Fragrant Friday - Adidas Originals by Jeremy Scott

Adidas Originals by Jeremy Scott - 75ml EDT - $90 - defies expectations with a unisex formula that contrasts masculine and feminine. The fragrance opens with feminine notes of rose and Calabrian bergamot followed by more masculine accords of white pepper, incense and cashmere.

As I find with all unisex fragrances - it smells much more masculine to me but women who like a not-to-girly scent will probably appreciate it. If nothing else you have to love the fun bottle - a play on the iconic ‘Jeremy Scott Wings’ high-top trainer from the Adidas Originals collection.

Available now exclusively at Hudson's Bay.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Adidas Get Ready!

Just in time for FIFA World Cup 2014 and inspired by the colourful way of life in Brazil comes a duo of products for both men and women:

Adidas Get Ready! for Women - 50ml EDT - $21.99, 400ml Shower Gel - $5.99 - with top noes of juicy watermelon, succulent grenadine fizz and tingling Brazilian orange; heart notes of elegant water lily and sweet sugar cane; and base notes of musk and cedar wood embraced by a warm amber scent for a sensuous, lingering redolence.

Adidas Get Ready! for Men - 50ml EDT - $21.99, 400ml Shower Gel - $5.99 - representing Brazilian colours with top notes of green mandarin, yellow tropical pineapple and blue sea wave accord; heart notes of tropical fruit scents, clary sage and fresh lavender; and base notes of vibrant cedar, intense sandalwood and virile patchouli.

The fragrances are available now at mass and drug retailers across Canada while the shower gel will be available exclusively at Walmart.

- Lisamarie -

Frugal Fragrance finds from - mark., Playboy, The Body Shop, and Adidas!

I love a challenge so when a friend of mine was lamenting the fact that she had been invited to a Fragrance Shower (what a great idea!) and had to bring a fragrance gift that was $20 minimum not to exceed $25 - I was sure that I would be able to knock this one out easy!  It wasn't as easy as I would have thought as I gave myself some strict rules - keeping in the spirit of the guidelines it couldn't be from the $19.99 fragrance shelf at Shoppers, the regular price had to be under $25 and it couldn't be bath products, it had to be a fragrance!  What did I learn? Well, that there are a LOT of cheap, stinky fragrances out there but also that there are some real winners at very affordable prices!  Here are my favourites:

mark. White Vetiver Fragrance Mist - 50ml - $25 - with top notes of black plum and sparkling mandarin; heart notes of tuberose noir and white jasmine; and base notes of Haitian vetiver and patchouli - for the girl who loves to embrace what's different and daring.
 Available from your Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

Playboy Fragrances - 30ml - $25 - for the girl who is a little saucy, adventurous and naughty...

Play It Lovely is a fresh, fruity floral with top notes of zesty citrus, ripe blackberry and juicy pear; a heart of cherry baby orchid, belle de nuit and tuberose; and a warm, sensual base of amber, patchouli and tonka bean.

Play It Sexy is a sexy oriental with top notes pink grapefruit, mandarin and a spicy hint of pink pepper; a heart of jasmine teas, osmanthus and liquorish; and a rich seductive base of vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood and tonka bean.

Play It Spicy is a sparkling floriental with top notes of pomegranate, bellini cocktail and pink berries; a heart of elegant tiger lily, passionflower and heliotrope; and a rich mellow base of amber, sandalwood and vanilla essence.

The Body Shop Midnight Bakula - 50ml - $25 - a white floral with notes of juicy nectarine, delicate rose and patchouli and contains Community Trade alcohol made from organically-grown sugarcane from Ecuador.
For the girl who is a little mysterious, exotic and loves adventure.

Adidas Free Emotion - 50ml - $21.99 - a floral oriental with top notes of lemon, Canadian apples (what makes a Canadian apple different from other apples? just wondering...), black currant and raspberry;  heart notes of freesia, delicate rose petals and subtle aromas of fresh lily, hibiscus, banana and African green melon; and base notes of cedar, cotton and musk. For the girl who is sporty, fun and energetic.

Who am I missing - can anyone suggest any other great fragrances for under $25?

- Lisamarie -

How to make your man smell good on a budget - McGraw, Avon and Adidas!

I, as do most of us, have that male friend/relative that get very upset at the price of men's grooming products - they don't seem to understand or appreciate how much less they already cost then women's stuff and if they had their way, they would use a bar of discount soap and a disposable razor!  Not only will they not spend their money on cologne but when they find out the price of some of them, they will refuse to accept those as a gift even!  For this reason, I like to make a point of keeping up to date on new men's fragrances that smell great and are affordable - here are three new ones that are easy on your nose and your wallet!

McGraw Silver - 30ml - $27 - top notes:  watery aromatic and green leaves, heart notes: sequoia wood, lavender  and orange flower, base  notes: vetyver, musk, sandalwood and saffron.

Avon U by Ungaro Fever for Him EDT - 75ml - $32 - layers fiery spices and luxurious woods for a rich, spicy and confident scent.  Available from your Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

Adidas Moves Pulse Him - 30ml - $27 - the new version of the sporty original Adidas Moves - includes notes of yuzu leaves, water mint, coriander, violet leaves and sundrenched woods.

Is there a downside to less expensive fragrances?  Sure, they tend not to last as long - but not having to listen to someone whine, but this costs tooooooo much money - priceless!

- Lisamarie -