BLOSSOM TIME – NEW FRAGRANCES FOR SPRING
Take off that overcoat, pack away the boots and open the windows – spring has arrived – and with it a bouquet of new fragrances that will awaken your senses. Featuring springtime blossoms like tuberose, lily of the valley and jasmine, these scents may just inspire you to take a walk in a field of flowers.
From Swarovski, the masters of dazzling arrays of light thanks to their famous crystals, we have Aura ($80), the company’s very first fragrance. The scent is described as an incandescent, fruity, floral creation and features fragrant tuberose as well as pink pepper for a dash of spice. As the brand is all about gleam, Crystal Gloss ($75), a sparkling gloss for the lips packaged in a gem like pendant, will join the fragrance at counters. Both are available exclusively at Swarovski stores.
Lily of the valley and michelia flower – part of the magnolia family – join tuberose in the new Michael Kors Suede ($75). Inspired by the sexy luxuriousness of suede and the sensuality of tuberose – the key note of his signature scent – Suede is sporty, sexy and a bit of a study in contrasts. If you love tuberose with a touch of mellow woods, you’ll love this scent.
Designer Elie Saab launched his signature fragrance last year, but for Mother’s Day is offering a special gift with the line’s most popular items. The Elie Saab Le Parfum Mother’s Day Gift Set ($120) includes a 3-oz. eau de parfum spray and a 1.6 oz. scented body cream. The fragrance itself is a floral, solar, woody scent and includes floral notes of orange blossom and jasmine.
Photo Credit: annickgoutal.com
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT – NUIT ETOILEE BY ANNICK GOUTAL

For me, fragrance has to be French. Annick Goutal is one of my all time favorite houses of scent. Ever since I visited her shop on rue de Castiglione on the Right Bank, I was intoxicated by Gardenia Passion at first whiff.
Since 1980, Annick Goutal has been making the world smell a little sweeter, one spritz at a time. Their latest addition, Nuit Etoilee, is no exception. It's fresh woodsy aroma evokes an evening stroll through the Tuilleries or a night under the dark sky of the French countryside. The strikingly intense blue bottles symbolize the romance of the night sky. There are two variations - the classic Annick Goutal atomizer for women complete with a little blue bow and their signature cream and gold tag, plus the tailored looking masculine scent. The square bottle of the men's fragrance vaguely reminds me of No. 4711.
After Annick's untimely death at age 53 in 1999, her daughter Camille has carried on her legacy along with fellow perfumer Isabelle Doyen. Together they continue Annick’s vision creating a series of unique scents including Mandragore, Songes, Un Matin d’Orage and Ninfeo mio. Through their work, Annick Goutal’s world and beliefs of emotion, creativity, authenticity and excellence live on. In the U.S., the success story continues, as the brand often ranks as the #1 fragrance collection in specialty stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. They have also expanded to include luscious candles and home fragrances and a facial and body care collection.
Nuit Etoilee will be available in May exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue - and the collection sells for $51 - $72.
FINAL VERDICT: RDW (Run Don't Walk)
BY WAY OF: SAMPLED
Would you buy it again? YES
Would you recommend it to a friend? YES
RALPH LAUREN FRAGRANCE QUIZ
Whether you are “Sporty,” “Sensual,” “Free-Spirited,” or “Stylish,” Ralph Lauren’s new Big Pony Collection for Women has a fragrance to suit your personality. To help determine which of the collection’s four scents fit your lifestyle, take the “Life in Color Quiz,” a quick, 4-question online quiz that celebrates the recent launch of the collection.
Each of the collection’s four fragrances is designed to match different moods, personalities or occasions.
For the “Sporty” inclined, the collection’s Bottle #1 ($70) is a floral citrus scent that features grapefruit and blue lotus in an energetic blend formulated to evoke confidence and awake the senses.
Bottle #2 ($70), for the “Sensual” among us, is a floriental fruity fragrance that highlights cranberry and tonka mousse. It is perfect for an alluring flirt with a romantic spirit.
The “Free-Spirited” fragrance, Bottle #3 ($70), is a floral green scent that contains notes of pear and mimosa – creating a crisp, bright aura for a radiant optimist.
The “Stylish’ fragrance, Bottle #4 ($70, is an Oriental floral blend that contains wild cherry and purple amber for the woman who leaves an impression wherever she goes.
To celebrate the launch of The Big Pony Collection for Women, Ralph Lauren partnered with pop rock group OneRepublic for the exclusive release of the band’s new song “Life in Color.” While the song won’t be released to the general public until summer 2012, it can be previewed now in The Pony Collection’s film and digital campaign, shot be renowned photographer Bruce Weber.
The Big Pony Collection for Women is available now exclusively at Bloomingdale’s, RalphLauren.com and Ralph Lauren location, followed by most fine department stores later this month.



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