It's Italian Niche Friday! Our community project for today: wear something from Acqua di Parma, Lorenzo Villoresi, i Profumi di Firenze, Santa Maria Novella, or any other Italian niche brand. What did you pick?
As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I'm wearing Lorenzo Villoresi's lovely Donna, from a very old, not entirely perfect decant.
Reminder: next Friday, 7/24, will be Perfume Surprise Friday...wear a fragrance you expected to hate but loved, or, give another chance to a perfume you expected to love but hated, or surprise us with another interpretation of "perfume surprise"
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2015, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Florence - Firenze - 2009 [cropped] via Pascal Subtil at flickr; some rights reserved.
I am freshly spritzed with MCG Hanbury. It worked better when it wasn’t so very hot, but still, this is a great perfume!
I agree it is maybe not a hot weather perfume, but you do smell great!
Ooh, I love Hanbury!
Grumble grumble…. all you enablers… just put in an order yesterday to STC for small sprays of Hanbury and Sideris….
Well, do tell us what you think about them. Those are my favourites from the line, along with Cinabre, which I adore in winter (powdery oriental spicy rose).
I will!
I am wearing Cafthusia Ligea la Sirena from a decant. Lavender + Shalimar. I forgot how pretty this one is.
Gorgeously sensual, my favourite Carthusia (though i haven’t smelled the full range…)
Thanks Merlin. I’m always surprised by how lovely it is whenever I wear it.
Yes, and less close to Shalimar than I had first thought. I think there is less leather/civet/incense and more tonka bean (and the addition of lavender as you pointed out) Though they both play on the citrus/vanilla accord… Hope you feel like a seductress today
LOL!
Carthusia. Ugh…auto correct
I love Ligea La Sirena! It seems very summery to me, too–I makes me picture my aunt in the ’70s, wearing big sunglasses and driving her Fiat Spider convertible.
I still have traces of my perfume adventure yesterday, mostly of the ones I liked best– Nine Reasons from My Inner Island and Chypre 1942 from Nobile 1942. After a shower I’ll put on something else that fits the theme. Nine Reasons is definitely going on my wishlist– it’s herbal, smoothed by a little bit of floralcy and with a definite salt presence
Plus, great name.
That IS a great name.
How was the meet-up?
It was only two of us but the salesperson at Officina 189 was really nice. She remembered you coming and saying that you were going to write an article and she remembered what you had bought. I definitely need to try some more of the perfumes on skin
And I did in Undina’s blog. I’ll send her the link. Did you try the coffee perfume? I think that came out after my visit.
I forgot about Nobile 1942 – their Ambra Nobile from is my favorite amber.
Have never come across any Villoresi frags–Donna sounds nice. Today it’s the edt version of Iris Nobile. Super humid, supposed to be 90 and still no a/c…needed an airy perfume!
Donna is really lovely, I should get a fresh decant. Plus, need some Dilmun.
You smell great!
galbanumgal, joining you in AdP Iris Nobile edt for the same reasons. First time testing from a spray sample, I sprayed generously after reading reviews on how light this one is. On me, the orange blossom note is predominant – slightly sweet, light and airy – I’m still waiting for the iris to kick in. Only a hint of the anise note at the beginning, fortunately, as I don’t like anise as a perfume note. A nice choice for the sweltering day ahead!
I wish I had some of the original Iris Nobile edt – I almost bought it a million times. Has anyone smelled the current Iris Nobile edt spray in the tall ribbed bottle?
Suspect the tall ribbed bottle may be too laundry-fresh, so I’ve kept my distance. I too wonder if anyone’s tried it.
I’m in Fico di Amalfi. It’s a nice summer citrus that doesn’t really satisfy my fig cravings, but I have Philosykos for that
Samesies! I’m wearing the sample I got from The Perfume House in Portland…still trying to decide if it’s FBW. As for fig cravings, I sometimes reach for Byredo Pulp, but I haven’t tried Philosykos. Next time I’m near a Diptyque retailer, perhaps!
Forgot about the theme today! I am doused in JM’s Sea Salt & Sage. I find this quite a warm and comforting perfume, and don’t get any marine smell at all. In fact I get a fruity note which is more akin to apricot (Osmanthus?) than grapefruit. There is also a slight saltiness but nothing nearly so salty as the Merveilles range, or Grey Vetiver, for instance… Is there an edge of sage? I think I need to go smell some sage to check! My main impression is: a cosy apricot-musk with ambergris, and perhaps herbal overtones to lift it slightly. Clearly my olfactory nerves are wired differently to Jo Malones! Opinions?
That does sound pretty!
Yes, u suppose it is
That’s the ambrette seed! Ambrette is a funny note- I sometimes mistake it for saffron.
I think you are right in that I’m getting more musk than anything, but does ambrette also have a fruity aspect?
Wearing Antonio Alessandria’s Nuit Rouge. He’s Italian, so I figured that counts. I realized I don’t have any of the niche brands listed above and need to expand my collection more.
I don’t have, and have not even tried any of those niche brands either. This community project has inspired me to order some samples.
It is hot here today, and I feel a little under the weather, so I am wearing Aqua di Parma’s Colonia. Crisp, astringent, uplifting and chic. If I feel better this evening I will wear Profumum’s Battito d’Ali, sampled it yesterday, longlasting cozy orange blossom, vanilla, myrhh, coconutty chocolate gourmand.
I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you! I have a family get together for my brother’s 55 birthday this evening, so I hope your well wishes help soon.
Get well soon!
Thank you Austenfan, I think we may have the same bug! Upset tummy and slightly nauseous. ..
Feel better soon and enjoy the special family celebration tonight!
Thank you!
I don’t own it, but I think the original Colonia may be the best scent in the entire line. Unfortunately no lasting power on me. Or maybe fortunately – my purse mutters!
It is very good, and I am just lucky with lasting power, spritzed on at 9.00 and now at 5 PM still going strong. I don’t have a full bottle, but wouldn’t mind one, but the cologne/eaux/citrus aromatic department is well represented for now (purse mutters yes in agreement too…)
Ha ha! Yes, I have multiple ‘entries’ in that genre too.
Many are crisp, uplifting and astringent, just as you describe, and that makes them a frequent choice for me…
Sending healing vibes your way! That Profumum sounds really nice. I need to hunt down a sample.
If you can’t find it I am happy to send mine!
Thank you! That’s a very kind offer. I’ll look around first and let you know…
I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you Ann!
I wasn’t tempted by the notes for Battito d’Ali, but I love the name.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Scent twin! I used the last sprays from my husband’s bottle…
I like an Italian Niche date
For me it’s Zagara (Orange Blossom) from Ortigia Sicilia.
Spezie de’ Medici concentrate by I Profumi di Firenze. A massive hit of lemon and orange peel, then jangly spices that get smoother and creamier as the hours drift by. It is so wonderful.
Sounds like that one does really well on your skin. The i Profumis I’ve sampled so far are mostly too sweet on me … but I tried them all on the same day, and maybe my nose was just off that day. I’ll give them another whirl this weekend, based entirely on your description. But don’t worry – no pressure!
It’s a really big line and kind of overwhelming — I bought a couple that, if I’d had the time to reflect, would have stayed in the store. And I’m sure I missed a few terrific ones. (The store in Florence was missing some testers and was very confusingly laid out.) But Spezie de’ Medici and Terra di Siena are really great: no regrets there.
This sounds really interesting!
Some people think it smells like Christmas, or like a gingerbread house: the reviews on Makeupalley are mostly middling to poor. But on me it’s a thing of wonderment.
Yum, love that one.
Speziali Fiorentini Sunflower & Olive for me – a summer go-to, light and cheerful!
SOTD is Eau d’Italie Paestum Rose layered with Santa Maria Novella Eva. Right now Eva’s initial blast of citrusy black pepper is drowning the rose out, but I expect it will come out from behind and join the citrus shortly.
I like the sound of Eva since I’m drawn to black pepper.
Yum, was hoping someone would be in Eva. Have wanted a bottle forever.
It worked out well! Now that the day is nearly done, the combination has dried down to a “me, but better” skin scent. That opening blast of pepper and bitter citrus peel is fabulous, but I like the combined dry-down a lot too.
I spritzed La Fille de Berlin on my clothes (and for once I can actually smell myself) and am about to put a little dab of Lorenzo Villoresi’s Donna (sample courtesy of Daisy, who I haven’t seen around these parts in years) on my wrist.
Real talk – how many of you are ever able to actually smell yourself without putting your wrist to your nose? I almost never can.
Also – I completely missed the wonderful new “Inside the Perfume Cabinet” feature from earlier this week. Loved it! And loved seeing all the goodies the lovely Ann has stored away.
Depends on what I’m wearing, but usually I’m with you, especially when wearing small amounts for the sake of those around me. I have been temping lately and my desk sits facing another desk – I wonder what the woman across the hall thinks of me with my arm always jammed up against my nose!
Everyone here knows about my perfume preoccupation, so they’re used to seeing me sniff my wrist at odd intervals.
I might need to stop doing it during meetings though…
Oh my gosh, I am constantly walking around with my wrist up to my nose. It’s almost an unconscious habit. I thought I was the only one, I’ve never seen anyone else doing it.
It’s known as “the perfumista salute.” You can bet pretty much everyone here performs this on a regular basis.
That is the perfect phrase!
Girl, come hang with me. We’ll be saluting each other all day.
Thanks for mentioning the Inside the Cabinet post. I missed a lot when I was out of town and that was one I really wanted to read.
Isn’t it fun?
I was late to that party too… but Ann, it was so generous of you to share your goodies. So much fun!
In my case, I think it’s usually a case of under-spraying. I tend to be quiet, and that certainly influences how I wear fragrance. Plus, there’s the whole anti-scent thingy, scent-free office policies, and people’s allergies to take into consideration.
Maybe that’s part of it for me too.
In the summertime, when I am wearing button blouses and looser sweaters, I put a dab of my perfume on my bra, right in the middle at the top. That way, as I move through the day, I get little wafts of lovely scent. It’s a way to keep sillage monsters close and often extends the wear time of those things that fade quickly on my skin but cling to fabrics
This is more confirmation that my skin is scent-eating. I do a full blown spray or two in my decolletage and I still can’t always smell it. But I bet you smell lovely!
I’m a fairly heavy sprayer as a rule, and some things float up from my chest and some don’t, and it isn’t necessarily the strongest things that do. Jour d’Hermes, for instance, is my go-to scent if I’m going sniffing, as I get occasional whiffs of it even when I leave my arms bare, so I don’t feel as though I’m going commando.
I am heavy – handed, so I spritz everything. I spray my neck, wrists, arms, behind my ears,behind my knees, my chest, and back. Then, I always spray on the front and back of my shirt that I am wearing. I also spray some of my perfume on my brush so I can get a whiff there as well. Needless to say, I can smell myself throughout the day. Somehow, I never offend anyone and always get compliments.
Good for you! Maybe I’ll take a heavier hand next time. On clothes is definitely a game changer for me though – closest I ever come to smelling myself.
Me too! I spray like crazy!
It depends in the perfume but La Fille de Berlin I can smell even if it only on my ankles! I wore it Friday night to a concert, just one or two widely distributed spritzes, and as much as I love the scent, it becomes a bit overwhelming on me
Have you tried spraying your hairline at the nape if your neck? I think this was AnnS’ s rec. It really works especially if you have longer hair.
I spray my hair in the back in the hopes of getting whiffs when I turn, and it works for other people smelling me sometimes, but not always me. I’ll try the hairline though. Thanks dear!
Yeah – this one definitely stands out for being smell-able even when I’m spraying the same amount that I spray of everything. For that, I appreciate it. Getting my money’s worth!
Since I switch up so much, I don’t have the problem of not smelling myself. But years ago when I wore Coco exclusively in the winter time, I would have that problem.
La Fille de Berlin…swoon!
*fans you*
How do you like La Fille de Berlin? I just ordered it yesterday.
I love it! It’s now one of my fav deep roses, that I think is wearable all year. Some of my other deeper “dark” roses, like L’Arte di Gucci, Rose en Noir, Stella (kind of darkish), etc, I only enjoy in the fall and winter b/c of the patchouli. LFdB gets really deep without relying on patchouli, so it’s a nice change. It’s been on my “must buy” list since I sampled it over winter. I still have a little in my decant and I’m just waiting until my birthday for a splurge.
I’m in the same boat as Ann. Love it, and even though it’s warm out, the sultriness of it is still rather nice, provided I don’t overspray (which, as I’ve mentioned, is hard for me to do.) Like Ann, I love those other roses, but this one smells distinctive while still being deep. There’s almost a kind of freshness to the rose, I would say, without it being a “fresh” scent. Does that make sense?
Thanks. I am excited to get it. It is a fairly reasonable buy online now. I know – I can’t believe I did another blind buy. I have to stop doing that. Sometimes they work our, but sometimes they do not. Luckily, I do not do it often.
That should at least be easy to swap if you don’t like it.
Wearing Scent on Canvas Noir de Mars thinking it is Italian niche but it is Spanish! Right continent, wrong country…..
I have a small trove of Mona di Orio samples but I am afraid to fall in love as they are prohibitively expensive. I want to thank the kind and lovely women who sent me the Mona samples and the Scent on Canvas samples. Perfume lovers are the best!
Yesterday I told thegoddessrena, after the visit to Officina 189, that I might have to rely on the testing we did for the Friday theme, but then I remembered a perfume a friend sent me as a thank you for being in her wedding in Tuscany. It’s Diadema Barat-i. (The dash is for a missing letter.) It’s a citrusy-woody-marine, light scent; it reminds me a little of Epice Marine.
I’ve just run out of my last Italian niche decant, Fico d’India by Ortigia Sicilia. So I’m wearing the not-so-niche Bottega Veneta EDP, which has already earned a compliment
I seem to be drawn to Italian perfumes…. there are a lot in my stash!
Can’t decide between Party in Manhattan, or one of my Carthusia’s.
Gelsomini di Capri would probably work best in the Heat Advisory we’re under.
My Italian choices are limited, I seem to prefer French, American, British or Scandinavian brands. But the Cale Dolce Riso sample I’m wearing is quite nice.
Have been missing NST so much – Hamamelis, austenfan, sorry for not even having had time to respond to your lovely comments. But I’m taking this weekend off and heading to I London. So looking forward to music and V&A and yes, shopping.
I hope you have an amazing, relaxing and well-deserved vacation!
Thank you, Holly!
You just take care of yourself! Don’t forget PdN has a boutique in London!
And the word boutique is in my mind forever linked to dead parrots of blue plumage…
Happy London trip! Wishing you lots of smelling and other pleasures.
Thank you, it has been a lovely trip so far.
Aww, London. Another place that is on my bucket list to visit. Please report back on where you went and what you bought (especially perfume). Be safe and have a fantastic time.
Thank you! I adore London and fortunately, it is only 2 hours by Eurostar for me. Will definitely report back.
Have a great time in London! Tell us about everything you smell!
Will do, thanks!
Have fun! Persolaise just updated his London perfume shopping guide.
Thank you for the tip! I had totally forgotten about the guide, although I used to consult it religiously in the past. Really useful.
I never connect the Scandinavians with perfume, but I’d like to. What are a few of your favorites?
I was going to ask the same question. I can think of Byredo and Agonist, which (I think) are both Swedish, but I don’t know any others. I’d love to know, though.
Geir Ness Laila — “the essence of Norway”
Plus something else that is right on the tip of my tongue (or brain) but won’t come to me…
I like Pink Molecule by Zarkoperfume (Denmark). Pink Molecule (silly name, IMO) smells like elderflowers, apricots, and creamy woods. It is not very sweet. It is not a powerhouse scent (not my style, usually), but it lasts all day; I catch whiffs throughout the day as I move.
Since there were some comments about jasmine yesterday, and it’s one of my favorite notes, I’m wearing La Via del Profumo’s Tawaf. Hmm, I guess this is more indie than niche? AND oops, come to think of it, the perfumer is a French Sufi living in Italy, so I’m not sure I’d consider this Italian but the house is. I guess.
And, just for fun, here’s a little video you might enjoy (hope it’s ok, Robin) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXvZicq7eTw
How would you compare Tawaf to other famous jasmines? I find some jasmines too dirty – ie. Lust, some too heady – a la Nuit; and some too fresh – Jasmin Rouge… I am fond of Sarrasins because I like the leather, I guess, but have only smelled it in wax. Also, I recently smelled Jasminora, and think it’s a beauty!
Tawaf is jasmine sambac, Merlin. It’s pretty heady and relatively indolic. If you’re a jasmine lover, I hope you give it a try!
I’m slowly getting into the note, but would not yet call myself a jasmine lover
Close enough, and more importantly, you smell amazing.
Thank you!
that utube video was funny.
I think so too!
Video=much dopey smiling at my computer screen…
Yep
Since I’m going hiking in Acadia Park today, SOTD is sunscreen. But tonight, I’ll wear Hanbury from a sample given to me by a very generous fairy.
Enjoy Acadia!
yes, but, what kind of sunscreen?
Ha! I wondered, too. In my experience, though, the better the sunscreen, the less it smells like anything.
I’m wearing MCG Noir Tropical. This is was the last of my sample, and I want a FB some day.
I can’t believe it, but I’m going to Italy for the first time in about 8 weeks. (Counting down the days). Rome, Capri, and Amalfi Coast. I would love to hear suggestions for restaurants, shopping for perfume, or anything else?!
SunnyDay, are you in the U.S.? If yes, your wish may come true
I’m in Canada, but I have a US postal address. I’m a 45 minute drive from the US border.
Oooh, please email me. Just click on my name.
I was planning on SMN Nostalgia but my decant has evaporated. Yes, that is my second decant of the same scent to do so in the past few months so I suppose I should look at it as a sign and put it on my FB short list. The remaining sludge in the bottle smells amazing though so maybe sniffing it counts as participating today?
I think I will go with a spritz of No. 5 since we have to make a trip to the city and brave the Nordstrom sale traffic so I can return a poorly cut top. One of the kittens is limping so I feel terrible leaving, but I also hate to crate her if we are gone since she hasn’t ever been isolated. Maybe they’ll sleep all day if the house is quiet (yeah, right).
It’s not sludge, it’s extrait concentrate! Put a drop or two of high octane vodka in the tube and see what happens.
I keep meaning to try that with the first bottle. I actually think Nostalgia could be a tad more concentrated so I may not add much alcohol.
It is just so sad when a precious decant evaporates. I still mourn my Shem el Nessim! Well, No 5 is a good choice to cover!
I fully support a full bottle of Nostalgia!
Since I had to save up my two top picks for some of the upcoming friday projects for which I don’t really have any alternatives on hand, I went for Laboratorio Olfattivo’s Nirmal. Still not completely sure, whether I like it, though – somehow it seems to be quite a love and meh relationship.
It’s funny that some of us are hoarding for a community project!
… well, it’s not hoarding in the sense that I have to save the last drops of a decant or something. At least for what came into my mind first, I actually own a bottle which still is 90% full. I just didn’t feel like proposing the same scent (which is Italian niche, transports me on a fantasy vacation AND, according to which site you go with, might even have ben composed by the nose I have in mind for Perfumer Spotlight) several weeks in a row.
Got it! I also try to wear contents of FBs only for the community project unless the project actually specified “sample of —“
I am wearing SMN Rosa, one of my favorite rose fragrances. It is perfection in a bottle.
I own no Italian brands, let alone niche Italian, so I grabbed the first thing I saw, which was 24 Faubourg.
French is still very good!
I spritzed on some Laura Tonatto Fior d’Arancio, which is one of my favorite perfumes for summer weather.
At first I thought that my only Italian niche option was Iris Nobile AdP (in EDP), which I’m wearing. Then I realised I have a quintet of Etro’s and sprayed some Anice on top. It’s a nice combination. By and large I prefer Frenche perfumery I guess but these are good.
Oh dear, yes, I completely forgot about my Etro bottle, too – Vetiver, by the way, and one of my favourite vetivers to boot!
Etro Anice is one of my huge loves!. You smell great!
It’s my favourite Etro, and my favourite Aniseed perfume!
Expecting to learn a lot from today’s scents/sense as I have maybe one or two Italians. A bit under the weather, too, and am not yet wearing any perfume.
I hope you feel better soon!
Feel better soon!
Wish you well!
Lots of bugs going around this summer! I still have one lingering from 2 weeks ago, but it’s much better. Hope you feel better soon!
Acqua di Parma (original Colonia) body cream. Thick and richly scented, I didn’t need to spritz afterwards. Love this stuff.
Sinfonia di Note’s Fleur de Santal. It’s a big ambery thing that I used to wear a lot in the fall and winter… possibly not the best choice for July!
I’m wearing my Holy Grail vanilla, Vaniglia del Madagascar by i Profumi di Firenze, which I discovered through NST. Just one small spray — it’s supposed to reach 99 degrees today. I finished a 12 ml bottle, and I am now working on a 50 ml bottle that I know I will finish.
I love that ipdf does those little bottles! I have the Ambra de Nepal, and when I finish that off, I’ll get a big one.
I wish that they sold more scents in 12 ml bottles in the U.S.!
Yum!
I’m wearing Marni today. I don’t think its niche, but its Italian. And one of my favorites!
I love Marni! My bottle is almost gone. Still haven’t had a chance to try the Rose flanker, though I’ve heard good things.
I don’t have any Italian niche in my wardrobe. All I have is Fendi’s Theorema and I will be wearing that after I take my shower.
I don’t think anyone can fault you for that choice.
Can anyone fault my 5 bottles of it? At first I hated Theorema because I was thinking that I hated citrus. Turns out that I want my citrus candied and boozy.
Turns out I have very few Italian niche brands in my collection. But among them is one I love in the summer, Carthusia’s IO Capri. A nice blend of citrus, tea, and fig.
Doused myself liberally from a little splash bottle of Carthusia Fiori di Capri, then augmented the carnationy goodness with a dab of DSH Oiellets Rouges. This is holding up very nicely to the monsoon weather we are having here in southern Michigan. Carnation makes me happy. I see that Fiori di Capri parfum concentration is available at Luckyscents. I like this EDT a lot, I might have to get some of the parfum. Has anyone tried the parfum?
Carnation might be my favorite floral note.
I don’t own ANY Italian niche fragrances. I don’t think that I even have a sample of one. Yesterday I finally purchased a bottle of Misia from Chanel. Had been curious about it for a while since so many NST readers talk about it. It is truly a lovely scent. So, Misia is my scent of the day.
Congrats! Misia is lovely
Yes, it is one of those feel-very-good scents!
So what does it smell like? I didn’t think you were a Chanel fan.
I wouldn’t call Misia typical Chanel. It’s one of the few exclusifs I would invest in. The dominant chord is rose and violet, but its sheerer and brighter than Lipstick Rose.
Thanks Merlin. I have been wondering what it was like. A lot of talk about it lately on here.
Yes, because it’s the latest Chanel Exclusif and also the first formulated by Olivier Polge, who is taking the place of his father, Jacques, the resident Chanel ‘nose’. Here is the review:
https://nstperfume.com/2015/03/11/chanel-misia-perfume-review/
Apologies if you know all that already!
Actually, not a HUGE Chanel fan, but I own a bottle of Cristalle that I like a lot. I was actually in Neiman’s the other day, and the SA that sold me Cristalle asked me how I was enjoying it. We talked for a bit and I asked her if they had Misia. She said they did and let me smell it. I loved it automatically. Like Merlin said, it has violet in it. I didn’t even know that I liked violet. I am very picky with fragrance (one day I will like something and then the next day I won’t) so I got a small bottle. Gotten several compliments on it today! Kris, you would like it as well……I know your taste! LOL!
I am not a big violet fan, but who knows. Maybe I would like it. You are right. You do know what I like. I better try it.
Congratulations! It’s beautiful and, I imagine, wearable in every season. Therefore, it’s a good investment (that’s a justification I use for my own purchases!)
SOTD is Eau d’Italie Sienne L’Hiver. I had planned to wear Fendi Fendi but it’s the first hot day in ages and it’s also super humid and I could not imagine how that would go! So instead, I smell like a lovely fern!
Ah yes, Sienne l’Hiver. I should drag out my small decant of that, it would be good today.
I’m also wearing Sienne L’Hiver, but I think I smell like a green pepper!
The only Italian scent I own is L’Erbolario Meharees which is too sweet and rich for the weather. So it only got a tributary sniff this AM. I’m wearing SSS Wood Violet today. So glad it’s Friday. This week has been full of frustrations and mishaps for me-including samples I ordered that said by USPS that they were delivered to my mailbox yesterday but weren’t there. Hoping they turn up
Hi Elisa P, Forgive me if you a.ready know this. Your samples will probably be delivered tomorrow. Many items purchased online are delivered to your local post office, which the online tracking info will show as delivered. I wouldn’t be surprised if your samples are delivered tomorrow.
Thanks Petunia! They actually came today with “redeliver” handwritten on the outside so I think it was delivered to the wrong building. We get other peoples mail fairly often so it doesn’t surprise me. Mail delivery in NYC, especially outside of Manhattan is pretty unreliable from my experience. But glad I now I can enjoy my Saturday morning “coffee and samples”
I’ve been traveling and too busy to participate all week but I’m here for the poll in i Profumi di Firenze’s Lilla Serenella. This is a POWERFUL sweet almondy lilac.
That sounds lovely- I like almond notes. BTW you have such a pretty name! I hope it doesn’t get butchered on a regular basis
Haha! OH IT DOES! I get Alyssa, Eliza, the works……
Maria Candida Gentile Kitrea sample for me today and the best I can say is ‘meh’. But then, I haven’t found much of the line that works for me.
That one did not work on me either. But I am a fan of Exultat.
It was a toss up between Lorenzo Villoresi Dilmun or Donna. I chose Donna b/c I haven’t worn it in a very long time – I think I got this decant in the summer of 2009!!! I am enjoying the very bright rose and florals on this summery day. It is kind of reminding me of Eau de Joy a bit with the super green rose and jasmine, but the carnation in Donna is sending it off in a different direction.
Hey twin! Pretty sure my decant has a good 4 or 5 years on yours.
Don’t have Italian niche really, but decided I would wear BV Knot as it is Italian.
I was thinking with how well done the BV’s are, as well as the gorgeous long discontinued Fendi classics, they may as well be niche too!
Awww, I forgot that BV is Italian, just not niche. I could have worn Knot as well. Oh well! I will know for next time.
I Profumi di Firenze Tobacco which is a little heavy for the summer, but I have barely put a dent in the bottle since I bought it a decade or more ago. I mildy spicy tobacco oriental with what smells like real Indian sandalwood.
Wearing Iris Bleu/Blanc L’occitane(thanks NST!)..wish the iris note lasted longer but has a pleasant peach note. It’s a decent warm weather scent.
I have been very much participating on the sidelines lately (busy at work!), but today I have been a fully fledged participant of the Friday project, wearing 3 Etros layered.
First Via Verri —- ok, a bit too fresh and innocent for my mood today. Add some Patchouly – thaaat’s better: dry smoky wood for a more dark disposition. OK, let’s lighten it up a bit with Musk — the perfect trio! (All samples, by the way, wish I had FB’s. If I had to choose, it would be the Musk.
Need to add Musk to the must-sniff list!
Has either of you tried Paisley by Etro? If so, what do you think?
Actually can’t remember! My favourite Etro (of what I have smelled ) is Gomma. But then I like many leather scents…
I am sure it’s lovely – love the name! But no, have not smelled it.
I didn’t think I had any Italian niche, but then I remembered my sample of Xerjoff Lira (Xerjoff is Italian, right?). Such a pretty candied vanilla gourmand. I can’t imagine ever buying a FB, though, because of the outrageous price. Luckily there are many wonderful vanillas available at more reasonable prices.
I’m wearing AdP Rosa Nobile from a decant. I haven’t worn it since spring. Wow! Smells great. These Friday community projects are good for breaking with the routine (but loved) perfumes I wear seasonally.
I sprayed lightly because I don’t know if Rosa Nobile will be too much for a 97 degrees day. (Eventually I will need to go outside!)
How is this? I’m dying to smell it. Does is smell similar to YSL Paris? Or is it more fresh rose? I’ve seen the Paris comparison on reviews on the blogs. Please do tell!!
AnnS, I feel very embarrassed admitting this, but I’ve never smelled Paris! I’m sorry I can’t make the comparison for you. (Looks like I’d better rectify this omission in my perfume education.)
The Perfume Candy Boy–who loves it–calls it a rose soliflore but I don’t agree. People on Fragrantica have rated it a rose/peony/musk/cedar, with the emphasis on rose and peony. There’s also some violet and lily of the valley in there.
When I hold my arm close to my nose I get a very rich rose scent. But sniffed from a few inches away I get less rose and and a lot of notes that I can’t quite identify. They combine to make something not clean and crisp, but earthier and slightly dark.
I hope you can sample it in a department store. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions.
Hey I was late to the Paris party as well!!So many frags…..
Thanks for your comments!!! Still curious…
I haven’t done a side by side but I would think Paris is quite heavy and rich in comparison – much more elaborate. I find all the Acqua di Parma florals relatively light and clean – but I don’t own Rosa or Paris so my impressions may be misleading…
Kinda spot on Merlin!Paris to me is a red rose,vs Rosa Nobile that is the lightest of pink,if we were to color the two!
Twins!! Love Rosa Nobile!
Hi nebbe. I was hoping for someone to be my scent twin today!!!
I was late to work this morning and in that haste forgot the Friday-challenge!So I cheated on my italian lover(s)….Santa Maria,Acqua di P and Etro and went with what seems to have become my winter staple perfume:Nuxe Le Parfum.Cozy in the cold weather we currently have.It makes me dream of beaches and suntan oil.I’ve grown very fond of the whole Nuxe line of products.
I wouldn’t call it cheating. You are quite obviously polyamorous in the perfume department
Obviously.Lol.I fell hard and head over heels for the red lady today:Jasmin Rouge.O.M.G.The first TF that doesn’t turn into off vinegar on my skin!More of this please!!
Took a break from my week of sampling and sprayed on SMN Tabacco Toscano. My sister and I were visiting Florence, I spent more time at SMN than the Uffizzi. Sadly, my sister does not know or care to know about “the perfume salute”, or I would have been in there longer. I bought incense, burning papers, terra cotta pomegranates and Tabacco. THEN THE AIRLINE LOST OUR LUGGAGE on our way home from Rome.
I spent one month and untold hours getting those bags back. All my beautifully wrapped purchases were not going to end up in that place where unclaimed luggage goes to die.
That is so awful! I would be so upset. Airlines are so terrible.
NOOOOOO!! I am so sorry!
So glad your efforts paid off in the end! I love Melograno – are the terracotta pomegranates wonderful?
Nozknoz – the terra cotta pomegranates are quite wonderful. I keep them tucked in corners and every once in the while spray them with water to keep the scent fresher. The L’artisan wood and Amber balls are great for chiller weather but the pomegranates are perfect anytime. The canisters they come in are really nice, too. I use them for make up brushes on my counter.
Thanks – good to know!
nozknoz, the SMN boutique in Chevy Chase has the terracotta pomegranates — hope you’ll be able to get there soon to sniff for yourself — I agree that they are indeed wonderful!
So sorry!!
Posting very late today, my SOTD is Corallium (Carthusia). Was waiting for hot weather to try this again, will see as the day goes on.
Wearing Xerjoff Irisss today. Too bad it’s so pricey
You’re right: it’s great but… Iri$$$
I was going to wear La Via del Profumo, Maria Candida Gentile, or Etro, but I happened to open the drawer where I keep Missoni Acqua. It’s summer, so “the beach, water and sunny summer of Sardinia” was irresistible. It’s like the orange Missoni reflected in a turquoise mirror, and proof positive that an aquatic melon perfume can smell great.
Oh, I do have something Italian! I have some of that as well, it reminds me of Byblos by Byblos, one of my favorite 90s aquatics!
Interesting! I’ve got some Byblos somewhere – I’ll have to compare.
SOTD: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterenee Fico di Amalfi. Creamy fig and bright grapefruit. Perfect for warm weather!
Interestingly, Italian fragrance came up in my conversation with Andre at The Perfume House the other day, and we discussed how the general Italian aesthetic seems to be really good with citrus and perhaps less bold with other types of fragrances–certainly less willing to go anamalic than the French, for example.
I would love to have a chance to sample all those blu mediterenee fragrances! Some of them sound so enticing from the notes lists.
Gotta come on back for a pilgrimage to Our Lady some time and have a sniff!
This is the one that stood out to me, but I was looking for a summer fig at the time.
Sounds like I need to sample more Italian fragrances!
In the spirit of Italian Niche Friday, I took a trip to my local Neiman Marcus to sample Roma Imperiale by Profumi del Forte which someone described yesterday as gorgeous stuff. Alas it’s only available online so I sampled Love in White, Byredo’s Gypsy Water and Bal D’Afrique. Was not overly impressed by any of those.
Well, think of the money you saved! What if you had loved all of them? It’s good to know when you do not appreciate a particular fragrance. Cuts down on the yearning to know!
Maria Candida Gentile’s Leuco.
This is definitely my favorite from the bumblebees. From the reviews I read it seems more dense, but on me Leuco is really nicely light and transparent. I almost went for a travel spray, but I still miss that something to convince me … probably I’ll pass, even though it would be good to try it from a spray.
My only Italian scent is at work and I am at home today – Carthusia Mediterraneo. But I was in the mood for something similar, so spritzed on some Chanel Eau de Cologne. I do not get the fuss over this – there are so many better, cheaper colognes out there!
Hmmm… no Italian niche that I could lay my hands on, and I wasn’t in the mood for Bottega Veneta (tho I do love it)…so Vent Vert it is…
Question: Can you folks recommend a really lemony (fruit and peel w bergamot and lime in there as well) fragrance that is stronger/longer lasting/more sillage than a cologne but does not smell like 7 Up or furniture polish? The one I am thinking of is way way too pricey… (it got some bad press in the perfumosphere, but I loved it!), Le Labo’s Limette 37.
Monsieur Balmain.In the tall yellow bottle.Bitter lemony goodness!It lasts forever too.
Never tried it. Will have to!
This one has been on my list
Two from Fresh (at Sephora) spring to mind: Sugar (very lemony) and Hesperides, a non-bitter grapefruit. Not drugstore cheap, but way cheaper than Le Labo!
I find the Brown Sugar more lemony than the Lemon Sugar so be sure to try both!
I don’t think I’ve ever sniffed anything by Fresh (the name gets in the way a little)…but now I am psyched to head over to Sephora soon and try these out!
Me too!
I meant “me too” to Brown Sugar smelling more lemony.
Brown Sugar reminds me of a Sidecar (in a good way)
I Profumi di Firenze Limone di Sicilia is hugely, shockingly lemony. It doesn’t last a long long time, even in the concentrate (60% oil), but it’s more durable than you would expect from a citrus. And it is gorgeous.
I like the idea of shockingly lemony!
Eau de Rochas has a really nice lime note and is long lasting. I also like the lemon tea accord of Cristalle au Vert. Pour Monsieur is nice on lemon but is a warmer scent with the vanilla, etc…
And a lovely lovely citrus is Cologne du Parfumeur (one of the Guerlain’s) but the bright lemon tone of it does not last very long.
It’s been a long time since I’ve tried it, but maybe O de Lancome too.
I like O Lancome, but if I am remembering correctly, it swings more soft than peel….
I would say Carthusia Mediterraneo, but have not smelled a new bottle in ages and hope they have not freshened it up / reformulated it.
I haven’t tried any of the Carthusia line. I’m putting it on the list! Thanks muchly.
Did you see Foxbins’ note about Profumum Roma Acqua Viva below?
At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to play today, but then I opened my sample drawer and found an AdP Blu Mediterraneo spray-sample set that I had forgotten I had! I’m wearing Arancia di Capri.
The Italian niche fragrance that I wish I had another full bottle of is SMN Acqua di Colonia. Such a light, elegant summer scent!
I put a sample spritzer of Acqua di Parma Colonia in the powder room to mark today’s community project. It’s a perfectly classy classic.
I truly love the smell of Colonia on linens, towels, clothes, paper, and in the air, but not on me. There is just a bit too much barbershop in it for me to wear. I love the lavender and citrus, but I can’t decide if it’s patchouli or musk that punches me in the nose.
Twins!
Yay! Hi twin!
To double up on Italian niche day, I just walked through a cloud of Il Profvmo Mandarine (thanks to a lovely NST swapper).
I like to wear this one as a gently diffuse mist rather spraying it directly on skin.
It sparkles!
I’m wearing Acqua di Parma Bergamotto di Calabria. It’s nice, though citrus-centric frags generally aren’t my thing. I just came back from the pool, though, so it’s working for me right now.
Not niche, but I’m in Laura Biagiotti Roma, which was a fave of mine a few years ago. It’s mint, blackcurrant, citrus and bergamot over florals, and a warm, vanillic amber base. The trouble for me is that after the fresh notes in the opening, the rest is dense and rather flat. I wish there is a bit more air between the notes. It lasts all day, too, child of the 80s that it is! I think with Roma the key is to apply lightly, so today I’ve applied just a few small spritzes under my clothes.
I can understand why Roma is so popular though. The cool-warm combination gives it a bit in common with Shalimar.
Roma was a favourite of mine as well. I’ve always regarded it as Dune’s trashier sunnier sister. It’s a great scent, and I’m glad I kept my bottle. So I think you smell great.
Until a few minutes ago I sported Deep Woods Off, dirt, and garlic – it was time to dig it up.
Now I’m wearing Jardin Du Poete.
I’m in Profumum Roma Acqua Viva today, the best lemon I know. Notes of Amalfi lemon, cedar, cypress, and laburnum. Lasts an incredibly long time for a citrus. I have several others from this house–Eccelso, Fiori di Ambra, and another that I can’t recall at the moment, but Acqua Viva is my favorite.
That sounds really lovely…drool!
SOTD = My Inner Island Vaniglia Sopraffina e Rhum
This was my vacation purchase pre-cruise in Boston last summer. I got it from Oficina 189, the Italian products boutique thegoddessrena visited yesterday. It is plush and boozy vanilla and lasts and lasts. It is an EDP but wears more like an extrait since the vanilla is so concentrated. I love it!
My Italian niche collection is anemic and this project had caused me to consider looking at a number of other brands and/or other perfumes in a brand that I already have (e.g. SMN, MCG).
I’m wearing 10 Corso Como today.
I can’t believe I forgot! I wore Etro Shaal Nur on Monday, and thought I’d wear Lorenzo Villoresi Dilmun today. Instead, I was poking through my untried sample box, and realized I hadn’t yet worn the Guerlain Bois d’Armenie I got a few weeks ago. I do smell wonderful–like incense but not smoky or soapy, with I think some well-behaved pink pepper, and just the right amount of sweetness. I’m trying to convince myself I don’t love it that much, as it is quite spendy. After all, Papier d’Armenie is just $6 or $7 plus shipping. Right? (Plus the stingy SA only gave me enough for about two full trials, and I really need at least three before making any kind of commitment.)