Miso Pretty

So I'm going to let you guys in on a little secret. Actually, a big secret. I never tell anyone what my signature scent is. It's been a secret to everyone except my boyfriend and my roommate (who, out of curiosity, snooped in my room and found out what it was). People always ask what I'm wearing, but I never tell. However, because I like you guys so much, I'm going to tell you. It's from BlueQ and it's called Miso Pretty.

I actually found it by accident and wasn't crazy about it at first. In fact, I didn't buy it after I sprayed it on. I went to lunch with some friends, and after an hour of smelling it, fell in love. I ran back to the store and bought it.

It has an overtone of peony, with undertones of cut grass and tuberose. I also detect a hint of lemon grass. Amazing. It's musky, but not old-lady musky. It's a fresher, incredibly feminine version of an oriental musk scent. And the kicker? It's under $10.

But, uh... please keep it on the down-low. Thanks.

Bombs Away!

I can't express to you guys enough how much I love Lush's bath bombs. I haven't been disappointed by them yet. But beware- if you have fragrance allergies, use these with caution. Luckily, their website has all of the ingredients listed- and most of them are natural products- which I love. The great thing about these is that they are made in the stores, not mass-produced in some factory. So when you shop at Lush, the person you're paying may very well be the person who made what you're buying.

The scents themselves are a little on the strong side, but great nonetheless. My personal favorites are:

• Avobath- an extremely clean, uplifting scent. The oils also make my skin feel fantastic.

• Big Blue- apparently supposed to smell like the Pacific ocean, which I doubt, but a great scent nonetheless. Just be aware that the middle is filled with small pieces of seaweed. I love it, but it can be a little messy. It's probably a good idea to put it in a nylon (knee high) before dropping it in your tub.

• Think Pink- a super- sweet feminine scent. It basically smells exactly like you would imagine pink sugar to smell. And it literally has pieces of candy in it. I love the smell after I got out of the tub- and it stuck with me for hours. Definitely a suggestion for a pre-date bath.

I was reluctant to try Lush's products after working in Georgetown, namely because the smell from the store is very strong- especially when they had the door open in the summer. But I'm glad I did. I genuinely love their products.