Same old same old: talk about anything you like — what perfume you're wearing today, the perfume you bought your mom for Mother's Day, the perfume you're hoping to get for Mother's Day, the last wonderful perfume you smelled, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is (untitled) by titanium22 at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD is L’Occitane Verveine, for the first time this year. It’s one of my favourite summer scents.
Yesterday I could finally try Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio and Hermès Voyage and I loved them. Ninfeo Mio is like being in the countryside surrounded by fig trees while eating lemon and vanilla cookies!
And Voyage reminded me of Un Jardin sur le Nil with lots of cardamom. Totally full bottle worthy 🙂
The gift for my mom was Paul Smith Rose Summer 2010. It has good staying power and decent sillage, and it’s really nice (not fruity at all).
So glad you liked them both, and hope your mom likes the Paul Smith!
Yes, she liked it 🙂
I gave it to her last Sunday (Mother’s Day in Spain). She likes musky, light floral fragrances, so I thought it could work for her. I must say that I like the original Paul Smith Rose too.
I wish I got cardamom from Voyage d’Hermes… or anything really! I tried it recently and all I got was… well, air mostly. A big disappointment since I love many of JCE’s Hermes frags. I just don’t “get” this new one.
So sorry!
That happened to me with Infusion de Tubereuse by Prada. I could barely smell it.
Oh, too bad. That’s how Havana Vanille is for me. I can barely detect anything there!
Oh its so sad all this stuff about allergies, and people finding yet another thing to whinge about …it must be a nightmare for the perfume industry trying to strike a balance for those of us who still love fine perfume. At least its giving us plenty of irony, like Serge’s Anti-perfume!
Have to confess that I don’t lose sleep for anybody in the perfume industry – the perfumers and trend-spotters mostly make a pretty penny and there are *many* people in many other professions and life circumstances to feel sorry for. Not saying it isn’t a “hard” job or that there aren’t obstacles to making a good product, just saying I think they make enough and have an interesting enough, creative job to risk complaints about the finished products.
I just bought a bottle of VdH today! I can’t wait for summer to kick it up so I may wear it. Of course, I hate the heat, so maybe not….
I’m going to try Angela’s tip of leaving it in the fridge and spraying it on cold. Something nice in this horrendous time of year. ;3
If you’d like the snow we’re expecting overnight, just say the word. I’ve seen late April snow, but THIS is ridiculous!
I think I’d rather have to scrape my windshield before class than open my car door in the middle of the afternoon and feel like I need to take another shower. 😛
I’d prefer neither. April was lovely. 😀
I don’t think I got lovely down here in Houston. I think we got maybe 4 weeks of nice spring weather. 😛
What’s not lovely about 4 weeks of nice spring weather?
Agree on Hermes D’ Voyage. I bought a bottle the other day and practically all my colleagues told me I smelled different and “expensive” (whatever than means).
That is, after I let them smell my wrist. *sigh*. I hope JCE made this just a little, little more strong.
It’s true, it doesn’t last terribly long, but I find it holds on the best if you spray it in the crooks of your elbows.
I gave my mother prefume for her birthday in Jan, so she probably wont want another one. She usually buys whatever is cheap at Kmart. I got her one of those Edible Arrangements last year. Chocolate dipped fruit is delicious by the way.
Im curious what sorts of fragrances Mothers Day inspires? Something that smells like baby powder perhaps?
Oh gosh, no idea…personally I hate baby powder. But would not be surprised if they’re selling a lot of J Lo My Glow.
Oiy! I hate baby powder! Vile smelling stuff!
I thought I was the only one that hated the smell of baby powder.
It’s worse than vile in my book.
EST alert! Love baby powder here…
I looooove baby powder too. Have you ever tried Johnson’s Creamy Baby Oil? It has an awesome baby smell, it absorbs cleanly, and it leaves skin, well, baby soft (wah wah).
Baby powder, lavender… we might just be scent twins!
LOL… yup M, EST powers activate! I despise baby powder and lavender! But we both like orange blossom 🙂
@k-scott: YAY! Another scent-twin! ooo no I’ve never tried the creamy J&J baby oil. I will definitely pick some up next time I’m at the store. Thanks for the recommendation!
@Daisy: haha, yes! So since my bath products are almost exclusively lavender, I’m curious, what are your bathing delights? Or do you just dump drams of perfume straight into your water? 😉
LOL in spite of the fact that I have a lovely jacuzzi tub (that I’ve used exactly once in 10 yrs. ) I’m a shower girl ! Recently I’ve been indulging in those Pattern body washes which are ,coincidentally, really cool. I try not to use anything with a bunch of dyes or drying ingredients but also I don’t like to use things with a lot of lingering scent….because a good dousing with perfume is always in my near future! I have way too many wonderful fragrances to wear to waste a day smelling like body wash…unless they started making a body wash that left me smelling like , say, by Kilian Rose Oud , then I’d consider it! 😉
Mother’s Day = flowers, right? So I’d assume florals. 😀 Or gourmands, if you go with chocolate instead of flowers.
I bet a lot of Chanel no5 gets sold around Mother’s Day
SOTD: Bill Blass Nude. My scent-sensitive co-worker is out until Tuesday! Yay!
Question: I am looking for a gift for my partner’s mother. (I of course was given the honor of choosing, since I’m the perfume addict.) I’ve been a little hit and miss with her in the past, and don’t want to screw this up. Also, I have to stick with department store fare, as I want it to be something she can return if she has it or already knows she hates it. Here’s what we have to go on: she is in her mid-70’s, very well-dressed, classic kind of lady. She loves fragrance, but the only ones I know of for sure that she has and likes are Estee Lauder Estee and David Yurman edp. I got her a bottle of Yvresse last year, and she turned her nose up at it. Last time I talked to her she wanted a bottle of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, which I suspect she already bought, so that’s out. I would really love to get her something from L’Artisan Chasse aux Papillions, but worry that that could be an expensive mistake. Any ideas??
To avoid any confusion: there was supposed to be a “like” in between “L’Artisan” and “Chasse.”
Hi Kitty – Eau Premier is a good choice. I am also thinking that last year I tested the Helena Rubenstein at Macy’s and it is OK. – Bottle is classy, scent is neurtal floral classy. Maybe a good choice. Also the D&G Rose the One is neutral rose good – does she like roses?
I agree–Eau Premiere is the first thing that came to mind.
And… drum roll… That’s what I bought her! I’m so glad they sell it in the 30 ml (or maybe it’s a little more than that) size now. I’ll let everyone know what she ends up thinking of it. 🙂
I may be way off base here, but as I read your description of her the first thing that came to mind was either Chanel #5 or Eau Premiere. Good luck; let us know what you decide.
I instantly thought Chanel as well… what’s your price range? No. 5 is always good; also thinking of 31RC or Beige.
Chanel is completely safe, or how about J’Adore?
I second the J’adore. A bit fresher for spring, and perhaps not something she has smelled.
31 RC came to my mind immediately too.
Estee lauder jasmine White Moss might be nice. It’s fresh with that oak moss base. A gift card is always safe.
I second the EL JWM! Great choice. If she like Estee, this should be a great match. If she likes the classics, I would stick with the clasics like the EL ones or the Chanel No.5 Eau Prem. In my experience people who are not as heavily into perfume as we all are, tend to only like scents they are already familiar with. It doesn’t sound to me like she wants to go outside of her comfort zone.
SOTD = Fracas. I am home today and deifinitely feeling the “I am woman; hear me roar” vibe that Robin described this scent as. Perfect decription! i am wearing the last of my sample and I like it but I just don’t love it enough for a FB I keep getting a hint of some melon? and coconut that I don’t particularly love with my chemistry.
I third the EL and the Chanel!
And envy you roaring in Fracas! I love it, though in my distorted mind it is as much an OB scent as it is a tuberose!
Hi Zazie! please pardon my ignorance, but what is an ” OB” scent? not sure what you mean by that? thanks
Orange blossom. Which is probably why I like Fracas but do not love it – orange blossom is an iffy note for me.
I came VERY close to buying the EL Jasmine White Moss! I may end up getting her that for her birthday.
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions!!
I helped my man pick a perfume for his mother and we settled on Hermes 24 Fabourg in the end. It’s a classic floral so fits the bill and might be worth considering.
Another classy-lady favorite of mine. And the bottle is gorgeous.
Have they changed it recently? I don’t remember thinking anything of it previously, but when I saw the bottle a month or so ago, I thought it was just beautiful and wondered if it was an LE bottle or something.
They frequently have different LE bottles for this, yup.
Drat. I thought I’d snag one from a discounter, but the current bottle is *really* nice. Decisions, decisions… maybe I should use the old “if it doesn’t turn up at a discount, I wasn’t meant to have it” argument.
Oooh I love 24 Faubourg!
Abyss, I really wanted to get 24 for her. I’m thinking that I might just give her my bottle, though. I never wear it. I feel like everything that is beautiful about it on other people dies on me. So sad.
David Yurman just came out with a dusting powder, might be worth checking out!
I agree about the Eau Premiere!
How about an Estee Lauder lotion or cream, or gift set of some sort? Not sure if she’d think this is too old fashioned, but Youth Dew lotion is really nice. It’s inexpensive as well (~$25), so you could always pair that with something else.
Not sure I would recommend Chanel No 5 (or Eau Premiere), as someone in their 70’s is likely very familiar with 5, and it’s one of those love it or hate it scents! Not easy to buy perfume as a gift unless you really know what she likes. A gift certificate is impersonal…hmmm…thinking. I like Robin’s idea of body cream of David Yurman, or another type of gift set of something you know she might like – like body products for Cashmere Mist if you think she may already have the perfume?
Oops…I meant dusting powder! 🙂
Eau Premiere for sure. (I think 31RC might have too much going on for someone who enjoys Cashmere Mist.)
Does she use bath and/or body products? If so, there are several Cashmere Mist options, as well as a couple of nice gift sets available.
Sorry, this was supposed to be in response to Miss Kitty V.’s question above.
Does she use bath and/or body products? If so, there are several Cashmere Mist options available, as well as a couple of nice gift sets out now.
SOTD – Habit Rouge and, wow, this stuff is wonderful! Quiet without being wimpy, warm but not oppressive or cloying and can be easily worn by a woman, I think.
I also finally got to smell Jo Malone’s Kohdo Wood frags for the first time (yup, extremely late to the party but I kept missing them in the past). They sent me some of those towelettes and I loved Dark Amber and Ginger Lily. I’m totally itching to spring for a 30ml bottle but I’m trying to be sensible and wait until I get the chance to try it properly sprayed.
Also really looking forward to trying that new Diptyque Vetyverio.
Ditto on that Diptyque…hope it’s wonderful!
A Diptyque vetiver? That IS a must-try!
Yup, I’m hoping they’ll do for vetiver what they did for fig with Philosykos and create a wonderful example of a note again!
So far not wearing anything yet today (I’m home on Fridays to do energy/massage work) but am getting ready to spray some SSS Champagne de Bois, which also qualifies as the answer to the last wonderful perfume I’ve smelled. I discovered it last summer, but over the intervening months, I had forgotten how very, very beautiful it is. I *highly* recommend it and it is a rare bargain.
Not giving Mom perfume as she specifically asked me not to as she’s pretty well stocked (thanks to me!). Have a happy weekend everyone – especially you moms!
Oh gosh, there’s that mention of the CdB again. I need to order samples, STAT!
Of course you don’t need to “order” samples, silly girl! Email me (do you still have it?) and I can send you some.
Aww, thanks very much Rapple. Yes, I still have your e-mail. It’s in my super-awesome-perfume-people address book on my computer. I’ll send you an email soon!
oh goodness …I bet I was supposed to send you a sample of Champagne de Bois, wasn’t I ?!! well drat….I did however, send you a big honkin split of Bel Respiro…..
No no, Daisy, we never discussed it! But thanks for the thought… 🙂
Oh, can’t wait for the BR! I drained my sample of course…Send me an e-mail with the details? Thanks! 🙂
You’re in for a treat – CdB is lovely.
M: Just pre-emptively saying that if you don’t end up loving Champagne, you’re not the only one. 😉 It is not my favorite, but it’s nice.
Thanks for the tip, Joe. You are probably right, especially since I seem to have some EST going on with a few of the CdB fans. 😉
And we’ve already established a good possibility of being twins… and it didn’t work for me at all. Strike 2! I have to say though, it *almost* was a great scent, there was just one odd “off” note in there that ruined the whole thing (no idea what it is though).
She’s gonna LOVE it, and you’ll be the ONLY one who doesn’t love CdB! 😛
WRONG! see above. You should have guessed. 😀
well, I can’t wait to see how this turns out…..Rapple and I lurve CdB…..Boo and Joe don’t favor it….. we all have some areas of overlap….if I had to bet: I’d put my dollar on M not loving CdB.
We’re all waiting now M: waiting, watching…judging….no pressure though. 😉
😀
Putting a package in the mail for you today, dear EST.
Ladies, ladies, ladies, and gents….calm down…there is plenty of me to go around in the ST/EST department! LOL 😉
But seriously – thanks so much, Rapple! I can’t wait to report back 🙂
Come to think of it, I’m wondering what AnnS thinks of CdB because she and I also have some ST/EST overlaps. Ann are you out there?
Ann is a CdB fan…in fact, she might have started this whole thing (or was it mals?).
My mother “verboten” fragrance gifts a long ago.
She’s actually indifferent for most presents except those of a specific kind: chocolate!
Champagne de Bois is really lovely. I think if I buy anything else from SSS, that’ll be the one – unless the stlll-in-testing Bouquet Blanc bowls me over. (Which is possible.)
My mom doesn’t like perfume due to allergies, but she can take honey scented bath gels. My mom likes to shop so she does love gift cards.
I’m decanting today and am bathed in an assortment of scents. The medley is actually quite nice!
I like the decanting smell too…usually! Sometimes it’s a disaster.
SotD is Balenciaga Paris which I purchased Wednesday on a whim. It’s a little softer, a little subtler than my usual preference, but all in all it’s pretty lovely.
Alas, my mother doesn’t wear perfume, though I may snag a bottle of something for my mother-in-law who recently began wearing perfume after realizing that her cats apparently don’t hate it considering the way I lavish them with attention. She’s a fan of bold classics like Poison, Opium, & Coco and recently with my help found a 1950’s vintage bottle of Chanel No. 22 which she refuses to open — I’ve created a monster. She has a 17 year old bottle of Poison EdP & parfum, and recently bought a new bottle of Coco parfum so she’s covered there. Her old staple Shalimar she now associates with me. And while she loved Opium during the 80s she mentioned to me that she can no longer wear it.
So does anyone have any suggestions as to what other fragrances she might be interested in?
If she likes Shalimar and other oriental heavy hitters, she may like Fifi Chachnil (if she finds the fou fou bottle OK), and perhaps Teo Cabanel Alahine. I think the Fifi smells a lot in the same way as Shalimar, but with an added coriander oomph that really makes it special. I am totally gaga over alahine right now – rich bright florals, deep smokey woods… what’s not to like! (And I love those rich orientals too! esp. Coco, etc.) Also, Miller Harris Fleur Oriental is a nice rich powerdy spicy oriental a la Shalimar – not as sweet though.
Alahine is really beautiful. I’d consider a decant myself if I wasn’t trying to start a sort-of-moratorium (plus, it’s more fall to me). You could also try FM Noir Epices on her — Ann will vouch for the fact that it’s right up any Coco-lover’s alley. 😉
Ooohh YES! Noir Epices is a wonderfully rich and fantastic oriental. Yes! I say, yes, it is structurally similar to Coco, but NE has a lot of fantastic patch in the drydown whereas Coco is just that wonderful soft amber. Similarly, I think that Rose Barbare smells like a bright rosy cousin of Noir Epices too…. I love those orientals! And I like Coromandel too – perhaps that would be a good one since she already like Chanel Coco.
PS – Joe – my forced moratorium has actually turned out to be more enjoyable than I thought. It brings a lot of focus and restraint – like anything – dieting, whatever… makes me have more acute realization of the fragrances that I do really consider to be outstanding rather than just good. Although I did weep a few times for missing out on some of the recent splits. For the most part the restraint has pushed me back into some of the gorgeous fragrances I already have, and added an interesting strategy for working swaps with my pals. All hail the swap! I thank Saint Daisy for helping me out with a swap for Alahine until I can make it to birthday and Xmas this fall….. And you know what? Mother would approve of a good moratorium.
Rose Barbare is something like Noir Epices? Ooh. Really, REALLY must try it.
mals: I’d personally call them more like cross-cousins than siblings for sure… there’s a similarity that might just be the rose. But Rose Barbare is a really nice fragrance!
I think somebody may be sending me a sample of the RB soon. I liked Noir Epices but I think I might actually prefer to smell that one on someone who has chest hair… (Sadly, The CEO will not oblige me.)
Mals—yes! take heart —-packet ready to go! Avec le RB. 🙂
Mals – to my nose, I consider Rose Barbare more like L’Arte di Gucci, but there is definitely a structural similarity to Noir Epices – esp. the use of patchouli and aldehydes. But RB more favors L’Arte. I will be interested to hear your thoughts on it after you test it.
RB, NE, and L’Arte! Swooooooon….
I almost wore L’Arte this morning. I opened up the roll-on bottle (sprayed, it’s a little plasticky) and sniffed very deeply. Then decided that if I put on as much as I wanted to put on, I would be unbearable to my coworkers. I’ll wear it tomorrow.
I think Rose Barbare is slightly warmer with a sweeter rose than L’Arte which I think has more of that dense, super intense damascenone fruit rose… but they are so close! Their progression is different. You will smell. RB has quickly become one of my HG fragrances. I only wish it weren’t so darned $$$!
My mother used to wear Poison and Opium exclusively too. Currently she wears SL Chergui, but she also really liked Daim Blond. I would imagine that any woman who can pull off Coco or Poison would find something in the Luten’s line to love.
What about Bal a Versailles?
I second the Bal. And of course, Alahine which is the first perfume I found this year that I want a fb of. It’s simply gorgeous. An easy to wear scent, as well.
Parfumerie Generale’s Iris Oriental (formerly Taizo). Maybe EL’s Cinnabar would work in lieu of the Opium. Annayake Mikayo is nice and though discontinued can be found on ebay.
I have worn Opium for about a thousand years, and, to me, the Cinnabar is but a mere shadow of Opium’s fabulosity…..sorry, but every nose is different.
I love Alahine! I generally cannot do straight-up Orientals like Coco and Opium, but Alahine has spices, some beautiful deep florals (rose, ylang) and a gorgeous amber. It smells like joy to me.
Alahine TOTALLY TURNED ON ME and became unbearable at zoom speed, so I’m not as secure about that suggestion for you. If she liked Poison and Opium, I’m think something else rich and dark but different. I love Amouage Ubar but I realize that may not be in the cards… hmmm. I bet she’d really love the Angel Liqueur de Parfum… unless it’s too sweet (I’m trying to think of dark and spicy things I like that are NOT sweet… because I love Poison and Opium too…) Maybe something lighter for day wear? JM Pomegranate Noir? Or something more floral? Bulgari’s Jasmine Noir?
The exact same thing happened to me with Alahine. So sad…
Sounds like I need to try it. 😀
Absolutely! I think though that I’ve already sent my sample off to somebody….
Now I know what else to put in your package!
C, would you believe I’d forgotten about that *again*?! I sat there thinking, “what package? did I forget about a swap?” Nope, just a split, apparently. Geez. I must be getting old.
I’m so bummed for you guys.
I really disliked the opening the first time I wore it, but something kept pulling me back to retest. It was like the Fragrance Love Ninja.
I’ll definitely try it again at some point, but my reaction after about 10 minutes of drydown was WHOA GET IT OFF ME. Not what I was expecting from other people’s love of it. Usually what other perfumistas love, I love too!
You’ve already gotten some great suggestions. A couple more that might please a lover of Orientals looking for something new to try: Mauboussin and Shaal Nur.
If I hear Shaal Nur one more time I’m pulling my ponytail out! WHAT does it smell like?
A dark rose scent with lots of incense and patchouli. Well, it was too much patchouli for ME, but I am a Noted Patchouli Wimp. I need to try it again to see if I get less patch this time around – it’s a meditative scent, I think, with a nice cool/warm balance.
Thank you, Mals. I did read reviews, but wanted another opinion-sounds like a ‘me’ scent.
Hi Meadowbliss and Mals! For me it’s not a dark rose, but the rose does have a richness that some might call dark. The rose is at the heart, but it starts out with a little citrus mixed with gentle herbs and spices – almost a potpourri effect. The base is incense and woods and a gorgeous vetiver. And for me, it has the perfect sweet-dry balance. It’s a well-behaved Oriental, not a sledgehammer. And I’d place it just a little to the feminine side of unisex. Your mileage may vary, but I adore it!
I also find it really lovely, and it’s the one oriental sort of scent that I like to wear in summer – any time except the depths of winter, really.
this is so weird. Someone sent me a sample of Shaal Nur ages ago…and it was powdery, sweet….baby powder (and we all know now how I feel about baby powder!) ack! But that sounds NOTHING at all like any of the notes you all are describing….so now I’m wondering if the sample was mis-labelled? it was a vial in a tiny baggie with the name on the baggie—easy mistake just waiting to happen.
I don’t remember it clearly…only tested it once, I think… but my notes on it say it smelled like Easter Sunday to me. Lots of flowers and incense, though I don’t remember rose at all; the other flowers must have dominated on me.
Haunani, lovely description, thank you!
Yes, thank you, Haunani! I think it’s helpful to read several descriptions of scent as everyone’s chemistry interprets differently.
Meadowbliss and Daisy – would you like fresh samples of this? Just e-mail me: kolea AT att DOT com
Thanks–you’re a perfume Angel Huanani ! But I’m engaged in a swap with someone for some already—some of my Messe de Minuit for some of his Shaal Nur….If I get baby powder again it’ll be quickly seeking a new home….
I vote for Coromandel. Also, how about Oriental Lounge by The Different Company? It’s a lighter, more “modern” oriental, and I know some people aren’t too impressed with it, but I love it. I find it softly delicious, and it’s perfect for being out in the world during the day or in groups of people you don’t want to overwhelm with your perfume. Hey, if my kids could afford it, I’d be thrilled with that for Mother’s Day.
haven’t tried yet, but now I will, thank you suddenlyly
SOTD: A Travers le Miroir, since my FB arrived last night. At first, I thought it seemed too thin sprayed, and I was going to need to dab it, but now it seems to have settled in nicely after all. And sprayed, the wintergreen note is more pronounced, which is fun.
No perfume for mom, since dad hates it, and kind of hoping (gasp!) none for me either, since I haven’t updated wishlists in awhile. My husband sweetly ordered me the OJ sample set as an anniversary gift… which I had wanted so much, until Daisy sent me a bunch of samples. Oops. I didn’t tell him, and hope he doesn’t see this, but also hoping to avoid a repeat for Mother’s Day.
Of course now I’m so curious about that Miroir. Wintergreen? Sounds bizarre yet compelling.
No fear, I fully intend to put a sample in with that…other thing I’m supposed to be sending you. I forgot what it is, but it’s noted at home. 😀
ooo ditto. i’ve been very curious about those miroirs!
…and it seems like there was something I had in mind to send you. Any idea what? Did I offer up anything? I should just quit reading the blog at work, where I don’t have my handy little swap spreadsheet to make notes. Happy to send a Miroir sample your way as well. Oddly, I have an envelope sitting *right* here w/your address on it. 😉
Hmmm, boo. I’m just seeing this now, even though I emailed you a short time ago. I don’t remember that you were supposed to send me something. Perhaps it will come to us. Of course, I’d love to try the Miroir! Thanks! So um ST…do you like lavender? I think I’m trying to enable some lavender-folks…I didn’t intend to, but it just happened! 😉
Hmm lavender. I like the smell of it, but rarely like to wear it. Occasionally, though, I’ll find one to love. I think Reverie au Jardin is my favorite of AT’s scents, for example.
boo, i ordered some of the OJs from TPC, then got the sample set, and it makes such a difference, having ALL of them, in that super sofisticated box, it is sooooo cooool, you will love it.
SOTD is Shalimar and it’s love, possibly my favorite perfume at the moment.
I was hoping to get my mother some perfume for Mother’s Day, but she can be picky, so I decided to hold off and making a scent smelling date with her instead. She is driving down to DC today to spend the weekend with her favorite daughter and I’m excited to cook for her. I’ve been taking an intensive course in French cooking, but have yet had a discerning audience to cook for.
Anyone know where to shop in the DC area for perfume? I was thinking one of the upscale department stores.
Neiman’s has a pretty good selection of perfumes, but avoid the one at Tyson’s Galleria as the SAs are extremely unpleasant. Honestly, the best fragrance SAs I’ve met have been either at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales, but sadly they don’t have as many hard to find fragrances in store as Neiman’s does.
If you happen to find any great places to buy perfume in the DC area, though, please let me know!
Someone spoke up a few weeks ago to note that Rochelli’s La Boutique in Gaithersburg, Maryland, had reopened. I never get to that area, so I cannot personally vouch for it, but the website looks very enticing – brands that I haven’t seen anywhere else around here.
Well, according to the picture on their website they carrying SMN as those are the bottles on the background shelf. I just audibly gasped when I saw that because you can’t find SMN anywhere on the East Coast outside NYC.
I am thinking I need to take a trip up to Gaithersburg one of these days.
You are a thoughtful daughter. Time with a kid? and goodies that she’ll get to pick out? Excellent gift.
Also Art & Fragrance at the Tysons Galleria…lots of niche brands.
I was in Philadelphia this past week for the first time in many years, and managed to make it out to Longwood Gardens. I really enjoyed the “Making Scents” exhibit–particularly being able to compare some perfume notes to the scent of the flowers themselves–and also loved just walking through the gardens (I was fortunate enough to catch the wistaria–one of my favorite flowers to both look at and smell–in bloom).
They had “design your own perfume” stations, at which you could choose one each of three choices of top notes, three choices of heart notes, and three choices of base notes, and then receive a scratch and sniff card of a famous perfume that incorporates those notes. Interestingly enough, my husband’s top note–heart note–base note combination spit out a card for Mitsouko, which is one of my very favorite perfumes.
How nice! I read your husband’s choice as a sort of love declaration! 😉
😉
I haven’t put on anything today yet. I can still smell the Chinatown I had on yesterday. I put that one on thinking I would probably hate it and I loved it… even if at first it smells like a lipsmacker jamboree in a flower shop. LOL
My Mom barely wears perfume so I will get out the coloured pencils and draw her a nice card.
Aw, that’s so sweet to make a card!
SOTam – Alahine – I am nuts about this perfume right now and it was cold and sunny this morning so it seemed perfect. Right now though I am wearing No 5 eau Premier, which is one of my favorite afternoon work fragrances.
For mother’s day, my very good husband and toddler had enough sense to buy me a large decant of Guerlain’s Rose Barbare *and* some vintage No 5 parfum (at a whopping good deal of $15! ). They are so clever and generous!!!
I am so excited – this week we are going to good old Portland Oregon to visit MIL (who likes to wear Shalimar), and I get to go to the Perfume House (with Miss Kitty!!). Woo Hoo! What a treat! I can’t wait to bow down to the altar of so many gorgeous fragrances to hold in my hands and sniff until my nose gives out!!!
Not to mention a great excuse for a break from the ILs… 😀
Oh, totally! I am like – I am ditching both my husband and toddler and getting a few blissful hours all to myself! My hubby is very undestanding about this.
My mom doesn’t really wear perfume that much, but she does love white flowers in general. I gave her a small decant of vintage Diorissimo that she loves, but is likely she won’t wear it often.
I am so jealous! Enjoy!! And say hello to Miss Kitty for me. 🙂
I haven’t been fragrance shopping at a decent fragrance shop for over 2 years! I totally deserve this! I don’t even think I will know what to do with myself for so many choices! I definitely want to hit up the L’Artisans and Lutens that are available for sniffing, and some classic Patous and Carons………… Argh! I could probably go there everyday for 2 hours and still have more I want to smell.
Please report back to us. You do such a fantastic job of describing fragrances! Again, have a wonderful trip.
Thanks – I will report! 😉
It is so hard not to get overloaded/fatigued in a proper fragrance shop! Aedes bowled me over a couple Xmases ago. Maybe you can do 45-60 min of browsing, duck out for a nice coffee or lunch, and then go back for another hour. It’s what I’d recommend, though it might seem a little odd.
Good advice – I’ve already tried to plan in advace which ones I will specifically sniff out so I don’t get overloaded, which I am sure I will anyway! I would love to break from it and get a Ruby Ale and the Baghdad in between!
Ann – It’s so difficult to find time when you’re a full-time wife & mom and worker to boot! I made my first trip to a Guerlain boutique in about 5 years in search for new eye make up, and all the while getting my makeover, I kept sending the SA off to bring back blotters of this scent and that scent. It’s as if I’d been released from a starvation diet and just had to tried some of everything! They must have had a great laugh over it after I left!
me too 🙂 wish i could meet you all 🙂
ENVIOUS! I love Portland (really, I should have moved there when I was 28) and would love a sniffa excursion with you NST friends. Have a great time, all of you!
I still would like to plan some sort of get-together, perfume retreat type of thing. It would be so much fun!
A perfume retreat would be SO much fun! Please count me in. I go up to Portland fairly frequently to visit my parents and brother, and usually try to reserve a couple of hours for the Perfume House. Love love love it! You two have a wonderful time – count me as envious, too!
We should plan one a couple years out or something. Considering I’ve never been there, I know an awfully large number of people living there! High school friends, college friends, not to mention fumey friends. 🙂 Besides, I’m LONG overdue for a vacation.
A couple years out is a good idea. Maybe by then I’ll have enough money to do some serious damage when we all go perfume shopping. 🙂
AGREED! A couple of years out would fantastic! Although we were talking about doing a mini-sniffa in Atlanta sometime…
Joe: One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was leaving Portland. It is so hard to find a good job there…. My husband, who is a native Portlander, has not forgiven me for the fact that we now live in boring old NE Pennsylvania! I loved all the time I spent living there.
If you think it’s boring in NE try out the SW–gives new and fresh meaning to boring. I’m still adjusting.
Yes, there are only a few really interesting places to live in the USA for sure.
A lovely MD present… did they have help picking it out for you, or did they do it themselves?
(ALAHINE!! But it’s 85 F here today and I don’t think we’ll be getting chilly weather for awhile, so my Alahine is in the cabinet for fall.)
I could send you some! It’s supposed to SNOW here tonight. 🙁
Mals, for some reason Alahine smells very summery to me — all those bright juicy florals – the light smokey woods smell like a distant fire to me. I can see wearing it all year, but I’ve just been completely craving to wear it all the time. But it has not yet got hot here – we have very crisp mornings and evenings. I just love it!
Oh, and Mals, didn’t you scold me for wearing Coco edt last summer? I love my orientals!! It is a might cooler up here in the mountains than down in your beautiful VA.
Probably cooler where you are, true! I’m actually in the mountains here – temps tend to run about 4-5 degrees cooler here than where I grew up, 50 miles away.
No, seriously – you’d wear Alahine in 85-degree weather?? 😮
Well, I suppose just a tiny dab in the cleave would work on 85 degrees…? I will let you know as soon as it gets to 85 up here…. which will be a long time yet. LOL.
Pshaw – I wore Coco when it was 105 out last summer.
WOW! I think I’d only be wearing ice water at that point!
lol – then I’d go scentless for most of the summer. And I do mostly dart from one frigid air conditioned environment to the next during the heat of the day. I don’t make a habit of wearing Coco in the summer – I was just out sampling and nothing else in Ulta appealed to me. It actually bloomed remarkably in the heat and was lovely. The SA just looked at me in horror when I spritzed it on though.
Cynthia – that is so funny! I hear the “Psycho” music playing in the background, slow-mo as the spritz leaves the bottle! I always think for wearing big orientals in the summer – it all just depends on how much you apply – just a dab for me. And you are right – sometimes the heat makes fragrances bloom and act differently. I find a judicious amount of Magie Noir in the summer is almost more pleasant than it is when I normally wear it in the winter. And being around air conditioning a lot makes a difference too – I get so cold in a/c!
“a little dab in the cleave” LOLOL, love that phrase ! And I will be using it…not that I have much “cleave” but that makes it even funnier! 🙂
I’m so glad you’re coming to town!! The Perfume House is kind of amazing. We may need to be sedated at some point. (Although back when I was able to drink, I did learn that drunk shopping is never a good idea. So being medicated might also loosen inhibitions enough to buy, buy buy!)
I will be sedated when the smell of Sa Majeste la Rose makes me faint over in delight. Is that sedated enough, lol? 😉
I love Alahine right now as well and I am in love with the perfume house! Going there is like my version of going to church, it’s a spiritual experience. Have fun! I’m sure you will. 😀
Thanks! – I can’t even imagine that I never knew it existed when I lived there, which was probably good for my finances. I am thoroughy excited to visit now.
Your trip sounds absolutely terrific! I can’t wait to hear all about it… ENJOY!
Ohhhh have Fun!
I’ve been on a PG Cuir d’Iris kick recently (the drydown is swoony), but today I’m wearing Laura Mercier Ambre Passion in anticipation of falling for the Elixir version in Harrods!
Mothers Day was months ago here in the UK. My mother claims she can’t wear perfume because of my father’s allergies, but buys perfumes that she says my father loves. Nope, makes no sense to me either. I send flowers.
Cuir d’Iris is fantastic. I haven’t worn it in awhile, but I’m kicking it up a few notches and brought SMN Peau d’Espagne to work with me for my SotEvening.
Hello all!
Happy Fri. and it’s a gorgeous one here in the Pacific Northwest.
I’m wearing Vera Wang’s LOOK,
it’s not my fav.,
kinda’ve boring actually but it does smell nice for spring.
I want Montale Vanilla Extasy and Ormonde Jayne’s Woman or Taif but I know that ain’t gonna happan! aha 😉
My burning question is something that has been lost on me for a couple weeks.
You know how for awhile you can be somewhat content with your stash of fume’ ( OK a short while!) and then it just creeps up and grabs a crazy hold, the desire for more and more new stuff.
Well I can’t really do that all the time of course and I’m checking out all these perfume discounts online to save some $$ and I want to know from you guys what’s to be trusted out there, cause I don’t wanna get burned and I’m itching sooooooo bad to get some new lovies, I’m tempted to throw caution to the wind without knowing.
Can anybody give me some insight from places you trust online?
I’ve had some excellent deals from Rei Rien. (www.reirien.com). But I’d seriously advise you to go the sample route first – The Perfumed Court, Luckyscent, First-in-Fragrance, The Posh Peasant.
Gaah I thought I already posted a comment to you, but it’s not showing up! grrr so here’s the second one. Thanks for the heads up , I already love to browse ReiRen so thank goodness that has a good rep. I’m also checkin out Parfum1.com and fragrance.net .com, are those alright?
Second Rei Rien and would also suggest Beauty Encounter. Perfumenet. com is good too, although the first two have a better selection (imho).
Rei Rien, Beauty Encounter, Fragrancenet, Parfums Raffy are all good.
I recommend Parfum1, Fragrancenet, and FragranceX!
Thank you for the advice enablers, I appreciate that 🙂
Swapping on MUA is a great way to sample or to get a fragrance you want without buying it, but you have to have what others want.
SOTD = L’Eau de L’Artisan. It’s been a long time since I’ve worn it, and it’s great being reminded of how nice it is. Love how that “seaweed” note evokes marine without being *marine*. Such a unique fragrance — I love scents that aren’t like 4 other things in my collection (though subtle variations on the same theme can be nice too).
Mother’s Day: I barely got the greeting cards to mom & nana in the mail in the nick of time! I meant to do another decant sampler for my Mom — she fell in LOVE with the Coromandel I included in her Christmas sampler, and ended up buying some Angel (!!) based on the Angel Liqueur samples. She’s a potential perfumista. HA! She tells me she checks out eb*y now and then. I wish Ava Luxe still did the edp of Sweet Patchouli because that was her all-time favorite from a couple years back.
Anyway, I still plan to get a sampler pack together and send it next week, and I plan to branch out from the patchouli-based stuff she loves: I’m going to include a little Black Orchid, Timbuktu, maybe Avignon & L’Air du Desert and a couple other little gems.
And you’re a big ocean fan, too. How nice.
Sampler pack for your mom ought to be a fun thing… are you planning to buy her a bottle of what she likes best?
Well…. I usually do several decants of varying sizes. I may end up saving up to buy her a FB of Coromandel for Xmas. Sure wish it was available in < 200ml!
I am hoping that just as they released the smaller size for Eau Premier last fall they wil do the same for the exclusifs. It would be a good thing for sure.
besides, whatever would your mom do with 200ml of Coromandel??
I think what you need is a 30ml or 50ml split and a beautiful glass perfume bottle to put it in. I know the Chanel bottles have a classic appeal but they aren’t fancy or exotic in any way.
SOTD = L’Eau de L’Artisan = OOH!
The last time that one came up, I decided I should get a sample. Trotted over to the LAP website, only to discover their sample area is…..empty. Boo. Yes, I can get them elsewhere, but their program was SO reasonably priced. Hope it’s a temporary thing.
Yes, I hope that’s temporary!
I found some super scent deals at TJ Maxx this week! They had Marc Jacobs splashes for $19.99 so I scooped up Fig for myself and Cucumber for my mom (which I gave her along with a cute beach tote and 5 personalized mix cd’s I made especially for her). I also nabbed Thierry Mugler Cologne for $19.99 as well. I have also been lusting after Etro Shaal Nur for awhile, and finally picked it up online from Perfume Village for only $50! Perfume bargain shopping never fails to lift my spirits. 😉
Hey, funny! I just posted about TJ Maxx, too, before seeing your post. 🙂 I also bought MJ’s Cucumber. Great deal, huh?
I’ve seen the lemon, cucumber and fig at my local store.
Oh Karin that IS too funny! It really was a super deal- I would never pay full price for a MJ splash ($70!?!), but at $20 each how can you NOT buy at least one! And the bottles are really beautiful for display: simple & elegant, heavy square cut glass. I am going to start hitting TJ Maxx once a month to check out the frags. They also had a bunch of Nars, Clinique, and Estee Lauder cosmetics yesterday too!
Oh, i wish my TJ Maxx had Mugler Cologne – I’ve been dying to try that.! Have to keep checking!
Me too!
I had never tried it before either, but the reviews I had read were good (including Robin’s review- thanks Robin!) and I thought why not buy it? And I am pleased to report that it was money well spent! It’s very refreshing in the FL heat, and the bottle is very cool too.
So glad you liked it!
You inspired me to hit my local TJ MAXX and I snapped up a bottle of Cabaret and am I glad I did!! Can you tell what you think of Cucumber and Fig? I tried an open Gardenia–meh. and I know that I don’t like the Lemon (Sephora sample)…..anyone, anyone?
I didn’t actually get to try the cucumber before I gave it to my mom, so I can’t report on it. But I definitely recommend the fig. It’s fleshy and non-sweet, not milky or powdery. It’s light (sprayed it all over my body and it never overpowered) but substantial (I could still smell it 5 hours later) and it has a citrus-y, cypress-y bent. Subtle but still refreshing. Its no stunner but its worth checking out- I’m quite pleased with it.
The Cucumber is a soft, watery floral. Great when you want a light scent.
For mother’s day I am hoping to get that Cameo from EL of Youth Dew! I made and mailed a basket of samples for my MIL who lives in AZ. I filled it with light summery scents like Eau de Givenchy, AG Eau D’ Hadrien, Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au The Vert , FM L’Eau d’Hiver (just because I LOVE it! ) and some body butters from LaVanilla as well.
And as much as I love perfume, my standby mother’s day gift to my mom was always a trip to the spa for the full treatment! We used to go together as Mom and Mom! it was great! Happy Mother’s Day to all because everyone has a little mom inside them no matter what!
Awesome samples you sent your mom! I love L’Eau d’Hiver too and was noticing how nice it was on a very warm day we had recently.
Oops, I meant your MIL, not your mom.
Today I discovered SHALIMAR…
I always thought Jicky and MdM were the only classic Guerlains for me: horror stories with Nahema and utter boredom with Mitsouko encouraged me to be wise and test Shalimar on paper strips only… So I dismissed it.
Today for some reason I sprayed an old sample, of edt or edp, no means to know which, and boy this stuff is magical and full of personality!
I don’t know if it is lovesomuchIneedit yet (there are rough edges in there, and the day after LADDM anything smells great), but it is really wonderful and layered and… I had my nose stuck onto my wrist the whole day. I will spray some more know and will be ready for the night!!!
I’ve dismissed Shalimar in the past, too. I really, really need to try it again…
Have you tried Vol de Nuit? For some reason, I’m thinking you might also like that.
Oh, you are right! I forgot: I tried VDN extrait twice, a few months ago (before it disappeared from my local counter) and it felt very different from what I usually reach for, but all the same I loved it! I needed more time to get acquainted and time to make a purchase decision, especially such an expensive one, but all I was left with was the edt tester, and the edt left me cold… I shouldn’t have forgot about it!
That one is so multi-faceted. On me, it is a different scent every time I wear it. From time to time, the 1/4 oz. sprays of the older extrait shows up on the ‘bay at decent prices. And I’m not sure if they still have it, but Rei Rien also had the older sprays recently.
It’s funny, I did the same thing when I first tried Shalimar. Sprayed it on the tester strip and really couldn’t find any love for it, dismissed it entirely and made another purchase. A few days later I found it on eBay, bought it, wore it, fell in love.
I found an ancient sealed bottle of Shalimar Parfum that the lady had out on display on her glass bathroom shelves for 30 years. The stopper was stuck and I had to do the freezer/warm cloth thing I’d read about. I was not hopeful that it would be okay, but it is absolutely beautiful. It must be immortal to take 30 years in the light! It certainly makes me feel immortal!!
Lucky you! The older the Guerlains, the better.
I just watched the movie “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” and the main negative heroine wore Shalimar. She was a georgeous brunette. And she got cought basically because a blind character recognised her fragrance 🙂
For me Shalimar was too sweet and too much vanillin. But a few days ago I sprayed EDP on a paper streep and finally was able to recognise dirty notes of Jicky there. Maybe it’s time to seriously concider to purchase Shalimar. But I’m not at all a sexy brunette type. How can I possibly pull it off?
I love perfume references in movies, must add that one to my list!
Oh, and I do not think you need to be a sexy brunette to pull off shalimar… What I liked about it today was that it was full of layers: the soft and plush, the sexy and husky, the innocent baby talc, the gourmand citrus… I really think that as long as you like the fragrance, you will pull it off!
Hey, I think Shalimar goes great with flannel PJs and my pale brown hair!!!
I disliked Shalimar for decades and then fell in love with it last year. Congratulations, Zazie!
SOTD Tubereuse Criminelle…I love the icy cold, in your face, tubereuse…My husband will be at Barney’s today hopefully getting my mother’s day gift which will either me Byredo La Tulipe or AG Ninfeo Mio. I’ll let him decide since I haven’t tried either but they both sound different and special. What I really want to try is Nuit de Tubereuse and Barneys has a tester so I told him to beg and plead for a sample for his wife for Mother’s Day. I hope it works!!
I bought my mother Le Labo Fleur D’Oranger for Christmas, so for Mother’s Day I bought her some Lush products, soaps and cream bars. I have never used them, but they seem really fun.
I hope every one had a great Mother’s Day!
Hi Tara, have the scented stamps. If you still want them, please let me know (of course for free).
You are so nice! To tell you the truth I did not follow-up because I thought I was asking too much. That said, I would love the stamps, but I must sent you something in return. How about some samples? I will email Robin, get your email and then we can work it out..
Hi Tara, that’s very kind of you, but no you don’t have to return something to me. It’s OK.
So cute! My friend in Munich informed me she was able to get me the scented stamps as well. Can’t wait. So fun.
Well, if it is not possible for her to get them, please let me know.
I love that you are wearing Tubereuse Criminelle during the daytime! I ordered a sample for the first time recently, and sprayed it on in the morning…….god, I absolutely love it! I think of it as a nighttime scent, but could easily just drench myself in it during the daylight hours too. I’d even wear it cleaning the house or doing the gardening………
Yesssssssssss, its so wonderful, I often think its so high ptiched as to be like one of those ultrasonic dog whistles or something.
After my tuberose orgy yesterday, I can’t stop thinking about it, and will have to wear it today….
SOTD – Insolence EDP, and it’s a killer!!! To all of you out there who love Poison, Giorgio, Angel, and the rest of the heavy hitters, this one’s a must try. I sprayed it at 10:00am this morning. It’s now 2:30, and it’s still bowling me over. As LT calls it – cataclysmic! And I sprayed twice. Yikes. Love it, though!
As for my mom, she’s not into perfume like I am. She’s worn YSL’s Y for years. But I did convert my dad (much to the disdain of my mom, who prefers men scentless!). Oh well. Ha. Started him off with Chanel Pour Monsieur a few years ago, which he loved, and then bought him bottles of Eau Sauvage and Dior Homme. He’s in his late 70’s…and French. So he’s loving them all.
Just took a trip over to TJ Maxx this week and spied 3.4oz bottles of Cabaret for $16.99!? Bought one and sent it to a friend whom I thought might like it. Also picked up a bottle of Marc Jacobs Cucumber for $19.99. That TJ Maxx can be great if you hit it right. Anyone tried Bulgari Blu Notte for women? Curious about it. They had bottles of it, too.
Oh, gosh, Karin, you’re pretty brave. Insolence edp nearly KILLED me. One half-hearted spritz – and then I spent the next six hours trying to get away from myself. It was scary loud.
I think Cabaret is wonderful. I wouldn’t have said I was a huge musk fan, but I really like the pillowy-soft musk in that one.
And your dad must smell fabulous.
Hi Mals. You know, after a day of wearing the Insolence EDP, I’m contemplating dropping it into the swap pile. Am I really going to wear this thing? Nice for novelty, but can I ever really wear it and go anywhere without causing a mass stampede?
I have a bottle of the BLV Notte, unsniffed TJ purchase from last year. I have issues with all the Bvlgaris, it turns out. Find me on MUA or BN under the same name, I’d be happy to send you a nice big sample.
I’m sure I get my perfume gene from my Dad! He was a tough old soldier and farmer but absolutely secretly ADORED all the smelly stuff I showered him with. Mum was diffident, I think she thought perfume was too ‘extravagant’, but loved ‘Beautiful’.
My daughter got me Iris Ganache for my birthday a few weeks ago, that’ll have to do for mother’s day too!
Karin — I got that same deal on Cabaret–fantastic!! Does not smell cheap at all, but only 16.99 for a honking big bottle. What do you think of the Cucumber and Fig MJ’s? I haven’t sampled but am tempted to buy…..stop me or tell me to get in the car now….
Hi jepster! I bought the Cucumber unsniffed and am not disappointed. It’s a soft watery floral. A bit funky when first sprayed (maybe that’s the aquatic angle?), but that goes away quickly. It lasts for quite awhile, but not loudly. I actually went back to TJ’s a couple of days later and all of the MJ’s were gone already, so if you like the sound of it, you probably should jump in that car right now!!! 😉
Looks like I need to be on a lookout for Cabaret! I rarely have a chance to hit a TJMAXX, only occassionally Marshalls and Lohmanns, and the selections are neither generous nor cheap…
SOTD: Joop le Bain. My mom will get a bouquet of flowers (a big one) on Motherday, as she likes no perfume.
Flowers always work 🙂
SOTD is Tokyo Milk’s Le Petit, thanks to a gift card from my brother. It has notes of lily, peony, vanilla bean and violet petals, but I get amber from it (?). It’s a light, cozy scent and I like it.
Although my mom does like perfume, I went with flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries for her for mother’s day. I’ve kind of overdone perfume gifts with her at this point!
I have done that with my mom too – she told me shortly before her birthday in March that she didn’t need any more perfume. (Within the last year I had given her a mini of Eau Premiere and a small bottle of No. 5 parfum, and she bought Eliz. Arden 5th Ave. for herself. And since she only wears perfume when she dresses up, she IS probably stocked for awhile.)
That’s how my mom is too, she’s not an everyday perfume-wearer, and she has bottles she’s had for years that are barely touched!
SOTD- Debut, Parfums Delrae and loving it…I dabed small drops, and it’s perfect.
I’m still not sure what to get mom.
One of my favorites too 🙂
SOTD – Guerlain Vetiver. I also am skipping perfume for my mother, but I’ll bet she wears the Ma Griffe I gave her last year. She’s not into perfume like I am, but after we go out to lunch, she wants to go to Nordstrom’s, so maybe I can maneuver her to the perfume counter! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and daughters of NST!
Work that shopping trip!
SOTD: Amoureuse again, from my sadly-depleted sample. I think I need a small decant. It’s really beautiful – smells very much like the black locust blossoms that are dangling from trees everywhere this week. They’re playing havoc with my allergies, but I’ll put up with that because they smell so stunning – like lilies and spice and honey… well, basically, they smell like a naturally-occurring Amoureuse. I know Amoureuse is supposed to smell like Victorian Box Trees in SF, but I’d betcha that Victorian Box and black locust are related somehow.
No perfume gift for MD this year, I’m getting some double pink knockout roses. (I know, I know, they’re not fragrant, but they’re practically maintenance free. Important when you have as bad a track record with rosebushes as I do.)
Already got my anniversary gift, a nice little tangy cocktail of a fruity floral: Hanae Mori Haute Couture – greenish jasmine and tart fruit, really nice, the way fruity florals oughta be done. Anniversary falls on Mother’s Day this year (WHAT were we thinking, getting married MD weekend?).
And MY mom’s getting dinner out and a potted miniature rose plant, since she told me she doesn’t need any more perfume for awhile. My MIL doesn’t wear scent, so she’s getting a similar kind of gift.
Ohh thanks. Now you’ve made me want to try another one. I’ve been stamping down all the lemmings pretty successfully, and I might battle this one too, but…
Amoureuse is lovely! Do try it!! 😉
Boo – which scent were you referring to – the Amoureuse or the Hanae Mori? If it was the Amoureuse, I’ll add that to the package I’m getting ready for you.
Yay! Yes, the Amoureuse was what I meant, thanks!
In the package and going in today’s mail!
I have a knockout rose and they are soo easy to grow…. piece of cake. I found a low maintenance landscaping floribunda rose doing research this year that is sorely tempting for next year. It’s called “Daybreaker” see below. Wow.
http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=43919&tab=1
Yellow and pink? Low maintenance? FRAGRANT?? Wow. Wow, thanks!
SO pretty – thank you for the link, Ann!
SOTD = just put on Sarah Horowitz’ Perfect Nectar for the afternoon, which is layering really well with the faint wisps of Un Jardin sur le Nil that I put on this morning. I just recently discovered Sarah Horowitz and am so loving her stuff – I see a big similarity between this and her Untitled No. 3, but Untitled No. 3 is more complex, well worth the money.
My mother-in-law got sugar-free chocolates for mother’s day – she says perfumes make her sneeze. More for me, I say. 🙂
Am I the only person who used the Mother’s Day sales to stock up on things for, well, storage? as in *cough* a couple of bottles of Theorema and Vanilla Extasy? *cough* (I feel shame.)
I would have, but for the fact that I’m a) out of storage space and b) out of money. 😀
I have a plot in mind for cleaning out some closet space this summer, ostensibly for food storage but I’m sure a few cubic feet will be donated to perfume space…
The only way I’ll get any more space is to toss out my husband, I’m afraid. Not that *he* takes much space, but his STUFF! Ugh.
Space/money devoted to Theorema is well spent – so hard to believe it is discontinued!
The samples I ordered finally arrived! So I’ve been doing perfume sampling for the last 3days. (Pardon the ignorance, newbie!)
SOTD: Penhaligon’s Amaranthine. I totally love it’s freshness. For me, it smells of Sunday morning, post hearing mass. Also helps that ylang-ylang is one of my favorite flowers/scent. Perfect for summer. =)
Yesterday’s SOTD was Diptyque’s Philosykos. It smelled, uhm… too coconut-ey to me. Kinda thought that it smelled too “mature” (Old – LOL). But boy, after 2 hours, it smelled fantastic! I didnt get much of the coconut-ey feeling anymore. I thought it smelled like someone who just got out of bed. That sweet but a little sweaty smell? That’s how it smelled to me.
Last Wednesday, I tried By Kilian – A Taste of Heaven. Best sample in the bunch so far. (If it didnt cost $225, I would have ordered an FB already) Some colleagues told me that it smelled masculine but I thought otherwise. Love love love it.
Ambre Fetiche – it uhm, smelled like urine to me on paper (sorry!) But I will still give it a try, but prolly on the weekends, when I have no plans of going out
Annick Goutal – Vetiver – I still *can’t* get it. Maybe it’s not for me?
I’d take my mom out on Mother’s Day. And get her the new rotisserie she wants (What she needs it for when we have a perfectly working one, I have no idea)
Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms here in NST!
Ah, I finally have an ally! I also get too much coconut from Philosykos, but love the drydown (which to me is a milky, pale green scent). I solve that problem by putting it on and then showering…goodbye, coconutty topnotes, hello lovely drydown.
I will try what you said. It’s a lovely scent actually, when you’ve had it for a coupla hours already. But I dont think it’s something I can wear to work – two guy colleagues said that it invokes images that they can’t properly explain to me without sounding weird.
I wish I could give personal gifts to my mom too. =( She’s not the type who cares about perfumes or make-up. When I ask her what she wants, she’d say some kitchen stuff, which I dont think are appropriate gifts at all. She also doesnt like spas or shopping, or shoes (can you imagine?!). Oh well. But I still love her lotsa tons.
You know, she might just be a bit like me. I always LOVED it when people bought me practical gifts, because then I didn’t have to spend MY money on those things. And then I got to pick out the stuff I wanted myself. 😀
Oh how stupid of me! She likes jewelleries! *ugh* That’s the only thing she buy. Lol. I’ll go check jewelry stores
Btw, SOTD is Rose Oud – By Kilian. Im still not sure whether I like it or not though. It’s prolly because I never really liked rose as a flower. But Ive got all day to test the thing so let’s see.
Amaranthine is beautiful.
I just got a sample of Ambre Fetiche from a friend. I like it but I advise you try it before you take a shower just in case you don’t. I’m on hour 7 now and it’s still going strong.
I adore A Taste of Heaven – it’s also instant love FB worthy (but too spendy for me now). I don’t find it too masculine at all – and I even received a compliment on it by a guy at work that flirts with me shameless but had never before (and not since) complimented my fragrance. I think it’s very unisex actually because it smells awfully nice on my partner, too.
It’s my favorite of Kilian. I don’t find it masculine, it’s just what it says, A Taste of Heaven.
I enjoy hearing from other perfumistas who love lavender in fragrances. I’m absolutely obsessed with lavender – I grow it, dry the flowers, etc. And nearly all my bath products are lavender scented – I can’t get enough of it!
Lavender-loving perfumistas! Speak up!
Here Here! I love lavender. In fact, I have on Guerlain’s Sous Le Vent right now. Is Taste of Heaven lavender? I’m not familiar with it.
I am still having a hard time distinguishing one note from another (still learning!) So I asked one of my peers to take a whiff and see if it’s too masculine and what he thinks are the components. He immediately said “Oh, lavender! Nice!”.
Oh, yes, Rapple! It’s the most perfect lavender over a soft vanilla base. I just answered my own question – I’ll send you a sample! (I’ve got a few kicking around.) 🙂
I love lavender too! I’m actually wearing Reverie au Jardin right now! 🙂
M – I like lavender a lot too! I have a fantasy that one of these days I’ll stumble across a well priced bottle of Goutal’s Lavender which is so pretty and soft. It is darned hard to find!
Love Reverie au Jardin….lavender and so much more.
I think Reverie is probably my favorite Tauer. Still need to get some of that!
@Shelley – Oh a Taste of Heaven is unmistakably lavender. Here’s what I suggest: go to a garden shop that has lavender or even a L’Occitane store (if you have one nearby, that is) because they always keep dried lavender out and about in the store. Bring your BK sample. Take several long whiffs of the dried lavender flowers – like 3-5 second whiffs. Then sniff your sample on your skin or straight from the vial. You will recognize immediately! Also, since you obviously like lavender (even if you are not yet able to identify it), you may find some other lavender delights at L’Occitane. Two birds with one stone!
@Boo – so you do love lavender! I need some Reverie Au Jardin, too BTW. Just sayin’ in case a split might happen sometime…;) Not trying to enable…
I love lavender! Reverie au Jardin is so wonderful (need a bottle soon) and I also just like regular lavender products. LOVE Origins Lavender-Vanilla (have the oil and wear it to bed). I have a lavender plant in the yard, too, and where I work has very pungent lavender in some of the potted plant vats.
@mjr17 – will lavender be available in herb shops? I dont think we have l’occitane here. I would have to travel to the city to see if the upscale malls would have that. But that activity sounds perfect! Thanks!
@Shelley: Oh yes, they will have it at herb shops! Some people use straight dried lavender in tea, or for linen sachets, or to put into bath water. Do report back!
Shelley:
If you have a Whole Foods or some sort of organic/health food store, they usually carry essential oils, so that would be another good way to smell straight lavender.
Speaking up! My favorite is Gris Clair. I recently tried Byredo Green (very nice) and EldO Antihero (too literal, even for me). I dont quite love Reverie or Fourreau Noir, but Taste of Heaven is wonderful, Encens et Lavande is a tad too masculine for me but smells divine on my husband.
The weather is great in the NE and I just split my lavender plant again today to increase the ‘coverage’ in the back yard. I had pretty good success doing that in the past so let’s hope my transplants take again.
SOTD: Divine (left) Divine L’ame soeur – meh.
running away from all the lavender…holding vanilla drenched wrist to nose……
My mom sneakily mentioned that she wanted some Coco Chanel about 6 months ago. I think she’ll be totally caught off guard that I bought her some. Yay!
Excellent! She’s probably forgotten she mentioned it, and it will be a nice surprise.
Good choice!
I love giving gifts that people themselves recommend but forget about mentioning. I write those little things down and file them in a little gift-giving document in prep for gift-giving times. 😛
SOTD is CBIHP At the Beach 1966 from a split I just received yesterday (thanks bogsc)! It may be too Coppertone-ish for me, although that part has faded by now. I need to do a side by side with my Fire Island decant and see which one wins the suntan lotion battle!
No gifts for Mother’s Day this year – just a card and a phone call! My mother is a serious hoarder and I have stopped sending gifts as she has too much stuff. I thought about getting her some perfume but she is of the “perfume is only for fancy times” mindset, so she still has the same bottles of perfume from when I was growing up since she uses them so rarely. I do remember getting her some Coty Muguet for Mother’s Day when I was a kid.
And now I’m off to the mall near my office to see how many samples I can score from Sephora without the SAs getting suspicious! I got 2 there earlier in the week.
Fire Island won out when comparing those 2, but I prefer CB’s Mr. Hulot’s Holiday them both. At the Beach 1966 was great–until the allergies made it a no-go.
All three are nice. Fire Island seems to be a much LOUDER scent, but that beachy vibe in all of them is nice. I need to do another comparison to see whether I prefer Hulot or At the Beach.
It’s funny – I just found out about Mr. Hulot while reading Robin’s review of At the Beach this morning -sounds like a good one!
I definitely prefer M. Hulot as well.
SOTD is Eau de Cartier. Warm and windy here today so it’s wearing well. Just wish it would wear well longer.
I admire the ability of everyone on here who can rattle off suggestions and I’m hoping some of you can help! My niece is hoping for more perfume for her birthday this year. She’ll be 16 and enjoyed the Benefit Crescent Row sampler I gave her last year (with the musky one her least favorite). I thought I’d buy some samples for her but having raised boys, didn’t have to deal with scents for young girls so not sure where to start.
I don’t want to go so far into niche that a full bottle is hard to buy or out of reach cost wise, but want to get her going in the right direction early! There are the obvious choices like Tommy Girl, Daisy, etc. but hoping to do something more elegant that everyone else isn’t wearing.
Any advice great appreciated.
Gucci Flora? I thought it was very pretty (I’m just stocked up on “pretty” these days).
Never thought of that and I even have a sample. Very pretty! Thanks.
Fresh Strawberry Flowers?
Not familiar with this one so discovery will be fun for me, too! Thanks.
Clinique Happy? Maybe too obvious, but I went through one or 2 bottles of that in high school/college. Missoni and Ed Hardy Love & Luck are two other fun ones.
Happy might be obvious to you maybe but I never wore perfume as a teen so I’m way, way behind in the sniffing department. Will check out the other suggestions as well as I’ve not sniffed those either. Thank you.
Annick Goutal has hit the discounters, so maybe Mandragore or Petite Cherie?
I have those (I think)! If not, they’re going on the list. Thanks!
I second Odonata’s suggestion of Missoni. I love the bitter chocolate note, but overall it’s far too young for me, so I hope your niece will seize the day!
I am doing the same thing for my 18 year-old niece. For now, my plan is to introduce her to some great perfume houses by way of their younger / more approachable fragrances. Here are some of my ideas for her:
Guerlain Aqua Allegorias ( I think many of these are a great way to introduce a young woman to Guerlain)
Chanel Chance and flankers
Miss Dior Cherie
Hermes Kelly Caleche
Bulgari Omnia and flankers
L’Artisan La Chasse and maybe Mure et Musc
Oh! I forgot. I do want to introduce her to Goutal, too. I’ll probably go with Petite Cherie and perhaps Eau d’Hadrien there.
These are all great ideas – the Aqua Allegorias are very nice (I am eyeing a bottle of Mandarine Basilic myself), Chanel Chane Eau Fraiche is very nice, and Kelly Caleche is just lovely!
Yes! Love Kelly Caleche. I own that one myself.
Teo Cabanel Julia and/or Meloe? And what the heck–throw in Alahine. That smells great on anybody of any age. In terms of price, the line isn’t niche-y at all, particularly since you can usually buy from the discounters.
Are you referring to Alahine being sold at discounters? Lead me there!
try Reirien ….Dea had it there recently.
Beauty Encounter has Alahine, Julia and Oha–$75 for the 1.7oz; $100 for the 3.3oz. Overstock.com used to have it, but I don’t see it now. I probably spoke too soon about Meloe; now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve seen that discounted anywhere.
Whoops! Just went back and read all the earlier stuff about people being attacked by Alahine. Sooooooo, to amend–Alahine smells great on everybody, except for when it unexpectedly turns into the smell monster of doom. 🙁
smell monster of doom? you mean on some people it turns into BABY POWDER??!!! 😉
BABY POWDER SMELL MONSTER OF DOOM?? Now I’m imagining a cross between the abominable snow man from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Stay-Puff marshmallow man from Ghostbusters…only smelly. 🙂
If my mother were still alive, I’d probably get her a plant. After a youthful accident involving a suitcase and a bottle of Tabu, she swore off perfume except for Arpege and Chanel No. 5. But she grew gardenias and a miniature lemon tree in a bay window in Rhode Island. They both smelled great and whenever the tree produced a lemon, I made lemon meringue pie.
I’m embarrassed. I thought my entry for the Prix Eau Faux was really weird. Then last week I looked at the Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs website. They’re making it.
A suitcase and a broken bottle of Tabu? OMG. Run for the hills!
Which BPA is your scent?
SOTmorning was l’homme de coeur, perfect for white shirt/red tie or biker dude. Any man.
L’Artisan Fou d’ Absinthe at the moment. This opened like a memory bank, a psychic hit of my dad shaving, the medicine chest itself, something clean/masculine, a hint of benzoin? utterly compelling.
My son sent me the most exquisite roses I’ve ever seen-I dipped my nose in and voila! no scent, nothing! not even cardboard:(
However, they are stupendous!!
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
I love Fou d’Absinthe, and love your description of the scent memory it brought up for you!
Ironically, it also brought up going to the dentist as a child. He smelled pretty good too, the large hand, grazing my cheek and smelling clean, manly.
I bought Bois des Iles 15 ml real perfume… and am dissapointed. I thought I would love it. But I barely like it. From the bottle it seems nice. But on skin it gets sour and bitter. Maybe give it another try in winter…
So far I like No 5 much better then Bois des Iles and that’s the saddest part. Next stop – Vol de Nuit in parfum. If I won’t like that one – I would really have to settle for No 5 and leave a boring life of mediocracy.
ok, what else can replase No 5 amoung the classics?
Please embrace that No. 5 is a classic and wear it proudly! It’s beautiful, especially in extrait! Nothing mediocre about a woman who can wear No. 5 proudly!
BdI was a disappointment to me, too. But then came the Vol de Nuit and it’s a beautiful scent that I would definitely buy fb of. Not sure what can replace No. 5. Have you tried 22 or 19? There’s always Shalimar if you’re going for the classics, but of course, it’s nothing like #5.
Veronika – I didn’t like BdI either. It just didn’t do anything on my skin. I do like No 5 very much, and I think there are a lot of fragrances that are similar to No 5. Are you looking for something very different in a classic or similar in a classic? I tell you some real dazzlers that are wonderful and I think would be a good replacement for No 5 in your wardrobe:
The original Boucheron for women in the sapphire blue bottle – gorgeous!
Guerlain Chant d’Aromes
Kenzo Flower Essentielle
Robert Piguet Baghari
Lancome Climat or Magie
Sonoma Scent Studio Champange de Bois or Tabac Aurea
Givenchy III
Annick Goutal Heure Exquise or Grand Amour
Guerlain Mitsouko
Caron Nocturnes
Cartier So Pretty
Hermes Amazone
Amouage Dia
Guerlain Jardins de Bagatelle
Balenciaga Le Dix
Mariella Burani
MDCI Enlevement au Serail
PdN Sacrebleue
… there are so many! You will find something eventually. No 5 is a hard act to follow!!
What a marvellous list! I’m intrigued, and will have a go at some of them.
Well I second Joe, but I also have a last suggestion, even if I haven’t tested it personally, and if it is probably a discontinued perfume… I read on many blogs that Guerlain, like all perfume houses at a certain time, made his own “answer” to n. 5. So I assume his answer might have a fivesque feeling. I think it was Liu? Was it really Liu? (I hope that if I am mistaken someone will chime in)
Maybe if you go through some Guerlain reviews on perfume smelling things you might find that supposedly Chanelish Guerlain…
You’re right – it was Liu.
The first time I tried Liu at a Guerlain counter, I thought it reminded me of a slightly more powdery and floral No 5! A few more smell-alikes are Arpege and L’Ame Soeur.
Ouch, that’s a real shame about BdI.
Vol de Nuit in extrait is gorgeous. I was surprised by how much I liked it because I wasn’t bowled over by the lighter concentrations.
I’ll second things like No 22 and Amouage Dia (I adore this one) if you are after an aldehydic floral. Or how about Joy if you are after an iconic classic?
I love Vol de Nuit as well. I have only fallen inlove with a fragrance about four times in my life, and VdN was one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I like a lot of frags, but there are only a handful that I LOVE. I tested it in the department store, then went about my shopping, sniffing it from time to time. I liked it right away, and within an hour I knew I could not live without it, so I bought a 1/4 oz. extrait,which was all I could afford at the time. A few months later, I bought a large EdT, and I now have a full ounce extrait. I don’t usually wear it in warm weather, as it tends to become too strong, but I love it in the winter.
I do believe that Liu is Guerlain’s No. 5 imitator. My first impression on smelling it was that it smelled like No. 5 (or like vintage Arpege). It was discontinued for a while, but was brought back a few years ago. No. 22 is much sweeter than No. 5, so I don’t think its really that similar. Floral aldehydes don’t seem to be much in fashion right now, so I can’t think of anything more recent that could sub for No. 5.
I’m also not a big fan of BdI – though I have not tried the pure perfume, only the LE version. I’m going to keep sniffing it though to see if my nose eventually has an epiphany, which has happened several times now.
Uh oh….it’s one of my very favorites! Either we have a serious breach of ST status, or you’ll grow to love it in time. 😀
Haha, well I have my trusty 1.5 spritzer sample from TPC. I’ll try it again next Fall/Winter and see where I’m at. You know, I only recently fell in love with/ began to understand No. 5 after shaking my head in disbelief for years about it. So, it could only be a matter of time before I’m swooning at the feet of BdI! 🙂
Hm, and see…I’m not quite there yet with No. 5. BdI was instant bliss.
I just got my newest order from Sonoma Scent Studio.
Sienna Musk is all subtle spices, sweetness and a musk that isn’t afraid to be a little funky. I love her musk, which is never too suffocating. Some other musks can just feel like smearing yourself with a fatty lotion. This one is airy and light, stays close to the skin but lasts forever!
SIGH. I am so in love with this line. I can’t wait until her next releases!
Question: Anyone have any recs for good, homemade bar-soaps with high-quality oils/scents? Anything interesting that’s not just your usual patchouli or vanilla? From etsy or elsewhere? I was disappointed with my Villainess samples.
Have you tried Pacifica? they have natural soaps… my favorite scents of theirs: Tibetan mountain temple, Tahitian gardenia and lotus garden.
I wish I kept track of the Etsy brands. I’ve liked some & not liked others but can never remember who I bought from.
SOTD is FM’s Angeliques. I sprayed it on me at 8:00 this morning before leaving for work. I haven’t smelled it for hours–instead I can smell the Insolence Eau de Parfum I wore yesterday! No Mom to buy perfume for–she passed away years ago and I still miss her. I always used to buy her perfume for Mother’s Day. No one to buy perfume for me either–I’m divorced. However, my three sons will come up with something for me, but it will not be perfume. There are several perfumes I would love to have right now–such as LaTulipe and Ninfeo Mio. Hopefully, I will be able to buy them for myself in the next couple of months. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
Angéliques Sous la Pluie is lovely, but I wish it lasted more than 10 minutes on my skin. An unusually wimpy Malle.
That’s interesting, it lasts forever on me! It’s one of those I have to commit to before I spray it because it’ll be on all day. Love it though, so that’s OK!
Maybe I got a homeopathic decant? I’d love for it to last, and the concentration of Malles usually seem fairly high.
“homeopathic decant” – LOL!
Ha! Love that.
Snort!
Waiting on my FB of After My Own Heart to arrive. Wish all of the Ineke line worked for me because the customer service is fabulous!
It’s been super hot here this week so I’m craving a light eau de cologne for summer and am working up a list of scents to try. My fear is that every eau de cologne will pretty much smell like every other one and I’ll waste a lot of valuable sniffing time! To tide me over during my search (and for a cheap summer thrill) I ordered a ginormous bottle of Nenuco Baby Cologne that will be here later this month.
It is true that it’s a narrow category, but some are much better than others! Highly recommend Eau de Guerlain and the Chanel one in the Exclusifs.
After My Own Heart is so lovely. I recently got the Ineke discovery set so I could try all their frags, but only a couple really work for me. AMOH is one and surprisingly, so is Balmy Days and Sundays- both are scents that are so not my typical style but smell just like easygoing calm and relaxation on me. I really, really want to love Evenings Edged in Gold (floral leather- definitely my style!) but it turns sour on me. 🙁 Field Notes From Paris is another winner, but I can do without Chemical Bonding and Derring Do.
Can you have too many vetivers? I haven’t met one yet that I wouldn’t wear. I recently bought a FB (travel size) Hermessence Vetiver Tonka which I adore. Collecting samples and testing them side-by-side has been fun–so many nuances on the idea of “vetiver”. Currently AG Vetiver is winning over TDC Sel de Vetiver. And I just got the Givenchy reissue. Swoon. That’s a winner.
I do like vetiver, but like with rose, I find so many of them so similar. “Subtle” differences really aren’t enough for me; I need a raw material to be treated in a different way. For example, I don’t think I’d ever need a large amount of BOTH Encre Noire & Sycomore, but I love the different handlings of vetiver in No 19 and Safari and Kenzo Air. To me it’s problematic when it’s so strong that it steamrolls everything else in the composition. Still, it’s a favorite note.
Can I reveal that I just discovered Jacomo Silences: $20 per bottle! Oh, baby!!!!
Joe, have you ever smelled straight up vetiver essential oil? Total swamp water steamroller!! I was totally surprised how strong it is. It makes me appreciate and wonder how diluted it is when they get to making fine fragrances.
Ann – but what “brand” did you smell? I’ve got an old bottle that is really rich and beautiful. They really differ by company.
Oh, and by area of the world from which it was harvested.
It was the aura cacia – but maybe it was really old? Normally their stuff is just fine. ??
Part of the fun I’m having is training my nose. I did an Encre Noir (o.k.) vs. Sycomore (true love) test the other day. You’re right, Joe, as with, rose there are so many choices. I haven’t yet figured out a criterion for collecting in a category so vast, other than imagining which variety might work best during the heat of summer.
I know there are some Silences junkies out there. I need to read some reviews.
I just got a Silences mini, among some others. Haven’t tried it yet, but like what I’m hearing!
No!! 😉
I have a bunch of vetivers and they are all wonderful! That is like saying, in general, that you can have too many orientals (be they patch or amber, vanilla, etc). NO! Each one sits on a lovely vetiver throne, but they can all be very different in characteristics. My favs are No 19, Cristalle edp, Timbuktu, Safari.
Boy, Cristalle really shot up the “faves” list quickly!!!
I don’t get a drop of vetiver in Timbuktu. Are you sure??? Maybe cypriol… but vetiver? None.
Well, to my nose there is certainly some sort of shiny green thing going on with all that incense. I don’t know. I don’t think I ever actually looked at the notes list for Timbuktu – I just assumed it was vetiver. I smelled it, I loved it, I never bothered to check. Well, you learn something new every day!!!
PS – Yes, the Cristalle edp really did shoot up there. It wears for me so much like a vetiver- colgone, that I am happily surprised! All citrus, jasmine and V.
Ann, I bought a FB of Cristalle edp last month! I absolutely love it.
I am happy I made the effort to try the edp. The edt never quite worked for me, so I am happy, yes! It will be fun to wear during the summer for sure.
Ann S., I thought the edt was ok but it would vanish so fast on me that I didn’t really get to appreciate it. The new one, Eau Verte, smells so artificial compared to either of the earlier incarnations. But I do credit the EV I sprayed on myself at Macy’s for my quest to smell the originals.
Oh I love Cristalle EDP – it was one of my very very first perfumista discoveries thanks to a wonderful swapper on MUA. Cristalle’s subheading should be “carpe diem” because it just makes you want to get-things-done!
I have quite a lot of vetivers, Suzy Q, and have started to taper off. I’m especially fond of the AG, and Shaal Nur is a lighter, sunny oriental with vetiver that is a must-try. You certainly cannot SAMPLE too many! 🙂
Nozknoz, thanks for the Shaal Nur suggestion. I just added it to my list.
O noooo! How can anything at all ever be winning over Sel de Vetiver? 😉 I’ve only tried AG’s Vetiver briefly and it didn’t blow me away, but I know I’ll want to try it again. Do you think it will be the warm-weather scent you were looking for?
LOL, I wondered if you’d read this, Helle. I find SdV and AG Vetiver similar in their salt spray/ on the beach note. I like the dry down of the AG better so far. And yes, these do smell wonderful any season but summer has me stymied. Last summer I had to go without perfume for long periods. Sad, I know. I’m thinking a vetiver might be perfect. Soon enough I’ll be able to test my theory!
You have an exciting few months ahead of you! 🙂 I’ll be curious to see what you’ll be choosing.
Need to come back and read everything later!
My poor mom is the one who introduced me to fragrance, pretty much, in a subtle sort of way (my dad was into it, too) but now she is pretty anosmic to everything. I’d love to give her perfume but would be to no avail. So I’ll feed her instead.
Seems like every time there is a poll my SOTD is l’Air DDM! I like it in warmer weather as much as cooler. I am wearing it in honor of that lovely Bel Ami-drenching I got from that hug yesterday. Not the same thing at all but I wanted to go a bit masculine-ish but still potentially cause a swoon or two if I’m lucky.
Tama – I recently discovered that L’Air layers really well with the No 5 body cream. Really interesting combo – the L’Air adds this spicy rich heat to the No 5.
Interesting! I’ll have to try it.
SOTD: I’ve got Montale Chypre Fruites on one wrist and Ava Luxe’s Roses on the other – talk about odd pairing. Was trying to decide if I want to take advantage of Naz’s Montale Sale. The Ava Luxe was just to see if I like it better than the Montale roses which I already have either FB or Samples. Tested those yesterday…. Still haven’t decided.
Was the Ava Luxe roses a perfume oil or extrait? Does it wear very long?
I want to love Ava Luxe, but everything I’ve tried from her line so far has disappeared off my skin after a half-hour/hour. It’s so disappointing, because Bois Exotique was all milky-soft wonderfulness!
Just bathe in it. 🙂
I love Ava Luxe’s Roses – it’s ALL THE ROSES THERE ARE, in one bottle. Perhaps I am wrong, but I feel like I can smell a lot of different roses in there. No incense or spice to me – just a thick bouquet of different types of ROSES.
I have a spray decant of the edp purchased from TPC either very early this year or very late last year.
It has remarkable longevity (about 6-8 hrs) and smells like a rich blend from days of old..
Wow these lazy day threads move fast. I go away from my desk for an hour or so and boom! 30+ comments turn into almost 200!
My mother also dislikes all-things scented (and her beauty consists of dove soap only!), so perfume is NEVER an option. She claims that she’s allergic, but I’ve never seen her sneeze, so I think she just doesn’t like fragrance. Mom is also the most impossible person to shop for because she is sooooooo picky. She likes fresh flowers, though, so that is usually what I do on MD. (As an aside, I find it interesting that so many of us have Moms who don’t like scented things or to wear perfume – could our perfumania be about filling a deep Freudian lack from our childhoods?) 😉
My partner hinted that our kitty babies were thinking of getting me something for MD, so I’m hoping all the time I’ve spent educating them on perfume will prove fruitful (hoping of course that any MD perfume I receive would not in fact be fruit-full.)
I’ve been wearing the heck out of Eau Premiere recently…until today, when I received a split of vintage Samsara (thank you, friend, you know who you are!!). Wow this stuff is fantastic! I don’t know how it happened but in a few short months I’ve gone from not liking or understanding any gourmandy fragrances or orientals to truly beginning to embrace some and like them very much. I think I owe it all the 31RC, which for me gets kind of foody in the heart. So back to the Samsara: at first spritz I was like “WOW, lovely” and then I was like “WHOA, I recognize something in here” and probably less than 60 seconds later I realized what it was. Call me crazy, but to me the opening of vintage Samsara smells like a sharper, more potent Vanille Galante! Only in the opening! Then it settles down. Since I love VG, I’m excited about the Samsara; and now I have a deeper respect for Ellena’s VG structure because it manages to hold onto those beautiful top-notes of Samsara, only in a softer and rounder form.
Happy Mother’s Day to all!
♥ ♥ ♥ Vintage Samsara.
If you ever get a chance, sample Mona di Orio’s OIRO. It is the most exquisite and beautiful jasmine / sandalwood combo I have ever worn. My holygrail jasmine scent. If you want a sample, email me at dawnkana at yahoo dot com.
~Dawn
Thanks, Dawn. I’m going to email you right now… 🙂
Vintage Samsara?!? Wha???? I love, love, love it! So we’re not exactly EST’s are we then? That’s okay; it’ll make things more interesting!
Oh, I agree. It will be interesting to see what you think of A Taste of Heaven! If you love it, we could have the makings of a split…
Oh Lord, another enabler! LOL! But that might be great as the small decant of Sous Le Vent is the only lavender I have.
Oh that’s a great one, too! The difference between them, though, is that whereas SLV is a more herbally lavender (like lavender stem/stalk), ATAH is more floral. You will notice the difference immediately, but try them side by side too!
I doubt anyone is ever a *perfect* EST. After all, even you and I overlap once in a great while (SDV).
So true – and for me, SDV is pretty far afield of what I usually like (don’t have, or want, any other heavy vanillas).
Ditto, and I do think that’s what happens. Our more typically loved frags are miles apart, but somewhere in the middle, outside the realm of what either normally likes, are the overlaps.
Boo – what a perfect way to describe the overlaps that happen in the oceans between ESTs!
My mom doesn’t like fragrance, either. For her, it was just Jergen’s lotion, for years and years. Your comment is interesting; perhaps some of us ARE responding to early childhood perfume deprivation! I think my mom is hyper-sensitive to fragrance. And she doesn’t really enjoy music, either. A little sad, from my point of view…
My 88-year-old mom is getting a big box of fancy cheesecake petit four thingies. I hope she likes it!
I think early perfume deprivation is part of the reason for my perfume interest. My mother never wears perfume or makeup (though I know she did in her young years, before she had a family) and it was always kind of a forbidden pleasure for me. It took me a good long while to get over the forbidden part and be open with it, so now I think I’m kind of “making up for lost years”.
Oh, and I hope your mother enjoys her gift, it sounds delicious!
Thanks, Helle! Me too.
SOTD: Timbuktu, after discovering that my local Space:NK now stocks a select choice of L’Artisan scents. I hovered over DZING! and then went back to my old favourite! I think Timbuktu is becoming a personal obsession of mine! I’d be so hard pressed to choose between Mechant Loup, Bois Farine, Timbuktu and DZING! But I reckon Timbuktu would win out.
I love all of those too, but in fact Timbuktu is the only one I bought a full bottle of. Would love to have the others too though…esp. Bois Farine.
Timbuktu and Dzing! Essentials in my collection.
I bought a bottle of VdH today and though I feel like they charged me for the 50ml bottle while giving me a 35ml bottle (I’m making some phone calls Monday) I am pretty happy. I picked it up around noon and in anticipation went NUDE (scentless–same diff, huh? :3 ) until then.
And then my raging headache kicked in. It just clobbered me a few hours ago. I have headaches like this all the time, but I have noticed that the first time I wear a new perfume I get a headache. I wonder if it’s a coincidence or if it takes my brain some getting used to the new scent. Anyone else get these one-shot headaches?
Also, my mother wants nothing but a supply of sourdough for her enjoyment this Mother’s Day. I’ve tried giving her perfume (last summer, I bought her some Un Jardin Sur la Nil but she didn’t finish the bottle and I can’t wear it anymore because it reminds me of her) but she always goes back to Ralph… Rocks? Though she just did switch to Tocca’s new Bianca, which I dislike. Of course, she thinks I smell like a “decrepit old lady” most of the time so…. xD
Don’t get the one-shot headaches but I sympathize. Certain fragrances give me a headache that no amount of aspirin will cure. Any suggestions for curing a fragrance “hangover”?
Anyone with a medical background advise me otherwise but recently I’ve been skipping straight to Excedrin for headaches. I used to take ibuprofen but it doesn’t seem to work anymore. And if a perfume’s killing your head, the best thing I know to stop the smell is unscented deodorant. It feels gross and it’s hard to remove as well (I usually put socks on my hands and watch some TV when practicing this “method”) but it stops the perfume like Raid on a roach. Then go in and exfoliate after a few minutes. Or do some dishes. 😛
Not a medical person but I have had headaches from perfumes and other scented items. A friend got me to try Anacin and it worked better for me than anything else.
Have you tried using Tide to wash off the perfume BEFORE resorting to deodorant? Most of the time that works for me. Assume it’s the enzymes that break down the scent.
I don’t think it’s so much the strength of specific perfumes. I think my brain just gets this huge blast of something new and it’s like, “OVERLOADING.”
Oh, and I don’t use liquid detergent. 😛
Hmm… my mom isn’t a “perfume person” (her words, not mine), so nothing for her.
I’m wearing Matin d’Orage today and contemplating ordering a bottle of Citizen Queen for myself.
Oh – and I didn’t mean that I’m not getting my mother anything at all – just nothing perfume-related.
For a minute we thought maybe you *really* resented her for not being a perfume person. 😀 Whew! Glad to know your tough love isn’t as harsh as it could be.
LOL!!! 😀
nothing perfume related for my mom either—apparently Amazon Warrioresses don’t wear fragrance……she nevers wants anything for herself (won’t use gift certificates) ….hates waste…so I get something nice for those she loves best….her ANIMALS ….my favorite trick is to have sweet grains delivered for her horses and cows from the local feed store. It’s weird, I know, but she’ll use it, she can hardly return hundreds of pounds of feed, now can she?…and then that frees up her funds to get what she wants for herself. I’m a sneaky sneaky child. 😉
So I’ve been all about Chanel lately…. Today (and the past week haaha) i’ve been wearing Bel Respiro…Love, Love, Love it…. And I bought my mom a bottle of Cristalle EDT, she hasn’t worn it since the 1970’s and when she smelled it again, she realized how many great memories it brought back… Because it took me forever and a day to track down (my local Nordstrom FINALLY got one in after months of not having one!), and I also replenished her Creed Virgin Island Water, so she’s all set with her Summer Scents!!!
That’s so nice! You have a lucky mum.
SOTD = Chanel Coco. I wear this when I need to feel comforted & comfortable in the big overwhelming world. 🙂
Aw, Coco is such a wonderful fragrance – I find it rich, elegant, and yet so cozy as well. Good choice. I love love love Coco!!
Hi GuerlainG,
I LOVE Coco, and also Theorama when in need of comfort. It’s like wearing a thick warm blanket….
SOTD is SSS Vintage Rose. Will be ordering a bottle soon. I bought my mother Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Rose Magnifica which I hope she enjoys.
I am hopring for a tuberose for Mothers Day- I think it will either JM Tuberose or EL PC Tuberose Gardenia, either is lovely.
Weather here is sunny, about 22C, not bad for late autumn, I hope it is the same tomorrow so I can laze about in the sun with a good book!
I just bought a purse spray of Vintage Rose – it’s beautiful! Laurie is an amazing artist.
She sure is- my favourites from the samples she sent are Incense Pure, Vintage Rose and Fireside Intense. It’s great you can buy them in small sizes. Much rather have 3 small botlles of different fragrances than one 100ml bottle. Wish more perfume houses did this…
I LOVE the new Incense Pure. Have you tried Cameo? If you like Vintage Rose, you might like that one as well.
Cameo is beautiful! Cameo and Vintage Rose are part of my Summer/Winter rotation scents. Cameo in the warm weather for the sandalwood and VR for the plum and cedar in cooler weather.
Opera Fan (I *love* that screen name) –
I just told Laurie that I had Cameo on last night while watching the new Pride and Prejudice and it was the perfect fragrance to scent that movie’s combination of period, romance, costume and score.
(And in truth I was also covered in Champagne de Bois after spilling it all over me while decanting!)
two great smells that smell great together? don’t think of it as spillage…think of it as ….layering….
Rapple, do you mean the P&P with Keira Knightley? I’m not usually a fan of her, but I <3 <3 that film. I've seen it a dozen times at least. I can't get over the beauty of the cinematography and soundtrack is magical. 🙂
Mjr17, I’m one of those purists… I grew up with watching the “real” 1996 version and I admit that Colin Firth *is* Mr. Darcy as well as Jennifer Ehle *is* Lizzy. I was completely prejudiced (ha!) against the newer version from the start even before I knew they ruthlessly annihilated a Bingley sister. Though I must admit that the cinematography and the big scenes are gorgeously done.
Whoops, that should have been an answer to Rapple, not mjr17. The confusionz, I haz them.
ZeeZee – I totally understand. I was also pretty accepting of the POTO movie, which the purists hated. LOL! But I AM a purist about Vol de Nuit and Mitsouko!!
Matthew McFadyen (sp?) didn’t win you over just a little bit??
Is there a lot of oakmoss in Cameo? I knew there was some, but thought it was supposed to have been a touch. Cameo and CdB sounds intriguing – even if it was only an accident!
MJR – that’s the one! I watched it *again* last night with the director’s comments on! I know some of the purists don’t like it, but I’m quite happy to switch from the BBC one with Colin Firth to watch Keira and Matthew.
Oh and Daisy – have you tried Cameo?? No plum, lots of oakmoss and I’m thinking you’d like it.
hmmm….no I don’t believe I have….I might have to correct that soon too…trying to decide if I need to order some of her new Incense Pur.
Daisy – I don’t know if you’ll find this, but I’m assuming you tried the sample? I thought you’d like it.
Oops! My reply to this thread ended up in the one above….
a:8
My mother only wears Diorissimo, so I would never buy her a fragrance. My sister is allergic to fragrances but I did buy her a GC for Brownes and Co. in Miami for Mothers’ Day.
I’m wearing DK Iris, which I love but wish were not as light. I just bought a FB, and I anticipate wearing it a lot this spring and Northern CA summer.
Your mom has good taste!
SOTD: Killian’s Beyond Love, which I really like. It is lighter and dryer than other tuberoses I’ve sampled. I appreciate that and also like that quality in the Pure Oud and Rose Oud, as well. If only the prices were lighter!
The prices are crazy!
ALWAYS late to the party! HA! Wore Guerlain Iris Ganache today. LOVED. Received a split of Le Labo Vanille 44 today. TRIPLE LOVED!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of my fragrant Mom buddies!
Mmmmmm…. Iris Ganache.
I’ve been avoiding that one like the plague (sorry Daisy!)…but you like it? Maybe I’ll try it out today… 36* outside right now, seems a good day for it. I was thinking Coco or Tolu, but maybe a little IG in the morning.
…or, maybe NOT! I forget who coined the “word”, but the only fitting description here is vomitrocious!
…and of course, refusing to come off. I think I still have a desperation poison ivy towelette lurking here somewhere (the soap doesn’t even work on this). Hope I can find it!
Boo: I’ve never tried IG, but since we have some ST/EST, I’m curious what notes bother you, specifically, that is? I need to test this one at Guerlain counter the next time I’m there!
You know, I don’t see anything that *should* be a problem… I think it’s just the juxtaposition that doesn’t work for me. Like when you drink a glass of orange juice after brushing your teeth.
I’m with you on IG, boo. Weren’t we in full agreement on 10 Corso Como, too? Methinks I need to keep a closer watch on your tastes 🙂
oh so sorry Boo! Didn’t mean to send you something to melt your nostrils and cling with the half-life of Uranium 237……but aren’t you glad that you didn’t pay $4 for the sample?? Try the deodorant trick mentioned earlier in the thread–maybe that will help….but vomitrocious usuall equals “impervious to all attempts at removal” —then douse yourself with something good (but strong)
LOL that’s ok… I just expected it to be too sweet, but gave it a go… and it *is* sweet and powdery, but there’s something sour at the same time. Deodorant and Tide never do the trick for me, alas (though if anyone has a particularly effective brand of deodorant, I could sure try something new!). I’m giving Fifi a 2nd chance on the other hand (don’t think that one was the toxic chemical blast after all…I’ll retest Moulin Rouge to be sure, as that was the other one tested that day). That one is potent, and not me, but not a scrubber.
I’ve been meaning to try IG for oh… about three years now! lol! Looks like a high recommendation to me! 😉
Perfect, I know who to pass it to! I’ll add it to your package. 🙂
Ouch! So sorry that it’s “barf-tastic” on you. I find it deliciously delicious. Now I’m thinking of wearing that or Stephen Jones today. Probably SJ since it’s been awhile. (If I can FIND it in less than 5 minutes.)
I’m taking my sister to a local vineyard for a wine tasting and tour to celebrate Mother’s day with her. Plan to wear Fresh’s Citron de Vigne….Here is a question for any travelers out there. I will be in Quebec City for one day….where do I perfume shop? Any place special, what should I look for there boutique-wise?
What a wonderful way to celebrate the day.
I was there last year, and sadly, all my information is quite fuzzy. There is a perfume shop in the old town, in a fancy version of a mini-mall there. Old Town is small and you will sooner or later walk by it. The big Cdn department store, which might have the occasional Euro-item before US stores do, is The Bay, in a couple of the malls. Have a good trip…
Hi all
Has anyone heard about SJP’s Lovely being discontinued? A co-worker mentioned it today and it got me wondering….
I read remark on Perfume Posse that Lovely is getting harder to find:
http://perfumeposse.com/2010/04/15/sjp-nyc/
Where I live it in everywhere to be found, although at madly reduced prices. Maybe that is an indication that it is about to be discontinued, or maybe it’s just price wars. I’d be amazed if it were discontinued because surely it has been her most successful so far (depending on how that new thing goes).
No idea, but certainly wouldn’t surprise me.
I’m wearing Miller Harris Fig Amere mixed with a touch of Borneo 1834. Worn alone, MH Fig Amere is a bit too sweet but the Borneo adds a nice grounding touch.
That’s a bold mix!
This makes me wonder: Sometimes there are those fragrances that you don’t really care for, or which just don’t move you in a great way. But then, later, you smell one and have a eureka-type moment when you were wondering what you were thinking in not being head over heels for it. I’ve had that recently with Malle’s Vetiver Extraordinaire, which I have always liked, due to my vetiver infatuation, but always just kept the sample and bought others (Sycomore, Turtle Vetiver, Route du Vetiver). Suddenly I put on the VE and think, my God, why don’t I own a bottle of this? This is amazing!
I am fascinated by these little shifts that take place to let us see things in a new way. Similarly, the things I loved once no longer hold the attraction. What is all of this scene changing taking place! Perhaps a question with no definite answer.
I don’t have an answer for you Jared, but the same thing happened to me about a year ago with L’Heure Bleue. As much as I love most of the Guerlains, I *hated* LHB due to the anise (I always hated licorice as a kid too). And then for no reason that I can think of, I pulled out my sample, tried it, and fell totally in love. Go figure…
Jared, that’s why I hold onto some of my samples: sometimes something that was just o.k. later becomes a favorite. Lots of reasons for this, I suppose. I’ve had similar experiences with wine over the years.
Sure, and foods, too. Both senses develop/change/evolve over time (and taste depends on smell to a large extent, so that isn’t so surprising). I also hold on to far more samples than I should, “just in case”. I tend to only get rid of the ones I find so hideous, I can’t conceive of EVER wanting to smell them again. In other words… hardly any. LOL!
@Jared, this phenomenon happens to me all the time! Isn’t it exciting?? 😉 I’m like boojum – I have to despise a fragrance enough to necessitate expulsion before I will part with something. For example, I recently expelled my sample of Secretions Magnifiques from my house! Just the thought of it contaminating my sample drawer made me quiver with disgust.
Oh, actually…I’ll get rid of the really boring ones, too. But the first one that went packing was ByK Straight to Heaven. Only after I triple-bagged it.
Boojum, I used to hold onto all of them but now I’ve got a perfume pen pal to send things to. What fun! We seem to have opposite tastes so it’s great to know that something I don’t like can find a good home, and vice versa.
I’m trying to get there. Once I’ve fully tested something so I can take adequate notes for future reference, I can get rid of some. And I have an EST / penpal too. It really works well!
Straight to Heaven – I know, patchouli! Sigh…. I wish I had been on your list at that time as it’s one I’m dying to try.
Yes, I think the more you smell the more it conditions your sense. Its helps to give a fragrance context, which then helps bring out certain facets, etc. That is one reason why I don’t get rid of any samples, either, even if I don’t like them. I like to keep things around for reference. I suppose this works in many areas of life, since we learn by compare and contrast. Still, I like that sudden moment where something has changed and things are all new again, kind of like someone who’s been around in your life and you suddenly realize you love that person. I guess I’m just a romantic and love those moments when the heavens burst open and the choir of angels rains down music!
Jared —
I’ve been thinking about those strange shifts lately…
For example, the first 3 times I tried Lonestar Memories (sorry Andy!), it smelled like a Canadian Tire store — fresh tires, new basketballs and bicycle seats, and cheap cleaning products. Really, a dead ringer. When I tried it 6 months later… woa! One of the sexiest leather scents around…
My theory is that the way scents interact with our personal chemistry hinges a great deal on our own personal chemistry… for example, in my case, when I tried Lonestar at first, I later found I was severely iron deficient and anemic. As well, I have since learned that I had serious vitamin-D and phosphorus deficiencies (those pregnancies took a real toll on my body!). As I replace and balance the vitamins and minerals, I find that my sense of smell shifts.
I think what you eat, where you are in your cycle (for women), and of course all the ambients — temperature, humidity, pollution levels also matter. But more and more, I am going with personal body chemistry and vitamin and mineral levels, as I have actually experienced the very real difference it makes.
Of course, as you imply in your post, the more things you smell, the more you train your nose, the more experience your nose gets… this all changes your perception of and reaction to fragrances…
Ugh, and air conditioning, the bane of my existence. The cold is one thing… major sillage-killer. But it is so hard on my sinuses that I end up losing my sense of smell almost entirely throughout the summer months. I don’t dare shop for new perfumes then.
Haha! It’s like you have seasonal moratorium built right into each year. Great idea! Wish I was able to do that. Although, come to think of it, I ended up sort of losing my testing/buying interest last summer for no good reason. I just wore a few choice summer fragrances all summer long. 🙂
Well, I’m late to this thread but I just woke up from the strangest dream that I just HAVE to share – and no one in my vincinity would have a clue what I was talking about, so sorry if anyone is still reading but I’ll have to post it here:
I was staying at a small but luxurious hotel, in the jungle somewhere, and even though it was hot and humid the atmosphere was all stiff and boring. Then I realised people were crowding in the gift shop. The gift shop turned out to be offering adorable boxed collections of minis of the complete catalogues of Hermes, Penhaligon’s, Lutens etc. etc. and testers were everywhere.
There was some difficulty to choose at first (!) but then I found what I had obviously been looking for all my life: three variations of Fracas, based on a three-course meal. I read the descriptions and the entree one seemed a bit too light, the dessert one a bit too sweet, but the main course-Fracas was described as “the immortal Fracas composed like melting butter on a salty steak with a vinaigrette side salad”. There was no tester and it was the last bottle so I bought it unsniffed. I had to have it. And, of course, woke up before I could open the box and smell it (from it’s Alladin’s lamp- shaped bottle).
I’m kind of wondering about the appropriate occasion to wear a MEATIER Fracas, but I think I’ll interpret this as a subtle hint that I do need that Fracas gift set I’ve been eyeing.
You’re right, Helle: no one besides perfumistas would get this!
That’s a great dream!! I find fabulous items in shops in dreams all the time and wake up annoyed that I don’t actually have the stuff!
I want to be in your dream!
Truly a perfumista dream, Helle – thanks so much for sharing it!
I love that all the guests had gone to the gift shop for the sample sets, and your “immortal Fracas composed like melting butter on a salty steak with a vinaigrette side salad” reminds me of that wonderfully surrealistic Prix Eau Faux Rube Goldberg entry! LOL
Wow that is a FANTASTIC dream!
I’m glad you all enjoyed it – it really was a relief to share it to people who understand! 😉
I was totally there with you…staring wide eyed at all the testers!! Good decision to buy the last one!
Hello, first post here, nice to meet you all after reading nst for 4 years…….SOTD yesterday was AG Grand Amour (it was the first warm day in weeks, I wanted something stemmy and springy with hyacinth) but I fell asleep with Serge Lutens Filles en Aiguilles because it’s so yum. For Mother’s Day I’m sending my mom a bottle of Aqua Allegoria Angelique Lilas (she covets mine) and I would like a bottle of SL Daim Blond (but I’m not going to get one. Boo.) I’ll buy myself the Daim Blond for my birthday next month.
As for hormone shifts…..totally true. I’m 39 and it seems like every 5 years I need to change my perfume likes/dislikes, not only because my individual taste changes but the actual perfume smells different on me. Your hormone levels decrease gradually as you get older so I’m assuming that’s why. In addition, I know for sure that there are days where I can pull of petitgrain notes and days when it smells like old mold on my skin (which is a shame because I LIKE petitgrain). Apres L’Ondee is one like that for me, I couldn’t wear it a few years ago but now I can.
Nice to meet you! 🙂 I’m wondering, the days that you feel you can’t wear petitgrain, do you think it would make a difference if you sprayed it on your clothes instead of your skin? Would you still smell old mold?
Thanks for the welcome! Hmm, you know, for some reason I never thought to try that (maybe because the fragrances I have with petitgrain are more summer-ish, and I’m typically a wrist-sprayer). I’ll give it a whirl in a couple of days and let you know how it goes….thanks for the idea!
O, do report back!
Hi audreylicious!!! and welcome to NST. You will have so much fun here…!
And boy, do i ever agree with you, about age and scents. There really was a distinct difference in some of my favorites and how they wore on me…..it was really weird and some of those differences could be called bizarre. Sometimes it is not easy being normal………
SOTD is Chanel Coromandel which I got in a swap (god bless swaps!). Unfortunately, it may well mushroom into a FB lemming, which is something I just cannot do this month or maybe even this year! (What a miserable thought…….)
In the same swap, I got Chanel’s Cuir de Russie, which I wore years and years ago. At the time, I think I remember 1) at I loved it and 2) that it just didn’t last long (enough) on me. This is sort of a constant problem with perfumes and me. This time, however, I am hoping that that change we all experience with our scents will be working in my favor, and there might be more staying power now that I am ancient.
Well, we’ll see then, won’t we?
Coromandel is fabulous! I decided I would wait until fall or winter to buy it, though.
Adding my welcome to audreylicious!!!
Another welcome to Audreylicious, and I have to add that I just sampled Angelique Lilas last week and I think it’s a really great Aqua Allegoria! So perfect for spring & early summer.
Hi and welcome!
DItto on the Coromandel, it surprised me.
Coromandel surprised me, too. I was SO sure I’d like it, and I don’t. Haven’t figured out why, besides the fact that most Chanels don’t sing to me.
I need to report that I finally tried CdG Stephen Jones last night, and still have it on this morning (great longevity!). I do believe I’ve found my HG violet – this fragrance is wonderful! It apparently contains the kind of aldehydes that I usually can’t handle, but they don’t stop me this time. And that bottle! I’ve admired it for a long time. What took me so long to get to this sample?! Stephen Jones is skyrocketing to the top of my wish list (like a meteorite, lol). Wow!!!
LOL – *very* witty use of the word “meteorite”.
I have to pull out my teensy decant of Stephen Jones again.
And yes, speaking of meteorites, Haunani, you should try Guerlain Meteorites. And have you tried Unicorn Spell? That one gives Stephen Jones a run for his money in terms of perfect violet, for me.
Joe, I love Unicorn Spell, but for me it’s a novelty fragrance because of that unusual, delicious fresh green bean opening. I have not tried Guerlain Meteorites! Off to check descriptions/reviews…
H, I have a bottle, and while it’s not as bad as most Guerlains for me, I don’t love it. I had something else I wanted to send you anyway, so I’ll tuck a sample of Meteorites in there too.
Boo, and I finally got my Royal Palm, and I’ve been meaning to send you a sample of that! 🙂
Ha! I thought that’s why you used the term – it’s another violet fragrance.
Oh I love Stephen Jones, too. It’s on my FB list…and has been for some time. Le sigh….
Sighin’ along with ya…
Kind of late since it’s Saturday already but thought I would join in. I’m wearing Delrae Debut today. I have samples of both it and Mythique and am trying to decide between them. I like both a lot and am a little worried that Debut is like a sort of weaker version of Amoureuse. On the other hand that could be a plus since I don’t think anybody can get away with Amoureuse as a day-to-day scent.
My mom is getting an iolite necklace this year and not perfume, though she often does. She’s the floral type and likes Creed Fantasia des Fleurs, EL Beautiful, and L’Air du Temps, as well as Bulgari Pour Femme. But she’s pretty well-supplied with everything at the moment.
I also find Debut much easier to wear, although I love both. Amoureuse really should be in a splash bottle so you can control it better — a whole spray is often too much for me.
Late in the game but better late then never. SOTD Deseo by Jlo.
I recently purchased Secret Obession at my local Shoppers for $20 bucks and I love it. It doesn’t last long but I love it.
Nice deal, congrats!
I know this is kind of late but what perfume do you think would be appropriate for a 12 year old sibling who’s not ultra girly?
Marc Jacobs Daisy, Benefit Laugh with Me LeeLee, Harajuku Lovers G (available in very small sizes), Royal Apothic Green Tea (rollerball, at Anthropologie), or one of the Sula Beauty scents at Ulta.
If there is a BBW near you why not try the body sprays. It is an economical way to purchase fragrance for a 12 year old and the choices are endless. If you don’t have one why not Ralph? My stepdaughter loves it and it is a youth friendly scent.
Jicky! 🙂