Happy Valentine's Day, and happy Singles Awareness Day! Whichever holiday you are marking today, do have some chocolate. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing Parfums de Nicolaï Eau Exotique. Tea at the moment is Palais des Thés Fleur de Geisha. I do not like it, and every so often I remember that I've sworn to use it up, and then I have a cup. At the rate I'm going I will have this tin on my hands for several more years, at least.
Reminder: 2/17 will be Reverse Hemisphere Friday — if you're in the Northern Hemisphere, wear something bright and tropical and happy. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, wear something spicy and warm and comforting.
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 teapot is in the Wedgwood Queen of Hearts pattern, and I am pretty sure it is no longer made.
The city is digging itself out of the biggest snowstorm in quite some time and I perversely felt like wearing cold, glittery Wrappings by Clinique. It does eventually warm up but at first it’s just frosty aldehydes and bleak midwinter sunshine.
Sorry, and hope you are not having to shovel!
No, I live in an apartment building so all that sort of thing is taken care of. And I didn’t have to go into work, either. Three-day weekend!
Perfect!
Mmm..sorry you’re having to shovel out but at least you smell good. Love Wrappings!
I love Wrappings! It’s just as nice in the desert as it is in snowstorm.
I love your fragrance choice today. It was one of the first Nicolaïs that I purchased. I’m wearing Rien myself, and drinking Earl Grey.
Wanna trade teas? 😉
I would as a good Samaritan 😉
I like Palais des Thés well enough, but for flavoured teas I really prefer Mariage Frères. The PdT shops are very nice though.
I didn’t like MF’s “cherry blossom” tea either. I suspect I just don’t like cherry blossom teas, which taste like cherry instead of cherry blossom — just like cherry blossom perfumes.
I never even try Cherry Blossom teas for that reason. I love MF’s gourmand teas. I’m planning a short trip to Paris next month and MF will be included!
I do like Palais des Thés Hammam once in a blue moon, and I like their chai better than MF’s, but otherwise agree — I prefer MF.
Never compared the chai’s (not my favourite kind of tea), and I used to like Hammam, but overall MF seems to suit me much better. I did really enjoy one of the summery fruit teas that PdT did last year, can’t remember the name.
Happy Valantine’s day! Wearing Jo Malone Red Roses. Perfect for the day and very summery for me. Meeting friends for Valantine’s dinner tonight. My husband is on a business trip, so we will do something when he is back on the weekend. Enjoy the day!
Lovely! I have some Red Roses bath oil and it is really quite nice and fresh smelling!
Oh? That’s what I was hoping Tauer’s Rose Delight would be (it’s really quite gorgeous – just not what I was looking for.) Maybe I need to try the JM.
JM Red Roses is a beautiful scent. You smell terrific!
I’m in Samsara on this chilly morning.
Love that one–you smell terrific.
I put on Mark Buxton Message in a Bottle (about four-five hours ago). Based on notes and description, it was a perfect fit for our community project. I expected an opulent white floral fragrance with animalic notes. I regret to inform you that to me it does not smell anything like that at all. It is a white/yellow floral, but a rather pale one with “clean” (not in a good way), slightly synthetic citrus notes. Maybe I should blame magnolia – I like the real magnolia but so far I have not found a magnolia perfume I truly enjoy. This scent is not horrible though, just disappointing. Maybe it’s just because this perfume did not turn out be the way I expected it to be. I’ll try again later, but today I did not really like it.
So good-bye Message in a Bottle. I have applied my beloved Un Jardin sur le Nil instead.:) So much better!
The perfume industry really has not solved the magnolia problem, have they?
Oh, so it’s not just my nose then?! That’s a relief. 🙂
No SOTD yet. I have to take my 15-year-old to the orthodontist shortly to get his braces off (he is so excited!). Drinking whatever tea my husband brewed before he headed to work (plain black, couldn’t tell you more than that). That teapot is great! It almost looks like you could drink from the lid. I dunno, Robin. I think I’d dump the rest of the Fleur de Geisha if you really dislike it. Life is too short for bad tea.
I don’t know why I have such a hard time throwing away teas I hate. I also don’t know why I buy teas I should have guessed I would not like.
Huge congrats to your son, I’m not surprised he is excited!
Oh, yes. Probably can’t wait to try out kissing girls without braces! And he earned his Life Scout rank in Boy Scouts last night. Just have to keep the momentum going for Eagle.
Congrats to your Scout! Big push for Eagle, but I bet he’s up for it.
I always feel slightly uncomfortable tossing teas as well, but have done it many times. It’s bad juju to keep things around that you don’t like and feel guilty about having bought in the first place. You don’t need that staring you down first thing in the morning! Toss!
And surely I have enough bad juju already!
Agree about the tea! If it doesn’t bring happiness and joy….it GOES AWAY! LOL! 🙂
Whoohoo!!! So exciting about the braces coming off! My 14-year-old got them on last month and he has completely embraced them despite having to relearn how to play the trumpet!
My son got his braces off when he turned 15 and it boosted his confidence so much. He has a very sweet smile, we discovered!
I agree about the tea. I would pitch it!
Congrats to your son! I hope he smiles until his face hurts! ????
I remember how excited I was to get my braces off, because my lisp suddenly disappeared! My confidence shot through the roof. This was right before I started high school, so it couldn’t have happened at a better time.
I hope your son’s removal was comfortable, and that you’re now wearing a gorgeous perfume.
Love the tea pot. Yes, Single Awareness day it is! Actually I teach second grade so I do the cute pink and candy thing all day at work. The snarkiness has to come out later. I am wearing my most “obnoxious” scent, vengeance extreme, a patchouli – rose thing. I wear it seldom, but when I do I expect people to ask me to move away as it seems pretty strong. I bought it when i was in a mood. Have a great everyone.
Ha! I understand those moods! That’s when you need to wear your most bad ass fragrance! Have fun with those excited second graders! I wonder if they can wait until the end of the day to pull out all their valentines and candy!
I love the idea of having a perfume for when you’re “in a mood”! I like patchouli and rose, though, so I’d happily share an elevator with you today!
Same! I might just have to step in closer 🙂
maybe we can swap or split
Tea question-
Peet’s use to make a black currant black tea I loved. Now they only carry mighty leaf which does not have one. I have tried Twinnings, Vail and Simpson and a russian or polish one from the international store. Most say natural flavorings but they are not right, maybe using other flavors to attempt it. Any suggestions?
I am not sure what flavor is missing from the bc teas you have samples that was in the Peet’s. I like the occasional iced black currant tea in the summer. My favorite is Harney & Sons.
I miss that tea very much and haven’t found a replacement so far: please share if you ever do.
Black currant teas are quite common and a lot of online tea sellers have sampling programs. Upton and Adagio both have a black currant, and I’m sure dozens of others do. Good luck! Finding the perfect tea can be as elusive as perfume shopping 🙂
I will give them a try, I have found several but when I read the label it says natural flavors instead of “blackcurrant” which is code for other flavors trying to emulate. I have not tried the two you mentioned yet so I will look them up. thanks
More samples. Before the shower, Histoires de Parfum Noir Patchouli. I suspected that this wouldn’t work for me, heavy patchouli usually doesn’t — it’s an ewwww. After the shower, Dame Desert Rose, which is lovely.
I wore Desert Rose yesterday. I always enjoy it. Lovely it is.
You (will) smell great! I love Desert Rose.
I like Noir Patchouli because it smells like my discontinued favorite soap – Caswell-Massey Patchouli. But I also don’t enjoy it all day – it was perfect for the time it takes to shower though.
SotD: L’Artisan Vanilia, which is sadly discontinued as there is nothing quite like it. My bottle is old enough to have some Mysore sandalwood I think. What a comfortable scent.
S(ip)ot D: Ruhuna Low Country Ceylon from Upton. It is more astringent than I like, but pleasant enough. It may need a bit of milk.
I think the low land Ceylons are a bit more astringent in general. I actually enjoy my Ceylons and Assams more with a little milk.
Oh, and you smell gorgeous!
I read once that the average american male loves vanilla scent so maybe a good choice if you are wanting a valentine date 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone – love yourself, love someone else, love your pet, love your kids, love your solitude, love whatever you like! SOTD is La Fille de Berlin – one of my favorite rose fragrances which will last me with unflagging beauty through what is to be a long work day. But it was hard to choose. Ta’if and Nahema are glaring at me right now.
And I love your post! <3
Love your post as well!
All we need is love in this crazy world we live in!
Happy Days to you!
Have a wonderful Valentines Day!
Great sentiments – hear hear!
What a positive message. Have a day full of love! You smell terrific.
That’s exactly how I feel about Valentines’s Day. You smell fantastic! (I got a bottle of FdB as a gift to myself; I’m going to go rip it open soon.)
Hey twin!, I’ve just applied Fille for this evening, I love Nahema and Taif too, although I don’t have them (yet!) in my collection.
Amen! You smell wonderful, and you really nailed what this holiday should be about.
Waving- hello scent twin! Wearing LFBerlin here too. We smell awesome!
And yes! Go love- it’s always a good answer :).
Wearing Hove Tea Olive here in the frozen north, for a feel of the sultry south.
What is that one like? I’ve been curious about the Hove perfumes but haven’t tried any yet.
Fairly heady, fairly sweet linear osmanthus is the best I can do – anybody have better descriptors?
Nope, I think that’s it!
I was in Hove weekend before last. Was very surprised how close their Vetivert is to Sycomore.
I’m wearing the last drops of my sample of Iris Ganache since it seemed sort of Valentine-y to me. I actually never really liked it as it’s so sweet but it’s holiday-appropriate. We are under severe storm and tornado watch here and it is dark as night at 9 a.m. This is very frightening weather. There are also street flood warnings. I’m wondering whether I’ll be going to work or if the university might close due to the inclement weather.
Iris Ganache is the smell of love! Not only is it one of my all time favorites but I was wearing it the first time my boyfriend said, “I love you”. I will probably wear it Thurs when I see him next
That’s a nice perfume memory.
Hope the severe weather passed by and your day became less anxious.
Iris Ganache is lovely. Sending you calming vibes and safe passage through the bad weather.
Stay safe!
Hope the weather improves soon, stay safe.
Thinking of you – I hope you are safe.
That is a seriously wonderful teapot. I’m in Vol de Nuit (no, autocorrect, NOT “Suit”) again – love love love this one.
Mr. G just alerted me to the gorgeous sunrise we’re having here – wow.
You smell wonderful. I debated between VdN and Cuir de Lancome and went for the latter because I wanted some more warmth.
Ah, good choice – CdL is definitely cozy! It’s expected to be warmer than usual here today, and VdN is wonderfully adaptable. 🙂
Vol de Suit is funny! Now I’m picturing flying suits with nobody in them…
That is funny…and kinda creepy. ????
Or a Mad Men-era transatlantic flight?
I had the same mental image – kind of like the old flying toasters computer screensaver, but suits. 🙂
You smell lovely.
Thank you! I think so too. 🙂
I’m wearing Chocolate Man and craving the real stuff. I shared it with several of the other teachers at my school so we smell like the whole box. Enjoy this celebration of the strongest force in the world – love.
Nice!
Great idea – everybody radiating chocolate and love!
Perfect Valentine’s Day scent for you and all of the other teachers!
My husband is out of town for work, so we had a nice Valentine’s Day dinner last night. 🙂 It’s EL Sensuous for me today – I think this one smells both cozy and romantic.
Ohh, that’s a good one. I especially like Sensuous Noir.
I am trying so hard not to break and buy a bottle! Lol!
I’ve embraced the hemisphere flip and my SOTD is Neroli Dore. I predict we will be inseparable this summer.
I suspect it would be True Love for me, too, as I LOVE the opening of that one. Unfortunately, I seem to be anosmic to everything that happens after the 3 minute mark. 🙁
Working from home on a moderately chilly day. Cuir de Lancome it is.
That teapot is a beauty!
You smell wonderful!
Happy Valentines to everyone! Show a little love to everyone who’s important in your life….friends, family, coworkers, pets, the mail carrier, etc! 🙂
I was gonna wear a super sweet, rosy scent, but remembered that I need to show love to the Perfume Grinch at work…..so I kept it soft and quiet with a dab of Chloe (new). Roses and sweetness in my personal space!
Pretty! And subtle enough to NOT offend.
I smiled at your “mail carrier” 🙂
Happy Valentines to you too!
Huge fan of Chloe! Love both the original and the newer one! You smell really nice. Happy Valentines Day!
Happy Valentine’s to you, too! May all that love come back to you!
That was really considerate of you. And you smell wonderful!
I’m curious that others find Chloe subtle. It is a sillage monster on me.
Spread the love and you smell fantastic!
SOTD is Sud Magnolia.
Oh, I like that one – I actually own a bottle! You smell nice.
Sud Magnolia is a beauty…..you smell great!
SotD is Eau des Merveilles. The sun is out…the skies are blue…finally!
The weatherman said last night that we had 3 days of sun in January! 3!! Ugh- no wonder I felt like I was in such a slump.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Enjoy the sun!
*wonders if you’re my neighbor*
Wearing DSH Beach Blanket a happy coconut scent. Think I’ll find my sample of Aethereus to compare. Perhaps we could do a Friday project to Contrast and Compare how one note is treated in two different perfumes
Great idea for a project.
Thirding your excellent idea for a community project!
Definitely a great idea for a community project!
I love a good coconut, you smell delicious!
Beach Blanket is a great perfume name. 4th-ing your idea. I think we’d all learn a lot.
Great idea for a project!
Excellent, added to list!
Loving Si Lolita today which is feeling super cozy and sweet, exactly what I was in the mood for.
My brain is full of puppy fever! I’ve only had medium and large dogs but a poodle mix just shy of 14# has overtaken my brain. I know if I meet her I will take her home. Not sure what I will do!
I saw a man walking a poodle yesterday and it looked so happy it was almost prancing. It’s a sign…even your perfume says Si.
hee hee!
I once saw a standard poodle walking hand-in-hand with its elderly female owner. The poodle was walking on its hind legs.
I was in LA, in a car full of people with whom I’d been partying all night and thought I was hallucinating, but I had witnesses!
What a visual! ????
Si Lolita felt like nothing special at first, but then it grew on me. As for the dog… well, love takes no notice of size.
So true!!!
I have only ever had Papillons (small dogs) but they make me happy every day. Go for it!
I tried telling my family yesterday that with a dog so small maybe we should get two!!!
Si is a good one. Were you watching Westminster last night? It had me searching petfinders for a doggie… Small dogs are great (I like the idea of being able to overpower my dog, need be, rather than the other way around) and most poodle owners will tell you they’re the best dogs ever.
I was not watching Westminster but I do know what it’s like start the Petfinder search!!
Thanks to all of you for your comments. My last dog was large and had no problem walking for miles. Just wondering if I need a larger pup for hiking and walking. I have a couple research calls out now…!
I don’t know much about poodles but lots of smaller breeds are quite hardy – many will have more stamina than large dogs if they’re in good shape. Do stay away from toys and any of the varieties with smushed-up noses, though.
(I had a 20-25 lb terrier who could outlast me – and any other human or animal – on any kind of terrain and would never deign to let anyone know he’d put in an ounce of effort. But, you know – terrier. lol)
Good to know, thanks ????
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Shalimar is my SOTD.
That teapot is a beauty!!
Ooh, that’s a great scent for V-Day!
This is our first “official” Valentine’s Day with our little biscuit — last year’s didn’t count, since he was only five months old and therefore still basically larval. I’m going to try to find time after work to whip up a little chocolate cake with raspberries, like my mama used to do for me and my dad.
I’m wearing Une Rose in honor of the day.
Lovely plan.
Larval! ???? Enjoy your day!
How nice! Enjoy the evening with your family.
How sweet – I have great memories of Valentine’s Day with my parents, and I’m glad to hear it’s being continued.
One Valentine’s Day my dad gave me a present which was a heart-shaped glass bottle of some sort of perfume on a silk cord. This would have been around 1985 or so. I wish I had a clue what the perfume was.
Not doing anything special today, well I really can’t do anything tonight since I have to head into work at 1. Today, I am wearing Cuir de Russie. Remember when I spilled almost a full bottle of extrait? The majority of it landed on a bra and in spite of two washings, it still smells like Cuir de Russie. Yesterday, I went overboard with the STC and TPC decant sales and I can’t wait until I get them.
At least it wasn’t Secretions Magnifique… 😉
That is one “perfume” I refuse to try. There are much cheaper ways to smell like blood and cum shot. Sorry to be crude, guys, that’s just how I see it.
That description isn’t crude, because it’s so apt! And you’re right. Much cheaper ways to smell like that, should anyone ever want to smell like that…
LOL good point.
Thanks heaven it wasn’t! ????
Well at least The Great Spill yielded one positive result!
Care to share what you bought?
I got myself a sampler set of heliothrope and violet from STC. From TPC I had bought the new no 5 and a sampler set of the Amouage extraits. Now I severely got to get moving of finishing off some decants that I already have.
That ought to keep you busy for awhile! Can’t wait to hear about the violets.
I might never have washed that bra!
IKR? I love putting on a bra that smells like whatever I wore last. It’s almost like the winter robe effect 🙂
Amouage extraits!!! Could you please do a mini reviews once you try them?
Will do!
That is one fabulous-smelling bra!
Woo – that’s some fancy lingerie. You might attract some ardent followers wearing that bra.
SoVD: SSS Cocoa Sandalwood, one of Laurie’s naturals. I love this one! It’s not at all gourmand and it’s very well done. Perfect for the day.
Love that teapot!
That’s been on my “to sample” list for a long time. It sounds delightful.
Email me at rappleyea11 with a yahoo address and I can send you a sample (if you’re in the U. S.).
Wow! Thanks, Rappleyea. I’m email you right now. Perfume people are the best 🙂
Happy feast of Saint Valentine, for all those how are into it and celebrate it with their loved one, or are courting someone 🙂 (humm that sounds old fashioned…but English is not my first language)
SOTD:
I am burning incense today at home, instead of wearing perfume.
Matsu-No-Tomo*, by Shoyeido
(bought it in Japan last year in their Tokyo store near Ginza, I also visited the one in Kyoto)
*translation on their American site is ‘Friend of pine’
how = who (autocorrect, fat fingers or just not paying attention..)
“Friend of pine” sounds nice.
Yes it is a very nice scent. Soft and mellow. Prominent woods (sandalwood?), with a hint of almost minty (pine-y) green.
That does sound nice. And no need to apologize for your language skills! I’d never have known you weren’t a native speaker.
Lyric for me today. I love it but prefer it in warmer weather. It’s buried under clothing today.
Lyric is wonderful. Might have to wear that tomorrow.
It will be an excellent choice!
You smell great! A couple of days ago I caught a whiff of its remains on my scarf (after I already applied another perfume) and I wished I wore it instead. But I prefer it now – in our NorCal winter, if you can call it that 😉
Thanks! Warm-er is the operative word. Just enough heat to allow it to bloom without being stifling. 90+ daytime heat, and it’s too much.
I like to wear Lyric during the summer too. Regardless, you smell beautiful!
I first sampled it in early summer and that’s when I fell in love with it. And thank you ????
Twins! Except I cannot wear Lyric in warmer weather, it makes me feel queasy. Which is weird because I love it in cool weather.
Hey, twinsie! I think I can wear it in the heat because it’s not sweet or powdery to me and has a little tanginess. It still smells great in the cold but it seems a little muted.
You smell divine!
Thanks!
I’m feeling green in Atelier Cologne’s Figuier Ardent. I like that it’s green and woody rather than sweet, and I own a 7.5 ml bottle.
Beautiful teapot! I kicked the coffee habit during a recent illness and am now on the tea train, loving reading what everyone is drinking. I may even stray beyond Earl Grey and English Breakfast :-).
It might even prove to be more interesting than the perfume journey. I hope your illness has passed.
They’ve gone hand-in-hand for me as they’re so closely related.
Agree.
Glad you’re feeling better.
Happy Singles Awareness Day!
Ah, to be free to soak in the bath, listen to jazz, drink tea or Champagne, have cheese toast and have NO expectations to be sexy or alluring!
1) SOTD: Philosykos. Perfect for today, which will be partially sunny, and has a bracing summery feel to – green, yet with a sweet figgy depth.
2) And seriously, that is the plan for tonight – soaking in a Kneipp bath (I have a boxing class tonight!) cheese toast and Champagne (I got a split bottle) and lots of jazz by Al Jarreau.
Your night sounds amazing, and you smell great!
Fantastic and enjoy your indulgence! I’m partnered but am unbound by said expectations. Freedom is sweet ????
Ditto here!
Yup. My first thought was, “sounds like being married.” 😉
Yay! Comfy pjs, Champagne and cheese toast for the win!
Your plans for the night sound great–enjoy!
🙂 Thanks! I will!
Enjoy your relaxing evening!
You smell great! I almost went with Philosykos today myself. Enjoy the bath and the cheese toast!
Oh, it’s gonna be great! 🙂 Thank you!
I’m wearing AG Ce Soir Ou Jamais because I wanted something rosy for Valentine’s Day yet summery to fit with our theme. I love all of AG’s roses and looking forward to putting them into my regular rotation when spring comes.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
You smell great!
I’d sort of intended to wear Agent Provocateur today – this is a holiday for roses, lingerie, and perfume, so why not wear something combining all three? But instead, I put on Rhinoceros. The first Zoologist I’m revisiting! It’s less boozy and more herbal this go-round. Very nice.
I love the idea of either Agent Provocateur OR Rhinoceros!
Yes, because they are so similar! ????
Happy Valentines Day, Everyone! Well, we woke up to tornadoes and heavy storms this morning here in Houston. My family and I are fine. I hope all my fellow Houstonians who comment on NST are fine as well. What a morning! My knee is literally singing the blues this morning because of the weather. I am now my own meteorologist since my surgery. Lol! No PT today because of the storms.
My Valentine SOTD is Tom Ford’s Private Blend Jardin Noir Café Rose. Hope everyone has a “heartfelt” day!
Glad you weathered the storm.
Me too. Thank you!
Glad you’re OK! Stay safe.
Thanks!
Wow, that’s a bad way to wake up. Glad to hear you’re OK – hope your knee feels better soon!
You smell amazing
It was scary. Thanks.
Yes, my old knee is getting stronger everyday. 🙂
Good to know you’re ok!
Thank you!
Relieved to hear that you are yours are in one piece!
ARGH! That should be “you and yours”. Stupid typo.
Glad you are fine! Me too! After the storm passed things got fine. But I gather a lot of people lost power. It was pretty spooky there for awhile!
I did not know it was “Single Awareness Day”. I believe all we “singles” need no awareness or recognition that we are single in a coupled world. Although I have no partner nor “boyfriend”, today I am wearing a red sweater and heart earrings that someone made for me, along with red lipstick. I am drinks my usual Stash Chai green tea and my cup has red lipstick all over it. My SOTD is “Nostalgia” by Santa Maria Novella which I bought in Florence many years ago and it is still perfect. I chose that one because I am reading “A Italian Journey” and in the chapter I read last night the man was in Florence and I have many wonderful memories of my travels there.
Love your “Italian theme” today!
I love it when a perfume takes me away to another city or landscape like that. I might not feel the same if it were Eau de Sverdlovsk or Une Nuit a Detroit, mind, so at least part if it is the marketing imagery. :^)
Une Nuit a Detroit! Now I wonder how that would smell… gasoline and industrial metal?
I’ve had some pretty fun nights in Detroit…
Une Nuit a Detroit sounds like it should have a soundtrack from KISS in the background.
Thumbs up, Filomena! Enjoy your day.
Sounds like a lovely day for you, all around!
It’s actually not a coupled world, at least in the US where single adults outnumber marrieds. (Is that why we need “Singles Awareness?”) Childless adults are on the rise as well. Maybe we’ll get our own holiday soon 😉
True. Most of our friends are single and I’m in my mid 40s-although not having children may play a part in that. And hey, everyday is kind of a holiday when you don’t have kids ????
Ain’t that the truth. 😉
Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme on top of Rose Jam shower gel and Ro’s Argan body lotion — the plan being to swan around in roses all afternoon but settle down to a simpler cozy scent by dinner. (That’ll be Chrissy Teigen’s linguine and clams and Nigella Lawson’s butterscotch layer cake.)
Oh wow, you smell amazing!
Thank you! I can’t compete with that cake, if I’m being completely honest.
Butterscotch layer cake! That sounds delicious. And luxuriate in the rosy goodness!
Sorry for the typos…I am “drinking” my usual Stash Chai tea and the book is entitled “An Italian Journey”.
Happy Valentine’s Day all! Husband and I are not celebrating until the weekend (babysitter shortage) but I sprayed on some Carnal Flower to make things feel festive anyway.
Carnal Flower! Perfect. I hope you and your husband have a great belated valentines!
Now that’s my kind of tea pot. Old world and so charming.
Today I’m wearing Santal Blanc and sad that I’m just a couple of sprays away from emptying my decant. I wonder why it’s so hard to find. The other sandalwoods by SL are easily available but not this one.
A cookie recipe I was hoping to make this week required a tablespoon of pink peppercorn, of all things, which led me to search online for a cheaper version than I saw in the local stores – crazy expensive! Being that it’s used so much in fragrance I’m eager to experience the real thing. Curious that this is really just a dried berry and not really a peppercorn.
You know, I’ve recently discovered a fondness for pepper-cumin cookies. The recipe is from NYT, if you get bored give them a shot!
Will check them out! Thanks!
I think Santal Blanc was pulled from the export line and is now bell jar only. They did that with a few scents.
Hope you see this: I have a bottle and would happily send you a decant. My email is andrea deveto at “gmx” dot you-know.
Days always brighten up markedly in the DC area around mid-February, and my fall/winter orientals, spices, leathers, and gourmands start to feel heavy. I want something brighter, but it still has to stand up to cold and dry air.
SOTD: vintage Diorissimo.
How beautiful. I love it when the very first green tips of spring bulbs poke through snowy ground, that sense of reawakening .
“Brighten up” is the perfect description. It’s still wintry cold here on the other coast but longer days and soon-to-blossom shoots and trees herald the passage to spring. Last weekend I switched out my perfume rotation from deep winter to “transitioning.”
You smell fantastic.
The crabapple and forsythia are in bloom here (Charlotte NC) already, such a mild winter.
Blergh. Terrible headache and migraine tummy (sufferers, you know what I mean) so no perfume this AM. I am looking at a row of pretty decants I received today from Laura. Before my headache kicked in I tested Bvlgari’s Au The Rouge… which seems like a perfect scent for Valentine’s Day–but I don’t dare apply anything at the moment.
Last night my husband and I strongly disagreed about how long a certain individual in our government would keep his job. I said he’d resign any moment, and my husband said he’d be around for a while. We decided to give it a week to see who was right. We bet $30 for a bottle of wine, or $30 for perfume.
Voila! This AM I got my 3 ml of Rahele from TPC!
I think I have argued with my husband over politics more in the last two months than before the election, or at any time in the past. Ugh.
How’s the Rahele?
Mals, I thought of you when I put in the order for the Rahele decant this AM. TPC for some reason is only charging $24 for the 3 ml–that’s my $30 perfume winnings (the shipping and tax brings it up).
The dude resigned, and I get a small decant of Rahele.
Like you, I really like Rahele–but need to test it more.
Oh the political arguments… (visibly shudders)…
Ha! Great arrangement. Maybe you should send out a thank-you tweet! Hope the head calms down soon.
Ha! My tweet would be a photo of Daniela Bianchi from From Russia with Love…
Hoping you feel brtter soon!
Boo-yah. Enjoy that $30!
In the interests of maintaining marital bliss adorable hubby and I trade links to articles of interest in email, but don’t really talk about politics… 🙂
Good call! Enjoy your decant and hope the suffering soon subsides.
I’m glad you won your bet. I hope you feel better very soon.
I am so sorry you are not feeling well, but LOVE that you won perfume in a political argument.
My husband and I are of different political persuasions but we agree, at least, on some basics. For that reason we are having fewer bitter disagreements right now than we did during either of the past 2 administrations.
Sorry about the head and stomach upset. But winning perfume in an argument?? Most excellent!
I am trying to do tropical all week for the theme and today I am in Mayotte aka Mahora…
I am working through a decant and quite like this one…may have to find a full bottle on eBay of Mahora when I drain it. The opening is a bit sharp but then it blooms quite beautifully about 30 minutes in.
Happy Valentine’s Day! ♡
My recollection is that you can find bottles for a song. I recently got a decant of it from a very thoughtful NSTer but decided to hold off on testing it again as I’m guessing it needs actual warm air (not the fake indoor kind) to bloom.
Fighting cold with 2 sprays of Tauer LADDM ( on the regular days this amount would kill me).
Last year I was debating purchasing a bottle and decided against it. I love the juice, but it is so nuclear that I probably only need 1 ml vial a year 🙂 Money saved!
I hear you on the Tauers being super-powered! I wore some Une Rose Chypree the other day from a sample I bought in 2009, the year it was released. I like it, I wear it occasionally, but I’ve been working down this 2ml dab sample for EIGHT YEARS. It’s just now starting to smell weird and I think I must throw away the few drops left.
Wow, I am an overdabber!
Mals you win! It took me a year to finish 0.7 ml dabber. I purchased 2 more samples from Luckyscent and I will be all set for 2017 and maybe even for 2018. 🙂
Un Rose Chypree is on my short to sample list.
I considered a bottle as well and came to the same conclusion – and realized I could just buy a $6 sample from his site if necessary.
Good thinking!
Morning, very good morning, NST. Today’s going to be a bit of a muddle because of slightly over-lapping commitments and I found it hard to choose a scent that fulfilled the week’s theme and also imparted clarity. I need clarity badly, because the doc has insisted that I “do something” (take a pill, in other words) about my lamentable sleep pattern. I complied, I slept, and this morning I feel curiously detached from myself. The outside-my-body feeling will probably pass, but in the meantime, I need scented assistance. My super-hero is Vanille Galante. It says “tropicana ice cream”, so there’s the theme, and it dances and sparkles, so there’s the enlivening aspect. I might have to find the focus I need all by myself though.
Be well and superbly scented, one and all.
I keep Ambien and Klonopin on hand for sleepless nights, I feel a bit dull sometimes when I wake up but it passes within an hour. I much prefer that to lying awake.
Sorry for the out-of-body feeling but glad you slept!
Good choice – that’s one that works well in both cool and warm weather. Perhaps that out-of-body feeling is one of being well-rested? (Or maybe you can tell yourself that 😉 )
After a three-day mini vacation going back to work where I plan to belatedly celebrate my birthday (I’m bringing a cake) and I’m also bringing some champagne and cider – so we could “through in” Valentines celebration as well: the more reasons for festivities, the better.
I’m wearing de Rosine’s Rose d’Amour: I love this perfume and thought it was very appropriate for the occasion.
Happy Valentines Day to everybody! Let it be a little brighter for you today than a day before or after, no matter what you do or don’t do today.
Happy belated birthday! You smell great, that is my favourite Rosine.
Thank you, cazaubon. It is my favorite Rosine as well (though I should revisit the line: I’m sure it has at least a couple more I would love to wear).
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day!
Thank you, Petunia. The day was (still is) great 🙂
Happy (Belated) Birthday and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you, Petunia. The day was (still is) great 🙂
Happy Birthday and V-day! Appropriate perfume for the occasion.
Elisa P, thank you. I came up with this perfume in advance 🙂 When I promised Lucas to participate in his Month of Roses project, I told him 2 days, on which I had set perfumes to wear – my birthday and Valentine’s Day.
Happy birthday/ Valentine’s Day! I hope you had a lovely celebration.
Thank you, sistine . My vSO, friends and people around made this celebration really wonderful.
Happiest birthday to you Undina! Enjoy your day. 🙂
I am! I am enjoying it! Thank you, missyl!
Happy belated Birthday, Undina!
Jalapeno, thank you!
Wearing Black Cashmere for everyone up north!
And smelling gorgeous to boot! I’ll make you anothe decant for May. I’ve got a little pile of “Kanuka’s goodies” building up –Epices Marines, Epic, Jub 25, Misia….
Mmm, you smell nice.
Thanks for taking one for the team. You smell lovely.
I was just thinking that wearing a winter scent in summer has a lot more potential for unpleasantness than the other way around. Enjoy it if you can!
Perfect! Hope it is not smothering you!
One of these days I will get with the program and try Black Cashmere. I think it’s in the sample pile…
I don’t know where my head was this morning. I forgot all about Valentine’s day. Oh well, I am wearing Box of Eels.
So did I-and the guilt kicked in since my husband left me a card on the table before he left for work. Fortunately he gets home late so I can redeem myself.
You’re smelling fab!
How is it possible?!! I do not watch TV and almost do not listen to radio, but the last couple of weeks were all-in-your-face “VALENTINE’S” reminder wherever I looked 🙂
I forgot, too, until I logged in here.
This city is so over stimulating that I tune out a lot, so very possible I was oblivious.
I had an unwrapped gift and an unsigned card which I didn’t give him until tonight. All fixed!
Ha! Phew.
Box of Eels is appropriate perfume for any day, be it a big celebration or a quiet ordinary day. You smell just right! 🙂
Thanks! ????
Summer SOTD is “Tango” by Masque Milano. Notes are amber, jasmine sambac, rose, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, tonka bean, benzoin, sandalwood, guaiac wood, cedar and melilotus.
This is a very rich dark amber, so much so that I’m surprised it is meant as a Summer perfume. Perhaps in Summer one sprays less? I would have thought this one would be absolutely stifling with some heat behind it. I see a lot of users find the cumin note strong. It’s not something my skin amplifies.
My Skype interview went fine, I thought. I’ll probably find out more tomorrow – I’m part of a team being put forward for a big programme, and the client will be thinking about how the whole team came across as well as about individuals. Thanks for the good wishes yesterday! :^)
I got a sample of Tango in the summer and thought it would be good to wear in the winter…but forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder! I’m going to dig out the sample tonight and wear it to bed.
Ah, do report back! Because it seems we both think this one might be better in cold weather, but I have no warm weather experience to compare with. ;^)
I’ll cross my fingers for you 🙂
Good luck – my fingers are crossed. I hope you got a good impression of your potential employer.
Like your thinking! And good luck, K.
I hope it works out with the interview.
I fell in love with Tango and bought a decant (hoping that by the time I’m done with it they’ll release it in their new smaller bottle: I do not need 100 ml of any perfume, even the best one). I can’t imagine, though, wearing it in summer… For me it’s winter, maybe fall perfume.
Bring the tea you do not like to your church kitchen (or similar). Put a sign on them: Steal me. Really. Please.
Someone who enjoys them will take them, use them, and be delighted.
Wearing SL’s A La Nuit in moderation. I smell so good.
Great idea! I used to bring anything I didn’t like to work.
I’ve thought about doing something similar in my apartment lobby, but would people really be willing to eat/drink something left behind by a stranger? I wouldn’t.
You could put it in your office or on your desk with a sign “Free to a good home”.
I don’t do Valentine’s Day anymore; it brings up bad memories.
But I’m wearing Lyric and I smell lovely.
Yes, you do!
You certainly do smell lovely!
We do smell lovely!
You smell great!
Happy Valentine’s Day, NST! May your day be filled with love!
My SOTD is Pacifica Persian Rose, which I received as a gift–yay!
You smell so good!
Thanks!
You do smell good. I always give myself a spritz at Wholefoods and enjoy it every time. I should probably just get it already.
????
Yes, you should! You’d smell great.
Free spritzes rule. Yes, you definitely should get it–it’s too affordable no to!
Have you tried the Pacifica Persian Rose lotion? It’s gorgeous, IMO.
Do you like it better than the perfume?
Oooh, hard to say. There is a slight difference between the two. I do very much like that I can wear the lotion with other rose perfumes, or amber ones if I want to mix things up a bit.
OK, I just sniffed both my EdP and body butter. They are very similar, but the EdP is a little “brighter” to my nose. The lotion is moisturizing enough for winter. I would consider the EdP to be a year-round perfume. So I guess which one to get would depend on your personal preference of lotion/ body butter versus spray. Hope this helps.
I *think* I have. I have the shower gel and love it, but they’ve all been discontinued. I noticed most of the Pacifica candles have recently apparently been eliminated too, so I’m concerned about the body butters. If you love it, you might want to buy a few and keep them in the fridge or somewhere else cool.
Waiting by the phone as my sweet doggie has her dental today. Wearing Profumum Vanitas for its uplifting sweetness. Tea of the day is Kusmi St. Petersburg, my favourite. Got a nice card and chocolates from the DH and dogs. Have a great day!
I need dogs to buy me VD presents!
Uh-oh, hubby was asleep at the wheel?
He worked late. We will celebrate tonight. But he also is not so good at presents 🙂
SOTD is Mancera Roses & Chocolate. I like the dark chocolate opening, then it settles down to a slightly sweet floral.
For the ladies at work, for Valentines Day I made up some decants of Baiser Volé, R&C,, No 5 Eau Première, and MCG Noir Tropical. They seemed to appreciate it. I like to spread the love of perfume!
How cute and thoughtful!
Awww, sweet!
How nice to have co-workers who appreciate, and kind of you to share!
Such a wonderful idea, I’ll have to do that sometime! What a wonderful co-worker you are!
What a great idea. I bet you really brightened their day!
What a lovely idea!
I would love to be able to do that but, unfortunately, not in my current place.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I am so behind on my NST reading! Everyone’s comments are wonderful to read over breakfast, I just need to have a much longer breakfast. But that would mean getting up earlier and that’s a bit of a hurdle.
Parfum de Nicolai’s Maharanih for me this morning. It seems right for a sunny day that will probably be reasonably cool.
Happy Singles Awareness Day to me!!Lol.Too busy at work to celebrate either that or Valentine’s!SOTD Donna Karan Gold.One of the best swaps I ever made with Merlin(she swapped for my Azureè).Have a wonderful week everyone!X
Gold is so good. My fb just has few sprays left. Once it is finished I will need to replace it. In the mean time I will spray carefully. You smell great!
I have one I’d love to pass on. Click on my name to contact me.
Lol I like Singles Awareness Day. I am single and well aware of it. 😛
You smell lovely! I just got a decant of Gold from a lovely NSTer and like it very much. I also like Azuree, so thanks for reminding me that I never wear it!!
We need a better “umbrella” greeting for this day – something that covers the gamut, like happy holidays does. “Singles Awareness Day” is awful, no? But I never thought of Valentines Day as being exclusive to only one group. So – Happy Day of Love and enjoy the DK!
Day of Love sounds great!
Happy Valentine’s Day and Singles Awareness Day all!
As one in the latter camp, I’ve always enjoyed this quote: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvqBxUXIUAEZqvg.jpg
I’m wearing Tihota, and as Deputy Dawg has been known to exclaim, Musky!
Ha! That quote is awesome!
Love it! And I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
Excellent!
Cheers and congrats! Best part – very low likelihood of divorce. 🙂
Yesterday I enjoyed the other hemisphere idea thoroughly in tropical Manoumalia. I might be tempted to put some more on today, but I will be surrounded by Valentinians today and should probably get with the theme. Maybe I will copy you all and bust out my Lyric sample.
Somehow I deleted your email, but thank you for the samples. I sent you out a little package yesterday!
Oh, glad you got them! Did you like the Iris Nobile Sublime?
Vintage Opium for me today, inspired by memories of my grandmother and the Perfume Your Mother Wore post yesterday. Fits nicely for valentines too–my boyfriend finds it very appealing!
Lovely. (One of my favorite posts ever, BTW.) My H almost always likes classic perfumes on me, regardless of their decade. There’s a reason they’ve been loved and worn by many generations! (And Opium really is sexy 🙂 )
Cozy in Alahiiiine! 🙂
🙂
Woke up to some very nasty weather this morning and discovered that my back door will leak if it rains hard enough. I’m glad I have tile floors so it was easy to clean up. On the up side, it did cool down some. So I’m wearing Patou Sira des Indes today.
I was wondering about you today and hoping you were safe on your end! Glad you only had minor issues. Isn’t it crazy what we have to go through to get some “cool” weather? The chill is well-received by me. I love the cool – cold weather!
Still battling this head cold and with my squeeze on travel for work still I’m not wearing anything (which depresses me). But I feel like I waste it if I can’t smell myself- selfish I know! 😆 I still love hearing what you all are wearing and imagining how wonderful you all smell! Hope you all are having a lovely day!
Hope it starts to clear tomorrow!
Feel better soon!
BTW, how will you know that your smelling has improved if you do not wear anything? Maybe you should try? Just a tiny dab or spritz? Just an idea 😉
It’s been a very long day – high school students seem to have an amazing ability to inject all possible drama into Valentine’s Day. I had to comfort 3 sobbing people who thought their significant other did not gift them appropriately (while thinking to myself “Seriously? When did people start crying about this?”), moderate a break-up, and watch too many far too rapturous reactions to being asked on a date.
Oof. I feel old and crabby. I’m excited to go home to spend a quiet night with my husband, our cat and a book. At least I smell great – I wore Kelly Caleche today.
My gosh. SO glad, for the gajillionth time, to not be in high school anymore.
That!
Good lord *eye roll* But you smell incredible!
I feel a little guilty for laughing about the high school drama your day contained. SO very glad I don’t have to deal with that! And thankful that there are teachers and counselors who can.
Good grief. I just could not bring myself to deal with that, so well done, you! And you smell great.
On a day when many of our minds are on roses, I have to share a most curious and wonderful thing. My husband, who gives nary a thought to aesthetics or his outward appearance has taken to wearing perfume, specifically rose perfumes. This is a man who I have to dress lest he be taken for a hobo, who will only relent to comb his hair when I absolutely insist on it (even though he looks like Bozo the clown when he doesn’t) and who I had to work on for 9 years to let me put some damn lotion on his face (he’s been going to dermatologists since his teens for “problem skin” – he actually has great skin, it was just really dehydrated and needs daily care.)
A couple of weeks ago he asked to try some perfume and I spritzed him with Aramis Calligraphy Rose. The following evening, he sprayed himself post- evening shower. Now he puts it on in the morning for work! (On a construction site, no less!)
I’ve tried a few others on him (some Guerlain and Hermes masculines, a leather) but thus far they’ve all been a no-go except other roses! He wore Rosine Twill Rose last night and it was dreamy on him. Anyway, you can imagine what a kick this is for me. A partner who’s also a partner in crime! 🙂
Today I’m wearing the last of a Tubereuse Criminelle sample (which I have no recollection of using in the past, so I’m wondering if the rest of it evaporated – it’s quite oily) as my week of white florals continues.
Eventually I will make my way to Carnal Flower, which I suspect may be The BWF for me. I’m thinking about doing a split of the travel set if anyone’s interested…
BTW, the 2 of us went to Fran’s Chocolates recently (do they have stores in other parts of the country? if there’s one near you, do make the trek there for their drinking chocolate) I mentioned (possibly instructed) that a person might really appreciate it should one of the pink heart-shaped boxes full of chocolates make its way home on Feb 14.
I’m not betting the farm on this one.
Oh, what fun!! You guys will have to try the new Etro ManRose.
I’d love to if Etro samples weren’t so hard to find!
Very exciting! My husband stopped caring about fashion and appearance after the 80s (when he also wore make-up from time to time). I have no hope of making a convert out of him. Have you tried Habit Rouge Dress Code? I think it’s delicious!
He tried some vintage Habit Rouge edc and didn’t like it. That’s okay by me, though – I’ll wear it myself. 😉
That’s a great story! 😀
Wouldn’t be great if his co workers also started wearing rose scents of other flowery fragrances? Then you’ll have the most interesting smelling construction site in the world. 🙂
Hahahaha! That really did make me LOL!
This is hilarious. My husband steals my Amouage Dia.
Happy Valentine’s Day NST! I’d like to take a moment to say thanks to all of you for being a safe harbor during the last 8 months of crazy in my life. It was wonderful to come somewhere, even if only virtually, that reminded me “This too shall pass”. And I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
SOTD = a grab from the sample stash. SL Ambre Sultan.
I am so glad you are able to see the light at the end. NST really is a wonderful place to come to, in good times, and not so good. Take care.
Yay!! And never forget that by being here, you are also part of someone else’s (or many others) safe harbor.
Hear, hear for light! You smell delicious today.
8 months is a lot of crazy to endure. Congratulate yourself for getting through it. We’re often stronger than we give ourselves credit for. And agree that a sheltered island of generous and kind perfume-lovers helps.
You smell great! You found a great community and wonderful perfumes, so now I wish you to find also a good balance yourself in other areas of life.
And to you! Hope it’s uphill from here.
I hope you reach the light at the end very soon, Jalapeño!
Glad things are on the up and up. I will respond to your email tomorrow.
In a funny not funny way, when people use the expression seeing light at the end of the tunnel for something positive, there’s always the one person who remarks with — as long as it is not the headlight of an oncoming train!
Wearing SL La Fille Berlin from a generous perfumista and ‘Basking’ in the rosy loveliness.
Happy day to all you NSTrs! I sure have enjoyed reading all the posts and the sense of kind community here.
Shower some someones with love, and enjoy! ❤
FdB is a definite ‘basker’, in my book. You smell great!
Another day zipped by so fast I will be one of the last commenters! Valentine’s Day means half-price chocolates tomorrow, so I will celebrate that. I tried MFK Oud Satin Mood this morning, on me it is all sweet and powdery with only the tiniest bit of oud (it might only be my imagination, there is so little.) Looking forward to the Working Class at Westminster this evening. I love all those dog breeds.
I always like night 2 of Westminster best as well (terriers!)
I was looking at the sample sets on the MFK site the other night. It’s a brand I’m not at all familiar with. If I ever bite the bullet on a set I’ll let NST make my choices for me.
Enjoy tomorrow’s sales!
But you’ll be buying only “best in class” chocolates, right? 😉
I see what you did there 🙂
I am continuing my Month of Roses!
SOTD = Marni Marni
3 spritzes from my travel spray petered out after 4 hours but no matter because I am still smelling the ghost of Potrait of a Lady from yesterday! I’ll wear a larger dose (of Marni, for the avoidance of doubt) next time. BTW, I think I am on theme with wearing something more suitable for the other hemisphere. Polka dots remind me of summer and Marni has plenty of dots!
Polka dots is definitely summer!
I think I’m still smelling PoaL ghost on my pillowcase from several days ago. It’s good that I love it. On the other hand, Carnal Flower that didn’t work for me at all (to put it mildly) also stays on whatever it touches forever… So one has to be very careful with testing/wearing perfumes with good longevity 🙂
Carnal Flower is another perfume where we have opposite tastes. I have a good number of manufacturers samples that the FM SA kept sending me. Next time, I’ll ask her to throw in POAL instead!
It was POAL to the rescue, then!? I have got to sniff it some day when I get to a FM counter.
Yes! I’ll see what I can do about your perfume desert 😉
OMG, I’d die. ???? Happy Valentine’s, hajusuuri!
I have all the Marnis but only wear them in summer. I love them when it’s warm out but they kind of repel me in the cold.
Wearing my new Heritage edp, which is unfortunately a disappointment. It’s much flatter than the STC decant I’ve almost emptied. I bought the decant in 2012, maybe, and STC probably had it in stock for some time, so suspect reformulation. Sigh.
On a brighter note it is our 24th anniversary, and though out of town my husband left me two chocolate covered strawberries in the fridge. Sweet.
Happy anniversary! And with chocolate covered strawberries to boot!
Happy Anniversary!
Keeper! 😀