The Bookworm: These Violent Delights, by Chloe Gong.

In glittering Shanghai, a monster awakens...  

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in chaos.

Juliette Cai is the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law.

Roma Montagov is the prodigal son of her greatest rivals, the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. He is also Juliette's first love . . . and first betrayal.

When a deadly madness strikes gangsters on both sides, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, and a monster in the shadows. And as the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns - and grudges - aside and work together.

For if they can't stop this mayhem, there will be no city left to rule.

Too intense? [reviewing La Vie est Belle Intensément edp, by Lancome]

 Happiness is a vibration that lives within all of us. It’s fleeting, but intense. Quick, but strong. It’s here and now. Beating inside the new eau de parfum La Vie Est Belle Intensément. Live to the fullest here and now. Feel the happiness urgency in every moment.

The La Vie est Belle Intensément olfactive story is composed of a powerful and sensual heart brightened by a smile of delicious delicacies. The first Intense Red-Iris-Vanilla Accord exclusively created for Lancôme by one of France's leading perfumers, in an iconic perfume bottle.

I've mentioned a couple of times that La Vie est Belle is one of my favourite fragrances and that I've gone through multiple bottles over the years. After finishing my third or fourth bottle, I decided to switch things up a bit and try the flanker that was on offer at the time in Boots [it was a Christmas star gift & had an amazing almost‐£50 saving]. 

I wanted to hurry and get my review up whilst the huge money-off offer is still going to help people who are still looking for that special gift, so here we go...

Merry Christmas everyone xx

Was it born to rule over the other gourmand fragrances? [reviewing Princess edt, by Vera wang]

Dare to claim the princess in you...

Radiant and whimsical, Vera Wang Princess is a sheer, fruity floral – rich with vanilla and brimming with exotic flowers and succulent fruits. Princess is all about a new attitude. It’s about claiming something magical and mystical in your life. She is feminine and modern, always sophisticated and stylish and she has many unexpected, free-spirited characteristics. She has the magical, whimsical, youthful spirit that resides in all of us – regardless of age.

Princess is one of those fragrances that I have false memories about: I remember having my first bottle of Princess in the family house we lived in during my secondary school years & of me trying to get away with wearing the cap as a ring to school [they were very strict on no makeup or jewellery rules in those days]... even though I've found out that Princess wasn't released until 2006 - six years after I'd left school and we'd all long-sinced moved. It's weird how memories become jumbled like that, isn't it? I can also remember coming across a print ad for J.Lo Miami Glow whilst flipping through a magazine in the same childhood house and being excited about it - despite the fact that the original Glow wasn't released until 2002, and Miami Glow came along in 2005 - again, years after we'd moved.

I remember enjoying Princess enough to have had 2 smaller bottles over the years and like to think that I remember the fragrance pretty well, although finding out the release dates & therefore false memories of past favourites, has shaken my former confidence. Having seen that you can constantly find Princess on special offer & in outlet stores, as well as it being widely available online for under £25 [£18 for 100ml when I bought my latest bottle], I've become curious enough to buy a bottle to reintroduce myself to it and go back through time...

The Bookworm - Paris: The Memoir, by Paris Hilton [review/thoughts]

 PARIS: A MILLION MEANINGS IN A SINGLE NAME

Heiress. Party girl. Problem child. Selfie taker. Model. Reality star. Self-created.

The labels attached to Paris Hilton.

Founder. Entrepreneur. Pop Culture Maker. Innovator. Survivor. Activist. Daughter. Sister. Wife. Mother.

The roles Paris embraces as a fully realized woman.

Paris rose to prominence as an heiress to the Hilton hotel empire but cultivated her fame and fortune as the IT Girl of the aughts, a time marked by the burgeoning 24-hour entertainment news cycle and the advent of the celebrity blog. Using her celebrity brand, Paris set in motion her innovative business ventures, while being the constant target of tabloid culture that dismissively wrote her off as “famous for being famous.” With tenacity, sharp business acumen and grit, she built a global empire and, in the process, became a truly modern icon beloved around the world.

Now, with courage, honesty, and humour, Paris Hilton is ready to take stock, place it all in context and share her story with the world. Separating the creation from the creator, the brand from the ambassador, Paris: The Memoir strips away all we thought we knew about a celebrity icon, taking us back to a privileged childhood lived through the lens of undiagnosed ADHD, a teenage rebellion that triggered a panicked – and perilous – decision by her parents. Led to believe they were saving their child’s life, Paris’s mother and father had her kidnapped and saw her sent to a series of ‘emotional growth boarding schools’, where she survived almost two years of verbal, physical and sexual abuse. In the midst of a hell we now call the ‘troubled teen industry’, Paris created a beautiful inner world where the ugliness couldn’t touch her. She came out, resolving to trust no-one but herself as she transformed that fantasy world into a multibillion-dollar reality.

Recounting her perilous journey through pre-#MeToo sexual politics with grace, dignity and just the right amount of sass. Paris: The Memoir tracks the evolution of celebrity culture through the story of the figure at its leading edge, full of defining moments and marquee names. Most important, Paris shows us her path to peace while she challenges us to question our role in her story and in our own.

Welcome to Paris...

Reminder to self: leave out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve... [reviewing eilish edp, by Billie Eilish]

 This is a scent that I’ve been chasing for years and years. this is my favorite smell in the WORLD. Fragrance has always been such an enormous part of my life and existence since I can remember, and it was a dream to create this scent and bring my ideas to life. This has been one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done - Billie Eilish

eilish is a captivating Amber Gourmand featuring notes of sugared petals creamy vanilla and warm musks leaving a lasting impression that is warm sensual and powerfully you.

I'm late to this party; I'm not someone who can name a Billie Eilish song outside of the James bond theme she sung [No Time To Die] and I find the bottle for eilish very unappealing, so I never paid any attention to this perfume.

However Superdrug are spending the whole of November having 30% off offers on various popular fragrances for their loyalty points programme members - then on top of that is my 10% discount for employee friends & family and £6 worth of points on my card waiting to be spent. Oh right, sorry for the excuses for my purchase tangent - one of the fragrances on offer is eilish. Today's adventure started when I was nosing around on the site checking out the offer and was tempted when I read the scent notes for this edp, so I made a mental note to check it out in a store....

Drifting into a pink haze... [reviewing Cloud Pink edp, by Ariana Grande]

 
Optimistic. Confident. Uplifting.

Empowering and optimistic the Ariana Grande Cloud Pink fragrance is inspired by an unapologetic confidence that reveals both beauty and strength, no matter the storm.

I know, I know. I've been disappointed by the majority of the Ariana Grande fragrances to varying degrees, but... a new edition of Cloud. I've been sucked back in, as I keep on hoping that they'll capture lightning in a bottle again - after all,  I found Cloud 2.0 to be enjoyable enough for me to have a backup bottle on hand. 

Let's just jump straight to the review and see how much of a idiot I am for buying a bottle without having tested it beforehand (people keep on stealing the tester bottles in stores around me) this time, shall we? Or could it possibly be a blind buy that works in my favour?

The bookworm: The Woman In Me, by Britney Spears [review/opinion]

 The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

 

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last. 

I'm a huge Britney spears fan. I've enjoyed & admired her from the Mickey Mouse Club, her music career, through to today - I remember joining the MMC official fan club as a 7 year old & receiving my membership pack in a VHS cover, and being excited because I thought that I was getting an actual VHS...

The way she was treated for years by the media, a segment of her family, some "friends" & a large part of the public has been horrendous & heartbreaking to see, so when she finally got her voice & freedom back and announced her autobiography, I was delighted that we'd finally be getting to hear her unfiltered accounts on the highs and traumatic lows she has endured. 

As soon as the hardback edition became available for pre-order on Amazon, you could be sure that I was clicking on it so that it'd be dropping through my letterbox on the day of release...

To the moon and back 🌙 [reviewing Far Away Beyond The Moon parfum, by Avon]

 Capture the mystery of the moon

 

Shine bright with luxurious wild cherry, blooming Belle de Nuit flower - a nocturnal flower that blooms in the moonlight - and hypnotic Australian sandalwood.

A new Far Away flanker? A new Far Away flanker that is tied to the Far Away Beyond flanker of Far Away? A new Far Away Beyond flanker that is a parfum concentration? A new Far Away flanker of a Far Away flanker parfum which has cherry as a key scent note?! 

Gimme, gimme, gimme!!

A meow or a roar? (reviewing Jungle Fantasy edt, by Britney Spears)...

Unleash your wildest fantasy with Britney’s fierce energy & spirit...

  Escape Into The Unknown To Explore This Limited-Edition, Floral Green Gourmand Fragrance, Inspired By Britney’S Vibrant Energy, Fierce Attitude & Free Spirit. Designed For The Fearless Woman, Like Britney, Who Dares To Embrace Her Inner Animal. Discover The Desire To Feel Wild & Alive. Let The Thrill Rush Through Your Body As You Begin Your Next Adventure. 

It's Fantasy time again - actually the latest flanker has been out for a little while and I've just fallen behind with new releases from my usual brands, because life gets in the way sometimes 🙃

 However I'm back before they release another flanker, so brownie points for me... 

Float like a butterfly? [Reviewing Eve Become edp, by Avon]

 Let your beauty transform and evolve as you move with the fruity and floral perfume of Eve Become Eau de Parfum. Discover the one-of-a-kind fragrance that reinvents itself with you...

Eve Become Eau de Parfum is a one-of-a-kind composition with a Butterfly Blossom chord, the scent of which changes with you.

Like a beautiful butterfly, Eve Become Eau de Parfum transforms, changes and develops throughout the day. At her heart lies the unique Butterfly Blossom chord, created from notes of jasmine, gardenia and an innovative musk molecule [this accord is exclusive to Avon]. Thanks to the unique composition, the fragrance transforms from joyful to sensual, providing a different experience every time you feel it. 

The Eve Discovery range has become something that I look forward to new launches from and the latest release is especially exciting to me, because [based on the official listed scent notes] it sounds like a bolder edition of the Eve Privè edp - a very well-made & expensive seeming release from the line. Not only that, but Avon have launched a new & exclusive scent accord for it and as I really enjoy the other new scent accord they'd created [the white oud in Far Away Splendoria], my hopes for this are high. 

Has my run of good luck with Avon fragrances finally ended, or are we still racing together?

Wear it or drink it? [reviewing Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 Eau de Parfum Intense, by Kayali]

               The Vibe: Yummy. Happy. Irresistible.

Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 is a delicious explosion of irresistable and edible notes including pistachio, voluptuous whipped cream, and fizzy cotton candy. 

A truly yummy fragrance that charms with an unforgettably intense, gourmand scent trail that will have you smelling good enough to eat!

New Kayali release time... and it's from my favourite fragrance family - it's a gourmand!

I was very excited about this release; on paper it reminded me a bit of Utopia, boosted up with some elements introduced in Vanilla Royale. The longevity & aura of Utopia was an disappointment for me, even though I loved the scent of it, so getting a fresh take on the fragrance was something that I'd been looking forward to trying.

Has it won me over, or is it once again too quiet?

Are sunny days coming? [reviewing Far Away Endless Sun edp, by Avon]

 Radiate from the moment you rise 

Escape to a moment of radiance when you spritz the floral, fruity and citrus fragrance onto your pulse points.

It's that time again - a new Far Away flanker is upon us.

I'm actually more excited to try this one compared to other ones in the past... and I always look forward to trying the flankers; it's meant to be richer in fruity notes & lighter in florals, and people who tried it prior to the general release say that it is one of the flankers that is greatly removed from the original Far Away. Every key scent note that Avon list is one that I enjoy and something that is less tied to the original Far Away sounds exciting, so yeah, I'm expecting great things.

Bubble blooms? [reviewing Tease Sugar Fleur edp, by Victoria's Secret]

Get swept away in a floral candy dream

I'm not a huge follower of the Victoria's Secret Tease fragrance line - I had the original Tease years ago and used my entire bottle happily enough, but never replaced it as it is nothing wildly unique. I have liked a few of the Tease flankers more than the original, whenever I've happened to come across them over the years.

I'd actually gone to the store to retest Crème Cloud, which is a flanker that I really enjoyed the couple of times that I 'd tried it, and was probably going to buy. However I stumbled across this new springtime flanker and had to give it a try....

Did this tempt me more, or did I stick to my original mission of obtaining Creme Cloud?

Is Blush the ace face? [reviewing Mod Blush edp, by Ariana Grande]

                   Modern. Sensual. Disruptive - introducing Ariana Grande MOD, 

                                                the new fragrance collection. 

                  

Choose to be an original with MOD, the new fragrance collection from Ariana Grande. A new, elevated collection that celebra4tes both the power of duality and the intoxicating freedom of expression. Innovative and sexy, the new fragrance duo of Mod Vanilla and Mod Blush create an intimate yet powerful experience.

Intoxicating and sensual, MOD Blush opens with a rich blend of fruits, energized by sparkling pink pepper to create an alluring introduction.

The intriguing heart is a luxurious floral blend, accented with a touch of pear for a breathtaking evolution on skin.

A seductive dry down leaves an INTIMATE AND SUPPORTIVE luxurious impression.

As someone who loves vanilla, coconut, orris, and praline, Mod Vanilla was the half of the Mod duo that I had been looking forward to getting the most, but ultimately I was left underwhelmed by just how similar the fragrance is to a couple of previous Ariana Grande fragrance releases.

I couldn't find the Mod perfumes in any shops around me to test them, so I ended up buying them blind when the Superdrug site had a price offer on, and Mod Vanilla left me kicking myself for not waiting to test before buying [to be fair to me, Mod Vanilla is still not available in any stores near me].

Here's hoping that Mod Blush can make up for Mod Vanilla, and make me feel that I haven't totally wasted my money...

A flashkick, or a ticket? [reviewing Mod Vanilla Edp, by Ariana Grande]

 

Modern. Sensual. Disruptive.
Introducing Ariana Grande MOD, the new fragrance collection.

Choose to be an original with MOD, the new fragrance collection from Ariana Grande. A new, elevated collection that celebrates both the power of duality and the intoxicating freedom of expression. Innovative and sexy, the new fragrance duo of Mod Vanilla and Mod Blush create an intimate yet powerful experience.

Expressive And Vibrant, Mod Vanilla Opens With A Luscious Blend Of Fruit, Heightened By A Luminous Touch Of Pink Freesia.

The Touch Of Gourmand Is Heightened To A Truly Sophisticated Level With A Heart Of Orris Butter.

Indulgent And Upcycled Cocoa Butter Introduce A Layer Of Beautiful Complexity, Unveiling The Fragrance's Addictive And Unforgettable Signature.

After the delight of Cloud 2.0, I've been looking forward to the next Ariana Grande perfume release and here we are, with not one but two. 

I'm going to start my reviews with the one that is proving to be the most popular, going by empty store displays and the amount of customer reviews everywhere - Mod Vanila. 

I've already fallen for the anathetics for the Mod duo, but will the actual fragrances live up to the expectation that this has given me?

Your Disco Darling needs you... [reviewing Disco Darling edp, by Kylie minogue]

 As the sun goes down on the scent of Darling, its alter ego, Disco Darling, makes an entrance, swapping stage for dance floor, and day for night. 

 

 

Dizzying lights sparkle with bergamot and cassis, as the beat gets under your skin, blossoming. A slide into musky seduction takes you on until dawn.

The reformulated version of Darling is much nicer than I remember the original edt edition from Coty being, so I couldn't resist picking up Kylie's new fragrance when The Perfume Shop had a special offer on the introductory giftset at the end of November, to see what else they can do...

Is Disco Darling going to be a totally new fragrance, or maybe a throwback to one of the original Darling flankers [Sweet Darling, Sexy Darling & Dazzling Darling]? Either way, is it worth picking up a bottle, or is the reformulated Darling a one hit wonder of a comeback?