It's Tuesday and World Art Day, National Anime Day, the Universal Day of Culture, plus Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday. If you’re in the US, it’s also Tax Day. RIP Mario Vargas Llosa. What fragrance are you wearing?
For the UNESCO heritage site Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, I went with its location in Yunnan, and then of course I went to Hermès Osmanthe Yunnan. I got closer with my tea, The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co Cascadia Breakfast, since it does have some pu'er tea.
Reminder: 4/18 is the World Heritage Day / International Day for Monuments and Sites. [This is sponsored by the International Council on Monuments and Sites, an NGO dedicated to the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of the world's cultural heritage.] Pick a place you've visited, or would like to visit, that has "intangible cultural heritage", tell us about it, and wear a fragrance you think fits for whatever reason.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2025, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Dayglo tea: In Pu'er, on the road from Jiangcheng to Simao. As the elevation drops, the rice terraces disappear and tea takes their place. [cropped] by Santo Chino at flickr; some rights reserved.
Hey all, my SOTD is Sun, Moon, and Stars, by Karl Lagerfeld, created by Sophia Grojsman. It’s tickling my allergies a bit, but it’ll calm down in an hour or so.
I didn’t realize it was national Anime day! My favorite Anime genre is Vampire-themed, nerdy? Yes, absolutely! But I could watch it for hours.
Vampire-themed anime is so outside of my area of expertise that I have nothing intelligent to add! But I do like nerdy.
Which is favorite vampire anime?
Vampire Hunter D, 1985 and 2000, Hellsing Ultimate, The Monogatari Series,
Goth Anime is also a favorite…. Gilgamesh, Trinity Blood, Ergo Proxy, and Shiki are all favorites.
Did you ever watch “Vampire Hunter D”?
The 1985 or the 2000 version? 🙂 I love them both but VD-2000 has the edge for the techno-inspired soundtrack.
LOL! I think I saw part of the 1985 version ages ago.
Great connection, Robin!
I did something different for the CP. Instead of thinking of a place I’ve visited or would like to visit, I checked the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists) and thought of perfumes I could pair with different items on that list. I do have a personal connection with one, and I’m saving it for Friday.
Today I wore two scents:
Morning: Lush Cardamom Coffee for “Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity” (https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/arabic-coffee-a-symbol-of-generosity-02111).
I was mostly inspired by the story behind this scent:
“Inspired by a cup of coffee Simon received at a refugee camp in Lebanon. After losing so much and fleeing their home countries, the people at the camp were still so generous and giving. Cardamom Coffee captures the rich and spicy scent of the hot drink in the cold autumn air and represents the generosity that he experienced.”
Afternoon: Tom Ford Noir de Noir for “Truffle hunting and extraction in Italy, traditional knowledge and practice” (https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/truffle-hunting-and-extraction-in-italy-traditional-knowledge-and-practice-01395).
This connection is more light–hearted and straightforward – Noir de Noir features a black truffle note.
Ha…and I did something similar but also considered the trifecta of place I would visit + perfume that might match + decent picture available on flickr 😉
I am thinking I will do only places I have not been but would be more than happy to go, that way I will learn something.
But here you’ve done two already! You will win the cp as always 🙂
Three if you count yesterday!
Yep, you’re way ahead!
ooh, that is a great idea, Glannys. I shall join you in Tom Ford Noir de Noir, which will hit the spot today (cold & overcast).
And I will think of beautiful Italy and truffle hunting and forests and loamy soil and dogs. Or is it pigs? Or both?
I’m not a big truffle fan, but the DH recently bought a grated parmesan cheese with tiny truffle bits at Trader Joe’s. It is a bit much and would be best on a plain pasta dish or would muddy the other flavors,I think, though I wonder if it would go with wild mushrooms, another earthy gift from the forest.
Yes, Noir de Noir is just what you want on a cold grey day.
It seems to be “trained dog” in this case. Maybe they use pigs somewhere else.
The truffle parmesan would be delicious on a risotto…
Great idea, smoky toes
Such a pity that TF Noir de Noir was discontinued.
I treasure my bottle of NdN. It’s a shame so many of the TF’s original releases were DC/d, I’d trade a kidney for another bottle of Moss Breches.
Hello.
Sotd is Angel Muse. Another great scent that’s met the axe. Sigh.
Now that it’s Spring, I am itching to buy Comete again but I’ll wait till I smell Kurky and if I buy that then next Spring! Ha.
My bottle of Muse is getting low so I looked around the web and my goodness, bottles are sky high. You smell marvelous.
OTOH, my bottle of Muse seems to keep increasing every time I use it (= 8 sprays). Lillyjo suggested turning the bottle upside down and while it helps, what is the fun in that?
I love Angel but haven’t tried the Muse version. I wonder if there’s a more citrus-forward version of Angel?
I once ate an orange right after spraying Angel, the combination was heavenly!
IIRC both Aurora and lillyjo have mentioned that Angel Innocent has citrus in it.
I am doing an incense week, which at the same time fits the community project.
Today, I am wearing Montale Full Incense, specifically for the Cathedral of Seville and the Royal Alcazar in Seville, Spain, designated as a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1987.
I have been following the live streaming of the Holy Week from Seville every day since last Friday. I have done that for years. I was in Seville 10 years ago for the Holy Week, and it was a profound spiritual experience. I will definitely go back to Spain in the future for this holiday and to visit family members that I have not seen for a while.
Happy Tuesday! 🌿
That’s my location for tomorrow so you beat me to it! I have never been, it must have been amazing to be there for Holy Week.
It was wonderful! That is an experience that I recommend to anyone, no matter if the person is a Catholic or not.
Yes! Not even remotely Catholic here and Semana Santa was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced, many years ago now.
I am so glad you were able to truly enjoyed it and appreciated it!
Nice choice, perfumelover67.
You probably know this already but in case not, L’Artisan’s Seville A L’Aube was inspired by Holy Week in Seville. I think it was created by Denyse Beaulieu of Grain de Musc (who visited Seville during Holy Week) with Bertrand Duchaufour. It also has incense, as well as beeswax, lavender, orange blossom, herbs, and loads of other yummy things.
I bought a blind bottle of Seville A L’Aube many years ago for Holy Week. Unfortunately, orange blossom is a note that is very difficult for me to wear. and I swapped my bottle. I revisited a year ago, and sadly, it still does not work for me. However, I love the scent of the real orange blossoms!
Well, it was a nice try, and I bet whoever you swapped it to very much cherishes the bottle, since it’s discontinued now
Smelling beautiful in Full Incense, that’s the only Montale I ever considered getting.
Full Incense is my favorite Montale. I have been considering a back up bottle. I just hope it does not get discontinued.
I was surprised to see that I’ve visited several World Heritage sites, and will be thinking about perfume pairings for a few of them. But meanwhile, this morning I’m wearing Gucci EDP for Daniela Andrier, who is being honored with a lifetime achievement award.
I have visited way more than I thought!
I’m doing a Parfum d’Empire week. First up is Le Cri de la Lumière.
Wish that was my SoTD😬
Sotd (and a chill gray day at that) is layering FM Iris Poudre & Prada Infusions de Mimosa, both gifts from generous NSTers.
Glannys inspired as she does so often (thank you Glannys !) with the story behind the scent Lush Cardamon Coffee, and the kindness of strangers. I’m resolved to be extra kind to three sets of strangers today at the hospital!
I am sure that made your hospital visit nicer 🙂
It did! My aunt was full of Ativan before going down for a surgical procedure and she was telling every nurse and doctor she passed by, “I love you!” Everyone lit up despite the circumstances. An RN named Vidal quoted the Beatles I think – love is the only thing you get more of by giving it away!
Excellent!!
I’m probably going to be a bit obvious for most of this week, but why not…and it’s a good excuse to trot out some incense perfumes. I have a good (less obvious) one for Friday, though.
Today will be Kyoto, for calm, and for lovely memories of visiting Kyoto in the spring. I have an insane morning of double-booked meetings to get through.
You smelled great today!
Hi, all 👋
Wearing SL L’orpheline today for the smoky incense. I have to think about the CP this week.
The weather is raining, then sunny then raining again. Chilly and windy 💨🌦️. Must be spring!
Yes to incense!
I’m wearing the smoky La Curie Incendo today for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Nice!
And nice to see you!
You smell wonderful!
Thank you! I love Incendo and Ossuary, her iris.
Me too! Those are the two I bought when I went to Tucson and sniffed.
Great!
Your incense week has inspired me😊
Great name for a perfume!
Several Jo Malone scents today. Started with Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body Cream then sprayed Nectarine Blossom & Honey with Zara Fleur d’ Oranger. Smells like spring.
Update on hubby-Went to the PA of his orthopedic surgeon and they started him on steroids until he sees the surgeon tomorrow. Hopefully, we will get answers then. Thanks for all your support. It means the world to me.
Thank you for updating us on Mr K! Glad he’s getting something to relieve his pain. And you smell fabulous in all those gorgeous scent layers!
Thanks dear!
I hope they’re able to figure it out soon!
I hope so too. I am guessing they will do an MRI tomorrow and know something.
Thinking good and healing thoughts for your hubby, Kris.
Thanks Denise!
Glad to hear he was seen and has another appointment tomorrow. Sending you hugs.
Hugs back to you!
Wishing your husband the best – as someone with orthopedic problems of my own.
You know how they can be quite painful. No fun!
We are house twins again today. I’m back in Fleur de Patchouli and loving it.
I hope tomorrow brings some relief to your husband.
Thanks Lillyjo. So glad you like the Fleur de Patchouli. Do you like it with those BBW products? I thought they worked well together.
I will be trying them together soon.
Hope the steroids work their magic until he gets a full assessment.
They do seem to be helping.
Hope that you both get some answers soon!
Hopefully, tomorrow!
Wearing no 19 edt today for a little extra backbone today.
I am sitting straighter at the very thought – thanks!
I am wearing Fresh Hesperides today. There may be an entirely warm and dry week here, fingers crossed. I have lots to do outside.
Fingers crossed!!!
Accidentally in Synthetic Jungle. Was moving some items in a box and this decant emerged, leaking a bit. I love so much about this perfume, but sadly not the scent. I find many “green” scents headache-inducing, and this one is neon.
Question for y’all! Feel like helping me respond to a request for perfume suggestions? I’m going to send some decants, but here is what my friend is looking for in her own words:
“ I want to upgrade my signature scent. I’ve been wearing Trésor Midnight Rose for over a decade (literally only bought it the first time because the spokeswoman was at the time my personal hero Emma Watson 🙈🤣) but I feel like it’s starting to feel too young? It’s very sweet and fruity which I like! But I think I want to smell more like a witches house in the woods maybe like spicy and earthy?”
She is a sensitive soul. By day is a project manager for a trucking association, by night sings in a band.
Not exactly following the notes, but how about ELO Eau de Protection? It’s a tough rose, and well suited to a singer.
I have that! Can include a decant of it. Weirdly, it makes me think of lavender and geraniums—in a good way!
I was thinking the exact same thing before I even saw what you had written!
When I hear “earthy” I think patchouli. Maybe Les Nereides Patchouli Antique? It has a spicy note, too. A French house…
Uh ohhhhhh. Was not familiar with the house but now I am. I luuuurve the earrings! The perfume definitely fits too. And hmmmm am noticing two shops in Paris near two of our destinations next week. Enabler pin to you madam!
Earring porn?
https://www.lesnereides-usa.com/collections/earrings/products/blueberry-white-flower-and-firefly-post-earrings
https://www.lesnereides-usa.com/collections/earrings/products/gardens-in-provence-long-mimosa-earrings-1
At least a sample of Phi Une Rose, right? The EldO is also a great idea.
You know, Taur never worked for me, but PHI might be a good one for her to try, and maybe Fruitchouli Flash too.
Coco?
I thought of the same. She’s a good two decades or more younger than me though, so it might be too 80s vavavoom. I love Coco, but maybe Coco Mademoiselle?
Or Coco Mademoiselle Intense.
VC&A Moonlight Patchouli for an easy wear ‘witchy’ suburban (a ‘ good’ witch)
Lush Vegan Leather Jacket ( cheaper) for a ‘ band’ vibe
Prada Paradox for an Emma Watson link
Aesop Tacit for earthy witch
Oh well done Kanuka. The only one of these I’ve sniffed is the VC&A—but now that you’ve bestowed on it “witchy suburban” I think I need to give it another whirl! Who knew that was a siren call for me?
I’ve seen Nobile 1942’s MALVS described as a woodland witch’s perfume more than once. On me it is an amber with incense and spice (peppercorn and also “fresh spice” like you get from carnation).
Okay. I’m going to start a list of perfumes I cannot decant for her, but if she comes across she should try. Although she says nothing about amber, who would who wasn’t steeped in perfume code? I bet she’d like it.
Not so much for the scent (as I am pulling a total blank on the ones I have sniffed) but the bottles— I could see a Vagabond Prince bottle on her dresser—Enchanted Forest?
How about Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilee?
I was thinking L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur de Roses, but I suspect it is discontinued and hard to find.
Am in the cuddly Ginger Biscuit, as there is a wind despite the sunny day and I’d dressed for the latter.
VERY windy here…
Inspired by all the Magnolias in bloom. I’m wearing Sous les magnolias by Pierre Bourdon, a bottle I bought in Paris in one of the gorgeous Astier de Villatte shops. It has been discontinued since, unfortunately.
I don’t think I should ever go into one of their stores, I’d probably just spend my life savings.
Hi fragrance friends,
Today I find myself revisiting Ayutthia in Thailand with Bois Imperial and it’s crisp note of Thai Basil.
Hi apsara! I’m sure you are smelling wonderful!
Ooh, a place I’ve been, Ayutthaya! Although it was ages ago and merely a quick day trip from Bangkok. Maybe I’ll use it as my inspiration for Friday.
Smoothie is a pear.
There was a little rain today which was a good thing otherwise sunshine and cloud, 17C. Eau de Patou, the vintage one this time, beautiful citrus still fresh, my bottle is quite pristine and a chypre base. Tonight bpal Creepy, an Halloweenie edition from 2006, caramel apple with a tiny bit of old wooden house note.
Old wooden house note does sound creepy.
Yes😀, I don’t know how they achieve all the creepiness for the Weenie scents.
oooh, caramel apple + old wooden house sounds both creepy and fun to wear!
The bpal Halloweenies are especially good.
Eau de Patou sounded pretty good in the Heritage Collection. You’ve mentioned both in the past if I recall correctly.
Your memory is astonishing, yes I have both, they’re very different imo, the vintage leans more feminine and the base makes it longer-lasting but both very elegant and easy to wear, I paid more for the vintage, the Héritage one was £29.99 IIRC.
Trying Kerosene Promises, Promises on a cool and overcast day today. Notes are Vanilla, Amber, and Musk. It’s nice…very much an amber to my nose so far. I have sampled others from this line but none have struck my fancy.
I believe Unknown Pleasures is the biggest seller but I think I strongly disliked that one…it was maple syrup if memory serves. Some aroma chemical used for caramel comes across as maple to me and I can’t stand it…other perfumes have it too. 🍁😒 Note that I actually like the smell of maple syrup and intentionally maple perfumes are ok b/c they don’t use the same chemical it seems like. 🤷♀️The use of that chemical has actually made me somewhat of an anti-carmelite…if you will…in my effort to avoid the maple…make sense? 😜
Does anyone know if PdN Iris Medicis was ever released in the U.S. please? Methinks not. I know it’s available on their website but I never saw it on any U.S. website for sampling. I am mulling the new Muguet which might be a rerelease of last year’s Une Fleur en Mai (but I am just guessing) and thinking of what else I “need” and it got me wondering about Iris Medicis.
I don’t think so? I think it was limited to the PdN shops in London and Paris.
Beauty Habit never got the Iris Medicis, but has all of the other newer PdNs so I’m guessing it wasn’t sold here. I have it and can send you a sample if you don’t want to blind buy.
Got an earworm from the name of your SOTD. Eighties tunes for the win!
Robin one day I will get on the Hermes wagon….
Lilac Love for the Central Park gardens here in NYC. I don’t think they are a world heritage sight..but I get partial points maybe
Eh, why? Any wagon I am not already on, I’m not getting on now, ha…my wagons overfloweth as it is 🙂
Central Park is on the tentative list, but it is hard for me to believe it won’t be added, it’s so important to the city and really to the country.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6234/
SOTD = Carner Barcelona D600
So good – woody iris vanilla vetiver! 🤎🤍
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIesKitx8ya/?igsh=N2xzMW9icnN4bXlt
In other news, I am looking for a way to clean glass candle holders. Freeze then yank out? Warm then pour out? Thanks!
If you can microwave them :
Heat in microwave until wax melts
Wipe as much as you can with paper towel, until basically clean
Then soapy boiling water ( don’t tip in drain , just put in compost)
Then dishwasher
You are less likely to scratch the glass than using freezer method.
Thanks! I may do the hot water bath, no dishwasher (I have one but I don’t use it). As for the microwave, I have to think about that.
If the metal wick holder is stuck and the microwave isn’t an option, I’ll fill the jar with very hot water, use a chop stick to scrape as much wax as I can from the bottom and sides of the jar, and the let the water cool. The wax will melt, float to the top, then solidify and float as it cools. Then I’ll throw out the wax (or add it to another candle if it is substantial) and give the jar a good scrub.
Thanks! I do like this idea! I am thinking of repurposing the remnants but who knows what that will smell like.
I’ve discovered that candles made with a coconut-soy wax blend make a big mess if you try cleaning out the glass using hot water. Heads up.
Thanks! The heads up is appropriate since candles these days seem to be made with coconut-soy.
Wearing Chypre Mousse today for no particular reason. My son is going for his practical driving test today and I seem to be more nervous than him. We have a three-stage testing system here: formal test ( road code questions) which gives you a learners licence so you can drive with a supervisor/ driver , the restricted which is a practical test which allows you to drive alone and take passengers in the day , but can’t drive at night without a supervisor. Then there’s the full licence . It’s a slow process so hopefully he will get his restricted today. They fail 60% for some reason.
Good luck to your son. I hope it goes well and you get to enjoy not having to drive him everywhere!
Good luck to your Son!
60%! That’s impressive.
Very good luck to him.
It took me 3 tries to get my driver’s license back in the day, or rather, I failed twice before I considered finding a smaller car so I could do that 3 point turn 🙂
It’s gloomy and rainy here. I’m wearing Zara Fleur de Patchouli.
I’m still wearing my winter clothing and a customer commented on my attire. Apparently it annoyed him that I was wearing Fall colors in the Spring and told me as if I were a moron. I sometimes wish we could rate customers. Zero stars for him!
So rude! 😡
Indeed!.
In Kindergarten Cop, one of the kids uses the insult p**p**head; seems apt for your rude customer
I love Kindergarten Cop!
Argh, some people just need to keep their thoughts to themselves!
Most people! Lol.
Wow. That dude was a total @$$hat.
Totally! I think his girlfriend told him so when they left.
Would have figured somebody like that was an incel.
Lol!
Do you think the BBW products work well with that fragrance?
It is too bad you can’t rate the customers. Why do some people even open their mouth???
I haven’t tried layering yet. I wanted to get to know it on its own first.
Will report back!
Please do. I think you will like it.
What, really? I am trying to imagine the circumstances under which I would tell someone such a thing.
Ok, I would tell my sister just to annoy her, but otherwise.
That guy’s a sexist idiot. Hope that whatever he bought gives him a nasty rash.
Personal remarks should be restricted to compliments, I bet you looked very nice.
I think this guy gets a double dose of 💩 of the smelliest kind!
I’m working thought a bunch of Santa Maria Novella samples this week. Today’s is Cinquanta, which was described to me as gardenia and hinoki (two notes I love), but on me is gardenia and tea, which is just as good. It is very much a translucent, watercolor-like perfume. I don’t recall anything else I’ve tried that treats gardenia that way, and I think it is great.
Tea today was Clipper Ship Alpine Almond in the morning and F&M’s Albion in the afternoon.
Gardenia and tea sound like a great blend for the swampy NJ summer!
Popping in to say I’m wearing Heaven Can Wait thanks to a kind NSTer.
I’ve been busy, my son’s on Spring break and my parents and sister are visiting this week. I haven’t been on consistently, has Deva posted recently? Just thinking I don’t think I’ve seen a post from her in awhile, but maybe I’ve missed it. Hope she’s well!
Haven’t seen Deva for a while. I’ve been wondering about her as well.
I was wondering about Deva. I was thinking she may be done with her assignment and is in the proccess of traveling to her summer destination in the Midwest.
I was thinking this also.
Posting late today! My brother stopped by this afternoon, asking for help with resume updates. Much easier for me to deal with than for him.
In other news, Kris gets an Enabler Pin for Encens Mythique. My bottle arrived this afternoon, so I was already wearing perfume. And usually my morning choice stays with me for the entire day.
SOTD = still in La Panthere EdP. Really liking this sample right now!
Yay!!! Glad you liked it so much.
🥰
Yay for a new perfume!
I’m close to running out of room for new bottles, though! 😢
I’m about done with new bottles too.
Congratulations on your new bottle. I should really test La Panthère, I bet you smell élégante.
Thanks Aurora! La Panthere is a feline scent, but much more floofy kitten than sleek big cat. I see a resemblance to the original Bottega Veneta, but with prominent florals and a softer leather note.
Woot! La Panthere is wonderful.
Thank you!
Not really complying with the CP currently but I will see what I can find for later in the week.
I tested out Fugazzi Angel Dust yesterday, having read so many rave reviews. Unfortunately, I developed a terrible migraine. Probably was not the perfume that did it but I kept getting a burnt electrical note from it so the Angel Dust went back into the sample archive box.
Today, I needed comfort and went with Obvious Perfume Une Vanille. Why do I never tire of vanillas?
I keep wondering what effects the tariffs will have on perfume.
I hope you feel better from the migraine.
Burnt electrical note?? Ewwwwwwwwwww.
Poor you.Migraines are awful. I often smell burning cigarettes when I have a migraine.
Sorry about the migraine. I too am wondering about the tariffs and perfume…would like the new PdN Muguet but wondering where to ship it. If I have it shipped here to Canada, I’ll probably have to pay the cost of the perfume in duties and processing fees. Sending it to the U.S. was always a safer bet, but then, will there be tariffs charged now?