WHAT I SMELL:  Basilico & Fellini opens with a warmed, sparkling and zesty dragon fruit that is incredibly uplifting in its tanginess and its freshness.  The basil comes in quickly to add this great mix of herbal goodness to the tangy fruit.  It’s gourmand, but from the garden with the fruit and herb.  After a bit, the dragon fruit begins to make way for a soft violet mixed with a fuzzy fig.  There’s so much freshness going on here that is so refreshing, delightful and positive in its energy.  All the notes within this concoction seem to take turns coming to the surface, from fruit to herb to flower as if they’re involved with a whirling and twirling dance of happiness.  This dance continues for quite some time, but it finally slows down to quietly end with a warm and comforting fig infused hay.  Basilico & Fellini is a delight of a perfume that’s perfect for warmer weather as well as those winter days when you want to be transported back to the sun-filled splendor of the garden.

From the Vilhelm Parfumerie website:

The unmistakable smell of risotto bianco and a minty, peppery kick as the ultra fresh basil warms on the dish. A bon vivant who wanted to show life in all its glorious reality – people eating, sleeping and making love – Federico Fellini was said to request extra servings of this herb, rumored to be an aphrodisiac.

Top:  Dragon Fruit, Basil
Middle : Violet, Wild Fig
Base : Vetiver, Green Hay

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Fig and basil garden goodness.  So much so that I thought I would include a recipe for a delicious fresh salad.

Fresh Fig Salad with Basil, Goat Cheese, and Arugula

Fig season is short and sweet, so make the most of it with this fresh fig salad with basil, goat cheese, and pomegranate vinaigrette.  Yields 4 servings.

• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 4 tsp pomegranate molasses
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 6 tbsp olive oil
• 5 oz arugula
• ¾ cup basil leaves
• 8 ripe figs, room temperature
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled