Smell-O-Rama, or, a Long-Winded Tale on the Secret to Perfume Combining

People often ask me what perfume I am wearing, and that can be difficult to answer straightforwardly, because I love to mix and combine perfumes. I definitely have an obsession with mixing things -- I mix my shampoos and conditioners, I love to mix diet and regular soda (I trick myself into thinking this is not cheating), and I even mix my pasta and salad together -- weird but yummy!

One of my very first jobs was at a perfume cart at the mall -- Le Parfum Boutique (pronounced Lay-Parfoom-Bow-tique, with our Oklahoma accent). Whenever business was slow, I would smell and re-smell all the perfumes, trying out the ones I liked and mixing various scents out of curiosity. I began procuring quite a collection of perfumes, and when I would get bored with a scent, I would mix it with another to achieve an entirely new and unique fragrance. I have sort of become addicted to combining my perfumes now.

I'm definitely not one of those "signature scent" girls, in fact I'm a bit of a perfume slut. In other words, I get bored easily and move on. But, I do have certain scents that I keep coming back to (after a bit of a break), refreshing them by trying them out in combination with new stuff. There is some rhyme and reason to my combinations, and the secret to perfume combining, for me, is to mix a crisp/fresh scent with a sweet/oriental scent. This seems to give the smell a bit of complexity and balances out the two extremes.

Here are a few of my favorite recent combos, with the sweet/oriental scent represented on the left and the crisp/fresh scent on the right:

Brown Sugar & Fig, Bath and Body Works + Burberry Weekend.
Brown sugar and Fig is a very warm, sweet fragrance; it reminds me of something baking in the oven. Weekend is fresh and light, with a bit of tangerine.



Pink Sugar by Aquolina + Mandragore, Annick Goutal
People want to lick you when you wear Pink Sugar, seriously. It smells like cotton candy, vanilla, and caramel, all rolled into one. Mandragore is totally different -- very sophisticated, tangy, and mysterious.


Samsara by Guerlain + Lights by O Boticario
Samsara is a perfume I've worn off and on for a very long time; it's main note is sandalwood -- so soft and exotic. Lights is the absolute freshest, loveliest floral perfume I've ever encountered (O Boticario is a Brazilian perfume company, but you can buy their fragrances online).

Two days ago I went to Ulta and bought two new fragrances: Dolce and Gabbana's Light Blue (literally the longest lasting perfume I've ever worn!). It also won Sephora's "Best Of Sephora" award. This would fall into my "fresh" category. Description: Sicilian Citron, Bluebell, Granny smith apple, Jasmine, Bamboo, white Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Musk.

I also wanted a sweet, yummy smelling body lotion, so I took a risk with Jessica Simpson's new fragrance line, Fancy. While you may or may not be a follower of Jessica Simpson's career (I'm rather ambivalent, really), this scent is truly lovely!! It reminds me of a perfume called Hanae Morie that I used to wear, but it is less expensive. It just makes me feel flat-out pretty. Description: pear, apricot nectar and red fruit, leading to a delicate bouquet of gardenia and jasmine intermingling with distinctive notes of almond, caramel and vanilla creme.

And, yes, I plan on seeing how these smell when combined...

A Big Thanks to Everyone!

I just wanted to say thanks to all the wonderful readers who visit my blog and a big, big thanks to those of you who visit often and leave such fun, kind comments! I can't believe it's been two months. Also a big thanks to all the wonderful people on my bloglists for being inspiring and motivating every day!


Image originally uploaded from Cherry Blossom Girl.

I also want you to know that I love receiving and reading your comments, and I while I rarely respond to your comments in the comment form (mainly because I personally rarely ever check back on old comments I've made on other's blogs), I always try to visit your blog ASAP and leave a note (as a way to say thanks...and because I LOVE your blogs!) Of course, if you ever had a question, I would happily answer or email you a response! Cheers!

My Style Icons: The Funny Ladies of the 70's and 80's

Who were your style influences and childhood icons, the women you admired and wanted to emulate growing up? Reminiscing about this can really tell you a lot about yourself, about what you appreciate in humanity. I started thinking about this question a few days ago, and I had a truly interesting realization: most of the women I admired and loved growing up were funny women! I think I can credit my mother with this fact -- she always told me that beyond a good heart and intelligence, a great sense of humor is one of the most essential characteristics to look for in others and cultivate in yourself.

So, looking back...far back (yes, I'm old)...I remember loving these women for their irreverence, their silliness, their quirky style, and their beautiful smiles:

Madeline Kahn: she is hysterical in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Clue.

Yes, Candice Bergen was a model, but she was also a favorite guest host on Saturday Night Live and she never took herself too seriously!

The ladies from the original 75-76 cast of SNL -- (from L to R): Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, and Gilda Radner.

Adorable, frizzy Gilda Radner...


Bernadatte Peters, so gorgeous and funny in The Jerk.

The Park is Calling You...

I am just so grateful to live in a place with distinct seasons! Fall has finally set in, and yesterday the weather was utterly and indisputably perfect. Myself, my boyfriend, and my puggy had a relaxing early evening picnic. If the weather is as nice where you are as it is where I am right now, don't take it for granted my friends! Throw on some cozy clothes and go frolic (or lie around) outside with the ones you love :)

Tilt Your Hat at Just the Right Angle

The new Marc Jacobs collection featured numerous side-slanted hats...in straw, no less. These seem so nostalgic and great-grandma-ish. But, I keep wondering, how do you keep these on your head? I think this trend might fall into the category of looks-cool-but-I-can't-pull-it-off... What do you think? Does this seem like a wearable trend?





I am particularly enthralled by the way this lovely lady at Facehunter is wearing hers. Her version has a more Southern-American vibe to it, and is just so lady-like and summery.


I love how this woman seems so perfectly eccentric, with her puffy pants and side-slanted hat. She is like the cool aunt you've always wanted.

Images provided by Facehunter.com (both from NY Fashion week).

You've Got a Beautiful Face...

I just wanted to share some recent inspiring photos: If you have not yet visited Garance Dore's blog, you should definitely check it out -- it is similar to the Sartorialist and Facehunter, but even prettier, more inspiring, and more artfully composed (don't get me wrong, I LOVE both of those sites as well!). The way Garance captures unique faces and personalities is so mesmerizing. I find myself asking, "Do these people really exist?"Here are just a few of the most recent lovelies that make me smile uncontrollably:

I love the mix of tough, studded leather with fun, vibrant colors. And her soft, intense eyes? I'm speechless...


He can't be more than 14 -- such a mature sense of style. His hair is perfection!


She makes glittery eyes seem somehow new and sexy again.


That eye-makeup! That hair! Those pouty lips!


Ah, Louise can do no wrong. Really.


All photos courtesy of Garance Dore.