It's the weekend, and we're taking a well deserved rest with our usual open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the perfume you can't wear to work so save for the weekends, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Sakurahanami [cropped] by Nick Kenrick at flickr; some rights reserved.
“‘orrible.”
Not!
I was just thinking of you!
I love it when my esp abilities actually work ?
Hi Bear!!!!
Hi Bear!
Hi Bear! ?
Spending my time this evening not doing much at all with Mary Greenwell’s Lemon.
Not doing much at all is the best way to spend a Saturday!
When I tried it MG Lemon reminded me of Liz Earle No 1 so you smell very good in my book.
In the super fleeting Serge Lutens A la Nuit. I love it and will keep reapplying for the rest of the day.
Today is my nephew’s birthday and it would have been my dad’s also. Beautiful memories of all of us celebrating together. We will meet tonight for bowling and then dinner. In the meantime running errands and doing some regular shopping.
The week was very crazy taking care of family matters, mostly. Looking forward to a nice weekend, no matter how busy it will be.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
I get about 4 hours out of that one, but it’s a luscious 4 hours! You smell great, in any case! Hope there’s lots of fun with the fam!
Thank you! ?. I wish A la Nuit lasted that long on me. Sadly, I don’t get more than 1 hour. Still, I love it and enjoy it big time!
Happy Birthday to your nephew and beloved father. We celebrated my nieces birthday awhile back with bowling, it was super fun. Enjoy the weekend!
Thank you Lillyjo! Looking forward to a fun and entertaining evening!
Happy birthday to your nephew and memories ofyour father. Enjoy the festivities!
Thank you Cazaubon! ?
Happy Birthday to your nephew! Hope you have a lovely day and evening. enjoy that bowling!
Thank you! ?
I hope you have a great time with tour family!
Looking forward to it. It should be fun!
Happy Birthday to your nephew! Have a great time tonight!
Thank you!
Have a great time! Good celebration choices…bowling!
Thank you!
Enjoy your weekend!! Happy Birthday to your nephew!
Thank you KellyC. He is happy to hear about all your birthday wishes! ?
A la Nuit is beautiful! Happy Birthday to your nephew! ??? May the memories of your father today be pleasant ones.
Thank you Jalapeno! We had a very nice, fun time!
So glad for your for the quality family time.
Thank you Aurora! ?
Mitsouko today. Hoping dusty , spiced peaches will give me strength as we walk through half a dozen more homes.
Good luck this week!
Thanks! It’s spring break for me; it would be lovely to figure out the next place while I have some time off. Here’s hoping! ?
Twins! My scent choice as we went to our local diner for late breakfast / lunch. It went well with my Reuben sandwich.
We smell good.
I can see (smell?) that–reuben and mitsouko sounds like a good pair!
You can do it!
Good luck!
Good luck with the house hunting! ?
Le sigh. Another offer bested. Some day, our money will be enough.
Hang in there. The right one is just around the corner
OMG! Sing it with me. . . “Rollercoaster, ooh, ooh, oooooh!” ??
Just spent an hour on the phone with our realtor, and suddenly our offer has been accepted! They got in a tiff with the first buyer (already?!) and decided they’d rather work with us! Maybe we have a house?! Yay, I think?! (Feeling a bit ambiguous about it, since there’s still plenty of steps before it’s ours, but I WANT to be optimistic! ?)
Earworm! And wow – congratulations! I hope everything moves forward smoothly, and you have great reason for optimism!
Yeah, sorry (not sorry) for the earworm. ?
And thank you!
(Finally, *ambivalent* not “ambiguous.” Good thing I’m a science teacher not language arts!)
YAY, good for you Marjorie Rose! Hope it works out.
Quite a marathon of houses to visit. Wishing you luck.
A Saturday off, and with sun?
Drove out to the big Sephora because the roads are dry. Tested Atelier new lime fragrance. I didn’t get any lime, and it’s already disappeared. I also re tested EdM Bleue. I really like this one. They had a couple of Phlurs and 7 virtues, none of them were for me.
Wishing everyone a great weekend!
Enjoy your sunny Saturday off! ???. It is sunny here also, but cold and windy. Who cares! Spring is in the air! ??☘????
Hi Lillyjo!
Thank you for describing your experience. I also was interested in sampling Lime fragrance from Atelier Cologne, but to date I have yet to find AC that is FB worthy:)
I am driving to the mall tonight to pick couple cotton hats for my baby and planning to stop at Sephora. Needed some ideas on what to test
I smelled Hermes EdM Bleue at Nordies last year- found it nice and resisted a temptation to buy a cute 1 oz. bottle on the spot
The 1oz bottle is super-cute, just sayin’. I don’t think they’re available anymore except if you’re willing to pay a premium.
I think it’s just the 1.6 oz or more now. That’s all they had anyway.
See comment below!
Haha! Nice try! Still won’t buy it since I don’t luuuuurve it
1 oz size is still available on Sephora’s web site. Just saying!
Ha! Will have to see if I have any money during the next VIB sale, lol
Your day sounds great!
It really was!
Hurray for a Saturday off with sun! ??? It sounds like your trip to Sephora was one with the theme “Money saved!” ?
Absolutely money saved. I did splurge on a lipgloss for my daughter though. She loves lipgloss like I love perfume!
So happy for your Saturday off Lillijo, seems like you made the most of it. I recall liking EdMB.
Didn’t sleep very well last night, but hoping for a great day. Enjoyng my first wearing of Sarrasins from my new bottle. Heavenly jasmine!
Have a great day all.
Mmm you smell amazing! Hope your scent wakes you up.
It didn’t but I still love it. Got to sleep in until 10am today though.
Ouch, hate it when I don’t sleep well, I hope you were able to take a nap today! Sarrasins is gorgeous. Enjoy your new bottle!
Sarrasins really is lovely. I had a hard time choosing a bell jar but I realized I didn’t have a single jasmine soliflore in my collection.
Just finished a delicious egg, tomato and broccoli rabe breakfast and now relaxing with coffee and my best friend, my husband
Lots to do later today to prepare for a week in TX for work and leaving tomorrow. On the fence about getting my hair done this close to leaving — part of me wants a fresh cut and highlights, and part of me worries about the possible challenges of a new cut while traveling. What’s a girl to do?!
SOTD: Drole de Rose; this one has really grown on me as it’s just easy.
Your breakfast sounds delicious and healthy! I’m about to dive into a bowl of honey yogurt, maple chia seed granola, diced honey crisp, dried apricots, and almonds.
Oh, yum! Dried apricots are the best, especially CA dried apricots. I’d have this for afternoon snack.
therabbitsflower – have you tried Greek yogurt with dates sauteed in olive oil & sprinkled with sea salt? It’s really good (it sounds awful though). Recipe below.
https://food52.com/recipes/33892-renee-erickson-s-sauteed-dates
Thanks, I’ve bookmarked the recipe! Renee Erickson is a Seattle chef, and I’ve eaten at one of her restaurants here. Reading the little recipe makes me want to go eat her food. ?
OMG that sounds good.
I have the same hair dilemma. I think I might just do nothing.
Which is what I did for a while now…hence very long hair! But I did finally get rid of all the white
I went for it! Sitting under the dryer with about 25 foils, fingers crossed. Cut is next.
She looked at when I was here last and it was August! Glad I’ve got very healthy hair and I take after my mom on this.
That’s about when my last haircut was. Hope everything turns out great!
It did! I’m so happy with cut/highlights and it was crazy cheap for NYC standards. Yay!
What a wonderful morning! And your breakfast sound delicious!
I honestly hate packing for trips and it is always a bit stressful. Maybe you can set up an appointment to do your hair upon return, this way you can feel relaxed and enjoy your time at hairdresser.
Good luck with your trip!
Thanks!
Looking forward to the warmer temps.
Your morning sounds great!
I don’t know where in Texas you’re working, but if you come to Houston, I can give you a few recommendations.
We’ve had +20*C outside at the warmest moment of the day which must have been the warmest day of 2019 so far.
Since it was so warm and I was going out to do some shopping etc I decided that I needed something light and uplifting. And then a bottle of Rhubarb & Citrus Cologne by 4160 Tuesdays smiled to me and became my SOTD.
I definitely felt the shopping bug this week! You smell great.
No perfume today. My sniffer is not up to par as I am fighting off what is at least the third respiratory infection within the past seven weeks. I just can’t seem to get well, although I am feeling a little better today than yesterday after 13 hours of sleep. This has been a seemingly endless cycle of getting sick, starting to get better, then getting sick again. I am hesitant to go to a clinic or doctor’s office, as I probably picked up the second infection in a hospital. I have not been anywhere the past several days except work and one trip to the grocery store, so I probably picked up this one at work. We have had a lot of people out sick. I have a whole list of things to do, but I probably won’t do very many of them today.
Rest up, the chores can wait.
I’m not a doctor person but finally went after being sick for a while (and really fatigued) in the fall. Turned out I had pneumonia and was very low in B12 according to bloodwork. After some meds and vitamins daily, I was better in 4 days. Just saying: if you stay sick that long, consider going. Life is too short to stay sick!
I hope you feel better soon. Please take it easy this weekend!
I second Gvillecreative; see a doctor if you can. I have had a couple of friends with pneumonia (they are all fine now) who didn’t seem like the type who would get it (and consequently didn’t got to the doctor for a while either).
Hope you’ll feel better!
Sorry about that unlucky run of sickness 50 Roses. Still, having some tests done might be a good idea?
You poor thing! That is a long time to be sick.
The series of home disasters this winter continues. So far we have had to replace the roof, the water heater, repair the car after an accident and now the fridge is dying. And we are scheduled to return to Montreal a week from Monday. Having a new fridge delivered Thursday, fervently hoping it shows up in perfect condition and we can leave in peace.
Of course the first thing I have to do on the other end is replace the water heater (scheduled maintenance per condo regulations) and shop for new livingroom furniture because stupid me, I got rid of the old furniture before we left, planning on redecorating – but that was before we had a $15,000 roof repair, a $2,500 plumbing emergency, a $1,900 vet bill, and a $1,500 fridge replacement. We may be sitting on folding chairs for the next six months.
Wearing Montale Vanilla Cake and trying to remain calm.
We’ve also had some emergencies this winter, then a ridiculously high tax bill. We are postponing some house work til at least summer, sigh.
You must smell delicious, i hope calm prevails!
Oh yes, I forgot to mention we had an $8,000 surprise tax bill last April as well, plus lots of vet bills from our two dogs’ final days. And the unexpected purchase of a new dog. Last year was a doozy as well.
Holy cow!!!
Yikes. I have no helpful advice, just commiserations. I hope the fridge arrives on time and is absolutely perfect!
Oh I’m so sorry to hear this. We had a year (literally January to December) of breakdowns, burst pipes and trees uprooting boundary walls last year. Just know: This too shall pass.
I just had to get a new refrigerator too. Alot of them were crazy expensive, even for basic models. My air conditioning died last summer, I was going to get it fixed until the fridge thing happened. Maybe you will be able to find some good furniture deals.
Yes, fridges are crazy expensive! I was shocked. $1,500 was one of the cheapest ones. Many were close to $3,000!
I managed to get a basic version for a thousand, but I think it’s because I needed a narrower width than what is considered standard now.
I saw one for 5 thousand dollars that came with a computer screen on the door!
This sucks. I hope everything you bought or repaired will serve for a very long time.
Ugh. So hard to spend on stuff like this & so much at once.
As someone who rents at least you can say it’s all yours!
I hope the year gets easier (and less expensive!) for you going forward.
Oh my goodness! All I can say is I can sympathize with you! That is certainly alot to deal with and try to stay sane.
We had to get a new fridge when we were in Florida this past December. There were delays, broken promises finally fulfilled and then had to get the door swing switched over so it wouldn’t get scratched, so another several calls. Very stressful dealing with all that by the time we were leaving to come home. Don’t get me started on the roof, lol.
Hope that everything is all worked out by the time you leave.
Bletch on all the things breaking! That’s incredibly stressful. I hope that your new fridge arrives on time, and you have some quiet times ahead after your return to Canada.
Ouch, what a dreadful year! I hope Mr. Tax Man is nicer this year.
Poor you. I hope it all goes smoothly.
Gosh: Such bad luck with all these bills. Now hoping that the redecorating will go smoothly at least.
Wow, I thought we had a bad appliance year but you beat me! Fingers crossed for your new fridge.
It’s been so sunny these last few days. The high will be above 50’F for the first time in eons today, yay!
The swap meet helped me unearth some bottles I didn’t remember having. Wearing TDC Tokyo Bloom & will switch to TF Vert de Fleur later on
Warmer here too, and sunny, but so much colder than usual for this time of year!
@Deva, will proceed to use the phrase “cute little burlap sleeping bag” forthwith!
Sarah Horowitz Parfums Brigitte…one more day of it tomorrow as the girls leave in the morning
Would you believe my bottle is already half way done?
The eldest took my youngest to the mall. He enjoys her company and they went to his favorite sushi restaurant.
I took my middle one out for brunch.
I am on NST instead of working on my taxes-LOL!
Monday I start with Casablanca for orange blossom week…hope Koyel is holding her nose
HA, and likewise, I am on NST instead of working on my taxes! I am very late this year.
I’m in vintage Le Dix this morning – so good!
Enjoy Le Dix, such a nostalgic perfume.
I’m wearing Dzongkha while sitting in the sun drinking a gin and tonic. Pretty great afternoon so far!
Have a great weekend. I hope all you swappers find your desired targets.
Sun and a gun and tonic sounds so great!
You can come over – there’s still lots of gin and sunshine!
Caron Parfum Sacre
Brunch
Central Park
Nice!
And tomorrow looks gorgeous!
60&sunny.
Oh, you smell so plush, hoping you had a nice brunch.
Commando, as I took the kids and their cousins camping for three days. Have a lovely weekend, NST.
I can report a little on my take on the ELDO’s I’ve tried.
At least the line doesn’t smother everything in ambroxan – so I can wear most. No scrubbers yet.
The only one I really didn’t like was Jasmine and Cigarettes – I though the Jasmine was really thin, and honestly: no tabac, cigarette or ash in it for me. I washed it off and dabbed from my sample of Absolue d’Osmanthe from Perris Monte Carlo, which smelled like a million bucks in comparison to the ELDO. Did an NST search here and Kevin also liked the Ad’O.
Have a great time camping. Is the weather cooperating for you?
Enjoy camping!
What fun.
I am starting neroli/orange blossom week early in Mugler Cologne.
As I was riding a bus today, a woman got on carrying a large bunch of roses (one of those with small flowers). They were so fragrant! It’s a pity she only stayed on the bus for about five minutes. I have not yet found a realistic rose perfume I truly enjoy – either it’s not realistic enough, or I just get bored by it. Maybe nothing beats the real thing. Sa Majeste la Rose is close to my ideal and I love it, but there is still something perfumey in it. Do you have favorite realistic rose perfumes?
Today I went to a store and tried the other three Tom Ford scents from Vert series: Vert Boheme, Vert de Fleur and Vert de Bois. (I already have a sample of Vert Encens.) On a paper strip only, no skin test yet. So far, Encens remains my favorite, but I also enjoyed Vert de Bois. It smells dark, woody and green. I did not like Vert Boheme and Vert de Fleur in the store, but now I find I like how the paper strip with VB smells (dark green and something light floral – possibly magnolia). So maybe I will test Vert Boheme and Vert de Bois on skin next time.
Have you tried Annick Goutal Rose Absolue? It smelled like a real bouquet of roses to me.
I tried Rose Splendide but not Rose Absolue. Thank you, cazaubon. If I find a sample, I will try it.
Keiko Mecheri Mogador smells of a realistic rose to my nose.
Another one I have not tried. Thank you.
For a pretty rose scent, I also like Red Roses by Jo Malone. I agree with cazaubon, Annick Goutal Rose Absolue is stunning.
I’d also suggest Sonoma Scent Studio’s Velvet Rose but it’s no longer in production. It was simply glorious though.
I’ve been curious about about Red Roses for a long time, but something I read in the reviews put me off… I should try it then.
I would give it a try, the ingredients list has mint in it but that reads as refreshing and green to my nose, not harsh or astringent.
Seconding Cazaubon, and adding Tom Ford Cafe Rose (very realistic rose to my nose in the opening but it dries down to a very rich oriental rose).
Interesting – the notes look very oriental. Should try this one too.
Wearing one of my recent spring faves today, Parfums de Nicolai Fig Tea.
I was this closre to ordering the Bruno Acampora spring collection sampler on sale for 89 euros until checkout with 33 euro shipping. Urgh, no thanks. That was just too rich considering I really only wanted to try Sballo.
Yum, Fig Tea!
Shiseido Féminité du Bois today! I love this one so much. ❤️❤️ Enjoy your weekend fragrant friends!
Hope yours was good Laura!
Thank you!
22 > 5
?
Math + perfume = ❤️
Agreed
I just got this, lol! I hate math
Agreed though ?
Back from NYC and truly exhausted! That city will wear you out! It was so amazing though and I can’t wait to go back. I honestly didn’t get much sniffing time in. We were so busy the whole time and I had so many people with me so it was hard to break away. Even the evening I was supposed to meet up with Elisa P didn’t work out. ? I did manage to get some Dior Homme “for my husband” though haha! I’ve worn it for two days straight. When I go back sometime with just my hubby I’ll definitely get sniffing time in. I’ve already made a list of places to go haha!
I did manage to eat A LOT of food while there and see so many great things. Took in two sports event and a Fleeteood Mac concert also!
I was so out of the loop on NST last week but I took Angel Muse, Vanilla Insensée, and Orris and Sandalwood. Took those because they’re easy ones for me and my sis and son’s girlfriend like those so we al shared.
Yes, it does wear one out!
Next time give us a heads up so we can get a group together and going sniffing.
Glad it was a great visit!
I definitely will! It was just hard this time because I had my sis and the kids with me! My son’s gf would have tagged along but I felt bad leaving the other two. I was going to meet Elisa one day but we got a late start that morning and I couldn’t make it work. But I’m already planning another trip back! I loved it there.
I love Dior Homme! My hubby and I both wear it!
It’s so good!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun.
I enjoyed your IG posts! And Dior Homme is fabulous!
I wanted to smell like “perfume sprayed on a horse”* so I’m wearing Paco Rabanne La Nuit today. There’s a wonderful civet note in this.
*Review in Perfumes-The Guide
I just checked–not the Guide, but Luca Turin’s blog, Perfume Notes. Plus, he called it “Tabu sprayed on a horse.” In any case it smells wonderful.
Going to get more coffee now.
When he came through town, I asked him how he came up with his descriptions for fragrances, was a challenge at all? His response was surprisingly blasé, like he just thinks how he would describe them and moves on from there. . . I guess I wanted a better story from a guy who can describe a fragrance as Tabu sprayed on a horse!
His answer mirrored how he came up with the short descriptions ?
Gym
pack for new project
mani pedi
SOTD is Wazambaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
go GATORS!
I love Wazamba, you smell great!
thank you cazaubon!
gators didn’t get far….
Amarige Mimosa (2007 limited edition) to continue my mimosa week.
My hair stylist has recently retired, and I’ve been going to another one in the same salon. I was fine with her coloring work, but today I had my first… not even haircut – trim with her – and I’m not happy.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Oh…sorry to hear this! I have been there and boy does it make a difference to get a great cut and/or color.
My old stylist had spoiled me! I forgot already how bad a bad haircut can be
So frustrating when the hair doesn’t turn out like you want!
I’m upset not even because it didn’t turn out the way I was used to and expected but mostly because I think she did bad job – and now I’ll have to figure out what to do next.
I have been frustrated and unhappy with my haircuts for the past three years, so I sympathize. Can’t find a hairdresser who can reliably give me the cut I want – it looks nice once, then the next time I go back it looks crap. I don’t get it.
I’ve followed my hair stylist through three shops for this very reason. I hope she lives and works until she’s 100 . . .
I would have followed mine too if I could
But at 67 she decided she didn’t want to work any longer.
I am doing the very same thing Marjorie Rose!
I’m thinking about finding another stylist to do a haircut elsewhere but maybe keep going to the same place for the color touch-ups.
Oh no! I had a similar experience when my hair gal moved away. Before she left, I asked her if there was anyone at the salon she could recommend as my hair is thick and unruly if it’s not cut properly. Luckily my new person totally gets my hair as she has the same type and knows how misbehaving it can be.
It can take awhile to find someone GOOD! Are you comfortable leaving there or maybe asking someone who does have a great cut where they go?
I will be looking for somebody else. Unfortunately, I really like the color they use, my previous stylist did the formula that fits my hair, and the new gal is using it. I’m afraid that another place might not work with the same color, the stylist might choose a wrong shade, and who knows what else might go wrong
Sorry about the lousy cut. If you have curly or wavy hair, I have a recommendation for a great stylist who is great with textured hair. She does a great job with my type 3A curls. I don’t know about coloring because I’ve done my own for 25 years (I’m 75% gray and like how I do it best).
Let me know if you want her info. You can reach me at ldetrich at yodelling dot com.
Oy! Can combing your hair differently / parting it on the other side make a difference?
Sprayed on Heure Exquise edt then put on some make-up to go shopping. Promptly forgot I already put something on, so I sprayed on Commodity Orris before heading out the door. At least they both play nicely together!
I love Heure Exquise! I bet that combo is great!
Iris and iris – a good combo!
I watched some friends’ children today while they moved, so had 5 small ones for a goodpart of the day. I went with Chanel Misia… I smelled much more polished than I felt!!!
5! You deserve a medal! When they are small they really keep you on your toes.
Whew 5 is a handful for sure! Such a nice thing to do for your friends!
Wow, five children? I’m sure you’re exhausted!
While hunting down a bottle in storage for the swapmeet, I ran across a bottle of Balmain Ivoire that I acquired a few years ago and failed to fall in love with (then). Maybe it’s a matter of time of year or maybe my taste has changed, but this evening I’m wondering why I don’t wear this more often – it’s gorgeous. Love at … second sniff?
Oh, that one took several tries before it clicked. Don’t give up just yet, it’s truly a lovely perfume. I like it better in the Fall as it has a lot going on!
I managed to find my bottle of Ambre Gris yesterday, I might give it a try tomorrow!
I’ve never tried Ambre Gris, but I love the smokey bottle and the notes sound very appealing. One of these days I’ll give it a whirl.
And the disco ball top is too funny. One of my favorites.
Yes, the first version is such a complex perfume, we are not used to that these days. I absolutely adore it. The newer one is pretty and more versatile.
Mine is the newer formula, and I remember now why I never quite fell in love – there’s something in between the first hour of lovely chypre-ness and the far drydown that unsettles me. Some sharp soapiness that was there when I woke up at 3 in the morning. I’ll keep at it, because I really want to love Ivoire.
Hi all, been laying low, I caught the cold that’s going around. I’ve coughed so much it feels like I’ve done 1000 situps – does that count as going to the gym?
Wearing Musk Oil by Alyssa Ashley and a little bourbon & honey in my tea to quell the coughing. I hope this clears up soon! Everyone enjoy the rest of their weekend! Gino (my other Maine Coon kitty cat) has been in my lap all day snuggled up for comfort.
Be patient: this one might linger for a while. I hope you’ll get better soon: coughing isn’t a nice exercise.
I wonder, how big is your kitty?
Hi Undina,
SmokeyToes (my avatar) is 20 lbs and Gino is 22. They both are about 37 inches long.
Big boys! I had a tabby who looked a lot like a Maine Coon (he was a stray who adopted me, so who knows), and he got pretty hefty too. Never fat – just solidly chunky. He was great company back before Mr. G, when I was single.
Don’t you just love it when animals adopt us? MC boys are pretty big but so much love and very dog-like. Smokey loves to play fetch and will hop into the shower with me on occasion.
That’s impressive! My Rusty who we think has some Maine Coon blood in him, with his 12 pounds seems like a kitten compared to yours!
Rusty is adorable! He might be MC or Norwegian Forest Cat. Orange cats are real crackups, loads of personality.
MC boys are great and I do love all the fluff (but oh lord it’s hard to keep up with the brushing!).
Hope you feel better soon!
Thank you! I’ve been getting Plenty of fluids and sleep. I hope to see light at the end of the tunnel soon! ?
How does everyone get samples these days? Do you buy them? Asking because I used to do lots of sample swaps (in groups of samples) on MUA back when they had swapping, but people on nst swapmeets don’t seem to go for sample swaps. Do you guys all have access to them locally? Or do you just buy all your samples through luckyscent? Does everyone keep their samples and thunk them? I haven’t done much sampling of recent launches since mua and having kids.
Also, Surrender To Chance, The Perfumed Court and Perfume Samples.com, Lucky Scent (dabbers only) Indigo, Beauty Habit and Twisted Lily all have sample programs.
Sometimes a generous NSTR will bestow a few sample on someone who expresses an interest but usually only for regular commenters
So true. I had a very generous person send me a HUGE lot of samples, and I have passed samples along to newbies. I’m just surprised there isn’t more swapping. Don’t we all spend a lot on samples?
A few years ago, a bunch of people who follow Bois de Jasmin had a huge box of samples circulating amongst themselves, but I don’t know if that’s still going on. I didn’t participate, but I gather that the next recipient would be selected randomly (by BdJ), and that person would sample as many as they wanted, and was supposed to keep some and replace with an equal number of other samples and then pass the box to the next randomly selected recipient. You could assemble a group of non-thunking NSTers to do something similar, I bet.
Alternatively, some of us at my work bring samples in and leave them (anonymously) in the ladies room. It’s not exactly swapping by intention, but sort of is in practice – I’ve left large numbers of dabber vials in there and have brought home a few. One that I haven’t even tried yet is an adorable little mini of Gucci Bloom something – one of the flankers, I think. I’m waiting until we’re further into spring before I try it.
What Petunia said, and I’ve gotten a number of samples from generous folks participating in the freebiemeets.
I stopped buying samples almost completely. Anything I can try locally (including a trip to SF, which isn’t completely free since, in addition to getting to and from in the never ending traffic, parking fees usually come up to $20), I try in the stores and try to get samples of those perfumes that I liked.
Since I do not wear perfumes from samples, unless I want to keep them to retest later (which I try to do less and less), I pass them on to perfumista friends. I cannot call it swapping because we do not do the negotiating part but rather give away what we do not need anymore to people with whom we have that ongoing relationship. For me that is easier and feels more fulfilling: I don’t like negotiations.
Contact me via e-mail, and we’ll see if I have anything I’m ready to pass on that you haven’t tried but want to.
Relaxing on Sunday morning with my honey. I pulled out some of my transitional perfume yesterday. SOTD is Lumiere Blanche. Fleeting but pretty.
SOTD- Brigitte
Starting tomorrow will be in Casablanca all week for orange blossom week. on my skin it smells absolutely amazing and always garners me compliments.
I will be joining you to thunk my sample!
I am back from my 4-day Spring getaway to Tampa/St. Pete & Sarasota. Who knew that area was a hotbed of art art art? Some of you who live / lived there know, but oh my! If you have not been there, get yourself there. This was a perfect time to go, before the heat and humidity take over. We were very fortunate to have great weather everyday!
We stayed at the Hilton Carillon St. Petersburg. The trip was focused on art and we had whirlwind visits:
Tampa – Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
St. Pete – Morean Arts Center (including the Dale Chihuly Collection), Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art (don’t let the name fool you). We missed an outdoor mural walking tour but do that if you have time.
Sarasota – The entire Ringling Campus (Florida State University did a great job of managing the restoration,mpreservation and administration of this gem)
In terms of travel, I managed to only have carry on (woop!) which I gate checked so did not have to pay luggage fees. I upgraded to Economy Plus (thank God, or my flight home would have been miserable sitting at the last row aisle next to the restrooms – :::shudder:::)
I highly recommend the luggage I bought as well as the packing cubes! For the packing cubes, I got mine at Bed Bad & Beyond with a coupon so ended up paying ~ $18. The pieces were just right for the carry on; I will buy one or two more sets for my check-in luggage.
https://www.londonfog.com/luggage/carry-on-luggage-and-suitcases/london-fog-kingsbury-21-hardside-spinner.html
https://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-Packing-Cubes-Orange-Travel/dp/B07C2HR3CK
It all sounds marvellous, hope you came back well rested too.
Yes! I don’t think I would be rested if I had to drive to all these venues!
It sounds like a great trip! If I ever get there, I would love to do all those museums.
Were packing cubes actually helpful? I have an upcoming trip to which I’d like to bring only a carry-on (though I can check it in for free at a check-in), and I was curious what you liked about using those cubes.
First, I assume your luggage is rectangular ?
Let me first mention that I had been using plastic compression bags for years and they had allowed me to corral clothes and underwear / socks and magically fit more than what would normally fit; however, they compressed into odd shapes depending upon how I stacked the items before I compressed the bags. The mesh / ripstop fabric cubes made it easier to position blocks of items in a very organized way. I wish I did not give away my rectangular Benefit cosmetics cases but I have train case style cosmetics bags of various sizes that I can use to keep the blocky theme going. The extra pair of shoes are enclosed in separate plastic grocery bags and placed at the bottom of the luggage.
So glad you enjoyed your trip! Next time you’re going, let me know ~ I’m happy to make restaurant recs and cheap and fun things to do.
Thanks! I stuck to the tour itinerary since all the meals were already paid for and we were bussed from one venue to another.
Your trip sounds fantastic! How did you arrange it… through work or was it something you found yourself?
One of my friends has visited the Dali museum, and she enjoyed it very much.
It was through the Newark Museum. They have a great travel program.
I enjoyed the Dali Museum. The one in Figueres, outside of Barcelona, is bigger, but both were equally fantastic.
And I forgot to mention:
Tampa – Tampa Museum of Art
St. Pete – Florida Holocaust Museum
Hi all. I’m in the hospital because on Friday night I dislocated my hip, my new hip, from July. Very painful and discouraging. I’m now in the same hospital as my mom but different buildings. She’s been stuck here all weekend waiting for insurance clearance to go to rehab. I’m stuck too because they don’t do surgery on weekends. The one bright spot is that my brother is flying in tonight to help us. The only scent I have with me is a sample of AA Liquid Dreams. Wish us all luck!
I’m so sorry, Calypso. Wishing you and your Mom all the luck in the world. Glad your brother is flying in to help.
Thinking of you, Calypso.
I am so sorry to hear about it Calypso. I wish you and your mom the best. I hope you both recover quickly. Sending healing vibes.
Wishing you and your mom the best of luck!
Well that is rotten luck, so glad you have a brother to fly to the rescue! Hope things get better soon.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Calypso. It is hard enough that you are supporting your mom and now your new hip is giving you problems. I’m glad you’re getting help from your brother!
I’m so sorry you’re going through this again! No surgeries on weekends? Really?! Well, with the current prices for healthcare we should be glad they are not taking sabbaticals. I hope they at least manage your pain until something can be done.
Thinking of you and wishing you and your mom all strength that you need.
Oh goodness, what a terrible concurrence. Thinking of you and your mother and sending healing vibes to both of you.
Oh god. What a terrible situation. Hang in there! Good luck with the surgery.
So sorry Calypso. I hope you both recover quickly!
Oh no! Very sorry to hear about this Calypso. Healing thoughts for both you and your mom.
Sending you a hug and healing thoughts. So sorry you’re still dealing with hip issues.
Oh my goodness Calypso. Very good luck to you both!
Robin, what a wonderful photo.
I have a whole list of perfumes I don’t wear to work: Balenciaga Rumba, Dana Tabu, Paloma Picasso, Badgley Mischka, I’m always hesitant about my Angel flankers: Cuir and Liqueur, I’m sure I’m forgetting some.
I don’t know where Saturday went and I am still to do the grocery shopping on this sunny Sunday afternoon. For UK NSTers, I have just posted a list, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Isn’t that pretty?
And I don’t know where the whole weekend went! (Actually I do, I just can’t believe how fast the hours go.)
Hello, NST folks. Still giving my folks a bit of a break — our spring allergies are enough without stressing Mom and Dad more.
Dad saved the day last Friday when a van I was riding in ran out of gasoline (petrol) a few miles away from where we live. He brought his gas can and got gas at a local gas station, and with that, S. the bus driver was able to get our group back to the YMCA we were heading for.
I said that I should spoil Dad for a while for that rescue, and asked if he’d like having a break from my perfume experiments for a while. He said we were getting towards a time when I could try them on outside rather than inside the house. Mom said *she’d* appreciate a break. Thus me going commando for a week.
As the weather gets nicer, I’ll experiment outside. I remember having shampooed with lavender shampoo in the summer some years ago and attracting bees when I went outside, so lavender is a definite no. But I’ve acquired a number of samples that aren’t florals, and they’d be good to try.
As for this weekend so far, I went with Mom and a friend of hers (both retired librarians) and the friend’s daughter to hear Anita Diamant speak at a synagogue in the area about her book “The Red Tent.”
It’s been some years since I read the book, but I remember it was historical fiction set in ancient times, and had much about women in community with each other. Ms. Diamant had taken a mention of Dinah from Genesis in the Torah (and Bible) and imagined life from Dinah’s viewpoint.
Just a few dabs of Noa to the neck as I’m heading to the mall for some sniffing.
smelling good
I’m wearing Hanami right now for a casual day of grading at my local grocery store’s bar. It’s a coffee bar in the morning and starts serving beer at 11. There’s huge tables, good music, and I can buy cat litter and dog treats on my way out. I have no idea why this all makes me so cheerful, but it does.
I hope you all have wonderful afternoons and evenings. Everyone is smelling great!
hi NST! it’s my first time officially commenting – and it’s a day that finally feels like it might be spring! this is the first year i’ll be experiencing spring / summer perfumes since i really got into scents last fall – but i’m really looking forward to experimenting. this morning i put on un jardin sur le nil (and for the first time, got that intense green mango impression in the opening!) but it faded rather fast, so i’m trying out azemour les oranges for the afternoon – it’s very oakmossy right now, which i feel like my skin also amplifies…anyway it’s been a real lazy weekend and i’m trying to motivate myself to head outside and get things done. happy weekend and happy smells!
Welcome lightgray! Glad you de-lurked! Did you end up heading outside?
i did!! i went for a walk in my neighborhood – it wasn’t as much of an adventure as i’d hoped for, but i was glad i ventured out!
Hello there?
Welcome! Nice to have you here!
Hiya lightgray!
Decided to try my sample of Alahine today. Loved its many notes that equaled a whole lotta sweetness – someone today said it was too sweet, but I thought the more’s the better.