Happy Hump Day! It's also James Dean's birthday. What fragrance are you wearing?
I went with Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her.
Reminder: on 2/10, wear a fragrance with lavender, if you have one. (And if you need help, see Erin's 5 perfumes for: a Lavender Contrarian, where you'll also find many more recommendations in the comments.)
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2017, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: the Burberry cotton lace trench was $2495 back in Spring 2014, and is long since sold out.
SOTD Shalimar
Yesterday my spa experience at Guerlain was bittersweet. If you don’t know, the spa is located at the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel, an iconic hotel that opened in the 1930’s when other buildings were opening at the same time i.e. Empire State Building.
A snuck my appointment in just in time…on Feb 28th Midnight the doors will close in this beauty, and according to the staff, it will be as close as they can get to a complete gut renovation.
This building has a lot of history and amazing photos of celebrities and anyone who wants to see and be seen…Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra…The Queen…Dalai Lama.. Marylin Monroe…Yours Truly Lovestosmellgood ๐
The staff at Guerlain told me that they are not privy to say, but they are not leaving NYC all together and she whispered…Midtown..beautiful…give us your email..and that made my heart full again. For those who want a last hurrah, they are offering tours of the hotel on specific days. If you are interested in living there after the renovation the starting price on the smallest unit is 11 million.
Sorry for the long post..that is usually not my style. (sorry Robin for all this unsolicited information) I enjoyed my Christmas gift from the babies and felt like a princess for an afternoon.
I’ve not been to the Guerlain spa, but maybe someday. That sounds like a very fun pampering experience!
So sad that the Waldorf Astoria is closing.
Love the Waldorf and have done many events there via my work. I’ve seen a lot of the inside of that grand place. The photos are so fun to look at. Very interested to see post-renovations!
Glad you left feeling like a princess ๐
The end of an era, to be sure.
I can’t believe you are apologizing for providing unsolicited information! Please. If everyone just said the name of their daily fragrance I’m quite sure nobody would participate ๐
And THIS is why we all come here daily – Robin, your kindness regularly reminds me to try harder myself.
Ditto this!
I am quite sure my family would say most of my kindness is dispensed at NST, LOL…we all need to try harder!
How sad! I hate to see historic buildings turned into condos, there is so much of that going on nowadays. Glad to hear you got one last visit and that Guerlain will be reopening elsewhere. They closed our Guerlain in Montreal and things haven’t been the same.
I’m glad your spa day was a good one!
I didn’t know about Waldorf. We stayed there about 15 years ago, when my kids were a lot younger. Good memories! Such a beautiful hotel.
I didn’t know about the Waldorf either. I remember staying there two different times and I loved it.
Sad to hear about the Waldorf but glad you had a wonderful spa day experience! I wore Shalimar yesterday as my SOTD and wish I had again today rather than this CK Euphoria I got in my Birchbox. It’s completely insipid and bland to me.
You smell lovely today! So sad about the Waldorf ???? I had no idea!
Sounds like a wonderful afternoon!
I guess it’s a sign of the times, but you know you’re old when change like this makes you sad. ๐ Thanks so much for sharing both your wonderful experience as well as the information on the Waldorf Astoria.
In honor of your post (and Guerlain), I decided to wear Shalimar… Mexique.
Ugh.
Like a number of old school hotels, The W-A have been going through ‘condo-tel’ conversions for a number of years. I do know, for example, that the parts of the top floors of the W-A were turned into super luxe condos ( This was shown on a HGTV show called Selling New York, where the son of Walter Matthau went on a tour with his spouse)
I am not surprised at the gut job. For all the talk of populism, The super rich will need a place to park their money, so why have hotel amenities to go with it? ยฏ\_(ใ)_/ยฏ
I hear you!
I’ve stayed in that hotel and had NO idea there was a Guerlain spa inside! Sounds wonderfully decadent. (I am wearing my beloved YSL Paris.)
Glad you had that pampering experience before the transformation of the WA. We used to have some really nice Christmas galas there many years ago.
The Waldorf! Good memories. Visited it with my family (parents, siblings) more than 20 years ago.
It was that last ‘childhood vacation’ with the whole family, just before I turned 18 and went to university.
I was at that age when you feel somewhat reluctant and embarrassed to be seen with parents anywhere.
So I probably was not on my best behaviour during what must have been a super duper expensive trip (from europe to usa). Later I felt so sorry for my selfish attitude.
It was a fun trip nevertheless with also a lot of good moments, including the Waldorf.
But after that trip I made it clear that from then on I wanted to go on vacations by myself. Well, if you are 18 yo thats pretty healthy behaviour right? ๐
A guerlain spa in that building, sounds heavenly. What a great gift.
But about that renovation…they will/must keep that warm old style feel??!
Or will they do minimal white grey boring things to it?
(i do love minimal, but only when it is done good and if it fits, and it does not fit a building like this)
And now I am craving a certain salad.
I heard about the salad first when I was young ๐ later I learned there was a hotel.
Thanks for the Waldorf info. I wonder if my husband knows…I haven’t heard him crying about it, which he usually does over big changes like this. We often walk through there on our way home. I love the ladies room on the lobby floor. It’s worth a trip just to visit the ladies room.
A colleague stayed there once as she was planning our big client conference. Her suite was easily 2500 sq feet. We got a huge kick out of it, until they had to move her for some diplomat.
Glad the spa will re-open.
I was so happy to read all these posts! So nice that other people have had such a great memories
Oh, wow! I never had the pleasure of visiting or staying at the WA, but always dreamt about it. So many great movies incorporated this beautiful hotel into a lot of scenes. I have never been to a Guerlain Spa but can only imagine how nice it probably is. Glad you enjoyed it and hope you got all the pampering you wanted!
Hello, I’m Glannys and I am a lavender fiend. Today I layered two lavender scented body products and a lavender perfume. (See? I could not even wait till Friday.)
1) Body scrub – Future Primitive Soap Smokey Lonesome. It’s -15 ยฐC and no sign of sun outside, so the scent description sounded very fitting: “French Lavender & Petitgrain. A soft floral with an herbal undertone to gently soothe your winter self, and to remind you that the warm sun will once again grace your back.”
2) Body cream – Future Primitive Soap Cold Pillow. A cooler blend of lavender, geranium and vetiver.
3) And finally one of my favourite lavender perfumes – Penhaligon’s Lavandula. A clean, fresh and pure lavender. I find this scent very soothing.
All three scents are lovely and work very well together. It has been very relaxing. ๐
Wow, you win!
You smell lovely and are completely serene!
You smell like a Provencal summer.
And everyone in your vicinity thinks: “since when does lavender bloom in february?” ๐
I like that trench! It’s in the “I would never wear it, but I could look at it all day” category for me.
I’m wearing DSH Valley of the Nile today. I believe this is discontinued. Aldehydic woody fragrance; nice but not one of the amazing ones from her.
Good way to put how I feel about that trench as well. Color is gorgeous too.
Me three.
I thought it was a dress! I should read more carefully. Anyway, it looks like it would fulfill none of the obligations of an actual coat, and would thus be perfect here in the desert . . .
Lol! At first glance I thought it was a robe. I had to take a second look. Then, like you, I thought it was a dress. You’re not alone. ๐
Wearing my one and only bell jar, (purchased used) in honour of lavender week – Uncle Serge’s Encens et Lavande.
Rescued Podenco foster puppy is doing quite well. She is skittish and easily frightened, and last night, I was treated to the sound of her singing the song of her people. She also snores like a bandsaw; but she gives puppy kisses and loves to play with my Galgo pup ( in my avatar). Rousing games of bitey-face are occurring regularly. Working to teach her that the world is a good place.
Puppy kisses! So sweet and glad it’s working out well so far.
Awwww! Hope the whining stops soon but I’m glad she is enjoying having new friends.
Podencos aren’t a common breed here so I had to google her. Awe she’s beautiful! I hope she gas a wonderful transformative time with you and finds a forever family that will cherish her beautiful doggy soul.
Adorable! Puppies are the absolute best. A loudly snoring puppy is a puppy who is relaxed and content in her environment. She’s a lucky dog!
Regular volunteer and board member at one of SF’s handful of shelters here and I salute you. Fosters are SO important. Well done.
Thank – I have been an adopter of Greyhound Pets of Atlantic Canada for over a decade.
http://WWW.GPAC.CA
I have a fenced yard and a galgo pupper, so I was an obvious choice to help this little one begin her life.
In the past week, she has left Spain, the only home she ever knew and her sibs behind. She is entitled to a bit of a cry.
There is a population of rescued Greyhounds around here. I see them at the largest dog park in town where they can let it rip and run unobstructed for a couple hundred yards. Most impressive.
Very sweet! I could use more sweet, heartwarmibg puppy (and kitty) stories these days.
How sweet. They have those big ears right? So adorable ๐
So glad she’s settling in!
Sounds like she’ll settle in just fine.
Greyhounds. Love them. I walked a friend’s rescue once and then started to jog. Her ears flattened and her gait changed in a way that was awe inspiring.
Speaking of…anyone else planning to hit Westminster next week? I think I’ll go during the day one of the days. I’d like to see Boxers and Pointers at least, if possible.
That’s interesting, the Podenco looks a lot like the Anubis or Pharoah hound from Malta.
I just read something about Anubis this morning! Not a name one sees often, much less twice in the same day!
You smell marvelous. Probably my favorite Serge Lutens.
Histoires de Parfum 1725. It’s very busy at work, and this is very soothing,
You smell delicious!
Thank you!
“Chanel does not have an Exclusifs fragrance named Coffret.”
The response I received from live chat Chanel customer service representative Destiny T., when I enquired as to my not being able to purchase aforementioned “fragrance” .
Apparently Chanel has never heard of people changing their email address either.
I paused and thought, do I really want to spend $265 (250 + 15 tax) on samples that would have been gratis, individually, in less greedy times?
No sale, Chanel.
๐
Carpe Diem. Peace.
More triple strength coffee, er coffret, coffee. Please.
‘Humph’ to them.
Absolutely clueless! I actually experience this in store as well at Chanel counters. Does the words “train your employees on new products/offerings” mean anything to you?
Too funny.
I’m kind of surprised. My next door neighbour works on the Chanel counter of a department store – they get regular training and are expected to know the perfumes and their history and heritage. She knew about the coffret even though only the stores with Les Exclusifs franchises will be carrying them.
That’s good to hear. Lately I’ve gotten a number of deer in headlights looks from SAs at the counters.
This is the exact reason I’m holding off on a Chanel purchase. Ugh!
Oh. Wow. Hilarious… and yet not- at all. Yours gets a prime spot in the SA Golden Moments book ๐
I had my eye on that too Bear, but is really worth it???
I have a good relationship with the woman at the chanel counter at a department store in the city and when I finally asked for what I want: ( she was trying to give me skin care samples and I just wanted a sample of perfume) after a purchase, I got a small decant of Beige from the collection. I was happy
I had aspirations of getting the coffret, but you’ve talked me out of it, Bear. I’ve walked away from many a sale, because of bad customer service. Good for you!
I’m going to take a look at it tomorrow when I am in the Saks neighborhood. We are fortunate to have Akil, the Chanel SA “par excellence” who said they have the coffrett, and I was planning to check out some of the EDPs anyway. Two inches of snow will n D.C. can halt traffic, but I’ll leave prepared with emergency supplies in the car ๐ .
Oh, man! That wins the ‘Derpity Derp-Derp” award for today! ๐
‘Live chat’ on websites is generally with a computer these days I’m told, and that sounds like it!
Hah, someone should do a Prix Eau Faux for Coffret. ๐
I should create some type of a filter NOT to see your comments if I come here in the afternoon: every time I feel an urge to get an extra cup of coffee! ๐
Stupid SAs are the weakest point for any brand. But I’m glad you decided not to buy: in my opinion, you’ll be happier spending that amount on a single bottle, from which you can spray lavishly.
Thanks for all the support, Everyone!
This is the best perfume community for discussion.
Be proud, Robin. ๐
Working my way through my samples and so I’m in DSH Lumiere which is a gentle cinnamon and cream scent on me and woodier on my right wrist
I’m glad I’m not the only one who can smell differences between my right and left wrists!
It just randomly happens sometimes! It’s little baffling.
I know! And sometimes it’s much more evident than others.
On the Frederic Malle website, I read either a Q and A or interview in which FM recommends against testing perfume on the backs of the hands (my favorite spot) because he gets “distortions.” In another section he recommends rubbing perfume when you apply it because it may mix with whatever you have on your hands, such as lotion. Since we use our hands differently, it makes sense that they might have slightly different amounts of lotion and so on. I’ve never noticed this phenomenon myself, though.
Distortions! Thank you, I enjoyed that. It is my favorite testing spot too.
That’s also where I like to test. But wasn’t it Turin who didn’t recommend perfume on the pulse points of the wrists? I forget his reason why.
When I visited a FM boutique a few years ago, the SA stopped me from testing anywhere but on my pulse points because Mr. Malle doesn’t condone it. He explained about circulation, heat, etc. But he glanced at me as if to say he didn’t buy it. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for testing, unless you disrobe ๐
I wear short sleeves most of the year, and spritz the crooks of my elbows rather than my wrists. I’ve always thought my perfumes smelled better this way, plus they don’t get rinsed off every time I wash my hands.
Yes, inside the elbows is my primo testing spot as it gives me the truest picture of what it will smell like from a full wearing.
Kiki! Lavender, passionfruit and caramel. I love Vera Kern’s imagination.
Had a moment of utter horror today, standing in front of a bookshop window. I saw a book. “The Case Against Fragrance”. Nooooooo! The shop was still closed so I couldn’t see its evilness up close (probably a good thing) but I did say a silent prayer that no one buy it, read it or agree with it!
Just looked up the book… Not a mainstream author or publishing house, possibly even self-published. Threat-level = 0.5
Actually, she’s the real deal.. Man Booker Prize on The Secret River. ๐
My bad. At least this book does not look to be a contender. Only published in paperback and Kindle.
It might be a subversive take though, along the lines of “I come not to praise fragrance, but to bury it”. So the case against fragrance is:
– it makes people irrationally happy and distracts them from mundane reality;
– it makes people feel good about themselves when they’re really not all that;
– it supports thousands of people in frivolous jobs when they could be earnestly unemployed;
and and and…
Yes to this ????
Brilliant, Mr. K.!
Very good thinking!
What? Ok, had to look this up and it’s true! The author actually wrote a book I recently read and quite enjoyed,” The Secret River”, and this new book of hers is a personal story on how the chemicals in fragrance (not just perfume) caused health issues for her and have the potential to cause even cancer.
Actually this is nothing new as fragrance in products as well as other chemicals have for some time gotten lots of attention for the potential harmful side and longer lasting effects to humans. Part of me wants to read this to be a smart consumer, and part of me is of the mind that I’m going to die of something or other so get over it and if you enjoy fragrance, enjoy it. Still…
And Coco Chanel lived to be, what, 87? Pre-IFRA, even. I say there are chemicals in everything, and one could die of unscented frustration and boredom too. ๐
Hear hear!
LOL!!!! THIS!
Very true! ๐
In total agreement. Recently, I had a stranger in the mall tell me the Diet Coke I was drinking (and loving it) was going to kill me. As if they were immortal, due to their own choice of beverage.
I think I would have been tempted to say that it would be better than being murdered for my rudeness by a stranger in the mall…
Interestingly, people are so fixated on fragrance but no one seems to attack, say, hair care products that are in highly pressurized aerosol cans propelled by ozone-destroying flourocarbons. I got a sample can of a texturizing hair spray from Sephora and the toxic cloud it created was unbareable. I had to open the windows and ventilate the room for 20 minutes! You could literally see the fog suspended in the air.
Don’t use that mess. It’s REALLY BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, and literally cause HOLES TO EXPAND IN YOUR LUNGS.
Oh, I’m not using that again. I do try to only use products with pump sprays. I also wrote an email to the brand (yes, I’ve become that annoying letter writer in my old age). Honestly, I’ve used hairspray in the past, but this was beyond offensive, and the smell of acetone remains on your hair for most of the day. Migraine and asthma attack in a can- and I suffer from neither, fortunately.
Perplexing as well that, say, fragrance-free offices do not focus first on cleaning products and other functionals.
Pre-IFRA is the key! They’ve only outlawed natural ingredients!
I agree!
I completely agree CheriG!
Well, fragrance added to chemicals, like household cleaners, can mask how noxious they really are. There are probably some useful points, as long as different categories of fragrance use and exposure are separated. I think pursuing fragrance is like playing a musical instrument, which has been linked to longevity. That study would be a major community project, Robin.
I got lost in this discussion a bit — exactly what would the community project be?
We can all research perfumers, and perfume committed people, like Jacques Guerlain, Luca Turin, Chandler Burr, etc. and have Perfumer or Perfume Lover Of The Day nd see how prolific they have been, longevity, etc. It’s different from the usual project, but might be interesting from an historic perspective and to make the argument ( anecdotally) that some fragrance exposure has health benefits!
Gotcha, thanks!
I saw this and looked up on Amazon. As I suspect a load of bullsh*t (sorry Robin). Here is a partial segment of the synopisis:
Like perhaps a quarter of the population, Grenville reacts badly to the artificial fragrances around us: other peopleโs perfumes, and all those scented cosmetics, cleaning products and air fresheners. On a book tour in 2015, dogged by ill health, she started wondering: whatโs in fragrance? Who tests it for safety? What does it do to people?
The more Grenville investigated, the more she felt this was a story that should be told. The chemicals in fragrance can be linked not only to short-term problems like headaches and asthma, but to long-term ones like hormone disruption and cancer. Yet products can be released onto the market without testing. Theyโre regulated only by the same people who make and sell them. And the ingredients donโt even have to be named on the label.Like perhaps a quarter of the population, Grenville reacts badly to the artificial fragrances around us: other peopleโs perfumes, and all those scented cosmetics, cleaning products and air fresheners. On a book tour in 2015, dogged by ill health, she started wondering: whatโs in fragrance? Who tests it for safety? What does it do to people?
The more Grenville investigated, the more she felt this was a story that should be told. The chemicals in fragrance can be linked not only to short-term problems like headaches and asthma, but to long-term ones like hormone disruption and cancer. Yet products can be released onto the market without testing. Theyโre regulated only by the same people who make and sell them. And the ingredients donโt even have to be named on the label.
Lots of weasel words and correlation without causation. And typical “sensitivities’.
I am gonna rant in my own response ( I have a dual degree in biochemistry and philosophy of science, with an advanced degree in science teaching) , but Imma say this: Climate change is goddamn real, environmental pollution is real and you are likely to experience very real health issues due to that than scented products.
I totally agree that it’s bulls**t, but people are gullible and listen to what they want to hear. Australia doesn’t have any of the ‘fragrance-free’ zones that the U.S. does- yet. Until the 80’s we were a mostly Brit-following nation then with more tv etc we’ve moved to becoming more like the U.S. Which when this starts introducing things like rampant fast food outlets, prolific lawsuits, and no-scent zones- unfortunately they catch hold pretty quickly.
(I’m certainly not bagging Americans or the U.S., I’m just using the most obvious examples and the types of things that are often discussed/argued in the media here. I’m personally very grateful for easier access to Reese’s peanut butter cups ๐ )
The author has a big book tour coming up so she can spread her ideas and I’ve no doubt soon there’ll be reviews and morning show chats etc and then those who’d previously had no opinion on fragrance at all will be going “oh but she has a point”! We need Luca Turin or someone like him with an educated opinion FOR fragrance to get in the ring and defend all the beneficial qualities of scent.
I once worked at a place that had a perfume free zone…and it was being used as code for being anti-minority. A couple of very threatening phone calls from lawyers helped get rid of the people from that company that were abusing it in the first place. (one of the benefits of having a litigious society is that bs is RARELY tolerated for long, media/politics notwithstanding)
“We need Luca Turin or someone like him with an educated opinion FOR fragrance to get in the ring and defend all the beneficial qualities of scent.”
It would be wonderful to have that, indeed!
The author was interviewed on our public radio broadcaster over the weekend (here being New Zealand, I assume at least in part because she is an Australian neighbour), and I couldn’t bear to listen to it. References to perfume free zones have always filled me with alarm.
SOTD and Lavender #3 is Galimard “Offrez-Lui”.
Top: lavender and bergamot;
Mid: jasmine;
Base: musk, sandalwood and vanilla.
A decent lavender scent. It says something about my ho-hum feelings about lavender that I am already slightly bored with lavender week. But I shall persevere to the end! :^D
Hey Robin, how do you fancy escaping from the dreariness of early Spring (huh!) with a Booze Cruise? (Friday perfume with whiskey/ vodka/ booze notes)
I like the way you think!
Done!
Love that idea!
Booze cruise? Excellent.
Felt a craving for Mohur this morning, so here I am smelling of roses, spice, and sandalwood. Oh, yeah.
Beautiful! Smelling good!
Lovely !
I am liberally (and quite happily) coated in Dior Home today. I might be jinxing myself, but so far this has been a great morning – even my hair decided to cooperate. ๐
Cooperative hair in the morning sets the tone for the entire day. BTW, you smell great. I just sampled this one not too long ago and now I see why so many fall for it.
Cooperative hair is so helpful for a good day, evening, vacation, etc. Enjoy your day!
Wow, interesting trench! Too bad I’m not into the peek-a-boo look.
Trying to decide what scent for today. I’m a bit melancholy after dropping of my FJ. I really loved that car, as much as it’s possible to love an inanimate object. Who knew you could get so attached to a vehicle? My bank account is quite happy and loudly clamouring for a scented splurge, but I’m sitting on my hands for now. I’m thinking AG Ninfeo Mio. It’s so wonderfully uplifting and refreshing. It’s a very optimistic scent, which is what I need today.
Happy Humpday all! Don’t forget to give your car/truck/van a little extra love! It’s no small thing to get you where you need to go safely and dependably! ????
We sold Stevie Ray Van (2007 Grand Caravan) last month and bought a 2013 Kia Sorento that my youngest promptly named Thorin.
Yes, we are geeks.
I like Thorin, and his gas mileage is a considerable step up, but Stevie Ray was gallant and I miss him a little.
Stevie Ray Van. I love it!
Moment of silence for Stevie Ray Van please. He was well loved and excellently named ????
*pours out a beer*
SOTD: Narciso edp
Early start today and already on my second cup of coffee.
Train was packed this morning with some heavily scented commuters.. so bizarre when that happens. It’s this mix of male/female, strong, sweet.. hope I smelled good to some folks around me ๐
I’m actually in the market for a new trench coat. I’d like to get a black one, and appreciate how well they work for the up and down NYC weather these days, but to be honest I don’t find them very attractive. Practical, yes. I’m leaning towards the more drapey material option I see out there these days vs. the traditional stiffer material ones.
I loved my first London Fog trench coat though it was utilitarian and not too pretty. I wore it until it was butter soft and in tatters like a favorite t-shirt. It had a very heavy wool lining that zipped out, so it was good in three seasons. With boots I was warm enough for all but the coldest days of winter.
I wear a 70s-era London Fog trench from a thrift store. It’s sooo soft . . .
Grit your teeth and keep trying them on; you can probably find one that’s more flattering and comfortable. Definitely agree that a softer fabric is better, usually.
Scent twins, Robin. I didn’the realize how many fragrances I had with lavender until this week. I do like an aromatic edge to my scents.
Hey twin!! I still wish they’d done a flanker to this one, with more lavender.
Arquiste Ella, dabbed a few drops on each wrist and boy is this potent on me. Also quite soapy. It definitely feels like something from the 70s – my mom had some perfumed soaps back then (no clue what perfume) and it reminds me of them. Since my buy list these days is limited to scents I can wear around preschoolers, it’s a no. Willing to share my sample, my email is in my avatar.
Thanks!, I’d be really happy to take u up on that offer, I’ve got samples of Alexsandr, and L’Etrog. My kind husband went into Fenwick after work with a request to ask for samples of Nanban, Ella and Anima Dulcis, but they didn’t have any of them. I smelt Nanban on a paper strip tho, and it’s delicious.
I’m happy to send u the ones they gave me.
That trench is confusing to me. It is meant to be a trench to wear over clothes even though the model is not entirely and her underwear is clearly showing? Is it a trench-dress in that case? What’s the point of it being a “trench” then? I think of trench coats as worn in cooler weather and that certainly would not work because of the whole see-through bidness it’s got going on. The color is nice, but otherwise I’m failing to see the point of that thing entirely. I guess that’s why I don’t really “get” couture fashion.
I’m in Cuir D’ange today. No lavender, but the soapy notes of this scent remind me of how soapy lavender can be at times.
Just imagine it as a flanker to an original, great perfume. Just as Kelly Caleche reinterprets Caleche without being a copy of Caleche so too the lilac, cut-out, dress-trench signals trench without having to go out in the rain. If you need to go out in the rain you have to layer the trench with the original. Like most flankers, it’s aimed at the younger market…people who don’t mind getting wet provided they look good. Also, like many cool new perfumes it is overpriced with dubious longetivity and will soon be replaced by another flanker….the cut-out feather-down jacket in lime-cream that leaves a trail of feathers when you slip it over your bikini on your next trip to St Barths
LOL! Great explanation and analogy! ๐
????
HAHA! This was great! Thanks for that. I needed a laugh.
“If you need to go out in the rain you have to layer the trench with the original. ” Whoa! Could you imagine layering that trench-dress with a real trench? She’d have football shoulders!
Thank you for the laugh. Great analogy!
A hole-y trench coat leaves me as perplexed as open toe boots. If it’s boots weather, I’d like my toes to stay dry and warm, thanks.
…clearly high fashion and I are not BFFs…
YES!
THIS!
ABSOLUTELY!
Open-toed boots perplex the crap out of me.
I’m with you.
Actually, I could never understand sleeveless wool/cashmere dresses as well since it’s hard for me to imagine the weather/temperature conditions, in which I’d feel comfortable wearing those.
I am revisiting the huge sample set of attars from Sultan Pasha I ordered almost a year ago.
Yesterday I tried Incense royale…again (2nd time within a week). I really love that one!
Meanwhile I was scanning the whole list and then I saw one with the name ‘Le fougre’….and thought “it probably has lavender” ๐
So today I am wearing Le Fougre. I am a total rookie when it comes to picking out notes, but this smells to me like a ‘by the book’ fougรจre. Lavender, bergamot, something sweet (tonka?) and green/earthy/mossy.
Compared to the other attars this one is pretty tame and sheer. But still very rich. These are good ingredient.
I am not a big fan of lavender in perfumes, (love it in gardens and field though), but this one was pretty pleasant and totally office friendly.
That scent sounds really nice actually. Are the attars really strong in general?
Strong, yes and no.
Most of them last for ages, but the sillage is not huge actually.
Yes It’s potent stuff, I am very cautious when applicating it Too much ruins the development. A very tiny smear from a paperclip is sufficient. And most of them open pretty hefty.
But they calm down after a few minutes. Projection and sillage for most of them is moderate in the first hours.
After 4-8 hours (differs) they turn even softer / into skin scent.
But then they last and last. Especially the resins and oud based ones.
I dabbed on Incense royale yesterday evening at 9 o clock, a tiny tiny smear, and woke up this morning still smelling the lovely vanilla and incense without any effort (it was up close though, on my wrist).
…and I still smell the last trail of Incense Royale by the way.
Salty and sweet (rockrose?).
I think it’ll outlast the fougere haha
Thanks so much for all that detail!
I’ve been interested in attars, but yet to get any. It’s such a shame that Amouage shut down their production.
Jiji, what a great acquisition for a rookie. I recall reading about the sample set, but didn’t think I was “ready” for it. I don’t think it’s available now. If you were to find a well done lavender ( from what has been written on NST ) it would be in that collection.
Turned out I was not ready for it either, I just started my journey february last year with a Serge Lutens – fille en aiguilles (after a very very very long period without wearing perfumes) and a few niche samples.
And then I ordered the attar samples. I appreciated the richness immediately, but I could not imagine myself wearing it on a daily basis. Once in a while I sampled one and tried to pick out notes. But not with intent to buy.
Now almost a year later I am oogling the 1ml bottles on e-bay….and contemplating a buy. ๐
Too bad he is not offering any sets right now, but If I recall I saw a 8 piece set a month ago. I think you need to keep an eye on it. It seems they just come and go..and come back.
http://r.ebay.com/3pTCeQ
The sample sets are back.
Sampling Khol de Bahrein today thanks to a generous NSTer. ๐ Just remembered another lavender scent I could wear, Lancome Lavandes Trianon. Decisions, decisions!
That’s a nice one, though lately I’m having a hard time with “sweet” so haven’t worn it much this winter. How do you like it, so far?
It has an intensely powdery note I wasn’t expecting. I don’t find it too sweet, but the iris is kind of buried under the beby powder.
My SOTD is Shalimar Initial, and I’m drinking a cup of Laduree Josephine tea.
Very nice! This was the one Shalimar I could actually wear, I wonder why it was discontinued, it seems like it was on the market for such a short time.
I wish Guerlain would’ve give Initial more time on the market. I did buy a backup bottle when they discontinued it.
I saw a gift set of Initial on shopgoodwill.com yesterday! No affiliation of course.
I have a little Musc Tonkin (the edp) on one wrist and a little Sienna Musk (r.i.p., beauty) on the other. The only problem is I smell so nice I keep giving myself olfactory fatigue and losing it.
“I smell so nice I keep giving myself olfactory fatigue” — I love that!
Today I’m wearing Agonist Nordic Noir. I confess I bought it mainly because I absolutely love the genre of Nordic Noir (murder mysteries) and felt it was just something I had to own. But in fact I really do like it a lot. It’s very coooool. It seems seductive yet understated. I definitely pick up the spices in it and the mint and woody notes. People complain about the heliotrope but to me that’s not at all dominant. I think it’s a quite unusual scent.
I have a sample of this and tried it the other day and liked it too. I could smell the reminents of it on my pillowcase on the morning and thought it was quite nice.
You smell lovely!
I just finished a book by Kerstin Eckman called Blackwater which might work with your perfume.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve ordered it!
House twins, Robin! I’m wearing Burberry, My Burberry ebp. A PSA for those interested in NR Narciso, Macy’s.com has a coffret of three 10ml sprays for $25. Two are EDP, and one is edt. (No affiliation)
Perfect! Thanks.
You get you’re “fragrance enabler” pin today! ๐ After I read your post, I went and got it. They have a fantastic beauty / fragrance sell going on right now.
Has anyone else ever wondered how Macy’s 1 – day sale is usually……everyday? Not complaining, just curious. Lol!
duh!
edit: sale, not sell
I think this is my first enabler pin! Yay! And yes, Everyday is a sale.
๐
You now have 2 pins!
Look up on the wrong side of the bed. Fighting my grumpiness with Cacharel Amor Amor which surprisingly is working quite well! This is one cheap thrill/blind buy I never regret.
Christopher Sheldrake likes that perfume for its slightly unusual note so you’re in good company.
Then I’m in good company!! ????
Ugh, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed too! Hope your scent helps your mood ๐
Feeling so much better and hope you are too! ????
Day 8 comfort scent: Chergui. I may have over-applied, and worried I was going to be most UNcomfortable with a distinct tarry note wafting about. But things have calmed down, and all is well, at least between my palms and elbows.
Merlin? Are you still out there? Saw your posts yesterday and it felt like ages since I had (or it may be that I have just missed NST on the days you’ve been posting!) But just wanted to say, HEY!
I hope the wellness extends to your other body parts! You smell really good.
I thought the same thing about Merlin when I saw the post yesterday, too! And hey, where is chocolatemarzipan08 these days? If you’re reading, I hope all is well with both of you ????
I was wondering the same thing. I’m it’s just an internet cleanse.
I’ve missed ihadanidea… haven’t seen her post in some time unless I’ve just missed her somehow.
Just missed you’re post- great minds think alike!
ihadanidea is fine — I emailed her and got a nice response
I miss all the absent NST’ers too!- and what about ihadanidea?, I hope her flat mate has gone at last, and she’s happy.
I thought the same thing this morning. Hope everyone is well.
I also miss chocolatemarzipan08. I hope dropping NST’s DOTD threads wasn’t a part of her simplifying/decluttering project.
Hi Oakland Fresca and others! Afraid I’ve just been very irregular in popping in and out. It’s so nice to be remembered. (Need a blushing emoticon!)
Hope IhadanIdea and Chocolatemarzipan are ok…
I refuse to believe that there can ever be too much Chergui ๐ The smell of warmth and kindness.
SotD = Cologne du 68, happy and aromatic.
The label says “lavande” is in there somewhere. I’m also sniffing a little bottle of lavender essential oil.
The lavender top note in BBRfH is great, and that trench coat is divine. I would wear it quite happily. The color reminds me of a Laura Ashley dress with a Battenberg lace collar that I wore many years ago.
Funny, I was just thinking about Laura Ashley dresses and which of the girls in my class were Laura Ashley girls (I was not one). I did wear Gunne Sax dresses, which I loooved, and just googling images, would still love. Little House on the Prairie chic ????
Did you wear your GS dresses with opaque stockings and flats?
Yes! Tights and flats! Dod you wear those, too?
I think I had a Laura Ashley dress. Love that look of long skirts, tights and tbose lace-up leather boots. Very Annie Hall.
My mum loved dresses for her daughters, so I had a steady of supply of frilly apparel which I was encouraged to wear almost daily, even to elementary school with shorts underneath for climbing the jungle gym at recess. We wore Gunne Sax dresses too, the full on prairie look with lace and ribbons. I still have the last one I wore as a very young teen, a velvety dark blue pinwale corduroy dress, more Victoriana than Prairie. Such fun.
I had a couple of Laura Ashley dresses that my mom brought me from England (my parents lived in Wimbledon) for a year or so). I stopped wearing one when the security guy at worked asked when I was “due”.
Hey Tiffanie, I haven’t read any of the comments from today and I wanted to follow up on the question as to the height of a Chanel Les Exclusifs mini. My Sycomore mini is 1 5/8 inches. A quarter plus a dime is just slightly shorter while a quarter and a nickel was slightly taller.
Ha! Thank you for the Chanel/coin comparisons. That’s about the size I was imagining. I love tiny things, especially when they smell good.
Happy Hump Day, Everyone! My SOTD is Ikat Jasmine from Aerin Lauder. Feels like a Spring day today, so wearing a fragrance that is kind of “Springy”.
That’s a good idea! Wet snow here all afternoon, nothing but grey in the sky. Not very uplifting. A big white floral tonight might be a good cure ๐ i am considering Moon Bloom or A la nuit, or Drama Nuui…(tried that sample once, needs a re-run)
SOTD is Musc Ravageur from a sample I procured when I was in Chicago last summer. Aren’t the FM sample bottles just the cutest? And a generous amount for a sample. I would have liked to ask the SA for a whole handful of scents, but did not want to seem greedyโบ๏ธ
I didn’t realize there was lavender in the top notes until I was reading about it the other day.
I love the 5 ml minis, is that what you mean?
They have 5 ml minis??! ๐
Yes, if you can wrestle them out of the SAs.
They are 3.5 mls, but they have a sprayer and come inside a little “coffin” box. A pretty elegant presentation for just a sample imo. I’ve seen samples on eBay go for $20-30!
Those are the more recent ones. The older sample minis were 5 mls and didn’t come in a box.
They used to!
Wow- nice!
I found the sample and am wearing Jersey! I have to agree that it’s not a masterpiece of modern perfumery, but I don’t hate it.
You smell lovely ๐ .
It’s not bad at all! It’s just not worth the price- I can find a similar cologne in almost any Latin American store.
I’m not a fan, but I don’t really hate it either.
Twins today! Inspired by lavender week and comments yesterday I dug this sample out that I’d tried only once before. I also don’t hate it, but neither is it love.
Agreed. It’s not bad, but not great either. Mostly, it’s just boring.
๐
Supposed to go up to 59 degrees today! One warmish day and my yard is already swarming with tiny flying insects. Do they just thaw out instantly and get back to business? I’m amazed.
SOTD is the lovely rosy floral Dita Von Teese, in continued honor of rose month. Makes me feel very womanly. Like playing dress-up.
I did find something with lavender in it. Aroma M Vanilla Hinoki, and it’s actually smellable so I’ll save it for Friday.
I’m planning on wearing Vanilla Hinoki later this week, too. ๐
Yay! That one always makes me think of you.
It’s hard to believe that we may get a foot of snow tomorrow. Although, I am not sure what accumulation was predicted for NYC?
I am not familiar with DVT, but it sounds lovely.
I think they said 3-5 inches. Ugh. But less than a foot, I hope!
And NYC schools are closed tomorrow!
I know! It’s currently 65F where I am and we’ve got all the windows open in the office because it’s so warm in here.
The amount of snow keeps changing: 1-3; 3-5; 5-8 (and in one weather warning it said 6-10) so basically: it’s gonna snow. Amount TBD when I look out the window tomorrow morning. ๐
I’d love to get 6 – 10″! But they’re only calling for .1″ (notice the decimal point)! ๐
Im defending Chanel Jersey- I’m wearing the parfum version today. One has to be very patient with it- it does have a somewhat medicinal opening, but then dries down to soft scent that makes me imagine I’m lying on a cloud of lavender, vanilla, and musk. It’s not the typical more feminine Chanel, but something to wear with the billowing slacks that Coco wore. The EDT formulation turned sour fairly rapidly on my skin.
I think Victoria also said on BdJ that the parfum version is much, much better.
I tested the EDT and didn’t care for it at all. I really like lavender so was surprised. Whatever it was, I had no desire to wear it again.
I’ve tried both, and while neither really suits me, the extrait is a lot better, and did not remind me of cleaning products at all.
I still find it rather dull, for want of a better word, but I’m mostly not a Chanel fan, so you might want to bear that in mind.
Agree, the perfume is really very special.
SOTD = Bottega Vanetta.
Yum!
My husband went out of town this morning, so I’m scrabbling to make the most of my time while my kid is at preschool. Wearing OdlR’s Santo Domingo, one of my favorites, for energy . . .
Oh yes, gotta take those preschool mornings in both hands and make the best of them!
Happy Wednesday, Guys!
1) Small rant from above re: PerthGirl (finding yet another book moaning about fragrance)
I am a biochemist and science writer by training (I know, right?!) Before my detour into show business, I studied environmental impacts of development in the Deep South (Georgia, Mississippi and Florida), and the changing biochemistry of brackish and wetland systems.
Now that I shown my receipts, let me tell you: human caused climate change is real. And due to development, we have perhaps changed the very seas from which we came and depend on, and that environmental change will continue to cause MUCH of the political instability that we are seeing today.
Having said all that, books like this (The Case against Fragrance) are usually books that lack rigor and overall application. It’s usually written by person who has experienced X, so therefore Y- and thus, correlations between X and Y must then be causal. Sigh.
Books like these, usually marketed to a well to do, relatively healthy people make me mad, because they talk about things they do not understand or do not want to understand. They make cancer and other genetic caused diseases into something that is the ‘fault’ of the person who gets it, and so on. It takes away the responsibility of people to live a more environmentally sensitive life in
Now, do fragrances have power? They can and do; they can be used as masking agents to hide the truly noxious nature of other chemicals; some essential oils DO indeed have biochemical and hormonal reactions with humans.
Does that then mean your bottle of Chanel 19 is going to make someone die? No, it’s not.
And by the way, the moaning about perfume has gone on since, oh, BIBLICAL TIMES.
2) Anyways! In Black Jade today, because I need sheer rosy warmth today on this grey, rainy day!
Interesting commentary and you smell lovely.
Thank you! I really love Black Jade- so fresh yet rosy/spicy warm!
This is an extreme if course, but my husband had a high school friend who as an adult had some chemical sensitivity and was (sekf ( diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder. She moved to the SW desert and lived in a self constructed shed devoid of all “toxins”. Anything new brought in, including new books, were placed in a wooden and glass box to be off-gassed for several months. She documented her “journey” on Facebook. It was seriously depressing.
Oh my,your husband’s friend had an awful experience by the sounds of it!I cannot imagine the feeling of isolation she must have had!
Yes, very isolated.
How incredibly awful.
And that is the thing of it: these cases are real, but such severity is rare (thank goodness, or most of the Western world would have died off due to the very real noxious smells and chemicals that *used* to be in the atmosphere)
The rarity of such responses is partially genetic- and partially due to regulation of chemicals and pollution in our collective environment.
According to her sister (my husband’s ex-girlfriend who is a physician), she had some chronic fatigue/depression type symptoms for which there appeared to be no diagnoseable physical cause, so her frustration led to a lot of alternative health sites/people who convinced her that’s what it was. The really sad part was after years of living out there in a self-imposed bubble, she didn’t report much in the way of symptom relief and became a little paranoid-like it must be some escape particle in the air from somewhere. I think she has reintegrated with society now-maybe had some mental health care as well. Yes, it was very sad to watch.
Sorry, am late to this.
Ugh, and this was a part that I did not want to bring up- the spectre of paranoia/mental illness and certain types of ‘alternative medicine’ that actually feed into mental illness.
Very sad. Can’t imagine having to live like that.
Oh, I love a passionate rant!! So over everyone trying be politically correct and spill a bunch on meaningless drivel.
It seems to be a huge trend among certain populations who expect the world to conform to them, whose sense of entitlement is large, and feel that any suffering they may undergo is someone else’s fault. Pretty sure Darwin clearly explained many moons ago the theory of adaptation means WE must ADAPT to our environment, individually and as a species, or die…rant over????
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201831283/should-fragrance-be-regulated
This is an interview with the author Kate Grenville about the book. I haven’t listened to this yet but thought you might be interested.
“The problem was to do with the chemicals created by companies to make their perfumed products, she said.
“Essential oils cost about 1,000 times more than the comparable sythetics. (SIC)
“Even though many of these chemicals are well known scientifically to be irritants of various kinds and possibly worse, they don’t have to be tested before they’re put on the market, the ingredients do not have to be fully declared on the label. ”
*STEAMS*
Oy vey! Essential oils are beautiful, beautiful things. They are ALSO CHEMICALS.
*puts mike on full blast* Essential oils are chemicals, people. So is water, and milk from a cow, and your very own blood.
*turns mike down* Now, essential oils are indeed expensive and rare, and should be, due to the cost and labor involved in producing them. However, the production of certain chemical for perfumes can be equally expensive- a group of people (usually about 100-200!) can work on a singular note class of chemical, and that can take YEARS. These chemicals can also be SAFER in some regards, not causing contact dermatitis nor hormone disruption (such as our dear friend being celebrated this week, LAVENDER, which essential chemical compounds can cause BOTH).
Things like this make me despair, because there are very real chemical issues right now in our world. Where I work, we have to manufacture resins so that they both last long when used in the proper applications…and then break down without leaving a harmful trace in the water supply norin our precious soils. THIS, and not whether Chanel is the devil, is the issue of our time.
I will repeat: this has gone on since Biblical times, when people would moan when women would put on scent and color their faces, babbling on about the cost and how people should smell ‘natural.’
Lord, have mercy. Y’all have me ranting like a loon!
Thanks for this Ede, I too, like Deva, enjoy a passionate rant! It sounds like this author is rather deficient in correct evidence/knowledge on this subject!
Applause!!
Yes every last bit of everything on this planet – or any other – is, ahem, 100% made up of chemicals. And of course ‘natural’ is not a synonym for ‘safe’ – there are plenty of nature-made chemicals which are toxic to humans at certain concentrations (arsenic anyone? lead?) Heck, even pure water can kill you if you drink too much of it.
Heck, pure water can DISSOLVE YOU if you lie in it long enough (a couple of days!!!!!)
Thank you for stating this: โnaturalโ is not a synonym for โsafeโ . No, it is not. I make my own plant based lotions and perfume oils, and they are absolutely lovely. But on the wrong person, Olive oil can cause rashes, and my essential oil blends, even when diluted in almond oil, can cause a burn if exposed to sunlight.
We love passionate people,especially if they know there are two sides to a coin.You go!I think your day-job must be quite fascinating,too.
Thanks for the rant! As a fellow scientist, the misunderstanding of correlation vs. causation drives me crazy! Also, the whole natural is always better. People fear what they don’t understand – science in education is so important!
The lack of logical reasoning and scientific education past freshman year in high school here in the USA is really bad, and does contribute to foolishness like debates about vaccines (WHAT) and that fluoride in water is bad (GOD NO).
Oy vey!
Oh, the vaccine issue really spins my top!!
ARGH.
I am the daughter of immigrants from Panama and Belize, and both parents used to tell me about how they would all line up for polio shots when it became available- because prior to that, polio killed babies in the tropics in those days.
Just…vaccinate your babies and wear a bit of perfume and be chill!
Even worse, some people are so tied to their agenda that science education actually doesn’t matter. I had a home hospice stage 4 cancer patient who did not get treatment because they believed in medical and scientific conspiracy theories so denied the validity of science. They went to some alternative guy who “studied” cancer and his one person research study, verified by himself only, “showed” that cancer was caused by yeast and the cure was to drink baking soda everyday. He was still drinking the stuff til the day he died. Unfortunately, we couldn’t break through the denial. It was a really sad thing to watch. I’m still baffled as to why they even agreed to hospice services.
*reads*
BAKING SODA?????
That’s…really horrible. That client must have been in so much agony. At least s/he were in hospice care services.
The other horrible bit I have heard with cancer patients is the whole Gerson Therapy bit, with juicing and liver extract.
Oy of morbid fascination, I have watched people on YT expound on the effects. And as they upload video after video, you can see them physically declining. I once tried to contact a person after leaving comments telling them to please stop and go to a doctor to start chemotherapy. Was not able to, and the person stopped uploading videos. ๐
It’s the same in medicine, even some doctors confuse the two. Thanks for giving us a piece of your mind!
What I used to do when I was a science tutor: ” Are we talking about possibility or probability? Because ANYTHING is possible, but very few things are PROBABLE!”
Yesterday was brutal, so today I’m in Safran Troublant’s soft embrace, and wishing I’d brought the bottle to work for frequent and lavish re-applications!
You smell lovely!
Oh, so sorry about yesterday. ST is the obvious choice for comfort????
Wearing n. 19 Poudre today…
Perfect ‘coming into spring scent’ !
Agreed. Feels like spring in San Diego today.
Very good morning, all NST. Yesterday was A Day: four interviews, starting at 7 o’clock in the morning our time but about 9.30 at night where our candidate was. It was long and intense, but not without interest, though sometimes the interest was rather gruesome! We have selected two candidates to come out for second rounds and presentations, etc, but, thank goodness, not for a couple of weeks, so now I can concentrate on more mundane tasks, like preparing for teaching and mending the tear in my favourite silk shirt and getting my hair cut before it goes curly. I’m working at home today and I’ve swathed myself in soft, easy green again: Bel Respiro. This really is a lovely perfume, not full of outdoor smells, but nevertheless perfectly evoking the best kind of outdoors. Truly, I love this,or maybe, I love this truly, and I’m lucky to get much better than average longevity from four sprays.
I was just thinking as I read the posts, what interesting lives and perfume lives you all have. The snippets I see of your activities always give me things to ponder.
That’s a good perfume to love.
1) Bel Respiro is like a walk in the loveliest garden with the prettiest, most crisp linen dress on.
2) It is fascinating to see glimpses of other people, even though through pixels.
You’re so right water dragon, we’re all a rather fascinating bunch!
Agonized over what perfume to wear today. Don’t know why it was that way today but it was. I finally decided on Amouage Memoir. Memoir seems to get me the most compliments for some reason, that and vintage Bal.
House twin (and twin on some notes)! I’m in Opus II today. You smell great!
Yet Another Rainy Day. The weather guys say today is meant to be a break between the storms (another big one due tomorrow) but to this civilian, it sure looks like a seriously rainy day. Nice stream running down our road.
So, working from home, although not exactly “working” at the moment, am I, ahem. Nope, I’m researching perfume, testing NV Rahele vs Gucci Rush. Taking one for the team here.
Research is very important. Thanks for taking one for the team ????
Rahele is still losing the race against Rush. Both have a similar peach/osmanthus note overall, which I adore. I’m getting some leather from Rahele… more cardamom though. Overall it’s rather… polite. Granted, it can be hard for anyone to be heard over Rush, who’s hanging out in the corner by the jukebox, doing shots and singing much too loudly.
Y’all know that I so want to love Rahele, right? And it’s nice… but. Rahele is a grown-up, while Rush wants to dance on the tabletop. I might be a proper grown-up most of the time, but I just can’t resist a good party. ๐
*having flashbacks to my clubbing days* ????????
I wanted to love it too. On me it was…nice. I wanted so much more than nice.
SOS!!!! HELP!!!!!!!! I have a very important meeting at work in 20 minutes. This morning I was rushing and I did not have the chance to spray on any perfume before leaving home. However, I keep a baggy with samples in the office all the time. Half an hour ago, because I was rushing, I put my hands in my baggy, grabbed a sample and in my way to the cafeteria to get some coffee I sprayed so quick on my sweater what it seemed to be ยผ left of a sample. At the beginning, I did not understand what was happening when I started smelling something โvery unusualโ. I stopped sharply, recoiled from horror and realized that I was facing a nightmare: Secretion Magnifique. I donโt know why, how, when this ended up in my baggy. Of course I did not get my coffee and slowly walked to the ladiesโ room praying that nobody crossed my way. I tried to scrub it out from my sweater with some soapy water but I am making the smell even worse. The most terrifying and stressful part is that I must attend that meeting and I donโt have time to go back home or run to a store and buy something. Any suggestions? If not, please wish me luck, because this is going to turn out very uglyโฆ
Wishing you lots of luck! I know it’s totally not funny, put your post made me laugh!
Laughing,but you have ALL my sympathies!!Good luck!Maybe try and spray over it with something else,even air-freshener if you have to!!Desperate times!x
This sounds like the worst Stephen King horror movie/perfumista nightmare ever! I have nothing to suggest – Fabreeze maybe if any is available to kill the smell? – but I do sincerely wish you luck!
Can you wear the sweater backwards and keep the spot pressed against the chair? Or get to the meeting first, and if someone wrinkles their nose, say, “I know, what is that smell? I smell it too.” Or go for honesty, and say you spilled something on yourself and didn’t have time to change. People will understand.
Although I wholeheartedly agree with your solutions,we know how people are…I cannot help but think that if she says she spilled something on herself-reeking of Secrรจtions-they WILL wonder for days:But WHAT did she spill??Lol.The curse of a perfumista…
That I had spilled something crossed my mind, but then I asked myself the same question.What was that? ๐
You could always pour some asian fish sauce on you, everyone can identify that! LOL. A friend did that in Paris and had to ride home in the metro. You can believe he had the car to himself…
Sneak into the meeting room ahead of time and spray the rest of your sample all over the place – everything will stink and you’ll blend. Alternatively, if you are truly desperate you could cut the arms off your sweater and roll the edges . . .
OMG that is hilarious!!And perfect!!Just imagine.
THAT is a wickedly perfect solution!
Omg! Lol! That has got to be the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. I needed that laugh! I laugh because I could totally see myself doing this.
Come back and tell us what happened, perfumelover!
๐ ๐ ๐ ๐
Oh no, u poor thing.. Good luck!
I’m so sorry, but your description made me literally lol. I hope it turned out ok.
Well, even if I had a suggestion, it would be too late. I just hope that everything turned out okay. Hopefully you’re able to check back in later to let us know how everything went.
Report posted!
BACK TO REPORT:
Secretions Magnifique Horror Part #2: I printed 10 copies of Secretions Magnifiqueโs review from NST, then I entered the meeting room before everyone else arrived, placed the open empty vial on the table and one copy of the review on each seat and opened the windows (thankfully, the temperature today reached 60 degrees). I left the room and check on NST for any suggestions. I followed Johanobโs about air-freshener (the only one at that time), so back to the ladiesโ room to spray a little. The result: I was getting very nauseated at this point with the mixing. Knowing that there was no way back and time has arrived I put on my best face, entered the room where everybody was already waiting and reading without understanding anything and I announced that I was smelling very bad because I had applied the wrong perfume and that I kept that one just for research and reference. I could not even believe myself!!! Nobody said a word, but I could see in their faces that they were already disgusted from the smell before I arrived. I apologized for the inconvenience and said that if someone has an extra sweater or blouse that I could borrow I would really appreciate it, otherwise it was up to them to let me stay in the meeting or proceed without me. My boss asked me to sit and try to finish as quick as possible. It was really a nightmare because nobody could concentrate properly and my embarrassment was really bad. At the end 3 things:
1. Nobody could believe that was called a perfume. Some people got very upset, others joked. 2. I had to hear my boss give me a speech about the whole situation and asked me to keep an extra outfit handy in case of another accident. 3. One of my coworkers attending the meeting asked me if she could keep the empty vial and where she could buy it. She found it interesting and sexy (unbelievable!). This has been a big lesson for me that next time I have to be very careful before applying on anything, no matter what. Now, everybody is talking here about the whole โeventโโฆ
I am laughing at all your comments now and I really love your sense of humor which I really needed after so much stress. I am glad that I also made you laugh. It was not a funny experience. One the worst in my life, but hey! It is not the end of the world. Thanks you all!
I think you handled it well! And I love that someone asked for the vial . . .
As long as she doesn’t buy it and wear it in the office ????
I think you handled the situation with grace and dignity.
Thank you!????
I am so sorry this was one of your worst experiences, but this is definitely up in the top 10 of excellent stories ever told here. Thank you so much for coming back to tell us what happened.
I will never forget it!,????????
You’ll remember this for a long, long, long time! But hopefully the pain and embarrassment will fade quickly! Glad you made it through.
What a day! We didn’t have Febreeze here but the air freshener was the only option. Commuting back home, I will wrap my scarf very tightly and with the coat, I hope is more than enough not to bother other people in the train…
I think you were very brave and considerate! I’m sorry you went through this experience, which you’ve done an excellent job telling.
Thank you. I was very lucky????
Wow! That was dramatic. When I was working I did actually keep emergency backup clothes at my desk in case of accidents.
I will for sure keep a back up outfit from now on. I just hope that my next “accident” is not so dramatic and that Secretions Magnifique doesn’t cross my path anymore ????
I did laugh at the story but didn’t find your colleagues reactions very amusing at all. How could they NOT have found the situation funny? And did your boss really have to give you a lecture then and there???
Anyway thank you for the perfumista horror story and well done for braving it out! Sending you some love, acceptance and some warm hugs.
Some of my colleagues are very tight, unfortunately. Others joked about the whole thing. But, I am pretty sure that after reading about it, all of them will be careful to check the name of the perfume they will buy ????
Ha ha! Yes.
You went above and beyond what most people would do. And, you gave them options (borrowing a sweater, leaving early, etc.).
Don’t beat yourself up, you didn’t do this on purpose. But I guarantee that you will never forget this. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Wish we could have done more to help.
Maybe this is something Robin or someone else can create: A fragrance hotline (online) – I’m sure there is always someone out there who needs answers to disastrous perfume mishaps. Different perfumistas can help solve the crisis at hand. Lol! ๐
Thank you. The idea of a hotline is hilarious but seriously necessary especially when we face these “perfume terror stories” ????
I think you handled the situation admirably and as well as possible. (I can’t say the same for your boss–a simple “Please try not to let this happen again” would have sufficed, no?–or your coworkers.) It was a simple mistake, so don’t let any embarrassment linger.
Thank you. Pretty sure people will talk about it for a while, but I will find encouragement and comfort in my other beautiful perfumes. After the embarrassment I decided to look at the funny part of it. ????
I’m am sure that was horrific and don’t mean to laugh. But OMG!!!!!!
If it makes you feel any better, one reviewer on STC who liked the scent said it just smelled like cilantro. But you handled it very bravely and honestly. So sorry you had to go through that, but much admiration for how you handled it! I have never actually smelled that one! And at least one person liked it. You may have created a new perfumista from this!
OMG!!!! A new perfumista!!! This is hilarious! Sorry, I didn’t have the chance to send you some for you to try????????????????.
Honestly, I still wonder how it ended up with the rest of the samples. One of those days when I was distracted or rushing, for sure.
Yes, samples like that I keep in a separate plastic bag with skull and crossbones stickers on them. ๐
Ha! That’s quite all right. I used to be curious but I have a decent imagination.
SOTD is L’Occitane Immortelle de Corse, actually what is left in my shirt after gym break and a shower. Still there, still delicious, should reach for this more often in winter!
Yum, you smell fantastic!
Nice!
I giggled a bit at Bear’s Chanel experience above.I was invited today to a “Champagne celebration VIP-experience” at the Chanel boutique in Johannesburg this Saturday.The last time I was there they did serve some pretty good bubbly,so I guess even if just for the free booze…Lol.SOTD quite the opposite of Chanel:Lush Dear John edc.I love this one.
Ask for the Chanel Champagne Coffret !
Haha!OK!????
Just wanted to add this:
Regarding the discussed Grenville book:If I had a choice,let me rather be killed by Amouage Beloved than hit by a bus/drown/burn to death.Loving life though,despite all the crappiness in the world.
Agreed.
Oh, I hope you attend and drink much bubbly on Chanel’s dime, johanab. ๐
Cheers !
johanob, sorry.
I knew I should double check the spelling!
Enjoy the party. I hope you get showered with samples. I am already preparing my speech to the SA of whichever Chanel boutique I will go to to get that Les Exclusifs coffret.
Wearing Bella Freud 1970. Imagine Lush Rose Jam soaked in whisky and this is that scent. At the moment I am reading the unpublished travel diaries of Dora de Beer, a wealthy NZ woman who went on the first NZ overseas mountaineering expedition, to Yunnan, in 1938 . She walked from Burma to the 20 000 ft mountain ( several hundred miles) . Wonderful descriptions of flora and scents as she stayed in a mixture of posh hotels, consulates, monasteries and tents. Amazing adventuress…later the president of the Ladies Alpine Club in Britain ( women weren’t allowed in the Alpine Club). I think she would like perfume but no references to any. I guess they may have been hard to get in NZ at that time)
Rose Jam soaked in whisky sounds freakin’ fantastic! I think a journey with stays at “a mixture of posh hotels, consulates, monasteries and tents” would be the best.
It’s raining here today again but better rain than ice. I’m clearing out the kitchen cabinets as the painters are coming tomorrow (yay!) to paint my 65-year-old metal ones. If they turn out half as beautiful as the picture in my mind I’ll be thrilled. SOTD is Crabtree & Evelyn Sandalwood. It always smells a little masculine to me at the outset but then turns into creamy deliciousness. I just checked the notes on Fragrantica and there is lavender in it! That’s probably what gives it a masculine feel to me.
Oh! If I did not want more storage space I would have just gone with just painting my cabinets as well! I hope they turn out BEAUTIFUL.
Two thumbs up for 65 year old metal cabinets! What color are they being painted?
Uppers are Benjamin Moore Dover White, lowers are Benjamin Moore Roycroft Bottle Green. I wanted to do the lowers in auto body paint with a metallic shimmer, but the paint is $850 a gallon and painting with it is a multi-part process which drove the estimate up to 7-8k.
Holy cow!! Love the idea but that price tag! Holy Krakatoa Batman! Still, I’m betting your kitchen will absolutely stunning when completed????????
Feeling very prickly today, just full on grumpy pants! I wanted something to match my mood, so I picked Le Labo The Noir because it has a cedar note and reminds me of prickly pine trees. I am interested in what other people wear when they are in this kind of mood …
I usually go for comfort when I’m grumpy, but prickly pine trees makes sense too!
When I’m grumpy, I usually go with strong, and loud. Alien, Gucci Rush, Mad Madame. Scents that might make other people grumpy. I can be a little passive aggressive…
Love this reply! I would probably go with Azuree ๐
Me too! Loud oud scents are a favourite for that.
Me too. Stabby greens, aldehydes, rough leather.
Bandit is my F**k Off perfume of choice.
A sunny morning here for the first time in ages, so I’ll go with Le Temps d’une Fete, one of my warm weather favourites.
Beautiful, my favourite for spring and early autumn.
Wearing my new 15ml of Moulin Rouge, love, love love it!, my husband likes it too, which is always nice. This seems to have a scent memory attached, reminds me of expensive shops from when my mum and I went into London during my childhood. Culpepper in Covent Garden, and Crabtree and Evylyn I think. Very happy memories!
I’m trying not to shop until May, but this (and 1969) are very high on my list. And yay for 15ml bottles – I wish everyone offered them.
After the gym I’m going to try my nicolai maharadjah sample again, as it got somewhere Beloved-ish in the middle and I want to think about it some more. Also it does have lavender, particularly in the beginning.
I adore Maharajah and when I tried both that and Maharani I bought the latter. Now I can’t find any Maharajah ๐
Floating get along in a little cloud of Rose Vermielle. A little too sweet for me, but charming none the less…
You smell divine! I love Rose Vermeille.
๐
Lavender fun with Fire and Cream. Has it mellowed with time, like a good wine, or is it me? I dunno. But it does not read like something a cyborg would wear anymore. More like the smell of running like a mad Syberian husky through those Provence lavender fields (not that I’ve ever been there). Nice!
Happy Hump Day, NST.
I’m wearing Amouage Opus II today because it has lavender in it. According to Fragrantica votes, it’s the most prominent note, but all I’ve ever been able to detect is the absinthe/wormwood, cardamom, and incense hovering over everything else. Oh well, that’s the way the skin-chemistry cookie crumbles.
I have zero impression of the Opus line. Which ones do you like?
So far I’ve only tried four, and they’ve all been very big. I can’t say that I’ve liked one yet. They haven’t worked on my skin in that one or more of the base notes overpowered everything else and didn’t smell so good. (I had the same experience with Epic and Jubilation 25. They were pretty much scrubbers.) I tried and swapped away V and VIII. I have II and IX right now; if they look good to you, email me.
Imo, I and III are the best. I is a rich perfumey one in the vein of Gold but with more spices iirc, and III is a beautiful rich spring floral with lots of broom.
Back in NYC after two weeks in Nor Cal. I’ve become a Jet Blue fan girl. Flights and employees are just generally pleasant (it also helps when fare is under $250 round trip.)
In Couvent des Minimes Eau de Provence Lavender & Acacia. I think my nephew gave this to me, but I’ve rarely worn it. The sprayer was broken, so I finally got the top screwed off to decant. It’s light and soothing.
Weather is same here, if not warmer, than I had in CA. I’m amused, though, by people in their Canada Goose jackets on a day like today. Simple rule: dress for the weather, not the season.
I’m looking forward to snow tomorrow!!
Well, I dressed for the weather this morning but it seems to have dropped about 20 degress and I’m freezing!! I shoulda brought an extra layer.
My favorite part of Jet Blue is the JFK terminal which has a breakfast bar!
Welcome back.
Welcome back! I’ve never been on Jet Blue! And that $250’farw is a steal. Did you get that directly through Jet Blue or a consolidator?
that would be fare… I don’t know what language ‘farw is – Welsh?
๐
Today’s Zoologist sample: Beaver! They reformulated this at the end of last year, I think, and my sample is the new one. It’s definitely not for me, though there’s a lovely smell when I put my nose close to my skin: linden-y, I guess, and something that makes me think of cool running water and dappled forest light. I don’t mind having to search that out, because it’s like having a secret, and I think also the scent would be less charming if it were magnified. But the musks DO have projection and they are not getting on with me.
I’m in Eau Noire right now and it might be right at the top of my most- loved-lavenders list. However, I also KNOW it’s extremely dividing due to the immortelle, so I don’t wear it out that much. For me this lavender, licorice and coffee combo is perfecto!
You smell great! It is a beautiful fragrance.
Thank you! I’m in a bubble of scent induced bliss ๐
Eau Noire is gorgeous and distinctive!
Agree!
No lavender for me today but rather Providence Perfume Osmanthus Oolong which is just an amazing perfume. It is all leather, hay and horse at the top and settles down to a beautiful honeyed osmanthus.
OMG super late to the party and did not even get a minute at all to sneak peek at NST!
If anyone has any suggestions for a rose with lavender, I am all ears.
Continuing my Month of Roses —
SOTD = Dior Collection Privee La Colle Noire
OK, I have to go back to Undina’s blog to correct my impression which I left early this morning. The first time I wore this, I only used 2 sprays. Today, I used 4-5 sprays. What a difference! The top notes remained the same – citrusy transparent clean musky rose. Several hours later, it became dustier woodier spicier and, patchouli, even though it is not listed in the notes. Anyway, if I get a good deal, I wouldn’t mind owning a bottle.
In the pet peeves of the day department–
— What’s up with people spitting all over the place?
— Cyclists: Traffic light rules apply to you, OK. Also, at a crosswalk, PEDESTRIANS, not you, have the right of way. If you are crossing the street in the middle of a crosswalk, you need to GET OFF your bike and WALK, not ride, across
— People coming off an escalator have the right of way. DO NOT saunter across the landing area of a down escalator while chatting with your posse (or texting or picking your nose) because you are too lazy to walk a few feet away from the escalator to get to the side going up.
I’ve had a good day but it was just crazy busy. I barely ate my lunch at 3PM!
Now onto checking the comments above.
You’ve nailed a few of mine.
I’m really getting more and more peeved by those walking & txting. It’s crazy how many people do this and we let them do it! Wish we’d see more people speak up.
Is that shoveling I hear out on the streets alread? Snow day!!!
Yep, you nailed it with those pet peeves!
Yes to all of this! I ate my lunch on the way home this evening so feel your pain there, too.
I would also welcome a bottle of Colle Noire if I encountered a decent price. ๐