s been my signature scent ever since. I stray once in a while to mix it up a little. But I always return to No. 5.

When I graduated from college I thought for sure I would immediately be snatched up by Vogue magazine as an Editorial Assistant. I wrote an essay on Coco Chanel and sent it off to Grace Mirabella marked Personal and Confidential, not knowing that she was being replaced by Anna Wintour as I was mailing it. Somehow, it got forwarded to Conde Naste’s Human Resources department and I was called in for an interview. I wore my best coat dress, a popular style at the time, and Chanel No. 5. The interviewer told me that no one starts at Vogue, you have to work your way up. Then she gave me a typing test, which I promptly failed, and that was the end of that.

Over the years I have liked other perfumes: Poeme by Lancome, L’Heure Bleu by Guerlain, Soir de Paris by Bourjois, Fleurissimo by Creed. I’ve even tried some of the other Chanels, but nothing has ever suited my personality, lifestyle and dreams like No. 5. I think it is the most perfect fragrance in the world. It’s what a woman should smell like.

What is your perfume history?

Second Earth Found Nearby

Only 20 light years away, scientists have found an earth-like planet orbiting a star in the constellation Libra.

They believe the planet to be 1.5 times the size of Earth and to have a comfortably warm temperature. Because of its warmth, the planet could also have water, which is a basic ingredient for life. The planet could potentially have a habitable atmosphere.

More research is needed. But this is a major milestone in the search for life in the universe.

Click here for the full story.

Look, sir. Droids!

Thought for the Day

“If everything is under control, you are going too slow.”
- Mario Andretti

What Do Your Favorite Celebrities Smell Like?

Ever wonder what fragrance your favorite celebrities wear? Not the ones they sell, but the ones they actually choose to wear?

Nicole Kidman promotes Chanel No. 5 but I’ve heard her mention in interviews that she’s worn Tea Rose since she was a teenager.

Although Actress Rachel Weisz appears in ads for Burberry, I read in an interview that she always wears Cristalle by Chanel.

Jacqueline Bisset always wore the classic Arpege by Lanvin. In the movie Day for Night, you can see a bottle of it on her dressing table.

Jacqueline Kennedy, they say, always wore Joy by Jean Patou, known as the costliest perfume in the world.

Princess Rainier of Monaco commissioned Fleurissimo by Creed for Grace Kelly for their wedding day. It’s a lovely fragrance. But did she actually wear it? I wonder.

Many celebrities and historical figures have been known to wear Creed fragrances.

George Clooney is said to wear Green Irish Tweed. Supposedly, Frank Sinatra wore Bois du Portugal. And Julia Roberts wears Spring Flowers. I’ve read that Madonna is partial to Tubereuse Indiana. And Tâbarome was created by Creed for Winston Churchill.

Creed has a private collection of perfumes created for legendary film stars:

Angélique Encens was created for Marlene Dietrich in 1933.

Cuir de Russie was created for Errol Flynn in 1938.

Fleur de Thé Rose Bulgare was created for Ava Gardner in 1948.

Sélection Verte was created for Cary Grant in 1955.

Jasmal was created for Natalie Wood in 1959.

If you want to try a fragrance by Creed, I suggest you start with Fleurissimo. It’s magnificent.

I’m partial to Chanel No. 5 myself. I’ve worn it since I was a teenager. I also occasionally wear Ferragamo.

What perfume do you wear?

How To: Rest Without Sleep

Have you ever tried meditation? Don’t be put off by the new age, yoga guru reputation of the word “meditate.” It’s actually very easy and enjoyable.

Try it. It only takes 20 minutes. You’ll feel refreshed and mentally alert.

It’s all about relaxation and clearing your mind.

I prefer to meditate lying down, not sitting up. I’m more comfortable that way.

If you like, put on some peaceful, calming music. I have a CD of classical harp music with ocean waves in the background. It’s soothing and doesn’t interfere with my thoughts.

Breathing is key. Start by counting as your breathe. Inhale to a count of four, let your breath hang for a moment, and then exhale to a count of four. Do this several times, and then increase the count to 6, then 8.

Think about relaxing your body one part at a time. Start with your toes, then your feet, your ankles, calves, thighs, keep moving upward until you reach the very top of your head.

When you are fully relaxed, your mind will open. Let your mind think any thoughts it wants.

If you need some ideas to get you started, think of colors. Start with yellow, let it turn into green, then blue, then purple, then red, then orange. Let your mind take it from there. It will guide you.

You will be surprised at the amazing thoughts you will have.

Set up a special place that is all yours. It could be your bedroom, or a corner nook in your house, or in your back yard, wherever you are comfortable and can be alone and uninterrupted.

Meditation is the path to self-discovery.

Tea Time – April 2007

When you need a little quiet time, try some Green Tea with Jasmine.

Trader Joe’s sells a lovely jasmine-scented green tea. It has a calming scent that is as fragrant as it is tasty.

Aromatherapy and antioxidants in one cup.

Happy Earth Day

Sarah Brightman singing What a Wonderful World from her “Harem” tour

Oliver Stone To Direct Anti-War TV Spot

Oliver Stone will direct a TV commercial as part of a campaign by MoveOn.org and VoteVets.org to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq.

“We have leaders in Washington who say they’re supporting our troops but the people who suffer most from their policies are the troops themselves,” Stone said.

“I decided to participate in this project because, as a veteran, I know that America needs to listen to our servicemen and women. They’ve been there and they know what’s really going on. They need to be part of this debate.”

Stone, a three-time Academy Award winner, is a Vietnam veteran. He won the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster.

His most recent films are World Trade Center and Alexander.

Read the full story on Yahoo News.