Happy Hump Day! (Really, this time it's Wednesday and all. I checked.) What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing L'Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons Extrême. Tea at the moment is Fleur de Geisha from Palais des Thés. Note to self: do not buy tea for the pretty canister. I've been trying to use this up for about 2 years now.
Reminder: 3/18 will be I Hate...Oh Wait. Wear a perfume you love that features a note or style you always thought you hated. (suggested by pixel)
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 Cherry Blossom [cropped] by Thomas Wood at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD: Le Roi Empereur (Rancé)
*curtsies*
I’m not worthy! Come to think of it, neither is the fragrance… 🙂 I haven’t worn it in a while so thought I would give it a shot.
Just as well, my knees can only curtsey just the once 😉
Lyric woman!
You smell good, Doc.
Also, I will never tire of your deaf pup’s face in your icon. So happy and cute – just makes me feel good.
Thank you! She’s just a bundle of happiness.
Lovely!
You smell fab!
Ditto!!
Cuir d’Ange by Hermes today, from my sample. I am sitting up straight and determined not to let ghosts from the past ruin my day. Which I plan to end by indulging in a good glass of scotch. (That interest continues to expand by the way, and if anyone has any scotch recommendations, do let me know.)
What scotch do you have? I’m partial to Dalwhinnie 15 yr and Glenmorangie 10 yr. When I want something peaty I like Highland Park.
I haven’t actually bought myself a bottle yet – I’ve just been ordering it at bars and trying to determine what I like best. I believe I just had some Dalwhinnie this weekend with my brother in law when he was here, but now I’m not sure if that was definitely it. Still learning about the different qualities of scotch (like a new fumie learning notes), or even what peaty means in terms of taste, so I have a long way to go. Time to take notes. I’m writing down that this is what you’ve recommended, and maybe you and I will one day be able to grab a glass or two and you can continue to educate me. 🙂
Peaty scotch has a bit of a smoke flavor and can vary by how smoky you like it. I love Lapsang Souchong tea, so the smokier the better for me. But I also love the sweetness of Dalwhinnie.
Making a note of all of this – thank you so much!!
Try a port or sherry cask Scotch when you’re out next. This is the sort of question that results in tasting a wild variety of flavours, but also helps in striking a conversation with a knowledgable bartender.
One of my non-fumie friends just recommended the same thing earlier, and both your comments are going into my new “Notes on Scotch” file. Thank you!
Glenmorangie is very nice. I also like Oban and Macallan.
OBAN! yum!!!
🙂
That one seems to be my husband’s favorite.
I’m noting some enthusiasm here :). Next on the to-try list!
Oban, Balvenie and Bowmore. The older the better.
Taking note!
It’s very special. Very $$$. But totally worth it.
Macallan is my dad’s favorite. He usually drinks the 15 yer, but has a small stash of the lovely 18 too. It’s very nice. I like Oban too, but don’t want to pay the price for it.
I take it your dad got you into scotch? Mine was more focused on teaching me about Monty Python and the Marx Brothers than drinking, but I’m filling in the gaps now 🙂
Believe I had Macallan the other day and quite liked it. Thank you!
How about for a newbie? Not particularly into the drink but would like to develop an appreciation.
Sometimes single-malts can be challenging, so to really ease in you could try a whisky instead – something like Jameson. Lighter, but still smooth and nuanced.
I like to start off with a blended scotch to start from a baseline to develop into the other versions with peat, smoke, woods, etc. Chivas Regal is a good place to start down the path of scotch/whiskey. Thankfully you can also buy minis of many scotchs and whiskeys at a good liquor store to begin training your tongue!
Oh, interesting… thanks!
I’m taking note of this too – I’m still new to this!
A helpful way to start appreciating is to always have it mixed with some water – then you can undilute according to what flavours you are interested in.
Thus far, I’ve been taking it on the rocks, and that seems to be working as I ease into it.
I was a total newbie and just dived head first into single malts. There’s always a large stash at my parent’s house that would put any good bar to shame, so I just started trying some out. My dad’s trick for newbies was to pour it over ice and then take the ice out to take off the burn a little.
I have a Scotch BIl and whenever he and sis come visit, we’ve got more bottles to try from. I think Laphroaig is my sis’s favorite.
Taking note of everything you’ve said – thanks so much Jenkr!
My husband is a scotch lover too. I bought him this book as a quirky Valentine’s day gift and he really enjoyed it:
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Scratch-Sniff-Becoming-Whiskey/dp/0544520602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458139980&sr=8-1&keywords=scratch+and+sniff+whiskey+book
Adorable.
I love Scotch it is my favourite spirit by some margin. Have you tried Laphroaig? Peaty and beautiful. Also Penderyn a Welsh whisky is pretty good. I plan on trying some Irish whisky tomorrow.
That’s my sister’s favorite! She lives in Scotland w/ hubs and she’s always going to distilleries and bring stuff here when she visits. I really want to try that one.
Putting it on my to-try list – thank you!
So many Scotch lovers! I’m partial to Oban and Balvenie 12 year.
Thanks Isabella! Adding Balvenie to my list.
Glenfiddich 18 is my go-to! This is an excellent list of things for me to explore, though 🙂
Yummy.
Think I tried this one and quite liked it.
I had some very nice Bourbon cask matured Bowmore yesterday 🙂
Adding it to the ever-lengthening list – thank you!
What flavors have you been drawn to? My personal favorite (that’s not too expensive) is Macallan Fine Oak 10 Year. Second choice is Oban Distiller’s Edition. For super peaty, Laphroaig. For smokey with a touch of the sea, Talisker. Mmm, now that I’m no longer pregnant, I’d love a taste, but my collection is still packed away somewhere.
Talisker! Thank you for reminding me of that one! I had some at my wedding and meant to put it on my list but forgot about it.
I’m not sure I can clearly identify them yet – thus far it’s been very much “mhmm, I like this” or “mhmm, I liked the less smoky one better”. Adding your comments to my list and I’m going to get to work on them and report back. Thank you!
I like most of the Ardbeg offerings. My only warning would be that I found Correyvreckan too alcoholic to taste anything (which is a shame, because the whirlpool and myth feature prominently in a movie I love!) and too much trouble to dilute properly.
And I’ll join the chorus of Oban-lovers, though the last time I had it all I could think of was bacon.
The bacon may not be a bad thing…
Thank you!
I almost died in a peat bog once – slight exaggeration, but one leg was hip deep – and so can do without the peaty scotches. But Irish, that I love. Redbreast is good, Jameson 18 is fabulous, and there is one you can only get in Dublin that is also amazing, but of course I can’t remember what it’s called. Oh Green Spot. One shop in Dublin only!
One of the better excuses for not liking peaty scotches that I’ve heard!
Glad you’re still with us to enjoy perfume/drink scotch/not slip into bogs. Thanks for the recommendations!
Lagavulin!!! Laphroaig!!! Dalwhinnie, Glenmorangie, Macallan, Oban, Talisker…. They’re all good. So many single malts, so little time! ????
Yes, yes and yes. 🙂
Strathisla is nice and it’s good value, so points for extra Scottish-ness.
My frugal Scottish grandmother would certainly approve!
Wow lot of scotch fans here. I need to try it again and maybe try some of the ones recommended here. I haven’t liked any of the scotches I’ve tried, but it’s been long enough that I don’t remember what any of them were at this point. I have tried Jameson’s and liked it, and I like bourbon and rye.
I have a particular soft spot for bourbon because that was what my grandpa drank (bourbon & coke was his drink).
I’m a couple of days early on the project with Slumberhouse Sana, the _only_ scent with tagetes that I can stand, and even then, I have to specifically be in the correct mood for it, so it fits today and probably won’t on Friday….
I had to google to determine what tagetes even were! It probably smells good on you – everything always does. 🙂
I had to look that up as well. I’ve heard the term before but apparently, the definition didn’t stick. So Marigold according to Google. It sounds like an intriguing scent.
Marigolds do have an intriguing scent. Not sweet but pungent, and we used to plant them around veggies to deter pests.
I have a small splash bottle of Nicki de St. Phalle which has a marigold note. It’s very different and I’m surprised that I like it but It does hit the spot on certain days. As far as marigold plants, I am very familiar. I grew up with acreage and my parents always had gardens and flowers, as do I. 🙂 I agree that they are pungent!
This is reminding me that I used up the Niki de Saint Phalle mini that I had.. I hadn’t thought about it in a while, but it just hits the spot sometimes. I need to find another one.
It’s a myth that everything smells good on me but if I’m sampling in person, I tend to be drawn to scents that I think will smell good on me so that’s what you have experienced
Good smelling AND humble! 🙂
I love marigold – not in everything (Paloma Picasso is a notable exception – that dirty jasmine does me in) but in a lot of things. Haven’t tried Sana, though.
Sorry, I mean Niki de St Phalle, not PP. Sometimes I get them confused. 🙂
The only thing I had with a marigold scent was a Lush solid hand cream which I had to return because it smelled like strong rubber and cooked vegetables.
Yikes! Nasty combo.
It was nauseating. Sometimes it’s hard to smell things in the store because of the nuclear bath bomb cloud, and I actually thought it was it was unscented until I got on the train and smelled something really unpleasant.
I totally agree. Half the time when I’m in Lush I feel as if my nose just waves the white flag due to sheer exhaustion.
Absolutely. When I tried out their perfumes I just sprayed my hand and walked out to sniff (and promptly walked back in for Lust). Sometimes I’ll do the same with their other products, but of course you need to ask an SA so they don’t think you’re stealing (and good luck if the store is packed and the SAs are super busy).
My strategy with Lush is to sniff when it’s not as busy, make a list, and zip in to buy when they have a sale.
I’ve never been able to make a purchase at Lush because I can’t get past the wall of scent that emanates outside the store.
This reminds me of the time that a Coach SA put on hand cream and when she started to rub her hands, the most god-awful fishy smell wafted out and my face must have shown my disgust (or I probably looked like I was about to throw up…it was THAT BAD) and asked if I was OK. “In the moment” I couldn’t help but be honest and said something smelled fishy and she came to her own conclusion.
I have MANY tagete/marigold fragrances that I loved in my past and love in the present…Safari, Niki de Saint Phalle, the original Dolce and Gabbana (1992 version that came in the red velvet box), Escape, Ambre Nu and Passionfruit, Orange Blossom and Vetiver (Dame Perfumery)……had/have full bottles of all….
One of my favourite summertime activities is taking off the dead marigold flowers from the marigold bushes I plant and crushing them in my fingers….I adore that smell!
Hey chocolatemazipan! I haven’t seen you in these here parts in forever! Welcome back!
Thank you 🙂
Oh! I crush dried marigold flowers, too. I am guilty of plucking spent marigold blooms in parks and public gardens. I love their fragrance.
Wow, I haven’t thought of rushing dried marigolds in maybe 20+ years. Now my fingers are itching – I’ll have to get on that. We had marigolds in our garden when I was growing up, and I used to crush them to get at the seeds, right?
Don’t remember the smell, though, just the texture between my fingers.
@chocolatemarzipan, Yes to original Dolce and Gabbana! To me the marigold comes across as a bitter warmth.
Now that you’ve pointed this out, way back when my perfume collection fit in a shoebox, I had that D&G in the red velvet box. The other occupants were the original Alfred Sung and minis of Liz Claiborne and Obsession, plus a few assorted odds and ends that I don’t quite recall.
Exhausted this morning after being out late at a town meeting last night. SOTD is Equistrius by PdE.
Exhausted here too! It’s tired week over here.
Why do towns schedule budget meetings during the week after day light savings? Maybe they hope that the townies will all fall asleep during the meeting and the budget will pass by default? 🙂
Hope you perk up as the day goes along Robin. Not even a cup of coffee helped me this morning. Time for a tea chaser…
Nobody should do *anything* the week after dls, LOL…
I wish they would just abolish it already. It’s enough that my hubbie and I have to suffer through it for a few weeks until we get assimilated. But it is impossible for me to explain it to my 8 yo and deal with dragging her out of bed every morning!
Teh Hubs is now a county supervisor, and they’ve been having weekly budget meetings for the past three weeks… and ongoing. Bleargh.
Ugh… that sounds draining.
Well, you smell good enough that nobody will notice your exhaustion.
🙂
You smell wonderful!
🙂 Aww.. you guys are the BEST!
Exhausted today. I really needed a tenacious scent to keep me awake so I’m in Tea Rose, which is definitely helping.
You’ve just reminded me that I have a bottle of that, purchased for all of $10 or so, and I’ve never worn it. Must remedy that.
Yes! I’ve got the 4 oz jug I paid $10 for as well. I do love it, even if it is a powerhouse of a scent.
Nice.
I sprayed sparingly today and got the perfect Goldie-locks amount on that won’t drive me insane, but keep me alert too.
I have an unloved Tea Rose too but I sometimes use it as a linen spray.
I’m tempted to do that with mine!
I read that someone else here does that so I really can’t take the credit. It’s one of those scents that I enjoy smelling but not wearing. It turns very sour on my skin but I do think it is pretty.
Tea Rose was one of my first fragrances, and I still love it. I almost chose that one for neglected friday last week!
It is a fantastic scent, even after all this time.
Tea Rose is a winner. Like Petunia I use it for linens. It’s also nice to spritz it into the air and then walk through the cloud. The room and I smell nice all day that way. 🙂
I did that this morning to get some on my hair and then a spray on my wrist. I found out the hard way last time it’s very easy to use too much of this and bomb myself out if I’m not careful!
I think that is how I learned early on to be a light applier. You really have to watch it with Tea Rose! Just a drop is powerful.
Bois Blonds for me.
That one is so lovely. I wear it as a night scent.
day 3 of 5 days of violets…
sotd: Annick Goutal La Violette
I would love to know any violets you recommend. If you feel like replying here I will look in later.
Violet scents are so distinctly different, it depends on what you like.
If you like the soft, tender, sweet side, you should try: Annick Goutal La Violette (also Lolita Lempicka and Caron Aimez Moi)
If you like green violets, try: Penhaligon’s Violettta and Caron Violette Precieuse and Parfums de Nicolai Violette in Love
If you like woody violets, try: SL Bois de Violette, Sonoma Scent Studio Wood Violet
If you like coolly polished/sophisticated violet, try: Balenciaga Paris, Tom Ford Violet Blonde
Fruity/Fun violets: Sonoma Scent Studio Voile de Violette and Guerlain Insolence edp
Dark Earthy Unusual Violets: Creed Love in Black and Comme des Garcons Stephen Jones
If you want to try the ultimate, supreme ‘suede-violets,’ don’t miss: Balmain Jolie Madame (try to find a bottle from the 90’s or earlier, this is my ultimate favorite).
There are so many others, but I won’t mention the one’s that don’t work for me
Wow! Thanks for this compilation. I need to try some of these.
Taking notes on all of this. Thank you!
so helpful thanks! I have tried a few but they are heavily green so I will try the more sweet ones.
Adding to Perfume Sniffer’s list, these work for me:
Classic/aldehyde violet: vintage Balenciaga Le Dix and vintage Worth Je Reviens
Violet/patchouli: TM Garden of the Stars Violette Angel
Fresh/nice for summertime: JCB Fleurs d’Ombre Violette Menthe
Also, Guerlain Meteorites
I love!!!! le Dix. I am almost out and dread trying to find it again. Any suggestions, last time I took a chance on ebay
That is a gorgeous Violet; have you tried the Unicorn Spell for LesNez? It’s very green violet and created by Doyen as well.
you know, I think I tried Unicorn Spell a long time ago but I never had a bottle. I don’t remember it clearly.
You smell absolutely lovely.
Been busy this morning and didn’t check in until after lunch… but Scent Twins!! And that’s the last of my La Violette sample. Isn’t this one discontinued now?
Hi Twin!
Oh, dear, I hope it’s not discontinued. I know AG Tubereuse is definitely discontinued but I think La Violette is still on the soliflore list on AG’s main site.
Please don’t let this be another one I have to get all worked up about a back-up. My bottle is nearly empty, maybe 20% remains.
Random realization today while wearing this: there’s so much similarity with Lolita Lempicka and La Violette. For me, the LL disappears within 15 mins, so the La V wins, but they are pretty close. Soft violets and anise….so gentle and easy going.
CandyPerfumeBoy also compiled a list of violet fragrances. I haven’t explored the note, but his descriptions are lovely and interesting. Love this thread discussion!
Myrrh et Delires
Posting and jetting – off to Physical therapy
Hope it goes well!
I am wearing Hedonist, sweet but lovely. Many here seem to be tea people so here is a question-
Peets coffee and tea is where I used to get my black tea with blackcurrant. They do not carry it anymore. I have tried ordering different ones from Amazon , etc. I am finding many are “flavored” which means not real black current. Any suggestions?
Harneys makes one, but have never tried it.
Thanks but Harney’s was not it for me, siad “flavor” on the tin
So you are looking for tea with blackcurrant pieces in it for flavor?
There is a tea place close to where I grew up in Connecticut called Simpson & Vail. For my wedding shower I got so much tea from them, and they are all good quality. Mariage Freres is my other favorite tea brand. (no affiliation with any of these) Here is a tea you can try: http://www.svtea.com/Black-Currant-Black-Tea/productinfo/T0055/
My favorite from S&V is there flowering jasmine teas. I use clear glass mugs so you can see the ball open and it looks like lovely flower in your tea cup.
Thaks I am going to look them up
SOTD is Ys Uzac Satin Doll, which is actually really nice. Tea of the moment is Oolong Chataigne by Damman Frères.
You have all these fragrances I’ve never heard of. I have my pencil out and am taking notes!
I just have samples! I think that you might like Satin Doll, it’s an abstract refined floral with the unusual combination of iris and tuberose, although I don’t get much tuberose.
That is a pretty one – I liked my sample too, and used it up.
Not much tuberose on me either. Sort of an upscale nonscreechy Coco Mademoiselle instead.
I have a sample of this and will wear it today in your honour. I like it and have worn it but I don’t think I would buy a full bottle, possibly, maybe. I might try it more now that autumn is here. I was sent samples of most of their scents when I bought Pohadka and have enjoyed them…with the exception of Dragon Tattoo, which I don’t get. Maybe too inky? But, in general I find their scents very wearable : interesting and and not too fussy…which is kind of where I am when it comes to selecting a SOTD. Some of their scents remind me a bit of CDG , but more mellow.
Eau de Merveilles here. I need an uncomplicated day.
EdM is perfect that way – uncomplicated yet interesting.
SOTD is EL Sensuous, another swap meet entry. Some of my picks seem pretty cold-hearted, and I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t want a bulging collection but just enough to see me through a month in fall/winter and another in spring/summer.
SOTD is BV Knot.
A sample of ELdO Fils de Dieu. Like Thai food and cologne had a gorgeous baby together. Why do I not own a full bottle of this?
😀 I really like that one, too. You should get a full bottle of that.
Enabler chip for you!
Did you buy it?!?
I have a sample of this, you’ve reminded me to try this soon, I’ll wait for weather to warm up a bit first.
I bought an FB and do not regret it! I like it best in hot weather.
I can’t wait to try it when it gets warmer outside!
That is a BEAUTY of a scent!!
Mmmmm – thai food…. 😉
Fils de Dieu (du riz et des agrumes!) is a marvellous scent!
Turned in a grant yesterday and rewarded myself with going out in Patchouli 24, which is perhaps the scent that made me actually nutty for perfume. So far this morning I’m also on the Fils de Dieu train, which does feel springy with the emerging sun and cleaning tasks ahead of me. The ELDO sampler set wins again for best value…14$ CAD on Sephora website here 😉
This is in my Top 5 Want to Try/Buy list . We can get a couple of ELDOs in NZ but not this one. Rien is also on my list.
SOTD: Floris Cherry Blossom
Robin, I totally get the “pretty canister” thing. One way of using up teas or coffee that I don’t really like is to cook or bake with them.
Perhaps you can try making a jam (peaches, apricots maybe?) or just some cookies or even ice-cream. 😉
Or throw away the tea and use the canister to store perfume decants…
I wish I could make myself throw away the tea, but I can’t seem to. Too bad Goodwill does not take tea.
Happy888cat — I have made some really good tea ice creams! But I do not like the flavor of this tea, so it would be a waste of good cream. It is cherry blossom, and turns out I pretty much never like cherry blossom tea or cherry blossom perfumes.
I’m the same way. I too had a cherry blossom tea that was meh and then tried making ice cream from it that was also meh. We didn’t even finish eating it. I ended up throwing it out.
Turn it into potpourri?
Do you like lavender? I get organic lavender buds and mix a bunch into any tea I don’t like the flavor of. Lavender overwhelms almost everything and makes a good calming pick me up tea in the afternoons with a couple of crackers with honey and cheese..
Ah, of course I have plain lavender tea! I will try that.
This plan gets my vote! I’ve fallen very far off the tidy-sample bandwagon, but those I have put away neatly are in a very pleasing row of tea tins; I recommend this strategy to everyone including myself 🙂
Tired week over here, too. Indiana opted out of daylight savings time forever, we’ve switched now for quite a few years but I never get used to it. It’s a stormy, windy spring day here, seems like a good day for a chypre so I’m going to wear Paloma Picasso.
Nice! I like rich oakmoss in the spring.
I learned the hard way about Indiana way back when our ride from the airport to the business meeting location was “late” and we were all stressed out, about nothing as it turned out. Better to be super early than a little late!
I miss those days! We were on EST half the year and CST the rest, so TV shows were an hour earlier in the summer. I know how weird it sounds, lol 🙂
I am wearing Mohur edp. I received it recently and enjoy it a lot. It reminds me a lot of Dambrosia though, I don’t know what it is but some notes in Mohur are very similar to Dambrosia. Did anyone else notice this?
Love Mohur! Haven’t tried Dambrosia.
SOTD is De Profundis, from a decant obtained in a swap with the lovely and generous hajusuuri. (Hi, hajusuuri!)
You smell great! I only have a small sample of De Profundis. It’s really pretty. I love that refrigerated flowers (Florist shop) smell. Wish I could find a bottle of it… don’t need a bell jar.
You smell great!
You smell wonderful 🙂
Glorious!
GirardEAU reminded me of Eau de Narcisse Bleu yesterday, so that’s what I’m wearing. One of my favourites from Hermes and great for early spring.
Robin, why don’t you like Fleur de Geisha? Too sweet? I’m just curious – it’s not one of my favourites either, but I’m defenceless against cherry blossoms.
I have tried several cherry blossom teas and just don’t like them, ditto with cherry blossom perfumes. They do not taste/smell like the real thing. This tea is like drinking cheap girly-pink perfume 🙂
I feel that way about lots of jasmine teas 😳 I like the scent but don’t actually want to drink them unless I’m struck by a very specific craving.
Ah, whereas I do love jasmine tea.
Me too. Have been surprised to find I am a jasmine perfume fan, as I mostly don’t like jasmine tea… (feels like such a sacrilege to admit that!)
I completely agree, but still buy everything that says ‘cherry blossom’ on the tin.
This was a limited edition tin and it’s particularly pretty. I will use it up some day, probably in 2019.
I just bought a box of Celestial Black Cherry tea last night…..the bags smell exactly like a dried cherry should, so I can’t wait to try a cuppa…..
Didn’t get a chance to read through all of yesterday’s comments until late at night – so I missed out on your “recommend me a perfume for Martinique” thread! I agree that Bronze Goddess is probably a perfect choice, although a soliflore (e.x. Serge Lutens A La Nuit) would also be lovely to bring along.
The Hermes Hermessence, Jardin, or Jour lines would also probably do well as tropical vacation fragrances. If you want something stronger with a Bohemian vibe I would also recommend Lush, although go easy on the application (a little goes a long way with this brand). For something refreshing I recommend a traditional cologne (e.x. Dior Eau Sauvage EDT).
Hope this helps, and do let us know what you decide to bring! 🙂
Thank you for the recommendations! All good ideas, but I’m especially grateful for the Hermes reminder – I have several scents in 15ml bottles, so good for travelling. The original plan was to take one scent only, but I’m already wavering 🙂
Oh I’m so impressed with the idea of taking only one, I’ve never yet been able to make myself commit to such a thing. But I can see how it would make for really nice memories, is that the motivation?
Partly. I had one wonderful holiday in Catalunia where I wore SL Fleurs d’Oranger almost exclusively and it worked so well. But I’m also trying to be really well edited this time: I’m a surprisingly light packer, but I tend to take a huge number of skincare snd fragrance samples, because they don’t require much space and give me options. But it’s messy and I just feel like being more streamlined. That said, as I’m not sure I’ll find the one and only, I might end up with a selection after all.
I hear you on the editing; as a rule I keep only five items in my makeup bag and find this simplicity wonderfully stress-reducing. But, have yet to find this restraint for perfume–took 11 samples and decants on my most recent eight-day trip. Oops 🙂
If we don’t count the No.5 EDT which occupies a permanent spot in my travel bag, I done the 1 perfume only trips with: Sous le toit de Paris, Cedrat Enivrant and Infusion d’Iris Absolue.
Wow! Has it worked well? I feel like I can see a pattern in those choices! 🙂
I love all your recs–have I found another scent twin?!
About to hop in the shower and then wear Guerlain Jicky. I love Jicky, not just for the skank, but I can apply 5 sprays and not clear out the room. I have an oral surgery consult today about that really busted up tooth and part of that root tip that the oral surgeon left in when I got my wisdom teeth pulled. Jicky is soothing as well. One thing that I dislike about going to a dental school to get my teeth fixed is that there are so many appointments.
Guerlain Jicky is very worthy of your love.
I think I’m going to treat myself to a bottle for my birthday. I’m not sure whether to get the EDT or EDP.
I say get the EDP because the current version of the EDT lasted only about an hour on my skin. The EDP lasts about 4-5 on my skin.
SOTD is Sycomore. Predicted high today is 84, and by Sunday 48. Go figure.
I’m having weather envy. It’s not that cold here-50’s but I just have that chill I can’t get rid of. Enjoy the warmth before the plunge!
Hope you get some deep warmth soon. 🙂
You smell lovely!
Thanks!
SOTD on this lovely early spring day is Chanel No 19 edt. I need a bit of that extra something something that only comes with the 19.
You smell wonderful.
Thanks!
Perfect scent for spring
Beautiful morning here in the city.. Spring is coming!
I’m wearing Lonesome Rider today and was extra generous on the sprays.. I really get the iris when wearing a heavier amount.
Hmmm. Good to know!
Spray with abandon! 🙂
That’s good to know!
Bombay Bling today for me, from the coffret. I would gladly own all the Neela Vermeire perfumes with the exception of Ashoka. Oh dear.
BB is my favourite but yes I would gladly take a bottle of each one.
Same here. Trayee is my number one, though.
Me, too, but including Ashoka! I’ll have to make tough decisions when I start draining my coffret bottles. Mohur is very nearly empty already.
It’s not that I dislike Ashoka. Economizing you know, with my imaginary money. I imagine I’ll end up with the others over time through.
Hahaha, I totally know what you mean. Feel relieved that BB is the only one I really needed to own, but it’s not at all to say I dislike the others, not at all.
Day off from work. Many times, I take advantage of such days to wear my riskiest, most inappropriate-for-work scents. Today it’s Bal à Versailles.
I look forward to those days of scent freedom, too. My poor husband, though 😉
Hee hee! Mine too. They don’t know what’s hit ’em…
They are lucky to have wives with excellent taste in perfume and should be eternally grateful that their lives have been thus enhanced.
Hooray! I’m going to read what you’ve written to my spouse any time he wrinkles his nose. (He tends not to prefer really strong, musky, animalic scents… but oh, I do.
I love BaV. It is very risque! Good for you.
I’m sure everyone at the laundromat and supermarket were scandalized! I’m the talk of the dairy aisle… ;D
SOTD Beloved. Sooo purdy!
Yes, it is. You smell soooo good!
🙂 !!!
You smell lovely today Elisa!
Gorgeous!
Awwww, thanks guys! You all smell pretty fab yourselves. I sped through Saks at lunch today (mostly to sniff Alaia) and nothing could compete with Beloved today.
Alaia was kind of nice, and I liked the body lotion better than the edp, but no $ spent.
Alaia needs skin time. There is a tiny amount of musky skank under the sheer sweetness. I was surprised to find it lurking there but it’s no Bal.
Just reupped last night’s Paloma Picasso. I looooove chypres in spring.
Lovely, must try this one soon.
There is just something about spring when the earth starts to wake up that calls out for that oakmossy thing that happens in a good chypre.
I have to try this. Do you have an older bottle? I love love love oakmoss, but didn’t start buying perfume seriously until after it became virtually extinct in the perfume world. I wear Bergamoss and Moss Gown and dream about the past. But maybe this is a mistake?
You can buy oakmoss absolute at Eden Botanicals and add it to any perfume of your choice if you are truly craving oakmoss. I have also worn it straight up on my wrist but I don’t recommend this as it stains the skin and feels sticky/tacky….but I will admit that the smell is divine! It is a perfume unto itself!
Is there a ratio for how much oakmoss you add for some bite, but not have it overpower?
I decant the fragrance into a 5ml spray and then add one tiny “blob” on a toothpick (oakmoss is quite thick) and then allow it to settle for several days….I test if I want to add more (which I usually do)….it is personal preference….I tend to love oakmoss so in all likelihood I am adding more than the average person would…..
Good to know. Thanks!
My bottle is older but not ancient. I think it smells great but I’ve tried more vintage versions that were even better. I recommend looking for an older bottle on eBay, I don’t imagine it would be expensive.
I’ll have to take a look. Thanks!
Deep old school love of Paloma! ????
Seville A L’Aube today. I’m feeling really happy as I finally gave in my application form and personal statement last night at college, and it was a real weight off my mind- Seville is such a happy scent, fits with my positive mood. My husband doesn’t care for it tho.
Tea of the moment; Kusmi Detox
You smell great!
Lovely!
Congratulations and you smell great.
Such a mood lifter.
Thanks everyone!
Scent of Departure ICN Seoul today. My spring wear.
Ah, forgot about those! Wonder if they’re still making them?
I hope so. The website is still up, so that’s a good sign. I really ought to pick up some others and try Histoires des Parfums. I’m a huge fan of theirs as I’d made an inquiry on this fragrance and received a response the next day from Gérald Ghislain himself!
Nice!
Wow, this is a scent?? Awesome!
It is! A lovely green floral. The line is inspired by different cities.
Robin, you smell wonderful.
I am wearing Bois des Iles on this foggy, soggy day.
Thank you, and gosh, so do you!
Twins!!
You all smell lovely & elegant!
I haven’t worn Aromatics Elixer this year, so that is what I am wearing. It is in the 80s in the afternoons here in Texas, so I applied it quite lightly. That might be a project. What fragrances do you wear only during one specific season that you might wear in a different season if applied in a different manner?
Found my little decant of Fleurs de Sel which turns out to be just what I am in the mood for. Hadn’t worn it in so long I had forgotten what it smells like. I could have worn it for forgotten Friday, since it was languishing in the bottom of my camera bag for who knows how long and I didn’t even remember its existence. Good thing I dropped my lens cap into the abyss since I also found my (also forgotten) sample of Musc Tonkin Extrait and another little spray sample of M.
FdS is so lovely and evocative. It’s one Miller Harris that I would love to stumble across in FB. It reminds me very much of the smell of Greece – I was there years ago with study abroad. There certainly is no other fragrnace that smells like it.
I love FDS, recently acquired a mini from eBay, and looking forward to wearing it in the summer.
I don’t know how I could have forgotten I had this. It’s really lovely in the heat and I wish I would stumble across a FB at a steep discount.
On another note, I just had the pleasure of watching my husband step on a rabbit. Poor little thing was hiding in the field and he wasn’t watching where he stepped. Don’t know who shrieked louder 😀 It was mostly unharmed and ran off leaving a tiny piece of fur behind, the cats were all horribly startled by the mad man hopping about on one foot, and I almost fell over laughing.
Box of Eels. Nuff said ????
Indeed!
You smell wonderful today Deva!
I must get out my Fleurs de Sel and put some on, too.
Haven’t tried L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons Extrême, but I did put on Chasse aux Papillons last night and, despite hating it the first time I wore it, actually enjoyed it last night. My taste must be expanding!
Wearing SSS Nostalgie today, and boy, is it dreamy. I’m already excited for the drydown. It’s a bit of good cheer on a day that started with spilling coffee all over my white shirt.
I totally forgot I still have a bit of a sample left. It is such a beautiful scent, that no one will notice the coffee stains 😉 Enjoy! I’m a hopeless chronic coffee spiller. I splashed some on someone on the train yesterday morning. They seemed more annoyed by my trying to mop them up with a napkin.
I still like the “plain” La Chasse better than the Extreme.
Oops sorry about the shirt, but Nostalgie really is nice, isn’t it?
I’m testing Putain des Palaces today. It’s sweeter than I had expected. From a distance, there is something almost rootbeer-y to it, or is it just my nose?
Very sweet and powdery on me. I love it, but have to be in the right mood. Root beer sounds good! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and I’m there ????
I love PdP! Definitely sweet and powder. Will have to try again and sniff for root beer! 🙂
SOTD: Victoria’s Secret Scandalous. Sweet sweet sweet stuff…..
Went on a tea spree at Sprouts last night….A lot of the teas are 50% off this week. I have a flavor and brew for every mood! Still stuck on coconut coffee in the AM though! 🙂
Mmm, coconut coffee sounds yummy!
Papillon Angelique today, again. I feel like a broken record, but at least I smell really good 🙂
You really do!
Yes!
Excellent even!
It’s my favorite Papillon.
Mine too.
Today I’m wearing Guerlain L’Heure Bleue. So beautiful! Every time I wear it, I’m wondering why I don’t wear it more.
You’re so right… why don’t we both wear it more?
Its really delicious and deserves more love!
It is a beauty! I wore it last night and, possibly influenced by the name, tend to reserve it for evenings. I hope you hear back from the vet soon. Waiting like that must be torture. And I’m hoping for good news for you.
I like wearing it at night too. It’s a great sleep scent.
Same here. You smell great!
Wearing Coco Mademoiselle, which I never have worn before. Apparently I’m sticking with the newer Chanels this week.
What do you think? I wore it for a long time in my early 20s.
I actually think it’s nice. Like all Chanels, it’s always an easy pick for me when I’m working, as they play well in a professional environment. It is clear why it is the way it is–being marketed to a younger crowd. I can understand why it does so well year after year. It’s easy and sweet and has an effervescence about it that makes it fun yet not unsophisticated (to me). While it’s not something I would normally gravitate to, it’s a little “mainstream department store” smelling to me–I still think it is nicely done. And I’m enjoying it today.
I have a friend who wears it as her signature scent and had a story about her sister always teasing her and saying that she wore No. 5–since that is a “hilarious joke” because No. 5 is an old lady perfume. It became so pervasive amongst her family that her aunt actually thought that was the perfume she loved and she bought her a bottle of No. 5 for Christmas instead of the Coco Mademoiselle. SO…whether it is fair or not–I always associate Coco Mademoiselle with perfume for people who don’t like “old lady” –(good?) perfume.
Actually a similar thing happened to me a million years ago with a boyfriend’s mom. I always wore Coco. But she’d asked him what I wore, and he only said “Chanel”. So she bought me a bottle of No 5. It was so embarrassing at the time.
Heh I have come to feel the same way about what “old lady” perfume means. “Oh yes, how old-fashioned, I def don’t think you want to wear that vintage perfume, you better give it to me instead” 😉
My sister wears it, and it is really lovely on her. If I wear it, all I get is screechy patchouli.
Floris A rose for.. today. Disappearing to deal with UK Budget analysis – will spray on Coromandel before the presentation I have to give on this in 2.5 hours time yikes!
Good luck with the presentation!
Thanks – done now and seems to have gone ok. Off for a celebratory drink.
Hope you’re presentation went well, and perfect perfume choice for it!
Thanks seems to be ok and very much done for the day now…
Also, I’m waiting on biopsy results for my dog. I posted here on Friday that he was diagnosed what looks like liver cancer. The doctors are basing this on an ultrasound. We brought him Monday for a biopsy, and they said we’d have results in 2-3 days. I’ve been on pins and needles regarding this. He’s such a sweet boy, and I’m worried about him, but also for my daughter. She’s not taking this well at all.
sorry, I meant to put this under my original post.
I hope the report from the biopsy will be good news. Big hug to you and your pup.
I hope things turn out better than expected
Please let us know how you make out.
I hope you get good news!
Best of luck to you and your family. Hope it turns out to be treatable.
Fingers crossed for you that the problem is curable!
Really hope results are positive Barqs.
How awful 🙁 Hope the results are favorable, or at least indicate he can be treated. In the meantime, sending you best wishes. Stay well!
Adding my wish to the others for good news.
I am so sorry. There is nothing useful I can say but please know my thoughts are with you and yours.
Oh I hope you get some good news.
Good luck. I hope you get some good news.
Blind grab into a sample box: MDCI Rose de Siwa. I can barely smell it, and I have discovered yet another of my quirks heretofore unknown to me. It seems that I do not want to just dump out the whole ml onto my arm. I have no idea what this says about me. I could postulate ad nauseum, but that would no doubt be incredibly boring and tedious.
Happy Hump Day, all!
I really like Rose de Siwa… It’s just so pink. (pink roses, litchi, peony and I think a touch of violet and vetiver on a bed of soft woody musk) I decanted my sample into a sprayer, I have a 10 ml sample, and it does last about four hours for me. I’d love to have another decant of this. Great for Spring.
Oh man, I love Rose de Siwa. It smells like Sarah Bernhardt peonies. So beautiful (and, as Petunia says, So Pink)!
I have the same problem and am going to get some small atomizers and see if they diffuse better. This one is so nice, but so fleeting with the dabber.
Rose de Siwa is heartbreakingly pretty. I love it. So soft, and lovely.
That is the perfect description for this scent!
Hello. No perfume for me today – although I can still smell Ambre Sultan on my jumper. I’ve been smelling a few absolutes and oils – castoreum being the most memorable for the day. Very potent and leathery.
Ambre Sultan is an excellent next-day-jumper scent.
SO true! Now that would be a fun poll–I’d additionally propose Musc Ravageur and Memoir Woman.
Rien!
Continuing a tour through the collected works of Cloon Keen Atelier. SOTD is “Bataille de Fleurs” which allegedly features mimosa, lemon leaf, jasmine and fig. I’m disappointed with it because at first sniff it seemed to have some heft about it – presumably the fig notes rounding out the flowers – but it has faded away like yesterday’s slighter perfume. I’d be interested to hear the view of someone with better behaved skin! :^)
It sounds so lovely …what a shame it faded. It’s Saint Patricks Day here so sending some Irish vibes your way. I’m off to a Buzzcocks gig tonight ( the real Buzzcocks! Here! Now…30 years after everyone else ) so am trying to think about what perfume to wear from my limited collection..keeping in mind that the audience will be made up of 50 year olds and some students who have seen the light.
Enjoy the Buzzcocks. My partner is a punk (in the punk rock sense of the word) and there are plenty of bands still going 30 or 40 years after they debuted. Not so much new stuff worthy of attention. Or at least that’s the impression I get – very little of it grabs *my* attention, it’s just background noise to me. -:^)
Oh! Enjoy the show! I’m jealous. I have no specific perfume recs, but leather seems suitable.
I was thinking Chanel Eau Premiere …..as it might clear a bigger dancin’ space around me for wiggin out.
The Buzzcocks! How awesome. Have a great time!
The description of this really tempts me but sounds like it doesn’t last so probably not as exciting as I thought. I’m really interested in reading about your views of the various ones you are working your way through.
If you have normal skin this one may be worth a punt as it is floral without being terrifically sweet or feminine. A lot of perfumes fizzle out prematurely on me, so I wouldn’t rule it out on that account unless you have the same problem. :^)
I love the name Bataille de Fleurs : it is so evocative. I had to look up the fragrance notes I was suprised by how relatively ‘tame’ the key players are. Gentle mimosa, sweet fig, the ripeness of jasmine… should be renamed Bagatelle de Fleurs….
SOTD = Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Liquid Nude Black. I had to snap up the set with three versions of CMLN when I found one for like twenty-five bucks.
I’ve read comparrisons to a lighter Black Orchid, and while I don’t get that at all, it is definitely in the same fragrance family. Dark fruits, jammy, a hint of patchouli and almost a hint of chocolate… Maybe that’s the patch if it’s in the note list? It would fit in nicely in the Lolita Lempicka, Badgley Mishka, Givenchy Hot Couture, TF Black Orchid, Pulp etc. corner though still wears pretty light on me at least.
Anyway, I do like it quite a bit and if the bottles are discounted enough, would definitely purchase full sizes of each. They’re all really nice for everyday (or night in Black’s case) and I’m glad I bought it. I just don’t know if the other one (not the Black or White) is the original CM Liquid Nude or the Blush version, whatever the difference is, as it smells different than the bottle of Liquid Nude I have from a few years back. Will have to get young Master AbScent in training to give it a look for me. He’ll be excited there are new perfumes to check out. 🙂
I liked this “black” one when I smelled the fragrance strip in a magazine. I thought it was very nice.
PdE 1829 today, for the Empress Eugenie. This is heavy on ginger (a good thing to me) and is evolving into some sort of jasmine/white flower mix that smells a little foody. I was pleasantly surprised that yesterday’s George Sand lasted all day; it initially seemed quite light and airy.
I have a thrilling day planned of recaulking the shower and washing the living room ceiling. I might need something stronger than tea to get me to the finish.
Not PdE, Histoires de Parfums, HdP. More coffee needed!
Happy caulking and cleaning. You will be able to polish your halo after completing those chores.
Trying out Black Saffron today…
I got distinct cigarette smoke (not smoke smoke) initially but thankfully that has dissipated.
I’m working my way through the Byredo discovery coffret and thus far I’m underwhelmed. I expected more at the price point.
In general if I were to do a Pepsi Challenge w/ wine, for example, I’m not sure my nose could pick out a $10, $50 or $100 bottle reliably. And so to w/ my nose I’m not certain w/ blinded samples I could pick out the higher end ones, but this line hasn’t impressed as being worth the extra cost.
Last year, I bought the women’s sample coffret from Maison FK which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Not sure I will buy a FB of any of them but they are all nicely done and seem to relay the use of quality materials.
With so many niche brands out there…churning out so much stuff…seems like there is an abundance of “meh” stuff that is priced too high imho.
I’ve sample most of Tauer’s fragrances and love them or leave them they all smell high quality and worthy of their prices.
What other more expensive lines are worth the cost please? I want to be wowed and will pay for the wow…I just need to know where the wow is….Amouage maybe? Haven’t tried any of their line yet…
P.S. I know it is not Bond. 😉
Where did you find a Byredo discovery coffret? I can’t find one on their website, but I’d love to try all their scents before buying a FB.
I got it from Neiman Marcus online although I can’t find it on their website now. Luckyscent has it too.
To the extent remotely useful it’s also on net a porter (which is surprisingly good for perfume).
I think some of the best Byredo scents aren’t as popular and so they don’t include them in the coffret. I find inflorescence, pulp, and seven veils to be unique–(which is hard in this day and age) and very well done. Try and smell these three if you can! Also, Bal d’Afrique in the bath oil is glorious. (albeit a splurge and really expensive…but it does look great sitting in your bathroom)
I have to say the Neela Vermeire coffret was money well spent. I also love Naomi Goodsir’s small line, but it doesn’t have a sampler.
Cosign on these!
Agree, again 🙂
The one line that comes to mind is Puredistance. I love Opardu, White and M. I didn’t much care for Puredistance I, and I am on the fence with Antonia and Black.
I have been disappointed with Amouage since everything has been reformulated and none of their recent releases have wowed me. I think Frederic Malle scents are worth the money. Even if they are not all to my taste, I find the quality high and the scents mostly don’t smell like everyone else’s. I also like Tauer and Neela Vermeire.
I agree with Frederic Malle and Neela Vermeire. I’ve only tried Lonesome Rider from Tauer, but it smelled high quality to me as well.
I’m going to differ from foxbins on this, but I think Amouage is worth the try. I bought the main collection sampler and the Library collection sampler. Even the scents out of both that I don’t like amaze me with their complexity and I do think they make great scents with quality materials. I’ve not had a chance to test the most recent ones though (since Sunshine).
I hear you on being underwhelmed by Byredo. I’ve tried several from them and felt they simply were not worth the money.
Sounds like we have similar taste on those houses at least. I was lucky enough to get a sampler from Amouage in an advent calendar and they are clearly all incredibly good quality and complex scents, and I love a fair few of them, including Beloved and Lyric and Honour.
My three on Byredo. On a cursory sniff, the only one that really appealed me was Bal d’Afrique, and though I came home with a sample, I think I’ve put it on maybe once since then? In…18 months, at least.
And I’m pro-Amouage but I have not closely followed reformulations, just been very impressed with those I’ve tried. Favorites are Memoir Woman and JubXXV (which bears some resemblance to both Bal d’Afrique and Timbuktu, IMO.)
I second Malle. And there are a few Tom Fords that are gorgeous with great longevity. Also Guerlain 😉
Still on the orange blossoms with Orange Blossom and Petigrain body butter and Seville a l’Aube. Its sunny today, feels like spring.
OB is so lovely for spring!
Hey scent twin!
Hanbury today! Rainy spring weather suits this very nice floral perfume….
I saw my bottle of Jean Patou 1000 and realized I may have never worn it. Just sprayed some on and I am speechless at how delicious and curvy this is! Rich and almost buttery but not overwhelming. I just met a new best friend. (Note: it is a contemporary bottle)
I have not tried 1000 in years, but that is always how I feel when I wear Joy — it’s so delicious it’s hard to see why anybody needs anything else 🙂
Tonight I will have to put on Joy, which I also haven’t worn in ages. I’ve been trying to decide whether to buy Arpege. I haven’t sniffed it since I was a child and don’t remember what it smelled like. I never hear about it but I vaguely remember someone saying it hasn’t changed greatly.
Yesterday I noticed there is a moment near the beginning of No. 5 Eau Premiere that smells like lemon-lime soda. Strange I never got that bit before, but it’s not surprising since I find a hint of root beer in No. 22. After the soda pop fizzles out the Eau Premiere aldehydes turn fusty-dusty on me for a while then everything resolves into loveliness.
This morning I’m huffing the Eau Premiere fumes + Tea Rose. Thanks to Jenkr for the reminder of how lovely a light misting of roses can be. 🙂
Nice combo for layering! I wore Eau Premiere yesterday and just loved it all day long. It’s a great go to fragrance! I get a lot of the lemon-lime out of it too.
Very glad to know you get the lemon-lime with Eau Premiere, too. I thought I was imagining it.
Out of idle curiosity I went and sniffed my sample of No. 22 for a while. I get a cola note, not root beer. I don’t know what I was thinking before, and now I wonder . . . what smells like root beer? . . . toddles off to sniff more samples . . .
Alien?
Alien is it! Root beer chugs along under all the flowers.
Wow! That sounds like an amazing (if not slightly dangerous) paring. One would definitely have to be light handed with the Tea Rose.
Everything smells better with a dusting of roses 🙂
SOTD = Cuir Beluga
Working from home today due to a late night meeting last night and an early start today. Grrrr on the network connection as I was kicked off 8 times this morning and I finally decided to take a break for lunch!
You smell great. Hope it sees you through the boring network issues.
Dzing! this morning, but then I was bored at the grocery store and spritzed on some of the Pacifica scents. Tahitian Gardenia on my left wrist and Persian Rose on my right.
On the subject of Pacifica they seem to be pulling back on some of their past offerings…the candle collection has substantially diminished and I believe that Mexican Cocoa and California Star Jasmine are soon to be discontinued based on the website offering and what the Pacifica rep dropped off and took back from my local store (where I buy my Pacifica candles and perfumes)…I was also told that the perfume solids are being axed…I also think that Spanish Amber may be going as well given the introduction of two new fragrances- Amber Dreams and Tunesian Lime Jasmine….at Ulta they have started carrying Pacifica’s new shampoos and conditioners!! I think that Pacifica might be decrease their fragrance /candle line and increasing their makeup/beauty/body line and heading in a different direction….a shame because some of their past discontinued perfumes were well made and so affordable. So my recommendation is to stock up on what you love wherever you can find it!
Good to know, thanks!
I love all your tea posts! When I was about 20 this American mountaineer visited my family in Christchurch (NZ) and bought a packet of tea with him as a gift: Constant Comment. We had never tasted anything like it, ever, and we sat around the table in deep silence as we watched him make it and pour it, marvelling at the real pieces of peel and the scent. It was the first flavoured tea I ever had and the most memorable. I think it was Celestial Seasonings? Probably as common as muck but you could have taken photos of our awe struck expressions and gaping mouths
Do you use tea to flavour sultanas etc. when you make fruit cakes? That’s how I get rid of unwanted packets.
Bigelow! Constant Comment is my old reliable. Not sure there’s real peel in it anymore, but I haven’t looked for it lately either. I think many Christmas teas are in the same general area, if you’re looking for something similar (but more Special).
Constant Comment is Bigelow’s, though Celestial Seasonings has its Orange Spice– both marvelous.
I’ve soaked dried figs in hot black tea with cloves & a cinnamon stick, then stuffed them with sweet cream cheese. Oy.
Eek, this sounds delish! What brand sweet cream cheese? I’m only familiar with Philadelphia and barely so as I typically only have cream cheese with bagels and zucchini bread.
Philadelphia is fine, softened up and blended with honey!
holy **** that sounds fabulous!
Oh so delicious and worth all the effort!
Constant Comment tea bags make lovely drawer sachets! I love that smell.
Oh goodness, Constant Comment brings back memories. My mom and I drank that tea so much my dad said it replaced our blood.
It was just so exotic and cool – and I wanted so much to be one of those people who lived in a log cabin and had books like ‘Our bodies, Ourselves’ and ‘Monkey Wrench Gang’ on rough wood and brick bookshelves and Nina Simone playing on the record player, and sour dough in the oven. And i never was.
Oh goodness, flashback! My family had the Our Bodies Ourselves, homemade bookshelves, Nina Simone & sourdough… but no log cabin. Suburban Bohemia in New Jersey!
Ha, same, but in suburban DC. Had not thought of Our Bodies in years.
I believe that years ago Sonoma Scent Studio had a perfume called Constant Comment which got very bad reviews…yes, it was supposed to smell like the tea…and it was a mere seventeen dollars for a full bottle! In researching this perfume house I stumbled upon some interesting articles of the original offerings.
Hi, Kanuka! Constant Comment was a staple of my household here in the US when I was growing up back in the sixties. Tea was not nearly as popular here as it is now, except for iced tea in the summer. I recently bought some to remind me of my mom who would drink it with her best friend over a long chat in the afternoons, and I always thought it was very sophisticated and meant for special occasions.
Btw, I immediately thought of you when I read the following post:
http://meganinsaintemaxime.com/2016/03/10/perfume-news-march-2016-new-releases-that-have-me-hot-under-the-collar/
Isn’t that interesting? I wonder where they source the materials for the Moko Maori? If it was my scent I would add bracken but I definitely want to find out more about this. Thanks heaps!
I haven’t had Constant Comment since then … except when I travelled to Canada but I can still smell it in my head. Funny, I have no memory of the American’s name, or why he was visiting…just the tea.
I hope you’ll keep us posted regarding your discoveries! Megan from the blog link is very approachable, so you could certainly start there. I know she goes to the Florence and Milan fragrance fairs, and perhaps she will be connecting with the gang that is doing this line.
The tea that accompanied me through graduate school!
Kanuka, I owe you a reply on The Cabaret of Plants. I’ve just finished it and I think if you generally like Mabey’s style, you will enjoy it. If you are interested, I wrote about it on the blog: I apologise for the shameless self-promotion, but it’s because I feel that I’ve used up all the little insight I had and am unable to produce a useful summary.
I haven’t seen Waterdragon around, but I have a feeling she would like it too – there is something in Mabey’s playful style that reminds me of her.
Great, I will read your blog response now. Thank you…and defintely not self-promotion. I bought a copy after seeing the photo on your post (so thank you book enabler ) and enjoyed it, in a dipping in and out way, but I like Mabey and I’m trying to learn about plants, or how to write about them. You might like Scottish poet/ essayist Kathleen Jamie. She is quite different from Mabey, her writing is spare and observant. ‘Findings’ is terrific.
Spiced Fig from David’s Tea was a revelation: I did not think that I could love a tisane. Good thing it was limited edition because I often found myself eating all tidbits of craberries, apples and figs: it was not an inexpensive tea. Touches of clove and cinnamon in there as well. Would wear it in perfume form for certain!
Or cover it all in chocolate and eat it!
Tonight’s civic orchestra finale features classic Russian composers. I’ve been getting in the mood all day with Vagabond Prince Enchanted Forest: dark, brooding, atmospheric, tart black currant over pine needles. Only a little is needed and it projects well, hence, my wearing it early in the day. It’s perfect.
Sounds lovely!
Today is my 28th year anniversary at work. I don’t even know what to think about that! I am wearing Coco. it is timeless.
That’s a good long time. This is my 25th year of teaching, which amazes me, but I’ve moved around a bit. Staying at one place is a real commitment! Congratulations?!
Wow, 28 years is admirable. It’s fantastic that you found somewhere worth staying for so long!
Wow. That’s worth a celebration.
All alone in the office today! I therefore could have gone crazy, but instead am sedately wearing BP PC01.
Created my own immersive environment today with a splash of SL’s
Fille de Berlin, a real pot of purple hyacinths, and a Downy infused pile of towels on my bed. Altogether, very clean and powdery.
Since I’d been wearing Hermes since Sunday, I decided I’d had enough elegance and restraint (qualities I’m sorely lacking anyway, particularly the former), and I decided to try something. I layered Cuir Ottoman with Sikkim Girls. And it’s an interesting combo. It’s a totally different experience at different nose to skin distances. CO doesn’t have a great deal of sillage on me, but SG does have some, so when I get just a whiff in the air, I pretty much only smell SG. Up close, however, I smell the combination and CO dominates.
Hahaha I hear you about Hermes. Lots of scents I do love but a certain point tasteful minimalism can become a little bit trying!!
Today I got a cologne SOS call for help from my good girlfriend who’s teenage nephew has such bad BO that he tries to cover it up by fire hosing himself with fine Axe products. So I came straight home and put together a group of samples and decants for him to try out. I did not include teeny bopper scents so if he has his heart set on the Amouage, mom might have to spend some dough. Included in the group are:
LDDM
Amouage Interlude Man
MPG Ambre Precieux
Piquet Casbah
Dame Dark Horse
CdG Avignon
On behalf of the sniffing public, allow me to offer you our most heartfelt thank you! 🙂
Can’t wait to hear what he likes best!
Haha! He lives in Pittsburgh so it may be a little while before my friend visits him or he comes up here, but I will keep you posted.
ps I was going to throw in a small bottle of Costume National Scent Intense but the oudh-ish note in the dry down might actually intensify the BO problem. In any case it’s a great tea scent and I think I will keep it for myself for now.
I think that’s a valiant and generous effort – but hopefully he can do something about the BO as well?? Any amount of perfume over that much BO probably can’t smell good…
Shangri La, baby! Yay!!