If It Fits It Ships -- Not So Fast There Perfume

We've all seen those commercials from the United States Post Office proclaiming whatever you can fit in one of their flat rate boxes (as long as it's under 70 pounds) ships for a low flat rate. This does not hold true when it comes to mailing perfume. Due to their flammable nature, fragrances containing alcohol, cannot be shipped via air (so no Priority or Express Mail). This also means that shipping perfume to Hawaii is not permitted since there are no ground shipping options to the islands. Packages containing perfume must also weigh less than 16 ounces. Recently, I shipped a package containing three one ounce bottles of perfume.  Between wrapping the bottles in bubble wrap, plus packing peanuts, the package was well over a pound. I was told I'd have to rewrap the package. The post office has advised that each bottle should be shipped separately. Also, perfume containing alcohol is prohibited in international shipments.

Featured Customer: Kathryn Janus

Kathryn with her adorable fur babies Daniel & Harry

Favorite You Scent Me products: Spray perfumes in Paulette's Pink Sugar, Kathryn's Kandy (our version of Prada Candy) & Angel for Men (Type).

A former actress, struggling with which direction to go, Kathryn Janus' deep interest in human beings, their stories, and understanding how these stories shape us, led her to a career as a psychotherapist. Kathryn, who has practices in NYC and upstate Beacon, NY has over 30 years experience as a psychotherapist. She is an advanced clinician in Imago relationship therapy (couples counseling). She offers individual, couples, and group therapy incorporating Gestalt and psychodrama. Her most recent interest has been in pet loss counseling. She saw a need in pet loss counseling that many therapists don't know how to address.

Affiliations: New York Association for Imago Relationship Therapists
                Pet Loss Professionals Alliance
                Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement

Kathryn's hobbies include antiquing, auctions, thrift store shopping, movies, and theatre. She lives in New York City with her husband Jeff and two Malteses. She is active in the Metropolitan Maltese Rescue.

Kathryn is available by appointment at her New York City office Monday-Friday (212) 222-5086 and at her Beacon, NY (Duchess County) practice Thursday-Friday (845) 831-5656.

Happy Holidays from the Dancing Snowmen!

Soapy Summer Sendoff

I always get melancholy when summer's over. Shorter daylight hours mean less time for outdoor activities. Fortunately some soapmaking classes hosted by Marla Bosworth of Back Porch Soap Company helped take the sting out of saying goodbye to summer. Our special guest instructors were Amanda Griffin of Lovin Soap and Holly Port of Lotion Bar Cafe.

In the first class I attended, Amanda and Holly showed us how to make soap cupcakes, salt bar smoothies, and soap lattes.

After class, a New York City Beauty Meetup was held for industry professionals at Calle Ocho.

The next morning, Amanda and Holly showed us how to do a peacock swirl, hearts, and flowers.

A very special thank you to everybody's favorite Teaching Assistant, Angela Carillo of Alegna Soap.

Introducing Mojito Soap!

Inspired by the cocktail of the same name, our mojito soap is a perfect pick-me-up from the dog days of summer. It's naturally fragranced with lime and spearmint essential oils.

Sparkle Up!

I was really touched when I went to visit Mom at the nursing home over the weekend, and saw the enthusiastic staff of Sparkle Up doing hair, makeup, and manicures for the residents. Sparkle Up specializes in glamour parties and has a full skin care and makeup line for special events.

Sparkle Up is located in New City, New York. Sunday was the first time they have done an outside event. The idea for the event came from co-owner Deborah Spagnoli who feels that "beauty is ageless."

Mom loved having her hair done. Another resident who was having her nails done, said that she loved having the opportunity to be pampered.

Mackenzie gives a manicure

Deborah gives a resident a new 'do

In Memorium

Arthur Nadel
1928-2012

On Thursday, May 31, my father-in-law Arthur Nadel passed. He was 84. Through his actions, Artie raised the bar on what it meant to be a good husband. His love and devotion to his wife Mildred is the stuff they make movies about. While Artie was in a nursing home on a rehab floor for a broken hip, he voluntary moved to spend the rest of his days in an Alzheimer's ward so his Millie would not be alone. Through 61 years of marriage, Artie and Millie were deeply, madly, passionately in love. Throughout his illness, he never cared about his own declining health, only about the well-being of his beloved Millie.

In addition to Millie, he is survived by the three sons he was so proud of, Michael, Steve (Sue), and Gary (Denise), and the grandchildren he adored, Adam, Matthew, Daniel, and Lauren.

Artie's funeral was on Friday. When we arrived home, there were a couple of messages on our answering machine asking if Artie had anything to do with Johan Santana pitching the first no-hitter in the history of his beloved New York Mets. We like to think he did, and if there's a heaven, he's holding court playing cards and telling his jokes to a whole new audience.