Drool. From Dior.

Shopped out from Christmas?  I certainly was.  My bank account reeling by December 19, I was convinced I would be shopped out for many weeks to come.  And, well, I am, still.  Kind of.  I’m not feeling the urge to actually BUY any grossly expensive additions to my wardrobe, but it’s not keeping me from ogling the hottest of the resort shoes.  It is nothing like strappy sandal weather out there, but here’s a little eye candy for the winter months anyway!

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Can't you see the CEOs fainting in my path?

I talk about fashion all the time, but we relatively seldom focus on the place where most of us spend a painful amount of time: the office. To be perfectly honest, my real work wardrobe falls somewhat short.  I do have a collection of well-fitting and perfectly serviceable suits, a probably inappropriate number of pairs of pin-striped slacks, largely from Banana Republic, and half a dozen shells and silk blouses in different colors. Beyond that, though, what I have in my closet for the workday is a collection of relics of shopping trips ten years ago when it had not yet occurred to me that fashion existed and that there was a distinction between things that looked good on the hanger and things that looked good on me.  (Oops.) I finally just threw away a pair of baggy burgundy pleat-front wool pants that were at least one size too large, and possibly two.  Let’s never speak of those again.

As I slowly replace the horrifying with the stylish, however, I find myself fantasizing about the wardrobe I’d have if someone gave me Sarah Palin’s campaign wardrobe funding.  That wardrobe?  Ooh.  You know the kind.  The wardrobe of clothes so mind-bogglingly sharp and fashionable that the women keel over out of sheer envy and the men can’t decide whether to be turned on by your gorgeousness or intimidated by your air of competence and power. My imaginary work wardrobe involves a lot of Hugo Boss, a lot of Armani, and a judicious selection of terrific work wear from other designers.  Filling my imaginary wardrobe is nearly as much fun as stepping up the real one.

Here’s what would be in my imaginary work closet for this season.

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Since Lily and Kai have both posted about their “go-to” fragrance choices, I suppose it’s only time I write about my longtime love affair with Jo Malone.

Sweet Lime and Cedar

Jo Malone’s French Lime Blossom has been one of my signature scents since first moving to New York post college. Light, fresh and clean, it’s the perfect understated daytime scent, and I wear it almost exclusively during my work week.

But for nighttime and weekends, well, ahem!  Let’s just say I crave something a bit more exotic.  After all, what girl doesn’t want something a bit more flirty for her play time?  Lately I’ve been alternating between Dior’s Addict and Tom Ford’s Black Orchid, but have been in the mood to try something new.  Well, lo and behold, Jo Malone has called to me once again in the form of their new Sweet Lime and Cedar line:

Inspired by the diverse flavors of Thai cuisine, this exotic scent balances zesty citrus fruits with aromatic leaves, delicate flowers, fragrant spices and nutty woods … sweet lime combines with delicate hints of jasmine and ylang ylang, coconut and the vanilla-like tonka bean. The addition of the of the nutty scent of pandanus leaf, the sweet yet sour character of tamarind and the aromatic warmth of cardamom complete this unexpected, tantalizing scent.

Tempted yet?  I know I sure was.

I recently had the pleasure of trying the Cologne version of the line. The ripe citrus lime and orange top notes are invigorating and lively, while the middle notes, filled with coconut, gardenia and jasmine, hearken to exotic beach destinations under blazing suns. It’s the perfect scent for Spring, a refreshing “pick-me-up” to awaken us all from the Winter doldrums.

Well, it was love at first sniff. You better believe I’m making room for this bottle in my new casa.

Sweet Lime and Cedar is currently available online, but if you have the chance to stop into a Jo Malone store, I say purchase there.  The stores themselves are just gorgeously designed and a delight in and of themselves, and since Jo Malone’s fragrances are actually made to be layered with one another you will get the full experience of spritzing to your heart’s content to find your signature combination.

The Sweet Lime and Cedar Composition:

• Top Notes: Kaffir Lime, Blood Orange, Pomelo, Passion Fruit, Spearmint, Pink Pepper
• Middle Notes: Clary Sage, Lavender, Coconut, Gardenia, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Coriander, Cardamom
• Base Notes: Cedarwood, Pandanus Leaf, Tonka Bean, Amber, Tamarind