Fragrance Of The Month November 2014

As we go into the holiday shopping season, it seems only fitting that we suggest parfum and cologne with exquisite gifting options. Therefore this month, we are including the gifting options for TME’s Fragrance Of The Month picks. For Fragrance Of The Month November 2014 -- We present two stunning scents from Atelier Cologne Maison de Parfum - Collection Métal. Scents from the Collection Métal are bottled in genuine precious metals, which is an industry first.

Both scents chosen for this month are releases from 2014. For the ladies we present the recently launched Blanche Immortelle and for the gents, it’s the recently launched Santal Carmin! Of note, Atelier Cologne Maison de Parfum is the perfumery that conceived the creation of Cologne Absolue. Cologne Absolues are packaged in bottles of French glass with hand-made leather stoppers.

Atelier Cologne creates a written vision for each of its scents with Blanche Immortelle (100 ml - $215) reading: “Her limitless generosity defined her, but she preferred to stay hidden. With fire and passion, she secretly devoted every moment of freedom to the cause that could make an everlasting difference. Her actions would irreversibly alter the established order.” The description for Blanche Immortelle paints a vision of passion and rebellion, and perfectly describes this classically sensual scent.

Blanche Immortelle Notes~

• Top Notes: Bergamot from Calabria, Mandarin from Italy, Mimosa from Grasse
• Mid Notes: Immortelle Absolue from Corsica, Jasmine Sambac from India, Turkish Rose Absolue
• Base Notes: Patchouli from Indonesia, Vetiver from Haiti, Sandalwood from Australia

Blanche Immortelle opens with a seductive blending of bergamot, mandarin, and mimosa. While a very traditional opening, immortelle arrives to place a twist upon tradition. Drydown brings in influences of vetiver, patchouli, and sandalwood and one is left with a womanly fragrance the leaves the wearer feeling beautiful. The scent classification is Oriental Floral. Perfumer: Perfumer Jerome Epinette of Robertet; Season: All; Sillage: 3-Moderate; Longevity: 4-Long Lasting; Bottle is covered in genuine precious rose gold - Bottling-5.

Gifting: Blanche Immortelle - Ecrin Absolu ($315) includes Venetian blue gift box with a 200 ml Blanche Immortelle Cologne Absolue, a 30 ml Blanche Immortelle Travel spray with a leather case that has complimentary engraving. Yes loves, this is what she wants for the holidays!

For our gentlemen, we present Santal Carmin (100 ml - $195.00), with a bottle covered in genuine precious real gold and Atelier Cologne reading: “He had a spark from an early age, with a sharp intuition and limitless curiosity. One day they would call him a revolutionary. The moment had come to fight for his dreams and bring his ideas to the world. Possibly a new era would begin.” The description for Santal Carmin is the embodiment of this rugged scent of a man. While we’ve seen this scent described as unisex, we feel that Santal Carmin is better suited for a man.

Santal Carmin Notes~

• Top Notes: Bergamot from Calabria, Limette from Mexico, Saffron from India
• Middle Notes: Sandalwood from New Caledonia, Gaiac Wood from India, White Musk
• Base Notes: Papyrus from India, Cedarwood from Texas, Vanilla from Madagascar

Santal Carmin opens with light notes of bergamot and limette, which quickly entwine with deeper woody notes. Drydown leaves the wearer with a sweet balanced blend of white musk and vanilla that perfectly accentuate the deeper woody notes. Santal Carmin is an ideal blending of sweetness and strength that is reflective of today’s modern gentleman. The scent classification is Oriental Woody. Perfumer: Perfumer Jerome Epinette of Robertet; Season: All; Sillage: 3-Moderate; Longevity: 4-Long Lasting; Bottling-5.

Gifting: Santal Carmin - Ecrin Absolu ($295) includes Venetian blue gift box with a 200 ml Santal Carmin Cologne Absolue, a 30 ml Santal Carmin Travel spray with a leather case that has complimentary engraving. It is our opinion that he will love this for this holiday and you will love him wearing it.

Blanche Immortelle and Santal Carmin are available online at Atelier Cologne and select retail locations across the globe.

read more...

Bridal Tips - Matching Your Hairstyle to Your Wedding Dress and More

If we're honest, from the moment "The Big Question" is asked we begin to plan our wedding. Some of us start planning long before … but regardless of when you begin to plan out your special day, you want everything to be perfect and uniquely yours. From selecting the perfect coif to match your dream dress and from pre-wedding day beauty prep to finding the ideal wedding party gift, this writer has curated some tips to help you keep your day relaxed, magical and special.

Now that you've found the perfect dress, you've got to figure out the perfect coif. Turning to Marlene Montanez of Glitz & Grammar, Marlene offers her expertise for hairstyles that will really show off that gorgeous gown. "When I started dress shopping for my wedding, one question that came up again and again as I tried on dresses was, 'How will you be styling your hair?'" shares Marlene. "To be honest, the question always caught me off guard because I knew there was only one answer … It depends on the dress!"

Marlene continues with some rather logical advice. "Your entire wedding look, including your jewelry, veil and wedding hairstyle, should absolutely match with the wedding dress you pick!" If you're freaked out, don't be, because Marlene and Latest-Hairstyles have shared some amazing tips for coordinating your hairstyle to your wedding dress with ease.

• Backless Dress - Backless wedding dresses are very on trend. And opting to go this route, you'll likely want to show off that sexy back! Consider an updo for your wedding day hairstyle, or an ultra-glamorous low side pony with curls, to give your back the spotlight.

• One-Shoulder Gown - A one-shoulder gown is great for showing off fabulous arms and a little skin, so don't have your hair covering that up! A half-up half-down wedding hairstyle is a great way to balance off this asymmetrical look.

• Strapless/Sweetheart Dress - Strapless and sweetheart-neck dresses are still some of the most popular wedding dress styles. The good news is, they not only flatter just about every figure, they work with just about any hairstyle, too! If you are having a [religious] ceremony or concerned about showing too much skin, consider a long hairstyle instead of a half-up or formal updo.

• Casual/Beachy Dresses - If you are having a beach wedding or a more casual affair, embrace the relaxed vibe with a non-fussy look. Long hair styled in beachy waves or even loose braids and half-up half-down looks are perfect for beach weddings.

Now that you have your hairstyle figured out, what about pre-day skin prep? Or gifts for the wedding party? Or what to do if one of the million possible mishaps occurs? Well, this writer can't give the answers to everything, but she can certainly pass along a little advice.

Obviously you'll want to put your best face forward; so pre-day skincare is a must. Merlot Skin Care, featured on The TODAY show with Kathie Lee and Hoda, is a family-owned and operated brand with its products made in the USA. That aside, the entire Merlot Skin Care line is cruelty-free and incorporates the healing benefits of natural red grape seed antioxidants, which are gentle and effective. Regardless of what skincare line your choose, you need to begin a solid skincare regimen a least two-weeks before your big day.

Next, you can't forget amazing gifts for your wedding party. Atelier Cologne offers gorgeous Coffret Voyage gifts sets that are perfect for both the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Atelier Cologne's latest offering is a unisex fragrance, Grand Néroli Cologne Absolue. The Coffret Voyage gift set ($85) includes a 30 ml Cologne Absolue and its own handcrafted leather travel case, a soap and a selection of 4 postcards samples in a Venetian blue gift box. If you're looking to make your wedding really unique, match Cologne Absolue with a personalized leather travel case and use them as place cards for your wedding guests!

Lastly, you'll want a back up for all the things that may go awry (Maid of Honor, This one's for you!). From Pinch Provisions, which actually has an entire page dedicated to "wedding emergency" kits, The Bridetastic ($75) Kit is the McLaren (sans the price tag) of emergency kits. Boasting 101 wedding day essentials, The Bridetastic Kit has four removable compartments -- beauty, fashion, personal care, and bridal -- that are neatly organized and contain absolutely every item one can think of to solve the worst wedding day emergency.

Hopefully, we've offered you some great ideas to make your wedding day as beautiful as your love. The companies referenced within are simply a location point and while each gifting suggestion is perfect, in and off itself, it isn't necessary to go over your wedding budget in order for your wedding to be special. After all is said and done, let your wedding be about you and your betrothed!

read more...

Atelier Cologne Grand Néroli Review

Atelier Cologne Grand Néroli, launched in 2010, is a stunning scent. Backtracking for a moment, it’s important to call attention to Atelier Cologne itself. The perfumery conceived the idea of creating cologne absolues, which are fragrances based on traditional and classic citrus, but blended with a kick.

The specific scent of Grand Néroli ($170 – 200ml) is unisex and quite frankly, sexy. Atelier Cologne creates a written vision for each of its scent with Grand Néroli reading: “The windows were thrown open to let in the afternoon sun, along with a breeze of orange blossoms. She secured fresh flowers into her hair and her eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation. She had been a whirl of precise motion in her final preparation and took pause to dream about the moment to come.” I love the vision and it is a perfect description of the whimsical essence of Grand Néroli.

Grand Néroli Fragrance Notes~

• Top Notes: Moroccan Neroli, Chilled Lemon, Sicilian Bergamot, Petitgrain
• Mid Notes: Galbanum, Oakmoss, Birch leaf
• Base Notes: Musk, Cedarwood, Vanilla

Upon application is an immediate opening of citrus that gently transitions to sexy mid notes with dry down leaving a lasting essence of masterfully blended floral, wood and musk. Reading the notes, one would expect to raise an eyebrow and run -- but Grand Néroli captures the essences of whimsy, strength and romance. I can’t describe the theme of this fragrance other than to state that Grand Néroli is Mediterranean and have seen it referenced as a summer scent. As for being just a scent for summer, while perfect for the season, this is one that should be worn year round.

Created by: Cecile Krakower

Sillage: 2-Soft

Longevity: 3 - Moderate; 6 hours or less

Grand Néroli is available online at Atelier Cologne and select retail locations.

read more...