It’s Hump Day, Greta Garbo’s birthday, International Equal Pay Day and National Cheeseburger Day. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Providence Perfume Co Vientiane.
Reminder: on 9/20, we're off to Mainland Southeast Asia! Wear a perfume that is named for a place in Mainland Southeast Asia (we'll include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and West Malaysia), or that reminds you of a (real or imaginary) trip to to the region, or that features a local ingredient, or ?
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2024, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Laos [cropped] by Dennis Sylvester Hurd at flickr; some rights reserved.
PSA Shalimar Millésime Jasmin is on the U.S. website this morning! 🤩
Done! Lol.🤞
Done! Thanks for letting us know She-ra!!!
Thank you for letting us know! I’m still on the fence with this one. I love jasmine but am not sure I need a fresher version of Shalimar. Plus I’ve already made a lot of purchases this quarter. Decisions, decisions…
I think you need it😉
I was surprised that I: 1) got an announcement email from Guerlain, and 2) found it was available when I clicked through. However, Suzan’s/Shop France’s Newsletter mentioned that it was being released around the time of her next trip, and she did indeed get a bottle per my request. I should get it in a day or two! I love jasmine and Shalimar, so I hope this will be at least as lovely to me as the MI is. So far, the MVP is, I think still the best in terms of being Shalimar yet more. That’s the one that was released when I was on a no buy. :P, but a kind NST’er shared a sample so my inner completist is happy.
You will get it before the rest of us so let us know what you think of it.
So that was the faint rumble I heard this morning? The Shalimar Stampede?
LOL😂
Good one!
Hello.
Yesterday midnight my maternal grandmother joined the angels to waltz in the grand ballroom up in the sky. She was 93. I will always remember how her dresser smells of powder and the red lipsticks she wears everyday.
In memory of her I am wearing one of her favourites, Chanel no.5.
It’s very difficult because in between a few months I’ve lost both my grandmothers. Life can play cruel tricks sometimes.
What a lovely tribute to your grandmother. I am sorry you lost both of them in a short period of time. Hugs. 💗
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Very sorry for your loss, happy888cat. Funny how evocative this like cosmetics and perfumes are-I feel the same way about things my mother and her mother had.
I’m so sorry happy888cat.
I’m so very sorry that you’ve had two such losses in such a short time. When I lost my beloved grandmother (my birding buddy, my prop and support after my mother’s early death) she was just five months shy of her 100th birthday and I still felt she went too soon. Treasure your memories, speak of her often, and by all means wear her favorite scent. I hope that my grandparents are winning Charleston contests in the same ballroom in which your grandmother is waltzing!
So sorry for your loss. You will have great memories of your grandmothers that you will be able to share with others.
I’m joining others in expressing my sincere sympathy. I’m glad you envisage her dancing in Heaven. Like you, I was close to both of my grandmothers. I was lucky enough to have one of them until she was 96. Both influenced me, too, by wearing perfume. Let’s hope you continue to enjoy many good memories of time spent with her, as well as your other grandmother.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope she is with your other grandmother, sitting comfortably on a cloud watching over you.
Sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. That was a lovely tribute to your grandmother.
I’m very sorry you lost both your grandmothers, I still miss my grandmother even though she died more than 20 years ago.
So sorry you’ve lost your two grandmothers in quick succession, how lovely that you honor them in choosing such a classical and legendary perfume.
So sorry for your loss…dancing in the heavens is a wonderful way to remember her!
I hope she’s having a wonderful time, in the brightest red of lipsticks, dancing away. Hugs!
So sorry! Both my grandmothers have been gone for decades, and I still think of each of them on a regular basis. Waltzing in the Grand Ballroom in the sky is a comforting thought!
Hugs, happy888cat. You and her dear memory smell wonderful.
I am so sorry for your loss. My grandmothers passed a long time ago but I remember both of them smelling like powder.
My condolences on losing both of your Grandmothers in quick succession. Hugs.
The loss of a beloved grandmother is super hard. I’m thinking of you. Hugs.
I still have trouble referring to her in past tense…
I’m so sorry for both your losses in a short time- very hard. That was a beautiful memory you shared.
Tam Dao for the CP. Only researching for this challenge I found out that it is the name of a forest in Vietnam.
Welp you just inspired my scent for tomorrow lol.
Second day of Dompteuse Encagee. Also put just a drop of File de Joie on the back of my left hand, because I couldn’t quite chose just one scent today. Really hoping to get quick dip in ocean after work.
A dip in the ocean is good for what ails you, IMHO! I love Fils de Joie, and have wondered about Dompteuse Encagee – do you have a preference? Does DE seem like anything else to you?
I really love both of those fragrances, MossyBerry. DE is so good for the summer, and I have to admit I loved the ads the SL people came out with-the bottle wrapped in suede, with two plumerias lashed by a black cord. DE reminds me of the beauty of Nuit de Cellophane-a lighter wearing SL scent. It also reminds me of Songes. They’re very different-Songes is more intense and seductive but they evoke similar feelings in me, if that makes sense. I bought DE last year on FNet for a great price. It’s worth full price, in my opinion.
I’m wearing Bill Blass Nude, cheap as chips, and something I really enjoy when I think to wear it.
I have perfumes I need to keep on my desk so I’ll remember to wear them 🙂
Greta Garbo! I know I’ve told this story before, but my beloved granny (daughter of Swedish immigrants) used to always tell me I looked just like Greta Garbo when I was a wee one and would put on her sunglasses.😎
I’m in Chanel no 5 L’eau. This one is firmly in my top 3 most reached for. Perfect anytime anyplace.
Love your scent. I don’t know why I did not wear that very much this summer.
That’s so sweet about your looking like Greta Garbo!
You smell wonderful! L’eau is a treasure of mine from the last NST Swapmeet.
I love that scent so much. It’s a go-to for me too. Always good on any day.
Cooled off nicely after yesterday’s storms and rain and got back down to freezing last night. Put my little oscillating space heater on this morning to cozy it up.
To all those folks that have already snapped up the newest Shalimar flanker, please report back! I’m thinking I’ll pass on this one unless it gets rave reviews, by which time it should be sold out. See how I work it? 😉
I’m in the most spot on perfume I can think of today for the CP. It’s so flagrantly SE Asian I’m amazed no one has mentioned it yet, or maybe I missed it..?
Notes:
Siamese Benzoin
Kampot pepper
Ceylonese Cardamom
Burmese Tanakha
Laotian Honey
Care to play “Guess that Perfume”? 😉
Cologne Pour le Soir?
Nope.
I knew immediately what scent you were hinting at, could think of the perfume house but for the life of me couldn’t think of the name. So when I googled it, of course I went “duh”!! Going to search for my sample and wear it today.
I hope you find it as wonderful as apsara and I do. 😊
It’s so good! It’s only my second time sampling. I’m glad you brought it to my attention today, I’ve noticed you wear it semi-often.
I would describe it as a smoothly spiced-up Tam Dao., which is a very good thing.
I believe this is PG Indochine, my desert island fragrance.
Ding! Ding! Ding! My bottle has probably less than 2cc left in it…😢 We may end up in the same desert isle so I may have to repurchase so we can share…
It was on backorder during Covid and I waited eight months for a back up. It is safely secured.
I completely forgot that I have something fitting the CP so well.
I just ordered a sample of that yesterday along with some others. Now, I am excited to try it.
I’m saving that one for Friday. 🤫
I may wear it again then, too. It’s just soooo delicious!
apsara beat me to it. Indochine. I plan to wear it on Friday, because I think it fits the CP the best.
I’ll probably wear it again on Friday, too. We should title it International Indochine Day. #25 for the win! 🙌
You will hear from us about the jasmine Shalimar. Who knows, we all may have different opinions.
I have a feeling it will be amazing! If anyone thinks about doing a split, there are probably many interested, including me. 😉
Kenzo Jungle l’Elephant could work if your morning temps are that frosty!
Hove Parfumeur Lilas D’Avril
I always like seeing Hove mentioned. The original niche perfumer!
Appreciate you mentioning National Cheeseburger Day, Robin, as my husband has just had a notification from Texas Roadhouse about it – shame we’re thousands of miles away as we live in Aberdeen, Scotland! It must be said, though, that when we visit our friends in Oak Ridge North, Texas we always eat here once or twice.
That’s so funny! And I foolishly had a cheeseburger last night instead of tonight 🙂
Wearing L’Attesa and off to a retirement party this afternoon.
This weekend I was at a fun perfume event: Scentrique had an Ormonde Jayne launch party, and I hadn’t realized Linda Pilkington herself would be there! She gave a great talk and I also got a hug from her at the end, which was really heartwarming.
How fun, wow! Did you get to try the new ones she’s just come out with? Any thoughts? I’m dying to try Kashmir.
Yes, there were the latest two, but not the entire line (yet). I have Muscat so my silk route dreams have been fulfilled. Oh, and the ticket included a 12-piece sample set, *and* snacks, so nicely done all around.
I got my travel size Kashmir last night from Fumerie.
Yippee!!
Do you love it?
I haven’t tested it yet.
Will report as soon as I do.
Oh, how fun!
How cool!
What a fantastic surprise! Isn’t Linda Pilkington adorable? I met her at Arielle Shoshana a few years ago and was so completely charmed that I had my picture taken with her, which I NEVER do! Her story is amazing, too. What a great event with a sample set!
That’s so awesome!
SOTD is many things today. I started in the shower with Lush Sticky Dates and ShiKai Yuzu shower gels. Thanks, Robin, for suggesting mixing these two as you are right that Sticky Dates is very sweet. I like the combination. Next, I went with Bum Bum Cream. Finally, I sprayed “1/4 hajusuuri” Rogue Derviche since I didn’t know if it would be too strong. This is a lovely tobacco scent that is classified as an oriental amber by the perfumer Manual Cross. You can smell vanilla and jasmine as well, but neither are overpowering. It probably is a little too warm today for it, but I find it beautiful and could probably be worn anytime if applied lightly.
This reminds me I need to bring out my Sticky Dates shower gel! Also, I find it amusing that some are using my perfume dosage as a “benchmark” of sorts – I love it!
You are brave for using Sticky Dates now! I could only handle it in the depths of Winter. Plus that scent has some emotional baggage for me, alas.
With the other shower gel, that is more citrus, it cuts the sweetness way down. I was glad Robin told me about this. She said to do the same with the Rose Jam.
Other bonus, of course, is that the ShiKai is cheap as chips and Sticky Dates is so strong you only need a little dab. Makes the more expensive Lush product last way longer.
In Tam Dao edt today.
Hi twin!
I’m a triplet!
I’m in very good company today, clearly! 😁
It’s Botox day!! yay!!
Volutes for the CP.
My SA at Dyptique sent me all the new fragrance samples for FREE.
Oh, Volutes! That will be my SOTD tomorrow I think. 😊
Do tell about those new Diptyque samples!
Haven’t opened yet. Am fearful of loving something – but not the price tag!
Yay for Botox day!
In the spirit of testing things so you don’t have to, I have tried all the “new” Gap perfumes—there are four, at least online.
The only one I am full-bottling, and that is because it is being sold for $26 right now, is Cardamom Musk. The others, to my nose, were all terrible. Cheap, shrill, and cloying. I actually liked this one. It reminded me of another perfume, but I couldn’t think what it was. Finally, on day three of testing it hit me: Timbuktu. I tried them wrist to wrist. Upon application, they shared a lot–albeit the Gap frag was thinner and sweeter. However, as they wear, the Timbuktu gets richer and more complex, while the Gap perfume more linier and clean musk. I had already ordered the Gap bottle when I realized what I really wanted was the Timbuktu. Bah! My husband thought I smelled good when I was wearing the Gap, so not all is lost 😁🥴 I have moved my bottle of Timbuktu to a more prominent position on the shelf. 💛
Just keep that Timbuktu in it’s rightful spot!
I should bring my Timbuktu out for approaching Autumn weather.
Wearing the long discontinued Ingrid by Andy Tauer. This came out in 2013 and it was when he was doing some kind of collaboration at the time. Been a long time since I have worn it
Gosh, I’d forgotten that one entirely!
Sprayed on Shalimar MI. This was before I saw the new Shalimar dropped this morning. Still pondering if I “need” it as I’m still trying to be on my no-buy (or low buy).
You need it!
C’mon.. join the we probably don’t need it but really want it club! 🤣
I agree.
Haha.. you’re good!
I’m in the club, just sayin’.
I’m wearing the gorgeous L’Esprit Libre by Divine. A soft floral iris, that is easy to wear and even easier to love.
I loved the early Divines and haven’t tried any in years — will try to find this one.
This one feels more modern, like a more floral Infusion d’Iris
I’m in “Lipstick On,” from Maison Margiela. I’ve smelled it before, but this is my first time wearing it.
It’s “lipsticky,” especially at first. As it dries down, I get a lot of vanilla/ambery warmth, and the lipstick fades away. It’s not as surprising (or fun) as “Lipstick Rose.” Nor is it as elegant as “Misia.” But I like it, and I’ll definitely try it again.
For some reason I thought that was discontinued.
I think it is. I purchased a bottle on eBay several months ago – finally got around to putting it on skin!
House twins with you today!
Same combination of ingredients as yesterday for smoothie
I had the urge of wearing Hiris when I came across the beautiful cobalt bottle this morning and tonight it’s cozy Brécourt Farah with that date note I like so much and sweet spices and resins. I think I have only this one and Weil Suki Essence for dates, both delicious, Suki was a steal but Farah was not a budget scent.
I miss Hiris! Eventually I will cave and buy more.
Oh you must miss it a lot because you hardly buy anything these days.
My gym has gone fragrance-free (too many boys wearing Axe body spray, I think) so yesterday I spaced out on putting anything on after I got home. Today I am wearing Messe de Minuit. Good news about the Shalimar Jasmine and I hope someone splits a bottle. I love jasmine but I am iffy about Shalimar. I liked the vanilla flankers but passed on the iris and …tonka, was it?
I was thinking the same thing about hoping someone splits a bottle haha!
For the cp I’m wearing the 2020 version of Zoologist Bat, which was done by Thai perfumer Prin Lomros. I haven’t worn my sample since I first got it, and I think I like it a little more now than I did back then. But it still doesn’t move me enough to want more.
Yesterday I wore a beautiful, hidden gem perfume also for the cp. It’s a limited edition perfume from the brand MCMC from 2012 called Amara. It was part of a project called the Humanity Fragrance Project and proceeds from the scent went to an orphanage in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The notes are black pepper, cinnamon, spider lily, jasmine, incense, and oud Kambodi (Cambodian oud). It’s a gorgeous woody incense with noticeable florals – actually I can smell all the listed notes. The oud here isn’t too raunchy and the perfume has a fresh/clean feel to it from the florals and incense while also smelling decidedly woody. I’m sorry more people didn’t smell this one during its time.
Amara sounds both lovely AND perfect for the CP!
I agree, would love to try Amara! I also don’t especially like the 2020 Bat. Luckily I still have most of my travel size bottle of the original Bat, which I really love, despite its strangeness. He also did Sloth for them, and if I can find my sample of it, I’ll wear it later this week.
During swap meet time, I can send you a decant of Amara if you want while I’m hopefully sending out other packages.
I feel like I remember thinking that Sloth smelled like wet dog and putting my sample in the give away baggie lol. Also don’t forget if you run out of original Bat you can buy it from Olympic Orchids. She still owns the formula and sells it as Night Flyer.
I love Siem Reap.
It smells dusty and of street food, especially roasted corn, a popular snack.
I suspect I’ve got nothing for the CP in my limited sample bag here, but I’ll have to think hard on whether I can tease out a note in one of the fragrances I have.
SOTD was Phi, because again my black dress was unhappy on the drying rack and I sprinkled it with SMN rosewater to get rid of the mustiness, so I needed something to go with that.
I’m feeling okay about not jumping on the Shalimar train. If anyone’s with me, I support you! (I jumped last year…I like iris a lot more. I think MI will cover my Shalimar needs for the next 10-20 years.)
I’m with you. I’m just not a big Shalimar fan, even though I love the history behind it, so it doesn’t draw me in. The iris one was the only one I considered, but still didn’t jump on the train.
That’s kinda what I’m thinking too. I read somewhere that it’s more jasmine, way less Shalimar. I probably have other jasmines in my collection to cover this. FWIW, I barely detect any iris in the MI version; that could be weather-dependant though.
Not even tempted as I seem to be anosmic to some jasmine. Money saved, I suppose.
Shalimar is a nemesis perfume for me. I haven’t been tempted by any of the limited editions.
Vivacious today, which utterly missed the CP but is just pretty!
Adorable hubby is off as a five day school to learn stone masonry, which makes my wrists hurt just thinking about it, so I have spent most of the last two days knitting and watching Monty Don gardening things – there is a lovely 3 part tour he did of Venice, and then down the Adriatic coast, hitting all the old walled gardens developed by Venetian influence which survived the bombings of the 1990’s war. I feel calm and cheerful and rested as a result. Tomorrow I will clean house and then maybe go look at new cars- my current vehicle is about to spit it’s drivetrain out on the highway, as the front differential is shot, and is making more and more “car on it’s last legs” groans and squeaks. Or maybe I will stay home and not think about it! LOL!
If I may offer a bit of advice about getting a new car? Don’t do what I did and wait until your ride actually gives up the ghost. Not recommended!
Yes, I am trying to get a jump on it!
SOTD = multiple days worth!
Diptyque Kyoto, Tauerville Incense Flash and Opula Dulce Solis Violet – all good, all wonderful! 🥰
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAE1JjJxt1J/?igsh=MTkyaWM1eTZpM2Zqbg==
In other news … I got 0 out of 3 in this Should They Buy or Rent piece from The New York Times. Let’s just say that, along with a bunch or people, have no clue as to what motivates people to choose one or the other.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/16/realestate/rent-or-buy-home-quiz.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LE4.ncPu.pMQHlLzN3CJy&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Wow, what’s the occasion?
Nothing – other than just looking for interesting articles.
I got 2 out of 3, but just took a wild a** guess.
I got 1 out of 3, but should have gotten the question on Florida right. Then I would have had 2 out of 3.
I like the multiple bottle posts.
Thank you. It is a sign of laziness …
Hah, I’m such a sucker for these quizzes, and The Hunt, where you also try to guess which of three possible apartments or houses someone will choose. Even though never lived in NYC, so I’m unfamiliar with most specific neighborhoods — just nosey, lol.
I scored 0/3 too, lol 😹
I would have liked more numbers. I know insurance is getting sky-high in Florida — but won’t the landlord just pass that cost on to renters???
0 out of 3 here also. Interesting!
For a day of scraping, sanding and caulking windows: Lattafa Tharwah Gold, which I blind-bought for the atomic design on the bottle. It’s a superpower, and even in the warm, dry weather (perfect for painting and the attendant preparations), I smelled it all day. Just *WOW* for an awesome scent bubble. Now, if only I liked Black Opium, Reem Acra, and Libre a bit more…pear…lavender…citrus…clean florals…
Every Black Opium perfume I have smelled is very much gourmand for me. Even the Florale flanker.
I’ll have to give my Black Opium Intense (the blue one) another sniff. I seem to remember lavender and cedar.
I’d be interested to hear what you find. But people can smell very different things from the same perfume…
I’m in Rogue Perfumery Jasmin Antique today for the CP. Though I LOVE jasmine, I might be in Gail’s camp when it comes to the new Shalimar and have enough jasmine fragrances to cover me. Of course I could be wrong….😬
Tough call re: that Shalimar, eh?
Not that tough in the scheme of things😊
As could I! Still pondering..
House twins!
Hi Twin! I can’t wait to hear what you think of the new Shalimar🌸
Perfect late summer weather for me today: bright blue skies, a light breeze, and temps in the low 80’s. I’d like a couple weeks of this! 🌞🌈
Had an excellent view of the partial lunar eclipse out my bedroom window last night. The big, bright moon looked like a sugar cookie with a small bite taken out of it at the peak. It lasted around 90 minutes. 🌕
SOTD = the discontinued Replica Tea Escape from Maison Margiela Paris, for the green tea. I have only about 1/4 of the sample left. Time to quit hoarding it!
You’re on a roll! As to the eclipse, I did not even bother.
I keep hoping I will see the Northern Lights here in Colorado!
I think Tea Escape was gone before I could test it. I didn’t care for the Matcha Meditation.
Tea Escape was much better than Matcha Meditation. It was a bad reformulation if you ask me.
You smell wonderful! I wish they would bring back Tea Escape, I’m hoarding what’s left of my travel spray.
Thank you! Too bad Tea Escape seems to be gone for good. I will enjoy what little I have.
I love September in Colorado!
It can be pretty darned nice! 😉
I got a good view of the eclipse here, too. We had very clear weather and sat on the patio as the little bite out of the cookie appeared.
Have you ever seen a full lunar eclipse? That dark red moon is eerie and otherworldly.
I’m working late and wearing Shalimar edp. I’m off tomorrow and I want to organize my perfumes and see what I have for the swapmeet.
Enjoy your day off tomorrow!
You smell great today.
Edward Bess Genre for me today. I love it so much. I’ll be insanely sad when I drain my decant.
That one is spendy, isn’t it.
Sure is. I’ve hoarded my decant but really need to go ahead and use it more.