It's Almost-Friday, World Environment Day and National Veggie Burger Day. Birthdays: Pat Garrett, Pancho Villa, John Maynard Keynes, Ivy Compton-Burnett, Federico García Lorca, Richard Scarry. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Chanel Cristalle Eau de Toilette from a decant in less than perfect shape; it still smells great though. It was a near-signature of mine for many many years.
Reminder: 6/6 will be Signature Friday...wear a fragrance that was your signature in the past, or that you could live with as a signature now, or that you'd like people to remember you by? From suggestions by madtowngirl and chocolatemarzipan8.
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 Peonies [cropped and contrast adjusted] by Adam Hertz at flickr; some rights reserved.
I just realized yesterday that my *signature* is just smelling good. Those are the kind of compliments I’ve gotten for years, the “you always smell good” kind. So therefore I can wear what I want and claim points, right? That’s my story anyway.
So today I am wearing a discreet spritz of JHAG Not a perfume for a haircut later. I’m taking a young friend who is graduating Sunday to get her hair done as her graduation present, so it will be fun to watch that metamorphosis.
Same “signature” here! 🙂
That’s a beautiful signature. I hope your day with your young friend is epic-what a fantastic gift 🙂
Echoing Carole, that’s a great graduation gift!
That’s an uplifting first post for Almost. Friday! How beautiful and enjoy your time with your young friend’s butterfly journey!
That’s a lovely compliment. I’m always brought down to reality by the fact that I live with a teen who’s not into “girly” things (except when she is…every once in a while she puts on makeup, but mostly that would take too long in the morning for her), and she likes to tell me that she doesn’t like how my perfumes smell. 😉 The latest teen dislike was Azemour…who could not like Azemour? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I wish I’d kept that noxious bottle of Zara Star Wars perfume she insisted on buying when she was 6, so I could demonstrate what REALLY smells bad. 😀
I can get behind that signature!
Joining Robin in Cristalle edt today.
There are too many beautiful perfumes for me to have a signature, but I could definitely live with Ivoire for the rest of my life. And I have enough of it that I will!
You smell great-I love Cristalle EDT! Ivoire is beautiful, too, and doesn’t seem to get the love it deserves.
Hey twin!
My SOTD is FM Cologne Indelible-it’s warm here today and we’re doing some outside work. I’m wearing the fragrance and the body lotion-the body lotions are really really good.
Do you mind if I tell you something nice? I love the FM line but I’m definitely not rich-usual case of champagne taste and beer budget. I try to do some Christmas shopping in the summer. I lucked into some great deals-I got Rose Tonnerre, in the 30 ml size, and Musc Ravageur, and some of their candles for 80 percent off. It’s from one of the Cosmetic Company stores so it’s legit. The 100 ml size of MR was less than the cost of the 10 ml size. I don’t want to turn a line I love into something totally mercenary but I’m really happy to have beautiful gifts that didn’t break my budget.
Hope everyone lucks into something good this week.
How nice! I’m so glad that you happened upon a sale that gave you these 2 beauties!🌹🌹
Envy! We have CC in Canada, but the last time the local store had FM in stock it was a scant 30% off, aka pre-2020s prices. Not that I am ungrateful…
That’s where I bought it from! Sometimes they have a clearance section.
Gasp! (planing trip to CC on weekend)
Stole, such a beautiful wish for all! 😍
Carole !
It’s so exciting you found some FM at great prices! I treasure mine that were purchased so long ago that for the current price of one travel spray, I got 3 in a set!
tulipani, the prices have increased so much. I remember buying the set of three for about $100 a long time ago. And their samples used to be about 4 ml.
Score!!!
I think you are rich! You always present such kindness and warm wishes to all.
You guys are the best-thanks for the replies. I read this site for decades, and didn’t comment-wish I started chatting long ago. Thanks again 🙂
“Champagne tastes and beer budget…” My mom has been saying that about me for decades 😆
Finding a gorgeous perfume you love at a price you can afford is a wonderful feeling. Enjoy your finds!
What a great story, Carole. I love it when people find amazing deals.
Ohhhh that’s awesome! Finding perfume loves at great prices, I’d be over the moon.
I’m wearing White Linen Legacy. I don’t have any of the original but reading other posts reminded me that I wore WL a lot back in the day.
And I wore a white blouse today to complete the White Linen motif😊
And the ensemble is complete!
🥰
White Linen was a wonderful wonderful summer fragrance. Happy you like the Legacy version and are perfectly dressed to complete the picture!
I loved WL, and I loved Knowing.
White Linen Legacy is really pretty! I was surprised at how much I liked my little sample.
In the soothing, oft-worn Douceur de Siam. Maybe Cristalle again on Friday…
You smell wonderful AnnieA!
Hello.
I loooove gourmand and I’d love to think that it’s my signature genre. I love smelling good enough to eat or induce a mild hunger pang to those who can smell me. Sotd is Lush Furze, eau de coconut macaroon.
You sure do smell yummy. Furze is one of my favorites! It does not get enough love. I just got a pang, lol.
SOTD is Sarah Horowitz Perfect Vanilla, which I received in the last swapmeet, and it’s just gorgeous, so cozy and beautiful. It’s not just vanilla on me, there is heliotrope, that rubbery almost marzipan note, and perhaps some spice, a pinch of citrus, and white musks that agree with me (many don’t). Listed notes are vanilla, blood orange, and tobacco. It could easily become my signature sleep scent, now that I’ve run out of her “A Perfect Veil.”
Therabbitsflower, my condolences to your partner (and caretaker you) on the freak skateboarding accident. Let’s hope that he heals well and quickly.
AnniePerfume, you have found your perfect job and Lush is lucky to have such a knowledgeable employee. I don’t have any great ideas about where to sell your collection other than the usual spots, mercari, evilbay, etc. Facebook also has a lot of perfume groups that allow sales and I’ve both bought and sold there, but not recently. If you do put up a list somewhere, I’d love to see it and I bet some others here might as well. Nice to see you posting and many hugs to you!
Per usual, you are so kind hearted. It is so nice to see my old friends.
Your “Perfect Vanilla” sounds like a nice alternative. A good swap.
I will put up a list, if Robin is cool with it.
The sheer volume I have collected that I won’t wear is silly. And seeing my perfumes, means I wear them.
💗
Thank you so much, Denise! He’s already sneaking in being self-sufficient when I’m gone. I went out for a short walk after work, and he’d washed some dishes and made our overnight oats breakfast.
Following on yesterday’s Poison, I’m in my next signature scent after that, Jil Sander No. 4. Just as loud on me, but a bit mellower. I really made a statement back in the early ’90s, but then, I guess everyone did.
Insightful observation about fragrance in the 90’s! I think we gals needed scents to match the large padded shoulders of our suits.
Is Exclamation! tommorow? 😉
Tomorrow I go REALLY ’90s…mid-’90s…so total u-turn!
CK-1?
Not quite that trendy.
I remember wearing the Bennetton fragrance-nothing quiet about it:)
Same!
Oh yeah, that was earlier than the Poison! Benetton Colours! And before that Liz Claiborne, in the triangular red bottle. But I wore both of those in high school, not quite grown up for me. What I really wanted in high school was a bottle of Sung, but I didn’t have the budget.
SOTD is Zara Romance d’Iris. It still is off Zara’s website, so I am wondering if it is discontinued.
Many years ago, my mother wore RL Romance and it smelled so good on her that it became my signature scent for a while. I still like it but have not worn for a very long time. In fact, I do not even have it anymore. I cannot imagine wearing just one scent now so not sure what tomorrow will bring. Will have to think on it.
Kris, I’m with you on this about the signature scent! And I think the profusion of new scents makes it a type of thrilling adventure to find new ones you like.
Sometimes the Zara scents disappear for a while and return later on. It happened with Vetiver Pamplemousse.
I have heard that so you could be right on this one.
Wearing Number One Intense today. Yesterday was hot and humid and today is less hot and humid. It is probably going to be Clinique Happy or Bath and Body Works Cucumber Melon.
I love both choices!
Not familiar with Number One Intense. Is it good for hot & humid? Or are the notes special for you?
Number One Intense might not be the best for hot and humid. It’s a huge jasmine/tuberose bomb to me with the mossiness of Mitsouko.
That’s a vivid description Dawn!
This is my “almost a signature” post. Many years ago, I received a decant of Dior Bois d’Argent (the original one). I think it could have been a signature — I loved it. But it was expensive and then you couldn’t get it for a while, and now it’s back and still expensive.
Anyway, I bought VC&A Bois d’Iris at a discounter several years ago, found it very similar and love it, too. Besides being beautiful, it can be worn in any weather. So that’s my fragrance today headed to a Mariners baseball game this afternoon. It’s not quite a signature, but possibly could become one. And now I’m curious and may try the Dior again to compare.
Have fun at the game.💗
Gosh I adore baseball! My father taught me to love it and there was nothing like a twi-night doubleheader in the hot humid summer nights with him. I bet the Mariners park is beautiful! Do you have any baseball game rituals you follow? Me, I want to go early for batting practice and a good parking space, something Dad always did. There’s something about being in that big a space when it’s just filling up.
Joining you in being an avid baseball fan. Do you have a favorite team?
I grew up in Pittsburgh so I’m still a Pirates fan, having seen them play at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park. Living in Los Angeles, I’ve seen a lot of Dodger games. Chavez Ravine is a beautiful venue! What’s your favorite team Laila?
I’m a native Chicagoan, grew up on the south side within walking distance of the ballpark, so am. A lifelong White Sox fan, thru thick and thin. Lucky enough to go to 2 of the 2005 World Series home games and celebrate their 2005 World Series win! But I’m a baseball fan and enjoy rooting for a few other teams (when they’re not playing my Sox) and enjoy visiting other ballparks.
Laila me too! If I can squeeze in a game in another city I will regardless of who’s playing! I remember well when they broke their curse like I recall when the Red Sox broke theirs! It’s a special blessing to be able to celebrate a Championship!
LesLiesse, I love the picture you just painted with words 🙂 I never did a double header for baseball in the summer, but we’d sometimes do a double header at the drive in theatre-two movies while you’re in your vehicle.
Drive-in doubleheaders are fantastic too! Especially on a date 😉😉
You smell wonderful! It’s a beautiful day for a Mariners game. Enjoy!
Enjoy the game today!
Have fun at the game! Mariners games are always so much fun. Haven’t been in a few years, and don’t see a trip coming in the next little while, sadly.
Have fun at the game!
I’ve always associated Bois D’Iris with you.
Enjoy your game!
Now I will have to try the VCA Bois d’Iris, springpansy! I have nursed a decant of the original Bois d’Argent for several years. Love it and especially the love myrrh note and what Luca Turin called the ‘licked silver spoon note.” I could kick myself for not buying a partial of one of the big bottles when I had a chance about 2 years ago. Non-buyer’s regret, let’s call it.
Goutal Le Chevrefeuille. Not a signature, but such a nice spring/summer scent. I have not worn it in a while.
That one is beautiful – you smell great!
Gorgeousness 🙂
Love this one, too.
Goutal brought some beautiful scents into the world.
Gorgeous and you smell great, Glannys. Also: Slava Ukraine!
Thanks, guys. It’s one of those nights again. There were some explosions earlier, and while it’s been quiet for a while, we don’t dare go to bed – there are still missiles in the region. I took advantage of the lull to take a shower, put on fresh pajamas, and spritz on a single spray of Beloved.
Ugh, so sorry Dawn. Stay safe.
Previous SOTD: Jour d’Hermes. Not exactly signature, since I bought it well after I started collecting, but it’s one I’ve replaced. Really good stuff. Just reapplied and topped up with Le Jardin de Monsieur Li.
Weather: I’m outside Chicago, and we have visible smoke-fire haze. Boo, I was planning to run out, but nothing on my list is urgent.
Tea: Republic of Tea Orange Blossom White Tea
If you finished a bottle, it counts!
Stay safe.💗
I’m outside Chicago, too, but it’s pretty clear here today and the sun is pretty bright. I think it’s supposed to clear up soon.🤞
Oooooooof. That air quality doesn’t sound good at all.
Wearing Oceanus. I wore this in the late 90s and on my wedding day (mixed w/ patchouli). For all of us that remember, The Body Shop was originally owned by Lush. 🙏
85 and humid. My spicy pup can’t handle the heat. Whatever breed(s) she has in her, she overheats so quickly. The only game she is interested in is climbing on my head.🙃
Meanwhile, my Sainted boy is smart enough to chill w/ the AC.
Girls.
You sure your “spicy pup” isn’t part cat?
O, I think she is! She is tiny, fits into the small spots, hisses and has even gifted me with a mouse.
She’s cuddling in a pile of sheets with a favorite toy, now.
🥰
Annie– I never knew that about Lush and The Body Shop. I remember Oceanus. Nice scent! I still love a lot of the old Body Shop scents and also their perfume oils. Great quality stuff!
I have some oils left, too! I’m clinging to them, they are so good.
Lush has oils, the most recent being Vegan Leather Jacket, I would be over the moon if they brought on some oils.
Anita Roddick started The Body Shop, and Lush supplied some of their product early on, then Roddick decided she should own her own formulas so “bought” them from Constantine (and his partners), that is the way I always heard it. And then Constantine opened Lush.
I don’t think Constantine ever owned any of The Body Shop itself? But maybe that’s splitting hairs anyway…they worked together for sure.
Thank you for this very interesting background, Robin. Anita Roddick had the right idea to own her formulas. Interesting that those two creative people had similar ideas around the same time and worked together for awhile.
Yes! Lush was originally the “Cosmetics to Go” company that supplied Anita. She wanted the recipes and manufacturing rights and bought them out. Lush (a name fans voted on!) recently required their recipes.
Sorry for the confusion- I have been a huge fan of both houses.
Bright 🌞, breezy and warmer today, quite lovely. Grocery shopping this morning, laundry drying on the line outside, yoga in a little bit, and an outdoor concert tonite featuring a Rod Stewart tribute band 🎶.
SOTD is my favorite summer yoga fragrance, YR’s d/c Neonatura Soufflé (or, ‘Breathe’). A bit of ginger mixed with citrus on top, tiare, jasmine and ylang-ylang midnotes, on a base of creamy vanilla. It’s somehow refreshing and softly warm at the same, like basking in the 🌞 on a sandy beach. Perfect for a summer day!
Wishing you could all smell those beautiful peonies that Robin pictured today. Mine are smelling heavenly 🌸!
How nice to have peonies in flower. Enjoy your concert
Columbines, roses, and peonies are in bloom around here. I see a bunch of them in my brother’s neighborhood.
Enjoy the concert!
We’re expecting snow today so I’ll need a cosy scent, maybe Fils de Joie. I’m heading south for the weekend so it will be even colder but with good op shops for second hand fossicking. I think that Serge Lutens perfumes are what I consider my signature house so I’m kind of CP. I’ve worn them consistently since the 1990s.
I’m intrigued Kanuka- fossicking? Second hand versus first hand?
Hope you see some good finds.
Kanuka — I wish I had discovered Lutens in the 90s — my wallet would be fatter. And I’d have every Palais Royale bottle ever made.
I love that British-ism ‘fossicking.’ It is a bit onomatopoeic as well. (I admit I had to check the spelling on that one).
In honor of Lorca’s birthday, I’m honoring my aunt and my uncle (passed last May) by wearing her White Shoulders. It’s been her signature scent since I can remember and my uncle loved it on her. Re: Lorca, my uncle was a doctor who was an unpublished author and playwright. And he wrote a 3 act play on the assassination of Lorca by the Spanish. A group of his. Friends performed it one night then everyone had tapas after to celebrate the “premiere.” And of course my aunt wore her White Shoulders.💗
What a lovely thing for your uncle’s friends to do.
It was great fun! One directed and blocked the scenes while everyone else held a script. It was surprise when they all went away to a couples weekend in Palm Springs. My uncle was genuinely moved. They rented a banquent room for the play then the tapas extravaganza. Also a flamenco guitarist serenaded! (Sangria helped I believe loosen everyone up.) If anyone has someone unpublished it’s a beautiful way to honor their creativity imo.
What a great story!
It’s a great way to pay homage to a friend who’s unpublished/ unproduced writer.
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing! Sangria + a flamenco guitarist sounds wonderful! And how sweet of you to wear White Shoulders in honor of your aunt.
Truth-in-posting: I had to wash it off after an hour because some of the notes give me an allergic response-runny nose & eyes. But I loved applying it and remember in happier times.
What a wonderful story, your uncle had some amazing friends!
There’s that saying … in giving we truly receive. I think that exemplified it for all concerned. All the work ended up blessing most the folks who did it. But my uncle felt a particular thrill in hearing someone speak the words he wrote.
Great story LesLiesse!
🤗
Lovely story, and great memories for you!
🤗
This is SUCH a great story, LesLiesse. It made my day. What wonderful creative and cultured friends you uncle has.
Yes he did. This was back in 2001, and all those lovely friends have passed on. My aunt is the only one left. But she smiled when I brought it up so I think she remembered.
All the talk of Frederic Malle reminds me that I haven’t worn Noir d’Épices for ages, so that’s my choice for today.
I miss the “old” Malle line.
Me too!
I am sampling today, Carthusia’s Fiori di Capri edp. It’s sweeter than I expected, probably from the ylang. I might try layering it with something greener.
I remember someone comparing this one to vintage Ysatis, for what it’s worth.
SOTD is Bal d’Afrique. I think I will be reaching for a lot of vetivers this summer.
Vetiver is an excellent choice for summer!
SOTD = take a guess!
If you chose Chanel No.19 EDP, give yourself a big round of applause 👏 👏👏!
In other news, not sure if I ended up linking to this NY Times gift article … here’s one that mentions working several jobs — like to have extra spending money or by necessity?
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/business/polyworking-jobs-economy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LU8.mNqw.jmgYm5xo6Fub&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
A round of applause for me! Lol.
I will always give you a round of applause !
Smelling wonderful in No. 19!
I’ve been up since 3:30 this morning. The inventory went smoothly. The company no longer provides us with donuts, but my boss brought us some. I chose the cream filled and someone told me those have too much sugar. Apparently their donut had just the right amount of sugar. Lol.
My sotd is/was Gabrielle L’Eau from the purse stash. I needed something bright and cheerful this morning.
Holy moly, that’s an early start! Glad that your boss brought in donuts. But why on earth did someone have to be a big buttinsky about the one you had?
People like to feel superior, I guess. Fortunately I can laugh most comments off.
re: Sugar–I was on a recipe site for carrot cake and someone left a review saying “carrots are loaded with sugar, I replaced them with kale” and then complained that the cake was dense and dry. It’s cake! What is with some people, Lillyjo? I can’t imagine criticizing someone’s donut choice.
I’m glad inventory went well and it’s done.
Lol at the crazy kale cake lady story!
Me too. I love carrots and I love kale, but I would never think to sub one out for another. How ridic.
Kale? In cake? That doesn’t even sound good.
Oh, kale no!
Kale? I literally laughed out loud. That’s hilarious.
You should get donuts for that jack rabbit start! Inventory makes my head hurt-glad yours went well:)
When I first started, we would get bagels and cream cheese and a beverage!
Hurray for making it through the inventory. That is a terrible time to wake up and go to work. Sugar and caffeine seem like the perfect balm at that hour.
I also chose Cristalle EDT today, Robin. Back in high school and early college, one of my signature scents was Allure. Now, if I had to choose a signature Chanel perfume, I’d choose either Cristalle, Boy, or Coromandel. Since today is in the low 70s, Cristalle fit the bill the best.
Hey twin!
I honestly don’t think I ever smelled Allure until much later, after I was hanging out on MakeupAlley.
I spent a lot of time at the mall as a teenager in 1999 so I smelled the Allure EDP when it had major display space at the department store perfume counters as a new perfume. Fell in love with that, to me, grown up scent and made it a priority item on my Christmas list. 😉
Keeping an eye on the skies today. After I posted here yesterday, a hail storm blew up in my area. It was small stuff, roughly pea-sized. No damage to buildings or vehicles, but some of the trees got a little beat up. Teflon kitty HATED it, and ran to one of her hiding spots until the hail stopped.
Going with a potential “signature scent” for Almost Friday. Tomorrow will be a throwback signature for the CP.
SOTD = Clinique Wrappings. If I was the signature-scent type, this would definitely be under consideration.
Wrappings definitely reminds me of you.
Hail makes the scariest noise. I don’t blame TK for hiding!
I was surprised to see hail on my deck yesterday. It’s usually rather sheltered. And there were small piles of hail in the parking lot until the rain washed it away.
May and June are the peak of hail season out here.
Eek! Hail is scary stuff.
I think of you and my Mom with Wrappings. If we voted on NST, I know you’d get Wrappings, hajusuuri, #19, lovestosmellgood Shalimar and lillyjo- everything Mugler. Robin gets 10mls of whatever she damn well pleases.
Everyone else? I’m so curious for tomorrow.
A quiet night with the weather here tonight, thankfully.