Follow up to Perfume Selection

So I hit Bloomies yesterday (since it's so close to my job).  I tried both the Marc Jacobs Honey and the Jour d'Hermes.  So disappointed because I didn't like either of them.  The Marc Jacobs Honey was more for 20-30 year old (fun, fresh, sweet).  The Jour d'Hermes just wasn't for me (nothing like the sample I tried in the magazine).  I also tried the new Tory Burch perfume.  It was too strong for me but was told it's becoming a big hit. 

I decided to try my luck at the various fragrances Hermes has in their collection.  The saleswoman was very helpful and nice.  She asked me what scent am I currently wearing and I told her (Coco).  So, she picked out a few that she thought I might like.  The one that smelled nice on me was the
HERMÈS Elixir des Merveilles Eau de Parfum Natural Sprayances.  Below is the description:

Eau des Merveilles tells the tale of an imaginary journey at HERMÈS, the feet on the ground, the head among the stars. A modern fairy tale, bursting with charm and mystery. The perfume of enchantment, capturing the spirit of wood, the memory of the oceans and the sparkle of a constellation. Elixir des Merveilles reveals itself provocative and gourmand.

Woody, amber.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/hermes-elixir-des-merveilles-eau-de-parfum-natural-spray?ID=653723&CategoryID=14716&LinkType=#fn%3Dspp%3D7

The next was Kelly Cache.  There's something about this scent that intrigues me.  I hated the smell at first.  One of the ingredients is leather and that was overpowering at first.  I then let it settle in and it started to soften.  Although I am hesitant about purchasing a bottle, I would love to get my hands on a sample to try for a few days (they were out of samples).

With a name expressing the encounter of two HERMÈS emblems—Kelly, the leather handbag, and calèche, signature of the House—Kelly Calèche summons an untamed allure, a free spirit. The fragrance is a novel of fantasy and surprise: an unexpected caress of leather among generous floral harmony.

Leather, floral.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/hermes-kelly-caleche-eau-de-parfum-natural-spray?ID=653724&CategoryID=14716&LinkType=#fn%3Dspp%3D19

So, my decision is to stick with Coco or try the Hermes Merveilles.

Shopping for a New Perfume

One of my "signature" scents the past couple of years has been Coco Chanel, eau de parfum. 

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Fragrance-Coco-COCO-88331/sku/88332

When I wear this, I can't tell you how many compliments I get.  When I tell them it's Coco Chanel they are shocked!  Almost everyone that has purchased this perfume says it "stink"s when wear it.  I'm not sure if they are buying the eau de parfum or the toilette spray.  Oh well, it works for my body chemistry so it's been a keeper.

I'm down to the last few sprays and need to purchase a new bottle.  And then I get the Bloomingdales catalog, Beauty Benefits.  I flip through the catalog and come across new fragrances.  I like when they have the sample page, so I can smell it right away (or get a sense of the smell).

The first that caught my attention is Jour d'Hermes http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/hermes-jour-dhermes-set?ID=838292&CategoryID=14716#fn%3Dspp%3D4.  Here are the details: Holiday season endorses its true meaning with Fêtes en Hermès. Each year, Hermès opens a door to its imagery in a unique way. The "Échec au Roi" pattern by Benoît-Pierre Emery expresses the Hermès creation theme of the year: A sporting life. This composition of graphical architecture takes us to the heart of a game of chess.

And, the second is Honey by Marc Jacobs.  It's such a cute little bottle with bees.  Marc Jacobs always has a fun look to his perfume bottles.
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/marc-jacobs-honey-eau-de-parfum?ID=768151&CategoryID=14716#fn=BRAND%3DHERMÈS;;Marc Jacobs%26spp%3D1%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D1%26rid%3D81%26spc%3D92  Here are the details:  Honey by Marc Jacobs is a sunny, delicious floral—energetic and alluring with a sparkling, golden touch. The perfect mix of brightness and warmth.

The fragrance energizes with the freshness of green pear brightened with a splash of fruity punch and juicy mandarin. At the heart of the fragrance is orange blossom, a note of sparkling femininity that mingles with nectars of honeysuckle and peach. Honey, vanilla and smooth woods dry down to a warm, golden base.

Top notes – Pear, Juicy Mandarin
Mid notes – Orange Blossom, Peach Nectar, Apricot, Honeysuckle
Base notes – Honey, Golden Vanilla, Smooth Woods

I'm not a big fan of strong or overpowering perfumes, so I'm VERY picky when it comes selecting a perfume. 

Another new perfume (exclusive to Bloomies) is by Tory Burch.  Not sure how this smells but have to check it out.

A rule of thumb . . . when I shop for a perfume I spray it on a card first (in case I hate it on my wrist or hand).  I give it a few minutes before smelling.  If I like it, then I ask them to spray it on my wrist.  Then I tell them I am going to walk around the store and browse and see how the perfume has settled on me.  If I love it, I go back.  If I'm still not sure, I will give it a day or night to decide if this is the perfume for me.  If I'm still thinking about it, I hit the store and make my purchase. 

I try not feel pressured into buying something right on the spot.  Perfume is expense now a days and I want to make sure it's something I will love.  What are some of your favorite perfumes?

Bloomingdales is having their Beauty Benefits starting October 17 (Loyallists get Triple Points on that day) and Double Points every day.  The event runs October 17-27, 2013.  And, Bloomingdales is offering a great tote.  They are offering two colors: black or bronze with a "fierce leopard-print lining".  It's free with your purchase of $125.00 or more in cosmetics and fragrances. 
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/beauty?id=2921&cm_sp=NAVIGATION-_-TOP_NAV-_-beauty-n-n

Decorating for the Holidays

I don't know about you but I LOVE the holidays!  Recently, on the east coast, we've had warm weather (for this time of year).  But this week, the feeling of the cool Fall weather is upon us.  The leaves are falling and the leaves on trees are changing to beautiful Fall colors.

My husband and I recently took a trip to Chicago.  We walked on the strip of the Magnificent Mile and workers were busy replanting for Fall.  They had the most beautiful arrangements of mums, bales of hay, pumpkins and cornstalks.  I immediately whipped out my iphone and starting snapping pics.  I was eager to get back home and hit the farms to start decorating the front of our home.  Seeing their arrangements inspired me to create a look for our home.  Whether I'm looking on line, in magazines, in the stores or on the streets, I'm always inspired by what I see.  My head gets flooded with ideas on how to create my own look.  Call me crazy but I have been thinking about ideas for my tablescapes back in July!  I couldn't wait for the stores to start displaying Fall decorations.  Of course my husband was sighing about my eagerness (lol).  He made a comment, "Oh, no! . . . Here she goes again". 

I would have to thank my sister for giving me the inspiration to start decorating tables.  She would send me pictures of tablescapes she's done and I could never get enough of seeing her creations.  She recently launched her website http://designbyoccasion.com/ .  She is an incredible designer in high quality greeting cards.  I'm so proud of her!  She's a great inspiration to me. 

I think the second year of my marriage and living in our new home, I started decorating our table for upcoming holiday dinners.  It started with Thanksgiving and then Christmas.  The following year it was Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This year I said, I've never decorated for Halloween.  In the past, nothing really inspired me to want to do a tablescape for Halloween.  I didn't want anything too scary, too childlike or too crafty.  I wanted a "glam Halloween" (haha).  My husband asked me, "who are we having over for Halloween?"  I replied "no one".  He said "Then why are you decorating the table?" I replied, "Because it makes me happy and I want to see what I came up with in my head out on display". 

I've always had a creative side.  Years ago I would create wreathes and jars.  That's when I first dabbled in crafts.  Then I dabbled in scapbooking. People ask me how I do it and where I get my decorations from?  They ask me how do I know what to do?  I say it again and again . . . I have to be inspired by something!  It just takes one item and then like a light bulb, the idea starts flowing.  And, I hit every store for inspiration or order online.  I don't like to copy cat what stores have displayed on their tables.  I think we all have it in us to create a design.  We all have different tastes and styles.  Try it and you'll be surprised at what you can come up with.

I'll post pictures soon of my Halloween tablescape.  In the meantime, I'll share some pics of our front porch area to inspire and motivate you to come up with your own creation.

Jo Ann