Happy 2009! But we've one last piece of business before we bid farewell to 2008: time to 'fess up to the damage you did in the final months of the year (October, November and December):
A recap on my spending so far: in the three quarters of the year, I bought 9 bottles (3 in the first quarter, 3 in the second, and 3 in the third) for a total outlay of $682, a truly dismal record considering that in all of 2007 I only spent $255.
Regular readers might remember that I recently tried, but failed to buy Christian Dior's Diorissimo in extrait. Over the last quarter, I did end up with new bottles of:
Keiko Mecheri Osmanthus: I took advantage of Luckyscent's sale to buy one of the last bottles of Osmanthus in the old Keiko Mecheri packaging. I paid $40 for 75 ml.
Kenzo Amour Le Parfum: I bought the bottle only because Sephora did not have testers, and the salesperson suggested I buy it and return it if I didn't like it. I do like it, but I'm not sure I would have bought a whole bottle under normal circumstances. I still haven't decided if I'll keep it or return it. It cost $65 for 30 ml.
So my total for the year is 11 new bottles for an expenditure of $787. I'm quite disgusted with myself.
In addition to the fragrances, I also bought 2 new scented lotions this last quarter. The first was Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun Lotion, which I couldn't resist after Jessica's review. Luckily, it was a bargain (around $10 at drugstore.com). I love the consistency and it's very highly scented, so I'm quite pleased. The second was the matching lotion for 10 Corso Como. That one was not such a bargain ($55 at luckyscent) and it isn't quite as highly scented as I'd like. I've enjoyed using it but I doubt I'll replace it when it's gone.
And you?
The 226 comments that originally appeared here did not import properly when we moved to the new domain in 3/09, so I’ve copied them below in several large chunks:
Chunk #1:
On January 2, 2009 delfina said:
I ended my first year as a perfumista buying 7 bottles: Bois de violette, Musc ravageur, L’eau d’hiver, Coromandel (but for this I splurged 190 euros only after selling a huge quantity of old books I wasn’t interested in keeping, so I guess I can consider it a wise buy), Daim blond, Incense extreme and Chergui.
I’m hoping that 2009 will be much more restrained. I mean, this was a mad year for me, in which desires for new fragrances sprang every day as I got to know them (well, sometimes, just imagining and reading about them was enough to get me started…) and I spent a LOT more than I should have. Ok, new perfumes keep coming out , but how many “real” loves can one find after a year like this? What do you say, is the second year wiser than the first?
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Well, I was VERY badly behaved my first year — much worse than you. I eventually put myself on a diet of no more than 2 bottles a month. But in 2006 & 2007 I was very well behaved, and I have no explanation for my terrible spending this year.
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On January 4, 2009 delfina said:
Well, the 7 bottles were only in the fourth quarter. The whole year was a financial perfume disaster. Not counting presents and a few bottles for my husband, the terrifying amount is 33. And I’m not counting the 6 bottles I bought at the vey beginning of my perfumania, at the end of december 2007, which go in the fourth quarter of last year, right? Oh God…
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
That sounds an awful lot like my first year!
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On January 2, 2009 pyramus said:
I bought only a single bottle in the last three months, CdG Carnation, from Luckyscent for $92. But no smugness for my self-restraint, because I also placed two separate orders for samples at The Perfumed Court, for a total of $267 (U.S. dollars, at that, so it’s worse in $Cdn), and also ordered another 9 samples with the Luckyscent order at $3 per, so the total damage is something like $400. And that was in the last 6 weeks.
But there were 29 samples in the first TPC order, 37 in the 2nd, and 14 bonus samples in the Luckyscent shipment, so I guess you could say I got 90 scents for $400, which, really, is not so bad.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to not buy any scents in 2009. We’ll see how that goes.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Oh dear, but I don’t count samples at all, LOL…
Good luck to you in 2009 — I certainly hope I do much better than I did this year.
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On January 2, 2009 pyramus said:
I wouldn’t ordinarily count samples, either, but I bought hundreds of dollars’ worth in such a short space of time…it seems as if they ought to count in some way.
Anyway, that was only in the last three months. I don’t even want to think how much I spent in the whole of 2008.
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Best not to think about it 😉
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
I’ve earn: balmain ambre gris, u by ungaro, omnia, boucheron fraicheur 2007 edition, egeo dolce man (boticário), dior homme intense (a second bottle, a tester from a lovely friend who have a perfume store). I’ve bought: aomassai, safran troublant, castelbajac, black kenneth cole, st dupont noir, bvlgari pour homme soir, boucheron pour homme fraicheur 2008 edition, natura due, lhotse irresistível (from boticário),. it was a hot year from fragrances for me rsrsrsrsrs
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Gracious!
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On January 2, 2009 Existentialist said:
I’m just envious of your having a friend who owns a perfume shop.
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Well, I’ve met her at orkut, because she join my community about fragrances and we ended being great friends. Sometimes she send me samples, and this year a was lucky because she send me an tester of dior homme intense, that i love and was afraid of not being able to buy a second one before it dissapears
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On January 2, 2009 AlbertCAN said:
Oh, same with me! 10 bottles of fragrances for me this year: not counting samples, other scented products, or essences! Most purchases were for replenishing what I have (plus a few gifts for my good friends who are decamping to Europe)! Let’s see: SL Daim Blond, Chanel No. 19 (parfum & EdT), Guerlain Shalimar (parfum & EdP), Guerlain Mitsouko (EdT), Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan Discovery Set (I’m counting it as one, though technically it’s a set of four as you know), Hermes Hiris, FM En Passant, Guerlain Pampleleune.
I’m glad I decided not to get the SL exclusives–I was about to get ISM and Chergui when my credit card statement arrived!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Oh, you got wonderful things though! I frittered away lots of my $$ this year on spur of the moment purchases.
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On January 3, 2009 alotofscents said:
I hear you Robin! Should have got more samples where I could.
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On January 3, 2009 AlbertCAN said:
To be honest (and now going to sound less noble) I got FM En Passant initially for myself but eventually got a bit tired of it so I gave it away as a present for my friend who just got hired to tour around Europe. (She would have felt guilty if I gave her a new box. She was so nice that she said even getting the pre-owned box was simply too much!) And the Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan was for a friend in Europe who wanted to split the costs with me so counted them both as purchases instead of gifts–I guess for me it’s the intention behind the purchase but otherwise it would be 8 for me instead of 10 if you want to be proper.
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On January 2, 2009 RusticDove said:
Unfortunately, I did little damage this past year – I would have prefered more splurging. I purchased bottles of Donna Karan Gold and Lancome Attraction on e-bay, Yves Rocher Iris Noir [major bargain], Narcisso Rodriguez For Her body cream and my husband gifted me with a Delicious Night gift set that I requested for one of my Christmas presents. The good news is, I’m enjoying all of these very much. 🙂 Oh, and I don’t know if this counts, but, I purchased the sample tin from Penhaligon’s and assorted samples from Luckyscent [the names of which escape me @ the moment, but there were quite a few that I tried].
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Nope, samples most emphatically do not count! And neither do gifts. So you did very well, esp. if you like everything you got 🙂
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On January 2, 2009 RusticDove said:
I hope to do MUCH more damage next year! Happy new year, btw and Thank You for this incredible blog. 🙂
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Happy 2009 (and happy perfume shopping!) to you as well 🙂
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On January 2, 2009 AnnS said:
I bought 7 bottles in the fourth quarter, and received two as gifts. Most of these were “back-up” bottles of my favorite frags, but a few new ones. When I review the entire year – about 18 bottles, and hundreds of samples – I won’t pretend to be shocked. But I’d always been interested in frags, it was only this year that I’d really pursued my ability to get ones over the internet. It all started so innocently because last year I really wanted a bottle of No 5 eau Premier, and then it was withdrawn from mass market. In the process of trying to find it on-line, the door to the world of niche fragrances, sample vendors, and hard to find fragrances was thrown wide open….And that’s actually when I found NST too b/c you had a review of eau Premier….Finding all these on-line resources was actually a relief to me, because for many years now I’ve had “fragrance frustration” with the standard local stores & offereings, etc.
I also don’t feel too guilty b/c last year when I was pregnant I was very strict with myself about not buying any fragrances at all since my nose was out of whack. This year I was just making up for some lost time obtaining and sniffing fragrances I’d probably have purchased over the years anyways if I’d been able to get to them easily in stores. Because 95% of my fragrance purchases are on-line, it’s a little easier to be picky – no sudden seductions at the fragrance counter. I’ll be slowing down for 2009 for sure, especially because now I really have a fine grasp on what I like and what works for me. Pound for pound I spent more on decants and samples, but that absolutely saved me from spending more on full bottles I’d not liked. I also have a rule that I don’t buy a frag until I’ve drained the sample. Sampling really saved me – I’d say that about 9 out of 10 times, I don’t like the frag at all, or it won’t work, etc.
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On January 2, 2009 friedchicken&gasoline said:
I like the sampling and decants too. Sometimes I MUST have something, get a nice little decant from Posh Peasant and…meh. Minis can be fun too. Fortunately (?), I don’t have ready access to a good brick&mortar store but did snap up a Diorella last week from one of those ‘discount’ counters in the mall. Oh, and a L’Ombre dans L’eau and Kenzo Amour on line.
If I had a friend with a perfume store, I’d be in the poorhouse!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Me too!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Ann, finishing out a sample first is a wonderful practice — it’s my “rule” too but I break it too often!
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On January 2, 2009 AnnS said:
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gnashed my teeth over some fragrance I’ve read about, etc, that I just had to have. You know, normally after I get the sample, I’m very deflated and very glad I didn’t buy a full bottle. There have been a handful of times that I’ve purchased a fragrance almost immediately after sampling. But actually some of my favorites I picked up this year – Heure Exquise, Givenchy III, Baghari, Badgley Mischka – have been only after I kept getting beckoned back to a tester I was initially lukewarm about.
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Robin, if this can comfort you, I’ve bought this year 73 bottles of fragrances :S
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On January 2, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
*Fainting on floor*
Robin, do gifts for others count or is this personal expenditure only?
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
My damage:
Boucheron 2008/ Boucheron 2007/ Michael Men/ Emporio White Red Edition/ Nemo/ Egeo Dolce/ Lhotse Irresistível/ Arpege pour homme/ Castelbajac/ Gloria/ Aomassai/ Bois d’Armenie (the best buy from this year)/ Apparition Intense/ Omnia/ Rochas Lui/
Eau de Cartier Relaxante/ Gucci By Gucci Pour Homme/
2 Dior Homme Intense (um comprado e o outro ganhado)/ Santos Sport/ Must Essence/ Exotic CoconuT/ Kenzo Air Intense
Declaration Essence/ Eau des Merveilles Constellation/Black Kenneth Cole/ St Dupont Noir/ Coriolan/L’InsTant Extreme/
Comme Des Garcons 2 Man/ AMEN Pure Coffee/Kenzo Jungle Man/ Kenzo Jungle Her/ Prada Amber Pour Homme/ Un Jardin en Mediterrane/ Allure Edition Blanche/ Tom Ford Extreme/Black Orchid/ Ambregris (Balmain)/ Safran Troublant/ 3 Organza Indecence 15ml minis/ Desire Dunhill/ Ultrared/ Avon Signature/
Body Kouros/ By D&G Man/ Rive Gauche/Bvlgari Au the Blanche/
Very Valentino/Pasha Fraiche Menthe/Oh! de moschino/Snowcake/ Lush Americam Cream/ Egoiste Cologne Concentree Mini/ Jaipur man edp/ Lush solids (karma, honey, americam cream and snow shower)/calvin klein minis (escape, crave, obsession him, obsession her, truth, ck man)/kelly caleche mini/ Bvlgari Soir/ Natura Due/ U By Ungaro – avon
I don’t even dare to calculate how much i’ve spend 🙂 I think at least 10 from the list I’ve receveid as a gift
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Oh, I’ve forgot the decant’s: amouage jubilation xxv – gourgeous, and mechant loup, from l’artisan parfumeur, that i’ve adore but hated the longevity on my skin
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On January 2, 2009 Zoe said:
Holy HELL! You can start your own store with that amount. Or send some to me 😀
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Well, if i get sick of anyone listed, i’ll tell you rsrsrs My store? Who knows someday i do this?
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Whew. That is truly impressive. I wouldn’t dare calculate the cost either!
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
It only makes me feel less guilty about it when it think i’ve bought almost 70% that i’ve bought paying 50% off what they really cost. Ebay was a great friend of mine this last year rs
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On January 3, 2009 Maltesia said:
HR, Thank You! I don’t feel SO guilty over my 26 buys (of which 10 were gifts to friends and family)!!!
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On January 3, 2009 Maltesia said:
Sorry, meant to say HB, not HR…
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On January 3, 2009 helenviolette said:
SF, I don’t count gifts! And the great part is that I enjoy smelling those gifts on others even more than if I had bought them for me-self!
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On January 2, 2009 Kankuro said:
In 2008 I have bought 11 bottles of fragrances:
Thierry Mugler A*MEN, Thierry Mugler, B*MEN, Thierry Mugler Cologne, Yves Saint Laurent Opium Pour Homme (EdP), Joop! Go!, Joop! Homme, Rochas Man, Givenchy Pi, Prada Infusion D’Homme, Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin and Creed Silver Mountain Water. Oh, thats a lot…
PS: Next month I will buy Tom Ford Extreme 🙂
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Kankuro, have you already have a chance to try Tom Ford Extreme? I bought my blindly, and really regreted of paying a fortune for a fragrance that was just ok. It’s well blended, fine, but not Extreme at all; I think its more expensive than it should be for a regular man’s fragrance.
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On January 2, 2009 Kankuro said:
I have tried Tom Ford Extreme last month and I think it IS Extreme, even my friends told me: “Uh, what is THAT? Go away with that horrible stuff!”.
I have read many complains about the lasting power, but on my skin it lastet 6 hours, and longer! The price is very high, thats right, but it smells so great to me, I can’t resist…
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
It latested 6hours on me too, but i thought it was so faint, so close to skin. I think it’s a great fragrance, i just don’t think i’d pay what i’ve paid if i have tried first. Well, if you loved it, it’ll be a wonderful buy!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Kankuro, the Thierry Mugler Cologne was another I meant to buy this year but didn’t.
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On January 2, 2009 Tama said:
I still can’t believe I got rid of a whole almost-full bottle of that when I was in some weird “must always smell like a girl” fit. It was before I started coming here and waking up to the gender line-blur in perfume. I had to settle for a mini to tide me over.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I should just go ahead and buy a mini myself. I keep collection samples then draining them.
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On January 2, 2009 Zoe said:
This is my first year as perfumista proper (how I loathe that word, by the way), and I feel I’ve done relatively well.
I bought full bottles of Hiris, Philosykos, Jour de Fête, Voile d’Ambre, Jil Sander Sun, a mini of Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge and several sample and decant orders for a grand total of about €280. I can’t afford to exclude mini’s samples and decants at this point in my budgeting, sadly.
Today almost saw me adding Tam Dao to that amount, so maybe I shouldn’t congratulate myself just yet. L’Occitane Myrtle, L’Air du Désert and Aomassai 10 are also lurking on the horizon. *Sigh*
(Can one lurk on an horizon? Mixing my metaphors, I fear.)
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On January 2, 2009 Zoe said:
Oh, I forgot the Anthousa fragrance oil trio – but that was a gift. Also forgot about decants of Ouarzazate and Moroccan Mint Tea – the total creeps toward €300, it would seem.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Oh, but you got such lovely things — many of my favorites! And if it helps, I find Tam Dao absolutely necessary. No, that doesn’t help, does it?
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On January 2, 2009 Zoe said:
‘Fraid not. My tastes being rather similar to yours also is less than helpful, I think; hard to resist a rave review…
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On January 2, 2009 Existentialist said:
I bought many, many samples and decants in 2008, but I don’t recall any full bottles. If I did, they would have been several months back. I’m much more besotted with buying from TPC, which enables me to try more and more scents. Now I just need a storage/organization system. Those little plastic mini-chests are probably the thing.
And don’t think that I didn’t spend any money, I spent lots, on what probably doesn’t look like much to the average observer, but I get a tremendous amount of pleasure from having scores of great perfumes in my modest abode (albeit in 1 ml vials). I promise to actually buy a full bottle of *something* soon, really.
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Existentialist, can you satisfy yourself with decants? I tried this year with two, but i had an impression that they don’t work with me, specially because they made me want the full bottle of the fragrance rsrsrsrs TPC is amazing, you can find things to sample there that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. I love that site.
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On January 2, 2009 Existentialist said:
Well, I think at this point I am interested in trying lots of different scents, and wearing something different almost every day, rather than having 2, 3, or 10 regular standby scents. I will probably settle down at some point, but right now it is such an adventure, and samples make it affordable. But I can understand your wanting to have a full bottle of something you fell for. I think the only thing I wish I could get a full bottle of is the original Marechale from Crown, which sadly went out of business. I know about the At some point I will probably break down and buy Marechale 90, but I fear that it won’t be the same. (And yes, I know about the bottle for $2,500, but that’s not going to happen!)
TPC is a great thing. I’d happily do a commercial for them if asked.
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On January 2, 2009 Henrique Brito said:
Tell more about this Marechale, it got me curious. Crown is the fragrance house that was bought by Clive Christian?
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On January 2, 2009 CB said:
I would also like to know more! Where could one find Marechale now?
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On January 3, 2009 Existentialist said:
I was lucky enough to be given a sample in a swap, and I see that someone has a bottle for sale here:
http://scentsplits.wikidot.com/sales-page
(I’m not affiliated with that site or the seller, btw.)
I am guessing at this point they are all in private hands. So best to not sniff it, lest you fall in love. 🙁
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On January 2, 2009 lemonprint said:
Existentialist, I agree with you. I feel silly looking at what some folks here bought – I only bought probably 3 new FBs this year (not including backup bottles of Donna Karan Gold, which I’m stocking up on cheaply as it’s disappearing). But I bought DOZENS of samples which I’m still trying. I LIKE wearing a new perfume every afternoon (I usually put on a “regular” scent in the morning and then try a new one in the afternoon as a pick-me-up, by which time the morning scent is usually gone. Though Gold REALLY sticks with me – I LOVE that stuff.
I still HAVEN’T gotten and MUST have a bottle of Montale Vanille Extasy. That will really count as a purchase for 2008, because I’ve been dying for it for months! But other than that I still love ordering more samples and am not CLOSE to having tried them all yet.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Gold is really a great scent — it’s a shame it didn’t sell better than it did.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Existentialist, good for you — samples are more sensible anyway, and agree — give just as much pleasure.
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On January 2, 2009 MissLauraQ said:
I am so glad I’m not the only crazy spenderfor perfume on here
Recession? What Recession?
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
LOL — exactly! We’re doing our part for the economy, anyway.
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On January 2, 2009 Tama said:
Two of my purchases this quarter were gifts, but I did get my great deal on a CdG 2 on ebay, and bought a few bucks worth of stuff at Avon. I received 3 bottles as gifts (2 Tauers and l’Heure Bleue).
For the year, as a burgeoning perfumista, most of my spending was on samples, but I did buy EL Tuberose and Gardenia, EL Bronze Goddess, Bvlgari Black, and the CdG 2, along with minis of a few Avons and a home-made rollerball of a spiced fig thing. I was very good about lotion since I have so much, and only bought a bottle of my frankincense & myrrh with jasmine concoction from Bath Junkie.
Today is perfume reorganization day, since I have too many out in the open and the perfume basket is getting to be like a game of Junga.
Zoe, anything you buy today goes on the list for NEXT quarter – lol.
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On January 2, 2009 Zoe said:
That’s the spirit 😉
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I used to love perfume reorganization day, now I hate it. I’ve really got too many samples!
You were very restrained this year.
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On January 2, 2009 Tama said:
lol – this had nothing to do with my samples – that’s a whole other thing! I had to get my good perfumes into a drawer. I did find some great old things like some very old Kiehl essences that are still pretty good, and some old Caswell-Massey things. I love those little brown apothecary bottles.
I was only restrained because I was precarious in my job situation, plus I spent a fair amount on samples. If not for Mr. Tauer I would be much less perfumed! My wish list for when I get a job again is shorter thanks to him and my stepmom.
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
You really lucked out on those giveaways!
Chunk #2:
On January 2, 2009 Erin T said:
Well, once my initial gorge was over – when I moved to Toronto in January and there were niche perfume stores! – I did pretty well. I’ve bought 5 bottles since last February: one in quarter 2, two in quarter 3 and two in quarter 4. Of those, only two were over $60 – but they were doozies, with 31 Rue Cambon at just over $200 and Miroir des Vanities at $150. With some mild guestimating, I come out at $905. God, you’re right, that is disgusting – especially factoring in that I’ve probably forgotten something. I’m clinging to the fact that you would have beat me if you’d actually paid for and received the Diorissimo. 🙂 It was that initial January 2008 binge that did me in, darn it. Glad to hear the coffee after-sun lotion is a good deal: I need something cheap to indulge in to start this year off right…
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On January 2, 2009 ScentScelf said:
You got the Miroirs? What thinketh thou?
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On January 4, 2009 Erin T said:
Just got the Vanities (green) scent. (Although they threw in a cute little mini of A Travers le Miroir – a tuberose-patchouli.) The presentation was a surprise, as I didn’t know there was a fancy-schmancy heavy mirrored case inside the regular box. Very nice, but I could have easily skipped the luxe bottle and case if they’d just make the darned juice cheaper. While probably not worth the money – few things are worth $3 per ml to me – at least four of the Miroirs (don’t like Secrets) are really fine. I’m sad they haven’t had more buzz with perfume nuts. They’re subtle for TM and not drydown-driven – Vanities, in particular, is mostly about the first half hour – but I found myself going back to them over and over at the sampling counter. I want to steal a poster of the ad, too 🙂
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
LOL — go ahead and cling, it’s true enough! And I wouldn’t even want to guestimate what I must have spent in 2004 or 2005. It must have been really ugly.
If you like sweet cream & coffee, I think you’ll like that lotion. It’s really strong — if I put it on my legs, I can smell it through my jeans.
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On January 2, 2009 krokodilgena said:
2 and only 2 for this entire year
and on top of that, both were presents so *I* didn’t spend any money
Bvlgari Black (birthday) $68 for 2.5ml is relatively cheap
Ava Luxe Moroccan Mint Tea (Christmas) $30 for 30ml is also relatively cheap
I bought samples… no lotions
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On January 2, 2009 krokodilgena said:
**2.5 oz
also, I bought 3 this year… I bought Alexander McQueen Kingdom on ebay for like $20. It is one of my favorites
but this quarter I only got 2 as I said
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
You were very well behaved!
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On January 2, 2009 rosarita said:
Nope, not a one. I did buy a partial bottle of a longtime wishlist scent, but it’s more like a decant, so I’m not counting it. We are continuing on in our need to simplify our lives (read: save money) and no longer have cable tv, a landline phone or two cars, so I’m not really in a place to be buying perfume. Thank goodness for swapping on MUA! I have a major job interview coming up in January for a position that would more than double my current salary. If I get it – big if – you can be sure I will celebrate with a f/b purchase! Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my collection as is.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Keeping my fingers crossed for you — hope you’ll get the job!
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On January 2, 2009 Margot said:
Well, I was much more restrained this year than last year. My biggest splurge was this summer when I gulped and bought the 200ml bottle of Chanel No.18 at the Chanel Boutique. I do love it, and it’s always surprising. I found nice prices on ebay for Chanel No.19 and Feminite du Bois (Shisheido), and I also bought up a few FB’s of Black Cashmere and the scented skin cream, as well as Hanae Mori and Kenzo Amour – love the rice pudding I pick up on my skin.
I regret nothing! Happy New Year!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I am lemming that Black Cashmere cream — we’ll see how long I hold out! How nice to have no regrets 🙂
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On January 2, 2009 MJ said:
I bought:
Caleche by Hermes (100 cc size, in a gift box, it came with body lotion, shower gel and purse perfumer)
2 gift boxes of Goutal Mandragore
1 gift box of Van Cleef’s First
Penhaligon’s Lily of the Valley (100 cc size)
I spent 97 euros in all that (it was a special sale event from these fragances distributor in Spain). I kept the Caleche, and gave away (Xmas presents) the rest
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Ah — then for our purposes, you only bought one bottle — gifts don’t count. But still, you got a great price for all of that!
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On January 2, 2009 Haunani said:
Oh, my, I just put my list together and it’s a lot! I guess this year has been for me what Erin T called “the initial gorge” (LOL!). This is what I bought in October, November, and December:
Ormonde Jayne CHAMPACA (partial bottle)
Parfumerie Generale AOMASSAI
Henry Dunay SABI EDP
Montale WHITE MUSK
Parfumerie Generale L’OISEAU DE NUIT
Stéphanie de Saint-Aignan LI ALTARELLI
Keiko Mecheri UME
The Different Company BOIS DE IRIS (3-pack travel size)
Saffron James NANI (a blind buy!)
L’Artisan DZONGKHA
Whew! I’m thrilled with all of these, but I’m not going to go back and look at the whole year all at once. Not ready to be “sobered up” that much!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Quite a haul — glad you’re thrilled with all of them!
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On January 2, 2009 lilydale said:
Happy New Year, all! I never thought I’d wish to have spent more money, but I do… I was planning a little post-X-mas spree but instead have been laid up with a sinus infection that not only has made me really, really sick, but — even worse — has knocked out my senses of smell and taste for about 3 weeks now. Not being able to enjoy food, booze, and perfume takes so much of the joy out of life! Sometimes I wonder if it will ever come back, and it seems senseless (pun intended) to order perfume now.
However, I did buy one bottle this quarter — CdG 2 — for a grand total (with Philosykos) of two this year. Oh, and a heap of samples, which I’m happy to hear don’t count! Once my nose is back in service (please soon oh please oh please), my wish list contains L’Air du Desert Marocain, Incense Rosé, Black Tourmaline, and Bandit, although finances will probably limit me to just two of those for now (I’m thinking L’Air and Bandit).
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On January 2, 2009 Melaine said:
Hi There:
I have a bottle of Bandit that I can’t wear. I keep trying to like it but no can do. Perhaps we can swap? Also a bottle of Femme if someone else is interested. I know this isn’t really the place but Bandit is reproaching me from the top of my jewelry box in the reject hall of shame.
Melaine
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On January 2, 2009 lilydale said:
Oooh, very interested in your reproachful Bandit, but I’ll need to check if I have anything swappable in return. And Femme is on my list to try… If you click on my user name, you can send me an e-mail through my profile.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Oh, I’m so sorry it’s still lingering on! Will keep my fingers crossed for you.
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On January 2, 2009 bklyn fragrance lover said:
Well I’ve been a bad bad boy. It wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t. I’m not even going to list, but it was over 20. Heck…I already started contributing to this years first quarter…I bought Karl LagerFeld Kapsules trio….just mini’s though.
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Minis count 1/2 each in my accounting system. Couldn’t say why.
But 20! I want to see a picture of your collection 😉
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On January 2, 2009 bklyn fragrance lover said:
You got it! I once sent pics to Kevin…he was pretty shocked.
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On January 2, 2009 helenviolette said:
OK- I behaved very badly this year and I am sure I bought around 20 bottles and spent close to 2 g’s (hangs head in shame)- BUT I did more than half of that damage in the first 6 months and now I have figured out a thing or two. (I have stopped buying everything 😉 and I learned to appreciate decants- ie: I can appreciate a decant of a perfume I think is FBW and manage to NOT BUY IT!) I was MUCH more restrained these last three months- spending $295 on:
1/4 oz. of Arpege extrait ($50)
30 ml bottle of ELPC AYY ($25 w/ 40 gift cert.)
50ml Magazine Street ($135)
50ml Cuir de Lancome ($50- unsniffed purchase and it hasn’t arrived yet- cross your fingers for me)
split a 50ml bottle of Tea for Two with a friend ($35)
If I count the Cire Trudon candle and all of the samples I bought, I did not do quite so good- but since I seem to have regained some of my sense, I feel a lot better, all in all!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Ah, but you’re on the way to doing better and that’s what counts. Bottle splits are so sensible! I wish I had time to do more of them, and to swap more.
Hope you’ll love the Cuir, but if you don’t, bet you can swap it.
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On January 2, 2009 ponderous said:
Pregnancy curbed my urge to buy fragrances for five months of 2008, but now that my scent-sensitivity has passed, I’ve bought about 12 bottles (most on eBay at a fraction of their regular price, and a couple from Beautyhabit with a 25% discount code). In my defense, though, I sold off all but two bottles of my perfume collection when I got pregnant and couldn’t stand the smell of anything, so when it’s all added up I probably came close to breaking even money-wise for the year. Could be worse!
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Sounds to me like you came out even!
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On January 2, 2009 GuerlainGirl said:
Oh, the damage… I purchased 9 bottles this year, not including some lovely (and quite necessary) shower gels, and many minis and samples. Spent about $900 in total. But, hey! I’ve got Mitsouko on my left wrist and Jicky on my right wrist, so life is good and full of scented joy! I am not *quite* ready to confess that before I calculated my extravagence, I found on-line the Amouage Jubilation 25 for Women in that one ounce travel size and snapped it up…
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On January 2, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I need a bottle of Jicky — it’s been on my “to buy” list for ages. And congrats on the Jubilation, that’s a lovely one too.
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On January 2, 2009 Aparatchik said:
Can we talk about something I’d rather discuss, like how much weight I’ve put on this year? No? OK, day of reckoning, I guess.
Before I learned this year, as helenviolette did, to stop buying everything, I bought 19 full bottles (twice as many decants/minis, and my sample drawer is a perfume glutton’s glory). In this quarter, I went crazy for Ava Luxe, buying 5 full bottles: Bois Exotique, Bois de Figue, Johri, Venezia, and Ambre d’Oro. Add to that the bottles of Kenzo Jungle l’Elephant and PdN Fig Tea, and the full bottle damage ends up being under $300, which is really quite restrained as long as I don’t think about those decants/minis and samples.
Next on the list, a full bottle of Ambre Russe as soon as I can convince myself that I neeeeed it. 🙂
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
LOL — I’d rather talk about the perfume excess than the food excess 😉
And wow, 5 bottles from Ava Luxe — that’s brand loyalty!
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On January 2, 2009 mbanderson61 said:
I’m probably up there with Henrique for the year, but ebay has also been a friend, particularly for partial bottle buys. Case in point: I bought 2 bottles for $25 (that includes shipping) and both bottles were almost full. The fragrances? Hiris and Eau Des Merveilles. ($12.50 apiece? That’s practically free!) I bought many bottles like that this year, plus, I bought bottles and split them with friends, so I find it hard to count the number. All I know is that my collection grew exponentially!
I was also the recipient of some wonderful perfumed gifts from family and friends, including PG Bois Blond, Femme parfum, Chanel No 5 parfum, a gift certificate or two to Aedes and too many wonderful decants to mention. I have also given away many decants and a bottle or two.
So all in all, it has been fragrance madness for me, but I stick with fairly affordable and/or ebay buys and I only do splits for the bankroll-busting bad boys. So the damage hasn’t been too awful!
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
That’s incredible — I’d buy Hiris & EdM all over again at that price. You’re better at ebay than I am!
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On January 3, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Great buys for sure, wish I had the Ebay sale karma.
To acquire Hiris for under 50 is a steal given it goes for $130 for 3.3 edt on the Hermes website.
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On January 3, 2009 Zoe said:
Isn’t Hiris relatively commonly found with online discounters? I bought a 100ml bottle for under €25 including shipping – 18BP at the then exchange rate. Was quite chuffed, though.
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On January 2, 2009 marchlion said:
R, you’re more tuned in to statistics than I am. It seems to me that the “average” price of niche stuff has gone up pretty dramatically in the last two years. What do you think? I recall being able to buy lots of interesting things in 2005 for $100 – $125 apiece. Just a hunch on my part.
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On January 2, 2009 chrissyinoz said:
oh god i really ramped it up in 08!! caron’s amaiz moi & infini; ysl’s y, yvresse, rive gauche; givenchy’s l’interdit; guerlain’s mitsouko, terracotta & jardins de bagatelle; cdg kyoto; marc jacobs amber; el’s azuree’; balenciaga le dix; rochas femme & tocade…..that’s to name a few. So glad this blog is here to confess my addiction to lol.
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On January 2, 2009 chrissyinoz said:
btw helenviolette cuir de lancome was an unsniffed buy of mine in 08….absolutely love it hope you do too
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On January 3, 2009 helenviolette said:
thanks!
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On January 7, 2009 helenviolette said:
Update: Cuir de Lancome is a hit so far! (phew!)
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On January 7, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Oh good!
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Was that your whole year or just the last quarter?
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
March, yes, prices have gone up very dramatically. Some of the larger brands appear to be cushioning US customers from the effects of the dollar’s fall, but the smaller niche brands mostly aren’t (and I assume, can’t).
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On January 2, 2009 Elizabeth said:
Well, this was my first year as a perfumista, but here is the FB damage: Matsuri, Coromandel, Kenzo Amour, Ambre Sultan, Anarchy, DSH Michelangelo, Tumulte PH, Ambre Noir, Barbara Bui, Tam Dao (10 ml. bottle), L’air du desert marocain, Tolu, Cinq Mondes Rituel de Java, CdG Zagorsk, Bal a Versailles, Ava Luxe Madame X, Apivita Spice, L’artisan Dzongkha, Thé pour un Été, Passage d’Enfer, Piment Brulant and Safran Troublant (the last two being the 15 ml. bottles), and Perfumer’s Apprentice Tuscany. I *think* that’s it. Pretty ridiculous, eh? Though, to be fair, I split the Coromandel and bought the Ambre Sultan for $70 on eBay. Hey, that saves a few bucks, right? Still when we’re talking about hundreds, it doesn’t matter that much. 😛 Oh, and I also bought Bois d’Arménie but plan to return it, as I had planned to return the Kenzo Amour, like you. It has grown on me.
You know, this is the first time I’ve done a reckoning of my purchases, and it’s actually much worse than I had thought. 🙁
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Nice list! And yes, the first time I did this poll, I surprised myself — it’s very easy to lose track of what you’re buying…
(And wish I had a bottle of the Armenie myself)
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On January 2, 2009 Hannah said:
I was saintly and pure as the driven snow in the last quarter: no bottles, only samples (after od-ing on SL and FM earlier in the year.)
I foresee some trouble ahead, however. I was on Christopher St on Monday and accidentally wandered into Aedes… then I just happened upon Takashimaya later that evening. Came away with samples galore, needless to say, and am now desperately lusting after Écume de rose, Magnolia Romano, Eau d’Italie, Paestum Rose, Sienne l’hiver, Aoud Queen Roses, Philosykos,Tam Dao, Shaal Nur, Lys from 06130, and everything ever made by TDC. Are (several dozen) decants going to count for first quarter ’09?
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
LOL — that is quite a list, and will teach you to stay out of Aedes & Tak, right? Which will you buy first, do you think?
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On January 4, 2009 Hannah said:
Écume de rose/Sel de vétiver/Philosykos… I worked 9 hours of overtime today (don’t ask) which in my mind justifies and pays for a decant binge. Wheee!
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
That’s a lot of overtime! Buy what you like 🙂
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On January 3, 2009 Poop-C said:
I went rather sparingly throughout 2008, but toward the end I shut it down. In this last 1/4 I got Theirry Mugler Rose and Peony Angel, Givenchy Very Irresistible Fresh Attitude, and Tommy Bahama South Seas (which was probably my fave of the 4). The total though was pretty good, at just about $120
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hey, that’s not a bad price at all for 4 new scents.
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On January 3, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
My fragrance fascination just started a couple months ago when I happened upon this blog…and my pocketbook has not been the same.
It started with Mitsouko. Then onto Un Jardin Sur le Nils, Sensuous, Mandarin Basilic, Stella, Love in White, Baie de Genievre and Fleurissimo (the last two are amazing blended together).
Then the samples………..
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
You’re moving quickly then! Mitsouko is a great place to start.
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On January 3, 2009 Eric said:
Only one. And, really, since it was Brin de Reglisse (and at the new new price increase), I think I made the right move by not getting any more. Now that it’s a new year…. ;3
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Ack. I don’t remember the new new price, and perhaps better if I don’t given that the vanilla one is due to launch soon…
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On January 4, 2009 Eric said:
I won’t remind you until it’s already charged on your credit card. ;3
Well, assuming it’s worth it. For your 2009 yearly add-up, I kind of hope not.
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
LOL — I hope not too!
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On January 3, 2009 Ayala said:
I first thought I didn’t buy too much this year: Le Parfum de Therese (that I had to re-stock on), Un Jardin Apres la Mousson and Deseo and my last impulse of 2008 was Obsession parfum that went on sale on Boxing day. But add to this the entire Harajuku Lovers miniatures and we’re talking about 9 perfume purchases. I insist that I bought them for my daughters. And I really did buy them for the bottle not for the scent.
I also got quite a few scented candles – 1 set of the florals from Dyptique and 2 x Black Vetyver Cafe candles, which are said to be discontinued soon. I think one will end up as a gift though.
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I bought those for the packaging too, so can’t throw stones 😉
Jealous of your Diptyque candles!
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On January 3, 2009 eminere™ said:
I was lucky enough to be invited to the warehouse sales of Yves Saint Laurent and Trimex (who is a major Australian distributor), so I managed to snag the following bargains:
. Acqua di Parma Fico di Amalfi gift pack – $35
. Ermenegildo Zegna Z Zegna 100ml – $18
. Ermenegildo Zegna Intenso 100ml – $18
. Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Shower Gel 150ml – $10
. Hugo Boss Boss in Motion Blue Shower Gel 150ml – $10
. Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme gift pack – $25
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Wow, those really were bargains!
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On January 3, 2009 kaos.geo said:
Hmmm…..
I bought a lot as gifts (It is a way of sublimating the guilt of being a perfumista hehehehe)
But I bought 3 for me:
Kiehls Musk (after a loooong wait…It was out of stock for a while and I use it for layering)
Gap Blue N655 For Him (two 50ml bottles) I found it at the Katy Mills Mall in Houston at $16 a bottle, I couldn’t resist finding a discontinued at this price, so I bought 2 bottles and still have not open any of them. I love that it smells of tangerines as top note 🙂
I am seriously considering giving a couple of perfumes on my collection as gifts i.e.: Boss Selection, which I received as a gift and I like but not as much to use on a regular basis. It has a VERY classy bottle AND cap (real metal!) so I love the packaging, but the juice is too bitter in the basenotes for me, reminds me of laurel leaves, a little like the original Insensé.
On the other hand, while shopping for all those gifts, I’ve gotten quite a few samples, so I am planning on starting a “Samples collection” which may sound as the first thing to do for most of you, just that here in Argentina most shops are stingy with them, unless you buy a lot!!! 😛
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On January 3, 2009 vanessa said:
Hmm, I will ease myself gently into this topic with last quarter’s spend – just 3 bottles, plus Roja Dove Scandal as a significant gift! The three were: Rose Kashmirie, PG Brulure de Rose, and a T K Maxx bargain of YSL Nu (Edt admittedly, but still nice).
The rest of the year doesn’t look so clever, for like Helenviolette and a few others I can’t easily spell from memory, I went rather bonkers in my first year of being a perfumista, and probably spent a little over £1000, at least a third of that on samples and minis. The total for the 21 full bottles purchased is just under £700 at a rough totting up!
There is a definite tailing off of FB purchases as the year wears on and I get more canny, and a shift from designer to niche. By July I got a grip and stopped buying impulse bottles I was later to regret. The odd mix is as follows:
SJP Lovely, CK Euphoria, Jasper Conran Mistress, Jasper Conran Woman, EL Intuition, Hugo Boss Femme, Chanel Cristalle Edt, L’Artisan Ete en Douce, Iris Nobile Edt, TDC Bergamote, Balenciaga Le Dix, AG Chevrefeuille, Kohdo Woods Day and Night, Black Cashmere, Givenchy Le De, Bvlgari Omnia Cristalline, Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, PG Brulure de Rose, Rose Kashmirie, YSL Nu Edt.
Of the above list, I am sorry about four of those, also three of the four gifts I additionally received, which I specifically asked for, but later thought better of! I shan’t make such mistakes in 2009, that is my resolution….
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On January 3, 2009 chrissyinoz said:
In reply to your previous query Robin….that was a mere few purchases in my breakthrough perfumista year
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On January 3, 2009 alotofscents said:
I have not found *it* yet. But I found a few nice things: Philosophy’s Inner Grace (which smells amazingly close to Narciso Rodriguiz for her EDT), Marc Jacob’s Daisy, LAMB by G.S., Dune and Pure Poison by Dior, Turquoise by R. L., China Town by Bond #9, Bulgari Black, Prince Jardinier Bouton De Rose, Incense and Wet Garden by Demeter, and the body lotions Euphoria Blossom and Inner Grace.
And I still haven’t found the right mix! Uhg! But they are all…nice and pretty-except for Black which I find comforting and tea-like.
Joy and hope y’all have your best year yet!
-Becca
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Vanessa, but you got lots of really wonderful scents,and only 4 mistakes is not so bad — I regret many more than that!
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On January 3, 2009 mybeautyblog said:
vanessa, maybe we should swap the ete on douce? I had samples and I kind of liked it, very strange, very special, but I would not afford it new. I end university this year and I will have a hard time on that, no money for the real important things in life *lol*
II save my x-mas gift voucher until i get really desperated to buy perfume!l
Wonder if I go for a Aqua di Parma Fico di Amalfi, Diptyque (but which one?) or Guerlains L’Heure Bleue…
Any help on this important decision?! 😉
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On January 4, 2009 vanessa said:
I will PM you about this!
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
P, 3 bottles is not bad at all, and you got a great price on those Gap scents!
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On January 3, 2009 AWench said:
I’ve been naughty and nice this year – my second as a perfumeaholic. I’ve discovered some really cheap online bargains – Ivoire, Madame Rochas, Femme, Bal a Versailles, Kenzo Summer and Le Dix – nice. But I had a very naughty Summer when I deliberately took myself and my credit card to London, and splurged on Apres L’Ondee, Eau D’Hiver, Le Labo Iris, Passage D’Enfer and Irs Nobile.
I have now buried my card in a deep hole in the garden and sat a Rottweiler over it because I’ve just received a shipment of samples from First in Fragrance – I NEED Sienne L’Hiver. I just need it, that’s all! Talk me out of it someone, there’s a credit crunch on after all, and I’m in danger of adding to our national debt.
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On January 3, 2009 Haunani said:
AWench (great name!), I’m afraid to try Sienne L’Hiver, because I have a feeling I will NEED it too. Sorry to be of no help, but I think it sounds wonderful. While we’re at it, can anyone talk me out of my urge to buy a bottle of Dans Tes Bras? I dream about that lovely clean dirt smell – maybe I should just go for a hike, LOL!
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Find some people to split the trio of 10 ml travel bottles!
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On January 3, 2009 Haunani said:
That’s a great idea. I actually think I’ll pursue that. Thanks!
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On January 4, 2009 AWench said:
Clean dirt AND violets in the opening. You’re not based in the UK by any chance are you? No, stop it, stop it, stop it – get her, Fluffy!
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Well, a trip to London is a good excuse for a bit of splurging. I do wish the Eau d’Italie scents came in smaller bottles. Maybe do a bottle split?
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On January 3, 2009 divinemama said:
Oh dear, I bought more than I care to count. :~)
Let’s just say that I have been doing my part to stimulate the economy. I am very happy with my purchases though, and feel like I am investing in scents that still contain ingredients soon to be banned. I am so sad about oakmoss, as it is one of my favorite notes. Coming from an area that has tons of oak trees, including a huge one in my front yard, that note has extra meaning for me. I am dreading reading about the next allergen to be banned. So yeah, I am rationalizing my perfume purchases very well, thank you. ‘~)
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On January 3, 2009 ahtx said:
I’m right there with you divinemamma. I only rarely buy full bottles and then almost never at retail (I can only think of one, and its because I thought they were going to stop distributing it) but this year I have fallen hard for the “but there isn’t going to be any more” rationale and have bought back up bottles and vintage. The psychology of this is absolutely the wrong thing: once I start spending above $50 it just gets easier and easier to do–something about breaking barriers.
You notice I’m not offering up any totals 😉
I will say, proudly though, that my haul includes a 7.5 bottle of vintage Mitsouko parfum and a 1 oz. vintage bottle of Vol de Nuit parfum (in the zebra box!) a decant of Cuir de Russie parfum, a partial bottle of Chanel No. 19 parfum. And I am not a bit sorry about any of them. (Cue Edith Piaf…)
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On January 3, 2009 divinemama said:
Nice haul ahtx! Those are all in my favorites category. Yes, once the barrier is broken…giggles.
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I know what you mean about barriers. So far, $200 is mine and I hope that it stays that way — but who knows if it will. Congrats on your vintage Vol de Nuit, how nice!
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On January 4, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Nice frags! It doesn’t get much better than Edith P….
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Divinemama, joining you in mourning oakmoss — one of my favorite notes too 🙁
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On January 3, 2009 divinemama said:
Am I helping you justify all your pre-oakmoss ban purchases, Robin? ‘~)
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
You know, I don’t buy many vintage scents — have enough spending issues with new things and find that doing well on ebay is rather time-consuming. So chances are, oakmoss will eventually be a dim memory…
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On January 4, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I love oakmoss too, *sigh*..
Chunk #3:
On January 3, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I’m just going to look at this quarter! I was very bad this year.. >:P
I’m not sure how one would count gift sets. I bought six bottles, totaling about 450. Three of those were Clinique Wrappings gift sets.
Purchases were: Amazone by Hermes, Voleur de Roses by L’ Artisan, Musc for her, by Narcisco Rodriguez and Wrappings.
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Smart move to stock up on the Wrappings — that’s so darned hard to find.
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On January 4, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Exactly! The SA’s see me coming every Oct 1 when the gift sets arrive, they know the drill! 🙂
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On January 3, 2009 lovethescents said:
Sorry for the late posting. I had to recalculate over and over again because I couldn’t believe the sums. I have spent a whopping $700 CAD this past year, as my first year as a perfumista. Full bottles were SJP Covet (for only $12), Tumulte for women ($18), Cumming the fragrance (32) , Bal a Versailles (26), YSL Nu (22). Purse sprays of SL’s Louve and Daim Blond, AG Songes and Chevrefeuille. The rest of those hundreds of dollars was spent on samples with around only $100 on precious decants of my faves: Sinfonia’s Saveur d’Artichaut and Chanel Beige. I CANNOT believe how many hundreds I have spent on samples! I feel the shame, people, I do…..
Plan of action to lessen aforementioned shame: swapping ONLY for 2009!!! (not to mention the samples am currently waiting for from LS and TPC)
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On January 3, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Don’t make too harsh a rule or you won’t live with it! And really, you didn’t spend all that much on full bottles.
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On January 3, 2009 lovethescents said:
Thanks for saying that, but when we look out how much was spent on samples, well, it is embarrassing, after all.
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On January 3, 2009 mybeautyblog said:
Damage so far:
Chasse aux Papillons Extreme 75 Euro – a NST recommandation
Nahema (refill only) 68 Euro – a NST recommandation
Un Jardin apres la Mousson 50 Euro – liked it after three! samples
SL A la Nuit (shared) 37 Euro- a NST recommandation
… and at least 100 Euro on samples.
I have to say the money on samples was wasted since I can trust on your description and pick a few scents which always appeal to me.
This year is going to be economically the hardest everit seems – but I still have some unfullfilled dreams, and I guess I will make it to one or two bottles.
It is just – being a perfumista means for me I do not buy/find/like something that is not around at least 50 Euro, mostly around 70.
But every bottle I have pleases me therefore every time and I did not regret any cent spent!
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Glad you have no regrets 🙂
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On January 3, 2009 Celestia said:
I’ve been waiting for the right forum to tell you about my purchases. In one antique store I found a Coty Chypre which an educated guess would place it from the 60’s or 70’s. It’s EDP and not quite full. Smells light and pleasant. I expected it to be much deeper and muskier. I also got a tiny Chanel No. 5 extrait bottle in its box which has no UPC so it must also be from the afore-mentioned period. But my real coup was spying a tiny grey bottle which I at first thought was knockoff design or a mini. I became more and more excited when I realized it was a Vol de Nuit extrait with glass wand in the glass lid. It had no labels but upon consulting the Guerlain textbook, it must be a quarter ounce perfume.
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Wow — you’re doing beautifully on finding vintage things, congrats! Were all of these from antique shops?
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On January 4, 2009 Celestia said:
Yes, I found them all in one shop in Victoria, B.C. The three were just under $70 Can. They know me when I come in the door as I visit the relatives nearby about once a year. I once scored Parure perfume (empty) for $25!!! I have a comprehensive Guerlain collection of over 200 but sometimes I just cannot pass up something really unique. (I always steel myself to only buy Guerlains in order to curb my buying.)
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
That’s great. I really ought to be haunting my local antique shops — we have tons of them — but never do.
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On January 4, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Wow Celestia,
That is an amazing find on the Vol de Nuit. I love antique bottles and have considered collecting, but… I don’t need inspiration for add’l spending at present!
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On January 4, 2009 Celestia said:
Thank you. I do have a 30ml Vol de Nuit perfume bottle that a customer mailed to me from California a few years ago. I treasure it! Both my bottles are empty but I appreciate the artistry of the design. I still believe in using the fragrances and then displaying the bottles for their beauty and history.
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On January 3, 2009 AugAmbre said:
My ‘perfumista’ status began in August, and I have gone nuts since, thanks in large part to this great blog! My damage since August: En Passant and Parfum de Therese (both split w/friend), Philosykos, Ambre Sultan, Chergui, Bellodgia, Shalimar and Diorissimo (restock). Plus I received a gift certificate for the local salon which carries Andy Tauer, so L’air du Desert Morocain is in the very near future. I don’t even want to think of the cost, although a couple were gifts.
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On January 3, 2009 AugAmbre said:
Oh, I fogot to add that I was able to find the travel size of Jubilation 25 as well
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
You still haven’t done as much damage as I did my first year, and you’ve chosen much better than I did back them — doubt you’ll get sick of any of those!
Don’t know why I haven’t bought one of those travel sizes yet.
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On January 3, 2009 DCDavid said:
Title should be: How Long Has This Been Going On?
OK, so I knew the start of this whole thing was buying “Scent: The Guide,”so I thought I’d go see how back and see when I bought that so I could figure out how many of these were in 2008. To my horror, I discovered I bought the book in MARCH 2008. So … all damage is this year. Gawd. And could I just say I am so glad that the 46 samples from The Perfumed Court, plus at least 9 from Lucky Scent, plus the sampler direct from Andy T don’t count. Yes! I love this group’s system of calculation.
So here’s the extent of the fascination (“obsession” is such a judgmental word, don’t you agree?):
Alan Cumming: Cumming
Andy Tauer: Lonestar Memories [omg], Vetiver Dance, L’Air du desert marocain
Azzaro: Azzaro [for when I’m feeling 80s]
Christian Dior: Fahrenheit [passed on to someone]
Comme des Garçons: 2 Man [yikes & yum]
Estee Lauder: Beyond Paradise for Men [passed on –damn that Luca!]
Frederic Malle: L’eau de hiver, Bigarade
Givenchy: Monsieur de Givenchy
Guerlain: Homme [passed on, I’m afraid — damn that Kevin!]
Hermès: Terre d’Hermès [zowie, Batman], Bel Ami
L’Artisan: Méchant Loup, Tea for Two, Dzing!, Timbuktu, Passage d’Enfer,
Fou d’Absinthe, L’Eau d’Ambre [notice a trend here?]
Ormonde Jayne: Man
Parfums de Nicolai: New York [ambivalent — another Luca steer]
Prada: Amber pour homme
I’m NOT doing the math on what this all cost. But, you know what? I don’t regret any of it. And big – -no make that huge — thanks to Robin, Kevin, Angela, and all the commenters/aficianadoes on this site for Our Shared Interest (now, isn’t that better than “obsession”? sounds downright scholarly).
Happy New Year to all.
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On January 3, 2009 divinemama said:
giggles :~)
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
DCDavid, what a great collection you’ve built in a short time!
Now — how many of those did you buy full-size & unsniffed? Have to say that 1 purchase cured me of buying a Luca Turin favorite unsniffed — Jacomo Paradox, a very long time ago. Hated it.
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On January 5, 2009 DCDavid said:
Yes, it grew pretty fast! Actually, I’m slowing down. My downfall has been having a local Blue Mercury, where they see me coming and say “oh, spray something on him!” as they laugh wickedly. I figured out pretty fast that paper strips don’t work anything like how things smell on me.
You guessed it, “New York’ was a full-sized unsniffed Luca reco, which almost cured me of buying unsniffed but not, unfortunately, completely, so I sprang for the Guerlain Homme unsniffed, too. And am now cured (and G Homme went to Barcelona with a friend, so all’s well that ends well).
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On January 6, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
LOL — yes, I”m lucky I haven’t a Blue Mercury near me I guess!
Every time I think I’m cured of buying unsniffed…well, famous last words & all that 😉
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On January 3, 2009 arrantthief said:
In the last four weeks alone I’ve bought four bottles, but my excuse was vacation. I bought Ormonde Jayne’s Ta’if and Osmanthus, Parfum de Nicolai’s Odalisque, and Andy Tauer’s L’Air du Desert Marocain.
I don’t regret any of those purchases… I do, however, regret Hermes Kelly Caleche. Not sure why I bought that. Now I’m not sure what to do with it.
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Vacation is a good excuse!
I think I’m one of the few here that loves Kelly Caleche. Maybe swap it? Or sell it on ebay?
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On January 4, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
I love Kelly Caleche and want to add it to my collection if you are interested in parting with it!
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On January 3, 2009 Patty said:
Damage is not so bad this quarter, as a couple of things were bought partially with gift money (Diorissimo extrait, Rochas Femme). I bought some samples of leather scents from The Perfumed Court, out of which I chose Bandit as a favorite, and worthy of full bottle acquisition. My fragrance resolution for 2009 (or at least for the first quarter): Calm down a bit and use what I have!
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On January 4, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
A good resolution! Never been able to make myself do it, but maybe you will 🙂
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On January 3, 2009 capillary said:
This year, which again was my first while seriously interested in perfume, hasn’t been terribly spendthrift on paper (4 bottles) but since I am a poor university student this was a rather high percentage of my disposable income… I bought Perles de Lalique, Mitsouko, Eau d’Hiver, and a mini of Organza Indecence. And lots of samples, which I’m grateful we’re not counting… Unfortunately, three of those were in the last three months, so I seem to have a spiralling addiction… but I don’t regret any of them, except possibly the Perles de Lalique, which I’m ambivalent about at present. And I’ve discovered many more that I adore…
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On January 3, 2009 capillary said:
Oh dear. I seem to have a problem with ellipses. Apologies.
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
It’s ok, I have the same problem 🙂
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On January 4, 2009 vanessa said:
Hi, let me know if you continue to wobble on Perles de Lalique, as I could buy it off your hands – and you are quite local to me!
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On January 7, 2009 capillary said:
Thank you, I shall! I’m planning to wait until the weather gets warmer and give it another go.
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On January 4, 2009 Mereope said:
Until the past year, I limited myself to three bottles of perfume at any given time. I abandoned that rather crimped view on life and expanded somewhat in 2008.
Chanel: 22 and 19- but the 22 doesn’t really count, as it is a replacement and I always have a bottle. I’m still uncertain how fond I am of the 19.
Fresh: Bergamot Citrus- a mistake, but it works fine as a bathroom freshener. I pour a little into a clay pot diffuser, and try and convince myself that it wasn’t a total waste. It should be gone soon. But since I don’t use it as perfume, it shouldn’t count either. It’s just an expensive version of a Glade plug-in.
Guerlain: L’Heure Bleue- It only counts this year as a new purchase. In the future it will always be replaced like 22. Then it will be a necessity of life.
Alfred Sung: Sung- a replacement again, but it’s starting to strike me as a bit “wan”. I can get something better in 2009, but it’s fine as something to wear around the house when I just need a little something.
Sonia Rykiel: Belle En Rykiel
Boucheron
Jean Nate: Lotion- A gift from an older lady who had it laying around. Now I need the After Bath Splash. Doesn’t count-it’s “recycled”.
Harajuka Lovers: Baby- The bottle had something to do with it. But it makes me happy- and if I get tired of it, I’ll re-gift it to my 7 year old niece.
Damages: approximately USD 520. 9 bottles/3 don’t count. Fortunately samples don’t count. I’ve gotten pretty good at wheedling them out of the store clerks, and my friends appreciate my hand me downs. THEY think samples are hard to get. Amateurs. I think next year I’ll need to work harder at increasing my stash. I promised myself a bottle of SL once I pay off another credit card.
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hey, at least you ended up with a nice bathroom freshener 🙂
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On January 4, 2009 Lauren said:
For this quarter:
Gucci: Rush, Cacharel:: Loulou and Anais Anais, Donna Karan: Black Cashmere, Vintage bottles of the following parfum: Coty: L’Origan, Dior: Dioressence and Hermes: Caleche. Not to mention many, many decants and small sample bottles (Carnal Flower, Lipstick Rose, 888, Tabac Blonde, Andy Warhol Silver Factory, the list goes on…)
But as you said, decants don’t count =)
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Lucky you — how is the vintage Caleche?
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On January 4, 2009 mahgwet said:
Embarrassed to say it was just one: Agraria Bitter Orange. I’ve always loved the potpourri, and this is a more convenient way to use it.
I think I might be buying some Reminiscence Patchouli pretty soon, though, with some Xmas money from my mom.
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hey, long time no see!
I need to try that Patchouli — was really happy to see that Beautyhabit picked up the Remininiscence line.
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On January 4, 2009 Olfacta said:
In this, my first year, I bought only a few full bottles (Black Cashmere, Rosine’s Folie de Rose, Paloma, Ma Griffe and a few Maax turkeys at the beginning, BUT…probably hundreds of samples and decants, and some fleabay for the vintage ones I simply had to have (Mitsouko extrait, Miss Dior, Givenchy III, Bal a Versailles in perfume and EDT and also, my biggest find: Coty Chypre.)
Every day I try to resist this siren song. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes not.
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On January 4, 2009 vanessa said:
Isn’t it interesting how many of us are in our first year of being a perfumista? Is the proportion of newbies on the blog always this high, Robin, or was it something in the water last year?
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On January 4, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
I think you’re right. It is the water!
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I think this topic is especially interesting to people who are just starting to build a collection, & are therefore concerned about spending…so new people are perhaps more likely to comment here than on a review.
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On January 5, 2009 Patty said:
I’ll bet many of the newbies, like me, read the article in the New York Times last spring about Sniffapalooza. We realized how many like-minded fragrance fanatics there are out there, and dove into perfumista-hood!
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On January 5, 2009 Tama said:
The NYT was exactly how I got here!
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Olfacta, I don’t always succeed either, obviously! Surprised at the number of people here today buying vintage — the competition on ebay must be fierce.
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On January 4, 2009 Rivercat said:
Late, but been away from the computer. Q4 was pretty cheap, frag-wise: only a mini of Tommy Girl to figure out what Luca Turin’s been raving about (it’s ok–may replace my dc’ed TBS Lemon Tea when it’s finally gone), and Avon Bond Girl to make my rep friend happy (ok for errand-running weekends). Did more damage earlier this year with a few L’Artisans I’d been lemming.
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On January 5, 2009 Blimunda said:
tried to post a comment, and it didn’t work for some reason…..apologies if it appears somewhere and I am repeating myself…….!! I’ll see if replying to someone else’s comment bring sme better luck…..sorry Rivercat!!! (what is ‘lemming’? Is that when you buy something following another lemming’s purchase?!)
Since I became a ‘perfumista’ officially three months ago, I have bought:
– Tabac Blond (love it, will always have a bottle from now on.)
– Noir de Noir (loved the parfum version, but bought the EdP which is less scandalously expensive but far inferior, and still overpriced. Disappointed.)
– Ormonde Woman (absolutely adore this one. Does wear off quite quickly though, I find. Perhaps the Parfum would have better staying power?)
– OJ’s Sample Set (want to buy Ta’if !!!!)
My plan for 2009 is to try out the Serge Lutens line, particularly Iris Silver mist, Rahat Loukhoum and Muscs Koublai Kahn.
Also – the entire Montale Oudh range! (Are any of these available in the UK? Or is this a Perfumed Court purchase?)
Would also like to explore Annick Goutal more.
And Luctor et Emergo.
And CB’s Burning Leaves and March.
That’s it!!
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Rivercat, wow, you were very well-behaved! Tommy Girl is pleasant but have never been dying to own it — sounds like you might like it better than I do. How’s the Bond Girl stuff?
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On January 5, 2009 TwoPeasInAPod said:
I’m too embarrassed to even think about the damage I’ve done this quarter. Holiday shopping lured me in! I was a complete lemming. The only “good news” to come of it is that 4 of the bottles were purchased on deep discount at Marshalls.
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Lucky you — it’s so very rare that I find anything at Marshalls or TJ Maxx anymore — they’re always so picked over. Read about someone finding Armani Prive candles at TJ Maxx lately & almost fainted!
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On January 6, 2009 TwoPeasInAPod said:
The Marshall’s near me just started carrying a rack of Demeter 1 oz. fragrances, for $7 each. I did go a little crazy, I’ll admit.
I also managed to score a few bottles of Waterford Lismore (the bottle becomes a bud vase) for $25 each, less than 1/2 of what Nordstrom’s had it for… my patience paid off.
Hey, those little roller ball tubes of perfume oil don’t count as full bottles, do they? I got a handful of those at the healthfood store b/c I like to layer and mix them. But they don’t count because it takes at least 10 of those to equal a FBP, right???
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On January 6, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hey, that’s convenient — I’d go a little crazy on $7 Demeters too.
On the rollerballs: I have no rule. I do count minis as 1/2 a bottle, but that’s silly because some are expensive.
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On January 5, 2009 Blimunda said:
I am yet another new perfumista! Officially since September ’08. Since then, I have bought: Tabac Blond (EdP, but will buy the parfum when it runs out becoz i LOVE it), Noir de Noir (EdP), Ormonde Woman (EdP) & Ormonde Jayne’s Sample Set. (I put in a bid for Ta’if on Ebay which ends in a few minutes and I am going to lose, i know. Boo-hoo.) I love all my new purchases, apart from Noir de Noir which wares off very quickly and is disgustingly over priced for what it is.
2009 will be my inquisitive sample testing year, a lot of which i cannot find in the UK (if i’m wrong, please set me right!): Serge Lutens perfumes – particularly interested in Iris Silver Mist, Rahat Loukoum and Muscs Koublai Kahn. Also longing to sniff the entire Montale Oudh line when I am in NYC at the wonderful Aedes, along with Luctor et Emergo. Would also like to find samples of CB Burning Leaves and March. I don’t think i can get these in the UK – so is online my only source?
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On January 5, 2009 mitali79 said:
I’m a burgeoning perfumista, too. Since early December I’ve been reading this blog, doing some other research, including sniffing as many scents as possible! Because I’m a student, I’m living on a very limited budget – hardly any money at all to buy full fragrance bottles; however I have spent far too much cash on fragrance decants & samples! The bottles I did buy were Black Cashmere; a small bottle of Philosophy’s Inner Grace; and a set of Carolina Herrera minis. My copy of Perfumes: The Guide is on order!
I’m so glad to have found this blog!
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hope you’ll love Perfumes: The Guide — and after that, better hide your wallet 😉
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On January 5, 2009 Blimunda said:
Ah!
It DID post! Somewhat delayed, however. Sorry for the repetition.
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Blimunda, So far as I know, you can only get the Lutens export line in the UK, and that would not include the ones you’re looking for. Montale in Paris will send samples. I’d be very surprised if you couldn’t find People of the Labyrinths in the UK, but sorry to say I don’t know where.
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On January 5, 2009 karin said:
Looks like I purchased 13 bottles total this year:
– Four PdNs (Temps d’Une Fete, Cococabana, Juste en Reve, and Eau de Turquoise)
– Bobbi Brown Beach
– Lauder’s Bronze Goddess
– Lauder’s Pure White Linen (smallest bottle so I could get the promotional small bottle of Sensuous)
– Juicy Couture
– FlowerbyKenzo
– Mitsouko EDT (wish I bought the EDP, but didn’t know better!)
– Vanille Noire du Mexique ($10)
– KenzoAmour Ryoko
– Saffron James L’ea (don’t remember if I purchased it at the end of last year or beginning of this year…)
Not too bad on the $ amount, though I haven’t added it all up. Bought some of the PdN’s during beautyhabit’s 25% off. Also received bottles of Notorious, Lolita Lempicka, and Lancome Magnifique as gifts or gift card purchases. I still have a $50 gift cert. at Sephora and $68 at Amazon…but am waiting for something great to appear. I’m hoping Insolence EDP shows up at some point.
Next on my list to buy for 2009 – PdN’s Sacrebleu (unfortunately not available on either Amazon or Sephora or I’d snap it up now).
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On January 5, 2009 Aparatchik said:
Karin, PdN Sacrebleu really is All That, at least for me (PdN’s a great line, isn’t it?), so keep watching those discount codes. I was lucky enough to get a gift certificate for my birthday this summer at beautyhabit and picked up Maharanih, Sacrebleu, and New York.
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On January 6, 2009 karin said:
Hi Aparatchik! Yeah, I had a sample of Sacrebleu and wore it on both Christmas and New Year’s. Love it!!!! I have a sample of Maharanih, too, and have worn it a few times. Can’t make a decision on it, though. To me it has some of that dirty cumin smell – though it’s not listed in the ingredients. Perhaps it’s the civet I”m smelling? It’s a cross between love it/hate it for me. I keep wearing it hoping it will turn to love. 🙂
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I wish that darned Insolence EdP would show up already too! Maybe it isn’t coming to the US at all.
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On January 6, 2009 karin said:
No kidding!!!! I just emailed Sephora and asked if they know when they’ll have it available. Hmmm…maybe LT can find out since he has “connections.” I’m on it. If I find anything out, I’ll definitely let you know! That would be a drag if they don’t release it here! If they’re using Hilary Swank–an AMERICAN –for their ad campaign, they have to, right (I know, I know, wishful thinking)???
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On January 5, 2009 Debeh said:
Hi – I am a newbie who only wore Diorissimo and Eau de Givenchy for about 20 years. Then I found this site, read Turin/Sanchez, and started buying. My specialty: buying UNSNIFFED, which I know is a no-no, but it’s hard to get to stores from my job (hospital). So … this year, guided by this site … unsniffed …. Guerlain Vetiver (love), Lanvin Vetyver (love), The Unicorn Spell (love), Dzongkha (love), Givenchy III & Diorella (like alot), Joy EDT (like), Kelly Caleche (love), Un Jardin Sur Le Nil (adore), Un(e) Med (like alot, La Mousson (like alot), Hermes Eau De Terre (love), AG La Violette ( le turpentine, maybe I got a bad bottle), #5 Eau Premiere (love), Vent Vert (smells like Givenchy III but with cheaper materials), CB IHatePerfume March Wind (interesting, and it really does smell like dirt but in a good way) and a bunch of samples from Luckyscent. Oh, and Tea Rose for $4.99 at TJMaxx, which I use to clear my sinuses. Thank you Robin – your expert opinions have led me to such beautiful fragrances! I’m going to try to be more frugal in 09, but if Jean Claude Ellena comes out with something new, I must follow ….
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On January 5, 2009 Tama said:
Next time you try Joy, get the EdP – someone gave me a bottle of EdT and I couldn’t figure out why Joy didn’t smell like I remembered it. I think the EdP would be much truer.
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On January 5, 2009 lilydale said:
Wow, I’m so impressed that you bought so much unsniffed and yet there’s nothing you hate! You have either great judgment or perfect skin chemistry or both — either way, I’m very jealous.
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On January 5, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Wow, must agree w/ Lilydale – that’s an amazing track record for liking what you buy unsniffed! Much better than mine — I doubt I like even half of what I buy unsniffed.
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On January 5, 2009 Mamabear said:
I bought Liz Zorn’s Violets and Rainwater Femme EdP, both of which I absolutely adore – the rest of my FBs were gifts, praise the Lawd! The gifts were : Apres l’Ondee, Femme EdP and Mitsouko EdP
I’m being tugged in the direction of Fleur de Cassie for ’09 but we shall see….
xo and Happy New Year!
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On January 5, 2009 Mamabear said:
Sorry – punctuation ‘issues’:-)
that should read: Violets and Rainwater AND Femme EdP.
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On January 6, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hey, you were pretty restrained! And a Frederic Malle to start off the new year is a good choice 🙂
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On January 6, 2009 joe805 said:
I really need to keep just a little notebook for this — it’s annoying to try to do the mental tally. The thing that saves me is that I buy almost nothing at full retail — I’m an ebay addict. I’d be in the poorhouse if I paid full price. Ebay also allows me to get partial bottles, which really is enough for me in almost all cases. Anyway, the damage:
– Timbuktu 100ml
– Mitsouko 30ml
– Kenzo Winter Flowers (a steal at $27!!)
– Chene (half bottle)
– L’Air du Desert Marocain (half bottle)
– FM Noir Epices (half 100ml bottle — my new love)
Also a 5ml mini of KenzoAmour, which doesn’t count — bought that cute coffret and kept one for myself and gave the other two to sisters-in-law.
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On January 6, 2009 joe805 said:
Woops…. also need to add CdG Palisander. Hmm, the tally grows… My initial poll answer is now wrong. LOL
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On January 6, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
See, you’re like me! I have to keep track online or I conveniently forget them all, LOL…
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On January 6, 2009 OperaFan said:
Hello All,
This is my first comment – though I’ve been reading your blogs and the great reviews since the Fall. Thanks for reawakening my interests in perfumes. In the last 3 years, I got married, gained 3 step-children, moved away from a cosmopolitan region, had a baby, and am now working full-time (and in my mid-40’s(!), so not much time at all for exploring new fragrances at store counters. Thank goodness for internet mail orders and now – perfume blogs!
In general, I love the classics, especially the older Guerlains – Jicky, Apres L’Ondee, L’Heure Bleu, Chamade. No significant acquisitions in 2008, but thanks to your blogs, I was turned on to Montale and am eagerly awaiting the delivery of my first 100ml bottle of Aoud Rose Petals. I’m not ashamed to admit I love roses and jasmine and have purchased Rose Absolute (from AG boutique in Paris) and Joy (restocking pending delivery). Both I love to wear alone or layered over other scents as an enhancer. I wear perfume for my own pleasure, and as long as it doesn’t offend others around me…. Wonderful at the opera and ballet!
Am gunning for a FB of Vancleef & Arpels First EDP this year – samples expected soon in the mail. I’ve discovered that by layering First over Rochas Femme, I get a very similar result to the scent of Amouage Jubilation 25. Have only tried with First EDT (of which I own a miniature) and hoping for an even closer result by using the more intense EDP. How I plan to save $$$ in 2009….
Ann
a:)
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On January 7, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hi and welcome! That’s a very intriguing layering combo — I’ll have to try that! Have only samples of First though, and can’t remember if they’re EdT or EdP.
And nobody should be ashamed of loving rose & jasmine 🙂
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On January 7, 2009 OperaFan said:
Hi Robin,
I read your review and the comparison with Femme, but my first impression was that its aura reminded me of First (no pun intended). When I did a side-by-side wrist comparison between Jubilation and First (edt) I found the remarkable similarity with the exception that the First lacked a spicy core which Femme (edp) had in spades. So I tried them together these last couple of days and it’s be a really satisfying experience. I expect when I use the First edp, it will be even better. Besides, what a spectacular marriage of 2 masterpieces, right? Rodniska & Ellena….
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On January 7, 2009 OperaFan said:
Sp correction: Roudniska….
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On January 8, 2009 OperaFan said:
Darn! Still wrong…. Roudnitska….
I’m still green…
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On January 7, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I think that was Angie’s post 🙂
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On January 29, 2009 mick said:
Here’s what I bought in all of ’08:
Gris Clair
Eau d’Amazonie
Comme des Garcons Series 2 Red: Carnation
Tuscany
Eau d’Ete (Balmain)
Also Pacifica’s Mexican Cocoa solid and a $5 mist from Bath and Body Works in something-or-other fragrance.
My plan for ’09 includes L’Instant Pour Homme, of which I got several samples from FragranceNet.
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On January 30, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Mick, you were very restrained, and I like your choices!