The first of the Christmas gift ideas...

...and it's one of my favourites.   PERFUME. 

I have been obsessed with fragrance since the heady days of discovering Poison at the tender age of 17 (seriously was there a more inappropriate perfume to wear at that age?!).   Not just interested - obsessed.  I think it's the most evocative thing to mark an occasion, it can lift my mood, it can make me feel sick (looking at you Shalimar and Eden).  

I remember so many different occasions in my life by the fragrance I was wearing at the time.  Right back to my Sixth Form Ball (hello Obsession) and my first kiss at slightly younger (good old Anais Anais).

Skincare and makeup, I've obviously always used and have only recently appreciated how addictive is be - I think that has something to do with age and seeing the difference products can make as well as now being exposed to so many new brands and products. 

But fragrance has been something I have waxed lyrical about for years. 

And something I love, LOVE to get for Christmas.  It also makes a great gift for all the lovely ladies in your life.  Saying that - I think all of these are in fact unisex.  So you can buy your husband one and then "borrow" it.  Genius!

The only thing is that it's the most personal thing.  BUT it does help if you know the sort of fragrance that someone likes.  Or maybe you would like to branch out to something slightly different. 

So today I thought I'd do a list of my personal favourites.  Some of these I have mentioned before (that's because they're my faves) but some are new.  

Starting with one that I have mentioned before but I've now explored some others in the brand.  The fragrance house Atelier Cologne.  First up, yes you can order this online but, if you can, it is worth going into a retailer that stocks it.  You can definitely now buy it at House of Fraser (which is where I went - they have a new specialist counter at the branch on Oxford Street), Sefridges, Harvey Nichols and a stand alone shop in Covent Garden. 

I was invited into House of Fraser for a fragrance pairing experience - which anyone can go and do for free.  If you then buy any 200ml, you will get a 30ml of any fragrance free with an engraved leather case.  The smaller bottles are refillable (and you are able to decant from the larger bottles - the atomiser is removable which is ACE) so you can have the same fragrance - or you can choose another. 

I was already a huge fan of the brand and had bought a couple of months ago, the 200ml of the Trefle Pur.  The PR who invited me for a fragrance pairing couldn't believe that I already knew the brand and had bought one of their perfumes.  It is fairly niche and not many people have heard of it.

Atelier Cologne Trefle Pur £145 for 200ml, or £100 for 100ml

They very kindly gave me a 30ml handbag version (I have absolutely no other affiliation with the brand - I am just a HUGE fan and rate them highly) to go with it which means I haven't got to lug around the 200ml bottle anymore.  As presents go, this is such a great option - only problem is that I can't see how you can order it online... ARRGGHHH.  I will check to see if you can call and have it delivered from a counter. 

So what fragrances DO I actually like?  Well the Trefle Pur is a very clean, fresh, unisex fragrance.  Incredibly individual although a couple of friends have said it does remind them of another scent I have (Jean Marie Farina - worn for years - coming shortly).  

Which is the sort of scent that I usually like.  Androgynous, fresh with tones of either fig, citrus or neroli to ring the changes.  But mostly Citrus which is what I'm all about today.

First up - a fragrance I found in a tiny boutique near the Ham Yard Hotel in London.  This is incredible.  If you like Tom Ford Neroli Portofino - THIS is better.

Santa Eulalia Citric Eau de Parfum 75ml £98



Another one which is on my list (and it takes a lot to make it onto my list..) - and keeping it in the citrus family is from Jo Malone's new range.   Fresh grapefruit combined with a hint of warmth and light floral.

Jo Loves Pomelo from Net A Porter 50ml £70 




I say it all the time but whilst we're on the subject of Jo Malone - for me, the original and the best which I always have a bottle of and have done for the past 15 years is the Lime Basil and Mandarin.

Lime Basil & Mandarin from Jo Malone £90 for 100ml





Unisex again (although they do men's and women's bottles.. this is the female one) and I first bought this fragrance sixteen years ago.  Full on lemon loveliness.  A true fresh, crisp perfume of perfection.

Annick Goutal Eau D'Hadrian 50 ml Eau de Parfum £84

Or 100ml Eau de Toilette for £90





The citrus obsession continues with the most perfect every day floral.  The scent I talk about all the time as I wear it so so often.  I have the perfect 40ml size in my handbag (although I have just run out) - plastic bottle - looks ever so slightly like a miniature.... although the 80ml is also handy to have (seeing as I do spray it fairly liberally - it's definitely not an Eau De Parfum).

Agua de Colonia Concentrada 40ml £8.95




Or a great way to give it as a gift is to start with the travel set for £26.95 which includes a 100ml bottle of fragrance.




And then finishing with another more reasonably priced fragrance that again I've worn for years.   A citrus undertone but a much warmer, spicier finish.

Jean Marie Farina Eau de Cologne 100ml £39.95



Citrus fragrances done.  Yell if you have another one that you know of that you love.  I'm sure there are a couple that I haven't mentioned (I didn't put down the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino as frankly we need to sell a kidney to buy 50ml but I do LOVE it).  One I know other people adore that I can't quite fall in love with is Citron Citron by Miller Harris.  All other suggestions gratefully received.

And here I am today - in a slightly random outfit.  That I happened to feel very comfortable in.


Jumper - ASOS (ss17)
Jeans - Zara (aw16 sale)
Belt - Weekday at ASOS (ss17)
Boots - Seven Boot Lane (gift new in)
Trench coat  - Alexa Chung at M&S (aw17)
Scarf - Lily & Lionel (gift aw16)
Tools bag - Balenciaga (aw16)

Ok so where did Saturday go?  Don't the weekends just go too quickly at the minute?  I did the sum total of Christmas shopping for two presents today - count them and weep - TWO.  Both stocking filler types at that.  Must. Get. On. With. It!!