What fragrance did you pick today? And do you own a full bottle, and if so, will you replace it when it's gone? If it's from a sample, do you think you'll buy the bottle?
I'm wearing Gobin Daudé's milky-green Sève Exquise. I do own it, and I would absolutely replace it if it were still in production, but it's long discontinued.
Reminder: this Friday, 19 September, wear something discontinued. The following Friday, 26 September, will be Uncle Serge Day...wear something by Serge Lutens.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2014, where I'll try to always have the next six or seven weeks mapped out in advance.
And I've added an emoticon chart here, for anyone who needs it.
Note: top image is Plant stem by AJ Cann at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m wearing Rossy de Palma’s Eau de Protection. I love it. I’ve nearly drained my second sample and I fear I need a bottle. No use telling myself that I already own some rather dark and mysterious roses, this one is so brilliant. ( and I would only need a small bottle..)
I’ve tried a million dark roses and I haven’t found another one quite like Rossy. I think it’s 100% bottle-worthy. (end enablement)
Can you ever have enough dark and mysterious roses? This is high on my wish list too
What are your other favorite dark and mysterious roses?
Paestum Rose, Une Rose Chyprée, Rose Poivrée and Rosa Flamenca ( I own full bottles of these).
I also love Portrait of a Lady, Noir Epices, Une Rose, Rose Nacrée du Désert and admire La Fille du Berlin and Rose de Nuit.
Thanks for the suggestions! I have tried La Fille de Berline, which I liked very much, and Paestum Rose, which was mostly incense on me and no rose. Guess I am going to have to place another sample order soon to try all those other dark roses … I’ve read so many good things about Une Rose Chypree that I’d be tempted to buy a bottle blind, but it is a tad expensive for that.
I really want to try Rose Poivree because I’ve heard it’s pretty funky and I love a good rose. Sadly, I heard it’s been cleaned up a lot recently. Has anyone else heard this?
Yes, it was reformed and is not nearly as funky. I loved the first version and don’t care for the new one.
I only sampled the new one, which is nice but perfectly inoffensive; if you were searching for the funk you’ll likely be disappointed.
My Rose Poivrée doesn’t smell too funky, but I still love it anyway. So your mileage may vary!
Oh and I forget Histoires de Parfums Mata Hari. It’s not very dark but it has some spice and I find it very wearable.
No, you can’t have enough dark roses!
Of course, one person’s “dark rose” might be somebody else’s “patchouli nightmare” or “sweaty-oud miasma.” Or, conversely, my dark rose might be somebody else’s “You call THIS “dark”? huff.
I’d be in the sweaty oud miasma…. I can only stand a tiny whisp of oud. I can see why it’s so popular, but it just doesn’t wear well on me. My darkest roses are L’Arte di Gucci (thanks Mals) and Miller Harris Rose en Noir. Unless Noir Epices counts, but there’s so much going on in that fragrance that I think of it more as an oriental than a rose.
If you buy the coffret you will get 16 10-mL bottles of Etat scents, one of which is Rossy de Palma. $150 and totally worth it, I would say. Find some new scents to fall in love with and swap the rest.
I recently tried Portrait of a lady, and although I love dit, I thought it was intensely strong, and was finally able to understand the advice to spray the base of your spine underneath your clothing so that you don’t clock people over the head with your fragrance LOL.
I’m wearing Cartier Baiser Vole EDP. I do own a full bottle, and I wear it often enough that I suspect I’ll run through it fairly fast, but I’m not sure if I’ll replace it. Maybe I’ll want it, or maybe I’d get another concentration, or maybe there will be another easy, officey floral on my buy list begging for its place.
I am so happy to have my full bottle of BV, but suspect I’ll never use it up in this lifetime.
Wearing Dzhari today from the bottle and I probably won’t replace it once I use up my 100 ml bottle a few decades from now. I have so much perfume and I’m a light sprayer with scent glue skin…..
LOL at “a few decades from now”…
Wearing Estée Lauder Sensuous. Such a round, comfy and creamy woody scent. Love. From a sample, courtesy of a perfume fairy, and I’ll most definitely need a 50 ml bottle of this one (or maybe of Sensuous Noir, which is now high on my to try list).
Excited about the next community scent projects. Uncle Serge day. YAY!!
Try to get a sample of the Noir version before you buy a bottle of the original — I much prefer the flanker!
I will. Sampling is the fun part, anyway.
Wearing Byredo Flowerhead from a sample. I do like it but I’d have to be pretty head over heels to spend Byredo prices on a full bottle. Also, it reminds me a little of the first Dita von Teese perfume which is much cheaper if you can find it.
Sadly, Byredo is relatively cheap for niche these days…
You’re right, the 50 ml bottles aren’t that bad. Didn’t they use to only have the 100 ml (which are $220)?
They have Byredo travel sets of three bottles (of the same scent) at Barney’s which is great.
I’m all for travel sets.
Fair enough! And yes, they didn’t always do 50 ml but can’t remember now when they started making them.
I do like Flowerhead, very much, but I’m not springing for it either.
I liked the Dita von Teese, but to my mind it suffered from a cheap, synthetic-y jasmine. I mean, my attitude was, “Hey, this is pretty good for an inexpensive floral!” but it did seem a bit too lab-created to be really good.
It also occurred to me that it’s kind of in the same category as MG Plum. Not as fruity, but that same kind of pretty white floral blend where I wouldn’t necessarily need both.
Also I think expectations were a factor here…expected nada from DvT and expected a lot from Flowerhead so of course I’m mildly disappointed.
Expectations – of course. My husband the economist always comments that Happiness = Reality > Expectations.
I do tend to love a pretty white-floral blend anyway, unless there’s that jasmine aromachemical poking me in the nose. If I can’t identify it and it’s buried under a bunch of other (possibly also synthetic!) floral notes, I’m fine. If I manage to pick it out, I’m not happy.
Yep! Your hubby is right, I almost never love stuff that is highly hyped.
SOTD is a sample of Light My Fire (By Kilian).
Trying that is on my list of things to do this afternoon. What do you think?
Not sure yet… Tried all 3 on paper, Smoke for the Soul is my least favorite, that mate tea note ruined it, although will have to try on skin.
Light My Fire seems more green than I’d have thought, and I’m hoping that I didn’t get it mixed up with Intoxicated.
Thanks!
I think I need to try it again tomorrow and make sure I get the right one. I sprayed two different ends of the same tissue with LMF and Intoxicated, and I think the green is coming from the latter. Also, took a decongestant this morning and who knows what I’m smelling…
I want to try this too but it would annoy me that every time I wore it I’d get the Doors in my head.
haha! Come on Baby…
I almost never wear Lush’s 1000 Kisses for that reason. Just before I reach for it, the question pops up – do I want the chorus revolving all day in my head…
I have an unmarked sample of one of the three so I will be playing guess the perfume.
SOTD is Cuir de Lancome. Perfect fall day, and I have on a tweed blazer and some over the top sparkly earrings to go with my sophisticated perfume.
Funny that you should ask about replacing the bottle. I have a bottle of Cuir de Lancome, and just this morning after spraying I had a thought that I should get a backup. Although it isn’t hard to find or overly expensive, it is discontinued
I have a backup bottle of Cuir de Lancome too, just because it *is* d/c and I wear it all the time. My first bottle is half gone now.
Have you tried the Dior Cuir Cannage? It’s FAR more expensive, unfortunately, and a bit quieter, but it is something along the same lines of a comfortable floral leather. (I cannot do Chanel Cuir de Russie, which is just horrid on me. HORRRRRID, I tell you.)
I tried Dior’s Cuir Cannage recently and wow! was that leather. I didn’t like it at all.
I find CdL so much more easy on the nose and the perfect mix of leather and floral..
Oh, I liked the Dior, but not as much as CdL.
I’ll have to try that one! I really like Chanel Cuir de Russie – I drained my sample pretty quickly. But I like leather scents, it is alwasy good to have another on the list!
I can’t stand Chanel Cuir de Russie either – it smells like I just opened a brand new package of rawhide laces. It smells like new baseball mit. Ugh. Almost like beef jerkey. It’s a bit strident.
Got it
I can’t do Cuir de Russie either – disgusting BARNYARD on me – FECAL!
Lucky me, I get both rawhide ANNNND manure…
Important question for you all on this one, which everyone seems to adore – is the current version of this completely unacceptable or a relatively close cousin of the original, well-loved version?
So many have cited this as their favorite blind buy, or just among their favorites in general, so I really want to try it, but I’d like to know how much effort I really need to put in to finding the original.
Thanks in advance! I have no doubt you all smell wonderful.
What I have is pretty new, I think I got it in 2010? It smells wonderful to me
Thank you Ringthing!
I also have the newer one, from the La Collection. Haven’t tried the vintage version, but I am really happy with the one I have, so I don’t feel the need to.
Wait – so even the newer one is discontinued? Noooooo!
Yes! It’s ridiculous. Fortunately, it is still relatively easy to find and not super expensive (not so for the vintage Cuir de Lancome – listed for many $$$$$ on ebay).
I think this may have to happen….
I think the original (tough to find now) was a balls-to-the-wall leather chypre. This one is a floral leather. Thus the complaint from those who love stuff like Bandit (I think there’s a whine about the recent Cuir de Lancome on Perfume-Smellin’ Things).
If you spring for it and wind up hating it, let us know here in the next swapmeet, and I bet somebody will take it off your hands. I would!
Ha – thank you Mals! I was getting the impression that the more recent Cuir de Lancome was the one everyone was blind buying, but I could have been wrong.
I’ve got a birthday coming up…maybe I’ll spring for it, and if it doesn’t work out, I could be in touch!
No, it is. That’s the only one that’s available from the discounters (the other one was discontinued in, like, 1953 or something).
I don’t think it was even out long enough (the La Collection version we’re talking about) that it was reformulated, but it *was* a retread of that earlier fragrance.
I’m among the very few who do not adore Cuir de Lancolm. To me it has a slightly stale nuance. I do however love Cuir Cannage! Cuir Cannage has this mentholated lift (possibly from the orange flower?) Someone on one of the boards described it as a Cyberpunk scent
MPG Cuir Fetiche has a slightly heavier leather opening but a beautiful smooth floral leather drydown. But only in 100ml bottles, of course..
Another one I should try – thank you!
It’s just that so many people said that they’d blind bought the Lancome and loved it…which is no guarantee that I will, but it does make it speak to me…:)
I started with Guerlain Vetiver, of which I own a massive 125ml bottle with 1/3 remaining. I’m extremely fond of Vetiver but I want to try other vetivers too, so maybe I’ll shop around a bit before re-purchasing!
For the afternoon I added L’Air du Desert Marocain, Tauer Parfums. I really like it but I only own a sample or two. It’s on my to-buy list but I’m not sure I’ll ever get it… Maybe a small bottle!
Love Vetiver…have some new & a lovely bottle of vintage that someone gave me.
Or maybe check back this Saturday for Splitmeet. Maybe someone will do a split of the Tauer Explorer Set or you van float the idea to someone. I did a split of this earlier this year but I have other goodies to split this time around. Splitting this is really easy since you don’t have to decant!
Vintage Jicky. I do own a bottle, and I don’t want to think about it running out. But then, with all the other bottles I own, it’ll probably never run out… It’ll definitely survive any purge impulse!
I just have a small sample of vintage Jicky and I dread the day when that runs out. There is really nothing like it. On me, it is an animal, morphing constantly. It’s such a beautiful, wild ride!
Am just back from a trip to France–no parfum purchases whatsoever! All the shops had the same old stuff we have here in the states. Didn’t have time to slip into Jovoy or Nicolai. No SOTD, can’t smell or taste a thing from the cold I did manage to bring home!
Oh no, do get better soon! Hope it was a wonderful trip even if no perfume…
That’s so disappointing! Better for your luggage though. Were you tempted by anything else beautiful that you found there?
you know, it was such a busy trip, I didn’t have much time to shop. Picked up a cool keychain at Dreux (gorgeous grounds + the usual beautiful cathedral). Oh and a lipstick at Fenwick in London.
If you were more interested in what you were doing than what you could buy, well, I think that sounds like a very successful trip!
My SOTD is English Pear and Freesia – Jo Malone. It was one of the free, small bottles that was given when you made a purchase. I have owned a bottle of this before. Although I like it alot, it isn’t one of my favorite JM fragrances. I doubt that I will purchase a FB in the future. I have plenty of other JM fragrances that I have FB’s of.
I’m wearing Azemour les Oranges from my bottle (50ml) which has the reached the half-full point. I’d happily rebuy if I ever drain the bottle – oh those juicy juicy top notes! Hopefully by the time I’m ready to buy another bottle, PdE will have realized that it needs smaller bottles… why doesn’t anyone make 20ml bottles?
I typically “wear” from my bottles and leave the sample vials alone on most days. After all, I bought the bottle so I could spray with abandon!
I bought the 100 ml bottle years ago when I actually had a choice regarding size, and will never use it all up in my lifetime. That said, I wanted to be sure that I’d never be out of this gorgeous fragrance!
Wearing oldish but not really vintage (circa 2000) Cabochard: nothing like its original form, I know, because there is NO oakmoss in what used to be a chypre, but it’s still an interesting dirty leather patchouli.
I had to interrupt Serge week due to an early morning weekend and I am wearing Guerlain Vetiver Glacee (Frozen) which is great in the heat.
I forgot to say that yes I have a full bottle, but it is discontinued which means I don’t have to decide whether I would replace my bottle (which is a typically giant men’s cologne bottle so I still have years to use it up).
Ralph Lauren Safari again today, from one of my two eBay previously-owned bottles. I bought one labeled “cologne” hoping I’d get on with it better than I did with the parfum, which is far too sweet for me in the drydown. It turned out to be EdP instead, but I fell hard for it and have made serious inroads into this first bottle, just since a few months ago. So I bought another.
I’ve generally had good luck with previously-owned or “partial” bottles on ebay. They are usually both a good deal and more original versions. Occasionally I worry about light exposure, but my actual experience has been good.
I’ve also found some good deals on used/partials on ebay. I kind of feel it’s more likely I’ll be getting an authentic fragrance than if I’m always looking for new/unused, which may be forgeries. Well, either way, I’ve been lucky so far with ebay. It’s a wonderful way to try and get old stuff that is d/c. As for Safari- I was lucky a few years ago I came across a horde in TJ Maxx. I have two bottles of edp, and it is so potent on my skin that I’ve barely dented the one bottle even though I do wear it frequently throughout the year.
I’m with you on used eBay purchases – they can be super deals.
I usually 2 or 3 spritzes with Safari, but I’ve been wearing it frequently!
Mine has too. Occasionally I’ve run across a mini that has gone off, but generally speaking my success rate is good (85% at least) with “used” perfume on ebay… and a lot of the things I do buy on ebay are minis.
Your enablment tactics worked: I’m expecting a bottle of Safari to arrive by Friday. Got mine from a well-known discounter… will report back next week!
Woohoo! Hope you like it.
I’m wearing Jamais le Dimanche from Ego Facto today. It’s a sample and no, I wouldn’t buy a bottle of this as I’m not overly fond of marine-type scents. It’s nice, though, and I’ll enjoy wearing it today.
Wearing Bvlgari Black. I have a 1/4 full bottle from the original release and 2 back-up ones.
We’re scent twins!
I’m wearing CdG Vetiveru and I have a bottle of this. Since the bottle is quite large, I won’t have to worry about whether I need to replace it or not for a long time.
I thought Donna Karan Signature would be perfect for this glorious autumn-on-the-verge-of-summer day, but there was something funny going on with the top notes. I hope it hasn’t gone bad, need to investigate further…
My bottle is a 10 ml one, a lucky find from the main internet auction site. I like it well enough but not enough to splurge on a big bottle.
I’m going to suggest that perhaps some liquid got trapped in the sprayer and has gone off, but the rest of it is okay. I’ve had that happen to me more than once – particularly with perfumes that I only wear in certain seasons. If they haven’t been sprayed recently sometimes the bit in the sprayer gets exposed to air and smells bad, but once you’ve sprayed it another couple times that gets cleared out and the rest is fine.
I nearly had a heart attack when it happened to me with Alahine a couple of years ago.
Good point! I think I’ve had that happen, too.
That actually happend to me with the fb of Alien Essence Abolsue I just got a few weeks ago. The tester was magnificent, and then when I went to wear the fb for the first time, it smelled just horrible. I was wondering what was wrong with my nose or the fragrance. After a few squirts, it totally cleared out and was OK.
Thank you all! It sounds very likely, I haven’t worn it for ages.
SOTD is SL Un Bois Vanille. I do indeed own a FB and will definitely repurchase when I am through it, which I think will be easy to do as it is almost half gone.
I love this one because it so easy to wear, so versatile, fitting with any occasion, day, time, or weather. It’s a “vanilla” that is great to wear in the swampy heat of Florida.
One of those rare fragrances that never let’s you down
Wearing Wonderoud by Comme des Garcons from a sample. I will NOT be buying this…it’s not sufficiently interesting enough to ‘grab’ me. Oh well.
I’m wearing Donna by Lorenzo Villoresi. I like it, but don’t love it. I do have a full-sized bottle that I bought at Takashimaya in NYC a number of years ago. At the time I was searching for a perfume that smelled powdery and this seemend to fit. I’m not crazy about it and there’s little chance I’ll buy another bottle. My skin seems to ‘eat’ many perfumes and I’m not one to bring a bottle with me to re-spritz during the day – I will say that this perfume has staying power (I hope I’m not overpowering my office mate). Any suggestions for a powdery scent gratefully accepted (also a good sandalwood which I am always on the lookout).
I finally got around to trying my sample of Bottega Veneta today. I’m a sucker for a violet-leather combination and this really hits the spot. The leather is nice and dry, but it’s still warm, and the violet has a sort of pastille-esque scent without being overly candied. So, so, so elegant.
Anyone have any suggestions for other leather-violet combos?
I don’t get any violet in this, mostly patchouli & jasmine with pepper and of course that beautiful suede.
However, one of my favorite leather/violet leaf combos is Atelier Sous le toit de Paris.
The classic leather-violet is Jolie Madame, but that’s also quite green in character. And I don’t care much for the modern EdT; it’s not floral enough for my tastes. But the vintage parfum is To Die For, IMO.
Jolie Madame sounds great! When I crave a green-violet perfume I layer Chanel Cristalle over Tocca Violette (although I don’t think there is leather in Violette, it is a very pretty and affordable violet).
I’m wearing 31 Rue Cambon today. Such a great fall scent.
I only own a decant, not a full bottle, and I’ll probably order another decant when I’m done with this one.
Although FB worthy, I don’t wear it enough and I’m buying less and less FB’s these days as I love variety more than I love having that bottle on my dresser
I love 31 Rue Cambon! Its probably the only perfume that changes me when I put it on. I smell elegant, lady like and sexy. If I had all the $ in the world-would splurge on a full bottle. Right now, I already own several bottles from that Chanel line-and mabye when I am finished I will consider buy this.
Also love Cormandel-have you tried that?
Yes, Cormandel is gorgeous too.
I also love the perfume version of Jersey — great lavender! Simple, but the smell is devine.
PS. In Bloomie’s this week I stopped by the Exclusifs and the SA told me that they’re really doing a push on these and therefore there’s all sorts of special gifts available if I was to buy an Exclusif.
Of course I told her I’m not buying any but can I still have one of the gifts? [snicker, snicker]
Eeep, I was literally across the street from Bloomies yesterday but did not have time to stop by!
Love this one too. You smell gorgeous Floragal!
Wearing vintage Chanel 19 ETD from a decant. I would certainly buy a full bottle! I wore Coromandel all week from a decant and have been plotting ways to justify a FB purchase.
How about a Coromandel split?
Easier to justify…
That sounds good!!!
Right! I’m interested too
Joy edp– own a travel-size bottle, so not really an FB. Purchased it on eBay to fulfill a yen from my childhood memory of a bottle on my mother’s dresser. It seems incredible that I would use it up. Its a reference scent for me… but you never know…
Is this the brown bottle with the red cap? I have one of these too. It is a very cool bottle. I haven’t worn Joy in a while though. Maybe I’ll put some on later today when my frag disappears.
No, but I know the bottle you are talking about. Much prettier than mine. This is a spray tube, 10 mls… it actually has an oiliness to the scent that jars with my memory…which could be reformulation, a bad bottle, or some other issue… I bought it on eBay, so its caveat emptor!
Bronze Goddess today – a pre-2014 full bottle from e-bay.
I have a 2014 edition sealed in my backups box, so one could say I’ve already repurchased
I love this one too and it gets a lot of wear in the summer, which I about 9 months long here.
The body cream is wonderful too- extremely scented and lasts all day with a very luxurious feel that keeps skin hydrated and glowing for hours
Love the body cream! (Thanks, Robin, for bringing it to my attention.)
Really glad it worked for you!
Uh oh – sounds like I gotta get me some body cream!
Not wearing anything yet today until after seeing clients. I’m expecting a package from STC with a sample of Anubis in it, so hoping to try that one out this afternoon. I also splashed out and got 8mls of Coromandel on the 15% off Chanel special, so excited about getting that as well.
Oooh, do report back on Anubis if you find the time. It sounds gorgeous!
I hope you enjoy Anubis and it lasts on you. It is one of the few scents ever that I have instantly loved, but it sticks around for 20 minutes max on me. Think I’ll try a spray decant and see if that helps.
Who what where for the 15% off Chanel? I have a hankerimg for the Coco Noir parfum and it is still my half birthday month!
It was the weekly deal on STC and I think it ended on Sunday. They have a whole new batch of 15% off this week: Guerlain, Hermes, Joe Malone, Keiko M, Kerosine, Killian, L’artisan, LeLabo, Micallef, MDCI, Mona di Orio, Montale. The checkout code is SAVEME.
My SOTD is Phoenix by MCMC Fragrances. It comes in oil and alcohol formats. I have a full bottle of the oil version, and yes, I would buy another bottle. I have never tried the alcohol-based version, but I have a strong feeling that I would not be able to handle this with an alcohol base, especially not sprayed.
I like the image. It reminds me of botany classes in college.
I had never heard of MCMC so I looked them up – their Maine scent sounds like something I’d really like. Why don’t you think you could handle the perfume version – too strong?
There is something in Phoenix that comes very close to irritating my nose (the aldehydes, perhaps?) Alcohol is more volatile, so there would be more of the potential irritant in the air for me to inhale. Just guessing.
SOTD is Bond No. 9 Fire Island. I don’t have a bottle, just a large sample and don’t plan on buying a bottle. It’s fun for the novelty of smelling like sunscreen, but after a while it gets grating. Something in it reminds me of Womanity – saltiness? Moving the sample into the swap bag!
I had that experience too – smells like the beach, wheee! until later on you’re just TIRED of it. IIRC, it also has that synthetic jasmine in it that works my nerves.
I am SO done with it. I know I’ve tried it before and don’t recall being this annoyed. Searching the office for alcohol wipes or hand sanitizer!
I was planning to wear AG Eau du Sud again today but at the last minute the hand swerved over to SNM Melograno. I’ll probably put on Eau du Sud again later. It’s my fav for late summer/early fall. I imagine that it smells like a vacation in Provence.
Oh, forgot to note that I am deep green from head to toe with jealousy over your Seve Exquise, Robin! Gobin-Daude is my hugest perfume regret. It was still in production when I started collecting in earnest, but I somehow overlooked it, partly due to the price of course. I do have some of the two weird ones, Suis le Buis and Biche dans l’Absinthe; even those odd perfumes are exquisite. I wonder whatever became of her.
EAu de Sud is great. It’s been lingering on my “to buy” list for a while now, and I should get on that while it’s still reasonably easy to buy. I love all those herbs. AG is the best at capturing nature in her fragrances.
This is the ideal time to buy, Ann – with AG changing their packaging, you can find great deals now. On Amazon, for example, I’m seeing 3.3 oz for $64.99. (There are smaller bottles, too, but 1.7 oz actually costs slightly more.) No affiliation, except to my enabler’s pin!
I love the herbs, too, and for a citrusy cologne scent it has surprising longevity.
(Just to be clear, the great deals are on the old packaging, which is being sent off to discounters to make way for the new packaging.)
You could push me over with a feather. Once some frag funds clear up, eds is tops of the list. I’ve also noticed there are some good deals for the old AG bottles/packaging right now.
Today I’m wearing Bois Farine from the bottle I have. It’s so unique and nutty and although I love it I’m not getting any younger, this bottle will probably last for years.
I’m wearing Acqua di Parma Rose Nobile from a small spray sample and am underwhelmed. Don’t expect to need a FB of this one, though I love the AdP bottle shape, which looks especially good with pink juice in it!
Angel again for me today. I have both a tiny sample (1.2 ml) and a mini bottle (about 7.5 ml I think), and don’t see using them both up any time soon. I probably would not replace if I did.
SOTD is SSS Wood Violet from a sample. The plum, cedar, sandalwood, and hint of spice satisfy my fall scent needs (woody/spicy) and the smoky violet is lovely (violet is my second favorite floral note next to rose). I’d love a FB but I have too many FB’s of other violet scents that I need to use up a bit more. (But perhaps the 17 or 34 ml bottles aren’t so big after all and could go on my upcoming birthday ‘want’ list, or maybe just the travel size spray? Hmmm . . . . )
(whispers) travel spray… travel spray… I love that Laurie offers those.
I’m looking forward to her shopping cart being back up and running!
You can email her perhaps she can send you the hidden link. Laurie was so gracious the last time I was desperate and needed my To Dream fix.
Those 17 ml bottles are the bomb diggity! I have 3 of her perfumes and love each and every one- Tabac Aurea is to die for on a coolish night <3
LOVE Tabac Aurea.
I am not current with SSS, but a few years ago I certainly was. I love those 17 ml bottles too – such a wonderful way to explore and own. I think I have 8 different bottles of hers, all lined up nice and pretty, in my drawer. And two super sneaky backups of Femme Jolie, which I adore. And am thinking I need to get FJ back in rotation now that it’s fall. I am also waiting for her cart to come back up so I can start testing the new ones from the past few years.
I love those travel sprays! I love her violets too and Wood Violet is probably my favorite. I’m waiting for her shoppe to be back in action as well. Am completely out of Ambre Noir except for a sample and have drained even my sample of Incense Pure. I know I could email her but it isn’t like I don’t have other perfumes and I live in the US so it really isn’t an emergency…yet.
What a coincidence- just out of the shower after a spin class and rummaged through my sample stash and decided on Incense Pure!
Hope you are able to get your fix soon =)
Thanks! You smell great.
Today I’m wearing Bottega Veneta eau Legere, which I almost actually like more than the original BV. I love the greens in it! It is just so elegant and refined. I have the small bottle, so if I ever use it up, I will most likely buy the big bottle. I almost bought a back up a few months ago with Nordies was having a friends and family sale on it – I like it enough that I fear reformulation, etc. Anyway, it’s been a really really long time since I used up a bottle. Last bottle I drained was a Coco edt that I’ve been milking for nearly 10 years.
I haven’t used one up in a long time, either, but the last one I killed was a 30ml bottle of Le Temps d’une Fete. The older version, natch… sigh. To be honest, though, my 100ml bottle of the current stuff is 30% gone. Pretty clear which ones I wear to death!
If I ever had to guess what you’d drain, LTDUF would definitely have been my choice. At least you are consistent! It’s always sad when a frag you’ve loved for a long time gets reformulated.
I wondered about this one, as I’m not a huge fan of the original…
I recently used up my 20-year-old 4 oz. (!) bottle of Lauren.
Bummer on the Lauren… hard to replace that stuff these days. I didn’t wear it, but I had a friend who did, and it used to be lovely.
I have some pre-reformulation back-ups
I’m testing Terre d’Hermes (EDT and parfum) today from samples, and while I like both versions I am reminded a bit of Cartier Declaration, which I absolutely love. So no FB of the Terre in my future. However, I will certainly repurchase the Declaration if I run out!
Have you tried the TdH Eau Fraiche? It is citrusy and brighter than the original.
Used up a tiny dab sample of Escale a Portofino, which is nice but definitely not me.
Then transferred a dab sample of Maroc pour Elle into a sprayer, and was reminded why perfume fairies/swappers are the best. I might never have tried this one if not gifted it, and if/when this sample runs out, I may be compelled to procure some. As it was described to me, “pure hippy elegance.”
Maroc pour Elle is an awesome fragrance. I had two large decants of it, and one of them nearly disappeared in swap madness this summer. It is definitely a fragrance that will be FB for me someday when I use up the other decant. It is one of the greatest fragrances for creating this total lush, tactile atmosphere – it’s 3-D to the Nth degree.
I finally unpacked all my perfumes after moving two weeks ago. Today I am wearing Lou Lou Blue, from a bottle I received as a gift about 25 years ago. After the brief fruity opening I am left with a powdery vanilla. I wouldn’t replace this even if I could, as I like the original Lou Lou much better. This may end up in the swapmeet or on the Bay.
I’m wearing DK Gold from a small decant, which is almost used up. I might only have one more wear left in it. It looks like I can get a bottle of the EdP really cheap on Fragrancenet, so I might just do that. I had the urge to wear it because I have a bouquet of lilies in my living room, which is making my apartment smell like it.
Uncle Serge Day is my birthday. Yay!
Gold EdP is really nice.
It is! It’s probably my favorite lily perfume. I haven’t smelled Baiser Vole EDP in a while, but I don’t remember liking it as much as Gold.
I’m wearing Equistrius again (all I packed for a short work trip, so this is the third day–almost as long as the weekend challenge). I have a bottle that’s about 2/3 empty, and I bought a backup 50 ml bottle just as PdE was discontinuing that size.
You were smart to snag a 50ml of that!
The temperature is cooler today, so I broke down and put on some Shalimar edt. I alwys forget how much vanilla there is in the dry down.
The EDT smells so much more strongly of incense to me and probably would have been more appropriate for the weather where I am today. Of course, I wore the EDP today AND reapplied at my desk, if that’s any clue to how high my vanilla tolerance is. Nobody’s confronted me about going over the top, though, so I guess I get away with it this time.
I’m in O de Lancolm today, used from a 50ml bottle that I bought last summer for about $20. Today I definitely feel like I would repurchase (especially for $20) but its hard to judge how I will feel after using all 50ml. Consequently, I’m unsure whether to get a back-up while its still available at such a good price…
I’m wearing Infusion d’Iris from an adorable small bottle, but I’m still too early in fragrance obsession to really be able to gauge how quickly I’ll go through it. Keep you updated.
Also, I need to thank the lovely Hajusuuri for the sample of Santal Carmin – it warmed me up yesterday in the rainy weather, and I quite liked it.
Hope you’re all well!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, my dear.
I wore Paloma Picasso perfume concentration on Monday. Michael Kors for Men (the original) yesterday, and Lalique Encre Noire today. It’s such a delicious veil for my skin that lasts all day. No projection whatsoever, but the scent lingers and lingers and lingers which I enjoy.
I started the day with Hothouse Flower from my Ineke sampler kit (which is a great deal, btw!). I really like it, but I always crave more than a pretty floral. As it faded, I added vintage Diorella, which kills me with its beauty.
I’m wearing a tiny dab of Vero Profumo Rubj parfum from a sample. I’ve had this sample (along with samples of the edp and edp and parfum samples of Onda and Kiki) for years and today it was time to try again to see if i “get” it. I don’t. I really, really don’t like it, it smells like stale fruit candy to me. For the first couple of minutes I had a fleeting glimpse of the famed flowers, but they quickly disappeared. I don’t care for Onda either but I LOVE Kiki in both edp and parfum, so I will keep trying the other two until the samples run dry, or turn bad I guess. Not buying a bottle of this one, but Kiki has been on my to buy list forever and I’m curious about the new scents and new Voile concentration.
I think my samples are of the Edps, and I also love Kiki the most
Perhaps it helps that Kiki is the name of the parrot in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. Something about passion fruit, lavender and a parrot’s plumage – just works!
Hey, I used to be a huge Famous Five fan when I was a kid, but I don’t remember Kiki the parrot at all! Did she appear regularly in the books? Who did she belong to? Funny thing is, for some reason George and Tim have been on my mind a lot lately! Maybe because I’m going through a special kind of bonding phase with my own dog… Anyway, I totally get your passion fruit+lavender+colorful bird association and I’ll remember it next time I wear Kiki!
I just looked at the Wikipedia page for the Famous Five series. I’ll have to check out some of those books. My mother is a retired school teacher and I share her love of children’s books.
SOTD is Bvlgari Au The Blanc. I needed something soft and soothing – the beautiful laurel hedge we had in a corner of the back yard got too big and had to be taken out yesterday, and I’m in mourning. (Plus, the area where it used to be is a real eyesore right now, but that’s another whinge for another day.)
1000 extrait. Will definitely replace. I have an unopened edp (replacement) and a vintage edt. They might as well be three separate fragrances.
Love them all in their own way.
I adore the weighty little bottle of the perfume, and love applying with a stopper.
I love the elegance of dabbing with the stopper, too.
I started the day with Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy, which I like for the memories, now that it’s faded, I am wearing Chanel Coco Noir, which I love.
SOTD = Bvlgari Black
I had 1.5 spritzes left in my decanted atomizer. I supplemented with Le Labo Vanille 44. I have a FB of the Black waiting in the wings and I will definitely replace it. I will also replace Vanille 44!
Black is a new favorite! Can’t believe that one was d/c’d!
What? Maybe it is another “Black”? If true, I better stock up and have a back-ups to the back-ups of the back-ups!
My bad. I guess I thought a fragrance has been discontinued if it has hit the discounters. No?
No – things get to the discounters often well before they are discontinued, for many reasons. But then it is hard to know when things are discontinued – SAs are not always well-informed and will often say things are discontinued if their particular stores are no longer carrying something. I believe there was a rumor Black was discontinued, but the best place to look is the company website. I still see Black on the Bulgari website so seems safe for now!
Good to know, thanks for the explanation!
I’m wearing Ambre Sultan from a fresh full bottle. I keep wishing it was Ambre Russe, which I’m out of but don’t have the extra cash for a new huge ugly bottle. I wasn’t planning to wear something this rich today in the horribly muggy heat, but I sampled Dia last night and she was still attacking my arm this morning after a shower and an extra scrubbing. It’s the lighter version of Gold?! I am now terrified to even sniff Gold’s sprayer. Not that I didn’t care for Dia but it reminded me very strongly of one of my dad’s cousins. She’s a very nice lady but one of those large, soft, pale slightly sweaty women, never seen without her stretchy pants and small neurotic dog, who insists on hugging you even during your teen years when adults are the worst embarrassment on earth. I just don’t want to smell like her. Made me feel pale and squishy (does that even make sense? I am pale and a bit squishy so what’s my problem?).
If you are talking about Amouage Gold, IMHO, it is a massive scent. I did have a sample of the ladies Gold a few years ago, and I still have a large decant of the Men’s Gold, which I prefer. Whenever I wear Gold I really need to be mentally prepared and also not have any meetings scheduled at work. It never stops – so much beauty – like staring into the sun too long. It needs to be given it’s space and respect. Dia is nowhere near the rich lushness of Gold, but it is also tremendous in it’s own right. I feel these Amouage are almost ceremonial.
Yep, the Amouage. I was expecting ball gowns and tiaras from Dia and having that particular memory slug me from out of the blue was a disappointment. I will try Gold with an open mind and hope for the best and will try Dia again in a different mood. I really do think it’s pretty.
I find Amouage Gold very easy to wear. It lasts really well, but after the opening I do not find it at all overpowering. On me it wears like this soft radiant aura. I actually find it easier to wear than Dia, and much prettier.
Thanks for letting me know. I will try it this weekend.
Today I am enjoying several of the last few drops at the end of my Roger et Gallet Jean Marie Farina Extra-Vieille EdC. It is from the old-style bottle with squared off shoulders, so it is much older than what’s in the current cylindrical bottle.
I live in the southwest US where it has been so hot, so I’m sticking to eau de cologne. This one just plan smells great to me, there’s nothing weird or synthetic about it, and it is not expensive. Win-win-win! For me it is so fresh and aromatic, but it doesn’t call to my mind household cleaning products.
I love this stuff, but I won’t buy a new bottle until I can sniff it first since the bottle has changed . . . (cue melodramatic music of fragrance heartbreak).
“just plain smells great” not “just plan smells great.”
It has been so hot here my brain melted.
I am wearing the sadly discontinued Tom Ford Japon Noir. Fortunately I bought the 250ml decanter bottle of it, so I have a lifetime supply!
SOTD Hermes Kelly Caleche, working on my 2nd FB. I first discovered Kelly Caleche when just lurking on NST. I wore it daily for 4 years, and then bought another, and have been thinking of it since reading the recent posts about signature scents. I have begun to explore much more since the purchase of that 2nd bottle and can’t imagine when I might drain another FB – certainly it will take more than 4 years at the rate I am going!
I wore Amouage Opus VI I think it was, from a sample. I need to use up some samples. I like it- I’ve never met an Amouage I haven’t liked- but not enough to buy more of it. I didn’t check the list of notes but it smelled like warm spiced dry grass