Friday, July 04, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Memorial Day - May 26th
Today our country pauses to honor the men and women who have died in military service to our country. Laying down their lives for our freedom.
Hawaiians call this Puwaina, the Hill of Sacrifice, more commonly known as the Punchbowl. This is the National Cemetery of the Pacific, is the final resting place for veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. In August my Father-in-law's remains will be transfered here to his final resting place of honor in his home state of Hawaii.Today our country pauses to honor the men and women who have died in military service to our country. Laying down their lives for our freedom.
Photo: Bill Dasher
Friday, May 23, 2008
Czech & Speake - No. 88 - Review
Ozzy Obsorne. Now there is a guy that smells great.Do you have a fragrance in your collection that is so ... not you? One that if you left it lying on a washroom counter your friend would not even think it belonged to you? A fragrance so different from your others that wearing it is exciting and bold and delicious?
Enter Czech & Speake No 88. The English men's cologne that rocks my world.
Now I'm all about femininity, usually. Unisex scents don't even play well on me. Then along comes this men's fragrance, not even touted as unisex, and I am so blown away. I remember exactly the first moment I sniffed it. Right there on the patio of Fred Segal during the L.A. Sniffapalooza. I was memorized, hypnotized and it was ... sold out. But I knew even then, I would own this beauty one day. In the midst of the flurry of samples and testers and arms extended ... I knew.
There is something about this dusty rose and resinous wood that smells like sweet incense to my nose. Rose otto itself is amazing stuff; costly, beautiful, exquisite. It takes approximately 60,000 roses to produce just 1 oz of rose otto. That's about two & half dozen roses to make just one drop! Here blended with another favorite, geranium, it is reminiscent of another rose I love - Le Maroc pour elle. The cassie and the sandalwood are so harmoniously blended into the base that the drydown is as lovely as the opening with its burst of bergamot. Frangipanni weaves delicately in and out with enough of an indolic hint to produce a slight musk effect when smelled close to the skin. Unbelievely sexy. And the wear? The wear is legendary.
The definition from Apothia reads: "Based on an original Elizabethan recipe, but still definitively modern, this masculine fragrance contains specially selected natural oils of Sandalwood and Bergamot that give it a rich, woody aroma. A variety of middle notes, Geranium, Rose Otto, Cassie & Frangipanni bring out fresh, sharp flavours that make this scent stand alone."
A bit pricey at $162 for 100 ml, and a little hard to find, yet worth the effort!!
I find mine at: Apothia/Fred Segal Los Angeles (on Melrose)
or here: Apothia
And oh yeah, British rocker, Ozzy Osborne loves the stuff. Hummm I'm seeing a definite contrast here.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Three Bond No. 9 scents; Bryant Park, Bleecker Street and Nuits de Noho will now be available housed in 50ml bottles completely crystallized—like a second skin — with thousands of Swarovski crystals so tiny that together they shimmer and gleam as one. Instead of the classic bottle designs, these Swarovski Stars are covered in one single hue — either pink, green or blue.
Also new — Swarovski Stars Bon Bons, a collection of all three scents in crystallized 6ml purse-spray sizes (plus Eau de New York in white!).
Launch date: May 2008
Availability: 50ml for $650 ·
Swarovksi Stars Bon Bons Collection for $700
At Bond No. 9 boutiques, 877-273-3369, http://www.bondno9.com/,
http://www.saks.com/ and Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Narcotic Venus - Nasomatto - Review
Narcotic Venus Extract de Parfum at $148 for 30ml (1oz) may be the most expensive fragrance I have ever purchased. But then again the funds used were birthday money, so the guilt is far less. The whole intent of birthday money is to buy something you would not normally buy for yourself, right? This is one lovely and extravagant indulgence to be sure.
Narcotic Venus is a beautifully crafted creamy white floral stunner. I find it especially lovely due to the overall sweet tone and the total flower IMPACT. This, if any, should be called Flowerbomb. It packs a solid floral punch yet carries it off with a feminine sweetness and charm that few could resist. Although tuberose is the main player, backed up with jasmine, there is a surprising lack of any real indolic notes here. Something that usually causes me to shy away from creamy florals. You take heavy creamy richness, add indoles, and I'm feel a little green around the gills. Not so here.
Nasomatto’s own description of this scent explains it as, “…a quest for the overwhelming addictive intensity of female sexual power.” Lucky Scent refers to it as an ..."absolute and total mankiller". Respectfully, I disagree. Definitely feminine, beautiful and haunting. I have trouble viewing it as the bad girl image it is portrayed to be. I wore this quite confidently to church on Easter Sunday without feeling like a trollop. I also submit this would make an unforgettable WEDDING fragrance.
Quite good staying power, although it tends to become more and more of a skin scent as it drys down to its lovely spicy lily finish. Simply stunning. I'm quite in love.
Notes:
Tuberose, jasmin, lily, spices
To buy or for more info click here: Lucky Scent - Narcotic Venus
Ed Note: On this perfume - at the post office - I probably got the best or most reactionary comment on a perfume EVER. I walked in and was standing at the slots where you deposit your own mail and was sorting through the stuff I brought in. A man was there next to me sorting also. Almost immediately he said,
"Oh you smell good."
pause
"Oh your perfume, wow."
pause
"Wow that is really nice"
pause
"Oh I can't even concentrate, oh wow"
Pause
"What is that?"
"It's very nice"
He was a normal guy and even surprised at his own reaction. He wasn't flirting. He was just caught off guard. I had the feeling he just said it out loud, not meaning to, and then just went with it.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Emerald Dream - Estee Lauder - Review
Estee Lauder Emerald Dream Perfume for Women 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. I really fell hard for the packaging on this lovely perfume. Green glass and I go back a long way. It fills my kitchen and is the stuff of my dream bathroom. So when I saw this at Ulta, I knew as soon as I picked up the bottle, it would be going home with me.
The campaign - "Close your eyes and you’re there – your own private oasis. Enter a sun-drenched garden hidden away from it all. An exclusive and luxurious retreat filled with intriguing scents and brilliant color. Wander down sun-dappled paths to a refreshing pool of blue-green water. Float away and feel the warmth of the sun caress your skin. This is your dream, this is your moment all to yourself. Discover Estee Lauder Emerald Dream, a captivating new fragrance which will exhilarate your senses, gently beckoning with an invigorating blend of sparkling freshness, alluring warmth and smooth sensuality. "
Opening with sparkling top notes of citrus and floral it is bright and sunny and does remind one of a tropical vacation. Especially as the mid notes emerge and you get that "beach skin accord". Eventually drying down to a nice light floral and sandalwood base. Nice for what it is, what I call an escape fragrance. Everyone should have a couple.
Notes: tangerine, apricot, honeysuckle, blue basil, mimosa, violet, blue iris, emerald orchid, plum, marigold, cyclamen, beach skin accord, blue cypress, sandalwood and Hawaiian kamani wood.
I found mine at : ULTA
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Zenadora Paris - Review
Ahh there is nothing like the smell of a new perfume to turn my head and capture my attention.
The fragrance? Zenadora - Paris. Amber, tuberose, rose petals. Starting out a slightly medicinal amber and light balsam, then mellowing quickly to a powdery infusion of amber and smelling very much like a sandalwood note, powdery and rich. Very elegant for evening. A sample sent to me by a friend, left alone, I almost missed it in the envelope. Sampling it this morning brought me pure joy. Brought me running back to you all; my friends who understand. Those who seek and understand how a fragrance can bring you to your knees. And so here is evident, this beauty called Zendora.
I have been spending way too much time on the tea board, I need to come back to my first love. Tea is what I drink - what I enjoy; but perfume defines me - it's who I am.
I have been spending way too much time on the tea board, I need to come back to my first love. Tea is what I drink - what I enjoy; but perfume defines me - it's who I am.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
What is more romantic than Paris? Harney & Sons have a wonderful tea to celebrate the romance that is Paris. Their Paris Blend tea is a smooth cup of warming black tea blended with black currant, creamy caramel and a light touch of bergamot. This is a great tea for sipping together on a Paris balcony.Truly, what is more romantic than Paris?
Harney & Sons - Paris Blend
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Nancy, known to many of us fragrance lovers as Fishbone96. She is now selling decants directly from her blog, you can check out her inventory here: Fishbone96
Best wishes Nancy!
Best wishes Nancy!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Where have I been?
Well, I have been on an extraordinary journey through tea. Starting slowly when I moved away from coffee. I went back to the teas I knew from my youth. Still loving my black teas I somehow stumbled onto whole leaf then oolongs. I have to tell you the experience was amazing. The tea world opened to me just as the fragrance world opened when I found Perfume of Life. The whole experience of it, the aroma of the dry leaves, the warm steam, the scent of the tea, and the taste - sometimes delicate, sometimes bold, the sensual art of making and drinking tea captured my heart. I suddenly found myself bouncing from supplier to supplier buying samples and feeling compulsive and crazy to experience it all.
And now I think I have come to a peace. As I did with perfume, to enjoy the teas that come my way, rather than to make it my mission to try everything. And now I feel calm and centered surrounded by my perfumes and sweet enjoyment of my tea.
Never would I have believed or understood so fully the kindred spirit between perfume and tea, the bond of the senses, had I not taken the journey. Ah life is sweet indeed!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere - Chanel - Review
Oh Chanel, your very name evokes fashion couture and legendary fragrance. And nothing more so than that famous number; No. 5.With all its marketing strategy and hype, No. 5 Sensual Elixir somehow managed to miss the mark, smelling not quite the same as the original formula, yet not different enough to be remarkable. Too bad because the smooth scented gel was a sensual delight. The gel concept and the way it melts into the skin still makes it a popular choice for those seeking a more wearable No. 5. Yet still, it's not quite right.
But where the elixir missed the mark, Eau Premiere is right on. A sexy contemporary version of this classic fragrance. Those old school, die hard original formula lovers won't budge an inch here, but then it's not meant to move them. This is created for the new legends.
Turbulent, wild and fresh this is the fragrance that suits Nicole. It is vibrant and alive with sexy under currents that pull you in for a closer sniff.Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere is in limited release to Saks only right now. I'm hoping it will open with wider distribution soon as I have a gift certificate saved away and the $125 price tag is worth the wait.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Wishing you all the very best in 2008!
Thank you to all who stop still stop by, I'll try to end my haitus soon. My format may be changing to better reflect my current interests. Which of course still includes fragrance! Best wishes to you all, I've had a great 2007 and I just know 2008 will be even better! - Victoria
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Best of 2007
Well here we are again at the close of another year! As tradition has it, we fragrance/fashion/make-up bloggers compile our "Best of" lists for the year. So in keeping with tradition, here are mine. You will see ambers had a big influence this year, in fact all my picks have amber except one! Many of you know, my favorite amber, Anne Pliska is my Holy Grail Fragrance, the one that I love above all. But I also fell for a few new fragrances this past year. These are my favorites, the ones that really stand out above the rest. Here are my Top Ten for 2007, not in any particular order.
Virtuessence of Esther - Virtue & Valor Inc.
Proving even more beautiful in person, is the gorgeous bottle of the Virtuessense of Esther. If you think you have seen some beautiful falcons before, just wait till you see this beauty in person. Talk about a gift of elegance, a present to be remembered, a gift to be treasured. This fragrance was a Christmas gift to myself this year, and as I opened the package I was stunned. What an unforgettable present this would be! A Bridal Gift, or Mother's day, Graduation, Valentine's Day, a special Birthday, or anytime that something a little more special is called for. I can't imagine any woman not being thrilled to receive this gift. The bottle itself is a beautiful display item, display case worthy.
The fragrance is just lovely; delicate, feminine and soft. In my opinion this is infinitely wearable by most, I doubt there would be few, if any, to find this objectionable in any way.
I am very impressed with the fragrance, packaging, website presentation, customer service and entire concept of this fragrance. I think you will be too.
Top: Lily, Orange, Ylang
Mid: Cinnamon, Ginger, Jasmine, Clove
Base: Vanilla, Amber, Musk, Patchouli, Frankincense, Sandalwood
You can find my review by clicking here: Review - Virtuessence of Esther
You can buy Virtuessence of Esther at their website: Virtue & Valor Inc.
Rousse - Serge Lutens
A great fall/winter fragrance this one is bold, foody and gourmand. Lots of clove, simmering pots of potpourri, orange studded clove pomanders, and cinnamon. Dry cinnamon sticks stirred into hot cider. Foody and rich gourmand spicy, mouthwatering! Drying down to such a lovely amber base. So warm and delicious, perfect to take the chill off, a new winter favorite.
Notes:
Top: Floral Notes, Aromatic Notes, Fruit
Mid: Cinnamon-Wood Note, Spices
Base: Amber, Musks, Vanilla
You can read my review here: Review - Rousse
You can buy Rousse here: Lucky Scent - Rousse
Ginger Musk - Montale
Very surprising and arriving late in the season was Montale's Ginger Musk. Not even knowing the perfumerie till after several wearings. It was one of several generous sized decants given to me by a friend and simply labeled "Ginger Musk". Sounding rather generic, I wasn't sure if this was BBW or a some Paris exclusive, but it sounded interesting. Interesting soon turned to captivating, and I found myself wearing this one a lot and getting many compliments along the way. Beautiful floral-gingery opening with a light musk weaving in and out. This is one I like to label as self renewing. You may not smell it for awhile and then when you least suspect it, you get beautiful wafts that surprise you. Ever so slightly indolic, yet not enough to ruin, it actually enhances the scent. This coming from someone who has a firm dislike of anything ummm ... poopie. Beautiful and long lasting, don't you just love surprises?
Notes:
Ginger, blackberry, red berries, white musk
You can read more about or buy Ginger Musk here: Lucky Scent - Ginger Musk
Cardinal - Heeley
My favorite incense scent, Cardinal is lightly smoky, warm and comforting. As opposed to Etro Messe de Minuit, there are no damp and moldy notes here. If MdM is the incensey, cold, damp, stone church basement where ancient scrolls are stored, Cardinal is the church attic where the warm sweet incense rises and the sunlight filters in through the rafters.
This warm scent is a nice, simple, incense scent; beautiful in its simplicity.
Notes: Incense, cistus, grey amber, patchouli, vetiver
You can read my first review here: Review - Cardinal
You can purchase Cardinal here: Lucky Scent - Cardinal
Amber Absolute - Tom Ford Private Blend
Whether or not you like the persona, Tom Ford knows his way around the fragrance counter. Bold, opulent, sexy and evocative, the Ford fragrances push the Armani Prives to the back of the bus with an "in your face" attitude that is, well ... Tom Ford. Amber Absolute is rich, dark and sinfully delicious. From my first sniff of the tiny vial in my friend's car, I was memorized. A smoky, resinous, incencey amber that leaps off the skin. This sexy amber wears like pure parfum, long lasting and incredibly sexy. Wear sparingly or this one will knock you over and slap your grandma back in Tennessee.
Notes:
Amber, African incense, labdanum, rich woods, vanilla bean
View the Tom Ford Website here: Tom Ford
Available from: Saks Fifth Ave & Bergdorf Goodman NYC and Select Neiman Marcus Stores
Mediterranean - Elizabeth Arden
Need a vacation? What a surprise this little number turned out to be, and even more surprising was the number of times I reached for it. The epitome of a vacation scent, this one whisks you away with cool ocean breezes. A sparkling woody floral to enjoy and be enjoyed by others. Be prepared for compliments with this one. Wow, effervescent!
Top: Peach nectar sorbet, sicilian mandarin, damask plum
Mid: Wisteria, star magnolia, Madagascar orchid
Base: Sandalwood, musk, amber
You can find Mediterranean at Macy's.
Or read more about it here at the Elizabeth Arden website.
Fiori d'Ambra - Profumum
A beautiful light floral amber that reminds me of Ambra di Venezia, or what I thought Ambra di Venezia should be, rather than the jasmine scent that it is. But I digress. A beautiful cozy amber with Opium overtones and a slightly boozy nature.
Notes: Amber gris, opium
Buy Fiori d'Ambra here: Lucky Scent - Fiori d'Ambra
Belle En Rykiel - Sonia Rykiel
Proving once again that I can find lavender scents to love, here is a beautiful soft, feminine fragrance resting on a warm amber base. This lovely oriental scent has a lavender-frankincense accord which keeps it comtemporary. Sexy, flirty, confident, Belle is a charmer that garners compliments.
Top: Lavender, Mandarin Orange, Red Currant
Mid: Heliotrope, Incense, Coffee Flower
Base: Patchouli, Amber, Mahogany Wood, Vanilla
You can buy Belle En Rykiel at Beauty.Com: Beauty.Com - Belle
Orange Flower & Amber - Potter & Moore
I discovered this one in a perfumerie at a lush local Southern CA resort spa. It was a summer favorite with it's light, fresh, tender orange blossoms and its warm amber base. Made with natural ingredients and essential oils OF&A feels bright and downright juicy. A spring and summer treat!
You can buy this one at: Beautyhabit - Orange Flower & Amber
Or check out the Potter & Moore website here: Potter & Moore
Anne Pliska Creme - Anne Pliska
This new formula perfumed cream released in February of this year comes in a great stand up tube and has been reformulated with more fragrance and a thicker, creamier texture. I love the dreamy pink color and the way if lasts and lasts!
Buy Anne Pliska Creme here: Lucky Scent - Anne Pliska Creme
Or buy samples or order by phone from the website: Anne Pliska.Com
To See More Favorites and Best of 2007, Check Out My Fellow Bloggers:
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)