FRAGRANT SUCCESS
Mary J. Blige is on a roll. Hot on the heels of her first fragrance My Life -- which debuted in 2010 to be the most successful scent launch on the Home Shopping Network and won two of the perfume industry’s FiFi awards -- the singer follows up with a creamy floral fragrance called My Life Blossom.
Though Blige looks to have seamlessly added perfume and accessories to her list of accomplishments (she also designs a line of sunglasses called Melodies), she hasn’t always enjoyed all that perfume has to offer. “I wasn’t always a big fragrance person,†Blige said in a phone interview. “I got jaded in school, because my teachers would wear perfume that made me cough, the scent was so strong.†She would try her friends’ perfumes, yet could never find something that worked well on her. “But scent is such a powerful thing to leave behind, so I started going on a perfume buying experience to find what things would work for me.â€
Those things turned out to be many of the elements found in My Life Blossom, which is a continuation of My Life, but with less fruity sweetness and more white floral notes. Gardenia, tuberose, jasmine and a touch of vanilla are the most immediate scents, but the fragrance also contains mandarin, white freesia, orange flower and sandalwood for a result Blige describes as “really clean.â€
It’s certainly no hit-you-over-the-head floral, but rather a creamy and rolling scent that doesn’t go too heavy on any one note, potentially appealing to people who like a range of aromas from sophisticated flowery scents to sugary vanilla-based perfumes.
My Life Blossom debuts on HSN and hsn.com Aug. 13. One dollar from the sale of each My Life Blossom purchase will benefit the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, an organization founded by Blige to help women through the support of scholarships and grants. A set containing a 1.7-fluid ounce eau de parfum and a .33-fluid ounce rollerball is priced at $59.90.
EVENTS
Pepsi “Throwback†Monday through Aug. 18: To celebrate the launch of a line of men’s and women’s T-shirts emblazoned with a vintage Pepsi logo and slogan, the windows at Kitson Santa Monica will be decked out with 1970s Pepsi ads and retro soda cans. An exclusive Pepsi sunglass case will be available as a gift with the purchase of any Pepsi Throwback product while supplies last.
Kitson, 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 120, Santa Monica. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. (310) 260-9170.
Arts + Leisure Thursday through Aug. 28: This concept store/exhibition space is bringing New York artists and designers to the West Coast to sell their wares to the public. Participating artists include Richard Prince, Nate Lowman and Terry Richardson with clothes and accessories from Anna Sheffield, Bliss Lau, Daryl K, Sophomore, Suno and Vena Cava.
Space 15 Twenty, 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday. (917) 439-8105.
True Blood Makeover Saturday: Calling all wannabe vamps and passionate beauty vixens. Tarte Cosmetics pro makeup artists are doing customized makeup looks and personal consultations for customers with the Tarte for True Blood collection.
Sephora, 1244 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 1 to 7 p.m. (310) 395-3460.
OnchMovement “Perfecstacy†pop-up shop Thursday through Aug. 31: Pop art inspired jewelry from OnchMovement will be housed at Royal T for the month of August. Pieces including bacon and eggs necklaces and ice cream cone shaped rings are available and various food, fashion and art-related events will be happening all month long.
Royal T, 8910 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (310) 559-6300.
SALES
Camarillo and Desert Hills Premium Outlets through Monday: Back-to-school and fall preview sale. Further reductions on items already discounted from 25%-65% at outlet stores such as Aldo, Brooks Brothers, Converse, Levi’s and Timberland.
Camarillo Premium Outlets, 740 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. (805) 445-8520.
Desert Hills Premium Outlets, 48400 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. (951) 849-6641.
Society for Rational Dress Friday and Saturday: Sale on spring/summer merchandise from the Society for Rational Dress collection, plus selections from the line’s Vintage Library.
255 S. Santa Fe Ave., Suite 101, Los Angeles, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (213) 613-0757.
