Quick PSA: the splitmeet will start on Saturday, February 18. Plus, today is Rosa Parks Day if you live in California or Missouri. If you don't, you can still read 10 Things You May Not Know About Rosa Parks.
Meanwhile, we're doing our weekend lazy poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance you think wears best with your favorite sweatpants, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Thanks to a decant from a generous NSTER, SOTD= Alahiiiine! I have officially joined the fan club for the fabulous scent!
Plus, split meet is coming up. I have several things in mind….
Yay!
LOL — I am going to end up the sole member of the NOT-fan club!
No, I’m printing our T-shirts as we speak, Robin.
Perfect!
Please make one for me as well
Ha! I used to really like it, then one day I kept smelling raisins and realized it was Alahine. Now I can’t unsmell raisins ????
I can kind of see how you could get raisins from it. I’m going to focus HARD on the amber and florals and try to avoid falling down the raisin hole.
Haha! Raisins don’t actually smell bad…
I’ll put in my order for one of those t-shirts please! I’ve tried it a few times and tried to like it, but I just don’t. It smells sour on me.
I’m in the club too. Just don’t like it.
No, I’ll be member no. 2 (or 3)–it didn’t work on my skin at all, and to boot, sort of caught in my throat like fly spray. I had really high hopes for it, too!
I don’t dislike it, but it’s not a winner for me either.
So turns out there are a lot of us. For me not a dislike, but meh.
Nope. Doesn’t work for me either.
Nope/ I can’t wear it either! ???? Another request for a t- shirt please…
I’m with you on this one, Robin!
Ok, take it back. Did not realize we were such a large group!
Twins – welcome to the club!
Welcome to the club!
I lost track in the comments who’s “winning” by just in case I’ll join stating that I like Alohine (and have a bottle to prove it
).
Yeah, I’m totally okay with half of us not loving awesome Alahine. Takes all kinds. I’m on record as hating Coco, which seems to put me WELL into the minority on a generally loved/admired scent.
Don’t really like Coco either.
Me neither. Want to, but just do ‘t somehow. Like it on everyone else, butbit’s an “unachieved” for me!
I don’t hate Coco but it doesn’t do anything for me. I’ll try it every now & then but it’s a “meh” for me.
I’ll join you in not liking Coco.
I even bought the extract thinking I would learn to love it, but I’m with kpaint on “meh”. Goodness, I sound like the Perfume Grinch.
I am in the No to Coco club.
This is making me miss my bottle which is tucked away, far far away. But i’ll be back ????
Twins! This was my Saturday scent choice as well.
I am part of the club. I love Alahine and I am stretching my sample the most I can. Wearing some today.
Today I’m wearing SL L’Orpheline. I find it very calming.
On the topic of lemmings from yesterday: one lemming I really don’t get is Arquiste Ella. I’d read so many raves, I ordered a sample, and YUCK. There is some note in it that I found just plain nasty. Fortunately, my sample is a tiny one. I’ve given it a couple of tries and couldn’t stand it.
That has happened to me with a couple of Mona d’Orio samples.
I just thought El and Ella were pretty tame, considering the PR.
Dang, I sound cranky today. But I’m not! It’s Saturday!
I thought they were both meh as well.
I tried Ella at Barney’s earlier in the week and I found it to be “yuck” as well. Reviews are powerful, especially for someone like me that is still learning. But this one was clearly not my thing.
Feel like m’lady needs her honor defended!
I really like Ella. Still working on my sample. I like it for some of the reasons why I like Jasmin et Cigarette. It is jasmine done at a slant–unsentimental and not as a big white floral bomb. I don’t find it easy to wear, and so don’t at this point have a desire to buy a whole bottle. But I like it.
I haven’t read any reviews prior to trying Ella and (maybe because of that?) I liked it when I tried it at Barney’s. Not to the point of lemming a bottle but it’s the only Arquiste I could probably wear.
Have you tried L’Etrog? I LOVE that one…
Seconding that L’Etrog is really nice. Quite fleeting on me though.
I did try it. I don’t remember anything but my notes say: “Nice. Smells like cologne. Not bad but not distinctive enough to wear.” I realize it’s subjective, and I’m glad that it works for you (it would have been really boring if we all liked the same perfumes).
I like several of the other ones I’ve tried and own a bottle of Anima Dulcis which I wear every so often, so I felt pretty open-minded about the new one, but–Nope!
I’m the same with Galop. So much love around here, but it smells like b.o. on me. My 2ml are going to a friend.
I’m firmly in the Love Galop camp, but the first time I tried it, the quince definitely seemed like the stuff of nightmares. I still think it’s weird, but for some reason, I like it now
Another meh for me. Together with El. Just didn’t get the hype. And when I was sniffing it in a not to be named store, the SAs were hilariously with me.
I absolutely can’t stand Oriza L Legrand Chypre Mousse, and it shocked me. Can’t love em all.
This I can totally see hating! I like it, but it definitely is a strong one in a very particular vein that I can imagine a lot of people not liking. It’s like me and Salome, except Salome is a better more complex perfume; but I can’t stand it. Giant b.o. no. But I wish I loved it.
Every single person in my family recoiled from my Chypre Mousse-covered wrist. NO. NO.
Inspired by your passionate dislike Mals, I went and found my untried sample of CM. !!! ???????? !!! It smells like ammonia! With a chypre background.
Reminds me of the time many years ago I found a 100yr old bottle of lavender smelling salts in an antiques shop. Not knowing then that smelling salts were ammonia and expecting lavender I took a big whiff and nearly keeled over. CM smells like chypre smelling salts
Lol! Sorry to laugh at your mistake, but I know I would have done the same. Thabk you for taking one for the team!
I’m with you on Chypre Mousse – really can’t stand it. I thought I was the only one who didn’t like it.
Calypso, I feel the same way about L’Orpheline. It is a very calming scent. As for Ella, I don’t dislike it but see nothing ground-breaking about it or why it was so hyped.
Happy Weekend, everyone!
Robin, thanks for posting about Rosa Parks day.
After a ridiculously busy week–not only did I not participate in yesterday’s lemming project, I completely forgot to wear perfume!–I am looking forward to enjoying the weekend with trips to the library and Lunar New Year Celebrations.
Today it is cold, and Chypre Mousse is coming through, as always. I am so close to the end of my decant, I may need a full bottle of this one.
Smelling great! I wish they made small bottles-as much as I love that one, I’d never get through 100ml. Enjoy the days activities! Sounds like fun.
I’ve for more of this then I will ever wear and if you are in the U.S. would be happy to share. I love it, but 100ml is a lot.
Amy, if you see this comment, I’m at missionista/yahoooooooo, and I’d be happy to discuss compensation and amount!
Will do!
I love Chypre Mousse
Leaving the funeral of President Lula’s wife Marisa Leticia. So sad. Wearing Falling Trees, which turned out to be a sensible choice.
She was so young to die of stroke! Glad the Falling Trees helped.
Yep. Too young. Thank you, Robin. For mentioning Rosa Parks’ day, too.
Wow! I am JUST NOW catching up on South American news. Way too young, too soon!
Thank you for the sympathy.
So very sad.
So many layers of sadness. Thak you for the sympathy.
So sorry to hear this Solance. Comforting wishes to you.
Thank you, Missyl.
Wait are you in Brazil? What part?
I am. Sao Paolo. You too?
I’m in Santiago. But will be in Sao Paulo from this Tues to Thursday for business. So if you feel like a meetup, do let me know.
Classes are starting this week, and I volunteered to help welcome the new disabled students, so I’m very sorry to say that I can’t. Next time you come, we can go sniff les Exclusifs at the Chanel store. There is a mean SA there and we could join forces to wreck some perfume havoc, lol. Have a great trip. Do you need anything?
That sounds like a great plan, will do! I’m all good thank you. Hope you have a wonderful start to the classes and all goes smoothly!
I’m very late in commenting, so sorry.
I’m sorry too. So very unfair.
This week I started my special blog project titled “a month of roses” – together with my readers we are going to wear rose fragrances only.
Today is my turn in the calendar so I’m contributing to it by wearing Andy Tauer Phi Une Rose de Kandahar.
You smell fabulous! I’m only occasionally a rose fan, and Tauers rarely work for me, but PHI is lovely.
You smell so delicious!!!!!!
Nice! And the Month of Roses was such a great idea. I don’t naturally gravitate to roses but I find myself pulling them out of storage and also lining up the rose-centric decants from swaps (mostly from Undina!) in preparation for the rest of the month.
I didn’t realize I had that many favorite roses until I started looking in my DB for perfumes for this project.
I’m looking forward to reading about the roses on your site Lucasai. I wanted and expected to like the Tauer roses. I was surprised to have them react so poorly with my skin. A generous NSTr sent me a sample of Taif – and that has been a success!
You smell great! It’ll be one of my next purchases.
Thanks again for the idea of the project: I enjoy it enormously!
I’m just catching up to the rose project! Fun idea.
Rose is not my note, but I think I have one or two on the list and love the idea. I’ll try to participate!
Happy Saturday (or Sunday)! Cold but bright and sunny here.
I popped by Sephora yesterday and got some samples which I’m testing out this am: Miu Miu L’Eau Bleue which I’m liking. I didn’t care for the first one, but this has a pronounced LOTV note which I’m enjoying. Nice and bright.
And Commodity Vetiver from their new Platinum collection which focuses on precious materials. I’m liking this one also and I’m usually iffy about vetiver. One of the notes is “vintage jasmine” whatever that is. Mostly it’s a soft vetiver-like a less sweet version of Bal d’Afrique.
I also tried Orris which smells like waxy lipstick and Bergamot which is self explanatory. Nothing earth shattering but nice, wearable scents.
Uh oh… pronounced LOTV sounds right up floralgal’s alley to help mitigate her husband’s comment re the stench. A sample seems to be in her future….
And with the samples-for-life program at Sephora, it should be a no-brainer! Yes, I have no shame.
Ha! You know our household challenges well. It has been noted.
There’s a new Sephora down in the financial district (the Westfield shopping center) that has a nice assortment of perfume. They have all of Tom Ford’s scents, which I’ve never seen in Sephora. It’s about a 10 minute walk from my office, so it’s fun to there and play around.
Huh! Is that a mall or an outdoor kinda thing like the seaport? I should make a trip downtown one of these days.
It’s actually a mall. There’s also a much more higher end mall if you walk to the World Trade Center. Hermes fragrance boutique is there.
whaaaaaaat! I will find this sephora.
Do they let you sample stuff or are all the cotton swabs missing?
Good memory! There’s some areas around the store that provide stuff to sample with. It’s nice and new.
I am so glad you said that. I tried the new Miu Miu, sampling from one of those foil tab sample cards, and was surprised. Pretty sure it won’t rock my world, but I definitely preferred it to the original.
And Sephora has triple points for perfume purchases from now until Valentine’s Day!
????Enabler pin to Hajusuuri!
I was going to mention the new Miu Miu, too. Wish the bottle was as pretty as the first one (I just love that satin blue and red), but the scent is surprisingly nice. I would call it a good office-friendly but still interesting LOtV. I need to get to Sephora and snag a sample since I only did a walk-by spritz at the new-ish Austin Nordies (which, BTW, is geared towards the hipster/millennials and has the worst perfume section ever).
I also like the opaque original bottle better, but likely I’ll be buying neither. If I drain the sample, I’d go for the rollerball. Too bad about your Nordie’s selection
Happy Saturday Everyone! One more day until the Superbowl! Go Falcolns! Rosa Parks is such an inspiration. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for her and other fearless leaders who paved the way. My SOTD from the generous Hajussuuri; Orange Bitters by Jo Malone. I really love this one (which I was afraid I would). It was a limited edition that I didnt get a chance to get. I will cherish the sample she gave me. NST people are the best! Most giving people in tje world! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!????
I asked my husband yesterday who was in the Superbowl and have already forgotten. Yes, information you do not need can pass you by! But we stand united in admiration for Rosa Parks.
What sport is it, once again? Keep forgetting.
Exactly.
I remember a comedian once said that it’s a bunch of grown men fighting over a leather pouch. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game in my whole life and don’t wish to. The half-time shows can be great though! Men like football; women like The Bachelor.
You smell great! It was one of the limited editions that I’m sad to see gone.
(And want to mention, that hajusuuri is one of the most generous perfumistas I’ve met though the whole community is great).
Thank you
Hear hear!
Despite living in New England, I’ll be rooting for the Falcons along with you! I’d root for anyone against the Pats, but in the case of the Falcons with even more pleasure. Going to a party at the house of a huge ATL fan, so that will be fun too.
Yay! Although I am a die-hard Houston Texans fan and never thought that I would be cheering on another team, I hope the Falcons win! It should be an exciting game!
Glad you like it. I hope they bring it back!
We should keep asking Jo Malone’s SAs about it
(I think it worked with Dark Amber and Ginger Lily)
I agree. And I definitely love Dark Amber and Ginger Lily. Now if they were to bring back Peony and Moss, I would be in heaven!
Peony and Moss was really lovely.
You never know!
I really do! Thanks!
Sampling two from the Eris line this morning: on the left hand is Ma Bete, and on the right hand is Belle du Jour. I tried these at Scent Bar over break and couldn’t decide if I wanted a bottle. Time for longer testing!
So far, Ma Bete is a strong, spicy woody leather with something sweet teasing in the background. Belle du Jour is harder to pin down. Apparently it’s orange flower, jasmine, coriander, musks, and other notes. I’m getting something well-blended and herbal-sweet, with something almost marine or watery. (Just checked–there’s a seaweed note! Go nose, go!)
Update: You know when an animalic/barnyard scent can become sweet like honey? That’s what happened to Ma Bete. It dried down to a honey/amber with hints of manure. It’s fascinating, but I don’t think it’s a scent I would want to wear very often. Belle du Jour becomes a sweet floral when the watery/seaweed note burns off. I think I like the heart/drydown better than the first hour or two. Again, I don’t think it’s going to end up in the FB list, either.
Money saved!
I feel sorta guilty, though. Got 4 samples from Scent Bar, and I’m guessing I don’t end up with a bottle of any of them. And they were really nice about letting me sniff and poke around for quite a while.
Well, no guiltier than getting samples from a b&m store and buying online from a different company
I admit, I can feel pretty guilty about that, too. Maybe I’m overly conscientious? :-/
I don’t remember Belle du Jour making much of an impact on me, but I did think the seaweed note was something really spectacular
I give them both points for being unusual and interesting! I guess I don’t feel an urge to smell like seaweed, although I do have some affection for that odd salty/briney/dead fish thing you get along the piers. . .
I am in the dentist office ready to have one of my wisdom tooth extracted. Nothing fun but necessary. Wearing just one spray of Saffran Troublant for some comfort. At least, I will be having a quiet weekend at home resting. Very cold but beautiful and shinning outside. Enjoy the weekend!
I hope the extraction goes smoothly, and you have a quick and easy recovery. You smell wonderful.
Thank you. Done already. It went smoothly.
I had 2 out a couple of years ago and it was surprisingly quick and not as bad as I thought it would be. I hope you recover quickly!
Thank you Elisa. Trying to be ok by Monday!
I hope they gave you some good pain medication! I had three out at once and it was a nightmare! That was the first night my first husband had ever spent with me and he called his mom, a nurse, in the early a.m. to ask her for advice, and I heard him on the phone talking with her (this was a LONG time ago) and saying “MOM!” She was sick all night!”
Your experience was so bad! I was prescribed Advil every 6 hours. No antibiotics. Not feeling so bad. Hope this is the last one.
Heal quickly! And make sure you have your doctor’s answering service number: it might be hard to get an emergency dental help at night or over the weekend if you start bleeding (not a life threatening but annoying as hell).
Thank you Undina. I made sure they gave me the emergency numbers Hopefully, everything will be fine ????
If you have those numbers, you won’t need them, I’m sure.
Rest well now that it’s finished!
perfumelover67: When I was 25, I had all 4 out in the hospital during a 2 day stay. Then it took a week at home with my parents’ care, and another week in my apt. before I could go back to work. Hope your situation is way easier and pain-free.
It was easier for sure. Thank you.
Thank you!
Speedy recovery!
I’m wearing Gris Clair, and doing a whole lot of nothing. Thanks for posting the link to the facts about Rosa Parks – it was fascinating. I’m so happy that she laid in state at the Capitol. Have a great weekend!
You smell great. I like Gris Clair a lot!
My favorite lavender! Seems like it doesn’t get enough mentions.
Winter has returned, with pretty snow lightly falling. Pretty, that is, unless you want go outside to deal with slushy streets, unshovelled sidewalks, and panicked Vancouverites. It is most amusing to the rest of Canada.
Since I am likely staying in for the day if not weekend, I am doing little tasks around the house. One is going through my samples and winnowing out the meh-to-bleh ones. A perfume-loving but rather broke friend’s birthday is coming up in early spring, so I am going to send her a highly scented package, especially since she and I have different taste.
Oh, and before I forget, a few of us are meeting up at the Perfume Shoppe (757 W Hastings Vancouver) at 4:00 Thursday the 9th.
I’ve got just that pile of samples going too!
I sent a big box of those out today. Such a relief. Too many samples staring me down makes me uneasy.
I’m way up in North Vancouver, Annie. The snow is relentless. I’m to go to a perfume launch party on Monday night in the West End and don’t know how I’ll be able to make it since the buses up to here were cancelled yesterday.
What perfume is based in the West End? (not angling for an invitation, just curious as I live in the neighbourhood)
The chosen venue for the launch of a French perfume is in a restaurant in the West End. As an aside, Ayala Moriel’s Sunset Beach is inspired by the nearby area.
Unfortunately I could not make it to the event as the snow has not stopped.
Thanks for mentioning the Rosa Parks facts, very interesting.
We had rain here all afternoon, I guess it’s what you call a ‘drizzle’ in English.
SOTD is Vitrum (sample) by Sammarco
Drizzle here yesterday, the kind that’s misty but constant so an umbrella seems silly but is still necessary to stay dry.
Exactly! The kind of rain that does not soak instantly but leaves a layer of drops on my woolen coat, and still manages to make my hair look miserable.
Commiserating from the NW corner of the US. Drizzle Town, USA.
At least the air is fresh (when it’s finally clear)?
Gosh, your gravatar is adorable!
Thanks Elisa, your gravatar is cute too!
If you like animated movies, you can see more of Jiji in this movie https://youtu.be/4bG17OYs-GA
Love that movie and most of Miyazaki’s oeuvre.
SotDs = Infusion d’Iris new-ish EdP (right wrist) and EdT (left wrist). So far they both smell wonderful. I’m looking for the faint whiff of dill I noticed in the dry down the last time I wore the EdP.
The photo at the top of the weekend poll reminded me of this:
http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2014/01/16/super-slow-motion-video-from-a-train-car-rolling-into-shinjuku-station/
When I’m on public transport I like to look around and imagine what is going on behind the placid faces around me.
Have a fragrant weekend, NST. You deserve it.
Thank you for the link – it was interesting.
Have a great weekend!
I did some reading on this scent last night and it looks like the original edp was discontinued and then re-released…?
That’s seems to be what happened. Many folks had strong opinions on the reformulated Infusion d’Iris edp. I like the new edp but it doesn’t last as well as the edt on me. I was not well-acquainted with the old edp so can’t really say how it changed. The Absolue is very nice, too.
What a cool video — thanks for sharing!
Wow!!
SOTD: SSS: Spicy Citrus Vetiver. I need to wear this more; it’s lovely!
And a big shout out and thank you to Marjorie Rose for sending winter my way – 10 degrees here this a.m. after 50s and 60s all week! No snow though…
Marjorie didn’t quite do a thorough enough job – we have yet another winter weather advisory here for late tomorrow. Let me add to her effort: Winter, you’re wanted elsewhere! Go visit Rappleyea! NOW!
Haha!! I thought of you all this a.m. while watching the national weather – it looks like there are two more big systems ready to inundate the West coast after the one tomorrow.
Ack! If it would just be our normal sort of big storm (heavy rain, maybe with wind), I’d be okay with that. But this thing we’ve had twice now (and possibly coming up on #3 tomorrow) where it ices, then snows or rains on top without getting warm enough to melt the underlayer of ice, and then ices some more? That is just wrong. Wrong, I tells ya.
Noooooo! *cries*
I’m sorry, Sheri, that I’ve failed you! I’m so, SO tired of winter weather!
I’m sorry too! Our best efforts, to such little avail. And that stinkin’ little groundhog was no help either! Grrrrr.
I’m happy I could do my part.
Cristalle on my scarf..
Making crepes tomorrow
It sounds almost like a haiku but without the third line. Something like:
Cristalle on my scarf
Making crepes tomorrow
Life is good
Yes!
Great Haiku!
I first read it as “Cristalle on my crepes,” which seems like something that would smell pretty darn good…
I tried the Prada Infusion of Mimosa yesterday. I really like mimosa for its whoosh of sweet powdery brightness but the Prada left me underwhelmed. It was a little thin and brittle but I will go back and wrestle the sample from the assistant’s hands and spray myself just in case it was the quantity rather than the quality of the tester that was at fault. But, compare to Jo Malone’s mimosa and cardamon it was very quiet.
Following all the talk this week I also tried Decadence which was a no from me as I found it a bit too sweet. Tried CK2 which was better than I expected but lacking in character. Still no Angel Muse, Stash or anything new and exciting. Came home empty handed though I did try on a fake fur ( looked like bambi ) jacket to add to my collection. No good . Monsieur Li this muggy morning. Happy weekend!
Has anyone tried the Annick Goutal Mimosa or have good mimosa tips? I figure that if dressing in yellow can cheer you up then smelling yellow should do the same.
I love the AG mimosa and own a FB. It doesn’t last long but it’s so beautiful. It goes into my rotation every spring.
My favorite mimosa is Caron’s Montaigne – there are other notes but on my skin the mimosa predominates (and I’m lol at the visual of you wrestling the tester out of the SA’s hands).
Checkin’ it out! Perfume wrestling….it’s going to be BIG in the next Olympics.
I got a Givenchy limited edition Amarige Mimosa 2009 in a swap a couple of years ago and I love it. I see them on Ebay sometimes, or “someone” might be willing to be a perfume mule this summer.
The mimosas have just started to bud around here — mere days to sweet powdery brightness on the air! I like Mimosa Pour Moi. Sadly discontinued, but only recently and still find-able.
You have a fake-fur jacket collection?
Yes. When i decided to create a clothing uniform ( I think it was Olenska who gave me the idea) I decided to settle on just the neutrals: denim, khaki, navy, grey and fake fur.
I like it! Prolly because it’s really close to my own scheme, except sub in animal prints for fake fur, and black for navy. Navy looks great with khaki or grey on most people, but not on me. I would investigate fake fur but the very idea is giving me a hot flash.
Love it! What is a neutral wardrobe without some fake fur? I wear a daily uniform too, black T shirts with either jeans or some crazy colorful skirt, preferably adorned with elephants or tiny hanging mirrors. Will be looking for some fake fur in the future.
I like the idea of uniform, since I didn’t bring a lot with me to my new home here and I kind of feel like reinventing myself a little. Hhhm must reflect on what would suit.
Try Prada again – now, when you kind of know what to expect, you might like it more.
AG’s mimosa was awful on my skin (I don’t remember but it should be either peach or apricot note to blame). Mimosas to try – Malle’s Une Fleur de Cassie and L’Artisan’s Mimosa pour Moi.
I like the bottle so I’m half way there.
Ah good to know there’s a peach note in AG Mimosa. I can’t stand that note and my skin amplifys it. I love, love Une Fleur de Cassie. I also love Mimosa & Cardamon and really like Mimosa pour Moi. But the latter doesn’t last on me.
I found all the new Prada Infusions smelt chemical and vaguely of sunscreen or plastic bottles or something I didn’t!t like. I was sad, because I really wanted to love both the almond and carnation scents, but no, nossings was nice for me.
I’ve worn the Mimosa & Cardamon I bought the day we met up, and like it very much. It’s a happy, cheerful, scent, all yellow fluff, undemanding and very pretty. A kitten of a perfume. Also, went back to JM to smell the one you loved, but sadly, the other lady was serving that day, and she really is just such a superior being that I felt only doubtfully fit to stand in her shop and breathe her air, let alone sample her perfumes. No fun in that, so I pootled off again.
Sorry, this was meant for Kanuka! I’m all scattered and scatty today!
Yeah, I’m not sure about the Infusions and, in fact, I haven’t had much luck with any Prada. I think Jo Malone scents are good for days when I’m feeling a bit apathetic…when I want to smell something but I’m not sure what. They fill that gap in a really nice way ( similar to knowing you have to cook dinner but you don’t feel inspired to make an effort ). I would stick to the Chanel boutique if I was you…such a wonderful warm welcome combined with an assistant who listens and observes. BRilliant.
Happy Weekend, guys!
1) woke up early to have a gluten free vegan waffle (delicious, actually) and chicory coffee with almond milk.
2) Joy of homeownership part deux: My back fence is partially blown in! Oh well! I was planning on replacing it in the early summer with horizontal fencing instead, which is weirdy cheaper. The frame base is really the huge thing and posts should not be a problem. THen I will place new sod and growing boxes.
3) in yoga athleisure kit but will go shopping first! Wearing TwentyOne Black (I hear you snickering) because it’s light, inoffensive but pretty.
Home ownership would be so much better if you didn’t have to spend large amounts of money on incredibly dull things like roofing iron, fences, pipes etc etc etc.
My very earliest days of home ownership included replacing the toilet cistern – not a lot of money, but a particularly unexciting thing to spend my scarce dollars on.
Mine involved re-lining and re-pointing two chimneys – and with that, our 10th anniversary present to each other became …. re-lining and re-pointing the chimneys. So romantic!
Mr. G and I just gave each other new carpets for our birthdays.
Gaynor: my toilet is exciting only when I need it. For room spray, I’ve been using my 2 Angel hair sprays which I think have gone off a bit but the scent sure works for a long time!
Oh my!
Yes, I would love to do a Property Brothers transformation, but the reality is windstorms, ice dams on roofs and shovelling snow!
I suggest townhouse living. The roof, siding and landscaping are covered by the maintenance fee!
Or a suite at the Ritz
Ha! True!
When my ship comes in!
My friends live in townhomes and they love it for that reason! However, the maintenance companies DON’T shovel nor do they put down salt/gravel. They do upkeep the greens area and the fencing!
Those townhomes were VERY scarce at the time I was looking (homes would be available for a few HOURS and snapped up!) so I went with a SFD. It’s all good- I know I am lucky to have a home of my own.
Lucky me – our maintenance company plows the parking lot, shovels the sidewalk and spreads salt. I have to do the steps.
Lucky here as well – our maintenance people plow, shovel and put down salt.
I love my condo in Montreal for that reason – no outdoor maintenance.
I made vegan but not gluten free scones this week..
We made delicious vegan pavlova (meringues) using aquafaba….topped with fresh whipped cream and served with ice cream so not a total vegan score
I need to try that. I make vegan meringues out of flaxseed gel.
Horribly busy at work this week, I did not even have time to read NST most days. Where are my priorities.
Glad it’s the weekend, finally, even if it is still gray and drippy. So much rain… at least we’re not marooned at home by mudslides, as we have been several days a week for the past few weeks. Arg.
No scent yet; going to friends’ for dinner later, think I’ll go with By Kilian Liaisons Dangereuses, or what I think of as “Rose J’Adore”.
Hope it was a fun dinner, and glad you found a moment to stop by!
Thanks Robin! It was a fun dinner. Friends we haven’t seen in a couple of years, but we instantly re-connected. Of course we’ve vowed to get together more often
I succumbed to the Vilhelm travel size of Purple Fig
Eagerly looking forward to its arrival next week.
Oh, now you’re tempting me! But whenever I go look at the prices of travel sprays, I’m offended that they cost more than Hermes. I guess that’s silly and I need to get over it. The Vilhelm is a decent looking bottle, too.
They are stupid expensive. I waffled over buying the big size, but too big, and such an odd shape (so wide) that I had trouble holding it in the store. So… caved on the smaller size
More snow is forecast for Portland tomorrow into Monday so I was up and out early to the tile store looking for a kitchen backsplash. The only one I really liked was $24 sq. ft. which is out of the question for the expanse I have to cover. Waterdragon’s post yesterday reminded me that I have not worn Odalique in nearly a year so I put some on. It’s so pretty.
Rosa Parks Day, yay! What a courageous lady.
Foxbins, I’ve only just seen your gracious offer on yesterday’s post, and if it truly is no trouble to you, I would love to take you up on it. As soon as I can, I will email you at your private account and see if timing works out. You might be on holiday, because our trip is the beginning of your summer 4–19 June.
I don’t vacation in June so all is well there, and really it’s no trouble at all.
Also I’m wearing Odalisque, I don’t know where the “s” went, maybe to Ede97005’s house for yummy waffles.
Maybe do a two-tone backsplash with the one that you like strategically placed for maximum enjoyment?
That’s an idea!
You could start a ‘feature splashback’ craze
I have been undecided about a backsplash behind my stove for the past 4 years. I went so far as to order samples, and ended up not LOVING any of them. So, years later, I am still backsplashless. I know the right one could add character and a focal point to the kitchen, but apparently that mystical, perfect backsplash has not made itself known to me, yet.
I think I’ll wear my late mom’s Avon Bird of Paradise today.
Enjoy the perfume and your memories – I hope it doesn’t hurt too acutely.
Oh, that’s lovely. This week I’ve been missing Avon scents of the past.
I have a little Bird of Paradise. Would that meet your longings?
You’re so kind! I would like to say yes but will say no and thank you. I have a local source of old Avon scents, there is a small stash at my mother’s house which I can sniff when I visit.
I’m wearing Queen by Queen Latifah today, which is the closest thing I’ve found to date to my beloved Kors by Michael Kors.
Speaking of old favorites, does anyone have a rec for a scent that’s comparable to Escada Collection? I really miss that one, and my bottle turned a few years ago. Thanks!
I can’t help you, but you smell great!
Big study day for me, then out to buy ingredients for my contribution to a friend’s SB party — Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding — Yuuummm!
Looking forward to the game and time with friends, and of course all the million dollar commercials and bad-for-you but oh-so-good food.
SOTD for me is Ninfeo Mio. Have not worn this one in such a long time, but someone mentioned how nice it is in winter the other day which got me thinking to reach for it again. According to The Nose (my new name for my husband because he’s like a walking nose with how sensitive he is to smell) I smell like dill. (insert eye roll)
I’m assuming he likes dill
At least he can make associations. That’s advanced sniffing right there. My husband is still stuck in Me: “What does this smell like to you?” Him: “Perfume”. Although he sent a cute text from work the other day which was a photo of a bottle of BBW Moonlit Path body spray in the staff bathroom of which he said someone sprayed like 1/2 the bottle in the bathroom. He said his first thought was “Boy, does that smell low-end”. He was very proud of himself. I used to have the hand cream of that, actually.
Enjoy the SB and all the yummies. Banana pudding rocks!
Adorable story. You’ve trained him quite well.
Dill? Really! Of all the associations I might make with NM, dill would be very far down the list. Aren’t we interesting, the differences we perceive?
We are indeed interesting.
I had the banana pudding in December and Oh My God, I need to get away from it because it is so decadently delicious! I’ll probably treat myself to a small once a quarter. Enjoy the SB party. I was tempted to buy junk food at Target last Sunday but realized that I already have enough junk food at home to feed the entire football team.
I’m just reading through quickly and must go spend time with the in- laws, but had to comment on the Magnolia banana pudding. I brought some back for dessert , but ended up finishing it off myself!!
Enjoy all the festivities tomorrow!
we are taking the babies to a Super Bowl party-there will be other babies there so they will have fun while I pig out on not so good for you food!
Dang! Ninfeo Mio is on my list to try. It’s been on my list for quite some time. I have got to get on it and get with it. NST’ers are fans of this one and always say good things about it.
How funny! My mom is making her famous banana pudding for the Superbowl tomorrow as well; along with her award-winning pina- colados!
I think it’s a good dessert choice for an event like the Super Bowl. I looked at a number of other recipes but they all were too fancy for the occasion. I’m not into decorating cupcakes or cookies, or making a football cake. This is easy and delicious.
I got a little 15 ML bottle of Ninfeo Mio off of eBay a few years ago. I’m only about halfway through it.
I’m looking out some samples to pass on to my beloved’s sister – I’m never sure how to refer to her, as ‘sister-in-law’ presupposes marriage
. We have quite different taste in perfume, so I’m hoping she’ll enjoy some of my unloved samples. I’m wearing a tiny dab of Tabac Tabou, and thinking I will pass that one on, I think it’s the musk I’m having trouble with.
I was thinking sister-in-love, but that goes somewhere else. ;-0
I call my son’s girlfriend my daughter- in -love.
Lovely!
Do you get a lot of musk from it? Is it laundry or sweaty musk? Pre or post wash?
Dreadful night of tossing and turning. I tried a largish dose of Melatonin. Fell asleep quickly, but was wide awake about two hours later… Now in the fogging achy state of being severely under slept. Blechk!
Still on my comfort scent jag, so today I think I’ll wear light application of Terveer Incense after I take a very hot shower.
ZzzzzzaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhHH……
Sorry about the sleeplessness. It’s the worst.
Hope tonight will be better!
Hope you can get some sleep tonight.
Wishing you’ll regain your sleep soon. Insomnia is just cruel.
Sampling Rahele from a tiny dabber today. It’s lovely and as people with better noses than me have been saying, subtle. Kind of a dusty dusky flowery thing . . . It does have the NV touch, but not as many layers to me as Mohur or Bombay Bling. That may be ok though.
I asked on a review post, but I have been loving Kimonanthe and am on the lookout for incense with floral notes, most any flower will do. The Tauer’s don’t work for me. Other ideas?
It’s probably not quite incense enough as it’s more rich than dusty but Bella Freud 1970 might be worth a sniff for an incense cross-over scent.. It lasts and lasts. A weird bitter pistachio incense is the Ys-Uzac Incense Bom…it lacks the spiritual depth of real incense scents but is interesting ( but I didn’t like it). I haven’t ever tried any of the perfumes you mentioned so may be completely off with my suggestion. But hello to you and have a happy weekend!
Thanks Kanuka and hello to you too. The Rahele doesn’t have incense, but something that sort of is on the edge of it. It’s the Kimonanthe — another osmanthus, but with incense — that sent me on the flower-incense trail. I am loving them both. I’ve wanted to try somethng by Bella Freud for ages and will seek out 1970. Pistachio . . . not so sure! Happy weekend!
I had a look at stuff I’ve sampled over the past year where I noted incense and flowers:
Arquiste “Nanban” (flower is osmanthus, but lots of other notes in there as well)
Linari “Porta del Cielo” (white flowers, I didn’t like it)
Maria Candida Gentile “Exultat” (violet)
Maria Candida Gentile “Leuco” (lily & tuberose)
Paul Schuetze “The Tears of Eros” (hyacinth & iris)
Profumi di Pantelleria “Maestrale” (rhubarb, so not a flower, but you might like it)
Waters + Wild “Tuberose & Frankincense” (I’m going to guess… tuberose?)
I have Nanban & the Waters + Wild one (it’s a tiny organic Irish company, seems to ship directly to EU only. Their UK distributor lists worldwide distro but I haven’t tried using it). Exultat & Maestrale went onto my shortlist and Tears of Eros onto the Longlist. Leuco was okay but short-lived on me. For expensive perfumes, all the Linaris I’ve tried have smelt cheap. :^)
Thank you for this Koenigsberg! I love Nanban, although don’t get much flower from it, and Tears of Eros too. A sample of Exultat is on its way and I’ll be seeking out others you name.
I wonder if you would like Serge Lutens Encens et Lavande? I don’t really know that one at all but it is well-reviewed on (for example) Basenotes. I hope other people will weigh in with some incense-floral combinations as I would like to try them too. I really love Tauer’s Incense Rose but you say that doesn’t work for you. Too bad.
I should try it again, but I was noticing all the people who want Phi and feeling badly about my rarely used bottle. The Tauer’s can do something that makes me a little queasy sometime. Thanks for the recommendation!
Oh My I am obsessed with this one! I want a FB. It doesn’t get much press – perhaps it leans too masculine but I just can’t stop myself from reaching for this one. It gets better on my skin each time I wear it. (I also love Invasion Barbare and will own that one too someday.)
I find Encens eta Lavande so perfectly comfortable and rich, not too much incense, not too sweet, just huggable lavender.
Oh My I am obsessed with this one! I want a FB. It doesn’t get much press – perhaps it leans too masculine but I just can’t stop myself from reaching for this one. It gets better on my skin each time I wear it. (I also love Invasion Barbare and will own that one too someday.)
I find Encens et Lavande so perfectly comfortable and rich, not too much incense, not too sweet, just huggable lavender.
Oh My I am obsessed with this one! I want a FB. It doesn’t get much press – perhaps it leans too masculine but I just can’t stop myself from reaching for this one. It gets better on my skin each time I wear it. (I also love Invasion Barbare and will own that one too someday.)
I find Encens eta Lavande so perfectly comfortable and rich, not too much incense, not too sweet, just huggable lavender.
Oops sorry !! I wanted to add a suggestion to try La Religeuse from Serge Lutens as well.
La Vie della Profumo’s Mecca Balsam. Lovely!
Parfumerie Generale Louanges Profanes is orange blossom and incense-smells a little nag champa-ish and slightly head-shop-y. I liked it, though. And then there are the incense+rose: Paestum Rose, Terry de Gunzberg Rose Infernal, and I’m sure I could probably think of more but I’m having a brain feeze.
What about Passage d’Enfer? It’s a huge favorite of mine, incense and lily.
Oh Seville a l’aube has notes of orange blossom, lavendar, incense and beeswax.
Good morning, all. I’m being so lazy at the moment I hardly know myself. I took another snooze yesterday afternoon, and I admit to the strong probability of one today as well. Dakkie loves it. He drapes himself hotly over my feet — I always worry that he must be uncomfortable, but he doesn’t seem to care — and he purrs so much I can feel the bed vibrate. Sometimes he dribbles, which is less enchanting, but his company is always a pleasure. Anyway, yesterday I fell asleep in a green haze of Ninfeo Mio; today I’m in the more reticent Muguet Porcelaine, which is sweet with the flowers but green with the leaves too, and just slightly earthly. Another cool, dim perfume. Joy on a hot day.
I”m curious to know how big this Dakkie is. He sounds like a perfect cat to cozy with except for the drooling!
Dakkie is a lilac point Siamese, and like most Siamese, he is long and tall. When he stretches out, he is easily more than a metre long from from his nose to the end of his tail, and he has long legs too. Unfortunately, his resemblance to classic Siamese type ends there, for my darling Dakkie is portly, nay even (let me whisper this) actually fat. He weighs 8.2 kilograms, which is a vast weight for his build, and when he sits with front legs straight, his tummy hangs down and gently covers his back toes. Because he is roughly torpedo-shaped and his fur is short and satiny, he is actually rather difficult to pick up and hold, unless I fling him over one shoulder like a sack of coal. He is very pretty, all violet eyes and dove-grey points, but pretty notwithstanding, he is enormous. However, it’s all clean and well paid for, as my mama used to say, and we love him despite his untoward girth.
I had to check my conversion math. Holy cow! Dakkie is 18 pounds of CAT! My avatar dog is 9 lbs fully grown. So he really could be a satiny pillow
Yep, there’s a lot to love, with a Dakkie. His mother is, by contrast, tiny: dainty and elegant, with slim little ankles and oval paws. However, she is definitely alpha-cat, even when Dakkie takes one of his rare fancies to be in charge. Isabella pins him with a look, raises one small paw, utters a Siamese word that I’m happy to say I can’t translate, and the attempted coup dies right there.
Oh, and the dear man asked me to pass on that one of his most important household duties is the Rubbing of the Dakkie Tum. When Dakkie was younger, it wasn’t such a big job; now it’s a serious commitment of time. Every morning before he goes to work, Richard can be found engaged in delivering the Two-Handed Tummy Rub. Dakkie lies on his back, kneading the air and purring; Richard looks just as blissed out, though for different reasons. They both appear utterly relaxed and happy.
I love him already. I think we share some important characteristics and I am roughly torpedo-shaped too.
OH wow, we’ve already ran out of nested threads! That is a lot of cat love. I just saw a commercial about some kind of fancy cat food. A husband was just about to show his (wife / girlfriend) some love when the cat caught his attention with a stare. The next scene was the guy stumbling into the kitchen with pants half done, opening a container of cat food…the the woman showed up, silently demanding what just happened. The cat was happily chowing down food without a care about the tension-filled atmosphere.
More of him to love!
I received a handful of samples in the mail yesterday, so today’s SOTD is Bergamote 22. I think I’ve found another Le Labo love. This one is so bright and beautiful, I can see it being an easy go to in the spring and summer months.
My 16 year old and I went to see ‘Lion’ this morning and if you haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend. Two enthusiastic thumbs up! What an incredible story. It took everything I had not to sob uncontrollably right in the middle of the theater.
What is your other Le Labo loves?
When I discovered niche a few years ago (and my mind was subsequently blown) Labdanum 18 was one of the first samples I ordered and I was instantly in love with it. I felt the same when I tried Vanille 44 last fall and thanks to a generous NSTer I have a decant of that one.
I’ve also tried Lys 41, Neroli 36, Santal 33, Ylang 49 and Ambrette 9 and although I think they’re all beautiful and well done, I just did not care for them on my skin. Money saved.
Le Labo was one of my first niche discoveries too! I think Santal 33 was my gateway drug into the whole world of fragrance. I also love Ylang 49. I’ll have to try Labdanum 18 as well. I have been avoiding trying Vanille 44 because I don’t want to fall in love with something so expensive and hard to get, but it sounds like something I would love!
There are SO MANY good movies out right now. Literally something for everyone’s taste. I just watched the SAG awards the other night and was just amazed at how many good, meaningful movies are out right now. Lion is definitely on my list. I also want to see Hidden Figures, Lala Land, Fences, Moonlight, Manchester by The Sea. Geesshh! I need to get on it!
Bergamote 22 is fantastic, always surprised it does not get more love.
SOTD = April Aromatics Rosenlust
Also wearing on right forearm – Bohemian Spice. OMG! LOVE THIS!!!
I am continuing my participation in Month of Roses project with Lucas and Undina.
I have another reason why I wore Rosenlust. I have the April Aromatics Discovery Set and I want to test as many of the perfumes as quickly as possible because I want to place an order for the 15 mL of the ones I really like. I already have the regular size of Erdenstern and San Francisco Rose. I will be purchasing Calling All Angels and Bohemian Spice for sure. The Nos are Rosenlust (it’s an ok rose) and Tempted Muse (chalky orangey Pez and something poopy). My set did not come with Unter Der Linden but I have a spray sample so I will test that again as I recall liking it. I’m not on a No Buy so I was equally elated and appalled that I managed to finish January with no FB purchase!
Enjoying my spruce candle! In fact, I’m about to crawl back into bed for 30 minutes. Think I will light it to cheer me up. Thanks so much!!!!
Yay! I’m glad you like it!
A very generous and kind NSTer sent me the sample set. So far I’ve only tested a few, and I especially love Calling All Angels. I haven’t tried Bohemian Spice and I just KNOW that I’m going to have the same reaction that you did. I’m not officially on a “no buy” but I need to be since I’ve recently become self-employed.
I may end up passing along my Discovery set with either the provision that I get it back or that the recipient pass it along intact to the next person. It takes so little to get a full wearing that I think the set has 10 lives (or more).
I agree!
Since I read yesterday in your comments about 15 ml bottles, I’ve been contemplating the purchase
I like the ones you do but I actually really love Tempted Muse as well. The other one I really like that you don’t mention is Erdenstern. I see you already have that one. Funny our tastes are so similar yet we can differ so utterly on Tempted Muse. I don’t get the Pez and Poop at all (thank goodness!). And my set didn’t include San Francisco Rose but did include Unter der Linden, which I thought was quite nice–much better than I expected. I’ve smelled real linden trees and blossoms many times and enjoy it, but it can be really overpowering and sweet and can blast you off your feet, but the version they produce is very much more subtle and complex than the real smell.
And Ray of Light smells like mint toothpaste. I will be retrying the ones I didn’t like. My 30 mL Erdenstern bottle is unopened so I may split that!
I like Erdenstern and Calling all Angels, but I like Nectar of Love the best.
And I just found it on sale at Twisted Lily – last bottle! It looks like they’re not carrying the line anymore, which is a shame.
That’s too bad about Twisted Lily not carrying it anymore!
Re: Splitmeet
Any requests?
I will for sure be splitting:
Cartier L’Envol – see Kevin’s review here:
https://nstperfume.com/2016/09/14/cartier-lenvol-fragrance-review/
Dzing! (So far the cheapest I’ve seen at online discounters is around $91 for the 100 mL bottle. If anyone knows of a cheaper source, do tell)
And I will split off one 5 mL decant of each of the April Aromatics 15 mL spray I’m getting (so far Calling All Angels and Bohemian Spice) and perhaps more from Erdenstern (bottle is unopened). Just email me to let me know your interest (you do not need to commit since I am buying them anyway).
I will email you, but I would be into CAA and L’Envol….
Yay! Noted!
Notino has for $71 plus 10% off coupon found on their website
Woo hoo! Thanks, clarissa!
Have you ever ordered from Notino? I’ve never even heard of it but I see they have a great price on a bottle of Amouage Beloved. Tempting!
I have ordered from them. They used to be called beautyspin. They are great – fast shipping careful packaging, legit product. The only thing – their prices are inflated – so sometimes percent off looks way too much when in reality you save 10% or so. But you can find amazing deals there
Good to know!
I didn’t know it was previously Beautyspin! Dzing is definitely cheaper. I now just need to decide if I want to save $6.95 (shipping) by spending another $34.
Notino used to be called Beauty Spin and I’ve ordered from them several times. They are a reliable company, but don’t pay attention to what they say is their discount % on perfumes, they create fantasy retail prices so the discount looks huge.
Ah, ok. Thanks!
A few company sellers on ebay (one might be Notino, I don’t remember now) have the $71 price with FREE shipping. FYI…
This was supposed to be for Hajusuuri, above ^.
Beautyspin renamed themselves Notino, don’t know the reason why.
They exist in multiple countries and used Notino in most of them, they wanted to harmonize their global brand name.
if you split any of the chanel exclusifs or Guerlains I am interested.
I might do a split of No 22 EDT – I bought a bottle last year but have not opened it yet. Also thinking of splitting French Kiss.
I’d be interested if you do a split of your No. 22!
Me too!!
Super so you have possibly a Chanel and/or Guerlain covered as I am not hankering over any right now. On the Guerlain, you may just want to make sure you are not stuck with the bulb atomizer only bottle.
I would LOVE a split of French Kiss!
if you do No 22 I am in
I want one of Take Two from NVC. I need Ashoka and I might consider Pichola. If you’re not interested, I’ll try splitmeet.
I’m interested in this too. Looking especially at Pichola and Trayee.
I think it’s unusual to read that you “need” something
I have not tried Rahele yet so that may be a contender.
It took me a while, and now I’m sure I want to wear it (and my sample is almost empty)
I haven’t tried Rahele either but I’m concerned about peach not (if I’m not mistaken).
If you do a split of Bois Des Isle, Beige, or Taif I’d be interested.
I already have BdI, Beige (I really have not explored much) and I have a travel spray of Taif…maybe someone else is interested in splitting a set of 4 OJs?
Very interested in any Parfum D’Empire splits!
Me too — especially Corsica Furiosa!
I swapped soMe Grand Soir for this one!
Just gathering interest – anyone interested in Rahele split?
Yes!
All right!!!!
Oh yes, me too!
Yes
Me too!
I would be interested as well. Thanks Clarissa!
If you do another Hermes travel set split, I’ll probably succumb.
I’d be interested in Diptyque Essences Insensées 2015 (jasmine) but would prefer not to host.
The problem with this one is the dang bulb atomizer. I’ve got a bottle and I ended up breaking the bulb so I could create some decants. It’s still tricky to get the juice out, but I’ve finally figured it out.
Anyone interested in a split of Oriza L Legrand Reve d’Ossian? TheNonBlonde did a writeup the other day. It’s church incense + aldehydes + pine, light and airy. I like it but sure don’t need 100ml.
I am very interested in this one.
Me too!
Anyone interested in a split of Frederic Malle Dries Van Noten?
Me!!
You know that shipping to Canada is ~ $12.50 US, right? Kinda makes splits expensive, but if you’re willing to pay the extra shipping, I’m up for sending it to you.
I’m going to be visiting my family in the States at the end of March, so I can give you their US address… Also for swaps etc. I can email you details
If you are splitting the travel sprays, I would be interested!
Actually I was thinking of splitting a 100ml bottle. If I do that, I’ll have a barely-used travel spray that I could spare
… anyone interested in a split of Givenchy Ambre Tigre?
Hiya hajusuuri, I chimed a few days ago when you mentioned a split of Dzing! I’m still interested, possibly in L’envol as well if I can get my nose over to a perfume counter with a tester bottle sometime soon.
And gosh, you sure know how to start up a discussion thread that will take off.
Tiffanie! I am in the proces of sourcing Dzing. I have L’Envol on hand
I like to have an idea of what others are thinking of either splitting or being part of a split. I’ll probably end up getting the larger sizes of Calling All Angels and Bohemian Spice due to interest.
I am interested in L’Envol
Wafting pretty in Terracotta while I freeze watching the grand daughter at the ice skating rink today! :).
Reading about roses and still Looking for a couple that work. The Tauer roses didn’t, sadly. Taif was really lovely- thinking about buying a small decant to try it some more. Wow there are a lot of Rose catagories…
Thanks for the Rosa Parks link Robin. What a brave lady. May we all be so gutsy!
Have you tried any “Juliette Has A Gun” rose fragrances? Lady Vengeance is my favorite from the line. Mad Madame and Romantina are nice as well.
Roses Elixir from Montale is very pretty. Evening Rose from Aerin Lauder is very elegant. Just naming a few that I really like. I wasn’t always a rose fan. But each one of these had something “special” about them that sets them apart from your typical rose scents.
Great suggestions scentfromabove/ I’ll look into those.
Have you tried Rose Amidyya by Atelier des Ors? Other interesting roses – Barkhane (Rose is not really a prevalent note but you feel its presence), La Fille de Berlin, Lyric, Tobacco Rose by Paipllon?
No I haven’t. I’ve been thinking about La Fille de Berlin, Clarissa.- but that’s it. I need to put these all on the to try list. Thanks for the suggestions!
I love a lot of the Rosines, but you have to be fan of their particular rose accord, which is common to much of their output. The Marnis are all great, and very inexpensive. I also love Guerlain Rose Nacree du Desert, Atelier Rose Anonyme, Tom Ford Cafe Rose, Hermes Rose Ikabana. The Nirvana Rose is surprisingly nice and should be easy to sample.
For the record, the Tauer roses don’t work for me either, except PHI, which I love and don’t really think of as a rose perfume.
I am yet to try any of Rosines. What is their rose accord like and what are your favs?
I love Rose d’Amour. Their rose scents smell vintagey to me.
Second Rose d’Amour.
It’s tart/citrussy rather than sweet/fresh/floralsy (along the lines of Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose, maybe?) My faves are Rose Kashmirie and Rose Praliné; also love Une Folie de Rose and Glam Rose. Ballerina No3 and Secrets de Rose are also favorites, but they have a different accord, as far as I can tell. Also, Secrets doesn’t wear like a rose-dominant perfume on me, so a bit of a departure compared to the rest of the line.
I was out in the garden this morning, wondering what plant was responsible for the wonderful thing I was smelling, and then realized it was me! I dug Gentiane Blanche out of my purgatory box today and am enjoying it on this second (or third?) try. I’ve had it for a while, so who knows, maybe my sample has changed a bit, but now I’m smelling something that’s a ringer for the scent of a plant that grows ’round these parts called “elk clover,” (not a clover at all), and also bit like angelica — bitter and green and stemmy. Admittedly, it also smells like expensive soap, and that aspect might start to grate on me. I’m rooting for feral greenery to get the upper hand over soap, but we shall see.
Have you tried Papillon Angelique? It supposedly has angelica although it is not lusted as such in Fragrantica.
It indeed has Angelica in it!!
I haven’t, but I’ll keep a nose out for it. I always wish there were more herbal perfumes out there that don’t just default to lavender to supply the herbal-ness!
THat’s a seriously bizarre perfume, but can be good especially in summer.
❤️Rosa Parks❤️ (Thank you, Robin, for the link!)
I’m wearing Zoologist Hummingbird, feeling rather pretty. Then when I give Mr. Lizbee a sniff of my wrist, he tells me, “That one smells like a weed-head’s bowl of cereal.”
???? What???? He explains that his first thought is an image of Brad Pitt from True Romance, but not so much his weed but the bowl of Cap’N Crunch he probably ate or would have eaten.
Usually, M. L says things like, “It smells like grass, ” or “All I smell is lemons.”
I’m wondering if maybe this time his mind just escaped to an alternate reality when he saw my wrist heading toward his nose. I refuse to believe I smell like Brad Pitt.
Haven’t tried Hummingbird so I have no idea, but that is such a great description!
Some days, he seems to enjoy giving off-the-cuff descriptions as much as I do shoving my wrist in his nose. It’s a wonderful relationship. ????
Haha. I can relate.
I don’t know what it means either but it’s fantastic.
Currently driving back from Cattlemen’s convention in Nashville, should be home in about an hour. It’s been a nice week. Wearing Le Galion La Rose.
I have spent all day in Parfum d’Empire “Ambre Russe”, and that is just the way it should be. :^)
Nice and boozy, you smell great!
Ahh, one of my favorite cozy scents!
I’m really starting to loose track of all the scents I have. Another great one I’ve neglected. And I don’t have nearly the number of perfumes some of you gals do (yes, you know who you are
)
I’m going to try to remember to wear this tomorrow.
That’s a lovely one!
Yum. One of my all-time favorites and it’s never cool enough here to wear more than a tiny dab.
Yesterday I went with my neighbor to Home Depot to buy plants to put in our pots (we live in a townhouse community) to replace things that were, alas, killed by a heavy freeze here in January that we weren’t prepared for. I bought a box plant! I love, love, love the smell of boxwood and am so very much hoping this will thrive by my front door so that everyone who visits can be treated to that lovely salty slightly urinous aroma. (Come to think of it since I have multiple cats they’ll probably just think it’s a bad cat pee smell. Oh well. Sigh.)
Good luck, hope it will thrive!
Gosh, I love the smell of boxwood as well.
BLACK CAT ALERT:
A new exhibit opened at the Phillips Collection in DC this weekend, “Toulouse-Lautrec Illustrates the Belle Époque.” For comparative purposes, it has a few contemporaneous works by other artists, including the Théophile Steinlen’s iconic 1896 Le Chat Noir poster. Worth seeing if you’re in the area.
http://www.phillipscollection.org/events/2017-02-04-exhibition-toulouse-lautrec
I’ll see it again wearing a Belle Époque perfume, Guerlain Jicky (1889).
Thank you, I will definitely try to go!
Wore Black Saffron today…for the second time…
Still smells like stale cigarettes to me and let it be said I like Jasmin et Cigarette for the record.
I feel like I am going through a crisis of perfume faith kind of…the only perfumes that don’t disappoint me right now are my Chanels and Guerlains. Most of everything else seems sub-par. This helps my plan to get rid of stuff I don’t want or wear but I wonder why my nose seems so critical right now.
I go through similar spells as well. It’s perfectly reasonable to fall back on the standards, I’d say. These houses are legendary for a reason.
So true.
I have been there just recently. I really felt like not even bothering to sample new releases, instead just sticking with what I already have. I do not think I have tried anything (other than Raheem) released in the last 4 months
Have you tried Neroli Outrenoir? I am in love. ????
Yes
and I now have a La Goutte Parfumee 20 mL travel spray, surprisingly affordable at $42.
Where did you find that, my dear? I’ll try not to be envious…????
It was actually $45 each + shipping ($6 for 2 that I got)…and a super GENEROUS NSTer gifted me with 2 as well. It’s through shopfranceinc. I will email you. A number of NSTers have used this service.
Yes, I have tried it and enjoyed…must wear again.
And I got my sample from the same seller as Hajusuuri…you can find her at shopfranceinc on the bay of all things evil…aka eBay.
I think, too, that we find a style of composition that we like, and even though the perfumes made in one house may be markedly different from one another, we are comfortable with the typical ingredients and have, in perfume terms, found a soulmate . I’m very much in that position with Chanel: I don’t want to own everything (Jersey, for instance, smells like acrylic paint to me, and I can’t wear the Cocos at all), but as a general rule, I get what Chanel is on about, and I don’t mind paying their prices because they seem to me to use good quality ingredients and not to rely on stories so ludicrously and poorly imagined as to insult the buying public. I think it’s OK to be like this. It’s like having a few really good, intimate friends and a wider circle of richly diverse acquaintances whose company you can enjoy for the occasional lunch or over coffee.
Rosa Parks, God rest her soul, was an activist who trained for months to prepare for the stand she took on the bus that day.
I wish everyone who helped her on her journey could be honored the same way she was. It’s up to each of us to remember, and even more importantly, never forget.
Well said!
This is very important to remember, especially in these times. Thank you.
Doing some zoologist re-sampling today and giving Bat another try. Maybe I’m unadventurous but this is some weird stuff. The mineral cave smell is so interesting but I’m just not that into smelling like a cave.
I should love Bat. I like soil scents, I like weird fruity scents, usually really like Ellen Covey’s perfumes, don’t mind the actual smell of bats in caves, and I had a much loved cat named Bat. Alas, Bat the perfume smells like someone peed on my arm and dumped a handful of garden soil on top
Mikas, how’s the new job? Are the people you work with nice? Do you get time to have some fun? Hope the feeling of newness has gone now, and you’ve learned all the essential ropes.
Thanks for asking. It’s a part time job at a veterinary office, which sounds a lot easier than it is. They were looking for someone to fill in and work reception in the afternoons and I really wanted something where I wasn’t parked at a desk with my eyes glazed. Looks like it’s going to work out. I like everyone in the office so far, and occasionally get to cuddle other people’s pets. It’s going to take me a while to catch on since I’m not trained as a tech and keep having to bother them with silly questions, but once I learn the routine answers and figure out how much time to schedule for each of the doctors it will be fine.
Pooh, that sounds like a perfect job for you, because you clearly love and understand cats (I know this) and dogs (I am surmising, but I think I have enough data to inch towards that conclusion) and probably other animals as well. I wonder ( looking thoughtfully at self now) whether I could find myself an exact same position when I retitre? Some of the work stories would doubtless be heartbreaking, but others would be pure joy.
And that “pooh” at the beginning –honestly, Winnie, you just push in EVERYWHERE, was meant to be “ooh”. I Zmust proofread before I push post.
Ha! I thought you might have somehow seen me in a vision, trying to clean out one of the big kennels and feeling like Pooh touching his toes. I thought I was in pretty good shape and very flexible, but there’s an art to that kind of contortion.
I do love animals and the euthanasia part isn’t fun, but someone has to be there for the owners and it’s better to care than not. So far I haven’t lost it in front of a client, but I expect I will. Luckily, we don’t take most emergencies so most of our patients leave happy.
It’s also very interesting so someone like myself who likes to know how everything works and is fascinated by how bodies can malfunction. A small dog had seven kidney stones removed the other day that were the size of slightly flattened marbles! I would have thought it impossible if I hadn’t seen them myself. Must have been horrendously painful for the little guy.
Sweatpants are my preferred “uniform” at home, so I think they’re perfect with everything, personally! Right now, my favorite matching warm and cozy scent is Poudre de Riz, but rose is always good too because it seems to increase kitty snuggliness exponentially. Une Rose Vermeille is my SOTD, and I’ve had kitties all over me, nuzzling my wrists.
Mmm, Une Rose Vermeille and kitties = heaven.
I’ve been transfixed by Salome all weekend. Last night, I put my PJ’s on and almost died of happiness due to the residual scent. If I smell half as good as I think I do, I can accomplish ANYTHING!
Happy weekend to all! If you’re a football fan, I hope your team wins. If you’re not a football fan (like me), who gives a flying squirrels behind? While everyone else is glued to their TV, you have the world to yourself ????
You smell divine! I’m with you on the not giving a sailor’s cuss about sports. I don’t mind having a game on if it’s really good, but even then I tend to just watch snippets as I pass by.
Put on one spritz of Rouge Bunny Rouge Embers last night and can still enjoy it this morning. I forgot I liked this one so much.
By the way, are there other Rouge Bunny Rouge scents I should try?
Ooo I like Embers. I have: Arcadia (woodsy, mainly cedar); Incantation (blackcurrant, mint, spices, fig, vetiver); Lilt (excellent peach open, then slightly dirty vetiver).
Thanks, pixel!
Zoologist Civet this morning. This is lovely! Warm and golden, reminds me a bit of my beloved Shangri La…a bit old school but not old fashioned.
I’m going to have to try this one. I have his travel sizes of Bat, Macaque, and Beaver (original formula).
Yes you must try it. It’s gorgeous and by far my favorite of the sample set I got. It floats around me and I feel so beautiful. (It’s Sunday now and I’m wearing this today.)
In Amouage Beloved today- the more I wear it the more I like it!
Yesterday before going to bed I decided to try Chanel La Pausa EDP. Oh , boy! Another Chanel is butchered! The new formulation is very lemony, a bit powdery and missing rose note. EDT is perfection and EDP is certainly a miss. Now I wish I bought 200 ml bottle of edt instead of 75 ml one.
I am so sad and upset to hear that the reformulation is so different. How is the longevity compared to the EdT?
Hi perfumelover67!
The longevity is about the same on my skin as edt- 4-5 hours.
You were lucky with the EdT longevity. It doesn’t last on me more than half an hour. I think I will pass on the EdP, since the changes are so dramatic, unless I start seeing it as a completely diferent perfume. What do you think of it without the comparison?
I had to spray my arm again to answer your question. Without comparison it is nice actually- slightly powdery and maybe a little dusty iris with a drop of delicate suede ( although Fragrantica doesn’t list suede note). It still has Chanel DNA and somewhat related to Chanel 19 Poudre (iris and powder). Not original and very faint, I would’t spend my $$$$ on it. But don’t take my word for it and sample when you have a chance. For reference my favorite Chanels are #19 edt, La Pausa edt anf Cristalle edt.
Have you tried wearing 8 sprays of La Pausa? That is the amount that makes it last all day > 10 hours. More is more
Thanks a lot Plyuska. You gave a really good picture of it. I also love No.19 and Channel. I will eventually sample it.
Darn. That’s another one I didn’t appreciate until too late. I will treasure my decant and perhaps try the EDP some day when I’ve forgotten how lovely the EDT is.
I asked a SA to send me several samples of Exclusives (edts) just when Chanel started selling edps and was lucky enough to get a last small bottle of 28 La Pausa.
I didn’t take any chances – I got the 200 mLs!
In fact, I had bathed myself in La Pausa without much success. It lasts a little longer if I spray it on clothes. I think that is the only way I can enjoy it.
I’ve never had 200 ml bottle, I am not sure I can finish 100 ml of a single fragrance
Oh, so glad to read that. I was too cheap to buy it to begin with, now I’ll just forget all about it. I have plenty other iris fragrances to love.
Did you at least like 28 La Pausa edt?
I loved it but thought it was overpriced…then always wished I had a bottle but still did not want to pay for it. So for me it is sort of a relief to hear I don’t have to hanker after it anymore!
Morning, everyone. Day 3 of our long weekend for Waitangi Day, and Day 5 of my separation from work. I’ll have to get some stuff done for a student this afternoon, but I must say I feel wonderfully rested. I shall do a little housework this morning now that we’ve replaced the essential bit of the vacuum cleaner that I accidentally threw out last time I emptied it, and to assist me in this worthy endeavour, I am wearing the greenly interesting L’Ombre dans L’ Eau. This is my only Dyptique, and for me it is a scent that is more about being intrigued than in love. I had a boyfriend like that once: we had fun and I enjoyed his company, but I never wondered about him when he wasn’t around, and when we broke up (an overstatement, really: it wasn’t that dramatic or decisive), I pranced off without regret or a backward thought. So it is with L’Ombre: I really enjoy it when I remember about it, but I don’t regret discovering that I have not been wearing it. Maybe I don’t settle into its aesthetic, or maybe it doesn’t really settle on me. Not sure. But it’s true to its promise: it delivers cool garden, cut grass, distant water, rose on the breeze. I appreciate its ability to stay on promise to the end, too. I tried Olfactive Studio Panorama the other day, and was disappointed that after an exciting beginning, it sort of wafted off into a merely pleasant but nothing-in-particular smell. l’OdL’E does what it does thoroughly and completely. Be well, all.
Happy Waitangi Day tomorrow!
Today for me, but I knew what you meant. I’m not going home for it–the dear man asked me most earnestly not to, because I have been so tired and stressed and he did not want me to add another source of (probable) stress. Waitangi is not all hangi and hongi these days.
I’m sampling Vaara today, and am finding it kinda meh. I even transferred the contents of the adorable little mini bottle into a sprayer, but it’s still underwhelming. Money saved. Might try Iris Prima later on.
We agree
Today I’m in Chanel No.19 EDT. I planned on Cuir de Lancome after spray testing before my shower, but got distracted somehow and ended up in the shower with an iris soap in hand. Went back to work this week on Wednesday and am so glad it was only 3 days. Very tired so Chanel seems to be giving me strength today. Snow is forecast all week so it may be a Chanel week.
My favorite Chanel! You smell great!
Thank you, it sure is a good one. My version is a current bottle, not quite like my Mom’s original vintage bottle. Somehow I think my sister has Mom’s bottle, although she won’t admit it!
SOTD = April Aromatics Rose l’Orange
Softly floral, probably the lightest of the bunch…will have to try again. I retried Unter den Linden and It’s as good as I remembered. Nectar of Love was nice too and had an interesting development from citrusy floral to spicy but I could have dreamt it as I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to get some work work done while in the office.
Anyway, I was at the mall earlier today and had the following observations that annoyed me to no end —
– the parking spots are wide and have double lines to separate the spots. Not one, not two, but three cars parked haphazardly and went over the double lines. The scary part is these are the same people DRIVING on the roads.
– I went to Godiva to get my free truffle for the month (yes, just join the Godiva Club and you get a free truffle a month as long as you spend $15 every year (not 100% sure of the amount) …I have no problems meeting that). This guy came in and had the nerve to ask is Teuscher better than Godiva? What the –? The SA answered diplomatically and said I’be never heard of that company. After the guy left, I had a laugh about how rude the guy was and really, do you honestly expect the Godiva SA to say the other company had better chocolates? The nerve!
For those attending Super Bowl parties, drive safely before and after and enjoy! I may watch the commercials and just take a peek at Lady Gaga’s half-time show.
Ah! I understand the irritation of the bad parking. My particular peeve -no, that’s untrue; it makes it sound as though I have just the one, and in truth, I have MANY peeves– is people who won’t walk on the left side of the footpath, so it becomes impossible to stride because I have to weave in and out. Or even worse, the ONES WHO TEXT as they walk and end up all over the place like a mad woman’s knitting. Ack!
I hear you! How about the groups who insist on walking abreast and hog up the entire sidewalk?!?
This is a Vancouver specialty.
And apparently also Santiago plus due to the summer heat then moving really slowly….
I meant work work done while NOT in the office!
I love the Godiva truffles and marzipan hearts. I thought it was $20 a month, but that may be for the 2 piece gift box. Anyway, no difficulty with that either! The salted caramel cashew bark and chocolate covered oreos are always on the shopping list.
I’m wafting 31 Rue Cambon and enjoying unseasonably warm weather. I chose the class of Chanel in order to balance out the unsophisticated Super-Bowl-viewing food I will soon indulge in. Really, as far as I’m concerned, the Super Bowl’s main function is to provide an excuse to eat generally unhealthy things. ????
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, NSTers!
I saw on CBS Sunday morning that SuperBowl day is second only to Thanksgiving in amount of food consumed in the US.
Lazy Sunday at home with the dogs on the couch. CSP Coeur de Vahiné is just right.
Yesterday got to fully enjoy Dilettante all the way to the delightful drydown. That one is a winner. This morning was Kenzo UFO, but it’s gone super-subtle at this point–I might put on some patchouli 24 later to up the smoke and vanilla.
My weekend flew by like a blink. I wore Kiss me tender yesterday and Cuir de Lancome today.
I went too see a play today at a local playhouse called Underpants. The play was written by Steve Martin and very entertaining. Fun day!
SOTD is BeauFort London “Coeur de Noir”. Shiver me timbers! ;^)