A is for Aldo Fragrance Launch

Cushnie et Ochs!

 Happy Holidays everyone! Are you ready for the New Year come next week? Well if you are out and about checking out your local mall or clamoring to your closest fashionable residence in time for some New Years gear, you should definitely take some time to discover a new fragrance!
All this year and last, I've been trying and testing new fragrances but I was quite impressed with Aldo's new fragrances that launched earlier this month. I was invited to the launch party in Noho and got to sample the three women's fragrances: Yellow, Red and Blue. Simple and sophisticated.
I tried and liked the Red scent, its the warmest of the three and packs a musky yet fruity scent that doesn't leave you smelling male musky but is perfect for the fall/winter season.
If you get a chance while out and about "window shopping", stop into Aldo, take a whiff and relax.

Special Thanks to Aldo and BPCM

Fragrance Diary: Balenciaga Paris

On January 10th, I decided to chronicle my day of wearing Balenciaga's Eau de Parfum. While I'm usually drawn to citrus notes, the floral notes of the Cypre Violet in Balenciaga made the fragrance a bit edgy and classic for me.. as if I needed to experience a taste of modern sophistication. After receiving a sample sized ( .25 fl .oz) from my mother two months ago, I decided to document my journey throughout the day.

8:15am- Just finished putting on my brown fur-lined Uggs and reach for Balenciaga. I apply 2 small dabs onto both of my inner wrists and an amount from my pinkie to my neck as I make a dash out the door.
Hello Floral! I would have never guessed, the scent smells like it could melt a hard edge and make it soft.

10:54am- At my cubical, I think that the floral has subsided a bit and is now letting a powdery note shine. I imagine that Balenciaga's fragrance friends would be YSL's Parisienne and Narciso Rodriguez' Essence and they would both be lunching possibly at Balthazar having frites and moules. Fragrances lunching together.. haha that's so silly right?
Must make green tea.

1:17pm- The scent is still linger, its after lunch so I'm sneaking whiffs my gently rubbing my palm to my nose. I hope I don't accidentally rub the fragrance that is on my nose!

5:20pm- I'm impressed, the smell is faint but I like it. I'll definitely continue to use.

disclaimer: I received this product as a birthday gift from my mother.
Thanks Mom!

Spring Scent-iments

Spring is my season to pick up a new fragrance. I think I'm the only one who does this as it seems like fragrances are marketed to be gifted for either the Holidays or Valentine's day or its whatever celeb endorsed/collab that comes out every other week. Neither of these are my style as fragrance shopping is a process. When I broke the mold and bought YSL's Parisienne last fall, I adored it but when the roller-vial broke in my luggage over Thanksgiving break- the thought of my luggage still lingers the scent of Parisienne and I ended up giving my perfume away. Le Sigh.

Last year I bought Chloe, which I love. It's soft, warm, floral and woodsy- I'm not good with notes but I tell you its a fave till this day.

Prior to Chloe, I bought Marc Jacobs' Pear Splash which I use in the summer because its so light and fruity and occasionally spritz my closet with it.

Alas its almost Spring and I'm itching for a new citrusy scent to match my make-up lemmings ( I'll be getting to that soon!). I've been sampling some that are good D&G's La Lune but I wish I could seriously get ahold of Marc Jacob' Lemon or Grapefruit Splashes.

Why is it such a challenge to go shopping for this stuff! Sometimes the descriptions at Sephora just don't do justice and I also take into account how many other people wear the exact same fragrance, ( i.e. if you don't want to smell like an ex-girlfriend, don't buy a best seller- ahem Stella McCartney). body chemistry, etc. Next project, new non-celeb fragrances. No, you will not catch me wearing something by Kim Khardashian I prefer to wear something I can envoke. Thank you.

With that, another project in the making- Scents and Scentsability!

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre- Spring 2010

I just saw a sneak preview for Chanel's new twist on the Chance fragrance, Chance Eau Tendre.

Here's a sneak preview:

-it's a combination of the Chance citrus with more floral notes.

-the fragrance is pink.

- set to launch in March in the US.

Mimifroufrou has the campaign pic featuring model Sigrid Agren here

5ave 5 '09: Joann S of Sugar Bear Enterprises

Joann is the force who is owner and executive chef of Sugar Bear Enterprises, her personal chef and private catering company. She hails from San Diego and loves to enjoy " all the city has to offer", like Balboa Park's free museum tuesdays, the beach and yoga.

Over the Thanksgiving break I caught up with Joann and captured her 5 favorites of '09.

Hair: Sexy Hair®Hair Spray Wax- " Great for dirty spunky look on clean hair".

Fragrance: Solid Perfume at Whole Foods- Egyptian Bergamot Rose- " They look like little sticks"

Skin: Tea Tree Blemish Stick from Whole Foods- " works like a dream"

Cosmetics: Bare Essentials- "[I] swear by it!"

Body:" Dia De Los Muertos"Sleeve tattoo by Scott Silvia from San Francisco

You can contact Joann at Sugar Bear Enterprises here

5ave 5 of '09: Graizzy Bear Anna!

Anna G. is a blogger and project manager living in NYC. She yet to cease in obsessing over Lykke Li and Grizzly Bear for the past two years, and her favorite film is a tie between Pee Wee's Big Adventure and The Shining.

Hair : When all else fails (which is, well, everything), I use Frederick Fekkai Glossing Cream. It's probably the only product besides Davine's Oil Non-Oil (which I can't find ANYWHERE for some reason) that actually makes my thick, frizzy, unruly hair slightly less horrific-looking.

Nails : Whatever red color I get at the nail place. I prefer to leave my nails to the professionals, otherwise I end up looking like a deranged 5-year old painted my nails (i.e. me).

Skin : Neutrogena anti-wrinkle, anti-blemish scrub. It makes me feel like I'm not still a teen and yet not a weird older lady trying to fight wrinkles, yet it incidentally fights wrinkles, if that's even possible. It's not. But, whatever, I guess at least I don't use the exact products hawked by some Disney channel asshole.

Fragrance : Michael Kors. Though I was hesitant at first to buy something so closely associated with the nouveau riche aesthetic from the mindspace of a man who is, apparently, orange, this shit smells pretty good. It became an instant classic for me. However, I may soon try out YSL's Parisienne. It smells like a wilted rose in the best way possible-- a more sophisticated balance of floral and warmer, deeper notes. Almost smells like Prada cologne, but more subtly sweet and much more rich.

Cosmetics : Aside from my new favorite Givenvchy lipstick I got on my birthday, I love my Nars duo blush/bronzer in Sin/Casino. If used with a large brush, you can easily adjust the levels on each, making it a go-to item year-round.

Photo by: Driven By Boredom

5ave 5 of '09: Danielle of Danielleish!

Danielle is now a buyer based out of Houston, TX (yeehaw!) and Brooklyn will not be the same with out her. We have missed her sweet potato pancakes and cake balls with crazy confectionary glaze! Now she loves "keeping up with my gorgeous east coast friends". Aww, Thanks Danielle!

"Outside of work, if I'm not at workout bootcamp (www.HoustonHeightsBootcamp.com) I'm hunting out banh mi sandwiches and the best BBQ and queso the south has to offer!"

Here are Danielle's favorite 5 products:

Skin: Oil of Olay Daily Regenerist Serum - I am a freak for Oil of Olay - this is the product that was always on my mother's bathroom counter. Though, I find the classic moisturizer to be a bit heavy for me. I really love this product because it doesn't leave me feeling greasy and it doesn't suffocate my face in the hot Texas sun!

Fragrance: Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne - I have been wearing this scent for about three years, usually once the weather gets colder, and I love it. It's pretty unique, but the Jo Malone fragrances are all so distinct that you really get the chance to find something perfectly suited for you. Additionally, they offer a Fragrance Combining Menu for that truly one-of-a-kind perfume that only you will be wearing around town. More on that here: http://www.jomalone.com/TheWorldofJoMalone/fragrance.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY21651

Hair: Neutrogena Shampoo, anti-residue formula - I really like trying out tons of different shampoos + conditioner combinations. But once a week I give my hair a much-needed reprieve and wash it with this classic shampoo and then finish with a deep conditioning mask. The shampoo DOES kind of smell like my grandpa's old leather loafers and stale after shave, but I know with all the products to which I subject my hair, it needs a good thorough cleaning. This stuff does the trick.

Body: Dove Sensitive Skin Body Bar - I really love bar soap, but my microdermabrasion lady always tells me that I need to break this habit. A friend recommended this product to me by way of her dermatologist and I have been hooked ever since! It's sensitive enough to be used on your face, you can pick it up at the grocery store along with your apples and oranges, and I still get that bar soap satisfaction with which I strangely can't seem to part.

Hair 2.0: Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme - This stuff is really the bomb, yall. It's so versatile, you can use it if you're going to air dry your hair and go au naturale, or if you're really gonna amp things up and go super sleek and bring out the hair dryer/other assorted hair tools. It doesn't weigh your hair down, yet it still provides the right amount of hold so your hair doesn't fall limp the second you walk out the door. Though, for a big night, I still bring out the trusty hair spray - my proximity to Dallas gets me every time!

(Surprise! BONUS!) Certain Dri - Oh, where to begin with this one. Look, nobody likes sweaty pits. This stuff will get that pesky problem out of your life once and for all! No need to go into detail, but upon my recommendation, get thee to a CVS and start using it today! Those old "Sure? Unsure." commercials can finally be laid to rest thanks to Certain Dri!

5ave 5 of '09- The Fabulous Faye W.

Faye hails from London and has lived in Soho, NYC for the past 3 years. She has "fallen completely in love - with the city, my friends, the fashion, the music, the lifestyle, my daily spin classes, the experimental nature of expression and the ability to try anything to see whether it works, or fits, or simply feels right for that day only."

Faye also has the most amazing eyelashes! I asked for tips on how she gets her lashes to be so full that all your attention is drawn to her eyes- she uses YSL's Le Faux Cils!

" I love being able to create a style and be particular about preferences when it comes to products, and being able to be a girly girl as well as not feel guilty about the me time. I'm also pretty particular when it comes to my fitness and beauty routine and Manhattan allows me to do that without feeling too OCD! But maybe its all relative....."

Here is Faye's 5ave 5 of '09:

Hair - I have used George Michael Medora Long Hair products for about 6 years now - you can buy them at the Madora Long Hair Haven on Madison and 49th, the Long Hair Clinic in London, or order over the internet (which is good for me and my 3 block rule at the weekend!). Its a 3 step product with combinations of shampoo, 60 second conditioner and a creme rinse. The system completely eliminates static and is really good for your hair, preventing build up on your scalp, and smells good too - it can be used for long hair like mine, coloured, straightened, or shorter styles. I also love the 12 minute conditioner which I apply to my dry hair either a few minutes before the shower, or for a special treat, before bed so it has 6-8 hours to soak in before a wash.

Nails - I'm a fan of Essie - Licorice, Chinchilly, Midnight Cami, and occaisinally a little Wicked. Anything dark without sparkle to be honest!

Skin - Being a Brit, I have used [Boots] Number 7 products since I was 11 or 12, and the latest serum, Protect and Perfect, is a wonder. Outselling most competitors in the UK when it was launched it was limited to 1 tube per customer at Boots, the largest national drugstore chain. Now available at Target, I use it every morning underneath daily moisteriser and love it. As do a few of my male friends who have been tempted to try it - and its super affordable, leaving a few dollars spare to spend on the Creme de la Mer nightcream!

Fragrance - I'm currently wearing Ambree by Prada, love it, although have committment issues when it comes to my scent... Jo Malone's orange blossom is also great and reminds me of Christmas holidays with my family in the snowy mountains of Switzerland.... bliss

Cosmetics - I'm a MAC girl, love my satin lipstick - Faux. But I am never without my mascara - I love Le Faux Cils by YSL in number 3 (bright blue) as well as black, but Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express in black is pretty good, too. I literally layer it on - 3-4 coats on each eye every day...

5ave 5 of '09: Terry from Superqueen!

Terry loves writing about Fashion and Fashion photography on Dallo Spazio. Plus she is a fellow NARS-ist, with a penchant for vivid. She lives in North-East of Italy with her husband and my 19-month-old daughter.

"I have lots of hobbies, even if I don't have much spare time. First of all, I love writing about fashion and fashion photography, but I also like going to the cinema, listening to any type of music (but deep inside I'm still a grunge chick), reading horror novels and comics, collecting vintage gloves and rhinestone necklaces, Balenciaga bags and Helmut Newton coffee table books."

Here are Terry's 5ave 5 products she's been using this year:

Hair: I can't live without Garnier Fructis Long & Strong shampoo + hair conditioner. I have long wavy hair that becomes a messy nest without some conditioning.

Nails: Chanel Black Satin nail polish and OPI Alpine Snow nail polish. These are the ying yang of my nail polish collection and I love both of them. I use the first all the time, but I use the second when I want to sport an old-school colour, which reminds me of the 80s - it actually looks like white out).

Skin: Dr Hauschka Rose Light day cream. It's simply the best face moisturizer I've used so far, definitely a holy grail product for me.

Fragrance: I cannot choose one, because I have three favourite fragrances, all by the Parisian Diptyque. They are L'Ombre Dans l'Eau (blackcurrant leaf and Bulgarian rose), Olene (jasmin, wisteria and narcissus) and Philosykos (white cedar and fig tree leaves). Once you've tried Diptyque perfumes, you cannot go back to synthetic perfumes!

Cosmetics: when it comes to cosmetics, I am truly a NARS-issist :) Should I choose two products, I'd pick Shanghai Express lipstick (a deep red which makes you feel like an Old Hollywood diva) and Cruella velvet matte lip pencil (the product I've used most this year, nearly on a daily basis).

Check out Terry and her amazing blog Dallo Spazio here

Birthday musing

Birthday Treat Time!

Bracing for a need to embrace the cooler months, I decided to divulge in Tocca's Bridgette perfume. First off, its new to the collection and has that "old world" feel much like its counterparts Stella, Touch, Cleopatra and Florence.
The diff with this newby? it's musky in a feminine way with touches of Sandalwood that leaves a nice spicy aura.
This is a huge change for me as 1. I'm not normally the fragrance type. Typically I tend to stick to either Stella McCartney or Lacroix's Tumulte or YSL's Elle, also none of which are "spicy".
The bottle design and cherub feel drew me in , the fragrance reminded me of a elegance that captured hanging out in a cafe on the Rue di Rivoli or just walking down the street and doing laundry feeling beautiful.
I really don't know what did it for me, but I couldn't resist purchasing it along with December's i-D magazine and getting a nice massage on a beautiful fall day.

Tocca Bridgette is available here

Mother's Day gifts- part 1

what do you get for the woman who has everything? things like: not enough time in a day, not enough hands for the kids, not enough "me "time.
Give her a break! and goodies for all of her hard earned efforts.

Unique and classic fragrances are a start, my new fave that I plan on sharing with mom is YSL's Elle. I discovered the floral-musky fragrance while in Paris last year and now I indulge in the fragrance.

YSL has some great Mother's Day goodies and an even greater deal going on- free shipping on all orders over $80.
Get mom the Mother's Day Coffret with the Elle Fragrance and Body lotion while you can spoil yourself with the Elle charm with the solid fragrance and a fuchsia gloss that you can attach to your bag or your keychain.

Check out the specials athttp://www.yslbeautyus.com

Yes, Pearferably Marc

Last week after going through some excruciating, back-breaking GMAT study time. I mosed over to my local UTC Nordies and was introduced to Marc Jacob's Pear and Grapefruit Splashes.
After testing both: Pear on left, Grapefruit on right. I then walked away and decided to grab a bite to eat. While waiting for my turkey -cranberry, I imitated the fools in the Axe Body commercial and proceeded to smell my hands as if they were orchids. Pear spoke my language(s) both english and quasi-french and whispered sweet somethings..aww.While Grapefruit lingered and got all fresh with me.
I was stoked, considering I am infact allergic to Marc Jacob's Daisy- that not one but two of his fragrances will take me to my place of frag-lightenment.
Bonus: not only did I run back and purchase Pear ..(for now), but I hit the Jacob-pot! I got a free makeup tote for my purch.

Just Sweet!

Happy Birthday to Me

Ok, so I am late so it's more like Happy Belated Birthday since the official date was November 22nd. Woo hoo!
I had a great time with friends and family this Thanksgiving!
Black Friday... was another story. I wasn't out to shop at 4am... I shopped at 8am and was vastly disappointed.
Yes, there was the Victoria's Secret 2 for $20 Very Sexy Collection deal but I was in a wasteland being trampled by early birds at Fashion Valley Mall.

I am happy to report my love for Christian Lacroix Rouge that I received on Thursday. I adore it. This is the woodsy,warmth fragrance that I have been looking for. I love the citrus notes, its definitely one I can interchange with my MAC Creations MV1.

Hones-tly it brightens my day!

Amist all the craziness that ensued last week with the fires, I managed to work in some retail therapy. I walked into Bath and Body Works/ White Barn and walked out with a bag equivalent to lifting weights.
One of the heaviest items happens to be the best smelling- Sarah Ferguson's Hones-ty candle. Its heavenly, Rose and Ginger- I never would have thought I would love something that smelled so frou-frou.
You can find it on www.bathandbodyworks.com under candles.

Yves Saint Laurent's Elle

I just got back from Paris and I'm recovering from walking, shopping, talking,Nuit Blanche, Jardin de Tulleries and my visit to the Basque Country.
Lots to share! Pics, stories and of course...Maquillage ( Makeup) and Fragrance.
First off, I'm going to share the fragrance of my dreams...literally. Yves Saint Laurent's Elle, its what I call the jeunesse fragrance- along the lines of My Dior Cherie by Dior and Chance by Chanel.
Normally, I am not enamored by Fragrances but this one hit the spot. Its fruity sophisticated mixed with Jasmin,Freesia and Pink Berry's- I can't wait to wear my samples. The Galleries Lafayette had an event for the fragrance which equaled beaucoup de samples.
Elle should be out in the states come November.

Celebrity Fragrance season, oh my!

First, we just had celebs as models and muses ( remember Beyoncé for Tommy Hilfiger- True Star, Charlize Throne for J’adore Dior, ect.) now they have their own lines, whether it be marketed to the tween market ( Mary-Kate and Ashley, Hello Kitty) or to accompany their fashion labels ( Gwen Stefani and LAMB)- I feel very much inundated by celebrities ,their sh** and their airbrushing.
An extension of self-loathe on their part with branding and marketing and such, I congratulate Jennifer Lopez for her initial steps to conquering media ,fashion and fragrance.. but now.. I’m on overload. I love Gwen , Beyoncé and Sarah but there has to be a point were you aren’t spread so thin, that there is an air of mystery to your celebrity.
By giving us consumers things we think we want and things you don’t wear on your day to day frustrates me. For example: In Sarah’s Covet commercial, I loved her Christian Lacroix strapless white dress- can you recreate something like that for Steve and Barry’s? ( I can’t say the same for Gwen Stefani though.. she wears the clothes she creates and how)
New fragrances will be introduced by the likes of: Mariah Carey, Britney Spears’ ( new fragrance, flaming hot cheetos is not the topnote), Xtina Aguilera, Katie Price ( Jordan), The Beckhams ( May-jah), Diddy, Usher and a slew of people who want to be on you.

Classics: Love's Baby Soft

So another Classic I thought of ( didn't want to forget) was Love's Baby Soft. So many memories of this baby powder scented fragrance. On the weekends me, my mom and granny used to go to Plaza Bonita and I used to run to JC Penny's to get this stuff ( and their Rain fragrance that's just as good). I think you can now find this scent at your local drugstore. My drugstore of choice? LONGS! I can spend hours in there...

On another note: Rimmel London Cosmetics will launch Rimmel Underground this month in the US. Its supposed to have new Face, Lips and Eyes stuff targeted for us Gen Y'ers. Too bad there are no pics yet... the launch party was last year