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The damage so far: second quarter 2018 buying poll

Posted by Robin on 5 July 2018 241 Comments

Donatella Versace and her perfume cabinets

Donatella, Our Lady of Perfumed Plenty,1 is busy this year — bringing sexy back is not so easy as it looks — but she's carved out a free moment to check in on her flock. She dearly wants to know what you bought in the 2nd quarter (April, May and June) of of 2018. Do tell all, you'll feel better.


My purchases...

A very kind reader offered to mule a few little things from Guerlain in Paris for me. I now have two adorable little travel bottles, one of Terracotta Le Parfum and one of Spiritueuse Double Vanille. The grand total was $107. Added to my first quarter, that's $297 for the year.

As always, report your purchases in the comments if you dare! And as always, we don't include samples or gifts, and you can count miniatures, decants and bottle-splits howsoever you like (I usually count them as half bottles). Samples don't generally count at all, even though some of us spend considerable sums obtaining them.

1. Why does Donatella host (against her will, mind you) the damage polls? There is no real reason other than the picture of her perfume collection, which shows that she indulges regularly at the perfume counter. The image, by the way, is originally from Allure magazine and appears here courtesy of Blogdorf Goodman.

Filed Under: poll
Tagged With: damage

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241 Comments

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  1. BobH says:
    5 July 2018 at 11:51 am

    Miller Harris Terre d’Iris 100ml
    Miller Harris Fleur de Sel 50ml
    Miller Harris Fleur du Matin 50ml
    Miller Harris Feuilles de Tabac 50ml
    Molton Brown Russian Leather 50ml
    Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme 150ml
    Jacques Bogart Arabian Nights 100ml

    I also did backups of Mary Greenwell’s Lemon and Plum, Penhaligons Elixir, and CdG+Pharrell’s Girl, all discontinued, so totally justified.

    I’ve been busy…

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    • Lovestosmellgood says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:05 pm

      wow wow wow

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    • Undina says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:07 pm

      That’s a lot of Miller Harris perfumes in a single quarter. How come?

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      • BobH says:
        5 July 2018 at 12:09 pm

        TK Maxx just had the ones I was after. So it had to be done.
        Still wishing I’d see L’air in there sometime…

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        • SmokeyToes says:
          5 July 2018 at 1:00 pm

          I do adore Miller Harris scents, you totally scored! I adore her Fig Amere, another beautiful salty/amber perfume I love (but don’t wear nearly enough!). I wish my TJ MaXX had lovely scents like that but no.
          I guess in the end it’s a good thing because my wallet would blow up and I’d be making very guilty reports to our Lady Donatella.

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    • hannahmom says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:36 pm

      I envy you access to all the Miller Harris

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    • Calypso says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:21 pm

      A most impressive list!

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:17 pm

      You always find great stuff!

      I love Plum. Sorry it’s discontinued, glad I have a backup of it.

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    • ringthing says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:21 pm

      Wow! I’d be over the moon to find Fleur de Sel at TJMaxx. Great finds!

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      • Jalapeno says:
        5 July 2018 at 8:05 pm

        Wouldn’t that be so awesome?

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    • Haunani says:
      6 July 2018 at 10:24 pm

      Wowzers! Glad to see another fan of Terre d’Iris and Fleurs de Sel.

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  2. PriscillaE says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:04 pm

    I’ve gone a little crazy this year, buying full bottles and lots of decants. However, this quarter I slowed down a little. I did buy two full bottles from the Smellbent garage sale in June, but that was it, full bottle wise. I also bought several decants of Hermes and Guerlain scents and a few minis from eBay. Maybe I haven’t slowed down.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:32 pm

      Maybe slowing down is a journey 🙂

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  3. Lovestosmellgood says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:05 pm

    I bought 2 samples off the evil bay! 20 bucks

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:33 pm

      Samples don’t even count!

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  4. perfumelover67 says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:06 pm

    My purchases:
    Only one full bottle of Masque Milano L’Atessa. $155. Added to my first quarter that is just:
    $186 for this year. I have been really behaving and looking forward to doing even better.

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    • Undina says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Even better?!! Are you expecting brands to start paying you to wear their perfumes? 😉

      L’Atessa is beautiful! I also bought it this year but need to check when.

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      • perfumelover67 says:
        5 July 2018 at 12:18 pm

        Ha! Why not! My life will be complete then….. 😀 😀 😀
        Trying my best to focus in my collection and spend the least possible until I finish lots of samples, decants and some full bottles. Not so sure I will achieve that, but…

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        • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
          5 July 2018 at 12:28 pm

          Smart move 🙂

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    • AnnieA says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:07 pm

      Me too – this solitary buy in came in under the wire in June…

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      • perfumelover67 says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:14 pm

        Hi twin! We did good this quarter! What did you buy?

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        • AnnieA says:
          6 July 2018 at 8:38 am

          Just the MM this quarter! Last quarter it was a birthday present and a backup bottle so am sure they don’t count

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    • Jalapeno says:
      5 July 2018 at 8:04 pm

      Nicely done!

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  5. chocolatemarzipan8 says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:13 pm

    nothing…but I inherited a few surprise bottles from a good friend so I am happily wearing them and don’t feel the need to purchase…..

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    • perfumelover67 says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:19 pm

      Love that!

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  6. therabbitsflower says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:18 pm

    I felt like I was fairly restrained Tthus quarter, however, looking at these all together I’m not so sure.

    30ml Etat Libre D’Orange Fat Electrician (20% off)
    10ml Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental decant from a split
    30ml Bruno Fazzolari Seyrig partial bottle from another perfume lover
    5ml decants of BF Fontevraud, Ummagumma, and Sonoma Scent Studio Equestrian from splits
    15ml SSS Voile de Violette and Wood Violet partial bottles from another perfume lover
    50ml Smell Bent Never Never Land (60% off)
    4ml SB Gypsy travel spray
    7.5ml x2 Sylvaine Delacourte Lilylang (20% off)

    So that’s 5 full or partial bottles plus travel sprays and decants, so let’s call it 7?

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:35 pm

      They really are mostly small sizes! It would be less than 2 full-sized bottles.

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    • Karin says:
      7 July 2018 at 8:27 am

      Oh I love Seyrig! I purchased an unloved bottle from a fellow perfumista this quarter. ????

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  7. girardEAU says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:22 pm

    OMG, is it confession time again already?
    Here’s my haul for the last quarter:
    MFK Masculin Pluriel
    Penhaligons Endymion
    John Varvatos Dark Rebel Rider
    Got the MFK with points at SFA, I think the total spent was just under $50 for all three…

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:36 pm

      It creeps up fast, doesn’t it? And nice bargain!!

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  8. Glannys says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:27 pm

    One partial bottle:
    Tauerville Rose Flash 7 ml (out of 30) (managed to get it at a very reasonable price!)

    Decants (or more like splits):
    By Kilian Sweet Redemption 9 ml
    Esteban Folie de Figue 6 ml
    Etat Libre d’Orange Jasmin et Cigarette 6 ml
    Hermes Eau de Rhubarbe Ecarlate 10 ml
    Liquides Imaginaires Eaux Sanguines Dom Rosa 10 ml
    Profumum Roma Acqua Viva 6 ml

    €83/$97 for the quarter. Spent almost the same amount of money in the first quarter (though I got fewer mls in this one), so its under $200 for the year so far. OK.

    (I did buy some pricey Lush limited edition shower gels, but they do not count!)

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:20 pm

      I bought 2 travel refill thingies of Sweet Redemption a few years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed draining one of them. (Ah, and the satisfaction of finishing one!)

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      • Glannys says:
        6 July 2018 at 3:51 am

        I have one these refills and am about to finish it, that is why I bought a decant. I would not mind having a full bottle of Sweet Redemption if it just fell from the sky. 🙂

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:36 pm

      So glad Donatella is not tracking shower gels 😉

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      • Glannys says:
        6 July 2018 at 3:55 am

        Amen!

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  9. Schneeze says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:34 pm

    Vintage Coco EDT splash 75ml (ca 20 mls left) £10
    YSL Champagne 20ml (new full) £48.19
    Balenciaga Cristobal 50ml (90% full) £4
    Revlon Intimate EDC 50ml half full £4

    Vintage 4ml miniatures of :

    Givenchy Ysatis £4
    Revlon Intimate £4
    Estée Lauder Knowing £1
    Vintage Chloé £1
    Chopard Casmir £4

    1.2mls FM Iris Poudre and Superstitious samples £4.99

    Total £85.18.

    I seem to have fallen down the vintage rabbit hole. Oh well, it costs a lot less for more value. And hunting the stuff down is fun 😀

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    • lillyjo says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:39 pm

      You got some great vintages.

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      • Schneeze says:
        5 July 2018 at 3:53 pm

        Thank you. All of the except for the Chanel and YSL which I bought off e bay are antique shop finds.

        Op shops here very rarely carry perfume, and hipster antique shops tend to overinflate the prices, unless they can’t recognise the bottle 😀

        An added advantage to looking for vintages is that if you don’t see anything on a given occasion it doesn’t matter because it’s not like I NEED more perfume.

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  10. Barqs says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:40 pm

    1. Etat Libre d’Orange Tilda Swinton Like This, 30 ml bottle
    2. Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta, 50 ml bottle
    3. Pinrose Treehouse Royal, 30 ml bottle
    4. Hermessence Cedre Sambac, 15 ml bottle
    5. Hermessence Myrrhe Eglantine, 15 ml bottle
    6. L’Artisan Au Bord de L’eau, 100 ml bottle

    This quarter went by so fast !

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:37 pm

      Very nice mix! I am jealous of your SWINTON.

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  11. hannahmom says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:41 pm

    I only bought 4, but one was a bee bottle of Iris Ganache, so my $$ total is worse than the last 2 quarters combined!
    I also bought a bottle of Ellie Saab Essence no 1 Rose, a mini of Bottega Venetta and a bottle of Piguet’s V Intense.
    A few minor split portions, but nothing too expensive.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:37 pm

      Congrats on your bee bottle 🙂

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  12. Petunia says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:48 pm

    Just one bottle and two small travel decants. I’ve been sitting on my hand since I finally broke down and bought a car.

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    • Petunia says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:53 pm

      Oops.. make that 2 bottles and three small travel sprays.

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    • lillyjo says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:02 pm

      My perfume spending pretty much stopped once I broke down and bought a car about 18 months ago. It’s more like a “can’t buy” then a “no buy”

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      • SmokeyToes says:
        5 July 2018 at 1:08 pm

        Buying a new(er) car a 10 years back made me carefully think about purchasing. Fortunately, I realized I needed to curb spending anyway…

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  13. austenfan says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:51 pm

    I’m so proud of myself as I bought 0 (!) bottles last quarter. I don’t quite know how that happened. I guess I haven’t been able to make up my mind as to what I wanted.

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    • Petunia says:
      5 July 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Good job, you! I guess as our collections grow, we become more discerning. I know that I have passed on a number of scents that I really liked because I already own something similar.

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      • austenfan says:
        5 July 2018 at 1:18 pm

        Quite! I thought I might buy Amouage Lyric but trying it on again recently (I’ve got two decent sized samples and with Amouage a little goes a very long way) I realised how much it reminded me of Une Rose Chyprée (which I own), so I’ve so far not got that Amouage.

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    • tiffanie says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:21 pm

      hurray for zero bottles! 😀

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    • Koyel says:
      5 July 2018 at 5:00 pm

      Wow! Good job 🙂

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:38 pm

      Someone has adopted my method of indecision 🙂

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      • austenfan says:
        6 July 2018 at 9:11 am

        I think it kind of happens naturally. Also the bottle I really want is Bucoliques de Provence, but am not willing to pay full retail price, so I’m biding my time 😉

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  14. thegoddessrena says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:53 pm

    Very restrained this quarter–I spent a grand total of $104 on a partial bottle of Fiori di Capri and a bottle of Sleeping Under the Stars. Next quarter will be wildly extravagant since I’ll be getting a custom perfume from DSH for my birthday.

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    • sistine says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:11 pm

      Oooooh, custom perfume!

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:05 pm

      OOOOOH. Anything Dawn makes specially for you is bound to be wonderful.

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  15. monica404 says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:54 pm

    This was a good quarter.
    Bought Hermessence Myrrhe Eglantine, Muguet Porcelain and Vetiver Tonka – gifted the Muguet Porcelain(s) , I had two – and got back Vanille Galante and Santal Massoia.
    Did I say I love Hermessence?

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    • tiffanie says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:22 pm

      Yes to Hermessence! Those 15 ml bottles are so tempting.

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      • monica404 says:
        5 July 2018 at 2:39 pm

        perfect size!

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  16. nicolasix says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:56 pm

    I mostly shop online, and therefore try not to buy perfume during the hot months. I ALWAYS fail at this, but this quarter I failed the least hard:
    – AG’s Eau d’Hadrien – a new in box 100ml bottle in a thrift store for only $20
    – Eau de Rochas – a 30ml new in box evil Bay find, also about $20
    – small decants of Accord Oud, JM’s Jasmine and Marigold, and Zoologist’s Camel

    Under $100, all told.

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    • monica404 says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:06 pm

      AG for 20$. you are a lucky one!

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      • nicolasix says:
        5 July 2018 at 4:13 pm

        I know – I hit the thrift stores all the time and almost never find perfume!

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    • pixel says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:54 pm

      I have that rule too (no summer buying by mail). And I always fail, too. Ah well! I am weak, Donatella….

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      • nicolasix says:
        5 July 2018 at 4:17 pm

        I’ve been lucky in the past so I kept pushing my luck too! However, we went on a road trip in May and I wound up cooking a few decants in the hot trunk, so I’m trying to be more careful going forward.

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    • ringthing says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:30 pm

      Eau de Rochas is such a great scent especially for summer, that’s an excellent buy.

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      • nicolasix says:
        5 July 2018 at 6:03 pm

        It’s really nice, very different from my other colognes. I’m saving it for September – it’s always still hot and I’m always sick of citrus by then.

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      • Petunia says:
        5 July 2018 at 6:19 pm

        Second that! I should buy a bottle before it disappears

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    • springpansy says:
      5 July 2018 at 9:09 pm

      Great finds!!

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  17. foxbins says:
    5 July 2018 at 12:58 pm

    I didn’t buy anything in April. In May I bought:
    15ml Madhat Mysore Limed $65
    In June, I bought in London:
    30ml PG Suede Osmanthe $81
    10ml FM Outrageous $41
    75ml Guerlain Mandarine Basilic $50
    100ml Hermes Eau de Citron Noir $75

    I came home and decided that I wanted Isabey Route de Emeraude. I smelled it in London but didn’t want a big bottle. I found a 10ml bottle at Beautyhabit, I think it was, for $50, and I needed a backup bottle of Atelier Mistral Patchouli because it’s been discontinued and I only have about 2ml left. That was $57. The London stuff counts as souvenirs, truly, because I bought nothing else there to remind me of my trip. Grand total without London: $162. With London, $409. Total since the beginning of the year, $467 including London.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:39 pm

      Nice mix! And did not know Mistral Patchouli got axed — that was one of the few ACs I liked.

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  18. lillyjo says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:05 pm

    Just one for me. The Peacock bottle of Shalimar Souffle. $37.00. I was also fortunate enough to be the recipient of a full bottle of No.5 L’eau from the generous Amy.

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    • Jalapeno says:
      5 July 2018 at 8:02 pm

      You had been thinking about that one for a while, right?

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      • lillyjo says:
        5 July 2018 at 11:33 pm

        Yeah, it’s been on my list for a few years. Once the Peacock showed up at the discounters, I really had no reason not to get it. I can easily spend the same amt of money at the gas station.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:40 pm

      Nice price, and such a beautiful bottle!

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  19. SmokeyToes says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:06 pm

    I was pretty good this Quarter! I spent only $65 on two bottles, W by Banana Republic and the other was Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria Pampleune (heavy on the grapefruit/patchouli). I was super good!

    (nevermind that I spent double that on day 2 of Q3!! )

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:40 pm

      Donatella does not like to get ahead of herself!

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  20. LizzieB says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:14 pm

    I sometimes have trouble remembering what was bought when. I think my only two purchases were a rollerball of the re-released Boyfriend and the 30 ml of Cap Neroli. (I think the 30 ml of Insolence was 1st Q). So, total was about $75.

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    • tiffanie says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:23 pm

      +1 for Cap Neroli!

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:38 pm

      I always have to go back and look at my Paypal account.

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      • kpaint says:
        8 July 2018 at 8:23 am

        Yep. I don’t think I’ve ever made an in-person perfume purchase (okay, I can think of 2 – Chanel Exclusifs) so my shopping is very easy to track.

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    • Eschmeling says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:07 pm

      I think I’m getting my quarters mixed up – thought I had spent next to nothing but in fact buy:
      30ml cap neroli
      100 ml Seville a l’aube (split 40 ml or so)
      Ormonde Jayne discovery sample set (which will probably show up in the swap meet)
      10ml of ciel d’opale, seller accidentally sent cuir de nacre first so got two for one.
      10ml of lavandes Trianon.
      30ml cheapie bottle of dune.
      25 Euro worth of samples from a fabulous perfume shop in Berlin called the different scent.
      25 dollars worth of samples.from zgo perfumery in San Francisco.
      Grand total is not bad per ml – I’m guesstimating $185.

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      • Eschmeling says:
        5 July 2018 at 6:12 pm

        Sorry, don’t know how this ended up here!

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  21. pixel says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:24 pm

    Ring Ring

    “Donatella, darling, how lovely of you to call! I was just thinking of you.”

    “Yes, I have been so very busy this past quarter.” “Well, I had all these perfumes to pass along. I sold, swapped, or gave away 9 FBs and 8 minis. Takes a bit of doing.” “What a brilliant idea, of course you would think of that! Yes, it would be simpler to just give them to the help.” [side-eye at the cats] “Though I think they are more into marine notes.” [tuna, to be exact]

    “And of course there’s my charitable foundation. Buying works of art from the starving artists, you know.” Couteau de Poche Fumabat (FB), DSH Giverney In Bloom and Fleurs du Soleil (minis), Tauer Les Annees 25 (mini), House of Matriarch Kazimi (mini). “Yes, darling, we all must do our part.”

    “And my rescue mission, giving a loving home to sadly abandoned perfumes that were lost and alone on Ebay.” By Kilian Amber Oud, Serge Lutens Rousse, Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle, Guerlain Purple Fantasy, Guerlain Mahora.

    “Well, and after all that hard work, surely I deserved to treat myself, for once.” Lady Gaga Eau de Gaga, Fort & Manle Impressions of Giverney, Banana Republic Linen Vetiver (mini), Gucci Guilty pour Homme Absolute, Kate Walsh Boyfriend, VCA Neroli Amara, Neela Vermeire Niral, Hermes Jour d’Hermes parfum (mini).

    “How clever you are, to notice that it very nearly balanced out this quarter. Ah yes, my dear, we make such sacrifices; but, as you know, noblesse oblige. Well it was simply fabulous to hear from you, I am always so touched that you think of me every quarter without fail. Kiss Kiss. Talk to you next quarter!”

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    • Calypso says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:29 pm

      You’re so funny!

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    • Glannys says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Selfless and hard-working as ever, pixel.
      😉

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    • lillyjo says:
      5 July 2018 at 2:11 pm

      Hilarious and clever!????

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    • Kanuka says:
      5 July 2018 at 2:18 pm

      The Nobel Prize for perfume is heading your way

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:43 pm

      LOVE. THIS.

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      • AngelaB says:
        6 July 2018 at 8:27 am

        I hear the perfect voice to accompany you! Very well done Girl!!

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    • Nancyleandros says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:49 pm

      I always scroll down to read your entry first, pixel! Hilarious. ????

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    • Koyel says:
      5 July 2018 at 5:03 pm

      I always look forward to your Donatella posts 🙂

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    • Elisa P says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:31 pm

      She NEVER calls me. Grrrr. But you truly deserved it!????????

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    • Jalapeno says:
      5 July 2018 at 8:01 pm

      ????????

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    • Jewel says:
      6 July 2018 at 10:35 am

      Hilarious!

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  22. ScentSpirit says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:26 pm

    Only two bottles, and I’m including the Eau de Memo I bought on the first day of July because I will never remember it by October. The other was a bottle of Andrea Maack Dual to commemorate my trip to Iceland.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:41 pm

      Perfect souvenir of your trip!

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  23. Calypso says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:28 pm

    I lied in the poll! I simply forgot some. BAD me. Here’s my list:
    Mugler Aura (autocorrect wants that to be “Bugler”) with my Ulta 20% off coupon
    MFK APOM (I got a nice % off in the Canada sale, thanks!)
    Travel spray of Zoologist Moth (my new favorite of that line)
    Nez a Nez Bal Musque (50% off sale)
    Maybe given the discount prices and small travel bottle, this really only counts as 2? (blushing)

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    • austenfan says:
      5 July 2018 at 1:58 pm

      I think it ought to be called Bugler from now on!

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      • Kanuka says:
        5 July 2018 at 2:17 pm

        The Mugler Bugler….read all about it!

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    • cazaubon says:
      21 July 2018 at 4:59 pm

      Nice score on the Aura, I need to figure out how to get one of those Ulta coupons!

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  24. sugarvenom says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:43 pm

    In the last few months I’ve sold about three bottles of perfume at pretty good prices on eBay. But I’ve also in the last quarter purchased new perfume as well.

    Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme
    Yves Saint Laurent 24 Rue De L’Université
    Perris Monte Carlo Santal Du Pacifique EdP & Extrait
    Perris Monte Carlo Cacao Azteque EdP

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  25. gravity says:
    5 July 2018 at 1:50 pm

    After a successful no-buy first quarter, this time it was two FBs: Nicolai Odalisque (April) and Masque L’Attesa (just a week ago). Neither was even on my to-buy list, they had practically jumped on me out of nowhere and forced me to buy them! Regrets? None.

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:44 pm

      No regrets is very good.

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  26. tiffanie says:
    5 July 2018 at 2:04 pm

    dear NST friends, I fell off my no-new-bottles pledge, and it feels great. I lasted five months, making two new scents feel nicely indulgent.

    1. I rescued a seriously under-priced bottle of Vol de Nuit edt.

    It was languishing unloved on a lonely shelf. Now I give it the adoration it deserves. It is fleeting, four or six spritzes at once smell great. Have already made a dent in this bottle quicker than most others.

    2. And I succumbed to the Cap Neroli lemming, bought it unsniffed, enabler pin goes to Ede97005.

    I had to buy it! A spray sample + shipping would have cost close to a third the price of the bottle, so really this is a large-size sample a la hajusuuri. Props to Madame de Nicolaï for her fabulous work and for offering 30 ml bottles. And a shout out to ZGO Perfumery. They sent my package quickly with some surprise samples. I’m a very happy customer.

    Fingers crossed that summer weather will help me sit on my hands for the next quarter and beyond.

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    • monica404 says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:09 pm

      any bottle of 30 ml or less is practically inviting to be bought.

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    • sistine says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:13 pm

      Vol de Nuit!!!!!!!! Of course you had to rescue the bottle.

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:45 pm

      Bottle rescues are important.

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      • AngelaB says:
        6 July 2018 at 8:29 am

        HaHA!!

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      • kpaint says:
        8 July 2018 at 8:26 am

        Charity work, really.

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    • Jalapeno says:
      5 July 2018 at 7:59 pm

      Two well loved bottles is nicely restrained, IMO.

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    • Gail says:
      5 July 2018 at 9:58 pm

      Congrats on the Vol de Nuit!

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  27. Cody says:
    5 July 2018 at 2:04 pm

    this quarter-

    Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower
    Frédéric Malle Eau de Magnolia
    Elie Saab Essences Oud
    Serge Lutens cedre
    L’artisan Seville a laube
    Escentric Molecules 04

    For a grand total of about $750 this quarter.. I thought I was doing so good but now when i tally it up lol. Also I’m going to Vegas next week for a little mini vacation and I know I’ll do some damage at the Barneys in the Bellagio. God help me if they stock the Serge Lutens bell jars there.. I’ve been eyeing Borneo 1834 and La Myrrhe for a long time and it’s my birthday sooo….

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    • Petunia says:
      5 July 2018 at 2:48 pm

      You have to give yourself a birthday present or two. La Myrrhe…nice choice.

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    • Gail says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:01 pm

      Vacation perfume doesn’t count!! Well, that’s my own made-up rule.

      Have fun in Vegas.

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  28. Erin says:
    5 July 2018 at 2:10 pm

    Wooo! R, I think it’s the first quarter I’ve ever spent less than you on fragrance. I knew one day the time would come. 😉 I believe I spent nada this quarter. $263 for the year so far, I think. I just bought the new LT/TS Guide for Kindle (actually my phone), though, so my days of solvency are numbered.

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    • gvillecreative says:
      5 July 2018 at 2:41 pm

      Wait! There’s a NEW Guide!?

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      • Erin says:
        5 July 2018 at 3:06 pm

        There is! Just stuff from 2008 on, mostly niche. It will be out soon in paperback, but is currently available on Amazon in a Kindle version.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:46 pm

      Yay for you!!! I need to get The Guide still.

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  29. crikey says:
    5 July 2018 at 2:26 pm

    I thought I had been fairly restrained, but as I sit to make my confession…

    1. 40ml of Santal Noir (with a nice discount and lovely freebie soap)
    2. 10ml of superstitious (ok, it was 3*10 travel sprays but for the price of one on eBay)
    3. A bottle of slumberhouse Norne when I was briefly in the u.s. (expensive but entirely successful blind buy. Phew.)
    4. Travel sprays of cedre sambac and agar Ebeneezer (thank you autocorrect!) and a replacement osmanthe yunnan
    5. Unplanned but happy use of voucher and discount to acquire 75ml of Bel Respiro
    6. Aedes discovery set (10ml each of copal Azur, iris nazarene, and oeillet Bengale
    7. And a replacement/refill of my emptied out and much missed Bandit (under half price. Rude not to.)

    …I realise the extent of my self delusion. Oh dear. Still cheaper than smoking.

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    • crikey says:
      5 July 2018 at 2:28 pm

      And now it’s a new quarter, and my birthday month. For a zero birthday at that.

      *Whistles nonchalantly*

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      • tiffanie says:
        5 July 2018 at 2:45 pm

        oooooh, a zero birthday. I hope your response is “challenge accepted.” 😉

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        • crikey says:
          6 July 2018 at 7:02 am

          Well, *I* think fifty deserves prizes. Not just presents.

          item 1: newly coloured hair in an array of purples from blackcurrant to lavender, trimmed back to waist length for tidiness.
          item 2: a bottle of Aeon 001 (thank you crazy ebay seller letting this go at barely over half price. I have been hunting for one all year.)
          item 3: t.b.d.

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          • tiffanie says:
            6 July 2018 at 9:35 pm

            Perfect! keep up the good work, fifty looks great on you! 😀

    • Regina says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:17 pm

      A blind buy of Norne! That is very brave – although I can’t imagine not liking it, so maybe it is safe after all.

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      • crikey says:
        5 July 2018 at 4:23 pm

        No one in the UK stocks slumberhouse, so I figured I’d really hated it I’d find a willing buyer. but it’s amazing. So I keep it!

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    • Koyel says:
      5 July 2018 at 5:08 pm

      Your #6 is great 🙂 I was given that from a very kind NSTer, and I treasure it. All three of those scents are wonderful!

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      • crikey says:
        6 July 2018 at 7:04 am

        I dithered for ages over this set or the threesome of Copal Azur. Am so very glad I picked the mixed set–I agree, all three are lovely!

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:46 pm

      Love agar Ebeneezer!

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      • crikey says:
        6 July 2018 at 7:03 am

        I regret changing it from the even better original: Again Ebeneezer!

        (fab scent, too)

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    • kpaint says:
      8 July 2018 at 8:29 am

      Perfumista-ing is cheaper than a lot of hobbies – really. Even some gym memberships cost more than what I spend monthly.

      Or so I tell myself…

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  30. jjlook says:
    5 July 2018 at 2:55 pm

    I was going to put 0 out of habit and practice, but actually I bought a partial bottle of a treat off of ebay, but as it is waiting at my family in the States, does it count?

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    • pixel says:
      5 July 2018 at 4:55 pm

      Nope. In my world, it doesn’t count til it’s in my hot little hands. You are absolved 🙂

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  31. sweetgrass says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:03 pm

    I didn’t go too crazy this quarter. My tally is:

    The Body Shop Kahaia, Nigritella and Bowhanti – 50ml (I think?) – $8.99 each at TJ Maxx/Marshall’s

    Bvlgari Eau Parfumeé au Thé Noir – 75ml – $49.99 at Marshall’s

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    • AnnieA says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:14 pm

      Isn’t the Black Tea nice? As i think you said, unoriginal, but nice with it.

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  32. lucasai says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:11 pm

    Partial bottle of Prada Infusion de Mandarine would be my most recent purchase.
    And back in April when I was in Milan I bought a Hermessence coffret of 4 but I only kept one of the 15 ml bottles.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:47 pm

      Not bad at all!

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  33. SheriG says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:16 pm

    I think this is my first quarter reporting only 1 FB acquired – an 80’s-ish bottle of Balenciaga Le Dix EDC. I am not counting 5ml decants of De Profundis and Kyoto because I draw the line on confessing anything under 10mls. And I’m not counting my long-backordered bell jar of De Profundis because (a) the money hasn’t left my account yet and (b) it may never arrive at all at this point. Am hoping I just jinxed the jinx by saying that. 😀

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:48 pm

      I admit I started to giggle at not counting a bell jar! But I’m sure Donatella kept a straight face.

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      • SheriG says:
        6 July 2018 at 12:18 am

        It is a bit ludicrous, isn’t it. Tell ya what – if it ever actually gets delivered, I’ll double-count it in the next poll. 😉

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  34. sistine says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:17 pm

    I bought 3 bottles, with excellent motivations.
    1) California Reverie – no one bought me perfume for my birthday, so I had to do it myself.
    2) Hanami by Phlur – end of the school year reward for surviving another year as a teacher
    3) Dans tes bras (travel spray) – I bought my husband the Ombré Leather reissue for his birthday. The travel spray just happened to jump in my cart. No regrets!

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    • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
      5 July 2018 at 3:54 pm

      Hanami… I really like that one. Good choice!

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:49 pm

      Surviving another year as a teacher is definitely worth at least one bottle.

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  35. She-ra says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:27 pm

    In terms of FBs, I bought the following:

    CSP Vanille Extreme (vintage…well old anyways)
    Xerjoff Lira (tester on its way from EvilBay…hoping it is real and full as described)
    Montale Vanille Absolu
    Montale Sweet Vanilla
    Guerlain Iris Ganache

    And I am at 132% of my perfume “amount” or budget for 2018…this includes all splits and samples too. I hadn’t planned on the IG and without it I am slightly under budget.

    But let’s be real, I’m not done spending yet for the year. And who could have foreseen what a success VQ ‘18 would be? More vanilla and non-vanilla work to be done, friends.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:50 pm

      And someone has to do it!

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  36. Gaynor says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:30 pm

    Just two bottles for me this quarter, which tells me I’m probably overdue some shopping 🙂

    I bought Suleyman le Magnifique from Fort and Manle, with eye-watering shipping costs from Australia, which seems crazy, as our countries are really not far apart. Given that New Zealand had a Closer Economic Relations policy with Australia for decades, I felt that I was almost supporting a local business.

    My other purchase was Gold Heart No 4 from Map of the Heart, another Australian brand (seems to be a theme here), which I did buy locally.

    I always enjoy the damage poll, I get so many ideas of things to try!

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:51 pm

      I like the buy local theme! Shame it costs so much to ship.

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  37. BookishCook says:
    5 July 2018 at 3:59 pm

    Just one bottle for me this quarter, but a big one: Different Company’s Sublime Balkiss. Purchased during my first visit to Scent Bar while visiting family in LA. So it’s also a vacation souvenir.

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:51 pm

      Which surely means it counts less 😉

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  38. Regina says:
    5 July 2018 at 4:16 pm

    I did a very good job of sticking to my budget this quarter. Picked up lots of minis and decants. The highlights are all vintage: a mini of Balmain Ebene which I finally saw on ebay for a reasonable price, a mini of Bel Ami which quickly became a favorite, and a half-bottle of Cabochard parfum for $4 at an estate sale.

    But the best of all was a full bottle of Providence Perfume Moss Gown! Which did not dent the budget because it was given to me as a gift(!) by a friend who lives in Providence because I helped him edit his novel.

    In the coming quarter I am planning to look more to new things – aiming for one of those Zoologist 5-packs and some PP Sweet Jasmine Brown oil, as budget permits. I love Sweet Jasmine Brown so much I will probably pick up one of her oil sampler sets as well.

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    • lillyjo says:
      5 July 2018 at 11:38 pm

      What a great deal for Cabochard! I love it so much.

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    • kpaint says:
      8 July 2018 at 8:33 am

      Ooh, I like the idea of trading perfume for labor!

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  39. Aparatchick says:
    5 July 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Forgive me, Donatella, for I have sinned. But I had good reasons! Really!

    Imaginary Authors 14 ml bottles of Memoirs of a Trespasser, Saint Julep, and Falling Into the Sea, all 20% off, so a sensible purchase, right?

    A 50 ml bottle of Fragonard Verveine which will see me through this hot summer nicely. And I blame Kevin for enabling me, so not my fault, right?

    A 100 ml bottle of L’Artisan Coeur de Vetiver Sacre, which is discontinued, and what’s a girl supposed to do when a discontinued bottle of something she loves pops up on Ebay, right?

    A 50 ml bottle of Smell Bent Never Never Land, on sale, a backup, and discontinued. I mean really, aren’t the gods telling me to buy it at that point? Who am I to say no, right?

    All in all, very sensible and totally justifiable purchases.

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:03 pm

      Of COURSE you had to rescue the Coeur de Vetiver Sacre. It needed you.

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  40. Creosote says:
    5 July 2018 at 4:48 pm

    Donatella is going to be disappointed in me this quarter. I bought one lonely bottle—with a discount and some points—of Pacifica Aromapower Dream State (the spray version).

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    • Jalapeno says:
      5 July 2018 at 7:57 pm

      Hiya, single bottle twin!

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      • Creosote says:
        5 July 2018 at 10:31 pm

        ????????‍♀️Howdy! My Pacifica can hang out with your Burberry. ????

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  41. ringthing says:
    5 July 2018 at 4:49 pm

    Two Zoologist travel bottles, Macque and Moth, and I won a great (in my opinion) lot in an auction on Goodwill online: a full 1.7oz kidney shaped bottle of Calvin Klein Obsession with a full bottle of Secret Obsession and smaller bottles of CK One and Obsession from the 90s (and a mini of Eternity.) Vintage Obsession smells so good! Ready for fall 🙂

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:52 pm

      What fun!

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  42. Koyel says:
    5 July 2018 at 4:54 pm

    Maybe it’s late enough in the day that no one will see this. Ok, let’s do this, friends.

    Parisian vacation: I’m no pixel; I can’t just say “these are souvenirs!” and not count them. If I am ever to slow down my purchases, I need to be strict with myself!

    1. Serge Lutens la Myrrhe bell jar 75 mL (190E)
    2. Serge Lutens Santal de Mysore bell jar 75 mL (190E)
    3. Chanel Sycomore edp 75 mL (160E)
    4. Chanel Bois des Iles extrait 15 mL (170E)
    5. Guerlain Bois d’Armenie travel spray 15 mL (55E)

    Non-vacation:

    6. Atelier Cologne Perfume Wardrobe 7 x 8 mL ($48 on 10 % off sale!)
    7. Tauer Lonesome Rider 50 mL ($135)
    8. Tauer Incense Rose 50 mL ($135)
    9. Lush Cardamom Coffee 30 mL ($77)
    10. L’Aromatica Kulfi 30 mL ($51 on 10 % off sale!)
    11. Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental 50 mL ($120) – partially split; wish I could’ve split more!
    12. Frederic Malle L’eau d’Hiver, Iris Poudre 10 mL each ($70 on eBay)
    13. Frederic Malle En Passant PB ($100 on eBay)
    14. Ormonde Jayne Tai’if 8 mL ($26 on eBay)
    15. Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme 50 mL ($36 on eBay) – partially split; may split the rest
    16. Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea, Equestrian, and Velvet Rose 10 mL each ($95)
    17. Sonoma Scent Studio Fireside Intense 34 mL ($80)
    18. Sonoma Scent Studio Forest Walk, Pacific Forest 17 mL each ($119)
    19. Sonoma Scent Studio Nostalgie, Voile de Violette, Yin & Ylang 5 mL each ($59)
    20. Sugandhco Royal Mukhallat, Gulbahaar, and Gil 10 mL each ($51)

    Paris: $945; other: $1202. Total: $2147.

    So. That’s a doozy. Two pretty horrible quarters back to back, eh.

    I have some excuses.

    1. The $945 in Paris–well, I was in Paris. It was my first time ever to be in Paris WITH MONEY, and my second time after falling down the perfume rabbit hole. I don’t know when I’ll go to Paris again, but it won’t be anytime soon. Besides, I split 10 mL of la Myrrhe. So.
    2. Sonoma Scent Studio! That’s $353 I HAD to spend this quarter if I ever wanted to have any of her spectacular and super reasonably priced scents! I did spend a lot on those, but look at how many treasures I got for that money.
    3. Sugandhco: I don’t know if $51 really needs justification, but it was supporting Indian business, and besides, coin-op needed someone to share her shipment with in order to help with shipping costs from India.
    4. Tauer Incense Rose: Someone said they were stopping production on that one and I thought I’d perish without it. Turns out they were lying; Andy Tauer said he has no plans to stop producing it. Regardless, it’s been on my want list forever. Besides, I’ve split 5 mL of it.

    I don’t really have any more excuses. I can say that I have significantly slowed down my purchases over the past month or so. I’ve thankfully cut down my wishlist pretty significantly (how could I not have, with such absurd expenditures?), and I cannot but spend less for the rest of the year. I’m also going to try to sell #12 and #14 back on eBay, as they are not my thing. That will help defray a small piece of the cost. And I might try to sell some decants on eBay? And there are some other scents I really want that I will buy in time for the splitmeet so that I only end up with a small amount (Songe d’un bois d’ete and Milieu Rosa spring instantly to mind).

    Mostly, though, I’ve given up and succumbed to the horrors of capitalism.

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    • Aparatchick says:
      5 July 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Fabulous list, though, horrors of capitalism and all. 🙂

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      • Koyel says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:24 pm

        Thanks for that 🙂 at least I have that to keep me warm! (And wonderful-smelling.)

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    • mals86 says:
      5 July 2018 at 5:55 pm

      OH BUT YOU GOT BEAUTIFUL THINGS!! Plus Paris.

      La Myrrhe. To die for, amirite? And all those SSS scents, which may never return.

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      • Koyel says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:26 pm

        Everyone seems to be more in love with la Myrrhe than with Santal de Mysore, but there’s something about that spectacular buttery sandalwood that gets me every time. But yes, la Myrrhe is exquisite! And yeah, I hope SSS does come back, but if it doesn’t, at least I’m mostly set 🙂 (I’m also thankful that I love the SSS ones that I blind bought!)

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    • nicolasix says:
      5 July 2018 at 5:58 pm

      Wow – jealous of that haul!

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      • Koyel says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:27 pm

        Thanks! Sometimes I just like looking at them and dreaming about how great I will smell when I get to wear them next.

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    • crikey says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:18 pm

      Such gorgeousness! Yes, the rare and wonderful experience of being in Paris when flush… It’s giddy making. But you took home such treasures. (How is the box of eels extraordinary? I adore the EDT but haven’t dared sniff further up that food chain…)

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      • Koyel says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:29 pm

        Haha, the extrait is indeed extraordinary! Autocorrect provided you with a nice Freudian slip 🙂 I’m actually not the biggest fan of the EDT. The EDP is nice on me, but the extrait is just otherworldly in its beauty. I don’t recommend you try it unless you’re interested in making a pricey purchase. I found out how beautiful it was because hajusuuri very generously sent me 1 mL of it when I was still a baby perfumista. But it’s really arrestingly gorgeous and full.

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        • crikey says:
          6 July 2018 at 7:20 am

          Oh, that’s high praise. I may risk a little sniff if I’m going through Heathrow…

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          • Koyel says:
            6 July 2018 at 3:40 pm

            Yes, do! There’s always a chance you won’t like it and then you’ll stop wondering 🙂

    • KellyC says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:24 pm

      I’m actually proud of you haha! I’m not one to rein others in on their purchases though…I’m a total enabler.

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      • Koyel says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:30 pm

        Haha, THANKS A LOT. You definitely are 🙂 But I really need to be more restrained!

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    • Jalapeno says:
      5 July 2018 at 7:56 pm

      WOW! I have some Tauers on my FB wishlist. Since I don’t foresee getting them in the near future, I can live vicariously through your purchases for a little bit. ????

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      • Koyel says:
        6 July 2018 at 3:42 pm

        Tauer once wrote that he expected his prices to jump up if he ever sold the brand. That struck terror in my heart! I’m sure it’ll be a while until that happens, though 🙂

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    • apsara says:
      5 July 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Well played Koyel, well played.

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      • Koyel says:
        6 July 2018 at 3:42 pm

        Shhhh, you’re only encouraging my bad behavior!

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    • austenfan says:
      6 July 2018 at 9:17 am

      If it makes you feel any better at all: the first time I ordered from Patricia de Nicolaï (and these were unsniffed buys!) I think I got over 20 bottles in one go. Thankfully, I fell very much in love with nearly all of them, and definitely liked ALL of them. Bit of a gamble, but it paid off in a big way.
      I’ve slowed down in a major way since, although Cap Neroli has my name all over it as does her latest candle (Lilas something)

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      • Koyel says:
        6 July 2018 at 3:44 pm

        Haha, that DOES make me feel better. I’m slightly regretting not having stopped by PdN while I was in Paris. Cap Neroli has gotten so much love here that i really want to find a way to sniff it!

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  43. Furriner says:
    5 July 2018 at 5:12 pm

    D.S. and Durga Burning Barbershop, 50 ml
    Etat Libre d’Orange Antihéros, 50 ml
    Bruno Fazzolari Unsettled, 30 ml
    Serge Lutens Dent de Lait, 50 ml
    Jean Patou Colony, 100 ml
    Tauer Perfumes Attar AT, 5 ml
    Comme des Garçons Vogue 125, 100 ml
    Kilian Sacred Wood, 30 ml
    Kilian Noir Aphrodisiaque, 50 ml
    Parfum d’Empire Azemour Les Orangers, 100 ml

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    • KellyC says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:22 pm

      You’ve been busy. 🙂

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  44. mals86 says:
    5 July 2018 at 5:53 pm

    Well. It has taken me a couple of hours to add up everything for Q2. I sold (drum roll please) 18 full bottles and 12 minis. YAY!

    But with the proceeds I bought (blush) 5 full bottles and 4 decants/minis. One of those was STUPID-expensive, but I managed to get it slightly-used and reduced, and I’m thrilled about that. One was a mistake (I really liked my sample, but the full bottle was less pleasing).

    I’m about $270 in the black this quarter, roughly, so when added to last quarter’s $300 spending, I’ve only spent $30.

    Sorta. JUST GO WITH IT, OKAY?

    The additions to the collection:
    1. Leonard de Leonard, which I lurve and have already knocked out a 20-ml decant of.
    2. Chanel Eau Premiere, which is never wrong, and which I have drained THREE 10ml decants of over the past decade.
    3. VC&A California Reverie, the FB mistake. (Will sell it.)
    4. Guerlain Charnel Elixir Floral Romantique, which I’ve used three decants of and which is ridiculously pricey but which I love anyway.
    5. Arquiste Flor y Canto, which IMO miiiiiight suit me better even than Carnal Flower.

    mini of Fendi, which is gorgeous.
    mini of 1932 (LT can take his 2-star review and, um, eat it. don’t care.)
    mini of CK Truth, which I am finding surprisingly good.
    decant of Le Cri de la Lumiere, which has not arrived yet.

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    • Koyel says:
      5 July 2018 at 7:16 pm

      Impressive!! I’m totally on board with your math 🙂 Sorry to hear about California Reverie–I loved it when I tried it on skin at a shop once, and have been on the casual lookout for a cheap bottle, but now I wonder if it’s a finicky scent. Good luck selling it! (Where do you usually sell your perfumes? I’m thinking of selling some of the things I no longer want. Is eBay my best bet?)

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      • kpaint says:
        8 July 2018 at 8:40 am

        Don’t know if you’ll see this, but most of the older VCAs sell at very reasonable prices on ebay.

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        • mals86 says:
          8 July 2018 at 11:49 am

          At least I bought CR at a very reduced price — from Fragrancenet. I think it’s been discontinued. I’ll probably try to unload it on teh ‘Bay.

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      • mals86 says:
        8 July 2018 at 11:48 am

        Oops, just saw this!

        I sold a few things via my blog, and a few things via a Facebook perfume group, but most of it has gone through eBay. I don’t know if that’s the best option, but I think it might be for perfumes that are not niche. Basenotes has a marketplace too but I’ve never used it, probably because I don’t spend a lot of time on Basenotes (and also because the site seems to skew more masculine than the stuff I am trying to sell).

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    • Aparatchick says:
      5 July 2018 at 8:59 pm

      Not just perfume math, perfume accounting! WTG, mals!

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      • mals86 says:
        8 July 2018 at 11:49 am

        😀

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    • Meg O. says:
      6 July 2018 at 8:01 am

      Nice buys! I really do love Flor y Canto. It’s gorgeous and a little strange and full of personality. I just found half a mini spray hiding in my fume cabinet, and it felt like uncovering a treasure (thought I’d used it all the month I got the samples)!

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      • mals86 says:
        8 July 2018 at 11:50 am

        Flor y Canto is lovely.

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  45. pyramus says:
    5 July 2018 at 5:57 pm

    On returning from Vancouver we stopped in Toronto for a few days and I ended up buying things I hadn’t intended to, for a total splurge of maybe $90:

    Lush Cardamom Coffee solid
    Lush I’m Home solid
    Lush Rose Jam body spray
    NYC Patch Pipe solid

    Since it’s nearly impossible to smell anything in a Lush store due to the staggering amount of olfactory noise, I discovered after I got home that I don’t like the two Lush solids very much: they seemed nice in the store but turned out to have a note that doesn’t agree with me — it actually makes me a little queasy. I’m still counting them in my purchases, but I’ll swap them away soon, I expect. (The Rose Jam is of course gorgeous.)

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    • nicolasix says:
      5 July 2018 at 6:08 pm

      I’m sooo tempted by the Rose Jam spray – does it smell just like the shower gel?

      Log in to Reply
      • KellyC says:
        5 July 2018 at 6:19 pm

        I have actually never tried the gel but I LOVE the spray.

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      • Jalapeno says:
        5 July 2018 at 7:54 pm

        To my nose, yes! The Rose Jam spray is just like the shower gel. YMMV.

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      • austenfan says:
        6 July 2018 at 9:19 am

        To my nose they smell very, very similar as well.

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      • nicolasix says:
        6 July 2018 at 11:19 am

        I will def add it to my Lush list – I’m trying to limit my Lush orders, as they always turn into quite a workout for my credit card . . .

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  46. KellyC says:
    5 July 2018 at 6:18 pm

    Due to my son’s prom and graduation, plus all of the plane tickets I’ve been buying (kids are expensive, yo!), I haven’t bought one single bottle this quarter. I have catching up to do ha!

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    • Koyel says:
      5 July 2018 at 7:19 pm

      That’s so impressive! I need to be more like you next quarter. (Kids are expensive. I definitely would not be able to spend the way I do if I had children.)

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  47. Elisa P says:
    5 July 2018 at 6:21 pm

    2 bottles and 1 decant, all in May, my bday month:
    1) CdG Lily: in-anticipation-of-my bday and 20% off at TL

    2)BF Monserrat: actual bday gift to me

    3)5ml decant of Opardu that a kind NSTer split for me

    Happy with all 3 and with my relative restraint, with perfume, anyway.

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  48. Gi says:
    5 July 2018 at 6:51 pm

    I’ve failed this quarter….I’d intended to treat myself with reckless abandon for my “0” birthday year, but managed to buy only 2 bottles:

    Safran Troublant which I’d been begging decants from a generous perfume pal for a while: time to pony up as I clearly love it

    Bottega Veneta Eau des Velours as it was reportedly LE and really quite lovely

    Now that will likely be that for a while as I’ve earmarked my “fun fund” to a giant “screw middle age” tattoo, and a “yes I am old” new vacuum cleaner.

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    • lillyjo says:
      5 July 2018 at 8:25 pm

      My plan was to get a lot for my big birthday too, but it didn’t work out that way. Regardless we smell great!

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      • Aparatchick says:
        5 July 2018 at 9:01 pm

        My Birthdaygeddon is this month, so next quarter’s reckoning ought to be interesting. 😉

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  49. Jalapeno says:
    5 July 2018 at 7:53 pm

    A single, 50 mL bottle of Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her.

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    • lillyjo says:
      5 July 2018 at 8:22 pm

      Oh good, you got it!????

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    • perfumelover67 says:
      5 July 2018 at 9:58 pm

      Perfect!

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  50. 50_Roses says:
    5 July 2018 at 8:03 pm

    Nothing, nada, zero, zilch, not a one! I won’t be able to say that next time, however, as I just bought a rollerball of SJP Stash (only $25, though, so really that one is “free”, right?), and I will probably buy something from Providence Perfume Company during my planned visit there on July 14. Since that will be a vacation souvenir, though, does it really count?

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:55 pm

      I’m sure it doesn’t!

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    • Regina says:
      6 July 2018 at 11:35 am

      PPC is one of my very favorites, jealous that you are going to get to visit!

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  51. bouillon says:
    5 July 2018 at 8:40 pm

    I am ashamed.

    This is my first time posting here – however I might benefit from a full confessional and your empathy.

    I bought 14 full bottles these past three months.

    Priciest bottle: Profumum Roma – Ambra Aurea (2 bottles purchased in fact!
    Cheapest bottle : État libre d’orange – Tom of Finland

    Bottle that I regret blind buying: Parfums de Nicolai – Ambre Cashmere

    Bottle I’m most proud of getting my hands onto : Tom Ford – Sahara Noir

    Objective for Q3: limit myself to one bottle per month, no matter what the price is, and no more blind buys, no matter how good of a deal it is!

    Also, find the courage the sell my unused fragrances.

    Cheers!

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    • apsara says:
      5 July 2018 at 9:24 pm

      Donatella doesn’t do shame! She forgives all!
      Good find on the Sahara Noir!

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:56 pm

      Welcome bouillon!

      Agree, Donatella does not do shame. But good luck with your new goals.

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    • Glannys says:
      6 July 2018 at 7:27 am

      Think of them as offerings to the gods of perfume indulgence. 😉

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    • Regina says:
      6 July 2018 at 11:36 am

      Oh I really like your formatting, maybe I will try that next time! I am working up the courage to sell, as well. I keep taking baby steps (like taking photos of them).

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  52. apsara says:
    5 July 2018 at 9:34 pm

    I have little recollection and no shame plus there was my birthday so let me see:

    Chanel Paris Deauville
    Chanel Paris Biarritz
    OJ Ta’if
    Miller Harris La Fumee
    Guerlain Terra-cotta
    Andy Tauer Mini phi rose
    Andy Tauer LDDM mini
    SL Ambre sultan
    Providence Vientiane mini
    Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille – the new roller size
    Imaginary Authors O unknown travel spray
    Lush – cardamom coffee- solid perfume

    No regrets!

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:57 pm

      Wow, lots of stuff in your list that I want!

      How did you like the Cardamom Coffee solid?

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      • apsara says:
        6 July 2018 at 12:30 am

        I like it Robin, it’s cozy and warm. Perfect for winter.

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        • Robin says:
          6 July 2018 at 10:54 pm

          Thanks! I did finally get to smell it from the tester, but could not at that time try it on skin.

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  53. Zephyr2 says:
    5 July 2018 at 9:52 pm

    I bought 2.

    First was Fiele Juniperus in April. I sampled it on my March vacation and liked it so much I ordered a full bottle. With the order, I got a sample of Literalle Aromatica Luce del Sole. I ordered a full bottle of that in June. Sadly, it arrived today but was totally smashed. My house smells very good due to the soaked cardboard box but I am hoping to get a replacement so I can wear it. Never had a perfume arrive broken before.

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    • apsara says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:25 pm

      The Fiele folks are really generous. If you take pic and send it to them, I bet they would replace it for you.

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  54. valleyorchids says:
    5 July 2018 at 10:08 pm

    Hi everyone and Donnatella,

    This is my first confession and likely won’t be the last.

    June was my birthday and obviously I had pre-bought a few bottles as “potential gifts”, then asked my husband for a chanel (which really shouldn’t count, since he paid), and treated myself again at the birthday (how often do you see a 15% coupon from evil Bay??? Just a few days off your birthday?)

    Here are the damages:
    A few TF decants so I don’t have to spend $$$$ on full bottles, money well spent and saved $$$!
    1. TF noir de noir, 5mL decant
    2. TF cafe rose, 5mL decant
    3. TF fleur de chine, 5 ml decant

    Full bottles:
    Geuerlain terra cotta, bought with shoppers points, and scored a “senior” 20% coupon (pls don’t ask me how), total $33 after!!
    VCA Bois de Iris, 75ml
    Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline, 25ml, only $20 (practically free based on perfumath)
    (Doesn’t count!) Chanel Coromandel, 75ml, birthday gift from husband
    Diptyque eau deulle edp, with eBay 15% coupon, from a trusted seller (why do I know that? Because I bought many times!!????????????)

    Please forgive me donnatella! Looking forward to the next confession!

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:58 pm

      Hey, you got some really good deals! And indeed, gifts do not count.

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      • valleyorchids says:
        6 July 2018 at 12:48 am

        Thanks Robin for the kind words. I told myself the same thing… and kept on buying. It’s great to confess, lay all the purchases out there (gasp????????????, did I do that???). Hopefully I will buy less next time.

        And I forgot a 100ml nirvana rose for $67 CAD at a local Marshall. To lessen the guilt – this is enough to spread around in the next freebie meet.

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  55. Gail says:
    5 July 2018 at 10:32 pm

    Although it could have been more, it was 3 for me.

    I received 2 vintage (amazing) testers of Shalimar EDT from eBay. It was with a discount to boot as some kind person here mentioned it.

    My other purchase was Orris Tattoo; just received it yesterday so it may be an early confession since it wasn’t in my hands in the 2nd quarter. ????

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    • Robin says:
      5 July 2018 at 10:59 pm

      Congrats on your vintage testers, it’s so nice to have “real” Shalimar!

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      • Gail says:
        5 July 2018 at 11:23 pm

        Thank you Robin. I was stunned at the beauty of the fragrance. Both bottles are wonderful.

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  56. Laura says:
    6 July 2018 at 12:09 am

    I would classify my quarter as “contained”…????
    Vtg Samsara edp, partial bottle
    YSL Champagne, partial bottle
    Intoxicated, partial bottle
    Library of Flowers True Vanilla
    Tempo

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    • Laura says:
      6 July 2018 at 12:12 am

      Forgot one…????
      Fleur Nocturne, partial

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    • meredifay says:
      6 July 2018 at 6:43 am

      Library of Flowers True Vanilla! I had that once, and it was nice, but I favored Eau de Missions. Since Missions isn’t to be found, I should get another bottle of LOFTV. Thanks for reminding me of this.

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      • Laura says:
        6 July 2018 at 12:07 pm

        It is similar to EdM. It was a $20 blind buy. ????

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  57. hajusuuri says:
    6 July 2018 at 12:41 am

    I gifted myself many large samples so nothing counts. 0 for the quarter! ????

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    • Glannys says:
      6 July 2018 at 3:52 am

      One of those 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml samples, I suspect. 😉

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      • hajusuuri says:
        6 July 2018 at 11:27 am

        Some 2mLs as well…I think it was 5 sets of 7 x 2mLs…

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  58. gunmetal24 says:
    6 July 2018 at 1:15 am

    I only bought one bottle 😀

    Fort & Manle’s Bojnokopff

    I am in the midst of downsizing my collection so one bottle purchase shouldn’t do any damage…in theory.

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  59. Nicola says:
    6 July 2018 at 4:32 am

    Only two, but I’ve wanted them for so long! Plus, I haven’t bought any in so long, I’m sure Donatella will forgive the indulgence.

    Chanel Coromandel (in duty-free, so…saved a little?)
    Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena (60% off in Liberty!)

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  60. edwardnr17 says:
    6 July 2018 at 4:46 am

    Nothing! Tight budget and I have so much, I haven’t finished any bottles yet–

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    • Regina says:
      6 July 2018 at 11:38 am

      applause

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  61. Meg O. says:
    6 July 2018 at 10:37 am

    Just two bottles this quarter. I intended to get a couple more, and there was a big “0” birthday in there to “justify” it, but it’s instead made me slow down (curiously) and really consider what I want/need. Also, I’m in that place a few years into this hobby where you start to worry about dying with too much perfume, so… ???? Once my money situation is stronger, I’ll likely swoop a few things up, but it’s been nice to enjoy my prior acquisitions right now.

    This quarter:
    – A 30ml bottle of Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar from Whole Foods (wanted something coconutty, and it’s cheap and cheerful)
    – A 100ml bottle of Aerin Hibiscus Palm, which is a big old tuberose on me (not listed in the notes, but my husband’s comment was, “Wow. Tuberose,” and he hates tuberose, so it’s one note he can reliably identify!), with a sort of tropical, creamy base. It’s not at all what I expected from the house, name, or notes.

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  62. Jewel says:
    6 July 2018 at 10:56 am

    Just one – an almost full bottle of MDCI Peche Cardinale that I have wanted forever.

    It’s so interesting to read about other’s purchases!

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  63. JadainGA says:
    6 July 2018 at 11:21 am

    Almost missed this quarter! 🙂 Better late than never…..

    1. Ghost Captivating $12.99 “meh”
    2. Kenzo Flower in the Air $10.00 “like it”
    3. Ysatis $41.00 “LOVE it!!!”
    4. BBW Vanilla Bean $4.63
    5. BBW Lavender Sandalwood $4.63
    6. BBW Hello Sunshine $4.63
    7. Scentbirds (still free until Sept..won 6 months on Instagram)….
    April: Commodity Velvet
    May: ELdO Hermann a mes Cotes me Parassait Une Ombre etat
    June: Histories de Parfum 1899

    I was pretty restrained this quarter! 🙂

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  64. johanob says:
    6 July 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Not even a single bottle.Many perfumed presents on my birthday made it easy.Lol.
    Plus “shopping” from my own collection is extremely gratifying.I did sell quite a lot during my recent sale to colleagues and friends.Proud perfumista.Lol

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  65. Eschmeling says:
    6 July 2018 at 5:33 pm

    Donatella,
    forgive me for forgetting the bottle of Ostara I bought this quarter, which ups my total to just north of $200.
    I find this reckoning quite helpful – perhaps, instead of buying samples and too good to pass up cheapies, I simply ought to allow myself one bottle per quarter?

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  66. kpaint says:
    8 July 2018 at 9:03 am

    Thanks to Donatella, I’ve been tracking my purchases in rather exacting detail since 2016. I thought this had been one of my more restrained quarters, but that is not the case.

    $284.35 got me:

    Full Bottles: 1

    Guerlain Meteorites home fragrance. I’m not in love with it, and can therefore pass on the reissued perfume. So my $24.86 spent saved me a considerable amount on a future failed purchase.

    Travel Sprays (including Scentbird picks):

    Guerlain SDV (I also had a mule in Paris – thank you!)
    Guerlain Shalimar Initial (a blind buy, and I seem to have finally found a Shalimar I don’t like)
    ELdO Fat Electrician
    TF Grey Vetiver
    Hiram Green Arbole Arbole
    Tauer Incense Rose (5 ml split so not quite a travel spray but I’ll include it here anyway)

    Samples:

    I’ll count the 4 ml of Guerlain French Kiss since it cost as much as a small bottle of something less ridiculously overpriced.

    Epic WIN:

    A 60% full 6.8 oz bottle of Bois des Iles edt for $111.

    Not bad. I could do worse spending $22 per week, eh?

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    • crikey says:
      8 July 2018 at 9:26 am

      That is a truly epic win! You can practically bathe in that BdI gorgeousness now.

      (I’m a spot envious of your wee spray of Fat Electrician. I like it a lot, but can’t bring myself to buy 100ml, which seems to be the only option here. I wish they did more 30ml bottles…)

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