NEW YORK STATE'S 'I LOVE NEW YORK' SCENT(c) By Polly Guerin

New York State Scents with Iconic Tourism Logo

New York may have a bad rap when it comes to smelling fresh like a spring breeze of crystal clean air, but NoHo-based perfumery Bond9, long known for creating artisanal fragrances—now in partnership with the State of New York--- has launched ‘I Love New York,' a perfume collection, whose inspiration is the entire New York State. The collection, created by the brand’s owner Laurice Rahme was launched at the New York State Summer Media Night, held to promote travel within the state. The iconic I Love New York tourisim logo adorns shapely bottles of in different colored bottles. Regardless of what you pick for your vacation signature scent there’s something for almost everyone in this collection.

INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY From landmark waterfalls and wine trails, to a splendor of cultural icons and a wealth of local food and drink, New York offers endless surprises and adventure in every corner. The 'I Love New York' fragrance collection seems to be meant to capture the endless vacation possibilities in New York State. Each fragance has its own distinct message in aromas that inspire one’s desire to travel and enjoy the many wonderful opportunities of discovery and leisure-time pursuits. Even if you journey vicariously there’s a great deal of thought that has gone into each fragrance.

HIS & HER SENTIMENTAL SCENTS The fragrances for his and her have distinct aromas that conjure up sentimental yearnings for the great outdoors. ‘New York for Her,’ fashioned in a Vivid ruby red bottle with peony and patchouli notes suggests—close your eyes and you’ll be transported to the sunny blueberry farms in the Chautauqua-Allegheny area. Well, it certainly beats the unpleasant odors of New York City. Then there’s ‘New York for Him’ in royal blue bottle, which suggests the rugged outdoors, rivers and lakes. Other scents celebrate Earth Day in a Green bottle and ‘New York for All’ with street smart geranium infusions.

MOTHERS & FATHERS AROMAS ‘I Love New York for Mothers’ in a pink bottle, celebrates a state full of tea rooms, hat shops, shoe shops and charming hansom cabs. Not to forget our founding fathers like John Jacob Astor, fur trader andThomas Edison who set up his company in Corning (Finger Lakes) to blow the first light bulbs, and the National Hall of Fame in Cooperstown---this is an amber based scent ‘New York for Fathers.’ A contemporary wedding bouquet of aromas identifies with “I Love New York for Marriage Equality,’ which celebrates New York’s same-sex marriage law in a white bottle with rainbow heart.

Ms. Rahme’s focus on custom-blended scents are sold in five New York area boutiques as well as Saks Fifth Avenue. BondNo9 also has 58 scents for different neighborhoods in the city. For further details check the website: www.BondNo9.

MILLINERS GUILD's Bonnet Bash NIGHT and DAY Show

The Bonnet Bash: Night and Day

Fashionistas’ Millinery: An exciting and distinct way for a millinery designer to exhibit their unique creativity is the subject of a new exhibit, Bonnet Bash, the NIGHT & DAY SHOW show, which is featured in the spectacular venue of the National Arts Club, at 15 Gramercy Park South on 20th Street, New York City. The enchanting presentation, representing the work of some twenty-eight millinery designers, opened last night and is free and open to the public until Friday, March 15, at which time there is a closing night party. When the party is over The Millinery Guild continues to provide a platfrom for millinery designers with its educational seminars and millinery events

ORIGINS OF THE THEME Linda Ashton, the president of Milliners Guild wrote, “A song started to run through my head. It was the Lyrics from a l932 Cole Porter song, Night and Day--- “Night and day you are the one, Only you beneath the moon or under the sun, whether near to me or far it’s not matter darling, where you are, I think of you night and day. Linda continues, “Since each milliner was to create two hats for the event, it made perfect sense to use the tune, as it afforded us the idea for the two hats, ‘one for day’ and ‘one for night’ and the milliners were encouraged to interpret the theme any way they wished.”

THE MILLINERY DESIGNERS Millinery creations and concoctions kept the invited guests entranced by their whimsical quality or serious interpretation. I cannot mention each designer here but jaunty Top Hats by Janet Linville took notice, as did Wanda J. Chambers’s melon colored fedora with striking feather decoration. Most elegant and stylish were the hats of Sally Caswell, Sally Caswell Millinery wtih jaunty straw with floral trim and one delightful concoction of feather origin. Linda Ashton’s beige cloche with button detail tuned into the night’s theme as did Linda Pagan’s theatrical straw top hat with circle feather. My favorite, and I am entitled to have one, was Aaron Keppel’s flying saucer red straw with white brim really which took off with flying colors. Anne dePasquale's fedora stood out in striking contrast to a hat bouquet perched on the head like spring field flowers.

 THE CLOSING NIGHT PARTY Should be lots of fun!!! Dance to the vintage music of the Avalon Jazz Band, strut your headpiece in the hat parade, meet celebrity milliners, craft a chapeau of your own design and peruse the installation which enjoying vintage cocktails, a light supper and parlor entertainments. Vintage-inspired day or evening attire with matching chapeau is highly encouraged. Cost $75. For more info about the artists featured in the show: MillinersGuild.org  Prizes will be awarded for the most Glamorous, Most Outrageous and Best Period Hat.

The Milliners Guild is an essential resource for stylists, Art Directors, Accessories Editors, and distinctive fashioniasts who appreciate fine millinery. Through special events and educational seminars the Guild provides consistent communication to, and education of the public, press and students. For more information about the Guild contact: PR@Milliners Guild.org

LADY'S MAID ON DEMAND (c) By Polly Guerin

Movie: Shall We Dance Serving Ginger Rogers in Bed (1937)

When I hear people being downsized and out of a job I wonder if they have considered entering domestic service to satisfy the needs the tony, trendy people who can afford to pay high salaries for trained help.The increase in the demand for good, reliable help has also come about by the effects of Downton Abbey, and countless of women are fantasizing and yearning to hire a personal lady’s maid. That’s right, there’s a certain kind of glamour that the show projects and after watching characters like Lady Mary get impeccably dressed women, who can afford it are looking for someone to take great care of their seasonal wardrobe, maintain the garments in pristine clean condition and also prepare and layout clothing for special events.

LEND ME A STYLIST Some women associate the career as a ladies maid as a put down, but when you consider that salaries for such service can escalate way up to $60,000 a year and better, it’s worth considering. Of course, if you are too pretty for the job you may not get hired, so it would be wise to downplay your attractiveness, cause your lady boss may consider you competition for her husband. Training may also require some time and investment but it may be worth investigating at the Society of Staffing or check out The Butler Did It, Inc. for starters to a new profession, which often comes with some perks. Better yet to give yourself the finest of training head for England where professional training is at its peak to meet society’s demands.

PERKS OF THE PROFESSION If a client is wealthy the extra perks that come with a domestic service might mean performing the same service elsewhere; like a swanky apartment in New York or Paris, and in summer or at winter break go along to the beach or country house or accompany the same client on exotic vacations. You may have to wear a uniform that would save on your clothing budget,  but then again maybe not. Just look at the maid in the image above she is wearing an exotic form fitting dress, but of course that is a Hollywood version of a maid's attire. Some women don’t want a live-in domestic but prefer hiring on occasion a fashion stylist to put their image together for career or social events. No doubt, a well-trained lady’s maid can help you make the right appearance, but it is a pricey indulgence that most working women cannot afford. Celebrities often hire an all-in-one person called a personal assistant, who performs a myriad of jobs and these careers also pay extremely well. However, I’ve read that some of those celebs can be pretty demanding so take caution before you leap into this profession.

REQUIREMENTS ARE HIGH You may not be working for the English royals in a countryside estate or great palace but the surroundings of a posh apartment or mansion can be just as demanding. For one thing, most clients want staffers to be well-educated, fluent in at least one language, well-traveled with a valid passport and able to drive them about if necessary. Consider the consequences of the job as lady’s maid. Your role as staffer means that you have to cater to the client and what’s more drop everything at the client’s request to even arrange for the complete contents of a dinner party. If that be the case just be sure that additional services are woven into your contract. Yes, don’t forget to spell everything out that is expected of you for that great salary.

THE QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF: ARE YOU CUT OUT OF THE CLOTH OF SENSIBILITY TO WORK AS A LADY’S MAID? IT MAY NOT BE A LIFE LONG CAREER BUT JUST THINK OF THE ADVANTAGES. IF YOU ARE A FULL TIME STAFFER YOU CAN SAVE MOST OF YOUR SALARY WHILE YOU ENJOY FREE RENT AND MEALS AS ANOTHER VALUE PERK OF YOUR CHOSEN CAREER. BONNE CHANCE!!! PS I have been told that it would help if you spoke French as well.