Happy Monday Morning!

The Bronx

Saw this on my way home... Inspiration everywhere!

Barneys NYC

On Tuesday, I attended the unveiling of the new fragrance and beauty floor at Barneys NY. It was perfect weather and a well attended event. Highlights included, meeting up with my friend Tasheka (creator of Clear perfume), taking a picture with Frederic Malle (industry icon), and being surrounded by other beauty lovers. The new floor is gorgeous, open, inviting, and very welcoming!

Barneys NYC will host Byredo EDP creator, Ben Gorham

Instagram give-away courtesy of BK's new fragrance boutique and apothecary, Twisted Lily

Do you follow me on Instagram? If not, do so soon! I will be sharing details on how to get your hands on this awesome Twisted Lily bag filled with generous samples from Ramon Monegal and Mona Di Orio to name a couple! 

@reminiscent30

ByKilian Event at Saks 5th Ave, NYC

I'm glad to be freelancing for ByKilian Luxury perfumes! It was one of my first niche fragrances, and by all accounts, it spearheaded my interest in luxury perfume. I've seen the brand grow, as a consumer and as an employee, making it even more exciting to welcome the first freestanding Kilian boutique in the USA! Slated to open just before the holidays in NYC 's trendy meat packing district, the space will be sure to reflect Kilian's style and attention to detail! Can't wait! 

Saks 5th Ave revamps their fragrance floor

ByKilian and Bond no 9, along with a host of other new and returning brands, got a total make over at Saks 5th ave flagship store in NYC. Below are a few pictures I snapped!

Kilian Boutique Counter, Saks 5th Ave, NYC

New at Saks 5th Ave, NYC

ScentStyle: Houston

While in Houston last week attending a social event at the National Black MBA conference, I paired an unforgettable Nicole Miller sequined dress with Ouris, an alluring scent by SoOud. Good combination! 

Description courtesy of Fragrantica.com

Ouris ("sublime") is a symphony of butterfly colors, which include notes of peach, plum and blackcurrant, sweet Turkish delight, jasmine, almond and pollen. This beautiful feminine palette contains additional notes of honey, tagetes, jasmine, white cedar, iris, sandalwood, vanilla and tonka.

It is available as Eau Fine (EDP) The nose behind this fragrance is Stéphane Humbert Lucas.

SOTD: By Kilian Incense Oud

As the weather changes so does my fragrances! Today, I'm wearing Incense Oud ByKilian! One of my favorites for so many reasons, it takes on an entirely different vibe when there is a chill in the air! 

ScentStyle: Montale Paris Red AOud

A mixture of spice, pepper, and sandalwood, Montale AOud is the perfect choice for tonight's birthday celebration with friends! This is not a weak perfume; it's a statement scent perfect for Fall/Winter nights.  Unique in smell,  it silage tells a story of confidence, strength, and sex appeal! Don't spray more than once or you will be guilty of over indulging. It's potent and long lasting so one spritz will do.

www.montaleparfums.com

Paris Chronicles: Scent Room

Paris Chronicles: Strolling

Paris Chronicles: Joy de Jean Patou

Took this picture at the Jean Patou boutique.

I'm Famous!!!! Just kidding...

After attending the Black Girl Beauty Brunch, which was totally fabulous by the way, a picture of me from the event landed on Essence.com! Pretty awesome! 

TOM FORD PRIVATE BLEND, SHANGHAI LILY REVIEW (via jointinterest.com)

http://www.jointinterest.com/2013/08/tom-ford-private-blend-shanghai-lily-edp/


Excerpt:
"I was attracted to Shanghai Lily because of its soft and powdery first impression and notes of vanilla, bitter orange, rose, frankincense to name a few, sealed the deal by adding another dimension as well. I found myself enjoying the scent more and more as the days passed. The dry down was good. It rested well on my skin and even warmed as it evolved.  The scent wasn’t intrusive, but wearable and very sensual. It made me feel like I had a secret weapon, one concealed for my enjoyment but could be shared with others upon close encounter. I caught myself one night, while sprawled across my bed in my pajamas, smelling the places on my body where I dabbed the perfume earlier in the day.  It really had me zoning out, crazy! That’s the power of a well-constructed fragrance."

Elements Showcase, NYC

Saturday Brunch with Black Girl Beauty

I was excited  to receive an invitation from Krystal of Black Girl Beauty to attend a brunch at one of my favorite places in NYC, DOL (Dinner on Ludlow).  Her invitation came as a surprise, as I never met Krystal but have followed her on social media. BGB, is a monthly subscription based "online beauty product sampling service that specializes in finding the products which make women of color look and feel their best." It's a great concept and one I've toyed around with as it relates to my interest in niche perfumery, so it's awesome to have been recognized and invited by Krystal and her BGB team. More details to follow! Happy Saturday! 

Be FEARLESS

A snap shot photo from #minny

Perfume/NYC

Hey, Wednesday!!!

SOTD: Quand? By Jovoy Paris

I picked up this delicious raspberry infused scent from Jovoy when I was in Paris. It's an Oriental Floral fragrance for women launched in 2011. Notes are raspberry, plum and iris; jasmine, rose, musk, sandalwood, and vanille. Funny, it's was a rainy day in Paris when I purchased the bottle, and it's raining  today in New Jersey. Despite the dreariness, this perfume brings back wonderful memories along rue de Castiglione! 

During a business meeting. Thinking! Lol

Night Time Skin Treatment

NARS Monoi Body Glow Oil

Sparkling and Sensual

Summer time fine! L'Artisian Batucada 

Robert Piguet "Mademoiselle"

Ramon Monegal Cuirelle

While wearing this perfume out one night in Harlem, I overheard a woman, who was sitting nearby, whisper to her friend,"I think it's her perfume I keep smelling and it smells great." She contemplated asking me for details, so I kindly borrowed the waiter's pen and wrote the information down and walked it to her table. Just that simple! 

Wrapped around my neck was a hand carved python wooden necklace by Kara Ross and Lovely Patchouli 55 EDP. Both completed my casual Sunday and trip to Barney's.  

SOTD:Sunday August 11

Lovely Patchouli 55 by Kriegler

From Bergdorf Goodman to Lunch in Paris... my afternoon with Kilian Hennessy and Elisabeth Noel Jones of ByKilian Inc

 I never thought a chance visit to Bergdorf Goodman one afternoon would later turn into a part-time employment opportunity with ByKilian luxury perfumes. Furthermore, I never thought in a million years, my path would lead to lunch in Paris at Le Flandrin with the company's creator (Kilian) and CEO (Elisabeth).  When I  decided to go to Paris, I reached out to Elisabeth via email to see if it was even possible for us to connect while I was there. To my surprise, both she and Kilian planned to be in their Paris office during my travel dates. When she replied and expressed interest in taking me out to lunch I was elated! Fast forward 6 months later,  I didn't know what to expect the day of. Their assistant called my hotel to confirm the detail and to inform me they just returned from Moscow that morning but wasn't going to cancel on me. Relieved and anxious at the same time, I left my room early to navigate my way to their neighborhood via train. I didn't want to be late. During the walk from the metro to the venue, I wondered if Kilian would like me. I wondered if I could hold a conversation with the Frenchman. Was my outfit fashionable enough? After all, I was his employee, he was the owner, and heir to the Hennessy cognac empire, no pressure! Elisabeth was cool. She hired me on the spot and our connection was immediate, but Kilian worried me most. I met him only once as a customer. Before walking across the street to the restaurant, I took a few deep breaths, calmed my nerves, thanked God for such an opportunity and  reminded myself to be, MYSELF. And you know what? It all worked out just lovely! 

Le Flandrin, where I lunched with Kilian Hennessy and Elisabeth in Paris. 

ByKilian at the Printemps. SAKS 5th Ave does not look like this!

Walking around  Kilians' neighborhood before lunch. Taking in the moment. I couldn't believe I was about to have lunch with the creator of ByKilian luxury perfume and the heir to the Hennessy empire!

I wish I can can come to this boutique a couple times a month to work.  

I wasn't crazy about this shirt. It made me look preggo. Cute picture though.  This is Elisabeth and she is the CEO of ByKilian. She was so cool and down to earth. She was impressed I'd traveled to Paris solo

The man himself! So freaking cool and hot! Epic moment for me. Kilian Hennessy