Happy Birthday, Prince Rogers Nelson/
KISS "1986"/ Ida Meister
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl6jq38K3-M&feature=related
Yes, peculiar little man, you get to live another day, because of this song, released in 1986.
[And “When Doves Cry”]
I’m a sucker for a great bass line- and this is it, beyond a doubt.
It also conjures up images of a plummy Julia Roberts grooving with her Walkman in her notorious Jacuzzi bubblebath penthouse scene from Pretty Woman.
Not hard to take at all, at all. ..
The perfect perfume to accompany all this would be Dior’s Original Poison [created by Edouard Flechier in 1985], purple by nature and synaesthesia, not to mention over-the-top , in- your- face [what the French might fondly term ”éblouissant “], not-for-wusses.
A bombshell, plain and simple- take-no-hostage fruity –floral that broke ground in its time, much like the will ‘o’ the wisp fey artist himself.
We all adore Klimt’s Kiss– but Franz von Stuck’s version of an erotic sphinx doling out a conflagratory. buss is pretty hot stuff; I think The Artist Formerly Known As would approve.
Is it warm in here?
Little Red Corvette "1983"/ Mark Behnke
There are so many songs by Prince which were part of the soundtrack to my life but Little Red Corvette was the one that really captured the hedonistic early 80’s. The slow keyboard buildup to the chorus and the blistering guitar solo created an indelible fusion of funk and rock n’ roll. When thinking about a fragrance that matches this I thought of one which was also red. Montale Red Vetyver shares the same hot buildup as Little Red Corvette as the grapefruit at the start adds the funk of pepper before finishing with a rock n’ roll kick of patchouli and cedar. Both the song and the fragrance have speed to burn. http://youtu.be/mDduqH5cciQ
When Doves Cry "1984"/ Mary Beth Devine
Now, I ask you – look at these people. Look at these people! Potential desertion (“How can you leave me standing? Alone in a world that’s so cold?”) Self doubt (“Maybe I’m just too demanding.”) Sharp criticism (“Maybe you’re just like me mother.”) Confrontation building to screams.“This is what it sounds like when doves cry.” Maybe, but perhaps it’s more accurately the sound that makes doves cry. Souls wracked by torrents of emotion and misperceptions, a little bit of “You’re just like…….when you do that.” And there go the lessons of an upright life and the ‘dove’ cries over broken human spirits and potential.
Enter a Bond No 9 Scent of Peace. Did you know that lily of the valley, the starring note, is a symbol of the return of happiness? That it’s said that when Eve wept in the garden, her tears became the bells of the flower? Scent of Peace is a simple little thing in same way our thoughts about the bigger peace are – “Just sit and talk about it.” – “Disarm and verify.” – and the ever popular, “I’m your mother (aunt, etc) and I said I want it.” Currant provides tartness or piquancy to remind you the path to peace and serenity has its bumps, those dastardly little things that bring you up short. It weaves in and out never quite fading.The lily of the valley and the currant are laid on a base of musk and cedar. Humanity and strength perhaps? Were Laurice Rahme and her cohorts sending a scented coded message in a bottle? It’s a rather linear composition-no feints and dodges, but maybe just a little sad. Sometimes the tartness overwhelms and the cedar fades too far into the background. What happens then?
We, like our two players in the song, are left hoping for happiness, a good like, and doves that cease their crying.
Purple Rain "1984" and Love in Black by CREED/ Mary Beth Devine
How can one not be intrigued by a purple rain? The shifting light, the wind, the impending drama of it all? “Never meant to cause you sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain.”Violets and iris and their inherent powder notes open a melancholic work. The violets are sweet, but deceptively so. They dry and turn to dust – a bleak memory.The iris looms large – bulbs almost ripped from the earth.
Photo courtsey of www.creedboutique.com
The ‘classic’ blend recedes a bit to introduce rose – also dark to me, but long seen as a token of high esteem and close friendships. This is all offset later by a flood of black currant – a berry both tart and sweet as is a relationship about to be upended or started anew. What people describe as a ‘doughiness’ throughout the scent mirrors the indecisiveness and malleabilityof one who “wants to be a leader, but…can’t seem to make up (his/her) mind”. It can speak of comfort and potential in the same breath.Cedar wood provides a base – strong, uncompromising. Is it enough grounding in the maelstrom? Perhaps.
It looms large, this fragrance, much as these violent purple rains do. The ones that toss us about and fling us into new dimensions both literally and figuratively. It makes me uncomfortable. I’m never sure where it’s going to take me. But then again, I could say the same about Prince's Purple Rain.
Cream "1991" /Emmanuelle Varron
Prince is certainly one of the few singers who marked my path from teenage years to adulthood. At that time (the early 90’s), he was considered a huge star, one of the most appreciated and well known American singer in France. And I cannot forget that in 1990, he gave a series of concerts at the famous Parc des Princes in Paris, a few meters far from the place I was undergoing my High School Certificate. Of course, no way for my classmates and I to be at one of his concerts, as you definitely do not trifle with French Baccalaureat…"Cream" is one of my favorite Prince songs. Because its orchestration and rhythm IS almost perfect, and matches Prince’s sexy personality. I also love the clip, its choreography in full harmony with the music, the lyrics… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VzXO9GQZBc
The scent that I would link to that song? "Cadjméré" (No. 18) from Parfumerie Generale. A very smooth, very sexy creation, that reveals on my skin coconut milk, rosewood, sandalwood bark, and vanilla notes. A real treat, as "Cream" can be…Joyeux anniversaire, Prince!
Let’s Go Crazy! Take me with You (1985)/Jane Daly
Now is the time to take chances with your make up- you can even go crazy if you like! This summer we are seeing a strong eye or a bright lip. I have always been a lover of sexy eye make up. For some reason I feel more confident playing up my eyes and keeping my lip more neutral with a nice plumping lip gloss like Duwop Lip Venom or Lipfusion.
For a heavy sexy eye I love lining my eyes all the way around with black liner, keeping it on the waterline and tight lining for a sultry feline look. Loving my Urban Decay 24 7 eyeliner for this, as it holds up to hot summer heat like a pro! So, if you are feeling brave you can go totally Gaga! OR style your makeup after circa Prince 1985 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdEE5Ph4p3A
Raspberry Beret "1985"/Michelyn Camen
According to the Owner of Molinard Jean-Pierre Lerouge-Benard : “Ohhhh! Parfume de Habanita?! For me Habanita is a kind of mystery, a miracle to The Habanita woman? She has a strong personality yet she is very feminine; an exceptional woman, (by the way she can be a blonde, a redhead or a brunette) but the main point is that she unique…herself!”
Well my beloved Habanita has been reformulated as of 2007. So now "it’s the kind U find in a second hand (ebay)store and if it’s warm you shouldn’t wear much more". When the song was written in 1985, when I met a cute guy "i would die 4 you", one had a a Harley “who put me on the back of my bike And-a we went riding.” The Parents were shocked! http://youtu.be/-szMex5raS4 Under my self confident, sultry, uber feminine exerior, was a vulnerabilty and trust of a young girl expressed through the top notes of orange blossom, raspberry, peach and bergamot; middle notes of lilac, orris root, jasmine, heliotrope, ylang-ylang and rose; base notes are leather, amber, musk, benzoin, vanilla, oakmoss and cedar.Orignially Habanita was created to flavor cigarettes… I smoked 2 packs a day.
But now the Habanita I know is gone “No No NoNo No No."
For our draw:
2.5 ounces of Love in Black Courtesy of www.creedboutiques.com to one winner
1 sample each of Montale Red Vetyver and Parfumerie Generale Cadjmere courtesy of www.luckyscent to one winner
The unisex Kiss Pendant Shown in Silver Courtesy of Fancy, Sexy, Me (can't you see Prince in those double knuckle rings) to one winner courtesy of www.fancysexyme.com
(http://www.fancysexyme.com/pendants.html) the piece is sterling silver – $80 retail value
All you have to do to be eligible is to tell us your favorite Prince Song and why. Draw ends June 9, 2011