Yep, it's Spider-Man's birthday. Sort of, arguably.
We're celebrating the same old way, with an open thread poll: talk about anything you like — what perfume-related super power you'd like to have, the perfume you're wearing the most this month, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is On Black [cropped] by brendan.lally....away at flickr; some rights reserved.
I just bought Bvlgari Black from Ross, unsniffed. It was $30.00, and I’ve decided to take it and the other frag I bought back, since I haven’t opened them. Mainly because I could get them both cheaper elsewhere. However, I am very interested in the Bvlgari Black from all of the things I’ve read about it. I love citrus, aromatics, green notes in my fragrances. I like green florals well enough. My SOTD is Lush B Scent. So my question is – do you all recommend that I keep the Bvlgari Black? Is it worth it?
Hi Priscilla 🙂
It’s none of those things, but I think its great! A cool weather scent for me, with it’s hot rubber note. I’m sure even if you open it and decide you don’t like it someone would still be happy to swap for something..
Yep, I agree with Perthgirl. Black is unique and would be easy to swap if you don’t like it.
Personally, I would return it and wait until you can smell it & see if it’s really “worth it” to you, but that’s b/c I think swapping can be a hassle if a blind buy doesn’t work out. Black is fairly common to see at TJ Maxx or Ross, so I doubt this will be your last crack at that price.
Bvlgari Black is fabulous, and I agree with perthgirl.
Black is a contemporary classic. So the question of owning it is like having in your music library an iconic album of some genre you don’t usually listen to – it adds complexity and depth to your experience of your other music. I would keep it. Also, as an object alone it has merit.
If you treat your perfumes as a collection, find a cheaper price for Bvlgari Black, buy it and return the one you’ve bought. As the others said, BB is a modern classic so it’s good to have it in one’s collection.
If you buy perfumes just to wear, don’t spend money on an unsniffed purchase: no perfumes are universally loved; $30 here, $50 there – and you’d be able to buy a bottle of something you really enjoy or a decant of a more expensive perfume a bottle of which you don’t want to splurge on.
Today I scored a box of all vintage perfumes at a deceased estate garage sale for $60. Includes 2 full bottles of Opium edt, Fidji edt, Shiseido Zen in black bottle, a c60’s looking box set of Fragonard parfums, one smelling much like Lyric!, 4 bottles of 4711 and a massive bottle of 4711 Tosca, and an almost full 14ml Chanel no5 parfum!! Very happy with my stash!!
Ooh, I love stories like this (I always vow that one day I’ll wake up early and hit the estate sales, but it feels so good to sleep in!) Congrats!
I’m so jealous of those of you who live where garage/yard/estate sales are common! We just don’t have them here in Holland. Well, occasionally, some American expats will hold a “garage sale” in their home when moving house, but it’s usually just IKEA baby stuff and TVs.
I have a close friend who is addicted to thrift shops and markets and has been instructed to look out for perfumes for me. She has never found anything other than popular drugstore stuff.
OH what a stash!!!
Makes me think I really should go to more estate sales. . .
Enjoy your treasures!
Holy cow, congrats! Great find.
Ive been meaning to trawl for ages too, but I saw this one listed, with ‘perfume’ listed, and it didn’t start til 130pm so I got to sleep in but made sure I got there early! Lol! Makes up for that time I sold a heap of my vintage at a garage sale before I knew better… 🙁
Oh, that does make it even better! Good when things come full circle.
Congrats, what a wonderful haul! All I ever find in my area is Avon, or something like White Diamonds.
Ditto. Avon, B&BW, Victoria’s Secret – that’s about it for estate/garage sales around here. 🙁
Perthgirl, that’s an awesome find! I once got 3mL of circa-1970 Balenciaga Le Dix for $2 at a yard sale. Yard sales/estate sales are the best!
I hear you ringthing- either those kind of finds, or something that looks good but has turned…
And missionista, feels so good doesn’t it! It ‘almost’ justifies the ridiculous amount of cash I’ve spent on all the rest… :-/ But although Perth has pretty much caught up to the modern world, ‘vintage’ Perth is pretty grim.. Maybe an odd Shalimar or Chanel no5, but most of all the best of the best vintage perfumes never set foot Downunder it seems 🙁
Oh and Happy Bithday Spiderman, wherever you may be 🙂
Happy Saturday morning, all! Naturally, my day is *filled* with activities to mark Spiderman’s birthday–a day that rivals Thanksgiving in preparations, huh?
Ok. Maybe not.
Went over to Our Lady Wednesday evening to listen to and chat with Alyssa about her book. She got me thinking about pleasure–a theme of the evening. I think what I find interesting about perfume and pleasure is that for me, I explore and wear perfume for *my own* pleasure. Which goes in contradiction to the vast majority of fragrance advertising, which suggests that we wear perfume to attract others. So then I wonder–am I unusual? My suspicion is that we perfumistas are most likely to wear perfume for ourselves, but perhaps the non-perfumista crowd is more likely to wear it for the pleasure of others? What do you think?
How nice you got to see Alyssa!
Totally agree with the last, at least, that is certainly how I wear perfume. I perhaps take it to an extreme — I rarely wear perfume in public any more.
Wow! Scent only at home? Is it because you don’t want to attract attention to it or have that conversation?
It’s not necessarily totally purposeful – I just don’t think of it as an “accessory” any more, so it isn’t part of my getting ready routine. Also, I spend a fair amount of time testing, and that is always better done at home. And another reason — it’s a break, especially if I’ve been testing a lot that week.
So, tend to test in the morning, then shower, then not put on perfume again until I’m home for the evening.
When I do wear scent out, it’s likely to be something fairly light & easy.
Now you’ve got me thinking about scent as an accessory. I think it *is* an accessory for me, but a personal one–not like make-up which I unabashedly wear to change how people percieve me!
I agree with you Marjorie Rose. I wear fragrance for myself, to create my own world and my own emotions and memories, but I’m I’m sure too that many out there wear it just because it’s what one does. Or it was a gift, or because their partner likes it etc.
I do admit though that there are times I don’t wear certain fragrances. I only wear Bandit on my own for example, as it seems to be offensive to many- lol- or if I don’t want to taint ‘my’ perfumes with an association to someone/ something. So I guess I’m a bit like Robin in that regard.
Yes, even though I wear scent for myself, I *do* make choices about what I’m gonna wear based on where I’m going, who I’m gonna be with. I usually don’t want to be offensive, and I enjoy getting compliments, but ultimately, my choices are defined by what feels right to me for the given situation.
Yes, I wear perfume for myself. I decided awhile back that rather than being a perfumista, I’m more of a sensualist – there are lots of everyday things that I make sure to enjoy just for myself. Relishing a perfect cup of coffee, coming inside to cool air when I’m hot and sweaty, the feel of a scarf around my neck, the glitter of a ring on my hand, the smell of perfume……all there to be enjoyed with delight, as long as I remember to really notice the sensations.
YES! I consider myself a sensualist, too. I think perfume represents a perfect example of that sort of self-care for me, though. Nice-feeling clothes also serve the purpose of protecting me from the elements. Delicious food also serves the purpose of nourishing me. But perfume? Just smells good and brings me joy!
Mostly I wear perfume for myself. But sometimes I wear it not to attract others, but to annoy them (a little or a lot). See, I live in California, the land of OMG-no-scent-anywhere-or-the-world-will-end and sometimes I just like to mess with that mindset.
I run into that mindset here in Portland, too–like scent is nasal pollution! I admit, there are moments when I think, “maybe I should avoid scent–this crowd might not appreciate it,” but then I wear it anyway!
🙂 I like to annoy those kinds of people too.
Like Robin, I tend to wear perfume mostly at home. It’s easier to enjoy it when I’m just hanging out. I don’t have to worry if it’s too strong, and, if it’s not strong enough, I can reapply. If I decide it’s not right, I can switch to something different.
OTOH, sometimes I do wear something pleasant for some reason, for example, I was in a class this week and wore a touch of L’AP Vanille Absolutement, a pleasant, friendly scent, two or three days in a row.
Do you think the perfume-at-home thing is about not dealing with wearing it at work? Because now I’m thinking–if we had this conversation at another time of year, when school was in session, I could say that I wear a lot less fragrance “out” too. I have a few scents I wear regularly to work, when I remember to wear them. But this time of year, over my summers, I’m out a lot for fun with family and friends. And then I really enjoy having something nice to smell!
Marjorie Rose, work just isn’t very conducive to perfume appreciation. Often, by the time I get there, whatever I applied has worn off. I usually have some samples or decants in my purse, but I get busy and forget to put them on, etc.
At home I can easily choose something that fits the moment and have time to enjoy it. I prefer to have more leisurely associations with my favorite perfumes, as well. It sounds like you are gravitating to relaxing with perfume, as well.
Yes, I think perfume adds to the feeling of relaxation and celebration when I’m having fun!
First of all, I wear perfumes for myself. So on most days I apply a very limited amount – just to smell it myself and do not bother co-workers. But when I wear perfumes for special occasion I treat them as an accessory: the same way I put on a more dressy clothes, shoes and make-up, I use a louder perfume or apply it more aggressively. Of course, it’s a perfume that I like but I also want it to be noticeable and appreciated by others – as well as the rest of my outfit.
The “special occasion” argument is a good one! It does help me feel “dressed up” to wear the right scent.
I do it for both. 80% me 20 % for others. But I want to make a statement maybe it should be 60/40!
Sounds like you’re more generous with your scents than I am! I could never get to 40% wearing it for others! 🙂
Oh, should also mention that the Perfume House gave out little goodie bags with the purchase of Alyssa’s book, including a sample of Lyric. Damn it. Another Amouage that is undeniably beautiful!
Glad you like that one 🙂 In that hypothetical unthinkable event that maybe I’d have to pick just ONE fragrance to take with me, Lyric would be my choice..
My desert-island scent keeps changing! Just when I fall into one for a while and think “This. This is a perfect scent!” something else will draw me in. . .
Lyric is gorgeous, isn’t it? I have a tiny decant and I dole it out in drops.
One of the saving graces of Amouage IMO is that there scents have presence and it only takes a little to enjoy it for hours! Of course, hasn’t stopped me from buying a couple bottles so I don’t have to be so careful!
*their* scents! and I’m usually so picky about grammar. . . 🙂
That reminds me of something from one of my favorite movies, “Henry Fool” (starring the awesome Parker Posey). In the scene, a poet is trying to explain the whole their, they’re, there thing to another poet by talking about donuts. It’s the 29th quote down at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122529/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu.
Parker Posie! Might have to find that movie at the library, now! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I generally enjoy a sense of grammatical superiority–I guess it’s good for me to have these moments to get me off of my high horse! 😀
Lyric – now that’s real perfume!
It’s beautiful, but I think maybe my wallet will be saved by the fact that it doesn’t seem to have the staying power of some of the others. That’s what I’m trying to tell myself, anyway!
I’m in Plum Japonais today. Such a lovely scent that reminds me of plum blossoms and sweet and sour plum treats I used to eat as a child in Japan. I immediately jumped at the opportunity of buying a decant. I’m grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire Cat 🙂
Only plum scent I’ve tried is Mary Greenwell Plum. LOVE the opening, and then it just fizzles out for me. I wouldn’t mind finding an alternative with more depth and lasting power. Any comparisons between the two?
The plum note in PJ is more syrupy – stewed plums – at first. Think Feminite du Bois. The oud note is initially prominent, but it is subdued in the dry down. It has great sillage and longevity and a tiny bit goes a long way.
Stewed plums sounds very Serge Lutens-esque! Thank you for the description–might have to add it to the sample list. 🙂
Goutal’s Pour Camille smells plummy to me.
You might try a cousin smell of fruity fig, lots of options there.
Yes, I have meant to explore fig scents more this summer!
If I could have one perfume-related superpower, it would be the ability to instantly recreate lost/discontinued/reformulated scents exactly as they used to be.
AMEN!
Nice choice! I’d take that in a heartbeat — and just wear the Diorissimo of my junior high years much of the time. Plus the old Coriandre, and doubtless several others
Oh, the old Coriandre was marvelous…
That’s exactly what I’d want! I wouldn’t mind being able to time travel and experience them in their original contexts, either.
Yes, I’d time travel too, to London and Paris, and and go perfume shopping. Imagine being able to buy the glorious chypres of yore, over the counter! The classic Diors, of course, would be top of my list.
ditto, and at yesteryear’s prices!!
SOTD is Bulgari Black. I’ve been wearing Alexander McQueen Kingdom a lot because I want to get through my bottle. I think I’m going to give it to my mom. I’m trying to redo my entire fragrance wardrobe. I think I’m going to get Wonderwood and then for a summer perfume I’m going to maybe get Hinoki or Zagorsk but I have almost a full year to decide my new summer perfume.
I don’t want to short change your mom, but if you participate in the NST swap meet, Kingdom is pretty desirable, as it’s discontinued. Just a thought. I like your thoughts on Wonderwood and Zagorsk .
Last day of my vacation in Cali, Colombia. In a few hours I’ll be flying back home with stop over at Cali, Bogota, and Miami’s Duty Free shops. I might own a FB or 2 by the end of the day…
Just make sure that those “duty free” prices are actually better than you can do online (take also into the account free samples, points, etc. you might be getting while buying those perfumes at home).
I received a bottle of Traversee du Bosphore yesterday that I won a month ago on CaFleurebon. I hadn’t tried it and reviews are mixed, so I was looking forward to trying it, and I’m happy to say I really like it – I think it will be perfect for fall & winter. The opening smelled odd at first…kind of like walking into a furniture store, like Lazy Boy…while swigging cherry cough syrup. I took my time and realized it was suede and apple, then it goes straight to powdered sugar and almonds but not too sweet, more like almond bread. It lasted all night. Feels good to broaden my perfume horizons a bit; gourmands aren’t generally my thing. Have a great Saturday, everyone!
Yes, I find the leather prevents TdB from being too sweet and foodie. Glad you are enjoying it!
I had a similar experience with TdB the first time I tried it: it smelled really weird at first and I was aware of disparate notes, then it suddenly coalesced into that smooth, suede and apple loukhoum blend. It’s like my brain had to learn to read it.
Have you tried SL Daim Blond yet? It’s sort of the same idea in suede and apricot. I love both DB and TdB.
Recently, I was on the East Coast, experiencing actual summer. I wore Lush’s Cocktail quite a lot, and it turns out to be a perfect scent for hot weather with all that cooling wintergreen. I had always thought of it as a winter scent, but I almost finished my sample it was so good in the heat. Definitely buying a larger bottle.
So I broke down and bought a bottle of Rubj EDP this week. I’m still having heart palpitations over spending that much. Then I figured, heck, I’m already blowing up the budget so why not just get Whips and Roses too. Now I see that Parfum1 has sent me a discount code. You know how much I love a sale. I managed to resist using the last discount they sent me but I may have a tough time doing that again.
Lol! Heart palpitations, but what the heck let’s make it worse!! That sounds exactly like me!! 🙂 congrats on Rubj. Kiki is on my fb list, and whips and roses is still on my list of things to try… I’d probably own it by now, but shipping is $50, so on top of a $200 bottle.. just ouch…so I wait until I save more money and buy more to justify it! 😉
Ouch! If I had to pay that for shipping I don’t think I would buy either.
You’re so lucky the edp works for you…were I to buy Rubj, it would have to be the parfum. Enjoy your treasure!
I didn’t try the perfume. I figure at least with the EDP I’m getting a decent amount in the bottle. I don’t know if I could spend that much on just a few mls. of something even if it is the pure perfume. I know they smell different and the perfume is probably wonderful but I’m better off not knowing how wonderful. 😉
Enjoy, Poodle! That Whips and Roses bottle is so gorgeous, but I haven’t tried it yet. Reviews sound good, though.
I’ve wanted it for a while and for some reason never bought it until now. I wouldn’t mind a few more Kerosene scents in the collection but I’ll have to wait a while for those.
Oh, good for you on the Rubj EdP FB! I think you bought the right one–I’ve tried both extrait and EdP and adore the passion fruit and cumin crossing the orange blossom and tuberose in the EdP. On my skin, the extrait is all fruit and flower, less complex–pretty, but not as magnetic as the EdP. Rubj and Kiki (also EdP) get tons of wear in a house with an embarrassment of choices. You’ll smell marvelous! Be well. (Note to self, try Whips & Roses, soonest :D)
I want to try Kiki but I’m resisting the urge at the moment.
I have trouble resisting a sale, too. I also got a Parfum1 code (tricky how they personalize them so you can’t share, eh?) But then I realized that I am in the same state and have to pay almost 9% sales tax. So, it’ll have to be an awfully good discount to outweigh that +9%!
It’s a tax free weekend in Massachusetts so I may go out and buy something’s just to feel like I’m making a statement. It’s funny, if something were on sale for less than 10% off I wouldn’t even bother, but tell me there’s no sales tax and I feel differently.
Spiderman’s signature scent would evoke the smell of a chemistry lab and the urbanity of the New York street mixed with fresh air and Heroism!
Nice!
SOTD is a sample of Le Labo Gaic (A city exclusive to be on sale everywhere next month).
It completely disappeared on me.
Well that’s one less expensive full bottle I will not be tempted to buy.
Re: Bvulgari Black. It is a strange burnt rubber scent. (The bottle I think is supposed to represent a racing tire. ) HOwever, I often see it a Sephora, so anyone wondering about should go sniff it before purchasing.
Now if I could only find The Vert for $30.00
Weeding in the way back today so SOTD is Deep Woods Off, but am also trying Geoffrey Beene Geoffrey Beene. Not getting the geranium that Fragrantica smell, but am getting a little bit of immortelle at the dry- down. It’s a pleasant scent, but I wouldn’t have paid full price for it…
Does anyone remember Geoffrey Beene’s Red from the ’70s/early ’80s? I can’t find it listed anywhere. I remember it being a sweetish green scent in an adorable bottle…
My weeds are growing wonderfully this year. The real plants…not so much. I was wearing Off a few days this past week too. I have more weeding to do but I can’t get to it until tomorrow.
Ohhhh… I LOVED Red! I search online for it every now and again – without success so far. I also remember emailing Long Lost Perfumes a few years ago asking them to remake it.
SOTD is Florida Water. After it wears off, I might try some samples that just arrived.
It’s nice to have a bottle of Florida Water in the fridge…I need a new one.
I wore Lancome Climat (reissue) this morning. I think it is good even though (if my memory is accurate) it missing something that made the original a bit weird. Now I’m wearing L’AP Safran Troublant, which I really like. So it’s been a well-scented Saturday! 🙂
I have a sample of the reissued Climat that I like very much, too. Happily, it isn’t spoiled for me — I never got to smell the original. And now Saffron Troublant; you really are having a great scent day!
Are you talking about Climat EdT that is now available in Europe (or eBay here)? I’m looking at the bottle and I’m really tempted to buy it but I hate waisting $50+ on something that might just disappoint. So I hoped to find somebody who had a firsthand experience with both.
The one I have now is part of a 4-perfume coffret labeled “La Collection.” The box notes a copyright of 2004. These coffrets and also larger single bottles were being sold off through the discounters around 2008. Oddly, the concentration isn’t on the box or bottle.
Ah, yes, I know this one. It was an Anniversary re-issue. I think it was an EdP concentration. I have it and I agree, it smells similar to what I remember about the version from late 80s.
I had assumed that my sample was from the La Collection EdP, but after doing a little research I now suspect that it’s really the EdT (sold in the plain blue boxes on the bay). At any rate, it’s very pretty. I’d give my eye teeth for one of those La Collection coffrets, though!!
You don’t need to give up any vital organs: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RQFCCC/ref=s9_wish_gw_d99_g194_ir01?ie=UTF8&colid=3F97PARRKL25V&coliid=IEDC6SEZGEEN&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1DAK6SBYJX1YFMMF3BM6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846
This is my first post here. I am new to perfume as a hobby/addiction but have always loved scent. I am wearing Tauer’s L’Air du desert marocain today and I love it.
However, I also really really love the initial smell of a match after it as just been struck. Does anyone know of a perfume with a note like that? That fireworks, gunpowder kind of smell?
Welcome! I’ve never tried it, but Amazinggreen by CdG features a gunpowder accord. See Luckyscent’s web site for a description.
Amazingreen by Comme des Garcons — http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/section/1/item/21628/brand/Comme_des_Garcons/Amazingreen.html.
Thanks so much–I’ll give it a try!
According to the most recent post on another terrific perfume blog, Ca Fleur Bon, L’Artisan Perfumier is about to launch a new series of perfumes including one based on gun powder, L’Amour Nocturne, which will have a warm milk accord as a top note and gun powder at the base.
As far as I’m concerned, if the Noctorne ends in gunpowder, that’s not “amour.” That’s probably a Le Noctorne de felony:
Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll keep an eye out for it. Milk and gunpowder–sounds like a fragrance for Ma Barker!
I think Ma Barker would have added some moonshine to that milk accord.
I think that Turin and Sanchez’s guide lists Comme des Garcons 2 Man as having this effect, altho IMO the other notes in it overpower the match effect.
Try Gris Clair (Lutens) – it works badly on my skin type, but on paper it is a dead ringer for a burning match. Maybe it will work for you.
Thank you so much for your suggestions! I knew when I found this site the knowledgeable participants here would broaden my exposure to scent.
Hi Foxbins,
For that burning ember smell, try Amouage Interlude Man.
I put in on my list! Thanks!
There is Union’s Gunpowder Rose. I got serious gunpowder the first time I smelled it on paper. And rose. Loved it! Later, on skin, I couldn’t find the gunpowder. It smelled more like patchouli + rose, which happens also to be a winning combination in my book. But I miss that gunpowder. I wonder how it vanished? I’ve tried this scent three or four times since, and I still get the lovely, dirty, but non-gunpowdery rose. Ah, well.
Also on the list–I’m not big on rose (gave Tocade to Goodwill) but in combination with gunpowder and patch I might like it.
Leathermountain, I also get zero gunpowder on skin. I get plenty of powder, but it’s definitely baby powder, not gunpowder. I found this scent very disappointing.
I don’t have a lit-match scent to suggest, but I wanted to say hi and welcome! Enjoy your sampling! 🙂
Thanks very much–I’m learning loads here!
Foxbins, when you find the one, will you come back and report?
I will–should I update this thread when the time comes?
Foxbins, there are lazy weekend polls pretty much every weekend where everyone comes along to chat, and update perfumed and non-perfumed lives 🙂 look forward to seeing you again 🙂
Thanks, Perthgirl! I’d love to join in when I have something to contribute, although I think it will be a while before my knowledge comes anywhere close to what I’ve read here so far.
Liz Zorn Sonoran Leather smells just like gunpowder!
My most recent scented discovery is simplicity itself – Palmer’s Shea Butter Formula with Vitamin E. Smells like green bananas and cream. Normally I prefer unscented lotion (of course), but man! I find this stuff so comforting. (Can’t stand Palmer’s cocoa butter range though; make me feel almost ill.)
Interesting, have only tried the cocoa butter one. My son used to love it when he was younger.
I need to find that. I have a shower gel that smells like bananas and I’m loving it lately. Must be a summer thing.
Super Power: I always am just dying to know what celebs are wearing—-e.g. the entire cast of Fashion Police: Joan, George, Kelly, and the guests AND the Fash-Holes of the week, So my Super Power would be an ability to know what anyone is wearing at any time, even if on TV or the movie screen, or walking across the street. Really, there SHOULD be total transparency. It would make life SO much more interesting.
It’s my understanding that celebs are requested not to wear perfume when they borrow clothes from designers, so they probably smell like whatever shampoo they used.
Not a super power, but interesting if you haven’t seen it:
http://www.celebrityfragranceguide.com/
interesting, thanks. Suspect the Bruce Springsteen reference is seriously out of date!
I had never seen this before. Going down the list, I see Gendarme coming up over and over again, so now I’m curious. I know I’ve never smelled it. A lot of Kai on the list too.
It’s nice to see that Chandler Burr, the author of “The Emperor of Scent,” is on the list. I have that book, and I read half of it, but never finished it. I don’t know why I put it down; I recall enjoying it. I’ll have to pick it up again.
I went to a garage sale today. I saw a cream colored box wrapped with a black velvet ribbon nestled among a bunch of odds and ends (junk). I moved the ribbon a little to reveal a name… JO MALONE. My heart skipped a beat as I opened the box and found a brand new, full sized…still wrapped in cellophane candle. Nectarine Blossom & Honey! I couldn’t believe the $1.00 price sticker on the box. Surely that was a mistake. As I went to pay the lady, she said, “That will be $1.00”. Apparently, someone received this as a gift and didn’t know the value of this candle. It smells heavenly!! SCORE!!!
Score, indeed! Congratulations and enjoy your candle!
Looks like several NSTers did well at garage/estate sales this weekend.
That is outstanding bargain hunting! I am so jealous.
Jealous! I never find anything good like that at yard sales.
Boy do I miss garage sales! No garages here in NYC 🙂
That is a wildly successful deal!
Speaking of Jo Malone, I finally took the plunge and purchased a bottle of her blue Agava & cacao, and have had no regrets. Really love the scent and especially enjoy how it stays with me throughout the day.
That Nectarine Blossom is a lovely scent – enjoy!
Rock on! What a great find!
How interesting. I write today from Chicago’s Beatlefest. It is in a huge hotel near O’Hare airport that connects to the convention center….where Comic Con is also taking place. The people watching is top notch. I feel out of place because I don’t own a cape. Last year I met Stan Lee in the lobby the morning after. That would be so cool if I ran into him again and could wish Spider-Man a happy birthday (as if I knew what I was talking about).
Oh that sounds like big fun! I have a cape you could borrow. . . 😉
Just to scare my husband, I told him that I was considering buying a cape — not as part of a costume, but for everyday wear. I was totally straight-faced. He got a little concerned, and then I cracked up laughing.
Does anyone know a source for a small quantity of perfumer’s alcohol?i recently found some natural samples I had misplaced and they contain some lovely smelling dried on sludge that I want to try on skin. I only need an ounce or two. Should I just buy a nip of vodka instead?
Yeah, it seems like the smallest quantity is a quart. I found a couple of threads on Basenotes (2011 and 2009). It seems like vodka could work, but it might not be concentrated enough to dissolve all of the components of certain fragrances. I guess that it depends upon the constituents of the fragrant sludge 🙂
Aha! I see that Save on Scents, sells it in 8 oz quantities.
Ooh.. thanks for mentioning that. I had forgotten about that site. Their price is really good too.
If liquor stores in your area carry it, Everclear or any other 190 proof alcohol would be a closer substitute for perfumer’s alcohol than vodka.
My question today is about Cartier’s Le Baiser du Dragon. I had a tiny sample of the pure perfume and fell in love with it, only to discover it had been discontinued. After much hunting, I finally risked paying an online discounter (in Holland) for a sealed shop display bottle for a lowly price. It turned out (to my nose) to be the real thing and I have been in heaven with my purchase!
That was back in February. I did learn from the Cartier people back then that there was a newly-issued edition of the fragrance as an edp exclusive to Harrod’s in London. It was double the price I had paid for my pure perfume, so I decided to pass on it. Now I see that the edp is available everywhere.
I’m curious whether anyone here has tried both the pure perfume and the new edp and can tell me how they compare. I’m thinking of buying a bottle of the edp as a sort of back up for when this bottle of pure perfume is used up.
I wrote “sealed shop display bottle” because I couldn’t think of the right term. Of course, now I remember: tester.
😀 I liked your precise term.
Me too!
Wearing Drakkar Noir for the first time in years, and WOW! my head hurts! About to go to a local mall though and just smell all afternoon after I wash this off. Its definitely too strong for day time in my opinion, I wouldn’t mind wearing it at night though. It would perfect for dancing on tables and spending too much money at a bar 🙂
Yup, that’s kinda how I remember it 😉
Today, I’m testing a sample of Geisha Violet perfume oil. I like it, but I’m disappointed because I can’t make out any violet or lilac. It starts out very cucumbery — too strong at first — but then it mellows down to something green and spicy with the slightest hint of unsweetened chocolate in the dry-down period.
Non-perfume talk: I’m excited because my husband is returning home after a week in SE Arizona on a nature-watching road trip. He’s been sending me texts and photos, and it’s been a great trip: ornate box turtle, an extremely gravid Couch’s spadefoot toad, eyed click beetles, antelope jackrabbits, tons of cool birds (including hummingbirds and a species of warbler he’s never seen before). I’m looking forward to a great slide show tonight!
Sounds like he was in the Santa Ritas. Madera Canyon perhaps?
I’m not sure if he made it to Madera Canyon this time, but that is a lovely place, isn’t it (trogons!). We’ve been there within the last year or so. He was mainly in the Huachucas and Chiricahuas this time. He did visit Ramsey, Carr, and Miller Canyons on this trip, plus Barfoot Mountain, Cave Creek, the Chiricahua National Monument, etc. Such a beautiful part of the country!
Inspired by Perthgirl’s post above, I decided to go out to a couple of estate sales today. Didn’t find any perfumes, but I found a really pretty turned wood perfume bottle that had a glass vial inside. There is a small amount of sludge in the bottom of it, something kind of ambery/oriental. (It’s one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Myrtle-Wood-Perfume-Fantastic-Turned-Wood-Casket-Case-Bottle-w-product-/151089101842.. but I only paid $4)
The real find came when I decided to stop by TJ Maxx to see if I could find more of the MOR hand soap I’d gotten there before (no). I decided to go into a little antique shop next door to TJ Maxx, and I found small vintage tester bottles of both Mitsouko and Chamade! They look like this one here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Guerlain-Shalimar-Miniature-Tester-Sample-Bottle-w-Dauber-Horse-Label-/231025916058?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ca37b89a.
I didn’t ask the lady how old the testers were, but from the look of the labels they look like they could be from the ’70s (I figure it couldn’t be earlier since Chamade wasn’t around until 1969). The Mitsouko smells like it’s in pretty good shape, and the bottle is a little over half full. The Chamade is a little less than half. They were $6 apiece, so I decided they (and their friend mini Amarige) needed to come home with me.
Yay Sweetgrass! I’m so glad you had some luck too! Maybe it’s because it’s Spidey’s bday and now we all have to wait til next year again 😉
Congratulations on your finds! That turned wood bottle is beautiful. It reminds me of a bottle of rose oil — mine is cute, but it isn’t a work of art like yours is — that I purchased years ago in a local shop.
Lol our Spidey senses were working today. 🙂
Oops that was supposed to be a reply to Perthgirl.
Anybody else addicted to rose scents? I just cannot get enough of them. Perhaps because it takes me to childhood where my dad tended to a rose garden and used to pluck the velvety red or pink roses from the garden and used me as a guinea pig to sniff and smell and ask me what I thought.
Also, slightly off the topic of perfumes. I am going thru a breakup at the moment 🙁 it’s been only about a week or so, and I feel empty and lost. I cannot help being consumed by obsessive thoughts that he’s met in the interim some stunning, much younger victoria secret’s lookalike. Anybody else have these disturbing thoughts post-breakup? And can you suggest any coping mechanisms for me through this difficult time? All your warm thoughts much appreciated.
So sorry for your heartache. I do promise that it will get easier, although right now you won’t think it will; we will all have been there at some point, and have eventually recovered. Fill your mind as much as possible with other thoughts (perfume is a very good subject!) and try to involve yourself with activities, even if at first you find that difficult – the more you do this, the more you will realise that you haven’t spent every waking moment thinking about the obsession.
I suspect you are drawn to the scent of rose because it carries you back to happier times, and this is a lovely form of aroma therapy. My favourite rose of all is OJ’sTa’if, which is warm and rich. For a fresher, simpler version, Annick Goutal’s Rose Absolue smells so realistic and might be very comforting to you.
Hi Lady_luck,
I don’t know if it’s too late to comment and have you see it, but I wanted to send you my good wishes. I actually got into perfume after the end of a 10-year relationship that seriously crashed and burned. I found the self-care of scent really comforting, and I put a lot of energy into finding things that made me feel good about myself–a few really nice pieces of clothing, getting back to my workouts and healthier eating, making sure I got enough sleep. For me, it was enough of a project to keep me distracted, mostly!
I also want to suggest that you resist the urge to contact him and “check in.” Since my LTR, I’ve been on the other side of that a few times, with guys sending me regretful emails, in one case months later, about what a mistake they thought it was that we were no longer together. I felt bad that he felt badly, but mostly, I wanted to just move on and it was awkward. I would like to think that were I in that painful place again, I would remember that feeling from the other side and maybe write the email, but not actually send it. But it’s understandable when we can’t manage that restraint! The sense of loss can be so overwhelming!
Only other thought I have is that the radio program This American Life did a great set of stories on break-ups a few years back, and I’m sure it’s in their archives online. Might be worth a listen for some humor and commiseration! Take care!
Many thanks for the kind words, Jillie. At the moment it just seems so tough.
yes – I agree Ta’if is lovely! I had a sample of it, it’s so decadent and spicy. I also love La Parfum’s De Rosine which I ordered her sampler pack from france. Love Diablo Rose and Folie De Rose. Soir De Lune is another one of my favourites as is Rochas Tocade for a vanillery rose scent, but sadly I haven’t been able to get my hands on any vintage bottles (as I am sure it was far richer pre-formulation). I also love Andy Tauer’s incense rose too.
You’re very welcome. Be assured, it really will get better.
You are right about the current Tocade being thinner – as with all reformulations it seems. If you like that, I think you would also like Kenzo Flower Essentielle Be sure it’s the Essentielle – there are so many Kenzo Flowers! It reminds me a little of Tocade, and is a decent price. I am guessing the vanilla is also a good, comforting note for you right now.
I’m sorry about your breakup. I agree with Jillie. You can’t force yourself to stop thinking about something, but you can add other thoughts to your head. Experiencing a perfume can be meditative — sometimes I like to look a list of top, middle, and base notes and then just sit there and try to identify and focus on each note as it emerges and melds with the next one.
My favorite rose scent is the Noble Rose of Afghanistan by The 7 Virtues. It’s spicy and a true rose scent.