Our same old open thread poll: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the fragrance you know you own but can't seem to find, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
And one more reminder: the Prix Eau Faux starts next week!
Note: image is Purple Poppies [cropped & tripled] by aussiegall at flickr; some rights reserved.
Hello and happy weekend! it’s a beautiful day here with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Spring is just around the corner. I’m pretty new to this, but already I’m getting a hankering for the next season’s scents. Kind of all ambered out and looking forward to some lighter scents soon! I had no clients today so put on a generous helping of vanille insensee and topped it off with a smidge of very old vintage
Shalimar perfume. Feeling like quite the gilded Mogul princess today.
I had a question not related to perfume. Because of ongoing foot issues, last week the podiatrist recommended that I wear only Birkenstocks, the ugliest most sasquatchy shoes in the world, in my opinion. Could anyone recommend a shoe that looks ok and offers good arch support/room for toes?
Check out the Walking Company (in many malls in my area). they seem to have good looking shoes that might work for you. Also, I wear a lot of Keens, especially when I travel. Good support and cute.
Yes, Keens are very cute. I’ve never worn them but will try some on to see how they fit. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Sajini, sorry I cannot be of much help as I think Birkenstocks are cute. Some people like better Mephisto but they are more expensive.
Ha! Well maybe I should give Birkies a chance. A lot of these healthy shoes are pretty expensive I’ve noticed. But it’s worth it to preserve the arches.
I’m wondering if there would be a perfume that matches the aesthetic of Birkenstocks?
Oh, so many! Any woods, vetiver or incense (possibly more on the tough and/or natural side) would be a good match. In case you have tried it, Six Scents by Damir Doma would be just perfect (and it is a beautiful fragrance). But this is if you like the old school Brikenstocks, as I do. If you are more open to the newer editions with cheerful colors and patterns, then, I would say, you have an “infinite” choice. Hope you’ll enjoy your new shoes!
Yes, will sample Six Scents. Vetiver, woods and incense are right up my alley.
I wore Birkenstocks for years and wound up with plantar fasciitis as a result – from gripping down with the toes.
Pekefan, can I ask what style Birkenstock? I find in the Gizeh flip-flop style I do have to grip down a little (even when I buck them at their tightest) but don’t seem to have this problem with the Pisa. I find the Pisa more comfortable but don’t like wearing the same shoe always so I more or less alternate with Gizeh…
Hi Merlin, I wore the Arizona style. They were trendy way back when.
I like Kalso Earth shoes with the negative heel. They make my feet and back feel good.
Ok, Arizona does not appeal to me, so maybe I’m safe, lol!
I wear Merrell clogs, like these, to work every day. I add a Birkenstock arch support (I found mine at the Walking Company), and my feet are very happy even after standing/pacing in my classroom for 8+ hours. Neither is cheap, but I’ve used the supports without replacing them for about 5 years now. The shoes need replacement about every year or two, but they hold up surprisingly well given the constant use. Good luck!
http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Womens-Encore-Nova-Clog/dp/B0070ZYNHE
Those look cute. Thanks for the suggestion to use a Birkie insole.
The Merells are mostly practical, in my book, but they aren’t ugly at least! I do like the Birkenstock insoles and find they offer much of the same support as the sandals. They are cork and fit to your foot in the same way, in any case.
Merrell sandals are the best and you can’t kill them.
Yes! I have some Merrell flip-flops that are even pretty hardy and unusually comfortable by flip-flop standards!
I’ll second (third?) the Merrells – they are the only shoes my mom can wear thanks to some joint problems. Every other shoe seems to cause her pain but she swears by these!
Sajini: if your feet are not huge (above US size 11-12, as are mine, boohoo), then Birks sells many cute and colorful women’s styles now. They have/had? some rather nice strappy and gladiator style ones last year… It’s worth the look. I make due with the boring Arizona, but a good pedicure and no one points and laughs…
Haha! Well I will have to make a pilgrimage to the Birkie store in Harvard Square in search of those styles. The nice thing about Arizona is the I yam what I yam presence it has, especially with a smart pedicure. I’m sure you aer rocking the look. The food doctor suggested I wear socks with Birkies!
Yuck – the only time to wear sock with birks is in the *winter* when you wear them as *house shoes*! Or after they get really smelly…. TMI, but eventually all birks do get smelly and wearing socks with them ONLY AT HOME will bring some of the odor out. Or you could just go all Miller Harris L’air de Rien!!
Lol. If old Birkies smell like L’air de Rien I’m running out right out now to get me a pair!!!
Well, Sajini, the good news is that your podiatrist didn’t recommend custom-made orthotics :-). I agree with the recommendation to try the Birkenstock insoles with footwear designed for cooler weather. Even some Dr. Scholl’s products are good. The best way to test all of your footwear is to try them on at the end of a long day on your feet. If you decide to buy insoles, bring them along and put them into whatever you’re trying on. Otherwise, you’ll end up with really squashed feet!
If you have any sneakers that work for you, many of them have removable insoles that you can switch into your shoes.
I like some of the Birkenstock sandals, and the ones with a covered footbed are a bit more chic. Although they’re expensive, you can send them to the company to have the footbed replaced when necessary.
Great suggestions, Holly. Thank you!
Haha I was actually going to suggest custom insoles! A friend’s father actually works at a diabetes clinic/medical supply store (diabetics on occasion do need custom insoles due to their unfortunate health issues) and does custom insoles.
I actually have a pair that definitely help with my arch-related issues. The downside is that you do have to get close-toed shoes to put them in and there are some shoes that you just can’t make work with insoles (ballet flats for example), but the upside is that there is still a world of non-Birkenstock cute shoes that you can wear with those insoles and still get the arch support you need!
In terms of arch support, I have had good experiences with Sanita clogs (though they may not have enough toe room?), which are very very similar to the slightly more expensive dansko clogs. I used to wear them when I worked as a line cook, and they were great for having to be on my feet all the time. They are quite comfortable once you break them in, and I speak as someone with wide flat duck feet.
I went looking for pics of Danskos and totally fell in love with these!
http://www.planetshoes.com/item/dansko-professional-petrol-patent/8800
Those are adorable. Let us know if you get a pair!
I have a pair of Sanita slip ons and the style I have does press down on my toes a bit too much. The podiatrist suggested tracing around my foot and bringing the tracing to the shoe store. If the tracing goes beyond the boundary of the show, then it’s going to be too narrow. Like Yukiej I also have “flipper feet” with one big toe that is permanently dorsiflexed. So shoes have to be wide and double decker.
Another vote for Keen sandals with cork soles. I have really bad feet and really $$ orthotics that I can only wear in two pairs of (again) really pricey shoes, but I can wear Keens in the summer and they’re cute and comfortable.
Thanks, I didn’t know Keen made a sandal with cork soles. I will look for them.
I find many styles of Birkenstocks to be adorable, but I understand that they are an acquired taste 🙂 In addition, you can have them re-soled numerous times and you can have tougher, more resistant heels added if you drag your feet like I do.
I also recommend Keen, Dansko (they make some cute dress shoes), and shelling out the cash for custom orthotics. As someone mentioned above, the orthotics won’t fit in all of your shoes. I almost always pay triple digits for shoes, but it is soooo worth it for the comfort (I have pronating ankles, flat feet, and bunions). I also am not into fashion, so I don’t need that many pairs of shoes.
Thanks for the encouragement to shell out for good shoes and or orthotics. I’m kind of excited about taking better care of my feet. Latest self-treat has been a Japanese deep foot soak bucket. I put hot water, dead sea salts and essential oils and soak my feet before bedtime. It’s so relaxing and warming. I sleep like a baby after a foot soak.
Oooo, that does sound like a nice treat before bed.
That sounds fantastic. I think I’d like to give that a try!
I live in Birkenstocks sandals in summer. They are the only kind of sandal I don’t slip out of (I also have a pair of Merril flops). Before I discovered them I literally couldn’t wear sandals – probably a combination of hammer toes and very narrow feet.
I have two pairs of Gizeh styled flops and I think this style is quite nice. But, I find the Pisa design the most comfortable (and don’t need to grip my toes at all with these). Unfortunately the Pisa style can look very dowdy. I have, however, a blue and silver pair with rhinestone type buckles! The more interesting multicolored patterned ones are better. Also they last incredibly well.
Admittedly they are clunky – but then I kind of like clunky shoes!
I think it says a lot about being comfortable in your own skin when you can rock the Berkinstocks with rhinestones, Merlin!
lol! When I was a teenager I wore pixie boots with bells on them. They made me so giddy with terror I was practically floating when I wore them:0
My other favorites were Dr Martens. I do still like quirky foot-wear and generally feel like I’m pretending to be someone else if I wear pretty or conventionally sexy feminine shoes.
Comfortable in my own skin? I’m still working on that one:)
Your podiatrist may be on the cutting edge of fashion. If you’ve ever dreamed of $700 designer shoes that look just like Birkenstocks, this article from last Sunday’s LA Times is for you:
http://www.latimes.com/fashion/alltherage/la-ig-comfortable-and-chic-sandals-spring-20140203-photos,0,4576708.photogallery?index=lat-la-ig-comfy-shoes-photos-la0014392938-20140122
That is Hilarious! Well, I just have to get discount berkies on line and wear them in my studio for a month or so and voila! Designer hipster paint splatter sandals!!
Sajini, my feet demand comfortable and supportive shoes, and I’m mostly wearing Merrills these days. In the past I’ve also worn Keens, Mephisto and Tevas, which are all very supportive and have space for the toes. Clarks and Ecco are other possibilities.
People have differently shaped feet, and different brands tend to work better for different shapes. Of course, the sizes run differently across brands, as well. It’s best if you can visit stores that that have these brands and try them on to find the one that works best for you. Good luck!
Yes totally true about different brands working for different foot shapes. Today, dh and I went to a couple of shoe stores and I tried on several different pairs of Berkinstocks. Not sure that I found them terribly comfortable, but I heard it takes a little while for the footbed to take on the shape of the foot. In one way, they are so wide and supportive that I felt super cool and grounded in them. (So my shoes are ugly, you have a problem with that?!) In another way, they seemed so completely unsexy. I felt like the swamp thing in a pair of greenish taupe suede “Rosemeade” Berkies, but in a good way! I didn’t buy anything. The search continues…
Yes, yes! There is something empowering about toe-in Birkenstocks. Very grounding. You feel like an ancient Celt off on an adventure (although I doubt that their shoes had such awesome arch support). I have a pair of the London in black. My next pair will probably be the Paris (cute Mary Jane-style).
I love my Londons! I love the unusual line of the front. Actually, I think the london’s look fine with socks – but not sure if the Paris style would – though it is cute!
Sajini, I’ve had great luck with Sanita (sandals) and Dansko–But whatever you do, do NOT go with the Dankso clogs–go with another style. The clogs are notorious for contributing to twisted/sprained ankles. I’ve also had good luck with Clarks and Rockport. FWIW, I had a pair of Birkenstocks back in the day, and they were really comfortable, but wore out really fast, and were hideous to look at.
This is a little late, but Naot makes some very cute sandals and shoes. You can take a look at the styles on Zappos. They are super comfortable. Be aware that a lot of the styles run narrow (which is great for me). Also I’ve done fine with Dansko clogs, you just have to be a bit more aware of your feet and walking in them. I’ve worn them for years and have had no trouble and they are sooo comfortable.
SOTD Serge Lutens Miel de Bois. Anybody else, besides me, enjoys this one?
Me!
Yay!
Me too! Aedes found a bottle in their warehouse a few years ago when I thought I had missed the boat on acquiring one.
Really nice on me, no “yucky” notes. LOL
That is awesome, Bear — congratulations on the original bottle! (I only have a large decant)
I also think it smells really nice on me, even though my husband complains about the yucky notes and other people do not say anything. But you know what, I do not really care: I enjoy wearing it and find it like no other fragrance that I know.
Excellent! I wear perfume because I like it and don’t really care if others like it or not. If that makes me selfish – okay. Enjoy Morgana!
Happy weekend, all!
SOTD will probably be Cuir de Lancome, as I have been wearing it a lot since last week’s conversation. It seems like a good not-quite-spring scent–still cozy but not as heavy as the big winter scents tend to be. It is also inoffensive enough to not bother me while I have a cold, which I do at the moment!
Had a rough weekend last weekend–woke up Sunday morning with my throat closing up–an allergic reaction to something unknown! Very scary. A meany coworker suggested I was allergic to my perfume! I did the grown-up thing and stuck my tongue out at him at the suggestion. But then again, my boss suggested I was allergic to Mr. Spicebomb, as one of the newer things in my environment, so helpful suggestions all around!
Oh no, did you have to go to the emergency room?
Yeah. Got an epinephrine shot and everything! New fun experience, for sure! Now I have to keep an Epipen in my purse, since we have no idea what I was responding to. (Like my purse isn’t overflowing already!)
Been there, done that. But I don’t need to carry a pen since all of mine have been related to meds.
Oh gosh, sorry to hear that! What an amazing and horrible feeling that is to have the epinephrine, huh? I felt like I was going to buzz right out of my skin! Thank goodness it doesn’t last long, at least.
Funny, have done this 3 times and don’t even remember that! But it’s been awhile. Only remember being glad to be alive 😉
Sorry to hear of your horrible experience. The detective part is difficult, especially since you can react to something that was OK before. Have you changed your detergent/fabric softener? Or added a new environmental scent, eg candle, diffuser, room spray? If your windows were open, has a new pollen entered the environment? Etc. etc.
Thanks, Lindaloo!
Yeah, the scientist in me wants to start running experiments on myself. Eat a handful of hazelnuts and wait and see. Then open up some latex balloons and play with them a while and wait and see. Then maybe buy some flowers from the florist. . . Probably better to wait to get to the allergist and test under more controlled conditions, though!
I have been wracking my brain for something truly unusual, and I can’t think of anything really different about last weekend! So, as you say, must be something that used to be ok and no longer is.
Did you perhaps have a cold or something like it last weekend? Sometimes an infection can help trigger an reaction to something you have no problem with normally. As a doctor I’m quite certain it wasn’t the perfume 🙂
Oh, interesting, Eva! I felt like I had a sore throat before I went to bed, but didn’t have any other cold symptoms. And it wasn’t until a day later that I began to feel congested, etc. If a cold increases your chance of a reaction, does that sensitivity still stick with you after the cold is over?
And very reassuring about the perfume! 😀
I’ve had a closing throat feeling when I got a bad sinus infection once. I thought I was reacting to the antibiotic but I think it was just that my throat was more swollen and inflamed and not really sore like it usually would be with a cold. It’s not a good feeling.
Poodle–yeah, I tried to convince myself that it was just the start of a cold or something, even as I was sitting there in the emergency room being monitored by staff and machines! The ER doc seemed quite convinced it was anaphylaxis, though, and I guess he’d know! In any case, not a good feeling, as you say. Really easy to take breathing and swallowing for granted until you struggle to do it. :-/
Hi Marjorie Rose. How scary! Also a doctor here, so professional curiosity revved up. Hope not too personal, but do you take any blood pressure medications chronically? Certain ones of them can cause a similar reaction, even when the person has been taking them for years (happens to about 1 in a 1000 on them).
No, no prescriptions at all (other than the epipen I guess!) at the moment. I don’t mind a little professional curiosity! I’ve been an interesting case before, and if it weren’t for the challenge of uncertainty and potentially life-threatening situations, the scientist in me would be 100% right there with you! 🙂
I’m pretty sure being a biologist and now science and health teacher makes me both an unusually inquisitive and possibly slightly annoying patient!
Visiting an allergy clinic for some tests sounds like a very good idea. Also, it might be a perfect storm combination like being sick making your immune system more sensitive to your surroundings and giving you an allergic reaction.
As a fellow scientist/biologist and a health care student I can totally understand the temptation to sit around and test different allergens in your surroundings to narrow down the possibilities! But I think doing that without someone who could possibly resuscitate me if something when really wrong is terrifying XD so you’re braver than I am! I’d want to be hooked up to five machines with two doctors and an allergy specialist looking on!
So how about I just hold the epipen over my right thigh as I stuff hazelnuts into my mouth with my left hand? 😀
You’ll need one other person there to a) corroborate your find and b) drive you to the hospital XD
What a horrible experience, so glad you’re doing better, except for the cold, of course. That’s scary. Cuir de Lancombe is a nice transitional scent, isn’t it, I like it in early fall, too.
Thanks, ringthing!
I’m really enjoying the CdL this week. I can easily imagine it being nice in the fall, too! Another, similar soft leather I guess!, that I’ve worn more in this transitional time is Traversee du Bosphore. Do you have other transitional scents you wear a lot?
I’m sorry to hear about your health scare. I am allergic to the sulfur preservatives that they use on dried fruit, and if I have too much of it, my throat starts to close up.
Thanks, kindcrow! I’ve heard of other people being sensitive to sulfured dried fruit! That would bum me out. I have a dehydrator, but would only want to dry fresh fruits in season. I know sometimes you can find unsulfured apricots or whatever, but it’s gotta be a bit of search.
Trader Joe’s has a good selection.
Glad you had the presence of mind to get to ER. I would have been in a flat panic. Difficulty breathing is a nightmare!
Well, as I said, even while I was there I was trying to convince myself that it wasn’t all that serious! I can be a bit stubborn about going to the doctor sometimes. . . 🙂
It *was* really scary, but it seems like I’m better at panicking once things are under control and I can really stop a moment to think about it! Before then, it’s like this bright, neon to-do list lights up in my head–1) get out of bed, 2) get dressed, 3) brush teeth, 4) look up hospital address, 5) drive self to hospital, etc., etc.! Only then did I begin to cry and nearly hyperventilate!
lol! I very much like the idea of no-time-to-panic. It sort of makes sense!
It’s a good idea to carry the Epipen, but I will say that I went to the hospital with an allergic reaction more than 10 years ago (it was mostly rapidly spreading hives plus a panic attack, as years before that I’d had Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to a medication allergy) and I never did find out what caused it, but it has never happened again. Fingers crossed it’s a one-time thing!
Thanks, Laurels! Yeah, I’ve heard that it can happen that way. The doc said to carry the epipen for a year or so, but did suggest we may never know what triggered the response.
Make sure to check expiration dates in case the pen expires before the year is up! I had a friend who was allergic to peanuts who had a pen stock and when he finally thought about maybe getting them replaced they had been expired a year! (admittedly, he’d had them for a while, he’s a bit of a procrastinator) Still, it’s always best to check these things before you have to use them.
Yikes! I’m glad you are okay now. It seems to me if it was an inhalant that affected you, it would have been “sniff –reaction” ….on the other hand something ingested might have more of a delay…..eat or drink anything out of the norm? *tries to find a way that perfume is not to blame!*
Seems very logical and sound reasoning, Daisy! 😀
Ay yi yi! Late to party but so glad you are okay! And yes, speaking solely as a layperson, it sounds wiser to go to an allergist than to conduct tests on your own!! 🙂 (Thank goodness you have school and perfume to satisfy your chemistry-experiment impulses!)
And cooking! Lots of little chemistry experiments to be had there!
Hi Marjorie Rose,
I’m so sorry you had such a traumatic weekend! And, I’m hoping that this weekend is lovely and uneventful for you.
I’m afraid that last week’s discussion of Cuir ended up being more enabling than discouraging for me. I went ahead and ordered it. I can’t say I have any regrets though. I think your description of it is dead on. I find it warm and soothing while being less assertive than some of the big spicy scents. Don’t get me wrong, I love spicy, particularly in this deep cold we’ve been having. But Cuir does make a lovely soft transition.
Ha! Yeah, it enabled me, too! I went ahead and bought a back-up bottle of Cuir AND Traversee du Bosphore, which I found at good prices and decided they would get used! Ah well.
I love my big, spicy scents, too, but it’s nice to have something less assertive to cleanse the palette, as it were! Enjoy your new bottle!
And thank you–so far, a lovely weekend!
That’s scary! I’m glad you’re okay.
Pretty Purple Poppies!! Thanks Robin for a taste of brighter days. True story–a few weeks ago in the elevator at work, a woman asked what perfume I was wearing. I told her it was Ineke’s “Field Notes from Paris” and explained that it wasn’t in department stores but she could find out about it on Ineke’s website. Now, just yesterday, she is on the elevator again and thanks me. It seems she tracked it down and bought it!! I am very proud of myself for making the world a little better smelling, one elevator ride at a time!!!
Nice. My stepmother wears that one now too, after I sent her a sample.
Oh fun! I’ve been trying to help a friend replace a scent that is discontinued with something more readily available. Unfortunately for her, the one she’s commented on the most when *I* was wearing it, though, was Amouage Lyric! I gave her a decant to play with, but I’d be awful surprised if she took that kind of plunge after wearing something that was more of a Bath and Body Works sort of thing!
In defense of the perfume illiterate, until 18 months ago, the only perfume I’d ever purchased (IN MY WHOLE LIFE) was Light Blue. So it’s possible to turn things around relatively quickly 😉
I admit, I’d be pretty pleased if she asked me where to get a bottle! 😀
Absolutely. That kind of recruiting accomplishment on your part is like 200 perfumista points at least 🙂
High fives!
This week I was pretty busy with all the university work and my internship, but what was supposed to be done is now done so I can enjoy a free weekend.
Plus my birthday is on Monday, so there’s nothing to complain about. I just placed an order for my birthday perfume, not telling yet what I’m getting 😉
My scent for today is Guerlain Shanghai, really lovely piece of perfume. I get a creamy sandalwood + ylang ylang combo and a pretty iris from it.
Advanced happy birthday, dear Lucas.
Guerlain Shanghai sounds fabulous!
Thank you sweetie! I already knew you remembered 🙂
Guerlain Shanghai smells fabulous and it’s not that pricey, with 155€ for 100ml.
But oh well… I suppose there will be so many fabulous things in Milan that I won’t know which one to buy first. I’m counting on new Carner Barcelona
Hope your birthday is wonderful, Lucas! I never heard of Guerlain Shanghai — it sounds great. I’ll have to look it up.
Thank you Jonette!
I have heard of this perfume relatively short time ago and I managed to get a sample in a swap, it’s a great scent.
Happy Birthday Lucas! Hope you have a great day.
Thanks Poodle, dear!
You tease! I want to know what the order is for – bwah!
You’ll find out from my blog shortly.
K – I’ll keep eyes open:)
Good!
Love Shanghai–it’s on my to-buy list. Never really read much about it though so I’m glad it has another fan
I might get it one day too!
Hi everyone! It’s not such bad weather today and I’m beginning to think that winter will soon be over. I only need to figure how to send the yards and yards of snow to the american SW….. Today I’m wearing Chamade to bring on the spring.
My Q is that I’ve hard that Guerlain has reformulated Angelique Noire and Apres L’Ondee edt. Is this true? Any others? Sorry if this seems like a late question, but I’ve been living under a rock for the past 2 years… Thanks for comments!
I hope so!!
I think nearly everything on earth has been reformulated in the last 5 years.
Looking in the mirror and in my closet, I think that I need to be reformulated.
Ha!
Actually, Poodle, I can fully support from personal experience giving yourself a little makeover. Years ago, when I was still a researcher and waitress (since research didn’t pay the bills), I was promoted at the restaurant to assistant manager. I realized that the only clothes I had screamed “college student/ researcher!” And I never wore make-up or did anything with my hair, etc.
Well, long story short (too late, I know!), I dyed my hair, learned to do my make-up, and went out and bought a few key pieces of clothing–some really well-fitting slacks and a few blouses, and came into work one day the “new me.”
It was AMAZING to me what a difference it made! I felt more confident, and I was treated with more respect. Not only by strangers who didn’t know any better, but by my coworkers who saw me in a different light. Now, as I’ve been slowly losing weight, I’ve revisited this every so often, and every time I make a little change that really is an improvement, I know I’ve done myself some good. Maybe it seems shallow or lower priority, but in the long run, it really does make a difference in my quality of life!
It’s never shallow if the exterior improvements can help with the interior attitude.
SOTD = Aftelier Cuir de Gardenia!
I’ll be busy later decanting my Oriza Legrand Chypre Mousse split and preparing them for mailing.
Happy weekend everyone. Spring has sprung and I’ll take it for as long as it will last (a few days from what I gathered).
So the weather is finally turning nice there, huh?
That’s good. Here in Poland we’ve had a great weather in like last 2 weeks, I feel like it was spring already, and it’s still almost month away in the calendar.
Happy Birthday (a few days early), Lucas! And it’s good to see you have nice weather there. Here in the US Midwest, we had 10 inches of snow where I live. Not fun! Guess I’ll have to wait a while for spring.
Today I’m wearing SL Douce Amere. Love the purple poppies.
We’re having some melting this weekend but here in the northeast we are still covered in white so I feel your pain.
Happy weekend, all! Spring has been here since fall. Another week of 80 degree weather. Went on a whim to a casino out on the desert after work last night. The sunset looked like a bad oil painting. Colors too bright! Immediately won $12 which paid for my $8.95 prime rib. Delicious, and a portion to rival Fred Flintstone ‘ s ribs. Drove home in a meat fog. Still sated.
Not sure why I needed to share that other than whims don’t always work so well for me.
I discovered that Nordstrom sells original Zen for a song. Must order. Other than that, the Fleur de Louis honeymoon continues. Enjoy!
Hmm, here in the snow belt that whole experience of desert, sunset and meat fog sounds pretty good! 🙂
Oh, JJ, I love your writing style!
Right back atcha, KC!
Oh, I LOVE how well this worked out for you!! It’s a reward for taking yourself out of the house, isn’t it?
My Atelier Cologne sample set came today (the full line) so my SOTD is Silver Iris. Powdery and sweeter than I thought (definitely a Prada vibe), and almost no sillage, but really lovely.
Yes, Silver Iris is so easy to love!
I received a sample of Yosh Ginger Ciao edp yesterday and it’s my SOTD. Gorgeous and very different from my winter loves, or my brooding taste in general which might explain why I like it so much – it’s tropical and floral, but still dark dark dark. Lasts a long time too.
Oooh. I have a sample of this I haven’t tried, yet. . . might have to go dig it out now!
Thanks for mentioning this. I’m a ginger freak and have several ginger scents in my collection, but I’m unfamiliar with this one. I just read up on it and see it also has coconut. Be still, my heart! I’ve got to order a sample asap!
I’ve used up two samples of Ginger Ciao and am debating on whether or not I need to spring for a full bottle.
Is the Yosh Ginger like ginger root or ginger flower?
I’m wearing Musc Ravageur that I got from the split-meet! I smell awesome. 😀
Great scent! I love the cinnamon note in MR!
Yes! It’s great stuff. It had been on my want list for a long time so I was excited to get the chance at a split.
SOTD: AG Ninfeo Mio – needed a light and spring-like scent as I am so sick of putting on my puffer and hat!
FYI: all NYC perfumistas, Diptyque Sample Sale this week… Feb. 26-28, 225 5th ave. Google to get the times.
Apparently last year’s had good supply of candles, perfumes, body lotions and other delights from the brand.
I heard about the Diptyque sale–so bummed out I won’t be able to make it…Anyone who goes–report back, ok?
I’ve been sampling Ninfeo Mio. I could see it as a very easy to wear scent! Very pretty and soft and totally spring-like!
I like it very much. It’s a happy scent and one they I’ll wear to cheer myself up if I need doing so. Amazing that fragrance has that much power to actually put me in a better mood.
Everyone says it’s a fig scent, but not to my noise. It’s more lemongrass and lavender with a touch of fig and woods.
I really wish I lived in NYC now! Next to Paris, it sounds like perfumista heaven…
There is a lot to explore here, and especially perfume wise. There’s always new neighborhoods developing and something to always try.
Hope you get to visit one day!
I will confess that living in Paris one day is on my bucket list.
Oooh, Paris is a fantastic bucket list option. I’m actually visiting NYC in a couple of months for my honeymoon (fingers crossed)! So I’m excited to be able to hit up all the perfume shops I can!
Wonderful! Do try to stay in a part of town other than Times Square or even Midtown. I’d head downtown to the West Village or Tribecca, or Gramercy (The Marcel is a great choice).
Weather should be perfect in a few months. Enjoy!!
Hubby has come down with a “man cold”. He’s a bit of a whiny little kid at the moment. He’s sitting on the couch sighing. It’s a stuffy nose. Just a stuffy nose.
Anyway, I am enjoying my latest blind buy of La Fille de Berlin. The rose is helping me think spring might actually exist even though right now we are covered with snow. It’s melting a little today but it’s not that warm out. At least there’s some sunshine though.
Wow! Glad that was another success:) I thought I would love La Fille from the notes, but for some reason it was not love.
I took a big chance because roses don’t always work on me. Even if I hated it I’d still like looking at it. I love the color of the juice.
Yes, it is one of the prettiest!
Hi all, I’ve been AWOL the last few weeks due to my illness acting up badly. Sheesh! After biting and clawing my way up the mountain of recovery for five years, I’m pretty angry and frustrated to slide down so quickly. But today I’m less ill than a week ago, so hopefully, I’ll pull out of it. All my blood tests came back okay, but the doctor thinks it’s weird because I definitely can tick the boxes for most of the symptoms. Anyway, I’ve been wearing Jungle Elephant most days because it gives me a Christmassy feeling and lifts my spirits. At night, I’ve been wearing my trusty old Lalique Amethyst for comforting sleep.
A few weeks ago, I was watching The Voice UK. Kylie Minogue is one of the judges. There was some banter leading to “What do you keep in your handbag” and she took out some items, including her fragrance and spritsed it in the direction of the other judges. It looked very much to me like Agent Provacateur in the (original?) pink bottle, which I also have. Did anyone else catch this?
Ha! I was right! I just googled and found this:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2549843/Kylie-Minogue-shows-bookish-slips-reading-glasses-win-singer-The-Voice.html
I’m off to bed, but will check back here tomorrow. I hope to catch up on Marjorie Rose’s dating life, LOL.
Urrgghhh! Typo. Agent Provocateur.
I was wondering where you’ve been. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling too good. Hope you’re on the mend and better soon. Get some rest.
I never would have guessed Kylie to be an Agent Provocateur kind of girl.
Thanks for your good wishes. Resting is all I’m doing (and knitting, when possible). I’m bored!
Me either, especially since she has her own line of perfumes.
Jonette, welcome back and glad you’re on the mend! Your comment about catching perfume scenes watching TV put a smile on my face because prior to being a perfumista, I couldn’t care less about what bottles are on a dresser scene or what someone is spritzing and now I pay attention 🙂
I always pay attention. I was watching some mystery/crime show last week and when a guy hugged the female protagonist, she remarked how great he smelled. I kept waiting for a follow-up comment from him, naming the scent, but it didn’t happen.
Oh! I hate it when that happens! Curiosity just drives me crazy and there’s no relief!
Also, I do hope you feel better. It’s awful being sick and I wish you the best on your recovery.
Sorry you haven’t been feeling so good:( But, it sounds like recovery is a lot quicker and easier than it once was – so thats a plus!
That’s true. It’s an absolutely beautiful promise-of-spring day here today and I’m longing to go outside. I may just sit in the dog run for awhile. (It’s right outside my kitchen and living room and then there’s the garden beyond.)
Hey Jonette! So frustrating to be dealing with health stuff again, huh? I’m so sorry! I’d be pretty ticked off, too!
Glad I can divert you with my dating stories, though! Probably not as interesting (although much preferable to me!) now that I’ve got a steady beau, though! Let’s see what I can do to help. . .
. . .Got to talking with a girlfriend a few weeks ago who met a fella about a month before I did, and we are in very similar situations. Been dating for a while, finally, FINALLY met a nice guy, and now we’re a bit impatient for the next bit. She’s looking for an engagement ring–doesn’t want to be married yet, but the reassurance of a long engagement and the plans that go into that would be welcome for her! I can’t entirely disagree, although I admit, I totally love many aspects to living alone. But I wouldn’t mind knowing that Mr. Spicebomb was working towards the alternative some day. . . 🙂
How long have you and Mr. Spicebomb been seeing each other? I’m really happy for you. It sounds very positive.
Jonette, doesn’t Marjorie have the best dating stories?! They always make me feel so hopeful. And they just keep getting better–MR, engagement has become a subject of conversation?! Wow! I am so glad for you that things are going so well. As I say: it inspires so much hope!
Ha! Not discussed with Mr. Spicebomb, no! But amongst my friends, they all have this twinkle in their eyes like it’s inevitable. And from what I hear, his friends have teased him once or twice about “When you and Marjorie get married. . .” etc. ! So, folks around us seem to think it’s likely.
And honestly, I can say one of the positive sides to the crazy online dating scene is that I had so many condensed dating experiences, I really got good at discerning quickly what I want and what I don’t. And if it wasn’t gonna be more than company, I knew that, too. So, the fact that I’ve been with him even as long as this without the “just company” vibe means a real long-term potential, I think! (I hope?!)
And should add, I suspect anyone in love feels optimistic that it is possible for other people as well, but truly, I do think you can meet good people online. It’s a process and it can feel like work, and it will probably happen when you’ve given up on more than just lots of boring first dates, but it CAN happen! *fingers crossed* for you to meet someone exciting soon!
Jonette, it’s been 7 or so months. I’m pretty darned happy, too! Thank you!
Hi Jonette,
Sorry you’ve been feeling ill. I’m sending distance Reiki to your system to repair and rebuild.
That’s so cool you found out what a perfume on an show was. I was trying to do that the other day. Is anyone watching “House of Cards” on Netflix? Claire Underwood has a little vanity table that she sits at to put on makeup. There are several bottles of perfume on that table and sometimes she spritzes herself. I’ve been trying very hard to id some of those perfumes. Does anyone know what they might be?
Thanks for your distance Reiki!
I watched and loved “House of Cards” when it was originally sent out by the BBC a gazillion years ago. I used to have the DVDs or videos, but my ex-partner took them with him when we amicably separated so they are now in another country 🙁
You make me want to play detective and try to see if I can find any screenshots online. Please share if you find out!
Yes! *waving at Sajini* I also paused the frame and tried to identify what was on C U’s vanity 🙂
There were hard to decipher, but I think I saw a bottle of a Tocca perfume (small, round and a little squat with a round cap) at the far left, though most of the bottles were to her right. Though Tocca seems totally out of caracter for her, she would probably choose something more grown up or at least more expensive … Did you spot any?
I was wondering where you were. I’m sorry to hear that your illness has taken a bad turn. Is that cute kitten in your gravatar your cat? Hopefully, your cat can keep you amused, or at least frustrated, while you knit!
Sending you positive vibes,
K
Thanks for your good wishes. That’s one of my five cats, Nanki-Poo, when he was a kitten. He’s now almost five years-old. He’s a sealpoint Thai (Old fashioned/traditional Siamese). I also have a giant dog (a Leonberger). They are all interested in my knitting. All the snuggling, vying for lap space, biting yarn, running away with balls of yarn and snuffling/drooling over it makes it kind of difficult, although I know that those sweet furry beasts are just trying to get involved.
70F and sunny here today. I went for a long walk and came back, did a few yoga stretches, and can’t decide whether to watch more of Season 1 Downton Abbey (I somehow missed this three years ago) or read a book. Scentwise, I have to say I am enjoying my Mona di Orio discovery set. 5ml roll-ons of eight of the Les Nombres d’Or collection. I particularly like her vetiver; I am not usually a fan unless well-blended (too green for me) but hers is lovely. I haven’t found a dud yet and I’ve tried Vanille, Cuir, Vetyver, and Musc. I think some would be good for layering as well–Musc and Cuir come to mind.
Poodle–I love your description of hubs sitting on the couch “sighing” because he has a stuffy nose. You just know he wants you to fuss over him like an invalid!
Have a great weekend everyone~
He is not very manly when he’s sick.
I love Downton Abbey. I was late to that party too and had to watch the first 2 seasons to catch up. Got hubby hooked on it too. We’ve also started watching the first season of American Horror Story.
SOTD and yesterday is Carnation EDT by Laboissiere. I keep catching whiffs of myself, and I smell good! I can’t wear it too often — carnation soliflores burn my skin (my neck is still burning hours after I applied it).
I just returned from meeting up with some fellow crocheters. One of them is very advanced, and I’m excited to have someone who can help me work through things that have been stumping me (You Tube videos and books are not always enough).
I love carnations. I wish I could find a perfume that really smells like them.
I crochet but I would not say I’m advanced. I’m finishing up a baby afghan now for my vet. His wife just had a baby girl. It’s the least I can do for all the last minute emergency appointments that Greta has had this past year. My next project will be a teddy bear for a pregnant coworker.
Try Oeillets Rouge by DSH Perfumes. It’s a lovely realistic carnation perfume
I have a sample of that. I’ll have to give it another try.
What if, for that pesky carnation note, you got yourself a couple lacy little hankies that you could douse and then stick in your pocket for the day?
I might try that. It would be a good excuse to embroider a hanky.
Have a sniff of CdG Carnation too.
Sampled that one a few weeks ago for the first time–super lovely at the start! I just wish that pepperiness carried on for longer!
I’ve been avoiding crocheting in the round because it’s so hard to find the right place to join at the end of a round. This group is into all kinds of crafting, and we might take on cross stitching next. I am looking forward to doing one of those curmudgeonly cross stitch patterns that I’ve seen on the Interwebs — the ones with curse words juxtaposed with fluffy bunnies.
I use a piece of different colored yarn as a stich marker. I slip it in and just move it up the rows as I go. Since its not actually crocheted in, it just pulls out easily. If I didn’t I’d never know where one row ends and the other begins either.
Yup, I use a stitch marker, so I know about where the end of a round is, but consistently finding the exact location to put the hook to “slip stitch to join” and exactly where to start the next round are difficult for me. When I got it right on Saturday, at the crochet meet-up, I snapped a picture with my phone to use as a reference 🙂
Une Fleur de Cassie has a prominent/lasting carnation note. A lot of people have trouble with the opening, but if you can give it time, your patience may well be rewarded.
Hi Kindcrow. I don’t crochet (yet). I used to crochet all my doll clothes when I was a child, but don’t remember how to do it and I’m busy with knitting now. My mother was a crocheting genius who was always being approached by upmarket boutiques who wanted her to make things for them (she always refused).
I took up knitting again after 40 years when my neurologist advised it after my stroke. She told me it would help the brain-eye-hand connection and also would aid cognitive problems. She was right! Now, I’m a knitting fool! If you’re not a member yet, I encourage you to join http://www.Ravelry.com where you can get lots of help with your crocheting via their forums. It’s a great worldwide community. I think they now have 4 million members and it’s still growing. I don’t use my real name there, but you can find me under Jonmarie.
I’ve gotten some great patterns and ideas on Ravelry. I don’t bother posting my projects there though. I just browse other people’s things for ideas.
Aah. Can you tell me your Ravelry name? (You can email me privately.)
I joined Ravelry today as “Kindcrow.” I probably won’t share my projects, because I don’t have anything fancy to share, but I look forward to accessing patterns and perhaps joining some of the forums.
Cue Martha and the Vandellas – Its like a heeaaatwwaaavvvve!
56 degrees never felt so good in SE PA.
Wearing one of my favourite warm weather scents Mandorlo di Sicilia by Acqua di Parma. Love the almond/ylang ylang/vanilla.
I’m singing the chorus with you, Bear!! Same 56 degrees here in central Jersey and loving it! Inspired me to break out some juicy Jardin Sur le Nil just to pretend it’s spring. Don’t check the weather for next week–it will just kill the buzz!!
Haha Jepster! I’m avoiding all forecasts, living in the now.
Is Nil the perfume JCE was developing in the Perfect Scent book?
Remember him obsessing about getting the green mango aroma to smell authentic. Enjoy the weather while it lasts!
Bear
Yes, sur le Nil was in the Perfect Scent book….and it really is a great fresh fragrance. But then I am a JCE fan in general….before I even knew much about perfume, many of the scents that I liked I found out that he created! Let’s all enjoy this brief respite from the whims of Mother Nature.
That’s my favorite spring fragrance, and I wear it to feel cooler/fresher on hot summer days.
I decided to make it my SOTD and it’s even lovelier than I remember.
I had the most amazing find today. I’m so excited about this that I had to share! I went into an antique shop that is right next to a TJ Maxx I go to sometimes, just to see if they might have anything interesting. I had had good luck there before (found a vintage tester bottle of Mitsouko). Well this time I found a full 1/4oz bottle of vintage L’Heure Bleue parfum and a mini of Weil Zibeline that is just over half full (looks like maybe it’s evaporated a bit). Both of them still had their boxes. I also discovered after I got home that the L’Heure Bleue bottle was also still sealed! I almost decided not to spend the money, but then decided it was too good to pass up.
Great finds! I have vintage L’HB edp and the odd combination of notes make for very interesting wearings. Care to make us even more jealous by revealing what you paid?
Heh.. they were $50 each. They were originally $59 each but the man in the shop came down to $50 when I hesitated. I’m pretty sure that was a steal for the L’HB. I didn’t think to ask the age of the bottle, but I can tell from some deterioration on the labeling and the outside of the cap that it’s old, and the juice is basically like new. And it’s not unused anymore. 😉
I also got a mini of Van Cleef & Arpels First for $7.
I’m wearing some of the Zibeline today to see how well the juice has held up. I had doubts after trying a dab last night, but I know that a little dab on the back of the hand can be misleading. It is a pretty dark color, but I don’t know if it’s normally like that or it turned. When I applied it, it thought it might leave a stain on my skin.
Those are great!
I also had a find at an estate sale on Friday–not nearly as exciting as yours. There was an almost full .25oz size bottle of Angel EDP. I don’t mind Angel, but don’t love it enough to own more than .25 oz ever (and even that might be a bit too much Angel for one lifetime–that stuff is POWERFUL!) No price tag. When I asked how much it was, the person handling sales said “oh, how about a dollar?” Sold, lady!
Holy crap, a dollar?! That’s great! I like Angel but I feel basically the same way about the amount. If I didn’t already own a mini I’d have done it too!
Hello, late to the party as always! SOTD Coco Noir. A bit too frooty for me, but my rugrats gave it to me for Christmas and my daughter luuuuurves it. She also adores Prada Candy, Pink Sugar and MJ Honey… ’nuff said!
Hope everyone had a good day!
I wear perfumes that hubby likes sometimes too so I understand. Oddly enough my hubby and your daughter seem to like the same fruity stuff.
Same. A friend hugged me last night and said I smelled good (wearing ATaste of Heaven). I cheekily asked him after if all the times he doesn’t say that is it because he doesn’t like what I’m wearing. He sheepishly replied ‘yep’. Huh. Still, I thought that was pretty good from a guy who wears aquatic CK frags :-/
Haha that is very cute. And of the ones you named, I think Coco Noir’s what I’d pick! 🙂
Coco Noir does have that awesome bottle, which will be a great reminder of that Christmas 2013 with your children over time.
I was out at Tysons Corner today for a seminar and went to the Galleria for lunch. I saw a shop in passing call Parfums de Paris that had Amouage on the counter! No time to shop but I did manage to sample Balenciaga Rosabotanica elsewhere. It kept reminding me of something, and I finally realized it resembled a light, slighly rosy Terre d’Hermes, to my nose. The bottle is great; I’d probably buy it if I could find a bargain on a small one.
They are really knocking it out of the park with those bottles. Just cashed in some Sephora points on a mini and matching scarf. I’ll have to track down Td’H now to compare!
I was looking for smaller bottles on ebay and noticed some of those cute scarf and mini sets there. I should check out Sephora. Let me know what you think of Td’H!
I wish I loved the Flora Botanica juice as much as the bottle. Was shopping with a friend who uses it yesterday. Even in Nordstrom’s perfume aisle it was all I could smell!
It’s 49 degrees today which seems like a miracle. Trying my sample of Lumiere Blanche. I want to love it but afraid it does not love me. Sits very close to the skin, which is fine, but a metallic edge is making things difficult.
You might give Rosabotanica a try. Robin found it more interesting than Florabotanica, and the bottle is even better. I’m usually very snobbish about mainstream perfume and I rather liked it – wouldn’t mind adding a light, sparkly scent to the arsenal.
Cosign. Rosabotanica still isn’t quite “me” but I significantly preferred it to Florabotanica, and I’d even go so far as to say, I think they’ve done something conceptually interesting with the way they assemble mainstream perfume elements. It’s cool, check it out.
Thanks, C.H. and nozknoz. I will try it. Need a rose-y scent. Need to sample Lipstick Rose too. Liked S.L. La Fille. So many choices – it would be nice to be able to walk into Nordstom rather than trekking to Barney’s.
Nozknoz – years ago when I was married and lived in N. Va. (Clarke Co., “over the mountain”), Parfums de Paris was one of my favorite stores. I haven’t been there in years, but at the time it was always stocked to the rafters with every brand imaginable. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could find some what are now vintage scents hidden away in there!
Thanks for the tip! There was a wonderful smell emanating from that store. I need to make another trip out there during the week when the Galleria is less busy to check it out.
I wish I could with you! 🙂
Rosabotanica is one of my favorites! Those bottles are killer, aren’t they? Funny enough, I JUST put a sample of Terre d’Hermes on my arm, and you’re right! The rose and fig scents come out much stronger on me than anything else while wearing Rosabotanica, but I can definitely see where you’d make the comparison between the two!
Glad to know my nose wasn’t playing tricks on me, Aria!
I have a perfume question: does anyone have a ballpark figure for the synthetic/natural ratio in mainstream perfumes? Sure, it varies from house to house and formulae are kept secret, but does anyone have a good guess??
I don’t have a number in mind, necessarily, but for mainstream perfumes I’d guess that pressures to keep the formula cost as low as possible would make the percentage of naturals pretty small, if not zero. Here I’m thinking of department store stuff, not necessarily the higher end. But even at the higher end, I would still guess it’s not terribly high.
I’m basing my guess for the higher end on a formula file that is shared on the Perfume Making Yahoo group on Chanel No.19. That formula is just under 25% natural. Not bad, really, but it’s also almost certainly an old formula, so the natural percentage in the current version is probably lower.
So interesting, thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I’d heard figures that some are up to 90% synthetic, though I can’t remember the source of that… so thank you!
There was an interesting and I’d even say important post on Grain de Musc on February 13, 2014, about the way in which trace amounts of scarce naturals are added to perfumes simply for advertising hype value. This is a problem because, even if the percentage is low, a large company may be buying up virtually the entire supply, or increasing the pressure on endangered materials. The article is entitled “The vicious circle of “noble naturals” – Jean-Claude Ellena blows the whistle.”
Thanks, I’ll have to head over there and check it out!
Thanks for sharing that! I just read it. Good for JCE speaking out about it.
I’m wearing Creed’s Original Vetiver. My favorite scent in the world, Nirmala by Molinard has been discontinued and I’ve run out, so I’m trying a sample of this to see if it’s my new go-to. It’s expensive, but I think I love it. A very big change, though!
The Molinard website is still selling Nirmala, there’s even a limited edition opaque bottle that looks tempting!
Happy announcement: My Osmanthus Fragrans shrub survived the winter, so I look forward to perfumed blooms someday in the future. (Anyone know when I can expect that here in Holland?) I waited years to be able to get hold of this shrub, always being told I’d need to import it and it wouldn’t last in this climate. But now that the climate is milder, it wasn’t as difficult for my gardener to obtain one for me, although he also wasn’t sure it would make it through the cold spells. We have had a very mild winter, though.
Oh how lovely, can’t wait to hear how it smells when it blooms!
That’s exciting! Glad you are back and hope this is a good omen, for you, Jonette.
Thank you, Noz! I actually tend to believe in these kinds of omens — getting superstitious in my old age.
Hello all! We had the tiniest hint of spring in the air yesterday, it was lovely tho I know it’s not gonna last. I’m keeping my sprits up with the thought that in two weeks I’ll be in !!NEW YORK CITY!! stuffing my eyes full of art and smelling everything I can get my grubby little country mouse hands on. The random thought of “oh I’d really love to see that JAR exhibit at the met” turned into reality thanks to some credit card reward points and judicious planning! I’ve been to the city several times but not since the perfume bug bit and shockingly have never been to the big art museums. I’m so excited! ^_^
Oh, have fun! I would love to return to NYC now that I’m far down the rabbit hole! And to be able to get it with some discount really makes it fun!
I went to the Met with my former partner and had a great time. We easily could have spent several days. I especially remember strongly the Egyptian and Turkish art areas–some beautiful architecture, tilework, etc. Sadly, we decided against the Guggenheim, which I regret. At a minimum, I’d love to see more of that building!
The JAR exhibit is gorgeous and then, of course, you must do the JAR perfume experience at Bergdorf’s
Oooh! I know exactly what that feeling is like! I’m planning on honeymooning in NYC for a weekend. We planned NYC before the perfume bug happened, and now there’s an entire day that’s going to be JUST devoted to going to Bergdorf’s for the JAR experience and roaming through the whole city with notable perfume shops on a map!
Do the JAR perfumes before you sniff or apply any other perfumes that day
Thanks for the tip! I probably wouldn’t have thought of that on my own, being overwhelmed by Bergdorf’s perfume counters in general…so thanks! With my luck I’d have gone in there with dabs of other stuff all over my arms and would have no way to truly appreciate the JAR ones!
It’s been a week of decently warm and recovering from a cold during which I refused to try new perfumes, or really any perfumes, because a stuffed nose and a sore throat can drastically change your perception of scents. I didn’t want to ruin old favorites with bad memories, or taint potential new favorites with my sickness! So when my nose finally cleared up two days ago and my four Hermes samples showed up in the mail…fate anyone? Let me just say, Ambre Narguile was a dream in a bottle and after I use up my sample I’m taking a trip to see friends who happen to live driving distance from a Hermes boutique so I can buy one of their four-scent 15ml sample boxes, with Ambre Narguile taking center stage. Love at first sniff.
Today, I’m going to test run Terre d’Hermes and Rose Ikebana on my arms as potential wedding scents, Rose Ikebana for me and Terre d’Hermes because regardless of gender, any perfume or cologne that crosses my door (even the ones that I purchased for my fiance) will go on me at least once, just to see.
When I bought the four pack I got two AN and two VT. I am sure they will let you double up if you wish. Enjoy the hunt for your choice for your special day.
Ooh! I didn’t know that was an option. I just assumed you got one each of four different ones. Did you enjoy Vetiver Tonka? I’ve heard some really good things about it but vetiver is so chancy on my skin I’ve been iffy about spending the money on a sample.
Very pleasant and clean. Neither soapy nor aquatic. The green isn’t too strong. Not linear, but no secrets. One spritz and you will know. I like Gentian Blanche for similar reasons. If I remember correctly, I went in for the Vanille Galant and they were out. The SA suggested I double up. Good luck.
Looks like it’s going on my sample buy list then ^^ Thanks!
Aria, I have a giant bottle of Gentiane Blanche and a small sample of Vetiver Tonka. I love them both, and would be willing to make you some samples. E-mail me if you’re interested: missionista at yahoo
I really love Iris Ukiyoe – that’s worth a try, too, if you haven’t already.
I don’t actually think I’ve sniffed many iris scents…I can’t remember what they smell like. But I’m very on the fence about white florals in general. Then again JCE made Ambre Narguile which I was sure I wasn’t going to like and that turned out to be love at first sniff, so maybe I should give it a shot!
Am hoping to get a new perfume this week to celebrate 5yrs cancer-free. I am playing hooky from class and having brunch instead (I overslept but just want to take advantage of sunny blue skies). What perfume I get will depend on my paycheck. If I don’t have to use my special fund towards rent then it will be Jardin d’armide, Byredo Green if I have to use some of it; Boudoir, Golden Cattleya, Centennial or a travel size of something if I have to use most of my fund
Congratulations! Even if you can’t the perfume I hope you still have yourself a little party. I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate.
Yes, huge congratulations!
So great!!
Congratulations! That’s definitely something to celebrate and reward yourself for.
Congratulations! I think it’s great to associate a scent you’ll love with something as amazing as being cancer free!
What a wonderful milestone! Congratulations and I hope you get a great scent for your celebration.
You deserve a treat, and congrats on your victory.
Wonderful milestone!
Got two new FB this week and I’ve been wearing them non stop.
After reading that Cuir Mauresque was being retired (from the export line), I jumped on the last available bottle I could find. I also finally decided to buy Etro’s Messe de Minuit, after hesitating for… 14 years!
Cuir Mauresque is a bit loud. That said, it got me more compliments in a day than any other fragrances that I have worn over the last 30 years. A keeper I would say!
I first tried Messe de Minuit in Venice, 14 years ago. Granted it was summer time and over 100F, but at the time, it seemed as appealing as a 2 week interview with the Grand Inquisitor. It felt heavy and oppressive. Surely this has been reformulated, because now, I find it light, pleasant and joyous. OK, it has a slight powdered ice tea mixture smell to it, but I love it.
Now, I think that I need to buy Santal Majuscule. What are the main differences between the 3 Lutens “santal”? I haven’t tried any of them yet.
Just posting a question before I go to bed. Has anyone sniffed Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Lumière Noire Eau de Parfum Pour Femme? I’ve read intriguing things about it, but before I consider ordering a sample, I’d like some feedback.
Ok if you insist, I will put some on right now to remind myself 😉 More in a sec.
Well! It’s definitely sexy stuff! Just glancing through some reviews, I agree with everyone who described it as “full-on” “romantic with abandon” and so forth. For me, it’s maybe a little too much. Not too sexy (it’s not, like, unfit for public consumption!) but too sweet/rich. I suspect the clean patchouli is the culprit. But I know that’s often not quite for me, whereas if it agrees with your skin/nose better than mine, this could be just the thing. It’s definitely beautiful, and I’d love to catch a waft of it on someone else!
(I’d add that it barely has any cumin at all, to my nose, but if I had my druthers, it’d be loaded up with cumin, so weight my opinion accordingly!)
Thanks, C.H. I’m late in replying, but I appreciate your take on it. I’m definitely NOT a cumin lover, and I prefer good old strong patchouli to the modern stuff (although I own a small bottle of Atelier Cologne Mistral Patchouli and am very fond of it). Rich sounds good, sweet — less so. Moderately sexy sounds good. ‘Definitely beautiful’ sells it to me. I’m going to order a sample!
Let me know how it goes! FWIW it’s more floral-sweet than dessert-sweet, if that makes sense. And I have a verrry low sweetness tolerance in general, so I am hopeful this could work for you! Will be interested to hear what you make of it.