Three Bottles, Three Reviews

Throughout my high school and college experiences I have tried every perfume under then sun. Everything from the light and airy Light Blue by Dolce and Dabbana, the fun and fruity P!NK by Victoria's Secret, the sultry and sensual J'adore by Dior, even the sickeningly sweet Can Can by Paris Hilton. (Cringe I know, I like to think that was a dark and less fashionable time in my life.) 

But now in my early 20's I have found a new taste and appreciation of the finer scents in life and have narrowed down my tastes to three absolute go-to faves! 

First up to bat was my first love, Daisy by Marc Jacobs:

Looking back now, though I still absolutely adore this perfume's scent, it's definitely more of a jeans and white tank-top kind of perfume. I would not be wearing this particular scent while dressed in my LBD to go to dinner at the Grand Concourse. But this scent is definitely one of my favorites to wear during the spring and summer to have a nice walk through downtown Pittsburgh, go to the museums, or to wear during a night out in South Side sporting my cutest jeans and crop top. What I mean is this scent is nice and subtle, to me it's not really a "WOW!" fragrance, but it's great for the social situations that I listed above because it's not overpowering.

Bottom Line: I would describe Daisy's scent as just sweet and simple, much like the flower it was named for.

Second (or should I say fifth-- Ha, bad joke!) is Chanel No. 5 by Chanel

This perfume is probably my favorite perfume in the entire universe, yes you read that right universe. There is just something down right magnificent about it, I mean it is world famous and iconic for a reason. It's a symbol of good taste and timeless chic. It's the perfume you wear on an elegant date night while in that awesome LBD from BCBG. But it also can be paired with jeans and a blouse, hell for that matter it goes well with no clothes at all--take it from Marilyn Monroe! 

Bottom Line: I can not explain what it smells like, and even if I could, it wouldn't do it justice anyways. It doesn't smell like anything on  this planet. Chanel No. 5 simply smells like Chanel No. 5.

Last but not least, Untold by Elizabeth Arden

Honestly, prior to receiving a sample of this perfume from my mother, I had always dismissed this brand as an "old lady" brand, but after my sample bottle from my mum ran out I just had to get a bottle of my own of this floral, fruity fragrance. When you wear it it simply fuses with your skin and creates such a beautiful, feminine, and sweet scent.

Bottom Line: For those of you who want to try a different perfume for this spring (though unlike Daisy, Untold can be worn year round in my opinion), give this one a chance, let it mingle with you... you maybe surprised and be leaving the perfume counter with this lovely perfume along with some change in you fabulously fashionable bag!

#OOTD: Playing Dress Up In Grandmother's Closet

DISCLAIMER: Before I go into my post, I know this can be a touchy and controversial subject. Though I would never purchase a real fur coat for myself, I'm not going to not wear one that was left to me.

Well, how did you get the fur then?

When my grandmother passed away in 2013 she left me two of her absolutely gorgeous silver fox fur coats, one long and one 3/4 length (pictured in this post). 

Honestly up until this year I have been nervous to wear this lovely piece because it seemed a bit outdated to wear fur, and some even view it as offensive. However due to New York Fashion Week bringing it back this year I figured why not break out my beaut and rock it! After all it did keep me warm while I was frolicking around Old Economy Village for my shoot in the snow and 3 degree weather!

Close up

The reason I love this piece is because just like my grandmother it is elegant and classic. Not to mention it's a show stopper, and being an Aries I naturally love being able to captivate an audience just by walking into the room! Also another thing I find admirable about this coat is when the sun hits the lush silver fur it is absolutely exquisite the way it glimmers.

The last reason I love my grandmother's former coat is because I feel that it seriously glams up a very simple outfit. For example other than that coat I'm just wearing some of my very simple but favorite pieces such as: My Banana Republic cowl neck sweater, Ann Taylor jeans, along with Ariat english short riding boots, and of course my beloved Banana Republic shades just for the finishing touch! Who said casual couldn't be glamorous?

Once On the Lips

With none of that "forever on the hips" nonsense:

This post is about lip balm because if any of you readers are like this Pittsburgh girl you have to be out and about in the city, which means harsh weather conditions and your lips suffer from it. (And last time I checked no one wants to wear lipstick on chapped or cracked lips.) And since I know this is a struggle for me, I figured I would share which lip balms I use, why I use them, and their effectiveness!

First on my list is Blistex Silk & Shine 

The reason I feel this lip balm is so effective is because not only does it  make your lips smooth and protect them from all weather conditions (it's SPF 15 too!!)  it soothes and heals very dry, chapped, or cracked lips and it does it quickly to boot. When my lips are terribly cracked (which happens frequently with these frigid  temperatures and wind whipping through the buildings of the city) this is my go-to fast fix lip balm.

If you are interested in trying Blistex Silk & Shine you can pick it up at you local Walmart or order it here! (This product costs $2.44)

Evolution Of Smooth

This section might not be much of a shocker to most of you, due to the fact of this product's growing popularity, but it is incredibly effective and worth every penny-- this next lip balm is Evolution Of Smooth also known as EOS.

I personally am a HUGE fan of this brand, not only does this lip balm have awesome flavors but because in my opinion I feel each flavor does something a little different. Crazy right? Well let me explain!

My favorite flavors actually all come in a 5 pack and every year my dear mother gets me them as a stocking stuffer for Christmas (mum knows best right?) they are as follows:

• Passion Fruit
• Honeysuckle Honeydew
• Strawberry Sorbet
• Summer Fruit
• Sweet Mint

Now this is where I explain why each is different and when I personally think the best time of day to use each are. I suppose this is my "lip balm routine".

First thing in the morning after doing my facial beauty routine and brushing my teeth I either put on the Strawberry Sorbet or Summer Fruit flavor because I feel these two are a great way to start the day due to their sweet and refreshing aromas. To me it's like a little morning pick me up-- until I get my iced coffee.

Then through out the day I use either the Passion Fruit or Honeysuckle Honeydew because these two flavors have very little aroma too them and that makes them perfect for the office. Another perk with these scents are they are practically tasteless therefore while eating my lunch (or during my mid-day Americano run) I can't taste the flavors while eating or drinking. I don't know about you but I can't stand having my food taste like a flavor that it should not be!

Lastly I always use the Sweet Mint right before bed while enjoying some Zen Green Tea, the reason I do this is I find the mint very relaxing. I mean in my book there is nothing more calming than the crisp fresh smell of mint! Also this balm is unique to the others due to the fact it has a nice little tingle after it's applied which is very soothing no matter if your lips are agitated or not!  This is the perfect balm for a relaxing evening snuggled in bed with a good read.

If you want to try my "lip balm routine" you can order the  5 pack I use  here!  (This product costs $14.95)

Not Feeling These Clear Lip Balms? Then Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm is for You.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm is the perfect combination of color and comfort! While in my opinion, it's not as light and smooth as the others, it still does the trick of keeping your lips moisturized and smooth while adding that perfect pop of color. (Personally I've taken to wearing some of the colors during the day in place of lipstick, saving my bold pouty lips for date night or a night out with the girls!) 

The other awesome thing about this lip balm is there is a color for everyone! Burt's Bee's Tinted Lip Balm has eleven colors ranging from light beige to deep sultry reds (my favorite!). 

Another cool thing about this brand? Burt's Bees products are 100% natural ingredients.

You can purchase Burt's bee's tinted lip balm here or you can pick it up from your local Walmart, however there is only a $0.03 price difference so you might be better of (and get a better color selection) by ordering online.

Princess Cake & Sugar Plum by the themefragrence shop on Etsy

Last but not least is a lip balm that I have not tried but have my eye on and am very, and I mean very tempted to order. The lip balm is from the Etsy seller themefragrence and the two flavors I want to try are Princess Cake and Sugar Plum, but FYI the seller has five stars so that's a good sign right? The seller describes their balms as smooth, non grainy, long lasting and emollient. 

Each are $4.00 try them with me here  for Princess Cake and here for Sugar Plum