Happy Almost-Friday! What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black.
Reminder: tomorrow we're doing Woodfest Friday. Wear something woody — but no oud, because we already did oud!
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2016, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: image shows clothing items from the Elizabeth and James Resort collection 2016.
SOTD: Chloe. So good!
Powerball jackpot is up to $675 million? That would sure buy a lot of perfume….LOL 🙂
Right, did you buy a ticket?
1 Powerball ticket, and 1 Mega Millions ticket! $2.00 and the dream is all I need! LOL 🙂
Then you got $2.00 worth of entertainment out of it. That’s a win in my book.
Absolutely!! It’s pure fun! We had the FUNNIEST conversation last night at supper with the kids, about what they would do with half a BILLION dollars. It was worth my $2.00 to have that talk! 🙂
I’m wearing Lady Gaga’s Fame for the first time. I bought it a while back off of Ebay, because it was so cheap, under $5.00 with free shipping. I’ve never even opened it to sniff. Really, I’m quite pleasantly surprised. I’ll have to see how it develops.
I know it’s just a basic-issue fruity floral, but I really like it, for no good reason. I have a bottle (I also got it very cheap) and the whole package is kind of fun: terrific bottle, great advertising, amusing scent (even better if you compare it to the ludicrous ad copy). There’s nothing wrong with having a few cheapjack, inexcusable scents in your collection.
“Cheapjack, inexcusable scents” -ha, love that!
Hey, in the “Break the rules, live like you will die today” mindset, nothing is inexcusable. Perfume outlaws, baby.
If it’s under 5$, I figure I couldn’t order a sample for that, and it comes with the possibility of joy and/or swapping so it becomes someone else’s joy. I practice this at thrift stores, admittedly.
I’m wearing Jasmin et Cigarette. But somewhat wishing I was wearing the thing I plan to wear tomorrow.
You smell great, though! I will buy a full bottle of this one day.
Yes, I do love it! Two things you wouldn’t think would go together, but they do.
And then toss in a little scotch! What a night …
Ditto on all of that!
I didn’t expect to, but I love Jasmin et Cigarette. You smell wonderful!
I’m another surprised lover of this one! At first I was like “nah” but then my nose kept coming back to that wrist again and again…
Here’s another fan!
Me….eight?? 🙂
I’m wearing Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola once again. I love it and it is office friendly.
Great scent, wish I could afford it!
SOTD: Upper Ten (Lubin). Wondering about the woodfest tomorrow, and will probably forget about the theme when applying fragrance in the morning.
How is Upper 10?
Nice, but I have a hard time describing it. I definitely get the peach, leather, and the sandalwood, and it is opaque to my nose. I also get a sense of other Lubin’s in there, possibly Idole and maybe some resin from Galaad?
That helps, thanks!
I’m wearing Tabac Blonde today. Love it so much.
You smell absolutely gorgeous!
In the spirit of going through my samples, I’m wearing Byredo Palermo. It’s a green musky citrus, I guess, but it’s not working for me (it’s not horrible, though). I think I’ll wait a bit and move on to Seven Veils.
I like Seven Veils. It changes a lot over time. Stick with it!
Yes, I remember you liking it 🙂 You inspired me to get a sample.
I quite enjoy Seven Veils–warm carroty vanilla.
Mmm me too!
Chanel No. 19 EDT is what I’m wearing today — one of my favorites.
One of mine too – you smell elegant and lovely.
Ditto! Love 19
Twins! I think I prefer the EDT to the EDP on this one.
Good stuff.
I like the vintage EdT and the modern EdP, but for different reasons (the EdT is more backbone-y and the EdP is friendlier). Depends on what I want. For some reason, I just don’t love the parfum, though… I mean, it’s good, I just don’t love it.
Ditto Ditto! No 19 is great stuff!
SOTD is Encre Noire, which I’m enjoying a lot.
You smell great!
Thanks! It’s been a very pleasant discovery!
You smell great – EN is one of the best vetivers!
So good!
Still fighting a head cold so went for Byredo Gypsy Water; just warm and cuddly with no sharp edges.
Sounds lovely for today. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks!
Early in perfumistahood I tried several scents, this included, that were well regarded, but I found just ok. I now suspect 1 ml vial underapplication. Do you find this requires a fairly heavy application (either dense in one area or several diffuse sprays)?
I have one of the travel sprays and it sprays pretty densely, so I usually do about 2-3. It lasts most of the day but I do find myself spraying again by late afternoon.
Going through my samples as well:
Bois des Iles
Will probably be my SOTD for Friday as well
Lovely. That will probably be my choice for tomorrow, too. My favorite of les exclusifs.
You smell great.
I’m planning for BdI for tomorrow as well!
Oh, I was going to go with Timbuktu, but maybe I should use my BdI sample instead and have scent twins.
SOTD is Alien Absolu with a touch of A la Nuit to emphasize the jasmine. Two compliments so far! Because I smell so great, or is it just that the combination is powerful?
Sounds really interesting.
I’m being nagged by the urge to wear my Alien Absolu too. It will have to wait for the weekend. I can totally see that adding more jasmine would be good. It’s such a go big or go home fragrance!
Hello NSTers.
I went MIA last week and part of this because reasons. Mostly due to having a sinus infection so bad that I’m still battling it. It’s annoying I had a full week off work and couldn’t sleep properly the entire time because breathing normally has been impossible. Slowly on the mend though.
I hope everyone had wonderful, fun filled holidays!
The hubs and I had a quiet xmas together (we insisted on being left alone because we just bought a house and got married) and then we had some friends over for NYE.
We also adopted another cat. We knew getting a friend for our little demon, Bento, was necessary because he’s so needy and spends a lot of time alone. So we found a sweet calico and her name is Yuki. They mostly tolerate each other, but she’s not wanting to play as much as he does just yet.
I’m in Cuir de Lancome today and glad the temp will be above freezing today.
Hope you recover soon!
Thanks. I am feeling a bit better (finally).
Hope you’re better soon. Congrats on Yuki! She’ll come around before you know it.
I hope so! She and Bento chase each other around the house, but when he gets too close to her she swipes at him and hisses. It’s rather funny because she’s tiny and he’s much bigger than she is but she’s clearly in charge.
Sounds like my guys! He’s big and timid and she’s the tiny ninja. Congrats on your new family member. Hope your infection clears up soon.
Yes! We were totally shocked by that! Bento is such a turdbucket when it comes to us (humans) and he can be totally aggressive, but when it comes to Yuki he wants to play and yet is intimidated by her hissing at him. I think they’ll be ok eventually though. They aren’t actually hurting each other and can be in the same space. She just prefers he keeps a certain distance for now.
LOL at “turdbucket”. That describes my cat Sammy perfectly. He’s a big ol’ baby with me but is a total jerk to basically all humans who aren’t me. He and his little sister Maggie swat at each other and chase each other around my apartment, but I think the only hissing I’ve ever heard between them has come from Maggie.
As it should be. 🙂
You smell lovely, and congrats on the new kitty baby! Yuki is the name of one of my best friends, actually, so good choice. Sorry to hear that you haven’t been well, but hopefully the kitten helps.
It took us a while to figure out the name. Opal was her name with her foster mom and we wanted something different. Hubs wanted Nori (seaweed), but something didn’t seem right about that for her. She’s sweet, but has a little attitude. She’s a total lover though. I kept thinking of the name Yuki, which can mean “happiness” or “snow”. She’s a calico with white, grey and orange and she reminds me of a male cat character from my favorite manga (his picture is my avatar and his name is Nyanko Sensei). I started calling her Yuki and one night was reading another volume of the manga and noticed something: the author’s name is Yuki! So that pretty much settled it.
Aaah – I didn’t know it could mean happiness. My friend Yuki is officially “Yukiko,” which she’s always told me means “snow child,” but the other meaning is just as nice.
And also, randomly, some friends of mine wrote a little song many years ago called “Yuki! Yuki! Yuki!” totally unconnected to the other friend. It’s a sweet little tune, so should your kitten need a theme song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyXqjct8MEc
That is really cute! It’s like a mix of a Christmas song with the soundtrack to Amelie.
I read that it depends on the “spelling” of the name that denotes if it’s happiness or snow – hiragana or katakana, but I’m not entirely sure. Either way I think the name fits her.
Hope your feeling better. I have had a nose thing for weeks, but I think mine is mostly due to the climate where I live. One day its bikini weather the next I am in my winter coat.
I am so happy to here that you adopted a new cat. (we just lost one of ours a few weeks ago). We only adopt rescues and its always worked out well. After the move and baby and life is more settled we are thinking of adopting a companion for our cat. He had become a bit needy since our cat passed, but he has a really independent attitude.
Oh no! I’m sorry about your kitty. I might have missed that update. I know it was kind of expected, but sad anyway. I can’t imagine either of our kitties being without the other. Or me being without them. We love our guys! Hope you and your cat are adjusting.
Cats are such sweet companions and some times their presence is very healing. <3
Sorry to hear about your loss. We always prefer adopting rescues. There are so many that need homes.
I think my sinusitis attack came on partially due to the weather. It was 70 xmas day and then cooled down drastically. I’ve been using my nasal rinse so much more this year with all the yo-yo-ing weather temps.
I hope you find a great companion for your other kitty soon.
Congrats on the new addition and hope you feel all better soon. My cats only tolerate each other, but I figure tolerable same-species company is better than none at all. 🙂
Ha! Yeah, it takes a while for some cats. Surprisingly, it only took one week before they were ok with being in the same room together. We had them separated when we first got Yuki and did the alternating room change – letting one cat out while the other was locked up, supervised “meetings”, etc… We hope eventually they will be closer.
As in human relationships, the strongest ties often lie in what isn’t said. Or chased. 🙂
Sinus infections are completely miserable. I hope you fully recover soon. Yay for the new kitty! And also, of course you smell great. 🙂
Thanks, these are more annoying than anything else, but hopefully I’ll be better by next week. I’m seeing improvement today.
Hope you are over the hump regarding your recovery, and the rest of it is swift. Sinus infections are the worst! And congratulations on your new kitty. I love the names you picked.
I think I am. I was awful last week and I’ve slowly gotten better this week. I can actually breathe normally today for the first time! Still lots of sniffling though and a little sinus pressure. I’ve been vigilant with my nasal rinses so that’s helping.
scent twin!
🙂
soothing leather – for any kind of bad day
Feel better soon! Those little demon cats always need more friends!
He’s a totally super good cat, except his attitude, which is weird. He doesn’t claw on furniture, doesn’t knock stuff over, doesn’t get into all sorts of areas where he could easily cause trouble. He’s a bit of an angel in that department, but he gets in these moods where he wants attention – his way- NOW – and then will attack us and be really aggressive, so we figured he needed a friend. He totally wants to play with Yuki too, but she’s not at that stage yet with him.
I have one like that too. The best solution is a well aimed water pistol!
Please tell me Bento likes to sit in boxes 😀 and congrats on the new fur baby. Calicos are the best!
Hahaha, we wish he did. He’s actually indifferent to them. We tried to get him to play in boxes, but he wasn’t having any of it.
Scent twins! Enjoyed it on this rather cold & gloomy day.
Congrats on the new family member????
Sinus infections can take quite a while to resolve and hope you’re feeling well soon!
Montale Intense Tiare which isn’t quite doing it for me at the moment even though I was really looking forward to wearing it. Hmph.
Am now in DSH Fumee D’Or. Aaah….So much better
Ooooh – Gold Smoke! I’m intrigued.
Paestum Rose, which I wear very seldom and always takes me by surprise. It’ll make the transition to a full woody perfume (not my favourite genre) easier I hope.
You smell wonderful! I sometimes forget this scent because it came out so ‘long’ ago, but it is quite beautiful.
Ahhh, love this one! So elegant and tender all at once.
PR is superb in that woody rose genre. I wish they’d make a flanker that featured more of that luscious wet rose accord they use.
I think I have a decant of that somewhere…time to organize my stash and give it a try again.
I like PR, too. It has a quiet water-color quality to it. Reminds me a bit of Parfum Sacre. Doesn’t last long on me, though.
I’m on a rose week, today it’s une folie de rose, I like the way it switches between rose and chypre-ish to whole day long
That sounds good. I’ll have to track some down!
I’m celebrating the end of snow and freezing rain (for now, anyway) in Azemour les Oranges. Yum.
I tried this for the first time this week- yum indeed! i really want a full bottle of this lovely.
Wearing Parfum de Therese today.
Nice one!
wonderful.
You smell lovely. That’s been one of my favorites since smelling it forever ago. I really do need to get a bottle.
Since oud is out for tomorrow, I’m wearing it today in the form of M7 (I bought it the day it was launched, it was that immediate for me). So strange, unlike anything else I know of, and so definitively oud that it’s the only oud scent I’ve ever bothered to buy.
I bought my M7 in 2008-2009. I’ve always wondered how different it was from the original.
It was said that the original contained quite a lot of real oud: I take that with a grain of salt, because M7 was at the forefront of the oud explosion, which I assume happened because a convincing synthetic oud became cheaply available. There’s no question that the reformulation and the flankers (I’ve never smelled any of them because the original is enough to last me a lifetime) are mostly if not entirely synthetic: there’s not enough real oud in the world to account for all the oud scents currently on the market.
A number of Basenotes commenters say the reformulated version is different up top but thereafter very similar to the original.
Thanks!
You smell fantastic Robin. Time for me to break out my bottle again, because it’s cold enough!
Box of Eels today for me. Yesterday was 31 Rue Cambon. Chanel is categorically new job-friendly.
Have discovered, happily, that I’ll be able to comment and check in here from my new job – yay! I’ve missed our conversations.
Hope everyone is well and healthy, especially my preggers buddies (looking at you Lovestosmellgood!)
How’s the new job going?
Glad you can where perfume 😉
that’s “wear” perfume.. geez!
I do the same thing all the time – so easy with homonyms.
The new job is good! Feeling confident and liking the environment, though I miss the Village. But it’s worth it.
Thanks for asking dearie!
Neighborhoods in NYC play a big role in where we work, don’t they? Midtown jobs drove me nuts because it’s so crowded there. The financial district, where I’m now, has so much more space but zero shopping! (sigh…)
Although that is changing with the opening of Brookfield Place.
Glad you’re liking how the new job is going.
Good news all around!
Thanks Luna!
How is the new job?
Baby is a bit too comfortable and not making a move. Thinking of going for a walk today after my daughter takes her nap.
Don’t you love 31 rue cambon! Chanel does some winners!
Glad you are back!
Hope you’re as comfortable as possible, too!
Trying to think of some old wives tale-style methods to get the baby to come. Not having had a child, I have no suggestions, but I guess it’s better that he/she be well-cooked rather than under! Stay healthy and hope the baby comes soon!
I understand from a friend who did this (I wasn’t brave enough) that if you massage the back of your ankle around the Achilles tendon, well, that it’s like a baby eject button. Be ready to get to the hopsital pronto if you do this!
With my first pregnancy I walked and walked and walked and waited and waited and waited. Poking around in a too precious home products shop in Georgetown, a worried clerk eyed my huge belly and asked, “Err.. When are you due?” He looked a little green when I answered, “A little over a week ago actually.”
Hahahaha. That’s what he gets for asking a personal question!!
Yay, happy to have you back! It always takes a few days at a new job to feel out the Internet situation. 🙂 I plan to wear BdI for tomorrow’s project. You smell great
Thanks honey! And how are you feeling?
I’m feeling well! A bit stressed about wrapping up work over the next few days, but at least there is an end in sight.
Great choices for the office – and generally!
True – Coromandel could potentially be too much. Sadly, that one doesn’t work on me at all. *womp womp*
Congrats on the new job being good and you smell good too! Coromandel doesn’t work well on me either, but there are so many good Chanels!
Glad the new job is working out for you! Also glad you have time to pop in here and say hello.
Getting a late start today. I’m wearing Cristalle EDP from an older bottle I got recently. My prior decant was from a newer bottle and seemed less fruity to me. I’m still enjoying this version and it works well in the cold.
I wore Cristalle eau vert yesterday-doesn’t get much love but I like it. You smell fab!
Thanks! I’ve only tried the edp and EDT-of which I like both. I’ll have to check out the Vert version as well.
Cristalle only makes me think of and miss summer!
I’m wearing Smell Bent Gimel A Break, skanky honey galore! 😀
Wood tomorrow huh… don’t know if I really have any woody scents that I am in love with right now…
Hey, Pixel sent me a sample of that. It was the first I’d sniffed from the brand. I’m not a huge fan of honey scents, but I enjoyed testing it. Do you have any Smell Bent favorites? Their prices are so reasonable.
Well, Gimel A Break is up there, I really enjoy the Smell Bent take on skank… it’s really skanky!! 😀 Another favorite is Werewolf Lumberjack Reclining on a Bearskin Rug, again because of the skank-factor! That one is also really good as a layering tool to bring the skank to other scents. I also really enjoy Prairie Nymph, Horny Little Devil, Gardenia Oud and Dead of Winter.
This just reminded me that if Prairie Nymph is not already in my giveaway pile, it should be. On me, it has an off-putting “down there” smell. Yuck!
LOL! I live fo the “down there” smells! Can’t really handle urine, a la M/Mink for example, but the dirty fecal skanky nasties are my friends! 😉 Now I’m a bit sad that Prairie Nymph is such a clean and sunny one on me…
Head’s up, fall/winter Smell Bents are now 30% off, so the 1.7oz bottle of Gimel is only $35. I’m eyeing Winter Vixen myself, but I keep telling myself I don’t need a big bottle of anything right now.
My favorites from the line are Prairie Nymph (but Oakland, it’s a honeyed carnation, so you probably wouldn’t flip for it), Cocoa Rose, and Winter Vixen.
Maybe not PN, but there are several incense scents I noticed. Love me incense!
Bohemian Rhapsody and Incensed are really good too. The dry down on Incenses reminds me of Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance (which may or may not recommend it for some…) and I get a lot of sage out of Bohemian Rhapsody.
I really like Winter Vixen and Gimmel both! IMO Bollywood or Bust is a nice rose, as well–maybe misnamed, it’s not nearly so brash as its title suggests! Pretty low-key, really.
Yeah, I saw that. But shipping to Europe is so ridiculous that it’s not worth it for a $35 bottle (I would most probably be paying more for shipping than for the bottle). I think I’ll cross my fingers and hope that Gimel A Break comes back next holiday season and that Smell Bent offers a sale + free international shipping again then. If not, well 4 ml lasts me a loong while anyway.
On me Prairie Nymph has some lovely honey, no carnation at all and a LOT of fizzy orange soda! I was blown away! Just the perfect sunny summer gourmand!
Heure Exquise today, and the sandalwood is making me think it could be a contender tomorrow.
Yum! I wore some HE a few weeks ago during the holidays and it is just so outstanding. I love that sandalwood too.
Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Bleu for me today. I find the spray on the bottle to work so well for this scent, which sounds really odd, but it is a very easy spray to use and it distributes the scent lightly. Somehow this makes a difference…because the lavender and iris combo can be a bit strong for me.
Almost-Friday makes me smile…
Been so focused back after 2 weeks off that I’ve lost track of the fact that it is Thursday! Yay!
Really looking forward to buying Thé Bleu for this spring/summer!
This is a year round scent for me. It is beautifully done. Love that I can still smell it even after 8 hours!
There is something very satisfying about a great sprayer!
Box o’ Eels for me today, too. It’s good for travelling.
I’ve really enjoyed my quick overnight at Mom’s but this morning she and I are off to far South Texas. I have a purring Haineko in my lap who doesn’t want me to go 🙂 My poor husband will have his hands full with babysitting seven cats and working on a long list of chores while we’re gone.
Babysitting seven purring cats sounds like heaven. Well, if someone else handles the practical duties. 😉 Enjoy your travels!
MM, didn’t you just arrive home (or somewhere)? Long car trip?
Yep. Funeral in Northern Missouri. I’m tired but the citrus grove needs our annual attention. Don’t want all the un-saleable heritage fruit in the variety plot to go to waste (or be stolen by a picking crew like last year). Tomorrow I’ll have my head in the trees all day.
Wearing 31 Rue Cambon today. Another dreary rainy day–el niño!
Scent twins. I love this stuff.
perfection!
I enjoy smelling Nirvana on paper and others, but I can’t pull of those musky scents myself.
Today is my baby shower/going away party at work, which is so sweet of them and much appreciated, but I’m not looking forward to being the center of attention. I tried to look a bit nicer today, but at 8 months pregnant I feel lumpy and bumpy and blah. The one thing I am confident in is my scent – OJ Ta’if. 🙂
You smell great!
🙂
Trust me -yes you look beautiful! Pregnancy is such a special & sacred time. Enjoy the glowing skin and hopefully fuller head of hair.
Never smelled Ta’if but I am sure you smell fab!
You’re right (and you would know!), this is a sacred time. In general, I love being pregnant, especially feeling my baby girl move around all day.
All you need to do is smile and bask in the love! Enjoy your final days at work.
Good advice. Thank you!
You smell great and hope you enjoy your time off. Also all my friends have looked great in late pregnancy and I’m sure you do too!
Thank you! I’m feeling better already!
Agree that pregnancy looks beautiful!! It’s the ultimate in femininity! Enjoy the baby shower!!
That’s a good way to put it – it is the ultimate in femininity. My issue is that I feel a little uncomfortable with that femininity in the office environment. I blame the patriarchy. :-p
Oh, man. If they don’t like it, they can lump it. I’m sure you look beautiful!
🙂
Agree most firmly on all counts!
Sadly I had the same feeling (about context) 36 years ago. We need to reinvent pregnancy from an image of vulnerability to a superhero status.
I’m in Au Dela…and packing up a bunch of Tauer samples to play perfume fairy godmother. I hope the Tauerade plays more nicely on my giftee’s skin than it does on mine!
I like to smell Taur’s in the bottles… but I never really learned to love the scents on my skin–at least the one’s I’ve tried.
Today I dug up a little vial that says Miss Dior vintage. It’s quite different from the several other specimens I’ve come across of old-school Miss Dior. So far this is the best I’ve tried. I don’t know why I’m continually interested in trying different specimens. I wonder if this nice one will finally sate.
A question: why do people sometimes say that “leather” is a subset of “chypre”?
I think there are leather chypres, like Bandit. But I don’t know if all leathers are a subcategory of Chypres..
Jinx 🙂
I’ve never heard that, but the isobutyl quinoline leathers (such as Bandit) are often chypres because the material itself has a chypre-like (bitter/green) quality. Same is not true for birch tar.
Interesting. The nerd in me loves to hear about aromachemicals.
As said already, I think that perhaps they mean “leather chypres”. My completely layperson’s understanding is that “chypre” follows a certain structure: citrus top and oakmoss(or, now, patchouli) base. Whatever other notes come into play make a descriptive subcategory i.e.: leather chypre, fruity chypre, green chypre etc.
I think it’s really interesting that if you just look up the definition of the word ‘chypre’ in a dictionary (like Oxford) it mentions ‘sandalwood’ and yet in terms of perfume chypres it’s almost always associated with oakmoss or patchouli as you mentioned. I don’t understand why the sandalwood isn’t mentioned?
I see that. Not sure where they got that from. Apparently “chypre” is French for “cypress”. Haven’t seen anything that explains why that word was used to describe that perfume structure.
I thought I’d read that Cypress referred to Cypress-area plant associations rather than the shrub/tree.
Excellent responses, all. Thank you!
SOTD is HOCB Tobacco Cognac. I had a coworker come by my desk and say it smelled good over here, which was an unexpected boost this morning.
What a nice compliment!
I really need to try that one, sounds yum.
I’m wearing Cuir Fétiche, inspired by the discussion of leather perfumes on Angela’s post a few days ago.
There’s a store not too far from me that’s got this one, but I’m somehow never in the neighborhood when they’re open. I really should make more of an effort, it seems like something I’d almost certainly love.
Une Fleur de Cassie today – matched with a sixties style heavy black wool A line short dress and matching jacket (and of course thick black tights given the rather cold London weather). I think it works as a combination and has the advantage of being comfortable.
love this one, you smell great.
Thank you!
The entire picture sounds fabulous!
Love the sound of this pairing!
Thank you all!
I for one would be very self-conscious to describe what I’d chosen to wear on a given day (old lady hangups, I guess), so *really* appreciate that you do, Sophie. I love reading your descriptions, don’t stop. 🙂
Trying out vintage My Sin this morning. So yes, I am sticking to my resolution of testing the stuff I have and blogging about it. I swear vintage My Sin in EDP is almost like Chanel no 5. But I am going to hop in the shower, since I finished my blog post. I’m going to go with either Chanel no 19 or Deneuve today.
I bought a vintage travel spray of My Sin on eBay last year, but unfortunately it was horribly degraded. I’ll try again one of these days.
Happy Thursday all! It’s so uncomfortably hot down here it’s limiting my perfume options somewhat. I’ve been taking cool showers with LUSH Whoosh shower jelly taken straight from the freezer to freshen up- so good!
I started today in Marni, then after shower #2 before work switched to Un Jardin Sur le Nil, which always works in this weather.
I love Whoosh. Party On is another great shower jelly for hot days, although unfortunately it is discontinued.
And Jardin Sur le Nil is an excellent choice.
Two great perfume choices. I don’t know how you can even function in your temperatures. Good thing that perfume doesn’t wilt.
Marni here today too! I was feeling a little out of sorts this AM and worried any perfume might feel disagreeable, but Marni’s worked out great–so easy to wear.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it today.
I am wearing Nuit de Noel – such an old-school dry floral. Elegant!
My sister is in Montenegro so I have learned a lot (well, some, more than I knew) about Orthodox Christmas this year.
And our Easter often comes late, too. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Mitsouko EDP is my SOTD. I’m curious if anyone has heard of a recall from Guerlain on Mitsouko EDP for the 2015 batch? Apparently the code on the bottle begins with a 5. I read something about this on BDJ but haven’t found anything online.
I haven’t heard anything of the sort with the current formulations but it’s been at least a couple years since I bought a brand new bottle. The bottles I’ve been getting is the vintage Mitsouko off of E-Bay.
Hm, I haven’t heard about this. Do you know the reason for the recall? I bought a bottle of the EDP from Nordstrom early last year. I’ll have to check the code when I get home.
I don’t know why. A commenter on BDJ said Guerlain had trouble with the 2015 batch and pulled it from the Guerlain boutiques. I can’t find any other reference to it online.
Interesting. My bottle seems perfectly fine.
Mine as well.
Nothing for me yet until after my shower and second cup of tea. I’m exhausted after staying up till 1 this morning, just so I could get in another feeding for my foster dog, who has to be fasted for 12 hours before having an X-ray today. He jumped up to catch a toy and fell twisting his back left leg. That was 2 weeks ago and he’s still limping a bit, so I have to bring him in today. I feel so badly for him. He doesn’t understand why there’s been no breakfast and no water. Our appointment isn’t until 3:30, so this is going to be a long day for us.
Poor pup & poor you — it sucks not being able to explain to them. When I have to fast mine I try to pamper them in other ways–they’re especially fond of the “massage with a towel hot from the dryer” spoiling technique.
Oh poor guy. Poor you too. I hate having to do that. They’re so pitiful when you have to fast them.
I hope your little guy feels better soon. Get those doggie treats ready for post xray!
Sending good thoughts for your pup. I hope you get some proper rest as well.
Sympathies from T-Rex! Hope it’s something that just requires a little rest and relaxation.
Rose Nacree Du Desert by Guerlain
ooooo…lovely!
Stunning!
Today I’m in Mechant Loup. I’d forgotten how much I like it…
YUM.
It’s not even noon and there are already over 100 comments!?!? Everyone must be procrastinating as much as I am today. 🙂
SOTD is Arquiste 57. I have to go out in the cold today and I’m hoping the booziness will keep me from freezing.
Guilty!
I’m thinking about No.57 for tomorrow with all its oak
In Memoir Woman today – it’s cold and sunny out.
I love this one-I should wear it more often
Gorgeous!
It’s snowing here a little today, so I got out the Reminiscense Ambre to warm me up. I like the scent and the bottle with its gold stars.
SampleOTD is Carpathian Oud. I like it more than I expected. Unfortunately, Aftelier’s natural perfume line doesn’t ship to Canada (otherwise I would probably have gotten Amun Re The Tears of Ra – love the name of this one!)
If there’s anything you want to have me bring back to you from the US Vanie, just let me know. I am leaving Mtl Tuesday and returning at the end of April.
That’s very kind of you; I might take you up on that offer. I’ll send you an email!
(Smart of you to avoid the worst part of winter 😉 )
Soivohle is the company, not Aftelier. Love Carpathian Oud–such an interesting scent
Yes Soivhole is what I meant! (I’m also hesitating to buy Bergamoss, from Aftelier, because of the shipping cost and the fact that I can’t test it beforehand)
cuir de lancome today, i love it more each time i wear it, and i’m also really looking forward to sampling Cuir de Russie again, to compare the two on my next trip up to London.
I personally dont find them similar at all (but both gorgeous!), but if you’re after something with a similar floral leather structure to CdL with more heft, Cuir Fetiche by MPG may be an option.
I really must try that one. Do let me know if you’d like to arrange a London sniff meet up with meredifay and any other interested uk people!
SOTD is a gentle nod to woods to warm me up for tomorrow: AG Vanille Exquise.
Ooooh, nice one!
Good morning, all. I’m going to spend the last day of my holiday cleaning out our lock up in the basement of this old building, as a sort of preliminary nod to packing up and leaving Auckland in a year or so. I want to wear a scent that is refreshing and can fall into “business-like” when it needs to–there are Decisions To Be Made, such as, do we keep this full edition of Tennyson because my mother’s family business published it, and the book itself is a beautiful thing, or do we accept that if I want to read silly old Lord Alfred, I will find the poem on line? I think the perfume to help me in this endeavour will be Cristalle. I’m bound to dither dreadfully, and there is a clarity to Cristalle that always uplifts me. Its sparkle comes from deep within it, as though from a well of light, unlike some perfumes whose sparkle seems to be a hastily-added afterthought–“Quick, fling in some bergamot! Add a squeeze of Sicilian mandarin!” So, a scintillating perfume for a grubby, hot, bothering job on a stormy day. It will help, I’m sure.
Please don’t throw away the Tennyson!
http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/06/01/newoldbooksmell/
Cristalle sounds perfect for the task. Good luck. (I should clear out my son’s toy cupboard – but what a bore.)
Mmmmm. I think I will deposit all mum’s family’s books with my older sister. She’s a quintessential Kohimarama type– goes to church, but I’ve no idea what her actual beliefs are; thinks John Key’s a great guy (????!!!!), fills her house with beautiful things but no cats (messy!), and lives in total assurance of Being Right. It sounds as though I don’t love her, but I do. She’s kind and sincere and we’d do anything for one another. It’s just that she and I couldn’t be more unalike if we’d been deliberately designed that way instead of the result of an accidental concatenation of genes. She can have the books; she never has, and never will, read the poetry, but she will enjoy the tooled leather and gilt-edged pages.
Please keep the Tennyson! Poems should be read from a book.
Do you have a favourite perfume poem? I love the last two lines of The Cinnamon Peeler (Michael Ondaatje)
I am the cinnamon
Peeler’s wife. Smell me.
No, haven’t. It’s been a long time since I read any English poetry. I read a lot of the 18th-19th century poets as a late teen. These days I occasionally indulge in some Dutch poetry.
I know, on one level, that you’re right, but on another, I want and need to be practical. So often, these days, I read for business, seeking the ideas — papers so I can assemble relevant scholarship to write a lecture, student assignments, etc– and I’ve become adept and efficient at reading on line. It’s become my default mode. I can manage happily enough without paper, though I know I am reducing the experience.
Nice description of Cristalle! I couldn’t (and didn’t) say it better, myself.
I am very sentimental when it comes to books that have been in the family for generations… regardless of their content! I can buy and resell to our local used book shop anything I have purchased myself, but all of the books that have been handed down are dear dusty treasures.
I would have been one of those detractors of reading poetry online if I hadn’t had a near epiphany experience recently of reading a poem on the internet. I was hunting for the origin of Whitman line for something I was editing for someone else when I must of clicked on a link without realizing it. Up popped Robert Hayden’s Middle Passage. Out of curiosity I started to read it–one of those poems I assumed I had studied at some point but had absolutely no recall of it. I sat glued to my screen for the next two hours, reading and re-reading, trying to understand passages, horrified and/or entranced by others. What a miracle the web can be!
Have you used the Poetry Foundation App …the one you can ‘spin’ and it comes up with a poem? It’s free ( I think) and really good.
No. But I’ll check it out. My late night poetry binge was on the Poetry Foundation website. Love that website!!
I’m sentimental, but resolved! I want to move into my third life “clean”. Well, clean-ish! The things I’m finding! It’s like snapshots of past iterations of Richard and me down there, and I had forgotten most if it.
Don’t know if you’ll see this, but the parents of a younger family member who might want those books once they settle in post-uni might be a good place for it. No descendants? Does your hometown have a local history museum that’d be interested in them?
I think besides wearing perfume while cleaning, you’re also supposed to wear a crown of some sort. Ask Mals.
Love this idea.
It’s hard to imagine not keeping it, but this is probably just one example of many decisions to be made and you can’t keep them all. Good luck!
I wore Lale yesterday (Ys-Uzac). I put it on without reading any description and it made me think of standing by the kitchen sink in an old family bach (rumpty holiday house) washing dishes with a bar of cracked yellow sunlight soap (in one of those old fashioned metal soap shakers). A lemony, soapy scent rises up from the boiling-kettle-hot water. The window above the sink is open and the warm breeze carries in another scent of flowers from an untended garden…mixed flowers that have grown from seeds or from generations of plantings: jasmine, wallflowers, roses, stocks, hollyhocks. As I shift around the kitchen,my bare feet kick up a bit of dust from the warm wooden floor, which in the heat of the day adds a very faint note to the scent – wood dust left from borer beetles. So, that’s my interpretation of Lale and it’s completely wrong: the scent is composed of wintersweet (I love wintersweet – it’s in our street) blooming in a frosty land, “an imaginary world of soft snow and tender petals”. Snow! This is why I need experts like Robin to guide me! Nice perfume though.
What a wonderful setting you created for Lale, about which I know nothing. I was right there (sigh).
This is deeply evocative of the bach where we spent holidays at the beach when I was a kid! The Sunlight soap sudsed up beautifully in the soft rain-water from the tank, sparingly measured out because it was January, and everyone knew it wouldn’t rain again until the end of March (that’s changed!). We had one if those wire soap keepers that you moved swiftly round the washing-up bowl to make the water soapy– I loved doing that!–and the Sunlight itself had a slightly fatty smell under the lemon. It was my job always to carry the bowl of water carefully outside when the dishes were done, with my mother calling,”Precision, dear, precision of movement!” to empty it round the silverbeet and tomatoes. I’d forgotten until you wrote this!
How lovely. Think I will add Sunlight Soap to my scent map…bach and camping memories.
Also Bromley lemon shaped soaps.
Yes! Those! I yearned for one of my own when I was little. My Aunty Flora had them in her bathroom lying pristine on guest towels that had embroidered satin (I think, but surely not?) borders. I didn’t count as a guest…I seem to remember having to wash in the laundry, and I probably deserved it because I was always a little bloody and slightly muddy from my “adventures”.
Wonderful image. I still use Sunlight soap to hand wash delicate things – wonder if there are many people who still do that?
I do! I hand wash all my woollen jumpers and such, and there is nothing as good as Sunlight for working into the material to get at a mark or soiled area. But we are a disappearing breed, Gaynor. I admired someone’s silk shirt at work one day, and commented that I love silk and would wear it more often but that it’s a pain to launder. I earned a blank look and a “Dear old thing, what ARE you on about?” reaction. Ummmm….I iron, too.
My iron is well-used! Silk and linen are such wonderful fabrics, but they do need maintenance.
OOTD is black and white striped shirt, black jeans, black and white polka dot socks and black loafers. I thought about nirvana black and white layered to go with but had to go with my old beloved Bvlgari Black! Maybe I’ll layer on a white floral when I get home LOL.
CDG Dot?
Today has been so busy I haven’t had time to read all the comments. But wearing Slumberhouse Pear and Olive today, and with that, have used up 3 sample for this month. Can now work on bottles and whittling down other samples for next month. 🙂
Excellent work!
Hello all! I haven’t been reading or posting lately due to busyness at work, holidays, sick me, sick kids, etc etc. I have missed it very much and happy to chime in today. Third day in a row of chilly rain (thank you El Nino!) so some SL Chene to warm me up. Guess I’m early for tomorrow – I have no problem wearing it again, since we are due for more rain for the next 3-4 days!
Welcome back, and you smell fantastic!
Warming up a bit today. When it was a bitter morning yesterday I wore Scherrer, which was warm and spicy. Today it’s Cèdre Blanc from Heeley. Blanc is right; rather pallid.
Which Scherrer?
SOTD Khol de Bahrein. I rather like the sample (well, actually really like it). It reminds me of something which I cannot put a finger on.
This might be a FB for me in the future, but will wait till the splitmeet to see if anyone wants to split. I guess I already have broken my resolution of not buying of anything (a big enabler pin goes to pixel).
I like KdB a lot though haven’t pulled the trigger on a FB. At a recent in-person sniffing, missionista astutely pointed out that it smells like silly putty. I think that was spot on!
What is silly putty?
It was a moldable putty that came in a plastic egg for play. Like play doh, but reuseable. More the texture of chewing gum. It had a distinct smell: sweet, slightly powdery, and almost rubbery/nutty quality.
I suppose this is an American phenomenon, so my apologies if it’s out of your frame of reference (though age might be a factor if one is from the US)
memories…
Haha, I remember the conversation and mentioned that mine always looked grungy as I liked stamping comic strips! At least I never tasted it.
To me, it’s like one of the Loukhoum scents, maybe Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum pour le Soir, and also a bit like baby powder. I love the name more than the scent.
Mona di Orio Chamarré for today and Odori Tabacco for this evening. Chamarré is so lovely, I wish they had not discontinued it.
SOTD = MPG Ambre Precieux
I almost had a cow when the atomizer got stuck. A few more presses and voila! I am trying to wear my ambers while it’s cold. I love this but don’t wear it often enough — sweet resinous amber with vanillic undertones. I actually did not get any lavender but I’m not complaining!
Love this one!
+1. That bottle is very ugly. My daughter loves it because of the big jewel on the top 🙂
I love their chunky bottles and bejeweled tops!
I kinda like the top as well. Eat your shorts, Roja!
You smell wonderful. That’s really one of the best amber perfumes ever.
That is one gorgeous amber!
Today I’m wearing Le Labo Rose 31 from my decant. I forget how much I like this one, it’s such a change from the dark roses I usually wear. It would be great on a man…I wish I could get my husband to wear it!
Have you tried the oil? I have heard really good things about it
Chinatown for me today. After several lovely summer days, it’s wild and stormy today, although not cold, and Chinatown came to mind as something warm and fruity, but not overly so.
The Bay is discontinuing Bond No.9 so I was able to buy some Chinatown body crème at over half off. It’s my favourite format of the perfume. Oh, and I bought a Little Italy candle for some jolly orangeness.
Love Chinatown. Great choice
Yes a fan of it as well. I wish I knew they were clearing out their Bonds, I would have gotten it as well
For some reason I wanted to do another sniff-off and so today it’s:
Ambre de Merveilles vs. Ambre 411
Ding! Actually, it’s not a fight: they are sitting in their own corners ignoring each other completely. AdM is being quite dessert-like, and A411 is destroying lots of moths with its camphor. Odd, but not boring…
I much prefer Ambre 114, I find Ambre des Merveilles somehow ‘indigestible’.
I am doing a sniff off also- Bond #9 New York Oud vs Memo Shams Oud. Bond NYO is an odd thing, not particularly pleasant and now it has faded. Sham’s Oud is heavy and woody to begin with, and is pretty linear but quieted down to smoother more ambery oud after 7 hours. I like this a lot, decant if not full bottle worthy….but the Bond goes in the rehoming box!
I agree with you on Bond NY Oud. It was very weird.
Never tried that one but it sounds slightly odd!
I love Shams!
Sham’s Oud is one of the perfumes – it doesn’t smell beautiful to me, it just smells perfect…
I went to the woods a day early. SOTD Nirvana Black Body Oil with 2 hefty spritzes of box of eels. Friday, I love you!
Intriguing combination! I haven’t reached the level of fragrance mastery yet where I’m confident layering scents. Worried I’ll end up smelling like a hot mess. 🙂
Well, the Nirvana Black Body Oil is pretty subtle and not very lasting, so the benefits outweigh the risks in this particular case. They play nice together????
Spoiled myself majorly during my lunch break. Stopped by Lush for Rose Jam body conditioner. Mmmmm. And then Chanel for a long-awaited bottle of No 22!! I also got samples of 31RC, 1932, and Bel Respiro – the last three I’ve yet to try. Feeling much better now. 🙂
Good for you! I use that body conditioner on my hands at night, it’s perfect as a heavy hand cream – I practically go to bed huffing it.
All afternoon I’ve been huffing the hand that the salesperson tested it on. 🙂
I’ve been on a rose jag now for a while and recently picked up Marni Rose (unsniffed) for a song at Marshall’s. I really like it, but I think I am easy to rose please these days.
But today I am wearing a scent that I should really NOT like, but find it sexy and addictive. I am not much of a fan of straight up fruit scents, and I have trouble or dislike perfumes that are heavy on musk. Can you guess what I am wearing? Mure et Musc Extreme. I am also in a thick cashmere sweater and the two go together like kittens and yarn.
Aw, kittens and yarn. That’s an adorable image to ponder over.
Enjoy your Marni Rose! As far as blind buys go, anything rose is likely the safest bet for me.
I was really surprised by how much I liked Mure at Musc. I ended up getting a matching body oil and creme during the summer – fragrancenet had amazing deal on it.
Eau des Merveilles for me today. I think I’m a bit of a broken record for this one, but day or night, winter or summer, it always makes me happy.
I completely agree. I find it to be a sort of go-to when I don’t know what else to wear.
Agree! Eau des Merveilles is always nice.
Classic Opoponax from the sample stash. Perhaps I put too much of this resin-y warm one on, but it’s quite nice and I’m by myself.
I’m sampling FM Noir Epices today and it is terrible on me. I’m not getting any spices or “noir” anything. I smell a very soapy, citrussy rose and it’s taking a lot of resolve not to scrub this off. Hoping for a drydown that improves.
That happened to me, too. It smelled like a bizarro-world White Linen on me.
I didn’t have quite that experience, but Noir Epices didn’t work for me either. I got a weird note that made me think of overheated electrical equipment. And I was driving after I had sampled it, so I momentarily thought something was wrong with my car until I realized it was me.
Ha! Oh my, that’s not a good sign.
Ha! Bet that was a relief. It didn’t work for me either but I definitely got a hefty dose of spicy.
Me four.
Clive Christian No 1 is what I am wearing today . I am resolving to use my good perfumes every day . I know a lot of people don’t like CC No 1 ( for various reasons ) but seriously it has great tenacity and I love any floral aldehyde !!!!
Have a great day !
This could have worked for tomorrow, but I decided to go with SL Fille en Aiguilles today.
Trying once again to enjoy Ambre Narguile from a sample, and I think it works this time. 🙂 Several mentions here of choosing a cold weather scent prompted me to try it today.
Spicy but without the odd bit (of labdanum?) that put me off last time. I don’t get apple pie or gingerbread, but it is deliciously comforting. I hope the far dry down is as good.
Finally testing Unum LAVS after so many have mentioned it. It reminds me a lot of SNM Melograno, but cooler. Luckscent now has the original room spray, pardon me, Nuage Maison, which has graced the liturgical vestments of the current and previous Popes at a much lower price than the perfume. I wonder…
I wondered too…might be worth a try.
Wearing L’Artisan Vanille Absolument, and enjoying the warm, boozy vanilla. I don’t have much in the way of wood, so I’m off to see what I have that might qualify besides this one.