Time for another damage poll — confess your sins for 2011 so you can start the new year with a clean slate! Donatella Versace, Our Lady of Scented Overindulgence,1 wants to know what you bought in the 4th quarter (October, November and December) of 2011.
Update: the poll is now closed!
I made three purchases: a small travel bottle of Annick Goutal Ninféo Mio ($25), a small bottle of The Body Shop White Musk Libertine (half price, $12) and a 50 ml bottle of Prada Candy ($85). I feel bad about the Candy — it was an impulse buy (as was the White Musk Libertine), and I should have waited until it was easily found at discount. But I am getting lots of use out of it.
That brings my quarterly expenditure to about $122, and my yearly expenditure for 2011 to $315. It's worse than last year's $180, but it's far from my worst year ever.
As always, report your purchases in the comments if you dare! And as always, we don't include samples or gifts, and you can count miniatures, decants and bottle-splits howsoever you like (I usually count them as half bottles). Samples don't generally count at all, even though some of us spend considerable sums obtaining them.
1. Why does Donatella host (against her will, mind you) the damage polls? There is no real reason other than the picture of her perfume collection, which shows that she indulges regularly at the perfume counter. The image, by the way, is originally from Allure magazine and appears here courtesy of Blogdorf Goodman.
I have been really good lately with my spontaneous perfume buying. I’m pretty sure I only bought one perfume for myself. JHAG Lady Vengeance. It was a spontaneous purchase. I have spent quite a bit on helping my best friend expand her perfume collection, however.
You have been good, and a good friend too!
Lady Vengeance is a great rose – I’ve often thought about buying it myself. Which reminds me I should revisit my decant…
I was a little surprised how much I ended up loving it. To me it smells like Laduree rose macarons taste.
First, I bought, as presents:
Samsara, edp. 50 ml.
Epic Man, 100 ml
Then, for me:
Lubin Bluff, 75 ml.
SL Douce Amere, 50 ml.
SL Arabie, 50 ml.
Cinq Mondes Eau Egyptienne, 15 ml.
Annick Goutal Mandragore Pourpre, 100 ml.
L’Artisan Bois Farine, 50 ml.
CDG Avignon, 50 ml.
Merry Christmas, baby. Sho’ did treat you nice! xo
Yum, I want some Bois Farine! Nice picks.
Well Robin, I don’t know if you have any bottles waiting to be swapped, but I’m trying to get rid of my full 50 mL bottle of Bois Farine! (I think I took about five sprays out of it…) Just saying…
Offhand I can’t think of anything I’m trying to get rid of…but if anything comes to mind I’ll be back!
This brings up something I’ve been meaning to ask you (and what better time than when we’re lamenting our spending!) – would you consider holding a swap on NST?
I keep meaning to hold some sort of “swap meet”. I know the Posse has done some kind of swap but have to go investigate how they structured it.
Oh, yes, please do host a swap! Then a few of my bottles can find homes where they will be loved and sprayed as they should.
Yesyesyes please! It’d be great!
I could certainly add support for such a swap. (Boy, oh, boy, could I supprt a swap!)
Yes, yes, yes, please have a swap. I know Perfume Posse has had swaps, and I read about the last one in advance, but when the day came, I forgot all about it! I do have several unloved bottles of things that I know plenty of others do love, so it would be great to send them on to good homes (and get some “free” bottles in return!)
I bought four bottles, and I’d gone through decants of all of them first, so they weren’t impulse buys—this may be the first quarter I can say that!
TDC de Bachmakov, 90 ml (I was waiting for it to come out in the little refill bottles but finally gave up…)
La Via del Profumo Sharif, 30 ml
PG L’Ombre Fauve, 50 ml
PdE Equistrius, 50 ml
I was waiting for those refill bottles too, darn it!
I’m *still* waiting, but am considering hosting a split instead. Incidentally, it was my SOTD.
Good on you for getting Equistrius. It’s a great scent. I own a full bottle and wear it lot. It’s not a very demanding fragrance and very lovely!
No perfume this quarter but I’m counting my Diptyque Perdigone candle which worked out at £40.50 after a 10% discount.
Total for the year is just over £65 since my only other purchase was the super-bargainous 30ml bottle of Jubilation 25. Not bad!
That really is super-bargainous.
2-4 FB’s Christmas presents:
Prada Man for hubby
Prada Infusion d’Iris for Mother in law
Esprit d’Oscar for a friend
Christmas present for me: FB Chanel Beige
I am not counting some Avon perfumes I got for my daughter because they all fell into the free category
Decants 8ml and under:
Chanel Jersey and Chanel Bois des Iles EDT
Hermes Eau Claire des Merveilles EDT
Prada Candy
Bvlgari Omnia
SSS Champagne de Bois
samples:
Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte
Eau d’Hermes
Hermes Kelly Caleche
Hermes Hiris
Parfum d’hermes
Un Jardin en Mediterranee
Un Jardin Sur le Nil
and the the entire SSS line!
The entire SSS line? There are some goodies right there!
I have been so bad this quarter, and I was so good until October. The good thing is I really, really enjoy all of these. Love wearing them. And I only paid full price for La Haie Fleurie.
I got:
L’Artisan Parfumeur: La Haie Fleurie &La Traversée du Bosphore
TDC: De Bachmakov, Osmanthus & Une Rose Poivrée
Delrae: Début & Bois de Paradis
PdN: Sacrebleu ( old bottle)
Goutal: Mon Parfum Chéri par Camille
Guerlain: Aqua Allegoria Jasminora
Clinique: Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve
Nice!!! Traversee is on my wish list, though I still have a decant, so am holding off.
Well I don’t know how to get decants. Also I am afraid of them turning more quickly than “proper” bottles. Traversée is worth it, it’s extremely wearable.
Here’s a good place for decants:
scentsplits.wikidot.com
And actually, I think decants prevent FBs!
Do you mind if I ask where you got the deal and Traversee? Love this one. Hate paying full price…
I got it online from a shop in Amsterdam. I live in the Netherlands. I don’t know if they still have it. I don’t know where you live, shipping to the US tends to be quite expensive for instance.
Ah…sadly, I live in Los Angeles (well, not so sadly). I did stay in Amsterdam for 3 months several years ago. We had three seasons in three months, summer, fall and winter! Such a pretty city.
I discovered Bois de Paradis this quarter and got a decant. Love it- -beautiful and very complex.
Robin, I’m glad you managed to snag that bottle of Ninfeo Mio!
I bought more than I did last quarter, but these were carefully thought out purchases:
2.5 ml spray sample of SSS Fig Tree (very nice fig)
25 ml of Ninfeo Mio (what can I say, I like fig)
5 ml oils of Ava Luxe Madeline and Feu de Bois
Splits of Musc Ravaguer, PdE Azemour (love!) and PG Indochine
I did, and I owe the thanks to you!
There’s no such thing as too much fig!
Bought 3 bottles in the last quarter: Antidote, by Viktor and Rolf. I also needed to replace my Prada Amber Homme, because it was empty till the last drop. And while I was there I bought myself a back-up bottle of Prada Amber Intense. I was in doubt of buying the new packaged and reformulated M7, but I didnt, still have a full bottle left…
Nice set! I need to go smell that new M7 myself.
this year was not easy financially, my husband was unemployed for a couple of months, so I did not buy anything for a long time. but he found a new job in August, so I did dare to buy a couple of new toys, namely:
)
– Bottega Veneta mini
– Coty Emaraude vtg mini
– Shalimar PDT mini
– Gucci no.3 mini (unsniffed, have not arrived yet, so please say it is good
– PdN: New York 30 ml
So glad your husband found a job!
Congratulations on your husband’s job! It’s such a tough time. Always nice to hear good news (and a reason to, um, celebrate)!
thank you
4
roll-on of Daisy
Gucci by Gucci pour Homme travel spray
Burberry Sport for Men
Guerlain Vetiver
about the Gucci and the Burberry… in my defense, i wanted some thoughtless, fresh fragrances for summer already (even tho i spent the last summer in Guerlain’s Cologne du 68) and when i saw testers sold at a sample sale for 3 and 7 Euros, i just HAD to.
bought the Vetiver at the same place, 75% full @ 5 Euros.
so basically, they were CHEAP and i kind of wanted something like that already. and you can’t go wrong with Guerlain’s Vetiver. just regret not buying Habit Rouge there too at 15 Euros more…
We all need thoughtless (I think of them as ‘mindless’) fragrances
No need to defend your ‘thoughtless’ fragrances. We all have them and we all need them sometimes.
I think just about everyone reading this has wanted and purchased a “thoughtless” fragrance at some point. I know I have!
I got four Goutals for incredible prices at an amazing sale: my beloved Ninféo Mio and Eau du Sud, and two I hadn’t smelled before but couldn’t let go at the price they were – Grand Amour and Gardénia Passion. O course, the latter two will probably end up being swapped in 2012…!
I also got the lovely Fille en Aiguilles, and received PdN Le Temps d’Une Fête for Christmas!
Nice!
Finally got your Fille en Aiguilles! yay!
Those are some lovely frags there!
I am particularly fond of Le Temps d’une Fete.
Glad you’re enjoying your F en A…
I was bad, but I don’t think quite as bad as I’ve been.
Diptyque Eau Duelle
Floral Curiosities Poet’s Jasmine
Mona Di Orio Cuir
Mona Di Orio Vanille
MJ Bang (at Marshalls)
Harajuku Jingle G
Illamasqua Freak
TFPB Bois Marocain
Halston Z-14 ($8)
Lagerfeld Sun Moon Stars (super-cheap)
Parfum mini of Aftelier Secret Garden
Most of a bottle of Vero Kern Onda extrait
Most of a bottle of TF PB Tobacco Vanille
Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
1000 Flowers Reglisse Noir
1000 Flowers Fleure No 1
En Voyage Peche Noir
En Voyage Go Ask Alice
Nasomatto Black Afgano
Huh. I guess I HAVE been bad. Sigh.
In perfumista-land bad = good!!!
Ooh, what do you think of Freak? I was excited about it at first, but have heard mixed reviews.
It’s not ground-breaking or earth-shattering but I like it. It’s kind of a darker version of a fruity-floral. Has more sex appeal than most of them out there. I bought it for that fab bottle, but was pleased with the juice.
Thanks, Tama — I do adore the Freak bottle. I’d definitely try the juice if I saw a tester anywhere.
I forgot I also bought a Kilian solid. For the life of me I can’t remember which one. Straight to Heavenly Love’s Angel Kisses.
Ha! The Kilians sound lovely, but I can never keep the names straight … and they vaguely remind me of the Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Noir Tease etc. etc. etc. nonsense.
Ha ha ha…
I just suddenly fell in love with Sweet Redemption… how’s the staying power on that BK solid (whichever one it was)?
The longevity is very good for a solid. I am wanting Back to Black also.
Ha ha!
Tama – you always get such good stuff!
I bought Chanel 31 Rue Cambon, Guerlain Apres l’Ondee, Lolita Lempika Minuit, and Tocca sample set. I seem to be going through a rain phase (Ondee) and an itchy nose phase (31/Minuit). I am saving up for FM En Passant and L’Artisan Safran Troublant for my Olivia Giacobetti phase.
I highly recommend an OG phase — I enjoyed mine!
I think I’ll be in an OG phase forever! En Passant is still on my FB wish list, though. Don’t know why I’ve waited so long!
This was a crazy quarter for me. But my birthday also falls into it…so between that and Christmas, I acquired quite a bit!
Biggest thing – I had to have ALL of the Thierry Mugler Taste of Fragrance scents…and I also bought a bottle of Angel Liqueur de Parfum (ROBIN – if you want a decant of this, let me know!!!). Plus, I went to Paris in October, and limited myself to only ONE perfume shop (Guerlain, of course), and ONE bottle of perfume (though I did purchase Habit Rouge EDP for my DH). Without further ado…
Purchased for myself ($425):
Angel Le Gout du Parfum – $90
Alien Le Gout du Parfum – $90
Womanity Le Gout du Parfum – $90 (hosted a split of this, so actually came out to $45)
Angel Liqueur de Parfum – $47.50 (had a credit on Amazon…)
La Petite Robe Noire – $150 (my Paris purchase)
Purchased with gift $:
Cristalle EDT
Chanel No 5 body lotion
Dior Poison
Organza Indecence (hosting a split)
Sous le Vent (hosted a split)
Decants (no idea the $ amount…):
Amouage Honour Woman
Amouage Memoir Woman
Bond No 9 I Love NY for All
Dior New Look 1947
Cartier L’Heure Convoitee
Different Company Sublime Balkiss
Guerlain Les Voyages London
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Jasminora
Minis ($35)
Yves Rocher Organic Vanille EDT
Yves Rocher Vanille Noire
Yves Rocher Comme Une Evidence L’Eau (this one’s great!)
Yves Rocher Comme Une Evidence cream perfume
So, guessing grand total around $500. Yikes. Double yikes. Triple yikes!!!! Oh my. New Year’s resolution – scale back on the perfume buying and enjoy what I have!!!
Correction – that’s La Petite Robe Noire 2!!!
OK – looks like grand total for the year is around $1,300. Not too bad, considering I figure $100 a month play money that I rarely use on anything else besides perfume!!! But it would be nice to cut that spending down this year…especially since I have way more perfume now than I can wear in my lifetime…but I love it!
Forgot one – decant of Arquiste Anima Dulcis (thanks, Claudia!).
All I can say is ‘wow’.
I just love those gift card purchases!
Yah, double wow!!
Must know — which do you like better, the Angel Liqueur or the Angel Gout?
Definitely the Gout, though I really should try them side by side. The Gout has lots of chocolate in the open. The Liqueur has lots of honey.
Good to know, thanks!
You scored – good for you K!
Yeah, and what was that I said earlier this year about getting bored with perfume???? HUH???
Wow Karin! Rock on – you got some fine stuff there. Every once in a while you *need* one of those $$$ quarters, lol.
“Need” being the operative word.
Don’t know why I totally lost it with those Muglers. And I now want a bottle of Miroir des Envies, but it’s $150!? Can’t justify that one…
Ok I bought:
1 Bottle for me (christmas gift) 28 La Pausa
1 Bottle for a friend (Clinique Happy)
Prices for these in Buenos Aires are a little steeper than in the rest of the world, but we can say I payed 25% over US retail. (which is not so bad over here)
My 10 bottle self-imposed limit is again full (for now…) but I see 1 or 2 bottles coming up in the next 2 quarters.
You don’t have to count gifts, so that’s only 1 bottle
(and a good one)
Not too bad of a quarter for me.
I bought:
50mL of L’Aromarine’s Rose fragrance
mini of 4711 (sharing this one with my fiancé)
I received a 50mL of Lanvin Arpège [modern] as a gift for my birthday in November (not in my bottle count). I also gave some fragrant gifts for the holidays – namely, BBW to my future-sister-in-law (who is 12!) and some BBW soaps to my future-stepmother-in-law. I also took advantage of the buy-3-get-3-free deal there when I went shopping, so I ended up with some lotions and shower gels for myself as well. I didn’t put those in the total, though. And I also got some BBW and Lush items for Christmas from my future in-laws. Oh, and at the Chicago apothecary where I bought the Aromamarine and 4711 I also got a funky lemon-neroli soap that is made for the store.
I also did really well on nabbing free samples this quarter, better than ever seemingly… Got the facebook gift from By Kilian with his 10 Oeuvre Noire fragrances, Diane by Diane von Furstenberg and Cartier Baiser Vole at Nordstrom’s, Chanel No. 22 at Chanel in Chicago, Après L’ondée at Scents of Self… Also Tableau de Parfums Miriam at The Non Blonde, though technically that may have been September…?? just seems like I had crazy good luck getting desirable samples for free and really expanded my repertoire with niche in particular. Just got to smell most of the the Serge Lutens, Frederic Malles, and Les Exclusifs in Chicago for the first time! And the Carons at a store in Austin that started carrying them. Oh, and Dyptique in Chicago too! Maybe my best quarter for smelling yet. And for me it’s really so much more about SMELLING than OWNING.
It is *more* about smelling than owning for me, but can’t seem to totally let go of the owning!
yeah, me either.
I cope by putting things in my cart at Luckyscent and never checking out.
Haha, I do that too. I once had 18 samples I would just stare at but never bought.
You mean I’m not the only one?
Ha! Me, too.
That is hilarious! A great strategy though. I own more than I will ever use in this life and still crave full bottles. It’s a madness this perfume hobby.
Lol, I do the cart thingie as well, it really does help!
I was fairly bad/good (all depending on how you look at it) this quarter.
Here goes – Full bottles:
Ineke Gilded Lily
L’Artisan Iris Pallida
Prada L’eau Ambree
Bois 1920 Vetiver Ambrato
Splits/Decants:
SL Vitriol d’Oeillet 10 ml
Heeley Iris de Nuit 10 ml
Ormonde Jayne Orris Noir & Ta’if (both 10 ml travel sizes)
Guerlain Cruel Gardenia 15 ml
Plus I purchased a few things for the hubby and the daughter, so fairly big bucks were spent last quarter – all worth it for the lovelies!
rusticdove, you are good for us
i so much intend to try the whole Ineke line. only because i love the names. (after my own heart – beautiful too, and the website is amazing!) what is the gilded lily like?
Ami – I really like the Gilded lily very much. It’s green, tart fruits – and has a ‘brightness’ about it, is the only way I can describe it. The drydown has some nice earthy aspects. And of course, the packaging is beautiful.
thank you Rusticdove, I will definitely try this
Definitely worth it!!! Nice purchases.
Thanks K! Also, hubby gifted me with a Bottega Veneta gift set for Christmas, but I didn’t include it on the list coz gifts don’t count, right?!
God, I want that gift set — the one with the big bottle and the lotion and the mini, right? It was on my xmas list, but I ended up with gift certificates for Luckyscent and IndieScents instead … not that I’m complaining about those, mind you.
Emily, I think you made out very well indeed!
Nice present!
Jealous of Vetiver Ambrato!
Meg, that Vetiver Ambrato is my husband’s favorite of all my perfumes I think. It’s a comfort scent.
I can see why! It’s pure comfort, never too much.
Two 50 mls of Jessica McLintock and 50 ml of Aliage. Both are my favourites and were purchased in the States where they are more readily available. One 50 ml Estee Lauder Pure White Linen Pink Coral. I hadn’t smelled it for a long time and bought it for $39.99 “unsniffed” and am very happy with it. It looks really good beside ELPWL Light Breeze.
Donatella should open up a museum with her collection. She could afford some nice plexiglass cubes on pedestals and some long lucite prisms for the labels. There could be a boutique at the exit selliing her Versace perfumes!
LOL about the “boutique at the exit” — funny!
Hi Robin: why did I think you had bought the latest Parfum d’ Empire? After your review I have been very keen on trying it!
So I’v been kind of good in the last 3 months:
Decants: Ambre Russe; Claire de Musc; Bois de Iris (van Cleef)
These were from a Perfume Arch-angel and thus VERY reasonable.
Bottles: Herba Fresca (Guerlain) and Eau de Beaux (L’Occitaine). Both of these were on a 20% sale – but not cheap! I had been wanting both for almost 3 months or so.
I was very lucky to be gifted with Une Rose Chypree.
So I was ‘pretty’ good this time round. Theres no way that I’m looking at my year’s expenditure as I KNOW I went totally round the bend in the first quarter, though I improved as the year progressed. Or, maybe I just wasted my money on other things???
Love Herba Fresca and Eau de Baux. You smell great!
I really, really want to buy it! Guessing it will be my first purchase in 2012.
I feel like I was bad, but it was really a not-so-shameful quarter:
75 ml Bvlgari Black (about $30 from a discounter)
50 ml Dzongkha (in L’Artisan’s current sale)
50 ml Voleur de Roses (ditto)
75 ml Cuir de Russie EDT (from Beauty Encounter; had nominal coupon savings)
50 ml Jacomo #08 (again, had a coupon of some sort for IndieScents)
Clinique Aromatic Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve (full price, alas)
Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple (full price, but who cares)
set of four Smell Bent travel sprays (another cheap thrill)
And given that I visited the Guerlain boutique in Vegas, it could’ve been MUCH worse. I still can’t believe I didn’t buy anything there.
Nice deal on the Black, and yes, you showed restraint at Guerlain all right!
I may revisit Sous le Vent and Cuir Beluga, but for whatever reason, nothing I tried resonated. (I guess I could’ve gone for the extrait version of something I already have — like L’Heure Bleue or Vol de Nuit — but I was really hoping to discover something that was both earth-shaking and completely new to me, and it just didn’t happen.)
I purchased 3 bottles:
Andy Tauer Miriam
Byredo Seven Veils
Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
I love your selection! I just discovered Seven Veils and it’s haunting me.
I bought Seven Veils as well — I LOVE this scent. I spray on my skin and my clothes so I can have both the dry down and the opening at the same time!
I just looked back at the announcement for this scent. . .carrot and allspice and sandalwood? I noticed that folks were not detecting the carrot note. To your nose, does the carrot read as “earthy vegetal” at all? It sounds rather lovely, regardless.
I’ll have to try that method!
Tama, I have liked a few of the Byredo line, but I love Seven Veils. It is addictive and haunting.
I got two boxed, pre-1980s April Violets as a gift for my nana (my granddad used to buy it for her but now he’s passed and she wanted some but couldn’t get it). They didn’t arrive in time for Christmas so will have to wait until I next see her.
A lot of my spending was terribly impulsive. Even the Yardleys as I had something else for Nana but then saw those. Also there was Judith Muller 10ml parfum BNIB for just $9 including shipping! I couldn’t pass that up. But now I don’t think I can open it. Retirement fund, maybe.
I finally got a bottle of Avignon and love it.
So, $320 NZD total for about 16 bottles, mostly minis and a couple of decants therefore counted as less for the poll. Seems about my normal amount. I was going well until December. Didnt buy a thing in November and that’s the first time I can say that about a month since I leapt into this hobby!
I have a feeling this year is going to be bad (I really mean good!).
What a sweet present for your Nana! Hope she loves it.
2 FBs: Bottega veneta and immortelle de corse, the latter unsniffed after reading Kevin’s review, I’m not so enthusiastic about it as I hoped..
Oh, so sorry!
I was really good these past years. My pregnancies hit me with extreme smell-sensitivity, all perfume-y smells made me queasy, and I had to have unscented everything, from shampoo to dish-detergent. My child #2 is not an itty bitty baby anymore, so I can have some fun with fragrance again :D. I bought Prada Candy, Valentina by Valentino, Bottega Veneta (which I then swapped for Chanel Coco), Prada Infusion d’Iris, Bulgari Omnia (I can’t be without this one) and I’m still waiting for Tocade and Donna Karan Gold. I’m not going to add up the numbers. All small bottles, if it helps :).
It always helps!
Like Merlin, I was very enthusiastic at the beginning of the year, so I have cut back significantly these last few quarters. This quarter was similarly pious. I only bought two bottles, but they are both BIG LOVES!
OJ Woman
Lipstick Rose
I bought some Tauer samples, too, but they don’t count! Oh, and I lemminged that PdE sample set right at the end of the year. :8]
Jealous of that Lipstick Rose. You smell glorious!
I am wearing it right now, as a matter of fact! I can’t seem to get enough of it, and I LOVE how it lingers! I want more (beautiful) scents that stick to me all day and into the next day!
MJ – I am sending you a very happy congrats on the OJ Woman. It is just the most interesting, gorgeous fragrance. I also will soon be a proud owner of Woman: my super duper old sister got me an OJ gift cert for Xmas this year. Whoopee!! I am not so patiently waiting for OJ to have another free ship deal to snap up a bottle. It will definitly be a big 1st Qtr 2012 purchase for me!
MJ, OJ, er, I meant MR… Margorie Rose….
I have OJ on the brain.
No worries! I’ll respond to MJ, too. Actually, the dork in me likes that it’s sorta a Spiderman reference.
Yes, there are a few fragrances that I think “I could swim in this and be happy.” OJ Woman is one of them!
Congrats on your nearly-got-a-bottle! I think you will not regret it!
But Ann, you won’t have to count it as a FB purchase, since part will be bought with the gift cert!
H – if I’m sticking to strict rules here, then I only actually bought 2 bottles in 4th Qtr. It’s a new “low” for me, ha!
So jealous about the Lipstick Rose…….
2 bottles only. Christian Lacroix Tumulte 100 ml at discounters, a good investment since it’s been discontinued. The second Bottle was Musc Libertine from The Body Ssop. I only got the body mist as it’s about as strong as the fragrance and much better value for money.
Bottega Venetta is next on the list but seeing as i have a great number of samples it was better to wait until sure it will be lovingly used
You were very well behaved!
Aack! Already??? [Runs off to make quick inventory and calculation…..]
In terms of bottle count on acquisition, this has definitely been my worst ever quarter:
Guerlain – Samsara perfume, .25ml
L’Artisans – La Haie Fleurie, 100 ml
Guerlain – Mitsouko vint cologne, 100ml
Guerlain – Mitsouko vint edt, 100ml
Guerlain – Chant d’Aromes, vint edt, (partial) 100ml
Guerlain – Mahora, mini
Ferre – Ferre ’05, 10 sample vials
Damage wise, bad but hardly my worst: Just shy of $350, which I’m having trouble believing at the moment….
Now off to reading everyone else’s!
Congratulations, so many Guerlain vintages! Guerlain is still one of my favorites, expecially the old ones and the L’Art et la Matière fragrances.
I DID go a bit crazy with the Guerlains this quarter, but I figured they’d be good investments. I’ve never had a Guerlain classic go bad.
I was just wearing Mistouko last week – great job picking up those bottles! It’s is so great.
I could never have carried off Mitsy in my younger days. Now – it’s just perfect! Both bottles were incredible finds at Parfum1. I nearly fainted when I saw the price on the edt only a few weeks after I nabbed the cologne. Needless to say, it was an impulse buy that I won’t regret.
I know what you mean about Mistouko. Because I’m worth it, ha ha. It’s always a good investment. I was having a hard work week last week, and I was trolling around for something that is warm (check), elegant (check), confident (check) and just super (checks). Mitsouko won the day. It’s all the “bests” rolled into one amazing liquid solution for holding your head up high.
“Holding your head up high” indeed!
Oh, I nabbed one of the Mitsouko colognes from Parfum1, too! (But sometime before October, so it doesn’t count toward this quarter’s total.) I didn’t realize there was a vintage EDT on there, too. I’m a Mitsouko newbie — had sampled the current EDT/EDP in department stores before I bought the cologne, though — and I’m finding that the EDC is a good way to ease into the manifold pleasures of Mitsouko.
And I love, love, love the bottle.
It was a stroke of luck, and didn’t last very long – obviously. I’m sure someone saw them and just went ahead and bought the whole lot. I was trying to be good, so only bought one….
I am so happy for you! This is a brilliant list.
Thanks! (also to Mals below)
I’ll echo: you got vintage Guerlain! They ought to be worth many years of pleasure.
I did really well this quarter until about three weeks ago. For some reason, I felt I should buy a bottle on parfum1 because I was getting a deal (and I couldn’t find a swap for it – honestly 10ml would have been fine). Bought another for the same reason (no swap), and got a great ebay deal. The final two, I FELL IN LOVE WITH; Byredo’s Seven Veils and PdN’s Vanille Tonka. I can’t remember the last time I loved a scent so hard. Instead of buying for a fit in the perfume “wardrobe,” it was simple love. Sadly, the weather has turned and I only got a week out of each before it hit the 80’s. grrrr…
Vanille Tonka is a great fragrance – it’s one of the few vanillas that I really thoroughly enjoy. I drained out my small decant this past year and it’s been laguishing on my “to buy” list forever. Hmm- maybe I need to change that soon!
I love Vanille Tonka as well, and my decant is looking anemic… luckily, you can often find the PdN 30ml bottles in the $40-50 range…
Actually, prices have gone up, and Vanille Tonka has always been one of the pricier ones. $55@ LS and $60 @ BH, but the 100ml is cheaper @ BH. I’m waiting for a sale….
It’s still a good deal, IMO, but yeah, I’d wait for a sale too!
I have an FB of Vanille Tonka. When your decant runs dry I can send you some more.
I was so good this quarter. Only 1 FB and I split part of that – SL Chene. And it was 20% off at pafum1 to boot!
I vowed no more unsniffed splits after I’ve ended up swapping away the last 3 or 4 decants I’ve bought. We’ll see how long it lasts!
I am so mad…I was careless with the cap of my Chene and it’s nearly evaporated. Ugh.
Oh no, that is sad.
And your review of Lemon Cloud has me rethinking my unsniffed split rule already!
It’s in the fun rather than the genius category, if that helps.
I started my perfume collection in earnest this quarter:
Stockholm:
Byredo- Bal D’Afrique
Paris:
Guerlain- Apres L’Ondee
Guerlain- Mitsouko (vintage sample)
Guerlain- Eau de Cologne Imperiale (mini)
Guerlain- Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat (mini)
Serge Lutens- Iris Silver Mist
Serge Lutens- Gris Clair
Parfumerie Generale- Jardins de Kerylos
US:
Bvlgari- Black
Cartier- Declaration
Caron- Yatagan
Not really ready to think about the price yet
That is so cool you got to shop Guerlain in Paris!
So much fun to start to feel like you have a scent “wardrobe,” isn’t it? Looks like you are developing a lovely variety of choices!
As always, I bought to much perfume and just realized, how much money I actually spent on it:
Bvlgari – Black
Jean Paul Gaultier – Fleur du Mâle
Huitième Art – Ambre Céruléen
Tauer Perfumes – Pentachord White
Guerlain – Cuir Beluga
Serge Lutens – Rahät Loukoum (Yay, FINALLY!)
Total: 644,80€
Congrats on the Rahat Loukoum!
I saved up money and did a three day Fragrance tour of Paris as part of my annual Amsterdam Dance Event trip. The writeup is here: http://www.basenotes.net/threads/285920-Paris-Fragrance-Shopping-Excrusion?p=2311327#post2311327
While on the trip – I bought an insane amount
Serge Lutens – Boxeuses
Serge Lutens – Rahat Loukoum
IUNX Splash Forte
Hotel Costes Red
Guerlain Chamade Pour Home
Guerlain Moscou
Memo Shams
Honore des Pres – Honore’s Trip (my first natural frag)
Honore des Pres – Vamp NY (my second natural frag)
Laboratorio Olfattivo Cozumel
Evody Note de Luxe
Parfumerie Generale 10 – Aomassai
Parfumerie Generale Un Crime Exotique
Parfumerie Generale Bois de Copaiba
Libertin Louison Santa Subita
Libertin Louison Indiscrete
Jovoy Private Label
Jovoy Psychedelique
Histoire de Parfumes 1969
Puredistance M
MFK Absolue Pour Le Soir
Miller et Bertraux Bois de Gaiac Et Poivre
Then in London, I picked up
Van Cleef Arpel Precious Oud
Amouage Memoir Woman
Amouage Lyric Man
Amouage Al Shamoukh Attar
Amen Chili
Kylie Minogue Dazzling Darling X4 (holiday gifts)
MIller Harris L’air de Rien
Ormonde Jayne Woman
Chanel Pour Monsieur (euro edition green – non concentree)
While in the states – I’ve picked up
Christian Dior Mitzah
Christion Dior Eau Noire
Creed Royal Delight
Diptyque 34
Le Labo Rose 31
Houbignat Fougere Royale (Gift)
Tom Ford Santal Blush
Lush ICon
Lush Dirty EDP
Bond I Love NY For All
Chantecaille Kalmanti
Tom Ford Extreme
I think I am working three jobs to support my perfume habit.
WOW! I can’t decide if I’m jealous or grateful that I don’t have you as a shopping partner! I would LOVE to do a perfume trip to Paris and London! I hope you are enjoying all your new acquisitions!
Oh. My. Goodness. That’s one heck of a trip you took. Lots of nice souvenirs there.
Wow…. WOW…. Oh WOW…..
Wow. Just wow.
Do you need someone to carry your luggage next time?
I love Amouage Memoir Woman and OJ Woman!!!
I had to buy a second luggage in London to fly to Amsterdam and back to the States. I made the mistake of shipping home all the samples, giveaways, promo items (things that would not need to be shown at customs to get VAT refund stamp.) The shipping via Fedex (alcohol contain liquids can’t go by post) was over 125 pounds -would have been cheaper to do a third luggage.. now I know
The punchline is the box got stopped by FDA and homeland security and was held. I had to provide a massive amount of information aboute everything in the package to get it cleared. THEN FedEx charged me an addition 25 pounds for the special inspection fee.
Yowza!!! But all worth it I bet!
DJRON – umm, uhh… *thud*
Quick, someone get a hanky and some smelling salts!
Whew, thanks, better now. LOL
Happy to help!
Here’s a picture of what I picked up – http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3332/81555241.jpg
Wow, Oh, Wow…. all over again!
WOW!!!! Instant collection.
Fantastic!!!!
Did you let any perfume left at Paris’ stores?
Several.. I narrowed down a lot.. there are so many amazing things in this Paris boutiques. The hardest were the Amouage Attars – they were all so wonderful.. but at the price, I couldn’t splurge.
LOL! But you can confess that you bought half of them!!!
I’d like a full bottle of Amouage Gold Men. They’re really price-y. They should do some travel sizes or something like that. Unfortunetely perfume industry didn’t notice that 15ml bottles can be too much lucrative.
I agree, Moore! I know I could make a good home for more than one Amouage if I could buy smaller bottles. I look at the mini sets at Amouage’s website sometimes, but for the price, I want to be able to choose my scents–and they don’t include my lovely Memoir!
Oh my heavens! The Bois de Gaiac Et Poivre caught my eye. Never heard of it, but it sounds intriguing just from the name. I love Miller et Bertaux Shanti Shanti.
I was pretty good this quarter. I bought a bottle of Baiser Vole. I bought Euphoria for my niece. I also bought a bottle of Bleu de Chanel for hubby. He got me 3 bottles for Christmas that I had been hoping for so I’m probably not going to be buying anything for a while. All in all it was a tame quarter, probably around $150.
Very tame
Damage: $123
Yearly: $67 a month. Not bad but I want to bring that total down in 2012.
All decants:
Bois de Paradis (LOVE)
Spiritueuse Double Vanille (love)
Alahine (don’t love)
Attrape Coeur (it’s growing on me)
Breath of God solid (it’s…interesting. I only wear it at home.)
Chamde PdT
Azemor
The last two haven’t come yet but I paid for them in the last quarter.
During the holidays I casually sprayed Infusion d’Iris on a card at Macy’s. The next day I went back and sprayed it on my arm. My birthday is this month, so happy birthday to me. Fortunately this one is easy to find discounted.
Jealous of your Azemour!
It’s all because of you–ha ha. I can’t wait to smell it!
Oh dear, you bought unsniffed! I do hope you love it.
I bought the Les Carrottes unsniffed because of you, Robin, but that was so cheap it was fine. And I love it. I’m not brave enough to buy the Azemour unsniffed, but I *did* just order the PdE sample set because of you! I hope you have a strong back to carry all of this blame.
Yes…the Carottes was a bargain! I will take the guilt for the sample set (but it’s also VERY swappable) but no full bottles of Azemour, LOL…
Not to worry, Robin–it’s just a decant!
If you haven’t tried it yet… layer your first 2 decants. Mostly SDV w/just a dab of BdP. It’s a great combo.
Oh wow, you’re kidding! I’ll try it tonight. I would never thought of doing that. Thanks for the tip!
Ooh, I’m going to try that too.
Suzy Q, I was also gifted 3 lush solids: Breath of god, Karma and B scent. B of G is my favourite. The review in the guide nails it: notes of bubblegum, fruit and ham. Summarised as ‘smoked fruit’. Usually interesting reads as unpleasant to my nose – especially after a few wearings but this one has become a favourite. I get quite a bit of hay fever and Breath of God is wonderful to use then also!
Hi Merlin. I do like it. It’s intriguing. March likes it, too.
http://perfumeposse.com/2011/04/19/lush-breath-of-god-etc/
I spent a shocking amount on samples and decants in October (just under $300), so I was very virtuous full-bottle-wise; I got a 100-mL bottle of CSP Vanille Ambre for $69 in November, and that’s it. I will never pretend that CSP is great perfumery but I have a whole bunch of them and they bring me a lot of pleasure.
That’s all that matters. Scent is ephemeral.
Absolutely!
I bought 4 full bottles, one of which is a gift so I won’t mention it here in case the recipient sees it
The others are:
Kashmiri Rose
Fleur de Citronnier
EL’s Tuberose Gardenia
I’ve bought several decants but the one that I’m lemming a FB of is l’Heure Convoitee. It is sublime….
Ooh, Rose Kashmirie! That’s a real beauty.
This quarter wasn’t so bad:
Bandit EDP 50 ml
JPG Fleur du Male (at a discount, apparently it’s being discontinued?)
Bulgari Jasmine Noir 25 ml (very pretty little bottle that looks like jewellery)
Tauer Miriam travelspray that’s unfortunately disappeared in the mail, but hopefully I will receive it soon
And quite a lot of samples of course…
Really? FdM discontinued?! If so, another cruel and with a refined touch of cruelty murder. At least they’re not going to kill LL Au Masculin whose base has some similarities to FdM IMO.
Full Bottle = L’occitane – The Vert (green tea)
Decants = 5 ml
Caron – Poivre (LOVE!!)
Lubin – Black Jade
approximately $80
Those are two great fragrances, in my opinion! Nice to meet another Caron Poivre fan!
Yes, I adore it! The first day I wore it my 12-year-old said, “Mom, you smell like Christmas!”
I bought two perfumes during the fourth quarter 2011, these are following:
Prada Amber pour Homme Intense
Dsquared2 Potion
I’m pretty satisfied with these two, they give me their best and get a lot of compliments.
So Robin, when we last talked about Candy you said you might finally end up buying it, and you already bought it! Hope you’ll become more happy with Candy after some time
It did not take long!
I bought two cheap bottles, ToykoMilk Marine Sel (on sale for 22$) and Robert Cavalli Her (20$) and was all set to come in under budget. Then in the last week of the quarter I somehow acquired Coromandel (162$), bringing my fouth quarter total to $204. I can’t really afford it but I love it so much! I don’t regret it. Yearly total is now $505, eep!
Hahahaha – “somehow acquired.” Oh, how I know that phrase!
Coromandel is a great one to acquire.
perfume blackouts are such a pain!!
I was surprisingly responsible in terms of cash spent this quarter: $80.
I was irresponsible in terms of buying stuff unsniffed: Circus Fantasy (why? Oh, WHY? It was $10 wasted. was I insane?), a solid perfume from Maoli that sounded good but is very mentholated on me (Leilani’s Lei Stand, $7), a 5ml decant of PG Praline de Santal ($12), which gives me a horrendous headache.
On the other hand, I did get a decant of TdP Miriam, before winning a big bottle, and the decant is half gone now. Also nabbed a mini of SSS Jour Ensoleille, which I love, and a decant of Karin’s Organza Indecence, because my mini is nearly gone and it’s so hard to find now. And a small AG Noel candle, which I love.
Also bought a few gifts for my boys for Christmas: Stetson All-American and CkOne Shock for Him, both of which were big hits.
NOW, though, I’m in trouble: I tried BK Sweet Redemption the other day and am in total total love. And there are no splits going on right now, pout pout pout. I might have to host one, because I am addicted. And here I was, disliking orange blossom for years… I Wuz Wrong.
I have a birthday coming up… just snagged two travel bottles of SR on ebay, and that’ll be my gift!
Ooooh! Congrats on the SR purchase, and happy birthday.
I dropped your decant in the mail today!
Ooh, thanks!
I’ve been really enjoying sweet redemption too..the first few times I thought there was something about that I didn’t love but inspite of that I was addicted. Now I am just addicted. I still can’t call it love though- though it might end up being- the scent makes me HAPPY..:)
glad you snagged the travel bottles on ebay!
Circus Fantasy? Please tell me it doesn’t include notes of grease paint and elephant dung?!
Uh… no. Nope, it’s sugary fruit, pale florals, and vanilla musk. And candy. And it is exactly as uninspiring as it sounds. My defense is that I bought it unsniffed (TJ Maxx has taken to putting perfume boxes in lockable plastic cases), thinking the bottle was pretty and that this was the one Britney Spears that wasn’t awful.
I was wrong. The bottle’s still cute, but it was a complete waste of $10.
Well, I guess that’s better than elephant dung. . .
I am sorry that it was a disappointment! I have noticed those lock-boxes, and I can’t decide how I feel about them. I found it annoying when I’d go to Marshall’s and find a lot of perfume bottles open, caps missing or broken, and in total disarray. But on the other hand, I would take a sniff if I wasn’t sure about a scent. I think I buy less now, because if I’m not entirely sure, I don’t want to risk it. (Although once, I bought one, took it home, sprayed it, decided I didn’t like it, and brought it back for a refund the next day. Shhh. Don’t tell!)
My lust was on mute this quarter, but I think I did OK for trying to hold myself back:
Ormonde Jayne Ta’if body oil (super wonderful and mixes well with my regular unscented lotion). This year Ta’if knocked Nahema off it’s HG perch, and that is that.
Guerlain Vol de Nuit powder spray in that really awesome blue bottle because I just couldn’t help myself – it’s a very expensive and silly impulse purchase for sure.
And I paid for about 1/3 of a FB of Chanel Bois des Iles (2.5 oz). My sister gave me a Nordies gift cert, which covered the rest, so that’s why it’s here since it was a partial gift. I just can’t believe I didn’t “get” BdI before – now I am just stunned by how deceptively simply gorgeous it is.
Happy New Year!!!
Oohh! hope you like the Guerlain! I fell in love with BdI on first sniff – Chanel does Sandalwood. So…. French!
So you use the OJ bath oil directly on skin instead of in the bath? I was wondering about that. So I guess it imparts a noticeable scent even when further diluted? Would love to get the Woman version….
Opera – I don’t normally use bath oils in the bath – it’s just too inconvenient as I am very tall and it’s more comedy than relaxation. It’s been a long time since I lived somewhere with a lovely super long bath tub…. Anyway, most of the year I use the Vaseline Intensive Care whatever is fragrance free. I put some of the bath oil in one of those dropper type things people use for aromatherapy to make it easier to handle in the bathroom. I use one drop of Ta’if per squirt of lotion and mix it together in my palms right before I rub it on. The bath oil really leaves a very noticeable scent for many hours. It’s really pleasant to use that way. I actually put some oil in a small roller ball that I carry in my purse (and I carry a small decant of the edp too – I’m nuts about it). The bath oil is highly fragranced – you miss some of the “detail” that you get from the edp, but its definitely Ta’if, and it is thoroughly enjoyable. I’d say that the bath oil is slightly brighter than the edp. I am currently lusting after a bottle of Woman in the bath oil too…
That’s a brilliant idea. I’m going to have to try that with the lotion and oil.
You definitely get a lot of value out of it. Even to just wear the bath oil as a fragrance oil is very good and lasts a number of hours. Good luck!
I coveted the Vol de Nuit powder when it first came out, but mostly because of the bottle (and because I love VdN in liquid format). Does the powder smell anything like the perfume?
Hi Emily: yes, the powder does smell like VdN, but, it’s really more of a “cosmetic” product than a fine fragrance product. It is only very lightly scented – as if you were smelling VdN after you’d had it on for a number of hours, or someone else in the room had it on. If you poofed it on so that you had a solid smell, you’d be totally covered in the lovely sparkles, and it would diminish the same. (The sparkles are very fine, btw.)
It is still a super product for any VdN lovers, and I do get the joy of leaving it out on my dresser. (I only have the boring edt refill in my fragrance drawer.) You get a very light aura of VdN for about one hour max if you put it on in little poofs. It is definitely a layering product for a serious fan. If you are a well done sparkles fan, it could also be applied and then totally overwhelmed by nearly any fragrance. Although I don’t know why anyone who had not already smelled VdN would buy it. VdN is not exactly the norm for your average person who wants to buy a product like that. I’d keep an eye out: there will be partially used ones on ebay by this summer, or resale-returns in a few lucky TJ Maxx.
I wish they’d make those pretty bottle powder things as proper full on fragrance products for the entire Guerlain line. Can you imagine a puffy veil of powder for Apres L’Ondee or Nahema or L’Heure Bleue?? !!! It would be smart marketing for Guerlain – the thing is too, it is virtually impossible to split without ruining the original bottle…. It’s a guaranteed FB sale all the way for those who want it.
I would be ALL OVER a proper L’Heure Bleue powder, even if it made me sparkle like an ambulatory disco ball (though, ideally, it wouldn’t).
I, too, wondered how much natural overlap there was between the VdN crowd and the sparkly-powder crowd — it seemed like a rather odd combination. Thanks for the description of its scent, and that’s a great idea about checking TJ Maxx (should I decide that I need some eye candy for my dresser).
I hope someone from Guerlain’s marketing dept is lurking….
Full bottles of the following:
FM L’eau d’hiver
CdG Incense Kyoto
Amouage Ubar (present from the husband!)
*blushes*
What a beautiful and elegant trio.
Kyoto! I’m wearing that today. What a great incense fragrance!
A full bottle of:
L’air du Desert Marocain by Tauer Perfumes (xmas gift)
Mini bottles of:
Pulp by Byredo
Bal d’Afrique by Byredo
Noir Epices by Frederic Malle
I also developed a new love of candles this quarter!:
Grapefruit (travel size) by Jo Malone
Two gift sets (travel size) by D.L. & Company
Angel Trumpet by D.L. & Company
Noel by Annick Goutal
New Haarlem by Bond no. 9
Noir Epices is just wonderful. I’m wearing it today b/c it is absolutely freezing up here and NE is so warm and cozy. It is one of my fav winter fragrances.
NE feels very classy and grown-up to me – I always dress up a little to do it justice!
I was relatively good this quarter- cut back on splits. The only thing I got was a mini of Aftelier’s Tango parfum- love it!
I would say that was very good, Lavanya!
I was pretty good this quarter until I fell for Bottega Venet,a but then it’s not that pricey compared to many. Just before Christmas I did buy an expensive Cartier (L’Heure Brilliante) on ebay but I’m going to re-sell.
Tara (you are Tara aren’t you?) – I still need to try to get myself to the mall and try Bottega Veneta- all of you make it sound so good!
I’ve been very bad, and mostly in November/ December. If anything, I blame two things: ebay and my habit of making lists. My list of things that I want to have, usually helps me to stay good. It turns all perfume bottles into the bottles-to-come and those can last for years. But my list has a tendency of growing, and it really is difficult to watch it grows, since some things on that list were revisited for years and I know i love them and yet I’ve never got to having them.
I am all for smelling things, but as in any relationship you can be dating only for so long, after awhile you feel that you are ready to move in together. So I decided to shorten my list a little bit, but at some point my credit card absorbed the lightness of abstract money and turned into a magic wand. And I have to say it feels good to be bad, though I cannot guarantee that this tranquility will last till 2014.
Azuree, Estee Lauder, (vintage)
Private Collection: Tuberose Gardenia, Estee Lauder
Rose de Nuit, Serge Lutens
Ubar, Amouage, 1/2 bottle
Homage, Amouage
Ten, Knize
Tiare, Taif and Tolu Ormonde Jayne in pure perfumes (this Ormonde lot was a limited edition box set and it was a gift from my husband, so it came gilt free)
Eau Sauvage by Christia Dior (two vintage bottles 30ml each, for 17 GBP each in a very old corner shop, just could not say no)
Femme Rochas, edt vintage
Mon Parfum Chéri par Camille, Goutal
Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve, Clinique
What terrific acquisitions. And I enjoy the relationship analogy.
Did you get the EDT or the EDP of Mon Parfum Cheri? I am utterly dying to try that (especially the EDP version), but I think only the EDT is available in the States.
I got EDT, I work near one of the shops and during my lunches sneaked out and sampled it, I love Femme, so I guess I never had to work hard to fall in love with this one, but I have to say I never tried EDP, I found EDT potent enough, though now that you have mentioned it I am interested and I will have a look again if they have it for sale here.
Oh, I envy you those Amouages! i’m still working from the sample vials.
I have to say thank you to Les Senteurs, they provided a discount on all stock till Christmas, and that included Amouages, a rare thing, since usually they only cost more not less, so I just knew that if not now then it is going to be two more years of painful unreturned love… though now I am still missing Gold, which in stronger concentration is ridiculously expensive, though much better to my nose than edp, which got thinner in the recent reformulation
I’d feel awfully good, too, if I’d made such an impressive acquisition…
Thank you!
I know exactly what you mean about lists! My “to sniff” list has a corollary “to buy” list (really, more like a “maybe buy, buy it if it’s on sale, look for it at discounters, and OH MY GOD I MUST HAVE THIS set of lists. . .). It is a bit overwhelming, and there does seem to be some pressure if something has sat on the list for too long. . .like I’m failing to accomplish things on a “to do” list.
The list works pretty well for me cos after a while the impulse urge has gone, and then the pressure seems to subside. (for me that is!) But then, I agree, after not acquiring anything on the list, for a while, it all seems just a waste of time.
Yes, I feel the same. I also make list just for trying things based on the reviews I read and this one always proves to be worth my while
I am a true list-making addict. I have lists for what I have to get, and lists for what I’ve got and then very flexible lists for what I have to smell. I love crossing out things and making these systems either fluctuating or rigid depending on their purpose. I believe that essentially lists buy you time and eradicate, though not always, the impulse buying. I take things from my list when I feel that I sort of do not like this any longer and I add things back again if I change my mind, but I feel pressure when some things are just stuck there for months or even years sometimes, and each time I go to smell them… I only feel ‘wow I wished I could apply you before going to bed yesterday’, from this point the list puts pressure on me, since it never forgets.
I think maybe we are cut from the same cloth, Kseni! Outside of perfumistahood (and my many lists), it is part of my routine to make lists for the day and the week. Both at work and at home, I keep several running lists: short-term need-to-do and want-to-do, long-term of the same. I find that it mostly relieves pressure–I don’t have to remember what I need or want to get done. But just as in perfumistaland, if something stays undone on the list too long, it gives me an itch!
And, sigh, you are both more organised than me. I often write lists and then just ignore them. But 2-3 expensive full bottle mistakes went a long way in reforming me…
I wish I could claim that I avoid risks with my (excessive?) organizational choices, but sadly, it probably just reduces them. I still have plenty impulses, and they don’t always get quashed by the list! (Or the luckyscent cart, as stated above!)
3 for me : Bottega Veneta 30ml, plus body lotion to match, Cartier Baiser Vole 70ml (with the cute 15ml mini), and OJ Orris Noir 50ml.
I bought lots of perfume gifts for others too, but they don’t really count do they?
We never count gifts to others…
I was given a bottle of Prada Candy for my birthday, but I purchased 5 10ml bottles of perfume from a Melbourne Perfumer-Bud Parfums.
Scarlett, Jezebel, Sweetheart, Fleur de Lilac and Sophia- all different, all quite lovely to wear.
I heard good things about the Bud Perfumes – I think Donna at Perfume-Smellin’ Things did a review series on them and liked them very much.
I’ve been awful at keeping track of my magpie buying all year. I logged 5-9 bottles which may be consevative with all the decant splits I pick up. No clue about total dollar amounts! Full-ish bottles include the following:
– Bois 1920 Vento di Fiori (new, good ebay price, was on my list awhile)
– Vent Vert edt, vintage 4oz (another ebay score)
– PG Indochine (I hosted a split)
– Phaedon Dzhari (another hosted split)
– 1000 Flowers Réglisse Noire 15ml
– Un Jardin sur le Nil (30ml to replace my drained bottle)
I don’t remember if the Beautyhabit 20% off sale was in October, but if so, I picked up:
– CdG x Monocle: Laurel 50ml
– Traversée du Bosphore 50ml
Plus more decants than I can count or remember. Soooooo many fine smellies.
Happy 2012 to everyone!
Oh, and a travel spray of OJ Tolu! And…
Joe, for you, that’s a fairly conservative list, no?
I remember thinking Vento di Fiori would be FABulous on a guy. Would love to smell it on you.
It was… that Laurel split was half my quarterly spoils.
Wow, you were really good and yet… I think this is the first quarter where I “beat you”! I bought a 3 x 15 ml Hové EdT sampler in NOLA early in October for about $50 and nary a bottle or split since, I think.
Also, after a valiant effort, Santa (who refuses to use a list, because he considers it thoughtless) dropped a bit of a bomb this year by getting me one of the very new expensive Cartiers – the horsey hour, as I call it – and despite the fact I should like it, I simply do not. So I’m splitting it, with Santa’s permission. I guess I’ll eventually have some money to spend, but I don’t think he count gifts towards our total. So perhaps this is the start of virtuous me?! Ha!
Now you can buy want you want, after the split. And you don’t have to count it here because it’s a gift. Win win!
Just one: Chanel #19 EDP.
One well done is able to satisfy much more than more and more and more. Be proud! I’d like to feel this way!
Just one (for the price of three)- Chamade Parfum- 30ml…feel a bit guilty about it but it is sublime. And don’t have to count gifts from Santa (husband to be)- 1/2 ounce Chanel No. 5 Parfum (stunning) and By Kilian Beyond Love perfume solid (lovely).
Those are all gorgeous.
Gorgeous choices!
A person who loves Chamade deserves to have Chamade. At whatever the price!
Congrats on the Chamade parfum – it is indeed simply perfection. I splurged on a bottle a few years ago, and consider it a lifelong fragrance investment. The only 2 bottles of Guerlain parfum I have are Chamade and Mitsouko. It is definitely worth it.
A beautiful trio.
I bought two bottles: Amouage Homage and OJ Tolu. I’ve been behaving, I think, although Homage was a big splurge. But the thing is uranium, so I’m quite happy with it. It will last me a loooong time
Think I have a new year resolution – I WILL finally get around to sniffing Homage…..
Gorgeous choices!
If only perfume counts, then I guess it is two bottles: The l’Occitane Delice des Fleurs gift set, wihch includes a 75 ml bottle of the EdT, and a 15 ml bottle of EL Knowing. I also got a 6 ml mini of Jubilation 25, two Lucky Scent sample packs, and the AG Noel candle and room spray (do those count?)
I did not receive any scented gifts, but I did give some. My husband got a bottle of Derby (which I actually bought back in 2010 and had been waiting to give to him), my 12-year-old niece got a bottle of SSS Cameo, and my 8-year-old grandniece got a rollerball of perfume oil that I bought from a vendor at a festival.
I will probably be buying a bottle or two in the near future, as I have another NM gift card to burn. I also am growing my “To sample” list since reading all of the “Best of 2011” lists on NST and other sites. So many perfumes, so little money!
Ooh, Derby! One day I will get my husband a bottle, too, and will share it with him.
Hi!
Only one 50ml bottle: Beauty (Clavin Klein). This purchase was a nice surprise. I am used to wearing perfumes with “strong personality” but this one is perfect for me too. We make a good couple!
I liked this one! I felt something of Amarige in it (Girls, I love Amarige in you!).
I was a very good girl… only two 5-ml decants this quarter, for a total of $28.50. MH La Fumee, and CdG Laurel. Total for the year was $483 though, so not *so* virtuous.
eek. . .was I supposed to ‘fess up about the entire year, being the end of 2011? *sticks fingers in ears* “lalalalalalalalalalaLAAAaaa”
No, no… talleying up the year’s total is optional. Besides, you can always look back at the last 3 quarters to figure it out.
Wow, you were really really good, Boo! To the others: I never ‘fess up the $$$.
Looking at everyone’s list of decants makes me realize how totally out of it I am! Those sound lovely!!
Can we count just what we ended up loving for good? And did I see some talk about a possible swap set-up? Lol.
Love the bottle of Kelly Caleche I bought, and discovered the hard way that some rose-centric fumes and I are not meant to be. I’m looking at you Sa Majeste and YR Rose Absolute!
Ohlily! Sa Majeste laRose is the oldest resident on my to-buy avenue. I dont live in America but I have a friend going to San Francisco late February. If you have pay-pal and are able to post, I may be able to help you out…
I do and I can! You can reach me on yahoo…ralkx2.
Ohlily, I’m not getting that address right. Could you email me:
merlynn.edelstein@gmail.com
Thanks!
FB of de Bachmakov
Tea for Two
Voleur De Roses
received Dzing! as a gift
Small decants of Santal Massoia
Champagne de Bois
Gris Clair
Traversee du Bosphore
Gave as gifts
High Line
Union Square
Chinatown
I predict my next FB/mini purchase to be Santal Massoia & Traversee du Bosphore
Happy New Year!
Yuuuuum to Chinatown. Happy New Year for you too!
Prolly less than $100.
Got 30 ml of vintage original Molyneux Quartz – in the flat bottle – the box was the same style as the one I bought back in 1980. The scent makes me feel like I’m 23 again….
Also got a gift set of Eau de Rochas Homme for my husband and a vintagevmini of Eau de Rochas for me – so now we’re an Eau de Rochas family.
Nancy, do you two wear your Rochas at the same time? I’d love to be in the same room with you if you did.
Sometimes it works out that way – and yes, we do smell good together – and have for 31 years. Back in 1980 it was Quartz and YSL pour Homme…
I’d like to be part of an Eau de Rochas family too, but I can’t find any bottle of it! Its smell is one of the things that annoy me at me “perfume life”: I know that I do like the smell, but can’t remember it; that’s a long time since I tried it and at that time I would never imagine I’d turn into a perfume lover.
I only bought one full bottle in 2011 – Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau. However, I received two perfume gifts which I asked for and which, if I didn’t receive, I would have bought myself – Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh and Diptyque Philosykos. I also received five mini bottles of the D&G anthology, and am really enjoying L’imperatrice.
Can’t wait for my perfume purchases this year – I’m planning a trip to London and Paris and am already writing lists of stuff I want to buy / sniff!
How I love that Donatella’s picture. I laugh alone seeing that. Bought Fleur du Male, “vintage” M7, Un Jardin Sur Le Toit, CK In 2U (ok, ok, but I like it,
), A* Men Pure Coffee (again).
Happy New Year to all! Knowing that I have a cross-country move coming up kept me from purchasing perfume. In fact, I gave away several bottles to co-workers! Once I move and get settled, I’ll begin researching what I should buy to reward myself.
Best wishes with your move!
Sad about the demise of Crazylibellule, I stocked up on Encens Mystic and Chere Louise, and for the hell of it because the store on Whidbey Island had it and it struck me at the moment, Amoureuse in Love. I really can’t complain about the cost…
Also, I got a bottle of Dzing for Christmas. Otherwise, just samples, although I lost my sample of Azemour when I finally picked it up in the States at Christmas. I’d tried it / smelled it only once, and then it somehow disappeared in the mess of hosting Christmas for my 2-year-old in a rented house in a city where my family lives but I don’t. I’m sad about that loss. Why does Canada have to be so stingy about perfume? Sigh.
Happy New Year to all! I was a little bit bad this quarter, but four of the bottles are really little and virtually all the purchases involved a sale or discount of some sort. I’m not counting decants or samples here. No way!
Ormonde Jayne Woman (sort of a birthday gift)*
Lutens Filles en Aiguilles (sort of a Christmas gift)*
Honore des Pres Vamp a NY
i Profumi di Firenze Violetta di Bosco
Hilde Soliani Salissimo
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Padme Lotus
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Celadon
Malie Organics Orchid
Malie Organics Koke’e
Kitties and hubby were advised and assisted by the giftee.
For myself:
Mitsouko
Songes
Rose Absolue
Caleche
Gift:
White Diamond
Sunflower
Spending: $$$$ (on the scale of $$$$$)
Justification:
I reintroduce myself to the perfume-land so I need to catch up fast.
On my wish list:
Chanel Cristalle (my first-ever perfume. A gift from my aunt, use it when I was 14 up until 18, and then I forgot what happened to it)
Sadly, the chanel counters here do not have it; they only have the new cristalle au the verte, which I find okay but i still love the original more.
EL Private Collection
Chanel 19
Diorissimo
and many more … hahaha
I worked quite a bit of overtime last quarter, so I had some money to go wrong with.
Fortunately, everything but the Prada was purchased at a good discount.
FBs:
Elie Saab
Cuir Lancome
Prada Opoponax parfum
Aimez Moi extrait
Jacomo 08
Violet Blond
Shalimar Initial
Decants:
Lipstick Rose
L’eau D’Hiver
Zagorsk
PG Cadjmere
And a mini Samsara extrait – wow, is it nice! On the hunt for more…
As always, i overindulged. Mea Culpa!
10 FB including: -Prada Amber Pour Homme Intense
– 300ml of MJ Pomegranate (just because it was a serious discount)
-M7 Fresh- which I hunted high and low for, bought unsniffed and do not love,
-DSquared Potion Edp
AND -DSquares Potion Edt –out of spite because on me the Edp if totally gone within seconds!
Only one decant: Hermes Amazone
Total for the year (Oh dear God!) was $1250.
But that’s OK because it’s “work related” spending. (as in: I can buy this because I “work” AND I can wear this “at” work)
Excellent definition of “work-related”!
Quite good in this quarter have been going for smaller size bottles if possible.
FBs Cuir De Lancome (discounted) , Bottega Veneta (30 ml) and a L’Artisan coffret with 15 ml bottles of Mure et Musc Las Chasse aux Papillons, and Nuit De Tubereuse, and 15 ml of 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noir. Very happy with them all.
Set of samples from Bud Parfums of Australia, which I will be
taking time to get to know over the next few weeks.
Was gifted Prada Candy body lotion with a few samples of the juice and this is Really Nice and became my Christmas fragrance.
Sometimes I can go years witho buying anything except a few samples/decants but I am currently in an on mode so about $100 worth of samples/decants/minis and Fb of
Panache
Lollia Relax
Calypso Chevrefeuille
M.Micallef Hiver
And a half full unsniffed bottle of Malmaison that I have to pick up at the post office
And I was supposed to confess BEFORE buying anything else? Oops. The deal on vintage (I suspect from packaging)Bellodgi extrait on ebay was too good for me to show any restraint….
Malmaison is AMAZING.
I bought myself a bottle of Chanel 31 Rue Cambon and received a bottle of Bottega Veneta for my birthday. I think I bought Guerlain Mitsouko in the third quarter but it might have been early October so I’ll split the difference and say I bought 1 1/2 bottles.
A Happy New Year to all of you. I bought only 1 bottle, a tester Gaultier Classique EdP for Eur 12. I couldn’t resist.
I made 9 purchases. Of this number, 5 are for personal use, 4 were given by me as presents. As soon as I receive that paycheck, I will be buying myself this January–
(1) Montale’s Chocolate Greedy
(2) Molinard’s Fleur de Chocolat
(3) SL Douce Amere (nothing is left from my bottle).
(4) Rochas’ Man
There! =)
Just a few end-of-year purchases, all in the “natural” category: DSH Chinoise (in oil form) and three Indian attars — osmanthus, rose and henna flower. The attars are only a dram each, but a little goes such a long way that that’s probably the equivalent of several bottles of an EDP!:)
I showed extraordinary restraint this quarter! Only three bottles for myself (that I remember, anyway)…
$90.00: Ormonde Jayne Orris Noir EDP, bought during the free-shipping period as an x-mas gift to myself (I waited ’till then to open it!)
$60.00: Sonoma Scent Studio Fig Tree, because I fell completely in love.
$5.00: Hilary Duff With Love. Five-dollars for 30mL at TJ Maxx, I couldn’t say “no,” even though I still have a little from a decant left. It’s what I wanted Estee Lauder Sensuous to be.
$155.00: not too bad, considering there’s an Amouage at the top of my wish-list…
I was, however, gifted many perfumes during this same period: Prada Candy (love!), several Mona di Orio’s (decants), a travel set of the Parfums d’Empire, Jicky extrait, … And more. It was a very fragrant quarter!
Oh dear. I thought I’d been relatively good. And in terms of bottle-buying, I kinda was.
For myself I bought:
– In Fiore Fleur Orange, Fumee d’Ambre, and Bois d’Ete (if I list them all on one line it doesn’t look so bad!) — these are solid perfums
– SSS Sienna Musk
– I bought Tallulah Jane Gotham as a gift for a friend
– I received the travel version of FM Portrait of a Lady as a gift from my honey
But in terms of decants and samples…yikes. Yikes yikes yikes. Like, in the poor house yikes.
I think I’ll just mention the 5 ml decants (because otherwise I’d be typing all day…):
– FM Une Rose (after about 20 years of hating rose scents (after too much Perfumer Workshop’s Tea Rose before that!) I can’t get enough rose in perfume)
– SL Sa Majeste La Rose, Fille En Aiguilles, Un Bois Vanille, Boxeuse, Jeux de Peau
– Spiritueuse Double Vanille (wish I’d bought a FB…back when one could)
– AG Mon Parfum Cheri Par Camille, Neroli, Ce Soir Ou Jamais
– PN Weekend-End a Deauville (hasn’t arrived yet, but have wanted this for a long time)
Whew!
That’s an impressive list of decants! You’ll smell great in the poor house…
For myself i bought Yosh Sombre Negra and Coach for Men, and i received as gifts Tauer L’ADDM and my Cologne du Maghreb prize, as well as some Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab stuff. I bought as gifts for others Prada L’Eau Ambree and Piguet Fracas.
I was exemplary this quarter – my Christmas present to myself wasn’t fragrance for the first time in a few years.
Only two bottles:
1/2 oz. of AG Myrrhe Ardente – I’m stockpiling this as I love it so much, and it’s cheap!
vintage Mitsouko edt, which I think I like better than the extrait! Believe it or not!
A Fragrant New Year to you all!
That Mitsy edt sure is pretty!
They don’t make ’em like they used to!
Just one bottle; I am pretty sure the Bas de Soie purchase was from October. Other than that, I bought two Jo Malone bath oils, largely because there were bonuses of a store discount AND two mini bottles of scent, one being a friend’s favourite of grapefruit.
Just one bottle: 50ml of Bottega Veneta edp (gee, NM doesn’t carry the 30ml bottle, what a surprise) as a Christmas present to myself. I bought it at first sniff – almost as risky as buying unsniffed, but happily I love it – it’s been my SOTD every day of 2012 so far! Also, I ordered the Parfum d’Empire sample set when Abyss mentioned it here, but it hasn’t arrived yet.
Maybe next quarter will see purchases of SL Bas de Soie or Rosine’s Folie de Rose and Ecume de Rose. I decided to use up my samples first before buying more, but I do love all three. . . or maybe I’ll wait for the spring SF Sniffathon. That would push spending off until the second quarter of 2012!
Oops I clicked one but as I’m typing this I remembered I bought a second bottle.
I found AG Heure Exquise on sale for about $57 and the second was L’Occitane Immortelle de Corse which has become one of my favorite fragrances to wear to work.
I’m late to the posting game, but I bought a handful of bottles, I’m trying to limit FB purchases to one a month… but I’m still over the mark:
Lubin Gin Fizz
PdN Juste un Reve (BH Sale)
10 Corso Como (BH Sale)
FM L’Eau d’Hiver (travel size – 2nd set!)
Balenciaga Paris (last day of the year!)
Jingle G (cute bottle and only $11
Ordered 2 L’Artisans during the sale but they haven’t arrived yet… does that count?
Received Super G as a gift and gave Katy Perry Purr and Gucci Flora to my nieces.
Plus a handful of samples and decants that are inspiring more purchases… sigh
I would count them if the order was acknowledged before 1 Jan. Also gets them out of the way so you get a clean slate to start with on the next qtr…
I bought five perfumes, 4 were Christmas presents for my family and one was for me.
I bought Guerlain Shalimar parfum initial 40ml gift set for myself in the Boots Christmas sale from nearly £40 down to £26.55
so that was a steal !
I bought:
Estee Lauder Sensuous edp 100ml for my Mum
Chanel Allure Homme Sport 100ml for my Dad
Lancome Tresor 30ml gift set for my Grandma
Paul Smith Extreme 50ml gift set for my Grandad
so my total came to about £180