As always, answer as many or as few as you like, or, likewise as always, feel free to talk about something else altogether.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today?
2. Do you have any fragrance resolutions for 2016? Tell us about them.
3. What 2016 release are you most looking forward to, so far?
4. What else (anything, really!) are you looking forward to this year?
Note: top image is Harper's January via Boston Public Library at flickr; some rights reserved.
Today it’s Heure Exquise EdP.
I have some, let’s call them aspirations, for fragrance in 2016. I’d like to wear perfume most days. I’d like to participate in delightful forums like this one. I’d like to reduce my holdings to a quantity I could hope to wear before it turns. I’d like to continue playing with composition. Ooh, 2016 should be fun!
You smell exquisite, pardon the pun. It’s one of my favourite Goutals and one of my favourite fragrances full stop.
Seconding austenfan! And have fun with composing!
Ditto!
Thank you, nozknoz and Holly. 🙂
Why thank you, austenfan. In that case maybe you can help me figure this out: I have a strong association between this scent and the smell of a woman I knew when I was a child. I get no whiff of that from any of the other classic green florals like Silences, No 19, etc. Do you have any idea what this note or material might be, that sets it apart so completely?
I wouldn’t know, but HE feels more retro and wistful to me than No.19 to which it is so close. Maybe the association isn’t due to one particular note, but to the effect of the fragrance as a whole?
Yes, that’s the most likely possibility. But how fun would it be to discover a concrete reason?!
Great fun!
I’m intrigued, leathermountain. I love this kind of sleuthing! You know, I think Neil of The Black Narcissus might be able to shed some light on this. Please keep us posted.
Me, too. If I learn more, I will post!
To me, Heure Exquise is a much warmer and more seductive perfume than the others you mention, almost an oriental. Victoria’s review on Bois de Jasmin draws attention to “milky sandalwood, creamy coumarin, and powdery almond” in the drydown.
http://boisdejasmin.com/2010/09/annick-goutal-heure-exquise-perfume-review.html
Agree with Holly – would love to see Neil review it!
I agree, although I do not quite get the oriental association. I find the others much more aloof.
Maybe it’s galbanum?
No.19 has plenty of galbanum as well, so I doubt that galbanum is the “Madeleine” in this quest.
1. JM Mimosa & Cardamom, but that will likely change after I shower. Mr. Lucy and I are going out to dinner tonight. (Grandma and grandpa have had Baby Jack since Christmas and we get him back tomorrow. There will be no more date nights for awhile.) I’m thinking Coco extrait for the special occasion.
2. Keep up with new releases. I have only sniffed a handful of scents from 2015. I feel dreadfully behind.
3. Since I’m so far behind…I don’t even know what has been announced for 2016.
4. Last weekend Mr. Lucy and I went into the city to see Beautiful, the Carole King musical. It was uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time, with really strong voices – everything I look for in a live performance. I am looking forward to taking my parents sometime in the next month before it ends its Chicago run because I HAVE to see it again.
Do enjoy your last date night! And so glad Beautiful was just that 🙂
I know I’m dating myself, but Carole King Tapestry was my second album (there’s a way-back word) – right behind The Monkees (ha). I know the words to all the Tapestry songs. I’d love to see that show!
1. What fragrance are you wearing today? Coco Noir parfum (which in my opinion is much better then the EDP. Pairing it with the body cream and Bohème Coco shine lipstick.
2. Do you have any fragrance resolutions for 2016? Tell us about them.
And look at my perfume wardrobe like this :You’ve got to know when to hold ’em. Know when to fold ’em. I don’t want any more bottles to collect dust! The end.
3. What 2016 release are you most looking forward to, so far? The only release I am looking forward to is to have this baby. Then it will be baby head smell as my signature scent.
4. What else (anything, really!) are you looking forward to this year…
We are moving which is exciting. I am looking forward to counting how many new perfume releases this year-and if there will be any standouts. 2015 didn’t seem to do it for me as far as perfume releases. Ready for the last season of Downton Abbey to start this weekend…yay!
Coco Noir has had some bad reviews but I like it…and If I died and came back as a perfume bottle I would like it to be that one ( Or Vol de Nuit). Do you layer it for a bit more oomph or does the body cream give that result?
Have a fabulous year…sounds so exciting.
The body cream is delicious on its own. For me I just feel it makes the perfume last a bit long longer and I feel chic when I layer the two. I prefer the parfum to the EDP. The bottle is gorgeous!
Ha! Baby head smell as a signature scent sounds divine. 🙂 Are you making a long-distance move or staying near the city?
Staying in the city
????
I hope your new release comes soon.
Me too
Wishing you a nice delivery and all the luck and joy for your family in the new house.
I’m excited for you. Can’t be too much longer. Can it? 🙂
I hope not!
There is no better smell on the entire earth than the smell of a freshly bathed baby, snuggled in Mommy’s arms! You can’t bottle it either! 🙂
1. SOTD: Daisy. Light and fresh! My youngest son is 10 years old today, so taking the family to a trampoline place to burn some energy off! Daisy will work well there! 🙂
2. Resolutions for fragrance: Just have fun. Nothing else. Enjoy trying new scents and sampling….but staying in budget!
3. I don’t keep up with what’s coming out too well….but I do know the new Modern Muse Eau de Rouge is coming, and I’ll definitely go have a sniff…
4. Looking forward to LIFE. Kids, school, career, and everything that goes with it all. My motto is “Enjoy the chaos of life, and find the joy in it…because the chaos isn’t going anywhere!” 🙂
Have a great weekend everyone! (And smell great doing it!) 🙂
Lovely resolution and motto. 🙂
Happy birthday to youngest son!
Love your #4 (and the trampoline sounds fun)!
I am wearing Divine Spirituelle. As mentioned yesterday, my project is to wear every bottle in my collection at least once this year. Since I have been in Canada since May, I am looking forward to spending a few months in the US to get caught up on 2015 releases. It is so expensive and difficult to get perfume in Canada I normally only buy while I’m in the US. I am looking forward to seeing the Pacific Ocean and my US friends in 10 days!
How to you find DS? I have been dying to try
I ordered it direct from Divine in France. I am on their mailing list so they sent me a scented card when it was released.
Spirituelle is so lovely. I’ve got 2 samples which I still need to wear.
SOTD is Montale Chypre Vanille. One of the very best vanillas out there.
I should make a resolution to catch up with Montale.
I made a resolution about no longer making resolutions a few years ago, lol. But this Montale is nice. Haven’t tried others, though.
1. SOTD is Amouage Lyric. It, plus my cashmere cardigan, is helping me feel warm and snuggly here at the library on a chilly day.
2. My perfume resolution is to invest in a few FB’s and wear the same scents more often, rather than buying so many decants.
3. Not sure what’s coming in 2016. Looking forward to finding out!
4. I’m hoping this will finally be the year that we sell our house so we can move to a bigger one.
Good luck with the home selling and buying. We sold our condo recently (closing in two weeks) and it was one of the most stressful experiences ever. Now we are waiting to find the right house to buy.
Marni Rose today. I used Rose Jam AND Lord of Misrule in the shower today and MR opens nicely spicy on me tho sadly that and the rest of the perfume haven’t seemed to last… It was a great combo tho!
I’m resolved to do more sampling than full bottle-ing this year and engage more online.
Don’t really know what’s set to come out this year but I suspect I’ll be busy enough exploring the classics to worry much about it.
And over all I’m looking forward to having a more social year. I’m determined to stop letting my anxiety keep me from making friends and having fun!
You smell fantastic! I need to go smell Misrule.
Good luck being more social — I should do that too, I’m a terrible homebody.
LoM is so good. I snagged the last big bottle at the boxing day BOGO sale. And it makes bright green bubbles when you lather up!
I just went to look for it here in Montréal and it is sold out. They said it was a yearly fall item, released at the end of October. Will try again next time!
1. I’m wearing Vanilla Insensee today. 2. This is because one of my resolutions is to wear each of my minis, discovery sets, or coffrets at least once before buying anything else. Once is enough for this one, since I dislike vanilla. My other fragrance resolution is to invest in full bottles of things I love. 3. I never pay attention to new fragrances, unless they are raved about on NST or BdJ. 4. 2015 was an annus horribilis for me, and unfortunately, 2016 is not looking any better. I just got news of a divorce in the family that is totally unexpected.
I also want to invest in full bottles of things I love. Hope your 2016 improves soon!
So sorry about the divorce, and do hope 2016 does turn out better than you’re expecting.
1. I chose Iris Silver Mist. It’s only in the 40’s today and I fear it may not get colder this year.
2. Be a decant purchaser. I still crave full bottles but I need to be frugal this year.
3. I can’t think of anything specifically. A new JCE would be nice.
4. One of my favorite bands is putting out their final album in February. One of the members died after Christmas 2013 but he recorded a lot of music in his hospital bed. Just the single makes me tear up. I’m glad for the completion but I am sad that they’re done.
I hope JCE is not done yet too!
I really feel like he won’t wins down easily. Slow down? Maybe.
May I ask which band?
Of course. School of Seven Bells. I could fan out about them for hours but I’ll restrain myself. 🙂
Thank you for something to google in this endless weekend!
I second that question 😀
School of Seven Bells. I just love her voice!
I like your resolution to invest in more decants instead of FB’s. Once again, I have gone overboard with my fragrance spending. I am almost dreading to face Donatella for the damage poll. So, I think I will try to invest in decants instead this new year. Good luck to you on this.
So, not sure I have anything to contribute to the poll, but I read this list for top 5 resolutions for last year:
1. Lose weight.
2. Get organized.
3. Spend less, save more.
4. Enjoy life to the fullest.
5. Stay fit and healthy.
It occurred to me that these could be “scented.” SO, if you have chosen any of the above resolutions, I would suggest the following:
1. Lose weight.
Help control your cravings by wearing sweets (Chocolate Greedy from Montale) or wearing savory (Womanity)
2. Get organized.
I suggest something without distractions such as Prada Infusion d’Iris.
3. Spend less, save more.
Hah! This *is* a list for perfumistas!
Ok, fine. I suggest focussing on wearing the things you LOVE, lurve, adore and can wear for days and days without tiring of them. For me, this includes pretty, complex roses like OJ Ta’if, Amouage Lyric or Malle Lipstick Rose.
4. Enjoy life to the fullest.
Easy. Wear something big and expensive, Malle Carnal Flower, Amouage Gold, etc.
5. Stay fit and healthy.
For the gym, I suggest a pretty cologne such as Fico di Amalfi. If you’re taking up running (in January!), something warm like Champagne de Bois. If you’ve joined the bowling league, maybe a clean leather like Cuir de Lancome to combat the shoe odor.
😀
Do I have to cut out snacking on perfumes…or just smaller portions? Glad I don’t have to do a 5:2 perfume fast!
I recommend cutting out snacking but being sure to have a full portion at meals to help control your appetite! Much better to feel satisfied than to always feel like you’re using restraint!
No juicing or green smoothies?
I’ve always been too much of a glutton for juicing to appeal to me–give me the whole dang thing!
I love your list. For running in January, I seriously recommend Avignon. It’s amazing in the winter forest.
Wonderful! I love how some scents seem to bloom so beautifully outside, even when it’s cold. (Body heat from running certainly helps.)
I really like number 3. I feel bad that I don’t wear my favorite perfumes more often, such a shame.
Sounds like a good scent-related resolution, to me!
Great ideas, Marjorie Rose!
Personally, I have to avoid gourmand perfumes that constantly remind me of food, but other perfumes can provide an alternative sensual treat to snacks.
I agree with you, actually. I find sweet, foodie smells whet my appetite instead of sating it. And something about indulging in scent *does* seem to fulfill some of the same needs as grazing on treats.
I thought about going in another direction–but wearing a scent that conflicts with food seemed like mean advice! Astringent green scents don’t play well with food, IMO (No. 19 edp, for example). And, actually, the brininess of Womanity is pretty unappetizing to me, too!
Maybe orientals would work with food. LT talks about Shalimar being designed for dinner parties because of its range and being, “always on good terms with the food to come.” Although I’d go for something lighter, probably.
Jardin du Poete today and have now just sprayed myself with Roma.
After at least 5 years of continuous acquisitions my 2016 resolution is to buy fewer fb’s. Unless they are at a super fabulous discount or getting discontinued. 🙂 I still want to sample and buy the things I really love but it’s time to redirect some funds elsewhere.
My 2016 is about me. Letting all the things that no longer serve me fall away without regret, and turning my attention to the things that make me happy, and healthy.
I really enjoyed doing a full no-buy year and highly recommend it!
So is there one or two bottles you are dying to snap up? Or nothing that you really can’t live without.
2 from Beaufort London, Fate woman, no19 edp. But I figure they’ll all still be there in a couple of months!!
Good morning from soggy, wet, not-very-warm Auckland. I’m only just awake, astounding for me, because it’s approaching 7 a.m., so I slept for about 9 hours. Fabulous! My SOTD so far is therefore the fractured remnants of yesterday’s’ night time perfume, Bel Respiro., and it’s just lovely to wake up to. Dunno what I will wear when I have showered, but I could almost go back to Black Cashmere–it’s that sort of day. My intention for the year is to wear my perfume. more thoughtfully: to analyse the notes and my response to them, to try to stay in the perfume throughout the wear, so that I really learn its development. I’ll probably have to write this or I won’t achieve it — good. I like putting literal pen to real paper sometimes. For 2016, I will go with whatever flow I find myself wading in, and enjoy it. I hope to acquire some treasures if we are able to travel to the States in September, but I am seriously worried about my husband, and increasingly convinced he won’t be able to make that sort of journey. I wish he would cry uncle and retire, but he thinks to work while I do. Men and their provider instinct– honestly! Have a great day, all.
I love putting pen to paper, literally. My notebook collection is getting out of hand…my favourites are made in Oamaru by bookbinder Michael O’Brien: deckle edged creamy white pages, half bound cloth bindings with marbled paper. They cost the same as a bottle of perfume but make me so happy.
I must investigate those! I love the business-like air that a spiral-bound notebook can lend me at work –I can produce an utterly false impression of efficiency if I produce one at a meeting. I’ve also indulged in a couple of truly beautiful covers from the American leather company, Oberon Design. Their work is fabulous, and I like the fact that I can use inserts. But I’m off now to see if I can support local crafts!
And he doesn’t sell on line! Whodda thunk? Beautiful work, though. I will have to see about having my father’s school prizes restored.
Consider a clipboard. I always feel more professional and focussed when writing upon one! 🙂
Maybe a white lab coat to go with it? And glasses, of course.
I have a lab coat you could borrow! 😉
Thank you both! This is a look I could try–it would startle the natives, which might give me an advantage in meetings!
Mmmmm, you scientists have all the moves.
Those marbled notebooks are stunning! Stationary is another addiction of mine and one that I seem to have been born with- I have never not loved beautiful paper. It is both a pity and a relief that he doesn’t sell online or I suspect that that’s where some funds would be redirected 🙂
Yes! Notebooks, journals, fountain pens, inks, the perfect fine liner, tins of drawing pencils, compact watercolour sets…and perfume. Winning combination.
I think that if I ever won lotto –hard to do if you don’t buy tickets, of course–I’d go to a place like that and say, “Good morning. May I have one of everything, please?” My husband has small-to-medium sized fits because I buy fountain pens as mementos of places we travel. My father gave me a tin of Lakeland colouring pencils –does anyone else remember them?–when I was about 8, and I still had the whole set when I got married. The dark green had been sharpened away until it was only about an inch long, but I kept it in its appointed place…I think I’m addicted to stationery too!
Afterthought: take a look at the Oberon website. The notebook covers are gorgeous! Well, everything is gorgeous, but the notebooks are a propos to this conversation.
I have a couple Oberon journal covers and an Oberon checkbook cover. Love them!
It’s so late in the day that you likely won’t see this, waterdragon, but I hope your husband takes care of himself, at least for your sake, and that you are able to visit the U.S. this fall. Wishing you a happy new year!
Thank you! He goes so far–takes meds, for example– but then pushes himself as though he is 26, not 66. I would rather he spent any amount of money, for instance, to fly to see his mother, rather than drive 500 miles (our roads are nothing like as good as those in the States or Europe), but he always knows best. And then it turns out, sometimes, that he doesn’t. We’d both like to visit the States again, but he gets so ill when his middle ear is out of kilter that it’s misery for both of us, far more for him than for me, of course. We’ll have to see. I long to see wolves and bears and eagles and a humming bird and the Perfume House, but I can live without these enchantments if I must.
My scent resolution is to be a) more aware of the natural scents of my environment and b) once I have an overview…a kind of scent map that takes account of time (seasons) and place ….to think more carefully about ‘highlighting’ the natural environmental scent through my perfume choice. For example ( you can yawn if you like…my husband did!!!) yesterday I got strong pine scents: from the Christmas tree in our house but also from a walk through a pine plantation in the morning just as the day was heating up, beautiful resinous pine. That was the strongest perfume note of the day and I’m wearing Filles en Aiguilles as a response. Not actually sure if any of this will go anywhere but it’s a nice frame for a summer holiday project…and hopefully I can turn it into a book of ‘perfume walks’ , that’s my real aim…to link walking and perfume.
What a lovely way to approach fragrances!
Love this! Please keep it coming!
Lovely!
This sounds like a great project!
Fabulous!
1. SOTD is Manguier Metisse
2.My fragrance resolutions are to try as many of my samples as possible and make a significant dent in my backlog (HA!). I tried 326 scents on skin last year between trying things in stores and samples and still have hundreds of things to sample. More realistically, I am going to try to not go past 99 bottles until my 25 yr college reunion in May (and a visit to Indigo)
3.Not looking forward to any particular release– will look forward to sampling whatever comes out and crosses my path,though I’m pretty much guaranteed to sample anything from Shelley Waddington
4. Sometime during 2016 I should be back in acupuncture school which is what I’m most looking forward to along with all the love, abundance and happiness that are constant things to look forward to
I’m very impressed with your 326 scents tested! Acupuncture school sounds super – all the best for 2016, goddessrena!
1. What fragrance are you wearing today?
Just back from yoga. Will be TDC Jasmin de Nuit (sparked by the draw for Le 15.)
2. Do you have any fragrance resolutions for 2016? Tell us about them.
I want to make sure my collection contains the fragrances that spark joy and the others get passed on to someone(s) who will appreciate them (love Marie Kondo!). Other than that, wear it and enjoy it!
3. What 2016 release are you most looking forward to, so far?
I am looking forward to trying CdG Dot – but I guess that was actually 2015, just not available here yet.
4. What else (anything, really!) are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to a big remodel we are doing for our house. Well, let’s say I am looking forward to the results of the remodel…
Now that you mention it, I want to try CdG Dot, too. Mostly because it’s my name. I so wanted to love MJ Dot (for the name and the adorable ladybug bottle) but the perfume itself was :-/
I want Dot too! My adorable puppy girl’s name is Dot.
1. Kalemat. I admit to forgetting how good this is, but put it on last night after the discussion here and couldn’t resist wearing it again today.
2. I think my resolution this year will have to be to use up my samples. I guess I could also afford to part with some bottles it turns out I don’t love, but… baby steps.
3. Nothing yet, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something to obsess over.
4. Easy! I’m looking forward to marrying my best friend, plus all of the beauty and meal planning that comes with it.
Congrats on your upcoming marriage!
Thank you!
Congrats on the upcoming nuptial. There’s nothing better than marrying your best friend! Let us know what fragrance you decide to wear for that special day.
I think perfume was the very first decision I made. 🙂 It has to be Shalimar, though I might wear it for the reception so I get to experience the joy of choosing a second scent for earlier in the day.
1. No perfume yet. I just gave Stella a bath and made her look like a poodle again. She is wearing Marc Jacobs Biscotti post tubby. It’s nice to see her eyes again although I miss the little bear look. She look like a big girl now. We’re resting on the couch at the moment. When I go upstairs to change I may give myself a spritz or 12 of La Fille de Berlin because I am in the mood for roses today.
2. I’m on a no buy so we’ll see how long that lasts. Its not just for perfume either. Lipstick, nail polish, cosmetics, hair stuff, all that stuff. The only things I will be buying are the products that I use regularly that I need to replace. Other than that I need to use up all the samples and partial bottles I’ve got. I also want to toss the stuff that doesn’t work either in the trash or on to someone else like my niece to see if she likes it more than I do. This will be rather challenging for me but there’s only so much space to store the stuff.
3. I’m not looking forward to anything new. At the moment I hope there’s nothing fabulous released anytime soon to tempt me.
4. Spring. I don’t mind the cold but I hate snow and ice and I just find myself counting the weeks until we’re done with it. I’d also love to find a new job this year.
“A spritz or 12” 😀
And…Stella!! I bet she’s adorbs!
I’m always a little heavy handed because my skin just eats perfumes.
Stella is cute and that helps her get away with a lot.
I’m on a one month no-buy, poodle. In addition to what’s on your list I’ve added unnecessary food items like more tea, condiments, pickles and the like. I’m also going to stop saving all the junk on my laptop etc that I’m not gonna get to like motivational stuff that only inspires guilt in me. I’m ready to let go and I’m excited!
Oh tea…yeah, that’s an issue for me too. I need to just avoid the tea aisle for a while too.
I moved this summer, and culling the products I don’t love was a process, and so worth it!
In reality it was a 3-step thing for me, first it was the giant cull while packing, then the regular size cull while unpacking, and now it is the toss/gift/donate as I come across them … since there are pockets of unused product that remain.
Same with my clothes, I keep a “to donate” bag available so the clothing population in my closet stays fresh and seasonal. Fresh = some degree of certainty that i will wear item again. So I have storage for off season (spring/summer), closet of current season (fall/winter), and donate bag.
Helps me stay realistic about what I need v. what I have in duplicate. 🙂
(And ugh, moving. Six months later and it’s “only” down to two piles of unpacked boxes. Lol – 2016 resolution! )
SOTD = Aftelier Bergamoss EDP
I will re-apply right before leaving for our last dinner in Madrid. While I’m sad that my vacation is ending, I’m happy to have had this opportunity to ring in the new year here and also happy to be going back to the familiar. I have Monday off to recover before going back to work!
We spent the day in Toledo, former capital of Spain, home to El Greco. We saw the view of the city he painted, toured the El Greco house (named as such even though he never lived there), visited a synagogue and the Cathedral (it was not an exaggeration that the expression Holy Toledo came from visitors of this fabulously ornate church).
Fragrance resolutions – continue culling through my collection, including full bottles, samples, decants and minis. I will not set any goals.
2016 – I’ll look back to SuzyQ’s favorites compilation and try the ones I missed. I’m also looking forward to being reacquainted with the Prada Infusion line when I visit the NY boutique after work one day in January. Also, unless it is already closed, I need to stop by the Caron boutique again soon! I’ll be trying new releases to the extent they are available at my usual haunts in NY.
I need to start planning for my next vacation (a cruise) which will depart from Barcelona!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Toledo sounds fabulous. I’m still bummed that I never made it out there when I visited Madrid. Did you make a trip to El Escorial too?
No -outside of Madrid, we went to Segovia and Toledo. I have to put El Escorial on my list for whenever I visit Madrid again!
I love planning for vacations; it’s almost as fun as the vacations themselves. Enjoy!
It’s true. I met several people on this trip who had started out in Barcelona and they have nothing but good things to say about Barcelona. They also recommended a private guide so I’ll be working on that”
I luuuurve El Greco’s work; that must have been fabulous!
It was fabulous. El Greco marched to the beat of his own drummer.
Holy Toledo! I never knew. I love little bits of word and slang history. 🙂
1. Vintage Chanel No. 5 eau de cologne which just arrived in today’s mail. After years of being convinced that No. 5 was not my thing, I have developed a real appreciation for it in all its versions, and especially vintage.
2. Wear more of my vintage perfume collection is my main resolution. Like Poodle and several other commenters, I am on a frugality kick this year, except for items like mascara and skincare that require regular replacement. I did a major culling of makeup and perfume mid-December, and was more than a little shocked at what I still have left to use up. At least I’ll have some things for the next Freebie and Swap meets.
3. No upcoming releases have me intrigued, but I may break my resolution for Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme and/or Flowerbomb Extreme. Living near Memphis my available sniffage is limited to the more mainstream releases, and they were uniformly underwhelming last year.
4. Looking forward to a February visit from a new dear friend, and hoping to travel a bit more this year…or do some home renovation/redecorating…or hopefully both.
Happy New Year to all!
I plan to be more frugal this year, too. For perfumes, this will mean buying a few expensive bottles that I love, but cutting back decants, splits, cheap thrills, and a lot of sampling. And I definitely do not need any more make-up; the stuff lasts forever. Happy new year!
This is how I manage my perfume budget. I only buy the things I love, that last long enough on my skin, and wait to sample IRL whenever possible rather than buying them. I don’t test as much as I used to as a result, but it’s ok. That means my “to buy” list stays shorter, too.
Currently wearing a drop of Iris Silver Mist, a stern perfume to encourage me to get on with some cleaning and tidying – I’m back to work on Tuesday after the summer break, and as usual I haven’t done nearly as many things around the house as I had planned.
I plan to spend less on perfume and other self-indulgent (but very enjoyable) things, and focus on some long overdue renovations. Nothing dramatic, but any time I look away from contemplating perfume, I realise that everything is looking very tired.
No particular new releases I’m looking forward to in 2016, like PriscillaE, I’ll see what people are ecstatic about here and on other blogs. I know my list of things to sample will only get longer 🙂
For the coming year, nothing definite, but hoping it is good for everyone. Like Poodle, I’d like to find a new job, but I have no idea what it might be.
New job: Minister of Perfume? With tax payer funded trips to France…
That would be perfect 🙂
Your policy initiatives would be by far the most interesting in the whole boiling of the biting Cabinet: a white paper on eliminatng BO in the population, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health; an act to prevent the import of dreary mainstream perfumes; funding opportunities for innovative perfume business; trade awards for the best A-NZ home grown perfumes; and education programme in basic perfume knowledge for primary schools;agreements to supply Grasse with the ultimate green smell, derived from our native bush. Could I please come and work for you when I retire?
“Biting cabinet”? Oh come on, autocorrect, I KNOW I typed “boring”! If you don’t stop behaving as though you know better than me, I WILL TURN YOU OFF!
Biting works pretty well, though.
You could be the. nz perfume ambassador based in Paris and New York…but you’d have to have a fold out couch for when we visit for high level meetings.
1. L’Eau de Hiver and finally going to see Star Wars
2. I’m still exploring and building my collection, so the goal is to just have fun and be adventureous.
3. So far Jo Malones Herb Garden collection and sampling many of 2015 best lists.
4. I hope I can find a new job or at least a new outlook at my current job.
L’Eau d’Hiver is a beauty! I wish you good luck on the career front.
Thanks!
1. Today I’m wearing the last two fragrances from the OJ Discovery Set, Sampaquita on my left arm and Tiare on my right arm. Both are pretty, but neither are my style. C.H. was spot on when she said that loving Ta’if, Tolu, and Champaca (the first ones I sampled) may not translate to loving the entire line. All are beautiful and well-done, but the original three are the only that are FB worthy for me. And I’m considering Isfarkand for my husband.
2. In 2016, I plan to set up a pretty cupboard to organize and store all my perfumes, once I buy and settle into a new home. This will help me remember to use all the beauties I have and to buy only those perfumes at the very top of my list.
3. I’d be super interested in a new Hermessence by Christine Nagel. Does anyone know if the line is complete or if more will be released?
4. This year, of course, I’m most looking forward to my baby girl (due next month), as well as returning to my home state of North Carolina and buying a cozy home on several acres.
Happy New Year!
Yes, I’m also very interested to see what Christine Nagel will do at Hermes. I can’t help wondering if she didn’t have a hand in Cuir d’Ange.
I envy your move back to NC. I lived in Asheville for about a year and a half and fell in love with the entire state. It has EVERYTHING!
Asheville is beautiful. I’ll definitely be taking some weekend trips there!
A new home and a family member that sounds so exciting!
Enjoy the quiet time before the baby!
Also interested in Hermes
I am a huge Christine Nagel fan and love basically everything she has a hand in. I too am interested to see what she does this year. Exciting!
Oh drat!! Well I am certainly sorry to be proven right about that! I suppose it’s a blessing on your wallet at least? And I know mine’s relieved Champaca’s the only one I’ve wanted to buy 🙂
And who knows, maybe next summer in NC’s warm weather some of the others might merit a retest! How exciting for your new place–and your bebe!
1. Wearing a base of E&J Nirvana Black layered with Prada Candy atop. Each seem to have simple compositions so nothing becomes too muddied by the merger. Self-made Candy Noir, loving it.
2. 2016 fragrance resolutions: decants and samples rather than full-bottles. Sleep on it before buying, no matter the size. Must use up all of a sample before full bottle is purchased. Sell, swap, or gift what I don’t love and or respect.
3. 2016 release most looking forward to: Hard to pick just one. Editions de Parfums Monsieur; with a whopping 50%+ patchouli, I’m interested to see if Jovanovic chooses to balance it with other accords or lets the patch sing solo. Atelier Musc Imperial sounds interesting. On the opposite end of the interesting spectrum, curious to see if Dior Poison Girl will confirm or deny my suspicion that the house is in a tailspin.
4. Looking forward to finally finishing and graduating college after taking a 20 year long “semester off” while I raised a family. Walking the stage in May with a bunch of 21 year olds and can’t wait.
Interesting combo! I may have to try that on myself the next time I’m at Sephora.
Congrats on your upcoming graduation!
Do give it a go your next trip to Sephora. Would love to know your thoughts! And, thank you so much for the congrats! 🙂
Candy Noir sounds right up my alley! I’m a fan of Nirvana Black layered with Lush’s Karma scent. It seems to be very versatile.
I’ve got to get my hands on those Lush scents. Karma sounds right up my alley! As for Nirvana Black, definitely versatile, especially the body oil. I’ve layered it with Angel and, miraculously, it tamed Angel’s patchouli. Turned the whole thing into a skin scent. Srsly. 🙂
Oh, congratulations on your completion! I love to see all students finish, but I have a special feeling for older students. I know how it’s sometimes a real struggle to fulfil all the other responsibilities–wife and mother perhaps, daughter to older parents, friend, employee– with the student role. Brilliant achievement!
That’s interesting! I became ill and had to drop out before completing my masters. That was about 15 years ago… I often think I would like to continue studying (though my research interests have obviously changed.) One obstacle (there are a few) is that there are quite a number of faculty members – in at least two departments – that are likely to remember me. I find that quite daunting 😮
Merlin, if the staff are anything like me, they’ll be genuinely THRILLED to see you return! I always am– there’s a really special, deep respect engendered by the returning student. I’m putting this badly, but it sort of works like this: young students start, and although I get it that they have to balance and counterbalance many things, assignments, part-time work, fitting in and learning the ropes of academic writing, etc, being students is their job, you know? It’s the time of their lives to do it, their families adjust themselves, etc. Older students come into a system that’s pretty much adapted to much younger people, and their lives are more complex. Their sense of needing to succeed is acute, because the sacrifices they’re making are intense, and also, they feel compelled to achieve at a high level because they stand out from the rest of the students. Believe me, there is no professional joy greater than helping mature students find their feet in the melee. I’ve done it quite a lot over the years, and I know whereof I speak. So, if you want it, go for it. You’ll be surprised at how many “welcome back” mats are spread out before you.
Thanks for the encouragement! I actually took it all a bit too seriously back then, which lead to extreme burn out… If I returned I would be much less intense 😀
Aww, Waterdragon, thank you so much. You’re one of the countless reasons why coming to this site makes my day. Love this place.
Huge congrats on your accomplishment! I started college at 37!! And wasn’t able to finish until 46!! But so happy I did finally do it. You will never regret it, although I have to say, I’m regretting my student loan repayment…;)
Thanks so much, Deva! No regrets, except the loan payments, lol, I hear ya!!
Congratulations on your achievement, its awesome!
Thank you, SicilianaNM!! 🙂
The real question is…what will be the graduation scent? 😉
Why YSL’s Champagne, of course! 🙂
Actually, hadn’t thought about it until reading your comment. Now, I can’t think of anything but, lol!
Champagne sounds perfect!
Congrats on your graduation! I, too, walked a stage with lots of people who were considerably younger (I was 41). I had more than one professor tell me that they loved teaching “resumers” because they came to class on time and prepared and never asked the dreaded “will this be on the test” question. 😉
That’s awesome, Aparatchick! I’ll be 41 too when I graduate. “Resumers,”… I like that designation.
“Will this be on the test?” Lol. Ahh, youth. Sometimes, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Maturity has its perks. 😀
Yep. You hit that nail on the head!
I’ll have to try that combo. Sounds like an interesting pairing. Congrats on graduating! I’ve had coworkers, close to retirement age, going back for advanced degrees. I think it’s so inspiring and just plain awesome!
Hey, awesome about your degree! I really admire the tenacity. Well-earned!
I’m wearing La Liturgie les Heures to take down the outdoor decorations today in this freezing wind.
In November I turned the fronts of all my bottles backwards and I turn them forward when I wear them. Next November I will sell or give away all those that I haven’t worn in the year. Mostly this means I’m parting with things I thought I *should* like–scents that other people raved about, I bought (often blind), and found “meh” or scrubbable.
I don’t know what’s supposed to be released in 2016. I’ll have to read about them here!
I am looking forward to another lovely year in glorious retirement. It’s the best!
What a great idea to turn the bottles, foxbins! So simple and yet so perfect! Thanks!
I think the bottle turning idea is great, too. How is your little four legged friend? Hopefully doing better…?
Much better, thanks!
That is such an amazing idea! It makes me imagine all the bottles that never get to turn around being ashamed…like being in the naughty corner 😉
Hahaha hilarious!
Just agreeing with all of the above that this is genius! Now, how to apply this method to my clothing…
I guess you could store each clothes inside out…
Right now I’m obsessed with finding a sample of Orlov Cross of Asia. This was recommended by Denyse Beaulieu on Grain de Musc as Musc, as one of the perfumes she had found most interesting in 2015. Cross of Asia is supposed to be at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, but it’s not up on their website. Not that I was tempted to start 2016 with an expensive blind buy or anything like that… 😉
Some of Denyse’s other recs, such as Serge Lutens Cannibale, are already on the way, thanks to the internet.
Looking forward, I’m taking intensive lessons in Chen Tai Chi, pursuing insight meditation, and trying to get back to drawing. It will be interesting to see how these develop in 2016.
BTW, I ended up wearing La Via del Profumo Tawaf yesterday. Durbrana describes Tawaf as a binary structure intertwining jamine sambac and oppoponax accords, accompanied by rose, narcissus and myrrh.
I love Tawaf.
I enrolled in an online ‘Sketchbook Skool’ course last year to get drawing back into my daily life…it was good fun and I drew lots of perfume bottles.
Kanuka, drawing favorite perfume bottles is a great idea! 🙂
Interesting list of non-perfume hobbies to pursue! This year I want to begin learning how to play the piano and start rose and vegetable gardens with my mom’s help.
Those sound like rewarding hobbies, too, dottie, and also good fun for your mom.
DottieCHI,
I started piano at the ripe age of
50. It was not easy. But I have persisted, gone through…5 teachers, found one that’s right for me, and I never regret taking this up. I barely knew where middle C was. Now I work on Chopin and Granados waltzes. Be patient with yourself. Have fun. Play things you love and never worry about how slow you are. Piano playing is one of the best things you can do for your spirit and brain flexibility. Best of luck to you!.
That’s wonderful to hear, mough! I was wondering whether I’d be able to pick it up, and your story is very encouraging. I bet you play beautifully. Thanks for the advice. 🙂
I loved Orlov Cross of Asia when I sampled it at Bergdorf’s last month but that is an incredibly pricey perfume at $330 for a bottle so you might not want to blind buy it
Interesting to know that you also liked it. Hoping to find decants somewhere!
I did write to Patty of Perfume Posse/ Surrender to Chance to suggest it a couple of weeks ago….I am getting a large sample from an NST person and would be happy to send you a bit after I get it. My yahoo address is my screen name
Thanks, I’ll drop you a line!
you’ve piqued my interest…Ropion + quality materials sounds like something very much worth sampling.
Love your non-perfume pursuits. CBS Sunday Morning had a piece this morning on meditation and showed a grade school in CA that incorporates meditation into its daily curriculum. Interesting to hear from the students how this practice is benefiting them. Wish they taught useful stuff when I was in school!
Love hearing about everyone’s other hobbies–so cool, and emboldening! You’ll have to let us know how they go this year.
Started off with Bois d’iris. This suits my skin chemistry so well, I resolve to get a full bottle of this soon…then I went to Ulta for some shampoo and put on a spritz od Live Colorfully. At the checkout counter the nice girl said you smell so good, what is that? Kate Spade strikes again!
Wearing Sarrasins today. I wanted the indolic jasmine/leather mix today. My perfume resolution is the spend less, wear what I have. I hope that I will be able to finish a bottle or two by the end of this year.
I get an inordinate amount of pleasure draining a beloved bottle! I recommend you buy the back-up before you run out, though. I’ve had a few get discontinued or dramatically changed after I’d used all mine up, much to my disappointment!
Oh, everyone’s worst fear! I’m almost too scared to ask but–which were the reforms, dare I ask?
Two I’ve discovered the past 6 months or so–Kenzo Amour was probably reformulated when they switched to the fuschia bottles (rather than white, fuchsia or orange, depending on size), and possibly SSS Nostalgie is in process of being reformulated. I’ve been in contact with Laurie, and she’s considering changing the formula on that one (and sadly, I don’t have any of the old formulation left).
Ohhhh drat! I think I knew that about Amour (so I guess better that I never smelled the original?) but Nostalgie! I’m surprised. Is it a matter of cost of ingredients, or?
If I can put my hands on my sample, I’ll pop it in the mail to you so you can at least have another wear or two!
Wow leather and jasmine?! How have I not tried this one yet?? (Oh it’s a bell jar isn’t it. Well. Hmpf.)
1. I’m wearing PdN’s Odalisque today. I’m one of the unfortunates who gets a whiff of cat pee in the top notes, and I’m not finding the rest of its progression intriguing. My decant has gone straight into the pass-it-on pile.
2. I have several fragrance resolutions. The most important one is to severely curtail buying samples and to enjoy what I currently have. For what I spent on samples and decants the last couple of years, I could have gone home to NYC and stayed in a great hotel, eaten out and gone sniffing instead!
3. I’m not yet anticipating any new releases, although I do love Andy Tauer’s Tauerville series thus far and look forward to seeing what else he comes up with. Also, the Jo Loves Flower Shop sounds nice.
4. I am looking forward to selling my parents’ house where I am now living. I am simultaneously dreading the process because I’ve never sold a house and I find it quite intimidating.
My sample of Odalisque went the same place 😀
Amen to #2! Those little buggers add up!
Holly,
The Flower Shop No. 42 is one of favorite floral fragrances. The only bad thing I can say about it is the cost. If you don’t live in London, you will pay an arm and a leg for shipping. I am not sure where you live, but Jo Malone has said that her Jo Loves line will be available in the U.S. But, she didn’t say when. I am keeping my fingers crossed that 2016 will be the year. If you haven’t had an opportunity to try her Jo Loves line, I highly suggest it. If you are a fan of JM’s earlier releases (before Estee Lauder took over), the Jo Love line is similar.
You’re actually the reason why I even know about the Jo Loves line, scentfromabove! I know you love The Flower Shop and it really does sound lovely. I’m in the US and I sure hope the line gets here soon. Otherwise, a trip to London sounds nice, doesn’t it? So much more fun than spending the money on postage!
Today I am in Wrappings. To me, this one is nice at any time of the year.
No fragrance resolutions except to maybe sniff my samples right away when I get them instead of saving them for a day when I feel like I need something fun and interesting to do.
I guess I need to check into what’s being released n 2016 to see what I definitely need to test.
It’s kind of early to say this, but I’m looking forward to the daylight getting longer now (minute by minute).
Totally with you for days getting longer! I’ve noticed already, just that it’s not nearly pitchblack at 4:30 anymore.
Love the Hackney Sleigh! Great illustration for the New Year.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today?
PdE Ambre Russe- because it finally cooled down to the 70’s during the night!
2. Do you have any fragrance resolutions for 2016? Tell us about them.
Trying to maintain a No Buy until at least April.
3. What 2016 release are you most looking forward to, so far?
No clue. I can’t keep with what’s already been released.
4. What else (anything, really!) are you looking forward to this year…
No major expenditures: not having to meet maximum out not pocket health insurance, hope the roof holds out another year, no huge major vehicular costs. You know, the usual 🙂
In reality, hope everyone, including myself and T-Rex, enjoy a year of good health.
1. I’m wearing JM Orris and Sandalwood from a sample a lovely SA gave to me, that was sitting on the counter as I raced out of the house this morning.I haven’t started carrying an emergency sample stash, and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the house without wearing something.
2. I absolutely have to get a handle on what I really “need” to buy, if anything. Having read about all of the reformulations and discontinuations of classic beloved perfumes as I started exploring this art form, I thought I needed to have those that I liked or were recommended because they might disappear. I do really love many of them, but my tastes have evolved. As so many have mentioned, I need to just wear what I have and what brings me joy.
3. Jo Malone releases are fun because the SA “fragrance
combines “with other lines.
4. Looking forward to visiting NYC again.
Ok forgive me if I’m asking this a second time, did we already discussed that Orris & Sandalwood? I’m totally on the fence and thus polling everyone who’s tried it, so you guys can tell me what I think of it 🙂
1. Bruno Acampora Musc is my SOTD.
2. No buying samples this year, and really just to enjoy what I already have. My budget is much smaller since I’ve gone part time and I just can’t spend on perfume what I used to. Plus, I desperately need to bolster my (clothing) wardrobe and some things for the house. Perfume is just so much more fun to me, so this is a challenge.
3. I also am not even up on what already has been released, no idea what is coming up.
4. I just hope for a year free of hardship and drama. That would be plenty fine for me.
Re: #2, I find it so much easier to find a bottle of perfume in my size than a flattering pair of jeans! 🙂
A $50 bottle of perfume is practically free but a $50 pair of jeans? Nope, no way, I’ll wait for them to go on clearance.
I have given in to expensive jeans, I fear. Thing is, I can literally try on 20 pairs and only like one of them. So, then I buy 2-3 of that style and hope they’ll still be around when I need to replace them. (Usually not.) So, if the one pair is $100, I guess that’s what I’m paying. I hate it, but I’m not sure what else to do!
Apparently, jeans-makers aren’t concerned with the curvy-hipped, smaller-waisted crowd. I know our dear Angela’s solution is to just wear dresses, but I haven’t quite commited to that solution, yet.
Do you find the different cuts of Levi’s helpful? I think they’ve done quite a good job with their four basic shapes, and they certainly do the small waist and curved hip shape. To my kiwi eye, they aren’t expensive, either. I’m inured to paying over $200–$250 for jeans, so if I found some at $100, even in US dollars, I’d be thrilled!
Haven’t bought a pair of Levi’s in a long time. Seems that they change the cuts every year, so when I *have* found some I liked, I never found them again later.
Can’t imagine paying $250 for jeans! They’d better last for YEARS at that cost! (Old lady grumble–they don’t make ’em like they used to! I’ve had jeans wear through in 6 months! They’re supposed to be more rugged than that! Old lady grumble over.)
I don’t even expect them to last….I think I might be sadly out of touch, don’t you? I should probably just be quiet now.
Jeans (in the good old days) used to last for a decade or more. They got faded and worn in and more comfy as time passed. Not that way now (in my experience). Even designer jeans tear after a few years. I do find some of the pricier brands to have a better cut and sometimes a nicer quality denim – sometimes with a nice soft snug stretch. But because of the price point I tend to reserve these for ‘nicer occasions’ and not wear them day in and day out. Of course this means its harder to assess their durability!
LOL!!!
A year free of hardship and drama would be such a beautiful thing! May we all be so lucky.
Happy New Year everyone!
1) bottega Veneta. It si cold here in Boston and this fragrance ” keeps me warm”.
2) general resolution: trying to participate more to the conversation instead of just reading.
4) waiting to see what will be Hermes new release once JC Ellena will retire.
Enjoy the weekend!
If you ever feel like doing a Boston meetup let me know– my screen name is my yahoo address
Today I’m wearing Guet-Apens Guerlain – sandalwood, oakmoss, violets, and old school perfumery skill. I need to wear it more often.
I wanted to repeat something I posted in The Different Company giveaway.
I have been listening to Courtney Barnett and in particular, her album (yes, I’m that old to call it an album), – ‘Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit’.
It is intelligent punk/power pop and the lyrics are full of detail and insight.
Happy New Year Everyone !! 🙂
Guet-Apens is such a dream. I dread the day I run out. You smell better than amazing!
I have found it necessary to stock pile a small vat of this one. I don’t want to consider the horror of life without it! 🙂
I don’t blame you! Were you fortunate enough to buy a bottle back in the day, or did you somehow find a place online where you could replenish your supply?
I have a magic elf who stalked ebay for me and let me know when a lantern bottle was up for auction at a reasonable price. Before that, I think I single-handedly purchased the entire stock of Attrape Coeur at TPC during a sale the year before. (So, apologies if you’ve been hoping to get some from them and they’re still out of stock.)
Marjorie Rose! I did try to buy more AC from TPC and they were out! I love that scent in all its various incarnations! I came close to getting a bottle of the duty free shop version Evasions, but the person I was negotiating with decided I was too eager, I think. Oh well, when the time is right I will be able to acquire some more. In the meantime I hoard my little rollerball of it.
Ooops. Sorry meredifay! Maybe I owe you a swap?
meredifay, it looks like TPC has some Guet-Apens at the moment
Heh, do you think I can put “magic perfume elf” on my resume??
I’m glad you reposted those lyrics here, because I wanted to respond. I think this album sounds like something I might like. I recently set up my small record player, and am going through all my old albums. but I would like to expand my musical tastes a little. just a little.
Courtney Barnett! She has played in NZ a few times and rocks out the old telecaster…
As ever Bear I love your taste in all things!
Greetings all!
1. Also wearing Bottega Veneta (welcome, Catherine68!). 5 small spritzes – a record for me.
2. No real resolutions, just being more selective: less buying, more culling.
3. Not looking forward to anything in particular. Would love to see some new classics amble down the pike.
4. Looking forward to in 2016? Keyword is “forward.” Can’t wait to see what the future brings.
Same for me: 3 to 5 max. Otherwise it is too strong.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today? None. I flew back home from Seattle yesterday even though I had a cold, and now I have an even worse cold. Can’t smell a thing. Boo to that!
2. Do you have any fragrance resolutions for 2016? Tell us about them. Buy only things that I LOVE. Go through existing bottles and cull that herd.
3. What 2016 release are you most looking forward to, so far? Ha! I haven’t kept up with 2015 (or 2014, for that matter).
4. What else (anything, really!) are you looking forward to this year? Good books, fostering more kittens, being grateful for what I have.
Hope you feel better soon! This season has just been horrible for everyone! It’s been the pits!
I reached for MDCI Chypre Palatin in the evening hours, sprayed myself a healthy good dose. Rich and dense, do love it dearly.
Buy less. Did get some bottles in 2015, but I have never spent so little on samples and decants. Still smelling through my stash from the crazy-years when I had packages coming in left and right, from good perfumepals and sample services. Lately I discovered that some of the decants are going bad or evaporates while others are still in pristine shape. So, will try to use and enjoy them, before it is spoiled.
A new release from Frederic Malle still has an air of excitement about it I think, so will try Monsieur. I’m a CDG-fanboy, so that DOT thingy is a must-try. The Nomenclature line looks interesting, will seek that out when I get the chance. Animalics.. seems like a good year for checking out more of those 🙂
I’m actually looking forward to summer right now. This winter/spring is jampacked with studies and other challenges. Ohh well.. 😀 Time flies.
What are your favourite CDGs? They have such great lasting power…I think I like Avignon, Carnation, Kyoto, and then the Monocle series …and even Daphne ( if that was CDG?) and those sweet little floral things…pretty bottles from a few years back.
Too many I’m afraid 🙂 CDG is so much fun!
Yes, you’re right – CDG did Daphne (or rather Antoine Lie, who also made another heavy-hitter favourite of mine, Rien from ELDO) is a big love, most used in the chilly weather.
CDG Avignon feels like home to me, probably because I had the scented Avignon candle for years, it works its magic subtle while unlit.. Soo good!
I sometimes layer Daphne with just a sprits of Avignon, feels a bit more mysterious and gloomy dark that way.
CDG x Stephen Jones the first one with violet and meteroites + Stephen Jones Wisteria Hysteria are bigtime favourites – I craved Wisteria Hysteria last winter.
I do love that EDP from 2011, it gives me great pleasure.
CDG2 is the first love from the line. And I love a good shower in COMME 3 for summer, or when I dream about summer. I Like that damp, woody, green, sci-fi greenhouse vibe.
I got a bottle of TAR on a trip to Berlin some years back from the Synthetics line, right before it was discontinued, and find that one fun and interesting.
I like TEA, did love it at one point, but now it’s gotten a bit too demanding for me. Never owned a bottle, the decant were sufficient since it has insane staying power on me.
The pyramid Champaca.. would not mind if a bottle would fall in my lap sometime 🙂 Lush, a bit indolic, creamy, peppery and a nice chunk of that wierd CDG-smell I adore, but find so hard to place. A little bit of heaven in a bottle.
Fantastic. White was my introduction to CdG but I haven’t worn it for years. After reading your post I will go and test the Stephen Jones collaborations. Sounds good!
Late to the party today, but:
Today I’m wearing L’Eau d’Hiver, which is a perfect fit for this cozy, wintery day with the smell of the last quinces on our neighbor’s tree wafting into our yard and a chilly rainstorm on the way.
And I resolve to wear more perfume in 2016 and make a dent in my collection! I spent all of 2015 either pregnant or nursing a newborn, so fragrance has been shelved for a while, but now I’m starting to sneak a little dab here and a spritz there, and no complaints from the little man so far!
Wow, that is commitment shelving fragrance while you are pregnant AND nursing! I wore perfume pregnant, but also shelved it when I was nursing my newborn. It was nice to finally start wearing a dab of perfume here and there…
My sense of smell was pretty wonky while I was pregnant, so perfume wasn’t really appealing. Plus, I didn’t really want to spoil any of my favorites by creating associations between them and all the various physical woes I felt!
I am wearing Cuir Beluga, thanks to a very generous NSTer.
My fragrance resolutions are to smell anything and everything I can get my nose near. I am planning FB putchases of Gris Clair, and Shalimar. Probably Eau December Premiere too. I’m also planning a sniffing expedition at the local posh mall. If there are any Atlanta area NSTers that want to do a little meet up, that would be awesome. I’m going to Lenox.
I’m looking forward to traveling this year, to seeing my family that lives out of state, to a few new book releases, and Outlander season 2. I’m also hoping my favorite band (Matchbox Twenty) will put something together in honor of the 20th anniversary of their first album dropping. Lots to look forward to!
I’m wearing Tauers Sotto la Luna Tuberose. Started the day off with his Rose de Khandahar. Love them both.
I am, by gum, going to use the turn back/forward method to see whom I am neglecting. Brilliant idea!
I look forward to a year of expanding my ability in music, continuing to do my art, riding my horses bareback, and smelling good every day!
Oh, bareback riding is the best. I love it. I first started doing it because I’m lazy and tack is heavy, but once I tried it, I never wanted to go back. The only reason I use a saddle is if I’m going on trail, or if it’s a horse I have reason to not trust fully. Otherwise, no saddles for me. My friend had a mare, sweet, easy going. You could take her, clip reins to her halter, and ride her anywhere. She was an angel to ride. Probably didn’t even need the reins, but I used them anyway.
Super envious of you both!
SOTD was Sballo but post bath I will be layering Black Cashmere over TBS Smokey Poppy shower gel, oil and lotion. You should be able to smell me from wherever you’re sitting as you read this.
2. I would like to be more mindful of my spending in all areas, more mindful and less impulse purchasing I hear myself say.
3. Nothing in particular.
4. Possibly finishing the home renovations that we began 20 years ago. Enjoying friends and family, good books, the usual suspects.
I’m in Tabac Tabou today, which is more tobacco-y than I remember from my last wear, but it’s settled down into a soft floral-tobacco on my skin.
I’m really looking forward to Masque Milano Romanza this year, which has been released (I think?), or at least reviewed, but I can’t seem to find anyone in the US that carries it yet…
This year I plan on practicing serving other with a joyful heart better.
My Sotd was NR Narciso. I am looking forward to the new version of My Burberry, but I don’t remember the name, so apparently not excited about it. I think I’m going to try and repurchase original versions of my old favorites this year. Top on my list is Dior Poison Tendre and D&G Sicily. I guess I am looking forward to seeing how everything this year will turn out. My main goal is to keep me and my children healthy and provided for.
Are you referring to “Burberry My Burberry Black”? Robin did an article on this fragrance on December 23rd. It sounds like a good one. I’m interested in trying this out too as soon as its available.
Yes, Burberry Black. I couldn’t think of the name earlier. I do like both My Burberry edp and edt. So, I am wanting to give this one a testing.
Pop me a note if you like, I’ve got an unopened Tendre Poison I was going to sell! I’m on gmail, catherineh789.
Oh wonderful! I will.
Happy Saturday Everyone! I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend so far. My SOTD is Knot by BV. I haven’t worn it in a while, so it seemed like a good day to wear it.
My only fragrance resolution for 2016 is to wear fragrances that make me feel happy and good inside when I wear them. Last year, my resolution was to get out of my comfort zone and wear some new scents that I typically wouldn’t. I succeeded with that and will continue to do that as well this year. I even purchased a journal that I labeled as my “perfume journal” to help me organize my thoughts on fragrances that I am curious about.
I truly hope that 2016 will be the year that Jo Malone releases her Jo Loves to the United States. I know that she confirmed that it would be coming to the U.S., but she never said when that would be. I am anxiously awaiting for it to be released here.
The one thing that I look forward to this year is to fall in love again. I have been so wrapped up into my career and trying to get myself together (several surgeries the last couple of years) that it has left little time for a relationship. So, it would be nice if I can get out there again and find love.
Also looking forward to Jo Loves in the US. I had a chance to visit the original shop in London and have Pomelo and Pink Vetiver.
Hope you find that work- life balance. It opens the door for things to happen when you least expect it!
1. Wearing Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum to go with the Picasso print satin scarf I decided to wear today.
2. Wear more perfume .Exercise my sprayer finger. Trying to wear everything is a possible future goal – maybe.
3.Need to cull some aka ” lose weight”
4. I’m not sure what new scents are coming out . Or more realistically what will be out locally to me down here in the South. I still haven’t got to sniff the two new Clinique Aromatics flankers. Though the sales associates now know what I’m talking about at least! Maybe I’ll see/ sniff them this year?
Wearing Bois de Paradis ( Delrae), which is lovely. No real resolutions. I have slowed down considerably and I’m quite pleased with my restraint these days.
No answers to any of the others either. Been working really hard all day, so my brain is in a bit of a muddle, but no more so than usual.
1) Sampling Jil Sander no 4 from a mini I received. Plummy, a bit spiced, fairly smooth. Not bad in that big-80s-oriental-kind of way, but smells a bit generic to me.
2) No new resolutions-just continuing to explore and have fun with perfume while minding my spending. Looking forward to getting a display case for my slowly growing mini collection. I have a thing for those tiny versions of the larger bottles.
3) I know I’ve read about some upcoming releases here that have piqued my interest but can’t recall what those are right now.
4) My intention for this year is to develop more discipline and focus. I tend to start things and leave them unfinished. I’m a big dabbler! Hoping to apply this to my newly started ukelele lessons, books I start and never finish, etc. I’d like to blame the internet for all the distraction, but I’ve always been this way 😉
No scent yet. Will paw through samples today and fine something to try.
I think 2016 will be about going through things I have and avoiding TJ Maxx to pick up something just because the price is right. I’m going to be more discerning.
I’m hoping this year is more about gratitude, faith and joy. Too much stress the past few years and possible moving stress coming up (not cities, just apartments). We need to lighten the load…my husband is trying to give up his hoarder ways, so keeping that going will be huge. Staying balanced through faith and gratitude is the best balm.
There is an interesting piece on scent and memory in the Sunday New York Times (no idea why it’s categorized as an opinion piece!):
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/opinion/sunday/the-smell-of-loss.html?mabReward=CTM&action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine
I’m wearing Mitsouko EdT from an old teardrop bottle with the dolphin label. It doesn’t last long but does allow one to appreciate the whole trajectory in about half an hour.
I second recommending that article !
Great read, but I was so hoping that she would find the exact perfume at the end!
Yes, I was, too! My first thought was that she wasn’t sure if it was Caleche because the MiL wore vintage. But there’s a such a big difference between Caleche and White Linen that I am puzzled.
Loved the Times article, it is so true that scent can haunt our waking hours. I sometimes feel a scent beckoning to me from the edges of my consciousness. Often it is a scent I’ve worn recently, so if I surrender and let the memory come to me I can then find and wear it. But sometimes the scent is from the distant past, and I enjoy it as a memory.
I’ve just caught up on reading comments for the last few days, and have found myself nodding in agreement with so many. NST truly is a marvelous place, and I wish you all the best and happiest of times in 2016!
1. I’m wearing a dab of Le Labo’s Bergamote 22 perfume oil.
2. I hope to enjoy the perfume I have already, and share more of it.
3. I’m too far behind on trying releases from the past 3-4 years to even anticipate 2016.
4. In 2015, I got to meet in real life some wonderful NSTers, and I’d love to continue that process this year!
I met a couple of local perfume folks this year and it is so much fun! It’s much less hassle for swapping, for one, and just to be able to talk perfume without glazed-over expressions is a treat.
Monday, and our last day of holidays. My dear man goes back to work tomorrow; I don’t return officially until next week, but I might wander up to the office and spend a couple days getting organised in a desultory sort of way. Or not. But probably. Am wearing No.5 today, just ‘cos. No, actually, because of Angela’s review last week– her rediscovery prompted me to think about it in a new way. I’m loving it, too. It’s warm and friendly, a little sexy without setting up the mutton/lamb thing, important to me at my age, and just easily, infinitely pretty. I’m wearing it with jeans and a shirt, but later I’ll be putting on a pretty to meet a friend for lunch, and I think 5 will very readily move from one mood and need to the next. Enjoy your days, everyone.
I walked into town and tried the Eau Premiere version yesterday and then during the walk back up the hill I kept noticing something that reminded me of Old Spice…a very faint but persistent note. I wonder what it was?
Hope you can keep work at arm’s length for a few more days.
Oh, I hope that means he’s on the mend!
1. Today, I’m wearing Jardins Ottomans, from the late lamented Gobin Daude line. It’s so, so lovely.
2. Dabbing on some Jardins Ottomans is part of my intent (I’m not saying it’s a resolution) to wear more of what I have and love in my perfume cabinet. I’d also like to send some of what I don’t wear so much out into the world.
3. I haven’t been keeping up with new launches, and I’d be hard pressed to name any fragrance that hasn’t hit the shelves yet.
4. I’m looking forward to a year in which I spend more time being grateful for the really good life I have.
Warm wishes for a fragrant year to everybody here!
I’m wearing Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte today. Bought the Fragrance Wardrobe coffret which was my first foray into his scents and they’re all pretty well done…though I don’t think I need any full bottles. This one and the original Aqua Universalis remind me somewhat of the old DKNY Woman perfume from many years ago in the skyscraper-esque bottle.
Happy New Year to all and thank you to NST for the fragrant fun. I’ve enjoyed reading your musings about 2016. My fragrant hope for this year is to continue to use up and enjoy the few bottles and numerous samples in my cache, and to pass along those that do not work for me.
I fell hard for KonMari tidying in 2015. I’m not finished (komono is the biggest and hardest category for me), but I find that my life is truly easier, simpler, clearer, and cleaner in the areas that I have tidied completely. Peeling back the physical layers of things, discarding, then tidying helps me see that what remains is what is most precious.
Yesterday my mother wanted to make cinnamon rolls with all the grandchildren but could not find her decades-old recipe for sweet dough. When she asked me for help I knew right where to look for my copy of the recipe. A year ago I would have had no idea where to begin looking. Thank you, KonMari!
First SotD for the new year is BV Knot — which is not for me. I’ve worn it for a few days and thought I liked it, but there is something in there – a peony note – that’s not working. Peony and freesia notes often smell harsh to me, like air freshener. My neighbor said she likes Knot, so Knot is hers now. Next I want to spend a few days with the 2015 Shalimar Cologne, hoping the freesia note is ok. I made friends with No. 5 in 2015, so I aim to find a Shalimar to love in 2016.
I enjoyed the NY Times article highlighted by nozknoz. My cousin loved my grandmother’s early American-style furniture and inherited numerous tables and chairs, all hard cherry wood pieces, when our grandmother died. My cousin said that the scent of our grandmother and the smell of grandma’s home permeated the room in which the new furniture was arranged. My cousin kept the door closed so she could preserve the scent and be with our grandma often. 🙂
tl;dr fragrance is wonderful!
Thank you for your post Tiffanie.
The stories about your mother and grandmother touched my heart.
Happy New Year !
Awww, thank you. I hope your weekend has been lovely, full of scented and other delights.
Seconding Bear – thanks sharing these stories, Tiffanie!
You’re so very welcome! I’m glad you posted the link to the delightful story from the Times. Scent memories and emotions are fascinating to me.
1. Aftelier’s Cuir de Gardenia (from a teeny sample)
2. To get through January without buying at FBs!
3. I don’t even know what is coming out! I generally only get interested in things long after everyone has discovered them.
4. I’d like to finish the first draft of one of the novels I’ve got in-process and I’d like the start work on the sequel to the novel that’s already out there.