Happy Hump Day, everyone! What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Bleu. Tea at the moment: the very last of my tin of Ten Ren Winter Tea 2014-2015. It was a good but not great green (light roast) oolong, and it took me longer than usual to finish it off. I have not loved the winter oolongs the last few years, and have been reading about the effects of warmer winters on Taiwan's oolong production.
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 earrings are from Bvlgari's Mediterranean Eden collection, which I think was 2011. 18kt white gold with topaz, amethyst and pavé diamonds. No idea of the price.
SOTD: Duel (Annick Goutal)
You smell great!
Ooh, haven’t heard that one in a while! Way to be a rebel (in a good way).
WOW! You smell terrific!
Oh, yay. I have a sample of Duel coming in the mail this week. I think it will be love for me!
Duel, along with most of the AG line, makes me think of summer. I want summer back!!!
Ditto! Exactly the reason I went for it today.
Jardins d’Armide for me this morning
That is a great scent. Very uplifting for a cold day like this
SOTD: The Dark Heart of Old Havana, by Tues 4180. This was one of the samples in the Olfactif January pack.
On my skin, I get the rum, overripe oranges, and maybe a bit of vanilla. I applied at 8am, and it’s almost gone at 9:30am? That’s no good! I’ll enjoy the sample but feel no need to revisit once it’s gone. It’s a fun smell while it lasts…..
Reverse the house name: 4180 Tues! hee hee
Well CRUD! 4160, not 4180! HA HA
In any order that is a fantastic name!
Off Topic: My seed catalog arrived yesterday!
ENJOY!! Ain’t it a beauty?
Super fun!
I can’t wait for spring and flowers and seeds! I’m toying with putting my iris setosa seeds down to see if I can get some sprouts this spring!
Haha on the name scramble. I do that with Le Labo.
I like that Thé Bleu, but something about the dry down turns me off just a little bit. Glad that I haven’t broken my eight month bottle no-buy streak for it (yet!) as I initially thought I might.
I am wearing something I haven’t worn in a very long while, Nicolai Maharanih. I remember it as huge, and it went on fairly strong with the orange, but now seems quieter and rosier. Perhaps I have become anosmiac to the musks or civet-safe-civet in it since 2012? Is that possible? I remember being super-excited about this one, then just vaguely disappointed by it when it came out (not enough lavender or geranium for me) and now today I’m quite enjoying it. Fickle beasts, we are.
Oh, I love Maharanih, such an odd scent.
It is rather odd. Development-wise, it is certainly not boring.
It’s not quite perfect, but it’s darned good. I’d be tempted if I saw it very cheap.
Very apt description!
I’ve always been fonder of Maharadjah, which is not all that similar but having bought both bottles within a short period of time, they are sort of linked in my brain.
Maharanih has plenty of character though, and I agree, not boring at all.
Ha…but I was talking about the Bvlgari blue tea! It’s a description that works for lots of scents
That one smells like, um, post-workout jockey shorts in the drydown, to me. Very very interesting, but I don’t think I could take myself seriously wearing it. Now wondering if it’s been reworked.
I’m in an obscure celebuscent from the late 90s: Lova Moor. Odd aggressively clean chemical herbal vanilla. Oddly pleasing on rare occasions. Released with a song whose French title I think translates to Mother of All Mankind. Which might work better as the title for one of those Neanderthal-inspired perfumes I can’t stop thinking about!
Wow, that is obscure!
Now I’m picturing a hipster perfumista saying “I smelled it before it was popular.”
Lol! The older I get, the more insufferable I find hipsters
Nanban for me today, one of my favourites from last year. I haven’t worn it as much as some of my lighter discoveries, (at least partly) because the winter has been extremely mild in Brussels. It’s still great, though.
Love that and so glad you gave me a sample of it.
You smell great.
Thank you! And I’m very glad you like it.
I’m sure you’ll get lots of opotunities to wear Nanban over the coming weeks, it’s getting very chilly in the UK now, after such a disappointingly mild Christmas (sigh).
I’m really looking forward to trying Nanban soon, when i go up to London in a couple of weeks.
Isn’t it freezing right now? Cannot believe how quickly it has gone from mild to super cold.
Yes, really, really cold- i’m hoping we’ll have some proper snow soon, it hasn’t snowed since we’ve lived here (last two winters) and i can’t wait to experience snow in the country side with my little ones!
In Estonia, it went from +10c to -20c almost overnight, right after Christmas. And then down to -30c in some places. But it’s been warm in Brussels the entire time. I’m not complaining really, as I don’t tolerate the cold well: I only like it when accompanied by proper winter weather (heaps of snow, sun), but that never happens here anyway.
Yet another in the my long list of “must try” fragrances. I’ll get there one day! In the meantime please enjoy it for me.
Consider it done :)!
You smell lovely.
Thank you!
Lovely! I’m impatiently waiting for my FB to arrive….
Nice!
Oh, I am dying to try Nanban. It sounds like a great cold-weather scent. I was thinking about Anima Dulcis today, which is so cozy. We’ve had a mild winter here, but it’s finally getting cold so I can start breaking out the cozy fragrances.
It is pretty good for autumn-winter indeed, all that leather and wood and smoke and spices (but not too overpowering). I should retry Anima Dulcis, I like almost all Arquiste perfumes and I remember this one smelling unique.
About to finish up 2015’s novel and start seriously revising 2014’s – so excited! SOTD is my birthday present, the cheerful Ostara.
I’m going to have to scare up a Bvlgari sample or something for Friday. Pretty sure I’ve got one of Pour Femme, at least; my mini of Black is exhausted but I don’t think I’ll be replenishing it.
same for me. Friday I will wear Bvlgari Pour Femme, because I’ve always liked that one. I am out of Bvlgari Black and don’t care to replenish it because I grew tired of the rubbery celery.
I never got any celery in Black (thank goodness, because it bugs me… Iris Ukiyoe was alllll celery on me, truly horrid), but the flat powdery vanilla started to cloy. I still love the new-tires rubber part of Black.
Mals, I had the same trouble with Iris Ukiyoe. I was so excited to try it but it was all celery. I do not like celery as a food stuff, and even though I love green fragrances, I don’t much care for celery.
I don’t mind celery if it’s raw & stuffed with peanut butter, but it’s not a favorite of mine either. I had bought a split of Iris Ookie unsniffed, but when it showed up I stood there at the mailbox thinking, “none of the reviews I read mentioned the celery. Maybe it’s just me.” Luckily, it was just 5ml.
You smell like a promise of spring. Delightful.
Nice birthday present, and we’re scent twins today! The daffodils in our yard have just started to sprout — no blooms yet, but those little green shoots make me so optimistic. So, Ostara in their honor!
Oh, mine have started to poke out too… I’m afraid they will be all frostbitten – we had a warm December and now temperatures are more wintery.
SL Bornéo, Angel’s no- nonsense, successful and slightly bitter cousin. Just a dab, though, sinve it’s really hot and humid here today.
This week I’m realizing I’m quite a fan of Bulgari jewelry. These earrings! Sigh…
I am a fan of the jewelry too, it’s way out of my price range
Yes, totally out, and yet so ‘me’, lol.
Maybe we can find some costume jewelry that looks similar.
At the hippie street market, lol
Seriously, I was thinking exactly that, of visiting those Chilean hippies who work with raw gemstones. Love the Bulgari details, though..
That may work!
The clarity of the blue topaz is what makes it so striking.
Oh same here – they look utterly stunning.
Extraordinary, literally.
OH yes, those earrings. WANT.
Love your description of Borneo
I’m a fan. You smell great!
Ditto, and now I am curious about Borneo in a way I wasn’t before!
Sampling Creeds Anglique Encens on this sunny windy day.
Never heard of this one, but the name is so pretty. What do you think of it?
Its just ok..for some reason it didn’t last
SOTD is some Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, topped off with Chanel No.19 extrait. For good measure.
For good measure! I love this.
I’m not much of a layerer, but this sounds like a great combination.
Most of the Bvlgari is gone by now, I only get occasional whiffs of it. I’ve nearly emptied my bottle of it, actually. They do work well together.
Sounds very green, and interesting. Which notes are dominant?
Wow! You know, I bet you smell really fresh and good!
WOW! What a combo! FYI – I just tested the Hermes Msr Li yesterday. The first 20 min made me think of good company like Cristalle, No 19, Le Chev (AG), Parfums de Therese… et. al, and then it just kind of flattened out. But now you are making me want spring! It will be freezing cold here and then I’ll want to wear Cristalle just to think of the summer.
I am wearing Anisia Bella today. I needed something cheerful and fresh without being “fresh.” I am drinking a organic green tea from Vietnam. It is perfectly fine everyday drinker.
Your tea sounds yummy!
Gosh, have not worn AB in ages. I might have to drag mine out next week.
I love that and wear it often in the summer. It’s fresh but warm and cheery.
I’ve declared it Lyric week for me.
Since I got that large bottle that I waited nearly a month for, I’m totally taking advantage of it now and spraying with abandon – every day this week. It also seems to completely fit my mood as well.
Any fitbit friends out there? I’d love to have more people on my list. I don’t have many and half of them don’t even use their fitbits much so I feel a bit bored. When I see others on my list I feel the competitive burn and want to keep going.
I’ve also started using an app called 7. It’s a 7 minute HICT and it’s been making me sore! Anyone else hear of that?
Hey Twin.
What is HICT?
High Intensity Circuit Training. It’s a series of exercises done as a circuit to workout all your muscles (or specific ones) in 30 seconds intervals. It’s meant to be a bit grueling, but effective for boosting metabolism and increasing muscle.
Yes, I’ve heard of it. It does sound grueling. One of the ladies here at work just got a fit bit for Christmas. She is really enjoying it but I doubt she’ll be doing HICT.
You smell glorious. Do you know if it’s very different sprayed to dabbed – so far I have only dabbed it from the mini sample I have?
Personally, I feel like I get more rose and incense with the spray than I do the dab. The first time I tried it I felt there was more ylang-ylang over rose, but now the rose is a bit more prominent (but a very dusty, dry rose). But it could also just be my skin.
Love my Fitbit! I just had a cheap Zip which worked fine for me until I accidentally washed it with a load of clothes. I think the nail in the coffin was the 30 minutes in the dryer. I was torn because I know that brand is getting ready to release touch wrist watch thingy in March, but I just went ahead and bought another Zip. If I win PowerBall tonight, I’ll spring for the watch.
Hahaha, lots of people are saying, “If I get the winning ticket…” it’s kinda funny.
Awesome! It’s kinda addicting to use it. I had my fitbit go through the washer and dryer too. I only have a Flex but the dryer cycle kinda messed it up and it eventually died. The company replaced it though for free! Their customer service is pretty awesome. My email is deltzer at gmail if you want to add me.
Nice! That IS great customer service! I added you but not sure if I did it correctly. I have been working odd hours and been unable to attend my usual gym classes, but I’m back in the swing of things starting Monday. So happy about that! My email is taiga101 in the land of yahoo.
If you win Powerball, you can buy a Fitbit for every NST commenter every year for the next 30 years.
No kidding! But I would prefer to buy everyone their most coveted high dollar perfume ????
We’ll buy perfumes anyway but need motivation to exercise and keep track. Plus, we wabt to look good while smelling good. How about we compromise and you gift everyone with a Fitbit AND a perfume?
I adore my fitbit and do wear it every day, but not doing any of the social media functions. I would not inspire you anyway — the very first thing I did was set the goal back from 10,000 to 8,000, LOL…I do prefer to meet my goal and 8,000 seemed a reasonable way to increase my steps without making myself crazy. That’s turning out to be especially true in cold weather!
Cold weather is the WORST for crushing any motivation to do anything. I have a treadmill in the basement, but the basement is so cold! I’ve still forced myself to do it though when I can’t run outside, which is what I prefer.
I actually changed my fitbit settings to calories rather than steps. Serving sizes of foods are based on a 2000 calorie diet, so to me that means I need to burn 2000 calories a day (eating back what I burn off exercising). It’s been interesting to say the least because my step count varies now. Sometimes I’m right around 10k steps for 2000 calories, but sometimes it’s 13 or 15k!
Ah, I am not dieting or counting calories, but for steps, I’ll tell you a few of my favorite cold-weather tricks in case it helps (and do share yours)!
The minute the phone rings, I pick up the portable extension and start walking with it. Some days that really adds up.
I keep my ipod (with lots of music & podcasts) right by my computer. At least once an hour, I get up and walk for a few minutes and listen to something.
While watching tv — jumping jacks, stepping in place, or jumping rope. Jumping jacks & jumping rope get you “extra” steps, but IMHO you deserve them because they burn more calories.
I also walk the indoor track at my local Y, and there are tons of runners there.
I turn any activity into extra steps: turn the water on for tea, walk the long way around to my computer, walk the long way back to pour the water over the tea, etc etc. Over the course of the day, turning any movement into more steps than it requires really helps out.
If you are a runner these are probably chicken feed for you
I don’t have many of these opportunities while in the office so while commuting, I tend to take the stairs rather than the escalator and walk the 1.3 miles each way from NYPenn to the office pretty much rain or shine or sub-freezing temps …I surrender only to snow. Also, ahem, for science, when I walk to Barneys and/or Bergdorfs on the way home, I actually double my normal walking distance.
I am confessing to recently cancelling my gym membership as I haven’t been going much (Ok, really hardly ever) in the past 3 years so I am redirecting that chunk of change towards more leisurely pursuits.
I actually do the same sort of stuff you do! Especially the long way back to the tea. Especially during the week because I’m sitting at my desk for most of the day. I have a standing desk, but right now end up sitting more often than standing. But I am glad I switched to the standing desk when I do want to stretch my legs.
Even though I have my preference to calories burned before my fitbit gives me the little buzz of “win!” when I’ve reached my goal, I’m not actually counting calories. It’s nice if I burn 2k cal a day, but usually I don’t make it to that.
The 7 app I got though is quite a workout. I did 3 circuits of it tonight and was sweating and huffing and puffing as if I’d just run a few miles.
Hajusuuri, I keep up the gym membership but doubt I get my money’s worth. I love the yoga program there, and I walk the track — that’s it. I have not used the weights or the exercise equipment there for ages — have my own at home anyway. But 1.3 miles each way has to add up to a lot of steps, I’m sure you’re doing more than me over the course of a day.
Jenkr, I’ve never done HICT but was doing a 4 minute tabata routine w/ an iphone app on a stationary bike. Sorry to say it’s been ages since I’ve managed to make myself do it, I should start again. Those 4 minutes really took it out of me!
I had a Fitbit Zip a couple of years ago, which I lost in CT when picking up my daughter after her first year of college. Promptly bought another one, and lost it this past summer somewhere between Auckland and home (via SF, Dulles airport and my SIL’s house). Then bought a Flex secondhand this fall and was digging it – but with this ankle injury I haven’t worn it since Christmas. Planning to get back to using it regularly in a couple of weeks, once the doctor has cleared me.
Oh goodness. I hope your ankle injury gets better soon.
Didn’t realize you were hurt, mals. (Or was late to the ‘get better’ party) Hope you’re back to normal soon. Confinement is the pits, especially this time of year.
Thanks for the well-wishes! I have (apparently) a stress fracture on the inside of my ankle.
Ouch, and the way to beal it is to stay off of it. I had a similar injury in my teens and to this day, the day before any precipitation, my ankle reminds me to bring an umbrella the next day.
Enjoy Lyric! You smell divine!
Lyric today since we’re finally experiencing winter weather… clear and cold today. This current changeable weather pattern is really messing with my sinuses. No tea for me so far today. I am drinking coffee in hopes that it will give me some energy and help with sinusitis.
I’m not sure if anyone is interested but I found Lyric shower gel on Beauty Spin for $35 which is best price that I’ve seen it yet.
wow that is cheap! But I am going to pretend I didn’t read that…
I am with you and your sinus issues. Maybe it will just stay winter for a bit..
OOOOH Lyric shower gel… love Lyric.
Other Amouage scents as well but the prices vary.
Oh, use the discount code saveten for an additional 10%.
Thanks for the PSA. I’m gonna just peek
I am trying very hard not to peek!
I’m in Flowerbomb today. Sometimes it just really hits the spot.
It does! I don’t wear it myself but I complimented a Nordstrom SA who happened to be wearing it.
I decided to try my sample of Mistral Patchouli – what an odd scent! I looks up the old NST review and I guess I smell the grapefruit, now that I know that’s what I’m supposed to smell, but it’s so anise dominant that I get little else from it. I think this might be the only anise/licorice/fennel note I’ve ever worn in a perfume (or at least, the only one that has ever stood out this way on me). And while I love those smells and those taste, I think I can safely say I don’t personally want to smell like anise/licorice/fennel.
Fortunately, as an Atelier scent, I’m counting on it to be gone shortly, so I can apply something else after my noon cycling class.
Squirrelly, that one was a scrubber for me. I loathe licorice/anise, and that’s all I got out of it. Plus it made a partner sneeze within seconds of application.
Indeed, I’m happy to have moved on. I’ve now applied a non-nondescript Pikake scent that’s one dimensional, but cheerful, and a big improvement over Mistral Patchouli.
I tested it this summer and found it odd, too. At first it reminded me of a pizza scratch-n-sniff sticker I had as a kid (heavy on the oregano) then it settled into a black peppercorn note. I smelled a jar of peppercorns just to make sure I wasn’t crazy, and yes – black peppercorns. Can’t say that wearing has spurred me to give it another go…
I totally remember what the pizza sticker smelled like! LOL!
i’m in Silver Iris today, one of my favourites.
I’m drinking my favourite ‘BB Detox’ tea from Kusmi, green tea and mate infused with grapefruit, the fragrance of the tea is gorgeous, and mingles nicely with silver iris too, mmm!.
Great choices, both.
Thanks Annicky, i recently discovered kusmi teas, and got a lovely selection of mini teas for christmas, the grapefruit/green is definitely my favourite, and i also have a tin of the violet infused black tea which is lovely, i particularly enjoyed it with my christmas rose and violet truffles!
Mmm, sounds good. Any idea which stores carry Silver Iris? I’ve been meaning to try…
Neiman Marcus and some Sephora stores sell Atelier Cologne.
Thanks Elizabeth, i’m in the UK, so not much help.
Silver Iris- I thought I didn’t like it (too sweet) but then I used up my sample in short order. I think I will put it back on the “samples to acquire after I have tested every sample currently in my possession” list. I really am making progress on this little project. I think there are only 30 or samples left to go, and maybe 9 or 10 decants I’ve been as testers. I do have quite a pile in the rehoming box, waiting for the freebie meet.
Today it’s Dior Mitzah. Just perfect on this very cold day. Oh, and also a squirt of Dior Ambre Nuit on one wrist just for funsies.
I love Ambre Nuit. It is rather feminine to me initially, but then later on it feels decidedly more masculine.
same for me. ends much more masculine than it begins. i do prefer the beginning, but i love it just the same!
Both great choices!
Wearing Mugler Chyprissime today, love this one!
How is that one on you? I. have been looking into it lately.
I love it. I have smelled all of them and this and the fougere are my favorites. Chyprissime manages to be fresh and rich and earthy at the same time.
I enjoyed Chyprissime as well and actually liked all of Les Exceptions…no scrubbers there for me.
Ooooh – want to try too! Adding it to my sample order from STC. Thanks for reminder!
I’m easily distracted. I have the sampler set and had tried this – it was nice! I should get busy on trying out the other ones before the Splitmeet!
I would totally go in on a split of this one! And probably the leather one, as well!!
Wearing head-to-toe black and Cuir de Russie.
Sounds very put together and edgy too.
Most elegant!
Yes.
Very chic
YES- You look and smell elegant!
Awesome.
Very sophisticated, beautiful.
My kind of work outfit (and scent)!
Haven’t scented up quite yet but planning on revisiting Calvin Klein Reveal today. I got a bottle through a swap meet and didn’t care for it but it’s been positively reviewed by people I trust so it gets another try. If I don’t like it I can smother it with a cold weather heavy hitter
Wearing vintage Champagne with a very proper blue and white outfit (big work meeting). I am really enjoying the deep roses in the sudden cold snap.
I used to own that back in the day. It’s a pretty scent.
Just rediscovered Champagne. Wonderful stuff.
You smell fabulous! I like the EdT a lot, but lurrrrrrrv the parfum.
I neglected to put anything on today, but when I reached the office I decided to try Nest Verde. I had bought a rollerball trio from Sephora and Verde was the only one that I didn’t already have. I really like it, very aromatic. A nice change from the orientals that I’ve been wearing a lot this winter. I’ve decided to keep anything I acquire that I already have in my office, especially if I like it. That way I have backups if I forget or don’t have time to apply fragrance at home.
I do the same thing! I have a little box of samples of things I’ve gone on to buy full bottles of that I keep in my desk drawer at work. I’m pretty sure I’m the only person who wears perfume at all in my office, let alone who needs an at-work backup stash!
Smart!
SOTD is Coromandel. It’s a cold day. Dug out a sample in an atomizer made up for me at Chanel. I was dismayed that it wasn’t what I remembered- some bitter citrus , perhaps patchouli, lingering? Then I found a carded sample that seems much more warm woody and pleasing so far. I’m wondering if the sample batch went bad, or whether Coromandel and my skin will just not be a match.
Twins! We smell great
I didn’t get the bitter citrus, but there are some reviewers on Basenotes who did. I have tried two different carded samples and they are both oriental woodsy scents.
Perhaps it is just psychological, but I tend to trust carded samples more than decants made at a store. Good luck!
I’m the opposite. I trust something decanted from a “real” bottle more than a company manufactured sample that may have been sitting in a drawer with a dubious seal for who knows how long (my psychology is as random and probably inaccurate as any!)
I adore Coromandel..
Maybe its just your skin chemistry today that is throwing it off
Smelling lovely on both wrists now. Will try more this evening.
Great! Glad the sample is not off. I own a small decant of coromandel and I just took a whiff to see if mine smelled off but it seems to be ok.
In part inspired by Anniky’s blog post on winter whites (and in part because I haven’t worn it in a while), I’m wearing Chanel No. 22.
How’s it working?
It’s working well, which No. 22 always does for me.
Twins!
SOTD = Chanel Coromandel sample generously provided by Elizabeth
Today it is perfect. My annual work review is scheduled for today, so I needed something polished but comforting. I would have gone with Shalimar, but Coromandel somehow feels more professional.
I am seriously considering a full bottle, despite my surfeit of orientals. Oh dear.
So glad you’re enjoying it. I completely agree. There is just something about all of the Les Exclusifs/most Chanels in general that just seems so chic and polished. Great choice.
Hope the review goes well!
Hope it’s a great review! Coromandel would definitely put me in a favourable mood
Good luck!
Another beautiful day here in the swamps and I am celebrating with PdE Cuir Ottoman. In my dreams, I have a 50ml bottle of this gorgeous stuff.
On another note, it has taken me about 20 minutes to type the above two sentences simply because every time I type a single letter, T-Rex goes whizzing by at light speed with a shoe, bra, sock or other inappropriate chew toy and I have to jump up and redirect her to her “toy box.” Said toy box has like a GAZILLION puppy appropriate chew toys, none of which she’s interested in ????
The lure of the forbidden. Sounds like she wants to play and just look at that face.
I’m not familiar with your scent of the day. Must add to sample list, I seem to like many of the same frags.
This is a gorgeous one and sampling is highly recommended. On me it’s a soft smooth floral leather that lasts forevah! Love it in cooler weather
i’m looking forward to sampling this one, i’ve just fallen hard for Azemour, and this is the other one that really appeals to me, long lasting power as well u say?- i must get a sample ASAP!
I really love this brand! I think they are all thoughtfully done with excellent quality at a *decent* price point. So many that I would love to have a bottle of, but not a 100ml bottle…
My dog pulls that kind of thing, too… let me attempt to sit down with a cup of coffee, and he’s off to raid the trash cans for used tissues, or the laundry hamper for socks, just so I’ll chase him down and give him some attention!
I know! They must have some kind of internal sensors that light up as soon as we take our attention elsewhere! What really kills me is when I see her about to grab a shoe, she pauses, looks at me, I say “No!” quite firmly- and she does it ANYWAY! Arghh!
That is a great scent. Yes , that forbidden fruit thing with the pets. We’ve spent quite a bit on fancy toys which they completely ignore.
Well, how can you prefer a nasty old tennis shoe over a delightfully rubbery toy stuffed with a nice milk bone? If I was my dog, I would be all about to bone! Lol
But the shoe smells like her mama <3
Maybe I should bottle and sell it? I could name it “Mama Feet Smell” – might be a big hit
But she’s so cuuuute! She can’t possibly be up to any real mischief
Happy to send her your way so you can give her a test drive! Lol. Now, your cute little avatar looks like a true angel, all innocent cuteness!
Actually, Amelia Pond IS just about the most innocent sweet kitty I’ve ever encountered. She’s like feline Valium and just goes limp and purrs when you pick her up. My husband’s nickname for her is Lovey Pudding.
He, he…Lovey Pudding
What a doll! I would love a pet that snuggles and purrs to boot!
This reminds me of a Project Manager who works from home. At the beginning of each call, we would hear a bark, then a moment of silence, and the PM would get back on the phone. Apparently, the dog learned that he would get a treat whenever the PM picks up the phone and he barks.
Those canines are very adept at training their bipedal companions. Science Daily just reported “For the first time, researchers have shown that dogs must form abstract mental representations of positive and negative emotional states, and are not simply displaying learned behaviours when responding to the expressions of people and other dogs.” Smart little buggers!
It’s a Gucci Rush day for me today.
I haven’t smelled that one in so so long. Such a great perfume. Love the packaging as well.
I just bought a backup bottle, because I saw Coty bought the Gucci fragrances, or something to that effect. It made me worry that it would be discontinued.
I really love Rush, you’ve reminded me to wear it soon!
I decided to try out Fracas today. It doesn’t fit the weather, but it’s so bright and glorious that I decided to wear it anyway. LOVE IT. Makes me feel beautiful and sexy, even though I’m currently fixing my mascara after a rather frustrating fight with my bank. I will need a larger decant of this one, and I have a feeling it will be a regular wear for me, especially in the summer.
Fracas is a funny scent to me- I think I like best in cooler weather, even though I think it was made to be a warm weather scent!
And sometimes you need to feel glam after doing mundane things!
I’ll have to try it in the spring/summer. I live in Atlanta, and the hot, heavy summer weather makes scents like this really bloom typically. I think it’s the humidity.
Absolutely! That’s one of my favorite things about grand perfumes, such as Shalimar, or now that I know it, Fracas. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, or what you’re wearing; you feel impossibly glamorous.
Hotlanta (although not this year, apparently!) And Fracas is luscious in heat, almost too much so. This would great for a sultry Southern evening, but I would take care and use tiny drops.
And I agree. I feel good and special wearing a good grand perfume, even when in jeans!
I’m looking forward to blowing it out this summer, see what it’s like in the heat. I only have a sample vial at the moment, and I put on exactly three drops and it is quite noticeable. I would almost be afraid to spray it, for fear of overpowering even myself.
Hope everything turns out ok.
Thank you! It took a lot of arguing, but I think it’s going to be fixed now.
You smell wonderful! I love it in cold weather. Just wore it yesterday, in fact.
Thank you! It’s my first time doing white floral in winter. I love this type of floral perfume, in fact it’s a long time favorite family of perfumes, but I’ve always limited them to summer. It took reading, and learning from everyone here and linked here, to break me out of that mindset.
I’ve just grown to appreciate Fracas by way of the shower cream. I’ve just ordered a 5ml mini parfum from the Bay.
Ooooh. Shower cream. I might have to look that up once my Rose Jam runs out. This would be an incredibly luxurious scent to use in the shower.
I’m not sure they make it anymore. I bought it at some random discounter who had some dusty old bottles. I only bought one since Fracas was something I was iffy about. I’m kicking myself for only getting 1 of the 2 bottles (at $9.99 each
)I’ve only see a few more on eBay for much more $ ) Let me know if you come across any. It does feel very luxurious.
Beauty Encounter still has it. But not for $10…
I am tipping my invisible hat to all you BWF lovers. I WISH I could love them like you all do, because everyone really seems to enjoy them SO much! As soon as I get the faintest hint of a BWF my GI tract gets all jumped up and I feel the (imperative!) need to run, Forest, run!! I get tachycardic and my fight or flight response is activated. I must either run away or the BWF must DIE! In my head I hear “Danger! Danger, Will Robinson, danger!” I have no idea why I have such a dramatic response…
This made me laugh. I’m sorry BWFs don’t play nice with you! (I have similar automatic “urk” responses to balsamy orientals… which is why I make reference to The Dreaded Youth Dew Accord. That’s pretty much the kiss of death for me. Tabu, Opium, Coco, just instant horrified recoil.)
We must be each other’s alter ego because I lurvvve what makes you “urk” ????
Ha! Well, this is a fairly recent occurrence for me. Not sure if it was that last hit of radiation from a TSA body scanner at the airport, but a switch just flipped for me. I’m still very particular about which ones I’ll wear. Do you like the smell of them in nature?
Sorta kinda- I like from a DISTANCE ( now that song is in my head!). I like the smell of orange groves in bloom, but if I stick my nose into a flower, ugh! I like night blooming jasmine but only as saunter by the fence it’s growing on. I don’t think I ever smelled a real live tuberose. I’m afraid I just can’t consider myself a real perfumista due to my lack of love for florals in general and white florals in particular. It’s hard be me…
I’m in Gris Clair. I adore lavender in perfume but learned while reading Gris Clair reviews that many people don’t–and that some people consider it a “masculine” note (which is funny to me because I’ve always considered it very feminine).
I don’t have a mental gender assigned to lavender, but it gives me enormous stonking headaches (even if I just sniff it in bloom – I don’t know why) so I tend to avoid it. In small quantities, it doesn’t seem to cause problems, but if it’s a major note, I can guarantee that I’m going to be in pain within a few moments of wear. The few times I’ve gone to a spa for a massage I’ve had to ask the therapist not to use lavender oil.
I know I’m missing out on some great perfume.
Oh no
That makes me so sad. I find lavender to be one of the few scents that is soothing when I have a bad headache. Things that can make my head hurt are sharp florals or very “clean” musks.
I can’t do lavender if I might be getting a headache either. Even brushing past a lavender bush can set me off.
I like lavender too. There are some very fem. Lavender scents. Ligea la Sirena by Carthusia opens with lavender. It smells somewhat similar to Shalimar.
Gris Clair is a favorite of mine for the same reason. Lavender is the ultimate comfort scent for me. I have very positive associations with it, probably mostly due to the time and place I first encountered it growing. I wish it was more prevalent in modern perfumes.
I like lavender too, but there’s a certain cheap lavender that is very over-used in men’s scents; I always think of it as “boy lavender”.
Caldey Island Lavender is my favorite lavender… lovely. And not “boy lavender” at all.
Wearing a sample I have of Parfums de Marly Oajan today. I’m really really liking it.
I have not tried that one!
Happy Wednesday!
Weather is relatively mild and rainy. I need something a bit more fresh today, so am wearing Jour D’Hermes absolu.
OOTD: crisp white shirt, pleated leather skirt, short high boots, fishnet stockings. Just the thing for working in the semi conductor lab.
Fishnet stockings and Jour d’hermes..va va voom!
Funny thing is that all the va va voom is covered by a lab jacket!
Fishnets in the semi conductor lab! You’re my hero!
You gotta wear them somewhere
You know, I spent a number of years in my 20s making ‘do’ and I finally realized that you should wear lovely things just because. They do no good in the drawer!
You’re so right!- i used to save all my best dresses for ‘best’, and then the moths got them!, now every other day is a dress up day for me too, it’s such fun to wear lovely things, that make u happy.
Your’e outfit sounds fab!
Unless they are ball gowns or what I call ‘church dresses’ – you gotta wear your dresses! We all deserve a bit of dress up, even those of us in tech or manufacturing!
I think you’d be a good match for Bond, James Bond!
DItto!
Hmmm…we should think of a Bond girl name for you…..??
Oh dear!
I honestly don’t think Mr Bond would even know how to hack into our labs since we *make* the innards for his gadgets!
No SOTD here yet. Mr. Lucy and Baby Jack are both sick so I’ve been running nonstop to take care of them this morning. (While also trying to avoid getting their colds. I’ve washed my hands about 30 times already today.) I’m think I’m going to dig out my sample of Pomegranate Noir soon. There’s something in the first spray that has a Vicks Vapor Rub quality to it, in a good way. It should go well with the scents of Theraflu and Boogie Wipes floating around here.
I hope the little ones feel better soon.
Good luck!
Hi Lucy! I don’t post much here, but I do read most days. I noticed that you’re in the Chicago area, and I think you might live near me (you once mentioned a Whole Foods grand opening near you the same week one opened in my town). Anyway, I was gathering stuff for the freebie meet and thought I’d reach out to see if you actually are nearby and might want some of my extras and unloved bottles. Hope that’s not too forward…my email is my screen name at mac dot com if you’re interested. Stay warm, and I hope the family feels better!
What a generous offer! I’ll send you an email right now.
If you guys both live in Chicago I hope your bundled up today. Was watching the weather this morning and you guys are into the winter season. Us like us north easterners, one day in the 60’s the next day in the teens..
Not “bundled up” – “huddled up” inside instead. I’m not going anywhere unless I have to. We had to go to a wake last Sunday. It was 13 degrees and I was fumbling to get Jack out of the carseat and into the funeral home. We quickly realized that we just need to stay home for awhile…like until March.
24 Faubourg today for a busy day full of meetings.
Very appropriate!
I love the picture of the earrings paired with the perfume you’re wearing today, Robin. Both are beautiful blues.
Today I’m wearing Oscar de la Renta Oscar.
Agree! I thought the earrings were perfume bottles at first.
I’m also wearing Oscar de la Renta (vintage.) It’s such a warm scent for the winter.
scent twins!
although mine isn’t vintage. Yours probably smells glorious!
Luckily Bvlgari makes enough jewelry that there is something to match each perfume
Gosh I love Oscar. ????
Those earrings… You know, the master of marketing, Andy Warhol, allegedly said, “I always visit Bulgari because it is the most important museum of contemporary art.” I don’t agree, but I appreciate the sentiment!
I’m in what can only be described (decried?) as a melange of incense and amber scents…not sure how I got here. Was messing around testing one thing, then another, then another. I may need to jump in the shower to be fit for society.
A melange of ambers and incenses. Yes please!
Interesting, did not know that Warhol tidbit!
I’m in Si Lolita which felt a little to light and fresh in its sheer peppery spice, so I added a couple spritzed of Back to Black. The honey plays nicely with it.
A few years back I finished a bottle of Back to Black. For some reason I never repurchased. Which would of been cheaper since I got the travel spray and just needed a refill but alas I tossed the travel container. It was so heavy it could of doubled as a weapon.
I like Back to Black, but not enough for a full bottle and someone mentioned the travel refills not being available anymore. My decant will suffice for now.
Oh my word those Bulgari earrings are fab! Off to Glasgow & Edinburgh on Friday so will try to snatch a sniff of The Bleu – I told the story on here a long time ago about me blagging a sample of their first fragrance (the green tea one) from the Bulgari store on Sloane Street, long before every high street department store were stockists. Hopefully manage to sniff some new smells I can’t get locally in Jenners, Harvey Nicks, House of Fraser this weekend.
Hope u have fun perfume shopping, whereabouts in UK are u?
I’m in Aberdeen in the north east of Scotland, mayfly -a fragrance wasteland! You?
Trying out Paprika Basil today…
I like it. Herbal and green yet a bit floral too.
Today I’m wearing Dior Homme Parfum, love that one.
I rarely have one scent a day. My list so far: Bottega Veneta Eau Legere (for a work meeting), a few hours later, a little touch of Chergui for comfort, still later, a little Eau de Rochas for some pep. Lucky perfume doesn’t project on me so I can get away with such irresponsible Behaviour
Oh, and while I will take a pass on yesterday’s snake bracelet, these earrings are lovely! They remind me of some fairy tale about a Lady of the Water…
I like to wear BV eau Legere for meetings too!
It manages to be both warm and cool, professional and personable, polished and friendly. That’s a lot of boxes to tick!
I agree! And it’s also so light that if later, after meeting, I want to apply something else, even the original BV, it totally works.
SOTD = Amber Absolute + Tihota + Mohur Extrait
Awesome combo but the Mohur got lost somewhere. Since I am determined to find the best order and quantity, I will top off with Mohur to see if it comes out to play!
Wowsza! You smell great! Really big and really great ????
That Amber Absolute is the Bigfoot of perfume.
I’m conjuring spring today with several healthy spritzes of the first Carolina Herrera. Tuberose + civet = happy Foxbins.
I am buying those earrings if I win the 1.5 billion.
And a yacht to match!
Cuir de Lancome, which a good buddy gave me a tiny bit awhile ago. I think I might have finally got the dosage right, because it’s a light elegant leather today.
What was the formula for application? I’ve tried so hard to like CdL because everyone here just swoons over it…but I always end up with a headache.
SOTD is MPG Ambre Precieux.
Yesterday I tested Mugler Womanity vs PG Bois Naufrage (both salty figs). Way preferred the brighter coconutty open of Bois Naufrage, but then way preferred the drydown of Womanity — BN has a sythetic wood thing going on that bugged me. Resolved that I didn’t need a FB of either one.
Then I re-tested all 3 current flavors of Jicky (parfum, edp, edt) and decided that I didn’t need a FB of any of those either.
So either I’m cranky or acquiring some restraint. I prefer to believe the latter
If you ever decide to part with the parfum or edp of Jicky, I happen to know of a very good home for them.
Ormond Jayne Woman for me this morning. Bringing a touch of the mysterious to a routine day.
In Bottega Veneta again. Just not in the mood for anything heavier. Good day/evening to all.
BV is a great go-to scent. I’d wear it all the time if I wasn’t trying to wear other frags I have. it’s definitely in my top 10.
If I were forced to pick just one to wear for the rest of my life, BV would be a contender. It’s easy and casual, but elegant at the same time. And it works all year around.
SOTD: Leiber by Judith Leiber.
One of my favorites that is being discontinued. Don’t wear it as much as I like because I am tying to hold on to it as long as I can.
L’Air de Rien for me today because I needed a cozy scent. I’m cat stressed and got home to Mom’s last evening, so I’m still tired. This morning, poor old Nerissa-cat stood up and just fell over so we took her in to say goodbye. She turned 18 in November, so it isn’t like it was unexpected but it isn’t fun to loose an old friend.
Newburg is also looking a bit rough. He is so skinny and moving so slowly, poor baby. He is improving but obviously in pain and not eating much. Looks like a half-starved stray. Not my usual hyperactive, sleek, bright-eyed crazy cat at all.
I’m sorry to hear your kitties aren’t doing well. That’s a tough thing to go through. Hugs
MM, So sorry to hear about your beloved kitties. At least you gave them a wonderful life. Hugs to you.
Oh i am sorry to hear that, hopefully u are finding L;air de Rien comforting, it’s one of my favourites for autumn and winter, i find it so cosy.
So sorry for the kitties! Hope things get back on an even keel soon ????
Sorry your kitties aren’t well. It’s bittersweet to let go of one that’s been with you a long time, too. I still miss my Silvia, who was 20 when her kidneys began to fail.
Sorry about your cat. My oldest cat is likely about 15 years old, so I wonder how long we’ll have him. It’s always hard.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. They are such delights, it is never easy to say goodbye, even when you’ve been lucky enough to have their company for so long.
Sorry for your loss.
I hope Newburg perks up.
So sorry
Sending hugs.
So sorry! It is hard even when they’re old. We were really broken up when we lost our 19 yo a few years ago. Wishing you much comfort and continued improvement for Newburg.
I’m very sorry.
So sorry to hear your kitties are failing. Hugs to you during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry, and hope that your Newburg continues to improve and lose the pain.
Thanks, all. Newburg is just supposed to be a squirmy, adventurous big kitten and I hate that he looks like a sick stray. My husband says he is improving so I’m glad I didn’t see him a couple of days ago. Apparently his leg was very swollen. I just wish he would eat enough to count.
I’m so sorry about Nerissa. It’s always hard to lose a pet, even though you know you did the kind thing by putting her to sleep.
I hope Newburg continues to get better and that losing Nerissa isn’t too hard on him.
SOTD was Bois d’Armenie and I can still smell remnants 12hrs later. Nice!
You smell fab! Such a good one
I LOVE BdA. I need to wear that tomorrow. So gorgeous!
I’m trying Xerjoff Irisssssssssssssssss from a sample. It’s nice, but I’m kind of relieved that I don’t love it. The ylang goes a bit bubblegummy, and now what’s left is kind of soapy.
Phew, You dodged an expensive bullet.
That’s a whole lotta irisssssssss!
SOTD is a generous dose of TM Alien Essence Absolue. I am in a big purple mood!!! Cheers to all~
Yay! You smell great!
Chanel Misia for me today. It isn’t a game changer but dagnabit I sure do like it. Though it doesn’t fit these chilly temps so well, it seems more spring/summer to me.
I feel the same about Misia. I thought it would be love, love, LOVE! But instead I just really, really like it. It’s lovely, and I agree, it may be a bit more spring/summer for me as well.
Today I was torn between Anima Dulcis and Jo Malone Amber & Lavender. I ended up going with Amber & Lavender because I didn’t want to drain my sample of Anima Dulcis just yet. There are many cold days yet to come, I suspect. But Amber & Lavender is always nice. Straightforward and nice on a cold day.
Busy day – my last one in the office! I’ll be working remotely for a month and then leaving the workforce for a while (depending on how I feel) to stay home with baby after she’s born. Huge change – a bit scary but exciting.
For the occasion I’m wearing my most polished perfume – Chanel No. 22.
Congrats
I hope you enjoy your time away from the office.
Thank you!
My first perfume of the day was Tea for Two, it has lasted till mid day and then I sprayed some Chanel 31 Rue Cambon, I had a sample at work.
Both lovely!
Oh, those earrings! I know what I am going to buy if I win the lottery!
Last night was Pullo’s close encounter with Cleopatra, which results in such an interesting outcome later, but I don’t remember what happens in this next episode….and probably put some more Mohur on when I get home…
Tried sampling things but they were smelly, so I washed them off and put on some of the Mohur (not extrait) from the sample I keep at work.
It got me through a hectic day of people not being clear about what they wanted, and people having temper tantrums because things are not they way they were 15 years ago, and people wondering about missing data for deceased patients, and me telling the person I talked to at the vendor how his product worked… oh my, what a day.
I am going to go home and have steak salad for dinner and maybe drink a little wine, and probably watch reruns of Rome.
I love Mohur! Enjoy your evening.
Bah, that is the worst. I’m glad you had some Mohur to get you through it all. Have a lovely evening! Sounds like a good plan.
Your evening sounds lovely. I loved Rome so much that I named one of my cats after Titus Pullo. And I also have an Eirene for him.
Oh, that’s so sweet!
I had the same kind of day and I am now drinking a glass of Italian red wine (Sangiovese to be exact). I also spritzed a spray of my new arrival “Au Dela” by Bruno Fazzolari and with the addition of the two liquids, all is well.
I do have a bottle of Bulgari A The Bleue and I really like it. I also love the citta de Roma very much and have been there many times, however, sad to say not since 2008 and any future travels for me appear to be bleak. Mohair is also one of my very favorite scents. The highlight of my day was that I had ordered a 30 ml bottle of Bruno Fazzolari’s Au Dela and it arrived today. It is such a beautiful scent…I sprayed a little on my left hand and I cannot stop smelling myself!
I would highly recommend this scent. I had already owned Room 237 and Syrig, both of which I like (especially Syrig) but Au Dela had me a first whiff. What a gorgeous scent…I could almost cry with joy every tie I smell it…even if only briefly.
I spelled my wonderful perfume incorrectly…it should have been “Mohur”. I was too quick on the send button. On another note, years ago I loved most of the Bulgari scents and was quick to purchase a new one when it came out. However, after years of experiencing so much niche perfumery, I have become a bit jaded and selective. Despite that, for some unexplicable reason, months ago I ordered a a bottle of Bulgaria a Te’ Bleu unsniffed. But the end result is that I have enjoyed it very much and can add it to my short list of blind buys that I truly like and enjoy.
I am now laughing at the “Bulgaria” a Te Bleu. I did NOT type Bulgaria…the spell check, web sight or the laughing computer god must have done that.
As much as I love perfume (and as seldom as I buy jewelry), I too would love to have those earrings…they would be my signature statement most definitely. They probably cost well over $7,000 so that’s not going to happen…unless I win the big time lottery tonight!
Enjoyed the comments today. What a lovely and fragrant group.
So tired, long day, off to bed, but first a spritz of Iris Ukiyoe. I’ll report back if I dream of celery. ????