We're celebrating Australia Day with our standard issue lazy weekend open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, a fragrance that reminds you of Australia, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is untitled [cropped] by Mike Steinhoff at flickr; some rights reserved.
Well, as my reddit app is fond of chiding me: “wow, so much empty”. Everyone must be over at the freebie meet. I’m testing Ummagumma this morning, and it’s delicious. The opening reminded me of Kerosene Broken Theories a bit, even though they share almost no notes and aren’t really all that similar. It’s more that they FEEL similar than that they smell similar. Mr. G and I are having date-night dinner at one of our favorite restaurants this evening, and I’m looking forward to it with a ridiculous amount of joyful anticipation. Perhaps we should do this more often.
Oooh, where’s dinner?! (I promise we won’t gatecrash!)
Mingo West. We always feel really well cared for there, and apparently the staff does as well – very low turnover. Plus the food is great, of course.
Oh, that looks lovely! I’m especially tempted by the polenta with chanterelle mushrooms and pecorino-romano. Yum!
Funny, we never think to go towards Beaverton to eat out–I guess I associate it with mostly chain places. But Mingo looks worth the trip!
I associate it with chain places too.
Funny how often Portlanders divide into eastsiders and westsiders. But Mingo is definitely worth the drive.
I used to trek out to Snoop Dog’s uncle’s BBQ place from time to time, before it moved locations. Otherwise, I admit, I just don’t think to go westward!
We aren’t looking at homes on that side of the river, either. I sort of assume it would make my commute out to Gresham unreasonable.
Mr. Sistine and I are doing the late night dinner date tonight too, and I’m also thrilled!
You snell great.
Thank you! I hope your date night is as much fun as ours will be.
Have a great time
SheriG! You may have created a restaurant lemming!
I’ll be sure to tell them that they owe me for the increase in business! LOL!
Ha!
Australia day! I was almost born in Australia
Odd as this may sound vintage Miss Dior reminds me of Australia because Portia of Australian Perfume Junkies wears this one a lot!
SOTD- 31 Rue Cambon from a kind and generous NSTer….this will be my monogamous scent for a while. (I was not ready to thunk Paramela just quite yet!)
Portia is, simply, terrific.
Yes indeed! and such a lovely and hysterical group of folks over there. Plus someone is always around which is nice for me during my nights of insomnia -LOL! I can have a conversation with someone at 2am!
agree! Portia is a perfume superhero
I miss seeing you there
argh, sorry cm8! life gets in the way of super important things like perfume, trying to remedy that, all things change in time.
I know. Just wanted to let you know that I always enjoy when you pop in ??
Absolutely, on APJ and Perfume Posse. Do you guys ever think about how long you’ve been reading perfume blogs? I feel like I “know” a lot of people just because they’ve kept their blogs going for so long. I’ve been following NST since 2005? 2006? when my username was rosarita.
Yes. It’s pretty amazing how long some blogs and commenters have been around. I have been reading since 2009 but took me a while to comment.
Woke up craving Eau des Sense by Dyptique and decided to treat myself to a 50ml. Luckily I didn’t make any no-buy-promises to myself ?
That would be Diptyque…
Seize the day in Eau de Sens!
I tried that one recently – such a lovely orange blossom! But Diptyques don’t seem to last long on me…
Happy freebiemeet, all!
I’m wearing Jil Sander No. 4, from a vintage bottle I found last year. The first time I tested it, I smelled a huge debt to Poison. Now I’m not sure. The fruity tuberose is there, but so is a huge dose of incense and amber. Great stuff. ?
That was my daily wearer for about ten years. You smell gorgeous.
I absolutely can see why. I’m rather enjoying wafting it.
You smell wonderful!
Thank you!
Thunked a sample of Kurkdijans A la Rose, which would be a nice one, if it held up better. I used up the whole 0,5ml and it was gone after 3 hours.
Spent the day in the kitchen, so cauliflower and parsnip curry soup for lunch, topped with roasted mushrooms and chorizo. Then baked some poppyseed and redcurrant cake, now i have roast leg of lamb with beans, tomatoes and chickpea puree in the oven.
Made some homemade sauerkraut with Za´atar today, which will be ready to eat in some weeks.
Everything sounds so delicious…and homemade sauerkraut? yum….will you ever post your recipes on your blog? The poppyseed red currant cake sounds so good too.
I Post my recipes on my other blog, kuechenwahnsinn.wordpress.com. But only in German…
My dad used to make homemade sauerkraut when we were kids. He would then make rotkraut which we hated.
And he would brine pickles and make horseradish, too.
My grandmother missed the taste of her homeland.
It all sounds so yummy!
Yum!
I loved my sample of a la rose. The beginning was best, reminded me of how Shiseido skin care products used to smell
That curry sounds heavenly! I could eat curry as every meal, and cauliflower is one of the few veggies I eat unreservedly. Enjoy your feasts!
Hey, you sound like a person after my own heart! A kitchen full of homecooked food! Perfect! (This week, I have made roasted turkey with squash puree. Lentil soup–making use of the turkey carcass, of course. Last night was lasagne; well, three lasagnes, since one will go home with Mom today.)
Lasagne, Good idea, will so that maybe Next weekend
It’s hard to go wrong with lasagne!
Wow, that food sounds incredible!
Everything you are cooking sounds delicious, the kitchen must smell heavenly.
That soup sounds delicious! I love parsnips.
When can I come over for dinner? Or lunch? Or just a plate of pickles??
Oh I bet that sauerkraut will be so delicious!
I’ve been enjoying my decant of Tempo this winter, it reminds me of Voile d’Ambre – then I saw they were made by same perfumer Olivier P
If I ever get through both I’ll have to get more
Seeing Australian friends tonight, excited to wish them a happy day!
Have you tried his other perfumes?
Just Fleur de Peau I think
50_Roses – your thoughts please on DSH Colorado. I am considering getting it for sentimental reasons. My dad earned a Mining Engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.
Get it before it sells out…it’s Limited Edition.
There are only fifty bottles!!!!
https://american-perfumer.com/collections/limited-editions/products/colorado
Strike while the iron is hot
Naughty! I may have an in with another NSTer!
I tested Colorado a couple of times, and the notes I made in my spreadsheet were as follows:
Sitting around a campfire in the evening, dressed in flannel and sweaters, the sun has gone down but it is still warm. A hint of chewiness or meatiness, as though the fire had been recently used to cook dinner. Dry, airy, interesting rather than beautiful. Later on, a persistent note of vegetation emerges. There must be some sage or prairie grass growing nearby.
I ultimately decided not to get a FB, so my sample was offered up in the Freebiemeet today in a DSH grab bag (which has already been claimed). Part of the reason I decided not to buy it–aside from the fact that I AM trying to downsize my collection–is that it was too similar in mood and feel, if not in actual notes, to PPC Sedona Sweetgrass, of which I have a full bottle already.
I am always hesitant to encourage someone to make a blind buy, although I have had several recently that worked out spectacularly well, but OTOH if you wait too long and then find out you do like it, you may be regretting having waited. Perhaps if you don’t “need” the full bottle, you could purchase it to split for the Splitmeet next month? I imagine there are other NSTers who would be interested to try it but don’t want to spring for a FB blind buy. I have no idea how many bottles are left out of the 50, and I don’t know exactly how to get a sample, as I got mine with my (blind) FB purchase of Desert Flower.
I am really looking forward to trying it. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for your review!
Wow, that sounds fabulous.
Given that it’s a LE, might be worth it to get it blind. It sounds incredibly swappable. And if I weren’t on a strict no-buy, I’d offer to buy a decant off of you. (But I am! So I am not offering that! Nope.) But it sounds sooooo good.
I got an almost full bottle coming my way ?
Hooray! I can’t wait to hear your review
(Almost full? Have they already made it to the secondary market?)
Hello NST folk! Long time, no sniff!!! ??????
Life continues to move too quickly over here. However, we are finally driving Mom home today after hip surgery No. 2, which means caregiving duties will be off my plate. Yay.
My house is still on the market, and we are getting many showings, which is great, but requires us to clean house like it’s a showroom pretty much every day. I keep a few bottles of scent in easy reach, while the rest stay tucked away and out of sight. Right now, I have Lys 49 and L’heure bleue. I am done with heavy winter scents for a while–bring on the hope of spring!
I’ve been bathing with Rose Jam shower gel, and it is making me wish I had a scented lotion to pair with it. I own Bronze Goddess body butter, but I don’t feel like smelling like coconut right now. Anyone got a favorite scented lotion they recommend? (Paired or not paired with the Rose jam–just sort of curious what folks think is worth the splurge!)
No scented lotion but a great fragrance to pair with Rose Jam shower gel…1000 Flowers Rose Cassis Paradis.
I’m not really acquiring new bottles these days, but I’ll make note to give that one a sniff, if I encounter it somewhere! Thanks.
Welcome back, Marjorie Rose – I’ve thought about you often over the past few months, wondering how married life is treating you and Mr. Spicebomb. Sounds like things are busy but good!
Thanks, Sheri! Life is moving too fast for me, to be honest! But someday we will have a lovely new home to show for it. I hope.
hi Marjorie Rose! glad you’re moving along with things
I love L’Heure Bleue lately, wearing it often, it feels so very satisfying and comforting
Hello!
I love L’Heure Bleue, too. I’m so grateful the quality of most of the Guerlain classics has remained high. I’m sure I’m missing something compared to a vintage bottle, but I’m very satisfied with the current formulation. And I agree, it’s a rare mix of comforting without being too heavy.
First Christmas in a long time that I didn’t request some new bottles of Rose Jam. Believe it or not, I think I’m tired of it. I’ve not found anything else to replace it, but I’ve been using and enjoying some nice bar soap.
Nice to see you on NST!
I finally got a little tired of it too, so I moved it to the cupboard for a few months. Just got it back out and I am liking it again.
So far, Happy Hippie has not worn out its welcome…I have probably used more bottles of that than Rose Jam.
I still miss Flying Fox. Sigh.
Me too!
Yep, I did the same thing as Robin–gave myself a little break, and then I went right back to loving it.
Ha! This is my first bottle. I hate talking to sales people so much, I’ve avoided lush for YEARS. The reputation for constant prattle kept me away. I “solved” this problem when the first sales person approached me–I said “Hello.
I don’t like talking with sales people. ?” Maybe not polite (although I *was* friendly), but it served my purposes.
I have been wearing what I have just found out is a “liquid body silk” of Chinatown. Trying to make some headway in my stockpile of lotions and the like, and this one is almost done.
I’m usually fine with drugstore lotions, as long as they moisturize and don’t stink. But I feel like something special these days! I have a little “body milk” from Kenzo, and it smells lovely, but isn’t much on the moisturizing front.
Molton Brown’s Rosa Absolute EVERYTHING!My current obsession,it’s Rose Jam without the lashings of sugar!The lotion is wonderful.
So, how do you REALLY feel?
That sounds lovely, actually. I will look into it. Thank you!
??✌?
I love the MB too, although I also still like Rose Jam.
L’heure bleue was one of my first Guerlain loves when I was just a teenager in the ’80’s. I remember agonizing over purchasing that one or Mitsouko. I chose the Mitsouko and I wish I’d saved up for both!
Mitsouko vs. L’Heure Bleue is a tricky one! I think younger me would have gone with L’HB. I’ve had to grow into Mitsouko.
This is timely! I just opened my bottle of Rose Jam shower gel, and I am currently pairing it with Korres Japanese Rose body butter. They are different kinds of roses but harmonize nicely.
A body butter sounds perfect. Something so luxurious about the texture of those thicker formulae!
What kind of rose is the Korres body butter, would you say?
There is a faint hint of fruit in the Korres rose. It is gone very quickly. Not lemon or citrus, though… maybe raspberries or cherries? It is not as sweet as the Rose Jam. The label on the front describes it as “light, sweet rose buds”.
Sounds nice! Thanks!
Being in New Zealand, Australia is our closest neighbour, and I’ve been there a few times. I have lots of perfumes that remind me of Australia, because I’ve bought lots of things there that I can’t get here. My one truly Australian perfume is Fort and Manle’s Suleyman le Magnifique, which I will save for tonight. Meanwhile, I’m starting my Sunday morning in Bois des Iles EdT, which I bought in Melbourne, in my only ever visit to a Chanel boutique. They only had 200ml bottles, so it was a colossal amount of money, but at least I know that I’ll never run out
You could bathe in Bois del Iles!
Last night I dreamed I went to Australia. When I got there I met an old friend who often spent six months at a time there, as long as his visa would allow.
I started out the day in Avignon, but after a while I got tired of it–sometimes it feel too dry and austere–so I layered on some Borsari Violetta di Parma. I think I rather like the combination of violets and incense.
I am pleased to see my latest batch of freebies being claimed quickly. It feels good to get rid of stuff I don’t use or want, and I am thankful that NST is here for me to get rid of unwanted perfumes.
There are donation bins and resale shops to get rid of clothes, shoes, housewares, books, and such, but perfume is more limited. Some resale shops won’t even take it. Part of my perfume evaluation plan is to work through all of my samples, and I think by setting aside most of my Saturday mornings and one evening per week for testing, I can get it done by the end of the year.
You have a great list over there, thanks for your generosity. NST is really a special place.
Yes, thank you. We appreciate it.
Happy Saturday Everyone! Trying to take it easy today, so just testing out one of my samples I got. SOTD is Beautiful Belle by Estee Lauder. I think this will be a really nice scent for a Spring wedding. Anyone else tried this one? Thoughts on it? Its a very pretty scent. Much more wearable in my opinion compared to the original fragrance.
I tried it and liked it. It smells well put together, a nice one for spring, I think.
I’m getting ny hair dyed and having a very relaxing Saturday. I started the day in Santal Massoia, then switched to Odeur 53 to pair with salon smells. I think I may wear T’aif tonight for a late dinner out with my husband.
Stay warm, safe and fragrant!
hair dye twins…although I did mine myself from a box I bought at walmart
Sounds like you both had a fun Saturday!
Bonjour!
Just came back from Paris! My 2nd flight back home was delayed by an hour and the weather there wasn’t great (quite a lot of rain) but it was a fun day in France.
Yesterday I wore Prada Amber Pour Homme and today for the return I chose Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom.
“A fun day in France” sounds so glamorous, Lucasai!
bonjour, notre frère en l’eau!
Welcome back
Loved your Instagram stories!
Went to Sephora the other day with my mom so I’m sampling today! Black Opium EDT Intense was a quick flash of coffee and then it was undetectable on me–I wish it had lasted. She got a sample of Nest Cocoa Woods which she didn’t like but is incredibly tenacious (she scrubbed 3x to get it off). Next up at bat is Cafe Tuberosa when I’m done working out. I have the weekend off so we’re having fun. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Enjoy your weekend off!
Thanks! I really needed it!
Yay for the weekend off!
Nest Cocoa was tenacious on me too. I was excited about the chocolate note but ended up not really caring for it.
My mom felt the same way. The cocoa was there and gone but the drydown didn’t work for her. I’ll give it a whirl tomorrow. Boy, the labels sure are pretty on those Nest bottles though!
I was Jonesing for a coffee note the other day. It’s a gap in my perfume wardrobe.
Wearing L’Heure Perdue today, and it might not be working…
Thank you, everyone, for the thoughts/wishes/good vibes/prayers for my friend yesterday. Things are looking up and they are responding positively to treatment!
Glad your friend is responding well to treatment. One of my nieces also has a rare blood disorder and it’s a lifetime of vigilance.
Thanks for the update.
That’s great to read
Didn’t know today was Australia Day, but I think the terre d’hermes I’m wearing is a good match.
I’m sitting on my hands to avoid purchasing a bottle of apres l’ondee, as my decant is almost empty. I really enjoy the heliotrope and occasional whiff of carnation from it. I placed an order on STC recently (I think because of the 50% off mentioned here last week) and I’m waiting to get my samples. They should arrive today, so I’m stalking the mailman/woman.
Yes to Hermes! Terre d’Hermes is a great scent.
I adore Apres L’Ondee, it’s one of my most used bottles.
Did you spot it on Fragrancenet? Because they did have it when I checked a couple of days ago….
I had a great and very fragrant day today. As the snow and slipperyness has disappeared I was able to go to Lille and Wevelgem as planned.
Wevelgem has the best perfume shop in Belgium. A beautiful place with a great selection of fragrances. I ended up buying a coffret of Hermessences: Brin de Réglisse, Osmanthe Yunnan, Muguet Porcelaine and Vétiver Tonka. And I spent over an hour sniffing and discussing perfume with the delightful SA. He asked me whether I wished to be perfumed and was then sprayed with Chamade extrait and a lot of it.
I’ve got a bag full of samples that I’m more than happy to explore. And I love my Hermessences, expensive but exquisite.
hermessences are exquisite! congratulations on your new acquisition. Muguet Porcelaine is wonderful in spring time.
I love Brin de Reglisse almost as much as Paprika Brasil.
Brin & Tonka are my two favorites. Great taste! Congrats on your purchase.
Great choices! Osmanthe, Brin and Vetiver are my top 3 hermessences (for now). Can’t pick a 4th but Muguet would definitely be a contender.
Nice perfumes experience!
Wow. That perfume shop sounds like they know their business and have great people working there.
Wow, that sounds like a very nice (and nicely-scented) day!
I’m glad you had such a good day. 
Just your description was lovely.
I’m enjoying Passage d’Enfer on this clear and cool day. Granddaughter is napping, so we have a break!
I’ll be in the SF/Berkeley area later this coming week through the weekend, and LA all next week. If anyone would like to meet up, drop me a line! Nlmcook aaat sbcglobal dot net. ?
I wish! I’m in the lower Great Lakes and the terrible words “polar vortex” are in the news again.
Passage d’Enfer is such a unique scent. I love it as is but it smells great layered with lots of other scents.
Aww, bummer. Stay warm and safe, ringthing!
I’m right there with you, just west of the lake. I’m so wishing they will be wrong.
I’m east and I think they’re right this time
bundle up!
Enjoy your upcoming Cali trip! Safe travels!
Oh fun! I don’t have time to go up north, but if you find yourself planning to come down in the South Bay, please let me know!
Sigh…non-stop disagreement going on with the man of the house over new decor. I’ve decided that I’m going to buy what I like and if after 2 weeks of living with it he still doesn’t like it we’ll ship it back. I need to make some decisions! We’ve gotten a few things but we’re at a real standstill with pillows and other color accents.
Ladies and gents, marrying an artist, although greatly enriches my life, is not for the faint of heart.
SOTD: a mixture of Myth and Vanille Sublime
my husband was so picky about decor, it drove me to distraction! those days are gone, but the memory lives on, haha!
We’ve not updated our decor for 15 years! We can’t get beyond pillows! I’ve finally given in to his more traditional tastes but adding some more non-traditional here and there.
good for you! do what you want want once in a while. Sometimes it IS easier to get forgiveness than it is to ask for permission, ha!
my husband is a musician, so an auditory, rather than visual, artist, and he couldn’t care less about the decor, as long as the furniture is comfortable.
That’s interesting. Makes sense, though.
It’s taken us 20 years for him to let me make decisions like that. When we got the new couch (joint decision) I was allowed to choose accent pillows.
Lol! “…I was allowed to choose accent pillows.”
I know…so generous….
Ugh. I remember the aggro we had when choosing a couch. Not looking forward to the next time it has to be done. That task will be put off for as long as possible.
I totally feel your pain. My hubster is a bit of a control freak, and I’ve brought several decor items into the house, only to return them because he doesn’t like them.
We still haven’t painted the house (interior), because he approves the colors I pick, only to change his mind. We have sample swatches everywhere, and we’ve been in this house nearly four years. I’m at my wits end, truly.
Any suggestions??
just do it! it won’t matter to either of you quite so much once the paint dries.
Would it help at all if an expert or “expert” of some kind weighed in? Is it because he feels unsure about the colors in general or the colors you like or does he have terrible taste in color? A friend of mine recently repainted her large kitchen cabinets and they had an epic struggle, and his paint choices were truly not great. In the end, some compromise was made. My husband responds well to experts that he finds simpatico. Just saying.
Well, he likes all shades of brown, and I’m trying to get away from brown, so that’s part of the problem. We’ve had a Sherwin-Wms paint expert and an interior designer here, and agreed on a color scheme both times, but then backed out of the plan both times.
You might have a point about the ‘expert’…maybe he needs to be the one to pick someone. ?
Wow, not just me! I’ve got the paint swatches too!
I’m absolutely dreading the bedroom. He loves colors that to me are depressing and what I like depresses him. We might be a match in many ways but decor taste is not one of them.
What helped me get through an impasse in the living room is to find one piece we could agree on that could be the thing that dictates everything else. In our case, it was a lampshade with various colors and this has helped somewhat in making other decisions.
It’s SO nice to hear other stories and to know I’m not alone. I’m sorry!
Aww, you have multicolored walls too?!? Fun times. Picking an item that dictates the color choices is a good idea! That might work for us. We have an area rug that is very colorful, but muted. Yeah. Yeah, that might work. Thanks for the suggestion!
I don’t know if this helps, but the interior designer we used suggested swapping out different sets of pillows according to the seasons. Maybe you and your hubs could each pick out a set?
I guess I can feel grateful my husband doesn’t care what I pick.. although neither one of us has any decorating flair and it shows.
LOL. That be me too!
Ha ha! sounds like me and Mr. M
Lol! Hysterical.
LOL and not LOL at the same time. Are you able to use software where you can do pretend decorating and then decide what may work for both of you?
I’ve considered this and I have a good friend who is an interior decorator (although she’s stayed away so far), but we really just have 2 completely different styles at this point in our marriage. When we first married we were pretty much on the same page but that lasted all of 5-7 years.
A ha! I vote for each of you being responsible for a room and then you can switch rooms in a few years ?
Oh you poor thing <3 best of luck resolving that.
SotD = Terracotta Le Parfum
Gosh I adore this stuff. The only scent I have a BUB of.
If ever oh ever I were to go to Australia, this is one FB I would take with me. It makes me smile every time I wear it. It’s not too beachy nor too tropical to my nose. It’s a completely Guerlain tiare flower.
I imagine I would take quite a few samples to Australia too, to last the several months I would like to spend there.
Happy Saturday, everyone. I hope your day treats you splendidly!
Or you could go with less bottles/decants and pick up some souvenirs of perfumes created in Australia
ooooh, excellent plan!
BUB???
Back Up Bottle…✌??
It smells like Camps Bay beach in Cape Town on a warm summers’day to me.Love Love!!(BUB in the cupboard as well!??)
Smelling so pretty today! Terracotta is a good choice for a “Take THAT, winter!” scent.
OOO and I forgot to mention that carrot seed oil paired with cedarwood oil does indeed create a nice dry woody iris accord…yesterday I was home alone as Mr. M was taking the youngest to his night time college class so I did some blending…made two blends first one being carrot seed, cedarwood, almond, labdanum, vanilla, lavender and bergamot….it’s dry but rich from the labdanum/vanilla which gives it that smoky amber accord. The second blend was cardamom. vanilla, rose and sweet orange…so good…and when I shake the bottle you can see the vanilla flecks…love that.
Gosh, both of those blends sound good to me, especially the first one. I have a weakness for almond and would love to find a perfume with toasted almond as a note, but cedar/lavender/labdanum – wonderful!
Get some bitter almond essential oil ( which is actually very sweet and cherry like) from Eden Botanicals and start blending.. it’s so easy! If you’re looking for nutty add some ambrette seed. You could make a super easy blend of vanilla ( add a cut up vanilla pod to ant carrier oil and let marinate for a few weeks), ambrette and bitter almond… there’s your toasted almond!
Any carrrier oil….
Thanks! This might be my snow week project
Go for it!!! You will enjoy the creative outlet
I have been keeping my eyes open for carrot oil but so far I haven’t seen them anywhere. I suppose I should go the mail order route.
Not sure if you’ve tried a well-stocked vitamin/health food store? That’s where I found my carrot-seed oil.
What Gail said…but also Eden carries it too.
Nice. I’ll bet those smell good. I believe it was last week you suggested essential oils to go in skin-moisturizing oils, and I said to nancyleandros that Whole Foods could be a big enabler to me. The other day I went there and got the lime essential oil she said made a nice mix with lavender. I also got rose otto in jojoba oil and vanilla essential oil in jojoba oil. Sometime I will do some experimental mixing with my increasing collection of essential oils, perhaps when I’m visiting a friend who likes various fragrances. (lol)
I thought of you when I saw the vanilla oil, and the oil smelled really good to me. I’m sure it’s not as good as homemade, but I’m still enjoying it.
I smelled the rose otto and the rose absolute, and the rose otto smelled better to me. If I am understanding it right, “otto” is another word for “attar”? For a while, there was a place in the local mall that had some sort of expensive fragrances. One of the sales assistants said, “This perfume is inspired by a special kind of rose grown in Bulgaria.”
“I have one on the backyard,” I said, meaning ‘Kazanlik.’ I think I said that I liked other Damask roses better for their fragrances, or possibly that I liked the scent of the flowers themselves better than the “Bulgarian-rose-inspired” perfume. Tact — not my strong point. (lol)
Sometimes I think back to those sales assistants who were trained to talk about special Bulgarian roses, and how they might have felt when I offhandedly said that I had one in the backyard. After an interaction with someone, I’ll sometimes think about it later, and think, “I’ll bet that person wasn’t expecting me to say that. Oops.” They wouldn’t have reason to think that a rose grown in Bulgaria could also be grown in the far suburbs of Philadelphia. I just have a different frame of reference. Oh, well.
That’s a great story! If you ever go on the Eden Botanical website you will see there are lots of rose essential oils to choose from including two different rose ottos (one from Turkey and one from Bulgaria) and they can all smell different to my nose.
If you can ever get your hands on a vanilla bean pod (sometimes they sell them in health food stores in the bulk section but you could probably also find them in the spices of a supermarket) try to make your own vanilla oil. It’s so much cheaper than buying the premade plus the longer you leave the bean in the oil to marinate the stronger the fragrance gets and it’s sublime.
Definitely blend! It’s so much fun! I too have willing recipients which makes it all the more enjoyable
Having got a whiff of Coromandel from across the Atlantic yesterday via hajusuuri, how could I not wear it myself today?
LOVE coromandel!
ha! hajusuuri knows how to waft the Chanels
?
LOL! We’re twins one day apart!
Crikey, are you wearing 6 sprays too?
Happy Australia Day! We lived in northern Tasmania for a year when I was 10. So, I tend to think of Cadbury chocolate, meat pies and Lamingtons. Don’t have scents that suit…. so, based on some other discussions, I have on CSP Aloha Tiaré ?
Got a chair massage yesterday, which helped the shoulder and neck issues for a while. Been using a hot water bottle today, which feels so very good on a cold day.
Love Aloha Tiara… middle marzipan wears that one!
Glad the chair massage helped!
Chair massages are great! I remember getting one during a finals week in college. They were available in the student center. It did wonders!
I sometimes go to the ones at the mall. A friend of mine once had a massage and a pedicure at the airport and missed her flight. For someone so smart, she has the most abysmal sense of time.
Happy Australia day! I’ll be there next month for a business trip. Looking forward to it
I’m wearing Serge Lutens Chergui today.
You smell nice and have a great business trip. Stay cool!
You smell wonderful!
Happy Australia day!
I wonder if “Perthgirl” is still around,who used to comment a lot on several blogs!
My brother is in Australia,got his citizenship about 5 years ago.Got the accent,but at least can still speak Afrikaans haha!
So I had my Oprah A-ha moment today,while I was testing some perfumes.There were Nomenclature,DS &Durga,Vilhelm Parfumerie,Widian,new Ateliers,Roja Dove…and many many more.As I went through them,I realized that I actually really don’t need any more perfumes,not even Iris ones.Iri_Del,Iris Rebelle,Iris Prima…all gorgeous perfumes,but I already have Iris Silver Mist,VC&A Bois d’Iris,Silver Iris…the list goes on.I can mention many more of my favorite notes,my point being this:I already have “the best of” them all!!(to my nose anyway).So yes,I will still go out and sniff a new Amouage or a Roja…Kilian,whatever.I am happy with my all-round,well-curated collection!Content is a better word,actually.
Happy Weekend everyone!✌?❤️
I am trying hard -not- to buy VCA Bois d’Iris since I already have L’Attesa, Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum Absolue and L’Heure Exquise to keep me happy in the iris department.
If you are looking for a woody vanilla Iris,this would be it!
I did smell the Boucheron exclusive Iris today,and it is pretty close to the VC&A.It was this testing and realizing that they are so similar that started my a-ha moment actually!
Ahh that makes sense. I thought the Boucheron Iris was similar to Lolita Lempicka but now I just sprayed a little on my hand and see it as a cross between LL and Bois d’Iris.
I’ve gotten to that point too – most everything I smell is already covered in my collection.
Which makes the no buy a bit easier, right?
Definitely.And being content with what you already have in abundance,is a great feeling in itself.I will still go out and smell the new lovelies,my wallet is just not opening as fast as it used to.
I totally agree…and it also helps having perfume buddies that send you things that they know you will love…I have been satisfying my itch in that way…swapping decants and samples
I enjoyed reading about your “Aha!” moment johanob. I am near that point myself. It is still fun to smell new things, but most of them aren’t anywhere nearly as interesting as the full bottles I already have.
Yes,you nailed what I was thinking myself.There are gorgeous,well-crafted new perfumes on the shelves,exclusive and boasting with new accords etc etc.Nothing beats a whiff from my vintage Diorissimo,or my Le Heure Bleue.
I am also done with “strange” accords,now all I really want is to just smell good.
Now where is my Bendelirious/J’Adore/No.18….?✌?❤️
“I am done with strange accords” LOVE THAT! same here..I just want to smell pretty! Don’t need to be complicated anymore!
Amen!????Hehe!
In response to your other comment,I would have loved to have a bigger group of local perfume buddies in South Africa,but the perfumistas here are few and far between.And holding on to what they already had to jump through hoops for to get in the first place!
Yes I would imagine that accessibility is an issue.
Wearing AdP Magnolia Nobile today. I like it and its sisters in the Nobile soliflore line but I wish they lasted longer.
But it’s just as well, because today I’m off to Ulta to blow a gift card I got for Christmas and might test some things out while I’m there. Anyone have recommendations for things to sniff there?
If they have the Kim Kardashian ones, I liked them. If you like make up, the spring lines are out now. Have fun!
I smelled the one with the nude statue kind of bottle last time and didn’t like it but I skipped the peach and whatever else they had. I’ll smell around!
Stash is exclusive to Ulta and gets a lot of love here, definitely worth a sniff.
That one is definitely a comfort scent for me. I also get tons of compliments when I wear it. Trick is not to apply too heavily or it can be overwhelming.
It’s been ages since I’ve been to Ulta for perfume. I usually get some of my skincare items there.
Neither do I but since it’s basically free with the gift card I figured I’d try that. Went with Aura and some new nail polish colors
Snow tonight, big snow predicted for Monday, polar vortex returning Tuesday night……..sigh. Yesterday was payday so today we hit our two favorite grocery stores and stocked up, plus had lunch with my (very) elderly mother and took her flowers. I love spoiling her a little
Sotd is an oil dupe of Coco Mademoiselle that I ordered on a whim last week, it smells perfect for the weather – a very citrus-y opening and deep patchouli dry down.
ringthing,
my mom will be gone two years in Feb. She was a tough cookie, but I miss her everyday. Enjoy your spoiling:)
Oh I’m so sorry she’s gone
my dad died in 2017 but he was harder to spoil. I am grateful for every minute I have with my mom, she’s been my best friend all my life and at 91 the days are numbered. Hugs to you ❤️
my mom was 95. My sister and I called her Hurricane Edna. My dad was sooooo easy going. Miss them both.
My mom grew up in a family funeral home and forbade us flowers at her funeral, but we ignored that.
I’m glad you did, funerals are really for us, after all, hard as it is.
I ❤️ this post. I usually ask my mom where she wants to go (grocery) shopping on Saturday morning and she goes out 25% of the time.
Hi! My mom and I go out to lunch every Thursday, weather permitting. This last week we also went to our favorite thrift store and she found some new things to love
I’m glad since it looks like it will be a couple weeks until we get out again.
Oh good that you were able to go out this past week!
Same weather predicted for me…I’m guessing you are somewhere in the Midwest?
Yes, the lower Great Lakes region. How about you?
Madison, Wisconsin. The temps they are predicting for this coming week look brutal!
*sigh* they sure do
Stay safe & warm NST friends!!!
Twin Cities over here, huddled in bed and dreading the appointment I have to keep on Wednesday!
The dreaded polar vortex was mentioned in the long term forecast for the Philly area, too. Yuck.
Well hello from Australia! Thanks Robin and all for your comments.
I’ll mention here that Australia Day has a different meaning for Infigenous Australians, and this conversation is ongoing.
Summer in many parts of Australia has been terribly, dangerously hot. Temps in high 40s in some parts of inland New South Wales in the last week or more. That’s in the region of 115 F. My own city of Canberra has had a record breaking run of days over 40.
Happily we have been at the beach this week, on the NSW south coast. It’s much cooler here. After a shower I will be in day 7 of Dali Laguna. Unheard of for me to wear the same fragrance so many days at a stretch!
Home today. ‘Only’ 35 in Canberra today. ?
We’re probably having the same heatwave then,down south!
37C in Johannesburg today!!??
Whew! Gets a bit much after a while.
Annemarie, I saw pictures of the demonstrations. It is the same here on the 4th of July and maybe even more on Columbus Day. Since we aren’t allowed political discussion that is all I will say about that, except that I do think debate is healthy
Yes, I thought it important just to acknowledge that there is a diversity of views. Thanks!
I’ve heard about all the drought there, and it’s awful. Hope things improve. I spent a semester as a visitor at the ANU in Canberra and really liked it there! If you’re a visitor like me, you can’t get over seeing all those amazing birds–king parrots, crimson ones, cockatoos, little blue wrens, etc. Amazing place!
We have a lot of those in our garden. ? Glad you enjoyed Cannberra!
Today I’ve been in St. Clair Casablanca again. It’s beautiful and even better in the drydown stages. Not doing much but did go visit some thrift stores with Mom and she bought a pair of VERY expensive clip earrings–ha ha–$1.00! They’re nice, too. I’m admiring all of you who are cooking or going out to nice places to eat. Tonight it’s just some leftovers for us, but we plan to go out for Greek food tomorrow!
Casablanca is amaaazziiingggg!!!! and it lasts foreeevvvaaaa!!!
My daughter and I like to go thrifting too, you never know what you’re gonna find!
Hello fragrant friends, have not been here often the past few months.
Just finished a six month project last night that had me flying every week and pushing 60 hours or more each week. At least it was in my same time zone. It was literally unpack, repack, go.
My perfume sampling has been reduced to one spray of JM Bronze leather – and I couldn’t get it off fast enough.
SOTD is Timbuktu with some Navigatuer added cause I felt like it.
I am filling out visa papers for trip to Tanzania and telling myself to use and not purchase as we will come home through Schiphol and there is a perfume store in Amsterdam that carries Parfum Satori. I wish for a bottle of her latest, but cannot seem to find anywhere.
it’s nice to sit here in my own office at home and catch up with everyone’s doings!
You can email LuckyScent rob find out if they expect to carry it.
I could actually just drive over there, but I might end up not leaving empty handed. I am playing this mental game that if I buy it on our trip that somehow that’s different. Duh.
Vacation souvenirs don’t count!
And that’s straight from Donatella!
What cazaubon and jalapeno said ?
Well of course! I forgot this fundamental truth of vacation purchases!
Thank you for bringing me back from the brink!
Then a bell jar of Chergui goes on the list, too.
While mariekondoing the hajusuuri way (i.e. instead of assessing everything of the same type. I do it by section of my room / house). I found my long lost bottle of … Fellanilla! I am NOT mariekondoing it away but rather, in celebration of finding it, I will give away two 3mL atomizer samples of it to two U.S. -based NSTers who have never smelled it before and regularly comment on NST. Regularly commenting for this mini freebie is 5 comments to-date in January in either SOTD or Lazy Weekend Polls. You know I know who comments regularly so don’t make me check because I won’t. Dibs here and then send me an email with your shipping info. Yippee!
Hey, congrats on finding the wayward bottle of Fellanilla! Calling dibs on a sample, since I am now very curious about it.
You got it! As to how long.!let’s just say long enough. I usually don’t try to look too hard because I have other choices. I’ve been known to buy another bottle to tide me over if it’s something that I MUST WEAR IMMEDIATELY and it’s nowhere to be found ?
Glad you found your bottle! I have one too so no dibs for me.
Thanks. It will be tomorrow’s SOTD. I have the super cute 30mL. It is too bad that size is no longer available.
Hmm. Does 5 comments today count?
But of course, dearest ?
That’s very generous of you! Well, then. DIBS.
You got it!
What a find!
I would love to buy a 30 ml bottle of Fellanilla – it’s such a cozy scent! I’ll join you in wearing it today (I have a decant from a very generous NTSer).
Yay! I wore it today and I see that you did as well!
Congrats on finding your bottle! I hope mariekondoing brings you joy
Thank you. Unfortunately, it felt like a chore. I have more to do.
Omg, I am sooo late to the NST party. I celebrated Australia Day by listening to Tame Impala AND INXS?. Does that count?
Spent the day on the road taking my daughter back to school. She is my perfect traveling companion. She has excellent taste in music, never complains, and likes the interior kept nice and toasty, just like I do.
SotD was Vanille Insensee, because we both enjoy it.
So everyone is settled in before your next bout of nasty weather arrives?
Yep! I just need to make a big grocery run so we are well stocked.?
INXS!!!!
Glad you had safe travels…hope she has an awesome second semester!
and you guys smelled amazing!!!! I love that you share the fragrance!
Thanks cm8!?
I’m not sure now if it’s pc to say Happy Australia Day but wish all the people in Australia a happy day, at any rate! I was an exchange student in 1989 at Nuriootpa high school for 9 weeks – had a great time and thought I would have made it back to visit by now, but have not (living in the US with family in Europe leaves no opportunity for other trips).
I’m headed to the symphony tonight with a friend who had a spare ticket, so I must put on some Sacrebleu in a moment! Right now, two Kilian samples are wafting up at me – so far, I’ve liked none of the samples I tried of this line and I’m about ready to scrub. I think it’s dangerous liaisons and Love that I’m trying.
Hi friends, I smell surprisingly good in Ginestet Botrytis! A very kind NSTer sent me a sample of this last year, and it was an insta-headache. I had actually decided to give it away and had then forgotten, which I’m kind of pleased about now. My body chemistry has been kind of funky lately, and Botrytis now smells great on me.
Thanks to those of you interested in my father’s health. Sounds like, as you all predicted and I feared, the effects of chemo have been cumulative. So now, after three days of chemo, he’s been throwing up every day and sleeping a lot. But his next round of chemo isn’t for three more weeks, so hopefully he’ll get over this soon. (Sounds like the nausea is already on its way down.)
Any tips on OTC nausea reduction? Sounds like the doctor wants him to go in for an IV nausea reduction medication, but he isn’t interested in making the trip to the doctor’s office every time. I suggested ginger and Dramamine, but I’d appreciate any other ideas!
Koyel, this probably isn’t much help, but I recall my mother recieving the anti nausea drug, and it helped her immensely. This was almost ten years ago, so they might have different drugs now. If I can remember the name, I will get back to you. Thanks for the update. Healthy thoughts still coming at you and your family.
Also, you smell great!
Yes! He has gone to the doctor for anti-nausea medication once, and said it helped a lot. He just wants an at-home alternative. Please do let me know if you remember. Thanks for the kind thoughts <3
Sorry to hear he’s feeling nauseated, dramamine and ginger should help, but if not sufficient, he can try the anti-nausea med the doctor is suggesting. There’s also pot.
Haha, I don’t actually know if that’s legal in Maryland, but I don’t think he’d go for it. I’m certain my mother wouldn’t let him do that inside the house, for sure, cancer or no cancer, because of the dreadful smell. (Maybe edibles?)
There are definitely non-smoking smelly ways to use medical marijuana. I’m not sure what’s legal in MD though. I really hope your dad finds a something to help that isn’t an added exhausting doctor’s visit.
Thanks, Amy! I hope so too.
Agree, and one of the nice things about using some form of cannabis is that it also helps keep appetite up.
Aw, that’s too bad about your dad. Ginger or ginger ale are what came to mind first for anti nausea. If his doctor has a med for nausea in mind, that would be a good next step. I don’t know if medical marijuana is OK where your dad is at, but I have heard of it being used to offset the effects of chemo.
You’re totally right. Haha, now that two of you have suggested weed, maybe I should actually find out if that’s legal.
Late arrival but at least it’s not Sunday night.
Today I made a lot of progress on the sexy lady commission. Tomorrow I think I can finish it. To set the mood I sprayed liberally with Fleur de Peau. Heavy application really works well with that one. To celebrate I went upstairs to the antique mall (yes there is an antique mall in my building) and bought a georgeous framed print of a 40s pin up girl. Not sure of the artist but it’s a beauty. She’s wearing a pink halter top jumpsuit with bell bottoms and ankle strap shoes and an orange broad brim hat.
Happy weekend everyone!
Sorry my post wound up in the wrong place.
But while I’m here, there is a pressure point on the inside of the wrist about three finger widths below the hand. Moderate pressure there can sometimes help with nausea.
That’s good to know, thanks! I’ll try to explain the location to him and see if he’s up to try that.
I must’ve missed this–what’s your sexy lady commission?
Oy I’m so embarrassed that I posted on this thread by mistake. It’s a painting commission.
Oh how lovely! I hope you can finish it tomorrow
Finished it and sent it out this morning. Sending you a big hug and lots of good vibes to your dad and family too.❤️
Thanks, Sajini! And congrats on finishing the painting!
Sorry to hear your dad is feeling the effects of chemo. Is there the option of the anti-nausea IV to be administered at home? There’s ginger chews or honey with ginger if the raw root is too pungent.
The doctor hasn’t given that as an option, and won’t prescribe any pills or anything either. I don’t know, it’s possible that home IV might become a possibility if things deteriorate.
Yep, he’s been drinking ginger “tea” with honey. I can’t imagine just munching on the raw root!
I was on low-dose chemo for several years (every Monday). On the day of and sometimes the day following, the only thing I could stomach were ginger cookies. I developed a recipe that was lower sugar and lower fat with two or three kinds of ginger in them (fresh, powdered, candied). I’d nibble on them and wish I felt better. I still suck on candied ginger to help with motion sickness.
I’m so sorry to hear your dad is experiencing such persistent nausea–it is truly miserable!
Oh wow, I’m sorry to hear you were on chemo for years (!!!). How awful. I’m glad you pulled through.
Do you have a recipe you could share with me that I could try to make for him?
I’m sorry to say the recipe seems to be amongst the items I’ve stored while we are staging the house for sale. I’ve checked old emails, too, hoping maybe I’d sent the recipe to someone else, but no luck.
IIRC, it was a standard “ginger snap” that I increased the ginger, reduced the sugar, and substituted some applesauce for much of the fat. But I fear that is not much use, unless you are accustomed to monkeying with recipes. . . If I encounter it, I will be sure to post back here for you!
Not as good as homemade perhaps, but I do know that Trader Joes sells a very gingery cookie. Might be worth a try, in a pinch.
Although now I’m recalling maybe you are not in the States. . . ? Let me know if I can send you some Trader Joes ginger cookies.
Oops. Silly me–you mention Maryland in the same thread.
Ah! Maybe I’ll look for those TJ ginger cookies. It’s easy for me to get to a TJs here
I’m not very comfortable monkeying around with baking recipes :-/ Please do let me know if you do find it. In the meantime, the TJ ones will have to do! Thanks for the idea.
I’m sorry to hear it’s been cumulative.
I haven’t had chemo, but there’s a liquid version of the anti nausea prescription meds that is wonderful. It’s certainly not as good as the IV but I had to use it once (violent stomach bug put me into labor) and it probably saved my pregnancy.
I also rec the Dramamine, pressure point arm bands, and sour pregnancy anti nausea candies for their anti nausea effects. Surely these are not nearly strong enough to stop nausea of that level at its peak, but might take some edge off as it’s weaning off.
I have also heard that the completely legal cbd oil helps but can’t comment myself. It can be purchased legally online. A quick google search that some brands are more helpful for nausea than others.
Do you happen to remember what the liquid anti-nausea meds were called?
Pressure point bands and that candy sound like great ideas. I’ll also look into those oils. Thanks for the suggestions!
And I’m so sorry to hear about the stomach bug during your pregnancy. That’s so scary, and I am so relieved you were able to save the pregnancy.
Unfortunately, I do not. I know that it wasn’t something that you take for ongoing nausea but something you take when it literally won’t stop. It was definitely by prescription.
You may also want to find a holistic doctor in the area who can recommend something, if this is going to be repeated a lot over the next few months. Sometimes regular doctors take Side effects for granted, since they are focused on treating the cancer and not the patient as a whole. A good holistic doctor might be able to offset some of the side effects.
I have no suggestions, but I hope your dad feels better soon.
Thank you, sistine <3
Hi Koyel, that nausea is the worst. The best prescriptions for me have been Phenergen and Zofran. My son usually gets one or the other post op because he will become violently ill without it. But when he was on chemo, I think he was mostly administered Ativan, which can be in an IV cocktail, but it also comes commonly in pills. It is also an anti-anxiety drug—-it won’t help your dad’s sleepiness, but it will make him feel better all around. I think it is really important to keep your dad’s spirits up, so I’d be really forceful with the doctor about prescribing an anti-nausea stat that doesn’t involve another trip back to the hospital.
Oh wow, I’m sorry to hear he needs those to avoid being violently ill
That’s so hard. I am so happy you/he found something that helps.
Yeah, I’ll suggest that he be more forceful with the doctor. I can totally see him just saying, “Oh, ok,” and moving on. Thanks for your suggestions.
My doctor prescribed promethazine to me for nausea and vomiting. (I had had some nasty gastrointestinal virus.) I assume from the name of the medicine that it’s a Dramamine relative. My brother, who lives in Baltimore, tells me that medical marijuana is legal in Maryland now. Apparently it has many uses, from improving the appetite to lowering anxiety (I think) to helping with pain from peripheral neuropathy.
Best wishes to your family. I hope your father can find the right medicine to help him with the side effects, and that the chemotherapy works well for him.
Thank you, neyronrose, and thanks for the suggestions. I will very tentatively suggest medical marijuana to him and see what he says. But thanks for the promethazine suggestion, and sorry to hear about your gastrointestinal virus! Glad you’re better! (I hope!)
Oh, that virus thing was a few years ago. I just remember that that was the medicine my doctor prescribed. I’ll be glad if any of the information I can provide helps. It sounded like a couple of my brother’s doctors were quite familiar with the benefits of medical marijuana. I can certainly contact my brother and ask him more.
I’m glad if anything I can tell you helps. *hugs*
I’m sorry to hear your Dad is feeling so nauseous. I was prescribed Ondansetron for non-stop vomiting with my crazy periods in pill form when I went to the hospital. I believe it also goes under the name of Zofran that Oakland Fresca mentioned above. They gave me an IV form of it in the hospital and it was almost instant relief. I hope the doctors are able to prescribe something suitable for him.
Wow how horrible, I’m so happy you got some relief! Thanks for the kind thought and the suggestion.
I thunked a 3 ml sample of the Luca Turin 5-star fragrance Cloon Keen Castaña. I’m happy to report that it smells lovely, but longevity is nil so the lemming has been killed.
Buh bye lemming! Sometimes it is such a relief when that happens.
Thanks for your comment. I missed getting some from the stc 50 percent off so now I don’t feel so bad. ?
Congrats on THUNK and for money saved!
Which again raises the question if it really is worth 5-stars?Longevity/Sillage is important to me,esp when I spent a lot of money(looking at 28 La Pausa and Apres L’Ondee and shaking my head!!??♂️?)
Longevity & sillage are important to me too, so for me it’s not five stars. But Turin does his reviews from smelling on paper strips, not on skin, so longevity/sillage are not a criteria for him, as far as I know.
Oh right yes,of course.I’d give Apres a 3,5 myself,because it still is gorgeous,but loses out on the other 1,5 due to longevity.
Are you talking about a recent reformulation of Apres l’Ondee, or vintage, or all versions? I read comments decrying its evanescence, but that is not what I experience. I have vintage-ish (mid to late 1990s) bottles of Al’O in both EdT and extrait, and while it is quiet, it has decent longevity even on my perfume-eating skin. Perhaps it has been reformulated to death (along with everything else)? Now, if you want real longevity, try to get your hands on some vintage Secret of Venus. I have had that stuff last over 24 hours, even through a shower or two.
Oh awesome!!I shall investigate the Venus then,thanks!
Portrait of a Lady and Bendelirious are two longevity-monsters on my skin,but I love it!
I have a fresh bottle of Apres l’Ondee,its only recently been available here.I would have loved to smell the vintage stuff.It still is a beautiful perfume,but it lasts barely half an hour on me,and I have perfume-loving skin!(28 La Pausa lasts longer than what other people said on me,so there is that at least)
Wow, half an hour? That is short! I would say Al’O lasts at least 3 or 4 hours on me, which for me is about average. Less than 2 hours is unacceptable, and more than about 6 is outstanding. I actually don’t mind that my skin eats up perfume. It used to bother me, but now I realize it means I can wear several different perfumes in one day. Vintage Secret of Venus is amazing stuff, a real powerhouse Oriental. I have to be really in the mood to wear it, as I know I will be wearing it for some time to come. It shows up on eBay from time to time, usually at a very high price. Sometimes you can get it a little cheaper if you can find a bottle of the bath oil rather than the actual perfume. I think a lot of people don’t realize you can wear bath oil as a perfume. Don’t bother with the recent reformulations (the tall, narrow bottle with the black cap and the blue label running vertically on the bottle)–it is awful. The vintage is in a sort of squat, concave bottle with a narrow label running around the circumference of the bottle. If you can snag even a tiny bottle of it, it is worth trying. My bottle doesn’t have a size on the label that I can see, but I would guess it is about 3 ml. I only need a couple of tiny drops of it though, as it it as potent as it is long-lasting. The other vintage Weil perfumes are equally rich and almost as long lasting. I have vintage Zibeline and I have to be very careful with it as well, as it is easy to overdo it.
I just investigated the Weil history,fascinating!I was aware of Zibeline,but not any of the others they made.Thank you for all the info!✌??
Feeling under the weather today; cold and tired no matter what I do. Bleah. I hope it is just some 24 hour thing.
SOTD = the original Boyfriend by Kate Walsh, plus the body butter. At least I smell good!
Feel better! If you have a tub sometimes a hot bath with sea or epsom salt helps reset the thermostat.
I love boyfriend. You smell cozy.
I might break out a pair of flannel PJs tonight if I still feel chilled. So far, I haven’t needed them. Going to make a hot cup of tea right now! ☕
I am rather happy at how well my little 15mL bottle of Boyfriend has held up. The juice is darker but still smells good.
I hope you are better today. I found Boyfriend the other day in one of the bins of perfume that was in storage for almost a year!! It will be the SOTD after I drag myself to the gym.
I am feeling better Wendysue! How is your bottle of Boyfriend smelling?
Oh no! Feel better and I hope it’s nothing!
Thanks! I plan to veg out tomorrow.
Rest as much as you can. Feel better soon ???
Thank you lillyjo!
Hope you feel better tomorrow. Rest!
I took it easy today. No errands outside the house.
feel better
Thank you CM8!
I hope you are feeling better today Jalapeño!
I am, thanks, madtowngirl! I did not need the flannel PJs last night, but am keeping them handy for later on this week.
Hope you feel better soon!Hot milk with honey and nutmeg is my go-to for chills to the bone in winter.
Thanks johanob! I’m feeling much more like myself today.
Rest up and drink lots of hot tea!
Done and done! I have some mint ginger green tea that worked wonders.
31 Rue Cambon…this will be my monogamous perfume for the week.
Robin, how about that for a community project? “Monogamous perfume” -either wear a perfume for the entire week or wear a perfume that you could see yourself wearing for several days or a week or even longer. (do ya’ll remember the summer I did seven weeks straight of Assam of India? I must have earned ten enabler pins that summer-LOL!)
This might be a tough challenge for me,but quite do-able.Let’s do it!
I mean it could be a hypothetical..doesn’t mean you HAVE to wear it for the week straight but perhaps one you would CONSIDER wearing for more than just one day because you love it…although I must say that I learn a lot when I stick with one fragrance beyond just two days…
although I am still waiting for Robin’s approval
Haha!Well back in the day I had only one signature scent that I wore for years,nevermind only a week!(Le Male,of course).So I am pretty sure I would be able to stick it out with one of my Top 10’s for a whole week!
I couldn’t do it… by day three I’d be going nuts.
LOL! anything above one day would count in my book
I would be up for that! That’s actually the way I “used to” wear perfume. I would find a scent I loved and wear it everyday until the bottle was gone and then look for a new love.
And yes, you are the reason I bought a bottle of Assam!?
Ha! That’s how I used to wear perfume as well
Polishing my pins from Assam right now
I’m on board and perhaps we can up the ante with “but you can’t wear your favorite perfume” which means I have to pick something other than Chanel No. 19 EDP ???
Ha! that would definitely make it interesting!
Very late reply, but we have done that and it was not so terribly popular, ha!
Thanks my dear
Hey, I think you might have won the new Dusita Iris bottle
It looked like your name.
oh maybe not…different spelling of the first name…:(
No, you’re right – that’s me among the finalists.
Yay!!!! So glad you won!!!
I wore Sideris to walk the dog and watch the sunrise. It was a perfect match for a frosty morning. I think I’ll wear Dzongka later today.
Be fragrant and well!
Both of those are lovely. You smell elegant and serene.
Muscs Koublai Khan for a perfectly mild Summer afternoon.Cleaned my apartment and had a wonderful nap just now.
16:52:Afternoon tea with some fresh Portuguese milk tarts.
Happy Sunday!
dont know what Portugese milk tarts are but tea with any carb sounds great in my book! Never smelle MKK but I am sure you are smelling good.
The correct term for the tarts are Pastel de Nata,custard or milk tarts.It is where the South African “Melktert”(Milk tart) originated from.a Favorite tea time treat in any shape or form,the melktert is usually sprinkled with cinnamon or coconut.I love all the variations!
MKK is my holy grail musk perfume.So good!
X
OOOO I want one!!! I am a carb addict!
I have read that MMK has been reformulated and not as potent as the original. and I have tried neither -LOL!
OOPS, MKK!
I have not smelled a fresh bottle in years.Mine came from the fountains at the Palais Royal,eons ago!
wow! you have the original then!
I believe this is the original musky bomb yes!?
Yeah from what I read the reform has been cleaned up a bit.
Oh yes. I had to limit myself to one a day while in Portugal!
Those are popular in Montreal too, due to lots of Portuguese immigrants.
Yes I can imagine!And many South Africans that side of the world as well!?
Super late to the party. I kept forgetting to post yesterday but tried Tihoa by Indult yesterday and hopefully I can sneak on the PC to get a review up. With my dad being home, it’s tough to get on the computer because he wants to play his games. Right now, I am in Amouage Memoir body butter. I just adore the Amouage body butters.
A lovely NSTer once sent me a sample of Tihota and it has been on my FB wishlist ever since! So warm and lovely!
Amouage body butters sound so luxurious!
3 more hours to go and I’m off for 2 days! So I will have plenty opportunity to complain about the weather! Lol
Sotd is Aedes de Venustas, love this!
Yesterday my daughter picked out Santal Carmin for me to wear, and it was perfect.
Yay! Hope the three hours pass quickly ??
Oh enjoy your 2 days off!Whats the plan??
Enjoy your time off! ?. I will be very busy to complain about the weather, so please do it for both of us! ?⛈??☔❄
Hope you enjoy your days off! I bet you don’t know what to do with all that time..lol
Enjoy your days off lillyjo. I have my long underwear dug out and ready to go. Stay warm!
Enjoy your time off lillyjo! Stay warm and safe.
Enjoy your time off. Your daughter has good tastes and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
My SOTD is L’Orpheline. About to go off to church with Mom again for a special evensong service and looking forward to that.
That sounds nice.? Enjoy!
Kilian Noir Aphrodisiaque for this glorious sunny day.
Nice!
Another hectic weekend that passed too quickly. SOTD was Felanilla. ?
I’m in Felanilla too!
Triplets!
Showered with L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil today and I think I may have found a new shower love. Although it’s supposed to cleanse as well as moisturize, I really don’t see it as a cleaner but more a milky liquid oil that leaves the most gorgeous almond floral scent. It’s quite subtle but I’ve not smelt anything like it. Would love a perfume version of this.
Its nice stuff! Great for shaving your legs too.
I really like the scent of the l’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, too. For me, it works well in the depths of winter.
It’s my sister’s favorite and she gets all the minis of it from gift sets!
I’m curious about the cream. Has she tried this? I’d like more of the scent and maybe using this would help.
No, she only uses the shower oil as a cleanser. I’ll ask if she’s tried any other products in the same scent.
Lovely sunny days here yesterday (especially) and today, so loads of walking along the seafront and eating outdoors. Preposterous in January where we come from, so we feel very lucky.
I missed posting on Friday; my scent was Jesus del Pozo “Noble Musk Nights” which was a surprise to me but when I looked back, I had reached for it more often than anything else. It’s a very comfortable perfume with a bit of warmth and creaminess.
FRoiday night I went to a gig with TOMK – Quentin Gas y Los Zingaros. A very successful mix of Flamenco and Psychedelia – here’s a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eZO3U5KmIE
Yesterday was Chanel “Pour Monsieur” for a day outdoors and Baruti “Indigo” for the evening.
Today has been spent in Annick Goutal “Sables”. And here endeth the weekend.
Oh, I just found my bottle of Sables in a closet cleaning and am thinking of wearing it tomorrow!
Hello NST! I’m feeling much better today. Whatever was bothering me yesterday has decided to move on, much to my relief. I am keeping a couple of especially warming tea blends handy, just in case.
SOTD = back in Boyfriend again! I was smelling the far drydown of it this morning before I showered. It has amazing longevity on me. Approaches “Mugler” levels of “sticking around-ness”.
This juice smells glorious on my mother.
It is definitely a cold weather scent for me. ⛄
So glad you are feeling better!
Glad you are better
Super late check in this weekend, but I mostly took it easy at home due to some GI issues on Friday and Saturday. But I wore Boucheron Iris de Syracuse yesterday after johanob mentioned it. I really like it. I said above, it’s kind of a cross between Bois d’Iris and Lolita Lempicka on me. Then post shower yesterday evening I sampled four things from my STC order that arrived. I ordered during the 50% off sale. So last night I tried 1000 Flowers Rose Cassis Paradis, L’Artisan Rose Privee, Cloon Keen Castana, and Iunx Eau Baptiste. My favorites were Eau Baptiste and Castana. Castana reminds me of a lighter Dries van Noten.
Today I wore Romanza because I was crazing narcissus and that ones a bit strong for me to wear to work. Then once Romanza wore off, I tried the other two in my STC order, Diptyque Eau Moheli and Hermes Eau de Mandarine Ambree. Eau Moheli is a pretty, floral blend but isn’t super interesting, but I really like the Hermes. I wish I’d tried it sooner. I also just tried two Abel perfumes, Golden Neroli and Cobalt Amber. The neroli was nice but very short lived. The amber is worth giving a full wear sometime.
Hope that your GI issues are gone now!
You’ve tried a lot of interesting smelly things this weekend.
Thanks, I’ve been better today, which is probably mainly due to food and drink choices I made. I didn’t drink any coffee this morning, so I’ve been dragging a bit all day. I am pretty much a coffe addict, so I need to practice more moderation. I had tea this morning, but it didn’t help me wake up too much.
I also sprayed on Angel Muse a few minutes ago, which is just a fun, light-hearted perfume. Very easy to like.
Reeking havoc
Was it here that someone was asking for scents similar to Agonist Nordic Noir? Smallflower.com has it on sale through 1/31.
I would have to go with Radio Bombay by D.S. & Durga as it uses boronia – native to Australia!