Our usual open thread poll, a little late: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the Olympics event you're going to watch (or not), whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is 2011-03-13: Citrus II [croppped] by bgottsab at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD = L’Artisan Seville a l’Aube
I did not realize it was part of the LuckyScent Summer Sample Pack and ordered another sample. I combined the 2 into one spray vial.
I’m loving it! I guess I’ll be pre-ordering. This will be my first L’Artisan FB purchase.
Happy Olympics watching. I’ll probably limit my watching to Swimming and Gymnastics.
It’s a really great scent. I am like a broken record on the subject, but wish they’d bring back 15 ml bottles!
Maybe if you repeat it enough times it will come to be?!
Anyone have a magic wand?
I’m with you Robin! 15 mL would be heavenly!!!!
So do I!
I didn’t have much luck with L’Artisan perfumes. I’m curious about this one. Will have to wait a little longer to sample.
Have a great day!
SOTD is Apuldre by Molton Brown, gifted to me by a terrific transatlantic friend! Currently watching Jane Campion’s “Holy Smoke” and peering out the window at towering stormclouds (again!).
Never saw Holy Smoke, how is it?
Really good performances by Kate Winslet & Harvey Keitel. If you can find the novel, written by Campion & her sister Anna based on their collaborative screenplay, it’s very much worth a read.
Thank you Olenska!
I admit that I spent the major part of the day going scentless. I’ve been on a kayak trip and decided that I don’t need perfume for paddling in the river, that would be a waste, the fragrance would’ve quickly disappeared in the water.
On the other hand I had to fulfill my daily dose of perfume so I had a single spray of Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilee before going to church in the evening.
I missed half of yesterday’s opening of Olympics, it was broadcasted really late here, but I have it recorded, so I’ll watch it later. And very proud of 1st silver medal in Summer Olympics 2012 today!
Ah… And I bought a bottle of Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile EdP this week, and got plenty of samples to try and review!
Hope everyone is doing well!
I am just back from a week at the beach, and had a nearly scentless week as it turned out.
When I’m at the seaside I’m always scentless. I don’t even take single bottle of perfume then. I only stick to the smell of suntan lotion and a body lotion for skin regenration and rehydration after the day.
Ooh no! I’m looking forward to my Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune when I go to the Kenyan coast for Christmas. I love that it’s not cloying – the air there is like warm fog and so I know it’ll shine.
It’s my first time in warm weather since discovering niche perfumes, so I’m allowed to drown myself.
Just be sure to not overdo!
@ lucasai
I have to try the Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile EdP the next time I visit Saks! It will be dangerous for me starting the Fall as I am moving work locations and Saks will be a short walk away. I’ll have to befriend an SA; so far, my few visits have only yielded lukewarm or even snobbish SAs. Instead of a fragrance “counter”, fragrance and cosmetics dominate the first floor and I guess each fragrance counter has SAs exclusive only to that brand versus at Nordstrom, the SAs act more like personal shoppers.
Weekends are my time to try samples (and really only one a day and only if I don’t have a hankering for using what I have in my collection) so pretty much regardless of what activity I end up engaging, I will at least try something. Case in point, so far today, I went to the library, dropped a package at the Post Office and went to the gym…all while wearing my SOTD.
Have a nice rest of the weekend!
Iris Nobile in EdP is very beautiful in my opinion. Slightly oriental, powdery iris with hints of vanilla and other flowers. I bought it at a great price but didn’t want the whole 100ml for myself so I organized a split and made it even more cheap that way. I kept 35ml of it in the original bottle and it cost me less than 20$ nice, right?
My library is having a summer break at the moment but I collected a pile of books earlier so I’ve got plenty to read!
Sounds like a really great summer weekend, Lucas!
Yes, but I can’t feel my arms now they’re still tired.
Uh, oh – being too tired to lift ones wrist to the nose is tough for perfumista! Hope you recover quickly, Lucas.
Happy Saturday, all!
The Olympics are one of the few times when I kinda wish I’d invested in TV/cable. I don’t have a functional television, and I haven’t for years, so they don’t get watched. I know that it’s online as well, but somehow that doesn’t appeal to me–so maybe it’s just not that important to me? In any case, I like knowing that it’s happening, and hope that others are enjoying it!
Haven’t decided on my SOTD. It’s a chore day, so I might wait until this afternoon when those are done.
I think if it were just me in the house I wouldn’t have cable either. I’d have a tv to watch movies and that would suit me just fine. I might miss it during football season but if I could watch the games online I’d be fine.
I use my laptop for DVDs. I do actually have a TV and VCR–but it’s old enough that since the change to digital antennae, I don’t get channels.
I’m enough of an anachronism that I don’t have Netflix, so when my VCR gives up the ghost, I’m not sure how I’ll deal! There’s a lot of nostalgia in those old tapes!
LOL you should have availed yourself of those free converter boxes! Antenna DTV is hilarious, you get some retro programming, bizarre movies, and late-night creature features.
We have an *amazing* video store here in my neighborhood called Movie Madness that has every odd movie ever, I swear! When I need a fix, that’s my go-to! I also get some TV series at the library–I just finished watching season 2 of Downton Abbey. The only downside is that there are conversations that I can’t participate in at the moment. There was an entire decade in which I’d tune out of conversations because they began with “it’s like that Seinfeld episode when . . .”
Amazing video stores are getting hard to find
It’s true! I suspect that mediocre video stores are even less common! You really have to have a passion for it to survive the world of Netflix and Hulu!
I’m with you on the cable thing – 90% of the time I don’t even think about it. But I do during Olympics.
I need to investigate what I can watch online.
I really don’t miss it, but I definitely have these moments when I feel more disconnected than usual!
Oh, my! Another non TV person! I don’t have TV either. I have a faithful VCR (and a few lonely tapes that I haven’t replaced) and now a blu-ray player. I turned off cable years ago, and don’t have any way to pick up regular broadcasts.
Like you, only in times like this, the Olympics or when terrible hurricanes approach do I miss it. I have caved and gotten Netflix, but I’m a huge fan of movies, and costs a fraction of the cable fees I had back in 2007. Fun to know there are others out there, skipping TV entirely
Wonder how many others in the perfume community skip TV? I know there are many voracious readers.
However you spend your free time, enjoy! I rewatched “The Cutting Edge” last night, in honor of the Olympics. A bit out of season, but fun. Be well.
I love that movie! The Pamchenko- what a move. Whatever happened to DB Sweeney anyway?
Oh my, terrible hurricanes! Yes, natural or human disaster is another occasion when I’d like to have a TV. It can be sort of surprising to see what certain folks look like, too. Unless I catch a picture online, I often don’t know what politicians or celebrities look like. I wouldn’t recognize a picture of Katy Perry!
I’m in Texas, on the Gulf Coast, so in the *path* of hurricanes. Should I bolt, or shelter in place is an important decision. TV makes a good source of quick update on projected path and severe weather updates in general. The problem is the hyperbole used to convey the information. It’s hard to believe what the reporters say, when the message is presented in a way to be compelling, to make viewers stick to their sets. Internet’s NOAA website makes a nice backup, but takes a bit more effort
It is weird to read about all the news, and be so out of the loop on television shows and even commercials. I’m culturally backward. I would recognize Katy Perry, but so many others, I have *no* idea about whom folks are talking. I picked up a gossip magazine in a waiting room, had no idea who these “stars” were, why they were famous, and so it was interesting to see as an outsider. To borrow from Bryson, sometimes “I’m a stranger here, myself”
Oh, I’m so off topic on fragrance. I’ll insert a bit of perfume for silliness: SOTD is MFK Absolue pour le Matin. Not a favorite, not loving the heavier amber/vetiver/violet and really prefer the Cologne pour le Matin, though dunno that I need to own either. I’ve been living in colognes and citrus eaus this week in the heat. Rebelled one day and wore Cuir Ottoman, and it made a fantasticaly heady SOTE. Happy sniffing.
I can relate to the “celebrity” situation completely! I go out to occasional movies, but apparently it’s TV that makes someone newly famous these days.
No TV here – and I also only miss it during the Olympics! Of course, I think it’s possible to watch online, but lack of time is the other challenge.
Yes, when you get used to not having it, your life is awfully busy! I can’t really imagine having the time to sit and watch hours of TV.
I don’t have a TV, either. I refused to get cable while I was in grad school — too much of a temptation to waste time — and found that I really don’t miss TV much. I either watch online or just wait for things to come out on DVD.
Yeah, I think college certainly helped me to cut the cord. But I did have a TV and it was on a lot afterwards for several years. However, when my last LTR ended, he took the newer TV with him, and I didn’t find myself wanting to replace it. It’s been over 2 years now, and I’m really appreciating the lack of disruption. Although, I often have NPR on in the background, and I expect it serves a similar purpose.
Another person with a TV that I don’t watch since I don’t have cable and almost no regular reception. Will probably go over a friend’s house for at least one diving event.
I’m sort of surprised to see so many of us! I guess I thought that I was odd for frequenting a blog but not having TV–like maybe they *should* go together?
If hubby has an event at night I get all excited because I have control of the tv for once but then instead of actually watching it, I leave it off and read or knit/crochet in peace and quiet.
I can completely see how that could happen!
I’m also chiming in as someone who doesn’t have cable or satellite – and just for a point of reference, I’ve got five children. We do have a TV, but mainly use it to watch movies we’ve taken out of the library, and recently got Netflix. However, Canadian Netflix is substantially different that the offerings in the States, so it’s not a way to see new movies or TV shows.
We’ve been this way for almost 4 years now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I REALLY don’t miss commercials.
Marjorie, I’m so glad you got around to watching Downton Abbey! I remember several polls ago you saying that you were on a waiting list at the library, and thinking its gonna be for-ever before you get to it! Did you love it??
Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of other things to eat up my time, but there’s just something that tv satisfies that other things don’t, I need just a little of it every evening.
I guess my first statement is a testament as to how important tv is to me
I’m answering this pretty late, but hopefully you’ll see it! Yes, I do very much enjoy Downton Abbey. I can see why it’s so popular. And it wasn’t a horrible long wait! The delay makes it more rewarding, right?
I’ve got NBC Olympics on in the background, and am packing for my wedding and honeymoon! We leave tomorrow. Have to decide what perfumes to back. So far: Tauer Carrillon Pour un Ange (wedding perfume), Bronze Goddess (for beach), Diane by Diane von Furstenburg (inoffensive nice green floral)…. not sure what else.
The Olympics are one of the few times I wish I had cable, but it doesn’t matter too much this year with the wedding/honeymoon travel!
Oh, wow, congrats and I hope everything goes well and you have a wonderful time!
Thank you, thank you!
Your wedding! OMG congratulations! That’s wonderful! When/where are you going? I hope you have a wonderful time. Instead of the Olympic rings you’ll have wedding rings.
I bought Diane a few weeks ago and it’s one of those scents that really grew on me. I did not like it at first but gave it a few more tries. I think that’s the trick with that one. I really liked it the other day in warm temps.
I liked Diane very much when it came out, but not enough to buy it at full price. then I saw a gift set at TJ Maxx for $29 two weekends ago and I knew I had to get it. Lotion + 50 mL EDP for that price!
I got mine at TJ Maxx too. I just love markdowns.
oh! And first we are going to NC. We live in Austin, but the wedding is in my hometown in rural NC. We’ll be there a week before the big day. Then, we’ll fly back to Texas and drive to New Orleans, stay there for a few days, then on to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We’re so excited. Thank you for the well wishes.
Congratulations! New Orleans is wonderful – make sure you stop at Bourbon French at the corner of Jackson Square and Hove Perfumeur on Royal for some sniffing! Some lovely scents very reasonably priced.
They’re both on our list! Along with Avery Fine Perfumes, which carries a lot of niche lines I’ve never tried before.
Oh, best wishes on your wedding. I hope you have a wonderful time, and great fun on your honeymoon.
Have to second Hove Parfumeur, I love their soaps. Their vetiver soap is so weirdly refreshing in this Texas heat. Have a fantastic trip.
ooh, soap! I love soap. Good to know. And thank you!
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!
On Perfume Posse one of the regulars there (March? Musette? Mals?) said that her hubby only liked (found sexy) the white floral catagory -which is what she had worn durring the honeymoon .It had trained his nose to identify with that time. Maybe the answer to that is to have a broad rotation so that you don’t get limited to one fragrance genre later on in life.
oh gosh! you know, my fiance already exhibits a strong preference for white florals. That’s OK I think since they’re my faves too.
Hope it all goes perfectly!!
thank you, Robin!
Congratulations, and have a wonderful time!
thank you!
Ooooohhh congratulations!!
thank you so much!
Best wishes!
Thank you!
Congrats!
…and, hope you start building LOTS of wonderful memories : )
Best wishes!
Hi everyone!
Hope everybody is having a good weekend so far. I watched the opening ceremony last night up until the parade of nations. I went to bed at that point because I was too tired. I’m not much of an Olympic fan but I know we will probably watch some gymnastics because that’s always amazing and my hubby will probably try and catch the womens beach volleyball. He’s waiting for a costume malfunction I think. SOTD or should I say morning was Baiser Vole. It’s pretty but it doesn’t last at all. It’s looking like its going to be a lazy day. I’ll probably spritz something cozier on shortly and curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.
Hi Poodle! Hope you have a great weekend too!
I stopped watching the Opening yesterday almost at the same point, I also watched few first nations in the parade, but then I went to bed, it was late and I had to wake up early the next day.
Yeah, when you’re up at 5 by the time 9pm rolls around I’m running out of steam. I saw you say you went kayaking. That sounds like fun. One of these days I’d like to try that. A few weeks ago the paper had a picture of a guy in a kayak unknowingly being followed by a shark. You could see the fin. It was a bit scary. I would pick a body of water without sharks if I kayaked.
I’m overly curious to try Baiser. I love Cartier fragrances.
that’s so interesting baiser vole doesn’t last on you, I feel like it lasts almost all day on me! And I encourage you to try kayaking – I love it, and I am the opposite of anyone who is athletic and adventurous!
I’m not a huge Olympics junkie but it’s on BBC so I’ll probably watch whatever catches my attention. Enjoyed the opening ceremony last night, though.
Urgh, I’m feeling really tempted to take advantage of OJ free shipping offer and spring for some Tiare. How does everyone cope when faced with an overwhelming urge to spend?
Also feeling quite curious about the new Le Labo Paris exclusive (Vanilla) and I’m not even that big a vanilla fan.
It must be something in the air because I have an urge to spend too. My hubby just asked if I was planning to place an order with sephora because he wants some shave cream and I said I wasn’t but I’d be more than happy to shop if necessary. I’ve been daydreaming on luckyscent a lot too. It’s dangerous.
I will happily enable. Beautyhabit has free shipping for purchases $35+ with code BHGARDEN, good through August 3rd. Normally, Free Shipping starts at $100
Also…I have been exercising for my perfume kitty. I’m in the hole but I plan to “discount” some of my purchases – if it was not a blind buy, it’s really cheaper by 25%. Also…samples and purchases with a gift card / Nordstrom Notes are “free”. That said, I truly had been exercising more (yay me) and not that far behind.
That BH code is tempting, very tempting.
I like Vanille! But it’s not new…just temporarily being made widely available.
Oh, you are right, of course. I skim read the email and somehow got the impression that it was a new release.
I have been voraciously filling baskets online only to empty them and now you say free shipping at Ormonde Jayne? My precious….must resist! I watched the BBC’s coverage last night too but found the male commentator who wasn’t Huw Edwards annoying to listen to. Thought they did a fab job bar Paul McCartney at the end. Bah. If its all about inspiring the next generation, then why not a musician from the next generation?
Pahahahaha! Filling and emptying – you should see my other tabs that are currently open!
*high-fives you*
I adore Paul McCartney and have since I was a mere child, but even I turned to Mr. Aparatchick last night as we were watching Sir Paul, and said “Wouldn’t that be like having had the Andrews Sisters sing at the 1984 Olympics?”
HaHa! Very true. Mind you, my gram would have loved that at the LA Games- actually she would have plumped for Helmut Lotti instead!
Ha, I’ve been doing the basket dance too. Btw, if you, or anyone else for that matter, is interested then the free worldwide postage code is OLYMPICS. Valid until 12.08
I found quite cool when Tom Yorke refused a partnership to Paul. Paul made the same to Ozzy Osborne before and everyone knows Ozzy started singing cause he was a Beatles fan.
I cope with it by typing in my credit card details.
I’m trying to be sensible
Ditto, unless it interferes with something else. Am trying to resist buying anything, including samples since it’s only a month until I move and a)moving is expensive and b) whatever I buy I’m going to have to pack. Keep wanting to buy stuff off ebay but have successfully resisted. Of course, I already know that I’m buying L’ Heure Convoitee the day I start school. Going to school in Manhattan is going to add an awful lot of perfumes to the “to-buy” list
How I deal with the spending urge greatly depends on how restrained I’ve been in recent history. If I’ve been “good,” I’m much more likely to relax my standards a bit and treat myself. If I’ve been on a roll, though, I create some sort of deadline–I can’t buy [name highly desirable object here] until I wait [a reasonable time]. Challenge with this strategy is that if there’s some sort of “deal” with a deadline–much harder not to ignore the waiting period!
Yeah, I’m usually quite good anyway and try to get great deals when I do buy. I did get a bottle earlier this month but I’m finding myself craving something summery to wear before the weather goes to pot completely *sigh*
Happy weekend!
Living in the UK there’s really no escaping the Olympics – it’s everywhere. I really enjoyed the opening ceremony last night, so British – quaint, wierd, funny and heart warming all at once!
To try and get a little Olympic respite I’ve been spending lots of time out in the garden, soaking up the scents of the flowers and fighting the bumblebees for a sniff at the jasmines and roses…
I wondered if anyone could recommend some good Geranium or sweet (heavy on the nectar) Honeysuckle perfumes?
I am just experimenting with honeysuckles, and so far I’d say Fragonard’s is the richest. (I got it at StC)
But I have also enjoyed the Demeter honeysuckle, one called Bleu de Nice Chevrefueille (also from StC), and L Artisan’s La Haie Fleur du Hameua, which is listed as a honeysuckle.
I love the smell of honeysuckle in early summer! I find Annick Goutal’s Camille to have one of the most prominent and truest honeysuckle note.
Annick Goutal Chevrefeuille seems to be a popular honeysuckle (haven’t tried it yet myself, but it’s on my to-sample list.) I find that Chanel Cristalle EDT has a nice bit of honeysuckle among its floral notes, too.
I was kind of meh on the AG. It was nice, but not especially rich.
Good to know, JolieFleurs — I imagine I’d prefer a lusher honeysuckle, myself. Instead, perhaps I should try the Fragonard that you mentioned.
I’m not sure what the difference is between honeysuckle and honey in terms of scent, but a BEAUTIFUL honey centered frag (which honey haters end up liking) is the sunshiny Golden Cattleya, by Olympic Orchids. When wearing it I just think “happy” and “yellow”.
Also, honeysuckle is such a nice word! Random I know.
Thanks everyone. I’ll check some of these out. I’ve tried the AG’s and found them a little on the green side. Most of the honeysuckles I have in my garden are sunny, yellow and honey rich like the Golden Cattleya Zubi mentioned, so I’ll definitely seek this one out!
Many thanks…x
Zubi, I love the word honeysuckle as well; and I always imagine the smell of honey when I hear it, but I don’t think it smells anything like honey (in actual fact) since its a flower (white – I think) and honey is, well, honey!
You forgot ‘naff’. LOL!
I’m not a huge Olympics fan, but I watched the women’s basketball game between USA and Croatia. USA won, but Croatia, who were real underdogs, made the USA team earn their win.
I’m going on a business trip to Las Vegas, August 8-13, staying at Caesar’s Palace. Never been before, but I’m guessing there is good shopping to be had (if I have the time). Does anyone have suggestions for a quick trip to a perfume (or makeup or…) counter? I would be particularly interested to know about things I wouldn’t normally have access to, online or in my hometown of Boston. If I don’t go shopping, I will probably visit the span for a full massage and some pampering.
I highly recommend the Guerlain boutique (in the shopping portion of the Venetian — I think it’s called the Palazzo or some such). Great SAs and a fantastic selection.
Please go catch some Cirque du Soleil shows! I recommend either Ka or Mystere. Or Love if you are into nostalgic things; I’m not a Beatles fan but got teary-eyed.
Also catch Celine if music is your thing; she is incredible live.
Cant recommend any frag places, sorry. Enjoy Vegas!
Er… I meant “visit the spa, sheesh.
I’m not sure what you have available in Boston, but when I went to Vegas and had a sniffing day, I found that within one block of each other are the Guerlain boutique, the Chanel boutique and Barney’s. These three alone provided hours and hours of sniffage.
Hello fumie peeps!
Its not yet raining on the Olympics here- amazing.
SOTD Cristalle for a BBQ and bouncy castle fun at a friends moving party. SOTE is a test of Bois d’Argent on one arm and Sushi Imperiale on the other. Liking the Sushi Imperiale , (which I sprayed first) but as soon as I sprayed the Dior I started with a massive headache and I think I will be scrubbing. Bummer as it sounded so nice. Ah well, onto the next sample!
Ugh, hope the headache goes away soon!
It probably would if I could get this Bois d’Argenf off of me! Why IS it that scrubbers have the half-life of plutonium? Argh. I’ve even Noxzema’d it ( which I generally find to be a very effective eradication method) and it is still there, taunting me!
Totally true — if you hate it, it’s there to stay.
I thought the Opening Ceremonies were…..perhaps I’d best keep it to myself. I will say though that I didn’t quite get the point of celebrating sick children in hospital beds having nightmares.
And call me a prude, but “Relax, don’t do it, when you want to come” is NOT a lyric I’d have chosen to showcase British music in a broadcast to the world. I thought it was in very poor taste.
I am unfamiliar with the producers work, so I probably just didn’t “get” it. And I am 48, so it’s no doubt a generational thing with me.
I just wish they’d let the athletes march in and be done with it, I love that part, as well as the torch bit at the end.
Wearing Joy today, and enjoying the archery!
The sick children thing was odd but that giant baby was what will give me nightmares. Kenneth Branagh was a nice touch.
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is an NHS hospital for seriously ill children and it does some fantastic work. I consider us blessed that our children have never had to be there but I am damn grateful that GOSH exists. I think the point of the sequence was to celebrate the power of literature and it’s ability to take us out of ourselves. And for a sick child I would think that escape would be very welcome- particularly as the villians of the piece always get their comeuppance and good triumphs. (I know there are exceptions to this generality) Nice if the real world could work like that!
I got that bit, I just thought the piece overall was dark, rather than light and uplifting and celebratory. The children next door had nightmares over it.
Again, I probably just don’t get this gentleman’s overall aesthetic.
FWIW, I do not get Tim Burton, either! I just get the creepy feel, not the cool factor, if that makes sense??
I definitely can see it giving children nightmares. I understand what you mean about creepy v. cool. And the ceremony was very British- I’m an American married to a Brit and have been here going on 15 years so I get the humour but can also see where it wouldn’t translate.
Aesthetics and all aside it is one heck of a spectacle and I cannot even begin to fathom the sheer amount of work involved in staging it!
I got chills when they lit the cauldron! And I loved the opening part, where the children sang songs associated with each of the countries. (I am mostly English, Welsh and Scottish in my ancestry, so I knew them all!)
I also rather liked Mr Beckham in his boat, zipping up the Thames….. and felt quite smug that I knew who he was!
I was missing Pooh, though.
I loved that it was very British. Actually I thought the whole thing was well done. Just that giant baby. I’m not much of a baby person. The Queen and her corgis in that James Bond thing were great. I can’t imagine the work that went into that whole show between costumes, props, practice, etc. it’s amazing to see performances on such a grand scale.
I missed the opening ceremonies & haven’t read anything yet…you guys are making me VERY curious! Wonder if there’s a way to see the whole thing online.
Here you go, Robin!
http://www.cinerix.com/london-2012-olympics/
This link will allow you to watch live:
http://www.vipbox.tv/
I bet the link is better than what I saw because NBC edited out a bit to make room for their stupid commercials.
I read that they cut out the section which was a tribute to the victims of the 7/7 bombings. Admittedly, it wasn’t the most dynamic part of the show but it still struck me as incredibly disrespectful.
Thank you so much!!
Joliefleurs, I’m with you on not being entirely positive about the whole thing! There were aspects I loved: Branaghs reading from the Tempest (just because it is a beautiful piece – though meant to describe an idyllic island and NOT Britain); the doves on bicycles (surreal and beautiful); the child-eating-monster (reminded me of the animation from Pink Floyd’s Wall); The sinuous dance sequence by Khan which ended with a child standing on all the other dancers, superb; the part of the Bond sequence when, for a moment, it looks like the queen is going to parachute (a little self-humour can go a long way); and the petals which turned into a giant torch at the end.
Parts of the montage didn’t like/get: the whole ‘revolution’ theme, so much work seemed to have gone into the pastoral scene turned into an industrial one but I didn’t really get much from it; the same with the cellphone, facebook sequence where an all-American boy meets an all-American girl and theres the fabulous kiss at the end surrounded by fabulous kisses from all sorts of sitcoms etc. The use of Queen songs – because I love Queen but they somehow managed to divest it of all its real charge and make it into more smiley-face-musical fodder. And I also didn’t make much sense of the hospital/NHC parts. I found all the close-ups of children falling asleep a little weak, and their jumping on giant beds too. I guess the cute factor just didn’t work for me? (though I did love the Mary Poppinses!)
I was disappointed there wasn’t more punk showcased, and there was very little Pink Floyd. A highlight was just before Mcartney they had Floyd’s ‘Eclipse’ playing, which worked really nicely with all the clips of people swimming, running etc. I especially loved the fact that the song’s end begins with these up-beat words ‘All that is now/
All that is gone/ All that’s to come/ and everything under the sun is in tune’ but that the last line is ‘But the sun is eclipsed by the moon.’ Wonderfully IRONIC!
Oh, and of course the Mr Bean/Chariots of Fire was wonderful!
I am planning a trip to Paris soon as I can get killer deals on rooms and plan to drive there…. So I’m saving up for exclusives from Guerlain/Chanel/SL etc…. and then had the best idea ever!
Would anyone based in Europe (or anywhere else, obviously, if you’re game) like to join me there?? You could catch a cheap bus, and then we could all book at a cheap hotel (those far away ones that are cheaper). I’ll have a car. We could do 2-3 days and then go here:
http://graindemusc.blogspot.com/2009/07/paris-perfume-pilgrimage-part-i-right.html
I just thought it would be an awesome way for people to meet other perfumistas internationally, as well as a good excuse to get an exclusive (“When will I be in Paris again?!”).
Let me know…
Planning this for either end August or September.
Other than that, testing Neela Vermeire’s BB and Trayee. Didn’t like either first, decided to give em a choice, and now my wish list has gotten longer. Sigh.
Hope you are all having an awesome weekend!
Oh, how very tempting! If we weren’t moving house in just that time frame, I would be on the Eurostar in a snap. I do think a European Sniffa should happen, though!
Oh no! Not even a day’s break
*enabling voice*
I’d love to meet you in Paris. My work and studies are holding me back!
My brother is going to round Europe in September, Paris included in his itinerary.
I think I’d be interested… I haven’t been to Paris since 1994, and for some reason have been thinking about it a lot lately.
I’m not sure if I can get that many days off, but maybe I can do 2 or 3 days. Email me at dominika79 at hotmail.com
After 8 days on the road (vacation and business trip, back-to-back) I am FINALLY reunited with my husband, my cat, and my perfume collection. I’m taking Monday and Tuesday off from work, so am looking forward to some hard-core perfume sampling action over the next four days.
I’m testing Rive Gauche this morning, and like it quite well, though I think I prefer my beloved Aromatics Elixir when I’m in the mood for a dark, vaguely bohemian rose. I also have a sample of the (reformulated) Shaal Nur, and I’m going to give Bandit another shot. Plus there’s Bijou Romantique, Sacrebleu, Knize Ten, Divine, and Caron Poivre from my last Luckyscent order, and a whole passel of samples acquired during the SF Sniff (including DelRae Amoureuse, SSS Fig Tree and To Dream, Chanel Nos. 18 and 22).
I thought about trying to test 31 different perfumes between now and my 31st birthday on Tuesday (the 31st), but that might be a bit much even for me. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Yes, your poor nose might go on strike! Impatience seems to be a common thing with us perfumistas….
Enjoy the sampling – and happy birthday in advance!
Thanks, Zubi! My nose (and head) did a fair bit of protesting in the aftermath of the SF Sniff, so I’ve been put on notice.
Happy birthday! Will you be treating yourself to something nice?
Oh, I already have! My husband gave me an early gift of DSH Le Smoking, and my “official” birthday gifts to myself were FBs of Manoumalia and the Monyette oil, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use the occasion to rationalize more purchases (am currently considering a bottle of vintage Magie Noire from the ‘Bay).
Happy BD, Emily! You should totally get that vintage MN — such beautiful stuff — your birthday will be all the happier for it!!
Thank you! I found a vintage mini of MN a couple months ago, and I do love it.
Happy Birthday!
And do let us know what they did to Shaal Nur.
Thanks, Robin!
I actually spritzed some Shaal Nur about half an hour ago. It’s .. okay, but not the kind of thing that seems likely to inspire the devotion that the old version seemed to enjoy. (I’ve never smelled the old version myself, so I don’t have a firsthand point of reference.) It starts off with some earthy-smoky vetiver, then transitions to a combo of resinous notes and lemon peel, and then gets gradually sweeter and lighter until it’s a bit like lemon sorbet. Then some faint vetiver returns, and drifts in and out until the whole thing fades away (which did not take long). I didn’t get any incense, which for me was the whole point.
It’s pleasant enough, but not particularly special and not worth the FB price, IMO.
Weird. Either they’ve cut back on the incense, or it just wears differently on you/me.
Now I want to order a sample of the old version, just to compare (though being the incense freak that I am, I’m afraid I’ll love it and will become obsessed with tracking down a FB). FWIW, a fan of the old version has told me that the new Shaal Nur seems to be all about the vetiver on her, too.
Oh, so sorry to hear that. Might just go ahead and never try the new one then.
Oh, joy!! My Amouage samples just arrived in this afternoon’s mail! I have to go to a cocktail party/reception this evening (not a regular part of my life) and I know I won’t be the best dressed or jeweled woman there — but I will smell fantastic!
Spreading my happiness to you all — have a great weekend, everyone!
Wear Memoir! :O
Your excitement is infectious.
Thanks, Zubi — Memoir it is, then!!
Yesss! It’s only my favouritest fragrance in the world!
Let me know how it went tomorrow
Glad to know it’s a love of yours, Zubi.
Of course I had to read the NST review of Memoir. Angela did one back in 2010 that was all about minimalists vs. maximalists — and Memoir is definitely a max perfume! I took the minimalist route in dressing for the party, and in dabbing just a tiny bit of the fume on my wrist and neck. I really enjoyed the scent: in contrast to Angela and some of the commenters, Memoir did not go fruity/wrecky on me; it stayed leathery and cardom-y. There was a note I didn’t recognize — maybe it was the wormwood? I’m looking forward to wearing it again.
For what it’s worth, I think you have your priorities straight. Not that I don’t appreciate clothes and accessories, but perfume is by far the most important thing I put on!
Also: I was bad and blind-bought a set of two new ELdO releases from Parfum1 this morning. They both sounded fantastic, though, and $39 for the pair seemed reasonable (each bottle is 10 mL). Names are Dangerous Complicity and Afternoon of a Faun, if anyone’s interested in checking them out.
Great names – I can’t blame you for succumbing! Hope you’ll report back after you test them.
Will do, Nozknoz! It didn’t hurt that ELdO took the perfumes’ taglines (“Gimme danger, little stranger” and “Did I love a dream?”) from an Iggy Pop song and the eponymous Mallarmé poem, respectively.
This morning I wore Turtle Vetiver Front, which I love. Later I was tidying up and found a sample of MFK Lumiere Noire pour Femme. I sort of liked it at first, but it is wearing on me now – the combination of rose, patchouli and hedione is just too high calorie for my nose.
In contrast, I really enjoy Guerlain Idylle Eau Sublime, which is a beautiful rose floating on hedione. I can’t stay away from FM Portrait of a Lady, the ultra luxe rose patch, even though I can’t really wear it, either. But the threesome of rose, patch and hedione is just too much!
Noz, I somehow didn’t realize that Portrait uses hedione. I’m just about to the end of my 1.5 mL sample (a little goes a long way!) and keep going back and forth about whether I want a bottle — I love the rose-patchouli combo, but it seemed like there was a third something in there that sometimes made the whole thing seem a bit crowded. This effect makes more sense to me now, though.
POAL is really compelling, isn’t it? It’s worth having a decant, at least.
I meant to say that the MFK has hedione, rose and patch, and I find all three too much, preferring the rose with either hedione (as in Idylle Eau Sublime) or with patch, as in POAL.
While I don’t think POAL has hedione, I hadn’t thought about it before but now I’m sure you’re right that it does have something else that is noticeable. The FM website says there is also benzoin, cinnamon, sandalwood, musk and frankincense. Could it be the frankincense?
Oh, gotcha. Yeah, I’m not sure what’s going on in POAL — the frankincense isn’t that prominent for me, and if it were, I think I’d rather enjoy it. The element of POAL that sometimes bugs me seems to derive not so much from a particular note as from a general effect, which is why hedione kind of made sense.
It’s true, POAL is simultaneously highly attractive and slightly repellant. It might also be how they modified the patch. And you’re right, it’s something almost subliminal the way hedione is.
I always watch the Olympics, especially gymnastics and diving. Actually, I like most of it. It is about the only time I watch sports on TV; I couldn’t care less about professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey, etc.
I have been mostly scentless this week because of a nasty respiratory virus. I wear perfume for myself, so if I can’t smell it, why bother? I am getting better, though, and can smell perfume now, although not with all the nuances. When I am like this, I will wear the scents I have, but I won’t test anything. It wouldn’t be fair to judge a scent when I can’t smell all of it.
Hope you feel better soon. I get those a lot so I feel your pain. Isn’t it the most frustrating thing when you can’t smell? Nothing tastes good either. It’s a downer.
It seems like these things either leave my appetite alone and destroy my sense of smell, or leave my sense of smell alone but kill my appetite. So in the one case, I want food but can’t taste it, and in the other case, I can taste food but don’t want it. Either way, not much fun. I do so hate not being able to smell though. I really think when I’m ill and having to stay home, with my joints hurting and no energy to do anything, that perfume could be such a comfort, but not if I can’t smell it.
That’s when I’d take a nice bubble bath. At least if I can’t smell and everything hurts, the bath feels good.
SOTD = PdN Eau Exotique. Ahhhhh, just right!
I love watching the Olympics! I’ll watch the swimming and gymnastics and track & field events, but I also love watching sports that I never otherwise see or hear anything about: sports like archery, synchronized diving, fencing – things like that.
You smell great, of course!
My husband and I went to the opening ceremony last night and had a fabulous time. We had great seats and enjoyed very bit of it. I was initially blase about the whole thing, but am now very much in the spirit of things. Just a couple of more days of seeing some games and it’s back to normality for me, but it’s been real fun. SOTD was Frangipani today. I’ll wear Carnal Flower tomorrow for the equestian event.
Oooh lucky!
Forgort to mention, I saw Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon (+ girl friend) sitting close by. Yoko is tiiiiny! She kind of looks like my mum. lol
Oh, that’s great! I would be shameless, inconvenient and ask to take a picture with them!
Hi and happy weekend everyone! SOTD is Divine extrait by Divine and at last, it is an almost crisp, cool day here in the formerly baking Midwest.
We haven’t watched any of the Olympics yet but have recorded some and plan to watch with the kids.
If anyone can offer some advice, I need help from my fellow perfumisto/as regarding replacing my now empty bottle of Lolita Lempicka Midnight. I have the 2007 Fleur de Minuit bottle (it is gorgeous!) that I’d been rationing out but it’s now all gone. I’d describe it as a more intense version of the original Lolita Lempicka edp but don’t notice any other differences than that. On my quest to find a replacement, I swapped for a decant of LL Minuit Noir edp and while it is a lovely perfume in its own right, it is too different from the “amped up” version I had in my previous bottle.
Does anyone know which bottle/name/year of LL Midnight I could purchase that smells like a stronger version of the original LL rather than the Minuit Noir, which has a more sexy liccorice bomb-leather-iris-vanilla musk feel?
If you can make any sense of this post and have any ideas, I’d very much appreciate it as I’ve got an event to attend next month where it would be perfect! Also, I’m blind which seems to really be complicating this process so if a vague bottle description (color, adornments etc.) could be included or even where I could buy it, that’d be great!
Thanks so much and I hope everyone’s having a wonderfully fragrant day.
Haha! I can help! You’re decant was unlucky because it was the one Midnight flanker, Minuit Noir, that has a different composition, built around a blacker licorice. The other midnights, Passion, Rendezvous, Fleur and I think last year’s Couture also, are more or less the same fragrance as far as I can tell (this in spite of press releases that emphasized different aspects). I have Passion (2009) with red metal hardwear and a red tassel – ! – and Rendezvous (2008) with gold hardware. Yours is silver with a flower right? Should have the same juice. I don’t know if there were or are going to be any reformulation tweeks.
Couture (2011) is the one rimmed with black vinyl ivy leaves with wire veins. This year’s upcoming bottle looks less exciting, Robin posted about it a week or two ago – the bottle is painted with stars and darker but no metal, leaves, or other add-ons. Basic LL 2.7 oz bottle.
If you want to be safe and just get a new bottle of Fleur de Minuit, I think Neiman Marcus should still have it – they got their Fleur stock in 2011 – which is kind of weird – and mine had it as recently as this spring (it’s gone from my store now, I was there recently for L’Eau Blanc). Can’t give more info now as my computer can’t access the NM site is down.
Hope my random knowledge of this helps.
Thank you sooo much! Yes, this is very helpful! Out to go take a look. Again, thanks much!
Wearing Voyage D’Hermes and prepparing a pack of samples to a great friend! Excited!
Nice of you
SOTD–Ambre Nue which I’ll definitely be getting a full bottle of eventually
Tried Donna Karan Woman the other day and it’s quite woody on me and seems like it could go unisex. Of course, since I was in Saks, I sampled some random fragrances–I need to revisit Jaipur Homme which was a really lovely smooth spice on me (and very tenacious) and I think I’ve discovered what my grandmother wore–if it wasn’t Liu from Guerlain it was something that smelled a lot like it
Ah, looking forward to trying DK Woman, thanks!
Lazy summer gorgeousness. Finished a floaty voile blouse this morning, went to a Latin fest, and this evening we’re going to a taiko fest in the park. Sotd was Soivohle Jasmine Summer. Will switch to EL Azuree for the evening. Ahh.
Sounds like a great summer day!
All Olympics all the time at Chez Tama. I apply perfume at will and frequently.
My husband is watching quite a bit. I’ve yet to watch any. About how it goes around here!
Found a fabulous perfume store today that I was not aware of. Had a wonderful tutorial with the owner. I think I wowed him with both my smattering of knowledge and hideous pronunciations. Any who, I am home now ahead of a monsoon wearing Amouage Dia in my left arm and Gold on my right. A good book, The Receptionist, and some two wristed bliss and it’s goodnight, Irene.
This sounds like a heavenly afternoon.
I would love to go to a shop to discover new scents and get educated as well! Then settling down to a good book. It’s not in the cards for me this weekend, but I will look forward to it next weekend!
Make sure you do! It was heavenly, and in large part to the Amouage.
The chatter above about the OJ discount had me grazing her website. Anyone tried the bath oils? I’d be interested to know how the scents compare to the perfumes. I know other scents folks can even prefer in oil. I also can’t help but notice that it’s cheaper by the mL, but I’m not quite brave enough to take the $88 plunge without some more information (and possible enabling)!
Not bath oils but a while ago someone posted about Frangipani body lotion saying that it was more floral and less citrus-y than the EDP so it does seem like there’s some variation in scent depending on the product. I found OJ staff to be friendly and pretty helpful so, if you have a question about a specific fragrance, then perhaps you could shoot them an email and see what they say?
Incidentally, I’ve been lemming after Frangipani lotion ever since reading that post but it’s been showing up as out of stock for ever.
I was just watching Men’s Gymnastics. I go for the sports with lots of twirling and flipping and stuff, so I watch the gymnastics and diving in the summer and figure skating in the winter.
I’m wearing kind of a hodge-podge right now.. had a sniff-fest at Neiman Marcus today. I’m really really liking Robert Piguet Visa. I can feel my credit card cowering in fear.
Tried Tom Ford Tobacco Vanilletoo. It’s nice once it settles in.. starts out a little cloying. It’s reminding me of a toffee-flavored black tea I had a long time ago.. I think it was Bigelow maybe. It smells like the tea bag before brewing. Seems a little incomplete on its own, though. I keep thinking it would make a nice base for something or that it would be fun to layer.
I’ve been feeling a serious sample-buying urge, but I’m trying to hold off for a while because I’m planning on moving in September and I certainly don’t need to be spending the money right now. But I’m planning on moving someplace cheaper than my current apartment, so once I get caught up I’ll have more money freed up to play with.
No.. it’s wasn’t Bigelow.. I can’t remember what the brand was, but it was a loose tea, not tea bags.. It was a sticky toffee tea.. I wish I could remember the brand and where I got it because smelling it on my wrist is totally making me want it right now.
Sounds like a nice winter tea!
@ hajusuuri mentioned that Luckyscents had a summer sampler pack. I couldn’t find it! I would love love love a sample of the Seville a l’Aube. Oh well. I ordered my 2nd set of samples from Luckyscents.
My first order arrived yesterday and though I’ve sniffed them, I haven’t tried any yet. Can’t wait!
I went to Sephora and tried Pampelune. It’s beautiful! I was surprised though that after the citrus burst, it settles into a sweet floral. It was nice but unexpected. If this were available in a small bottle, I would get it in a heartbeat!
They usually don’t keep those packs around for too long.
I wonder if anyone has a possible explanation for this: I have some samples of Amouage and two, that I most looked forward to trying, Jubilation 25 and Lyric Woman, BOTH smell heavily of this peach/apricot accord. I’m not sure if its my skin or my nose??? None of the reviews mention such notes at all and I cant smell anything else with them : (
I agree that both have a fruit-like effect. I remember LT describing a banana-like effect that comes from the ylang. It took me a while to get past that. And Jub 25 has almost the plum-melon effect of Eau Sauvage at first. They’ll probably grow on you – if not, significant money saved!
Olympic viewing…..definitely any swimming race featuring Rebecca Adlington! And the Usain Bolt races. And the longer running races featuring David Rudisha and Mo Farah. And the triathalons.
I thought the Opening Ceremony was amazing. There were some odd moments, and I totally understand that people were baffled by lots of it. I think Danny Boyle’s instinct to make it ‘about us’ was the correct one. It had authenticity, warmth, humility and humour. It is very difficult to make such a huge performance space be simultaneously spectacular and then focus on smaller moments that are personal and intimate. And the fact that successful British Olympians passed torches to the young athletes who lit the cauldron was beautiful. I think some very clever, inspired and correct choices were made overall, and I do feel that it represented me and my country.
SOTD – Dzongkha from L’Artisan. This is my weekend fragrance, it seems – the week is for exploring and trying new things, then at weekends I reach for my old favourite. Very predictable, and I’ve probably been writing the same thing in these weekend polls for months! The more I experiment and explore, the more I crave continuity, sameness and reliability……..!!!!!
I agree with your impressions of the Opening Ceremony. I loved the close ups on all the faces and the volunteers did such a great job.
I also concur that all this experimention seems to cull a few faves and then validate your choices. But isn’t it all fun?
Yup, definitely all immense fun! Once you develop Curious Nose Syndrome it has to be indulged freely.
I am also afflicted with Curious Nose Syndrome (love that phrase!) which will obviously get much, much worse once I move and am going to school in NY. Although I will admit that sometimes sampling drives me crazy and I just want the familiar faves….
Haha, Dzongkha has become my default *weekday* fragrance. I love it, it’s unlikely to offend anyone at the office, and there’s something about it that makes me feel calm and resilient (qualities that have very much come in handy lately). My mind has inextricably linked Dzongkha with weekday activities, but I can see how it’d be an ideal weekend scent, too.
I agree with all you say about this fantastic scent creation. It makes me feels grounded and solid, slightly spiritually inclined, but it also smells beautiful. And it is light and sheer to, a you say, wear in the office without offending. Have you tried their Número 8? It is an iris dominated scent with miss and some jasmine. It reminds me slightly of Dzongkha, perhaps the ‘night out in an evening dress’ variation of it!
Oof! Dreadful iPhone typing in that comment – I meant MUSKS not ‘miss’!!!!!
No worries! I’m slightly awed by anyone who can manage to type anything on an iPhone or iPad. And I haven’t tried Numero 8, but it sounds like I should — I love iris, and have recently been thinking about trying some new iris ‘fumes (especially “dressier” ones). Thanks for the tip!
Eau Sauvage caught my eye this morning – and it’s just so wonderful – surely one of the all-time top ten.
I must have at least 50 perfumes in my top ten, to be honest. For example, how to choose between Eau Sauvage, Diorella and Le Parfum de Therese? Today I’d pick Eau Sauvage, but it depends on my mood, the weather, the time of day, etc. I may switch to LPdT this evening.
I end up never watching the Olympics. I don’t like the full-on SPORTS sports, I can see those any time, I like the sports with more artistry, rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, dressage, etc. Which unfortunately tend to be shown at 3 am on weeknights, here…apparently no matter how many NBC channels you have access to. So until the Olympic Committee loosens up and lets more than one channel have the rights to show the evens (so that just maybe I can see the events that interest me without being absolutely miserable at work the next day,) they’ll just have to do without me.
No scent of the day. I mixed up a blend of spiced coffee this morning and don’t want anything to interfere with it because it smells A.MA.ZING.
Tried Bandit EDP last night and was underwhelmed — much tamer than I remembered from my previous encounter with it a couple of years ago. At the time, it was a bit much; now, it’s not quite enough. Maybe the parfum is worth seeking out?
SOTD is my darling Manoumalia.
Manoumalia is great! Maybe I’ll treat myself to Manoumalia scented dreams tonight…
Yesterday evening I went to the grocery store in ratty clothes, flip-flops, and no makeup (i.e., my standard grocery-shopping outfit). Hadn’t been there for 10 minutes before a sweetly awkward young fellow approached and tried to ask me out. I blame the Manoumalia
Just proves the point you made earlier about clothes and accessories being of little importance compared to smelling fabulous!
So, maybe I’ll invest in a little Manoumalia…