It’s Tuesday and National Hot Fudge Sundae Day. Birthdays: Josephine Tey, Elias Canetti, Johnny Hodges, Iman. What fragrance are you wearing?
Me: more community project points in Comme des Garçons Ouarzazate.
Reminder: on 7/28, we're off to Africa! Wear a perfume that is named for a place in Africa, or that reminds you of a (real or imaginary) trip to Africa, or that features an African ingredient, or ? Modified from a suggestion by JB.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2023, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is THE GREEN KERICHO TEA ESTATES by Francis-makonjio [cropped] via Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved.
Hermes Un Jardin sur le Nil, sprayed lavishly.
Glannys, you smell amazing! Hope the dental work is not too painful today 🙂
Thanks!
I have no dental appointments until Thursday. The temporary crowns still feel a bit weird, but, as Jalapeno pointed out yesterday, they are not permanent.
Good luck on Thursday! I had my routine cleaning this morning and it turns out that I had lightly chipped one of my porcelain crowns. It’s not remotely uncomfortable and it’s on a molar, so not aesthetically problematic, but sheesh — stuff I didn’t know could happen.
I honestly didn’t know that could happen either! Do you have to have the whole crown replaced?
beautiful photo Robin
Tea is a cappuccino, and MF Eros later on today.
SOTD No 19 Poudre
I have a love/hate relationship with this perfume lol
Wait, what? I thought you loved that perfume!
I do! I adore it- it smells great! But some days I spray it and I don’t smell a thing! Where did it go? 😂
Was thinking about you the other day–in addition to Mary Renault, have you read Robert Graves’ I, Claudius? Probably, but just thought I’d check. Forget the tv series made in the 70s (I’ve not seen it, and some say it is good!)–the book is brilliant. Seeing Josephine Tey in Robin’s summary reminded me. I loved The Daughter of Time–another great book of historical fiction, but not Ionian. 🙂
I haven’t read this author. Where should I start?
I, Claudius! It will not disappoint.
Oh, did you mean Tey? I’ve only read The Daughter of Time.
Thanks for reminding me about I, Claudius. I’ve been meaning to read that for years.
Second that
The series is amazing but to me, feels like I am watching a stage play. I also feel that way when watching reruns of All in the Family. Production values and video quality have changed so much (in 40-50 years!). But Derek Jacoby is phenomenal. Have j
And John Hurt as Caligula ,and Sian Philips as Livia , brilliant
Sian Philips is SO good in everything she does. She was terrifying as Livia in “I, Claudius” and likewise as the Reverend Mother in the David Lynch “Dune”.
Yes! Derek Jacoby gave one of the most memorable performances in any series ever.
I saw him as Thomas Becket in London in 1992?
He was great.
I guess I sort of qualify in Rochas Byzance, because at its apex the Byzantine Empire included bits of North Africa and Egypt. Anyway, that’s what I’m wearing, the vintage from 1987, and it is spectacular, one of those big tuberose monoliths that followed in the wake of Poison, except not really tuberose at all, because there’s so much else going on — citrus and aldehydes, carnations and spices, just everything. There’s never been anything else like it.
You inspired me to wear Byzance this week. You smell great!!
Sounds really beautiful!
I too am inspired to look into this-sounds fabulous!
Good review and…hmm…do I have a mini somewhere…???
Would have been nice to come across that one back in the day. I don’t think I ever saw it.
If you had seen that cobalt-blue bottle with the gold detailing and the saucy hot-pink ribbon wrapped around the neck, you probably would have bought it on the spot, because it looks as good as it smells.
I am wearing Bois Farine, inspired by a tree in the Reunion Island.
Making lots of iced tea recently and enjoying them a lot. They smell like perfume!!
My favourites are Jardin Byzantin (mix of pomegranate and rose) , Jardin Suspendu by Palais des thes.
Bois Farine is a great match for this CP. I missed that reference. Maybe I will wear it this week instead of one of the scents I planned.
I needed some green today, so I’m wearing Niki de Saint Phalle.
Do you have OTT bottle design, or the almost-sedate one?
Lots of good smelling people here 🙂 I’m in Neroli Portofino.
Made it to ridiculously early yoga and got into some deep stretching, so that feels great. And the view was amazing-totally flat calm Atlantic ocean, plus the smell of wild roses on the breeze. It was worth the struggle to get there-mornings really aren’t my thing.
Ooh! That’s my favorite Tom Ford fragrance. You smell amazing!
I love that TF
Reminder to self: YOGA.
I’m in 10 Corso Como, it smelled so good yesterday.
Today is my Friday.🎉 and I’m heading up north after work today.🎉 I’m so excited.🎶
I’m spending a few nights with my parents which I’m looking forward to but the real reason I’m excited is that I get to see my girls! My baby is returning home from her 30 day Saskatchewan canoeing adventure with her summer camp. Thursday camp will host a banquet and slide show for families. Our whole family will be there, as my son is driving me, Mr madtown will meet us there, and my older daughter works at camp. My dad is even going to join us. Should be fun. I haven’t seen my youngest daughter since Father’s Day which I’m pretty sure is the longest separation we’ve had since she was born.🥺A trial run for when she leaves for college next year, and I survived!
Happy Fri-yay to you 👍🏻
Yay for time with the madtownettes! You are inspiring me to dig out my CC.
Happy Friday and have a great time!
Have a wonderful visit with your family!
Have a wonderful time.
Have a great visit!
Have a great visit! Hope your daughter had fun; Saskatchewan is my home province.
Have a happy time!
Have fun! You’re wearing one of my top 10.
Have a wonderful time!
Whoo hoo for family fun time!
Failing the CP (but getting some good inspirations- I have 2 Africa focused scents for later in the week!) in a sample of Fils de Dieu du riz et des agrumes by Etat Libre d’ Orange. Currently getting mostly the citrus, but it smells good to my nose! Happy Tuesday every one!
It’s such a great perfume, Deva wears it most I think.
Planning to wear L’Artisan’s Tenebrae–noodled a bit to see if I could make some link with early Catholic services and Africa to connect the perfume to the theme. There may be a connection, but my quick inquiry didn’t find it–other than I have no doubt Tenebrae is observed by Catholics in African countries. It sounds like a very beautiful and moving service.
Maybe the incense is from North Africa.
Beautiful picture Robin.
Less than 50 days to Africa.
And five more pounds to get off.
SOTD is TF Bois Marrocain, so I have traveled from SA to North Africa from yesterday to today.
What’s your itinerary?
We meet in Amsterdam and go to Tanzania. Stay in Serengheti.
Then to Kenya where we are going overland through the Great Rift Valley starting at Loisaba and ending in Masai Mara.
Then over to Mombasa for beach time and coming home via Paris.
Gosh that sounds wonderful.
Wow, what an incredible adventure!
I’ve been to Kenya once, and I would love to go back. It was the most impressive trip I’ve ever been on. Hope you love it!
We are thinking hard on moving to Kenya or Namibia for retirement.
PdN Caravanserail today, since I’m visiting family in the U.S. and was able to pick up the Luckyscent samples I ordered when we had the poll on scents from the last year. CP compliant for North Africa, at least. (I’ll go south later in the week 🙂 ).
You smell great!
Enjoying the last sprays of Mr. allo’s bottle of Eau de Cédrat and the vicarious experience of thunking a FB😊
Yay!
🤣🤣🤣!
Taking CP points in Wazamba today.
Had a great weekend with my daughter and my granddogs, they are so funny. We didn’t get to the Barbie movie but we talked ourselves hoarse and ate cake, which was awesome.
You smell wonderful and so happy you had a chat with your girl! I’m off to Barbie on Friday: I can’t wait!
Can’t beat talking and cake!
What fun!
That sounds great!
That sounds so awesome; what a great weekend!
I’m wearing Timbuktu today. Thanks to SarahN for the reminder yesterday! It’s bringing back lots of nice memories, this was quite a staple for me about 15 years ago.
You smell wonderful.
Me too!
You smell great!
Wearing no 5 edt today and not looking forward to work today. But at least I have tomorrow off.
And at least you will smell fabulous at work!
Probably should have saved this for Friday, but I saw my bottle of Safari and spritzed away. It will be SotD post-shower too. I’d like to mention that the long dry-down of yesterday’s Tocade gave me such a happy feeling when I was waking up: the most wonderful rich amber, so clean and spicy, with rose and maybe a little musk.
Safari is a great idea.
2nd that, did not think of it!
Wearing Indult Reve en Cuir on one arm and F. Bianchi Under My Skin on the other. They are similar in vibe if not identical, so I will just keep going with the former when the little bottle of the latter is gone
I don’t think I ever tried the Reve en Cuir…the reviews on Luckyscent are pretty darned good.
Strawberries and yogurt smoothie
This very English summer is continuing, 18C today with some clouds, I decided on the equivalent of a tropical drink, Lolita Lempicka, Elle l’Aime à la folie which is a great flanker, almost identical to Elle l’Aime but longer lasting, the coconut and lime were very nice but I would have enjoyed it even more if the temps were a touch warmer. Tonight it’s Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours, another flanker, that one didn’t stay very long in production.
Velours was gone in a flash.
It would have deserved to be a pillar, I have around 40ml of my 50ml bottle but I have to remind myself I shouldn’t savez it, perfume companies are unmoved by clients anxieties due to discontinuation.
I think I had the chance to sniff Velours maybe once before it was gone. Couldn’t get a bottle before it vanished.
Oh, I’m so sorry that you love it but don’t have it. And now the pillar perfume is gone as well, I don’t understand why as it was hailed a success😌
In Honore des Pres I Love Les Carottes.
Happy Tuesday! 🌻
You smell great, Love Les Carottes is such a fun lightheaded iris!
Thank you, Austenfan! It is a very easy to wear iris scent. I like it especially on hot days.
Happy Tuesday!🌞🌻
Thank you, Lillyjo! 👋🏻🌻
Smelling great! I almost wore that one today.
Thank you, almost twin!
I was contemplating wearing this. You smell wonderful!
Thank you, Hajusuuri!
This week is definitely the right time to break out the hot weather perfumes. Gonna get downright sauna-like here 🥵
As I get older I tolerate the heat less and less. Thinking that the heat index is going to be in the 100’s is giving me tons of anxiety!
Jardin Secret by Parfums de Nicolaï. I don’t think I own any perfumes with an African link.
PdN is a decent consolation 😉
I am sampling Prin Varuek, animalic smoky spices. It should be something I adore, but it’s just…okay. I don’t know why. I will move on to the CP scents later this week. I know I have at least one.
That happens, right? Next 😉
Sephora sent me an email for a new Phlur perfume Father Figure, for anyone interested in fig. ( not me) also they now have Jo Malone available in regular travel sprays instead of the little roller balls. My sotd is YSL In Love Again which reminds me a bit of Blackberry and Bay.
It’s another bad air day here.
Sorry about the air quality, In Love Again is such a great perfume for summer I think.
I just read that it was done by JCE too. Some people compare it to Rose Ikebana but I do not know that one.
I almost read bad hair day and had to take another look 🤣
A good hair day for me would deserve a post!
I saw that Sephora email, too. And have had a George Michael earworm since.
I had the same earworm.
I don’t think I have any CP scents for the week so I will wear my 4160 Tuesdays frags instead. Today I’m in Hush-Hush edt.
It’s only 17° celcius today, 63° fahrenheit! Such a nice break from the heat we’ve been having the last while. So good to have all the windows open!
Can you please waft some of your cool breezes my way?
Shared!
I have Hush-Hush in all 3 formulations. I first wore the Parfum and it is fantastic. I will wear the other 2 at some point.
I got all 3 formulations as well since I couldn’t decide! I will have to try the parfum next; the edp is also really good.
Wow! I don’t think it gets that cool where I am at in the summer even in the middle of the night.
It was pretty unusual to get that cool in summer. We had a pretty good windstorm blow through last night.
I think my reprieve is over; back to hot weather again tomorrow.
I am thinking of Kenya and coffee, drinking Kenyan coffee and wearing Coffee Break while the dogs sleep on the bed beside me. Still an hour until sunrise.
I’m amazed at how early you get up! What time do you normally go to sleep? I’m the opposite: late to bed, late to rise (whenever possible; work hours are so inconvenient).
I’m with you, socks!
I am a morning person and I like to look at the stars, but I like a long slow start to the day so I get up between 430 and 530 and take coffee and iPad back to bed for a few hours. It’s winter here so sunrise is around 8am. I usually have 7 hours sleep.
I’m in Vanilla Flash today, and using JB’s vanilla link to Africa to claim CP compliancy. I’ve had this bottle since it first came out in 2015 I think. Honestly, I didn’t care for it overmuch when I got it. When I started traveling in 2017, I left it in my fridge at home. Picked it up when I sold my house in 2020, and now here we are three years later.
Have I changed or has the perfume settled and become more cohesive over that time? I don’t know the answer to that, but every time I wear it I find it smoother, a tiny bit sweeter, and enjoy all the spices so much more.
So, I guess this is an argument for keeping a bottle around even though it might not be “all that” when you first get it. This is always the risk when you blind buy I guess, which I did with this one.
With all the jouncing around I have done, all my scents have stayed remarkably stable and/or improved-deepened and become more complex- over time. The only bottle I’ve had turn is a Jo Malone scented spray oil, which went rancid within a year of obtaining it even though it was kept in a stable, dark place when I lived in a sticks and bricks.
I’ve had very few bottles go bad on me. I have had very bad luck with oils turning though.
Ooooof. Better use up the samples I have of perfume oils sooner rather than later!
It’s a nasty wet day out there, we woken up by hail showers around midnight. I’m not looking forward to the walk to work.
I’m flying down this afternoon for a visit to my mother, and catching up with Kanuka on Friday – I’m looking forward to that, it’s been a couple of years.
I’m wearing SL’s Rousse today, it’s spicy and warming.
Have a great trip!
Cold but sunny here. See you tomorrow
Friday!
Safe travels!
Hey folks! I’m enjoying my day off today. It’s hot out and the air is bad again, so I’m inside with my dog, some tea, and the home shopping networks on mute :). I find them soothing. I need to go mattress shopping so that’s my task for today… eventually.
I bought and finally received a sample set of Chanel’s Eaux, so I’m trying Paris-Venise today. At first it made me think of my grandmother, all cold cream and Rive Gauche, but now just some sweet woods.
Paris-Deauville was nice, but so fleeting on me! And Paris-Biarritz I already knew I liked. Might try Paris-Edimbourg after my shower, if I ever get off the couch.
Off to read the rest of the comments!
Sorry to hear that you are dealing with bad air quality.
Where did you get the Chanel Eaux sample set?!
The site beginning with E and ending with Bay! All 6 samples came in one white Chanel box like this: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/FDIAAOSwPfhkWf1F/s-l1600.png
I wish Chanel did these more often. They don’t appear to be on the Chanel site itself, so maybe they offered them a while ago.
You know you can just say ebay?
I know, I just think it’s funny how people here avoid it like it’s a bad word! 😆
Gotcha!
Lutens Chergui because uncle Serge is based in morocco
✌🏻😉🌹
Oh good to know!
Oooh, that is good to know about Serge! Thank you!
Excellent. And Chergui has an African connection as well, and there must be others of his with names linked to Africa, but too tired to think of them!
Posting and running for now. Got another load of laundry to get done this afternoon!
SOTD = commando, except for Bliss’ Lemon & Sage Body Butter on my shins again.
Laundry never ends.
At my store, I have repeat customers buying incredible amounts of clothing. I sometimes wonder if they don’t do laundry and just buy new stuff constantly. Lol.
My mom went to school with someone who was so busy she never had time to do laundry (or so she said), so she’d buy a new pack of undies whenever she ran out. By the time she graduated, she had over 200 pairs!
@lillyjo: You are right, laundry never ends. But I can knock it down to a reasonably-sized hill instead of a mountain.
@socks: I’d rather do laundry than have to figure out what do to with 200 pairs of underwear!
I know, I can barely fit what I have in my drawers as is!
I’m trying to be more conscious of washing as few loads as possible but still wear fresh clothes.
Procrastinating loads of laundry probably doesn’t count as washing less. 😏😏 I finally got around to washing the quilt on the bed, which was loaded with cat hair…
How is Spooky kitty doing?
Slightly better than on Sunday. Thanks for asking. She has some appetite and is drinking a bit of water every so often. But she spends much of her time sleeping.
I am glad she is a bit better. Sending her comforting vibes.
Also glad to hear she’s doing a bit better.
I’m so sorry to hear about Spooky’s health issues. I’m glad she’s doing better and hope she can stay comfortable.
SOTD = Diptyque Eau Duelle EDT
Vanilla! Fragrantica says it’s bourbon vanilla but I will pretend it is Madagascar vanilla. OK? OK!
Ok!🌞
Vanilla? In this weather??
I really want to try Duelle. I already have woody vanillas but if that is what I like, it won’t go to waste. Maybe for 2024 . . .
I wore G&B Silky Wood today. I have avoided it in the heat, thinking the vanilla would be too much but it was heavenly, as the tobacco and wood notes kept things dry.
Today went so smoothly compared to yesterday, when I seriously felt I was going through the day in slow motion, as unexpected needs kept arising and delaying me. But maybe the groundwork from yesterday made today so much smoother.
So glad!