Light Blue, Part Deux!

Are you a fan of Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana?

If so, check out their brand new “limited edition” version called Light Blue Escape to Panarea. Panarea is one of the eight famous Aeolian Islands, a volcanic island chain north of Sicily. (Don’t feel bad, I had to Google it.)

Personally, I don’t mind the original Light Blue, but it’s not my favorite. The lemon notes have always smelled a bit off to me – kind of like Lysol cleaning products. They just overpowered the perfume; and this is coming from someone who loves lemon/citrus scents.

But the Escape to Panarea takes it down a notch, using less lemon and more bergamot, tonka bean, and vanilla. The first sniff will remind you of the original, but after that, Panarea takes on a life of its own. It’s a little more warm than the original, but still very much a spring and summer scent. Of course, since I love it, it has to be a limited edition. So….if you do end up loving it, I’d recommend buying a couple bottles, as it will be gone in a few months!

$55-$75 at Sephora, Ulta, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Nordstrom.

I Wanna Be Like Mike.

Messing around with perfume samples and was reminded how friggin’ good Michael Kors’ original perfume (just called ‘Michael Kors’) is.

This stuff still holds up. It is sexy, heavy, and warm. Definitely a fall, winter, and maaaaaaybe an early spring scent.

Michael Kors by Michael Kors debuted in 2000. Top notes are freesia, incense, and tamarind; middle notes are tuberose, iris, and peony; base notes are musk, cashmere wood and vetiver.

I love to wear it to bed.

Side note: I seem to get more compliments from women than from men with this perfume. I’d like to think it’s because women have a more sophisticated sense of smell-and they know a future classic when they smell one!

$54 at Sephora.

Tory, Tory, What’s Your Story?

YES!

I was so bummed to hear Tory Burch’s new perfume was only available at Bloomingdale’s. I like to sample the hell out of my perfume before committing to a full bottle purchase, and since the nearest Bloomingdale’s is more than 700 miles away from where I live, I didn’t foresee my chance happening anytime soon. BUT ALAS! You can now purchase her full line of perfumes, lotions, and body butters at my beloved Sephora.

Tory Burch by Tory Burch is a gorgeous, delicate blend of grapefruit, bergamot, peony, tuberose, vetiver, and sandalwood.

Eau de Awesome.

Every woman should have a signature scent. Mine used to be Miss Dior Cherie, but Dior decided to quit producing it. THE HORROR! So the hunt was on for a new magic potion. I favor fresh scents in the spring and summer (Clinique Happy in Bloom, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia) and heavier, sweeter scents (Prada Candy, Jimmy Choo, Lavanila Pure Vanilla) in the fall and winter.

If you have a Sephora in your hometown, I’d suggest doing your perfume shopping there. They’ll give you a sample of any perfume you want, even if the perfume company doesn’t provide them. Sephora has their own little vials they’ll fill if you ask. How stinkin’ cool is that? It’s about a three day sample, so you can wear it more than once before you decide on your purchase. (I highly recommend wearing a new perfume for at least a couple days before you spend your hard earned money on a whole bottle. Perfume truly does smell different on everyone, and everything from the weather to stress can tweak the notes.)

I first saw See by Chloe in magazine inserts, and it always smelled wonderful, but unfortunately those ads don’t always give us an accurate picture. So I went into Sephora and got myself a sample. The first time I wore it…..meh. Just, meh. Then I tried it again about a week later, and WHOOP THERE IT IS. With with top notes of apple blossom and bergamot, middle notes of jasmine and ylang-ylang, and a base of sandalwood and vanilla, it’s like someone giving you a big hug wearing a soft, fuzzy sweater. I know it sounds weird, but I find to be an almost calming scent, so I’ll even wear it to bed. It’s not too heavy and not too light, so it’s great to wear year-round. See by Chloe isn’t loud or flashy – it’s subtle and warm. It’s perfect. Available at Sephora, Macy’s, and Nordstrom. $78 for a 1.7 oz. bottle.