Bath and Body Works

Bath & Body Works has gone through quite a few iterations over the years. I remember when it was a quasicountrified place with strong scented lotions, but these days it reminds me more of a spa than a farm. Part of that feel comes from the high-end brands stocked in the store, but that's about to change.

According to WWD, Bath & Body Works is cutting its outside vendor list in half. Products from Peter Thomas Roth, Korres, Juvena, DDF, and the Savannah Bee Company will all be out by the end of the year. So if you're a fan of these lines, pick them up now — or just plan on doing so elsewhere at a later time.

Source

On October 15, Bath & Body Works launched a new fragrance line called Velvet Tuberose. It's a sensual blend of tuberose, orchids and cashmere accord.

The fragrance is made from citrus, magnolia, apricot, ylang ylang, green, white tuberose, white freesia, cyclamen, diamond orchid, gardenia, jasmine, amber, sandalwood, exotic spices, fig, cashmere accord and musks. Initially, it has a strong floral and feminine smell, but as it wears, it dries to a heady, sexy almost woodsy and spicier scent.

The Velvet Tuberose collection includes a shower gel ($10), bubble bath ($10), body Lotion ($10), silk body lotion ($17.50), body cream ($11), body butter ($14), wallflower scents ($12.50), a candle ($17) and home fragrance oil ($7.50).

I just ran across this velvet tote bag from Goldie, and as cute as it is on the outside, what's inside is even better. It's packed with 15 travel-sized beauty samples from Bath and Body Works, so you can try new treats. I'm squinting to see what's in there, but it looks like (among other things) you'll get aromatherapy body lotion, C.O. Bigelow Mentha body wash, Sea Island Cotton body lotion, foot lotion, and lip balm. But I've saved the best for last: Regularly $50, this made-in-the-USA tote is now just twenty bucks. Not a bad price for two accessories and a haul of beauty booty! Want more bargains? Check out deals and steals at InStyle.com.

Muscle-sculpting footwear is all the rage right now. From MBT's to Earth shoes, we are all looking to get a little more out of our shoes than just something to walk in. This summer, you may not want to walk around in chunky and sweaty muscle-sculpting sneaks this summer, so why not flip flips, 'er I mean FitFlops.

FitFlips are the latest in muscle-sculpting footwear as they are claimed to tone and trim legs, burn calories, absorb shock and improve posture. They do all this with the microwobbleboard sole (basically a mini-balancing board) on the shoe. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get my hands feet on a pair of these prized possessions as they are flying off shelves at Bath & Body Works here in the U.S. while over 15,000 folks in the UK are waiting for a pair (they sold out there within three days). You can pre-order them online at Bliss.com for $45, but that's $7 over the regular retail price.

Now if they could make a shoe that slaps my hand when I even think about ordering a Cinnabon...

Ever since that chocolate fashion show the other day, I've been having a serious sweets craving. But while it may not be practical to clothe yourself in chocolate, you can easily incorporate it into your beauty routine. Especially with the holidays approaching, there are tons of great chocolate-scented beauty products to make you irresistible from head-to-toe. Here are some of my yummiest finds.

Philosophy Double Rich Hot Cocoa, $16, available here. This shower gel and bubble bath smells like hot chocolate but will leave you feeling squeaky clean, not sticky.

Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Toilette, $98 for a 1.7-ounce bottle, available here. This tried-but-true fragrance famously pioneered notes of chocolate in a sophisticated scent.

Bath & Body Works Temptations Wickedly Hot Chocolate Shimmer Body Cream, $12, available here. This choco-hazelnut lotion will leave your skin with just a bit of shimmer.

To see the rest, read more