Today is the 40th 60th anniversary of the recording of That's All Right, Elvis Presley's first commercial single.* Some people consider it the first rock 'n roll record.
We're marking the day with our usual open thread. Talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you're trying to decide if you should buy or not, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
*For anyone who has never heard it...here's Elvis singing That's All Right in 1968.
I never “got” Elvis…until I moved to Memphis 15 years ago. After experiencing complete immersion therapy during an August Elvis Week, I’m a convert! He’s still a huge deal here.
I’ve been testing Ann Gerard Rose Cut from a 2 ml spray sample. Its gone onto my (short) FB list.
Have a great weekend.
I love Memphis…& have toured Graceland three times 🙂
Robin, I will gladly show you some sights next time you’re in town. Truly!
If I ever get there again, will take you up on that!
I’d love to visit Memphis. Most cities in the U.S. actually. Super envious that moving between cities is kinda easy there and, well, most places. My closest next city is a 5 day drive through a desert :-/
Wow, that sounds really isolating! Are there good roads with amenities along the way, or are you mostly on your own?
I was invited along for the drive once but admit I refused and flew.. There are amenities to a point, but a decent stretch of outback. Thank goodness for cheaper airfares, but moving to live is a costly endeavor
I’m happy to hear that flying isn’t too expensive, although for me I think that would make it seem like even more of a *trip* than being able to jump into the car and wander off for while–if that makes any sense? Are there positives to living out there that keep you wanting to stay (beautiful scenery, strong community connections, etc?), or is it mostly a matter of economics?
(And feel free to ignore me if I’m being too nosy! I am one of the many Americans who have fled a small town to live in the city, and I think it’s definitely the trend in these parts!)
The being able to just drive somewhere is what I miss, the idea of another city with another flavour being just over the border..but don’t get me wrong Perth isn’t so sleepy these days. It’s actually a beautiful city with beaches and river and hills/bushland, and it’s become pretty trendy. I think it’s growing by like 600 people a week or something crazy. There’s smaller country or coastal towns to drive to to get away, but I’m a city girl- wouldn’t want to live there yet.
I don’t think I ever gave Elvis much of a chance! I am young enough that I only knew of him as a characature of himself and girls swooning over him inexplicably. I am suddenly feeling like it would be worthwhile to learn more! 🙂
My library has 15 movies on DVD. Any recommendations?
Most of the movies are piffle IMHO (enjoyable piffle if you like Elvis, otherwise maybe not) but you might try Jailhouse Rock or Blue Hawaii or Follow that Dream.
So far, don’t think anyone has made a perfect Elvis documentary either, but That’s The Way It Is is worth watching.
Thanks, Robin! Sounds like I need to get crackin’ on that time machine so I can go back and educate myself more appropriately! 😉
Like Robin said. Go for the earlier ones as they just got worse as they went on. And on. Frankie and Johnnie maybe? I much prefer the music than the movies. And the Elvis fridge magnets I have 🙂
I had some good friends growing up whose parents truly had velvet Elvis paintings hanging in their living rooms. . . 🙂
As a kid, I loved Viva Las Vegas for its Ann-Margaret and Elvis combination, but I can’t vouch for its quality as an adult, but I would expect that it’s good, fluffy fun. And their chemistry was fantastic.
Yes, Marjorie Rose, I know what you mean. I recommend “Elvis 1956”, a documentary by Alfred Wertheimer. They show it on our local PBS station. The description of the DVD on Amazon explains it well. It really opened my eyes.
Oh, that sounds good, and it’s one of my options! Placing a hold right now. . . thanks!
A couple of years ago I read the Priscilla Presley autobio ‘Elvis and Me’. I found it fascinating, and a whole lot stranger than I’d first thought.
My grandma was an Elvis fan, and when she died a few years ago at the great age 98, “Viva Las Vegas” was played at her funeral!
What a great way to be played out! I always hear it at the LV airport and it and gets me going.
I heard “Heartbreak Hotel” and then “Hound dog” when they came out in 1956 and became a fan. Despite his tragic downward spiral, he never lost that wonderful voice!
You smell great Suzy!
Lucasai, you are a fan of Rose Cut, too! Thanks!
Even though my father’s family is from Memphis (my father claims to have trespassed on Graceland in his youth), I inherited my mom’s nonchalance for Elvis. I’ll never say no, though.
Morning all!
I’ve been on a bit of a shower gel binge lately, loading up on cheap n cheerfuls. Cussons Imperiale Leather have a new range out and I got the Pomegranate Rose one. Has patchouli in it and it smells like rose oud. Yum. And so cheap for less than $5 for 400ml. Also loving Original Source which are new here. Made from essential oils and super cheap so I’ve bought almost all of them :-0 Loving the pineapple, the mint, and the orange and ginger but also got the grapefruit, lime, strawberry, strawberry and vanilla… My poor b/f got so overwhelmed by choice he brought over a cake of soap! Lol
Has anyone else tried these?
I have not even heard of either, but going to google!
I just checked too. Both are British brands and the britsuperstore delivers worldwide 🙂 didn’t see the rose one though but it’s just released so may appear somewhere..
Thanks!
I already probably have more bath products than I can use up in the foreseeable future, but am always buying new ones. I’ll have to look for these. Thanks!
I remember liking Lime, something with green tea and mint from Original Source. Unfortunately they’ve been recently kicked out of Rossmann stores offer in Poland.
Yes, my 11 yo loves the original source lime. She’s in the shower using it right now. I find it a bit harsh, but I love the mint one. Have not tried the others. I’ll try the new Imperial Leather range, thanks for the reminder. I’ve seen them but resisted so far!
Does anyone else suffer from the dreaded “perfume headache”? So many of my favorite scents initiate the worst migraines. Some fragrances do and some don’t at all. I’ve been trying to isolate which notes would be the most irritating. So far tuberose is the only culprit. Any ideas?
I don’t, but have always wondered if it isn’t partially related to how much you are exposed to…do even little dabs of tuberose give you a headache?
Even a small dab of tuberose-heavy scents (like Michael by Michael Kors–blech!!!) will give me an instantaneous headache. I can deal with it if it isn’t the main component to a fragrance, as long as I’m not too generous with the application. Otherwise no luck! Very frustrating.
Good to know, thanks!
I get semi-regular migraines (with auras), but they do not seem to be *initiated* by scent so much as _exacerbated_ by it sometimes. So, for me, it’s not what I’m wearing so much as if I’m wearing something at all that may not be ok for a while. For me, then, all I can do is be watchful of the early signs of a migraine coming on and choose to avoid wearing something until it’s resolved itself.
In general, though, I would say that I am less irritated by “warmer” scents, if they aren’t overly heavy orientals (which I LOOOooove, btw!), and by scents that are more altos or baritones rather than sopranos, if that makes any sense!
Tuberose used to when I hated the smell, but I seemed to have acclimatized.. Ysatis used to always give me headaches years ago so I gave mine away (regretting it). L’eau d’Hiver gives me a bit of a headache and makes me feel a bit nauseous, but I can’t see a link between them all. Sucks though 🙁
I had perfume headaches in the past; luckily none more recently. The only connection I could find was they were very commercial fragrances that seemed to be worn by every other person in crowded places and also permeated the air in the perfume department in shops! So I decided there must be some ingredient commonly used in inexpensive scents (relatively speaking — compared to $$$ scents).
Ah yes–I *will* say that the scent wafting heavily out of, say, an Abercrombie and Fitch can immediately put me on edge! It is truly repellant, so I haven’t stuck around long enough to see if I get a real migraine out of the deal, but I imagine it might!
I get migraines from fragrances, too. I agree there may be a common ingredient in certain styles of fragrance that is likely to trigger migraines. Some scented candles make me see stars in a bad way.
I have found that staying really well hydrated can reduce the severity of migraine when I am confronted with a strong fragrance trigger. If I am thirsty then my nose is probably dry, and then it seems like smells “stick” in my head longer, and I am more likely to get a migraine. Strange but true.
If I am stuck breathing a fragrance that hurts my head it helps to breathe through a scarf, a handkerchief, or sleeve even for just a few breaths. It’s like an instant gas mask. It works even better if what I breathe through is not scented or is scented with something safe.
I have never had migraine triggered by citrus, herbal, and aromatic fragrances. Any eau de cologne is usually a safe bet for me. I love floral fragrances and they are usually safe, but Dans la Nuit by Worth is a migraine in a bottle for me. For a while I blamed migraines on violet notes, but I’m not sure.
The very modern florals and musks in some fragrances are the hardest for me to tolerate. I wonder if it is due to the “enhancing” chemicals that are used to freshen, brighten, and add tenacity to many perfumes.
Thanks for the tips! I have noticed that light, herbal scents almost never irritate. Newer, more perfumery scents really tend to put me over the edge! I have a bottle of Acqua Di Gioia which gives me such a horrible migraine that I’ve only been able to use it a few times. That one has Jasmine in, which can also be an instigator.
I am curious! Now I want to try Acqua Di Gioia next time I see it. It has a peony note and a sugary note, both of which have given me headaches in other fragrances like Burberry Brit, Estee Lauder Pleasures, and many of the Victoria’s Secret scents that have wafted past me at the shopping mall.
I do get them, but usually only the first time or two I give something a good spray. I think my brain just isn’t accustomed to the stimulation. It might be better to try lighter fragrances.
I think you’re right. I bought a bottle of CK One because it is the least offensive scent out there. It’s great for days when I feel like a headache is inevitable.
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea edt and shower gel seem to relax/ reset my nose sometimes when I feel a headache trying to start. Gift sets are cheap enough to try and see if it helps you too.
Bond No. 9 Chinatown is a liquid migraine for me.
SOTD is Shalimar Ode a la Vanille- I love Shalimar EdP and bought a FB of OalV un-sniffed, sure that I would love it. I think it’s the original flanker from 2010. Only 15 minutes into it and so far, so good. Eager for the dry down. Hope everyone has a wonderful and fragrant weekend 🙂
As far as Elvis is concerned, it makes me sad to see another great artist succumb to what almost seems inevitable- so many creative folks have their inner control panel set to “self-destruct.” I always wonder “what if” …?
I just bought some too- it’s on its way 🙂 I’m not sure which one it is though as it was just titled Ode a la Vanille but the blurb said 2013 release.. it will be a surprise. I did test some in store awhile back (first one I think) and it smelled much like my vintage (90’s) edt so I’m looking forward to trying them side-by-side. I haven’t tried any new versions of Shalimar for years!
I regret not trying OdlV. I love Shalimar and what could be better than more vanilla!
I’m also waiting for my unsniffed bottle to arrive… I jumped onto the Shalimar Parfum Initial train and got bottles of the EDP and the L’eau… And OdlV. The L’eau arrived yesterday and it’s great! Glad I took a chance… Of course, a discounter and a coupon an free shipping helps a lot, too!
No scent, yet. I am still in recovery from a late night last night! I have never been very graceful when kept up past my bedtime, but sometimes I just have to do it anyway! We (Mr. Spicebomb and I) watched fireworks with his dad from on top of the Hawthorne Bridge. It was so pretty to see the whole skyline lit up and all the boats in the water! But then we had to wait for the crowds to disperse (human and boat), so it was pretty late coming home.
As I groggily start my day, my thoughts are towards a summer comfort scent. I have been wearing L’eau d’Hiver a fair amount lately, and I wore Bill Blass Nude yesterday–and I think both qualify. But I wonder, what makes a scent a good summer comfort scent? Seems a bit like an oxymoron, since I tend to want thinner, crisper scents in summer, which doesn’t sound very snuggly . . . what say you all?
So glad it was fun though! And you didn’t fall off the bridge 🙂
No, no falling off of bridges! Although they had opened it up back to traffic before we got down, so there was a small game of Frogger required to get back to the sidewalk.
“Summer comfort scent”. Hmmm. Interesting concept. Maybe Grand Neroli qualifies. It has the zesty citrus opening but then it dries down to amber and vanilla.
Oh, nice one!
Actually that line’s a nice idea in general–Vanille Insensée, Ambre Nue…
Oh, true. VI is the only vanilla I can wear in the summer.
I wish the Atelier line spoke to me more. I can appreciate them, but I don’t connect to the line at all. I bought their full sample set and nary a one. . . 🙁 But yes, they seem perfect for summer!
It’s winter here in SA but all week I have been wearing either lavender scents or citrus. What comforts one is very subjective and for me lavender is very soothing and citrus is quite uplifting…
Guess I will be taking out most of my ambers in summer, lol!
Wow. Amber in the dry heat of SA! Have you actually done that and found one that holds up ok without suffocating you?
Guess its trial and error and also how hot exactly the day really is. A friend has worn L’eau Ambree on pretty hot days 🙂
L’eau Ambree works for me year round, including those hot days 😉
Me too – even in the humidity of Alabama ! L’eau Ambree works.
I like L’AP Vanille Absolument in summer – not for those days when DC is hotter than anywhere else in the country, but most other times. Oddly, the one I like on very hot days is Prada Infusion d’Iris. That’s the only time I really like it, actually: I find it a bit boring normally, and I can’t take anything exciting when it’s hot.
I can see how Infusion d’Iris might be just right for that sticky humidity. I’m with you that it isn’t interesting to me most of the time, but I will keep it in mind when we get those (thankfully rare) humid, hot days this summer!
I haven’t tried Vanille Absolument in a long time. . . wonder if I have a sample somewhere. . .
Ooh good idea. Looks like I’ll get a chance to try that this week, oy!
I love l’eau d’hiver esp in summer! You smell fab! I also find that Amouage Fate works well as a cozy/comfort scent in summer….never seems too cloying or too much.
Thanks! I do love it, but I start to feel like it’s been overkill if I wear the same thing 4+ days in a row! I only sniffed Fate at Our Lady on a cotton ball–will try to remember to give it another go on my next pilgrimage. 🙂
Chanel Eau de Cologne is my summer comfort scent – old school.
Sometimes things are classics for a reason! 🙂
I love By Night, White (Profumi del Forte) in summer. It was probably that it’s in a white bottle, talks about summer nights in Italy, and has citrus top notes to freshen it, but beyond that it is a light creamy dreamy thing, and total summer comfort scent to me
Wow, that sounds pretty! I don’t know that one at all. Creamy sounds perfect, though!
Looked around the “what’s new” section under the beauty heading at Nordstrom and was surprised to see some Juniper Ridge items. Wish they’d carry the incense, that’s what I’d most like to try.
Wow. Anniversary Sale is coming up and I’ll be triggering a Triple Point Day so will be checking out what’s available.
Not sure where you live, but Whole Foods in the US carries the incense. If you are stuck, let me know and I can get you some. ann dot eisenberg at comcast dot net
Mito on one arm and Cristalle on the other. They really are related and just right in the sultry weather we have here in the south east of the UK at the moment as they seem to bloom in the heat but aren’t overpowering; their sharpness cuts through the humidity. Wish I could afford more Mito …..
Mito sounds so lovely but I haven’t tried any of the line for fear of an expensive infatuation!
Yes, Coumarin, I sometimes think it would be better if I hadn’t ever smelt a lot of perfumes I end up yearning for.
Jillie, I felt the two were very related, too. I already own a bottle of Cristalle edp which is a relief. I’ll just wear it and think of Mito.
I’ve got a tip, SuzyQ! I was wearing Eau d’Hadrien the other day and sprayed on Cristalle edp before it wore off. I don’t know why this should be, but the Goutal gave the Chanel a hint of Mito! But then if you don’t have the Eau d’Hadrien in the first place and have to splurge to buy it, that defeats the object, doesn’t it!!!
I might have a sample around here. I’ll give it a try. Interesting tip!
I was wearing Le Labo Iris 39 since morning hours, then I went on a bike trip, took a shower and now I’m enjoying La Manufacture Cologne Precieuse.
I have 2 questions for you, perfume friends.
#1 – has anyone tried Van Cleef & Arpels California Reverie. I’m tempted to buy it after reading the review at The Candy Perfume Boy but I could use more feedback.
#2 – what is your opinion on Memoire Liquide line? Worth exploring, not lasting, overpriced?
Dearest, I am awaiting YOUR assessment of California Reverie. I know if you like it, chances are extremely high that I will like it as well.
As to Memoire Liquide, I got i think 6 or more different samples from Sniffapalooza but they are currently in my neglected pile pile of samples. Lord & Taylor carries the line and I may smell on tester strips instead of “wasting” my manufacturer’s samples. I can walk to a Lord & Taylor from home so it would become exercise for both body and nose 😉
The shop I want to buy California Reverie in has just added the fragrance to their website but the “add to cart” button is still inactive. I guess it’s a matter of a few days.
I just dug through my samples today deciding what to put in Monday Quick Sniffs and I found one from Memoire Liquide: Soleil Liquide. Must be from you (I had it in the sample place as the samples from Undina).
I would be curious to hear from you if it’s worth to try them.
That one did not come from me 😉
I love Iris 39, especially in the body lotion!
Is it efficient? Does it leave your skin scented for longer than 10 minutes?
If only I had an access to Le Labo. We don’t have them in Poland. London is the closest spot for them.
I don’t own it but I took a small application once at my local counter. Medium weight, and it sank in well. The scent was pretty strong, enough that I’d probably buy it instead of the perfume.
The Iris 39 shower gel is fabulous. It doesn’t linger (which is why it works for me) but it is luxurious while one is using it.
Re: #2, I have samples of both Encens Liquide and something floral–maybe Fleurs Liquide. I’ve tried both, and they’re fine, but not memorable enough that I ever reach for them, or for me to tell you anything more about them.
No perfume yet today. Yesterday I visited my aunt and she gave me gardenia, Madagascar jasmine, and plumeria flowers that were growing in her yard. We put them in a paper bag, and I was huffing it like an addict 😉
I was enthralled by the scent, and now I want to experience some more white flower perfumes, which I haven’t gotten into yet. Any suggestions for perfumes with true gardenia (I already have TF velvet gardenia), true jasmine, and true plumeria notes would be appreciated. Doesn’t have to be a soliflor.
I’m jealous of your aunt’s garden! I have some kind of jasmine (I think it’s a kind of start jasmine — small flowers, very fragrant). I’ve tried growing gardenias indoors here in Holland and have given up. I’ve never smelled plumeria. Hmmm. I’ll have to google.
I’m jealous too! I live far away and can’t grow any of those outside. I’m going to try for indoors but my green thumb isn’t so green …
Tawaf by La Via del Profumo is a natural perfume with a super high amount of jasmine oil, but it is quite short-lived (but divine). I also think that A La Nuit is a pretty realistic jasmine. The only others I can think of are blends (Songes, Terracotta le Parfum), and I’ve not come across any true gardenia or frangipani (plumeria) scent. Monoi oil is probably the closest.
I love Bruno Acampora Jasmin — in the eau de parfum, not the oil.
Have you tried Estee Lauder’s Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia? It is a beautiful fragrance.
Also, the Jo Loves line has a Gardenia perfume that you might enjoy.
Just sampled a really lovely jasmine soliflore, Jasmina from April Aromatics. I’d be quite tempted if it had better longevity–don’t need a scent to stick around forever, but this one lasted about 1/2 an hr. Might be better sprayed…
Kai is very pretty, and Manoumalia is intensely tropical. SL A la Nuit is exactly like standing under a jasmine bower at night.
I would totally be taking turns with you, huffing that bag. LOVE me some white florals!
Kai is quite pretty, and here’s another vote for ELPC Tuberose Gardenia.
I haven’t been able to participate every day because I’m having a bad flare. For comfort, I’ve been wearing Carnal Flower every day. I was under the impression that my perfume-eating skin was doing its normal act of causing it to disappear. So I spray it in my hair and on my clothes as well. Yesterday, when I got into my friend’s car to take me to one of my doctors, she said, “Wow! You smell great!) I could barely smell my CF, so I asked her if it was too strong. She said she’d was the wrong person to ask, as she’d lived in Hawaii a long time and this invoked good memories for her. But now I’m afraid I might be nuking my surroundings. Other perfumes that have disappeared (to my nose) quickly are also not detectable by others, so this time I’m thinking I may be somewhat anosmic to tuberose. But I can smell it just fine when first applied. Help?
I think it’s just because you’ve been wearing it everyday and your nose has gotten used to it. It will smell it at first then it kind of registers it as ‘usual surroundings’ and shuts off to keep alert for more important things like gas leaks and house fires 🙂 (like we can’t smell our own houses but others can)
When I used to wear the same perfumes daily I’d stop being able to smell them too. Maybe swapping fragrance for a bit will help.
Sorry it’s such a pretty one you can’t smell! It’s not all that long lasting on me though either..
This sadly seems to happen to me over one day so that I cannot smell my own perfume after some hours (even if I do change scent daily). Then the next day I will pick up the shirt I was wearing and be surprised at how strong it is :/
Hi Jonette! Could you perhaps ask someone else for an opinion? It may be that her fond memories have made her very sensitive to the smell. But it may be, given how strong many people find CF than some of us just are anosmic to something in it – or have some kind of selective anosmia. There are many times I can smell something and then not smell it, or smell it some days and not others. I have sprayed Carnal Flower on my clothes and still been unable to smell it 15 minutes later. My boyfriend could not smell it either but it could be that his nose is as fickle as my own…
That has happened to me as well. I think I have been quite judicious in my perfume application, and then I get in the car with my 13 year old son who is generally ambivalent to fragrance, and he exclaims, “Wow, your perfume is strong!” Which always makes my heart sink a little. Haven’t yet figured out why this happens, but it definitely depends on the perfume.
I am wearing No. 5 EDP once again. Does anyone feel like the longevity isn’t great for such an expensive fragrance? I’m pretty much saturated in it because I love the scent so much and can’t stand that it fades so quickly.
That has been my experience with Bois des Iles, and as I recall, I remember thinking most of the other exclusifs were surprisingly light for what they were, too. Might be a Chanel thing. . .
Although, I should add that I prefer Bois des Iles in the heat, as the extra warmth seems to help make it present for longer.
Sometimes I think that more expensive perfumes are less long-lasting, perhaps because they are designed to evolve and rely less on some of the more indestructible synthetics. Most of my older extraits are definitely less long-lasting.
Ironic because many people run down ‘cheap’ and/or imitation perfume by scoffing at its lasting power. But, yes, I’v made a similar observation – some inexpensive scents last forever and some $$$$$ ones all of 7 minutes!
Yes, I find No. 5 EDP has poor longevity as well, which is odd because on first application it seems very strong. And it was a creature of the 1980s too! I mainly wear it as an after bath scent in the evenings. Maybe you and I are anosmic to bits of it ?
It’s been awhile since I’ve bought a full bottle and now that I have, I don’t want to stop! It’s addictive for sure!
Wearing a big splash of Eau Sauvage to work today. I can’t wait to unpack my empty atomizers to decant some.
Speaking of full bottles and decanting, I wonder when the next split meet is. I want to try that LE Le Labo, Geranium 30!
Bottles of perfume have got to be a better addiction than tattoos or bourbon, right? 😉
I used to be a bag hag, but when my wardrobe was overflowing with bags, I switched to perfume and its MUCH worse. First because I’ll have the bags for years; in some cases, forever. Second because of all these wonderful “enabling” forums, blogs etc, which just serve to fuel the fire.
I used to collect books which, while cheaper, did a number on my back this move! How did I get 12 boxes of books? Only one box of perfume, though I probably paid more for total than my rent! 🙂
I still collect books, but not as a luxury – I usually buy second hand and only what I’m going to read. They do occupy a lot of space, but are much easier on my eyes than ebooks.
I only buy used as well, but even then I only seem to read half of what I buy. I took a huuuuge box to donate but apparently it didn’t make a dent.
I’m there with you on eBooks, though.
Only 12 boxes of books? That’s nothing! 🙂
Well SEE! You’ve shown a lot of personal growth! ;D
I have OCD, and I could never be a “bag hag.” I find the perfect purse — must have separate compartments and pockets and a place to clip my keys. I don’t “change” purses until the current one is falling apart. If I switched out handbags every week, my propensity to check things would spiral out of control 🙂
A friend of mine is like that with tattoos. Even Amouage seems a bargain to those, and in my current collection, they’d probably last as long!
I should note that I’m not at all anti-tattoo–I have a few myself!–but folks who seem to be compulsive about them tend to not have designs that appeal to me so much. And you are right, they can be very expensive!
I don’t have any but I am very supportive of people modifying themselves as they wish.
My aforementioned friend dated a tattoo artist so of course she got good deals, but her tattoos would still be $300!
Shoot. $300 for a tattoo seems pretty reasonable to me, assuming it’s well done with pretty colors and such! I have a largish leg tattoo that cost me around $500. I don’t regret it for a second, and it’s permanent so I can enjoy it for a life time, but it *does* make perfume seem pretty affordable! 🙂
I have two modest sized ones neither of which cost over $100. Which may be why they are both quite faded and need touch ups. Apparently one needs to check that they are using ‘Japanese’ ink?
Merlin, from what I understand, the quality of the ink does matter. The shop I got my leg tattoo at uses vegan inks, which I have a hard time imagining being “Japanese,” but perhaps that refers to a process (like Dutched cocoa?) rather than a country of origin?
Other factors that impact longevity is how it’s applied to your skin–if there’s deep scarring, it won’t age as well as if it’s a lighter application that’s been touched up carefully–exposure to sun will make them fade faster (use sunscreen), which colors are used, where it’s located on your body, and individual differences in our skins. A good tattoo artist will keep all of these in mind and try to help you get a long-lasting piece of artwork.
One is about 10 years old and one about 2 years old and both are in color. Left and right ankles. At some point I’ll do some research and maybe pay a substantial amount to one of the ‘revered’ high profile artists to do a touch up. The 2 year one is definitely much more faded than it should be at this point. I guess there are varying qualities of ink and its best to know more than I did before having them.
I think they cost more here 🙁 a small one I got 20 yrs ago (omg I sound like I’m getting old!) cost $150, and the bigger one 10 yrs ago was about $600, although a b/f at the time paid for it.
SOTD = Le Labo Benjoin 19 (i somehow frequently mangle the number but anyway, it’s the Moscow exclusive)
It started off lemon-pledgy and then still more lemon-pledgy. It reminds me of Gaiac 10 but with a sharper edge. Methinks I will stick to my staples Iris 39, Vanille 44, Cuir 28 (in small doses) and Gaiac 10.
There are wisps of a pleasant dry down of an indeterminate flowery blend but it is not quite nice enough for me to spend any rubles for a FB.
Gotta save those rubles.
I have to admit that I’m glad that Benjoin 19 didn’t appeal to you (and now it doesn’t appeal to me either) – money saved!
A little bit of Ava Luxe Madame X on one wrist and Frapin Terre de Sarment on the other. I got sample of Madame X years ago but haven’t worn it in over five years, and I *love* its vintage perfuminess. I can imagine my grandmother wearing this, and to me, that is a compliment.
Waiting for the drydown of Terre de Sarment to see what I think.
Edit – I got *this* sample. Oy.
This reminds me that Ava Luxe did not respond to an email. I should probably check my spam folder first though.
Does anyone know if Ava Luxe has a storefront in Boston?
Question! about TF Oud Wood. Recently tested the version in the new (smoky grey men’s line) bottle, seems much sweeter, even vanillic, in the opening now. Am I romanticizing the old original Oud Wood or was it reformulated with the bottle change?
I really would like to hear people’s thoughts.
Interesting…hope someone will chime in. I will try it next time I’m in a store, but not sure I’d remember it well enough to tell.
Thanks Robin ^ ^
I forgot to comment about Elvis! All of a sudden, I have a hankering for fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Has anyone tried to make this?
Never tried to make these sandwiches but have made Croque Monsieur which I suppose uses a similar method – fry the filled sandwich in a pan with a dollop of butter and splash of oil heated in it beforehand. Turn the sandwich over when golden underneath and cook the other side. Somehow, though, I have a feeling that Elvis might have had his deeeeeeeeeeep fried in gallons of fat!!!
Actually, no, he didn’t. I remember reading, years ago, an interview with Elvis’s housekeeper where she described how she made the famous sandwiches and it was the normal, shallow fried in a pan method you describe.
I think you need to add a layer of marshmallow cream in that sandwich! Quite delicious…. Haven’t had one in years and years, but super yummy.
I can see I am in the minority here because I am not an Elvis Presley fan. But, I think it’s awesome that he has such die hard fans. My SOTD is my new summer fragrance, Orange Sanguine by Atelier. I am enjoying it so much this summer. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Wearing by Killian’s Rose Oud for my birthday today. I’m chomping at the bit to buy this, either in the bottle, or, more likely, the travel atomizer, but trying to wait till the holidays when there should be a lot of GWPs for a purchase like this. Still have about 5 mls to hold me till then.
Happy Birthday to you. I hope you have a fantastic day!
Having a great scent on is the best way of commemorating the day. The rest is secondary! Wishing you a wonderful day 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks everyone! It was a wonderful day, spent at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and then dinner at my favorite Japanese restaurant. In fact, it’s been a pretty great holiday weekend.
Happy birthday, and Rose Oud is so lovely.
Has anyone done a list of the best celebrity fragrances? I’ve looked and can find reviews of individual fragrances, but no best of list. I have seen perfumistas refer to Still J.Lo recently, and I hoped to find a list of things worth sampling.
Perfume Shrine had a post just the other day on which celebrities are making the most money at the moment, but if was not a ‘best of ‘ list. Liz Taylor topped the lush, I recall, followed by Jo Lo.
Sarah Jessica Parker ‘ s Lovely is very highly regarded, as is White Diamonds.
I wear Still regularly, and enjoy it. $12 for 1.7 oz @ tj maxx a few months ago. Someone else somewhere described it asa tall glass of sweet tea. Great longevity, easy to wear. Will repurchase when i run out.
Some folks really enjoy Jessics Simpson Fancy Love, but it does not work for me.
There are some threads on fragrantica that discuss celebrity scents, too.
Will be interested in seeing other responses!
I don’t have any celeb scents but one I am considering is Rihanna’s Rogue.
Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker is considered a very high quality celebrity fragrance. I almost don’t even count it as one.
I own a few myself, most of which I received when I was much younger and have since grown out of. I still like the original Christina Aguilera and wear it often. It’s a bit sweet, as to be expected, but pleasant nonetheless.
The Olsen twins’ Nirvana Black has gotten some love in the blogshpere. Haven’t tried it myself however.
That’s one I enjoy wearing, too.
Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights has a bit of love out there as a cooler weather scent. It is quite nice actually. I picked up a small bottle for $9, and that and Lovely are the only two celeb scents I own.
Wearing the last of my tiny sample of Belle en Rykiel on this rainy day. I like it quite a bit, and will be happy that I went and purchased one of the last remaining cheap bottles online…it was so cheap on Amazon that now I’m worried I’m about to be duped.
In any case, perfect for the rain, and close to the skin, and subtly changing…
An old favorite of mine! I have a backup bottle.
Ah, it’s so nice, yet so rarely mentioned on these sites…
I have this on my “to try” list, it’s easy enough to get on eBay. I’m interested because of the coffee note. From what I’ve read it seems like that note is very present throughout.
Received Le Prairie’s Midnight Rain in the glittery purse spray as a gift. Not a scent I would ever have bought myself but I am loving it! It’s funny because although I think of myself as liking fruity notes I don’t think I actually own any of these mixed fruit types 😀
Well I mean I didn’t own, because now of course I do!
Today I used the last feeble spritzes from a 4 oz. bottle of Ralph Lauren “Lauren,” which was my signature scent in the 90s.
What a lovely scent before it was reformulated! Fortunately I have a 2 oz. back-up bottle still in its box that I bought around the same time.
I also love the square burgundy ink well bottle with the round gold cap. ..may keep the empty bottle just to prove I finally got through it!
I loved that scent and wish I had a bottle. Enjoy yours! You smell great!
Thanks! Since I bought the 2 oz. bottle myself, I know the origin and how it has been stored. I also have one of the small bottles (30 ml?) that is narrow at the base and taller at the top. With the big brass cap, it is constantly falling over! Not the best design from a practical standpoint 🙂
Vintage Lauren is wonderful!
Based on spending way to much time on ebay, I believe that type of bottle is what is referred to as a “lay down” bottle, intended to recline languorously on one’s boudoir table or be tucked into an evening bag. 😉
Thanks, Noz! That explains it. RL also did a gorgeous bottle of Safari in the lay down style. In that case it was easy to tell it wasn’t intended to stand up.
They did confuse things with the flat end on the Safari bottle. Most of the antique bottles on ebay are pointy or rounded, but occasionally there is one with a flat end, too.
BTW, I love Safari, too, and the Turquoise one. Then they started going downhill. I thought Romance was a disaster, and I haven’t tried any of the Pony series.
Good to know, thanks!
Oh, you just brought back some great memories. What a fantastic scent! And, I too, loved that iconic bottle! So, it has been reformulated to death? Too bad. It was a gem. You are so lucky that you still have the original. Treasure it.
The current formulation of Lauren is awful.
It is indeed. My mum had the ‘lay-down’ bottle in the 80’s and I adored that smell! Then Lauren vanished completely. When I saw it again I grabbed one, but it was a chemical mess compared to how I remembered it. Such a pity.
Such a pretty fragrance – or it used to be.
It was all the now-banned ingredients that made it so nice. Sigh.
Enjoining a very lazy, do-nothing Saturday.. but do have a question. Fragrances that are discontinued for the most part are easily available for purchase on eBay and other sites. Because they’re no longer being manufactured the bottles one might buy-although never opened&unused- could possibly be many years old.
How do you know how old a bottle is, and how old is too old?
I’m thinking of buying Cuir de Lancôme, but since it’s discontinued but still available on eBay I just wonder if it’s still an ok purchase.
Not sure…
Cuir de Lancôme is fantastic – I think I swooned a little on first sniff. It hasn’t been but a couple years discontinued, so I’d imagine eBay is prob a fine source.
I would like to know the same thing. I have been looking all over for Leiber by Judith Leiber. It was one of my all time favorites and I can’t find it anywhere. It has been discontinued for about 3 years now.
I regularly purchase discontinued scents and often they have been gone for a few years (Theorema, Nu, some Rochas’). I still wear perfumes I’ve had for several years so I presume that they’re usually ok, especially if they haven’t been opened.
The only thing I’ve bought that’s arrived turned has been a bottle of Timbuktu!
I have purchased and swapped for vintage scents with varying success, but I would still recommend it. There are a few challenges— bottles that have not been properly stored look the same as well-stored bottles, the “Randalls” of the world that actively work to rip off others, splash bottles that are open that may have been tampered with, and the fact that fragrances have often been reformulated several/many times within the same bottle style (or they may have had older bottles go into distribution with the new formula for a short time while they finished their inventory). Plus some fragrances just degrade faster than others.
I try not to buy unless I can afford to lose. And I have found swaps to be more successful than eBay. I also avoid splash bottles and i research from other posters whether or not the formula holds up well, and I often email an “expert” on the exact perfume with photos of the actual bottle I am considering; they often notice teeny differences in packaging that vary from their own confirmed-vintage bottles.
That said, I heard that CdL holds up well and isn’t very expensive. I would go for it. Might get advice on package variations before buying.
Good luck! I love the vintage hunt. Some of my most treasured bottles are vintage. The small losses, while frustrating and sad, don’t tarnish the beauty of the final wins. My vintage Cuir de Russie bottles are my favorites. I would give up the rest of my collection to keep them, if I had to.
Very helpful advice, thank you!
Or you could just swap with me . I’ve got a partial bottle of Cuir de Lancôme . I heard a lot of talk about it on the blogosphere ,but when I got it from another perfumista I found it just wasn’t ” me” . I thought it was going to be suede leathery . Nope.Herbal amber. Sort of like half of vintage Obsession. ( no big vanilla and spices) . If you are in the US and are interested I’m bookwyrmsmith at the city of live dawt cawm.
Just wanted to add my nudge to go ahead and buy a bottle of CdL. I am on my second bottle, and it has been inexpensive and good quality both times. Also think I’ve seen it on discount sites like FragranceX, so you could try that as a more “reputable” option.
I’m with MR here – I am still working through my first bottle, but I love it so much that I bought a second. Both came from an online discounter, and although the cap was a little wonky it was easy to fix and the perfume is FINE.
This has now moved into the “no-brainer” category!
Thks for chiming in!
SOTD was Guerlain Terracotta from a sample I ordered from STC. I’ve worn it several days and really like it. So, as my treat for being such a good sport while visiting my husband’s family over the weekend (my husband’s words), I called around to a few of the department stores in the area they live to see if I could find a FB. Lo and behold, I found one. The last one at the store and they had to search for it. Yay! So happy as I’m really loving the scent. So, good things can come from visiting the in-laws. 🙂
I should probably consider some “treats” for my husband when visiting my parents!
Very cute, and nice score!
Lucky you! My local NM finally had a tester, but bottles long gone.
I had one of those perfumista growth moments today…I reached for a bonbon of Bond 9’s Harrods for Her. I liked it when I tried it about a year ago–very rosy, floral, delightful. But today, it was tremendously sweet and brash to my nose, and I’m thinking maybe my tastes have changed.
PSA: The book, “The Secret of Chanel No. 5, The Intimate History…” is one of the Kindle Daily Deals for $1.99.
Oooh, thanks for the tip. I will inaugurate my kindle app with this. I was going to do it with Angela’s book but decided to stick to my Nook for that.
Yes, thank you, Rapple!
Thanks so much for the tip. I immediately jumped on this and purchased it. What a fantastic deal. Thanks again. 🙂
Excited to read this. Thanks for the heads up!
Welcome all! 🙂
For my scent of the day, I stole a squirt of my Grandfather’s YSL Kouros, which has to be some of the best smelling stuff on the planet.
SOTD = By Kilian Apple Brandy and 4160Tuesdays Sunshine & Pancakes (I may not have the full name)
My sister is gaga over Apple Brandy but not its price. Her dear sister yours truly is paying dearly for turning her into a mini perfumista. I got some on me but wanted to continue my 4160Tuesdays exploration. Other than an initial anise / licorice and sweet beginning of Sunshine & Pancakes, I don’t smell it anymore and I used 3 sprays from a sample atomizer (maybe that is the equivalent of 1 spray from a full sized atomizer). I need to wear it on its own to give it a final verdict.
Was sampling Graduate 1954 when I got tired of it after a few hours, so I layered The Bug over it. I like this combo. It’s weirdly comforting somehow
My pneumonia post antibiotics morphed into a bad cold which morphed into bronchitis that sent me to the hospital on Friday. Now on an inhaler I am doing much better but my capacity to smell anything comes and goes. So I thought I’d brave Olfactif’s monthly sample–Ramon Monegal’s Cherry Musk. If there ever was a perfume name designed to send me running in the opposite direction, it is “Cherry Musk.” Surprise, surprise. I am digging this juice. It is very pretty, like a pretty FM pretty, but done with fruit, cherries actually. And maybe rose, some vanilla… Who knew?!!!
Get better soon! Sounds like Cherry Musk is a good tonic for you.
There was an alarming article in the New Yorker magazine earlier this year about Coccidioidomycosis, aka Valley Fever:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/01/20/140120fa_fact_goodyear?currentPage=all
(Not sure why this was written up in the New Yorker; perhaps as consolation for those wishing they had moved to California when it was less expensive?)
Valley Fever is so creepy! I think I’ve just had a string bad luck in the form of viruses…. They are like, “woohoo, this chick is toast!” But that’s a good one to pester my doctor about ; )
I was very sorry to read that article. More stuff to worry about.
Yuck…do get better!
P.S. I’m reading Angela’s Lanvin Murders… Lots of fun!
LOVED that – can’t wait for Dior or Die!
Finally Angela’s book has turned up on Bookdepository (free shipping). Just ordered it. Thanks for the reminder.
Of course I am biased, but I thought it was great fun too 🙂
I miss Elvis. I was young when he died, but already a fan.
Have been wearing Wit and Cuir Cannage as well as Mary Greenwell Plum (a favorite) on my vacation over the past week. Heading home on Tuesday.
Hi, Mals! I have just realised that you are probably one of my most enabling enablers – it has occurred to me that I have bought quite a few fragrances because you wrote about them so well, and this probably started quite a long time ago when I got Plum as a result of your love for it. You have a lot to answer for …………..
Oh dear. 🙂 I hope you love anything you bought because of me!!
The Cuir Cannage is really nice. So is Wit, although I admit that if you have issues with musk, it will not make you happy. It’s not particularly laundry-ish, but it is definitely there.
This may be too late for much response, but is anyone doing the Olfactif monthly samples? I took a 3-month trial, and my last box just arrived. I’m sampling the St. Tropez Dispenser by Smell Bent, which is a very nice offering in the beachy vein. These are fragrances that I wouldn’t normally try on my own, but I’m wondering if it’s worth the money to continue. You do get an $18 credit towards a full bottle, but I’m not really in the market for another full bottle unless it’s very special.
Any thoughts?
My husband purchased the samples for a year for me last Valentine’s Day. I have enjoyed receiving them, and at $6 a sample they seem reasonably priced. I like the fact that I get to try fragrances that I never would think of to sample myself (see my comment above about RM’s Cherry Musk), and that I am usually relieved when I like but don’t lust after the perfumes–saving my wallet. I can only remember one month where I didn’t like any of the samples at all. I have used the $18 discount to buy gifts for folks… I think if you are someone who buys a lot of samples, especially as new fragrances are released, you might be underwhelmed by the Olfactif selection. But if you need a little nudging to try new things, at $6 a pop, arriving in the mail in a pretty box once a month, Olfactif’s monthly samples are fun.
Thanks, Oakland Fresca! I think I might give it another three months.
I did that for a while and it was fun, but I decided the temptation to make impulse purchases every month was too strong, and I just cancelled this month.
Thanks, melissa. I’m usually (but not always!) good about impulse purchases, but that’s important to keep in mind.