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Thoughtful Christmas Gifts: Top 5 Perfumes
There are so many fragrances available that you might get overwhelmed when shopping for a loved one. Even with all the gift options out there, perfume and cologne is a great thing that you might not buy for yourself. Having another option can open up the conversation for occasion, mood and even relationship.
Here are my top 5 picks for anyone your list. Some of these celebrity perfumes are unique, cost effective and best of all loved by everyone! Even if you might not LOVE the celebrity, you just may fall in love with their blended scent this holiday season so give it a chance!
1. Kenneth Cole Mankind

Kenneth Cole launches a new men’s fragrance called Mankind that have resulted from the new partnership with Parlux: “The fragrance is meant to speak to that Renaissance guy. He is accomplished but humble, he is strong but sensitive. He’s got a very clear sense of…where he is, where he’s going and how he’s going to get there. He’s very much focused on looking good but also doing good.” (wwd) . The fragrance is advertised with cheeky slogans such as “Join the Evolution “and “Your ape will either grow more hunchbacked or erect”.
The fragrance is developed by Claude Dir as aromatic – woody. Fresh aromatic elements of cardamom, tarragon leaf, ginger and pineapple lead to masculine elements of cedar, vetiver and cinnamon that provide warm sensuality. Then comes the base of sandalwood, oak moss, tonka bean and skin musk.
Chad Lavigne designed the bottle. The fragrance is available as 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette. Mankind was launched in 2013.
2. Jay Z Gold
“Gold Jay Z” is his first fragrance developed for men and composed with the help of Firmenich perfumer Ilias Ermenidis.
Top notes await us with a union of ginger, grapefruit, blueberry and cardamom. The heart emphasizes masculine vetiver incorporated with pink pepper, lavender and violet leaf on a base of amber, peace, teak and vanilla. Its olfactory character is described as a white fougère and it really has that scent, quiet, fresh, elegant and serene, gently heated with the warmth of amber and vanilla. Jay Z Gold will be available in bottles of 15, 30, 50 and 90 ml EDT, accompanied by perfumed products for face and body. The outer package completes the new edition’s glamor with agolden relief surface. Gold was launched in 2013.
3. Rihanna Rogue
Rihanna launches her fifth fragrance and the first masculine one in her collection, called Rogue Man. After the successful releases of feminine fragrances Reb’l Fleur in 2010, Rebelle from 2012, Nude from 2012 and Rogue from 2013, the pop icon opted for a masculine version of her latest fragrance.
The perfume was developed by Frank Voelkl as an oriental – woody. In the top notes there are bergamot, clementine, black pepper and rosemary. The heart consists of cedar, jasmine, vanilla orchid and labdanum, leaning on the base of sandalwood, patchouli, amber, musk and tonka bean.
Rogue Man comes out in September 2014. Its advertising campaign shows the singer and a tattooed model. Rihanna posted on on twitter: “Ladies! This September wake up next to your man smelling like this! Makes you wanna steal his Tshirts”
4. Clique by Roble

The cocktail they are trying to create in the top notes is a blood orange margarita and while that is the inspiration that never really comes together on my skin. What does come together is much less ambitious and much more pleasant. The blood orange is very prominent and the tartness of that citrus is enhanced with a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of smoky chipotle pepper. Those three notes work wonderfully together and I really enjoy the choice to go for spicy and tart with a bit of smoke. The note list promises tequila and triple sec but on the days I wore this I never found those notes. The heart is made up of iris, jasmine, violet, and tuberose. This is a recipe for heady floralcy and it arises out of the top notes with a restrained intensity at first and then blossoms to life as the tuberose and the iris take the lead. After that dessert needs to be even more luscious and honey and chocolate provide that opulent aspect as they are bracketed by a doughy accord which is called “Challah bread” in the note list and piquant cinnamon which recalls the chipotle pepper in the top notes. The final moments of Clique by Roble are true blue gourmand and it manages to keep its sweetness under control and it never became too much on the days I wore it.
Clique by Roble had 6-8 hour longevity and above average sillage.
I have my favorite gourmands in my collection and usually I find the more recent releases to be working the same territory over and over. Clique by Roble has some of that familiarity in the use of the chocolate and honey in particular but the choice of things like chipotle pepper and blood orange shows a little more imagination than usual. It is that which makes Clique by Roble a gourmand worth seeking out if you are a fan of this style.
5. Halle Berry Wild Essence

Halle Berry launches her seventh perfume in a row in summer of 2014. The fragrance is named Wild Essence, and Halle explains the inspiration for its creation: “The essence of a woman is in body and soul and becomes more sensual in nature, so with my newest fragrance I wanted to go deep into the rainforest where I could capture the primal richness of nature in an effortless scent.”
The composition is announced as very sexy and sultry combination of fresh citrus notes and white flowers, wrapped in sophisticated and light woods of sandalwood and patchouli. Top notes include Sicilian bergamot, black currant and mandarin. The heart includes freesia in bloom, linden blossom, cotton flower and white roses. Silky musk, white patchouli, crystal amber and sandalwood form the base of the fragrance.
The fragrance is available as 15 and 30 ml Eau de Parfum with an accompanying collection.
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Caboodles for the Holidays
Everyone had a Caboodle growing up! They are perfect for organizing all your beauty and crafts in one easy place. Consider a Caboobles for the Holidays for those on your list. No wrapping paper necessary, Caboodles new holiday collection of beauty organizers are decked in silver & gold! These glittery totes & train cases are so chic they’ll get even the Grinchiest gal into the holiday spirit! Caboodles are available online and in stores nationwide (Ulta, Target, Walmart etc.) so they’re the PERFECT go-to item for a last minute gift run (we know you’d NEVER put it off ’til the night before, but maybe if your friend needed a quick fix 😉 Bonus points for outfitting your Caboodle with a lil something extra – maybe sneak in a shimmery nail lacquer or use a Caboodle as the worlds best gift card holder!This one is great for putting all your small items in. You can use this at the office too with your pens and chargers too!
This 10 piece set is my all time favorite! It is perfect for organizing, trips, small items and in your purse. If you need essentials like bobby pins, fragrance, eyeliner or blogger sheets, this is an easy way to keep everyone in one place so you don’t have to dig through your bag!
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New Scent for her: EAU DE LACOSTE SENSUELLE
As the scarves and boots come out and we transition into cooler temperatures, it is also important to switch up your fragrance too. I am happy and excited to introduce you to LACOSTE’s newest fragrance, EAU DE LACOSTE SENSUELLE. A perfect scent to spritz before your holiday soirée – Sensuelle will surely capture your senses & excite this holiday season!
Feminine and sensual, EAU DE LACOSTE SENSUELLE accentuates an elegant but casual appearance, with a soft twist that is reminiscent of a joyful evening. Beginning with the refreshment given by an evening breeze, the fragrance opens with sparkling, vibrant pink pepper and contrasting tart blackcurrant.
Lacoste fruity floral perfume, 60 CAD / Nails Inc nail polish, 11 CAD / Alexis Bittar long earrings, 680 CAD / Emm Kuo snake print handbag, 785 CAD / Coast blue sequin top, 120 CAD / Hourglass cosmetic, 40 CAD / Sophia Webster patent leather shoes, 640 CADThe soft sensuality of nougatine blends with the rich comfort of amber to provide the perfect fragrance for to set the stage for the evening ahead. The most gorgeous and seductive scent to ask for for Christmas!
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Ladurée Macarons and Ladurée Chocolate books
A delicious calorie free present for the holidays. Did you know Ladurée has two shops in NYC now?

In the middle of the twentieth century, Pierre Desfontaines, cousin of Louis Ernest Ladurée, created the first Ladurée macaron by having the genius to stick two macaron cookies together and fill them with a flavorful ganache.
Ever since then, the preparation has stayed the same. Each season Ladurée celebrates this little round cake that’s crispy outside and soft inside, a perfect balance of aromas and textures, by creating new flavors. Each year the palette of flavors and colors grows, from the classic chocolate or raspberry to festive macarons, exotic flavours for certain destinations, fashion designers, perfumes etc.
This book presents, for the first time, each of the eighty Ladurée macarons, their aromas, inspirations, trend books and of course all of the recipes to make them at home.
At the end of the book there is a practical, step-by-step section to show exactly how Ladurée’s chefs make the cookies and the ganache fillings so you can be sure to succeed in making them too.

Contents:
Introduction: A little history of the macaron
80 Macarons: flavour by flavour, a trend book, inspirations and recipes for each; 1. Classic macarons (vanilla, café, chocolate, lemon etc); 2. Nomad macarons (created for specific destinations); 3. Festive macarons (Christmas, Easter etc); 4. Precious macarons (gold, silver, copper etc); 5. Incredible macarons (violet, lemon-lime etc); 6. Designer’s macarons (berry for Christian Lacroix, fig-date for Christian Louboutin, rose-ginger for John Galliano, bubble-gum for Alber Elbaz etc); Step-by-step photographs and instructions for making the biscuits and ganache fillings at home.Preorder the new Ladurée Macarons and Ladurée Chocolate book on Amazon!
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That Perfect Valentine’s Day Look for Him @HugoBoss
A lot of you guys may be desperate for a date or dreading this Friday. If you are lucky enough to have a date for Valentine’s Day, make the best you can!
1. Show up on time!
2. Have a great attitude
3. Dress and act normal
4. Put on some Hugo Red
5. Show up with a puppy, if you can’t then a diamond, if you can’t then at least a flower!
Good Luck!
Featured:
Hugo Red by Hugo Boss is a Oriental Spicy fragrance for men. This is a new fragrance. Hugo Red was launched in 2013. Top notes are metallic notes, grapefruit, pink pepper and galbanum; middle notes are rhubarb, cedar, pineapple and metallic notes; base notes are tonka bean and amber.
“An innovative scent requires an innovative source of inspiration and HUGO Red is a great example of this. We wanted to create a perfume for men that captures the idea of pushing boundaries and to achieve this we found an unexpected parallel with the behavior of cold and hot metal. The result of our creation is a contemporary blend of contrasting ingredients, full of cold and hot tension that stimulates the wearer and leaves him feeling energized and ready to challenge himself.” – Will Andrews, P&G Fragrance Creation Team and unique talent, making him a natural fit with the HUGO brand and the HUGO Red concept. In his own words, “I think creativity and pushing boundaries go hand in hand, and originality comes from individuals who are willing to take chances, to bet on themselves”.
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Love Blush Look for Valentine’s Day for Her
Don’t overload your Valentine’s Day outfit with too sexy reds and bubble gum pink! Have a sophisticated outfit for white and blush for a perfect lunch date celebration. This year, we will not be going out for dinner for the day of love but rather a lunch! I think this is the perfect way to keep things casual without too much pressure on either sides. Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers! If you have a friend who needs some cheering up, make this day special for him or her just by spending time together. As I always say, love is a rainbow spectrum and not everything has to be sexual or relationship based! It can be about friendship type love too. Here are some gift ideas for your girlfriend, wife, friend, sister, neighbor….!
The beautiful Kenneth Cole stainless steel watch says It’s TIME TO FALL IN LOVE! It’s $125 and a super present. Every time she checks the time, she will be reminded of your love. This sleek timepiece combines classic and contemporary styles, crafted in stainless steel with a crystal-encrusted bezel and detailed with a transparent hot pink dial.
Lacoste is so amazing and this new fresh scent is best transitional fragrance to introduce spring.Modern, iconic and breathtakingly simple, LACOSTE celebrates the debut of EAU DE LACOSTE, the new signature fragrance for women from the brand that captures the playful and sensual spirit of an enduring legend. The Fragrance Creating a fragrance that celebrates the iconic traits of a fashion brand and translates them into a sensorial experience is the charge of the P&G Design Team together with the fashion brand. “For EAU DE LACOSTE, the universe of the brand is very clear: the iconic crocodile, the petit piqué cotton and the classic lineage of the fashion label,” says Antoine Delgrange, Global Marketing Director P&G Prestige. “So we looked at turning this simple fashion design philosophy into a feminine and beautiful sensorial experience,” he adds. The result is a fragrance that captures the simple luxury of the refreshing feeling of pure white cotton on skin. To evoke the crisp, clean nature of cotton, a bouquet of white flowers brings to life the fresh, cooling caress of the fabric and conveys the sense of purity that white symbolizes. Channeling a mood of soft sensuality, creamy balsam tones add a resonant base. EAU DE LACOSTE is built on a classical fragrance structure, where the fragrance evolves smoothly from top to base notes over time, but superimposing modern ingredients on traditional ingredients, to generate a much lighter fragrance profile. EAU DE LACOSTE effervesces with sparkling freshness via juicy top notes of White Pineapple, with Mandarin and Bergamot from the unspoilt Italian region of Calabria. Expressing the purity that lies at the heart of the LACOSTE brand, the elegant, white floralcy of Orange Flower, Jasmine Sambac are woven with the almost textural quality of Pineapple Flower to create a delicately clean, natural femininity. A creamy and voluptuous sensuality lingers at the base, resonant of Sandalwood and Vanilla enveloped with Vetyver and Peru Balsam. Says Antoine Delgrange: “There is something truly sophisticated about a fragrance with a simple and unpretentious formula.”Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme is available at Lacoste boutiques and www.lacoste.comEau de Lacoste Pour Femme 50 mL $56
Beautiful!






























