Making Sense of Scents

Whenever I am home in Boca Raton, Florida I relish the opportunity to immerse myself deep in the recesses of my mother’s walk-in closet. I unearth the deep-seated treasures that may have been forgotten behind the stretches of cardigans and working-woman suits. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve had a wide-eyed captivation of these shelves stacked with high heels of different colors, which elongate my mother’s short frame and the rows of resplendent jewels. Dozens of pearls, brooches and long strands of gold and costume-beaded necklaces filled the shelves, each piece with their own special story and significance attached to them. I would sit in her closet as a young girl, my face cupped in my hands, and marvel at her daily routine of getting ready for work. My favorite piece of the getting-ready process came last as my mother stepped from outside the closet with her perfectly blown out silky red hair and black lined emerald green eyes. I watched as she stepped onto the marble floored bathroom and reached for one of her 3 go-to perfumes: Yves Saint Laurent’s Rive Gauche, Nina Ricci’s L'Air De Temps, or Chanel Number 5 or as I like to call them, the classics. As she gingerly spritzed the fragrance onto her neck and pulse-area of the wrist, I took a deep breath and became entranced by the aromatic scent filling the air. A recent confession to my younger brother caused his face to contort and lips to emit the words “you are so freaking weird” when I divulged that I used to even sniff her pillows when she wasn’t home for that lingering scent redolent of my mother. Admittedly that was weird (I’ve done weirder) but this is the magnitude of power and allure that perfume embodies. I’m not the only one, as Chanel once opined “A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future.” Okay so Coco was a little more extreme, but I catch her drift, perfume is important. So important in fact, that an issue of the Economist once stated that you should never purchase perfume for another as the senses which attract you to certain smells may be biological and what arouses one’s olfactory system may not appeal to another.

At a period when the concept of celebrity and paparazzi flashes permeate the pop-culture arena, is it possible that the recent surge of celebrity fragrances belittle the classics? How many times does a celebrity, cough er, Faith Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Tim McGraw, Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova, the Beckhams, Prince, Hilary Duff, Beyonce, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, and even the stylish Sarah Jessica Parker need to generate a new fragrance? It is one thing if these individuals’ life long dreams were to create a fragrance, but I have a hard time picturing a young Tim McGraw in Louisiana begging his mother for a cologne-making kit (oh they really do sell these my friends). Okay fine I understand that you’ve always wanted to create a shoe line Jessica Simpson, and it sells very well so I can’t talk smack, but are the endless kitsch fragrances “created” by these celebrities really necessary? Is Justin Bieber next? Don’t get any ideas Ryan Seacrest. It seems as though celebrities rarely stay inside the lines of their first claim to fame—hence how I keep referring to them as “celebrities” rather than say Beyonce is a singer and Hilary Duff is an actress. With each individual in the limelight comes a taste of success and salivation for more. With the innumerable coats, lip-glosses, and shoes launched by musicians, actors, and tabloid fixtures (rhymes with schmaris milton) where can we draw the line? I for one, am growing weary of the fragrance frenzy.

I didn’t seriously start wearing perfume until my freshman year of college and quickly learned that I loved having my very own signature scent. As I walked down the long carpeted, narrow hallways of my sorority house, girls would tell me that they knew I had been near as they sensed Chanel’s Coco in the air. Although Coco is taking a hiatus in my life for the next few years, I know I will return to it some day. Like my grandmother's gold ring placed on my index finger or the silver engraved bracelet my father gave me for my 13th birthday, perfume can tell a story too. When someone wearing J'adore Dior is near, I will forever be immediately transported to the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires where I wore this scent each day. This scent will always elicit feelings of warmth and a care-free spirit I was able to borrow during my time there. Coco will take me back to my ingénue self in Madison, Wisconsin while my recent mainstay, Chanel’s Chance will remind me of my exciting young years in New York City. Although these scents are near and dear to my heart, the interlocking C’s are not a necessity to one’s perfume history. Maybe the eau de toilettes from the Gap or Bath and Body Works or Gucci Rush or Lancome’s Miracle chronicle the pages of your life’s chapters. What I do know is that these fragrances are more likely to stand out above and beyond the Faith’s, Christina’s, and Mariah’s. But only time can really tell. Perhaps years from now these celebrity-endorsed fragrances will have prevailed. But in the years to come when I’m a lady (I refer to my future career woman self as Lady quite frequently to my friends) getting ready for a long, grueling, but hopefully rewarding work day ahead of me I will stick with one of the aforementioned classics---because I trust that even 8 hours later, my chosen scent will still follow my walk down the long narrow hallway.

YSL's Rive Gauche

Sidenote: Our dear Coco also ascertained that one should only spray perfume in areas where she wants to be kissed

Endnote: Unable to include Britney Spears in this because whew that Curious smells goooood

My name is Kristine, and I am a Gleek

Although publicized as an hour comedy, Glee integrates dramatic and heart-felt moments woven into some of the best comedic performances seamlessly…you won’t find another show that can utilize all mediums of performance better than Glee. As much as I have rhapsodized about the show itself, I have said nothing about the music. So far, only 3 individuals (Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk & Ryan Murphy) have been slated to write each episode of Glee, which is PHENOMENAL given the amount of work it takes penning each episode and thinking of which songs fit perfectly with each scene. Cast members state Ryan Murphy’s head is like an ongoing Ipod library, which makes sense given the wide range of songs selected thus far. No time period is out of context, from soft-rock “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” (originally performed by REO Speedwagon) to Liza Minelli’s “Maybe This Time”…no song is predictable or out of reach for this show.

What is more amazing is that this show can revitalize songs in such a way that you can’t even remember the original singer of the selected songs…case in point, Avril Lavigne’s “Keep Holding On.” I would have never imagined this song being chosen for a revamping ensemble musical performance, but silly me because surprises and novelty are inherent in the makeup of Glee. I can't take back previous musical preferences, so I will admit that there was a time I supported Lavigne’s hit songs when she first started making waves onto the pop chart scene. But I have no recollection of her singing “Keep Holding On” nor do I even want to remember how she originally performed it. Glee sings this song in such a way you will think Ryan Murphy wrote the song specifically to be performed for the amazing episode and scene it is used for. It is one of the most poignant performances and one of my favorites, not just for the song itself, but for those facial nuances that Quinn, Finn, and Rachel have mastered perfectly while enmeshed in a love triangle (now a love square) for the books.

Glee creators scored big finding the perfect Rachel Berry for their ensemble. Lea Michele started in the early 90’s on Broadway’s Les Misérables and subsequently gained notoriety for the leading role in Spring Awakening. Lea’s time on Broadway led her to meeting fellow Broadway alums and current cast mates, Jenna Ushkowitz aka Tina (whom she has known since she was 7) and Matthew Morrison who nails the role of the endearing Mr. Schuester. The brilliant Matthew Morrison had acting and theatre written all over him from an early age which led to an education at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and roles on Broadway’s Footloose, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray, and the Light in the Piazza which would garner Morrison a Tony Award nomination.

My favorite facet of Mr. Schuester is his ability to balance the genuine compassion his character elicits towards his students and oh, Emma, while maintaining the ability to break it down and sing Kanye’s Goldigger and Sisquo’s Thong Song…who else could pull off singing those songs? I would be hard-pressed to find someone who questions Emma's infatuation with him. Amber Riley’s (aka Mercedes) show stopping numbers ala Jennifer Hudson have also contributed to Glee’s musical success…just listen to one song and I can guarantee chills. American Idol producers were certifiably insane to turn her down, but luckily they did so that we can savor Riley's versions of “Hate on Me” and “Bust Your Windows.”

I can’t wait to see the other musical numbers Glee has in store. If "Like a Prayer" and a certain Annie Lennox number, ok I'll say it, "Broken Glass" are performed, I will buy all my favorite friends massive amounts of drinks and do the worm. Glee Volume 2’s tracks have recently been announced and if this is an auspice of what’s to come, I hope to have a collection of at least 50 volumes of Glee songs at some point…

1. "Proud Mary" by CCR

2. "Endless Love" by Dianna Ross & Lionel Richie

3. "I’ll Stand By You" by The Pretenders

4. "Don’t Stand So Close To Me/Young Girl" by The Police

5. "Crush" by Jennifer Paige

6. "(You’re) Having My Baby" by Paul Anka

7. "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers

8. "Don’t Make Me Over" by Dionne Warwick

9. "Imagine" by John Lennon

10. "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper

11. "Jump" by Van Halen

12. "Smile" by Lily Allen

13. "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin

14. "And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going" by Jennifer Holliday

15. "Don’t Rain On My Parade" by Barbara Streisand

16. "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones

17. "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson

Gold Stars for...

Ok, so every once in a while a television show comes along that blows you away right? For me, that every once in a while is quite literal; although I feel the need to partake in most shows to stay up to the speed on the latest pop-culture lingo, it takes a certain type of show to elicit the kind of excitement that makes me want to scream on a mountain “IIIIII LOOOOVE THIIIS SHOOWWW.” No really, I get that feeling. I had my time in middle school where I felt that way about too many shows, where it actually became stressful attempting to stay on top of the latest episodes…lets face it, the days before online television and tivo were rough. Then there was quite a lull for me; yes, I had 27 glorious episodes of the first season of the O.C. followed by 2 phenomenal seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, but these shows ultimately fell flat on their faces after their initial adulation and enthusiastic reception.

I had been waiting for another show to evoke the mountain screaming feeling in me; then, something happened, Fox aired a trailer for an upcoming show during an episode of American Idol. The preview looked promising and as soon as I saw the words “Created by Ryan Murphy” flash across the screen I was convinced I was in for something innovative coupled with a type of sharp wit that elicits your nerdiest and best laugh. You see, you know those aforementioned middle school shows that I was obsessed with? Ryan Murphy was responsible for one of those—the WB’s (RIP the WB) Popular. Although this show only lasted two seasons, it delivered 22 episodes during its first year of the most ridiculous and imaginative dialogue and story lines. Its characters were fantastic, quirky, and unusual. After Popular’s premature cancellation, Murphy went on to garner much success for his next ingenious creation, Nip/Tuck.

Murphy’s intro brings me back to that promising trailer which emerged into one of the best television shows on the air right now: GLEE. As of now, it is the only FOX show slated for a full season pick-up, as the other 8 million viewers agree, Glee has something special. At a quick glance this could easily appear as another trite high school fable of the popular jock and his shiny, trophy cheerleader extraordinaire girlfriend. I’ve heard other gainsayers state that it’s nothing more than a high school musical rip off. Well, my money says Rachel Berry (the enchanting Lea Michele) would win in a smack down with Vanessa Hudgens’ Gabriella, vocally and most definitely physically.

Not only is Rachel Berry the best character to grace television this year, she’s also the most humble. I try to live by her gold star mantra each day and remember that this blog may be what is precluding my dating options, cause as Rachel said it best, “You might think that all the boys in school wanna tap this…but my myspace schedule keeps me super busy.” Well said, Rach. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find the nearest mountain...think Johnny Drama and "VICTORYYYYYY."

The Art of Confidence

I am either addressed as Pat Benatar when sporting my Citizens of Humanity leggings or referred to as Fiona Apple when wearing my trusty electric blue Dior Show mascara. Although these comments may derive from my fashionably clueless, jocular older brother, the comments make me wonder, what do men really think about fashion? Our boyfriend shorts, boyfriend blazers, and peep-toe booties? And furthermore, should we even care? I say no, emphatically. There are those girls that dress for men by sporting barely-there-clothing and then there are the women who dress for other women in order to maintain a competitive edge. However, not to sound like an after school special, but the best kind of dressing is the kind you do for yourself. I have found that some of my best outfits have been the ones that no one has seen yet. It is when you are standing near your full-length mirror, staring into the fashion abyss known as your closet, that you have the liberty to choose whatever clothing you wish. Without anyone’s judgments or preconceived notions about the latest trends, you can pick and choose freely among your high-waisted or skinny jeans, and fanciful cardigans or edgier fitted jackets.

Although how you dress may heavily depend on where you are located geographically, a sentiment I live by each day is you can wear whatever you want as long as you have the confidence to do so. In high school the Florida weather permitted girls in high school to sport denim shorts and skirts year round. Thus, when attempting to wear things outside the realm of Floridian thinking like gasp, ballet flats, I was asked by my fellow peers what the round shiny things were covering my feet (I kid not). A shoe so ingrained in my quotidian life now, was during those years something new and foreign to those around me. I realize now that I did not have the aplomb to sport cutting edge trends during those high school years the way I can now. When leggings and skinny jeans generated their comeback in 2006, I was already placed in a university where dressing freely and well was not only accepted but came to be ubiquitous. I had endured my first year away from home and developed that confidence that enhances within everyone, as they grow older.

After a stint in Buenos Aires, Argentina where every woman dresses like they are from Vogue yet with a blithe attitude towards fashion, I came to mirror these same sentiments; Dress as you please, and well if you wish, but have fun with it. My latest stay in Florida had my equally flippant younger brother greet me as “Dad” when I sported my DaftBird white woven button down shirt (displayed below). However, I welcomed this remark with grace and pleasure as I am now a seasoned shopper who wears her clothing with poise and conviction. After a recent move to New York City, I am now in a neighborhood surrounded by fashionable women who wear large bows in their hair or different colored tights on each leg if their mood suits them. These women are truly dressing for the best kind of audience, themselves. Such a seemingly simple recommendation, but one that engenders fashionable results: wear whatever the hell you want, with confidence.

3 looks from designer Joshua Christopher's Fall 09' DaftBird line

The emblem of dressing for oneself...Mary-Kate Olsen

80’s Praise: All Hail Hughes

As I’ve previously stated, this blog encompasses all things pop culture. Continuing with the 80’s theme and with the recent passing of director, producer, writer, and pop culture icon John Hughes, I thought I would take a moment to pay homage to his work. Although he helmed a few films before 1984, it was this year in which one of his most beloved films was released: Sixteen Candles. Surely, anyone reading this has seen this movie and understands the appeal.

Hughes took an ostensibly simple concept: family forgets daughter’s 16^th birthday, and turned it into a hilarious tale which has one of my favorite Hollywood endings. Hilarity especially ensues when the Baker family takes in a foreign exchange student Long Duk Dong (“What’s happening hot stuff?”). Additionally, who could ever forget Jake Ryan (played by Mike Schoeffling—why he walked away from acting I will never understand!) leaning on his red car waiting for Samantha (golden 80’s girl Molly Ringwald) as “If You Were Here” by the Thompson Twins plays in the background. This ending has a way of leaving girls with the indelible impression that the most attractive boy in school just may leave his gorgeous yet disdainful blonde girlfriend for the average every-day nice girl. Do not tell me you haven’t had that dream—we all want it to happen. Unless of course, you’re that gorgeous spiteful blonde…in which case Mean Girls probably has a more suitable ending for you (Regina still gets a piece of the homecoming crown, hello).

All of the humiliation (the comedic highlights of the film) Samantha endures, like a geek selling her undergarments or her grandmother commenting on her developing anatomy, pays off big time at the end. If you are in need of your Molly Ringwald fix she can now be seen playing the mother of a pregnant teenager on ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager, brought to us by Brenda Hampton, the creator of 7^th Heaven (kind of paradoxical…)

Hughes went on to write more perennial films like the Breakfast Club (1985), National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), Weird Science (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Uncle Buck (1989), Home Alone (1990), Curly Sue (1991), Beethoven (1992), Flubber (1997) among several others. I assure you that any one of these movies will leave you with a blithe feeling that a Hollywood ending in your life may just be as feasible as Hughes makes it seem.

If you have not seen Pretty in Pink, it is worth viewing just for the pivotal scene where “If You Leave” by Brit group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is played. There is something about this song that just ties a scene together—flash forward to season 1 of the O.C. (Episode 21 “The Goodbye Girl”) where this song (covered by Nada Surf) is played during another cardinal moment when Anna leaves Newport for good as a heartbroken Seth gazes from a distance.

Fun fact: Anthony Michael Hall (the Geek from Breakfast Club/Sixteen Candles) was originally chosen to play Duckie in Sixteen Candles but turned it down in fear of being typecast. Jon Cryer of “Two and a Half Men” fame was subsequently casted. Andrew McCarthy who also stars in Pretty in Pink recently guest appeared in the aforementioned Gossip Girl episode which revisited, none other than, the 80's.

A brooding Jake Ryan

Cue "Don't You (Forget About Me)"

Pretty in Pink

80’s Revival: Blazing Through Fashion

Ashley Olsen exemplifies blazer versatility

Mandy Moore and Diane Kruger dress their

blazers down for everyday street wear

Heinous. Abhorrent. No I’m not talking about the latest headline describing Jon Gosselin’s escapades, I’m talking about words people utilize when describing the 80’s as a whole. The fashion? Repugnant people would say. The movies? Frightening, one reader told me. In a recent Marie Claire interview with new it-girl Alexa Chung, she admitted that if there were one era she would skip it would be the 80’s. While I agree whole-heartedly with Chung’s fashion decisions, I disagree with her sentiments related to this era; and I remain objective toward this decade even though I was born during this time and still maintain an unhealthy obsession with 80’s shows like Saved By the Bell (or known during the 80’s episodes as Good Morning, Miss Bliss) and Full House (Even at 9 months those Olsens knew how to enchant audiences). Don’t panic yet pop culture fans, I know these shows had their heyday in the early 90’s but their official benchmark begins in the 80’s.

This season the 80’s have returned but with a revamping that will soon make any ambivalent shopper purchase items with certitude. One would have to be blind as a bat not to notice a blazer in every window or on every magazine page. However, unlike their 80’s counterparts, these current blazers still maintain strong shoulders but without the large uncomfortable shoulder-padding. These remodeled blazers also come in a myriad of shapes, styles, materials, and colors.

The best part about a blazer is that it can be worn with absolutely any bottom from shorts, leggings, jeans, harem pants, to pencil skirts when you are at work. You may have already guessed how versatile they are, but I just had to share my enthusiasm! Invest in a plain black blazer that you can wear to work and out at night (they can be expensive but will pay off in the end because of their decade transcendence). For a more casual look, the cotton blazers made by Mike&Chris (this husband and wife duo produce the comfiest outerwear) and Topshop are amazing and can be found at budget friendly prices.

Several of the newly generated blazers have also been given a face-lift with resplendent embellishments. Some of the best blazers I’ve viewed have been presented with jeweled adornments or chunky metal detailing along the front pockets and lapel.

Always on the cutting edge, Gossip Girl’s second season recently paid homage to this era in an episode, which shows a young Lily van der Woodsen (Brittany Snow). Although Lily’s spinoff was shelved for the time being, I’m certainly not advocating dismissing the fashion. The year is 1983 in Malibu, California and Lily validates that the 80’s aren’t all bad in her timeless Ray-Bans and effortlessly cool Ralph Lauren blazer. In one of my favorite scenes from the series, the episode also has a young Lily trying on various outfits before deciding on lace leggings paired with a structured jacket, while “Dancing with Myself” plays in the background. Well call me trite but if this scene does not make you a champion of the 80’s—I don’t know what will.

Lily in her blazer along with her dad (Played by 80's heart-throb Andrew McCarthy)

Krysten Ritter also guest appears as Lily's rocker chic sister Carol

I still have a soft spot for denim jackets reminiscent of this one

Rachel Bilson in an Express blazer

Blake Lively

Kate Bosworth in an 80's inspired outfit

Gwyneth Paltrow

Cameron Diaz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz opt for jeans and a blazer

Hathaway and Hudgens prefer more fitted blazers

Obsessed with Bilson's D&G sequin blazer

Kiera Knightley and Demi Lovato proving a blazer can do no wrong

Lauren Conrad affirming a blazer is perfect for a night out with friends

Coffee Consuming in Style

Fashion Forward Rachel Bilson on a coffee run in LA

Nicole Richie pairs an Elizabeth & James dress with her cup of joe

Boho Chic is incomplete without a coffee in hand as the Olsens exemplify best

Vanessa Hudgens looking fresh faced and fashionable with her coffee

Because this is a blog dedicated to various facets of pop culture, it would be remiss not to include one of pop culture’s largest phenomenons: Starbucks Coffee. Not only does this coffee juggernaut pervade every street corner in the United States, they also find residence in more remote countries like South Korea, Bulgaria, Greece, Peru, and Argentina. However, unfortunately these sapid drinks come at a price and when one is consuming a drink a day, it can add up. Due to the ubiquity of Starbucks Coffee chains, it is inevitable that that by nightfall I will have consumed at least one of their beverages (and that is on a good day). My incessant cravings for Caramel Macchiatos on some days are equivalent to a pregnant woman’s cravings for pickles wrapped in cheese. In fact, Starbucks Coffee has actually become apart of women’s fashion ensembles. Rarely do I go a day without noticing a photograph captured by the paparazzi of one of Hollywood’s starlets sipping on coffee. Whether it is Vanessa Hudgens on her way to a recording studio with a Starbucks in hand or Miley Cyrus consuming a frappuccino on the set of her latest film, these coffees, while they may taste incredible and generate a caffeine buzz, are part of achieving a fashionable look.

As most girls are aware of, the Olsen twins have held a name among the fashionably revered for quite some time now. But it was their sojourn at New York University where their style was embedded into fashion history by being credited with creating “Boho Chic” style. The oversized sunglasses, jewelry, and overlapping layers of clothing made women everywhere drop what they were doing and purchase items to emulate this look. The Olsens have never been ones to model scantily clad attire; their Boho Chic look allows for women of all sizes to look hip and fashionable without feeling they need to show skin in unnecessary areas.

However, there is one essential constituent to this Boho Chic ensemble, the linchpin if you will: a cup of Starbucks coffee. Now, while a smart shopper looks for bargains at flea markets and sale racks, this same shopper must also learn to curtail their spending on expensive coffee, myself included. But how can you still look the part without a Starbucks in hand you ask? Well, on your myriad of excursions to Starbucks have you ever stopped and perused the shelf of coffee thermoses? They are full of color and look as if they were made to complement an outfit. My favorite new ones are the Ethos thermoses, which I have displayed below (Starbucks.com). Thus, smart shoppers everywhere, we can start making our own coffee at home and putting them in these hip thermoses before we leave the house. If you ask me, they not only look nicer/hipper/more fashionable with an outfit, but they also make you look fiscally and environmentally conscious. Now if you are not a coffee drinker but you are an avid consumer of water bottles, this is also a great way to thwart overspending. You can simply utilize brita or tap water to re-fill your thermos.

Now I am not saying to end your Starbucks spending completely—consuming 3 a week would still save you more than 7 a week. So how can you stop yourself from handing the cashier your credit card and inevitably spending all of your dollars on coffee? A solution would be to purchase a gift card. This is something I have done in recent years and it has greatly facilitated in curtailing my expenditures. So, at the beginning of the week or month you can decide exactly how much you want to put on the gift card and that way you can keep track of how much you are spending and it will not tempt you to exceed your allocated budget set on the card. You can even control your gift card online at Starbucks.com and add money and keep track of your balance all from your home computer.

This thermos is fresh and hip with its lime green lid

This Ethos thermos has fashionably and enviornmentally conscious shopper written all over it (You can purchase these at Starbucks.com or in Starbucks stores)

I love the way Ashley Olsen pairs a bandage skirt with her signature Fendi bag and an oversized tee-- but, how great would an Ethos thermos look with this instead?

Ashley and Mary-Kate in New York during their Boho Chic heyday

Miley twit pics and tweets about her love for Starbucks

More Ashley Olsen looking chic with her cup of joe

Another Ashley Olsen

Nicole Richie in LA with her coffee

More Nicole Richie

Loving this look of Richie's sheer button down paired with black skinnies and of course, her coffee

Richie looking especially high fashion with her Starbucks in tow

Couples do coffee

Lauren Conrad and boyfriend Kyle Howard, Ashley Olsen and boyfriend Justin Bartha

Jessica Alba and hubby Cash Warren