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NATURAL PERFUMES FOR SUMMER TRAVEL!

06.25.12

Absolutely nothing is like real perfume. In fact --- now that I am a fragrance connoisseur --- I no longer even consider wearing anything less than fine natural perfumes by JoAnne Bassett. Why? Synthetics (and that means all perfumes you buy in drug and department stores) aren’t real and they aren’t good for you either. “Natural” perfumes are handcrafted from the most exquisite ingredients such as precious botanical essences and high-quality oils.

For the past couple of years, I have been sporting only natural perfumes. Yes, real perfume is expensive and it is a true indulgence. But as someone with an allergic nose and even more sensitive skin, it is a must in my beauty regimen. Plus, all-natural parfums are good for you in other ways.

True floral and earthy essences bring a sense of joy, satisfaction and health to the wearer. Natural fragrances attract positive things and people to your life. Using traditional French methods for creating the finest perfumes, JoAnne only includes the world’s most rare (and in some cases extinct) ingredients such as Bulgarian white rose oil, vintage Mysore sandalwood oil, vintage jasmine sambac, osmanthus, mimosa and tuberose.

So, here’s a review of JoAnne Bassett’s summer-loving Josephine perfume as well as more review notes about her incredible Amazing and Dark Mistress scents, which I believe are perfect to wear as a day-to-night fragrances.

Josephine, Amazing & Dark Mistress

For the warm summer months, I recommend JoAnne Bassett’s light fragrance, Josephine. This all-natural perfume is perfect to spritz on wrists, necks, décolletage and bellies right before work, before getting on a airplane (or car or train), before dinner and even before bed. Citrus-meets-forest with Josephine’s cooling, yet warming and inviting odors. Just quick spray gives the wearer the irresistible smell of summer’s bounty.

Perhaps my two most favorite JoAnne Bassett perfumes are Amazing and Dark Mistress. I love wearing Amazing for day as this floral spray has a pick-me-up feel with refreshing scents of lemon verbena, rose otto, ginger, yuzu and violet leaf. In fact, Amazing contains more than 32 “outlaw” essential oils and absolutes.

Just the opposite, Dark Mistress was made for the evening. When sprayed, Dark Mistress fascinates your nose with its mysterious nighttime flower scents and attributes such as night queen, rhododendron, peru balsam, rosewood, damask rose oil, neroli, tuberose, frankinsence, vetiver and vintage jasmine sambac from France. Dark Mistress is formidable!

Don’t forget that all of JoAnne Bassett’s luxurious perfumes can be bought in a travel size spray for around $40 each. JoAnne’s glossy black metal travel container with diamond-like studs are rugged, spray nicely and look lovely sitting in your evening clutch. We love taking these all-natural exotic parfums in our purse on road trip getaways. Just a little spray or two really makes you smell fresh, clean and pretty in an instant.

Perfume-Making Workshops

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own natural perfumes? French-trained parfum couturier JoAnne Bassett, who lives nearby in North San Diego County, also leads perfume-making workshops for groups in San Diego and Orange County.

In these two-hour classes, JoAnne teaches women to create their own personal perfumes from botanical essences and organic jojoba oil. At workshop’s end, each participant goes home their own unique scent, which is beautifully packaged in a perfume bottle with glass dauber! The workshop costs $300 per person (or $2,000 for a group of five or more) including all materials.

JoAnne also teaches classes where you can learn about scent nuances, color energy and aromatherapy properties for body, mind and spirit. Classes start at $50 and include a custom-made bottle of perfume.

To learn more, visit [url=http://www.joannebassett.com]http://www.joannebassett.com[/url] or call 760.309.2571.

To buy products on Etsy, visit [url=http://www.joannebassett.etsy.com]http://www.joannebassett.etsy.com[/url].

Subscribe to her blog at [url=http://aromaticjourneys.blogspot.com]http://aromaticjourneys.blogspot.com[/url]

Follow her on Facebook [url=http://www.facebook.com/joannebassett.perfumer]http://www.facebook.com/joannebassett.perfumer[/url]

Eat, See and Stay in Palm Springs

06.06.12

Delicious dining from Palm Springs to Indio is what’s in store for you during the 5th Annual Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week now through Sunday, June 10. Tons of great dining, hotel, and attractions deals are going on in the Coachella Valley. This is a great time to take a day trip or weekender and take advantage of the exclusive deals being offered only during the Restaurant Week.

The Coachella Valley is close enough that it makes for an easy, hassle-free trip and far enough to make it feel like a vacation. With over 100 local Palm Springs Desert establishments participating in Restaurant Week there are great deals being offered all over town. Participating restaurants are offering three-course prixe fixe menus at $24 or $36 per person (tax, beverages and gratuity are not included).

Personally I could go for a discount spa treatment and then a savory three-course dinner courtesy of one of Coachella Valley's leading culinary masters. And, I also highly recommend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Who knew it’s the world’s largest Rotating Tramcar? It’s a thrill to experience the 10 minute journey up Chino Canyon’s cliffs to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft. and then dine at the Peaks Restaurant with breathtaking views. It’s offering a three-course
prix fixe dinner for just $36 during Restaurant Week that focuses on the best flavors of the season, like roasted beet salad with smoked salmon, and rye crisp; and a crispy duck with foie terrine, toasted brioche, prickly pear reduction; and to finish, a peach cobbler with huckleberry soda.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite attractions, hotels, and restaurants participating in the event.

The Experiental Package:

The “Jeeping Jackalope” package, offers a sunset Desert Adventures red Jeep tour of the San Andreas Fault, followed by a three-course dinner at the celebrated Indio favorite, Jackalope Ranch Restaurant.

A Sampling of Participants

Restaurants:
Acqua Pazza (Rancho Mirage)
Augusta Restaurant (Palm Desert)
Cello’s Bistro (Cathedral City)
Circa 59 at Riviera Palm Springs (Palm Springs)
Cliffhouse (La Quinta)
Copley’s on Palm Canyon (Palm Springs)
Grove Artisan Kitchen (La Quinta)
Jackalope Ranch (Indio)
Jake’s (Palm Springs)
Kaiser Grille (Palm Springs)
LuLu California Bistro (Palm Springs)
Melvyn’s Restaurant (Palm Springs)
Spencer’s Restaurant (Palm Springs)
TRIO Restaurant & Bar (Palm Springs)
Vicky’s of Santa Fe (Indian Wells)

Attractions:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (Palm Springs)
Escena Golf Club (Palm Springs)
UltraStar Desert IMAX (Cathedral City)
Knott’s Soak City (Palm Springs)
Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours (Indio)

Hotels:
Riviera Palm Springs (Palm Springs)
The Saguaro Hotel & Spa (Palm Springs)
Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (Rancho Mirage)
Indian Wells Resort (Indian Wells)

For more information, visit [url=http://www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com/]http://www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com/[/url]

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