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Blue has been my favorite color since I have been little. It all started as a defiance to being told continuously that pink was for girls, and blue was for boys.  Even as a little girl I didn't like to be put in a 'box', especially a pink one. As a teenager, I came to request to have all my room turned blue, and my furniture too. My parents complied, tired of having another fight that would always end up about some feminist topic I was passionate at the time.  The thing is that I don't have a favorite color really, blue is just the color I had to embrace to make a point about a bigger issue.

Today I have a nephew and the color fight continues. I bought him a light pink bodysuit as soon as he was born, my brother refused to have his baby boy wear it. 30 years later and still blue is for boys, and pink is for girls. 

The truth is ... we are all rainbows. 

Dress Abodi

Shoes Manfredi Manara

[caption id="attachment_14170" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Jo Malone London in Milan[/caption]

If anyone knows how to do Christmas, it is Jo Malone London. They know how to make festive dreams coming true. I've been obsessed with their perfumes and candles since the time I was living in London, and finally a few years back it opened also in Milan. 

They have managed to make art out of their fragrances through fragrance combining, relaxing experiences in store like hand massages and beautiful gift wrapping. 

Jo Malone London: The Art of Fragrance Combining

Jo Malone London's Fragrance Combining has been the reason I first approached the brand. It gives the opportunity to style your own fragrance to express your individuality. It is also very interesting to layer fragrances for different occasions. You can make fresh fruity fragrances winter ready by adding some warmer or spicy notes or making floral fragrances fresher by adding fruity citrus notes.  The same goes for candles that can be lit together to mix their scents in the air and have a different result every time depending on the combinations. 

My favorite cologne has always been Pear & Freesia, so when I had to pick a Christmas gift for the boyfriend I was helped by the Jo Malone stylist in picking Pomegranate Noir that is perfect as a winter fragrance for men, but also can be added to my Pear & Freesia to make it more wintery for me. I also picked Peony & Blush Suede that also becomes warmer with the addition of the Pomegranate Noir. 



[caption id="attachment_14178" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Jo Malone London Via Manzoni Milan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_14167" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Jo Malone London Advent Calendar and holiday gift sets[/caption]

Jo Malone London:  the art of customization

For these Holidays I headed to the Milan stores of Corso Magenta and Via Manzoni to get my gifts customized. Fragrances and candles could be customized with engraved letters, phrases, or holiday wishes in beautiful handmade calligraphy. In alternative holiday ornaments could be customized to add a personal touch to the Christmas Tree.  

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Jo Malone London: The art of gift wrapping 

As a girl who loves beautiful boxes, my collection of Jo Malone ones has been taking over the office desk, the library, the bedside table and the makeup table as well. The same goes for my friends and family who I've always found to keep the boxes for jewelry. 50% of the joy of receiveing gifts it is the unwarpping of beautiful boxes, and in this Jo Malone has no competitors. 

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*This post is in collaboration with Jo Malone London, all opinions are mine.