Happy Almost-Friday! And winter is more than halfway over. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing L'Eau de L'Artisan, my favorite (ok, my only) seaweed-y citrus. Luca Turin gave it 2 stars: "If you love Eau de Guerlain but want to pay more while getting a harsher, lower-quality fragrance, this one is for you."
Reminder: on 2/5 we're doing 1 Star Friday: wear your favorite perfume ranked only one star by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez in Perfumes: the Guide (if you don't own the book, you can find a compiled list at Basenotes) or in Luca Turin's Style Arabia columns. Partial credit for a two-star perfume! And if anyone knows where other lists can be found online, do comment. (suggested by Bastet) Update: you can download the index to the 2008 Hardcover version of Perfumes: the Guide here (thanks kpaint!)
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: top image is flotsam [cropped] by waferboard at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m wearing a zero star fragrance today. My SOTD is PdN’s Maharadjah. Simply not mentioned in the guide.
Maybe that should be my strategy – pick a not reviewed frag in the Guide! But I checked yesterday – I have lots of 2 star frags, so I’ll likely pick one of them!
I have an awful lot of 2 star fragrances too!
Sampling Clean Amber saffron and Martin Margiela Jazz club, which is a masculine fragrance but I love tobacco and rum
Also broke my beauty/fragrance rule and bought one a the new Chanel rouge coco lipstick. The sleepless nights have made me weak..
Well done!
Hey man – you gave birth two weeks ago. I think you’ve earned at least a Chanel lipstick!
Agreed!
Exactly!
I agree too! Plus you managed a move as well!!
Yes! And Rouge Coco is the best – definitely worth it!
Which one?!
The new stylo lipsticks, they are slim. Or did you mean which color? Message and with rouge profond lip liner
Just looked message up- gorgeous shade!- chanel Rouge coco are my favourite lipsticks, love, love, love them! My favourites are Rouge Alure, and coco Rouge shine, looking forward to trying the stilo’s too.
How’s the lipstick? Do I need one??
Yes.
I love Chanel lipsticks – though they are pricey. This one is non-drying. You should try the next time you are at the counter. The packaging is slim but very chic.
A friend of mine is has just finished about 30,000 dollars worth of drugs to get rid of her Hep C, so I am treating her to the regular Rouge Coco in Misia- a nice orange/ burnt cinnamon red. As well as a chocolate cake. She is going to help me with the babies-
Much to celebrate. Lipstick is definitely in order!
You both definitely deserve it!
I agree, they’re very good lipsticks and the colors are gorgeous. I’ve got a few in my collection.
You need to fortify yourself! No shame in that purchase.
Good for you! If you can’t pamper yourself after giving birth and moving the same week, then where’s the hope for the rest of us?
Glad you’re still doing well!
Tempted by the Message shade. Tatcha’s also come out with an expensive ltd-ed spring lipstick, which is quite alluring. Splurged on Kyoto when that came out, and love it. My justification is that they’re wayyy cheaper than new ‘fumes.
True! It is cheaper but not that cheap!
JM Orris & Sandalwood. I don’t buy scented lotions, but if one was made for this, there’s another rule I might break!
Rules are made to be broken I guess ????
I’m looking forward to trying this one.
Is it anything like Heure Exquise?
CandyPerfumeBoy just reviewed this one, and I agree it is quite smooth and buttery.
Today I’m trying my sample of Nanban by Arquiste. I was a bit disconcerted when it went on smelling a bit flat or clayey (that might have been the coffee, I’m not great at recognizing perfume notes yet). But very quickly it changed to wonderful incense and spices and rich flowers. Now in the early afternoon it’s beginning to die down to a skin scent, but for most of the day it popped up every now and again showing some different facet of those notes. I love this, will either get a decant or FB. Someone with a more developed appreciation would get a real kick out of it. :^)
I need to try it again myself, maybe this weekend.
Not sure my appreciation is too well developed, but I always wonder at the opening too. It starts out with a blast of what I think of as “generic masculine”, then it gets lovely and interestingly incensey. I got a decant right away and need to wear it again soon.
Glad to hear you like it! I got a full bottle a while back. I didn’t notice the clay – will pay better attention next time.
Encre Noire.
I already have 2 or 3 fragrances selected for tomorrow. Will have to make a final selection of wear a small patch of all of them. LOL
I sprayed some of this in my bedroom this morning when I was getting dressed. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to wear it all day, but it was certainly invigorating to smell around after my shower! I needed some vetiver therapy.
Such a great scent!
It is, and usually I don’t even like vetiver! This one won me over.
Wearing Korrigan again. It’s nice to be able to spray as opposed to trying to finagle putting on perfume from my scent bar samples–which is all I brought with me to training.
You smell wonderful and special.
It’s just recently I think that I read about Korrigan here, and now It’s becoming an itch that I must scratch. Heeeeeelp …
Trying on my sample of Epic today.
Oh no. I like Epic….
Somebody hide my wallet.
I opened your wallet…inside there was just a piece of paper saying “IOU wallet, sorry about buying Epic”. :o!
Lol! Love this.
Heeee…
HAHA, perfect!
I also like Epic too!
Isn’t it great?
Amouage makes some great perfumes. Have you tried Journey woman? Some say it doesn’t have the oomph to be an “amouage” but I adore it
Makes me feel rather stately. Sitting up straighter wearing this.
I know I’ve smelled Journey at Bergdorf’s but not sure that I’ve tried it on skin. There seems to be no hope for me, as I’m falling for more of these (Fate being my latest, as you know!
).
Ok, I have a full bottle. Let me know if you want a sample when the time is right
That is so generous of you, but I can walk to Bergdorf’s and spray myself, so no need for you to put yourself out! So nice of you to offer.
I haven’t tried Fate or Beloved. I’m too skeered that I’ll love them as much as Memoir and Lyric.
You will. Be very afraid.
Mee too. I keep a list of frags I want to order samples of from STC…. my list of Amouages is growing longer and I am growing more afraid.
I have been terrified ever since I bought my first sample sets of Amouage.
I’ve been too scared to approach the Amouages at all thus far…
Possibly a wise decision…
Ooh i got Epic for christmas, and adore Journey and Jub. 25.. too scared to try any more!.. what’s Fate like?
Warm, womanly, and wonderful. It’s huge on other people apparently, but not on me. It feels like an ambery floral – a cousin of amber that isn’t amber itself. There’s a chili pepper and cinnamon inflected sweetness to it, but just the right amount of both. Someone else undoubtedly can describe it better than I can.
Journey is one of my favorites. I think it’s got plenty of oomph.
After reading Angela’s recent review, I want to get a sample of Journey.
That’s always the fear when sampling Amouage.
Dangerous waters I’m treading in here. Plus, I do love those magnetic caps.
And then there is the new one, Epic 10 I think, with fabulous packaging! My Amouage love is Fate. I try to avoid the others…
Do you mean Opus 10? I haven’t tried any of those, but maybe I need to beware!
Is it Opus? LOL!
SOTD is vintage Guerlain Chamade edt. I have early onset spring fever.
vinty Chamade is SO GOOD! That will definitely put a ‘spring’ in your step. ;-0
I have never tried Chamade.
Chamade!! I think it works well for late winter/early chilly spring – it’s got that melty soft warm base.
Would you believe I can’t smell vintage Chamade? I’ve bought it off of eBay twice and barely get a whisper. I bought the current version which is lovely, but the vintage haunts me. It could be that I bought two duds previously which I’d kinda prefer as otherwise I’ll be missing out for all eternity!
To my mind, Chamade isn’t one that’s been ruined in reformulation. The older stuff seems to last longer, and it does vary by concentration, but I don’t think it’s one of those “missing out” cases.
That said, it’s possible that you’ve just had bad luck on teh ‘bay. It’s hard to tell how bottles have aged and what conditions they’ve been stored in.
Ahh, haven’t worn my vintage Chamade in quite a while. I recall being surprised by descriptions of it as smelling like warm, greeny-gold spring sunlight, and thinking that to my nose it was all aloof and seamless hauteur. I mean that in a good way — it’s the first thing I’d reach for on days when I might need to pull imaginary rank — but maybe it’s more approachable and goddess-of-the-springtimey than my initial impression…
Dame Perfumery’s Mimosa….diffuse, billowy, ethereal…it is beautiful, perfect to wear in the office and I want a full bottle …..(I read a review that compared it to Caron’s Farnesia but reminds me a bit of Apres L’Ondee but softer and happier, if that makes any sense!)
Are you sampling the oil or the edt? I just bought the Gardenia oil but Mimosa is next on my list.
I bought the EDT purse /travel spray….I prefer the spray so I can spray my scarves and not just my skin…
I’ve been hearing so many good things about his soliflors that I’m definitely putting them on my list. I have the same question as Petunia about oil vs EDT.
I bought the Gardenia in the oil form. I just placed my order yesterday so I hope that I chose correctly.
Order twins!
Be sure to report back!
I bought the spray EDT….you can literally purchase one at a time…one per month…and get free shipping…he is also very generous with samples
I have also read that the Soliflores layer nicely so that will be my project next week !!!
Curse curse… I was just getting around to buying some Apres l’Ondee, and they went and changed it on me (more iris, less heliotrope, which is exactly the opposite of any change I would actually like!). So now I need this one too?? I already bought the narcissus one. Dang, I need to be getting RID of stuff, not getting more.
mals, I was actually thinking about you this morning when I sprayed…thinking you might like this one…..just because you ordered the Narcissus doesn’t mean you can’t order the Mimosa spray….and I would also try the tuberose cause I know you like bwf!!!! there is no shipping charges and no minimum order required……hey, for $8.50 for 5ml I say go for it!
???? Good luck with that Mals! Participating in this blog is like having junk food in the house while atempting to diet. I have no idea how Robin does it. I wish that I had her will power.
You have to really overdo it first, and then feel disgusted
Well, I think I’ve made a good start.
Lol!
Ugh, I can’t type on this dang iPad… Attempting .. of course
I don’t know if you’re interested in evil bay, but I saw a few vintage bottles recently. Incredibly expensive though…
I Evilbay alllll the dang time (how do you think I got IN this mess?
), but vintage AlO is too pricey for me.
I hear you on ebay shopping. It’s quite addictive. I just looked at a summary of my January purchases and was rather appalled at myself. I do love earning ebay bucks, though. Q1 earnings will go toward a vintage grey & gold bottle of No 19 EDT.
kpaint-
They sell those on ebay!!!!! I had one of those when they first came out…the muted silver rectangular bottle with a gold rim? and it was refillable! Loved it! I also had matching no 5 (black shiny with gold trim) and matching no 22 (white shiny with gold trim). That was back in the day when no 22 was not an exclusive and was so affordable…do you ever see those on e-bay?
Vintage No. 19 edt is amazing.
Bardot – I have both No 5 and 22 in the same bottles, which is why I need to complete my trio
I don’t think I paid much more than $25 for the No 5 (mine is the spray cologne, which is my favorite iteration of No 5). No 22 comes up but there’s not much of it so it can be pricey. There’s a lot of No 19 at various price points. I am totally fine with used (and even very used) bottles, and all 3 are fairly easy to come by.
There’s something so gratifying about the heft and shape of those bottles, and the big spray button, and being able to take them apart, etc etc etc. I also find the design very visually pleasing. The old old 1.5 oz bottles spray via propellant rather than air pressure, which is super fun.
Watch out for ebay, though. If you haven’t already be shopping there it can be a big time rabbit hole…
Chanel 1932 is my SOTD. This is one of my calming scents and I need that today. Mardi Gras weekend has begun here in New Orleans. Lots of preparations. All fun, but still lots of preparations .
I understand how this can be calming. 1932 is my neutralizer. If I spray on something that wasn’t quite right, I layer 1932 with it. Okay, it doesn’t go with everything, but it usually does the trick!
And Le Labo Vanille 44 is my layer for non-florals! My decant of 1932 is easily accessible and I will follow your lead of making it a mistake eraser. Thanks for the idea, SunnyDay. I hope your back is better.
I really like 1932 – doesn’t last long, but it makes me so happy while it lasts.
SOTD: Infusion De Vetiver (Prada). I have 2 1-star fragrances to choose from tomorrow, if I remember: Mechant Loup or Bleecker St. Decisions, decisions.
I may have to settle on a 2-star frag, but haven’t looked at the list yet.
I saw Mechant Loup on that list and was amazed! I need to go look up the review, I can’t remember it.
I think they called it “Wet Dog”.
Ah! Well, maybe. Love ML anyway.
And BTW, didn’t mean maybe they said that, meant maybe it is!
Same here. Seems like a 3-star scent to me. Bleecker St was my first Bn9 purchase, and I don’t like it near as much now. It takes a full day’s commitment, and as such it doesn’t wear off as soon as I’d like it to.
Mechant Loup was a swoon-at-first-sniff for me! So, so good.
I can two-star with some L’Air du Temps from c 2011. I do still like it though I can imagine it’s a shadow [autocorrect said shiitake] of its former nitromusky self.
My step mother gave me this recently, when she was having a clear out, was going to give it away unsniffed, but will give it a proper testing now, thanks!
Hope you like it! Definitely worth a sniff.
sotd: Divine L’Inspiratrice
Gorgeous!
Thanks. L’Inspiratrice is in my top 10. This imaginary top 10 list that I will never be able to definitively write-up ((the pressure))….but it’s a fave of mine.
The extrait is even better!
I had no idea there was an extrait. For reals?!
Yep! The Original Divine, L’Inspiratrice, L’Ame Soeur and Spirituelle have an extrait version.
I’d love to read people’s top ten lists…maybe in the weekend thread!
having to select 10 and only 10 makes my mind explode.
Or maybe a fun Friday project – wear one of your top ten and provide your list . . .
That’s a great idea!
Yes, I agree!
It would be fun, but only if we could choose a current top ten since mine evolves with frightening speed.
I love this idea but all but two of my top ten are either vintage (I won’t wear current formulations…makes me too sad…no 22 and Cristalle are just not the same) or discontinued!!!
2 stars aren’t a problem for me, but I only have 2 1-star fragrances. I know which one I’m wearing although in this iteration I’m not sure it qualifies. SOTD is Pleasures.
I have a single 1-star fragrance (Tabac Blond, though the version with amber drydown rather than green chypre) that I got as part of a sampler pack. So much of my early buying was based on The Guide that it’s hard for me to tell how much I agree with it versus just having had my taste shaped by it.
I know! I purchased several scents based on their guide rating. Most of them I like, several I love. In fact I bought the Pleasures that I’m wearing today because of its rating in the guide.
Luca Turin’s comments about Tabac Blond in The Emperor of Scent were so positive that the 1-star rating is completely confusing for me. I wonder if the bad rating was for a reformulation, or for the EDT or EDP? I have a (recent) bottle of the parfum, and it’s fabulous, and so “old-timey” smelling that I can’t believe it could be too far off from the original…
It was for the reformulated version current in 2008. The Tabac Blond review was written by Tania Sanchez and both she and Luca Turin felt that Richard Fraysse had ruined Caron’s back catalogue with his reformulations.
Today it’s Fils de Dieu. Oh wow….I love love love this one. I’m on a rice note kick this week….
Tomorrow I’ll take it down to 1 star!
I got a sample of this with my purchase of Azemour les oranges, (PDE) excited to try it now!
Not sure what hemisphere you’re in but it’s SO good in summer.
The suburbs of Atlanta! Yes…this is a winner for sure. Might layer it will some Pacifica Indian Coconut nectar next time…..
I am SO far down the perfume rabbit hole now……Good thing I have a tight budget to keep me in check!
I’ve been meaning to revisit this one. I remember smelling it on paper and thinking it was fun. And I’m generally a fan of ELDO and as these things go, their prices aren’t too bad.
I’m in No. 5 parfum, with the EdT to top myself up. Aldehydes (and galbanum) are a note that, after years of not getting, I suddenly can’t get enough.
You smell great!
I love to layer the parfum with the EdT – what a perfect combo (works well for No. 19 also).
I am enjoying a sample of No. 5 parfum under EdP. I wore it yesterday evening and can still smell the dregs this morning. Just lovely.
Eau de Cologne over No. 5 is another recent layering favorite.
Comparing NV Ashoka and Box of Eels today…After Mohur, Ashoka is my favorite NV. I am new to Box of Eels, although of course, there are other Chanels I love.
To my nose, now Ashoka is sweeter, with more body that Box of Eels, but at this point, about 3 and half hours in, Box of Eels is more expansive on my skin. But I also have a sample of an LOTV on my arm, and the LOTV smells better than both of them! LOL!
For tomorrow, I thought I had a 1 star (Ange ou Demon), but I apparently gave that away in the freebie meet. I do have two 2 starts, Cashmere Mist and Spiriteuse Double Vanilla.
I am so allergic to SDV, I probably will wear Cashmere Mist tomorrow.
Ahhh! You just reminded me that I have a little wiper sample of an Ange ou Demon flanker. I was trying to find a one star to wear tomorrow. That might be it.
Oooh, I’m not sure which I would choose, if forced: Box of Eels or Ashoka. I love both in different ways. Both are comforting, BdI is more refined and Ashoka is more unique.
Many hours later, I am still preferring Bois d’Isles, over Ashoka, which surprises me.
LOTV?
Merlin, it’s Lily of the Valley
Thanks Lindaloo! Is there a LOTV essential oil, or is this a particular soliflore?
No, Merlin,
There is no LOTV essential oil that can be extracted from the flower, so any perfume with a LOTV note (whether soliflore or just as part of the florals will have that note created from scent molecules. Many would say the best LOTV is Diorissimo. Many companies put out an inexpensive LOTV soliflore, eg Yardley, Crabtree and Evelyn. Penhaligon’s has one also.
Lilac is the same, no natural extraction.
Not sure exactly which LOTV scent meredifay was talking about. Maybe ask again on the weekend poll.
In the very lovely Ambre Nuit and screamin’ happy it’s Thursday!
Happy Thursday
I woke up Tuesday thinking it was Thursday so this week has felt extra long. TGIT!
That happens to me occasionally. It’s very disorienting. And yes, makes the week drag by.
You smell great! Happy Friday eve!
Today seems to be Wonky Weather Day here in the swamps. Hot hot hot the past couple of days and now everything is dead still- like the calm before a terrific storm. Everything seems to be is suspended animation with not even a leaf stirring. What kind of perfume does this call for?
I went with PdE Corsica Furiosa because that opening blast is very stabilizing and fortifying. The Gates of Hell could bust open, loosing the worst on me and I’m as prepared as I’ll ever get. This is a very courageous perfume
Plus I have T-Rex as an indomitable sidekick.
Cheers and happy Almost Friday Day.
I still need to try this one.. I could also go for another courageous perfume in my collection. I’d say 31 Rue Cambon is my most courageous scent. That oakmoss/chypre gets right into my spine and lasts all day.
I am so behind with the les exclusifs- no access here in the swamp but would love to try them all some day…
CF is quite spine stiffening in the opening and drys down to a soft sweet hay on me. I love the progression of that contradiction! I have a itty bitty decant and love it- I think I would wear it more frequently if I had a larger decant or full bottle, but seems when I have just a bit, I am much more stingy with application.
I love the rear view of T-Rex! Looks a little like the rear view of my naked kitty.
I was just thinking the same thing. Sooooo cute.
Thank you! I thinks she’s adorbs, but I am biased.
Those ears! I lean more to the cat side of the spectrum (well she is leaning on me right now) but I can’t argue with the indisputable.
Thanks! Her ears are so disproportionately huge I’m convinced they must be some top secret ACS (Alien Communication System)! I think your kitty and my T-Rex share the same ear DNA ????
Part dog, part bunny wabbit. ????????
That sounds like very moody weather! I have to confess, I was at lunch with my dad today, and I brought up T-Rex, because I love her name, and your posts about her, so much. My dad agreed that T-Rex is an amazing name.
Wearing calming and cozy Shalimar Oda a la Vanille Mexique.
This morning we got a counter-offer on our home bid. There’s now a second offer on the table, which is exactly what happened last time we bid on a home (and lost) in November. *sigh* We’ll go back with our best, final offer and hope it’s the stronger one this time. If not, back to the drawing board.
I hope it all works out for you. Fingers crossed.
You smell fantastic!
The right house will come along for you- don’t worry. Sometimes things have a way of working out if it’s meant to be.
Fingers and toes crossed for you!
How nerve wracking! Wishing you much luck.
I hope you have the high bid!
Fingers crossed for you, good luck!
Good luck! Hope you get it.
Thanks, everyone! Still waiting. :-/
I went a bit crazy with my new samples while decanting them into spray samples from dabbers; finished my 5ml decant of Black orchid, which i like, but find the cucumber/watery element to it jarring.
A little dab of Maroc pour Elle and a spritz on my silk scarf, while decanting, and some more dabbings of my second sample of Incense Rose, which i absolutely adore. MPourE. is gorgeous, i think i will be surprised when i sample a Tauer i don’t like, and such a good house for scent eating skin!
Mmm, I bet you smell great.
Like the inside of your perfume storage area where the scents mingle so beautifully.
Exactly! Whenever I open my perfume storage door, the most lovely waft of air escapes! Delicious!
Yes!
Ooh i love that!
Love that!
You smell wonderful! Tauer roses are the best.
Thank u!, Yes, they’re wonderful!
After a fellow perfume lover suggested layering Bvlgari Black and Caron pour Un Homme to suggest a lavender tea I had to try it. It does suggest that is a happy marriage of scents. I would suggest applying the Caron first and the Bvlgari second.
and is a happy marriage of scents. I should never type without my glasses……
Interesting… I don’t usually layer scents but I will have to try this.
This morning called for something soft and soothing so I went with L’heure Bleue. Ah… that’s the spot.
Nice.
It’s such a good feeling when you get the perfume right for the day and totally satisfy the mood.
Do u have the modern or vintage?- i think the modern is lovely, but hear that vintage is so much more distinctive..- what do u think?, thanks
I’m wearing Lolita Lempicka Eau de Desir. I ordered a few random samples in STC’s recent 40% sale and this was one of them. I generally like the LL flankers.
I wore L’Eau en Blanc last night and love it. It reminds me of the way my winter parka smells after soaking up a few months of different perfumes. I wish L’Eau en Blanc projected on my skin more, though. I was actually just going to check out prices on FBs and got distracted…
I meant to say I have a mini, and wanted to look at a full-size spray bottle. Found one for a little over $20. Hmm…
I am interested in this one too, sounds yummy.
I wore Sweet quite a few times last Spring and thought it was very well done…it had a lovely, smooth dry down ….the cherry ( raspberry on me ) note kept its identity and the richer base of bitter chocolate brushed against my skin, like a cat rubbing up against my legs. It was nice ….I saw it as being similar but better than Diesel Lover Tattoo ( I.e. Smoother, like good quality chocolate wrapped cherry) but a bit too sweet for me. I got rid of it as I decided I preferred SL Rahat Lokoum…and I didn’t really need more than one example of that type. But if you’re a fan of LLand can handle fruity, I would recommend it. I should have kept it, probably.
Down to the two star list. I am wearing Fou d”Absinthe, which I should wear more often. What a lovely crisp fougere with a twist. I would give it three and a half or four stars.
I am drinking ginger tea to settle my stomach a bit.
Fou d’Absinthe is such a nice fragrance. Every now and then I use some of my husband’s bottle of it.
I like that one too!
Me three! I’m not a big fougere fan, but this one has enough of a twist to win me over.
The countdown to 1-Star continues. For 2-Star Day, SOTD = Dior Feve Delicieuse. The notes are: Bergamot, Tonka Beans and Vanilla.
This was a 2015 launch and LT’s review / rating may be found in the Style Arabia website. According to LT: Boring Beans”, “Expensive version of a cheap perfume, like one of those little town cars with a burl walnut trim option for snobs.” (Maybe in HIS circle, this is an option)
To me, it is simple and brilliant. In hajusuuri’s guide, this is a 6-Star perfume.
Since we are nearly scent twins, I would definitely buy the hajusuuri guide!
You’re right, we ARE scent twins!
Hey, early bird!
I’d welcome a Hajusuuri’s guide to perfume..
Can’t wait for tomorrow when I wear what LT calls a “sad iris”
Lol.
I would also love to see a Hajusuuri guide!
Love me some sad iris!
I’m debating about sad iris. I have a huge decant!
That is a good one; and thanks for the sample! I rarely agree with Mr. Turin buy his reviews give me such joy; and have made me rethink reviews I have read of everything else!
I actually ended up using the spreadsheet more and read some of the reviews in the book. Bah! It’s highly entertaining.
I totally agree. Feve Delicieuse is scrumptious!
I second that. Plus, it’s such an easy scent to wear.
I could have described ot as “simply scrumptious”!
I love your guide better
I’ve never read any perfume guide to date, but I’m sure I would read yours! And pretty sure I would agree with you a 100%!
We are scent twins in many ways!
Fève Délicieuse was one of my favorites of last year’s releases! It’s unexpectedly quite smokey and aromatic on me which makes it a rather unique gourmand. Definitely not a boring one!
Did you end up getting a FB?
I have a decant that I’ll be using up first before making any decision. But I doubt I’ll buy a bottle, they are to huge! I just can’t do anything larger than 50 ml without it feeling redundant. If I still want more when my decant runs out then I’ll try to find another decant.
I agree, FD is fantastic! Love at first sniff for me.
Oooh, mine too! I ended up getting it at Sniffapalooza and it was free because I used gift cards. Bergdorf had ran out of the ginormous bottle so I had no choice but to get the 125 mL bottle!
The whole project is very liberating. Love reading LT reviews for for insight and literary/ entertainment value. I’m so glad to have your ratings as a counterbalance.
I have never read it prior to this project and I find it highly amusing.
Hee hee.. it sounds wonderful!
It’s yummy!
LOL you guys. It’s my mini guide. Looking at the handy spreadsheet, it is clear that I don’t have any experience with many brands and even for brands I am familiar with, i only know (or care about) a tiny fraction of the portfolio. Heh, I don’t have to pander to any business. Noticeably lacking are the niche and indie brands, some of which are really maintream at this point – e.g. Atelier Cologne.
I ws bored by this on the first two wearings, but liked it better as I finished my sample.
I have a small decant and tried it a couple times and decided I didn’t like it. I can’t really remember why, though. I should probably give it another go.
You should revisit, bit then again, I am kinda biased
Was your sample dab or spray? IMHO, this one is best sprayed. I used 3 sprays today and I probably could have gotten away with four!
Wish he’d stated what the cheaper option was so we could compare. You smell great!
What a great odea, especially considering his comment that a search on the notes yielded over 6,700 perfumes with the same notes!
Eau de Givenchy. My mini was gifted to me by a very beloved friend who passed away, and I wear it in tribute to her. Zesty and full of verve, just like her.
A lovely tribute.
What a wonderful way to remember a friend????
SOTD is PHI. It felt right this morning.
I’m going to order the Tauer sampler tomorrow. Other than PHI and possibly L’dDM, any suggestions on what to choose? Or avoid? I have a 1ml sample of Lonestar Memories that I haven’t really fallen in love with yet, so I’ll probably avoid that one, but I’m not that familiar with his other fragrances. I’m interested in his Gardenia, since I love them so, but I’m always wary of gardenia scents because they’re easy to mess up.
OH, fun! PHI, PHI and more PHI. Sorry, that’s my only suggestion for you. :/
Ha! Love this ????
I love all of his roses.
He has a way with roses.
I also like his Rose Chypre and Maroc Pour Elle. I do not care for his gardenia but Noontide petals is a pretty floral. PHI, LdDM and Rose Chypre are my favorites of those that I have tested so far.
If you like roses, I find that his various roses are different enough to make them all worth sampling.
My favorites are URC and Carillon pour un Ange, with URV high on the list too. However, Tauers either really work for me or they really, really don’t, and a number of the ones that other people love from the house just tend to smother me. (It’s always personal. SIgh.)
I remember really enjoying his Gardenia. Creamy, coconutty, a little green and a bit narcotic. Quite complex for pretty much straight up gardenia. I also really like Pentachords White which to me it smells like Guerlain Iris Ganache should have (never understood the hype for that one), creamy white chocolate ganache with iris and violet.
Thanks for that description. Pentachords does sound nice. Off to check it out.
The Pentachords are discontinued. I would recommend Incense Rose, Rose Chypree, L’Air du Desert Marocain, Noontide Petals, Rose Vermeille and Tuberose Sotto la Luna. If you love incense, Incense Extreme is great, as is Orange Star.
Oh no, I hear the wallet trying to open!
Which would explain whyI don’t remember seeing it on his website.
Do get Desert Morocain if you haven’t tried it yet. Even if you don’t love it, it’s an amazing experience. He managed to get moving air into liquid form, which I find fascinating.
I’ve only tried a handful of his fragrances so far, but Rose Chypree really grabbed my heart (and went straight to my to-buy list!)
Wow! Thank you for the input, everyone! Due to unexpected costs at work (blasted CE credits), I may have to wait until my next check to get the sampler, but now I have a better idea of what to look for. And thanks to an extremely generous NSTer, I won’t need a larger sample of PHI, which frees up a slot for something new!
SOTD is HdP Ambre 114. This is so lovely, I can’t remember why I don’t wear it more! Oh. Yeah. Too much choice, that *might* be the problem!
Ha, yeah. I have that issue, too.
????
SOTD is Infusion d’Iris – I would definitely have given this one more than 2 stars!
I so agree with you! You smell great!
SOTD: L’Air du Desert Marocain. Tauer samples day 3. This is the kind of scent I was looking for when I ventured into the world of perfume blogs – I wasn’t finding anything interesting at my suburban mall. Tauer seems to sit very nicely in my skin.
I have a couple of 1 star options for tomorrow from my extensive mainstream mini collection. I may choose based on which has the funniest review in the guide…
You smell great!
Yum, that one is great and always gets me compliments.
SOTD is Bois des Iles. I had a craving and woke up thinking about it. I layered the Extrait with the EDT. Mmmm…love this scent. Def. a top ten scent for me.
Mmm, indeed. I’m so tempted to splash out for the extrait one day to layer with my EdT.
Yes, a top 10 with many, many people I think. It has such a broad appeal, which I think is one of the many reasons it’s so unique.
I’m wearing La Pausa, because I was late and distracted and forgot to put fragrance on in the morning – I happened to have a bottle of 28LP in the office. I haven’t been sleeping much, as I’ve been taking the puppy out at night. Not complaining though, I like the night shift much better than the early morning one. Lumi (the puppy) is so cute that it’s almost unbearable.
I know that unbearable feeling. It’s quite possible I could hug my T-Rex to death. ????
Yes, this is it
Yup! I tell my kitty she going to have us arrested for harboring the criminally cute. And 3 years later I feel the same way.
It’s the one in my Avatar: she’s calico which is mostly white with black and orange patches.
I love her face. She appears to be sporting her super hero mask. I say this as my own cat is licking my wrist as he snuggles into my side.
Off topic a bit but your post today on soaps is killing me! I now have a new obsession and want them all
!!!!
Sorry (not sorry)!
I like La Pausa quite a bit- and you are right- it’s the perfect bottle to keep at the office (or at least a travel bottle of it!)
I usually have Cristalle here, but I have mislaid it and brought in La Pausa until I find it again…
That’s a cute name for the puppy. You smell lovely.
Thanks & thanks
Your post on tiaras the other day made me SO happy. I LOVE tiaras, and I am a magpie at heart. I have a lovely costume jewelry tiara that I got at Claire’s. I’ve worn it around the mall, just to go shopping. But only once or twice. I need to dig it out and wear it again.
Your tiara is stunning. I love the originality of it.
Thank you! And yes, please do wear your tiara!
You’re welcome! I will! I might just go wild and crazy and wear it to work tomorrow. Or turn up at my next tabletop gaming session wearing pajamas and a tiara, because why not? My friends expect that kind of thing from me.
My pups exceed the cute speed limit pretty much all the time.
I think this is pretty much the definition of a pup…
Agreed. My baby boy is 13 now, and he still blows cute out of the water, every single day. It’s just who he is.
I gave my 1 star Boudoir a test run last eve and I still love it. I’m a fan of LT reviews and even if our likes don’t match, he makes me laugh and sometimes I prefer a good laugh to validation. They’ve also prompted me to explore things I wouldn’t have considered trying in mainstream perfumery.
Anyhoo, today I’m sampling A Lab on Fire What we do in Paris is Secret. It’s right up my heliotrope alley and reminds me of Kenzo Amour but a bit sweeter with more vanilla. Definitely a comfort scent to me.
I surprised myself by liking What We Do in Paris is Secret — sweetish gourmands aren’t really my thing, but this was definitely comforting, and yummy…
That’s a nice one.
It’s one of my comfort scents as well!
My perfume is making me giggle. Canned pineapple (not listed in the notes), pink flowers, candied orange peel, and a dollop of sugar. I’d love a hair conditioner that smells like this. . . except my husband and I kept sneezing this morning and I am pretty sure my pink pineapple was the culprit. What is this frivolous frilly fragrance?
Pivoine Suzhou, Armani Prive.
Don’t start with the blah blah for the Asian market. I don’t believe that discriminating perfume shoppers in “Asia” would jump at this any more than discriminating shoppers in the “West” are shelling out their shekels for it.
Pivoine Suzhou is truly the petite barbie of Armani Prive. It is supposed to be a peony scent. Well it is pink. I think any girl or boy who loves a white wooden canopy bed with pink gingham fringing on top to match its pink gingham coverlet will love this one.
Aaaaaaaachhhooooooooooo!
Giggle!
I think you should write your own perfume guide Oakland Fresca. I enjoy your sarcastic wit. ????
It always amuses me when pink, sugary fragrances are said to be geared to the (East) Asian market, when they are literally the home of resins and spices!
Bless you!
“the petite barbie of Armani Prive” – love that!
Perfume that makes you giggle sounds awesome. I love your review of it!
Hey Newbiebex, if you email me your coordinates, I would be very happy to pass along this sample of pineapple giggle! There’s still over 2 mls in the sprayer…. I am ann dotty eisenberg attagirl comcast dotty calm
Thank you! That’s so sweet!
I am clearly illiterate in email addresses. I tried yours twice and it didn’t go through. If you can email me maybe it might work? Mine is matchboxalien atsign in the land of yahoo . com
Supposed to be in the 50s here today, but it’s cloudy/misty and I feel cold… it’s too chilly for Apres l’Ondee, so I’m wearing the wistful-but-warm Tableau de Parfums Miriam.
Ah, I had a sample of Ingrid, but it wasn’t quite what I wanted. I need to get a sample of Miriam – I will put it on the list…
Ingrid smells sort of murky to me and I can’t get a handle on it. And then there was Loretta! Holy moses… Vintage Dior Poison crossed with this hallucinogenic, caterpillar-on-a-mushroom-with-a-hookah patchouli. Freaky.
You do have to like aldehydes to get on with Miriam, but it’s a beautiful woody floral.
I did the Kickstarter thing Andy did a few years back and got Miriam, Loretta and Dark Passage.
Miriam was reminiscent of No. 5 and Loretta is very much Poison to me as well.
I should try Dark Passage again…it didn’t really please me at the time but I’d like to think my nose and tastes have evolved perhaps since then.
oooh I’d really like to try dark passage, the notes look great to me, but it came out just prior to my descent into the hobby…
I do have an explorer set of Tauers, which is a deal I highly recommend.
I do like aldehydes and a woody floral sounds wonderful! Thanks for the helpful description!
One of those roll-out-of-bed days again. Put on a lot of Nirvana White because it fades and I’m not bothered by using up this sample. I like it, but it’s not worth getting more of it.
The theme of the week and my purple t-shirt inspired me to give another chance to my sample of Mure et Musc Extreme. I find it too tart.
Because I am sort of embarrassed by how much I like this scent I am a bit of a pusher… but to me it becomes a fruity (yes, it does… even if it is berry fruits) skin scent that makes me happy. See! I am pumping the purple sunshine!
Don’t be embarrassed!
I don’t think it’s bad at all, it just annoys me after a while. I wish it were smoother, somehow.
Oh? I find it not tart enough. I have been forever searching for a blackberry perfume that smells like a blackberry bush – green leaves and tart purple fruit. It does not seem to exist.
The Body Shop blueberry products smell like the bush, but I’m not sure if they are fruity enough for your description. You could always layer so it is worth a try.
I’m admitting to a guilty pleasure here, but Fresh has a fragrance called “Falling in Love” that’s a sort of sun-warmed blackberries kind of thing. I like it because to me it smells more like a blackberry picking expedition than fruity-blackberry-body-product, like so many berry fragrances.
Olympic Orchids’ Blackbird has a lot of blackberry in it but not sure about including the bush
My favourite is JM Blackberry and Bay. I quite like also Yves Rocher Mure body products, thouth these are much more on the fruity side.
Oh, and maybe the musks are playing a trick on my nose and are making Mure et Musc smell more sour?
I can only smell that series subliminally after the initial sniff. I think I’d be fond of them if I could smell them better. Same for L’AP Mimosa pour Moi.
And by the way, I accidentally mixed the two once, and I think it might be a combination worth trying for anyone who has them and can smell them.
My scent of the day is Slumberhouse Jeke. I was wearing a brown dress so I anted to wear a “brown” perfume. My first instinct was Slumberhouse Ore but I’ve been wearing that so much that I felt compelled to put on something else. So I ended up with Jeke, the next bottle over. But all day I’ve felt like it was a bit dissonant with my outfit… Jeke is just not a dress sort of frag, it demands rough leathers and an attitude to match!
Jeke was the first niche perfume that I fell in love with, it had such an atmospheric tobacco/leather/woodsmoke sort of scent. It reminded me of my mother, it reminded me of bonfires, it reminded me of home. And the longevity of the old edp version was simply beastly, 36 hours or so for me. But back then I was too poor to buy a bottle.
Then Jeke became my first perfume heartbreak when it was reformulated into an extrait and became unwearable for me because it suddenly had a lot of labdanum. For a couple of years I mourned it and tried to put it out of my mind.
But then, last summer, I bought some wonderful limited edition Slumberhouses and with my order a received a free mini bottle of Jeke. At first I was disappointed, why did they have to send me a perfume that I found so unwearable… But then I tried it anyway, and it was lovely! Not quite its former self but wearable and enjoyable! I still mourn the old edp, and finding some of that formulation would be a dream come true, but at least I have found another Slumberhouse that I can love and wear!
Fascinating! I think I resent it the most when they reformulate things right away, as they did with 1999 J’Adore.
About the only thing that I dislike about Slumberhouse is the tendency to constantly reformulate. And if it’s not reformulation then it’s natural batch variation. I have a bottle of Norne and have owned four samples too at various times, and they have ALL been different! It’s both a delight because I’ll never be bored and not a single drop of Slumberhouse is ever redundant (every new bottle is like a new fragrance, even when the name is the same), and a frustration because I can never trust that a beloved perfume will stay the same.
I guess that’s a challenge for all perfumers but more so for a small company using natural ingredients than the big guys and synthetic ingredients.
I’ve read that Chanel (or was it Guerlain? perhaps both) own their own fields of certain key ingredients like jasmine in order to ensure quality control and reliability.
I think I read that the only flowers grown in Grasse anymore are for Chanel and that all of the other naturals come from other continents where labor and products are cheaper. It creates issues with consistency, whereas the Chanel fields are tightly controlled and monitored. I could be remembering wrong though.
Of my current two open bottles, I’m wearing Trish McEvoy’s Snowdrop & Crystal Flower, as I thought while getting dressed this morning that Penhaligon’s Bluebell might be too ‘in your face’ for the funeral I was attending – my best friend of 40+ years’ mother-in-law; however, given that my best friend married an old boyfriend of mine (albeit it from my teenage years!), I had known the lovely lady in question, named June, for almost 40 years myself. Chilly, frosty, sunny & bright here in Aberdeen (Scotland) today, & both the service & the family & friends gathering held afterwards in the cafe/bistro in a local park hit just the right note – regret that June is no longer with us, & a celebration of a life well lived. Those of us who knew her over the years will never forget her, & a fair few of us will raise a glass to her this evening, I’m sure.
So sorry for your loss.
Thank you so much.
Here’s tae us… wha’s like us?
…Damn few.
I am of an age when the generation ahead of me is passing on. I miss them all.
Sorry for your loss!
Thank you so much – & I appreciate the Burns quote!
Random sample grab this morning, Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel. I had tried this before and wasn’t wowed, but today I’m really liking it a lot. Salty vetiver!
Love that – it’s really unique and perfect for certain weather.
Sampling Gentlewoman today, a nice but uninspiring neroli scent. Of course, most neroli and orange blossom scents don’t do much for me so I’m not surprised
Sampling Epressa today…
In the vein of Coco Madamoiselle or a lighter, fresher Nuits de Noho I’d say…
After comparing Lipstick Rose and Guet-Apens last night, I’m wearing Guet-Apens today because it’s just that addictive. Knowing I’ll never own more than a decant (which I need to ration carefully because it’s hard/expensive to replace), I feel like I need to find another lipstick/cosmetic fragrance to love instead. Maybe it’s Lipstick Rose, but I’m looking forward to exploring the genre since I’ve always liked the smell of makeup anyway.
Nothing compares to GA/AC/Evasion and whatever else Guerlain has called this over the years. Maybe there are licensing problems with Mathilde that make it hard for them to actually sell it! I have a small roller of AC, and I treasure it!
AC?
Attrape Coeur. It was rereleased and had a few different names over the years.
Oh yes, right!
I’m with you on this. I’d love to get my hands on some Meteorites.
I have that. It’s a super light and short duration lily of the valley, not what I usually think of as a make-up scent. You do see it on ebay from time to time.
Wait, seriously? So it smells nothing like Meteorites the makeup? (Which smells of violets and powder – not LOTV.)
CandyPerfumeBoy just did a comprehensive review of makeup fragrances on his blog that you should totally check out! Good luck finding a more affordable alternative
How did I miss that?! Thanks, off to read it now!
In the spirit of the week I am wearing something from my shameful 20s- Baby Phat Golden Goddess. (I found the last dreegs of a bottle sometime ago and thought I tossed it) It’s obvious as hell, which made it perfect for layering on after putting on your clubbing clothes and putting on sparkling makeup and making sure your lace front wig is attached securely.
It actually smells lovely, if cheap. I was surprised it was on the perfume list!
I think LT does not like the word phat in a perfume name.2 out of 3 got 1 star amd the other one got a 2 star!
Another 1 star Mona di Orio today – Vanille, a dry non-sweet vanilla. Deliberating between Chanel Gardenia extrait and Cartier Délices for tomorrow. I will wait and see if I feel like boring floral or cherry cough syrup in the morning.
Ha!
One star? I loved my sample of that. I guess I have absolutely no taste when it comes to perfume ????
That could be said of all of us. However, your taste in pooches is first rate.
I have an old version of The Guide, so I had no idea that LT had gotten around to reviewing MdO Vanille, much less that he had given it a 1-star rating. Heresy! Of all of the vanilla-centric fragrances out there, this one has been my very favorite. I even bought a backup bottle years ago, when Mona passed, in fear that her House might be discontinued. I had tomorrow’s 1-star all picked out (apparently I have had several moments of poor taste in my perfume-buying history), but now I may have to reconsider my choice!
I am wearing Romance, which Turin gave 2 stars. It’s ok, pretty, eh, good for the office. It was a gift, not something I would buy. I do not have any of the 1 star fragrances he listed, but I have an old Liz Claiborne Fragrance called Curve Soul Vintage, a floral patchuoli heavy purplely type fragrance I got because it was cheap, and I liked the bottle. It kind of reminds me of Euphoria, more powder. I’ll wear that tomorrow.
SOTD turned out to be Angel. I was reading some LT reviews and was so surprised that it was a 5 because I was always turned off by it. Last night I found a manufacturer’s sample and tested it. Still difficult. Then tried on a new work- out shirt that I wore to a Pilates class this morning. Today I smelled vanilla and sandalwood that were quite satisfying.
Wearing Coco with leopard print d’Orsay heels, which sounds like a terrible clash but is amazingly chic. High spirits today once I realized I can see the light (aka the completion of this work project).
Good luck to everybody today!
Sounds like such a fabulous combination!
I love d’Orsay heels- they make any lower appendage look elegant and classy! You also smell great ????
Hello! It’s a rainy Friday and it’s a long weekend! I didn’t know how to take part in this project, because, as you know, our access to a range of niche perfume houses is very limited down here in A-NZ, and it seemed I had nothing that would let me participate. But then, as I scrolled through that very convenient spread sheet, I saw Loukhoum, by Keiko Mecheri, and it was praised with faint damns : “powdery candy”, opines The Guide. “Exactly!”” I muttered, spraying madly. “That’s the whole point!” I thought, adding a belly spritz for good measure. The dear man happened by at that moment and said,”Oooh. You smell like baking. Will you make me some more chocolate chippies?” Then he said A Thing that made me smile very much and think that one star of powdery candy will do just fine, some days…
I just love those kind of comments from my husband… Lights up my whole day and warms the heart. And I love loukhoum too!
I tend not to take the ratings to heart because they are quite arbitrary. Regardless of whether I fully agree or not, I find there is always a grain of truth in those reviews and I learn something. Although, as you stated, our interpretation of “powdery candy” can be positive rather than negative. You smell wonderful, enjoy!
I think I might have to spray myself with a mixture of malt vinegar and bleach as I have no LT one star perfumes (it’s Friday here ). I suspect that LT, being somewhat contrary, would give it five stars though ( it might remind him of his step-father’s Bentley on the day the grocery bag exploded) so I’ll stick with Kyoto
Ha!
lolol!
Ha! Probably true about a 5 star rating.
Oh my gosh! I’ve been looking forever for a scent that smells like my step-dad’s Bentley the day the grocery bag exploded
Oh, you are naughty!
I had nothing to do with the grocery bag exploding
I’m back to my one-star week today with a huge blast of 212. I’m joining Ede97005 in the perfume version of cheap stripper heels and a bebe dress that shows too much leg, feeling very slightly nostalgic for the time I could pull off all of the above.
LOL!
Another person who has reached Friday morning! My only one star perfume is Hiris, which I certainly think warrants more than one star, not least because this was the perfume that sent me off down the rabbit hole.
A few years ago, browsing in a bookshop, I picked up a little book about perfume, no idea of its title, and that author gave Hiris five stars. I was keen to try an iris perfume, but couldn’t find it locally, and started some on-line research.
And here I am now, loving perfume to an irrational extent, and realising how many other people share my enthusiasm. So much enthusiasm that I have to save reading everyone’s comments till after work
I give it 5 stars too! One of my all time favorite iris-centric perfumes.
Long time favorite of mine! You smell fantastic.
I am still trying to plow through some of the stuff on my dressing table that I haven’t smelled yet. I swear, these samples and minis and swap atomizers multiply in the dark. Today I’m wearing the four star Mauboussin in the too-cute triangular mini bottle. It started out soooo fruity, but is calming down now and I’m getting some patch and amber, way more my taste. I put on two tiny dabs and the projection is enormous.
LOL! Love the LT synopsis of L’Eau de L’Artisan.
Haven’t decided on a SOTD yet. Am testing AG Grand Amour on one hand and Tauer Carillon Pour un Ange on the other. As it turns out, Carillon is exactly the kind of springy floral I realized I was craving yesterday after I’d already put Arquiste Nanban on.
Totally OT, but I felt the need to share this story with a group of (mostly) women (my H wasn’t a great audience):
Yesterday I went to the doctor to get a depo shot and as the nurse was walking me to the room, she said, “So you’ll need to do a urine sample first so we can run a pregnancy test. It’s just standard protocol before we’ll give you a shot.” I said, “No; I’ve never had to do one before.” She insisted again, and again, and finally I said, “I’ve been on depo for over a year, my husband is sterile, and I’m 45.” That ended the conversation.
[If she had looked at my chart first, she’d have known all of these things and seen that I’m not on depo for birth control.]
Carillon is so interesting, I think, and I find it a real mood lifter.
Don’t get me started on medical professionals who don’t really listen to you.
I didn’t end up wearing it but I am looking forward to doing so. All of his scents that I’ve tried are interesting – he definitely has a very individual and unique. Even if you don’t like them, they’re worth smelling.
And ya, don’t get me started either. I could go on for freaking days. But this was just silly, as opposed to something that could have serious implications.
individual and unique approach, that is…
I’m putting Carillon on my definite list for my Tauer sampler. you and mals have convinced me!
Ooooh, I hate it when doctors don’t listen. Or at least read the chart before they go in. So frustrating! I used to be a medical assistant, and I never called a patient back without glancing over their chart, just so I had an idea of what was going on. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect doctors to do the same.
It was a nurse. I assumed she hadn’t been there long because if she had, she’d have known that’s not the standard protocol for depo shots. I was on it for 15+ years prior to my recent use and got shots at half a dozen clinics over those years and never once did a pregnancy test – even when I was single, free-wheeling, and of an age where fertility was an actual issue.
Turns out she’d been there at least a few months, but it was such a ridiculous interchange I couldn’t help but want to share…
I’m bunkered down, working from home til the Superbowl is over. Yesterday at work (2 miles from the stadium) the helicopter traffic was non-stop. Ayiyi!
So that means lots of sampling for the next few days. I’ve finished going thru Twisted Lily’s Best of 2015, now working my way thru their Spice samples. Reaching the conclusion that whoever picks their sample packs is my evil scent twin, since there’s very little I like in either of these sample packs.
Why helicopter traffic already?!?
Media, security, fun for all.
Also, my office is midway between San Jose International and NASA’s Moffet Field (aka Google’s private airfield) so there’s always plenty of air traffic. The NASA traffic tends to be interesting (and loud): fighter jets, Russian cargo planes, even a Super Guppy recently.
Wearing POTL (Luctor et Emergo). Saw the bottle today and just had to put some on.
Yum
Salome today! I’m finding it recalls more Norma Desmond than a sweaty dancer – not a complaint! Not sure what the rest of the world smells, though.
(Hello! I’m a long-time reader, but just decided to try the waters in the comment section today.)
Welcome! The more the merrier
Thanks!
Welcome! You smell great.
I’m looking forward to participating here!
Thinking about Salome is giving me a nice break from “more important” things. So glad I’m trying it out!
Welcome!
Thank you so much!
Welcome!
Welcome! I sampled Salome the ther day for the first time as well. It did make me imagine the sweaty dancer, but also has an overripeness to it and something dark and slightly sinister that could conjur Norma Desmond.
Welcome! I’ve never tried Salome, but it sounds intriguing.
Went to the Renwick Gallery and had lunch with my Ladies Who Lunch group today. I spritzed a little FL Parfums Don d’Amour on the name of my neck. That perfume has rapidly shot to my top ten (which admittedly contains more than ten perfumes, sort of like the Tardis).
Museums are the only places around town where I’ve smelled really interesting perfumes on other people. Recently at the Museum of Women in the Arts, I sniffed out the wearer of an interesting perfume but was deterred from asking the woman what she was wearing because she and a guy were so absorbed in photographing and discussing the art together. I hesitated to intrude or risk embarrassing her. Curses! Good thing the perfume was only interesting rather than indispensable.
I like the idea of a perfume TARDIS.. all kinds of storage, and you could go back in time and get original formulations of things.
YES! I would love to smell the great perfumes in their original contexts, find out what the ancient Egyptian perfumes really smelled like… I could go on and on about this!
I think a perfume TARDIS would be amazing. But then, if you regenerated, would the perfume get lost? Wind up in the swimming pool? Hidden in the library?
Stupidly and horribly sick today, so no perfume, but it’s so nice to read everyone’s choices and imagine all the good smells…
Hope you feel better!
Get better!
Hello all, I am new to this, so I wasn’t aware we were supposed to be wearing two stars today…but my sotd today is malle’s lipstick rose, which I used to find cloying but has grown on me in a major way. I think it something about the cold weather and the violets…
There is a theme of one star tomorrow, though everyone is welcome to participate regardless. People just begin playing with Friday’s theme early
I’v had the opposite reaction to lipstick Rose. Started off loving it but found it slightly cloying the last few times I wore it. Hopefully its just a question of the weather! But who knows – I seem to be extraordinarily fickle…
Oh, and welcome, of course!
Hi Rachel,
The community project on Friday is to wear a 1 star fragrance. Many people have chosen to do a countdown starting with 5 stars on Monday.
There’s never any “supposed to” here. It’s always okay to state your scent of the day, even if it has no relationship to Friday projects.
Oops, I didn’t refresh the page before replying so hadn’t seen Merlin’s reply.
You are ‘supposed to’ refresh your page here!
Couldn’t help myself
I decided to go for a 1-star a day early. I’m wearing Elizabeth Taylor Gardenia. It comes right after Chanel Gardenia in the Guide, and I gotta say, the review is less harsh than the Chanel’s. ET Gardenia is really not bad, especially for something that you can pick up for $8 (which I did, at TJ Maxx). It’s just a nice white floral on the lighter side. I don’t think it’s as “not gardenia” as the review says, because in the earlier stages I do get a little mushroomy note that says gardenia to me. But there is some LOTV in there too.
Yes, I love the fact that there are three gardenias listed one after the other in the Guide and all are labelled “not gardenia”.
LT has a “thing” about gardenias, as explained in one of his Folio columns. In his opinion, there have only been 2 gardenia perfumes that smelled like gardenias (can’t remember which – but one is long-discontinued) so I’m assuming that’s what’s up.
A little bit of tea for two because it was a physio morning, but after lots of errands and houseworky things I’ll but on something bolder for going out.
I’m thinking my Bois d’argent decant plus a little something smoky on top…
Was in Eau de Merveilles today. I always forget how much I like it. My only gripe is it should last longer.
Merveilles (“salty orange” per The Guide) is marvelous every day of the week.
Late to the party today, but I have been enjoying wafts of Donna Karan’s Essence Wenge since early morning. This is one of my very favorite woody incense fragrances. I loved the original Black Cashmere, and this is kind of its less brash sister. I don’t know if it was sigificantly reformulated in the switch from the original brown translucent bottle to the current opaque black bottle, but fortunately, a little of the original Wenge goes a long, long way, so I’ll probably have my old 100 ml bottle for several more decades. I used up the last of my pebble-bottle Black Cashmere a while back, so I’m happy to still have this wonderful fragrance in my wardrobe.