One of the most searched phrases regarding gifts online is ' What does it mean gifting a fragrance? '

[caption id="attachment_14505" align="aligncenter" width="1100"] BOSS The scent Fragrance -  Dress PAROSH[/caption]

When I was a teenager I had heard that gifting a fragrance brings the relationship to end because the relationship would fade like the scent. It was the same for gifts like a watch that meant that the relationship would end once the watch stopped ticking or a brooch that was regarded as a gift that might stab a person’s heart creating pain for the relationship. Teenagers can be so overly dramatic. And because of these stupid beliefs, I had lots of Teddy Bears as Valentine's gifts and once was gifted a bunny rabbit that hid for days behind a cupboard and eventually was brought back to the pet shop to be exchanged for 2 lovebirds. Back to adulthood and every thoughtful gift is accepted with immense pleasure and we are mature enough to know that gifting pets is a no-no. 



Fragrances are one of the most thoughtful and intimate gifts, showing how someone took the time to get you something to feel pampered and this Valentine's Day a special fragrance is out: BOSS The Scent for her. This is the fragrance bringing you into a journey of love and passion that will remain in the memories through scent. A sweet mix of flowery and fruity notes that show the romantic side of this perfume. It is one of the softest fragrances I've tried lately, making it a very intimate fresh scent. 

BOSS The Scent for Her

It opens with the freshness peach notes and immediately you are hit by the purity of freesia flowers.  It is a very soft and warm freshness that looks feminine. In the heart, it has osmanthus while in the base notes it takes a gourmand twist with dark roasted cocoa. The jewelry bottle of BOSS The Scent is a first for BOSS fragrances that have always been clean in design. The bottle cap resembles a man's shirt cufflink making a direct link to BOSS The Scent for him that so much is loved by men. 

BOSS The Scent for Him

It is a very romantic idea of going out for Valentine's Day wearing matching fragrances. While they don't match in scent, BOSS the Scent for Him definitely brings out some strong notes that give a protective feel over the delicate women's fragrance. With leather, African Maninka, and spicy ginger notes, this fragrance is very seductive.  Like all the range of BOSS fragrances for men, it smells like something familiar, a man that we have met and loved. 

[caption id="attachment_14506" align="aligncenter" width="1100"] BOSS The Scent for Him[/caption]

Happy Valentine's Day

*This post is in collaboration with HUGO BOSS

The countdown is over, we are all ready to start the celebrations. Here I was practicing on of the makeup looks from the latest Dolce Gabbana Beauty collection. The name Baroque Night Out calls for a party look, but I tried to do a less shiny look trying to go for something more subtle that would be great for the 25th December family lunch. The Dolce & Gabbana Contour Duo has become my favorite beauty product to contour the face and highlight my best features and the Baroque Red Shine lipstick is a great color for the holidays. 




 

Dolce Gabbana Beauty

Baroque Night Out

Limited Collection 

D&G Contour Duo 

Illuminator in Luna & Bronzer in Desert make up this contouring palette that makes it possible to frame the face. 

D&G Creamy Illuminator 

Rosa Barocca - is an illuminator that gives the skin a natural glow and can be also used as a base product. 

Perfect Mono Eyeshadow 

Baroque Black, Baroque White, Beige, Rust: 4 mono eyeshadows with metallic bold colors.  

Glam Liner 

Baroque Nude, Baroque Gold, Baroque Silver, Baroque Bronze: A long-lasting waterproof eyeliner in bold metallic colors. 

Shine Lipstick 

Baroque Black, Baroque Gold, Baroque White: The best of two worlds a lipstick and gloss for a moisturizing and shiny effect in 3 shades

The Nail Lacquer 

Stromboli & Scarlett two new shades of Dolce & Gabbana nail polish one in a rich red and the other is a deep shimmering shade. 

 

*This post is in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana

[caption id="attachment_14170" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Jo Malone London a Milano[/caption]

 

Se c'è un brand beauty che sa come si festaggia il Natale, questo è Jo Malone London.  Hanno trovato la formula magica per far avverare i sogni di queste giornate di feste. Jo Malone è stato il primo brand da 'parfumeur' che ho scoperto ai tempi della mia vita a Londra, ed oggi che sono più vicini a me con le loro boutique di Milano sono felice di continuare il percorso alla scoperta dei loro profumi.  

Jo Malone London è riuscito a fare del mondo dei profumi un'arte, con il 'Fragrance Combining', con esperienze di relax in negozio e confezioni regalo che entusiasmano ogni donna solo alla vista di quel packaging. 

Jo Malone London: L'Arte del Fragrance Combining

L'esperienza unica di 'Fragrance Combining', dove basta spruzzare una colonia, lasciare asciugare per qualche minuto e poi aggiungerne un altra per avere un risultato nuovo è stata la ragione per la quale mi sono avvicinata inizialmente al marchio.  Avere la possibilità di esprimere il proprio stile unico con un profumo è un lusso reso possibile da Jo Malone. L'approccio al mondo dei profumi cambia notevolmente con questa esperienza, perchè permette di esprimere la propria individualità e sovraporre le fragranze anche per usarle in diverse occasioni. I profumi fruttati e freschi possono diventare più adatti per l'inverno aggiungendo note calde o speziate. Le fragranze floreali diventano più fresche con l'aggiunta di note agrumate. Lo stesso vale per le candele che possono essere accese insieme e il profumo si mescola nell'aria per un risultato diverso ogni volta. 

La mia fragranza preferita è sempre stata Pear & Freesia, così quando ho dovuto scegliere un regalo di Natale per il mio fidanzato sono stata aiutata dalla 'stilista' di Jo Malone che mi ha fatto scegliere per lui il Pomegranate Noir, che è un profumo invernale perfetto per un uomo, ma che aggiunto al mio Pear & Freesia lo rende più ideale per l'inverno. (Adesso cerco di tenere il fidanzato lontano da questo post, cosi non scopre che il suo regalo di Natale ha un doppio scopo) 



[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:  L'arte della personalizzazione 

Per fare gli ultimi regali per questo Natale mi sono recata nei negozi Jo Malone di Corso Magenta e Via Manzoni a Milano perché volevo approfittare del servizio di personalizzazione pre-Natalizia.  Profumi e candele possono essere serigrafati con iniziali, frasi, o auguri di Natale per rendere i regali ancora più speciali. In alternativa si può personalizzare la pallina di Natale che viene decorata con iniziali o frasi. Io le ho fatto tutte e due per non farmi mancare niente. 

[gallery ids="14156,14157,14158,14160,14173,14172,14174,14176"]

Jo Malone London: L'arte del confezionamento

Io amo le belle scatole e la mia collezione di scatole Jo Malone è sparsa tra la scrivania, la libreria, e il tavolo del trucco. Perchè il 50% della gioia di ricevere i regali di Natale rimane la parte di trepidazione mentre si aspetta il momento di scartare le confezioni. E quando si tratta di confezioni, Jo malone non ha concorrenti.  

[gallery ids="14161,14162,14163,14165,14166"]



*Questo post è in collaborazione con Jo Malone

[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.  

[gallery ids="14156,14157,14158,14160,14173,14172,14174,14176"]

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. 

[gallery ids="14161,14162,14163,14165,14166"]



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

Nella foto qui voi penserete che Fuji stia ascoltando interessata e felice qualche mio discorso. E invece no. L'unica cosa che la rende così interessata e felice è il cibo, ed è il cibo nella mia borsa che sta seguendo. Crocchette, biscotti e carne secca sono il mio segreto per far uscire un Alano in foto in una posa accettabile. Avessi un cane borsetta le mie foto con cane sarebbero molto di più, ma ho un pony che ha pochi altri interessi nella vita come il mangiare. E qua la domanda tipica 'Ma quanto mangia un alano?'. Di sicuro molto, ma quello non è l'aspetto importante, il cosa mangi lo è. La corretta alimentazione nei cani è fondamentale per la loro salute, ancora di più per le taglie grandi che in poco tempo crescono tantissimo e quella crescita può dare disturbi alla struttura delle ossa.

Per quanto lei sia grande non si esagera con le quantità, ma si seguono alla lettera i consigli del veterinario che ne controlla il peso, la massa grassa e la salute in generale. Fuji fa 2 pasti la giorno per un totale di 600-700 grammi di crocchette. Ecco, mistero risolto. L'alano non mangia 3 chili come vuole la leggenda, non mangia cani piccoli come crede la sciuramaria proprietaria di chihuahua, non mangia galline come crede il contadino Bergamasco dove andiamo a svernare, e soprattutto non mangia gli avanzi della tavola come crede mia nonna.

'L'alano Milanese' (definizione data a Fuji dal suo allevatore) è un buongustaio di snack con il bufalo e il cervo, gli piace l'olio di salmone e preferisce le crocchette al pesce a quelle di manzo. Tutte queste preferenze sa comunicarle benissimo. Per esempio quando facevamo il corso di addestramento se non aveva l'incentivo di uno snack preciso non era interessata ad eseguire l'esercizio. Il caso vuole che, da buon alano milanese, le sue preferenze siano anche quelle più costose.

Tornando alla parte seria dell'alimentazione le regole sono poche:

• Consultarsi sempre con il veterinario per stabilire la perfetta dieta del proprio cane in base alla razza, peso e tipo di attività. Il cane da divano ha bisogni alimentari diversi dal cane da lavoro.


• Mai esagerare con le porzioni anche se il 4 zampe ti guarda con gli occhi da cucciolo in pena.


• Mantenere sempre il controllo sulla ciotola e mai lasciarla li a disposizione. Lasciare sempre a disposizione acqua fresca.


• Non dare cibo dalla tavola. Questa l'ho imparata a mie spese come regola. Come dice Cesar Millan... Il capobranco mangia  e il cane gruarda, altrimenti i ruoli si scambiano e nessuno vuole un cane come capobranco in famiglia.


• Limitare il numero di snack cosi da tenere sempre sotto controllo il peso del proprio cane.

I diari di Fuji sono in collaborazione con Purina Pro Plan. Per saperne di più leggi Il Mese del Cucciolo

I'm back from 2 months of travels and I need a holiday to recover from the holidays. I took a skin diagnosis with My Blend recently that analyzed my lifestyle and things got real. So starting from September I'm tweaking a few things in my day to day while relying completely on my new creams and boosters to do the rest. Hopefully, by January I'll be a changed person that eats healthy, exercises more and has a glowing skin so there will be no need for New Year resolutions.

My Blend cosmetics is one of the first to begin treating skin on a cellular level, after new research was discovered indicating excessive damage to nerve endings in the skin, which can be caused by everything from a higher level of harsh pollutants in the air to excessive dieting, stress and overall exposure to weather in general, could be directly responsible for an acceleration of the skin's aging process. The skin, being the largest organ on the body, is just like any other organ which can be affected by your everyday lifestyle; how much you sleep, what you drink or eat, if you smoke or don’t smoke, how often your exercise, and of course your age. Unlike other organs, however, the skin is much more affected, not just by how you live but where you live. Constant direct sunlight, harsh freezing temperatures, dry climate, even constant exposure to air-conditioning and how often you frequent environments with a high concentration of chemicals or pollutants such as the city, can take a toll on the skin's health and luster. For what affects the body also affects the state of the body’s immune system and therefore the skin’s ability to regenerate.

[caption id="attachment_13208" align="aligncenter" width="750"] My Blend Review[/caption]

My Blend has taken this all into consideration when creating their revolutionary My Skin Diagnostic test which not only takes into account the state of your skin but also the lifestyle behind it all. A simple yet telling twenty-one question self-diagnostic with questions ranging from how much sleep you get a night to what sort of beverage you drink during the day, to the environment you live in, how your skin feels in the morning, even touching on the emotional state of the body and wellbeing in question by asking about how different seasons affect your mood. Another question included yet often not thought of is addressing any sort of procedure or recent events, such as a surgery or air travel, that may have applied more stress to the immune system. The results of this high-tech program are analyzed by a well-trained My Blend Beauty Coach who then prescribes a skin care plan specifically generated around you and the life you lead.

It begins with a basic platform, a cream suited to your skin type that will act as a base to begin your own personalization of the skincare that is right for you. There are ten creams in total, five for daytime use and five for nighttime use. The treatment requires the use of both a night and a day cream. The results of my skin diagnosis showed that my skin would best benefit from the use of cream 04 Balance of Power, which works towards giving me a glowing complexion.

[caption id="attachment_13207" align="aligncenter" width="700"] My personalized skin care treatment[/caption]

My Skin Diagnosis Results:

04 Balance of Power Day & Night Cream: Imperata cylindrical extract( a Japanese Bloodgrass/Cogon grass), increases long-lasting moisture to the skin up to 82% while still reducing the appearance of shine while polysaccharide actively protects the skin from damage and aging caused by harmful pollutants in the environment. The added Cell Synergy Night Complex aids in stimulating skin cell vitality and resistance.

Next, it is time to create a cream unique to your skin's need by blending in  the boosters that are selected based on what is deficient in your skin. In order for the boosters to work at full efficiency, it is advised that only two be added per cream. There are nine potential boosters: Invisible Pore, Firmness Solution, Redness Rescue, Speedy Recovery, Vitamin Power, Anti Jet-lag, Anti-Oxidant+, Moisture Immersion and Radiant Burst.

After my skin diagnosis these were the boosters that my skin needed:

• Vitamin Power: An imbalanced diet can affect the amount of nutrients your body and skin receives which can lower the body’s immune system leaving the skin more vulnerable to outside agents, the Vitamin Power booster fills any nutrient gaps your diet may not, much like a shot of energy and revitalization for your skin. Linoleic acid kick starts the protective properties of the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) which is responsible for creating the waterproof barrier which serves as a protective shield to the skin, which reduces the effects of dehydrated and dry skin with the added ascorbic acids of Vitamins C and E to also aid in skin defense.


• Antioxidant+: Known as ‘the armor of youth’, this is used for aiding in the effects caused by pollution, smoking, excessive red meat consumption, and basically anything that can cause and increased amount of free radicals in the body and therefore signs of premature aging. An infusion that includes; thermus thermophilus extract which is rich in amino acids, peptides, and enzymes effective at soaking up free radicals produced by UV exposure and pollution, white tea extracts that protect against additional free radicals and rice peptides to preserve and renew damaged stem cells.


• Anti Jet-lag: Refreshing relief for skin that has endured fatigue, frequent travel and ever changing climates, this serves to detoxify skin and renew plumpness to dehydrated and tired skin up to 90%. Hyaluronic acid helps to limit the skin’s natural water loss and restore depleted moisture while antioxidant and amino-rich ingredients such as green coffee extract and oat peptides work to revitalize and lift the skin within moments of application.


• Radiant Burst: Restores dull skin’s natural luminescing glow after a late night out or a long stressful day at work. Immureline works to stimulate cell turnover and strengthening the skin, while natural ingredients such as ginseng and wheat protein serve to stimulate and tone the skin in an instantly face lifting effect.

Now get ready to have your own skin diagnosis HERE and find the perfect boosters that will help your skin. 

 

How to mix My Blend creams with My Blend boosters:

[caption id="attachment_13209" align="aligncenter" width="800"] My Blend: How to mix creams and boosters[/caption]

*This post is in collaboration with My Blend