YSL Libre Florals and Flames edp review

pictured: YSL Libre Floral and Flames edp 1 oz bottle / nail polish /

I am in love with YSL Libre Floral & Flames edp for the spring and summer seasons! Possibly beyond! Although categorized as a fresh floral, this acts as a spicy floral when on the skin. I am in love!

YSL Libre Floral & Flames edp combines fragrance notes of palm-tree flower accord, lily flower accord, vanilla, and orange blossom accord. This creates a warm, spicy floral experience perfect for warm weather; and also moderate temps. Love!

Since this is an eau de parfum formula, YSL Libre Floral & Flames lasts about ten hours on my skin. The spicy scent ends sooner, around six hours, and then you are left with a beautiful warm floral fragrance for the remaining, roughly four hours.

There are a few sizes of the YSL Libre Floral & Flames edp fragrance available, including a travel size you can take on airplanes. Love that! I purchased the one-ounce bottle, which is pictured above.

So, if you are looking for a new spicy floral, this is the one! It will also make a fabulous gift. Love!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


BAF Weekly IT List

BAF Weekly IT List from top left: peacoat (on sale!) / Hermes nail polish / Chanel spring nail polish / Dior spring nail polish / belted tote / Dior edp / pearl earrings / scarf / black boots / caramel top handle bag / sneakers / jeans /

Ever since Pantone announced Cloud Dancer as the color of 2026, I feel like I have been seeing shades of white everywhere! Pearls have also seemed to explode in popularity; although classic pearl jewelry has always been popular, so there’s that, haha.

The anonymous handbag is also still hot as well as vintage styles from the early 2000’s. If you have an IT bag from 15-20 years ago, bring it back into rotation! It’s IT again! The only caveat is that the IT bags making a comeback do not have logos. Steer clear of obvious logos.

Pops of spring are starting to make an appearance in the form of nail polish and floral fragrances. Why not add a little sunshine to a winter ensemble? It can perk up a cloudy day. Love that!

Shop the BAF Weekly IT List online:

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for upcoming spring coverage!

XOXO
Cathy


Balenciaga City Bag review

pictured: Balenciaga Le City Bag vintage circa 2009 (formerly known as the Balenciaga City Tote) / nail polish / iPhone case /

It’s back! Demand for the original Balenciaga City Bag exploded in 2025, and as we land in 2026, demand is still skyrocketing. Is it possible to revive an IT bag from yesteryear? It sure looks like it!

The Balenciaga City Bag was iconic in the early 2000’s. I snapped up mine in 2009. It was originally a light, denim blue but has faded to more of a grey-blue. Colored leather is always susceptible to fading and color changes. For a more stable color, I recommend natural colors and also black. That being said, I still love the color it has become over the years.

Now, let’s chat a little bit about Balenciaga itself. The design house was popular for decades going back to it’s founding in 1917. Nicolas Ghesquiere launched the city bag collection, and it exploded to IT status rather quickly. Unfortunately, when Demna took over, the brand’s vibe became dark; and let’s not start in about the advertising scandal. It’s too shameful.

Thankfully, Balenciaga has parted ways with Demna and now they have Pierpaolo Piccioli and the brand is once again, out of the dark.

This may have led to the renewed intereest in Balenicaga’s handbag collection as well as designs as a whole. For now, the City bag collection is exploding once again, just like 15-20 years ago. If you have one in your archives, it is time to pull it back out and rock it on casual days.

If you do not already own one of these soft and squishy, delightful bags, what are you waiting for! Look at the squishy and soft leather!

I love the whole moto-chic vibe of the Balenciaga City Bag and how it can be worn by the top handles or the attached shoulder strap. My bag is from 2009, and it has been worn A LOT! The leather is in amazing shape, minus the faded color. The craftsmanship, quality, leather, and style are impeccable. If you don’t already own one, I highly recommend investing in a Balenciaga City Bag for your collection. It is well worth it!

The interior features a zipper pocket and there is a mirror attached to the bag you can move around. I keep mine tucked inside the bag. There is also an exterior zipper pocket, which I never use.

I plan to wear mine a lot this spring and summer seasons. I am so happy this bag is back in style. It is one of my all-time favorite bags! Love!

Shop the Balenciaga City Bag online:

What do you think of the Balenciaga City Bag? Do you love it too?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy