Summer Fragrance Extravaganza Part I — Scent and Sensibility

This summer, perfumers have found inspiration in everything from luscious pomegranate to the ever elusive tuberose bloom.

Votivo Dalian Collection Red Currant Candle

Formally established in 1898, Dalian is the second largest city in the Lianoning provice, located in Dongbei, China.

Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise Bath Oil — Dreaming of Madagascar

When I was a little girl, my parents would take my older brother and I for a “paseo” (the Spanish word for “journey,” though it often refers to shorter day trips) in Old San Juan on lazy Sunday afternoons.

Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum — A Trip To A Violet Hill

Oftentimes, a perfume bottle’s packages speaks to the fragrant elixir contained inside: from the whimsical, free-spirited, youthful daisy-adorned cap of Marc Jacobs’ Daisy fragrance to the mysterious, sexy, black lace-covered orb of Valentino’s Rock ‘N’ Rose Couture scent.

Carol’s Daughter Ocean EDT — Does It Sink Or Swim?

I’ve been rocking with Carol’s Daughter since founder Lisa Price was hawking her wares out of her kitchen in Brooklyn.

Van Cleef & Arpels Oriens Eau de Parfum — An Eastern Promise

If there was some magical crystal ball you could gaze into and see your future, I would imagine the orb to be as resplendent and enchanting as this Oriens by Van Cleef & Arpels perfume bottle, with its slightly peach-colored juices adding a mystical luminosity to the bulbous shape.

Stella McCartney’s STELLA Solid Perfume Necklace — A Rose Unlike Any Other

Many have tried to capture the intrinsic olfactory beauty of the rose blossom, but few have been as successful as Stella McCartney, who struck gold with her STELLA Eau de Parfum.

Kim Kardashian Eau de Parfum — Can You Keep Up With It?

Full disclosure: I’m not fond of Kim Kardashian.

Getting To The Core of DKNY’s New Delicious Candy Apples Collection

I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love DKNY’s Be Delicious fragrance — it’s one of those scents with universal appeal: fresh, fruity, and sparkling.

New Scents From Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Lumiere Noir Pour Femme

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris APOM Pour Femme

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Cologne Pour Le Matin

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Cologne Pour Le Soir
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m completely fascinated by perfumers — how they come to develop their exquisite sense of smell, how their career paths unfold, and how they can instinctively cream up different fragrance blends (and more importantly, conceive of the exact formulation of components) in order to pull off a masterpiece of a perfume.