But then again, there’s nothing NOT to like about this fragrance. Subtle notes of lavender, water lily and peony are wonderfully counterbalanced by warm sandalwood, musk, and heliotrope so that it’s never too floral (and old-fashioned) or too woody (and masculine). The bottle, though a bit too “I care too much about celebrity’s lives” themed (with a cherub that supposedly mimics the angel-shape soaps Ms. Lopez uses on her children), is beautifully crafted and designed with antiques touches.

Now, whether you love it for the sentimental maternal implications of the design or by the sheer force of the scent, you can’t go wrong here.

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So I wasn’t too thrilled when I learned about Lola, Marc Jacobs newest creation. But I should have known better. Jacobs does seasonal scent like no one else. Remember the summer scents? How wonderfully creative they were, playing on seasonal items without all the boring flavors. And Lola is no exception – and I mean this in every way, starting with the bottle.

Related posts:

1. The Essence & the Scent: Marc Jacobs Splash Summer 2009 Collection Review + Giveaway
2. The Essence & the Scent: Say Goodbye to One-Size-Fits-All Fragrances with Jo Malone this Summer
3. The Essence & the Scent: Lisa Hoffman Variations

And though I’m not a big vanilla person, often finding vanilla scents too sweet and nauseating, I am expectantly waiting the launch. With Oleander, Frangipani, Wild Fennel Flower, Madagascar Clove, White Amber, Vetiver Bourbon, Vanilla Bourbon Absolute, and Tonka in its top, middle, and base notes, this fragrance should not be too sweet or sugary. The bergamot, neroli, and star anise, as well as the vanilla orchid should keep this fragrance balanced and warm.

I imagine that this will pair well with citrus scents, such as Grapefruit or Orange Blossom.

Related posts:

1. The Essence & the Scent: Say Goodbye to One-Size-Fits-All Fragrances with Jo Malone this Summer
2. Preview: Bobbi Brown Rocks Autumn with Rich Color Gloss
3. Smell good while doing good: Jo Malone’s White Tie & Tiara

Think about it: it makes a lot of sense that in this super customized world that we live in today, that there should be a way to create your own customized scent – and to change it everyday a little bit. With Jo Malone‘s fragrances, you can! Simply spray one cologne, let it dry, then spray a different fragrance on top of it. The pairings change based on the order you apply the fragrances and on the quantity used. And with more than 20 fragrances to choose from, you know you found scent heaven!

Here are my favorite fragrances to wear alone and combine during the dog days of summer:

French Lime Blossom – Imagine yourself taking a relaxing stroll through the Champs Elysées. This fragrance combines romantic sweet lime blossoms with a twist of bergamot and tarragon to create a fresh, clean, and cooling scent. The bottom notes of musk, lilac, and carnation set this floral fragrance, which is wonderfully balanced by top citrus notes. I love wearing this when it’s hot hot outside but not humid – on these yucky days I simply spray a little White Jasmine & Mint over it and it’s perfect!Orange Blossom – this summer I am all about citrus scents – and this is a great one. With lemongrass and cedrad leaf (which has a sweet floral woody scent) and 2 different kinds of lilies (Water and Lily of the Valley) as well as lilac, this fragrance is all about dewy mornings and garden strolls. But what really makes this the scent to have this summer is the crushed clementine leaves -the subtle and delicate notes of these leaves can magically transport you from a hot sticky day to a cool and refreshing day.

White Jasmine & Mint – this is my go-to scent this summer. It balances perfectly the floral just-picked white jasmine with wild mint, rose, and coriander, making this fragrance neither too floral nor too herb-y. The different types of mint really work their magic here, capturing the morning hours in a garden in a crisp summer day. And this is countered by the ultra feminine handpicked Heirloom Jasmine. With bergamot, chamomile, orange flower, cedar wood, and musk, this fragrance is terrific alone on humid days, and becomes almost too good to be true when paired with Orange Blossom.

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1. Keeping summer alive: fragrances to keep you summery way into Fall
2. The Essence & the Scent: Marc Jacobs Splash Summer 2009 Collection Review + Giveaway
3. The Essence & the Scent: Lisa Hoffman Variations

Why do I need a different fragrances for different times of the day? you find wondering. Well, consider the fact that, for example, when you go to bed you a gentle, not overwhelming, scent. During the day, because you are running up and about, you want a slightly stronger scent that can keep up with you… Here’s what Lisa Hoffman says about the variations:

“Variations’ Fragrance Collection featur[es] four precious pulse points oils designed to complement a woman’s changing olfactive sensitivities throughout the day.

• The Morning variant is light and refreshing, subtly scented so as not to overwhelm the morning nose.
• The Daytime variant is rich and dimensional for when women are at their peak activity.
• The Evening variant is deep and sensual to accompany a night out on the town or a romantic evening at home.
• The Bedtime variant is gentle, powdery, and softly subliminal when the nose is at rest.

Unlike many fragrances that claim natural elements in their names, Variations actually smell like the essential oils and the the plants they were extracted from.

First there were 3:
French Clary Sage (possibly my favorite!) is a fresh and clean blend of linen and cotton accords mixed with subtle Sicilian Bergmot and French Clary Sage. The Bedtime is relaxing and calming, with a burst of sage enveloping your sleep.

Tuscan Fig – perfect combination of rich ambers, warm woods, sensual musks, jasmine, honeysuckle, osmanthus, vanilla bean, gardenia, tiare flower, and Tuscan fig, this is a great earthy scent.

Tunisian Neroli – subtle orange blossoms provide the underlying tone to this marvelous, delicious fragrance. French Ylang Ylang, Golden Amber, Italian Lemon and South African Buchu Leaf add a delicate yet lushous touch.

And then there were 2 more – 2 that were nominated for a FIFI Awards!

Japanese Agarwood – imagine lemon, cardamom, bergamot, Japanese agarwood Accord, jasmine, spiced ginger, muguet, cedarwood, musk and amber coming together in incredibly green scent, perfect for the hot summer months ahead.

Madagascar Orchid – alluring with blends of Madagascar Orchid Accord, lemon, cloves, lily, tuberose, neroli, jasmine, ylang ylang, mimosa, pink peony and woods, this is the only fragrance in the collection that is a bit powdery.

But what I really love about Variations is that you mix the oils to create your own unique routine. I love mixing Morning and Evening when I’m meeting friends for breakfast or have an early morning meeting. Or wearing Bedtime when I go to Yoga class. I simply toss them in my makeup bag (though they do come in a beautiful leather wallet, I prefer to simply carry them in my makeup bag) and apply on the go.

Related posts:

1. The Essence & the Scent: Say Goodbye to One-Size-Fits-All Fragrances with Jo Malone this Summer
2. Holiday Gift Guide: Fragrant Gifts for the Scent-Snobs in your life
3. The Essence & the Scent: Go ahead – you know you want Marc Jacobs’ Lola

And you know summer is not far away when Marc Jacobs announces the release of their Summer scent collection. The Marc Jabocs’ Splash Summer 2009 Collection is perhaps their best yet. This collection captures like nothing else the carefree, relaxed, happy days of summer with a trio of splashes that are bound to captivate your very soul. Fresh, natural, and cool, Lemon, Rain, and Cucumber combine vibrant, inviting, delicious, refreshing, and simple scents in Marc Jacobs’ oversized clear-class signature square silhouette bottles.

Lemon – With Mint Leaves, Verbena, Iced Italian Lemon Orpur, Mandarin, Honeysuckle, Cotton Musk, White Vetiver, and Springwater Amber, Lemon captures the citrus essence of summer in a refreshing and cool fragrance. Never overbearing, overpowering, or overwhelming, this splash is perfect for the hot humid days of summer.
Rain – Back for another run (thank you!), Rain is summer in a bottle. With wet cut grass, wild strawberry, Clementine Zest, Dewy Cypress, Topical Rain Accord, Passion Flower, Sunshine Flower, White Orchid, Beech Amber, Tree Moss, Musk, Teakwood, this splash captures that delicious and incredibly nostalgic “after a rain shower” scent we all know so well. And just like the scent it replicates, Rain is cool and refreshing.

Cucumber – Though I don’t necessarily think of cucumbers when I think of summer, maybe I should! Watery Cucumber, Lotus Leaf, Cactus Flower, Linden Blossom, Blue Tiger Lily, Dutch Freesia, Frosted Musk, and Blonde Woods come together in this crisp and cool splash. Cucumber manages to capture that indelible inviting feeling of being fresh in the middle of a hot afternoon.

And like everything Marc Jacobs, this is a limited edition collection, so get yours while you can!

Would you like to try one of Marc Jacobs 2009 Summer Splash? Here’s your chance:
Leave me a comment with your favorite summer scent. On July 10th, 2009 I’ll randomly select 1 winner who will receive a full-sized Marc Jacobs Rain Splash. Contest runs from June 17th to July 10th. Winner will be announced on or around July 11th and contacted by email.

Do you really really want one? Here’s how to get extra entries!

* 1 Entry – Subscribe by RSS feed or by email (must verify!) and let me know that you did in the comments (if you already subscribe, let me know that as well).
* 1 Extra Entry – Follow me on Twitter (button on the right sidebar) and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry for Tweeting about this giveaway. Please leave direct URL in comments or @productpasha.
* 2 Extra Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog and leave direct URL in comments.

Related posts:

1. Fragrant Fridays: Marc Jacobs Splash Cocktail Collection
2. The Essence & the Scent: Go ahead – you know you want Marc Jacobs’ Lola
3. The Essence & the Scent: Say Goodbye to One-Size-Fits-All Fragrances with Jo Malone this Summer