The holidays are such a great time to get together with friends and family. And while its great to get a gift to thank your hostess wouldn’t it be nice to forgo another flower arrangement and give her something she will  really love? I have compiled a few of my favorite gifts that I would love to give or receive as a hostess gift. Gifts this great will soon be followed with another party invitation.

These candles smells so great! I love the mini size a perfect way to add great scents anywhere in your place.

Slatkin & Co. Mini Candles

Half of the fun of being home for the holidays is indulging in holiday treats with close friends and family. These scents in Marshmallow Fireside, Chocolate Mint and Homemade Cookies have captured the delicious aromas of the holidays but are calorie-free!

Marshmallow Fireside
Toasted marshmallows and sweet vanilla cream wrapped in the aroma of rich smoldering woods.

Chocolate Mint
A delicious blend of rich semi-sweet chocolate, dark cocoa and sweet peppermint enhanced with a touch of vanilla cream and white chocolate.

Homemade Cookies
Whipped buttercream and pure cane sugar mixed with vanilla bean and rich, sweet cream for this fresh baked treat.

Available at www.bathandbodyworks.com and Bath & Body Works stores.
3 Mini Candles for $5 or $3.50 each

One of my favorite new bath and body scents this season. The Pomegranate scent is so luxurious, a zesty burst of citrus and ripe pomegranate, I am head over heels. I am so in love with the Lip Butter I have been forcing all my girlfriends to try it and they are quick to understand my obsession.

Crabtree & Evelyn: NEW Pomegranate, Argan and Grapeseed Hand, Bath, Body

Crabtree & Evelyn new Pomegranate, Argan with Grapeseed Body and Hand Care Collection of Deep Cleansing Hand Wash, Age Defying Hand Remedy,Hand Therapy, Hand Recovery and Antibacterial Hand Gel, together with Body Care collection of Cleansing Bath & Shower Gel, Body Bar, Smoothing Body Scrub, Quenching Body Lotion, Indulging Body Cream and Lip Butter are created from a unique blend of powerful natural ingredients to protect, restore and soften your skin.

$6-$68

Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap
You can’t go wrong with the yummy holiday foaming soaps from Bath and Body Works. I really loved the Fall collection I like a different scent in each bathroom I still can’t decide which is my favorite. Any hostess would love to receive a basket of these soaps.

Soft bursts of lightweight foam gently wash away dirt and germs, while leaving skin soft and lightly scented.

• An exclusive blend of moisturizing honey, coconut milk and olive fruit extracts helps to nourish and soften skin
• Mango fruit extract gently cleans hands and leaves them feeling conditioned and soft.

You can’t go wrong with a Molton Brown candle. One of my favorite candle scents, Imp’s Whisper, is so amazing and makes my house smell fantastic. Any of the great scents from the Molton Brown candle collection would make a great hostess gift.

Molton Brown Imp’s Whisper Medio Candela

Have you heard? A tale on the wind. Alchemy unearthed. Our imp’s whisper medio candle evokes a sense of exploration and optimism with its uplifting perfume. Lavender, tobacco, vetiver, sandalwood and musk create a scent that has both vigor and serenity. Burn time to 30-40 hours.

$49

Disclosure: Complimentary items from some of the above mentioned items have been sent to me for an honest review.

I was so excited to try this new collection constant flip flop wearing and trips to the beach had left my feet dry and not pretty. I have shared a few of my favorite items.

Crabtree & Evelyn introduces new La Source Foot Spa Collection.

Comprised of indulgent foot treatments, innovative accessories and relaxing home fragrances, this collection gives you the tools to create a tranquil spa experience in your own home. Whether you have ten minutes at the end of a long day or a leisurely weekend morning to treat yourself, La Source Foot Spa Collection contains all you need to soothe, refresh and rejuvenate aching feet and legs in a relaxing spa environment.

This lotion it downright amazing, its by far the quickest working foot lotion I have tried and I have used quite a few. I slather it on every night and within 2 days my heels are reborn!

ULTRA MOISTURISING FOOT REMEDY

Experience Wonderfully Soft Feet With Our Moisturising Foot Remedy, Featuring A Blend Of Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, And Jojoba Esters. Enriched With Marine Extracts And Tocotrienol, A Potent Form Of Vitamin E.

Sugar-Derived Ingredient Naturally Deodorises And Freshens
Helps Feet Feel Supple And Conditioned
Free Of Parabens, Mineral Oil, And Propylene Glycol
Fragrance: Relaxing Sea Air

$17.50

A great foot mask it includes 5 little plastic bag booties I didn’t love them on their own but under socks they stay put and do wonders for my feet and heels in one treatment.

INTENSIVE CONDITIONING FOOT MASK

Deeply Condition Your Feet With Our Luxuriously Rich And Creamy Foot Mask, Formulated With Nourishing Shea Butter, Revitalising Marine Extracts And Peppermint Oil, And Sugar Extracts To Help Smooth Away Roughness.

Cool And Relaxes Tired Feet
Moisturises, Softens, And Conditions In 20 Minutes
Free Of Parabens, Mineral Oil, And Propylene Glycol
Fragrance: Relaxing Sea Air

$14.00

This soak is enough to keep me away from overpriced pedicures at the nail salon. Feels like heaven on my feet, its the perfect soak while I get my reality TV guilty pleasures watching Big Brother and So You Think You Can Dance.

EFFERVESCENT SEA FOAM FOOT SOAK
Our Delightfully Fizzing And Foaming Foot Soak Is Formulated With Conditioning Spirulina And Laminaria Seaweed, Along With Emollients To Help Smooth Away Roughness For Silky Soft Feet.

First Step In Your At-Home Pedicure Ritual
Conditioning Seaweeds And Moisturising Emollients
Free Of Parabens, Mineral Oil, And Propylene Glycol
Fragrance: Relaxing Sea Air

$10.50

Disclosure: Complimentary products were sent to me for and honest review.

New from Crabtree & Evelyn’s NEW Citron bath and body care range, featuring extracts of Honey & Coriander. Inspired by a fragrance journey to the sun-kissed Mediterranean where citron, one of the first of all cultivated citrus fruits flourishes, the purest of honey is gathered in the warmth of the day, and peppery coriander is lovingly nurtured in herb gardens, Crabtree & Evelyn has crafted this naturally refreshing and beautifully scented collection.

Freshly picked just for you, this botanically based range features natural extracts of lemon, honey, and coriander, as well as nourishing orchard fruits, refining AHAs, purifying herbs, as well as skin conditioning shea butter and evening primrose oil. Skin is left smooth, supple, and lightly scented with the uplifting notes of Citron lemon, lemon rind and lemon leaf, sweet honey, juniper and cypress, along with a bite of peppery coriander seed.

This refreshingly gentle range is ideal for all skin types and is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, nitrosamines, propylene glycol, and mineral oil.

The new Citron range for the body and bath includes five skus: Skin Cleansing Bath & Shower Gel, Refreshing Body Bar, Skin Smoothing Body Scrub, Skin Quenching Body Lotion and Skin Indulging Body Soufflé. SRPs range from $10.00-$28.00. Available January 2011.

I love this new line I got the chance to try a few items, and they smell delicious! The perfect pick me up for a cold winter day.

I love this soap its the highlight of my morning! The Citron and Honey mingle for such a bright refreshing scent that helps wake you up, the warm coriander evens out the scent. I can’t think of a better scent for winter and early spring.

Citron, Honey & Coriander Refreshing Body Bar

This gentle yet deep-cleansing body bar helps purify the skin with a blend of eight herbs including goldenseal, rosemary, thyme, and tea tree. Formulated with a natural sugar-derived deodoriser to keep you fresh all day, along with evening primrose oil, shea butter, and honey to moisturise and condition the skin.

$10

I love a good scrub and the Citron Skin Smoothing Body Scrub does not disappoint! Same great warm citrus scents with a great Sunflower wax beads that is perfect for winter. It buffs my sensitive winter skin but is gentle enough to not aggravate my skin.

Citron, Honey & Coriander Skin Smoothing Body Scrub

This body scrub gently and effectively exfoliates with sunflower wax beads to reveal softer and smoother skin. A blend of peach kernel, pumpkin, jojoba, and soybean oils adds moisture and conditioning. Honey and extracts of fig and apricot provide rich nourishment to the skin.

Sunflower wax beads gently exfoliate in one easy step.
Instantly softens and smoothes skin.
Free of phthalates, mineral oil, propylene glycol, parabens, and sodium sulfates.

Disclosure: Complimentary samples of the above mentioned items were sent to me for review

$20

Crabtree & Evelyn launches NEW CITRON, HONEY & CORIANDER HAND THERAPY COLLECTION of naturally based hand creams, washes and treatments specifically formulated to help hands preserve their youthful appearance. Drawing on a rich botanical heritage, the range features extracts of lemon, coriander and honey – known to soothe dry, irritated skin – as well as myrrh, which has been shown to help condition nails and cuticles. In addition, a unique blend, including thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree, golden seal, and willow bark, works together in the rich formulations to leave hands feeling softer and looking younger. The range is free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.

My hands and my face suffer the most when the weather changes. My hands seem like they’re always dry! When I received these new products I about did a back flip. I was so excited to try these products, and they totally exceeded my expectations! They are amazing! They have completely transformed my hands! They are so soft, and the results are visible! My hands will never be the same! I’m totally addicted!

I loved these products so much – I bought some to give out this Christmas! They’re awesome!!!

NEW CITRON HONEY & CORIANDER HAND REMEDY helps reduce the visible signs of aging and leaves hands feeling soft and smooth with a more youthful appearance. In consumer tests, 92% of women who tried the product felt that Hand Remedy left their hands feeling more supple.

Blending the best of nature and science, NEW REJUVENATING HAND REMEDY absorbs into the skin with naturally derived sugar and pea extracts to help even out skin tone and a peptide blend that has been shown to visually plump and improve skin suppleness. Our age defying formula contains a unique time released capsule, including known antioxidants (vitamins C, E, and Tocotrienol) which have been found to minimize the damaging effects caused by free radicals. In addition, botanical extracts of lemon, honey, and coriander as well as a custom blend of natural butter and oils – shea butter, soy, sweet almond and jojoba oils – have been added to moisturise. Free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.

Ritual: Apply liberally to hands each night or when additional care is needed to help reveal softer, younger-looking hands. (3.4 FL OZ/$24.00)

NEW CITRON HONEY & CORIANDER HAND RECOVERY differs from other products on the market because it leaves hands feeling noticeably softer and smoother immediately! Awarded a British patent, the revolutionary formulation contains three sizes of natural exfoliators – fine pumice and two sizes of salt crystals – which polish and retexturise the surface of hands. In addition, botanical extracts of lemon, honey, and coriander, along with a blend of nine emollients, including over 35% Macadamia Nut Oil, Palm and Shea Butters, help condition even the driest of hands. Free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.

Ritual: Use 2-3 times a week. Apply while hands are dry. Massage into hands, front and back, to distribute evenly. Rinse with water. (3.5 OZ/$20.00)

More awesome products after the jump! Keep Reading More »

Crabtree & Evelyn launches NEW CITRON, HONEY & CORIANDER HAND THERAPY COLLECTION of naturally based hand creams, washes and treatments specifically formulated to help hands preserve their youthful appearance. Drawing on a rich botanical heritage, the range features extracts of lemon, coriander and honey – known to soothe dry, irritated skin – as well as myrrh, which has been shown to help condition nails and cuticles. In addition, a unique blend, including thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree, golden seal, and willow bark, works together in the rich formulations to leave hands feeling softer and looking younger. The range is free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.

My hands and my face suffer the most when the weather changes. My hands seem like they’re always dry! When I received these new products I about did a back flip. I was so excited to try these products, and they totally exceeded my expectations! They are amazing! They have completely transformed my hands! They are so soft, and the results are visible! My hands will never be the same! I’m totally addicted!

NEW CITRON HONEY & CORIANDER HAND REMEDY helps reduce the visible signs of aging and leaves hands feeling soft and smooth with a more youthful appearance. In consumer tests, 92% of women who tried the product felt that Hand Remedy left their hands feeling more supple.

Blending the best of nature and science, NEW REJUVENATING HAND REMEDY absorbs into the skin with naturally derived sugar and pea extracts to help even out skin tone and a peptide blend that has been shown to visually plump and improve skin suppleness. Our age defying formula contains a unique time released capsule, including known antioxidants (vitamins C, E, and Tocotrienol) which have been found to minimize the damaging effects caused by free radicals. In addition, botanical extracts of lemon, honey, and coriander as well as a custom blend of natural butter and oils – shea butter, soy, sweet almond and jojoba oils – have been added to moisturise. Free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.

Ritual: Apply liberally to hands each night or when additional care is needed to help reveal softer, younger-looking hands. (3.4 FL OZ/$24.00)

NEW CITRON HONEY & CORIANDER HAND RECOVERY differs from other products on the market because it leaves hands feeling noticeably softer and smoother immediately! Awarded a British patent, the revolutionary formulation contains three sizes of natural exfoliators – fine pumice and two sizes of salt crystals – which polish and retexturise the surface of hands. In addition, botanical extracts of lemon, honey, and coriander, along with a blend of nine emollients, including over 35% Macadamia Nut Oil, Palm and Shea Butters, help condition even the driest of hands. Free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.

Ritual: Use 2-3 times a week. Apply while hands are dry. Massage into hands, front and back, to distribute evenly. Rinse with water. (3.5 OZ/$20.00)

More awesome products after the jump! Keep Reading More »

  India Hicks Island Night Collection

India Hicks was inspired by her life in the Caribbean to create Island Night, a fragrance collection that captures the essence of twilight in the islands – a mood of barefoot elegance in a topical garden lit only by the moon and stars.

Scent: Purple and white orchids, night blooming jasmine, orange blossom nectar and green island palms entwined with a woody musk accord.

I am simply smitten with the whole Island Night Collection, the fragrance is unique and smells so delicious. Crabtree & Evelyn’s India Hicks Island Night Creamy Body Wash is just that luxurious and creamy, my skin is so soft and moisturized after I shower I  can skip body lotion.

India Hicks Island Night
Creamy Body Wash
Gentle cleansing body wash bathes skin in rich foaming lather and the beautiful fragrance of a moonlit tropical garden. Moisturizing coconut and mango oils combined with a unique blend of silk amino acids and crushed pearl smooth and silken the skin.

* Gentle foaming lather
* 20% moisturizing mango and coconut oils
* Smoothing silk amino acids and crushed pearl
* Luxurious Island Night fragrance

Scent: Purple and white orchids, night-blooming jasmine, green island palms and orange blossom nectar entwined with a soft woody musk accord.

$20.00 Island Night Creamy Body Wash

Lucky Subscription

You owe yourself a trip to Crabtree & Evelyn to check out the India Hicks Island Night Rich Body Cream. It is such a decadent lotion it glides on your skin and absorbs quickly leaving my skin feeling and smelling amazing.

India Hicks Island Night
Rich Body Cream
Rich moisturizing formula glides on easily, then absorbs quickly, leaving skin velvety soft and beautifully scented the essence of Island Night. An ultra-moisturizing blend of coconut and olive oils softens and rejuvenates skin as silk amino acids and crushed pearl impart a smooth silky sheen.

* Rich moisturizing formula
* Skin rejuvenating coconut & olive oils
* Skin smoothing crushed pearl & silk amino acids
* Luxurious Island Night fragrance

Scent: Purple and white orchids, night-blooming jasmine, green island palms and orange blossom nectar entwined with a soft woody musk accord.

$30.00 Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Island Night Rich Body Cream

The travel purse alone is worth buying, I love the feel and vintage look of it.  A  splurge for yourself or the perfect gift for the bride to be or new mom. The Spider Lily scent is fresh and definitely reminiscent of a tropical beach, Love it!

India Hicks Island Living
Travel Kit
Vintage-inspired palm print bag holds India Hicks Island Living toiletries in travel-perfect sizes. 8 in. x 5 in x 2.5 in.

* Includes: Spider Lily Body Cream 1.6 oz
* Spider Lily Body Polish 1.6 oz
* Spider Lily Eau de Toilette 1 fl oz

Scent: Tropical green citrus fragrance

$35.00 India Hicks Island Living Travel Kit

Ok by the time I’m burning the candle I am dreaming of a tropical vacation, but since that isn’t in the cards I will settle for some at home spa time. This is the perfect candle to light while you relax in the tub, maybe bring a mimosa? The gentle island scent can help mentally transport you to your happy place.

India Hicks – Island Living
Casuarina Scented Candle
You can never have enough romance. Create atmosphere with the soft glow of candle light and fill rooms with the essence of gentle island breezes.

* Island breeze fragrance
* Hand-crafted rattan basket
* 45 hours burn time

Scent: Casuarinas trees, palm leaves, orange blossoms and sea air. As seen in

$35.00 Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Island Night Casuarina Scented Candle

Father’s Day is just around the corner and I have some great last minute gift ideas for the dads in your life. My husband used to think a bar of soap was all you needed to wash your hair, body and face. In the last couple of years he has started to understand why I shudder when he washes his face with a bar of Irish Spring.

Now I notice my face wash and moisturizers disappear a little faster and he likes to “sample” products with me. For Father’s Day this year my husband is getting a bunch of great skincare products just for men from Crabtree & Evelyn.

I love the scent of the Nomad shave cream very woodsy and manly, it comes it a sleek glass jar and will make shaving a breeze. If your feeling really generous maybe you can give your husband a shave for Father’s Day channeling the infamous Phenomenon scene between Kyra Sedgewick and John Travolta. (check it out here)

Nomad
Shaving Cream Glass Jar
For a truly luxurious shave, we recommend using our rich shaving creams and a natural badger hair brush. Leaves skin feeling ultra smooth and scented with a refreshing blend of ginger, citron and bamboo. May be used without a brush as well.

* Luxurious lather
* Protects against razor burn
* Enriched with antioxidant Vitamin E
* Moisturizing
* Skin conditioning
* Use with or without a brush

Scent: Woody aromatic blend of exotic ginger, citron and green bamboo.

$25.00 Nomad Shaving Cream Glass Jar

An amazing and unique fragrance, Crabtree & Evelyn’s West Indian Lime Cologne smells so good I want to wear it myself. A great cologne he will love to wear and you will love to cuddle close to smell.

West Indian Lime
Cologne
This invigorating tonic blends essences of fresh limes, lemon, orange flower and vetiver – native to the British West Indies – with nutmeg, ginger and coriander and a woody accord of juniper, cedar and sandalwood.

* Timeless classic
* Invigorating citrus scent

Scent: Fresh limes and vetiver blended with nutmeg, ginger, coriander and juniper

$40.00 West Indian Lime Cologne

My husband has been stealing my face moisturizer since he realized he is not immortal and is prone to aging like the rest of us. I know he is going to enjoy his own bottle  of moisturizer and the SPF 15 will help prevent future damage, and keep him looking foxy!

Naturals – Solutions for Men
Daily Face Shield SPF 15 Sunscreen
Protect your skin every day. Mineral-based active sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) provide UVA/UVB protection. Botanical butters, essential oils, peptides and anti-oxidant Tocotrienol (Vitamin E) moisturize, condition and help protect skin from environmental damage.

* Mineral-based UVA/UVB sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
* Broad spectrum UV protection
* Moisturizing, conditioning botanicals
* Anti-aging peptides and tocotrienol
* Fragrance free
* Sulfate free
* No parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol or colorants

On Sale only $10.00 Naturals – Solutions for Men Daily Face Shield SPF 15 Sunscreen