Aveda is offering a ton of special holiday gift sets this season and Makeup Bag is giving you a sneak peek!

As part of its commitment to responsible sourcing practices, Aveda has established a partnership with women artisans in Nepal who specialize in the artistry of traditional Lokta papermaking. This partnership has had a tremendous positive impact on these Nepalese communities where the women are empowered to develop a sustainable business and provide income to their families.

With the 2007 Holiday Gift Collection, Aveda is introducing a Premium Gift Box wrapped entirely in Lokta paper from Nepal. Create your own exclusive gift with a selection of favorite Aveda products wrapped in a beautiful, reusable box.

Our favorite gift set in this holiday collection is Five Paths to Peace, a selection of Aveda favorites to soothe and indulge the senses:

Included: Calming Cleanser, Replenishing Body Moisturizer, Soothing Aqua Therapy, Lavender Singular Note, and a certified organic cotton neck wrap filled with French lavender. ($80)

Another Makeup Bag must-have is the Ritual of Relief a gift set of both regular and travel sizes of our favorite Hand Relief and Foot Relief ($40):

And there’s more. Head for Smooth is a set of Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner along with Light Elements Smoothing Fluid and a certified organic cotton head band. ($60)

Himalayan Glow is a soy-wax candle with Himalayan aroma in a 95% post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass container. ($32)

Empower Expression is a gift set of Hollyhock Lip Glaze and Ginger Lily Lip Glaze wrapped in a Mini Lip-Bag made of abaca fiber from a banana leaf. ($34)

Aveda 2007 Holiday Gift Collection is available beginning November 2007 at select salons, spas and stores, and online at aveda.com.

Did anyone notice that the calendar says JUNE today?

This means hot summer days are lurking right around the corner, waiting to throw the frizzy-hair-weather our way.

If you are plagued by the frizzies and need a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to give you silky sleek hair — look no further than Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo & Conditioner.

Smooth Infusion softens and smooths hair up to 60% with an exclusive plant infusion that moisturizes while smoothing down the frizzies and those pesky flyaways.

(While this sounds like heaven on earth, we must be practical. This product works only for people with straight or wavy hair that battle frizz and flyaways. If you have Minnie Driver or Keri Russel hair, this product is not for you.)

Give the frizzies a kick out the door. For good this time.

Did you know yesterday was the first day of Spring?

Why didn’t you tell us?! We went around all day like it was just another Tuesday; another day full of meetings and laundry, but it was SO MUCH more than that. Damn.

We should have bought ourself some flowers or a pedicure or had pancakes for breakfast. To celebrate! SPRING!

Aveda has spring on their mind, too. And it’s, um, uuuuh, springy?

We’re kind of let down with this new image, as it does not compare to the Holiday Collection image from last season.

But the three new color palettes in Zen Blooms, Moroccan Mist and Spanish Sun look lovely. You can see the entire Aveda Spring and Summer 2007 collection here.

Also, check out the other Spring and Summer makeup collections from this season.

Today we are en route to Oklahoma City for the next four days.

As we sit here in the Denver airport waiting for our connecting flight, our three a.m. wake up call is starting to catch up with us.

It’s moments like these that even the smallest beauty gesture can lift our spirits and make us feel a little more like ourself. Aveda Hand Relief is a rich and creamy hand cream with an incredible scent that makes us feel pampered and instantly fresh.

(If we can continue feeling like this for the entire weekend while we chaperone a gaggle of middle school girls at a volleyball tournament, it will be nothing short of a miracle!)

Aveda Hand Relief, $7.5