Our standard open thread poll: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you're saving your pennies for, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is every leaf is a flower [cropped] by Thomas Nielsen at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD is Biehl AL02. I get a nice spicy baked apple note with this one. Just right for going to the farmers’ market (where I bought some
Honeycrisp apples and possibly the last locally grown tomatoes of the season.)
I will have to try that one again…I do like the CB I Hate Perfume apple one, can’t remember the name now.
The new site looks lovely! Congratulations! Robin, you must have been up all hours to get it sorted.
I just want to accept congratulations for having NOT spent a small financial windfall on perfume. Shoes and lipstick yes – these are not such exciting purchases for me, just work necessities – and the rest on bills. Yay me. 🙂
Congrats to you, on the windfall and on using it wisely!
And still getting it all sorted, but it’s almost there, thanks.
SOTD: Dior – Leather Oud……..but I’m saving up for Moon Aoud. I sampled it again this week and I like it a lot more now. I think it would smell great on either gender too.
And I have not tried either!
Hi Robin, good to see the site back up and running. I don’t envy you having to do the maintenance. It seems any computer-related stuff I have to do inevitably takes longer and is more frustrating than I think it ought to be.
I’ve been working on my goal of getting my Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving (yes, I am one of *those* people). Some of my nieces will be getting Lush gift sets. Thanks to Jessica’s review, I *had* to rush out to a Lush store to try the Rose Jam shower gel, then I *had* to buy a bottle of it (and a bunch of other stuff, since the nearest Lush store is an hour away and I don’t get there very often, then I went onto their website and saw a bunch of other cool stuff, then I got to thinking about gifts, and so on.
Yep, it always does take longer — I don’t envy me either!
I seem to either a) get it all done by Thanksgiving or b) not get it done until Xmas eve. Still waiting to see what sort of year it will be. And my local Lush was all out of Rose Jam, I’m pissed!
Darn, I remember how keen you were to try it. Hope they get some more in for you.
The Rose Jam went fast. I went to the Lush store the day after I read the review, and just four days after they had gotten the Rose Jam in, and they were already down to two bottles, one large and one small, when I got there. I feel as if I made rather a coup. Ususally, I don’t get to try limited edition anything from anybody because either there is not a store carrying it within a driving distance of me or else I can’t get there until after it has sold out.
I have to wonder–is there some reason (such as availability of ingredients) why they couldn’t have shipped a lot more of it to each store, or did they really not know it would be so wildly popular?
They did say they would get more in before the holiday…but also that it would probably just sell out again. So probably won’t help me. Might order it online, we’ll see.
I ordered it online and it arrived a few days later. Ground shipping in the US is very reasonable–$6 flat fee I think. The online thing is also a hazard however—I wound up buying a skin lotion, shampoo for myself and another for my husband, hair conditioner…perfume samples of course…it turned out to be a very pricy shower gel!
They do sell out quick. I had one of the stores call me when they got more of the Rose Jam in. They called me on Thursday, and I went to the mall today, and I almost missed it a second time. I managed to get the last bottle.
Congrats! Do you love it? Kevin tried it and did not love it.
Does anyone else have a sampling problem? I have hundreds of samples, about 6 dozen of which I haven’t even tried on skin yet and still I keep getting more. I am trying to only wear perfume from bottles until the end of the year so they don’t just sit there gathering dust so scent of the day is L’Heure Convoitee
Wait–is that actually considered a problem? 😉 I suspect that half the people here have the same problem. I don’t live very near any store that carries niche scents, so I can’t try them in person and consequently I tend to order samples in quantity. Somehow it seems more economical to order a bunch at once and only pay one shipping charge. Or else Lucky Scent will have a sample pack with 10 or 12 samples, 3 or 4 of which I have been wanting to try, and it seems like a good deal to buy the lot. I really do mean to try them all, but somehow I never seem to get around to it.
…hahaha yes, my ears just majorly perked up at the idea of a Lucky Scent sample pack which I haven’t seen before, and I immediately went looking on their site! I don’t see them, is it just a sometimes thing? I need the details on this 🙂
I am on their mailing list, so I get an email (they call it their “scentletter”) each week with announcements of new items, events, etc. If there is a new sample pack, it will be mentioned in the email. Usually the sample pack will consist of 10 or 12 sample vials of things that are new to the store, either new releases, rereleases, or lines that LS has recently added to their inventory. Otherwise, you can go to their website and enter “sample pack” in the search box, and it will bring up all the samplers and sample packs available. Usually there is a new sample pack about once a month. They do tend to sell out quickly, though, so if you are interested, it is best to order it right away. I have seen one sell out while I was thinking it over for a couple of days.
Ahh this is key intel! Thanks 50, I’ll sign myself up now!
beware the sample pack!
oh sure, it seems innocent enough….I know better…normally I just tell my self “no, don’t do it!”
I couldn’t help myself…it sucked me in…
The October sample pack cost me about $700.
B E W A R E…….
Does that mean you sampled Crushing Bloom? What did you think?
This is both terrifying and thrilling! Yes please tell us what you smelled!!
Crushing Bloom is nice but not $180/ 50ml nice (IMO) …It smells like something….I can’t put my finger on it yet. Also, I’m sure people will want to smack me for this, but it is a little like Chanel 1932 with an extra dose of iris and lotv…..it’s brighter and greener but has that “nice office friendly floral” thing going on. Plus, on me it had some longevity issues. *ie. faded fast
If it was half the price, then I might have thought about getting a bottle.
Things from the Oct. Sample pack that I felt I needed:
1. Indult Tihota –yes, I’m a vanilla ho.
2. Majda Bekkali Tendre est la Nuit
3. Profumi Del Forte Vaiana Dea
*hangs head in shame…..I haz so many needs….
The Majda Bekkali line looks like it includes some heavy hitters. Even though I’m not usually a gourmand fan, the Vaiana Dea sounds intriguing!
Yes indeed! Doesn’t the person who dies with the most samples win? 🙂
Gosh I hope so.
Oooh shoot! New duds around here!! I like! Looks nice, Robin:).
Yes! Congrats on the new look!
Thanks guys!
It does look very spiffy….but it was a bit of a shock to my system when I opened NST today… off being busy for a few weeks…come home and someone’s moved all the furniture…..
Alright team, I think I need some enabling… having been eying Serge Fleurs d’oranger on sale at Beauty Encounter for some time now, but I’ve only smelled it once, and there’s nowhere local to get another sniff to reconfirm. Do it anyway? It’s almost half off! But my buy-and-finish-a-decant-first rule has really served me well… Help??
Did you love it the one time you tried it? I think of it as gorgeous, but maybe not all that easy to wear. For me, anyway.
I totally did love it, and I tend to find cumin more fun than difficult…but I can’t always say the same for tuberose! Also I am trying to remember how orange-y (…that’s the technical term, yes? 🙂 ) it was? I’d rather something more floral than citrus. I sniffed it next to Jo Malone Orange Blossom and I recall being happy the Serge didn’t have the same wallop of orange, but maybe that was a more relative feeling than absolute?
…maybe the number of questions I have about it should be my answer! That’d be sad tho…
Hey, did you know that the Perfume Posse has a monthly Perfume Fairy Godmother post in which people can request a sample of something and then other readers will send it to them as a gift
That is so amazing–I haven’t tried it yet, because the generosity is just too overwhelming for me to fathom!! I should really go over there and see if there are some wishes I could grant, I think that would make me feel more okay with putting up one of my own!
Well, it is half off…if you don’t like it you could sell or swap. I mean, you won’t hate it, you know that, right? Why not? Shhhh, don’t snitch me out to Donatella! But then again, I ain’t the one buying, LOL..encouraging may be just as bad though, hehe.
Hahaha, this is a very good question, how does Lady Donatella count bottles enabled??
SL Fleurs d’Oranger is my all -time favorite orange blossom– more floral than citrus for sure. On sale at BE? must go look……
Ohh glad to hear you find it more floral than citrus, that’s very helpful to know. Yes, go pick up a bottle, someone should def take advantage of the sale!!
Fleurs d’Oranger is one of my all time favorites, so I say go for it, but if you’re nervous about pulling the trigger, yet anxious about missing such a good price, do know that Fragrancenet has had it listed at about $65 for over a month, so your chance to nab it for under $70 will come again.
Ah that is reassuring. Yes that’s basically my worry, will I kick myself for not grabbing it…
Oh my god, thank you for pointing out the sales on Serge Lutens! I’m about to become very very poor, though I do have a birthday rolling around soon. Maybe I can eek out a bottle or two!
You’re welcome, yes isn’t it amazing? It makes me feel like I really ought to get SOMETHING! 🙂
Happy almost-birthday!
Happy Saturday afternoon, all!
Just helped a friend move into her new condo–she looks very happy to be out of her rental situation, and I’ve done a little work to rebalance the karma between us! (I still owe her, I figure, since I have WAAAaaaay more stuff than she has, and she helped me move last year!)
Decided on L’eau d’Hiver this afternoon, post-post-moving bath. I wanted something beautiful but not too challenging. I’m hoping to see Mr. Spicebomb (microfiche) this afternoon or evening, but he’s trying to beat down a migraine at the moment. . . if he feels better, L’eau d’Hiver should be a safe fragrance choice to not re-aggravate his head.
As for saving my pennies–it’s not something I’m very good at doing for fragrance! Mostly, I just try to not be too ridiculous any one month and figure it all works out in the wash. Some months, I don’t buy anything at all! (I recognize that this would not seem like a frugal choice for everyone, however! 😉 )
Oh yes–Robin’s mention of ordering Rose Jam Lush products reminds me–anyone else a sucker for the Bliss body butter? I really like it in the Lemon Sage scent, which seems to be the only one I can’t buy on its own at my local Sephora. I’m wondering if there’s something else similar I should try instead or just bite the bullet and buy it online. . .
I bought some of the Bliss body butters at TJ Maxx recently. They also had the shower gels. Not sure if you have a TJ Maxx near you but if you do it might be worth looking.
Poodle, did you make it to Sniffa? Purchase anything (or are they generous with samples)?
I did! I’m going to comment on it below.
Oh, I’m totally gonna go check that out! Thank you!
I am! Balked at the price at first but actually worth it when I realize I use less than cheaper runnier moisturisers. And the lemon sage scent is lovely in winter.
I think you are in the states so this might not be helpful. http://www.allbeauty.com/productPaging.php?productId=986432
They do do some free international shipping offers sometimes.
Oh, thank you for the resource! I know what you mean about the texture–so creamy and thick! I had it as part of the complimentary products in a hotel room this summer, and couldn’t shake the notion of having more! Wonderful stuff.
I’m wearing M. Micallef Denis Durand Parfum Couture (I think I got the name right…?) today and liking it a lot. Something about this line turns me off, but despite that, this one might be bottle- or decant-worthy.
Interesting because I don’t have warm fuzzies for Micallef either, wonder what it is.
*Love* the new look! Very streamlined and modern, yet friendly.
Wearing Barbara Bui. Love this.
I would love to try the new Yohji Yamamoto fragrances. I never got to sniff the old versions, but I’ve read so many so many good things about them.
Thank you! And boy, haven’t smelled BB in ages…that was a great scent, never even hear about it anymore.
I’m almost up to one solid month of being ill, and feeling quite cranky about it. Trying to soothe my cranky feelings with some comfort scents. Vanille 44 this morning, and Milano Caffe this evening. (It’s an oddly green, almost oakmossy coffee. Reminding me primarily of vintage Miss Dior.
Still trying to decide whether to join Fragrance Republic. On the one hand it could be fun; on the other I have SOOO MUCH PERFUME including so many unsniffed samples (see above) that it seems a rather ludicrous thing to do.
Oh and PS – I like the new design!
I’d be cranky too — hope it is over soon!
And thanks 🙂
Me too! It can’t last forever! Thank you!
I hope you feel better soon. A month feels like forever when you don’t feel well.
Right? I didn’t even realize it’d been so long since I saw an online post from myself whining about the original cold – and it was dated a month ago! Too many complications from a simple cold. Aging sucks. It’s just that the alternative sucks worse!
Also, I’m wearing Vanille 44, so at least I smell great as I age. 🙂
So sorry about you still being ill! You are absolutely right about ageing, and my sister agrees with you, as she is always saying “it’s better than the alternative”. That’s her mantra now!
But, hell, you smell delicious!
I really do smell good. 🙂 Moving on to some Profumo.it samples now… 🙂 Thanks! (Your sister is so right.)
We’re you at least able to sniff at Sniffa? That was my huge fear, I’d be stuffed up for the biggest fragrance event I’ve ever had the chance to go to.
I was! I was so glad to have my cold at the beginning of October, so it would be out of the way for Sniffa. Then it turned into an ear infection, and then I had a bad reaction to the antibiotics. Ridiculousness! But I could smell all the way through. Visiting Scent Bar in LA, then Sniffapalooza. Thank goodness! (Was that your first Sniffa?)
It was my first but it won’t be my last. I’d definitely go again. It was a blast.
So sorry you’ve been sick so long. I am wrapping up a week of it myself and cranky is exactly the word I’d use, too. Haven’t smelled anything all week.
Here’s to better health!
Indeed! I’m grateful I’ve been able to smell. Being sick is so tiring, though. You rest too!
Has anyone else here joined Fragrance Republic?
Nice job on the new design! I really like the alphabetical tabs for your “perfume reviews” tab. I do need to view the comments horizontally vs vertically on my iPhone when there are multiple layers, but no biggie.
SOTD: Un Jardin en Méditerranée by Hermes
Been working thru fig scents and I think I found one I really like with this one. Love the citrus and fig, and not too sweet for me. Staying power is not as good as I’d like but I think this is FBW!
I love Jardin en Mediterranee. There was someone on Fragrantica who wanted to swap out her bottle. Just go to the Jardin en Mediterranee page and her review/request is a few reviews down.
Thanks for the tip!
Robin, I’m reading on phone and think its definitely easier than before. The one glitch is the multi-layered threads, but yes, reading horizontally should work!
Yes, when the comments get to the last threading level, it’s sort of ridiculous. I wonder if there are still people with phones that won’t rotate to horizontal…
Ha! Robin, I don’t have ANY cell phone, and therefore do not have one that rotates in any direction. 🙂
You know, I only got one when my son started school, so the school could reach me, and I only got a smartphone 2 years ago. I’m not a big user, unlike everyone else in the world.
Best new fig ….since you mentioned working your way thru some ….Neela Vermeire’s Ashoka. Delicious.
So excited to know about a best new fig – thank you!
Yes, I admit the comments are really hard to follow on a phone. I could make the text size on comments smaller for phones, but that might also be hard for some people…
And I like the size of the text… Perhaps cos my eyes are pretty bad!
I love the new text size…..first time in a long time that I didn’t have to “enlarge font” to see what the heck I’m typing.
It occurs to me that I’ll make fewer typos now that I can see the letters. 😉
Hello all and happy Weekend! Today I kept checking to see if NST was up and running. I really like the new look!
I’ve been on an eBay bender this past couple of weeks, going for the vintage stuff. It all started with a bottle of vintage Chant d’aromes EDT that totally captivated me with its 1960’s charm. I keep imagining a woman in a sari with a 60’s beehive hairdo wearing it. Then it was on to a bottle of vintage Chamade EDP. Then on to a couple of Carons: vintage Parfum Sacre EDP extrait and Nuit de Noel EDT. And finally a tiny partial bottle of vintage Femme pure parfum that is so exquisite. And a tiny vintage Bal a Versailles parfum in its little velvet nest box. I’m really loving these old school perfumes. I haven’t paid more than $30 for any of the items (the Femme was $15) It’s totally worth it for the perfume education. I’m going to all the reviews/pages on the web (Fragrantica, etc.) to learn about the perfumes and educating myself by trying to pick out the different notes. It’s just so much fun to do this!
Did my first eBay scent purchase this week. Actually won the bidding! It ended up being a really great deal and worth the extra time it took. I saw many vintage fragrances and was wondering if EBay was a hot spot for those that go for vintage. Hope you found some you enjoy!
What did you win, Floragal?
eBay is an excellent place to get vintage perfumes. Everything I have gotten so far smells great. I think some people might fear that old perfumes may have gone “off” and won’t bid on them. I took a chance on a few that I hadn’t smelled yet and was so thrilled by how beautiful they are, So rich and subtle. I’m really grateful to have the chance to smell some of those perfumes in their original form.
One more thing about the nst site update. I’m loving that the reply box appears right under what is being replied to! Thanks for the improvements, Robin.
Yes, I wonder about the scent having changed over so much time. If its never been open it seems it would have a better chance of smelling like its true self.
The eBay purchase was Bottega Veneta edp – a miniature size with an even more miniature price 🙂
I love Bottega Veneta. Such a beautiful suedey little beast. Congratulations on your win!
Isn’t that nice? You shouldn’t thank me, you should complain about me taking so long 🙂
Are you kidding? I’m psyched out of my mind about this blog. It’s like a virtual living room hangout on the weekend for me and I have learned so much here. I look forward to every Lazy weekend poll. Thanks so much for creating this space, Robin.
That’s so sweet, thanks!
Excellent choices all, I think!
Oh thank you. I was blind buying, but once I discovered the quality of the vintage Chant d’aromes, I was hooked and intrigued, and willing to take more chances on others.
You are practically my scent twin Saj! Ah, Chant d’Aromes, Chamade, the Carons – all my loves!
I have had good experiences on eBay, although there have been a few vintage fumes that have deteriorated. But I just accept that this is going to happen, and the majority of bottles have been great.
Aren’t they lovely? I had no idea how excellent they were. Before learning a little about perfume, most of it smelled like baby powder to me. But now I’m that I’m able to pick out a few notes, I’m realizing that the “baby powder” smell is often from many notes that are incredibly subtle and well blended.
Not perfume, but I’m saving my pennies for an iPad mini with retina display and one of the Christmas edition Diptyque candles (Indian incense sound nice).
I also bought a copy of JCE’s The Diary of a Nose because it was super-cheap on Amazon marketplace. Has anyone read it?
SOTD is Marni.
Hey, we are both lemming the same device! I am VERY tempted. And want the nice Logitech keyboard case thingie too.
I’m way past tempted. I was ready to get one last year, but the screen disappointed. I’m definitely buying the new one as soon as I can 😀
I love that book! Lovely writing + lots of fun science stuff at the end. I haven’t had a chance to try the formulas he suggests yet but even just reading them was super exciting. Enjoy!!
Ah, excellent, I love me some science-y bits. Thank you!
Love the new font, very easy for my old eyes to read. 😉
Wearing Le Feu d’Issey Miyake a spicy orange and milk scent, on a base of smooth guaiac wood.
Happy weekend everyone!
Ha…same here, we really needed a bigger font badly!
And you smell great…so nice to hear someone wearing good old Le Feu.
OH MY WORD That was a STRANGE Scent… I was far too young back in the day to appreciate that one fully… need to smell it again!
Thanks, Robin!
And NoseKnows, it is both strange and wonderful. The Szechuan pepper note stays throughout. Glad I bought a bottle in 1998 when it was first released.
Great new look, Robin!
SOTD is Penhaligon’s Lily & Spice. Or perhaps I should say WAS Lily & Spice. It vanished on me very quickly–had diminished in half an hour, and there was no trace of it 2 hours after application. The lily was very true-to-life and really strong for about 15 minutes. The spice never came though very much. I’ll use the 1.5ml sample, but won’t be buying this, for sure.
Thanks so much!
Does Anyone Remember that L’Occitane had a Eau De Toilette named “Lotus Flower” That Smelled HEA-VEN-LY!?!? Been trying to source this elusive scent but it seems nowhere to be found…. 🙁
Happy Weekend Everyone! I had to go to a staff meeting this morning. I wore my Feminite du Bois parfum. It stays close to skin and was just awesome!
The site looks nice Robin! Thank you!
Thanks Dixie!
Have been following this blog for more than a year without commenting. Was inspired to log in after seeing the new site…looks fabulous! Today it’s blustery and grey in Seattle. Thinking of summer and wearing Bronze Goddess.
Welcome, Nightingale!!!
Welcome, hope you’ll comment again!
And I love wearing Bronze Goddess off-season too…
I am almost star-struck to get a comment from you, Robin! (haha). Thinking back, I think I discovered NST around 5 years ago! Since then, I have been inspired by this site for all of my fragrance purchases starting with Hermes, Kelly Caleche, Bulgaria, Omnia, EL Bronze Goddess, and as of late, Dyptique Physikos (which I almost purchased, but went with Pacifica Mediterranean Fig due to longevity and cost). Thanks for such an awesome site – my favorite to visit when I am doing my best procrastinating!
That’s our main function: help people spend $, help people procrastinate 🙂
So good to have a clear mission statement! 😉
Speaking of great Ebay deals….
I got a few little goodies as I sold a few goodies.
My deals: A barely used Chanel No. 5 EDT 1.2 oz bottle..$28.50 including shipping. Also, Poison EDT splash bottle.. 1.7 oz, 80% full for 26.50 including shipping. 1 ounce Burberry Classic for Men, 15 bucks including shipping, new.
Done for a while!!! But like my deals:).
I keep meaning to buy a little No. 5 and Eau Premiere and never seem to get around to it. I wouldn’t need much, likely, to feed my need, but they’d be welcome to the collection. At that price, it would be much easier to make happen! Good job finding deals!
Congratulations on your eBay deals. I noticed that the Chanel 5 seems to go in cycles. Sometimes people bid it up very high and other times it goes for a song.
Yep!! And thanks! I do want some Eau Premiere as well. I don’t need a giant bottle. Just a small one:).
The new site looks great, Robin!
I’m on blackberry kick today. I started with Blackbird from Olympic Orchids on one wrist, and after a shower, I sprayed Wild Blackberry by Mistral on the other wrist. I can’t stop sniffing my wrists. Ahhh…
My husband and I went to a rattlesnake’s birthday party today. At 32, it’s the oldest Northern Pacific Rattlesnake in captivity. Apparently, a kid brought it to school as a neonate in a Styrofoam cup 31 years ago, and the teacher had it until a year ago. There were many animals to see, and my favorite had to be a small Western Hognose Snake with its adorable turned-up nose!
Hey, what a great birthday party! And thanks.
Wow, how cool is that?! My stupid school board has decided to ban all animals in classrooms without a “specific educational purpose.” You have to apply for an exception, even for a small fish tank! All animals have functionally left the schools. Such a loss for the kiddos!
Olympic Orchids Blackbird is sooo yummy….smells just like crushed blackberries and leaves to me! Ellen does a great job! Her deluxe sampler is a huge value…of course it also resulted in me needing Siam Proun, Osafume, Javanica, Carolina and A Midsummer Day’s Dream…. so , yeah….proceed with caution!!
Meanwhile…not really blackberry …but it occurred to me that you might also like The Vagabond Prince Enchanted Forest or SSS Forest Walk… now I’m feeling all “outdoorsy” ….gotta go lay down until the feeling passes….
Thanks for the tips! Oooo, the Enchanted Forest bottle is adorable. Some outdoorsy scents that I’ve tried seem better suited for my home than my body, and I was afraid that Blackbird would end up that way, but it works well on my skin. The blackberry note is natural … no artificial body spray vibe.
Oh, and I’ve really been enjoying my Lush Rose Jam shower gel!!!
I’ve been enjoying mine too! Both the product name and the company name really fit. It does smell jammy, and it is indeed lush. It is really unusual for a shower gel in that the scent lingers for quite a while. Usually, shower gels smell nice in the shower, but the scent dissipates within a few minutes after the shower is over. I suppose it is not for everybody–you do need to really like the smell of roses to appreciate it, but for rose lovers (like me) it is heavenly!
The fragrance lingers in the bathroom all day. I think that its lush and jammy nature is what has me craving blackberry scents. It is quite decadent.
SOTD is Eau des Merveilles. I’m thinking I’ll pick up a 1 oz bottle during the Sephora VIB sale next week! I tried L’Ambre first, but I think I like the original better. It feels right for the warm autumn here. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend.
I really wish they’d do a Merveilles coffret w/ all of them.
I like the new design!
Like I mentioned above, finally managed to get my hands on some Rose Jam shower gel today. I just opened the bottle and huffed it for a little bit. And then I huffed my brand new bottle of Happy Happy Joy Joy conditioner. So good. I had gone without the HHJJ for a while to save money, and I missed it so. So I was a little splurgy today and am clearly not very good at saving said pennies. 😀
So SOTD.. I started out with By Kilian Straight to Heaven, but I wasn’t liking it much, so I picked up the next sample I put my hand on, which happened to be PdE Equistrius and sprayed that over the Kilian on a whim. Worked pretty well, I gotta say.
Good, so you do like the Rose Jam? Still trying to decide if I should order online.
Wow Rose Jam is getting a lot of love here today. Must be very nice. I’ll check it out next time I’m at Lush.
I haven’t smelled Rose Jam yet, but in the spirit of what I imagine it is, I put on Traversee du Bospore today. When I first got TdB, I really didn’t like it at all, but somehow in the cooler weather it calms down a little and takes on a subtler, softer quality. Now I quite like the dry down. When I was in NY the other week, I bought some chocolate covered rose Turkish delight at the Amish market in mid-town and it smells just like TdB!
Well, Robin, I am an old stick-in-the-mud, and at first sight I thought “Oh nooooo! Change! I can’t bear it!”. But after only a few seconds I had completely reversed my opinion. It’s so much easier to read, especially for my silly eyes, and it all seems so swift now.
I can’t imagine how much work you put into NST, but just want you to know that it’s worth it!
LOL…but it was SO ugly! I don’t always like change either, but I was sick of the sight of it, truly.
Ha it’s so funny–I actually thought, on a regular basis, how much I liked the old look, but this streamlined version is better still! Great taste, Robin (of course!)
I do remember liking it when it first launched. I grew to hate it. I’ll grow to hate this one too!
SOY (scent of yesterday) was Kai layered with Gardenia Exuberante. SOTD is Ouris by SoOud.
I like the New Look 🙂
ohmigosh…..Ouris is so beautiful! Truly one of the most lovely peach scent available. Then one day I realized it was shockingly similar to Hilde Soliani Il Tuo Tulipano (the original in the red bottle) ….then I realized that I’m shockingly consistent….. 🙂
Both absolutely gorgeous scents.
Daisy I envy that consistency! Its hard to trust ones own taste when it involves too many 180 degree turns, lol:)
Ha! well, you already know what I do if I make a perfume “mistake” ….hello split hosting…..
Yes, and you already know quite how much I endorse this; )
SOTD is Nombril Immense.
I hadn’t bought a bottle of perfume for over a year but I was going to buy Coze or Bois D’Ombrie (leaning towards Coze) but I went to Berlin last weekend for a birthday trip (my birthday is in a week but I had a free ride from Hamburg to Berlin that weekend) and I bought myself Muscs Koublai Khan. I’ve worn it almost everyday since the purchase. I also got samples of Feminite du Bois (when I haven’t been MKK, I’ve mostly been wearing this), Cedre (don’t like at all), La Fille de Berlin (don’t like) and Gris Clair.
I think I can get Coze in 30ml so I might still buy it. There’s a store in Hamburg that sells PG but I haven’t gone to it yet.
Ou my! The makeover – blog edition!
I don’t think that the previous design was ugly. I was really used to it, so now I will require some time to get along with the brand new look.
My SotD is Dior Ambre Nuit
Ugh, I just hated the old look. And we had it for a LONG time.
I have to admit that I loved the old look (the banner was my favorite). In the new look it is harder for me to read the thread as each comment appears huge on the screen, so it is rather difficult to get a sense of the larger unit and how the conversation is proceeding (and I enjoy seeing how people talk with each other, and how this works as a part of the thread). But I am a computer user, and since everybody seems to adore the new look, I imagine that it must be very cellphone friendly — congratulations, Robin! It definitely makes more sense how the comments are composed now.
I mostly use a desktop too, and you’re right, everything is “bigger” — actually, I think that’s even more true on a phone, it’s very hard to follow the threading, although now at least it resizes to fit in the available window.
I’ve been around here longer than I thought; this is the second (or third?) blog makeover that I remember.
My eyes are thanking you for the easy to read font!
LOL — than some of these elements you may have already seen come & go! I think a few iterations back we had blue boxes on the sidebars.
I remember those….sheesh….this is making me feel old…..
I think I like the new look. It’s easier to read. I was feeling old when I’d have to adjust the size of the font some days. Now I don’t have to. 🙂
I’m recovering from the whirlwind weekend that was Sniffa. I was only there for the Saturday portion but I probably sniffed more fragrances in 12 hours than I have in the past 12 months. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. It was tons of fun and I met so many wonderful people. Plus, I got a bunch of samples which I will be amused with for days. There were also small size bottles in the goodie bags which was nice. I met some perfumers and while most were very sweet, the one who I didn’t think much of from what I’d read about him didn’t do anything to make me change my mind. No biggie, there’s plenty of other things to sniff.
Yay, Poodle, that’s what I think about the size of the font! Maybe now I won’t make so many typos (a bad workman always blames his tools!).
Of course I am wondering which perfumer you could possibly mean…….
Ha, has not worked for me so far! And we STILL don’t have a comment editing feature, argh.
SOTD: Rose Anonyme
Hello everyone, I was walking around NYC a couple of weeks ago and caught the most delicious trails of musk perfumes. There were so many people on the street that I couldn’t identify the wearer or I would have asked what it was. I’m still looking for a sexy musk scent. I don’t like Kiehl’s or MKK. NR for her doesn’t really do it for me either. I’m looking for something that smells like the old timey Jovan white musk oil, but has a little projection to it. Anyone know of something I could try?
Have you tried SL Clair de Musc?
I sprayed some Clair de Musc on a paper last time I was at Barneys, and then for some reason I got distracted by the Cedre, which smells much better on paper than on my skin. So I busted out the $ for a bottle of discounted Beauty Encounter Cedre without actually testing it on my skin first and found out the hard way that it just isn’t for me. Long story short, CdM has been discounted on BE for awhile now and I have been tempted to buy a bottle, but I have learned my lesson and will get a sample to test first. Thanks for your suggestion.
There is always Parfum1 who has great loyalty coupons occasionally , you just need to get on his list (sign up for the emails)
Back to the fragrance question…the first thing that came to mind (other than CdM) is Micallef Royal Muska.
Paris is very nice. Florabotancia ….I had to scrub it off. Meh, indeed. More like “what the heck?”
Haven’t tried the L’Eau Rose yet.
ps. I am not associated with Parfum1 in any other way than an avid* shopper. 🙂
* perfume ho
It’s kind of a chore to keep them straight but it could be worth trying the variants on NR for Her (essence, musc, in color, etc. etc. etc.!) I do find there are some that work better for me than others. And have you tried SJP Lovely? It’s a nice one and you can’t beat the price. What else… Musc ravageur? I’m afraid I don’t know what the old Jovan oil smells like, so I can’t really say how they compare, but those are all pretty appealing musks, for my money!
Hey Robin — love the new look and comments are much easier to read and follow. Got a sample yesterday of Balenciaga L’eau Rose…can some of my fragrant friends chime in on the entire Balenciaga line? this is my first sniff….thanks
Thank you!
I do still like Balenciaga Paris better, but the L’Eau Rose was really nice. Florabotanica was a complete meh to me.
About the Flora, I know!!! I just smelled it and was like…really? That’s it? Yep, Paris, much better.
I’m with Robin in preferring Paris, but I’d add that the other two strike me as having more in common with each other than with Paris, at least tonally. I find Paris to be beautiful in an almost-formal way, whereas Florabotanica and L’Eau Rose feel more casual. For whatever that may be worth!
There’s another one I never did get around to smelling, Essence, maybe?
I really liked Balenciaga Paris. Am considering buying a full bottle when my two samples run out.
I tired Florabotanica, and liked it for about 2 seconds on my skin, and then it just turned a little too powdery, and was a kind of dull floral. So I deemed it a Bathroom scent, and was using it as an air freshener. I LOVED it as an air freshener. It smelled so much better in the air than on my skin…YMMV.
I like the curved corners of the comment boxes – they did used to be square, right? I always prefer curves:)
Yesterday I wore Halston Z-14 on wrists and arms and spritzed Tea Rose down my shirt: really enjoyed that combo!
It’s full-on summer here now and today was hot so – L’eau ombre for me. I find it cooling and enjoy its tart-ness.
This is kind of creepy but I’ve been trying to figure out where you’re from since forever. I finally assumed you were like Dutch or something like that (even though I can usually tell when people are Dutch because I can pick up people’s accents from how they write) but I don’t think the weather in the Netherlands is THAT different from Hamburg that it would be full-on summer right now. So basically, where do you live?
Engelwurtz, I’m from South Africa, but don’t think there is much Dutch influence on my writing because I never did take to Afrikaans! I was also wondering on your trip from Hamburg to Berlin; are you native to Germany?
Does ‘From’ suggest that I am now elsewhere? Actually I have always lived here:)
No, I’m from the US (my heritage is mostly Welsh/Scottish/French, so I’m not German at all XD) and right now I’m an au pair to perfect my German so I can get my master’s here later. I studied abroad in Berlin in 2011 and I went there for a month in January/February 2013. Being in Hamburg is making me very Berlin-sick but I’m trying to make the best of it ;o;. When I find this perfume store that sells Parfumerie Generale, maybe I will feel better (prob not though, let’s be real here).
LOL, perfume shops are always consoling:) My b.f went on a business trip to Germany a few years ago and I ordered some samples from First in Fragrance. Their prices are quite high but the samples are nearly decant size and come in atomizers which is nice.
Yes, it’s nicer when everything isn’t a straight box!
confirmed!
Bottega Veneta: Warning! Fakes masked as 75 ml testers are being sold on the European Ebay.
The bottles look just fine but the scent is totally different – and not in a good way. Sellers sell out of Austria. The sellers also don’t accept Paypal so it is difficult to get your money back!
Love the redesign! (Not that the old one was ugly!)
No SOTD. Have a cold – winter is here. 🙁 but at least i hv nst back again!
While I am in bed reading like mad, any recommendations for an easy read (ie nothing go addle my stuffed brain) that is not a no-brainer? Just finished Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Charming enough story, but somehow it was hard to feel anything for the characters.
Hey, winter reading poll is coming up next week!
Ooh, goodie! Love reading polls! 🙂
Me, too! I’ve read some really good books after seeing them recommended here.
I’m sorry that you are sick. You might enjoy The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman — all of the books in that trilogy were very hard to put down 🙂
2nd that…love that series.
Thanks kindcrow for the sympathy and book rec. I shouldn’t complain too much though since I get sick only in winter and enjoy good health the rest of the year.
I think I really must read that trilogy. Heard good things about the books but my recollection of the movie did not incline me to seeking it out. 🙂
I hope you feel better soon. I sympathize because I was ill and am now recovering from a heinous stomach flu. I couldn’t stand the smell of fragrance for two weeks. I’ve been able to wear Bulgari Eau thé Vert for the last couple of days and tonight I’m trying a little Creed Love in Black lotion.
I am so sorry you got the stomach flu. Of all flus, I think that is the worst. But I am averse to throwing up in general.
Hmm, bvlgari green tea is good for sick days. That was the only perfume I could stand when I was pregnant. Hope you get well soon!
I’ve definitely noticed that Neil Gaiman tends to go for story over character development.
I think you are right – the characters are not wooden or one dimensional but they do not really grow.
The new Bridget Jones book is a great easy read – called Mad About a Boy – you can just picture Rene Zellwiger, Hugh Grant and all the others just like they were in the film. Its really funny, makes you laugh and also a tear or two – brilliant!
Thanks. 🙂
I am almost ready to buy a FB of DS & Durga Coriander. Any enablers? Do I really need to get a sampler of coriander fragrances before I go for this one? (I am rather ignorant of the coriander note)
I usually like perfumes with a coriander note, like Guerlain’s Heritage…
Have you tried a sample of the DS&Durga?
Are you doubting because you aren’t familiar with other coriander scents? If that’s the case, unless you looovvveee coriander there’s no need to find your Holy Grail Coriander, so I say go ahead and get it.
Sorry, I don’t think I’d understood your question when I commented.
I had a sample of DS & Durga Coriander and really liked it. In fact, I liked it so much that I almost decided on a FB (with a 20% off coupon). However, I don’t know much at all about the coriander note, e.g., I never tried Guerlain’s Heritage! and I know that Robin likes JC’s Coriandre, so was wondering whether I should first learn about what else is out there. But from what engelwurz is saying, I should be brave and go ahead with DS & Durga. Yes?
Yes, I think Engelwurtz got you!
Often I feel the need to try a few perfumes of a certain type before I invest in a bottle of any one in particular. Usually though it ends up being the way the whole composition includes the note that has appealed to me, and does not have that much to do with the individual notes.
I would say if you have easy access to a department store and some extra time it may be worth doing a bit more sniffing just so you are more confident in your choice. But, if you need to order samples, wait for them, etc, and you really adore the DS, just go for the DS:)
Merlin, as you mentioned the “extra time” (plus, the stores are rather lame in my area) … I think I’ll just order the DS …
Very Random reply!: Am at this moment making a giant pot of winter vegetable broth in which I dump copious amounts of coriander, cumin, and nutmeg. My hands smell divine AND I get soup.
Could you perhaps send some Morgana’s way?
The experience of a coriander, cumin and nutmeg accord may be helpful!
Great idea! Not only do I like the accord, I could not ever say no to a veggie soup 🙂
(actually, I have all those spices at home, but need to cook something with kale tonight … not sure that would combine well, but if there are any good recipes, do send them my way!)
Oh. I love that you asked! Olive oil, garlic (fresh minced), and smoked paprika (paprika ahumada)are a favorite on kale. That is my quick fix. If I have more time, I saute shallots in olive oil first, then add the garlic, paprika and kale. If your pan gets too dry, you can add water, or vegetable broth, or white wine to help soften the kale. I love kale!
Oakland Fresca, thanks for the recipe! Now I know what I will be cooking tonight, and it sounds delicious!
Went to an antique mall earlier this week to get a present for my boyfriend (and put a payment on a layawayed fantastic tension pole lamp) when I made an amazing perfume find! A half dram of My Sin parfum! If I could only have one vintage perfume for the rest of my days, that would be it!
Nice score!
Wow! Amazing that you happened on it. I love this story, gives me hope that maybe one of these days I’ll stumble on a bottle of Vacances 🙂
SotD = Krigler Topaze Imperiale 13 Parfum…..which I’ve decided smells quite a bit like a better, smoother Tom Ford Moss Breches…. of course I like it; it’s wildly spendy……I am cursed.
Can’t you just fall for a gem like Killer Queen! Ha ha!
My nose can pick out the most expensive fragrance in any batch of sniffing….blindfolded, with both hands behind my back and standing on one foot. Seriously…..I dread things like sample packs….and certain lovely SA’s at niche shops are very kind and routinely send me “goodies” …..something from which I will invariably “need to have”…..
Hey wait a minute….did I say “kind”?…..savvy things know just what they’re doing!!! daggnabbit!
Lol, they know their loyal customers:)
This is about as OT as it gets, but – I’v recently contracted a nail polish obsession which has led to an interest in the general condition of my nails. My main problem, at the moment is peeling. I’v been using Nailtique formula 2 for about a week – which is not long enough for a fair trial – but – they seem to now be peeling even in places they weren’t, before I started the treatment. I’m wondering if this is good evidence it is not working or if I should keep trying? If this doesn’t work I am thinking of Trind. Does anyone have experience or advice about this?
Have you tried just vitamin e oil? Olive oil may work too. Honestly, I’ve found with olive oil, honey and sea salt, I don’t need to buy any beauty treatments (this is me personally, though!!!).
Ooh, I’m interested in this question as well! What precisely does one do with those ingredients…?
I’m suggesting to massage olive oil onto your nails. I’ve never used olive oil for my nails–I’ve always used vitamin e oil–but I’m sure it’d work.
What I use olive oil for: My hair is really long and sometimes it gets frizzy. What I do is mix olive oil, honey, and half a banana together and apply to my hair, really working into the bottom half of my hair. Then I smooth a thin layer onto the top layer of the top half of my hair. This moisturizes the ends and controls frizz. Apparently people have issues with banana bits staying in their hair forever, so it’s advised to get the banana as smooth as possible. You probably shouldn’t use too much honey, either. You wash it out, shampoo, and you probably shouldn’t need conditioner.
Now I’m in Hamburg and I have another issue–hard water. My hair has had dandruff, gross build up, and I need to wash it every 2 days because it gets greasy sooner. On Friday I took olive oil, massaged it onto my scalp and applied a small amount throughout my hair. The dandruff and build up is gone. My hair is shiny and bouncy. It is moisturized but not greasy. It’s been 2 days and I probably can go 2 more days without washing. Now, if the thought of going 4 days without your hair is really making you recoil, then we do not have the same hair type and you shouldn’t take my advice.
I’ve made foot scrubs and lip scrubs with olive oil and sea salt. The lip scrub has finer salt and has less salt in the mix.
Honey: My skin is oily and I don’t get pimples/zits very often but I do have huge pores so I get blackheads. What I do is put a layer of honey on my face, leave it on for a few minutes, and wash it off. It reduces oil but is not drying. When I do get pimples, I usually pick at them. Honey has helped with any scarring I had.
I also use honey to remove unwanted perfume. Just put a layer on and wash off. I also do with this unwanted food smells (ex, I eat vinegar potato chips. Then I apply honey to my finger tips and wash off).
That Egyptian Magic cream that supposed to be unbelievably amazing uses 6 ingredients, including honey and olive oil. Honey and olive oil is all you need!!!!!!
My hair is curly/frizzy but the actual hair shaft is very fine. So when I tried olive oil in it – once and long ago – it was a bit of a disaster! Like all curly hair it is dry, but light cream or gel-textured products are less heavy and so suit it better.
But yes, for other hair types I can see this working well!
I also have oily skin and tend to get clogged pores. I use something with 2% salicylic daily, and that really helps with clogged pores. A honey and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) mask every once and a while clears out my pores and makes my skin very soft. A mask made with aspirin and water alone will flake off, but the honey helps the mask stick to your face.
The oils and honey probably have moisturizing properties but I’m not sure dryness is the problem. Or its not entirely dryness. I do use a rather plain vitamin e oil for my body and really do like that!
I always wished for curly/frizzy hair …
Recently, I got into the oil craze (and essential oils!), and it has been fun (plus, I do feel they work better than the usual cosmetic products). I think the primrose oil is very good as a base oil, and rosemary, lemon and carrot should be helpful as well.
Randomly, I can attest that castor oil works wonder for eyelashes!
I meant “primrose oil + rosemary, lemon and carrot” as an answer to the nail question.
Oh, Interesting, I would not have thought of these. (Not that I know much about EOs) I may need to go shopping…
Badger’s cuticle balm which is one of the best I have used does contain various EOs but I can’t remember which.
I have no help for the hair question …but maybe for the skin.
Honey is fabulous stuff with moisturizing and healing properties…..but if you have dry skin, I’d be concerned about the sea salt as it might be overly drying….so in that case maybe you can substitute granulated sugar since it makes a fabulous scrub without being too harsh or drying.
And to go back to the beginning…any advice for nails. I mean the actual nail plate as opposed to just the cuticles…
Natural or store-bought!
Generally I’d say that there are 3 things that affect your nails:
1. genetics….can’t do anything about that.
2. environment–get some of those dr.s exam gloves at Costco or Sam’s and wear them when you are having your hands in the dishes and stuff like that…water alone will dry out your nails, but water with detergent in it? = nail destroyer.
3. health — you cannot help it if you spend a month being sick (winter happens, ya know?) and anytime you are sick or your diet is crappy your nails are going to suffer. Your internal organs get first dibs on nutrition ….your nails and hair are sort of an afterthought it seems, so they are the first to suffer.
So…what can you do?
1. get the gloves and protect your hands and nails. Argan oil is great stuff — if you can get a little eye dropper bottle of it and a few times a day just rub a tiny amount into your nails….not enough to make a mess, just to create a moisture barrier (you can’t heal a grown nail anymore than you can heal a grown hair…by time you see it, it’s pretty much a done deal) So think “protection”. You can also use about any Shea butter or mango butter type product, avoid things with alcohols.
2. health…okay, we all do the best we can…but take a daily vitamin (a gummi children’s vitamin will do) and then find yourself some Vitamin D-3 and some Calcium + magnesium +zinc supplements (hint: inexpensive at Sam’s club!) This will help immensely but you won’t really see it until your nails grow out for a while (it’s the new nail that you are growing that you are making stronger) so be patient.
3. genetics — complain to your parents that they gave you weak nails. It doesn’t change a thing but it’s always fun to blame some stuff on the rents.
okay….that’s all I got.
ps. My nails do best when I keep them polished….it keeps water and the elements sealed off. And about once every 5-8 days I removed polish with pure acetone….it’s quick..swipe swipe…wash off the residue and done. Non-acetone remover takes a lot more scrubbing and I think the longer the exposure the worse it affects my nails. Acetone doesn’t seem to do any more drying or damage than washing a couple of dishes with dawn dish liquid on bare nails. Oil them up over night….then polish again the next day.
Thanks Daisy, I’m starting to suspect the same about removers, non acetone ones as well as those with added moisturizing properties – the longer exposure and extra stress from the rubbing must do its own damage.
I’m becoming OCD – I mean taking more care with water… And will look into the nutrients.
According to Paula’s site there is no scientific evidence for strengtheners that one paints on, but then again she mentions calcium ones, not protein.
The thing is that though the nail plate like the hair shaft is ‘dead’ they can both be affected by chemicals, the right conditioners, etc
So, the claim that protein polish treatments help bind the layers of nail does not seem fantastic. I’m just not sure that the claim is verified!
I wonder if the polish, polish remover, etc. are the cause of the problem, or if they are exacerbating the problem?
The Cosmetics Cop has a post at http://www.paulaschoice-eu.com/learn/question-of-the-month-august-2011-why-do-nails-split-or-break/ that you could check out.
Great idea, I love her site!
You are right about the polish and the remover – but even before I got polish obsessed my nails were very weak.
I’m off to view your link:)
SOTD (from a free sample) is Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Vitae–well it was. Cannot smell it anymore. Could be the coriander, cumin, and nutmeg I seem to have gotten all over me cooking this afternoon.
Okay. I have been looking forward to crowing all week on NST. My birthday was on the 30th and among the wee giftees I received was a bottle of Bijou Romantique (ELO) and Lumiere Noire pour femme (MFK).
The Lumiere Noire I had sniffed before, and it is easy it love. Not challenging, but really sparkly and lovely–at least I think so.
I panicked a little at the first sniff of Bijou Romantique– my first impression was of Lou Lou without the sweetness, and a hint of cumin… and maybe a hint of plastic–all not in a good way. But last night I sprayed BR on one wrist and LL on the other, and then resprayed BR two more times…which you’d think would kill any budding love, but it actually had the opposite effect. Lou Lou started to smell simple and sweet, and BR started to smell romantic and even a little erotic. Strange.
I also got an Ineke Delux Sample Collection. The only Ineke frag I had tried before was Evening Edged in Gold which I like but wouldn’t choose to buy. After sniffing most of the samples I have the same impression–but it also simply might be the abundance of so many that makes them seem less special. BUT, what I wanted to say was that for those looking for holiday gifts, I noted (cheeky of me I know!) that the cost for the Collection (eight in all–spray sample size) is $25, and it makes a really fun gift.
Am LOVING the larger font Robin. Whoever said they liked the new curves at the corners… me too! Thanks for all the work you do on this site. It gives me enormous pleasure!
Happy Birthday! Sounds like some wonderful gifts:)
I love EEIG!
Getting 8 samples all lined up in pretty boxes (in alphabetical order no less) induced a terrible case of perfume gluttony. I had to try them all, at once! From my initial run through, my favorites were Evening Edged in Gold and Field Notes from Paris– and maybe Chemical Bonding in third. I wish I could do a blind smelling one day… and pit the likes of Ineke and Lush against much pricier frags and see how things turned out. I am hopelessly influenced by hype, price, bottle style, and the ephemeral notion that something is unique.
Thanks for your birthday wishes!
One of these days, I hope to get a FB of Evening. I have Field Notes…which I loved a lot more than I do now…it’s tobacco and dryer sheets now..and I just can’t get over the dryer sheets part.
Happy birthday, you made out like a bandit!
And thanks. Amazing how much kinder curved corners look.
Happy Birthday! and don’t forget that if you do decide to purchase a full bottle of Ineke, she used to give a $25 credit for buying the sample set.
SOTE are Nos. 1 and 2 from the Coach leatherware line. I’m liking the first one a lot! Leather’s not usually my thing but it’s playing nicely with the nutmeg and other spices. I’m afraid I can’t really say the same for the rhubarb (No 2) though!
Anyone else had a chance to sniff yet? Would be curious to hear what others think.
Interesting, leather isn’t my thing either…but maybe with some spices? I do like me some spice. Haven’t sniffed these yet…not in a rush after Poppy, Poppy Flower…blah blah. But curious a small bit after your comment.
No rush perhaps but I think No. 1 could be worth a sniff if you’re near a Coach store. The truth is I can’t immediately think of another mainstream scent it resembles, which is already an accomplishment!
(No. 2, well, to me it smelled like something from the Poppy line!)
When the font is too small on a web site, you could try pressing CTRL and the plus sign to enlarge things. To go in the other direction, press CTRL and the key to the right of the plus sign on your keyboard (a dash or minus sign).
That’s what I do, except that on Apple you hold down the command key and press the plus key to enlarge (you can press plus more than once to enlarge more). There’s also a swipe on the touch pad that I do accidentally sometimes that enlarges, but it doesn’t work as well – widens the whole page rather than just enlarging and adjusting.