Penhaligons

I smelled the most divine fragrance over the weekend at a swank boutique called Joseph. From what I understand, the Joseph brand is hugely popular in the UK, but it also has two stores here in New York. Joseph Parfum de Jour was co-created with clothing designer Joseph Ettedgui and British fragrance company Penhaligon's.

It initially launched in 1985 and was improved and re-released in 1997. While it is made from jasmine, rose, hyacinth, muguet, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and amber, when my nose-in-training takes a deep, long sniff, I smell mostly jasmine and spices.

The bottle and the packaging are minimal and simple. They were designed by Terasa Roviras, who drew on the inspiration from Joseph’s love of women and black and white photography. Overall, the fragrance is feminine, sexy, and medium-bodied, which makes for a sexy olfactory cocktail to match the fabulous array of cocktail attire the store also has to offer.

Joseph Parfum de Jour is available in 50ml ($69) and 100 ml ($100). You can purchase them in any of the UK boutiques, in the two New York boutiques, or by calling the stores directly.

We all know how difficult it is to find a great fragrance, and finding a unisex fragrance worth buying has become even more challenging. Come to think of it, ever since the launch of CK One in 1994, I don't think I've managed to find anything comparable. I'm not saying that Quercus by Penhaligon's is tops, but I really did like it and my guy liked it too — so guess what I'll be buying for the holidays?

I wanted to tell you about this scent because of its heady lemon and lime notes (similar to CK One). It also contains notes of mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, lily of the valley, cardamom, oakmoss, basil, sandalwood, muguet, patchouli, amber and musk. It has a warm, elegant, and confident scent that lifts your spirits without being too overpowering.

Quercus has actually been around for over ten years and has lasted because of its mass appeal. In fact, I hear that its body lotion and soap variations are popular within luxury hotel chains.

I like this everyday scent, and maybe you will too. It comes in a full range of bath and body products including a 100 ml cologne spray ($90), a 70 ml cologne spray ($50), a hand and body cream ($38), a shower gel ($30), deodorant stick ($20), a soap set ($35) a travel kit ($45) and a gift box ($80). Are you keen on checking out Quercus?

Hey hey, here's another "something blue" for you! This time it's in the form of a fragrance. And no, this has nothing to do with Wedding Planning Mania, but come to think of it...if you have to give your bride friend something blue, or you are a bride and are in search of something blue, then this classy Penhaligon Bluebell Eau de Toilette Spray, $90, is perfect. In fact, I was just reading that this ultra feminine fragrance is a favorite of English actress, Rosamund Pike of Libertine and Pride & Prejudice.

Penhaligon's makes many different fragrances and treasured upscale gifts for both men and women, but something about this Bluebell fragrance is extra special. It is described as the "essence of Spring" and after smelling it, I totally agree.

It is made with a key ingredient called a woodland flower, which is extremely delicate and cool. It also contains notes of: galbanum, cyclamen, muguet, jasmine, rose, cinnamon and clove. I hope you like it as much as Rosamund and I do (wink).