Happy National Bagel Day! (It's apparently also National Pizza Day and National Toothache Day— choose your poison.) What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in the 5 star Hermès Osmanthe Yunnan. Tania Sanchez: "a perfume of pure happiness". Tea at the moment is American Tea Room Bao Zhong Royale oolong.
Reminder: on 2/12 we're doing 5 Star Friday: wear your favorite perfume ranked 5 stars by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez in Perfumes: the Guide (if you don't own the book, you can find a compiled list at Basenotes) or in Luca Turin's Style Arabia columns. Partial credit for a four-star perfume! And if anyone knows where other lists can be found online, do comment. (suggested by Bastet) Update: you can download the index to the 2008 Hardcover version of Perfumes: the Guide here (thanks kpaint!)
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2016, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
SOTD: Cannabis Santal (Fresh)
An oldie! Fresh isn’t doing so many fragrances anymore, wonder if they gave up.
I think that they are in a holding pattern as they start selling more stuff on QVC?
Really? I love they’re masks.. but never did get much out of their scents.
Maybe that’s it. They used to have a huge space at my local Neiman Marcus, it’s been gone now for years.
Sephora lists one called “Fresh Life,” and I saw some at Blue Mercury in DC around Christmas time, and those wonderful soaps. The soaps are far more distinctive now than the fragrances, with unusual notes and beautiful wrappings.
There was a time when I wore Sake almost three or four times a week, and I still have at least half a huge bottle in my cabinet. I could never bring myself to buy the bath oil, or their other bath products for that matter due to cost, but I liked that one and their Strawberry Flowers. The lip treatments are a favorite, and I just got and love their rose face mask as well. I hope they don’t disappear.
I love their lip treatments, too, but find much of their (skincare) line unjustifiably overpriced.
I’ll cry for 1000 years if they ever stop making Citron de Vigne.
I did some radical rehoming recently. This one got cut because I never wore it.
OJ Woman. I don’t wear it that often but today I’m feeling it.
You smell wonderful!
I love that one and plan on wearing it later in the week. 🙂
This is a candidate for Friday!
Vestiges of last night’s Joy. Hied over to LuckyScent yesterday to order an Eris Parfums sample pack, looking forward!
I should stop multi-tasking as I read the first sentence as “Vestiges of last night’s naughty Joy.”
😀 Maybe you’re not wrong? 😉
😀
????
Sounds correct to me.
Lol, you and Kanuka on about Dark Passage!!
ha, ha, ha, ha… Thanks for the laugh….
SOTD = Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille. Grabbing a cup of Mexican cocoa since I’m having a hard time getting up and going, so figured the sugar (and some cleaning while the little one’s asleep) would help. 🙂
Yum!
Gosh that sounds good!
Yum on both counts!
I now want a bagel after seeing that image.
I’ve been craving rose scents lately, so I drained the last of my Rose Absolut sample and debating on if I need a bottle of this.
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Drinking some unknown tea that a friend brought me back from England-I tossed the box and just have the bags. Must have caffeine since I am wide awake after a sleepless night.
Using up my last few drops of my sample of 31 RC.
T. Sanchez writes “I cannot remember the last time, if ever, a perfume gave me such an instantaneous impression of ravishing beauty at first sniff.” and states: “one of the ten greats of all time, and precious proof that perfumery is not dead.”
Oh, now you’ve made me want very much to try it
Agreed!
Me too!
That’s very high praise for that scent. It is definitely worthy.
I think it’s time that I bought a sample of 31 RC! Too many of you love it….
In the original Perfumes the A-Z Guide, this was one of the few for which Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez wrote separate reviews with different scores. LT gave it five stars, while TS found it “lovely but not moving because not strange” and gave it four. I find it hard to fault a perfume for being too lovely.
How interesting that she reversed herself then… (ha especially if the new review says her love of it was instantaneous??)
Anyway I’m the worst but I might agree with her first review a little bit? I mean I still think it’s a five-star perfume but I do find it quite formal and could see if someone didn’t think it was the most moving perfume.
It was actually LT who said his love was instantaneous.
opps! mommy brain
Ah, thanks!
Let me know what you think!
Didn’t mean to be an enabler 🙂 But you should try it!
Wow. Wow. I’ve been so busy that I didn’t know today is Fat Tuesday, aka my 2nd favorite holiday. 🙂 I’m sending Mr. Lucy for Paczkis right now.
Oh, and I will be digging my 31 RC sample for later this week. That description has me salivating.
Enjoy both!
Ugghhh. I ate four. Got a little tummy ache. But they were so worth it!
Happy Mardis Gras!
I’m wearing Teo Cabanel Lace Garden which I now suddenly realize I will be wearing a lot more. I bought this last year because I adore the house of Teo Cabanel. At first I wasn’t smitten. Now I am wondering what the heck I was thinking/sniffing the first few times I tried it. It’s a gorgeous tuberose – but a blended white floral overall, not just soliflore tuberose. To me it’s like a juicy Fracas minus the aldehydes and more delicate in nature. Sublime.
I love the name. I’m not usually a fan of Cabanel, but this sounds beautiful.
Lace Garden really is lovely, and I agree – more of a mixed white floral than a tuberose (although, to be open, I get a TON of orange blossom in Fracas along with the tubey).
LG is quite soft. I only have a sample – if I weren’t already stocked up on white florals I would probably have bought this already.
Crud. I love that bottle but managed to talk myself out of trying it because someone gave it a ‘meh’ review. Back on the list it goes!
After the restraint of yesterday’s Chanel, today I’m wearing Histoire de Parfums 1740, a rich immortelle leather. I normally wear this in summer, but it works well on yet another cold and rainy day.
That sounds wonderful, actually! I think I actually have a sample of that somewhere!
You smell great!
Ooh now I want to try that one!
1740 is amazing! I think it works year round! It is lovely in the summer, when that leather note gets to really bloom, but also in autumn/winter beacause of that lovely warming immortelle!
A really nice SA gave me samples of several of the more ‘feminine’ scents but not for me. But I do love Ambre 114. Whats 1740 like?
Less sweet than Ambre 114, and possibly not as instantly likeable. I find it more distinctive, but it’s a bit drier. And the Immortelle is noticeable, although not nearly as strong as it is in Sables.
http://boisdejasmin.com/2011/06/histoires-de-parfums-1740-marquis-de-sade-perfume-review.html
Thanks!
5-star day 2: I have about 1mL of Le Feu d’Issey in that otherworldly bottle, but as soon as I sprayed it I knew it was terribly off, as if someone had disassembled it Lego-style and put it back together wrong. Learn from my mistake! Don’t try to save your darlings!
One shower later and I’m in Bulgari Black, equally strange and compelling and gorgeous.
My FdI is long gone. Holding a moment of silence for yours. Gosh, that was a great scent.
Oh How I feel your pain! This is why I never seek out vintage replacements of my beloveds! I know vintage Calyx would probably smell horrible (I read that the top notes did not fare well over time) and I could say the same for the Chanels I loved (especially Cristalle….I once had a pristine vintage Cristalle that was just missing that initial OOMPH at first burst…the drydown was the same as I remembered but not the initial scent….and the current rendition is just not as good as vintage….). This is what I was lamenting yesterday….I don’t want vintage on ebay…I want fresh juice made exactly the way I remember when all those beauties were originally released!!!!
OK enough of my ranting 🙂
“I don’t want vintage on ebay…I want fresh juice made exactly the way I remember when all those beauties were originally released!!!!”
This needs to be cross-stitched and framed! You’ve expressed my feelings exactly!
I tried Le Feu probably shortly after it first came out. I remember being completely puzzled and not really enjoying it. I only wish I could sniff it today, having tried so much more different kinds of perfume, I’m sure I would perceive it differently.
You would, I just know it. My past is littered with things (not just perfumes) that I didn’t understand at first (and usually hated) but eventually came to love: La Nuit de Paco Rabanne, David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet”, the operas of Richard Strauss. We need to mature into some kinds of art.
On the other hand, I loved Le Feu instantly and bought a bottle on the spot, and what I wouldn’t give for a full bottle magically transported intact from 1998.
I love Feu d’Issey so much. I bought three bottles when I lived in Germany (i.e the days of perfume heaven) and still have some. I don’t know what the note is officially but it reminds me of bamboo shoots…the kind you find in cans at the supermarket. Every now and again the drydown of a perfume – Ostara, for example – will carry the tiniest hint of this note.
Trying out Coromandel for the first time. Oh boy, is it ever gorgeous! Adding it to my ever-growing list of must-haves from Maison Chanel.
I know, you smell gorgeous. I’ll probably be offering it for splitmeet, or you can just go ahead and buy a full bottle 😉
I shall keep the swap meet in mind. Maybe then I can resist the full bottle… Maybe.
Ooh.. Coromandel is one I’ve long been meaning to try but for some reason have never gotten around to it. If you do offer it for splitmeet, I would be interested.
i love Coromandel! I have a decant of that, should reach for that more often. I think its rated 4 stars, but should be 5!
It was robbed of a Star!
Oooh, you smell delicious! Coromandel is a beauty.
You smell terrific. It’s one of my deep favorites, a definite reach for in winter after Cuir de Russie and Cuir Lancome. Delightful.
You smell fantastic! While I haven’t tried a lot of Chanel frags, Coromandel is definitely one of my absolute favorites. I bought an ounce a couple years ago and have been hitting it hard this winter. It’s like patchouli pastery. Sweet but not too much, wears like a velvety cloud but dense enough to stick with you for a while. Gorgeous!
I’m wearing (blush) Tommy Girl. I needed a pick-me-up after a bad Monday. I think that a good Friday project would be wearing a 5-star LT reviewed fragrance that made you wonder “what was LT thinking?”.
I think he makes his thoughts pretty clear in the guide for the 5 star fragrances. They usually have a more in-depth explanation for their rating. For instance, Tommy Girl is not necessarily an exciting scent, but it did change the industry.
I like Tommy Girl.
Do I *love* it? No. But I find it pretty and wearable.
I like it too, and it is wearable, and it is a bright fragrance on me. So, here I am wearing it. Maybe I was embarrassed because it has been so long since I thought of myself as a girl. It helped to lift my mood after a rough Monday, so it’s doing it’s job.
I know I must have tried Tommy Girl, but don’t remember what it smelled like. I did like Tommy Dreaming for the same easy to wear and not too complicated feel. It had this peppery peach and musk thing going on…. Lots of nice summertime memories with that one. 🙂
I like it too and I am FAR from a “girl” -LOL!
Happy Mardi Gras (and bagel and pizza day…no toothaches here)!
Long day of work ahead of me so I wanted something both bracing and cuddly – Grey Flannel will do the trick nicely. Did 2 sprays + 1 spray of Lolita Lempicka (for a little fun Mardi Gras magic). Oddly enough LL disappeared into GF, which doesn’t necessarily bother me (magic doesn’t need to noticed to be there, right?).
Since I sprayed two 5 star fragrances does that mean I get double the points? 🙂
Also, what is everybody else’s Mardi Gras scent?
Ah – top notes. Now that everything is drying down I can definitely detect LL.
Joy! (what else?) Happy Mardi Gras!!!
Perfect scent for being a bit naughty in! Hope you thoroughly enjoy Fat Tuesday.
Reminiscence’s Patchouli for me–bring on les bon temps.
Bad French! I don’t know if it should be “le bon temps” or “les bons temps,” but I didn’t write either of those.
🙂 No worries, the meaning was conveyed. Happy Mardi Gras!
Sneaking a note in this morning to say I’m playing the 5-star game this week too–Today with L’Air du Desert Marocain. It should play well with the staff meeting this morning.
Still feeling a bit off, but I braved the gym yesterday for the first time since this wallop of a cold hit me over a week ago. I’m a little sore, but it’s mostly in the good-hey-I-accomplished-something sort of way.
You’re ahead of me in the gym department. I haven’t been in months. Boo.
Same here – I loathe the gym. Plus, they closed the one near my office, so now I have to go farther out of my way to loathe going there.
Convenience really makes a huge difference! I’ve always done best when my gym was either on my way home or literally around the block from my house. Keeps the excuses at bay!
My gym is literally a four-minute walk from my place, and yet I still go only a couple of days a week. My pitiful excuse is that I work on my feet, so I get lots of walking done, it’s not as if I’m sitting all day, and the Fitbit bears this out.
I use the same reasoning to limit my aerobic workouts to a run once a week (or so). When I go to the gym, it’s to lift heavy things, which I don’t do all day. (Thank goodness!)
I LOVE working out, but I admit, it hasn’t always been so. I started regular exercise with much less intimidating activities–walking, hiking, gardening, etc. Just getting into the routine of doing *something* most days was a big enough challenge, I didn’t need to add my anxiety about not fitting in, not knowing what to do, not having the right clothes, not being able to fit into the right clothes, etc, etc. The old adage of choosing something you love to do so it isn’t a chore is so true! Be kind to yourself. 🙂
Good advice, Marjorie Rose. I used to do jazzercise, but my knees just won’t tolerate it anymore (it’s not the moves – it’s the speed at which they have to happen). So now I do Pilates and LOVE it (and so do my knees and low back), but I do need to add something aerobic to my weekly regimen. I’ll figure it out eventually!
Walking briskly is aerobic. And gentle! You can then work up to speedwalking, where you are walking as fast a runner…but way gentler on joints and it develops the legs in same manner as a ballet dancer!
Are you in an area that has a bellydance troupe? It’s really great for an aerobic workout and building core strength, as well as meeting really wonderful people. You don’t have to perform and any age, shape, or agility level can easily be accommodated. I have danced with young children and partially disabled women in their seventies. Learning a dance routine is also great for mental agility.
There are online interactive classes too that I think are very reasonably priced.
The elliptical is supposed to be easier on the knees. Then there’s always swimming, but to my mind that’s a major commitment.
According to the orthopedic surgeon best for the knees is a stationery bike…you get aerobic exercise and get the synovial fluids going through the knee!
Spinning is a great cardio workout, and not only is it no impact, but it strengthens all the knee supporting muscles (quads, etc)! Ypu need zero equipment unless you decide to really stick with it, then I would recommend a pair of spin shoes, which can be had on sale for around $50. You can usually pay by the class or buy a package, whatever works for you.
Wise words, Marjorie Rose!
SOTD: Les Nombres d’Or : Musc. Gorgeous, powdery vanilla musk. Love it! But because of the price, a full bottle is instantly disqualified from my wishlist! 🙂
This sample is one of the Feb 2016 offerings from Olfactif….good stuff!
Have a good day everyone!
I love that one so much. I’m making do with a mini and a decant.
Welp that just shot to the top of my to-test list 🙂
I’ll bring some by next time I’m in the neighborhood 🙂
$195 for a bottle! WHOA! But the real downer is that I really couldn’t smell it anymore at lunch. Had a errand to run, so spritzed on some Aromatics Elixir at the Macy’s fragrance counter when I was out. LOVE THIS ONE TOO!!!
$54 for Aromatics….that might be doable someday! 🙂
OH SHEESH….Got back to work, and a coworker has a scent memory of Aromatics….evidently a teacher he hated wore it! HA HA HA I should have known better than to wear this beast in close quarters. Scrubbed it off, but his nose is running and he’s very irritable now! Whoops…. 🙂
At least you scrubbed…and you learned something new about your coworker! I haven’t had the courage to wear Aromatics Elixir to the office yet, so that’s another good on you. Too bad since it is so gorgeous and the limited edition bottle I have is so cute.
If you have TJ Maxx or Marshall’s around, check them because I was seeing Aromatics Elixir around for a while (that’s how I got my bottle), and it was like $25 or $30.
Day 2 of wearing a 4-Star perfume that was robbed of a star:
SOTD • Chanel 28 La Pausa
LT must have been struggling to fill a quarter of a page when he wrote the review for 28 La Pausa. Including articles, conjunctions and prepositions, the entire review barely topped 110 words. He also managed to name 5 OTHER perfumes, a perfumer’s name (but he did not name La Pausa’s) and another brand name. Anyway, to paraphrase the ending of his review, if you must have an iris, you couldn’t go wrong with choosing either La Pausa OR Iris Silver Mist. ISM got 5 stars (bravo, since it is my favorite iris), so why not the same for La Pausa? He never explained.
For lack of anything valod to dock 28 La Pausa a star, I hereby declare 28 La Pausa a 5-Star perfume!
My only complaint regarding La Pausa is the staying power, otherwise it’s a great iris.
I use 8 sprays and it lasts all day 🙂
I use 6 or 7, will go for 8 next time 🙂
You know hajusuuri, I gotta ask: you’ve mentioned you don’t spray on skin. So do you do one spritz and walk at a time? Or do you do a massive eight spritzes and then speed through the cloud?
I have a tiny bathroom so I don’t have far to run. The cloud usually ends up on hair 😉
Curious, why no skin?
Now I’m curious as to whether you (hajursuuri) do this clothed…
Now I’m curious too
See what you started, Holly! Good questions. I’ll answer one of the questions with I don’t like perfume on my clothes ;-). The “spray and walk into the mist” application is that there’s a lower concentration of potentially allergy inducing substances and alcohol on skin. I’m convinced that I am probably one of the .000001% of the population that the IFRA is trying to protect by banning or severely limiting natural wubstances used in perfumery.. My hair/scalp can take a lot of abuse 🙂
Tbis is the reason why most of the dabbers I include in my swap or freebie packages have never been tried. It’s also why I end up with doubles of dabber samples — I empty them into atomizers and doing this x number of times for a particlar discovery pack ends up getting tedious and causes me to lose interest and move on to another pack months later.
hajusuuri-Understood. This used to be my standard application technique, per “Queer Eye”: ‘Spray. Delay. Walk away.’ Now I wonder why I stopped? I tend to spray as closely to my skin as possible, which wastes a lot of product since my aim is terrible.
Kpaint! Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was a fabulous show! Now I enjoy watching Ted Allen in Chopped!
I was always put off by Chanel perfumes (except for No. 5) because I found them too cool and formal, perfectly suited to Catherine Deneuve, but uncomfortable for me. 28 la Pausa seems relaxed and natural, and is the only one I feel really comfortable in. It was Bear who convinced me to try it by revealing that it is fundamentally a vetiver perfume with iris.
What about Coromandel or Bel Respiro? Coromandel seems pretty comfortable to me and Bel Respiro is casual, for a Chanel. Not that I think everyone should like the exclusifs as much as I do.
I second Coromandel (I haven’t tried Bel Respiro, gosh durn exclusifs so hard to find!). Like the other Chanels it is polished, but like other orientals it feels warm especially on the skin. The patchouli is the perfect amount as well – just enough to make it chocolatey but not gourmand.
I tried most of the Exclusifs when new and Coromandel was the winner by a mile. It’s the only one I’d consider a full bottle of.
I will third Coromandel. It is very comfortable and cozy.
You’re right, I did like Coromandel. At the time, I tested that along with PG Cozé and SL Borneo and decided that I preferred Cozé. Not sure that was the best decision, as I can only wear it when I need a protective patchouli forcefield at full force. I should try Bel Respiro again, too.
I love Cozé, and don’t find it that strong. I’ve yet to try Coromandel, and I know I have a sample.
I’m with you on the formality of the Chanels, although some I don’t find quite so ‘inhibited’ like Cuir de Russie and Sycomore.
Have you tried No.22?
I tested Coromandel on the strength of Kevin’s review and have not looked back since then. My bottle is less than half full and I have a decision to make as to cheaper per mL but with a huge hard to handle bottle or simply go for the comfort and aesthetics of the smaller one.
I finished a bottle of Bel Respiro and the Cologne from the collection is nice.
1) You are right about 28 La Pausa- it’s a super cosy skin scent with vetiver and iris. Very refreshing and something to share with a boyfriend/husband.
2) I find 19 and 22 VERY formal, but as Annikky said, Coromandel and Cuir de Russie are extremely cosy to wear.
I feel just the same way about Chanel overall, and 28 La Pausa is likewise one of my favorites.
Speaking of Chanel, is there any shop to buy samples from since StC stopped carrying the brand?
The Posh Peasant has a few Chanels left, karen B.
I always was too, and didn’t have much interest in them until recently, I think because 1-the house design aesthetic is the polar opposite of my own, and 2-being a Chanel fan seems kind of… predictable and possibly verging on dull.
But as I’ve sampled the line I’ve come to really respect the product. I like everyone I’ve tried and love quite a few. For the most part, I find them very easy to wear. To me, they’re all about quality – well-made, thoughtful, good materials. And that, I think, suits my personal aesthetic quite well.
All respect to Chanel perfumes, and they are the perfect choice when one wants to project polished confidence.
Ah nozknoz! You are the largest diamond in my enabler’s crown. Thanks ! ;D
Yes, the gateway to a major brand enabler diamond is the big one! 😉 Thanks again, Bear!
Ah ha! I had problems with the longevity but will try applying more. Agree with the 5.
Scent Twins with hajusuuri. La Pausa is undeniably beautiful. I exhausted my sample this morning… Boo!
Up to my eyeballs at work. SOTD is Dior Anbre Nuit; like the tiny sample so much I bought a larger decant and am spraying with abandon.
recently ordered a sample of that + Cuir Cannage. We’ll see if Dior’s redeeming itself!
And if you like Cuir Cannage, I have a largish decant that I can swap away as a family member declared it too perfumey 🙁
I’m at home, reading Peter Frankopan’s The Silk Road: The New History of the World and wearing Sarrasins to match. And drinking Mariage Freres Sultan for good measure 🙂
Sounds like an interesting read!
It is! I do have some conceptual issues with it (it cannot quite decide if it’s a history of Central Asia/Mesopotamia/Middle East or a history of the world), but it’s fascinating nevertheless.
Sarrasins is so beautiful.
It really is. I’ve just decided I need a full bottle – if you can wear something like this when sick without feeling irritated or overwhelmed at all, I think it has passed the test. I caought whiffs of this when washing my hands and didn’t realise what it was at first, only that it smelled so beautiful.
When I bought my first bell jars ( yes plural!) I got ISM, TC and Sarrasins. For some reason I got the labels on TC and S confused and spent days trying to figure out why I didn’t get any tuberose. (I had decanted them into purse sprays). After changing the labels all was well in my world again, and by that time it was clear to me, that I loved Sarrasins a lot more.
how is MF sultan?
It is a very good quality breakfast tea (a blend of ceylon teas), but nothing super special. I’m drinking it mostly because I have finished all my Wedding Imperial and Chandernagor in sachet form and I cannot be bothered to make a proper pot of loose-leaf tea.
And I checked, it’s actually Sultane, my mistake.
Lovely. What a perfect combination! I am drinking Earl Grey with cream today, and it is delicious. Thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you! And glad you’re enjoying your tea.
Did you enjoy the Richard Mabey book ( I saw a picture on your blog?). I have really enjoyed his books, especially Nature Cure which dealt with an episode of depression and illness. And the restorative effect of nature. Hoping to read The Cabaret of Plants:Botany and the Imagination soon.
I’ve just started, so too early to tell, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it. I’ll keep you posted!
You smell lovely, Robin. My SOTD is Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile EDT, and I smell nice too. My bathrobe smells even lovelier – why is it that the leftover melange of many, many scents on my robe is gorgeous, but if I layer two random fragrances there’s a 50-50 chance of reekage?
Hmm, maybe because so many dry downs turn into cozy skin scents which go nicely together, but the top and middles have more of a clash potential?
You might be on to something here. My robe smells delicious as well.
You’re probably right, Doc. Maybe I should give those disastrous layering combinations more time to mellow out. 🙂
You do smell nice too!
Feeling absolutely delicious today!
One wrist had Black Flower Mexican Vanilla overlaid with Dame’s Soliflore Gardenia while the other wrist has Dame’s Black Flower Mexican Vanilla overlaid with Soliflore Tuberose….YUM!!!!
You really like these soliflores 🙂
Sounds awesome! I love layering something vanilla with something floral!
Wearing 2 star Cruel Gardenia which LT called “Camay soap”. 😉
Still this one is very nice in warm weather which we are enjoying in San Diego today.
I thought CG was rather pretty. (And I usually hate, I mean *HATE* soapy scents.) It is, however, considerably overpriced IMO.
Cruel Gardenia is lovely! And it is not soapy on me, just floral.
I love it, too. I get soap, but I like the soapiness! It comes from the neroli note, which is one of my favorites. Cruel Gardenia lasts all day.
It’s cold and spitting snow so I treated myself to a liberal application of Chergui. So I can spend the day thumbing my nose at TS’s ridiculous hay note reasoning.
Also, I never should have gotten my eBay account straightened out. I bid on an auction for the first time in YEARS. I wound up winning, but it wasn’t as cheap as I wanted. Not terrible, as just two of the items together are worth more than what I paid, including shipping, but still.
But you WON!!! Congratulations!
I did! Thank you! I’m really excited because there were two Malle small sprays in the lot; Carnal Flower and L’Eau de Hiver. Also Amouage Fate, Hermes Vanile Galante, and a bunch of M. Micallef fragrances. I’m completely unfamiliar with every single scent in the lot, except Shalimar, so lots of sniffing to be done. I’m excited.
Wow, that’s an amazing haul, and such a good mix. I hope you find something you love, or even somethingS.
Thanks! I’m pretty sure I’ll love Carnal Flower, being a BWF fan. The rest will be an adventure.
Btw, are you the person who is interested in Goutal? Cuz I have some samples looking for a home.
Yes! I love AG! I’ve only had the chance to wear two, Gardenia Passion and Eau de Hadrien. I would love to try them. My email is matchboxalien atsign land of yahoo dot com. Thank you for thinking of it!
Perfect! Email sent.
Chegui is perfect.
*Chergui
In my mind Chergui is perfect for anything and everything. Including when I’m pouting because it’s snowing, and I want to go home, because I am a born and raised delicate Southern flower and snow equals stay home to me, even when it’s a pitiful amount of it.
My SOTD is Perles de Lalique…a fairly oldie but goodie.
Vintage Joy. I may smell like the queen, but I sure plan to behave worse than her usual in this last day of carnival.
Sounds fabulous, both the scent and the behaviour!
🙂
Oh dear, Joy is not a scent to inspire restrained behaviour. Hope you have lots of fun.
Hehe, I’ll be with the kids, but it’s a safe environment, they sell beer and the music will be truly great!
“Rivages Noirs” from Parfumerie Générale. This was very nice from the bottle (2ml decant) but, as I suspected, doesn’t have the brute strength to survive on my skin, where weak perfumes go to die. 🙂
Out of curiosity, are you a person who tends to be cold (in temperature?) My skin doesn’t hold scent well either and my latest theory is that it’s temperature-related.
Hi kpaint – I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t tend to *feel* cold, but I’m not sure that tells us anything. I have fairly oily skin, but again don’t know what difference that might make. I also read something about the acidity of the skin, but again, how would I know without testing myself and a representative batch of random strangers (which would probably get me arrested).
I’m having fun trying out random samples of this and that, and noting what lasts and what I like. I think I’m starting to be able to predict from the notes what will last and what will disappear. I may revisit a few fugitive scents in warm weather to see if that makes a difference, but so far most of the stuff that disappears quickly has left me unmoved. 🙂
Interesting about trying to identify notes that last. How about this one: Do you tend to get bitten by bugs (mosquitos and such) or are you the one who gets left alone while others are swatting them away on, say, a muggy summer evening? 😉
Unhelpfully, I have been the ‘odd man out’ in both ways; sometimes the one who is ignored, once the guy who managed to get 100+ mosquito bites in North-West Germany, of all places. :^D
Erm, that would be ‘from Pierre Guillaume’ not ‘from Parfumerie Générale’.
I meant to go with 5 stars this week, but forgot today and wanted to wear Vetiver Tonka, so I did. I think this only got three stars (maybe even a two?) in the Guide but would definitely be a five star in my book.
I’m really regretting that I didn’t get this as one of my four when I bought the Hermessences 15 ml set.
Maybe someday you’ll buy a second set of four! I did and it was totally worth it. VT is terrific stuff.
I actually have two sets already:) One with the colognes/mainstream scents and the other with Hermessences. But you are right, I will get the third at some point: there are bigger Hermes fans than me, but I love that they have this 4X15 option. It’s perfect for me, as I’m fickle, like variety and 15 ml of anything lasts me a long time.
I did not know that there was a set of 4x15mL of their mainstream scents. That is a very dangerous piece of information….
I’m not sure they have everything, but certainly the Jardins, the colognes and Jour.
Quite a few more, in fact: http://usa.hermes.com/perfumes/compose-a-set/pocket-fragrance/tailor-made-nomad-set-64183.html
Mardi Gras AND bagels AND pizza? THAT’s a good day.
I spent about 10 minutes this morning looking for my sample of Absolue Pour Le Soir, and when I finally found it, the last few drops had evaporated. Serves me right for saving such a tiny amount. Wearing Cologne Pour Le Soir instead and thinking it might be time to order a few decants.
Today, it’s been 12 years since my husband and I are together (we were high school sweethearts and got married this summer). I’m wearing Bois des Iles EDT for the day and will top it off with some extrait (my wedding scent) tonight. And dinner will be fancy napolitan style pizza!
Aww – congrats! How lovely. And we’re scent twins too.
Happy 12 years!
Triplets! After living off of decants for years, I finally bought the EDT in November. The extrait is next on my list 🙂 .
Hah! I bought the extrait in November, and now I’m thinking I need the EDT, too.
Perfect! Congrats!!
Congrads!!!
Félicitations! Enjoy your evening.
How perfect! Congrats, and you smell amazing. Have a wonderful anniversary. 🙂
Congrats!
Thanks everyone!
Congratulations!
Congrats on your twelve years! Hope you have a great day celebrating.
What a beautiful tuxedo cat, MM!
Thanks! It’s my handsome Newburg.
Bois de Iles EDT for today and nomming on cinnamon babka in the spirit of the day. Not as good as chocolate babka, but I’ll take it. Happily.
You smell great! Then pizza bagel for lunch!
Oh wow does that sound delicious. You’ve tempted me…
My youth group in high school did a fundraiser every year with cinnamon babka, so I actually prefer that one. I’d never refuse any flavor, though.
I hadn’t had babka until recently, and then passed a display of Lilly’s Chocolate Babka at Whole Foods a couple weeks ago. Hoooo boy. Now I want it to be all babka all the time over here…
I see no reason it shouldn’t be. 😉
And this was posted today: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2016/02/chocolate-babka-kranz-bread-recipe/
That is obscene in the best possible way.
😀
Man.. all this babka talk is making me think I need to stop by Trader Joe’s and get the chocolate babka that I looked at but didn’t buy last time I was there.
Come to the dark side – we have babka.
Yum, babka.
Sending babka vibes your way.
My cube mate has eased up a bit on her fragrance today. Thank goodness.
Me, I’m delighting in some lovely Sycamore.
great..was wondering how things would make out. Now you can breath comfortably.
It’s only day 2, but I’m hopeful.
You smell great. I read the bulk of yesterday’s comments pretty late last night, so I didn’t get a chance to suggest continuous (perhaps fake?) sneezing around her. I know it’s pretty sneaky, but if you really don’t want to verbally confront her it’s worth a try (depending on your level of acting skill).
Ultimately though, I would recommend just chatting with her about it. Even if you are a perfume lover we all understand that there are people who are allergic/sensitive to fragrances, and should be especially mindful of this in the office. Just let her know you understand and support her enjoyment.
My acting skills on past office issues have proved to not be very convincing. Ha!
I agree on the chatting and getting to know her. Could be a new ‘fume friend 😉
Exactly! Go for it, and do let us know what she is overspraying.
Her perfume smelled yours and is hanging its head in shame.
Ha!
It seems to be an unofficial Les Exclusifs day. We all smell sooooo good!
It does! Although I’ve read a bit more about not only Monsieur Guerlain but Chanel and Dior (too!) shutting down sites, vendors, etc.. and I’m getting a bad taste in my mouth about this behavior.
Me too. My husband asked if Amouage was likely to do anything to piss me off so that he could buy a new bandsaw. I admit, my FB and sample list have gotten shorter this week.
Ha! My husband probably wishes the same thing.
You smell beautiful. But yes, I know exactly what you mean about the bad taste…
Thank you very much! 🙂
Is it the same frag as yesterday (cubemate)?
Not sure.
Perhaps she sprayed less, or could be she’s wearing a new scent today. The one from yesterday was what she wore while interviewing, it was that notable. Maybe today’s was something different.
Now I’m curious if someone said something to her already.
Oh, horrors! It turns out that *I* am my office’s cubemate causing scented trouble!! My colleague approached me again (fortunately this time not in tight-lipped anger); evidently, I had over-sprayed Encens Mythique, and it was not the first time the complete lack of air circulation had made things linger.
I had cycled through all my perfumes and thought things were a-okay. Now I have to start again with just one spritz, which for a few perfumes will be useless in even trying to wear to work. Sigh…
Oh, I’m sorry to hear this! Of course you don’t mean to be trouble to your colleagues.
My cubemate’s perfume is not very nice to smell, which makes a big difference. It has lots of flowers… can’t make out what, and probably lots of aldehydes too.
Joy!
No fun 🙁
SOTD is Ormonde Man and I love it
SOTD: Dior Dune. Snowing outside, big wet flakes – beautiful!
I always associate Dune with hot weather because of its name, but you are completely correct – Dune would be beautiful in the cold! Stay warm!
trying out Lubin Black Jade today. I really want a paczki or some king cake today. but as I’m stuck on a base without a car I doubt that will happen.
I hope you enjoy it. You smell lovely.
I love that scent- I do hope you enjoy! And ugh, base life sometimes.
I’ve been meaning to ask, are you the same Elizabeth who used to have Empress Sissi and then a Victorian gravatar? If so, you’re modern look is surprising and delightful. Of course, it’s delightful either way.
No, unfortunately I’m not. But thanks!! 🙂
You smell lovely.
Commando at the moment, some STC samples arrived yesterday so I’m trying to decide which of them to try. I seem to have been thinking Big White Flowers when I ordered….
which ones to did you order?
Fracas, vintage Jungle Gardenia… and (unrelated but still BIG) Salome! Also some modern Joy to see how it compares to the vintage.
OOh, report back.
I love BWFs in the winter.
I have Feelings about Salome already (not nice ones, though a lot of reviewers loved it). I’m also sad to report that, while new Joy Parfum smells very nice, it is no match for the vintage (aldehydes seem right, naughty base is there, but it seems…more rose and less jasmine? Maybe? Don’t take my word for it, I’m not a professional.).
I admit that my first dose of Salome was tiny and there was a bit of a standoff. If my husband hadn’t been so enthusiastic, I might not have tried again/given her time and come to love her (though I totally understand if you do not!).
I’m wearing EL Sensuous Noir today, which isn’t even listed in my copy of The Guide (I think I have the 2009 edition.. not sure when SN came out). But anyway.. yum.
I didn’t read yesterday’s SOTD post until before bed last night so I wore Musc Ravageur to bed because I think it deserved one more star than it got. 🙂
Love Sensuous Noir! BdJ gives it 5 stars, which I’m sure qualifies you for 5 star week. 🙂
I’ll take it! 😀
I remember the original Sensuous coming out in 2008, which is when the Guide was released, so I’m betting they didn’t get a chance to do Sensuous Noir. Unless it was in those seasonal additions they published online for a year or so afterward, but I’m not even sure you can find those anymore.
Either way, I’m sure you smell great!
Ah that makes sense. The original Sensuous is listed in my copy (3 stars).
SOTD is Calandre- reformulated. I remember it as more plush and green when I wore it years ago. LT liked the reformulation that was given 5 stars in the guide, but cautioned to buy more before “someone messes with it”.
I have a few tiny precious drops of the pure perfume…in its original state (before reformulation)…it is gorgeous! I sniff it from time to time but don’t want to use it up 🙁
I had a full bottle of that in the mid-eighties and it was fantastic, so hyper-modern, like No. 5 flung into the future at light speed. I would urge you, though, to learn from my Le Feu d’Issey lesson (above) and not save it for too long, or it might spoil on you. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may and all that.
I love that one. Years ago I owned the extrait de parfum. I would love to smell that again!
Happy Mardi Gras! Still sick and stuffy, so just went with a little Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom today. Vitamin C for my nose!
What a pleasant solution! Feel better soon. 🙂
Happy fat Tuesday! Wish I had a Montréal bagel to nosh on. I am wearing Micallef Note Vanillée.
Absolutely on the bagel! I had my first from St. Viateur — with seeds, or without being the options. I think they had poppy seed too (black seeds?). To me those “bagels” pictured above are “bread with a hole in it” coming in weird flavours (except maybe onion).
Meanwhile, SOTD is Chergui from a generous blogger.
Happy “Fat Tuesday” to everyone that celebrates Mardi Gras. My SOTD is Jasmin Rouge by Tom Ford. I guess this fragrance was too recent to be in Luca and Tania’s book. I did find my copy though! Yay! I would suspect if they were to rate it, it would get no more than 3 stars. But, I love it anyway. Its not my favorite TF fragrance, but nice , nevertheless.
Hope everyone has a fantastic day!
You smell great – love Jasmin Rouge!
SOTD is vintage Dune, which The Guide had the good sense to give 5 stars. The current version is ‘meh’ (sadly, I’ve smelled far worse reformulations), but the rich woodiness and the deep oakmoss are so much more present and deep in the original. Best of all, it lasts all day on my skin. I need to wear this more often than I have been!
Agreed! Dune is amazing, although its current incarnation is interesting too. Very dry, very different from everything else on the women’s shelves.
I’d love to smell vintage Dune. Definitely a 5 star scent.
You smell great!
I wore this (in current form) a few times last summer and though I found it a somewhat odd and occasionally quite disturbing, I still get cravings for it. I should pick up a vintage mini and give it another go.
Yes, I plan to wear my vintage bottle a lot, I am afraid of it going off before I get a chance to finish it.
Lassiez le bon temps roulez!
So, no, am NOT wearing a 5 star fragrance. Our spring preview continues today, and one more day to utterly crash my eating regime (pizza AND bagels? Lord…)
SOTD: EauDe Citrine (Anthopologie, 2013ish) layered on top of The Body Shop Indian Jasmine shower gel. I smell like FUN, and hey, why not.
OOTD: Skinny blue pants, leopard heels, white shirt, and another vintage white and blue Hermes scarf that I got for a disgustingly low price in a Paris flea shop.
I love your clothing and perfume pairing descriptions! Have you considered doing a blog?
Hey there! Why, thank you! for me, Perfume is the finishing touch OR the foundation of my grooming, so that is why I include clothes.
I have thought about starting a blog. That involves discipline and focus. Robin has it; whether I have enough of it for a blog is another thing entirely ..:-)
I love Hermes scarves, and I am jealous you found one cheap at a flea shop. I have one that has snail shells on it. I should wear it more often. I feel as though I save it for special occasions, but honestly, every day you wake up and are alive and breathing is a special day.
Recently I saw a Hermes scarf picture somewhere, bold graphic but vaguely fin de siecle, rearing zebra (B&W) with wings (red and gilt impression shading). It was fabulous. It was $375.00. I clicked away before I could start justifying it to myself. Now I don’t remember where I saw it..
So I can pine in safety! LOL!
I dare you to truly live – and use it as a burp cloth.
It would certainly top any other “my parents love me so much they x” stories.
HA! Yes, he would totally use it as a burp cloth! I could wear it when I take him for a stroll around the block..
I have also enjoyed your OOTD comments. Keep the coming please! 🙂
I was reading through some 1930s newspapers yesterday – looking at perfume references – and there seemed to be a bit of a obsession with matching perfume to hair colour. Blondes were warned (more than once) to leave the Oriental scents to the brunettes and stick with violet.
Yes, that went on for many decades – one scent for blondes, another for brunettes, and the really daring ones always went to the redheads.
How silly – wonder who came up with that?
Clairol
How could you have more fun in violet perfume? (I like violet, but it’s hardly risque.)
A brunette, probably!
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19300816.2.171.65.19&srpos=139&e=——-100–101—-0perfume-ARTICLE-
This doesn’t mention the violet but it’s full of useful tips on what blondes should wear.
Love it. At least they recommend having a number of perfumes at the same time to match mood or outfit, a trend they say started a few years prior. So the late 20s.
Today sampling Diptique Oud Palao. It smells very lovely but wears very close to the skin for me. Maybe I will get a little decant and spray with abandon…
Late reading comments today, but just to say I really like Oud Palao. Reviews of it are all over the map, as are guesses and claims about how synthetic it is, but I love the dark woody Oud and roses, aroma chemicals or no. (And as I said, I can’t get a clear picture on that or on whether I could smell the difference!) To me it’s a less intense and so more wearable Oud Ispahan. If you want something bigger, OI might be good? But also get a sample you can spray of OP! It smells great.
Hi Amy! As the day wore on I got a more chemically vibe from this, so I am afraid it is not a keeper for me. I love Diptyque’s Tam Dao and don’t get the chemical tang from that. My favorite Oud’s are By Killian Amber Oud and Memo’s Shams Oud. I haven’t found a rose oud I can wear. 🙁
I’m embarrassed to say that might be something chemical in this that I like; ️Byredo Rose Noir is another unnatural smelling rose that really works for me when I am in the right mood. I’ve been wearing perfume for 10 or 12 years, but not really into until recently and am actively experiencing my nose improving, so I might move past this stage! And I absolutely get not liking OP. My husband is not a fan!
I have not sniffed Byredo Rose Noir…there are things that used to smell good to me that no longer do…
Hmm, perhaps I’ll have a pizza bagel for lunch.
SOTD is Fracas, and it’s perfect.
Excellent!
Gucci Rush today. I was going to save it for Five Star Friday, but I need to feel fearless now.
I had an amazingly wonderful weekend. Mr. Lucy turned 50 last Thursday and has been celebrating with family, friends, and coworkers ever since. My parents came in for a visit, but took baby Jack to a nearby hotel so I could get two nights of rest. I was starting to feel as if I’d spent a week at a spa when it was time to go pick him up yesterday…and found my car had been broken into. In my own driveway. Grrrrrrr. Nothing will do today except Rush.
Happy 50th to Mr. Lucy!
Sorry about your car! That happened to my cousin also, in her own driveway.
The nerve.
Overall, we were very fortunate. They went through the console and the glove box, stealing two pair of my prescription sunglasses. That sucks because I cannot drive without them, but mostly they just made a mess. Amazingly, Mr. Lucy had accidentally left the spare key in the console (hidden out of sight under the armrest). They threw it on the passenger seat and didn’t even attempt to take the car!!!
Mostly I’m upset because the thought of some stranger’s grubby hands touching my son’s car seat, neck pillow, and mittens turns my stomach. I hate people who take things that don’t belong to them.
Yes, that really is the worst part. It’s just creepy and one feels very violated. Hopefully your insurance will cover the financial loss end of things.
Love Rush!! (and not ashamed to say it!)
There’s no shame in loving Rush. There may be some in spraying three times then heading to the office (which I did when I was young and didn’t know any better), but never in loving it.
Me neither! It’s a Tania Sanchez 5-star, too.
I’m planning to wear that this week 🙂
Sorry about your car. Happened to us several times a few years ago, and each time they did far more damage in breaking windows/locks than seems worthwhile for a handful of change and a flashlight. We considered leaving the little window broken to save ourselves the expense of replacing it at one point, but it finally stopped. It’s just an awful feeling to know someone has been through your personal stuff.
SOTD is Demeter’s Beeswax. I think they did a pretty good job with this one, it does smell like beeswax with an Ivory soap note, a hint of muted florals in the first few minutes and no syrupy honey. I bought the eensy keychain sample thingie on a whim, along with some other weird stuff. So basically I threw some money away. 😉 Anyway, the one I really wanted to like was Swimming Pool, but they missed the mark for me on that one. What I want is actually from a scent memory of an outdoor swimming pool on a hot summer’s day, cut grass, boxwoods and a wet poodle. I think the wet poodle accord might be crucial to this composition.
Oh, gosh, you made me laugh!!
I swam on a year-round competitive team when I was a tween and teenager, so my concept of “swimming pool” is definitely an indoor pool one.
😀
I’m surprised CBIH hasn’t done that – they should!
I am wearing the LT/TS five-star EL Beyond Paradise Men, a fruity, floral fougere in the style of the (discontinued) Rochas Globe, though less good to my nose. I would give it three and a half stars.
I am drinking an extremely fresh tasting yang yan gou qing. It smells and tastes of pea shoots, bamboo leaves, and Asian pear.
Oooh, the tea sounds delicious! Which company makes it?
Happy Mardi Gras! Wearing Dior Homme today which is a 5 star fragrance. Layered with Bliss Vanilla+Bergamot lotion. A fruity iris dream!
YUM! You smell HEAVENLY.
That sounds like a great combo. I love Dior Homme. I haven’t tried the Vanilla + Bergamot lotion but I had a bottle of the shower gel, and I really liked the scent. It kind of made me think of a stripped-down Shalimar.
I’m wearing Slumberhouse Ore today. I wanted something cozy but elegant and restrained, and Ore is my go to for that. And it matched what I was wearing too, a brown dress with grey tights, black and white patterned coat and tan shoes. 🙂
I bought myself to some decadent treats today! A small selection of cheeses (manchego, ReginaBlu, bergkäse) from the cheese place in the market hall and then some tea from a lovely little tea shop (some fruity white tea, some lapsang and a couple of balls of blooming tea). I don’t know what I’m going to try first! 😀
Sounds like a perfect day!
Your day sounds so nice!
I wanted to join in the fun of a 5-star week and when I combed through my perfume drawer this morning I was happy to see that I have many “5-star” frags in to choose from. Unfortunately, none felt right this morning – so I’m in Coco. “No ragrets” as the kids say…this is a 5-star scent to me.
YOLO 😉
LT’s review of Coco sounded like 5 stars to me, but he thought it would smell a bit dated. Since I never wore it the first time around and have no scent memories of it from that time, it simply smells fantastic!
Also, I think we’re reaching a point where 80s stuff smells “fun retro” and it’s the 90s that’s “dated”.
Agreed. Poison and Amarige smell perfectly wonderful to me.
I read that LT Coco review today too and thought, “Hmmm, I guess NOW is the time when it no longer smells dated.” He may have written that 8 years ago!
YES!
We had a bit of snow last night, and although it wasn’t much, there are some remote areas in our school district where the buses can’t get to the kids when the roads are icy – so no school today. And The CEO doesn’t teach any Tuesday classes this semester, so he’s home too.
The novel revision is going very slowly today. Sigh.
However, I’m in SL La Myrrhe, another 5 star, which I love love love. It feels like sunrise on snow looks, all pink and gold on white and blue.
hmm, don’t think of you as an SL gal (neither am I, save a few), now I’ll have to try this one.
Have been using Alba Botanica’s Midnight Tuberose shower gel for the last few days–think you’d like it. It’s a tad plasticky, but for the price I can’t complain ($11 something at Vitacost). Was lost in reverie during yesterday’s shower, and thought, “something smells like perfume”–it was the shower gel.
Oh, I’m *not* an SL gal. This is the only one I really love (though I like a few others).
List? Oh heck, why not. There are several I like in theory, but these are the ones I would wear if someone gave me a bottle:
Fleurs d’Oranger (not vintage!)
Datura Noir
Un Bois Vanille
Slow is better than rushed and SL will help. Enjoy your day with the kids…words can wait! It will be OK!
I really love La Myrrhe and wish I’d know of a way to get it when I first tried it, o/a 2009. Now that I have a way, I’m afraid it must have been reformulated and afraid to try. Not that I’ve used very much of my decant.
When I first tried La Myrrhe all I got was soap, but now that I’m a confirmed aldehydes fan I’ll have to give it another go.
Holy comments Batman! It’s just after noon and look at the numbers of comments…!
SOTD is PdE Cuir Ottoman- perfect for a chilly windy day- cheers!
THat *would* be nice in cold weather – it doesn’t stay “cuir” very long on me and spends most of its time in that sweet amber phase.
Oh, it makes me sad when this doesn’t work for others. It’s one of my absolute favorites and on me it plays out as delicate petals hand rubbed into a softly textured leather.
This makes me wonder if the “professionals” only rate perfumes based on how it works for them individually and personally. I sure hope they have others in their sphere wear it and then give another (more objective) sniff.
In Chanel Pour Monsieur… not exactly y-fronts for me (thank you Mals for that indelible image!) but probably more traditionally masculine than I am generally comfortable wearing… But gosh I smell terrific!
Heh! I can manage citrusy or mossy or spicy-woody “men’s” scents far, far easier than I can manage fougeres. Just. Cannot. Do. Them.
Are there lavenders that you like? I am in search of the perfect lavender for me–so far Caron Pour Homme and Burberry Brit Rhythm (for her) are not it…. and so I have been thinking maybe I need to dip my toe into fougeres….
Short answer: nope.
Lavender in itself (even just the live flower) can give me tremenjous headaches. I tend to avoid it.
Have you tried Penhaligon’s Sartorial? It’s a bit “y-fronts” in the beginning, but it gets a little sweeter and beeswaxy as it dries down. I got a 30ml bottle because it was on sale on their website when I ordered Ostara. I haven’t quite decided yet if it’s too masculine for me.
Embarrassed to say that I’m still in bed, but I’m on west coast time. 😉 There are some home made waffles and strawberries in the fridge calling my name, but I’m trying to think of what to wear with breakfast. Something light with vanilla maybe, or tea? Vanille Galante, Tea For Two, Infusion d’Iris Absolue…
Those all sound fab!
Best of good mornings to everyone. Yesterday was an exercise in frustration for me–I had a day set aside to prepare material for a meeting with my team today, but I got all of about twenty words written because of an unending stream of people and STUFF. Grump! Have postponed the meeting because why would I waste everyone’s time at an unprepared meeting? Sensible, but actually, double grump! Need soothing, calming perfume–can’t think what. Escalating grump towards a triple…but wait, here’s all your comments about 31RC. Is it a waste to wear this with jeans and a Tee….well, perhaps that Tee, it is. Change Tee (bother! but necessary) to a lace one. That looks OK. No, better than OK: quite nice, I think. So, spray 31…..aaaahhhh. The world re-aligns. The grump dissolves. The dear man looks relieved. Dakkie brings me Fuzzy Logic and Hermione-of-the-Blue-Ears. He even retrieves Fuzzy Logic when I toss him. Today will be all right. Every day will be all right. I am going to prance up the hill now and make stuff happen. Be well and happy, everyone.
Gloria Steinem once said she never would wear jeans without full-on Cleopatra mascara and a “drenching” of exotic perfume…
Love that woman…
31 Rue makes everything better.
Yep, everything..
Glad you are feeling better after a few sprays of 31 RC.
We are scent twins!
Today I am wearing Jicky, which hasn’t been sprayed in way more than 5 years. I am shocked at how lovely it is, compared to my reaction “pre-rabbit-hole” after I bought it. It is EDT and it is possible it is pre-reformulation (although it may be difficult to find out without Monsieur Guerlain). I love the quandary that SunnyDay is in – what to wear with a yummy strawberries and waffle breakfast! All 3 mentioned choices are dreamy.
You smell fantastic! I love Jicky EdT.
I grew into Jicky too! You smell amazing.
Today it’s Michael Storer’s Winter Star for me. I usually don’t wear this feral incense/musk to work… but it’s going to snow again today and I really needed its animalic warmth.
Wondering as I wander… do you choose an SOTD the night before, or do you make the selection in the morning on your way out the door?
I prefer to choose in the morning.
Me, too, generally. I never pick out clothing the night before, either; everything is decided over morning coffee…
Both! Select the night before and change your mind the following morning, and then again as you leave the house. Easy.
Yes, exactly. 🙂
Well, I can’t say I’ve gone totally Cleo, but I am wearing a Bobbi Brown one called “Open Eyes” or some such name. It is surprisingly black and noticeable, so perhaps GS has the right of it.
Sorry– this is in completely the wrong place. Meant to reply to olenska above. Was not concentrating.
A testament to the hypnotic power of 31 Rue Cambon! 🙂
This.
Ha! That scenario is very, very familiar!
Totally on the fly, but I usually know what category of scent I want between 2-3 days. Lately been in comfort scent mood.
I like that! I usually realize I’ve been in a scent mood only after the fact. It might be interesting to set the mood rather than let it set me.
Well, that’s interesting. How did I completely overlook Michael Storer before? And his website says he is in the process of moving to Arizona… Must make a note somewhere to check again in a few months!
Unless I’m mistaken it has said that for a very long time.
Sadly true, Robin. He piped up on Basenotes in late 2012 to explain that he did move to Arizona after a string of difficulties and hoped to revive his business. But his site has been down for a long time.
Thanks for the additional information. That’s really too bad!
I usually choose in the morning when I’m getting dressed. Every once in a while I’ll get a craving for a perfume the night before and then say, ok I’ll wear that tomorrow.
Me, too. Sometimes my good intentions win out… and sometimes they get shouted down by another scent…
I’ve been wearing All Good Things for the past couple of days and enjoying it more and more. In three words: vanilla, black pepper and tar.
I was thinking I might devote more effort to department store fragrances. This somehow seems sensible given where I live as it means I can sample ( without the expense of ordering or buying online) and I am certain I can worm out some good, surprise scents that I have overlooked in the past. It’s a bit dull, I know, but the constraint might throw up some interesting discoveries….and if I find nothing my perfume budget will be healthier next time I travel to Australia for a proper shop. So here we go: the H&J Smith challenge…the only perfumista in the world relying on a family-owned Invercargill chain company.
They do have a good sized perfume department.
Are they only in the SI? I don’t believe I’ve ever come across this firm, but I would surely like to.
Don’t laugh: Invercargill, Gore, Balclutha and now Dunedin (they bought out Arthur Barnett – which was DIC, I think). They are half way between Farmers and Smith and Caugheys (Kirks or Ballantynes)…very mainstream in the scent department, and never the full range. None of the Mecca or World scents BUT amazing specials: Boucheron $60. And decent people.
I always feel for you guys (as perfumistas, obviously there are tremendous pluses to your locations in other respects). Individuals (as opposed to companies) in the U.S. are now expressly forbidden to mail perfume internationally, or I would be sending you care packages. If you or friends ever visit DC, please let me know!
Oh? I had no idea. Huh.
With the U.S. Postal Service, one is only allowed to ship perfume by land, not air, so that eliminates international shipment. I’ve also asked UPS and they don’t even do land. I don’t think FedEx does either. If a package is small enough, this may not come up domestically, but internationally you have to fill out forms.
It’s okay because we have so much to look forward to (perfume wise) when we leave the country. And some Australian and international sites post here…exchange rate and postage are the main problems. Thanks for being so kind…I almost ended up living in DC (14 years ago, well Bethesda) when my husband was offered a job at the NIH. Just think, we could have been jostling each other at the perfume counters and never known… so thank you NST for bringing us together.
Trotted out my Safran Troublant sample again today, and feel pretty willing to say that at four stars, it’s underrated.
I really want to like this one, the idea of it is so beautiful! But last time I tried it, it headed straight to vanilla. A nice, mildly boring, vanilla sandalwood combo. Maybe warmer weather is the answer. . .
Oh that’s too bad! Yes definitely the spices are what make it special to me I think. And I think different weather could make a difference! I am a total perfume lightweight and found it too thick to wear comfortably in the summer, so cool weather makes it just right for me. If you’re wanting more from it, I bet warmer weather could help!
I adore Safran Troublant but funnily enough it’s that thorny, prickly rose right in the middle that I find most beautiful. I love the saffron and the vanilla but that little shot of rose is so thrilling.
Do try it in warm weather, made such a difference in my case.
Ah, I need to try that one, now that I like saffron in perfume (thanks, TF Scent). Also I didn’t get to reply to you over the weekend because I got swamped in a workshop, but yes, we need to take advantage of our secret scent twins-ness. Email through clicking on my name if you ever want to do so…
I just ordered a bottle of this from Fragrancenet, can’t wait for it to arrive. You smell lovely!
Happy pancake day!
31 Rue for me today – I really should wear it a lot. Love reading about all of your choices. Off to make pancakes asap – savoury as well as sweet and the challenge is going to be deciding on healthy toppings (as husband currently trying to avoid too much sugar). I see fruit and honey looming – which could be worse!
I want to try out my new sample of 31 RC, but I have a physics exam tonight that I am SO NERVOUS for. Normally I wear Balenciaga Paris to exams, and I am very superstitious, so it may be that for me today. But then I thought, why not be bold and do something different for my exam?! So I don’t know what to wear, and am being really weird about it.
Good luck!
Thank you! I’m hoping for the best.
I operate the same way and would fear a different scent would just make me nervous.
Lol, kpaint, I am glad someone else out there is like this. I just like, have to have my two pencils that are the kind that I like and my Balenciaga Paris. I started getting nervous just thinking about wearing a different scent!
YES – I am the same way about pencils! There are 2 designs that I like and one of them has been discontinued. I bought a box and watch them like a hawk but sadly I only have a few left.
Wear the Balenciaga, don’t take a risk. Save 31 RC for tomorrow when you are relieved and happy the test is over.
Thanks, guys. I think that is a good choice and I have applied my BP in preparation. Tomorrow, 31 RC it is!
I think I’m battling a very mild cold. My smeller isn’t working well so I’m postponing trying my newest samples again. Had a sudden craving for Hedonist this morning so dug out my sample and can actually smell it, heaven! It’s usually borderline too sweet for me but is behaving nicely and seems an appropriate choice for Mardi Gras.
I have a sample of Hedonist too but like you have to be in the mood for it. I only have dabber samples and would love like 10 mls of this scent.
Ditto. I would never use a FB, but the dabber sample just seems like it doesn’t do it justice. I wish decants could be trusted not to evaporate/turn.
Love your new avatar. What a cutie!
Hope you feel better soon. I was sick for the better part of last week and just starting to feel better today.
Thanks!
Hope the cold disappears fast!
I’m trying out D.S. & Durga’s Debaser today. It’s not quite to my taste, but it’s very FUN in a summery, cuddly way. Nicely suited to Mardi Gras, I think.
I just tried Debaser about a week ago and it was cucumber pickles on me. So weird!
How bizarre! And perhaps more in line with the alleged sources of inspiration?
I’m getting a nice coconut-tonka combo. Like a classy sunscreen, maybe.
All this talk about Mardi Gras makes me really want to try Olympic Orchids Mardi Gras! Me wants some skanky orange blossom!
So many comments! I have yet to catch up on Monday, so lots of reading tonight.
Chamade today, enjoying a surprising run of nice summer weather.
It is a snowy, slushy day here. My SOTD is Perles de Lalique but I didn’t choose it because of the weather. It just caught my eye on my way out to work and that is what I spritzed. I do happen to like it a lot though.
Have missed a couple of days–just need to report that yesterday’s Theorema + springy sunshine combo was amazing. Also I gave someone my sample of Fat Electrician and the smoky vetiver was really amazing. Must figure out something to top those today…
The glorious warm sun led me back to that ELdO sampler (14$ at Sephora, so, you know…) and Jasmine et Cigarette…
not so cigarette-y on me, just some great jasmine maybe a little tobacco/hay underscore.
I bought one months ago but for some reason haven’t been compelled to try them out. I also got the Juliette HAG set but hated the first 3 I tried so much that I returned it (not so much because I wanted my money back but because I realized that I dislike everything about the brand – the bottles, stupid names [“Anyway”,] the cooler-than-you hipster attitude.) With no offense to fans, of course 😀
Yeah I’m not really drawn to that one, either, but am finding ELdO to be good value.
Hey! did you get my email? Hope it was helpful 😉
Yes! Sorry – I’ve been meaning to write you back but keep getting distracted. Will do so soon.
And agree on the value with the ELdO. A bargain, even.
I’m too late to read all above! SOTD is part of my 5* week: the original Badgley Mishka edp. I don’t wear this as much as I should and it evokes so much sumptuous elegance! It’s my only sweet fruity patchouli fragrance.
Late to the party, but feeling a zillion times better than I was an hour ago, because I’m coming down with a bug. Does that make any sense? Why yes it does, because coming down with a bug has gotten me out of a business trip that I truly didn’t want to go on. So now that I know I’ll be *home* today instead of spending 8+ hours going to airport / flying / changing planes / flying some more / arriving at my destination after midnight / finding my hotel / getting up the next few days at some awful hour to sit in meetings alllll day / going to forced ‘social’ work events each evening… instead, I will be testing out my Pinrose samples later. Between naps.
You all smell wonderful today!
Nice to be sick under those circumstances! Hope it’s just a mild case.
I know how you feel. I have a two week work trip coming up that I’m actually looking forward to. But flights, hotels, jetlag ack…
Hey, happy sick time to you! ????
I’ve been dizzy since I got out of bed due to congested sinuses (I almost fell over when I bent down to adjust the radiator in my bedroom.) Which I suppose is some explanation as to why I plucked Aromatics Elixir from my 5-star array to test this a.m. even though I awoke with thoughts of wearing Chanel No 5 EDP. I could barely smell AE but knew it was all wrong.
So – changed clothes; took sinus pill; applied scads of said Chanel EDP. I’m still congested but can smell well enough to get the gorgeous. It’s my favorite version for daytime and always makes me feel put-together.
It is not, however, LT’s favorite. I was surprised to learn that he was unaware of the different variants of Chanel No 5 until 2007. I’ve been reading “Folio Columns” and he had this to say in regard to receiving Chanel packages in preparation for the updated version of “The Guide” (May 2007):
“Another surprise was that some Chanel open secrets came our way. They first sent No. 5 eau de parfum and it smelled completely wrong… Then the parfum and eau de toilette arrived a few days later… I finally understood that all the while No. 5 has actually been three different perfumes: the parfum is the 1921 original, and smells fresh as paint and unchanged from day one. The eau de toilette is what I thought No. 5 was, all soft and peachy, a fifties mom in a fur coat coming to tuck you in bed before going to the theatre. The eau de parfum is, in my opinion, an eighties lapse of judgment.”
I’ll take any version, myself (or all of them.) I often pass it over thinking I want something more exciting or unpredictable, but I’ve never regretted putting it on my skin. Between wears, I forget how compelling and complex it is – not to mention flat-out gorgeous.
Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks!
Wearing Shalimar while I packed all those paczkis at work today. I was thinking that if vintage Bal doesn’t work for some, Shalimar will.
Today I am sampling 2 am kiss by Derek Lam. It smells like cherry musk to me. I am pretty sure it doesn’t have cherry or musk as a note. I like it though. Still do not like the packaging.
I gave a sniff to each of these this past weekend and 2 am kiss to me was the most satisfying of the bunch. I actually came back to smell it again on the way out. Packaging was very unappealing to me as well.
It is truly awful.
So late evening here, but the day was spent in the last few drops of L’eau de hiver. May meed to get a travel spray of this.
I am wearing Kiste today. It smells just as good in winter as it does in any of the other seasons.
There is a pair of owls in my back yard (townhouse setting= big back yard) and I hear them every night. There are two distinctively different voices; one is deep and the other one has a very different tone and is higher pitched. We have had owls out here in the past, but never so close to my own townhouse.
Such magnificent birds those owls are. I would be totally engrossed.
It sounds wonderful to be able to hear them at such length, and both genders!
Yes, I am very engrossed in the owl calls. The female voice has an almost trilled sound to it. Very interesting. It starts at about 6:00 PM and goes on at various times throughout the evening and night. This AM it didn’t stop until about 5:30 AM.
I spent two months in a townhouse on the edge of the SoCal desert over twenty years ago, and every night a lone owl would sit for hours on the telephone wire dividing our complex from the open land. It was a male with a long low hoot. Every few nights a small orange fox would blaze by below him. I envy you your companions!
I’ve been testing Orlov samples, thanks to an especially kind enabler. I’ve tried three out of five so far, and the all smell very good. Dominique Ropion is the perfumer. It’s great to see a new line fostering such good work.
Posting really late today, I had a massage this morning and I don’t like to wear scent to them. Weather here has been oh-so-sunny and warm for February, and I wanted to keep the sunniness going. I’m wearing Profumum Acqua Viva, the most cheerful perfume I own.
Oh I love this Acqua Viva. I’ve been waiting for summer to get a FB. Pricey, but so bright and good.
Wore just a spritz of Cristalle edt this morning, trying to get rolling. I’m craving something warm now, will have to rummage.
Pixel & kpaint, hope you both feel better soon!
I am, and thank you!
I was in Sephora over the weekend and did a bit of sniffing around. I did find a possible new love in Atelier Cologne Jasmin Angelique. That jasmine’s got a little skank to it! I just discovered that Neiman Marcus has a “Voyager Set” that is a 30ml bottle and a soap for $95. It’s very tempting. I should have found this in time for the “back from the ledge” thread last weekend or whenever that was..lol. If Sephora had had it in a travel spray, I probably would have bought it on the spot.
I will pretend it’s still the weekend and suggest you get a sample from the Atelier site for $3 with complimentary shipping. It also comes with a $30-off coupon on a future purchase over $70.
😀
Oh, wait. The $30 promo only comes with the Discovery Set.