PSA: the next freebiemeet is coming up a week from today, 26 January.
Meanwhile, our seventh annual 'stepping back' poll: can this group of shameless enablers help each other not buy perfume? Let's find out.
Name a perfume you've been itching to buy but suspect you might not need, and tell us why you think it might not really be a good use of your money. Maybe everyone will talk you out of it. Or, maybe not so much.
If you participated in this poll last year, tell us if you ended up buying the fragrance anyway!
Note: image is Crater Lake [cropped] by aspearing at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m really tempted to spring for DSH Dark Moon. It is a non-foody chocolate chypre, with deep red wine notes. I have gone through 2 2 ml sample sprays.
Between the poor exchange and the shipping to Canada, it is just soo expensive !!!
House twins!
You’ve just missed the 20% year end sale on the site, so I think you should wait for the next sale: I bet you have other perfumes to help you survive for the next 6 or even 10 months until the next sale. It just doesn’t make sense to pay the full price on an expensive item when you know you will be able to get it cheaper if you wait.
I agree! Her last sale also had great GWPs. It’s worth the wait.
Yes, good point.
OR – if it comes up on sale at like American Perfumer you could buy it then…. 🙂
American Perfumer flatly refuses to ship to Canada 🙁
Well, when you describe it like it sounds like something I need to haha!
Finished off my sample of Diptyque Vetyverio EDT today. It really grew on me over the past week or two, and I’m sorry I’ve finished my sample. It definitely goes on the travel spray purchase list, but I don’t think it makes it to the FB list.
Speaking of which…yes, I am of course on a no-buy (and am honoring it!), but every single time I wear Zoologist Camel, I am reminded anew of how amazing perfumes can be. I think it’s gone up to the tippy top of my FB purchase list, and I will be SO SAD when my sample runs out. I don’t REALLY need you to talk me down from this ledge, because of the aforementioned no-buy, and also, I’ll almost certainly get it once the no-buy is over, but perhaps you can explain to me why I don’t need to be quite so sad to not have more Camel right now.
Have a good weekend, friends. (A good long weekend for my fellow Americans.) We are going to SF for a weensy overnight trip to go eat at what I think might be my favorite restaurant ever, Octavia. Well, we’ve only gone once–hopefully it will not lose its status after tonight’s trip. Also excitingly, I’ve vowed not to do any work between now and 9pm on Sunday, when I have a meeting. Look at me having a real weekend!
Don’t be sad Koyel, I know you have many (many!) beauties in your collection. Enjoy them! And enjoy your weekend in SF!
Thank you! And thanks for the reminder 🙂 that is definitely true!
Don’t be sad: you liked perfume that is 1) still in production; 2) not over-the-moon expensive and 3) available from several stores. Once your no-buy is over, you can try getting a deal on it (e.g. Indigo perfumery offers 10% off coupon for the first time subscribers to their e-mail list or Twisted Lily periodically runs sales).
Have a good (real) weekend! 🙂
Those are really good points; thanks for making me feel better about not being able to get it for now! Oh yes, those 20 % off sales at TL are awesome. Hopefully one will coincide with the end of my no-buy?
Zoologist is not in the habit of discontinuing scents, and they offer travel sprays at excellent prices, so once your no-buy ends, you can capture that great scent at a fantastic price.
So true! I don’t like it when the price per mL in a travel spray is dramatically greater than in a bottle 🙁 and I like that Zoologist doesn’t really do that. I can’t imagine them discontinuing Camel, given the love it’s gotten. 🙂
Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you, flopper! You too! Any exciting plans? (Or peaceful ones?)
Exercise, walking and enjoying the weekend!
The weather is cold, but beautiful! Enjoy!
well is TPC offering a 35% off sale this weekend? That will hold you over on a 8 ml decant until your no buy is lifted? Right?
Is there really a 35% off sale?? Bummer. My no-buy includes samples and decants 🙁 so sadly, I can’t take advantage of that!
I’ve got a Camel sample I was going to list at the freebiemeet that I can send you. That can help extend your no-buy. Email me!
Oh that is so sweet of you. I’ll do that right now 🙂 thanks!
Hope the restaurant is everything you remember it being!
SOTD DSH Chinchilla. I spritzed a bit before bed last night, and T-Rex was like a cat with catnip.
This is a definite FB purchase in the very near future. I would like to sample some other scents she offers, but having a problem narrowing it down. Does anyone have any recommendations? I’m all ears!
Have a great weekend! I’ll be working all weekend, so will not be able to contribute much, but appreciate in advance any suggestions?
I’m useless for DSH recs because they all (that I’ve tried) smell alike to me. But how funny about T-Rex’s reaction to Chinchilla! I have a small handful of partially used DSH samples, and a couple of dram-sized minis, that I would happily send you if you want. E-contact is scgrether in the gee male universe.
Have a great weekend! I hope your new gig is going well!!
My most favorite DSH perfume is Vert pour Madame. I would also recommend scents from her YSL tribute collection (e.g., The Beat Look or Le Smoking, but all 6 are interesting). From the later ones I tried I thought Foxy was quite unusual. I don’t have my own sample of it but plan to get it.
Try Dark Moon – a chocolate chypre ( so very much better than that sounds)
I also have some DSH samples that I would be happy to send to you if you would like. You can click on my gravatar to find my email.
I’ve tried, and liked, Fou d’Opium.
Ashram
I recently got some DSH Alchemy from the kind 50_Roses, and it’s a gorgeous, rich amber. I highly recommend it!
If I am not mistaken Alchemy is made by Aftelier Perfumes and not DSH. But 50 Roses can correct me if I am wrong. Sadly , none of the Afteliers have ever worked on me and I have tried a number of them…too murky, too rotting floral vibe and absolutely no longevity…which is just as well for they are extraordinarily expensive cost per ml….. and my tastes are simple enough that I can just enjoy an essential oil if I need an all natural fix 🙂
Both DSH and Aftelier have a scent called Alchemy. Interestingly, both of them are apparently early releases from their respective houses that have were brought back in late 2018. There are numerous examples of perfumes from different houses having the same name.
The DSH is a very rich, dense, ambery Oriental. The Aftelier I find to be more floral and less dense, and I am really enjoying it. The DSH was just too rich and I wasn’t wearing it. I used to love rich Orientals, even in summer, but these days it seems I can only handle them in cold weather, and we don’t get much of that where I live. I have not had very good luck overall with the Afteliers either. It seems that with an Aftelier, either it doesn’t work for me at all (about 80% of them) or they work spectacularly well. So far, there have been only three that I love–Secret Garden, Alchemy, and Antique Ambergris.
Thanks for clarifying! I knew you would know 🙂
DSH perfumes work really well on me …most of the ones I have tried I have really liked. maybe I should not give up just yet on Aftelier…but then again they are pricey so you can all talk me out of it-LOL!
Deva, I say that you deserve it after all you went through in with San Jose.
IF you have space in the van, and have calculated how much of your fume stash got stolen, then you can justify it, so wait or a special sale like Valentines day and GO For It. ….as a gift from TRex to you????
Hey there, thanks, but the societal scourge didn’t take any perfume- just all my cash, CC, and other credentials. And I am making room because there is a swap meet and a freebie meet coming up! Thanks for not talking me off the ledge ?
I’m crazy about DSH Habibi- gorgeous honeyed orange blossom with saffron and oud.
Thanks for all your recommendations! I have a running list. Apparently, this community project is against my religion…?
I think I have learned my lesson by no longer having the option for Vero Kern’s Gems…?
There is going to be another production run of Vero’s scents, so you may get another chance at Naja!
Wait!! What!! Tell me everything!!! When? Where? How??!
Yes, someone on Basenotes contacted Luckyscent and they are expecting another run, just the extraits and the voile d’extraits, not the edps, but they don’t know exactly what they will be receiving. Put yourself on the waiting list at Luckyscent. First in Fragrance in Germany will be getting some stock too.
Go to this link and enter your email address to be notified when stock arrives. I don’t see Naja listed anymore, so you’ll have to email info@luckyscent.com to inquire about that one.
Sorry, forgot link:
https://www.luckyscent.com/search?gsearch=Vero+profumo
Because the last 18 months have been chaotic, I was confident that I would be motivated to edit and very mindfully purchase fragrances. So I planned to buy Vero Rozy or Onda as a present for achieving a well curated collection after moving. Thank you, cazaubon, for the information. If I’m lucky enough to get a bottle, it will count as free because it will be a moving/ motivational tool expense.
I just got my DSH sale order yesterday and am smitten especially with Paper White. I also really like the other two minis I ordered, Fleuriste and Eau Cerise. If I remember correctly from a recent sample order I really liked Une Robe de Zibeline, Onycha, and Habibi. If you want other animalics you can try Rendevous and Foxy, but I prefer Chinchilla to them. Hansa Yellow is a really nice ylang ylang. There are so many of hers I still want to try.
I was thinking today I hadn’t seen any of your beautiful Instagram pics the past day or two but you’ve been busy working!
I have seen Xerjoff Nio at 20% discount. But, being a Xerjoff, it’s still very expensive. I like it a lot, although I haven’t smell it in a while. I would like to own it, but do I really need it?
Early on in my collecting, I’d see a sale and give myself permission to buy something that I normally wouldn’t buy but liked— but then I wound up having stuff that was good but not spectacularly perfect (that wasn’t why I bought it; I bought it in part because of the sale). Now, I decide what I want to buy, and then wait like a tiger in the grass, watching for a sale on that item (or a swap or deal on ebay) and POUNCE on something that I’ve been waiting for and that truly satiates me.
It’s more satisfying this way, and I end up with a collection of true beauties that are better than anything else on the market.
Yes, you’re right. In my wish list Nio wasn’t before I saw it for sale. There are others I long for, even for years…
Yes, there’s nothing worse than thinking of something you loved that seems extravagant that you could have bought if you hadn’t bought these “bargains” you don’t love nearly as much.
Yes, correct!
I agree with GvilleCreative. Also, it is not a good idea to buy something you haven’t tried recently and cannot confirm that you still want it. Our tastes change, so even when we test perfumes properly and decide that we want to buy them, later we might not like them any longer. And with those that were “nice” and “wouldn’t mind to have,” it’s even more likely to happen. If you didn’t feel strong enough to put it on your mental (or real) “to buy” list, having it for more than a real-real bargain price just doesn’t make sense (and even then – wouldn’t you rather spend both these extra money and then your skin time for something you really loved?).
SOTD is Sacrableu. My superpower today is sillage.
I would love to get a bottle of Lonestar Memories, because my decant is almost empty. Also, I just finished my bottle of Fireside Intense, which cannot be replaced, and Lonestar Memories inspires a similar feeling in me, a feeling of being bulletproof. But, like Fireside Intense, it is not really work appropriate (or is it?). And I also have Lonesome Rider, which can be worn to work.
I think I have a problem with loving too many scents that are probably not work appropriate. But work is so dreadful right now that I am tempted to just wear what I want, until people complain. And they probably wouldn’t because they really need me now. What to do?
My super power today is sillage. Haha! I love that! Can we have bumper stickers made please?!
2nd that!
I agree, except that I live in a rural area and people would wonder why silage is a super power ?
I think a lot of people might wonder that in urban areas too 🙂
I’m in the same boat! I tend to like (and buy) perfumes that I cannot wear to the office now (at my previous job I had an office and didn’t have to communicate too often with those who didn’t like perfumes). I don’t know what to do since I don’t plan on changing job soon 🙂 Maybe I should give up testing perfumes during evenings and start wearing my favorites instead.
I think that’s a good idea. Evenings at home are the perfect time to enjoy what you love. Maybe set aside one or two evenings a week to test, and use the rest to wear your NSFW perfumes.
+1 I
I agree especially if work is really difficult, then you need encouragement and a sense of personal fulfillment when you get home to help motivate you and reward you for hanging in there.
I used to get up early and test samples before my shower. You could do that on the weekends if it’s too hard before work. Then your evenings are free for favourites.
Andy Tauer is a one-man band. Who knows how long his perfumes will continue to be made in their present form? How would you feel if Lonestar Memories becomes unavailable?
(I may not quite have got the hang of this thread.)
(Also, as someone with an easily offended nose and, sadly, hypersensitive ears: if your workplace protects /you/ from all the ways in which your senses might be rudely assaulted, reciprocate and refrain from perfume. If it doesn‘t — no training for co-workers in tempering unbearable voices, for example — and if you‘re not working with someone whose health is threatened by your perfume: go ahead and be your full self:))
LOL at “I may not quite have got the hang of this thread”
Double LOL!!
Joining that amusement. The suggestion above was to see if “shameless enablers” could keep from enabling. “Not quite got the hang of this,” indeed. 🙂
For those debating about which perfumes might be all right to wear at work, if a perfume seems to be making a coworker cough and wheeze, that would be a “no,” but if the folks near you say they don’t mind, you should be all right. My opinion only.
For a medical setting, I’d think odds of running into someone with lung issues would be higher than average. If I’m getting the terminology right, a fragrance that’s very light and stays close to the skin, or no perfume at work, would be the logical way to go. Again, my opinion only.
I thought the ideas above about trying perfumes before a morning shower, or putting on a favorite perfume after work, also sounded like good ways to enjoy perfume without having to worry about co-workers. 🙂
You’re not totally wrong about the possible sudden unavailability of indie stuff – I ended up making a large unplanned purchase on a moment’s notice when Vero Kern died. Apoteker Tepe went out of business and I was lucky to have bought the bottles I really wanted along the way when they were available. I have three bottles I want from Tauer and if I get a whiff of a rumour that he is retiring or selling out, my no-buy is off.
I would wholeheartedly support you on your break of no buy if Andy announced he is going out of business because I know you are a huge fan!
Yes, and don’t forget Sonoma Scent Studio! Her perfumes had been only intermittently available the last few years, as she would only have the cart buttons up at certain times, and my “buy” periods never seemed to coincide with their availability. I never did get to try her last 2 or 3 releases at all, and there were one or two I wish I would have bought when I could.
I am still crossing my fingers that someone takes over the business….she is /was in my top three perfumers of all time (the other two being Jessica September Buchanan of 1000 Flowers and Diane of St. Clair Scents)
I have not tried 1000 Flowers yet. I know Reglisse Noir get quite a bit of mention here, but right now I am trying to reduce my sample collection, not increase it. I think I will put it in the plan for the 2nd quarter. I like sampling indie brands that have small enough ranges for me to try actually try everything. I have gotten the St. Clair sample pack, and the only one I liked was Casablanca.
I am not going to talk you into 1000 Flowers sampler pack in case you don’t like them 😉
But I will say that the presentation is beautiful so you could always gift them away if that is the case! Plus, Jessica is a one woman show with a brick and mortar store in Grasse and I really like supporting her for that reason too…she is not as popular or well known and Mandy or Dawn so I don’t mind spreading the word about her brand (no affiliation…just love her artistry!)
I think that sudden unavailability is much more of a concern with the real indie stuff than with mainstream or with niche stuff that has a wide distribution. If one of the latter is discontinued, it will still be available in stores and online sources for some time to come. I bought two bottles of Shiseido Feminite du Bois from FragranceNet in the early to mid 2000s (I don’t remember the exact year), some years after it disappeared from department stores. When an indie brand closes up shop, however, the perfumes can become unavailable in the blink of an eye.
excellent point
I adore Lonestar Memories and it was my first and only expensive blind buy, so I will not be much help here. I wear it to work at the Bookstore and I always receive compliments when I do. One of my successful tricks with big fragrances is to apply to skin before you put your clothes on. Then it just kind of wafts out around your neck and wrists, mostly for your benefit, and offends no one.
Any chance you’re in Canada? Because I have a full bottle of Lonestar Memories and we should maybe talk. Username at rogers dot com.
We don’t have rules about wearing perfume to work, fortunately. But oddly enough, even though I love BIG scents most people are barely aware of the fact that I wear perfume. Which is fortunate as I don’t plan on stopping to wear it to work any time soon. One of the people I often work with has terrible sneezing fits when I wear L’Inspiratrice, so I make sure I never wear that around her. It took us some time trying to figure out which of my scents was the culprit (oh the joys of a big perfume collection) and when we finally did it was easy. It’s the only she has so far reacted to.
And get those Lonestar Memories, it’s a unique and gorgeous scent.
I’m intrigued by the limited edition Desert Flower by Maria McElroy. But that’s an expensive blind buy bet….
Admit to also being interested in sniffing Girl for Now, after reading a bit. It’s at the opposite end of the spectrum…a relatively cheap one. (Not really tempted, just interested.)
Disappointed snow is seeming unlikely today. Oh well….
Still commando, but thinking Jasmin Marzipane is likely….
Also tempted by a 20% off coupon for Twisted Lily… pondering small bottle of Fig Tea by Nicolai to set aside for summer….
Fig Tea is so lovely. I think of it now and then as my sample is long gone.
Is there a couponright now, or are you thinking about for the future? I haven’t seen a coupon code yet, but I think they have one for valentine’s day, if you wait.
I have a coupon good till 27th from Sniffapalooza. Just came across it the other day….
So what is the code? 🙂
Hi cazaubon…I just looked at fine print. It’s actually a 20% off gift card for one time use only with a unique code. So, I can’t actually share. Bummer. Sorry about that.
It’s okay, I can’t buy anything, I was just salivating uselessly. 😉
🙂 🙂 🙂
Blind buys, and especially expensive blind buys, are not a good idea. Think of how many times you read interesting review or promising list of notes but then couldn’t understand what others liked in that perfume. When you build up to a blind buy, your expectations grow disproportionately high, so you might be disappointed by even perfume you would have liked under different circumstances.
Don’t you have on your wish list perfumes you liked when tested and thought you’d want a bottle of?
Yes Undina! The common sense that helps. Amusingly Infusion d’Iris is one of those where I bought it blind (based on what was written here) and am still “meh” about. Cuir de Lancôme was blind and turned out well (and not expensive.)
Fig-Tea is a tested one that tempts…
L, Cuir de Lancôme and Lancôme’s Oud Bouquet are the only two blond buys I have ever made that turnedout well…
Fig Tea is lovely and available at Beautyhabit. If you subscribe to their email list, they have occasionally have sales and special offers. I’m sure they’ll have a sale before summer.
I would be thrilled to not have to deal with snow! Back breaking shoveling and hazardous driving conditions. I would happily send my foot of snow to you!
Yes, I realize for most people, snow is a lot of work and a hazard. For those of us in a city, it’s like being a kid and getting a snow day… No shoveling, no driving, just nice excursions to the park and the pure entertainment of watching the chaos and carnage of the few and crowded sledding hills.
For us here in the South, snow is a rare treat. Any time we get even a few flurries, most of us get really excited.
I’m from Alabama and just moved to New Mexico in 2017. It’s snowed A LOT here this year and no one can understand why I’m so excited haha.
I hear ya! As a person who was born and raised and lived in the city for 31 years of her life it was indeed always magical for me 🙂
But after living in the “sticks” for 20+ years it is no longer a pleasurable novelty -LOL!
My 81 year old dad still lives in the city with my mom and he adores the snow because he spends hours in the park cross country skiing…I guess everyone has a different perspective…..
Yes, I was / am too.
Perhaps if it is really popular, she will bring it back again?
I was recovering from the Worst Cold Ever during last year’s Edge poll and wasn’t lemming for anything at the time, but this year is a different story. Am currently trying to talk myself out of springing for FBs of SEVERAL things, including the one I’m wearing right now, Memo Italian Leather. Yummy. The others are ELDO Rien and Bruno Fazzolari Feu Secret. I recently acquired Olfactive Studios Autoportrait, and already own Tam Dao, Costes and CdG Kyoto, which if taken together ought to satisfy any cravings for incense / sandalwood/ coriander oddballness (my current non-leather phase). And, really, I have the leather portion of my collection well filled as well … buuuuuut … honestly, can’t I just have them all?
Travel spray (10 ml) of Italian Leather is $69. Of course, it’s worse per ml but when was the last time you used up 10 ml of any perfume?
BF you can buy from Twisted Lily when they have 20% off ( hasn’t someone just mentioned that they are having it now? You can look/ask others for it).
Even if you had all perfumes you fancy, when would you be wearing them all? 🙂
Undina, you are SO GOOD at talking people down <3
I’m very impressed by this ability of Undina’s. Stopping to think about things is *not* a strong point for me, but it’s great to see how someone can provide that external structure. I know I often need that structure. 🙂
MEMO HAS TRAVEL SPRAYS? Holy cow, I was literally just wishing that half an hour ago. Undina, you have talked me off the ledge … and right over the cliff. ?
SheriG – I have a FB of Rien, and would behappy to send you a decant.
Email me at t f k 3 1 @ yahoooodotcaum ( remove spaces and obvious spam reducing misspellings) and we can work it out
Such a kind offer, hannahmom. I’m going to keep trying to be happy with what I have, I think. I won’t promise not to whine occasionally, though. 🙂
I have stepped back from the edge over the past few months on my own volition. Although I have not committed to a no-buy this year, I am definitely on a low-buy. I have just one purchase on my horizon for the upcoming splitmeet.
Since falling down the rabbit hole five years ago, I have acquired samples, decants and bottles that have gone untouched because my tastes and attention have been so fleeting. I need to sloooow it down and really hone in on what I love. Maybe it’s in part because I read Marie Kondo’s book last fall when my two oldest left for college and I have been analyzing all my possessions and what brings me joy. I think it was 50Roses who also recently posed the question, “would I choose to wear this perfume over all the others in my collection?” That question really resonated with me. I think the two concepts intertwine for me. I do choose to wear a perfume because it brings me joy, in the way I feel when I wear it and how I enjoy smelling it on my person.
In preparation for the upcoming freebiemeet, I am revisiting the Sylvaine Delacourte sampler sets. Today I have Dovana-a tender musk on one wrist, and Florentina- powdery musk on the other. At first spray of Dovana, I was instantly transported back to the late 70’s and a hairspray my mother used. Florentina is more my style because I’m always a sucker for powdery perfumes. Both wear close to the skin though, I can only smell them when I hold my wrist to my nose.
Okay! Enough rambling, I am off to KonMari the kitchen cabinets. Wish me luck!??
Love this: “would I choose to wear this perfume over all the others in my collection?”
That is definitely the way to decide what to buy.
Yes! I just saw your post above and this is how I would like to build my collection moving forward.
Very helpful guide!
That comment really struck me too! Like jirish, I have a lot of scents I can only wear on non-workdays but I’d rather not waste my budget on things that won’t get any wear.
I’m no help, I’ve been looking at Florentina too. I’m in a powdery phase. The problem seems to be, the phases.
Ah yes, the phases. Sigh. Florentina is good, but I don’t feel compelled to buy it.
For powdery, I recently tried Heeley’s Blanc Poudre and I reeaaally liked it.? it’s also really expensive.☹️
Florentina was my favorite of the bunch.
I really like the almond note. (But you’re supposed to talk me back from the edge?)
Sorry, my dear…OK …DON’T GET IT…YOU DON’T NEED IT…ENJOY YOUR BIG BOTTLE OF VANILLE INSENSEE ….there, did that help? 🙂 🙂 🙂
Haha, yes, thank you!?
And I am definitely enjoying it. It has been my most worn scent so far this year.?
I think for you it is also a great work scent
The “would I choose this over others” reminds me of wedding dress shopping. A very helpful SA got me to keep choosing every time I tried something, so I never was overwhelmed – it was always just two dresses in the “possible” camp. (Like at eye doctor when they’re flipping lenses and making you choose which is clearer.)
Right. I often play the “desert island picks” with myself. But really, shouldn’t they all be desert island picks??
Yes, I too loved that phrase that 50 Roses used to help me out 🙂
Hi you all. I think I need Chanel 1957. As it is not available yet, the money is still safe in my wallet. I promised myself that I can buy it if I love it and have sold enough reject bottles of perfume to pay for it…
I’m waiting for a decant – how about I tell you what I think about it once I get it and then you decide if you really need it?
YES please!!!
Deal 🙂
Hello and hope everyone is doing well! I’ve been a bit more busy at work this week. Generally I prefer to be busy than have nothing to do but things that came up were so chaotic that I’m starting to think that some people on the other side are a bit unprofessional at times…
I’ve been spending winter afternoons on reading books and I already finished 2! Last year I neglected reading a bit so trying to catch up in 2019.
I’ll be going to Paris on Friday for one day. I don’t think I’ll find time for ‘perfume sightseeing’ but it would be nice if I could get something there – especially that my birthday will be next month.
SotD is Gabriella Chieffo Lye.
If you are in Paris, and it’s almost your birthday, you pretty much have to get something ?
I know that equation 😉
I’m reading the classics this year. Just reread Fahrenheit 451 and about 75% of the way through Jane Eyre, one of my all-time favorites
Great!
Paris + birthday is an excellent incentive for a purchase, but if you decide what purchase before you set out, you will decrease the chance of purchasing something you regret.
I know, right? I really would like Guerlain LUI which is rather expensive for 50 ml, although perfume and its bottle are both gorgeous.
Well, I’m not going to try to talk you back from the edge. If you really like it–and you DO have a birthday coming up, and you are going to be in Paris–then maybe you should get the LUI. Guerlain is in the habit of discontinuing fragrances, and seems to be focusing mostly on Aqua Allegorias, Shalimar variations, and countless flankers of La Petite Robe Noir. The question to ask yourself is “How disappointed will I be if I don’t buy it now, and it gets discontinued, and then I can’t buy it? If you would be OK with that, then don’t buy it. If you will be regretting it ever after, then go for it. You will have a perfume that (1) you love, (2) is a souvenir of a trip to Paris, and (3) is a birthday present to yourself. Win, win, win!
Ouch, that’s a biting indictment of the state of Guerlain today! (Totally warranted.)
She’s right…
I don’t know if you ever fly to/through London, but Heathrow had LUI in the remarkably wide-stocked Guerlain boutique last time I was there. (I think it was T3 rather than T5 but check!) I suspect some other airports also have it… which makes the price less painful. Not as glam as a birthday-in-Paris souvenir though…
I’ve found little to inspire me lately perfume-wise. Probably a good thing, but I do like finding new scents to love. I did purchase a travel size of Myth by Ellis Brooklyn which is simple, and likable, but that’s all.
Nice, lazy Sat. No big plans but to iron the new curtains I received this week from Anthro and put those up, and hang some new art…very excited to add 2 of my husband’s recent leaf paintings to our living room wall. Also, there is a plan to bake some sweet potato muffins! Sweet potatoes are in the oven now. 🙂
Happy long weekend, friends!
Oh! and today I plan to wear a touch of Dune. Miss it!
A touch of Dune sounds perfect!
What a lovely day! Dune is so good and lingers so nicely 🙂
Your Saturday sounds just perfect!
Thank you! Just popped the muffins in the oven and curtains look wonderful! Art is such a nice addition to the room as well.
And Dune is still lingering ’round my neck.
Congrats on your new curtains and hope the muffins were delicious! That sounds like a great day.
Oh, sweet potato muffins, such a treat, enjoy.
1. I love Anthro 2. I love hanging new art 3. Sweet potato muffins sound amazing!
I’m looking at Frassai A Fuego Lento and I’m really tempted…
“Looking”? Have you tried smelling it? 🙂
😀 😀
There’s almost no info , only that is an Argentinian house and the perfume was created by Rodrigo Flores-Roux. Have you tried it?
I was just joking, regardless of perfume mentioned.
But to answer your question seriously, I have not tried this one. The first three did nothing for me despite high praises from Luca Turin (I tried them long before the new Guide), so I’m not in a hurry to try these – which doesn’t say you should not. Try them, I mean 🙂
That one caught my attention because Rodrigo Flores-Roux is a really good nose.
Atelier Cafe Tuberosa. I got the travel size, blind buy, urg I love this one. I’d would like a larg bottle of this one.
Sephora does a spring sale of at least ten percent.
Yum yum! I had a sample of this that I used up quickly. It’s pretty fleeting on me, sadly, as most of the Atelier Colognes are 🙁 but that’s a good one.
Fragrancenet often has good prices on the Atelier Colognes, if you want to hunt for a deal.
While you’re finishing your travel spray, keep looking for deals. You might include eBay into the list of places to check. Neiman Marcus had their first (on my memory but I nigh have missed it before) 20% off sale in December that included fragrances – so it’s possible as well.
Oh thank you-totally forgot the Sephora, discounters and NM sales. What is it called when I’m wearing and loving a scent, but want something else. Haha now I’m wanting Chanel Chance.
I really really enjoyed Cafe Tuberosa so I won’t be any help talking you out of it haha.
No need for me to step back. I am having too much fun thunking samples and decants without feeling the need for full bottles. Plus, I am enjoying what I have in my collection.
SOTD Amor America Paramela… I might just wear this for the next few days because I love it.
You have been a good influence, and forced me to take a look at my own impulsiveness…and stop and enjoy what I have!
Keep on thunking! My goal for the year is 4 samples a month (plus decants and bottles as I use them up) and I’m at 3 so far.?
My goal is 2-5 ml of usage of anything (sample, decant, FB) per day…with my scent devouring skin this is easily done 🙂
I missed it… what is thunking? Using them up?
Yes, using them up…getting things out of your collection…not hoarding the last 1ml…..
I’m on a no-buy and there is no burning want in my heart anyway, so all is well.
I’m wearing Oeillet Bengal today.
Perfect, and you already smell great!
You smell great!
I was so close to buying Alien Essense Absolue last night. Had it in my cart, had the samples picked out and everything. Mugler’s website keeps taking it on and off so I’m afraid eventually it’ll be gone for good. I’ve thunked two samples so I’m confident I’ll wear it…but do I NEED it?
I think it is the most beautiful of all the Aliens. It is very powerful and one full bottle would probably last you the rest of your life. I have one and have never regretted the purchase. Do any of us need more perfume? Probably not.
I thinkthis just convinced me further ?
It seems like you “need” this bottle (as in “tried many times and still want to wear”). But do you need it right away?
Check eBay to see if there are many offers for this perfume (not to buy but to know that you have a back-up option). If you haven’t done it yet, sign for Mugler’s mailing list: they periodically run some % off sales (not too often) or they offer 5-7 samples with a purchase (more often) – so you could buy it then and get some additional goodies.
I‘ve just re-discovered Papillon Salomé, for the umpteenth time. It really is absolutely gorgeous. I stepped back from the edge all those other times because I told myself it wasn‘t “me”: too animalic, too intimate, too… music-hall, or something. It reminds me of my great-aunt, Auntie Betty, who was larger than life, hugely witty, generously bosomed, appeared in music halls in her youth, now I come to think of it… she was a pub landlady when I knew her, had a beautiful old village pub in the middle of Norfolk at which I spent an endless summer at the age of three. Auntie Betty‘s huge personality always stood between Salome and me when it came to thinking about buying it. Not today. I feel so at home in Salome, so comfortably female (= comfortably fat middle-aged lady, in full disclosure mode). And I can‘t stop sniffing my wrist.
Right then, lovely lads and lasses. Help?
Um, no help. I just wanted to say that your Auntie Betty sounds wonderful.
Yes she does!
I would have loved your auntie Bettie! Your delightful story has made me want to try Salome. I don’t think I’ve tried any Papillons.
Oh, you must! It‘s a small but eclectic and very special range.
Papillon is one brand that I own everything they make… Anubis, Angelique, Tobacco Rose, Salome and Dryad.
I’m going to be the opposite of help because I think Salome is a brilliant perfume for someone comfortable and confident in their own luscious skin. Sounds like it’s a perfect fit!
Auntie Betty sounds lovely! Papillon perfumes are amazing, so I will not be able to convincingly talk you away from the edge.
It’s a beauty, she’s amazing and I would love to own it…
I knew I could rely on you all:-)
Geordie, are you in the US?
No, I‘m in Germany — unfortunately, by the sound of it!
Darn! But if you or a friend happen to be traveling here anytime in the future, let me know. I’m happy to mail him/her a decant of Salomé to mule back to Germany to you.
Same as everyone else; your story definitely makes me not want to encourage you to take a step back 🙂 go for it!
Several reasons to step back (generic advice to all perfumistas hesitating about a purchase:
1. The size of your current collection–If you have not already done so, then do what I have done lately and take an honest assessment of what you already own. Note everything (as far as possible)–including the size, the amount remaining, and the date you bought it. Do you already have one or more perfumes very similar to the one you are considering? Then perhaps you don’t need it. Do you have well-loved scents that get little wear simply because you have too many choices? If you buy another, then those favorites will get even less use. Every time you wear your new perfume, you aren’t wearing one of the old ones.
2. The Freebiemeet–there is a Freebiemeet next Saturday. Perhaps the thing you want will be available for FREE, and you won’t have to buy it. Maybe not a FB, but perhaps a partial, or a mini, or a decant. Enough to last you for a while, or even enough to last you for good if you won’t actually wear it frequently.
3. The Splitmeet–there is a Splitmeet scheduled for next month. OK, this is not entirely stepping back, but at least scaling back. Do you need a full bottle, or would a portion of one actually be enough?
4. The Swapmeet–there is a Swapmeet scheduled for March. Do you have bottles you honestly don’t love and don’t wear? Perhaps you can swap one of them for the thing you really want. If you don’t want to wait two months, try offering a swap in an open thread. Say what you want, and list some of the things you would be willing to trade for it. Trading bottles is not the same as buying more.
5. Your own hesitation–if you are really waffling about buying that bottle, maybe you don’t really want it that much. Perhaps your subconscious has already determined that you don’t really need it or won’t use it enough to justify the purchase.
Dang, excellent points all around!
All good reasons. Well said!
Yes! Freebie, Splitmeet and Swapmeet are all fabulous reasons to wait.
That’s excellent advice, and a timely reminder. Thank you!
(And others in the UK post bubble, please don’t be shy about joining the swaps/splits/freebies! Pretty please?)
Now, if only I can learn to take my own advice! 😉
🙂 You can do this
Thank you for putting rhe reasons to avoid buying so eloquently.
So well thought through 🙂 good luck following your own excellent advice!
There is really nothing on my wishlist currently that I HAVE TO HAVE,except Tom Ford’s new Lost Cherry.Being a lover of the note in perfume,the TF is really gorgeous!The pricing makes me take 6 steps back though,so I “should” be okay haha.
SOTE are 3 things!
The Different Co. Pure Eve on my left arm.
Etro Heliotrope on my right arm
The Different Co. Rose Poivree.
I was actually trying to decide which of the first 2 wins in the Almond/Heliotrope contest…
The Etro is a clear winner for Heliotrope
Pure Eve is a gorgeous almond
Rose Poivree starts out juicy and metallic and reminds me of Rossy de Palma,then it settles into an oldschool dense dark rose chypre.Lovely.
Happy Weekend All!
X
Thanks for the mini review on Pure Eve and Heliotrope…they have both been on my radar 🙂
It may be years before I’m anywhere to try Lost Cherry but if I was in the market for a bottle, I would buy it at Neiman Marcus online through ebates. Not long ago, NM had a “spend $300, take $50 off” kind of sale, and ebates was offering 10% back at the same time. Quite a savings even though it’s still pricey.
This is how I got Lost Cherry at a big discount except I did it through Bergdorf (I got about $100 off the full price of a FB).
I need a Lost Cherry mini review!! Is it great?
The only thing on my radar is a bottle of Jasmine Rouge, but I have a full tube of the body lotion so I won’t need the perfume for a long time. Scent of the day is Cuir d’Ange.
We gave our puppy a bath today for the first time. It was quite the experience!
Have a safe, warm, comfortable, relaxing and refreshing weekend.
I just looked at last year’s poll, and I did not buy any of the things I was lemming at the time. Did I buy everything else? Pretty much.
?
Ha!
🙂 🙂 🙂
LOL!
Did your puppy like the bath? Or was it a fight for the ages?
She was shocked. I think bath #2 may be a battle royale.
I forget, how old is your pup?!
She’s 6 months old. We got her a month ago. ?
I’m really hankering after Musc Incense, from Aedes. I was also hankering after Musc Ravageur for quite some time, and nursed my sample until it was gone, and then bought the bottle.
I got in on the split of MI, so I really don’t need it right now. I just keep thinking that MR is the perfect winter fragrance, and MI the perfect skin scent for early spring. Also, I looove the bottle!
If my mother was still with us, she’d call me a fat beggar, with a smile on her face, of course. ?
Ha! That last sentence actually made me lol.
When I was growing up my dad used to tell me, “you have champagne taste on a beer budget.”
My dad used to say that, too 🙂
Considering the prices of some craft beers these days, that isn’t necessarily saying a whole lot. 😉
“Champagne taste on a beer budget” is very much a dad saying! I remember mine using it, too.
My dad still uses that phrase!
Yeah, my dad said that to me, too. Looks like I’m not alone!
I thought I would have a list of things to be talked out of… but I’m almost coming up blank. Almost. A generous friend has sent me a decant of something I had been close to a blind buy on: Hiram Green’s Hyde. (Almost perfect fit for me, and this decant should last even if I wear it frequently because blimey, but it’s got some power behind it.)
And, after a year on my FB list, and an almost drained decant, and the uncertainty of future existence… Naja is already in the post. So, too late, and I don’t think anyone could have talked me out of that!
So maybe just one left to hanker after: Club Design (a.k.a. Scent Tattoo) from The Zoo. I think the big sample from their packs could still last me a decent amount of time and I wouldn’t otherwise be in a rush but Brexit still looks like it’s a thing that’s happening. A thing where suddenly things imported from the EU are going to get a lot more expensive once we have to pay duty and tax on them. They post from Germany at the moment. Wait and see? Let it go? It’s not like I’m short of leather-centric scents…but it’s a really enjoyable wear, and an interesting ride each time.
Maybe check in with how you feel once the Brexit Clock gets close to the end of free shipping…?
I’ve been considering a blind buy of CJ Scents Vanilla Iris. I’ve been telling myself I might be able to get away with it at work (hospital) if it wears close to the skin.
My unit has been at 100% occupancy for weeks now (multiple discharges and admits all day and we’re always short-staffed–I know there are several nurses here that know where I’m coming from) and I’ve been filling “stress relief carts” online during my lunch breaks but not purchasing. This would be a small purchase of $20 but if anyone would like to talk me into/out of it I’d love to hear your opinion.
Anything under $50 is perfumath free so besides buying the CJ Scents Vanilla Iris, you have $30 to put towards your next purchase ?
Don’t buy it… Honestly, if you buy it ,will it actually serve the purpose of alleviating your stress? And what happens if the blind buy is disastrous? Then you will be adding to your stress ! and don’t do the twenty dollar purchase either…you will just be adding more to the pot of something that maybe two weeks from now may no longer be as appealing to you.
there, did that help?
and I say this as a mother of two nursing students…the first one did a massive amount of stress buying her first semester at university…after the fact she was annoyed with herself -LOL!
Don’t buy it, email me instead and I’ll send you a decant of Vanille Insensee (if you’re in the US). As a fellow nurse, I got you.?
pkwisdom in the land of yahoooo.
Life is hard, and while I realize fragrance is a very fleeting help (figuratively & otherwise), it is a help.
It sounds like you’re a disciplined person so I would say go for it. A $20 blind buy isn’t that crazy, and you can likely swap it away at some point if need be. Plus, having made many bad blind buy purchases, even at the lower end of the $ spectrum, by doing so, it has really taught me over time there’s a high probability that I’ll be disappointed and to not give in so easily.
If you decided to spend ~$20 on perfumes, are you sure you won’t be happier with several new samples that you can get for the same price?
$20 blind buy won’t be a disaster: there are no high expectations to ruin or expense to regret. But let’s say it’s just OK. Then you might find pushing yourself into wearing it – to justify purchasing it – while neglecting those perfumes that you currently have and love.
I’m neutral on the potential purchase itself – the price is modest enough to be a small gamble. But as a stress shopper, I know that one $20 blind buy won’t be enough if your stress level doesn’t change, and you may end up making $400 worth of $20 purchases by April. (Not that I’ve done that, no definitely not…)
I’m still mainly in the collecting samples phase, so I can learn what I like. Today I sniffed Tresor at a local Kohl’s. I liked that. I’ve gotten a few inexpensive EdTs, mainly Yardley of London, which I know I like.
I really liked the sample I got from Luckyscent of Annick Goutal’s Eau d’Hadrien, but that’s expensive for me. Also I liked the sample of Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. (Thanks, CobraRose) I don’t currently have plans to buy those as bottles, just keeping them in mind.
Sniffing the other samples CobraRose sent was very educational, though I think chypres are something I’d need to get used to. I liked the violet perfumes and Passage d’Enfer quite a lot.
After trying the samples jepster sent, I did end up getting a rollerball of Chloe and a bottle of Baiser Vole. I also liked the Aerin samples and the Mandarine Glaciale. (Thank you, jepster)
I don’t have a “no buying bottles of perfume” policy, but I am keeping a “pay off bills first” policy in mind. 🙂 I need to concentrate on not developing expensive tastes, especially with niche perfumes. But I very much appreciated the samples CobraRose and jepster sent me from the last freebiemeet. 🙂
Apparently my tastes are for florals and fresh citrus scents, and some incense scents. Well, it’s good to know. 🙂
If you are just delving into niche perfumery, it is good to stay in sampling mode while you find what you like. More than likely you will find that your tastes evolve and change as you try more things. Minis and decants can offer a way to get to try perfumes a little more thoroughly without committing to a full bottle. Don’t forget about the Freebiemeet next Saturday.
Very sensibly put. It’s good that you are concentrating on paying off bills first. And there is enough budget friendly perfume out there to enjoy without having to dive into the very expensive niche. In my almost 50 years of perfume wearing I have found that many of these high end niche are just derivates of each other and also copy cats of some of the drugstore beauties I wore in the 70s and 80s. So don’t feel like you are missing out on anything 🙂
Yep 50_Roses makes a good point. I used my samples as a reference library to compare against and educate myself with little up front investment figuring I could sample 20+ for the cost of one fb (and then some!). I’d get a small sprayer so that I could load the samples I really think I’ll like into a spray bottle for the best experience of the scent.
Sounds like you have a very sensible spending plan to your scent hobby, neyronrose. Keep up the good work!
Belated thanks for the comments, folks! 🙂
SOTD = April Aromatics Irisistible
I got my large sample yesterday! It’s a rooty iris on the verge of getting into Iris Silver Mist category but not quite due to its warmth. I used 3 sprays and it lasted about 4 hours, which means that the next time I wear it, I have to use 5-6 sprays. So far so good!
With my order, I got a bunch of samples:
– Memo Moroccan Leather: powdery spicy green leather
– Memo Tiger’s Nest: Pez leather
– 4160Tuesdays Over the Chocolate Shop: bitter Chocolate Coffee
– Fort & Manle Forty Thieves: Soapy
– Olfactive Studio Vanilla Shot: got walloped by Morrocan Leather. Need to retest. I am getting a mint toothpaste vibe
– Roja Dove Chypre Extraordinaire: vintagey warm melange
I will re-test this as I had no active dislikes! In fact,mother combination of all of the above actually smells quite good.
My car is fine – thanks well wishes yesterday. I had the battery replaced and the beeping sound was the car still trying to juice up some of the peripherals (like “Eyesight” which is basically an extra set of eyes for the driver, looking for obstacles and calculates the speed and distance of the car from it and alerts you if speed / distance are likely to cause a collision AND it also actually slows you down if it thinks not doing so will likely cause a collision). Indeed, when I started the car this morning, the beeping every time I brake issue was gone. Nevertheless, I had it towed anyway and had it looked at and, ta da, it’s all good with $0 charge!
One of my cousins passed away last night. He had been ill for quite some time and this was a blessing to end his suffering. His life had a lot of highs and lows, including being accused by his sister-in-law of murdering his brother-in-law (the SIL’s husband), his wife divorced him, come to find out that it was the SIL who had her husband murdered.
Re: the weather. It is just raining right now. It will be a skating rink tomorrow and into the begging of next week due to dropping temps. I will be staying inside for the long haul!
Wow, that was a lot to report! Glad your car is ok, so sorry about your cousin’s difficult life and passing. Vanilla Shot was very strange on me, actually rather skanky for the first hour. Not at all what I was expecting. I didn’t get any coffee from Over the Chocolate Shop nor did I get leather or Pez from Tiger’s Nest, mostly incense and amber. It’s so interesting to hear what other people smell!
Stay warm and safe, falling on the ice is no fun.
Ha! So I tried Tiger’s Nest again today without the others and I still got Pez but that is probably what some incense smells like to me (just like some lemon smells salty to me). With the 6 swipes (vs. 2 yesterday). I now got the amber. As to the leather, I suspect it came from Morrocan Leather which was very assertive!
I am with cazaubon on Tiger’s Nest – no leather, mostly amber and incense. It was interesting to read your impressions. Thanks!
Great news about the car!
As for your cousin… Life can be cruel and unfair – that’s all I can think of at the moment. But at least, as you wrote, it was the end of his suffering.
Thank you, Glannys.
As to Tiger’s Nest, you and Cazaubon were right about the amber which I got with 6 swipes instead of the 2 I used yesterday.
I’m sorry for your loss. That’s horrible what the sil did! Glad you will be safe inside, and yay for the no charge on the car!
Thanks, lillyjo. Some people get so greedy they resort to murder.
We ended up getting rain instead of snow. I hope we stay dry…I can stand the cold but ice is a no no.
So sorry about your cousins passing, H. That’s some story, and cannot imagine how very hard his life must have been with what you shared.
Curious about Over the Chocolate Shop. Sounds delicious!
Thank you, floragal. The poor thing did not deserve what life dealt him.
Over the Chocolate Shop – it was actually my least favorite but perhaps I need to smell it on its own before booting it off the island. It showed some promise with the coffee bean note!
Pleased for you about the car trouble being over at no expense.
Sympathy on the death of your cousin, but gosh, that life could be the subject of book.
You and me both regarding the car!
My family has its share of shenanigans that could be weaves into a novel (I have to protect the innocent).
* weaved
So sorry Hajusuuri – you know what they say about Karma…What a Story!
So is irissistible fb worthy? I am curious but so happy w/LeCri that I don’t want to ‘live the lemming lifestyle’ this month. Perhaps you will wear it again soon and give a followup report?
Thank you, AngelaB.
I will absolutely report back on Irisistible. It is very similar to I Love Les Carrotes.
Wow, you’ve had quite the weekend, and it isn’t even over with! I’m happy to hear that there was nothing wrong with your car, and you didn’t have to pay to discover that.
Very sorry about your cousin’s passing. You have mentioned him a few times here on NST. My sympathies to you and your family.
Thank you, jalapeño.
You and I both lucked out with the weather, except for the frigid temps!
My condolences for your cousin. What a life!
Thank you, Koyel. One good thing that he reconciled with some of his immediate family (not the former wife’s side) several years back before he got ill.
I’m very sorry to hear of your cousins passing. I’m glad he’s found peace.
Thank you, sistine. One of our cousins is a minister and he visited and prayed for him before he passed away.
So sorry to hear about your cousin. Hope you’re staying warm!
Like some of you here, I am in a no-buy commitment due to other expenses priorities and also because I am trying to reduce mostly the amount of samples that I have. By sampling new perfumes to me, even though many of them are not recent releases I have found great perfumes, which have made it to my endless perfume shopping list and others that are not interesting at all. My fear is that a good iris perfume or something stunning crosses my path and makes me break my no-buy commitment. Still, I feel that I can wait for a discount opportunity or a special occasion like my birthday, Christmas, etc to buy what I really know I am going to love and enjoy. I already have a nice collection and I would like to to focus on it and appreciate what I have instead of spending money on perfumes that I just like instead of loving. At the same time I have been blessed and I am thankful for the generosity of some NSTers from whom I have received for a long time and also recently many gorgeous freebies. We have also been swapping perfumes outside of the regular NST meets. I am enjoying every single sample, decant, full bottle received and that has helped me greatly with my budget. I appreciate that deeply. You are the best perfume community!
I was commando during the day, but I am wearing now Atelier Cafe Tuberosa. It is amazing how much I dislike this perfume when it was released and how much I am liking it now that I am revisiting it.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
🙂
and thank YOU for supporting me on my no buy as well! I agree with everything you said. It’s fun to receive packages from good friends and try new things but equally as satisfying coming back to our full bottles that we love.
and with Cafe Tuberosa…just stop in to Sephora from time to time and pick up a free sample….that is not breaking your no buy rule 🙂
This made me smile, and I complete agree with your sentiments re: NST community. Just the loveliest and most generous group of people!
Every time I read that you or CM8 or anyone else has thunked something, it encourages me to try and do the same. It’s a cycle of positive feedback.
I also intensely disliked Cafe Tuberosa at first and now I love it. It’s so unique.
Cafe Tuberosa is one of those perfumes that you cannot compare to others. As you said, it is unique. I almost got rid of my travel size, but at the last minute I decided to wait a long time before revisiting it. I am glad I did!
That’s why I love it I think, because it’s not like anything else I’ve sniffed. I think it’s so good!
I am not lemming any new perfumes, oddly enough for me, I guess because I was rather self-indulgent around the holidays and bought the things I wanted. I don’t have very good will power when it comes to waiting until later for something I want. The one thing I want right now is a beautiful calico kitty who needs a home, but I do at least have the sense not to go there.
I’m not a cat person, but I’ve been around enough folks who love cats to know that when they say they want a cat, somehow a cat shows up. Please keep us posted on that. 🙂 I’m curious to see if that observation of mine holds true.
Ha ha! One of mine died recently so in a sense I have a vacancy, and a local rescue group posted a photo of a beautiful girl who needs a home. But…. so many reasons not to expand. Another of my kitties will probably need dental surgery soon and it is $$$$. 🙁
I’m posting early because I won’t have time in the morning. I’m dedicated?
SOTD? Chinchilla.
Also, I feel like I’m not really helping to talk anyone off the ledge. So in the spirit of the CP, I will let you see this five minute blurb from a friend of mine. This is directed at those who are seriously on the fence (or like attractive men). It doesn’t relate to perfume, per se. It does relate to life, so obliquely relates to perfume… Plus, I’m into male hirsutism?
https://youtu.be/wbm4gWT0d3U
Deva , this was awesome! Thank you for sharing…live with less so you can experience more…that resonates with me 🙂
I’m going to admit watching for the attractive man??
Thank you Deva. Love the video! I hope I can reach that point in my life some day and hopefully sooner than later. Every day, I realize more that having so many things sometimes becomes overwhelming. The more I used up, share and get rid of, the more satisfying and meaningful my life is. Simplicity is what I honestly need.
Amazing video Deva – thanks for the great find! A great message. I will have fun following him around.
And those mountains…
Just imagine traffic if the whole country decides to live like that… Oh, wait… First one needs to earn enough money to maintain that lifestyle… And those perfect sparkling teeth… Clearly, those of us who waste time on going to work every day, raising kids, taking care of parents and doing other mundane and down-to-earth things just don’t know how to enjoy life…
Gosh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you (or anyone) by linking the video. I didn’t get the impression that he was pushing anything other than finding what truly makes you happy. Again, I apologize.
Sorry I tried arguing through replying to your post with people who were admiring his lifestyle. I’m just being a little grumpy (tooth issues 🙂 ). The general idea is good, I agree – even thought most people have to do what they have to whether they enjoy it or not, we should try to find a way to enjoy life while we have it.
Different lifestyle for sure and it seems he was smart about his earnings as a professional football player and smart about retiring before his body and brain got destroyed. Does he have family?
Hi!
I’m very tempted to get a bottle of knize ten as my first leather perfume.
We are on a no spending and putting things on eBay period in general but I am tempted.
As per no shops I went for a swim and sauna at my local pool while husband looked after the baby. Was the only person in the aromatherapy sauna for 25 minutes they had a lovely thyme scent vapourising(?) I’m trying to get an hour of swimming in each week.
Wore shalimar yesterday and am going to try my sample of aromatics elixir in white to see if I want to get rid of it.
We had homemade mulligatawny made in the slow cooker/crock pot on Friday so it’s been a highly scented weekend.
Maybe postpone the purchase of Knize Ten until a special occasion like your birthday, or a really good sale, and meanwhile go on a sniffing expedition involving only leather perfumes, BobH was commenting recently that the budget line Molton Brown Russian Leather is a love for him, I haven’t tried it but want to now, maybe give it a sniff if you haven’t already done so.
You smelled great in Shamilar! Your swim and sauna time sounds so nice.
A timely poll.
I am tempted to buy Eau d’Hadrien EDP. I can get 50 ml for about $70. I have been buying decants of it for years, and currently have about 2 ml left. On the other hand, I can get a 15 ml decant, which would last me for at least couple of years, and I overspent on perfumes in the 4th quarter. And, frankly, I have so many perfumes, while I need money on other things…
Plus, I suspect that I just want to treat myself while I’m sick, and I can barely smell anything at the moment anyway (stuffy nose). So I should at least wait until I’m well.
To help you not buy: I hear that one turns very quickly! So if 15ml will last you years? Just get the decant because the bottle will likely turn before it is used up
I’ve heard the same thing – I’d get the decant.
Hm, none of my decants ever turned, and I even bought a used one once. Also, I think some of them were from not freshly opened bottles. I kept them for more than a year more like 2-3 years) and they smelled fine to the very end. So I am not convinced, but thanks for trying.
Totally agree with that, in fact I had to get rid of the rest of my bottle which had turned, I would add, if you buy a bottle put it in the fridge 🙂
How strange. I start to think that maybe it depends on climate…
Anyway, currently my sense of smell is about 99.9% gone. Won’t buy or wear anything until it returns.
Well, there’s a good point. I’ve had sinus problems frequently the last year or so, and my sense of smell has come and gone. In addition to what the helpful folks above said about me trying not to develop expensive tastes, I’d better not buy any full bottles of perfume until I get my sinus issues fixed.
If you need money for something else that is more important, you should not buy either a bottle or a decant… well, unless it’s the only perfume that you like and want to wear (in that case you should try to save on something else). Having said that, let me try to talk you out of buying it and then into doing that 😉
How sure are you that the bottle you’ll be getting is the same as the decant that you liked? I’m asking because AG has changed their packaging at least 3 times in the last several years, so it’s hard to follow all the reformulations.
Aside from that, I would go for a bottle vs. decant for the following reasons: 1) AG perfumes are fleeting so having a bottle will allow you to wear it hajusuuri-style and enjoy it instead of rationing a small decant for it to last longer; 2) decants’ lifecycle is usually shorter than those for real bottles, and since you’ve proven to yourself that you like it and want to wear, it’s a sensible choice and 3) 2-3 years from now perfume under the same name will definitely be a different one.
LOL at hajusuuri style. CM8 style definitely uses more volume.
😉
Money is always needed for something else. Sigh. Strictly from the point of common sense, I should not buy any scents at all. But where is fun in that? 😀
I was going to buy an old style bottle, so the juice should be the same… But it’s a risk – perfume in the old bottle which can turn or perfume in the new bottle which probably does not smell the same.
I like your bottle vs. decant points!
I am still on the fence on buying a FB of Felanilla, but am bravely procrastinating the buying. Maybe someone at swap meet will have an offer….????
Yesterday i wore OJ Woman, but did not like it in the cold. Todays Air de Rien is so much better.
Bought a Kallax at IKEA as a perfume storage solution, because: doors! so my collection is in the dark and out of the ugly shoe box!
This morning began with homemade croissants, because Boyfriend likes to bake. Those were the best i ever ate.
You smell very chic and original in l’Air de Rien, I keep forgetting to wear it. If you’re on the fence about Felanilla, wait a while longer, imo this is the hardest quarter because we had the expenses of Xmas, so maybe wait for next quarter and get the best price.
A boyfriend who makes homemade croissants! Sounds like a keeper. 🙂
Oh yes, he is!
Ooooh, could you post a link of the storage you bought?
A boyfriend who bakes is a marvelous thing! Yay for croissants!
Good times for me right now…getting ready to clear very heavy wet snow and sleet off the driveway…this will need to be done twice…first removal of the heavy wet stuff (before it freezes and our driveway turns into an ice skating rink) and then removal of the regular snow that will follow later…good grief!!!! This will be my exercise for the day.
But I am smelling absolutely amazing in Amor America Paramela…this citrus has some heft……it’s that heft that reminds me of the Cristalle that I wore in the late 1970s that had oakmoss in it…current formulation just isn’t the same and vintage is missing those gorgeous top notes which disappear on all vintage stuff so also not the same. Wish I had a time machine that could take me back so that I could wear all my vintage stuff in new / pristine condition 🙂
Take it easy, cm8!
You inspired me to wear Cristalle today!
Hope it puts you in a spring time frame of mind 🙂
I like your sense of humor, but be careful! I would say that is your exercise for the rest week!
Ha! I am sure I will be feeling it tomorrow as my arms and back are killing me right now! and we haven’t even started round 2!
Don’t hurt yourself!!
Trying not to! The three of us are doing it in shifts…of course this was the weekend the girls went back to university!
After all that shovelling in the cold, don’t forget a sumptious hot drink once you’re finished.
yes indeed! Tea is my hot beverage of choice 🙂
I’m glad to hear that you are taking your shoveling in shifts!
I am too old to do it any other way LOL ? ?
I might debate a little about you being old!
Jalepeno, these days I am truly feeling my age 😉
Be careful shoveling!
I was…I know my limits 🙂
Yikes. Keep warm, CM8. We lucked out this time around. The most I had to scrape was ice off the INSIDE of my car!
That’s good! You would not have wanted this…believe me!
I was so tired I passed out at 6pm! Then popped up at 12! Hence I am on NST in the wee hours of the morning 🙂
I’m to broke to even pretend to play on the edge. Lol. My current obsession is Felanilla, but I still have other’s on my long list. I love most of what I have, and am grateful to have them. I’ve always loved perfume and get tremendous joy from just sniffing. To the wonderful people who have sent me perfume, I’m incredibly thankful. I never would have experienced them, otherwise. I would like to simplify other area in my life, mostly it’s papers, and old things I should get rid of. Below zero today, and off to work… holding on to the thought of spring!??
good luck at work and stay warm!
Sending warm thoughts!
Wish I could send you some of my snow! My friends and parents tell me it’s raining in the city 🙁
OOPS! I just realized that your comment was probably for lillyjo and NOT me 😉
Stay warm Lillyjo! We will be freezing like you in a couple of hours. But hey! Spring is around the corner. Just few more weeks! ??????
Felanilla obsession twins! It’s soo good!
Stay warm and safe lillyjo! I’m headed into the freezer right along with you. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! ?❄⛄
I need to do another clean up of stuff. Perfume clean up is the hardest!
Books and perfume are so hard for me.
I want to second what you said thanking others who’ve sent perfume. There’s no way I could have experienced/sniffed half of what I have without such kindness. I was just thinking that earlier in the day. So thankful.
It’s my favorite time of day, end of the afternoon, winter sunshine flooding the living room and catching up with NST.
Thanks to the encouragements of Petunia, Jalapeno and 50 Roses I was able to resist the temptation of TdG Rouge Nocturne last weekend when I wore vintage Knowing which I found ways more interesting and cost me very little. So a big thank you to the three of them.
You’re welcome! I’m happy to have helped! ?
Had a tough evening/night after reading a disturbing book (I won’t mention the title as it probably would seem silly to others but I am very sensitive to stories I read). I really need to stick to travel adventure and non-fiction innocuous stuff.
Anyway, feeling exhausted but have to get fluffed up and put on my happy face to go to a brunch with some old work colleagues. I plan to wear And the World is Yours. I love that scent so much and wish it came in a huge bottle! Those little 10ml sprayers just make me want to hoard them all.
I know how you feel Cazaubon – I do the same and can’t watch certain movies either.
I hope that you enjoy your brunch and that it energizes you and refocuses your brain so you let the remnants go!
It did! It was a nice small friendly group, and the weather was perfect.
I’m glad you had a good time at the brunch. 🙂
I also adore And the World Is Yours. I would also take a big bottle. That cumin/orange blossom is almost explosive and very worthy of the James Bond-esque name.
Gah… my last response disappeared. Anyway, I was just testing And the World… yesterday. The cumin might be too much for me, but the dry down was perfect. Those small bottles make it all the more tempting.
Thanks for the VP info yesterday! I am On. The. List! ?
Yay!!
I have a long list of movie genres I will no longer watch, and have been known to stop watching a movie after 2 minutes if I can tell it will disturb me, so I can totally relate to your bad night!
I hope your brunch was wonderful. You smell absolutely beautiful.
It was lovely, and I even had a perfume discussion with one of the other women. She whipped out samples of Lancome Oud Bouquet from her purse, she’s a rose oud fan apparently. 🙂
🙂
I avoid a replay of the harsh realities of life by reading mysteries.
I’m trying very hard to be in a mostly no buy until my birthday in April. Since this is my first time in the 12 years I’ve delved into the perfume world to actively try not to buy any new perfumes, I figure I should start with a short term goal and reward. However, I may make an exception for a certain bottle I’m thinking of offering at the splitmeet.
I did just make a sprint of a few purchases right before deciding to stop buying for a while. Since Hiram Green is discontinuing travel sprays, I thought it would be reasonable to buy a couple in lieu of buying a larger, pricier bottle later. So I snatched up Moon Bloom, which I already knew I loved, and Slowdive, which was a blind buy. I figured Slowdive is very swappable if I end up not loving it. It arrived yesterday, and I tried it but haven’t made up my mind yet. I think I need more sprays next time.
Y’all – between bottles, decants, and samples I’m quite sure I have around 1,000 different perfumes at my disposal. That’s insane for someone who lives in a 1 bedroom apartment and means I don’t even have time in a year to wear all my loves and strong likes. I also don’t have great storage for them, meaning many are in boxes in my closet (stacks of boxes), and I can’t even see them all easily to remember to wear them. For me it’s been important to take a step back and be real about the situation. I’m going to start figuring out which of my bottles are scents that I only truly need a decant of. Then I’ll make my decant and swap, sell, or give away the bottle. I don’t want to feel stifled by what I love.
Also, yesterday my boyfriend and I went through our closet and got rid of 1 large bag and 1 medium bag worth of clothes, shoes, and bath products. Looking forward to dropping those at Goodwill tomorrow! I’ve also spent time going through my unwanted perfumes box to get ready for the freebiemeet.
Lastly, I will end this monologue by telling you of how many wonderful perfumes I wore yesterday. I started the day in DSH Paper White, which is gorgeous and a must try for any narcissus fans. It’s so realistic and has that fresh/funky contrast that the flower has. I already mentioned Slowdive, but then after my evening shower I tried the three samples I got with my Slowdive order. First, Hyde! The first couple minutes are straight up barbecue smoke, but then it lifts and the most beautiful leathery smoke is left. I tried The Holy Mountain by Apoteker Tepe next to it, a sample I already had and sadly discontinued. THM smelled very smoky the first time I tried it, but it seemed more tame next to Hyde and the incense stood out more.
My other arm was devoted to Anatole Lebreton Grimoire and Ormonde Jayne Vanille d’Iris. Grimoire is wonderful and in a similar vein as Messe de Minuit. I think I might prefer it to MdM, but that will take more time to figure out. Also, go read the reviews on Fragrantica. There is one that is especially creative and entertaining. Vanille d’Iris reminds me of another perfume that I haven’t figured out yet. It’s the one still lingering on my sleeve this morning. Might be close to Iris Ganache? Or VC&A Bois d’Iris? Will need to investigate further.
Haven’t figured out my SOTD yet, so I’ll report back later. So looking forward to an extra day off tomorrow.
So happy to hear your review of Paper White! Narcissus is absolutely lovely.
My collection is a bit out of hand, though I only buy a few samples (and never decants). I’m looking forward to purging a few bottles at the next freebiemeet.
good luck with your no buy….seems that many of us are on one these days.
My birthday is also in April and I am wondering if I should buy another bottle of Reglisse Noire (that, Casablanca and Heaven are my top three right now) since there is very little left of my current one ( I went hogwild and wore it for three and a half weeks straight). Well, I have three more months to decide. If you want to talk me out of it, feel free and if you need me to talk you out of something in April, just say the word 🙂
I would say get the Reglisse Noir for your birthday as your only purchase of the year. However, wait until April. You might feel at that time that you don’t need it anymore. You can always wait for a discount if that ever happens. Just wait!
Good point…I will definitely wait as I just paid off two college bills simultaneously so there is zero discretionary income! There will never be a discount on Reglisse Noire since it is sold nowhere in the States anymore…however depending on the exchange rate a full bottle is not expensive at all…I think I paid somewhere in the vicinity of 50 dollars when I bought it a few months ago….so it’s doable 🙂
I am in the same boat like you regarding the amount of perfumes that I have in a very small place. I do not own such a huge amount, fortunately or unfortunately, but I definitely need to find the time that I barely have to do a big purge and send those fumes to new homes when they can get the love they deserve. I did a big purge on clothes and shoes last year and I felt relieved once I saw my closets and drawers so light and only with the stuff that I really wear. Step by step we can achieve that and hopefully sooner than later!
Good luck with your no buy, and the review of your perfumed collection!
I have a similar amount of perfume, and although logically I know I can’t wear it all, at the moment it is acting like a security blanket for me so I’m not ready to let go yet. Too much else in my life is in flux right now. But it will still be there later when I’m ready to take that step. I have much less difficulty parting with clothes and shoes, so I plan to do a spring cleaning of those very soon. Meanwhile I’m on a no-buy until further notice.
Personally, I think it’s ok if it doesn’t all get used up. For me, it’s not just the wearing. I love the looking and the touching too. ?
I completely agree. I get a lot of pleasure just from touching and looking at the bottles, in addition to wearing the perfume itself. Using it all up isn’t the goal, enjoyment is.
I’m going to be going through clothes and everything else in the next week. We are in purging/organizing mode. Hope I’m as successful as you! Also thanks for all the mini reviews!
Where was this poll on Tuesday when I went a little crazy? See, it happened like this. I had a $50 gift card to my local niche store and went to smell everything. They’ve got some new stuff, including most of the Blackbird line, some cheesy record/music line, and oh, the overpriced Gratte-Ciel line from Serge Lutens? (No testers yet. I did see my old favorite 5 O’Clock Au Gingembre in the new bottle and it smells VERY different.)
So I’m diligently sniffing and I see Grandiflora Boronia. I tried the Magnolias when they were new and enjoyed them both. But a spray of Boronia on my strip totally knocked my socks off. Fruity, earthy, a splash of immortelle. Hooked! So I sprayed it on my hand and decided to save my giftcard for another day.
But the more I sniffed my wrist, the more I liked it. So I did what I always did: check eBay. And low and behold, some cursed humanitarian was selling not only a bottle of Boronia for $20 less than retail, but kindly was including a bottle of Michel and Madagascan Jasmine. All sealed. And free shipping. Did I mention I had some eBay Bucks saved up?
They arrived yesterday. And though my budget is still intact for the month, I figured even at that bargain pricing, I don’t need another bottle of anything until spring.
PS: Madagascan Jasmine is divine. I overlooked it on a card but on skin it is so elegantly pieced. It might be cliched to wear white florals on your wedding day, but this one is a strong contender for that privilege.
Did I miss something, are you getting married?
Haha, no but I definitely can see why you thought that!
(I think if I did, I’d wear Dzongkha.)
Congrats on that fabulous deal!
Right? My eBay account is going back into hibernation, though….
Your description of Madagascan Jasmine is creating a lemming
Highly recommended! 🙂
No need to talk me off the ledge. I am currently not lemming anything. Part of that might be due to attending a funeral Mass yesterday for my friend’s mom, who passed away right before Christmas. I think I cried through at least 2/3 of the Mass.
But you know what? I was not at all ashamed of those tears. Maybe a little ashamed that I forgot to bring some Kleenex with me, since I had a feeling that I would turn on the waterworks. I do that at funerals and memorial services.
The weather has started its turn for the worse where I am at. Lots of rain earlier today, but now the wind has kicked up and the temps are dropping down, down down! My knees are very displeased about it. The next 24 – 36 hours are going to be icky.
SOTD = Youth Dew Amber Nude, from the decant stash. Needing hefty and warming today!
Crying can bring relief, Jalapeno. I hope you felt some. Please stay safe from the storm!
Yesterday was exhausting. I felt like a wash cloth that had been wrung out. But keeping those feelings in wasn’t possible. I am feeling better today, but still sad. It’s going to take a while.
Tears always relieve sadness and stress. No reason to be ashamed of them. I hope you feel better now!
Temps started getting down here also and the wind is blowing badly. I have one more walk to do with my dog tonight. Not fun at all, but I hope we both survive! ?
Ai yi yi! I hope that your dog has some warm booties and a coat for weather like this. It is truly NASTY out there.
I hope you’re feeling better today. Your tears were a tribute to a remarkable woman.
Thank you sistine.
The only embarrassment about crying at a funeral is when you forgot to wear your waterproof mascara. Hope you feel better today after a good therapeutic cry and are snugged up against the storm.
I totally skipped eye makeup since I figured that there would be crying. I’m not sure that waterproof mascara would have held up.
We cry in happiness and we cry in sorrow.
I hope you’re feeling better today.
Thank you hajusuuri.
I used to be ashamed of my tears but the older I get the less ashamed I get. Hugs. Hope the bad weather passes soon.
I’m in Amouage Journey, because I want to use up those little samples I have where there is barely one spray left – thunked 3 in the last 24 hours that way. The “talk me off the ledge” poll came exactly one day too late for me – just bought a few Amouage decants, though I was good and didn’t break the bank. I hope these will be enough ml so I won’t need a bottle in a long time.
I find it really interesting to read what people would like and how other help them to restrain themselves – good job, dis-ablers!
3 in 24 hours! This must be a record if we take CM8 out of the running!
To be fair, there was extremely little left – I kept them as “reference” samples and realized that was kind of silly, since they’d probably evaporate before I needed to reference them!
Is it bad I want to give you a high five for your new decants? Lol
I’ll take all high fives for sweet fumes!
Had such a fun day outdoors yesterday. We went up on the mountain and went sledding with some friends! It was tiring but so fun and beautiful! A cheap, super fun way to spend the day. I love the natural beauty of the outdoors.
No scent yesterday but am in one spray of Tolu today. I love this one a lot! Putting some finishing touches on my wedding mantel. It looks so pretty, I wish you all could see it. It looks like a cozy winter wonderland. Can’t wait for Thursday!
That sounds like a perfect day. Good luck with any remaining wedding preparations!
I loved your Instagram pics and video!
I wore PHI Une Rose de Kandahar rhis morning and then Fleur de Peau after my shower. Both are absolutely gorgeous. Although I am on a no-buy for the year, I will copy Cazaubon’s resolution to break my no-buy if there is any hint that Andy Tauer is retiring and moving to an island.
I hope everyone is warm and comfortable. Stay safe if you have to be outside!
You smell fabulous. I have switched to Vanilla Flash for the evening.
Here’s hoping that Andy Tauer has many more years of perfume making in his future!
Lol about Andy Tauer