More limited edition collector fragrance bottles, with the usual disclaimers: in most of these cases, the juice is unchanged, just the bottle is “special” (or not, as the case may be), and some of these may not be available in the US.
From Diesel, a limited edition bottle of Only The Brave celebrating the upcoming release of the movie Captain America: The First Avenger…
Most of the time, those little sidebar ads on Google and Facebook are useless to me, and I find them easy to ignore. Once in while, however, something that actually does relate to my interests will show up, and I might even click though to the suggested website. Greenheart Shop was one of those recent clicks for me. I spent a few minutes browsing the website for this Chicago-based “eco-fair trade non-profit shop,” and ended up ordering two scented body products by an “artisan” brand called Anti-Body.
All the products offered by Anti-Body (“anti-poverty, beautiful body”) feature fairly traded ingredients, paraben-free formulas, minimal packaging, and fragrances blended exclusively from essential oils. I opted for the Petal line. (Other scents include Lavender, Lemongrass, and Patchouli Eucalpytus.) Anti-Body’s Petal fragrance is a mix of geranium and ylang ylang, two notes that are often acquired tastes: geranium is sharp and greenish, almost more of a vegetal note than a floral note, and the oil of the ylang ylang flower can smell rubbery and a bit animalic. I can’t think of any other body products that pair these two distinctive essences, but I’ve been enjoying the combination…
It is not the first time I’ve forgotten to post the Monday Mail on Monday, and it probably won’t be the last. So here it is, a day late but better late than never.
Today we’re helping Mariclare, who is on a stricter budget than most of our participants: she wants to find her perfect casual, everyday scent for $40 or under. Can it be done? Her dream fragrance would be unusual, unconventional and not easily recognizable, but she’d also like it to be pleasant and not overbearing (no major sillage). A perfume she can find at Macy’s is a big plus, but she’s willing to shop online if need be. Here is what we know about Mariclare:
She’s in her late 20s. She works full time, and goes to school (to study painting) part time.
She lives with her boyfriend, and she says they’re both “a little eccentric”.
Mariclare says her personality is bright — “people are always telling me i have the best and most infectious laugh”.
Her style is eclectic: she enjoys combining colors and styles (floral skirts with motorcycle boots, vintage baby doll dresses with moccasins & thrift-store earrings).
Mariclare usually wears perfume oils because they’re inexpensive…
To Dream is Sonoma Scent Studio‘s new addition to its Boutique Collection of fragrances, and it was inspired in part by the line’s previous release Lieu de Rêves. I purchased Lieu de Rêves when it was first launched, and I’ve been enjoying it so much — enough to include it on my personal list of favorite fall fragrances — that I was naturally curious about To Dream.
Sonoma Scent Studio describes To Dream as “a comforting, dreamy but sophisticated and complex blend of woods, florals, incense, and gourmand notes,” including violet, rose, heliotrope, cedar, amber, frankincense, oakwood absolute, vetiver, tonka, orris, vanilla, musk, sandalwood, oakmoss, suede, cocoa, and aldehydes. At first glance, that list reminded me very much of Lieu de Rêves, but as soon as I applied a bit of this newer fragrance to my skin, I noticed the differences.
To Dream opens with a strong stroke of oakwood…
It’s disconcerting to consider Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, a perfume supposed to represent the actress. After all, which Liz are we talking about? The ingénue of National Velvet? The tempestuous, alcohol-sodden seductress of Butterfield 8 and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Senator’s wife, depressed and overweight? Or maybe the laid-back Mrs. Fortensky?
I knew White Diamonds was wildly popular, but I expected it earned its sales among soap-opera-watching, chain-smoking elderly ladies. I figured it would smell of sharp aldehydes, cheap white flowers, and rubbing alcohol. Boy was I wrong. White Diamonds Eau de Toilette is a gentle white floral chypre with a soft, clean feel. Spring-sweet and soapy fresh. Classic, really. I’m hooked.
It seems crazy, but when Parfums International launched White Diamonds in the fall of 1991, it was the first time a celebrity had released a second feminine fragrance. Elizabeth Taylor Passion for Women (1987) and Passion for Men had already hit the market…