The Fragrances Defining My Winter 2025.

Of course, they are Arabian!

My Perfume Collection (Reneé Medina)

Although there’s still a month of fall left, I’ve already gathered my winter fragrances.

It’s time to let scents like Fire on Ice and Mirsal’s Love Letter marinate for next Fall and bring out some fluffy, powdery, gourmand staples for snow season. A few floral notes never hurts, either!

Here are some of my favorite fragrances I’ll have on rotation this Winter:

1) Lattafa Nebras Elixir

If this isn’t obvious enough, are you really a true gourmand lover? Nebras Elixir smells like a sugared marshmallow dream topped with whipped cream. It’s easily one of my favorites- and a compliment-magnet!

2) Uhud Aribiyat Prestige

In my book, Uhud takes the cake for fruity/fluffy fragrances. Fans describe it as smelling like raspberry baby powder. This is another fluffy fragrance that will be perfect for snowy days.

3) Atralia Sugar Mallow

As if two marshmallow fragrances weren’t enough-here’s a third! Sugar Mallow is a dupe for Kayali’s Yum Boujee Marshmallow, and in my opinion, it’s the best dupe out there! It leans less fruity and more fluffy like Uhud and the atomizer is insane!

4) Bella Arabian Oud

With notes of BlackBerry, Violet Flowers, and Musk, Bella is definitely a signature-worthy fragrance. She smells like something an Arabian princess would wear-perfect for winter date nights or special occasions when you want to feel both elegant and modern.

5) Forbidden Sugar Emir

This fragrance, is deep, dark, mysterious, and fluffy all at once. Picture violet marshmallows with a hint of musk- that’s Forbidden Sugar in a bottle. She’s perfect for evening wear and you’ll be sure to stand out with such a beautiful fragrance!

6) Angel Musk Gulf Orchid

This musky, spicy gourmand fragrance evokes the warmth of chai tea. It’s perfect for daytime wear or anytime you want to smell fresh, cozy and comforting.

7) Lattafa Victoria

I’m surprised I still have this fragrance after a year of debuting it last holiday season at work. If you want to smell like a lemon pound cake, Victoria is your girl. You will have people turning heads asking you what you’re wearing and literally take pictures of your bottle. (Personal testimony.) She might be a little overplayed, but trust me-she’s worth it.

8) Léonie Intense Maison Alhambra

Need I say more….. iykyk.

9) Asdaaf Ameerat Al Rehab

This fragrance is truly nostalgic for me. It reminds me of when my grandmother would pamper herself before running errands (in a good way.) Asdaaf is a bit sophisticated but also feels warm and inviting. She’s perfect for family/friend gatherings and will leve a lasting impression.

10) Al Haramain Junoon

Youthful and fresh-a true baby powder bomb. This is another daytime fragrance that lingers for hours. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but you’ll smell like pure self-care and fresh powder.

What are some of your Winter staples?

54 Years, 54 Songs:The Ultimate Generation X Playlist.

(The Facebook-Lover Generation)

Image from (Istockphoto.com)

Music is the heart of every generation. However, for Gen X, music is a Time Machine. It’s a way to reminisce life during their worst/best moments.

So…let’s put things in perspective and travel back in time!

Here are 54 songs that define Gen X:

(By Genre):

Pop/Rock 🎤

  • I’m Still Standing– Elton John
  • Like a Virgin– Madonna
  • Stand Back- Stevie Nicks
  • Let’s Dance – David Bowie
  • Tonight- David Bowie & Tina Turner
  • Flowers- Miley Cyrus
  • What a Feeling- Irene Cara
  • Valerie– Amy Winehouse
  • Iko Iko– Cyndi Lauper (Cover)
  • Turn It Up– Simply Red
  • I Don’t Care– Shakespears Sister
  • Never Tear Us Apart- INXS
  • (Just Like) Starting Over– John Lennon
  • The Rose- Bette Midler

Classic Rock 🎸

  • Middle of the Road- The Pretenders
  • You Never Can Tell- Chuck Berry
  • These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’- Nancy Sinatra
  • Dancing in the Dark– Bruce Springsteen
  • Little Wing– Jimi Hendrix
  • Come and Get Your Love– Redbone

Disco/Dance 🪩

  • I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor
  • I Feel Love- Donna Summer
  • Native New Yorker- Odyssey

R&B/Funk/Soul 🎵

  • I’m Every Woman- Chaka Khan
  • Somebody to Love (Live)- George Michael
  • I Need You- Eurythmics
  • Off the Wall– Michael Jackson
  • Love on the Brain- Rihanna
  • Thin Line Between Love and Hate- The Pretenders
  • What’s Going On- Marvin Gaye

Jazz🎷

Image from WordPress
  • Theme from New York, New York- Frank Sinatra
  • Non, je ne regrette ríen- Édith Piaf
  • La Mer– Charles Trenet
  • Voy a Pagar la Luz– Simone

Hip Hop 🎧

  • Paid in Full- Eric B. & Rakim
  • Big Pimpin– Jay Z & UGK
  • Players– Coi Leray

Latin🪇

  • Todos Me Miran- Gloria Trevi
  • Kulikitaka- Toño Rosario
  • Traigo Fuego- La Banda Gorda
  • Aguanile- Héctor Lavoe
  • Uno Se Cura– Raulin Rosendo
  • Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
  • I Like It Like That- Pete Rodriguez
  • Veinte Años- Buena Vista Social Club
  • Tatico Henriquez– Fernando Villalona
  • Si Quieres– Chiquioto Team Band
  • Si Tu Boquita– Iris Chacón
  • El Hombre Divertido– Wilfrido Vargas

Country🪕

  • The Gambler- Kenny Rogers

Electronic🎚️

  • In Da Getto– J Balvin/Skrillex
  • Groove Is in the Heart– Deee-Lite

Reggae

  • Get Up, Stand Up– Bob Marley
  • I Know What I Know– Paul Simon

Like every generation, Generation X was shaped culturally and economically. Here’s a list of major events that influenced Generation X.

Check out the full playlist here:

Spotify

If you’re Not Listening to “XG,” Then What are You Doing?

(You’ll thank me later.)

Screenshot of XG’s “Is This Love” EP

You’ve probably stumbled across this XG XYPHER Tape on YouTube and, after watching it, thought, “There is no way they just did that…”

If you’ve done other research after viewing the tape, you’d know that’s how most reaction videos start when listening to XG. For example, here’s a very genuine reaction by Sebastine:

Screenshot of Sebastine reacting to XG Xypher

This wax XG’s version of a cypher: when rappers come together to freestyle over music.

The tape features XG rap-line members Cocona, Maya, Harvey, and Jurin freestyling using famous rap beats from songs like “Sourround Sound” by JID, 21 Savage, and Baby Tate.

Two years ago, after the Xypher tape was released, it went viral. It has 42 million views.

Truly, no one expected to hear these ladies pop off lyrically. To introduce XG (before debut), members performed covers that were released on YouTube. Different members performed covers based on their vocal strength. To watch Chisa, Juria, and Hinata’s amazing vocals here is a cover. Some of XG like Jurin and Maya are skilled at rapping and singing.

(Not to mention they are all skilled at dancing too)!

In the words of many, XG is futuristic, heart-stopping, and iconic.

Having met through “X-Galaxy” at XGALX (an idol project aimed at debuting a global girl group), XG has paved a new pathway in the K-Pop industry.

With 4 million listeners on Spotify, XG has released singles with Japanese-Korean producer Jakops  known for producing genre-bending music. (If you know anything about the K-Pop industry this is very common in K-Pop music.) XG’s music is hard to place into one genre though it is strongly influenced by hip-hop and R&B. (Spotify classifies their music as “pop.”)

Technically, they are highly regarded as a K-pop girl group as they promote in South Korea. However, XG releases music in English, whereas typical K-Pop music incorporates English in many choruses or a few lyrics throughout a song. Regardless, they are a global girl group trying to refine the K-Pop scene.

Some of their most popular releases include:

Shooting Star

Left Right

WOKE UP

Their most recent release, “Is This Love,” has also gone viral on TikTok for its popular chorus dance break:

Screenshot of HelenPeng dancing to “Is This Love” from YouTube.

With every song they release, XG makes you fall in love with them. Currently, they are on their world tour, “The first Howl.”

If you want to know more about XG, check out their profile (and music)!