Monday Musings- Fragrance and OOTW
Happy Monday, ladies. This week I am musing about cruelty-free spring fragrance and things that tend to sag. During our chat last week about some things that look matronly, a reader mentioned sagging earlobes. She was referring to pierced earholes that have torn, but it got me thinking about old ears.
Earlifters
It’s said that our nose and earlobes continue to grow as we age. I can’t speak to that…but I can say that my earlobes have certainly gotten softer with age. I never wore heavy earrings, but now, the skin has gotten looser (everywhere), so almost every earring seems to weigh them down.
I’ve replaced all my earring backs with these earrings lifters, which are perfect for droopy ears. You can spend a lot or a little on this type of earring back. I choose affordable ones because no one sees them, and I like having plenty on hand. Earring backs are like socks in the laundry, and they always seem to go missing. These keep my earlobes straight so the earrings, even hoops, hang correctly. These Lobe Wonders are also super popular for ladies with torn earholes,
Cruelty-free fragrance
While I think it’s incredibly romantic and sophisticated to have a signature fragrance, I don’t have one. It’s not for lack of trying. New perfumes are always coming out, and I love to sample them as much as I do new makeup.
Jo Malone makes some of the loveliest fragrances that I enjoyed for years. I gave them up when I committed to going cruelty-free so I was thrilled to discover her cruelty-free line last year. I bought the Orange Butterflies to take on my summer travels.
The Fragrance Paintbrush is a travel-friendly gel formula in a refillable brush that comes with 2 cartridges of the scent. I used one up last summer and when it got very hot yesterday, I replaced the cartridge. She describes it as a sweet-sharp fragrance that reminds her of the south of France. I just love it.
Outfit Of the week
Our look at casual dresses last week has me on the hunt. I discovered this 100% cotton gauze dress that is on its way to me in petite. It comes with a rope belt that I may or may not use because it’s much more streamlined than most of the dresses I see these days.
Silver jewelry and taupe-colored accessories keep this cool-toned pallet soft and easy to wear. Taupe is a wonderful neutral all year round, but especially nice in the summer. The hammered cuff bracelet is by Robert Lee Morris and is amazingly priced. I can not tell a lie, the Gentle Souls sandals are also on their way. OK, guilty as charged…I want this entire outfit.
Are you a one fragrance woman?
Thanks for reading ladies and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Do like the gauze dress, sandals & bracelet.
My signature perfume is Pleasures by Estee
It is a clean fresh sent that I love.
I’ve had a signature fragrance since I was in high school. It just seemed like a good idea to me back then, and still does. I’ve only regularly worn 4 fragrances in my lifetime, and I’m in my 7th decade. For the past decade, I’ve worn Gucci Guilty. I guess you would call it a heavy scent, so these days I only make a quick spray on my neck so you have to be really close to me to smell it. I never leave my house without it.
Regarding earrings, I wore heavy earrings throughout the 80’s and 90’s while spending a lot of time talking on the phone, and actually ripped my earlobes until I wouldn’t wear post earrings. Years ago, I had a plastic surgeon sew the holes shut and re-pierce my ears. So glad I did.
I enjoy reading your post every day. Thank you!
Many ladies have torn their ears and don’t realize they can be easily repaired. Thanks for sharing
I am going to try the Orange Butterflies scent, Jennifer. Thanks for the recommendation! I really like to support Jo Malone as a person because I read her autobiography a few years ago and it was fascinating. She was extremely successful with her Jo Malone line of perfumes, but then sold her company, I believe to Estee Lauder, when she was going through an extremely difficult battle with breast cancer and a hard period of her life. She regretted that decision later, but in her typical fashion persevered and started another company, her Jo Loves line of perfumes. She is a person I admire for her business sense and her “nose” that, in my opinion, has created some of the very best perfumes out there.
I had no idea about her history. I’m going to look for her autobiography. She sounds like an amazing woman.
Many helpful comments here. Thanks for reminding me about Cashmere Mist
by Donna Karan. Iāve stopped wearing fragrance because of all the places it is verboten but miss it a lot.
Love this teal dress but it would require Spanx for me even though Iām slim.
And I do like pockets.
Love the dress! I too am allergic to strong scents and sparingly use a lotion if available.
That summer dress is perfect! No puffy sleeves and tiers. You will look great in it.
I will check out Jo Malone’s scents.
Thanks for the post!
I am loyal to Donna Karan Cashmere Mist. It is light and a fragrance that others find appealing , since I often am complimented on it , interestingly mostly by men! Unfortunately, they no longer sell the little travel size, but I can fill a small sprayer with some myself, which will last a couple of weeks. Reps will often find a trial size when I go to my local Shoppers Drug Mart here in Canada. I save my points to use so my fragrance is free! Done so for years. Otherwise, on Seniors Day, all regular prices are 20% off, which is also helpful.
I watch for the sets on sale, at the predictable times of the year, as there might be a small spray size in the collection.
Apart from the eau de toilette, my absolute favourite is the roll on deodorant . Never go back !ā¦ this is such a good product. Again, if I watch the promotional collections, there is often a small travel size included which will last a couple of weeks away.
There was a Jo Malone store on George Street in Edinburgh , when I was visiting in early May. Wish I had the time to step in, especially to discover Orange Butterflies, the scent you find appealing, Jennifer. Too busy shopping at White Stuff and Joules to find unique summer linens thereā¦ all in my soft autumn palette. The dress you show is a colour that suits me too. Just need to keep my MasterCard firmly tethered to my wallet for now!
I have been wearing Samsara by Guerlain for 30+years but it is hard to find. Still my favorite but may have to make a change.
Try ādiscounted perfume storesā online. They carry things long after they have been out of production.
I try to keep my fragrance-wearing to a minimum. My sister has terrible reactions to overly-strong fragrance so I know how debilitating that can be. I prefer to wear body lotion as opposed to a spray as it seems to be most cost effective. After years (and I mean years!!!) of searching for fragrance I liked, I now wear Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle. It is soft and powdery and lovely. I discovered by accident when I was walking behind a woman who was wearing it … I don’t believe she overdid it, though, I think the breeze carried it behind her. I kindly asked her what she wearing and it’s been my fragrance ever since.
I love Coco Mademoiselle and wore it for many years. So pretty and sophisticated.
I used to be a one fragrance women (Chanel No.5) but Iāve been experimenting with others. Recently, I started wearing Women by Ralph Lauren. Itās my new favourite scent. I donāt wear scents as often and never to doctors, dentists, gyms, etc. Many people are allergic or simply bothered by scents, so I respect that. When Iām going shopping and lunch with a friend or out in the evening with my husband, I do wear perfume. It makes me feel feminine. I spray it in the air and walk through it so it is not applied too heavily. After all, it for myself or my husband not the whole room.
Iāve never tried Jo Malone.
Great point! I donāt want to leave a trail of fragrance. I wear it for me.
Hi, as someone with severe asthma and allergies, I always wish that people would not wear perfume or cologne. Itās a trigger for both asthma and migraines for me. š
I canāt respond to Terry so Iāll post to you. I also have asthma and allergies but do not expect others to forego that which gives them pleasure. I move to another table or chair, even at the theatre. I canāt have most flowers in my house and never scented candles. I wish I could! I have had to ask my host to blow out the scented candles, as my eyes weep and nose runs. Itās obvious to all not just myself. I always feel bad. I can apply scent sparingly, that which both my husband I enjoy. Expecting everyone to forgo that which makes them feels womanly, feel special, feel sexy, is asking too much.
Youāre a very gracious lady, Joanna. Lovely!
Really like your outfit of the week. I’ve been hearing about Jo Malone lately. I want to try it. I used to wear Eternity but now I’ve been wearing Burberry. My friend was very sensitive to fragrance so I try not to wear too much.
Many people are sensitive so I donāt apply it if Iām going to appointments etc.
Jennifer, the Orange Butterflies perfume sounds wonderful! Does it last on you? So often I find perfumes fade on me after 20 minutes or so.
This lasts all day in me. Not sure if itās because of the gel formula or the scent, but yes it does.
A few years ago, I had a slight addiction to Jo Malone fragrances. They never seemed heavy and the scents soothed me (I have to admit that sometimes I put them on before bed so I would have good dreams). I like the citrus scents more than the floral as you don’t notice those as much. So I am trying the Jo Love scents! Thanks, I guess.
Lol, Iāve been known to put some on before bed too š„°
I wear one – the original Chanel No. 5. Nothing else and not much of it- only evening if going out pretty much. So many places here(like doctors dentist offices) ask that you donāt wear fragrance so I donāt. Habit now / rarely wear during the day. I would like to try this Jo Malone youāre showing if itās truly light?
Me, too. Chanel No 5 everyday!
Itās not a light fragrance, but fresh.
In the “I don’t like to be negative” spirit, I want to second the comment about fragrances. I am very sensitive to smells and strong scents can make my physically ill – and women of a certain age may use too much. I like the muted shades of the ensemble. The one thing I wouldn’t wear at this time of year is a cuff: I find them tricky at all times but too tight at this time of year.
Jo Malone Red Roses is my signature fragrance. A true rose smell. I have received many compliments.
I used to wear that too. Glorious fragrance!!
Jenifer, I enjoy your blog so much!!
I want this dress……..but I have discovered that J.Jill’s e-commerce
site is unavailable to me as I reside in Scotland. So disappointed!
How simply gorgeous is your featured outfit today! The soft taupe accessories and the basic lines of the cool gauze dress just say hello to summer!
I donāt have a signature fragrance but love all scents that are fresh and clean. I have several scented lotions that donāt seem to leave a heavy fragrance. How fun does an Orange Butterflies scent sound! I am checking out the Jo Malone line of products.
My flower pots are done, now to finish staining the deck! Yikes!
You are busy, Jan! Itās be gorgeous when youāre finished.
Jennifer,
As to yesterdays post RE: fabric shaver vs. gleener. Do you use both or do you prefer one product over the other and can these products be used on any sweater, cashmere or not ?
I use both depending on how pilled the sweater is. A shaver is easier to use on thin knits, and yes I use them on all my wool and cashmere.
Jennifer,
I am a Chanel No. 5 girl after trying different fragrances over the years. But I donāt wear perfume very much, especially in the hot summer. After using several hairsprays, it can be a bit much. I also try to buy everything without a scent if possible, especially with my laundry. Now, the dress and accessories. I love the teal blue color and style of the dress. I would buy everything and I know it will look good on youš
I wore that one for years! Itās so pretty.
I hesitated to comment because I donāt like being negative, but to me, wearing a strong fragrance conveys āmatronlyā. Too many women, especially older ones like me, apply fragrance way too heavily so that instead of being pleasant to those around them, it becomes cloying. A light, youthful and refreshing scent is appreciated, especially if you wear it when close to others, like at work, out to dinner, or to church or a performance.
I will have to check out this one for sure.
I also love the teal dress with taupe accessories. And that brings up a shoe question. Can cork soles go to a ā cocktail attireā wedding? I have a pretty teal lace halter dress (Ann Taylor via thredup.com) Looking for dressy sandals and wondering if dressy cork is an oxymoron.
Thatās a tough one because I know how comfy they are. I would say no. Cocktail attire bumps the formality up beyond cork for me.
Please never hesitate to comment here, Elizabeth. I welcome a polite exchange of ideas which is how we all learn and grow. I agree, some heavy handed fragrances are cloying and seem aging!