What DO we women talk about for hours on end, our husbands wonder, when we go off together to return hours and hours later complaining how we never get enough time to talk?

You can find the answer at Feminine Hijinx (Always Fresh!), a podcast about, well, anything and everything. With lots of laughing in between. Susie (the one on the left) contacted me a few weeks ago and said they were hoping to feature more beauty and perfume information, and would I recommend some fragrances for them to try? So, we're going to test my ability to ask a few questions and then pick out some appropriate scents — not something, by the way, that I claim any great competence at.

We're starting with Susie, and here is what she told me about her fragrance preferences: she likes Juicy Couture and Coach. She also owns Kimono Rose and Filigree, both by The Thymes, and Chopard Casmir, and she recently bought a bottle of Annick Goutal Grand Amour although she felt that was a departure from her usual preferences. She likes vanilla and amber. Right now she is looking for a light fragrance for spring/summer. And based on that, here is what I sent, listed in order from cheap to expensive:

Crazy Libellule and The Poppies Toi Mon Prince / You My Lord: I couldn't resist including one of the twist-up solids from this wonderful line. Toi Mon Prince isn't one of my favorites (regular readers can already guess that Susie's taste is pretty different from mine) but I thought it would fit Susie. It is sort of Flowerbomb-ish, but without the heavy musk/patchouli basenotes that make Flowerbomb a risky proposition for someone looking for a light summer scent. If Susie likes it, she might want to check out the upcoming Flowerbomb Eau de Toilette, which I think is supposed to launch soon (although for all I know, it will be quite different from its parent). Price: $16 for a 5 gram solid.

Calycanthus by Acca Kappa: This is such a pretty spring-time floral, and not as well-known as it should be. The dry down is honeyed but not at all cloying, and it might make a nice summery alternative to the sweeter Coach and Juicy Couture scents. Price: $40 for 50 ml.

Diptyque Do Son: I waffled between this and L'Artisan La Chasse aux Papillons. I'm not sure if Susie is a tuberose fan, but this is so light that it might not matter. I think Do Son is somewhat under-rated by perfumistas; it isn't a grand tuberose masterpiece, like Fracas or Carnal Flower or Tubereuse Criminelle, but it is darned pretty and a very wearable summer fragrance. Price: $60 for 50 ml.

Fiori del Cielo by i Profumi di Firenze: Not my favorite from this line, but it is a sheer and pretty floral, very spring-like, with a lightly sweet iris base, and like the Acca Kappa, might make a nice alternative to sweeter and heavier florals. Since Susie likes amber and vanilla, she might also want to check out their lovely Ambra del Nepal for a heavier fall/winter scent. Price: $79 for 50 ml.

Rose Ikebana from the Hermès Hermessence Collection: The most expensive perfume in this set, and also a long shot — I chose it solely based on the Kimono Rose, and I've never even smelled Kimono Rose. Oh well, everyone should try at least one of the Hermessences, right? Price: $190 for 100 ml.

If you want to see how I did, you can check out the podcast (you can listen from your computer or your phone, or download for your iPOD or other MP3 player). Please note that iTUNES rates Feminine Hijinx as "explicit", and it sometimes is: don't listen with the kids!

After I get a chance to listen to it myself, I'll update with my thoughts, and please, do feel free to comment and tell me what I should have sent!

Update: the "tampons up" rating system cracked me up! My record is less than stellar, only 1 winner: Diptyque Don Son. Sorry Susie, this one is Eau de Toilette only, and as niche Eaux de Toilette go, it isn't as expensive as much of its competition (I tend to think of Diptyque as a mid-priced niche line). But now we know that she likes at least one light tuberose, and I think she needs to try La Chasse Aux Papillons and La Chasse Aux Papillons Extreme.