It’s Hump Day and National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, plus Raymond Chandler’s birthday. RIP Ozzy Osbourne. What fragrance are you wearing?
For Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe and the hardboiled genre in general, I'm in a little drop of Robert Piguet Fracas.
Reminder: 7/25 will be Mystery & Crime Friday...for Josephine Tey's birthday, interpret the theme any way you like...you can scent your favorite fictional detective (or villain); you can wear something that brings to mind a favorite mystery novel, film or genre; or maybe your perfume name contains a reference to a crime, a criminal, or a crime fighter. Suggested by Glannys.
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 SDIM6711 A Line of Wolfsbane. Aconite flowers (Aconitum napellus) from the dacha garden. Aka Monkshood [cropped] by carlfbagge at flickr; some rights reserved.
Warm, sultry, almondy Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon is not a sensible thing to be wearing on a somewhat hot, somewhat muggy day, but here we are. I felt like it and that’s reason enough.
I need to get a sample of that, jut for the name!
My scent does not match the weather either 🙂
This morning I’m in dabs of Jicky, for Phryne Fisher. Jicky is mentioned several times throughout the novels, and I think it’s apt for her character. She is also often described as wafting a trail of Nuit d’Amour, another Guerlain scent that appears to be a violet-rose scent. Guess she’s a Guerlie-girl.
I also want to report that, after LTSG’s question yesterday about layering Hermessences, I tried layering Cèdre Sambac and Myrrhe Églantine at bedtime last night. It was very very nice, and I plan on doing it again!
I love the idea of Jicky for Miss Fisher. That’s perfect for the period, books and television series. I like Jicky. You smell fantastic!
I haven’t tried Cèdre Sambac or Myrrhe Églantine, as I’m way behind on the Hermessences. I need to go check them out, and I’m reasonably close to a boutique. (The barrier is parking in that area and gearing up for the boutique’s vibe. )
I need to bust out Jicky and try it in the heat. I think it may really sing I hot weather. Be well.
Jicky is a great choice — if it was mentioned in the tv series I’d forgotten.
I adored Miss Fisher on PBS Mystery! Great choice!
Lovely and perfect!
I really enjoy the discussions of clothes and cars in the novels. Alas, there is at least one howler: Phryne at one point tells Dot that she will wear “the Dior.” Dior introduced his own label in 1946; the Fisher books are all firmly in the 1920s. Dior was born in 1905 and did not really enter the fashion business until the very early 1930s. In what are IMO excellent, well-researched books, this error was glaring. 🙁
I know! For someone who nearly always includes an actual bibliography demonstrating all her research, there are times when (let’s say) inconsistencies appear. Nuit d’Amour, for instance, apparently was released in this millennium and didn’t exist in the 1920s when the stories take place. And Dot’s last name is Bryant in the first novel, but somehow changes to Williams in later books. But it’s still a fun series.
Ah! I missed the Dot name-change. It is absolutely a fun series!
Going to be another scorcher/steam room day in my neck of the woods, but I have errands to run so wearing No. 5 L’eau, to provide an illusion of grace under fire, so to speak 🙂
Hope everyone is able to do something to add comfort and joy to their life today, even a little thing, like choosing a nice scent!
In spite of various annoyances, I am trying to be more aware of the many blessings in my life, and generate more gratitude and serenity in my day to day existence. Seeking Serenity! is my motto for the time being, I guess.
Due to the increasing ad burden of streaming, hubby rounded up the Blu-ray player controller and changed the batteries, and now we are starting to work through our considerable collection of movies and TV series on disc! This has improved the post dinner entertainment value to a surprising degree!
First, Adorable Hubby and I watched the movie, Serenity, the other day. It is a classic, in spite of Josh Whedon’s personal failings, and River and Inara and the adorable mechanic are great female characters, as is the ship herself, getting everyone through the tough times, and still shedding parts at the very end.
Now we are rewatching the Lord of the Rings, which is worth watching/listening to for music alone. And Cate Blanchett, of course. She is not quite what I imagined Galadriel to be when I first read the books, but I love her performance, giving Frodo the side eye, and resisting the lure of power.
In the real world, I am painting some little pointillist miniature landscapes, as part of a competition my very artistic brother challenged my and my other sibs to do. Good to have activities for those days when it is too hot and muggy to be outside. I love being retired.
I love your comment! No 5 (parfum, Premiere and L’Eau) is my grace under fire scent. I wear it to difficult meetings, funerals, but any time I need to feel strong, elegant and kind.
Your Serenity now vibe also resonates with me. I’m hanging out in a hospital with my mom. It’s making me thankful for every little thing, from all the staff to being able to breathe to seeing the early streaks of dawn. I’m in ONE spritz of Carnal Flower.
Serenity the movie (and Firefly) is great. I love Shepherd Book’s wisdom, and all the characters, even the Operative. I need to go through those again. Browncoat for life.
I hope No 5 L’eau brings you joy as you go through your day—and for all the NST peeps as they walk in their scents, a bit of beauty and joy, no matter how evanescent. Be well!
“Browncoat for life!” “I aim to misbehave!” So many good lines!
“That went well.”🤣
“Isn’t it cunning?”
“I aim to live!”
So good.
I enjoyed your comment very much, meredifay. Seeking Serenity! is a great motto for summer. I am keeping my eyes out for a DVD player to do exactly what you said, work my way through our movie collection.
“Isn’t it cunning?”
“I aim to live!”
So good.
Stupid thing. I don’t know how it duplicated that! It’s nice to just watch something without interruptions.
Seeking Serenity 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 and watching Serenity 👍👍👍. Love that combo! Nathan Fillion Appreciation Society here, with Castle and The Rookie reruns on regularly.
Ah, Castle reruns! And the Rookie I have not seen. I will seek that out!
Watching a He Rookie rerun as I make dinner. That self-deprecation! I really enjoyed him as the meteorologist Rainer Shine on Modern Family. He needs a full-fledged comedy to star in.
Loved him in Castle! Couldn’t get into Rookie, though. thought he was too old to be a ‘rookie.’
I heard it’s based on a true story of a 42 y/o real rookie.
“Castle” was a fun series!
Stana Katic was incredible too!
Loved your post. Re: gratitude. My favorite inspirational quote is what my favorite yoga teacher always says, Be thankful for all that you have, and be grateful for all you have missed. With all the weather-related catastrophies and war devastation in the world today, ain’t that the truth? I’m reminded of that every day.🙏
I’ve never heard of being grateful for all you have missed before. Wow!
Another nice and pleasant day in the low 80s.
Wearing Fzotic Pantoum, a refreshing summer scent with the orange and magnolia notes very prominent. I only have few sprays left in my bottle, so it will be a thunk by the end of the season.
Happy Wednesday! 🌞
I did not try that one but it sounds great.
It is a shame that it was a limited edition, but I will greatly enjoy the last drops left.
I don’t remember that particular Fzotic offering.
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/FZOTIC/Pantoum-69086.html
Definitely missed that one!
Wearing Passage d’Enfer because it smells good and sounds like the name of a street known for criminal activity.
As many of you know, it’s actually the street in Paris where L’Artisan Parfumeur’s administrative office is/was located. Probably like many a perfumista before and after me, I made the pilgrimage there, only to find that it’s a dead end street where the sign on the office door reads, “This is not a L’Artisan Parfumeur boutique. The closest boutique is located at …..” Quel disappointment!
Love that they had to put up a sign! Excellent.
L’Artisan’s administrative work had clearly been disrupted by the likes of perfume enthusiasts like me😊
Yay for your adventurous spirit – very mystery novel trekking to a dead end, only to find a posted sign re-directing you!
At the time I didn’t have much confidence in myself to get around on the Metro without my map whiz husband so it was particularly adventurous of me and it feels good to remember that fragrant spirit🌸
I did in fact, not know so thank you for that. Interesting tidbit. Allo.
😊
In the OG Iris Nobile edt, good for a hot & stifling day. My indoor summer house slides are falling apart, so I ordered a pair of Cool Cat 2.0 slides on the Puma site. I suspect they might not be cushy enough, but they’re currently on sale for $15–fingers crossed.
The best Iris Nobile 🙂
I wore Chanel No. 5 in the morning (vintage cologne and a bit of modern EDP — which, frankly, I prefer over the vintage) because it was mentioned in the first two Ngaio Marsh mysteries. Two important female characters wore it.
For the afternoon, I switched to Shalimar. In one of the Nero Wolfe books, Wolfe goes undercover, and Lily Rowan (Archie’s girlfriend) pretends to be his “lady friend” to give him an excuse for privacy. So Archie sprays one of Lily’s perfumes on Wolfe — it’s called Houri de Perse. It must be fictional and is never described, but I imagine it as a sultry, opulent oriental with excellent projection. And the name? Definitely Shalimar vibes.
“I went ahead to open the door for him. As I did so he asked, ‘What is this stuff called?’
‘Houri de Perse.’
‘Great heavens,’ he muttered, and went.”
It took me a little while to warm up to the current edp with no 5.
I was thinking of what Archie would wear but did not really come up with anything!
By the way, Fracas is on my list as a scent for Yvette (from Clue the movie).
🙂
Nero Wolfe is a known orchid aficionado, so maybe something with orchids in it for him?
Good idea. A big, heavy orchid scent for a big, heavy orchid-loving detective.
I don’t feel like scenting him though, since he hated perfume. Hey, maybe something from CB I Hate Perfume then? 🤣
I picked Carnal Flower for the femme fatales in noir detective films. We were talking about The Maltese Falcon yesterday and what Sam Spade would wear—probably Aqua Velva. I’m not sure what Sydney Greenstreet would wear or Peter Lorre…(oooh maybe CF for him!)
On the way to the hospital in the early dawn, I heard the song The Year of the Cat (circa 1976) and it talks about “strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime,” and the melody is haunting me. Too funny how reading, talking and looking at an idea like film noir pop up in other media. Is it synchronicity or more sensitization to an idea and the mind finds those links and pulls them to the forefront?
Enough navel gazing—if you read this far, know that I wish you well, and I always love reading about your adventures, fragrant and otherwise. Be well.
We went with the same vibe 🙂
Oh wow, I love that song, and that is funny it came up given what you’ve just been thinking about!
Al, Peter Lorre, Humphrey Bogart, I might have to put Casablanca on my life, both the perfume and the movie!
Funny you mention AI.
Earlier I gave ChatGPT a prompt to write a Dashiell Hammett story for me in modern times. It turned out strangely well. I read it to mom. Generative AI is fascinating and creepy all at once.
It was supposed to be Ah! Stupid invasive AI. I did not fat finger “I” when I typed “h”. This is not the first time what I typed was turned into something else entirely. Ugh. Sorry for the confusion.
Love Al Stewart. That song also references incense and patchouly.
I heard that! I had never clicked on that before, but made me grin today. It’s an amazing piece—great tune, mix of genres from pop to soft rock to jazz, and the lyrics have some lovely lines. Even the idea of The Year of the Cat sounds enigmatic.
Yup, he has great songs. One of my faves is about “The Lonely Palace of Versailles” but it’s about the Terror after the French Revolution and he mentions Robespierre. His lyrics have a melancholy and ethereal spirit to them.
Wearing Number One Intense today. I just love the moss note in it.
Moss is good stuff 🙂
For the CP Hermes Barenia for The Talented Mr. Ripley. The leathery note in this would be the gloves worn to hide fingerprints. With Tom trying to fit in….and… don’t know if they are going to love you or kill you..
I did like the original movie version with Matt Damon and Jude Law, but on the other hand, I found the Ripley character in the more recent black and white movie far more creepy and chilling.
The earliest film adaptation is actually the French Plein soleil, with a very young Alain Delon. I believe it was called Purple Noon in English speaking countries.
I have only seen bits of Plein soleil, but it is chilling. Delon is frighteningly beautiful in it.
Ooh, that does sound good!
Delon plays the Ripley character and he’s so gorgeous and magnetic that it’s hard to believe he’s a bumbling wanna be. I thought he would have been more believable as the rich carefree Greenleaf character. But Delon may have wanted the juicier role and gotten it.
Loved that whole series of books!
and just read this the other day…
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/10/my-harrowing-time-as-patricia-highsmith-assistant
One of my favorite detectives is Wallander from Henning Mankell’s series, so I might need to think of something for him, but for today I am doing another Bond villain: Le Chiffre from Casino Royale, portrayed in the film by the incomparable Mads Mikkelsen. My choice is a no-brainer: Baccarat Rouge. ;-).
One of my favorites too, and tried but failed to come up with anything. I am sure you will do better!
That is perfect for Le Chiffre.
A lot of fictional detectives seem to be smokers so I chose a perfume with a tobacco note, for one of my favourite detectives, Lord Peter Wimsey.
Excellent.
Reminds me of my favorite detective and his pipe, Maigret!!!
I’m not doing the CP yet, I have samples and new purchases to try! Today I’m wearing a Sammarco sample, Naias. It’s a fruity floral, green with violets. Not a fan, too green for me. #No.19Hater
That’s too bad. I also have a problem with green perfumes.
My first thought for the CP was of Rochas Mystere. The perfect way to scent a femme fatale. Undina’s Saturday Question last week was “Do You Have a Scent You Wear Only When No One Else Will Smell It?” and Mystere is making me feel that today. Yes, my bottle is a little off in the top notes. But even though I am swooning over it after that settles down, it seems too-too for today’s taste.
That’s a great one for the CP. Mystere is challenging. I have to be in the right mood. Not a natural crowd pleaser.
Unexpectedly on point for the CP today in Les Nereides’ Pas de Velours, which Mr. Google/AI says “”Pas de velours” translates to “velvet paw” or “velvet step” in English, depending on the context. It can also be translated as “stealthily” when referring to movement. “
Interesting that you attribute a gender to Google / AI! I have never done that myself but may start to although I am not certain of my choice of genders yet.
Light spray of Fragonard Bel Oranger this morning before heading to the dermatologist. I’m thinking I’ll pull out my travel spray of Ormonde Jayne Frangpiani later. High of 92F tomorrow. I think I’ll put something citrus in the fridge in anticipation.
I have not worn Frangipani in eons, will have to pull my bottle out too!
I wish I still had a sample of Cumming, Alan Cummings fragrance, since he hosted Masterpiece Mystery for years and might still. Different comments are reminding me of mysteries I enjoyed but I’m still short of ideas.
I’m wearing Gabrielle Essence. It was nice and cool this morning but the heat is climbing now.
I am going to see my daughter tomorrow while her husband is away on business. Not sure if I’ll take any perfume with me for Friday or not, probably not. The heat just makes scent disappear from my skin, or maybe it’s the humidity.
Gabrielle twins! I’m in L’eau.
Have a great visit with your daughter!
Thanks lillyjo! I bought a small amount of Gabrielle to add to my little bottle of Essence. Still need to try L’eau.
Another Gabrielle wearer today. I also have the body cream on. I did not care for the L’eau of Gabrielle, but I do like the Essence.
I tested the body cream at Macy’s. It’s divine!
I’m wearing Jean Patou’s L’Heure Attendue, which originally came out in 1946. This could scent any number of characters in a murder mystery.
Sure could!
Sotd Abel’s Laundry Day as I’m going for my first thunk. Basking and basking.
Found something for Friday CP! 🎉
Woo-hoo for an almost thunk! Will you be replacing it when it’s done?
Definitely! It was a blind buy before I joined NST even. Still working on my basking. It’s more like parsing than basking. 😆
I love a blind buy success!
Two yellow nectarines from Spain.
Pleasant 23C today, rain is announced for tomorrow and I hope it will be a good downpour, it’s still very much needed. This morning Kenzo Summer not worn since last summer and tonight the fruity chypre Liz Earle essence No 9 which is steadily creeping up in price since its discontinuation.
I hope you get the rain you need.
Thank you, Lillyjo, it rained overnight by the look of the street this morning but now the sun is shining.
Just popping in to say hi. Commando today. The past six months have been horrific — the list of friends, family members, and relatives of colleagues who have received devastating health news or who have in fact died is long enough to strain credulity. I’ve been reading NST only rarely. But I still smell terrific. 😉
Sometimes life is just awful. I hope smelling great brings you some joy!
You’re part of the Commando Club today! Very sorry to hear that the past 6 months have been so difficult for you.
I’m sorry for all your loss skalolazka.
Sorry that so much has happened in such a short time. Hope you can find some comfort in smelling terrific!
I’m very sorry skalolazka.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind responses. One of my colleagues said today that our office must have been cursed. She simply voiced what I have been thinking for a couple of months. We are doing the best we can, showing our dear ones as much love as we can give.
Glad you’re checking in, perfume or no perfume. We’re all in this unpredictable and sometimes intolerably painful life together💕
Sorry to hear life has been so difficult lately. Hoping you can find some small comfort in your favorite scents and the bonds we all share here.🤗
Gosh I’m sorry, that is a lot of grief and anxiety to carry around. Wishing you peace.
I’m in 4160 Tuesdays Both Sides of Clouds.
You smell very nice!
Thank you, hajusuuri!
I thunked my decant of that the other day. It somehow smells familiar to me, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Hmm, I’ll have to put some thought to see if it reminds me of something else too. A “scoobey-do” mystery!
I checked on Fragrantica to see if someone could jog my memory, but no luck there.
SOTD = Eau de Commando
Didn’t wear any perfume today. Yesterday, I wore a combo of Chanel Bois Noir and Creed (?) Sublime Vanille – decants have pretty much evaporated and I was trying to eke out some. Anyway, I think it’s a double thunk!
In other news, I was thrilled to see an article on pets in bookstores. I have seen the occasional pet in a bookstore and have also read (I will not eat there) about cat cafe’s / dog cafe’s and the like, but this is a first for me!
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/books/review/bookstore-pets.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Yk8.2_qt.Ps_Nnhtf8Bat&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
The only cat cafe I have been to was also a coffee shop. So many sweet kittens there.
There were a lot of cat cafes in Japan. I guess in the big cities some people live in such tiny quarters and can’t keep pets so they go there for their kitty fixes.
This cat cafe was associated with a rescue organization in northern Colorado. All of the cats were available for adoption.
I’m pretty sure we still have a Cat Cafe here. I’ve never been there though.
Commando twins with hajusuuri today. That patch of irritated skin I was wearing perfume on is better, but still needs a break. I will evaluate again tomorrow.
Had a 13-degree drop in temperature from yesterday. It barely made it to 80 here, so I am wearing sweats instead of leggings. Have no fear, Summer’s heat will be back soon enough.
Got a great idea for Friday!
80 sounds great right now! Tomorrow my heat index will be triple digits.
Eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Joining the sizable commando club today! I have had a terrible migraine yesterday and today, it’s finally getting better now. I haven’t had a bad migraine in many years, so this really threw me off. Glad to see the back of it now.
No idea yet for CP Friday, but I have a feeling there will be many great ones and I can’t wait to read about them.
Glad your head is getting better.
Feel better! I had only my second migraine last month. 😬😬😬. Sending you a big 🤗
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Glad you’re feeling better!
A migraine? Oh yuck! Glad that you are starting to feel better.
I got my car back today and am back to work tonight. I forgot my perfume and my lunch. I’m eating peanut butter crackers and decided to thunk my sample of Gabrielle L’eau from the purse stash. It’s hot and humid here, so L’eau is perfect. Tomorrow will be the worst of the heat. Apparently we are experiencing corn sweat here. Which is when all of our corn sweats and puts more water in the air. Kinda interesting and good thing I have tomorrow off.
They were talking about corn sweat on the news recently. I’m in a very agricultural area and that humidity is real!
I don’t like to complain about summer weather, but this year’s humidity has been crazy.
Learned something new today…corn sweat, huh.
We have corn sweats right now too. Tonight, we have been getting downpours like crazy. We are even having flash floods. We have needed rain though so I don’t think it will have much trouble soaking in once the rain stops.
My rain and storms are coming tomorrow night. We really need it though.
There was a small bush fire in the parking lot tonight.
Stay safe from the flooding!
Did not k ow about corn sweats. Does it make it make the corn sweeter?
I had to look it up. It does not change the taste of the corn. This is the first I’m hearing about this. My local weather team is making a big deal of it. Tomorrow is supposed to be awful. It’s already feeling soupy here tonight.
It makes the weather more humid.
“Corn sweat” was a trending topic on a couple of my news feeds today. NHK World Japan even had a news story on it this afternoon.
Nothing says slow news day like corn sweat trending imo!
Sure beats some of the other news topics that could be discussed!
Amen, Sister!
I ditto allo- Amen!
Wasn’t familiar with that expression, interesting, hope you’ll have a lovely day off.
Spent the whole day at Mr. Laila’s sister’s cottage in Lake Geneva, WI. Most of the day was spent outside by the water. Even so, the temps there were in the low 90’s with a triple digit heat index and the dew point the last time I checked was 80! Don’t think I’ve ever experienced a hotter more humid day, not a day I would’ve chosen to be outside.
Home now, I’m exhausted even though I didn’t do much of anything. SOTD was just a tiny spritz in the morning of VS Lemon Escape – lemon, sugar and coconut. Tomorrow I’m not moving out of air-conditioning.
Best part of the day was meeting the new grand puppy Lily, an 11-month old rescue pug. Never was an animal so full of ❤️ and happy to greet you! She wanted to be held and in everyone’s lap and gave puppy kisses generously whether you wanted them or not. So cute!
I like the sound of your sotd.
I really like the sound of that cute little puppy!
Puppy kisses cure a lot of ills!