This Monday, January 18^th, we launch my new Slatkin & Co. spring 2010 home fragrance collection at Bath & Body Works and BBW.com. (You can actually get a preview at bbw.com already!) The theme is Tropical Escape. I don’t know about you, but I could certainly use one and it couldn’t come sooner. With the record cold temperatures around the country and so many people burning the midnight oil with the economy still in such turmoil, I think we are all ready for some R & R.

     My new scents, Caribbean Escape, Island Margarita and Seaside Escape combined with Slatkin favorites, Island Nectar, Caribbean Salsa, Pineapple Mango, Pineapple Orchid and Vanilla Coconut are sure to cure the winter blues. Add all the tropical colors in pinks, greens, blues, oranges and yellows and a Tropical Escape is closer than you think. The collection includes candles, plug-ins, oils, SCENTBUG oil fans, deco SCENTPORTABLES and room sprays all in these amazing scents and colors. So, burn a candle, plug in a wallflower, use an oil or spritz a room spray in any of these scents, close your eyes and you will be immediately transported to a balmy, tropical, sun-drenched paradise. Just one request when you get there…save me a mai tai!!

The holidays are one of my favorite times of the year. Living in New York, you can’t help but get caught up in the magic with the tree at Rockefeller Center, the ice skaters, the little shop stands at Bryant Park and Union Square and, of course, the amazing windows at all the big stores on Fifth Avenue. From Thanksgiving on, the city turns into a holiday wonderland. I also love spending time planning and shopping for gifts for all my loved ones. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year!!

This past week, an associate that works in our Columbus, OH office brought to our attention a touching story about a 7 year old boy in the Columbus area. He is losing his battle with brain cancer. In fact, it has been decided to no longer continue with his treatment. That means that this year will be his very last Christmas. Hearing this story has really added a new element to the holiday season for me this year. It makes me really think about and cherish the people in my life that are near and dear to my heart. It makes me realize how thankful I am that they are in my life. With that, I wish everyone a very magical and heartfelt holiday season!

     Yesterday, we had a great day at QVC! I went on air at 9am and 7pm for 2 one hour long shows that featured my magical Slatkin & Co. holiday home fragrance collection for the 2009 season. I always have such an amazing time “sniffing” with the hosts at QVC. Yesterday I partnered with Carolyn in the morning and Shawn, (I call her Lady Di, because she looks like Princess Diana!), for the 7pm show. We had great fun. I really enjoyed working with both of them again. Both shows were a great success!! Two of my favorite items were the Gingerbread house and Polar bear luminaries I designed. (see pics below). They are such fun and immediately put you in the holiday spirit! If you ever find yourself in West Chester, PA, which is where QVC is located, you must go. It is in the Brandywine region, which is about 40 minutes outside of Philadelphia. They do a great tour of the entire studio so you really get a great view of how they operate live on air 24 hours a day. Plus, you get to go the the QVC shop where you will find various items that have been featured on air…..you might even find one of my Slatkin home fragrance items done exclusively for QVC!! Also, if anyone missed the Slatkin holiday shows yesterday, I am doing one more holiday hour on Nov. 24 at 10:00am. It will be my last appearance of the 2009 season and it will feature some great items that have yet to be on this season, so tune in!

     On this trip down to QVC, I also got the opportunity to take some time and visit our Bath & Body Works at King of Prussia mall and spend some time with our associates from that region. I can’t tell you how much I always look forward to the chance to spend time with our associates out in the stores. I always find the experience incredibly enlightening! The group I met with at King of Prussia was amazing! (see pic below) We had some great conversation about home fragrance and I absolutely loved their passion and spirit for the Slatkin brand…..what can I say, I am a sucker for anyone who is as enthusiastic about my scents as I am!! I wish them all a very magical holiday season!!

     Also, seeing my collection for this year, which is so fun and whimsical, out in the stores, really sparked my enthusiasm for the upcoming holiday season. I can’t wait to get started on planning how I will spend the season with my loved ones and what gifts I will specially pick for each of them…of course, I never need a reason to shop!! But really, with the way the economy has been and just the general feel of things, I think everyone could use a magical holiday season!!

     Monday night my wife, Laura, and I attended the God’s Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards Dinner.  For anyone who is not familiar with this charity, it is an organization vice-chaired by my good friend, Blaine Trump, that provides essential food and nutrition services to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and other serious illnesses. Their clients live throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Hudson County and Newark, New Jersey and all services are provided free of charge. After 23 years, this year God’s Love We Deliver delivered its 10 millionth meal! It was a star studded event with proceeds to benefit the charity. It is an annual event to celebrate outstanding achievements of remarkable individuals. This year, Calvin Klein and New York City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, were honored. Along with them, a gentleman by the name of  Edward Prostak was honored for over 20 years of volunteer work with God’s Love We Deliver. By the end of his speech, which gave an amazing account of many experiences he has had as a volunteer with the organization, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Not only was I proud to have been honored last year, I am also very proud to be a supporter and that Limited Brands is also a supporter. In fact, my entire home fragrance team and many of the other New York based Limited Brands teams spend time throughout the year volunteering to assist in preparing the meals they distribute. It is such rewarding work!! God’s Love We Deliver is truly an amazing organization!!

     Friday was our big holiday day on QVC. It was their “3 months to Christmas” day where everything is Christmas all day. We had two amazing one hour shows. The set was amazing and the product looked fantastic. Both shows exceeded expectations. I also designed these holiday gingerbread house and polar bear luminaries for QVC’s “Today’s Special Value”, which was shown all throughout the day. I was on throughout the day starting at midnight and not ending until after 9pm. A marathon day, but great fun and definitely worth it!!

     In August, we did our big fall day on QVC, which was also our two year QVC anniversary. Again, we had amazing shows and people just loved the fall product….my figural pumpkins and acorns are always a hit!! What made this day extra fun was that we had a guest. Katie Hunt, one of our Bath & Body Works home office associates, had won a contest and the prize was to accompany me at QVC. (See some pictures of us below) We had a great dinner at the Dilworthtowne Inn and then it was off to QVC. She got to see my whole QVC process from styling the set to getting ready in the QVC salon to going on air. After a tour of the QVC studios, she joined my team and watched the show in person as we were live on air. I hope Katie had as much fun as I did!!

     Be sure to tune in to QVC on November 10th. I will be on for two more Slatkin holiday hours; one at 9:00am and one at 8:00pm!! There will be everything you need from the Slatkin & Co. home fragrance line to make a magical holiday moment in your home! There will even be some great things that you will only see exclusively on QVC. Don’t miss it!!………AND, what is really amazing is I’m so shy!! Not!!!

The Autism Speaks kick off in Columbus, OH for our walk to be held October 11 was so moving. What moved me most was hearing that a woman in the audience just found out that morning that her son has Autism. We have been there and it changes your life forever. We had a great turnout of 550 peopleand all signs point to an excellent walk in the fall! The walk is to be hosted by Dr. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State and myself. I am an official buckeye!! That is something I didn’t understand until a year ago when I attended an Ohio State football game with Les and Abigail Wexner in their box. I have to say that my daughter and I really got into the “O”_”H”_”I”_”O” thing. It was like watching a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed. Buckeye’s really are amazing people! Last year we had over 10,000 of them come out for our walk. This year we want more!! One out of every ninety boys is born Autistic. I thank everyone for their support of the walk and Autism. For more information, please go to AutismSpeaks.org.

This Thursday in Columbus, Ohio, we have the kick off for our walk for Autism Speaks to be held on October 11. I am co-chairing the walk with Dr. Gordon Gee of Ohio State University. Last year, we raised almost $600,000 and had over 10,000 people participate in the walk….not bad for our first walk!! I am so appreciative of each and every person who came out for the walk! My son David is 10 years old and is Autistic. It hasn’t been an easy journey, that’s for sure, but this year was our best year! He is happy, easy to be with and he loves his school and friends. We never know what tomorrow will bring, but we thank our lucky stars for today. I hope to see all my friends on Thursday! For more information post a comment here on my blog or visit AutismSpeaks.org.

I think the best way to travel is with a child. It forces you to see a place as a pure tourist. You get to see the culture. I had been to Rome for shopping, but I just returned from holiday with my wife and 10 year old daughter, Ali. We did it all…The Forum, The Colosseum, The Vatican, The Trevi Fountain and The Villa Borghese….I went up and down those Spanish steps so many times that I renamed them the “ay dios mio” steps. I guess our favorite was the Villa Borghese, but all was incredible! The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican was magical and, as my daughter said when she looked up at the ceiling, “That’s impressive”. We were so good everyday and ate healthy, except for dinner. I personally ate two bowls of pasta every night!! They do a pasta with black pepper that can make your eyes cross!! Now, I don’t know if it is the pasta in Italy, but I didn’t gain a pound! I actually lost so, was it all the walking or just that the Italians know how to live?? Well, you know my famous motto…When in Rome, do as the Romans do…and we did!!

One of my favorite restaurants is Blake’s in London. Anoushka Hempel decorated it and the food is amazing!!!!! Especially the cheese soufflé made by Neville Campbell, their amazing head chef!!You can see a picture below of when they were served at a dinner Laura and I hosted at our home. It was the night before the wedding so everyone came to wish good cheer even though the bride was tucked into her bedroom doing beauty treatments………such fun!