Happy Thursday! It's Paul Klee's birthday today. What fragrance did you pick?
I'm wearing Comme des Garçons + Monocle Scent Two: Laurel.
Reminder: tomorrow, 12/19, is De-stress Friday...as we approach the holidays, wear something that keeps you tranquil and relaxed.
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 five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: image shows details of Paul Klee's Efflorescence, 1937, via Wikimedia Commons.
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The lovely Marron Chic for me today
Nez a Nez, for anyone wondering
You smell amazing!
SOTD is Bleecker Street (Bond no. 9)
I loved that bottle!
Vol de Nuit parfum and Vol de Nuit Rouge Automatique. I feel like I should be wearing a ballgown instead of khakis.
Is it too late to change your clothes?
Well, there IS a Neiman Marcus down the street, and who doesn’t need a spare ballgown?
Why pay for a ball gown if you can the same feeling by wearing the perfume and still wear comfortable slacks?
I would love to see your co-workers’ faces on that return from lunch
Trying another Posset perfume oil sample today – Adamus. This one was reviewed by Kevin in 2009. I like it, but unfortunately it doesn’t have much presence. It seems to be very much a skin scent on me. I wore Posset’s Cootie earlier, and that worked better for me in terms of sillage and staying power. Also it smelled of the season, sort of a mulled cider fragrance of apples and spice. I was wondering what others of you think of Possets, if you have favorites and why. I have also been wondering about BPAL, and which of their myriad of scents I should sample.
I have a baggie of samples from Possets, somewhere around here……
I applaud any perfume house that supplies me with good quality, affordable scents, and I’d place Possets in that category. With that said, I don’t end up wearing many Possets (although I do really like The Girls Love Pink Pepper). The concepts are fun, the scents smell good when I first apply them, but there’s something lacking for me in the subsequent hours of wearing. I don’t know if it’s because these are oils, or because they’re mostly naturals, but it seems like they don’t evolve much, and the scents have a certain simplicity to them (not necessarily a bad thing) that I don’t always appreciate over the long haul. I do love the fact that you can explore hundreds of interesting and unusual scents through their sampling program, and that you can ultimately buy a scent (or six) that you love without breaking the bank.
I’ve tried a few of them.. I got a few small bottles in a swap, probably a couple years ago, along with a bag of samples. They were hit and miss.. some weren’t that great, but when they’re good, they’re really good. One of my favorites, of course, was discontinued by the time I even knew about it. It was called Christine de Pizan, and it was a really nice orange blossom/neroli scent. I also really liked Samarkand and Venus Black. I like that she sells small bottles for really reasonable prices. I haven’t had any recently, so I don’t know about any new stuff she may have come out with.
Christine de Pizan – interesting name for a perfume! She was a medieval writer/philosopher. One of her books, The book of the city of ladies, was one of the possible texts on my reading list for my PhD political theory exam. I didn’t end up choosing to study it, but I did buy it. Will have to give it a read with orange blossom/neroli in mind!
I like:
– Plunder by BPAL, which is a dead ringer for Good Earth’s Original Sweet and Spicy Tea.
– Alice by BPAL. Carnation, tea, milk, etc. As I recall, the bergamot note lasts for a long time.
Not at work today and this grey freezing-rainy day called for lush, incensey Parfum d’Hermes vintage extrait. Unimprovable.
Uninprovable! How excellent. Enjoy!
Bvlgari Black! It is the only bottle i keep on my dresser. Mostly cause the spray is broken and i don’t trust it in the drawer.
Anyway! I smell great, with just the right amount of weird!
Ha, agree with “just the right amount of weird”
In what position do you keep your perfumes in the drawer??! I’m asking because, knowing how Bvlgari Black’s bottle looks, I can’t imagine how one should place it on a leveled surface to risk any spillage – broken spray or not
Ha! That’s fair
Upon further reflection, i probably keep it on top of the dresser because there isn’t room in the drawer. I also love the scent of my perfume drawer, and how all the scents mix together so pleasingly. The sprayer for Black leaks a tad, and i am reluctant to add a heavy dose of Black to the mix.
Yup!
Donna Karan Chaos and when this wears off original Agent Provocateur : )
Two classics!
Jealous – so want both of those!
Interlude Woman today.
Help! When I sprayed from my sample this morning I dropped the sample vial and it broke! It didn’t shatter though and I still have at least a full ml of juice left in it and want to save it. I don’t have any sort of decant supplies and won’t be able to order any online because I leave for vacation next week. Do any of you have any ideas of how I could possibly save the rest of it before it evaporates?
Seal it as best as you can and store in the refrigerator – it will be less likely to evaporate at colder temperatures. To seal it, maybe saran wrap and tape? I’d probably then put it in a jar or other container to keep anything that does escape contained – so your food doesn’t taste like perfume
Thanks. I’ll see what I can do about taping it up. Putting it in the fridge is a good idea. I hadn’t thought of that. I do have small plastic containers that I could keep it in.
My sotd is hypnotic poison.
Yum, you smell great!
Thank you Robin, so do you!
Getting head start on the theme for tomorrow and wearing Prada Infusion d’Iris. This may be one of the few full bottles that I will repurchase.
I think now that I have that *and* the Absolue, I may be covered for life
I have a sample of the absolue. I only tried it once and wasn’t super into it, oddly enough. I do really, really like Infusion d’Homme though – in my mind it is another variation of Infusion d’Iris. Maybe I need a bottle of that one …
Rose Pepper, I’m the same. I love the original, but the Absolue is not that great on me. I also love Infusion d’Homme, but people had such a negative reaction when I asked them to smell it on me, I decided I couldn’t purchase… Too bad, because I think it is the most addictive soapy accord EVER!
You smell great. This and Infusion d’Iris are high on my list for tomorrow too.
Ooops, this and Absolue, I meant to write.
Right now, I’m testing out Vitriol D’Oeillet. It’s a snowy, snowy day here, and this is all right, but it’s not really hitting the spot for me. Really, I don’t sense much “Vitriol” here.
Later tonight I am going to a Champagne tasting and I am trying to figure out what to wear (clothing and, more importantly, frangrance-wise) and want something warm but still sparkly. I’m at a loss!
Champagne tasting – how fun! Warm but still sparkly, how about L’Ambre des Merveilles? The ambergris brings on the sparkle with the citrus, and the vanille makes it warm. My SOTD, but definitely can be an evening scent too.
Enjoy!
I can absolutely get behind this one.
Ohhh, I was actually thinking that. I don’t know if I have a sample though, but I may have one lurking around somewhere. I was definitely leaning Hermes, too. If I can’t find that one, maybe Ambre Narguile.
I’ve never smelled it, but everyone always speaks of Champagne du Bois as being sparkling and warm.
In my experience, Infusion d’Iris seemed to go well with most activities involving food and drink (elegant but not overpowering), but maybe that’s just me.
Another one I was thinking about. So elegant! I feel like it would be perfect with some champagne. I think I also have some Champagne du Bois lurking around…Which would be…perfect. It’s in the name!
Luca Turin said somewhere that Shalimar goes well with food. Maybe a dab of Shalimar? She sure is warm and sparkly!
Ohhh, that is one I hadn’t thought about but might be just right. I have some lovely vintage Shalimars. Eeee, so many good ideas!
Wet snow yesterday, rain today. FM Noir Epices helped me through the slippery slushery weather. I have bought cardamom coffee as Christmas gifts, my shopping bag smells wonderful, anyone have a suggestion of a scent with those notes :)?
I have not smelled it, yet, but the newish By Kilian, Intoxicated is a Turkish Cardamom coffee scent.
Very heavy on the cardamom on my skin but deeper from the coffee.
Sounds yummy! I might have to seek that one out, despite the brand’s expensiveness ;).
Amouage Fate Woman
You smell fabulous
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is becoming one of my “I don’t have the energy to think, so I’ll spray this” perfumes. Cozy, comfortable and warm, and today it’s making me want to pair it with tea and blankets on the couch. Sadly, my job does not look kindly on that activity during working hours. A shame really.
Quick aside – I am currently seeking inspiration for my final project in my latest perfume class. We have carte blanche to create whatever we’d like, and previously I made a scent to match an essay I’d written. I think I’m going to do the same thing this time, and while I know it may sound weird, I’d like to try to create trying to make a “mournful” scent. Most of us of course are drawn to the scents that make us happy, but I’m trying to match a mood and tone of the piece I’m writing.
With all that being said – are there any notes or perfumes that you find particularly “sad”?
Thanks in advance!
Iris, violet, incense, chrysanthemum, dry cleaning fluid, and sometimes powder.
Oooh…..chrysanthemum. I must try this note!
Wonderful suggestions – thank you.
I’m also hoping to find a “mournful” rose, if I can, but I’m still such a newbie at this, I’m not sure which rose would be a good choice.
I was actually thinking a very heady, dusty rose would be mournful. And maybe myrrh? Something that invokes sort of solemnity of a church service or at the grave was what I thought.
You know it’s interesting – I don’t always get solemnity from myrrh, incense, and the like, but I may be the only one. It’s definitely something to try.
And yes, a heady, dusty rose would be a great possibility; I just need to determine which it would be – Bulgarian, Moroccan, etc.
I personally get mournfulness from L’Ombre dans L’eau, but again, I may be the only one.
mournful rose?? oh, I am SO interested in that!
I agree with iris and incense being mournful. Mineral scents can be mournful (I’m specifically thinking of Terre d’Hermes with that – is just smells melancholy to me). Some of the beach (more morthern rocky beach with driftwood than tropical beach) fragrances seem melancholy. Maybe roses and iris on a cliff overlooking the sea?
I think the mineral element might be something to try – I haven’t sampled Terre d’Hermes in a long time. Thanks Rose Pepper!
And if I end up being pleased with my mournful rose, I’ll let you know how I made it.
How apt! I am wearing a violet-based perfume today and it feels quite melancholy. I read somewhere that Empress Josephine wore violet scents after Napoleon divorced her. Personally , I would wear something to cheer me up after a divorce, but I’m sure Josephine had her reasons.
Sometimes you’ve just got to lean in. I feel you, Josephine.
Violet is an excellent suggestion – thanks so much Foxbins!
And speaking of Josephine, Parfums d’Empire’s Eau Suave was inspired by her, wasn’t it? Another one to try.
I also agree that very dry incenses can come off as kind of drab and somber. I’m not sure exactly what note this is (maybe it’s a combination), but there’s a certain dusty scent that I find deeply depressing. Dzongkha, for example, bums me out (and I don’t think it’s the incense alone).
I’ll have to look at the notes in Dzongkha. Thanks so much Eleebelle!
To me the Luten De Profundas smells like a funeral.
Not just any funeral, the final shot of the Third Man where the woman leaves a funeral walking down a long road lined with trees and passes by the actor who had hoped she would turn his way. (Can’t say more without giving away the plot of this unsurpassed thriller).
Fantastic reminder to watch that movie again. It’s been years since I’ve seen it.
I’ll have to look up the notes in De Profundis too – excellent suggestion!
I seldom wear L’artisan Dzongkha nowadays, because I get, if not sad so at least melancholy from it. Donna Karan Black Cashmere also feels quite subdued to me.
Dzongkha is popping up a lot here – this is clearly a direction I need to consider.
Thank you!
As with many of the others, I could see iris being mournful, depending on what it was pared with. I find the rose/incense blend of Rose Anonyme to be the most mournful scent I’ve tried. I like it, but it feels like all the warmth of life has disappeared in this one. I rarely wear it: it makes me feel so forlorn.
Terre d’Hermes is actually a relaxing scent to me – perhaps I will wear it tomorrow, lol! There is however a class of perfumes that I love but Cannot wear because I find them so melancholic: generally these tend to have iris + leather (particularly suede). Cuir Ottoman, and Byredo’s 1996 are good examples. Another that I love and cannot wear is Prada Amber Intense, which has myrrh in it…
DSH Vanilla Bourbon Intense. I like this a lot! Might have to acquire some more of it when this free sample is gone. What others might resemble this?
Gucci pour Homme. I am so sad this was discontinued–such a soothing wonderful perfume.
Yes, it is a shame. You smell fantastic!
Oriza L. Legrand Violette du Czar today. Powdery violet with an herbacious edge and a touch of sweetness. Their sample pack is terrific, seven 2ml sprays of your choice with free shipping. Mine came to just under $25 at last week’s exchange rate.
Oh I’ve really been wanting to try this! I should really just spring for the sample pack..
So, verdict? Do I need to chase down a sample?
And what other Oriza L. Legrand scents are worth sampling should I get the sample pack??
I adore Jardins d’Armide and I would definitely recommend trying Chypre Mousse which is totally different than anything else I’ve ever smelled
thanks for the suggestions!
Longevity is at twelve hours though it’s a mere wisp, and the scent didn’t develop much from its initial presence. I’m looking forward to trying some of the others, this one really didn’t impress me.
I spritzed on Regime des Fleurs Turquoise today, as there has been so little sun here for quite some time, and this one makes me think of nice sunny weather. To answer PriscillaE above, I have Possets Gingerbread Ho Ho Ho House. It has a good ginger note and does remind me of gingerbread, but is not so strong that one would have to careful about putting too much on.
Parfum d’Empire Equistrius. Starting the de-stressing a day early.
I like Equistrius but for me it’s a warmer weather scent.
With the weather being so mild (and grey) here, I don’t feel right wearing the heavy-duty spicy/oriental/amber frags that I normally would wear at this time of the year. So, I went with Mugler’s Chyprissime. I’m still trying to decide if this is FB worthy. (much to my chagrin, probably not)
I love it, but it has zero staying power.
A Mugler’s perfume with zero staying power?! Wow… That’s something you do not hear every day
Happy Thursday! Wearing Bottega Veneta EDP. I bought a 5ml spray after seeing people repeatedly mention it on here, and it is niiiice. Feeling very sophisticated-cozy. Already on the radar for a FB once the sample is gone
Thanks for all the good wishes yesterday on both the first date and the cold! Robin and co., you have done a bang-up job on NST – websites that have been able to cultivate a happy, polite comment-section crowd on top of great content are a rare and wonderful thing, and I’m glad to have a place to hang out with all you fabulous-smelling people!!
We have the nicest readers!
Happy Thursday everyone! I’m warring eau sauvage to brace me for this humid weather. Why can’t it be cold?
I just got an email from Frederic Malls: single 10ml travel refills! 2015 is going to be the year of the Editions if I get my way.
Malle, dratted phone.
Maybe Malls will be his new independent line
His collab with Smellbent?
Perhaps!
Oooooh, exciting!!! This is my Malle dream come true.
Me too. They’re pricy per ml but surprisingly less than decanting websites.
So happy about this. They don’t have them all in single 10 ml yet, but hopefully they will.
Great news! Thank you.
Got my Ormonde Jayne Black Friday special in this week
I am wearing Tolu. Requires at least three spritzes but lovely mysterious and deep.
I really enjoy wearing Tolu. It wasn’t a love at first sniff to me (I didn’t dislike it but many other OJ’s perfumes were in front of it) but over time it grew on me.
Goutal Sables! Only just applied I went commando for most of the day due to a washing machine hiccup early this morning!
Love Laurel, it’s just like the best alep soap.
I keep meaning to run down the soap — any recommendations for brands?
They must be getting harder to come by because of the war. I really liked the Perles de Provence 35% one, which they are no longer selling. Another good brand is Secrets d’Orient. I just don’t know which brands are available in the US. I actually keep trying new ones, and I currently have one that is perfumed with jasmine on the go. I believe the brand is called Zhenobya. I think that you would like the Alep soaps smell; very green and slightly earthy.
I’m in Dolce Vita again. Been on a bit of Dior kick since last week.
Just put on some Philosphy Falling in Love. I am starting to get a haeadache, so didn’t want anything that might aggravate it. Sweet , simple blackberry.
I’m wearing Dior Homme today. Cozy irisy goodness.
One of my favourite irises. It’s so soft and versatile.
Battle of the sandalwood: I’m wearing Bois des Iles on one wrist and Champagne des Bois on the other. BdI is more sparkling I think, but lighter and I’m guessing it won’t be anywhere as long-lasting as CdB. I’d like to know your thoughts.
Have you seen this post at the muse in wooden shoes?
https://museinwoodenshoes.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/fragrance-throwdown-chanel-bois-des-iles-vs-sonoma-scent-studio-champagne-de-bois/
Scent by Alexis The Poetry of Longing. I love it more and more.
(I started the day with Dans Tes Bras and I think I need a FB or at least a huge decant.)
Full bottle.Definitely full bottle!;-))
SOTD exploring Chanel Pour Monsieur a bit.Pretty good chypre fragrance!Reminds me of Mitsouko,but missing some of the Guerlain magic in the drydown!I’ve been on the fence about Pour Monsieur,but I’m definitely starting to appreciate it more!
Christian Lacroix Bazar, which is nice but very polished and light, not what I would expect, based on the name and the guy’s fashion designs. Heck, why so tame? And where’s the fun? Then, I read in fragrantica that it was created by Duchaufur, JCE and a certain Coppermann. Maybe it’s Elena’s fault, then?
Lacroix always reminds me of Edina Monsoon’s wonderful Lacroix inspired sweater. I’ve never smelled any of his fragrances though. Are you not a fan of Ellena?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFqHlliWmVY
This particular magical creation!
Thank’s for the Ab Fab link! See, it’s not that I dislike JCE, I can see that his work for Hermès is outstanding, but it’s a little too elegant for me. Maybe I just wish he would go back to his Rumba fabulous ways.
I’m sure you underestimate yourself in re elegance. Have you tried his First and Déclaration? I’ve never tried Rumba but know it is a bombshell, I’ll never understand how he composed that, given what he has done since.
I have a similar problem with most Chanels. I’ll happily wear Gold but especially the Exclusives make me wonder why I don’t brush my hair more often
I’m wearing my sample of HdP Tubereuse Capricieuse after reading Tara’s review of it today at Olfactoria’s. Maybe it’s me, but none of the HdP’s seem to work for me. They work on 1 level and fail on like 4 others… we’ll see, maybe the drydown is fantastic.
Last day of work until the New Year and wearing Ferre, the superlative office scent. Next, bring on the weird stuff.
I am wearing a new love that I have discovered thanks to my last swap. Guerlain Bois d’Armenie. I have sampled this before several times but this time, maybe my taste has changed, I can’t get enough of this.
Today I’m wearing Atelier Rose Anonyme, one of the few oud-ish perfumes I can stand.
Happy birthday, Paul Klee! Nice image choice, Robin.
Today I’m scent free but might wear something to my last client of the day. He and his partner are both sniffy people, so they don’t mind.
Hi perfume people. I tried a few perfumes today when I bought a present in the local parfumerie. I saw Serge Lutens’ Rahout Loukoum in the black spray and I tried it for the first time – instant love. It is quite sweet but it’s thick and delicious. Want. Also tried A La Nuit from Serge as well. Loved that too and it wasn’t as full on as I thought it would be. Also sprayed on the new Dior Homme Parfum – much less iris than the original and warmer so closer to the Dior Homme Intense I think, but this also had some leather in it. Quite nice. Want to test this again. Also sprayed Tom Ford’s Patchouli Absolue on a blotter. Liked it but want to test on skin next time. I’m a total patch head – love the dark, danky stuff. Speaking of which I also sprayed on Mon Parfum Cheri and LOVE. Patchouli, plum and iris. Weird but beautiful. Quite a good session in the store today. They know me now so just leave me happily spraying. I have to say that this store is really generous with samples. I kid you not – they gave me 20 samples. I just about skipped out of the store but tried to keep cool, calm and collected.
What a score! I’d be skipping too!
i’m late to the party as usual… penalty for being on the west coast i guess… today i’m trying serge lutens encens et lavande. it’s all lavande and no encens for me, and it’s not a lavande i like. sad for me, happy for my wallet that i don’t have to want this one :^) it’s a nice idea though, maybe i’ll try making my own via layering. been on a big incense kick lately, yesterday was YSL Nu, the day before was Norma Kamali – yeah baby!
I get dry incense in the final stages of Encens et Lavande. I find it fairly straight forward for a Serge Lutens. It is simple and sober to my nose. Have you tried Gris Clair? I think much less serious then Encens!
I love lavendar and how yet to try either of these. I need to.
i’m getting the tiniest whiff of incense now, but soooo small. nonexistent compared to NK :^) ok so that’s not a fair benchmark, now is it.
my fave lavender so far is caldey island. mmmmm, maybe some of that with NK. or SSS incense pure.
Another West Coaster joining in. Today I’m wearing L’eau Ambree, but for the first time layered over a rose/rosehip body oil. A really nice combination, but I so rarely am organized enough to layer things like this.
Hmmm. Sounds lovely! I need to try some layering with my L’eau Ambree. I can see how it will work well with other scents.
Not only is it Paul Klee’s bday, but also Keith Richards (71!) There was a funny bit on the radio this morning about him looking 71 at the age of 49, so now he looks like he’s 69. Should apply a dab of Joy in his honor!
LOL…and that’s so true, he did! Sorry, Keith, for missing your birthday.
Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal, from a sample I got forever ago from Luckyscent and am just cracking open. It’s lovely and reminds me very much of SSS Fig Tree–which I have a travel spray and 15mL bottle of–so I’m not sure Vetiver Fatal will go on the (miles long HA!) FB wish list, but I do like it.
Giving Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple some staying power by layering with Patchouli EO. Ginger, vetiver and patch! A great warming combination for a cold day.
I let my 7 year old choose my scent today; she chose between Mohur and Coromandel and so I am in the latter. I went with coworkers to deliver presents to kids at a public school in Chicago and I had expected to feel good spreading Holiday cheer but it has left me feeling…not so cheerful. Hope you all are having a good day!
Amouage Lyric for me today: it’s such a beautiful scent.
Wazamba for me today. Someone said it smelled just like Sahara Noir, but I get a distinct fruit note in Wazamba that is not present in Sahara Noir.