Florse: Capturing the Essence of Feminine Spring

Florse by Scent & Stories

My experience with Scent & Stories fragrances goes back to quite a while, sparked by a salesperson's initial introduction. They've constantly impressed me! While Elegant (their impression of Coco Mademoiselle) is usually my favorite, I decided to try Florse (their impression of Gucci Bloom) this time.

Florse: Capturing the Essence of Feminine Spring

Imagine the delicate beauty of springtime captured in a bottle. That's Florse, a captivating floral fragrance from Scents & Stories that resonates with absolute feminine energy. It's a beautiful mix of light and deep scents, making it a unique fragrance. And I have always admired floral fragrances. 

A Symphony of Notes

Florse is a blooming bouquet with a carefully curated blend of notes:

• Top Notes: The fragrance opens with a burst of freshness, combining the zesty brightness of Citruses and Mandarin Orange with the delicate floral sweetness of Peony.
• Middle Notes: At its heart, Florse reveals a romantic and elegant bouquet. The intoxicating aroma of Rose intertwines with the unique, fruity-floral scent of Osmanthus, creating a captivating and feminine core.
• Base Notes: As the fragrance settles, it leaves a warm and sensual trail. Sandalwood provides a creamy, woody depth, while Pink Pepper adds a subtle spice and a touch of intrigue. Patchouli grounds the fragrance with its earthy, slightly musky character, adding complexity and longevity.

More than just a scent, it's an experience.

Florse is more than just a perfume; it's an embodiment of feminine grace and the vibrant energy of spring. It's perfect for the woman who embraces her delicate side while possessing a quiet strength and depth.

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A Venetian Love Letter - Guess Amour Venezia

 Guess Amour Venezia - A Venetian Love Letter in Fragrance

Guess Amour Venezia, a captivating new Oriental Floral fragrance awakens the enchanting spirit of Venice on a romantic summer night. This beautiful fragrance tries to capture the mesmerising beauty, romance and refinement that characterize the magical city. 

The Fragrance:                                                                  

        Top Notes: Calabrain Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Juniper Berry

            Heart Notes: Tuscan Orris, May Rose, Cotton Peony

                       Base Notes: Olibanum, Soft Suede, Vanilla Infusion

This fragrance opens with a vibrant and aromatic infusion of Calabrian Bergamot, zesty Pink Pepper, and aromatic Juniper Berry. The perfume starts with a beautiful mix of flowers like Orris, Rose and Peony. Then, the fragrance slowly changes into a warm and cosy scent with notes of Olibanum, soft suede and a hint of sweet vanilla. 

A Sensory Journey to Venice: This exquisite fragrance invites you on a sensory journey to the heart of Venice. Imagine strolling along the canals under a starlit sky, the air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Guess Amour Vanazia captures this romantic ambience, offering a truly unforgettable olfactory experience. 

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Miss Dior by Dior | Perfume Review

Flowers to awaken the senses

Fragrance - intense floral, fruity and woody notes

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum by Dior is an amber floral fragrance for women. This is the first time I used this fragrance and I instantly love it! It's young, it's fresh and it's beautifully feminine in a very sophisticated way. The voluptuous notes of amber wood combined with floral and fruity notes reciprocate the initial olfactory inspiration of Miss Dior to inspire today's youth. This bottle of floral bouquet is centred around the Californian Rose. I have displayed here a miniature bottle of Miss Dior with the beautiful Cappadocian landscape in the background. I thought the contract was magical. The full size 100ml bottle is equally beautiful, this one looked super cute.

"Miss Dior was born from these evenings in Provence crossed by fireflies where green 

jasmine serves as a counter-song to the melody of the night and the earth."

Christian Dior, 1947

Miss Dior EDP

Miss Dior

All your senses are awakened by the sensuality of a bouquet of flowers in the new Miss Dior Eau de Parfum. For me, it is a very good fragrance option to purchase when you are in doubt. Or when you are overwhelmed by trying out many fragrances but are unable to find a good one. It also makes an excellent luxury gift!

I went over to read reviews of other bloggers regarding this fragrance. Where most of the reviews were a 5-star rating, I came across a small number of ladies who described Miss Dior as overly sweet. In my opinion, I do not find it too sweet but then again it depends on your personal definition of an overly sweet fragrance. In my opinion, Gucci Flora and Viktor & Rolf Flower Bomb might be standing at the edge of the overly-sweet defination. Overall, I rate it as a very sophiscated designer fragrance sophisticated and recommend it to all of you!

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Chanel Gabrielle | Perfume Review

Hello Readers,

Before creating the House of CHANEL, Coco was Gabrielle. A rebel at heart...passionate and free. The inspiration for the luminous floral fragrance: GABRIELLE CHANEL. 
 
The fragrance appears to be weightlessly suspended within the striking square bottle. Made with ultra-thin glass, the 4 transparent sides fade into the background, letting light radiate through. The label and the stopper have the same square shape and precious lamé hue, a delicate balance between gold and silver, and the interior is warmed with an even more resplendent gold. The bottle is carefully protected by a sleeve imprinted with its silhouette. 

In-House Perfumer-Creator Olivier Polge crafted this Eau de Parfum as an imaginary flower—a radiant, purely feminine bloom based on a bouquet of 4 vibrant white flowers. A rich, enveloping heart of intense jasmine shimmers with the fruity green notes of ylang-ylang, while fresh and sparkling orange blossom shines through, offering a glimpse of smooth Grasse tuberose captured at its finest. 

Notes

Mandarin Peel, Grapefruit, Blackcurrant, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Tuberose. 

XOXO

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Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon Scented Candle | #Holidays2015

Hi PrettyGlossBlog readers!

One of my favorite (and affordable) home decor items from my #Christmas2015 shopping is the Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon Scented Candle from Marks & Spenser. As the New Year #2016 is just a day away I thought it was the best time to light up this beautiful candle and feel relaxed during this holiday season.

Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon are the scents which have always been associated with Christmas and the holiday season. Warm winter aromas of spice cinnamon, peppery cloves, nutmeg and zesty sweet mandarin bring much need comfort and cheer to these cold days and nights. Looking at the peaceful candle nicely lit on my bedside is such a treat. I love to snuggle in my bed with a book in hand and can spend an entire day like that. What I love most about this candle is that it is hand filled with selected decorative natural botanical which are slightly visible through the candle wax. Not to forget the beautiful aroma of this candle while lit, has amazing aromatherapy properties. It works wonders for me! At a price tag of £ 7.50 £ 3.50, this candle is a beautiful decor item for your space.  

Which was your favorite holiday candle this year?

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Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon Scented Glitter Tealights | #Christmas2015

Hi Lovelies,

In the last post I shared how I spent (maybe a bit too much) on Christmas decor online this year. One of the things that I really wanted to have for decoration this time around are scented candles! I love scented candles - so much so that I am not too sure if I would pick a favorite perfume or a scented candle if I come across such a situation; it will be that difficult to decide! Scented candles have such amazing aromatherapy properties and these work wonders for me! Next time you cannot decide what to buy for your lovely lady, try a scented candle.

I came across these super adorable Mandarin, Clove and Cinnamon Scented Glitter Tealights with red glitter at Marks & Spencer online. They also had Frankincense and Myrrh Scented Glitter Tealights which had gold glitter on them as well as Winter Scented Glitter Tealights with silver glitter. I personally liked red ones as these went with my Christmas tree red baubles and rest of the decoration theme around the house. Red is also a very radiant and warm color and that is what I wanted, to create a cosy ambiance around the house. And, did I mention these smell like heaven!? Though I do adore the fragrance of Frankincense as well, I believe the beautiful aroma of zesty sweet Mandarin, peppery Cloves and spice Cinnamon is a very comforting which really set the mood as this is one of the signature Christmas scents. Once lit, these are relaxing yet festive to look at and a wonderful way to cheer up during these cold days and nights. Mandarin, Clove and Cinnamon Scented Glitter Tealights come in a pack of twenty and at £ 5.00 is a really good purchase.

Which candles have you bought?

You can purchase these ONLINE here. 

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"Modern Muse" by Estee Lauder | Fragrance

Hi Lovelies!

Behold - my favorite fragrance of 2015!

"Modern Muse" by Estee Lauder is a lush floral, woody fragrance that stole my heart! In my recent post I mentioned how the brand Estee Lauder brings sweet memories from the past. My first ever designer fragrance was Intuition which is one of my favorite fragrances as well. I still remember how I enjoyed every bit of that fragrance. It was a spicy, oriental fragrance which complimented by personality and gave me a lot of confidence. Later on, I "developed feelings" for the brand and tried many fragrances like Pleasures, Pleasures Intense, Pure White Linen which are light and easy-to-wear.

"B e   a n   i n s p i r a t i o n ... "

Love at first sight - the bottle is cute as a button. Perfectly dressed for all times, the bottle has a cute 3D bow in navy shade on its spray. It is a transparent bottle otherwise and comes in a modern and beautiful blush pink box with the bottle draw on it. Notice how the bow looks so real with that gold shade! The bottle itself is such an attractive addition to your vanity.

Be an inspiration. Experience the fragrance that captures your style, your confidence, your creative spirit. An alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek woods. Two distinctively different accords - Jasmine Accord and Sleek Woods Accord - provide an intriguing dual impression. It's a true innovation in fragrance design, as complex and fascinating as the woman who inspires it. - Estee Lauder

The new fragrance concept by Estee Lauder is based on the dual impression of two contrasting accords - floral and woody. I personally love woody fragrances but this unique blend of sparkling florals and sleek woods is as sensuous as you can imagine. The first ever spray I made on my wrist once I un-boxed the bottle of Modern Muse by Estee Lauder took me years back to my school days instantly. I still, to date, have not forgotten the beautiful and warm fragrance of my favorite flower, Sweet Peas which were in abundance at our school garden. I would walk around that areas multiple times just to smell the sweet fragrance of these spring blooms. Though Modern Muse does not smell much like Sweet Peas, it sure brought back those exciting memories. Personally, I would prefer to keep this fragrance for spring time but I love to admit that I had to put away my Coco Mademoiselle just to enjoy this scent a bit more. 

Modern Muse by Estee Lauder is for a confident, inspiring and independent woman. She is soft and strong yet dynamic. Without saying a word, she inspires everyone with her presence. To be honest, I can wear this fragrance everywhere - office, parties, date, dinner, formal events, even to bed! A tiny spray on my wrists before going to sleep and I wake up smelling like heaven! Did I mention it is also one of the few fragrances I received most compliments on? Yes and that too for the opposite sex. *ahem* 

Dating Tip: Spray your hair brush with a spritz of your favorite fragrance and then brush your hair with it for that lingering fragrance. 

Did I convince you enough? 

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The Seductive "Forbidden Flower" | The Body Shop

Happy Weekend lovelies,

This season I have purchased  dozens of fragrances. However, I also received a few PR samples especially from the bloggers favorite brand The Body Shop. From expensive high-end fragrances to regular everyday body mists, one tiny bottle really captured my attention - Limited Edition Forbidden Flower* Eau de Toilette by The Body Shop. In some (more liberal I suppose) countries it is launched under the name Smoky Poppy. This came as part of a gift hamper I received from The Body Shop sometime back which included the scandalous Red Musk. I only started using it recently and could not admire this lovely fragrance enough hence a new favorite.

The Body Shop says...

"....Inspired by nature's most controversial flower, the poppy, 

the new limited edition forbidden flower range blends potent moisture, seductive textures 

and a euphoric scent for the ultimate to total body bliss...."

Forbidden Flower was launched around Valentines Day earlier this year and hence you can guess a bit of the composition and notes of this fragrance. The entire range comes in a dark, black containers with a beautiful red, yet mysterious poppy flower on top and will lure you right in. This is something that I haven't seen in any other The Body Shop ranges as most of them are light and bright in color. All I can say is that the new launches are just getting better ad better! There is something definitely dark and sultry about this fragrance.

The mysterious yet seductive Forbidden Flower Eau de Toilette is inspired by the controversial poppy flower. A flower which is beautiful (have you seen poppy fields?), intoxicating and dangerous (do you know why?) at the same time. The fragrance is infused with extracts of oil-rich and hand-picked poppies from Ankara region of Turkey. According to Greek methodology, the poppy flower symbolizes love and fertility as well as goddess of harvest, Demeter. All this talk and information about the poppy flower made me wonder how the actual flower smelled! I'm not sure if I will be able to do the former but if it smells as beautiful as Forbidden Flower Eau de Toilette then its sweet and sexy at the same time and absolutely gorgeous!

If I talk specifically about the fragrance itself - its Euphoric! This fragrance is not your typical The Body Shop floral. On first spray, the fragrance is bold but not loud. It begins with a smoky, almost incense like notes but remains subtle. Once the fragrance settles down it transforms into something floral and powdery. Being of of the most seductive and indulgent fragrance (and range) to date, Forbidden Flower is a captivating blend of sultry warm spices, elegant floral and earthy-woody heart notes. Seducing all those who dare - it is a dose blissfully addictive scent that leaves you longing for more.

I have read a lot of reviews for Forbidden Flower over the web where some compared it to YSL Opium and called it a lighter version of the fragrance. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to smell Opium to make a comparison. I do, however, had a detailed sniff of Chanel No 5 and believe me when I say it; the two definitely have something in common. It was not hard to figure out the similarities. Both fragrances turn powdery as they reach the heart notes and hence have a slight retro feel to it. Though Forbidden Flower is a very modern fragrance, poppy flower give this fragrance character and depth, and hence in comparison with high street fragrance like YSL Opium.

If you like floral scents with that certain something you will love Forbidden Flower! Its available in a 30 ml Eau de Toilette along with an entire collection that contains items like bath bombs, massage oil, shower gel, body scrub, body butter and body lotion. For guys - The range also makes a beautiful gift for your girl-friend, wife, your best friend, sister and even mom! Its very wearable during daytime and suitable for everyday use. I have it on continuous rotation ever since the first spray and absolutely mesmerized by this tiny bottle filled with seductive aroma.

You are only a spritz away from seduction..

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Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral | Fragrance

Hello Lovelies,

It is Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral time of the year (summers!) for me. I received this one as a gift from a dear friend of mine who was visiting London. If your idea of elegance is understated and casual, then Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral is the one for you. I haven't tried a lot of fragrances from Burberry. The previous one that I had tried was Burberry Body which, as I recall, was a really nice fragrance I bought on my way to London. If I compare Brit Rhythm with Burberry Body I would pick the later as I loved the youthful twist and sweetness of Burberry Body. But having said this, Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral is no doubt a classy British fruity-floral fragrance with an edge.

Burberry introduced a fragrance pair inspired by the British rock scene, Brit Rhythm for Him in 2013, followed by the feminine edition Brit Rhythm for Her in 2014. In February this year new flankers of the fragrance came out - Brit Rhythm for Him Intense and Brit Rhythm for Her Floral. It was designed by Francis Kurkdjian who says, "I personally wanted to express the uncompromising energy of music with a twist of youthful attitude and sexiness. The scent is bright - fluid - vertical - young."

Burberry describes it as..

 "   A sensual, floral fragrance with an unexpected fruity twist. Fresh top notes of Orchid Fruit, Sicilian Lemon and Orange open up an exotic heart of Egyptian Jasmine, Lotus Blossom and dewy Lilac. Base notes of Amber Woods, Driftwood and Musk gives a sultry dry down.  "

The signature Burberry ridged glass bottle gives so much character to this fragrance. I love the classic tweed designed embossed onto the glass bottle which allows you to see the dusky pink fragrance inside. The original Burberry Brit Rhythm is apparently inspired by "the exhilaration and adrenaline of live music and electric energy of the crowd". The original fragrance was created by the remarkable perfumers Nathalie Cetto and Maisondieu of Givaudan on behalf of Burberry.

Brit Rhythm for Her Floral is soft, powdery, seductive, uplifting and a bit masculine I would say. I've only used it once or twice (since I already opened so many perfumes at the same time and want to safe a few for rainy days..) and received a lot of compliments. Everyone wants to know 'which fragrance is it?'. The fragrance was impressively long lasting but I cannot really confirm for how long since I am in a habit of spraying every few hours. It's sensual but not overpowering which I really admire.

As seen on my Instagram Pretty.Gloss

As seen on my Instagram Pretty.Gloss

 Burberry Brit Rhythm campaign stars British models Suki Waterhouse and George Barnett.

Which is your favorite Burberry fragrance?

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Lavender Reed Diffuser | Crabtree & Evelyn

Hi lovelies,

I have always been fond of fragrances, as you might have noticed by now. But this love for sweet smelling scents is not limited to just perfumes. I LOVE scented candles and reed diffuser immensely! Anything that makes my vicinity and surrounding smelling fresh and relaxing is my favorite. I cannot recall a time when I was out of reed diffusers, scented candles, air freshners etc. Running out of the previous reed diffuser, I got hold of one from my most favorite brand for such items - Crabtree & Evelyn. In the past I have used their home fragrance spray and scented candle (review) from the Iris Collection which were amazing. Every time someone entered my room they noticed how fresh and amazing it smelled. Off course, these fragrances are designed to create that unique ambiance around your home. This time around I picked Lavender (one of my favorite flowers) Reed Diffuser from Crabtree & Evelyn.

Let's talk a bit about the Lavender. Lavender is a beautiful flower. Since ancient times, Lavender has been used as a natural remedy in herbal and aromatherapy. People used to fill pillows with Lavender to promote sound sleep at night - thanks to the beautiful aroma. I have always been mesmerized by the beautiful shades of Lavender's small violet color flower. You must have come across those beautiful Lavender fields wallpapers - aren't these breathtaking! The essential oil of Lavender is so widely used in the production of perfumes, fragrances and skincare products. Depending on the type, Lavender essential oil can have a sweet or sharp aroma. For example, French Lavender has sweet aroma while Dutch Lavender has a stronger aromatic and sharp odor. As I write this post I am imagining an endless field of Lavender blooms on a mountainous land of the Mediterranean....

The story of Lavender.. 

"   Let the scent of England's favorite floral transport you to the purple fields and sun-dappled meadows of summers. Lavender, long renowned for its calming effects, is the perfect thing to life your senses. Notes of sweet violet, sensual jasmine, tonka bean and musk delight and charm, whilst a whisper of lemon adds zest and energy. In short, soothing days of summer, distilled.   "

Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Reed Diffuser is a great choice for those who like a continuous stream of uplifting Lavender fragrance like myself, without the fuss of lighting wicks or pressing buttons. There are so many new gadgets out there in the market these days with fancy decor and advanced techniques. However for someone like me, placing the reed sticks in oil is a soothing experience which is unmatched. With some good spa music in the background, I can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the aroma. Lavender Reed Diffuser comes in a nice, very presentable packaging and makes a perfect gift as well. The box clearly mentions the collection name with light, almost watercolor-like illustration of the scent, Lavender in this case. The best part is the glass container. Its simple yet so classy! The container is secured tightly with a nob and has Crabtree & Evelyn written around the neck.

Without doubt Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Reed Diffuser is an elegant way to scent your home. It definitely adds a dash of charm in your living space weather its your bedroom or guestroom. The packaging includes 10 wooden wicking reeds that can be rotated every now and then for a fresh hit of the scent. One bottle stays around 90 days but this can vary depending on the environment around you. I have noticed this these stay around for longer at my home than at office. Highly recommended, this is your perfect summer scent to lift the ambiance around you.

Also try other items from the range like the Lavender Bath & Shower Gel to help you unwind or the Lavender Poured Candle to fill your room with fragrance and soft light.

Let me know whatever you choose. 

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Elie Saab Le Parfum | Resort Collection 2015

Hi Lovelies,

Summers is here. While I'm trying my best to embrace summers with summer prints, sunglasses and fruit punch, one thing that is meant to change with the season is my perfume. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle remains my all-time, all-season favorite fragrance; next in line is a new spring fragrance to my collection  - Elie Saab Le Parfum from the Elie Saab Resort Collection 2015.

Elie Saab is a fashion designer renowned for his exquisite fashion gowns. His creations are drop dead gorgeous and I absolutely love the choice of colors and shades he uses for his gowns. Elie Saab launched his first fragrance simply called Le Parfum in 2011. However, for 2015 the designer launched its first limited edition - Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection. Created by Francis Kurkdjian, the perfume came out at the end of February 2015. It is inspired by the summer couture collection and reflection of sun in the water.

"The fragrance is released in waves like a warm gentle breeze caressing the face of a woman who stands on the deck of her yacht wearing a stunning long dress in a shade of blue that is reminiscent of the sea. It is a fleeting but intense moment filled with noting but harmony" - Francis Kurkdjian, the perfumer.

The packaging gives a true insight to this fragrance. The blue shade of this new bottle perfectly matches the Resort Collection 2015. With the infinite range of captivating shades of blue, this beautifully faceted crystal bottle mirrors the changing reflections on the surface of water taking you the journey across Amalfi Coast - a chic and glamorous escape to the Mediterranean!

To me Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a beachy fragrance which is fresh, light and summery. What I love most about this fragrance is the beautiful warmth of Mediterranean, the tropical feel which spreads with the first spray and makes you feel as if you are strolling on a tropical island on a humid day. I think when I visit a beach this summers I will definitely take this fragrance along to experience the harmony of everything around with this scent.

Anyone knows which flowers are those in the background? I randomly picked these from the florist.

Notes

Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a springtime reinterpretation of Elie Saab orange flower signature enhanced with a sweet and gourmand fig. Top notes of a sweet fig and a mandarin zest adds a delicious and fresh sensation to this fragrance. One spray and you know exactly what you are dealing with! This is also my favorite note. In the heart note, the white and luminous bouquet of the original fragrance signature is enriched by a solar frangipani flower and white jasmine. At heart Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a fresh, orange blossom fragrance. The base note of cedar and amber gives a beautiful elegance and sensuality to the fragrance. A fruity-floral and modern fragrance, this scent is your best companion to summer vacation trip this year. Luminous and refreshing, the fragrance will not overpower at any point while you take a stroll along a white sandy beach with the bluest of ocean right in front of you!

While I have considered many fragrances to be perfect for summers in the past, I am almost certain that Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a glamorous designer fragrance choice and will definitely recommend it to you. The perfume truly holds the essence of Elie Saab and is as sophisticated and chic as his collections. It has great staying power and fades elegantly to its base note.

 Image: Elie Saab 

Here are some of my favorite designs from the collection! 

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Have you tried Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection yet? 

SHOP ONLINE!

50 ml  £ 47

Boots // Selfridges // Nordstorm // House of Fraser // John Lewis // Ebay

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