The Hunt for the Perfect Scent.

Whenever I read about famous ladies (artists, actresses, designers etc etc) my ears always perk up when they begin to chat about their “signature scent”. For some reason I find this so utterly glamorous. I’ve never found one single scent that I could commit to forever, but I’m always on the prowl for pretty smelling things.  I should clarify that I don’t like when people are overly doused in something…but that pretty hint of a scent that floats behind someone as they walk past you or leave the room? Pretty fabulous!

There are certain fragrances that I really want to wear: the iconic Chanel No. 5, the Prada perfume (that bottle!) and Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely (love the name, love the bottle, love her).

I think I like these because in my mind they all seem super glammy and chic—but I have to tell ya, in reality they don't smell quite right to me. I think they're almost too sophisticated...I know some ladies who can wear these and on them they are deliciously rich and sexy. But I'm not really the sexy type. I don't mean this to sound self deprecating, it's just not my thang. I want to smell more like this:

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I'm more girlie than vampy. I love florals. I love citrus. I love fresh, sunshiney scents. I don't mind a touch of sweetness,
but not too cloying. I like clean, but not soapy or powdery. Since the weather is getting hotter, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite fragrances. I warn ya, they're all florals, but I promise they're pretty as can be! Let it be known that perfume definitely smells different on everyone. Just because I like it, you might not. My mom wears "Light Blue" by Dolce & Gabana and she smells AMAZING. On me? Meh. Not so much. (Light Blue is a light citrusy scent....really pretty.) 

Like I said, I really would love to wear a rich, sophisticated scent but honestly they end up making me smell like an old lady. And while I am a proponent of dressing like a granny, I’m not a fan of smelling like one. OK, on to my picks!

Ananas Fizz  by L’Artisan Parfumeur

The official site will tell you that this bright scent as “notes of pink grapefruit, bitter orange, lemon rind, rum, rose, Reunion Islands Victoria pineapple, coconut milk, lychee sap, vetiver, and vanilla.” Wow. Lychee sap? Rum? And what exactly is a Reunion Islands Victoria pineapple?? Well all I know is that this fizzy sparkling scent smells fresh and pretty and is perfect for a warm spring or summer day. It's a tad pricey, but the bottle lasts a long time.

Floret by Antonia’s Flowers

This scent is “inspired by the rambling sweet peas of her grandmother’s garden.” I love gardens and I’m prone to rambling so this one’s a no brainer for me. For some reason it’s hard to find (I bought it at Barney's NY), but it smells so super lovely. There is a little touch of pear mixed with the floral—not so much that it’s like a cloying teeny bop perfume, but just enough to give it a pretty sweetness. One of my favorite scents. The lotion is a great way to try it out. I will say that it smells remarkably similar to Benefit’s Maybe Baby and Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. and they are much easier to get a hold of!

 

Pssst—I have to say that Gwen’s perfume is a little odd to me. The bottle is this bad-ass, heavy, almost masculine gold chunk and I was expecting a sexy sensual fragrance, but then it's all flowery. 

Kate Spade

Oh Kate, how I looove this bottle. So elegant and pretty. The scent is primarily “summer honeysuckle”, which of course sounds AMAZING, but I admit at first whiff I wasn't sure I liked it. Then I tried it on and after the dry down (perfume lingo, doncha know) it was very fresh and sweet. This is definitely one that you need to test out. It's a pretty strong floral, so you'll either love it or hate it.

Kai

This beachy little oil smells like gardenias and jasmine and makes me feel like I’m on a tropical island. It’s so clean and pretty. It comes in a wee little roll on, and while it seems flimsy and not as substantial as a proper bottle, the stuff lasts a looong time. I always, always get compliments on this one. It's also the perfect size to carry in your bag for a little quick dab, fresher upper! I think it smells great on pretty much everyone. A fave with celebs. Not like that matters of course. I'm just sayin'.

Marc Jacobs

Aw, this one always makes me feel nostalgic...I wore marc jacobs on my wedding day and the sweet floral smell always takes me back to that lovely magical day in Palm Springs. I remember reading that mr. marc wanted it to smell like a bowl of gardenias floating in water and it really is a nice take on a classic floral. I don't wear it that often, I think because I like that it's a special scent to me. Another one where the lotion is just as lovely.

OK, those are some of my favorite perfumes. What are YOU wearing? Do you have any favorites? Any that you're dying to try? I always love to hear what other people like. C'mon, spill it! 

PS: I’m not really a fan of men’s cologne and while looking for images for this post I found what is quite possibly the worst name ever: Moon Sparkle for Men. Hee.