Happy weekend! It's also World Humanitarian Day. Plus, Star Trek fans will want to note the birthdays of Jonathan Frakes and Gene Roddenberry. We're celebrating with our usual open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance that brings you instant calm, the perfect fragrance for Commander William T. Riker, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
EL Knowing again. It’s such a nice lush scent. Have a great weekend.
You too!
I feel like Riker would be a vetiver kind of man. 🙂
I’m wearing Wood Sage and Sea Salt this morning since I’ve been up since 4 for work. Woo hoo! I work in IT and it’s a server patching weekend so I needed a trusty favorite to keep myself in a good mood.
I’m also in IT, and those parts of it (early mornings or late nights) are my least favorite. Good luck, crossing my fingers for smooth sailing on the patching, and YOU SMELL GREAT! 🙂 Hope you have an afternoon nap or some fun planned for later!
Thank you 🙂 Fortunately, I’m the DBA so I don’t really have it THAT bad when it comes to the maintenance windows; just working until 11 or so on Friday night and then up early for a few hours of work on Saturday morning. I feel for our Sysadmins who have to be up ALL night and well into the next day. AND we patch one weekend a month…ouch.
Acronyms. I do corporate legal work, and to me, “DBA” means “doing business as” – 🙂
To me it’s “Doctorate of Business Administration” – what some universities confer instead of a PhD.
Double Banana Accolades… 😉
In the IT world, DBA = Database Administrator
Happy weekend!
The temperature dropped down significantly today and because of that I decided to wear Atelier Cologne Encens Jinhae.
I’ll spend this afternoon on buying train tickets for all stages of my upcoming holidays. Only 1.5 week more!
Sounds like fun (finishing up on prep for your holiday). I wish we have your colder weather!
Oh, enjoy your prep! Anticipating time off is always a good feeling.
Sampling Hiram Green Dilettante. A complete failure on me. It smells of stinky water from a flower vase. Really bad. I do not want to scrub it off yet, to see if it changes later, but I doubt it. Sillage is pretty strong. Drinking coffee, watching the news, and later picking up the birds from my sister and running some errands. Back to work on Tuesday, so trying to relax for what is left of my vacation. I will keep sampling during the weekend and hopefully I will find a nice and appealing perfume to love. Happy weekend everyone!
I find it very hard to relax at the end of a vacation. Good luck on the transition back!
Thank you. I am trying but it is not easy….
I very often find that vetiver can smell like old vasewater to me. Bleagh.
Sometimes, vetiver is not an easy note on me either. It might smell disgusting.
Testing Diptyque Opone again. Can’t say I’m too crazy about it.
It’s not me either.
Wearing Phlur Olmsted & Vaux…nice.
Finished binge watching Netflix’s Atypical…..really really really love this show and can’t wait for the next season. While humorous it is also bittersweet and realistic as well. The main character reminds me of several youngsters I know.
Oh, that looks good, thanks! I need a new show.
I think you will enjoy it…while I am a neurotypical ( albeit with sensory integration dysfunction) I have soft spot for atypicals so this show truly resonated with me!
I’m surprised you enjoy perfume so much. One of my grandsons has sensory integration dysfunction syndrome and too many smells can really bother him.
While I could not smell Olmstet & Vaux on myself someone in the coffee shop approached me just to tell me that I smell great!!! wow! that was a first!
and I stopped in Sephora today and got to sample Cafe Tuberose (yes, I really like!) and Gucci Bloom (smells like gardenia)
I tried it today too! I loved the coffee opening, but unfortunately the drydown did not smell very good on my skin. I did six sprays 3 on the top of my hand and 3 on my wrist.
I got two samples of it from Sephora so I am going to give it some skin time…it might be different for me, as my scent eating skin gets very little drydown on most fragrances…I actually made both samples myself (as the SA was working on the Bloom sample simultaneously) and I got a heft dose of pure unsweetened coffee which was amazing…we shall see how it fares on my skin!
Good to hear on Cafe Tuberose! Can’t wait to try.
let us know what you think..good, bad or indifferent !
SOTD Arquiste Aleksandr from a sample. I have and love Anima Dulcis and rather tempted by this one too. Not sure what scent would go with the jumpsuit in the picture above…
It’s not an easy uniform to match 😉
Riker to Replicator: Aramis, Estee Lauder, 1966.
Nice!
Yes, exactly!
perfect!!!!!
Yes!
HA!
Triple strength coffee.
Dior Homme EDT (2005, aluminum stem, don’t ask, Basenoters understand, LOL) .
Iris, vetiver, lavender.
Still don’t like lavender, but I have lots o’ sh!t to do today, I wanna see how DH plays out.
Extra long workout completed.
CM8’s post made me think what TV I watch.
My 600 lb. Life.
American Football, college and NFL. E. A. G. L. E. S. !!!!
LOLOLOL
.)
Younger. Just tell everyone, and consummate with Charles already!
LOL
😀
Carpe Diem.
Peace.
😀
Which means you need to watch Atyptical-LOL!
love ya, Bear! your posts always make my day 🙂
Thanks CM8 !!!!
My brain is a space aliens, dragon, zombie, -free zone.
LOL
😉
Jaws was never my scene, and I don’t like Star Wars……
…
LOL
RIP Freddie Mercury
🙂
🙂
Oh NST, how I have missed you! I was away a bit while working 70+ hour weeks, but things are calming down, and I’m in need of all the good feelings/smellings.
I need a new BAR SOAP. I’m going to order today. What do you guys recommend? So far I’ve loved Hermes Jardin sur le Nil, Atelier Cologne (especially the Trefle Pur and Bois Blonde). Liked a lot but didn’t quite love: Tauer’s Mandarine Ambrees and Mistral soaps (the gardenia is very nice, when you want that sort of floral scent, but I didn’t find a good citrus one). Didn’t like: nesti dante citron (almost no scent).
Recs? I’m looking for something semi-complex, happy, and citrusy/zesty (maybe with a floral edge but not a dominantly floral scent). I’d love to try something new. Otherwise, I’ll probably reorder the JslN or Atelier, both of which were really spectacular.
Oh shoot! I didn’t subscribe to comments. Adding this to try to subscribe.
I don’t have a rec (but I am interested in suggestions also) – just wanted to make sure you saw 20% off this weekend at BeautyHabit with code: BHSUMMER.
Thank you!
Forgot to say I am not affiliated, and they do carry Atelier bar soap.
I had a bar of Chanel No 19 that I loved.
I have heard SUCH mixed reviews on the Chanel 19 soap! Tell me more. Some people said that they had no scent if they weren’t brand new. Some said the scent lasted forever.
I looooove No 19 so I would love to try that, if you think it’s worth it!
I didn’t use my bar for a long time–kept it around to scent drawers. I think I bought it about 4-5 years ago, and the scent never failed. Who knows why it could vary so much? Different ingredients?
I’ve never seen the bar soap but the shower gel is oohlahlah – I know how you love your No. 19!
Jardin sur le Nil, no question! Wish-wish-wish I could use scented soaps but my skin thinks otherwise. Lucky duck!
I agree that so far in my testing, it’s tied for the top spot!
Santa Maria Novella, whichever note appeals.
I’m currently using Mediterraneo bar soap and loving it. It’s very mild and doesn’t bother my hyper-sensitive skin at all.
Mmm, you smell great. I’m beginning to think that we could be scent twins!
We do have a lot of overlap, don’t we – I went through the sample you gave me of Nahema PdT in a complete flash. 😀
Ill have to bring you some more. Are you going to the next swap at Fumerie?
I’ve fallen off the list because I can never get to the get togethers in time (work schedule plus office considerably south of town). But it’s okay – foxbins usually posts something about them so I get the vicarious experience. 🙂
Something from Claus Porto range?
Nice to see you again! I havent tried the Pacifica soaps, but it occurred to me that they might be worth a shot if you like their scents.
For Easter (for the baskets) I bought a large amount of Atelier soaps from Arielle Shoshanna Scented Luxuries….they smell divine and they last FOREVER!!!!
I bought the Malin & Goetz Mojito soap set (3 soaps) as an Xmas gift for someone last year and seriously wanted to keep it myself but behaved. So I didn’t actually try them but they smelled good in the wrapping (rum, lime, and mint).
I am currently using Santa Maria Novella Iris. The scent is very subtle but refreshing. I highly recommend all the Atelier bar soaps so you can’t go wrong there.
I have a bar of Atelier Silver Iris soap that came as a part of a set. I need to go ahead and break it out sometime.
Ooh, that sounds lovely!
It is, but it was THE SOAP THAT WOULD NOT DIE so I had to retire it. All the Atelier bar soaps last a long time but Silver Iris hung on far longer than the others.
oh yes, the last FOREVER!!!!
ack, that would be “they”
If you have The Body Shop where you are, their Mango soap is very good and very cheap.
Just wanted to thank everyone for the recs! I am probably going to order 2 or 3 from these recs (and maybe that Aesop slab). I’ll report back on my uber-scientific soap research over the next couple months.
Scored a 4ml sample bottle of Tom Ford’s Café Rose which reminds me of a much more subdued version of Montale’s Intense Café during the opening: an analogy that is not solely based on their respective names nor their main thematic note: the rose.
Between the two, I prefer the more multi-faceted Montale; there is a PUNCHU note that I like but my novice nose cannot identify it. I can confidently say that it’s not the coffee nor anything else listed on Fragrantica. Guesses?
Formerly,
The DistractedPhd
PUNCHY
TF Cafe Rose was ALL about the rose for me….not too much cafe… the Montale was more cafe but very very sweet. Have you tried Atelier’s Cafe Tuberose yet? wow ! that is coffee !
No I haven’t tried Atelier’s Café Tuberosa and am pretty excited to learn that it’s available at Sephora: an incentive to get some paper work down before heading over to the mall tomorrow.
Thanks!
With Sephora you are entitled to three free samples per person. So ask an SA to make you a sample so that you can try it at home.
Me too. Want more coffee!
See what I wrote below to jlook 🙂
Great coffee thread below : ) Unfortunately, did not finish my fellowship application today, so no Sephora until I am done!
I’m looking for suggestions for perfume or cologne for a friend of mine who lost her teenage daughter a few months ago. She doesn’t wear perfume, but I would like to share my love of it. I’d like to know what you would find comforting in that circumstance. I think it needs to be close to the skin but with longevity and, I hope, available in a miniature or travel size. Is that too difficult? I’ll be grateful for any suggestions.
La Via del Profumo Lake Blossom is intended as a balm or reinforcer for women in difficult times. It smells like fresh ginger to me, although that’s not one of the ingredients. The website sells it in all sizes, but you’re paying postage from Italy. I think Surrender to Chance has samples and decants.
This is a bit challenging because the scent will forever be associated with a profoundly sad period of her life and she might not want to wear anything with those notes later on.
I’m sure it’s a great comfort to her to have such a thoughtful friend!
It is challenging in many ways. Sometimes, though, I can feel sentimental about even hard times. Thanks for the suggestion.
I’m sorry, that is a terrible heartache for your friend. You are wonderful to offer her your support and comfort through scent.
How about a big handful of the purse sprays from Demeter? They don’t have great longevity, but it might be a nice diversion for your friend to have a group of scents to explore. You could choose five or ten or more (very affordable) scents for your friend based on things she likes.
I have only tried a few from Demeter so can’t recommend many. I do enjoy the Honeysuckle, Lavender, and Fresh Ginger scents. Gingerale, Gin & Tonic, Paperback, and Pruning Shears have many fans.
Brilliant! Just the thing, and thanks a million.
whoops, sorry nozknoz, I should have replied directly to karen B 😉
Maybe a little rollerball of Orange Sanguine or Bois Blonds? I personally wear iris when I am feeling melancholic, particularly Iris Silver Mist and Dzongkha. When I was very ill a few years ago all I could wear was Tom Ford Musk Pure. It’s hard to know what would be comforting, never having suffered a deep loss like that, especially for someone who is not a perfume-wearer already.
I will second Orange Sanguine..it is such an uplifting scent.
I find all April Aromatics perfumes soothing and comforting. The 15 ml travelsprays are back on the website. It maybe too new age for your friend with the crystals etc. but I don’t mind it at all. Agartha is summer in a bottle, for me it has that ‘home’ feeling that belongs with laying in the grass seeing the clouds drift by.
Hope this helps you to comfort your friend.
Agree, great brand, and there’s something extra reassuring about naturals, I think.
I will piggy back on nozknoz’s suggestion and affirmation and also say that maybe a sampler set of essential oils that are soothing (avender, vanilla, frankincense)…or uplifting (any citrus)…or calming (rose, patchouli, labdanum).
I can’t imagine how sad that must be for her, and I’m sure just your generous gesture will be a comfort to your friend.
If she doesn’t already wear perfume and you don’t know what she likes, scented bath products might be a nice intro, and maybe include some decants of your favorite comfort scents for her to try?
Molton Brown makes some nice gift sets and travel sized products. The Rhubarb and Rose scent is bright and very uplifting to me.
Or a few Lush body products?
Atelier, Philosophy Grace, or Commodity sample set?
Oh, the philosophy would be a good one.
This is such a sad situation. You are a caring friend. I suggest Prada Infusion d’ Iris EDT or you can get her a set of minis. I saw 2 Prada sets in Fragrancenet: one set with 6 of the Les Infusions d’ something and a set of 5 more divergent perfumes, including Prada Candy.
hi karen B, I mentioned Demeter purse sprays in answer to your query, but posted under the reply nozknoz already left for you.
A big yes from me to hajusuuri’s suggestion of Infusion d’Iris EdT. To my nose the EdT is the most calming, tender, and comforting of the Prada Infusions.
I’m still testing my Lili Bermuda scents. Today, I put on Paradise. It is so warm and cozy. I could see me purchasing a bottle of this for the fall.
Nice! Somehow the Lili Bermuda line struck me as more summer fragrances…good to know that there are some cooler weather scents in there. Please keep us up to date as you work your way through the sampler.
Driving with my Dad over to Stockton for lunch with my nephew today…it’ll be hot, hot, hot. Likely will wear the OJ Frangipani – don’t want to blast Dad out in the car. I’m itching to wear the Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere from the decant I made off my sister’s bottle, but I’ll wait for a bit cooler day.
Stopped at Peet’s yesterday and tried one of their cold brew fog lattes. There’s a drink name for you. Oh my word. Delicious. It has a bit of chicory…is that what added a slight sweetness?
Love that name. I wish there were a Peet’s back here. Boy, that has been around a long time. I think the first one opened in Berkeley in the late ’60s (?).
Yes. I was at the original Peet’s when I was at the Aftelier museum. It is only about 4 doors away.
Love Peet’s! Wish they’d open here in NYC.
Hope you enjoy your family!
Oh, Commander Riker … what a crush I had on you. My affections shifted to Captain Picard over the years (of course, because yum), but early on I was all Team Riker. 🙂
SOTM is Mediterraneo – also yum. Happy weekend, all.
You smell fantastic! I was pretty much Team Picard and then Team Chakotay 🙂
Is this where I admit that my fondness for the original Star Trek did not extend to TNG? (Picard is is pretty cool, though.)
Dropped Gaze off at college this morning and we are now awaiting a briefing for parents by the deputy commandant. SOTD is Guerlain Floral Romantique.
Yes, this is the place 🙂
Very good luck to Gaze and of course to you!
I mean, I tried. I saw, oh, maybe 6 episodes of TNG (with a bunch of college trekkie fans) and it just. didn’t. do it for me. Actually, most members of the group gave up on TNG after that first season and went back to passing David Eddings novels around instead. Shrug. Oh well.
Thanks from both of us, and best wishes to your newly minted college student.
I honestly don’t remember how I got sucked into TNG. I distinctly remember watching one early on and thinking it was stupid. Few years later, got sucked in and had to rewatch the early seasons. Then Voyager was an easy sell.
Just learned today (probably everyone else knew) that a new one is coming. Not sure I’m up for it again.
Good luck to Gaze! and how exciting! No 2 off to college 🙂 How is Bookworm, by the way?
Thanks!
I did get teary when he came back to the room with his hair buzzed off in new-cadet style. Can’t explain it, except that a) he looked just a bit like a naked mole rat (just a TAD…), and b) as a baby he had the most gorgeous fluffy, yellowy duckling-fuzz hair. I cried the first time we cut that, too.
Bookworm is fine! She’s home and sending out applications for entry-level jobs/internships while she prepares to take the GRE and researches grad schools.
Ha! I love how a young man looks with a buzz cut 🙂 I bet he looks great!
Wow! Already on to grad school? Good for her! What is she looking to get into? Too bad you can’t talk her into becoming a perfumer!
I love original Star Trek, Mr. Chekov was probably my first crush. Good luck today!
I love it that they used to script Chekov screaming so often because he was so dramatic. Thanks!
Hot, humid and lazy. Wearing my decant of La Petite Robe Noire Black Perfecto, which I find a bit softer and less fruity than my edp bottle. Thanks to hajusuuri for the swap!
:-). Did you get any leather?
Not that I could tell.
Perhaps one only wears very delicately strappy metallic stillettos with that LBD. 😉
This year has been one for the books. Started at the end of December with 10k of dental work. Moved to mom dying in Feb. 3 car accident in March. Project roll off in April.
Turning 64 in May. One full year of condo repairs culminating in 4 day fumigation.
Bag it all up. Go to hotel. Come home. Unbag it all. No gas, then gas for one day. No gas. Have had one shower in 5 days, can’t leave waiting for gas company. Finally last night a hot shower.
No new project yet.
For first time in a few weeks going to go spray something with abandon.
Gracious, Aspara. Sending you whatever hugs & peaceful vibes I can muster via the internets.
OH lordie, Apsara! sending all the healing and good vibes your way!!! Hope 2018 turns out to be a better year!
Well, I have a home and a roof and food and my loving sister and friends.
I didn’t have to bag my fragrances, that would have been something.
My Nordstrom card still works…just in case.
I was not at fault in the car accident.
Mom left us an inheritance to share.
I try to always remember in the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer. I think Albert Camus?
Sprayed indochine w/ abandon.
That’s a really great quote
Beautiful. Gratitude is a potent antidote to despair.
Thanks for the reminder.
Amen to finding the silver lining in it all…good for you! still wishing you the best in 2018 🙂
this is a good one to remember
apsara, I am so sorry for your difficult times, I hope you sprayed Indochine with abandon and enjoyed every moment.
Thank you for sharing that Camus quote, I like it very much. The next line is “and that makes me happy.”
I understand you. I has not been an easy year for me either. Sending you positives vibes. And I am sure you smell great on whatever perfume you decided to wear. Cheers!
It’s so hard when life doesn’t give you a chance to catch your breath. I’m glad you finally got a hot shower. Sending you peace and strength.
Wow. I’m overwhelmed just reading it. Hoping you get a very long break and that your year turns a corner.
Oh my goodness! You’ve been through it. Sorry for all the things you have to go through! I wish nothing but good things to come your way. You definitely deserve it.
May 2018 be a damn sight better than 2017. Bravo to you for your perseverance and gratitude, love that Camus quote. There is another one I repeat to myself as well: if you can’t be happy with what you receive, you can at least be grateful for what you escape.
Eeek, but all uphill from now on!
Thanks for reminder to be thankful for what we have. Hoping that the upcoming year brings only joy for you!
That has been some year. Gratitude can be really healing, though. Hope things are on their way up.
Oh my, sending you healing and restful thoughts as well. So sorry for what you have been through.
Oh, I’m so sorry, apsara. Sending positive vibes and best wishes for a better 2018.
Sending you best wishes that the rest of the year is peaceful. That Camus quote is beautiful.
Sincere hopes for improvement! Enjoy your fragrant cloud.
Oh geez, what a year for you! I am amazed that you are dealing with all that with such grace. I hope that things begin a turn-around soon, and you can catch your breath.
Happy Saturday! I’m testing out a full wearing of my new 15ml Banana Republic Oud Mosaic which was a bit of an impulse buy yesterday while buying a new black cardigan. It was all 1/2 off with friends and family promo they have going in now so $12.50 isn’t regrettable and neither is the scent. I realky like it. It’s much less heavy or jammy than other rose ouds. I mostly smell woods and saffron with a lightly sweet rose and it’s on the drier side and it’s not harsh a sinus burning the way I find others in this category. A bit more potent than JM Oud &Bergamot which lasts a nano second on me. This doesn’t last more than a couple of hours but it was cheap so who cares? The others were pretty nice as well but didn’t grab me.
I tried that one and really liked it. It has a faint similarity with original Fendi to me. I didn’t know the sale included fragrance. I might go back later.
At Oakland Fresca’s suggestion I tried the Banana Republic scents not that long ago and rather liked them. Good for you to get such a great deal! 12.50 for 15 ml is free!!!!!
They all seemed decent. The second favorite was Vintage Green. I didn’t love the White something-or-other which was supposed to be tea etc but seemed too sweet.
yes! Vintage Green was my favorite but I did like them all when I sampled them.
This was my favorite.
Nice deal!
Good to know about the Friends and Family…I was at a Banana Republic a few months ago and I think they were having a Friends and Family sale including perfumes. I think everyone is considered either a friends or family, no? Did you need a special coupon? I need to buy a set of the travel sprays as a replacement gift of the same thing (said gift is being inexplicably held up by the person to whom I accidentally sent the package).
I just called the Banana Republic store here, and the girl said the fragrances were only included with a coupon code if you have their store card, and that was 60% off. Otherwise everyone can get 40% off excluding fragrance. I don’t have their card and only want perfume, so not a good sale for me. Will wait till Christmas when I’m sure specials can be had by all.
I can wait :-). Thanks for the info!
I got actual coupons earlier in the week when I made a purchase so you did have to shop in order to get the coupons. I could use it from 8/17-8/21 one time in store for 50% off any full priced items and one time online for same or 40% off the factory outlet store. I don’t have a store card so don’t know if the promo lillyjo is mentioning is different from this one. I just tried to see if it would work online but the perfumes are apparently are only available in stores, not online, otherwise I would have donated my code to yous guys.
“yous guys” LOL. I’ll stop in anyway…even 40% off is good, if I am lucky.
The 40% off is only the sale rack, I believe. I had them scan something on the sale rack that was missing the price tag (why do I always want that item?) and it was full price with no discount.
Maybe if you buy something cheap, they’ll give you the coupons which you can use for the next two days? Or if you’re crafty, return the original item and use the coupons anyway.
A very confusing sale, I’m very happy you got a great deal!
Seems like it! Maybe different in different states? But thanks! I’m happy with the deal, too.
Took my daughter to the big mall and now I’m exhausted. I can’t turn my back for a second with her. I did manage to spray way to many perfumes on me, so I kinda stink, but in a good way. I’m wondering if anyone can tell me what is in the drydown of what seems like most of the new designer fragrances? Such a Savauge, Poison girl, Mon Paris etc…. They all have the same, weired almost peppery but not quite smell. It’s very prominent on my skin, it might just be me, idk. Clean house or nap? I’m thinking nap.
NAP !!!! Definitely 🙂
I’m on Team nap.
Ambroxan, lillyjo.
😀
Is that it? I know my Mad Madame has ambroxan, and I love that bottle to pieces. Must be the way the other ones use it, cause I really don’t like it in those. Thanks!
Yes, it can be a chameleon.
It also can amplify other notes, something only
$$$ orris butter could do previously.
You’re welcome !
https://perfumersupplyhouse.com/product/ambroxan-crystals/
You are right!(lol, I know you already know that) it’s the same smell that is in Light Blue (mentioned in the link) which is absolutely horrid on me. Now I know what to avoid.
Have you tried This is Not a Perfume? That’s straight up ambroxan.
I have tried it, and did not care for it. The two JHaG I really like are Romantina and Mad Madame.
Thanks for all the birthday cheer yesterday.
So….wearing Coco for Coco Chanel’s birthday and have decided to focus on all my ‘day after’tomorrow’ 24hr plus, long lasting scents this week….Coco fits the bill perfectly as it will still be going strong on Monday.
Happy belated birthday! You smell lovely.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Mmmmmmm Coco! Many happy returns, Kanuka!
Wearing Ysatis by Givenchy today. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.
Ahh, you smell lovely. I hope your weekend was fun. ????
Woo hoo! Weekend! It’s been a crazy week!
SOTD = Montale Intense Cafe
… from what I thought was a manufacturer’s sample (it was carded) but it turned out to be a home-made decant. Far be it for me to complain about a free sample (but you know I will). It came from a perfume boutique where I bought a not perfumath free item; apparently, I was not familiar with the sample practices of that store.
Anyway, I was looking to wear one of the perfumes from my Vancouver perfumista meet up bonanza. With several threads mentioning looking for the perfect perfume with a coffee note, the decision was made for me as the Intense Cafe sample was in the same box. Verdict: neither a decant nor a bottle will be joining my collection. On initial application, it smelled just like Al Rehab Choco Musk (mine was a gift but you can buy it for ~ $6). The drydown smells like coffee but it is accompanied and overwhelmed by something chemically bitter.
*waves* I’ll continue looking for the ideal coffee suggestion
Please do try the Atelier Cafe Tuberose..the initial blast is pure coffee to my nose!
I had a quick sniff by at BG last Saturday but did not get a sample. My small Sephora does not have it but I got samples of Elizabeth & James French Grey and Amethyst. They both smell nice on paper.
Shockingly my tiny tiny Sephora in my town does carry the Cafe Tuberose and also the new E &Js which I made samples of myself at the 34st Sephora because I got really mad when the SA said she could not make me samples without even bothering to look to see if she had any empty sample sprays available (I also made a decant of Myrrh & Tonka whilst my mother stood guard to make sure said SA was not looking as I was NOT ALLOWED to make my own samples with my own vials!)
Waving right back at you! Maybe there’s some kind of coffee eo that can satisfy the itch?
Years ago Eden Botanicals carried a coffee e.o. that was amazing and inexpensive…not sure if they still do…
I’ve ground coffee, and then added the grounds to a carrier oil for a few days, and then simply filtered the oil through a piece of cheesecloth. Works pretty well, and results in a straight up coffee scent without any unwanted notes.
Yohji Yamamoto if you want something dense, complex, and not at all sweet. I believe Kevin really liked La Via del Profumo Caffe Milano. By Kilian Black Phantom is worth a try, as well.
I have Black Phantom…it is more caramelly and coffee plays a minor supporting note. I probably have to spray more but will wait for cooler weather.
I was in one of those little odds ‘n ends hole in the wall shops in my neighborhood( umbrellas, cheap headphones, some perfumes, cheap scarves etc.) and delighted to see they sell Al Rehab there! I got mostly syrupy rose with Intense Cafe.
me, too–far from intense or cafe
I may try it again…I did not get anything remotely floral. I have yet to see Al Rehab in a B&M store.
Very chemically to my nose as well as are many of their scents.
Oil with padparadascha in it–attempting to save an evaporating decant. A few dabs of Siwa from an eclectic bag of samples I recently was lucky enough to get.
You are so incredibly creative and enjoy playing around with oils so I am going to suggest that you get your hands on some coffee essential oil and play around with making your perfect coffee scent 🙂
To inspire you-
http://www.edenbotanicals.com/coffee-bean.html
and if you go this route please let us know how it turns out!!!
hm will look into shipping to Canada or hold off until my next trip to the US. Thanks for the link!
Maybe next time hajusuuri visits she can mule it for you 🙂
Does anyone have one or two 5 or 10’mL decants or partial bottle of Papillon Tobacco Rose you are willing to swap for something in my collection? Please email me if you do. Thanks!
Sent you a note
Super late to the party but still smelling good in Bvlgari Omnia, lé Original. Even got a couple of compliments today, too.
Happy Weekend to those blessed to have Saturday and Sunday free of the grind!
I hope your head is feeling better and you and T-Rex are on the go again!
Thank you Petunia!
SOTD was Caron “Le troisième homme”.
Top: bergamot, lemon and mandarin;
Mid: lavender, clove and coriander;
Base: vetiver and oakmoss.
Perfect for a day spent shopping for work clothes. I have a couple of suits where the trousers have worn through, plus two jackets which I could wear to work with ‘proper’ trousers. So poor old TOMK had to sit scowling while I tried on a bunch of stuff. I proved pretty comprehensively delusional in choosing sizes so I had to get 34″ trousers rather than 32″ (oh, the shame).
SOTE is BeauFort London “Vi et Armis”.
Top: black pepper, tea and cardamom;
Mid: whiskey, incense and opium;
Base: tobacco, birch tar and oud.
I first tried this as “East India” when it was monstrous and almost unwearable – but it was MY monster and I loved it. I am wearing a very restrained amount of the renamed version and either dialling back the amount makes a big difference, or it has been reformulated for the better, because I still love it but tonight it is also a perfectly wearable scent. :^)
If it helps any, Mr. G would kill to fit into 34s again. 😉
Your SOTE sound wonderful.
Tried that Beaufort last weekend and it was overwhelmingly strong (and not appealing). I shudder to think what it smelled like in the original version. When I go shopping I park my DH in a nearby café with a drink. Perhaps that would work with TOMK next time? 🙂
The original was very strong and I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to smell it forever or to be ill. Yesterday evening I was wearing 3 or 4 ‘part-sprays’ – you know, when you depress the nozzle just far enough to feel a few isolated droplets. But my skin is so weird, it could be suppressing elements that you find horrible. :^)
TOMK can suck it up. I reckon picking 9 pairs of trousers, trying ’em all on, finding the ones I liked in the right size (sob) and paying up all within 50 minutes is good going. >:^D
Sud Magnolia today. It’s so hot outside and then inside it’s so cold, I just have to surrender to clammy and sweaty. Sud Magnolia helps.
I may enjoy Riker more than any other character in the history of ST (Cardassians excepted). I’m sure he’d be as open-minded and adventurous in matters of fragrance as he is in matters of the heart.
Riker always had a twinkle in his eye. You knew he’d be fun.
I’m so thrilled and this is the one place I can share where people will understand why! I got my hands on some vintage Diorella yesterday. My current bottle is fine, but the vintage, pre-reformulation stuff is divine. **does happy dance**
Wow!!! happy dance indeed!
Yay! So happy for you! ????
Woo hoo!!
Congrats!
I wore several scents today. I began with Opardu in the AM. By afternoon, my new bottle of Calypso came in. I opened the box and realized that the lid had cracked off. I ordered a 1 ounce bottle and didn’t realize that it was a splash. I also think they sent a previously loved bottle because there was a piece of tape holding the celephane together at the bottom of the box. I’m a little turned off. I don’t think that I’ll order from Fragnet again. I also ordered a sample of Gold. All I can say is that I appreciate it for what it is, although, I ‘ll give it another shot in cold weather. My order of Shangri La also came in with a sample so I also tried Salome too. By this point, it hardly mattered plus I was in the midst of frying eggplant from my garden. Lots of strong smells in the air at my house today! Good thing I was alone. ????
Fried eggplant! I haven’t had that in ages. Yum! Sorry about your messed up order.
Thanks Lillyjo! It is one of my hub’s favorites. I prepare it and freeze it for quick weeknight meals. It’s a ton of work during this time of year but still so nice to have fresh vegetables when the garden begins to yield. Tomorrow will be sauce. ????
Thanks for alerting us about Fragrancenet! I simply assumed that they are a solid business as I never had any problems with what I ordered from them. Hope you get a reimbursement!
I’ve ordered from them in the past without issue. Not sure what’s up lately.
This is disappointing about Fragrancenet. I’ve ordered from them (too) many times and have had only good experiences to date. If they refuse to refund you, you can dispute the credit card charge, but you already know that.
Luckily, I haven’t had a problem negotiating returns at FN. Initially, I was going to ask for a replacement bottle but I don’t like the idea that they may have sent a used splash bottle. I saw a mention from someone else recently that they weren’t happy with their order either. Oh well…
Cellophane….
Oh, bummer about the Calypso ???? How did you like Salome?
Salome came with my order of Shangi La. The openings were remarkably similar, to me. Salome is more animalic, which isn’t necessarily my style. I do think it’s a great scent.
Hey Elisa, Do you have Calypso EDT or EDP?
It’s an edp. Does it come in both?
Apparently. The splash bottle was an EDT.
that is a shame..I have ordered from fragrancenet for years and never had a problem…and I think they have a pretty good return policy.
Fried eggplant = grandma’s house = happiness
????
Please let us know how the return goes, Petunia.
Will do. I took pics so they can hardly argue the point.
I enjoyed reading everyone’s fugly choices yesterday. SOTD has been Traversee du Bosphore. Somehow not quite right. We are having very hot, muggy weather in NW Arkansas this weekend, but a cool front is coming. I just hope it’s cool-ish when my in-laws come to visit for Labor Day weekend. Otherwise, activities will be a bit more limited.
Hoping that Waterdragon’s Dakkie is doing better.
I think I have mostly worn that one in cool weather — and will join you in keeping fingers crossed for a not too overwhelming Labor Day weekend. And, cannot believe it’s almost Labor Day!
Checked in with my local Lush location today about the discontinued products, mostly about Daddy-o shampoo. The SA hasn’t heard about that yet. Phew!
I also asked about Rose Jam, more to see if they will be bringing back the perfume. She said that she heard a rumour!! And to check back closer to Halloween..**plus a wink and a nod**.
Ooh, thanks for the heads up!
Thanks for the tip. I keep my Rose Jam perfume in the fridge, along with other stuff that might be hard to replace. There are folks who sell rose jam duplicates on Etsy (no affiliation). Try searching by “rose jam dupe.”
Ahhh that would be amazing! Thanks for the tip!
I asked about Daddy-o here in Montreal and they said they had not heard about discontinuation either, so maybe it’s not true.
USA?
I’m tempted to purchase this via eBay but can wait a bit more if it will be in the store.
I’m in Canada, but I would assume that the US locations would be the same??
SotD = Masque Milano Luci ed Ombre
Light and shadow. GORGEOUS. I have been sniffing my wrist all day.
This is the final scent in the sample set, and I’m tickled it was last. I didn’t even mind that I had to pry the cap off the sample and dab when the spritzer failed. Of course when I jammed the top back on the spritzer sprayed perfume all over my hands. Lucky me. 🙂
I wear Chanel No. 5 almost exclusively in the evening because it helps me feel calm. I like to think the beautiful jasmine soothes me to sleep. Lavender essential oil calms me. I put a little on my feet at bedtime so it wafts nicely as I sleep. I also adore ylang-ylang essential oil and find it relaxing to sniff right from the bottle.
I like putting essential oils on my feet too. It wafts up softly without being overpowering.
SOTD Jo Malone’s Dark Amber & Gingerlily. Such an uplifting scent and fast becoming a staple for me. My 9ml travel size might need to be upgraded…hmm
I’ve got a bottle from a swap I’m happy to give to someone that loves it more than I?
Email me!
Sent 🙂 Thanks Floragal!
SOTD- Phlur Olsted & Vaux (named after the architects of Central Park)….so, I got FOUR COMPLIMENTS this morning!! (granted I sprayed heavily) The gas station attendant who chats with me all the time and a customer inside), the produce gal (who wears perfume all the time) and the checkout guy…..it’s a creamy citrus and I wish I discovered it at the onset of the summer…..
anyone else try any other fragrances from this niche company? I love that the full bottles are so affordable and also that they give back and support various worthy organizations….
Perfume compliments are like unicorns. Such a nice way to begin your day.
Indeed it was 🙂
and I should add that especially because my Sunday morning “gas up the car for the week and shop at the grocery store for a week’s worth of food” routine involves very casual clothes, dirty hair and zero make- up on my face….and yet can’t leave the house without wafting of something 🙂 So all these folks saw beyond my “grunginess” and let me know that I smelled pleasant to them 🙂
Wow! I’ve never heard of this lime until you mentioned it!
line, not lime (blame it on fat fingers)
https://phlur.com/ No affiliation!!!
Jada mentioned them in one of her youtube videos…she happened to love the one I am wearing…there is a lot that I love about this company…they are an environmentally conscious and for a niche brand charge a relatively reasonable price for their full bottles ($85 for 50ml)…also, they donate to worthy causes which is a plus in my book…..
I emailed you too 🙂
and they also give you the full list of ingredients in each fragrance (this is a first for me) and no phylates or parabens (nice!)
Clearly you were NOT paying attention during the last Fall Sniffa ????There were samples in the loot bag and the creative director spoke. They are the ones who just give atmospheric descriptions without listing notes.
LOL, absolutely no recollection and I must have given away all the samples 🙂
SOTD Tauer Reverie au Jardin. Pleasant, but the ambergris is not letting me enjoy it more. Another one that thankfully did not make it to the fb list.
Wondering what perfume would match the eclipse day tomorrow….
Angelique Noir 🙂
Very quiet lazy morning, accompanied by SL Un Lys. This has been a great summer in Montreal, not too hot., for which I am grateful after last year’s steam bath.
We drove through Montreal on Friday on our way home from holidays and I thought about you.
How nice! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. We are heading east to the maritimes next week, really looking forward to it.
Today I’m trying out Vanira Moorea (Berdoues), thanks to a generous gift from Deva (thanks, Deva!). It’s fun, pretty and lighthearted, skewing heavily toward the fruity. It’s got a little bit of a “creamsicle” vibe, I think because of the vanilla/orange combo.
Love that one!!! Sadly it gives Deva a migraine but luckily this is not the case for me 🙂
I am doing my part to support Deva’s health and wellness. It’s a tough job, but…. 🙂
Glad it found a home where it can shine????
DUPE ALERT !
today i’m testing a sample i received god knows when of Caudalie – Eau des vignes. I think it’s an amazing dupe for Prada – Infusion d’iris, just as fresh, bright and zesty with the perfect amount of powderiness and earthiness. can’t speak of the longevity yet.
Interesting! Have tried them both and did not even notice.
I’m in Dune today and weather is just perfect for it.
Just chilling at Starbucks until 12:30 date with a friend.
Having spent the past week in quiet towns, even noiseless towns but for lots of crickets, the nose of NYC is been wearing on me more than usual. Think I’ll be seeking out some quiet park time later today.
Dune….nice!
I lived in NYC for 30 years before moving to the boonies…now whenever I visit I cannot wait to get home…somehow the noise and the smells seem to overload my already sensitive sensory system….how I survived for 30 years is a mystery to me!
Wow! 30 years is a good long time. I’m at 23 yrs.
Still love it but definitely noticing more irritation with the noise-factor.
Born and raised there ….actually it was 31 years before Mr. CM8 talked me out of escaping the city-LOL! I think you become immuned to it all when you live there and experience everything on a day to day basis….until you leave and then when you go back to visit everything is shocking 🙂
Sitting in BHX Airport after getting on the plane to Düsseldorf, pushing back off the stand, discovering a technical fault, going back to the stand and wasting time trying to fix it. Now 75 minutes late and waiting to know what Plan B is. Grrr.
SOTM was L’Artisan “Batucada”. SOTE is Amouage “Sunshine Man”.
(I am not feeling very like a sunshine man right now. I’m on – or not on – an earlier flight to avoid the regular delays on the competitor flight. I see it is also delayed tonight. Sometimes you just can’t win).
Ugh, I hate that — hope it got better!
What a drag…ugh. Hope Plan B got you to Germany
I got into my apartment at midnight, so seven and a half hours door-to-door, of which 65 minutes were in the air. :^|
SOTD is SL La Fille de Berlin, layered over rose body butter after sudsing up with Pacifica Persian Rose shower gel.
Will Riker would smell like valve/slide oil. Whatever fragrance he’d wear would be something from Risa, and it would be a cologne or fougere–nothing too loud. …And what would *Thomas* Riker wear?? Hmm. Something more brash than Will’s fragrance and more of an oriental.
I’m really looking forward to watching the MLB Little League game in Williamsport later–how cool!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, all you awesome NSTers.
Waft this way, please!
If transporters existed, I would avoid them.
Enjoy the game!
Monday morning here and a cold wet gloomy Monday it is. SOTD is Olfactive Studio’s Chambre Noire for what will probably be a trying day.
Bon courage! At least you smell great.
Very late check in this weekend, due to being fascinated with my new Instant Pot (no affiliation). I love this contraption already; it’s going to change my kitchen life.
SOTDs: Amouage Lyric Woman on the left and Marni on the right, both from a generous NSTer. I like the Marni, love the Lyric. The price tag! Oh, woe! ????
There’s been a lot of interest since they legalised it in Colorado. I’m sure we can all forgive your lost weekend. ;^)
Ha! I only wish I’d had that much fun this weekend!