The winners of the draw...

...for the Micallef minis set are:

NofixedStars
Patriacha
Michael Leong
Leathermountain
*JW*
CC
Matt
Kayceebee
Irina
spankysparkle

[If you haven't seen your username mentioned, do read on, as there's something for you too!]

Congratulations winners! Please email me using Contact with your shipping data (please include "Micallef minis winner" in the title for my ease!), so I can forward then to the distributor who will have your prize out in the mail for you soon.

In an unprecedented generous turn on the part of said distributor I have the joy to be able to say to ALL PARTICIPANTS that they can receive free sample vials in the mail to try out the two Rouge scents: all you have to do is email me using Contact (with "Micallef samples draw" in the title) with your shipping data and username and you will have a small surprise in the mail as well!

Thanks for playing everyone and don't forget to check back later on for the winners of the other ongoing perfume draw!

Ormonde Jayne Montabaco: fragrance review

Possibly the most "masculine" leaning of the otherwise aimed at both sexes new collection The Four Corners of the Earth, it being a fougere, Montabaco by Ormonde Jayne is a perfume to capture the essence of Latin America: leather, suede, wood and tobacco leaf repeated over and over again creating a suggestive sensuality and Latino temperament. Basically what the typical westerner dreams of smelling at Havana or any such exotic port of call. Does it deliver a poker hand worthy of a gambler the repute of Jack Weil? I say it does, though in a cleaned up fashion, just like Redford is a cleaned up version of a seedy gambler in the first place.

via pinterest

The floral presence of magnolia, jasmine and rose are meant to soften the toughness of those unashamedly seductive, classic masculine codes for "macho." You can almost see the beautiful face of a Latin analogue of Tyrone Power behind the smoky rings of the tobacco. In our day and age, this is the only acceptable way to get your tobacco fix (mon tabac, get it?), but what a great way it is, eh?
The aromatics in Montabaco are fusing into the woody-fern ambience, giving it an odd freshness. Last but not least, thanks to the unerring fondness of perfumer Geza Schoen for Iso E Super, a woody-hazy-musky component in the base of many of his compositions, Montabaco (an Iso-E Super beast if there's one) radiates friendly vibes in a radius of building blocks and lasts extremely well, even it is noticed more by those coming into contact with you than yourself on you at all times.

Notes for Ormonde Jayne Montabaco:
top : air note, orange absolute, bergamot, juniper, clary sage,cardamom.
heart : magnolia, hedione, rose, violet, tea notes.
base : tobacco leaf, iso e, suede, sandalwood, moss, tonka, ambergris.

Available exclusively at the Ormonde Jayne London boutiques.

Banana Republic Wildbloom Rouge & Wildblue Noir: win 2 new bottles of perfume

I'm overjoyed to be able to offer our readers a most generous giveaway today: two full bottles of the newly launched Wildbloom Rouge and Wildblue Noir by Banana Republic. The presentation is gorgeous, let me tell you (caught me by surprise!), and the scents are nice enough, so I'm sure you will be just as happy as I am.

I have decanted 5ml of each for reviewing purposes and the rest is up for grabs for all readers internationally who will comment till Thursday midnight. (please specify if you're interested in the feminine, the masculine or both fragrances). The 2 winners will be announced on Friday.

The two fragrances were developed for Banana Republic by Givaudan and Drom respectively and correspond well to what I think the brand stands for. As to the scents in more detail? Read on.

Following the successful launches of Wildbloom and Wildbloom Vert, Wildbloom Rouge embodies a youthful spirit with a sensual spark for the stylish woman. “The romance of a pink and orange painted sky while the sun sets on the ocean’s horizon was the inspiration behind Wildbloom Rouge,” says Banana Republic Creative Director & Executive Vice President, Simon Kneen. “This scent is for a sensual woman with a shimmering, chic personality.”
 What I can tell you is that it is a woody floral with clean notes of sparkling florals and some fruit (mostly sweet apple) which dries down into a soft woody musk, warmish and cuddly; certainly warmer and sweeter than the regular Wildbloom of which it is an extension. It's the type of scent that people tend to find pleasant and would compliment the wearer on, especially since its heart is a fresh white floral which is a very popular blend for women. It's advertised as a nighttime scent and I can see that the warmish notes of the base might make you think that it would be so, but, really, I see no problem with wearing it all day long. Why not?

“The captivating forces of the ocean waves crashing down under the evening sky inspired the feeling behind Wildblue Noir.” says Banana Republic Creative Director & Executive Vice President, Simon Kneen. “This scent is for the confident man, dressed and ready to head out into the night.”
 If I were French, I'd call it "sympa". It's an aromatic fougere with a sweetish hint in the drydown that recalls gourmand notes of coffee and chocolate (some patchouli) and has a nicely burnished patina about it, when it gets there. It's not very distinctive, but then I don't think the target audience is too bent on smelling exceedingly different anyway. For what it is, however, it's competent. In the night, all cats are black.

Both of the Banana Republic scents are available in the Banana Republic stores starting September 2013.

M.Micallef Rouge #2: fragrance review & Deluxe Rouge Collection free perfume draw

Some perfumes benefit from an embarrassment of riches, sort of a scent analogy with Bathsheba Everdene given the choice of not one, not two, but three suitors. Similarly these gifted perfumes straddle varying stylistic directions, arriving at the most meaningful in the end, but having quite the mileage before settling there. Rouge #2 eau de parfum, part of the newly launched Art Collection Rouge by M.Micallef, is one such olfactory heroine.

Julie Christie via bookforum.com

The fusion of catty, tangy blackcurrant with spice and fruity-amber notes produces a very individual experience: the segments are certainly familiar from other fragrances which highlight one or the other, but the combination by experienced perfumer Jean Claude Astier is unexpected. Rouge #2 feels much redder than M.Micallef Rouge #1 (which flushed pinkish, salmon-toned in my mind, with its peachy rose). Although advertised as an animalic fragrance, I do not perceive it as too naughty for comfort (in the sense of too musky or civet/cumin leaning like Muscs Kublai Khan for instance), though it could be argued that my personal threshold for naughty is set on rather high, since I find the infamous MKK a purring kitten. Rouge #2 by M.Micallef is more of an intense, pungent fruity yet polished fruity oriental, in the mould of -say- Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo, with its unusual mélange of contradicting elements.

Rouge No. 2 eau de parfum by Martine Micallef's Art Collection Rouge, which includes Rouge no.1 perfume in beautifully decorated crimpson-hued bottles with Swarovski details, is recommended for perfume lovers who like being surprised by orientals that take a zig when you expect them to take a zag and anyone who considers standard gourmands too sweet or predictable. It could be shared by both sexes, although it leans more on the feminine side, and its lasting power is very good.

Notes for M.Micallef Rouge #2:
citrus, blackcurrant, nutmeg, jasmine, violet, orchid, amber, vanilla, labdanum, castoreum

Finally for our readers and thanks to the US distributor of Micallef, we have a lucky draw: 
10 winners will each receive two fragrances, the pair of No.1 and No.2 as large 5 ml deluxe miniatures set in a drawstring pouch: M. Micallef Art Collection Rouge No.1 M. Micallef Art Collection Rouge No.2.  The draw is available to US addresses only and is open till Wednseday midnight. Winner to be announced on Thursday Please leave a comment to be eligible.

At The Moment

Anticipating the crisp air of the mornings to come and the extinguishing of mosquitos with the first rainstorm of the coming autumn is my greatest mental past-time these days. Yet with the academic year rolling anew, my spirit soars and a flush of energy rushes over me, every year like clockwork. Below you can find a few the things that caught my interest. I'd love to hear about yours in the comments!

Reading
Sartre's Sink by Marc Crick: A DIY book about fixing things around the house viewed through the prism of great literary figures. Makes one want to open a pack of Gitanes (and I don't even smoke!) and contemplate "to be or not to be" about kitchen sinks. The companion books Machiavelli's Lawn and Kafka's Soup are next in line.



Listening
Danceries de la Renaissance by Collegium Aureum. Lively dance tunes to put a spring in your step when going about your business.

Eating
Tons of figs with gorgonzola cheese. I'll probably get both high cholesterol and blood sugar before fig season is over, but it's SO EFFING GOOD.

Dressing
Itching to get out the riding boots and get a new candy-coloured cashmere sweater or two, but for the time being I'm still mostly in summer clothes with the occasional pashmina or light jacket over my shoulders for evening and opting for ballerinas instead of sandals. (OK, the pic above could be me right now, minus the coat and plus about 15 lbs)


Beauty-Making
Seduced by the Ecrin Coleur eyeshadows by Guerlain: that's my kind of makeup. I also want to add Shiseido Salon RD305, a cool red but casual lipstick, to my collection. Since dark berry stains are also very much en vogue for fal 2013l, I'll be using my trusty Black Honey by Clinique with a vengeance.

Pet Peeve
News, broadcasted. There's so much manipulation of news that one never knows who is behind anything. Reading the Net is one solution, but there's so much material out there, it's not always feasible to have a spherical understanding.

Guilty Pleasure
Organizing paper clips, pencils, erasers, markers, stacks of papers etc. "Hold your horses, I'm busy organizing" I scream when interrupted from benevolent forces within the house.