Luxurious stories and scents make up the truly distinguished perfume collection created by Kilian Hennessy. As an heir to the Hennessy cognac name, he was born with luxury in his blood.

“I wanted to stray from the family a bit, but not too much,” Hennessy says. Stray he did, but in the right direction. His perfume collections do more than spruce up a natural scent; they embody pure emotion through elegant fragrances.

Hennessy wrote his thesis on the semantics of odors at Sorbonne University in France before graduating from a program in communication and language sciences. Each perfume collection is inspired by what sparked his studies: literature, love and poetry – either the chapters of a relationship or the moments reminiscent of a certain feeling. Hennessy likes to create his own type of literature through natural oil, scents of sugar and wood from the cellars in Cognac.

After graduating, Hennessy worked with noted designers and leading perfume houses, including Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Paco Rabanne and Alexander McQueen. He decided to branch out on his own to make scents smell euphoric, and not follow the same routines for production each time.

Hennessy introduces scents that exude a sense of royalty. “I want the client to walk in a room and smell different than anyone else,” he says.

Each unisex scent creates a visual image and takes you to a moment in time. From Hennessy’s L’oeuvre Noire Collection, the Love scent is perfectly airy and feminine, like a warm and breezy spring afternoon. For a pinch of sexy, from the same collection, the Back to Black fragrance evokes just enough power and smells like a memorable summer night out.

Each perfume bottle is refillable, because in Hennessy’s mind, disposable perfume bottles don’t represent luxury; they’re just an object to throw away when the bottle runs dry. When you buy a matte black bottle from any of his collections, you’re making a lifelong investment. The perfume bottles are beautifully packaged in an artful box, one that Hennessy suggests can be reused as a jewelry or gift box. He did also mention it’s better for the environment to recycle these precious bottles, so they appeal to the senses and the earth.

His Arabian Nights line is inspired by the Middle East. The newest line, Asian Tales, is comprised of oriental scents and different bamboo oils. Hennessy doesn’t have a favorite or a signature scent because he uses various fragrances depending on the occasion. “I use different scents for work days, days where I stay in a t-shirt and jeans, and a different scent for when I go out at night,” he says.

The fragrance connoisseur’s perfume lines are only available in 150 stores worldwide, while other brands are in thousands. Why? He notes that his perfumes are in select stores to put the luxury and specialty in the hands of the right people. Saks Fifth Avenue is the exclusive location in Michigan where Kilian Fragrance can be purchased.

Hennessy also has candles available in the L’oeuvre Noire Collection, and they’re soon to be available in the other two collections. The Parisian-based perfumer is constantly traveling, especially during his busiest times of the year: near Mother’s Day and before the winter holidays. He enjoys the experience, but says sometimes he misses out on exploring the towns he visits because of his fast-paced schedule.

“I’m in Michigan for today and I would love to make it to Detroit, but I don’t have time,” he says. He’s headed to Washington, back to Paris, then returning to Beverly Hills to show Asian Tales to the world.

How does a brilliant French perfume creator find time to relax, especially during his hectic seasons?

“Baths, baths are key. Just a soak in the tub for 20 minutes or so to relax the muscles,” he says. Of course, he admits to checking and writing e-mails during his post-day soak, but it keeps him rejuvenated nonetheless.

Hennessy’s perfume collections are just as refreshing as hearing him speak passionately (in a smooth, suave French accent, I might add) about his craft.

Prices are as follows:

50ml / 1.7 fl.oz Bottle (can be refilled),  $225

50ml / 1.7 fl.oz refill, $125

30ml / 1 fl.oz. Travel Spray (can be refilled), $135

30ml / 1 fl.oz. refill, $70

280g / 9.9 oz Candle, $85

1 Litre / 34 fl. oz fountain, $2,500

Erica’s Recommendations:

L’oeuvre Noire Collection:

Back to Black- inspired by Tobacco

Love- inspired by the Marshmallow

Straight to Heaven- inspired by Rum

Arabian Nights Collection:

Incense Oud

Asian Tales Collection:

Bamboo Harmony

Trench coats are practical, there is no doubt. But that doesn’t mean they have to look practical. This spring, gravitate toward a brighter cover-up that will protect your clothing and your mood from the rain.

1. I own multiple trench coats, and this is one of my favorites. A vintage Burberry that I wear without the belt, found for a steal at Chi-Chi and the Greek.
2. An orange coat is trés chic and this one from 10 Crosby Derek Lam marries a great cut with a great color. Reg. $595 now $356 at Neiman Marcus.
3. You have to be bold to rock such a bright yellow, but if you’ve got the nerve, the ASOS Collarless Belted Trench will get you well-deserved attention. Reg. $134 now $54 at ASOS.
4. I love the idea of this Juicy Couture Double Breasted Cropped Trench. Very fresh and modern. $298 at Nordstrom.
5. A totally different take on the trench, the Desigual Funnel Neck Floral Print Trench makes a fashion-forward statement. $154 at Macy’s.
6. If your trench coat budget is on the high side, the nipped waist Oscar de la Renta Full-skirted Silk-Faille Coat is as good as it gets. $2,790 at NET-A-PORTER.

Let it rain.

While this blog is typically reserved for posts pertaining to fashion, it can be easily argued that style is about much more than the clothing we choose to wear. Style extends to our homes, our cars, the way we cut our hair and how we serve a meal.

I love Easter Sunday. For me, it’s a quiet, reflective day, and an ideal time to do a little cooking and baking in solitude before the house erupts with activity once my guests arrive a few hours later. The brunch I created in the photo above (click the image to enlarge) was certainly easy, and one that didn’t call for a lot of time in the kitchen. We dyed eggs with the kids the evening before, so with the exception of a late morning egg hunt around the living room, one side dish was already checked off the list.

The rest of the brunch menu was as follows:

The Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole – a convenient and well-named dish, as it can be prepared the evening before and refrigerated until it needs to go in the oven – is a recipe featuring ciabatta bread, turkey sausage and eggs that I found in the May 2007 issue of Cooking Light. It’s incredibly tasty, and since it’s from Cooking Light, it’s also easier on the waistline.

A Dearborn Premium Mini Boneless Ham is always a crowd-pleaser and requires nothing more than to be sliced and plated.

A fruit salad filled with strawberries, blueberries, apples and cantaloupe is a healthy side dish that also adds color to the table.

I’m a sucker for Pillsbury Banana Quick Bread. I make it taste even better by adding really ripe mashed bananas to the mixture.

Instead of orange juice, I opted for something a bit more unexpected: a pitcher of Pina Colada Aqua Fresca, which I discovered in the July/August 2011 issue of Experience Life magazine, a simple but memorable blended drink of pineapple, mango and coconut water. Spike it with vodka if you’re in the mood for an early cocktail.

Switch out the Easter eggs with everyday hard-boiled eggs, and you’ve got an easy brunch menu perfect for any weekend gathering. Enjoy.

I never thought I would say this, but please rain soon. The trees are thirsty. The grass needs some H2O. And I’m just looking for an excuse to wear my fabulous rain boot finds. Rubber-crafted footwear usually doesn’t excite me but I discovered some fabulous styles that have me doing the rain dance.

I scored these ankle wellies from Stella Shoe Boutique in Ferndale. How cute is the dainty bow topper on this perfectly contoured, easy slip-on design? Ahh-dorable.

Next, I came across these Coach Tasha rain boots at Macy’s and was pleasantly surprised. The sleek factor combined with luxe gold accents gives these delights the look of chic leather riding boots but keeps my feet dry all day.

Models at the Dsquared² Spring 2012 runway rocked high heel rain boots with swank festival attire. I love how the designers paired the statement shoes with vibrant maxi dresses and skirts that have thigh-high slits. It may not be the most practical look but the unexpected chic element is super inspiring. You can translate the trend by wearing rain boots with a flowy sundress to inject a contrast with impact.

For more precipitation-friendly shoes available in metro Detroit, check out these boots featured in the April 2012 issue of StyleLine: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/8ce7ad6a – /8ce7ad6a/61

Do you have a favorite pair of rain boots? I want to hear from you!

Sincerely,

The Rain Worshiper

Before we get into the examples, a couple of dos and don’ts:

• Do – go for either a rocker or minimalist look. The type of blazer works with both styles very effortlessly.
• Don’t – layer long sleeves underneath, with very few exceptions. This jacket looks best with a sleeveless blouse under it. Compare the Lanvin ensemble with the one from Maison Martin Margiela. While both blazers are incredible, MMM’s loses its impact with a white button down under it.
• Do wear the blazer open. This is an edgy piece. Buttoning it takes it in a more conservative direction.
• Do pair this jacket with skinny pants, joggers (the new relaxed pant that cuffs at the ankle), formal shorts and flirty mini skirts.

Now for the examples (see collage above):

• Maison Martin Margiela, $1,513, at brownsfashion.com
• Topshop, $90, at topshop.com
• ASOS, $125, at asos.com
• Topshop – this is the one I have, which is no longer available in black. Try the taupe version instead, $120, topshop.com
• Rag & Bone, $395, neimanmarcus.com

Would you wear the sleeveless blazer? How would you style it?

As a woman who daily lines her lower inner lashes with an onyx liner, it was a bit of a change to leave that part of my eyes bare, save for a swipe of mascara. But I must admit, I rather like the end result.

To achieve it, I defined my brows with a thin brush and brown shadow, then swiped on green shadow, extending past the outside edges of each eye. (Blue shadow is a proper choice, too, for a retro eye.) Liquid liner is a must for this look, also extended past the edges in a bit of an upsweep. (For night, I would extend the line even farther and make it thicker.) Curled lashes are essential, followed by a few coats of black volumizing mascara. Or better yet, faux lashes. I kept the rest of my face soft to let the eyes be the focus.

To get the extra volume in my hair, I sprayed in Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, tousled my hair and then finished with TRESemmé Tres Two Extra Hold Hair Spray.

Now if only I could mimic Miranda and Jessica’s bodies…

Yves Saint Laurent OMBRES 5 LUMIÈRES in 6 Garden of Eden, $58

MAC eyeshadow in Swimming, $15

And then fall arrived and the proverbial rug was pulled out from under my flatforms. No one was selling them. No. One. When I googled “flatforms”, my search returned an mp3 file of crickets chirping. Where had my beloved flatforms gone? Could they only have had life for one precious season? And, if this were true, couldn’t someone have had the decency to let me know so I could buy ever pair available?

While to most, it was a mild winter, for me, it was downright cold.

But then, just as quickly as they stomped out of sight, flatforms are suddenly back in time for spring, and there are more styles to choose from than ever! Hallelujah!

I won’t be taking any chances this year. I’ll be doing all my shoe shopping for 2012 over the next few months … just in case. In the meantime, here are some fresh spring styles -  all are on my personal wish list – to get your feet inspired. If you’ve never tried on a pair of flatforms, believe me, this is the year to try the trend.

BCBGeneration Shoes, Kammie Flatform Sandals, $89, Macy’s

Matiko BALI, $180, Solestruck.com

VIPER Flatform High Sandals, $90, ASOS.com

Matiko Monaco Platform, $179, Urban Outfitters

Tory Burch Espadrilles – Sherri, $195, Bloomingdales

My eyes were instantly drawn to a necklace made from sterling silver, chrysocolla (a natural stone made into “beaded beads”) and a large dichroic glass center bead. I love the iridescent element and the ombré effect of the design.

I had the chance to meet the mastermind behind the jewelry. Here, Sintz shares the scoop about her wearable art.

HS: How did your interest in jewelry making first spark?

MS: My interest in jewelry began about 10 years ago. My mother, who was then in her 80s and loved color, taught herself to make simple, beaded jewelry, especially the memory wire bracelets. She then taught my daughter, who expanded on what she learned and started making jewelry as gifts. I went to visit her in New York City and one day, while we were running errands in the city, she took me into a bead shop to pick up some supplies for her work.  I came out three hours later with $300 worth of beads and have been hooked ever since.

HS: How did your passion evolve into a business?

MS: Like most beaders, when I wore my jewelry, my friends asked me to create things for them. Then I started having jewelry parties at home and continued to sell to my friends. When I was laid off from work last March, I started making jewelry full-time and became a part of Yellow Door. I am looking to expand my market so I can afford to continue to do this full-time.

HS: What inspires your creations?

MS: Being very visual. I am inspired by color, as well as when I see stones and crystals. Sometimes pictures in magazines inspire me. My goal is to often make a piece of jewelry the focal point around which an outfit is planned (i.e. pick the jewelry and then buy the dress to go with it).

HS: What types of materials do you use in your designs? And where do you get your beautiful beads?

MS: I use Swarovski crystals, dichroic beads, natural stones such as turquoise, amethyst, agate, jasper, tourmaline, semi-precious beads such as aquamarines, tanzanite and sapphires, sterling silver, lead-free pewter, and other crystals.  I buy the majority of my beads at the bead shows that come to the area from March until November, such as the International Gem and Jewelry show. I have been to the huge two-week gem and jewelry show in Tucson several times, which is my favorite. Locally, I buy a lot of my supplies at Munro Crafts in Berkley, right down the street from Yellow Door.

HS: What is the price range for your jewelry?

MS: My pieces range from $15 to $175.  I do necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and watches.

HS: Do you offer custom jewelry?

MS: Yes, I do custom jewelry and have lots of options to offer.

Some other designs by Sintz that caught my attention include this statement piece made from green quartz beads with a solid sterling silver hammered pendant from India and an amethyst pearl clasp.

This necklace, made from pink crazy lace agate and sterling silver with a Swarovski crystal clasp, is a great way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe this spring.

In addition to Yellow Door Art Market, Sintz also is selling her designs at Whimsy in Royal Oak, a new art consignment and gift store that now represents 70 Michigan artists. The designer is working on launching her website and hopes to sell her creations on www.etsy.com in the near future.

For more information, contact Sintz at 248.593.8402 or msintz@mindspring.com.