Coming up next weekend: our annual summer reading poll.
Today, our usual open thread. Talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the next perfume sample you want to get your hands on, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is detail from Bildnis Vaiite (Jeanne) Goupil, 1896, Paul Gauguin, via Wikimedia Commons.
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I have been on a serious vintage perfume binge the last few weeks, facilitated by eBay. I mentioned here a while back that I had won an auction for a rather large lot of vintage perfume nips. It was a bargain, really–72 nips and it went for only $10! Well, now I have bought several more lots of nips, none of them quite a much of a bargain, and bottles of several of the perfumes that were in those lots, and several other that weren’t but that I had always wanted to try, and so on.
Right now, I am testing out two perfumes from a Mary Chess coffret that arrived yesterday. I have Gardenia on my left wrist and Tapestry on the right. The others in the coffret are Carnation, White Lilac, Strategy, and Yram. So far, I am liking Strategy and Yram the best, although I may need to save Yram for cooler weather, as it is rather heavy. White Lilac is very nice, not as cloyingly sweet as many other lilacs I have tried. Carnation is very heavy on the clove. Tapestry starts out with an odd, rubber-like note in the top, which fades out after a few minutes. Gardenia is about what you would expect.
I am finding that information on some of the vintage ‘fumes is frustratingly scant. Mary Chess is a very well-known name, but info on the individual scents is scarce. If anyone else has any input, please chime in.
No help, just want to add that I’m amazed more info about these vintage perfumes & companies has not been put on the internet. And that’s true even for the many brands that have been “resurrected”…the companies just don’t bother to put up even the simplest list of names and dates. Very annoying.
I have found release dates for some of them, but even there the information is often contradictory. Lists of notes, or even fragrance categories, are mostly non-existent. It is funny that these nips were labeled as “famous” perfumes, considering that so many of them have vanished without a trace. You would think that if they were famous, there would be at least some basic information available. Lanier, Charbert, Blanchard, Countess Maritza–the available info on these houses is minimal, to say the least.
I used to have a lot of nips to play with as a kid. I loved Carnation. Had I known they’d be something worth holding onto I’d have kept some but I was little. I played dress up and stunk. Nowadays people would be horrified that a child was playing with little glass tubes like that. Funny how I lived to tell the tale.
Many nips were in something called “plastene”, about which I can find no info. Two of my sets are supposed to be plastene, and it does feel and sound like glass,not plastic, but the tips break off with dull edges. I am thinking it may be some type of safety glass. The first lot of nips I got seem to be in regular glass, which breaks off with sharp edges, and indeed I cut my index finger on one of them.
When we were kids, we did an awful lot of things that would horrify people today. Riding bikes without helmets, riding in the front seats of cars without seatbelts, and so on.
To say nothing of playing well out of the sight of any adults. In fact, it was encouraged to do so…
Congrats on your vintage goodies! I’m familiar with the brand Mary Chess but have never tried any so am sorry I can’t be of any discovery help to you.
Vintage gods must be smiling today! I found an unused, original-boxed (in perfect condition) 1/2 ounce Helena Rubenstein Heaven Sent edp for only a buck at a local antiques fair. One of my early favorites, the vintage brings back strong memories of the scent of my best friend’s white sweater as she sat next to me in bookkeeping class (seriously dating myself here, who even knows what “bookkeeping” is?).
The green elegance of yesterday’s Bel Respiro prompted me to wear Ivoire de Balmain (vintage edt) today. I’m off to work in the garden in all my Green Goodness!
I remember Heaven Scent! I loved their ad jingle so much, I truly believe it could have become a hit if released as just a song! Oh lord, now I’ll be singing it the rest of the evening.
I couldn’t remember all the words, so googled and found it!
http://tinyurl.com/kfrouyn
Congrats on your find!
Thanks for the trip back in time. I’ll be singing it along with you now! Yep, that was me, an “imp with angel’s wings” – how corny is that?
How serendipitous! I’ve been thinking about Heaven Sent the last couple of days. I started to listen to the jingle (thanks for the link) and then realized I’d better just allow the much briefer Wind Song jingle to remain prominent instead.
And how serendipitous that, after listening to the Heaven Sent jingle, I immediately thought, “Your Windsong stays on my mind . . . .”
Bookkeeping is the foundation of business!
Congrats on those nips. I’ve tried a few, and they do seem to keep the scent in fairly good shape. (Possibly because they were also kept inside a cardboard box and away from light?)
I love trying vintage stuff too, and do wish more information were available.
I have a few sets of nips that were in sealed cardboard tubes, so they were definitely kept away from light as well as air. Some of the others were in the plastic boxes with the paper insert in the lid, which would also keep most of the light out. The only possible source of damage would be heat, if they were kept in a hot place or in sunlight, which could “cook” them. I don’t have any way of knowing exactly what these perfumes smelled like new, but so far I have not detected any obviously off notes.
I bought the Mary Chess Carnation from the Vermont Country Store years ago. I haven’t worn it in ages.
I have Mary Chess Gardenia. The bottle looks like a chess player. I read that Lana Turner wore it.
Well, Happy Birthday Paul Gauguin! I fear my associations with his work are more as an associate of Vincent Van Gogh than as an artist in his own right. . . but that’s more a statement of my Van Gogh fan-girl status as a youngster than a slight on Gauguin’s work. 🙂
Good Morning NST folk! I feel like I’m at an odd place with my fragrance collection these days. Maybe it’s one of the “phases” of perfumistahood that we’ve discussed before? I seem to have hit a sample-fatigue point, as I keep *meaning* to sample something, and then the bowl just sits there, unsampled. (Not that this stops me from collecting samples as opportunities arise, mind you!) I also find that I wear a handful of my scents repeatedly, pretty much contented with what I have but aware that part of me wants to WANT something new! Odd, huh? Or maybe totally banal. 🙂
I’m in pretty much the same phase! In fact, I’ve put myself on a no-sample buy regimen until I get rid of at least 100 of my already bought samples. And by ‘get rid of’ I mean worn at least 2 or 3 times, so I get a clear sense of a scent. It’s been hard, because I’m continually hearing of new scents that I’d like to sample, but so far I’ve made my way through 50 scents, and found at least 5 that are FBW. I make myself wear a sample every other day, and find that on the days I wear my full bottles I am very content, and often wear the same thing repeatedly. So the things on my FBW list will probably stay there for a good long time.
I’ve put myself on a no-sample buying regimen more times than I can count but I always end up breaking them within a few days…sometimes within a few minutes of reading about a new line (I’m looking at you Sweet Anthem…although with this line, I have not yet placed an order but at some point in the very very very near future, I will) or a promotion for a store that carries something that is on my Buy List. That said, better to buy samples than unsniffed FB or large decant “samples” which I’ve been known to indulge in quite frequently. Bottom line – resistance is futile!
Yeah, I think I’m with you. I am not buying too many samples, but if I get drawn in by a description, I go seeking them out! You’d think the fact that I haven’t been actually wearing the samples would slow me down, but it hasn’t! 🙂
yep, same boat here, tons of untested samples. Broke my rule yesterday, though, and ordered samples of the new Malle magnolia and the parfum version of Jersey, based on BDJ’s positive assessment. Will force myself to test those upon arrival!
My SOTD is the very fragrant self tanner I just applied to my legs. Have no problem walking around with my super pale, unbronzed face, but can’t bear wearing shorts & skirts with lily-white legs.
Oh, I’m so curious about that new Malle! Of course, there’s still a coffret I’ve never acquired. . .
I got the 2012 coffret for Christmas, and I can tell you it is worth every penny. For me, not a dud in the box.
I’ve been lusting after that coffret for over a year now. I keep convincing myself it’s just not practical, which of course, it isn’t, but I KNOW it would be great fun! 😀
Happy to hear you’re enjoying yours.
Oh, and any surprises as you explore?
Same here! Plus, legs are an easy application. Neck,back, arms require some level of sophistication.
I seem to be in a similar place. I fell so hard for Carnal Flower that I want to wear only this fragrance 24 hours around the clock! I also have sooooooooooo many samples! There are all the samples I have paid for and ordered that I’ve still not gotten through, and yet I order more! I try to give each scent three tries over an extended period (which could be over a year or two). Then there are all the freebies I ask for and get every time I’m at Douglas or another shop that carries perfumes, when I’ve purchased something else. These are usually celebrity scents or the latest commercial releases. Often, by the time I actually get around to sniffing them, they are no longer on the market!
What I’m trying to do, to discipline myself, is to only wear CF several days a week, or for a half day (it disappears on my skin very quickly — it lasts on fabric). Then I test one or more samples as the rest of the day goes by. This is working! I have yet to discover something I really like, apart from my sample of Lipstick Rose, which I’ve managed to misplace!
Jonette, not sure if this was brought up previously…have you tried the Carnal Flower Hair Mist?
I’ve brought it up here before, bemoaning the fact that it is not available in Europe! 🙁 I’d buy it if it were!
Jonette, I know the shipping costs can be prohibitive and I don’t know how restrictive Holland is. Have you looked into purchasing the hair mist directly from the Malle website?
Yes, Holly, but they won’t sell within Europe! If you look at the site, it is listed on the US section but not on the international section. I have read elsewhere that it is not available in Europe. I have no idea why not. Perhaps there is some ingredient that is banned over here. If so, that may be a good thing. I’ll just spray the perfume on my hair and clothes.
If I wasn’t a teacher, I could totally imagine doing that! But I think it’s better to keep my sampling at home. 🙂 And maybe that’s part of the problem? I don’t like to sample on a work day, and on the weekends, I’m bustling around, doing all those chores I didn’t get to during the week, or out with Mr. Spicebomb, so it doesn’t get prioritized. Of course, summer is on it’s way, but then some scents just aren’t right for warmer weather. . . clearly the solution is a *very* early retirement so I can focus on my non-work hobbies!
I have a similar problem with trying out my samples. I don’t like to sample on a work day because if I end up hating something, there is no opportunity to shower it off. I do have scent-eating skin, so one thing I can do is test out samples in the evening, after my daytime scent is gone. That way I don’t risk wafting around clouds of perfume if it turns out to be a sillage monster, and if I hate it, I just take my evening shower a little earlier than usual. Of course, my evenings are nearly all spent at home. If you have a busy social life, that may not be a good option for you.
I have tons of samples that I have not tried. Part of it stems from being familiar and comfortable with what I already have. We often wear perfume to fit a mood, to gird our loins for a tough day, for comfort, etc. When one is leaving for work, one wants a sure thing. It sounds like many of us (I don’t) don’t wear new samples to work (what if it’s an asphyxiating scrubber?) . So, that leaves less time to try new things, and on the weekend, you still might not be in the mood.
Did I use enough pronouns? 😉
Yes, I think comfort, familiarity and safety (with regards to work) are a huge part of it for me, too! And sampling *does* require a certain mood, a willingness to focus on it, take some notes, consider, compare, etc. Oftentimes, that sounds like work rather than like fun, so then why do it?! I know at some point the thrill of the chase will come back and override such factors, but I seem to not be there at the moment.
I got to this meh stage a few years ago after some frantic acquiring of bottles and so many samples I could hardly stand it. (I just swapped away two totally full quart size bags of samples – scores and scores of them.) Put the samples away until you really want to try them, otherwise you’ll get nothing out of it. I’ve just recently begin to sample again and let myself enjoy exploring. I just was not ready to do it for a long while. I think I had nose and brain fatigue. Now I do dip in my box of limbo samples from time to time, and I enjoy sampling much more without putting pressure on myself. It’s much easier for me to decide to pass on something, even if I like it, than it was before.
That sounds very wise. Perhaps I just need to let myself be ok with not trying them out for a while! Maybe putting the bowl away is exactly the right thing. They’ll be there when I’m ready to explore again. Thanks! 🙂
Just rubbed on a scent strip of Ferragamo’s Signorina Eleganza, which so far is more appealing than the original it flanks – has a nice light lemon note in the top.
Now to change into work clothes and mop the house!
Oh, good to know, thanks…will see if I can find a tester.
SOTD is Ellie Noir by Ellie D.
I remember the perfume nips because my mother used to get some when I was really young and sometimes she would put a little on one of my wrists so that I could enjoy the scent, too. I do remember Yram, and I read somewhere that Mary Chess used this word because it is Mary spelled backwards. It’s odd, but I can actually remember what that one smelled like and I really liked it. I think she launched them in the 1930s and 1940s and that Tapestry was the best known of all of them, but I don’t know much else about the individual perfumes.
Yum, never hear about Ellie D any more! She needs to do a 3rd scent.
I’m in an odd mood today, not bad, but odd…
I just received a sample of Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum, I do keep opening it to smell it, IT ACTUALLY MAKES MY MOUTH WATER, I LOVE THE SWEETNESS!…I can’t wait to wear this one, but since I am in for the day, I am not wearing anything…
There are probably some out there saying, “Why not put some on?” I won’t wear anything if I’m not going out; I want to save it for when I do go out, I am cherishing the sample until I can purchase a fb…
So there you have it, my two cents worth of thought for todays thread; I AM enjoying the sample, just not wearing it yet.
I keep a sample of SSS Incense Pure on my desk and sniff it often regardless of what perfume I’m wearing; helps me think!
It’s so interesting how people perceive different fragrances. I thought I would love the KM Loukhoum, but I found it (and also the Eau Poudree) sickeningly sweet and couldn’t wear them 🙁 I’m happy for you that it’s a love connection! There are some things I wear that I adore and other NSTers can’t stand.
Have been desiring a sample of Arabian Horse ever since it was announced months ago and finally got one off ebay. I had it on for about an hour yesterday before showering and putting on Chanel and it’s a gorgeous light floral leather that if I sniff close up literally makes me salivate, have no clue why. Today is Jardins D’Armide just because I love it so
Arabian Horse sounds wonderful! I’ve discovered I can get a great leather fix by sniffing my dogs ears! (I sniff the outside of the flaps — pure leather!)
Based on that first hour, it will definitely be going on my buy list if it holds up well. My cat smells fabulous but I can’t exactly wear that scent…..
If someone could bottle cat scent they would make a fortune.
Actually, there’s a perfume called Winter Kitty. I think it’s sold on Etsy.
Wow, Poodle! I had to look it up on Etsy and must say that it sounded intriguing. I also like the name of the business: For Strange Women.
I am owned by five cats and each one smells a little different but I agree that cats smell wonderful! (So do fur coats.)
Doesn’t it? I’ve been tempted by it and I’m not even a cat person.
Oh I’m so glad I’m not the only one who adores the smell of cat fur! I also love the smell of birds- their feathers that is- not the whole bird cage/nest in general :-/
I have Winter Kitty and it is good but my cats smell more like Rosemary than mint. She needs to do a Summer Kitty scent.
I had forgotten about PG 3.1 Arabian Horse, which is a variation on PG Cuir Venenum, a wonderful perfume. I’m glad to hear the new one is good, too. I’m also very curious about the other two variations, PG 2.1 Cozé Verdé and PG 6.1 Vétiver Matale. I don’t think I’ve tried PG 06 yet, but I like Cozé very much.
I have a wedding to go to outdoors under a tent. Not sure what dress to wear, how dressy is too dressy, can I really be too dressy(?), what perfume to wear? I’m just an indecisive mess.
Maybe it’d be easier to choose a perfume that suits your mood first, then dress something according to it.
For outdoors I like flats and for flats I like a poufier skirt, kind of a fifties vibe. Generally at weddings I think there’s a range of under and overdressed people, I think it’s hard to go wrong!
Seconding the suggestion of flat shoes for outdoors–you don’t want to risk twisting an ankle. I hate heels anyway, and seldom wear them.
I consider that you cannot be overdressed for a wedding unless you are dressier than the wedding party. If the bride is going to be in a traditional wedding gown, which is formal attire, then anything short of a ballgown is OK. If I am not sure, I prefer to be overdressed rather than underdressed. I think the latter makes it look as if you don’t care or don’t really want to be there. I know that current culture is much more casual than in the past, but I really hate to see people dressed very casually (jeans, t-shirts, etc.) at weddings.
I’m thirding the shoe suggestion and seconding everything else you said!
I rarely have the opportunity to dress up and also rarely wear heels.
I agree with 50 roses, as long as you don’t wear a ball gown you can’t be to dressy at a wedding, and no perfume is too dressy for sure. The swedish “Queen of Etiquette” Magdalena Ribbing always stresses that these kind of invitations should come with a dress code (casual, suit etc) to avoid giving the guest a migraine while trying to decide what to wear and I think she has a point 🙂
Perhaps a white flowers perfume like Carnal Flower for a wedding?
I was thinking big white floral too. Great minds think alike.
Without more information from the hosts, I try to use the invitation to give me clues as to what to wear to a party or celebration. Lots of lace, curlicues, etc.? Dress up! More casual, basic font and that homemade feel? Dress to suit that. But when in doubt, I think it’s better to be over-dressed than under. And avoid too much skin for a wedding, although some cleavage is ok for the reception, as far as I’m concerned! 🙂
See, that was part of the problem. The Hubband threw away the invite while sorting through the mail. It was his niece getting married so he just told his sister the reply. I texted his other sister yesterday morning and thats when I found out that the reception was outdoors as well. I never actually read the invite because when it came I didn’t think he would do something so dumb and thought I had time to look at it.
Oh drat. And men’s clothes just have WAY fewer variations, so they don’t generally have to think about these things to the same extent we do! Whoops, you wore your tie and no one else is? Just take it off and unbutton that top button! 😀
Agreeing with erring on the dressing up side. Will never forget the church wedding where the bride’s nephew was in his basketball uniform.
Ahhh…I love all weddings, and even better when they are outdoors! I hope it was fabulous.
I’ve had to go to a few dressy/outdoor events the past few years. I always pick out two fragrances ahead of time depending on the weather, that way I won’t freak out right before hand and make a bad choice or put on too much. I’d pick a light a fresh one in case it’s hot and humid, and another wild card that won’t steal the show from the bride, etc, if the weather will be tolerable, fresh, cool, etc. I’d want something that can last for a few good 5 or 6 hours. If it were me, I’d pick any of the following: Cartier Baiser Vole, Chanel No 19, Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge (or any other decent jasmine), and (what I wore last year to my event) just a tad of AG Songes edp. Use your knowledge to it’s fullest and try and wear something that no one else could possible know about.
Just a tip too in case you have or haven’t thought about your shoes: if you plan on flats or a wedge heel, try and do so. I wore my fav and most comfy sandal pumps last year that are tan, and the dirt/grass altered the color of the leather on the heel when I sunk in. It’s only noticable up close, but my fav pair of pumps, technically, got ruined.
I went with Jour Ensoleille. It seemed a good fit for the day and the weather.
I also wore a low heel because I found out last minute that the tent was over a huge stone patio area so no worries over sinking in.
Oh, Jour Ensoleille is so beautiful! You will definitely be the best smelling person there and so unique. Stone patio is very good – have fun!
Wearing Dzing! From a sample I just won at the Posse. I’m totally crazy about it, no cardboard for me!
I love Dzing! too. I don’t get the cardboard note either.
Oh, I get cardboard. Which I *like*. What I can’t manage with Dzing! is the dry-manure note… probably a farm hazard. Anything makes me think of manure, it’s off my list. (Narcissus doesn’t smell like manure to me, go figure.)
My name for Dzing! is Dung!
This is hilarious! I’ve had this on my “order in the future” list, but I’m having second thoughts now. Say no to poo, that’s my perfume motto!
Hear, hear!
Didn’t work for me either, lol. 😉
I love it, one of my favorite and most versatile leathers. In fact, it’s time to start wearing it again!
I’m getting ready to go to graduation party for my niece, and am dithering about fragrance. I’m down to either Unspoken, Jardin de Bagatelle or Mahora. I’ll let the hand decide by seeing which it grabs!
Have a great weekend all.
I vote for JdB. I love that one.
I like JdB too. (Also liked the first eight hours of Mahora before it went hideously chemical, i.e., “bad swimming pool,” on me. Oh well, not like I don’t have any other white florals to wear…)
Congrats to niece!
Thanks, Mals.
As I stood in front of the collection, I ended up grabbing Vol de Nuit – it just felt right.
That sounds perfect!
I’m going to a graduation dinner for my niece! I’ll probably stick to my SOTD (CdG Red Carnation) but it is still way later so I could still change my mind.
Congrats to your niece as well!
Thank you, Rappleyea. I am so proud of her. She starts working full-time at an accounting firm at the end of the month!
My vote is for Jardins de Bagatelle which is so underrated!! I love it!! (I wore that to my HS senior prom!)
Having hectic day: usual Saturday house cleaning, plus a little extra because we have company (family) for dinner. Also trying to pack up stuff for my daughter’s apartment, because she leaves tomorrow a.m. for a 7-to-8-week internship in Louisiana. It’s a 14-hour drive, poor baby, and she’s only been home from college a month!
Really proud of her, though. She signed up for this research internship knowing that she’d be working at a paper mill (stinky) in Louisiana (hot), doing things that would definitely get her dirty (she says she’s used to it, given that her usual summer job on the farm would be getting her dirty anyway). We thought that she’d be paid $8-10/hour and have to pay her own expenses, but after she accepted, the company really came through for her with a nice compensation package. (They must really have had a hard time finding somebody willing to take this position.)
SOTD is Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur – tuberose, orchid, ylang and cream, a real Gauguinesque sort of fragrance in my book. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love Louisiana! Granted, I never worked in a paper mill there, but really it is a beautiful state, with a colorful history, friendly people, and the food is wonderful. I always tell people not to go to Louisiana if you are on a diet!
Hope the internship goes well — sounds like an adventure!
Congrats on your daughter’s first big experience, and good choice on the fragrance too. I can’t wait until the “new” Velvet Orchid comes out. I am dying to smell it.
I’m looking forward to that Velvet Orchid too.
Good for your daughter! That sounds like a great experience. Will she have a chance to stop by Hove, too, perhaps?
I forgot to wear Chanel for the community sotd thread yesterday, so I’m wearing it today.
I decided on Bois des Iles – in the morning I wore EdT from Les Exclusifs, which wore off in the meantime I was doing shopping. I re-applied with the Extrait.
I wore Cristalle again today myself! Might stay in it all weekend.
Yesterday’s SOTD was Aqaba, after doing my obligatory Chanel testing. Aqaba’s spices come into their own in warm weather. This is such a lovely perfume. I’d like to recommend that others try it if you haven’t yet. My bottle is just less than half-full, and I have some small bottles of her other scents. Miriam Mirani can do no wrong in my eyes (that should be: with my nose).
With that knowledge and today’s oppressive heat and humidity, today’s SOTD was Animas Dulcis, which was perfect. My morning application lasted 11 1/2 hours! (I’ve stayed indoors all day).
This evening, I’m testing two samples I got from Douglas yesterday. Roberto Cavelli edp calls itself “an ambery floral fragrance: addictive, sensual and radiant.” Meh. This smells like many other commercial frags.
Reminiscence Ambre edt states that it is “The Perfume of the Orient” (caps are theirs). I’ll spare you the flowery, over-the-top prose. It’s very powdery and I pick up on something synthetic/chemical. Now, a half hour into wearing it, it’s turning sour on my skin.
Of the two samples, the Reminiscence is more to my liking, but I wouldn’t want to wear either one. * It’s turned sour while writing this, and is now starting to smell like unwashed laundry with day-old, sour sweat, so it’s not to my liking at all!
Gosh, it’s been just ages since MM released anything new — had almost forgotten about them! Maybe none of the perfumes after Aqaba really sold.
Actually, she has a few new scents listed at her site (off the top of my head: something d’Amour, men’s and women’s versions, but aside from the notes, no other copy. Also, the site doesn’t appear to have been updated for a year, although I continue to get seasonal offers of gift baskets.
I think I’ll write to Miriam and ask about the new listings. I wish she would do more to promote her line. It is carried (finally!) at some shops in Europe, but she could do more. I would hate to see her fragrances discontinued.
PS, just before I go to bed on Sunday night:
In case people don’t know, Thierry Wasser is the nose behind Aqaba and many (all?) her scents!
I just sent Miriam an email asking about her new fragrances and I will report back if/when I get a reply.
Oh, cannot find the Amour thing on her site, do you have a link? I just see the Jewels (2005) and Aqaba Men (2008). And Aqaba Spring, which was pre-2005.
Hi Robin. I’m just seeing this on Monday morning (it’s a three-day weekend here), so I don’t know if you’ll see this post from me.
This is the link: http://www.mirani.com/HeleoCart/Catalog/
Her scents can be found on the “Store” section at her site. The ones that are new to me are Aqaba Men II, Vie d’amour Men and Vie d’amour Women. The notes sound interesting. I can’t find reviews on any perfume blogs or forums. My favorites besides the original Aqaba are Aqaba Sands and Aqaba Men. Some items are listed under their names and others listed under the Store. The site could use a revamp, imo. I’ve always loved her bottles and the little drawstring bags for them.
Interesting…no descriptions or other info I can find on the front page, but yes, they’re for sale in her store. Thanks so much!
I like the original Reminiscence Patchouli fragrance and often wish I had a bottle, but I’ve never tested any others from that line.
Going to a Cirque du Soleil matinee today, and can’t decide what to wear (perfume-wise). Thinking I want something kind of magical to enhance the mood but for a matinee, nothing too heavy. A light application of Lolita Lempicka maybe? Any suggestions welcome.
Oh, hope it was fun, whatever you wore!
SOTD = CdG Red Carnation — Love it…but became a skin scent within an hour of application…I probably should apply more.
Ever since last week’s SOTD polls, I’ve been hankering for carnation. I had a very successful samples procuring visit to Barneys yesterday. My haul: Carnation-CdG Red Carnation, D&G Velvet Love, SL Vitriol d’Oeillet; Other: SL Bois de Violette, Byredo Gypsy Water Cologne, FM Eau de Magnolia and Odin No. 3.
For those who use make-up base / foundation — have you tried BB Creams and/or CC Creams? Do you have to reapply during the day? What brand(s) are your favorites? I most often use Estee Lauder BB creams and have also sampled (and liked) Smashbox BB and Mac CC. I find the BB and CC creams “easier” to use as I can skip primer.
Desperately love It Cosmetics’ CC cream, which I have said somewhere before. It lasts all day on me (I wear Paula’s Choice day sunscreen/moisturizer under it too), looks great and never any irritation.
I won’t wear chemical sunscreens so I don’t try too many things in this category but I live this one!
Perfumes still unorganized after the move. I found, and put on, Angel (leather). Not sure why.
Thanks for the tips…I have never heard of It Cosmetics and Paula’s Choice! Of course, when I just googled it, I landed on a page that mentioned DD creams (Daily Defense)…I wonder what EE would stand for if that ever comes out 🙂
As to your perfumes being organized, I guess you have to get used to doing your own laundry first (heee). I hope your cat adjusted well to the move!
If I could post a pic I would – Moose is fine, and my husband is putting together a second cat tree/ house for her even as I speak. (Because he is smitten with her, I think.) He sure as hell isn’t doing the things I ASKED him to do. 🙂
I’m hoping that they will come out with EE foundation crème — Economically Effective.
Every time I buy a tube or bottle of foundation crème, I see that the price of the new and improved version has gone up another 15 dollars or so! .
I’ve been using the Clinique CC crème, the color just melts into my fair freckly skin and looks natural and lovely, but it burns my eyes so I will probably go back to the CityBlock 25SPF that has physical sun barriers only.
LOL on Economically Effective. I have actually never tried the CityBlock…in fact, although I sometimes use Clinque make-up and primers (over La Mer serum and moisturizer), I don’t use any of the Clinique lotions. Years ago when I first tried the Dramatically Different Lotion my face got rashy within minutes of application.
For years, I wore Oil of Olaz (in the US, it’s Olay) tinted moisturizer and it was the ideal foundation. Then, without warning, it was discontinued and I couldn’t get it anywhere!
Since then, they’ve put out a range of tinted moisturizers, none of which are right for me. I’ve tried them ALL and keep giving them away. These include BB and CC and now, they have a DD (while the others are also still available). I’ve tried some other brands, too, with BB and without. I have spent entirely too much money on disappointing products! A couple of days ago, I bought three different kinds from the HEMA. All three together cost less than one of anything else I’ve tried. It’s been too hot and I’ve been in the house, so I haven’t test-driven these yet. I will report back! I have wanted to try the Bobbi Brown moisturizing balm, but it’s only carried by one store that I can’t get over to, so I won’t blindly buy in case I choose the wrong tint!
Have to try some CdG…do you get the Big Red gum accord from Carnation, as mentioned by someone on Fragrantica?
Can’t comment about base…but since you mention makeup, has anyone tried Hourglass ambient lighting blush? Barneys & Sephora carry it–looks intriguing.
I can imagine “Big Red” describing that peppery/cinnamon carnation opening of Carnation! It isn’t quite that sweet on me, but I see how folks get that association.
Hi galbunum gal, I have the Ambient lighting blush in Dim Infusion, a lovely peachy/pink. I’m quite fair, so this provides just enough color. They come in a wide variety of colors (I think 6), but are expensive so I don’t plan on purchasing any others.
thanks farouche, I think that’s why I want to try it–quite fair as well.
I like simplicity, and this is blush and highlighter all in one!
Actually, I did! (and do since I just re-applied as I get ready to leave for a graduation dinner).
It took 30 minutes to get to the restaurant and by the time I arrived, it already went pouff 🙁
I have the same problem. I love the perfume but 30 minutes is just way to short.
The Barney’s SA at Hourglass did my makeup one day and when I got home I was really impressed by how good my skin looked. It was glowing but not in a weird overdone way. The product I’m pretty sure that gave that affect was the ambient light powder in Dim. I’ve been meaning to go back and purchase but haven’t had a chance and Sephora is always out of it.
Ooooh, didn’t know Sephora has it…will have to check it out!
I’ve been using Benefit Fine One One (love the name!) – sheer brightening color for cheeks and lips. I only use it for the cheeks. It comes in a solid twist up and has three stripes of color: peach/pink, strawberry and melon.
I have Mood Exposure, which was reviewed on The Non-Blonde. I agree with Gaia – it’s lovely and subtle.
Oh, had *exactly* the same response to Carnation! Sadly, I couldn’t get that wonderful opening/presence to last longer. Granted, I only have a dabber sample, but I tried pouring straight from the vial, and still it only lasts an hour or so and then basically disappears. Made me sad, as I thought I’d found a new love before I realized how fleeting it was!
I reapplied and it was still fleeting…too bad. Safran Troublant was the same way on me — I have to use 8 sprays and even then, that lasted a mere 4 hours.
Ooh, I can weigh in with a cheap thrill perspective here. One of my favorite carnations is Smell Bent’s Prairie Nymph, it’s basically honey + carnation and has great sillage and lasting power. I wear it a lot in high summer.
And I wear BB/CC creams almost exclusively. I’m pale with freckles and dry skin, so a heavy base doesn’t work for me. Tarte’s
Tarte Amazonian clay BB tinted moisture broad spectrum SPF 20 is great, but for 1/3 of the price, I love Revlon’s Age Defying CC cream (though if you don’t have dry skin, you’ll probably find it too moisturizing). Both the Tarte & Revlon last me through my workday and don’t settle in any, ahem, creases.
Someone above mentioned Paula’s Choice products (amazing skin care), and her Beautypedia site is a good resource to research various formulas – I find the assessments honest, and they also have user comments.
Paula’s Choice Beautipedia is the best. I credit her with saving me tons of money over the years and for teaching me a ton about skin care.
Thanks for the Beautipedia info!
Ooooh, see, another sample enabler. Now I have to check out the Smell Bent Prairie Nymph! The Tarte sounds like it could be better for me. The Revlon my be too moisturizing for me. Thanks for the Beautipedia info as well.
The Tarte is great for sensitive skin, and stays put if I don’t overapply.
I got a sample of Prairie Nymph a few weeks ago, I’ll have to try it soon.
Good to know that Tarte is good for sensitive skin because that is what I have!
Whatever you do avoid the Revlon Photoready BB cream. I tried that one and I couldn’t get it to blend in to save my life. Awful texture.
That’s good to know, Poodle. Thanks!
Prairie Nymph is nice. I need to get a FB of it.
Grrrr with the enabling 🙂
But it’s a relatively cheap thrill! 🙂
See comment way way above re: samples buying restriction. I just got done buying a whole mess of Smell Bent samples.
I’m a huge fan of BB and CC creams and find that they last all day on me. I don’t usually use a primer first, unless I need some extra SPF then I’ll use Laura Mercier Foundation primer with broad spectrum SPF 30. My favorite BB cream is Diorskin Nude, but it only provides SPF 10 and has a light fragrance (which doesn’t bother me). I usually wear it in the winter when I don’t need as much sun protection. IT Cosmetics CC cream is more full coverage, which is not always what I want, but provides SPF 50. Sadly, I had to buy both Fair and Light and mix them, since I’m between them in skin tone. They don’t off a wide range of shades. Not a BB or CC cream, but a tinted moisturizer that I have been using for years is Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer spf 20. I love the regular version, but the oil free version is too chalky for my combination skin.
make that “don’t offer a wide range of shades”
Thanks, Farouche! Another IT Cosmetics user! I have tried tinted moisturizers but they just slide off my skin.
Congrats on your haul and on being one of the lucky winners of Cologne du Maghreb over on Chemist in the Bottle! Grrr …
I’m still debating whether to buy the Luckyscent early summer sample pack (plus) and whether to renew Olfactif (originally a gift). I’m also waiting for the new Aedes so I can order that plus other samples from them, and like you am also interested in Sweet Anthem Juliet since Kevin reviewed it. The FM intrigues me as well, and I have the feeling I’ve seen samples listed somewhere but darn it, I’ve overwhelmed myself …
I’m not sure about the whole BB/CC thing. They sounded great originally but I’ve realized I wanted an all-in-one product and they’re not it. That being said, I really like Tarte “BB tinted treatment 12-hr primer” with SPF 30. It lasts all day, has good coverage and non-chemical sunblocks (read skews pale due to titanium/zinc oxides) and is not oily or shimmery. It would probably be fine alone on oily skin, but needs moisturizer underneath on dryer skin if you want to avoid looking like stucco. As far as the treatment benefits go, I have yet to realize any.
I was looking at that early summer pack but I already have a good half of the perfumes so I am skipping it.
The Tarte BB tinted treatment 12-hr primer looks interesting…I have a feeling I’ll be hanging about Sephora to check out a few things…. Thanks for the recommendation.
For face care, I swear by La Mer. It really made a difference from when I was experiencing extremely dry and sensitive skin in 2012. It is spendy, but I’m worth pampering 🙂
I agree, La Mer is wonderful, and yes you are worth pampering 🙂 I’ll second nozknoz and recommend Gaia’s reviews over on The Non-Blonde. She has several posts about Paula’s Choice (among others) and includes pics of make-up on her skin.
If you are fairly pale I would recommend trying some of the Asian BB creams (Missha Perfect Cover is my favorite) or even the air cushions if you don’t mind dewy finish. I use the Iope Air Cushion XP and like it but it is fragranced. I think the Étude House one is supposed to be good. The cushions are designed to be reapplied as needed for sun protection (I still use sunscreen underneath, of course) so using powder over them doesn’t really work.
I’ve never heard of Missha…will have to seek it out. I am fairly pale. As to dewiness, I don’t care for it because instead of looking dewy, my face would come of as looking oily.
Nice set of samples. One of my favorite carnation soliflores is Laboissiere Carnation Eau de Toilette. Lush’s Potion was great, as well. Both of those perfumes are nose-clearingly spicy, but they are not irritating at all (at least not to me or my husband).
I noticed the “WAS” for Lush’s Potion. The website has a Lush Potion Lotion that is still available but boo hiss, I don’t use scented lotions 🙁
I will add the Laboissiere Carnation EDT to the try list!
They used to sell Potion as a solid perfume, but I haven’t seen it in a while.
I’m very fair and my skin is very dry, so I am a bit of a hard fit with the CCs/BBs I’ve tried. I finally found the Bobbi Brown Extra Tinted Moisturing Balm, which I totally adore. It took me about a week to get used to it, and now I can’t live without it. I do need to put on a very light base moisturizer under it still (except in the hottest weather). It has a light herbal scent that disappears after about 5 minutes. I also use some light touch up cover up when I need to, but I find that this balm plus some setting powder looks great for me all day.
I went to Sephora today and got a sample of Bobbi Brown BB cream with SPF 35 (!) in Light and Fair (I probably have to mix). I also got one of the Tarte BB’s. Today, I tried the Vitamin E BB cream from The Body Shop – not worth it and I threw out the rest of my sample.
If it were available today, Atuana would be the right choice for Gauguin’s birthday. I have large and small factices of the Fleur de Feu and Atuana bottles.
Yesterday I wore Cristalle EDP but it was an old bottle and was slightly off. I know that eventually, when some oils burn off, it can return to its former splendor, and it did!
Oh, so perfect! I’d never heard of Atuana until now. Thanks!
Great call, Celestia!
Thanks, Holly and Rappleyea. Obviously you two know but others may not, that Guerlain’s long-discontinued Atuana was named after Atuona, the village where Gauguin died in the Marquesas.
Thanks to you as well, Celestia. I enjoyed reading what I could find about the long-lost Atuana. Are you a perfume bottle collector?
Yes, big time! I try to control myself and only collect Guerlains but I do have Lolita Lempicka, Givenchy, and Escada summer limiteds collections too. I have lots of other bottles but make a point of not acquiring too many. Heaven is buying a worthy bottle with a juice I love in it!
Hello NST,
I have a question about Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere. I tried it and loved it, but the blast of top notes is too much for me. It is beautiful, but it makes my nose hurt for hours! I love the heart (jasmine/rose) and dry-down (vetyver/sandalwood/vanilla).
I wonder if I would react the same way to Chanel No. 5. I should try it again soon.
My question is this: Is there something out there that has a heart and base like No. 5 or Eau Premiere, but with a less aggressive top? I like Joy de Patou, but I wish for something that opens more gently than No. 5 and less sweetly than Joy.
This is an amazing place for me as a newly re-interested fragrance lover. The questions and comments are an education for me. I recently lost most of my sense of smell due to medication. I am grateful that now I am off the medication, and I can smell again, so fragrance is exciting once more.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Have you tried the No. 5 EDT? I like it better than the EDP. I have a sample of the Eau Premiere and will need to wear it to get its full effect. It got bumped off as my SOTD for tomorrow because now I want to try something else (Parfums Delrae Wit).
I remember the No. 5 EDT from childhood, but haven’t tried it recently. Will do!
Thank you
You know, if you can, find a tester of Chanel No. 5 in the Extrait…I actually find it a little deeper, but also a little quieter, than the lighter concentrations. Might just work. Chanel No. 22 is also worth a shot, if you haven’t tried it, or Coty L’Aimant:
https://nstperfume.com/2014/05/05/coty-laimant-fragrance-review/
Sounds wonderful, thank you! I predict I will be falling down a fragrance rabbit hole . . . the L’Aimant review was enticing.
If you’re in the habit of ordering samples, you may want to get a vial of Liu (Guerlain) to try. It’s quite similar to Eau Premiere, but a bit sweeter & more powdery. Someone in the comments to Robin’s link mentions it.
A great suggestion, thank you! I will add it to my list of must-try fragrances.
Along with the Liu, I’d also recommend Guerlain’s Chant d’Aromes, which is a very tender aldehyde floral peach. It is very similar to No 5, but also very different and sheer. I’m also recommending Barbara Bui; MCDI Promesse de l’Aube (very $$$); Kenzo Flower Essentielle; Parfumerie Generale Ilang Ivohibe; Givenchy L’Interdit; Worth Je Reviens; Nina Ricci Farouche if you can find it. All these are proper floral aldehydes in the powdery, ladylike vein, and have similar structure or notes to No 5. You may also just want to go to the department store and see if they’ll let you sample the lotion or creme formulations of No 5, which will get you there, but may not bother your nose so much. I’ll also suggest testing the edt which is superlative.
Oh, forgot Robert Piguet Baghari – gorgeous!
Wonderful suggestions, thank you! The No. 5 EDT is calling to me to try it right away.
Another suggestion that came to me was Hermès Calèche, so I may give that one a test, too.
Many great suggestions for you thus far! Have you considered signing up here for the Monday Mail?
Monday Mail? I love those! I will have to sign up.
I am enjoying the suggestions I’ve been given. I am loving the No. 5 EDT and EDP and can’t decide which is better for me. Right now I’m leaning toward the EDP. No. 22 is a beauty, too, but it gives me the same nose burn as No. 5 Eau Premiere. I tried L’aimant, and it fizzes my nose in a good way.
Thank you, everyone at NST, for making this fun.
Happy weekend y’all!
Just had the most wonderful time at the Twisted Lily shop (unaffiliated but totally smitten) hanging out with and chatting with the owner. He’s the nicest guy and wouldn’t let me leave without samples to go. I of course am still too self-conscious to ask. All kinds of lines in there that I’d never smelled, along with some new favorites (crushing on Eau de Toomi Sooni I hard). Helped to make this a lovely Saturday. Hope that yours have been as grand and well-scented as mine.
I’ve never been to Twisted Lily and it is but a subway ride away for me! I went to Henri Bendel on Thursday and took full advantage of the discount and got myself a bottle of Eau de Tommi Sooni II.
Oooh…whaaat’s this about a discount? Have they started selling everything off to make room for their all-Bendel products?
Bendel’s had its Birthday Bash this past week and there were discounts with purchases (depending upon the amount spent) of 15%, 20% or 25% off…including perfumes! Some perfumes (e.g. Caron, the “mainstream” Illuminium) were already on 30% off so it’s 30% and then x% based on total purchase. They are phasing out the non-Bendel products by the end of July, but they are not going on sale to clear them out (at least this is what I was told) because the perfume company reps will just move the inventory to whichever company they are assigned to next.
I had no idea, but thanks so much for the info!
So sad they’re not going to carry perfumes anymore. That’s another shop that is scary to visit as the SAs are SO aggressive on the main floor. DO NOT make eye contact.
I’ve found the perfume section, however, is not like that at all. They let me play and don’t bother me a bit.
I enjoyed my Twisted Lily visit as well. No pressure, but they are there if you need help. Walked out with 3 samples. Overall very good experience.
The lack of pressure is huge. Barney’s can be overwhelming, and even I know more than everyone at Saks as they try to get me to spritz myself with whatever the latest release is, but to be able to just have a conversation about perfumes with someone else who loves it like you do? Fantastic.
Love Twisted Lily. You’re right, that fellow is super-nice.
It’s so fabulous that he would not let you leave without samples! It sounds like a giant perfume rabbit hole has just opened up in Brooklyn! How wonderful, really, that someone is taking time to introduce people to real perfume and make it more accessible.
Perfect weather day in NY today. Took a lovely trip up the Hudson for a concert and post-concert party. Wore Cuir de Lancôme and just can’t get enough of this addictive leather/floral/amber scent. Almost done with my sample and I think I’ll be going for a FB next as the price is ridiculously cheap for a gem like this.
floragal, were you able to purchase a sample? Cuir de Lancôme gets so much love but I’d still prefer to try before buying.
Yes, I definitely did purchase a sample first. I dabbed and then filled on empty spray bottle and u enjoy it even more sprayed.
great – thx!
I’am wearing some horrible Mariah Carey bling thing my friends girl sprayed on me today. She is so sweet, and so excited to show me her new gift that she doused me! I smell like a candy shop gone horribly wrong. Will have nightmares tonight!
Aww, good for you for being a good sport. I shudder to think how much Malibu Musk and Electric Youth my family and their friends had to endure when I was around 8. It was always such a treat to participate in “grown up” things like perfume (even if it decidedly wasn’t grown up perfume-ha!).
Debbie Gibson! I never got that fragrance and wanted it so badly as kid! I was stuck with Tinkerbell and Sweet Honesty.I always thought celeb scents were not long lasting. This one could give any Guerlain a run for the money lol
I never owned my own bottle of Electric Youth, but I *did* go to a Debbie Gibson concert! It was already a little past her prime (a state fair concert), but she was still pretty great (at least to my 13 year-old self)!
Lucky you!
SOTD is Bali Lime Papaya by Pacifica. I really like this one for the summer. It does not smell like fake fruit or air freshener, just sweetened lime and a little lime blossom. I do not smell any papaya, which is fine, because I am not a fan of that fruit.
I did some sniffing at Nordstrom and Sephora today. I sniffed a few Chanels, and I could not bring myself to even spray any of the women’s scents on a test strip, much less on my skin (I’ve never claimed to be a real perfumista :-)).
Some of the Chanel men’s frags were tolerable; a couple of were pleasant. I got one (one with a silly name like Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme; fortunately, it does not smell sporty at all) sample in Nordstrom and then I got out of there. I have a lot of social anxiety, and I was not brave enough to ask for a second sample, especially from the SA who kept bitchily (is that a word?) correcting my pronunciation of every French perfume name (which is all of them, geez!) I timidly uttered. I have no problem with being corrected (I like to learn), but the level of attitude was uncalled for, especially at Nordstrom, where the SAs are usually nicer. Ah well, when I grow a pair (women can do that, too :-)), I’ll go back for a sample of Egoiste.
I sniffed several Hermes at Sephora. There are so many with “Merveilles” in their titles, that I can’t remember which is which; I sniffed several of those, and sadly, could not smell anything. I liked Un Jardin sur le Nil on the tester strip and I got a sample of it.
The scent of lime makes me think of summer (thinking gin and tonics with a big squeeze of lime)! Last summer I discovered Mediterranean Fig by Pacifica. I’ll definitely check our Bali Lime Papaya the next time I’m at Whole Foods.
Hi Kindcrow! Were you smelling the Merveilles from the bottles? I often can’t smell anything that way – especially if my nose is on overdrive and going numb:) There is actually one Eau de Merveilles and the others are all flankers. There is an Elixir which is like an EDP version (but actually quite different as EDPs usually are…) Then there is Claire de Merveilles which is the soft powdery version and last the Ambre d’Merveille which is the closest approximate to actual ambergris.
My favorite Hermes is Terre d’Hermes which I was once anosmic to!
I can relate a little to the anxiety – I often feel very self-conscious about using two spritzes of the tester. I always imagine the SA thinking I’m abusing the privilege! I went perfume sniffing with a more confident friend who haphazardly sprayed the strips numerous times and then into the air, and then his entire jersey! Even the way he wielded the bottles was a revelation to me:) It was such a liberating experience!
You forgot to mention the whole BIRD of Guerlain tester-feathers I collected!!Haha!It was a fun 2 days,must say!And we will be repeating it many many many….MANY times in future!;-))Happy Sunday M!xo
I will never look at a Guerlain flacon as a semi-sacred object again, ha!
I think that I sniffed Eau, Claire, and Ambre and, yes, it was from the bottle. I could smell lots of other perfumes after I sniffed them, so I’m chalking it up to the fact that they are mild-mannered frags that could not overcome my olfactory fatigue 🙂 Based upon Robin’s reviews, I’m most interested in Elixir des Merveilles and Eau Claire des Merveilles.
I really liked Eau and Elixir for some time, but not so much as to actually purchase either, and then by the time the latter two came out I had unaccountably gone off that strong salty accord. I do think they need to warm up on the skin, but as I said, I can hardly smell anything from a bottle to begin with…
Those SAs are really too much. I know what you mean, though. I try to navigate away from them as much as possible. At least at Nordstroms they have buckets of empty sample sprays so you can make your own samples. I really love that about Nordstroms. The SAs still will hover of course but it’s definitely better than say SAKS – an absolute nightmare for someone wanting a leisure afternoon of sniffing.
They’re like vultures! I need to be in the right frame of mind for a SAKS visit.
Ah, thanks for reminding me about those empty sample bottles at Nordstrom!
Went to the FRAGments event in LA today. Currently wearing Jour d’Hermes (couldn’t bring myself to go commando; it’s as lovely as advertised, and with good longevity to boot), with Olympic Orchids California Chocolate on one arm (divine). The other arm had Phoenix Botanicals Night Bloom (very pretty), but as it’s all natural, it needs reapplying.
The two other things I sniffed that stood out were Brent Leonesio’s Accident (very much as advertised) and DSH Perfumes Ma Plus Belle (beautiful wisteria and linden).
Ma Plus Belle sounds wonderful – linden is my favorite and wisteria seems to be popping up all over these days. I love this blog – I learn so much about scents I never knew existed.
Ma Plus Belle sounds like a lovely scent that I could pull off in our scorching summer heat.
Hello all! (and happy birthday Gaugin, i like your work, even if you were supposedly a syphilitic paedophile 😉 )
I do have a question. Gucci Accenti. It’s discontinued but there’s not much info on it beyond ‘floral oriental’. Has anyone out there tried it? Is it worth it for a cheap blind buy?
Ha, ha – you are reminding me of my high school art classes. It seemed like all the artists died of “dissipation” or syphilis.
I was running around with chores and outside work again today. Since I got so overwhelmed with my Sycomore/vetiver experience yesterday, I went searching through my unloved samples box to see if I had anything else to keep the vibe going. And lo and behold I found my sample of Habanita, and then in the can-do Chanel spirit, I tried to sample No 18 *again* for perhaps the 20th time. In any case, Habanita won hands down (and the No 18 was improved dramatically to my nose, with the healthy dose of warm, sweet vetiver). Habanita is a marvel, and I smelled fantastic at the library story hour in the afternoon with my daughter. Oh, Sycomore, Habanita…. vetiver may be my major accord for the early summer, or at least until these two samples run out.
I finished the day off with another lost sample: Goutal’s Eau de Monsieur. I can’t tell or not if this is “back”, b/c it’s now on the official website. But boy is it gorgeous! Goutal really understands how to put raw nature into a bottle.
APB: Anyone out there want to do a swap for some Sycomore? I really need some…. And I’ve got lots and lots of goodies. 😉
Please see my message below; I posted it incorrectly …
Hi AnnS,
I’ll be glad to send you some of my Sycomore. You can e-mail me at
jgradycole AT lycos.com
I have a rare fragrance conundrum. My ‘Angel’ took a tumble and her perfection is now marred by a jagged and missing corner. This is the magic aroma that gives me flight as I venture into the open skies of Life each day…but today The bird has a broken wing. She has lost something noteworthy. What am I to do?
Safety first: You might want to decant the perfume into another bottle so that you don’t risk cutting yourself each time you reach for your perfume. Then, you could display the original bottle in a place of honor with its broken wing facing away from you or cradled in a lacy handkerchief or doily.
So sad, first hint of perfume mortality.
Agree with kindcrow. Also, maybe time for a back-up bottle, or one of the vast chorus of Angel flankers. There was a review of the newest here recently – Sucree? Life is sweet.
Wait. You mean it doesn’t last forever?! Say it ain’t so! 😉
Sucree IS sweet and I LOVE it 🙂
I am posting late, this is Sunday…
Wore Gaultier Cologne yesterday, and then applied Fleur du Male last night, so it was a JPG Saturday.
Not sure what is in store for today, but I’m not thinking about wearing JPG today. 🙂
Note: The Post on Twisted Lily was closed for comments (or maybe comments were never accepted).
I visited the shop last winter. It was a nice small boutique, with a wonderful niche selection and I received knowledgable assistance from a gentlemen who I believed was the owner.
However, I would add a small note of caution on one point. If you look at a street map of New York City, you would believe that it is located almost next door to the Brooklyn Academy of Music and/or the Barkley center. In fact, it was a rather long walk away. Therefore if you intend to visit Twisted Lily before a concert of basketball game, give yourself over an hour to get to the store, sniff. shop and get to your show/game. Even better, give yourself a few hours to give a look at other, small charming businesses near Twisted Lily (The area near the Barclay’s center is just depressing). There also seemed to be a very large number of establishments bragging of their micro brewery selections, so any wasted time can be enjoyably wasted.
Great info, Dilana. I’d also like to mention that Atelier Cologne is across the street, and while I’ve never been to the store I’ve spoken with the staff there a few times and they’re very friendly, well-informed and generous with samples.
Thanks Dilana. We don’t take comments on the shopping reports, for a whole slew of reasons, but that’s all good to know!
Good points. The area is excellent for shopping. Great variety of different shops to explore.
All good points, Dilana!
I have only been around Brooklyn Academy of Music. It should have a been a short walk from the 2,3 Nevins subway stop but my friend and I walked the wrong way and I agree that the area around there is depressing; however, once we got our bearings, it was easy navigating. Juniors (cheesecake heaven) is nearby and truly does feature the best New York cheesecake.
If anyone is interested in The Nutcracker around the Christmas holidays, this is the last year when the American Ballet Theater will do its interpretation at BAM. This interpretation was by far the best and funniest and it was a serendipitous discovery when my friend accidentally bought tickets thinking she was getting tickets for the New York City ballet at Lincoln Center which we had been attending on and off for the past 15 years.
So glad to know this re: BAM & The Nutcracker!
I’ve made a note on this and hope to go.
Juniors Cheesecake is the best! I did a catering gig at the owner of Juniors back in the ’90s out at their home on Long Island and I remember his garage freezer stacked to the brim with cheesecakes which he used for entertaining and friends.
Very nice family.
I’m sampling Un Jardin sur le Nil today. It’s supposed to reach 105 degrees. I’m VERY grateful that it’s a dry heat.
With all of the carnation-talk, I was tempted to wear Flower Market by Lush, but I am being “good” and trying something new 🙂 Flower Market’s ingredients include: ylang ylang oil , galbanum oil, violet leaf absolute, elemi oil, and carnation absolute. Of course, it’s been discontinued, so I will treasure every last drop of its green and spicy goodness.
Flower Market sounds great – I’m sorry I missed it!
Un Jardin sur le Nil sounds perfect for weather that would quite naturally occur in summer at the Great Cataract Hotel in Aswan (although I’m sure that Agatha Christie would have taken great care to visit in winter rather than summer).
I like Jean Claude Ellena’s interpretation of the theme, and yet, my idea of a garden on the Nile is Etro Palais Jamais – a beautiful but strange perfume of smokey tea with accents of citrus and jasmine. To me, it is supremely civilized, but I can also see the point of the evocative review on Beauty on the Outside that compares it to camping out.
Un Jardin sur le Nil smells a little like a vegetable garden on the Nile on my skin 🙂 I’ve been watching Agatha Christie dramatizations on PBS since I was a kid. Remember Francesca Annis as Tuppence of Tommy and Tuppence?
I like tea in perfume. Etro bottles are so lovely.
I missed Tommy and Tuppence – the images on google look great. I need to figure out how to catch up on PBS when I fully retire.
Palais Jamais is worth sampling, if you get a chance. It’s notes include vetiver and birch tar, so it was one of those repell/attract scents for me at first, but now I love it.
Wow. 105? Aren’t you down in the Bay Area? Seems awful early for that sort of thing. They’re telling us that we’re going to have a hotter summer than usual here in Western Oregon. I fear that what they should be saying is “we’re going to have a warmer summer, and it’s what you should adjust to as the new normal. . .” I will try to remember to plant more drought-tolerant plants in my garden this summer!
Nope. I’m in the Central Valley, so there will be no rest for the wicked for a few months 🙂 I’m in Sacramento, and the Delta Breezes offer a little relief some evenings. My husband did a Breeding Bird Survey in a neighboring county today. He said that, at 9:30, the car’s thermometer read 91 degrees.
Our front yard consists of drought-tolerant native plants , and the H.O.A. called them weeds! Grrrrr.
I crochet, and at this time of year, I avoid making blankets — when it’s hot, you don’t want all of that bulk in your lap.
I’m hitting the Rose Jam again. The juiciness is so appealing in this hideous heat. Two percent humidity this week. Turns a girl to jerky. Doesn’t even care.
I liked Rose Jam last winter – need to take it for a spin to see how it performs in warmer weather, but we get a lot of humidity here in the DC area.
Enough months had passed that it seemed novel again. Glad I indulged in a little hoarding.
It hit 84-85 this weekend, which are scorching temperatures for the Netherlands! I have a health condition which causes me to black out in heat, so I kept indoors with my airco on. SOTD was Montale’s Roses Musk, which was perfect (after the initial killer blast).
Stay cool, Jonette! It’s interesting that, while the European/American tradition approach to summer calls for colognes and lighter perfumes, in the Arab world, which inspires Montale, they take full advantage of richer scents in far more intense heat.