Coming up on May 16: our annual haiku challenge.
Today, our same old weekend open thread: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the fragrance you think you don't love anymore, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Dernière tulipe [cropped] by E. D'Ascoli Photographies at flickr; some rights reserved.
Oooh! First out of the gate this morning! (Ha! Apropos to Derby day. . . ) In any case, good morning all! I am trying to squish a weekend’s worth of resting into this morning and tomorrow morning, as I have social engagements both afternoons (and somewhere in there there’s groceries, cooking, and the gym to attend to)–AAHHH! Oops. NOT resting.
Restart. SO! I am wondering what sorts of fragrances folks reach for on a lazy weekend! Do you go for cozy to be restorative? (Jacomo No. 8 to slow down with a warm cup of spiced tea, perhaps?)
Do you go for light and airy? (My collection is admittedly weak in this area.)
Or do you go aspirational? (If I sniff this Bronze Goddess hard enough, I can *almost* believe I’m on vacation. . . )
I am wearing Vanilla Incense by Atelier – I find it to be cozy. Have you tried it or even like colognes?
Great choice! This is a weekend or weeknight bedtime regular for me. VI has body for a cologne, and it made me think “Hmm, maybe i do like oak moss”
I have a few scents I’d describe as colognes–mostly variations on the fig-and-citrus theme. I only like them when the weather is truly hot and sultry, which are relatively rare in my part of the world. Otherwise, I find them too mild to be of much interest. Generally, I’m a presence and sillage kinda girl. 😉
VI might surprise you with its character. If you see it, give it a sniff and report back some time. I am not a cologne fan in general, would be curious to hear your thoughts!
I bought a sample set from Atelier, and I’m sorry to report they’re just not my style. WAY too polite. (Jo Malone is another example of categorically NOT ME.) They can smell interesting in the start, but once they settle down, if I can only smell them with wrist-to-nose, then it’s not worth it, IMO! I think I just have to accept that I’m just not a very subtle person. 😉
Anyways good to know 🙂
Oh, yes, I agree! I know they get a lot of love–I hope I didn’t sound too forceful in my reply! I find it so interesting how differently our emotional responses to fragrances can be!
Not to worry, I feel the same! Makes this hobby endlessly fascinating.
Plenty of “not me” out there, and you’ve got to call it when you smell it. Respect. 🙂
I see-a little on the expensive side-have you ever tried Amouage? The dry downs are fab, they are not polite and sometimes not approachable. I wear Journey Woman a lot of the weekends also.
Oh, yes, I’m a big Amouage fan. I own three bottles (so far)–Lyric, Ubar and Memoir. I especially find Lyric to be aspirational-weekend-appropriate! And I agree, the drydowns stay interesting and wonderful for hours. As far as I’m concerned, that makes them worth the money!
Those are very beautiful-you smell fab!
Good morning! It’s late afternoon here already. I tend to do most of my testing in the weekends and Saturday is also the only day when I can realistically visit the perfume shops here, so that’s what I’ve done today. This means no scent on Saturday morning, for maximum testing efectiveness 🙂 But generally speaking, I go either very nice and easy (Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt or Olfactive Studio Lumierre Blanche) or pretty dramatic, something I usually don’t wear to work (although I do wear most of my stuff to work, even if it’s intense) – Bandit maybe or Mahora or Aziyade, to name a few.
I love WS&SS! I love that it’s a cold beach smell rather than a tropical smell. And no suntan lotion!
I like it a lot, too. It’s not going to change the world, but it’s comfortable in a non-boring way.
Generally, I’m a chores-in-the-morning weekender, with relaxing in the afternoon, if I’m lucky enough. I don’t mind testing while doing chores–if I dislike it, chances are good some dishes will be washed soon enough–but if I’m trying to totally loaf about, testing can feel like another chore.
I love big scents, but I admit, I’ve gotten less polite about only wearing them on weekends! I figure I can wear a couple sprays of something big-ish and it won’t be too much for most of the people I encounter during the day (and it might wash over the scent of teen pervasive in the halls)!
I am always so happy when I encounter someone wearing a big fragrance I can smell, I really enjoy it. I even like those dreaded elevator episodes – I’m not very sensitive and I can handle a little suffocation. I just like smelling what people wear, even if it’s something I actively dislike. The only thing holding me back (somewhat) from going totally overboard myself is the fear of causing genuine distress for some people. But at some point I wore Fracas to work for several months, so clearly I’m not very restrained (I had my own office, though).
Hahaha! Yeah, few months of Fracas does not suggest much restraint!
And I think I’m with you–I like knowing that someone is wearing a scent, even if I don’t love it.
It was a few years ago, just after I had discovered NST and realized that there is a whole world of non-mainstream scents out there. Fracas was the result of that realization, but I hadn’t really started reading the comments yet, so didn’t know that you can, you know, mix it up:) But I loved wearing Fracas every single time and still do.
Funny you mentioned people wearing big scents and loving it. Today while out shopping a very elderly lady walked by me and smelled just beautiful. I told her so and she was so happy. It is her 80th birthday today. She reached in her handbag and gave me a purse size spray of it! The scent… Red Door. Have a great weekend everyone!
Love your story, VeraJayne. And lots of salted caramel points (I give these instead of brownie ones) are coming your way for complimenting a stranger.
Well, it is going to be 80 degrees in South Dakota today so I went with Bronze Goddess. I figured no matter what I do for the day it will work!
Ack! Too early for 80 degrees! I assume S. D. gets as muggy as Minnesota in the summertime? (That’s my only midwestern reference point.) I chose the BG, too–helps me feel like I’m sitting by the pool or something. We smell good! And you’re right, it’s very versatile.
I am originally from Minnesota and SD is pretty much the same weather. Probably a little bit more windy, but the humidity does show up. Glad to see some old Midwesterners on here.
I originally hail from SD as well! Nice to see a fellow Dakotan here! 🙂 And nice choice!
I’m taking advantage of the last of the cooler days to wear darker, sweeter scents which are my favorites. I guess the choice depends on weather, mood, activity. This AM is SSS Ambre Noir layered with L’Erbolario Maharees. Mmmmm. The cizy/restorative category. Off to the farmer’s market!
Good question! I love to laze about on weekends, but i mostly choose my perfume to match my mood/weather on weekends. If i am going thrift shopping, i do like to wear something big so that folks give me some elbow room 😉
Haven’t decided yet what to wear today, might be Rosa Nobile.
I go aspirational/elegant on the weekends so I don’t feel like the resident housekeeper/washerwoman. 😉 I’ll also test new things or wear frags that may be too much during the work week. I try to get my chores done in the morning and then chill in the afternoons, but that doesn’t always work. This morning b/c it was sunny and just gorgeous, I was working on some garden plans and checking what lived as things are still poking up. I hope this year my peonies are finally mature enough to bloom! But the bastard deer already chopped the tops of my bearded iris, so we’ll see how they end up doing.
Today, I’m totally doused in vintage Chamade pdt, and I smell like spring heaven! Have a nice weekend everyone!!!
Weekends are when I try out new fragrances (because being stuck in something unloved or too loud at work is just awkward), although if I know I’m going to be out in the garden later I stick with non-florals in a probably vain attempt to avoid attracting bees. I love bees and have lots of things in the garden to attract them and keep them occupied, but bee stings are really unpleasant.
Wearing Desarmant today. I really hate packing and moving. I am at the point where I’ve visibly made a dent in the books and perfumes but not enough that I don’t feel like I’m trudging through with no end in sight
I hate packing too…good luck!
Hang in there, Rena! You can do it! Moving is so unfun. I hope you can turn on some good tunes and think of the new adventures ahead. Best wishes on your move.
Oh we know you smell good! Lovely scent.
Packing is truly no fun. Good luck with the move. Hopefully unpacking will be more enjoyable.
I have a week and a half to pack and theoretically forever to unpack (glaring at the half unpacked boxes in living room that will have to be unpacked first so I don’t bring junk with me)
I am recently getting sick of Beige.
It was my wedding perfume so I feel sort of odd about not liking it right now.
When I spray it lately I feel like I am getting back handed by a floral bomb.
I will revisit it later on this summer
That does make it hard to fall out of love with it. Agree — put it away for a time.
Let it sit and think about is behavior.
Sometimes a fragrance just needs to take a time out!
Yes, Beige needs a time out..
I know just what you mean. Sometimes my wedding scents (Chanel 22 for City Hall, and Hanbury for the garden party a few months later) just don’t have the magic. I approach this in one of two ways. If I want to think about the wedding magic, I’ll look at pictures, or reminisce with my wife or family and friends, or maybe visit the garden where we had the party. (I actually did go back to City Hall once for some paperwork, and surprisingly I got some magic memories there too!) I might not wear any perfume at all for those activities. If I want to experience the perfume magic, then I just wait for a day when those scents are calling out to me.
I wore SSS Velvet Rose on my wedding day – small intimate garden wedding. It was the right fragrance for the day and my feelings – it was very hot too! I have great sentimental feelings for it, but I don’t wear it that often. I’ll wear it once and a while and think, this is what I wore on my wedding day when it was so hot, and Emily was a baby, and my mom’s Van Fleet roses were blooming and we put some David Austin Abraham Darby roses on the cake, etc. I wanted SUPER garden wedding, and I got it! But then it passes on as my lovely memory. My tastes are always changing. There’s no reason to feel bad b/c you don’t want to wear Beige. It’s just one of many frags you’ll love or have feelings about your whole life. Cheers!
Thanks Ann-that is well said and you have the right attitude!
I also got married in a garden! A garden in NYC though..
Me too! 🙂
OH! I just planted a David Austin rose in my yard! I’m very excited about it! I wanted a Darby rose, but the nursery didn’t have one, so I got Jude the Obscure. *fingers crossed* it will be happy back there!
Jude is supposed to be easier to grow (except balling in wet weather). Abraham Darby is actually more high maintenance than they let on! I am jealous – I used to try to grow DA in my zone 5/5b garden, but they’ve all died. Our summer’s aren’t long enough for them. I’m very sad – I lost about 12 DAs in 4 years. I do grow some Canadian Explorer roses and a few other tough mystery roses, so I get some, but not the DAs I was in love with. I hope & know you will have much more luck in rose friendly PDX!
Oh, I’m so sorry about your roses! Do you have a good nursery who would refund you your money? I’ve been so surprised to realize what an investment plants can be.
I’m a novice gardener but an old-hat at nerdy research, so I’ve done a ton of reading before planting my garden this past year. My challenge is that my yard isn’t really full sun ever. I would say it varies from dappled light to open shade to afternoon sun. I planted the rose where it’s on the edge of the open shade/ afternoon sun end of the garden. All I’ve read said it should be OK, just perhaps not quite as prolific a bloomer. I do hope so. I want a knock-out centerpiece to the bed I placed it in, and a big, voluptuous rose bush would do it!
When I get tired of a favorite fragrance but I want to give it another try I switch to dabbing instead of spraying. I like Beige better dabbed from a vial.
I’m in Ormonde Woman, which is dark and mysterious and is as badly misnamed as Ormonde Man, because neither of them is gendered at all. I don’t get that.
Lovely! I wore it earlier this week for the first time in a couple years, and I fear my sample is going off. A reminder not to hoard my favorites!
I love both.
Saturday is my perfume testing/shopping day, so I’ve been out already and have Penhaglion’s Violetta on one hand and Margiela’s Lazy Sunday Morning on the right and Ostara somwhere, too, and lot’s of blotters scattered around.
But more importantly, I promised to Robin to report back when I try Mariage Freres Chandernagor and I’ve just bought it. After the first cup, I think I still have a slight preference for the taste of Kusmi’s Kashmir Tchai. But this one is definitely stronger (my problem with Kusmi is that you have to use enormous amounts to get enough flavour out of it) and I like the taste, too. It seems more peppery than Kusmi and I can taste the clove, but generally it’s nicely blended and balanced. Very happy with it. Should probably do a side-by-side comparison one of these days 🙂
I am so jealous-are you abroad and purchased MF tea there?
I drank two cups this morning-one Wedding Imperial and the other French Breakfast. With MF a little goes a long way.
I currently live in Brussels (I’m originally from Estonia) and as this is a francophone city, my access to French tea brands is pretty good at the moment. I’ve been mostly drinking Palais des Thes (green teas) and Kusmi (black teas) so far, but branching out to include more MF.
Lucky you! In the states we don’t have access to MF tea variety
Luckyscent has some of them, although, of course, you can’t sniff them first when you order online.
At Nordstrom’s yesterday searching for the ever elusive amazing brown mascara (spent a small fortune on Dior Extase….we shall see).
Our Nordie’s in Walnut Creek pretty much gives you free run of the perfume department. with thousands of empty 2 ml sample spray vials next to testing cards so you can make your own samples to take home. I tried to squeeze out the last from a tester of Baiser Volé Lys Rose—meh. Prefer the original much more. Also took home some No. 5 Eau Premier because so many NSTers have raved about it. I have NO idea what I put in the third tester… but I am not in love, so it is okay. And the fourth was Tom Ford’s Fleur de Chine. At the last moment I tested TF’s Patchouli Absolu edp on my hand–which turned out to be the one I liked the most… at least when testing 5 or 6 other fragrances at the same time… I left the house wearing Fire Island, so I imagine I was a perfumer’s nightmare by the time I left the shop.
Today? Why the mysterious third sample of course!
Update–the generic white floral–orange blossom–calmed down and I got fig and musk. Then fruit/floral/musk in a watery mix…. Ta Da! I figured it out (totally random why I chose this one to take home in a tester):
Elie Saab Resort.
I did like the blue bottle I suppose.
It still sounds like so much fun to go to a reasonably well stocked fragrance counter!
Dior Extase is a great mascara! It should be for that price lol. I wear the black and it stays on forever. Enjoy!
I know. I nearly had a heart attack when the SA rang up my lipstick and mascara. I could have bought perfume for that much dough!
Funny… I can totally relate on the mystery vials. I have 4 of these from samples I made at Nordstrom last week.
I try to place them strategically in my bag and jeans, but I’m clueless when I actually unload at home and try to figure which is which.
Do love that store for being so generous!
Hah! I have come away with samples from that Nordies. How is the construction going between there and Macys?) I grew up going to Broadway Plaza and am now in NY)
A giant gaping hole of dust… and promises promises that the work will be done soon. At least you have New York! I envy you that. I’d give up WC’s parking in a heartbeat for NYC.
I’ve put on a healthy dose of Amoureuse, so I may need to postpone my errands a little so it can settle a bit more.
I’m going to Seattle next week to visit my brother and sister-in-law. Are there any fumie destinations I should try to get to?
I like Essenza in Fremont for Serge Lutens, L’Artisan, Diptyque, and more alongside lots of soaps and pretty handcrafted jewelry.
The downtown Nordstrom has the Chanel Les Exclusifs, Tom Ford & Jo Malone counters and is right next to Barney’s NY which has the full line of Frederick Malle scents.
All three of these shops give samples, so don’t be shy 🙂
Full Diptyque line at Nordstrom, too.
Ooh, thanks! Fremont may be easier to convince my non-perfumista (but nice and enabling) family members to visit.
Fremont is adorable. Enjoy your visit!
Oh, I might have to dig out my sample of Amoureuse – that big, bold scent is just what I need to kickstart my day.
Also downtown is Parfumerie Nasreen (1005 1st Ave), where I once airily said to the SA who was explaining the Amouage line to me, “Ah yes, Dia is my office scent”.
😀
Hah! Love it!
I got an older formula Guerlain Nahema edp there a few years ago, and so Nasreen SAs still call when they get Guerlain “specials” in the shop. It was hard for me to say no to the Nahema extait last year. I’d love to visit that shop!
I’m Cristalle again, though the EdP, not the EdT. Can’t really decide which I like better. The crisp green of the EdT seems more suited to spring, while the softer, sweeter EdP seems more summery. I love both!
Both are beautiful! I lean towards the EDP myself because it lasts longer on my skin and it’s quirkier somehow, which makes it more interesting to me.
Cristalle always works for me and both versions are lovely, but I prefer the EdT. If I want a more floral take on the same theme, I go for Ormonde Jayne Tiare.
I like them both – Cristalle edt only lasts just a little while on me so I treat it like an edc or for layinger. I like the Cristalle edp in super hot humid summer weather b/c it really holds up.
Had brunch with one of my dearest friends this morning and this is her signature scent, in the EDT, and she smelled just wonderful. Such a classic!
I’m wearing VC&A Bois d’Iris this morning, I have no idea why except I saw it and thought, “I haven’t worn that is a while….” It’s fine, I have to get a haircut today and don’t want something that will distract the stylist from my unruly waves!
I was wondering, though, what are your favorite big florals? Soiliflores or blends, I love them all and need suggestions for some I haven’t tried. I like scents with longevity and sillage.
You smel great 🙂
Songes and Terracotta Le Parfum and Chinatown are probably the biggest florals I wear
Have you tried Fleur09? It’s a BWF with very good longevity on me–think Beautyhabit offers samples. For vintage, there’s always Diva–cheap, cheerful, long-lived.
You smell great!!Well the symphonic floral that captured my heart is definitely Portrait of a Lady,Frederic Malle.ENORMOUS sillage and fantastic longevity.It usually warrants unwanted attention at work/the mall/the club…lol,as people have grabbed me/sniffed me to know what the heck the gorgeous smell was.Lol
I once put my wool coat on five minutes after applying a drop of PoaL to my wrist. Three weeks later, the clerk at the pharmacy was raving over “that wonderful smell.” It was the PoaL… man, does that stuff last. And waft. 🙂
Love that!;-))
I walked into the ladies’ room at the symphony once and: ahhhhhhhh, PoaL cloud! With no wearer in sight. I just stood there and inhaled a while :^)
Inspired last night by this conversation, I pulled out my old sample of PoaL and put a few dabs on. It still isn’t quite right for me (and I love me some big roses!), but wouldn’t you know it?! As I’m grocery shopping, a woman behind me exclaims, “You smell AMAZING!” 😀
Seriously, PoaL should come in a suitably old-fashioned stoppered bottle with a dauber. I keep meaning to decant some into a sample vial, which would probably last me for a decade.
I got a sample of this (PoaL) when I visited Barneys in Chi-town, although I didn’t want it. I was there for Musc Ravageur and the SA gushed and pushed and gushed some more and basically shoved it into my hand, stating “everyone loves it!”
Nope. Don’t even like it. If it were the last perfume in the world, I wouldn’t wear it. I left the sample with the friend I was staying with while in the city. I did make up for it though, by buying him a bottle Bigarade Concentree, so hopefully he won’t hold PoaL against me.
Mind you, I don’t love PoaL either. It’s too Youth Dew/Opium in the base, can’t bear that. But I usually do love rose chypres, and they can certainly be BEEG florals.
It’s not my favorite either. I keep trying it hoping for that wow moment but it never comes and I just wash it off.
This was exactly how I first came to know and love PoaL! It was the first time I stopped a stranger to ask what perfume she was wearing. It was over a year before I was close to a
Barney’s to try it in person. Loved it at first whiff and it’s still one of my favs!
The biggest floral I have that I enjoy wearing is Annick Goutal Songes edp.
Well, hands down, Amouage Gold.
I also love LesNez Manoumalia, Kai and BK Beyond Love (the tuberose one). I have one of the harvest versions of Givenchy Organza that I love. And, oh, how could I forget SL A la Nuit, death by jasmine, exactly like sitting under a jasmine bower at night. I also like L’AP Nuit de Tubereuse.
Hi gang!
Today I’m wearing Atelier Cologne Silver Iris and I’m anticipating a sample of their new Oud Saphir to magically fall into my lap 😉
By the way, did you know that you can now buy separate 30ml bottles from Atelier Cologne’s Collection Metal?
You smell great. I love Silver Iris. Bois Blond is still my fav-
This is great news!
We’re expecting 80 degree temperatures here today in MN so I really want to get out and plant some annuals. I am wearing Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise, something I like to wear in spring and summer. It just seems to radiate off of me when it’s hot out.
Jealous of your weather!
Ditto!
I’m in Aedes Signature today. It’s perfect on any kind of day for me!
Tried Le Jardin de Monsieur Li this morning and I’m underwhelmed. Not my favorite in the Jardin series, sort of shampoo like if I’m blunt. Like the others in the series much better. It doesn’t seem to be lasting, so I can try something else in a bit. Silver lining.
Hermes in general and the gardens in particular are fleeting. M. Li is harmless, which in nst-ville is damning with faint praise.
I like M Li (actually wearing it now!) but I might be in the perfumista minority of wanting to smell like shampoo sometimes, especially in the spring. It must be my fond memories of Herbal Essences in the ’90s, ha ha.
Oh man, even thinking about Herbal Essences brings me back 😉
I think Robin is a great enabler/indoctrinator…lol.The word Kusmi got stuck in my head,and I went searching today!Found a fantastic shop that sells all the fabulous tins,and some combined sets.This trip was actually my quest for a cool Mothers’ Day gift for Mom,which I found!The Tea Merchant not only sells Kusmi and other fabulous brands,they also sell cast-iron teapots,cups,bamboo and exotic-wood teaspoons and some local Rooibos blends(The Rooibos and Almond Milk combo smelled FANTASTIC!)Bought a supercute cast-iron teapot and some Prince Vladimir in a great tin for Mom.SOTD was a purchase from fellow Perfumista Merlynn:Tam Dao.I also tested the new Bulgari Aqua Amara-though interesting,the marine notes bothered me.All in all a super day out.The last days of Summer…
Re:Bulgari,suddenly not sure what the new one is called??Aqua Amara/Devina??Lol.
This is a great gift. Was Prince Vladimir in that JPG tin?
No!I did enquire about the JPG tin,as I would love one myself as well!Lol!But the packaging is still pretty cool.
I need that tin :)! Unfortunately, the closest Kusmi shop is only open during the week at crazy hours (welcome to Belgium), so no luck so far.
Also a tea addict myself! Enjoy your great find
I hope she loves them!
SOTM is Lutens De Profundis, a decant of which arrived recently. Love it … and it generates friskiness in my husband, which is also nice. 🙂
Who doesn’t like a frisky husband?! 😉
Indeed! 🙂
Exactly.
Woohoo!
That would be a good project – wear the scent that’ll inspire friskiness in one”s significant other… we can compare notes…
I haven’t found one that makes my Mr. Spicebomb especially attentive, but I have noted before (and I’m sure will many times to come!), I have had MANY responses by men to Bulgari Omnia.
SOTD is Cuir de Lancome.
This has been on my hit list for a while now because there are so many perfumistas who rave about it and the notes make all my bells jingle.
My decant of PdE Cuir Ottoman is just about gone and although I love it, I am not into a 100ml bottle purchase. This is how I rationalize it (Self, I say, you will be saving money if you buy the CdL and skip the 100 ml CO!!)
So, I have been keeping an eye peeled for CdL at a good price and finally pulled the trigger and oh MY! So happy I did because this stuff is gorgeous. I actually went back to the website I purchased it from to consider a BUB and they were already sold out.
I think with this purchase, my blind buy meter has tipped back toward the “success” side of the scale. 🙂
Glad it worked out for you! I blind-bought it, too, and was also so happy with it that I immediately bought a backup.
Great minds think alike! 😉
Bought as a blind buy and loved it immediately. Quickly bought 4 more bottles before it disappeared completely or became prohibitively expensive!
That’s were all those bottles went! Congrats on your stockpile, you’re a wise shopper!
Our work had a staff development day this week, where I gave a session on perfume, shamelessly calling it a Sniffapalooza. It was a lot of fun. I talked for an hour straight, had them sniff a dozen perfumes, and waved the The perfume book around. I was peppered with questions, and there was chatter galore. I was able to pass along a bunch of samples too.
I now have been tasked with substitutes/upgrades for: Coco, Amariage, Ralph Lauren Hot and — Feu d’Issey! If anyone has suggestions, let me know, as I will otherwise be rolling up my sleeves, and scrolling through old posts, etc., to maintain my new reputation as a perfume maven.
That is sooo cool.I’ve been meaning to do something similar at work,seeing I work with a bunch of supercool ladies who are all mini-perfumistas,and really keen to learn more.It would also be an awesome mini-luxury break from our usually formal,sterile hospital and theatre environment!I’m really NO expert,but I think I could give helpful suggestions/alternatives and some advice at least!
Oh what fun!!! I had work buddies over for my housewarming a few years ago, and ended up giving an impromptu tour of my perfume cupboard. I *still* get questions from time to time, “Marjorie, what can you recommend that smells like this lotion?” or “Can you think of a scent that smells like chocolate?” etc.
Good luck on the Feu d’Issey. I know how much you “loved” that one!
Wow, I love Coco – not sure there is really any substitute or upgrade, but I’m going to suggest Histoires de Parfums 1969 and SSS Tabac Aurea as “second cousins” that people who like Coco might enjoy trying in order to branch out. Patchouli is pivotal in all three.
For Amarige, I’m going to suggest AG Songes, which is a more natural and beautiful big floral.
For Feu d’Issey, how about Kenzo Amour or Hermes Santal Massoia?
Haven’t tried the Ralph Lauren.
I’m going to add in the “Coco” area that FM Noir Epices is definitely cousins to it, and also the Natori edp.
Oh, that’s an interesting idea – would not thought of Noir Epices, but now that you mention it, I see the family resemblance. (Haven’t tried Natori.)
Such fun. And at work!
Sounds fun. My co-worker who wears TF Black Orchid all day every day said she is low on the juice and you should have seen my eyes light up :-). We’re going on a sniffa to see if I can gently (not!) steer her towards something else.
yikes, can’t believe anyone would ever run low on Black Orchid. Use all your powers of persuasion!
Love this! Adult “show & tell”.
Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions! My perfume creed will be quite elevated. And yes, since there has been a plague of meetings recently, a “show and tell” (sniff and tell?) was a refreshing change. I was most impressed with the colleague who still yearned for Feu d’Issey – I mentioned the baby pee/vitamin aspect, and she said, “But that’s what I miss!”
In 4170 tuesdays Sexiest Scent, which I really really like. Ill have to try and visit London sometime.
Happy Saturday everyone!
I got into the hills for a good hike this morning, on trails that I haven’t covered before. It’s a great time to be out: the last of the Arrowleaf Balsam Root flowers are out (like brown-eyed Susans but with yellow centres), and they smell like hot chocolate powder. The Saskatoon bushes are in flower. And I saw arnica, wild clematis, shooting stars, wild strawberries, and the tiniest little violets (no smell that I could pick up). The greenery is still fresh and sappy, the grass still young, and the spring run-off is still carving channels through the soil and running over rocks. A really spectacular way to start the day. In another month it will all be hot, dry, baked, and parched, with Ponderosa Pine needles smelling more like incense they’ve been heated so high.
Craving some green, I’ve put on a bit of Miss Dior Eau Fraiche for playing with the kids and working in the garden. I actually get to go on a date with my husband tonight, so not sure what I’ll put on for the rare occasion.
A question: who out there who can give me a personal take on Shalimar Parfum Initial l’Eau? A bottle has turned up at my local discounters, and I like the idea of the notes, even if it doesn’t get rave reviews. What are others’ experiences with it?
I love it. Its one of my favorite summer perfumes; I especially enjoy the grapefruit note up top. I think if you like Parfum Initial (which I also own and wear mostly in the fall), you’ll also like the lighter l’Eau version.
Even though I think original Shalimar is by far the better perfume I find I wear it mostly for special occasions, and actually get more use out of the easier-to-wear PI versions.
Thanks, that’s helpful. I’ve worn the original a few times but it does seem like something that wouldn’t be in usual rotation. I would like to try Parfum Initial, as it sounds like the iris is more prominent in that, but I haven’t seen it around.
Jealous of your hike! Sounds just amazing.
Thanks so much for sharing the details of your hike!
No perfume yet, due to a Chen Tai Chi seminar and Pilates events today – May 2 is Pilates Day! I’m enjoying a cup of Kusmi Petroushka for the great aroma, as well as antioxidants and caffeine.
I finally tried Byredo Flowerhead this week – it smells good! Too chilly for my taste, but very interesting, so I’m glad to have a sample.
I loved Ineke Field Notes from Paris the first year I had it, but when I tried it last winter, a masculine note that I don’t love kept coming to the fore. I was also noticing that note for a while in another favorite perfume, Jil Sander Woman III. This kind of thing happens occasionally, but if I stop wearing the perfume and come back to it months or a year later, it usually smells good again. Conversely, L’AP Timbuktu has been smelling less weird to me than it used to.
I get tired of specific foods and works of art, too. I think there is a natural craving for variety that has the evolutionary advantage of ensuring that we ate all the different vitamins and move on to new hunting grounds, etc.
Nozknoz, was it you asking about dark chocolate a while back? (I really hope so, otherwise it’s going to be embarrassing). I’ve been meaning to say that if you happen across two Belgian brands – Pierre Marcolini and Frederic Blondeel – anywhere, do give them a try. The first is very sophisticated and expensive, but the quality is exceptional, too. Blondeel is more reasonably priced and also very good; their hot chocolate is amazing, although I’m pretty sure it’s unavailable outside Belgium. I’m not sure if either of them do a super dark chocolate, as I usually stop at 75%. But everything they do is worth trying, more so than some better known Belgian brands.
PS I also have a theory about trends being an evolutionary mechanism 🙂
Ah, yes, I’m the one who asked about dark chocolate. Thanks for these recommendations; I’ll look for these brands. Very interesting – now I’m going to think about the function and advantages of trends. 🙂 We devote a lot of energy to following them – this compulsion must have been good for something.
NozKnoz, I had a similar thing happen with Field Notes, except in my case it’s a bubble-gum-under-one’s-shoe note. Bleah. Am hoping it fades away once the weather warms up a bit more.
Annikky, your theory sounds intriguing! Is there more about it on your blog?
🙂 There is in fact a post called In Defense of Trends (under rants). It doesn’t quite make the connection to evolution, but attempts to say that trends are maybe not entirely useless.
I like “mechanisms of the new” and think your paragraph about otherwise getting stuck in the same outfit (substitute anything else in life) for one’s whole life suggests the connection.
I also love your defense of overdressing (and a number of other posts that I’ve read on your beautiful blog)!
Thank you! You have no idea how much I appreciate the feedback.
Thank you – off to check it out. 🙂
🙂
I used an entire 1mL vial of the ‘other’ CB Narcissus scent, not the Rare Flowers one, called something like M1 #441 Narcissus, one of the water perfumes. It has zero sillage, so I can only smell it with nose to arm. In that posture it is working beautifully for me. So far I’m at about four hours and it’s drying down well. It started a bit aquatic for my taste, and leafy-greener than I wanted for an eponymous soliflore, but now it’s all petals and indoles, and I am loving it the smell.
It makes me curious: do you have zero-sillage perfumes that you reach for at least periodically? If so, what kind of scents, and for what kinds of moods or occasions?
I like to wear perfume while I’m reading or working on the computer and sniff it occasionally. I can’t really smell most things continuously anyway – the nose adapts – so even with scents with more sillage, I tend to sniff my wrist occasionally.
Some of the perfumes I can smell continuously are just too strong, like Amarige. I guess I actually want to be able to take time out.
The nose does adapt, doesn’t it? So then this no-sillage experience I’m having with this Narcissus is something even beyond that. Maybe this scent sort of actively clings to my skin, so I have to sniff it off like a vacuum cleaner? That has turned into a funny image… 🙂
I think this would make Christopher Brosius happy! 🙂
Because he hates perfume? 🙂
I have a few nose-to-arm scents. Some are just fleeting on me and huge on others and some are really light pretty-pretty shampoo-y things that are not interesting enough to stick around anyway. I usually wear them if I’m not sure whether I might get a headache later or if I don’t know what to wear but want something to tide me over until I decide.
That makes sense. The ‘let’s wait and see’ scents that don’t actually make you wait. 🙂
The funny thing about this one is that it wasn’t so fleeting. It shifted with time, but it had only begun to fade after about 6 hours when I washed it off. I kept expecting it to vanish because I also tend to associate petite with brief, but this behaved differently.
I have heard that oil-based perfumes last longer with less projection, but I haven’t had that experience so far.
More Atelier here, it is just a glorious May morning and I’m in their Mandarine Glacial and dh is wearing their Pomelo and my but we smell good here in our corner of the world.
SOTD = Dior Feve Delicieuse
FBW. I got a sample from Bergdorfs. I love gourmands and I tend to like them sweet. This one is gourmand but not sweet and I love ot just as well. On me, it’s all about the tonka bean. It reminds me of Guerlain Tonka Imperiale but with more heft.
Tomorrow, I will try Sunshine; my sample is teeny tiny but I won’t complain because it was free.
Oh, just read a review on this one and would love to it except the reviewer mentioned a prominent “green” note which makes me hesitant. Do you get that “greeness”?
No, not green on me at all. I love it a lot!
Thanks! This will be added to my ever growing “to try” list 🙂
Deva, I don’t detect green-ness. It’s very wearable except I don’t see myself wearing this in heat and humidity which the northeast U.S. experiences in the height of summer. If you have tried Guerlain Tonka Imperiale, imagine a perfume with more depth and body but yet does not feel heavy.
Thanks for your feedback! Haven’t tried Tonka Imperiale yet, although it’s on my list as well.
Watching the Kentucky Derby and wearing a massive amount of Wit. May the best horse win!
No perfume today. All I can smell is paint. I’m re-painting the room I painted less than a year ago. I should have never painted it blue to begin with and only did it because I had paint left over from the bathroom. It’s fine in hubby’s bathroom but I don’t like it in the spare room. I liked it for a week or two and then it started to bother me. So since I’ve been painting the trim and doors upstairs I decided enough was enough and today the blue was erased with a lovely shade of sandy beige. I combined some partial cans of paint I had in the basement and that’s what I came up with. I’m beyond happy. I think I’m going to spritz on some Rubj tonight.
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!
I really dislike blue walls, aside from deep slate and teal walls in museums with beautiful paintings on them. I find pastel blue walls just depressing. Turquoise wouldn’t be depressing, but it would wear on me. I think blue works better for clothing and jewelry, probably because of the contrast with warm skin colors.
Glad your sandy mix turned out well! Good work, Poodle – maybe you owe yourself a perfume purchase? 😉
I agree. Blue is a lovely accent color but too cold for me to ever live with. The exception would probably be a cobalt garden wall.
Oh, that would be nice!
It is depressing to me too. I just don’t get the design articles that call it soothing. It made me want to sit down and cry.
I’m not sure about celebrating with a perfume purchase. I might. I will most definitely but a lipstick.
Be sure to save some of that custom color for repairs and touch-ups!
I think some tones of blue may be restful and calming, but not straight up “blue” I painted 3 walls in my bedroom a light muted “sea glass” blue and an accent wall a darker subdued blue-grey-green color. To top off the accent wall, I painted a clear coat with very subtle sparkle which only manifests when light shines on the wall. It’s very subtle, but it really brings that wall to life when a lamp is on or natural daylight hits the wall. It’s not at all disco-ball-ish or reminiscent of My Little Pony! It’s more like a hint of sparkling quartz, but only in the right light. I just love it!
I do like that sea glass shade of bluish green. I used to have access to a wonderful hotel gym with spa-like dressing/shower rooms that had greenish glass doors, blue-gray-green tiles and blond wood. It was serene and relaxing. Your bedroom sounds lovely!
That actually sounds really pretty. I like a little sparkle.
This was a slightly greenish blue but not green enough for me I guess. Lol. I can live with shades of green much easier.
Lazy, wonderful Saturday afternoon.
I received the last of the swaps I was waiting for including a sample of the bizarre yet oddly appealing Jeux de Peau. I’ve so much about this bread/bakery-like scent and yet all I smell is immortelle and sandalwood, which in combination end up being condensed milk. Odd.
Earlier in the day I enjoyed my first year’s spritz of L`Eau à la Folie – such a delightful warmer weather scent.
Cheers!
I love Jeux de Peau but I also love condensed milk too. It doesn’t smell like that to me but I can see how it might.
I never waste an opportunity to say it: I love condensed milk.
Jeux de Peau smells like popcorn to me, but I love condensed milk!
I’m really late to the party today. We had my in-laws and their best friends out to my Mom’s for a day in the country and late lunch. We always have such a great time with them and the weather was beautiful. I wore Musc Tonkin EDP again as it doesn’t compete with the plant smells outside but sticks around most of the day and has a pleasant, warm sillage. I’m going to need a bigger decant at the very least.
That sounds so delightful. I feel the same way about Musc Tonkin EdP. Perhaps a split will emerge in our future….
Totally up for a split of this!
mimifroufrou just did a fun review of it
I would certainly be in on a split. I’m wearing it again today and am so glad I gave it a second chance. Makes me feel slightly sexier than I would otherwise on a day of mixing concrete and sharpening mower blades.
It’s all about the swagger. Musc Tonkin helps. 😉
Wore Iris Poudre today, layered over the matching body butter as well, and still can’t get this stuff to last more than a few hours on me. I guess I need to make a purse spray of it to carry with me and refresh occasionally.
I’ve been thinking of getting a purse spray or 2. Maybe we can do a split of the three some on the FM site, unless you know a place to get it for a deal…
Actually I got a good deal on the 100ml bottle from Essenza Nobile site in Germany. With the euro so low, it cost about $100 less than buying it in the US.
Wow, I will check that out. I am in the USA, I wonder if they will ship to here…
Wore Stella today in honor of the run for the roses. Spritzed a little Misia on one wrist for good measure…
goodmorning!
is anyone here using Cuir Fetiche? (maitre parfumeur)
I love it sooo much, the only leather that I like.
unfortunately, my husband doesn’t smell ANYTHING..???
and longevity is poor..what’s your experience?
I tried cuir ottoman, dzing, cuir de russe but no..
Thanks!!
I don’t know those leathers, but I love a lot of leathers. Would you like to share more about what you like about Cuir Fetiche and don’t like about the others?
Oh well. difficult for me to describe.. Most leathers are or to plain leather and nothing else(cuir ottoman) or really Circus/ poop(haha) like Dzing..or plastic like sweet (cuir de russie)
Cuir fetiche is just… perfect balanced floral/leather.
OMG I love it so much..
From the description of Cuir Fetiche, it sounds like Cuir de Lancome or Dior Cuir Cannage might be similar. CdL’s longevity is quite good on me (plus it’s heavenly), and the Dior is a little bit less floral but still borderline feminine (on me, anyway).
I second the Cuir de Lancôme love! It’s a recent acquisition for me and I actually like it better than Cuir Ottoman. One spritz lasts all day on me as well.
Thanks, will try them asap!!
Good day to all,
Wearing A Goutall Nuit Etoille EDT today. Also, just a small rant – my last swap is now slowly turning into a fail – no sign of either of the two packages we have exchanged and it’s been 5 weeks now…I still have hopes that the almost full bottle of Bal d’Afrique will reach its recipient, albeit later than expected
Think I better offer a little sacrifice to the postal gods… 🙁
Luckily the ones that came to Africa arrived perfect and on time,each time!!Lol!Thanks again Zara,enjoying the Ys Uzac immensely!
yay! so happy to hear that, always a pleasure!
Sometimes the postal gods reward our sacrifices. I’ve had long-distance shipments show up after two months!
I’m behind in opening junk mail- some I don’t open at all (or actually leave for my nephew to sort through when I have him over for “Guy Friday” days). Today, my eyes chanced upon a Henri Bendel catalog with an emaciated model in Superman colors. Truth be told, I’ve pretty much lost interest in Henri Bendel since the perfume section went away but occasinally, there are fancy jewelry pieces and other accessories that are eye-catching. Anyway, I opened the catalog and a card fell out. The card introduced a new fragrance Suite 712 EDP. Unfortunately, it smells like shampoo to me; however, if it came in that format, I would be willing to try it. I wish HB would bring back the perfume section, even if it is to offer a very limited, but niche selection.
It is so sad, isn’t it? At least we got some goodies at 60%off but I agree that it would be nice if Henri Bendel had a great perfume selection again.
So true
Cherry Blossom from Demeter has been following me around today. It works as a cherry blossom scent without being plasticky, but it is not as delicate as the real thing. I spritzed from a sample onto a tissue and put it in my pocket. I get it out once in a while and try to think where I’ve smelled something similar. Maybe fancy restaurant’s ladies’ room pink liquid hand soap? (Sniffs again.)
Hi, I’m late on the scene tonight, but I had a question… Does anyone know if there is a real difference between ‘white amber’ and ‘black amber’? Byredo’s 1996 is described as having ‘black amber’ and Mugler’s Alien (at least in edt and Essence Absolue) as having ‘white amber’.
Amber is itself (from what I can understand) a fantasy accord. It’s usually composed of materials like labdanum and vanilla. So when its described as white, is it meant to indicate a luminescent character, and when its described as black, a more profound or deep quality? Any thoughts would be appreciated!
I’m inclined to agree with you. Maybe along the lines of white musk versus… other musk. Or just along the lines of complete made-up stories.
I read something recently about a perfume with a blue amber note, LOL. 😉
Leathermountain, yes, a different range of aroma-chemicals are used for the white versus black musk, so maybe there is one for the ambers… Interesting idea! Though, yeah, the terms could just be make-up to evoke a certain quality.
Nozknoz, I do know Montale, and some other brand makes perfumes called ‘Blue Amber’. Not sure I’v seen a note designated as ‘blue amber’, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all!
It all makes me think of The Body Shop’s Red Musk 😀
I wanted to make a joke that there’ll be a blue oud fragrance soon. Fortunately, I googled first, and there actually is one already by Arabian Oud……
I’m thinking of an accord made up of red musk, blue oud and green amber…with a sprinkle of rainbow petunias for good measure!
Don’t give them any ideas…
Oh, dear. That was meant as a reply to Merlin, of course.