Friday in NY, and today I reached for Balliamo from Bottega Veneta. After a pretty full week, this one just felt right. Balliamo literally means “let’s dance” in Italian, and there is definitely something more relaxed and playful about this fragrance — but still with that polished Bottega Veneta character I’ve really come to enjoy. It opens bright and energetic with pomelo, citron and fresh pepper, giving it a crisp citrusy spice right away. Then the fragrance becomes much more interesting. There is myrtle, lavender and white fig in the heart, which gives it this green, aromatic and slightly creamy quality before it settles into cedar, vetiver and Ambronova. What I like is that it feels fresh without being simple. The fig adds a little richness. The pepper keeps it lively. And the cedar and vetiver give it enough structure that it still feels completely appropriate for an office day. With temperatures a little cooler here on Long Island today, it also feels like a very comfortable way to finish out the workweek. Maybe that is part of Friday for me. Polished enough for the office. Relaxed enough for Friday. And just a little reminder that life should have some fun in it too.

I’m late to the ATH game but I’m glad I’m slowly getting into this house. Nice and bright. Clean scent. Opens with a fizzy citrus. Hangs around with green apple, oakmoss and dry wood. Perfect for a sunny, low 80s kinda day. Happy Friday gents.