happy vday: light his fire

There's something about candles that invites, relaxes, calms, suggests and ensures a romantic evening is in store. When leading home fragrance expert Laura Slatkin wanted to create her own collection of scented candles, she drew on over a decade of experience in the prestige home fragrance market to develop an unparalleled fragrance experience. The result was NEST, a candle collection ($32 each) uniting rich color, texture and scent to enhance everyday living and provide a respite that sets the mood for love. My picks for Vday: Pink Jasmine (if you're feeling a little flirty) and Moss & Mint (for a clean, fresh, more manly scent). The landmark collection includes the following evocative fragrances:

Moss & Mint Candle: Garden mint, apple blossom, and muguet are infused with a touch of oakmoss and vetiver

Bamboo Candle: Flowering bamboo mingles with an array of white florals, sparkling citrus and fresh green accords

Pink Jasmine Candle: A rare pink jasmine is blended with frangipani flower and peony with under notes of cashmere wood

and white musk

Moroccan Amber Candle: Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope, and bergamot are accented with a hint of eucalyptus

Orange Blossom Candle: Orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower and freesia are combined with tangerine, lemon and musk

Wasabi Pear Candle: Anjou pear and fresh, ozonic watery note are infused with the essence of wasabi

Freesia Kiwi Candle: Freesia, jasmine and muguet are married with kiwi, Asian pear, and cassis

Periwinkle Hyacinth Candle: Periwinkle, hyacinth and lilac are combined with crisp green leaves and cloves

Mahogany Votive Candle: The sweetness of vanilla and caramel praline accents sandalwood, star anise and patchouli

Wild Oats & Bourbon Votive Candle: The essence of bourbon is blended with wild oats and mandarin ginger

Go to www.neimanmarcus.com to make your purchase, just in time for Valentine's Day.

father's day: first gear

What does a ball player know about men's fragrance? Apparently a lot. Derek Jeter's Driven ($25) is Avon's best-selling scent and makes a great Father's Day gift. Designed for the man who is accomplished and works hard to fulfill his dreams, Driven highlights his inner perseverance and determination and inspires those around him. It's the embodiment of strength and inspiration, reflecting the drive it takes to lead a truly successful life. Featuring a mysterious blend of exotic saffron, blood orange and precious woods, Driven offers a clean, attractive scent but doesn't come on strong. So most men will love it and feel comfortable wearing it. The question is: Who loves it more--the men who wear it or the women who get to enjoy it when they're around? Find out for yourself when you order Driven exclusively through an Avon Representative. To find one near you, all 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit www.avon.com.