It's Tuesday and National Apple Day, plus happy Diwali! Birthdays today: Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Celia Cruz, Dizzy Gillespie, Ursula Le Guin, Carrie Fisher. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Astier de Villatte Grand Chalet, a fragrance I connect with Kevin, and it's also his fault I want that teapot.
Reminder: on 10/24, wear any fragrance you like and tell us what you’d like people to think of you when they smell it on you, OR, wear a fragrance and connect it with a fellow reader who “enabled” you to get it or who you know likes it/has mentioned wearing it. Both of these projects were suggested by allo.
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: the Astier de Villatte Setsuko teapot (remember the incense burner? "From Astier de Villatte’s collaboration with artist Setsuko Klossowski de Rola, Balthus’ widow, comes this quirky and slightly surreal ceramic cat that pours tea through its paw") is available in 2 sizes (approx $548 and $598).
As I said last week, I got five scents of various vintages in the mail, and the one thing they have in common is that they contain oakmoss. I figured since fragrances like that aren’t being made any more, I should buy some older things before they vanish entirely. All five were in 30-mL bottles: I paid an average of $40 CAD for them, which is a steal.
Let’s start with the two fragrances from Weil. I’m confident they’re from the seventies because their packaging is identical, box and bottle alike, and one of them, 1971’s Weil de Weil, doesn’t have a barcode, so it predates the eighties. I wore it on Saturday and it is SO green: if you know what vintage Estée Lauder Private Collection smells like, you have an excellent idea of this — there’s a lot of overlap in the notes. (PC was launched two years after WdW, which does make me wonder.) The oakmoss isn’t a star player: this isn’t the big chypre I dreamed of, but it’s great stuff anyway.
Today I’m wearing Antilope: the box has been through the wringer, lots of surface damage and not one but two price tags scraped off. (I like that: evidence of a previous life.) The top note is an EXPLOSION of aldehydes: it immediately calls to mind supernovas like No. 5, Guerlain Vega, and Clinique Wrappings. When that’s managed to calm down, it reveals a multifaceted herbal floral: once again, not the rock-ribbed chypre I hoped for, but it’s so interesting that I don’t really care. And “interesting” is the keyword for both of these scents: neither is purely beautiful in the usual sense, but they’re both riveting, and that’s even better.
Pyramus, I love that you bought these vintage beauties and are reveling in the history, price tags, and bruised boxes as well as the scents themselves. Thank you for the detailed descriptions, which match my own memories of the scents. I think I have a mini of Antilope tucked away somewhere, I should get it out. And I’ve owned a big Weil de Weil mini in that geometric bottle too. The brand is excellent quality and wearing those scents, as well as Secret de Venus, does transport one back to an earlier time of glamour, glittering jewels, urban elegance, and furs (Weil’s main business). I look forward to more reviews!
I love old-school chypres and the oakmoss of yesteryear. Reading your review I can almost smell some of the perfume. Enjoy your beauties because they sure don’t make ’em like that anymore!
What a creative powerhouse of description pyramus! Thank you for sharing!
What cool finds! Thanks for the vivid descriptions. (And this is the second time today I’ve heard mention of Wrappings – what are the chances? Never smelled it!)
Daniel, Wrappings is a close cousin of Aromatics Elixir.
Hello.
Sotd is Miss Dior Essence.
The temperature has dipped considerably due to the rain. Normally I hate rain but if that’s what it takes to cool down, bring it on!
I too want that teapot. I wonder if it’s paired with mice teacups?
Mice teacups! Yes!!
OMG, if they don’t make mice teapcups, they absolutely must AND sell them as a set!
I did not see mouse teacups, but there are mugs with handles in the shape of stretched out cats.
Now I need to see *those* mugs! Off to their website I go.
Sorry, I should have given a link
https://www.astierdevillatte.com/en/cups-teapots/434-product.html
and there is also
https://www.astierdevillatte.com/en/cups-teapots/1835-cat-cup-.html
https://www.astierdevillatte.com/en/cups-teapots/420-product.html
https://www.astierdevillatte.com/en/cups-teapots/1578-product.html
https://www.astierdevillatte.com/en/cups-teapots/1153-product.html
And cat vase…
https://www.shopneighbour.com/en-us/products/astier-de-villatte-cat-flower-holder
cat pitcher
https://www.astierdevillatte.com/en/vases/489-product.html
and a mug that is really for all you cat worshippers
John Derian Mug Cat Idol
https://www.suefisherking.com/john-derian-mug-cat-idol-107308.html
Holy mackerel, the vase is so beautiful!
The tumbler with the chubby black cat on it is adorable!
What a cool teapot, and yes, I fondly remember the incense burner 😊
The CP requires some thought. For today I’ll choose an easy one: Imaginary Authors Dipped in Chocolate enabler pin goes to hajusuuri. I want people to think I smell interesting and delicious lol.
🙏 and I should begin counting how many times I’m mentioned, starting from today!
You should! I have one more for you this week 🙂
Enabler pins! That’s one for my NST lexicon, ringthing.
In keeping with the CP, today I’m wearing Santa Maria Novella Caprifoglio, or Honeysuckle, with a hat tip to Allo, who swapped it to me. Love those SMNs. Happy Tuesday to all you good-smelling people.
You smell wonderful!
Thank you Allo!
Capri is on my bucket list, and now I now what fragrance to pair with it deniseH!
Ah, Astier de Villatte. I do hope to smell some of their scents someday. I went to Liberty when we were in London in March, as their website said they carried the line…but it turned out they only carried the housewares. I wanted to get a sample of Grand Chalet from Luckyscent, but they were out and I only just got an email that it’s back in stock. But I’m not sure I’ll bother because…
Today’s SOTD will be LADDM Noir against LADDM. The Noir finally came yesterday, after sitting in customs for a month while Canada Post was on a full strike (they’re on rolling strikes now). I paid $20 in shipping for that tiny sample and it still took a month and a half (not Luckyscent’s fault, I guess, except that they use the postal service, which funnels into Canada Post). In the interim, I tried Etiket but they don’t have the Noir (or Hiram Green Ultra, the other sample I want). I think I’m out of the samples business for a while.
Looks like I’ll be in Paris again in the spring, so I’m hoping I can try the Astier de Villatte there.
Sigh, this confirms my worries about online shopping at the moment. I was was at Etiket in person last autumn and was able to get a couple of in-person samples, but also noticed that their stock in general was low, and suspect that it is a continuing problem.
Paris in the spring, may i stow away in your luggage? I promise to follow you around, carrying all your fragrance purchases!
Gosh, glad it finally arrived!
I would be afraid to walk into AdV in Paris, honestly. Their website is so full of things I want, and I do think they’ve done an amazing job on fragrance. Wish the 30 ml sizes of everything were easier to find.
Yes, it could be dangerous. 🙂 And I want that kitty teapot!
Glad to hear that your wayward Tauer sample finally arrived!
I’m in Profumum Roma’s Ambra Aurea, which I (and probably a lot of us here) associate with Deva. It’s on account of her raptures about it that I acquired the travel size, and that’s likely all I will need in this lifetime since a single spritz was enough that Mr. G could perceive it at 5 paces. Post-shower I’ll have to switch to something lighter for a haircut appointment later on.
Ooh, I love that one. You smell fabulous, SheriG!
Thank you! It’s one of my top ten for sure.
Profumum Roma entrapped me with Confetto and then i had to buy samples of about half their line. Seriously powerful stuff! You smell great.
Thanks! I haven’t sampled Confetto, but just looked up the notes and it sounds heavenly, and somewhat similar to Alba which was the first Profumum I encountered. That one seems to have fallen off the list at Lucky Scent so maybe discontinued? 😢
SheriG,
what can I say? She enabled me on this stunner too, especially when she let it be known that there was a travel size.
Those travel sprays are just about perfectly sized, aren’t they?
Yes, yes they are.
I am wearing Miu Miu Miutine from a sample. I am not crazy about it but it’s nice and very long lasting.
I am obsessed with Victoria Beckham lipglosses and lip balms lately . I got one pinkish colour which is amazing, the colour, texture are perfect. The lip-balms have beautiful colours and very moisturizing. I highly recommend trying them.
Thank you for the lip balm tip. I’m always looking for lip stains/balms that add subtle color rather than a full on lipstick look.
Hera, if you get a chance check out the VB eyeliners. I think they’re some of the best, if not the best, I’ve ever tried. Sometimes they have the 20 percent off sale plus free shipping. Thank you for reviewing the lip products.
Thank you, i will go see those. I also tried their foundation and loved it even though i don’t wear foundation much.
I’m going for double points today in No. 19. This is my “corner office” fragrance (a nod to an NSTer who recently used this phrase) when I’m needing others (more likeIy myself!) to take me seriously.
And hajusuuri gets enabler pins for putting this back on my radar and prompting me to get a bottle.
Woo hoo! Another one for me! Would you believe I wore No.19 EDP yesterday and was going to comment that it reminds me of … ME?
Well-deserved mention, hajusuuri! You earned it!
I’ve never heard “corner office” scent before, but that one goes into my lexicon as well, allo. I’m sure you smell quite the bosslady (do we still say girlboxx?) !
Did you get the EdT or the EdP?
I got the EdP but I do have a bottle of vintage EdT. It’s a splash bottle and definitely worse for the wear but it was fun just now to compare the 2. I don’t know if it’s simply the age difference but the EdT smells more complex and interesting to me.
Do you have the EdT?
Unfortunately, at this time I have neither. But the first version of No. 19 that I tried was the EdT. That sample disappeared rather quickly. But the EdP is quite lovely.
I keep waffling on which version to get as a full bottle.
Happy Tuesday, everyone. It’s Musk Week for me.😊
Yesterday I wore vintage Ralph Lauren Chaps Musk Cologne. Recognizable as a Chaps sibling, for sure, but softer than the original, (which I adore.) The musk isn’t too pronounced here – I sort of wish they’d amped it up – but this is a fun variation.
Today, I’m in vintage Monsieur Houbigant Musk Cologne. A fresh green forest as it opens – like something you’d smell in a 1970s soap-on-a-rope. A lovely, warm, carnation-infused, musky dry down. Fabulous stuff.
That does sound fabulous.
Your sotd sounds terrific. I love musk, so I look forward to seeing your choices.
Musk Week Daniel, how marvelous! And that 1970’s-soap-on-a-robe description is making me smile – what an ideal description!
Pretty sure my brother and I gave my Dad soap-on-a-rope as a gift a couple of times when we were kids. Good memories.
Under the weather today with a stuffed snoot, but I’m still in fragrance. I’m combining last week’s CP with this one’s. This week is the anniversary of a number of dear one’s passing (way too young) in preventable ways plus my father’s birthday so the scents will honor them as well as the kind friends I’ve made here already.
Sotd Varvatos Artisan layered with IA How to Say Bicycle in French. I smell herb-y! Rosemary, thyme, basil, clary sage. In honor of a dear man who always wore Halston Z-14. He was an industrial designer specializing in packaging. These aren’t quite those Z-14 notes, but he would have totally dug the packaging concepts. And sorry he passed before all these unboxing videos on YouTube and Tiktok. He would have been in video heaven watching them.
Shoutout to Lillyjo and other Michiganders: he was from Traverse City, where I traveled for his memorial service, before spending time for a few days in the UP which he always spoke of so fondly.
For linkage to this week’s CP, I want to thank everyone who encouraged me to try IA. This scent, Fox in the Flowerbed and Falling into the Sea are my favorites. Sorry I didn’t write down who it was, but feel free to take credit below- I’d love to remember.
I do love Artisan…you smell great today! That’s a lovely way to honor your dearly departed.
Thank you Robin!
We love the UP, also. The SP family spent many fun summer vacations in Crystal Falls visiting Mr. SP’s parents when our boys were small. I’d like to see more of Michigan someday!
We went wine-tasting at Chateau Chantal. It was so lovey. I bought a case of sparkling wine to serve on New Year’s Eve. First time for everyone to drink Michigan wine, especially in California. My friend was fiercely proud of Michigan and being an MSU alum He would have approved I believe.
Speaking of Imaginary Authors, have you tried The Soft Lawn yet?
I’m back in Bois d’Hadrien, still wondering why this one didn’t catch on. I think it’s gorgeous. I really prefer their womens bottle for this-the highball glass shaped bottles didn’t suit the line, IMHO.
Customer just brought in homemade fudge-think I’ll have it with tea. It will be delicious and if there are any cracks in my fillings I will know immediately 🙂
Yes, I miss the old, pretty bottles. I think whoever was advising how to update their packaging aka switch to the Dude version of the bottles only, kinda missed the point of who the house is.
I prefer the old bottles too.
SOTD is FM Carnal Flower. It was someone’s SOTD about two weeks ago, but I am not sure who it was. Was it you, carole?
Could be-I’ve worn it recently, and probably some other people, too. You smell great, Glannys 🙂
FM is always an excellent choice, glannys! I don’t know this one, but it’s at all like POAL or Iris Poudre, you smell gorgeous!
It is tuberose at its finest!
Ice Queen Tuberose!
Carnal Flower is amazing stuff.
Ooh, it’s Evil Smoking Kitty’s teapot cousin! Rather less sinister, I must say.
In their honour, I am wearing bought-in-Paris Mantes la Jolie even though it’s not the best fit for this week’s cold, rainy weather.
Exactly!!! And I like that the tea comes out of the paw.
Wearing Cheirosa 62 again today. Just about finished the bottle but do have back ups. I think after this one, I will work on a 1 ounce bottle of Infusion d’iris.
I have an amazing amount of IdI left myself, enough for life probably.
SOTD is BBW Noel Vanilla Bean Body Wash and Body Cream with Shalimar MJ. The jasmine has become so beautiful in this scent as it has aged.
Gosh, I hope we all become “so beautiful as we age,” Kris, just like your spot-on description. BTW, you’re my Enabler-in-Chief! I could have a whole week of Kris fragrances (light bulb goes off)!
Oh, please pick some others that have enabled you. I am surely not the only one😊
Do you have lotions with jasmine to wear with Shalimar MJ, or would that be overkill?
I think it would be overkill. The jasmine has really blossomed, so the vanilla works well.
We’re going through the most hideous windy season, day after day of strong to gale force winds ( with gusts up to 180km/ph (110m/ph). There are two trees blown down on my street and leaf litter and branches everywhere. I have kept well clear of walking the dog near trees. Yesterday my dog got blown off her feet ( literally) and it was nasty out there. November is always windy (equinoxial winds which are westerly strengthen) but it has been awful this year. So, a calming scent is needed , and a grounded one at that. Mitsuoko might do the trick.
Kanuka I meant to respond when you described walking in your favourite graveyard. I love your posts-your writing is so descriptive.
I really want to see that Robin Malcom mini series After The Party. It’s not available in Canada yet-did you see it, and if you did was it good?
Hi Carole. I thought After the Party was good, worth watching for sure. It takes a real risk insomuch that the protagonist ( schoolteacher played by Malcolm) is a pretty flawed character…she’s a bit strident, impatient and aggressive as well as determined , so she is very real but also frustrating at times. Peter Mullan is also great in his role.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/29/after-the-party-review-tv-series-robyn-malcolm-abc?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Very windy here today too, but not to that degree. Stay safe and Mitsouka is a great scent for calming and grounding you.
Stay safe Kanuka!
110mph? Egads. That’s the equivalent of almost a Category 3 hurricane!
Sotd is Berdoues Assam of India. I decided to blindly get a full bottle thanks to CM8, who wore it everyday for months years ago. I have enjoyed this scent greatly, especially during warm days.
Happy Tuesday! 🌻
We were all counting the rows of elephants for a time.
I remember CM8’s “elephant countdown” during that summer. It was fun.
I’m wearing L’Artisan Tea for Two which makes me think of Apsara who also loves it. I may have forgotten some other fans – anyone else who loves this one? I’d like others to think I smell warm and cozy without necessarily thinking of the specific notes.
What a nice cp suggestion, allo!
springpansy, I do love this one. I do have a sealed BUB.
You smell great!
I am wearing a scent I bought in Poland, Frieda’s Thorns by a company called Obvious. I had never heard of them before, and it’s not a Polish company, but I really liked it. It’s a rose/patch fragrance, warm and good for fall.
I’ve been wearing Obvious’s Un Ete –now renamed to Milk & Matcha — for a couple of years and really enjoying it.
Frieda’s Thorns sounds lovely.
We’ve been having similar wild weather to Kanuka, Wellington is famous for being windy, but it’s seldom this bad. Today, however, has dawned sunny with only a breeze.
I’m wearing Le Galion’s L’Astre today. I don’t expect anyone to mistake me for Ava Gardner as a result, but I hope I smell gorgeously elegant.
It sounded pretty desperate yesterday . Glad it’s calmed down.
Sorry for multiple posts. Just got a new laptop and the touchpad is a lot more sensitive than the 7 y/o old it replaced. Hope Robin can delight them.
No worries, they be gone 🙂
Dior Miss Dior Originale
You smell simply elegant.
I’m at work and got a call from my daughters school bus company. Apparently a student attacked another student on the bus and she was stuck waiting for the police to show up. They assured me she was safe but it still shook me up. She’s home now. ( I am still working) I can’t wait to get home to give her a big hug.
Sotd is Angelique Noir.
OMG 😱!!! Glad she is safe! Angelique Noir seems to be the right choice by coincidence!
That sounds terrifying and I’m so glad she’s home awaiting your very big hug💕
Oh my goodness, how scary. Glad to hear she’s back home.
Oh, what a scare, you are justifiably shaken! I hope your daughter is feeling alright, she will appreciate the hugs.
Yikes! I can see why you would be upset. Glad to hear that your daughter is safe at home now. Hugs to both of you.
I am so glad she is home and safe.
Yes, give her a big hug when you get home! Glad she is safe.
Thanks everyone.
After a ton of hugs and kisses my daughter says ” I guess you’re going to keep me home tomorrow right? ” lol. I had to say no. Good news is the perpetrator will not be back.
HA, exactly what I would have asked! But of course you did the right thing 🙂
SOTD = YSL BabyCat
Newest of the newest and yes, I should wear this more often! It reminds me of MossyBerry who sent me a decant in a swap. When I wore it, I could have sworn it was vanilla-ish and I am convinced it is so!
In other news, it is from a few days ago but it is still good. Meet the instructions for pet-sitters:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/well/family/pet-sitters-vacation-notes.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vE8.fqaP.ic3_35wvX9pa&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Love hearing the name “BabyCat”! 😻
I agree with vanilla-ish.
I’m in Prada Candy. Didn’t want anything too intrusive today since I got my covid and flu shots earlier.
Ouch! Hope you aren’t a severely hurting unit after those shots.
Thank you. It’s not too bad right now; I’m hoping it continues to be OK tomorrow.
Ooooooooh, a relative of Smoking Kitty! The teapot is more adorable than sinister, though.
Absolutely stunning weather here today after a rather frosty start. I am waiting around for someone from maintenance to check out my clothes washer. It stopped yesterday with a full load of clothes, water, and laundry detergent and refused to do anything for about an hour. I did eventually get the machine restarted and finished the cycle. What a frikken pain!
SOTD = Dior Dune. Somebody here has worn it recently, and inspired me to pull out my bottle.
Also, someone (else?) here sent me a sample a while ago so I could compare it against my 1oz full bottle. My bottle has some weird, dissonant top notes which have me wondering if it is going off. But it has smelled like that for ages. And the sandalwood drydown is gorgeous.
Dune does have a gorgeous sandalwood base. ♥️ You smell terrific!
Thank you tiffanie!
Hope you saw the extra links I put above, especially the “cat idol” mug!
I did Robin! Thanks! 😸
Were they able to fix the washer?
Nobody showed up. 😡🤬
I didn’t have high hopes when the girl in the rental office wouldn’t give me a specific time frame for someone to show up.
Wearing the lovely No 22 today, from a swap with the very generous hajusuuri. It is so cocooning without being cloying, just perfect.
No 22 is a masterpiece. You smell beautiful. 💐💖
No.22 is literally perfect imo.
You smell beautiful.
sotd = Parfums Delrae Debut
Don’t know why I was craving this one today. It must be spring somewhere. 🪻🌷🌸😊
It must! Plus, you smell great no matter the weather.
Happy National Apple Day! How uncanny is this? We’re on a brief getaway to the Galena area, mostly to have some time to spend in my favorite IL state park, ‘Apple’ River Canyon State Park east of here. Despite the cold wind and showers we did spend some time there this afternoon where I read a few chapters of my current book which features a story that begins with – and continues the storyline with – believe it or not! – apples!
SOTD is my favorite fall scent (I believe it’s pyramus who loves the men’s version of this) YR Nature Millenaire. Weather is supposed to remain cool but rain free so I’m hoping to get back to Apple River and enjoy its peace and autumn beauty 🍁🍂one more time before we head home.
Happy Tuesday 🍏 🍎 and Happy Diwali !
Ha, you celebrated apple day in every possible way!
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
I ran my one and only triathlon in Galena! It was a lovely part of the Midwest, though the swim was not on my top life experiences. (I survived, obviously.) Enjoy!