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Dear Betsy,I am looking for a special perfume gift for a lady who has been very sweet and kind to me. I don't know much about the nice luxury ones to buy. I asked her friend and she says she likes spicy oriental perfumes and not the modern fruity vanilla ones. She likes a European-type perfume. This doesn't mean much to me so can you tell me the name of some perfumes that fit this description? This is important as if she likes my choice she might like me too.
Thank you for all your writings each week.
Mr W H
Dear Mr W H,
What a thoughtful guy you are. It can be very daunting to choose a fragrance for someone else. The fragrance you wear can say so much about you, just as the choice of fragrance you purchase for her can say a lot about you.
You did not give me any indication of her age, which can also be an important factor, but I am assuming if she dislikes the modern vanilla/fruity fragrances then she is more likely to be in the 30+ age group and would prefer a more classic fragrance.
Spicy-oriental type fragrances include Cinnibar and Youth Dew from Estee Lauder, Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, Coco by Chanel and Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens. You could also consider Chanel No 5, which despite the thousands of new fragrances launched every year, still remains the top selling fragrance worldwide, so this would be a pretty safe option.
If you are hoping to make a 'romantic' impression, then a gift of this fragrance would certainly speak volumes.
It is said to contain more than 200 ingredients and when Marliyn Monroe was asked what she wore in bed she famously answered "just some Chanel No 5".
This fragrance also has a wonderful range of complimentary body products such as soap, bath gel, body lotion, rich body cream and a best selling spray for fragrancing your hair, so you can really make a very bold statement if you wish.
You will find the sales assistants in Debenhams, Faces and Al Hawaj very helpful and knowledgeable and they will gift wrap your purchase for you.
I hope your gift has the desired effect. Please let us know!
BETSY SAYS RELAX ...
Use nutrition to fight the negative effects of stress. Taking 1000ml of vitamin C daily or 2000mg if you are a smoker can help. The B vitamins are especially important for our nervous system so taking a B Complex supplement is recommended. Some nutritionists say that zinc and magnesium are also vital. In an ideal world we would be able to obtain these vitamins and minerals from our daily diets but fast food, busy lives and foods of questionable origin mean it makes more sense to take supplements.
If you only do one thing this week
Start taking some Echinacea to boost your immune system as there seems to be a nasty virus sweeping the island right now.
You can find Echinacea in different forms such as liquid supplements, pastilles and tablet form at various pharmacies and the health food sections of supermarkets. Check with the pharmacist if you are pregnant or taking medications as it is not always compatible.
Dear Betsy,
I travel a lot with work and need to take my laptop with me. I really hate those awful boring briefcases and so I am looking for an elegant handbag-type laptop bag. Can you recommend anywhere?
Lisa J
Dear Lisa,
Yes, I agree there are a lot of boring briefcases out there!
Try some of the handbag shops in the Seef and A'Ali malls. If your laptop is 13-14 inches then you might find an elegant handbag that suits your purpose as larger handbags are in fashion right now.
Try luggage shops also such as the Delsey shop in Jashanmals or online shops - some have really beautiful, elegant laptop bags including www.aspinaloflondon.com - pricey but fabulous in the palest pastel and richest ruby leathers - and www.knomo.com
Knomo bags have a unique identification number system so that if you lose the bag it can be traced back to you.
They have exquisitely designed interiors including a quilted lift-out laptop cover and lots of pockets and spaces for your plug, mobile phones, files, pens and of course that all-important lipstick!
I bought one of these four years ago, it has been all around the world with me and still looks like new.
It has the added advantage of looking like an elegant large leather handbag so it can be used constantly. Rich red leather, black, beige, purple, brown - means you are spoilt for choice.
I recently saw Knomo bags on sale at Dubai Duty Free shops but have not yet spotted them in Bahrain.
The only problem with some of these large laptop handbags is that they can weigh quite a lot once they are filled up so when I am travelling, I always take a small cabin case on wheels with me so that I can attach the handbag on top and try to avoid that neck and shoulder pain.
I believe that many of the chain stores such as Marks and Spencer and Debenhams are beginning to sell this type of bag also as more and more women shy away from those butch, boring briefcases.
Dear Betsy,
I need help with my bra. I am never sure what my correct size is and always seem to be lifting my straps up or find myself spilling out of the cup. My friends are always telling me off for wearing the wrong type of bra. Is there anywhere in Bahrain I can go for a professional bra fitting?
Betty Boop
Dear Betty,
I remember reading a survey somewhere that said over 90 per cent of women constantly wear the wrong size of bra. Add to that the fact that most of us have one side larger than the other and higher/lower than the other side and buying a bra becomes something of a minefield.
Correct measuring is very important and involves measuring around your chest, under your breasts, as well as at your fullest point, to determine your chest size and cup size. This is not an exact science either as manufacturers don't always work with the same yardstick and different styles and cuts of bras mean your size can vary enormously from shop to shop.
Marks and Spencer offer a bra fitting service so you could try them. However, if they proclaim you to be a 38D (lucky you) then don't expect bras from Debenhams/British Home Stores etc in a 38D to fit you.
You need to try bras on and make sure that they fit snugly around the under breast area, the straps are tightened to stop them falling down but not tight enough to cause deep welts in your shoulders and your breasts fill the cups without spilling over the sides or top and that there is no 'empty space' in the cup which means it is too big. Remember too that different cup shapes/styles are important as wearing a balcony/push up style under a crew neck T-shirt will not do your figure any favours.
If you need a bra to wear with a specific outfit then take the outfit with you when you are shopping for bras and take an honest friend with you too.
Beware, when buying bras, that you check on the stores returns policy as Debenhams, for instance, will not allow you to return a bra/underwear once purchased and the shop assistants don't point this out to you (or they didn't in my case and refused to exchange a bra even when I took it back the same day and it still had all the tags on).
Other stores understand your need for time and privacy when it comes to trying on a bra and their returns policy reflects this.
Even if you had a professional fitting last year, the same size bra may not fit you this year even if your weight has remained the same.
A woman's breasts can change size at different times of the month, for example. It is also important to take into account the style/size of panties that you wear with a specific bra style to ensure you have a smooth looking silhouette, but that's another minefield entirely!
Thongs, big pants, low rise hipsters, high leg, low leg, control panties, high-waisted knickers, French knickers, the mind boggles.
For the ultimate in made to measure underwear try visiting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's favourite shop when you are next in London. Nestling the shadow of Harrods you will find Rigby and Peller who will custom make underwear, lingerie and swimwear, making those slipped straps a thing of the past.
Seems to me there is a huge gap in that market out here in the Gulf ... entrepreneurs take note!
