The Scent Of A Woman

I've always been a lover of fine fragrance. When I came across these exquisite fragrances I fell in love with each of them in a special way. I love them all at different times, and with different ensembles. Whether you're a modern day explorer, naturally adventurous, or an all-night dancing on a Yacht off the Riviera kind of a gal. (Well, more like the Hudson River or The Hampton's here in NY)  These fragrances capture the spirit of every woman. I personally gravitate towards Vetyver and Kalimantan. Vetyver is my favorite because it's energetic and bold (just like mel) and can be worn every day. Kalimantan compliments my character because it's warm, sensual and deeply exotic. Which fragrance captures you?


FRANGIPANE

Just as the mystical world of India is an extraordinary experience for the eyes, so is Frangipane a full experience for the senses. Warm and subtly sweet, with an alluring and unexpected freshness, Frangipane is the distillation of enlightenment and comfort, unifying both sides of a woman- the spiritual and the sensual.

The scent: An exercise in duality, Frangipane balances bright and rich floral notes with warm, soothing, and grounding essences. This is a lower chakra fragrance and explores the true richness of the Frangipane flower.

The woman who wears Frangipane: The woman who is drawn to Frangipane is a natural-born traveler. Transfixed by faraway places, she is reflective, elegant, and infinitely mysterious. While she is naturally drawn to discover spiritual places of the past and present, she is always searching inward, as well. In lieu of a new novel, you're more apt to fine a sketchbook and an old set of water-color pens in her oversized canvas Marni tote. Dries van Noten, Yohji Yamamoto, and simple cotton caftans bougth at the market round out her understatedly elegant wardrobe.

Key Ingredients: Sweet exotic orange, Jasmine, Violet leaves, Water Hyacinth, Ylang Ylang, Vetyver, Vanilla, Musk.

VETYVER

Fresh, free, ripe, and clean. Vetyver mixes the distinctive masculine energy with a bold and independent femininity. It is the essence of individuality and forward-thinking attitude.

The scent: An exotic grass native to Haiti and Indonesia whose roots yield a fragrant, earthy scent, Vetyver is often incorporated as a key ingredient in unisex fragrances.

The woman who wears Vetyver: She's elegant, energetic, and wildly bright. She's a voracious reader and can be found toting around anything from a biography of Picasso to the latest musing from Malcolm Gladwell. She's sophisticated and a touch sporty, and gravitates toward bold tailored pieces from the likes of Prada, Marni, or Yves Saint Laurent from the 70's.

Key Ingredients: Citron (zesty, cool, citrus) Nutmeg (exotic, spicy, woody, warmth); Pepper (fresh, invigorating, almost effervescent); Vetyver ( dry, earthy, smoky, exotic and contemporary).


TIARE

Blending the exhilarating salt air and wild landscape of the Turquoise seas with the delicate freshness of classic white flowers like Gardenia and Jasmine.

The inspiration: The ancient symbol of Tahiti and the symbol of Love, the Tiare flower possesses much meaning beyond just its signature floral scent. It is traditionally used to make ceremonial leis in Tahiti and also represents loving messages.

The scent: For a woman who adores white-flower fragrances, Tiare introduces a very different ,almost wild and magical floral experience. Since the Tiare flower has grown for centuries along the Coral Reef, you can always find it along the ocean's edge. The mix of understated sweetness with the salt air, wind and touch of dry, warm, sun-bleached wood, greenness, and a slight powdery Mimosa finish, gives Tiare an alluring depth and complexity that can almost seduce. In fact for some men, it can.

The woman who wears Tiare: The "Island" girl who wears Tiare is very sophisticated , and the Tiare flower does wonders for calming nervous energy, while restoring confidence and a sense of well-being. Balancing her busy life between long hours at her studio and long, languid escapes to the coast of Maine or Tahiti, the woman who wears Tiare is naturally adventurous but also soulful and compassionate. For her, simply soaking up the natural beauty of the ocean is an elixir in itself. She adores the way Tiare changes on her body through the day and night, which complements her equal passion for love-worn Tse cashmere sweaters at breakfast and Chloe gowns after dark.

Key Ingredients: Tiare Flower, Cyclamen, Lily of the Valley, Italian Bergamot, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Red Rose, Orchid, Mimosa, Musk, Heliotrope, Vanilla. 




KALIMANTAN

Warm, woodsy, sensual, rich, and deeply exotic. Kalimantan is bold, intense fragrance that evoked passion and exploration, sensuality, charisma, and the great travelers of the Victorian Age.

The inspiration: The storied portion of the Indonesian Island of Borneo. This "island in the clouds" has inspired an intoxicating scent that beautifully distills the intesity, passion and abundance of this wild and sensual place.

The scent:  The essence of Kalimantan begins with the sensual warmth of spell-binding Ciste Absolute, mystical Incense, and Indonesian Patchouli (native to Borneo). This rich base is then lifted by the sharp and earthy top notes of Thyme, Rosemary, and natural Bergamot. Kalimantan's scent is then anchored by the darker essence of Agarwood, an extremely rare, luxurious scent that complements the lighter, warmer tones given off by Sandalwood, Cedar, Styrax and the suppleness of Vanilla.


The woman who wears Kalimantan: Authentic at her core, sensual and intense, this modern-day explorer loves to push the boundaries of her imagination, being fearless and passionate in her work, her loves, and her travels, which extend anywhere from Madagascar to Bhutan. In her bag, you're likely to find an old copy of Goa and the Blue Mountain by legendary 19th Century British explorer Richard Francis Burton or The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann. Her closet is full of true sartorial treasures, from vintage Givenchy caftan to Dries van Noten silk batik trousers.

Key Ingredient: Incense (tree resin, sensuous and relaxing), Cistus Labdanum (spicy, warm, drawn from wild bushes across the Mediterranean and the Middle East), Thyme (invigorating, unisex in spirit, freshness), Rosemary (aromatic uplifting sensation, means "sea mist"), Bergamot (Mediterranean citrus fruit both bitter and sweet), Vanilla (sweetness and woodiness, a touch smooth), Styrax (warm, sweet balsamic profile), Agarwood (luxurious, dark, rare), Cedar (warm, dry, tenacious), Sandalwood (warm, woody)


PETALES

Deliciously fresh, pretty, classic, and romantic. Petales is a party at the Botanical Gardens on a warm summer's evening. It's an all -night dance on a Yacht off the Riviera- it's essence is the white-flower elegance of a thousand gardenias, chic and couture at it's heart.

The inspiration: A love for Gardenias. A central ingredient in this complex and ambient white-flower fragrance, the tropical classic has long been a favorite of many woman.

The scent: Balsam, Jasmine, and Tuberose form the heart and character of Petales, which is then lifted by the lush, voluptuously feminine Gardenia flower. Beautifully warm, soft, and sensual Cedar, Sandalwood, and the whisper of Musk deepen the velvety, fresh fragrance, giving it a thoroughly sophisticated and refined essence that is ultimately classic and unforgettable.

The woman who wears Petales: She's effortlessly feminine and free-spirited, she's infinitely classic, recalling hints of Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief. This is a woman who adores couture clothes as much as she loves getting dressed everyday. In her bag you're likely to find a copy of Francoise Sagan's Bonjour Tristesse wrapped in a vibrant Hermes scarf passed down by her mother. In fashion, she favors flowing, romantic dresses in diaphanous chiffon and silks... think vintage Schiaparelli and Balmain from the 50's or 60's Pucci Capri pant.

Key Ingredients: Gardenia (velvety and dewy), Cedar and Sandalwood (soft, sensual, warmth), Tuberose (classic white floral, textural volume), Musk (tenacity, subtle, quiet sophistication, kind to animals and the enviroment).

How To Select The Right Foundation

 

While we fancy the appearance of poreless, perfectly flawless, blemish-free complexion, often times, we opt for foundation. For many women, the thought of wearing foundation invokes memories of a beloved grade school teacher who overindulged in creamy camouflage.

Perhaps the face was a totally different shade and undertone from the neck and it made her look like a Geisha... Maybe the finish was heavy and cakey. Whatever the reason, we find ourselves a bit traumatized when it comes to wearing foundation. Well let the healing commence as I walk you through the the how-to’s of complexion perfection.

Choose wisely

Foundation is widely available in several formulas and consistencies, most commonly:

Powder: Works well for oily and acne-prone skin because it helps control oil production and shine. Most oily skin types tend to desire a matte look.

Cream: Ideal for dry/ mature skin because rich texture also provides hydration and you can also find cream foundations that offer treatment benefits.

Liquid/Gel: Works well for most skin types, particularly in an oil-free formula liquid/gel foundations offer build-able coverage and a soft dewy look.

When choosing a shade:

Pick the shade that matches so perfectly it disappears into skin once applied. Foundation should never be lighter or darker than your current skin tone. It is important that the undertone is your natural undertone. There are 3 undertones that are most common. Pink, Neutral (both pink and yellow) and Yellow. Once you have chosen the right undertone and level of intensity it will blend into your skin effortlessly.

Cover your bases

Choose foundation coverage based on skin’s needs. Most women require a little coverage here and there,   so a full coverage formulation will suffice and adjust to meet your coverage needs. Consider this: Full coverage gives you the option to increase coverage where you need it and decrease coverage where you don't. This ultimately leads to a natural finish. Try Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, this gel cream foundation takes the cake in my book. It leaves a flawless finish and never appears caked or unnatural!

While selecting tinted moisturizer is tempting because the formulation is pretty much fool proof, tinted moisturizers are not particularly build-able, which can make it difficult to achieve increased coverage in areas that need a little more assistance (like: blemishes, uneven patches, sun spots, brown spots, etc). Try Chantecaille Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15.  This tinted moisturizer protects your skin from smog, free radicals, pollution and is build-able!

Ready, set, go!

For long-wear staying power, always remember to set your foundation with a loose powder. This also helps to control shine. Translucent formulas are great because they add no color, and are weightless. You can also find translucent powders in a compact for a delicate touch up when you get a bit too shiny.

Always remember to protect, hydrate and nourish your skin before foundation. This will not only prepare your skin for a flawless application, but it will help the texture and quality of skin resulting in a flawless and healthy look.

-Al xx

THE JUMPSUIT

There is something about the jumpsuit that always gets my attention. It's one piece that definitely makes a statement in any length, color or print.

The jumpsuit is one of the hottest trends for the summer, and if you are not a "dress" kind of girl, the jumpsuit is definitely for you. Combined with the right accessories, the looks are endless. The jumpsuit makes a statement of confidence, strength and sex appeal.

Casual and Sexy -
With bandeau or tube top, no straps or with straps, the casual and sexy is today's answer to the jumpsuit.

The Bold Print Jumpsuit-
Eye catching color and total personality makes the ultimate statement.

The Chic and Sophisticated Jumpsuit-

Class and sophistication always makes a mark.

The Romper-

Show off your legs this summer with one of these sexy short rompers.

I can't tell you how obsessed I've been with jumpsuits lately. So many styles and colors to choose from the possibilities and looks are never ending. Comfortable , effortless and stylish. What more can a girl ask for? 

If you haven't tried a jumpsuit, I encourage you to do so. You will be in for a pleasant surprise. 

-Al

The Fundamental's Of Dating

It's super entertaining to listen to the many experiences people have on dates. Most of us think these would be common sense, right? 

Surprisingly the "DONT'S" are done a lot more often than expected. 

Don’t Get Too Flirty Or Too Quiet - Nerves are cute when you're 12 and expecting a first kiss (I kind of like it when I make a guy nervous..lol) but, it's really not good to have any awkward silences or no conversation. Yeah, she's pretty damn hott! Think with your head, the one with the brain, not the one with the vein. Ask subtle questions, crack some jokes, be her friend for now (at least because in the back of your mind you know you're wondering how good she will look naked). Be honest, you know you imagine them naked but don't tell them that in order to break the silence! If she doesn't know you, she'll think you're a douchlord.

Don't Ask Stupid Question Or Have Serious Talk - Yes, there are stupid questions. Don't talk about anything too serious, especially about where this situation will go, and what you're looking for. Go with the flow and keep it light. Most dates are existent because there is an attraction, although there are dates that are simply friendship dates. If you're on a friendship date and that has been made clear and by clear I mean, that there has never been chemistry from both ends or any signs of mutual physical attraction. NEVER have expectations, or talk about expectations. There is no need to sell yourself. You're not a timeshare.

“I’m not very hungry, I'll have a salad.” - Really?! Ladies, Unless you’re really over weight, a vegetarian or allergic to certain foods on the menu.. Eat! It is attractive when a woman enjoys food and completely annoying and ridiculous when you talk about carbs in front of a guy or anyone for that matter. But wait,  I'm not saying eat like a barbarian... Just be yourself so there are no crazy surprises later on in the relationship when he see's you eating an icecream sundae the size of his head with the chocolate fudge dripping from the side of your pretty little mouth. 

* Guy's if you want to win some pointers on your date, ALWAYS suggest dessert! Most woman adore sweets and there is something super fun and sexy about sharing a sweet little something. 

Don’t Lie Or Show Off To Impress - If you feel you need to lie from day one then your relationship is mostly likely doomed. Most of the time “I'm an entrepreneur” means he has no job and is a criminal, and “I’m a model” means she has taken a few head-shots  and still lives off daddy. Be real! Don't talk about all the swanky cars you drive or all the money you make. A girl that actually likes you for you won't give a sh*t about that. (Well a gold digging hooch with no culture might, but let's hope you're not on a date with one of those!) If you work at McDonald's, just be honest. Honesty is the always the best policy. At the end the truth will come out and you'll just look like a big ol' tool anyway.

Don’t Ever Talk About The Ex! - Time after time the subject will arrive. I personally think if you're even thinking about the ex you shouldn't be on the date? Avoid it forever because it's gross. If you are asked about an ex, simply change the subject because that subject is irrelevant to your future with anyone. It's your personal learning experience. There are certain exceptions to this rule, but it's rare. Don't be lame, there are tons of other interesting things to chat about.

Put The Cell Phone Down! - Studies have shown that cell phones have ruined more romances than herpes. There's nothing more annoying than a guy who's addicted to his  Blackberry, iPhone or whatever it may be. Turn off all notifications, pull your head out of your ass, and pay attention. Twitter and Facebook will be there after the date. Good girls dig guys with good attention and listening skills.  If it's a business deal or emergency, simply apologize and excuse yourself for a moment. Think good manners! If you start answering texts and tweeting, don't think the chick won't either. You lose.

Don’t Ever Expect The Girl To Pick Up The Tab - DUH! Going dutch is cool when you're boyfriend and girlfriend. Sorry, but it's a man's manly duty to be a gentlemen and buy the lady dinner on all date's in the beginning (Even if the girl is the one with the black AMEX). There will be times when she will offer to pay for dinner, and that's fine. If she insists then let her, however it shouldn't be expected. 

P.S: It's extremely sexy when a man is down to earth and simple yet takes control and knows how to wine and dine a lady. A man who is well read, and simply genius in all aspects gives a good girl braingasms. What can I say, I personally love nerds.. LOL (My girl Megan gets credit for the word braingasm lol)

Don’t Have Any Sex - This is debatable. Just kidding. Well, kind of.. This one is a tough one. I can be a bit old school when it comes to this matter. I think you should avoid this on a first date if you don't know each other duh! There might be a few exceptions, just don't have any expectations in general really. Now, I'm not saying it's over if you do, I'm just saying wait till you at least  know the person a bit longer. The longer you hold out, the better it is usually... Just wait.. I guess..  If you can... Ugh, just wait... Wait for a bit...What?

There you have it... The few fundamentals of the Do's and Dont's of dating. From experience I can say that most of these done right will totally score you a second, third or many more dates in the future :)

xx- Alex

11 Ways To Make The Best Of Your Life, Career and Relationships.

First and foremost don't get stuck in the paralysis of analysis.

Sometimes people get into a mode where they are planning so much they can never make a decision. All that weighing up of pros and cons needs to lead somewhere. You have to be decisive and take action because if you spend too long cyphering, someone else will snap it up from underneath you. Motion creates emotion. Size up the situation then pounce. Just make sure you always have a plan B and a built-in ability to make the
necessary adjustments along the way.

1. ASK YOURSELF: Who are the people around me who make me feel energized to make it happen? Who's always telling me, "You can't?" "That won't work.
Who knows to let me be and let me achieve my mission? Who's happy for me when I succeed? Who's always looking for something to criticize? Who's being direct in a supportive way? Who has an agenda? Who's along for the ride? Who brings me up? Who brings me down?

2. KEEP ONE EYE OPEN: I don't claim to be smarter than anyone else. But when you're sleeping, I've got one eye open. By the time you wake up, I'm already 10 steps ahead because with that one eye I've already decided what I'm going to do that day. Everything has a purpose, from the way I do my hair and makeup to
the tactics I choose when putting together an event or scheduling my staff. Planning gives you the edge over others.

3. WHAT: Always step outside your box, and be prepared.

4. WHY: It will help your ideas and creativity level grow. When preparation meets opportunity it will always result in success.

5. HOW: Go beyond acceptance and reach out to people who have more experience in your field than you. Most successful people will want to share their knowledge and teach you what they have learned though their experiences because they share your values and work ethic. Having a mentor or mentor's is a great thing. You will learn valuable things from them. They will guide you along the way.

6. BUT: Always be yourself, and remember to treat people how they want to be treated. It's not how you want to be treated, it's not always about you. One of the golden rules of life is understanding people and treating them the way they want to be treated. Pay attention to detail, and always look for the positive not the negative. You can still be you, as long as you don't criticize anyone else's work. Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes people strive to justify themselves. Criticism is dangerous, because it wound's a person's pride, hurts a person's sense of importance and arouses resentment.

7. ALWAYS tell yourself, I will NOT be distracted by critics, or criticize anyone. I realize that not eveyone will agree with me, or cheer me on. You will not experience negativity from anyone if you have the ability to understand the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own. Be anxious to praise but loath to find fault.

8. WHAT: Get connected.

9. WHY: Build relationships to last forever because success in your career and life depends on positive human interaction. You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.

10. HOW: Keep an open mind, be compassionate and always show appreciation. "The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated." - William James

11. BUT: Be selective about who you trust.
When someone keeps bringing you down or telling you, "You can't" edit them from your life. Keep negativity to a very low minimum or even better keep it out of your life completely.

Always remember to love the hard times because they make you stronger, wiser and more willing to take risks. Obstacles and challenges breed tolerance and compassion.
Every situation is a learning experience. You learn from the bad to make better choices and decisions in the future. You learn from the good to continue and make the future even better.

From being a mother with a vivacious 4 years old little girl, to being the boss and running a business I constantly remind myself to incorporate these important principles in my life. Whenever I am faced with an obstacle- I challenge myself not to do the impulsive and natural thing. Instead, I put these principles in place and watch them make the difference.

Discover your passion, package it and present it to the world. From the way you dress and express your own style to the way you get down to business, you are your own best brand.

xo -Al

SPRING 2011 - Optimism is in the air!

Spring really brings a bright and positive outlook on everything. Let's face it, spring brings happy thoughts, love and amazing fashion. Spring fashion is sure to energize desire, lift your spirit and bring life to your closet. Among all the decadent trends - all the mood-enhancing colors, bring us to many exotic places even if we stay in the city.




Let's start off with..


Sheer Illusion

Transparency makes itself known this season. Layered is playfully revealing and conservative all at once. The minimalism is flirtatious and perfect for the warmer months. Peek-a-boo patterns in organza, lace and eyelet are sheer madness this season.






All About White

White is pure. Perfect for any occasion. It's never too much. It brightens the face, the eyes, and the smile. Wear it clean and tailored or lacy and feminine. The most universal and versatile color there is. There is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to white.






Less Is Always More

I don't know about you, but I can do a lot with a little. I crave the ease of clean, subtle separates and the sensuality of soft feminine suiting. In a world so complex, simplicity is always best. When the extraneous is removed, only the essential style remains. Now more than ever, less is more.






Color, Color, Color

Color brings everything back to life. It's vivid and unapologetic. It can be dramatic and wild. You will be compelled to walk out the door in chrome yellow, fuchsia, emerald green and flame red.. They're all stunning. Combine the brightest colors in blocks. The color combinations are limitless.





Who said "Natural" was boring?!

Sand, khaki, hemp, terracotta and cocoa. Our precious natural surroundings inspire the peaceful trend of a go-anywhere, do-anything palette. Natural colors are essentially adaptable imparting an earthy tranquility. Accessories too, go to town in skin-friendly tones and fabrics.





Florals

Nothing says "spring" like gorgeous floral prints. A joyful bouquets of colorful blossoms, and botanical prints. A great floral print is feminine and brings out the earthy goddess in every woman.


This spring brings a magnitude of options, and an infinite ability to shine, feel radiant and extremely optimistic.

It's all about LASHES, LASHES, LASHES!!!

Facial features go in and out of fashion, just like hemlines and cocktails. Right now, big dramatic lashes is where it’s at.

Five years ago, we may have wanted plump, juicy Angie Jolie lips, suffering through stinging lip glosses and shots of collagen for it. OUCH! But these days the focus has shifted to a fat, feathery eye fringe (if you don't believe me, ask the Kardashians).

 

                                                                        

“The goal is drag-queen lashes!" 

For all of us craving disco-ready lashes without using falsies, there is an ever-growing arsenal of tools: over-the-counter lash-enhancing serums, semipermanent mascaras that last up to six weeks and more-traditional formulas that claim to impart tarantulalike spikes.

A wave of special federally approved drugs for growing longer, luscious lashes have been introduced. Latisse to be the first and countless of similar over-the-counter serums have followed. There are at least 10, all introduced in the last year, that claim to make lashes look longer and fuller, from brands like L’Oréal and Trish McEvoy, ranging from $15 to $125.

How these products work: 

They contain a molecule similar to the bimatoprost in Latisse, which prolongs the hair growth cycle so that your lashes don’t fall out as often.

The over-the-counter serums claim to strengthen lashes by moisturizing them with ingredients like pro-vitamin B5 and humectants. (I personally prefer the over the counter serums. I've had amazing results using Neulash $150.)

For those of you who might want a less threatening solution there is LashDip, a semipermanent mascara that lasts for up to six weeks. I personally, like to take my mascara off every night, along with the rest of my makeup, however if you are a bit weary about the potential side effect of Latisse or any of the lash growing serums LashDip is a gel made of black pigment, acetone and stearic acid that’s painted onto the eye fringe. The LashDip application is a three-step process. First, the lashes are cleaned with a sodium-and-aloe soap. Then the gel is daubed on by a cosmetologist or to darken and shape the lashes. Finally, it’s dried and sealed with a glycol- and alcohol-based finishing solution. The procedure takes 45 minutes for both the top and bottom lashes and costs about $200. (Yikes! What a process!)

Of course for all of you, who prefer the normal ritual of applying coats and coats of mascara.. Chantecaille Faux Cil mascara takes the cake. Not only will you get lashes that look like falsies, but healthy ones too. It contains Red seaweed extract that lengthens and defines as well as a special combination of natural waxes that thicken and curl the lashes. $38

So there you have it! It's all about LASHES! Every woman wants them, and now every woman can have them.