From Legally Blonde to Legally in Bloom

Ms. Witherspoon has many accomplishments under her belt: from movie stardom in crowd pleasers like Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama to her role in diehard practicality as June Carter Cash in Walk The Line , she has managed to win America’s hearts using her traditional, sweeter than citrus innocence.

But Witherspoon is also an emblem of strength. She emerges from Legally Blonde less muddled and less “standard blonde” and thereby gives a message of hope to all the Harvard Law aspirants nationwide: you can be strong; you can do it.

Hence it comes as little surprise to me that her new scent for Avon called In Bloom is supposed to stand for everything the actress embodies: sensuality, glamor, elegance, authenticity and confidence.

Witherspoon says, “In developing In Bloom I found myself drawn to the scents of my childhood in Tennessee…we had a great big Magnolia tree in our backyard, and it’s that beautiful white blossom that inspired the perfume.” Here is a behind the scenes video of her fragrance.

Steel Magnolias are very common in Tennessee…in fact, the state actually has a town called Magnolia. But what starts with a Southern note also uses some Oriental flavor:

Top Notes: Georgia Peach Tea Leaves, Crisp Greens

Heart Notes: Star Gardenia, Magical Magnolias, Night Blooming Jasmine

Drydown: Cashmere Woods, Hypnotic Florals, Amber Wood Crystals

We’ve gone from Tennessee to Georgia to Exotic Oriental in one bottle: it’s like a cartographer’s dream.

I do love the packaging! The fragrance is a pale caramel color, and the lid is a carved rose sitting on top of a bulbous base. The fragrance itself is sultry and sensuous (I felt as though I was entering an Oriental Museum) yet tinged with floral. It makes you think of gardens and incense at the same time.

This is a limited Edition Perfume available exclusively on Avon.com. Here is the commercial.

Eau de Parfum ($34); Parfum ($59); Body Mist ($15); Body Lotion ($15); Shower Gel ($15).

Another celebrity has fallen under the spell of the fragrance craze.

This time it’s Sweet Alabama star Reese Witherspoon, whom I heart. The fragrance, called In Bloom, boasts top notes of Georgia peach, tea leaves and crisp greens; a heart of Star gardenia, magnolias and night-blooming jasmine; and base notes of cashmere woods, hypnotic florals and amber wood crystals.

The actress partnered with Avon to develop this perfume.

“In developing In Bloom, I found myself drawn to the scents of my childhood in Tennessee,” explains Reese Witherspoon. “We had a great big Magnolia tree in the back yard, and it’s that beautiful white blossom that inspired the perfume. In Bloom is indicative of where I am in my life today. I’m feeling very strong and independent, and so happy, so full of life. The fragrance truly captures that feeling-it’s very sensual, very romantic and alluring.”

The fragrance will be available globally in November in two sizes: a 1.7-oz. eau de parfum for $34, and a 1-oz. limited edition version for $59. A body mist, body lotion and shower gel also will be available for $15.

Angelina loves them. Reese Witherspoon sports them. Anya Hindmarch’s bags are getting better each second and her combinations of luxe leather and hardware had me in a tizzy when I walked by her store at the Short Hills Mall.

The English designer is well know for her “Be A Bag” which you can decorate with your digital photograph, as well as for designing elegant silk clutches for the late Princess Di:

This is one of her most coveted, sold out bags: the “Cooper” which Angelina adores (675 pounds):

Her “Loose Pocket” purses are timeless and never go on sale (price 60-80 pounds each):

She’s also featured in the August issue of Allure Magazine.

www.anyahindmarch.com