Yep, it's Friday! Our community project for today: for Family History Month, wear a fragrance that someone in your family wore, or that reminds you of someone in your family, or that reflects your family history in some way.
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
If I had any Jean Naté, I'd wear that for my grandmother (and I can still smell it clearly in my brain, even though she has been dead for many years). Instead, I'm in Yves Saint Laurent Paris, which my mother wore for a few years as a signature, around the same time that I also wore it as an almost-signature. Unless I'm forgetting something, it was our only fragrance overlap.
Reminder: on 10/26, step out of your comfort zone by wearing a perfume that you find challenging. Suggested by lucasai.
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 PREDECESSORS of Adam (me) by dr No. Adam Nowak at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m wearing Paris YSL as well, vintage EDT and body cream. Not because of any association with my family, although my mother used to wear it at some point, but I wore it before she ever started to.
The person who introduced me to it was a French friend of mine, whose signature it was when we first met at university in the mid eighties. We lost touch over the years but have recently met again after not having met for over 20 years. It was a really nice meeting, not just with her, but with her family as well. So Paris it is today, in honour of a much valued friend.
How lovely!
So cool that you were able to reconnect with your friend!
Hi everyone! Robin, you smell lovely.
I’m in Nahema parfum today. Even though my mother wore the PdT, the parfum is such a special treat. I thought that would be a fitting celebration.
Even though I do distinctly remember the gold cage refill on her dressing table, I don’t remember smelling Nahema on her as a child. Looking back now, she had great taste!
Great pick!
And likewise, my mother wore a number of good perfumes that I did not appreciate at the time 🙂
The Nahema EdP makes my eyes roll back in my head. The parfum must be glorious!! ????
I’m wearing Coty L’Aimant pdt today. I don’t know that any of the women in my family ever wore this, but it reminds of my dad taking me and my sibs Christmas shopping for my mom. I distinctly remember L’Aimant and L’Origan, along with Tabu (pink bottle) and Ambush (black bottle), being available at the department store. Those were the days…
Happy Friday!
Twins! I have a pink vintage bottle of L’Aimant that I rarely wear, but the scent memory of this is so strong. It always makes me think of my mother and father heading off to some dinner dance and I would watch my mom get ready. She would also sometimes wear Je Reviens, and Faberge Woodhue. But it’s L’Aimant that really sticks with me to this day. Mom passed away in December, so this fragrance has been a real comfort to me.
I would wear Joy or Chanel No. 5 in memory of my mum, but neither of them smell at all pleasant on me! Fearsmice, thank you for mentioning Tabu – I won’t bore prospective readers by repeating my Tabu story, but I’m smiling to myself as I type this…
You’ve really peaked my interest – what’s your Tabu story?
Oh my goodness, I just didn’t want people to think “oh that story again” if I mentioned it, as I have done so a couple of times over the years I’ve been an NST-er whenever Tabu is mentioned. I do appreciate you asking – so here you are! Many years ago, when I was in my late teens/early twenties, in our group of friends was Diane – my best friend Karen wore Dorothy Gray’s Midnight, I wore Opium, & Diane had discovered Tabu – she applied it a tad enthusiastically, & nicknamed it “instant brothel”, which made us howl with laughter then & still makes me smile now whenever I see a reference to the fragrance. Sadly, Diane died over twenty years ago, but whenever I see Tabu mentioned, it takes me back to our young, free & single (& no doubt reeking to high heaven in Diane’s case!) days & brings back happy memories. You did ask…!
I love the story! Thank you for sharing it again.
What a sweet memory.
Love this story too!
Thank you for this touching, funny story.
That’s a wonderful story. I’m glad you shared it again!
“Instant brothel” is all kinds of win! So wonderfully descriptive.
Wearing EL Youth Dew. This was the scent of my Mother for most of my life. She was not subtle in her application technique either 🙂 I cannot smell this without picturing that elegant. wasp waisted bottle with the small elastic gold bow. I own this only because it reminds me of her, and she died over 8 years ago.
I could have worn Jovan Musk Oil, Elizabeth Arden Red Door, Avon Sweet Honesty, Jean Nate, Love’s Baby Soft/Fresh Lemon/Fresh Rain or White Shoulders if I wanted to round out my childhood scent memories.
The Youth Dew bottle is absolutely one of the most iconic for me.
Jean Nate! Yes!
We have a lot of overlap in our scent memories! My grandmother wore Youth Dew and I remember toying with that bow on the bottle that sat on her mirror tray.
So many perfumes in your life from an early age.
I remember having a huge splash bottle of Jean Nate in the bathroom during my tween years. Both my mom and I loved it.
I’m wearing Canoe today!
My dad I think has occasionally worn it. But more importantly, when my grandfather was a boy he took a 20-mile canoe trip down a teeny, wild New Jersey river called the Maurice (pronounced “Morris”), which me and my dad re-created in kayaks about a decade ago. It is one of my best memories and a nice tie to both my dad and grandpa.
Canoe is so lovely – I think if it were released today it would be considered a feminine, a powdery heliotrope given just enough gravitas by tonka and patchouli.
You smell amazing! I loved that one!
Wonderful memories!
A father-daughter kayak trip sounds awesome! Great tie-in.
Back in my high school days, the boys wore Canoe and the girls (including me) wore Ambush. It was my understanding that Ambush was the feminine version of Canoe.
That kayak trip sounds awesome! What a great memory.
I wanted to wear Youth Dew, but I am out. I immediately ordered another bottle. I could have chosen Anais Anais, but went with Aromatics Elixir. My mother wore all three. Of the three I love Youth Dew and Aromatics Elixir the most, even though I remember hating them in my young adult years. It so interesting how one’s tastes change as one grows older.
You smell wonderful. Aromatics Elixir was one I bought for myself not too far out of college. I remember wearing it one time and a man on an elevator told me I smelled intoxicating.
That was quite the perfume compliment!
I am in Chanel No. 19 because when I was a child, my mother worked in the Chanel factory and I remember her coming home just smelling like this amazing mix of perfume and makeup notes. She probably wore No. 5 more at the time, but somehow this one feels more like that time period. I remember those two bottles on her dresser, along with Diorissimo and the round stoppered bottle of Shalimar
That is an awesome story! You smell fabulous!
Oh I can just imagine how she smelled! Thanks for sharing!
Your mom smelled fabulous. What a great set of scents.
Thanks! I just got her Eau Premier and some 28 La Pausa samples to see what she likes now!
NST winner of “Parent with Best Job”!
They did a $10 “grab bag” at the holidays – a paper grocery bag with a mix of Chanel and Christian Dior products! Which is how I got a bottle of Number 5 in 4th grade!
What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
It must have been hard work, but what a nice environment to be surrounded by perfumes.
Love this!
My father wore Boucheron for men, he loved the woman version I remember him wanting to buy it for me but I thought it was too much. But if you were to ask me what my father really smelled like I would say his tobacco pipe, cigarettes and shaving cream.
My grandmother wore Tresor and Escape. But I mostly associate her with Biologe Shampoo and good old oil olay face cream.
My MIL wears Estee, Youth Dew and Aromatics by Clinique. She is still alive and I can smell her before she enters the room.
Today I am in Obsession by Calvin Klien since that was my first fragrance purchase when everyone was in CK one and DG Electric Youth. If I had to pick one scent that makes me nostalgic it would be Cristalle EdT and wearing it in the winter months.
Great scent memories!
My Grandmother loved perfume and also wore Oil of Olay – I called it “Oil of Old Lady”, which made her chuckle. I remember it being a pink cream in a jar.
Yes, is it still pink that lotion?
I don’t think so ????
Mom mom always wore Oil of Olay- the pink stuff! I can still smell it! I think it’s hard to find the “original” pink stuff now days. I actually looked a few times at the store, but they have all the newer oil of olay products.
Obsession is my number one perfume of all time. You smell fantastic!
I also went with Aromatics Elixir. My sister introduced this one to me long ago. I had the smallest bottle way back when and I think I went through another bottle as well.
My version now us in the frosted bottle; it doesn’t smell exactly the same but it’s close.
My Mom had Chanel No 19 when we were kids, among others. Its still one of my favorites. Wore that one yesterday.
Happy Friday everyone!
Sounds like you’re all perfumistas- you, your mom, and your sis!
I like to think we are! Thank you! It started early in childhood.
Among other favorites, i remember having Miss Dior back in high school, spritzing myself lavishly before class.
Such a great CP! Looking forward to reading many interesting stories.
I wish I knew what my grandmothers wore. My dad’s mom, my favorite grandmother, was quite the fashionista and she wore fragrance but I’m not sure which fragrances. Sometimes I get a whiff of something and I’m’ reminded of her, and I probably should ask around the family for more insight on this. Miss her greatly.
Mom wears Shalimar and I’m not a fan so today I went with Rose Rebelle Respawn for its rose/choc goodness.
Happy Friday!
I know what you mean. I was reminded of my grandmother’s perfume by Cuir d’Ange yesterday, but that came out after she died! I doubt I will ever find out.
How interesting! It’s a weird feeling associating a perfume with someone that’s passed. Hope I can figure it out some day!
You almost made me spit out my coffee in shock with the “not a fan” comment about Shalimar, but I choose to still be your friend ha!!! 😉
Sorry! Thanks for not kicking me to the curb. 😉
I wish I knew more too. I bet both of my grandmothers wore fragrances I don’t know about.
Hello Y’all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy FriYAY!!!!!
It’s been WEEKS (months?) since I’ve been around here…..it seems my poor asthmatic kitty cat needed a break from all things scented, so I kind of had to step away from perfume, candles, etc etc. Thankfully, his problems appear to be seasonal allergies/asthma, and he was been much much better the past few weeks. So as long as I don’t spray around him, I think I can jump back into my passion a bit…. 🙂
Have weeks worth of NST posts to look at this weekend (which will be tons of fun!) so hopefully I’ll be caught up with what’s new and exciting in the ‘fume world!
Decided to go with a fun scent today…. Demeter Pumpkin Pie….looking forward to cooler weather which equals fall/winter perfumes! 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpHkqeZnT2L/?taken-by=jadainga99
Welcome back! I’m glad your kitty is doing better.
Welcome back, you smell great!
I have seen you on Instagram and wondered where you were on here! So happy you’re back!
Hello! I’ve missed your Happy FriYAY!!????
My beloved kitty had asthma too–complete with inhaler and spacer (with cat sized mask). Glad to hear he’s breathing better!
Glad you are back, and that your kitty is doing better! And I’m looking forward to more stories about ‘the perfume grinch’.
Welcome back! Glad your kitty is better. What we don’t do for our furbabies . . .
Welcome back! I’m glad your kitty is feeling better. SmokeyToes and Gino were both suffering from seasonal allergies.
Welcome back and glad to hear kitty is better!
Hey, glad to see you back, and very glad your kitty is better!
Happy to hear that your kitty is feeling better! Two of my cats had some sneezing issues back in the spring when the pollen counts were absolutely terrible. ????
My mother wore Chanel no 5 on special occasions. She is a very elegant lady who NEVER leaves the house without a proper hairdo and make up. I’m exactly the opposite, so do not have any to wear in her honor. In Santal Majuscule – so also rose/chocolate goodness. Seems to be a theme today! (Just realised I do not need to buy Lush I’m Home. This is enough chocolate for me!)
Most of us are sloppy now in comparison, aren’t we?
NSTers, thank you so much for the words of encouragement and compassion yesterday. I appreciate all of you, more than you know. We will enjoy the time and snuggles we have with the puppygirl, as long as she is pain free. She’s getting the cone off later this morning, so that will make her happy! ????
I’m in Chanel Coco edp, which my mom wore, and loved enough to drain the bottle. The posts this week brought back some memories….she actually had a good bit of perfume over the years: Emeraude, Youth Dew (this was too much for me), Chantilly, White Shoulders, L’Origan and Anais Anais. She also had a bottle of Bvlgari that she didn’t finish, but found a good home on my sister’s dresser. So….I think my momma was a perfumista! ❤️
Scent twins!
Glad you are enjoying your precious pup ❤️????❤️
Stitches are out and cone is off, so she is happier today!
You smell wonderful! I wore coco out to dinner last night and it kept me “warm”
Sounds like Coco was perfect for the weather!
You smell great!
I was sorry to read about your puppy girl yesterday Nancyleandros.????You and your pup are in my thoughts.
Thanks, madtowngirl. We’ll love her as long as we can. ❤️
Just read about your puppy. I’m so sorry. Hoping for lots of snuggles with your sweet one while you can.
She’s hanging out with me on my lap right now. Every day is a gift.
Sending a big hug to you and puppygirl! One of my cats had that, and all you can do is love them and make them comfortable. The memory of my snuggles with him comforts me and still makes me smile.
Thanks, Laila! Your comment made me smile.
Like many, Youth Dew was worn by several women in my family. I’d love to get vintage Polo and Z-14, since I gifted those fragrances to my dad back in the 1980s. I’m esp craving the Z-14, I’d borrow that from my dad. Ha, one time I sent him a bottle of Millsemme (sp) Imperial from Neiman-Marcus, the beautiful gold bottle, early 2000s, and when they shipped from the store, they left the price tag on. I was horrified, as was my dad! That bottle “disappeared” after he passed…
So all of that to say I’m wearing Jungle l’Elephant, it’s an interesting one. I got a compliment yesterday. Happy weekend, NST!
I’ve always wanted to smell that Z-14. I never did. So frustrating how things “disappear” after a loved one passes. And I think you smell great today!
Thank you! I saw a Z-14 at Walgreens, I might take a sniff just to see how it’s changed.
Z-14 was so good. A lot of men were wearing it back in the day.
My dad wore Polo back in the day as well! It’s the fragrance I most closely identify with him. Pretty sure he got a bottle as a Christmas present every year!
And yes, ugh, it’s terrible when things go missing. Several things, valuable things, ‘disappeared’ when my mom went into assisted living.
My mom wears No. 5 like a champ. It wears me like a terrible rash. So, I was thrilled when No. 5 L’Eau came out and I could wear a scent related to my mom’s signature. Smelling gorgeous in No. 5 L’Eau today!
I am crazy glad it’s Friday. Have a great day, everyone.
Twins!!! You smell great!
LOL at “like a terrible rash” — yeah, me too.
My SOTD is No. 5 L’eau to honor my favorite aunt (whose bday was yesterday). She has worn No. 5 all my life but this spring got the L’eau version to try and really enjoys it. She layers it with a No. 5 body powder and I think she smells heavenly.
If I’d had any Allure, I’d have worn that for my mom. It’s her signature now and has been for many years. When I was a kid all I remember is Gloria Vanderbilt (I loved the swan bottle), Red Door, and Oscar. When she got the Allure, however, that must have been it because she’s not worn anything else in ages lol.
Now I’m wondering what my favorite aunt wears!
I have been away for 19 days to Italy and Sicily and am out of the loop regarding the Friday theme. Today I am wearing Carthusia’s Fiori di Capri.
How fun! Do you buy perfume souveniers when you travel?
I hope you had a great trip and came home with fragrant souvenirs.
What a great trip. And you are wearing one of my favorites, so smelling good!
My brother and my sister-in-law just got back from 2 weeks in Italy. So jealous of all the places they went! Looks like they had a fabulous trip.
Hopefully your memories will stay with you for some time.
Welcome home!
Lucky you, hope it was fantastic!
Welcome back!
My mother wore Youth Dew for fancy occasions, but her casual perfumes were Lauren in the burgundy cube, which I thought smelled like vinegar (I’d love to smell a pre reform now) and Anais Anais. She had a short run with PW Tea Rose but decided it was too overwhelming.
I own none of those so went with a strong scent memory of my childhood best friend’s mom who wore Opium as her signature. She was Hungarian and pronounced my friend’s name Mee Shell, accent on the Mee. I was a little scared of her because she was prone to yelling and was very critical and neurotic. But her fancy carpeted bathroom always reeked of Opium. My friend says she hates perfume because of this, lol. SOTD is Opium Fleur de Shanghai, which is Opium Lite. I have a vintage mini of the original but couldn’t find it anywhere this morning ????
Opium. Love it so much.
I can’t really do the original, vintage anyway. But this version is perfect for me.
Lol at your story and carpeted bathrooms. My grandparents had one too.
We had carpeted bathrooms, too, actually. I think that was kind of the norm in LA.
Great story!
I worked with someone in my first job who wore Opium. Loved it in her. Bought it myself, and I just never felt like it worked on me. But a great scent.
Love your story and nodding my head in agreement with everything you said.
Great story! Love the carpeted bathroom. I remember those.
One of Mr. Jalapeno’s grandmothers had a carpeted bathroom in her house. I could not believe it when I saw it. All the bathrooms I had ever seen in my relatives’ houses had hard floors of some kind.
You smelled great today! I hope your Opium mini shows up.
I love this!
The perfume and your story!
I’m in an old favorite: the original NR Musc for Her Oil (2007ish). It’s still so beautiful.
Sadly, my family and in particular, my mom were not perfume/cologne lovers, although Mom wore Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass for rare special occasions. (We just celebrated her 93rd birthday last Saturday with her.) My scent memories from growing up were all me, starting with Wicked Wahine in junior high and progressing to Je Reviens in high school and college. Then Gap Om and on from there!
springpansy – I love the original NR Musc for Her oil. I managed to snag a newer bottle but it doesn’t smell the same (nor as good) as the original. 🙁
SotD is just a dab of Lancôme Miracle, which has been my mom’s signature scent since it was released. It’s not really something I would wear, but I think it smells great on her. madtownteen will probably tell me, “you smell like nana” when she gets home because my mom always seems to have a soft cloud of it around her. When I was a kid, she was a one perfume at a time kind of perfumista and I can remember bottles of Anais Anais, Sun Moon and Stars, and Opium (which I thought smelled like old lady perfume at the time, lol) sitting on the bathroom vanity.
My granny has worn L’ Air du Temps for as long as I can remember.
This has been a fun cp and I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s scent memories!
I agree this has been so fun!
Sadly, none of the women in my family wore much perfume. Don’t know where I came from?
My mother wore Emeraude when she was young. One day she asked my grandfather what he thought of it.
Unfortunatly, he told her she smelled like jelly beans and she was totally deflated. Today I am wearing vintage Emeraude dusting powder because it reminds me of this story and makes me smile.
Oh yes, that’s another one I wore briefly in high school/college. It never quite felt like me, however, the way Je Reviens did.
I love that dusting powder, even more than the perfume. I’m wearing it today but I sure can’t smell jellybeans! LOL
I literally laughed out loud at jellybeans!
Jelly beans! Excellent.
Cute story, Petunia.
Traveling & wearing Coco EDP from department store sample
I’ve been to two department stores
1) a downtown Macy’s – totally depressing, empty. Tried Dior Joy, I don’t smell any similarity to Allure, which I also tested. I wore 1 bottle of this after college, testing it reminded me what it smelled like – it’s very nice but smells less strong than I remember. The dry down is a little too
2) suburban Boscovs that was hopping! Lots of classic perfume on display, including Coco. Smelled Ysatis for the first time, lovely!
Yum..Coco! I will travel with you if you are wearing that 🙂
????
Ysatis quickly went to my top 5 of all time…..It’s soooooo good! 🙂
Yes! Sparkling ylang ylang 🙂 now, I’ve never smelled it before but it smells pretty smooth to me – I can see how it’s an 80s perfume, but it is really good!
My mother was not a perfume person except for special occasions, but on her dresser were bottles of No. 5, Emeraude, Evening in Paris (that us kids bought her from Woolworth’s each Christmas) and Revlon Intimate. I’m wearing Intimate today.
Woolworth’s! Wow, have not heard that store name in a very long time.
So sweet that you bought these for her each Christmas.
Woolworth’s! I think that’s where I bought Tweed by Lentheric many years ago.
What a good choice, Intimate is so good.
???????? I can’t buy you anything but love….and Evening in Paris Perfume ????????
Truly…it was less than a dollar a bottle, I’m sure. My allowance was only fifty cents a week.
That is a very sweet memory, buying perfume for your mom! ????
Still working on Use It Up with Prada Candy. It’s sunny and cool, so a good match.
Prada Candy is a nice pick for cool fall weather. ????
My mom had a small bottle of Emeraude when I was young. She also had the Youth Dew bottle that had such dark juice. I tried it once and it stayed on me for days. Almost frightening in its power.
She sold Avon when I was in my early teens. Her favorite was Bird of Paradise – which I think she liked mostly because she claimed men always complimented her. Some years back, I found a bottle on eBay and gave it to her. She was thrilled. I now have it myself, so sprayed it on this morning. It is a nice scent. Spicy oriental, bit of incense but not heavy.
Yesterday was our 21st anniversary. My husband celebrated by having lunch with a friend and then a concert with another friend…I stayed home. Tonight we’ll go to a nice neighborhood seafood restaurant. If the SOTD fades, I’ll wear Le Temps d’une Fête, which I wore at our wedding.
I like how your husband celebrated without you 😉
I know. We thought it was pretty funny.
You triggered a memory with the Avon Bird of Paradise. My mom bought a box of 3 fancy soaps with that fragrance. They were squirreled away in the guest bathroom, never to be used. I used to like to smell them and begged my mother to let me have one. The answer was always no. I never understood the point of having something and never using it.
My Mom did that too. My sisters and I have resisted that attitude and are each old enough to say “use it up!”
I actually took some old bath powder home that had been around since I was a teen…
Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your night -together!
Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your night out! ????
Happy 21st LizzieB!
Happy Anniversary, LizzieB!
Happy Friday NST!
Not participating in the cp this week,although I could have.The women in my family are all perfumistas of sorts.My late Mother wore Anais Anais,Madame Rochas and Royal Secret a lot.My Grandmother’s favorite was always Revlon Moon Drops.My sister reeked of Tabu forever.
All heavy hitter perfumes,and now me today in Bond No.9 Chinatown.Genetically modified apricots on steroids.I love it.
Busy week is overr.So glad it is Friday and weekend!
Thank you Apple for fixing the keyboard disaster back to “normal operations”!Lol
X
You come from a family of true perfumistas! I love it!
Oh, Moondrops, I remember that one. My mom wore that one, too.
Glad that your keyboard is back to normal and you have some time to relax!
It was so difficult to pick a SOTD, everyone in my family loved and wore perfume.
My aunts wore Shalimar, my maternal grandmother wore Aromatics Elixir, paternal grandmother wore Red Door, my mom wore Magie Noire, Passion, My Sin and toward’s the end of her life Guerlain’s Angelique Noire.
I can relate to Elisa’s story (although my family is Russian, not Hungarian). All discussions were at top volume and everyone is pretty quirky/OCD in personality.
My very laid-back California-born and raised husband mentioned that being with my family is like being surrounded by Border Collies with New York accents (he meant it with love). 😀
My SOTD is Magie Noire vintage extrait. Happy Friday everyone!
I love your story! And am laughing at your husband’s comment!
HA! Love that comment! I like your husband already…
Lovestosmellgood – my hubby is a cutie, his sense of humor that won me over instantly, on our first date.
Blind lunch date turned into a dinner date, he moved in one month later and we were married the year following. We’ve been together for 15 years now. 🙂
Lol! Your family sounds super fun and i bet it smells amazing when you all get together.
Thanks! Well, at the last visit, I was seated between two of my loud(er) aunts, and I left with a facial tic – it can be fun but I should remember ear plugs!
If anyone has seen the TV series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, that’s my family in a nutshell.
You’re hubs is funny! And I do love Mrs. Maisel.
But, my friend’s mom wasn’t lively and entertaining. She was actually pretty mean and humorless, and my friend now has a very minimal relationship with her ????
Oh, yikes, not good…. I’m sorry to hear that. 🙁
Family gatherings on my side of the family are filled with laughter, hugs and boatloads of food.
I’m wearing my all-time favorite Climat by Lancôme. Both my grandmother (father’s side) and my mother wore it at some point of their lives; I got my first bottle of this perfume from the grandmother, and this was one of the last perfumes I gave to her as a birthday present in the last couple of years before she passed away.
Since for me usually it’s a special occasion perfume, today to the office I wear the EdT version (recent re-issue).
Have a good weekend!
I had an inkling you were going to wear Climat!
I’m wearing White Shoulders though I’m not sure if my mom actually wore it, but she had a presentation bottle/display of White Shoulders on her vanity tray (which was not stored on the antique marble topped vanity). I more remember L’Air du Temps, then Lauren, then Sand and Sable, then Vanilla Fields.
And that was one of the first perfumes I owned…I had a mini bottle. I can’t remember who gave it to me but it must have been a gift from someone in my family.
I’m wearing Chantilly which was one of the first perfumes I wore to school that I’d borrowed from my mom’s small drugstore collection. I also remember both of us wearing Anais Anais, Ciara, and Le Jardin. My grandmother had a more extensive collection (including a lot of Avon scents) but she died before I was old enough to experiment with cosmetics outside of play. I felt very sophisticated as a tween to be allowed to wear my mom’s fragrances and I share mine now with my own tweens and enjoy learning about their favorites and watching their tastes develop.
Anais Anais is so beautiful
I still wear -and love -my vintage Chantilly.
I wore and loved all these same perfumes!
SotM = Myrrh Eglantine
SotE = L’air du Temps
I adore Jean Nate too! 😀 Had a splash bottle in my bathroom as a child.
I’m wearing ME for roses, L’adT will be for carnations. My grandmother often wore rose scents, probably from Avon, and a perfumed cream that was definitely from Avon, now that I think about it. She also wore carnation scents, so I will wear L’air, and my mom wore L’air du Temps too.
I’ve loved thinking about scent and memory this week, and the photos up top each day were fun too.
Have a fantastic fantabulous fragrant Friday, NSTers!
You reminded me to try Myrrhe Eglantine again!
Yay! Myrrh Eglantine is worth a few sniffs for sure. 😀
I am wearing Goutal’s Heure Exquise, in honor of one grandmother, who wore something all powdery like this, i have no idea what it might of been.
My other grandmother had a bottle of Joy, which she kept on her dresser with a little hanky over it to protect it from the light. I remember my mother wearing White Shoulders, and Chanel #5, and asking for a bottle of White Linen for her birthday after I had gone off to college and was closer to a department store.
This was a nice exercise, enjoying thinking back to the wonderful women who raised me…
Ah, and Emeraude. My mother wore Emeraude through out my highschool years, when she was the manager of the Montgomery Ward store in the small town closest to the ranch. I read the name in a post above, (reading through the comments backwards after having posted my own … ha) and remembered that. It smelled great on her, on me not so good. Maybe that’s why I didn’t recall that earlier…
No scent associations with family for me, other than Opium which my mom wore very rarely. Probably at the same time my dad donned his leisure suit and old spice! Grandparents on my dads side were farmers in SW Ireland, and maternal grandparents made it through the depression and never bought anything “unnecessary.”
Despite all that, I’m wafting a ridiculous amount of Chergui!
My paternal grandparents were depression folks too and were extremely frugal. My granny never wore perfume, although she did always have body powders that I’d puff myself with after bathing at her house lol. My maternal grandmother died when my mom was 18 so I’m unsure if she ever wore perfume now that I think about it. I think I’ll call my mom and ask.
You smell great in Chergui!
As it turns out, my maternal grandmother wore many perfumes including White Shoulders. My mom just told me. 🙂
Oh, that’s good to know! ????
I had to laugh at the mention of your dad’s leisure suit! I’m glad that is one thing which hasn’t ever seemed to make a comeback. ????
And it was yellow to boot! He wore it with a psychedelic print nylon buttondown underneath and white shoes! ????
My fathers was burnt orange and had the same bottle of old spice! ????
SOTD = Guerlain Cuir Beluga
Woohoo! 2 compliments today from Starbucks employees!!! They were at least 3 feet away and Cuir Beluga competed with the smell of coffee and it came out the winner!
Commuting Woes No.605:
Far out commuters – one for today. When commuting in the early morning, I would venture a guess that the majority of the people prefer quiet over a cacophony of noises. It’s obvious that some people never got the memo. Case in point – this morning, a woman got on and chose to stand at a place where her every utterance can be heard in the entire double-decker train car. For a solid 10 minutes, she just kept going on and on, sometimes speaking as if she was on facetime with someone, at times she was repeating a mantra “focus on the job” and other times she’s greeting someone with “happy good Friday”, all these in a singsong heavily island-accented voice and swaying dance moves wearing chunky-heeled knee-high suede boots. Just my luck, she got out the same time I did for the 2nd rail segment of my commute and got into the same train car and she went on and on so I had to endure another 10 minutes of this.
Spotted at a Chipotle – grown man wearing a floral themed backpack. Cute not cute.
Splitmeet – I plan on listing Hermès travel spray sets and Mugler Aura EDP (splash bottle so easy to decant) which I got at a discount so the price per mL is pretty good. Anyway, I am delayed in working through some freebies and swaps and will get those done before fulfilling the splits!
Drunk or just a nutter? I would have changed cars.
Or on controlled substances or all of the above! When I got off my 2nd rail segment on the way home, surprise, I was right behind her! I almost never see the same people on the way home but perhaps I only noticed her because she was “out there”!
I got my eye on that Hermes travel spray set haha. Anxiously awaiting your post!
Yay! I can expand the number of sets based on interest.
Congrats on the perfume compliments! And at a Starbucks, no less! That’s a rather fragrant background in and of itself.
BTW, if you have a chance to sniff the Flowerbomb flanker I mentioned yesterday, do so! I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.
Thank you. Compliments are so rare that I’m tickled pink when I get one or two!
I’m due for a Nordstrom visit this weekend and will seek it out!
Heh, I stopped by the mall and on the way back to my car, I had to find a Macy’s and saw Flowerbomb Nectar. On the paper strip, my mind immediately went to La Bie est Belle with less bite.
That would be La Vie est Belle
The commuter trains to Chicago have designated Quiet Cars; which is the best idea ever!!
Ours does too (NJ Transit) – the first and last cars. Unfortunately, I think the first and second cars are the most dangerous in the event of a head-on collision of some type and the last car is just too far from the entrance to my connecting trains.
Good point! I just try to avoid the party car where everyone is drinking the whole way home. Of course, I work from home these days so no longer an issue.
I love Cuir Beluga
It’s for sure in my top 10!
You smell absolutely divine!
Thank you, my dear!
Infusion d’Iris today, Coco Noir Last night for bed.
Would wear Dana Tabu for my mom, she told me she liked it when she was young. I’ve never smelled it, so i have to get on that.
Happy Friday!!
I’m wearing Oscar today because of my mom. She wore it when I was growing up. She told me some time back that she stopped because one of her sisters started wearing it too, and she didn’t like how it smelled on her sister. It apparently put her off it for a long time. She’s just recently started wearing it again.
I also remember her having a brief Chanel No.5 phase when I was a teenager or so, but I don’t remember how long that lasted, and I don’t know why it stopped.
Hurray for your mom going back to a perfumed love! Does she have a bottle of the old stuff, or is it a newer one?
Today I’m wearing Coty Emeraude, one of my mom’s favorite fragrances. The warmth of its gentle, spicy powder is perfect for a dark, gloomy, rainy day and brings with it comforting scent memories. In her later years, she loved the original Paco Rabanne Calandre, and I did, too. I haven’t smelled it in years, but I see many on fragrantica compare it to the original Rive Gauche, a huge favorite of mine back in the day, so I’m not surprised I liked Calandre, too. If I had any, that would’ve been my choice for today.
Little Bear update: Last week, she learned how to Climb Up!; this week her feat was learning to Jump Down! and escape the restrictions of her play area. So, in very un-bearlike movements, she races from corner to corner of the room (door closed) as she enjoys the Freedom of the Floor!, stopping briefly only to pounce on anything in her path (especially feet) before fearlessly moving on!
Wished everyone a beautiful fall weekend!
I don’t how any of these perfumes smell but they must be good! Thanks for the little Bear update!
It sounds like Little Bear is thriving under your care, Laila!
Little Bear sounds absolutely adorable! She’s lucky to have you as her Mama Bear. ????
You are making me want a Little Bear of my own! So cute!
Don’t have any L’Air du Temps or Shalimar, mom’s daytime scents, so it’s Bal à Versailles extrait, her evening going out scent.
We also had plenty of Avon and Jean Naté stuff lying around that I was allowed to use.
Your mom sounds sophisticated, like you!
My family weren’t perfume people, but they were certainly keen on photos so I’ve been very much enjoying the pictures this week. My mother’s old photo albums have lots of photos from holidays at the beach in the 1940s, including her grandmother, who was always fully dressed in her black street clothes 🙂
It’s a long weekend here, Monday is Labour Day, and I am so looking forward to an extra day off. Perfume free as yet before a shower, but I think I’ll do the supermarket shopping in my latest purchase of Indochine.
I should have worn Chanel No. 5 for mom since dad always bought her a little bottle of the perfume for their anniversary. Mom always had at least one or two bottles at a time, but I suspect Dad was more of a fragrance lover than Mom and likely bought most of them for her. Chanel of course was always around, but I think I identify her more with White Shoulders.
Dad always had Old Spice and I remember English Leather and Brut too, splashed on his face after shaving.
I always cringe at this memory as I was definitely the ass in this scenario….later on Dad took to Quelque Fleurs for some reason and in my terrible teen years I told him he shouldn’t be wearing ladies’ perfume. He just said he liked it, so he was going to wear it, bless his heart.
I love that he wore what he wanted and didn’t care what anyone else thought!
How cool that he wore that!
Comparing Il Profumo Vanille Bourbon and Montale Sweet Vanilla…I smell like cake. ????????
Meeting old coworkers for happy hour tonight…I never go out so I am looking forward to adult conversations and libations.
Happy Friday!
Enjoy your happy hour!
Sounds like a fun Friday!
So curious about Vanille Bourbon. How do you like it?
Coty L’Origan for my Grandmother. This was her signature scent for a good while. My Aunt & Uncle brought her a bottle of Chanel No. 5 when they visited Paris, and that bottle sat on her perfume tray. She rarely wore it. I think I used more of it than she did, when I would spray tiny sprays on me after a bath at her house for sleepovers. She kept wearing her beloved Coty L’Origan. Both of these scents remind me of my “Gram”.
Lovely memories!
In Joop Le Bain today in honor of my cousin who has been wearing this as her signature scent for more than 20 years. It’s a lovely effervescent tobacco with vanillic dry down.
Some advice needed: I am hoping to participate in the split meet. Any recommendations of where I can buy quality 10 ml atomizers?
I liked the ones I bought on amazon with the metal caps – elfenstahl or elfenstal. They have many; I mistakenly bought the plastic capped ones last time, but the metal ones look classier and sturdier.
I like these as well.
Thanks, I will take a look!
Joop Le Bain sounds really good!
I love it! It’s very popular and pervasive in Europe (my cousin is Swiss) but Joop in general is not a popular brand in the US I think…
Ma Griffe in the vintage version.
My mother wore this in the seventies… Still dont like this very much, for me it is a harsh floral chypre with a metallic note.
That’s a Polish photo you used today Robin!
Falling in love with Orris Tattoo from Parle Moi de Parfum today.
You smell nice. It was a worthy Large Sample.
It’s a good one!
Yes it is!
I am in a “family-adjacent” perfume today. When I was growing up, I remember one of my aunts having a huge bottle of Shalimar. This was a bit of a surprise to discover, since I don’t ever recall smelling perfume on anyone. An even bigger surprise was to learn that this aunt danced the Charleston back in the day! So very different from the sweet and kindly old lady that I knew.
Now, Shalimar and I are not friends. So I am wearing something that I do get along with, but has also been compared to Shalimar.
SOTD = Etro Shaal-Nur, from the sample stash and my FB wish list.
Very clever association, jalapeño! I don’t think I have any delicious family surprises / potentially scandalous (but not nefarious) tidbits.
I should qualify that to say other than what we already heard from dad (mom’s family is not as colorful but I can still ask her). Dad’s stories can be weaved into a thriller. (no murder although a cousin was once accused of murder, mostly mayhem)
I wouldn’t call dancing the Charleston scandalous per se, but just a reminder that my aunt was once young and free spirited, too.
I was grasping for the right words and free-spirited captures it!
Clever thinking and a great story about your aunt! Have you tried Fils de Dieu or Oriental Express? Two more modern reinterpretations of Shalimar. Shaal Nur is great as well, one of those excellent early Etro’s.
What a lovely theme. Late to the party but will join in tomorrow. Looking forward to….
Chanel No 5 My mum loved the EDT which weirdly smells ashtray on me so I don’t have it. The EDP has enough to remind me of my mum and is absolutely me. The parfum has a tiny whiff of the ashtray then develops into beauty.
Nahema My mum adored this and it really was her signature, one of her happiest days was buying some Nahema from the Guerlain store in Paris with my sister. I will spray this tomorrow.
Old Spice for my dad and brother. I don’t have any but may well spring for some.
Super late again. I participated today by wearing vintage Cabochard. This was given to me by my aunt many decades ago. I never saw or smelled her wearing perfume, only dusting powder. This is the aunt that gave me my first bottle of perfume that I couldn’t pronounce. Ysatis, lol. She was a wonderful woman. She was very humble, and had the best manners. She passed away two summers ago at the age of ninety. There really is never enough time. I almost skipped this project because almost all the people from my early history are gone, and I didn’t want to cry, but when it came down to it, I really needed to participate. I’ve really enjoyed reading all the other stories today.
I’m glad that you decided to participate, lillyjo!
Thanks Jalapeno, me too. ????
I bet the vintage Cabochard is glorious! My version is the current EDT.
Having been exposed to some wonderful perfumes as a young kid sure makes me appreciate the more classic/vintage versions and ingredients.
Enjoy your treasure!
It really is beautiful. It’s a splash bottle, which normally I don’t prefer. I decanted some into a spray vial, and noticed I didn’t enjoy it as much for some reason. It’s helped me appreciate dabbing.
It seems to bring out different notes by spray vs dab. I really noticed it with Serge Lutens Bois de Violette; dabbing brought out more of the violet.
Very touching, lillyjo. I’m glad you decided to participate.
That’s a lovely story and a fitting tribute to your dear aunt.
you smell wonderful!
I haven’t been here since baby #3 came along, but popped in this morning and saw this! So I’m in a small dab (nothing overpowering) of Shalimar EDT. My aunt wore it many years ago, until she developed skin allergies.
What a wonderful idea for a group project. I enjoyed reading everyone’s replies!!
Congrats on the new baby!
Congratulations! You smell wonderful.
Congratulations!
congrats!
Welcome to Baby 3!