Hey, it's another Monday. Plus, Universal Children's Day. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Bee's Bliss by Sonoma Scent Studio.
Reminder: 11/24 will be Hide My Credit Card Friday...in honor of Black Friday / Buy Nothing Day, wear a fragrance (presumably from a sample) that you're itching to buy but don't own yet. Suggested by Lovestosmellgood.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2017, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Apis mellifera, dark body, back, beltsville, md_2017-05-26-15.01 [background extended] by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab at flickr; public domain.
Robin, how do you like Bee’s Bliss?
I don’t have any samples or decants of any of the fragrances I am tempted to buy full bottles of so I can’t participate in this week’s CP. Looking over the list for next week’s CP I also don’t have any perfumes by the three female perfumers.
So for the next few weeks I might just enjoy my Dame blending- Mimosa, Narcissus and Osmanthus…I am smelling very floral today!
Since I suggested the community project and you have bottles from me, clearly you are linked somehow into this weeks theme. Its a stretch but you get point in my book
🙂
thanks , ltsg!
It is great — smells just like what she promised, a summer garden.
I know Laurie never disappoints….eventually I will get a sample but am holding off a bit on any purchases. thanks for letting me know 🙂
That sounds lovely.
Everyday should be children’s day!
Hide my credit card:
Sampling Mon Guerlain on one wrist and Mon Exclusif on the other. I thought they were the same, but there is something and I don’t know what. Lemming Mon Exclusif so hide my credit card!
I would like everyone to rejoice with me that I am on vacation! My father in law arrived this morning, hot chai tea in hand and scooped up the kids! I am off to do errands but first..I will enjoy my tea and silence.
vacations nd hot chai sounds lovely! Considered you are envied!
Good stuff, enjoy!
Yay for vacations and quality time spent alone!!!! I rejoice with you!
Enjoy your break!
Did you see the snow this morning? Happened about 7am
No! Yikes!
Enjoy!
Thanks all!
Hope u have a wonderful holiday, and enjoy some grown up time!
thanks..tomorrow I will have more freedom
Yay for homemade chai and a bit of freedom! Enjoy!
Before I read your post this boring I put on Chanel Cuir de Russie, one of my first and most beloved scents. I serious contemplate buying the higher concentration about twice a year. I am a school teacher and we do parent conferences twice a year. For someone like me it is torture. I reward myself with a trip to SF and a bottle of perfume if I make t through without calamity. If the Chanel store there was more friendly they would have had my credit card long ago! Hide the card or just shop were you are not wanted.
I’m with you on not purchasing when you don’t feel wanted. I don’t have a lot of stores here to choose from, but if I am not feeling welcomed, I can’t bring myself to spend my money on a perfume. It ruins the whole experience.
Or improves the experience, depending on intent. I like the idea of reframing it as an opportunity to not have to hide the credit card. 🙂
ha ha
Me, too. I was about to drop €50 in a tea shop this afternoon — not a ton of money, but hardly pennies — and, after waiting a good ten minutes while the sole clerk helped another customer but did not acknowledge me (I don’t mind waiting if you make some gesture to let me know you know I’m there), and then watching her anxiously look at some newcomers as if they were going to shoplift, I left. I have purchased at this shop twice before, but with different clerks — so I know it isn’t a shop-wide problem, but what a disappointment. And re:Chanel, the boutiques here in Rome have a terrible reputation for service, but I received lovely service at the one in Florence a few years ago when purchasing my beloved, now used up, FB of 28 La Pausa.
I know it’s a balancing act on staffing, but I have never understood stores that make customers wait very long once they have their wallet open. 90% of the time, my purchase is impulsive. If I have to wait, the more I second guess the purchase, and the odds increase that I will just walk away. Once the wallet is open, stores should be all over it.
Ditto, and likewise, I often purchase more when I found the store extremely helpful and friendly.
what concentration do you currently use?
I love your reward trip! Seems like you should reward yourself even more if there is a calamity 🙂
Is there only 1 Chanel store in SF? I wonder if there is anywhere else you could go, or how far you would have to travel to find a better boutique. Or maybe if you ever travel you could tie in a Chanel visit there.
Good luck with conferences! I don’t enjoy them as a parent, but I do appreciate all the work Teachers do day in and day out, so thank you!!!
Only one store in SF, good heavens you would need a lot of deposable income to support 2!
Calamities conferences are usually me not being willing to give into a parent demand, so I can’t reward that as it is not good for my job….although the longer I teach I may get to the point where I do, as some things seem inevitable.
I’m not a Chanel expert but Neiman Marcus looks like it has all the Chanel fragrances.
I would think that Nordstrom would as well.
I’m a HUGE fan of Chanel (and a HUGE fan of great teachers who value communication with parents– thank you for all that you do!!!). I haven’t tried the edp but I love and adore the EDT.
Have you tried the edp? I ask because I have the edt of Sycomore, and I thought that I would love the edp, and I did not. The edt was the better way to go.
I have a contact for a really, really great rep at Saks who I know would be happy to send you a bottle with free shipping, if you decide to go with the edp. He’s SUPER amazing and will make you feel like a million bucks when you call. Because of the attitude of high end stores, I hadn’t ever shop in person these days. I don’t like the way the agents make me feel. I deserve to feel like I’m splurging on myself (and worth it) when I make a big purchase.
That would be great! I thought I️ could only get it at a Chanel,store
Shelly at g mail dot com, please send me an email
Shelly, in the DC area, I found the standalone Chanel boutique to be quite indifferent to perfume customers. They apparently cater to those who have tens of thousands to spend on clothing and accessories. However, Saks Fifth Avenue at Friendship Heights has a special perfume space within the Chanel cosmetics and perfume section, like the one shown in this article:
https://imabeautygeek.com/2009/11/25/local-news-chanels-luxurious-scent-boutique-at-holt-renfrew-on-bloor/
It would be worth looking around to see if there is now one of these at a luxury department store in San Francisco. Or, as SFguy advises, check with Neiman Marcus to see if they carry the concentration you are seeking.
I tried the Eau de Parfum version that has replaced the EdT in the Exclusifs line and like it very much.
Good luck with the parent conferences! That must be excruciating. When I had to do employee counseling, I tried to let the employee talk first, which often gave me “hooks” to hang my points on, that is, ways to express and relate the points I needed to make to the way they perceived the situation.
Good advice on both counts
Shellyw, Neiman Marcus in SF has all of Chanel Exlusiffs, all concentration. They are much nicer, give you samples and try to be as helpful as possible. I usually buy from them (the would ship for free too if you do not want to mane a trip) or Nordstrom in Seattle.
I second SF NM recommendation.
If a salesperson is unfriendly or rude, I will ask for the manager and complain. If anyone disses my mom (other customers, SAs, ANYONE ANYWHERE), I will call you out LOUDLY on the spot, with or without your manager. I’ve done this twice – once at Trader Joe’s and another time at Target.
Good for you! Why would anyone stoop so low? Watch out for the Woman of Character!
Neiman Marcus in San Francisco carries the Chanel Exclusives. I had a very good experience there when some friends and I were buying up some of the older EdTs before they got sent back to Chanel.
But also if you know what you want, you can order from the Chanel web site.
Hey Shelly! I tried emailing you but it bounced back. Is it really shelly (with no w) at gmail? My email is in my username, if you click it. Feel free to email me for my contact that works at a Chanel counter at Saks!
SOTD is Gucci EDP, and at the moment I can’t think of any perfumes I’ve been itching to buy, so “buy nothing day” will be a walk in the park for me. I did just order two SSS samples, though, so my situation might change shortly. 😀
I am itching to buy but too cheap to spend 😉
🙂 I hear benadryl is good for calming down itchiness.
OMG this almost slipped by me, too funny!!
I LOL’ed at that benadryl comment!
Excellent — and it’s in my budget, too 😉
My SotD is Romanza
I already have a FB of it, so not with the theme today.
I did not think anybody would do this theme all week, but of course I may be wrong!
Byredo Rose Noir. No, I do not want a FB of it, but I might purchase 6 or 7 ml decant. There is something charming and likable in this fruity rose.
Crisp, clear day here so wearing Chanel No 5. Dusting off the white floral perfume bottles. I just crave them when we get our first cold snap.
Diptyque Ombre dans l’Eau, from a sample, my first time ever trying it. I already own two Diptyque roses so I don’t need another one but this is really nice and unlike anything I own — the rose is definitely there, but takes a back seat to the leaf-green components. It’s like walking in a garden with a rose in your lapel rather than carrying a whole bouquet.
Speaking of roses, you’d think I’d know better but I was waiting in a supermarket the other day near the floral boutique so I took a deep lungful of two different rose bouquets and not a single molecule of rose scent between them. They’re being bred for colour and longevity, I guess, and the perfume is an afterthought if that. At least the carnations still had a bit of scent to them.
Carnations get sneered at but they smell nice!
Carnations are my absolute favourite flower, both the scent and the look — all those fierce serrated petals gathered up like a warning or a show of force, radiating that spiky perfume. Somehow they got demoted to corsage-and-Mother’s-Day status, but they deserve better.
Every year I buy a bouquet of carnations for my mother’s birthday. It’s her favorite flower. I don’t really understand why they are considered second-rate for bouquets either.
pyramus, you might enjoy this review of SL Vitriol d’oeillet and Denyse’s reflections on the scent and symbolism of carnations. I miss the days when she posted regularly!
Carnation petals have a delectably creamy look that always tempts me to bit into them (but a bitter taste).
I love love carnations.
But have truly never found The Perfect Fresh Carnation scent. (Yes, I’ve tried a lot of them. Malmaison was really good, but not it, and it’s discontinued anyway. DSH Oeillets Rouges is also close, but not fresh-green enough.)
Two of my favourites are Coup de Fouet by Caron, dewy-fresh with a little bite, and Carnation by Comme des Garçons, the spiciness amped up very high and bolstered with rose. I doubt either of these will be your Perfect Fresh Carnation either but they’re both worth trying, I think.
Have you tried DSH Fleuriste? It is now available as regular perfume (I remember you used to love the Fleuriste oil). It seems just up your alley: a green carnation! I adore it, and right now DSH is having a 20 percent off sale.
I just discovered L’Ombre Dans L’Eau and since I don’t have any full bottles of Diptyques, it is going on my list. I love it. The green leaf aspect of it enhances the rose, and it lasts forever on my skin.
I love L’Ombre Dans L’Eau and it’s on my list too. I love the green and rose.
testing DSH Dark Moon
Old Herbaceous recommended the DSH Holiday Sample pack on BDJ, so I treated myself to a pack rather than getting a beauty Advent calendar.
really enjoying Dark Moon so heedy and unique
I’ve tried 5 or so DSH scents, they are new to me – but seem to share some kind of DNA, sort of an oil rich scent, like a musky coco butter, for lack of better descriptors – does anyone else find this too?
And yes, sure I want a bottle, lets see…the 30ml spray is $80
So, I do want this, but the eternal question is, “Do I want this more than I want all the other perfumes”
Coin-op,
Yes, I do find this – the shared DNA – something in the base? And musky cocoa butter is a good description. I used to live just a few miles from her little storefront (The Essence Studio). It was lots of fun to go in and sniff and Dawn is a really lovely person but in the end, I didn’t buy many as that base didn’t always agree with me. Still, very high quality and good to explore. I do have a few favorites (Gingembre, Un Robe de Zibeline, Ma Folie de Noel) – perhaps my problem is that I always chose her orientals.
Oh interesting, thanks springpansy! Yes, I ordered all richer fragrances, the holiday sample back and Mink Stole and Souvenir de Malmaison – would be interesting to try a soliflor or lighter fragrance, maybe in the spring…so far away 🙁
That reminds me that she had a Madonna Lily fragrance that I absolutely loved for spring and summer. No base issues at all. I’d buy a vat of it in a heartbeat, but she can’t make it anymore. So maybe it IS the oriental category with the base that bothers me at times.
because of sourcing issues?
Springpansy, I have some DSH Madonna Lily. Send me an email at gee male (my user name @).
Not sure why – I asked her if she could make me some and she said she couldn’t make it any more.
Hi therabbitsflower – I emailed you! Thanks for reaching out.
They also would be running 20% off starting in 11/24. Full moon is amazing
I agree, there seems to be a common base to many of Dawn’s things — I would have said “sweet vanilla musk,” but “musky cocoa butter” is probably a better descriptor because it speaks to the creamy quality.
Good morning from the rainy Pacific NW! I’m in POTL Luctor et Emergo which always smells like the holidays to me. I think when I first tried it, it was the Christmas season and I can’t shake that association. Anyway, I’m enjoying it.
It’s just a sample, so yes, please hide that credit card. Speaking of which, I thought I had lost my cc after buying coffee for me and sons this weekend. Finally found it and so relieved!
It smells like the holidays to me, too: I think it’s that cherry-almond element which makes me think of fruitcake with marzipan on top.
Yes! Nice memories!
You smell great!
In Velvet Rose and Oud. Happy to Buy Nothing on the day BUT I am very much hoping there will be a list of Cyber Monday perfume specials.
We will do our best!
I’m in Insolence EDP today so I’m surrounded by a cloud of delicious violets, orange blossom and iris. No complaints so far but I’m probably wearing too much for the office- forgot what a massive sillage this produces!
I love that one too! You smell de-lish
Have you compared it to the EDT please?
I just bought a 2006 bottle of EDT and am quite enjoying it. People say the EDP is less screechy 😉 but I’ve only tried the EDT.
I haven’t tried the edt but the EDP is generally considered superior.
I’m wearing The Architect’s Club. It smells great but not as expensive as it is, IMO!
interesting! that could be a weekly theme, or the opposite
I’m in Stephane Humbert Lucas’ Oumma today for no particular reason except that is what I grabbed. I haven’t bought a new fragrance for quite a while but may treat myself for Christmas.
How do you like Oumma? This is his earlier work and I have not tried it yet.
Good morning everyone. Thank you for all your beautiful birthday wishes during the weekend. I loved and appreciate all of them. I had a nice and enjoyable time on Saturday and a peaceful and restful Sunday.
CM8, I wish I could have seen you performing at MET and State Theater. I am sure you did great. I remembered you yesterday when one of my neighbor’s son gave me a small bar of chocolate marzipan. I ate it with delight with you in mind 🙂
I do not have any crazy lemmings right now to hide my credit cards. The only one which is Corsica Furiosa, will be my Christmas present from my husband, so that is covered. There are some that I would like to buy, but no rush for any of them right now.
SOTD Prada Purple Rain from my sample and one that is in my fb shopping list.
Oh, I missed this – a belated but very Happy Birthday wish for you!
Thank you springpansy! 🙂
Happy belated Birthday pl67! Sounds like you had a lovely birthday! I hope your year is full of love, good health and great perfume!
Thank you Coin-Op! 🙂
So glad that you had an enjoyable time and also that you got to eat a chocolate covered marzipan…the best candy around, IMHO 🙂 And, boy, how did your husband know what to gift you or did you steer him in the right direction? that is a lovely Christmas gift!
Ok just re-read “MY present from my husband” LOL!
This past weekend we were talking about Christmas presents for the family and I told him I was dying for a perfume. He did not agree at all since I have so many. “Ok, I will get as a the christmas present to myself”, I said. No comments. This morning, before going to work he told me: “the perfume is yours for the holidays, but this will be the last one”. (that part I really doubt!)
I am sure he thought it was going to be an extra expense in the credit card. I WON! 😉 Money saved! 😀 😀 😀
ha! good one 🙂
Oh, I hate I missed your birthday! I am so glad it was great!
Thank you!
I’m wearing Oriental Express, from a sample. I very much would like a full bottle of this. I’m fairly certain Mugler will be doing a black Friday sale, but unless it’s a spectacular sale, would still be out of reach for me. My work is doing a secret Santa, and I drew the name of an elderly gentleman. The gift has to be 10 dollars. We hardly work together, and rarely say anything more than hello. Any ideas what to give?
gloves? scarf? throw blanket? socks?
Maybe check amazon. I have a $25 gift exchange coming up, and I bought 3 approx. $8 gifts from amazon, I’m calling it “my favorite things” = things I purchased in this year, an iphone stand, a circular pop up phone handle for the back of iphones, and a “tic spoon” that you can attach to your keychain.
And, sometimes Walgreens has a good & cheap gift section.
Yeah, that’s a touggy when you don’t know someone. My fallback for that kind of scenario is consumables like some nice tea or chocolates-maybe a Godiva sampler?
Chocolate? Tea?
OOps I see that Elisa and I were thinking the same thoughts 🙂
We must be hungry ????
I am always hungry 😉
Although I have a smartphone and keep my appointments on it, I really like having a calendar stuck on the wall. I find they make good gifts for people who haven’t entirely transitioned to electronics.
That’s a great idea! Also, a nice pen might work.
Secret Santa can be tough, especially if you don’t know the person very well. I read an article in Real Simple magazine many years ago that talked about giving gifts that “go away” i.e. : food, wine, tea, etc. We do a secret Santa at my work too and last year I gave some of Trader Joe’s seasonal scented body butters. Granted, my receiver was a woman, but they also have lots of nice chocolate or food items. Good luck! Remember, it’s the thought that counts.????
I moved many years ago to giving “consumable” gifts to family. We’ve all reached the age where we are downsizing. I especially did that with my parents.
A coffee soap bar from recent Daily Lemming – but get it from Amazon: it’s $9 including shipping. He might not be a tea or coffee drinker, but he definitely washes hands (well, we all hope 🙂 ). And the bar looks unusual.
I agree with some of the other posters who have suggested coffee or tea. Or maybe a gift card to a place that makes coffee drinks?
If all else fails, gift cards are always a good bet.
Thanks for all the great idea’s! I have a few weeks, so I’m going to see if I can find out more about him, from co-workers that have been there awhile.
Think I caught a little cold yesterday. I feel a bit dizzy and as if I wore stoppers in my ears for a whole day.
I have episodes of sneezing too but i can smell by Grandiflora Boronia without any problem.
Ps. Before I finished writing this comment I knocked off a mug of tea from a table :-/
I hope it passes soon! Sorry about your wasted tea and the cleanup. I was out for tea with a friend on Saturday and I was drinking while listening and I missed my mouth! Lol. A mess.
LOL at “and I missed my mouth”!
Oh lord! haha
Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks
Did you break your mug? Was any tea salvageable?
No mug was harmed in the incident. Thankfully, as that was my favorite one. But all tea spilled on the table and floor…
Feel better soon! I hope the incident won’t prevent you from getting a lot of fluids.
Not a chance, nothing can stand between me and my tea
Hope you feel better soon. How is your perfume? Does it smell of boronia? It is on my blind buy list but only if it smells of boronia
It is certainly inspired by boronia plant/flowers from Australia. It does have boronia in it, yes
Oh dear! Feel better soon!
Hope I will
Oh oh, hope you feel better!
thank you
Oh no! It sounds like you had one of the worst Mondays ever. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Good morning Y’all!
Been busy as a moth in a mitten the past few days! My MIL had surgery, so my hubs and brother (and spouses) have been taking turns staying with her and my FIL, cooking and running errands and such. Plus, they’re moving next week! It is back breaking work to move, can I get an AMEN? 🙂
But there is an upside to my tale….I brought home a really lovely glass shelving display from their house, and my perfumes look really “purty” on it!
Wearing ELdO Remarkable People, and considering a 30ml bottle while they are offering 20% off and free shipping….Seems like the right thing to do, right? 🙂
Right!
Amen!
That 20% off and free shipping is so tempting. A bottle of Fat Electrician or a back up bottle of Jasmin & Cigarette would be perfect…. but no more shopping for the rest of the year, I hope….
I don”t think I’ve ever tried that one. Sending healing thoughts to your MIL.
Thank you so much! She is doing GREAT. Unfortunately she had a unilateral masectomy, but for Stage Zero cancer. The doctor says her lymph nodes and borders are CLEAR!!! That’s the best news she could get! 🙂
That is wonderful news!
“Busy as a moth in a mitten” – love that phrase, I’ve not heard that before 🙂
Ditto on both.
Ooh can you please repost the ELdO 20% off code?! In my post below I was lamenting about not being able to find the post you made a week or two ago with the code.
Of course! ETAT20 is the code….Good thru 12/15/17!
Thank you!
Glad to hear that your MIL had good surgery results. Best wishes for her recovery.
My weakness is always vintage. I have to stay away from ebay, because it’s always painful to see tantalizing treasures languishing, or disappearing never to be seen again.
Yeah, my weakness too.
And vintage minis.
And —
oh wait, this is getting depressing.
I have so few samples left and of the decants I have, I can’t say I’m itching for bottles of any of them. In fact, I’m preferring to only have 5-10ml of scents, though I did say I’d get a FB of Opium FdS if it was still available, so that’s a safe one for the credit card.
SOTD is Robert Piguet Calypso-I was in a rose mood today.
House twins today! It rarely happens!
Trying out Hermes 24F today, it is Proper Perfume.
Also studying for the CPA and going to select a different perfume to wear for each section, both while studying and sitting for the final exam. Hoping it will help strengthen my memory and ease nerves.
What perfume says REGULATION (tax and law) to you?
good luck!
I can do “Hide My Credit Card” all week- it’s easy for me as my FB list is huge but I’m fairly thrifty. I will say that I have an ongoing list that I keep updated for my guy, so I’m hoping to get a few for Christmas and my bday, which is in January.
Today is VCA Bois d’Iris.l It is so so so perfect. I got it in the splitmeet and hoard my decant.
Hey, January birthday twin! Are you a Capricorn too?
I’m at the end of January so I’m actually an Aquarius! But my sister is the 6th and is a Capricorn!
my baby buddha is also January
We have a lot of January birthdays. Mine, my sister’s, my fiance’s and also his sister’s are all in January. Our parents must have been busy in April. 😉
This is funny!
Doing my own variation on this week’s theme, I will wear scents that I was itching to buy, but opted for a decant instead of a full bottle, so…half points?
Today’s SOTD is Bois des Iles. I am pleased that the edp does last longer on my skin than the edt did.
I slept like a rock last night! 8 full hours from the time my head hit the pillow til I woke. I love it when that happens! Good sleep combined with the fact that the sun is finally! out today will have a profound affect on my psyche. The week is off to a good start!☀️
I needed the sun too! It snowed for a bit this morning. One minute it was cloudy and then the sky was white, it lasted for a few minutes and then the sun came out..
It is amazing what the sun can do to lift one’s spirits- enjoy your vacation!
I do LOVE a good night’s sleep! And you smell super in BdI.
I love sleep like that! So incredibly restorative. It’s rare that it happens to me, but more frequently now than before I started traveling, downsizing, and simplifying.
I’m trying samples that I’ve either never tried or only tried once or twice. Today is Phlur Moab from a discovery set. It is very dry and resinous.
On my skin it reads very sweet and cinammony…there is something about it that makes me think it was made by Andy Tauer (even though it was not)
I got the Tauer reference too. One of his dry scents – L’Air du desert Marocain, or Lonestar Memories, perhaps? I am amazed how differently skin reacts to the same fragrance. Moab is now very faint on my skin, but it is slightly more spicy and still dry, rather than sweet.
I’m wearing Ambre Precieux, turned into a oil, for even more longevity. But if I were to be in the theme today, it would be MFK Ciel de Gum!
Yum! How did you turn it into an oil?
My SOTD is a spritz of Terre d’Hermes. On a different note, I received my samples of Puredistance which I have been coveting for some time and didn’t find any of them to be what I wanted them to be. Money saved.
You smell great! Terre d’Hermess is still one of my all-time favorites on my vSO.
Terre d’Hermes has been on my shopping list since I tried it few months ago. It is really good!
We agree on Puredistance.
I’m entertaining myself with a week-long project of matching perfumes with early botanist/ explorer/ adventurists. First up is Paprika Brasil for Victorian botanical artist Marianne North. During the 1800s she travelled alone throughout the world…Syria, Australia and New Zealand, North and South America and spent a year living in a hut in Brazil painting plants. An entire gallery at Kew Gardens is dedicated to her work ( over 800 oil paintings covering the walls)….she paid for the gallery to be built. The brasilwood used for violin bows is almost extinct ( referenced in the perfume) .
https://www.botanicalartandartists.com/about-marianne-north.html
I thought of you when I stumbled upon this on your quest for soapy scents-
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Rasasi/Afshan-19525.html
Has anyone tried any from this brand? they are highly affordable and I was curious 🙂
That sounds perfect, eh? Taking note.
Are you going to scent David Douglas? 🙂
I do like a good fir… and a good story (his death)
My vSO read this story on our way to Kona and then entertained the whole company with it – so now we all remember it well 🙂
Went to Marshall’s yesterday in search of SJP Stash (I think somebody here mentioned that their local had it); I didn’t find it, but I did come across a dual rollerball set of Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and White, so I’m going to test those today! It’s only Monday, and I’ve already failed on the Community Project. 🙂
I enjoy the Nirvanas. Some more than others but overall I think they’re very nice.
Hi all! I’ve been lurking a bit here and there but haven’t had much time lately for perfume stuff. However, I sampled something over the weekend and felt it my solemn duty to warn everyone of this abomination they dare call perfume. Reviews on fragrantica are also dismal, so I don’t think it’s just me. Unless you are keen on camphoraceous cat pee, stay far, far away from Vio-Volta. Gracious, y’all, it’s sooooooo bad. So. Bad.
Pleased to find I’m totally jiving with the project today — Cuir X! 2nd sample vial and I think it has to be mine at some point. But for now, hide the credit card, I need a new couch instead!
Oof. I just read theFragrantica reviews and I was getting a little queasy just reading about it. Sounds like he should be working on reformulation or discontinuation.
Glad you’re finding redemption in Cuir X!
Cuir X to the rescue! 🙂
Wow: “Finally, Secretions Magnifique has some serious competition”
I have never been curious enough to try SM, so I can’t speak to that, but I did love that comment. 🙂
Oh Lord help us…
I have no need of bottled cat pee, given I have four cats.
Ha! Yeah, imagine leaving the litter box untouched for a week, rubbing Tiger Balm all over yourself, and then sticking your nose in the box for a good whiff. Ugh.
Yikes????
I have three cats, joining you in no need. But the camphor does intrigue me, and Secretions Magnifique wears well on me, I admit I’m a little bit tempted….
Would you like my sample vial?? I will be happy to send it to you! Let’s see — does my username link to my email?
Hmmm, perhaps not. Eldiyen920 in the land of G Male 🙂
Thanks for the stink alert! No need for cat pee in my house either. :p
Oh God! I cannot imagine a perfume competing with Secretions Magnifique. The thought terrifies me the most!
You hated it more than I did, but I did find it puzzling. For a few minutes, I did get what the name promises, but mostly it just smelled bad. And loud.
I got my adorable 5 ml LADDM in the mail on Friday and wore it that evening, but then had two all-day chorus rehearsals where scent is not permitted (though the provided lunch was garlic chicken!). Today I’m still in a Tauer mood so it’s Le Maroc pour Elle.
I don’t know if I can do this week’s project–the only perfumes I want I will buy only when they are at the discounters or in travel or mini sizes–Twilly and Angel Muse. As neither perfume meets those conditions yet I’m stuck.
Oh and a comment about leaf-raking related to the weekend’s thread–In Portland, on certain streets you must rake so the leaves don’t clog the storm drains or the city charges you if they have to sweep them up. On my street they come twice late in fall, so I have to make sure I’ve disposed of all the leaves from the big maple in my front yard.
Oh, good to know! And that makes sense, I guess. It was me who was wondering why raking became a thing. Thanks for the common sense rationale behind the raking movement✌????
I got my Angel Muse from one of the FB sites. A guy selling a small bottle at good price, so I pulled the trigger.
I decided to go with Boucheron EDT today. Not on theme since I have a bottle already.
Best of mornings, NST. This is T-day, which would normally be Tuesday, but for me is Technology-day. Chez Waterdragon, all digits on all residents are crossed for a good outcome. Nobody who’s been through this process before thinks today’s activities will be successful, but I’m optimistic. This morning I have no email, but I have full bars on the network signal. I understand nothing about our situation, but I want it resolved.
So. Working at home…I won’t get much done for work, I suspect, but there it is. I think I’ll comfort myself with my new love, Bottega Veneta Velours. This is such an interesting perfume, more sophisticated than pretty, more grown up than girlie. I wonder if I should think of it as jolie-laide? It’s striking and stylish and beautifully put together, but not an instant cloud of easy prettiness. I find it fascinating, and quite grounding, because I never forget it’s there. Keeps me present, if that makes any sense.
Eric has spent the last five minutes under my knees (horrifyingly, I am still in bed at 6.30 on a week day morning!). He’s been leaning out over the edge, minutely examining the carpet. Something invisible to me is troubling him, because every now and again, he gives the tiniest little “rrrr” growl. What is he seeing, do you think? I’ve noticed over my long association with Siamese that some of them are “ seers”: they can be completely relaxed, asleep, even, then they suddenly come to full alert, sit up, and watch something move around the room, often up near the ceiling, until it exits. Then they simply go back to sleep. I’ve always hoped that they’re seeing a very tiny moth or something too tiny for my eyes, but I’ve never been entirely certain. It’s always the blue-eyed cats who do this thing.
Up and at the day, then. I must disinter myself from beneath the pile of Stripies on my tummy and get going. Hope your days are being peaceful and productive, NST. Be well.
I took in a stray Siamese (I know, it was a first for me, too) a few years ago – Joe Siam I Am. I eventually found a forever home for him (where he is now Master of All He Surveys, and all is As It Should Be). He wasn’t my only cat to do that “fixed gaze upon the potentially dangerous glimmer of an opening to a multidimensional portal” in the corner of the ceiling. Every cat I’ve ever had has done that. My all time bestie Miko (who spent 22 glorious years on my lap) used to look me in the eye, then look past me to the right, then look me in the eye, to the right, in the eye, to the right, then open her eyes wide.
Wow. That is a spooky story! I’ve owned several cats, I always did wonder if they could see into other worlds.
I think something is happening. I’ve never seen a portal on a floor before , but with Eric, all things are likely.
Maybe cats are actually the watchful guardians of the gates, making sure that no fiends manage to make their way into our dimension…
Oh, hope you will be reviewing Bee’s Bliss, Robin! Waiting for my travel spray with minimal patience.
I was out with the dog yesterday and saw a woman whacking a viney looking bush (or bushy looking vine) with a hoe. The bush was covered in red berry looking thinks, which she was trying to pluck off after dragging the vine down to a reachable level with the hoe. I stopped to talk to her and she (sounded like she might have been from Russia or some country formerly behind the iron curtain) kindly educated me about rosehips, which is what those reddish berry looking things were. She picks them, dries them in her oven, and makes a tea out of them which she states helps her kidneys as she is prone to stones. Can’t say if that is medically correct or not, but she was one of the nicest strangers I’ve stuck up a conversation with in a long time. She said there was a whole huge row of them the day before but when she came back today with her bucket, they had all been cut way back and were disposed of somewhere. Sad. You never know who you’re going to meet in the middle of a field on a rainy day.????
I’m still in leftovers of Chergui from yesterday and will pick another scentnpost shower. Currently in Panera charging my phone, trying to block out the conversation at the next table between two very entitled men. Sheesh! I hope my phone charges super quick.
Rosehip tea is apparently high in Vitamin C. My mother told me that children gathered them during the war and were paid (by whom I don’t know) a few cents because they could supply the important vitamin.
Yes, she mentioned the high Vit C content. Also, I just saw this…”During World War II, the British government used collected rose hips to make rose hip syrup as a source of vitamin C to replace citrus fruits that were impossible to get.”
And vitamin C is recommended for people with kidney stones-supposed to help prevent them. Good on her for being resourceful!
I did a bit of research and they are little packages that pack quite a large punch. I’m tempted to go pick what she missed! It’s a shame we overlook such natural and available resources. And to cut them down and throw them away? Such a waste!
We used to make rosehip jelly. Like the syrup (which we made and put on pancakes) , it is really sugary tasting…it’s like pink sugar with a slight bland-floral aspect. I’m not a huge fan.
I will, or Jessica will…but not this week! I may not manage to review anything this week (have family coming for the holiday).
Happy Monday all and please help! A week or two ago JadainGA posted a 25% off for for Etat Libre d’Orange. I searched through so many posts yesterday and couldn’t find it. Does anyone know it, or Jada, will you re-post it? I need that 30ml of Fils de Dieu. ????
For hide my credit card, I’m wearing The Red by Portland indie jewelry and perfume line The Sum. Josh Meyer of Imaginary Authors is the perfumer. It’s a woody, spicy gourmand. It reminds me of Organza Indecence (wood pudding) and Biehl eo01. Listed notes of The Red are saffron, sandalwood, and amber.
She posted 20% off. Use code: ETAT20. Valid thru 12/15/17
Thank you so much! Yes, I realized my percentage error when she posted today. I think I was confusing it with the Notino 25% off code. Either way, it’s a great deal!
It is! Enjoy your new purchase! 🙂
The Red sounds divine!
It’s really quite nice. It’s a cozy companion.
A sunny morning here, I think we’ve had more sunny mornings this spring than we had all last summer. It doesn’t necessarily stay sunny, but it’s a great start. PdN’s Maharanih for me today.
SOTD = Robert Piguet Knightsbridge
Notes are: nutmeg, rose, sandalwood, orris, leather, tonka
I smell: Creamy vanilla bubblegum
And I give it a thumbs up. I probably need to spray more 🙂 or my nose can’t be trusted.
I bought a decant from STC and left it in the box (no evaporation!). When wendysue offered it at Splitmeet, I got greedy and got 20mLs so I am a happy camper.
It would be impossible to hide my credit card this week but I will do something good next week – whatever I spend on perfumes this week, I will donate the same $s during my company’s Giving Tuesday where my donation is doubled AND I get to pick from a list of charities to give to, including Doctors Without Borders, Faith in Practice, etc.
This week, my theme will be shopping related anyway. Knightsbridge was made for Harrods, one of the most decadent over the top department stores, crowded no matter what time of year!
I finally got a sample of Knightsbridge but haven’t tried it yet.
I have a similar philosophy for giving and perfume – I do not allow myself to spend more on perfume than I have donated to charity/nonprofit organizations in the same time period. (Not even on vintage mini rescues on ebay!)
Maybe we can change the world!
Piguet twins, indeed! I also got in on that split, but it turned out to be a no-go for me ????
I bought a decant too but it was love for me either. I actually had to quarantine the decant because I can smell it before I touch it.
I also found it to be very potent (and very sweet).
It’s pretty awesome that your company does that. I imagine they get a lot of participation.
There’s competition by state. Highest contributing state gets an extra $15,000 towards a local not for profit organization!
Trying to keep sanity while having 2 play dates. Scent free for now.
Providence Perfume is running a special – buy 1 get 1 free of the same scent. Would anyone be interested in splitting Tabac Citron, Rose Boheme or Cocoa Tuberose with me? Marianna_r in yahooland
Oh I made a mistake of reading the offer. Plz ignore – I got too excited
Ugh, I hate when that happens.
I am wearing AA Ylang & Vanille I received in the Swapmeet.
Quite a bit of banana to my nose. This one is discontinued I believe and goes for high prices on eBay I think. Kind of meh to me. One less thing to hunt down more of. ????
That one did have lots of fans! I am surprised they don’t recycle more of their AAs as limited editions.
I ran out of the house without fragrance, had to search my desk to find a smidge of Cartier’s La Panthere EDP. It smells a bit like Fendi and Magie Noire combined, a definite spicy/chypre/floral.
The sillage is enough I’m glad few few coworkers in the office today!
Looking forward to your review of Laurie’s Bee’s Bliss, I can’t wait to try it myself, I love and wear so many of her perfumes.
Started the day in Stash; off project because I found the gift set at Marshall’s. But my sample of Bee’s Bliss arrived this afternoon so that’s on now. It may result in a travel spray or small bottle purchase – so far I like!
Oh, I’m so hopeful about B.B.!!
Cold and bite-y wind where I am at today. It made getting the mail and taking out the recyclables unpleasant. Hope that it goes away for a couple of days.
SOTD = back in my sample of Hypnotic Poison Eau Sensuelle. It seems to be exactly the thing I want to wear right now. It also qualifies for “Hide my credit card”. Since it is discontinued, it goes for insane money on Evilbay. I will be happy with my samples at those prices!
Lucky for me I never smelled it! I did love the original HP though.
Hi everyone, I am now back from my near-week-long trip to New Orleans and catching up on my blog reading. I was too busy on the whole to look around much but did manage a bit of fun shopping in the French Quarter (clothes and jewelry) and ate some delicious dinners (all seafood). Also I came across this place: Hove Perfumers (http://www.hoveparfumeur.com–no affiliation). It was late, I was with friends, and we were all tired and hungry so I didn’t get to spend much time there but it looked promising and the smell in the shop was wonderful, gardenia, I’d say. Today I am wearing Grandiflora. It won’t fit the Friday theme since I did buy a FB of it. For Friday I’m sure I can find an alternative, though, probably one of those very fine, very pricey Maison Francis Kurkdjians that I’d love to have.
The link got messed up:
http://www.hoveparfumeur.com
Welcome back!
Hove used to be popular on MakeupAlley in the olden days! Glad you had a fun trip.
I love New Orleans! Glad you had a nice time!
Just popping back in to say I just saw a lone bottle of Creed Original Santal at Tjmaxx for 170 dollars. I’m not interested in Creed myself, and actually never see it mentioned here, but thought it was very odd to see it there.
I’m wearing Hermes 24 Faubourg, from a small sample I have. This is so pretty. I am not sure how I have not smelled this before because apparently its been around for a long time.
I think that one is lovely. You smelled wonderful!
SOTD is Angelique Noire. I had a tough day at work and needed something cozy.
Ugh. Sorry about the bad day at work.
Thanks. We’re in the midst of changing software but admin is pushing several changes at once. I need three of me to keep up. It’s a nice atmosphere outside of that. It’s just overwhelming.