It's finally the weekend, and it's Queen Elizabeth's birthday. We're celebrating with our usual open thread poll. I have to leave town for the weekend and will try to check in if I can, but otherwise, you guys know the drill. I hope to be back on Monday.
Note: top image is Peace [cropped] by Quinn Dombrowski at flickr; some rights reserved.
Happy weekend, all!
ISO the original Armani Mania for women, 1999 with black cap. I know it’s discontinued and very hard to find, BUT any ideas for me? Thanks.
Wearing a couple of drops of another precious: NR for Her Musc Oil in the black bottle.
I adore NR for Her Musc Oil, have an older bottle and the re-release as well. You smell lovely!
Thanks. Yes, I still have the old bottle from ~2007, I think. It still smells wonderful. It’s definitely in my top 5.
Safe travels, Robin. I’m in Mediterraneo (oooh, look at that – my auto-suggester has learned it!) this morning while waiting for pest control to arrive for more of the ongoing saga of The Ants In The Bathroom. Stay tuned.
Well, at least you smell lovely while working on the Ant Problem.
Thank you! (I think so too.)
I noticed that I’ve taught my phone a thing or two about perfumes too
Good luck with your ants: as much as I like and respect these creatures in principle, I’m not ready to share my dwelling with them. And even my cat doesn’t like them.
We have chronic ant problems in San Diego. Good luck!
Is that Fico di Amalfi?
No, Carthusia. Very soft tea and lemon, and something else that I can’t quite put my finger on.
We have ants occasionally in various places – once in the bathroom, where we had them professionally sprayed. But since most pest control services in our area only do subscriptions (you need to sign up for monthly treatments, which I don’t want), a biologist friend told me to simply use boiling hot water to eliminate their trails (so they can’t find them) and then we tape it off. It works ok – and eventually we take the tape off. Just don’t use tape that rips the paint off, too (which we did once). But I hope the pros will take care of the problem for you!
They seem to be. Apparently you can never completely eliminate them, but you can either deter them the way you are, or put out bait that they find delicious and take home to share with their friends and family, whereupon they all die quietly. That’s what we’ve been doing, and it is helping … but there’s a never-ending supply of new ants. Our pest control guy said that if it weren’t for the various pest control people doing what they do, we’d be eyeball-deep in insects. Bleeaaccchhh.
I love when auto correct learns my words haha
It is dreary here (again????) so after my shower I reached for one of my favorite comfort scents: Lea. Always easy to wear, with just 3 notes listed: almond,vanilla and musk, it is kind of a jeans and t-shirt kind of perfume. Curious to hear what others’ perfumes in this category are and if people have designated “weekend” perfumes…?
Happy Saturday all!
Hope everything is okay for you Robin!!
I think this would be a great community project – maybe we’ve done this already?
What I’m wearing today is definitely my favorite jeans and tee fragrance: NR Musc Oil for Her. I think Lea is a great choice as well and Chergui would be on my list. Actually, I know ANYTHING can work, I’m just listing those I actually think of for this category.
It would be a great community project! March over at Pefume Posse has an article on NR for her being her “wallpaper” scent, which to me is a similar concept. It’s fun to scroll through the comments and see what suggestions people have.
I find it oddly satisfying to pair 31 route come down (iPhonespeak for 31 Rue Cambon) with jeans, ratty tee shirt and diamond earrings.
Hmm. I’m pretty sure I’ve worn Amouage Ubar in a similar ensemble (minus the diamond earrings, sadly).
I’ve worn Ubar in my pyjamas, because I’m fancy that way.
I like wearing it to bed actually.
My weekend perfumes tend to be more of the loud or challenging variety since on my week days, my office is supposed to be perfume free. One of my Saturday go-tos is L’air de Rien. Or some Amouage or Serge Lutens. Or perfumes with a lily or lily-like note since my coworker is particularly averse to those.
You smell great in Lea! I savor what I have left, about 20% of my bottle.
My workplace is supposed to be perfume free too, so I also save my go big or go home perfumes for days when I am off.
Thank you-Lea is so good! I found a new bottle on eBay about a year ago and I know I paid about twice what it originally sold for. *sigh* Such is the laws of economics. I don’t why they discontinued it!?
Your post made me think about Jacomo #8 which would be my nomination for this category. And as I hadn’t showered or gotten dressed yet, I did so and sprayed some on. Fun! Thank you.
Jacomo #8 is a great scent! Agree it’s easy to wear.
Love Jacomo #8!
Mmm I like that one.
Weekends are when I try samples and/or wear scents that aren’t office-friendly. But to answer what I think you were really asking, my favorite kick-back, tee-and-jeans fragrances are … hmm. Now that I really think about it, my favorites are my favorites – I wear them with everything. Vol de Nuit extrait is equally gorgeous whether I’m dressed to the nines or in jammies. I wonder if that’s subconsciously one of my criteria for “favorite”.
Same as SheriG I do most of my testing on the weekends. I need to know how my perfumes will behave at the office. And afterwards I’m usually looking for a comfort scent or something relaxing and don’t want to be dealing with something new.
I’m in Heeley Note de Yuzu, in my quest for the perfect yuzu fragrance. It started a little sweaty, but I don’t really get any cumin from it. The drydown is very nice, but I’m reminded of all of the Ateliers I have on hand already.
In short, it’s swap worthy, split worthy, but not FB worthy.
I’ll be cleaning the house and getting to the herbs that need transplanting today. They can’t wait any longer!
Y’all have a great weekend! ????????
And now I’m curious – which yuzu fragrance winners so far?
I wish I had a winner! I tried PdE Yuzu Fou, which had yuzu up front, and a lot of it, but had too much cumin for me.
Nectar of Love has some yuzu, but mostly as a top note.
I have a vial of Odin Seylon around here somewhere, but I can’t find it.
Doe in the Snow by 4160 is supposed to have yuzu/grapefruit, and is light, so I thought I’d try that next.
Try the Parfumerie Generale yuzu. I enjoyed my decant when I had it.
S, which one is that? I like lots of PG but can’t think which one is a yuzu fragrance.
Oh, got it. Yuzu Ab Irato–right?
Thanks for the suggestion! On the sample list it goes.
Ditto on the PdE. Haven’t tried others. Also was disappointed in Parfums 06130 Yuzu Rouge but I can’t remember why – the notes sound great.
Ooh if you do split it, I’d be in! I really enjoyed sniffing it in Paris, but also don’t find it FB-worthy.
I really wish I could spray it! Me thinks it would be better that way. It’s just to quiet for the price.
I can say that sprayed I don’t find it quiet at all. I sprayed a little too much this week even, although I do love it.
Amy, I finally poured the remainder of the vial into a plastic atomizer and tried it for the third time today. Wow, it is a different fragrance when sprayed! I get something a bit floral and a generous dose of vetiver. This has gone on the Possible Split list. ????
Yes, that sounds more familiar! Yuzu, vetiver, and something citrus-flowery. I bought a small bottle I must admit. It’s perfect for a hot and even a not so hot day.
What a lovely picture
Robin, I hope your weekend goes better than your Friday. *wishing stress-free thoughts your way*
Myrrhe Églantine today! I stopped by a Hermès in CDG before my flight on Thursday and tried out all five new Hermessences (though I sadly forgot to try out the Citron Noir thing or whatever Kevin excoriated the other day). They’re all nice. I liked Myrrhe Eglantine and Agar Ébène more than Cedre Sambac, and picked up samples of both, but I’m not convinced I need either of them? Though ME has gotten nicer and nicer since I put it on 1.5 h ago.
I also got to try the two oils. The SA was very reluctant to let me try them, and required a fair bit of overt prodding on my part. (“So…can I try them?” Long pause.) Cardamusc is FABULOUS! It’s really delicious layered with Ambre Narguilé (which is my favorite Hermessence and my only FB from the series). Musc Pallida is lovely but definitely not worth it for me, but there is a chance I’ll go crazy one day and accidentally buy a Cardamusc…? Maybe.
We had some magret séché and pain aux céréales from our trip for breakfast
yum yum!
I’ve had so much fun reading your posts and living vicariously. Sounds like a great trip!
And love that you prodded and got to try the oils!
Thanks, it was
It was kind of funny having to prod them! I asked her to show me the oils, and she literally did, and then explained them, and then instead of doing the normal thing of letting me smell them, she just stood there smiling at me!
Oh oh forgot to say that I still have room in my Vétiver Oriental split! I’ve got the bottle already so I can send it out fairly quickly. $118 for 50 mL –> $29 for 10 mL in heavy-gauge atomizer + s/h. Please e-mail at ko bhatta at jeemale if interested!
Cardamusc has now made me a convert to perfume oil as a base for layering, just not at that price point. Maybe I will ask the perfume oil gang here one day about suggestions for oils to be used as bases, especially for pretty-but-fleeting perfumes on top (cough cough most of Hermes…)
All the best to the British Queen!
It’s a fine weekend here with 23*C outside and quite a strong wind at some moments. I’m totally lazy today and not doing anything special. But those are perfect conditions to enjoy Eau des Sens by Diptyque.
Happy weekend to all!
Have a good weekend too! See, it’s already not cold. Hopefully, winds will subside too, and you’ll have your spring.
It’s weird because it seems Europe has skipped from winter to summer instantly. My friends in France and UK had 28*C this entire week…
Glad you’re having a nice weekend and you smell great!
Guys, I had an amazing evening yesterday! We went to the Hallerbos in Belgium (just south of Bruxelles) to see the bluebell wood.
I think its a common sight on the British isles but not so much in my region…yes we have bluebells here in the Netherlands but not in those huge quantities spread over such a vast area.
So I was really wow’ed by this purple carpet!
(Just google Hallerbos and you get the idea)
And the smell…the smell is amazing!
We arrived around 8 pm, so it was pretty quiet and we sort of had the whole forest for ourselves haha.
If you ever visit Belgium/Bruxelles around end of april, go and see it. It is really worth the trip!
Just googled it! So beautiful! What a great experience????
Wow, that’s beautiful! Bummed I didn’t know about it when I went to Brussels last week :-/
Aww bummer
I thought you were in Paris, I guess I missed your mention about Bruxelles or else I would have given you the heads up, sorry!
Btw, saw the list of goodies you brought with you from France….just wow…and yum…and OMG thats good stuff!
I was just in Brussels for a day (arrived at 07:40, left at 21:40; quite a tiring day!), but it would’ve been nice to make time for a beautiful walk in the woods
And thanks! I’m really enjoying digging into my goodies!
Ooh, I just googled it too, and it’s gorgeous! I would also love to see that someday.
Here in Texas in the spring–right now–we love the bluebonnets (the state flower), and people go on rides into central Texas (the “Hill Country”) to see the vast fields of wildflowers. It’s also beautiful. One of my frustrations of being laid up with my hip problems and unable to drive is not going out for a spring visit to see bluebonnets. Here’s a photo I took one time that is kind of a classic spring Texas postcard scene: https://www.flickr.com/photos/94283635@N00/13806049795/in/photolist-n2ZBBi-n4nfso-rzuzSe-e7qsha-e7w7KN-e7w7mE-F4okY-FafsP-Faf7L-DgDb2-YMg3-YMg2-YFyk-YFym.
They smell nice, also.
Oh wow!
And those cows ???????? love it!
Very cute. We used to live in Austin and loved driving around looking at the bluebonnets.
Awww love that pic!! My family will be visiting Hill Country for a couple days in June. We are staying in a rental along the wine trail and planning on visiting Fredericksburg. I would love to know if you have any recommendations for “must-dos” I should put on our itinerary?
I think Wimberley is a very fun little town. And so is Pedernales Falls. Also Canyon Lake is beautiful.
I will check those out – thank you!
That sounds amazing!
It’s been really hot in Belgium lately! I am sure you had a lovely evening and the flowers were wafting beautifully.
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds amazing! I don’t think we have anything like that in the US, do we?
Robin, I hope you’re headed into a weekend for R&R..!
Beautiful day here in the valley! I stumbled on a Lush store yesterday and wasn’t even going to go in because the stores are usually small, packed, and claustrophobic. This one was amazingly large and only a few people shopping.
I had nothing in particular in mind and ambled over to the perfume section and happened on Rentless, which is a nice patch, but they don’t sell the perfume spray in California (crazy!). Then got a whiff of cardamom coffee and snapped up a small bottle. It’s probably better in winter but it’s quite light and seems to work well in warmer weather as well.
Also used my Sephora VIB, tested a bunch of scents including Jo Loves, etc… but didn’t find anything that floated my boat. Did pick up a replacement MJ eye liner, a nude stick, and a fabulous Lancôme lipgloss, as well as a bunch of samples and 100 point perks. Also sprung for a replacement bottle of l’Occitane spray body oil. So all in all a therapeutic retail day????????
Currently watching Barbara Bush’s funeral…
SOTD is Lush Cardamom Coffee.
Thanks for reminding me about Rentless, I too wanted to buy the spray in CA to no avail. I bet they have it here in Montreal though.
I’m sure they do. It’s some crazy California specific law which prohibits them from selling the spray form here. The SA told me otherwise it’s available online and at all other Lush locations.
So weird about Rentless! Lots of random items in CA have a warning that something in it may cause cancer. I wonder if Rentless is one of them ????
I also dropped some dough at Lush last week: Trichomania shampoo bar (love), Sultana soap, and a limited edition soap that smells like violets.
Enjoy your C&C! I really like that one, and The Smell of Weather Turning which is on my list.
Nice haul! ????????
I really liked the Cardamom Coffee when I sniffed it too! My Lush store is exactly as you described, which prevents me from browsing there as often as I’d like.
Your comment reminded me to turn on the TV and then I got hooked and watched the whole funeral. It is sometimes nice to see a ceremony like this done in a very grand style and with dignity. Many of the eulogies were truly cheering as they painted a positive picture with nice touches of humor.
Yes, and especially poignant considering the lack of class in today’s age. The contrast is so stark and sad.
I’ve bumped into that not-available-in-California thing with Lush too. And Lush is literally the only beauty brand that I’ve ever encountered that with. There are definitely some things (house paints and stains) that you can’t buy in CA due to their high VOC content. So either Lush is confused, or they are putting some really icky stuff in their perfumes. Stuff that no other perfume house uses. Makes you think twice about the brand…
I have encountered some sellers who won’t ship perfumes to CA, but that is apparently because they can’t do ground shipment to the Channel Islands (duh) and thus cross the whole state off the list. Baffling, to cross off 35 million potential customers because you can’t ship to 2 towns.
we Californians are very, very special, Pixel…
Aren’t we just
and the gas prices were very, very special at the pump, too.
The state of the roads here is quite “special” as well.????
Its all the visitors to our beautiful state!
True that, but then I can’t complain since the state just spent gazillions recreating my road after it fell in last winter. I think I’ve gotten my money’s worth.
And the earthquake insurance that we never buy, because who has $5K to add to their property insurance each year–and we never get earthquakes anyway, right?
right! and which bottle would you grab first when things start shaking?
Speaking of cancer warnings…some shoes featured in catalogs have them too…something about the rubber used in the soles.
OMG I can get cancer from my SHOES?! I thought I had all the cancer hypochondria bases covered, but apparently not.
Sorry to be a negative Nelly. I was scratching my head when I saw the warnings.
No worries! I seriously think just about everything is going to give me cancer!
I’m glad you acknowledge that this is the stuff of hypochondria
Oh you have no idea the number of imaginary cancers I have had!
Ha! That’s a new one on me! I’m going to have research my shoe ingredients from now on.????
Oh boy, one more thing to worry about.
Unless you’re licking the soles, I doubt it’s a big problem…
There are worse things in everyday use substances, like the gas in one’s car!
Sounds like a wonderful retail day….days like that can be very therapeutic. I also watched the Barbara Bush funeral…found it poignant and sad mainly because she reminded me of my beloved grandmother.
Was your Lancôme gloss from the Prismatic line by chance? I broke my lippie no-buy for one of them….????
Why yes, yes it was! How clever of you to know. If you’re going to break your “no buy,” what a great way to do it ????????????
Yes! Happy to hear that I am not the only one seduced by their glimmery charms ????????
Happy Birthday Liz but I’m more excited that it is Record Store Day and the 40th anniversary of ‘Rock Lobster’! Listened to a great interview this morning on CBC radio with the B52’s Cindy Wilson… link posted at the bottom. Such great lyrics and in reference to yesterday’s image… Everybody had matching Hermes Towels!
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/40-years-of-rock-lobster-and-how-the-b-52s-revived-john-lennon-s-career-1.4626560
Love the B52’s????
Thanks for the link! I love the B52’s too, they’re playing in town the same day that my daughter graduates from high school…we may just need to take her!
Hope you can see them and take her along! They’re a lot of fun to see live.
Hi all!
I always check in after Record Store Day, usually less too much money! I had a great morning with some close friends, lining up at 6 o’clock for some sweet records. I wore Chamade, since we were standing there for awhile. I actually got everything I wanted, plus a few surprises. Onto the rest of the day (and hopefully a nap!)
What did you get?! My husband didn’t want to go with me☹️and I didn’t want to stand in line alone.
Oh what a shame!
I luckily got everything I wanted, the Autopsy soundtrack, the live Ella Fitzgerald pressing, both Madonna releases, the Singapore A-Go-Go comp (I’ve already spun this once through. Gold!) My local store also holds amazing trade-ins for today, and I picked up a sealed copy of the Barbarella soundtrack, a Kate Bush singles comp, and something that I’ve already forgotten. A weird mix, but that’s the best kind!
My friends got some amazing stuff too, including a sealed Prince and the Revolution original pressing, the Eraserhead soundtrack, and a sealed Sade Promise LP.
Nice haul!
Big housecleaning day here, I was totally shocked to wake up this morning and see blue sky and sunshine! Of course it was only 3 degrees, but I’ll take it.
Celebrating the sunshine with Micallef Vanille Aoud in a California poppy tshirt and jeans.
3 degrees!!! ????
The poppies are blooming here, and I’m cleaning house too.
We’re going to have lots of clean NST houses this weekend!
It’s a glorious morning here and I’m looking forward to spending most of the day outside. Wearing Stash.
Yay for hard-earned sunshine! Enjoy it. (I know my yard needs some love after the endless days of grey and wet!)
Stash is great!
Happy weekend everyone!
No sotd yet for me yet. We got back from Varadero, Cuba last night at midnight. Needed a bit if sun and boy did we get sun; managed to find a beach chair each day. Gorgeous weather and lovely beaches there.
I didn’t smell too much fragrance in the wild but managed to wear Bronze Goddess body cream mostly and also shared my sample of Habit Rouge with my hubby a few times.
Off to read the last week’s comments!
Oh how exciting! I’d love to hear more about your vacation!
I would also love to hear more about your vacation!
We went mostly for the beach and sun, and found a great last minute deal that couldn’t be passed up.
Our hotel was right by the ocean and when we arrived to our room thought we struck gold. A beautiful view with the sunset right off the balcony. Then we noticed the chickens running around the palm trees down below. With chickens, there are usually roosters..yes, we noticed at least 2 of them. We both kind of laughed and just went with it, it wasn’t worth complaining about because you might end up looking at a parking lot instead.
The beaches are probably the nicest I’ve seen. Light colored sand, not as flour-fine as the Dominican, so it didn’t stick to you as badly. The warm water had so many shades of turquoise, it was breath-taking. With no huge rocks or anything to hurt your feet, you could cool off in the ocean very quickly without worry of tripping over something.
We saw 2 huge pelicans sitting on a perch in the water one day but didn’t have a camera with us. Such a great missed photo opportunity.
We walked back each day to see if they were there, but never saw them again.
A fisherman was casting his net one morning and we noticed him hand feeding one of huge pelicans from his catch. The pelican gently grabbed the fish out of his hand. Pretty amazing!
I took some perfume samples and a few assorted beauty products for the ladies who cleaned our room. And ended up giving a favorite bartender we had befriended a few long sleeve shirts (very hard to come by there), some earrings, lipsticks and perfumes.
I’m wearing Stash for maybe the third time. A little to bold for working a half-day at the library. I just saw the first of our magnolia trees blooming.
Smelling great in Stash!
Happy Saturday, NST!
I’m checking in to see if anyone is interested in splitting a bottle of Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours. If I can get 30ml worth of interest, I’ll buy the bigger bottle for $167.4 ($2.23/ml.) Prices below reflect the cost of the bottle and shipping (CONUS only, please).
5ml = $15
10ml = $26
Please email me at elizabeth (no space) salaam at gee to the mail dot to the com. If the split is a yes, I’ll split up to 40ml. If I get some interest but not quite enough, I’ll re-configure for the smaller bottle and arrange by email.
If you don’t FSF the split going, I have a small bottle of this I could pass on.
Thanks, Amy! That’s so kind of you. ???? If you email me some things on your want list, maybe we can do some swappin’ if it comes to that.
Robin, I hope evrything is OK. I’m thinking of you.
I went to watch my trainer compete in a crossfit competition, so obviously I wore Dzongka. (Not obviously. I spent 5 minutes trying to figure out what on Earth to wear.)
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Smelling great! I sniffed my bottle of Dzongkha last night as I was deciding on a scent to wear for the evening.
Grabbed a somewhat neglected bottle – Alien. Today the cashmeran is way forward and I’m not liking it much. But it’s finally a lovely day outside and I have a girl’s night tonight, so all is well!
Have fun tonight!
Girls night! Woot woot!
SOTD is original Aedes d V. Held my bottle up to the light, doesn’t look good, maybe a 5th left. Sounds like a drinking issue, not a fragrance issue, oh well.
Am on ms. skinny 30 day plan which is horrid since I could and apparently have eaten carbohydrates all the time.
Can I blast off 10 before I see my svelte sister for my birthday next month? or before she sees me?
Are you doing The Whole 30?
madtowngirl, 30 days 10 pounds.
Am 10 days in. It sucks. off to make a smoothie of some sort….
Hopefully a champagne smoothie
sigh.
Or kombucha (aka spoiled champagne)?
I’ve got a bottle of the original (the one they made in collaboration with L’Artisan). Looks like mine is still half full. Lemme know if you need a few extra mls to keep you going.
LisaD, so kind if you! I have the L’Artisan bottle as well. I like it more than the new bottle.
I am busily letting people know gift cards from Aedes are an excellent birthday idea.
Is the l’artisan collaboration the same as the signature, then?
Koyel, I believe so. One can purchase either bottle at AdV.
Good to know! I LOVE the scent that comes in the AdV bottle, so it’s good to know the l’AP bottle is also an option, if I can find that one more cheaply
Sorry, just butting in to say the L’Artisan Aedes collaboration is a chypre incense and is a different perfume than the rhubarb forward AdV signature perfume that was the first released in their own line. I wish they had named the rhubarb-tomato leaf one something distinctive to avoid confusion.
therabbitsflower – are you absolutely sure they are now different?
Unless I’m missing something, they have always been different. There are different descriptions and notes for each perfume. I haven’t smelled the L’Artisan since it was initially released, but it was a big no for me at the time. The AdV signature with rhubarb is a huge love though.
We’re talking about these two right?
https://www.aedes.com/collections/aedes-de-venustas/products/aedes-de-venustas-signature-edp-3-4oz?variant=1222776873
https://www.aedes.com/collections/lartisan-parfumeur/products/aedes-de-venustas-limited-edition-edp-by-lartisan-parfumeur?variant=49039921930
Well, shut my mouth!
How could I never have noticed this?
SsotD = Gypsy Water (left wrist) + Velvet Haze (right wrist)
These woody scents have an airy expansiveness that feels good. The incense in Gypsy Water is gentle. A coconut note in Velvet Haze is a nice surprise. There is also a little funk there. A big big thank you to the fabulous perfumista who shared these samples with me.
The photo up at the top today is perfect. Very peaceful. It reminds me of a statue from my childhood home. The life sized statue of a seated woman was very beautiful and serene. We called her Kwan Yin, but I’m not sure that is who she was.
Loving the delicate scent of nasturtium flowers picked from my garden today. Wish I could bottle the fragrance.
Enjoy your weekend, NSTers!
Mmm. Two lovely scents. My 9yo daughter likes to wear Gypsy Water, and I love it on her. I sniffed Velvet Haze at Scent Bar a couple of months ago and really liked it. So creamy.
hi, lizbee! I agree, both are lovely. It is a wonderful surprise to me to sample two scents in one day and enjoy them both.
And “yay!” for your young daughter enjoying great fragrance.
It is a good surprise when that happens, isn’t it? Good sample-to-like ratio!
I bet your daughter smells amazing in Gypsy Water! She has great taste!
I’ll have to put Velvet Haze on the list to try. It sounds really nice.
hi KellyC, Velvet Haze is definitely worth a sniff or two or three. I’m sampling Eau de Velours this morning, another one with patchouli that’s worth looking for a tester bottle at the perfume counters.
Sunny, easy Balenciaga Paris for me today. It’s been right three times this week, so that’s made me give in and buy a new bottle. (I drained much of the first one using it as a room spray–smells great in a freshly vacuumed house!) Enjoying a quiet house this weekend–Mr. Spicebomb is in Chicago on a baseball/work trip until mid-week. I am savoring the quiet time.
Finally sunshine in the PNW, and the lilacs are beginning to bloom! Yay for spring!
Yes! My cherry trees are crazy full of blossoms right now!
Lovely! The ornamental cherries are just overloaded right now, it seems. Like puffy, pink poodle trees.
Twins! I’m testing that today on my left wrist and it’s lovely
Hey, you smell good!
It’s not a very complicated scent, but I like the powdery violet that lasts forever on me.
Think we’re a bit behind, as no lilacs yet. The cherry blossom festival last week was a bit grey and the trees not at maximum poodliness. We’re going to hit 20C this week, though – Spring at last.
Hey there! Yes, warmer weather will certainly help push spring into proper overdrive! The lilac in my yard is an older varietal (a very dark, nearly maroon-tinged purple), and it blooms a little later than the newer, pale purple and white varieties. THOSE are in full bloom already. I bet I have another week before mine will properly give their show.
You smell so lovely!
Why thank you!
Saturday, yesssssss! And sunny, and warm. I think I’ll declare that it’s finally spring! And I’ll finally drag my spring scents out of the basement. I started to do that a few weeks ago, but it was just too dank and chilly. Now, perhaps, it is actually spring. I even did some weeding yesterday.
Testing out the Hdp En Aparte scents today. Yesterday I finally finished working my way thru my Sultan Pasha scents (pats self on back). Found a couple of ‘maybes’. Perhaps next fall I’ll revisit them, the ones I liked were definitely not summery.
Nope, the HdP’s are too sweet for me. Next!
I have those all a quick sniff recently and was it my imagination or did they all smell kind of the same (saffron-y oud-y)?
They all smelled like fruit juice to me, LOL
Hmmm. Not necessary.
Yay sunny spring!!!
In Orange Sanguine because I can’t stop won’t stop just yet with the orange blossom. Thanks to those who suggested a couple more scents to try yesterday! Orange Sanguine has dried down to the scent of expensive soap – totally ok, tolerable, pleasant – but not something I need.
I will go off into the yard in a little bit and weed. Our wet and relatively cool spring has been a boon to all the flowers and it’s really lovely right now with everything in bloom.
Does anyone know how to deal with leaf curl disease? We’ve done the whole spraying routine to no avail. Peach and Nectarine trees look terrible.
And after the whole discussion on herbs, I might just call one of our nurseries to find out if they carry an scented geraniums…
I think you might be too late for your peaches as they really need to be sprayed in late winter, just as buds begin to swell and the scales loosen. The problem is that different stone fruit trees need treatment at different stages…so nectarine treatment is different from apricot. I don’t know about nectarines. Are you using copper oxychloride? And fungal spray?
Do you like SL Fleur des Oranges? I have never been in an orange grove so I don’t know how the perfume translates but it does make me happy when I wear it.
The other thing that can help with leaf curl is air circulation…so prune back and make sure there is space between trees if in an orchard.
Here, the recs are spray 3x thanksgiving (late November), Xmas, and Valentine’s Day. This year is the first time we’ve managed all 3 sprayings – made no difference. And we prune, too…but the two trees are close. Our hybrid Aprium does not get it.
Re. SL: it is the closest in smell to the orange blossoms outside, so I do like it (I have a decant from the swap meet) – but it’s a heady scent because it has jasmine, too, and so on the sweeter side. It clings to skin – I feel I can still sniff a dry down 3 days later…
Don’t know what else to suggest re. the trees. Do you clear all the infected leaves away? There’s also a sulphur spray?
FdO is big. Lush Sun? Bit sweet though.
I sampled L’Artisan Histoire d’Orangers today and thought I should mention it as an OB scent to explore, just in case it hasn’t been suggested already. I enjoy it very much. Reminds me of Grand Neroli which I like quite well too.
Victoria at BdJ gave Hd’O 4 stars:
https://boisdejasmin.com/2017/08/lartisan-parfumeur-histoire-dorangers-perfume-review.html
I did try that, and I liked it, and somewhere in this house should be a teeny bit of that sample left – but I tidied up my sample stash yesterday and did not see it…thanks for the tip, I will look at the review!
Bois de vanille and fleur de oranges together on a cold, grey Sunday morning. Yesterday’s three hour botanical watercolour lesson was once again ‘plant free’. I remember when I used to teach American Studies at university back in the 80s ( during the anti nuclear protest stage in NZ) that the department got flack and was labelled as “anti-American Studies”. I think the botanical watercolour class could possibly be similarily described as an “anti-botanical watercolour” class. Only two lessons to go …will we get to paint a plant? Surely the grasshopper is ready?
Very odd class you’re taking. Maybe next session choose a different teacher? Your scent combo sounds delish.
It is odd! It makes me wonder what the life drawing class is like ( with the same teacher). They probably get to paint socks.
Snort!
Maybe the water colors are made from botanicals? That is weird.
It’s almost like it is a ‘pre-skills’ class…and the actual botanical painting bit comes in another set if classes. That or it’s like the Karate kid where ‘wax on, wax off’ is suddenly pressed into service in the last two classes!
This feels like doing Downward Dog in increasing one minute increments for the past 7 weeks, then spending the rest of the session in Corpse Pose.
Happy weekend! Beautiful day here, so far. Took a nice walk to a ukulele meetup which was chill and fun, bought some eucalyptus on the way home to scent my living room, and now just relaxing before going to dinner later with friends.
SOTD is many sprays of my newly arrived early bday prezzie (May)- took advantage of the TL 20% off and got CdG Lily which is the bright, dewy green of freshly cut stems, new leaves, a bit of LOTV, and even smaller hint of new lilac buds. A bit tart, as well. Very refreshing if one likes fresh greens. It has that shards-of-clear-glass sharpness that Cristalle EDT has. I think this might become a hot, humid weather staple, though it’s quite uplifting on this sunny 60 degree day, too.
I really like Lily. Good stuff.
It is nice. Simple and doesn’t last very long, which means I probably won’t get tired of it!
It’s about time y’all had some good weather up there! Glad you were able to get out and enjoy it. ????
The weather is looking like it’ll be more Spring-like (60s) in the upcoming weeks. I’ll take it!
Do you play the ukulele? Sounds like you had a great day.
I do and I highly recommend it! I’m having a lot of fun with it.
My mom plays it also and it’s so great! I have serious doubts about my musical abilities but love to hear others play!
I really need to try CdG Lily. The way you describe it, it sounds right up my alley.
Testing Balenciaga Paris on one arm and Niki de St Phalle on the other both thanks to the lovely Melanie I met through APJ and had a coffee/perfume catch up with yesterday. Niki is interesting to wear (wow that marigold note!) but it’s not love and a tad overwhelming lol.
I really like the Balenciaga though it isn’t instant love. I think it is one of those sleeper frags that I will need to wear a few more times (without such fierce competition) to decide if it is truly love…
I adore Balenciaga Paris in the spring!
Wore Note di Profumum Luce dell’Est today, which is a new favorite. The cardamon is delightful and makes me nervous that if I smelled the new Hermessence with the note I’d like it and it is so expensive. So I am going to stick with this not-so-cheap-either version, which comes with violets as well.
Ooh, I’ve been curious about the Note di Profumum line. Have you tried others?
Yeah, and I really like the rose patchouli one too, Meraviglia. It is a lot like Portrait of a Lady, so less unique than Luce dell’Est; but it isn’t an exact dupe of PoaL either, with a slightly less dark patchouli and a brighter overall vibe. I love both, but see the Meraviglia as more daytime and PoaL more night. OSA doesn’t work for me because I am not a white florals person and it is VERY white floral. The others I have to give a little more time to, but Luce dell’Est and Meraviglia are definitely my favorites.
Ooh, I love the idea of a daytime POAL. I like Profumum, too, and I’m looking forward to trying these. Thanks for the warning about OSA. BWFs don’t work on me either.
Actually I just dabbed on some OSA just in case and it is strong on the ylang ylang, but I am liking it better this time. Not something I need, but who knows if it might not appeal.
I should say I am a big Profumum fan, so this side line was easy for me to like. The lasting power on the Luce dell’Est isn’t fabulous, but on the others I’ve tried it is.
Oooh. Pixel sent me a passel of those new Profumum samples. I think I liked all of them–and REALLY liked at least three. I’ve been reapplying two very lovely but exceedingly fleeting lavender fragrances all day to compare them–Caldey Island Lavender and something called Spirit of Lavender by a tiny outfit here on the west coast. Shockingly the Caldey is less fleeting than the Spirit, and Caldey is pretty transient. But because you reminded me, I just applied a wee daub of that Luce cuz you’d never know I’d applied lavender perfume 4 or 5 times already.
Oh which three did you really like? I have to try Luce again!
Honestly, I liked them all–which is not my usual mo. But, based on first test run, my faves were Luce and Meraviglia, middle likes were Amante and Luce Dell’est, and least wowed were Vet (but I didn’t hate it–I actually thought it was interesting and wonder how it would do sprayed) and Osa, which I was surprised to learn has no tuberose “note.” To me Osa from the dauber is a cheery suntan lotion scent–the notes, ylang ylang, rose, grass, and patchouli, were a surprise to read. Or perhaps my nose is just super unreliable!
I too thought for sure Osa had tuberose and can only smell the ylang ylang of the notes listed! So my nose is like your nose! Meraviglia and Luce dell’Est are my faves, with Luce just behind. It is a really good bunch though I think.
I thought they were all really well made but fortunately for the wallet, none of them jumped up and screamed BUY ME. To my nose, Meraviglia was a dupe of PoAL to me, and Vet was a dupe of Sycomore. And yeah, Osa was sunscreen to me as well
I’m quite enjoying Spirits of Lavender. It’s from a local business, Bonny Doon Farm. I think it’s very well done… and at $35 for 4 oz, hard to beat the price.
I was experiencing Mercury Retrograde aftershocks yesterday and never got to post my SOTD, which was Fleur de Peau. Zero points for CP participation, but it was a good experience because I realized I don’t need it. I bought a dabber sample and really liked it, then I tried a spray sample I got as a freebie. Ugh…did not love it sprayed. Had the same nice drydown but the clean laundry musk was overwhelming to me for the first hour when sprayed.
Something fun—I may get to see/smell the corpse flower blooming in Tucson! Hopefully it will go into full bloom tonight and we’ll do a little day trip. I would love for the kids to experience it.
SOTM was Terracotta and SOTE is Moulin Rouge. Gosh, I think MR is lovely in warm weather!
Hope everyone is having an awesome weekend
SOTD = Jo Malone Orris and Sandalwood
Wowzers. Another one where I was wonder what smelled so good while I was out grocery shopping and it was ME!
PSA: the Clinique website has Wrappings Gift Sets on sale
BB Cream: thanks to everyone who provided suggestions. I ended up getting Guerlain Lingerie de Peau. There are 3 shades and the light one matches my skin pretty well. I’ve worn it 3 times already and it was fine without a moisturizer under it.
You smell great and I’m glad for the BB Cream recommendation. I love a good BB cream.
Thank you.
That Lingerie de Peau is excellent! Good choice.
This would be a great Friday topic: Why, it’s ME! aka awesome if dissociative. The only fitting perfume in my collection is the Ortigia’s Mandorla I got during the fun Fumerie visit with foxbins. It is lovely if non-almondy in its drydown.
You smell wonderful! My fav JM! And I really like that Guerlain too.
I’ve always thought of JMs as…office scents, and have particularly enjoyed using them as room sprays/linen sprays, until I recently got a split of Crocus and Honey, which did not simply become my favorite JM, but really jumped up my list to be one of my favorite perfumes in general! Now I have a newfound respect for JM, and wonder if I should bother slogging through the rest of her vast oeuvre looking for other hidden gems. (I guess the rest of her English Fields or whatever that collection is called might be a good first step. Those bottles are so lovely.)
I’m commando today because we picked up our new doggie! I wanted him to get used to smelling just me for a while! He has been SO good, it’s amazing. You can tell he is super relieved to be out of the shelter. The only thing I’ve noticed is that he does seem to worry when we are out of his sight but he’s only been here a few hours so… but he hasn’t had any accidents in the house and LOVES his new back yard. You can see pics on my Instagram below (if you’re interested). Tomorrow I’ll wear something light, not sure what yet!
Hope everyone has had a great Saturday and I can’t wait to read all of your comments.
https://www.instagram.com/kellyac125/
Adorable and such beautiful colors! Congrats on the new family meme we! ✌????
*member! Sheesh????
Haha I knew what you meant. And thanks!
Oh he is a sweet looking one! And Im sure his forever home will be perfect!
Oh Kelly, he’s a doll baby. Those eyes could get him anything. Enjoy him! ????
What a cutie!
What a cutie!
He looks like a sweetie. Have fun KellyC!
A real sweetheart–ready for a new family! Enjoy.
What a sweet looking doggy! I’m sure he’s thrilled to be with you. And I’ll add that those tacos look reaaaalllly good! Yum.
I’ll admit, they were delicious!
He’s so adorable and sweet looking!
Congrats on your new family member!
What a cutie, and he’s a good-sized dog, so it’s great you have a back yard for him. I also love your lilacs!
Yes our back yard is big, he has plenty of room to frolic and play!
And yes, my lilac is right out my my back door and smells amazing!
What a cutie! Oh how I’d love to have a dog.
yay! Such a sweet doggo, so glad he found his fur-ever home in your family.
???????? How is the birdy handling the new family member?
She’s doing pretty well! She doesn’t love him at all but she’s tolerating him. They’ve been pretty indifferent to one another thus far.
Congrats on getting acquainted with your new furry family member! ????
What a cutie!!! Congratulations
What’s his name? (Also: YAY LILACS!)
His name is Chopper! And yes, I love my lilac! It smells amazing!
I was in L’artisan L’eau de L’artisan today, it’s finally starting to warm up and the sun is coming out here in Jackson Hole so it seemed fitting. I’m going to Denver on Monday for training with the airline job I just got. I’m gonna hit Neiman Marcus while I’m there and I’m thinking I want a frederic malle or an MFK, something for this summer. Maybe acqua universalis or eau de magnolia, also eyeing a bottle of MFK oud extrait.
Eau de Magnolia is on my radar too. Good luck with your training.
EdM is all that, js…????
JH is our family’s all-time fav ski destination! So beautiful. And I vote for the gorgeous Eau de Magnolia. It is one of my favorite summer scents.
And on the MFK side, I vote for Oud Satin Mood and Petit Matin. ????
Got a call from the breeder and we can take our puppy come next Sunday. So we will spend the week puppy proofing the house and whatever else we need for the puppy. It’s been so long since we’ve had a puppy in the house. Going out to lunch with a friend today and debating on either Lyric or continue with this morning’s vintage Bal.
Can’t go wrong with either scent. Both are gorgeous! Good luck with you new puppy!
Best of luck in puppy proofing your house! We did our best when our cats were kittens, but they did manage to get into a few things we didn’t even think of!
I woke up in the mood for violets so I am wearing Bois de Violette by Serge Lutens.
I’m trying to find an excuse to make another Twisted Lily order (can’t stop, won’t stop?), as thes sale ends tonight.
I’m testing CdG Grace Coddington, Wonderwood, MCG Elephants & Roses and PdN Cap Neroli.
Grace is lovely, but doesn’t last very long. E&R smells like vase water/Harvey mold. ???? Wonderwood is nice, but reminds me of things I already have. Cap Neroli veers too far into dreaded OB territory.
I still have Hanbury, Gershwin and Barry Lyndon to try. Hmmm, maybe this is the universe’s way of telling me to stop!
I’m hankering for a neroli scent. Is the mint in the PdN noticeable? Not super into mint.
I like Grace which has fair longevity on me, though I had a Sephora spray sample, which helped.
I can detect the mint when I’m looking for it, but would not have noticed it if you hadn’t asked about it. I can drop it in the mail tomorrow if you’d like. You’ll have it in a couple of days . ????
Oh, and Grace under a layer of Cerave has much better grip. I might order the 50ml bottle.
nancyleandros did you get anything else today?
I am sorely tempted if you did I will feel less guilty, if you didn’t I will have more willpower.
Lol! Bad news for your willpower…I bought the jumbo sized sample of Grace. ????
You’re trying to lose weight, so you neeeeeed a little something! A new bottle should be considered self-care!
Enabler
Enabler
Enabler
Had a momentary fantasy of buying Elephants & Roses blind. My more financially astute angels got the better of me in time. Will make a more concerted effort to test it though!
I am doing speed testing of my Twisted Lily samples and trying to decide which ones to get. What was previously interesting had mostly devolved into no, with reasons ranging from $195 Ivory Soap (MdO Myrrh Casati), to minty toothpaste burnt plastic (Charenton Maceration Eyes, Hatshepsut), to sorry Out of Stock (Apoteker Tepe The Peradam) The one that surprised me and it could be my first full bottle of the line is Byredo 1996!
I’m speed sampling this weekend too! Really enjoyed a couple of Byredo samples, my first sniffs ever from the line. (wink-wink)
Heh. And I realized if I buy 1996, it won’t be my first Byredo FB. I bought Reine de Nuit when I was at the Byredo boutique. Speaking of which, Sniffapalooza Friday will be at Byredo this time around instead of Twisted Lily (what is that all about?). While I had a great time at the Byredo boutique when I was there, I heard they were not as equally welcoming the last time someone I know participated in a group event – do read between the lines.
Yesterday, I left home at 9:30 to go shopping with a friend and didn’t get home until 4:15. We had a great day, including lunch and ice cream, and I wore PG Arabian Horse for the outing. I kept getting whiffs of myself, and I fear I’ll end up giving in and buying one of the pricey bottles when my decant runs out.
The only store I made purchases at was TJ Maxx: 3 candles (D.L. & Co. Smoked Birchwood that smells so amazing and 2 DW Home, my go-to Warm Tobacco Pipe and new-to-me Tobacco Oud), 2 shower gels (Alba Botanica Midnight Tuberose that I was really excited to find for half price and Le Petit Marseillais Orange Blossom), a super cute and comfy pair of Nikes that I absolutely did not need, and a couple basic tank tops and an awesome white button down shirt with little pineapples all over it! I do like a bit of kitsch in my wardrobe without being too cutesy.
Last night, I put on Organza Indecence and can still smell it a bit. Today I need to start packing for my San Diego trip. We leave Tuesday morning, and I have to work a little late tomorrow. I’m taking small decants and samples with me. Here’s my list so far:
Jo Malone Sweet Lime and Cedar, White Jasmine and Mint, and English Pear and Freesia
Atelier Cologne Bergamot Soleil and Clementine California
Dame Gardenia, Lime and Benzoin
Diptyque Tam Dao
Fiele Cedrus
Ormonde Jayne Ta’If
Amouage Ciel and Reflection Woman
Acqua di Parma Rosa Nobile
Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc
By Kilian Amber Oud
We’re only there for 4 nights so I think that should do. ????
It’s a nice set to choose from without feeling that you’ve made a mistake and have to wear something because it’s all you’ve got with you. If you’re flying, make sure that hand-made decants/samples are secured with parafilm, electric tape or at least separate bags: they have a tendency to leak in flight.
Enjoy the trip!
Good call. There are only a few that are handmade decants, so I’ll be sure to parafilm wrap those.
Hehhehehehhehehehehhehehehehehe
four nights. Love it.
Sounds like you’re just getting started on that list there. Good luck filling it up, LOL.
That is quite a selection you’ve got there! Have fun in San Diego. I was there a while back as a last minute add at a sales conference held at Hotel Coronado.
It’s Sunday now and time for a new scent. I am flaunting my chicness today in Coco! I discovered my bottle when I went looking for something else. I’m thin and svelte and rich now, ha ha!
I love a good Rich Lady scent.
Me too!
You smell great!!
I discovered some Mitsuko so am housecleaning in that.
Best of good mornings, everyone. I’ve been missing in NST action lately, but happily, not in perfume action. This new position is hideously busy, and I’ve had to get myself to work even earlier than I normally choose to go, just to stay afloat. Perfume has encouraged me: I have worn mostly reliable old favourites: Ambre Narguile, Coromandel, 31 Rue Cambon, La Pausa, and so on.
This last weekend I took time for a long calm think about my life, and how it lurched from “Hurray! I’m retiring soon!” to “ Here’s a surprise! I’m staying on!” to “…and now I’m Deputy Head of School!” A whole lot of stress and exhaustion attaches to the third part of my change of direction, and I have decided that enough most definitely and definitively, positively and absolutely, is ENOUGH. I’m in charge again, which is why I’m still at home, not dressed yet, and quietly re-entering NST instead of already sitting at my desk wrestling with STUFF. And people. Mostly mere STUFF, though.
I’ve even given myself the pleasure of taking time to choose my perfume to go with my clothes, instead of simply grabbing an old faithful, spraying, and dashing out the door. I’m going to wear Myrrhe Ardente. It’s a charming perfume, pretty and uncomplicated, but with a distinct personality and a slight—just very slight— medicinal vibe. For all its sweetness, it has substance: it’s anchored in something serious, but it rises happily above its roots. Or something. I always enjoy it when I wear it, yet I don’t wear it much. I should rectify that.
Hey, NST, it’s nice to be back (again). It’s especially nice to be back because of my late-April resolution to reclaim my life for me, the dear man, and the three purrs. Eric, always a mummy’s boy, is sitting on my tummy, kneading and purring so much he vibrates from head to toe, and the Stripies are in a complicated tussle for a piece of rabbit. Alexander should win: he’s lighter, but he has a longer reach. Yep…he’s got it and has gone to higher ground (the top of the fridge—must remember to cleanthere before I go to work!). Poor Titus, who is very beautiful, but not, you know, very clever, can’t work out where the bunny has gone. All is normal Chez Waterdragon, then…be well, all.
Your dear man, three furry-purrs, and perfume. Sounds to me that you’ve got everything in proper order.
Always good to hear an update on the doings of the kittens/cats and people of Chez Waterdragon.
It’s good to have you back.
Please stick to your resolution and get your life back.
Great to have you back, Waterdragon!
The Main Street meetup yesterday was lots of fun. We met a nice new perfumista, who was originally from France no less. The only awkward part was the SA telling us she was getting a headache from our sprtizing – file that under Unclear on the Concept. We then repaired across the street for happy hour, a sample sniff, and a “which perfume is the cheapie” game.
Sounds like a great time!
I blindly whipped out a sample today, ended up with Ta’if, which I spritzed once, seemed very light and shy, so I sprayed about five more times! Now, I’m astounded how much I like it, considering I give most florals the stink eye.
Even after five sprays, it’s very demure and restrained, would definitely be a good work/office scent.
California Rêverie on this gorgeous day. A friend in town wanted to go a jazz brunch so we went to The Blue Note. It was quite good. I should have been more aggressive in my spraying, though. I will rectify that as we meet him for church later.
You smell so wonderful! I ❤️ CR.
Iris Celadon today. This strikes me as a very cool, elegant iris. Beautiful!
This is a nice one!
SOTD: Jo Malone’s Blackberry & Bay for a warm autumn Monday at the office.
Sample testing this weekend, like a couple of other folks are. SOTD = The Soft Lawn, from Imaginary Authors.
I get the most incredibly photorealistic cucumber peel note in the open of this. There’s also something softly powdery and soothing. No tennis balls at all to my nose.
I do get tennis balls from The Soft Lawn, but all of the notes seems to fit together well and I like it.
Caved and just ordered Cap Neroli from Twisted Lily – backordered until May, but I suppose I got plenty of other scents to keep me busy!
I did request a sample of Frangipani because they have it in stock…maybe I will get to smell that after all!
SOTD is Cuir Beluga, which my husband liked very much.
Him, “You smell really good. What is that?”
Me, “Oh, just a Guerlain fragrance (that cost a boatload and was worth every penny).”
SSS Bees Bliss today. Yummy. And thanks, enablers. Just ordered my travel size of Shangri La from Twisted Lily. I used up a sample and a small decant from a generous NSTer so it was time to buy.