Ah - so much to love. So many fragrances to choose from. But I have wound it down to just ten fragrances and here they are. My TOP TEN fragrance picks of the year.

1. Estee Lauder Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang
2. Philosophy Amazing Grace, Inner Grace and Falling in Love
3. LOOK by Vera Wang
4. Bath & Body Works Black Amethyst
5. CHANEL Beige
6. B-Spot by Benefit
7. CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle
8. LAVANILA Vanilla Grapefruit
9. Lancome Magnifique
10. Clinique Happy in Bloom

What is your favorite fragrance you discovered this year?

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Sorry for the few days of no service. Something was wrong with my hosting, and I could not figure it out. My sister to the rescue.

Thanks for your patience! I’ll be back in no time with some more great fragrance posts.

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Wow, time is running out!  Christmas will be here very soon and are you ready?  Here are a few ideas and do not forget you can always email a gift card if you cannot decide…

Sugar Affair Gift Set - $48.00

Is the perfect gift set for any fan of Fresh!  The set includes Sugar Lychee Body Lotion, Sugar Lychee Bath & Shower Gel, and Sugar Lychee Eau De Parfum.  The sparkling notes of juicy lychee, effervescent grapefruit, and succulent lotus flower blend together for a rich, feminine scent. The Eau de Parfum delivers a spritz of sweet warmth, the Bath & Shower Gel invigorates and gently cleanses, and the Body Lotion soothes and hydrates the skin, mmmm.

Warm By The Fire - $25.00

Is an ultra-decadent bath and body gift set that is inspired by the simple pleasure of sipping hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire, this irresistible ensemble is the ultimate yummy luxury. Pick up the perfect present for the person who wishes for a decadent bath and shower, silky skin, and delicious, shiny lips.  This festive collection includes a 4.0 oz Double Rich Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath; a 2.0 oz Melting Marshmallow Cream Body Soufflé and a 0.5 oz Ooey Gooey S’mores Flavored Lip Shine, all of which smell sinfully sweet and scrumptious.

Vanilla Cupcake Body Collection - $12 - $16

This is a wonderfully scented and reasonably priced line of bath and body products with the Sephora Brand Vanilla Cupcake fragrance.  The Sephora Brand Vanilla Cupcake Body Collection is a sweet mix of decadent French vanilla and almond, infused with honey and buttermilk that creates a lavish lather to clean, moisturize, and smooth all skin types.  This collection includes: Vanilla Cupcake Dry Oil, Vanilla Cupcake Body Butter, Vanilla Cupcake Body Scrub, Vanilla Cupcake Body Wash, and Vanilla Cupcake Bubble Bath.

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Are you still hitting the pavement or the keyboard searching for that perfect pampering gift for the holidays!  Are you a loyal fan of LAVANILA?  Not yet, what are you waiting for?   LAVANILA has released a limited-edition Vanilla Spice Healthy Fragrance this winter available only at Sephora. Pure essential oils of Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Cardamom and Madagascar Vanilla blend in this warm scent that is reminiscent of the holidays and the winter season. 

Vanilla Spice Healthy Fragrance limited-edition scent evokes warmth, comfort, and well being!  Elegant gold metallic packaging adds a festive finishing touch, wrapping up this perfect pampering present, for yourself or another special someone.

Imagine, a fragrance that not only smells good but also is good for you!  LAVANILA is committed to only working with pure essential oils with 100 percent active botanicals for natural fragrances that are fresh, clean, and nurturing.  LAVANILA is committed to creating only safe, 100% natural formulas, free of harsh petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic dyes, sulfates, and parabens.

You can find Vanilla Spice Healthy Fragrance at a Sephora retailer near you or online: www.sephora.com

Hears to healthy Holiday season!

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Diesel Fuel For Life has unleashed the perfect gift sets for the men in your life.  Each of the iconic gift sets has been created for the All American Man, The Rock Star, and the Perfect Gentleman!  Let’s take a closer look…

The “Unchain Your Life” Gift set comes with Diesel Fuel For Life Eau de Toilette, After Shave, and Shower Gel.  The Eau de Toilette is housed in a black leather-like pouch with metal chains to inspire the “rocker” in your life.

The “Be a Contemporary Icon Set” is for the more subdued man.  The set comes with Diesel Fuel For Life Eau de Toilette, After Shave, and Shower Gel.  The Eau de Toilette is housed in a denim pouch making this set a contemporary icon and classic.

This fragrance is a favorite for men ages 16-99!  My 17 year-old nephew swears by Diesel Fuel For Life and insists that he gets all the girls when he wears this fragrance!  Fragrant notes of star anise, grapefruit, lavender, heliotrope, raspberry, and vetiver will make you stand-up and take notice! 

You can find these iconic gift sets at a Department Store near you including Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Diesel Stores, and online at:                               www.diesel-fragrances.com

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Having recently returned to London from the Isle of Skye in the West Highlands of Scotland, I thought it was past time I purchased some Skye cologne from Geo F. Trumper. It had been on my mind while I was there, though I had found none to buy. I examined the notes on the Trumpers official site; they list rosemary, geranium, ylang ylang and musk but state it is made with eleven essences. I wondered what the other seven could be and why they may not be listed. Perhaps a fine extract of midges?  Averted by the punishing price increases over the last few years from my favourite purveyor of barbershop goodies, I turned quickly to a well known auction website and made my deal. I sat back and awaited its arrival, eager to stretch out the memory of my trip which was fading fast in the smog.

Target recently introduced the Chesapeake Bay Candle Reflect & Escape Collection nationwide and online.  If you are looking for that little something different without breaking your budget, then this is the gift collection for you!

The Chesapeake Bay Candle Reflect & Escape Collection features six complex and multi-noted scents inspired by the sights, sounds, and fragrances from Cuba to Indonesia to France, Spain, Morocco, and Madagascar!  These collections include high fragrance candles, reed diffuser sets, and a five piece travel candle set.   

I have enjoyed Valencia, Spain - Ruby Mandarin with its sweet and uplifting citrus scent.  Madagascar’s Amber Vanilla will become a cult favorite with its notes of vanilla, spices, cedar wood, and amber.  The other fragrance destinations that round out the Reflect & Escape Collection includes: Bali, Indonesia - Bamboo Jasmine,  Casablanca, Morocco - Tamarind & Spice, Havana, Cuba - Sandalwood Cedar, and Provence, France - Lavendar Thyme.

The Reflect & Escape Collection is budget friendly with price points between $12.99 - $19.99.  You can find this collection at a Target retailer near you or online at: www.target.com.

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If you are not already a fan of Bond No.9 New York fragrances yet - let me try and entice you.  The Bond No.9 New York Holiday Gifts Collection goes from the understated and recession proof to the shamelessly luxurious.  Let me share a few of their recession-proof gift ideas…

The Perfume “Token”
Bond No. 9’s re-imagined this nostalgia-laden circular “token” as a solid-perfume compact, containing your choice of six of their most sought-after eau de parfums.  Stashed in its own perfect little white leather zipper case, the compact is refillable and the zipper case will lead a double life as a carry-case for rings, earrings, and lapel pins.  This recession proof gift idea is available in the following fragrances:  Andy Warhol Union Square, Chelsea Flowers, Chinatown, Nuits de Noho, The Scent of Peace or Wall Street.  Each solid parfum compact “token” is available for $85.00.

The Soapbox
Dressed in their colorful signature foils that display delectable pleats and the Bond No. 9 NYC logo as a centerpiece, the guest soaps are clever “token” imposters that will have you wondering if they should be unwrapped at all?  The soap boxes—displaying a field of Bond No. 9 “tokens” on an ivory background—are beguiling in their own right.  A set of four soaps that includes: Chelsea Flowers, Chinatown, Eau de New York and The Scent of Peace can be yours for $95.00.  A lone soap bar, available in six of Bond No.9 New York’s best-selling scents is available for $35.  If you want to stretch your dollar and gift-giving, the foursome set is probably your best bet!

New York’s Bright Lights, To Go—The Voyager Candles
New this holiday season, are these adorable and fabulously scented traveler candles which are sized right to stow in a suitcase.  Think of them as ambiance-enhancing New York neighborhood souvenirs.  The Voyager Candles set is a five-pack set of Bond No.9 New York’s most popular scents (Chelsea Flowers, Chinatown, Eau de New York, Nuits de Noho and The Scent of Peace) and is smartly priced for $95.00 which can be given as an entire set or broken into a few gifts! 

All-Around-Town Pocket Sprays

For those of you who crave a mini-miscellany of Bond No. 9 scents be sure to check out this box of eight pocket spray flacons.  Each of theses fabulous scents contain a different New York neighborhood and each delectably twist-wrapped in their award-winning signature foils (these are the cutest!).  These pocket spray flacons are small enough to slip into an evening clutch bag, with plenty of room to spare.  Plus, they’re refillable!  Don’t be too shocked by the price, think of the possibilities and the ways you can give these as gifts, endless…

Be sure to check out the full line of Bond No.9 New York Fragrance Collection at: http://www.bondno9.com.  You can also find these collections in all four of Bond No.9’s New York City Boutiques, Saks Fifth Avenue’s nationwide, Harrods in London, and Isetan in Tokyo.  You may also call: 877.273.2269

Enjoy!

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Do you want to spoil the one you love with a personalized fragrance of a memory or an experience?  Neil Morris, a Boston fragrance designer has been creating custom fragrances for over 30 years!  There are three easy ways to enjoy Neil Morris Fragrances through the “Neil Morris Collection” “The Vault” and “Custom Fragrances”:

The Neil Morris Signature Collection Parfums are eight of Neil’s favorite scents from a collection of well over a hundred fragrances he created!  I especially enjoyed Aegean with its notes of Mandarin, Basil Blossom, Lavendar, Quince, Sandalwood, Benzoin, and Pearl Musk.  Afire was another fragrance enjoyed by both myself and hubby!  Its has scents of Citrus, Berries swirled in Caramel, Frankincense, and whispers of Vanilla and soft Wood Notes.  

The Vault Collection is comprised of rare fragrant jewels created by Neil Morris and are only available online at Neil Morris Fragrances.  What I like about this collection is the variety and uniqueness of each scent.  Before you purchase one these finely crafted scents, you can buy a sample for $5.00 each.

Custom Scents are created in the privacy of Neil Morris’ studio located in the Back Bay of Boston.  He customizes your personal scent through talking with you and administers a questionnaire to locate the scent direction that your session will be headed towards.  Through trial and error and much creativity your specially designed scent is created!

Be sure to check out the complete and exclusive line of Neil Morris fragrances online: http://www.neilmorrisfragrances.com

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TOCCA introduces Candelada Viaggio.  For folks who are not familiar - Tocca Beauty  includes a coveted collection of candles.  Each of the Mediterranean-inspired scents and exquisite packaging for each of these products has precious appeal that makes these small indulgences simply irresistible!  Additionally, the icons on the front labels—a hot air balloon, sailboat, and seashell—are symbolic of the story and history that inspires each scent, all of which offer hints of romance, whimsy, and modernity.  The Candele De Viaggio Travel Candle Set will make a great gift for that someone who is on the go…This is also a great set to use even if you are staying home for the holidays.  You can also choose to give the entire set to that special friend or break it up and use for stocking stuffers!

Candele De Viaggio Travel Candle Set

This exclusive Tocca Candele da Viaggio boxed set features four assorted travel-size candles, which allows you to bring a precious piece of home with you when you travel.  Here is an introduction to each of the scents:

Cleopatra is a blend of cucumber and grapefruit which emits a light and clean exotic scent.

Grace is the pure essence of the Casablanca lily and this scent was created for the classic and timeless elegance of Grace Kelly.

Havana represents the sweet and yet spicy mix of sugarcane and rum.

Kyoto is a delicate fruity-floral apricot-like aroma that permeates from the Kinmokusei plant’s tiny gold-orange petals surrounding the ancient Buddhist temples of Japan’s cultural heart. 

You can purchase the Candele De Viaggio Travel Candle Set at a Sephora retail store or online: www.sephora.com. 

Enjoy!

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