It's Monday, and it's World UFO Day plus Ice Cream Month. What fragrance are you wearing?
Me: tired in Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfum.
Reminder: 7/6 will be Frida Kahlo's birthday...do what you like with the theme! (Kevin wrote about a perfume she actually wore in A Celebrity’s Scent: Frida Kahlo & Dana Emir.)
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2018, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Window ledge garden: Ampus, Var, Provence, France [cropped] by Spencer Means at flickr; some rights reserved.
Encens Mythique
Pleine Lune tea
Spain was sent packing over the weekend..looks like I will have to find a new team to support for the world cup.
A non perfume question: I found fava beans at the farmers market to make my fennel tagine and was wondering..do you double shell the beans?
You can rub off the shell off the bean itself if you are mashing them for a dish. Otherwise it’s okay to leave them on.
Great..I am not mashing them so I will leave them on
Yes, I double shell them
The Spain loss was unfortunate
Now I am watching Brazil vs Mexico, and rooting for France and Croatia.
Watching the World Cup without strong alliances is fun! (and very time consuming!)
I am watching too!
My husband has been watching the World Cup and managed to persuade our 4 yo to watch with him – she’s REALLY into it and has started throwing her stuffed animals on the ground and telling us that they “flopped.” She also told me I was getting a red card when I wouldn’t give her any ice cream.
Didn’t you know that its ice cream month? Red Card is warranted for you
I am not even a football/soccer fan (i seldom watch matches) but I am participating in a world cup pool at work (not for money, just for fame Haha). And I am really bad at it.
But almost all the usual suspects are not performing (germany, portugal, spain, Argentina…)….and now I am reading that Japan is leading 2-0 against Belgium…what a tournament haha.
alas, Belgium finished strong
I can live with that! I guess supporting our friendly neighbours from the south is a logical choice, since the Dutch team failed to make it to the tournament.
That would really be something….if Belgium makes it to the finale!
I for one would love for Belgium to win!
I’m wearing Caron Acaciosa, new reissue parfum 30ml that I purchased in Paris last week. Out of all the new Caron reissues, Acaciosa impressed me the most, they modernized the Caronade a bit but the perfume is still true to its original self. Beautiful!
Sounds like this one is worth trying.
What does it smell like?
Melograno
Is this from SMN
Yes!! I am so annoyed at myself that I never sampled them at Clyde’s when I was in the city last year for my birthday… they did carry the brand, right?
yes, I remember smelling that one and I really liked it.
Now I am lemming this one
My bottle is older though. It does not look like the current ones so I am not sure if what was available at Clyde’s was reformulated? What I have smells like a cross between vintage Emeraude and vintage no 22…it is clean but also musky and powdery…if that makes any sense?
and when Clyde’s was going out of business all the fragrances were half price, right? boy oh boy it’s a good thing I no longer live in the city-LOL!
LOL at Ice Cream Month – like they had to convince me to eat ice cream in July! I’m wearing Zoologist Nightingale today, which is locked in a death match with Civet for the last spot in my Natural Selection box (also to contain Elephant, Camel, Rhinoceros and Moth).
You don’t have Hummingbird? Because if you do, you could use it for this week’s CP.
I have a sample, but I don’t like it
Ah, pity. I do not have and have not tried this scent myself, but found out that Kahlo used hummingbird as a symbol of herself.
How interesting! Maybe someone else who does like Hummingbird will see and use your good idea!
Just FYI, I thought I’d supply a link to a painting that shows this. Be warned, though: the hummingbird is dead. She painted herself with numerous animals including the black cat (jaguar?) and monkey that are also featured here; also as a little deer (Diego’s nickname for her); and with parrots, little Mexican hairless dogs, and many other plants. The images are lush but sometimes very painful to look at, imho. (Incidentally, this made me wonder if Zoologist plans a Parrot perfume.) (Also incidentally, the perfumer who made Moth initially wanted to call it Black Panther, but went off the idea due to the movie happening.)
Naturally, I wrote all that and forgot the link. Stupid. Here it is:
https://www.fridakahlo.org/self-portrait-with-thorn-necklace-and-hummingbird.jsp#prettyPhoto
Only noticed just now it also has dragonflies and (?) moths.
Yeah, I had two paintings in mind when I wrote my response to Regina. The one you linked and this one – http://www.fridakahlofans.com/c0362.html
I go through cycles of wanting ice cream and not wanting ice cream. Seems like I want it more often in the colder months — like on top of apple pie! Lately I’ve been eating a frozen tangerine fruit bar thingy that is TDF, but OOH if I alternated tangerine bites with bites of vanilla bean ice cream…
My mouth is watering. I probably just need lunch.
save some for me….
Ice cream for a whole month?! Oh man, that could be dangerous.
SotD is Lush’s What Would Love Do? The lemon in the opening of this one is so realistic. It settles in pretty quickly to a lighter version of what I imagine Prada Candy or Angel Muse would be. This is my first Lush perfume, and I’m surprised at the lasting power considering it is made of all natural ingredients. It smells very Lush-ish and I think it will be a great fall scent.
Mr. blue sky is back today, and I’m pretty happy about that.????
you made me think of this- one of my favorite songs-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQUlA8Hcv4s
You are making me want to try What Would Love Do? the name intrigues me but now so do the notes….there is lavender in there as well… I will give it a whirl next time I pass a Lush store
Lol, yes, it was my hope that I would give somebody an earworm for the day! It is a great song! My son has that one on vinyl, and I’ve taken over his collection while he is away working for the summer.
wow! on vinyl? and may I say your son has great taste in music
Ahh, thanks for the link! I needed it this morning. ELO is so underrated! ❤️
I agree! One of my favorite bands
They do use synthetics, and Lush has synthetic ingredients in What Would Love Do (listed in black on their website). But yes, lots of natural ingredients.
Oopsy, I guess I didn’t read all the ingredients. I suppose if it were truly all natural it would have poor lasting power.
I haven’t sniffed that one but it does sound wonderful.
SOTD is Amouage Fate Woman. Love both its crisp floral notes and its oriental side.
You smell fabulous!
Thank you!
the house of Amouge is making an appearance today
Go team Amouage!
Rough sleeping night with my daughter, which led to a very hectic morning. Off to work wearing the last of my sample of Honour Woman. This is the only Amouage I’ve tried, I do like it very much. Originally I thought it was FB worthy, but as much as I like it, it doesn’t feel like me. Hope everyone has a great monday!
You do smell great, even if it doesn’t feel like « you »!
Thanks, yeah I really do like it. Maybe I can grow into it. Or grow out of my usual suspects. I’m just used to wearing more heavy projection stuff.
That Amouage has a bit of a wake-me-up quality, at least in the shower gel I have. Hope you’re getting through your day ok!
I love the opening, but it loses it’s glory pretty fast on me. Maybe “more is more” with this one?
Lillyjo, were you asking about Amouage Fate over the weekend?
Yeah, it sounds like something I would like, but opinions seem mixed. I really only trust you guys anyway for accurate descriptions. I get really annoyed with the comments on other sites, because I feel like the “reviews” are just away for people who don’t know what they are talking about to try and sound like they do. Everyone thinks they are writer. Anyway, plus that bottle is awesome.
*a way… obviously I’m not a writer, LOL
Well, here are my testing notes for it, then.
“Warm, spicy, and a bit dusty. A hint of cedar or freshly sharpened #2 pencils, maybe? Definitely cinnamon and incense showing up, plus some narcissus in the late top notes or early heart notes. Something sweet and smooth sows up later still, either in late heart notes or early base notes. Not sure if it is elemi, tonka, or vanilla. As time passes, this scent morphs from dry to somewhat sweet on my skin.”
Hey, thanks! You have a better understanding of notes than me. I’m not all that familiar with most floral notes, except for the most commonly used ones. But this one does sound nice.
Happy Monday! It’s been blistering hot and nothing seemed to be quite right to wear today. I choose a sample of Lubin Jardin Rouge that has the juiciest opening… but a bit of a meh drydown. I guess if I ever got a FB, I could just keep spraying…! Maybe that’s a good community project – great openers. But I think we have done something like that before…?
I think we have, but we can repeat
Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme from a 7ml very old mini. It has some flakes floating inside, but it smells good.
A few flakes never hurt anybody
In Azemour today, and running late – off to get more coffee!
You smell wonderful!
You smell perfect, and you’ll smell even better with coffee
No need to tell you how beautiful Azemour is!
Azemour is one of the signs of my perfume growth. When I first tried it, I really wasn’t sure. Now I love and crave it. You smell amazing.
You gave me the idea to wear this today–Thank you!
I did a bit of Googling and found an article that claims Kahlo also wore Elsa Shiaparelli’s Shocking, if anyone has a bottle of that around . . .
Wearing a little bit of Pacifica’s French Lilac for a few errands; will probably wear something else later.
Oh thanks!
Wearing Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio for another super hot and humid day. Delicious as usual.
Starting the week with expected bad and very sad news received a while ago. Life is really tough, especially when there is no way around.
A friend from Greece sent me a package a couple of weeks ago. It has been touring the country going from one state to the other after arriving first in NY. She is sending some perfume samples to me among other items. The package has been in a NY distribution center since Friday and not moving. Those samples must be fried and damaged already by the high temperatures. Nothing serious compared to real important things in life but….. , please USPS!
Thinking of you, and sending a big hug. Hope you get your samples soon, even if they are damaged, it’s sweet of your friend to send them.
Thank you Lillyjo.
And I hope the samples arrive some day….
life IS indeed tough…hope you can get through the rough patches….
don’t get me started on the USPS!!!!! they have messed up so often with me delivering to wrong address or holding things for no reason I am beyond mad at this point…however, when your package arrives just use the samples up immediately and I think you will be OK…I often wonder about the storage facilities of the online discounters…they may not be optimal as well and yet we purchase and use what they send us…
and thanks for thinking of the mini Marzipans yesterday….they managed to survive the heat of the city and had a great time
Thank you CM8. Trying me best to survive.
I am glad the mini marzipans got home in good shape and spent most of the their time in Koreatown and the K beauty stores away from the heat. I am sure they had a good time.
I recently lost a package from a dear NSTer. It showed as “delivered” and I never received it. I am sure someone else is enjoying it now. Lately, I am having lots of problems with USPS. Lots of patience you need to have…
Sorry for your bad news. As I get older I realize more and more that life isn’t for sissies. It’s never a smooth ride, at least for me. Hope your samples get to you soon.
Life isn’t for sissies should be a bumper sticker.
Thank you Jirish. As you said, life is not for sissies. However, sometimes, I feel I am.
Looking forward to get those samples.
You, my dear, are NOT a sissy. You are a strong woman who is dealing with a lot right now. Hugs to you, friend! ????
Thank you for your kind words Nancyleandros. Sending hugs back to you friend.
My sympathies for the bad news. Hope the package arrives soon intact and that it cheers you.
Thank you Cazaubon! I also hope the package puts an smile on my face.
I hope the package will cheer you up!
Hugs..
Passing you a cup of tea for comfort..
Thank you LTSG. Eagerly accepting your tea. So much needed.
Sorry for the sad news, and I hope you can find comfort.
Thank you Missionista. Hope to be back to normal someday.
So sorry for your bad news, perfumelover67 — agree that the least they could do is deliver your package.
Thank you Robin. Just too difficult to understand and accept the way life hits you sometimes.
I hope the package does not get lost after all the traveling it has had.
Thinking of you during your rough time, and know that you are not alone. Hugs!
I hate when my packages get to do my traveling than I do! Hope it makes it to you.
These are the times when I wish I could be home and spend quiet time with myself. However, I cannot afford it and I also feel it might not be emotionally healthy. Very difficult to face work and strong personal issues at once. Kind of lost, but I hope to be eventually fine.
And agree with you. I wish I could be in USPS hands to see if I could travel around the world…
It is hard! I know when I go through something challenging, I tend to want to spend time alone with my usual comforts, but too much of that can feel isolating also. There’s a middle ground somewhere between both sides, I guess. Make sure to take some time for yourself when you need to!
For me, I find 1-3 days at home is usually enough for me to come to terms with things, then I go back out into the world and forge ahead, regardless of how I feel inside. I remember being at work while I was going through a painful divorce and I would have tears running down my face in meetings, and I just told people to go on, and they did. You don’t have to hide it all, you just have to keep going. People understand.
Thank you for your words Cazaubon. It is indeed very difficult to hold my tears sometimes, especially at work. Hidding emotions is very stressful. I think I will need to take a couple of days away from everything to regain some strength. Thanks again!
Sorry for the sad / bad news. I hope the package arrives soon!
Thank you Hajusuuri. Looking forward for those samples to be still in good condition.
Hugs to you. You are in my thoughts. I hope the package arrives soon and it gives you some happiness.
Thank you Kellyc.
I am so sorry about your sad and bad news.
Thank you Amy.
hang in there, pl67, sometimes the only way out is through.
Good for you that you let us know you’re facing troubles, sharing is what we’re here for. I hope things will look brighter in the coming days.
Thank you Tiffanie. You all have been of great help. It is good not to feel alone.
Sorry to hear about the rough news. I hope you can find some comfort.
Thank you Jiji. Hope some day I can be in better shape.
I’m sorry about your bad news.
Thank you Calypso.
Sending you ((hugs)). And thank you for sharing that; sometimes just saying the words helps a bit.
Thank you Gail. It is good to know that you are always there with your encouraging words. It is extremely helpful.
Very sorry to hear that your expected bad/sad news has hit home. And what is up with your postal service? That’s just adding insult to injury. Hugs, and a cold beverage!
Thank you Jalapeno. Hugs back. The package left Athens the first week of June and it took 4 days to arrive in New York. From here it strangely went to Ohio, Colorado, California, South Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts and back to New York again on Friday. It is still seating in the same distribution center since then. I hope it doesn’t get lost or go back to my friend in Greece. Good luck to that package!
Perfumelover, I had a package from South Africa arrive in NY then inexplicably to California and then the tracking stopped. I went to the post office and spoke with the manager. She was able to track it down by emailing another postmaster who then sent her a picture with a box that looked damaged, the tracking number in tatters and a return to sender stamp. So, oddly enough, the seller sent me a picture of the package as it got returned to her and the tracking number was intact and the box was not damaged! Goes to show USPS cannot be trusted!
Your case was really upsetting, especially when your package was in good condition. The tracking for my package stopped on Friday. I will have to go to the post office tomorrow to see if they can give me some information. I would not be surprised if it is already on its back to my friend. Tons of problems with USPS. I still hope to receive the package in faircondition. Not so sure the samples are still good.
So sorry to read about your difficulties. Sending hugs and hoping things turn out better than they seem.
Thank you Petunia. Looking forward to better times.
Hang in there, PL67, hang in there! It can be tough masking emotion and cazaubon is right…we shouldn’t have to always be fine/ok. Hoping you feel better and carve out some moments of peace soon. And hope the USPS comes through with that package!
Today I’m going for simplicity in an Al-Rehab perfume oil, Roses.
Monday, sigh. Slept badly. Anyone watching new season of The Affair?
My facial yesterday was lovely.
I think shal nur or tea for two post shower.
Sorry you slept badly, but I enjoyed your stream of consciousness here, lol.
????
I’m up to date on all the seasons but haven’t started this new one yet. I enjoyed S1 but subsequent seasons have somewhat jumped the shark as they say in the parlance of our times. ???? Yet I kind of can’t turned away. Something appealing about watching screwed up characters with some very good actors portraying them.
How is the new season?
Today’s SOTD is vintage Halston Couture, one of my favorite thorny rose/chypre perfumes, with bergamot, patchouli, oakmoss and rose. Happy Monday!
You smell great! I think I had a sample of it, and liked it a lot.
In Amouage Ciel, from a generous NSTer. Very light and pretty, easy to wear. ????
that one is very easy to wear
Yes, ma’am! ????
Ciel is pretty indeed. You smell great!
Thanks, pl67!
Wearing Chanel Cristalle, which marshiness is strangely enjoyable post-shower on a hot humid day. But now I want something bracingly green (Azemour) or salty (TDC Sel de Vetiver)..
You smell fantastic in Cristalle, and your other choices are also great. Azemour and Sel de Vetiver are really good.
All perfect heat wave perfumes!
I think I need another sample of Sel de vetiver….perfect for hot weather.
In this hot weather my vintage Cristalle is getting a workout!
Lonesome Rider for me today. I will need an ice-cream month – on Saturday I broke the middle finger of my right hand, and I’ll be wearing a splint all July. It’s going to make work at the shelter incredibly difficult.
Yow, poor you!
Rats! Speedy recovery
Oh no! An ice cream taken once a day for medicinal purposes is said to help heal a broken finger.
I would think so, yes.
Ouch! May it heal as soon as possible.
Oh, no! Hoping it heals quickly!
OW!
Speedy healing and ice cream cones are definitely in order!
Yikes. Are you righty or lefty?
I am a righty who is going to be learning how to be a lefty!
On the bright side, studies have shown that using your non-dominant hand for everyday things is really good for your brain!
Figures, sorry Jirish!
Oh my! I hope you have a speedy recovery. And agree that ice cream might help you feel better…..
You smell great. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Ouchie! sorry to hear of your broken finger. Hope you find work-arounds so you can do what needs to be done.
Darn, I hope your hand heals quickly!
Oh no! I hope you heal quickly. That ice cream should help keep the swelling down; be sure to keep one in your hand at all times.
Oh ick and ouch! What a total bummer. And on your dominant hand, no less. I agree that you should check out ice cream for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
everything heals better with ice cream
Ouch! I hope it heals quickly.
Another scorcher, wearing Blanche Immortelle. I’m not supposed to be buying perfume, but I discovered some money in my paypal account from selling decants, so I got myself a 30 ml bottle of Samsara edp, which I’ve been wanting to get after never having paid attention to it before I sniffed it 2 weeks ago.
In other news, I found a mini of Mon Guerlain in my stash. Originally I had dismissed it but now I have been wearing it dabbed from this mini and I’m finally smelling the lavender. It has moved to my wish list.
Wow, that’s a 180 degree turn on Mon Guerlain. Still a no for me and it is tenacious – it contaminates every bag that includes a sample of it.
Sounds like my scent eating skin needs to try it ????
Me too – I need stuff that’s tenacious, very few things last more than a few hours on me.
But that means we get to sample/wear more ????
Have you tried Samsara in EdT? It is a little different from the EdP to my nose, enough that I have both.
No, but that’s on my list of things to smell.
Cazaubon,
I have never, ever discovered money in my paypal account.
So lucky!
Did you like Mon Exclusif? I think ME is better than MG and I’m not a lavender person. I shall give you some ME so you can ponder and realize I’m right. ???? Or not.
Yes, I like both ME and MG. They’re both good to me.
I am wearing Ormonde Jayne Champaca and drinking Shalimar tea.
I wish I got the memo
I would of loved to be tea twins with you today
You smell great!
You smell soooo good. That’s one of my favs.
It seemed like a Mitsouko sort of day today.
I’m wondering if it might be a Mitsouko sort of week (feeling inspired by Madame Marzipan’s consistency.)
It is a Mitsouko sort of day!
Still in Parfumeur H’s Rose Green, as I sit in Dublin airport waiting for my flight home to Aberdeen. It’s been an emotional visit – went to our old family parish church which we attended when we lived here when I was a child/early teenager & met a few people who knew/know people that we knew – wish my parents were still alive as they would have been thrilled to hear all about it. Also met my brother’s best friend from our time in Dublin, after 45 years – bless him, he has both brain & physical injuries from a long ago hit & run accident which still affect him today, but I couldn’t believe how easily we slipped into conversation – a lunch meeting ended up being 4 hours long! His older brother, who we also counted as a friend, rang during our lunch to check on him & we had a short chat on the phone! Then the Kris Kristofferson concert which, although not billed as farewell tour, perceived wisdom is that it is. Not a dry eye on the house, including Kris’s, at times during the concert! I have never heard/seen an audience react to him in such a way, & he seemed very touched by it. Flight called – must dash!
Sounds like such a lovely visit.
It was indeed, I may just have to go back sooner rather than later!
Wow I didn’t realize Kris Kristoferson was still performing! I have a lifelong crush on him. Sounds like a lovely visit all around.
I have seen him many times over the years. Here’s a link to a spot-on review of the concert I attended, if you (& indeed anyone else) would like to read it.
https://www.hotpress.com/Kris-Kristofferson/music/reviews/live/Kris-Kristofferson-at-The-Olympia-Theatre/22643354.html
It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
I did indeed, thank you. Down to earth with a bump today though!
In Pomelo Paradis today for the intense heat. This is great! So fleeting, but great while it lasts.
Perfect! Pomelo Paradis has the best grapefruit note.
I think I’d rather have a perfume go away too soon in this kind of heat, rather than stick around for too long.
Monday!
1) In Infusion Vetiver, which is perfect for this cool-ish, cloudy July day!
2) Ice cream month has already started for me. I made a friend on Twitter who is a cheese expert, and she sent me a couple of the cookbooks she has written. One of her recipes involved making an eggnog with chevre; so I made the custard base (I lightened the recipe with 2 eggs instead of 4) and then poured the mixture in the ice cream maker, and served with freshly picked berries. I had houseguests over, so they were the perfect lab rats.
They ate every bit. Success!
Ummm that sounds delicious!
It was SO GOOD. So good! It tasted like a super gourmet ice cream sold for $9/cone at one of the shops here in PDX. But it was about that much to make generous servings for 5 people.
That. Sounds. Amazing.
Craving for your eggnog ice cream!
Ah Monday… and with a holiday smack in the middle of the week. I don’t know whether that makes me happier or more stressed out.
I’m wearing LV’s Le Jour Se Leve today – though OMG I really need to go get myself a bottle of the Neela’s Niral. I’m two splashes away from the end of the sample!
Agree on the holiday. I’m somewhat happy to get a day off in the middle of the week, but also kinda wish it was on Friday or something.
Staying cool but friendly in Maria Candida Gentile Hanbury, while I train new residents. I believe I will need to make some of that chevre ice cream, to be served with berries and a little reduced port wine sauce….I just love coming here and reading about all the wonderful activities and thoughts you all have. Thank you all…
You smelled great today Meredifay!
I will have to ignore ice cream month as my trousers are tight enough as it is. SOTD is the suitably crisp and bracing Eau Mixte! Hope everyone starts feeling less tired soon!
I’m with you, as I have rather unwisely chosen this month to cut dairy from my diet. Avoiding ice cream in solidarity!
You can eat a sorbet and pretend it’s ice cream!
True! Though most of the sorbets I’ve tried just don’t measure up to the real deal. I’ve heard there’s a coconut-based ice cream alternative that’s pretty tasty, so that’s next on my to-try list.
I’m so not skipping dairy, but I will try and not overeat. Mind you it’s hot which curbs my appetite, it also makes me lazy so I guess the net effect isn’t as great
I noticed the scale in the bathroom going the wrong direction for me last week. No ice cream for me, either.
I don’t even have a scale, but the tightness of my trousers is quite remarkable and a good indicator.
If it’s an emergency I just skip part of dinner so I can have the ice cream.
Brilliant idea!
My goal for the week is to use up some samples that I like but don’t need to hold on to. I need to make a little room for some samples I want to order.
I have several Guerlains that I like but aren’t “me” for later in the week but today is Pomegranate Noir. I like it but it’s not something I will miss terribly.
I really want to try the rest of the CdG incense series. I’ve only ever tried Avignon. What are your favorites?
Avignon is nice. I really like Zagorsk and bought a small decant of it.
I’ve tried all five, Avignon is definitely my favorite.
Zagorsk is very interesting and memorable, but turned out too heavy for me. Wearing it made me feel like I was under a cold, heavy stone slab.
Kyoto, on the other hand, was much too light. A light, transparent incense, but sometimes I could barely smell it.
As for the other two, I do not remember them that well. My testing notes tell me that I classified them both as a ‘light incense’. Jaisalmer – spicy. Ouarzazate – dry herbal.
I must say that I only have Avignon now, and tested the other scents in the series four years ago.
Ooh, and I agree on the cold stone feeling of Zagorsk, but I like that effect.
I totally get it. I was quite impressed with Zagorsk and really wanted to like it, so I kept trying it, but had to give up because it made me physically uncomfortable. I’m sure that you smell great in it!
I felt similarly about Zagorsk-it also had a metallic edge that rubbed me the wrong way.
My faves are Ouarzazate and Jaisalmer, in that order, and the 2 share some similarities to me, with Jaisalmer having the added spiciness.
Zagorsk
But I havent tried Jaisalmer yet….
I love and own all five. My favourites are Zagorsk and Avignon.
I own them all, too. My favorites are Kyoto and Ouararazate.
I was recently in Leuven on Corpus Christi — I think it was — and there was the traditional procession through the streets with incense and boy, is Avignon ever exactly on target. It was like someone had come out with the CdG and sprayed down the streets! Memories of my Catholic childhood and a reminder of why I prefer some of the others that are a little less . . . churchy. I like some flower or green with my incense!
I saw a reviewer on You Tube mention that dhe layers Avignon with Pink Sugar. I can smell that combo without trying it on myself. ????
I like all of them, being Zagorzk my least favorite. Kyoto my second favorite after Avignon, followed by Ouarzazate an Jailsamer.
I could never quite make up my mind about which of the CdG Incense series I liked best. Avignon is definitely church-y, though. The original CdG fragrance is a fantastic incense, too… have you tried that?
Yes, I love it
I have not tried that one yet. I’ll have to sample it as well!
SotD is Sycomore
Ice cream month….well i am eating more ice cream than usual.
Its quite warm here right now with temperatures between 25 and 29 degrees Celcius and low humidity. Its like this for weeks now and forecast says at least 1 more week maybe two weeks of dry and sunny weather.
So my freezer unit is filled with Liuk’s. Those are lemon ice lollys with a stick made from liquorice.
Great combo!
And just around the corner there is an excellent ice cream shop! They make a perfect pistachio, but also flavours like rose, Oreo, salted caramel, pomegranate….
Yum.
Oh dear, I wish you hadn’t mentioned those Liuks, I may have to try them.
It is exceptionally dry here, I would love some rain and my garden would love that even more.
I dont have a garden, but yeah those poor trees and flowers, and animals….and forest fires are quite disconcerting as well.
Sorry for mentioning the Liuks, but i think you can eat one without too much worries about ‘pants fitting too tight’
(they are quite sugary, but far from the almost 300 caloriebomb that is a Haagen Dazs ice cream popsicle for example).
I just broke down — duty free and good prices — and bought a bottle of Sycomore and am so glad I did. You smell wonderful.
Thank you!
And congrats on your new bottle
You wont regret is, Sycomore is one of the best allrounders imho, it never disappoints!
Congrats!!
Rose is my favorite! Rum raisin second.
CdG Lily, which is one of the few perfumes I can tolerate when it’s hot like this. And I topped it off with a fine misting of R&G Fleur d’Osmanthus.
I just got a dabber sample of this and will try it shortly.
???? Curious what you think. I can’t imagine using a dabber for this stuff. I give myself like 6 sprays when I wear it.
That is almost a whole nother category of top summer perfumes – the ones you wear when it’s almost too hot to stand anything. Mine are The Pour un Ete and Dasein’s Summer.
Right? Mostly I can’t handle any sweetness or creaminess or powder. Even the R&G verges on too sweet on its own. The more tart, the better!
I’m wearing Bulgari Black for the first time in probably years. Bottle is kind of shaped like a UFO?
definitely UFO
I think LT compares it to a hockey puck, but I think UFO works just as well. Are you enjoying it?
I am — I like it better on my husband than on me, but he’s out of town so I’ll have to do!
I have a male coworker who wears this. It smells so good on him! Way better than on me.
SOTD = Fragonard Verveine
Tenuous connection to the CP: Kevin wrote about Frida Kahlo and I’m wearing something that Kevin reviewed. Partial credit?
“Don’t judge lest ye be judged” but I can’t help it:
At church yesterday, I sat next to a woman who took off her shoes and tucked her bare feet under her skirt (she is not shaped right to be in a lotus position but then again, she may have a contortionist’s skills). Eeeew!
I thought I’ve seen it all —
A woman who appeared to be a shopper (vs an employee) had her laptop open perched on the front part of her cart while she had her cell phone tucked between her neck and mouth. Egads! Couldn’t she wait until she’s done shopping to use her laptop? I thought perhaps she is looking at a shopping list but she has a phone that could hold a shopping list. Even if she was shopping from a recipe, her phone should be able to handle it! ????
Church is definitely a place where the shoes should stay on. Just MHO.
I agree with you 100%!
Removing your shoes and putting your feet up in church is a big no for me too. A little decorum please.
Using her laptop and her phone while grocery shopping?? The only thing I can think of is the boss called and demanded data NOW.
The struggle is real with addiction to technology!
As to removing shoes in church, the only acceptable time to do that is if there is a re-enactment of washing of feet but my church does not do that.
Bare feet in church?!? No, no, and no!
Agree!
No shoes in church!!?? my mother is rolling!!! How do you like the Fragonard? I’m tempted…..
The Fragonard was cooling with the lemony thread throughout. I really like it!
I could not even imagine thinking that it’s ok to take my shoes off in Church. Doesn’t she know God sees everything?
LOL. He hears everything too. The woman behind me was translating the sermon to Spanish. I embraced this instead of tolerating.
I wear LOEWE 001 Woman because that’s all I have with me right now, my decant of Outrageous fell on the floor
btw I joined fragrantica yesterday, any of you to meet there?
I always use Fragrantica to check notes and things like that, but I haven’t been an active part of the community for a few years now. (Same username.)
that’s how I was using it until now to, only as a reference, I was not even paying much attention to the reviews there, I used to turn rather to Basenotes. So since yesterday that has changed (username CybeleN).
I see you have a lot of reviews on F., will check them out! And good to be reminded of your blog
Finishing up another work day in Kyoto. I hope the next 40 minutes go by quickly.
You smell fantastic in Kyoto! Hope you feel more relaxed now that your working day is over.
Wearing Moschino Funny! for happy grapefruit-tea-and-rose.
I really do not wear classic colognes, but there are a few citrusy florals that serve the purpose for me, when it is ridonkulous hot outside and I can’t bear the thought of something heavy. This is one of my Cologne Alternatives. Eliz Arden Green Tea Yuzu is another. AG Petite Cherie is not citrus, but it fits the purpose too.
Love Petite Chérie! I haven’t worn mine in ages, I might just wear that tomorrow, a very unlikely scent for Kahlo however.
Funny! is a great scent, and very bracing.
Cologne Alternatives is a great category. Today I chose Apres L’ondee with a similar idea in mind. Sheer and fleeting, worn as an iris-violet “cologne” it feels very comfortable for a warm day.
I’m wearing a couple tiny spritzes of Wit. I’ve found that if I spray my usual amount, Wit becomes cloyingly sweet, but a tiny bit is pretty.
Ice cream month! Excellent!
Speaking of ice cream, I recently discovered Salt & Straw has a San Diego shop. How did this escape my notice? Will check it out in October. I know Portland has one too. Jealous of the Dandelion chocolate varieties in San Francisco.
Pear and Roquefort is really good! Some of their sweeter flavors are too sweet for me.
It would be difficult for me to find an ice cream too sweet, but I look forward to trying. My favourite here is maple syrup gelato.
Inspired by my small potted gardenia bush, which is blooming right now, my SOTD is VC&A Gardenia Petale. Not quite as pretty as the real thing but close enough.
Hey — that made me think of a community project — a perfume inspired by something growing near you?
I have had a summer cold for over a week now and am officially over it. Wearing Tangerine Thyme, which I am happy to say I can smell!
Yum, that makes me imagine a super-delicious ice cream!
Hurray for being able to smell again!! ????
Glad you’re over your cold. It’s probably a placebo but I have been taking echinacea to prevent it.
It works for me too, placebo or not.
Is it really supposed to prevent colds? I’m on a new suppliment kick, and basically just taking the pharmacy recommendations.
..or at least lessen the symptoms if you take it immediately after feeling like you’re coming down with something. I got mine at GNC and it comes in a clear capsule with greenish grayish stuff inside. I also sometimes suck on Ricola with echinacea.
Adding to my list. Thanks!
SOTM was Zoologist Elephant, a nice green mild sandalwood. LT gave it 1 star in the new guide. Perhaps I can do 1-stars all week, lol. Probably longer. Probably quite a lot longer, hah.
I can add some smoke to it if I step outside… we’ve got drift smoke from the fires up north. Fire season is off to a big start.
SOTA will be one or both of the new Chanel Eaux which just arrived on my doorstep, squeeeeeeee! I feel Donatalla looking over my shoulder. Back off, D, it’s July now, a new quarter has started
Oops this one’s 2 stars. So much for my reading skills. Well I can definitely work in some 1-stars later this week, no problem.
The Chanel Eaux collection is getting a lot of perfumista love! Would you say they are more suited for warmer weather?
Lol at back off D! I’m sorry about the fires, I hope they don’t get to bad.
Weigh in on the Chanels as you wear them please!
So cold here that I need to wear several layers of perfume just to keep warm. Yesterdays rain has frozen and the dogs collided and hit the deck as they did a keystone cops skate . I did warn them before they went out . I am driving 4hours inland to the mountains today to take part in a festival and book launch/talk so will wear Lakeland Floral, the nice kowhai and mimosa scent I have. I am wondering about suitabke wardrobe and think it might be beanie, leopard fake fur , and Sorels with a hit of mitsouko. All class!
My mother is here for a couple of days so TV is on maximum volume …she is the only person I know who can make antiques road seem like a rock concert. I need earplugs to cope with the expert’s mega decibel roar of ‘glad you brought it in…’
Glad to see the Thai students have been found and hope they get out safely.
I have not checked the news yet, but I am happy to hear from you that the Thai students have been already found. I hope for the best outcome.
They are found, they are safe, they will have to shelter in place for months though (according to latest on BBC).
The mental image I have of your dogs ice skating across the deck made me smile. ????
Reminded me of a long ago cat trying to escape a friendly dog and skidded all over the place (marble floors) and the more she tried to outrun the dog, the faster she skidded, careening off furniture and walls. Poor cat!
I like your outfit! Thought of you today as I busted into my Hogarth Gran Blanco chocolate bar. Their stuff is so smooth and creamy, we may have to do a perfume/chocolate swap when I get back to the US in October if you’re interested.
Will be happy to send you some of our 40C heat if you like!
Winter continues here, as do the bathroom renovations, sigh. It had to be done, and it will be good to have a bathroom where everything isn’t falling apart, but the inconvenience is not insignificant. I’ll be wearing Aedes de Venustas Palissandre d’Or today as a consolation
You smell wonderful!
SotM = Apres L’ondee
Chose this one as my gentle spritz for a Monday morning. It feels very calming.
I like mals’ Cologne Alternatives idea, I need to make a list of those for the summer. I wear a lot of citrus colognes and love them, but a change is nice too.
Great scent choice, Robin! Later I’ll do Terracotta + Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat, my new favorite combination.
I spent the better part of the day helping a family member navigate the grey area between waiting for a regularly scheduled doctor appointment and hoping to avoid a trip to urgent care/emergency room. We finally found a nurse practitioner who could see us this morning.
Hallelujah! and thank you to all the health care professionals out there who go above and beyond the call of duty. I appreciate you.
Glad to hear that your family member was able to see a nurse practitioner when they needed to!
thanks, Jalapeno, sometimes one has to work the system to get things done.
Good news on family member being able to see a nurse practitioner! They can prescribe medication, right?
Yes! they can prescribe medication, and if there is still a need for a doctor’s input, a nurse practitioner can escalate the patient’s case so that it is more likely resolved in a timely way. At least that’s the way it was explained to me, anyone who knows better please correct me.
Came across a mini of JM Basil & Neroli and I am really enjoying it. We’ve been spared the heat wave in my little corner of the world but this seems like it would be very nice in the heat.
I don’t think I even made it all the way through a sample before buying a bottle of Basil & Neroli. There’s just something about it that draws me in.
Finally dragged myself into the shower. I was up early and was so distracted by purging and organizing my recipe binders that 4 hours slipped by. Jeez, when did I think I was going to make all that stuff; who needs 5 different recipes for homemade tartar sauce?
Today I used my Bronze Goddess trifecta to offset the cool, grey rainy weather with the shower gel, cooling gel and eau fraiche spray.
4 hours!! That is a lot of recipes!
Superlate today!Got home at 21:15 from work!Theatre lists are bursting with patients!Despite that,you guy know I LOVE MY JOB!
SOTD!Nobile 1942 Cafe Chantant.For those looking for the perfect Black Cherry+Vanilla accord,do try this.Comfort scent in the supercold!
Imwould love to leave some other comments,but this boy needs a shower ASAP!
Perfumelover67:Sending love and a HUUUUUGE hug!
KellyC:You always smell soooo good!
Lillyjo:Your comment from yesterday touched me.You must be a wonderful mother to those kids!Another HUUUUUGE hug!
Bear!!!This kid is missing youbig time.
Enjoy your awesome summer guys!Just know it is RIDICULOUSLY cold down south.I swear Antarctica is moving closer by the minute,Lol.
X
P.S…I have often wondered what Antarctica might smell like…..????????♂️????????♂️????
From a few articles I have read, it doesn’t smell of very much.
Except if you go visit penguins!
Ew yeah that would definitely be an ODOR! I’ve visited the penguin exhibits at the Bronx Zoo and at the NJ Aquarium.
Thank you Johanob.
Rest the most you can. I do not want your super cold weather. Keep the Antartica close to you, please! I wish I could send you the Artict in a couple of more months ???? I will not complain about the heat here no matter how bad it is. Hugs and love back to you.
Black cherry and vanilla sounds yummy!
+1 for black cherry and vanilla
Thank you Johanob, you are so sweet, and smell awesome! Antarctica doesn’t smell like anything because your nosehairs would be frozen, lol. I’m curious, what is cold in degrees where you are? There are to many months here where if it’s above 20 degrees and sunny, it’s the best we can ask for.
Hot again today, and the heat wave is showing no signs of quitting after 4 days. I am happy to see the sun, though. It has rained so much where I live that a rather icky-looking fungus has started to grow in the mulch around my neighborhood. YEUCK! (And probably TMI, too.)
SOTD = back in Tauer’s Vetiver Dance. I did not realize that this one could be a bit of a chameleon. Yesterday it was all spicy and smoky, while today there is a decent bit of citrus in with the vetiver. Interesting. And a great scent for hot weather in my book. Not a cologne alternative, though… I think that this probably has too much body or heft for that.
Eeek, how do you get rid of the fungus?
Not sure. Might have to wait for winter to kill it off.
Glad you got to see the sun! Isn’t that many days of rain unusual for you?
Yeah, it has been an unusually wet year where I am at. I thought I heard one of the weather guys/gals mention that June had at least 5 inches more of rain than typical.
I’ve always been curious about that one but had never heard anything about it. Will be sure to try it – thanks for the comments on it.
I’m wearing dabs of Shanghai Lily under long sleeves and a high neck shirt, so I can’t smell myself much at this point. But I smelled really good this morning!
Up and out early today (fasting blood work at my doc’s) so only one tiny spritz of Aqua Universalis Forte. I am not build for heat, give me the cold any day.
I agree! Too hot here too.
Wore L’Eau des Hesperides today. If I can a. dislodge the purring furball on my lap, and b. summon the necessary energy, I’ll go join the other OGs (Old Gals) in the pool for water aerobics this evening.
I’m glad that you clarified what you meant by OGs!
Another long day at work and still feeling like I’m in a fog. SOTD was Lumiere Blanche.
I hope you have the 4th of July off! There was a time for a period of 6 years when I did not have the 4th off because we had to get work done due to quarter end.
I do. Thanks for your concern.
Are you still in Lumiere Blanche, or did you change into something else for relaxing?