Beauty: Scents of Sensual Style

STYLE SCENTS OF SENSUAL STYLE SUMMER FRAGRANCE DELIGHTS

By Karen Dubin & Lori Zelenko ur ability to smell is the most emotional of all our senses, and the power of fragrance and sensory memory is extraordinary! With one whiff, it can conjure up vivid memories from the tapestry of your life, and it can take you to places you’ve visited and cherished or let you imagine colorful landscapes that exist only in your mind. Inhaling a scent can remind you of a special person you have encountered or coax you to dream of the one you’ve yet to meet. Fragrance is truly your private magic carpet ride.

Fragrance has been used as a tool of seduction since the dawn of time. The first temptress was surely Eve, who conveniently lived in a lush garden filled with aromatic flowering plants and succulent fruit trees. It was there in the paradise of Eden that she enticed her man with a freshly plucked, glistening apple. Adam inhaled the fragrant surroundings, savored a juicy bite, and felt light-headed as if he were floating in a sea of irresistible perfume and helpless against her sensory charms. Eveknew what she was doing, and the rest is history.

The beauty of fragrance is that it speaks to your heart, and hopefully, someone else’s. –Elizabeth Taylor

RIVIERA DRIVE Atelier Des Ors

Hedonism and escapism fuel languid moments along the Cote d’Azure, where the summer breeze blows the scent of fresh herbs zestfully enlivened with lemon. Aromatically the scent of sheltering pine forests enfolds while a dash of intoxicating absinthe and patchouli amplifies the intensity, be there and embrace your adventurous spirit. Info: indigoperfumery.com.

EASY TO LOVE Eau d’Italie

It all began 15 years ago, in Positano, with the creation of the signature Eau d’Italie fragrance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hotel Le Sirenuse. Italy is by nature Easy To Love, and so is the scent, an intriguing, subtle melody of fig and flowers, seductive and timeless - just like Italy. Info: thescentroom.com.

Studying past rituals shows us that throughout history, women have used fragrance to adorn, seduce, surmount challenges, obtain power, and shape their futures. Today, scent has become a significant part of the stories of our lives. Perfume can change your mood with just one spritz! And when we leave a room, the trail of our scent remains a potent memory of our presence.

We celebrate the possibilities a great fragrance can bring, and the philosophy that we can achieve our goals with the confidence of wearing a treasured scent. Perfume is the magical, invisible potion that lets us navigate our personal journey and create our destiny every day.

The perfumers behind these magnificent creations hail from all corners of the globe, and they have enthusiastically brought the sensibilities of diverse cultures into these scents. So pick your playlist and turn up the volume as loud as you want. No need to book a flight, travel through fragrance to wherever your imagination takes you!

TRIBECA Bond No. 9

A sexy, unisex, floriental, Tribeca from Bond No. 9 is cool and hip, reminiscent of downtown NYC’s gourmet coffee houses. Notes of cacao and green hazelnut are centered with sultry, luxurious jasmine sambac as cedarwood provides a grounding touch. This is a scent that lives and breathes on the skin in warm, earthy tones. Info: bondno9.com.

SPRINGTIME IN A PARK Replica by Maison Margiela

As if lost amid an urban labyrinth, this fragrance brings to life a freshly blooming spring garden, an olfactory stroll imbued with pear, bergamot, and blackcurrant. Harmonious blends of lily of the valley, royal jasmine, and damask rose follow, carried by a musky and woody trail softened by a touch of vanilla. Info: sephora.com.

FLOWER POPPY BOUQUET Kenzo

Balancing a fresh, modern appeal with unique sensuality, this fragrance unifies city and country, freedom, and delicacy. The poppy unveils its full generosity as Nashi Pear, a bright floral burst, introduces a freshness to the fragrance, while a sensual mix-andmatch of Bulgarian rose and gardenia blossoms together on a base of almond wood. Info: macys.com.

SULTRY ROSE Eric Buterbaugh Los Angeles

Distilling the scent of the most iconic flower we know into a beautiful and bittersweet sultry rose harmony is this latest fragrance from floral designer to the stars Eric Buterbaugh. A bewitching rose scent, it envelopes an overly sensual elixir of Passionfruit elevated with vanilla as it is infused by Saffron, Ambergris, and Oud Wood. Info: saks.com. •

STYLE LIFE & STYLE BEAT THE HEAT EDITION By Griffin Miller

hile indoor-living has its advantages (all-day pajamas; binge-watching reality shows; guilt-free noshing), outside summer beckons, and who are we to ignore its siren’s song? Precautions? Always. Especially as we head to the Hamptons, Central Park, and indulge (warily) in dining al fresco. Thus, I give you my Editorial picks for Summer 2020, whether you are poolside, patio chic, or revamping your inner sanctum into a sunny paradise. It is all good!

GAME CHANGER

Bored board gamers—i.e., those of us whose desire to Pass Go, land a triple-word score or sacrifice yet another pawn—it is time to indulge in Sequence. This addictive family-friendly diversion involves cards, chips, and strategy for two to 12 players (7 and up). Since it landed on our patio table, my husband and I have become obsessed. Highly recommended for player types willing to confront some very wild Jacks in their quest to form a Sequence. Info: jaxgames.com.

FASHION FORWARD

Ditch the sweats, and oversized tees, the world (cautiously) awaits, so why not greet it in a little something to brighten the season? For some time now, I’ve had my eye on Ala von Auersperg’s awesome resort wear, and what better time than now to give in to my flights of fashion, even if only for virtual brunches or lounging about? Which brings me to the Rachel Poncho in Gardenia. One sleeve, one glorious flutter of lightweight mesh draping the other arm and pairing it with a swimsuit or matching items from the collection. Info: alavonauersperg.com.

TUBING WITH THE PERKS

Should your personal safety zone allow for a large outdoor swimming pool—already an excellent plus—prepare to be wowed by PoolCandy’s Tube Runner, an ingenious motorized float with a 3-blade propeller and 360-degree control. Assemble multiple Tubes and a fearless group ready to tackle a lake, pond, river, or Olympic-sized pool, and you can expect a game of bumper floats with madcap button-pushing. Or you can cruise along at a relaxing pace anywhere you like – your choice. Info: poolcandy.net.

REST ASSURED

One thing about quarantine: you spend more time in bed reading, sleeping, working, streaming, etc. Sometimes, though, you can’t get comfy or fall asleep. Too hot. Too sweaty. Too tangled up. PeachSkinSheets has solved such heat and renegade sheet predicaments with panache and a smart, super soft fabric that jettisons moisture and stays cool. I give them bonus points for fitted sheets that don’t slip off the mattress and a staggering number of color choices. This reckless sleeper is falling in love with falling asleep. Info:peachskinsheets.com.

PEACE & PLENTY

Haight-Ashbury. Flower Power. Peter Max. Free Love, Twiggy. The 60s are back, baby, yeah! The look was catnip to jet setters back then, and now—thanks to the ingenious minds at Be Clear Handbags—there’s the Peace + Love Graffiti Tote, bringing back the look, feel and zeitgeist of iconic yesterday. As for today, germs are not an issue: wipe down your bag with alcohol and done. Plus, should you wish to turn tote to crossbody, no problem: the website offers a way neat selection of straps. Info: beclearhandbags.com.

DESIGNING WOMAN

The masterminds behind handcrafted jewelry dazzle me with their artistry, none more than Juli, aka the creative force behind Julio Designs. With an eye for the unique, she has created line after line of statement necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Having been to Malta, I was drawn to Juli’s use of the Maltese cross in several of her pieces, only to learn she has made a study of world crosses for their design elements. The Maltese compliment-generating favorites—both in person and on Zoom. Next stop, bracelets! Info: juliodesigns.com.

JUST IN CASE

Wondering what trendy Apple laptops are wearing this season, whether on the road, working from home, or braving socially distanced boardrooms? I have got this one: Chic Geeks’ Emerald Faux Crocodile MacBook Case. The classiest of greens with tactile allure, this 100 percent cruelty-free cover is a must have for any one ready to stand out in a crowd of Apple laptops with ho-hum covers or (for shame!) none at all. I am so ready to join the ranks. Traditionalist Alert: the Faux Crocodile case also comes in black. Info: chicgeeks.com.

SIPPING LIKE THE STARS

The provocative name, Prisoner Wine Company, and ominous labels are only the prequels to this intriguing line of wines with a celebrity following. The A-listers who have pledged Prisoner allegiance include J-Law, Kendall Jenner, Erik Harris, and MaggieGyllenhaal. And since it’s summer when white wine rules, Prisoner’s “The Snitch” and “Blindfold”, with their Chardonnay base deftly melded with select varietals, are a superstar in their own right. I am sold—make that a devoted fan—as is Lady Gaga, who

Cross Hoop Earrings (as shown with matching necklace) are shares my passion for Blindfold. Info:theprisonerwinecompany.com.

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS

I do not lightly use the term Divine Decadence, but here I sit, passionately involved with a pint of eCreamery’s Mint Cookie Crunch ice cream. Connoisseur-worthy, custom churned, and hand-packed, it is a bewitching take on my favorite flavor. But there is more. You can choose your flavor(s) from an extensive menu, or you can customize, for the ice cream recipe of your dreams. Either way, you can print a message or photo onto the on the pints—all delivered to your door in frozen splendor. Info:

ecreamery.com.

CLEAN SWEEP

Speaking of laptops—not to mention Smartphones, tablets, fitness trackers, and any other techno gizmos that rock your life—microbes, bacteria, and miscellaneous yuck are making their electronic lives a living hell and compromising your health. Thankfully, there is a portable savior to be had: HÄNS Swipe. This pocket-sized lifesaver boasts both an Antimicrobial Cleaning side (applies solution; is refillable to last ad infinitum), and an Antibacterial Polishing side (removes residue, polishes, and is washable). Seriously, we need this.Info: hans-swipe.com. •