The Chairman of the Board would be 100 today.
We're marking the date with our usual weekend open thread: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the fragrance you bought while you were supposed to be buying a gift for someone else, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
This morning’s one of my Nordstrom’s 10-point private shopping party events. Am annoyed with myself for spacing out on the evening one–they serve nice hors d’oeuvres and prosecco. Wonder if they’ll try to ply us with booze in the a.m.?
Won’t buy fragrance, have too much as it is. But will be tempted by Diptyque candles and assorted body products.
Ours was the Sunday after Thanksgiving! How crazy was that? I stocked up on LaMer. The party was meh — who serves cooked salmon as hors d’oeuvres? They served champagne (or maybe it was prosecco?) with a sliver of apple. I was about to chuck the apple when two ladies said STOP, that’s the best part
Have fun!
never again will I opt for the weekend choice–total madhouse, and the food options were unappealing–turkey puff pastries right after Thanksgiving?! A friend tried to persuade me to get a Canada Goose jacket–they are $700–took a pass. Scored a nice pair of Aquatalias on sale, though.
Unprepared to be the first, but I’m going to my granddaughter’s 6th birthday later and will wear one of Eric Buterbaugh’s Floral collection, maybe violet. A couple of them would be more suited to winter, but we’re not having any of that yet in the East. Hope everyone has a cheery and not too frantic weekend!
Have been considering a sample set. How do you like his collection?
This was a scary buy because I had no way of sampling any of the eight scents. Some I set aside for warm weather, but Fragile/Violet, for example, is no weakling, and although most are described as soliflores, they become more. My favorite right now is Sultry, one of two roses, which develops a complex warmth with good staying power. I’m sorry I can’t give better descriptions; my nose knows what it likes, like an uneducated art lover, but I can’t tell you why. The set comes with a handsome container for one of the sprays, so you can travel with your choice of the day. I am very glad I took this leap of faith, but not all would share my pleasure.
Did you buy the official set from his website?
Yes, I did. Is he still offering it?
He is still offering it. Pricey, but good value if you look at it being 8 10-ml sprays. I have never been too into florals, so thinking of getting a small sample set on STC. Are all of them good?
I am testing a few of the Féminité du Bois variations: Bois de Violette and Bois et Fruits. I’m not so crazy about the Violet version so far. On the other hand (literally), I think I like the fruit one even better than the original (I mean the SL Féminité, since I’ve never tried the Shiseido) – it seems richer and smoother without adding any extra sweetness. I’d love to hear others opinions re Bois et Fruits.
I never really warmed up to those variations. Enjoy exploring
Bois et Fruits is genius. If I ever encounter a bottle in the wild I’ll probably just buy it. Absolutely my favourite of the Bois variants.
I’m glad to hear you like Bois et Fruits too! I’ve seen it at fragrance net but its always quite a bit more expensive than the other discounted SL fragrances. I’ll keep looking and maybe I’ll find a tester.
Funny, I’ve only friend the Violette and vastly prefer it. I’d love to try the others some day.
I love Bois de Violette, but I’ve never smelled Bois et Fruits. Thanks for this perspective!
I have all of them and prefer Bois Oriental and Bois de Violette.
Oh Frankie!
My husband and I danced to Frank at our wedding , to the song my Dad picked for our father /daughter dance. He passed away unexpectedly 6 months before our wedding. Love his voice!
“The fragrance you bought when you’re supposed to be buying a gift for somebody else” : That would be me! Angelique Noire. I had a weak moment. And the thing that really bothers me about myself is that I have so many vanilla based fragrances! Shalimar ode a la vanille, vanilla insensee, even TF noir pour femme had some vanilla in there. Oh well! I will just remember what someone commented on this blog: Enjoy it because you can’t take it with you”
As a fellow vanilla lover, I say don’t worry about it. It just means you have a vanilla for every mood.
Exactly!
Thats what I will tell myself!
I am glad that my comment helped you in a small way. I doubt that any of us can throw stones at you! I’ve been using the one for you, one for me shopping method this holiday season. January will be rough as I try not to carry credit card debt! If the AN brings you joy and you love it, let it go. I am sure that you work hard and deserve a treat now and then. I’ve never tried AN, must add it to my sample list.
Haha…”the one for you, one for me shopping method” (which I wholly endorse) reminded me immediately of the old Cheech & Chong bit “a little bit more for Santa Claus, a little bit *more* for Santa Claus.”
I’m in a jolly mood. Today was the town Christmas parade, and afterward we went to see the Executive (Governor’s) Mansion decorated for Christmas. Lastly had lobster dinner at Red Lobster. Now if I could just wake up to some Cristalle on Christmas morning. Wait..one for you..one for me…
Cristalle would be lovely to wake up to one Christmas day!
DO IT.
If not a Cristalle, then a nice sparkling wine or Champagne! Every Christmas, poor or not, I always treated myself to a split of either Gruet (when poor) or M&C (when not).
Life is hard and we all put up with so much once a year. Treat yourself!
I don’t worry at all about having too many vanillas – regardless of where I shop, I am drawn to vanillas like moth to flame…and I even go so far as to smell even the ones I already have in my collection (I’m looking at you Tihota). Maybe I need a 10-step program for vanilla?
Mmm…Tihota…
10 step program for Vanilla sounds like something I would sign up for too! HA!
No such thing as ‘too many vanillas’ !!! Blasphemy !!
In fact I am wearing a blind buy vanilla today and loving it.
Habit Rouge Dress Code by Guerlain. Praline, leather, VANILLA and the basic bone structure of original Habit Rouge beneath (minus the clean patchouli, , thanks for giving me a nwhich is perfect because I really dislike the variety of patchouli).
It’s the same patchouli found in Coco Mademoiselle and Chance and La Vie a whatthehell by Lancome.
Anyway, thanks for giving me an in for describing my SOTD.
Happy Weekend Everyone!!
I was wondering where that sentence disappeared to.
Major points if you can decipher oops!! LOLOLOL
I think I just got enabled. I have a sample of this from Bergdorf…will have to check it out…
Hello hajusuuri!
I hope you like it, I really want that enabler’s pin! LOL
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
And my condolences on the loss of your father. He is proud to have such a kind, thoughtful daughter.
Bear
Thank you, Bear! I think you already have an enabler’s pin from me – Organza Indecence ring any bells???
I think Angelique Noire is quite distinctive and not much like the others you mention even if lots of vanilla comes out in the dry-down. If I bought anything in that range it would be AN – it really is lovely!
No guilt, just enjoy it. Besides, you can never have too many vanillas. That new MDCI Indes Galantes sounds tempting!
I have to work with the public today so I haven’t decided. Every fifth week I work the desk on Saturday at my library. Today is warm and muggy, so I think it’s going to be something citrus, like Orange Sanguine. Unfortunately its going to rain today, probably all over my town’s Hometown Christmas event and parade. I’m kind of glad I’m scheduled to work, otherwise I’d be volunteering at the event.
Hope everyone who comes to the library today is nice despite the rain!
Interesting story on Planet Money this week, re: the posthumous Frank Sinatra industry. Didn’t sound like there was a celebrity fragrance yet tho
And Robin, you totally caught me red-handed buying perfume for myself when I supposed to be shopping for others
My great-aunt was saying how sad she is that she can’t find Arpege anymore (um I think she’s not looking very hard but that’s ok!), so I was ordering her a small bottle, and it was going to be $23 + $7 shipping on its own… or qualify for a bigger discount and free shipping (thanks ShopRunner!) if I bought something else. So, for $5 more I am now the proud owner of a 4oz bottle of Demeter Rice Paddy. Almost enough to, you know, flood a rice paddy 
Incidentally, does anyone have any thoughts on the current Arpege? It’s ok if the answer is, it’s pretty terrible–mainly this is about the gesture, but I’m curious. I know it was reformulated in the 1990s, and she’s worn it more recently than that, so it won’t be going against the original, but I don’t know if the last time she had some was like five years ago or more like 10+. She says she knows it was post-2001, but can’t recall more firmly than that…
My sister wore the original Arpege way back when, so I have a strong memory of the original, or at least ’60’s versions of it. I’ve sniffed some within the last four or five years, and my impression was a reduction in richness, sillage and staying power, but still a strikingly pretty scent. I didn’t buy it at that time, but if I ran into a bottle for a good price, I would get some.
Oh, that’s great to hear! I don’t have any illusions that it’s totally retained its former glory, but it’d be great if it still smelled nice, if not showstopping.
FWIW, FragranceNet is basically giving them away–the bottle I got her was 50ml, just because it most closely matched the description she gave me of the physical bottle, but with discounts (current 30% off code is NECF5 but if you give them your email, they’ll send you new ones basically daily), the 100ml is only $25.
What a nice gift! The new Arpege is very different than the original but its still a wonderful perfume, in my opinion. I particularly love the prominent ylang ylang note.
There is a nice review comparing the new and vintage at Bois de jasmine. In the review, Victoria says “Unlike many examples of reformulation, the modernized Arpège plays homage to its classical roots, with the carefully balanced composition and the high quality of its ingredients. It is not the same fragrance as the original Arpège, but it is a beautiful composition nevertheless.” I completely agree.
Oh good! I did notice Victoria’s review, but it’s already ten years old (!) at this point, so I wasn’t sure how much it still applied–really good to hear you still like it!
I’m pretty sure I caught lots of people red-handed
Heh, it is a pretty suspicious bunch here
Me. Red handed, gun smoking, and caught on video.
What?? What do you think you caught us doing??
My very first bottle of perfume was Arpege, I’ve worn it off and on all my life. To my nose, the reformulated one is very good. Maybe not as deep or long lasting, but instantly recognizable and beautiful.
Oh I’m so thrilled! (and now I’m wondering if I need one for myself too!)
Arpege is probably my favorite ‘classic’. I scored a used tester bottle about 5 years ago and unfortunately the sprayer thing doesn’t work properly anymore. It’s in the dark blue 100ml bottle so I don’t want to ruin the bottle by trying to snip the funnel and decant. So, at the moment its press and mop up the leaked scent round the edge. The hassle means I don’t use it that much so I should probably get another small bottle. I haven’t smelled the original so I can’t compare, but I very much doubt I would have liked it more.
I’m so thrilled to find out the current Arpege has so many fans! This is awesome, and now I really do want to try it myself!
Wow, Frank would be 100 !!! I grew up to my Dad calling him “The Voice”, and listening to lots of Frank Sinatra music. I think my favorite album is The Concert Sinatra, with its luscious arrangements and Frank’s beautiful voice.
I’m going to the Saks Holiday event today, so I’m just wearing one drop of Chanel Coco. I want to test some scents today, but I don’t want to leave the house without a fragrance.
Have fun at Saks!
Looks like our Dad’s had something in common!
Yes! Great taste in music! My Dad even had a large button pin that read: “It’s Sintatra’a World, we just live in it”, with a large picture of Frank Sinatra in the middle. Thank goodness he never wore it. He just kept it on his credenza at work.
I have a few Sinatra Christmas CDs that we really enjoy. I hope you find something great at Saks!
I have the Sinatra Family Christmas album (LP) that someone gave me I think as a joke (I have an extensive Christmas album collection), and I can’t recall if I’ve even listened to it. . .
I love Sinatra. And Dean Martin and lots of 50’s/60’s music that my parents often played. Sinatra is great to accompany me on long drives in the country where no one can hear me sing along
I’d go for a ride and sing along with ‘ya!
I had an enormous crush on Dean Martin when I was about 8 years old. “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” was popular then and I couldn’t get enough of it. Of course I had no idea what the lyrics were getting at.
Oh Saturday! How I love thee????
Just getting ready to jump in the shower after spin so no SOTD as yet, but planning on going all out with two (!) big spritzes of Un Rose de Kandahar.
Still “summerish” here too, but thankfully the humidity is tolerable. T-Rex got introduced to Herbert The Horse last night when I walked her downtown. She was a little taken aback since she had never seen a “dog” quite so large. Herbert was unimpressed. A very steady and stoic horse! That was my Friday “Date Night” doings.
Frank, you don’t look a day over 40! Happy Birthday????
You smell great! Since you exercised, you can have PHI today. I know that I am a dork, it’s okay if you think so too. ????
I was out sniffing yesterday with a friend and found a scent that made my think of you. It’s called Rose Boheme by Providence Perfume Company. It is a deep sultry rose scent, IMO gorgeous. I know you have rose covered but thought that I would mention it. I
Oh, thanks for the heads-up, I will keep my eyes peeled. I don’t think that line is available anywhere near me, but I have seen the name and may go on a sample jag after the holidays. I was on a “no buy” but then yesterday’s comment about Tea for Two (38!!) made me fall off the wagon. I’m hopeless. Very kind of you to think of me. My motto is “Dorks Unite!” Happy I am not in that club all alone ????
I succumbed to that price too! It won’t arrive until after X-mess is over so I rationalized it by thinking of it as a reward for surviving the holiday season
Proud member of the dork club also!
A reward duly earned I’m sure! I would like to take a poll on exactly how many of us succumbed- Methinks the number would be fairly high ????
Oh, your goings-on sound perfect to me! Walks, spin class, AND PHI?!! What a lovely life!
But good choice to wait on the PHI until after spin. Could be messy the other way around–women falling off their cycles as a cloud of almond-hay-rose wafts over and engulfs them. You’d probably be liable for any injuries. . .
Phi is something else, isn’t it? TWO sprays is enough to scent my entire street for a good 24-48 hours. Tauer doesn’t mess around, this one has some serious longevity, at least on me!
In general, I don’t consider myself especially shy with my sillage, but PHI is one scent that I have to remind myself to temper my usual enthusiasm!
Wearing Light Blue today…..loads of housework and yardwork today, so I needed something uplifting! I got a premium sample from Sephora last month, and I love it.
SO GUILTY….so incredibly guilty….of buying fragrance for ME while I’ve shopped for others. “You see, what had happened was”….after 3+ years of not buying a single fragrance at all, the month of December has been ridiculous. Yesterday a bottle of Samsara and Oro found their way into my online shopping cart, deeply discounted of course! And since I needed $59 in the cart to get free shipping, a bottle of Hillary Duff With Love fell in too!
I TRY to justify by saying I’m sharing with my 2 girls….
Anyhoo, I wouldn’t be surprised if Light Blue goes on the FB wishlist! It’s super easy to wear and a winner!
Samsara is worth it! Sandalwood sexy bliss!
If you haven’t bought scent in 3 years, you more than earned those purchases. You wouldn’t want to trigger a downturn in the fragrance sector, would you?
I was thinking of the birthday boy and almost typed in ‘frank’ as my password…lol
I actually wore one of those ‘doing xmas shopping stuff and oh looky here what’s this I found and oh so cheap?!’ perfumes today!
For several years Ive been kicking myself for getting rid of old perfumes in a one-off, regrettable moment of minimalist aspiration. Loulou, Eden, Ysatis, Rive Gauche.. all now highly desirable to me in their original form.. But anyway, I had already repurchased the current Loulou and last week found some Eden for $20. It’s been reformulated apparently but it still smells like Eden. I’m sure any being in the galaxy could vouch for that today!
Eden is lovely. I fell for a deeply discounted bottle of Paloma Picasso yesterday, it’s definitely been reformulated and lost it’s claws but is more wearable now than it was in the 80s, I think. Congrats on some good buys!
Well so far all my xmas shopping has been for myself, ahem…but that will change next week since I have my gift list sussed now. Wearing one of my new perfumes Seville a l’aube topped up with Knot
Don’t OD on Orange Blossom!
I had the most amazing experience yesterday. I had the day off so went sniffing with a friend. We went to a little perfume house called Providence Perfume Company. The proprietor/perfumer, Charna Eithier is a bubbly, warm lady who is very passionate about her craft. She’s a natural perfumer but the quality of the materials she uses are so amazing that her scents project like crazy for natural perfumes. My favorite of her current selection is a sultry deep rose based scent called Rose Boheme.
What was most exciting is that Charna realized that we are fellow perfume lovers. So, she shared that an older woman had recently stopped into her shop wanting to sell vintage perfumes that had belonged to her mother. These bottles dated from the 1930s and were sealed. She let us sniff the necks of the bottles. I sniffed the original version of L’Huere Bleue, Chanel No 5, Shalimar, Nuit de Noel, and several others. It was an overwhelming experience. The L’Huere Bleue made my eyes roll up into the back of my head. Saying it was swoon worthy is inadequate. I feel so greatful to have had this experience but sad that these gorgeous formulations are no longer available to the public. I just can’t adequately convey how amazing it was. Anyway, Charna is considering having an evening event and presenting one of these amazing scents from a vault with a possible auction for attendees. I just had to share with everyone. I am so blessed.
Oops grateful…
SOTD is Rose Boheme from a sample.
What a great opportunity! And I hope you have plans to attend the auction, should it arise!
Not sure but we’ll see. I had a blast!
Wow! That sounds wonderful! Perfume people are the BEST!
Sounds like a lovely time! What a great experience being able to smell those vintage bottles, and a rare opportunity as well.
Oh what luck!
Mornin’!
My 50mL sample of Beloved arrived yesterday, so I am testing it out today (although I admit to giving myself a spritz first thing yesterday evening!).
First impressions–I am surprised by the hit of pungent and vaguely dirty notes in the top! There’s a whiff of sweet floral powder, but I get that best from a distance. If I stick my nose right up to my arm, it’s all pungency and full-bodied. Seems this scent is gonna be a chameleon.
You smell great!
50 ml sample! LOL! You go, girl!
I just love those 50ml samples!!
Hahahahahahaha–as ever, I love how you think
Really, you should blame the notion on hajusuuri. Pretty sure she’s the one who suggested it to me. In fact, come to think of it, that’s a good rule in general–blame it ALL on hajusuuri!
She is awesome and so generous, but definitely an enabler – as if we need enabling! ????
Who me? Enable? How about “gently encourage”
LOL, that would make me INFAMOUS. A LARGE sample is definitely much better than a :::shhhhblindbuyshhh:::.
Started to wear an incense perfume today but it just seemed too heavy, so I doused myself with Boucheron, and adorable hubby commented, “Perfume!” with an approving sniff and snuggle. What a nice way to start the day. Now I am shopping. NOT my favorite thing. But I am avoiding cleaning out the mud room, definitely far from my favorite thing! LOL…I am actually quite grateful to have a mudroom that needs cleaning or otherwise…
I miss my mudroom I had in Minnesota. My house in Oregon barely has a foyer, so you have to kick your shoes off in the first step past the door or sully the carpet.
I don’t know how people live without a mud room, or “back porch” or somewhere like that. As you say , dirty shoes on the carpet. Ugh.
Someone very sweet bestowed a bottle of Lady Venegance upon me, and it seemed right for the day. This is not my standard rose, but I’ll take it, especially with a name like that.
It is mid-December in New York and it’s 60 degrees outside right now. What the crap is going on? Not that I’m complaining, per se, but this is surreal.
Have a lovely weekend darlings
Experiencing the same weird weather in Rhode Island. Enjoy your Lady V!
It is nearly 80 here on the Texas coast, which is not unheard of for December, but certainly not “normal”. The forecast is for thunderstorms and possible isolated tornadoes! Rain in winter is very normal for us, but usually is is the slow, steady, drizzle type of rain. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are the usual for spring and summer, not winter.
I was thinking the same thing about the weather here. Must be great for the retails stores here in NYC-warmer temperatures make it easy to shop as well as visit all the holiday decorations.
Actually, probably really bad for retail because who wants to buy a sweater or coat with temps at 60 degrees.
Folks are outside in short sleeves today!
Maybe fragrance sales are making up for coats & sweaters not sold. Their day is coming.
It is crazy.. the outside temperature thermometer originally said 70 degress and my eyes just rolled into the back of my head. It is crazy hot and I do not like it one bit!
It reached almost 80 degrees yesterday in Houston, Texas. I want it to be cold for Christmas. Just doesn’t feel that way when you can wear shorts.
Love your choice of fragrance today. Lady Vengeance is a good one.
High 60’s here in central PA. So odd. I guess I should probably take advantage of the weather and finish getting my outdoor furniture away huh? *sheepish grin*
The Texas Hill Country has been extra weird, weather-wise. High 70s, areas of dense fog, and gusty wind from every direction. It is nice weather for being outside and the kitties are loving the dancing leaf-devils, but it doesn’t feel at all like mid-December.
Same in Montreal, it feels surreal. Will we ever get snow?
Still in the 80’s here but thankfully the humidity has been much better. This past January was the first year I can remember that required mowing the grass and trimming bushes and trees. We used to get a nice 3 month break during winter from all this but not anymore. I need to mow again soon…????????
SOTD is Oud Palao
I wasn’t going to get this, but fourseasons had 20% off and I did enjoy the sample. Wow, I am loving the smokiness of this. The sample didn’t do it justice. And it keeps me from watching the rose de Kandahar level go down like a gas gauge!
And of course one buys fragrance for ones self while shopping for others! I’m pretty sure sure it’s in the unwritten rules????
I learned English with Frank. As a young teenager I listened to his records all the time. I used to come up with words and phrases no one had taught us – all with an American accent, of course. My English teachers were completely bemused. I owe FS a lot. Lots of people reach the age of 100 these days; he could still be alive. Shame.
I’m still wearing La Fille de Berlin (and still wish it was called something else).
You can call it something else :-)…kind of like how “Box of Eels” came to be…
Nice story. Where did you grow up?
Great story, and so nice to see you!
My “Christmas shopping” is always a mix of buying things for others and buying things for myself. I used to wait until after Christmas to buy things I wanted, telling myself that maybe someone would give them to me for Christmas. It never seemed to happen, and when I would venture forth after Christmas to buy what I wanted, it would be gone. Now, when I see something I really want for myself and I know it will likely disappear immediately after Christmas, I buy it. Sometimes what I will do is put it away until after the holidays, then take it out later in January or February when I am needing a little pick-me-up to relieve the post-holiday doldrums.
It does seem silly not to take advantage of great sales for things you want or will soon need anyway.
Sampling Indult Reve en Cuir today which is so far more herbal than leather but we’ll see how it goes
I had the same impression from Mugler Cuir Impertinent. Those two seem quite similar to me.
Haven’t tried the Mugler
I have no plans this weekend, which is just how I like it.
For anyone interested in my mystery perfume, my sealed, carded sample of Elixir des Merveilles arrived yesterday, and with one whiff I was able to confirm that what I got from Sephora…was in fact EdM all along. Why it smells so different to me/on me, I don’t know. But I love it. Totally FB worthy.
At last, mystery solved. Goes to show that notes and descriptions never tell the whole story once it hits skin.
I’m absolutely fascinated by the Frank Sinatra/Elvis Presley duet in the first video of this other tribute piece:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/12/arts/music/memorable-sinatra-moments.html?ribbon-ad-idx=4&rref=arts/music&module=Ribbon&version=origin®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Music&pgtype=article
I’ve been appreciating Frank’s singing more and more in recent years (the DC jazz and justice station, WPFW, has a program on Sunday afternoons that often plays his songs). And I think I never really understood the appeal of Elvis before seeing this video. It seems like it captures the moment in which Youth Culture swept away the Greatest Generation.
Looking at perfumes created in the 1960s, I think it took perfume a long time to catch up, and my brain isn’t coming up with the ideal perfume for either Sinatra or Elvis. Any ideas?
I recall reading that Sinatra (at least later in life) was a bit of a clean freak, showering at least 3 times a day. So something squeaky clean for Frank, and hopefully smooth and romantically sexy too.
For Elvis I imagine something almost gourmand. Southern and sultry and a bit sweet. For a boy with a Jungle Room I cant imagine a cool, clean, smooth scent.
You’re right, I’m not sure there are any masculine perfumes as beautiful and young as Elvis was in that video. Something like Manoumalia, but that’s not about male beauty. I keep thinking of HdP 1969, but that’s the wrong era.
That video had me smiling ear to ear.
Me, too!
Wow–how great is that?! Agree with comments about never really *getting* Elvis, but most of my references are from later, over-produced and heading towards Vegas-versions of him. Sinatra seems to be both *with* him and passing on the torch in this performance.
It’s an amazing moment.
I’ve read that Frank was really down on Elvis and early rock and roll at first but the king eventually won him over. After all, who could resist that kind of charisma!
Not only is Elvis so gorgeous, but the way he sort jokes around with his own sexual appeal is so charming. It looks like they brought out the best in each other.
Wow, that is a great clip! Thanks for posting that. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that.
Me neither. You can usually count on the NYT to find special photos and videos for their tributes.
Google searches suggest that Sinatra wore witch hazel, Agua Lavanda Puig, Creed Bois de Portugal, Tribu, Zizanie, Yardley’s Lavender soap, and Jungle Gardenia by Coty (!).
And here’s another Sinatra perfume curiosity. Wikipedia reports that in Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You,” the original lyric “Some get a kick from cocaine” had to be changed post-Code.
“Porter changed the first line to:
“Some like the perfume in Spain
“Sinatra recorded both pre-Code and post-Code versions (with and without the cocaine reference): the first in 1953 and the second in 1962. On a recording live in Paris in 1962, Sinatra sings the altered version with the first line as ‘Some like the perfume from Spain.’ Other Porter-approved substitutions include ‘whiff of Guerlain.’ There is also a version with ‘Some like the bop-type refrain on Sinatra and Swingin’ Brass.'”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Get_a_Kick_Out_of_You
When I was in high school I built the costumes (with a team!) for Berkeley High’s production of Anything Goes. Porter wrote those lyrics for the 1934 production, when Sinatra was 19. It was a glamorous, frivolous ship caper for audiences living in the midst of the Great Depression. I can totally understand why an enormously talented teenager would remember and delight in that song decades later. You’re the Top is another great song from that musical.
That sounds like so much fun (and work!), Oakland Fresca. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the whole musical – I’ll watch for an opportunity.
Had never seen that clip, thank you!
The last clip, featuring a studio recording, is great, too.
happy birthday, ol’ blue eyes and thanks for the music!
my christmas perfume shopping this year has only included one bottle – dior’s fahrenheit for my brother, as he specifically requested it. haven’t bought a bottle for myself in ages (ahem, ages meaning since july…), so no damage here, but had a small bottle of ego facto poo poo pidoo in the shopping cart a couple of times, but haven’t mustered up the courage to go to checkout
I love poopoo pidoo too! Someday…
I know I will cave in eventually…just a question of time and appropriate justification
Today would have been my father’s 103rd birthday. Happy birthday, Bob!
I think I will take a whiff out of a bottle of Indescreet he gave my mother as a gift for Christmas 49 years ago. It was their favorite for her, and she was so pleased when she opened it.
I’ll be wearing bis again today. I still can’t get enough of it and I’m on my second bottle.
I hadthe unheard of happened a couple of weeks ago. The manager of the perfume department of Barneys gave me a full bottle tester from back stock that would not be going out on the floor because it had been discontinued. I think this is my personal best score!
Wow, that is fantastic!
What a thoughtful and nice sales associate. Definitely a good way to win over a perfumista!
Wow. What an awesome gesture. Especially when many sales associates act as though even letting you spray a tester is sacrilege.
They are a nice group of people. They are genuine folks. Remember my name, hugs all around. We have great conversations about fragrance. They let me go free range, and I love them for it.
Bis is wonderful! You smell great.
I do love old blue eyes. What a beautiful voice he had.
I’m in Sycamore today as I head out to hopefully finish up my Christmas shopping and navigate the massive number of Santas out there for Santacon.
A Sunday of catching up on the housework here, made a little more glamorous with a waft of Box of Eels (laughed out loud when I saw that story a while back!)
It’s been a busy week, so have been reading without making any comments, but as always NST is a lovely start to the day.
Wore Shangri La for the company Christmas party last night. The bf even said “you smell amazing”. He has really come around on the perfume front. Even asked for a spritz of something for himself to wear to the party.
The other day we were out and a girl pulled out a bottle of something harsh and screechy and sprayed herself right at the table. He leaned over to me and said “That is what gives perfume a bad name!”
At a restaurant! I am actually shocked. (and I have seen people do foot massage at a higher end resto, so.)
Oops…I do this! Sometimes I have a sudden urgent need to smell something and it seems silly to go off to the bathroom to spray something. I do try to be discreet about it though
I just realized what you meant here! How about keeping a favorite solid perfume for more discreet application? I would think twice of applying lipbalm or lipstick at the table (or maybe that is rude too?).
Gosh! I hope I didn’t make anyone feel bad…it was really close quarters and what she sprayed was very potent and quite unpleasant.
I, on the other hand, have never thought twice about applying lip balm at the table and never knew that was a bad thing. My lips are hooked and it has become an involuntary action
Ha ha, no stress! I apply lip balm anywhere
Tomorrow night I’m going to the Greater Boston Vintage Society’s winter formal, with a 1950s theme and a big band playing Sinatra songs. I’ll probably wear Chanel No. 5. Today I had a craving for Wit, so that’s what I’m wearing.
What a neat idea for an event.
Frank Sinatra…when he and Ava Gardner broke up, he put out an album called “In the Wee Small Hours.” Gorgeous vocals and arrangements. I much prefer his older stuff to the things he did in the ’70’s and later.
Portland is having its 12th straight day of rain today, more than 9 inches since Dec.1, so to counteract the gray and wet I’m wearing Carnal Flower and half-watching golf somewhere sunny on TV as I do a bit of present-wrapping.
That album is lovely. Carly Simon sang “In the Wee Small Hours” on the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack. Great voices and great song for a break up.
Carnal Flower is perfect for this drippy weather; you smell lovely! Mr. Spicebomb and I are trying to decide if we need to go the easy route this year and buy a precut Xmas tree, as we are afraid of the absolutely rain-saturated earth swallowing us up at a tree farm!
Tuesday is supposed to be clear if you can wait until then…and don’t mind cutting in the dark. When is school out for you?
Just came back from swimming out to a family tree farm far SE Foster. Most of the pickin’s were already kinda slim, so I think it’s good we didn’t wait any further.
We have one more week until we’re on break, and I’m SOOOoooooo looking forward to it! (Unless you meant time of day? In which case, 4pm, but I’m usually off to the gym first thing in the evenings.)
I meant Christmas break! I was hoping that perhaps it had started this past Friday and you could cut your own on Tuesday. But I’m glad you got one before only trees Charlie Brown could love were left.
SOTD = Aftelier Cuir de Gardenia
Starts out as a skin scent and stays as a skin scent. It is always virtually undetectable to perfume-phobic family members. I normally don’t like animalics but this one is soooo good. The gardenia (and whatever other substance makes up the floral component) is crispy and the underlying animalic with a hint of leather supporting scent makes this a standout.
My dad passed away a year ago today and those of us in town went to the cemetery to pay our respects and then we all went to lunch. Knowing my dad, he probably picked the date that would work best for everyone as he always put others first. The year went by very quickly but his presence continues to be missed every day. The lessons he taught us about being kind and generous live on.
Have a wonderful reflective day Hajusuuri… and Cuir de Gardenia sounds perfect.
Thank you and Cuir de Gardenia was perfect!
Wishing you peace today, hajusuuri.
Thank you, libberation!
Oh dear hajusuuri – I’m also rosarita on Perfume Posse. The life lessons we learn from our fathers are priceless, I’m glad you have happy memories. I hope they bring you some joy and peace today (((hugs)))
Thank you, ringthing.
Thinking of you (and your father) today….my dad passed many years ago, but Frank Sinatra brings him back. My parents courted to the Big Band sounds and were a great couple on and off the dance floor. All that swinging music stirs memories.
Thank you, jepster.
Great choice for a meaningful day, hajusuuri, and best wishes!
Thank you, nozknoz.
What a great choice for the day!
It really was!
You honor him well.
Hope it was a day filled with many fond memories of your father.
Thank you, floragal.
Your comment that your father probably picked the day of his death made me smile. My little brother always bemoaned having been born the day before Valentines Day, instead of on it. When he was terminal the doctors gave him a week to 10 days, but he held on. The nurses coaxed us to tell him it was “ok to let go,” that we’d be ok. But he held out for 5 weeks, and died on Valentines Day. We are a family of control freaks.
A toast to your Dad.
Thank you, SicilianaNM.
Very sorry about your brother. That sounds incredibly hard.
What a lovely message. Hugs in memory of your dad.
Thank you, cazaubon!
That is quite a tribute! It’s great that a group of you got together to remember him.
Thank you, Merlin! I cherish the memories.
What a lovely tribute to your father, Hajusuuri. Thinking of you.
Thank you, farouche!
How wonderful that you remember him so fondly! And what a great way to pay your respects to him.
He was well loved!
He sounds like a wonderful man. It must be his influence that has contributed to your being such a thoughtful person. I hope the memorial brought many warm feelings.
Thank you, Sapphire!
Happy Weekend Everyone! As you already know, the past few weeks have been rough for me. I was diagnosed wrong twice and found out on Wednesday that I had pneumonia and a bad case of strep throat! Yikes! Today is the first day that I have attempted to go out and do a few things. Feeling better, just a bit light -headed and feel as if I am in a daze. My SOTD is Leiber by Judith Leiber.
Nasty stuff that pneumonia! Rest up and I hope you feel better soon!
Oh dear, get lots of rest! Hope you are feeling better soon.
Make sure to take it easy while you are still in light-headed phase. A little exertion, but much more rest is good!
Sending vibes of strength your way.
Thanks everyone! I appreciate it!
Accidentally layered Orange Sanguine over Eau des Merveilles. The EdM was applied this morning, then the OS was spilled from a sample I didn’t close tightly. Not a bad combination so far.
Actually, Eau des Merveilles has an orangey top note (to my nose anyway) so I am not surprised that the accidentally layering with Orange Sanguine seems to work.
Oh, yes, I agree on the orange-y facet in Eau des Merveilles. I love it. And EdM it seems to have a magical way of amplifying other scents. Maybe it’s the “ambergris effect.”
The company that I work for was holding their annual party last night, so there was a lot of food, a lot of drinking and a lot of loud music.
Today I’m going with Ryder from Ex Idolo.
I’ve finally gone through Christmas shopping, Mum will be getting a set of 3 face creams from a very nice Polish cosmetic brand, Dad will get an elegant scarf and a new shaving foam to try something new.
Good for you! I haven’t even written a list yet although I had been accumulating a few items here and there. I may do an all-wine gift (+ handsoap or shower gel since I went nuts with yves rocher) for friends and then gift cards for family since they are notoriously difficult to buy for.
No scent yet for me; I’m finally getting my home studio set up so I can work on a commision today. Just had to chop some hibernating carpenter bees out of the stump I found to put my anvil on so I’ll be heading to the sample box to find a reward for dealing with that nasty task.
I was weak and blind bought Tea for Two from the hautelook sale yesterday. It was such a great price and I love the perfumer (oh dzing! <3) and Lapsang Souchong tea so I'm pretty confident it was a good decision.
I do Christmas in July since the jewelry business is an exhausting marathon of stress and overtime in December but I am going to try a make a few small present for loved ones this weekend.
I hope you all enjoy your sweetly scented Saturday!
I count myself among the many people who might be interested in a swap or split should the T4T not amount to true love. But it probably will.
Wearing No 5 in Edp form today. Thinking on what to wear to a Christmas party tomorrow. My choices are no 19, Jicky, or Beloved. Theorema might work as well. I’m hoping to have a bottle of Beloved in the next couple months.
I pick…No. 19! I just bought the EDT…it’s more bitter but more irisy than the EDP.
I love and NEED both! I find the EDP friendlier, and the EDT more elegant. I would vote for the EDT if it’s a formal party.
What a week…I am counting down to my retirement at the end of the month, and my organization honored me at our public meeting this week. It was a special send off (it is now posted on YouTube!) and very meaningful to me. And wearing 31 Rue Cambon, I smell terrific!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and being publicly honored, you must be so proud. FWIW, I loved working but I love retirement also. For one thing, you don’t have to worry about wearing “office-friendly” scents!
Thanks!! I look forward to spraying with abandon on a daily basis!
Congratulations, jepster! Maybe more trips to New York for you???
Yes please! Let’s go sniffing in the New Year!
Huge congratulations, jepster!
Thanks–it will be a huge relief to pass the torch.
Un petit rien is my scent of the day, the lighter EdC of Miller Harris Rien. I miss some of the leather of the original, but feel more secure that I’m not offending with what Katie Puckrik referred to as “bum crack.” It has the nice snuffed incense and skin and a tinier amount of leather and hay…
Also, this little guy might count as my bargain of the year, at under 30$ US.
That is a good bargain! Where did you find it? I love L’Air de Rien, but I know what you mean about possibly offending…
I got it on ebay, about 75% full. I think people probably seek (and purchase) the original there, but not the flanker, because I watched it through several re-listings, and re-pricings and eventually was the solo bidder.
I should say BLIND bought it, as I had a sample of the original, but not the flanker, and all hesitation was through the notion that it wouldn’t be as uniquely awesome as the pillar…but I think it’s just the version I needed! Plus, 6+ hours later, it’s still with me. I’ve been hesitant to wear it since breaking my leg, because I’m perpetually worried about seeming “unwashed,” :-0 but since I am having an shut-in day, I don’t care.
YSL Champagne. Love, love, love.
You smell wonderful!
Wore Bois d’Argent today – unoffensive at a parade, and appropriate in 75 degree weather. Seemed at odds with the season, but I do love my sunshine so won’t complain.
I’m wearing vintage Arpege (from a little bottle I got from a friend’s grandma). A package of samples I ordered from Surrender to Chance arrived too.. yay!
I got my Christmas shopping done all in one go today, so that was good. I was deeply tempted to buy a 3D printing pen (because how cool is that?!!) but it was expensive enough that I had to pull myself back from the ledge. Otherwise it would have come home with me.
Is that the pen that melts the strings of colored plastic? I got that for my son last April for his birthday and he has made some beautiful 3-d bugs with it. It took some practice, but now he pulls it out and just starts designing.
Yep, probably the same one. I saw it at Best Buy and just about lost my little nerd mind. And it’s good to hear from someone who’s see it in action, so thanks for that.
It probably didn’t help my nerd-citement that right next to it were robots and a particularly adorable mini drone that is inexpensive enough that it may yet come home with me, even if I was able to resist yesterday.
Popping in for a quick question about Theorema:
Does anyone know if there was ever a Theorema EDT or would that be the fragrance called Theorema Leggero? Do people find Leggero similar to the original EDP or not?
Thanks all!
I think the only lighter version was the Eau Légère, I believer there was an extrait de parfum as well at some point.
That’s my understanding too.
I’m on my third day in Amouage. Started off in Ubar, moved on to Opus III yesterday and today’s dedicated to my much loved Beloved.
Opus III is on my sample list. I’ve read good things about it.
Sunday morning – wearing Micallef Rouge no.2. At least it is sunny, although only 3c.
I’ve been sampling various things all weekend – while cleaning house and moving furniture (recreationally) yesterday, at various times had VC&A Bois d’Iris, two different neroli scents, and … something else that I can’t remember right now, all up and down my forearms. At bedtime I applied Costes, and it was so nice and somehow Christmas-y that it’s my SOTM today. Mom used to put clove-studded oranges in us kids’ Christmas stockings, and I’m wondering if that’s why I get such a holiday vibe from Costes.
Meanwhile, a question: have any of you ever encountered a FB where the crimp at the top is defective? I ordered a bottle of the Bois d’Iris recently, and it had lost about a third of its volume in leakage inside the box and cellophane wrapping. The box is now a very fragrant sachet in my linen closet, and the store refunded the purchase price, but I’m afraid to reorder for fear that there are more faulty bottles out there. Just wondering how common this is.
It has never happened to me, knock on wood. I would return it if I were you and you can cite the hazard of mailing leaky alcohol so perhaps they’ll take a picture of it instead and send you a brand new, not damaged bottle.
I actually did send them pictures and offered to tape the bottle up well and send it back, but the rep (Bergdorf’s, via email) told me that they had already issued a credit back to my PP account (which they in fact had) and to just dispose of the defective bottle. Super nice of them to make it that easy, but with manufacturing defects one can never be sure there aren’t more defects in the batch. I think I’ve decided to wait a while on replacing it – maybe one day soon my local sources will stock it (and let me open it right there in the store).
I did have a similar experience years ago, due to bad manufacturing seal. You may want to wait a bit or have the vendor check the item before shipping.
Here’s a super lazy question:
If you were to – ahem – have an online niche perfume business,
1) what perfumes are crowd pleasers that you think that store should have (whether you care for them or not)?
2) what interesting perfumes/brands would YOU like to see in that store (especially brands and scents that get overlooked)? What complaints regarding perfume selection at stores (catered toward niche/indie/vintage perfume) do you hear?
I know we could all write a novel on this, just a few simple suggestions!
O wise ones, I have a question about vintage Chanel No 5. A friend of mine has just gifted me some perfume from her late aunt’s estate. There’s a wee bottle of No 5 parfum with a smidge of delicious-smelling sludge at the bottom. And a 50ml bottle (mostly empty) of No 5 EdP. I am curious if anyone can give me a clue as to the age of the EdP: the bottle is black plastic, about 6″ tall, 2.5″ wide, and about 3/4″ deep. There’s a gold band just over halfway up the bottle and the cap is above the gold band. I am not familiar with this bottle design; anyone out there know when this bottle design was used?
Hmm, a bit of internet sleuthing showed me that this is a refillable case — there’s a glass bottle inside the black plastic case. I still have no idea of the vintage though….
Was in Nordstrom today, and tried to convince myself to get Cristalle edp over edt (edt being preferred but currently unavailable). The surprise of the day was how much the edp reminded me of the old Revlon Charlie. Is that a bad thing to say?
Mostly I’m wearing Fresh Cannabis & Sandalwood. I tried to OD on it, to head off buyer’s remorse, but still really like it several hours later.
I have been spending the weekend in the remains of my sample of Azemour les Orangers. Yes, you read that right. The MiN sale was driving me nuts so I decided to re-test. I couldn’t get that awful ashtray thing to re-appear until I had the bright idea to try it over my heavy-duty summertime waterproof sunscreen that I’m sure I was wearing the first couple of times I tried it, voila! Now I know how lovely it is when not layered with sunscreen, and I can seem it getting a lot of wear…so I decided to indulge in not one, but two bottles. For the free shipping, of course
I’ve gotta sucker a friend into perfume collecting so I have an excuse for this kind of behavior.
LOVE Azemour, and so glad you’ve figured out what the problem was. The whole world should smell like Azemour!