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Friday scent of the day 12/11

Posted by Robin on 11 December 2015 186 Comments

Institut Très Bien

Happy Friday everyone! Our community project for today: wear a perfume by Pierre Bourdon, if you have one. I know lots of you said you didn't, but do chime in with your scent of the day anyway!

I'm wearing Institut Très Bien Cologne à la Russe, from a very old sample.

Reminder: next week on 12/18 we're doing Best Buy Friday: wear your favorite fragrance purchase of 2015. If you didn't buy anything this year, pick a favorite from a prior year.

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.

Filed Under: poll
Tagged With: friday community project, pierre bourdon, sotd

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186 Comments

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  1. ockeghem says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:19 am

    I don’t have one of his scents, but I think you’ve inspired me to stop by a store on the way home and spray some Cool Water. I had a boyfriend a long time ago who wore it religiously, and I haven’t smelled it in a long time. My SOTD is Amouage Gold, which for some reason I can’t pinpoint just seemed right this morning.

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    • Robin says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:20 am

      And that would be an interesting mix … Gold + Cool Water!

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      • ockeghem says:
        11 December 2015 at 12:26 pm

        I did the Cool Water on paper. ;-)

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    • solanace says:
      11 December 2015 at 2:22 pm

      I dated a Cool Water boy too, many centuries ago.

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      • SicilianaNM says:
        11 December 2015 at 6:29 pm

        Ouch, centuries?

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        • solanace says:
          11 December 2015 at 7:23 pm

          Feels like, lol. Really loved that idiot.

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    • austenfan says:
      11 December 2015 at 3:11 pm

      Gold is stunning, you smell beautiful.

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  2. Ari says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:19 am

    Count me in with those who sadly own no Pierre Bourdons! It looks like he’s done quite a bit for Frederic Malle, so I’ll do Lipstick Rose. I still adore this, but I confess that I end up wearing Chanel Misia a lot more these days.

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    • Glannys says:
      11 December 2015 at 9:26 am

      Lipstick Rose is lovely. This one and YSL Paris are my two favourite rose-violet scents at the moment. (Although my sample of Misia is still waiting to be sniffed.)

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      • Petunia says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:45 am

        I like it too. Very feminine and pretty.

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  3. Glannys says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:23 am

    Iris Poudre.
    I did not expect to fall in love with this perfume, but it the second time I wear it and find it an enchanting scent. Yes, it is aldehydic, but aldehydes are soft and feel almost sheer in this one. And the powdery aspect is very beautifully done – it’s like a magical floral dust.

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    • Janice says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:19 am

      I’m wearing Iris Poudre too. I bet there will be a lot of us wearing it today!

      I agree completely with your description.

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    • mals86 says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:23 am

      Me three. I fell so hard for that beautiful drydown.

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    • sweetgrass says:
      11 December 2015 at 4:28 pm

      Me Four! It’s the only Bourdon I have. I have a mini, and I’m almost out. :-O

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    • cazaubon says:
      11 December 2015 at 6:06 pm

      Me five! So lovely.

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  4. Lovestosmellgood says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:25 am

    It’s a stretch but I used some Salvatore Ferragamo Tuscan Soul body wash…

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    • L says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:13 am

      Oh, I think that totally counts!

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      • Robin says:
        11 December 2015 at 10:21 am

        Absolutely.

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  5. JadainGA says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:25 am

    Alas! No Bourdons in my small but slowly growing collection! I will live vicariously thru all of you today….

    SOTD: Venti di Fiora, by Bois 1920. Absolutely lovely, “Christmas tree” woody scent, but still feminine enough! Broke out an “ugly” Christmas sweater, so this suits my mood perfectly…..

    IT’S FRIDAY!! Rejoice, and be glad in it! :)

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    • Robin says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:22 am

      I am very much rejoicing :-)

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  6. Vanille says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:35 am

    No Pierre Bourbon in my stash, sadly. I remember when Institut Très Bien was available in Québec. I’ve always wanted to buy Cologne à la Russe, but never did.
    Today, I am wearing Laura Mercier Tarte au citron edp, a 15ml bottle from a gift set I bought for myself last year.

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    • Rick says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:16 am

      It’s available again, and I’m wearing the new one. I still have some of the old one, in the splash bottle and tried both last night. The old one was more of a cologne, with a blast of bright citrus followed by a quiet trace of herbs and powder. The new one is more of a perfume, the initial citrus is as much lemon verbena as lemon, the herbs and powder is much stronger and the whole thing lasts much longer.

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      • Robin says:
        11 December 2015 at 10:21 am

        I have to check to see if they still make Tres Russe, which I never did try.

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      • Vanille says:
        11 December 2015 at 11:27 am

        Thanks very much! I’ll look it up as soon as I get home.

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        • Oakland Fresca says:
          11 December 2015 at 1:08 pm

          I’m not familiar with her line, so I just checked out her website… passing along that there is a 20% off everything sale just today.

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  7. Petunia says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:40 am

    I feel like a broken record…No Bourdons in my collection either. I am commando at the moment as I have today off from work. After showering, I will be wearing Bergamoss layered with Mitsouko hoping that this combination will deepen the chypre aspect of the later. Happy Friday all!

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    • Luna Green says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:10 am

      Ooh, I like your layering idea. Let us know how it turns out!

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      • Lovestosmellgood says:
        11 December 2015 at 11:19 am

        I need to experiment more with layering

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      • Petunia says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:09 pm

        Not sure if you’ll see this but the layering went well. The scents are a good match. I was out with a friend who said it smelled nice.

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  8. PriscillaE says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:42 am

    I actually have a mini of Cool Water woman, that I got years ago, but I just can’t bring myself to wear it. I’m going to wear My Burberry, from a sample I received from Sephora on Monday.

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    • Petunia says:
      11 December 2015 at 9:43 am

      Ha! What is it about those aquatic scents?

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      • Petunia says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:44 am

        Maybe you could use it as a room spray if you don’t want to wear it.

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    • PriscillaE says:
      11 December 2015 at 3:32 pm

      The My Burberry turned out to be perfect for today. When I came back from lunch it was 86 degrees. Unfortunately, this is not atypical of December in East Texas.

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  9. newbiebex says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:44 am

    I have no PB in my small stash. I’m working from home today, so I splashed on some Eau d’Hadrien from a sample I got a long time ago. It may have been in a Birchbox. I love this scent, but it just doesn’t hang around long enough. I have a weakness for all things AG though. It was my first “real” perfume line. Real as opposed to available in regular department stores and Sephora, I mean.

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    • Luna Green says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:11 am

      I used to have a bottle of EdH many years ago and wore it every day. I miss it and keep saying that I need to restock. This summer, perhaps… Anyway, you smell great!

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      • newbiebex says:
        11 December 2015 at 4:11 pm

        Thank you! It’s much better suited to summertime, for sure. But it is lovely. It’s a very happy scent to me.

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  10. Doc Sinister says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:44 am

    I am wearing a bit of FdB out of my far-too-small brown bean mini. It and a Cool Water mini are the only of his scents I have (though I’ve always wanted to try his Institut Tres Bien colognes).

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    • SheriG says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:02 am

      Envious of your bean bottle, however small.

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      • Doc Sinister says:
        11 December 2015 at 10:10 am

        I got it on Ebay at a time when there were several listings for minis–I guess I got stupid lucky, because I’ve had no luck finding ones I could afford since.

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    • Elisa says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:37 am

      I’m also in FdB — I have a sample of the parfum, which is marvelous. Someday I’d like a bottle of the Lutens version.

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      • Doc Sinister says:
        11 December 2015 at 11:54 am

        Oooh, I can only imagine how lovely the parfum must be!

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  11. Danaki says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:44 am

    I’m wearing the original Shiseido Feminite du Bois – a lovely woody fragrance was what I was after today and it clicked with the community project. Awesome!

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    • Robin says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:22 am

      Perfect!

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  12. sterling925 says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:46 am

    I’m sadly out of my sample of Iris Poudré, and forgot about Feminité du Bois. It wouldn’t have been right anyway, though, since it’s uncomfortably warm and damp here today. So I’m in Osmanthe Yunnan!

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:26 am

      Love OY! I only wish it lasted longer on me.

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  13. karen B says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:52 am

    I join the No Bourdon chorus in Frank Los Angeles. I’ll use up my sample but won’t need more. Happy Friday to all! ⛅️

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:27 am

      Happy Friday! It’s been a long week.

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  14. Dawnkana says:
    11 December 2015 at 9:58 am

    Good day! I spritzed on a vintage perfume this morning, Michelle by Balenciaga. From Fragrantica: Michelle, created in 1979, is an eternal classic of the house of Balenciaga. It is an intense, floral and oriental fragrance thanks to tuberose in the top notes. Michelle is recommended for romantic, evening occasions. The nose behind this fragrance is Francoise Caron.

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    • mals86 says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:25 am

      Michelle is really pretty – a lovely floral. I seem to have misplaced my mini parfum somewhere…

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    • Oakland Fresca says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:10 pm

      I had a small bottle of that a year or so ago that I picked up at a “vintage” shop… I thought it was great.

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  15. Deva says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:00 am

    No Pierre for me, so sad!

    But I am celebrating FRIDAY with Box of Eels.
    Happy weekend to all :)

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:28 am

      Box of Eels is always the right choice. :)

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  16. SheriG says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:04 am

    No Pierre in my arsenal either. I’m in my favorite no-brainer standby, Gucci EDP.

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  17. Dawn says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:06 am

    I have Courtesan but don’t have Shishedo’s Feminite du Bois but not wearing either today. Sadly, I have to go to the dentist again today. At my last appointment, the gentleman that is treating me at the med school said that because he is a student and we are doing this at the med school, it will take a long time to get my mouth fixed up. So I am probably going to go with Infusion d’Iris today.

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:33 am

      Hope all goes well today!

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    • Elisa P says:
      11 December 2015 at 12:17 pm

      Wish I had more than drops of Courtesan left. Good luck with the dentist!

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  18. Luna Green says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:16 am

    I have a sample of Iris Poudre, but I just wasn’t in the mood for it today. Wearing Safran Troublant instead. I felt the need to give my nose a break from those rich Amouages I’ve been wearing all week.

    Happy Friday to all!

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    • Deva says:
      11 December 2015 at 12:59 pm

      ST is lovely! You smell great :)

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  19. dottieCHI says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:17 am

    Gleefully wearing Profumum Ambra Aurea, a scent I fell in love with a year ago. I could not justify spending over $200 on a 100 ml bottle (one spray is potent enough), but I finally managed to get in on a 20 ml split. AA is the perfect straight amber for me, dense and smokey and warm. Yum. I wouldn’t usually wear something like this to the office but I couldn’t wait after receiving the package last night.

    The only PB I have is a sample of Iris Poudre. Beautifully elegant but not really my style. I save it for work functions.

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  20. L says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:20 am

    No Bourdon. I went with 31 Rue Cambon. Always perfect.

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    • Luna Green says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:26 am

      Indeed!

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    • Annikky says:
      11 December 2015 at 2:19 pm

      Yes.

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  21. thegoddessrena says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:28 am

    Sampling Gianfranco Ferre Ferre which I’m so far liking quite a bit. This marks my backlog point of sampling–since moving in May, I have now tried more samples than I’ve acquired. ( This state should last for a day or two, at least until the 40 piece sample lot I got off ebay arrives….)

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    • farouche says:
      11 December 2015 at 10:44 am

      :-0

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    • thegoddessrena says:
      11 December 2015 at 12:45 pm

      Washed Ferre off because it started irritating my throat. Am now in EnVoyage Indigo Vanilla which I adore

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  22. Sajini says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:28 am

    No Pierre for me either. Doing errands for the trip to India, so put on about a dozen carnelian bracelets and spritzed on Jacomo 8 for a little spicy chai goodness.

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    • Lovestosmellgood says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:20 am

      Ah! One of the places I hope to visit one day! enjoy your trip

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    • MikasMinion says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:31 am

      I envy you your trip and your bracelets :) Now I want a huge cup of chai.

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    • hajusuuri says:
      11 December 2015 at 8:59 pm

      Have fun on your trip!

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  23. Eleebelle says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:32 am

    I don’t have anything for today’s theme either, so I’m wearing Mohur. I figured it was safe to start using up my sample, since I got a bottle yesterday on that fantastic 50% discount.

    When I was looking for my Mohur sample last night, I stumbled across a sadly-evaporated sample of Trayee. I managed to squeeze out one last drop and fell in love all over again. I just need to keep reminding myself that despite mostly loving it, there’s one particular note in Trayee *usually* makes me queasy, and hence I DON’T need a bottle… Really.

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:25 am

      Enjoy spraying Mohur with abandon! :)

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:19 pm

      I’ve got a similar Bombay Bling conundrum–I love the top notes and the drydown WITH ALL MY HEART, but the dry woodsy/incensey heart notes make my sinuses unhappy. It’s a very expensive bottle to be allergic to… (BUT THE OTHER PARTS ARE SO GENIUS.)

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      • Eleebelle says:
        11 December 2015 at 2:35 pm

        We must stand strong against scents-we-almost-love-but-are-way-too-expensive-considering-that-there’s-part-of-them-we-don’t-like! (I just need to keep reminding myself about the part I don’t like.)

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        • C.H. says:
          11 December 2015 at 2:47 pm

          I know. I’ve got a bottle of After My Own Heart in which I find the lilacs so beautiful, they actually move me to tears…but the heliotrope sets my teeth on edge, so I never wear it. Literally never. Totally a mistake to buy–and yet a third of the price of the NVs…

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    • PrincessTonk says:
      12 December 2015 at 8:41 am

      May I ask…what 50% off???

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  24. mayfly says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:38 am

    Iris Poudre is in my top 5!, unfortunately i only have a tiny drop left in my sample, and want to save it for christmas shopping and a gathering with friends tomorrow.
    I’m wearing French Lover by pierre bourdon instead, i have a 3ml malle travel spray of this, i like it but it doesn’t hang around on my scent eating skin for long unfortunately.

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  25. meredifay says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:45 am

    I’m in Iris Poudre! Have just about used up my travel bottle, so I am bracing my budget for a full bottle of this in spite of all the holiday expenses that happen thus time of year. Have to look for a good coupon or something. Iris Poudre, Mohur Extrait, L’Aire du Desert Morocain are my favorite three at the moment…

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    • mals86 says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:30 am

      Hope you find some IP! I went through two 10ml decants, saved up for three years for a full bottle (and then lucked out last January on ebay, where someone who had gotten it for Christmas and didn’t like it was selling it at a small discount).

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:20 pm

      That is really a spectacular trio you’ve got in rotation right now :)

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      • meredifay says:
        11 December 2015 at 2:50 pm

        Thanks! I believe that these 3 sort of encompass the range of perfume I want to wear this time of year, and my impulse to get scads more samples is damped down to almost nothing! Although I need something with vanilla and sandlewood to sleep in, and I do want a bit of Encens Mythique, and some Avignon…there is always something!

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    • yukiej says:
      12 December 2015 at 12:51 am

      Interesting, your list has piqued my interest! I love Mohur EdP and LDDM, but have never tried Iris Poudre. Maybe I should though…?

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  26. Desirae says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:46 am

    I am wearing Feminite du Bois, a sample from Sephora. It’s a nice plummy cedar and makes me wonder what the original from Shiseido was like.

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    • pyramus says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:15 am

      That’s what I’m in, too: a very recent iteration and I like it a great deal, but I can’t help wondering what it smelled like back I the day. Still, all that yummy Lutens dried fruit and tons of cedar is lovely.

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:53 am

      SL at Sephora? That would be an exciting development!

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      • floragal says:
        11 December 2015 at 12:14 pm

        That reminds me.. at the Sephora’s in Paris (and probably other Sephora’s outside the USA) they have not only Lutens, but many other non-mainstream brands. It’s really quite something to see how much space they dedicate to perfume at Sephora in Paris. Of course it is Paris where fragrance has reigned for centuries. Nevertheless it was still quite something to see so many people exploring scent there.
        When I asked for a sample the gal pointed to another woman and said, “she does the samples”. They actually designate specific staff to just do samples. Love this.

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        • dottieCHI says:
          11 December 2015 at 1:24 pm

          Nice! I went to the huge Sephora on Champs-Elysees once (so crowded!) but that was before my perfume obsession. I remember I bought a Chanel lipstick and a small bottle of Love, Chloe.

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          • floragal says:
            11 December 2015 at 1:50 pm

            Yep! That’s the one I’m thinking of.

        • hajusuuri says:
          11 December 2015 at 6:58 pm

          So true about the non-US Sephoras! I went to one in Copenhagen and while there were no Serge Lutens, there were plenty of others. The most fantastic department store beauty floor fragrance section is at KaDeWe in Berlin.

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      • pyramus says:
        11 December 2015 at 12:19 pm

        Sephora Canada carried some of the line a few years ago. That was nice.

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      • C.H. says:
        11 December 2015 at 1:21 pm

        Dollars to donuts, it’s a Sephora outside the US…

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        • dottieCHI says:
          11 December 2015 at 1:54 pm

          Too bad. Sephora would be much more convenient than a special trip to Barneys.

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          • C.H. says:
            11 December 2015 at 2:13 pm

            I know. US Sephora is improving–in my area now one store’s got JHAG, another has a few L’Artisan’s–but a lot of their new niche stuff is online only, which, well if I wanted to buy it online, I already had plenty of options for that!

          • hajusuuri says:
            11 December 2015 at 7:01 pm

            C.H. – The Sephora in New York definitely has more perfumes than my rinky dink one in the NJ burbs. One thing I like about the perfumes being in Sephora whether in store or online is that the discounts apply to all.

          • C.H. says:
            11 December 2015 at 9:15 pm

            Very good point about the discounts. Are the NYC Sephoras so good they have Serge now?! And if yes, then indeed, why aren’t they online so I can buy with a Sephora discount :)

          • hajusuuri says:
            11 December 2015 at 11:07 pm

            No Serge Lutens in NYC Sephora yet!

        • jjlook says:
          11 December 2015 at 9:51 pm

          We have it at Vancouver Sephora. It’s not as rich and textural as the original. But it is delightful to get nice Sephora samples of many SLs whenever one wants. ;-)

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          • C.H. says:
            11 December 2015 at 11:49 pm

            !!!!!

            I HADN’T EVEN THOUGHT OF THE SAMPLES.

  27. Annikky says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:47 am

    I actually planned to wear Cool Water – I used to love it in my very early twenties. The idea was to go to my local department store and spray myself with it, but I simply didn’t have time. And my Feminite du Bois is not the original, so I ended up wearing Iris Poudre – with 700 other people :) A colleague has just complimented my scent, so I’m not too sad about not wearing Cool Water.

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    • Kris says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:17 am

      Annikky-

      Did you see I left you a note in yesterday’s post? Waiting for my Chanel samples that you suggested. Thanks.

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      • Annikky says:
        11 December 2015 at 3:23 pm

        Yes, I saw it today! I hope you enjoy the samples. Beige and 1932 are definitely office appropriate, but you might find them too ordinary. Then again, they do smell nice.

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Heh, I think I would not mind if Iris Poudre became the thing I smelled everywhere :)

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      • Annikky says:
        11 December 2015 at 3:24 pm

        Yes, I can imagine scenarios that are much worse :)

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  28. springpansy says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:52 am

    Rats – I wore next Friday’s Best Buy of 2015 today: JHAG Miss Charming. Maybe I can wear a bit of my Iris Poudre beurre exquisite next Friday! This is one of those fragrances that I find absolutely beautiful, yet not really me so I’ve never bought more.

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    • springpansy says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:38 am

      That should have been Beurre Exquise, of course.

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      • thegoddessrena says:
        11 December 2015 at 12:05 pm

        The texture of those is so amazing

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  29. Katrina says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:54 am

    I used the remaining drops of my sample of vintage Feminine du Bois parfum and wow, it’s crazy good. Strange as it is, I am questioning if it turned or if I already had something on because it is like a smack in the face of something smokey and possibly cumin-y? The closest thing I have to this is Le Labo Rose 31 for that cumin-y note or TF Amber Absolute for that full on burn smell. Very interesting.

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    • Elisa says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:39 am

      I think strong cedar smells sweaty in a similar way to cumin sometimes.

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      • Elisa P says:
        11 December 2015 at 12:05 pm

        I get that with cedar too. Notes that people read as “cumin” in certain perfumes, I read as “sweaty cedar” like in Jubilation 25, Declaration, and newer Femme. I guess it doesn’t matter as what people don’t like is “sweaty”.

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        • stinker_kit says:
          11 December 2015 at 1:01 pm

          I am so glad this is mentioned here. The cedar note in all modern iterations of Serge Lutens fragrances is a deal breaker for me. I find it raspy and unpleasant. I do not notice it in the Shiseido version of FDB but it is definitely present in the Serge Lutens version. I find this note in many modern perfumes and I do not like it. My skin blows this note up and drowns out everything else. Cumin I can do and love. I wear Declaration and Rochas Femme often and do not notice that dreaded raspy cedar. I love cedar essential oil and often wear it alone or under perfumes that could benefit from it so I think it is just me!

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          • Elisa P says:
            11 December 2015 at 1:39 pm

            I have cedar essential oil and it smells sweaty to me, but not raspy. I get that raspiness in some perfumes with wood notes(Stella, Rose 31 etc) and it’s raspy and ashy, but not sweaty. I think that raspy quality has to do with synthetic woods that are used. I happen to like a touch of sweat. The most cumin-y perfume I’ve smelled is Diptyque L’Autre. Way too much for me.

  30. missionista says:
    11 December 2015 at 10:56 am

    No Bourdon for me, so I’m in 24 Faubourg. Very good for a long day that began at 6AM, and will go long into the evening.

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    • Lovestosmellgood says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:24 am

      hope 24 stays strong with you on your long work day!

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:24 pm

      It really is perfect for soldiering on (also, the most elegant soldiering that’s ever been!)

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  31. Gi says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:18 am

    I checked the list over and over…nope, not even a single Bourdon sample.
    Instead I’m trying out Natori from a mini received in a swap. I was sure I’d love it but it is not doing anything for me. Oh well.

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:59 am

      I’ve been tempted to blind buy Natori for a while, since the price is so low. Your experience is a reminder of why that wouldn’t be a good idea. Never know how a particular scent will work, regardless of rave reviews.

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      • Elisa P says:
        11 December 2015 at 1:17 pm

        You can find the minis for cheap, too. It doesn’t wow me either but it’s pretty. Reminds me a bit of potpourri.

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        • AnnieA says:
          11 December 2015 at 1:49 pm

          …and it reminded me of cheap shaving foam. Wouldn’t even want to smell it on a guy.

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  32. lillyjo says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:20 am

    Unfortunately I can’t participate today. I used to have Dolce Vita and Good Life, and I miss them both. Today I’m wearing NR for her L’absolu.

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    • mals86 says:
      11 December 2015 at 11:32 am

      I have this tiny gem of a 5ml mini of Dolce Vita parfum, and it is So Good. Intensely fruitcakey… and the weather is too warm to enjoy DV to its best advantage. I’ll save it for those freezing days that we know are coming.

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      • Gi says:
        11 December 2015 at 1:09 pm

        It is a good reminder for me, too. Though not terribly expensive, I was about to blind buy it in the strength of reviews but this swap came up and gave a low-risk try.
        Too bad I made a very expensive blind buy just a few days ago of something else. Fingers crossed it will work out, but when will I finally learn my lesson?

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        • Gi says:
          11 December 2015 at 1:10 pm

          Whoops, sorry! I posted this in the wrong place :-/

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        • dottieCHI says:
          11 December 2015 at 7:01 pm

          Fingers crossed!

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      • lillyjo says:
        11 December 2015 at 3:02 pm

        It has been many years since I have smelled Dolce Vita. I remember it being beautiful and just very special. I so wish I would have saved a few drops just to revisit from time to time. I wish that about a lot of my old bottles though.

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  33. pixel says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:25 am

    The only Bourdon I have is a smidge of the original FdB thanks to a kind NST-er. So in theory I’m wearing that, but in reality I’m WFH so I felt like testing instead. I’ve got SL Bois de Violette (an FdB variant) on my left hand and SSS Wood Violet on my right hand. They are hilariously different. Rather doubt I need a FB of either one, though.

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  34. mals86 says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:33 am

    Iris Poudre! Could it be anything else?

    (Well, okay, it could have been a smidge of Dolce Vita parfum, but the weather is too warm for that today.)

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  35. Barqs says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:36 am

    I currently do not own anything by Pierre Bourdon. I did enjoy sampling Dolce Vita last month when I was in Florida, but did not buy a bottle.

    Today, I’m wearing Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant. I was going to wait until my husband’s office Christmas party tonight, but decided to go for it early this morning. I sprayed very lightly.

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  36. MikasMinion says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:41 am

    I’m not playing today either. The only one I’ve ever had was a tiny sample of FdB that’s long gone, and with the hot, foggy, windy day I’m really glad not to be wearing it. Strange weather.
    I’m wearing Fleurs d’Oranger instead and trying to pack everything I will need from now until mid-January. With screwy Texas weather, that means practically my entire wardrobe :( Also, I need to include nice stuff for Christmas and work clothes for after…gah! Luckily, my husband will be back and forth so I can pack stuff and leave it here for him to bring, but the planning is killing me this morning (hence, my presence here).
    Oh, in case anyone’s interested, Hautelook has Penhaligons and L’Artisan right now. Looks like a better selection than usual, lots of soaps and candles.

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:06 pm

      Oh dear, I just lost my mind and ordered three of the Provence reed diffusers from HauteLook. Totally not a “need” but I love the scent and when the Boules are $220, $24 feels like they’re giving them away!

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Ooooh, tempted by the 50 ml bottle of Tea for Two for $38. But I’m still waiting for my bottle of Amour Noctourne from the last sale. :-p

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      • C.H. says:
        11 December 2015 at 1:43 pm

        I know, it’s like how you can afford NOT to buy a $38 Tea for Two?? :)

        Log in to Reply
        • dottieCHI says:
          11 December 2015 at 3:29 pm

          Right?! :)

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      • Deva says:
        11 December 2015 at 8:37 pm

        I succumbed!

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        • C.H. says:
          11 December 2015 at 9:16 pm

          Yay!

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    • Luna Green says:
      11 December 2015 at 3:24 pm

      Was really not planning to buy Chasses aux Papillions until spring/summer, but for those prices… Hmmm…

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  37. Elizabeth says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:50 am

    It’s one of the rare gloomy rainy Califonia days and I just wasn’t in the mood to wear Iris Poudre. Instead I’m wearing Une Voix Noire.

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  38. Kris says:
    11 December 2015 at 11:56 am

    I can’t participate today either so am wearing Love by Chloe.

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 3:32 pm

      One of my faves! I don’t hear about it often.

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  39. bastet says:
    11 December 2015 at 12:10 pm

    I’m wearing my only only PB scent, Worth Courtesan. Its usually a summer scent for me so I had to dig it out of storage (just shoeboxes under my bed, but still). The skanky musk is really evident today (in a good way) but I’m glad I’m working from home.

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  40. Elisa P says:
    11 December 2015 at 12:15 pm

    Another Iris Poudre wearer! I layered over my sample of the body butter. I really like it, though don’t wear it often. Made me think about the other FMs I have(kudos to FM for making travel sizes) and don’t wear often anymore. I gave them all a sniff this am and I still find them beautiful. Maybe they are too flawless, even. I think Deva said Dries van Noten is what perfect bone structure smells like. And maybe that’s the “problem”. All the beauty is upfront so there’s nothing to get to know and appreciate. Just my musings. I think I’ll try to wear my FMs this week

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  41. floragal says:
    11 December 2015 at 12:18 pm

    No Pierre Bourdon scents in my collection I’m sad to report. Looking at some of the winners he’s created he must be a great talent. Cool Water alone, although not a fan, is a gold mine.

    SOTD for me is Bottega Venetta.

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  42. Kanuka says:
    11 December 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Today is Saturday and I’m not wearing ChupaChups sensual heaven which is a real shame. I had never heard of it before reading up about Bourdon but I am very curious about how he worked the theme of sensual heaven into a sickly sweet hard round ball. I suspect his kids never licked ChupaChups at the check out counter in the supermarket, or fought over which flavour to chose, or dropped the on the floor and had the dust and carpet fluff washed off at the kitchen sink because if he did ever go through those moments I suspect the lightbulb flash of ‘ sensual heaven’ didn’t enter his mind. I think this is what separates perfumers from other people…that they can look at a ChupaChups chips and sigh with pleasure and go….mmm lets makes chupa chupa sexy. Let’s imagine two lovers in bed in a villa by the Mediterranean after after a thunder storm…she reaches for her strawberry chupa chupa but he licks on a cola version…mmmmm sensual heaven

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    • Oakland Fresca says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks for the morning belly laugh!

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    • SicilianaNM says:
      11 December 2015 at 8:19 pm

      I googled Chupa Chups, thinking, “Isn’t that a lollipop? Huh?” Not sure how it got from child’s candy to adult fragrance, but see your point about a perfumer’s imagination.

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  43. foxbins says:
    11 December 2015 at 12:54 pm

    I have a sample of Iris Poudre but wasn’t feeling like it this morning. I’m wearing MadHat SantL instead. Imagine Champagne de Bois without the aldehydes and that’s SantL.

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  44. monkeytoe says:
    11 December 2015 at 1:04 pm

    I am wearing Kouros today. No one has recoiled from me yet.

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  45. productofitaly says:
    11 December 2015 at 1:08 pm

    Hello everyone,
    this has been an easy pick for me today: I´m in French Lover (or Bois
    d´Orage in the U.S.), after not having used it for several weeks, I think. Have read about this Friday´s theme a few days ago and was really looking forward to inhaling all its dusty, herbal, woody, deep deep glory!

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    • SicilianaNM says:
      11 December 2015 at 8:22 pm

      Just parted with the last of a 1 ml sample – really beautiful.

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  46. C.H. says:
    11 December 2015 at 1:14 pm

    Well because of the L’Artisan/Penhaligon’s sale, I’m testing several of those, but no winners, unfortunately. Have on Tea for Two, Juniper Sling and Iris Prima, of which Iris Prima is probably my favorite (why didn’t they market it as a suede rather than an iris?), but still not a love; cozy though it is, especially on a cool gray day, I don’t really need a soft-spoken leather. Juniper Sling was, as widely reported, good fun at first, and then pretty disappointing in the drydown. And Tea for Two is nearly undetectable on my skin after two hours, which in its own way is also a disappointing drydown! Ah well. I’m bummed but my wallet is relieved :)

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    • dottieCHI says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Silver lining!

      This morning I’ve already had in my online cart a bottle of Tea for Two from Hautelook and a bottle of PdE Equistrius from the MiN sale. Both times I found the strength to close the window and get back to work. Def good for my wallet. :)

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      • C.H. says:
        11 December 2015 at 2:50 pm

        You’re some kind of superhero, I think :)

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        • dottieCHI says:
          11 December 2015 at 6:53 pm

          Ha! I resisted only because I have an Amouage sampler on the way and need to save money for the splurge that’s sure to follow. :)

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          • C.H. says:
            11 December 2015 at 9:17 pm

            Hahahaha–superpowers of restraint AND good planning :)

    • floragal says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:52 pm

      I really enjoy Juniper Sling but it lasts all of 30 minutes on me if that!
      They recently opened a Penhaligon in Rockefeller Center, NYC, which I still need to visit.

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      • C.H. says:
        11 December 2015 at 2:41 pm

        I’d almost prefer if Juniper Sling were gone completely after 30 mins–instead it’s been a very insistent laundry scent for the last two hours and I am none too pleased about it…

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  47. ihadanidea says:
    11 December 2015 at 1:16 pm

    Better late than never – Elisa’s comments earlier this week inspired me to go with Worth’s Courtesan. Once it was pointed out to me, I could see its related to Feminite du Bois, which I love. It’s providing comfort today while I work through meetings with particularly rude people and look forward to the new year when I’ll never have to deal with them again! Booyah.

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Ooh, congrats on almost being done with that!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      11 December 2015 at 9:02 pm

      Woo hoo! Something to look forward to in the new year!

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  48. Oakland Fresca says:
    11 December 2015 at 1:45 pm

    So, I have tried Iris Poudre at least twice and it did not work for me. Just to be contrarian this AM.

    I’ve been at it since 6:45 this morning, when I applied Aromatics Elixir edt…. it is now almost 11 and I needed more of something… easy morning at home but girding myself for a 3+ hour oncology clinic with my son. (He’s been cancer free for over 4 years so nobody worry! But at these clinics we do check-ins on all his systems and it is exhausting and gloomy. There are always several other very sick kids and very very worried parents at the clinic—I’ve been there, but then again I haven’t as there are kids who won’t make it—you can see why I am doing mental gymnastics…) So, all that to say that I am warming myself up in a generous application of Bois s’Ascese. And it is perfect!

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Oh my gosh–I am sending you ALL the good vibes. God bless the people who keep pediatric oncology clinics up and running but yeah would not want to spend a moment longer in one than is absolutely necessary! Hope they can get you guys in and out as fast as possible, and with a clean bill of health!

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    • SicilianaNM says:
      11 December 2015 at 8:28 pm

      How’d it go, Fresca? Check in and let us know (for you as well as your son).

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  49. AnnieA says:
    11 December 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Wearing Ferre, despite not being in an office today.

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  50. austenfan says:
    11 December 2015 at 2:03 pm

    No Bourdon for me either, though I seem to remember owning a sample of Iris Poudre, which I don’t enjoy.
    I’m soldiering through this Friday in Ubar. Not a bad companion on a rainy day, or indeed any day.

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  51. solanace says:
    11 December 2015 at 2:27 pm

    Roseberry, the only Pierre Bourdon I have here, in my Parfums de Rosine sampler set. The opening is very soapy, but now, in mid development, it feels round and balanced, fruity in a very delicious way. A neon pink cocoon. These Rosine samples are such a good deal!

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    • austenfan says:
      11 December 2015 at 3:12 pm

      I’ve been temted for a long time by that sample set!

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      • solanace says:
        11 December 2015 at 4:51 pm

        I say get it, Austenfan! With your classical taste, there are many roses in that little box I think you might enjoy.

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        • austenfan says:
          13 December 2015 at 3:53 pm

          I should, I really should. It’s moved to number 1 position on my perfume wishlist.

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      • C.H. says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:37 pm

        I totally think you should–I was thinking recently that of the sample says I’ve bought, it may actually be the best one. Best value, easily, in terms of being not too much money and still contained a few I really like and numerous more that I was glad to smell–too often most things in a set are very forgettable. Or many are good but the set costs $600 ;)

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        • solanace says:
          12 December 2015 at 5:58 am

          Master enabler! ;)

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  52. Mariann says:
    11 December 2015 at 3:10 pm

    No Bourdon for me either. Decided to go with Infusion d’Iris which arrived this week instead.

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  53. nozknoz says:
    11 December 2015 at 4:05 pm

    Feminite for me, too. Today it smells very much like SL Bois de Violette, which I love. Some days it smells tangier and sharper.

    I was pondering how much FdB owes to Pierre Bourdon versus co-creator Christopher Sheldrake, not to mention Serge Lutens. Therefore, I was interested to read in Victoria’s review of the original that Pierre Bourdon “subsequently worked the plummy cedar wood accord into the luxurious richness of Dolce Vita (1995).”

    http://boisdejasmin.com/2006/02/feminite_du_boi.html

    I tend to assume that Bourdon wouldn’t have reused that accord unless he had been the one to create it.

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    • Kanuka says:
      11 December 2015 at 5:34 pm

      Good work Holmes!

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      • nozknoz says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:28 pm

        Thanks! I feel more like Watson, since it was Victoria who sniffed out the connection.

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    • meredifay says:
      12 December 2015 at 7:38 am

      Now I want to go get a mini of Dolce Vita!

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  54. jjlook says:
    11 December 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Couldn’t find my LD of FdB, and didn’t want to go unsealing the thrifted bottle from whence it came. (This move has reminded me of the scourge of evaporation, so my most precious are wrapped in parafilm and/or florist’s tape). Instead I put on l’Artisan Mon Numero 8, which is from my NST scent twin who knew what I’d like before I did. I don’t think this lasts terribly long on me, otherwise I’d go for its spice and warm/dryness. It’s also not on that sale that’s been mentioned above…Anyone have recent thoughts on Mon Numero 10, which is? I have some decants of Tea for Two, so should hold off on that, and really all spending right now…

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    • Janice says:
      11 December 2015 at 8:43 pm

      I like Mon Número 10 and bought a small bottle during a previous sale. Angela reviewed it here and compared it to, as I remember it, cola spilled on leather car seats, and that’s pretty accurate, but I still like it. (And I don’t find it as cloyingly sweet as that description might suggest.) It lasts a good 6 or 8 hours on me.

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      • jjlook says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:46 pm

        Thanks. I’m going to stick to my current no-buy, but it sounds like someone should get it for $32!

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  55. meredifay says:
    11 December 2015 at 5:10 pm

    Hi all is beautyspin a reputable on line site for perfumes? They have big deals now and it seems almost to good to be true…

    Log in to Reply
    • Holly says:
      11 December 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Hi meredifay. I’ve only bought from beautyspin once, and was really happy with the experience. I bought a tester of Heure Exquise for $40, and what I received was legit and my bottle is pristine, looks new, has a cap and was in a box. WAY better than what I expected! Some of their deals do seem to be too good to be true, right? But I’d definitely buy from them again.

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      • meredifay says:
        12 December 2015 at 7:36 am

        Thanks for the review. I feel my resolve slipping…. :-)

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        • Holly says:
          12 December 2015 at 9:49 am

          You’re welcome! I’m all for throwing care to the wind!

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  56. hajusuuri says:
    11 December 2015 at 7:20 pm

    The unthinkable happened to me. I was all set to wear Iris Poudre and had retrieved my travel spray on Wednesday from my storage in the basement (I bought the trio before deciding I really need a FB which I also have). I sprayed sprayed sprayed and thought I don’t recall IP being citrusy. And then I smelled CUMIN and realized I accidentally sprayed Bigarade Concentree instead! I screamed bloody murder in my head but quickly thought through my options on what to layer to hide the smell and voila – Bombay Bling for the perfect antidote. I managed to get through the day, including a quick stop at Saks during lunch and got a few bottles of the No.19 shower gel AND the EDT and now all is right with the world!

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    • SicilianaNM says:
      11 December 2015 at 8:34 pm

      Phew. :)

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      • hajusuuri says:
        11 December 2015 at 9:04 pm

        Haha, phew in more ways than one!

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        • C.H. says:
          11 December 2015 at 9:17 pm

          Hahaha!

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    • C.H. says:
      11 December 2015 at 9:22 pm

      Genius move with the Bombay Bling! Perfect to go over top that cumin and citrus combo (well, I’ve only smelled the Cologne Bigarade but I assume the Concentrée reasonably similar.)

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  57. SmokeyToes says:
    12 December 2015 at 12:14 am

    Hi all,
    I already had a scent of the day earlier, but just stumbled on the Friday scent day. For evening, I’m wearing the original Shiseido Feminite du Bois vintage perfume which Pierre Bourdon created in conjunction with Christopher Sheldrake.
    Happy Friday!

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