Italian Treasures

Years ago, my friend Chloé introduced me to Santa Maria Novella, which has been making perfumes, skin care products and more in Florence since... 1612! I treated myself to their Acqua di Sicilia cologne, a citrus-based enchantment.

I love writing little notes and cards to friends, so I can never resist beautiful stationery. Aren't these delightful?

Italian is my favorite language. I can never get enough of its literature, so while in Italy I raided some book stores. Of course, I highly recommend Lampedusa's Il Gattopardo, one of my favorite novels ever, with its baroque, expressive writing and its poignant insights into a nostalgic heart; if you haven't seen Visconti's adaptation, The Leopard, watch it ASAP, no excuses. And I can't wait to read Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini, by Giorgio Bassano - I remember watching the Vittorio Da Sica's somptuous adaptation years ago. Right now I'm still reading Italo Calvino's super quirky Barone Rampante (The Baron In The Trees).

My Bathroom

You've seen my bed-side table. You've seen my decal chandelier, my red chair reading corner, and my closet door, you've seen my pillowcases and towels. You've even peeked inside my fridge!
Is there anything you haven't seen from my home? Why, my bathroom of course.
It has some lovely details, such as the glass door knobs, and salmon-pink tiles with green details - to make the bathroom more green and less pink, I chose a fish-pattern shower curtain, in hues ranging from teal to aqua.
Behind the door, hanging over the hot pink hot water bottle I use to relieve tense muscles, one of my heavy linen nightgowns waits for me to step out of the shower - I have a few of these granny nightgowns, with delicate embroideries and trimmings, bought in French flea markets .

On the sink and in the slim cabinet behind the mirror, I keep: all kinds of natural products (such as the deliciously scented Weleda almond facial moisturizer, my Olive Oil and Aloe Kiss My Face body lotion, Dr Brommer's energizing peppermint liquid soap)... a year's worth of contact lenses... eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils to sprinkle around the house and in the washing machine for invigorating, clean scents... my favorite perfumes (Blenheim Bouquet by Penhaligon and Comptoir Sud Pacifique's Vanille Extrême), a little bit of make-up and Frederic Fekkai's magical Glossing Sheer Shine Mist...

I also store a couple of products brought from France: months worth of Anthélios SPF 50 fluid sunscreen, and some Friction de Foucaud - this post-workout liquid lotion packed with citrus, thyme, lavender and rosemary essential oils activates blood circulation so I always rub my legs with it after a long distance flight to make my legs feel lighter and happier.

Writers' Almanac: today October 27 is Sylvia Plath's birthday. She would be 77 today. Oh, Sylvia.

Clean-Burning Scented Candles

I love scented candles but stopped buying any some time ago after I read about the release of toxic substances into the air when burning; some are carcinogenic. Synthetic scents, lead in the wick, paraffin wax and other ingredients are to be avoided if you want your candles to burn "clean". Make sure you buy soy- or beeswax-based candles, scented with essential oils.
I found two wonderful options.
At Soaptopia, a wonderful place I told you about where everything is handmade and natural, they offer scented candles that are really exceptional: shea-butter based, they melt into a hot massage oil. So sensuous!
I also got a lavender & lemongrass one at Whole Foods. So fresh!

Vanilla Girls

Is it because blondes are called vanilla girls (or, in French, des filles à la vanille), and that as children my sister and I were blondies, our hair bleached by Kenya's sun?
Or maybe it's because of memories of my mum's wonderful cakes, enhanced with intoxicating vanilla extract she always brought back from Uruguay in her suitcase, claiming it was much better than the French or American equivalents...
Whatever the reason, my sister and I both adore the scent of vanilla - she wears the Body Shop's Vanilla Perfume Oil, while I just bought the Comptoir Sud Pacifique's Vanille Extrême. This is the exact scent my dear Chloé used to wear when we were in high school, so I think of her as I spray it on. It also brings me back to the plump, luscious vanilla beans that someone very special once brought back for me straight from Madagascar.
It is a bit odd, as I usually favor fresh, citrus-y smells with green notes, such as my usual fragrance, Blenheim Bouquet by Penhaligon, rather than sweet scents; but I guess you can't defeat the attachment that comes from an emotionally-tinged aroma.

Thanks, my amoureux

A few days ago, I told you about my perfume, Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet. My amoureux gave me a companion present, also for my birthday: Penhaligon's exquisite sterling silver fragrance bottle, which dangles and chimes on a long chain. I carry Blenheim Bouquet everywhere, inhaling its lemon and pepper blend for a happiness boost.

Now aforementioned amoureux is making me yet another exciting gift: as he is heading for the Cannes Film Festival for work, he has invited me to tag along. We'll be staying at the supremely luxurious Martinez hotel, where many stars are just down the corridor, and will be walking the red carpet at night to attend screenings. Naturally I will cover this extraordinary event, with papparazzi snapshots, pictures of my red carpet outfits, party reports and, oh yes, film reviews.
If you can't wait for us to head for the Croisette, Cannes's sea-side boulevard leading to the Palais des Festivals, check out CannesGirl, my very own coverage of last year's Festival, where this picture was taken...

Birthday Gifts: Scents

Who doesn't love getting a bouquet of fragrant, fresh pink roses?

I was also spoilt by my abuela (grandma); a perfume addict who thinks nothing of pouring gallons of Yves Saint Laurent down her neck, she's always happy when I choose a scent as a birthday gift.
I've been devoted for years to Annick Goutal's pear-based Petite Chérie (Little Darling), which smells as sweet as its name suggests. However this year I adopted a new signature scent, Penhaligon's citrusy and peppery Blenheim Bouquet. It comes in a lovely bottle, complete with a pearl-gray bow and a tiny card that reads Keep Me. I sure will.

What's your signature fragrance?