First, a few notes of business for regular readers: the Monday Mail is going on hiatus until such time as I recover from the holiday rush. Hopefully it will be back around mid-January. And we're gearing up (or at least, thinking about gearing up) for the next Prix Eau Faux. Look for an announcement in early January, and we'll probably start accepting entries later that month.
Today, I'd love to hear from anyone who has complaints or suggestions for Now Smell This as we move into our fifth year of blogging. Are there new features you'd like to see, any subjects you'd like to see covered more (or less), anything in general you'd like to kvetch about? And any ideas for Friday polls would be especially appreciated, as would suggestions for improving the Prix Eau Faux.
While I'm at it, I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who takes the time to comment here, and a very extra-special thank you to everyone who goes out of their way to point out typos and/or other errors.
Note: image is Shabby Chic by Noël Zia Lee at flickr; some rights reserved.
Well I am sort of new, been mostly lurking, but I love it! It's great – don't change a thing! and THANKS for all your hard work!
Hi R,
I've been reading your blog for about 2 years now and I have no complaints. NST is my favorite perfume blog and the Monday Mail has become one of my favorite features. So, please do not change a thing. If ain't broken, don't fix it.
Dawn
I agree that this is an excellent blog! You always are very respectful and unbiased, which can be very refreshing. Don't change a thing!
Only the greedy suggestion of more reviews!
You could have a poll of what scent (or series–ie perfume house, fragrance note, nose) to review next:
“What series would you like reviewed next:
1. Fruity chypres
2. Sophia Grojsman scents
3. Rose “soliflores”
4. Aveda chakra body mists
5. Wedding scents”
I am quite happy! And I want to express my appreciation for responses I get to postings I make about perfumes I try years after the reviews – I know you all get a zillion comment notifications, and that you try to respond to them all is really great.
You have probably already done any Lazy Poll ideas I have but here goes:
What perfume turned you around about a note you thought you hated? (or vice-versa)
What is your favorite bed-time perfume?
Since so many Monday Mails are about weddings, maybe a poll about wedding scents in general – What did you wear, or what would you wear?
Don't change a thing, because I loves ya, babe, and I appreciate the fact that you take time to respond thoughtfully to every person who comments! Good manners never go out of style!
Hugs and love!
GREAT idea for a Lazy Friday poll, Robin! You and your writers do an amazing job, so thanks for providing a priceless service to insatiable fragrance lovers like me. As Tama said, it's so nice to read your replies to us; Iwe feel a real connection to you guys.
I like the idea of being able to weigh in from time to time as to what we'd topics we'd enjoy seeing covered. Of the top of my head, I'd love to see something — here I go, off on the refrain I sang last week! — about quality versus price: who's making great fragrances at reasonable prices, specifically. Being waaayyy up in Canada, I have almost NO idea about that stuff, and it sure would help me zero in on the lines that are going to give me the best bang for my shrinking Canadian buck. On the other side of the coin, it sure would be fun to read about the lines that are waaayyy overpriced for what they are; I know you never like being negative, Robin, but perhaps with a poll we could do the dirty work for you!
Please don't stop your Lazy Friday polls, your quarterly how-many-bottles-did-you-buy polls and your Monday Help-Her-Find-a-New-Fragrance features!
I love NST and it's one of the few blogs I visit every day. Don't change a thing, love it! You are a class act.
Complaints? Kvetching? Not a one, my dear.
idea for a poll: which of the reviews from Perfumes the Guide do you disagree with the most!
No complaints! NST is an amazing resource & lots of fun!
I have one suggestion: can you please include in the reviews the category & subcategory of the fragrance, eg, chypre-floral, oriental-woods, fougere, etc. I know that sometimes that information comes up in the written review part, but not always. It would be nice to see it as a tag that could be cross referenced with other fragrances in the same category. (I'm not really trying to make more work for you am I? Being a web-administer myself, I apologize for acutally asking you to add all those extra tags…Maybe you need an intern!!) But the info would be great! I really apreciate the list of perfume houses and perfumers that are linked to frags, etc.
I think that would be fun…
Is it possible to have a review of “Mille” (1000) de Jean Patou at some point?
Merry, merry Christmas, blessings of heaven and earth throughout the New Year for all.
In terms of content, I think what you have is great. Would love, of course, more perfume reviews – keep 'em coming!
I do have a suggestion on format, although I know this might not be easy to change. I do most of my reading on my BlackBerry on the way to work, and the current format is very cumbersome on a mobile browser. Maybe someday when the iPhone plans become competitive in Canada this won't be an issue, but until that day I have to scroll through every one of the north and west nav links on every one of your pages before I can get to the content I want. Optimizing for mobile would be a big help!
That's very sweet, thanks!
I like the Monday Mail too! I devised it to save myself time (so I wouldn't have to respond to queries via email) and it didn't really work out as a time saver, unfortunately, but it's a lot of fun for me (and a good learning experience) to read all the responses.
Thanks
I'd like to see more reviews too, LOL…but it's harder & harder to find time to write them! Maybe next year there will be fewer new releases, which would make it much easier.
Nice poll idea, thanks!
Tama, great poll ideas, thanks!
Hi all,
I haven't posted for very long (2 yrs?) but love NST. It's such an informative and fun blog, I recommend it quite often to friends and SA's.
One suggestion, I liked was the “open” thread for those who were Monday Mail subjects. It'd be nice to see feedback on what worked. The other question would be how often it would run? Monthly seems like too much work, and quarterly would be enough time for the MM subjects to test suggestions and give their input. Another idea might be to combine the MM Subjects with the “Damage so far poll?” Poll.
Robin, I think you do an *incredible* job with NST! I like to think back & give a little chuckle to the 'early' days when we knew each other before you became blogger-empress and I started Sniffapalooza. We were so young & innocent back then… (so then what does that make us now? Hmmmm)
I'm damn proud of you and what you've created. You're an original and a pioneer, you're a hard worker, and I admire that. NST is the blog I always refer folks to, and the blog I try to find time to read on a regular basis. I agree, it doesn't need fixing – I think it's perfect the way it is. Congrats on
your success!
I am relatively new to the society of perfumistas, so I may be covering territory exhausted long ago, but how about a poll on favorite niche frags (since they don't advertise like department store brands and are harder to know about for some of us). Another thought: how did readers develop a strong interest in perfume and scent (mine was as a result of a trauma – my houseboat was seriously damaged in a “maritime disaster”). Oh, and yet another: how do you all scent your home? Incense, candles, lampes bergere, direct squirts of the juice itself, etc.?(With mention of various rooms and product names, please.)
Now, back to the grind, make easier by my generous application of Bois Farine – so calming – while I prepared my toilette, so to speak, this morning. Best to you all for the weekend!
I discovered this blog a few months ago while I was seeking reviews for a fragrance–and now I'm hooked! I've come to regard your reviews as intelligent, insightful, and extremely engaging–thank you! I look forward to checking for updates every morning with my coffee. I have come to trust and regard your opinions more than any other fragrance blog. With all that said…please review Eau d'Hermes!
Best, JPM
I discovered NST by accident a year ago and it revived my long lost interest in perfume – can't tell you how much I've learned and how much I enjoy reading you. I also love the polls – they're another way I learn a lot. I think NST is great as is and really appreciate your efforts
Your blog is wonderful–I love the way it's put in sections with reviews and sales. I've saved a lot of money by paying attention to specials (and immediately spent it with buying more!) I love the wide-ranging reviews and quotes. You have a wonderful way with words that is engaging and informative and never makes me feel like a slug for not knowing something.
I had my glasses off when I pulled up the blog, and I squinted at the screen and thought, “What are those hinoki mushrooms doing there. Oh, wow, she's doing a review on a mushroom scent!” and while I was totally wrong, it's true that I expect to find new, interesting and unusual writing here! [Stands up and applauds]
All the NST reviewers do a terrific job–Angela and Kevin are especially good. My one suggestion for improvement would be to expand the horizons by accepting the occasional contributed article/review by someone who is not a regular reviewer. For example, I would have been happy to contribute a short piece on the perfume class I taught last semester in our local senior college (classes for people over fifty). It was quite an experience!
Hi, there. I love your site and try to read it daily. I would love a poll on what everyone's favourite main stream perfume is. This would be especially good for those who are in a location where niche is not easily available. Thanks for your fantastic blog and the hours of enjoyment it has given me.
I'd have to agree with most of the posts – i love this site. This was my first perfume blog that i came across and i always check in here first for reviews. I find myself comparing other sites to the yardstick that is NST.
I love the way that you respond to posts even though, as someone mentioned, some may not have been posted in for years. Makes it feel personal. I like some of the ideas for polls mentioned earlier too. Lovin your work NST
Hey, R !! :o) You already know how much I love your blog and I think it's perfect the way it is :o) As far as I'm concerned, no need to change anything about it. Love the way it's structured and the daily updates, everything!
Just more of the same, to be honest. I'll echo what everyone else already said, this is my favourite perfume blog and you do a terrific job.
Hi Robin,
I love the blog and read it every day. Articles from Kevin and Angela are always wonderful, andI'd like to see more of your reviews. More interviews with perfumers would be great, and what about interviewing folks like Naz at Perfume Shoppe or the guys from Luckyscent? Everyone seems to like the Monday Mail, but I don't really care about it compared to other features, like polls, which are really fun. Thanks for dedicating so much of your time and talent. It is always appreciated.
I totally agree, though I with violetnoir but I do think it would be okay if you didn't respond to all of the comments – a lot of mine are just babblings – if you're pressed for time or just sick of typing, always feel free to x me out of the reply stream, okay?
xoA
I LOVE THIS SITE!!! I've learned sooo much, thank-you so very much!!!
How about a lazy poll about the greatest bargain you've ever scored? Ex. this week i bought 6.9 oz [200 ml] jar of Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique body cream for $19.99 at Winner's [Canadian version of tj maxx.] It retails for $78 here. SCORE!!!
Keep up the super work, and thanks for all the education!
This is the first place I go for my “perfume fix” every morning. I enjoy it very much. The writing here is just so good; I'll use Angela's “The Meaning of Perfume” post as an example. That post has stayed with me for a long time. The reviews you all write have made me think, and then re-think various scents.
A big Thank You to all of you at NST.
delurking here . . . I have been reading your blog for at least, oh, I don't know, several years now and enjoy everyone's articles, reviews, polls, best-of lists, and especially all the give and take from your other readers. I learn something new every time I visit and that is pretty much every day. Thank you!
I've always said, “Change is good.” On the other hand, there's nothing to fix, here. You've achieved a comfortable balance: newsworthy, informative, snarky, entertaining, absurd, gratifying and infuriating. I've probably left out a few. It's all good.
I have been following the blog almost daily for nearly a year and it is a favourite part of my day. I agree with the previous posters about the courteousness of all the moderators replying to all the comments we make, which is a charmingly personal touch. I too love the reviews which I find extremely helpful – never so lyrical as to be utterly opaque, yet never so dry and factual that you can't get a sense of the essence of a perfume before sniffing it. To take just one example, JM Sweet Lime and Cedar was exactly as described in the NST review, I found.
I had one idea for a topic which isn't all that practical as it might require a bit of research/sample acquisition in advance on the part of members, but that was to find out which is the best – or least worst! – scent released in the year of your birth. I can tell you straight off that I was born in a pretty lean year at the back end of the 50's, but some of the younger perfumistas would have a much better selection.
As a bit of a perfectionist, I would welcome an editing function, as my typos – or posts that fetch up lower down than I thought they would, so that the context is unclear – make me squirm a little, but if other people make allowances for this it is not critical!
Thanks a lot for all your hard work!
Another happy reader here!
I did have one thought – I wonder if there could be some relevant way to chime in on a fragrance after it's not in the most current posts? There have been several times that I've 'discovered' a scent a year or so after it's been released, and it seems fruitless to comment on it when the post will stay buried in the archives. Maybe an occasional 'new to me' roundup?
I'm starting a list of poll ideas & will add that — my big problem is that I think almost every line is overpriced for what it is, LOL…perfume is generally not the place to go looking for “value”.
Thank you R, and hugs to you too
Hey, that's sweet too! I think the idea of responding to every comment came from my prior experience on the fragrance boards — to me, the “conversation” is most of the point. But we're also “protected” because we require everyone to have a login. If that ever changes, we may no longer be able to keep up w/ all the comments.
Thanks
That would be a good poll! Adding it to the list.
Hopefully (have my fingers crossed) we're moving to WordPress early in 2009, and then we can have all sorts of fun with tags, & have a tag cloud & all that. Adding the fragrance family is a great idea.
Like Dawnkana said, “if it ain't broke…
This is by far the classiest blog and my morning coffee “guilty pleasure”. It's the only one I read religiously. It seldom veers off topic, and that's a good thing. I, too, would appreciate an edit function for my typos which I do my darndest to expunge but sometimes without success. It's nice that you change the header picture with each new year. Still waiting for a column from the SA's side of the business. Yes, Kevin and Angela are the best!
I'll add it to the list, thanks!
Hopefully we're moving to WordPress early next year, and then a mobile version is quite possible.
We will definitely do another open thread, probably early in the new year….quarterly is a good idea.
Yours is the only perfume blog I read every day. I have no patience for purple prose and other kinds of bad writing.
Don't change a thing!
ockeghem,
I am using Opera Mini browser on my Nokia 3230 & can navigate through any non-Flash web page easily and quickly. Why don't you try it for yourself: mini dot opera dot com? It downloads as a mobile application and is really cost-effective, at least compared to what my network provider charges for Internet use.
The latest version is OM 4.2 Good luck!
I once wrote you a fan letter — OK, fan e-mail — so you already know how much I admire this blog, but I'll say it again, just for good measure! I read about a dozen perfume blogs now, but NST was the first I ever read and is still the first I click on every day. I think you have a great mix of information, terrific writers, and a tone that, even when it's irreverent, always conveys real grace and graciousness. And you already took up my one suggestion (the Monday Mail follow-ups), so no complaints or even quibbles here — just a request for more of the same, please!
Yours was the first perfume blog I came across back in the day and I'm happy to say that you have always been a wonderful, most graceful host. How long have I been reading NST? But for a month, since its very inception
I could go on with the complements, but you already know how I feel about your work here (and not just the work) and that of your phenomenal contributors…
My only wish in terms of changes here is that I would love to hear your voice occasionaly in the comment section of your contributors' reviews. Darn it, woman, I still don't know how you feel about Serge Noire, LOL!
Everything else is A okay!
That's “compliments” not “complements”!
Robin..you host the BEST perfume blog IMO. Not a day goes by that I don't check in to see what you and your co-writers have to say. You make everyone feel welcome and not feel uncomfortable with WHATEVER they have to say. You even help us all keep on a budget! Bless u Dahlink!
Yet another happy delurker here. I love the perfume reviews by you, Kevin and Angela, and would love to read more. However, I understand time constraints must be an issue. Have you considered guest reviews from people you trust? Another suggestion (you did ask…) is how about perfume bios/histories of current perfumers? Scents they started with, the progression over the years, the perfume trail they have left behind–these must include your insightful comments, of course. In the “If I could have anything” basket: I also would love some sort of magical system of either finding my perfume soul-mate (who posts regularly) or a matching service: if you love perfume “X” you ought to try perfume “Y”. Understanding, of course, how individual scent perception is. Finally, I love this blog, it is a joy to read.
Congrats to you too, K, it's amazing how Sniffa has grown. I'm old & jaded now, that's for sure…
All great ideas, thanks! And Bois Farine — haven't worn that in a long time, must dig it out…
Wow, was about to say we already have reviewed Eau d'Hermes, but you're right, we haven't! We keep trying but we never catch up…
Thanks, and I love the polls too!
Hinoki mushrooms! I was startled for a moment but now I see it. Now I feel challenged to find a way to fit an actual picture of hinoki mushrooms in
And thanks for all the very kind words.
The main reason we don't take occasional articles is just time. If the number of new fragrance launches starts to go down (and thus it takes less time to do what we already do) we might consider that, and thanks!
AussieBec, thanks — that's one vote for a niche poll, one vote for a mainstream poll. We should be able to do both, right?
We did a similar poll once:
https://nstperfume.com/blog/_archives/2008/10/2/3911555.html
But it might be time for an update, and congrats on your find!
Thanks, that's really nice
You guys are really nice today, thanks
Again, thanks!
I miss the interviews too, but found it hard to interview people then review their work objectively — seemed easier just to give it up. But perhaps its something we should revisit, thanks.
Vanessa, I still have that topic on my “poll subjects” list — it's waiting for the day when I might be willing to admit what year I was born, LOL…
I'd like a comment editing function too. Hopefully next year we can add that.
Aparatchik, that really was a great post
Thanks Lucy, and glad to see you delurked
Thank you L, that's really nice.
You know, it's true that when you comment on an old review, you're not as likely to get much conversation, but you'd be surprised how many people are still reading those old reviews even if they're no longer commenting. I think it's still very worthwhile and helpful to others to comment on them if you have something to say, whereas if we did it some other way (say, on an open thread), someone coming in to actually read about the scent wouldn't get the benefit of the comment.
Ack, you're reminding me that we need a new banner up top! I'd better get to work on that…
Thanks J
Hello Robin.
I'm a relatively new reader of your blog, having been hooked with it since early this year. I've been reading a lot of websites about anything in the universe. There are good blogs and there are bad ones. And your NST? Well, it is one of the best. I read it because it has a sustainable value which I believe is very important for bloggers. Thanks Robin for this excellent blog. Thanks to all members of your team which made this a success.
Regards,
Edward
Robin, I happened upon your blog in dec 2006 and I must say I am hooked. One thing that stood out immediately about the blog was your high respect for all the comments and the thoughtful way you reply even if you did not always agree. You have kept a peaceful atmosphere and this is why clicking on this website three times a day is like a part of my everyday routine. No matter what country I am in I am always rushing to read my emails and your blog. I have learned so much from you and your reviews as well as from the other bloggers in here. The fact you took the time to respond to my emails when I first would only email you till I got the guts to post was admirable and I appreciated that. Your blog is classy, “non-snooty”', informative and a pleasure to read. I want to thank you for being who you are because this blog would only be a success if the person running had a wonderful personality. Have a restful holiday and I look forward to the future great reviews you will post on the website. Do not change a thing about the blog!!!
I just want to acknowledge the comment that “old” reviews are freshly relevant for some readers, but also concur that there is a surprising amount of recent traffic on them–especially here on NST. I appreciate that the comments are not “closed,” so that those of us who enter the party so late that it's long over for some can still hang and chat a bit.
Hi Robin! I'm too lazy to read all the replies, so don't know if this was mentioned yet. And this probably isn't something that would be included in NST anyway! But wouldn't it be awesome to have something like LibraryThing or GoodReads for perfumes (not sure I can post URLs here…but look them up and see what you think). Basically, it would be a way for members to list all of the perfumes they currently own, share reviews, etc. Basenotes sort of has this going with their My Wardrobe feature…
I absolutely LOOOVE Nowsmellthis! I am the new one here, I've been reading this blog for about 6 months or so? Maybe a little longer, but I have read tons of Your past reviews, and ever since started reading this blog, I started reading it every day! Don't change anything! Love it!
Hey NST Team,
Your hard work and passion oozes out of every crack of this blog. I love this website, and the ONLY suggestion I can think to make is this: is there any way to make a swapping section of this site?
Otherwise, don't change a thing. You guys are awesome, and this is one of two sites that I check on a daily basis (can't go 24 hours without it).
Cheers,
Nam
I INSIST YOU … do whatever it takes to keep your battery charged. You've obviously met the demands of your adoring public with organized creativity. Now your job is primarily one of sustainability. I hope you can invent attitudes that regularly charge your enthusiasm for packaging all of the entertaining and utilitarian news we draw from your hard work.
NST is the first bookmark I go to in the morning. I also have your site bookmarked on my Blackberry to take a peek when I have a few minutes to kill while out and about. I use opera mini to browse on my BB also. Works great!
Love how you reply to old reviews and leave the comments open for newcomers to add our thoughts. Perfume houses and noses sections are a huge help to us newbies. You have so much valuable information archived and I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I learn something new every time I connect to NST!
I would also like to read a review of Eau D'Hermes and 1000.
I look forward to at least another 5 years reading NST! Thanks Robin!!! :~)
Yes, old reviews with open comments are great and very useful, as is the whole blog. It's clear, informative, a really fundamental reference tool, but also very very friendly and “alive”. Thank you very much Robin for all your work
YES. I enthusiastically second this, R. We would all be so sad if you had to cancel due to burnout. And though the blog depends so heavily on your leadership and personality for its excellence and tone, I wonder if it might be worth thinking about ways to delegate, groom a second in command, and so on, so that you could take a break to refresh without ending the project? (Said from the vantage point of someone who has watched a lot of non-profits grow and then disappear because they depend so much on a single person.)
Of course, you are so organized and thoughtful you probably have all this in the works already…
Thanks so much, and glad you liked the MM open thread
You're very sweet! I am about to delete your ebay comment elsewhere, so hope that isn't going to make you change your mind
You know, I liked Serge Noire better than Kevin did, but I didn't love it, and it seems to me that the “obsessively messing around with old themes” thing SL is doing lately is perhaps only interesting to a relatively small group of fans, you know what I mean?
The problem with guest bloggers, ironically, is it's really another time drain: you have to find people, read and/or edit their content, etc. It doesn't save as much time as people might imagine.
But adding to the info about each perfumer in the Perfumers pages is a great idea, thanks!
Thanks
Just a simple “thank you.” Everyone has said wonderful things with which I fully agree! I would love to learn more about layering perfumes — perhaps a Monday Mail on what people's favorite layers are & how they think up the combos. For me, as a newbie, layering is a mind-blowing thought. Thanks again. Reading your blog is my daily treat.
I'll keep my fingers crossed too….Thanks!
After reading all of the above — and obviously there are a lot of us out here who love NST — I realized there is one more thing I need to thank you for…..
Thanks to your info architect/web-blog designer for actually making a blog that is EASY TO READ….now that I've killed my eyes by spending too much time at the computer, I really appreciate this. No matter what monitor I'm at with whatever setting, I can easily scroll through your site. There are no wierd ads that off-set the templates and frames, etc. The sites loads quickly. You don't have dead links. And I just love the simple black on white lettering.
And thanks for maintaining a comment friendly format where we can pick and choose where our comments appear in the thread.
Hmm, just a thought: I don't know if this is technically possible, but is there perhaps some way for commenters to see which old posts have recent activity? A sidebar with the titles of recently active posts or somewhere to click to see that info would help keep those conversations going.
Ooh, yes, swapping would be lovely — I'm way too intimidated by the MUA swap section!
Adding my two cents to say that I love the blog as it is. I can;t think of anything to change, and just worry sometimes that you'll become exhausted with the whole thing, so don't overextend yourself. Any changes you decide to make are sure to be in the right direction. It's a pleasure coming here every day. Thanks!
Oh, but don't be. I use it, and so far everyone is quite pleasant. The easy way to start is just set up a wish list, and a list of what you have to swap, and let people contact you. If someone isn't nice in their emails to you, then just say “thanks but no thanks”. But it's never been a problem.
Thanks — I hope we do have a “peaceful atmosphere” because we all need a place of calm…
Again, when we move to WordPress, hopefully early next year, we might be able to add features like that. Not possible for the moment…
Thanks
Oh of course not silly! I'm terribly sorry about that lil boo boo. I kinda had a feeling, but wasnt 100% sure. Now I know, and it won't happen again your royal blogness.
another delurker here.. i started reading your blog some weeks ago when i started to search for one or two new fragrances for myself and looked for reviews on the net. this is by far the best organized, easiest and nicest to read page i found and i return almost everyday now.
also, reading your and your cowriter's articles encreased my interest in perfume and fragrances somewhat enourmously. it is such a huge world you help me to explore!! i had at first thought about sending you an email for taking part in the monday mail series, but right now i just use all the comments, reviews and advice to create my own “must smell”-lists according to what i have found i like and dislike..
so, something that i would second is the suggestion to maybe have tags or something to crossreference more between the perfume reviews, either in the way of fragrance families or other tags with the most prominent notes (for example, i like violets, so a tag “violet” might help to find other perfumes containing that note).
other than that, just a huge THANK YOU!!
Hi Robin,
I love your blog and all of the amazing information you have on your website. You do a fabulous job! Keep up the good work. I am sometimes curious about the “noses” behind these perfumes. Bio info on them might be interesting.
Thanks!
Dearest Robin.
I agree with what most of the people have said.
This blog has been for me a catalyst that turned a simple perfume buff into a full fledged aficionado.
My great grandmother used to toast “Per mille di questi giorni!!!”
For a thousand days like this one!
I hope we have many NST anniversaries to come.
And BTW, have you thought into compiling some material/reviews for a book? I think that would be a cool and profitable project!!
I mean, If the LOLcats have done a book, why not NST???
Perhaps published via Lulu.com?
Warm regards and love as always, beamed from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
P.
Thanks for tip! I was intimidated by the whole token system, because I figured that you'd have to have a heap of tokens for anyone to swap with you, but if you've never swapped then obviously you don't have any tokens — sort of a Catch-22. Your advice of just posting a list of my own is very helpful.
Nam, never say never, but at the moment I don't think swapping is in the near future. Don't you like MakeupAlley?
I'm a pretty stubborn person — I mostly keep blogging through burnout, and as w/ most endeavors, burnout comes and goes. That said, please send me a second-in-command to groom
QJ — there are weeks it's hard, but most weeks it's still fun. But a week in the tropics without perfume wouldn't kill me
Thanks! And glad to hear it works on your Blackberry. Hopefully I'll have an iTouch soon & I'll be able to see what NST looks like on a little screen…
We do have an article about layering:
https://nstperfume.com/blog/_archives/2007/12/6/3384395.html
…but a new poll wouldn't hurt, thanks!
Maybe there is such a thing, but I would like to see the description of perfume notes, like cardamon, coriander, cumin… While most are familiar, there are quite a few where I don't know what I'm smelling, or what it is described as smelling. And maybe where you can get individual notes. parfumraffy, sells some notes for a buck, but it isn't close to comprehensive.
I'm sure there's a sort of primer on the web, maybe a link.
I don't take interest in *a lot* of fragrances, because I don't know what …say a tobacco note smells like. I think, yuk, second hand smoke, and I'm sure that isn't the case at all.
I would certainly get more samples and educate myself better if I knew what a note was from, what perfumes it is in, and where I could smell it.
It's just education to broaden the baby perfumista's or not, experience.
I love this site. It's my first choice for reviews and education.
Thanks Ann — glad to hear it's easy to use.
Thanks
A new layering poll would be great, especially in light of all the 'thousands' of recent releases. For instance, layering with the AG Les Orientalistes has many lovely possibilities. There could probably even be a post dedicated just to those layering options.
I love the polls here!
Yes, NST is even easy to navigate on my Blackberry, which I cannot say for all sites.
Really? That would be cool! For the amount of time you spend on this blog, I sure hope you're making some $$$! Thanks for all your time and effort, Robin.
Yet another thing we might add when we move to WordPress next year — we'll have a lot more flexibility then!
Congrats on going into your fifth year! I don't have any specific suggestions — there are probably entries that I skip over from time to time, but the format in general (and your entry categories) are comprehensive and well-organized. I love your variety of reviews and contributors (especially Angela & Kevin). I also have to say that I hope that you earn even a fraction of what you deserve for all the time you obviously devote.
A final word of thanks for your “policy” of always posting a reply to each and every comment — I think that's what makes this site seem like a community: the interaction between commenters and the replies from you and your contributors. I'm sure that replying takes up an incredible amount of time, but it is much appreciated. I've really learned a lot from NST and come to enjoy the various personalities who comment and contribute here. I owe you a ton of thanks. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all.
Glad you understand — it's one of those things where if you let everyone do it, it could get out of hand…
I also would like to speak out my appreciation for the great work you do, first for every one of us perfume addicts and second for the community of the bloggers! I hope you move to WP because of the possibility to have trackbacks on your page.
through your descriptions and finally thank you for finding so many wonderfull thinks personally for me, like my few beloved perfumes.
I also like to thank you for bringing scents nearer to me, for learning here wonderfull expressions and english
You always can do more, but you do already the very best as we all can appreciate. Thank you!!
NST is a role model for blogging.
It is also fantastic that we can be honest here. And say snarky and or funny things about some of the ho-hum and the outrageous things they put out there! We never are ungracious regarding another opinion. And even if we are a newbie or like a pop culture scent or gasp, a celebrity fragrance-our comments and questions are always handled with grace, by you, and all of the writers and bloggers. You really don't need to be a seasoned connoisseur to feel welcome. I myself, find some sites off putting and intimidating. I feel like a can ask an ignorant question here and never be treating as such.
Thanks so much Robin
-Becca
Go for it! Then you'll have all those beautiful, natural tropicals to sniff. And they're free! ;-D
You deserve a break sometime.
-Becca
I know I'm just repeating what a lot of people have already said but I want you to know how much I love this blog. It was the first of the perfume blogs I discovered, and is still my favorite. The reviews, the links to articles, the Monday Mail, the info on new releases, perfume shopping info (a vicarious thrill for me!), and in general, the great community we have here. Thanks for all your hard work.
Yes, it would be great to have notes like violet as tags…and roses, iris, etc. Definitely look for that in the future, although even when we move to WordPress, I'd guess it will take us awhile to tag all the older articles.
And welcome! Keep the Monday Mail in line for later, if it appeals to you.
Thanks! Looks like lots of people want more info on the perfumers…
You know, I love that the LOL cats have a book — but I'd never buy it and don't understand why anyone would when it's all online. So I guess that's my answer about a book. I like the instant gratification of having a blog
But huge thanks for thinking we could!
Joe, that goes both ways — we love the sense of community too, and that alone makes responding worth the time it takes. Even if we're sometimes slow, as I am now, LOL…
You know, we could have trackbacks here but we don't … when I started out blogging, there were so few perfume bloggers that there wasn't any point. Maybe we'll add them back on the new site.
Many thanks — and the perfume shopping posts are often a vicarious thrill for me too
On that topic, just tried NR's Musc Oil. I layered it with Chanel No 5's Elixir and it was surprisingly nice!
May I just say, mybeautyblog, that I learn wonderful expressions in German on your site – for which many thanks are also due!
Well, when I write my own reviews about scents I found interesting (guess where I find them:-) I would like to leave the trackback. Share the source, and connect back to the blogosphere.
To make this tag clouds and so on will be a LOT of work if you count your posts, I treid that with my nearly 1000 posts which is not much, and gave pretty soon up. But only because I do not blog to earn my living.
BTW, it would be interesting to know more about the persons, about you, more personal things like books you love, tea you hate and so on
:-* vanessa, it is on me to thank you for your lovely comments, here and there! we share a wonderful atmosphere here. BTW let me know if you ever ever need something to get to you
I love beeing a personal shoper.
I just wanted to join the choir with my compliments, you're my favorite blog, and I wanted to thank you for helping me understand that there is no sense in desperately looking for a signature perfume (which I did for years), when it's so more interesting in chooing the most fitting one for mood, season and occasion. Well this does have some drawbacks (bank account) but you only live once
So thanks for inspiring reviews , challenging monday mails and the nice community feeling your blog gives to us all!
Ideas for the lazy polls:
he & her combinations (if she wears X, what does he?)
colour (combination) and matching perfume
moods (uplifting, soothing…)
first perfume bought and why
most hated perfumes (angel and chanel no. 5, hi-hi)
who has tried to convert someone else to perfumism, and with which perfume?
etc.
keep on ith to good work, B.
Ideas for lazy polls:
I don't think we'd have to tag every post — mostly the reviews & new fragrance announcements. It might be slow, but we'll get it done eventually.
We try to avoid too much personal info — I'm a private person, for one thing, and for another, we try to stay on topic.
thanks! I should have guessed you would….
The only complaint I have is that after I read NST I tend to go out and buy stuff, which my bank account doesn't like.
But seriously, I have to join the chorus and say that NST is by far my favorite fragrance blog, and it is also one of the most well-run blogs I go to in terms of comments/community, which is not an easy feat. Civil, engaged, enthusiastic discourse – that's what the internet should be about, but so often isn't. Big kudos to you!
Another thing I love is that the reviews really discuss the characteristics of the perfumes throroughly – seems like everyone should do this, right?! A well-written, thorough review means more to me than the “starred” rating system (such as that used by Mr. Burr and Turin/Sanchez). My thought now (and I didn't always think this way) is that, while star ratings can be informative and can point you in the direction of good taste, they can also be pretty arbitrary – like Secret Obsession, which got one star in one respected quarter and four in another.
This site is just such a good, good reference source. I went to the Barney's counter this weekend and finally really got into some of the Serge Lutens and L'Artisan fragrances. I ended up really liking Serge Noire and Passage D'Enfer. I went back home and looked up both on NST – first, Kevin's review of Serge Noire was freaking hilarious and just really good, as were the comments. Second, I read your review of Passage D'Enfer, where in the first line you wrote that Pd'E was the first L'Artisan fragrance that you fell in love with and purchased. Hey! Me too!!
A bouquet of thanks. You rock.
Hello! I don't want to miss this chance to thank you for this smart and friendly blog. It's my favorite! The interactive entries like The Monday Mail and the Lazy Polls are especially fun. I wish the NST team a joyful and fragrant holiday season!
Thanks for the great poll ideas, I'm adding them to the list…
Thanks for the very nice compliments…and glad to meet another fan of PdE. And hey, after writing NST I tend to go out and buy stuff, LOL…
Thank you!
Robin, I love your blog! I only have one wish: that you include pronunciations for the perfumes you post! I know nothing about how to pronounce these French perfume names, and this makes me afraid to talk about perfume with people. I bought a bottle of Prada Infusion d'Iris and I don't even know how to say that! I'd love to know how to correctly say L'Artisan, Guerlain, etc, the Hermes Jardins, etc. ('d ask someone I know how to pronounce them, but I live in KY, and I'm the only person I know interested in perfume! I would looove it if you started posting perfume pronunciations!
Other than that, I wouldn't thing!!
Ugh, sorry about those typos! My keyboard must have frozen up while I was typing–last sentence obviously should have read, “I wouldn't change a thing!”
Hi Erin,
I can help you with those you listed. In French, the letter R is rolled at the back of the throat, like a gutteral sound:
Prada Infusion d'Iris: eh-fyou-zee-oh d-ee-rees
L'Artisan: l-ar-tee-sah
Guerlain: g (as in gorilla) -ehr-leh
Hermes Jardins: ehr-mehz jar-deh
Hope this helps1
Hi Erin, that would be hard for me since I can't pronounce many of them myself, LOL…glad someone else chimed in!
Dear Robin,
maybe I'm posting too late for you to read this… I came back here express:
1- to say how much I love your blog and how much your hard work means to your affectionate readers.
2- to give a very personal suggestion, if I may: there are so many daily posts lately about new releases, an overflow of information… I feel they eat out your precious time for writing the wonderful perfume reviews I love. So I would be very happy if there were much less info (on new releases and similar stuff – maybe just leaving the ones that you find deserving a highlight – for a reason or the other) and more perfume (or perfumed stuff) reviews and polls, Q&A sessions, technical info, etc… And even if you leave the number of weekly reviews as it is, posting less infos is certainly going to be less tiring and the reviews even more brilliant!!!
I loved the late “ask what you want” lazy poll.
thank you so much Robin – I do hope you will still be able to read my comment!
Hi Zazie, and thanks for the kind words!
It is true that some days the number of new releases is overwhelming, but it's also true that they take much less “brain power” than reviews — there are days I'm just too brain dead to write a review. But I've also been writing fewer reviews lately because I'm so busy getting the new website ready. After we move (around 2/23 or so) I should be able to do more reviews again