I have updated the post on Stella Velvet Edition again with a photo, if you have been waiting for it. (Please scroll down toward the end of the post to see the photo.)
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fragrance
(Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert candle)(photo from www.neimanmarcus.com)
Neiman Marcus Beauty Event is now taking pace (on-line September 4-17 and in store September 7-16). As a Bulgari green tea fragrance lover, this candle instantly caught my attention among all the free gifts with purchases.
We over here in the UK don’t have events like this where brands have promotions at the same time in one store.
(photo from www.neimanmarcus.com)
But it seems that people need to spend quite a lot of money to get some of the gifts…what do you think?
Related post:
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I have seen the Stella Velvet Edition yesterday and I have posted an update on the original Stella Velvet Edition post!
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(part of my Sheer Stella collection)
I was just flipping through SHE magazine (September 2007, UK Edition) earlier today and read that Stella McCartney is releasing a limited-edition version of Stella called Stella Velvet Edition Parfum.
It is sold as part of a set with a Stella fragranced candle. The whole set costs a hefty 58 pounds (116 USD).
It is sold as part of a set with a Stella fragranced candle. The whole set costs a hefty 58 pounds (116 USD).
The shape of the bottle appears to be the same as that of the usual Stella. The size of the bottle is not stated.
The set is out in the UK on September 1st.
My immediate reaction was “Gotta have it!” But, I know, it is pricey…I’ll make sure I think twice about it.
(I haven’t managed to find any more information on Stella Velvet Edition Parfum. When I do, I will update this post with more details.)
Update (on September 7, 2007)!
I saw the Stella Velvet Edition yesterday in Harrods (a very upmarket department stores in the UK).
It is basically the original Stella (not Rose Absolute or Sheer Stella) in the same 100ml bottle. (So, it is eau de parfum, not pure parfum.) The only difference (the only limited-edition part) is that the bottle is “clothed” in a plum-purple suede (not really velvety) “jacket”, which fits the multi-faceted bottle very snugly.
The back of the jacket extends and folds over the nozzle (with the nozzle poking through a hole) and magnetically attaches to the front, which features a steel plate (about 2cm in diameter) with Stella McCartney’s name on it.
The candle is a small 60g frosty glass votive candle.
The whole thing is packaged in the usual paper box. I am told that it is currently sold as a world-exclusive in Harrods. It was true that I didn’t see it in all the other department stores I visited yesterday, but I think it is only exclusive to Harrods for the time being.
So, disappointingly, it is not a new scent. But, on the other hand, it is money saved for me…
If I come across any photo or any more information, I will keep updating this post!
Update (September 24, 2007)!
Here comes the photo!
(from woman.excite.co.jp)
Well, it is certainly not going to be exclusive to Harrods anymore…
Updated (October 4, 2007)!
You buy it now at Nordstrom!
Related post:
Stella McCartney’s Sheer Stella Galore!
(featuring all the limited-edition Sheer Stella, from 2004 to 2007)
My Fragrance Favorites
(Yes, Stella is one of them…)
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(My all-time favorite fragrance:Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert )
First, let me indulge myself and take you through the Bulgari world…
It is a brand that appeals to me on so, so many levels.
(the cover of the Bulgari jewelry catalog 2005/2006,
featuring a necklace from the Sapphire Flower Collection)
(the front cover/in-fold and back cover of the catalog)
(I love the design of the bottles as well.)
(the Bulgari skincare calalog)
Its jewelry is bold and striking but classic and elegant. The contrasts are sublimely complimentary. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than the Sapphire Flower Collection. (Do have a look through the link above and through Jewels -> Collections -> Sapphire Flower.)
(the cover of the Bulgari jewelry catalog 2005/2006,featuring a necklace from the Sapphire Flower Collection)
(the front cover/in-fold and back cover of the catalog)
Bulgari’s hotels in Milan and Bali (not that I have been there) look…familiar. I have seen them in my dreams, I think. It is as if the architects and interior designers knew me. Angular and masculine, but somehow feminine and cozy. Again, I love contrasts that gel together.
The staff in Bulgari boutiques are so polite, friendly, and professional, even though all I have done is marvel at the shining things I can’t afford and, once or twice, picked up a fragrance. If I ever have the good fortune and privilege to afford something luxurious, I will not look anywhere else.
I am wearing Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert as I am writing this. It is Bulgari’s first attempt, back in 1992, to enter the world of fine fragrance, and it is still very popular today. With notes from green tea, lemon, orange, lily, rose, and coriander, it is fresh, uplifting, straightforward, and uniquely romantic. It is my perfect daytime scent.
(I love the design of the bottles as well.)
Also, I am wearing it because I am trying to remind myself of the wonderful sensation I got from their skincare line, HydraThé Vitalisant, in which all the items were infused with my favorite scent.
(the Bulgari skincare calalog)
(the Bulgari HydraThé Vitalisant skincare line-up,
from the catalog)
from the catalog)
One of my favorite items is Neutralizing Cleansing Gel. Price-wise, it was as expensive as cleansers from Chanel and Dior, but this foamed so incredibly well with so little amount that no other cleanser has lasted longer.
(Bulgari HydraThé Vitalisant Neutralizing Cleansing Gel,
from the catalog)
from the catalog)
As for makeup, I don’t think many people remember that Bulgari used to have foundations. (I think the whole skincare/foundation line was discontinued soon after the foundation was launched.) I happen to have samples of Total Performance Cream Foundation SPF 15 PA ++. They will always be part of my Permanent Collection.
(samples of Bulgari Total Performance Cream Foundation)
Unfortunately the line was discontinued several years ago. There are still websites that carry some of the products, but I am simply not interested because the stock must be very old.
Back in June, I planned to write about Bulgari Skincare for my Bring It Back! series. (Two more are planned for September and October.) Interestingly, a few days ago, I was surprised and delighted to find on Women’s Wear Daily that Bulgari will release a new skincare line!
After some brief googling, I found a post on Fashionese Daily (with a photo of part of the line) and another one on CCP Management Consultants Ltd. blog (with some relevant background information). In summary, the line will be launched in October and will only be available in Italy until next year, and there are no plans at the moment to expand the line into color cosmetics. (But I shall remain hopeful.)
I don’t think I will find my favorite scent in the upcoming skincare line, but I am still eagerly waiting for Bulgari to appeal to me on yet another level……
Related Posts:
My Fragrance Favorites
Sheer Stella 2007
Bring It Back: Calvin Klein Makeup, Cynthia Rowley, and Helena Rubinstein
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Orange has been the youngest member of my favorite color family, since I discovered that I looked nice in orange (deep orange, especially, not yellowy orange) only a few years ago.
It is such a cheerful color. Also, when it comes to fragrance, citrus notes are some of my favorites as well. Uplifting and energizing!
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Makeup
Lunasol: Contrasting Cheeks 03
Fragrance
Shiseido: Energizing Fragrance
Lancome: Aroma Fit
Skincare
Ayura: Nail Essence
RMK: Cleansing Oil
Garnier: Handcocoon Intense Nourishing Concentrate
(And…an orange!)
Related Posts:
A Spash of Color — New-Leaf Green
A Spash of Color — Aqua Blue
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The sun is shining and you are lying on the beach, busy being lazy.
But there’s a masquerade by the sea after sunset. You have your dazzling mask and all your powder and potion to bring out your radiance. All that’s left is to find that perfect floaty summer frock, maybe in blue as well……?
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Makeup
Sofina Raycious: Glamorous Skin Powder
Lavshuca: Eye Color Select BU-1
Lavshuca: Eye Color BG-1
Dior: DiorKiss 198 Plum Tart
Dior: DiorKiss 208 Mint Lemonade
(limited edition for summer 2007)
Gerlain: Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Lip Gloss 03 Sparkling Sea
(limited edition for summer 2007)
Maybelline: Volume Express Waterproof
Fragrance
Anna Sui: Sui Dreams
Skincare
Lancome: Tonique Douceur
KissMe: Lip Care Menthol
Previous Splash of Color: New-Leaf Green
Even more Splashes of Colors to come!
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(Photo: from Bond No. 9)
Sometime last summer I was at Harvey Nichols in London and the sales assistant at Bond No. 9 stopped me and introduced me to their concept and some of their fragrances. I didn’t walk away with any but I was impressed with the distinctiveness of many of their creations.
This summer sees Bond No. 9 launch Coney Island, a quintessential summer fragrance. I love fragrances that are light and direct, and Coney Island is my kind of scent. I also love the striking deep aqua-blue glass bottle.
Appropriately marketed as a unisex fragrance, it reminds me a little bit of Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Gio Pour Homme. Both have lime as a top note and burst with that citrusy energy, while Coney Island is slightly sweeter with caramel as a middle note and vanilla as a base note.
It is a great daytime pick-me-up fragrance and fantastic for a cool early summer evening. Fresh, fun, and totally unpretentious, it smells like fresh air, tropical ocean, and that glass of icy-cold lemonade at the beach. All in all, it is like the prefect summer.
Coney Island is launched on June 1st and online pre-ordering starts in mid-May (3.4 oz. at 180 USD and 1.7 oz. at 125 USD). It will be available at all four Bond No. 9 stores, selected branches of Saks Fifth Avenue, and Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Paris Gallery, Lane Crawford.
Top Notes: margarita mix, melon, guava
Middle Notes: cinnamon, chocolate, caramel
Base Notes: musk, vanilla, cedarwood, sandalwood
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The weather is getting warm again, as the soft gentle green hue of new leaves is everywhere.
Bring that atmosphere into your boudoir…
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Makeup:
Chanel: Irreelle Duo in River-Light
Von Natur: Eye Color in Chrysocolla
Fragrance:
Bulgari: Eau Parfumee au The Vert
Lancome: Aroma Tonic
Bodycare:
Ayura: Spirit of Ayura hand cream
Ayura: Spirit of Ayura body lotion
Imperial Leather: Green Tea and Kaffir Lime handwash
More splashes of colors to come!
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(pictured: from left to right —
Sheer Stella 2004, 2005, 2006)
Stella by Stella McCartney is one of my favorite fragrances. I just adore the feminine and sophisticated rose notes and the calming amber base note. Apart from Stella, since 2004, Stella McCartney releases a Sheer Stella each summer, which is a lighter take on the original scent.
I am happy to announce that my three Sheer Stella fragrances have just got a new sibling yesterday:
It features the consistently wonderful rose note with a lemony zest as do all the previous Sheer Stella fragrances. The bottle is pretty as always, this time also with exquisite prints like the last two years.
A closer look at each of the previous versions:
Sheer Stella 2004:
I bought this on-line after I bought and fell in love with Sheer Stella 2005. It features a simple frosted exterior. A very minimal and structured look.
Stella Sheer 2005:
This is the first ever Stella McCartney fragrance I bought. I discovered this in her beautiful boutique in London. With floral patterns on frosted glass, the bottle looks so pretty and delicate, and I love the fresh and romantic scent. This kick-started my whole Stella collection.
Stella Sheer 2006:
By the time this was out, I had already collected quite a few Stella fragrances and I simply couldn’t miss out on this one. The clear glass bottle features prints of flowers, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
To my rather amateur nose, all the Sheer Stella fragrances smell virtually identical, even though one website indicates that they feature different top notes (green mandarin orange for 2004, and Granny Smith apple for 2005). I still think they are more or less the same. (Maybe someone can help me here…)
But that’s absolutely fine, since I love the scent anyway and I love collecting the bottles.
Apart from these, I also have the original Stella, Stella Rose Absolute, Stella Pure Parfum (I didn’t actually pay for it…thanks to my Boots loyalty points), a limited-edition Stella candle, and some body products.
Ummm…I seem to have a bit too much of Stella! But I remain unexcited about 2006’s Stella in Two. They smell just as nice (all the same notes are there) but the packaging doesn’t do anything for me.
I like the freshness of Sheer Stella, and I love the sensitively somber touch of Rose Absolute. One is great for daytime and the other is surprisingly calming for bedtime (I tend to think any fragrance can be distracting for bedtime). I’ll come back to talk more about Stella McCartney’s fragrances later on.
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