A quick PSA: the next freebiemeet will be Saturday, June 4.
Today, our same old lazy weekend open thread poll: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, your last spur-of-the-moment fragrance purchase, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Spiral [cropped] by Bruno Girin at flickr; some rights reserved.
Hi everyone! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.
I’m in my vintage Bellodgia again, savoring it. I wish I could explore the Carons more, but I’ve heard reformulations have not been kind, and I rarely ever see vintage at estate sales.
I feel exactly the same. Recently had the opportunity to compare vintage and modern versions of Violette Precieuse, and there is just no excuse for what they’ve done to it. The vintage is deep and complex and very Caron-esque, and the reformulation is sharp and thin and disappointing by comparison. Oh, for a time machine and some vintage francs to spend.
I have a little bag of vintage francs, if you find a time machine!
Nice! If I ever do, I’ll bring you with me. 🙂
What a shame. Bring me back some Guerlain Vol de Nuit, please!
Absolutely. 🙂
But you do find them on ebay at more affordable prices than vintage Guerlains
I’ve definitely watched a few Narcisse Noirs before.
Vintage Bellodgia extrait and PdT (I just found some!) is one of my all-time favorite perfumes. As for modern Caron perfumes, you could try the modern Parfum Sacre intense. I seem to remember it’s pretty good, though I ended up buying a vintage bottle of that fragrance for a totally reasonable price. And if you get a chance, go to a Caron boutique where you can sniff the urn fragrances.
I found a mostly empty splash of EDT and it really knocked my socks off. I would love to find some parfum but I never see it!
Actually, that same estate sale also had a bottle of My Sin parfum. One of my favorite vintage perfumes.
I think the masculines are still terrific. Caron Pour Un Homme is marvelous and I wear Yatagan, L’Anarchiste, and Le Troisiemme Homme.
I’ve tried a few of the more popular men fragrances like Pour un Homme and Toisiemme Homme, though that is not my personal style. I’m very tempted to get a bottle of Yatagan unsniffed because of the crazy inexpensive price at discounters.
I’m in Van Cleef & Arpel Bois d’Iris.
It’s been a nice day with a bit of morning chill today, still decided to go on a bike ride before noon.
I’m really looking forward to my long weekend next week. On 26th we have Mother’s Day and some other national celebration, no work. And I booked a holiday on 27th so my weekend will last for 4 days. Yay me!
Twins! We smell wonderful.
Yes we do!
Enjoy your holiday!
I’m sampling two scents this morning from Francesca Dell’Oro. I won a sample pack of the line from Indiescents last week. I don’t know this house at all, so I more-or-less at random chose two to try.
On the left arm: White Plumage. Notes listed are: frankincense, juniper, white flowers, coffee beans, aloe wood, milk cream, soft woods, white musk
–I was excited by the coffee beans and milk cream, but all I’m getting is tons of juniper with some smoky frankincense so far. I’m not a juniper-lover (always smells like man-outside-chopping-wood to me), so unless it shows new facets in the drydown, this one isn’t a winner.
On the right arm: Ambrosine. Listed notes: Orange zest, white flowers, damask rose, violet, peony, sandalwood, amber, soft woods, tree moss
–This one starts out with lots of amber and spicy “wood-pudding”, but it’s quickly changing as it dries down. I’m getting this interesting sharp note (not orange zest but maybe citrus) that’s cutting through the sweet-spicy wood pudding. I’m kinda excited to keep sniffing this one.
I will update!
Ambrosine sounds lovely! And man-outside-chopping-wood, especially if he recently spilled milk-creamy coffee on himself, sounds swoon-worthy to me. 😉
The Ambrosine is really pretty! I’ve just put on a dab of vintage Organza Indecense, my “wood pudding” standard, for comparison. The OI is sweeter, and bolder, with a more pronounced vanilla note. Ambrosine has a softer sillage and more of a “skin scent” feel to it, including a touch of “clean, warm skin” in the notes (reminiscent of Dans Tes Bras, but not as naughty). I think the Ambrosine might be more versatile.
As for the White Plumage, in the deep drydown, I’m still mostly getting juniper. But some smoky warmth has been added to it. Maybe it’s coffee and milk, but the feel is still “guy cooking over a campfire” rather than actually gourmande. I think this one is just too outdoorsy and masculine for me, but it *is* well made.
Yeah, man-outside-chopping-wood sounds pretty good to me. ???? But then I love evergreens of any kind.
I’d rather smell it on a man than on myself. 🙂
It’s nearly noon and no comments?! Has a catastrophe wiped out half the population? I’m awaiting a delivery from Anatole Lebreton, and I keep thinking he bears an ancient name. The first of his ancestors might have been known as Philippe le Breton to distinguish him from Philippe le Grand, for example. Did the French never get into the “son of” thing that was common in England and Scandinavia? What did I order from M. Lebreton? Something I shouldn’t have.
Tease.
Which ones did you get? I only tried Eau Scandelese (sp???) but am really curious about others
I got the 4 samples he listed: L’Eau Scandaleuse, L’Eau de Merzhin, Bois Lumière, and Incarnata. What did you think of Scandaleuse?
The first 5 mins are truly annoying for me – I hate orange blossom and thats’s what I get. But after that – pure heaven
But also I slept late and then lolled around — I am going to totally re-do my office (it’s a mess!) and so am doing lots of plotting & planning. So the poll was very late today.
I’m with lucasai in VC&A Bois d’Iris. I finally decided to see if I could manage to get enough out of my damaged bottle to make a decent-sized decant – it was a struggle, and it got all over my hand in the process, but at least now I have some of it in a sprayer that’s airtight, and oh, how I love this scent.
My last spur-of-the-moment purchase was just yesterday – a bottle of YSL Cinema, in my quest for a jasmine scent that doesn’t make me feel queasy. I figure the amber will drown out much of the jasmine, and I do love amber! If things don’t work out between us, well, there’s always the freebie meet.
Nice to have a scent twin
SOTD is Kai.
I am awaiting the arrival of Misia.
Don’t know Kai but Misia is worth the wait!
And I like Kai. It’s not Misia but it has its place 🙂
You smell great. Does anybody know if Gaye Straza has ever done anything else? I would be so interested to smell more from her!
Does Donatella say that Saturday morning confessions are good for the soul? If not so much for the check book?
I confess I was anxiously awaiting my blind buy of AM vanilla and hinoki on pre order when Kevin’s review of Coolife Le Quatrieme entered my head and would let go.
So order I did from Aedes. Blind
Omg it is beautiful boozy and rich with a fantastic dry down but not for summer.
I did carefully list my 7 samples and today am trying Alahiiiiiiiine???? Mostly because everyone has so much fun spelling and pronouncing it
Yesterday was iris nazarena which is too understated.
Tomorrow another Sunday another sample
Well, it IS fun to type all those extra i’s. 🙂 You smell gorgeous to me, but how do you like it so far?
SheriG
It’s so pretty! I liiiiiiiiiike it!
Not too sweet cause that’s not me evah.
😀
I am thinking of listing it for splitmeet if I can wait so long. I tried the sample and it is impressive
I *really* need to try a sample of that Coolife – Kevin’s review has me intrigued too!
Split meet good idea!!
Would you be willing to sell me a small sample by chance? If so, my email is sunmisun in Gmail land.
Whoa, does the bottle actually have all those I’s? I thought the perfumistas were being hilariously dramatic. :U
If you want to see fragrance names with excess vowels, and
S’ s too, see Fragrantica for the Hilde Soliani line
Coumarin
Yep we are being Siiiiiiiiily
The alternate pronunciation I enjoy is Ala -hiney ????
My sister got married today so Ive had a long day out (smelling of Lyric). The weather was nasty- cold, wet and gale force winds but it was just a quiet registry wedding then to a hip little tapas bar for the next 7 hours…
It was a somewhat sudden decision, as was their decision to sell all their possessions to move to Spain- next week! Strange days. Life is for the living though I guess, and I will have a great holiday destination!
Congrats to your sister! And you smell fantastic.
Thank you 🙂 I have the body products which I tend to save for ‘special’ days so I had to wear it today!
Congrats to your sister! I wish I were that spontaneous.
As much as I love the idea, tbh Im not sure I could do it. Not the way they are anyway! And not alone. I think doing with someone you love makes a huge difference.
My daughter and her partner married and sold all their stuff just before they emigrated to Ireland for insurance benefits and just to make everything a wee bit easier. They only stayed in Ireland for less than three years, but they’re still together. I hope everything works well for your sister, and Spain is likely a better move anyhow.
My Mr. Spicebomb LOVES Spain. I think he would move there, if he could!
I’m working the Saturday shift at the library, wearing one of my favorites, 4711 AC Rhubarb & Clary Sage. The last impulse buy I made was earlier this month, from Sephora. I bought 3 discovery sets, got a free Tom Ford decant of Black Orchid and for points, a mini of Flowerbomb. I haven’t tried any of them yet. I also bought several travel decants from Smell Bent. I haven’t tried those either. Maybe I feel the wrath of Donatella.
#saturdaylibrarian here too!
Donatella loves you, this I know.
This reminds me of lyrics to a song sung at many Sunday Schools and summer camp 🙂
Sad I missed the mini of Flowerbomb! I hate it on me but it was the only scent strip my first Vogue. I wish I still had all my fashion magazines….
Testing La Notte di Angelica for the first time, and although it’s only been on only a few minutes I think it’s a no for me. Therefore I will dump the entire sample on ( .7ml) just in case I’m missing something.
I’ll repeat LizzieB’s PSA from yesterday (thank you!) in case anyone missed it: Penhaligon’s Ostara is $32 for 100 ml and $22.50 for 50 ml on their site. Shipping (US) is $11, free if you spend over $70.
Gosh, what is going on with Ostara? Maybe I’ll find out when the bottle arrives. 😀
From what I know it is discontinued, so they are just getting rid of inventory…
It is odd to me, since it seemed to have good feedback. I know I like it. I can now spray with a fair amount of abandon, which I did today as I headed to a baby shower….
I think it’s safe to assume it’s a goner. Here in the UK it has disappeared from the Penhaligons website completely.
SOTD = Demeter Baby Shampoo
I’m leaving shortly to visit a friend who had a series of strokes several weeks ago and is now recovering and in rehab. After that, I’m off to a graduation party. I think Baby Shampoo is a safe scent!
Perhaps someone can comment today on a question I asked yesterday… Has anyone used Aromaflage as a bug spray? Effective? Thanks.
I haven’t tried the Aromaflage but I think if I had access to it Id probably try it. Mozzies love me and no natural repellants ever repel, but Id be curious about their claim that it’s as effective as 25% deet. It’s a big call..
I am arming myself with Deep Woods Off, both the wipes and the liquid spray — these are supposed to be unscented. I’m also getting Bugables Deet free bracelets. Avon Skin So Soft too if I can find an Avon Lady
In the US you can order online at Avon.com (no affiliation)
I find it more fun sometimes to shop with a representative, but that generally ends up meaning I buy more.
I haven’t used Aromaflage ever, but when I used to work in the bush in Northern BC I used Avon Skin So Soft as a mozzie and black fly repellent and it worked really well.
Thanks, Sajini!
How did you like the Demeter?
It’s nice (and very realistic) but fleeting. 3 sprays lasted 2 hours and I re-upped for another 2 hours. I will try Pure Soap layered with Sunshine next time.
Wearing Pure Soap and Sunshine today and loving it ..but fleeting. I got anwhiff of vanilla which I would not have imagined being a note in either one.
I haven’t tried Aromaflage but another scent that’s been shown to work to repel bugs is Victoria’s Secret Bombshell.
LOL, I will stop by VS later.
Ubar, the thought of both Amoureuse and Emotionelle all at the same time was too much, even for me.
The weather is really lovely here today and I bought some more plants for my (small) garden.
I actually really like the idea of Emotionelle and Amoreuse together!! 🙂
Well as I felt braver today I’m wearing both Delrae’s. It’s a fun combo, and not that strong 😉
You did it! I am going to take your word for it, and not try it myself. Ha.
Happy Saturday, everyone!☺
Just picked up the closest bottle of perfume to me this morning.
My SOTD is Jasmin Rouge by Tom Ford. I keep saying that I need to use my samples and decants on the weekends, but just grabbed a bottle on my way out the door this morning.
Does anyone else have a special way they rotate or use their fragrances? Do you have weekend scents that you wear compared to what you wear during the week? Just curious how others wear their fragrances. Enjoy the weekend, everyone.
I find Im a far more dedicated scent-wearer on work days. It’s part of my uniform for me and keeps me in my happy bubble. If it has worn off I’ll also tend to wear another to bed, and often one before work if Im out walking or something.
On weekends I tend to be slacker. No scent if Im cooking. The plan is to try samples at these times but I forget :-/ days off are also the times for the less-favourites and crowd displeasers and those Im not sure about.
I’m like you during the week, but I have to wear something everyday. I literally feel like something is missing (like an article of clothing) if I don’t have a fragrance on.
I was just thinking that today i might try and get my fragrances in a rotation order. What I have always done, is pick by how I am feeling or how I want to feel for the day. If I can’t decide, I usually just smell a few bottles until one grabs my attention.
Me too. During the week, I usually choose according to how I’m feeling or my mood. Sometimes my outfit has a lot to do with it as well.
I have a group I rotate for spring/summer and winter/fall – about 10 for each. As for during the week I find myself wearing softer and lighter scents for work and more bold ones on the weekend. I don’t want to offend my co-workers.
Now that’s something I need to work on……..a rotation for the different seasons. And, I’m just the opposite during the week. During the week, I wear my bold scents (because I want them to last all day while I am at work) but on the weekends, I soften it up a bit. I don’t think I offend my co-workers, they always tell me how nice I smell.
Like perthgirl I wear things I know I love during the week at work and then try new things on evenings or weekends. But I do wear things on weekends, often trying out a bunch of things. I am thinking I need to stop sampling so widely, though, because I need to stop buying!
Now Amy, I am just like you! LOL! My perfume spending has really gotten out of hand. I lost count of how many FB’s I bought because of a sample I tried. God help us both 🙂 .
I have massage clients at the office on weekends and house calls on week days, so I usually just wear a drop of sandalwood oil or a light amber if anything. After hours and on days off, I like to dip my beak into the strong and funky stuff. I’ve noticed that some days a perfume needs several sprays for me to even smell it and other times I can do just one spray of the same perfume and it lasts all day. I’m thinking it has something to do with a hormonal cycle and changing skin chemistry. Does anyone else notice something like that?
Any noticeable correlation with weather, Sanjini? Definitely I have scents that bloom and BLOOM in warm weather. Otherwise, I find the sillage pretty predictable.
Actually, I think there might be a connection with physical activity AND weather. I put one spray of Costume National 21 cautiously under my clothes before going to a house call and couldn’t smell it at all during the job, but when I was walking home later, it sort of woke up again and started wafting the dry down notes.
It may also have something to do with my ability to smell. Some days I’m kind of stuffed up with allergies.
I’ve got this problem. Some days I am stuffed up and undoubtedly am blowing out the rest of the world in my attempt to be able to smell my own perfume. Oopsie.
Oh, I definitely notice some of my scents really project when I work out! All that warm skin and movement!
It’s chilly and wet here for the long weekend. Bah! One of my co-workers is camping out in the mountains and she’s just hoping that they don’t get any snow. I’ll have to dig out something nice and warm, maybe Anima Dulcis or Vetiver Tonka.
After the ridiculously hot weather we had earlier this month, thirteen degrees feels mighty cold. I’m sure the firefighters up north are appreciating the rain though. Smoke from the forest fires came rolling in to town on Thursday evening. Thankfully the rain and changing winds have since cleared the air but it was not so pleasant while it lasted, i.e. it’s not a smell you’d want to bottle.
Canada? Will those fires ever end? What a tragedy for people and the boreal forest.
Canada, yes. Frankly I’m still amazed there were no fatalities. I can only imagine how frightening is to be in stuck in bumper to bumper traffic with fire and smoke all around.
It must have been terrifying — only one road out of town and running out of gas.
No fatalities directly from the fire. Sadly two young people (15 and 19) were killed in a collision with a logging truck early in the evacuation. The 15 year-old, Emily Ryan, was the daughter of the Deputy Fire Chief.
🙁
I’m glad the air has cleared for you! And I hope fatalities continue to be avoided….
SOTD so far is Eau de Sweat. Took T-Rex to the beach this morning to habituate her to deeper water- deeper meaning over her head so she actually has to swim rather bounce around like a lunatic. I did the sting ray shuffle and luckily didn’t see a single ray. Back home, bathed the dog and clipped her nails, detailed the inside of my FJ, then commenced housework and laundry. Exciting times!
Anyone have any opinions regarding a SUP vs a Kayak? I’m planning on getting one or the other but can’t decide which one would best meet my needs. The first and foremost being I need to be able to load and unload it by myself. The second being it needs to have space for a 40ish pound dog. The rest is negotiable.
Looking forward to a shower and then going to dinner with a friend later, probably wearing Fate Woman. I really miss being perfumed on the rare occasions I am commando.
Have a fabulous weekend all ????
No idea, but I love the idea that you’ll be taking T-Rex out for a paddle 🙂
I’m pretty sure she’s gong to love it. It’s too hot here to exercise her outside, and she is a dog that needs rigorous activity or behavioral issues will ( and HAVE) rear their ugly head. Plus it will do me good to do more than just spin class. My waistline is unrecognizable at the moment. ????
So my vote’s for SUP, but, I do think it’s worth renting one of each first to try them out with T-Rex, if you haven’t already. Much like perfume, I think it’s hard to say with certainty what’s going to work in practice! 🙂
I have a kayak lesson on Monday and there is a fitness/nature/outdoor store here that offers free SUP demos and tryouts, so I will be doing that sometime the week after. SUP’s are so much lighter, I’m leaning in that direction. I have been watching some videos of tricked out boards and people are so creative! None of the companies will allow dogs and honestly, I need to introduce it to the dog on the living room floor before we ever get near the water. Thanks for your suggestions, they are spot on????
Oh so fun, looking forward to hearing how these trials go! Good adventures. I’ll say, I just find SUP more fun, because there are so many things you can do on it–if you want to float a river, sunbathe on a lake, do yoga, all are possible 🙂 But I know lots of people love kayaking too!
Hi Deva. Thanks so much for your support yesterday, meant so much. I have white water kayaks, ‘Canadian’ canoe and surf boards and this is my dog experience. The dogs are very happy in the open canoe …but it is big to lug around if there is on,y you. But it is nice and stable and okay in not too rough water and rivers. Lots of fun. the dogsdon’t like the kayak as they feel trapped but I think they could be trained to get used to it. My dogs are a bit crazy…One is a farm dogso about the same as T REx size and active wise. The long surfboard is less frightening but harder to balance with a dog…as they don’t sit in the middle and stay there, so they tip it a fair bit….but that’s a surfboard rather than a SUP. They do like being able to scrabble back on board though. And I reckon you could train TRex. Aussie dogs are brainy dogs! Did you ever watch the movie Red Dog ….so, i think either an open canoe for stability, or SUP for ease of transport/weight
Hi Kanuka, thanks for the info! Because it’s so hot here most of the year, I was thinking about a sit on top kayak, because they are self baling, keep you cool because you’re wet, and are much easier to get in and out of, plus the water temp in the Gulf is quite warm compared to other large bodies of water. There is also some deck/storage space for the dog to move about. One guy was telling me a SUP would be best choice with a dog, and provided I got a fairly long and wide board, balance is less of an issue even with the dog, who would be able to move about the entire board. As with most things, there Is a learning curve, of course. I just saw a video of a guy SUPing a wave with TWO dogs on his board! One was on his BACK, then jumped down in front with the second dog, and they were leaning into to the ride like pros. So fun to watch! The dog in front looked to be an Australian Shepard, front end down, forelegs spread for balance, back end up and using his tail for balance and he leaned this way and that. I’m going to check out Red Dog now, thanks for your thoughts ????
So jealous. We had our first dusting of snow today. My old dog, sputnik,used to panic when I surfed and swim out after me. I’d feel this scratching and scrabbling on my back as she tried to climb on top of me…ripped my suit. My current dogs are less imaginative or clever. Just mad. Love dogs…such funny things. Go the SUP !
I am far too inactive to have any personal input here, but I do have good friends who kayak and canoe with their dog and he prefers the kayak, I think because he’s a little nervous and feels safer. Sounds like this might not be an issue for T-Rex though . . .
The issue with T-Rex will be keeping her ON the board when she spies a porpoise, shark, ray, manatee, mullet, ad infinitum. She is always looking for a party and doesn’t realize she is often being sized up not for her party girl attributes, but because she would make a tasty snack. We will NEVER be on fresh/brackish water in Florida due to gators. I have seen how fast they move in person and know many people who have lost pets at the waters edge. Also know someone who lost her husband the same terrible way.
I think canoes are tippier that most kayaks, and I’m sure your friends dog can detect this instability much more acutely than his bipedal pals ????
STOP WORKING SO HARD!
SicilianNC, I did absolutely NOTHING yesterday! You would be proud of the way I lolled about like an old toad, reclining on my bed of pillows while contemplating many rigorous activites, only to sigh, roll to the other side, close my eyes, and imagine myself in a separate reality ????
Will you get T-Rex a life vest? We had one for our greyhound who liked to go in the pool when we had one. The stupid dog never seemed to really get the fact that his swimming ability was less than stellar. When he was feeling warm he walk right in and sink like a stone. We eventually got him to understand he needed his yellow vest first. Cookies were involved. Many cookies. But he did stop going in on his own and he didn’t die from drowning.
Yes, definitely! I think it’s the safest thing to do. I will introduce that to her separately, though. And I have stockpiled cookies,too. Lots of cookies! ????
No perfume yet. Still trying to decide what to wear. I’m going out with my realtor this afternoon to look at places so I’m trying to decide on the right scent for the occasion. ????
Good luck! Hope you find just what you’re looking for and that it also fits the budget ????
Good luck! I hope you find somthing that excites and inspires you!
Good luck! I’m so excited for you!
I vote any scent that helps you stay present and patient. Something grounding. Which for me would be something with enough sillage that I can notice it and inhale deeply to reconnect with the moment.
I hope you have good luck with the house hunting. It can be so stressful, but I hope you find a place that just feels right. I never thought I would own property, but as it turns out I’ve bought two apartment/condos (I moved cities, hence the two) and in both instances, I was lucky enough to find something I loved and could afford with my gut leading the charge.
I hope something you love comes your way! Keep us posted…
I meant to say something to you the other day…….Congrats on making that HUGE leap into becoming a homeowner. That’s awesome! 🙂
Aw thanks everybody! The outing went really well, I thought. I looked at 5 places, and I only really liked 1. It’s a townhome in a really nice neighborhood. Maybe a bit more “in the ‘burbs” than I had ideally wanted, but I still like the area. There was one townhouse I looked at… oh.. emmm.. geeeeeee.. there was some sloppy renovation going on there. I think it was DIY (and if it wasn’t, their contractor should never work again, ever) and they were trying really hard to be fancy. It was actually kind of funny it was so bad.
And to bring this back to perfume, I wore a DIY thing that I did some time back that had vetiver, lavender absolute, frankincense and hay absolute, so yeah, maybe grounding.
But that was just round 1 of the Tournament of Houses, so we’ll see what Round 2 has in store.
Oh, and today I’m wearing a generous dose of Sung, and I’m probably going to do some drive-bys to decide what’s staying on my round 2 list and what I can maybe take off if I don’t care for the neighborhood.
So far fragrance free while I enjoy my morning cup of green tea. My last impulse buy was Monsieur Li from the previous weekend while shopping with a good friend. He was taking quite some time trying on clothes so I decided to walk around Union Square and inexplicably (????) ended up at Sephora where I tested several Tom Ford Private Blends (so far unmoved, his style doesn’t quite suit me), the new Stella Pop (cute but not insipid) and Monsieur Li which I found to be really lovely on a spring evening.
I need to go try that darned Stella Pop — glad it’s not insipid!
I’m glad it’s not awful! I have a friend who really like Grimes and I thought it would be nice to get a decant or something for her. I got a kick out of the advertising for it. “Synthetics, because they’re sustainable!” Yeah sure, more like “Sandalwood and Tuberose are EXPENSIVE!”
I’m in remnants of last night’s MFK Cologne por Le Soir, and, like Deva, post workout sweat.
Still have sorting to do post move-it seems never ending. I’m resisting the temptation to just stuff odds and ends in drawers and out of sight, but then I can never find the stuff when I need it.
Also perusing vacation ideas for August, and I’m leaning towards Iceland. I’m curious to be somewhere with 18 hours of daylight.
And thanks to all those who gave me solutions for aphid control. I tried the dish soap/veg oil solution and it seems to have done the trick!
Ooh that would be a cool trip. I’ve only seen pictures of Iceland and it seems like a pretty amazing place.
I’ve also seen people’s photos and it looks like a really beautiful place.
A friend of mine went to Iceland last year and loved it! It seems to offer a lot no matter your inclinations- town life with restaurants, museums, and art galleries as well as nature oriented activities. The best of all worlds!
Yes! I wanted somewhere that had both. And I’m embarrassed to say I had no idea how close it is to the east coast which is part of the appeal since I detest long plane rides.
I went to Iceland a few years ago, over Christmas and New Years – so we had more like 5 hours of sunlight. It was awesome and I want to go back again! I think our flight was about 6 hours from the east coast, it is comparable to flying to California. The people were really nice. Most everyone spoke English, but were game when my boyfriend was trying to learn Icelandic. We rented a car – our plan was to drive the ring road around the island. Driving is pretty easy there, I would definitely recommend renting a car and going along the ring road. Our plan didn’t work out due to weather (lots of snow!) so we only went up north to Akureyri then back south to the bottom and spent more time in Reykjavik than originally planned. Reykjavik is a great city – there were some really good restaurants (and I would recommend trying the traditional icelandic plate as Cafe Loki). In Reykjavik we stayed in hotels but in the smaller towns we stayed in local b&bs and I’d definitely recommend that. I really liked the Lonely Plant guide to Iceland – it was really helpful and the restaurant and lodging recommendations were good. They have a nice range of recommendations for price and toursity vs. local stuff. They also give sample itineraries, which is good if you want to plan your own trip. If you want any more information let me know, I am obviously very excited about anyone going to Iceland 😉
I’m wearing Lancome Climat today and it’s wonderful. Its is grey and drizzly here (again!) 🙁 but we had a lovely sunny day so I shouldn’t complaint oo much. Climat is perfect for spring and this weather – really lifted my mood!
I recently got a fitbit. Getting the recommended 10,000 steps a day is hard … I’m typically at 7-8 thousand unless I also go for a long walk. However – I do go up and down stairs way more than the minimum recommended – we only have one bathroom and its on the second floor. Inconvenience must be good for your health 😉
Thanks for the tips!! Yes, we would rent a car. That advice was given to us by others as well. I was torn between going in winter vs summer as the winter landscapes always look stunning in photos, but it may limit ground travel, like you experienced.
I would love to go to Iceland…how fantastic. Also…the north and west of Scotland is really beautiful with long daylight. If you flew to Glasgow and hired a car and travelled up to Skye, Islay, Ullapool and acorss to the east coast. Not too crowded and cool galleries etc. in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Ah, Scotland. It’s on the list. I could listen to them talk all day.
And I did duck into Twisted Lily on my way to organize my apartment (how did that happen?). I sampled and bought the 15ml MCG Rrose Selavy and 15 ml Syconium. I love the rose: it’s jammy but not too sweet, slightly green and dirty and almost salty. I can’t stop sniffing myself. I blame Kevin’s review for my detour today.
And the Syconium is filling the fig void in my collection. I’ve smelled this one before and dithered, and finally caved. I think it’s my favorite fig. I love the honeyed quality and the woods in the base.
I liked Kevin’s review too. I love that Twisted Lily has 15ml bottles of MCG. Another one for the sample list. Wish more perfumers would sell 15 ml bottles. They are the perfect size.
I’m at work, covering the reference desk during the lunch hour. It’s currently gloomy outside and quiet inside (but then you’d think a library WOULD be, right?) SOTD is Ego Facto Me Myself & I. Have a good weekend, all.
Mohur EDP today. I will use up my sample, but I sort of hope I never have the “ahah!” moment and fall in love with this one. On me, it’s nice, but not much else.
Wearing the dry down of Shalimar Ode a large Vanille since it was a Uber early days today. I think vintage Balance will suit my dinner plans tonight. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday and I hope she will like her gift.
I am sampling Auphorie Elfen Spring today. Described as “aquatic-inspired” and “making you feel fresh the whole day”. It’s interesting, but there’s something musty there that doesn’t exactly scream “fresh” to me. I like Miyako a lot more, but not enough to buy.
Miyako has gotten such mixed reviews, from total love to hate. What’s your take?
I am totally in love with Miyako – it really impressed me.
I also found it impressive – a lot of presence and unique, at least for me as I am still a newbie. Haven’t decided yet if it’s really for me but the sample was totally worth it.
I am waiting on my samples, which I ordered from Auphorie so they are coming all the way from Indonesia.
I had such a stressful week at work that I decided not to leave my house all weekend! I’ve got snacks, crafts, books, and Netflix to keep me plenty busy (and I suppose I should clean the kitchen at SOME point), so just cocooning sounds ideal to me.
I am currently not wearing any perfume, although I did spray some Etude House Silk Scarf Mist (hair fragrance) in my hair this morning. I wish I could figure out what it’s supposed to smell like; to me, it smells a LOT like cannabis! Not unpleasantly so, but enough so that I don’t wear it unless I’m not going anywhere, as that hasn’t been legalized in California yet.
I forgot to mention that I went on a Sephora run last night in hopes of finding Gilded Fox by Pinrose, but unfortunately my local branch doesn’t carry it. So no recent fragrance purchases for me!
Cacooning always sounds good to me. Enjoy your weekend!
Sorry your week was so tough, but it sounds like you’ve arranged the perfect antidote!
This my plan for the weekend- cocooning at home, watching movies and day dreaming!
How odd about the hair mist. I have used the conditioning pack, or whatever it’s called, and it just had that ubiquitous floral/white musk scent that lots of Japanese shampoos and body washes have. I must admit though, the freshening waters and hair perfumes are sometimes quite different from the other products. I have the Shiseido Ma Cherie perfect shower mist and it smells like sour ashtray, while the rest of the line is quite grapefruit-y and fresh.
I am glad I’m not the only one who can’t resist that kind of thing 🙂
Good for you that you are staying in. Some days I just don’t want to see anyone except dh, so I stay in the house too.
I cacoon a LOT! I didn’t really even want to go out to dinner with a friend tonight, but made myself go anyway. Still think I may have been better off at home because I am very impatient with small talk. Oh well.
Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier, because it’s just perfect right now, happiness and summer anticipation in a bottle!
That sounds lovely!
On a whim put on a neglected Aftelier sample of Honeyblossom, and I can’t tell if the top notes have turned or if they’re just (a lot) more vegetal than I can handle. Jessica’s review does describe it as “start[ing] off grassy and golden-green, with top notes that remind me of hay and broom” although the Aftelier website names mimosa and linden blossom as the top notes.
In any case, it has happily softened, but that’s made it pretty similar to CB Wildflower Honey, and since the price comparison is $105 for 100ml versus $180 for 30ml…
Honeyblossom sounds like a scent I’d love! How is its staying power?
So far so good, grading on the scale of naturals! I put it on a little more than two hours ago, and while it’s evolved, I’d say the honey is still very much present (again tho, grading on the naturals scale. It has basically no sillage, but when I put nose to wrist, it’s def there.) I’ll try to remember to report back on when exactly it gives up the ghost, but Jessica said she found it got a good three to four hours.
Hmm, sounds worthy. Thanks, C.H.!
Starting to fade now at 3.5 hours…
I haven’t tried any perfumes from this house, any recommendations
Yeah, you know I haven’t gone very deep in yet myself–on the whole the line’s somewhat out of my price range anyway, so I’ve just smelled things when I happen to have a chance, rather than actively seeking them out. But I can say, I thought Bergamoss particularly in solid form was dreamy! Vanilla Smoke didn’t work for me, more tar-y than I wanted but I know it will be just what others are looking for! Beyond that, the ones I’d love to get to try eventually are Cuir de Gardenia, Palimpsest, Parfum Privé, Tango and Wild Roses, based on the numerous good things I’ve heard around here, if you’re looking for a place to start!
Just chiming in that the Bergamoss, unlike many of the others, really lasts, at least on me. I’ve tried many of the others and none really lasted long enough to justify the price, although Wild Roses and Secret Garden are very nice. I’ve yet to spring for more than a sample or the 9ml Bergamoss.
Secret Garden is my very favorite from this line, and the only one for which I have sprung for a full bottle, except for the 9ml Bergamoss I bought. It is one of those scents I sometimes wear when I don’t know what to wear, as it is never wrong. It is a not-too-sweet, not-too-indolic floral that is just a little dirty–you are smelling the flowers in a garden, not a cut bouquet in a vase. I am about halfway through my 30 ml bottle, and I have actually held back a little bit on it because I didn’t want to drain it too fast. For an all-natural perfume, it has decent lasting power on me, about 3 to 4 hours. I have perfume-eating skin, and some all-naturals don’t even last an hour on me.
I found myself needing a comfort scent this morning, as it’s unseasonably cold and grey and I’m exhausted, and reflected as I perused my perfumes that a springtime comfort scent is different than a fall/winter one. I’m not at all interested in any of my incense/amber/heavy spice options– none of them feel right for the time of year. So I decided that vanillas and gourmands might fill the bill, and went with What We Do In Paris Is Secret. Apparently, in Paris we secretly eat marzipan cookies. 🙂
Oh! And I meant to add: I don’t know if Annicky already broadcast this info, but as a PSA, Hiram Green’s perfumes are currently 20% off. Moon Bloom, Moon Bloom, soon we will be together!
Oh, how I would love to eat marzipan, in any of its forms! It’s a great love here, but it’s also one of my denied pleasures as I wrestle with a certain unwelcome pudge around my middle and fend off T2 diabetes…I’ll have to get WWDIPIS to compensate.
Get hold of some xylitol and make yourself some sugar-free marzipan! You can buy sugar-free marzipan in Spain, but I haven’t seen it elsewhere. :^)
Overcast and intermittently drizzly today, so I am wearing Etro Ambra for a golden glow and trying to resist the lure of 20% off at Beautyhabit. So tempted by Musc Tonkin!
I have been reading a lot the past week as a break from house painting and it has been delightful. Most of what I read could be described as “serviceable” but every once in a while there is something memorable. This week I read “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren, a young scientist who conveys complex scientific ideas in the most luminous prose. It made me very happy to read something so good. Not quite as good but better than average was “Everyone Brave is Forgiven” by Chris Cleave.
Ooh, is there a code you wouldn’t mind sharing? Usually I get their sale emails but somehow I’m not seeing this in my inbox.
(Please ignore this request if they’ve started doing individualized codes, I don’t want to take yours!! Was only thinking, if there’s one for allcomers.)
Found it! SUNNYDAYS, for all interested. Thanks foxbins/sorry for flurry 😉
I just started Everyone Brave is Forgiven – I’d read very mixed reviews, but thought I’d give it a chance. “Better than average” makes me feel better about that decision! 🙂
Beautiful day here today. I started out wearing Jimmy Choo Exotic, mostly because my maxi dress seemed to match its mood. I took the kids to the mall and impulsively bought Dior Addict Delice. To me, it is a cross between Kenzo Amour and Escada Cherries in the Air. I like it.
Update: Delice gave me a horrible headache. it’s going back.
You know, you bring up something I’ve never mentioned here before but the first time I wear a new perfume from a bottle (meaning I just bought it because all my samples are splash), I get a headache, but never after that! It must be something else right? But still, that pattern.
It might be because when you first spray, it’s more than you are used to compared to the splash? I know i probably spayed to much, but now it’s already ruined for me.
Can anyone compare, generally, 4711 Acqua Colonia scents with Jo Malone’s recent line?
My last spur-of-the-moment fragrance purchase was taking advantage of the Mother’s Day special on STC to snag some L’Heure Bleue at a discounted price.
I’m enjoying below-normal temperatures and listening to tweeting birds outside while watching the FA Cup final on TV. Wearing some body oil with rose geranium, lavender, and patchouli so no perfume yet.
Have an excellent weekend, all!
I will soon need more L’Heure Bleue, myself.
It’s so nice! I figured I should get at least a bit more to have around because I have no idea if the full bottles available anywhere were affected by the materials problem that led to the halt in production. I should really try to find out….
Oh gosh. When did that happen? (And what should I be looking for to get a proper back-up bottle?!)
It was back in January. No, I think we’re actually safe from needing to hoard back-ups: it’s just a *temporary* halt to *new* batches (and only the EDP extrait).
http://www.monsieurguerlain.com/2016/01/lheure-bleue-and-mitsouko-suspended.html?m=0
So, I believe the batches that were already in stores are fine. And if there were available information saying otherwise, I’m sure M. Guerlain would let the Guerlainophile world know! ????
Thank you for the info! That’s very reassuring! I have a teeny mini of vintage which is, of course, amazing, but my newer bottle (c/o a generouse NSTer) is still plenty lovely and has gotten a lot of use.
No prob. I’m glad I went back and read that again. From what I understand about how Guerlain does batches, it’s possible that recent bottles contain a trace of the ingredient in question. But I’m sure now that all the ‘unacceptable’ stuff is out of rotation. And I think they’ll start production again before all available supplies are exhausted! ???? Ah, just thinking about LHB made me have to go apply some; now I’m huffing my arm.
Unlike foxbins I did not resist the beautyhabit 20% deal, especially when Nuit Magnetique, which I’ve been wanting, was on sale *and* the discount still worked. I’ve sort of fallen in love with The Different Company, including ones that get little love and so have been on sale: Tokyo Bloom, Kashan Rose, and now NM. It started with the pricey I Miss Violet, which I love. Kashan Rose isn’t original or daring in any way, but very pretty and springlike, and I found it for a steal. And Tokyo Bloom, which I am wearing now, is a fabulous light summer scent. Dandelions and breeze!
Plus I love the architectural bottles and tops.
I’m doomed ????
Tokyo Bloom is wonderful!
PSA – Hiram Green has a sale (20%) of at their website – They are changing their packaging. Voyage is gone, but both Moon Bloom and Shangri-La are still available. In honor of the sale, I am wearing Voyage and enjoying it very much. We have been having a cold spell here in California, so I get a couple more wears of it 🙂
Nice deal — love Moon Bloom. Not going to go look!
Hey all!
Chilling at home! In Voyage Tabac by West Third Brand, and keeping it humble in a yoga pants, T shirt and sweat shirt! It’s cool, grey and damp, so I will be cocooning- will do do a nice long workout later on after hitting the farmers market and having a big bowl of soup! Then tonight I will be doing laundry and getting ready for the Memorial Day Weekend coming up.
I hope everyone’s weekend is lovely!
Working this weekend, but at least it’s VERY quiet and peaceful in the office….I can deal with it! 🙂
SOTD: Hermes Eau de Pamplemousse Rose.
Have a fabulous weekend, Y’all!
In Ylang 49
Last splurge was a bottle of Limon Verde for the summer. Not very popular but I like the fig note
Just finished the second season of Grace and Frankie
Oh.. I am also working the weekend which is he pits
I really like Limon Verde. Fun in a bottle 🙂
Hope the workday passes quickly.
I am loving that show. Who knew old people could lead such interesting lives?!
Old people know it????
Yep! Being old isn’t bad, except for needing reading glasses! I hate not being able to read at will!
I haven’t started on Season 2 yet. I had a fun time with the first season, but maybe not enough for another. Was it good enough to take the plunge?
I think so 🙂 It’s at least as good as the first season, possibly better.
The second season of Kimmy Schmidt, however, really tanked.
Season 2 is better then season 1..just my opinion
Good morning, everyone! I’ve missed NST–finished a big project last week, and immediately and unexpectedly left to attend the funeral of a friend. We drove seven hours in each direction, but we’re so glad we made the effort so we could join other friends to celebrate her life and mourn our loss. But, dearie me, I don’t cope with these journeys the way I did when I was a mere gal! Cold Sunday morning here: winter is
wriggling around, getting organised for business. My SOTD is L’Occitane Ambre et Santal, and it’s a surprise on many levels, first, that I own it (when did I buy it? Don’t recall it at all!), second, that I haven’t seen it around (my perfume shelves surely aren’t as crowded and disorganised as all that?) and third, that I really rather like it ( I often find a disconcerting note of fly spray in amber perfumes, but this is just buttery-rich and semi-sweet). All in all, a serendipitous scent for Sunday. It’s early yet, but the dear man thinks breakfast out will set me up to finish writing a lecture and an examiner’s report on a thesis. This, everyone, is masculine code for,” I want Eggs Benedict for breakfast and you refuse to make it for me…” But why not? So then, I’m off to put on a red lippy, argue with him about which cafe we should go to, and generally savour life!
Ha! I woke up to the masculine code of “It’s my birthday and I want pancakes!” And since I wasn’t going to make them, out we went.
Breakfast out was fun, but (whispering) I enjoy my porridge and home-made yoghurt and berries even more than cafe food. But it’s not really about the food, it’s about bring there…hope your dear one found the perfect pancakes!
Sorry there was a funeral to attend. But glad you’re glad you made the trip.
Parfum des Merveilles today. I save this one for special occasions and today my sister’s are giving me pre-birthday surprise. Sounds like a special occasion to me!
Happy pre birthday!
Yes, have fun!
Sounds exciting. Enjoy!
Thanks eveyone for your kindness re. the gin traps. Yesterday i wore YSL In Love Again and went out to the wind tossed ocean and watched the albatrosses soaring above the waves which was good for the soul. Happy weekend!
I saw your distress, Kanuka, and wanted to speak to you, but was still having technology problems–couldn’t log in to NST or anywhere.
I’m glad you got to watch the albatrosses: all that power and mastery of the bright air. To see that flight is, as you say, a healing.
Thank you. It is freezing here and I am still in bed. The last of the leaves are clinging to the silver birch…they look like cornflakes now.
You know you just wrote (with minor editing) a haiku, and one with the classic unexpected image at the end:
The last of the leaves
Clinging to the silver birch
They look like cornflakes
Not surprised as you usually write such vivid images, but it was the cornflakes that made the haiku leap out.
Thanks for the haiku version. Very cool.
I’m so glad you got some restorative powers from nature yesterday–you certainly deserved it. Enjoy your weekend.
That sounds wonderfully restorative!
Started the day in the last of my sample of DSH’s The Voices of Trees, which I wanted to love, but the is domething in it that mskes my nose burn, and it lasts about 20 minutes on my skin, so I will regretfully not be replacing that sample.Later maybe I will apply some Bergsmoss.
Yet another NST’er working at the library this Saturday. I’m in Hermessence Muguet Porcelaine, of which I have mixed feelings so far. It does pack a hearty LOTV punch and lasts a respectable amount of time. I applied at 8am and can detect traces now at 3pm, but I would say it was pretty steady until about 1pm. I picked up a strange banana note when first applied, though thankfully it evaporated rather quickly. It has a sharpness that doesn’t mellow much for several hours, to which I might not want to subject people in close quarters. That said, it is really quite pretty.
Glad it is finding fans 🙂
Hello everyone and happy weekend!
My SOTD is OJ Woman.
I’ve been reading the sequel book to “Shantaram” called “The Mountain Shadow” and really enjoying it. It’s almost 900 pages, but a real page turner so it goes fast. I’m trying to finish it before it’s due back at the library.
I didn’t know he wrote a sequel! I will have to get it. Johnny Depp bought the movie rights to Shantaram years ago and I have been patiently waiting but I have a suspicion it’s never going to happen, at least not with Depp.
It just became available at the library so I grabbed it. I didn’t know that Johnny Depp bought the movie rights to Shantaram. It would be fun to watch that as a movie, but as with all epic books they could only somewhat approximate the scope of it.
I just cut the first of the Sarah Bernhardt peonies! Having a birthday party tomorrow for my daughter, about a week early but she’ll be back at college for summer session (she’s RA-ing again and also will be working on a research project for her major) by Wednesday (BOO). We actually saw sun for about an hour today before it rained again. Can’t remember the last day it didn’t rain…
Doesn’t matter. I’m in vintage No. 19 and I smell great.
Oh peonies! Lucky you! I am at a friend’s house with a big garden and I am often here for the peonies, but took my couple of weeks early this year and so will miss them. Have a lovely weekend with your daughter!
Oh, I love them. They’re a bit late this year, but they’re my favorites.
That variety is one of my favorites. MIne won’t be in bloom for awhile–late this year.
It’s later than usual here! Usually this bush (12 years old) is blooming by the 10th of May. There’s a new bush I planted two years ago, near our old dog’s grave, and that one has just started to bud. It probably won’t bloom for another week or ten days.
I planted my peony (can’t recall the variety–big and pink and smells good) a few years ago, and I got my first bloom this year! It smelled A-MAZ-ING!
Love, love love peonies. This one bush in front of the house is 12 years old and needs dividing – but it grows crazy-big blooms. The newer bush that we planted on Hayley Wigglebutt Dog’s grave two years ago is just now starting to bud! It bloomed last year, but not prolifically.
Oh, enjoy your peonies! My mom’s favorite flowers, and my second favorite. They are very expensive here in Texas, though.
Expensive to plant, or as cut flowers? (I do imagine that TX would be too hot for them.) I love them as well… they always make me think of my grandmothers, who both adored them, and my sister.
As cut flowers. I don’t think we have any zone that can grow them. I remember my mom telling me about an obviously rich woman who had peonies in her garden here in Houston and had some sort of system where she would get huge sheets of ice for her peony bed.
Testing some Aerin’s today — Amber Musk, which is (guess what!) a light amber with white musk — and Ikat Jasmine, which is a clean if “fatty” jasmine / tuberose / honeysuckle. I’m not particularly liking either one, but wouldn’t you know it, my husband who almost never comments on my perfume actually said “smells nice”. Of course.
Tried Nishane Sultan Vetiver yesterday, now THAT was interesting. I’m not sure I can wear it, but vetiver fans ought to give it a sniff.
Dreary wintery day here, 48 degrees out and rainy. In mid-May??? It should be practically summery here. I want my money back.
Let us know when that refund arrives. 🙂
Oh, do tell us more about that Vetiver! Interesting HOW??
Starts out with somewhat rough vetiver, which smooths out over time. High quality vetiver. Citrus is well blended. I get a persistent pissy note on skin (I think it’s the leather) but not off-skin… my only hesitation about it. Twisted Lily has samples.
Good to know, thanks!
I am a sucker for that Amber Musk! There is just such a satisfying blast of ambroxen in the first several minutes that my toes curl with pleasure. It is so not me but I find it difficult to resist. I bought a bottle.
Well, it poured during my camping trip. Never did get a fire started, the wood was too wet. As I drove out the first morning for supplies, the roads were a mess – slippery clay washes, potholes filled with mud. But it was the sign declaring Flood Evacuation Route that made me decide I really didn’t want to go back. So I didn’t.
As compensation, finding myself near an Hermes boutique, I made a quick decision to buy a birthday bottle of Bel Ami. When I put some on, and my husband woke up from a nap to say it was really nice. Then went back to sleep.
Predicted weather is sunny Sun-Mon-Tues, followed by more rain. The curse of Noah. Fortitude, all.
Yikes! That’s two wise decisions: getting out while the getting was good, and Bel Ami.
Soggy camping, ick. Good call on the change of plan.
Happy (Belated) Birthday! Hope it was a good day yesterday.
Adaptability is key to survival! It’s good to reward that trait whenever we come across it. Well done ????
Oh man. Camping always sounds so much better in theory to me. Although camping next to an Hermes boutique… 😉 Enjoy your reward.
Not being able to start a fire feels so humiliating! I remember standing over the fire pit in pouring rain using my poncho to cover it while my friend tried to light the fire for maybe 30 minutes.
I actually miss camping…? Weird. I hated it at the time.
Today was the first hot day of the year here (ie, a high of > 80 °F), so I traipsed around in the exquisite Epice Marine. Sadly, it disappeared in about half an hour 🙁 Even worse than usual.
It was perhaps this that led me to make a semi-spur-of-the-moment purchase. I am not supposed to be buying anything at all, but instead I bought a mini vintage Miss Dior extrait. Ohhhh dear. I wish I could just not tell my boyfriend about it, but he’s going to get the package before I do….
You have time to plot a distraction foe him, Koyel. 🙂
Ha, I meant “for,” of course.
I will start strategizing now!
Oo, congratulations on your Dior! As a pround owner of a bit myself, it is really a treat. Though sadly it poops out faster than Epice Marine (my absolute favorite Hermessence). At least, my vintage bottle does.
Thanks 🙂 That’s sad to hear. I’ve tried on the new formulation of Miss Dior Originale, and it sticks around on me for at least a couple hours. I hope that’s what will happen for the vintage.
Epice Marine might be my favorite Hermessence, too! (I haven’t tried Muguet Porcelaine yet.) That surprises me, because I like brassy scents and thought Ambre Narguilé or Iris Ukiyoé (surprisingly loud on my skin!) would end up being my favorites. But Epice Marine is the one I end up dreaming about.
I almost forgot to actually post again. Not long ago, I indulged in one of those 1:00am shopping sprees and ordered a bunch of samples. One that I had intended to try was the new Geisha Vanilla Hinoki, but through the power of late-night stupidity I managed to order a sample of Camillia instead. I have to admit that I’m torn, on one hand it has a very pleasant floralcy that I like, on the other hand I keep wondering what smells like a gift shoppe lavatory (not really in a bad way, but it is quite distinct).
I’m pretty sure I’m not gonna resist the Beautyhabit discount since Tabac Tabou has been calling my name for quite some time and my decant is almost gone. I think I’ll go spray some just to be sure…
Good idea – I should test Tabac Tabou again while the weather is still cool.
It’s hot as Hades here and I still love it. Can’t believe I can wear something this rich in the heat, but it seems to bloom even when I’m wilting.
I need a fainting couch for this one anyway, regardless of the weather. 😉
There’s a great review of this over at Momory of Scent in case you haven’t see it. I found it interesting in that really we need to suspend our expectations of a scent based on name, ingredient list, etc, and just EXPERIENCE it without have to pick it apart, note by note, in an effort to define it.
https://memoryofscent.com/2016/04/15/parfum-dempire-tabac-tabou-extrait-the-right-to-spring/
Thanks, Deva! I have been known to blind-buy based on his reviews, and yet I forget to look at Memory of Scent since he doesn’t post often. He’s so right about Tabac Tabou, and how to experience perfume, isn’t he?
I had missed that review. Thanks!
Ack! Stop! My scent twin loves this, Nozknoz requires a fainting couch, Deva says there is a review at Memory of Scent! Help! I guess I could order a sample…….
It is surely worth a sample. Be warned, I recoiled on first sniff and had to step up to full dosage. It is really incredibly unctuous and heavy, but it somehow becomes wearable for me because the sillage is gorgeous. I imagine the sillage cloud as resembling an oily sheen on otherwise fresh water, slightly unsettling but beautiful.
My fairy perfume godmother actually sent me a sample of this strange little beauty! I just found it in my bag of treasures from her! It is really not like anything else I have. I have Bogue Maai on my thumb and Tabac Tabou on my arm and they both smell pretty stupendous. I started the day with Ponderosa Pine EO which is surprisingly edible and lemony. It has been a good smells day!
Wearing a sample of Metal Hurlant by Parfumerie Generale. I am smitten. Manages to smell like hot chrome, gasoline, rubber tires, yet remains smooth and pretty soft-spoken. Did anybody try it?
That sounds interesting! Sounds like a sequel to Bulgari Black.
This makes me want to try it.
Angelique Noire. I had no idea what to put on, so I dipped into the swapped samples at almost random. This one was low enough that it will be my first and last time wearing. It’s sweet and herbal and a little like a digestif. I won’t fall in love, but I’ll try to enjoy my afternoon/evening at work.
Well, in my quest for milky scents I blind bought a slightly used bottle of Dis Moi and it arrived this morning. I tried it, but unfortunately it didn’t strike me as particularly milky. Creamy a little, perhaps, but ultimately it was just SO sweet. It smelled nice, but was way too sweet for me to really handle. Maybe if I spray it behind the knees and only catch the occasional whiff? I’m not sure. I’ll give it one or 2 more tries, but if it doesn’t settle down or get a lot more milky, I’ll have to move this one along. 🙁
I seem to have missed the beginning of your quest, so I don’t know what kind of a milky perfume you are looking for, but for almost edible milk, I love Lann-Ael by Lostmarch. I’ve heard it described as cereal served for breakfast in fairy-land, which I am not going to subscribe to because it does not smell very much like cereal to me, but there you go.
Ooh – that sounds lovely! Thanks for the recommendation!
The Jacomo Art Collection had one that smelled of milky chai to me. I think these might be discontinued, though.
What a shame, milky chai sounds pretty great!
It might be hard to try for sure, but I’ve seen them for about $25 at discounters. There was a really weird one that smelled like clay that I’ve been eyeing.
That would be Jacomo 8.
Have you tried “Palo Santo” from Carner Barcelona? That has a nice vanilla milk note, along with spicy wood and a vetiver dry-down. :^)
I am waiting for my bottle of this one … Will be making a Twisted Lily run next week, I think.
I haven’t, in fact, I haven’t tried anything from that house! Thanks for the suggestion!
Just checked this one out and sounds wonderful. Is the cedar note very prominent?
There’s a noticeable woodsy note, I don’t recall it being specifically cedar. I have a notion it didn’t last terrifically well on me, but so little does! :^)
There’s definitely a cedar note but the almond note is more prominent so overall, you get a nutty woody effect, not pencil shavings. I think you’ll like it because we’re almost scent twins!
Costume National 21 has a beautiful milk note.
Thank you!!
Love that one.
I ended up going with Vetiver Tonka. It’s such a brilliant perfume and I think it’s high time I ordered one of those 4×15 ml Hermessence coffrets.
I decided to brave the cold and damp and go for a run through the nearby ravine. It was so lush and beautiful down there. It’s been such a dry spring until now and the rain has really greened everything up. I also ran into the bane of my existence: off leash dogs with no discernible training. I was chased by a little terrier for a good fifty meters before it heeded its owner’s calls.
When I got home, I brewed the last of my violet tea and then took a hot bath while listening to Bon Iver (a winter habit of mine but it’s cold enough today). I added a handful of epsom salts and five drops each of vetiver and cedarwood essential oil to the bathwater: perfection. Now I’m in Chergui, another perfume that I haven’t had cause to wear in a good month or so.
Mmm Chergui, a very good scent to warm up with.
Even on-leash dogs can have stupid owners.
Picture a man with a dog on one of those retractable (but always stretched to the maximum) leashes, facing away from the dog while chatting with another man in middle of sidewalk. So far, so good. Then my sister pulls up to the sidewalk and I open the car door to retrieve some food she brought. Before I can get it out of the car, the dog is jumping right in after the good smell.
Excuse me, says I, please get your dog out of our car. Response: annoyed “what’s your problem” look, followed finally by a slight retraction.
Not really the dog’s fault.
And women too can be idiots.
Oh my! That’s too funny. It must have been an “is this real life?” moment.
This is the reason I no longer take my dog to the dog park. Idiot owners.
OTHER idiot owners, not you 🙂
Exactly ????
I’ve heard the exact same thing from so many dog owners. They no longer will take their dogs to dog parks because of irresponsible owners who ruin the experience for everyone. It’s just not worth the risk of your dog being attacked. In my case, I was not even in an on offleash area (not that dogs chasing people or harassing other dogs is acceptable anywhere whether it be an on or off leash area).
Those retractable leashes are often a sign, in my experience, of a lazy and inattentive owner and poorly trained dog. I’m sure there are exceptions but I have learned to be wary. People in my old neighborhood always seemed to employ them primarily when trying to stealthily allow their dogs to potty in people’s front yards.
Seconding all these concerns! In addition, one of my pet (no pun intended) peeves is people walking their dogs who feel they have a right to take up the whole sidewalk. On the one hand, I’m not sure what else they can do. On the other, they are usually younger and stronger than I, so they ought to be more considerate than they are.
I spent My Saturday planting vegetables and potting flowers. I wore Jolie Madame this morning but let it fade as the May flies are swarming and biting. It was a good day.
I went understated this morning with Heeley Verveine. It smells very good but slightly melancholy, so it was a good match with the cool, rainy weather.
It was also an impulse purchase, but I think my most recent was a 30-ml bottle of Penhaligon’s Sartorial, which was on sale on Hautelook. (Someone here mentioned that sale and earned numerous enabler’s pins that weekend, I’m sure!)
Wearing YSL Nu — the Eau de Toilette.. Yes, the one that most fans of Nu didn’t like. I’m finding it a good match for the somewhat grey, breezy day.
It was a blind buy and I was startled by the camphoraceous/moth- ball blast at the begining and still am each time I wear it. That smell nudges at the edge of the florals throughout its wearing.
Reading the notes of the EDP, which I haven’t smelled, I can see how different (and wonderful) that would be with more focus on incense and woods.
I get incense from the EdP but also a lot of lily, for what it’s worth…
Maybe there’s jasmine? Jasmine smells like mothballs to me.
Indeed there is jasmine. Either I don’t have anything jasmine forward or this has a particular strength. It has orchid too, which also sometimes has this edge to me, as well as lily.
Yesterday was a reasonably productive day, made all the better by a good blast of Nanban as an antidote to a week of restraint in understated perfumes. I never used to think about seasonal perfumes but Nanban was almost too much on a warm rainy day, so I may leave it until Autumn. (I mean, it smelled as lovely as ever, but spiritually was slightly out of synch with the season).
Started today pre-shower in Guerlain Vetiver, the remnants of my original 2ml sample which led me to buy a FB since. On a lazy day I enjoy these ‘last drops’ which only need to last an hour. SOTD is “Hystera” from Gabriella Chieffo. I’ve been trying new samples every day for 5 months or so, and am at risk of never using the FBs I already had or acquired after a great sample. So now I think I’ll try samples Mon-Fri and my FBs at weekends.
I think Nanban is phenomenal, but it might actually kill me on a warm, humid day unless I was spending the entire day in an over air-conditioned building.
Good idea on the samples. I’m terrible about using my FBs for the same reason. Oh, the joy of the chase!
Another gray cold day here, so I am occupying my thoughts with the most urgent perfume question of our time: how would one go about finding out what perfume Angelica Schuyler wore?? 🙂 But seriously. Good chance if you knew what it was, you could smell it in the Osmotheque, right? I’m kinda doubtful it’s made any secondary sources though; would I have to go start reading her letters at the Library of Congress?
Here is something from Wikipedia’s section on History of Perfume:
“In early America, the first scents were colognes and scented water by French explorers in New France. Florida water, an uncomplicated mixture of eau de cologne with a dash of oil of cloves, cassia, and lemongrass, was popular.”
Florida Water can still be found (on Amazon, for example). One source indicates it might have become popular late in Angela’s lifetime, but I imagine it was a variation on earlier colognes.
Please let us know what you discover in her letters!
Oh good to know! I will def let you know what I can turn up–I’m also realizing I have an historian friend who works on somewhat related topics for a period that included the early part of AS’s life, so maybe we can narrow it down from both sides! There’s also the matter of her having lived parts of her life in France and Britain, so maybe there’s more than one, even 🙂
Well, whatever it was, it smelled like her daddy had money. 😉
Burr is that you? 😉
Hot and humid. Yeah, no changes in weather for the next 6-7 months, except the occasional downpour.
I turned in a completely lackluster performance in spin class this morning, pedaling like I was about 1000 years old. Sheesh.
SOTD is PG Harmatan Noir from a very kind NSTer. This is lovely and of course I immediately wanted a full bottle. Sigh. I need to take a deeper look into my acquisitive nature.
We won’t talk about the 20% discount at Beautyhabit someone mentioned yesterday. They carry the Parfum d’Empire line, did you know? Also many other lines that rarely get discounted. Something may have jumped in and high jacked my cart.
I feel the Eye of Donatella upon me…????
Darn, I hate it when that happens????
Quick etiquette check: No perfume, light perfume, perfume only in the hair?–I’m doing some (nontraditional wedding) dress shopping this afternoon. I’d like to wear *something*, but I don’t want to be rude. How would you approach this?
Wear one of your “nontraditional” favorites and have a great time! Are you doing this solo or do you have a friend helping you out?
I’m going solo. I find having an audience very uncomfortable (ironic, I know, since I’m a teacher, but somehow that feels very different). I think I’m usually too focussed on what other people think/like. On my own, I’d do better listening to myself and my own feelings.
I understand completely. Hope you have a lovely time and find a dress or outfit that makes you feel like your most fabulous self. Happy times ahead, for sure ????
I think I’d wear something light, lightly applied. Whether you’re going to be doing the kind where an SA has to help you in and out of the gown (and thus is in unusually close proximity to your person!), or just the regular dress shopping where subsequent shoppers will presumably be hoping to wear off the rack (without having to dryclean first) any dresses you try on but don’t buy, it does seem considerate to avoid wearing anything that will leave much of a trail behind you!
At the same time, I can’t say I really think you need to wear NOTHING–I know when I face the task of clothes shopping, especially for a big event, a little pick-up-me in scent form is very necessary!
Yes, it’s the issue of leaving scent behind on a dress that concerns me. We’ll be looking at some designer dresses (still ready-to-wear, mind you), that I wouldn’t want to “mess up.”
AND I agree! I need some armor and emotional bouying! I find clothes shopping exhausting.
I wish you strength and luck for this outing! And I say don’t worry TOO much about the perfume–after all, department stores regularly douse people with perfume just before they go try on clothing!
Wear something you really like and feel comfortable in to help get into the right frame of mind. I agree that somewhat discreet is better – perhaps cleavage and hair, wherever it would touch the dresses less. I also agree you don’t have to feel too self-conscious. You’re the client in this case and it’s a luxury purchase, so they should be oriented toward pleasing you. Also, while I always try to spare medical personnel, such as a dentist who has to be close for an extended period of time, the sales person doesn’t have to be as close to you for that long.
So exciting – have a wonderful time!
Perfume in the hair only is my vote. If I can always only try on clothes that had never been tried on by anyone else, I would be a happy camper.
Have fun! And I hope you find ‘Just the Right One’!
SOTD is Maria Candida Gentile Rose Selavy. I just bought the 15ml size and I’m really liking it.
Ooh, I really need to get a sample of that one.
Hey twin! I’m enjoying it, too.
I am curious to try this one, it sounds great
I’m testing Rosarium from Angela Ciampagna, one of the niche lines that Luca Turin praised in perfumeilove:
https://perfumesilove.com/2016/04/30/angela-ciampagna/
It doesn’t smell particularly rosy to me, but rather similar to Unum LAVS. I’m enjoying it.
I just ordered a sampler of Sammarco perfumes from Switzerland that were lauded by Luca in his blog. Can’t wait to try them.
It is too jaunty to call Dr Turin “Luca” but I loved the sound of that -“lauded by Luca”
Been wearing nice and understated scents this weekend, like Bottega Veneta, Narciso EDP, Papillon Angelique. But today I had to break out the big lovely ELdO Rien and a little spritz of Rien Intense Incense now in the afternoon. Lovely!
I’ve arranged to rent an apartment in the centre of Paris during June. And it turns out ELdO is a short stroll away. I think I need to do an ELdO week some time in June in their honour – I have the discovery pack so no excuse not to, really. :^)
*** ALERT ***
Just noticing that Hautelook has Nuxe on sale.
Omg! This ***ALERT*** cracked me up! ????
Morning…late, late, I’m blimmin’ well late! I actually slept until after 6 this morning! Dashing madly in all directions wearing a scent that feels fast: Cristalle. Couldn’t be less suitable for the weather– today’s high is reckoned to be 15C, with mean little bits of rain all day– but no matter, Cristalle lends me wing for my feet. Gotta scramble now! Be well and smell gorgeous things all day, everyone.
You know, sometimes you just have to blow a big fat raspberry at “suitable”! Have yourself a good, great-smelling day!
First dusting of snow on the hills yesterday and soaking wet rain and mist today. I will be walking through dripping trees and along muddy tracks. Sometimes I wish I had duvet dogs, or at least dogs with an indoor cat gene. Anticipating the smell of wet fur….will amuse myself by wearing Chanel Eau Premiere.
I was wearing Theorema this morning, but it has since disappeared. Might have to add in something warm and/or incensey as it feels unfortunately windy and cool today…
I tried a couple of orange blossom scents recommended in an attempt to find my HG; unfortunately, both were a bust (APOM and Lorenzo Villoresi’s Dilmun). What I am trying to find is a soliflore that will recreate the scent of the citrus trees in bloom in the desert.
I used to have a couple of older bottles of Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom that were perfect. But I don’t know if it’s my nose changing or the new bottle’s (possible) reformulation, but it smells too thin and dryer sheet/ white musk clean. I wish I could find a sample of LaP’s Fleur d’Oranger.
Went ahead and ordered a couple of samples of orange blossom absolute and neroli to try and work backwards.
If anyone is familiar with the pure scent and has recommendations, I would LOVE to know!
Oops, misplaced my answer–lots of orange blossom ideas for you in the comment just below!
Hmm, I can’t say I have smelled the trees themselves blooming in the desert, but for really orange-blossom-y orange blossoms, I really like Kilian Sweet Redemption, and I should think lots of the Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger should be worth a test–I particularly like Neroli Blanc Intense. I think the Houbigant has fans too? Or, I haven’t smelled the newish Prada Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger but it seems like a good bet.
Then there are plenty of off-beat orange blossoms, Serge, Elie Saab, Bottega Veneta Knot… those are definitely not true soliflores, but, on the other hand maybe they would capture the desert aspect? YMMV!
Thank you much for the suggestions! I have tried almost all you listed, and was just investigating Neroli Blanc earlier today. In Arizona, citrus is one of the “5 Cs” taught in elementary school, so it’s a scent I grew up with.
Most perfumes I’ve tried end up featuring orange blossom (and are beautiful), but aren’t quite true to what I have in mind/ remember. Serge and VP’s Rubj are the two blends that I’ve enjoyed lately.
Up next on the list is 7 Virtues’ Afghanistan Orange Blossom and Frazer Parfum’s African Soliflore Orange Blossom. It is amazing how different they all can be, though!