It's Presidents' Day weekend, and we are marking the occasion (and taking an extra day off) with our same old open thread poll, stretched out to cover Monday.
Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance you'd buy if you found it at a Presidents' Day sale, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant Wallpaper [contrast adjusted] by Paulo O at flickr; some rights reserved.
I don’t get Presidents’ Day off, so it is just a normal weekend for me.
I am wearing Fum Ariose. I had never heard of this brand until a week or two ago, but I ordered a set of Fum samples after reading so many mentions of it here. Ariose is beautiful, and I am thinking it may make its way into my collection before very long. Honestly, I think it is better than the vast majority of stuff out there, and yet it (and others like it) will undoubtedly cease to exist if not enough people find out about it and give it a try.
This got me to wondering how many other tiny niche brands are out there that I have never heard of. Perhaps we should have a poll some day where people can give a shout out to brands they know of but that most people probably don’t.
Good idea to have that poll. And, you just talked me into ordering a sample set from them! The one that sounds especially appealing to me is Winter Crocus. (Plus, they have a very nicely designed website.)
Please do get the set–there are only three scents, after all, so it is easy to try the entire range. I actually expected to like Winter Crocus the best, and yet it is probably my least favorite of the three so far. To be fair, I have only tried a tiny spritz of it, so I need to give it a proper tryout. Please do note that when I say it is my least favorite, that does not mean I disliked it–I just don’t think I like it as much as the others. It is very smoky, at least at first, even meaty, giving me an impression of someone cooking dinner on the grill. I would not have expected to love Ariose from the notes or the description of it as a “gourmand”, which is generally one of my least favorite categories. Iris is a difficult note for me, and I prefer my coffee in a cup, not on my skin. Yet somehow it all works together beautifully. Nerola is very pretty, although my first impression was that it is perhaps not terribly original or distinctive, being mostly orange blossom. OTOH, it is a *very* pretty orange blossom, and apparently has good longevity. I sprayed some on yesterday evening, and I can still smell it in my hair, some 12 hours later. Further wearing may reveal that there is more to it than my first impression, and I suspect that it may make it onto my buy list as well.
I agree that the website is nicely designed, and the packaging of the sample set was really lovely too. Each one is in a separate little envelope with a printed label listing the name of the perfume, the size, of the sample, the notes, the company name and website, etc. The three little envelopes were wrapped in two layers of tissue paper and there was a hand written note thanking me for my purchase.
Wow! I am in – I was reviewing their site yesterday. I am looking for a perfect rose scent and the coffee+iris combo made me quite curious.
Thanks for the detailed
review & descriptions!
I was looking at the descriptions on the Fum Vault tab yesterday. Some of those look quite interesting.
I like that idea! Some of my tiny-brand favorites are J Hannah & Co — she’s the perfumer who created Canoe Skive — and La Curie. And Mirus.
Samples of J Hannah and Mirus can be found at Tigerlily in San Francisco (no affiliation) and I see that La Curie is running a sale on the 15ml size on their website (no affiliation there either).
… aren’t I helpful?? 🙂
I’ve taken a look at the La Curie website. Based on the listed notes as well as the reviews in P:TG 2018, it seems that their scents mostly feature a lot of smoky, tarry and/or rubbery notes. Is that correct? If so, then no lemmings here as those are not my favorite notes. Their Saint Oil might be up my alley. Have you tried it?
Yup, lots of smoky, which works for me! I haven’t tried her oils… not an oil fan.
Good to know, Pixel! Skive is wonderful.
I almost ordered the sample set yesterday. Will soon! And great idea for a poll.
There’s an Instagram poll happening now asking people to give a shout out to their true indie favorites. A few have come up repeatedly here this past week.
What a great idea! I post a bit about indie perfumers on Small Business Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, but more attention is better.
I’m in O.J. Ta’if today, because I’ve been lemming rose scents lately. It’s very beautiful. I wonder which rose scent is the prettiest? Might be something to study one day… The other day I wore O.J. Woman for the first time in ages. I was amazed by its power and longevity. I only put on two sprays and felt it moving around with me like a fragrance cloud all day long, even catching me by surprise at times–“What smells so good in this room?” Ha ha–ME!
My very favorite rose scent is Shiseido White Rose, which is, unfortunately, not terribly easy to buy in the U.S.
I wore OJ Woman last night – dinner and the Symphony. I didn’t feel like I was imposing on anyone’s air space but I sure smelled great!!
You smell wonderful and have inspired me to wear today.
Both Ta’if and Woman are so good.That base just works wonders on my skin. You smell lovely!
I wanted to try Ta’if for a while after reading all the wonderful reviews for this fragrance. I had an opportunity to briefly test several OJ scents at the airport about a year ago- I liked Sampaquita the most, tried Frangipani and Woman as well, I believe they didn’t have a tester for Ta’if though.
I hope someone will do a split of OJ scents- she has a nice coffret of travel sprays, so I can treat myself 🙂 Interested in Sampaquita 🙂 HINT! HINT!
I got a small sample of Sampaquita from LuckyScent a few months ago, and an Ormonde Jayne “Signature Discovery Collection” recently, also from LuckyScent. The collection has 7 samples, 2 ml each. Those samples are:
1.) Ambre Royal
2.) Champaca
3.) Frangipani
4.) Ormonde Man
5.) Ormonde Woman
6.) Ta’if
7.) Tolu
I’ve been getting a lot of samples of quite a variety of perfumes from LuckyScent and Surrender to Chance lately. Remind me to pass some of the samples on at the next freebiemeet. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep those Atelier cologne samples that Dad is allergic to, for instance. There are also perfumes that I don’t seem to be able to get used to for myself, but that other folks may like. I’ll try to remember to make a list about a week beforehand.
I would Play!! 😉
There is a candle here in that acent that smells DE-lish!!
I’m testing three rose scents right now from a sample order that came the other day. I have on Velvet & Sweet Pea Rose Encens, January Scent Project Smolderose, and Thorn&Bloom Wild Rose. Rose Encens so far is very sweet and fruity. It reminds me of April Aromatics Rose l’Orange. I need to try these two side-by-side sometime. Smolderose is definitely not a rose-rose scent; in fact, if I had sniffed it blind I don’t think I would have pegged it as a rose scent at all, as the rose definitely takes a back seat. Wild Rose is probably the most conventionally pretty “rose” of the three. I’m ot really picking up much of the raspberry note, which is fine with me. I don’t mind some fruity notes in my florals, but I don’t much care for fruity florals in which the fruit dominates. I doubt I need a bottle of any of these, but it is fun trying them and comparing.
Thanks for your rose scent analysis! Rose is probably the note I have the most of, and I don’t think I could ever have too many rose scents.
Smoulderose was all smoulder and just a wisp of rose on me. I tried my sample repeatedly but I couldn’t decide if I liked it or if I just found it challenging.
OJ woman is so magnificent! Somehow I’ve never got around to try Ta’if, but I read such good things about it that I’ll have to include it in my next Petit Fours order.
You smell great! I tested Ta’if at fumerie over the summer and loved it but wasn’t ready to pull the trigger on a bottle. I would love a decant tho if anyone wants to do a split!
Oh hell. yeah.
There are so many pretty rose scents, as distinct from “rich”, or “dark”, or “sexy” rose scents. Les Parfums de Rosine has several. I like Rose d’Amour and Clair Matin. Roses de Chloe is lovely too. A newer love for me, very pretty, is White Rose and Lemon Leaves, by Jo Loves.
Oh I love that! I just bought Rose Gold from OJ last week with all the absolutes, it’s incredible! And they gave me a complimentary 8mls spray of Ta’if for Valentine’s! I spritzed both on yesterday morning (not my best idea!) And it was a bit much for the first hour, but it lasted not only all day, but even after my shower!! Rose Gold is really outstanding.
Beautiful image. At first I thought it was embroidery. I lem-looked at the Fum site and the perfumes sound amazing from 50roses’s description. I hesitate to try them, though, because if it’s true love, a bottle would be way out of my price range at this point in time. I already have so much good stuff so it’s shopping at home for me. The only frags I bought in the past year were some oils in India, a travel size Fleur de Peau, the Nicolai discovery set wherein I discovered I didn’t want any of them, and a small bottle of Cap Neroli which is on its way. It’s such a thrill to buy new ones, but my already owned babies are still really the best. It’s sunny and beautiful and I’ve been working on a pastel all morning -still in my jammies-
Today I’m going to wear something sexy and put on L’Air de town.
??OMG L’air de town! That one smells like car fumes and garbage.
I meant to say L’Air de Rien
Ha! 🙂
I feel the same about Fum, a bottle is out of my range but a sample set might be doable. Sometimes it’s enough to smell something new.
Yes that’s true. I didn’t like any of the nicolai set enough to get a bottle but it sure was fun trying them!
L’air de town! Lol.?
Good one ??
Haha! You’re on an awesome autocorrect roll ? And you do smell great!
?Thanks!
L’air de town – what Antony smells like
Hahahaha!
You will smell great in L’Air de Rien. ?
Thanks! Gonna see what the fellas at the hardware store think haw haw haw
The Fūme perfumes are absolutely beautiful, especially Ariose. I will survive with their samples, unless I justify a full bottle purchase for a special occasion, like my birthday later this year. I will think about it, because like you, I also have many beautiful perfumes in my collection that are neglected and they need the love and attention that they deserve.
If you do buy it for your birthday please keep up vicarious enjoyed in the loop?
enjoyers
That made me laugh out loud.
Not a holiday weekend for me, since I don’t get Monday off. Actually I’m kinda working Sunday, even, since I’ll be flying to Texas for work there all week. Grump.
Testing JD (Jeffrey Dame’s other label) Labdanum Doux at the moment. A blind buy that arrived this week… not sure it’s a success with me though. I love labdanum! But, um, not getting any labdanum here. At the moment it’s a vintage-y floral. Hmm.
Ah well. Off to the post office soon to pick up a package. Hajusuuri, 50_Roses, I think it’s our Heeley order!
… trying to figure out what scents to take with me for a week in Texas. Actually, a week stuck in conference rooms allllllll daaaaaaaaaay. I have packed a ton of tea bags! Conference organizers (at least here in the US) never seem to supply proper tea. If there is any, it’s herbal, as if tea drinkers don’t need as much caffeine as coffee drinkers in order to stay awake (and warm) through 8 hours of zombie time in a freezing conference room.
Suggestions for perfumes that will keep me awake but not gas out my neighbors?
Where in Texas will you be?
Austin
At least you’ll be in a really cool city. Hope you get to get out and have some play time.
Hey! I’m also heading to a conference in Austin in a couple weeks. Will be interested to hear what perfumes you choose to bring, and if you have time to get out and do anything fun.
The tea offered in public places is generally undrinkable, I always bring my own too. Not sure about keeping you awake, but I like Bottega Veneta for a smooth, pleasant but non-obtrusive scent.
I find the only places to get decent tea are either in Asian restaurants or something like an afternoon tea service, where the tea plays a major role.
So smart on the tea. I should start doing this.
Hi Pixel!
I would say perfumes with green sharp notes work really well to keep someone awake. My favourite for this purpose is Sisley Eau Du Soir- only one spritz is needed, as it is very potent. I also love Chanel № 19 and Silences. Perfumes heavy on citrus notes, particularly lemon, would work as well, just make sure they are long lasting to keep you awake for long hours 🙂
Good Luck with your conference!
I always bring my own tea, too. Maybe Kelly Caleche? It won’t keep you awake, but it wears close to the skin, for me anyway.
Woohoo!
I was laughing because I am just now tucking tea bags into my carry on for the flight home, since there’s rarely any good tea during the flight…
Not only the tea but the water they use and the metal carafes and heating containers on flights are what make the tea and coffee undrinkable. ? The worst airplane tea I’ve ever had is on British Airways. I just wait till I get to India and have some delicious chai at a roadside stall.?
I subscribe to Jeffrey Dame Perfumery and I didn’t know about JD till now. On a serious budget this year and not reading/unsunscribing from shopping emails is the cause, I’m sure. Sorry about the labdanum, I love it too and would be disappointed if it wasn’t there.
… I just got a wee order of samples from Heeley. Thanks to the PSA the other day about free shipping.
and, coincidentally, his Chypre 21 is one of my go-to scents for conferences and all-day-meetings.
I was curious about this one. Most Dame’s don’t work for me, but I read something intriguing about this one.
Thanks for explaining the JD label! I’ve been wondering what that is lately.
Which Heeleys did you all get?? Vicarious minds want to know.
Not to make you envious or anything, but I made an executive decision not to do any work until Tuesday morning. I am just so over my work right now. Hopefully the three-day break will make me less pissed off at all of it.
I got a lot done on Friday so I am taking a vacation until Tuesday morning. Eh, that said, I do have to periodically check work email over the long weekend as I do have to be “on” 24 x 7 in case anything comes up (usually not, so there’s that).
Heeley’s discovery set has 15ml sprays of Cardinal (50_Roses), St Clements (me), Hippie Rose (me), Sel Marin (hajusuuri), and Menthe Fraiche (available!! any takers?)
Oh, no. I didn’t need to know that 15ml Heeley sprays exist.
Ok I just checked out the JD page, and I really enjoy that aesthetic, I must say 🙂 Nope nope, I don’t need to try any of those. Nope.
Close that browser now, right now. Now.
ALREADY CLOSED, NOT LOOKING. DEFINITELY DID NOT GO TO THE DAME SITE AND TAKE A SNEAK PEEK AT CHILEHEAD.
Hahaha you’re so bad
You’re probably already on your way but I just got back from a conference and my work friendly scents were: NV Mohur (from the last split meet), Chanel Beige, and Amouage Dia. Why are conference rooms so cold?
Wore Vintage Chanel 19 EdT for my job interview. It all went very well, they would like to hire me on the spot. I will go next friday for a few hours of hospitation to their practice to meet the new co-workers. If i think we could work together, then i think i will take their offer.
Congratulations! No 19 would be my pick as well for a job interview.
Wow- congrats!
Great news! Hope it’s a good fit.
Congratulations on the offer! I hope the trial run goes well and that you deem the practice a good fit for you. Fingers crossed!!!
Congrats on your job offer! I hope you like your new work place!
Many congratulations! Fingers crossed that the trial day shows you will be a good fit for each other.
Congratulations! I hope that it works out perfectly for you. Great choice on Chanel No. 19.
Congrats!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, that’s awesome! So great when you feel like it’s under your control whether you accept it not, as opposed to having to wait for weeks to find out if they made a decision or not…
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congrats! Sounds like it was a breeze and I hope it will work out!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! No.19 never fails!
Congrats!
Congratulations, tannina!
That’s great – congratulations!
That’s great news! Hope you like the co-workers.
Congratulations, Tannina!
Congratulations! Power move w/Vintage N19!!
Yay!!
Hey great!
Congrats, Tannina! I hope things click with your potential coworkers! ?
Congratulations on your successful job interview!
Congratulations! You wore the perfect scent for a job interview.
Wearing Chergui today thanks to the freebie meet. It’s yummy 🙂
I’m doing a small presentation on perfume for some lady friends tomorrow, taking some samples and sharing how I fell down the rabbit hole. The host invited people to bring their handwork over – knitting, etc – or other hobby. When I told her that my only real hobby is perfume, she was fascinated. I’ve got it under ten minutes, hope it goes well.
Sounds like fun! You smell chergorgeous!
How fun! What a great idea.
Awesome! I would love it if regular people would let me talk about perfume, even for 2 minutes. Good luck!
Yes, seconded!
Very exciting idea, ringthing, I hope it will go great! 🙂
I know! I’ve practiced what I want to say because let’s be honest, it would be easy to babble on about headspace technology and celebrity scents and the destruction of natural ingredients like Mysore sandalwood and on and on….I definitely need to curb my enthusiasm lol.
Bring a couple of scents as examples! They’ll be thrilled…
I’m taking a selection of samples and cutting some cards up for scent strips. 🙂
Sounds great! Maybe you’ll create some converts ?
What a fun thing to do!
What a fun thing to do
So much fun! Enjoy!
That is awesome!
Scent twin!! U smell great still!!
I’m sure your presentation will be great.
How did the perfume Q & A go?
Hello, hello and happy weekend!
My scent of the day is Chanel 1957, a new in Les Exclusifs range.
Guys, I have to admit I’m surprised how much I like it! After seeing some opinions I wasn’t sure if I’d like it but turns out I do. To me it smells like clean, ironed layers of cotton and linen fabrics scented with orange flower water and powdered with hint of iris. The whole perfume feels very luminous and honey makes it feel more luxurious and pampering.
I wish Chanel would come with coffrets of Les Exclusifs in 30ml bottles…
That sounds so good! The notes are right up my alley. I’m looking forward to trying it, which I’m sure won’t be anytime soon in my little city. Lol.
Please report back on longevity!
So far it’s doing great in terms of lasting power. I think I will write a review of 1957 for my blog for next week.
Okay! I will watch for that.?
Glad it worked out for you. I only smelled it on paper strip…it sounds like I need to try it on skin.
Absolutely agree about the 30 ml bottles. Coffretts of 15 ml like Hermes does woukd be amazing, too. Would absolutely buy that, no hesitation.
Le Labo Labdanum 18, which goes well with cashmere. This was my first niche love. My decant is almost empty and if I ever manage to get myself to the Le Labo in Chicago, trying the perfume oil is first on my list. Does anyone know if the liquid balm and perfume oil are the same? Just different applications, roll on vs. dropper?
I was up early and finished the last of the three part of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders on Prime. I thought it was good, but I love John Malkovich, so I could be biased. Has anyone watched it?
Off to run some errands. May have to stop at target and check out the valentine’s candy everyone was talking about yesterday!
I’ve tried both versions of 2 scents I bought in the liquid balm. I think the liquid balm is more concentrated and may have some silicone in it. What put me off from the oils was that speed sniffing through the testers, a few smelled rancid to me. My balms are a couple of years old and still smell fine though they claim 1 year expiration from opening. I hope they don’t turn on me ?
They put the expiration on the perfumes too and I’ve got a two that are way past and still good as new. Balms may be more perishable though.
Yeah, and they’re super potent (Ylang and Iris) so I use so little of them when I wear them. I hope they don’t perish ?
Good to know- thanks! The balms go on as a roller, correct?
They do. They are nice and portable, too, so that’s kind of a plus.
I did not even know about The ABC Murders, thanks!
It’s getting mixed reviews. People are comparing it to previous versions, none of which I’ve seen, so I had nothing to compare it too. I’d be curious to hear what other people thought.
I’m wearing L’Invisible again. My bottle has less than 5ml left, so I’d like to work on finishing it off soon. I’m about to head to brunch at my favorite southern restaurant, and then I’m going to a bunch of open houses with my friend who’s looking to buy. We’re walking everywhere since she wants to stay in the same neighborhood we live in now. Hopefully there isn’t too much rain today. The worst part is walking 20+ min purely uphill to get to the restaurant, especially with no food in my belly. But I sure need the exercise! I also woke up with a headache, so I hope some exercise and good food can fight it off. Have a good Saturday all!
Hope you cured your headache yesterday therabbitsflower!
Hi all, wearing l’AP Tea for Two “extrait” (the stuff therabbitsflower sent me that’s evaporated into extrait concentration and smells just fantabulously of tobacco and leather).
I’ve been sick all week, but I’m starting to feel better, which is great because we have fancy dinner reservations tonight for belated Valentine’s Day celebrations. The worst lingering issue is all-night coughing that keeps me awake 🙁
I did comply with the CP yesterday and wore AA Bohemian Spice from a sample a kind NSTer very conveniently sent me recently. It smelled great, but it smelled a lot like an oriental I already have (I can’t recall which one–help?). It’s possible I couldn’t smell everything because of my cold, but if it is nearly the same as something I already have, sounds like I’ve saved a bunch of money; those AAs don’t come cheap!
Happy Long Weekend to those of you who have one! We’re headed down to Monterey tomorrow for a romantic overnight trip 🙂
Oh, I love Monterey! Have fun and hope you feel all better soon!
Thanks, cazaubon 🙂 hope your shoulder gets to 100 % asap!
If you have time, visit the aquarium. I haven’t been in more than a decade, but I used to go a lot, and it was always fabulous.
We might! I haven’t gone in a couple years 🙂 I love it, but it is always so crowded.
Sorry for your sick week!
Eh, it’s just a cold. I’m just being a big baby about it. But thanks, Amy!
Well, you’ve had a lot going on so a cold isn’t surprising and is a pain in the butt to add on to other things. So be a big baby!
Aww <3 Thanks, Amy.
Feel better Koyel! I’m in the exact same boat: lingering night time coughing and fancy v-day dinner tonight. I wish I had more energy!
Thanks, yasmina! And I hope you feel better in time to enjoy your fancy dinner, too!
Koyel, hope you and Yasmina both recover fast and enjoy your special plans —
Thank you, FearsMice 🙂
Koyel, I hope that you were able to enjoy your planned Valentine’s dinner! Are you feeling better today?
That is so sweet of you <3 Yes, we had a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner! Delicious and romantic. I’m still not at 100 %, but I’m definitely better than I was last week. Thanks for asking!
I’m testing Prada Day for Night today. A nice amber – not too heavy, not too light. I like it, but don’t need it. Which is good, because it is too expensive.
Have to agree with you on Prada Olfactories – great scent but price is a killer. I wouldn’t have gotten Purple Rain if it wasn’t a bargain.
Yes, I just tested Double Dare as well, and felt similarly. I wouldn’t mind if a bottle dropped into my lap, but I don’t think I would spend my money on it.
Just about did myself in taking some tylenol with codeine yesterday that was a much higher dosage than I thought it was. Need to read labels! Still feeling sore but I don’t dare take any more meds. Today will be spent organizing clothes and possibly a trip out to shop for a new couch. I’m wearing Profumum Meringa.
Yikes with the codiene! I’m a lightweight when it comes to medicine and often have to only take half. Double would have had me out all day.
Sorry that you are still sore despite the meds. I hope it improves quickly.
No! Please be careful!
Yes be careful with that stuff. I used to have a giant bottle of 222’s a few years ago and it’s easy to take one too many.
Hope you are feeling better today.
No day off on Monday for me, either — and I was out sick yesterday, so am fretting about how to catch up, and worrying that I won’t be well enough to go in on Monday, either. Plus will not be able to go to the concert my husband and I had planned to attend tonight. Was trying to nap, but am sneezing/coughing too much. I am just a bundle of loveliness. 🙂
If I had a sense of smell today, I’d be wearing Bandit. But even that isn’t getting through! Oh, and I like the idea of a thread on super-obscure indie brands.
Hope those who do have an extra day off enjoy it to the fullest!
I hope you get well soon! So frustrating to be sick when you had a great programme planned. 🙁
Feel better!
Feel better soon!
Hope you can shake off that cold soon!
So sorry you are sick, hope you feel better soon!
Last nights sleeping beauty ballet was gorgeous
Only in NYC:
“Oh I thought you were Canadian like your husband”
Me: “No I was born here”
“Oh, ok. You are always so nice to me so I assumed you were Canadian. You are just an American”
I feel like in this conversation I got both complimented and downgraded
31 RC today
Ha! That is very funny! Back-handed or what! ;^)
Oh dear, that is not you give a compliment! :O
*how, that is not how you give a compliment…
Oh, geez ? I’m embarrassed for them for their lack of proper thought filtration.
Well, you know, they are presumably a mere American. Now if they had been Canadian, they would’ve known how to conduct that conversation properly.
Haha! Right? I guess we’ve set a low bar here.
First, hooray for 31RC.
Why am not surprised at that turn of conversation. Reminds me of my ex-boss after I left her group and someone relayed what happened to me. She had a staff meeting (where she never has an agenda and also never shared what she was supposed to from the management team). After giving kudos to some of the accomplishments of the team, she mentioned a project where several team members (2 out of 9) got assigned and then a 3rd one was also going to join. She ended that segment with “only the best and brightest have been assigned to the project”. There was dead silence.
Ok that is truly awful.
Life is a double edged sword.?
Yup super backhanded compliment. Are you sure the “complimenter” wasn’t Canadian? A subtle insult within a compliment is quintessentially Canadian.
Well, I’m not going to be “subtle” here: I find your comment about what is “quintessentially Canadian” both untrue and truly insulting.
I have two SOTDs; started the day in Iris Poudre, and am now in Lolita Lempicka. The Iris Poudre lasts well for me- three sprays = 5.5 hours. My perfume goes on at 6:30 am, so at lunchtime I have the option to either re-up or change-up. The new Hermes sounds interesting. I like aquatics in general, but I had to Google pittosporum.
Iris Poudre almost lasts too long for me, as do many Malles. Definitely eight hours or more. I tend to want around five hours, except for long days at work and even then I am happy to bring a decant and top off. If things go on too long, though, especially in a fairly linear way, I get bored!
I had a “free” week (free means only work, no school, so really, free-ish), so I had time to go and get some samples. I’m looking for a new spring scent. I fell in love with Xerjoff/Casamorati Fiore d’Ulivo, it is a gorgeous floral with a prominent lemon note that keeps it light and refreshing. I’m almost ready to spend – but I swore to myself that I would wait until I can try the new Jardin, it sounds lovely and I’m very excited to try it.
I also got samples from Bracken Woman (not easy to wear but very unique and interesting), and OJ Privé, which I found surprisingly disappointing. It is good, mind you, but the other florals of the house are so great that this one needs a bit more character to match that level for me. I would pick Champaca or Frangipani over this every time. (I was surprised to find it available at all, I thought it was a Saks exclusive, and here I am in central Europe finding it at the local retailer…)
Hope everyone has a nice weekend!
That Xerjoff sounds enticing. I’ve never tried anything from the house. I love Bracken Women but it is definitely strange and for a very particular mood and climate. And lastly, I wish I could wear OJ, but they all have too much of something that gives me a headache. Despite being so often so beautiful. Regardless, you’ve been smelling great with the samples!
I wore a drop of Hiram Green’s Dilettante last night, nearly the last of my sample- my Saturday, but still Friday for some of you 🙂
I had hoped to have my FB of Shangri La by the end of the week, and really indulge in the CP, but it’s taken a very long time to get from Melbourne to Sydney. Tracking tells me this morning that it has finally reached New Zealand – at least it’s now in the right country!
Dilettante makes me so happy, as does Shangra La. Hope it arrives safely and soon!
Having a lazy Saturday here and hadn’t decided on a perfume. All the chat about OJ had me reaching for Tiare, so I can pretend it’s a lovely spring day.
Never hurts to pretend!
I have a 3 day weekend which will be spent trying to write part of a paper. So far, I feel like I deserve a break after I write a few sentences so this is going to take me awhile, lol.
I’m wearing Cavern New York Atrium perfume oil, since I gave them a nod on an Instagram poll asking people to highlight indie brands they admire. This brand does candles also and only has a handful of perfume oils, but I’ve liked what I’ve smelled.
I recommend this one to people who like not-too-sweet woody vanillas. I’m not really a vanilla fan, but there’s just something about this one. The freshly cut wood note is slightly green, reminding me of Jessica’s warm-cool vanilla Rosine review from the other day.
I’d love to see that instagram poll. If I sign up, is it easy to find?
Sure! See my response to haj below. You would just search for that page
I love to see that poll too. I have not looked hard though … maybe post which account to look for? Thanks!
It’s from “the perfume blotter”.
In Virgile-Mohur again – I am not tired yet of this combo. And enjoying that the high percentage of naturals make it easy to wear for me.
Question: how do people calculate shipping for splits? I am getting ready already for next week.
Shipping has gone up, at least in my part of the world. USPS first class padded envelope was $3.94 last week.
Some add a bit if they use new padded envelopes, but that’s at the discretion of the splitter. HTH!
Useful, thanks!
Here too! It used to be 3.50 across the board. Yesterday I mailed two packages and they were 3.74 and 3.94. Was this a recent change??
Yes, as of January 27th.
It’s cold and grey out. Have a bad case of dry skin, so I slathered on Memoir body butter and feeling much better. I am waiting on my refund to do any retail therapy.
Glad you’re getting a refund! I fear we may not, for the first time in years.
I was kind of worried with the whole tax reform thing with all the caps and everything.
Monserrat today. Still negotiating paint (pain) colors. Gaaaah! ?
I remember your earlier laments about choosing paint! Hope you make some progress this weekend — 🙂
We have made some progress, I think. The SW salesperson steered us in another direction, and we may try out some of her suggestions.
Appropriate perfume for contemplating paint! You smell lurvely ?
Thanks, Elisa P. Actually, I need a chocolate scented paint right about now. ?
In DSH Foxy. Nice spicy amber- leather scent. I am enjoying the sample, but I will not look for a replacement.
Trying to relax during this holyday weekend. Not feeling well after a traumatic week at work. Most of the good and capable managers in our department announced on Thursday that they are leaving. Overwhelming! They can’t cope with incompetence anymore. The bad ones are happy about it, we guess. Big changes are on the way and all the employees are now at risk of being fired, being forced to leave or get relocated. I have never seen such a mess in my whole working life. God, time and luck will say….
Have a great weekend everyone!
So sorry about the awful situation at work! Is that what you were re-assigned to “fix”? Ugh!! Hope you get to decompress a bit this weekend.
No. I was reassigned to help move some projects that were behind so the deadlines were met. Some progress has been made so far. At least we are in better shape now.
Oh no, that sounds awful. Nothing like adding to the stress level; is this at your ‘temporary’ location?
I hope you can relax a bit this weekend and enjoy some ‘fumes.
It is at my permanent location. But the problem is everywhere.
Trying to decompress by sampling new goodies I received from a NSTer. That is always a good therapy!
I’m sorry about the work situation. I hate it when good people leave. Will it be better when you go back to your original office?
No, in fact it will be worse, because the whole thing is happening at my original office. Right now I don’t know what decisions will be made by the new management about my location or anything else. Current managers will start leaving next month and until May. It is going to be a long and slow process and what is coming is unexpected. Nothing for better.
So sorry about the traumatic work experience. I work at a place that is currently being run by people who are completely incompetent or phoning it in and it is making me insane. I don’t want a managerial role *at all,* but watching the chaos . . . Oof. So I feel your pain, is what I am saying. It makes it so hard to do one’s own work, right?
I am also grateful that I don’t have a managerial position and like you I am watching the chaos, but also feeling badly the pressure from management. It is very difficult to work like that, especially when there is not certainty about anything. Let’s hope we can both see an improvement at our work places some day.
Oh, what a stressful situation! I’m sorry you’re work hell right now. Pretty sure you smell fabulous though…
Thank you Deva! At least I am trying to smell good in the middle of this crisis. There are days when some perfumes have been the best refuge ever for me.
Ugh, it sounds awful ? I’ve experienced some of that in my career, and I can’t really take much of that kind of chaos, I found. I hope you can at least catch your breath this weekend! Hugs!
This problem started 3 years ago. At that time very experienced managers with 20 years of work for the agency resigned because they could not handle the situation anymore. And everything comes directly from the high “ranks”, who have allowed this situation for many years, so it is difficult for anyone to work under those conditions.
I am so sorry for your bad work situation. May whatever is most right come to pass for you – be that an improvement where you are or a new job.
Thank you Cazaubon! Hoping for the best!
Can your good managers take you with them? I am so sorry you are going through this mess, pfl67.
Thank you Hajusuuri. My immediate manager told me already that if there is an open position at her new job she will let me know immediately. She asked me to keep in touch with her in case I need anything. I will definitely do that.
So sorry! Dysfunction in the workplace stinks. Been ther, done that. Good luck.
Thank you! We knew that sooner that later everything was going to explode again, but never thought it was going to be so catastrophic.
I’ve joined several of you this past week in having a cold — haven’t been able to smell (or taste) much, so haven’t bothered with perfume for days now. I’ve enjoyed reading comments though! Hope everyone has a good/better weekend. I don’t have Monday off; hope those of you who do will think kindly of us working folk that day. 🙂
Feel better soon!
Oh too bad you don’t have Monday off to get some R and R after the cold. I have it off in theory but not in practice. Alas.
Feel better soon!
Gypsy again! Because my little nomadic heart missed her?
?
The weather has warmed up to 1 degree Celcius; it’s gotta be a sign of Spring, right? I actually heard birds chirping this morning so there’s hope.
I put on several sprays of Dior Addict for a walk to pick up some groceries. Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday so far!
Birds chirping is a good sign, for sure???
You smell wonderful ?
Thank you. I’m very hopeful for spring (anytime is good). We don’t usually get a long, cold winter here. That polar vortex has swung west and its still holding strong. It’s been extra crazy everywhere though.
I’ve sure had a craving for vanilla lately; maybe I need to bake some cookies tomorrow!
Is your roof repair done? Can’t imagine doing that in 1C weather.
I think they are finally done. They finished our roof about 3 weejs ago but had to come back a couple times to put in the venting (for the dryer) for ourselves and our neighbors – (3 separate occasions). Ugh!
The eavestrough was just finished being installed last week at our building (we are in a townhouse). They were still installing at another building yesterday.
The problem seems to be that both trades bounce around from building to building and forget to come back to finish what they started. Several emails have been sent to the strata company to let them know about the deficiencies.
We live in a condo, so unfortunately I know how difficult it is to work with a strata. We had chronic plumbing problems for a year which required many visits by the plumber and lots of chasing.
Monday is a day off for me, but I’m working today and tomorrow. As promised, Madtowngirl sent me Sun today, I will try and scootch it east ?
Sotd is Original Juicy Couture, it reminds me of spring.
High five to my weekend working buddy! Smelling fab, as usual! ?
Right back at ya ?
Wearing some neglected things the past couple of days. This morning was The Afternoon of a Faun, which starts out with a strong sticky immortelle note and then becomes almost entirely a metallic rose on me. The reviews of this are all over the place and seem to describe completely different perfumes. Regardless, I like it a lot and will wear more often. It’s the only ELDO that has really hit the spot.
Then I took a shower and am now wearing Miller Harris Terre d’Iris for the evening. Another I forgot I really like.
In other news, I got the samples of Pont des Arts after Jessica’s (?) review and immediately fell for A Chaques Instant. It’s really mossy on me and so an instant love. I bought one of the small 30 ml bottles despite my attempt to be a little more frugal these days. A Ce Soir didn’t work for me, but the third, name lost now and by someone other than Duchafour, was very nice.
A Chaque Instant.
You smell beautiful Amy. It was my favorite too.
Looking forward to smelling these at some point. I know Indigo carries Pont des Arts and Papillon Perfumery, so when the new Papillon scent comes out, I will request those as my free samples.
Spent a nice afternoon with a friend for a meal and some catching up. SOTD is Grand Soir by MFK. It’s very good. Quite an astonishing amber.
Just read that the Swiss actor Bruno Ganz has died. I only ever saw him in Der Himmel über Berlin, where he was a marvellous and wistful angel. I’ll never forget that performance.
Grand Soir is my #1 perfume.
Yes, Bruno Ganz was fabulous in that movie, and in so many others. This is a sad loss.
I can see how that could be one’s #1 perfume. It’s excellent.
I’m sure most people remember Ganz for his role in Der Untergang (which I haven’t seen), but I only ever saw him in Wender’s film. Never realised he was Swiss, had thought that he was German.
It is a loss, on the other hand, I think he had a good run of life. Still, he will be missed.
Just read an obituary on him with these wonderful lines (from Variety): “As Damiel, one of two angels who wanders through a black-and-white designer dystopian Berlin overhearing the thoughts of mortals, sometimes ushering them into the great beyond, Ganz, in his long black coat, wore a look of the most complicated compassion I have ever seen.”
I haven’t seen his Hitler, but would like to; he’s also wonderful in Herzog’s Nosferatu.
That is beautiful and very, very true.
RIP ? Wings of Desire is one of my favorite films.
Thought he was also the Stasi officer in The Lives of Others’. But checked and was another actor. Ganz was a great actor, though.
I love Grand Soir! You smell gorgeous!
SotD = l’air du desert marocain
Heaven on earth for day 6 of my personal Tauer week.
It is a little sad 🙁 to be distracted from perfume love these past few months, but I do feel my fragrance mojo coming back. A big thank you to fragrance friends who have inquired after me recently via email and otherwise. I am grateful for you!
I have been preoccupied with many good things in life, including helping my son transition to adulthood while giving him support for his mental health challenges.
I wish everyone a restful weekend filled with lovely and smelly things. Waft on, NST friends! 😀 😀 😀
Hey Tiffanie, I will have to be doing the transition for my son in about a year. It’s been suggested to me that I might want to remain his guardian. He is higher functioning, so I’m not sure. Was just wondering if you had any thoughts on this?
Hi lilllyjo! Good question! for now I am still guardian, and it will be that way for a while.
Not from a parent’s perspective, but make sure your son has good health insurance. Parents can keep their children under the parents’ insurance for much longer now than when I graduated from college. I was working temp jobs after graduation, and ended up spending a good percentage of my earnings on doctor visits and medicine for fairly routine things.
Oh you smell so wonderful. I can totally understand putting perfume on the back burner while you take the time you need to support your son. Family is everything. I hope good days are ahead for both you and your son tiffanie.☺️
I’m happy to hear that your perfume mojo is returning!
thanks, Jalapeno! NST friends are a big part of my perfume love. 😉
I’ve been clearing weeds out of gardens around the house. “Gardens” may be a rather ambitious description for “patches of land where some flowers and herbs have survived.” Yesterday included clipping dead leaves off some irises. Generally irises will simply grow new leaves if they lose some. I have most likely mentioned that one of my irises is orris, but that I grow it for the flowers, and not to try to dry the rhizomes. 🙂
There are leaves from four different kinds of daffodils poking up through the earth. The snowdrops are blooming.
Today was mostly clearing out some overgrown patches of the back yard and cleaning up the area near the path to the house where apple mint grows.
I showered after that, and moisturized, so my scent this evening is baby lotion. (lol)
Maybe I’ll try a couple of the Ormonde Jayne perfumes I mentioned above tomorrow morning.
Yesterday evening was stress shopping at Surrender to Chance. I got some Fabulous Fragrance Friday 5 ml decants a little before the 11:59 p.m. deadline. I’ll see which of the scents I’d like. The ones I don’t can go to the next freebiemeet.
Have a good weekend, folks! I hope those of you who are sick or injured feel better soon!
Well done on the gardens and on your shopping at STC.
Thank you, Aurora. Clearing overgrown areas in the yard was good. Stress shopping, not so much. At least my perfume purchases lately have ranged from 1 to 5 ml, but with the amount of them I’ve been getting, I think even Donatella would frown.
I tried Ormande Jayne Woman from the discovery set I mentioned above. By the time I did that late last night, my nasal passages were too dry for me to get much, but I thought that what I could smell was pleasant. I’ll try it again when I’m somewhere more humid than the house.
The last full bottle of perfume I got was Baiser Vole, and I had tried a sample of that beforehand. (Thank you, jepster!) But I’m pretty happy trying the various samples I’ve gotten.
Happy Monday off to those of you who have it.
It’s Sunday morning and the sun is shining, we had a taste of spring this last week, very welcome.
In Molton Brown Ylang Ylang which resembles Aqua Allegoria Ylang Vanille.
Back at work jamming to the Singles soundtrack before I go in. Sotd is Bottega Veneta. I think of all the leathers I’ve smelled, this is the most Rock n Roll. I think this is what Joan Jetts guitar strap smells like. ?????
Singles! You’ve started a movie lemming ?
Ha! Awesome
Singles!! What a great soundtrack, I’m gonna have to go looking for that one today now. I loved that movie, especially Matt Dillon’s character. “Janet, you rock my world.”??
So glad you got some sun yesterday! We did too, now today back to snow.
Hope your workday is a good one!
I’m watching the snow fly here too. I don’t even know if I can care anymore, LOL! It’s so ridiculous.
I live in the same neighborhood as the Singles apartment building, and there has recently been an apartment for rent there. In the rental ads they leads with “Live in the Singles building” ?.
How cool is that!??
One day weekend for me, so I’m getting caught up on nst. #priorities
Talk to me about the new Chanel Paris colognes, y’all. The Chanel Exclusifs collection is the house that most often works for me (looove the edts of Cuir de Russie, 31 Rue Cambon, la Pausa, Sycomore) but have resisted trying these new colognes due to longevity.
Thoughts?
They are quite long-lasting. And very much worth a try.
Lucas was mentioning one up above, and liked it a lot.
I agree with austenfan, I find they have lots of longevity. I would not think of them as cologne without the marketing. Of course, I’m not working off a technical definition. They don’t smell like a specific Jo Malone, but they remind me of a lot of those scents in terms of radiance/tenacity.
This is fake, right y’all? The font and border look a bit off on the cover:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Les-Parfume-Chanel-Minaiture-Gift-Set-3in1-Paris-Deauville-Venise-Biarritz-90ML/254056681929?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dde2724b5f3b84f84b11d9b6b5111e7b7%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D254056681929%26itm%3D254056681929&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Af1d165fe-32cc-11e9-85e9-74dbd1806463%7Cparentrq%3Afc2ea68e1680ad4a94ddc73cffe9632d%7Ciid%3A1
I don’t know if I know how to spot a fake, but I usually go by a sellers rating. 96% is not good enough for me.
I agree that it looks a bit off. Also on the middle bottle.
The bottles look off to me–the thickness of the glass a the bottom in particular, and the fact that they are lopsided (The bottom slopes up more on one side than on the other). The price is ridiculous. The fact is that Chanel is the most frequently counterfeited perfume brand, and has been for decades.
Absolutely! $17 dollars for each 30ml bottle of Chanel in that fancy coffret presentation? It looks and sounds very suspicious me. My humble opinion is do not risk your money on it, unless you feel that it is so cheap that you will not be losing much if you give them a try.
Thanks to everyone above who confirmed my suspicions. I bought samples instead.
I happen to have a Chanel box nearby and the genuine CHANEL font is shorter and bolder than pictured. Imagine being able to fit each letter inside a square; the one pictured is more rectangular.
Also, no seller of real Chanel would deliberately have photos with the name of the perfume very fuzzy without showing them in close-up in another picture.
Plus the seller is in Thailand, which, to me, raises the probability of an item being counterfeit. I almost always avoid sellers based in Asia (other than Japan) and Russia.
Yeah, I was totally excited until I saw Thailand. That was my first concern.
They last about as long as a regular perfume. My favorite is Paris-Deauville (the herbal one), and I also like Paris-Biarritz (the musk one). The only one that didn’t work for me was Paris-Venise (the makeup one). Give them a try 🙂
I wanna thank everyone who maintains and participates in this lovely blog. The freebiemeets have been incredibly fun and I have been treated with stunning generosity! Of course this is whipped cream and cherries on the sundae of NST always keeping me informed of the latest releases and being a primary source of my education in the hobby and love of fragrance – thanks everyone!
Hear, hear! Amen to that!
Adding my thank you. 🙂
Back again and did end up splurging. STC is having a 15% certain line sale. Had to get a decant of Honour for my mother and another decant of Ubar before any final decisions are made about full bottle purchases. Wearing Epic today and then Lyric tomorrow.
I saw that and am contemplating either something from Amouage or Areej le Dore.
Went to see Cirque du Soleil ‘Volta’ last night. Amazing as always. Y’all, this contortionist girl was suspended BY HER HAIR.
I was amused that the overall story line about conformist vs ‘free spirit’ features the conformists marching in step, glued to their cell phones. Bwahahaha!
On the perfume front, I wore Hermes Agar Ebene but could not smell it because a young woman seated two rows in front of us had apparently dunked her whole self in a vat of vanilla perfume prior to the show. Somebody needs a perfume intervention. :/
Cirque shows are so enchanting! Quidam was the first show I saw, and still the best, IMHO.
My perfume mojo is taking a big hit due to my ongoing chronic pain (which I now believe is a rotator cuff injury rather than a frozen shoulder), but I am forcing myself to spritz something on once a day, in the hopes that it will distract or cheer me up. Today it’s Songe d’un Bois d’Été.
So sorry you’re dealing with pain. I have intermittent pain issues and have had similar perfume-mojo loss. I think it’s just not wanting any added external sensory stimulation. Sometimes scent can be soothing, but other times it feels like an added irritant. Sort of hit or miss for me…
I hope things improve for you! And Songe is a beauty.
I hope your pain situation improves and you can finally have the relief so much needed. No wonder your perfume mojo is greatly affected, but you smell terrific today! Hugs!
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Hugs back to you on your work situation.
Perhaps you should have it checked out? Good wishes for swift recovery, though!
I need to wait until I get home to Canada on April 6th to see my doctor. I only have major/catastrophic medical insurance coverage here in the US, and this is not bad enough to warrant using that coverage.
I’m really sorry you haven’t found any relief from the pain.
At least you smell good! Shoulder pain is such a nuisance. I’ve never had it myself, but have heard patients complain about it. Sleeping becomes difficult as well.
So sorry to hear about the ongoing pain. Hoping you find a good solution. physical therapy alleviated my back pain and has given me a lifelong tool for when it flares up— though I know everyone is different.
Yoga is helping a lot. As long as I keep moving I think it will eventually heal.
Moving makes such a huge difference! I basically run every day to avoid pain. It’s worth it!
Shoulder trouble is no picnic. It sounds like you have a good tool in yoga to help with the pain until you can see your doctor. Motion is lotion!
That is the worst pain ever with so little room for inflammation in that area.I totally feel your pain.Have you had your vitamin D level checked recently? Upping my D supplement helped decrease my shoulder pain a bit.
I’m taking 5,000 IU of D a day and have been doing so for years, so I assume my levels are okay. I’m trying some magnesium lotion and avoiding sleeping on that side. Will just have to soldier on I’m afraid.
I, too, can vouch for physical therapy. Good PTs have a range of therapeutic techniques and will tailor exercises and stretching that you can do on your own to resolve the problem and avoid recurrence. Hope you are better soon!
It’s been definitely one of those weeks. Yesterday I wore Dzongka and today I’m wearing Sideris. Thank goodness for perfume and its amazing ability to act as aromatherapy when necessary.
Big hugs to all, and thanks for all the beautiful energy you’ve been sending into the universe.
I hope next week is better for you, sistine! Take care.
I hope that this week has been off to a decent start for you sistine.
Hi there! I’ve been back for a week already and have been reading the comments, but often long after the fact. No participating in the CP, as I didn’t have any all natural perfume. I stuck to my no-buy resolution, despite trying lots of new perfumes while in Madrid and in transit. I actually surprised myself by not caving! Have had a week of live music (three very different concerts: experimental jazz, classic rock, and big band) and have made “going to more concerts” my new year’s resolution.
Welcome back!
Thank you! I wish I had tried and tested advice on your question about guardianship for your son. I don’t, but I’ve learned that it is often best to get structures in place as issues come up, rather than to try to rectify things after the fact.
If your son can have an independent income, it may be wise to at least have him need you as a co-signee on any financial obligations such as huge purchases or rental obligations. It would hopefully protect him, at least in a small way, against unscrupulous people.
Thanks for this advice. Him being taken advantage of is a huge concern. He is so sweet and he just can’t fathom that some people are just not decent.
I just love to go to big band concerts!
Me too! It lifts my spirits.
That’s a great resolution!
I’ll join you in that new year’s resolution! I have two concerts slated for this year so far: one soul and one folk-rock.
It’s a slow lazy Sunday and I am utterly doused in Amouage Opus VIII. For me, this is a perfume to die for, though I can readily understand someone disliking or even hating it. It’s very distinctive with all the white florals and woods. I feel on the brink of biting someone, because it’s just kind of a thriller to wear it. Fortunately for my potential victims, I’m staying home!
Slow lazy Sundays are the best, and we’re having wonderful weather to boot. ?
Sampling Parfums de Marly Delina today, courtesy of the fabulous Hajusuuri. This is a beautiful, elegant rose. ?
Delina is huge on YouTube right now. I’ve been wondering if it’s as good as they say. Is it mainly rose centered?
Very much rose centered…it’s a realistic rose with not a lot of citrus, spice or anything else to distract from the rose.
There are 2 versions: the original EDP (2017) and the Exclusif (2018). The original on me is a tarty rose inflected with vanilla whereas the Exclusif is caramel sweet rose vanilla. I have a FB of the original. I think nancyleandros got the manufacturer’s sample of the original although I could be wrong.
FYI: Pure Musc, new Narciso Rodrigues flanker: https://www.auparfum.com/pure-musc-l-obscure-clarte-de-narciso-rodriguez-4257
*Rodriguez
I suppose that here, on a lazy weekend thread, is a reasonable enough place to post about my “Eureka!” moment. It may be something that was discussed here years ago. I’d had the English-language 2008 Perfume Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez for about a year and a half, and was looking through it yesterday. I worked as a library assistant for some years and now have worked for over ten years as a copy editor.
I’d noticed that as in looking up a library book and skipping over “A,” “An” and “The” at the beginning of a book title, in the Perfume Guide, the perfumes with French names were alphabetized skipping over “La,” “L'” and “Le” at the beginning of a name. I was struggling to figure out the alphabetizations of perfume names starting with “Jardin” and “Jardins” and then names starting with “Jasmin” or “Jasmine.” I finally figured out that the English translation of the book is alphabetized in French. I took French for some years in high school and college back when, and can still sort of read it. However, I clearly don’t know how to alphabetize in it.
I’m sure some of you figured this out many years ago. For anyone who was wondering, like me, there is an answer.
Scent of the day, tried in the evening, a little spritz of Histoires des Parfums 1804. My room is just too dry for me to smell it. I’ll try again in a more humid area, with a couple of spritzes.
Thanks for this insight! I knew they skipped the articles, but not the reason why. This makes sense, as it appears from the anecdotes that LT probably spent some time in French schools or instruction.
Yes, it looks like LT spent time in French and British schools, if I am remembering anecdotes correctly. He comments on perfume companies that are not of French origin and try to use French phrasing for perfume names, but do it wrong. He does the same for companies that use Latin incorrectly. Apparently, as far as he’s concerned, when a company uses French, Italian or Latin names for their fragrances, they’d better have the content of a phrase make sense and be grammatically correct. 🙂
I have today off so I am sitting in coffee shop with my husband enjoying my coffee and watching the snow swirl. SOTD is Chergui.
That sounds like a great way to spend a day off!
Chergui in a coffee shop! Sounds like two of the best smells ever colliding into awesome deliciousness! ✌?
sounds so nice!
Sounds like you enjoyed your day off! ?
❤️ and will likely be SOTD tomorrow!
I do get today off, but dreamed that I went in to work anyway and announced to the entire office that if they needed something from me today they needed to come and talk to me in the next 10 min!
Anyway, wearing Queen —maybe inspired by watching The Crown last night, but also in keeping with a governance theme today 😀 And I am NOT going in to work!
You smell fabulous, and I hope your day off is grand, as it should be for the Queen!
Thanks! I’m loving it.
SOTD is Maria Candida Gentile Hanbury. Staying cozy at the office in a soft denim shirt with a big fuzzy sweater-robe over the top.
Urgh monday. Urgh, work.
But sotd is Œillet Bengale, so not all is bad 🙂
(From a decant from a generous NSTer)
I have the day off today. Quiet morning, drinking some coffee now and waiting to take my dog to the vet this afternoon. Nothing else planned for today.
Wearing 301 by Bon Parfumeur. Sample finished. Nice scent, but it is very heavy on the sandalwood, which has triggered already a headache. It is unbelievable how I can wear straight sandalwood essential oil without any problems, but as soon as it comes to perfumes I can’t tolerate it if the note is very pronounced. I will wait until 301 dissapears and then I will apply some carrot seed essential oil. I have been getting addicted to it lately.
Have a great Monday NST!
Glad you have the day off today and hope that your headache subsides quickly.
I recently discovered carrot seed oil as well, it’s so good. It’s great straight up or mixed in with unscented lotion.
Isn’t carrot seed essential oil great? The right option when I need to enjoy only the carroty smell that some iris perfumes have. I just love it!
Gail, an iris recommendation for you to try: Boucheron Iris de Syracuse. I sampled it yesterday and it is gorgeous! Buttery, carroty iris. I love it!
Thank you! Added to my list.
Haven’t heard of carrot seed oil. Do you wear it because it smells good or does it have some other benefit?
I have not read yet about the benefits of carrot seed essential oil. I wear it because I love the carroty note in iris perfumes. So this is the best way to enjoy the smell without the interference of other notes. I am thinking about blending orris butter with carrot seed essential oil. It should come out really nice!
Enjoy your day off! ✌?
Thank you Deva! Enjoy yours also! ✌
Judging by how my mother reacts to perfumes I try on in department stores, she is allergic to artificial sandalwood. Back in the 1960s, when she probably wore perfumes and certainly was less sensitive about fragrances, the perfumes at the time likely wouldn’t have had certain kinds of artificial substitutes. Although Mom says she was never a fan of Shalimar.
Mom inherited all of her mother’s possessions a few years ago. Nana had a boxed bottle of Bellodgia EdT, likely several years old at that time, and a little bottle of Bellodgia extrait. I can’t get the top off of the extrait. I don’t especially get carnations specifically from the EdT — flowers in general, yes, and spiciness. But I’ll have to see what I can pick out when I’m in a good atmosphere for being able to properly sense the fragrance.
Noting that back in the 1960s, Mom sold Avon products door to door, and the scents of Avon products didn’t bother her then. Also she had Yardley of London violet EdT, and honeysuckle fragrances and such. She’d had a lanolin allergy for a long time. I suppose it was in the 1980s that she started getting allergic reactions to other ingredients in lotions, and started becoming more sensitive to fragrances.
My poor allergic and fragrance-sensitive parents — they can’t tolerate too much of this hobby of mine. Then again, before I started taking allergy medicine daily, some fall fragrance scent in craft stores and grocery stores gave me terrible coughing fits. I think it may have been “cinnamon-scented” pine cones. I also had a coughing fit in a grocery store in a reaction to what I said smelled like incense and Mom said was a perfume. It smelled like my brother’s favorite kind of incense, Nag Champa. I’m sad that I’m developing allergies to some sort of spice and some kind of incense scent.
I agree with you that synthetic notes might cause different types of allergic reactions. Many years back when perfume ingredients were more natural we didn’t suffer from it. I remember that my first real encounter with a sandalwood perfume, Samara was terrifying. 15 minutes after the opening, which was glorious, the soapy, creamy smell of sandalwood was unbearable and I got a headache that lasted the whole day. Samsara is a beauty that I wish I was able to wear and enjoy, but after so many tries it was clear that I could not tolerate it and I quit on it, giving my bottle away. However, I should clarify that as long as sandalwood is in the background, I can wear any perfume with it. When it is the center note it becomes a “no” for me. It basically ruins my day. I love sandalwood essential oil though and I am glad to know that I do not have an aversion to the real stuff.
I also have a difficult time wearing lavender because most of the time it reads very masculine to me. But again it all depends on the notes it is blended wit. I love lavander lavander essential oil, which is so relaxing.
I have never tried Bellodgia, but according to reviews is amazing. Maybe you will be able to get the real carnation note if someday you are able to take the top off the extrait bottle, which is supposed to have the carnation note more pronounced.
I think that the more synthetics we face in perfumery, the more bad reactions we are going to keep getting. Probably, natural perfumes or essential oil will be the best alternatives to still keep smelling good!
It is interesting how different people may have different allergies and sensitivities. So you’re all right as long as sandalwood isn’t the central note in a perfume, but if it is, you get that headache? I’m glad you’re okay with the sandalwood oil.
From what I understand, the European Union regulations cover a number of aspects of why some fragrance materials are restricted. Certainly I understand the wish to protect endangered animals and plants. And apparently those “nitro musks” could have bad side effects. They’ve cut down (or cut completely out) the amount permissible for certain other chemicals used in perfumes for the first half or two-thirds of the 20th century. But they’ve also cut down on the concentrations of citrus and jasmine that can be used in perfumes. So they have a variety of reasons for restrictions. It looks like the majority are out of concern for human health. Presumably they’ll adjust when new chemicals prove to be allergens for enough people.
Folks who have a better understanding of EU regulations on perfume, please correct me where I’m wrong. 🙂
Glad to hear that you had today off after that absolutely horrible week you had at work last week. I’m so sorry to hear that things have gone from bad to worse. Hope your headache is gone by now!
Thank you Jalapeno! It was a relaxing day. Headache is gone fortunately! Not ready to face another insane week at work, but at least, it will be a short one. Looking forward already to the weekend!
You need to keep thinking that tomorrow is Monday so that Friday will come quicker than you anticipate!
Ha! Never thought about it. Good point!
David and Kavi, the founders of DS&Durga, were at Arielle Shoshana yesterday, so I’m sampling fragrances from their line today. I don’t do candles much, but I would have bought two or three of theirs if I did. Instead, I ordered their latest perfume, an attar named DS.
We learned they will soon be launching a line of shampoos, lotions, etc, made with high-quality ingredients such as argan oil.
They have previously licensed their fragrances to hotels, and so many people have contacted them saying it was “the best shampoo ever,” because of the scent. But the shampoo itself was basic hotel shampoo, and they knew they could improve on that.
BTW, they already have scented cardboard thingies for cars! ?
No school today, so I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to wear perfumes that are on my “no” list for teaching. One of the most neglected is Alien. Interestingly, I feel like this isn’t as potent as I remember – it’s probably 5 years old? Is that even possible with a Mugler? Maybe I’m just a little congested….
Hmmmmm. I have a bottle of Alien that’s a few years old at this point. Maybe I should give it a sniff sometime soon.
Working but certainly not happy about it. In Sa Majeste la Rose though, so at least I’m smelling good.
Kelly, I know you were interested in my Bohemian Spice decant last week. I still need your address so I can send it to you. Send me an email at my NST username at gmail!
Done! I’m so sorry I forgot! I was just reading more about it and it sounds sooo good.
In the left over scent of SB Gypsy until I get to the shower. Then, I’m leaning toward SB Smoked Ambergris.
Lazy Monday with no plans. Would prefer to be out in the woods, but I have an appointment for my passport tomorrow afternoon, so no point leaving, returning, and leaving again.
I did have some awesome pancakes this morning. Just tried Kodiak Cakes Cinnamon Oat high protein mix. Very van friendly because you just add water, although you can up the protein by using milk and adding an egg. Then I threw in a crap ton of blueberries, fired up my cast iron skillet, and they were AMAZING! (Of course, I now have a blueberry stain on my shirt?). Highly recommend for pancake lovers that are trying to be a bit “healthier.”
Enjoy the holiday if you were lucky enough to have the day off. If you’re working, I’m sorry. ?
Love those Kodiak Cakes. DH is a vegetarian and makes those for the family on weekends. I love the plain and the chocolate chip. So high in protein!
I saw the CC but was too afraid I’d love them! I’d spend the rest of my life trying to break my chocolate chip pancake addiction. ..?
I’ve been wanting to try those Kodiak Cakes! Appreciate the mini-review!
You’re welcome!
Sounds great for camping, too which we plan to do more of this summer. Thanks.
Excellent for camping!
Good luck with the passport appointment! ??
Thanks! Anything to do with the government is usually a cluster, so I’ll take all the luck I can! ✌?
Is this a Trader Joe’s item? Also, you just made me feel guilty because earlier today, I was salivating over a picture of skillet chocolate pizza…
No, I found it at wal-mart but I’ve seen it in other grocery stores, too. I’ve kind of fallen off the trader joe wagon lately. ..
It’s wise to keep those salivary glands in good working order ?
?
LOL! Hopefully, Wegmans has it. If not, will stop by Walmart the next time I am near one.
Working today, but not as focused as normal. Wearing a spritz from my most hoarded bottle: my 1990s Chanel Cuir de Russie, passed down from my aunt. This is the bottle that really started my obsession with perfume. It smells amazing, y’all.
I have to say though– the Exclusif version of this is also very, very good.
I love that your aunt passed down that bottle to you!
Wow, that older bottle of Cuir de Russie must be fantastic smelling!
In Fum Ariose again. I think a bottle of this will be joining my collection soon.
I don’t have any frags with salt or lime so I will do another week of naturals.
A number of people had mentioned Fum but I ordered my sample set after your post up above. You get an enabler pin!
I meant your post from Saturday way way up above…
There’s been a lot of love for Ariose on NST lately.
Ariose is absolutely beautiful! My sample is already gone, but Fūm is a house worth trying for sure!
Starting early on the CP with Calvin Klein Reveal, just a friendly and salty little number. I dare say, Salty Little Number would probably be a better name for this fragrance……
“Salty Little Number” sounds more interesting as a perfume name than Reveal does to me.
Sitting in the recliner waiting for my body to assume its normal shape after my second Pilates class. I’m wearing Angel Muse. There are no cookies in the house and I am feeling their absence. I might have to make some later.
You smell great.
Yay you for getting to that Pilates class!
No sun here today, but lots of wind. Hang on to your hats and small dogs! Gotta love weather forecasters with a sense of humor. ?
Scent for the past 3 days has been Silences, from the sample stash and a generous NSTer. Thank you! I got the idea from a couple of people who had posted about it last week.
Gosh, that wind is brutal sometimes! Hoping you get some sun tomorrow?
“Brutal” is a good word to describe it today! That wind pretty much ignored the polar fleece that I was wearing. Brrrrrrrrrrr!
Silences is so good!
I am wearing MH Fleurs de Sel today. I seem to wear this one in warmer weather, but it’s nice in winter, too.
Thanks for both the perfume compliment, and the reminder about Fleurs de Sel. That could be an option for Friday…
Does anyone know if Antonia’s Flowers Tiempe Passate is still available? I just tried to order a bottle from the website, and received an “out of stock” prompt. I’ve emailed the company to check. Thanks!