Happy Tuesday! What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm doing day 2 of licorice with Kerosene Black Vines. Tea at the moment: Kusmi Anastasia.
Reminder: on 2/19 wear a perfume by Maurice Roucel, if you have one. (suggested by Elisa)
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.
Good morning. I’m in Hiris today, though I think my bottle has turned. I did 8 sprays and can barely smell it.
I don’t know what’s worse: when a scent turns foul, or when it just turns into water. Your predicament is awful because you don’t you know if the scent is fine and it’s just you or the weather or whatever.
Well that’s weird, I’ve never had that happen to any scent that wasn’t silicone based. My Hiris turned and if anything, is stronger. Just not in a good way.
Some of my CB I Hate Perfume water-based perfume samples have faded away to barely smellableness.
That I can believe.
Hiris never quite allows one to smell, unless one presses one’s nose close to skin. That is my experience with Hiris. I spray it only on fabric; it seems to do better there.
I like Hiris, but because it’s so faint I could never justify getting a FB of it. It’s lovely, but definitely needs an extrait version. Sorry to hear yours turned. That is odd that it’s even more faint.
You guys, now I’m afraid to even try my bottle!
If it’s winter where you are, Squirrely, you might try again when the weather is warmer and more humid.
That happened to me with a DSH scent, French Linden Blossom. Of course, DSH perfumes are natural and synthetic so maybe that is the reason. The bummer was that it was only about a year old. Luckily it wasn’t hugely expensive and not a favorite but still a nice summer scent.
I don’t see why that would be the reason — most fragrances use both natural and synthetic aromachemicals.
I am certainly guessing but it didn’t hold up. I still have the bottle and will probably use it up as a room spray.
SOTD is Tory Burch for the second day in a row. After a week of five star fragrances I needed a palate cleanser.
Ha, the lemon sorbet of perfumes
This.
I always think of one of LT’s line about a perfume that seemed like “a well-earned vacation from good taste.”
Ha! My sister, who loved DSH blended fragrances before DSH became THE DSH, likes the first Tory Birch. I got her a mini with Sephora points.
Haaaaaaaa. I have a few of those
It’s a comment on Talisman (Balenciaga) in the review of Narciso for her.
Thanks, good to know!
Still sporting 5 stars; today’s fragrance is Invasion Barbare, which is incredibly lovely, and not barbaric at all.
I’d wondered about that one every time I came across the name. You’d think it be a stonking, Musc Koublai Khan kind of thing, but the notes show it’s clearly not. I wonder if they’d planned to go in another direction with it but the juice was too pretty to give up.
Maybe it’s the fragrance of all the precious things they’re pillaging, rather than the smell of the invading barbarians themselves? ;^)
I like this theory.
The name is a reference to the Denys Arcand film, The Barbarian Invasions (or, rather, “Les Invasions barbares”). I’m not sure it makes the name any more explicable, since the movie is largely set in a hospital, but I like to point it out, since we’re talking about a Canadian Academy-award-winning movie.
I love how your mind works. I think the name is just a typical perfume name; silly. The fragrance is not. There seems to be quite a bit of lavender there as well.
On the topic of award-winning Canadian movies, have you seen Monsieur Lazhar?
The Barbarian Invasion was supposed to refer to 9/11, apparently. I gather that won’t clear anything up, perfume name-wise, and I’m not sure if it’s an oblique reference to Cavafy’s brilliant poem, “Waiting for the Barbarians” (which has inspired several titles), but it does make me think of it: http://www.cavafy.com/poems/content.asp?id=119&cat=1.
One of these days I will cave and do the MDCI sample set.
It’s definitely worth doing and you get really quite generous bottles too. Not meaning to enable but worth mentioning!
Not sure if you’ve already researched this but when I ordered my samples from MDCI, I could choose between a 5-sample set or more…possibly 9 samples? (I’m too lazy to look it up) The sample sizes are generous 10 ml splash bottles. The samples by themselves are a great value but since MDCI allows you to deduct the cost of the sample set from whatever bottle you choose, IMHO, it’s a good deal even if you don’t buy a bottle. Plus you can pick your own combination of samples.
Yes this is exactly what I’ve got in mind (including a bottle as it seems silly to waste a $150 credit!) At the moment I’ve rather overrun the perfume budget, and all in, the MDCI offer is in the neighborhood of $225US so it’ll have to wait a bit, but the value does seem very good for that sum! (Invasion Barbare’s the only one I’ve smelled and I LOVED it.)
A mere $225… you should order two sets!
I adore the MDCI’s, and these days, while still expensive, a lot of others have caught on. It’s simply no longer as expensive compared to a lot of other houses. And the sample set is a wonderful deal.
Ha, well unfortunately, in absence of wages pegged to perfume inflation, $225 is just as expensive for me as it was before other houses raised their prices. But the arrangement whereby you basically get two full bottles’ worth of juice for that sum does take some of the sting out at least.
Are you going to Noordbrabants to see the Bosch paintings, Austenfan?
If I can find a free moment I will. I went to the Bosch exhibit in Rotterdam which was good, but overcrowded. Let’s say I hope I will be able to make it there.
Hope you manage to make it on a not so busy day. I’m drooling from the other side of the ocean.
5-star week 2, and I’m in L’Air du Desert Marocain. Perfectly unisex without resorting to fresh cliché, flawless from start to finish.
Scent twin!
You smell wonderful!
I’m in Lolita Lempicka Midnight. I think it’s got some of the best packaging all around, even for the bath and body products. Just love it still even after all these years.
that one has always intrigued me but I’ve never tried it. Do I have to like the original in order to like Midnight? I think I might want it because of the bottle…truthfully. The original LL doesn’t do much for me, disappears very quickly.
They are pretty similar I’d say.
I have a sample of that… should go try it. (I’ve been busy today and thus unperfumed, as of yet.)
Ormonde Jayne Ta’if today.
You know the quote “The past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past”? This feels particularly true today. I move forward in life and everything is fine, but it’s remarkable the way things you thought you’d completely recovered from come back to haunt you when you’re not expecting it. I know the feeling is temporary, but that’s just what’s on my mind this morning. Hoping the comments section will help snap me out of it today.
Hope you all are well!
Hope you feel better. I know that feeling well and have been suffering from a touch of it myself lately.
Thanks so much MikasMinion. Glad to know I’m not alone, and your comments and your kitty icon help.
And more importantly, I hope that that feeling passes soon for you too.
Yes, so true. Any possibility of a brisk walk at lunch time?
I am woefully late in mailing a few packages to a few NSTers and I think I’ll finally have an opportunity to get to the Post Office today, so yes! If only it wasn’t raining here…
Oh i am sorry, i really identify with this feeling- hoping it will pass soon.
Thanks so much Mayfly. You NSTers never fail to make me feel better.
Update – my bottle of Epic has arrived. I may wait to open the box tomorrow when I can take it out and immediately spray it – the Ta’if is still strong right now.
I also know I’m off my game when the arrival of such a thing doesn’t make me immediately giddy, so I’m going to save the opening for tomorrow when I can more thoroughly enjoy it.
I’m new here and always worried about jumping into something that might be the middle of a longer conversation, but as someone with a lot of ghosts, I just wanted to send my best. I have gotten to the stage or the age where I have times that I just let them come out and do their thing. It took a long time for me to realize that sometimes I just have to let myself to feel sad. But this plays out differently for everyone, I know. I hope that they depart peacefully and as soon as you need them to.
Amy, I’m so glad you joined us, and thank you for commenting. I have a lot of ghosts too, and it is comforting to remember that everyone else goes through these moments. It is difficult to let the sad moments come instead of fighting them off, a reminder to let myself do so is important. Thanks so much for your words.
Love this line, from Faulkner, and love his work for this reason. He does such a gorgeous job of capturing that experience, where the past is suddenly very, very present. It’s hard, but also comforting to see someone really grasp it. If you haven’t read As I Lay Dying, that one’s my favorite.
You know, I really should read that.
I got suckered into Faulkner-appreciation… I was out sick for a couple of crucial days in high school, and when I got back, The Sound and the Fury was the only book left on the options list for junior term papers. An amazing work, but maybe not optimal for teenage reading. I loved the prose and floundered around in the plot for several weeks.
Oh yes, if you made it through The Sound and the Fury in high school with some enjoyment intact, I think you’ll like As I Lay Dying. Well “like” may not be the right word–I cried, a lot!
“My mother is a fish.”
<3 <3
I really do have to go back to that one.
I agree entirely. I haven’t read as much of him as I should, but this line has always stuck with me. Its simplicity and directness is so elegant.
Sorry you are feeling that today – I think we all do from time to time and often at the most unexpected moments. But, as my mother in law said to me recently when I broke down crying on a particularly stressful day, this too shall pass (indeed reminding me that I had said that to her a while back). I hope it’s helpful to remind yourself of that.
Thanks so much Sophie. It will pass, and you’re all helping it do so. Thank you.
Sorry that you don’t feel your best today. The sun is supposed to be shining on Thursday which will be a nice change from the grayness of winter. I hope you feel like your old self tomorrow.
Thanks Petunia! I am, as a general rule, pro-sun.
I know that feeling too. It’s usually temporary but makes me question everything. Hope it passes soon!
Thank you! I’m sure it is temporary, and I’ll take from it what I can, and move on.
One of my favorite American artists, Mary Engelbreit, has a recurring character with quotable quotes central to many of her art work. “Snap Out of It!” is one such quote, with Ann Estelle looking sternly back at you. Whatever it is that is troubling you, I hope it gets resolved pronto!
*Salutes* – I’m on it, Hajusuuri.
I have those moments as well, and they can be so difficult because when they pop up out of the blue I feel that perhaps they won’t ever go away. I’m not certain what purpose they serve, but I’ve come to allow myself to just remain with the feelings, give them a friendly little wave, say hello and be open to whatever they’re trying to tell me. I think it’s pretty normal to have these feelings come and go, but unfortunately we live in a society that insists that we keep a stiff upper lip and move on already!
Sending you a virtual hug …
That is so sweet. Thanks so much Holly!
And thanks for the advice. I’m taking it.
I feel betrayed by my brain when I get the blues… they are like a migraine headache. Objectively I understand that some chemical is working overtime that shouldn’t, but I still feel paralyzed and in pain and knowing exactly what is happening biologically does nothing to alleviate the misery.
Hang in there!
Me too… It can feel overwhelming and hard to just sit with the discomfort while we wait for it to pass. Thinking good thoughts for you today!
I too know this feeling all too well. It can be very difficult, but I think every time we go through it we learn a little bit about ourselves and who we are and who we are becoming. Every day is a journey – I wish yours the best.
Thanks so much Sun Mi. I appreciate your thoughtful words. I think so too, and am trying my best to take this as an opportunity to learn and grow. Not always fun, but I’m trying.
Lots of wise words already posted so just saying hope things start to feel better for you soon. I think we can all identify with that feeling.
Trying Armani Code Profumo and getting lost in the crowd… Not sure if I am ready to get into any flankers at all after this…
Not an exciting one, then?
Cardamom explosion of La Nuit de L’Homme and amber-vanilla-tonka bean of anything from 1 Million, Invictus … you know something along that line.
Gotcha.
good morning y’all
today it’s an old favorite: Gucci edp (2002) – the hefty clear glass one with brown juice
another very sadly discontinued gem
You smell lovely – love that one!
Sampling a few things, with the best of the bunch being Vittoria Apuana but will probably wash everything off and put on Byredo Green since after the last few days in Boston (-12° plus wind chill equalled -33° on Sun, snow yesterday) it is feeling like spring here and is expected to go into the 50s
I’m on day two of my roses week, and wearing Cabaret.
Grès, or Alaya Moriel? (If I see a new scent here, I sometimes go and look it up on Fragrantica. And it turns out there are two Cabarets and they both feature roses!) :^)
It’s warm out! Ok, 49F isn’t “warm” per se, but it sure feels like it compared to what we had over the weekend. It is downright balmy!
I’m trying to participate in this week’s challenge and see what I have that qualifies, so today I’m in 24 Faubourg. I might only have two scents by M. Roucel, but I’ll wear them!
Perhaps I’ll try my sample again and join you!
Yes! Comparative warmth is better than no warmth at all.
Twins! It was warm here, too–90F. It’s funny how much your perceptions change when you live in a different climate. 49 seems very, very cold to me nowadays.
SOTD: Origins Ginger With a Twist (a LE oldie that still smells delicious)
SOTD: L’Eau d’Hiver
Really happy to have a day off and relax at home.
Next to me is a nice cup of genmaicha (Japanese green tea with toasted rice).
During the first Chandler Burr Unlabeled challenge, I was too late to get one of the unlabeled mystery vials, but I spent the week in L’Eau d’Hiver because some commenters thought that’s what it was. They had guess wrong, but I grew to love L’Eau d’Hiver. That was the most successful week of the Unlabeled program for me.
What did it turn out to be?
I think it was Prada Infusion d’Iris. He described it as like walking into a cloud or something like that, and you can see how that would apply to both of them.
Ha! That reminds me of the restaurant patron who asks, “what is the soup du jour?” and the waiter responds, “It is the soup of the day.”
(In case that seems wildly random–I was just thinking that “walking into a cloud” could describe a great many perfumes!)
It’s cool and sunny which makes it perfect for hiver here, too. I put one tiny spritz of my mitzah behind my neck to bump up the coziness beyond “cool.”
SOTD: Incense Oud (By Kilian).
Hit post too soon. Robin, love your licorice theme this week. Licorice is one of my favorite fragrance notes.
Ha, and incense is one of mine! Someone should do a licorice incense!
Bring it!
Fifty-fifty blend of Demeters Licorice (exact copy of a licorice cigar) and Incense (copal mostly)? I’m gonna try it! They’re gorgeous on their own so they might blend well.
Oh perfect, let us know!
SOTD Cristalle EDP. All green and yellow for this gray day.
Th Katie Puckrik review for Kerosene Black Vines is hilarious but it made me move that one down my sampling wish-list. I should still try it just for the experience of it, and I’m very fond of black licorice.
It was so good to see you on Friday!
It was lovey to see you, too!
And you
Back atcha!
And you!
While there is a good 3 inches of snow on the ground, I hear we are in for weather in the 50s so I am wearing Diptyque Geranium Odorata. It’s such a wonderfully sharp and fresh scent. Most things I think of as “fresh” have a citrus but this is so different and peppery. Not something I can wear everyday but wonderful nonetheless.
Same–I didn’t think I’d wear it enough to warrant getting some, but I did like it when I smelled it.
I really love the pepper in this too!
Wearing Cuir Dr Russie right now. With this mild head cold, it’s not working out. It’s definitely shower time. No 19 worked a whole lot better.
Spent time on Luckyscent yesterday because in an e-mail I got, they were either getting rid of some perfumes or a few were discontinued. Including some of Andy Tauer’s stuff. So I got Ingrid, unsniffed.
I’m finally getting to give Carnal Flower a proper outing today. Mmmmm. I smell so good, I can hardly stand myself.
I’m still excited from watching Hamilton at the Grammy’s last night. They killed it, and totally deserve the award. I think Lin deserves a second Grammy for his insanely awesome rapped acceptance speech.
You do indeed smell pretty amazing!
Thank you!
I have to watch a rerun. I really wanted to see Lady Gaga’s tribute to David Bowie.
From what I saw, she did a great job. Perfect person to do it, in my opinion.
I thought she did a great job. Agree that she was a great choice. She seemed to be really into it, too.
SOTD is Musc Ravageur, which, when I put it on, I didn’t even realize was Maurice Roucel. I might have to wear this one again on Friday.
You smell awesome
Delicious.
The perfect antidote for this rainy dreary Tuesday is the gentler, less austere version of no 19…the lovely Fleur no.1 by Jessica September Buchanan of 1000 Flowers….I had forgotten how much I loved this beauty of narcissus, wet leaves, galbanum, hyacincth…..pyramus, annicky and holly, thanks for reminding me to use up my lovely juices before they turn bad…..I don’t know why I was saving this but I am glad that I dug it out of my basement perfume box to enjoy today…
I think tomorrow I might wear REglisse Noire…the very best and only licorice fragrance I own…..it is fresh and delicious at the same time (if that makes any sense?) and I am now craving it….
Happy Tuesday, y’all!
I love Fleur No. 1 too, bardot! I’m not “saving” mine, but I also have no clue where it is! I’m glad you dug yours out, and hopefully I will do the same.
Let me know whether you still like/love it when you do find it!
Great, now I have another one to add to my test list…
Ha, I was thinking of you Mals when I read bardot’s description.
mals, I was thinking of you too when I put it on this morning! I think you would love this one
I’ve never smelled Fleur No. 1, but I really like Reglisse Noire. Enjoy your perfumes!
Thanks for pushing me to drain my bottles! What, after all, am I saving them for? When I die I am sure that all of my bottles will be either discarded or donated to goodwill….so, heck, I might as well enjoy them while I am around to enjoy them…..that being said, by the end of the day I will have drained my Fleur no 1 15ml bottle (save for a 1ml sample which I made up this morning for future reference sake)….one down and 40 more to go!
Vetiver Fatal for me today. I am especially fond of the opening of this one. A wake-me-up I sorely need this morning.
I’m wearing Millar Harris Terre d’Iris, thanks to Austenfan. I didn’t like the opening, but it has turned into a nice woody-musky iris after that.
I also have a Valentine’s Day story to tell, as I wasn’t here yesterday. I don’t usually celebrate this day, but we were out this Sunday with J, had tea at Laduree and visited one of my favourite perfume shops in Brussels. We actually went to get a bottle of Pulp for J, but then he asked if there was anything I would like – he would like to get me a present. I said I wouldn’t mind a bottle of Mohur, Trayee or Lyric. He liked Mohur the best (he was very surprised, as he usually doesn’t like rose scents), but it was out of stock. They were out of Trayee as well and the owner of the shop suggested that they can order a bottle for us.
(now comes the important part)
Then she mentioned that there is also the extrait version of Mohur and after J smelled the sample, he decided to go for that. So I have a bottle of Mohur extrait coming my way in the near future. Not bad.
Important, indeed! Wow! Nice V-day gift.. I too am the proud owner of the extrait from a split. The bottle I don’t have, so that’s very special for you as it’s really beautiful. Something to look forward to…
Do you find it very different from the EDP?
I have the EDP because I just could not justify the cost of the extrait with my budget… I love the EDP, but the extrait is somehow much much MORE! More complicated, more lush…. like finally seeing the actual painting after enjoying it reproduced in art books. You will be thrilled with it!!! Enjoy.
Y’all are killing me! I love Mohur and the idea of Mohur ++ is almost too much to bear!
Congrats on the amazing Valentine!
“Very” seems too much, but you’ll definitely notice the difference. It’s richer and deeper and just gorgeous.
Wow! Congratulations! You definitely had a good Valentine’s Day.
I’m definitely not complaining.
Ooh la la!!
Congrats – and I rather like Terre d’iris, it always seems an intelligent, austere and elegant yet earthy fragrance within all of that. Don’t see it mentioned much which always seems a shame.
The dry-down is really nice, I’m enjoying this part a lot. It seems to be one of those scents that works very differently on different people. Fragrantica reviews are aaaalll over the place.
How lovely and romantic that sounds. Enjoy your bottle!
Thank you! I’m sure I will.
Wearing Beloved for Tuesday/Monday today. I needed something I love to get through the day. You all smell wonderful!
Oops… not sure how this happened. My apologies Annikky.
Absolutely no harm done! Enjoy Beloved!
I am jealous…my significant other wouldn’t dream of buying me perfume….in fact wouldn’t even dream of “sampling” with me-LOL!
J has a very good nose and enjoys perfume, he’s just not as obsessive as I am. He’s happy to wear adventurous stuff when someone else does most of the research for him
Lovely! That will be a tough act to follow. J definitely deserves his own tiara.
He does! I definitely need to up my gift game very soon.
How exciting, Annikky!
PSA – For the Splitmeet, I am splitting a bottle of this that I got at 15% off but had to pay shipping (a good tradeoff considering the cost of the FB).
Great one to split! A little goes a very long way.
I got 10ml in the split I went in on but 5ml would have been more than enough.
Oooh, I will anxiously await the split! Better post it on my calendar
Lovely gift!
Wow!! How nice, hope it arrives soon! I have never smelled the extrait.
NO WAY! That is what I said, out loud, when reading your post. You are a very lucky lady!
SOTD Felanilla, warm and cosy
Love that one ????
Me three!
I have to find my bottle!
SOTD is Guerlain Insolence. Roucel #2
Scent twins. I love insolence EDP.
Hi twin!
If there is a Guerlain counter, try to ask them to decant the extrait version. I would say it is a good as the violet in Après L’Ondée and the iris is much more.
They have discontinued some extraits or they have never produced some of their scents in extraits, but they do have those little extrait flacons for customers to try at the premium counter or boutique. I guess it is not so cost-effective to maintain extraits if the line does not sell well.
I didn’t know Insolence came in extrait form – I’d love to try it.
They don’t have it for sale, so I was surprised to see those 30 ml square testers with the ‘parfum’ designation for many the fragrances lining up at the counter. I remember seeing Insolence, Muguet, Mouchoir, Bois d’Armenie… I think they have all. So, when I bought my habit rouge, I asked the SA to decant a few
I think the all the Guerlains suddenly feels like a whole new level.
Holy moses, Insolence in extrait.
I need a cross and some garlic.
lol
The EDP reminds me a lot of Apres L’Ondee. I’d love to find the extrait.
I might take a walk over to Saks one of these days…
Keep your eyes open for the 30 ml square spray testers! And, of course, decant supplies!
https://www.google.ch/search?q=guerlain+saks&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVjNbmwf3KAhWrIpoKHeONCY4Q_AUIBygB&biw=1536&bih=732#safe=off&tbm=isch&q=guerlain+jelmoli&imgrc=KH3Q26CIFUJMbM%3A
found them!
Ooh, thank you. actually, forget Saks! The Bergdorf SA knows me so if it were available there, I have a better chance of getting a sample.
Fighting off a head cold in the (usually forlorn) hope I can at least stop it migrating to my chest. I didn’t feel well enough to go to work (and being a freelancer that means “I didn’t feel well enough to get paid anything today”) so I’m in the annoying position of staying away from home in a hotel while feeling grotty.
So I thought it best not to waste any of the 2ml samples I packed as it wouldn’t be a fair trial. Instead I am in Alvarez Gómez “Agua de Colonia Concentrada” which is beautiful but being just a cologne is short-lived. I normally use it as a bedtime fragrance.
I wandered out for late breakfast/ early lunch in Prêt and after going to a Boots and buying the usual cold powders, throat lozenges and Berocca I poked my head around the door of a Kiehl’s and a L’Occitane, so on one wrist I have “Original Musk” and on the other “Eau des Baux”. The Original Musk reminds me of some aftershave that was big in the 80s (maybe YSL Jazz? It isn’t anything I wore or liked at the time). A couple of hours in it doesn’t project much but the smell is fairly consistent once the opening animalic notes burn off. I could imagine liking this on someone else but I don’t think it’s ‘me’, if that makes any sense? There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just like I’m wearing someone else’s stuff.
The Eau des Baux is much sweeter – I’m slightly surprised that it’s branded ‘for men’ rather than ‘unisex’. I like the spicy opening and the incense that develops later but after a few hours I think maybe it’s gone a bit too sweet vanilla for me to love it.
Neither of these are at all expensive (maybe about the £40 mark for 100ml) but I now have the NST disease and can’t help thinking of some very nice 5ml or 10ml decants I could get for £40. :^D
Grotty may be my favorite British colloquialism. Heard it in the movie A Hard Day’s Night when I was young and I’ve always liked it, though I’m sure I couldn’t get away with using it.
Hope you feel better soon.
Edit – Not sure I *could* get away with using it. The lack of a British accent weakens it, I feel.
Well, you could use it over here and people would probably assume you had acclimatised successfully. One of life’s more minor victories, perhaps, but we take them where we can find them… :^D
Are you familiar with ‘iffy’, it happens to be one of my favourites.
I love “dodgy”!
I hadn’t really thought about it before, but for me at least there is a hierarchy in these 3 terms used for how one is feeling. So if I had felt iffy this morning I would have gone into work, and if I had felt dodgy I mightn’t have left the room. I’m not sure everyone else would use them the same way though. :^)
And I think dodgy can be applied to objects, like cars, but iffy cannot?
Hope you feel better – Berocca always seems rather head clearing (as does the redoxon Vit C with Zinc fizzy orange). I make myself drink bottles of water by dissolving one of each in 1 litre bottles.
I was also surprised at how sweet Eaux de Baux was! Almost like it should be poured over ice cream.
Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you! At this stage of the evening, the lingering scent is pretty close to vanilla ice cream actually. :^)
As a child eons ago, we used to use the expression “grotty to the max”. I hope you feel better!
Thanks, I seem to be keeping my head above water so far, fingers crossed I sleep it off tonight. :^)
PSA: Surrender to Chance has Frederic Malle Monsieur on special for President’s Day, which will probably be ending soon!
SOTD = Jo Malone Oud Bergamot
Continuing to go through my samples, got inspired by Perfume Posse to finally try Jo Malone. I know most of you are over the our phase of perfumery, but I traveled down the rabbit hole near the end of it, so oud is still exciting to me. Oud and Bergamot smelled amazing in the store.
Top notes I’m getting are bergamot and sugar. Uh oh, where’s the oud? Also, not impressed with the sample sprayer – quite leaky. Hmm…I might run out of patience and try Diptyque Eau Duelle instead.
have you ever tried real oud? I would recommend you try real oud (a/k/a agarwood) essential oil if you are on an oud kick…one of my family members just discovered a love of oud so I made her a blend from essential oils I bought at Eden Botanicals….wild orange, Egyptian rose, labdanum and agarwood…..smells great and if you get the diluted oils (Eden blends them with carrier oils to make them more affordable) they are quite reasonably priced.
That said I rather like Jo Malones Rose and Oud as well as the Bergamot and Oud.
I remember being very excited to smell Trish McAvoy Black Rose Oud–I think it took me at least a year-and-a-half to start feeling a little “over” oud.
Wearing Love Chloe today to ease back into work after a 3-day weekend. This is one of my favorite “office friendly” perfumes and it is like putting on since lipstick in that it makes me feel a little bit fancier and more put together. But really, it is raining cats and dogs today and I want to go home and change into pajamas. Bah.
I so know how you feel re the pajamas – but you smell super at least.
Oh how I love black licorice candy! I actually have licorice caramels in my bag that I picked up from Dean & DeLuca just recently. Something licorice is never far from me…
I’m developing quite a zealousness for the new Tauer scent, Lonesome Rider, and my SOTD. So well done.
I love black licorice too! I have a box in my cabinet for when I have a craving
Black licorice & perfume in common + NYC gals!
What stores would your recommend in NYC for obtaining free samples with the least amount of hassle? The last time I was in NYC and I went to SAKs they were so stingy with the samples…I even tried to make my own (like hajuusuri, I brought my own vials) and was told that this is “verboten”…..I told the guy at Bond no 9 that if he expected me to pay upwards of $200 for a bottle of juice then a I sure as heck should be given a sample of it to try first! Gone are the days when you would walk into a dept store and they would literally throw the samples at you for free (knowing that if you found something to love you would be back to purchase a full bottle).
New Yorkers should weigh-in as I am no longer a local…but on my last visit, the woman I who helped me at Osswalds lavished me with samples… and I bought nothing! Also MiN New York… really friendly and helpful.
Barneys
Aedes (dabbers)
Bergdorfs
It helps if you bring your own atomizers just in case the SA says they’ e run out of atomizers. You own atomizers serve as a lie-detector test.
You can also let me know when you’ll be in town and maybe we can do group sniff. I can be very persuasive
Thanks Oakland and Hajusuuri!
Hajusuuri, I would be afraid to go with you as I know you could probably talk me into many full bottles that I don’t need :)!!!
I haven’t been too persistent at dept stores, but I second MiN as being fairly generous.
I find that if there’s a new scent they have samples and will give them. If you remind them, ‘hey, this is a new scent and therefore I’d like to wear it a bit before buying’, they get it.
Sometimes they’ll say they haven’t gotten samples in yet, to stop by next week, blah, blah, blah. Older scents forget it.
Bergdorfs is the one exception and they’ve always been generous in making samples. I try to buy from them just to show my appreciation for their generosity. The SAs there for Jo Malone regularly send me new samples in the mail. I bought a candle years ago and they still send me stuff.
Heh
i am a good confidence booster to not be shy about asking for samples. As to FBs, I don’t want to answer to your wallet if you’re naughty.
And Dean & Deluca is exactly where I used to buy bags of some sort of black licorice chews that were amazing. Wish I could remember exactly what they were.
Lush Vanillary, the solid. Do they still make the solids? It’s very long lasting but I feel a bit like a tub of frosting.
I tried Poison Girl, and though I’m not a huge fan of the original, it’s got unmistakable character, even if that is the character of nuclear grape candy. Poison Girl smelt like sweet pink floral with vanilla and coumarin. Jeez!
Nuclear grape candy! Can’t wait.
If only! Grape candy is what I get from regular ol poison, poison girl is not even a remote relative – very sweet vaguely pink floral. Indistinguishable from any recent girly release. Looks cute though and others in the shop seemed to find it lovely. I’m probably not the target demographic!
Teensy spritz of Jour d”Hermes Absolu, ready not to overwhelm my office mates.
Very nice choice, IMO!
Day 3! of Spiriteuse Double Vanille!!! Oh boy do I love it, and oh boy do I hate the price tag! I only have a 3ml decant, and I want to saturate myself in it every ding-dong day! Exclaiming all over the place because this one has reminded me that there definitely are perfumes that are absolutely just right for me, that resonate on every level and feel like they are part of me rather than an accessory.
Gotta love those “absolutely just right” things.
Kenzo Air for me–transparent licorice and vetiver.
I am drinking some Dong Fang Mei Ren.
Yum, you smell fantastic.
Coty Imprevu today– a brisk green leather to herald spring.
And as it turns out, ideal for the ER as you wait to have your gallbladder scanned six ways to Sunday
I hope it went well!
Still waiting! Husband is here w/ me now, though.
Oh dear, hope your results are good news. Take care.
Thank you. Home now after Xray, ultrasound, lab work, & antiinflammatories. Off from work tomorrow and planning only to rest….
Making these last few drops of 32 RC last forever.. Do I really need a bottle of this…?
Everyone is over their stomach bug. Thank goodness
I suspect you do…glad to hear everyone is better.
I’m wearing Ombre Rose. I have a little bottle of what I believe is the parfum; I got it in the minis section of a chain perfume store. I also found Halston extrait that way (marvellous stuff). It pays to keep an eye out.
Anyway the Ombre Rose is great: a ladylike vanillic, face-powder rose with an interesting nutty facet to it. It smells very classy yet also comfortable.
Love Ombre Rose…wore it in the early 80s….didn’t know it was still around.
What a rough start to this morning! Let me tell y’all…..getting 3 kids to 3 different schools (and the hub and me to our workplaces) is not a job for the squeamish! LOL But, we made it by hook or by crook. Some days just go smoother than others!
SOTD: Daisy Dream. At least it’s light and easy, even if the morning wasn’t!
Onward! Forward!
I can barely manage to get myself up and my 1 teenager to school, so you have my sympathy!
I literally did not get myself out of the house this morning, so extra kudos to you. I don’t see how people do it. (I did get myself to the office after noon, and I work late, but still.)
Jada, I regularly admire your parenting, and attitude toward it.
If I doubled up on the happy pills I couldn’t put as much heart into it as you do.
Back from tracking in the desert (where, among the more usual suspects we also saw badger and great horned owl tracks). SOTD is Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin to go with the lovely weather.
The scent for the tracking trip turned out to be No. 5 EdT–though I just wore it for the long drive, not for the days I was hiking.
I would love to see a real live badger – from a safe distance of course. I hear they are notoriously foul-tempered.
After a crazy and busy long weekend, I’m comforting myself with Safran Troublant.
Such a cozy one!
Cuddly! I find that it last surprisingly long, too.
Ooh, my bottle just arrived today from Fragrancenet! Will be spritzing it on for my SOTE.
8 sprays last 4 hours on me. It is very cozy!
I’m not *really* wearing anything yet because I haven’t showered for the day yet, but I am covered in some tiny bits of La Fille de Berlin because my 21 month old son Walden loves perfume (maybe even more than me??) and anytime I open the armoir where my perfumes are stored, he begs or tantrums for something. He particularly loves the mini splashes (which I can’t give him or he’ll empty), and little sprayers. So today when I was checking to see if I have a sample of Olene, I found him my nearly empty spray sample of La Fille de Berlin which he has been happily spritzing about. I suppose it’s not bad, the perfume smells lovely and he’s working on his fine motor skills.
Not sure what I’ll put on after I finally shower!
What fun – maybe he also finds the colours appealing?
maybe!
How completely adorable! Plus, sounds like he’s got great taste!
He does!
This just delights me no end.
Love this! What a wonderful memory for you and for him one day!
i hope so
I love the image your post brings to mind!
hehe, thanks!
It is pretty cute – he’s pretty much obsessed with all things smelling. He huffs our scented candles, he adores his vicks baby rub – just to smell it, and even huffs his little tube of lightly scented butt cream – which he pronounces like “bucking” and asks to sniff every change.
I wish I could post a pic!
Hilarious! A budding perfumister!
Haha, I’ve never heard that term – but yes, indeed!
Jubilation XV today and I must admit it feels pretty good. Have been pondering a proper bottle but the prices always deter me and I hardly lack perfume, but this is so incredibly good…
I want that one too. And have never been able to make myself pay the price for it.
I got super lucky a few years ago and dnagged one of those 30ml travel size bottles for about $50. Wish they still had those, I would buy another one.
Beautyspin has 50ml Jubilation for $118 and free shipping in the US.
Hit post too soon… Free shipping is for US orders over $100…. Your previous buy was a real score but this one isn’t too bad. No affiliation to BS????
I have one application of Bois d’Armenie–a tiny portion of a 1mL tester. I’m about to put it on, thus trying a new Guerlain (will this one work?) and emptying a sample. Whee!
Then off to the beach to see the tide pools.
off to the beach….. sigh
what a lovely thought
Hoping the sea air blows this perfume away. It turned into play dough on skin. Not awful, but not good either.
Feeling decidedly uninspired today. Tuesday must be Monday’s ugly little sister. SOTD Bvlgari Omnia. It’s pretty okay, I guess.
Smelling lovely will pull you through.
????
I met a deadline yesterday so I’m rewarding myself with Jasmin et Cigarettes, although it’s currently a bit overwhelmed by my hand cream (Love and Light). I really like JeC – if I finish the sample, I might get a bottle for springtime.
I just polished off my sample of JeC. I think I need a full bottle as well already…
My collection is small enough that finding something I WANT more of is a nice feeling. I hope I never lose it.
Stayed at home today and completely forgot about perfume. But remedied that now and am in Lumiere Blanche.
You smell so good.
Its such a cozy scent isn’t it. Just perfect for winter ????
Morning, all. Deva, if Tuesday is Monday’s ugly little sister, I can tell you that Wednesday is their whiskery, cantankerous, critical great aunt! I do NOT want to do today, but at least I am not wanting it while wearing 31 Rue Cambon and my favourite soft jeans. I’ve accessorised with a heavy scowl and some green nail polish which makes me look as though I hail from the House of Ussher. Works for me.
Take ’em on and give ’em what for, Waterdragon! Now you have inspired me, perhaps I will go find some green nail polish somewhere!
Color me freshly inspired????
A scowl is always “in.”
Loving the nail polish choice! I need to do my nails tonight. Nail polish was the first rabbit hole I fell down. I have a whole Helmer full of polishes, but I haven’t felt like painting lately.
I go through phases too, but there are days when the ten spots of colours at the end of your fingers is the equivalent of lifting the middle one skywards in that age-old salute to the world…
Re-sampling Jour d’Hermes today, since I hadn’t really made up my mind about it last time. I think I’m still finding it too floral for me, though I recognize JCE’s watercolor loveliness in it, which makes me glad.
I love Jd’H. To me, the Absolu was considerably less floral–lots of grapefruit. Worth trying, if you haven’t yet.
Stayed up late doing NOTHING ( no seriously- I binged on Property Brothers and drank wine while copying style notes from the episodes) and overslept this morning. Needed something bright and sparkling, so SOTD is a liberal dousing of Verbena EdT from L’Occitane after a hurried shower.
OOTD: Slim black trousers, striped french/Bretom shirt and high top black leather sneakers. White raincoat and scarf. Tip: The french/Breton style tops do nothing for you if you have even a hint of bosom- you instantly look squat. Would not buy again!
I can’t wear empire waist dresses or tops because I immediately look pregnant. Nothing wrong with looking pregnant…but a bit disheartening if you’re NOT pregnant. Button down shirts are out too, unless I want to spend time putting Velcro between the buttons, and get them tailored, or shell out for the fancy ones. Boobs cause all kinds of fashion problems.
Have you tried fashion tape? Works great for those button down shirts.
I have! I’m pretty busty, so it’s a lot to ask of tape. It usually fails by the afternoon. The Velcro is a lot more reliable
Oh yes. Part of the reason I wear a lot of silk shirts is the fact that they can be very forgiving of a bosom and are more often than not comfy and slinky, so it glides over the curves and makes you look graceful. I tailor a lot of my cotton button down shirts so I don’t get the 4-5 month pregnant look!
I’ll have to keep an eye out for more silk tops, and see if they work for me. I need to learn how to tailor my own button downs, to cut the cost. Maybe I’ll find some cheap ones somewhere and practice.
I wholeheartedly agree. Today’s fashion does not take boobs into account at all.
I do wear Breton shirts though, and if you want a good laugh about whether or not horizontal or vertical stripes are more flattering watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vLp07ZePY
around 3:37.
No, it does not. A lot of stores don’t either. Victoria’s Secret is a total waste of time for anyone over a DD. They carry a DDD, but it’s a lie. I wear an E, so a DDD should at least come close to working for me. I tried one on and it was laughable. Way too small.
I’ll have to watch that when I get home. I love stripes, but I do wonder sometimes about the visual effect of them to other people.
Thank you for that. I love David Mitchell.
Have you tried the Citrus Verbena? I just tried it while killing time at the airport. And, darn it, I’m hooked! It’s now on the list…
SOTD = Chanel No.19 EDP
Have I ever mentioned I LOVE this fragrance? I needed spine-strengthening today (and it’s working). Plus, we are having some crazy 50 degree weather here in the middle of winter after last week’s arctic blast.
You really need to try fleur no 1! It is similar to no 19 but softer and less “spine strengthening”.
You? Love No. 19? I never would have guessed!
I’m glad it’s working its magic for you!
Can’t help thinking that Bonnie Raitt was pretty cool on the Grammy’s last night…good to see the way she commanded the stage without too much fuss. We have had a couple of days of fierce north west winds…foehn or Santa Ana …. Hot, hot , hot and blustery. But although uncomfortable, they deliver the most spectacular lipstick pink dawn. Actually, more of a fauvism dawn: raspberry sky, green leaves…and the smell of over ripe nectarines filling the kitchen. Stunning.
As part of my department store discovery …. Tried A Men ( Angel) for the first time yesterday. Far out! That scent doesn’t let up, does it? Kind of biffs you around the ears not to mention the nose. What a laugh. In a bad way.
Aha. Our blustery weather has brought the sort of rain that goes from two random, absent-minded drops to 30-mls-in-5- minutes and solid grey skies. It would all be wonderful up home; here in the city., it’s a bit grim. Good to see you back: was your sojourn under open skies wonderful?
It was terrific but so hot and windy. I was out walking on the thyme hills, inhaling the vapours, trailed by two very territorial native Falcons …just fabulous. Too cloudy for a big star sky but wonderful all the same. Hope you had a good weekend!
Hey you two. I binged watched Top of the Lake over the weekend so now I am an expert on New Zealand (along with having read “The Hut Builder” of course).
Naw… but geeze you live in a beautiful part of the planet!
We do, we do…but it is a very long way from anywhere else. I’m feeling that very much at the moment, as we grapple with the dear man’s uncertainty about taking long flights ever again.
Hmmm… I see what you are saying. That is tough. And tough for all sorts of reasons.
…But at this moment I am envisioning a brightly colored cover of some circa 1960s pulp fiction novel entitled, “Trapped in Shangri-La!”
Yes– I can see the cover clearly. The dear one is bending me back over his arm in a posture of incipient passion, I’m wearing a wisp of gauze and a hopeful smile, and all heaving bosom and pouting lips…could we arrange a reflection in a pool, perhaps (always so tasteful) or –here’s an idea–a jealous ex-lover (his, perhaps?) lurking sinisterly behind a tree, glowering at us, making a great play with a poison ring, or toying casually with a venom-tipped dagger…How’m I doing?
One of the locations for Top of the Lake is Moke Lake above Queenstown ( where the women’s container camp is) and it a very beautiful old gold mining area and a great camp spot. It used to feel very remote but not so much now…but still lovely. Hope you visit one day.
NZ is definitely a place I want to see before I die – and Top of the Lake was added inspiration!
I love Bonnie Raitt, so thanks for posting — will look that up on YouTube!
TF Japon Noir- will pop back in later to read comments and post more!
I was up really early to catch the live feed of Westminster KC judging for TMs, Akitas, and Newfies, so no scent yet except Flying Fox shower gel. I want something flowery today so I may stick with a jasmine.
I am thrilled they have finally included obedience competition at Westminster!
I recently discovered some Newfie puppy Instagram accounts. Following them definitely upped my daily cuteness exposure!
Enjoy your flowers.
For overall cuteness, Newfie puppies are hard to beat!
Ohhhh, Newfies. I love them so much! They’re amazing dogs.
Excited to see who wins Best In Show tonight! WKC annual show is the highlight of my winter.
Saved by Robin again. She cautioned me against blind buying the new John Varvatos until I tried it and she was right! That raspy cedar note that I detest is front and center! No worries though I consoled myself with a bottle of Chanel Pour Monsieur and Chanel No 19 EDT! Tried some new things and was pretty underwhelmed…..
I know that note and I hate it too! It’s in so many things and it pisses me off!
This note has ruined several previous perfume loves including Terre d’Hermes Parfum.
Ah, good then!
I hate anything raspy.
Unless it’s Tom Hardy’s voice.
This made me laugh. I don’t think of myself as liking raspy voices, but Tom Hardy – check!
So I went to the movies this evening with my hubs and all through the movie I kept getting subtle whiffs of glorious vetiver. I did not try any vetiver fragrances today except for the new Carven Vetiver, which is entirely unremarkable, so never made it off of paper and onto me. It is that smell shifting minx, No. 19!
Aqua Allegorica Figue Iris for me today. I’ve somehow overlooked this one in the last few weeks when the summery weather makes it so appropriate.
I started the day with the wrong perfume! Boucheron, which I haven’t worn for a long time and don’t care for now. Then I drove to work in a heavy snowfall, streets not plowed, and found that more than half the office had stayed home. I finished what work I could do within two hours and headed for home. Cars were getting stuck in intersections or trying to make it from unplowed side streets– not good, but I made it to my street and THEN got stuck as I tried to power through the snowy intersection. Aargh. Waiting for tow truck … This is the heaviest (weight and feet per hour) snowfall that Rochester has had in a long time. When my car is safely home and I’ve fortified myself with another scent, I’ll be OK. And I hope y’all are, too.
Be safe…..and hope you are warm and cozy fast!
L’Heure Bleue. Yesterday we had the strongest rain I have ever experienced. If you like seeing the forces of nature, just google ‘dia vira noite em São Paulo’. Incredible. So today, with lower temps and a cloudy sky, I could indulge on a heftier perfume. L’Heure Bleue is so beautiful, I’d like to smell the vintage some day, or maybe not, because it would probably would ruin the current version. Wish Wasser would reformulate it the way he did with Mitsouko!
Wow!! Those photos are incredible.
Tropical storms are so showy!
JMO, but I have both current (well, 2012) and vintage L’Heure Bleue and the current one is not that far off from vintage. I suspect it had fewer IFRA-regulated ingredients (or better replacements than poor Mitsouko) so suffered less from reformulation.
Thank you, Foxbins. I really enjoy thw version I have.
I feel exactly the same about LHB. Would love to smell vintage, but am afraid to. I think it will be harder to reconstruct LHB as opposed to Mitsouko because the eugenol restrictions are harder to work around. They seem to have better ‘equivalents’ of oakmoss now, and I don’t know that such a thing exists in eugenol terms.
That’s an impressive rain storm. You need the waterproof flanker for that!
First I would like to rail at those of you who sent me sniffing after Orlov’s Cross of Asia. If it were half the price it would be perfect. I am pretty sure I can live without a full bottle… but WHY! Fortunately or unfortunately I have placed a moratorium on perfume purchases over $45… so I am not in danger… but I am pining.
In other random scent related news, I am testing a soy sauce called Kazusa Smoke… I love buying foreign food stuffs (with all descriptions and ingredients in a foreign language) that I am not entirely clear on their purpose and then trying to figure them out. This Kazusa is wild. A mild nutty soy sauce overlaid with intense cherry/tobacco-y smoke. I keep sniffing the bottle! Here’s a link to the website if you are curious: http://kazusa-smoke.com/service/smokedsoysauce/ Will make Jasmine rice this evening and serve it with the sauce!
YOu are making me very hungry!
Ooh! This sounds absolutely amazing! Please let us know how it turned out.
$45 sounds like like a pretty heavy cross to bear…are you sure you got the decimal point in the right place?
If you save that $45/ month then you can have a full bottle before Christmas. I’ll probably have a bottle before then (or Arabian Horse or French Kiss) as a reward for getting through 2 moves in less than 12 months
Is it Bitter Rose, Broken Spear or Broken Spear, Bitter Rose? Whichever, I’m wearing it. It’s intensely interesting and, I think, wearable, although less so for me than Small Grey Lake. It’s dark and storming here, so the Hylnds series seems appropriate.
I am still stuffy and head colded and was going to put on 24 Faubourg and just didn’t get around to it. Later I found that I had a sample of Miel de Bois…totally forgot and don’t remember ever sniffing it. So I gave myself two big sprays on each wrist.
I’m smelling something pretty pleasant – a little rough at first, but basically pleasant. I’m wondering how much of that is my lack of scent receptors…
Wonder what my husband will say when he notices.
This morning I wore just a spritz of Bois d’Argent, wished I’d worn more. Then got stuck behind a flatbed with smoking brakes this afternoon and was glad I hadn’t taxed the olfactory system. Such is life…..
Bd’A is so pretty, but I can just barely smell it.
SOTD is Hermes 24, Faubourg, in edt. Chilly, slightly soapy orange blossom over a substantial, but cool, base. I liked it a lot the first time I tried it, and have never liked it quite as well again. I think it qualifies as a backbone-stiffening perfume, as well as a feel-like-a-rich-lady perfume.