Jo Malone London Rain Collection - Rain & Angelica Cologne

It's raining Jo Malone!

Jo Malone's newest collection takes inspiration from the London Rain which let's face it we know plenty about..

This beautiful collection features four colognes each representing rain at various times of the day.

Rain & Angelica

Glassy beads of dew, awakening a London park at dawn. A revitalising scent, enlivened with herbaceous angelica and juicy lime on an earthy base of vetiver. Aqueous and clear.

My thoughts 

I absolutely adore the freshness of dawn and Rain & Angelica captures its juicy freshness with the zesty lime and greenness of the angelica. As the day goes on the scent dries to a more earthy greenness. much like a London Park!

I am liking this cologne a lot and it really is perfect for Spring. It is light and fresh and classy. In my head I picture a woman wearing a crisp white shirt, a pencil skirt, a statement bag and flat pumps to navigate the bustling early morning London streets whilst heading to work.

Of course I have to mention the gorgeous bottle too which has that all important shelf appeal. 

You will never think of rain in the same way.

The rest of the collection -

Wisteria & Violet 

A soft morning shower, soaking purple wisteria cascading over London stone walls. Infused with the wet-petal scent of violets and water lily. Rain-washed and intoxicating.

White Jasmine & Mint 

An afternoon cloudburst, drenching gardens exuberant with jasmine, orange flower and rose. Eccentric with its dash of scrambling wild mint. Enchanting and refreshing.

Black Cedarwood & Juniper

Midnight rain. Seductive with the carnal touch of cumin and chilli leaves. Dark with cedarwood. Humid with moss. Modern and urban.

Jo Malone London Rain Collection is available now and cost £82 for 100ml

*PR Sample

Les Senteurs Gourmandes - 'Childhood Memories' Collection

Today I bring you another fragrance collection with *Gourmand notes that caught my attention, I love the story behind the concept. Inspiration for a Mother's Day gift?

Les Senteurs Gourmandes reawakens happy memories passed between mother and daughter in its ‘Childhood Memories’ collection. Three enchanting perfumes use the power of Gourmand notes to capture the fresh smell of clean linen, the tantalizing taste of violet sweets and the comforting warmth of freshly baked cakes.

Musc Blanc 

Pure and light, the sweet smell of white sheets drying in a sunny garden overflowing with white flowers combines with the delicacy of clean skin with powdery accents.

Notes: Ambrette, Lily Of The Valley, White Musk.

Vanille Violette 

The emblematic little Violet flower of Toulouse crystallised in sugar. Sweet, fresh and flowery notes reawaken the memory of an elegant perfume you once knew so well.

Notes: Rose, Violet, Vanilla.

Tendre Madeleine

The delicious aroma of freshly baked sponge cake blended with Orange Zest, a hint of Bitter Almond and Cinnamon. A comforting and warming perfume made sweeter by the heat of the oven.

Notes: Cinnamon, Bitter Almond, Precious Wook.
Eau de Parfum RRP £22.50 (100ml) Available exclusively at Marks & Spencer (new beauty halls) and www.marksandspencer.com

*Gourmand = basing a fragrance on edible notes

Jo Malone Sugar and Spice Collection - Limited Edition

The Sugar and Spice Collection - Five deliciously Gourmand sounding and tempting fragrances inspired by Afternoon Tea delicacies..Of course I had to share this news with you! I haven't tried these yet but I intend to get to a Jo Malone counter very soon. I also think they have the potential to make a nice gift idea for Mother's Day.

Jo Malone says 

A collection of fragrances created for moments of delicious pleasure. Inspired by delectable ingredients.
Decadently tempting. Impossible to choose. Delicious to wear. Succumb to divine indulgence.

The 5 fragrances

Lemon Tart

The mouth-watering tang of lemon tart. Sparkling with citrus fruits and verbena, contrasted with swirls of meringue and lemon thyme. Refreshing.

Redcurrant & Cream

A summer pudding. Sharp-scarlet juices of redcurrants, lush strawberries and raspberries, rippling through creamy musk. Vivacious and enticing.

Elderflower & Gooseberry

A voluptuous gooseberry fool. Crushed, summer-green gooseberries, juicy with lychee, enfolded into the soft delicacy of elderflower.Tender and feminine.

Ginger Biscuit

Just-baked biscuit. Spiced with ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, melting into caramel. Butter-crumbly with
roasted hazelnuts. Warmed by tonka bean and vanilla. Irresistible.

Bitter Orange & Chocolate

The bite of bitter orange, layered with dark chocolate. Orange peel counterpoised with warm, powdery cocoa, milky coconut and coumarin. Sumptuous and addictive.

Limited Edition. Available from March 2013. Each Cologne costs £38 for 30ml

www.jomalone.co.uk

Mother's Day Gift Inspiration

Mothering Sunday - Mother's Day is this weekend (3rd April 2011) and if you haven't already bought your mum a gift I thought I would share with you my ideas...

Unless your mum has hay-fever the chances are that she will be pleased to receive a pretty bunch of flowers. My  mum adores roses and lilies so this bouquet would be perfect

Super Rose and Lily Bouquet- £40 from www.johnlewis.com

I think mums would really enjoy being treated to Afternoon Tea. 

If you are looking for inspiration on which venue to choose why not read my Afternoon Tea reviews section here . Most venues are probably booked now for the actual Sunday but it will be something nice for her to look forward to.

If your budget won't stretch that far.. How about treating your mum to afternoon tea at your home? She will love the fact that she doesn't have to cook on the day and you can really personalise it. Bring out the best China and if you have a tiered cake stand it will look doubly impressive. I suggest some finger sandwiches, scones, cream and jam and some cute miniature cakes either bought in or better still home-made!

If your mum loves pampering herself and you want to treat her my favourite high street pampering ranges are either Champneys or The Sanctuary products. The ultimate pampering bath oil in my opinion is from Connock London if you really want to spoil her :-)

Alternatively, why not buy her a voucher/book a beauty treatment like a massage or facial. If you are in London I can recommend West One Beauty salon.

Perfume is another gift wonderful gift to give to your mum, I know it is quite a personal thing but I think my mum would adore some Chanel. Contained in a beautifully presented bottle, Coco Mademoiselle is a truly stunning scent and will evoke memories of you every time she wears it.

Calvin Klein's Beauty is a gorgeous, fresh scent. Available from John Lewis and other fragrance stockists.

Lastly, a lipstick always has the ability to refresh a makeup wardrobe and make you feel great. I suggest one of the new Pure Colour long lasting lipsticks from Estee Lauder. With a huge range of shades from the collection to choose from, one will be sure to suit your mum. I love the luxurious packaging and they literally glide on. Simply beautiful.

I hope you enjoyed this gift inspiration post. What will you be buying or hoping to receive this year ?

I always forget I am a mummy now too  - I wonder what I will be given?