At the Moment

The numinous super-moon of last Monday has literally turned the leaf on September's notebook, serein falling gently on the dry, thirsty leaves for a few evenings in a row. This is an optimistic period for me, the academic year starting always has my spirits up. So sharing some of my current preoccupations might be inspiring. I certainly desire to hear all about yours in the comments!

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• Cosmetic finds

Early autumn is hair restoration time because, let's face it, Greek summer can be brutal to one's hair: scorching sun, beach lifestyle, salty wind, lots of sweat, lots of washing, they all take their toll.  The latest product I tried and can rave about is Dry Solution Moisturizing Mask by Honor Haircare; a thickish unguent in a greyish cream shade that's meant to be used after shampooing and rinsed after a few minutes. It leaves hair pliable and -bonus points!- very tame and silky (but not greasy) in the high humidity of early September; absolutely no frizz, a small miracle by my standards (Is the saffllower oil the "culprit" for this? I might buy a gallon or two if so. It takes all but a dollop to work, so it's also rather good value for money. The odd part on this particular blog's scope is probably the scent: the sweet (yummy, like honeyed jasmine) smell remains on hair for quite some time. If you fear it might clash with your perfume, I think you're safe unless you're wearing a very strident scent or an already too sweet one; but it's a consideration worth keeping in mind. Thumbs up for the results at any rate.

I have continued my love affair with Christian Dior's Mayday lipstick from the Transtlantic cruise collection from spring. It's the perfect subtly raspberry leaning red for all seasons. Thanks Dorthea and Gaia for the hearty recommendations; that's a purchase I shall not regret.

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• Home interests

The cocooning season is beginning and I'm ambivalent on it on two counts: for one, too much home time means less movement, more food and that's bad for the waistline (I have decided to keep any summer shed pounds off for good); reason number two, it's so much cozier to not be on the run all the time and having the luxury of preparing a long meal or just lounging in one's homewear.
I'm eyeing a Le Creuset skillet for preparing a mean steak even in the gloom of late November and preparing the last late summer tomatoes into a mean salsa to be kept for wintertime. I'm also equipping my bed with a high count, pure cotton, double hemstitch sheet set in burgundy for the restful nights I deserve.

• Musical Company

I rediscovered Tchaikovsky's The Seasons. The celebrated "June" (Barcarolle) is playing on my computer as I'm writing this. I remember it fondly from my childhood, mainly from the soundtrack of Jean Jacques Annaud directed L'Ours (1988), a film bathed in its singular emotion. Mikhail Pletnev's interpretation is particularly moving, I find, the slightly lento fingering redolent of melancholia.

• Intellectual pursuits

I've just got  Françoise Sagan's play Château en Suède, which sounds like a soap opera turned into a book but is really not. I'm also following Histories of Cultural Materialism, in particular Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard. Margaret Atwood's the Handmaid Tale came highly recommended as a 'young read' from someone I respect and I'm going to give it a shot (anyone read this?)

• Fashion must-haves

A pair of new ankle boots to replace my tattered ones is priority number one. Cuban heel, smooth kid's leather, comfortable seams and a semi-rounded instep. In black or in burgundy if I can find them. I'm browsing Asos and La Redoute for various designs, so much selection around!

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• Perfume Testing & Loving

Right admist the latest The Different Company scent, Une Nuit Magnetie, opinion to follow as soon as I have formed one. Contemplating whether more Le Labo Gaiac 10 (Tokyo exclusive) can be fitted into my stash and budget. Giving Cuir 28 (Le Labo Dubai exclusive) another run for its money and rather liking its odd ups and downs (and the vaguely familiar vibe, more on which later on).
Serge Lutens L'Orpheline is my latest obsession (in love with its spicy, musky, quiet melancholy) and I'm using up Chanel 31 Rue Cambon Les Exclusifs fragrance like there's no tomorrow!


Tell me all about your (re)discoveries in the comments!

The 5000th Milestone

On August 30th two people five thousand miles apart simultaneously tied to became the 5,000 person to create their own fragrance at Tijon.  Fabrizia Arriola  from La Jolla made her own perfume at the Tijon fragrance lab in La Jolla while Nile Lee from Washington D.C. created her fragrance at Tijon’s headquarters on the French Caribbean island of St. Martin.

Fabrizia called her lovely perfume Tally 101 which included notes of mango, lime, lemon, papaya, freesia, verbena and amber.

At Tijon one dons a lab coat and then chooses from three unique, interactive and memorable experiences ranging from fifteen minutes to three hours in creating their custom fragrance.  They will choose from over 300 oils in blending their custom formula.  It may sound overwhelming but the pros at Tijon make it easy evidenced by its five star rating on both tripadvisor and yelp.

Fragrances created are kept by Tijon and can easily be reordered online.  “Creating a fragrance is adventurous, interactive, memorable and fun, and we provide as much help as needed in offering the different levels of experiences,” added Jovan Van Drielle, President of Tijon La Jolla.

In addition to offering these perfume creation experiences, Tijon has created and offers in its attached boutique twenty-one signature perfumes and colognes along with lotions, sunscreens, soaps and other niche cosmetics.

Tijon was founded in December 2007 in the village of Grand Case, St. Martin and opened its first USA location in December 2012 in the seaside village of La Jolla, California.  Both villages are recognized internationally for their scenic beauty, gourmet foods, shopping, and now . . . for their fragrances.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Tijon Parfumerie contact Jovan Van Drielle or visit  www.tijon.com

info via press release

Joan Rivers: 1933-2014

The eternally self-deprecating, great Joan has silenced for ever. Her stint at the perfume and makeup counter shall always be remembered fondly.

Dior J'Adore: New Commercial Is Officially Breaking Up with Old Dior Clientele

"Mr. President, it is not only possible, it is essential. That is the whole idea of this machine, you know. Deterrence is the art of producing in the mind of the enemy... the FEAR to attack. And so, because of the automated and irrevocable decision-making process which rules out human meddling, the Doomsday machine is terrifying and simple to understand… and completely credible and convincing."

~Dr.Strangelove

It's only been a few hours I've announced the reconciliation between LVMH (Dior being a major brand in their portfolio) and Hermes and the new spot for Dior J'adore perfume (trailblazing the relatable body products/cosmetics) has officially rolled out.
You can watch it here.

Forget the impressive staging of the fragrance commercial itself, the Top Kapi/Mission Impossible cascades, the theatrically choreographed motions of former Martini-girl Charlize Theron (which lipstick color does she use here, anyone know?), the gold dress, or the actual slogan "the future is gold" (I needed that, personally). The single thing to really note is they do know that they're letting down their old clientele and breaking up with them in so many words…"the past can be beautiful, a memory, a dream, but it's no place to live".

Riiiight, when you have rendered your perfumes unrecognizable by those loving them and cherishing them for years on end, it is "a sacrifice reuired for the future of the human race" as per Dr.Strangelove.

Additionally, can't resist: what the hell happened to Charlize Theron's face? It used to be pretty perfect (and more sensual) to begin with.

You tell me, in the comments.

Related reading on PerfumeShrine: 
Dior J'Adore: perfume review and history/guide to flankers/limited editions
Optical Scentsibilities: the Neck Rings
Dior J'Adore: the Jean Jacques Anneaud commercial critique 

LVMH and Hermes Smoke the Peace Pipe

The behemoth and the (seemingly) last bastion of artisan pride in luxury have shaken hands. For now at least. In short LVMH, the giant of luxury fragrances, fashion, accessories and wines & spirits (see below) and Hermes, the historic saddle-maker turned luxe brand, have come to a reconciliation. The official press release runs thus:

"The President of the Commercial Court of Paris, Mr. Franck Gentin, proposed to LVMH and Hermès a conciliation in order to bring to an end the conflicts between the two groups and restore a climate of positive relations between them.

The two parties having reacted favorably to this proposal, signed an agreement under which the LVMH Group will distribute all its Hermès shares to its shareholders, on the understanding that LVMH’s largest shareholder, Christian Dior will in turn distribute the Hermès shares it receives to its own shareholders. LVMH, Dior and Groupe Arnault have undertaken not to acquire any shares in Hermès for the next five years. The distribution of Hermès shares, approved by the boards of LVMH and Dior, will be completed no later than 20th December 2014. Following this distribution, Groupe Arnault will hold around 8.5% of the capital of Hermès International.

By virtue of the agreement reached today, LVMH and Hermès have brought to an end the conflict, and all related actions, between them.

Mr. Axel Dumas and Mr. Bernard Arnault both express their satisfaction that relations between the two groups, representatives of France’s savoir-faire, have now been restored."

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Château d’Yquem, Domaine du Clos des Lambrays, Château Cheval Blanc, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Wen Jun, Belvedere, 10 Cane, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Cape Mentelle, Newton et Numanthia. Its Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Céline, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Thomas Pink, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Berluti, Nicholas Kirkwood and Loro Piana. LVMH is present in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Parfums Kenzo, Perfumes Loewe as well as other promising cosmetic companies (BeneFit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma and Fresh). LVMH is also active in selective retailing as well as in other activities through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marché, la Samaritaine and Royal Van Lent. LVMH's Watches and Jewelry division comprises Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred, Hublot and De Beers Diamond Jewellers Ltd, a joint venture created with the world’s leading diamond group.