Friday, July 30, 2010

A Few of My Favorite Things.



Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Bright copper kettles and Viva La Juicy...


Quick..before I change my mind about them...I wanted to kindly share a few of my favorite things with you.
When I say "change my mind" I am admitting to the slight degree of "fickleness" that has always plagued me.
But, a girl's got the right to change her mind...doesn't she?
So I thought I'd tell you about my NEW favorite fragrance.
I am not a big perfume girl.

That being said, I can't be held responsible for the copious amounts of Sand and Sable I bathed in as a junior higher.
Because, that was junior high...no one is rational in junior high...right?

For the most part, I've always used testers.  If I do, indeed, buy a bottle of perfume..it is always the tiniest bottle possible.
I never spend more then $15.00.
And I always practice the "spray in the air and walk through" method of perfume application.


Well, enter VIVA LA JUICY by Juicy Couture. 
Recently, I took a little detour on a family trip to the mall. 
My bottle of BCBGirls was nearing 5 years old and I thought I...and my family and friends... could benefit from a new scent!!
According to one friend, I smelled like celery.
And I'm quite sure that wasn't a compliment.
I'm pretty sure that perfume has a "shelf life" and my perfumes are most likely "dead".


The first thing that enticed me about this perfume was it's cute little package.
Yes..I often judge a book by it's cover and so it goes with perfume.
I did my usual squirting the air and waving my arm through the mist.
And then...upon first sniff...it was as if I had died and gone to perfume heaven.
My olfactory nerves were delighted.
It was love at first sniff.
I quickly squirted it directly on my wrist. 
If smelling like a fruity, tropical breeze was wrong..then I didn't want to be right.
Later that evening, while sitting in the play land of the mall, watching our children ricochet off the foam play structures, I thrust my wrist into D-man's face and kindly ordered him to take a whiff.
Enough said.
He literally jumped up...and sprinted to the place where he could make me the proud owner of my own bottle of Viva La Juicy.
Apparently it was love at first sniff for him, too.
This is a true story, in case you were wondering.


The description of this delectable scent is as follows:


The perfume Viva la Juicy was presented as a gourmet floral fragrance, which opens with notes of wild berries and juicy mandarin. The heart encompasses a floral blend of honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine, while the base notes await us with a gourmet rhapsody of amber, caramel, vanilla, sandalwood and pralines.


While I disagree with the "heart" of the scent (I'm not a fan of gardenia and jasmine), the rest of the description is right on!
I seriously can't wait to squirt this delicious "gourmet rhapsody" on each morning.
It's sweet but not sickly sweet.
More of a "creamy sweet"  and who doesn't want to smell creamy?
I wish they made it in a mouthwash...because I'm often tempted to spray a little in my mouth.
It smells Just.That.Good.
And I'm thinking the caramel, vanilla, and pralines notes are what made D-man a believer.
He can't get enough of me!
For real!
I once heard of a test study on perfume scents that men favor.
Out of all the perfumes tested...cinnamon bun came out on top.
So, if you smell like food....I guess you'll be in like Flynn with the men folk!


So, thank you, Juicy Couture!
I will wholeheartedly shout from the mountain tops.
VIVA LA JUICY!
..until I get tired of you, that is...


favorite things 3



Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and Maui Babe Lotion....

This next bottle of brownie goodness, is something that I only recently discovered.
I am not much of a sun worshiper.
After years of living in Texas and frying my poor skin all summer long, I am now paying the price with lots of blotchy freckles.

If I may interject another "junior high" moment.
A very large poster graced the locker room door.
On it, sat a deeply tanned, gorgeous women in a white bathing suit, sprawled out on a sandy beach.
Underneath this lovely lady, plastered in very large bold print were the words..

FRY NOW...PAY LATER

We'd always snicker and say..."We'll pay later if we can look like that now!" 
Again, proving the point that in junior high your brain cells are still undergoing maturation.
I'm thinking a before and after picture may have been in order.

I do seek out the shade more often these days.
However, we do spend countless hours at the lake and by our pool.
What I love about the Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion is that it goes on brown.
Now, don't misunderstand. 
This is not a fake tanning lotion or a stain.
It is tinted.
So, being a sneaky little trickster, I apply it over my sunscreen. 
It gives my skin a healthy glow and gives the "illusion" of a tan.
And get this...it is made with real Kona coffee plant extract.
When first applied, the aroma of coffee lingers in the air.
I enjoy smelling like a coffee bean, if only momentarily.

favorite things2


When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my raspberry freezer jam
And then I don't feel so bad.

We pick these little berries every year.
I'm not a huge fan of plain raspberries, but throw in one two four cups of sugar and a pack of Sure-jell and the transformation is delectable.
Toast+butter+raspberry freezer jam= True Love Always.
2 Good.
2 Be.
4 Gotten.
And...it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Right through the winter months.
favorite things

So there you have it.
From my heart to yours.
Three of my favorite things...this month!

Finally, we are off on another week long camping adventure. And I just might bring my Viva La Juicy with me. I won't be able to post but I will have my trusty phone on which I can "dabble". I hope you all have a lovely, awe inspiring week.

p.s. I have not been paid, or given any free product for these reviews.  In case you were wondering if my gushing opinions were skewed.


SEE YA IN AWHILE!

40 comments:

Seizing My Day said...

I only ever buy those tiny bottles of perfume too... and they last me YEARS! ;) he he!! I might just venture out to the big bad mall and smell your new scent!! ;)

just got back from a week of camping... and my body hurts... I am not in junior high anymore either! so not fair that I can't sleep on the ground anymore without payin for it later!! (how rude) ;)

(ahem)

Enjoy your week outdoors!! we almost cooked pancakes outside this morning... just because we kinda miss it!! ;)

S.I.F. said...

OK, I am the WORST when it comes to scents (and also have a bottle of BCBG that must be at least 5 years old (if not older... I feel like I bought it when I was just starting college!). I tend to gravitate more towards fruity body sprays now, because I feel like they aren't much of a scent commitment, but they still leave me feeling like at least I tried... but now? I think I might have to run out tomorrow and try to find this divine new scent you are describing! :)

And I have friends who swear by Maui Babe... it's kind of a big deal up here in Alaska!

He & Me + 3 said...

Oh girl you are too funny.
2 good
2 be
4 forgotten. LOL
That jam does look good. I think you should do a giveaway and give that to me. Just email me if you need my address. :)
I am not a perfume wearer...well not really. I wear Victoria's secret Love Spell...the whole line.. Shower gel, body lotion, splash and then the perfume. can't smell it for long after you apply.
Maybe I should try your perfume.
Love the pictures.
Have a great time on your trip!

Jenilee said...

i am not a perfume girl either but that sounds interesting! glad you found one that you like! and that jam looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful camping trip! I really wish you lived closer! You don't let the grass grow under your feet any longer than I do!

I'm not much of a perfume person either. But I love Bobbi Brown's Beach.
I may have to try your new scent.

I use sunscreen religiously now. But stay out so much that I'm still going to look like leather by age 50. I do think people look healthier with a tan though. What kinda crazy thinking is that?
I need to put up some raspberry jam! When your vacation is all done, I'd love your recipe for freezer jam. I've never done jam in the freezer! Sounds exciting!

Liz said...

Juicy, eh? Do you have a pink track suit to go with it?

I could really use that braonzing stuff though. Like today. Cuz I have a wedding, and pastey legs with giant mosquito bites all over them.

Jami said...

I tried the sure-jel jam thing. It turned out soooo good that the kids pulled it all out of the freezer and ate it all! So much for storing up for winter. I need to get a lock on my freezer! And now I will be obsessed with finding the perfume and the tanning stuff because I'm like that. And I am addicted to good smelling stuff! Have a great weekend in the woods.

Katharine said...

Have I told you yet how much I enjoy having coffee with your posts! Please keep re-visiting those junior high memories...it will help immensly when your kids get there, trust me:) Have a wonderful time away!

Katharine said...

I forgot to ask... if I was wanting to sniff Viva La Juicy... where would I do that?

Bethany said...

I love it! Love! Does that browning lotion rub off on stuff and stain?

I need jam now. Perfect timing - breakfast awaits. :)

Have fun camping!

Leanne said...

YEA!!! Viva la Julie!! ;) Love the post of favorites - so good to see a peek into what makes you happy! (I've never smelled Viva La Juicy - but the title makes me giggle, so I'll have to find it and give it a try!) Hope you have a great week camping (you are so brave - I am not a camper. My idea of camping is motels with outside doors! My husband would love if I would camp ... me, not so much! I mean, the whole potty thing and bugs and the heat and the ... ok, enough - I wish you LOTS of FUN!) ;)

Amy J said...

oooo...that scent sounds great! Where in Texas did you live? I'm from Dallas, and then went to college and spent years in Lubbock. Just curious. Love hearing about some of your favorite things!

Love Letters To China said...

The way you describe Viva La Juicy makes me want to run out to Sephora and take a whiff. I stopped wearing perfume when I became pregnant with my daughter 8 yrs ago. I never really wore it again. I'm not quite sure why...

I too have those horrendous blotchy freckles that you describe. I was definitely one of those fools that applied baby oil with iodine (or Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee) on my skin as I laid out on an aluminum foil type reflecting blanket. What was I thinking???? My skin has paid the price big time. I might just have to find a bottle of the Maui Babe and give it a try.

Hope you have a blast on your camping trip! Sounds like fun.

Rachel said...

OY! I want to smell like Viva La Juicy and Kona coffee! I'm sure my husband would quickly escort me to a sales location if it meant I would no longer smell like dishsoap and Febreeze(you know... for something that takes the smell OUT of stuff, Febreeze has its own smell too... *odd my dear Watson!*)

Thanks for sharing... now I need to shop :)

Unknown said...

Oh sweet Sound o Music!!!
You make me laugh! Looking forward to your camping photos, have a great time!

Sherri said...

Oh, I love these favorite things! I am fickle too, so I get that yours might change, since mine do too.

I'm the same way with perfume (oh, I guess I mean FRAGRANCE) and just stick with the same thing for years. Until I smell like cat pee. I am taking my daughter to Ulta today to pick out her first mascara (aghh!!) and will have to smell the Juicy....and yes, you should take it camping!

Dana said...

We are such a Maui babe family...I guess living in the Northwest we will try anything :-)
glad to see you back...even if its for a day

TheFitHousewife said...

That perfume sounds delightful! Don't you just love perfume descriptions...it's like poetry! I may have to try that one...I haven't worn perfume since Caleb was born!

I wouldn't have guessed that bronzer is, well, bronzer! It looks like a cleaning product bottle! I wonder if I can get that up here in the Great White North?? This pasty white skin is, well, pasty!

Ohhh...I so want to learn to make raspberry jam. We go through jam like there's no tomorrow.

Kate said...

If smelling like a fruity, tropical breeze was wrong..then I didn't want to be right.

HAHAHAHAAAA!

Oh my word. I do like you.

Brianne said...

OMG LOVE your take on the song! ^_^

Thanks for sharing your faves, I always like to know what other people love so I know what to check out myself! {I've always loved Juicy Couture, but I don't think I've smelled Viva La Juicy, can't wait to hunt it down!}

Mommy2Four said...

That Jam looks AMAZING...

and maybe I'll have to go check that scent out. My DKNY Be Delicious is so old, we're gonna have to use carbon dating to find out what Christmas I actually received it as a gift......

Shannon K. said...

Weird. Now I want to go watch The Sound of Music, and I am pretty sure that wasn't the intended purpose of your post.

I am a spray and walk thru kinda girl too. If and when I even wear perfume. I really have to go smell that stuff now. If it's half as good as you describe maybe it's time for me to switch it up too. The last time I splurged on perfume was at least 5 years ago. Hmmm. Wonder if I am smelling like celery. ??

Jennie said...

Oh. My. Goodness. I just LOVE that picture of your lovely little pouring raspberry jam into a jar. That is awesome. What a sweet helper (and a sweet treat!).

Hannah said...

That lotion looks pretty cool. I used to use a bronze sparkly (more like glowingly not teen sparkle!)

I've never tried raspberry freezer jam! I adore strawberry freezer jam! It's so much better than regular jam. It tastes so fresh...Is the Raspberry like that??

Tanya said...

Ooh...love your fave things! Have a great time on your camping trip!

Manda said...

Oh boy I'm a tad envious after your description of Viva La Juicy... totally need to find me a bottle (even just to smell this goodness).
Wow, honestly... they need to hire YOU to sell it!
SOLD!!!

Natalie said...

Have I mentioned I love you more and more everytime I come over here? I just found a way to smell good AND look tan! Awesomeness, right?!

And your Sand and Sable reference had me laughing out loud. Cuz that was me, too....

Alexandra said...

The jam has me licking my lips for some farmer's market visits! Thank heavens we have one here tomorrow...thank you for the lusciousness of it all!

Jb said...

They certainly ought to pay you for that rave review! I don't like perfume...I always think it smells a little chemically. But after reading your review, I am very curious to go have a whiff next time I am near a perfume counter!

Tracy said...

Can't wait to try your recommendations and look forward to seeing you back online!!

Carrie said...

You know, I've never even heard of this brand until the other day?!

My sister just got some of their perfume for her b-day ... I'll need to go visit her and take a sniff! ;)

The Iowa Farmer's Wife said...

Hey Julie! Yummmmm raspberries! And holy cow that's a lot of sugar! :D Stopping by to say have fun camping and that I have an award for you on my blog!

Seizing My Day said...

Knock, Knock...

Hello? ;)

are ya coming back or did you pack up and leave us for good? that would be sad... just in case you were wondering! ;) Hope you are just insanely busy enjoying the last few weeks of summa......

Leanne said...

Yea!!! You're home!!! I so missed your smiling face while you were out there ... in the wilderness ... did you really camp this whole time? (Did I ever tell you - I'm 'not' a camper??) You are my hero!!!! Now take a shower, and post some pics!!!! ;)

Heather said...

That freezer jam looks soooo good!!!

Anonymous said...

It all looks great - the freezer jam and the perfume! My fav perfume is Angel - smells like chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla! It's my mama perfume! Hope you are doing well!

Chris said...

Ha! Love these 'reviews'!

The browning tanning lotion sounds very interesting....I, too, have been in the sun waaaaaaaaaaaay to long....and also have big, blotchy freckles.

Hope you had a fun week of camping!

:0

Leanne said...

Ok - so I went to my local Kohl's store today, because I thought I saw online that they sell this VIVA LA JUICY stuff, and I wanted to see what it was all about - except, I couldn't remember the NAME of it from your blog. So I kept asking the lady at the counter if they sold the JUICE perfume, and she looked at me like I had 2 heads (which happens to me often.) So, now I have written down the name of this VIVA LA JUICEY stuff and will be heading to a DIFFERENT Kohl's later in the week! Just wanted you know! ;)

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

I've never worn perfume, but I'm in love with that jam. I wish I had some!

KLZ said...

The bottle can often make or break the perfume. I concur.

Related Posts with Thumbnails