The difference between Natural Wood and Man Made Wood (MDF)

 When I started business, I had no idea what I was doing. When I lost my job, I joined millions of Americans on the Just Over Broke line. If I didn’t have a mortgage, I would probably be ok., but due to past mistakes of trying to become an entrepreneur, it does come with risks.I’m still paying the price. In case you didn’t know at least 85% of businesses you see online will not be here in the next 5 years (mind could be in that statistic).

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Being a white collar worker, I thought I would get a job right away but that just wasn’t the case. I found out that after a few years, my sought after profession has become not only competitive but also extremely saturated. Add Covid to that and you have a recipe for a lot of hungry days if you don’t plan properly.

I decided to do something else in the meantime until I could find my place back in my profession again. I started to sell things. Due to covid, it was a bit harder as a lot of the things you see on my site are much easier to view in person to make a decision rather than just seeing it on line. We all had to adjust but some can do it better than others. 

A customer asked me about the difference between MDF wood and just wood. Being new I had no idea so of course I lost the sale. I didn’t even know such a thing existed. I personally thought wood was wood. But then again, since I’m from the scientific field, if someone asked me what’s the difference between distilled water and purified water I could tell them: “Oh Well Sure, You See”...explains. The same would go for MDF vs Wood. 

So what is the difference? I’m glad you asked. Let’s discuss:

When most people think of wood, one would think that all wood comes from trees, but did you know that wood can also come from a variety of shrubs? The stem of plants raises the plant higher and acts as a support. These stems, what we think of as trunks, are composed of cellulose and lignin-based materials.

Generally speaking, natural wood is wood that was produced naturally (ie. grown as a tree/plant) and has not been chemically treated. This can include chemical drying, painting, pressure treating, or any other form of artificial modification to the wood beyond simply drying and cutting it.

MDF is short for Medium Density Fiberboard which is man-made. MDF is a high grade, composite material made from recycled wood fibers and resin. It is dried and pressed to produce dense, stable sheets.

Very simple so why do people prefer one over the other? It’s always hard to accept change.

Did you know that when trees are cut down for their wood, they have to be dried? The cellulose (the fibers that make up the wood) and the lignin (the glue that holds those fibers together) are saturated with water. They may be dried in an oven, or they may be left to dry in the open air, but either way they will still retain some water. The only way to completely dry out wood is to chemically dry it. Once that happens, it may no longer be considered truly "natural" wood.

The benefits of solid wood are that it’s strong and sturdy. Its features  are a beautiful natural look with grain patterns. Each species of wood is different and some have longer longevity than others. The beauty of natural wood is unbeatable.

Natural wood, while environmentally safe, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Natural wood is more vulnerable to rot, warping, swelling, and even insect infestation (termites). Natural wood can be used without worry in compost, or as a fuel source. Chemically treated wood could react negatively with fire, or the chemicals might not break down properly if left to the elements.

Wood contracts or expands when it is exposed to changing heat and humidity. Unless your home is a controlled climate, cabinets and tables made from wood can shrink or crack over time. Bug infestation can occur in your natural wood. It is vulnerable to pests which means it will require some maintenance.

Obviously Natural wood will cost higher due to the fact of processing. 

MDF, on the other hand,  does not warp or crack like natural wood. MDF is made from small particles so it doesn’t have noticeable grain patterns; this will result in a smoother finish on the finished products. Due to its simple process it is less expensive, which is sometimes a big selling point for some people.

Hopefully this helps you when it comes to knowing the difference. We all love the natural finish but with ongoing technology MDF wood is just as good, if not better if you’re on a budget but looking to have that lovely wood look in your home.

Luxury Perfumes

 OPUS II Perfume for Women by Amouage

It's no secret that I love perfumes. Men and women fragrances, I'm enamoured by both. They also have unisex smells that are quite intriguing to me as well. Usually when the new fragrances come out, they are very expensive. I usually wait a while or buy the box sets of my favourite fragrance but now there are so many counterfeits on the market that you dont' have to wait anymore if you're desperate to obtain your favourite smell. 

Usually anything over $100 will have me walk away (unless it's something that's really good), but then when I saw the price tag for Creed when I was doing a review I nearly fell off of my chair. I know they have a lot of women's fragrances that could match it but I didn't know there were so many. One of which I wanna touch on is Opus by Amouage.

                                        

Amouage is an international luxury fragrance house renowned for creating some of the most finely crafted perfumes in the world. Founded in the Sultanate of Oman in 1983 to be ‘The Gift of Kings’, the House has redefined the Arabian art of perfumery and garnered a global reputation for bringing innovative modernity and true artistry to all its creations. Amouage

Christopher Chong, the creative director of Amouage, is credited for creating the Opus collection. The new fragrances represent the memories as their very names are associated with the library in which many hidden treasures that lead us to ongoing research and study are hidden. The Library Collection is essentially a poetic homage to the art of living.

The composition of Opus II fragrance is a fougere one. This fragrance is created by the perfumer Michele Saramito. The olfactory journey begins with essential oils of lavender, wormwood, pink pepper and bay leaves. In the heart are the floral aromas of jasmine and rose spiced with cinnamon and cardamom, while the base features cedar, amber, musk, incense and patchouli.

Ranges of the collection can cost you anywhere from $150 to $355 USD. Personally this is on my list to sample, but at this time, I'll have to just dream about over looking the sea on vacation in Bali. 

Feeling Expensive has never Smelt so good

                         Everyone wants the best perfume to smell good off the boot, but sometimes it comes at a price. Here are a few new fragrances that have dropped for both men and women on the market. I'm going to have to go smell some of these so that I can look for deals or gift sets myself. 

Issey Miyake

                       Intriguing, powerful, poetic, nature keeps being surprising. Centifolia and damascena roses offset by a sweet, slightly fruity note gives a double intensity. A fragrance that translates the generous and polymorphic sides of nature. Priced at $110, it's well worth the smell, especially with the Sakura Blooms coming in April.

                                                  Angel Nova

                               ANGEL NOVA by Mugler, a fruity-floral Eau de Parfum that reveals a captivating, super-feminine fragrance that exudes instant pleasure and confidence. ANGEL NOVA, features top notes of juicy raspberry to light up your senses. Its middle notes reveal the deepest rose scent, achieved through the sustainable process of upcycling, or double distilling rose petals. The Akigalawood at the base transforms this fragrance for a long-lasting scent of cosmic power. It ranges from $75 to $100

                                                    Coach Dreams Sunset

Set to come out this spring, I had to mention this as I'm a big fan of the Coach fragrances. The notes for the floriental fragrance include bergamot, pear sorbet, jasmine, magnolia, vanilla and tonka bean. It will be available in 40, 60 and 90 ml Eau de Parfum. Price not available as of yet.

                            

Carolina Herrera 212 Men Heroes

                               This fresh new masculine scent celebrates youth, freedom and authenticity with a revolutionary vegan formula, a striking skateboard-shaped flacon—the ultimate symbol of rebellious youth—and an inspiring cast of ambassadors that is every bit as eclectic as the avant-garde ingredients inside. 212 Heroes reinvents Fougères with a new olfactive genre: Fougère Fruity Woody. Youthful top notes of Pear Elixir and Ginger are heightened by Lemon Haze Cannabis. The heart features an innovative, fresh accord of Geranium Oil Madagascar, leading to a leathery and woody base. Retail price: $146

                                                       Sauvage by Dior

It's not new, but Sauvage is an act of creation inspired by wide-open spaces. An ozone blue sky that dominates a white-hot rocky landscape. The strong gust of Citrus in Sauvage Eau de Toilette is powerfully anchored by the ambery nobleness of Ambroxan, the resinous Elemi and Woods that bind the whole. Instantly recognizable, it has become a genuine signature scent, unique* in its confident virility.

Like a deep breath of fresh air, Sauvage Eau de Toilette is a bold composition for a man who is true to himself.

You can also recharge your 1.0 oz. or 3.4 oz. Sauvage Eau de Toilette bottles with "REFILLABLE" indicated on the back (1.0 oz. Eau de Toilette) or underneath (3.4 oz. Eau de Toilette). Thanks @Dior  Price: $97

                                                           Creed Aventus

                               Last but not least, however the most expensive, Creed ends it all. The exceptional Aventus was inspired by the dramatic life of a historic emperor, celebrating strength, power, and success. Introduced in 2010 and crafted by the deft hand of Sixth Generation Master Perfumer Olivier Creed in collaboration with his son Erwin, this scent has grown to become the best-selling fragrance in the history of the brand. Olivier created its iconic name derived from a ("from") ventus ("the wind"), illustrating the Aventus man as destined to live a driven life, ever galloping with the wind at his back toward success. This fruity/rich scent has grown to become the best-selling fragrance in the history of the brand. Aventus is a sophisticated blend for individuals who savor a life well-lived. The cheapest size can drop you for $325. It's definitely worth it if you have the funds for it.

                

                                                                

What type of Perfume are you?

                Well hello there internet people, it's me again. Today we will talk about the different types of smells when it comes to perfumes. If you don't know by now, I'm really into scents. I think I went into the wrong profession of pharmacy and just stayed with chemistry.

                Last time we spoke, we mentioned that there are certain scents that work for us and more for others and vice versa. It could be of pheromones or it could be the type we choose (parfum, eu de toilette ect). It also could be how we actually apply the scent to our person. This time around we're going to touch upon the "smells".

                There are: Woody, Citrus, Oriental, Floral, Green, Fruity, Ocean and spice. There's also oceanic or aquatic. Now there are just a few scents that can be used alone or combined together to get that perfect scent just for you. You can also add other fragrances such as Lavander, Cedarwood and Jasmin. 

          Woody:  is a combination of wood and moss, most commonly referred to as chypre fragrances. The predominant use of oak moss, citrus, patchouli, bergamont as well as sweet earthy aromas help in creating a very soothing perfume. 

Wood perfumes are important  when it comes to providing the base to a perfume scent. Chypre fragrances usually refer to fragrances for female category and sometimes the unisex, but are not usually for the male category. woody scents are characterized by smelling like the great outdoors—but they can honestly be very sultry. If you like the smell of wet asphalt (which is called petrichor), you'll probably enjoy a woody scent. An example, but not limited to a woody scent would be Clinique Happy

       Citrus: Tangy and fruity are the best ways to describe citrus scents. These types of scents are said to be lively and are perfect for person with a bubbly nature. They are derived from lime, lemon, tangerine and mandarin. Some can feature real sharp tangy smells.

Citrus fragrances also tend to give a naturally refreshing feeling. These also are known to blend well and give women a very soft fragrance which can be worn with ease.  The essential oil blend contains a lively infusion of citrus fruits. You’ll pick up their scent during daytime and outdoor activities as well as other festive occasions. Some of the well-known brands that contain citrus scents are: Clinique’s Happy and Calvin Klein’s CK One.

         Oriental: Oriental scents aim to be sexy and exotic; reserved for strong, distinct, feminine perfumes. They are a complex blend of animalistic base scents like ambergris or even musk combined with warm, earthy or amber scents. You can then combine further with florals to create a bold, mysterious fragrance. Examples are: Givenchy’s Organza, and Versace’s Crystal Noir.

               Floral: As the name implies, floral scents are most often made from various flowers to create a traditionally feminine scent. Floral fragrances are said to cover the largest category of the different types of perfumes which draw inspiration from different sweet smelling flowers like roses, jasmine, orange blossoms, gardenias and carnations amongst others. These usually have a single or a blend of different scents from different flowers (mentioned earlier). Floral fragrances are considered to be unapologetically romantic and sweet smelling. The expectation for floral scents is often more sweet than sexy. Because of this, florals are classic scents. They're flirty, feminine and can range in intensity. They are very feminine in nature and are classic choices for those who want a perfume with a feminine touch . One of my favourite scents is Victor and Rolph.

              Green: Green scents tend to be unisex fragrances and don’t fall into the category of sexy or alluring. They are refreshing and popular due to their fresh smell reminiscent of freshly-cut grass. Modern and sporty, they are perfect for casual wear and outdoor events.  Some examples of green scents are: Adidas’ Adrenaline Woman, and Escada’s Magnetism.

        Fruity: Fruity scents are spicy, fresh, pleasant and largely popular due to their sweetness. They please the senses with the comforting and pleasant scents of peach, mango, berries, and apples. They combine well with floral scents. They can overpower, so applying sparingly. The  blend of spicy and fruity scents help make these ideal for usual dates and romantic outings. Some of the fruity scents you may have heard of include: Ralph Lauren’s Ralph Wild, Victoria’s Secret’s Very Sexy Now.

           

          Oceanic: Oceanic fragrances are claimed to be a relatively newer type of perfumes containing synthetic aromas to resemble smells of mountain air, clean linen etc. The first to appear on the market was Dune by Christian Dior in 1991. They inspire a feeling of clean and fresh energy. Cool Water Woman by Davidoff is a great example and I personally love it. 

        Spice: Spicy fragrances are sultry. Spicy scents are aromas that contain cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and ginger.  Chanel’s Coco and Estée Lauder’s Cinnabar are classic examples.

                I hope that helped you a bit in some of the different types of fragrances. All of those fragrances that I've mentioned, I've worn them.  I'd recommend them all, but it depends on how you feel for that day or the occasion you're getting dressed for. 

 One Perfume Is Not The Same As The Other

We already know that not all perfumes are made the same. 

Counterfeiters mislead consumers by creating products that are confusingly similar to the real commodity. Upon first glance you see the name brand packaging, both box and perfume bottle have colors resembling those of the genuine products. Oftentimes the perfumes state they are manufactured in France to emphasize a more luxurious product, but upon closer look, they are actually made in China. (CBP.gov)

Fragrance is absorbed by the body; therefore, consumers need to be aware that wearing counterfeit perfume could expose them to potentially hazardous chemicals. Counterfeit fragrances are usually marked by extremely cheap prices from what the actual retail price is when you compare it to the prices of the big department stores (i.e Macy’s, Dillards). Of course discount stores such as Walmart and Target can sell it cheaper as they buy in extreme bulk, vs smaller companies such as Trouvaille-sf, therefore, like Costco, the more you buy in bulk, the cheaper it is for you. 

With an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $48 million, pharmaceuticals and personal care products represented six percent of the total goods seized by CBP in fiscal year 2019. In 2019 approximately $ 1.5 billion worth of counterfeit goods originating overseas were seized by CBP. China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey and Canada were the top five countries of origin for counterfeit goods seized by CBP.

So how can you figure out who is real and who is fake? The main culprit would be the price. If you see something that usually sells for 100 and it’s on sale on E-bay for 30 dollars, that should tell you that something is definitely wrong here. Not all products you buy online are legit. Just because there’s a seller on amazon or ebay doesn’t mean what they’re selling is legit. In fact, they themselves might not know since they’re not the ones who have the actual product. It could be the vendors they use. If it says made in China, then you’ll know, it’s fake. Did you buy it on Craig’s List? If you have to meet the person to make an exchange, check this site to see how you can spot a fake: Spot a fake

The smell is another thing. Most counterfeits don’t last long. Fragrances are made of fragrance oils, called perfume essence, dissolved in alcohol with water. There are different types of fragrances, depending on the concentration of perfume essence.

The difference of concentrations in fragrance oils is as follows:

– Parfum extract: 15% to 40%

– Eau de Parfum (EDP): 10% to 20% 

– Eau de Toilette (EDT): 5% to 15% 

– Eau de Cologne (EDC): 2% to 4%

The higher concentration of perfume essence makes a perfume last longer, which is why EDP has a longevity of about 6 to 7 hours, as opposed to EDT, which usually lasts between 2 to 4 hours, or an EDC, which is up to 2 hours.

If your fragrance lasts only 10 minutes, you might have a counterfeit, but  hold on! Your skin type might also be an issue. Dry skin will not absorb the scent as does a moisturised one. We had spoken last time about MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex). Well actually we didn’t, I just provided a link that someone else spoke about but it’s all good, right? You can go back to that story at your leisure if you missed it. Basically in a nut shell MHC is your pheromones. It’s what attracts you to someone else. If you’re a science geek, like me, then you can read more about this here: Pheromones With that being said, one perfume/cologne may work for you but another may not. 

Here are some tips, even if you decide that you just prefer the cheaper price of the perfume to apply on yourself: Cosmopolitan's tricks to keeping yourself smelling nice

In the end, it really comes down to you and your budget. People are always looking for a bargain, that’s why they shop for deals, but the hidden dangers are there when it comes to getting the real or the knock off. Just be sure to know the risks. Happy shopping.

Sweet Smell of Spring

                 The pandemic is slowly fading away and many places are opening up so that we can all get back to our lives as we once knew. There will be precautions going on but with spring coming up, we are on our way to mingling and just going out to visit friends, family and loved ones.

                 Don't you just love the sweet smell of spring? It reminds us that summer is coming and we will be able to go out to mingle after hunkering down not only from Covid, but also from the bad weather we've had.

            I don't know about you, but when I go out to visit friends or be amongst strangers, I like to smell good. Granted, there are a lot of people who are allergic to certain smells these days and I'm not talking about bad smells or body odor but from the very smell that we love to put on our persons. That's right, perfumes.

            So what are perfumes? It is a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents, usually in liquid form, used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living-spaces an agreeable scent. 

           Ancient texts and archaeological excavations show the use of perfumes in some of the earliest human civilizations. Modern perfumery began in the late 19th century with the commercial synthesis of aroma compounds such as vanillin or coumarin, which allowed for the composition of perfumes with smells previously unattainable solely from natural aromatics. (See Webster Dictionary for more details).

           The perfume industry spends thousands of dollars trying to buy our attention through fashion, social media and marketing. According to the latest report by IMARC Group, titled “Perfume Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026”, the global perfume market reached a value of US$ 32.8 Billion in 2020. Can you imagine what it will be like in 2021?

        That being said, you want the type of perfume that fits your style, personality and attraction. I personally like the sweet, fresh, citrus type smells where as others prefer musk scents or flower-like smells. Before I started really getting into fragrances, I had no idea that the type of fragrance sticks with you depending on your own body chemistry. Your skin type also affects how long the fragrance will stay on you, regardless if you buy a cheap knock off or the real deal. If you buy an imitation or counterfeit, it may only last a minute and you're stuck wondering why. Yes, perhaps because you bought the knock off but then again, it could be you. It's all about the MHC's, but we will discuss that next time. If you can't wait, check out MHC? to get a little bit of what that means.

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