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Friday scent of the day 9/23

Posted by Robin on 23 September 2016 353 Comments

Bvlgari Inspirazioni Italiane necklace

Yay, Friday! And, happy birthday to Bruce Springsteen. Our community project for today: wear a perfume by Annick Menardo, if you have one.

What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.

I'm ending the week right where I began, with Annick Menardo's fantastic Bvlgari Black.

Reminder: 9/30 will be Still ticking Friday — wear the perfume in your collection that has been on the market longest (so the perfume with the earliest launch year, that is still in production — not necessarily your oldest bottle).

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.

Note: shown is the Bvlgari Inspirazioni Italiane necklace, with amethysts, tourmalines, emeralds and spinels. I don't know what it costs and I'd probably rather not know.

Filed Under: poll
Tagged With: annick menardo, friday community project, sotd

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353 Comments

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  1. BobH says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:03 am

    Dear Bvlgari,

    What the [CENSORED]ing [CENSORED]balls are you playing at? I thought it was a [CENSORED]ing joke at first, but it looks like it’s [CENSORED]ing true – you’ve [CENSORED]ing discontinued Black. How could you [CENSORED]ing do this? For years Black has been one of the shining [CENSORED]ing beacons of light (ironic) and [CENSORED]ing hope in a sea of [CENSORED]ing donkey spit drivel that passes for perfumery nowadays – a [CENSORED]ing two fingered salute to the crowd pleasing, focussed grouped into [CENSORED]ing banality that we’re [CENSORED]ing bombarded with on a [CENSORED]ing daily basis. And what have you [CENSORED]ing left us with? Not the [CENSORED]ing brilliant Omnia that’s for sure – you [CENSORED]ing dumped that one too. No, we’ve got Man In Dreck, sorry Black. MAN. IN. BLACK. If I WANTED [CENSORED]ing Spicebomb, I’d BUY [CENSORED]ing Spicebomb! (I already own Tea for Two so what’s the [CENSORED]ing point?) Or how about Au Thé Noir? Au Thé Nah more like. A whole [CENSORED]ing range of [CENSORED]ing sad, little, discarded wet [CENSORED]ing teabags? I’ll [CENSORED]ing pass, thanks. Le Gemme? I’LL NEED TO SAVE THAT [CENSORED]ING MONEY TO BUY BLACK ON [CENSORED]ING EBAY WHEN I FINALLY RUN THE [CENSORED] OUT! [CENSORED]ing, [CENSORED]ing [CENSORED]wittages.

    So I’m keeping my [CENSORED]ing eye on you Bvlgari. And if you don’t sort your[CENSORED]ingselves out, well… Let’s just say I can hold a [CENSORED]ing grudge – ain’t that right Gucci?

    Love
    Bob

    Menardo week, day 5. Bvlgari Black.
    I may be a tad bitter, but I’m sure it’ll pass.
    Probably.

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:08 am

      Excellent! And thank you so much for self-censoring.

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    • Lovestosmellgood says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:15 am

      I am inserting my own words in for your “censored words”

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      • Eleebelle says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:21 am

        Like Mad Libs!

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    • Rappleyea says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:35 am

      But tell us what you *really* think, Bob. 😉

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    • pixel says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:52 am

      discarded wet teabags, hee heee 🙂

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    • Ede97005 says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:57 am

      LOL Sounds like me on a bad day! 😀

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    • nozknoz says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:13 am

      “Man in Dreck” 😀 I nominate Bob for Spokesman!

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      • BobH says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:05 pm

        Lemme at ’em, lemme at ’em…

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    • Elisa P says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:09 pm

      Hahahahaha!

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    • She-ra says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:40 pm

      +1

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    • johanob says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:03 pm

      LoveLove.I’ll copy and paste to Shiseido…X

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:08 pm

      ???? Bob, that’s the best [CENSORED]ing thing I’ve read lately. Well [CENSORED]ing said!

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    • bastet says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:34 pm

      I just had to wear Black after reading that. May switch to LL tonight (going out to hear a local jazz band play in Richmond (VA)).

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    • Mariann says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Loving the donkey spit ????

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      • Mariann says:
        23 September 2016 at 2:27 pm

        Am partial to one of the wet tea bags though ????

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        • Robin says:
          23 September 2016 at 5:19 pm

          I like several of them too.

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:50 pm

      Go Bob, u sort ’em out!

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:51 pm

      Go Bob! sort’em out, we’re with u!

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:55 pm

      P.s; caved and bought the Dzonka- £29.99!, Thanks for heads up!

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      • BobH says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:30 pm

        It’s a good one, I’m sure you’ll love it 🙂

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    • JadainGA says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:55 pm

      I can’t take it anymore….I just bid on a bottle of Bvlgari Black on Ebay! I must know what I’ve been missing! 🙂

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      • stinker_kit says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:52 pm

        It is still available at the discounters. Stock up!

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      • BobH says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:53 pm

        Best to do it now, rather than wait ’til it costs a remortgage!

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    • viridiaan says:
      25 September 2016 at 11:33 am

      Well done Bob! “Dear” as a salutation is too kind. I found out about this a few months ago and I couldn’t believe it either. Huh????

      I was shopping yesterday for linens at a downtown department store in Toronto. As I rode up the escalator, the fumes of all that is evil in the current world of perfume followed me. To the SIXTH floor! I had to get out of there fast. Is the bottomless vat of everything fruity, sweet and ‘chouli ever going to dry up? I think there’s an ugly monster living at the bottom of that pool. The Creature from the Pink Lagoon. Or maybe we can call it “Dreck”.

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  2. Elisa says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:09 am

    I’m in vintage Hypnotic Poison and I smell delish.

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:14 am

      Indeed you do!

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    • Petunia says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:24 am

      Hey Twin. Although, my HP mini is from Ebay so who really knows if it’s the real deal. It smells good to me anyway.

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  3. girardEAU says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:09 am

    Bois d’Argent (Dior). TGIF! 🙂

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    • pixel says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:53 am

      Twins! This is apparently the only AM I own. It’s a good one, though.

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    • jjlook says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:02 pm

      I did that yesterday and it was dreamy…

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  4. Glannys says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:12 am

    Sampling Guerlain Bois d’Armenie. A definite like so far: wood, incense and a subtle sweet honey-like note.

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    • Parley says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:36 am

      Oh, is bois d’armenie reminiscent of papier d’armenie incense? I love the scent of unlit papier d’armenie & would love to smell a perfume like it 🙂

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      • Glannys says:
        23 September 2016 at 9:56 am

        Sadly, I have never had a chance to experience papier d’armenie incense (lit or unlit), but a brief internet research tells me that indeed Menardo was inspired by it. So I guess you must try this scent. 🙂

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        • Parley says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:47 am

          dang I suppose I must! what tragedy 🙂

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      • Rappleyea says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:22 am

        Jumping in to say, I pretty much do think that Bd’A smells like the papier, but Robin wasn’t blown away. Robin and I are usually on opposing sides of the fragrance issue – I love the vanilla drydown in this and I’m thinking that may have been some of the problem for Robin. Check out her review of it.

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        • Parley says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:47 am

          thank you! I’ll check out the review and hope I feel the same as you do.

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        • Oakland Fresca says:
          23 September 2016 at 11:40 am

          You know, I too think that Guerlain’s Bois d’Armenie is similar in scent to the incense papier (unburned/still in the booklet). I like the papier, but don’t need a perfume that smells like it.

          I drained my decant of Bois d’Armenie today, and already it is a fading memory on my arm. Pretty? Yes.

          Do I need it? Naw. Need what?? Don’t really remember.

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          • jjlook says:
            23 September 2016 at 1:03 pm

            It’s been reformulated. The old one would last all day 🙁

          • Rappleyea says:
            23 September 2016 at 4:25 pm

            I agree, jjlook, about longevity. Mine lasts into the next day!

          • Oakland Fresca says:
            23 September 2016 at 5:04 pm

            Really? Gosh. If I press my nose right up next to my skin, I can still make out the Bois d’Armenie—but that is after I sprayed about 2++ mls this morning. With other fragrances, that much would just about kill me. The two sprays on each wrist of Nahema I wore yesterday was still going strong this morning when I stepped into the shower.

          • cazaubon says:
            23 September 2016 at 5:59 pm

            Yes, unfortunately it has been reformulated to a shadow of its former self. The vintage lasted all day and was beautiful.

    • Bexca says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:53 am

      I’m sampling it too, but so far it’s a little too sweet for my tastes.

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    • Mariann says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:27 pm

      Love this one! Alas my sample will be gone soon.

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  5. Lovestosmellgood says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:17 am

    To keep up with the rose theme for me this week I was in Hedonist Rose..then my skin ate it.

    I am in Refection woman now

    Sitting on my hands during the 5ml Friday at STC..

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    • Koyel says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:00 am

      I tried sitting on my hands, but they slipped out anyway….

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    • Wendysue says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:09 am

      I admire your self control!

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    • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:13 am

      I have been sitting on my hands for quite some time now to get control of my finances…so I will support you and all others who also endeavor to sit on their hands 🙂

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    • pixel says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:56 am

      Personal PSA, I’ll be offering Atelier des Ors Lune Feline at the splitmeet tomorrow. For less $ than STC. In case you’re interested…

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      • Petunia says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:26 am

        I’m interested!

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      • Koyel says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:29 am

        Oh crap, I forgot about that. Grump.

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        • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
          23 September 2016 at 11:59 am

          My computer will be off limits tomorrow so that I don’t even peek at the splitmeet!

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      • Lovestosmellgood says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:20 pm

        Thanks Pixel. I am interested and will take a look tomorrow

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  6. Bear says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:25 am

    Visit for Men AZZARO.
    One of the worst names ever. YMMV
    Cedarwood, incense, nutmeg, and ginger. Not sweet.

    Hello Autumn.
    We’ll become friends. Eventually.

    Carpe Diem. 😀

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:40 am

      It is not the world’s best perfume name. Sounds nice though!

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    • johanob says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Lol.Prison Visit-could be a sleazy flanker…

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      • kpaint says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:35 pm

        Visiting Hours could be a depressing flanker that smells like iodine, sanitizing fluids and sick people.

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        • johanob says:
          23 September 2016 at 3:39 pm

          Oh God no,I’m a nurse,remember!!Haha!X

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          • kpaint says:
            23 September 2016 at 3:49 pm

            Lol oops! I didn’t know 🙂

  7. perfumelover67 says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:29 am

    I am wearing Yves Rocher Rose Oud. So beautiful! TGIF. Ready to head back home tomorrow after a very hard but productive work trip. I am very pleased with the results. I will stop in Connecticut in my way back home for some apple picking. Time to get into the Fall mood…

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    • BobH says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:43 am

      100% agree with you on Rose Oud. Gorgeous stuff.

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    • Laila says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:31 am

      Where does one find this? I’m dying to try but it’s not on the U.S.A. website. It sounds lovely.

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      • perfumelover67 says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:10 pm

        I bought my bottle last year when I went to Italy for vacation. I got it in the Yves Rocher store in Milan. I am not so sure if it can be found here in the USA. Maybe on Ebay.

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        • Laila says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:01 pm

          Thank you! Perhaps we’ll get it here next year. Some of their fragrances debut in Europe and then appear here the following year. Fingers crossed!

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  8. PriscillaE says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:33 am

    I wanted to wear Bvlgari Black, but the vanilla makes it a scrubber on me, so I went with Moment de Bonheur, the much less exciting, but still pretty rose. I’m going to see if my youngest nephew would like Black. After all, he bought and wore Lust.

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    • Eleebelle says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:22 am

      I’m a vanilla fiend, but Bvlgari Black goes all weird on me, too

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    • olenska says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:21 am

      Moment de Bonheur for me, too.

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    • Laila says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:32 am

      Am I the only person in the world who just smells ‘rubber’ in this? I wish I could smell the vanilla in this, but instead I just smell an old black tire.

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      • mals86 says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:49 am

        Oh, no, I totally get the rubber. But it smells like new bicycle and new sneakers to me, which I find enjoyable! (What I don’t really love is the flat powdery vanilla. Once my 5ml mini was gone, I didn’t replace it, and I don’t really miss it.)

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        • Laila says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:04 pm

          It’s funny how different fragrance notes have different connotations for each of us, isn’t it? As a kid I loved everything about new sneakers but, sadly, they just don’t appear in this scent for me.

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      • hajusuuri says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:14 pm

        You have to spray more unless you asphyxiate if you do so.

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        • Laila says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:05 pm

          Thanks for the suggestion but I think I’ll have to take a pass. I’m afraid asphyxiation would come first! 🙂

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      • johanob says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:06 pm

        I looooong for the rubber!But I am content with the Vanilla+Converse…

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      • pixel says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:11 pm

        Straight-up rubber on me. I figured I could get the same effect by rubbing my wrist on my car tires – lol

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        • johanob says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:15 pm

          Lolz.Before or after a drive?????????

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      • Koyel says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:21 pm

        Blech, me too. I strongly dislike this one.

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        • Laila says:
          23 September 2016 at 3:02 pm

          Whew, for awhile there, I thought I was the only one. Glad I’m not alone.

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      • kpaint says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:37 pm

        The first few times I wore it, it was a cozy, warm vanilla. Then I got the rubber and now that’s what dominates.

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      • Kanuka says:
        23 September 2016 at 3:04 pm

        I had a bottle ( ages ago) but only ever got burnt rubber. I put it down to me not getting the perfume…same with Byredo M/Mink . Don’t tell BobH, but I actually prefer Spicebomb!

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        • cazaubon says:
          23 September 2016 at 6:03 pm

          Yep, burning tyres and vanilla for me. I wore it today for the sync but mostly I just keep it for the bottle which is interesting.

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        • BobH says:
          24 September 2016 at 2:57 am

          As long as it’s not Man in Dreck! 😉

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      • Laurels says:
        24 September 2016 at 3:43 pm

        I just get rubber, too. Maybe a little vanilla underneath.

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  9. Parley says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:34 am

    no Menardo here, Knowing and a very rosy l’occitane tinted lip balm (plum-rose), with high waisted tweed trousers and a thin grey blouse. The lip balm is very pretty and quite pigmented but not particularly moisturising! Knowing is my mother’s scent so it feels very comforting to wear 🙂

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    • pyramus says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:58 am

      You cannot ever go wrong with Knowing.

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      • Parley says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:53 am

        agreed! I’m happy it’s cool enough to bust out all my heavy hitter chypres.

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    • Koyel says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:02 am

      Oof, I have the same one in Rose Amber :-/ I always put clear lip balm on after the l’Occitane lip balm, which is silly, I know.

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      • Parley says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:49 am

        I’d even call it drying! What on earth have they put in it? Quite sensible to layer with something moisturising I’d say. I do love the casing, the twist cap prevents it from creating a mess in my bag, and the colour is splendid but really…

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        • Koyel says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:23 pm

          Have you found a good, moisturizing tinted lip balm? I’ve been on the hunt for one ever since I first put on my l’Occitane one and discovered how terrible it is as lip balm.

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          • Parley says:
            23 September 2016 at 2:08 pm

            Korres tinted lip balms are moisturising and the red one is beautiful, sheer but deep and lush, not berry-coloured but real red. But it’s in a little pot and I really prefer lipstick shaped ones!

          • Koyel says:
            23 September 2016 at 2:24 pm

            They also seem to have lip butter sticks! Thanks for the suggestions!

        • kpaint says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:45 pm

          I find L’Occitane (iconic) shea butter hand cream really drying.

          As to a moisturizing lip balm, Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted balm is great stuff. The tint is a very sheer barely-there red (just enough to amplify already reddish-pink lips.) I wear it for the moisture factor more than the color.

          The other colors in this line are more pigmented (almost opaque in some instances) but less moisturizing, and have a different texture than the Rosé and untinted one.

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          • Parley says:
            23 September 2016 at 2:16 pm

            Gosh I might have to try that one! I love that sort of colour but Fresh isn’t sold in my country so I’ve been reluctant to buy it & ship it but if it’s really moisturising I just might 🙂

          • kpaint says:
            23 September 2016 at 3:55 pm

            If you’re just looking for straight-up moisture (with no pigment) you can’t do much better than Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment. If you’re going to pay for int’l shipping you might as well throw one of those in, too. 😉

          • cazaubon says:
            23 September 2016 at 6:04 pm

            Yes! Love the Fresh Sugar tinted lip balms.

    • Elisa says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:37 am

      LOVE Knowing.

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    • Ede97005 says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:59 am

      You look and smell very comfortable and wonderful!

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:00 pm

      You smell great!

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  10. Ajda says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:38 am

    Hypnotic Poison and it’s just about perfect with today’s weather.

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    • Ajda says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:47 am

      Aaaaand switched to Bois d’Armenie now, since HP was mostly gone. She’s a very talented lady!

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      • Robin says:
        23 September 2016 at 5:21 pm

        She really is!

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  11. eleanor_rigby says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:40 am

    Wearing the only Menardo I have, Dior Hypnotic Poison. It’s lovely!

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  12. Rappleyea says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:44 am

    SOTD: Bois d’Armenie… which unfortunately, I don’t love quite as much as I used to.

    Robin, on the subject of prohibitively expensive jewelry – my best friend works for such a jewelry company (very small co.) and she travels the U. S. doing trunk shows for them. She was here in Lex., KY for two days last week during the horse sales doing a show at Keeneland. I had fun playing in it!

    elizabethlocke.com

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:03 am

      Wow, beautiful things! I’m sure I cannot afford any of those either, but love the pieta dura & mosaic pendants!

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      • Rappleyea says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:26 am

        She travels the world to buy antique mini-mosaics, ancient coins and the Chinese gambling counters. I’ve wanted one of the gambling counter pendants forever but it’s not going to happen (I think current retail is @ $8,000 – not including the chain!). My friend gave me two of the gambling counters for Christmas that were the wrong size and shape to be made into pendants.

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    • nozknoz says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:19 am

      I’ve been drooling over their ads for decades! It must be amazing to play with them irl!

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      • Rappleyea says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:32 am

        The jewelry is way better in person if you can believe it! At first I said, “It’s not my style.” but I soon got over that nonsense!
        P. S. Have a package to mail to you! I don’t know where this week has gone!

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        • nozknoz says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:29 pm

          Wow, it’s hard to believe they could look better than the ads, but that’s what fine materials can do.

          Thanks so much, Rapple! Really looking forward to it!

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  13. Downtown Scott says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:46 am

    Attimo Salvatore Ferragamo. A bargain buy and perfect for the upcoming cooler months. Have a super weekend all.

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:41 am

      Bargain buys are the best! You have a great weekend too.

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  14. Natalya says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:56 am

    Oh no, I forgot the community project again! I have Bvlgari Black by Menardo, and wanted to wear that, but this morning, with getting my son ready for school and everything, I got muddled and sprayed Neela Vermeire’s Ashoka instead.

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    • SophieC says:
      23 September 2016 at 4:07 pm

      And you smell great!

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  15. pyramus says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:57 am

    The only Menardo I own is Lolita Lempicka, a very recent bottle: it’s been reformulated somewhat, in the modern style, much brighter and thinner with that inescapable sharp note up top, but once that burns away it’s a creditable version of the luscious original. Definitely wish I had a bottle of that instead, though.

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  16. Ari says:
    23 September 2016 at 9:57 am

    The physics teacher is dead to us, NST. Wearing Annick’s Le Labo Patchouli 24 so I can properly smolder and glower.

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    • Koyel says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:03 am

      Oh no!!! Will you share the details of what happened, or shall we have to imagine them for ourselves?

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      • Ari says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:19 am

        Oh, not much to share, Koyel. He said, “I’m really sorry, but even though I think you’re wonderful, I don’t have any feelings for you.” It was as amicable as these things can be. Just trying to keep my chin up and not take it too personally. (Nope, I’m taking it totally personally.)

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        • Eleebelle says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:24 am

          I’m so sorry 🙁 But at least he was considerate, and now this opens up your time to find someone who’s as enthusiastic about you as you deserve

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          • Filomena says:
            23 September 2016 at 4:32 pm

            I agree. If someone isn’t into you, you are better off without him.

        • Rappleyea says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:29 am

          No, no, you have to look at this like sampling perfume: I’m sure there are many scents that you admire greatly and think they smell wonderful on other people, but they just aren’t you. Not the scent (or you) at all! <3

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          • kpaint says:
            23 September 2016 at 1:47 pm

            This is a great analogy.

          • mayfly says:
            23 September 2016 at 2:58 pm

            What a great analogy, and so true!

        • cazaubon says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:37 am

          Well, at least he was honest and didn’t waste a lot of your time. On to the next one! Patchouli 24 is a good choice for smouldering disappointment and pique.

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        • Koyel says:
          23 September 2016 at 10:38 am

          Well then! Dead to us indeed >.<

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        • Oakland Fresca says:
          23 September 2016 at 11:51 am

          Argh! I am so annoyed for you. Who has that sort of self-possession in the face of such overwhelming superiority? My best friend and I used to call it a headlights on your hips moment. That is, it is time for you to strap imaginary headlights on to your hips and saunter away in a blaze of amazing glory (and also smelling wonderful) and leave him to his sorry little self-possessed life.

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        • johanob says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:08 pm

          (censored)????

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        • Elisa P says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:34 pm

          🙁 That’s a hard thing to hear, but better than being strung along or him acting in a confusing way, I suppose. Keep on being your fabulous-smelling self!

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        • Wendysue says:
          23 September 2016 at 3:28 pm

          So did you actually hear those words? From what I understand, texting is a popular method of parting, if there is any communication at all.So, if he respected you enough to speak, that’s pretty darn good.

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      • Hamamelis says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:31 am

        I am all for a slightly different version of Groucho Marx’s classic in these situations: Any person that doesn’t want to be in a relationship with me I don’t want to be in a relationship with. Or something…you get the gist!

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    • mals86 says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:13 am

      Grr. Shame on the physics teacher. If you don’t glow, you might as well glower.

      Patch 24 reminds me of the stone smokehouse on my grandparents’ farm, but nostalgia isn’t a bad thing.

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    • Wendysue says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:13 am

      I’m sorry, but read the NYT Sunday Style section. Some of the stories of how people got together are delightful and sound like they are fiction- but the NYT has fact checkers, unless they were all laid off 😉 .

      We are scent twins-

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      • Oakland Fresca says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:46 am

        Not laid off–just overwhelmed.

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    • sistine says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:17 am

      Sorry to hear that. But at least you smell awesome in your glowering.

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    • ScentSpirit says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:32 am

      I want to form a vigilante group (Perfumista Posse?) and go get him. But clearly he doesn’t deserve you.

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    • nozknoz says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:21 am

      Smelling great is the best revenge!

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:42 am

      RIP. Hope another one is along soon.

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      • Filomena says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:36 pm

        It’s not that easy Robin. After two marriages (the second one was a tragedy to me), I’ve been alone for 16 years. I have dated or seen a few men here and there, but the older you get, the choices are sparse.

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        • Robin says:
          23 September 2016 at 5:23 pm

          Yeah, I know. But Ari is still a young ‘un.

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    • Lovestosmellgood says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:23 pm

      RIP physics teacher..

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    • jjlook says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:01 pm

      Oh man. We smell great for stomping out heartbreak.

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    • Mariann says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:31 pm

      Hhm that’s too bad! But definitely his loss!

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      • Mariann says:
        23 September 2016 at 2:33 pm

        And loving the sample analogy

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:05 pm

      ???? Hmpf. Well, onward and upward, then!

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    • SophieC says:
      23 September 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Always a shame but as others have said at least he didn’t waste your time. You smell super.

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    • lillyjo says:
      23 September 2016 at 5:27 pm

      As my friend and I say ” We hate him” and you smell fabulous!

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  17. chocolatemarzipan8 says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:10 am

    Vintage no 22(oh how I have missed you!) courtesy of my very generous fragrant fairy godmother (winking at you h!)

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    • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:12 pm

      Now in the crook of my right arm is Vetiver Tonka (my first time with an Hermessence) and on the left crook L’Occitane Immortelle de Corso (holy cannoli!!!!)

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      • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:13 pm

        Oh yeah! and last night Mohur extrait…now I get what all the fuss is about 🙂

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    • hajusuuri says:
      23 September 2016 at 8:21 pm

      Mmmm good, everything you tried today 😉

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  18. orl says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:12 am

    Bulgari Black

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    • cazaubon says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:37 am

      Twins with you and Robin. 🙂

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      • Nightingale says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:50 am

        Ditto for me! Haven’t worn since winter. Sooooo good!

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:06 pm

      Woo hoo, Team Black!

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  19. Koyel says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:12 am

    I ignored the community project and went with Akkad de Lubin today, partly because the chilly mornings make me long for heavier perfumes and partly because the boyfriend hates those heavy scents, so I need to wear them before he comes to visit me again from the US in a couple weeks. So I’ve smelled like a Catholic church during Mass all day, which was great until the day heated up to a solid 80 °F.

    And for the two of you who don’t get the Surrender to Chance newsletter, a PSA to remind you that not only is it 5-mL Friday BUT ALSO there’s a special going on with three Atelier des Ors scents. After the special and the 15 % discount, they come down to less than $20 per 5-mL decant, so obviously I snapped up one of each. I don’t know whom I’ve been trying to convince that I’ve been on a no-buy-including-samples-or-decants, but now I’m REALLY going to go on a strict no-buying-of-anything. Seriously. I’m done. No more spending money on any perfumes at all. None.

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    • SheriG says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Seriously? 😉

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      • Koyel says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:07 pm

        Well…then I was reminded of tomorrow’s splitmeet. So. We’ll see how that goes.

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        • SheriG says:
          23 September 2016 at 2:12 pm

          LOL!

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  20. austenfan says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:13 am

    I’m wearing Lolita Lempicka, the original purple apple. Also wearing Une Fleur de Cassie.
    Tea is still to be chosen, I had a great Assam this morning and I’m trying to make up my mind what to have next.
    The weather is absolutely glorious in the Netherlands which is a great start to the weekend.

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 5:23 pm

      Pretty glorious here too…last bit of summer lingering into fall.

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  21. Jenkr says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:15 am

    When in a busy office and needing technical support, is there anything more annoying than getting the most nasally sounding tortoise speaking support person in the tech world? Seriously, in the time that it took this slow poke to say, “well…. I…. think….you….” I had interrupted him three times and already told HIM what I knew he was going to say to me because after 20 minutes of dealing with this guy I was about to slam my head into the desk. Then I had to wait five EFFING minutes for him reply “yes.” UGGGGHHHH!

    I also had to deal with the DMV this morning. This Friday is not starting of well….

    I’m in Feminite du Bois.

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    • SheriG says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:50 am

      Ugh, DMV and IT weenies (a former boss’s term) in the same day? Unfair! We have one whose first language was not English, and who prides himself on using either techno-jargon or the longest, most obscure word he can think of. Most of us find him entirely unintelligible most of the time.

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      • Jenkr says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:31 am

        UGH, that IS annoying. This guy was constantly mumbling codes (that only he understood related to attempting to fix the problem) the whole time (slowly). Meanwhile my eyes were rolling in the back of my head. He couldn’t entirely fix my problem, so he then sllloooowwwwllllyyyy tells me the instructions that he’s typing out in an email to me on how to fix it and I literally told him, “Instead of having me listen to you talk to yourself the instructions I’ll be reading soon, I’m just going to hang up now if you don’t need me anymore.” *waited five minutes for his slow “ooooookaaaaayyyy”* If you’ve ever seen Zootopia there is a sloth in it and THAT guy was my IT support today.

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        • SheriG says:
          23 September 2016 at 11:56 am

          Horrible! But at least you had the presence of mind to cut him off when it became clear that staying on the phone with him was redundant. Plus, you were lucky it WAS the phone and not him standing right at your desk being that useless and tortoiselike. (Apologies to tortoises everywhere.)

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      • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:08 pm

        “IT weenies”…love it! Can I steal that??

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        • SheriG says:
          23 September 2016 at 12:26 pm

          Absolutely! I did. 😀

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    • kpaint says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Oh, man. TGIF!

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  22. sistine says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:16 am

    The only perfume by Menardo that I own is a sample of Gaiac 10, which I refuse to wear because on me it’s incense and pickles. I like weird perfume, but not that weird!

    So, I’m wearing Dzing!. Which, fueled by perhaps one too many glasses of cabernet, I purchased a full bottle of last night after a seriously bad day. I was planning to buy a full bottle anyway, but the need for retail therapy hastened the purchase. I’m wearing it today because there’s no need to conserve my decant now!

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    • Ari says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:26 am

      An excellent retail therapy selection! Dzing! does feel a little like it could have been a collaboration between Olivia Giacobetti and Annick.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:09 pm

      You smell great!

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  23. LizzieB says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:19 am

    No scent yet because I was a virtual cloud of scent yesterday evening and haven’t recovered…. Went to New London Pharmacy to look at how to spend my gift certificate. Ended up having a great time with great help from the employees.

    PSA for anyone local in NYC. NLP has put their L’Artisans on sale at 30% off. It happened as I was there around 4 pm…. Re-packaging. Some names I saw: Mimosa Pour Moi, Timbuktu, Dzonghka, Nuit de Tuberoise, Mure et Musc, Al Oudh(?). They had one bottle of Dzing! I decided not to get any if those because I was taken with some other items, so went away empty handed to ponder….

    I felt terrible for the rush hour folks on the train. I had 4 scents on me…and even I couldn’t wait to get out of the subway car….

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    • floragal says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:16 am

      So did you buy any scent? Still pondering?

      Sounds like a fun time.

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      • LizzieB says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:55 pm

        Not yet. The biggest temptation was Dzing! Because he was also going to throw in the quite full tester. But…the tester’s scent was virtually gone. Which was odd. I’m leaning toward something by Lorenzo Villoresi. I sprayed om Alamut, Sandalo and Musk.

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        • floragal says:
          23 September 2016 at 1:05 pm

          Sandalo is beautiful!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:27 pm

      Better to be fragrant than a vagrant in the subway.

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      • LizzieB says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:56 pm

        I did have a moment where I wondered if people would start moving away or into the next car….

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  24. Hera says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:24 am

    I am wearing Bois d’Armenie again today and it is perfect on this rainy day. I am a little out of it today at work since we stayed late yesterday night partying

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    • cazaubon says:
      23 September 2016 at 6:12 pm

      But you smell lovely. Hope you are at home relaxing now.

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  25. Hamamelis says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:27 am

    Too much going on and I need no 19, she does a very good job. If it were a different day (week) I would wear AM’s YR Moment de Bonheur, one of my early perfumista favs, and for a long time the only rose I loved. I did use the shower gel a few times this week, so not totally disqualified.

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:53 pm

      No 19 always seems to be perfect.
      Thanks for offering to send me a sample of Dzonka, but after much deliberating, I caved in and bought a blind bottle from TK Maxx,
      (So hard to resist for £30, I have adored all of you’re favourites so far, so fingers crossed.. I also recently bought Misia, a bargain on eBay, so now own 3 full bottles of samples u sent to me,
      Dzonka will be no. 4. Thanks again my dear, for such lovely perfume inspiration!

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  26. Barqs says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:33 am

    Bvlgari au The Bleu.

    I was up most of last night with our dog, who has liver cancer. The poor little thing has hung in there. He was diagnosed in the spring, and his veterinarian didn’t think the dog would last until my son’s wedding, which was in June. Two nights ago, he was walking, and when he’d stop, his legs would get wobbly like they can’t support him. I took him to the vet yesterday, and they did some blood work. I should have the results today.

    The good thing is, the “wobbly-ness” is occasional, not constant. And, he still has a big appetite. We’re taking it one day at a time 🙁

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    • cazaubon says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:41 am

      Poor puppy. Sending soothing vibes for you and him.

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    • Ede97005 says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:02 am

      You smell like your heart- light, fresh and beautiful.

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    • Laila says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:36 am

      Sending caring thoughts and hugs your way, it’s hard I know but he’s so lucky to have your love for so long.

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    • Elisa P says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:20 pm

      So sorry to hear. Sending a hug to you and your pup. Xo

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    • perfumelover67 says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Sending to you and your doggy warm thoughts and hugs. Hope everything goes well.

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    • Mariann says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:37 pm

      Hope the vet can help or at least make him more comfortable!

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:08 pm

      Poor doggy, and poor u, very hard all round.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:11 pm

      Oh, poor guy. Hugs to you both!

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    • Barqs says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:17 pm

      I hate to sound cliche, but it is me who has been blessed to have this sweet dog. We’ve had him since he was eight weeks old, now he is eleven years old.

      Thanks for all of the good wishes and hugs. It means a lot.

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      • cazaubon says:
        23 September 2016 at 6:16 pm

        11 years of love, such a gift indeed. Wishing you more sunny days together.

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      • Petunia says:
        23 September 2016 at 7:07 pm

        Poor baby. I hope he has mostly good days in your time together.

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  27. Annikky says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:33 am

    Shockingly, I’m not wearing perfume today. But I wore Lolita Lempicka yesterday (didn’t have time to come and report) and I will take a shower with my YR Purple Lilac shower gel later.

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    • BobH says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:44 am

      NO perfume! I think you need to go and have a quiet word with yourself…

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  28. MrsDalloway says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:34 am

    No Mennardo here so SOTD is Jean-Louis Scherrer EDP.

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  29. ScentSpirit says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:36 am

    I got a sample of Daim Blonde in the mail today that I’m giving a go, but it isn’t doing much for me. I have yet to find any SL that smells like anything on my skin.

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    • Rappleyea says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:36 am

      Heeheeheee…. I’ve always been afraid to admit that here! 😉

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      • mals86 says:
        23 September 2016 at 11:45 am

        Oh, I admit to not being a Serge fan on the regular. 😉

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    • SheriG says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:46 am

      I thought that for a long time too, but then tried De Profundis. Heaven. And Cuir Mauresque is lovely on me too. Don’t give up! 🙂

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    • Elisa P says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:31 pm

      I got caught up in the SL frenzy early on, but find that I only “need” small decants of the few I really like. I swapped away the only FB I ever bought.

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    • kpaint says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:55 pm

      I’m on an SL hiatus after too many disappointments. (The last decants I bought were from the Bois series and I found them to be a snooze-fest [save the violet]) I’m with you – most of what I’ve tried I need to drench myself in to smell it at all and even then they’re really short-lived.

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    • cazaubon says:
      23 September 2016 at 6:21 pm

      A lot of them have been reformulated and aren’t what they used to be. Plus I am a lot less excited about most of the newer ones.

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  30. TeaInTheGarden says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:40 am

    I’m in the original Lolita Lempicka, purchased near the end of ’98, right around the time we finally got around to baptizing our youngest. (We were not particularly punctual about that. She was 18 months old. Ahem.) I bought my bottle locally after trying in out while on a trip to NYC.

    Said kid is now attending college in update New York. Said bottle seems to be holding up just fine, after a few sprays to clear the tube. Last time I wore it, I thought it had gone wonky, but it just needed the cleaning out.

    I can report that while spraying 3 times outside, it attracted a squirrel. The little beast stopped and stood up on it’s way up the sidewalk, nose twitching. I addressed it. It came closer, stopped, sniffed, and continued same until it was roughly 2 feet from me. I’m not kidding. Apparently this squirrel is a perfumista. I had no clue; it regularly dines at my trash can, which doesn’t point to discriminating tastes!

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    • Ede97005 says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:04 am

      Ah, but squirrels are very curious and discerning creatures, and a wonderful, exotic smell that must have been for him.

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      • TeaInTheGarden says:
        23 September 2016 at 12:27 pm

        He seemed to be enjoying it! The whole thing was very funny.

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    • kpaint says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:56 pm

      Tee hee! Adorable 🙂

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  31. vintage78 says:
    23 September 2016 at 10:56 am

    I’m in Lempicka L’eau en Blanc and, like Robin on Tuesday, smell darned pretty!

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:43 am

      I’m surprised it didn’t end up with more fans here.

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      • kpaint says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:57 pm

        It’s good stuff and can be had for a song.

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      • Celestia says:
        23 September 2016 at 2:39 pm

        I have it because I collect the bottles but have come to quite like the juice. I’ve been complimented on it in public. It has a marshmallowy, comforting feel. I like L’Eau en Blanc (frosted bottle) much more than L’Eau Jolie (clear bottle). The original EDT is still a favourite and I wear a midnight version to go out for dinner.

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        • kpaint says:
          23 September 2016 at 4:00 pm

          I have a small collection of the minis which I bought for the same reason. They’re quite irresistible.

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      • cazaubon says:
        23 September 2016 at 6:22 pm

        I like it but it only lasts an hour on me.

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  32. Eleebelle says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:00 am

    Finished off a sample Gaiac 10, which I quite like as a neutral scent, but am definitely not moved by. Maybe I’m missing something, but I brought along some Rose Delight just in case I get bored.

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    • Amy says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:59 pm

      Yes this is about how I feel about it too.

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  33. SheriG says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:04 am

    Commando so far, and no Menardo in my arsenal … although I do want to try Dior’s Bois d’Argent rather desperately. Does that count? If I order an STC sample of it in today’s sale frenzy there, does that help? 😉

    I did want to report that I finally did last Friday’s theme more thoroughly last night – wore Tom Ford Noir pour Femme at bedtime. It has a really lovely hazelnut note. Yummy.

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 5:24 pm

      Of course it helps!

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 4:02 pm

      I really like Noir pour Femme. It’s a bit like EL Sensuous, in that it seemed pleasant but not very interesting when I first sniffed it, but I’ve liked it better and better every time I’ve worn it. (Not that it smells like Sensuous, particularly, just that it really grows on you.)

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  34. Ede97005 says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:08 am

    Happy Friday!

    1) Did not do the community project- am in Belle du Soir instead. Lemony-incensey freshness needed on grey, misty rainy day!

    2) US people: Zulilly is having specials on D&G scent and grooming and their sale on HUGE bottles of poplar scent is still going on.

    3) Did mat Pilates yesterday after (too long) absence. OW, OW, OW.

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    • SheriG says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:31 pm

      3) I feel your pain. Truly. Except in my case it’s from three reformer sessions in four days, after a week and a half of sitting around a lot. OW indeed. But GOOD ow, right?

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      • Ede97005 says:
        23 September 2016 at 3:41 pm

        I have been sedentary for far too long and working through depression and anxiety, so doing Pilates, being aware and stretching myself out, is a good ow. That ow is a reminder that I need to care for myself better.

        But my goodness- 3 sessions in 4 days? WOW!

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        • SheriG says:
          23 September 2016 at 9:09 pm

          That was unusual for me, but I had the time available this week (being on vacation at home is great) so I went for it while I could. Pilates on the reformer is a stealth workout – just when you think you didn’t really do that much, your muscles speak up and remind you. 🙂

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  35. Elizabeth says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:14 am

    Gaiac 10 today.

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    • Amy says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:00 pm

      Me too! It’s a little boring to me. You?

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      • Elizabeth says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:19 pm

        It’s a little too dry for my taste. I think I need to start layering it with other fragrances. Might be good with an amber or vanilla.

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    • cazaubon says:
      23 September 2016 at 6:24 pm

      It smells really good layered with Vanille 44.

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  36. Gi says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:18 am

    Lolita Lempicka as my only Menardo. I so rarely think of this one I’m glad of this week’s project as this really is rather nice.

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  37. floragal says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:21 am

    SOTD: Chergui

    I’m very embarrassed to say I’ve never tried Bulgari Black! With all the love it gets I’ve just not had a chance to give it a try. I have always figured I’d run into it in some shop but never have. I love leather and vanilla so what’s wrong with me?? I will remedy this very soon.

    Happy Friday sweet smelling friends!

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  38. nozknoz says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:27 am

    I have a few Menardos but with the start of fall I really felt like wearing my favorite Vetiver, by Annick Goutal. Half credit for wearing another Annick? 😉

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:44 am

      LOL, why not?

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    • austenfan says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:47 am

      Excellent take on this Friday scent of the day. It has reminded me that I haven’t worn this particular Vetiver in a long time.

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  39. Laila says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:47 am

    I was going to wear YR Moment de Bonheur but opted instead to give Lolita Lempicka another try. The original LL was the first fragrance I tried that alerted me to the fact that while I love the taste of anise and licorice I really dislike them as scent notes. After reading Robin’s review and the comments of others, I tried one spritz of the edp on the back of one hand and one spritz of the edt on the back of the other hand from two samples I’ve had a long time. Yep, the edt was a bit lighter, more citrussy,/floral with less of a licorice note but yep, I still disliked both of them as much I did when I first tried the scent years ago. For me, definitely, a scrubber, but, of course, they seem to be unscrubbable and I just can’t get the scent out of my nostrils. Think I’ll go bury my nose in one of my last roses, still moist from the early morning rain, and then shower and spritz my original choice for SOTD, Moment de Bonheur. As someone mentioned above, it’s not very remarkable, but it is very pretty and holds true to the scent of the rose still blooming outside my window.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:21 pm

      It’s a law of chemistry: scrubbers are indestructible.

      P.S. I thought I’d let you know the Texas rangers have bloomed again, so I’ll go banana-sniffing in my yard later today. ????

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      • Laila says:
        23 September 2016 at 6:12 pm

        🙂 🙂

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 4:04 pm

      I’m just the opposite–hate the taste of licorice, like it in perfume. And the LL edt lasted maybe half an hour on me. Figures.

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  40. Filomena says:
    23 September 2016 at 11:53 am

    I’m in Bulgari Black today as well. I know it is discontinued but I still have an unopened bottle. (I can’t afford to do it any more, but I’m grateful for the days when I could afford to buy back-up bottles.)

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:24 pm

      You smell great. Have you worn Dzing! before? It smells similar to Black on me.

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  41. Elisa P says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:03 pm

    I only have LL and a decant of Black and wasn’t feeling either of those because if the heat today. I decided to join the unofficial rose party in Charenton Macerations Asphalt Rainbow but did a tributary spritz of LL on a finger and that’s what I’m smelling on myself! I guess she really wanted my attention today.

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  42. Isabella says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:03 pm

    I don’t have any perfumes by Annick Menardo, but this week has taught me that I really need to seek out some Bulgari Black to sniff! I’m in Une Rose Chypree, which I haven’t worn in a while and love even more than I’d remembered. A perfect early autumn scent.

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    • cazaubon says:
      23 September 2016 at 6:26 pm

      You smell fabulous. One of my favorite rose scents.

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  43. waterdragon says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:15 pm

    Hello, all. This post is experimental. That is to say, I might again be wasting my time, because for the last couple of days, I have written and posted, and nothing has happened. My words just disappear to nowhere. I’ve been having mad things happen with emails, too: I send, and they arrive erratically days later, like snail mail; I have none for days –how wonderful!– then 123 arrive in a rush. I’m confused. So, Robin, don’t be worrying about anything to do with NST: it’s not you, it’s me. Maybe this post will show that all is well again.

    I bought Misia yesterday, Lady Donatella, and I love it. It’s loveable, so it’s entirely correct that I should love it. But I’m also feeling some odd reaction, not against Misia, exactly, but against my collection. There it is, in the corner of our bedroom, on tall narrow bookcases. There are the boxes, organised alphabetically by house, full of evocative, moment-enhancing fragrances. There’s my Chanel shelf in particular, all truly gorgeous and different perfumes. I could happily manage, most likely, with no other perfumes at all. Usually I get a real thrill when I unpack a new addition: there you are, I think, how super, how lovely you are, I’m glad you’ve arrived, I’ll wear you on Thursday to dinner with the dear one, or to coffee with my good mate from up north, or whatever. What I felt as put Misia on the shelf–still in her cellophane, actually– was a species of boredom.

    But how can this be? Has acquisition become too easy? I was pootling through Britomart, there was Chanel, I thought of Misia, went in and brought her home. No waiting, no hunting down a shop in a foreign city, no cajoling a conference-bound colleague to find and buy on my behalf, while I stay at home wondering whether I’ll get an email saying “Done! You owe me a lunch/ guest lecture for this!”

    Or is it that I have become greedy? Am I feeling the equivalent of the discomfort and slight distaste with myself that follows eating an unneeded but delicious slice of crusty rye bread? Is it all just Too Much Stuff? Someone told me recently I should insure my perfume collection as a separate item. I was horrified. Insurance is far too, I don’t know, grown up? sensible? money-focused? for me to associate with my perfume. It may be correct, but it isn’t right. Something changed for me in that conversation, and I think it broke. I’m not sure, but I may have reached some sort of natural exit point…on the other hand, it’s 4 a.m. here, and I’ve been awake since 2. I decided at 3 o’clock that I needed a cup of tea, and I note that before I went to the kitchen to make it, I put on perfume: Apres L’Ondee.

    Perfume, my joyful all-hours habit. Aha! I may be deep in a trench of fears, uncertainties and doubts, but clearly I’m going to smell wonderful while I wallow!

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    • Lovestosmellgood says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Donatella forgives

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:52 pm

        You all “get” this. It’s such a comfort.

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    • JadainGA says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:28 pm

      You’ll come back around to perfume excitement again! It’s just a period of contentment with what you have, perhaps? I have periods of time where I buy several bottles in a quarter, and then the next quarter I don’t even look or care or buy a thing. And sometimes I don’t even wear scent everyday!

      But I always come back to my love of perfume, and the excitement comes back too! 🙂

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:58 pm

        I want the excitement back. I’m on a naturally-imposed sabbatical now, of unspecified length. Maybe it will be two weeks or two months or two years or forever. I’ll wait and see what happens next.

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    • SheriG says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:46 pm

      Seconding what Jada said. It could be that the thrill of the chase is somewhat necessary for your enjoyment (either right now or generally), or it could be any number of other things, but I believe the magic will return to you. Really, just the fact that you are enjoying Apres l’Ondee at this very moment is evidence that all is not lost.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 5:11 pm

        If anything could restore my equilibrium, it would be Apres. It reminds me of ballet: it seems rather fragile and ethereal, but it needs core strength and perfect control to achieve its delicacy.

        My dear one agrees with you about the thrill of the chase being important to me. He offered to take Misia and hide her like a treasure hunt, so he could lie in bed saying, “Moderately warm….hot…no, you’ve moved away… no, very cold now”. He thinks he’s so funny!

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    • johanob says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Yup,it ebs and it flows,I had that late last year until about April this year.I don’t want to be a consumerist as such,all that…”stuff”!!I’m now seeing this after the death of my Mother,how she accumulated things…clothes hanging in the cupboard,never worn…the “good china” we last used Christmas 1988…But then I smell an old forgotten perfume in my collection,and the joy returns.Perfume does give me an ethereal joy,maybe exactly because it’s mostly so fleeting.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:50 pm

        Stuff! Yes, that’s part of it, Johanob. The perfumes are gorgeous and a joy, but the collection is stuff. That’s an impossible contradiction!

        I’ve got some serious reconciling to do.

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    • Amy says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:04 pm

      I think the thrill of the chase and the thrill of smelling wonderful can be two different, if often related, things. Perhaps now is a time just to enjoy the later? Misia is so wonderful just to have on! But I get the ennui too.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:46 pm

        I’ve decided to save opening Misia until I have An Occasion. Mind you, I will do my best to make the occasion materialise! And, as many people have advised, to dial back buying until the purchase really counts as a memory as well as a desired perfume. I’m really surprised by the depth of my reaction, though.

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        • kpaint says:
          23 September 2016 at 5:04 pm

          I designated Misia as my date-night perfume shortly after I got it, and I rarely wear it otherwise as I like to save it for those special occasions. It’s an excellent dinner companion and the perfect complement to most orchestral music. I’ll be wearing it to hear some Beethoven and Prokofiev tomorrow night, in fact.

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    • kpaint says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:03 pm

      Perfume guilt. We all suffer from it occasionally. If I stop making purchases for a few months it recedes and I forget I was ever afflicted by it.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:34 pm

        Then roll on amnesia and hit me quick! I want to be this ???? again, about my perfume, not this ????.

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:21 pm

      Don’t be down hearted, you’re enthusiasm will return, I’m sure, it’s no bad thing to take ‘a break’ and enjoy and reflect on what u have. I worry about this too, but my love for perfume always returns.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:40 pm

        You’re really kind. I talked to the dear man about this downheartedness — well, more truly, I talked at him, and he coughed sagely and sneezed wisely– and then croaked something similar to what you said. He said to wait and make my purchases in special places–apparently I hardly ever put on 31 Rue Cambon without reminding him of the grey cold day in Paris when I bought it, and the opulence of the Chanel flagship store. It seems I chatter at him about the purchase experience as much as the perfume I didn’t know I did that, but it’s something to think about.

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    • Gaynor says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:30 pm

      Glad to see your experimental comment succeeded!

      I sometimes get a little overwhelmed and anxious that I’ve got too many perfumes, too much fabric, too many shoes. Then I remind myself that it’s really OK, I could be spending my money on drinking and gambling. And then I prove that I’ve got over my passing anxiety by buying more 🙂

      The thrill of the chase is a large part of the fun for me – good thing too, living in NZ! Even when things are readily available, I take ages to make a purchase.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:28 pm

        I know! We talked about this, and two weeks ago we were alike in our total self-acceptance of our perfume-shoe-lippy foibles. I would never then have for an instant believed I could be having these doubts now. But I think you and everyone else is right: I’m just in a momen of reaction, and it will probably last, oooh, until I’m near Hermes in Melbourne next month, and suddenly recall the missing back ups or something.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:32 pm

      You’re just on a purchasing sabbatical! Enjoy your existing collection. (Maybe ‘shop’ it like you can do with an existing wardrobe?) The thrill will return.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:22 pm

        Yes, this is the answer,but I somehow wish that my sabbatical had not started with and because of pretty little Misia. The dear man is most miserably sick with a ‘flu-thing, but if he were not, I’d be saying that we need to go on a date today so that I can begin to enjoy her slightly tough iris/violet/rose prettiness. I want to dress to foil her curls and dimples. Next weekend, maybe.

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    • Kanuka says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:32 pm

      I just see you as housing one of Aotearoa’s great, private perfume collections. So you have the equivalent of a private museum. If you collected trams and trains you would have to buy a huge shed …. And that would be okay, too. If you collected Colin McCahon paintings you would need to move to Takapuna or Parnell….I have met many, many art collectors in my time as a curator and I see you as being a variation on that theme in so much that perfume helps define a place and space in which you live. You don’t need to insure anything…what a load of nonsense. Enjoy your Misia. And if it all gets too much…the ease of buying etc…move to Haast.xxx

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      • Kanuka says:
        23 September 2016 at 3:52 pm

        I’m talking about people who collect from the heart, not investment.

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      • waterdragon says:
        23 September 2016 at 4:07 pm

        Haast! I could, I really could! Happily, and in a heartbeat. No people, snow and feathers everywhere, Isabella at the window niddering at prey she would never be allowed to hunt, and Dakkie just AMAZED and full of wonderment at everything.

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      • cazaubon says:
        23 September 2016 at 6:35 pm

        Totally agree. I sometimes feel oppressed by all the stuff I own, but as Kanuka says, it is more a private museum, just to enjoy at will. A no- buy for a while should clear your mind a bring the joy back, plus now you know the thrill of the hunt is a necessary part of your enjoyment.

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  44. clarissa says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:17 pm

    Bvlgari Black – the fragrance that started it all for me. I blind bought it at TJ Maxx long long long time ago for something really low – I liked the bottle and always enjoyed looking at Bvlgari jewelry (still enjoy looking at it 🙂 ). Well, I tried it, and run back to TJ Maxx the next day to get more of it. It was just such a different scent compared to all the department store crap that I was exposed to before. So it always holds a special place in my heart and my perfume cabinet.

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    • BobH says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:28 pm

      It was the one that started it for me as well, hence my huff for it being discontinued…

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:35 pm

      You smell great. I’m with you re. looking at Bvlgari jewelry!

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  45. JadainGA says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Happy Friday!!

    Wearing Madame Menardo’s Moment de Bonheur (Moment of Happiness) by Yves Rocher.

    Smells EXACTLY like Chloe to me. Exactly. And it’s way cheaper than Chloe…I LOVE IT!!! 🙂

    Have a great weekend!!

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    • Laila says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:09 pm

      I agree! Enjoy – your fragrance and the weekend.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:37 pm

      I think affordable alternatives are like a kind of revenge on consumerism. ????Enjoy!

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  46. She-ra says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:35 pm

    I’m wearing Coromandel w/ a 2011 batch code today b/c fall has arrived…

    It has quite a bit of oomph. When I started hatching my plot to stockpile EDTs after the word hit the street about the Exclusifs going to EDPs, I sought out early batch codes to try to get the most bang for the buck.

    I notice eBay seems to be getting flooding w/ a lot of unboxed EDT Exclusifs now so I guess Chanel does have a gray market they contribute to afterall…these aren’t fakes (they have etched batch codes, etc.) and people in the field have reported that stores were sending EDT stock back. So I guess once it goes back to Chanel it somehow gets routed to the eBay sellers…which they seem to prefer vs. going the Marshalls route. 😉

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    • floragal says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Good intel on Chanel!

      I’m ready for fall myself even though I love, love summer.

      Coromandel is so good!

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    • kpaint says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:06 pm

      I would be quite happy if the EDTs became less desirable once the EDPs hit the shelves if the result is dropping prices on ebay.

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    • mayfly says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:24 pm

      I’ve just received my sealed/wrapped Misia, which I got on eBay for £75, wish I could have got Coromandel as well, maybe another one will come along then..hopefully not until November, as I’ve definitely spent my perfume budget for a couple of months!

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      • plyushka says:
        23 September 2016 at 7:19 pm

        Awesome Deal!!!! Congrats on getting Misia so cheap! I just checked US ebay for Chanel 28 La Pausa and it is sold at the higher prices there:(

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    • Elizabeth says:
      23 September 2016 at 4:21 pm

      maybe the Chanel boutiques sent back the inventory of EDTs, but the Neiman Marcus I got mine from was selling all their bottles of EDTs they had left even though they got the EDPs in…so…I guess to each his/her own?

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      • She-ra says:
        23 September 2016 at 5:07 pm

        Some people said that the boutiques shipped the EDTs back but I imagine other non-Chanel stores would just sell them out.

        Have you tried the EDPs yet? I am very curious about them.

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        • hajusuuri says:
          23 September 2016 at 8:43 pm

          They smell the same to me.

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  47. thegoddessrena says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:35 pm

    Oops. Forgot about the project and am wearing Black Angel from Mark Buxton, a light spicy scent

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  48. hajusuuri says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:50 pm

    SOTD = Bvlgari Black

    Foirth day this week wearing Black. I think it’s vegan because I smell rubber, pleather, tea and vanilla. 7 sprays (from a decant atomizer – saves room rather than displaying the hockey puck).

    Does anyone know if there’s shower gel of Black.

    I never made it to the Arabian Oud boutique last night. I will stop by today but will need to check to see it it is open. Friday is not a businezs day in Saudi Arabia.

    Looking forward to Splitmeet!

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    • Elisa P says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:54 pm

      I’d think they’d be open today?Business is business, especially in Time Square. It’s weird that I haven’t found an official business listing with a phone #/address online yet.

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      • hajusuuri says:
        23 September 2016 at 8:47 pm

        I went there today and told Hassan about how the store could not be found on the internet without a lot trouble. I also forwardrd him the Sniffapalooza email told him he must contact the Karens right away.

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        • Elisa P says:
          23 September 2016 at 9:05 pm

          Oh, yay! What did you try? Stinky oud oils?

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          • hajusuuri says:
            23 September 2016 at 10:38 pm

            Just smelled randomly on paper. I stayed far away from Ghroob. I had a bottle of this in the oil form and I gave it away to a thrift shop.

    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:55 pm

      You smell fab-u-lous!

      That’s interesting about the Arabian Oud store! Either they’re following the work week for predominantly-Muslim countries, or the boutique just isn’t officially open yet…

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      • hajusuuri says:
        23 September 2016 at 8:50 pm

        They’re actually open today! I guess when you’re selling in the weatern world, you have to go with the flow. Chick Fil A (which my brother always call Chick A Fil) is closed on Sundays.

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    • Bear says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:39 pm

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bvlgari-Black-Shampoo-Shower-Gel-1-33-oz-40-ml-X-2-/191443228225?hash=item2c92e7d641:g:eY4AAOxyIPNTdtos

      No affiliation etc.
      You’re welcome.
      Turquoise blue enabler pin, please ? LOL
      😉

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      • hajusuuri says:
        23 September 2016 at 10:35 pm

        I’ll give you 2 enabler pins. Thanks!

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  49. johanob says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Bvlgari Black of course!I think Earth smells like Black today,thanks NST!More Vanilla than rubber on me,but I am a vanilla kinda guy so….????????????????

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 2:41 pm

      I get an initial blast of rubber, but then it subsides to mostly vanilla and leather. On me, Black and L’Artisan Dzing! end up smelling quite similar, so I guess I can eventually make do with Dzing! if I can’t get a back-up supply of Black.

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      • johanob says:
        23 September 2016 at 3:44 pm

        The MOST fascinating thing for me these days about perfume,is the whole “shift in retail” phenomena.South Africa got Chanel L’Eau before the US,Bvlgari Black is sold EVERYWHERE here still,but I cannot get my hands on even 1 more ml of Dzing! !!Black is my Dzing!! Back-up in other words.Lol.OR:Time for an international swap…X

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        • Creosote says:
          23 September 2016 at 6:46 pm

          It is interesting how that happens. Sometimes it kinda makes sense, given a brand’s country of origin; sometimes it’s a complete mystery.

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      • hajusuuri says:
        23 September 2016 at 8:52 pm

        Fragrancenet has it for cheap.

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        • johanob says:
          24 September 2016 at 4:24 am

          Thank you!!Two enabler pins for you!!????????????

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  50. foxbins says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:57 pm

    I only own one Menardo in FB form, so I’m wearing Lolita Lempicka this morning. I found out about it from Perfumes: The Guide and it is one of my favorite, most successful blind buys. LL taught me that I love licorice and anise notes. It’s a little too sweet to my nose now, but still puts a smile on my face on the days I wear it.

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    • johanob says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:58 pm

      And I love catching a whiff of it on someone else,walking by,in an elevator…You smell fabulous.X

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    • foxbins says:
      23 September 2016 at 12:59 pm

      Oh, and I’m offering Hiram Green Dilettante and Voyage at the Splitmeet tomorrow.

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      • jjlook says:
        23 September 2016 at 2:10 pm

        Hooray/uh-oh/Hooray

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        • Oakland Fresca says:
          23 September 2016 at 5:13 pm

          ha!

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      • Mariann says:
        23 September 2016 at 2:42 pm

        US only?

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        • foxbins says:
          23 September 2016 at 3:18 pm

          I’m going to give worldwide a shot this time. Where are you, Mariann?

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      • Laurels says:
        24 September 2016 at 1:18 am

        Oh, dear.

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    • Elisa P says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:42 pm

      I remember trying it at Sephora for the first time, lined up with the Anna Suis, Nanette Lapore, and Vivienne Westwoods. I liked it but never bought it until more recently.
      I miss the days of seeing fun, whimsical bottles on those shelves. The displays are so ho-hum to me now.

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      • kpaint says:
        23 September 2016 at 2:08 pm

        I’m not a girly-girl in the least but I do love the LL and Anna Sui bottles.

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      • Laurels says:
        24 September 2016 at 1:23 am

        I see the appeal of elegance and simplicity in bottle design (won’t scare the men away, for one thing), but I too wish for a bit more whimsy and distinctiveness.

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  51. Creosote says:
    23 September 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Yay, I’m twins with Robin…and anyone else on Team Bvlgari Black today (because I’m guessing there are at least a few of us today)! You all smell fantastic!

    Have a good Friday, everybody!

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    • johanob says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:00 pm

      Just a thought,but does anyone else feel stupid writing BULgari,instead of BVlgari?Lol!I also start with an “U”,then correct myself.

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      • Creosote says:
        23 September 2016 at 1:37 pm

        No, actually, I’d be happy to write it with a U just out of sheer laziness, but then it would end up bugging me because I’d know it was ‘wrong’.

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        • Oakland Fresca says:
          23 September 2016 at 5:12 pm

          Random comment 465: I prefer writing it with a u. The v bugs me. bvlgari 🙁 bugvari. bvgvari? ughvari? vv? I’ll stick to u.

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          • Creosote says:
            23 September 2016 at 6:50 pm

            ???? I’m sure the company doesn’t really care, as long as we’re buying the stuff!

      • Robin says:
        23 September 2016 at 5:27 pm

        No matter which way I spell it, seems like Google offers up the other spelling. The V is sort of ridiculously pretentious, but I used it when I started the blog so now I feel like I should be consistent.

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        • johanob says:
          24 September 2016 at 4:26 am

          Oh,the peer pressure from Google and NST!Haha!!X

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    • JadainGA says:
      23 September 2016 at 3:54 pm

      I can’t take it anymore….I just bid on a bottle of Bvlgari Black on ebay! HA HA I must know what this magical potion smells like!

      Hopefully I’ll win….

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      • Creosote says:
        23 September 2016 at 6:56 pm

        ???? I just imagined you, potentially at work, shaking your fists in the air and exclaiming, “I can’t take it anymore! I have to have some!” Good luck on your bid! (You can get it at the discount era for a good price if that doesn’t work out.)

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  52. jjlook says:
    23 September 2016 at 1:00 pm

    I almost wore Black (and might still do tomorrow) but Annick Menardo day is for my first favourite, Patchouli 24…I have a slightly older (2011?) bottle I got off of ebay and it is a smoky and lasting wonder.

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  53. Kyril says:
    23 September 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Team Bvlgari Black for me today, too. It’s very. . ., um, different, isn’t it?
    I don’t think I like it, but I keep sniffing at it.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Ha ha! I’m willing to bet you’re going to decide you like it. You keep sniffing it and don’t definitively *dislike* it: that’s like classic Mitsouko-Smelled-Weird-At-First-But-Then-I-Loved-It Syndrome.

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 1:17 am

      Me, too. I get rubber tire, with a hint of vanilla. I don’t exactly want to wear it, but I do like to take a sniff now and then.

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  54. kpaint says:
    23 September 2016 at 2:12 pm

    I was craving a plush, warm rose and happened to have a sample of Caron Parfum Sacré (sent to me by a kindly NSTer) which is hitting exactly the spot. (Am away from home with no Mendardos.)

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  55. Gaynor says:
    23 September 2016 at 3:34 pm

    Nothing yet for me this morning, but still detecting the last of Lyric from last night as I linger over breakfast on Saturday morning. This will be an indulgent day, hair appointment this morning, followed by some intensive sniffing. Our one local perfumery has just started carrying some Histoires de Parfums and Carner Barcelona 🙂

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    • kpaint says:
      23 September 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Enjoy your day! Sounds relaxing 🙂

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  56. mayfly says:
    23 September 2016 at 3:44 pm

    Carrying on with AnnS’s Rose week. My bargain (relatively speaking) bottle of Misia arrived from eBay yesterday morning, and I was already wearing POAL, so couldn’t wait to spritz this morning! I’ts been quite warm today, and I’m so looking forward to wearing this on a cold crisp autumn day. So feminine and pretty.

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    • SophieC says:
      23 September 2016 at 4:32 pm

      Ooh fun and I am sure you will really love having it.

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      • mayfly says:
        24 September 2016 at 5:27 am

        Thanks, it was a real bargain (£75), so I couldn’t resist!
        The sellers communication was rubbish, and it was a week late, so I was a bit worried, but it was worth the wait.

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  57. Jalapeno says:
    23 September 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Last in the week of Lancome is today’s SOTD, Annick Mernado’s Hypnose. My bottle has aged to a gorgeous shade of amethyst, from its original blue. It smells sweeter than I remember it, but otherwise the same.

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 1:14 am

      I always forget to try Hypnose when I’m at Nordstrom. Putting it on my list right now.

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  58. SophieC says:
    23 September 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Salvatore Feeragamo Attima Florale today, really pretty and often complimented. A lovely pep up on a tired Friday.

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  59. Amateur Dilettante says:
    23 September 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Team Bvlgari Black also. But it wore off quickly and I needed to refresh with something.
    I only have a sample of Jo Malone Orange Blossom here at work, which I’m not sure I can say I’m enjoying so much right now – it’s making me wish I had SL Fleur d’Oranger. Needs some cumin.
    After wearing Black three times this week maybe my nose is tired of it. I just hope the combo of the two isnt a hot mess to other people…Rubber and soap, anyone?
    Also, Happy Spring to those in the Southern Hemisphere! I neglected to check my northern hemisphere bias at the door yesterday, and only wished happy Fall.
    A question – How do I find out more about splitmeets? I’ve never participated before, and I Don’t really have any “perfume street cred” since I’ve only been posting for a couple of weeks.

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    • Robin says:
      23 September 2016 at 5:28 pm

      Kpaint answered you below and I cannot do better…

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    • Kanuka says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:33 pm

      Happy autumn to you from down south! I don’t think anyone cares about perfume street cred…it’s more like mucking in together.

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 1:12 am

      I love your name.

      For the Splitmeet, if you’re going in on someone else’s split, you just put in your share first. (Usually PayPal or Amazon gift card.) Most perfume people are pretty friendly, anyway. I thought it would be an uphill battle to find someone willing to swap with me the first time, but it wasn’t.

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  60. kpaint says:
    23 September 2016 at 5:11 pm

    Here are some resources:

    https://freebox.it.com/2007/03/29/perfumista-tip-how-to-decant-perfume/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

    https://freebox.it.com/2008/07/14/perfumista-tip-how-to-do-a-bottle-split/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

    and the last splitmeet and follow-up:

    https://freebox.it.com/2016/02/20/the-splitmeet-episode-5/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

    https://freebox.it.com/2016/07/09/the-swapmeet-splitmeet-freebiemeet-overdue-follow-up/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

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    • Amateur Dilettante says:
      23 September 2016 at 11:47 pm

      kpaint: Thank you for collecting all those links!

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  61. Kanuka says:
    23 September 2016 at 5:26 pm

    I’m wearing Signal Hill Walk. It smells of swampy furniture polish so in that respect is is very niche. i think that I should have started my perfume making exploration with trying to achieve something a bit brighter , rather than attempting to replicate a scented landsape. I have bitten off more than I can chew with trying to capture the scent of my walk. BUt this experiment does capture a sense of ‘stillness’ that I like. Can only smell it with my arm held to my nose.

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    • Creosote says:
      23 September 2016 at 7:10 pm

      Ha, “swampy furniture polish” is totally niche!

      Maybe it needs to macerate longer? I wonder if it would help to approach it like Lush’s The Smell of Freedom, which Simon Constantine composed out of three separate perfumes…

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      • Kanuka says:
        23 September 2016 at 7:23 pm

        Dilute with 1000ml of Bandit!

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  62. tiffanie says:
    23 September 2016 at 5:42 pm

    SotD = Lolita Lempicka EdT, a repeat from yesterday and the only scent by Annick Menardo I could find at home. LL is such a pretty surprise, most certainly a keeper.

    Happy Friday, NST!

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  63. stinker_kit says:
    23 September 2016 at 5:43 pm

    Team Bvlgari Black here for the last two days! How I love this fragrance. Some days the best tea fragrance ever, a great incense fragrance, fabulous rubber fragrance and other wearings it is an out and out amber bomb. I never tire of it, no pun intended……

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    • hajusuuri says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:30 pm

      Go team Black!

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 1:04 am

      To me, it always smells like bike tires. I’m thinking of getting a bottle for my nephew, as biking is his only lasting enthusiasm thus far.

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  64. sweetgrass says:
    23 September 2016 at 6:28 pm

    Late to the party, but I’m wearing Bulgari Black today. Also, now that I know there is a splitmeet tomorrow, I might have to check it out and see if there is anything interesting. A little birthday present for myself.

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    • Petunia says:
      23 September 2016 at 8:03 pm

      Happy birthday sweetgrass!

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    • Kanuka says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:35 pm

      Have a brilliant birthday week, month, year!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      23 September 2016 at 10:30 pm

      Happy Birthday, sweetgrass!

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    • Laurels says:
      24 September 2016 at 12:49 am

      Happy birthday! I hope you find something nice tomorrow.

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    • johanob says:
      24 September 2016 at 4:29 am

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY!Hope it’s a wonderfully fragrant year!!X

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    • mayfly says:
      24 September 2016 at 5:24 am

      Happy birthday for yesterday sweetgrass, Hope u find your self a wonderful perfume present!

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  65. plyushka says:
    23 September 2016 at 7:13 pm

    I don’t have any scents by Menardo in my tiny collection, so I am not participating in Friday project. SOTD- Chanel 28 La Pausa edt. I am regretting not getting the biggest bottle, as I purchased 2.5 oz bottle in late August and already used about 15 ml.

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    • Petunia says:
      23 September 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Such a pretty scent with a scent life of a fruit fly. ????

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    • hajusuuri says:
      23 September 2016 at 9:46 pm

      I use 8 sprays per wearing and that amount lasts all day on me. I am still working on the smaller bottle but have the ginormous bottle as a back-up.

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      • tiffanie says:
        24 September 2016 at 1:07 am

        Ginormous bottle, hee-hee, two words that definitely go together on NST. 🙂

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    • johanob says:
      24 September 2016 at 4:31 am

      My skin is like glue to perfumes of the ethereal kind,28 La Pausa:4 sprays and I am good for a 12-hour shift!X

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  66. Laurels says:
    24 September 2016 at 1:02 am

    Wearing Lolita Lempicka Le Premier Parfum, from a really lovely mini bottle, and trying to convince myself I love it just as much as L’Heure Bleue. (I mean, the bottle! And the price!) Sadly, the heart wants what it wants. Maybe next year.

    Speaking of what the heart wants, I am envious of all the new little images. (Especially Hajusuuri’s.) Gravatar tells me that my username is taken, but when I try to recover my password, it tells me there’s no account with my username. Since I’d like to keep my name (which is my name), I guess I’m now a sunny yellow. Perhaps it will improve my disposition. In fact, it may already be working. Just last week, I had a nightmare about nuclear annihilation (so far, nothing new), but in this nightmare, I survived! It’s my version of sunny optimism.

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    • mayfly says:
      24 September 2016 at 5:21 am

      Hooray for survival!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      24 September 2016 at 8:31 am

      Ohhhhh, thanks Laurels! Your gravatar looks light blue to me.

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      • Laurels says:
        24 September 2016 at 3:33 pm

        It used to look light blue to me, too. Maybe it’s an OS thing?

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        • hajusuuri says:
          25 September 2016 at 10:03 am

          Now it’s yellow

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