We’re (mostly) taking the day off in honor of the 4th of July. Whether or not you celebrate the 4th, feel free to add your scent of the day to the comments, and tell us what you’re up to today.
Note: image is IMG_2344.JPG [cropped] by a2gemma at flickr; some rights reserved.
Good Morning everybody! I am off to spend the day with my terrific sister and her fabulous kids!! Something fresh, clean and spirited to honor the day–maybe some vintage Aliage!!
Good afternoon NST and happy 4th of July to all US friends!
My SotD is Guerlain Apres l’Ondee accidentally layered with a spritz of Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic I was decanting in the morning. Smells good to me
Lucas, you are reminding me that the American Revolution owes a lot to one of your compatriates, Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko.
Am visiting some friends from Boston who are visiting relatives in Long Island. SOTD– DSH Pink Gardenia. It turned into a skin scent fairly quickly so I’ll probably apply something else in the afternoon–I always have some stray samples in my purse–probably Byredo Green, Sous le Toit de Paris or Anne Pliska
Happy 4th of July!
We don’t celebrate it in my part of the world – too bad because it seems such a fun and meaningful day (of course it wouldn’t be as meaningful outside US, but I don’t care, I’m all for exporting holidays and traditions!)!
These days I need all the support I can get from my perfumes: so I am only wearing classic favorites.
And you know what? They are really effective!
We perfumistas have an added asset -our perfumes!
So, today I’m spoiling myself with New York by PDN.
Like Shalimar, New York makes me smile no matter what!!!
#meluckyperfumista #happyfumehead #NYdabest
Glad you reminded me of New York – need to get some!
Happy 4th !!! Have a great day . Wearing Estee Lauder’s green Private Collection . it’s damned hot her e- gonna be 108 degrees F !
Today I’m wearing Cabotine and I’m fasting for a colonoscopy tomorrow. It’s my first one and I’m not looking forward to it.
I’ve been told that the fasting and the stuff you have to drink is far worse than the actual procedure. Best of luck to you.
Priscilla, don’t worry about the procedure itself, but the preparations are exhausting. Just be prepared for the uncontrollable effects of the medications, feeling very chilled as they work and the interrupted sleep. Good luck!
Good luck, Priscilla! I had my first recently, and the fasting/prep was by far the worst of it. I wanted to wear Angel for the procedure itself, but went with Bleu de Chanel instead. Wish I’d stuck with the initial idea of Angel. What scent will you wear for the colonoscopy?
I had a colonoscopy last year and the prep is the worst part because it goes on so long! I thought the best part was the drugs they give you. Good Luck!
Just had one last March, and the procedure is a piece of cake. The day before sucks, so you’ll be over the worst of it soon. And you only have to do it every 5-10 years… Good luck!
Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate!
I’m trying to recover from a sudden migraine so no perfume today, but it was Cuir de Russie extrait yesterday.
Happy 4th. Wearing Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose/Gardenia. Love it!
I do have a question though for all of you. What is a good rose scent similar to Stella with less musk?
Thanks and have a good day today!
I love a handful of rose scents, but I’m not familiar with Stella. Can you describe it and what you like about it?
I think that’s rose patchouli, isn’t it? The ultimate rose patch is FM Portrait of a Lady, which has the most amazing rose. It’s not for the faint of heart – should really come in an antique style dauber bottle rather than a spray – but it must be experienced.
Seconding that.. I have a sample of PoaL, and it is gorgeous. I’m not familiar with Stella either, but on the rose/patchouli track is L’Artisan Voleur de Rose.
That’s a good one, too, sweetgrass!
Thanks for the suggestions. There is no patchouli. I guess it is like Miss Charming (Juliette has a Gun).
Looking at the notes, I see you are right. It’s the salty woody amber that reminds some (me and Tania Sanchez, at least) of patchouli.
Hi Kris, I tried Lauder’s T&G again yesterday and was surprised by its beauty. In the past I’v come close to disliking it, but I guess I’m beginning to enjoy such notes! Then again I have such turn-arounds of opinion its hard to ever know where I stand:)
I think Stella is usually described as a relatively simple, though well done rose amber. A much simplified Paris, perhaps (although I don’t think Stella has much spice). Perhaps you could check on Fragrantica what perfumes are said to be similar?
Happy Independence Day all (even if you’re not in the US)!
I had an invitation to fireworks tonight with the fella I’ve been seeing, but I’m finding myself wanting to stay home. I’m tired and the crowds sound overwhelming. I’m feeling a little sheepish about it, I guess, but I gotta respect my limits, right?
Haven’t settled on a fragrance today, yet. I’ve been enjoying a single (OK, maybe 2) spritz of Champagne de Bois in this warm weather. I feel like it creates a fragrant, but not overwhelming, cloud around me.
It’s never wrong or a lie to say, “Oh dear, I’m afraid I have other plans”. Other plans can include a long bath, a napping on the sofa, etc.
I like the way you think! I usually don’t feel too terrible about doing my own thing, but since the 4th only comes once a year, etc., etc., I was feeling like maybe I should be more game. But honestly, now I am home on my own, I’m mostly just feeling relaxed and relieved!
No SOTD yet. I’m sitting in bed trying to be still and quiet because Mr. Lucy is still sleeping. It’s almost one o’clock, but he normally gets up for work at 3:30 am so I’m going to let him have this one.
Happy 4th everyone!
A while ago I passed by an Estee Lauder counter and spritzed on Beautiful, which I enjoyed. Of course, that sent me to ebay to find different vintages and I now have, I think, the original edition and another fairly early on. The differences over time are surprising, as always, although I like all of them. The original seems more complex and softer, the next one is drier and more defined, and, of course, a fruity note is more apparent in the current version. They’re all good, though, so I recommend sniffing whichever one can find.
I was also going to note how much I’m looking forward to Sandrine Videault’s Grandiflora, but seeing then news on several perfume blogs today that she has passed away makes this bitter sweet rather than celebratory. Also amazed by the events in Egypt, where I lived for a few years, and getting ready for a get together tomorrow with friends from those days. (No, I wasn’t there when Sandrine’s Kyphi was at the Egyptian Museum.)
Listening to NPR’s July 4-related rebroadcasts. A historian notes that an important factor leading to independence was that it took one month each way for communications between the royal government in England and its representatives here. I wonder what they’d make of our ability to communicate instantaneously through the internet and share personal perspectives from Tahrir Square to Priscilla’s colonoscopy across the globe! How long will it be before we can directly experience the perfumes we’re talking about in a blog?
SOTD = Bombay Bling
I am off to a barbecue at a friend’s house which is a 45 minute drive away. Bombay Bling was within reach and “safe” (on me, low sillage) and has enough of a summery vibe that if I am asked about it I can choose to talk about the perfume and/or the wonderful aroma of fresh fruiits on a hot summer day
I have settled on a natural Sandalwood and Vanilla perfume oil blend today–made by a local Native American artist (which I can’t decide if it’s patriotic or ironic!). But now I am wondering: is there a fragrance or perfume house or perfumer that strikes folks as especially patriotic or American?
I have my US niche loves–SSS being top of the list–but it doesn’t really strike me as especially American in aesthetic. Thoughts?
As a foreigner, I would say a very American-feeling perfume to me is Kai, a fragrance I like very very much… It indulges the all American fondness for lush white florals (which I share!!) and, on the other side, on the appreciation for clean, out of the shower, musks.
It’s lovely and easygoing – very American indeed!
I’m curious to read the other comments.
Oh, that’s interesting! I didn’t realize that white florals seem American! Maybe with the sort of big, friendly Southern cultures especially? I can definitely imagine how the clean, white musks and “easy going” fit in, though!
I remember an old (2007-ish) perfume spread on vogue paris concerning perfumes and it was tackling the perfume preferences of Italians, French, British and Americans, through the observations of several eminent “noses”… It was full of stereotypes, of course, but the juice of it all was: Italians = citrus, Americans= white flowers/clean scents, British= uncomplicated garden-like smells or anything with “rock” in the name, French= sophisticated perfumes, with a penchant for vanilla.
In the pre-blog era, I used to cut out perfume-realted articles and keep them- I still have this spread somewhere – but where???
Anyway, I think the association of the american market with heady white florals comes up from time to time in perfumers interviews: Sylvaine Delacourte, Frederic Malle… But of course it is a very broad generalization, so I don’t how how meaningful it is!
I too have read that American tastes run to big white florals, but I can’t remember where I read it. Of course we are only one step away from cultural stereotypes – Americans are said to find clean scents sexy, French find dirtier, body-like scents sexy. Whatever. I’m Australian, so I have nothing to contribute on that. Fortunately the niche perfume industry has come along to complicate all that, and give us all much more choice than we used to have.
Glad to sees some love out there for KAI. I’m a mainlander who has never actually been to Hawaii, but to me KAI always evokes that Pacific Island state.
I know that this is taking things rather literally, but Juniper Ridge makes fragrances in the U.S. out of plants that are native to the U.S.
Wow! Can’t get more regional than that!
I don’t know about an actual “American aesthetic”, but continuing on the regional theme, there are a number of possibilities from Ellen Covey of Olympic Orchids:
California Chocolate and Seattle Chocolate are her 2 newest. Then there’s Arizona, Carolina, Kingston Ferry (with tincture of Pacific Northwest seaweed), and Olympic Rainforest.
She has a 5ml option as well as samples.
I’ll have to check out that line.
Kingston Ferry is such an evocative name! I love taking the ferrys through Puget Sound and there is a special kind of freshness to that sea air!
I love Kai, and Zazie has a point. Of course, the classic answer would be anything by Estee Lauder, Clinique or Ralph Lauren, and now we have all the indies. What about SSS Tabac Aurea – tobacco originated in the Americas, after all.
Yes, Ralph Lauren especially crossed my mind as well–the power of advertising, I expect!
I like the notion of Tobacco being uniquely American. In a similar vein, we could claim tomato and potatoes, if a potato scent ever existed!
I remember a Demeter Tomato or Tomato Leaf scent that I really loved!
I am wearing Jean Patou’s Divine Folie today and I absolutely love it. It’s one of those fragrances that make me smile as I sniff myself throughout the day!
I’m wearing a couple of sprays of the Mango EDT from The Body Shop and some vanilla perfume oil from the health food store. This morning, we went birding then had a satisfying “heart-attack-on-a-plate” brekkie at a local diner.
Ooh! I’m jealous of your birding! It’s been years since I’ve had someone who could appreciate and enjoy such activities with me! I used to hike with a college buddy who was a forestry major, and between the two of us, it was like taking a guided wilderness tour every time we were out and about!
Those hikes sound great! Sometimes, we don’t make it very far because there is so much to see — insects, birds, rocks, etc.
If we can’t name something in the field, you can bet that we have a reference book at home that can. I hope that you end up with a sweetheart who loves the outdoors.
Thank you, kindcrow! Finding someone to hike with is not too hard, but finding someone who doesn’t mind all those diversions along the way is trickier!
Excellent point! That’s why I prefer Audubon trips to Sierra Club outings. It seems like the Sierra Club folks want to speed along to the top of the mountain (that’s fine sometimes), but you miss so much along the way.
I’m going to my parents’ house to celebrate with the fam. SOTD is Chanel no. 19. I’m making orange blossom and mint lemonade from the recipe at Bois de Jasmin (http://boisdejasmin.com/2013/07/orange-blossom-and-mint-lemonade-recipe.html) to take with me.
Yesterday, I scored an almost full 1.7 oz EDP Chanel 19 splash on eBay for $33. I had a teeny bottle that a used up last year and have been longing for more – Yay!. Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans and anyone else who appreciates freedom!
Ooh that is a good deal. I just have a little sample of the No.19, and of the Chanels I’ve tried, it’s my favorite. I’ll have to go looking and see what I can find.
Bois de Jasmin has such tempting recipes, and that sounded so refreshing.
It was really good, and it was a hit with the fam too.
I managed to get the four-year-old down for a nap (she doesn’t nap anymore, at least not on the weekends at home) by telling her that if she doesn’t nap, she won’t be able to stay awake for fireworks tonight! QUIET!! Sweet QUIET!!!!
Oh yes, and Scent of the Day = Rebel + Mercury Audacious.
Hey, whatever works!
I have a summer cold now, so between that and the sunscreen, didn’t want to waste any favorite scent. Wearing liberal spritzes of Atelier’s Grand Neroli. Happy Independence day to those who celebrate!
Happy 4th everyone! I completely forgot about the holiday until this morning. I was preparing to go to work…geez. Now planning to grill sausages and drink cold, fruity beer. SOTD= Narcisse Bleu. I LOVE it!!!
Happy 4th of July, Independence Day!
SOTD: Le Vetiver De Lubin. Not sure it was the right choice, it is a bit hot/humid here today.
No SOTD yet. Yesterday, I wore my vintage Yves Rocher En Avril Un Soir, a lovely and long-discontinued chypre. It is very long-lasting without being too strong or heavy.
This evening we will watch the local fireworks show from the park down the street, as usual. Living in a small city, the fireworks display is not es extensive or elaborate as in larger cities, but it is much more accessible. There is a nice park just a couple blocks down the street from us with a pond and a fishing pier. We like to stand on the pier to watch the fireworks, where we can see them reflected in the water. We can see and hear everything clearly; I figure from there we are about a half a mile from where they are being set off. No crowds, no traffic, no parking problems, no waiting around for hours, and no having to pay admission to get a good view. Sometimes there are advantages to living where we do, although perfume shopping opportunities are not one of them.
Oh, your fireworks sounds perfect! I grew up in a small town here in Oregon, and the display was done over the bay and very much like you describe it! The event has become a much bigger tourist attraction since my youth, which I have mixed feelings about–good for the local economy, bad for my enjoyment of small town, low-pressure family fun! Maybe it’s those memories/preferences that are making me hesitant to go deal with the craziness downtown tonight. . .
Marjorie Rose, Ashland used to have a wonderful, small-town 4th of July celebration when I lived there in the 60s. It started in the morning at Lithia Park and continued all day until it was time for the fireworks show at night. I got to ride on one of the parade floats one year – such great memories!
Great point, 50 roses, I’m sure you will enjoy it more. Just seeing the security fences set up all along the National Mall yesterday in preparation for the fireworks, with the viewing area getting constricted every year, put me off entirely from any attempt to go down there.
The pier and the fireworks reflected in the water… must be lovely!
After years of grousing about how fleeting the Hermes perfumes are, I am wearing some Osmanthe Yunnan today and can still smell it six hours in.
Laying low on the fragrance front since my hubby is home with me today from work and he’s not been very pleased with some of my recent samples… and it’s like 100% humanity in NYC today-yuck!
The L’Occtane honey bath gel I used last night still lingers and I’m happy with that.
Heading out shortly to enjoy the fireworks.
Happy 4th!
Ooh. Honey bath gel sounds yummy! I have a honey fragrance oil that makes me very happy when the mood strikes!
I love their honey bath gel! Think I’ll use it during my next shower. Their honey water-based perfume (“gentle water?”) was nice, as well — cute bottle, too.
Last bottle of the bath gel/soap I purchased they brought up from the basement, apparently the still do sell it but don’t always keep it out on the shelf for purchase. I had to ask for it and they said:” oh, yes, we have some downstairs in the basement” ???
Never did try the gentle water honey scent, and I’m very sorry about that.
Laying low on the fragrance front since my hubby is home with me today from work and he’s not been very pleased with some of my recent samples… and it’s like 100% humidity in NYC today-yuck!
The L’Occtane honey bath gel I used last night still lingers and I’m happy with that.
Heading out shortly to enjoy the fireworks.
Happy 4th!
I’m wearing Carnal Flower and I’ve noticed something. All my full bottles are 3/4 empty. What does this mean? Will I have to go on a spending spree to replenish them. I want another Tom Ford CHAMPACA AND SOMETHING CALLED LYS FUMME BUT MORE OVER I WANT BACK MY ACQUA DI PARMAs. I’m almost all out of the Iris andMagnolia colonia. I’m so worried, I had a dream last night that I woke up and had 5-10 bottles instead of a bureau full I’m scared. I want Poivre, Lys , and the other Le Labo mentioned a few posts ago. I wish I had won. It’s going to be $340 at Barney’s in September and who knows if I will afford it. I’m doomed to a life of 3-4 sprays from now on. But I can’t smell it after it goes on just in the opening. So…what am I doing?
Happy 4th of July! Relaxing today since I have to work tomorrow but will go and see fireworks later this evening. My frag of the day is Ralph Lauren Polo Red White and Blue. It doesn’t get any American than that. Enjoy!
Tonight I am going to a big group potluck at a friend’s house here in Houston. We are all volunteers at an area cat shelter and cat lovers so we will talk cats non-stop. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, beer wine, potato salad, and an array of veggie and vegan things too. I am taking a Greek pasta salad that I just made (pasta with cukes, tomatoes, yellow peppers, lots of herbs, kalamata olives, and optional crumbled feta). SOTD is Histoires de Parfums 1873 Colette. No, not particularly American, but it smells nice and citrusy in the heat. My friend has a modern town home with a rooftop terrace that provides a great view of the big fireworks show downtown, so that will cap things off (speaking of which I may need to cover over my SOTD with “Off!” to survive being outdoors on a summer evening here).
Calypso, a cat lovers’ 4th sounds ideal! Without the French, the 13 Colonies might not have made it to Independence, so I’d say a French perfume is a great choice, too. Enjoy!
Wearing Estee Lauder Pure White Linen Light Breeze which is working very nicely in the heat. Tomorrow I’ll be wearing one of my favorites, Manoumalia, to honor Sandrine Videault. So very sorry to hear of her passing.
Manoumalia is wonderful – what a loss!
Happy celebrations everyone! It sounds like everything is much better organized in the US. I think private fireworks have been banned in South Africa but people still use them and the animal shelters are always full after new years with pets that have escaped in fright.
From all the comments it seems that fireworks there are very public displays, and somewhat removed from private houses. My own dog, now, snoozes through them but my family used to have a dog who would squeeze herself into tiny spaces and shiver – even though we would give her a tranquilizer. As a result I have mixed reactions to fireworks – though a splendid display of them, arranged right is truly awe inspiring!
I have been working my way through the Lutens wax samples and find myself really liking Fourreau Noir! Its surprising because it doesn’t get mentioned much and there are not many reviews. I adore Chergui and it has a very similar vibe, but is made cooler by the lavender. I find it less severe than Encens et Lavender and happier than Gris Claire. Any opinions?
In general, at least in the part of the country where I live, fireworks are banned by most municipalities, except for approved public displays that are supervised by the fire department, and carried out in a safe manner. The county, however, has no rule against them, so the fireworks stands open up just outside the city limits for 10 days leading up to July 4 and 10 days prior to New Year’s. Some people have enough consideration to set them off where it is safe to do so, such as at the beach, or else on their own property out in the country where they can’t harm anyone else. Two years ago we were in the midst of an extreme drought. There was a county wide burn ban; I don’t think you could even use your grill, the fire risk was so severe. The city canceled their fireworks display, but I still heard some of the neighbors setting off their own, however. The people behind us seemed to be pointing them right at our house, and I was terrified that our house would catch fire if one of them landed on the roof or something.
Where I live in the US, fireworks are illegal. However ….. if you sign a waiver saying you need them for “agricultural purposes” you can buy whatever you want. So the poor doggies and kitties either cower in terror in my neighborhood or run away.
I’ll spend all my volunteer time next week at our Humane Society taking lost pet reports. Sigh.
So there is a ‘dark’ side. Sorry to bring it up! Hope you both enjoyed the evening though:)
We have two cats that get so scared by fireworks that they will wet themselves. One of them was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure so we’ve been doing everything we can to make his life stress-free. Last night we brought the cats into our bedroom, closed the blinds and stuffed pillows behind them to try and muffle the noise, and turned our tv volume up. It helped, but people were lighting fireworks off until well after midnight. It was not an enjoyable holiday for us and I think I’ve officially become an old fuddy duddy.
Happy, happy 4th to all in U.S. I lived in Ct. for twenty years and have many happy memories of the holiday shared with friends there. I’m back in the U.K. now but left a daughter behind ,and now a granddaughter. SOTD is Dzongkha bought in current sale-wow- perhaps not a summer scent but here in U.K. that ‘s not been much of an issue this year.
SOTD is my new, beloved Portrait of a Lady. It’s dry and works well with heat, I think. Drove up with 2 horses and 2 dogs to MT. Gorgeous out. Horses are loving their new digs, and we’re getting ready to be filmed AGAIN for HGTV’s House Hunter’s show “Where Are They Now?” in a couple days. I have 3 days to lose 20 lbs…We get the original director and she’s a blast. I wore Absolue Pour le Soir for the first filming, in November a year and a half ago. Keep that camera guy on his toes. This time, in summer, I might wear my beloved Beloved. Lightly, of course. The wardrobe rules are crazy. No v-necks. Nothing too tight, or too loose. No small prints. No plunging necklines. Cobalt blue is suggested. Not white. Or anything neon. Oh, the decisions…I have to be filmed “napping.” THAT will be an exciting 10 second shot.
Wow, what an experience! POAL would be a great reinforcement.
What fun mough! I had no idea they did follow-up shows. Let us know when it airs do we can watch!
Watching fireworks on tv since I hate crowds, heat, and mosquitos – and I have to get up at 5 am tomorrow to go teach summer classes. I made killer ribs while my husband played golf and I’m wearing the remnants of Chanel’s Cologne.
M7 By YSL… The Original Version!
Long and complex day, very cold, so I wore vintage Dioressence teamed with a black and white houndstooth scarf, appropriately enough for Dior. This evening after a shower – lovely Narciso Rodriguez for her. Nice and simple.
Vaca with the family in San Antonio. SOTD for a hot day at Sea World…Osmanthe Yunnan!
Space NK included a sample of Terry de Gunzburg Rêve Opulent with my order and, after trying to pinpoint why it smelled so familiar, I realised that it was basically Beige.
Any experiences with the rest of the line?