Blown away

When Balenciaga wrote to me to tell me they enjoyed reading my blog, I actually snorted my green tea out in shock. Then what followed was a dialogue along the lines of Elvis's Suspicious Minds, all on my part of course. After years of D list courting (no offence but it is true) suddenly it was a shock to find the A list muscling in. After my initial scepticism, the glow of internal demons raised their ugly heads and eventually the bad voice won! I was hardly bargaining directly with Nicholas Ghesquiere, but my love of Christobel Balenciaga was too much temptation to resist.

Let's not forget Balenciaga was self taught and Oscar de la Renta, Andre Courreges, Emanuel Ungero and Givenchy all worked as designers for him. The V&A published a wonderful book on his work.

The moment I crumbled to the seduction of a big house, I thought I would ease my conscience by giving away the perfume spray winging its way over from Paris as a Christmas present.

Of course I was surprised by not one but two perfume bottles. One, the traditional Balenciaga Paris perfume bottle, the other the new modern purse spray.







Then I couldn't resist a cheeky spray from the perfume bottle and I was completely shocked ...actually blown away. I have spent the last seven years trying to find a scent I loved. I cannot list the many I've gone through to know avail. It is mainly because I have an aversion to patchouli which is a good note but is usually too over powering for my taste. I also love a deep woody smell which means I mainly 'borrow' Mr MDS's selction as men's cologne tends to have more depth. I thoroughly enjoyed Paul Smith's Rose which was given to me and I'll get another one for when I have a rose moment. But from now on Balenciaga Paris is my scent. I love it. It is perfect. What delighted me the most was the smell of violet. When I've got a few spare pence I treat myself to Diptyque's Violette candle when it is in stock, it is hard to get.

Now I can spray and smell violet everyday. But that isn't the full story to this perfume. After a while the heady but light smell of violet subsides and you get a really woody or some would say earthy note (I have no technical perfume knowledge) which is my second favourite aspect of any perfume. The perfume spray is for the handbag as you do need a top up it up, as the fragrance is so subtle. The modern design of the spray is to compliment Balenciaga's recent show. It is typical of Ghesquiere's balance of the old and the new. The weight of the spray is quite heavy but it adds a comforting weight to the handbag and is probably a useful self defence weapon too. Guess what the thought of Christmas present generosity has taken a taxi.

Valentine Perfume

Now you've got a good few days to think up wish lists and drop hints if amoured or buy yourself your own love token if single. I always did - what's not to love about yourself!

Much as I think Valentines day is too commercial and overrated, I do enjoy the potential present and a bit of romance. I have a little box with Mr MDS's little offerings over the year which have all been tres delightful. But I do remember the funniest Valentine's I spent was with a girl friend. We decided to go out for some food and had completely forgotten it was Valentine's night. Tried as we might we got turned away from all eateries including Pizza Express; to whom I pointed out that the late table for two was a couple who'd argue and they'd be a no show. Nope, it didn't work. Finally we settled on MacDonalds and couldn't stop laughing especially as the service was the worst imaginable from a poor grunty spotty youth. It's the last time I ate there, as at night the lights are too bright and not as flattering as candlelight - okay eating at McDonalds is a bit of an oxymoron and it isn't on my top ten list!

I've picked two romantic perfumes Paul Smith Rose and Jo Malone Red Roses (of which I have one courtesy of Paul Smith - they messed up on a suit for Mr MDS once and as a sorry gave me some perfume, clever boys!). Both are utterly delightful and are quite nostalgic smells - I think Roses conjure a pastiche of life, hence rose tinted spectacles no doubt!