Dracula has no bite

Having waited with baited breath for the better part of the year for Sky Livings new show Dracula starring Jonathon Rhys Meyers I expected Big Things. The numerous adverts for so long it felt like forever had intrigued me and come on, it's Dracula! Its got to be good right? Right? Wrong.

It was watchable. I will probably watch the next one. But I did laugh out loud when it was described as 'epic' on the voice over at the end.  Its only saving grace was the Renfield character which i thought was a nice touch. But Drac + Van Helsing on the same side? Against oil companies? Can't see this one lasting, which is a real shame, as I do love a gothic fantasy.

I feel the need to cleanse my eyeballs by watching the Gary Oldman/Winona Ryder film.

I am a Modern Muse...

So how  excited was I to be selected by the lovely Beauty Club Team at Debenhams to trial the newest creation in the Estee Lauder fragrance collection: 'Modern Muse'.

I love to try different fragrances, and have my own faves, so I was intrigued to see if this would be a hit. I am a busy working mum to two boys, I often need a fragrance to last a day, as I do not have time to respritz!

 Estee Lauder are known for their classic fragrances, but this one was inspired by:

'the complexity of a modern woman, with the same dynamic contrasts as her life and personality. Her creative energy and magnetic femininity are captured by its multi-faceted, sparkling floralcy. Her sleek style, strength and sensuality by its sleek woods.'

Sounds lush doesn't it, and I almost couldn't wait to get it out of the box, although I managed to restrain myself long enough to take a few pics!

I was impressed with the packaging - very simple yet oh so chic. A pale pink box suggesting femininity and a gold embossed top to an abstract painted bottled that says class. The bottle inside is delicate, yet strong, the lovely bow feature at the top is unusual, and classy in an era where fragrance bottles are covered in bling.

Modern Muse note by note as described by Estee Lauder:

• Exotic Mandarin
• Honeysuckle Nectar
• Dewy Petals
• Jasmine Sambac 
• China Absolute 
• Tuberose Fleur Fir Nat
• Fresh Lily
• Patchouli Coeur
• Patchouli Crist 
• Amber Wood
• Suede Musk
• Madagascar Vanilla SFE

The floral and citrus combination is a hit with me - strong without being overpowering, each note working together to create a lovely feminine scent - indeed multi faceted as Lauder described it. Although floral it is also a warm scent, one I would feel comfortable wearing in any season.

After the initial spritz it settled to a lovely delicate yet strong scent, and as the day wore on I found the fragrance to still be vibrant, and I was able to smell it on my clothes and skin throughout the working day, giving me confidence that it would be a fragrance I could rely on as part of my busy lifestyle.

Definitely a winner for me, and available for you to buy at Debenhams - the perfect Christmas present for any Modern Muse!