BellaSugar

Fragrance Review: Ralph Lauren Wild

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:00:25 PDT

Ralph Lauren's latest fragrance, Ralph Wild ($32-$59), is meant to appeal to a younger crowd. The scent is housed in a sporty, bright red bottle, and the advertisements display the peppy slogan: "Go Ralph Wild!" The notes are unapologetically sweet: wild strawberries, watermelon, cherry blossom, and jasmine, with some sandalwood and amber tossed in at the back of the list for good measure.

Unfortunately, my hopes of an appealing fruity-woodsy combination were dashed at first whiff. Ralph Wild is overwhelmingly sweet, smelling almost solely of strawberries. I detected nary a hint of jasmine or cherry blossom, and there is no trace of the muskiness promised by the sandalwood and amber notes. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing better than a juicy, fresh strawberry; it's just that this is closer to the scent of strawberry Jell-O.

Even though I wasn't fond of the scent, I wanted to give Ralph Wild a fair shake, so I asked for other opinions at Sugar HQ. I think Yum put it best when she described it as "very middle school." Fab agreed, adding that it smells like strawberry candy. PartySugar thought it wasn't bad on paper, but she didn't love it on her skin. In all fairness, we're slightly above the age range of the target audience, and someone born in the 90s might like this. But as women in our 20s, we didn't bite.

In a Met Gala Minute: Rachel Zoe, Camilla Belle, and More Give Us the Red-Carpet Scoop

Marisa Tom — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:56:09 PDT

The annual Met Gala not only inspires fashion's finest to come together for an epic showing of couture, avant-garde, and wildly fantastic gowns, but it also allows us to catch up - if only for 60 seconds - with some of our favorite style setters. Last night's affair was nothing short of eye-catchingly chic, and to add to our plate, we caught up with the likes of Rachel Zoe in her own fringed creation, the beautiful Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren, and Monique Lhuillier-clad Ginnifer Goodwin. Wondering who's bringing sexy back, which model isn't worried about wardrobe malfunctions, and which cool girl gets nervous about those infamously treacherous museum steps? Keep reading for the best quips, all in a Met Gala minute, of course.

Rachel Zoe, on how long it took her to get ready: "Me? Me? Not very long. I care more about her [points to Karolina Kurkova], so . . ."
Karolina Kurkova, on bringing sexy back (literally): [Turns around to show off her back] "I always love open backs. Very simple and chic in the front and then the back, it's like, 'Wow.' . . . In the back, I have a zipper, so I can completely unzip it, so you know, if you want to loosen up, if you want to get a little more, you know, sexy in the back, show a little skin!"
Ginnifer Goodwin, on her custom Monique Lhuillier creation: "To have a dress made to your proportions makes you realize how every other day of the year you wear a dress that doesn't fit!"

Click through for more Met Gala minute quotes.

Modern Style in an Iowa Cornfield

Elka Karl — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:45:30 PST

When modern architecture comes to mind, the rural Midwest often isn't the first image to leap into your head, but perhaps it should be. Many great modern architects designed and built in rural Midwestern places, including one of my favorite architects, Ralph Rapson. Architecture firm DeForest Architects continued in that grand tradition when it riffed on the Iowa vernacular building style - the barn - in the design of a country home outside of Iowa City, IA.

The house, which is currently featured on Houzz, was designed for a couple who loved both the Iowa farmland and modern design. According to the article,

After falling in love with this piece of land that they knew they could farm, Joanna and Geoff needed to find a simpatico architect who could help them marry the local aesthetic they loved with a simple and efficient contemporary style.

The juxtaposition of modern architecture into a wild, natural setting is often absolutely stunning. My particular favorite example of this harmonic dissonance are the houses at Sea Ranch, CA, that simultaneously seem to blend in, yet sharply part with, the landscape in which they've been built.

Are you a fan of modern architecture in unexpected places? Keep reading about this farmhouse on Houzz to learn more about it, or share your own experience with the phenomenon in the comments!

Announcing the 2012 Grammy Award Nominations

Rose Curiel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:51:21 PST

For the second year in a row, the Recording Academy has given a hip-hop artist the most Grammy nominations. Last year, it was rapper Eminem with eight, and this year, Kanye West leads the nominees with seven chances at the golden gramophone, including a song of the year nod for "All of the Lights." West is also nominated twice in the rap album of the year category for his collaboration with Jay-Z on Watch the Throne and his own album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Brit crooner Adele wasn't far behind Kanye, picking up six nominations for her album 21, as well as a shot at song of the year with "Rolling in the Deep."

Bruno Mars also did well, racking up six nominations (that's down one from last year for those keeping track), while newcomers like Nicki Minaj and dubstep artist Skrillex are up for the best new artist category. See what other artists have a chance of walking away with a Grammy during the February 12 award show when you read more

Lauren Bush and David Lauren Share Their Wedding Pictures in Vogue

Allie Merriam — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:04:10 PST

Lauren Bush and David Lauren married at his father, Ralph's, Ridgway, CO ranch Sept. 4, and they're now sharing images from the special day in the Charlize Theron-covered December issue of Vogue. Photographer Mark Seliger snapped Lauren in a carriage en route to her nuptials, which she described as having a "rustic elegance." After a honeymoon on Italy's Amalfi coast, the couple reunited in the Big Apple to do an official portrait with Norman Jean Roy.

David shared the story of his proposal with the magazine, saying he surprised Lauren last year with a special room filled with just photos of their relationship at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art. He told the magazine, "I created our own exhibition of our life together. And I got down on my knee and proposed. Then we went outside and took a carriage ride with a clarinetist and a saxophonist following us." Lauren spoke about the process of creating her gown, which looked a lot like Kate Middleton's, with Ralph Lauren. She said, "I wanted something modern as well, so there is the high-necked collar and puffed shoulders with the large open back.” Lauren went wild with the Western theme, pairing the elegant frock with a pair of cowboy boots.