Spring is in the Air

and it's teeming with bright, dewy aromas. I'm inspired to wake up, smell the roses, and proceed to wander about aimlessly in an open field.

To mark this momentous occasion (bear with me), for the first time in the history of this blog (not very long but a precedent nonetheless), I'm reviewing some of the newest feminine fragrances of the season and some classic options for those looking for a year-round signature scent. Sorry boys, this one's for the girls.

(BUT HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS FOR MEN: Victoria's Secret Very Sexy (warm and intriguing), Diesel Fuel For Life Pour Homme (serious TAG affect), YSL L'Homme (clean/sophisticated/alluring), Acqua Di Gio (classic), Hugo Boss Pure (hot businessman).


My personal favorite:
Burberry The Beat:

The marketing is fabulous first of all. I'm in awe with Agyness Deyn, she's so femininely pretty but androgynous at the same time. It's really puzzling...anyway..it's such a lively smell. It reminds me of the fun and fabulous European youth culture. I could imagine those who wear it are high class British people who hang out in department stores and eat crumpets all day, but on grungy streetwalking youth, it works to elevate them to the same status. Haha... For the modern, unique girl.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle & Miss Dior Cherie:


I can't tell the two apart, probably cuz my scent receptors are dead by the time I've spent an hour sampling fragrances at Sephora. These aren't very clean smelling. If an old woman was wearing it, I'd probably gag a little. But on a sunny afternoon in a romantic comedy, this would be how that I imagine the dazzling leading lady would smell. Delicate, warm, and lovable. FYI: Coco Mademoiselle is not sold at Sephora, only dept stores.

Vera Wang Rock Princess:

One word. Licoricy. And it's kind of exotic and musky. Like a sweaty, dirtier version of Lady GaGa. Kind of too woody and smoky for me, but for the right look (aka Lady GaGa wannabe), it could be a match made in rocker heaven.

DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom:

I love this more than words can explain. It smells like an orchard. Especially noticeable are the peach and lychee. If you're not familiar, lychee has a juicy, tropical, honeysuckle smell. It's so fresh you can taste the watery fruit in your mouth. Perfect for the sparkling, bubbly girl.

Michael Kors Bermuda:

Very tropical, beachy. For the adventurous, boho, maxidress-wearin' kind of gal. It reminds me of a Caribbean cruise. Lush and luxurious.

Dolce & Gabbana The One:

Sophisticated and elegant. Perfect evening scent for a classy girl. From what people have said, its slightly spicy/warm/oriental? whatever that means. I don't know if it is signature smell status but it's probably more suitable for glamorous, dressier occasions.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy:

Playful and joyous. It reminds me of those sugary sweet scents like ones by Escada but this one has a fresh citrusy kick. It's an everyday girly scent that isn't too overpowering. Like a Jamba Juice Orange Berry Blitz with some Pecan Praline in it. Not too appetizing, but delicious to the nose!

Miss Dior Chérie L'eau:

The spring/summer version of the original scent. It's really clean, fresh smelling. Reminds of me of a luxurious hotel soap. It smells nothing like the original, but it is definitely awe-inspiring. It has strawberry leaves and weird things like caramel popcorn...but let's just say it smells like a glacial spa.

Diesel Fuel For Life:

Sexy. Edgy. But still really fresh and appropriate for the summer. It's definitely on my to-buy list.

Versace Bright Crystal:

For fans of floral scents. Reminds me of a stroll through the park with cherry blossom petals floating off the trees in soft clusters.

Ex-faves:
Ralph Lauren Cool. Bored of it. Kind of soapy and I would much rather smell like a girl than Dial Body Wash.
Gucci Envy Me. Reminds me of cheap, skanky Hollywood. aka Heidi Montag.

I hope that helped. I've spent more hours at Sephora's fragrance wall spraying and sniffing than I can count on one hand. That's saying something...("you're crazy?")...yeah basically.

Good luck with your fragrance search everyone! Remember that memories are linked to the senses. Leave that beautiful lasting impression with a memorable signature scent. I sound like a telemarketer. Ew. But at least I don't smell like one! Haha. Ugh..lame jokes today...it's really unfortunate.

READ ON...

I wrote this first, but realized it was a bit too personal. So here I leave you with an explosion of me.

Emboldened by the warmth and vigor of a new day, I'm rising to new heights. Above the labels, stereotypes, and expectations of the affected drones. I'm unburying the premature grave of a frail breed, to revive this once forgotten dialect. And reaffirm its existence.

Ray Bradbury put my soul back in my body. I've been mourning a frivolous and superficial past for too long, waiting for the day I could fit myself into a shining mold I had invented years ago when I was outwardly happy but was becoming torn apart by my conflicting instincts. It's like trying to fit into a cute tutu of a 5-year-old me. No matter how hard I stretch the fabric, it retracts to its impossibly tiny form. This is not the point. Bradbury showed me, this me..that thinks a lot, dreams a lot, eats a lot, and expects the world to fall into place, should never be stifled by the loveless and greedy. They are the canker sores of the Earth's mouth. The unfeeling servants of a man-made machine. And I'm done with trying to conform and bleed for them.

Thoughts paralyze me again. The only way to banish them is to do only the things I am passionate about. Passion and love are driving me towards this bright destiny I foresee. The mountains that have haunted both my dreams and reality are mere bumps beneath my feet. And it's this new realization, this awakening of my senses that makes me finally react in this way. I'm happy.