Another Monday. What fragrance are you wearing?
We had a lovely warm day here yesterday but today it is *freezing*. I'm compensating with Bvlgari Omnia Paraiba.
Reminder: this Friday, 1/15, wear a fragrance from Bvlgari, if you have one.
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: the Bvlgari Allegra earrings (18kt yellow gold pendant earrings with pink and green tourmaline, amethyst, citrine quartz, blue topaz, Akoya cultured pearls and pavé diamonds) are £6,000 at Selfridges in the UK.
Just a note that Penhaligon’s Ostara is on sale for $49. http://www.penhaligons.com/us/
I succumbed to my first purchase of 2016.
Congrads on your first purchase!
Ostara is a pretty one
I am valiantly resisting the rollerball! It is lovely though and well done.
This gets so much praise, I must try it already!
I bought Ostara at a similar discount in November but haven’t opened it yet – it is my birthday present!
I’m a fan and bought my bottle at a discount too!
You have also earned what may be your first enabler pin if 2016. I just bought the 50ml size of Ostara plus the mini coffret! All entirely unsniffed! I dedicate this impulsive blind buy in tribute to David Bowie.
my sincerest apologies, Luna Green!
That is awfully tempting. Blind-buy tempting…And now Luna Green is tempting me into the mini coffret!
Yay congrats! They’re on Hautelook right now as well, in case any Penhaligon’s fans don’t see what they’re looking for on the main site. (I for one still feel a little miffed with Penhaligon’s, having recently tested Juniper Sling–I loved the top notes so much, and then it took a terribly, almost aggressively banal turn. Such a bummer.)
Hope you’ll receive it reasonably soon. I bought Ostara on hautelook in early December and they haven’t shipped it yet.
I’m wearing SSS Forest Walk, one of my early niche favourites and one of the very few scents that actually reminds me of the Estonian forest. I think it’s because most of the other forest/wood perfumes tend to be quite dry, like an aromatic pine forest, but a typical Estonian forest is damp and green.
I still like it a lot.
I need to try that one. I adore SSS overall. Pretty much every single one! High quality. Excellent longevity.
If you like the general aesthetic of SSS and don’t mind wood and moss notes, I definitely recommend trying this.
Wood and moss – mmmmmm.
wood and moss are the holy grail of perfumery!
That sounds incredibly evocative.
One of my favorites! You smell wonderful:)
Thank you!
That sounds amazing.
That sounds very fresh and comforting!
That sounds lovely! Now I want to walk in an Estonian forest.
I visited there in September, but didn’t make it out of Tallinn (spent time in the gorgeous Lithuanian countryside, though).
Lithuania is relatively similar, so you’ve got a much better idea of an Estonian forest than most people
I couldn’t find a photo that would capture 100% what I imagine in my mind’s eye as the quintessential Estonian forest (it’s also difficult to take good photos in the old, dark forests), but if you’re curious, here are links to the work of two great Estonian nature photographers:
http://blog.moment.ee
http://www.zacekfoto.ee/?cat=1
I hope Robin doesn’t mind.
Wow, gorgeous!
I LOVE Forest Walk. You smell wonderful! I made it to Tallin in mid-August. The Cruise Log reported that it was 104F but it sure did not feel like it!
I have yet to try any of the SSS fragrances, and I live in Sonoma county! What’s wrong with me? This one sounds so lovely…
So lucky to live there! I love that part of Cali. You definitely should seek some out. Very worthwhile.
Well it went from t-shirts yesterday to down jackets today. I wonder why my nose remains stuffy when the temperature drops 40 degrees in 24 hours.. good grief
I am sampling Les Deserts collection and the last one to sample of the trilogy is Rose Nacree du Desert.
Resting today with a midwife appt this afternoon. Hope everyone has a great Monday ahead
Good luck with the appointment and you smell gorgeous.
Thank you!
The weather changes are insane! I totally get the nose issues. My sinusitis has been insane!
Mine too-its been weeks since I could go without blowing my nose every few hours..
Here’s hoping the midwife sees some progress!
good luck with your appt.
Despite being a rose fiend, my favorite of those (I think that this was one of them) was Songe d’un Bois d’Ete. That I could almost see myself getting a full bottle of.
I wore that on Saturday! I have a small sample of all 3.
Songe is very nice, though I didn’t smell any Jasmine. Did you? Have you tried all 3?
I must have at some point, but I can’t immediately recall what it smelled like. Will be taking a friend on a sniffing adventure at Bergdorf’s tonight, and will make a point to smell it.
As for SduBdE, I don’t remember the jasmine standing out, but I loooooved the oud-y goodness that was on display. Time to get a decant of that one.
Have fun! Let me know if you have any good finds at BG’s
Good luck today! It IS crazy weather!
Thanks-hope something is happening. Even if I am just dilating a little I would be happy with that..
The temps have plummeted in Chicago, too. Blah.
What do you think of Rose Nacree du Desert and which of the three is your favorite?
Hope you get good news from your midwife today!
If you like your roses on the dark side you may like this: mossy, patchouli, musky with a middle eastern flare done the french way.
Its very sultry & sexy, but not in your face kind of way.
How are you feeling these days?
We decided to move this month. NYC is crazy when it comes to trying to find an apartment so we had to snatch one up. Now I have the stress of the birth and caring for a newborn and the stress of moving..good grief charlie brown!
The rose sounds lovely. Sometimes dark roses work for me, sometimes not. I’ll try this one for sure.
I’m feeling well. I have my last appointment with my doctor here today; hoping I’ll like my new doctor just as much.
Good luck with moving! Hopefully you won’t have to do any of the physical labor (no pun intended), but that’s a lot of stress regardless.
Good luck with the midwife.
Barbara Bui today, I wore it to bed last night and it smelled so good I want to do it again. Freezing cold here too, and windy, snow moving in later, it’s a good day for comfort scents.
SUCH a cozy scent, that one
Definitely a good day for a comfort scent!
Same here, mild yesterday, then wild winds last night and -16C today. I am snuggled up in Nasomatto Nuda on one wrist and TF Jasmin Rouge on the other. They are both smelling good.
Wow. That’s *more freezing*.
today it’s Amouage Fate Woman and I feel like a million bucks! (well, given the cost, I guess I ought to
Such a powdery soft scent. You should feel like a million bucks!
Twins! You have excellent taste.
Sometime last year, I got a sample set of all the Atelier Cologne scents and despite my sampling frenzy, managed to completely overlook Blanche Immortelle. I tried it for the first time last night and was pleasantly surprised enough that I’m wearing it again today. I couldn’t figure what it reminded me of, but Kevin’s review hits the nail on the head: it smells like butterscotch.
I’m heading off to Alabama for work tomorrow, then going directly on a ski trip (I’ve never skied before, so this will be interesting). That made for tricky packing, but Blanche Immortelle is coming with me, along with Gold Leather, Terracotta, and we’ll see what other wild cards get thrown in the mix.
Hope you have a wonderful time skiing, and butterscotch is certainly a good thing to smell on the slopes. Skiing is something worth persisting with if it appeals, even if it seems a little tricky at first in my experience.
I tried skiing for the first time as an adult as well. Actually went to Aspen of all places. I could only manage the bunny trails with the little folks but it was still fun and just gorgeous and invigorating being outdoors there.
Good luck!
Enjoy your ski trip and good luck! I never made it off the bunny hill…
I love the idea of skiing while wearing Terracotta.
Have fun!
Ooh, now I want to retest Blanche Immortelle–I remember liking it, and I should think it’d be great winter perfume, I don’t know why I don’t pull it out more often!
Have fun on your ski trip! Have you already been given this advice–I would strongly recommend starting out with a lesson from a pro. Even just one 90-minute lesson makes a huge difference in terms of skiing feeling fun and doable instead of frustrating and/or scary. I’ve skied since I was a kid but often with long periods of absence in between trips, and I always have way more fun for the rest of the day if I start a skiing morning with a refresher lesson. Makes me feel much steadier on my feet.
That’s good advice. I’m pretty sure we’ll be taking a lesson, since I’m not the only one of the group who’s never skied before. As someone who sometimes gets intimidated just walking down hills (yep, I’m a baby), I need all the help I can get to make this more manageable.
I totally get it, and I totally think it’s more than manageable. It’s a really nice thing about skiing, that there’s no rule you have to go fast or tackle difficult terrain! All you really need are the basics, and then you can have a great number of very pleasant days on the mountain just skiing slowly on easy slopes, if that’s what’s most enjoyable to you! (Bonus: we slow skiers get to spend more time on the slopes versus riding the lifts–if you zip down the mountain in two minutes, then you’re back on the lift for ten, as compared with those of us who spend 20 minutes getting down the mountain for every 10 minute ride up
)
I strongly second C. H.’s advice. If you get to the slope, and you start to think that a group lesson would be so much cheaper, and just as worthwhile, don’t do it. Spring for the private one if you can. I had a really frustrating group lesson experience when snowboarding for the first time. Turns out, a lot of the problem of the 90 minutes was solved in about 2 seconds flat once the instructor was able to spend some one-on-one time with me.
Anyway, have a great time!
Oh that’s too bad about your group lesson, I’ve always had good ones! And I feel less intimidated when the focus isn’t solely on me (when it’s just me and a pro, I feel a lot of pressure to return to my Serious Skier days). But I can see how it would vary really widely, depending on the instructor, and the size of the group–I’ve always had instructors who were careful to divvy their time and attention to each student, and then also the groups have always been quite small, six or fewer. Maybe if Eleebelle, if your group has a few new skiers, you all could get a semi-private lesson just for you guys together? I think most ski schools are accustomed to that kind of request.
Have fun skiing. I was a bunny slope drop-out.
Lol! Me too.
Me three.
Comfy-cozy Amour de Cacao. It’s a really old bottle and it’s getting low so I think (since I have to go to the mall today) I’ll try the newer stuff at Sephora, see if it’s changed any, just in case.
Scrumptious!!
Not that I’ve tried it, but I know it has a lot of love and that most folks seem to have an older bottle so Im curious about whether it is still the same before I try it.
24 degrees in “Hotlanta”! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
SOTD is Modern Muse. Generously layered with Dream Cream moisturizing body lotion, L’Occitane cherry hand cream, and Clinique Dark Spot corrector moisturizer. Every inch of my skin is battling the dry cold air with moisturization! LOL
Stay warm y’all!
Wow, that’s colder than here!
The weather has been so nuts.
There has to be some record that this is the longest we have gone without snow.
Yesterday it was 60 degrees in the big apple and my hubby and I went out to eat lunch and the front of the restaurant had its door open, so it was as if we were eating outside. Crazy.
You smell fab, and like you I am going to really take care of my skin as well! So important this time of year.
I’m wearing Elle L’aime. Too vanilla, too sweet.
I was tempted to blind buy that one at TJ Maxx a few months ago. Sounds like I made the right decision by putting down the bottle and backing away.
I know a lot of people love vanilla, but if it’s one of the most prominent notes in the fragrance, it makes me a little nauseous. A lot of my purchases are blind buy and so was this one, but it was a mini so I wasn’t out a great deal of money. I am tryng out all of my fragrances and giving away anything I just can’t stand. This one is going on the giveaway pile.
I love love love vanilla for cooking, but I only enjoy wearing scents with vanilla if they are not particularly sweet or gourmand, or too prominent.
Missing my old coworkers something fierce today. They are some of my closest friends, and not seeing their faces every day is an adjustment. About to print out a picture so they can keep me company.
Amouage Fate today for warmth and necessary loveliness.
Oh I am sorry – that is such a hard thing about moving jobs but do remember that your will find new friends in your new co workers, it takes time and adjustment though. Fate seems like a good choice for that feeling.
That’s so sweet of you – thanks! I’m fine and I’m definitely making new friends – I just miss my buddies. Thankfully the environment at my new workplace also seems warm, which is important.
They become like family! I’ve been at my job for 8 years this February and it’s really a 2nd home for me. Thank goodness I work with really wonderful people.
You’ll make some great new friends in no time!
They do! They are my New York family at this point. I never took that amazing environment for granted, and I am grateful for it. And thankfully, there are good people here too. It’s just an adjustment. And honestly, printing out a picture of them for my desk helps, as silly as that sounds.
You smell fantastic!
Thank you dear!
I am loving that puppy face…
You smell great!
Thanks dear!
I know how you feel. I still miss my old co-workers from two years ago, even though my current co-workers are lovely. Hopefully you can still get together for occasional lunches and drinks.
That’s so sweet! I bet they’ll be thrilled to know you’ve brought them with you for company
Looking forward to hearing more about your new job at our next meet-up! Stay warm, buddy!
Ditto!
Inspired by Annicky’s post over the weekend, I am wearing white florals in freezing London – Gardenia Passion which feels crystalline right now. On Friday I had a few spare minutes between meetings and was near Harrods, and discovered Tonka Imperiale, Bois D’Armenie and Cuir Beluga, all of which are worrying tempting.
I love white florals in cold weather.
Those darn Guerlains are so tempting! Which do you like the best? I’m currently tempted most by Cuir Beluga and Angelique Noir. The high price is the only thing holding me back.
I would go for Cuir Beluga…but I am biased because I love it so
It’s a beauty!
Glad someone else has the same problem! I am really split between them. Probably Tonka Imperiale as it smelt incredible on my scarf the next day (when I opened the cupboard the most incredible whoosh of scent came out) with Bois D’Armenie a close second but would be pretty ridiculously happy with any of them! I wonder how long before we give in…
Only a matter of time.
Oh, I imagine you smelling exquisite in the freezing London.
Wow has the temp nose-dived here in NYC! Yesterday we had spring-like temps, and today its 30 and downtown a wind chill that brings it into the teens..
Not wearing navy, but inspired by Waterdragon yesterday to wear some 31 Rue Cambon and I’m so glad I did. Just love this scent in the cold.
Scent twin! Two days in a row for me now. Can’t seem to get enough.
You smell divine!
I am with you! a 40 degree drop is a lot!
31 Rue C is such an elegant perfume.
It is elegant, thank you!
Thinking of you and hope your check up today goes well!!
Damn, that’s a temp drop! BRRR!
And you smell great!
You smell wonderful! I sampled 31 RC yesterday for the first time. I was surprised how much it changed from the initial spray to the middle to the dry down. All beautiful. This will be added to the list of bottles I wish I could buy.
It does do a wonderful metamorphosis over the hours, but still is 31.
You smell beautiful.
RIP David Bowie. What an artist!
SOTD will probably be my sample of JM Incense and Cedrant. I want to give it a proper wear and see how long it lasts.
Happy Monday! Beautiful, chilly, sunny day here in the swamps. T-Rex is fired up this morning and I’m hoping I’ll survive her (over) abundance of energy. She has one puppy canine left to lose and when it’s gone, I’m going to do a dance, Bowie style
Indeed, Bowie was a legend.
Your post made me smile. Good luck with the puppy!
First news I heard this morning when my radio alarm went off. Took me down nostalgia lane to hanging out with a punk rock aficionado who lived around the corner from me when I was in high school. No idea why she gave me the time of day, but I loved sitting on her bedroom carpet looking through her albums (ahem….errr those were vinyl, 12″, flat and black, played on a turn-table, ancient history) and listening to the Ziggy Stardust wisdom she imparted.
FYI. A 2006 note on Basenotes reports on David Bowie’s signature scent: According to his official web-site, Minotaure by Paloma Picasso, which he says, “is hard to find, so he stocks up. He also like anything by Guerlain.”
On the Bowie website there is an announcement of a 2005 launch of his own fragrance called Mesmer, but that may have been a joke?
I imagine him wearing Mitsouko. What scents do you associate with David Bowie?
I DO remember albums and in fact still have many of them, although no way to play them. When I was a teenager, we hosted a couple of traditional Irish musicians and the one that was assigned my bedroom was seemingly impressed by my music collection! Bowie is one of those people that the general public and critics could not pigeonhole or categorize. I was/am a huge fan of the intrepid way he lived his life. As I’ve gotten older, I have realized how courageous he was.
Agreed on his courage. I was much younger and very straightlaced, and it seemed to come so easy to him. Now I realize it probably wasn’t.
I had planned to wear Bel Ami today, inspired by Bexca’s mention over the weekend. But somehow my hand headed for Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile EDT instead, and I have no regrets.
Beautiful! I’m not crazy about iris for myself and wouldn’t buy a bottle, but Iris Nobile is one of the best I’ve smelled.
Yay, I almost influenced! Along similar lines, AnnS inspired me to wear Champagne du Bois today.
Oh, no “almost” about it – you definitely influenced! And thank you – it’s been too long since I last wore Bel Ami, and I’m keeping it firmly in mind for tomorrow.
Wearing my first fragrance of 2016 – Estee Lauder Modern Muse Chic. Found it on clearance at Marshall’s so I couldn’t resist.
Didn’t sleep well, no doubt due to the trauma of seeing somebody doing 100 mph and then crashing headlong into a highway median 100 ft in front of me last night. Couldn’t see if they survived since the police told me not to cross the highway, but their passenger was sitting on the road afterwards.
And this morning I learned David Bowie died.
Not a great start this week.
Oh no
What a traumatic thing to have witnessed. I hope you get a chance to wrap up in a soft blanket with a person or animal you love today.
Oh, it’s horrible to witness things like that. So sorry
Fast and the Furious is only meant for movies.
When I see people driving recklessly it really lights my fire.
Sorry you had to see that experience!
Oh my goodness, that’s really awful. So sorry you saw that.
Hopefully if the passenger was ok the driver will be too. And will learn from their recklessness.
What an awful experience. I hope you can process it in due time. Be kind to yourself.
Argh. That is a horrible thing to witness. Hard to erase the memory tape. Very sorry!
Errrr…what did you think of MMC?
MMC is a more floral version of Narciso Rodriguez for Her. So if you were anosmic to most of the Narciso, but still liked what you could smell, MMC is a good alternative. There were several bottles of MMC at Marshall’s, so it could also be a cheaper alternative to the Narciso.
Hugs!
Hugs back!
Thus far 2016 hasn’t been too kind to me. But I still have hope that it will get better!
Thank you for letting me vent, and for all the kind support! I’m looking forward to being able to give back to this community with the Freebiemeet.
Wow, so sorry. Hope a huge dumptruck of good stuff is headed your way. Bad analogy, maybe.
EL Private Collection–cold here too today and for some reason that often makes me crave bitter green.
PC sounds perfect!
I agree. PC is one of my favorite scents of all time!
I’m so sad about David Bowie’s passing. His music has been incredibly special to me. My husband and I danced to “Heroes” at our wedding, among many other memories. We even named a cat after him. Sigh…
Now, what perfume would Bowie wear?
By all accounts Paloma Picasso Minotaure or anything Guerlain. Though which Guerlain specifically, I don’t know…perhaps Habit Rouge? He probably smelt amazing in anything.
Out of everything in my little collection, I’ve decided that Mitsouko is the one I could best imagine on Bowie. So that’s what I’m wearing today.
Great choice, and I am sure DB wore that in life!
That seems like a perfect choice: weird, beautiful, with many facets and changes along the way <3 I love that you chose "Heroes" for your wedding dance!
Agreed.
My thought exactly!
That seems like a really good choice for him, to me too.
Perfect choice. Eternal like him.
Oops! I duplicate posted the same thoughts above. Teach me to read before posting! We’re on the same wave-length.
Note to self: never EVER buy a car in mercury retrograde again. Or even leave the house if I can help it. Having such a frustrating nightmare of a time and hoping that it will be all sorted soon.
Immersing myself in a cloud of pretty scent certainly helps though. Today I wore Amaranthine, and now am in Kiki edp. Ahhhh
So sorry for your car troubles! Did you end up getting a new vehicle and getting stuck with a lemon?
It’s been such a series of dramas I have to laugh really (or I’ll cry!). My car was hit 5 weeks ago, got written off so they took back the hire car even though I didnt get the $ and couldnt look for a car due to xmas/new yr. A friend of my mums lent me a car with no a/c in blistering heat, then suddenly took it back Sat and lied about swapping it with her other (spare) one. Working late shifts so had to spend lots on cab fares then last night at 1am just got home to realise id left my housekeys at work. An hour and $70 later… The car i put a deposit on is ready but i cant get to the bank to get the cheque yet (cant transfer) and have no way of picking up new car. It can be delivered in a few days so more buses and cabs until then.
It’s just been blocks at every turn. Am hoping that the car I got is all good because I’m pretty over the whole saga.
Rant over
Oh my goodness! Take good care of yourself through this stressful period
Well the good news MUST be that the year 2016 will only get better and better after this auto fiasco you have been dealing with! Keeping my fingers crossed and pushing planets into alignment (ha!) to bring you only good things from now on
So sorry! We had some car trouble recently, though not as bad, but it’s a huge pain and $$ drain. Fortunately, we live in a city where we can rely on public transportation. Hope your new car doesn’t give you any trouble.
Thanks so much for all your lovely words of support. It does feel better just to vent a little, and I know things could be much worse.
2016 will still be a fabulous year!
Sounds like a nightmare! Hope everything gets settled soon.
Best of luck, perthgirl, hope life runs smoothly again soon.
Wearing Chergui today. Woke up in a bad mood, still wanting to sleep, so I thought this might cheer me up. It’s helped a little.
I’m really hoping my Luckyscent order will come today. It shipped last week, and I’m looking forward to smelling some more new things.
Lucky Scent has the slooowest shipping ever! Chergui is wonderful and you smell great
I thought it was just me who experienced that! Crazy slow!
I was hoping they might be better than TPC, who took forever to ship, and to get to me, even though we live in the same part of the same state. We’ll see. They were certainly faster to actually ship, but so far it’s still floating around somewhere.
Thanks! Chergui is new to me, but it was love at first sniff.
Chergui is amazing – you smell wonderful!
Hope you have fun trying the samples. I’m on a sample freeze since I still have dozens I want to get through. Exciting times are ahead!
Thank you! Chergui makes me feel better just by existing, so it was perfect for today. It has definitely lifted my spirits.
I went from zero to 60 on samples, and I have quite a few now, but I really have no FBs so all of my wearing is out of my samples and decants, so it doesn’t worry me yet. I’ve got a few I’ll probably find new homes for at some point.
60?! Wow, you are much braver than I am. I feel like there is always a chance a sample will have gone bad or not agree with my skin and I will need to scrub it off, so I’m afraid to wear samples to the office.
Thus far I have about 30 I want to get through, but I am limited to trying them on the weekend or in the evening. I’ll bet you go through your 60 before I get to my 30.
Enjoy sampling!
Also, the Freebiemeet is this Saturday. So if you have samples/decants you would like to give away that would probably be an ideal time to do it!
I don’t think I literally have 60, but I may be close to it. I already had some, thanks to Birchbox, ordered others, and was gifted some by hajusuuri. And I acquired some this weekend.
I don’t worry too much about wearing samples, as long as they smell appealing in the vial. If I’m uncertain, I might wear it on a day I’ll be home. So far I’ve been lucky though, and nothing has turned yucky on me, except Lady Vengeance, but that might have just been my nose that day, as everyone else seemed to like it on me.
I’m looking forward to freebiemeet! And yes, I might be rehoming a few of the Birchbox samples, if anyone wants them. I might find a few I’m interested in too.
Ooooh, what are you expecting from Luckyscent?
34 Boulevard St Germain, Tea for Two, La Chasse Aux Papillions (which I sniffed at Sephora this weekend, and adored), PHI Une Rose de Kandahar, L’Air du Desert Marocain, and Lonestar Memories. My first Tauers, and my first time smelling everything except LCAP.
I have another order coming from STC that has Bandit, Fracas, Jolie Madame, and a larger spray decant of Shalimar, but the Shalimar has held that one up. All first time smells, except for Shalimar.
I also scored samples of John Varvatos, Bvlgari au The Bleu, and No 5 EdT at Sephora, and Laila, Wildfox, and Joy at Nordstrom. And I still have some to try from what hajusuuri sent me. I have a very busy nose, and I love it.
So much fun! Sounds like me this time last year, sampling like a madwoman.
Not so different from now, really; I have a bag of Amouage vials and other assorted selections to get through.
It is! It’s a blast. Worst case scenario, I hate something, and at least I know what it smells like for future reference. I need to start keeping a perfume journal, so I can remember what I thought.
48 hours in, I can still smell Royal Princess Oud on my arm. That stuff is crazy expensive, but it has the staying power to match.
It’s a Monday. Busy. New employees to train. Errands to run. Reports to finish.
Hope those affected by the cold blast are keeping warm. I’m in Lyric Woman.
Lyric is such a beauty. Your inspiring me to wear that one day this week.
Enjoy your busy Monday
Oh–I forgot to mention, as it’s Bvlgari day Friday… I have some Omnia (original) and Black that are Free to a Good Home, if anyone is interested. I like them both just fine, but never chose them out of my bottles and I don’t have any perfume-junkie local friends to give them to!
Wow! Generous offer. Are you in the US? I’d be interested in both of these, and happy to work out an exchange.
Yep, I’m in the US. You can email me at aekolbeck (at) gmail .
Today I am wearing Chanel Cuir de Russie.
Love it. You smell wonderful.
one of my favs; you smell terrific
You smell GREAT. One of my favorites!
Yes, yes, yes.
gorgeous!
My husband, who gets up very early for work, woke me up to tell me about David Bowie’s death. I’m so shocked and sad. We have all of his albums except for his latest release. I watched his video of Lazarus this am- a striking, creative, dress rehearsal for death of sorts. I wanted a scent that pays tribute to him today and Musc Tonkin stood out for me- a beautiful floral with an animalic musk. Raw, sensual, and beautiful is how I imagine him. RIP.
Sound like the perfect scent to honor such a creative, talented, artistic singer.
Hello, all. I feel sad and flat, for no particular reason. I’ve often thought how useful it would be to have a “heavy irony” font for emails, so that I could write to the marketing department in the tone they generally deserve, the gormless twassicks. Now I think I need ‘an “Oh buck up and get your stuff together” perfume for me. I’m wearing Ostara, and it’s gorgeous, but if anything, it’s intensifying my mood rather than snapping me out of it. Dakkie just brought me Fuzzy Logic, his preferred knitted mouse. Such a kind thought…didn’t work. Dear oh dear, what on earth’s the matter with me? Hope your days are all excellent.
Sorry– it’s a measure of my complete distraction and lack of focus that’ I posted this here. I thought something was odd, but I didn’t even check! I think I’m a stupid mess today, and my husband has just suggested why. He told me I’m a sort of chartreuse green and am mixing my words–I think I’m getting the mother of all migraines.
Oh no, that’s just dreadful! I hope it passes very quickly!
Sorry to hear that, hope it’s not as bad as you fear.
I’m propped up with meds, sitting quietly in my office, made very dim, writing my annual report in a half-hearted sort of way. I feel weird, but thus, far, I’m still semi-functional. Tomorrow will tell the truth of the migraine, I suspect.
Ooh boy, chartreuse green! Hope you aren’t coming down with anything and feel better soon!
No worries, and hope the migraine and the chartreuse hue have both left you!
Hope you take an unexpectedly upward turn. We’re pulling for you. (Can you hear us?)
What are gormless twassicks?
I hope you feel better soon, by the way. I wish I could have that font to use for mails to my boss, who is one of the most incompetent idiots I have ever had the misfortune to meet.
My Shorter Oxford doesn’t seem to recognise “twassick” — I think I might have made it up or heard it in speech and borrowed it. I think of it as “pillock”, but worse. I say it when I’m especially grumpy with someone, because it sounds so insulting and deeply satisfying to utter. Gormless is a nice word, a favourite of my father’s, that means no initiative or common sense or spark (Dakkie-cat, though adorable, is rather gormless, though definitely not a twassick). The two together are about as far down as I can go in expressing irritation about another human being before I descend into profanity.
Thank you for such an entirely satisfying explanation!
That sounds like a wonderful choice.
Last I checked, it was 1 degree out so I am staying in! Wearing TF Noir Pour Femme, which is perfect for such chilly temps!! Keep warm, y’all!
I have a FB of that! Love love! Whats your favorite part? I love the dry down.
Ack, I’d stay in too.
SOTD is Sahara Noir (Tom Ford). Happy Monday!
And hope your Monday was good!
David Bowie has passed, and I am wearing Une Rose because it seems like an appropriate scent for mourning.
Lovely.
Beautiful
Fabulous perfume and I think most appropriate.
16F here but sunny, so maybe it will warm up a bit. Hope so – my daughter is taking me out to lunch for my birthday in a couple of hours, and then we have errands to run. Wearing the lovely Byredo Flowerhead.
Happy Birthday! Hope you stay warm and enjoy your day.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Mals! does that mean you get your Ostara today too?
We’re having a birthday dinner tomorrow night (too much stuff going on tonight), so I will get it then!
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday and many more
Happiest of birthdays to you, Mals
Happy birthday!!!
Happy Birthday, Mals!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday mals, i hope you’ve had a wonderful day!
Happy birthday! I love Flowerhead, too, and it’s on my short list for a decant or FB.
Happy birthday!
Hope it was a lovely birthday lunch!
Happy Birthday and enjoy the sun!
Happy Birthday….enjoy your day!!
Happy birthday! Flowerhead is a lovely choice!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Mals! ????
Happy Birthday, mals. Enjoy.
Thanks to everyone for the lovely birthday wishes!
Happy birthday!
I’m late to the party – I hope you had a very Happy Birthday, Mals!
I’m wrapped in a cloud of volutes edt listening to David Bowie, music and tributes on 6 music (uk). I have been lucky enough to have had the morning at home after dropping off the children at pre school to process my sadness at his passing . i have been surprised at how tearful i have been, and the sense of loss i am feeling for somebody that i have never met, but understand that the way he saw the world, has informed, and become part of my world, as it has for many others.
i’m in awe at the creative control he has had over his death, totally inspiring. RIP David Bowie- The legend lives on.
It has hit me surprisingly hard too. *hugs*
Thanks Luna, *hugs* back!
I’m still processing it too. It seemed so surreal when I saw it on the news this evening, like it couldn’t be real. I’m glad there’s so much love for him and so many wonderful tributes- he deserves nothing less.
I feel you. He was up there with people I would have most liked to meet. If it’s available on line, I’d recommend watching “David Bowie Is”. We saw it last year when it ran for a few days in sync with an exhibit in Chicago about his work. It was really inspiring. Made me think about how I express myself creatively-esp. through fashion. Prompted me to take more risks and go outside of my comfort zone, even with perfume choices.
That sounds fantastic, thanks Elisa p!
He was so influential when I was growing up. I loved Labyrinth and dancing to his songs on DDR. Although I am saddened by his passing, I’m incredibly happy he was able to realize his talent and share it with the world.
Hugs all around!
Btw, from my response to your question for the weekend post about the projection and longevity of Tea for 2:
I sprayed more than I usually do because I wasn’t satisfied with the initial spritz. 3 times on the chest lasted me all day. Curiously, I never got to the dry down Victoria described in her BdJ review. I’ll need to try less sprays and see how long it takes to get to the drydown. But regardless, I would say the longevity is rather good.
Projection seemed to be pretty low. I got the feeling it projected about a foot or two from me given it was a bit difficult to smell it on myself unless I tried.
Unfortunately I haven’t really gotten the chance to sample other L’Artisans, so I can’t tell you how it compares. But it is really a beautiful scent that is appropriate for almost every setting I can think of.
In honor of David Bowie’s passing, I decided to do something a bit Sci Fi. what would a Space Oddity wear for a scent on it’s visit to Earth? Flowers? Dirt? The smell of bacteria? What did I have in my sample that was strange and spacey?
Then I remember that as a gag gift one of the godsons got me a perfume called Earthworm from Demeter. I never even opened it. And I thought it would great layered with Lust from Lush. Alien walking through a wet garden, I think.
Tl;DR: Earthworm by Demeter combined with Lust.
OOTD: Crisp white printed blouse, green cardigan, big green scarf, slim blue trousers, short brown high heeled boots. And am wearing a forgotten, unopened bargain lipstick, Red Haute by Ulta- it’s a deep true red with a hint of blue.
Your outfit, lipstick, and perfume sound amazing.
Oh, thanks so much! If you have time, please try Earthworm! It’s like smelling sweet garden soil.
Sounds perfect
I bet you look fantastic. But I’m very curious as to what earthworm smells like… ?
It smells like very sweet, truffly garden soil and tomato leaves. I am surprised at how wearable it actually is! It actually smells very refreshing- but with no citrus!
Now I am tempted to throw on my sample of TM Alien. Even though I don’t like it, I think it would be a fitting tribute, so perhaps I will give it a try. Or maybe instead, I will go with some Iris Silver Mist. Earthy and spacey all at the same time.
Oh, I hope you do with either Alien or Iris Silver Mist! Bowie would approve!
Nice!
Sounds like a great combo all around.
Sounds beautiful.
I will absolutely be wearing Alien tomorrow! What a wonderful idea…and I bet Bowie would have rocked Alien.
Sampling Soivohle Sinti today which is a big green and rose scent
This weekend I luxuriated in my decant of OJ Tolu, thanks to the very generous LizzieB. Tolu is like a cozy daytime version of the glamorous evening Coco. Love them both!
Today I returned to my new bottle of Chanel No. 22. It helped to steel myself against the freezing weather (3 degrees) in Chicago this morning. Happy Monday!
Stay warm and cozy!
I’ll try!
I can’t believe that David Bowie has died. Maybe I should rethink what I will be wearing after my shower. Maybe Kyoto will be a better choice than Theorema.
Gosh, either is lovely!
Sampling Poivre Samarcande today…
At first I got Earl Grey tea and now it is quite soft almost to where I don’t smell it….a light tea but I really have to put my nose close to my wrist.
Interesting. I did not enjoy PS at all. First I got cumin/black pepper, then all black pepper, then nothing.
That is interesting! I also found PS very peppery–“light tea but I really have to put my nose close to my wrist” makes me think of Osmanthe Yunnan, actually. And now I want to go put some on
Mmmmm, Osmanthe Yunnan will probably be my next bottle purchase.
I am going through the samples by year of release and will be wearing Osmanthe Yunnan tomorrow and will report my findings.
Those earrings are definitely “to die for”!
My SOTD is Chloe. This fragrance is soft, pretty, and so feminine to me. With it being so cold and breezy, it offers me a sniff of its aroma every few minutes. I love it!
I agree about those earrings. I’d definitely wear them!!
I agree that those earrings are beautiful.
I love Chloe too….just gorgeous!
Agree. That slightly mismatch thing… So cute!
This morning, I found a straggler sample of Le Labo’s Gaic and threw it on. It’s nice, but really just a super fancy light musk. After this goes away (which it may not, it seems to have a lot of staying power…) I think I will switch to Le Temps D’Une Fete, which I thoroughly enjoy on cold days. Or, I may try on some ISM, as a tribute to Bowie. I am very saddened by this news.
Le Temps D’Une Fete is my vote.
Well, okay, you convinced me! That was too easy. I don’t need much convincing to wear Le Temps D’Une Fete. When I first got it, I thought, “Oh, this is such a lovely spring fragrance.” And then I’ve found myself reaching for it year-round. It’s so beautiful on cold, crisp days. It sparkles in the cold and reminds me of when the spring bulbs start to peek their heads out through the snow.
….spring bulbs start to peek their heads out through the snow.
That is spot on!
I love LTdF all year round too.
Big drop in temperature today so combatting the cold with Indochine. .
wonderful pick! I always get compliments when I wear that one. You smell fab
Thanks Deva!
I’m in Hiris today — needed something refreshing to cut through the sleep deprivation fogs, and iris is my ideal “fresh” note. Even when it’s dirty, it feels like a young morning full of new air to me.
What a lovely description.
It was 10 degrees Fahrenheit at my house this morning, so I compensated by sampling a couple of flower things – samples that have been languishing. One is a Magnolia of some sort, and the scent is no more memorable than the name, so into the re-homing pile it goes! On my other hand, however, is Creed’s Fleurs de Gardenia and this is notable to me – it went on very much like a freshly cut flowers (not necessarily gardenia, but very pretty), with a fresh flower petal (Peony according to various comments? LOTV?) smell as well as leaves, stems and a little dampness. Made me sniff my right hand several time in the first ten minutes! Then I got busy and came to work. Hours later, it is still a fresh flowery odor, less definable as anything in particular, but pleasant, with little greenie undertones – this is very nice. It will be great in the summer time. The first Creed I have liked a lot!
Feeling quite bereft at David Bowie’s death. I’m of the age where I grew up with his music, and he was part of the fabric of life.
I’m still contemplating a suitable perfume to wear in his memory – maybe SL’s Rose de Nuit.
Hope he makes a safe journey back to his native planet.
Same here. Maybe Jicky?
Just now there was an interview on Dutch television with the Belgian director of Bowie’s last play. He said that when Bowie was able to come to rehearsals he was dressed immaculately and ….smelled fabulous….
Lovely to have confirmation of that! I was pretty confident he would have included the olfactory along with the audial and visual
Ps I think SL fits him very well. I also thought about Iris Cendre because of Ashes to Ashes.
Rochas Femme for me today. What a masterpiece, even in its contemporary incarnation. So simple and streamlined yet completely satisfying on a rainy day. Feels like I’m wearing Marlene Dietrich’s skin. I also sprayed Alaïa and the new Narciso on my wrists as I passed by a perfume shop. Liked both a lot. Alaïa’s opening is incredible, truly beautiful and surprising, but the dry down is a little meh compared to the golden sparkles I get from the Narciso. Will try both again. The two bottles look great in person, btw.
Ohhh, Femme is high on my to-try list! I have heard great things about the vintage, but can never seem to find any in my price range, but with your recommendation (Marlene Dietrich’s skin…) I will definitely try and find the new one!
You can get it for a song at discounters.
I felt the same way about Alaia as well..
You smell magnificent!
Was overwhelmed with choices this morning, and couldn’t think. So I just popped on SJP’s Lovely. It’s wearing rather well. Still reminds me a lot of Narciso Rodriguez For Her.
Lovely was one of the 1st fragrances I ever bought for myself….It lasts all day on my skin and is still one of my favorites!
It’s still pretty cool here, so put on some FM Dries Van Noten. I though I would like this a lot based on comments and reviews, but it’s just eh. I get something kind of medicinal at the beginning and then it fades quick. Maybe I need to give a few more spritzes, as I am a very light spritzer usually.
I also wanted to like FM Van Noten, and on me it doesn’t fade quickly …
I was just commenting on this when another NST’er had this as her SOTD last week. I bought a bottle of this but then returned it. I felt that for the price, I wanted more more more..instead within minutes it turned into a second skin scent. I think there are other wonderful sandalwood perfumes out there that don’t break the bank and have more lasting power. Just my opinion.
That was me! My sample is almost gone, and it lasts a while on me (I have neither scent-glue, nor scent-eating skin, as near as I can tell). It is too much money for a bottle, for sure, but I can’t help but love its smoothness and how it doesn’t smell synthetic on me, which many modern sandalwoods do…
Wanted a comfort scent this morning, so went with Champagne de Bois. My favorite sandalwood evah!
I assume Champagne de Bois is already working; have a good day!
Well enuf. Have a good day yourself Morgana!!
I love that one so much.
Me too. I like Samara, but love CdB!
I took a quick trip to California over the weekend but now I’m back home to the drizzly PNW, wearing Lys Carmin. I think it’s my favorite lily.
I’m wearing Dark Amber and Ginger Lily today–and at some point here I’m going to try out Orris & Sandalwood and see how it goes.
SOTD is disappointing ATM: 20 Carats parfum from Dana, apparently vintage. I’ve loved this on other occasions, but today it smells pitchy and fake. Now I contemplate otherwise unnecessary ablutions.
Oh, bummer.
My experiences with the inexpensive vintages like Danas and Faberges is that they don’t age well. 20 Karats was always quite sweet anyway, wasn’t it? I remember liking it, but it wasn’t as complex (relatively speaking) as Tabu or Ambush.
Rosabotanica. I wanted something fresh, but not FRESH! This is fresh, neither too sweet nor too green. I like it, I may have to buy a bottle when I see it at TJ Maxx next …
Is *FRESH* like No. 19?
Very late to the party this time. I’m wearing PdE’s Equistrius which is lovely. It’s finally feeling a bit like winter here today, albeit a wet and rather miserable one.
Yum. You smell fantastic!
Beautiful. I love that one too!
Twins. It is cool and misting here but not cold enough for anything heavier and Equistris is cozy but not stifling.
I want to smell like a pine forest after a bonfire so I’m wearing an SSS sample now, but I’ll add some patchouli 24 before I head out of the house…
Interesting idea…
I’m wearing Valentino Donna today. It was a gift from a lovely friend.
I put it on after a long workout, and warm shower when I got home today.
Pretty, powdered roses and citrus is what I smell going on right now.
On paper, Donna was meh. I have a sample which I will try / wear at some point in the future
I’m wearing Coco today. It was a little chilly this morning (and I think I’m finally starting to get over the cough I’ve had for the last 2 weeks), so it seemed right. I was in Oklahoma over the weekend for a memorial service for my uncle, who passed away on Christmas Eve, and it was freaking cold there. Yesterday morning before we left, it was about 15 degrees, so 39 this morning didn’t feel so bad.
I heard about David Bowie’s passing on NPR while driving to work this morning. Sad day. And now after reading that he liked Minotaure, I want to find some and find out what it smells like.
Hope your recovery speeds up. Stay warm.
My condolences for your loss, but glad you’re feeling better. I was just perusing eBay a little while ago for Minotaure and am also tempted to get a mini for the same reason.
So sorry for your loss. Glad you’re feeling better.
Breathing irritated today, so commando. Bright sunshine, though.
Take care, all.
Yikes, hope you feel better soon!
SOTD = Puredistance White
This stuff is potent!
News – i happened to be in LuckyScent last night doing research (for science) when out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a 15% off coupon. After a nano-second of handwringing, the fingers got really busy and Mohur Exfrait leaped into my cart. Since I am still working off of my decant, my Community Service bottle will remain sealed until the Splitmeet.
For the good of mankind! You make me laugh
FOR SCIENCE!!!