Perfume Review: Bergamotto di Calabria La Spugnatura Perfume Review

What do Acqua di Parma’s new fragrance Bergamotto di Calabria La Spugnatura and beloved cartoon icon Spongebob Squarepants have in common? OK, I admit that this is probably not the question you expected to be asked in this review, but bear with me, it’ll make sense, maybe. The answer is simple: they’re both made from sea sponges. What do you mean that doesn’t make sense? Surely it’s obvious? Surely?!

OK, I’ll clear things up for you. La Spugnatura is actually a limited edition version of Acqua di Parma’s popular Bergamotto di Calabria fragrance, which sits within their Blu Mediterraneo collection. What makes this edition different is ‘La Spugnatura’, a traditional and labour-intensive method of extraction which involves, you guessed it, our good friend Spongebob. OK, not Spongebob, but actual sponges. In this process, bergamot fruits are cut and separated from their peel, the peels are then pressed (very carefully) onto sea sponges, which absorb the fruit’s essence. These sponges are then squeezed into terracotta jars. The result is beautiful, brilliant bergamot.

Bergamotto di Calabria La Spugnatura is a limited edition fragrance that features this special bergamot material and because it’s so exceptional, it’s also housed in a gorgeous vessel. For this edition, Acqua di Parma has created a handmade porcelain bottle, adorned with a white and gold bergamot pattern. It’s absolutely beautiful and it really does add to the special feel of this unique, limited edition. But does it smell extraordinary too? Let’s sniff!

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Candy Crush: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo ‘La Collezione’

Candy Crush: Blu Mediterraneo La Collezione by Acqua di Parma

I’m always crushing on something scented or other. My nose knows no limits. Candy Crush is where I showcase the beautifully scented things I’m crushing on right now so you can hopefully develop a crush too.

I bloody love Acqua di Parma. Everything they do is so refined, so luxurious and well, so Italian. They have a nose for beauty, presenting gorgeous, uncomplicated scents in handsome packaging. So yes, I always have time for Acqua di Parma’s many offerings, including the summer holiday tones of the Blu Meditteraneo range which celebrates the wonders of Italy via a series of citrus-centric haikus inspired by the Italian countryside. They are bottled sunshine and they are lovely.

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New Escentual Post: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Cedro di Taormina

Cedro Di Taormina - The Perfect Holiday Treat — Cedro Di Taormina – The Perfect Holiday Treat

Passport, pants and perfume, that’s all you need in your luggage when travelling. Of course, when brining the essentials you want to make sure that you pack the right things, which means it pays to select the right fragrances for that trip away. I always pack something from Acqua di Parma because they offer such beautifully easy to wear scents that sing under the sun and their latest, Cedro di Taormina is no exception. In fact, it’s the perfect thing to kick start your summer. Check out my full review over at Escentual by clicking here.

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The Candies 2014: The Very Best and Very Worst Perfumes of 2014

Wow, what a whirlwind of a year 2014 was. The perfume industry has, as always, been nothing short of prolific in its output, with new brands popping up all over the place and the same big names releasing perfume upon perfume, and flanker upon flanker. It has, once again been a very busy year, and the hive of activity within the industry has meant that a great number of wonderful new olfactory treats have been unleashed on the noses of perfume lovers and consumers.

For me, this year has been one of great personal significance. In March I won my first Jasmine Award for my Guide to Violet, and shortly after in May, my best buddy and I tied the knot, only a few days before I presented an award at the Fragrance Foundation Awards. Then in August I was promoted at work, and in September my new husband and I headed off to Tokyo for the honeymoon of a lifetime. In short, it has been a fantastic year and one that will always remain truly in my heart as one of the very best.

To celebrate 2014 from a fragrant perspective, I present to you ‘The Candies 2014’. Those of you who have followed The Candies before will know that they are my annual perfume awards, celebrating the very best, and the very worst perfumes of the year (out of the 147 scents I have reviewed in 2014). Under the jump you will find the winners, losers and honourable mentions filed under neat little categories. So please, don your tux or ball down, break open the Bolly and take your seats for The Candies 2014.

[Also, please don’t forget to head on over to my dear perfume pals, Persolaise and Perfume Shrine, who are both joining me in sharing their ‘best of’ lists today.]

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New Escentual Post: Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Collection

Blu Mediterraneo: A Vibrant Taste of Italy

Up until very recently, Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo collection came under the category of things that I had sniffed in passing but had never paid too much attention to. Quite unfairly, I might add. A few weeks ago my friends at Escentual sent me some samples of the line to try and I must admit that I was really impressed with the quality and diversity of fragrances within the collection. Smelling them really does take one away to the sights, smells and sounds of the mediterranean.

For my column this week, I have reviewed each of the six fragrances in the Blu Mediterraneo collection, including the brand new addition – a bracing take on the note of Sardinian juniper entitled ‘Ginepro di Sardegna‘. So if you fancy a little olfactory trip to the seas, skies and smellscapes of Italy then please click here to head on over to Escentual to discover Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo. If you tried the perfumes, don’t forget to let me know your thoughts!

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