This post is because I love shopping at Nordstrom and these are a good selection of perfumes just in time for Mother’s Day or anytime.

Viktor & Rolf ‘Flowerbomb’ Mother’s Day Set

Full-bodied and opulent, Flowerbomb is a floral explosion, a profusion of flowers that has the power to make everything seem more positive. Set includes eau de parfum, body lotion and shower gel (1.7 oz. each) and a roller ball, (0.34 oz.). Notes include: bergamot, tea, freesia, jasmine, orange blossom, orchid, rose and patchouli. Price: $118 ($144 value);

Balenciaga Paris Mother’s Day Set

A lovely paradox. A demure violet with airy blossom and delicate peppery notes. A fragrance that is mysterious and fragile, yet leaves a lasting trail. Set includes eau de parfum (2.5 oz.), body lotion (3.4 oz.) and a deluxe mini eau de parfum (0.25 oz.). Notes include: pepper, violet leaves, violet, cedar wood, patchouli and vetiver. Price: $140 ($169 value);

Jo Malone Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne

Celebrating one of nature’s most dramatic yet delicate displays, Jo Malone introduces the limited-edition Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne, a scent inspired by those few precious days when the profusion of blooms paints pastel pink clouds onto spring’s bright blue skies. Delight in an exquisite interpretation of the airiness of blossoms fluttering on boughs. Notes include: cherry blossoms, rose, bergamot, musk and woods. Price: $105 for 3.4 oz and $55 for 1.0 oz.

BVLGARI ‘Mon Jasmin Noir’ Eau de Parfum (Nordstrom Exclusive)

A luminous and addictive new floral fragrance, cut like a gem with dazzling clarity and offering an undeniably modern and sensual femininity. Notes include: lily of the valley, sambac jasmine, musky nougatine and vibrant wood. Price: $105 for 2.5 oz and $80 for 1.7 oz.

On another exciting fragrance “note,” Bond No. 9 is opening in select Nordstrom doors in May 2011. Stores include: Downtown Seattle, Downtown Portland, Cherry Creek (CO), Mall of America (MN), The Shops at Mission Viejo (CA) and Fashion Valley Center (CA).

Available at select Nordstrom stores and online at Nordstrom.com

At my last visit at ULTA here in Scottsdale Arizona I became intrigued by BVLGARI BLV Notte Eau de Parfum Spray Pour Femme so I decided to get it. Lately I’ve been in the mood for perfume exploration. I’m just curios to see what’s out there and which perfumes are just amazing. So far I’m loving this perfume. I love the dark chocolate note which lingers delicately and softly all day. Other notes include: Galanga, Iris, and Vodka. Looks like BLV Notte is a limited edition.

I’m so excited to share with you my interview with an Olympic Ice Dancer Tanith Belbin! I love watching figure skating and ice dancing therefore interviewing Tanith is a dream come true.

Tanith Belbin is a Canadian-American ice dancer. Though she holds dual citizenship, she competes for the United States and has competed for the U.S. since she began skating with Benjamin Agosto in 1998. With Agosto, Belbin is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, four time World medalist, three time Four Continents champion (2004–2006), and five-time U. S. champion (2004–2008). 

Photo credit: NBC Sports / USOC

Tanith Belbin was born in Kingston, Ontario and raised in Kirkland, Quebec. She lived and trained in Canton, Michigan for many years, before moving to Aston, Pennsylvania to train at Ice Works. Belbin’s mother, Michelle (McKinlay) Belbin, is a costume designer and she makes some of Belbin’s costumes. She trained as a figure skater in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

In this interview Tanith Belbin talks to Marta Walsh about when and how she has discovered the love for ice dancing. How does she find the right balance between a busy career and normal life. Gives advice on what does it really take to become a successful ice dancer. Reveals what’s in her makeup bag, favorite city, and future plans.

Marta Walsh: How did you discover your love for ice dancing and what were some of your greatest achievements in your career?
Tanith Belbin: I began skating with the intention of becoming a singles skater but because of my body proportion (thin, long legs), I was placed with a dance partner when I was 8 years old and fell in love with the element of interacting with another person on the ice. I am a performer and dance offered the greatest outlet for my creativity and desire to portray different characters in a program. Since finding my perfect partner in Ben, I would say the most satisfying moment in our career for me personally was when we won our first National title. To be able to say that you are the best in the country at something you’ve dedicated your life to is incredible. Now, on to the world!

MW: How do you find the right balance between your busy career and normal life?
TB: We, as competitive skaters, lead very A-typical lives and it can be difficult to keep things in perspective sometimes in terms of “the bigger picture”. This bubble we live in can be judgemental and superficial, and very tiring on a young person’s confidence. I’ve found the most important thing for me to do is keep my family and best friends as close to me as possible and remember the kind of person I am and want to put out into the world. It’s too easy to get caught up on think that our placement at an event determines our worth and what we’ll be able to achieve in the future. Spending an adequate amount of time away from the rink and not talking about skating is key to maintaining a good mental balance.

MW: What are some of the lessons and disciplines ice dancing has thought you as a person?
TB: I was never the most talented figure skater. I lagged behind my peers in group classes when I was a child, and struggled in dance class to be graceful, but the reason I’ve been able to succeed is because I am driven and I have high expectations for myself. Ice dancing is a challenge that brought all my ambition and competitiveness to the surface, and the discipline required to reach the level I have is something I will take with me and apply to all future endeavors. You can’t reach the top without passion, confidence and determination. I believe those qualities will help drive me to a successful career in any field.

MW: What does it take to succeed as an ice dancer? What advice can you give to anyone interested in this career?
TB: To reach the top in any sport you need to have a clear goal identified, and the willingness to make sacrifices for it. Some days it can definitely feel that you’ve completely lost your drive and direction, but remembering that goal and what you set out to accomplish is all you need to accept that you had a bad day, and prepare to make the next one better.

MW: What is next for Tanith Belbin?
TB: The scariest…and most exciting question I can ask myself at this stage in my life is; what’s next? Truthfully, I have no idea! If I try to plan it, I get stressed and feel out of control because so much of the next year will have to do with our outcome at the Olympics and our feelings once we’ve completed the season. My partner and I both feel that the time has come for us to make a change and transition into another phase of our lives. We are so anxious to see what other adventures the world has in store for us beyond skating, but at the same time we don’t want to feel pressured or rush our departure from the competitive world if we still have more we feel that we want to accomplish. Whenever that day comes however, I hope to pursue a career in broadcasting and journalism. Whether that begins with opportunities that come up after the Games or with enrolling in university, only time can tell. Either way, it’s a very exciting time to be me!

MW: What is your signature fragrance?
TB: My signature fragrance is Bvlgari Rose. I’ve been wearing it for so many years I don’t even smell it on myself anymore but my friends always know when “Tanith’s been here”. It’s definitely my signature scent.

MW: What’s in your makeup bag?
TB: In my makeup bag I always have my Cover Girl: lash blast length mascara and outlast lip stain. When you’re training and sweating all day, less is definitely more in terms of makeup! All I need to feel fresh is a little pop of color on the lips that wont stick to my hair while I skate and a nice lengthening mascara to open up my eyes.

MW: What’s in your shower?
TB: Right now I’m obsessed with the Olay body wash with body butter ribbons! Not only does it hydrate my skin, which I definitely need after all the hours I spend in the freezing rink temperatures, but it smells amazing!

MW: What is your philosophy about beauty?
TB: I think the most beautiful thing a woman can put on her face is a genuine smile.

MW: What are your favorite beauty treatment destinations?
TB: I love going to the salon and getting my hair done. I used to be scared of it because I dye my hair blonde and it always got so damaged with the color treatment, but since I’ve started using better shampoos&conditioners like Pantene’s restorative line and my hair is so much healthier. Now I can just relax and enjoy being pampered!

MW: Who are the Celebrities that inspire you with their talent and beauty?
TB: I’m a big fan of fashion and people who use their image as a way to express their personal style while still looking really comfortable in their own skin. I love actresses like Sienna Miller, Natalie Portman, and Diane Kreuger who are bold with their fashion statements yet always looks so effortlessly beautiful.

MW: Which city do you love the most?
TB: My favorite city is probably Paris. I speak french from growing up in Montreal so I feel comfortable with the language and the richness in culture is so stimulating. I feel like become more relaxed and more creative when I spend time there.

MW: What one or two things some people may not know about Tanith Belbin?
TB: I’m a huge romantic and I believe the ultimate satisfaction in life is finding someone to connect, and share all your experiences, with….. also, I hate tomatoes, am deathly afraid of clowns or anything in a mask, and know how to spell my name in morse code (kind of sounds like la cucaracha).

For more information about Tanith and the rest of the US team, go to nbcolympics.com

Everything about BVLGARI sounds so chic to me and I happen to love their perfumes as well. Always so elegant. BVLGARI Jasmin Noir Eau de Toilette is their latest and I can’t wait to smell it on my next Sephora or Nordstrom visit.

Captivating and caressing, Jasmin Noir is a floral-woody fragrance with multiple facets. Infinitely sensual and addictive, its seductive scent is sublimely revealed by jasmine, a flower whose beauty is as pure as it is tantalizing. SRP: $75 for 1.7 oz. $103 for 3.4 oz

I’m very excited to bring to you my interview with Christina Moore who plays Tracy Clark, Naomi’s mom, on CW’s Beverly Hills 90210. I’ve interviewed Christina for Talking Makeup’s celebrity beauty section: www.beautyinterviews.com

Christina Moore also plays the role of Candy Sullivan, a nurse with a unique sense of duty, in an upcoming television drama on TNT called HawthoRNe, directed by Mikael Salomon. Jada Pinkett Smith is also starring on HawthoRNe.

Photo Credit: Rudy Martinez.

Marta Walsh: How did you decide on a career in acting, and what were some of your first breaks as an actress?
Christina Moore: I loved the theatre. I got into a professional theatre troupe when I was in High School. We toured around the Chicago suburbs doing musicals. It was like a 2nd family for me. There is such a kinship in the arts and I knew I wanted to be a part of it forever.

I got lucky when I landed (alone) in LA. I was cast in a string of popular sit-coms all produced at the Warner Bros studio. (Friends, Suddenly Susan, Just Shoot Me, Drew Carrey) This led to me auditioning for Hyperion Bay, which was my 1st series regular job. I had only been in LA for 2 years at that point. And from there-I was off and running in television.

Photo Credit: Rudy Martinez.

MW: What attracted you to Tracy Clark, Naomi’s Mom, on the hit CW series Beverly Hills 90210?
CM: Really… What didn’t attract me to Tracy Clark?! She is such a great character. She is rich- like crazy rich and lonely- like crazy lonely and desperate. This is a recipe for disaster, which, for an actress, means lots of great stuff to do. I love the storyline between her and Harry. And I am still looking forward to finding our real SON!!! Plus Naomi is a red, hot mess and being her mom is a roller coaster ride- for sure.

MW: How would you describe your acting role in HawthoRNe on TNT, and was it difficult to play it emotionally?
CM: Candy Sullivan is very different from Tracy Clark. It has been a challenge switching from one to the other. Nurse Candy is grounded and sure of herself. She works with her own set of rules, rules that maybe only she understands. I have had interesting discussions with the producers about her mysterious nature. I am sure that Candy has secrets, but I don’t know how long it is going to take for them to come out. So, to answer your question, yes, it has been difficult to play her- emotionally & mentally. But I love every minute of it.

MW: What was it like meeting Jada Pinkett Smith on set of HawthoRNe, and the rest of the cast?
CM: Jada is a dream. She is kind and generous and so full of life. She is as big as a minute, but NEVER underestimate her joie de vivre. Her life force is huge and magnetic.

My other cast mates are great. I especially enjoy David Julian Hirsh, who plays Ray. He and I relate, off camera, much like Candy and Ray. It is a playful tug o war.

MW: What is next for Christina Moore?
CM: We shall see…. Juggling 2 TV series has kept me very busy, but work begets work, so watch out, I might just add a feature film to my to do list any day now.

I keep my hair beautiful thanks to…
L’Oreal Professionnel Expert- Absolut Repair- (shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner): it is the best at repairing my damaged ends and keeping my hair from looking fuzzy & broken.

Moroccan Oil: after shower, before blow-dry. This oil smoothes out the frizzies and protects my hair from the heat. Plus, it smells like a tropical vacation.

My favorite skincare products are…
Mannatech Optimal Face Wash: it is creamy and doesn’t dry out my skin
Kinara Intense Moisturizer: I can’t live without it. VERY HYDRATING-and again, the smell, like vanilla cookies. Yummy.

Photo Credit: Rudy Martinez.

I get my eyelashes looking long, full, and sexy using…
Cover Girl Lash Blast (in the orange tube) – the best everyday mascara
FRESH (tube: black, covered in white flowers)- very good
THE BEST- Dior (it only lasts for one month- so I save it for special occasions)

The best lip-gloss I ever owned…
This is the hardest question for me. I LOVE lip-gloss. If I was left on an island and I could only have one thing-it would be lip-gloss. I carry about 12 different tubes in my purse everyday.
Liplicious- tasty lip color (from Bath and Body works) in Frozen Blackberry. It is creamy and glossy and tastes good- I wear it the most.

Other mentionables:
Lancôme- Juicy Tubes
Hourglass- in Search
Mirabella- Outshine-in Subtle

My signature fragrance is…
Bvlgari- Pour Femme (the yellow one)
I LOVE IT!!!

The one beauty product you will always find in my purse is…
Cle de Peau correcteur visage concealer in beige.
Nothing works as well for under the eyes. NOTHING!

My number one beauty secret is…
Vitamins- I take supplements every day and they have kept me healthy from the inside out. Mannatech makes a packet with all of the essentials. I have some in my car, my purse, next to bed, just in case.

The celebrity I find most beautiful is…
Jessica Lange- her grace and fragility and endurance. WOW.

The city I love the most…
Rome, Italy. I have been 3 times in the past 5 years. I can’t get enough of it. I find the presence of ancient history to be comforting- calming. You just know how small you are in the history of the world standing in awe of the Pantheon.

One or two things some people may not know about Christina Moore…

I love country music. It is really all I listen to. I go to the concerts- I buy the mp3′s. I am a true FAN.

If I wasn’t an actor, I would like to be a serial killer profiler.

I love Nacho Cheese Doritos.

It was great to discuss beauty secrets withChristina make sure to check out the official site for both of her hit shows. www.tnt.tv/series/hawthorne / and www.cwtv.com/shows/90210

Bvlgari Pour Femme was first introduced in 1994.  According to Paolo Bvlgari, Bvlgari Pour Femme was created as: “a tribute to women, as an answer to their desire to rediscover luxury and find it renewed and different, characterized by understatement and absolute quality.”  Kate Moss is the face of Bvlgari Pour Femme. 

Now check out Bvlgari Pour Femme Jeweler’s Edition which comes in a limited edition bottle with a Swarvoski crystal-bejeweled cap that’s designed to fit your existing Bvlgari bottles.  Main notes:  Jasmine, Rose, Bergamot, Citrus, Tuberose, Hesperidic, Musk.  Cost:  $145 for a 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Spray.   

The Bvlgari  brand was founded by Sotirio Bulgari.  The Bulgaris descend from an ancient family of Greek silversmiths in a small village of Epirus.  In the late 19th century, the craftsman moved to Italy to open their first shop in Via Sistina, Rome.  In 1905 Bvlgari also opened their shop in Via Condotti which till today serves as the brand’s flagship store.  Bvlgari first became famous for creating luxurious jewelery, watches, and precious gems.  In the 1990′s Bvlgari expanded into creating a collection of perfumes.  The Bvlgari brand now days stands for an ultimate luxury.