A friend of mine recently sent me a wonderful gift: the Alora Ambiance Reed Diffuser in Uno. Alora Ambiance was, as I understand it, the first company to introduce the diffuser concept to the United States, based off a home fragrance tradition that the founding partners — sisters — stumbled across while living in Italy near the gorgeous Lago di Como. This lovely concept has been highly successful in the US, and has since seen a variety of companies introduce similar products.

Uno is described as Alora's sweetest fragrance, a feminine composition of muguet, lemon, sandalwood and musk. The first time I tested it, I dabbed a bit on the back of my hand and inhaled. It was a cold, wet, end-of-winter day here in New York, but I found myself transported to an early morning in northern Italy...

I have always had a soft spot for Valentine's Day. I can't help but feel that there must be just a little bit of magic in anything that brings deep rose, burgundy and crimson colors into the heart of a fluffy white snow-filled February. Small but decadent boxes of chocolate beckon, velvety red petals abound, a brief moment in time where one is allowed to be unabashedly romantic if one wishes....

Having only recently discovered Les Parfums de Rosine, I am tempted to say that this delightful, albeit expensive, little Parisian line is sort of the fragrance industry equivalent of Valentine's Day...

Of late, I have been consciously trying to switch most of my household cleaning products over to those made by eco-friendly companies. After several month's effort, I've become so unused to "chemical smell" that on the rare occasion I do use something full of chemicals, I find the harsh aroma harder to endure than I once did. The difference is really notable. And while at one point in the past, I would have assumed that in order to go 'natural' I would have to lower my expectations for the creativity/enjoyability factor, the new line of household products by Seventh Generation says otherwise.

Seventh Generation has updated their line of products; there are seven scents, and they all sound quite tempting: White Flower & Bergamot Citrus, Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender, Lemongrass & Clementine Zest, Lavender Floral & Mint, Emerald Cypress & Fir, Green Mandarin & Leaf, and Ruby Grapefruit & Herb...

Molton Brown is a line of products I'm not terribly familiar with, although my sense is that they are generally quite good, if not outrageously wonderful. I occasionally come across them in the bathrooms of upscale hotels, or when I sneak into a business class bathroom on an overseas flight. I love the English look and feel about them, a sort of steady and reassuring quality, unflappable with a stiff upper lip.

Several years ago I came across their Naran Ji Liquid Hand Wash and Soothing Hand Lotion in the ladies room in the lobby of the Peninsula hotel in New York. I used it with great interest and enjoyment, and my lingering recollection is an experience of quite tenacious orange blossom that softly cocooned my hands in a subtle silken luxury...

Some people are affected by “fancy” clothes — the moment they don a hat they become self conscious and tilt their heads in unnatural ways. Put this type of person’s feet into expensive shoes and he or she begins to mince about, or trip over their own feet. Dress such a man or woman in a sleek new suit or dress and you may create a person who exaggerates every glance, augments all movements or ‘gilds’ each gesture.

During my childhood, if my grandmother caught me prancing grandly about in a brand new outfit, she would shout: “Aren’t you high and mighty? Doing the cakewalk!” When my grandmother’s elderly sisters and their daughters would visit us on Sundays or holidays, they would often dress up; they would emerge from their cars with scarves wrapped about their shoulders or around their throats, shaking out their long skirts and patting their hair. As the women walked across the lawn to our door, their high heels sank into the ground, and the ladies crouched down, swayed, and held on to each other or stretched out their arms to balance themselves. My grandmother, her face expressionless, her arms akimbo, would look at this ‘parade’ from the kitchen window and quietly say: “They’re doing the cakewalk"...

Miller Harris has launched a new candle in their Jane Birkin-inspired L'Air de Rien fragrance. According to house perfumer Lyn Harris...

As the nights draw in, I long for cosy evenings in and I love to burn candles to create a warm and comforting ambience. This year I am very excited about the new l’air de rien candle that I created for Jane Birkin with its deep, dark, amber notes, patchouli, musk and vanilla.

The 175gr candle is £32. (quote via millerharris, found via aufeminin)

As the autumn deepens and winter approaches, the mood that I want to create in my house invariably changes. Light floral scents lose their appeal and more robust woods and resins gain favor, as I look for fragrances that are more introspective, warm and inviting. And as the holidays approach, new scents (or repackaged scents) hit the market, all claiming to create that special ambience. Tocca's Cortina (Brazilian Elemi Wood) candle is described on some websites as "a scent that evokes images of a roaring fire and the comfort of a mug of hot mulled wine".

As I tend to dislike overly gourmand home scents, and or anything that smells too identifiably "holiday-esque", that description didn't convince me, but Tocca desribes it somewhat differently: "The crisp, inviting scent of Elemi Wood whisks you away to this famous mountainside getaway where romance and adventure abound." Having never been to Cortina, I can't speak to their accuracy, but I can say that the Cortina candle turned out to be a lovely surprise...

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to look into the many products which donate a portion of their proceeds to a breast cancer related cause. The ones that stand out for me are those which have promised 100% of their sales profits to the research and charitable organizations of their choice. Antica Farmacista is one such company, with all the proceeds of their Peonia Romantico home fragrance diffuser going to Gilda's Club, an organization dedicated to "providing an emotional and social support community as an essential complement to medical treatment when cancer is in the family...." Gilda's Club supports those living with all types of cancer through its wonderful free networks, support systems, and sharing of collective wisdom and expertise.

In keeping with this call for love, nurture and support for those who are at their most vulnerable, Antica Farmacista has aptly chosen their delightful Peonia Romantico fragrance as the flag bearer for this charitable promotion...

Diptyque has launched a trio of limited edition holiday candles for 2007.

Épicéa (Spruce, shown) ~ "The scent of leaves, pine resin and wet birch bark mingle with risinig wisps of vetiver, cedar and sandalwood."

Gingembre (Ginger) ~ "Spices and citrus fruit tossed on wood and roots."...

In light of the increasing awareness, discussion and even debate about climate change and the environment, I wanted to take a look at some 'eco-friendly' scented house products this month. I confess that I have never been a big purchaser of specifically eco-friendly products as I rarely find them as compelling (both on and off the shelf) as I do their non eco-friendly counterparts. That may only be because I am a willing victim of superior marketing budgets, but often I find the fragrances less interesting as well. There are of course many cases in the fragrance industry where 'all natural' is also a top of the line item, but they tend to be fairly pricey.

So starting with the basics, like home cleaning items, I thought it would be great to find products that smell fantastic, are eco-friendly and financially viable. Today I will be reviewing a number of items I purchased online from Earth Friendly Products...