PSA: Don't forget to change your clocks tonight! (Unless you live in a happy place that doesn't bother with daylight savings.)
Today: our annual spring forward poll. As always, answer as many or as few as you like, or just talk about something else. If it's fall where you live, adjust the questions accordingly.
1. What's the fragrance you'd most like to add to your collection this spring?
2. You have to vote one perfume in your collection off the island. Which one will go first, and why?
3. It's time for (fantasy) Spring Break! Where are you going, and pick ONE fragrance to bring with you.
Note: top image is In the garden i (Crocus sativus) [cropped] by John Knight at flickr; some rights reserved.
Ugh. I hate setting the clocks forward.
1. Either Hermès Sur Le Nil or Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Bianca. I’d like to do one of these for the splitmeet. Anyone interested in either?
2. Do I have to? My collection is so small, I’d rather not.?
3. The gulf coast of Florida and I’d bring my travel spray of TF Eau de Soleil Blanc. This was going to be my real spring break, but due to work obligations, I won’t be able to go this year.? My parents have been in their new home since October and this was to be my first visit. They have just two bedrooms, and as their only child, I have claimed the “guest” bedroom as my own. lol. I’m disappointed but hopefully! next year.?
Today is my moms 75th birthday. It’s hard for me to believe. Wish I could be with her, but I had a dozen yellow roses delivered to her yesterday -her favorite- and later we will FaceTime.?
Waiting for my daughter to come home for the week. Sun is back out!? SotD is BR540.
Wishing a happy bday to madtown mom! She’ll love the roses.
Thurs was my auntie’s 94th–other relatives had the flowers covered, so I sent a couple of boxes of her fave tea & a tin of ginger cookies.
Sun is out here too–helps to (momentarily) take the sting out of spring forward.
Thanks! Yes, the sun is helping to offset our cold temperatures today.?
Happy Birthday to MadtownMom!
Will your parents be coming back up soon?
Thanks lillyjo! They will head home in may or maybe late april. They usually make a stop and visit with us, because we are on their route home.?
Happy Birthday Madtownmum!
Thanks happy888cat!?
Happy Birthday to Madtownmom! ?
Thanks pl67!?
Happy birthday to your mother, and welcome home to your daughter!
I’d be interested in a split of Jardin sur le Nil, and can have it shipped within the U.S.
Thanks!
Ooh, good to know, watch for Sur Le nil in the splitmeet!?
Happy birthday madtownMom
Thanks ltsg!?
Happy birthday to your mom!
Thanks sistine!?
Happy birthday to madtownmom!
Thanks hajusuuri!?
Happy birthday to your mother, and enjoy your weekend with your daughter!
Thanks tulipani!? It’s great to have her home!
Happy Birthday wishes for your Mom, madtowngirl! Enjoy the family time this weekend.
Thanks Jalapeno! I will!?
Happy Weekend!
Sotd is Rose D’Amalfi.
1. I haven’t smelled either of these but the descriptions alone makes me want them. They are Zoologist Cow and Laboratorio Olfattivo Nektar.
2. I will be voting off my Moschino Toy 2. The bottle is cute but the juice is just a generic soapy fruity floral I can absolutely live without.
3. I would love to visit Kyoto again. I went a couple years back with my parents but man where there loads of tourists! Everywhere was crowded. Now with no active tourism I would love to go and admire the ancient temples and gardens again, in my pace. Oh, one must not forget the Spring time attraction, cherry blossoms! My fragrance of choice would be Tam Dao. I think sandal wood will pair nicely with the zen-ness of Kyoto.
Loving your spring retreat. I would really like to visit Japan.
Cow… I didn’t know about that Zoologist release! When I think about cows I think of my shepherd grand uncle, manure and dry hay. And off to look at the notes now!
Oooh, yes, for Kyoto. We were there during spring break 2017, just before cherry blossom season, but the plum blossoms were out and it was still lovely, if a bit chilly. Ockeghem Tween desperately wants me to pick this for spring break, as she’s been mad for all things Japanese ever since.
1. Nothing is really calling my name at the mo, but there are some I’d like to sample.
2. The Lancôme leather one. I forget the name and I’m in bed and too tired to reach 12” to look in my perfume box. I never wear it. I think it reminds me of an ex…?
3. I’d like to be all alone in the middle of the desert during a super bloom. I’d take every last perfume I own, because if this is fantasy, I will be denied nothing!! I’d also take a good sized chocolate cheesecake and a tall glass of ice cold milk.
Good night, Irene! I’m tired and going to bed. ?
Saw this and thought of your spring break fantasy…. https://www.fragrantica.com/news/s-Oliver-Feels-Like-Summer-Women-2022-16246.html
That is amazing! Especially loved the “cheeky spontaneity and fluttering anticipation” description. ?
Love your fantasy vacation! ?
Thanks! I really want to see some cacti blooms to see if they have any scent at all.
Ahhh, we went to Carrizo Plain a few years back during a super bloom. Gorgeous!
Lucky you! ?
What a great fantasy spring break! Hope you get some good rest.
The rest was mediocre, but the fantasy is still alive! ?
I also dream of seeing a super bloom.
Wouldn’t it be great? Super Bloom is a great name for a perfume, too. ☺️
1. Looking to invest in an uber green fragrance. Maybe “Green, Green, Green and… Green” from Miller et Bertaux. Also want to try the new DSH Heirloom Elixirs “Absinthe Drinker.”
2. Hermes Paprika Brasil. Waiting for swapmeet.
3. I have a vacation planned for the end of April. Originally booked for Odessa but now visiting Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk and will buy many drinks for displaced Ukrainians. Not bringing any fragrance, but shopping for some!
Have you tried Frédéric Malle Synthetic Jungle? It’s very green.
Or Eris Green Spell…
I think the Miller et Bertaux is a great choice. It definitely hits the green spot.
Have you tried Niki de Saint Phalle? That’s one of the greenest chypres I know of.
1. I have been looking at Love don’t be shy and Safanad for a while, loving these two sweet and comforting orange blossoms. Instant feel good scents. SOTD is Oesel Xerjoff from a sample I have had forever- and which I love in small doses. I’d love to own a bottle but I know I would never finish it. Another lovely one is Angel’s share also from Kilian. Smells a bit like a cinnamon bun with apple and rum. Yum. I am discovering this brand, it has great scents (if incredibly expensive).
2. A few failed blind buys. I need to reactivate my eBay account and try to pass them on. Infusion
D’Amande Prada is one of them (some aromachemical there bothers me).
3. Any holiday in a beautiful, preferably warm and secluded place. Galicia in northern Spain, a Greek island or similar untouched Mediterranean spot. I would take Dilettante and Moonbloom from Hiram Green; somehow these work incredibly well in hot weather.
Your holiday sounds perfect
Cicely, I love Parle Moi de Parfum’s Guimauve de Noel (gorgeous orange blossom) if you’d like a beautiful and less $$ alternative to Kilian’s Love.
https://www.luckyscent.com/product/76701/guimauve-de-noel-by-parle-moi-de-parfum
Not affiliated, but I wish I were. 😀
Thanks for the recommendation, springpansy! I have that perfume in my try to list and the notes do sound wonderful. I am in the UK, where there is less choice of decant stores but I may be able to find it in a nearby Selfridges that carries it 🙂 Kilian is so so expensive! So far I had been purposely avoiding sampling anything from them because of those prices..
My in-laws arrived safe and sound back in Canada last night. I am missing chai tea on this snowy windy day.
Mr L and I are really into Netflix’s Inventing Anna. We both read the article when it came our in the New Yorker years ago.
I haven’t been reading for pleasure these days. I still have to finish To Paradise and also reading Young Mungo
I ordered a sample set of Roja perfumes. Sampling Reckless Rose, Neroli, Sandalwood and Elixir Rose, Raspberry, Peach. Vanilla
1. I have added so many this winter. OMG!!!
2. Too many to list. For one, Blanche by Byredo. I have a travel spray
3. Take me to Italy. I don’t care about perfume. Just hand me a limoncello. I came back from the DR last weekend and I used the shimmering body oil from TF in Soleil Blanc. It was perfect.
How was your trip? You smelled amazing. Did the in laws stay with your littles? Glad they could make a visit.☺️
Trip was amazing ?
I brought TF along as I mentioned, perfect for DR weather. Horse back riding in the beach, massage, lots of cocktails. My first time on a plane ✈️ since 2019
That sounds amazing! We did horse back riding on the beach in Florida when we went 3 years ago, fun.
Temperatures dropped substantially last two days, and we’ll be getting snow tonight and tomorrow morning. Hopefully not much…we are greeting a church in the am…thankfully, the later service. Going to head out to the final farmers’ market of the winter in a nearby town. Wearing Mitsouko to go with my mock turtleneck topped by flannel shirt.
Hard for me to decide what I’d add. I think if I truly thought about it, it might be Chamade extrait, if it’s to be found,
The Soft Lawn, Infusion d’Iris are perennial ones to ditch.
My fantasy spring break would be a warm city. Miami or L.A. top the list. We live in a quiet place, so would want all the bustle, food and people. I’ve never been to Miami, so that’d be my first choice. (In a real no-holds-barred fantasy, though, it’d be Madrid.)
Temps dropped here too.? It was single digits this morning when my husband graciously drove me downtown to grab my favorite chai. The sun is out though!
Does your Subaru have remote start? His does and I have to admit I’m jealous.? My VW is a manual so no can-do.
I haven’t checked to see if we have remote start. I think we might through STARLINK, but I’ve never tried.
I would love to add Rose de Jamal as soon as it’s back in stock! I definitely am able to appreciate this note more after Victoria’s class!
To vote off: Hermes Ambre Merveille. I know its a community favorite but something about it doesn’t quite click with me.
I’m in the How You Love body oil from Jazmin Sarai: grapefruit cardamom sweet jasmin heaven ❤️
It didn’t click with me either, swapped my mini. I found it too…”pretty” of an amber if that makes sense. I like my ambers richer and darker a la ambre precieux.
I think for me it’s too shimmery almost — and on top of that I sometimes get cat pee!!
Happy Weekend!
It was a tough week for many reasons.
I received my discovery set from House of Gozdawa perfumes yesterday,and am wearing Hel today.Nice tuberose.
1.)I’m hoping to add something from House of Gozdawa to the collection.There are 8 5ml extraits in the set,maybe I’m set for a while as they are really potent.
2.)Not sure,I have too many blind buys in my collection.Absalom was voted off not too long ago,haha!Aqualis Utopia will never even make it to the boat.
3.)In my fantasy vacation I am roaming Reunion Island’s vanilla plantations,basking in the sun and wafting a vanilla perfume(L’Artisan Vanilia?Atelier Vanille Insenseè?)
Fresh Island air,the greenest of foliage and juicy ripe mangoes for lunch.
XO’s
Edit.
Just bought Shalimar edc at 50% off online locally.Love the lemony-vanilla,I’ve worked my way through 2 bottles already!
So I guess this is what I’m adding next to my collection.Lol.
Lol!
Is it at all like Shalimar Philtre??
Lol…I cannot answer that,we don’t have access to too many of the cool Guerlains here unfortunately.
Shalimar! yes!
Always!All the ones I’ve tried and have are wonderful in their own way,except Souffle which I found too sheer.
That’s my favorite version of Shalimar ?
Mine as well!!
One can never have too much Shalimar!
Shalimar EDC is my favorite variation of Shalimar. I love the lemony opening and the sheerness of the scent. I think Philtre is very pretty as well.
Are they then similar Petunia? I don’t like the original Shalimar but really like Philtre. Trying to see what other flankers and versions I may like
Hi Yasmina! I answered your question but it somehow didn’t attach to this thread. Please look below.
I hope your next week is much easier.
2nd that…sorry it was not a good week J!
Fingers crossed that this week is a better one for you. ?
1. Chanel Bel Respiro.
2. So many. Thanks to my horrible insomnia lately, I have been going thru my collection and putting things away to be rehomed. One of those is Berdoues Selva do Brazil.
3. Santorini. I will not bring any perfumes. I would buy one there as a souvenir.
SOTD a spritz of Hermes Paprika Brasil. Beautiful and cozy on this windy, rainy, stormy day. On my way to the hospital now to spend the day with mom.
Happy weekend! ?
https://youtu.be/CcEqr3IWRPw
This is a review by a youtubers favorite Les Esclucifs. Towards the end he talks about Bel Respiro. I really liked how he described it even though I never have tried it.
Hope you have a good day ?
Thanks for the link
Lillyjo! His Bel Respiro review is very nice and spot-on. ?. Beautiful and evocative green scent!
?
Hope you had a nice day with your mom.
It’s been a quiet day sitting here next to her. One more hour and I will be on my way home. Still hoping for better days to come! ?
Sending happy sleep wishes pl67! It is nice to get things done but even nicer to sleep.
Thank you, Robin!
I was able to take small naps. Quite helpful with the time change.
I hope that your weekend went well for you, and that your hospital visit with your Mom was a good one.
Thank you, Jalapeno. It was a very quiet and peaceful 2-day weekend visit.
1. Most like to add: hmm. Well my current “would most like to sniff” is Edward Bess Kiss The Sky, but I can’t figure out how to get a sample, yet. Might add Akro Haze soon… maybe.
2. Vote off? Well, see my next post, I have some freebies that need new homes 🙂
3. Spring break. Trying to go to Tahiti. Yes really. The trip is booked, it’s less than 2 months away, but the tour company has not yet confirmed that it’s actually a “go”. Cross your fingers for me. If I get to go, I’ll bring something tropical like Olfactive Studio’s Still Life in Rio, one of my summer faves.
Cool and breezy here. We might get a little rain this coming week, maybe even tonight? We desperately need it. SOTD is MMM Soul of the Forest, I’ve been on a pine kick lately.
If you manage to get any Kiss the Sky, let me know! I’m interested as well.
My fingers and toes are crossed!!
??
Tahiti!!! How lovely, I am crossing my fingers for you.
Sending you some luck for the trip! ????
Pixel’s FREEBIES! Shipping to US only, NST regulars only. Ping me at emc dawt 71 17 in the land of geeeee-mayle. Let me know if you want more than one of these. I will update this post as stuff is claimed.
1. L’Occitane Figuier & Osmanthus, 30ml, 95% full. Mainly a fig scent
2. Thorn & Bloom Evergreen, 7.5ml travel spray, 99% full. Indie pine
3. A set of 4 random 10ml travel sprays from Scents of Wood, 99% full
4. Another set of 4 random 10ml travel sprays from Scents of Wood, 99% full
5. Akro Discovery Kit, lightly sampled
6. Mystery box of samples and decants
#3 is claimed
#6 is claimed
#4 and #5 are claimed
#1 is claimed
SOTD = VC&A Bois d’Iris.
Next purchase-Mohur Extrait, or maybe Snowy Owl before it gets reformulated like Dragonfly did.
Off the island? A bunch of samples and decants- pretty happy with my FBs at the moment…
Vaca of my dreams? Hmm right now where I want to go is either plague ridden still or war torn, so I guess I will just stay home a whole longer!
Hope one of your destinations works out before too long, meredifay.
I’m so conflicted about Mohur Extrait now that it’s back in stock. I’ve considered whether I’d shell out the money for the last couple years while it wasn’t available anywhere. Now that it is available, I’m still not sure I can pay that much for a bottle. It is very beautiful though.
Yes, it is a lot of money. I haven’t actually pulled the trigger yet, due to vehicle registrations due on my birthday, and whatnot. I will get it next month. It is such a work of art to me, how can I not?
SOTD is SMN Eva — first wearing of this year, in honor of the truly lovely weather we’ve had for the past few days. My poll answers:
1. A salty rose. I don’t know which one yet, but I have samples of two possibilities in my LS cart – DS & Durga Rose Atlantic and Maison Crivelli Rose Saltifolia.
2. Balmain Ivoire. Neither vintage nor the current formulation works for me.
3. Oh man — after the last two years I’m finding it hard to fantasize! But let’s see … I would go to a secluded but elegant cabin in the San Juan Islands, somewhere that overlooks forests and ocean (and does NOT have fighter jets screaming overhead all day), and sit in the window seat with a cup of tea and a good book. And since this is fantasy, I’d take my imaginary bottle of Hermes Doblis with me.
We were just there in the San Juans! No elegant cabin, though (it was for visiting academics with kids, so “functional” is the best word for it), but it did have a large private nature reserve out back that is lovely and quiet for hiking. Of course, there was a windstorm so we (and all the islands) spent part of a night without power. 🙂
I’m envious, even if the lodgings were less than posh. Hopefully there was a fireplace to see you through the power outage!
Were you by chance on Blakely Island?
No, we were in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. We passed Blakely on the ferry, though!
Oh, that sounds wonderful. When you mentioned the nature reserve, I thought you might be talking about the Blakely Field Station.
We always camp in the San Juans so no elegant cabin, but I love, love it there. Come on up!
I love love it too. The last time I camped in that general area it was outside of Victoria BC, and I was much, MUCH younger! These days my old bones whine if I ask them to do too much. ?
I did enjoy Rosa Saltifolia,truly is a salty rose(although a mild one).
The weird Santal Volcanique(i think that’s the name,lol)was oddly satisfying,and I eventually bought the Hibiscus one,it has this strange dough-y bread-y wood-y note I just cannot get enough of.Bois Farine-ish,but different.
Well now I’m really looking forward to sampling Rose Saltifolia, and now I have to sample the Santal Volcanique one too — it sounds really interesting! And how funny about the hibiscus scent — from its description I would never have expected a baked-goods note! Maybe it’s the ambrette/leather combo?
One of the Rosine perfumes was a salty rose, too. Have you ever tried any of them?
I’ve tried several of them, but I don’t recall a salty one. I know Paestum Rose gets a lot of love here, but it didn’t work for me. Looks like the only sample from that line that I have left is Twill Rose, and it’s a nice rose but not noticeably salty. Can you recall which of theirs was the salty/beachy one?
I think it was Ecume de Rose, and it was beach-y, not so much salty. It reminded me of the wild roses that grow down on the NJ Shore. But Fragrantica calls it an aquatic rose. I liked it anyway, and aquatics usually make me run in the other direction…
1. What’s the fragrance you’d most like to add to your collection this spring?
Papillon Perfumery Hera
2. You have to vote one perfume in your collection off the island. Which one will go first, and why?
VCA Bois Doré – somehow I ended up with 3 bottles, no idea how, need to rehome one.
3. It’s time for (fantasy) Spring Break! Where are you going, and pick ONE fragrance to bring with you.
I want to go to Tahiti with Pixel. I would bring my standards, Kai & Monyette Paris.
Madly curious to sniff the Hera.
You and I can surprise pixel, LOL…
SOTD is Ta’if.
1. My next purchase is…hmm, not sure. Maybe OJ Woman. Or a full bottle of Saturday, as I suspect my travel size will get used up quickly.
2. I have samples I should vote off the island, but not sure about FBs. I can say what I always say, which is that I really, really have to get rid of that ancient bottle of Laila in the back of my drawer, which I think has gone off and isn’t really my thing. Somehow I never get around to tossing it, though, and it stands there in testament to my late ’90s / early ’00s self. Otherwise, my collection isn’t huge and I rarely blind buy, so…
3. I’d go back to Oaxaca again. We were there visiting friends in 2018, and it was just such a lovely visit — and warm! So much art and food and culture. This time I’d add a trip to the beach (we were only in Oaxaca city before) and a few nights in Mexico City.
Ohmygod— I was in Oaxaca last month!! Totally loved it and would go back in a second
YES! Where were you — in Oaxaca city / environs? We so loved our time there and would also go back in a heartbeat.
We were in Oaxaca City — in the center at a lovely courtyard hotel. The food ❤️❤️
You smell marvelous!
Happy SaturYAY. I’m in BK Amber Oud this morning (leftover from a before bed spray). So silky smooth.
1) Ormonde Woman is still on my To Buy list. I’ve also added DSH Perfumes Lumiere and Masque Milano Madeleine. But the list is in constant flux.
2) My BDK Gris Charnel travel spray; I just can’t seem to like it. And my Bond 9 West Side. My taste has changed since I bought it.
3) I want to go to Rome with our middle son who majored in history (and has a special interest in Roman history) as our tour guide. And then spend a few days at a yoga retreat taught by an amazing instructor in Rome whose Friday morning classes I take live online.
We’re not changing the time yet here in Poland. I think we do that in 2 weeks.
I’m wearing Puredistance No.12 today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbAK0uBA5lj/?utm_medium=copy_link
1. I’d like to add Ormaie Les Brumes to my collection.
2. I can let go of Gabriella Chieffo Quasicielo for sure.
3. I wouldn’t mind to strollI’d around Milan again. I’d take Prada Infusion de Mimosa with me.
Oops. How did it land here…
😀
Your trip sounds like it would be amazing!
Rome is amazing when you have someone who knows the history. The last time we were there, it was a “sabbatical” year for me (read, my spouse had an actual sabbatical and I was between jobs), so I took a Coursera course with a Yale prof on Roman architecture before we went to Italy. It was so nice to have all that knowledge while in Rome, Paestum, and Pompeii / Herculaneum.
what a week
owe taxes
had to get a new iphone
geez money spent wasnt planning on.
SOTD is TF rose d’chine sample
and TF rose d’chine lipstick
hair cut and mani pedi
off the island gallavant naples
Oof! Perfume and polish sound like a comfort, at least.
Ouch. I like the sound of your perfume, lippie.
Sorry about the taxes, but do enjoy your haircut & mani pedi!
What a week for you indeed!
We’re not changing the time yet here in Poland. I think we do that in 2 weeks.
I’m wearing Puredistance No.12 today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbAK0uBA5lj/?utm_medium=copy_link
1. I’d like to add Ormaie Les Brumes to my collection.
2. I can let go of Gabriella Chieffo Quasicielo for sure.
3. I wouldn’t mind to strollI’d around Milan again. I’d take Prada Infusion de Mimosa with me.
I took care of the time change by traveling to another time zone 🙂
The mornings are so dark now, the weather is still goodish, but autumn is here. However, time passes so quickly that it will be spring soon enough.
There are a few things I’d like to sample – the new Guerlain Épices Exquises, Eris Scorpio Rising, Papillon Perfumes Hera when it is available… Any of those could make it on to the buy list.
There is nothing I’d want to vote off the island. As I’ve commented before, I agonise over each purchase, so I’ve got a lot invested in every bottle 🙂
Where would I like to go? Almost anywhere would be a nice change! I was supposed to be taking my mother to a birthday celebration yesterday, she has twin cousins who have both reached 90. They live at opposite ends of the country, so lots of travel was needed, and Omicron was the end of that.
I’m looking forward to trying Épices Exquises as well.
Aw, sorry your mom will miss her cousin’s birthdays!
Cruelly, my spring break ends Monday – really don’t think that should be allowed!
Testing out Vilhelm Room Service. Shrill “sandalwood.” I have not really enjoyed any of the perfumes I’ve tried from VP – they all smell like body wash, sooner or later (often sooner), even if they start out a little interesting or cheerful or something. I never got even a hint of the flowers this one is supposed to have, though my partner liked it, he said it smelled like guests at a Indian wedding. Much more interesting than body wash!
I don’t have responses to the poll, but I am enjoying reading others’!
I wanted to like Vilhelm but they are just not for me.
We can keep each other slightly dissatisfied company, then.
I may still try to smell the others. This is a bestseller set, and that may be the problem? Poets of Berlin and Moon Carnival sound so weird and interesting! Of course, so did some of these . . .
SotD = 34 boulevard Saint Germain EdT
I spritzed from a manufacturer sample a dear NSTer shared with me years ago. This scent always comforts me. Weezer’s My Name is Jonas is playing in my kitchen. It’s a mood. 😉
1. I’m not in an acquisitive stage of life, so I don’t have a perfume wish list. But if a bottle of 34bSG fell from the sky I’d catch it.
2. I’ve rehomed all my unloved bottles in the past few years. I do have a couple with wonky sprayers that I don’t have patience for, so those should be sent off the island someday.
3. I’d like to pack my little travel bottle of Vanille Galante and go to the beach. VG is lovely all day and all night, in sunshine and moonlight. I’m wishing for somewhere quiet and warm, with miles of sand for walking. Anywhere in the world, and I would like to stay in one place for a few weeks or a month. Any suggestions?
Much love to all you fragrant guys and dolls! I hope your weekend smells wonderful, and that you find moments of whatever your heart most desires.
I was kind of horrified to hear Weezer on the grocery store piped in music last week. Made me feel especially old.
Ha!?
so funny! 🙂 I’ve heard Weezer at my doctor’s office.
Funny! I’ve heard some of the music I listened to in college now being used in doctor’s offices. It feels a little strange, TBH.
I have about 10 students in my high school classes who are huge Weezer fans. It makes me so happy that they are so excited when they realize I heard the albums when they were first released. (Off to pull out Pinkerton…)
classic! 😀 You’re students have good taste in music.
Sotd Amouage Opus VI.
1. I’ve bought plenty of perfume for spring. There are a couple that I’d wear if they fell in my lap but I’m not buying. Too many medical bills.
2. There are several but one is an older bottle of Passage d’Enfer. I just don’t love it anymore and I know others who do.
3. It’s been so long that I can hardly even imagine. A nice air bnb with a swimming pool, somewhere with warm days and cool nights and quiet that involves effortless travel (that’s really a fantasy!) I would take Shalimar with me.
Oh, I thought I was the only one who thought Passage d’Enfer was, you know, hellish.
Lol!
I’m in Idylle today, admittedly not the favorite Guerlain for perfumistas but I am very fond of this flowery light musk.
1. Rochas Mystère, I’m quietly waiting for an affordable deal
2. Youth Dew Amber Nude, I used to love it but it bothered me the last i wore it
3. I’m not into long distance traveling these day so it would be Paris and I would wear Paris or Provence where I always wear Un Hardin après la Mousson.
* Un Jardin
Idylle always reminds me of sweetened black tea and milk
It is soft and sweet but has excellent longevity, we are probably the happy few who enjoy it?.
Some of its flankers were also very enjoyable.
1. It’s really anyone’s guess, as I sometimes buy on a whim when I find a good bargain on something I know I like. Still planning to buy Jicky soon though.
2. Sadly, I’ll be putting my partial bottle of L’Artisan Nuit de Tubereuse up for swap since it irritates my nose now. It’s in the original beautiful bottle with the flowers etched on. I may also be swapping away an older SL Fleurs d’Oranger partial bottle since I don’t love it like I used to. I’ll give it one more try before deciding though.
3. I’m having a hard time even coming up with a fantasy spring break because I’ve put travel completely out of my mind these last couple years. I’d be very happy to visit New Zealand. I went to a small independent movie theater last weekend and watched Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures for the first time, so I’ve still got New Zealand on the brain. Perfume would be something lightly sweet and floral like Acca Kappa Calycanthus or SSS Bee’s Bliss.
Not much going on this weekend, just a couple errands to run today including dropping off last weekend’s freebies at the post office. I’m planning to try out St. Clair Edge Effects as mentioned yesterday. My boyfriend has another work trip coming up this week, though annoyingly the exact dates are still not determined, this time to rural Louisiana, which should be interesting. He’ll have to fly into an airport in Mississippi and drive two hours to get to his destination. I always miss him when he travels, but it has gotten easier the more trips he takes.
Tell him to be sure and try some boudain when he’s in LA.
Thanks for the tip. Boudain looks interesting, and I let him know about it.
Nuit de Tubereuse upset my nose too when I tried it. I could
not get what people talked about, just a weird peppery feeling.
I watched Heavenly Creatures as a teenager and it also stuck with me for several days!
I really enjoyed the pepperiness of NdT until something in my nose changed a few years back. It’s a lot more sensitive to certain perfume materials now.
I think I may know what you mean. My nose changed a few years ago when I got an Ormonde Jayne sample set which, to my confusion, smelled to me of the same uncomfortable rubbing alcohol and little of the different notes listed. The blog kafkaeske described something almost identical to what I experienced and I do think it’s probably that popular molecule or similar ones I was sensitised to https://kafkaesqueblog.com/tag/what-is-iso-e-super/
I started to read as synthetic some perfumes I used to like, avoided whole lines and perfumery styles that didn’t work at all. Turned to classics, Guerlain and “indie” brands like Hiram Green, Papillon or Francesca Bianchi.
I think I may have partly “desensitised” though, as lately I tend to like a few more things than I did back then.
The classics are usually pretty safe for me too. I also don’t seem to get irritated by gourmands or ambers so I’ll often go that route if I need something safe.
That’s exactly what I found too! Ambers and gourmands are usually safe. Reading about these molecules I suspect to be the culprit, they are usually used in higher amounts as fixatives, in woody or incense perfumes and to enhance florals. Ambers and gourmands usually have resins and vanilla as a base and don’t benefit from iso-e super, timbersilk and similar molecules. At least not in large amounts.
I would love to know which brands you find safe! For me Dusita is another one. I don’t enjoy all the perfumes but at least I can appreciate the notes and composition without my brain going “this synthetically unpleasant”
My SOTD is Boyfriend. Our weather is so mercurial – it was in the 80s on Wednesday, and it’s snowing right now.
1) I’d add either Memo’s Marfa, Ormonde Jayne’s T’aif or something from Andy Tauer.
2) The giant box of samples. I love all my bottles, but the samples just oppress me.
3) I’d like to go to Ojai. I’d probably take California Reverie with me.
I agree, samples ARE oppressing. I’ve been on a mission to use them up recently, or into a giveaway pile they go.
You smell wonderful.
I have almost the same crazy weather happening where I am at.
SotD is MM Replica Coffee Break. We’ve got flurries again and a light dusting of snow on the ground.
1. Decorté Kimono Yui or Tsuya look interesting if only because one lists yuzu and the other has sudachi as fragrance notes.
2. Two for this one, lol. Allsaints Metal Wave – it didn’t work with my body chemistry, too flat of a note and nothing like what the name had me picturing. Also Ellis Brooklyn Bee – sickly sweet/boozy and an instant scrubber for me.
3. Hawaii to visit my family whom we haven’t seen in a few years now due to the pandemic. Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan is my favorite stand alone but not too heavy scent in my collection… I gravitate towards layered fragrances more often than not.
Osmanthe Yunnan in Hawaii sounds perfect!
We always do high tea when visiting there, so it is kinda perfect. I was debating MM Beach Walk or Cartier Zeste du Soleil, but I don’t think I would want to wear either daily for a trip.
High tea in Hawaii…I am in!
“Metal Wave” is an awesome name for a perfume! Too bad it didn’t live up to expectations.
Yes it really is a great name, but there’s nothing remotely metallic or wave like in the scent itself that the name implies. It’s more of a slightly vanilla white musk…
I am wearing La Vie est Belle Intensement today for purging some of the drawers of junk and forgotten papers.
1. What’s the fragrance you’d most like to add to your collection this spring?
I’m not lemming anything right at the moment, however this is subject to change at any time. I did recently add a bottle of Atelier Silver Iris to the fold as it may be hard to find later on.
2. You have to vote one perfume in your collection off the island. Which one will go first, and why?
The one I’d be voting off is Un Jardin Sur Le Toit. Something in it is very wrong on my skin at the outset. The drydown was amazing, but the 8 hours to get there was just too overwhelming. (I have a few more in the purgatory box).
3. It’s time for (fantasy) Spring Break! Where are you going, and pick ONE fragrance to bring with you.
I’d go to Paris for a perfume sniff-a-thon and shopping trip. I wouldn’t bring anything, because you know, perfume shopping!
Shall we meet at the Palais Royal Serge Lutens boutique and go from there?
Oh, yes! Sounds like a great place to start!
How’s your paper shredder holding up? ?
Sampling NG Corpus Equus. Whoa, totally gorgeous dry woodsy animalic. This isn’t a spring scent, but I wouldn’t say no to a bottle.
1. Jonesing after Hiram Green Vetiver. Not like I need another vetiver!
2. Sedona Sweet Grass must go. Too much like potpourri.
3. Paris in the springtime! Will take Hiris and shop til I drop when I get there.
I really like the HG Vetiver too but likewise told myself I don’t need another vetiver. And I must try my sample of Sedona Sweet Grass again because I remember liking it but want to double check that. Also need to retry Corpus Equus, as I found it both odd and compelling.
SOTD = Puredistance M
… from a decant, which leads me to:
1. I haven’t triggered it yet but I am think about a travel spray of M.
2. I have a hard time letting go so I won’t name anyway.
3. When I travel, it will be one where I can get there without having to fly. Boston, maybe? Easy enough for me to bring whatever perfume I want.
In other news, I had an oil change this morning. Easy peasy. If you thought that would be the end of the story, you would be wrong. Almost $1,600 later, I have a new car. Not really but it sure felt like it! My car will be 10 years old this November and I suppose wear and tear set in even though it has less than 25,000 miles. I think the less you drive a car, the faster things deteriorate. Regardless, it runs well and if I have to spend this every few years or so, then so be it. My mind went to thinking how many bottles of perfume this translates to ?. Heh, maybe I need to buy a bottle or two to console me.
There were some crazy drivers out today. One thought it was optional to stop at a red light. Another thought a Stop ? sign was a suggestion. And another one found it entirely reasonable to scrape snow from the back of his car while stopped at a light, even when the light had already turned green.
To cleanse your timeline:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbBEecfOZvZ/?utm_medium=copy_link
(It did not join my collection)
Sorry to hear about your costly car woes! I do find that around the 10 year mark is when problems start surfacing, or costlier things need to be taken care of. Just think of how much you’re saving not getting a new car!
I don’t drive it long enough to notice anything amiss. Nothing really is but car inspection is coming up in November and I would rather just get them all done rather than wait.
We are car repair twins. My car is 9 years old but with more miles.
And that is better for your car overall, as long as it’s not more than 10,000 miles per hear, but what do I know? ?
Ouch on the car! I think a consoling perfume purchase is in order.
I know, right?
The new and used car markets are both so crazy right now that any repair is so worth it
Agreed. The service center I go to is right next to the showroom with a set of doors (always open) in between. There were zero cars whereas previously, there were at least 4 cars!
A consolation purchase is definitely in order!
I’m thinking this is a great idea!
A $1600 oil change?!? ??
Yeah, I know… you had other work done besides that. It’s amazing how much better a car can drive after tires are balanced and rotated (speaking from personal experience).
I blame the tire work on the speed bumps! There used to be three and for almost the entire past year, there are five and they are bumpier.
I wish that there were more speed bumps in my neighborhood. Some people try to blast thru it like it’s the Indy 500 or something.
While it’s not a spring scent, I’ve decided on a bottle of Lancome L’Autre Oud as my next purchase
There are a couple of unloved bottles. Were they blind buys? Why, yes, yes, they were. My cousin will be visiting perhaps in June and I’ll pass along the Waterlily Tea Dress she likes. Strangely, I still want an actual tea dress with waterlilies.
A real trip next month will be to Vancouver Island, which is about my speed. Perhaps I bring the PN Poudre de Musc, putting the travel in “travel spray”, but will probably be actually using up a couple of samples.
Love Vancouver Island! It’s been our escape over the past two years — both fall of 2020 and last summer, when we headed up to the north Island, where we’d never been.
Have only been to the north island once and besides Victoria we’ll probably go to Sooke this time. Took a friend to Tofino one Christmas and it was stunning in the winter.
I’m in Qualicum Beach, on the east side of Vancouver Island. My relatives live in Sooke and they love it. There’s been a ton of road work on the only road out to Tofino so we didn’t make it last year but for sure this year as the road closures should be reduced. Have fun!
Hi all!
1. Next on my list?
Oyedo. Trying to show restraint.
2. Voting off? Besides about 90% of my vintage or antique store perfumes? I’ll start with Fresh Vanilla Sugar and Hummingbird. That’s two.
3. Fantasy trip?
Take a road trip to visit friends and family I love. Don’t over or understay my welcome. I’d love to meet my NSTers.?
Hi back, AnniePerfumes, and yes, I’d like to go to one of the big cities where a few NST’ers live and treat everyone to coffee or tea, then trade some favorite perfumes samples or go to a fancy store and test the latest! Also shop for some cute casual shoes. My town is not such a great place for fun, colorful casual shoes anymore since a great family-owned store went out of business 5 years ago. 🙁
Psst…New York…
I remember Oyedo being so pretty when I tried it; a great Spring & Summer perfume.
Really? I almost only wear it in winter! 😀
Maybe I find it too sweet for hot days…
Hey, different strokes for different folks! And personal chemistry definitely has an impact on what a perfume smells like on any given person.
Totally agree! But I will try it out more often this spring, to see if I was missing something 😉
SotD Azuree. I glanced around, there it was; I only had to grocery shop, so I oversprayed and felt wonderful about that! 😀
1. What’s the fragrance you’d most like to add to your collection this spring? Probably Tauer’s Phi. I am swooning over the sample I got when I bought wonderful Sundowner.
2. You have to vote one perfume in your collection off the island. Which one will go first, and why? I need to face up to the fact that I will never wear JLo Miami Glow, even though it has its merits.
3. It’s time for (fantasy) Spring Break! Where are you going, and pick ONE fragrance to bring with you. I am going to the Florida Panhandle, and I am taking Mahora. I will eat oysters(but mostly boiled shrimp), drink some local beer, and smell far, far away.
So glad you oversprayed your Azuree!
Right?!?
Do you have the most awesome original style bottle of Azuree?
I do! I caught “the last train” thanks to Von Maur in Greenwood, Indiana! BUT: the new bottle version was very good about three years ago.
Good to know about the perfume itself holding up! But I honestly don’t foresee ever needing another one. So! Much! Perfume!
A kind NSTer’s husband found a way to pry off the stopper from my vintage mini of Diorissimo and I am forever grateful. What a lovely fragrance…and it was also great fun to try a few older Diors.
1. Hoping to find a bottle of Tea for Two in a swap since I’m trying to slow down or no down my perfume spending.
– On that topic, are there sites you all would recommend to swap in addition to Eau My Swap?
2. ELDO The Afternoon of a Faun – turns out I’m not a big fan of Immortelle (it will make an appearance on 4/23…)
3. Lopez Island in the San Juans is such a restful place for me and I’m ready for a nice long break.
Love Lopez! We took our bikes over there one summer from Friday Harbor, and did a circuit of the island. The stop for ice cream helped. 🙂
Glad that you are able to enjoy that vintage Diorissimo now! So beautiful…
SOTD is Trudon Bruma.
I haven’t officially shared my news because I was so afraid of jinxing it, but now that movers have been booked, I think I’m mentally ready to say we’ve bought a place! I think all my poll answers will be somehow linked to this big life change.
1. Buying a house has made me feel so so poor and made a no-buy come so easily! ? But if we’re talking fantasy, I’d love to add Apres L’Ondee or Initial to my collection.
2. So much to let go. It’s been overwhelming thinking about moving and what I no longer want to keep. I definitely want to participate in the swap meet when it happens!
3. I want to be instantly transported to a Japanese hot spring/spa (fantasy involves no airports or planes!). I will soak my cares away, take long walks, get massages, and eat sushi. And I will take CDG Kyoto and Passage d’Enfer.
Super congratulations!
Congratulations!
Wonderful news! Congrats!
Such good news AND you smell wonderful!
Congrats!
Congratulations, that’s great news!
Congratulations! And love the idea of soaking in hot springs with Kyoto on. (And buying Apres l’Ondee…)
Hooray! That’s wonderful news.
Congratulations!
How very exciting, congratulations!
Joining you in the wish of instant transportation into a holiday spot. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Congratulations! The thought of moving can be a bit overwhelming, but also cathartic to go through get rid of stuff you don’t really need.
So happy for you – enjoy building your new nest. Also, fellow hot springs fan here. If anyone has a chance to soak in natural hot springs, I’d say pass up any other “roadside attraction” but family, put your suit on under your clothes and take your chances on the changing facilities, and go for it.
Howdy folks!
Tonight (last night now) I wore No.5 L’Eau.
Poll…
1. Right now I have a cart with Nuxe le Parfum and Lancome O something in it. Lol D’azur? Maybe?
2. Off the island is Narciso In Colors. It’s fine but I prefer L’absolu
3. I’m not a traveler. I wouldn’t mind a paid week off with good weather, a clean house and all the bills paid.
My friend had the Nuxe perfume a few years ago. I thought it wss really pretty.
I like staycations too but I always end up finding a project when I am home.
LOL! We’re “Don’t wanna go anywhere” twins for now.
This sounds so relaxing!
I haven’t smelled Philtre for a long while. If memory serves, it is similar to Shalimar EDP but without the gasoline opening so it is easier to wear. It has a lavender note so maybe a little aromatic. The cologne and Philtre are both recognizably Shalimar but they are different.. Both are beautiful.
Ugh, this was for yasmina.
Thanks Petunia! Yup no gasoline in Philtre, thank gawd
SORN (scent of right now) is Grey Flannel, out of curiosity! I’ll be replacing with something else after I shower, but I do like it a lot.
1. What’s the fragrance you’d most like to add to your collection this spring?
Hera, by Papillon. Liz Moores is a perfume genius, and she created this for her daughter’s wedding, so you know it’s something special!
2. You have to vote one perfume in your collection off the island. Which one will go first, and why?
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom. It’s okay but meh.
3. It’s time for (fantasy) Spring Break! Where are you going, and pick ONE fragrance to bring with you.
I’d love to visit Japan in the spring to see the cherry blossoms, Kyoto, and other historic areas. I would bring Chanel No. 5 L’Eau, as it seems suitably elegant but light.
I really can’t wait to smell Hera! Those notes with a Liz Moores choice of ingredients and touch are so promising.
A grey Sunday morning. Thinking about weeding out the closet and making a trip to the thrift store. Wearing BDK Gris Charnel because springpansy mentioned it and it sounds good. 🙂
I’ve hit a bump with my cleaning … will restart this week. Isn’t it National Procrastination Month?
So I went through my clothes and shoes, and only found three things I was willing to part with (eye roll). I am a hoarder.
Wafting Casmir on this sunny Sunday. I’m trying slugging for the first time today with hopes it helps my parched skin.
Really enjoying some new beauty products by indie makeup artists. Still loving the Lisa Eldridge lip glosses and eye shadows, but am now transfixed by balmy bases, probably because I’m so dry. The L’Oreal (Age Perfect line, I think) has been so much better than I was anticipating since the other products in that line were a fail for me. The shade range is abysmal, and the fair and light shades look downright orange in the pot! I was thinking I might end up looking like an oompaloompa, but living on the edge like I do, I gave it a whirl. Fair 10 turned out to be a perfect match (no orange cast!) and looked wonderful. EXTREMELY easy and fast to apply and blend. Lasted all day, too. Now experimenting with Salt New York (loving it!) and Blunder Cover, which I haven’t dug into just yet. I’ve really been digging skin care and good indie makeup brands the past few months. I find it very soothing and relaxing.
I was thisclose to getting some Salt New York products awhile back but I have so much to power through yet. They look right up my alley; minimal packaging and easy to use. I love that you can build your own pallet. I first saw them featured on YouTube with KateFace. I love her videos plus her dog and kitties usually end up in them. I’m with you, the process of putting on makeup and skincare is so soothing.
Glad you are loving your fun products!
Thank you! Just wishing I was grand enough to have my own man around to preform facial massages on demand. ?
Omg, my college bestie was just texting me about slugging yesterday! I had never heard of it! We like to chat about skincare. I struggle with dry skin too, especially in the winter. This year has been much better and I’m crediting my cleansers which have kept my skin moist. The one I would highly, highly recommend is Emma Hardie moringa cleansing balm- leaves my skin feeling sooo soft.☺️
I just heard about it, too! I love this channel for free skin care info. They sometimes sell or endorse products, but I think it’s because they genuinely think they are excellent products. Plus, they are both easy on the eyes! ?
https://youtu.be/baKr6ufB3Xs
I’m going to check out that cleansing balm! I’ve been using the Clinique one since the dawn of time and have recently been looking for cheaper options that work as well. So far, I haven’t found any…
I was in London yesterday and by chance stumbled upon Fortnum and Mason. By pure chance as I walked along the luxurious tea offerings and China, I saw that they had a whole perfume floor! I was absolutely amazed to see they had a Caron counter with extraits and a Grossmith counter where I could spray vintage marvels like Sheik-el-Nessim or Hasu-no-nana. Also Parfums de Nicolai and Goutals that I usually don’t see like Heure Exquise. All of a sudden I want so may more perfumes ? Saffron Rose by Grossmith is really lovely.
Love everything about this post. Visited London just once (briefly) and the only store I really got to see was Fenwick. Would be happy to browse Fortnum & Mason. Don’t think we have stores near me that feature any of the Grossmith line, and there a few that sound intriguing.
Their vintage collection is made up of three perfumes formulas going back to the Edwardian era (Shem-el-Sheilk, Phul-nana and Hasu-no-nana) that they brought back to life and recreated as faithfully as possible with ingredients available today. That story fascinated me so I wanted to smell them for a long time. They truly do smell vintage and the closest I have smelt are the older Guerlains, L’Heure Bleue and Jicky. Fortnum and Mason is definitely worth a visit and feels more like a museum than a store. So glad I found it and planning to return!
Thanks for the wonderful armchair travel reverie!
I was so shocked too as I thought all it had was tea and a few places to eat. IIRC, it is right across from the Victoria & Albert or at least one of the museums.
I went there about 15 years ago, it was wonderful! Love F&M.
So tired today. I really want to go back to bed now, but that would only mess up my schedule even more. HATE the clock touching! ?⏰
Enough kvetching for now; onto the Poll!
1. Not currently having an itch for a new bottle. However if I were to add something it would be 1 of 3 things: Chanel No. 19, Tauer LAdDM, or Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka. All of these have been languishing on my Full Bottle Wishlist for years.
2. Voted off the island? I think my 2 Escada perfumes could go: the original version of Rockin’ Rio, and Escada Signature. Neither one appeal to me now.
3. Fantasy Spring Break? I have no desire to travel anywhere at this time. I spent too much time in airports last year. But I do have a lingering curiosity about what Stowe, Vermont, is like in the summer… and that’s within driving distance for me.
SOTWeekend = Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfum for Saturday, and commando for today. Too tired to put on perfume is apparently A Thing!
Joining you in crankiness about time changes. Plus it was way too soon: real Spring is a week away. GRRRRR
It didn’t help that I stayed up until Stupid o’Clock last night to watch something on TV, either. But I really wanted to see that program.
I had to look up Escada Signature. It doesn’t really seem like it would be your thing. I am always on the lookout for the first (I think) Escada. The Margaretha Ley one. ( sp?)
Is it a blue bottle?
It’s a clear bottle with yellow perfume and gold cap. It has the heart design similar to some of the older summer editions. The box is red. It’s very perfumey!?
Back when I originally got the Signature, it was a lovely green floral scent that worked really well in the summer. Now all I smell in it is cucumber and the green notes. The flowers picked up and left!
Too bad! Cucumber in perfume is a big nope for me.
Driving distance sounds like a plan!
My definition of driving distance might differ from other folks. I consider 6 or 7 hours a fairly easy shot.
1. What’s the fragrance you’d most like to add to your collection this spring?
– Hermes Jour d’Hermes Gardenia.
2. You have to vote one perfume in your collection off the island. Which one will go first, and why?
– MFK Aqua Celeste, so uninspiring.
3. It’s time for (fantasy) Spring Break! Where are you going, and pick ONE fragrance to bring with you.
– I am going to Venice and I am bringing Jour d’Hermes.
I really like the match of Venice and Jour d’Hermes…I will join you!
I’ve been in Chanel Eau Premiere, the 2008 version today. Nice and fancy fragrance for helping the hubster replace parts on the gas grill. He’s recovering well from shoulder replacement and started PT last week in earnest.
On to the poll:
1. What to add to the collection: hmmm, maybe try something from Dossier? I haven’t had my mind on perfume much in the last month or so. Lots of distractions around here.
3. Spring break trip: definitely to LA to see my daughter, since I’ve not visited her since January of 2019. I’m not sure I’d take any fragrance with me, since The Scent Bar and other purveyors are there. ?
I was hovering over the large selection of various Chance versions recently. I was travelling and the DTW (Detroit) duty free shop had quite a few to offer. But I decided to wait. I was really hoping to find a forgotten bottle of Shalimar MVP – talk about Spring Break Fantasies!
A big R.I.P to William Hurt.
Just saw that. And he was only 71.
I know! The older I get the younger people older than me seem.
Oh wow…these days 70s is more like being 60. Sad.
Oh wow, I liked him, how sad. Loved him best in Broadcast News.