The Lovely Lilac

It's the lilac season, one that's all too short but so beautiful. It's an instant ahhh when I  take a whiff of my lilacs. They are almost  done his year's blooming but if you want to keep that scent going all year there are a few fragrant options.

Lilac is a scent that isn't captured easily in fragrances but my favorite is Frederic Malle En Passant. Before I even sniffed it I knew I would want it and it was my first Malle fragrance. It's such a fresh lilac . Based on white lilac,  it does have other notes and I get the bread or wheat note listed , but only a little and it in no way detracts from the lilac.

Another favorite is the lilac powder by Caswell Massey. When I saw they had powder in lilac  it was an instant must have.  Unfortunately it looks to be discontinued now. There are a few on Amazon still left.

Ineke's  After My Own Heart is a gorgeous fragrance , mainly lilac but not completely. Beautiful and  soft with  green notes , it's very much of the season, and is the kind of scent that lifts you on a  warm but rainy day.

Elizabeth W out of San Francisco also makes a lilac fragrance but it's not one I've smelled. I have heard other perfumistas talk about  it with praise, though.

Enjoy the fragrances of Spring and do share if you have a  lilac I haven't encountered yet.

Caswell- Massey Pure Frost Soap

Caswell- Massey,  maker of wonderful soaps, has a  new LE holiday/winter fragrance called Pure Frost.

Pure Frost comes in a winter inspired box with frosty flowers on a silver background and smells of light white florals , green notes like bergamot and a hint of vanilla and spice.  The main florals listed are Indian Jasmine and  Casablanca Lily. It's pretty with a crispness to it  and not simply all floral.
 
One thing to know about Caswell -Massey soaps is that they are highly scented. As in you can leave  them out as a room scent.  These are the soaps that hold their scents , which isn't as common as it should be.

They are triple milled and  highly moisturizing, which is just what we need in the cooler temps.

Pure Frost comes in a single gift boxed bar for $ 10 or a box of three ( hostess gift apropo) for $ 28.  EDT , Hand and Body Lotion also available.

You can see all their made in USA  scents at www.caswellmassey.com  
 where you call also see Gianna Rose Atelier soaps.  Also at specialty shops nationwide.

Year of the Dragon Soaps from Gianna Rose

 Hard not to love pretty soaps and  even better when they are great to use too. These new soaps from Gianna Rose  could fall into the too pretty to use category, but luckily there are 4 in the set. So you can use some and save some for guest use/display. They make a great gift of course with there pretty presentation and were specially made to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Jan. 23rd.

The soaps have fresh ginger, green tea and natural botanical extracts along with bergamot for fragrance. They smell very much like a soft green tea scent. Not strong but nicely scented.They also are moisturizing, being triple milled , vegetable based.    And each design will last for the life of the soap.

Retail is $ 25.00

Available at Neiman Marcus, Saks and www.caswellmassey.com

www.giannarose.com

Caswell-Massey Natural Bath Soaps

Luxury bath soaps are a special treat anytime. As it happens Mother's Day is almost here and  they make a great gift for mom.

Caswell-Massey has a new Naturals  luxury line  consisting of five new scents :Lemon Verbena, Lavender &Violet, Oatmeal, Fresh Cut Flowers and Ocean.

The come individually, but you want really want, gift wise, is the 3 box set. It's presented in a  sturdy box  and color matched to the soap inside

The Natural line soaps  all have ingredients of  shea butter, glycerin, Vitamin E as well as an organic vegetable base and are free of  parabens, phthalates, lauryl and laureth sulfates.   The colors are derived from beet juice and plant chlorophyll.

They  are  triple milled,  very large and have strong scent.   I've been using some  as room scent , just left out with the wrapping still on and let me tell you they have throw. 

The two scents I've tried are Lavender-Violet  which is soft, mainly lavender with a hint of woodsy violet, and Fresh Cut Flowers, a lush bouquet of tuberose, rose and green notes . Fresh Cut Flowers really smells like fresh flowers right out  of the florist. It's my favorite.   I am thinking the Lemon Verbena must be wonderful as well.

Caswell-Massey is available at http://www.caswellmassey.com/  and  also at all Neiman Marcus stores.

The set of three soaps is $ 40.00