My Newest Fragrance (And Obsession)-Prada Candy

From the moment I took the sample from the sales associate at Nordstrom, I knew I had to own this fragrance!  It is in one word...delicious.  It's a sweet fragrance but not overly sweet like say a Britney Spears Fantasy.  This is a sophisticated sweet, the kind of sweet you'd smell on a woman carrying a Celine Luggage tote.

It is not an overly complicated fragrance, consisting of just three notes: white musk, benzoin, and caramel accord.  When it's first sprayed, you really get the sweetness of the benzoin, as it drys down, the luscious caramel and white musk notes come out.

This is an eau de parfum, so it's more concentrated.  I find that on me, it lasts all day.  I'll spray it around 8 am and it will still be lingering around 6 pm.

I received this as a Christmas gift from the husband and I couldn't be more thrilled!  He happens to adore it also.  Side note: I find this to be a man magnet.  I've been stopped by men in the grocery store, at work, and at restaurants asking me what I was wearing.

Prada Candy is sold at your finer department stores (Saks, Neiman Marcus, etc).

Currently Loving...Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne

I wanted to share with you a fragrance that I am currently loving.  It is Jo Malone's Earl Grey & Cucumber cologne.  I know, I know...it does not sound that appealing.  But believe me it is!  It has notes of bergamot, apple, water jasmine, cucumber, vanilla, musk, and cedarwood.  At first, it has the spiciness of its namesake tea, then it dries down to a nice fresh scent.  I can't get enough of this cologne.  It also has outstanding lasting power.  I can still smell it on me after a full day of work! 

As always, I fell in love with a limited edition product.  This was released in her Spring 2011 collection as part of a whole tea themed collection.  And it only came in 1 ounce bottles.  So alas, when this is all gone, it will be no more. 

As you know, Jo Malone fragrances can be mixed to create a "custom" fragrance.  I like to sometimes  pair this with her Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne.  Gives it a nice fruitiness and makes it more sweet.

Jo Malone fragrances are available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Jo Malone boutiques.  The 1 ounce (50 ML) bottle retails for $55.

Summer Fragrance Favorite: Coach Poppy

I purchased this fragrance last summer and it quickly became a summer favorite of mine.  I couldn't wait for it to get warm again so that I could wear it! Coach Poppy has notes of cucumber flower, mandarin, freesia, jasmine, water lily, gardenia, crème brûlée accord, cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla and whipped marshmallow.  It is a sweet fragrance but not sickly sweet.  It is the perfect summer fragrance!

The bottle is cute though a little juvenile.  I believe this fragrance was marketed to the younger demographic with it's packaging and bright pink color.

I purchased this from Nordstrom when it was exclusively sold there but I have now seen it at Sephora, Ulta, Dillards, & Macy's.  It was $60 for the 1.7 fl oz bottle.  If you are looking for a good summer fragrance, check this one out.

Tom Ford Black Orchid-The Ultimate Fragrance

While on my most recent trip to Neiman Marcus, I finally broke down and smelled Tom Ford's Black Orchid.  From the first whiff, I was encapsulated with its intoxicating fragrance.  Quite frankly, it smells like sex in a bottle.  I left it at the store, as I had hit my spending limit for that day.  Fast forward to this past weekend, this time in Nordstrom.  I asked for a sample of Black Orchid to make sure it went well with my body chemistry as I had a terrible experience with his White Patchouli fragrance (great in the bottle, horrible on me).  I am happy to report that Black Orchid works well with my chemistry and I will be picking up a bottle.  It's notes are: Bergamot, Citrus, Mandarin, Black Gardenia, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lotus Wood, Orchid, Spicy Floral Accord, Black Accord, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Incense, and Vanilla.  It is a wonderfully complicated fragrance and not for the faint at heart.  Be prepared for both men and women asking what you are wearing.  It lasts all day and that is without doing my fragrance trick.

It retails for $95 USD for a 1.7 ounce bottle but Sephora exclusively offers a 1.0 ounce bottle for $62 USD.
Have you tried this fragrance?

Tips To Making Your Fragrance Last

Quite frequently, we will put on our favorite fragrance only to have it fade 2 hours later.  Well I have a tip for making your fragrance last.  Dab a little Vaseline on the spots that you are going to place your fragrance. Then spray or dab your fragrance on those spots and this well help to prolong your fragrance.  I've been doing this lately and I honestly can still smell my fragrance once I get home from work (for reference, I work 8-5).  Because Vaseline doesn't have a smell, it will not interfere with your fragrance's notes. 

I passed this trick along to a co-worker and she also found that it prolonged her fragrance.  If you do not have Vaseline on hand, you can also use Rosebud Salve, that works just as well.  Do you have any tricks for making your fragrance last?

My Current Obsession-Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

I am currently recuperating from a nasty cold, but I wanted to share my latest obsession with you.  It is the infamous Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb.  I received this fragrance for Christmas and have become totally obsessed with it.  I have worn it everyday since I've received it.  It is a mix of Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, and Patchouli.  It just oozes sensuality.  It lasts all day and I am constantly getting compliments on the fragrance.   It is the most intoxicating scent!  Even my sister, who refuses to wear perfume, wants some now.  It is rather pricey at $100 for a 1.7 oz bottle but totally worth it.  For a less expensive alternative, Sephora sells a rollerball version for $22.