Update: I almost forgot two quick reminders...the swapmeet is still open, and the Lush giveaway is still open!
Our standard weekend open thread: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the last new fragrance release that sounded fantastic to you, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Sakura [cropped] by aki sato at flickr; some rights reserved.
Happy Saturday Everyone! My SOTD is BlackBerry and Bay by Jo Malone. I love “fruity” fragrances.
That’s a really nice one frm JM.My other favorite is the Red Roses Cologne.
Those two together is actually one of my fav JM layering combination!
Never tried those two together. Will have to give that a try!
I like that one too!
I love to wear Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay when I’m riding my bike. It’s the first scent I tried from JM and it has stuck with me. Today I am wearing Azuree, by Estee Lauder.
I’m wearing Orange Sanguine for the first time today. It really does smell like peeling an orange. I wanted something fresh to counteract the Womanity from figgy Friday. I liked Womanity well enough, but I got more fig in the drydown and I still don’t like fig. The Orange Sanguine is the perfect contrast. Plus, it’s supposed to be in the 80s today and sunny. So, a good day for a citrus. Have we done a citrus Friday? I know I have tons of citrus options and it would be good for a hot summer.
We did one last August and we’ll probably do another this year…
https://nstperfume.com/2014/08/08/friday-scent-of-the-day-88/
Another fragrance that’s in my regular rotation. Love OS. I get so many compliments when I wear it.
Pretty sakura photo! It’s so cold here that I just saw snowflakes outside. I can’t wait for spring weather to really start so that the landscape brightens up with some greenery and flowers.
Hey, has anyone around here tried Tauerville Rose Flash? I haven’t seen much chatter about it but I’m curious because, you know… roses at a reasonable price point… I can’t help but perk up.
Since it’s so cold I can’t bear to bust out some airy springtime fragrance, I’m wearing SL Jeux de Peau today: the weird breakfast bakery smell is pure joy, and after a few twists and turns it is just such a satisfying, comfortable, attractive perfume.
More drive by whimpering about the fallout of being rear-ended: I turned out to be allergic to the meds my doctor prescribed for my sprained neck and I’m still healing an uncomfortable, unsightly rash on my face, neck, and torso four days later. Even my eyelids and lips are rough. I feel so unattractive I just want to hide. Plus, it looks like I scuffed the bumper on my overly large and intimidating rental car so I imagine I’ll have to pony up an absurd amount of cash for it… I’m trying not to freak out over it.
Well, at least it’s still relatively early on a Saturday. Happy weekend, everyone!
aw, sorry you’re still having fallout from your accident. Make yourself a nice soothing hot beverage and chill out today if you can. I haven’t tried Rose Flash but I too am might curious about what people think of it. If it’s anything like PHI, I’m sold!
I’m sipping on Moroccan Mint tea now and I imagine I won’t do much today besides make more tea.
I have not tried PHI or any other Andy Tauer rose for that matter, but it’s definitely on my wishlist. PHI entices me because apricot, almond, and rose sound scrumptious, but on the other hand, tobacco notes are usually a major no-go for me.
I tried PHI but the tobacco was too much for me! Maroc pour Elle has some rose, I think and I love it. My sample of this is almost gone and I will get decant of this if I can, to tide me over til it surfaces at the top of my full bottle list.
I second meredifay’s comments on the PHI. I also dislike tobacco notes and that note was predominant for me. I didn’t smell the beautiful rose others had mentioned until at least an hour into the fragrance and, even then, I’m not sure if I actually smelled it or it was just wishful thinking because I was longing for that rose.! When I did ‘smell’ it, it was fleeting, at best. Oh, I think it’s definitely worth a sample, If nothing else than to compare one’s sniffing experience with others’. Even though it’s sometimes disappointing, I find it great fun!
Hope you feel better soon and can banish all those car accident bad vibes.
To clarify, it was the rose that was fleeting, not the fragrance.
Wow! So interesting how different our experiences are with this one! I get mostly rose and that sweet-gourmande almond note at top, with the tobacco adding dimension, but not really ever in the forefront for me. It is a very complex scent, though, and definitely changes throughout the wearing, and I notice different aspects under different conditions.
To me, the downside of PHI is one of those horseradishy woody amber notes that are used to substitute for sandalwood. Some people seem to be OK with them, others find them painful. It would definitely be better to sample this before buying it, if you can.
The diverse reactions to PHI sure are fascinating! Definitely not one I’d go wild with and buy blind.
I bought a Rose Flash… and really like it. I don’t think it is similar to PHI and it’s really a cute little bottle.
Oh dear, so sorry. Hope the rash heals soon, at least.
Yes, I’ve tried Rose Flash. I’m a Tauer fan-girl and own a bottle (ok, TWO) of PHI as well as Une Rose Chypree. Rose Flash has a distinctive, Tauer-esque vibe to it, and it’s definitely rose, but it is pretty one-dimensional. I would describe it as slightly spicy, bright and with whatever is in the Tauer-aid.
I would add that while I’m glad to have the little decant I have, I have no need for more.
Marjorie Rose, how was your Spring Break? Hope you got some rest.
Back to school on Monday. NO REST at all! My boyfriend moved in with me this week, and yesterday was the “let’s just get it over with” day. I spent 6 hours cleaning his apartment while he and his brother used the truck to move last-minute furniture to my place or into storage. Then, back at my place to begin putting things away. . . . I think it will take another week or two to get everything situated into my little house!
SO–not restful, but it’s a good change. I like having him around.
Sounds exhausting, but exciting!
Yay! Change is good!
Ahh congrats!! Totally hear you on the “let’s just get it over with” approach. Now it only gets better from here!
Congrats on merging with your boyfriend. It’s wonderful and exciting
I have Rose Flash and I love it. It’s a great value. Someone here, I think Mals?, said it smells like Rose Jam shower gel. I’d agree with that. It’s a big, juicy rose. Although I’m a Tauer fangirl like Marjorie Rose I had the opposite reaction – loving Rose Flash and feeling meh about PHI. PHI didn’t seem like much of a rose to me, but I need to try it again. I’m working with a little dab vial, and it doesn’t smell as expansive as many of his other scents. I do love his Une Rose Chypree and Incense Rose.
I am a Tauer fan-girl too and I love all Andy’s roses, including Rose Flash and PHI. Rose Flash is very intense, being pure perfume.
I’m another who agrees that Rose Flash smells like Lush’s Rose Jam shower gel. Which makes me very happy!
I have Tauer Rose Flash. I really like it and it was a good value. I also have PHI and really, really love it. I am not a rose fan, but these two rose scents by Tauer are wonderful on me and not sweet at all, which is what I don’t love about most rose fragrances. I do love the unmistakable signature of the Tauer fragrances, which is present in both of these.
I have nothing to say about Rose Flash since ie never smelled it.
I also got a nasty allergic rash on my face not too long ago from a moisturizer sample and what really helped was diaper rash cream. I used Desitin. The cortisone cream did nothing but the Desitin cleared it up pretty fast. I don’t have kids so it wasn’t something I had on hand but in my case it was worth the trip to the store.
Oh, of course! Thanks so much for the suggestion! I don’t have kids either so I didn’t think about a zinc / diaper rash cream, but it just might work. Going to go find some now!
Desitin is really worth having on hand for miscellaneous skin irritations!
Smart!!
Well you seem to be a low moment. You may want to consider going as “pure” in chemicals imbided and next to the skin for a while until your immune system restores itself. At least that is what I had to do. Check your credit card terms, since it may have provided insurance with the car rental.
The mint tea sounds lovely.
My mom fell and scratched her lip on the sidewalk last week. When it was at the worst it looked like she had really bad pouty poufy lips, it was so rough and swollen. The dermatologist prescribed a very expensive cream that they give to people to heal from radiation treatments and such. After five days she looks normal again!
It was a great week,today I’m just enjoying some chill-time at home.I had the privilege of publishing a blog-post for another blogger,and I’m glad it was received well.Also glad I finally did it.Ticked off on The Bucketlist.Lol.I finally got my hands on the beautiful Aedes de Venustas travel atomiser,and this has sparked my interest in other interesting travel sprays.Any suggestions for really cool ones?SOTD is TBS Smoky Poppy,I told some other friends it’s like Johnsons’ baby powder,but for Children of the corn…lol.Happy Weekend NST!
Ha ha re your baby powder for children of the corn. That is hilarious.
The By Kilian snake atomizer is pretty cool!
Yes,I’ve been eyeing that one as well!
It doubles as a finger wrap ring – I’m not sophisticated enough to know the official name for this type of ring nor bohemian enough to wear one.
I like the original BK travel atomizers, too.
I’m wearing the truly gorgeous 31 Rue Cambon this morning, kicking off a Chanel week for myself this week and looking forward to it!
Considering how much I’ve fallen for Misia I was truly surprised that I don’t have any pre-Chanel Oliver Polge, especially with the size of his ‘book’. I guess I know what I’ll be wearing on Friday
The only Polge I have is Burberry Brit Rhythm! And I currently have no Chanel! I am behind the curve here! Lol.
And I think it’s the only Men’s version of Rhythm
. I checked on Fragrantica since I planned on wearing it myself.
I had a look at his list and his photo. I think id rather do Olivier Polge than most of what’s on that list
lol! I agree with you there, Perthgirl!
Guerlain Cuir Beluga for me all day every day. I want to marry him for coming up with this perfume – haha just kidding.
I was surprised that I have more pre- Chanel Olivier Polge than I originally thought:
V&R Spicebomb
Valentino Uomo
Balenciaga Florabotanica mini (hate the fragrance, love the bottle)
and. manufacturers samples of his perfume oeuvre
I love the first hour of Cuir Belluga, but then it just disappears on me.
I need more longevity to make the FB list, but if it stuck around, it would be on there! (That and Papier d’Armenie.)
I have a mini of Balenciaga Paris, which is pretty good. Hope it’s warm enough for a ligher perfume on Friday. I found the ‘botanicas harsh. I’ve ordered a sample of Misia after reading all the praise.
Still sick today. It’s snowing and our furnace turned itself off yesterday with it’s own furnace language version of “FU, I’m done, Winter!” We called the repair people and found out it would cost $187 an hour plus parts for a weekend visit. Ten minutes after we called, the furnace magically turned on again, so we were able to cancel the service in time. Niiicccee Fuurrrnnnaceee, niiice furrrrnace (pat pat pat).
In other news, I just got a couple of bottles plus a huge assortment of samples from two very generous swappers. So it’s playtime! The sample that has intrigued me the most is labelled ‘Lily de Reve Songe pour Lui” It goes on as boozy, cedary pencil shavings and morphs into an Amouge Memoir Man-esque floral cedar oud fragrance. It is really beautiful. Of course I went straight to the internet to find out more. Turns out it’s a Majda Bekkali Sculptures Olifactives creation, but it looks like there is no longer a perfume available called Songe pour lui. I’m wondering if J’ai fait un reve pour lui is the same perfume but renamed? Does anyone know?
Dont swear at the appliances. They hear every word!!
Haha so true. It’s good to thank them every so often for their loyal service so the don’t feel taken for granted.
Our furnace gave out last week, and it said exactly the same thing, LOL…I paid nearly the price of L’Incendiaire to get it fixed.
Oh that burns. Condolences.
Last time I called to get work done on my furnace, it turned out that the master switch got tripped, and all he had to do was flip it back on. Cost me $109.
Oh Lord that hurts just hearing about it.
Well, now at least I know how to check the master switch myself! :-/
Oh that’s even worse.
The repair guy was nice enough to be embarrassed to charge me. I heard him trying to convince the person on the other end of the line to do it gratis, but she insisted.
It’s funny (or sad, depending..) how repairs or other unexpected expenses I have to lay out money for, or even stuff my husband spends money on (2 physical therapy sessions to help with knee pain), I now quickly list the bottles in my head I could be buying with what was spent.
Those two PT sessions=a FB of carnal flower..
Oh! No kidding! I think in perfume currency too when there are bills for extras. I just got a $179 bill for a ten minute nurse exam. While I was relieved to find out I don’t have a herniated disk, that money could have gotten a nice perfume (and I still wouldn’t have a herniated disk)!
Perfume currency! That’s exactly it. Lol!
Oh, how I can relate to that. I had full knee replacement surgery last April and have just stopped going to PT. Even with insurance, it was $45 a session. They had me going three times a week. It just became too expensive. Plus, there was nothing that they had me doing that I couldn’t do at home myself.
Just saw on Luckyscent that J’ai fait un Reve is indeed just a renaming of Songe pour lui. So now my fuzzy logic perfume brain take over and I must get a bottle. After all it’s better than Memoir Man and half the price!
Sorry you’re not feeling well. My hubband is under the weather too.
Also sorry about the furnace. I had an appointment to just have the boiler cleaned last week and ended up throwing the service tech out of my house. So now I need to find another oil company because I refuse to give another penny to that one.
Sorry I can’t be of help, Poodle. I know you live in my area but we use gas, not oil. If it’s any comfort, the warm weather will be here soon. Then we can open the other vein to Eversource to power our air conditioning. Ack, never mind.
Wearing a sample of Profumum Tagete. Tagete means marigold but this is a huge tuberose. Nice, but not better than my favorite, Carnal Flower.
Is it really?? What a surprise.
Yeah, I was surprised too.
Ive just booked my holiday to Morocco- 6 weeks to go!
I plan on bringing Morocco themed decants- LDDM, Moroc pour Elle, Chergui, Ouarzazate… can anyone think of any others??
I also changed my Dubai stopover from an hour (no time to shop) to 9 hours which was my only option.. at least ill have lots of sniffing time! Im hoping to *maybe* buy Kalemat or the new Kalemat Amber oil that Kafkaesque recently reviewed.. and maybe another of the Guerlain Arab series as I bought Songe d’une Bois d’Ete last year and there’s still Rose Nacree and the other one…
Lucky you, I”m jealous!!
I love Morroco! Where are you going? I remember walking through the huge market in Fez, there was an area with dozens of different sorts of shelled almonds lined up in big crates. It smelled heavenly.
I cant wait! Starting in Casablanca, then Rabat- Meknes- Volubilis- Fes-Midelt- camping in the Sahara
– Todra Gorge- Ait Benhaddou- Aroumd- Essaouira and Marrakech 
I read something about perfume blocks they have in the souks- amber, musk etc used for perfumery. Did you come across these? If so, do you know what one does with them?! Lol
Sounds wonderful. Fez and Marrakech were my favorites of the big cities. I didn’t find perfumes of any sort when I was there, but I wasn’t really looking for them.
Hey, you’re taking my dream vacation! You must report back on your scouting trip!
Oh i will indeed! Im so glad my airline has a 30kg luggage allowance!!! :-/
So fun! I would love to see Morocco one day.
Une Rose Nacrée is so beautiful! And Morocco must be a great place to visit.
I think of SL A la Nuit as being inspired by the scent of jasmine blooming at night in Morocco. I can’t recall whether I read that somewhere, or if I came to that conclusion myself, based on his connections to Morocco and the Moroccan love of jasmine. I do have a very definite recollection of a colleague telling me about living in Morocco in the 1980s, and seeing Moroccan men with sprigs of jasmine tucked behind their ears.
A La Nuit’s a great idea, thanks Nozknoz.
All the Moroccan inspired frags i can think of are spicey, and being spring some florals would be appropriate. I was thinking maybe orange blossom too. Spain is just a stones throw away so maybe Seville a l’aube too..
Seville a l’aube is so versatile, too – that would be a great choice. The Moorish side of Spain is quite wonderful, also.
Dying of jealousy!! Can’t wait to hear all.
I love that picture! It’s especially appropriate for me because I am burning Shoyeido Kyoto Cherry Blossoms incense this morning. It’s very tart and pretty, with a touch of rhubarb.
Oh that sounds lovely. I don’t have any heavily floral incense, I should get some.
Oooh, that incense sounds lovely. I am going to go look it up and it to my to-try list. I love Shoyeido Kyoto Autumn Leaves incense… predictably, I use it most often in the fall! The Cherry Blossom version certainly sounds more fitting for springtime.
Carrying on the fig theme today with Miller Harris Figure Amere from a dab sample. It’s very nice, but I’m not sure I’m getting much fig. Lots of balsam and cedar, though. Mmmm.
Not much fig out of that one for me either. I moved on quickly.
Funny, that one smells faintly of fig but mostly of chocolate on me. Must be why it’s my favorite fig fragrance.
I’m sampling Slumberhouse Kiste today. So far, I get lots of peach and honey and some of the boozy note is starting to appear. I’m a big fan of their Pear & Olive and might really like this one, too. Just have to see how it is on me after a little more wearing time.
I want to try that one- it sounds nice. Better than my blind sampling of their Attack of the Killer Strawberry one. That one scared me
I’ve been meaning to get a decant of Pear and Olive. I think I’d like it better sprayed and all I have is a dabber.
I had a dabber and ended up getting a decant. It does make a difference. I am at the point where I am ready to buy a full bottle! I know a lot of people will frown on this, but I always spritz my SOTD on my shirt / blouse. Not a lot, but just a few sprays. I did this with Pear & Olive and it stayed ALL DAY!
I ALWAYS spray my clothes! Its the only way to guarantee some longevity.
Tell us more! That one’s on my ‘to try’ list.
I just sampled Kiste last night. Not for me – lots of peach and tobacco which sounded good, but for some reason Slumberhouse scents just never work for me. It felt flat and unfinished on my skin. I was really hoping this would be the one for me but I think I just need to cross this brand off my list. Oh well!
Funny about the Attack of the Killer Strawberry smelling one from Slumberhouse. Kiste is already starting to change a bit on me and it’s kind of smelling a little like Southern Comfort liqueur. I mean that in a good way.
Southern Comfort? I was hoping someone would describe it like that. It could be my next blind buy now.
Chilly enough today that I’m wearing Intoxicated from Kilian. I’m getting more coffee than the last time I tried it when it was almost a cardamom solo piece. There really needs to be more coffee perfumes
I really need to try this. Cardamom and coffee are two of the best smells created
I like that one a lot. I found it to be just the right amount of coffee.
Agree on needing more coffee scents created!
I love Intoxicated! It’s my favorite By Kilian in a while.
More coffee scents!
No SOTD yet and my internet is spotty since I’m on DSL and the phone line is static-y.
I just posted a freebies list in the Swapmeet post so go take a look y’all.
Yay Hajusuuri!
I’m wearing vintage No. 5 cologne that was an added surprise from a swap–I have the edp in vintage, but the cologne is lovely, the aldehydes are so fizzy.
Trying to get motivated to start running again–I try to walk for 30-45 minutes each day, but I miss that runner’s high. I have to take care of my 60-year-old knees, though, so I can’t just plunge in. Any tips/advice?
I’m not a runner, so I’m no good with specific advice. In general, though, whenever I’ve been out of the gym for a while, I return with o’er-lofty goals. So, I’ve learned to take whatever it is I think I can do and dial it back by at least 20% for the first week. Always better to feel like you can do more than you did than to feel like you overdid it! Good luck!
I’m not a runner but have heard / read that it’s important to running shoes designed for running for your feet type since they will help absorb the shock.
Start slow! I’ve done the ChiRunning method for years, and it’s kept me in good condition. Also, make sure you do some strength work. I recently came across Strength Running online, and the advice looks solid.
I have been trying to find a good exercise blog–something like the NST community with good information, short articles on the latest research, etc.–but it’s been tough to find one that isn’t just an author hawking their wares or with some goofy fad they’ve jumped on board with!
I hear ya! I looked at the weightlifting books you mentioned recently, and then wimped out and looked for something less intense. Maybe it’s time for NST to do an exercise offshoot.
(I enjoy the scent of Chanel No. 22 when I run.)
Ha! Yeah, I like my workouts on the intense side.
I’m still feeling my lunges from two days ago. . . :-]
I nearly always wear scent when I go to the gym, but I do try to be kind about it–nothing that blooms too big. OTOH, there’s that handful whose personal. . . uh. . . “sillage” is so dominant and overwhelming, I think I’m doing folks a favor if they can smell some spicy roses as I walk by!
You could try “Strong Women Stay Young” by Miriam E. Nelson Ph.D.
Thanks kindcrow, I will!
Marjorie Rose, the book is probably not intense enough for you
Glucosamine and chondroitin!
Physical therapy to make sure your hips are right so they aren’t putting excess pressure on your knees.
Really good running shoes!
Fox, if you are able to alternate running with some other form HIIT, that would be a great way to spare your knees. Spinning is a favorite of mine and it’s great for your knees since there is no impact and you are strengthening the major muscles in your thighs, which help support and protect your knees.
Strength training and focusing on development of your quads is another way of supporting your knee. If you have any arthritis or deterioration of cartilage inside the knee, I wouldn’t recommend any high impact exercise that possibly can have a negative effect on the knee joint.
Any HIIT exercise can get you that “runners high” you are looking for, which is just a release of endorphins. I LOVE endorphins myself, and never even think of saying “No Thanks” when they ask me out
Agree with endorphins from other exercises! It’s part of why I lift with such intensity. I feel GREAT afterwards–powerful and elated!
Definitely from HIIT, but also, I swear, from even slower yoga classes if you really learn to do proper yoga breathing.
I totally believe that. Yoga looks deceptively easy but requires incredible strength and stamina.
It would probably be best to ease back in with a run/walk program. If you do get pain, including hips or back, it’s probably not joints per se, but rather tendinitis or sore supporting muscles. A physical therapist can tailor exercises address specific to any imbalances.
Also, it appears that running isn’t actually bad for knees: arthritis.http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/why-runners-dont-get-knee-arthritis/
My brother swears by Yin Yoga as a complement to running. I think he also cross trains.
Happy Saturday, all! I am in the 5-hour process of getting my hair redone. I’ve decided to color over the blue and go back to a closer-to-natural brown. Then, perhaps a few peak-a-boo pink highlights at the neckline. . . .
SOTD Chanel No. 19. I smell good!
My co-worker does those fun and creative colors. So brave! Our boss, however, requested she wear a wig onsite at the banking events we work on. Not a crowd that can handle purple hair.
I am a middle school teacher in a school where over 80% of the kids are considered “disadvantaged.” I actually think my punky hair (and the ocassionally peeking tattoo) helps me connect better with kids and their parents! Of course, principals haven’t been universally supportive, but there’s nothing they can officially say about it. I would be pretty embarrassed to wear a wig!
Makes total sense and love that you’re that passionate about your work and students!
In my background profession which i no longer work in, i was a consultant in a job that few people do. I was offered an acting position on a local council- then they requested i take out my nose piercings. I know it was a conservative suburb but I found it highly insulting! Me having piercings had absolutely nothing to do with my ability to do my job!!
I am letting my gray grow out and am planning on adding a little flair now and again with some purple or pink hair chalk. My way of letting people know I am still alive and kicking. Rock that hair, girl!!
I’m greying early (started to see greys at 20). I will have to decide how to deal with it some day–certainly not my goal to hide it. It’s amazing how many options there are now if you want to add some character!
Ack. Peek-a-boo. I know there are some grammar-philes who noticed. . .
I wonder if anyone had been put off a certain perfume from a bad experience (like how you never/hardly touch a certain food again when it made you sick once)?
The cool weather recently is perfect for my bottle of Jeux de Peau but whenever I open the cap and smell it, I am reminded of the time during last summer when I wore it and the thick sandalwood made me very, very nauseous… (My friend convinced me that the heat really “brought out” the beautiful woodiness. Oh yeah, it brought out EVERYTHING alright. Do not attempt this lightly….)
Yes,actually!I was in a car crash a couple of years back.I didn’t realise the car infront of me was braking(no WORKING brake lights!!)and had to steer to the left quite fast.I couldn’t control the car back onto the road and crashed into a billboard,which led to the car flipping over,rolling downhill.LOL.Scary,but I was OK.Except I never ever EVER want to smell Paloma Picasso Minotaur again.
Oh gosh!
How horrifying it must had been for you! I am so glad you were okay!
Shame on that driver for not fixing up his car!!!
An incident like that definitely screams enough for a fragrance.
Do you drive now? I will most probably be too afraid to be behind the wheel again, or at least for a very, very long time..
I was jittery for a week or so,but no,I’m fine driving now!I live in the countryside,work in the city,it’s about 40 miles commute each day on the freeway.I’ve just become very alert to how others drive after that!
That’s an impressively short recovery period!
I always keep a “4 seconds distance” between my self and the car in front if the traffic allows it because I am so paranoid!
I haven’t been able to wear Amoureuse since my mother died. I knew she liked it, and it was what I wore when she was dying, since she was mostly in a coma and I wanted her to know I was in the room. It was such a hard death for such a lovely woman, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to wear Amoureuse again, though I still have the bottle.
I am so sorry for your loss.. My deepest condolences to you.
I am sure she knew that you were beside her during those last moments. :’)
Oh I’m so sorry for all your awful scent associations. How easily it happens.
My negative associations where I no longer wear the perfume are mainly due to ex boyfriends. Some are just because the lifestyle i had when I wore that perfume I no longer have. I’m more aware now of how easily experiences can imprint themselves with scent memory, so i have actually made myself keep wearing a perfume once the associated memory had happened to fade that memory and blend it out. But it didnt make me sick
im not sure how you deal with that one (Ive still not regained my love for Indian curries after being almost force fed when i was really sick about 5 years ago. It will come back 
)
Perthgirl, I also sometimes try to over-ride the negative thought memory, as you describe. Still, there is one perfume which I used to like, but fills me with too much sadness to wear now: Lancome Benghal. I grabbed it as I rushed to the airport after I heard my beloved brother had had a devastating stroke. I wore it every day to the hospital, through the anxious moments and strong desire that he would regain speech and the ability to read. But it still hasn’t happened – 6 years later. I feel for him every day.
Oh Ida what an awful situation! How especially heartbreaking to have memories of life and vigour and yet a totally different reality.
It’s my belief that we all choose our destinys for our own growth, and you must all be very strong people. Im sure he feels the love of his family.
I agree with perthgirl. He definitely feels all the love and care from the family.
Stay strong and hopeful!
I recently gave away some of my favorite perfumes because they were so strongly associated with my ex, when I tore them they made me cry.
Hang in there! I agree. Give them away and forget them along with those memories. The best is yet to come!
I have a used once travel spray of Tabac Aurea that I can not wear anymore. The first day I wore it a SUV full of women I had never seen before started throwing stuff at my car (I had just gotten in to leave the grocery store), screaming at me, and trying to run me off the road. They followed me for about 15 minutes until I drove to the nearest fire station. I think they had mistaken me for someone else since there was an identical vehicle to mine (pretty distinctive) that was often parked at the low rent apartments down the street and these girls were obviously out to do some damage. I still can’t smell Tabac Aurea without feeling slightly panicked so I should probably rehome my bottle eventually.
How frightening!
Wow. That was dangerous! Thank god things didn’t get more personal than the car assault and that you got away safely.
Smart move for driving to the fire station! Those mad girls don’t even come close in logical and rational thinking. Please make sure you have the right “target”?
I can’t wear Blanche Immortelle. When a close friend’s partner texted me to say that the hospital told her to get in contact with Beth’s friends and family, I literally fed the cat and flew out the door, booking the next flight out while on the train to the airport. I hadn’t brought a change of clothes or anything but I always have some random samples in my purse and this is what I was wearing when they pulled life support 2 days later. At least it was a sample and not something I was deeply attached to
I am very sorry for what happened.
Yes, it was something that you were attached to, it would become a sadness reminder than the comforting aid that it used to be.
I bought a bottle of Tokyo Bloom yesterday and I’m very happy with it. It’s my second favourite from The Different Company, after Sel de Vetiver and ahead of Bois d’Iris. I keep thinking that it’s underrated and more people should check it out, especially people who are looking for a different take on green. The dandelion note makes it unique to my nose and it’s fresh, creamy and very slightly bitter all at the same time. It’s especially great for spring.
That sounds really interesting. Will have to go on my sample list. Love Sel de Vetiver.
Sel de Vetiver is genius. I have bought it twice for my boyfriend for two obvious reasons: 1) to be the best girlfriend in the world and 2) to be able to steal it whenever I need it.
I agree- does sound sample-worthy
Ooooh, I’m becoming pretty nervous now – all this responsibility!
Same here, onto the sample list it goes
I really like this one as well. It feels so fresh and alive to me.
Thank you! Good to hear I’m not the only fan. And yes, it’s fresh, but not boring-fresh, if you know what I mean.
I needed a spicy floral to counteract the snow, yet still have hopes for spring. PHI Une Rose de Kandahar it is! I have a sample vial of it, so I don’t think it’s very strong.
Happy weekend everyone! I am marinating in Narcisco, which I’ve come to really love. Just found out I have to work on Easter – the animal shelter has to be staffed 365 days a year. It’s only for 5 hours, but it’s in the middle of the day, which means I’ll have to miss our family gathering. Maybe next year when I have a little more seniority I can request an earlier or later shift.
I know that feeling. When your job is caring for animals or people there is no such thing as a holiday.
I have another question i just remembered:
Has anyone tried Tiziana Terenzi XIX March?
The notes are:
Orange, green leaves, mint, nettle
Lavender, cinnamon, clove, jasmine
Sandalwood, cedar, musk, vetiver, nutmeg, rosemary.
Strawberrynet have the line in and this one sounds quite lovely but id like some trusted opinions
I don’t have the XIX March, but I have their White Fire. TT says it is an extrait, but I have to apply a lot–it’s more a cologne strength in my view. Longevity is not great, either. On the bright side, I do like the scent and it does come in a 100ml container so I just spray, spray, spray.
I’m wearing Osmanthus Interdite which I’m really loving, and purchased a decant having gone thru my sample this past week. I’d like to find where I can meet an Osmanthus plant/flower as it is so interesting looking and I’d love to smell it for real.
Off to the library to renew my library card, who knew it expires!?!
If there are any botanical gardens near you, they may have an osmanthus. Then the challenge is to figure out when it might be blooming and remember to go at the right time.
That’s a good idea! I’ll see if those here in NYC have any. Thanks!
Love the photo! So soft and pretty
SOTD is the late arriving Guerlain Terracotta, which is nothing like I expected. At all. It does initially feel like a BWF, albeit a warm and creamy one.
It is much sweeter than I was expecting and the dry down seems to be rather gourmand-ish, at least on me. I don’t smell coconut per se, but definitely deep, warm, creamy….and edible.
It reminds me of something but I have not been able to put my finger on exactly what. So the jury is still out, but it feels familiar and foreign at the same time. Not being a floral gal, I have nothing even remotely similar to this. I am going to live in it a while and get back with y’all
I’m just back from the mall where I just tried Terracotta. Sweet flowers and butter toffee popcorn. Anyone remember Fiddle Faddle? Do they still make it? That’s what I’m smelling. It took me like half an hour to dig up the association. Ha!
I DO remember Fiddle Faddle! It was one of my mothers favorite snacks when I was a kid. More than the smell, I remember the box sitting next to the loveseat in her bedroom where she would sometimes read bodice rippers into the wee hours of the morn. Ding Dong’s were another favorite of hers
We have been waiting to hear what you thought. I was a little concerned when you said you weren’t a BWF girl. I am sure if you don’t like it, someone will be glad to take if off your hands.
Kris, honestly, I am a little conflicted about it. I wore it 2 days in a row and I still can’t decide. I think more surprising than anything is the fact that it’s SO SWEET. I just was not expecting that. It was an impulse buy and I’m not too sure if I will keep it or pass it on…
Lesson learned
Hello everyone! Hope you’re all having a good weekend. Yesterday was my 16th wedding anniversary. Hubband worked all day and had an event last night so I didn’t see him at all. My solitary celebration consisted of coloring my hair, painting my nails, and eating a bagel for supper. All while looking at sinks, faucets, and other kitchen stuff to try and get this project off the ground. Ugh.
Anyway, today we woke up and hubband has an awful cold so we won’t be doing anything for our anniversary it seems. I did buy myself his gift for me and he was kind enough to wrap it. So I’m the happy recipient of a bottle of Absolue Pour le Soir today.
Pick another day and declare that to be ‘anniversary day’ this year. That’s what I do when life does not cooperate with important events
Good idea! Congrats on the anniversary and the fume though! I love APLS.
Big congrats! I’m at 15 this year and I do not know where the time has gone.
That’s a great anniversary present. Enjoy!
Congratulations! As far as I’m concerned anniversaries can be celebrated anytime anniversary-ish. Heck, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary (Oct. 1) 3 months late, because we wanted to celebrate at the Ice Hotel in Quebec City. And Absolue Pour le Soir is a beautiful scent. You can always celebrate after your kitchen is done, and you don’t have that stress hanging over your head.
Yes I agree. Pick another day or weekend getaway to celebrate when everyone is rested and feeling better. Congratulations and enjoy your Absolue!!
Happy Anniversary! I agree with everyone above. Celebrate at a later date and it will be just as sweet!
Thanks everyone! We will pick another day I’m sure. I may have been stuck in the house this weekend but at least I smelled good and I was able to really spritz without a care because he’s all stuffed up and can’t smell a thing.
Happy Saturday to all of you, my Saturday is nearly over. It has been spent attending a course from work.
I was sustained by the cool beauty of Carnal Flower, it gave me just the backbone I needed!
Work’s been miserable of late, so I decided to do some retail therapy and go perfume-sniffing at the local MegaMall this morning. I do very little in-person shopping so this is a pretty rare event for me… malls kinda make me lose my will to live.
My goal was to sniff a few Guerlains… Terracotta and the Les Deserts d’Orient collection. I had such an entertaining (to me) time with the various SAs, had to pass it along to those who might appreciate
I did not expect pronunciation to be my biggest hurdle. Those 5 years of jr high / high school French have to be worth something, right? So I march up to the perfume counter to ask about Guerlain… pronounced gair-lin, swallow that N. Blank looks at Nordies, Sephora, Macy’s… the SA at Macy’s though was kind enough to correct me: “Oh, ger-LANE. Over here” Ohhh kay.
“Les Deserts d’Orient” was a hopeless fiasco.
Nordie’s had Terracotta. “Very hydrating!” says the SA. I didn’t point out that alcohol, whether in you or on you, is rather the opposite of hydrating. I did have to ask for Terracotta (at least we can all pronounce that). No bottles on display, and it turns out their testers were in a big ziploc bag in a drawer. Huh. “We sold out last year!” said the SA. Kinda hard to imagine how, if it’s not even on display, but what do I know about retail anyway.
Macy’s only had Shalimar. Seriously? That’s the only Guerlain they have? Actually the SA was quite confident that that was the only scent Guerlain makes.
Well anyway, I got to try Terracotta. Found an Art of Shaving shop so got to try their Sandalwood. Futzed around with all the TF’s at Nordie’s while I was being ignored by the 3 idle SAs there. So I came home with Terracotta on my left wrist, Art of Shaving Sandalwood on my right wrist, TF Grey Vetiver on the back of one hand, and Plum Japonais all over the fingers of my other hand. Drove home with the car window open
And I’m just gonna have to order samples of Les Deserts from STC. Probably won’t be visiting the mall again anytime soon. Snort.
Ha! Yes, I’ve learned that my French is nearly useless in perfume shopping and pronouncing small towns in Minnesota! Mille Lacs (“MEEL lahk”) = “Mill-LAX”
Heh, I went to college in St Louis. The town of “Florissant” is pronounced “Flourescent”. Of course here in CA we butcher Spanish. “Vallejo” is “Va-lay-ho”, “Paso Robles” is, well, just read it in English…. ha
We do it here in Houston too. The major street to the north of where I live is San Felipe. It’s not uncommon to hear people pronounce it “San FILL-uh-pee”.
Ha! You’re right. Our news reporters are notorious for butchering that street’s name. Also, my brother had a friend from up North come down here to Houston and they stopped at Jack In The Box. My brother’s friend ordered some jalapenos – he pronounced it ( ja – lap – a – noes) instead of (hall – a – peen – o’s).
Fun read
Macy’s can be infuriating.
I had a similar experience perfume browsing in Bloomingdale’s this afternoon. Makes you want to do all your perfume shopping online!
Very funny! I think I mostly know how to pronounce, the trouble is: I do it with hesitation – which probably adds to the confusion – just because French can sound sooo pretentious!
Not as pretentious as a pretty-boy SA “correcting” my pronunciation of 24 Faubourg by saying “Oh, you mean FAB-erg”. Yeesh.
It’s daunting to see the whole array of Tom Fords! My mind goes blank and I can’t remember what I’ve read about them or been meaning to try.
Totally. Too many identical bottles, shortcircuits my brain!
That’s why I haven’t properly sniffed the Amouage Opus line, I’m sure!
There are only 8 Amouages in the Opus line, so it might be feasible.
Crap! I’ve been pronouncing Guerlain wrong all these years! I’ve even been to the big shop in Paris. Embarrassing. thanks for the laugh this morning.
My favorite SA experience was when a guy at Bergdorfs asked me if I wanted a spray of something (as he had his finger poised over the sprayer). I told him No! That stuff really stinks! And he burst out laughing (just totally lost it).
Some of the SA’s at Bergdorf’s are genuinely knowledgeable, and often when you chat, quite nice.
I have never had anything but frustration at Macys when purchasing anything.
On the other hand, the Macy’s at my local mall is apparently so bad that when I once met an executive of the national brand, and when I mentioned to her the name of my local Macy’s, she turned red and said “oh, that location is not really typical of our store’s.”
Wait now I can’t tell who’s kidding and who’s being serious but in any event, if you haven’t seen it already, Frag Name of the Day is such an awesome site for learning fragrance name pronunciations (or, conversely, for anyone who wants to improve her French but finds it tedious unless combined with perfume!!) Here’s the Guerlain post: http://fragnameoftheday.blogspot.com/2010/01/guerlain.html
Oh, thank you so much for this!
That reminds me… I must update it.
Also treated myself to retail therapy and came home with Geranium & verbena and Birch & Black pepper
Happy weekend all , going on a road trip today to the Central Coast of NSW so I’m in Bulgari Black .
Wanted something to last all day and keep me interested . As winter is on its way here in OZ I’m getting excited to be getting back into the heavy hitters. I’m about to dust of co co and give her some skin time. Eagerly awaiting Misia to hit the stores so I can test it out .
Co Co is one of the best perfumes ever made. Checking Google images, that looks like a seriously beautiful coast!
Agree x 2 .
Wishing u were here
I think I witnessed the full mainstreaming of oud today. I was in the grocery store and saw a display of those wax melt air freshener things, and I kid you not, there was an oud one. Seriously.
I haven’t seen one in person, but I think that this constitutes full mainstreaming: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tree-Oud-Wood-Freshener/dp/B0043RBEBU/ref=cm_rdp_product
And Aquolina has just come out with a line of oud body products…
Black Sugar
That too! But these are called Pure Oud or something.
Hilarious.
Totally loving all the things I got in the swap – sample heaven. Thanks everyone.
SOTD: Indochine
Thinking of starting something new. Since I am about to complete March’s no buying decants. I’m thinking of an April no buying full bottles of perfume. I’ve spent way too much money the past couple months buying vintage.
You are strong and have will power. This is something that I struggle with also; spending too much money on fragrances. Congrats on getting through March. Keep us updated on your progress. Stay strong!
But I am doing one last blast before the 1st. Either vintage Bal or vintage Mitsouko.
A commenter posted the information below on a DC area weather blog I follow – might be of interest to gardeners among us. I don’t recall if she overwinters the pots outdoors or in a garage.
“Tulip varieties Sanne, Monte Carlo and Schoonoord are all good bets for forcing. My pots have been through hell this winter, and these still flowered for me. All three are described as fragrant; the Monte Carlo is by far the nicest smelling, with Sanne in distant second and no scent at all detected on the double white Schoonoord.”
This morning I went to church with my cousins and afterwards we went for an early Italian dinner. I wore Atkinson’s Jasmine & Tangerine. Later in the early evening I was still so full from dinner and went to the gym to work out. The man next to me on one of the bikes commented how good I smelled. So it lasted most of the day and it really does smell great!