It's Best of 2018 Friday! (It's also the fourth day of Christmas, and the third day of Kwanzaa, and there are 3 days left until the end of 2018.) Our community project for today: wear one of your favorite fragrance releases of 2018.
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.
I have absolutely no idea what the best new release was this year — I just did not try enough new fragrances. I'm in Hermès Cèdre Sambac, which is at least from the right year? Partial credit?
Reminder: on 1/4, wear a fragrance to match Living Coral, Pantone's color of the year for 2019.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2019, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: the L'Art du Sarasa silk twill scarf 90 from Hermès is $395, and is shown in turquoise (center) and cobalt (sides).
CASABLANCA!!!!!!!!
And I am hoping that I will have some scent twins ?
I have ordered samples of the St Clair scents, but they are not here yet.
Looking forward to what you have to say!
Hi TWIN! 😀
??? we smell great ??
You smell amazing! This one is so strong and animalic that I definitely can’t wear it to work. I love how juicy, sweet, and sparkling the orange blossom is in this.
I apply it sparingly…. it’s an unctuous, honeyed orange blossom on my skin with just a touch of animalics. It reminds me a lot of SSS Jour Ensoleille which is why I think I am so enamoured with it.
I’ve tried all the St. Clair’s and need to go back to them when my person is away. There’s something about them he dislikes. Boo.
that’s a shame…my person is really sensitive to fragrances..he hasn’t worn scents in about 23 years…but guess what? Not only does he tolerate First Cut but he likes it! (says it reminds him of baling hay when he was a teenager)…win win for me!!!!
My person wears perfume, oddly. I think it’s that he doesn’t like jasmine and that’s the one I liked initially. But you will be glad to know I am wearing Casablanca now and really liking it. I think I sprayed too much the first time!
One spray is all I need even on my scent devouring skin. It’s an extrait and a potent one which is good because my bottle will last a while!
I did see your comment to my post yesterday. Thank you!
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Nothing new for me – I’m in Ormonde Woman, and I smell warm and cozy.
The hemlock in that one is so perfect this time of year! Lean over and let me take a sniff!
You smell wonderful. I never seem to tire of OJ Woman.
You smell great! I love Ormonde Woman.
I love that one, too. Enjoy your day! 🙂
Pretty obvious what my favorite of the year is–Slinky Carnation, my custom DSH scent!
I bet you smell amazing! And I have to say you reign supreme in coming up with ideas for the community project! You have yet another one in two weeks…. I might just cheat on the interpretation of my precious and wear Casablanca LOL ? ?
Even though I haven’t smelled it, I think this might be my fave of 2018 too!
Aftelier Alchemy. I love tho so much that I have bought a backup bottle.
Argh still need to try this!
It’s limited edition, so don’t wait too long.
Good thinking! Though maybe since it’s LE, I should just leave it unsniffed…I get myself in trouble a lot by lusting after and relentlessly searching for LE and discontinued perfumes.
Argh my nose is still clogged, not as bad as week before, but this is taking so long….I am so fed up with it.
But meanwhile I try to enjoy my days off: sleeping in, reading a book about Bruegel, shopping (yay! sale), making some sketches and watching series.
As for the community project if this week:
I havent tried that many 2018 releases, the ones that impressed me most are Indolis by Areej le dore and T Rex by Zoologist. I still have samples of both fragrances, I think I’ll wear Indolis. Because I can use some tropical vibes on this grey and cold winter’s day!
That cold is something else isn’t it. I thought mine had disappeared but it dropped back for another visit yesterday and I’m now coughing like a horse with asthma and tuberculosis.
Oh my! It sounds awful! I hope you feel better soon!
Oh no I hope you feel better soon!
My husband has a cold as well, and I heard friends complain… there is no escape from it I guess.
We both need to send it away as soon as possible. My neighbour has it as well. She works as a maternity assistant and caught it from one of the families that she has worked with.
Hope you, hubby and austenfan feel better soon!
Thank you!
Feel better soon Jiji and Austenfan !
So sorry you’re still sick. T-Rex is really something isn’t it. I haven’t tried Indolis yet because Luckyscent was sold out of it last time I ordered samples, but I’m really curious about it.
I checked Surrender to chance a while ago and they offer decants/samples of most Areej le dore’s, including Indolis (I am considering a decant..).
To my nose Indolis smells like fresh white flowers (jasmine!) with hints of incense and greens and gorgeous sandalwood…very elegant. Also not very indolic though the name suggests otherwise haha
Jiji- I am IN if you do! It
has been on my radar and I can’t wait to try it.
I hope you all feel better soon!
I hope we all recover from this soon. My cough has been brutal at night.
I hope we all recover from this soon. My cough has been brutal at night.
My gosh, get better everyone! This sounds just dreadful, I hope that you all get a good dose of TLC and restorative rest!!
I hope the cold departs soon. It’s been quite the season here.
Adding my hopes and wishes that all the people with colds get better ASAP! That is an ominous start to cold & flu season…
Neela Vermeire Niral. Gorgeous. The only 2018 release that I actually have a sample of. It reminds me very much of Traversée du Boshphore. Will have to do a side by side comparison to spot the differences.
Of the ones I’ve tried I’ve really liked Cartier Carat, Chanel Paris Deauville and Venise, and I found Music for a while very interesting. The one I really disliked was Citron Noir by Hermès. Made me want to cut off my arm.
Haha LOL @Citron Noir, yeah it smelled like a cleaning product to me. Not good.
Citron Noir was very generic
A friend of mine came over wearing Eau de Citron Noir and I just couldn’t stop sniffing her! She gave me her sample and I have LOVED the heck out of it.
I know it has its fans but I just got this spiky wood that went on like forever. Pity, first Hermès cologne that I haven’t liked. So plenty more for you 😉
My husband sprayed on Citron Noir at Sephora and came over and asked me what I thought. I let out a resounding “No!” He liked it until about 20 minutes later when it seemed to keep getting stronger and stronger….in a bad way.
Yep, it’s the dry down that kills it for me as well and it starts quite soon!
I think Niral is less sweet on me than TdB, but I can see the similarity. Hope you feel better soon!
I need to compare them side by side once I can sniff normally again. Niral seems more multi faceted than Traversée. It’s very lovely. (both N and T)
Not worth cutting off your arm 😉
I thought about wearing Carat today.
I really love its gentleness.
I need to try the Cartier. Please keep all arms attached!
Wearing Naja – one of the best on 2018.
In memory of Vero Kern.
As I have a wracking chest cold, and am oblivious to my scent trail today, I made very certain not to overapply
Oh no! So many sickies this week! Feel better soin.
Nearly everyone in my family is sick…really bad year for viruses.
Please pamper yourself! Get well soon.
Feel better soon, hannahmom! Hopefully the puppy snuggles will help.
I hope you improve quickly hannahmom. As Robin says, it’s been quite the year. And turning to pneumonia for some, so take care of yourself.
Yuck! I hope that you shake off the cold very quickly!
Great choice Hannahmom!
I’m in a very new and limited release, Tyger tyger from 4160 Tuesdays in collaboration with Beautymewo and for the benefit of Big cat rescue in Tampa, FL. It’s a green and peppery jasmine with a animalic undertones that I think will sing in warmer weather.
My vote for best release (was Hermes Twilly, but I just realised it’s from 2017!) goes to Hiram Green Hyde. It’s a wonderful woody leather scent, a bit sweet and musty in the right way.
Great name, and sounds up my alley too.
it’s very nice – and quite unusual.
Hi Anna,
I ordered Tyger Tyger too! Haven’t gotten it yet….did Kristen ship to you?
Can’t wait to try this one! 🙂
Hi Jada ?
It arrived just before Christmas, last Friday. My parcel came from Sarah at 4160 Tuesdays in England, but I’m in Sweden so maybe that’s why my arrived sooner? A shorter trip. I hope you get yours soon, it’s both beautiful and interesting. Well worth the wait ?
Awesome! I think Sarah mailed directly in Europe, and Kristen will mail in the US, so I probably have another week or two. So glad to hear it’s a goody! YAY! 🙂
FriYay!! I am a perfumista-loser – I don’t think I even have anything from 2018. The closest I can come is my sample of Ummagumma, released in 2017 I believe. So I am wearing a dab of that.
Winners that I fell in love with in 2018 (but came on the market earlier than 2018) include OJ Osmanthus, Van Cleef & Arpels Bois d’Iris and Keiko Mecheri Un Jour d’Ete. I have decants of the first two, but finished my sample of the third quickly and am considering splitting any/all of the above at our February splitmeet.
Oh I don’t think that makes you a perfumista-loser 🙂 You don’t have to love the latest scents to be an aficionada!
It’s just the fact that I haven’t even tried anything from 2018 that I can think of…
I spent a lot of time discovering older things this year, and shopping my own perfumes. Always good to do!
Yes! What a concept – enjoying what I already have…
Not trying new perfumes in the year of their release mean that you are letting other people do the sniffing for you! Not entirely a bad thing, IMO. ?
My favorite of the year is my SOTD: CAMEL! I loooooove it. LOVE IT. Maybe a travel spray of THAT is how I will ring in the end of my no-buy, if/when it happens. (I think I’ve said this about at least a dozen perfumes. I’m the worst.)
Robin, if you like Cèdre Sambac, then you should get plenty of credit!
A cold has been threatening me for the past week or two; my lymph nodes have been swollen and my throat has been fat and sore. It’s possible I just have infected lymph nodes. How long should I wait for them to go back to normal on their own before going to the doctor? Antibiotics are even worse than acquisitive little girls who keep changing their no-buy-ending purchases in their heads.
Uh oh. Hope it’s not strep.
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve knowingly had strep, but I seem to recall a lot more pain with strep than I’m experiencing right now.
I did just look it up and it seems like there are mild forms of strep too…perhaps you have a point. If I’m still all swollen up by the time I get back home to CA, I may have to call the doctor :-/
Thanks for your kind wishes though!
Hope you are feeling better-my son just had it so that’s why I’m on high alert!
There is a strain of Strep going around in my area (Georgia/Tennessee) that must be spreading like wildfire! 🙁 Feel better soon!
Both of my sisters had colds at Christmas and they both started with sore throats. My husband and my mother were both sick right before that. I am downing olive leaf extract like a crazy person 🙂
Hope you fight it off, Koyel!
Does olive leaf extract really work??
That’s my question about so many things…
It works very well for me.
But I also seriously think that what works best is what you are willing to believe will work.
Re your statement about: “acquisitive little girls who keep changing their no-buy-ending purchases in their heads.” I think that’s EXACTLY the way to do it–in your head–like my ever-changing shopping list of fragrances that I don’t really purchase. Or at least if I do, it’s been given a lot of thought first.
Haha 🙂 Yep, I didn’t mean to suggest we shouldn’t all be giving our purchases a lot of thought!
Yuck! Good luck fighting whatever it is off.
Thanks, sistine!
Hmmm, if your lymph nodes continue to bother you, it’s probably a good idea to have them checked out when you get home. I hope you feel better soon!
Going to the doctor is so frustrating 🙁 but of course you’re right!
Take care of yourself Koyel. As I said above to hannahmom, a lot of people around me have been braving through and ending up with pneumonia.
Yeesh. That’s terrifying. Ok ok, you’ve convinced me!
Oh no! Sorry to hear that you have picked up a bug. I think that getting checked out by a doctor when you get back home is the smart move. Better safe than sorry!
Thanks, Jalapeno <3 I'm sure you're right!
Hello everyone! Almost done with the list od favorite fragrances in 2018.
I intended to wear Niral from NVC today but belated Christmas package from a friend has arrived and I decided to wear Kilian Amber Oud from her package.
Oh, I love Amber Oud. You smell great today.
Merci 🙂
I love the lists of favourite fragrances of the year – I’m always inspired to try things!
Hope you like mine too. Look out for it on Sunday.
Looove BK Amber Oud.
I haven’t tried it for a few years. Courtesy of Undina I got a lil decant.
Can’t wait to see your list! I love lists!
Yay! I am done with working for the rest of the year!
My choice for the CP is Sylvaine Delacourt Virgile – light, creamy vanilla with aromatic herbs. Today I also noticed something slightly floral in this scent. Bright and pretty.
The notes from SD website are: Bergamot – Mandarin – Clary sage – Rosemary – Geranium – Rose – Cedar – Vanilla – Leather.
Below is the link to the video in which Sylvaine Delacourt describes Virgile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=161&v=D5De6bnsRUc
YAY! Happy end of the year!
You smell lovely. Enjoy your long new year’s weekend!
This year I was focused on my collection and anything I bought was from previous years.
The only new release that I have tried, if I am not wrong, is Casablanca (thanks a lot Flopper, you are amazing!). I am very impressed by its beauty, longevity and sillage. A big winner, since I have not found any perfume lately that is interesting enough to move my heart.
Thanks God is Friday! My weekend will be very busy, but I am ok with it. Take care everyone!
Smelling good!!!
And good luck with the weekend
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Thank you! We smell wonderful! ❤
Glad you love it! I’m going to order a bottle for the new year!
????
Thanks again! It is such a beautiful perfume and full bottle worth without any doubts! Enjoy your new bottle for the next year! ?
Sounds like one I need to try. Happy weekend, dear pl67!
It is worth a try. I hope you like it. Happy weekend to you too! ?
You DO need to try it 😉
Yay you for sticking to the plan and shopping your collection this year!
J am determined to shop my collection in 2019 and discover new perfumes by using many of my samples that I have not tried before. I think I can do it!
Oh yes you can!
This was a hard choice. There were a few scents released this year that I really enjoy wearing. I went with L’Artisan Mont de Narcisse. Tea this morning is peppermint green.
Robin, you smell great ! I almost went with Cedre Sambac. It is so nice to wear a fragrance I love, and receive compliments when I wear it. This happens a lot with Cedre Sambac.
Other favorites that were released in 2018: Nicolai Cap Neroli & Essential Parfums Nice Bergamote.
I so want to try both Néroli scents from Nicolaï. She does those really well.
Robin, you smell great ! I almost went with Cedre Sambac. It is so nice to wear a fragrance I love, and receive compliments when I wear it. This happens a lot with Cedre Sambac.
Other favorites that were released in 2018: Nicolai Cap Neroli & Essential Parfums Nice Bergamote.
I also really enjoyed Nice Bergamote.
I need to try that Bergamote!
Twin in L’Artisan Mont de Narcisse!
And my favorite for 2018 is Hermes Cedre Sambac 🙂
Coral is one of my favorite colors. Theorema edp today. The new ones I’ve tried: Cartier Carat (love), Tonka 25 I have a sample of haven’t tried it yet, Casablanca (love) coco mad intense (gave away), chanel Paris-venise (it was ok).
Koh I nor I also tried, I probably tried more I just cannot remember. ?
I am going to give my Coco Mad Intense to my friend. It is just not me, too syrupy.
Yay for Theorema!
I had the same opinion of Chanel Paris-Venise when I was able to give it a quick sniff. Nice, but not $$$$$$ nice.
Well, as I have not even been lurking here much of the year, I’m fairly certain 2018 has passed me by without a single new release crossing my path. . . So, I look forward to adding everyone’s faves onto a fresh to-sniff list!
I bought Maria Santa Novella Ambra this time last year while in Florence. It *may* be one of the only new fragrances I purchased in the last year! In any case, it would be my vote for best “new to me” fragrance, regardless of when it was brought to market. Luscious, tarry incense and amber–really great for this time of year!
***waves from across the country***
Good to see you!
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How’s things?!
That sounds like an amazing perfume!
I really love it, and I had such fun picking it out. We were on our honeymoon and Florence was an amazing town to explore with fragrances in mind! The SA at Santa Maria Novella was genuinely pleased to talk scent with me. She said that most folks just ask to sniff the “best seller” and don’t show much curiosity or entusiasm for the art form.
My husband picked out a bottle of a car-centric fragrance (Nostalgia) that smells like leather, gasoline and burning tires. Super fun!
My husband also wears Nostalgia! The men in our lives have great taste.
What a wonderful memory to addociate with a perfume.
Hey, our hubbies smell great! (And so adventurous!)
There is something extra special about buying a perfume on vacation, isn’t there?! I’m not usually a love-(and-buy)-at-first-sniff kinda gal, but I make exceptions for the occasional fragrant souvenir.
Found an old sample with hardly readable Dries van Noten on it. I think it went off a little but ordered a 3x10ml in discount anyway as my mom complimented me on it. She will take one of the three ?
Excellent scent for these cold days.
Oh great choice. I have a decant of that somewhere that I really need to dig up. I love it!
Is it cold where you are? I think it will work best in winter ?
Not very cold, but cold enough for DVN 🙂
You smell great, I love DVN!
Thanks, I didn’t like one of the ingredients earlier, but second time around I like it!
You smell gorgeous. Waft some over here, please.
Whoosh! Here you go ?
And get well soon to all of you with flus and colds ?!
As an aside, this morning I found the following advice at the beginning of my copy of the Joy of Cooking, and I found it amusing.
“An inviting table is as important to a successful dinner as inviting food. . . Flowers should have no detectable scent, and neither should you; heavy perfumes of any kind fight with the flavors of the food.”
And while I don’t entirely disagree, I kinda do. ?
While I do see the point of advising against really heavy perfumes, ( or over-application), suggesting that neither you nor the flowers should have any scent at all seems extreme, particularly with regard to the flowers. Maybe armfuls of jasmine or dozens of lilies would be a bit much, but I feel that the scents of flowers are as natural a part of the setting as the smells and tastes of the food. I think it should be a matter of moderation— don’t overwhelm the food. Besides, you put the food directly into your mouth, so its aromas (which we perceive as taste) will predominate over the flowers and perfume unless the latter are really potent.
Yes, I think it’s the notion that if you can “detect” a fragrance then it is “heavy” that raised my brow. I have absolutely had someone’s scent overpower in a closed space and reduce my enjoyment of a meal, but it is a very rare event. And, as you point out, we taste food in our mouths and what we are eating dominates the experience.
Funny. I always careful what I wear going out to eat, but I wear something!
Am. Oof.
I like to think the fragrance I wear helps to set the mood for an outing–playful or serious, fancy or casual, intimate or social. I do avoid certain BEEG scents for enclosed, intimate spaces, but it isn’t about a meal being interrupted, just an effort to be thoughtful of others who may not enjoy my taste for adventurous fragrance.
Yes this is really it for me too.
How old is your copy of The Joy of Cooking? We have a vintage one somewhere…
Good morning all! My choice for the day is Zoologist Moth. I can’t make broad claims about best scent of the year because I’ve tried too few of the releases, but it’s the best one that I have tried and now own. It’s a smokey combination of honey, florals (especially mimosa) and woods to me. It’s pretty different from anything else I know of. It’s dark with a strong texture element that is somehow like the wings of a moth or butterfly. It’s not something I want to wear every day, because it’s kind of distracting, but still fascinating and oddly beautiful.
That’s on my list and I’ll probably get a bottle in the spring
The zoologist scents are definitely going on my to-sniff list. Haven’t tried any of them!
My favorite from the 2018 releases is Delacourte Vangelis.
Finally I found my absolute perfect vanilla scent.
Happy Holidays everyone
So happy you found your favourite vanilla. Happy 2019!
I chose Gallivant Tokyo for today and am enjoying the incense and other notes making their appearance.
I need to pull out my sample of this. It never got a real tryout.
I am joining Robin in Cèdre Sambac. My other favourites of 2018 were Agar Ébène, Musc Encensé and Tiger’s Nest. My love affair also continued with Bruno Fazzolari Ummagumma and Hiram Green Slowdive.
I have been wearing Ummagumma and Slowdive *a lot,* especially at night when I want something cozy.
Is Slowdive 2018? I bought that one, maybe this year. . . ? I love the honey and hay, although I’m finding it a bit, uh, *dirty* in the cooler weather, a note that I didn’t notice in warmer climes.
It’s 2017, but latish I think. I sometimes find it too much pure honey, so no dirty aspects here!
I’m guessing it’s a musk playing tricks on my nose, but it smells inappropriate for work to me sometimes. ?
Hey twin (2 days later)!
I have no idea what was released in 2018…it’s all a blur to me. I did get the Sylvaine Delacourte vanilla sampler, and I might have worn one of those if I could find the silly packet…
But…I realized I bought a small bottle of Nicolai Cap Neroli this past summer. So that’s my scent for the day….happily.
Hey twin! Nice and cheerful for a rainy day, too.
?
Diptyque Fleur de Peau. I think this was my only fb purchase of a new release this year. I tried a handful of others, but nothing that compelled me to buy. I am intentionally trying to keep my fb collection small. Others I would like to try are: the Hermès’, the Aedes Musc and Neela Vermeire. I also need to go back and try Cafe Tuberose on skin since Victoria over at BdJ has such good things to say about it. That one I know I can get a free sample of at Sephora.?
Cafe Tuberosa was my second choice for today. I didn’t care for it on paper, but then I tried it on my skin and it was amazing.
Oh, I just saw your comment from yesterday offering me some Fleur de Peau. Shoot me an e-mail at payne underscore c m at the yahoo. I just got spray vials, so I can make you some decants in return!
Hi there house twin!
Joining LizzieB in PdN Cap Neroli from a manuf sample. I quite like it, but there is a bitter edge (maybe the oakmoss?) that is sometimes prominent and makes me enjoy it less. Though it’s less noticeable if I don’t sniff it up close. Has anyone tried this and Neroli Intense? Wondering how they compare…
My other contender was BF Vetiverissimo but I only had a drop left. This may be a FB purchase with part of the $ I was gifted over Christmas (3/4 went to a favorite local grassroots charity and I decided 1/4 would be used to supplement a possible FB).
I really didn’t like Cap Neroli and thought I would. Usually I like the slightly moldy (sorry, only word I could think of!) smell of oak moss. This was sharper and smelled off to me. Maybe a synthetic they are using for the oak moss effect?
I’m iffy about oak moss – I think it depends on how it blends and how prominent it is. It’s not smelling as bitter to me today, however. But the funky bitter smell is similar to what I get in the base of a number of Jo Malones.
Interesting that you mention a bitter smell in some Jo Malone perfumes. I experienced that for the first time recently and thought it was just me. It’s nice to know that other people smell it as well.
HAPPY (a bit early) NEW YEAR to Y’all! I hope 2019 is a fragrant, beautifully scented, great year for all of us!
I am completely scentless today, because I have an absolutely terrible cold, and there is no point to wasting a spray! LOL Using doTerra OnGuard essential oil on my tongue, so I guess I smell very strongly of clove and cinnamon at the moment?
BUT…I’m planning an end of year video on the 2018 launches that I did manage to sniff….How many did I sniff? Find out soon…(when I feel like filming it…) 🙂
Get well soon! I hope 2019 is fantabulous.
So many down with colds! I hope you feel better soon. 🙂
Get better soon!
I’m in Frost by St. Clair Scents. I think it’s actually my first time taking it out for a full day’s wearing since I’ve used it as an evening scent at home so far. But it’s perfect for winter – slightly smoky, bitter woods, and herbaceous notes. It truly smells like winter outdoors. Honestly, the entire St. Clair line has made my top 10 for the year. I love Diane St. Clair’s scent aesthetic. Thanks to CM8 for introducing me to them earlier this year!
Other faves this year were Masque Milano Hemingway, Zoologist Tyrannosaurus Rex, Sylvaine Delacourte Virgile and Valkyrie, Fum Fragrances Ariose and Winter Crocus, and Mona di Orio Santal Nabataea. I’m probably forgetting a couple but my list is at home.
Work dinner last night was pretty fun. I ordered a full rack of ribs because why not? I shared some with the boyfriend when I got home, and I have about half of them and some mashed potatoes left over for lunch today. I hope I’m not asleep at my desk afterwards!
House twin! You smell great! And I agree completely on the aesthetics. and I love supporting an upstart that happens to make brilliant fragrances!
We share a lot of favorites so you are making me want to pull out the St. Clair’s and give them another whirl. They didn’t work for me on first try.
Triplets! My pick is St. Clair Scents’ Gardener’s Glove.
Coco Mademoiselle intense a souvenir from one of my happiest perfume days of 2018 – a trip to the Chanel shop with Waterdragon. Yesterday I went to the David Austin rose beds and spent about an hour sniffing blooms….every plant was in flower but ”Evelyn’ and Grace’ ( featured yesterday in the photo – the reason being it was either too small or too heavily pruned). I really preferred the old-fashioned roses for their scent and rich colours. The musk roses were fantastic.
That sounds like heaven. I love roses.
I too love the old fashioned heavy roses. I’m at a latitude where they are very hard to grow, alas. Not that I myself ever could!
I love David Austin roses! I planted one in my garden here (Jude the Obscure) and I LOVE it! Spicey, almost boozy (like overripe fruit) and big, heavy pale peach blossoms.
That was one I liked too.
Were you at his nursery’s rose gardens outside London, or somewhere else? I’m jealous! A couple of my David Austin roses are still putting out an occasional bloom, but it’s nothing like smelling an entire bed of his roses!
Just our local botanic garden in the South Island of New Zealand
Those rose beds in bloom sound wonderful!
I am in Hiram Green’s Slowdive, which I at least bought this year even if it might have come out last year. Off to be a Lady Who Lunches (after I finish my laundry)…
You smell lovely.
You know I love Slowdive. I think it did come out this year…maybe?
Fragrantica says 2017, but maybe late 2017.
I think the only things I’ve tried this year are the new Hermes. I really liked Cedre Sambac. However today I’m in vintage Heritage and having a blast. 🙂
You smell fabulous!
Not participating in the challenge today. Excited about the bottle of URV that I ordered so I am wearing that from a spray decant.
You smell great!
Fun to read the comments, one release I really liked was Diptyque Fleur de Peau – tried it in store so I can’t wear it today – instead in a bottle I got this year (very heavily discounted or I wouldn’t have) AdP Profumo, and I still like it very much.
Profumo is gorgeous!
Isn’t it, it’s so well balanced.
I really didn’t try much new in 2018–those Chanel Eaux, Hermes Eau de Citron Noir–and nothing was a new love. Despite buying a bottle of the Hermes, I swapped it away after I realized it clung like a burr all day and I really disliked the black lime note after a while. so, I’m not compliant with the CP today but I am wearing the divine lilac Desarmant.
You smell great. Love Desarmant
PSA for fans of Hiram Green Arbole Arbole – it’s on sale at Luckyscent for $125. Also, per an Instagram post a day or two ago, HG has Shangri La on sale on his website for 30% and he says it’s the last batch ever!
Ach why!? I know I have enough to last me, but it makes me sad when a good one goes away.
I know! It must not sell very well. Either that or he’s having trouble sourcing materials. I don’t think I need a large bottle of Shangri La, but I might spring for a travel spray.
NOOOOOOO!!!! Shangri La is my #1 all time top most loved perfume. I already have a back up but it looks like I need a back up to the back up ?
So sorry. ?
Nooooooo I’ve never even gotten to try it BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO BUY ANYTHING! Ugh. On the upside, I’ve yet to fall in love with a peach scent (there are plenty that are nice enough, just none that are worth losing my head over), so maybe I’m not missing out on that much. (Also on the upside, I loathe A2, so also not missing out on that bargain. Now, if Slowdive or Hyde were on sale, that would be heart-breaking.)
Like some of you, I have focused on my collection this year and haven’t paid much attention to 2018 releases. But, like Robin, I will claim at least partial credit for Dame Perfumery Cactus Orchid, the newest in his soliliflore line that was released early this year, from a sample received with an order. Unfamiliar with this plant, my research led me to the genus epiphyllum, orchid cactus, a cactus plant that blooms with beautiful flowers and, according to one of the websites I visited, an “entrancing” fragrance. I find it to be actually very green at first and then later its floral notes softening. I’m wearing it over a soft vanilla lotion and the effect is quite nice.
Little Bear Luna gave us a special present for her first Christmas with us – she went into heat! We anticipated having her spayed in February when we believe she will be 6 months old (vet recommended) but it appears female kittens can go into heat as early as 4 months, which we believe she is. Fortunately, the worst appears to be over; she only darted out once in search of that special boy but we caught her right away. Will have to give the vet a call after the New Year to see if we need to move that date a bit!
Wishing everyone a happy – and, especially, healthy – New Year! Like so many of you, we have also been suffering the lingering effects of a cold with that nagging congestion and coughing. Trying to rest as much as possible now that the stress and busyness of preparing for the holiday is helping. Hope everyone can do the same and feel better soon!
Oh wow, early heat? That’s quite the gift. I hope you get a ton of rest in the next few days.
Yikes, she’s a precocious one! (One of our previous moggies came about from this scenario…but in the approximately five minutes her mama was out in the wild she got herself en-kittened, despite being barely out of kittenhood herself.)
I hope your xmas wasn’t too yowly.
Oh no!!! (But: Can I compliment you on your use of the term “en-kittened”?) Poor little kitten.
Wow, that must have been a jolt when Little Bear Luna tried to sneak out and party with the local tomcats! Glad you caught her in time.
Well, my sniffer is still not working. I huffed my bottle of cherry Nyquil, and could smell…. .nuthin’! So, I’m in some almond and coconut body lotion by Laura Mercier.
After reviewing my 2018 notes, there are some fragrances I fell in love with, but not all debuted this year: MdO Santal Nabatea, Aroma M Geisha Noire, PdE Le Cri, Dior Mitzah, Dzing!, FM Musc Ravageur, Salome, Grace Coddington, AdV Musc Encense, AG Heure Exquise, Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere. There are more, but this post is long enough.
Honorable mention: layering Orange Sanguine with Assam of India!
For the other sickies in the bunch, a couple of adult beverages that might help:
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-flu-season-ginger-honey-lemon-tonic-drink-recipes-from-the-kitchn-38574
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-bourbon-cough-syrup-for-79030
I love those recipes! I’ll have to try them, especially the second one.
Yeah, the second one sounds like a pretty stiff drink; I think I’ll be trying it tonight.
I know, right? I was just thinking I might halve the recipe. You know, to reduce inflammation and dehydration 🙂 Not that I’d be familiar with the effects of alcohol, nope. Let us know how it goes!
Will do!
Koyel, I used half of the bourbon + four ounces of water, and it was just about perfect. Slept like a baby.
Great to hear! And I hope it helped your throat feel better, too? I’ll have to try it myself, then!
Yes, it was very soothing. I hope it helps you! ?
Oooh, thanks for the drink recipes! I’m not sick yet (knock on wood), but pretty sure my luck can’t hold for the entire winter.
Twins with Kanuka, in Coco Mademoiselle Intense. I like this quite a bit. It really is an intense flanker, and is different enough to where you don’t feel it’s the original. As far as designer releases, I think Tiffany Intense and Good Girl Legere, both turned out better than the originals.
I find the Coco Mad Intense goes on too strong but now, after two hours it’s really nice.
Sounds like the Coco Mad Intense is worth a sniff.
I am hopelessly old fashioned. I do not own a single perfume from 2018. I tried Twilly, not for me, and those new Chanel colognes that are named for cities. I did not get to spend enough time with them to make a decision. Do not worry, I went to the Chanel website and ordered a little bottle of No 5 EDT to console myself. I own and wear the EDP but that little bottle of EDT will round my collection out nicely. I have ordered samples of the new Hermes fragrances and Vero Naja. Happy New Year!
I like very few things given how many I try out – although a drop in the bucket given what’s out there – and yet still found a lot of things to love this year. Most worn from 2018 is MdO Santal Nabataea. Vientiane is another great, very different, sandalwood. I wore Paris-Deauville the other day and was reminded of just how delicious it smells to me. Two great vetivers in Vetiverissimo and Masque Milano Hemingway. I also liked the very sharp galbanum of Viper Green tons this summer, although I can imagine it is not for everyone. I am still figuring out Hyde, but with pleasure. Oh and a brand that isn’t getting mentioned much and no doubt has an annoying tone, 19-69. Some of the perfumes are great though, especially Capri, which I wore a lot this summer.
It’s not evident here but I am worried about oak moss. Should I hoard the things I that have it, even from the indies? I already have a backup Dryad, but how many more?
Nice list! Vientiane is also one of my faves this year, but I forgot to include it on my list.
Oh and I also quite like Burvuvu from January Scent Project. It’s super interesting.
Me too! We do have a lot of recent perfumes in common. Did you try his other recent releases? I also really like the Treebuoy oil, and I haven’t made up my mind yet about Dinudisit.
Oh no I haven’t tried those! Must catch up, as I am a fan. I like all I’ve tried except the super milky one.
That one wasn’t a winner for me either, but I’ll probably give my sample one more try before passing it on. I also didn’t love Vaporcindro (sp?). I passed that sample on.
Treebuoy has a lovely smooth anise note with a certain nuttiness to it, at least to my nose. It also has a fair amount of balsam and cedar.
PSA for those in the UK: House of Fraser has quite a lot of Frederic Malle scents for 30% off at the moment, including 3×10 travel sprays.
I almost wore Tyrannosaurus Rex today, then realised that might not be the most appropriate for a day working in the National Library. Stayed with Gardoni, though not a 2018 scent, in a little Aeon 001 which is one of my most cherished bottles acquired this year.
p.s. why, when I am sitting in an entirely empty section with rows of seats behind me, and away to the side… does the next person in come and sit opposite me but one? RIGHT in my eye line. There must have been forty seats where I would not even be able to see him. Grr.
I think some people have their favourite or most familiar seat in libraries, archives etc. and just automatically go to them. Either that or a library pervert?
Ah, you’re probably right re the auto-pilot to a favourite seat. I’ve not spent much time in the general reading room yet so can’t spot the regulars yet. I probably ruined his day by sitting so close to his regular place.
I’m going with the library pervert theory! Much more amusing.
la la la I can’t hear you
🙂
???
Hahaha yep. Library weirdo. He’s probably from Boston.
Heh, I say the same thing when there are TONS of seats on the train and the person sits next to me? Of course, with a 3-seater, I want a largish person to sit on the aisle seat to discourage people from taking the middle seat. I got lucky a few times.
I’m now in part two of the summer holiday. My mother came up for a week, which was lovely. She went home yesterday, and now we have a week of pottering around at home.
I’ve tried a few of this year’s new releases, but have used up the decants of the things I liked. There are always lots of things that are new to me, and one of my favourites this year is Fort and Manle’s Suleyman le Magnifique, which I wore last night. I haven’t decided what to wear post shower, and might stay perfume-less in the interests of sniffing a few things in town when I go for a walk.
I’m wearing my favorite 2018 release, FL/18 by A. N Other perfume. Leather, jasmine, saffron, ambrette – it just feels like a comfy second skin. My friend gave me a sample to try at the beginning of December and I was hooked.
It’s a gross, stormy day. Stay healthy and warm, everyone!
Boo to a gross day! My weather guy said today, that in the last 8 days my city has had 7 minutes of sunshine, but thankfully no storms. Stay safe!
Only 7 minutes of sunshine?!?!? UGH!!!
PSA: Ebay has 15% off everything today until 6pm PT. No minimum required.
I hope She-ra is feeling a little better. She is always keeping us updated with this monthly promo code.
Thanks for the coupon! Got myself FM Iris hand cream for almost 50% off; still expensive but so much worth it. Hope She-ra is doing well!
Great deal! Enjoy!
Belated thanks for the heads up. I snagged a back up travel spray of Une Fleur de Cassie.
Une Fleur de Cassie is a gorgeous perfume! Enjoy your purchase!
Looked for 2018 releases and found that i have some Samples.
Didnt Like Alien Man, too Generic. The best is the dill note.
Then sprayed some Kerosene Walk the Sea, which is more floral and Jasmine and not so much of the Sea.
In the afternoon i sprayed Mon Guerlain….ugggh, this was a scrubber for me. Reminds me of marshmallow sweets…i Love them but dont want to smell Like them…
Finally put on Dzing! So now finally i smell good!!!
Looking Forward to four days of relaxing, cooking and drinking Cremant
My favorite 2018 release was Zoologist’s T-Rex. It is a powerhouse!
I also liked Aedes de Venustas Musc Incense very much.
Isn’t T-Rex amazing? I spilled some from my tiny sample bottle onto the bathroom counter the other day, and it still smells incredible in there. I did sort of recoil from it at first, but now I feel I can’t get enough of it, and am lemming a FB.
It’s grrrreat
I am participating today, wearing Unsettled, but it didn’t have much competition, seeing how I haven’t tried many new scents this year. I think I’ve given up trying to keep up. Much more focused on using up old samples than ordering new ones. And my list of full bottle worthies is long and stable. It actually says a lot about Unsettled that I immediately ordered it.
I just tried Unsettled today too and really liked it. I see a bottle in my future.
Guys! Hajusuuri! I’m so excited!
I bought a bottle of Penhaligon Iris Prima! Finally! I’ve been wanting this for over a year, and it’s my first bottle purchase of the year**.
$35 with shipping. Shazam! That glorious, slightly-odd, suede+iris+sweetness is mine!!
** I do not count the mini of Iris Prima which I purchased for $15 on ebay earlier this year. Minis don’t count. I also don’t count a broken bottle of Odin Petrana which I purchased on ebay, since I can’t figure out how to get any perfume out.
I got the perfume out of a bottle of bvlgari black that had a broken atomizer by using a Phillips screwdriver to push the entire spray neck into the bottle. Then I just decanted the perfume out with a pipette
Good tip! I will try that!
Congratulations! Enjoy ?
You got a beautiful and delicate iris perfume. Enjoy!
Congrats on the find!
Nice! And $35 is perfumath free ?
Wow, great deal! Enjoy!
$35 with shipping for a perfume is a STEAL!!!
I didn’t try much this year (except some wonderful oils in Pondicherry)but my favorite new release perfume was Diptyque Fleur de peau. I saw there was a 20 percent off deal at stc and I put a few things in the cart and then decided to just get what I really wanted and ordered a 10 ml travel spray from eBay. I bought no other perfume in 2018, budget is very tight for now.
I just got home from a few days at my friend’s house in Boston. There was some Galop in the bathroom that I had left there last Spring so that was what I wore during the visit.
Back in Jasmin de Nuit, which I think was the best of… 2008, maybe?
So I’m only a decade behind in new releases!
To the best of my recollection, I’ve smelled/tried a grand total of two 2018 releases. (Blimey, that’s pathetic.??♀️) And I have a sample of only one of those, so that’s what I went with: Chloé Nomade.
I guess one of my New Year’s resolutions should be to do better and sniff far more new scents in 2019, then, eh?
Enjoy what’s left of your Friday and have a great weekend, NSTers!
I think there have been a couple of years recently where I sniffed a grand total of zero new scents.
Super duper late because we have been in the No Phone Zone most of the day. Hope everyone is headed into the weekend like rockstars! ??
I am freshly showered (oh boy, was it HOT! Hopping up and down hot, but it felt so GOOD!) and in Salomé in all her glorious splendor! I’m trying to catch up to comments but my connection is spotty.
Enjoy your Friday evening, wherever you may be✌?
Ooph! I had a long hard day at work but it is done now and I am off until next Wednesday.
SOTD is Tempo courtesy of our ultra generous, hajusuuri. This is my first full wearing. It’s really pretty. A possibke contender for a fb in the future.
You smell wonderful!
Thanks so much for hajusuuri sized sample. ? It will give me a chance to really test it before I buy.
Tempo landed on my FB wish list, too!
Hello from Lisbon!
I layered Cuir Beluga and TF Lost Cherry for Eau de Plane. At the beginning, Cuir Beluga dominated but Tom Ford outlasted Cuir Beluga by oh about 20 hours! Lost Cherry is tenacious in a very good way.
On my first day in Lisbon, I managed to accidentally find 2 perfume boutiques within 2 blocks of our hotel. I made quick work of buying a travel spray of Profumum Roma Ichnvsa (fresh green fig) and I am probably also going to cave to a new to me line “Herve Gambs”, specifically Hotel Particulier. Anyone heard of this line? Also, technically, I should be able to get the VAT back but since I cannot present the items at the airport due to the TSA rules on liquids. Anyway, I will ask for a discount because I plan to pay cash.
As comfortable as the hotel is, I cannot recommend it because it is next to a theater whose techno music and heart pumping vibrations can be felt (similar to being next to a car with souped up speakers). I called the front desk and was told it will end around 11:30PM (yes, I should be exhausted and asleep by now)! We’re staying at NH Collection Liberdade. My room happens to be outfitted as handicapped accessible but there were some thoughtless inconsistencies (e.g. the safe is above my head with me standing).
I hope you have a wonderful trip despite the inconveniences of the room.
I’m looking forward to more tales of your adventures in Lisbon!
“On my first day in Lisbon, I managed to accidentally find 2 perfume boutiques within 2 blocks of our hotel” ? Hope you have a fabulous trip and “accidentally” find some great scented souvenirs.
Ironically, a friend just told me about a boutique in Montreal that is now carrying Herve Gambs, will check it out in April.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Lisbon. Please tell many stories of your visit. It’s somewhere I’d love to go (and vicarious travel is fun.)
I’ve bought a couple of Herve Gambs room sprays and they are pretty nice, but I don’t think I’ve seen the perfume for sale in the New World.
Survived my crazy day at work and rewarded myself with 8 or 9 sprays of Orris Tattoo now. We had snow this afternoon; the roads are at just that slippery stage so I’m very happy to be home!
Having a glass of wine and watching The Ozarks with Jason Bateman on Netflix.
Good to hear that you are now safely at home and well scented!
Oh what a great show! The entire cast is AMAZing. How do you like Orris Tattoo?
It’s an addicting show! More snow in the forecast today so we will binge-watch I’m sure.
I really like Orris Tattoo; but then I like the earthy, rooty iris frags like ISM.
Another icky rainy day here. Even the cats seem a little nonplussed by it, and they usually couldn’t care less what the weather outside is like. ?☔???
SOTD = Diptyque Tempo, from the decant stash. It is another “Hajusuuri Special”. I tried about 4 or 5 new (aka released this year) scents in 2018, and this one was far and away my favorite. Alas, a full bottle is currently out of range in the budget. I’ve also tried a lot of new to me scents this year thanks to a bunch of generous folks here. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to my scented education and enjoyment!
Hey Twin! Smelling great! We had the crumby weather today. Let’s hope for better tomorrow.
Hello there twin! The forecast for tomorrow is looking a lot better than today. Sunday is OK. So I plan to take advantage and get outside!
Late to the party! I will go back and re read the other half of this post in the morning over cappuccino!
My vote for Best of 2018 Is Cap Neroli.