"Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be..."

Who wasn't in love with the star prints shown by The Kaiser at Chanel, and Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent, this season? So 1920s Americana, so patriotic, so red white and blue, so "let's do it for our country!" "Oh, Lewis!"...*

The answer to this mostly rhetorical question is, of course, NOBODY. The world has gone star(k) staring mad. (See what I did?!) London's Oxford Street-Regent Street high-street hub has turned into the MGM of yesteryear: more stars than there are in the heavens. Yet as the lights go out all over Europe, I forget about all Hollywood, because Doris Day could never make me cheer up, quite the way those French girls always could the high-street, usually a place (state of mind?) I am likely to pledge my firstborn unto for ripping off catwalk looks at lemonade prices, has, on this occasion, GONE TOO FAR.

STARS ARE EVERYWHERE. IT'S FREAKING ME OUT.

But, and yet. I still love the star prints. How can one not? It's spring! (Allegedly.) What could be funner and flirtier than a navy, star-printed shortie jumpsuit and a pair of fabulous sunglasses? Unfortunately, not only does everybody else love the look, it ain't subtle. If three lasses all wear jumper dresses to the same bar, no-one would know. Three of you wear a star-print -- even in wildly varying forms, a jumpsuit here, a cardigan there -- oh, the jokes will never end. Yet there is still, to quote Heaven 17: temptation.

Here's how to indulge in the trend without going starry-eyed:

Clockwise from top left:
Stila All-Over Liquid Shimmer, $22 from Stila.com
Stila All-Over Shimmer Eyes in #7, Champagne, $18 from Stila.com
Magic Stars, £0.44 from Sweetiebag.com
Fresh Supernova Mascara, $25 from Sephora.com
Angel by Thierry Mugler, $45 from Sephora.com
Silver Star Chain, $9.99 from GirlProps.com
Barry M Dazzle Dusts, £4.50 from Superdrug.com
Champagne Supernova Bath Bomb, £2.65 from Lush.co.uk

If that little lot isn't ample sufficiency, well...why not have a read of the excellent Star, and its even better sequel, Star Struck, by noted author Pamela Anderson?

*Quick poll: who was hotter -- Lewis from Grease 2, or Kenickie from Grease? Or has Jeff Conaway's latterday behaviour/appearance negated all Kenix hotness forever? One to ponder...

Grabby Hands

And now for part two in our Hot List 2008, or things I'm totally excited about this year.

Clockwise from top left: black sunglasses
Hexagonal panel box bag, £25 from Topshop, available in apple green, teal, black and gold (not available on the website)
Floral blouse, also from Topshop
5ml perfume oil, from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, $17.50
Trouser jeans
Chloe Saskia bag, price varies at Brown's, Bergdorf's and Net a Porter
Purple Haze nail polish, $18 at Rescue Beauty Lounge

Bold Bags
I'm fond of these two bags for their unique shapes and bright colours. The Chloe Saskia, which comes in all varieties of style and colour, is a knockout with its scrumptious bold leathers and Lucite handles (classier than a pair of clear heels). Topshop's Hexagonal Panel Box Bag is perfect for getting away from giant “could fit an Olsen twin in this” bags and has just enough space for your essentials for a night out or an afternoon in the park.

Chunky black sunglasses
I own a gazillion pairs of trendy sunglasses (turquoise Wayfarers!) thanks to Forever 21 and ebay but am on the lookout for my one perfect pair this year, preferably black. My fave source is ebay’s Smash Vintage, who always have the cutest vintage inspired styles and great customer service to boot

Violet nail polish
I stocked up on tons of dark colours this winter but for spring and summer I am all about bright purple shades. I like Rescue Beauty Lounge's new hue, Purple Haze, as well as Nail's Inc's Belgrave Place and OPI's Do You Lilac It.

Dainty prints
Like Topshop's floral blouses and skirts for spring

Smelling nice
On my list for spring fragrance: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” perfume oil based on the Christopher Marlowe poem (limited edition love poem oils run until March 23). Notes of heather, clover, Irish moss, English ivy, tea rose and carnation guaranteed to make you want to frolic in a grassy field.

Trouser jeans
As much as I love my skinny jeans I don’t know if I want to go through another warm season with denim sticking to my legs
Available: Old Navy, Gap, Svoboda

After the Fall : Autumn Fragrances

The weather is finally cold enough to be called fall without my resorting to irony. As such its high time to switch the summer fresh scent staples and head into deeper, darker, sexier perfume territory. All those heavy decadent scents that were too pronounced back in summer are just perfect for fall. Now is not the time for a whisper of lemon zest and a hint of lily - fall is when we have free reign to break out the tuberose and go wild so we might as well enjoy it. As such here are six perfume winners, tried and tested - no hyped up scents that fail to make the grade, no ridiculous celebrity perfumes (why would anyone even want to smell like Britney Spears at this point) , just six incredible warm, heady, sensual scents you should try right now.



Les Nuits d'Hadrien

Notes : Green Mandarin, tangerine, bergamot, Sicilian lemon, ylang-ylang, cumin, sandalwood, white musk, amber, vanilla

Everyone knows that Eau de Hadrien is pretty much summer in a bottle. Its the kind of bright, sunny citrus that you want to just bathe in the moment the temperature hits past 75. Nuits d'Hadrien takes that essence and deepens into something great for all year round. You still get that initial burst of rich lemon but its surrounded by spicy woody notes that are intoxicating. Best of all its always stays fresh and clean - a great bonus for anyone looking to change their scent for the season without getting into anything too intense.

Premier Figuier
Notes : Fig, fig leaf, milk of almond, sandalwood and coconut

Delicious. Absolutely and completely delicious. You'll be licking at your wrist it smells that good and while that prospect might not seem particularly enticing something has to be said about a sweet and infinitely addictive fig scent. There is something about this perfume that is completely quirky - if you want a break from the usual florals or zesty citrus blends Premier Figuier is delightful. And for an even more intense experience try the Extreme version.

Gucci by Gucci

Notes : Guava, raspberry, pear, Tahitian Tiare flower, orange blossom, spider lily, patchouli, honey and musk

Anyone who knows me knows that I've had my issues with Gucci since Tom Ford left. Sorry Frida, I just can't get excited about the clothes anymore but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the latest scent to the fullest. A smoky mix of patchouli, amber and enough fruit to make a smoothie that dries down into something musky and close to the skin. Gorgeous enough to make me forget all about the horror of those plaid pants they showed for fall. If anything this veers back to the houses 1970s disco roots - there is something very Studio 54 about the whole deal from the scent itself to the print ads and even the bottle its all just decadent.

Serge Lutens Un Bois de Vanille

Notes : Vanilla, Bitter Almond, Musk, Licorice, Sandalwood, Coconut Milk

Do you know that feeling of curling up by a fireside with a warm cup of tea on the coldest day of the year? This is that feeling in a bottle. Warm vanilla spice mingled with a creamy caramelized sugar and sandalwood. There is something comforting about it but at the same time its just a little dangerous. You can smell the hint of smoke that keeps this from being just another milk and cookies vanilla scent.


Narciso Rodriguez for Her

Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Musk is one of those love it or hate it things. There's something animalistic about it that either you respond to or your don't. Personally I can't get enough of it but I know its not for everyone. Thankfully Narciso Rodriguez for her exists - a musk thats just dirty enough for the bad girls but still clean enough that you can pair it with pearls and a twinset without resorting to irony. Plus there is more than a fair amount of amber in the mix - a complete fall fragrance standby.


Carnal Flower

Notes: Bergamot, Melon, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Salycilates, Jasmine, Tuberose absolute, Orange Blossom absolute Coconut,White Musks

Alright. Here's where we separate the girls from the women. Carnal Flower is not for the faint of heart - its deep, entrancing and completely sexy. The words strong and powerful come to mind when I think of this. A blast of tuberose completely anthethetical to any you've had before. This isn't Fracas 2.0, its something new. A green freshly picked tuberose mixed with jasmine that dries down to a deep dark musk. Intoxicating and so luxurious. Its rare to find something that combines green and warm so expertly but this does.

What will you ladies be wearing this fall in the fragrance department? I've got my Carnal Flower right here but the new Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur is also high on my list this time around.

The Sweet Smell of Success: Six Summer Scents

Its impossible for me to talk about summer fashion without at least mentioning perfume. I think of perfume in terms of seasons so whenever the weather changes I like to switch things up and wear something that fits with the overall mood. What I'd wear in January isn't what I'd wear come July and when things start to get warm all I want is that perfect summer fragrance ie. something light and refreshing enough to get me through the steamy days and breezy nights yet unique enough to avoid the monotony of smelling like everyone else. Finding a good perfume can be akin to finding a needle in a haystack I offer up six perfumes road tested and guaranteed to get you through the heat.



Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil

Notes: Green Mango, Grapefruit, Calamus, Lotus, Sycamore, Frankincense

This is just heavenly! Tart green mango and lotus infused with an incredible woody note that lingers. There is something so sophisitcated about this fragrance that makes it great for evenings as well as day. Hermes lists this as a unisex scent but to my nose it smells very feminine. The drydown is absolutely amazing, whenever I wear this I wind up getting compliments. Jardin Sur le Nil's cousin Un Jardin En Mediterranee, is also beautiful for this time of year, the fig note is especially impressive if you (like me) just love fig scents.

Bond No. 9 Coney Island

Notes: Margarita, Melon, Guava, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Caramel, Musk, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Sandalwood

If you like Pina Coladas...This is hands down the most fun you will ever find in a perfume bottle it smells like the absolute best cocktail you've ever had. Sweet guava, a nice sharp lemon lime note and just the right hint of vanilla. I know the name Coney Island probably brings to mind images of boardwalks and ferris wheels but trust that this is a far more glamorous concoction. I can't help but think of Esther Williams and her decorative swimcaps when I smell this.

L'Artisan Ananas Fizz

Notes: Pineapple, Citrus essence Lemon Rind, Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Pink Grapefruit, Pure Rum, Cedar, Precious Woods, Cocoa Milk, Lychee Sap, Vanilla

Now this is just genius. The perfect fizzy pineapple. Sometimes fruity sites can get too sweet or saccharine but this is just right; there is almost a spicy quality to it that separates it from all the other fruity scents out there right now. For an even lovelier experience there is also a Creme De Ananas body lotion that is simply heavily either layered with the perfume or all by its lonesome.

Tom Ford for Estee Lauder Azuree Soliel

Notes: Tahitian gardenia, Coconut, Orange Flower, Jasmine, Magnolia, Myrrh, Bergamot, Mandarin, Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Caramel.

This is the beach in a bottle. Not the sea salt and surf version of the beach but the suntan oil and tropical flowers variant. Everything about this screams "expensive and exotic holiday" not to mention sexy, since Tom Ford may be the the worlds foremost purveyor of all things sex. Since Azuree is meant to be a "skin-scent" the concentration is unique compared with the usual EDT's and EDP's . Since nothing gold can ever stay this scent is unfortunately a limited edition much like its cousin last years amazing Azuree body oil spray. Fingers crossed that Estee Lauder sees what a goldmine they've tapped into an decides to make this a permanent product.

Marc Jacobs Rain

Notes: Wet Cut Grass, Wild Strawberry, Clementine Zest, Dewy Cypress, Tropical Rain Accord, Passion Flower, Sunshine Flower, White Orchid, Beech Amber, Musk, Tree Moss, Teak Wood.

Refreshing is probably my biggest keyword during the summer months and this delivers the goods. Rain is meant to echo the scent just after a downpour and while there is no way to bottle that kind of indescribable freshness this certainly comes close. Everything about it is light, fresh and clean. The cool green element of Rain is done just right and there is something very comforting about the scent in general. Plus since its a splash you can feel free to spritz on more whenever the mood strikes you without worrying about perfume overkill.

Annick Goutal Eau De Hadrien

Notes: Lemon, Citron, Cypress, Grapefruit

A blast of invigorating citrus that calls to mind every summer lemonade stand you ever saw as a kid without ever being childish or juvenile. Its just a light crisp lemon and grapefruit mix that is just what the doctor ordered once the weather starts hitting triple digit degrees. Eau de Hadrien is like walking through a lemon grove on a warm day, its so simple and pleasant almost minimalist. I also find that this is a great perfume for layering, if you're in the mood for something more intense a spritz of Kiehl's musk layered over Eau De Hadrien is astonishing.


All fragrances available online Aedes, Sephora and Estee Lauder though I highly reccomend heading out and trying them on in advance. Nothing is riskier than trying a perfume unsniffed.

Which fragrances do you guys like for the summer months?