Scent is such a powerful sense. It can transport you to another time and place or transform your mood subtly or instantly.
For this reason, I love fragrances. Or rather I have quite an obsession with perfumes and scented candles. However, they have to be quality fragrances, or your senses know the difference.
I splashed out on one of the new Louis Vuitton perfumes this week. Les parfarm.
It’s a beautiful indulgence; softly sinks into the skin and lingers for hours.
The LV description is as ethereal as the scent it’s self;
“An incandescent fusion of raspberry and leather creates an ode to lightA golden ray, a starlit sky, the aurora borealis: light contributes to the magic of travel. To capture its incandescence, Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud sought a color to weave into this theme. On a visit to one of Louis Vuitton’s leather ateliers, he saw a craftsman transforming raspberry-colored leather into a luxurious handbag. The skin as bright as ripe fruit gave him an idea: to associate the scent of leather with thatof the berry. He shaped the composition with osmanthus, a white flower with an animal and apricot scent, iris and saffron. Mille Feux is like an emotional bombshell. Fireworks.” (LV website)
Here for purchase.
[photo from my Instagram @thisismelly]
CITY LIMITS I moved to Sydney when I was 20. I dropped out of university to followed my heart. My parents were upset, but I had always been an independent kid. It paid off though, I worked my way up the corporate ladder and I married that guy; my high-school sweetheart.
Sydney
MY VALENTINE I’m not really into Valentine’s Day. It’s too commercial to have meaning. Usually my husband will send me roses the day before just to let me know he loves me but he refuses to buy-in on being told to demonstrate his love. We started a tradition a few years ago of seeing a scary movie on V-Day; the bloodier the better. I still remember the year we saw My Bloody Valentine in 3D. It was a total trip! This year we’re going on a double date with close friends The Williamsons to see 50 Shades. It’s not scary but it’ll still be fun! COCKTAIL OF CHOICE I switch back & forth between a good stiff Vodka Martini (shaken not stirred, Grey Goose or Belvedere) the dirtier the better, or a traditional Old Fashioned made with rye whiskey. I’m not a huge fan of fruity or sweet cocktails. When I’m not drinking cocktails I’m drinking champagne. Bubbles baby, bubbles.
Old Fashioned
BELOVED ACCESSORIES Everyone knows I’m into handbags (especially Louis Vuitton) and I’m currently obsessed with my Comme des Garcons black clutch and black Alexander Wang Rockie.
Alexander Wang Rockie
DATE-NIGHT STYLE I like to wear a sexy LBD; form-fitting and cleavage with a little edge usually a leather jacket or bronze hardware. LABEL LOVE Im a fan of high-end street with a designer detail; Witchery & Country Road with an Equipment (French label) shirt, mostly monochromatic with black, white & grey, and the odd Leona Edmiston for a feminine hit. THE OBSESSION candles & fresh flowers are my true obsession. I buy a fresh bunch each week and there is always a good quality scented candle burning. Instagram heaven!
fresh blooms
ON JEWELLERY I love the edgy geometric bohemian look; lots of bronze and layered. Think multiple thin knuckle rings, dangly earrings with hardlines and shapes and layer bangles. I also have a silver Tiffany’s charm bracelet which I’ve been adding to for year; it’s a timeless classic. BEAUTY PREP I’ve used SKII skincare for 10 years; it keeps my skin hydrated and feeling fresh and translucent. I use Napoleon Perdis primer, Revlon foundation, an assortment of eyecolour & mascara, Benefit bronzer and NARS lip colour in Roman Holiday. Every now and then I’ll rock a red lip for dramatic effect. SIGNATURE SCENT I adore fragrances; I have many which are in rotation depending my mood, but my signature fallback is always CK Escape (which I’ve worn since I was 15) and Coco Mademoiselle.
signature scents
GETTING PHYSICAL I go through phases of intense exercise then barely nothing, but this year I’ve sworn to try a balanced approach of daily exercise focusing on fun; long walks with my dog, kettlebell sessions with my husband & trying new classes with friends. ENERGY BOOST I swear by green smoothies. They really are simple to whip up (thanks to my power Vitamix) and I go for the all green approach; kale, spinach, cucumber, apple, celery, mint & coconut water.
morning green smoothies with Jay & Gracie
WEEKEND WANDERLUST I love day trips out of Sydney to secluded beaches or remote bushland. There’s nothing I love more than waking early, packing the car with a picnic, playlists and heading out with my husband and hound.
beautiful fashion is a true art form.
it generates emotion & inspires.
these stunning pieces from Givenchy reflect such beauty.
and just a little bit of envy.
My goodness, Sandra Bullock has come into her fashion element this past awards season! Not only did she give a great performance in Gravity, she was out of this world with her red carpet fashion!
Amazing actor & stunning brunette! 49 has never looked so good!
Take a look:
white perfection in Prabal Gurung for the Gravity premierPink & Red in Aussie designer Alex Perry at the Palm Springs International Film FestivalIn Peter Pilotto at the People’s Choice AwardsSmartly dressed in Stella McCartney chic for the Oscar Nominees LuncheonFashion forward in Prabul Gurung for the Golden GlobesOMG amazing in Lanvin for the Critic’s Choice AwardsTrue Hollywood glamour in Alexander McQueen at the Academy Awards
Isn’t this beautiful?! Just reminds us how amazingly short and precious LIFE is. Live.Love.Create.Leave it better than you found it.Make it count.
Scorched desert sand beneath your soles. Run through the shadows of the night. Surrender yourself until the sun’s first light. You’re breathless with beauty. The Olgas Central Australia. Whatever will be will be.
Aurélie Bidermann Gold-dipped Lace Cuff. When mere opulence just isn’t enough.
Cauliflower pizza base is all the rage! It’s not only delicious but it’s completely grain free! Recipe [here] Snailovation has hit Sydney!
These beautifully languid slimy creatures have been supersized and placed in random places around the city. The one above is at World Square. For more Art & About visit their site [here] The Kimono Maxi from ASOS says don’t move too fast, you want your love to last. Mellow out to the soundtrack of the sunset and dance under the brightest star. This classic maxi will take you to places you have never been, but will love for eternity. Give in to your wanderlust. Bursts of spicy, tomatoey, vodka-infused oysters.
Meet the Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter.
I am making this for our wedding anniversary next week.
What’s not to love?!
I don’t care if he’s arrogant and mean to Taylor Swift. He’s so frickin’ talented; miles ahead of the game in his music and his style… His style, oh lord, his style is just super cool, manly perfection!
This is what I’m talking about…
black on black with blazer & jeans keeping it casually cool with a cashmere knit love a man who isn’t afraid to wear a print… …or pink leather, denim & converse. the modern James Dean. how a straight man should wear coloured denim preppy perfection keeping it casual but oh so cool with a plain tank & updated khakis multiples of brilliance edgy black on black;
with leather & a tailored blazer and his Nike collaboration Air Yeezys white hotwhat’s a rock star without his bling?! bringing his individual gangsta prep to a LV campaign classic love the European ‘no socks’ with loafers how to do winter; no puffy parker in sight!
seriously, I die…
Whether you appreciate his style or not, one things for sure, Kim & Kanye’s baby will come out of the womb in leather!
“So if the devil wear Prada. Adam, Eve wear nada. I’m in between, but way more fresher.”
