There’s been lots of Internet chatter about Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme1 (henceforth referred to as “Guilty Absolute”). Fragrance commenters on Basenotes are divided about Guilty Absolute’s aromas: “unexpected” (speedracer), “headache-inducing…engine oil” (Zgb), “an old pick-up my father owned” (odioustoilet) and “the smell of band-aids” (The_Cologneist).
Online reviews at Nordstrom couldn’t be more different in tone…
Last week, loud thunderstorms rumbled through town for over twelve hours. For me, this was a treat; it’s rare to hear thunder or see lightning in Seattle. As my house rattled and the lights flickered on and off, as winds sent my rooster weather vane spinning, and heavy rains (and hail!) pounded the roof and bricks, I laid in bed with my cat Vanya Mandelstam and thought of the old days in Virginia when, as a little boy, I’d enjoy a good electric storm from the safety of a shed at my Aunt Lois’s house. Her home was next to fields and woods and in summer I had a good view as lightning flashed through hay or corn or pine trees. It was a sensational experience. As the storm strengthened, I would feel physically elated, jolted to life, as if I had just put a whole lemon in my mouth and bit down — my tongue would tingle, my throat would constrict; a flash of bitterness would travel through the roof of my mouth into my brain and I’d feel as if I had been scalped…the top of my head became numb.
When I described these feelings to a friend, she said: “Are you sure you weren’t struck by lightning?” I don’t think so, but the shed DID have a tin roof. ..
I burn scented candles in summer. Beautiful aromas make me feel “cooler” / calmer if the air is hot, and if the AC is on, scented candles freshen the air. I used to think light floral or citrus-heavy candle scents were best for sultry days, but now I tend towards “tropical wood” scents in summer (and reserve my floral and lemon/mandarin/grapefruit candles for winter). Today I’m reviewing two candles with “exotic” aromas: one presents oud and conjures a Southeast Asia temple, the other showcases sandalwood and makes me want to travel — to Karnataka or Australia…
I’m usually not a fan of full-on gourmand perfumes, but when I smell a good one, I can appreciate it. Hilde Soliani’s Hot Milk provides a two-course meal: a savory entree followed by dessert.
On first sniff, Hot Milk reminded me of Asian cooking, especially Thai and Indian cuisines. With its vibrant blend of delicious-smelling notes — coconut milk, chili oil and grated galangal — Hot Milk’s aromatic opening smells like the base for many wonderful Thai dishes…
Many perfume brands have a single big success, a huge heyday-payday fragrance (“I’m young! I’m new! EVERYONE wants me! Ich bin der Geist der Zeit!”) Middle and old age are often unkind to such one-hit wonders. Joop! fragrances, especially Joop! Homme, were once sold in upscale department stores. When Joop! Homme (Joop!’s one certifiable smash hit) debuted in 1989, it rested comfortably in places like Bloomingdale’s, Bullocks Wilshire and Saks Fifth Avenue. Now, Kohl’s and Boots are as good as it gets for Joop! Homme; you can easily buy a big bottle for $13-25 at Walmart, Target or perfume discounters. Joop! Homme is no longer the disco queen, but the disco has-been.
When the new Joop! WOW!1 was announced I didn’t have much hope; the ad copy read 1989…