My Favorite Things: Perfume

I have a thing for smelling good. I hate leaving the house without a spritz of perfume. Perfumes are one of those things that make me feel complete. This is going to sound a tiny bit crazy, but I feel they take a group of garments and turn them into an outfit. They make me showered to clean and ready. They take me from awake to alive.


I really love perfume.
I wasn't kidding.

And I've gathered quite the collection over the years.

My relationship with perfume is a long one. So here it is.

me, loving one perfume best 

When I first started wearing perfumes every day, I started with the sweet, fruity ones like Ralph by Ralph Lauren. That one stuck for years; I was very into the signature scent school of thought. Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast when the shopkeepers like "girl, you've read that book!" and she's all "I don't care. Im gonna read it again."


That's right; I'm Belle in this story.

there are other perfumes? say WHAT

Later, I switched it up with florals when I discovered Stella by Stella Mccartney. I was extraordinarily loyal to my Stella, and still am in my heart. I still have a few bottles of Stella and Stella Fresh which I use regularly.

HELLS YES.

Then, about three years ago now, I realized something: by sticking to only one perfume, I was missing out on a myriad of scents. I could be wafting about smelling completely different and yet entirely like myself every day. Suddenly the walls of Sephora weren't just a shimmering collection of lights and glass, but a library of possibilities. I felt like Belle when Beast is all "here's a whole ton of books (ps please love me)" and she's all "What the WHAT? Awesome." Then she gives herself a mental high five.

Anyways, I became a woman of many perfumes. Not surprisingly, my collection expanded fairly quickly. After looking at them for a moment, I realized that I had, once again, fallen into a particular type of perfume: French, classic, and sexy. You might say that my perfume collection has matured as I have matured. Or you can say I have a weakness for Chanel. You would be right on either count.

Either way, my favorites right now are all have a crisp, old-world feel to them. On my nightstand, where they live, I have Eau de Fleures Néroli by Chloé, Chanel Allure, Coco Mademoiselle and it's predecessor, Coco, Love, Chloé by Chloé, and the recently rejuvenated classic Chanel No. 19 Poudré. I love them all for their subtlety and playfulness, their familiarity and  substantiality, but most of all for their sense of self.

Basically, I love them because they are everything a good book is.


And isn't that what all good perfumes should be?

So now you know my favorites, what are some of yours?

My Favorite Things: Lush Body Products

There are two factors in a product that will sell it to me instantly and without hesitation: smell and packaging. That is why I don't let myself near the Benefit store. And why I am not allowed in a Lush store alone or with a credit card. (You heard me gush about their lotion in my this older post.) All of their lotions and potions come in the cutest, cleanest packaging with hand-made looking labels. Between that and the giggle-enducing, mind-calming, unmistakable scent that wafts from the doorway, I'm completely on bored. Add amazing organic ingredient and I'm driving the ship.

I have tried (what feels like literally) every single product on their shelves, and I've come to and important conclusion: I love them all. The bath bombs even make someone as impatient as me like sitting in a bath tub. I can usually only do a 10  minute bath tops before I get bored senseless. But when a Lush bath bomb is involved, I take my sweet time. The prices are higher than I'd like, but the quality and effectiveness make them worth it. These are just the after-bath bits I love; I'm afraid the bath time goodies are going to have to wait for another post. Until then, enjoy smelling, feeling, and looking amazing. 

(Trust me- you will)

Here are the products I love the best and are completely worth the price tag:

Breath of Fresh Air- I like to keep this toner in the fridge and spritz my face when it's hot. It's also a nice way to start your day if you're not a morning person (like me)

Tea Tree Toner Tabs- These are a great little addition to a spa night. After you scrub and before you put on your mask, get a pot of just-boiled water and a tea towel. Drop one of these little nuggets into the water, place the towel over your head and bask in the glorious steam. The tea tree oil in the tabs is incredibly cleansing for your skin, smells great and just makes you feel spa-like. Cucumber water, please!

Dream Cream- LOVE this. It smells and feels like a sunday where you have nothing scheduled and you stay in your pajamas all day reading.   

Volcano Foot Mask- It's a little tricky to use, but I think it's worth it. You slather it on your feet, then wrap them up in plastic wrap (which is a little strange at first, but you get used to it). Then you just sit back and let it soak in for a while. And then the awkward plastic-wrapping process becomes worth it. I don't know how, but it makes your feet tingle, then just relax. You feel the muscles in your feet calm down and unclench. Then, you take off the plastic wrap and rinse or scrub it off. The results? Soft, happy, relaxed feet. 

Stepping Stone- This little foot-sheped nugget is one of my favorite  foot scrubs. It crumbles into little bits and you can just scrub and scrub till your feet are soft again. Its also great for post-beach elbows and knees.

Bewitched- This massage bar smells RIDICULOUS. It has violet, lime and chamomile, which sounds weird at first. But trust me, you smell this and everything is better and sweeter and softer. It also has those yummy knobs to gently coax knots to calm down for a second.  

Shimmy Shimmy- LOVE this. It's basically solid body lotion. You rub it on and the warmth of your body makes it melt just a little. I like to use it before bed so it can soak in all night. Oh yeah- and it's a little bit sparkly. Which is a gimmie for this gal. 

Lustre- I use a little bit of this every day. It's a gold flecked powder with the finest glittery texture. It also smells like jasmine. I use just a touch (thats really all you need) on my shoulders and collar bone, or I put it in my hand with my lotion for my legs and arms. Not gonna lie; it kinda makes me feel like a fairy princess, and I kinda* love feeling like a fairy princess. 

*By kinda I mean REALLY.

Wish List: CHANEL

All I need is a million dollars.
Because then I could slather myself in head-to-toe Chanel products EVERY DAY.

so... pretty....

Until then, I'll just have to pine away from the glow of my computer screen, dreaming of that magical day when I find thousands of bills in the family banana stand.

theres always money in the banana stand.