Happy Almost-Friday! Plus, happy birthday to Sir Patrick Stewart. What fragrance are you wearing?
I am commando again. We are not expecting lovely weather today, but it isn't too bad, and I will probably kayak over to the beach anyway.
Reminder: on 7/14 we're celebrating Bastille Day! See if you might possibly have anything French in your collection? Extra points for extra-French-ness, or for silly perfume Frenchification.
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: top image is Place de la Bastille by Tekniska museet at flickr; some rights reserved.
Vintage(-ish — 1970s?) Bal à Versailles by Jean Desprez. Smutty amber. Particularly French, I think.
Particularly wonderful also
I’ve got some vintage of BaV and boy howdy is that one randy and dirty scent, especially in the drydown!
Mmm…love me a good smutty amber.
continuing my exploration of never worn scents- Agent Provocateur Petal Noire, de Rosine Rose Kashmire (love), L’Artisan L’Ete en Douce, MDCI Rose di Siwa, Eau d”italie Paestum Rose and L’Antichambre Le Chocolate (delicious!)
almost Friday, folks
Love Rose di Siwa!
yes it is lovely!
Yay for Rose de Siwa and Paestum Rose!
Yay indeed! I like them both and am passing them on to a younger family member who is exploring roses at the moment….
What is the Petal Noire like?
to my nose it is a sweet pretty floral that comes in a lovely bottle
here is Jessica’s take-
https://nstperfume.com/2013/02/15/agent-provocateur-petale-noir-fragrance-review/
I let the pros do the talking
and winding down the day with Tzora (Anat Fritz), L’Etrog Acqua (Arquiste), Poppy Rouge (DS & Durga- what an amazing tomato leaf note at the onset…at least to my nose!), Diamond (Frieda D) and Mughetto di Privavera (i Profumi di Firenze)
Paestum Rose!!! I tried that one years ago and LOVED the drydown. Still waiting to try Rose de Siwa though. Nice rosy day!
L’Artisan Parfumeur day. I am wearing La Chasse aux Papillons. What amazes me in this fragrance is that though it’s built around tuberose (which I love but often find too heavy for hot weather) and other white flowers, it’s great for summer. There are other summer tuberose scents, but they are often too ‘watery’, so I feel something is missing in them. This one preserves tuberose’s strong personality but is lighter and easier to wear than other great tuberose scents.
Twins! It is a great summer perfume.
House cousins! I love many L’A perfumes, but unfortunately not La Chasse, which seems to be the most widely beloved of their line. The linden takes over on me, and I smell like household cleaner.
You smell so pretty. You are right, it is so easy to wear. I have a hard time with most white florals, but La Chasse just works for me.
Perfect description!
Beautiful scent!
I had intended to continue wearing French houses, but my FB of Mito is out for delivery today, so I am wearing the last of my decant to celebrate.
Fantastic!!
Yay! Enjoy.
Twins – I ordered a partial bottle of Mito from e bay that is out for delivery today also!! Does it smell similar to Cristalle to your nose? It’s blind buy for me.
To me, Mito is a more wearable fragrance. I personally find Cristelle a bit shrieky on my skin, whereas Mito, while equally green, has a more rounded quality which makes it more wearable.
Oh I’m relieved – looking forward to trying this one. Thank you for your thoughts! ????
I’m wearing Shalimar extrait de parfum, basically the filthiest vanilla available. I always forget just how stunning it is, although perhaps not entirely work appropriate. Anyway, one of the greats of French Perfumery.
Holy cow, you smell amazing!
Maybe one day I can have the parfum…for now I will have to be content with the other iterations, one of which I intend to wear tomorrow.
It is! I’ve only got the extrait which I blind bought off ebay when I was still buying a lot of perfume. No regrets though.
There simply are not words for how wonderful you smell
Thank you
Twins! You smell amazing!
Isn’t it great to wear something this beautiful?
You smell fab
Thanks!
Shalimar cousins! I’m just in a spray of the edt from a sample. This is my first time trying it, and since I find the basic new formulation this nice, I’m going to have to explore all of the formulations and vintages.
The Shalimar rabbit hole is a delicious one to tumble into
It is, but I’m sure the extrait provides the most luxurious corner of that hole. It’s out of this world.
I’ve never even tried the EDT, I would have loved to try the Laurent EDT, called Shalimar Eau Légère or something.
Ooh, that must really be something. One of these days I’ll pick some up, but my Shalimar collection is getting a bit ridiculous at this point.
Perhaps you have saved the best till last?
Triple strength coffee.
Well it had to happen, sooner or later.
I’ve been outed. I am a closet heterosexual, and a playa, at that!
In line at the Dollar Tree (hosted a sleepover for three preteens, never enough napkins and tricked out Twizzlers !!!!), the woman in front of me turns, eyes me up and down, and says, “Your girlfriend’s perfume smells wonderful, it must have transferred when you gave her a hug.”
LOL.
Now I smelled Eau de Anheuser-Busch on her, so I thought, I’ll play along.
“Well I better shower before my wife finds out. ”
LOLOLOL.
The people behind me were stirring, the playa best make a hasty retreat.
Cinnamon and sugary,
With softly spoken lies,
We never know just how we look,
Through other people’s eyes.
When you encounter a perfume cross dresser, playa or just an open minded sprayer ?
Carpe Diem. Peace.
Yes yes yes I won’t leave you hanging……
My girlfriend’s perfume?
Michael Kors (2000) tuberose, frankincense, diffusion, and lots o’ fun !!! Also SOTD.
Cheers!
Love it!!!! Particularly your come-back!
You gotta love a snappy comeback!
Perfect comeback! LOL! Outed when you didn’t even know yourself! HA HA HA HA
You really made me laugh! Fantastic!
Love it!!!! Thanks for the laughs and you smell good too.
Hilarious! Love the comeback and eau de Anheuser Busch.
Ha! Great comeback!!
Michael was the only perfume I liked when I was pregnant – didn’t like it before and don’t like it now. Noses are weird. There was a fairly vicious review of it in The Guide, which gives me an idea for a Friday challenge: wear the worst-reviewed fragrance that you love.
We actually did something about wearing a 1 star review from The Guide
I missed this one! Sorry, Do Son . . .
Pepper!!
What is this triple strength coffee that you speak of? Do you make it at home with an espresso maker? I am on an internal quest for the perfect cup of coffee
Your favorite coffee, using 3 times the recommended grounds.
I have an ancient drip Mr. Coffee.
Old school!
LOL.
I have a Venti BlackEye @ Starbucks, to give you an idea of my taste.
Their boldest brew du jour, 2 shots of espresso, no room for cream or sugar.
Watch out boy !!!
LOL.
YMMV
Woah! You win, ha
I definitely need a better cup of coffee, I think I will go back to a drip too – kurig is not cutting it, I’m drinking like 9 cups a day, its just not strong enough
Great comeback! I’m so impressed that you were able to think of a snappy thing to say in the moment. I always think of the perfect thing 5 minutes later…
Ha! That’s perfect. Spreading the love perfumista-style.
Love it! And I hope the preteen sleepover is a success!
lordie, Bear that was the best story ever!!!!!!
Priceless!
Snickered a bit reading your post, Bear.
I’m in Chamade today. I was reaching for Vol de Nuit, but the Chamade called to me instead.
House twins!
I just wore Chamade for the first time recently, and I love it. You smell great.
Same and same. I was about to spring for a fairly spendy bottle, but I really have to drench myself to get much from it, so decided not to.
SOTD is Annick Goutal’s Heure Exquise – tried because of many NSTers, and am falling for it quickly. So … thanks y’all!
Heure Exquise is lovely and very French!
Heure Exquise is such a beauty <3
Oooh, can’t wait to try that one – I imagine you smell great !
It’s really nice – on me it’s a bit like Chanel 19 EDT with more powder and a bit of sandalwood. Very soft and lovely.
that description is helpful, thanks
I’ve never really smelled a No 19 connection, but I do smell a link to the original Oscar de la Renta, particularly the extrait. And I think the name is an intentional reference to L’Heure Bleu?
Ohh, maybe I will wear this tomorrow… You smell lovely!
If you would like a decant, I have a humongo bottle
Ran out of the house scentless! (Waited until the very last minute to get outta bed….)
Dug around the ol purse, and I’m back in my sample of Carolina Herrera Good Girl. My skin pulls straight mocha from it; I really like it!
Have a great day y’all!!!
Ha! Thank God for those samples we keep tucked away at the bottom of our purses. They have bailed me out many a day.
Preparing for French Friday – I’m in Sycomore by Chanel. Loooooooooove it!
You smell divine, and quite unique!
Thanks!
you smell great!
Thanks!
Was thinking about Coromandel for this cool damp morning, but then Lolita Lempicka called to me. Love the purpley smell and cute bottle.
I was so close to re buying LL the other day. I believe I’ve gone through two bottles. I might just go back for more. You smell great!
I’m in Bois des Iles for the first time. Got a decant a while ago, but just trying it now.
What is your opinion ??
Twin!
So far, it’s not love. I think it would be better in cooler weather.
It took me a few wears to see what all the fuss was about, but now I love it. I have not tried the new edp though.
That’s one I love immediately and went through a decant in no time. Then I bought more and wondered what I was thinking. I’m just starting to come around to it again.
Soooo hot. Expecting 93 degrees but it will feel in the 100’s. However, I am freezing in the office as usual, which right now I prefer. Wearing Caron Nocturnes. Enjoying the aldehydes, flowers and sandalwood notes.
One of the few fragrances that come close enough to a signature scent for me…began wearing it in the early 80s and always had a bottle in rotation…I still have one last vintage bottle left
Nocturnes is a wonderful perfume. One that I really love. I have never tried the vintage, but I am sure it is gorgeous.
I recently sprayed the updated Nocturnes when I was visiting at the high end pharmacy uptown on Madison AVe near the Annick Goutal boutique that lovestosmellgood and elisa p recommended (the name of the store escapes me but the SA was very very pushy!) and I have to say that it smells pretty darn good…the vintage is slightly richer and less diffuse but I would happily take a bottle of current stuff when my vintage runs out.
Oh! It was good that you had the opportunity to try and compare the updated version with the vintage.
I am so glad to hear that the new version is good. Thank you!
I adore Nocturnes – wore it frequently in H.S. – you smell lovely!
Thank you! You also smell great in Caron Fleur de Rocaille!
I also wore Nocturnes a lot in high school
I have a sample of Caron Fleurs de Rocaille that I received when I bought a bottle of Piu Bellodgia. It really smells pretty. The Caron boutique was very generous with samples. I wish they would have included one of Fleur de Rocaille. Very confusing how they named two of their scents almost the same name.
SOTD Chanel Bois des Iles extrait. The drydown is just blissful.
Bois des Iles is my ideal perfume. I have the giant 200ml EdT, which is very fine, but have never smelled the extrait. It’s the stuff of dreams, that scent.
Was on hold yet again with the cable and phone provider after having the technician came yesterday. The key to resolution is having the technician or supervisor who knows all of the intricacies of the system.
Wearing Chanel No. 5 L’Eau. Perfect for when you aren’t sure if perfume is appropriate, but can’t stand to be commando.
Yes! L’Eau is perfect for that. You know you’re adding fuel to my desire for a FB, don’t you? Enabler alert over here!
Go for it! It’s a lovely skin scent now and compared to the Exclusifs, it is practically free.
You smell fab!
You smell so lovely!
Dyptique Geranium
From a sample – it’s lovely!
Probably not terribly unique, in the beginning the green sparkliness reminds me a bit of Chanel number 19 – but 19 smells more “perfumy” to me and this is overall more Herby – I’m enjoying
You smell lovely! There’s something very uplifting about Geranium Odorata
Thank you! Yes, it is uplifting isn’t it
That is such a great pick-me-up scent! I used it to wake me up on the Avon walk a couple of years ago!
And it’s got some power, which is great
You smell fabulous. GO is my favorite Dyptique that I’ve sampled to date.
This is the first Dyptique I have tested, I would buy a bottle if I could stop thinking “what else is out there?”
I finally remembered to mail your package so you should have something more to try next week.
Thank you ScentSpirit!
You smell fab! Love that one and meant to bring it with me on my trip but forgot to pack it ???? I find it very refreshing.
Virtually spritzing you! : )
Ooh! Geranium is one of my favorite notes, and I’ve had good luck with a lot of Dyptique fragrances. A lemming has been born.
Today I’m wearing Diptyque Oud Paleo.
You smell great!
I really Oud Paleo.
ditto!!
Vintage 1980s Shalimar extrait. Just a couple of drops it’s beautiful.
A couple of drops is all you need! I’m enjoying it a lot. Mine is more recent, I guess 2007-2009.
Everything about Shalimar is just about perfect!
You and austenfan smell wonderful!
Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilee. I love this pine, citrus, mint fragrance.
You smell great!
I just bought a bottle of this today! You smell great!
Thank you! I really enjoy wearing this fragrance.
Very nice!
It’s a bit odd but wonderful. I prefer the edp, which is less citrus and more pine/incense.
Commando as I am doing a very quick trip to a place where poutine has no calories, ice wine flows like water, and the prime minister is a total hunk. Just bringing a decant of Songes
Have fun!
Bon voyage, you smell like a dream ????
Isn’t Quebec a great place to visit ??
Enjoy
Yes it is!
Forgot to mention how nice the people are
Pick up one of the t-shirts made for Canada 150 that says “nice” on it.
Have a wonderful time!
Do you have any recommendations for Montreal? I’ll be there in a few weeks.
there are a couple (at least) Montrealers on here, perhaps one will pipe up
?
What kind of recommendations would you like: food, bars, museums, cycling, other?
Hoity-toity Gibby’s. Go hungry as the portions are BIIIGG, but you pay for it.
For something great at reasonable prices, try Chez Suzette in Old Montreal. The inside is very cafeteria plain, but the food – fabulous!
Excellent! Have a great trip!
I want to go with you!!!!!!! I love it there…
Have fun! Stop by a David’s Tea for an icy cold refreshment (I love their iced fruit infusions) and Bridgehead coffee shop for excellent iced (or hot) lattes and croissants. (Both have multiple locations in Ottawa.) Also highly recommend a meal at Ceylonta – delicious Sri Lankan food.
Playing catch-up in L’A Passage d’Enfer. I fell in love with this last fall and got a bottle for Christmas. It’s more floral in cool weather, and more green in hot weather – luckily I love both faces.
Vintage Caron Narcisse Blanc, trying to get the most use out of it since the decant is steadily evaporating. Why does that always happen to rare, vintage, and/or pricey perfume?
You smell lovely! I adore Narcisse Blanc. I’m joining you wearing Caron, but mine is Fleur de Rocaille.
I’m wearing a French sailor inspired t-shirt today and very red lips….
House cousins
Fun! That is one of my favorite summer looks.
I found my bottle of Casmir late last night, spurred by somebody’s post yesterday, and gave myself a spritz before bed. It stuck around all night, and I can just still smell it, pre-shower. Not sure what my post-shower scent will be, but I might see if I can find something to promote a sense of calm – I am still in the midst of a whole house purge, and boxes are stacked up everywhere, waiting to be scooted out of the house….
Glad you found your bottle. Yay for house purging!
I love Casmir. Such an underrated gem. It just smells so good – and surprises me anew every time I wear it.
Love Casmir and love purging.????
Casmir was part of my small collection when I was in high school (over 20 years ago) and I still love it. You smell great!
I’m wearing Chance eau Vive. It fits the humid weather, but not my mood. I’m going to change it once I get to work. What do you guys wear when you’re agitated?
Something loud, that screams, Out my way!
Got Amouage?
LOL.
Sadly, no. But i like the way you think!
I wear no 19 when I need to straighten up, but lately Songes to feel cheerful and uplifted
I really need to try Songes!
I usually go the opposite direction from Bear’s
when I’m agitated. Something soothing like TF Noir Pour Femme or Barbara Bui, or something a bit under-the-radar like Philosykos. But then, I’m an under-the-radar kinda gal, and your style (like Bear’s) might be completely different. I say wear whatever it takes to get you where you need to be.
I love the Pour Femme, but i have that filed under my sexy scent list. Lol
I go for something intense when I’m agitated about something within my control (like procrastination and needing to get things done), something like Sauvage helps me channel that stress into productivity. But for something external, like random bad encounter on the way to work, I prefer something brighter and floral like JM Orange Blossom.
Hope your day gets better!
Thank you!
Thanks for all the awesome suggestions. I ended up with a big dose of Coco. Strength and comfort all in one. Plus french:) although I think one of my customers didn’t appreciate it. Oh well.
F ’em !!!
Sorry/not sorry.
Rock on, lillyjo!
Coco would help calm me down. I like smooth and woody for relaxing myself.
Incense scents are my “keep calm and carry on” perfumes.
Chanel No. 19 EDP
Continuing Miller & Bertaux week with green, green, green and… green, which for all my amusement at the franglais is a pretty good description. This bottle is THIS CLOSE to being the first FB I ever use up, and I think I probably won’t replace it – I love it but TokyoMilk Ex Libris and Hermes Jarden en Med both scratch the same itch for me.
You smell good!
Loved that one. Unfortunately my bottle did not hold up well.
My bottle of this went off too. I bought it used, so I don’t know what condition it was in. Shame because I love the stuff.
Doing my best impression of a chic French woman in No. 19 EdP. If I’m not fooling anyone, please don’t tell me.
You smell divine. No. 19 is perfection.
SOTD is Caron’s Fleur de Rocaille (vintage – 80s) with notes of mimosa, lilac, jasmine and iris, sandalwood and amber.
Feeling very ‘French’ today!
B of I for a day in a room full of people learning an entirely new computer system. Again. Every health system uses a “new and better program.”
Ah, technology! You’d think patient care would be more important, but no ma’am! The computers are key to reimbursement! I think I’m too old to be a nurse…
A wonderful older doctor lamented to me that the computer gets between him and his patients. But some seem happy reading the screen rather than facing you.
I get a lot of the latter, which always irritates me. The best medical care I’ve gotten is from providers who sit and talk at length with me, although there are some who are capable of doing both. But I find it really off-putting to start an appointment with someone whose only contact for the first 5 minutes is with a computer.
My doctor said the same thing.
Just stepped outside and we’ve had a smattering of rain after a long (for here) dry spell and it smells AMAZING!
I also smell amazing, to say so myself, in 31 Rue Cambon which I haven’t worn in a while. So great.
Ooh, I love that “just rained” smell!
I’m in La Haie Fleurie today. Not especially long lived, but awfully pretty while it lasts!
Early confession: I’m the happy owner of a new bottle of l’Attesa, which I justified purchasing since it was 20% off. I can report that in addition to being an achingly gorgeous iris, the bottle is terrific, with one of those magical sprayers that does a super-fine mist.
You smell beautiful and congrats in your new bottle!
Love the bottle, the sprayer, and the perfume!
I agree, the Masque bottles are so good!
I ended up buying Romanza, but L’Attesa is also gorgeous, i am glad I still have 2 samples of it.
I am in Do Son EDT this morning…I may go crazy in the afternoon and boost it w/ some of the EDP. ????
YOLO!
lolol!
I’ve recently tried Do Son, it’s lovely. Didn’t last very long on me, but i think it is because i dabbed instead of sprayed.
Jardin Sur le Nil for today. Cool in the extreme heat.
I loaned mine to a friend to try out am and really missing it!
Happy “Friday Eve” Everyone! Gosh, I can’t believe how fast the summer is passing by. Not much of a summer break this year; maybe 5 weeks altogether. I go back to work to begin the new school year on the 24th.????
My SOTD is Lady Vengeance by Juliette Has A Gun. I already got 2 compliments on it, so that made me feel really nice. Hope everyone has a nice day.
It was a beautiful morning here and I was up at the crack of dawn and got out on the water for some paddling in the kayak. Then coffee at my favorite coffee shop.
Now post shower in Eau d’Hadrien. There’s nothing like a good citrus in the heat and humidity.
Ah, summer.
I got an email from Madewell yesterday for a sneak peek at their fall/winter line….Noooo!????
Eau d’Hadrien is one of my favs. You smell super.
I keep getting those emails and they are a BIG FAT downer! STOP IT
SotD = Vol de Nuit edt from a decant, spritzed liberally on wrists for maximum sniffage. Right now I believe I could smell this for the rest of my life and never tire of it.
VdN smells of grown-up perfume. Or purr-fume, one that purrs along like the engine on a Lockheed Electra 10E. So well constructed, the sum truly is greater.
And I’m an absolute sucker for citruses on top of a woody floral. From France. Ooh-la-LA.
I sprayed some Rose Anonyme in the morning. The weather was dreary in the morning (still many clouds after the rain on Wednesday) but in the afternoon some sun peeked through the clouds though temperature remained at crisp 19*C
I’m wearing California Reverie on a cool, overcast morning. Trying to summon the push to get in a long walk today but what I really want to do is take a nap.
You smell lovely. I hauled myself out on a 20 mile bike ride and then had a nap. It was great.
Sotd is Vetiver extraordinaire, Frederic Malle: Dominique Ropion, from a sample.
Sounds pretty French to me!
And since 2 hours my wrist is covered in Eau de Merveilles Bleue. I wanted to try this again in summer. Its lovely, but I like the original more.
me too, my heart belongs to the original EdM.
To me it feels like the original has more depth and warmth.
I do love the blue EdMB bottle though…but its a bit too expensive to buy just for the bottle. I’d rather save my money for scents I really love.
I agree, I love blue bottles, but I can not buy a fragrance I will not wear.
I would love a special edition EdM bottle in shades of blue or green. Perhaps I should find a way to paint my own.
There was a limited edition blue pegasus bottle with the original EdM scent in it, if you ever run across one of those. I have it and it is lovely.
You should spray EdM Bleue lavishly.
Makes sense:)…and probably best when really hot outside…?
Another contender for salty is Acqua di Sale, but I really need to test it again. Was not big love at first sniff, but interesting and likeable enough to try again!
Super hot and humid in the DC area today, time for AG Ninfeo Mio.
Today I’m in the power house, Patricia de Nicolaii Eau Soleil. Lots of projection, and good longevity. Just 2 spritzes will take me through the day.
SOTD is Hermes “Bel Ami” EdT. Chosen in honour of French men (well, Parisian men really) – I’m afraid it’s true, they have a certain je ne sais quoi and I hate their ability to live on bread and cheese and stay slim.
Top: mandarin, sage, bergamot, lemon and cardamom;
Mid: carnation, patchouli, orris, basil, jasmine and cedar;
Base: leather, coconut, vanilla, oakmoss, vetiver, styrax and amber.
First time trying this (as is usual Mon-Fri when I wear samples). I didn’t like it on first application, nor when I resprayed after lunch. I don’t often enjoy leather-focused scents, it’s true. It’s (high!) time to leave work now so I’m re-spraying more generously and I like it better this way. But I don’t like it enough to get a decant or FB.
Yet, despite the availability of perfumes, my impression of previously encountered French men make me think that they only shower twice a week and think they smell fabulous.
Oh, and the skinny pants! As long as they are not tomato red, I like that look, especially the ones with perky glutes.
I saw a lot of men with tomato red (or brick red) pants in France and Italy lately… Preferably with a green or blue polo shirt…(argh my eyes!)
I saw such a yucky vision today
Out for an early morning swim in the ocean before the sun and people hit.
Went to the Allerton Gardens yesterday. Interesting history and quite beautiful. Like a more rugged Hearst’s Castle.
Will wear OJ Frangipani later.
And Luckuscent email says they now carry Ormonde Jayne ????
It got cool today, so I went French and inappropriate with a little dab of Dior Leather Oud, a sample I have eked out for a long time, due to its old-fashioned raunchiness.
SOTD is Mugler Chyprissime from a trip to Paris. The temps have dropped a bit but the humidity is so high we have to have the air on. Since I’ve been stuck at my desk for ages, I am wearing some of my fall/winter scents!
Okay! I promised yesterday to empty my sample vial of Iris Silver Mist on my person, and I pretty much did!
Wow, it starts out with carrots and dirt. But really good smelling carrots and good smelling dirt. Five minutes in, this is a bit strong. I can see why Luca calls this a ‘sinister iris’.
After about 30 minutes, it is lovely – powdery, rooty iris and vetiver, and something spicy/peppery in the background. Then the pepper backs off and nearly disappears. This fragrance is grounded, but airy at the same time! I think you could wear it any time of the year, but only on vacation, because you’d be sitting in a chair huffing your wrist throughout the wear to see where it took you next.
My husband smelled my wrist, and said, “it smells like it’s the opposite of a classic. Either that, or it’s really a classic that’s not like any classic I’ve ever smelled on you before.”
He has almost no interest in fragrance, but somehow, I think he has it right, either way.
Thank you for reporting back. I am glad ISM made a good impression on you. It is really beautiful!
It did! I’m not sure I need a full bottle of it, but I have a little bit left in the vial. I may still be swayed. A decant is in my future, at the bare minimum.
ISM was my first bell jar. It was also the one that made me realize that I should stop kidding myself that a decant will save me money. The markup is stratospheric! That said, the retailers in the U.S. also mark up the bell jars…you should either go to Paris yourself, ask someone to mule it back for you, or use Shopfranceinc.
That was a lot of fun to read. You prompted me to find my sample of ISM and take a sniff of very expensive dirty carrots. That iris is really something else.
It really take you on a journey. That’s what I like best about Serge Lutens. Not all of them tell a story, but this one, and La Fille de Berlin, definitely do.
I don’t find ISM sinister or carroty… to me it is very dry and austere, almost lunar. I wear it when I feel disconnected, melancholic and introspective.
I can see where it would be good for that…there’s an earthiness to it. Have you tried Iris 39? It has an element of quiet to it also.
I haven’t posted much this week, but I have been on theme. I’m wearing ELDO Vraie Blonde today.
That one smells like champagne to me! My favourite ELdO.
Today I am wearing Wilde by Jardin D’Ecravains…and I’m feeling rather dandy.
Oh I like that one! I will seek out my large sample and join you in that later.
Happy Bastille Day. This week is also the anniversary of French Secret Service agents bombing the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior while it was docked in Auckland Harbour, killing a crew member. So, not wearing a French perfume. Bella Freud 1970.
Oof. Bad memories. Go Bella Freud!
Happy anti-Bastille day!
Very excited to read just now that Luckyscent is now stocking Ormond Jayne – finally a stockist that will post to New Zealand! The postage is eye-watering, but at least the option is there
I will wear Orris Noir to celebrate, which I bought when I was in London a couple of years ago.
Desperately trying to get through a ton of work today and tomorrow to avoid having to come in over the weekend. I’m a grown-up, damn it! Grown-ups have real weekends! No more of this grad school-style nonsense!
Épice Marine is helping me wade through everything today. I should’ve brought my sample with me; it’s on its last legs on my skin by now :-/
Unfortunately, just the reverse seems to be true: kids have vacations and get weekends off; adult work hours are 24/7 365. It ain’t right – kids don’t need downtime the same way adults do. Hope you get everything wrapped up so you can have a real weekend!
+1 to what kpaint said. One year early on in my career, I kept track of how many hours I worked. From January to May that year, I averaged 90 hours per week, worked 14 Saturdays and/or Sundays while taking 2 grad school classes. Insane did not even describe it. Unfortunately, I was not overtime-eligible.
Which is exactly why you deserve all the perfume you desire
Wore Misia today then did some impromptu perfume shopping, took a shower, and changed to a new bottle of Nuit Etoille. It just smells good on my skin, in a round lovely way.
Whatdyaget?
SOTD is Joy.
Perfect. You smell lovely.
Beautiful! and very French.
Overcast and chilly here. Wearing Les Senteurs Gourmandes Vanille Chocolat. It smells like the light and effervescent love-child of Coromandel and Angel.
Q for the crowd: what are your favorite summer-weight patchoulis? I’ve looked at some of the Smell Bent offerings, but it’s not a brand (or note) I’m terribly familiar with. [Still hoping Robin will do patchouli for the next seasonal recommendations series ;)]
Seconding that would be a very helpful list.
tripling that!
I recently got to try Smell Bent’s Green Patchouli and rather liked it….Berdoues Grand Cru Collections Somei Yoshino (will have to find the exact name for you) which has notes of shiso, jasmine and patchouli which is lovely in the summer. I would also recommend straight up patchouli oil applied very sparingly on pulse points. Eden Botanicals has a wide variety of patchoulis some of which are “tamer” than others. You can also make a “lotion” with coconut oil (the kind that hardens) and melt it in the microwave then add some patchouli essential oil to that…I recently made this concoction with patchouli and lavender and combined with the coconut scent it smells amazing…or just add a small amount of the patchouli e.o. to a carrier oil and use over your entire body for a very light patchouli that moisturizes your whole body…patchouli e.o. is excellent for mature skin so I use it on my face too in a homemade face serum.
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Parfums-Berdoues/Somei-Yoshino-31435.html
surprisingly my middle aged brain actually remembered the accurate name! the fragrance is lovely and the bottle is to die for!
http://www.edenbotanicals.com/products/essential-oils-pure-therapeutic-grade/essential-oils-o-p/patchouli-double-distilled.html
a rounder patchouli
http://www.edenbotanicals.com/products/sampler-packs/patchouli-sampler-pack.html
and I highly recommend all of Eden’s sampler packs!
Thanks! The patch/lavender/coconut oil sounds great!
One more that I just thought of which I consider to be great year round- Dame Perfumery Mate Heliotrope & Patchouli
That one is a standout for me amongst his three note blends.
I’m very fond of Atelier Mistral Patchouli in summer.
I wear Voleur de Roses all year round.
Agree with foxbins, Mistral Patchouli was my first thought for summer.
Von Eusersdorff Patchouli and Demeter Patchouli EDT
I just wore Tocca Cleopatra body lotion for lunch and shopping with a non-perfume-loving friend, but I’m going to amp it up with some Seville a l’Aube.
Light spritz of a Fragonard Jasmine tea scent. Showered with a cream that included olive, fig and tomato leaf. Feeling very south of France.
Downright yucky weather where I am at today. Heat index is 96F, which is down from what it was a little earlier this afternoon. Looks like some thunderstorms might be rolling in, so I am glad to be indoors.
SOTD = Alaia Paris EdP. I can squeeze one more light application out of my sample, and then it’s time to decide if I get another sample, a decant, or make my move on a small bottle.
I keep forgetting to try that in the hot weather, to look for the chalky note. Maybe this weekend. Stay cool and dry!
It was so humid and warm this morning tbat I picked Fig Tea as my SOTD. Since then the temps have dropped more than 20 degrees and raining again. Ugh….
You smell great, despite the inclement weather!
Chiming in late from Vancouver. I am looking forward to the Vancouver perfumista meetup on Friday afternoon to evening. The residence suite I’m staying at is particularly suited for a small gathering. My only complaint about this particular residence suite is the hair dryer (I know, first world problems). Whomever designed it must have never used a hair dryer in his/her entire life! What genius would require the On button (on a plate attached to the wall) to be manually pressed continuously in order for the hairdryer to work? How the freakaleak am I supposed to comb my hair while running the hair dryer? Maybe the designer can invent a way for people to grow a third arm/hand!
SOTD = Hermes EdM Bleue
Today, we took a ferry to Granville Island in the morning, then stayed there for lunch. We took the bus to Stanley Park in the afternoon, then onto The Homer St. Cafe for dinner – highly recommended!
After dinner, since it was still light out, I decided to check out Tony Moly at HMart. I wanted to sniff the other hand cream scents but I was told that particular store is discontinuing the product line because it was getting too expensive. Eh? If it was selling…Anyway, I got a duo of what they had left – the berry scented one. The SA had beautiful skin and I asked what she used. She pointed me to a Ginseng-based line and I remarked that I have never seen that line in the Tony Moly in NJ and she acknowledged that the best available at the NJ store was made with snails. When I asked again what she used, she brought me over to another section with an even more expensive ginseng-based line Whoo. I balked at spending that kind of money, but then again, when I think about it, I am probably spending more for La Mer. Anyway, the SA also said that she also drinks ginseng…and I am wondering if it is the ginseng that is making her skin look really nice or the combo of both drinking it and using skincare products with ginseng? I guess I won’t really know unless I try it myself!
If the drinking of ginseng works please let us know!
and enjoy your meet up today