During a light bulb moment a few days ago I made a connection that perfumes are sort of like fruits. In other words, when they’re in season they seem better. However that doesn’t stop you from wanting a less seasonal kind at other times of the year.

Admittedly Wintery scents are the least appealing to me, but let’s compromise this Winter with fragrances that are reminiscent of the other three seasons. This way we get to bend the rules a little without losing that seasonal appropriateness.

For some reason I equated the yellow color of the Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 1 ($78 US) to a light scent. I was half right. I feel warmth without any heaviness but the notes seem like light florals. Though I can’t make out any individual notes (I want to say a light musk!), I appreciate that this perfume is 98% naturally derived.

This is such a nice scent for the Winter because it’s not too potent or overbearing, and helps you look ahead into the Spring. The fragrance brings to mind budding blooms, without feeling freshly picked like a classic Spring perfume. There’s an earthy, dried flowers quality to appreciate now, along with the scent’s all-day lasting power.

Lush 1000 Kisses Deep ($15.95 US) is meant to evoke feelings of being in love. We all know roses go there, but I was interested by the notes of mandarin and osmanthus the perfumer chose to use instead. At first whiff this bright scent seems too Summery, but the romantic white floral grounds the citrus note for a winning blend.

Imagine peeling a mandarin amongst a flower garden in the biting cold of the middle of the night and you get a sense of how lovely 1000 Kisses Deep smells, especially on a thick wooly scarf where heavier scents might cause headaches. Though it only lasts a few hours, the purse spray makes reapplication easy.

Yum. Decadent Fall scents like the Trish McEvoy Pocketable Fragrance Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk ($25 US) naturally transition into the holidays amongst other popular foody scents. Still, this one is especially perfect for New Year’s Eve. The seductive fruity musky notes smell sophisticatedly sweet, not cloy.

I associate musk with the Fall and this perfume follows, but the blackberry and amber caught me. They have a deeper, riper tone that resonates beautifully with the leather boots and warm coats of now. I love the classy packaging and that the roll-on scent actually lasts more than a few hours.

Do you have a special Winter fragrance that hints at other seasons? What season does your favorite perfume best fit?

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Fall scents always bring warmer, richer smells than the fresh citrus notes of summer fragrances.  The hottest combination for this season has got to be vanilla and blackberries (yum!).

I personally don’t mind a sweet scent every so often – there are some men out there who adore the smell of mom’s baking.  So here you go ladies, here are a few of our favorite vanilla and blackberry products as of late:

Trish McEvoy Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Rollerball ($25 US) is definitely a sweet and sexy fragrance.  For those who don’t prefer sweet vanilla scents, this pocket-sized perfume isn’t for you.

I thought I wouldn’t like it but the notes of lilies, patchouli and warm amber make me feel cozy and warm all over – a surprisingly pretty scent.

LAVANILA Vanilla Blackberry ($58 US) is for those who want a lighter scent because this limited edition fragrance carries more berry notes, like raspberry, than sweet ones.  I like it because you can carry this fresher scent over to spring.

Don’t want a potent perfume?  Relax in the bath with Black Raspberry Vanilla Bubble Bath ($12 US) from Bath & Body Works.  Along with their signature sun-ripened berry notes, this one adds a hint of juicy blackberry, bergamot, pear, and vanilla orchid.

What’s your favorite fragrance combination of the season?  Share your favorites!

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This review contains sample products sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

If you hadn’t heard about it, there was recently a power outage in parts of Southern California. I personally experienced about 8 or 9 hours without power which was frustrating in the least. I didn’t think I was very technologically reliant, but it turns out I got bored quickly.

The lack of lighting was the worst part. I never realized my house was so dark at 6 PM! In the end I went to sleep at 9 or so, but before then I had a blast lighting candles everywhere.

The one that stood out the most to me was the Aquiesse Luxe Linen Travel Tin ($5 US). The brushed silver and white packaging looked so elegant out on the table and the clean scent felt very calming. Luxe Linen has that just-out-of-the-laundry type fragrance without any lemony soapiness which seems more luxurious.

It almost seemed a waste to light this candle during the blackout it was so pretty. I had an urge to save it for some grand tea party or something equally fabulous. The scent isn’t very strong so it wouldn’t fill the entire house but I could smell hints throughout the room.

What kind of home fragrances do you use? What was the last candle you lit?

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This review contains sample products sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

There are so many forms of art and I personally believe that graffiti-style is one of them. Case in point, I’ve seen beautiful works in downtown Los Angeles that aren’t anything like what the word graffiti connotes. Truly expressive art is more like it.

While I wouldn’t describe myself as a very edgy person, graffiti art is something I can appreciate at times. Even the very sweet Miss Hello Kitty agrees with the Hello Kitty Graffiti Collection for Fall 2011 at Sephora.

Bringing a whole different side of Hello Kitty to the plate, this five piece collection is a must for any Sanrio fan!

Hello Kitty Graffiti Compact Mirror ($18 US): We can never have enough of cute compact mirrors for our purse. This adorable one is guaranteed to get your girlfriends oohing and ahhing!

Hello Kitty Graffiti Bag ($28 US): Just like I switch up my bags I’ll interchange my makeup bags whenever I get bored with the old one. This fun and show stopping print would make it difficult for anyone to swap it for another bag.

Hello Kitty Graffiti Palette ($35 US): The soft pastel like hues are nothing like the smoky dark colors you might have expected. Still the juxtaposition of edgy packaging against such pretty yet understated colors is eye catching.

Hello Kitty Graffiti Rollergirl ($18 US): We couldn’t expect anything more than a girly and sweet scent from Hello Kitty. Green apple, vanilla, and freesia are some of the key notes that make this roll-on Miss Kitty’s signature.

Hello Kitty Graffiti Brush Set ($49 US): This cute brush container houses five synthetic makeup brushes. Included are a Face, Eyeshadow, Shader/Blending, Angled Eyeliner, and Lip brush which are all good everyday tools to keep at home or tote along.

What are your thoughts on the Hello Kitty line at Sephora? Is there a Fall collection you’ve fallen for yet?

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I have an affinity for Bath & Body Works.  It just brings me back to the good old dog days of high school where rocking Country Apple body spray and lotion meant you had arrived and were part of the cool kids.

The scent has since fallen from its most popular ranking, but not due to any fault of its own.  It’s just making way for some new kids on the block – like Paris Amour, the latest fragrance collection from Bath & Body Works.

Paris Amour is for the romantic in all of us – to be worn during these last few weeks of the season in hopes of finding this summer’s greatest fling, or during the colder months of fall and winter when you just want to be snuggling up close with your beau.  Fragrance notes include French Tulips, Apple Blossoms, and Pink Champagne – ooh la la!

The new scent is available in a full range, from body lotions, bubble baths, to shimmer mists.  Because I’m always traveling, I personally like the Accessories Paris To Go Bag (above).

It features mini versions of the lotion, shower gel, and fragrance mist – all for only $10 US with any Paris Amour purchase.  Might we suggest the fun Lip Gloss Set ($16.50 US) featuring five glosses, including Paris Amour, Rich Toffee Truffle, Wicked Crème Brulee, Sinful Apple Crepe, and Guilty Peach Tart.

Do you have a favorite Bath & Body Works scent?  What was your signature and what does it remind you of?

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This review contains sample products sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.