Hump Day! Plus, International Museum Day (many museums have free admission) and Tina Fey's birthday. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Cartier Baiser Volé.
Reminder: on 5/20 we're doing The Art of the Understatement. (suggested by Anniky, and you can interpret that howsoever you like)
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: shown are bracelets from Cartier's Juste un Clou collection. Prices start at $6800 and go up from there.
Oh I love Tina Fey. Getting over strep throat this week and I have been watching tons of 30 Rock.
I chose vintage Bellodgia today, a lovely thong that I never much pay attention too.
Glad you’re getting better!
Slower than I wish, but I’m on the way.
Glad to hear that 30 Rock can be used for therapeutic purposes and that you’re feeling better!
It is. I could watch years of Liz Lemon!
Me too! Glad you are on the mend, you certainly smell wonderful 🙂
Get well soon and enjoy your vintage carnation 😉
Thank you!
Wishing you a quick(er) recovery, Coumarin.
Hope you feel better quickly!
Oh, strep is horrible. I hope you recover ASAP!
Trying Infusion de Mimosa. It reminds me of a softer Après L’Ondée with the anisic side and the bitter almond. A very nice touch of rose and powdery, too. Mimosa greenish in the dry down
If you like Aprè L’Ondée, this might hit the spot!
interesting. I love mimosa. But have not liked a single Prada Infusion. So unless this one is much more present I probably won’t try it. Although I do adore mimosa (The JM was good and the Diptyque Insensees was great). Does the Prada it bear any resemblance to L’Artisan Mimosa Pour Moi or PdN Mimosaique? Apres L’Ondee doesn’t smell like mimosa to me.
Perfume Sniffer, I think you may not like it. The Infusions are, as you know, very sheer. I think it is paler than Mimousa Pour Moi and frustratingly short-lived. It reminds me of Apres L’Ondee because of the anisic smell, the pastel tone, and the short life-span.
thank you! it makes me happy when i can comfortably skip trying something 🙂
But, just spray it when you pass by one. Who knows? You might have a change of heart!
Thanks for the info! Pity it doesn’t last, I love Mimosa pour Moi but that ones gone in a minute too. But like you said, that won’t prevent me from doing a quick spray if I see it somewhere.
Useful information :)!
Ah, yes, you like mimosa! I still remember asking you about the cut flowers. That is how I got curious about them.
Forgive me for going somewhat off topic here, Nick, but has anyone noticed the change in almonds in the (grocery) marketplace? They are thinner, drier, and less tasty. In the ones I bought at Trader Joe’s, there were even the occasional bitter ones. That was quite a shock. I went to Whole Foods, but theirs looked the same (in bulk), so I didn’t bother. Bad crop year? Anybody got any inside knowledge on this?
lol I am not sure about that 😀
I am in the Pacific Northwest, so the (sweet) almonds have never been more delicious BUT because of the all the almond trees that have been planted in the last 20 years have been growing in drought conditions AND sweet almonds often have a bunch of bitter almonds in the bunch, you may be seeing not so great almonds.
The biggest source for almonds in the US is drought-ridden California– I’ve read that it takes 1.6 gallons of water to grow one almond nut to full maturity, so with less water the almonds are growing a little small.
Megyn Kelly’s interview with Laverne Cox was great last night! It made me feel like wearing Serge Lutens Une Voix Noire today.
And listen to Billie Holiday!
I know!
You smell great Robin!
I’m wearing Czech and Speak Dark Rose from a sample. I didn’t really enjoy it so I have since topped it up with Heure Exquise, which is much more enjoyable.
Ah, I was going to say you smell great too, but sorry you didn’t like it!
I read your review, and maybe my sample is off, or else it has been reformulated. I find it very thin and rather harsh.
I have not smelled it in years. Sometimes I think I should delete every review more than 2 years old — who knows what everything smells like after!
Azemour Les Orangers today, from a decant from Floragal. This stuff is gorgeous, and not anything I would have expected to like so much when I first started on my perfume adventures, but I love it. Chypres seem to be my thing, which makes me all the more sad that I missed chypre week, but perhaps I should have my own now that my sniffer is getting back to normal?
Also – I’m overwhelmed but unsurprised by the generous outpouring of helpful advice from everyone regarding le kitty, especially 50Roses detailed description of the right way to bathe a cat! You are all so kind – thank you.
Last night I came home late (too late for a cat bath before bed) and found my roommate (the one who will eventually be moving out and has been struggling emotionally since his breakup) doing his exercises on his yoga mat with Lars (the kitty) on a nicely laid out towel next to him, supervising. It was incredibly cute. I think that having Lars live with us has actually been good for the roommate, and gotten him out of his own head. Caring for someone/somekitty else can be so beneficial, and it’s good to see them get along so well. If I only didn’t have this post-nasal drip…
You might want to read Sheri G’s advice as well. It’s incredibly funny.
If a pet, especially not your own, starts affecting your health, I think it’s time for the pet to move elsewhere. Good luck on finding a solution!
I posted that so late I wasn’t sure anyone would see it. It does call up some interesting mental pictures, doesn’t it. 😀
It really was hilarious!
Just read it now – fantastic. Thank you!
That was very funny and clever, SheriG, you must have lots of experience! Anyone looking for ‘real pictures’ on bathing a cat, check out “Bad Kitty Gets a Bath” by Nick Bruel. Actually, any of the Bad Kitty books are delightful in capturing the many moods (and many faces) of our feline companions, suitable for all ages.
Love Bad Kitty!
I saw your post last night – really enjoyed it!
I think it’s great that you found something positive to say out of having that cat there with you, despite it being so problematic for your health. The scenario of the kitty on the towel next to someone doing yoga is really cute.
Actually this kitty has provided a lot of entertainment value here. I think we should all pitch in to put the little sucker up somewhere (other than with you!). And thanks for the laugh, SheriG
I just read the cat posts. You are a good soul. It’s so true that animals can be therapeutic. But, please don’t risk your health over the cat. Go to the vet for advice on the whole matter.
I don’t like cats because I was “attacked” by one that we were watching for a neighbor when I was a kid. I probably did something one shouldn’t do with cats, but the sentiment stuck. Now I have “grand -cats” instead of grandkids, so far, so I have to open my heart to them.
Wasn’t able to comment on time yesterday, but did read the thread. I like longhaired cats and would happily catsit but alas live far far away. Hope you can find someone to take him until the owners get back, allergies are no fun.
Hello dear one. I read your cat tales yesterday! I hope your cat owner friend finds the solution – you will need to give her a deadline and stick with it. Oh, and the image of kitty supervising yoga – priceless!
RE: yoga kitty– that’s so funny, our kittyboy Hiro does stretches with my husband and me every night. As soon as hevsees us start, he joins us right away. Funny cats!
The cat /yoga image was priceless! …….my local drug store sells birthday cards of cats in yoga postures with cute sayings such as “become one with the birthday cake”…..this is what came to mind from your cute story above!
It just seems like worst combination for allergies, a fluffy cat and one so huge.
Sampling Sweet Morphine today which is a pretty lilac and vanilla scent but it isn’t about to dethrone Desarmant for my lilac love
I really need to find a new lilac. Have a great day!
I need to sample both, the lilacs are over here, but I not ready to move on yet.
When do you leave for Cleveland?
I’ll head out Friday morning, go to Indigo from the airport, buy my 100th scent, and then go to Oberlin for my 25th college reunion. Can’t wait.
Little meatball is 4 months today ????????????????
In 31 RC
Had a splurge: guerlain’s terracotta limited edition powder and some other things in their collection and a FB of limon verde. In a summer state of mind. Donatella forgives?!
Donatella always forgives.
Donatella ENCOURAGES!! LOL! 🙂
Ha!
Happy four months to the meatball!
He is getting so big – 4 months but in 6 month clothing
You smell so lovely, how could Donatella NOT forgive?!?
4 months old already! Time flies 🙂
Looks like you are all set for the summer with all your new goodies!
I am all set for the summer!
Time does go by so fast. He is doing great, sleeping well and cooing up a storm
Summer state of mind…will we ever really get there?!?
I like the idea of buying a new scent for each new season, hmm….
Happy 4 month birthday to the little one???? I’m also channeling summer today. Enjoy your new treats, guilt free I say!
Heck a new season calls for a few new things, right? 🙂
That’s what I tell myself when I pull out my credit card!
You smell fab. “Little meatball”–I love that!
Can still smell the Snowdrop & Crystal Flowers I wore yesterday as I was actually going somewhere – am determined to finish the bottle before our US hol on 1st June, when I’ll be taking my faithful Penhaligon’s Bluebell as the male half of our friends/hosts absolutely loves it. Thinking of buying some High Line while I’m across the pond, though I did read Nordstrom are stopping stocking it – there is a Sephora in their local mall however, & I believe they are stockists.
On a totally different topic, I’m playing my Guy Clark album collection today as this iconic Texan artist sadly passed away yesterday. I’m a huge fan of many years’ standing. RIP Guy & thank you.
My knowledge of country music is slim, sadly — I know he used to tour with Lyle Lovett but that’s it. I’ll have to go listen!
wearing Love, Chloe today. This, for me, is understated.
I’d call it understated too.
For sure 🙂
Big day at work, but in the spirit of understatedness, I’ve replaced my usual Big Workday Chanel (Rue Cambon) with La Pausa. It works very well – as it’s been an extremely stressful day, I’ve found it’s nice to wear something beautiful and comforting.
I love that one. You smell lovely!
Thank you! It is a great scent, no doubt about that.
After I got that No.19 extrait, I tried a similar method to your ‘chypre on chypre’, but with iris. I buffed it up with Hiris and 28 La Pausa for more roots. And it works wonders with dusts!
Hah! Sounds very nice.
Was the No.19 extrait vintage?
Nope. I am satisfied with the current extrait.
Mmmm, you smell fantastic. Hope you have a good evening from your stressful work day.
So looking forward to it… When we have these big communication packages, the tempo is so unbelievably high and there’s so much adrenaline, that I’m completely deflated when it’s over. I’m not complaining, I do enjoy it, but I really need to reload.
For some reason I got the image of you relaxing in a scented bath with candles and a book when it’s over. And of course a cocktail at arm’s reach. Or am I totally off on that? Maybe I’m projecting :p
I might be too tired to relax today, but generally it’s a fair description 🙂
Found my Eau Premiere, so on it goes. Yippee!
Yeah! I was worried for you – I would be very distressed if I lost my Eau Premiere! I wore that on Monday – such a perfect fragrance.
Thanks! I would have been sad if it really went missing. It is so lovely and I have the old version, though I haven’t tried it in the new packaging. Has anybody tried both? Are they very different?
I love Tina Fey so much!!! I will never understand why she’s always supposed to be the ugly character when she’s so stunningly beautiful, though.
My boyfriend left France this morning at around 5 am, and I won’t see him for at least a month, so I needed an olfactory boost. No understatement for me today. I put on TF White Patchouli from a sample given to me by a kind swapper, and it turns out to be quite a little bomb. Undeterred, I gave myself a solid second squirt and came to work, surrounded in a pretty marvelous stench cloud. An hour or two later, a lab mate opened the window and asked, “Does anyone else smell something really weird? It doesn’t smell like any of the chemicals we usually use….” I did not dare ask if it might be my perfume. I smelled nothing else, so I suspect that’s what it was.
Hope you had fun with your sweetie
I did, thanks 🙂 His visits are never long enough, but it’s so wonderful to have him while I do!
Wearing Daisy Dream…..light and easy.
The family seems to be limping across the finish line to finish school! LOL We haven’t cooked in 2 weeks; every night there is something to attend, finals to study for, finals to write (hubby is a teacher) etc. We will make it though….just 6 more school days, and we can all relax a bit! 🙂
I like light and easy sometimes! Plus, I love the bottle for Daisy Dream.
I recall this from the days of school and church activities – spring and fall are when the calendar fills up. I learned to limit activities (refuse to send the kids to school? well, maybe not…) and sort of brace myself for it so as not to get run down.
Cooking? What is that? Cheerios for dinner is the ticket.
Thanks to everyone for the birthday well-wishes yesterday! May appears to be the month. But seriously, I’ve been having a crap time at work, which unfortunately constitutes far too much of my life, and it’s wonderful to pop in here and think of other things and encounter such kindness. I hope everyone has a good one.
POTM the stray wisps of MiN Long Board I was testing last night. It’s orange blossoms and coconut and salt and sea, very upscale sunscreen in all the best ways. It won’t unseat le Labo’s Neroli, but I did buy a small bottle. (And they have small bottles!)
Ooh – Long Board sounds nice!
Happy belated birthday
Happy belated birthday! And may this be a great new year for you.
Belated Happy Birthday, Amy!
I hear you loud and clear on the work stuff. It is so easy to get mired into work considering a good chunk of our awake time is spent at work and commuting to and fro. At some point, one has to decide if the rewards of working are worth the crap. Be good to yourself.
Are the rewards of working worth the crap? I wonder that myself sometimes….if I could win lotto I would quit my job in a heartbeat and open a tea shop in a small, quaint rural town that has a great yoga studio I could drop into every day …..one can only dream, right?
If I won the lotto – ha! – I’d keep my job and only do the parts I like!
There are many aspects of my work I love – it’s partly why I spend so much time at it. But there are other aspects I hate. Like ihadanidea, I need to learn how to say no. And have people respect that no. I’m working on it!
Happy Birthday + 1 day, Amy, I’m sorry I missed your post yesterday. Long Board sounds great, thanks for posting.
I have to check out Long Board! And I’m sorry about the work. I spend too much time at mine as well (although it’s better than last year when the entire team was dead by July), but at least I enjoy it most of the time.
Which reminds me – I’m going to get out of here right now (before 8pm is a great result for a day like this!).
Happy birthday for yesterday and for this time next year, too (in case I miss it). Hope you are happy in your nice cosy forest nest.
Testing Aedes Cierge de Lune today.
Thus far, it would appear the perfume fairy blessed this before it was sent out to the universe.
I can’t wait to try this one.
You smell great!
You smell nice!
I’m keen to try this one, love your description 🙂
7 hours in and I’m walking around smelling myself and smiling!
SOTD: HiM (Hanae Mori)
I’m in Cristalle EDP this morning, and planning to layer a bit of the EDT over it before I leave the house. Am planning on going to a new (to me) gym tonight, and it will be my first gym workout in a very, very long time. Wish me luck, Marjorie Rose – I’ll be channeling your success through my head to keep myself motivated!
Work out for me too
Ah, if only that worked – I would have hired someone to work out for me long ago!
Have fun at your new gym!
Cristalle edp and edt are a great idea! I love the edp on long hot summer days.
Me too! The EDP has better staying power and feels very fresh in the heat. The EDT alone goes fffft! in a flash, but it’s so pretty …
You smell wonderful. Good luck at the gym! Don’t over do it like I did after I joined a new gym last month. The first day I was there, I was over enthusiastic and 3 days later I couldn’t walk because I hadn’t used my inner thighs in quite some years, apparently.
Funny you should mention inner thighs … my current nemesis. (Nemeses?) I had to quit doing aerobics about a year ago because my knees were rebelling, and over that year 5 or 6 pounds of new flab have settled, mostly at the inner thighs. Grrr, but I will definitely take your advice to heart. 🙂
I got my fuzzy butt to the gym yesterday… I didn’t overdo but between that and a long walk in the evening, I was a tired, sore puppy when I went to bed…. (2 Advil took care of it). Hope your gym trip was good!
Chanel 1932 is my SOTD.
You smell like diamonds!
You smell lovely.
JM Sweet Milk
I thought they sold that to layer with the teas. Is it a comfort scent by itself?
It was part of the 2011 limited edition series that did come with other tea scents…..I used up the last of it this morning….and yes, I preferred it by itself….sweet, milky and comforting….
I am on a mission to work my way through as many of my close to 100 bottles, decants, oils, etc (not even counting my samples!) as I can….I need to stop reading blogs so that I don’t get tempted to purchase more!
and I have noticed that many of my old discontinued and vintage are changing color and smelling off so I am working on those first for now….I can’t save this stuff forever and when I go there is a strong likelihood that it would get trashed anyway! So might as well enjoy it now, right?
I need to do the same. It seems like there are fragrances that are “must smells” that I haven’t ever heard of written about each day on NST. It’s a little easier to resist sampling perfumes reviewed by bloggers who receive samples. On the other hand, I find it a most delightful distraction 🙂
I’m with you on ‘enjoying it now.’. As someone who’s collected fragrances for many years I’ve reached my saturation point and, although I enjoy reading about what’s new and others’ reactions to them, for the most part, I’m content with what I have. Plus, when I read about something new, I often think that it sounds similar to something I already have, and that prompts me to revisit an old friend. So, reading perfume blogs can ‘tempt’ one in a good way, too!
I like your attitude…….I hate being tempted by new desires which is why I have stayed offline for a while…..I am trying very hard to downsize and simplify my life ….including re-evaluating my material possessions (what I have, what I want and what I truly do need or, rather, DON’T need)
Oh this is on my short list of milky samples to try – does it really smell like milk or does it end up more vanilla-y or custard-y?
My nose gets all three…milky , vanilla, custard…but I am going to suggest that you don’t try it for if you fall in love with it you might not be able to find it and even if you do it would be pricey….last I looked it was selling for $249 for a full bottle of 30 ml.
Finally figured out what Sweet Milk reminds me of…..Dame Perfumery’s Black Flower Mexican Vanilla…I “lent” my bottle to my niece….I think I need to re-claim it !
curious….what other fragrances are on your short list for milky and creamy notes? I have been craving them lately …I also like Philosophy’s Sweet Cream, Vanille Insensee (to me it smells creamy and more of a complex vanilla) and Pacifica’s Vanilla Vera Cruz (which adds orchid to the vanilla)
And I am also going to recommend Nubian Heritage Goat’s Milk and Chai which comes in a body crème, hand cream and soap …..delicious!!!! I also love the cocoa butter, frankincense and myrrh soap….the scent is subtle but delicious!
These notes were not even on my radar! I will try to resist, for now.
No need to resist the Nubian Heritage Goat’s milk and Chai….they are basically soaps and body products which smell fabulous and are highly affordable! (and pretty natural too!)
I have been mostly looking for straight up milk notes with that JM and DSH au lait on the top of the list. I also am curious aboutique Mugler’s Dis Moi which is a lily and milk scent I guess. I think that may be all thats on my sample list (it’s on my computer so I’m not sure), I think the rest of my to tries are rice or plum notes. I’ll look into the ones you mentioned though!
Aboutique? Really auto correct? Lol.
In L’heure Bleue, all wistful and old-fashioned. I have yet to meet an old guerlain I didn’t like, which is an expensive sort of situation to be in.
Expensive but good!
Me too. But L’heure Bleue is my favorite.
But your taste is excellent.
You smell fab
You just reminded me that I really need to get a bottle of this.
You smell great. I think I have the same problem with being a sucker for classic Guerlain scents!
I can still smell last night’s dabs of Masque Milano Romanza on the back of my hands! I’ve been testing it off and on for a week. It’s a very dirty narcissus perfume. It kind of turns my stomach but it also has an addictive effect–I keep wanting to wear it!
I’ve only tested it once, and I really loved it and am considering a bottle. But gee, I don’t want to turn anyone’s stomach … or do I care? 😉
Ha! Please yourself!
I have a manufacturer’s sample and I am having second thoughts about trying it. Keep disenabling, my wallet thanks you 🙂
There are definitely things that are too animalic for me – I’m looking at you Salome – but this one I find intriguing. I’m not going to buy it, but it definitely didn’t turn my stomach!
Dabbed is fine. Spraying? Not for the timid.
I was interested in this one, and now I’m unsure. I don’t generally do well with “dirty,” but then sometimes things other people find dirty don’t bother me. Shrug. I’ll keep it on the TPC/StC wishlists and wait for another 20% off sale.
Testing Desarmant from a dabber today, and it’s very faint after an hour so I’ll need to pop my two dabbers into a dinky spray. It’s pretty, but I think I may prefer Sweet Morphine.
I need to organize myself for a lilac sniff-off one day. Maybe in winter when I will doubly appreciate it. And with time to buy before spring.
I completely agree. And I think you’re either a Desarmant person or a Sweet Morphine person because the styles are so different. Desarmant was so overwhelmingly powdery on me. I normally like powdery perfumes, and while it is very pretty, I just didn’t find it wearable. I’ve smelled a Lilac a Day now too, which is very green and not sweet enough to be lilac. I want to be reminded of a lilac or at least the idea of one if that’s what the perfume is supposed to be reminiscent of. My two favorites thus far are En Passant and Sweet Morphine.
oh, and I have a tiny sample of Roja Dove’s Lilac Extrait which is quite nice as well, but that’s discontinued…
I am some kind of a weirdo because Sweet Morphine just doesn’t smell like lilacs to me. Wonky nose?
Actually I can understand that, Amy. To my nose, there are definitely moments where the lilac is almost fractured. What does it smell like to you?
Ok, so I just put some on my hand and if I smell it and say “lilac” it smells like lilac. So maybe I just wasn’t remembering what lilacs smelled like, or the color threw me off, or it will change up as I sniff. Other times it has smelled sweet without much definition.
Dzongkha for me today. It’s been way too long since I’ve worn this gift from, I think, delightful OaklandFresca, and I love its beauty with oomph.
You smell great!
Lovely.
Dyptique Eau de Sense. Nice but not FBW for me.
49th today on NST? Feeling almost midwestern.
Kelly Caleche for me this AM. Good morning everyone!
Good Morning
Why thank you. Back at ya!
I love the way these NSTcomments echo the turning of the earth,the shadow of night drawing back and one by one a perfumista opens their eyes, yawns, stretches and thinks ‘what will I wear today?’
Yes! I often wonder how many countries are represented here.
Probably more than most people realize — 60% of our readership is outside the US.
Beautifully said.
Ohhh… I only recently discovered Kelly Caleche. You smell great. It’s on a wish list for me. I like the Edt version…
I’m wearing one of my favs, Annick Goutal Neroli edt. I only have three Neroli-centric fragrances, and this is my favorite.
I love this one, too. What are the other two you have?
I have the sample from the Atelier Colognes Discovery Set of Grand Neroli, and the Yves Rocher’s Secret d`Essences Neroli, which is surprisingly good.
Do tell! I am curious, too. For such a simple material that has been done to death, I am always eager to know anyone’s ultimate neroli(s)
SOTD So Pretty Cartier EDT after a night of Amouage Gold (with a tiny spray of L’Heure Exquise on my forearm to compare their effects. L’H E is more dynamic and clearer; Gold is more blended and dusky. Both are delicious.)
Going to Manus X Machina exhibit at Met Art Museum (with a non-perfumistas, so no planned sniffing today).
Love Cartier So Pretty!
Tina Fey is a force! I wonder what perfume she wears? Her book, Bossypants, is one of our family’s favorites.
SOTD is Guerlain Terracotta. Ditto above posts on Guerlain make-up and fragrance splurges. Donatella can forgive because they are a therapy not luxury.
Thanks for letting me know I am not alone
Bossypants was a fun read.
Twins! Terracotta for me too. I added a spritz of Do Son in a store later. That’s a nice scent.
Bossypants is great. I love that story about Amy Poehler telling Jimmy Fallon, “I don’t f—–g care if you like it!” Words to live by!
Aroma M Geisha Vanilla Hinoki.
I got overly excited and blind bought the oil, but unfortunately, I don’t love it. As it promises, it’s not a sweet vanilla, but I keep getting distracted by the patchouli, which reminds me of Aveda Chakra 1. The cypress seems damp, and somewhere in between teal and forest green. All in all, it’s really very pretty and soothing (probably as association with the lavendar), but I guess just not what I was hoping for, and not quite me.
What a bummer. 🙁
Oh boo! So sorry, I hate when that happens (all too often, to me–evidently I get carried away rather too easily!)
Damn. I’ve been wanting to try that one, so thanks for your impressions.
It’s definitely pretty and worth a try! Personally, I didn’t need 1/4 oz of it, but that’s just me. I can definitely appreciate its appeal, especially to people who like more natural-smelling outdoorsy fragrances, or who aren’t as big a fan of sweet and vanilla-centric fragrances as I am.
I’ve only recently become a big fan of the sweeter side of vanilla. What are your favorites among those?
Tihota and ELDO Bijou Romantique are probably my favorite sweet vanillas to wear. Smoky and boozy vanillas definitely have their place, but at my core, nothing quite feels as joyful to me as the dessert-y kind.
That would be me. It was a very happy surprise!
Wearing Jicky today since I have not worn it in a while.
You smell good!
SOTD is Bois des Iles. It was calling me this morning.
Love Tina Fey.
Good call! You smell divine.
Champaca Absolute today in order to finish off a sample. It doesn’t do much for me –but maybe I’m just not in the right mood for it. The right situation being sipping drinks on a tropical island, methinks.
Headed out to go camping soon. Not sure if I will want to wear perfume (how silly, of course I will) but am bringing sample sizes of favorites. Trying to decide for today between Sycomore and AdP Blu Mediterraneo Bergamoto.
Have a great weekend, all.
Have fun!
Enjoy your camping trip, I’ll be joining you in the Great Outdoors this weekend, yay! I always bring something green, most often, Clinique Wrappings, just a tiny spritz works in all seasons and seems to enhance the surroundings.
I think Wrappings was made for the outdoors, especially in the West. Have a great time!
I’m in vintage No 19 parfum today.
I noticed when I was dabbing on the perfume from the mini I have of it that there were things floating in the bottle. The scent itself doesn’t smell off, but there were almost skin-like light things that got stirred up I guess when I picked it up. It was an unused mini when I got it and I don’t put it on much so I don’t think that my skin could just slough off into the bottle like that. Any ideas on what it might be?
It’s either the composition breaking up or miniscule oils/residue from skin. Since your’s is unused, it’s just breakdown. It shouldn’t affect the smell of the formula – it happens. Don’t worry about it as long as you are storing it properly. I have the same residue in some of my very old bottles. It doesn’t really affect the fragrance.
Thanks so much, AnnS! I figured it might not be too bad for it since the scent was still ok. I keep the mini stored in a drawer away from light.
I have that in some of my splash and roll-on bottles, too. It doesn’t seem to effect the scent though. Just looks a little ick.
Yea, it does look icky, but at least it still smells good.
I had floating bits in my DSH Scent of Hope Extrait and I know it can’t be my skin and since I bought it straight from DSH, it could be anyone else’s except at the source. I emailed Dawn and she responded that the bits are particulate that passed filters and usually happens when the materials are natural and in extrait form (more concentrated). In Scent of Hope, it’s the orris butter and ylang ylang that are so fine that they go through the filters. With time, these bond together to become larger flakes.
I checked in with nozknoz and hers also has the bits.
I hope this gives you a bit (heh, no pun intended) of comfort!
Thanks for this. That’s good to know. I wasn’t too worried about it, but it is kinda odd looking.
I’ve got a flight to Austin later today, haven’t been in about 10 years so excited to go. Work, but also some play 😉
This morning I’ve been enjoying Aftelier’s Chocolate Saffron body oil from the last swap meet. I really like this, the chocolate is just chocolaty enough and the saffron is an interesting twist. I wish it would last longer but it’s not too bad, plus it doubles as a great moisturizer. Perfect flying scent!
Hope you enjoy your trip! That oil sounds delicious.
Thanks! Nice to get out of the city every now and then.
Yes it is. My 3 days in Colorado were such a tease.
I love that body oil! It’s also fun to watch the chocolate bubbles disperse and then coalesce – kinda like a perfumed lava lamp. 🙂
Have a wonderful time! Hmmmm chocolatey sounds good.
What is wrong with me?
I’m drawn to these chocolate scents and I’ve got multiple sweet teeth. Can’t. Get. Enough.
Have fun…I’ve been to Austin on business and separately for play. Great city!
Just finished an absolutely delicious fig burger – wow! So good. 6th street is quite interesting.
I thought for a short moment about taking a cab to their big shopping area – Nordstroms etc.
But too beat.
SOTD for something zesty and uplifting: Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon.
Is that one d/c’ed?
Minn NY had a 100 ml bottle of Geranium Bourbon on their sale page that was practically free a week ago. Probably about $50, I think.
I am just seeing that I am moments too late on that–sold out now but it had been $40!! No wonder it was snapped up, I suppose!
Gahhh it was $40 and it’s all sold out! That would’ve been such an AMAZING purchase!!!! I tried it out once in stores and have put it on my (rather long) short list of samples to get, but for $40, I would’ve just snapped it up 🙁
I know, I would’ve bought it blind at that price.
Rats! I meant to mention it but forgot about it until I saw it mentioned today. Sorry guys.
Oh, you’re so kind–not to worry, you probably saved me from myself 😉
That’s become one of my favs! I wonder if it was you whose comments drew my attention to it last year?
I don’t know – maybe. I hemmed and hawed over getting a bottle for about 5 years before I caved in. I figured I may as well get it before it is harder to find. I really like a few samples I have from the MIller Harris, but it is not easy to find them.
Hoping to lure in summer today with PdN Eau a la Folie. The fruit is ripe enough to give some warmth for the reality of our 60 something weather today.
I’m not enjoying my bottle and will try it again this summer and if it is still yucky, it will go to the swap or giveaway pile. I think it’s discontinued which is why I am hesitating to banish it from my life.
I started off the day in understated cdg/Pharrel Girl, but I think Im anosmic to most of it and could barely detect 3 spritzes, so I upgraded to Memoir. I do really like Memoir but sometimes- like today- the opening notes give me a headache 🙁
This evening after it had dulled down I spritzed away with Jour d’Hermes. I think this will be another winter of enjoying bracing, fresh scents to perk me up and stop me overheating.
Ive gotten back into aromatherapy which I used to be heavily into in the mid-late 90’s. Holy S**t the prices are no longer what they used to be!!! Aside from mysore sandalwood being as rare as hens teeth, the days of 15ml (1/2oz) affordable bottles of rose, neroli, Aus sandalwood, chamomile, even Melissa- are long gone 🙁
The prices of high quality essential oils have gone up substantially….even in the past three years….I used to buy an exquisite bourbon vanilla 30 % dilute e.o. from Eden Botanicals….when I went to restock recently I saw that the price had tripled from what I paid two years ago…. same for their tuberose, osmanthus, pink lotus and rose oils…..all have gone up over the years……if you are interested in a good sandalwood Vitacost sells a 10% dilute for a reasonable price and it is NOT the Australian sandalwood…..
Yes, prices are outrageous now! I wonder if the proliferation of luxe green beauty products may have driven the cost up to a large extent.
Much of the cost is due to overharvesting, the expansion of perfume markets AND war- much of the ingredients we love and prize in perfume are grown i areas that are now in serious conflict.
The vanilla crop for the last two years has been abysmal. It was ravaged by locusts in Madagascar and has yet to recover. I think this may be why vanilla pods and EO are hard to find and expensive.
Interesting…you might be on to something there…..
what irks me even more is when the luxe natural fragrance companies begin selling those same essential oils in their own bottles at even higher prices!
By the way, Perthie, I am glad to see you back!
Thanks hajusuuri 🙂 I missed you guys!!
Ah. Thanks for those comments- all really good points. I would have thought that if a crop were affected then the price may drop later but as with everything it seems prices dont really go DOWN if there’s always a demand.
Still, it makes me wistful for my old collection of oils, and my wholesale supplier!
Glad you’re back and boosting the southern hemisphere presence! A family of mice have moved into my dog’s kennel and I’m trying to summon some Perthgirl-power to tackle it…I keep hoping they might just be on holiday and will go home soon.
I do tend to spend large chunks of my day reading comments, but I have missed all my NST friends!
Mousies huh. I used to have pet mousies and could just pick them up by their tails but I dont spose these are those kind…? Is there like a little family in a corner or just evidence of them sharing the dog-house? But yes, they must go 🙁 mine rat family are in my living room roof and they must go too. I keep hoping for some kind of Pied Piper solution rather than bait but I cant leave them there. My brave cat in the pic wont go into the living room because he’s scared of their noises and I worry about all their mess rotting the ceiling and a family of rats raining down on me… *shudder*…
I’m in Purple Rain by Prada today
This sounds so good. I very much appreciated your review?
Oops period not question mark!
Thanks Amy, glad you enjoyed the article 🙂
I am waiting for a deal at Saks before triggering a purchase. BTW, I stopped by the Prada boutique to see if they still carry the leather bracelets and nope, they were from 2 years ago, went on sale at the end of the season and got snapped up. They have new ones but the Prada tag was metal (stainless steel painted with 18k gold) and too prominent. My wallet stayed in my purse 🙂
Do they have those new scents?
I want to try the almond one and have been meaning to stop by but haven’t been in the area.
I’m assuming they carry fragrance in their stand alone stores.
I am wearing vintage Madame Rochas, the writing was missing on the bottle so I have no idea about the concentration, I found this at an antique fair, it looked like it was treated badly, thrown away in a box with some junk. I bought it anyways since it was 2$ and it smells gorgeous.
What a great find!
Wearing OJ Frangipani today…
Very nice…enjoying it over yesterday’s Osmanthus. I expected Osmanthus to be floral but it was mostly citrus.
Yum, you smell great!
SOTD: vintage YSL Opium Parfum with a backup of Opium EDT on standby in the unlikely event that the first application fades.
LOL. I can’t imagine vintage Opium parfum fading…even after a few days!
That’s pretty much how the chips fell– didn’t need that backup at all 🙂
Today’s understated scent is Chanel “Allure Homme Edition Blanche”. A more truthful name might be “original cream cleanser smell” although I doubt the Chanel marketing team will run with it. But this, my friends, is Cif (a reformulation of the vintage Jif I believe), without the redeeming usefulness. :^)
😉
At least your surfaces will be shiny…with no harmful scratching
SOTD was Vetiver pour elle. I may respritz or go with a rose or orange blossom to go out for dinner.
That’s a lovely fragrance and I would consider it if I did not have this honking bottle of Tom Ford Grey Vetiver instead!
I don’t mind our unseasonably cold and damp weather (considering that the alternative is usually heat and humidity), but it conspires against understatement. I’m wearing PdE Cuir Ottoman, inspired by Angela’s review yesterday.
When I want to smell good in a subliminal way I would usually rely on a light dose of SNM Melograno. Thierry Mugler Orient Express would work, too, I think.
So curious about Orient Express.
It’s a shame Les Exceptions are so hard to find! I liked Supra Floral, too.
Needed my comforting Ancient Resins oil plus a little spritz of Dries today.
That DOES sound very comforting indeed!
I’m not usually a layer-er, but I can always count on this combo.
Ancient Resins are so very nice. I am seriously considering investing in a bottle. That and the Frankincense tea.
Hump Day! Two meetings in row, and am about to make a stink to cause a necessary change in production architecture and am considering creating a in company seminar class for young professional women- and it’s just 950 AM!
SOTD: The Body Shop Satsuma Body Mist layered with Body Shop Moringa Shower gel. I smell like freshly made marmalade and linden flowers, which is perfect for today.
OOTD: Blue trousers with yellow shirt and pink scarf; black low heeled shoes. Accessorized with a large cup of almond milk chai!
Sound very badass! Also, I want that chai…
The chai is good, so good! It’s made with masala spices that I blend with black tea, I brew it double strength, and then top it off with hot almond milk, and sweetened with a bit of honey! energy for the morning!
I thought it’s only Tuesday but it’s hump day so Friday will come sooner.
Day 3 of understated fragrance —
SOTD = Aftelier Cuir de Gardenia
This one has no sillage whatsoever. My tolerance for animalic is really low and I was surprised when I fell for this because it IS very animalic but however way Mandy combined gardenia / tiare was so clever that it removed whatever it is in animalics that repulse me.
Lucky you! On my skin the animalics was amped up majorly and it smelled rotten, decaying and repulsive….but it was short lived as I get zero longevity from any of the Afteliers . I have better luck with the naturals from SSS…the new Amber Incense lasted FOEVER on my skin….lucky that I like it 🙂 !!!! And speaking of which, have you tried Pacific Forest, Laurie’s natural rendition of Forest Walk? I love Forest Walk and would not mind a natural version….do you know how the two compare?
I haven’t yet tried Pacific Forest — have to place an order soon! Thanks no thanks for the reminder to spend $s 😉
I like that Cuir de Gardenia, too! 🙂
I’m debating about what volume of Vanilla Smoke parfum to get!
It doesn’t last! So frustrating to me.
I love what I’ve tried of hers but how does one justify the cost for 30 minutes of scent?
Reveling in another glorious spring day wearing Amarige Mimosa 2009.
I love sharing my day with Tina Fey–it’s my birthday too! (It’s also the day Mt. St. Helens blew its top.) There’s a lot of us this week. In case I miss(ed) anyone, Happy Birthday to everyone born this week!!
SOTD is PdN Odalisque since LOTV is the flower for May.
Happy birthday to you and you smell lovely!
Thanks and thanks!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks!
Happy birthday! :). A Tina Fey quote as a gift of sorts: “Is this potpourri or chips? Because I’m going to try and eat it.”
Ha, that could sooo be me!
Happy Birthday to you Creosote!
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Creosote! I hope the Diamondbacks hit one out of the park for you tonight!
That would be great, especially since we’re playing the Yankees!
Happy Birthday! ????
Thanks!
Happy Birthday!
( &I love Odalisque)
Yes, Odalisque is goood, isn’t it!?
Happy Birthday!
Thanks!
Happy birthday!
Thank you!
Happy Birthday!
Merci!
Happy Birthday!
¡Gracias!
Happy Birthday, Creosote!
Thank you!
Birthday! Happy day to you 😉
Thanks! ????
Happy birthday you old ratbag!
Aw, thanks! ????
SOTD is the lovely and springy Ostara.
I was surprised by the Perfume Fairy twice yesterday. First, a coworker brought me samples from her Birchbox: JHAG Another Oud and something by Oribe? (did not have a chance to examine it closely). Then when I arrived home, I found a mystery package from Nordstrom. “Weird,” I thought. “I don’t remember ordering anything.” Turned out to be a sample of Jo Malone Black Cedar and Juniper. I’ve made The List, apparently!
Good for you Luna! Enjoy your freebies
Enjoy. I haven’t made the list yet except for the La Mer counter 😉
Nice list to be on!
I feel off the JM list at Bergdorfs.. 🙁
I’m wearing Bulgari Jasmin Noir today. It’s pretty close to the skin and I think I could’ve used a bit more sillage but it’s nice enough anyway.
Soo… I just filled out a loan application for a mortgage. I talked to a loan officer last night.. I left a message relatively late thinking I wouldn’t get a call back until today but he called me back pretty much right away. So the ball is rolling. I’m excited that this is starting to happen, but I’m frankly terrified too.
I’d been in a thinking mode for so long, not really knowing how to get started, how to go about finding a realtor and all that. So I saw that there was an open house at a condo I was interested in, and I decided to go and check it out and see what that might yield. I was pretty much hoping that if I met the realtor and liked her, then I could just work with that person, and I think that’s pretty much how it’s working out. And she recommended the loan officer that I spoke to and one other, which I’ve called but haven’t heard back from yet, so it feels like it’s all starting to come together.
Sorry if this is a bit rambly or oversharing.. all this has got me in kind of a hyped up mood.. I had trouble getting to sleep last night.
Congrats! Must be exciting to be moving forward with the process. Hope all goes smoothly.
Thanks. So far so good. I just got a call from the loan officer telling me my application looks good so we shall see!
That’s really exciting, sweetgrass! Good luck and I hope it’ll be smooth sailing for you.
So exciting and a great reason to be hyped! Hope it all goes well for you.
Congrats! And, yes, your situation is both exciting and un-nerving! I remember having ENORMOUS butterflies when I went thru the same thing…
Very exciting!
Congratulations and good luck with the rest of the process!
Wearing NV Trayee, snuggled up inside with my baby on this grey and rainy day. I smell like a sumptuous chai latte and a cone of incense.
Great description! You smell marvellous.
Delicious!
You smell great!
Temps a few degrees higher today + some sun as we inch forward to warmth. I’m channeling spring today through an old friend, Coty Muguet des Bois, and we’re enjoying each other’s company. Old friends are the best!
Old friends are the best!
Wearing Vanille 44 again today–if it ain’t broke, etc. 🙂
It’s always the right choice…????
I think just about everybody but my credit cards agree on this point!
Keep using up the decants – a bottle is calling your name 🙂
I greatly appreciate the moral support–you know what a downer that pesky wallet’s chiding can be 😉
Hello all — I’ve missed reading and posting here for some days as I’ve been busy with temporary single-mamahood. We’ve had a bit of a heatwave here, a preview of summer, that’s unfortunately slated to be followed by a 30-degree drop in temperatures just in time for the weekend. Boo — where is the warm spring I crave all the rest of the year? Having only had one shower in four days (see single mamahood), the only thing I’ve felt like wearing is Eau de Magnolia. Perfect with the golden sun and the heat and the cicadas, and a refreshing tonic for my fatigue and artfully mussed hair. 🙂
Oh, I remember those days! Hope you do get another shower eventually.
Hypnotic Poison again today. Very comforting as the heavy, cold rain pours outside.
Getting a very very late start on blog reading today… and no perfume, either. Was too busy earlier. Think I’ll bust out my brand-new, 2nd travel spray of Smell Bent Florist’s Fridge.
But I’m so excited! EauMG directed my attention to THIS: http://www.refinery29.com/2016/05/109998/bath-and-body-works-90s-scents-relaunch#slide-3 and I’m just thrilled. B&BW Freesia was my Body Product of Choice, way back when, and I already know I’m gonna make a point to go pick up some of this rerelease.
I used to have their Freesia shower gel and lotion too. Thanks Mals. I haven’t smelled it in years. It was so good.
It was! Its replacement, Sheer Freesia, did not impress me >:( (I wore Freesia on my honeymoon. Good times.)
Oh wow! What a nice memory. I hope you get some.
I really liked the Raspberry.
I never tried the raspberry. I received Freesia as a gift or probably would’ have tried that either.
I’m wearing all sorts of samples today – most notably Bvlgari Rose Essentially, because that’s the one I have Walden and he insisted I spray both of his arms abs both of my arms *twice* but that’s unimportant. What is more exciting is that today in the front yard I discovered an iris blooming (I love the previous owners and their prolific gardening). I had never smelled an iris in real life, and to be honest haven’t found many iris perfumes that I’ve liked, but my God, that iris was brilliantly beautiful smelling (and looking of course)! It was so eye opening! I hope I can take this new experience into future iris perfume trials and maybe find something that will click.
What color is the iris, and how tall? They vary so much! I am always looking for more fragrant ones to plant…
Well, the base petals that are hanging down are like a deep magenta/purple with darker purple veining, and with a white and purple zebra print pattern where it connects to the stem. The upper leaves are a whitish color with purple veining so they look like a light violet color, and there is also some bright orange near the base of the leaves from the stem as well. I’d say it’s about 2.5-3 ft tall? I’m sorry, I’m not very good at describing these!
Good description, thanks for the pic! I will look for some with that color scheme the next time I get some. I have some deep purple one that smell like Welch’s grape juice except better. 🙂
Okay that was pathetic – here is a link to the pic of the flower in my google drive:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nl09YokrrMlWpPpFnROeT9QOTrpQClQSsw/view?usp=sharing
i hope that’s okay to post a link to my google drive pic!
We have several large patches of what looks like the same iris. When it bloomed about a month ago the entire yard smelled great for about a week, especially on still nights. I always forget how fragrant iris can be.
Some of them are quite fragrant! I have a dark purple one that smells like candy!
Robin, you smell lovely. For several days I wore Baiser Vole Essence and the EDT together after using my Lily scented shower gel! Lilies to the max! Lily rules and other flowers drool! Just kidding, I like other flowers too. Testing Aftelier Cuir Gardenia today and it was lovely for the hour it lasted, I am sure others get better mileage…..
Oh nice — who makes the shower gel?
Dayna Decker. The products are really nice but preposterously over priced. Several years back they showed up at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s for well below retail. There was a lily, manzanita, and hydrangea shower gel and decadent body cream. I got hooked and bought all I could find and now they show up on eBay and Amazon once in a while. I have about a quarter of a container of Viva(why call it Lily when you can call it Viva?)left and it is so excellently formulated I even wash my curly locks with it.
A belated thank you!
Cuir de Gardenia – I apply it to hair so it lasts longer.
An excellent suggestion, Hajusuuri. I will give it a try.
Still cold here, and freezing in my office. I am cozy in a cashmere blend sweater and Amber Aurea. This is a great amber perfume. But I went to Lucky Scent, and started looking at their “You might also like…” suggestions and am intrigued by Sutra Ylang. Love the name, anyone know this scent?
After giving half my unloved samples away, I am trying really hard not get any more samples unless I can predict that I might at least like them enough to use them up, and I want to give the rest of my unloved samples, as well as a few FB or partial bottles that are just sitting around taking up space, to a more appreciative home.
My goal is to have only perfumes that I love love love. Except for a few reference samples of classics everyone should have a little bit of, even if it is not my favorite… 🙂
But Amber Aurea is going on my get another decant at least list. 🙂
And that Sutra Ylang is calling my name….
And so it goes. . . 😉
I tried SY last year after reading a review by the nonblonde. I really liked it a lot initially and even considered a FB but I sort of got over it. Did you ever really like a vanilla perfume but as you get more familiar with it the notes seem flat? That flat quality is what I noticed about Sutra ylang. It didn’t seem so at first so it may have been my decant. I can send you enough to try it before ordering a sample. Let me know and I’ll send you my email address, unless you still have it?
So late today on commenting. I saw the bracelets for today and I Luke them better than the ones shown yesterday. What can I say? I am definitely a sucker for beautiful jewelry!
My SOTD was Ysatis by Givenchy. Got a compliment at the end of the day by my friend. She said I still smell as good ad I did first thing this morning.
Edit: like not luke
Hope you’re feeling better!
So much better. I had food poisoning from a charity softball game. Ugh! Thanks for thinking of me.
Nope, don’t like those nail bracelets.. too much of a utility/luxury dissonance for my taste. I’d rather pound nails than dangle a bent one from my wrist.
An update on the Parfum Sacre saga: My bottle of vintage Parfum Sacre EDP arrived from the eBay seller. When I took it out of the box, I discovered that it was a splash bottle with a glass stopper (it was described as a spray on eBay) and the perfumed smelled a little bit off, like the rose note had turned somewhat. When I applied it to skin it started off as quite faint, but the became stronger and stronger with time, a lot of sweet myrrh, cinnamon and spice with the rose note taking a very back seat. It smelled very different from both the decant from Hajusuuri and the spray from Meredifay, both more recent versions of the EDP. Also, the sillage is very faint and the lasting power is poor. The verdict? It smells gorgeous but it still wasn’t what I thought I had ordered. So I contacted the eBay seller and today he is mailed a bottle of vintage PS EDP in a spray bottle. I offered to return the bottle I already have, but haven’t heard back yet. I don’t think that the bottle I received is counterfeit, but it certainly hasn’t been stored properly because it seems to have degraded.
On a happier note, I sampled Costume National 21 the other day and just received the bottle that I impulse bought on eBay for $40 (50ml). It is really gorgeous – I love it and husband puts it in the top 5.
Oh congrats at least on being united with such a winner in CN21! A top five scent is a VERY exciting discovery. Hope it helps make up from some of the difficulties with Parfum Sacre! (And also hope that you get a good batch this time!)
Strange Invisible Perfumes Dimanche was my choice today, and it really hit the spot. Dusky iris and cocoa that actually reminds me of a great tea. I’ve been going for understated for the whole week. On Monday I gave Bois des Iles a whirl, and I liked it much better now than I did when I first tried it years ago. I think I couldn’t handle the aldehydes in the past. And yesterday I wore Infusion d’Iris Absolue. It is definitely my favorite version of Id’I.