Perfume Infused With Air and Mystery

One of my favourite heady sandalwood scents is the divine Guerlain Samsara. I prefer the vintage formulations as they contain almost nuclear levels of the precious and now *restricted sandalwood and jasmine. But mostly sandalwood. I have both the eau de toilette and extrait in vintage formulation, and extrait (or parfum) wears closer to the skin and is just softer. Note to self: get more before it is all gone. I hold on to the eau de toilette, but frankly never wear it, as much as I adore it. This 1989 beauty was at the tail end of the mighty 80s perfumes, and Guerlain held nothing back. Legend has it that Jean-Paul Guerlain made Samsara for a woman he wanted to seduce (naturally!), and he knew she loved jasmine and sandalwood. It must have worked, because she allegedly wore it faithfully, and that people would cross the street to ask her about her perfume. I'm thinking she may have overapplied but that is just me. And who cares! This is a romantic perfume as only the house of Guerlain does. Even the text on the ad is typically romantic - "Ni tout à fait la même, ni tout à fait une autre". It translates roughly to "Not quite the same, nor quite another"...a conundrum in a bottle, no?

Gorgeous mint tea

That said, it is still a bit of a powerhouse, and I usually limit my wearing of Samsara extrait to the winter, when a rich cozy perfume is required. Enter Guerlain Un Air de Samsara (thank you to my dear perfume enabler, Dane xo) which is, as the name suggests, a lighter and "airier" version of the original Samsara. Loads of mint, bergamot and narcissus have been added and the scent is reminiscent of a minty herbal tea on top of the drop dead gorgeous sandalwood jasmine cocktail. The mint is so cooling, like a breath of air, and seemingly lifts the terrestrial sandalwood up and frees it. More like the scent from a sandalwood fan than from rich creamy sandalwood absolute. It wears beautifully in the heat, and one can only imagine how the gentle and sultry notes of jasmine and sandalwood seduced Jean Paul Guerlain's lover. 

Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun.

~  Kahlil Gibran

Guerlain Un Air de Samsara is a discontinued fragrance but can found online from many vendors. Get it now, while you still can.

*Due to severe over harvesting of sandalwood, the material is severely restricted.

After The Rain - Guerlain Après L'Ondée

It's been raining a lot lately. You know, those heavy, ozonic rain storms.  They only come after intense heat and humidity, when you can barely see a few feet ahead, there is such a deluge. So of course, this brings to mind a perfume, and of course, that perfume is Guerlain Après L’Ondée. Après L’Ondée translates more or less to "after the rain shower" and was created in 1906 by Jacques Guerlain. It has often been called "heartbreakingly beautiful" by those who wear it. Some so much that they simply can't wear it- it makes them too sad. I adore it, maybe because it feels therapeutic to  wear a perfume that can evoke such emotion. Jacques Guerlain himself has said "I felt something so intense, I could only express it in a perfume". Are we feeling what he felt in 1906? Maybe...

Après L’Ondée does to perfume notes what watercolours do to art. Guerlain calls it "a perfume of absolute romance". When I wear it, I can almost see Monet's Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies), with their almost ethereal blues and purples and that feeling of cool fresh water.

Iris butter (from iris rhizome/root) is one the most expensive perfume ingredients in the world...

I love the cool earthy and buttery iris combined with the most delicately sweet and green violet, both of which are wrapped in the gentle powdery vanillic heliotropin that only Guerlain can do. I also notice a delicious anise note, which is kept from being too sweet or "licorice-y" by a whisper of gently soapy carnation and jasmine. Oh, to be sure there are other notes, but they are so masterfully blended I can't really discern them.

Many complain that Après L’Ondée is also heartbreaking in that it's magical beauty doesn't linger long enough on their skin. Luckily, my skin wears this perfume perfectly, and from the first second I sniffed it, I loved it.  It does make me feel sad, but in a good way, the way a good cry during a sad movie does. It smells like a lush closed garden, at dusk, after a heavy downpour, when the flowers are heavy with water and weighed down, and air is still slightly electric, like the rain could come down again at any moment. Perfect.

Guerlain Apres l'Ondee eau de toilette in the 100ml bee bottle is available from Guerlain Boutiques. Some department stores in the US with comprehensive Guerlain counters also carry it.

Video! A Perfume Lesson, Pretty Spring Perfumes, Sheer Red Lippy & Glitter!

In which I discuss one of my pet peeves with the perfume industry. It's not earth shattering or groundbreaking news, but I think it's important to be able to distinguish fact from fun in the cosmetic industry. Right?

Links:

The 2 perfumes I mention are Houbigant Quelques Fleurs and Guerlain Jardins de Bagatelle.

The sheer red lippy I now love is Clinique Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey. Noticed after the fact I refer to it as simply Luscious in the video, but it is Luscious Honey.

And my glittery nails are courtesy of Deborah Lippmann Candy Store. And, here is an amazing how-to post on how to get that tricky glitter polish off your nails by The Beauty School Dropouts.

That Violet Perfume Is So Purple-y

I love violet perfumes. The "love at first sight" flower...fitting. They are soft, simple and innocent. Why innocent? Hm, I'm not sure. Somehow I associate violet with babies or grandmothers, or candy, and all of those things are pretty darn sweet & innocent. They is an airy and fresh feel to violet perfumes that to my thinking makes them perfect for spring, as well as the intense heat of summer. Years ago I got a simple violet eau de toilette on summer holidays at the beach in St Jean de Luz in France, so perhaps that wonderful scent memory of hot sunny days sipping white wine while listening to the waves crash will forever cement the perfect summer day with the scent of violets for me. I just feel clean and fresh when I wear violet. 

Annick Goutal La Violette: It smells like sweet violet candies- soft and soapy, and stays close to the skin. The violet is somehow a "cool" flower so violet scents tend to be cooling and perfect for warm weather. They have a simple old fashioned feel to them and there is a rainy fresh garden feel that I just love.  I get decent longevity from almost all perfumes so while some complain that this does not last on them, on me it lasts a few hours. It is a simple soliflore but somehow so perfect and light. 

L'Artisan Parfumeur Verte Violette: This one is a bright purple violet. It's sparkling and vivid, like a handful of violettes covered in dew. The "Verte" in this (French for green) refers the green notes, which are supposed to be the leaves and stems. The neat thing about violet leaf is it is often used in men's fragrances, and it adds a unisex twist to the violet, which can often be very feminine smelling.  As well, L'Artisan added a touch of iris to this mix, which adds an earthy richness. Both sexes could easily wear this one and they would smell amazing. Love it. One of my favourite L'Artisans.

Guerlain Les Meteorites: Brace yourself for the sad panda- this gorgeous little gem is discontinued. Sorry. I don't usually like to write about products that are nearly impossible to find but I just can't talk about violets without mentioning this. Named after Guerlain's famous cosmetic powder of the same name, Les Meteorites is the scent of those gorgeous little powder balls we love so much. The neat thing about this violet scent is the warmth behind the flower. The yummy sweet Guerlinade makes up the base for the violet. Please read Monsieur Guerlain's perfect description of Guerlinade. He says it better than I ever could. Violet is a cool and fresh flower so adding the sweet sultry Guerlain magic recipe makes it a slightly sexy violet. Only Guerlain...

My List of Beautiful Gifts For The Holidays

Here are some of my favourite things for the 2011 Holiday Season...some of them are on my wish list too! Do any of these sound perfect to you? What are you hoping to get this year?

Diptyque Holiday Fragrances - The gorgeous & luxe special edition candles in gorgeous holiday red, green and gold, Epinette (resinous pine) and Perdigone (spicy plum) and also a lovely Winter Coffret with 3 mini candles- Wood Fire, Pomander & Pine. My friend Tara loves to travel with mini candles- they are a perfect way to make an impersonal hotel room feel like home. Lovely gifts! From $32-$84. 

Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started Limited Edition Kit - What a mouth watering selection of Lippmann's sparkliest glitters, perfect for holiday parties! From a neutral pretty pink to an elegant black confetti, there is something for any party here! Around $42.

By Kilian Perfume Solid Compacts: Ok these are simply stunning. The delicious By Kilian perfumes, available in a gorgeous black bakelite-style compact that would look drop dead elegant in any purse or pocket. One thing I love about solid/concreta perfumes is they are very quiet on the sillage front. They stay close to the skin, and contain pure parfum so only the best part of the scent is what you smell. And, they don't spill or explode which makes them ideal for travel. For her perhaps the solid of Love & Tears (glorious jasmine) or, for him, the sublime A Taste of Heaven (worlds most stunning lavender). Trivia- the boxes that By Kilian's bottled perfumes come in are so stunning they have been seen being carried by the worlds most stylish and elegant women as evening bags. Seriously. $95...and this will last a lifetime.

Thann Skincare Gift of Complete Pampering: After a whirlwind month of parties, preparation and primping, who wouldn't want to find a box full of pampering goodness under their tree? Thann has a lovely set that includes their Aromatherapy Salt Scrub, Rice Grain Soap and Moisturizing Olive Oil Spray for the gift of relaxation and skincare goodness. And, it's on sale for $45.50!

Cashmere Wrap from Banana Republic: I LOVE these wraps! I've owned this in ivory and it is the softest and coziest scarf/wrap I've ever had. I say ownED as it now seems to be my daughter's scarf...Anyways, the hot pink Bright Sangria or reddish-orange Ubud Red would look amazing on anyone, keep them warm and add a splash of colour to that winter wonderland outside. On sale as well...around $100.

                                            

                                            

Dior Crème de Rose Lip Balm & Crème Abricot: A luxe & lovely lip balm that only Dior could make. It smells like roses, moisturizes chapped lips and lightly plumps them. It comes in a lovely bakelite style pot with a subtle Dior logo, which is the same style container as their iconic Crème Abricot- one of the best nail & cuticle savers ever made. Both of these are a luxurious twist on a utilitarian product, with the benefit of being Top Quality and looking pretty sitting on a bedside table or in your purse. These certainly fall under my "Things I Hate To Buy For Myself" category which  makes them  perfect gifts. Around $25-$30 depending on where you live.

Bobbi Brown Classic To Go Palette: Ok, no one does cosmetic party kits, palettes and sets like Bobbi Brown. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I was the counter the other day. They had a lovely display case with all the gorgeous little kits lined up in little windows. I wanted them all! I thought the Classic To Go Palette would be the one I'd like to see the most in my stocking. Great price too at under $30 US.

Guerlain Vol de Nuit Perfumed Shimmer Powder: Ok this entire Guerlain Limited Edition Holiday Collection is GORGEOUS. Each piece is swoonworthy all by itself, but the Vol de Nuit powder is the ultimate luxury. Scented, gently I've been assured, with the classic Vol de Nuit perfume, its for use on the body, face and, the best part, hair. It has a soft and gentle shimmer and is in a gorgeous emerald green interpretation of the classic propeller bottle, from the perfume. Trivia: The original Vol de Nuit (Night Flight) perfume was allegedly inspired by the book of the same name written in 1931 by the aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Romantic...Santa, are you listening? Around $80-$90.

And I'm sure you'll forgive me this Christmas carol...because it's Diana Ross & The Supremes....

Smell Sexy & Beautiful

Just dabbing a bit of perfume on before bed...what? Of course I wear my fur to bed, silly!

This is a tough category, as we all have our own ways to feel sexy and beautiful, and the scent we choose is no exception to that individuality. I do think there are seasonal sexy scents, some work better in warmer weather, some in cooler weather, and there are different kinds of sexy. Fall is coming though, with soft cozy sweaters and wind whispering through the leaves as they fall to the ground. This puts me in mind of warmer skin scents, the kind you like to wear to cuddle up. These are a few I really enjoy wearing. They make me feel beautiful and cooler weather is perfect snuggling weather.

Etro Heliotrope Heliotrope is a neat perfume note,  simple and soft, from the flower of the same name. It is said that the flower smells like cherry pie, and there is also an almond note. So you can imagine it drifts off into gentle marzipan territory, and even a bit of Play-Doh. My daughters love this one, and my younger one Brigit perks up her ears if I say “oh this perfume has that Play Doh note” as she loves.  Etro Heliotrope is full of many notes like  orange blossom, almond, jasmine, heliotrope, rose, tonka bean, musk, and vanilla, but the heliotrope is the star here. This perfume is soft & wears very close to the skin. Longevity is so-so but that is to be expected from a soft perfume. This perfume is comforting, cozy, and pretty but also unusual and unexpected- always a compliment getter. I wrote about Etro Heliotrope here.

Chanel Bois des Iles What can I say about Bois des Iles that I didn’t say here? This is a gorgeous stunning perfume that is always right. The sandalwood & jasmine combined with the sparkling aldehydes make Bois des Iles perfect, especially in cooler weather. Wear this perfume and watch them melt in your wake. Perfection. Since it’s re-release as part of the Chanel Exclusif collection it was only available as an edt in 200ml bottles aka jugs. I am happy to report it can be had in 75ml bottles now. They show up on Chanel’s website, but you will have to check your local Chanel boutiques for further shopping info.

Guerlain Mistouko Mitsouko was created in 1919 so lets get right to the reformulated versions that are available to the average human today. Yes, you could scour the interwebs for vintage Mitsouko, it is divine etc etc. However, I own the current version in eau de parfum concentration and find it absolutely beautiful. It is a fruity chypre, with peach being the dominant fruit with a drydown to a divinely rich & complex base grounded by oakmoss. It is the Guerlain magic that happens in the middle that is so hypnotic & gorgeous. It also features bergamot, jasmine, may rose, cinnamon, vetiver, and woods and they are woven together so seamlessly it is a challenge to pick them out. The warm vanillic Guerlinade makes this perfume perfect for cool days. It is so different from what you smell on the market these days, and never fails to elicit an “Oh my gosh, what is that gorgeous perfume?” when I give someone a hug.

Ungaro Diva Ok so this perfume is a diva for sure, but it really is the way you wear it. Spray Ungaro Diva from head to toe? God, no. A few subtle spritzes on pulse points or a gentle mist before getting dressed? Drop dead sexy. This is an 80s chypre that makes no apologies for being all woman, and for roaring it from the rooftops. Yet I find in the eau de toilette formula (the lightest) and worn lightly, Diva becomes as soft as suede and melts into the skin beautifully. It is a veritable kitchen sink list of notes so I won’t even get into them all, but you can read them here. The ones that stand out to me as sexy, cozy and gorgeous though, and I just love them.  The multiple citrus notes on the top soften the multiple floral notes before softening to a gorgeous base of oakmoss, honeyed sandalwood and vanilla. It even tends to a slightly soapy feel, but not detergent soapy, more like expensive French soap soapy. Diva is not for the timid, but you can keep her voice to a whisper if you like.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir I've written about Pomegranate Noir here. I love it, and it is a classic beauty for cooler weather. There are fruity top notes of pomegranate and raspberry, but it is the woody, spicy and resin-y base that makes this one sing. It smells rich, and I have even had people tell me it smells “expensive”. There is something oddly compelling about this one, and in case you think fruity means for kids, it’s not. As far as Jo Malone goes, this is one of the “stronger” perfumes. The patchouli note grounds this and makes it a Grown Up Perfume. A great evening perfume.

Houbigant Quelques Fleurs Quelques Fleurs is a floral perfume, as the name suggests, and I like to think of it as velvety. It is rich and creamy, and another one with an endless list of notes. This one was also launched at the beginning of the 20th century so it is a given that the notes have changed from then. I wear and love the currently available version. The flowers come off as so soft and feminine yet manage to be rich thanks to being propped up by a base full of woods, tonka, amber and musks. It is the amber and musk that really define this one for me. Amber to me is soft, warm and powdery, and always perfect for cooler weather. The musk they use is sweet sexy and quiet, so while neither of these notes jump out, their sweetness blend perfectly with the flowers. If you love gentle sweet florals with a grown up twist, Quelques Fleurs is a must try. It is another one that smells expensive- this perfume always makes me feel polished and womanly. The sweet and sexy in this are a dichotomy but somehow work. Pop culture connection- Quelques Fleurs is one of Nicole Ritchie's signature scents. I love her boho style and find it kind of neat that she wears such a womanly grown up scent.

Creed Fleurs de Bulgarie Another floral scent, Fleurs de Bulgarie is another one that I prefer in cooler weather. It is really all about rose, but not a powdery simple rose. Nor is it the dark rose scent that is ubiquitous these days, with the Stellas & Juliette Has A Gun types. Nor is the sexy rose chypre like Diva or L’Arte di Gucci.  It is chock full of one of Creed’s beloved ingredients, ambergris, along with amber and musks, and these ingredients really set it apart. It is an odd one, and perhaps a love it or hate it perfume. I was discussing with some perfumistas yesterday how I actually hated Fleurs de Bulgarie on first sniff and couldn’t stash that sample fast enough. But the ambergris stayed with me, and when I finally tried it again, it nearly set my mouth watering. Soapy, yet not clean, and quite sexy in my opinion.

What are YOUR favourite sexy perfumes, or sexy perfume notes?

More Beautiful Bronzers...

Over-tanning til you're orange? Non merci!

After much discussing of what bronzers do we love best on Twitter and Facebook this week, I decided to do another post on some more of my fave bronzers. Self tanners and bronzers fall into this category for me. I have already covered some facial self tanners here.

Bronzer Hall of Fame: Guerlain Terracotta 01. This stuff is legendary for a reason. It goes on smoothly without blotches, stays put and gives a healthy soft glow. It does have the teensiest bit of shimmer in it but this is not noticeable on the skin. It is there for a reason as a truly matte bronzer can be dangerous if not in the hands of a professional make up artist. It can look splotchy and, well, dirty, with a muddy tone. I can only see the shimmer in Terracotta with my reading glasses on, and only on my skin if I swipe it with my finger and rub it on. Applied with a soft fluffy brush evenly all over the face, it is perfection! Always in my make up bag. Always.

Bronzer With a Bit of Bling: Bobbi Brown Aruba Illuminating Bronzing Powder is a lovely choice as it is a very soft bronze colour, suitable for fair skin, but offering the most subtle bit of shimmer. It really does simply “illuminate” and is nice for evening. I usually save this for cooler weather when I am not shiny but to be honest it really is just not that shimmery. Nice when dusted on tops of cheeks and forehead, and on décolletage if you are heading out on the town. Every time I put this on I think “ I should use this more often”. Gorgeous.

Cheap’n’Cheerful Bronzer: Rimmel Natural Bronzer in 022 Sun Bronze. This one never fails to amaze me. I often wonder if it is only my love for Guerlain that keeps me from using this one exclusively. The Rimmel bronzer is about as close to shimmer free as I am comfortable with. I can only see traces of something with a bit of sparkle when I put on my reading glasses and go stand in direct sun and stare at the swatch on my skin. I have also used 021 and am not quite sure why I got 022…anyways they are very close. The colour is very sheer and buildable but not blotchy at all. My younger daughter Brigit, who only wears mascara and a bit of powder (age appropriate at 15) stole this from my make up drawer and its perfect for her. She is very fair with white blonde hair but has skin that tans and this is so subtle on her. It really just looks like a healthy glow. At under $10 this one is a must have. You will use it, trust me. Oh, and it has SPF 8....bonus.

Easy Peasy Self Tanner: They say Clarins Liquid Bronze is for the face but I use it on my décolletage and my legs. With it's lovely and light milky consistency, it is easy as pie to apply, sort of goof proof if you blend well, and gives a perfect natural golden glow. This one gets much love on beauty blogs and forums all over the interwebs. For good reason- I love it! Smells nice too.

Amazing Instant Tanned Legs Self Tanner: Make Believe Airbrush Self Tanner is easy to use and gives incredible results. Caveat: this stuff is a bit hard to find. I bought it at Murale while on a marathon make up shopping trip with my friend Vicki (one of many...) and I’m not even sure if they carry it anymore. It is AMAZING. A spray tanner perfect for legs, it is an aerosol tanner that shows up immediately but also develops slowly into a tan. As long as one doesn’t forget to blend at feet/ankles/knees (do it quickly, as it is "flash dry") this stuff is amazing. Perfect for the start of summer when the dresses and shorts come out, or going on holiday to get the perfect tan. It is subtle, so no Ooompa Loompas with this stuff. LOVE it. Not sure what I will do when my tin is done as I don’t think Murale carries it anymore….

Incredibly Natural Self Tanner:  Neostrata Natural Insta-Tan is sooo good. I forgot about til I found it at the back of my drawer:  The main things I love about this are it is oil free and actually more of a gel, and it shows up right away making for fool proof application. It is powerful and a little goes a long way so use with a light hand, starting with very little. Honestly this bottle is huge and will last forever. It is for use on body and face. No nasty smell at all. I am pretty sure it is the same type of formula as St Tropez as it has that odd greenish tinge to the formula that I noted in the St Tropez Mousse. It is ideal for acne prone or oily skin.

Well, hi there... 

Of course, the shades I recommend are the ones that work for me and my medium to fair skin tone. You will have to determine what shade works best for you. A skilled make up artist or Sales Associate should be able to help. I recommend looking at your face in natural light before buying. And before applying self tanners always EXFOLIATE, especially knees, elbows, wrists & feet. And apply moisturizer first. And wash your hands after applying, using a nail brush unless you want to look like a chain smoker... But there is a bronzer for everyone! What are your fave bronzers?

Let's sing about how perfectly bronzed we are!

Guerlain Terracotta Eau Sous le Vent, Quiet & Gentle Beauty

Guerlain’s famous and fabulous bronzing line, Terracotta, of which I am a huge fan, has a “perfume” to go with. I say perfume in quotes because it isn’t really sold as such- it is summer skin conditioner that has a beautiful subtle perfume. According to Guerlain's website, Terracotta Eau Sous le Vent is a mist that moisturizes, “enhances the tan and delights the senses” and is sold under the category of "well being". It apparently contains a vegetable protein which protects the skin from dryness and environmental (sun, wind etc) issues. I can’t really attest to those benefits but can say it does leave a soft glow where you apply it. And, because it is so softly scented, you can apply liberally. It is suggested that you buy the Guerlain accompanying skin oil that has a bronzing effect and also smells quite good. I like it, but have 2 issues with it. I don’t need the bronze colour in the oil, I use self tanners which are enough. I also do not like the application which is basically pouring it out of a 100 ml bottle into your hand through a wide mouth top. If they made it a clear oil, with a spray applicator, I would have bought both items. But, as it stands, the Guerlain oil is no competition for my Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse with its delicate texture and spray application.

Interestingly, the scent of Terracotta Sous le Vent is evocative of my beloved Nuxe and they layer beautifully! Intoxicating, actually. There is no solid information anywhere regarding the notes of this perfume. I will go out on a limb and say tiare, but the most delicate tiare I’ve ever sniffed. No monoi oil coconut confection scent in this beauty though. This is a delicate, soft tropical white floral that begs you to lean in closer to smell it. You almost have to touch the skin to get the effect. There is something tactile and satisfying about the wooden cap as well. It has a feeling of days gone by quality that the plastic caps of today just don't provide. I love it.

How gorgeous is this bottle! WANT

The name, Sous le Vent, is actually borrowed from the classic Guerlain Sous le Vent from the 30s which has a dry green scent and was the perfume of the fabulous Josephine Baker. Sous le Vent is French for "leeward" and is also the name of the tropical Leeward Isles in the French Caribbean. After her performances at Theatres des Champs-Elysees, Josephine Baker would apparently retreat to her dressing room and reach for Sous Le Vent, the perfume Jacques Guerlain had created for her. Wrapping herself in its intoxicating fresh and green fragrance, she would be transported from the wild streets of Paris to the peace and tranquility of the faraway islands Sous Le Vent promised. I ADORE Sous le Vent, it is crisp, slightly bitter and green yet soft and fresh. One day I shall get one of those glorious bottles for myself.

Terracotta Eau Sous Le Vent translates slightly differently, to “water in the wind” and makes me think it is a play on words. The tropical island pictured on the bottle implies that gorgeous tiare scent, but rather than wearing a highly scented bouquet of them, you are on the deck of your boat after a day of sailing in the tropics, while the sun sets, and the warm island breezes are carrying the scent of the native flowers and wrapping around you. Yes. That works.

Random Beautiful Thoughts for June...

Music: I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my revisiting of The Eagles classic, Hotel California. I adored this and got a copy of this in vinyl when I was 12, then later when I was driving, I had the cassette tape to listen to in my car. It makes me think of summer and, well, driving, and those are two of my most favorite things so the associations are Good Things. Yes, The Eagles have been around forever, yes they are mainstream and not cutting-edge (god forbid). But, they write lovely songs and pretty melodies that make me feel good when I sing along. Love those harmonies between Don Henley, Glenn Fry and that  uber mellow 70s Joe Walsh sound. Who doesn’t want a peaceful easy feeling these days?



Book: Well, I’ve decided to revisit some classics in between more current fiction, which I also enjoy. Both of my daughters are reading and loving Game Of Thrones, which I look forward to starting at some point. In the meantime, I've decided to read Ulysses by James Joyce. I was so sure I had read this in school but it was Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man. I kind of wish I had a friend that would read Ulysses with me, as I think it would be interesting and helpful to discuss this hefty tome. I guess I’m feeling the need to examine the human condition, and to test my brain, something I don’t do nearly as often as I should. I am torn about reading it as an ebook on my iPad. Should I read the actual book, preferably one with wide margins so I can make thoughtful annotations? Is an ebook sacrilege for Joyce? Or would he find it funny?

Food: I’ve been feeling in a food rut after this long cold and damp winter, so I have been looking for inspiration. I want food that is fresh, with some bite. So lately it’s been Thai inspired dishes, with lots of fresh basil, mint and the oh so yummy Rooster Sriracha Sauce. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! Spicy and hot but with a lovely sweet and salty flavor that is perfectly balanced. I love to add fresh cilantro to dishes as well, but that is a love it or hate it herb in this house, so it’s always on the side.

Fashion: SUNDRESSES! Yay, summer has finally arrived and nothing makes me happier than throwing on one item of clothing and BAM, you’re ready. Flowing, pretty and feminine, there is a dress for every shape, height and taste. I love a classic shirtdress with flat sandals for a more polished hot weather daytime style, or a cool and flowing wrap dress with heels for an evening out. I also love the comfort of a filmy gauzy boho style cotton dress for those super hot days when you want as little as possible coming between you and the weather. LOVE!

Tommy Hilfiger Gingham Shirtdress- I am loving this one!

Skincare: As much as I adore the heat and humidity of summer, it can make my skin a little shinier and more blemish prone, especially when I’m driving in a convertible with lots of sunscreen. I don’t know where I would be without my Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. Made for oily skin, it shrinks pores, dries up blackheads and blemishes and makes skin tight and smooth. It contains, among other things, kaolin clay, sulphur and zinc oxide, which are all known to be magic for oily skin. It is very minty and dries to a tight dry mask and I would say very sensitive skin types would not enjoy this. It could irritate or sting. On me, it is cooling and cleansing and I adore it. For under $6 for a large tube, talk about bang for your buck. I get mine at Walgreens when I’m in the US. I don’t know if it available in Canada but you can order it from their website.

Make Up: Thanks to the recommendation of the gorgeous and wise Michelyn over at Ca Fleure Bon, I have been using Urban Decay 24-7 Waterproof Eyeliner. I decided to give it a try instead of buying my usual Lancome Le Stylo. I use the black and I tightline along my upper and lower lashes. Well all I can say is wow. It lasts and lasts and lasts, does not bleed or smudge and does not irritate my eyes. Love it!

Perfume: Ah summertime and time for my favorite perfumes- florals. I have been obsessing about Guerlain’s Terracotta Eau Sous Le Vent scent lately and now the weather is perfect for it. Subtle and sexy tiare with something yummy that smells like warm sunkissed skin makes this one irresistible. It is very soft, and I mean very, so if you are looking for a BANG perfume this one isn’t it. You have to lean in very close to smell this one because the floral notes are so delicate and lovely. This is another one of my bedtime favourites as well. The bottle is so pretty and simple, and there is something so retro and tactile about the wooden cap. Guerlain also says it has skin conditioning properties, which is just fine with me. Make me smell good and have soft skin- yes please! You must read Best Things In Beauty's review, she says what I feel about this scent just perfectly.

What are you loving these days? I’d love to know…