My father has an anti-candle agenda. When I was a teenager, I became obsessed with scented candles and essential oils. I decided that I wanted to be an aromatherapist, and although I had no idea what that really meant, I knew that I needed to burn lots of candles. And incense. Not under Patrick Grell’s…
Fragrance
Marzipan Memories
It’s amazing how intertwined scent and memory are. Certain smells can take you back to another place and time. The sharp scent of gas reminds me of NP stations in Trinidad, where men in red and black shirts pump your gas for you. The gas in my memory somehow has a sweeter and sharper smell…
Almost-Professional Perfumier
My love affair with Chanel No. 5 has been going on for almost twenty years now. I remember getting a talc when I was little, and every Christmas for the past five years or more, there’s been a familiar bottle of eau de toilette under the tree. Last year my husband got me J.Lo Live,…
Santa Baby
Tis the season to go shopping, and the malls are overflowing with people and bargains. If you’re shopping these days, make sure you’re making a list (and obviously, checking it twice). Get gifts for the fam and friends who mean the most to you, and don’t forget to get yourself something you’ve been wanting all…
Tea Amo
If it’s Monday morning and you’re reading this, odds are I’m hustling to get ready for a stressful day at work, and I am drinking a strong cup of tea. I believe I made mention of my love for tea before, but bear with me while I gush for a moment. There are few beverages…
Fruity Goodness!
Product junkies on some of the popular curly hair message boards are always nattering on about HG or Holy Grail products. I didn’t quite get the fuss until now. I think I found my HG, and I’m ready to testify! Garnier Fructis Curl & Shine products are the bomb! My friend Jessica swears by the…
My Philosophy
I’ve been totally avoiding going to Sephora. Nothing against the store itself, it’s awesome… I just wind up spending way more than I can afford there. For example, I know I’m adding at least $32 to my bill before I even step foot in the door. Why? Because the Philosophy Holiday Sweet Shop Collection is…
Spritz Me, Baby
I love Chanel No. 5. Every Christmas for the past five years, my Mom has gotten me a bottle. But this year, I’m not asking for the old stand-by. It’s all about Prada, baby. I can see this bottle on my dresser already! There’s something magical about an atomizer. To me it evokes images of…
T.B.S
In high school, we had a tall, gangly comedian for a math teacher. When he graded an especially horrendous page of problems, he would sometimes write T.B.S on the bottom of the page. We asked him what T.B.S meant. He laughed and said “Try Better Still.” Later we got him to confess that it meant…
Guilty Pleasures
I need to start this review with some background. Sometime last year I was wandering through the overwhelming halls of Macy’s/Burdines in Dadeland Mall. I believe I was en route to Bath & Body Works (Lordy, I can spend hours in there. I find myself testing and smelling everything, usually with one or two over-…