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Travel Diary: Take Advantage Of These Luxe Deals

Sarah Conley — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 -0400

As you may have noticed, I'm writing a lot about traveling lately. I generally don't get to do a lot of it, but I am traveling TWICE this month! Unforuntately for me (but fortunately for you!), I won't be around to take advantage of Saks Friends & Family event. Snag 20% off in store (and online). Snag all the information from the image above (click for the full size). HAPPY SHOPPING!

Even sadder than a missed 20% discount opportunity at Saks is the fact that I'll be missing master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian appearing at Bergdorf Goodman. You may not know his name, but you definitely know his work. He has created over 20 of the best selling fragrances of all time for houses like Armani, Dior, Lanvin and Narciso Rodriguez. After launching his own line in 2001, he has challenged the way we view fragrance by creating products that think outside the lines.

After a recent trip to Bergdorf's beauty bay (my absolute favorite in the city), I cam home with scented bubbles. Yes, that's right, scented bubbles. In fact, the best part about the bubbles is that you can't actually experience the scent until you pop the bubble with your nose. So genius!

Experience the genius for yourself, as Francis Kurkdjian will be making personal appearances at Bergdorf Goodman this weekend!

Friday, April 23rd

3-6pm

Saturday, April 24th

1-3pm

Francis Kurkdjian Bergdorf

Breathtakingly, Balenciaga Paris

Sarah Conley — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:04:06 -0400

Aaaah....Balenciaga. Something about how the name just rolls off your tongue as you say it is entrancing. The house's designer, Nicolas Ghesquiere, is as intriguing as his name suggests and has helped place Balenciaga at the forefront of fashion. In fact, it was Ghesquiere who decided to bring fragrance back to the house of Balenciaga after a 12 year absence.

Balenciaga Paris is the house's triumphant return to fragrance. Developed by perfumer Olivier Polge (you might know him from Burberry's The Beat, Dior's Pure Poison, Giorgio Armani's Code and Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb), the fragrance unfolds in a series of moments of April. Notes of violet, pepper and mossy wood evoke feelings of sunshine and calm.

The bottle is fascinating to me - especially coming from a house who is known for their hardware-laden handbags. Balenciaga Paris is contained in a simple, blown glass bottle, without any decoration aside from the curves and angles of the glass. After the fragrance develops into a soft, sensual and definitely Spring scent, the bottle's simplicity becomes a statement - the fragrance doesn't need the pomp & circumstance of overly designed packaging.

Balenciaga Paris retails for $95 (1.7 oz) and $130 (2.5 oz) at fine retail stores nationwide.

Dare To Be Feminine: Chloé by Chloe

Sarah Conley — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:07:24 -0400

Chloe Chloè

$45.00 by Chloé at Sephora

You know, I never thought I'd be a Chloe girl. Of course, I've also never been the kind of girl to wear neutrals and be ultra feminine (though I am making a concerted effort to move more towards this direction). As far as fashion goes, Chloe brings to mind soft pinks, khakis, and neutral colors in unexpected shapes & silhouettes. As I become older and more financially independent, I find my style changing and adapting - it's amazing what you'll buy when it's your money and completely your decision.

Imagine my surprise when I tried the new Chloe Chloé eau de toilette - and actually liked it! The fragrance is fresh, feminine and begs to be worn outdoors in the Spring. Notes of freesia, watermelon, sandalwood and fresh irish allow this fragrance to develop into a fragrance rich with possibilities. To be honest, I'm enjoying this opportunity to explore my softer side - you never know, a Chloe closet could be right around the corner!

You Smell Like.....Dirt?

Sarah Conley — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:37:22 -0500

I admit it. I smell like Dirt. Demter's Dirt, that is.

You'll probably think I'm crazy - and trust me, the first time I sprayed Dirt across my wrist, I definitely thought I was losing my mind. When the...fragrance first comes out of the bottle, it smells like actual dirt. Rich, moist, straight from the flower box, dirt. Why on earth would anyone want to smell like DIRT?

As skeptical as I was when I first sprayed the fragrance, I was double as skeptical 10 minutes later As the fragrance started to develop, it actually smelled GOOD on me. Somewhere between the Dirt and my body chemistry, emerged this beautiful, fresh, floral fragrance that was appealing - and dare I say delicious.

Some of my friends (and dear Mamacita) didn't believe me - the majority of those who tried it on didn't have the same floral reaction to the fragrance that I did. Most of them ended up smelling like the freshest of soil.

If you happen to be one of the lucky ones whose chemistry bonds with the Dirt fragrance to create a stunning aromatic floral bouquet, don't let this beauty wonder get away. Snag a bottle of Dirt for as little as $6 to conduct your own beauty experiment. You never know, you just might discover a winner.

Holiday Gift Guide: Philosophy's Amazing Grace Collection

Sarah Conley — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Philosophy The Amazing Grace Collection

$50.00 by philosophy at Sephora

Amazing Grace is one of Philosophy's most popular and iconic fragrance. For me, the name symbolizes a freedom from all the woes and troubles of the day and a huge step towards finding an inner calm. As silly as it sounds, the scent somehow mimics these feelings for me.

Remember when we were young and most of us wore Love's Baby Soft (I won't lie, I still own a bottle)? Amazing Grace is like a grown up version, with a subtle softness that makes this fragrance perfectly appropriate for daytime or in the office. The powder scent is calming and feminine.

The Amazing Grace collection features a 3-in-1, perfumed body lotion and a 2.0 EDT spray.