The Elegance of Robert Piguet's Parfums

Robert Piguet was considered "the most Parisian of fashion designers." But his perfumes also made him well-known. His fragrances are Cravache, Baghari, Bandit, Visa, and his most popular, Fracas. I sampled all five and they each have their own personality. I felt like wearing a tiara when I wore his fragrances! They made me feel so elegant.

Cravache: Started as a men’s fragrance in 1963, and now has a light, airy scent. I think it can be worn by men and women. It has a wood and citrus smell and it's not too strong.

Baghari: This soft and romantic scent blends citrus and flowers. The smell is sweet and innocent, but this one is light too.

Bandit: My favorite one! It is designed to be exotic and sultry, and it sure is. I’d wear this for any great night out. I like that it's powerful, yet not overbearing. I received many compliments when I wore it the other day.

Visa: This one is number 2 on my list of faves. It smells sweeter than Baghari, but again, it’s not too much on the senses. It’s funny that it's described as being addictive, because I honestly couldn’t stop sniffing it!

Fracas: This is his signature fragrance and the most desired. Bernadette was moved enough sing its praises over a year ago and I must do the same. I like this as much as I like Visa. I experienced it as a floral, airy scent and I think it can be worn at any time.

Click here to learn more about Robert Piguet.

Trendy Hollywood Jackets for Less

I have to admit, when I see a celebrity wearing a gorgeous coat, I want it for myself. But then I imagine the tons of money they paid for it, and the thought quickly goes out of my mind. Thankfully, eDressMe, One Stop Plus, and Weather Proof Garment Co. have some of those trendy coats at lower prices. Houndstooth (see above pic) is a style that is not going away for the moment. I found this jacket at One Stop Plus for only $34-$39. I think the jacket is fabulous and can jazz up any outfit. They have other types of coats and jackets as well, and their prices range from $30-$169.

I also browsed eDressMe, and they have plenty of stylish coats, but their prices are higher than One Stop Plus. However, they do have some amazing sales. This trench coat, pictured on the right, was originally $95, but now it's only $50! I couldn't believe the price when I saw it either. I noticed that trench coats are becoming popular again, so if you want it, I would hurry before it sells out.


Finally, Weather Proof Garment Co has coats for women and men. They have great looking coats, (goat suede, autumn quilt and others) but I couldn't find any prices for them on their website. They do sell their clothing at most major department stores and online at Net Jackets, where prices range from $59-$125. So the next time you covet a celeb's coat, check these websites to see if they have a similar styles. You never know.

Keep Things Cool With Icybag

Icybag just might be your cure to melted snacks, ruined cosmetics, and piping hot lotions on a sizzling summer day outing. It's billed as a cooler and handbag in one. Invented by Kathy Cohen, this bag looks ideal for taking trips to the beach, a picnic or any other activity that'll keep you in the sun for long periods of time.

The bag comes in three colors: black, pink, and turquoise. It comes with one or two gel packs which you're supposed to chill overnight. The next day, you'd put them in your bag and go. No one should know that you're carrying a cooler on your shoulder. These bags are cheap too, prices range from $14-$19. That's it! Click here to find out more.

Don't Break A Sweat With Reebok

If you’re like me, you don’t put much thought into what you wear when you’re working out. But after last week, I am a new woman. I had the opportunity to try out Reebok’s new launch of athletic clothes. I wore one of the new shirts (similar to the one on the right), a pair of leggings, and sneakers. I was very comfortable. I took a one hour dance class and sweated a lot! But amazingly, you couldn’t tell that by looking at my clothing. There was a minor spot of sweat, but that was it. I usually have sweat spots all over, but Reebok’s clothing kept me dry.

Their goal is to make you feel comfortable throughout your journey of well-being. They feel that functionality is important and want to make clothes that reflect the American fitness lifestyle. So their apparel is made based on the categories of Fitness, Performance, Running, Compression, Team Sports, and Active Lifestyle.

For example, someone who is just starting a regular workout routine, would buy something from Fitness, because that is designed for the core basics of everyday activities. And of course Running is perfect for the avid runner because they have shorts and tanks that have mesh down the side, so air will flow in and out, making it more comfortable. Besides providing mesh ventilation, the clothes also have components of stretch and Play Dry moisture wicking (which is why I was dry).

They have shirts, tanks, shorts, leggings, hats, jackets, pants, and accessories, which come in various colors and prints. They're so affordable; prices range from $8-$45! This apparel is only available at Dick's Sporting Goods, so stop into the nearest one or shop online.

Fill Your Home With Agraria

Agraria is a San Francisco based company that I happily discovered while I attended Sniffapalooza last weekend. They've been in business for 30 years and they continue to attract new customers. They sell many products for the home: soap, bath salts, candles, potpourri, and so on, but my favorite is their Air Essence collection, which is the best way to fill up your home with fragrance.

Air Essence is a 100% oil blend in an Italian crystal bottle. The collection comes with reeds and a mirrored tray to place the bottle on. Some of their scents include Bitter Orange, Santa Barbara, Mediterranean and Jasmine. I fell in love with the Lavender and Rosemary oil.

Here is how you use it: 1)Place the reeds in the oil and let them sit for 24 hours (although the sales associate told me an hour is fine). 2)Take the reeds out and turn them over, placing the dry ends in the oil. 3) Spread the reeds out so the smell can permeate the air and, enjoy!

This is the perfect housewarming gift. The Air Essence collection is $105, but they have the same scents in smaller bottles (known as their Petite Essence which is one of Oprah's Favorite Things!) for $40. Shop online or click on their store locator tab to see if they sell it in your area.

K Street’s Custom Fit Tees

I don’t know about you, but I always have a problem with tee shirts. I have a small frame but am well endowed, so I sometimes have to opt for a larger size just to accommodate my chest. The tee shirt can be too big on me sometimes. But there is a solution: K Street.

The founder, Kari Weiner, believes tees shouldn’t come in just small, medium, and large, because women have varying shapes and sizes. The tees are made by chest, waist, and hip measurements. All you do is provide your bust and waist size and then your shirt is made to order! Even better, the shirts are made of pima cotton, which is a high quality fabric that is durable. The tee fits me perfectly and is so soft and comfortable. I’ve worn it twice already. So check out K Street to read more about the company and shop for their tees!

Take Advantage of Spa Week!

April is just not the month for showers, it’s also time to get that much needed spa treatment at an affordable price. Founded by Cheryl Reid in 2004, Spa Week is an event from April 14th-20th (some spas may have it for the entire month), in which you could get $50 spa treatments.

The goal of Spa Week is to be healthy and not break your budget doing so. Many of us have a stressful lifestyle and rarely take a much needed time out. Massage is probably the most popular spa treatment. It's a very therapeutic way of getting our bodies and minds back in balance. Not only is it relaxing, but it improves circulation and releases toxins. It’s vital to drink plenty of water to flush those toxins out.

I haven't had the time to slow down lately, so I purchased a 60 minute, hot stone Swedish massage (only $50!) from Finesse Day Spa and I cannot wait to get it. You could get it too! Spa Week is not limited to New York City. Click here to find out if your state is one of the 21 markets that participate in Spa Week.

Fashion Exibitions at F.I.T.

If you're ever in the New York City area and draw a blank on how you're going to spend your day, why not grab some friends and make a trip to the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology? They currently have three exhibits and admission to them is free. Take a look at eclectic shoes at Sole Desire: The Shows of Christian Louboutin (ending April 19th), the Parisian garments at Madame Gres: Sphinx of Fashion (ending April 19th), and even the diverse culture-inspired fashions at Exoticism (ending May 7, 2008).

In addition to the exhibits (and student exhibitions), this museum offers educational programs, a fashion and textile history gallery, and guided tours. There is a charge for the tours, but it's a great way to spend a an hour out of your day. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Log on to find out more information about their upcoming events. Have fun!

Stylish Bags at Accessory Bug

Want a new bag to go with a new outfit? Why go out and search endlessly, when you can relax at home and shop online at Accessory Bug? Owned by Cathy Chiang and Peter Lin, this online store is a woman's dream! They have designer-inspired handbags (Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Chanel, and more) at ridiculously affordable prices. You can take your pick of clutches, shoulder bags, satchels, and even motorcycle bags to bring an edge to any look. They have other kinds of bags, including those for prom and wedding occasions.

But that's not all. They sell stylish belts, wallets, and wristlets too. There is a reasonable $5 flat rate for shipping. To get more savings, use this 10% off coupon code: aprsale. But don't wait too long because this offer expires on May 31st, 2008. Click here to browse their selection and to sign up to receive coupons, promotions, and their newsletters.

Enter to Win Ralph Wild

Are you spontaneous, fearless, and confident? Then Ralph Wild, the new Ralph Lauren fragrance is for you! Linda Kramer created this perfume, and in an interview with Coutorture, she stated that the fragrance represents a type of woman with the aforementioned traits.

This sounds like the fragrance you put on when you have a steamy summer date, or just a night out with the girls. Coutorture is sponsoring a giveaway and a very lucky woman will get this soon-to-be popular perfume for free! For details on how to get your chance to win just scroll down a bit and look at the sidebar on the right. Also, check out Coutorture to read the interview with Linda and learn what else the site has going on. The contest ends April 6th. Good Luck!