Fragrance Finding, Simplified: Commodity Goods

I'm the type of girl who appreciates a fragrance wardrobe as opposed to a fragrance signature. After all, a fragrance must match many things - the weather, the time of day, my outfit, my mood and, of course, the intended audience - let's not pretend otherwise. Even so, with several fragrance favorites in the mix, from Kiehl's Musk rollerball to Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower, I've been feeling a bit stagnant - picking up samples here and there, only to fall in like as opposed to love.

That all changed thanks to fagrance start-up Commodity Goods - a Kickstarter success story - who looks to change the scent discovery experience, by inviting customers to test their (thoroughly modern and deceptively simple) collection of fragrances at home before they buy.

Commodity scents (10 per gender) are organized by category - Fresh, Warm or Floral, for women - with robust and highly visual descriptions of each found on the beautifully designed and easy to navigate site. Shoppers are encouraged to order a "Fitting Kit" first, complete with 10 samples good for about 2 wears each, which allows you to explore every scent. After dabbling, my favorites from the collection include Gold and Moss, with an honorable mention going to Dew, a complex, yet light fruity floral.

Get fitted at Commodity Goods for $9, redeemable towards your full-size order if made within 10 days.

Sin City Fans Will Wish to Watch: Gucci Guilty Black, The Director's Cut

It's been eight long years since the theatrical release of Frank Miller's epic Sin City, but the aesthetics of the film linger with me always. Thankfully, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is in the works and will release this October, 8 years after the original. If you simply can't wait until then, the new Gucci Guilty Black film should tide you over nicely.

Directed by the same Frank Miller, and starring Chris Evans and Rachel Evan Wood, the vid is dramatic and sexy - traits it shares with the scent it's intended to celebrate. 

File Under "Why Wasn't I Invited to This?": Clive Owen at the Launch of BVLGARI MAN

My pal Amber over at Beauty Blogging Junkie and I were recently chatting about our greatest man loves in the celebrity space (HELLO, Seth Meyers. HELLO, Andy Samberg.) and near the top of both of our lists, respectively, is Brit actor Clive Owen.  We're in agreement that he is unequivocally a MAN, not a boy, and THAT Is unequivocally SEXY. Yes.

Apparently, there are others in the world who agree with us (who knew?) as none other than Clive Owen is the face of Bulgari's newest fragrance BVLGARI MAN. Last night he celebrated the launch at the Bulgari Hotel garden in Milan (above) and frankly, it's a good thing that this event was in Italy, because if it had been in New York, I would have been tempted to party crash - and that's never good form.

Would any celebs inspire YOU to party crash? Do tell!

 

Win This: Tom Brady Signed Bottle of All American Stetson

Can we please file Tom Brady under "Things I Need More Of In My Life"?

The star quarterback recently introduced the latest Stetson fragrance, All American, to a group of New York bloggers via video conference.  I must admit initial disappointment that Mr. Brady couldn't join us in person.  But when we were face to face...or er, face to video screen, I found myself grateful that he was across the country (as my excitement left an embarrassing smile on my face the ENTIRE TIME. Shame.)

But I digress.

All American Stetson is a modern, new fragrance with notes of Cedar Leaf, Ginger Root, Black Suede (Tom's fave, SWOON), sage, nutmeg, patchouli and musk. Formulated by master perfumer Harry Fremont of Firmenich (the man behind ck one, Ralph Lauren Romance and MANY more best sellers), it's at once fresh, clean and masculine. Trust me when I say that dudes can rock this day or evening. 

The folks at Coty have also launched a cool online interactive game, Tom Brady's All American Stetson Challenge, which lets players compete head to head against Tom in extreme sports like Kayaking and Motocross. Check it out here.  Winners can grab loot like autographed Tom Brady memorabilia, All American Stetson and the ultimate "all american" adventure trip.

Want your guy to be smelling sweeter this spring? You're in luck.  Leave a comment below by Tuesday, March 24 at Noon and ONE lucky winner will be chosen at random to win a TOM BRADY-SIGNED 1.5 OZ BOTTLE OF ALL AMERICAN STETSON. 

That's right, Tom Brady touched this 'ish.  Get commenting!

UPDATE: THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND SLENZ12 IS THE WINNER!

Holiday 2008 - Banana Republic Fragrances

For accessible yet luxurious gifts for everyone on your list, look no further than Banana Republic’s fragrance offerings this holiday season.

Included in the mix are limited-edition gift sets for men and women ($64 for women's; $60 for men's) that offer up a 100mL bottle of Fragrance, a 50 mL tube of Body Cream and a 50 mL tube of Shower Gel housed in round hatboxes adorned with chocolate brown bows and lids colored to reflect the scents nestled inside.

Malachite – Banana Republic’s newest women’s fragrance, this graceful floral-floral has notes of peony, winter pear and sandalwood.

Alabaster – This bright bouquet floral-floral is blooming with notes of lotus flower, wild rose and musks.

Rosewood – Opulent and delicate, this floral-oriental contains notes of bergamot champagne, white tea leaves and white amber.

For men, sets come with a 100 mL bottle of Fragrance, a 50 mL tube of Shower Gel and a 50 mL tube of After-Shave Balm and are each packaged in square boxes adorned with velvet ribbon that mirrors the spirit of the fragrance it houses. Choose from the following fragrances:

Cordovan – Banana Republic’s newest men’s fragrance, this a ruggedly masculine modern-woody blend contains notes of ebony spices, orris and vintage leather.

Slate – This cool and clean aromatic-green has notes of glacier citrus water, soft nutmeg, silver sage and hydroponic ginger root.

Black Walnut – Sensual and modern, this aromatic-woody fragrance has notes of cognac, tobacco leaves and cedarwood. ·

Banana Republic Candles ($24.00) are actually one of my very favorites - they burn cleanly and have great throw. This year's seasonal offering is Winter. With notes of cassis, cranberry, raspberry, fir balsam, pine, amber, cedar wood, musk and vanilla, it evokes warmth and comfort.

Shop the collection at all Banana Republic stores and via www.bananarepublic.com.