BellaSugar

Bella Book: The Perfect Scent

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:17:31 PDT

Last weekend, I spent a wonderful afternoon devouring Chandler Burr's book The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York. As the perfume critic for The New York Times, Burr explores both the business and creative sides of the fragrance industry. In The Perfect Scent, he writes about his year covering the development of two fragrances: Un Jardin Sur le Nil from Hermès and Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely.

This is such a well-written, fascinating, and enjoyable book that you'll find much to love even if you aren't obsessed with fragrance. I spoke with Chandler Burr on Friday, and I'll be bringing you some of his wit and expertise later this week. But for now, let me tell you about the book. For the synopsis,

read more. In France, Burr follows Jean-Claude Ellena, an accomplished perfumer who'd just been tapped to be the first in-house "nose" for Hermès. Saddled with the challenge of reviving the luxury house's lackluster perfume sales, Ellena has to maintain a delicate balance between formulating an artistically beautiful scent and pushing Hermès forward in the multibillion dollar perfume industry. (The scent, Un Jardin sur le Nil, launched in 2005.) You're probably familiar with Lovely, the first scent created by Sarah Jessica Parker. Burr observes the actress over the year, beginning with a walking tour of Sarah Jessica's favorite New York smells and moving forth into the development of her scent. Unlike many celebrities who launch fragrances, Sarah Jessica was highly involved in the development, packaging, and marketing of Lovely. Even ignoring her fame, the story of Lovely would be an interesting one; still, it's difficult not to love SJP after reading about her favorite scents. (They aren't what you might imagine.) The book is packed with countless fascinating bits about fragrance (did you know that molecules in jasmine have the smell of a corpse?), and Burr's writing is as witty as it is pithy. I could go on and on, but sometimes you just have to read a book. And this is one of those times. Read it; I know you'll enjoy it. And come back tomorrow to read the first part of my interview with Chandler Burr.

Pretty, Purse-Perfect Solid Perfumes

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:00:13 PST

Solid perfume has been popular since at least ancient Egyptian times, and for good reason. It's eminently portable, won't leak, and the base makes for soft, skin-flattering scents that don't give bystanders a headache. Solid scents get a bad rap as literal one-note affairs, but the five following fragrances are as beautiful as the tins they come in. To see which scent you should be carrying around in your purse, learn more below.

Katie Lee Shares Her Secrets For Throwing a Simply Chic Holiday Cocktail Party

Lindsay Miller — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:00:34 PST

The holidays are always a little hectic, and there's definitely some added pressure for those of us who volunteer to play host for a Hanukkah celebration, Christmas dinner, or New Year's Eve party.

We caught up with entertaining expert Katie Lee as she toasted her role as Clos du Bois wine ambassador in LA, and couldn't resist asking for some advice on how to make throwing a successful seasonal soiree less stressful. Over a wine pairing lunch at the Sunset Tower Hotel, we snagged her tips on everything from whipping up the perfect deviled egg to her favorite unexpected spot for finding party decor - as well as her food trend predictions for 2012. Katie also dished on some of her favorite easy-to-make recipes for cocktails and appetizers and gave us ideas on how to simplify and save money when playing host for friends and family.

YumSugar: You've got so many great recipes for appetizers. What will you be serving at your house this season?
Katie Lee: On Christmas Eve, I’m cooking a really big dinner. I have 20 people coming, so for the appetizers I’m doing more assembly, because I’m focusing on the main course. So, I like to do multiple crostinis. I get a baguette, slice it up, toast it. One that is a big hit is gorgonzola cheese with a dollop of fig jam. It’s excellent. I also will do some fresh ricotta. I pick it up at an Italian specialty store, [and add] really good extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. And then, I’ll do just a store-bought olive tapenade on a crostini . . . The one hors d'oeuvre that I always, always make at every party are my deviled eggs. It’s not a party at my house without deviled eggs!

YS: Do you have any tricks to making the perfect deviled egg?
KL: The secret to a good deviled egg is to not do too much to it. I just put mayonnaise and a little bit of yellow mustard in mine. Not Dijon. Yellow mustard - the cheap kind - and then I dress it up with the garnishes. So that’s where I get more creative, and for Christmas Eve or for New Year's, I’ll do a luxury deviled egg. I get some caviar, and it’s a good way serve a bunch of ingredients and stretch it. One small container of caviar can go on 20 deviled eggs, and then you save money on caviar and [don't have to] spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

Keep reading to check out the rest of Katie Lee's holiday entertaining tips.

An Easy Handmade Holiday Gift Idea: Tub Teas

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:01:00 PST

When it comes to luxe-looking homemade holiday gifts, few are as pretty, or as inexpensive and easy to make, as tub teas. Not only do tub teas look lovely in a jar, but the tea and flowers inside are soothing, packed with antioxidants, and beautifully scented. Plus, you can create a blend that suits the tastes of whoever your recipient might be. So to see how you can make these at home without breaking a sweat, get the full breakdown.

Sexy Gifts to Put On Your Naughty Wish List

Annie Scudder — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:46:29 PST

If you've been a good girl this year maybe Santa baby will hurry down the chimney on Christmas and leave one of these sexy gifts under the tree for you. From a luxurious Burberry satin robe and a sensual Chanel scent to Cosabella thongs that would fit perfectly in your stocking, we have intimate items you should add to your wish list. See 20 seductive gift ideas now!

What We're Sweet On: The Love Child Candle of Summer and Fall

Jaime Richards — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:05:00 PST

Yes, we have already discovered a candle that smells just like Fall, but if amber-scented ambiance isn't your thing, you might like Stark Waxing Studio's Cactus Flower candle ($24) instead. With ingredients that inspire autumnal thoughts, including ginger and Frankincense, it has a clean, earthy quality. But something about the way this soy wax-based candle is mixed up also brings to mind those citronella candles you burn during the warmer-weathered months. You can call it the perfect marriage of these crisp, albeit contrasting, back-to-back seasons. And with the coldest season of them all fast approaching, this candle provides the perfect way to gear up for some cozier times ahead.

What We're Sweet On: Natural Perfumes to Fall in Love With

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:05:00 PST

Lush has a passel of exclusive new scents that are only available online. If you're a fan of Karma or any of the brand's Gorilla Perfumes, though, you shouldn't let the being Internet-only factor discourage you from trying them, because they're pretty super. In short, here's why two of the scents, Love and Cocktail ($40 each), are worth your time.

Love, the warmer and spicier of the two, opens with an aroma of Red Hots cinnamon candies, then dies down to smell exactly like those red wax lips you can get around Halloween. Cocktail, on the other hand, starts off smelling like Teaberry gum (or sweet spearmint, if you're not familiar with the aforementioned old-timey treat). Then it gets a little oakmoss-like underneath, making the whole concoction redolent of the underside of a Christmas tree.

They're both really lovely, seasonal scents that will put you in the holiday spirit without overpowering your senses. Plus, for fragrances with such nice development, they're reasonably priced. They're also out at the perfect time, so you can switch from your regular scent to something a little cozier and more festive.

American Quilts, "Smalls," and The Perfectly Imperfect Home: Continuing Our Chat With Deborah Needleman

Elka Karl — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:00:54 PDT

Yesterday, I posted the first half of my interview with Deborah Needleman. The former editor of Domino magazine and the current editor of WSJ. Magazine, Deborah's new book The Perfectly Imperfect Home explores the concept of a comfortable, stylish home that's uniquely your own. Keep reading for the second half of my interview with Deborah Needleman!
CasaSugar: I love how you include American quilts in your list of ethnic fabrics. I feel like they’re underappreciated in the world of high design. How do you suggest highlighting them to their most stylish advantage?
Deborah Needleman: American quilts can be amazing. You can use them obviously on your bed as a coverlet, or just folded at the end of the bed for some color, or draped over the back of a sofa, or covering a round table or over a console against a wall. I don’t love them hung like art on a wall, but that doesn’t mean that someone else shouldn’t hang them like that if they do.

CS: What are three lessons from your book you wish all people would try?
DN: Well, to relax, have fun, and keep in mind the point of it all - which is to create a nice setting for the life you want to lead not to impress others. But, also for people to hang pictures lower, move furniture away from the walls, and kill the overhead lights as much as possible.

Keep reading to learn more about the book, and to find out how Deborah Needleman's home is perfectly imperfect.

Downy: Unexpected Combinations in Beauty

PopSugarTV — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:28:35 PDT

We all want the courage to experiment with our makeup regime but tend to stick with what we know.

Well, in Better Together: Unexpected Combinations in . . . Beauty, celebrity makeup artist Kimberley Bosso shares her expert tips on taking a “wild” approach to makeup application. You can always turn to color, of course, but it’s not the only solution! Unexpected, yet sultry and sweet, adding bold eyes to classic, neutral skin is the perfect mash-up to go from day to night. Tune in for advice from our expert, so you can feel confident and beautiful by switching up your routine. Just like Downy Simple Pleasures’ unexpected scents, you’ll be mashing up unexpected shades and shines in no time to be fresh face for the season ahead!

Link Time: Vibrate Your Way to Sexy Lips

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:32:00 PDT

A lip exfoliator with a built-in vibrator - Refinery 29
Best bet: bleeding skull candle - The Cut
8 easy Halloween hairstyles - Real Simple
MAC's Twig lipstick is a great transitional hue - Makeup and Beauty Blog
How to do a natural-looking lip stain - InStyle
The perfect Halloween scent - Temptalia
Celebrity manicurist Dawn Sterling shares her top beauty tips - The Fashion Spot
Summer to Fall skin care favorites - Afrobella
Bitten by the color bug: new, temporary hair color powders - Beauty High