A quick PSA: our next freebiemeet will be a week from today! Meanwhile, our usual lazy open thread. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance you wish you'd find at the freebiemeet, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Ice outlines [cropped] by Sheila Sund at flickr; some rights reserved.
Today I’m trying “Lilac Love” by Amouage. I received a sample of this. It is described as lilac plus cocoa. It’s a pretty scent, but it didn’t wow me. Not doing anything special this weekend. Just recovering and taking it easy. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Hope the recovery is going well and don’t overdo it this time and go back to work too soon
If I hadn’t of been sick yesterday I would have been your scent twin in Basil and Neroli…got that one for a younger family member for Christmas and haven’t had an opportunity to sample yet via stolen spritzes!
Hi chocolatemarzipan8! The recovery is going well. I started my physical therapy up again yesterday, so I’m a bit sore. And, I definitely won’t make the mistake again of going back to work too soon.
Hope you are feeling better today! There seems to be some sort of bug going around. Do let me know what you think of Basil & Neroli. It’s a nice one!
Will do …I consider you and Undina the Jo Malone aficionados!
Yes, we are
Chocolatemarzepam, I hope you’re feeling better today.
Scentfromabove, baby steps – do not overdo it.
Have you been sick? Sorry I missed the fact, hope you feel better soon. (Scentfromabove, you too!)
Happy recovery time?! I hope you have a nice pile of samples to dip into as you take care of yourself.
But of course! Lol!
HI All! It’s been a bazillion years since I last chimed in here. I’ve been consistently lurking, though. I absolutely love the community vibe here.
So…Today I’m wearing a couple of light spritzes of Bois et Musc and awaiting a small decant of Une Fleur de Cassie that should arrive in the mail today. I’m still trying to find a Malle that slays me, and I have my fingers crossed that UFdC will be the one.
I have a question: I’m looking to create a small sample pack for someone who has only ever worn White Linen. Any suggestions on what to include?
Hm. Chanel No. 22 comes to mind right away since they’re similar. Maybe other Chanels, too? Like BdI, No. 19, 1932, Misia.
Great idea. I think she’ll love that they’re Chanels, too. Thank you.
If you’re making a Chanel pack, I would include some version of No. 5–maybe Eau Premiere since it’s the “cleanest?”
Will do! Thanks for the suggestion. I’d like to try it for myself, too.
Yeah, duh. Realized after I was finished I should have included No. 5
You smell great! So nice to see Bois et Musc being mentioned!
Thanks! I love it. Wondering if it could be my first bell jar.
Go for it!
I love SL and have explored the line quite extensively. Bois et Musc is probably my favorite and definitely the one I wear the most (and would probably use it even more if it was in a spray bottle … but the bell jar is special).
I was hoping you’d say that (“go for it”). And I’d get it in a heartbeat if it came in a spray bottle. Haven’t found it yet though. I’m happy to find someone who likes it as much as I do.
I’m wondering if it would work to use glass marbles to replace decanted perfumes in a larger “sample”, to minimize air space. Depends on the bottle opening size, first off. Clean sand, maybe? Has anyone ever heard of this being done?
Marbles is an interesting one! With sand you’d lose too much of the scent trapped in the sand I think.
For your friend, I would suggest
Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin
Guerlain Chamade, Cuir Beluga, L’Heure Bleue
Chanel No 5 Premiere, Misia
Balenciaga Florabotanica
Penhaligons Vaara
Vero Profumo Mito
— because I, too, wore only White Linen for thirty years
Most of these are perfumes that I discovered early on in my subsequent “education” and that have stayed with me since.
Oh, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this list. I love knowing it’s from a White Linen lover.
L’heure bleue seems especially apt–pretty and feminine, while still complicated and unexpected!
SotD = Eau de Guerlain, I needed a gentle boost this wintry morning. I may re-test a sample of L’eau d’Hiver later today.
I’m holding a bowl of hot oatmeal under my chin to warm my hands as I breathe in the sweet-smelling steam. I hope to fend off what feels like the beginning of a chest cold. Naps and novels are the order of the day.
Take good care, NST. The world is counting on us to spread fragrant beauty.
Ooh. Naps and novels. Sounds luxurious.
That was my day yesterday. Hope you feel restored by tomorrow!
Hot oatmeal is the best on a cold morning! Hope you stave off the crud????
You smell wonderful!
And fluids! Drink plenty of fluids! ????
The last part of your comment made me smile – thank you.
Take care of yourself!
Naps and novels. My favorite kind of day. Do take care of yourself!
Oooo – may I recommend a book I just finished? The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. Loved it.
A big second to that recommendation! I loved it too.
Sounds like a perfectly cozy day!
I loved my sample of L’eau d’hiver so I bought a small bottle. I know I’ve been complaining about this too many times already, but from the full bottle, I cannot smell it at all. I’m wondering if it is the juice or me? At least here in Canada, a Malle is too expensive to toss!
3-ply tissues are way better than 2-ply
Hope you had a restful day!
Thanks to my fragrant fairy I am wearing the last of an evaporated decant of Vintage Eau de Givenchy.
This one was on my ‘TO BUY” list 34 years ago….
Wearing it again after 34 years is like discovering a long lost treasure one had completely forgotten about…
and unlike some of the fragrances from my youth whose scents can invoke a sense of melancholy, this one has brought an instantaneous smile to my face….
Sounds fantastic. is it fresh minty?
it is a green- fruity chypre but I definitely get some mint and I absolutely adore it…..as soon as I sniffed it I was instantly transported back to the early 80s….and I know in saying that it makes me realize how VERY VERY old I am..hard to believe that I fell down the rabbit hole 46 years ago!
What a joy!
Oh, how nice that this piece of your past is still a delight.
Shocking, right? I know that you have had the same experience with not wanting to re-live some of the scents you wore in your past…it is almost sad to be reminded of lost youth…but this one really brought a smile to my face….too bad it is discontinued
That was my signature for several years!
wow! funny thing is I have never seen it mentioned anywhere…not sure why as I think it is fabulous!
Hi CM8!
You were much on my mind yesterday as I played with all the Pacifica scents at a shop. The strongest “won” and I smelled like rose cum lilac, amber, guava, lemon… for the rest of the day.
I had a “channeling CM8” moment, too, earlier today at my local health food/natural products store! I was eyeing the usual Pacificas when I spotted a new sick of Tibetan Mountain Temple which I spritzed. Made me think of CM8 and she also reminded me that I’m trying not to impulse buy right now, so I spritzed my hand and moved along…
OOO! Glad to hear I was a good influence
although Tibetan Mountain Temple is a Pacifica I adore but a spritz of the hand is good enough!
Since we’re probably going to run out of nested comments and wanted you to see this….yesterday, I passed by the soon to open Whole Foods Market near Bryant Park and my FIRST thought was chocolatemarzipan and Pacifica perfumes.
and wait!!! there is a Whole Foods Market near Bryant Park????How did I not know this???
I didn’t know there was a WF there either!
It’s opening at the end of January and it is on 6th between 41st and 42nd.
Ha! ha! Oakland Fresca- I am glad that you had fun playing around with the Pacificas yesterday! Sadly so many of the older ones that I really loved (the ones in the Woods and Resins categories) have either been discontinued or are much harder to come by ….the fruity and floral ones are most prevalent in the stores now.
Today on my visit to WF I will also have a sniffing session in your name
I know that I tried this one about 15 years ago (I had a set of mini bottles from the brand, and it was one of the five bottles) but I have absolutely no recollection about the scent. But it’s great that you got to experience that blast from the past.
it is a pretty, fresh, fruity chypre…..I wonder if you smelled it again it would come back to you….
Hi! Was very interested in your comments about vintage Eau de Givenchy, and may be able to help you with this. If you’ll email me at snchamness at msn dot com, I’d like to follow up on this with you.
Sharon- thank you for thinking of me but I was incredibly satisfied with my one time wearing and am currently working on draining so many other lovelies…but I do appreciate your reaching out on this one
I wore Eau de Givenchy about 22 years ago. It was unlike anything i was familiar with. I loved it. I’m glad you were able to have a positive revisit with it.
It really WAS a lovely revisit…was it a signature scent for you?
No, I had received it as a gift. I really enjoyed it, and drained the bottle relatively quick.
Using up my sample of Reve de Oissian from Oriza Legrand and wondering why I don’t yet have a bottle of this, though it _might_ have to do with how many items are on my to buy list versus how much disposable income I have…….
What’s “disposable income”? ????
hee! hee! I am saying the same thing!
Mortgage or rent funds…
Oh good to know because I am hoping to “dispose” of my mortgage in the next few months.
So what I want to know is how to get disposable debt.
Hello everyone!
I used up last drops from my sample of Guerlain Tonka Imperiale in order to smell great today. I haven’t worn this fragrance probably for a year and the juice became pretty dark but the fragrance was still ok.
I woke up today to icy, slippery pavements as rain and melted snow turned into ice again overnight but most importantly I woke up with a feeling that it’s time to buy a new perfume for myself.
My birthday is next month but buying a self-gift will be a different story. I need to think about what perfume I really liked. Things to consider include Arbole Arbole, MFK Grand Soir or NVC Rahele.
My Cuir Beluga went very dark as well, wonder what ingredient is causing that?
From my experience I can say that would be vanillin. It turns darker due to slow oxidation process.
I feel like since you can get the Arbole Arbole in that cute smaller spray, you should get that *and* one of the others. How spoiled am I?
That was exactly what I was going to suggest! We’re not spoiled – we’re practical: when was the last time any of us finished even a 10 ml decant? (Well, I can look it up in the recent community project thread, but still – not that often).
That’s right! I am just about finished with 10ml of Une Rose *and* I have a 100ml bottle.☺️
I’m not as much in love with previous Hiram Green works though
Quick reminded – I always split my bottles! Only have full bottles of stuff I can’t live without (read all my Prada)
Of the scents you mentioned, I’ve only smelled Grand Soir, but I really like it. (I’m consciously avoiding loooving it since it’s quite out of my price range.) It’s so cozy. And I find–at least on my–its unisex nature really compelling. Most unisex scents come across in my mind as being *neither* feminine nor masculine, but GS seems to me like it’s unisex because it’s *both*. There’s something early on (the labdanum, I think) that adds an almost animalic note which smells more ‘masculine’ on top of the vanilla and tonka.
Ooh, that sounds fantastic! My first few years of fragrance, I found myself mostly drawn to fragrances that were difficult to define by gender norms. (I’m much more feminine these days, it seems!)
Working on not hoarding the good stuff – wearing Amouage Homage attar. Finally some sun here after several dark days of rain, yay!
That’s another good resolution in addition to being more careful about spending.
That is beautiful stuff! I used to have a small sample of it and had a hard time using it up.
I expect a little goes a long way with the attars? Does it last all day? It sounds opulent.
Yes, not much required, a few drops on pulse points and it lasts all day. It is opulant indeed.
YES to working on not hoarding the good stuff! I had the same attitude today.
Got my Zoologist sample pack yesterday and have been having fun playing.
So far I’ve tried Civet which I like a lot. Though I gave myself 3 sprays and went out only to find that It Is Strong! Really lovely, a little bit skanky on me but in a pleasant way and a lovely drydown.
Bat is so weird and frankly not something I’d want to wear publicly. First impression had my eyes pop open as It really gave the impression of a cave (even though I don’t think I’ve been in a cave really)….rocky, a bit dank, musty. Later some slightly rotting fruit came through. Fascinating and cinematic.
Tried Panda this morning and again very interesting. Green and herbal with a peppery bite. Reminded me a bit of an alternate universe version of Bel Respiro. Also got a bite of gasoline.
After all that stimulation, going with Pichola for some straight up pretty for relief.
Looking forward to trying the rest of these samples, though. Fun and distinctive.
What a very productive morning. I’m looking forward to Civet. Where does it fit in with other skanky fragrances? Is it easier to spray with some “cautious” abandon?
You smell fabulous. Pichola is relief for so many maladies.
I’m no veteran of skank though have become more intrigued lately. Dilettante goes “pretty/skanky” on me which is about my ideal level. Salome is about the skankiest thing I’ve tried. Civet is slightly more skank than Dilettante but a whole lot less than Salome, if that helps
The Zoologist perfumes I’ve tried are nice and strong, too. Pretty sure I’m going to have to purchase Hummingbird.
I love Civet and do own a bottle. I am now anxiously awaiting the delivery of my bottle of Hummingbird.
Wonderful! I love that moment when the bottle finally arrives, and you can spray abundantly. Hummingbird is so juicy and vibrant. Definitely FBW. I’m happy for you!
Thanks for sharing your impressions of these! If you have the time and energy, I hope you’ll share what you think of the others, too.
Thanks for your impressions of the Zoologist perfumes. I’m going to get a sample pack eventually as my curiosity is piqued. I know what you mean about switching to something pretty for relief!
Oooh, I”m also waiting for my sample pack from them. Look forward to trying them and enjoyed hearing your first impressions!
Wishing for a little of the weather in the posted photo. Hot and sticky here, no sign of winter. I was just detailing my FJ and was sweating so much I wasn’t really accomplishing anything. T-Rex and I decided to play war games with the spouting hose instead.
Started the day with PdE Musc Tonkin (so swoon worthy!), but then did a drive-by at a local Ulta. Pacifica products are buy 2 get 1, so I dabbled with sweet Amber something, Malibu lemon something, and something Rose. Put all three in my basket, buzzed around in a big circle and then put them all back. Something in base has teeth, at least on me. But if it’s your jam, now’s a good time to go shopping at Ulta.
So THRILLED it’s the weekend and I’m NOT working! Hope you all have a great one✌????
The Ulta here doesn’t carry Pacifica. I’ve only seen it on line.
Have a fun weekend.
Thank you, you too!
I think Whole Foods has Pacifica, at least they used to.
Happy weekend Deva! I saw a news item about a guy who wants to break the world record of paddle boarding with dogs (25 on one 17×5 foot board) and thought of you and T.Rex.
There’s always paddleboard yoga.
Standing upright on paddle board is “yoga” enough for me ????
Kanuka, I’m wishing I had gotten a paddle board, but they are about 3x the price of a kayak. The yak is quite cumbersome to load on the FJ, and I think it will be near impossible to do it solo with the van…
Have you seen those super cool inflatable kayaks that people carry when they are doing remote rivers. I’ll find a link. Hang on.
http://www.aire.com/aire-kayak/bakraft-expedition.asp
Something like this…and they pack up small so you can carry them
Well, that’s really nifty! The price… not so much. I’d probably have to put booties on T-Rex so her nails wouldn’t shred it, but it looks fantastic for mobile living. Thanks for the link!
Congrats on putting them all back
Of late I am not happy with Pacifica as they discontinued all the ones I loved and created new ones that are so-so to my nose…..
Haha, I congratuled my thriftiness with frozen yogurt! I was really looking for the Tibetan Temple something, but they didn’t have it. Probably one of the discontinued ones?
Tibetan Mountain Temple isn’t discontinued (yet!) but many of the stores no longer carry it as I don’t think it is as popular as the fruity and floral ones…I would have also recommended Spanish Amber but I think the stores have replaced it with the newest one Sugared Amber Dreams which is NOTHING like Spanish Amber
And you know, I take back what I said…looking on the website this morning there are still current offerings that are worthy of wearing…especially because the price of a full i oz bottle at my local health food store is one fifth of the price of a one ounce Jo Malone…and some of the Pacifica’s have similarities to more expensive fragrances…
Hawaiian Ruby Guava reminds me of a simpler Pulp, French Lilac for me is a great substitute for Sweet Morphine or Desarmante when I am looking for a Lilac fix, Island Vanilla is great when I want sweet vanilla (good sub for DFMV by Dame Perfumery), Mediterranean Fig is an excellent fig, Kevin highly approves of Malibu Lemon Blossom and recently compared it to a much more expensive fragrance, Tahitian Gardenia is a great inexpensive soliflore as is Wakiki Pikaki, Indian Coconut Nectar for my coconut fix, Brazilian Mango Grapefruit is cousin to L’Occitane’s Pamlemousse Rhubarbe ….so yes, I take back what I said
With windchill, it’s 5 or 10 degrees F outside in Portland this morning; that’s doin’ nothin’ to rid us of the 10 inches of snow and 3 inches of ice. . . Mr. Spicebomb and I braved the ICY roads to go to hockey last night, as we NEEDED to get out of the house! There’s another match tonight, so we will do it again! Rumor is that my gym is open, finally, too, so I will either skate in my sneakers or in my car to go lift later, too.
I’m feeling like pulling out some samples to weed through today, but not before the gym–just in case I find something TOO MUCH for physical exertion in public. Maybe just a spritz of something pretty to tide me over. . . a little Lys 41!
GAH! You’re an inspiration. I have to drag myself out of the house and make my downtown for a long-standing hair appointment today, by bus because my little car is hopeless in anything even slightly slippery and I don’t own chains. Mr. G says he’ll go with me, partly to make sure I don’t hurt myself and partly because the salon will hook him up with a glass of wine (me too) while they work on me. I hate being cold, but I hate unruly hair more, I guess, and at least it’s gorgeously sunny. SOTA will be Nuit de Noel to match the winter wonderland we’ve got goin’ on here.
The roads really are terrible. I don’t really trust my car on them, either. Last night we took Mr. S’s car, which did ok. This weather is making me rethink my teeny little fuel efficient vehicle. I could use a little more mass and horsepower!
The roads really are awful, and just getting chunkier. Tri-Met did okay because buses are nice and heavy, but it was still a very bumpy ride. It was really nice to get out of the house and into some fresh air at last, though. AND, we took a page from foxbins’ book and hired someone to shovel the rest of the driveway. Might take a little (very little!) walk around the neighborhood later on.
I’m happy to hear your adventure turned out ok! The roads were MUCH worse last night than the night before. I think it’s warming *just* enough to melt the top layer and refreeze into a really great sheen of ice.
Mr. S. and I have a hypothesis that one of the families around here paid their kids to clear the road around their house. There’s about 30 feet of road completely bare. I’d bet those kids earned their allowances this week!
I love a good snowstorm, but when you live somewhere that isn’t used to it and doesn’t have the equipment to clear quickly, it is a drag. Hope that mobility becomes easier for you all.
Thanks, Amy! It’s true–it would have been a big storm anywhere (12 inches in as many hours), but we really don’t know how to deal with it out here. The city and the state don’t have plows, deicer, gravel trucks, etc, etc, on stand-by, and of course, folks don’t know how to drive safely (not that there’s much you can do except stay home once it all becomes ice).
Yes, it is a major PITA in an unprepared city and not fun at all.
I made a great fragrant purchase today. I got a large bottle of Rose Jam at a 50% discount. It smells every bit as gorgeous as people on here have always claimed. So, I’m glad. The weather here is cold and wet. Showers of hail and sleet. Not very nice, but it could be a lot worse.
I keep meaning to try this, but every time I get serious about it, it’s gone. Thanks for the tip!
Sigh. Looks like I’m too late again.
I have only tried the Rose Jam shower gel, so there may be relevant differences, but Tauerville’s Rose Flash is quite similar and may be easier to try.
I got the shower gel, I didn’t even know any other Rose Jam product existed.
I guess maybe the thing I think of as “Rose Jam perfume” actually goes by a different name, but I could swear my Lush-employed sister has it.
There was a Lush Rose Jam perfume!
I missed that sale! Such a great scent, so wish they’d reissue the perfume.
So Bookworm is NOT driving back to school today, because of the icy precipitation coming down between here and New Haven. (She doesn’t *have* to be back until Monday night when there’s a meeting for the freshman-dorm RAs, but she doesn’t enjoy heading north on Sundays. This time there’s no help for it.) The boys, including The CEO, are all at an indoor track meet, and the ladies of the house
are finishing up the laundry, packing Bookworm’s car, and planning the end of the Lord of the Rings movie marathon for this afternoon/evening.
Wearing Mary Greenwell Plum and feeling content.
OH!! I forgot to tell you, my package from Four Seasons arrived yesterday. And the contents were intact, correct, and (at least I think) genuine. That was a big win, and thanks a ton to you alert NSTers for both the warnings and the PSA sale notice.
Wonder if the roads will be any better by tomorrow? Maybe she can extend her visit home by another day or two!
Do tell what was purchased from Four Seasons.
MFK Lumiere Noire pour femme was the purchase. And yes, she’s planning to leave tomorrow on the assumption that the ice will be off the main roads by then, thanks.
Hooray!!!
I was a little surprised, but pleasantly so.
and safe travels for your daughter today.
I can’t tell you how relieved I am to read this. I was feeling dreadful about the possibility of my PSA ruining your birthday!
I’m very grateful!
Enjoy your extra day! Are you really going to watch all 3 movies at once?
We normally watch all the extended DVD versions (6 discs) when there is snow or bad weather. This time we managed to watch the first four before the weather turned warm again and the boys went back to school, so it’s just the final two we’re going to watch today.
Still a long haul but sounds like fun!
My thought exactly. All due respect (that’s not a lot, actually) to Peter Jackson, but after quite a short while I stop following the movies and start thinking, “Oh, there’s (insert appropriate Aotearoa landmark). What an odd location to choose for this scene.” And other unappreciative thoughts.
I got grumpy when one of my favourite semi-deserted, remote campsites turned into a crowded ‘ as seen on the LOTR ” location. Now it’s always busy and noisy
That is the worst.
LOTR marathons rule–especially with the extended versions!! Enjoy!
I’ve been missing Skive and need a new leather. I just read Robin’s post about rhino dung and then looked up the zoologist Rhino scent and that sounds like it could be a good boozy/mulchy/ leather? Or do I search out Knize? But then again, I am keen to re-build my Serge Lutens and haven’t any bold leathers ( only Daim Blond ). Braced for the Austrians today! We will put up a good team effort…my husband will do all the cooking at night and I would do wildlife tours as required. If it gets ugly I will wear Poison Girl …otherwise just chilling in Journey. Aaaaahhhhhh.
I like the soft floral leathers, so I have no idea on Rhino (or other bold leathers!). Is another bottle of Skive out of the question? Hope the houseguest situation works out well.
What soft floral leathers are those? I haven’t found any leathers that appeal. I want a leather scent that is basically me riding my good mare along a land lined with flowering linden trees…
Just put on loads of Rien! One of the best leathers, and one of the ballsiest perfumes I know. On top of that, it has the half life of several loads of plutonium.
That would teach those presumptuous Austrians a lesson too.
I like this idea of driving them out with your sillage
Hang in there. It will pass. And other sententious and unhelpful remarks. And maybe the child will indeed be a beguiling infant with dimples and a good attitude.
Hey, I’m looking forward to going World-wards with you when you’re up. Thus far, I have nobly resisted the pull towards a new green perfume. You can help me choose.
Speaking of a strong leather, I’ve got some fairly old (maybe 25–30 years) Bandit. I’ll bring you a big sample and you can see what you think. I also have Femme, same vintage. It’s not the leather you seek, but it’s nonetheless a potent brew and might hit a spot for you.
Bandit is a wonderful idea!
Hope I can remember some german so I can speak to the little kid….Hast du hunger? Schalf gut! Schon ( with an umlaut ) etc.
Will email when I get a chance!
Don’t ask him if he’s hungry..maybe if you don’t feed them they might be more inclined to leave early
Lolz at stinking them out with Poison Girl…hope it’s a good weekend!x
I might also teach myself the violin or bagpipes while they are here
Actually, present the child with a bongo drum as a farewell gift….it’s SUCH a kind thought, and you won’t have to suffer the ensuing din, or the tantrum when it is removed and discarded by suffering parents. My sister (the Kohimarama one, not the Okker) once annoyed me so much that I gave my nephew a terrible trumpet. He loved it. She hated me. Result!
????Oh, beginner’s-violin sounds would definitely do the trick!
Knize Ten is classic. I’m pretty sure you’d like it, since we both like Skive.
Actually, the leather I wear most often is L’AP Dzing! It works almost all year round. The old packaging is on discount sites, so you might find a real bargain. I wear Pd’E Cuir Ottoman in winter.
Mon Precieux Nectar. It’s pretty and comforting for a dreary day. I think the very icy weather missed us- I hope everyone in the path of that weather front is staying safe.
Licorice lovers!! My husband was in Omaha for a meeting ( I thought January meetings were in California, Florida, etc. ) and brought back a licorice assortment from Licorice International (no connection).
http://www.licoriceinternational.com/licorice/pc/home.asp
My favorite is the Australian black licorice. It looks worth a visit, in the summer.
OOO! you temptress! I swore off sweets for the new year but that licorice assortment sure does look good
You’re on a no buy AND no sweets? Wow. That’s some serious commitment.
But the no sweets is also helping me save money which was the point of the no buy-LOL! We shall see how long this lasts
Now I’m craving some salty licorice!
Wow! I adore licorice! Will check this out.
The Australian licorice is yummy.
SOTD is MFK Grand Soir to accompany a cozy sweater I got for Christmas. It’s cool and rainy here today, which is wonderful because we need the rain. I’m enjoying it all while watching my footy.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Love your SotD
I like it a lot! I’m going to hoard and savor my sample.
What did we learn about hoarded samples? They evaporate!
Yes, Mom.????I know! Actually, this is a MF sample that appears to be well sealed, so if I keep it in an airless bag too, it should last me a while without giving up too much of an angels’ share.
I second what hajusuuri sad! Use it and enjoy now!
I will, I promise! Just not all at once (especially since it’s got good projection).
Grand Soir has a lovely dry down. I sampled it and was sniffing my wrists non-stop the next day.
The dry down is heavenly! And it really does have good longevity. I haven’t applied much yet, but I can see how a bigger spray would last to the next day.
That’s amber and vanilla? Sounds so good
Yes–with tonka, benzoin, and labdanum. Somehow, it’s delicious without being too sweet.
You smell fab! ????????
????Thanks!
LAP Mûre et Musc today. I realized that the fruit + musk combo isn’t one that suits me – I seem to interpret it as too masculine for some reason. But I have a gardenia candle going and the overall scent impression is of chocolate right now, so things could be worse. I’ll have to find someone to take the mini off my hands.
The promised ice storm seems to have given my part of the world a miss. I hope the people who got it instead are doing okay!
IIRC, I had that interpretation too. In fact, my reaction the couple times I’ve sniffed a bottle has led me to not even attempt wearing it.
I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Good morning, weekenders everywhere. In the spirit of better late than never, summer has warmed up, and I’m enjoying all my cool green fragrances. Yesterday’s Cristalle was so pretty that I was really tempted to use it again, but part of enjoying a collection is finding new gems daily and having that experience of, “Oh, GORGEOUS, why don’t I wear this more often?” So, today is PdeN Jour d’une Fete….GORGEOUS! Why don’t I wear this more often?????
In an unfocused, shambling sort of way, I’m starting to think about the two days I will be able to shop during my holiday in the States. Please may I ask, does this company called Ulta have branches everywhere? I would really like to try Stash, and it seems that only Ulta stocks it. I’d be very grateful for advice from locals on this point.
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/stores/storelocator.jsp
type in your zip or state and I am sure something will pop up
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/stores/storelocator.jsp?success=true&fromsalon=&_requestid=8331205#
based on where I remembered you said you would be visiting.
Ha! I’d just copied the link; you beat me to it by seconds. ????
LOL!
I am laughing as I imagine a Waterdragon itinerary of Top 10 Things to do in USA.
Day One:
1. Clear customs and immigration
2. Ultra
3. Scent bar….
Lucky you can get a trial run when I come north. Watch out World!
There are many, many Ultas between San Francisco and Portland, but should you somehow miss all of them, there is one about 3 miles from my house. I would happily take you there. Also to Imaginary Authors, The Perfume House, and Fumerie.
It sounds like I should go to Portland on the pretext of visiting my brother…..
Can I go visit your brother with you? ????
Maybe we won’t even see him
I can hide in your suitcase and join you
Oh, wow, you’re so kind, and I’d love to meet you all. I’m not sure how our itinerary will suit you though. We’re flying (I now know) straight on from San Francisco to Seattle, where we de-jetlag for two days. Then we drive northwards– exciting! I might see a humming bird, or an eagle, even — and come back to Portland for shopping and the Perfume House. I think we’re going to go by train from Portland to SF– apparently the scenery is spectacular. Can’t wait!
There is an Ulta at the Northgate Mall, just a 15 minute drive north on the highway from downtown Seattle. Just FYI
Try to go to Fumerie in Portland too. They are so lovely there.
I will! All recommendations gratefully accepted and recorded.
Oh Go GO GOOOO! Great shops! I envy you!!
Come one and all! Waterdragon, we have bald eagles in the Columbia River gorge and I have hummingbirds in my yard.
Hummingbirds at your home! I can’t stop smiling at the thought! How beautiful! I’ve had A Thing for hummingbirds ever since I read DH Lawrence’s poem when I was about 9…I met one in Yosemite years ago and have never forgotten the encounter. American tourists clearly thought my kiwi excitement inexplicable, but it was a magical moment for me.
Not sure if it helps, Waterdragon but Chemist Warehouse in Oz sells Stash and ships to NZ. Not sure about shipping costs but the perfume itself is only Aus$30 for a small bottle.
Correction – $20 for 30ml
That means it’s free!
I’ll look into this. It’s not as much fun as going on a perfume quest in the States, but it would be an excellent way to get the perfume on a blind buy. Thank you very much for telling me!
In the interests of full disclosure, I should probably say that I didn’t like Stash. It’s a very masculine leaning cedar-centric fragrance with, to me, a slightly cloying undertow. Despite this, I might have invested the measly $20 bucks except for the fact that despite the terrifically strong initial blast, it completely disappeared after about 3 hours. If you loved it, this wouldn’t be a problem, as, obviously, at the price you could drench yourself in it several times a day; as, I believe, SJP herself does.
Mag20 I agree with you here, upon my initial wear found that it DID smell too much like the sweater of the guy on the train who hadn’t showered recently enough…..am going to give it a second go, it was more charming on my daughter though, for dull disclosure. Too much of one ingredient on me that did not agree? I fear in warmer weather it might gain that characteristic all the more I was hoping to love it.
It didn’t work on me either, but I had the opposite experience. I couldn’t smell it at all for the first 20 minutes then it WOULD NOT stop and smothered me for the next 8 hours. Like AngelaB, there was too much of something that massively amplified on my skin and was really unpleasant.
But if it works, it’s a bargain!
Me neither. It was very blah and didn’t have much presence on me.
Heyhey NST!Party for one over here tonight!Having a “braai”(barbeque to people outside my borders lol),ABBA is on SuperExtraLoud-setting,and its a wonderfully warm,balmy evening.After the gardening today I went with Aerin Iris Meadow,which reminds me of the smell of the flowerbeds and wet freshly-mown grass.I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!xo
That sounds like heaven! Enjoy every second!
Thanks!I am!Have an awesome weekend!x
Party on, johanob. I have to run out and do errands before the snow coats the road more! I should explore the Aerin line more as they are so accessible!
Be safe out there Hajusuuri!I love the Aerin line,gorgeous packaging and although nothing groundbreaking or perfumista-loving-odd,they are all beautiful and easy to wear.x
My favorite is Ikat Jasmine! But Evening Rose is nice as well.
Favorite-Favorite is Lilac Path,Then Iris Meadow and Evening Rose.The Ikat Jasmine is “nice” on me,but I love to smell it on someone else.x
Agree!!!
Hi there! another ABBA fan here!
Sounds like your weekend is off to a great start!!!!
Hehe.I am my own Dancing Queen,Chiquitita….lol.
We should have a virtual dance party if you have space for one more ABBA fan
Of course Undina,just bring your tambourine,mine is shot to hell after too many Abba-esque parties!Haha!
Sounds wonderful all around, and if you were a little closer, I could bring my ukulele over and play Dancing Queen, the one ABBA song I can play on it!
Awesome!We have an awesome ABBA-karaoke-impressario-NST group going here then,WITH instruments!Sounds like a fun fun FUN party to me!You’re all invited!Hehe!x
Count me in. I’d like to bring my Saturday Night Fever Album.
Oee!!Nice!!Bring your dancing shoes lillyjo!x
LOL! Oh lillyjo, we are really dating ourselves
Iris Meadow is a good one – and I’m not even a fan of iris. Aerin makes some nice ones! You smell great!
Thank you!My other favs are Lilac Path and Evening Rose.
I love parties for one: everything’s the way you want it, and there ain’t no one to complain! ???? I’ve sniffed some of the Aerin bottles but haven’t actually tried one on yet. Will have to remedy that.
I think one or two might surprise you with their quality,and just smelling good!!Let me know if you do!x
I’m not a big ABBA fan, but watch out if you play Waterloo !!
I know all the lyrics, and I ain’t afraid to sing off key. And loud. And in public.
Enjoy, johanob !
Bear you sound like my kind of party….Animal??Accomplice??Hehe!Waterloo is a fun karaoke option always!!Lol!P.S.You are definitely invited.Hehe!x
I can’t dance and I can’t sing, but that never stopped me from doing both when ABBA came on the radio. Hope your braai is great – more boerewors, anyone?
Neither dancing nor singing is required,just your presence will be A.W.E.S.O.M.E!I laughed SO hard,how did you know my bbq consisted mainly of boerewors???Hahaha!!I’ll braai a piece just for you!x
The ONLY way to listen to ABBA is extra loud. I’ve been a massive fan since I was 5 years old when Mamma Mia was released (bit of an age reveal there, moving on…). My most played album over the last year has or so has been ABBA live at Wembley Arena. Just pure joy…
ABBA and Madonna are the only two artists of whom I have their entire collections,even duplicate “best of” albums released in different years.ABBA is essential to listen to loud!One of my musician friends says ABBA sheet music is extremely hard to play,apparently the chords and harmonies are actually extremely difficult to replicate as it was done by ABBA.
Love Madonna !
And we are only 2 days apart in age.
I’m older, of course ! LOL
Express Yourself, Into the Groove, Where’s the Party ?
@ Johan’s !!!
SOTD is Paul Schuetze “Behind the Rain”.
Notes are black pepper, fir, olibanum, grapefruit, mastic, linden blossom, moss, patchouli, fennel and vetiver. It does remind me of a forest in Summer after the rain. I think this is the only ‘green incense’ I’ve tried that has not been downright unpleasant. It is well made as well. All the same, it doesn’t rock my world enough to make it onto a buy list.
Today we walked along the beach from the centre out to the city limits to the East, and then walked half way back before jumping on a bus. My feet are destroyed! But it is so nice and invigorating to be in warm sunshine while at home it freezes. :^)
Oh I love Behind the Rain! Even though it isn’t for you, I am glad to see these getting some commentary as I think all three are very well made and interesting. I also like how transparent PS is about the process he uses for making the fragrances. There is no smoke and mirrors as with many other lines.
I tried “The Tears of Eros” earlier in the year Amy and liked it. Tomorrow I have a sample of “Cirebon”. Both the Paul Schuetze scents I have tried have been well-made and unusual, which I appreciate even if they don’t make that emotional connection with me. :^)
Cirebon is the most straightforward one, I think, but lovely. Maybe you tipped me off to Tears of Eros!
Wearing the tail end of a bottle of Coty Imprévu, after transferring the contents from splash bottle to sprayer. The little bit left over is too good to waste.
SOTD is Bombay Bling to cheer me. My 15 year old is heading off to Kenya and Tanzania to work in a school and go on safaris in March–rough bloody life. So we’ve been out this morning getting letters notarized and photos taken for visas and the like. He’s been interning at the local zoo for years, but can’t seem to decide whether he likes working with the animals or people more… I feel like in the blink of an eye he’s grown up!
Speaking of animals, did anyone catch the story on the BBC about the therapy for treating bored elephants in zoos? Perth Zoo’s been humoring its elephant with the happy scents of lemongrass, coffee, fur, feathers and animal urine!
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38579924
Oh that’s exciting for him!!He will have a great time,especially in Kenya!You must tell him he MUST eat a couple of ripe Marula-fruit,it’s a ritual and then you can almost call yourself an African…hehe.
As long as he stays away from the fermented stuff~!
Fun story, thanks for sharing! They plan to use the technique on other animals,- I wonder, which scents would work on big cats?
I like BB, but it doesn’t stay on my skin as long as I’d like it too, which doesn’t stop me from wearing it. I should probably try it in this colder weather. Maybe it’ll last longer than in tropics?
I remember reading that the big cats love Calvin Klein Obsession.
I don’t know about big cats but my (relatively) small one loved YSL Opium for Men: he wouldn’t leave alone a friend who would come wearing it.
That is hilarious. As a trick, we’ve sprayed catnip (the stuff that comes in small spray bottles, not the dried leaves) on chairs on in our living room and watched guests marvel at the attention they get.
Oh, really? I don’t have much of a nose for animalic notes but I’ve worn vintage (original) Obsession quite a bit this winter and each time I wear it I notice more and more that it’s got quite an animalic edge. At least I *think* that’s what I’m picking up on.
You smell wonderful and although bittersweet for you, what a wonderful opportunity for your son!
It feels like he is growing away as well as up, very suddenly. Bittersweet indeed.
I can remember going on a schooltrip to the Sewage Ponds. Things have changed a lot
I remember a tour of a supermarket’s “behind the scenes!” We all stood in the walk-in freezer and shivered.
Ha! I don’t think I *ever* went on a school trip!
That’s no good. You probably missed out on a trip to a power station, a waste recycling station or a bus depot
We went to a hotdog factory.
And it was disgusting.
More from my randomness…. On the subject of sausages: Tom Hanks was on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me (public radio program in US) this morning and cited the following story for one of the quizzes:
http://www.businessinsider.com/south-korean-sausage-sales-surge-as-people-use-them-for-iphone-styluses-2010-2
Hey Kanuka, were you in my 6th grade class? Because that’s where we went too. The field trip chaperones felt so badly for us that they treated us to ice cream cones on the way back.
You are brave to let him venture off
Best of luck to him…I am sure it will be an experience of a lifetime!
Yay for working with the animals!
My fingers are crossed!
Oh, wow! What an adventure that will be! It would be great to work with both animals and people–where you could, say, swap to the animals when the people get on your nerves. ????
I was just in time once at the San Diego Zoo to see an elephant being treated to a banana snack while having a pedicure. I’m off to read that story now…
How exciting! Thanks for sharing!
The zoo where I used to work uses perfume as an enrichment for the animals. As you might guess, musks are very popular.
Can they tell the difference between natural musk and ones created in a lab?
Hard to tell. They seem interested in both.
What an amazing experience for him!
Congrats to your son! What a great opportunity.
It really makes me sad to see animals out of their natural habitat. I’m glad they recognize this and are trying some new things. Thanks for the article.
And how exciting for your son! What a neat thing to watch this life that you’ve poured so much into spread his wings and take off and lead his own life. Good for you both!
For some reason I recently reread Kevin’s review of three of the Fiele fragrances and immediately got a sample pack I’m trying out today. The ️Santalum is lovely. Viola may need a bigger spray. I’m going with my ardent Seahawks fan person to watch the game with a diehard Falcons fan, so will where some peacekeeping perfume tonight. Perhaps Rosenthal, which I’ve also recently discovered and love.
Wear . . .
Let us know what you think. I have an FB of Cedrus and also really loved Myrrha.
They both are lovely, although I think my favorite so far is Santalum. It is also likely because I’ve been looking for a fairly simply sandalwood that I really like. This might fit the bill.
Because the enabler Oakland Fresca I got the sampler pack a while ago and loved them all…and I drained them all
I’m going to a conference/panel type thing this weekend, but I also got my Kerosene set that I won. I’m eager to dig into the tin of tiny vials in a week that has been a little rough, but I don’t know how appropriate it will be at “Landscapes of Injustice.”
So the sampling might wait.
When it begins, I’m eager to try the coffee one (!) and Copper Skies. Any other recs?
Oh go ahead. When things are bleak, a bit of scent on your wrist is like a window in a cell!
Truer words, man, truer words…
Yes!
I bought a FB of Unforsaken. It’ll conjure summer for you!
So far, I’m wearing a few spritzes of Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple that I came across on my errands today. It’s nice and cozy once the fresh cloves settle down. I’ve realized I’m not into “fresh spicy” scents. Dry spice, creamy spice are more up my alley.
We saw a wonderful off-off Broadway play “Gorey: The Secret Lives of Edward Gorey” last night. It was a very poignant and tender look into the writer/artist. I have several of his books and love his illustrations and morose humor. It just jives with my goth sensibilities. If it were running longer, I would consider seeing it twice!
It’s just started snowing so I’m back indoors and will indulge in some reading and trying some samples that I just received from a very generous perfume fairy(hi wendysue!) who has granted me my wish of sampling both Chanel 22 edt and Edp Exclusifs and added some surprise samples. Thanks fairy!!
Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb Tinies is one of my favorite books! I’m with you on the Tibetan Mountain Temple, it was just too much clove for me.
I get a ton of ginger and a bit of vetiver and the drydown is full on sweet gingerbread…you and Elisa might want to try the solid which is much creamier than the EDP spray.
The dry down is really nice but they didn’t have the solid, just a couple of bottles of the edp. Although it does smell similar to Nubian Heritage Goat’s Milk Chai of which I have the bodywash which also doubles as hairwash since it’s so moisturizing and smells yummy.
oh gosh I LOVE the Nubian Heritage Chai!!! The body lotion and hand creams are great too!!!
Yes! I love their products. I have the Honey and Blackseed hand cream which has an amazing honey scent and it really sticks around. Plus, it’s really moisturizing. I also really like the baruti and patchouli scent a lot.
yeah, I think I have tried every scent available in my local health food store and love them all…also, Vitacost sells the Frankincense and Myrrh soaps which I also love…..I am going to keep my eye out for that Honey and Blackseed hand cream…thanks for the suggestion.
I don’t have that one but ordered it after the play! I have The Doubtful Guest and The Unstrung Harp. They did an interactive “dance” scene between the actor who played the older Gorey and a projected animation of the creature from The Doubtful Guest. It was one of the highlights of the play for me.
That play sounds wonderful. There was a wonderful Gorey exhibit a few years ago that was one of the few exhibits I have visited multiple times.
Oh, nice! I really want to go to the museum which is in his New Engkand home. He was a bit of a hoarder and they cleaned it up to make the museum, but I kind of wish they would have left it mostly the way he had it, although I can see the logistical problems with that. Apparently a magnolia branch grew through one of the walls in his home and he just left it like that.
I’d imagine that a play about Gorey would require really good costuming and sets to bring it to life. I myself am seeing a play about Woody Guthrie today at a theater my mom has season tickets to. She asked me if I wanted to go to some shows with her and I told her I wanted to see everything *except* this one, so there was clearly some kind of mix-up when she bought my ticket
I’m not a folk music fan, but I did watch a documentary about the Carter Family recently and thoroughly enjoyed it, so maybe this one will be good too.
I’d see that play. I do like folk music, but I think it’s more the historical context of his music that would feel very relevant right about now.
The Gorey play was a 3 man show in a very small theater with a minimal fixed set. The 3 actors played him simultaneously at different ages so his different selves were always in dialogue with each other. It was really well done and was multimedia.
How are you liking Chanel 22 btw?
In a surprising turn of events, Luckyscent is offering 25% off Roja Dove perfumes this weekend with code ROJA25
Awesome tip, thanks, Natalya!
Anyone have a favorite one? Haven’t really tried anything from this line.
Must remain strong. Must remain strong.
YOU CAN DO IT
!!!!
Doesn’t mean I’m not spending on something else…and buying vintage doesn’t count
Eau d’Italie Sienne l’Hiver. Never planned for it, and so happy I ended up with a FB of Sienne. I liked it when I sampled, but until I could properly wear it, I wasn’t aware how fabulous this stuff is.
So glad it’s love!
Yes, thank you so much!!
A marvellous Winter scent that seems to work with the cold weather vibe rather than fight against it. :^)
That is a great observation! It is a cool scent that works in such a perfect harmony with the cold weather. I got it from jjlook in December and am wearing it all the time, but I wondering how it will perform with higher temperatures …
Joining you a day later in Sienne L’Hiver. I only have a decant; don’t wear it often and can’t stand the Eau d’Italie bottles, but sometimes nothing else will do.
You smell so nice, nozknoz!
Still frozen and snowy here but I ventured out for a little walk to the library. I passed a butcher shop with a big BBQ puffing out the most delicious-smelling smoke, so now I’m home eating BBQ with my hands and having a great time. SOTD is the last of my Luckyscent samples, M. Micallef’s 20 Years. Nice, but I already have a fruity one I like (not really a fruit person). Out of nine samples, I didn’t find any that I need to buy.
Oh man that BBQ sounds so good! I have not been my “devouring all foods” self for the past few days as there is a nasty stomach virus going around my office….I got very nauseous and lost my appetite completely but luckily no vomit but the not eating was not good for me…you can send some of that BBQ my way
Mmmmm, BBQ. One of the most heavenly smells on Earth!
Yep!
I did a yoga retreat today and wore Bergamont 22
Freebiemeet I am hoping there is a sample of Chamade or Iris Silver Mist to try.
Enjoy the snow today if you are in the northeast
How was the yoga retreat?
Very challenging.
It went from 12-4, lots of mediation, talk and yoga.
The teacher came over to me during lizard pose, told me I had more in me, and down my forearms went to the floor. The first time for me. Amazing. Great class and I am thankful to my husband for holding down the fort with our babies while I did this.
Wow! sounds amazing! and it must have been nice having some time away from the buddha and monkey…we all need some alone time every once in a while.
I am blessed with a husband who loves to hold down the fort while I go off and do these things.
Kudos to you! I can barely make it through any class that’s over an hour. Where was it, if I may ask?
on the UES, right near oslo. I will send you the link to what I did exactly.
I am so sore today..oh my goodness
Hurray for the freebiemeet! Such fun.
Trying Back to Black by Killian. Not getting the tobacco note, no allergic reaction, just powdery honey. Sweetness but I like it, I am surprised to say.
Excited by Freebie meet.p
Hmm, not sure how that happened. I hope to acquire some Sandalwood scents, like Lyric, and maybe a tiny bit of Alahine…I have lots of things to give away…
Yay, weekend! The sun is out for the first time in *weeks*, and we’ve been out in it as much as possible today. It’s Sample Saturday (as in, doing right by my resolution to get through my sample backlog), so on various parts of myself I’m wearing: Kelly Caleche, Dame Dark Horse, SSS Egyptian Musk, and Fahrenheit. I’d tried Kelly Caleche before and hadn’t formed a strong opinion about it, and I still haven’t, though I think it’s a bit ozonic for my taste. Dark Horse turned my stomach at first and then settled into a really delicious take on cinnamon and cocoa. The Egyptian Musk reminds me of something I might have worn in junior high — and I don’t mean that in a bad way; it’s quite pleasant. And I had to look up Kevin’s review of Fahrenheit because I couldn’t for the life of me pin down what I was smelling. His description of a nutmeg + violet accord nails it, though I’m getting a whiff of the dreaded plastic doll head in it as well. Still, no scrubbers, so that’s pretty good for a sample day!
Love Dark Horse and sorry it turned your stomach
SSS Egyptian Musk reminded me of Alyssa Ashley Musk and Jovan Musk for Women (which I too wore in junior high…have you noticed that no one calls it that anymore? It is always referred to as middle school)…I had a full bottle of Egyptian Musk which I drained and then shortly thereafter Laurie Erickson discontinued it.
Where I live there are no more junior highs (actually there might still be one north of here) as they’ve been replaced by middle schools. Middle school is grade 6-8; Junior High is 7-9?
I think the Junior High model probably works a lot better for boys. My stepson was absolutely not ready for middle school when he started grade 6, and I’ve spoken to lots of other parents of boys who had the same experience. For girls it doesn’t seem to be a problem, since they’re way ahead developmentally at that age.
I went to Marshall’s today to try and use my gift card. Unfortunately I didn’t find anything I had to have. I did see a Hermes, and a a couple of Muglers there. I was surprised. I ended up at Sephora, way over spraying myself with TF Orchid Soliel. With each testing, I love this more.
Yes to Orchid Soliel! So good❤️
I must add that to my list, I have never tried an orchid scent.
It has garnered much love in the trades & press!
Just got a sample of this from STC and enjoying it immensely. Tom makes some good stuff! You smell terrific!
I’ve been trying a little bit of that one here and there. I did the same with Angel Muse and it eventually created a major addiction. I’m not there (or even close) with Orchid Soleil, but TF rarely works for me.
I’m wearing Coromandel today from my rapidly disappearing decant. It’s just so nice this time of year. Has anyone tried the EDP?
I haven’t tried the EDP but just wanted to chime in and say that Coromandel is probably my favorite Chanel. You smell spectacular!
Divine RP Visa for me today! Really looking forward to a week of my favorite winter scents ????
Eau d’Hermes this evening, Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black this morning. Had amazing giant lunch/dinner of tostada & rice & refried beans. Mmmm Saturday happiness.
Your “ludinner” sounds amazing as does your perfume choices!
SOTD = Oriza Legrande Chypre Mousse
SOTE = Onda Extrait, a newly acquired sample from a lovely perfume fairy whom I have to email and thank!
Guess what? To my nose, by pure sheer coincidence as I had not planned on wearing these today, these two smell similar! I actually put Hiram Green’s Arbole Arbole in the same family, except greener. They are all wonderful!
I just finished reading A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny. She kept me at the edge of my seat. Although I wanted to know what happened; I did not want the book to end. I also uncharacteristically read the Acknowledgment and cried.
I’m now reading an amusing mystery “The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra” by Vaseem Khan.
I have a 3-day weekend and will try to make the most of it!
I also read A Great Reckoning recently, and read the Acknowledgements twice. It was so tragic and heartwarming, all at the same time.
I love amusing mysteries, I’ll definitely have to look into the one you are reading!
I don’t know how true to Mumbai the descriptions are but I will surprise a colleague with a few snippets here and there.
Chypre Mousse is great! I drained my sample fast! Funny but a younger family member called it my “hippie perfume”….
In the interest of not hoarding, would you like to get my small decant of it (5 ml or so)? I tried it twice, and I will never touch it again. It was a blind split, and, to my astonishment, it’s easily the only one perfume, for which hajusuuri and I have an opposite opinion.
You are so sweet and I thank you so much for your incredibly kind and generous offer ….but I am working my way through all my other samples , decants and full bottles…I say save it for someone who really really “needs” to have it
Me too with regards to the Great Reckoning, on all accounts! Now back to the couch and see if I can send off the various virusses that are making my life a touch difficult at the moment.
Yuck! Hope you recover quickly.
Feel better soon!! Enjoy couch time, if you can
OH no! Feel better!
I’m trying to remember: either Onda, or Rubj extrait were great on me, while the other one was horrible. I need to check my records since I’m curious: did we just found the second perfume we are not twins on?
I kind of agree about Arbole being in the same category, but it works for me – go figure!
I have not tried Rubj!
A Great Reckoning, and all her books, are so enjoyable to read. I never want them to end!
She just teases you enough for you to doubt your logical conclusions.
From the samples I ordered, so far Lubin Vetiver (new issue) is a definite yes, though I have 9 more to try, and a few more on the way.
I’ve tried i Profumi di Firenze Fresco di Vetiver: to me had a strong bathroom deodorizer scent. L’Artisan Coeur de Vetiver Sacre had too much dried fruit for me.
I also tried Arte Profumi Ecclesiae, incense with a touch of vetiver in the dry down. Will I ever accept that I can no longer do orientals and incenses? Probably not. But I’m finding Stash a worthy substitute. I was very surprised to find that some posters found Stash to be strong. (Ecclesiae is not available in the U.S., I believe.)
Have a restful weekend everyone. Wishing the ice and snow magically vaporize, for those wishing it.
I am one of those wishing for no more snow and ice
so thanks for that!
What is it about orientals and incenses that doesn’t work for you? It is funny but I had this discussion with a close friend recently and I told her that all the chypres I grew up with and wore in my youth just don’t interest me anymore…I am now drawn to ambers and gourmands and anything with vanilla….funny how our tastes change, right?
and to answer your question way above, I had a touch of the nasty stomach virus that was going around my office and was out of sorts for a few days…better now…back to eating like a bear
and that is not to say that I now “dislike” chypres…I still appreciate and enjoy sniffing but I don’t necessarily gravitate towards them the way I did years ago.
SOTD- Demeter’s Pruning Shears…I smell a lot of rose?
This one is going to a younger family member who is taking it back to college along with Flower Show (which is equally as amazing! Spring in a bottle!!!)
Yes, rose and metal! I liked that one.
Ah!!! finally my nose gets something right-LOL!
I like it too, btw….
Very late posting (and reading) this weekend. Am wearing a dab of Dame’s Cholocate Man and finding it surprisingly nice. I had no intention of ordering it because chocolate isn’t a note I usually like and the more gourmand Dame scents don’t generally work for me, but I was kindly sent an unsolicited sample and am really enjoying it. It smells just like cocoa powder and isn’t horribly sweet, thank heavens. Mr. Minion didn’t care for it much but started asking me to bake brownies about half an hour later so it must have had some effect.
Trying perfumes while not expecting to like them is a great way to discover something amazing. Probably, it works not only with perfumes.
I’m sampling DSH Perfumes Cafe Noir. This is a perfect cozy winter scent. Mmm….
I have quite a few untested DSH samples and will try not to get tempted by this!
I’ve put on a couple swipes of Tuberose Flash this morning, and am getting more rubber-y tuberose than usual – but still mostly spices! Rather nice on a chilly, rainy day. It feels like March.
Monday! How did this happen!? Nobody asked me if Monday could take place, and if they had, I would certainly have said no. Ah well, I’m stuck with it now, I suppose…I want to wear something non-boring, but not my new navy-blue mail sack. I need to be feeling WONDERFUL to carry it off–hope that happens some day! I want smell delicious (meetings, meetings, meetings). So. I have a silk shift dress in a complicated print, predominantly peach, but with minor lilac and beige. Sounds awful, but it’s really quite pretty. I have some peach-ish shoes to go with and as it happens, a beige cotton jacket. Not specialiy interesting, but it all works kinda OK. And En Passant will pick up the lilac….and that will do. You know, except for the pleasure I take for myself from colour and fabric, I don’t know why I worry, really I don’t–I’m 64, and pretty much invisible these days. But then, I suppose my own pleasure is a good enough reason. And golly goodness, but En Passant is pretty. That’s an important achievement for the day: I smell smellable, if you see what I mean!
You are not invisible waterdragon! Your own pleasure is reason enough, but I also think it is important for people of all ages and genders and orientations to see each other and I think that they do more often than those of us getting older sometimes think. Even if it’s only lessons on how to get older with some grace and flair, both of which you clearer have in abundance. For me at 53, occasionally a younger person will say something to me, or respond to me in a way that shows that they notice . . . I dress and perfume for myself, but I think it has a profound effect on the way the world and I interrelate. (And I should say, I mostly wore jeans, little or no makeup, no jewelry, and no perfume until I was forty, and I am not all that fancy now. But I’ve also always thought about how I wanted to look, if that makes sense.)
Yes to everything that Amy said!And you are definitely not invisible Waterdragon.We all “see” you,here.I have a lot of respect for my elders,and now at 40 after the loss of my mother last year,all her life-lessons to me have become invaluable resources within myself,to go on.And live and be happy.Have a wonderful Monday!You smell fabulous.x
Just wanted to echo everyone else. Older isn’t invisible. In fact, I was watching a woman the other day at the grocery store and thinking that she was incredibly well put-together and attractive. She wasn’t beautiful, didn’t have the body of a teenager, and wasn’t wearing anything obviously expensive but she moved confidently and seemed comfortable in her skin and had obviously taken care to wear things that she felt good in.
I have always found the “ordinary” older women in my life to be the ones who really make me feel inspired so don’t sell yourself short. It’s being able to show the little touches of your own personality that make you memorable.
You know what all you guys are? You’re just marvellous, that’s what! I feel quite teary now — work is already shaping up to be on the darker side of acceptable today, and i have put out two fires thus far — it’s not quite nine o’clock. I was feeling down and jerky, then I ams back to my office, thought I’d check in to see if Kanuka has had a chance to post today (I admit to vulgar curiosity about The Visit!) and there you were, being marvellously encouraging. Thank you!
And there is the stealth angle… too. I am trying to embrace my inner stealth as I age…
I think you sound lovely in that outfit and scent! Just think of Isabelle Huppert winning the Golden Globe and looking tres chic at 63! Woo-hoo! I am older than you and still like to put some effort into planning clothes and fragrances and setting out an example for my students, both male and female (college age). I enjoy being a somewhat intimidating and experienced “Older Woman” in front of them!
I’m 40, and always wonder when I see slightly older women “How did you do it? How have you survived and remained so fabulous?” As someone who teaches high school, I firmly believe that younger people observe and note everything, and I always hope that something I’ve said or the way I’ve carried myself in a difficult situation will resonate and help that youngster stop themselves from being a total jackalope.
You aren’t invisible – you look and smell great, and your words and deeds sound like quiet thunder.
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we all fear aging. I remember how looking at the co-worker who was 20 years older than I am, I was thinking: if I manage to be like her, maybe it’s not that scary…
My Grandma who passed away last year at almost 96, cared about how she looked as long as I knew her, and I admired her for that (among other things).
Do it for your own pleasure but also know that many of us – whether younger or closer to your age, do notice you and get inspired.
Well, you definitely aren’t invisible; especially not here. I love to read your posts on a daily basis. Whether I respond or not, I always read what you’ve put. I find it fascinating to know that I can communicate with someone who is on the other side of the world to me, but yet, you seem so near. See, you belong to a fantastic organization; NST – an organization of beautifully scented individuals. Our group wouldn’t be the same without you. And scented people are never invisible. We are noticed and seen even when we don’t want to. We are conversation-piece starters (people wonder what smells so great and who is it), the first thing people notice when we enter the room, and the last thing they remember when we exit. So, you my friend, couldn’t be invisible even if you tried. You have “scent” on your side that will always be a part of you!
So encouraging to read these replies to waterdragon.
Although I’m in my 40s, my two dearest friends are in their 70s. I’ve always found friendships in older, wiser, well lived people so much more rewarding and fulfilling. Youth has got it’s own wonderfulness, but one who has lived through many seasons of life has a depth and richness you cannot ignore, ever.
You are seen.
I see you and your red boots. I KNEW you were going to fall for Galop. I was saddened and then elated that No. 19 is now back in favor.
waterdragon, even from only ‘knowing’ you here, it is clear that you are an awesome person. It’s impossible that you are invisible to those who have the good fortune to be around you IRL.
SOTD for Sunday is Paul Schuetze “Cirebon”.
Notes are bergamot, bitter orange, cedar, cyclamen, magnolia, petitgrain, sandalwood, tunisian orange blossom and vetiver. This mornig this smelt mostly of orange fruit on me – not sweet and sticky, but fresh and zesty. This evening more of the orange leaf note is coming through. A good, deceptively simple perfume. :^)
Today we needed to have mercy on our poor put-upon feet so we stuck to the harbour and the Old Town. At the end of the day I toddled down to the beach (i.e. I crossed the road from the apartment to the beach) and kind-sorta surreptitiously made a sand castle with my feet. A 50-yr old man can’t just build a sandcastle on the public beach, right, not without a kid as an alibi. And then I took off my shoes and socks and paddled in the (cold!) waves.
Anyway, when I grow up I want to live in an apartment right on the beach. (I looked at the prices here, and unfortunately I need to grow up to become someone a lot better paid than I am). :^D
That is very much my experience of Cirebon. I will own all three of these in the not to distant future. I’d love an apartment right on the beach next to yours, but that isn’t going to happen!
A fifty year-old man can and should build a sand castle on a public beach anytime he damn well pleases. I see no way in which that is creepy or offensive and I know it would make me smile to see you enjoying yourself playing in the sand. I like to see people doing their own thing. What else is the beach for, if not for building lopsided mounds of sand surrounded by a collapsing moat?
I love the idea of your sandcastle. I think you should totally get a bright red bucket and spade and design a whole complex with turrets and a a moat and a portcullis and I bet you would find that about 59 people would stop to watch and end up helping…more power to your building arm, say I!
Day 2 of the Kerosene tin (Yesterday I tried Follow, which might have been the coffee scent of my dreams except for a note that seems to act supersonically on me). Today is Copper Skies, which is in a similar vein to LADDM but I might even like better. Dusty, spicy, and very nice.
I have to pull this one out again and retry. I went through a lot of them a while back and bought Santalum Slivers, which I loved at the time but haven’t worn much. Must pull that out too, although it is more summer than winter to me.
Looking for a coffee scent of my dreams too!
Recently got a decant of Killian’s Intoxicated and it was much too masculine for my liking.
I should try Follow next.
SOTD is last night’s Geisha Noire oil which has some serious longevity. I really am loving it more and more each time.
I did give a spritz of Chanel no 22 edp on one hand and edt on the other to compare the 2. I’m not sure if I can really tell the difference except that the edt seems more aldehydic and dryer. The edp seems slightly sweeter. The edt is still going strong and the edp seems to have faded! Not what I was expecting. I do like both and am grateful to have the chance to sample them. I’ve only recently taken notice of this one, probably because aldehydes are one if my least favorite categories but lately that’s changed and I’ve sort of been craving them. I wore a dab of VC&A First the other night and really enjoyed it!
I had a decant of 22 edt and it amplified on my skin as I wore it. The first time it happened I thought I was dreaming it up but it happened every time. It was a very bizarre experience as I have skin that generally doesn’t project much at all and most frags don’t last beyond a couple of hours.
I have some vintage 22 edc I can send your way if you’re interested in trying it. My recollection is that it has more smokiness and is heavier than today’s edt, but I never did a side-by-side comparison so can’t be sure.
It was my understanding that vintage 22 had incense in the base, the current 22 does not (vanilla and amber)….there is a bit of difference to my nose but honestly I love them both…
and i find that vintage EDT of anything lasts much much longer than current EDP…..
Yeah, I don’t get any incense. I think the vanilla/amber base in the edp is what I’m picking up as sweeter, and it also becomes a little denser as it dries down while the edt stays airier longer, if that makes any sense.
Thanks kpaint! I am curious to see how the vintage compares. I’ll email you
Your weekend “marinating” sounds quite successful. I also did not find much difference between the two 22s. That’s good for those who “need” the EDT. I have tried some of the other Chanel EDPs and they are different, like all of the No. 5s. The aldehydes are less prominent in Beige, and Coromandel is more linear. I recall trying a little La Pausa, hoping it would require fewer than 8 spritzes, but my first impression was that it is still fleeting.
Ha! It was. Thanks again ???? I didn’t really try most of the new edps. Next time I’ll give them a sniff. I’m curious about Coromandel. On that note, I got a new sample if no 5 edt from Sephora and it smells like it’s been reformulated from the last time I tried it. The drydown seems deeper and almost spicy with much less citrus. I’m not liking it as much as when I tried wore it like 2 summers ago.
Chanel should pay attention and come out with a 28 La Pausa Extrait!
Testing the last of my Histoires discovery set. Today is Ambre 411. It seems to die a quick death once it hits my skin. 6 sprays on the back of my hand and I can barely smell a thing.
I have the tiniest little bit of Diptyque Essences Incensées 2015 (jasmine) that I got from their rep at my local nordstrom. I’ve smelled it twice on a paper strip and it made me swoon. It smells exactly like my favorite jasmine tea. I’m thinking of wearing it to a play today but am slightly worried I’ll be too distracted to pay attention…
I also wanted to let people know that I’m in the process of downsizing my collection and need to get rid of a few things. I’ll be packing them up into “grab bags” over the next few weeks. There’s not a whole lot and probably nothing terribly exciting, but if you’re interested and willing to pay shipping, and live in the CONUS, email me through my username and I’ll let you know when I’m ready to start shipping out to see if there’s anything you’re interested in.
Happy weekend!
So surprising on the Ambre 114. That one is a powerhouse on me!
Enjoy your play!
Wow. That stinks. I also get a lot of longevity from that one. And I like that one a lot. And that Diptyque! It is swoon worthy.
Robin has chocolate on Sundays,I have this:Go GOOGLE “Perfume thieves worldwide”,and see what hilariousness ensues.One couple stole £500 worth Tester bottles from Debenhams,while carrying the kitten they bought for a christmas present…what the what!???Lol!!x
Oh, the kitty…what sort of household is it going to grow up in? Smells delicious, maybe, but what about its morals? I’m worried for its character development!
Today I’m trying a sample of Lab on Fire Liquid Night. I like it but am not knocked out by it. After a few hours, all I get is a nice gentle vanilla. Would like to feel more of the lime and hinoki it’s supposed to feature.
First time posting for a while – it was our last week of first semester, and things were nuts with grading and frantic students and not sleeping … Today is the first day I’ve felt human in a while.
I started the day testing “Black Orchid” – my husband asked if I had spilled the water from an old case of flowers on myself. Off to the shower! Now I’m testing Ylang 49 and really enjoying it – if my husband says it’s horrible, I may just have to put it in the “wear when he’s working late” box.
Health and safe wishes to everyone – you are all amazing, and reading your comments this week has really helped bring a little balance to my days.
Glad to have you back!
Sounds like something my husband would say. Ha!
Enjoying lurking and reading here this weekend. No scents for me; this cold is just making it not worth it. It’s now given me a cough and I swear it’s gone to my right eye. Swollen and red. I’m just shaking my head. May hit a clinic tomorrow about the eye. Herbal tea and honey for the cough…
I did spend time looking around at Zoologist and pondering samples.
Oh, no, I hope you and your eye feel better soon.
I hope it resolves quickly! I was also looking at the Zoologist samples due to the STC sale. I have a sample of Macaque (haven’t yet tried).
Get better soon!
Probably it’s good time to look at perfume sites: you’ll be less tempted to buy something impulsively
I’m sorry to hear you’re still not well! I think a dr. visit is a good idea.
Need to get back to smelling beautiful scents!
Oh, gosh! So sorry you’re feeling so under the weather. I hope you get to feeling better really soon! Take care of yourself.
Inspired by cazaubon, I pulled out Amouage Tribute attar and wore 1 drop dripped onto one forearm and rubbed the other forearm against it. Within 10 minutes of applying it, I was on my way out to break up the ice on my front steps. It bloomed quite nicely and continues to linger a little over seven hours later!