It's Hump Day, and it's National Pencil Day, and it's Eric Clapton's birthday. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Demeter Gingerale. Tea at the moment is Harney's Kagoshima sencha.
Reminder: 4/1 is April Fools Day! We're going for pure fun: wear your most-fun-ever perfume. (suggested by thegoddessrena)
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.
I’m wearing Péché Cardinal, which is actually the first MDCI I tried. I think it’s fun, and I’ll finish my sample, but fortunately I do not want a full bottle.
Tea is Ti Guan Yin Traditional, which is nice and soft on a spring day.
Any MDCI perfumes you love?
Too many
Top favourites are: La Promesse de l’Aube (still available) and L’Enlèvement au Sérail (discontinued).
Closely followed by Invasion Barbare, Chypre Palatin, Un Cœur en Mai and Rose de Siwa.
I also really enjoy Vêpres Siciliennes, Rivage des Syrtes and PC. And enjoy Nuit Andalouse.
I haven’t tried the rest. I kind of want to try La Belle Hélène but am afraid I’ll fall for it.
Apart from the price, the fragrances are very much to my liking and they have a great sample program.
I have a (small) sample of La Belle Helene. It has a strong pear note. It’s pretty but it makes my head tired after an hour or two.
Vepres Siciliennes is really lovely! I like Promesse a L’Auge too….
Thanks for your suggestions
Re: Invasion Barbare, masculine or not really?
I don’t think so, but my tolerance maybe a bit higher. It’s very refined, it does feature lavender and for some that is a deal breaker because to masculine.
I have Peche Cardinal. I bought it when I was just beginning with this hobby. Although I do like it, I wish that I hadn’t bought that big bottle. My first expensive mistake. I only wear it a few time a year and mostly during the summer.
It seems simpler than some of the others, and is not as delicately pretty as RdS and UCeM.
It is a great pity when expensive mistakes happen, but it’s all in the game, I suppose.
Having an expensive fragrance that you are lukewarm about is a good way to swap for decants of other very special fragrances that you want!
I guess that is true Ann.
I liked that one. Don’t think I have any left, should look around.
I’ll be happy to send you some Robin. I have a mostly full big honkin bottle. Email me at l lombardi underscore 4 2 at hawt male if you are interested.
Oh you are very kind…let me see if I can find mine first! It is not something I’d wear terribly often either.
The offer stands.
Really, thank you!
I like MDCI as well. Just got my split of Promesse de l’Aube (thanks hajusuuri!) and will wear that today. I also have Enlèvement au Sérail, Rivage des Syrtes, Vêpres Siciliennes, Nuit Andalouse and Les Indes Galantes.
Nice collection. Do you have fb of all these scents?
Yes, and I was lucky enough to get their mini bottle sampler kit a couple of years ago so I have some quantity of most of the line. Only Chypre Palatin and Invasion Barbare didn’t work for me.
I’m in a sample of Amouage Dia, thanks to a generous swap from the swapmeet! I’m unshowered and bleary-eyed this morning, but still feel quite refined in this! It’s gorgeous.
Nice swap!
I love Dia enough to have 2 bottles of it. But I keep forgetting to wear it.
I can see why! I’m loving it!
It is so good, my husband steals my bottle and wears it himself.
Hommage À L’Homme Voyageur (Lalique)
Hope your day lives up to your fragrance
Tea Marrakech Mint & Rituas Mandi Lulur, fragipani shower foam. Commando on perfume
Off to Physical therapy…
Oh! And thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday
Happy belated birthday! Hope it was a good one!
AMen Pure Tonka, my skin amplifies the coffee in this.
????☕ Good Morning Sunshine!
Ooh I shall have to try this, I am always on the lookout for an interesting coffee smell. So far Café Rose is the closest.
Hello SophieC !
Yes, it’s competing with my Venti Black Eye, and is winning!
I am as well. Again, I wonder how masculine this is.. it does have the word “men” in it’s name!
I just got a decant of this and it smells very promissing. I love me some tonka
re-sampling Eau Duelle (edt) , nice but I don’t need a FB
I like the gin and tonic opening, esp. in the summer.
This week has been a mess until now. A good night’s rest has finally reset me. Right, time to finish things for reports…
I’m in Ta’if today. I can see why so many love this one. It’s quite lovely.
Love Ta’if. You do indeed smell lovely
You smell glorious and glad you are feeling reset.
Ta’if is the most gorgeous rose!! One of my HGs.
I tried Taif recently, and think it’s one of my top 5 roses.
Yes, Ta’if is beautiful. I got the body lotion first, then had to get a decant. You do smell good.
I started the day off in Musc Intense from a sample from a generous swapper. My sense of smell is probably still off from being sick. I wasn’t enjoying it so I oversprayed some Rose de Siwa that I had in my bag from yesterday. Still lovely. Happy now.
Lovely again!
I love both Musc Intense and Rose de Siwa, so you have been great smelling. Maybe your nose needs a little rest.
Probably…. I am still congested.
Shams Narcissus for me today. I smell fabulous.
Boston meetup tomorrow at 6:00 at Colonial Drug in Newton
(makes note to try Shams Narcissus…)
Oooh, me too!
I looked it up. No reviews, $920.00 a bottle. I think I will avoid sniffing this. The price of Inle Iris is bad enough…
(crosses Shams off list, goes looking for sample of Dame Narcissus…)
Thanks!
Price made me giggle
Hope it is a fun meet-up!
Have fun! But don’t forget about your NY fume friends
How could I possibly?
Good morning! Another sunny gorgeous day…..my dog is sprawled out in the backyard, in absolute bliss! I think he was daydreaming, staring at the clouds…..
SOTD: Fils de Dieu (du Riz et des Agrumes!) by ELdO. What a gorgeous smell! I don’t get the “Thai restaurant” that some complain of…..I just get a gorgeous Thai tropical vibe! Mmmmmmm
SMELLY NEWS: Macy’s is having their Clinique bonus gift offer right now, so I’m heading over at lunch to get a 30ml bottle of Aromatics Elixir. The bonus is awesome: Lipstick, blush, mascara, skin care, and 2 cosmetic bags……Fun lunch hour ahead!
You smell great! Enjoy the shopping.
Mmm, love Fils de Dieu. You smell wonderful!
I went to the mall with the boyfriend a few weeks ago, grabbed a bottle of Aromatics Elixir, and gave myself three generous sprays. He wouldn’t come within three feet of me for the rest of the afternoon.
LOL! I got home last night, after having sprayed one spray in the car on the way home, and my hubby really liked it on me! Come to find out, the perfumer also created one of his favorite scents: Aramis 900. Aramis is kind of similar! Both are older scents and heavy.
I had posted a few weeks ago that I sprayed some at the mall during my lunch hour, and my coworker had the same reaction as your boyfriend. He HATES it, told me to never wear it around him again, and promptly got the nickname “Perfume Grinch”. LOL. I do try to be careful around him; it’s not fair to make others unhappy if I can help it….
Saving Aromatics for fall/winter for sure…it’s a heavy hitter!
In the Floris a Rose For which is quite lovely, albeit I suspect something a little different will be chosen for Friday to match the project. For some reason I keep on thinking of ‘pink’ perfumes, whether in colour or impression, as that seems very fun, but not sure why! I’ll have a rummage tonight to see what else might fit the theme.
Tea of the day is again coffee and ootd is a weird one – very tired this morning and seem to have matched a restrained animal print skirt with patterned tights. A good thing I don’t have any meetings…
You’re outfit sounds fun, maybe u could wear a perfume that is reminiscent of that combination on Friday?! I’m thinking ‘pink’ for fun too.
Kerosene Copper Skies for me today. What an odd yet comforting scent. It smells like a spiced metal yard.
I am drinking more Adagio White Pearls. I get at least five steeps from a single pearl in a ten-ounce brew mug. Five brews without having to empty out and rinse my mug filter! Sign me up.
I’m trying so hard to imagine a “spice metal yard!” But I can’t manage it. Maybe me life isn’t interesting enough. It sounds great, though.
I looked those pearls up yesterday, they are BIG. Much bigger than my black jasmin pearls.
I recently bought some Malawi white tea pearls that look like insects. I’ve yet to try them, but the plantation is interesting. Most African teas are CTC quality, and this plantation is aiming higher.
SOTD is Yves Rocher’s Cuir Vetiver, second trial
Sounds gorgeous!
It’s very nice, in my opinion similar to Hermes’ Vetiver Tonka, which I love
And much cheaper!
Indeed. They had a 50% off here in Spain!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to search that one out. I’ve passed on Vetiver Tonka b/c of the price.
Need to seek this out!
My SOTD is Teo Cabanel Barkhane. This scent reminds me of a perfume my mom wore back in the late 1970s. She’d wear when she was going out, and all dressed up. I wish I knew the name of the perfume. One day I’m going to ask her to sample this and see if she remembers.
It would be interesting to find out!
(Barkhane is the one Teo Cabanel I have NOT tried, largely because I do not often get on with orientals. I have a sample that came with my set, but have no intention to use it.)
I have not tried this one..
My hyacinths are in full bloom, and I spent a few minutes this morning sniffing them. So — Chamade. (It was a close decision between that and Grand Amour – maybe later!)
I really want to smell Grand Amour- how does it compare/differ from Chamade?
Love Chamade – so perfect for this time of year! You smell wonderful
Charenton Macerations Christopher Street. Some early 60s vibes for Eric Clapton who has given me musical joy over so many years.
Oh a good match!
Off to the market, wearing a bright red ruffled dress and Datura Noir.
Your dress sounds super cute! I haven’t tried Datura Noir so I can’t comment. Have fun!
One of the happier and trashier Lutens! It sounds like a great combo.
Great combo … Datura Noir is one of my favorite summer scents!
I am wearing Lumiere Blanc-Olfactive Studio, from samples I won a while ago. I remember liking this on a sunny cold fall day, and today is a sunny cold spring day, and it perfect for this weather. It’s woody and slightly spicy with a very creamy suede like feeling. It does not have huge sillage, but every now and again, I get whiffs of it and it is lovely.
I need to try that one again.
You smell great. It’s no secret that I love this one, as I keep raving about it, but I truly think it’s one of the best scents of recent years. Not spectacular, but so well made and considered. One of the reasons it gets so much wear in our house (my sister wears it as well) is that it’s so versatile – I’ve yet to encounter weather it doesn’t suit.
Wearing the lovely Cuir d’Ange today to go with the fabulous Italian leather bag I just got in the mail. I am loving the incredible selection that Internet shopping brings!
What a lovely pairing, enjoy you’re new hand bag!
I’m continuing on with Smell Bent. SOTD is Florist’s Fridge.
I think I’m going to have to look towards my small Smell Bent collection to find something fun for 4/1 challenge. I have a few good ones!
I just ordered a 5 pack sampler from Smell Bent last week…..Maybe it will get here before Friday! Never tried them before….
I really like Florist’s Fridge, and my 4ml is almost gone. Should get another.
It’s Heeley Cuir Pleine Fleur for me today – was thinking of wearing something else, but my hand went straight for CPF. No regrets.
I am going to go pull out my sample of this now . . .
I love pencils! Life and my calendar as so impermanent – I am constantly altering and correcting. SOTD is an unusual layering combo. I wanted something sweet, but not too sweet. I’m wearing a tad bit of Pacifica Spanish Amber and Chopard Casmir. The smoke from the SA and the sweet from Casmir are a great compliment.
Layering Spanish Amber with something smoky sounds fabulous!
There is probably a dry erase marker day too, I should find out when that is
Fat Electrician! I hope my bike ride to work wakes it up, though.
I LOVE that one!! I have it in my Scentbird queue….Hope my sample holds out a few months!
The Scentbird samples look generous! Lots of happiness headed your way.
I’m trying ELDO Cologne this morning. Don’t think I’ve even seen it mentioned and don’t think it’s going to stay with me very long, but to my nose it’s an interesting unisex. If it can stick with me for a few hours I’d buy more b
I have not even tried it. What’s interesting about it?
I liked this one! I need to try it again.
I like Cologne, but it only lasts a couple of hours on my skin…..So it’s on my “no buy” list!
It’s a good one though!!!
… more.
I’m wearing Five O’Clock Au Gingembre today, to cut through this gross rainy day. Unfortunately I left my phone at home and I have a super busy day.
You smell great!
Thank you!
Yum! You smell great!
MDCI Promesse de l’Aube for me today – just got my split and excited to give it a full wearing.
Are you enjoying it?
Yes, it’s lovely, although I would prefer more projection. It’s a bit quiet.
I wore Promesse last night and was getting a lot of sandalwood, which I love.
I just had a sample, but I think it’s lovely.
Lipstick Rose! For some reason, when I think “fun,” I tend to think tropical, but Lipstick Rose is fun in its own, indoor kind of way. I think I’m going to need one of those 10mL refills pretty soon.
Thanks for all the NY perfume shopping suggestions yesterday! And thank goodness Friday starts the second quarter of the year, meaning anything that gets purchased in New York won’t mess up my very reasonable first quarter.
I adore Lipstick Rose, and am eeking out my 10ml travel spray, as a bottle isn’t on my horizon till next year (sigh).
You smell marvellous (and fun!)
I was thinking the exact same thing and I was planning on wearing this tomorrow for the “fun factor.” You smell lovely.
SOTD today is Olfactive Studio’s “Chamber Noire” – this is the 3rd of 6 samples with alleged aphrodisiac qualities. This is a warm-toned and subtle juice with notes of papyrus, incense, prune and more (including musk, which I often don’t smell and can’t distinguish here). Olfactive Studio’s usual lack of strength applies. Fun factor 2/5, aphrodisiac factor 2/5 (good snuggling scent if you were already that way inclined, but no-one not already snuggling you would notice it). :^)
But maybe it would enhance the snuggle, as it were? Or does something qualify as aphrodisiac only if it initiates a snuggle? The person I need to ask about this probably boarding his plane about now, but it’s the sort of question that leads to excellent experimentation, in the name of scientific enquiry!
Exactly, it would make the snuggling better but is most unlikely to bring it about. I’m not sure what I’ll do if any of ’em does incite impromptu snuggling (although the soulless contractor in me suggests “negotiate a rate increase”). :^D
Best policy ever! Go for the gold on that one!
Can’t help imagining an army of Perfume Zombies chasing you down the street…must snuggle, must snuggle. At least this perfume got above zero. And the fact that it doesn’t attract stray dogs must add another bonus point.
Perfume zombies – Heaven preserve us! :^)
I like this one but it is quiet. Since I have a large bottle I spray liberally which helps.
I’m going to ‘longlist’ this one, which is a bit like HR saying they’ll “keep your CV on file” (as opposed to: they’ll fling you bodily from the building and burn your CV in front of you).
Kenzo Jungle Le Tigre for me today. A Wondrous Wednesday to all.
Wish this one was still in production, love Elephant very much.
Me, too. So spicy and delectable.
Got called in to work today, so in my rush I am wearing Apres L’Ondee. I’d have a full bottle but it only lasts about 4 hours on me. Wish it lasted longer.
Apres L’Ondee is wonderful. I usually put in on in the evening before bed, so that the short lifespan doesn’t matter so much.
Trying Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land today. So far I’m liking it. A pretty woody rose with gorgeous sillage.
I didn’t expect to love this one but I can’t help it: I really do. It’s on my list.
I really like this one too. You smell lovely.
Lyric Woman! Lovely and comforting on a gray gray day.
To Lyricals posting at 11:05 am! What are the chances? And you smell great, BTW
I’m in Lyric today. I’m wearing a red flimsy jersey dress with long black sleeves today. I caught my reflection in a window and this dress can easily be mistaken for a night gown. Not looking my most professional today- laundry needs to be done ASAP!
You also smell lovely! I guess 11:05 is a Lyrical time of morning!
It sounds like your perfume matches your dress. You smell Great!
In color, but not in sophistication. Thanks, Petunia!
I’m actually wearing pants today that have previously garnered teasing because they look like pajamas. They’re not, but I suspect I’m way more comfortable than anyone else at the office right now. Keep rocking your red dress! And you smell great!
Ha! Thanks! I might need a pair of those. And I am definitely comfortable, at least.
My work wardrobe is based as much as possible on the “look like clothes, feel like PJs” principle.
I have a very beautiful, black, all season wool crepe “wrap” blazer with a gorgeous sash. It is just the coolest, most stylish jacket that I have . ANY TIME I put it on thinking I am just rocking an old-school suave vibe…. my husband tells me I look like I am either wearing pajamas or some sort of karate jacket. It perturbs me to no end.
Men! I sometimes think all their taste is in their mouths! I bet you look stunning in that jacket because it sounds wonderful.
You are very kind! And very right!
It does sound like a beautiful wrap. My husband and I are more in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” camp when it comes to fashion or perfume.
My husband knows better than to offer unsolicited comments on fashion or perfume.
Ha! I know that feeling of catching myself in a window and thinking, what the heck!?
My dear husband did the laundry last night…
He is a dear! Although we’re both in slacker mode with our move looming.
SOTD = Chanel Coco – floral and professional, perfect for this spring day at work. Frustratingly, I can’t smell it.
I do get the sense of chemicals when I put my wrist to my nose, which is a strange sensation since I’m not smelling anything.
Will vent my frustration in yoga tonight!
sounds like a good plan!
Thanks! Yoga is so wonderful. Do you practice?
I practice the primary series and vinyasa mainly. I’ve never tried Kundalini but heard quite a bit about it.
I love Coco and you smell gorgeous!
Thank you! Hopefully my fellow yogis feel the same
PSA – Jeffrey Dame will be at Twisted Lily in San Fran this Saturday!!! Wish I could go, been meaning to try his soliflores. If anybody goes, do share!
You mean at Tigerlily!
https://www.facebook.com/events/796552897144854/
I never thought I would wear Coco as I am a straight up floral girl and usually do not care for the added spice, but for some reason I love this. Maybe as I get older it is growing on me and my tastes have changed.
Ooh, Coco! You smell lovely!
I just discovered I love this scent! I know it’s been around for ages but I never thought to try it. Instant love.
I had an important appointment for my son this morning. I wanted something confident, yet pretty smelling, so I went with Tendre Poison. Unfortunately, I think my anxiety still showed through.
Oh I hope everything goes ok.
Hope everything is OK
Sending you warm and bolstering thoughts!
Thanks everyone! hopefully it will be fine, and I just worry to much.
That’s what moms are for
Very good morning, one and all. I’ve just seen the dear man off to Australia–what a time to go!–and of course I’m wide awake now that he’s gone, though I was so sleepy when he was here that my farewell conversation consisted of “Mmmph, nah, ‘kay, be safe, love ya…” I’m usually chatty from the moment I wake up. Hope he knows I wasn’t cross.
I’ve got an odd day ahead: the usual stuff, then a meeting with a doctoral student. I’m the primary supervisor, and– this is the odd bit– my own old doctoral supervisor is the secondary. He’s driving up from his university for the meeting, which is very kind, but he also seems rather inclined to take over. I need a perfume that says, “Yes, I really do know what I’m doing, and what’s more, I’ve done it lots of times before.” I suppose I’ll wear a Chanel, probably 31 RC, but what I really feel like is Apres l’Ondee. Or maybe Rahat Loukoum. And now I’m just being contrary. Hope your days are good everywhere. Might try for a bit more sleep now…
Oooh, just saw mayfly’s comment about the Elephant. Will wear that, and to hell with the consequences! I love it, all those spices make it the ultimate in fun, but it’s rather equivocal: a perfume for good times, but so powerful that only a serious person would choose it. Not that I’m actually a serious person, but my dear old professor person probably doesn’t know that.
I was trying to think of something witty to say about there being ‘an elephant in the room’ re. your supervisor …..
I can’t help but feel he’s a not-quite ravening wolf who’s pretending to be a very sweet puppy, all “Look at me being fluffy and adorable.” All the universities are competing in a small market for doctoral completions these days, especially if written in te reo– worth three times as much. My rational self I knows I’m being unfair, but my nastier side is gong, “Hmmm. What have we here?” But it will be fine. Probably. He’s quite kind to students, which is the main thing.
That’s me every morning, whatever the time! My person knows I am wishing him safe travels even if I am so sleepy I don’t remember saying good-bye!
And I am sure yours does too!
You are very comforting. Thank you.
From my weekly early morning departures for London I have learned there are many ways to say “I love you”, including “Mmmph…?” and “You may as well leave the lights on, now that you’ve woken me stomping about like a baby elephant”. :^)
For the past 24 years, I have generally been the first one out of bed every morning, even when I was doing nothing more than getting up early to feed the kids. If, however, I’ve got a rare chance to sleep in, teh hubs usually makes a point to stomp about all virtuous and “Look at me, I’m out and about, while you laze in bed.” Baby elephant, my FOOT. He’s Colonel Hathi and the whole troop.
Commando because migraine. Still a homeopathic amount of yesterday’s vintage 19 EdT on right wrist. Lots of happy frogs in my pond, already clouds of frog eggs.
Frogs! I can’t wait to leave the city and meet a frog again! I used to enjoy watching my cats watching frogs– nothing else ever seemed to disconcert them , but they didn’t have a clue what to with or about frogs, which clearly didn’t smell like food, didn’t move like prey, didn’t make the right noises. The frogs won, every time.
Ugh. Feel better!! Nothing prolongs one of my migraines worse than scent. Better to go without and knock it out completely!
I hope your migraine goes away soon – LOVE No 19 for aromatherapy, LOL!! With our gorgeous early spring, my sinuses have been killing me the past week. Greens and gentle flowers are a good solution. Although the other day I just broke down and rubbed lavender eo all over my sinus area to help with the pressure. And it works! (Thanks to the lovely Rappelayea for that tip!) Our tree frogs have already started peeping. We have massive bogs of them and the sound is so beautiful. I love that sound!
If I could hear peepers again! They were the nighttime companions to early spring when I was growing up, and I loved them.
I want to try the lavender cure for sinus. Was it oil?
Yes – I used the Aura Cacia. I am sure there are some higher grade eo’s out there, but that is what I have. Just a little bit. You massage it around all your temples and swollen sinus areas.
last week I resorted to hovering over a bowl of hot-as-possible water spiked with a few drops of tea tree oil, towel over my head. A few rounds of this definitely got things moving in the sinus department.
that is a good solution too – we do that with rosemary and it helps too.
Do get better!
my SOTD is FM’s Eau Magnolia…a very quiet subtle skin scent on me and I get no complaints from my boss.
this one is so pretty.
You smell great! This one will probably be my birthday gift to myself (if my husband doesn’t pick up on the hints!) next Summer. Still need to decide between a 10 ml spray or the 50 ml bottle (so expensive!!)
I finally picked up a 10 ml mini of this one during STC’s recent sale, and am so glad I did! It’s lovely, and somehow really captures the texture of the scent of magnolia.
I wish they made a body butter in this scent. I love it but would like more volume.
Speaking of perfume fun, I finally got to visit Ari’s new perfume boutique, Arielle Shoshana, last weekend for the Women’s Month seminar on women perfumers. The shop is beautiful and inviting, the seminar was fascinating, and it was delightful to talk about perfume with other perfume lovers.
It was so pleasant to shop for perfume with Ari and her assistant who really love perfume and know how to help one find the right perfume without sales pressure. For example, if you’ve tried two or three perfumes on your skin and ask for their thoughts, you’ll get useful perspectives rather than the reflexive, oh, that’s great you should buy that NOW. And there are samples.
I hadn’t been to the Mosaic District before because I don’t drive, but it turned out to be easy to get to on the Silver Line. Yellow Cabs are waiting at Dunn Loring station, so I took a taxi to the shop and walked back later, since it was a nice day. There are many attractive shops, restaurants, and the Angelika Film Center there, as well. I’ll be back!
CORRECTION: I meant the Orange Line, not the Silver Line (which goes to Tysons).
I keep hoping to get the time to drive up there and spend an afternoon at Ari’s.
It would be a mini vacation, mals!
I could probably stay the night at my SIL’s in Chantilly. But not a day trip – it’s a five-hour drive one way. My daughter drives ten hours one way going back and forth to college, but I can’t do that kind of thing anymore!
I would love to visit a great fragrance shop. It’s been so long for me, and although I can get anything I want from the internet, it is not the same as a great sensory experience in a shop. I’m sharpening up my pencils getting ready for the prix au faux !!! I want that gift cert, LOL!!
So glad it was fun! I have been to Mosaic District once, for dinner, but Ari’s shop was not open yet. Will have to go again.
I get the impression that you might be one of those people who draw maps for visitors/friends who come and stay – with all the hidden gems marked in red. I love drawing maps.
I’m hopeless with maps and finding my way to anywhere so I appreciate people who give wonderful directions. I must say a map to a perfume shop is the best sort of treasure hunt.
Kanuka, I used to do that when I was living overseas, especially in Cairo, as you might imagine.
A la Nuit today. Applied too liberally, it turns me into a ten-foot-tall walking sugared jasmine flower, but a light application makes for a lovely, sheer veil of straight-up *prettiness.* Today is my Monday, and facing a day of meetings and a doctor’s appointment on the heels of a wonderful vacation, so I need me some prettiness…
Love this one.
Oh I wore this last night and it is so calming and good. You smell great!
Love this one!
I’m in Jasmin too with Essences Insensées 2015. Gorgeous for this time of year.
It’s Iris Poudre today. Although, I wish I was wearing Une Fleur de Cassie.I wore it last night to bed and now I’m craving it again. AND it matches what I’m wearing better. Oh well.
You still smell lovely!
I’ve been noticing we like a lot of the same things Elizabeth. You smell lovely! And I have to retry Fleur de Cassie . . .
Both are lovely but I get the whole outfit thing.
Can’t go wrong with either. You smell gorgeous!
Wearing Ostara today.
I’ve worn it a few times but sadly I don’t feel the love as much as others do with this one.
With subsequent wearings, I feel it smells like flowers headed past their prime…wilting a bit and the water is getting cloudy.
Oh good, I thought I was the only one that didn’t find love for Ostara. I tried several times, and on me it was just a damp mess.
I still think the reason all those Ostara bottles went for cheap is that something odd happened in the mixing vat. My bottle is not *nearly* so green as the mfr sample I have, and it reminds me far too much of Amaranthine. Lots of ylang, and it gets a bit murky at times. I adored the sample, only like the bottle. Bummer.
My theory is that Nordstrom’s stopped carrying the line (HauteLook seems to be linked to Nordstrom Rack). They seem to do that with perfume. But I haven’t been there forever so I don’t know.
Did they ditch a bunch of Penhaligon’s at 40% off? If so, I missed it. Not that I *need* more Penhaligon’s – the only one other than Ostara and Violetta that I would want would be Eau Sans Pareil – but I thought it was only Ostara that got dumped so splashily.
It’s an odd scent, isn’t it? I wear it and I do like it but there’s something there..
Decided to spray on again today just to see what I “get” from it based on what you experience…. Not really a “fun” scent so I’ll focus on that tomorrow and Friday….
Hey! Have you moved yet? Been thinking of you..
No. We get keys in Friday, so I will start taking clothes and kitchen items then. Our current place is destroyed. We have until the 15th to be fully vacated, so I plan to move all the closet and cabinet items first.
I’m liking Ostara. I get the wetness, which I like. There was a Demeter scent that was extremely wet flowers/earth but this isn’t anywhere near as wet as that. But I do see the flowers just past prime thing…
Ah. Well, you’ll be settled before long.
See you soon
Scent twins. I do like this one, but it is not love. It has kind of a different note to me, but not sure what it is.
SOTD is 31 Rue Cambon. Almost went with Ostara as spring is really springing here today, but I needed to feel professional today.
31 Rue Cambon is great for an extra dose of professional confidence. (And the initial citrus burst is a bit fun and spring-like!)
31 RC is my stand up straight perfume
Love it so much! You smell fantastic!
This has become one of my favorites, but wearing Ostara today. We must have similar tastes Luna Green.
You smell great!
Wearing a springy scent , Hove Carnaval, which I really enjoy, with a pink cashmere turtleneck and grey leggings and boots, as it is 34 degrees out there in Michigan today… I got the Hove from the shop in New Orleans, a little dawber bottle which is almost empty, and I am contemplating FB of this. It is pretty, and I have such good memories of that trip, I feel happy every time I wear it!
Hove Perfumery was a fun place to visit! I am down to probably 3 showers worth of my Corduroy-scented shower gel.
SOTD is Cristalle EDP.
I have to carefully choose the days on which I wear this one, because my husband can’t stand it at all. He finds that it smells foul, like decay, or swamp water… Oh well! Can’t agree on everything!
What a pity he had to go and find that one so off-putting, because it’s the freshest, most deliciously renewing of crisp citrus and green and all good cool things. At least you get to wear it some times, though.
You smell lovely! Is it an older bottle? I get more oakmoss from my older bottle which maybe smells swampy to some.
LOL! I used to think Cristalle smells like swamp water too. You just need to buy him a bottle of Guerlain Vetiver and they you can wear Cristalle while he is wearing Vetiver and he’ll never notice your swampiness just all those lovely white flowers and citrus!
I was hoping I would like this better than I did. I just couldn’t get into it and I had a tough time even smelling it.
If I read this before I’ve put on my perfume of the day, it leads to endless dithering. ‘Too many choices.’ ‘I should dig up that sample.’ ‘Hmm but what about this one.’ And now I’m late and what will I wear? I might try my fairly generous sample of 31 Rue de Cambon. And I might not!
I know what you mean…better to have your own choice made first!
I have been wearing YSL Paris (edp, vintage parfum, and Printemps LE edition Pont des Amours) a lot lately. Gosh, this is good. Pont des Amours is actually half gone!
I notice YSL Paris has a “new” Paris Premieres Roses edition for sale. I wonder how that is. I have an old decant of one of the special editions they did in the early 2000s – can’t remember which one – but it is lovely. Paris is so beautiful!
I haven’t smelled any of the other Printemps editions, but I consistently hear that they’re nice.
Clapton! One of my favorites, especially in his bluesy guitar mode. Journeyman is one of my favorite CDs. I’m wearing Indochine today from the swap, thank you Deva!
My hubs is very fond of Clapton’s blues stuff. I’m not
But then, I really do not care for Delta blues in general. (If it’s got horns, I tend to like it. )
And now I have Chicago in my head (“Questions 67 and 68”, for those who want to share my earworm).
Wearing Jasmine White Moss today. I need something reliable, as I am teaching a class in a new subject area and am feeling nervous. A form of stage fright, I suppose.
Break a leg!
Don’t forget to breathe! Break a leg
Working from home and can still smell yesterday’s CDG Avignon! One of my all-time faves,
Also — as I work in mental health, I also want to announce that it is World Bipolar Day as well!
Ah, thank you. Just now reading a fascinating article in New Yorker about genetic basis for schizophrenia & bi-polar.
It was fascinating and confirmed what my instinct told me years ago.
Is it in the most recent issue, Robin? (I have afflicted family members and would like to read the article and pass it on.)
3/28, “Runs in the Family” by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Don’t know if you can read w/o a subscription, but here is the link:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/03/28/the-genetics-of-schizophrenia
Got it. Thanks!
I’m in Mental Health as well! Surprised a drug rep (or two) didn’t stop by with a Bipolar Day treat! (Any excuse to peddle drugs….)
Ah yes! Those nefarious pharm reps….
I’m in community mental health in a very urban area, so never a dull moment. But really though, I do love it.
Although it’ll probably be another six weeks or so before their fragrant flowers will perfume the woodland garden, vintage Coty Muguet des Bois just felt right today. One of the first fragrances I wore as a young teen, I still occasionally enjoy it, not only for the memories it brings – I still remember the soft blue voile shirt with tiny sprigs of white flowers that was my favorite article of clothing to wear with this scent back in the day – but also for its soft and slightly soapy lily-of-the-valley essence.
Somewhere in my closet, I have a light blue short-sleeve blouse embroidered with daisies, with Peter Pan collar and tiny daisy-shaped buttons down the front. Haven’t worn it in years, but looking at it still makes me happy for no reason (which is why I haven’t donated it yet).
I would like to wear a nice straight up cedar, pencil shaving scent to mark pencil day. I am crazy about pencils and any trip overseas includes lurking in art supplies shops. I think I will try my sample of Woodcut which was sent with my Blackbird FB.
Have you tried SL Chene? I wish I had more than a little sample, otherwise I’d share it with you.
Had I read that it was National Pencil Day. before reaching for the Muguet des Bois, I would’ve chosen Trussardi Skin as my cedar SOTD. I love cedar and Skin has lots of it.
Tom Ford Santal Blanc is straight-up pencil shavings on me. A suggestion for next year
Thanks for the suggestions. I have pencilled them into my notebook.
I used to love the L’occitane wood soaps that were shaped like smooth dark stones. The cedar one was fantastic.
Wearing one of my favourite cold weather perfumes, Silver Iris, trying to get some more wear out of my cosy scents before the warm weather begins in earnest.
I counted all my bottles yesterday, and was dismayed to find out that I’m only 10 away from what is supposed to be my ceiling amount, but there are more than that on my Full Bottle Want list (lol!) Do other people share this dilemma?!, I suppose many of us are in this position/ quandary!
Mmmm. I know that feeling, and it made me all squirmy for a long time. Then I started renegotiating my upper limit in my head, but that I didn’t like that, because it felt as though I was imposing an artificial rule. I don’t much like rules, especially where I’m involved in a hobby that’s meant to be about joy and pleasure, so now I just use one guide: do I love the perfume with an unreasonable love, and does it take me places in my head that I want to be? If yes, then I buy; if no, I don’t. I haven’t counted the number of bottles I own, and I don’t intend to. That said, I haven’t bought anything for months, and I probably won’t until I get to Australia. I am totally smitten by Hermes Ambre Narguile, and a full bottle will be mine in June.
That was my first Hermès FB from the Hermessences series, and a lovely scent indeed. :^)
I don’t have a fixed number of bottles as a limit, but given the size of my collection, I have decided to implement a rule similar to what you describe – the perfume must make my eyes roll back with pleasure and feel that sigh of happiness in my heart.
All I can say is that Donatella ain’t got nuthin’ on me this quarter….It’s gonna be a bit embarrassing to admit what I’ve bought this time around. That said, I finally feel like a I have a complete fragrance wardrobe, with just about any genre of scent, for any mood, etc.
My only rule is that I can’t put on a credit card and carry the balance. Any purchases must be paid in full immediately. That keeps me in line pretty well!
Great credit card rule – smart
I aspire to that.
When I moved last summer I gave away a bag stuffed with bottles. Since then my wardrobe has settled into a situation which feels manageable to me. That doesn’t mean I don’t get tempted – but I have been trying to acquire samples instead of bottles, and there have been some scents that I want to wear over and over that joined my wardrobe lately, so I don’t worry too much about my upper limit, even though it is true that my want list would also bring my collection up above my pre-determined line.
One thing that helps me is that not all of the fragrances I want work for the spring/summer season and so that makes me feel I will be able to keep the ranks in my comfort zone.
Hope this helps you feel in good company!
Same rule for me – have to be able to pay it off that month. I was not so strict in the past and it caused me a lot of stress.
Happy “hump day” everyone! I had a really hard time deciding what scent to wear today, so I ended up using my Dark Amber & Ginger Lily from J.M. I just purchased two fragrances that I am expecting to come in any day now. I am eagerly waiting for their arrival!
Hope everyone has a fantastic day!
Which ones would they be?
Orange Star. It is sparkly and at least medium-fun. Someone here recently wrote about their Tauer bottles evaporating faster than expected, and when I went to visit mine, I noticed the same thing. I have an explorer set (3x15ml) so the smaller bottles might be more likely to do this? (I honestly have no idea about the physics of the situation).
I have a lot of Tauer bottles and have not noticed an evaporation problem.
SOTD is Agent Provocateur L’Agent today. I hadn’t worn this in a long time. I put it up for swap for pretty much that reason. But now I’m kind of glad I didn’t get any takers. I had forgotten how much I like it. I really should wear this more often.
There’s some nice cool, cloudy weather passing through, so I went with Habit Rouge today.
????
SOTD–Jardin de Monsiur Li
Love this one, but it does not last on me the way the other Jardins do. Still, it is lovely while it lasts. Need to spritz something else before I head out to rehearsal….maybe some A La Nuit or Cristalle…..
I’ve had a very busy day and just got a chance to stop and catch my breath.
Tea for Two came in the mail from Hautelook yesterday and I’ve been testing it. At first it smelled a bit like burning plastic and quite a lot like Dzing, but as my nose became adjusted, I started to pick up the smoky tea note and ginger. I find I need to spray on quite a bit to get the full effect of the scent, it seems to be light on me. I hope my sniffer is ok and I’m not a walking stink bomb. – realizing that is the reason people sometimes overspray is that they can’t smell it themselves.
In other news, one of my swap packages arrived today and I got to smell En Passant for the first time. As I wrote to my swap benefactress, it reminds me of walking around Ogonquit Maine in the Springtime when the lilacs are in bloom and the air is super soft with the smell of lilac, ocean and bakery. I think I’m going to wear it a lot this Spring.
Almost forgot to add, I’m going to try and make it to Colonial Drug tomorrow at 6PM (might be a few minutes late) and hope to see some others there!
I’m doing a week of “fun” scents. Today’s definition of fun is bottle design.
SOTD = Hermes L’Ambre des Merveilles
I’m enamored with this bottle design. You can lay it flat, keep it upright leaning to the left or leaning to the right and, if you have 2 of the same size bottle with either the same juice or that of a flanker, you can display them back to back and it looks like you have one spherical bottle – so cool!
Not only is the bottle super, the contents are just as marvelous! Tangy (heh, literally with the orange powder drink), amber and incense. I have the 50 mL bottle (because the 100 mL is way too big for my hands) and I used 4 sprays which lasted the whole day.
In other news, after several days of being subjected to noxious flammable human gaseous emissions during my commute, I was rewarded today with the scent of Portrait of a Lady IN THE WILD! I was not so lucky with my eyes and ears. I cannot unsee a recyclable bag with “sweaty betty” printed on the side and I heard a loud cell phone talker boasting about his hi-falutin’ job — I wish I had one of those cell phone signal jammers.
Now I have to read the other comments!
Heehee
POAL is a well deserved reward. Ah, the joys of public transportation. The best thing that ever happened to me was when the East River Ferry started running a block from my old Brooklyn apt and I switched to taking the ferry to work. I started liking people again! But then it stopped running after Sandy and only started again after we left there 
And I’m a fan of L’Ambre but it’s a beachy scent to me.
When I get used to a commuting pattern, any change feels like someone stuck a knife in me and twisted.
As to L’Ambre being a beach scent, beachy = fun
I love the bottles too, they are clever and fun! I have never smelled POAL in the wild. Right now I am sampling the body butter on my hand. Very potent.
POAL is pretty potent! My co-worker who used to wear nuclear levels of Black Orchid now wears one drop of POAL and it smells fabulous on her!
Cuir d’Ange. Been wearing it everyday for over a week now. Love it. A leather I can wear everyday and not get tired from it.