Apparently it's Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. Who knew? And what fragrance are you wearing today?
I'm wearing Bond no. 9 Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue.
Reminder: this Friday, 9 February, wear something by Guerlain. We already did this in summer, now we're doing it again for winter (or, for some of you, the other way around).
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2015, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Santal 33 by Le Labo
I actually prefer the Oil version of this scent more – it smells more like real sandalwood oil. But I’m all out of that, so the fragrance had to do on a cold chilly day here in Miami today.
I have not yet tried any of their oils, I guess I should!
Now I want to try both of the Santal versions! FWIW I don’t find the Rose 31 oil to be much different from the perfume (except in price!)
Thanks, good to know!
The conversation about indie perfumes yesterday made me reach for 1000 Flowers Fleur no 1….a softer subdued take on Chanel no 19 with notes of hyacinth, galbanum,moss, violet, narcissus, orris root and magnolia…love it!
and I like your fragrance, Robin, even though I haven’t tried it….as I do enjoy Chinatown!
It was an interesting one. I liked what they did with the Andy Warhol series better than most of their other scents, although Chinatown was great.
(scribbles note to self to try Fleur No. 1…)
Believe it or not I bought all the 1000 Flowers fragrances (Reglisse Noire, Fleur no 1, Narcotic Flowers, Love is Sweet and Ode for Him) on a blind buy due to a half price sale last year…they all smelled different from what I was expecting but I was not disappointed with any and wear them often…just don’t expect the longevity you would get from vintage no 19!
and tell hubby that fragrance can cross gender lines… I”ve wore Gray Flannel, Herrera for Men, A*Men and Joop! for Men…drained fBs!
To be honest, the modern No. 19 EdP doesn’t last as long as vintage 19 EdT. So I’ll be prepared.
Hubby has had that explained to him. It had no effect. That is, he’s perfectly okay with women wearing “men’s” fragrances… he just doesn’t want to wear something that someone else could mistake for girly perfume. grr.
I wore Grey Flannel in high school (don’t even ask how long ago that was!) and thought I was very sophisticated and unafraid to cross lines. I keep thinking I should track down a small bottle and try it again, but I’m a little afraid of what reformulation may have done over the years (okay, yes – decades).
Just got a small bottle of gf last year and it’s still pretty good, but doesn’t deliver in the oak moss department like the 80’s one did
a little late for a reply…if you’re looking for an modern Grey Flannel alternative, I recommend Balenciaga Paris l’Essence. You may recognize you’re beloved Grey Flannel in this first flanker to Paris.
SOTD so far is Eau de Cartier (Cartier). This one won’t last long so will need to apply something more substantial later.
It’s gorgeous though when it’s there!
I’m wearing the lovely Mythique, wishing I was visiting Chenonceau….
Hey, I’ll go along
We could try different scents in different rooms.:)
I visited Chenonceau a few years ago, and although all the Loire Chateaux are beautiful, there is something very magical about this particular one, even with all the visitors present.
SOTD is Caron Tabac Blond, following yesterday’s Tom Ford Violet Blonde. Apparently I’m in a blond(e) mood this week.
And you smell great!
I almost got sucked into a blind buy of Dune last night. My finger was hovering and twitching over the mouse and at the last minute, my “no buy until April” common sense prevailed. It was a close call though!
So I have decided to get my “I need new” fix by hauling out my sample container and plopping it down in plain view as a reminder to use my samples. My plan is to reach in with my eyes closed and pick a random sample every day until my “no buy” restrictions have expired in April.
Today’s blind sampler is Montale’s Sweet Oriental Dream. VERY sweet, which is nice on a cool day like today, but no way I could wear this 9 months of the year in the stifling heat and humidity of FL.
For today, this is hitting the spot and effective in getting me on my sample usage journey.
Happy Humpday All
I like your plan! I hope you can last until April
Me too! Life is uncertain though…;)
Ha!
That’s a very good idea!
Every once in a while I have a random synaptic spark
I’m doing what you’re doing! I just have to use up these many many samples (well over a hundred!) before I buy anything new. And I might, God forbid, find something in those samples that I can’t live without….
Oh, good to know I have company in this endevour!
I’m afraid to count how many untried samples I have sitting around feeling unloved …
Not helping you but Dune is an excellent choice for a blind buy
I know! I have read nothing but good things about it and note list seems right up my alley.
It’s too hard to say “no” completely, so i consoled myself with the knowledge that that scent has been around a good while and not likely to go anywhere any time soon.
Patience is the key…;)
Stay strong, Deva!
It takes me a long time to work through samples. Among other things, I don’t like to try new things at work. If I hate it, or my co-workers hate it, I’m stuck.
Yes , I understand your hesitation, especially for work scents. Fortunately (or unfortunately!) I work from home and have zippideedoda restrictions.
Thanks for your encouragement, I will do my best to resist temptation and think this sample system may just work (fingers crossed!)
Deva, I made the same resolution for New Year’s, and it fell by the wayside in an embarrassingly short amount of time. But I will add Fleur No 1 to my next sample order.
I have a huge bottle of Dune, so if you feel comfortable leaving an e-mail address here, let me know & I’ll send you some.
AnnE, that is an awesome offer and I am happy to give you list of scents I have that you might be intersted in so we can swap. My email is taiga101atyahoodawtcom
Thank you for your generousity
SOTD is Byredo 1996. This is a new love.
Love that one!
Of course you do: we’re scent twins
A sample of ELdO Bijou Romantique. Starts out promisingly enough as a warm oriental and then goes all irisy, which means it does not work for me. Worth a try for iris lovers, I would think.
Always nice to see I’m not the only one who doesn’t really get on with iris.
You could pick any note on earth and find people who loathe it and people who would devote their lives to it, I think. I just don’t get iris, tuberose, or orange-blossom (with rare exceptions), but I worship old-school oakmoss chypres.
How have I not noted what a wise person you are before now?! Ugh to all three–iris, tuberose AND orange blossom!
I’m an iris lover (as well as lover of all the other type of fragrances you mentioned including chypres), and Bijou did nothing for me at all. I suppose it’s for someone.
It’s for ME!!!
After the post on indie perfumers yesterday, I decided to wear my favorite today, Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser. Just the thing to ward off the winter cold!
What a great name for a fragrance! I want to try it just based on that.
I just got that in my Olfactif set and tried it today – I REALLY liked it! I didn’t read the notes and had no idea what to expect. It was like a warm vanilla campfire.
AA Winter Delice which is all pine, sweetish smoke, and incense.
You don’t get hot gingerbread from it? I do. Winter Delice is wonderful stuff (even without the gingerbread).
Now I want to go make gingerbread.
I think Boston is stealing all our snow (bet they’d gladly send it down to Virginia if we asked nicely)
I’m missing snow this winter.
Please send a convoy of trucks to bring the Boston snow to Virginia. The piles are 6-8 feet high at some intersections.
Poor Bostonians! This is my first winter since 1999 that I haven’t lived there. Looks like we moved just in time.
Your comment reminds me of one particularly snowy winter in Michigan, where I grew up. The cars were all sporting little red plastic flags attached to their antennae so that they would be visible to other drivers. Too bad most cars don’t have those kind of antennae anymore.
Not until the drydown (also my head is stopped up so I am lucky to get anything!)
SOTD is Fendi Theorema. Still can’t understand why it was discontinued, as it seems like it should be popular! It’s cozy and sexy … is this just me crying over spilt milk??
MANY of us mourn the loss of Theorema. And even if they brought it back, it probably wouldn’t smell the same. I am hoarding my last few drops.
If I spilled my Theorema, I’d cry!
Lyric Woman, the very upscale version of Gres Cabaret.
I’ve not tried Gres Cabaret, but I always approve of seeing people wear Lyric Woman. It’s a wonderful fragrance
It is wonderful! Cabaret is a good bargain rose/incense/spice, certainly not as lush.
I read that a while ago and so seeing i LOVE Lyric tried Cabaret. Not only did I find them dissimilar I really didnt like Cabaret at all. Pity, because Lyric is such a wonderful thing to smell like.
Yes, I suppose I should give Cabaret another honest try, although I don’t remember adoring it, either! Lyric, OTOH, is wonderful!
Your Nose May Vary! They have a lot of notes in common.
HOLY CRAP. You know, you’re right – they have a lot in common.
Sadly, The CEO somehow figured out that the Cabaret I decanted into a plain bottle and gave him to wear was technically “for women,” and now he won’t wear it. Shame, it was so delicious on him.
Haha! That’s pretty funny. Especially since so much of whether a scent is “for men” is marketing …
Hahaha, poor men, masculinity is so austere! Have had two recent conversations with my father and my uncle along these lines–both very anxious about obeying the gender rules, not even for themselves, but just male acquaintances who might have been wearing The Wrong Thing! Poor duckies, seems so stressful! I tried to allay their concerns by talking about the arbitrariness of marketing schemes, but I don’t know if I convinced them…
Oh that is a bummer! I wish I could get my husband to wear florals.
As my own beloved so astutely observed, who besides the man in our life and ourselves knows of the existence of Gres Cabaret? What other man would be observant enough or care enough to identify this cheerful, woody, rose? My Husband wears Jacomo Silences and it is divine on him. He says the trick to wearing feminine florals for men is to choose one not easily identified by the general population. If someone gave you an unlabeled sample of Dior Homme and you did not know it, who would you guess the intended audience was? So many men in my life, friends and family, ask for fragrance recommendations with specific flowers for themselves!
Mohur, which I sort of rediscovered because of one of the Friday projects. It took me a little longer to fall for this one than some of the other Neela Vermeires, but now I love it.
I love that one so much I am afraid to try any others by her because I will want them and I am trying to stay on budget!!!
Needed something warm, comfy, cozy and mellow. So I put on D&G The One and am quite glad of it. It is perfect to help soothe my mood today after a disappointing house showing last night.
The fiance and I have been house hunting since September and it’s getting to the omg-why-don’t-we-have-a-house-yet stage. I feel like I no longer have any time for myself because it’s all about obsessing over house showings. Then my mother reminded me we needed to actually work on our wedding plans as well! Gaaaahhh! We are total non-fussy types and right now we’re so exhausted that just doing a courthouse paper signing and then meeting people at the bar is sounding like a great idea. (probably won’t be, but still….)
I went through that phase too (my boyfriend and I were bought a house almost four years ago). My advice is to go with your gut – and I’m normally a logic over feelings person! We put an offer on a house because it met our checklist and we figured we had been looking so long, and if we don’t like this we won’t like anything BUT I never felt right about it. Just stress and doubt and nerves. They didn’t take our offer, so we got out of it. Then, a few weeks later we found the right house and I didn’t have those doubtful. feelings.
And don’t worry – you’ll get there! There are plenty of good houses out there and listings usually pick up the closer we get to spring
This seems like excellent advice!
Thanks, rosepepper. I usually do go with my gut but I know I have much higher expectations than my fiance does. I also tend to be much more critical as well, where he’s forgiving of certain issues. We saw a house last night that looked great in the photos but the reality was completely 180. This has happened so many times now too. Everything looks great on paper (or the screen) but in reality it’s a mess.
The other big problem we are running into is the fact that any really good houses that become available in our range gets snatched up immediately. There have been several cases of us finding houses that look great but they sell within the week before we can even schedule a showing! Competition is starting to get fierce now so while there are a lot more houses coming on the market, there are also many more people looking.
Ugh sounds like a lot. Good time to relax, let go of expectations, get very quiet and connect with the spirit of your future home.
Also I can’t say enough good things about having a beautiful wedding. Being the bride is so wonderful. Sounds corny but it will be one of the most profoundly love filled experiences of your life. Don’t sell yourself short on that!
Just to add, I didn’t get married till I was 46 and my wedding was largely DIY for a lot of it and the stuff I couldn’t do (ie photography) I bartered for with massages. To plan it, I sat down with my fiance to talk about what was most important for our wedding. Turned out it was very simple: loving friends and family, a good meal, good weather if nature would be compliant. On the day itself, tasks were delegated to other people so I could just sit back and do the job of the bride which is to be adored.
Its your day don’t plan it to meet other people’s expectations, do what is meaningful, fun and enjoyable for you.
Oh, that sounds good! Friends, family, food, sunshine. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to have a conversation like that some day with Mr. Spicebomb!
I’m turning 40 just before we get married and we’ve been together for 10 years so we are going the more casual route for our wedding. We are in PA and are getting a Quaker license so we can do our own thing instead of have an officiant. We do know roughly what we want, but it’s just a matter of planning it and finalizing. I think we might go with some historical building in the area since there are lots of them here that offer wedding packages
That sounds like a beautiful plan. We had a backyard wedding and picnic at my mother in law’s house and got married under the tree where a few other family members got married. It was on July 25, the day out of time on the Mayan calendar and it was out of this world. The colors I chose for the flowers, dresses, jewelry and tables were saffron orange and gold and the cake topper was a ceramic statue of a bride and a groom with a bunny head. the best part was walking down the lawn towards my husband to be and seeing the look of utter love on his face.
Have you chosen a wedding perfume yet?
That sounds so lovely! So glad to read about this being such a wonderful day for you!
Our focus is more on having a place with good food for everyone to hang out at. We’re not doing traditional flowers/ maids/ groomsmen and such because we prefer everything to be as simple as possible.
I was actually thinking the other day that the most stressful decision I might have to make about the whole event is what perfume to wear! I honestly have NO idea yet! I do have time though. We’re having an autumn wedding (late October).
Simple is the best. I love it that your focus is on creating a space for enjoyment.
I’m with Rose Pepper–try as much as you can to be ok with not having found the right one yet. I don’t know where you are, but here in Portland, there have been MANY stories about the super-low housing inventory these days and tight market. I think you’re bound to need more time to find the right one in that sort of situation.
You are in a very exciting time right now! New house and marriage!! I hope you can enjoy it, too.
Yes, it is exciting, but also frustrating. It’s amazing how much I found myself reacting in different ways to houses with certain layouts and amenities (or lack thereof). The market is good for us right now, but we’re competing with many others too. I’m in PA and we do know that it’ll take a while before we find the right one. It still doesn’t make the process any easier though.
Our realtor tried to talk us out of looking at the house we ended up buying, saying it was too small! But my husband and I both had the same “this is the one” feeling when we walked in the door. How we felt in the space turned out to be much more important than features or amenities. Turns out it really is pretty small and we could use another bathroom, we have lived here for 7 years, but when we talk about moving to a bigger place, I’m resistant because I have been so happy here.
My (unasked-for) advice when house-hunting is plan to spend a full year doing nothing but eating/breathing/sleeping real estate. You’ve got a few months yet!
I hope it’s not a full year! We’d like to have a house before we get married.
She loves looking at houses for the sake of looking at houses!
We do have lots of help though. The fiance’s father is a VP of a construction company so he’s been a big help and another friend’s mother does real estate (commercial) and has had lots of good advice as well.
My totally unsolicited opinion is this:
If you love someone enough to want to make them legally related to you (that’s what civil marriage provides, along with hundreds of rights and responsibilities), then that person will still be your best friend the day after you get married at the County Recorder/Justice of the Peace or at some planned, structured, and possibly costly event. You’ve already chosen the right person, and chances are you have had many magical moments with him/her and that you will have many more after your wedding day.
But anyway, I suppose I should concede that for me it’s a question of temperament, just thinking of the obligation to be the center of a great deal of bridal hoopla makes me feel verrrry distressed (and I am nowhere near facing this question!) So mainly I think people should do whatever suits their personal preferences
Well said!
Indeed, we’re not doing a ceremony with bride’s maids and all that jazz. Short and simple suits us best. I also don’t like to be too much the center of attention. I much prefer the idea of everyone we love hanging out together instead.
I totally hear you on the happiest-day-of-your-life schtick. I think it’s a bit ridiculous to pin so much on one single day of your life. I know it’s not meant to be taken literally, but so many people buy into it.
Oh definitely. I completely agree. I already knew I didn’t want to have the fancy formal wedding ceremony (like my sister did). We’re much more casual than that and would rather everyone just have a good time. We’re more the no-fuss-more-fun types and we’re getting a Quaker license so we can do whatever we want without an officiant
So with the ceremony most likely down to two minutes 
we can focus more on just partying. It’s just a matter of finding the place to party at – most likely a nice restaurant – or historical building that allows wedding dinners.
Hooray for being true to yourselves and your personal preferences! And hooray for love! Now, I’m starting to feel a bit verklempt …
Heehee funny, oh dear sorry about all the rhapsodising.
Oh, Sajini, I thoroughly enjoyed your “rhapsodizing.” I love your writing style and appreciate you sharing your joy with us. When you mentioned “seeing the look of utter love” on your husband’s face, it made me want to hug my husband. And I will get to in a few hours!
Sounds like you have all the ingredients for an amazing day of celebration.
Jenkr, ITA on your wedding philosophy. Simple is best: that way, there’s less to go wrong, lol! Seriously, although my wedding was pretty low-key, I would have been just as happy without most of the frills. The important part is celebrating your commitment to each other with family and friends. Let go of expectations and decide you’re just going to have a fun time.
I do have one perfume recommendation: Alpona from Caron. It’s a like a perfume version of a dried fruit compote. Luscious and perfect for fall.
Best of luck to you!
Flowerhead again. Seems I can wear it, and enjoy it, even when I have a mild headache. All the allergens I stirred up yesterday are having their revenge upon me today, as are my back muscles. We will be stopping for NSAIDs on the way home since there seems to be nothing unexpired here at Mom’s and decongestants alone aren’t cutting it. Why we didn’t just go get the chain and drag that log out with the truck instead of wrestling with it I don’t know, but I’m sorry today I was so stubborn about it.
Good Heavens! Great taste in perfume and she wrestles trees from the ground, without a truck and a chain! Take care of your back and your head.
Thanks. It was a last minute project that I wasn’t going to get involved in until I realized my husband was going to hurt himself. We were supposed to be going on a walk along the river to relax.
Oh, dear! I hope that your back and head feel better soon. I get frequent sinus headaches. Are you using the decongestant that (at least in California), you have to show ID to purchase? That one works for me, but the other, newer stuff does not. Take care.
Yep. I have actually exceeded the limit for buying it one month last year and had to explain to the sympathetic pharmacist that I really didn’t care to make meth, I just wanted to be able to breathe. We live in one of the worst areas for allergies in the nation anyway and I stirred up a bunch of stuff working outside yesterday. I’m just thrilled to have found a perfume that seems to be wearable when I DO have a headache.
Today I wanted something floral, since spring is starting here – the tulip trees are blooming! So I put on Demeter’s Linden. Then I realized I’m not a great fan of Linden, so I overlayed it with a spray of Philosophy Pure Honey.
Tulips are my favorite!
Tulip trees are a type of magnolia (I think), but the flowers are a beautiful pink and shaped rather like tulips. I did see some potted tulips at my local grocery store, which is also a sign of spring in Texas.
Oh my, I didn’t even see the word “tree” in your comment! My eye made a beeline to “tulip” and assumed you were talking about the flower.
I just Googled Tulip Tree to educate my ignorant self and they are just gorgeous trees! The flowers remind me of my Hong Kong Orchid Tree blooms. Sadly, it’s dying a slow death due to invasive bark beetles, which have already killed my ruby red and yellow grafted grapefruit tree.
Pure Mariposa by Ramon Monegal.
Fresh and pretty little thing but I think it may still be a little too early in the year for it
Scentless today due to a sinus headache and sickness themed dreams. Trying to rest peacefully and restore before seeing clients.
I did a bunch of research on lotv perfumes last night. Thank you for your suggestions. I found Muguetto on the Santa Maria Novello site and am going to test it. Another that caught my eye is Muguet by Annick Goutal. AG frags generally agree with my chemistry so long as they don’t contain tuberose notes. Victoria F on Bois de Jasmin wrote about lotv http://boisdejasmin.com/2006/05/lily_valley.html
and I got a lot out of her impressions – she is such a poet – as well as the comments.
Ugh, hope you are better soon!
I like Mughetto, and I like very few LOTV scents. I have to admit though that I don’t wear it frequently…
Trying Slumberhouse Vikt today which is an anise/licorice tinged green balsamic on me and isn’t nearly as cozy as I was hoping for
A little spritz of Chanel Beige, which is my salute to bring fancy and business at the same time, ha ha.
It is playing much more animalic honey and soap than floral in this mild winter weather we’ve had lately.
I finally got a sample of Beige… would love to try it but haven’t quite recovered from this cold, so it will have to wait.
It’s my favorite “Ice princess” scent. I tend towards warm scents (just like i prefer gold to silver – will wear both but feel most me in gold) and this one makes me feel just the right amount of prissy
Beige is beautiful. That’s interesting it’s more honeyed and less floral. I may need to try it in winter. I’ve only worn it in spring (warm-ish weather) and it was all floral on me.
Let us know what you find!
A Taste of Heaven By Kilian. One of my very favourites of the range and it’s super long lasting too.
Bois 1920’s Come L’Amore is my choice today, such a lovely floral woody musk. I’m so glad I got one of the only 1920 bottles they made.
SOTD today is Ormonde Jayne Tolu from a sample sent by a very kind Canadian fairy godmother from Perfume Posse. I’m loving this! It smells comforting, thick and….raw? Words escape me a bit, but I like it!
Black Cashmere with Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner (that I mix with jojoba oil and wear as a lotion). Perfect day for spice and roses.
Yum.
Ooooooo you are giving me ideas!
If you don’t mind me cribbing off you – could you tell me how you mix the body conditioner with the Jojoba? I don’t use the Ro’s on my body as even after rinsing it I find the scent too strong. I do like it after washing my hands…
Day one of Jury Service today–left the kids to sub plans and fingers crossed that it goes ok while I’m out (for an unknown length of time)! Wearing Lyric, because it makes me happy and while a FULL scent, it isn’t a HUGE scent (back to the sillage conversation of a few days ago).
It is all y’all’s job to keep me entertained until something interesting happens over here!
Lyric is wonderful. That is all.
Seconded!
Just came off of three weeks of JD service myself.. oh, yeah.. finally getting my life back on track. Hope it goes well for you
Ack! Three weeks?! I have no idea how I would deal with that. There’s a sub shortage, and I’m a science teacher–there are very few subs who feel confident with science, in the best of times! I’m hoping that if the trial seems like it will go long, they will decide that it’s a hardship. . .
Oh oof, good luck, I hope it is all resolved SO speedily!!
Wearing Cartier L’Heure Fougeuse from a recent swap meet. In the bottle, it smells to fluffy and floral. But on skin it smells JUST like black tea, and then turns to oakmoss. Interesting. I like it. I’d been considering Chypre Mousse today, so glad I got this when I decided to do a new thing rather than an old favorite.
The Different Company Sel de Vetiver today. I loved it a few hours after I put it on, but now it’s smelling a little medicinal.
That’s turned into one of my absolute favorite vetiver scents. Very good in warm weather.
Have nearly drained my bottle of Bronze Goddess- a milestone! I was contemplating whether or not I will repurchase, thinking my recently acquired EL Sensuous Nude would be a good replacement for summer, although more of a beach floral than suntan coconut. Now, a couple hours later, I am enjoying the beach-y vibe. Might look into some of the BG products other than the perfume.
It is so easy to spray lavishly with Bronze Goddess–easy to use up a bottle and need a new one! And, kinda fun that the bottle designs change every year or so. I finished my first bottle pretty quickly and am working my way through bottle No. 2. But agree–the body products *do* sound nice!
If you’d be interested in a decant, email me at taiga101attheyahoolandia.
I have a vat of BG as its a staple for me here in FL. I totally recommend the body lotion, which is very luxurious and intensely scented. You don’t even need to layer with the perfume because the lotion is so fragrant and long lasting (also very hydrating).
BG bronzer is excellent. Very natural looking.
Really? What isn’t there a day for?
Why not a perfume day??? How do we make that happen around the globe… wouldn’t that be fun, and interesting!
Anyway, back to reality and my SOTD: Field Notes from Paris.. have missed this one!
Ah, but what time of year would you make International Perfume Day? Deep winter for the cozy and big? Spring for the flowers? Fall for the spices?
OR do we need a handful of days? We could have Spicy Gourmand Perfume Day and Rose Scented Body Product Appreciation Day!
Perfume is from the days of the Bible. This is a no brainer and I’m surprised it’s not yet been put on the calendar.
I’m looking into this!
Gosh–even earlier! All sorts of scented products were used by the Ancient Egyptians, weren’t they?
And why *don’t* we wear frankincense and myrrh in December?! Now I want a special Christmas incense fragrance. . .
I don’t know if there is a Christmas-specific incense fragrance, but I think Fille en Aiguilles smells like Christmas trees and incense.
That would probably give us at least 100 days of the year to be Perfume Holidays. I am in favor of this
. . . and Oakmoss Preservation Day, and Vintage Appreciation Day, and . . .
March 21st!
Must know . . . March 21st because . . .
Is that your birthday? Do tell!
Guys, no, that’s National Fragrance day. Google it.
and this year it is also the first day of spring!!!!!!
Hermes Elixir des Merveilles. I couldn’t resist the $11 mini bottle- a less financially irresponsible blind buy than most. I can’t quite figure out how I feel about the fragrance – it’s nice but it’s not passionate love at first sight – but the off kilter bottle sure is cute.
Minis are a great way to sample. I haven’t fallen in love with any of the Merveilles, despite the tempting bottles.
Wow, that’s a good deal for a mini!
I had wanted to be testing some samples today, but the nose is out of whack. Also tempted by yesterday’s Jolie Madame, but I feel like going big. So it’s L’Arte di Gucci.
L’arte di Gucci has been in my purgatory basket for about a year! Very pretty!
I’m in Fleurs d’Oranger today and it’s very cuminy right now (which I adore). Can any of you recommend other perfumes with a cumin note? Subtle or brazen, it doesn’t matter, I’m interested!
It may be a bit difficult to find these days, but Kingdom (McQueen) has HUGE cumin. Absolue pour le soir by MFK has a very cuminy opening but a warm, lush, sexy drydown.
I second Kingdom but good luck finding it for less than an arm and a leg. Wonderful stuff and I’ve yet to find a replacement although the search for one is what started me down the rabbit hole.
Here is a post from NST: https://nstperfume.com/2010/10/25/cumin-in-perfume/
That’s a fun thread – thank you.
And thanks Perthgirl. I’ve never smelled Kingdom though I probably won’t try, since it’s long gone and I have enough “unobtainables” on my want list… : /
I’ll have to search out MFKs next time I’m in a big city. I adore Lumiere Noire Pour Femme, and Absolue pour le soir sounds fantastic! Honey, cumin, _and_ rose…I’m already setting aside some cash…
Ooh yes and be sure to the read the comments there too, lots more good ideas. Particularly, I’d underscore Rose 31, Declaration, Timbuktu, Theo Fennel Scent…
FM Une Fleur de Cassis has cumin listed as a note (which is why I can’t wear it). And Saffron Troublant (which does not have cumin) comes off as very cumin on my skin (but I read somewhere that this is due to the saffron???) I try to avoid cumin b/c it smells like bad b.o. on my skin…and yet I loved Gucci (circa 2000 or 2002, not sure) which I read had cumin in it as well……
The modern version of Rochas Femme has a good dollop of cumin, and you can get it pretty cheap too, at least in EDT (and I find the EDT more cumin-y than the EDP was)
Weirdly, I learned that I love cumin in fragrance. Rose 31, L’Artisan’s Al Oudh, Rubj EdP are all good choices, with varying levels of cumin, but so fun to wear. Happy sniffing!
Hermes Epicen Marine
Roja Dove Diaghilev
That would be Epice, not Epicen!
Bigarade Concentree….
My SOTD is Malibu Lemon Blossom by Pacifica. Now I remember why I rarely wear it — I don’t like the long-lasting salty seagrass note in the drydown. I’m glad that I only sprayed the back of my hand and didn’t get it on my sleeve. I can scrub it off and not be trapped in this frag all day
another Pacifica fan here (because they are fun and affordable!) Took me a while to warm up to malibu Lemon Blossom but once I did I liked it….however, I see it as more of a summer scent for me….have you tried French Lilac? so beautiful for spring and it really garners me many compliments when I wear it….
Yes, I like their French Lilac. Perhaps I’ll wear it this week. It’s going to be in the upper 60s/lower 70s this week, which is pretty spring-like, I guess.
I will try the Malibu Lemon Blossom again. I don’t hate it, so there is still hope
Wearing Lalique’s Hommage à L’Homme Voyageur. I finally got my (blind buy) bottle. I am really enjoying it!
I’m in Oeillet Bengale for coziness against the cold.
I got a sample of Nirvana Black and gave it a couple of spritzes, but after a whiff of musk I can’t smell anything else, so their musk molecule apparently blocked my receptors. Washed it off. put it in the swap pile, and put on Isabey Lys Noir, won in a draw. No lily for me, but sweet powdery heliotrope and faint tuberose. Also going in the swap pile.
You are feeling very sleepy…your eyelids are getting heavier and heavier…(foxbins will swap lys Noir with saaaajiiiinnni)…when I count to three you will wake up feeling refreshed..
*giggles*
Hee, hee
It’s only a sample but it’s yours if you want it–email me at foxbins at A oh Ell dawt com.
Today I am in Fendi again and noticed that in the dry down it starts to smell like Shiseido Murasaki so I am going to test my theory later!
I think I’m getting the flu – fever and aches in addition to coughing and congestion. I’m going to need an absorbing book series to get me through this, something like the Maisie Dobbs detective series, or Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway mysteries. I’ve already read Angela’s latest, too. Any ideas would be very welcome!
That’s a shame. I hope it passes quickly for you. It’s aggravating knowing you are getting sick and just waiting for it to pass. Feel better soon!
Thanks, Jenkr!
So sorry! I think of the Martin Walker series (Bruno) as about the same “cozy” level as Elly Griffiths. In a small town in France. Actually, I think Angie told me about them!
No, that’s wrong. She told me about Susan Hills Simon Serrailler series. Very good, way less cozy, but not quite so sick as some (Jo Nesbo, etc etc), although the latest one is nearly there.
Angie & I both also love the Fred Vargas series (she may have told me about those too, can’t remember). Also French, and those are fantastic. Not cozy exactly, but likewise, not sick.
Thanks for these recommendations, Robin! I loved the historical setting and character of Maisie Dobbs, and the archeology in the Ruth Galloway series. Hard-boiled detectives are OK, but I don’t really don’t care for the plots that dwell on torture, abuse, etc. Your recs sound great!
Yeah. Don’t read the very latest Susan Hill, but I think the rest are ok — maybe read the descriptions at Amazon? You might also enjoy the Rennie Airth / John Madden series, just 4 books, set in England between the wars.
This is totally old school but the Brother Cadfael series is wonderfully written and steeped in the atmosphere and history of life in Wales during the Middle Ages. The author, Ellis Peters, has passed away but the series is extensive and many have been turned into BBC mystery series but the books, of course, are far superior. Even if you are familiar with the TV series, the books are well worth the read.
I loved reading the Cadfael series. I may have to read them again.
Loved these!
feel better soon!
Aw, well, maybe it will fizzle out before it gets going. If not, I have loved reading anything by Laurie King. She has two mystery series: one contemporary one set in San Francisco, and another set in England between the wars. Start with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. I’m a big fan of the Maisie Dobbs books, too, and I think you will really like these. Rest up!
I went with Dame Perfumery Black Flower Mexican Vanilla. It’s rare that I’m in the mood for vanilla in the middle of the day, but it’s working nicely!
I really like that one too! It’s very versatile and easy to wear
Started the day with a potentially unsettling meeting which required both being professional and blending into the backgrund. I went with Hermes Caleche. The meeting went well on all accounts, I hope my scent contributed to the constructive outcome :).
Just put on a spritz of PdN L’Eau Mixte. It’s going to be a warm one here and I’m starting to get a headache, so figured it would be appropriate. I do love this one.
OMG, OMG! Guess what, fellow fumies! Today was the first day anyone at my new job asked if I were wearing perfume, and what it was. And she recognized oakmoss! And we had a good conversation about Le Labo! I think I found a fumie. Cool!
Ooh, this sounds promising. Fun!
Woohoo!
Oh, I’m getting a warm fuzzy! How great to find a fellow fume fiend!
That is a great conversation. Yay! (What were you wearing, BTW? I didn’t catch that.) Hope you have a fellow ‘fumie at work
L’Heure Fougeuse–noted above, sorry, I’d missed that. That’s a great conversation starter for perfumistas. Be well.
Woo hoo – new blood!
Careful, she might hear the chanting and flute music through the wall…
Yay! How fun for you!
For day 3 of Guerlain week, I’m wearing Samsara.
EL Aliage today — deep mossy greenery.
Sorry to tell the rest of the country this, but it’s a beautiful, springy day here on the Central Cal coast and many trees are in bloom. Hope everyone’s having a great day.
This is the time of year I feel guiltiest about living in SoCal, especially when we are having such unseasonably warm weather and the rest of the country is not so much
As we speak, New England scientists work round the clock in a top secret underground lab perfecting snow teleportation technology..
Love love love Aliage…do they still make it/sell it at the EL counters? last time I went to sample Estee it was hidden in a cabinet that only the SA could get to!
Today my roses are deep and dark, accompanied by tart, juicy blackberries and just a kiss of amber: VS Velvet Amber Blackberry, from its d/c Parfumes Intimes fabric-inspired (cashmere, silk, lace, satin, and velvet) collection. I’m not a VS fan, but this collection was truly lovely, both in its presentation and scents; the dusting powder is especially beautiful! Velvet is soft but with a haunting presence, staying close to the skin with occasional dusky rose/blackberry whiffs to remind you of its elegant, womanly presence. Never loud or brash or too sweet or cheap-smelling, it’s as ‘touchable’ as the wine-colored velvet I wear with it.
I can almost smell it from that description!
Vintage Mitsuoko today, from my tiny vial inside a plastic baggie. Seriously, if the police raid my house, they’d freak out about all these little glass vials and multiple tiny baggies of the Precious, along with pipettes and other decanting supplies. I’m really boring, but that would look weird to the non-fragonerd.
HAHA, I always get nervous when I fly that my perfume samples are going to get me pulled out of line and questioned.
I always get searched. Always. Wanded, and often patted down.
So far, no one’s commented on the bubble bag inside the fluids bag with tiny glass vials, but I’m waiting
Lol.
Today is Les Nereides Opoponax (Oppoponax? I see it spelled both ways), which is just the ticket on a very sunny, cool winter’s day. I am a fool for benzoin, and the opoponax – benzoin vibe in this is absolute perfection.
I love that word! It makes my mouth happy to say OPPOPANOX!
Just picked up a back up bottle of that I love it so much.
Amouage Memoir for me today – I was carefuly not to overapply.
I made that mistake once, and I think it scarred me for life.
I like Les Nereides Opoponax, too and had it on the other day. It’s a big scent on me, but not too big.
IO is really sexy and sophisticated.
Today I’ve been sniffing Atelier Bois Blonds on the left wrist and Vanille Insensee on the right. They’re both great stuff. The combination makes a nice distraction from the windy, warm weather the southwest US is experiencing today. Wind makes me antsy. I’m wishing for cool days this spring, and more moderate weather for friends everywhere.
Tomorrow I think I’ll try Orange Sanguine (quite fleeting) layered with Vanille Insensee (longer lasting) to see if they play well together.
Looking forward to Friday’s Guerlain extravaganza! Guerlain has stolen my heart many times, so Friday will be a lucky day indeed. Can hardly wait to read about the Guerlains that will be worn by the NST Perfumistas (with a capital P for parfum!).
Late to the party today! Tonight, I’m wearing Chanel 19 EDT which I’ve completely ignored ever since I got the lovely extrait. I forgot how amazing the EDT is too and how different from the perfume. I’d also been hoarding it since it is one of the oldest in my collection and know how much it has changed since 2006.
Donatella….I know you are keeping track..what can I say..I sold my Christmas Kohls gift card for a bottle of perfume. I just can’t find anything I like at Kohls..you understand.
Lol..but anyway…tested some vintage Liu…it’s like Joy and Weil had a baby. With less civet than joy.
I think Donatella would approve…I certainly do!
SOTD = FM Iris Poudre
The Drydown..
I finally sort of emerge from my MIA status… I’m feeling okay, but the hubby has come down with the stomach virus plaguing his family, and I’m trying my best to keep myself and the baby safe from it!
Today I tried Memoirs of a Trespasser from the Olfactif set. I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. It was like a smoky vanilla campfire, with touches of leather and coffee. Really great for winter (though today was almost 50 and really quite nice)!
Sampling PG Indochine again tonight. It smells like the inside of a wooden Balinese theatre mask I used to own years ago, plus honey and a lick of buttered salt.
SotD was Cedrat Enivrant. I am still enjoying it 10 hours later.
LOL, wrong day. Night-night.