Etat Libre d’Orange Like This Tilda Swinton

Etat Libre d'Orange tends to be hit or miss for me, mostly miss, although the ones I like, I really like (Noel au Balcon, Divin'Enfant). I didn't think I'd care for Like This because of the immortelle note, but boy was I wrong.

I love it.

According to actress Tilda Swinton herself, "I thought about how great it would be if I could have a smell that would keep me at home wherever I was. So I started to think about my home smells, and the principal ingredients became ginger, baby carrot, pumpkin. I'm a November child — a pumpkin child — so this whole idea of orange is there. It smells like the only home I have: my house in the north of Scotland." (NY Mag)

I'm a November child myself, and while orange is among my least-favorite colors, I do love pumpkin, carrot, sweet potatoes, oranges. Orange things.

Not that Like This is necessarily an "orange" scent.

After a brief hit of citrus the pumpkin comes in all raw and vegetal, accompanied by the sweet maple-y quality of immortelle. But don't think it's like pumpkin pie, because it's not. Unless you make your pies with flowers and vetiver. There is a sweetness, but I find it more warm than cloying. And the barely detectable vetiver way in the background keeps the scent out of the realm of gourmand.

The real clincher for me is the clean musk that comes in at the end. Unlike many people, I prefer white musks to skanky ones, and the musk note in Like This is light and airy and a little shampoo-y. And meshes really well with the rest of the scent.

Methinks this one is very full-bottle-worthy. Maybe I'll buy it for my birthday.

Notes: yellow mandarin, ginger, pumpkin accord, immortelle, Moroccan neroli, rose de Grasse, vetiver, heliotrope, musk

Cute Stuff for Your Home (and for You!)

I love to browse around in furniture stores. I've been living with the same sofas for over twenty years now and every once in a while I think I want a change. I've found some cute ones in local shops but haven't yet taken the plunge. I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for just yet. Do I want modern? Classic? Antique-styley?

I already have several pieces of antiques, but I do like to mix-and-match styles and eras. However, my dining room seems to have attained a very Asian feel, with an antique lacquered cabinet in one corner, a modern lacquered dining table with scenes of pagodas and mountains, and a collection of Noh masks in the corner cabinet. I'm thinking one of these completely ridiculous but ridiculously cute table lamps would be just the thing.

More browsing around that site, for CSN stores, has revealed a treasure trove of sofas, loveseats, chairs, etc. I think I really like this one.

Not only can I browse sofas for me and Mr Minx, I can also find bedding for our pets! Wouldn't Milo look adorable on this cute doggie bed?

But wait...there's more. As I was digging around this huge Web site of stuff, I found....handbags and shoes. I'm kinda loving this one. And this one. And I'm really digging the Anuschka hand-painted leather bags, particularly this one.

Hmmm...should I save up for a sofa? Or buy a purse? :)

Drag Queens Rokk the House!

Jujubee and Sahara Davenport (with friend Manila) from the last season of RuPaul's Drag Race RÖKKed the red carpet at the GLAAD Manhattan Summer Party. Juju is just so adorable!

You're Wearing That?!?

You’re Wearing That?!?, showcases mothers and daughters transforming each other and reconnecting inside and out. As a New York-based fashion consultant and host to the series, Luciene Salomone will give input and inspire women to re-style each other’s wardrobe and feel confident in what they wear.

More about the show’s host, Luciene Salomone:

As a personal stylist and fashion enthusiast, Luciene uses her keen eye and exceptional taste to help clients develop an individual look based on their taste, budget, lifestyle and body type. Luciene secured her fashionista status through years of styling as well as holding high positions with top-notch retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel and Clarin cosmetic company.

You’re Wearing That?!?, premiers Thursday, August 19 @ 10pm | 9c.