Perfectly Pink Pepperpod.

If I had to pick a Molton Brown scent that I could happily live out the rest of my days with, Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod would win the race each and every time. The Bath & Shower Gel is a treat I relish, It will always make me happy. So, imagine my delight when Molton Brown released an Eau Fraiche in the very scent that had always made showertime that little bit more special. Cue a very happy blogger. 

To bring the uninformed into the know, PPP is a irresistable blend of Pink Pepper, Tangerine (Top Notes) Ginger, Black Pepper (Heart) with Oakmoss & Patchouli at the base. I won't remind you about my on going obsession with pepper & ginger. It was meant to be. 

Those up to speed with Molton Brown might be wondering why it took me so long to get my paws on the scent, but despite the recipe for success I was put off by whisperings of poor staying power. Well my friends, It's true. If you're looking for that delightful fragrance to hang around all day, you're looking in the wrong place. To be frank, the longevity is embarrassing. I sprayed it on my wrists before sitting down to write this post and I'm struggling to smell it already. It hangs around marginally better on clothing but skin? Close but no delicately scented cigar. 

I took the plunge because I was walking into it with my eyes open. It is essentially an elegant body spray, ideal for layering or freshening up with, but don't try and overreach with it. If you're really intent on keeping it around, try using in conjunction with the rest of the range. 

To keep with the theme of alliteration, it truly is Imperfectly Perfect Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod. 

xx

Quick Gift Idea: Molton Brown Orion Gift Set

Just before I head out to go and get the Christmas Tree (exciting!) I thought I'd give you a heads up about a lovely little gift set from Molton Brown. I'm a particular fan of the small bath and shower gels as they make an indulgent post workout treat in my gym bag, but they'd make any Mum/Sister/Auntie or Grandma happy.

Described as London via the Stars, you certainly sample some of the star fragrances. 

For £36 you get six 100ml bottles (saving £24 if you bought them individually) showcasing some of MB's most famous scents. I'm pretty sure you already know my Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod addiction but I'm an all around fan. 

Find it here. 

Laura xx

Signature Scents of 2012.

I'm all about a signature scent. I may be fickle when it comes to a whiff of the good stuff, but deep down I'm a loyal old soul and always return to a few perfumes. 

The rag tag collection of bottles above are just a few of the scents that have wafted in and out of my life over the past year and they have all served me well. 

When I think of a signature scent, I just can't imagine sticking to one fragrance day in, day out, for every occasion. I think perfume is the final device that when getting ready can really set your mood. I wouldn't dream of spritzing the ever refreshing Origins Ginger Essence for a night out on the town, as I associate it with feeling clean, fresh and ready to face to the day. Similarly with Vivienne Westwood Boudoir, it's overwhelming powdery notes wouldn't feel right in the office .  

This year, Tom Ford has come crashing into my life. Black Orchid has been a dominate player in my fragrance collection and has by far garnered the most compliments. I almost feel like it's a bit of chameleon, it settles well on the skin so it's not too overpowering for daytime, but has dark enough notes to be a sexy night time scent too. If I had to pick the signature scent of 2012 for me, this might be it. 

I've really enjoyed Molton Brown's offerings this year, Valbonne hits the nail on the head when it comes to unisex fragrances and Alpuldre was a summer stallwart. Highly recommended for sure. 

Jimmy Choo EDT rushed in and out of my life like a whirlwind, it's an addictive sweet scent but it hasn't left me craving more once the bottle ran dry. This surely gets a blogger hype award! 

Finally, a recent rediscovery in the form of an excellent Glossybox sample, is Burberry body. I received a sample of this quite a while ago and whilst it was a lovely fresh fragrance, passed me by. The small perfectly formed bottle has re-awakened by love of the perfume. It's fresh, clean and makes the perfect post gym shower scent. If an award existed, it'd be the start of something special award. 

Which fragrances have coloured your 2012? 

Laura xx

Molton Brown Valbonne: May Contain Joie de Vivre.

When Molton Brown launched 'Navigations Through Scent' last year, It ticked all the right boxes. Bold but wearable and devilishly exotic. As a committed wearer of the fresh and punchy Alpuldre I was thrilled to find out they were adding another scent to the collection. 

Like all the Navigations Through Scent fragrances, Valbonne takes on its own story and identity. Described as London via Provence, Molton Brown want to evoke...

"Spring, a small château just outside Grasse. A pop of rosé. Air heavy with mimosa. Lazy days, filled with laughter. Tipsy evening linger from sunset to sunrise. Spontaneous. Elegant. Chic."

Ah, le sigh. 

Valbonne is a sumptuous blend with bergamot and orange flower playing at the top, supported by provençal mimosa, rose and deep purple orris and anchored by a base of vetiver and leather. 

Undoubtedly this is a Molton Brown fragrance, the entire range has a similar stream of conciousness running through it which in my opinion, makes for a superb range.

I almost wish Valbonne had been released in mid to late summer, as it evokes the feeling perfectly and would have been even more of a treat to wear as right now, it leaves me slightly mournful for such an evening. At the moment, I'm more drawn towards the spicy Singosari to warm me up as the nights draw in. 

Nevertheless, yet again the perfect cord has been struck to create a lovely unisex fragrance that I will happily wear but could easily see it on a man who wants something slightly out of the box. 

Valbonne does an excellent job of settling into a delectable fragrance on my skin, and once spring comes back around, I can imagine I'll reach for this incessantly.

RRP £65 

Available from HERE.

Laura x

*provided for consideration.

This Week I'm Mostly Craving...

I'm a sucker for the Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod from Molton Brown, so I'm definitely craving a few more of the their brand new range. 

I'm particularly drawn to the Eau Fraiche scent, I always use that little bit extra of the shower gel so I can get another sniff, so I'm seriously considering making a cheeky purchase and picking this up!

RRP £31.00

What are you craving this week? 

Laura xx

Molton Brown Navigations Through Scent.

I feel I've grown up with Molton Brown, and they are a brand that I will, for better or worse, associate with my mother.

Something about the brand evokes a sense of classic elegance and sophistication, therefore when they announced they were launching their new unisex fragrance line, Navigations Through Scent, I couldn't help but accept the chance to experience the range.

The whole concept of the line intregues me, five scents that evoke the spirit of five different destinations, in the format of London via... 

Singosari - London via Indonisia

Apuldre - London via Kent

Lijang - London via China

Rogart - London via Canada

Iunu - London via Eygpt

Before I dive head first into the olfactory jazz, I'd like to just spend a moment appreciating the beautiful bottle it comes in.

It's the simple elegance with a luxurious edge that you'd expect from Molton Brown, I was in love before it even left the box.



To briefly break down the five scents, each come with a brief synopsis.

Singosari: “May Contain Wonder. Follow the ancient spice trail to the islands of Indonesia. Blood-warmmonsoon rains. Ruined temples and lush green jungles. Exotic. Steamy. Haunting.”

Alpudre: “May Contain Mischief. Twilight on a summer's day, in the garden of England. Picnic blankets on fresh cut grass. Fizz and Gin. Irreverent. Cheeky. A bit mad.” 

Rogart:“May Contain Adventure. Beat a retreat to the Cobequid Mountains of Nova Scotia. Log cabins and campfires. Cosy nights under northern lights. Bracing. Rugged. Slightly smoky.”

Iunu: “May Contain Magic. A long lost legend from Heliopolis, the lost City of the Sun. Sultry nights,  steeped in jasmine. The hazy heat of a Delta Dawn. Warm. Slightly Dark. Sublime.”

Ljiang: “May contain Serenity. Set sail on a bamboo raft, along the banks of the River Li. Silk billowing in the breeze. A sip of steaming white tea. Crisp. Fresh. Almost edible.”

To throw my two cents into the ring, Rogart & Iunu are very heavy, masculine scents that are reflected in the heavy base notes that come through, despite not being to my taste, Rogart does evoke a curious picture of a Canadian wilderness, MB have hit the nail on the head. I find it slightly too sweet and suffocating on my own skin as it develops into something I just cannot grow to like, but hats off for sticking to the brief.

Iunu is a similar story, it's a rich spicy scent that I just screams out as a gorgeous masculine scent, yet for me it's a no go.

Yet, Singosari is by far the stand out male scent in the five, it's a spicy grown up fragrance that hits sensual notes of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and vetvier. Simply divine.

I decided to go for Alpudre as the description alone sold it to me, fizz and gin are right up my street!

Apuldre is the polar opposite to anything I currently own in terms of fragrance, yet I couldn't love it anymore. It evokes exactly as the description reads, it's fresh yet lingering and blends beautifully on my own skin. The base notes of leather & styrax absolute give it a different twist that I've never encountered in a unisex fragrance before and it leaves a modern fragrance to die for.

I haven't touched any of the my other perfumes since this landed on my doorstep.

Lastly, Lijang is the only fragrance I couldn't comment on as I'm yet to smell it, but hints of white tea, pink berries and musk sound like the makings of a perfect feminine scent.

If you want to find out more, visit www.moltonbrown.co.uk.

RRP £55-£65 for 50ml.

Laura xx

(pr sample)