The smell of holidays

I am of course talking about Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt. I bought the 30ml bottle at Dublin airport last year while I was on my way to France. I must admit that I used it up pretty quickly… shamefully fast really considering the price.

Ever since I have used it up I have completely been lusting after this fresh scent again. I cannot describe it, perhaps it's because it was my "holiday fragrance" last year, but while browsing in Brown Thomas recently and spritzing myself with it I was instantly transported to the hazy lazy days I spent on holiday.

This scent isn't your cliched coconutty/fruity scent usually associated with Summer perfumes. This is completely different to me. I am absolutely dire at describing scents. All I can say is that it smells wonderfully fresh and absolutely unique.

So this year, again I found myself at Dublin airport bound for Lake Como. And I thought, feck it, I am going to treat myself. And I bought the 100ml bottle.

I was telling the sales assistant about how this fragrance just transports me to Summer holidays and she said the lady she served before me said the exact same thing!

I wouldn't exclusively use this scent just for Summer. It's pretty universal for all year round. But it has that wonderful nostalgic quality and I am absolutely in love.

Anyway, my trip to Lake Como was rather fabulous too. We didn't get the best weather while we were there but it didn't spoil it in the slightest. I mean, those views are pretty amazing no matter what.

I will finish off with a nice photograph I took one wet evening in Bellagio. Hope you all have a great weekend!

ESCADA - Born in Paradise EDT - Review

I have lusted after this perfume for weeks and weeks now - finally I treated myself to it last week while I was out shopping. I had gotten into the habit of spraying myself liberally with it each time I saw it in Debenhams. The scent is AMAZING! This is actually the scent of summer. All the Escada perfumes actually are so beautifully light and fresh and fruity, perfect for summer, but Born in Paradise is really something else!

Even the bottle looks summery. I love the colour of it and the bird on the reverse of the bottle. As you can probably tell from the packaging, this perfume is full on fruity - watermelon, apple, coconut and pineapple. I cannot even express how delightful this smells, it just smells like the most wonderful refreshing cocktail you could ever imagine.

I got these lovely flip flops as a free gift also when I bought the perfume. Now don't you think I am all set for summer? My only complaint is that this perfume only comes in eau de toilette, and as such the smell fades rather quickly. 

Definitely check this perfume out if you can! It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and tropical fragrance I have tried in recent times.

Sadly I am back to work today after the Easter holidays but with a couple of sprays of this, I could easily be on a beach somewhere sipping a Pina Colada!

Lancome La Vie est Belle Eau de Toilette - Review

How beautiful is this? Lancome La Vie est Belle is, without a doubt, the nicest and most elegant scent. I received the eau de parfum as a birthday present and adore it.  Lancome have now released an eau de toilette version, which comes in 50ml and 100ml bottles.

I actually had to look up the difference between eau de parfum and eau de toilette, because I just didn't know! Eau de parfum is slightly more concentrated that eau de toilette, therefore eau de parfum are more expensive and last longer when you spray on your skin/clothes.

Although the scent is identical, I find the eau de toilette is much lighter and much more fresh. I think it is perfect for the Spring and Summer when you don't really want a heavy perfume. So lets talk about the scent...

Top notes - Blackcurrant, Pear

Heart notes - Iris, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Magnolia

Base notes - Tonka Bean, Praline, Patchouli, Vanilla

I cannot express how much I love this scent. It is fruity, sugary, and just so pleasant. The bottle is truly elegant and feminine, with it's little scarf and everything! I would normally try to save this perfume for special occasions (since it is so fancy!) but I am completely addicted to the scent. It is fast becoming my everyday perfume, and I think now my signature scent. It is the most luxurious perfume I own, and I get loads of compliments when I wear it!

If you have this perfume, let me know how you like it! If you have never tried it, you should test it next time you're near a Lancome counter. I could guarantee you will fall in love with it, as I did!

**Product provided for review