One of the perks of having a mother who works in the makeup department at Kohls? Free samples. Samples of anything I want, mascara, moisturizer, even eye wrinkle cream. The best samples, though, are the tiny spritzers of perfume. Just enough for 2 or 3 applications, but hey it’s free.

The All-Time Favorite Perfume Of Beth

My mom introduced me to Liz Taylor’s Passion years ago and I have received more compliments wearing it than any other fragrance. The smell is soft, not over-powering and although after it’s been on for a while and you cannot smell it-others can. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but one way of knowing you aren’t wearing a cheap perfume is if you can’t smell it but others can. She supposedly stopped making Passion a while back, however it’s still available at most department stores.

The Worst Fragrance

Anything Gucci. In my opinion all of the scents smell the same and are extremely heavy. A teacher of mine wore Gucci and practically bathed in it, so this may have influenced my dislike. Remember- a little goes a long way and some people are allergic, so take it easy when spraying or applying any scent.

Gifts, Anyone?

Other than my mother, I have never purchased perfume or cologne as a gift for anyone. Unless you know the person wears a particular scent, it can be difficult to judge how a fragrance will react with a person’s body chemistry. If I had to choose I would go with two classics- Polo, by Ralph Lauren, for men and Obsession, by Calvin Klein, for women.

My Collection Of Scents

Currently I have both Passion and Obsession, although right now during allergy season I rarely wear either. With the samples my mom gives me I do have one newer release I’d like to try. Of all people, it’s Paris Hilton’s Heiress. Soft, fruity/flower smell and not a bad price. So go ahead and smell me- I may just smell like Paris Hilton.

This may or may not get a small debate started and frankly I don’t care. I whole-heartedly believe everyone should have a chance at the “American Dream,” but, while I welcome those from other countries into my own, I expect them to make an effort not only to learn, but to speak the English language. Why? I think the video below explains it all. I have no qualms with anyone wanting to preserve their heritage for their children and teaching them the language of their ancestors. But when you’re interacting as an American, with Americans, I find it insulting to hear another language being spoken. We welcome you, yet you basically laugh in our faces and disrespect the people, the country and the dream.

Last Friday morning I interviewed for a position in the Internet department of a local car dealership. Yes, I’m still working at the newspaper, but it’s only part-time and it’s very difficult making it on the money I earn, even though it’s decent for 20 hours a week. At any rate, the woman I interviewed with liked me-she even went so far as calling and leaving a message telling me she had one more person to interview today, but and I am quoting, “It looks goooood,” as far as me getting the job. She also said she just wanted me to know that so I wouldn’t think about it over the weekend. Fast forward to today. She had stated she would call me so I checked my messages all day long. By the time 4:30pm came around I decided to call her. She then tells me, “I hate to do this to you, but it’s between you and the girl I interviewed this morning, so I’m going to have to sleep on it.” Excuse me? You practically said, without actually saying it-that I had the job. Here is a piece of advice for those of you who have the power to hire and fire people. Don’t screw around with the heads of people. You may have a cushiony job with nothing to worry about financially, but the people applying for and showing up to interviews are doing so for one reason- they need and want the job. With all I have been through in the last 3 years, this is the icing on the cake. I now have to wait until 11am tomorrow to hear the news I didn’t get the job I had basically been told I already had.