Another April! You know that when the crocuses fade and the daffodils show their pretty faces, it's time for Donatella, Our Lady of Fragranced Forgiveness,1 to stop by to hear the confessions of her flock. Donatella wants to know what you bought in the 1st quarter (January, February and March) of 2019. Do tell all and Donatella is sure to show mercy.
My purchases...
I bought two small travel bottles in the splitmeet this year: 15 ml of Neela Vermeire Créations Pichola and 8 ml of Ormonde Jayne Champaca. I am quite pleased with both of them. My grand total: $95.16.
As always, report your purchases in the comments if you dare! And as always, we don't include samples or gifts, and you can count miniatures, decants and bottle-splits howsoever you like (I usually count them as half bottles). Samples don't generally count at all, even though some of us spend considerable sums obtaining them.
1. Why does Donatella host (against her will, mind you) the damage polls? There is no real reason other than the picture of her perfume collection, which shows that she indulges regularly at the perfume counter. The image, by the way, is originally from Allure magazine and appears here courtesy of Blogdorf Goodman.
Forgive me Donna, for I might not have sinned enough…
It’s been six months since my last confession.
Here goes:
Oeillet Sauvage, L’Artisan Parfumeur, 100ml
L’Air de Rien, Miller Harris, 100 ml
Yatagan, Caron, 75ml
L’Envol EDT, Cartier, 80ml Gift Set
Arabie, Serge Lutens, 50ml
Set of 5x15ml Jo Malone ‘inspired’ minis from Aldi
Acqua Nobile Iris EDT, Acqua di Parma, 125ml
Bapteme du Feu, Serge Lutens, 50ml
Sharp, Andrea Maack, 50ml
Smart, Andrea Maack, 50ml
Dark, Andrea Maack, 50ml
Peony, Aldi, 100ml
Velvety Rose, Aldi, 100ml
Bois de Vetiver, Karl Lagerfeld, 80ml
Also got a back up of SL Jeux de Peau so I don’t have to pay that frankly ridiculous new price when I (eventually) empty my current bottle. Another bottle of Feuilles de Tabac might also have leapt into my hands while browsing in TK Maxx as well…
I bought 6 ! bottles of SL for the same reason (see below) – I’ve also heard scary things about revent reformulations.
I am currently eyeing two SL bottles on one of the discount sites for this reason as well. Can’t really justify 2 more bottles but it feels a bit last chance . . .
BobH, I always look forward to seeing your newbies!
How many DKNY apples did you buy? I don’t see any????????? 🙂
All of them. And I’ve put them where they’ll never be found…
(I won’t count the buys I recently swapped away).
Juicy Juicy Couture first edition
Coco Noir edp
Today, Grandiflora Madagascan Jasmine
E&J Amethyst Nirvana Edp
Allure vtg Parfum
CSP vanille Abricot edp
Coco Mad Intense edp rebuy ?
Felanilla edp ❤️
Armaf club de nuit intense edp
Jil Sander No 4 x2
Decants
Nice picks!
You liked Felanilla! Did I send you a decant? I honestly can’t remember… If so, yay!
Yes you did – led to a FB. Thank you!
Always happy to enable!
Thank you! ? there are more that I remembered after posting!
And what are those?? You should definitely update us.
Ha, Cocoa Pink Triple Vanilla Dream, Arielle Shoshana travel and 31 Rue Cambon. Mostly sure that is it.
Oh nice!!!…though didn’t you just try to swap out your 31 rue Cambon? Was it a blind buy, or just buyer’s remorse?
I bought a travel spray of Arielle Shoshana and a bottle of Dzongkha. I figure that I was supporting a small, woman-owned business and my own mental health, so it was 100% worth it to me. No guilt, no fuss, just smelling great!
A travel spray of AS is in my buying plans for this year!
I almost stuck to my no-buy! Maybe E for effort?
1. SL Chergui – older bottle, does not smell reformulated to me. Birthday money contributed a huge chunk. Not sorry.
2. Paco Rabanne La Nuit – a steal that I couldn’t resist. I don’t know if I’ll wear it much, but it is nice to know I can sniff it whenever I want.
The problem is, after being SO GOOD for so long (I had a trip to Spain and didn’t buy anything), I can feel the itch. Is there a Perfume Buyers Anonymous?
Oh, both are lovely – I adore La Nuit.
You were pretty well behaved, and congrats on the Chergui.
It’s been pretty bad but not totally awful.
I got Guerlain, Songe d’un bois d’été bought at a discount.
I got a set of 4 Hermessences, Muguet Porcelaine, Brin de Réglisse, Vétiver Tonka and Osmanthe Yunnan.
And then I decided I needed a small trip to Paris and I was relatively restrained there.
I got Parfums de Nicolaï, Cap Néroli and Néroli Intense (both brilliant!). I also got the Bleus Lilas candle there, it’s summer in a candle.
I also went to the Astier de Villatte shop on Rue Tournon and tried the 5 Pierre Bourdons. Sous les Magnolias was my favourite, but I also really liked La fin d’un été. The rose was very pretty as was Route des spices. The only one that I didn’t fall for was Le grand tour.
I hesitated a long time about getting both the Magnolias and the Fin d’été, but in the end only got, Sous les magnolias.
And I got the nice perfume book that Angela reviewed a week ago. (Sentir, ressentir).
One day….don’t know when…..one day I’m going to Paris specifically to perfume shop. We’ll do all the touristy stuff too, but mostly I want to have saved up a ton of money so that I can shop to my heart’s content! 🙂
If you love perfume (and tea) it’s a great place to shop. And early spring is probably the best time. It gets very hot in summer.
Nice choices and good on getting both PdN Nerolis!
I really, really love both of them. Cap is so cheerful and radiant and Néroli intense is just stunning.
The Bourdon is a gem.
As far as full bottles…
Mugler Alien Essense Absolue
Mugler Angel Eau Sucree
Smell Bent Prairie Nymph
20ml in decants from the splitmeet, and Scentbox which is such a good deal it barely counts…though I did just upgrade to 2/month.
I’m thinking of dropping Luxury Scentbox and going to Scentbox….do they have a good selection? How ’bout niche stuff?
Never tried Luxury Scent Box but this one is pretty good! I’ve only been doing it since December but I’m nowhere near bored with my options yet. They have the expected designer options, and Acqua di Parma, Serge Lutens, Atelier, a few Goutals, Bond no. 9, Hermes, L’Artisan, and one or two from various others. Nothing super niche but they add more stuff pretty regularly.
Hey Donatella….my shelves might look like yours someday if I continue this passion/hobby! We should catch up and have lunch one of these days when you’re in town…. 🙂
1st Quarter is usually heavy…..after Christmas sales and my birthday month, you know…..
1. Charlie Cologne (2pk) $8.00 (gave one bottle to my coworker)
2. Lush Rentless solid perfume $12.00
3. Clinique Wrappings gift set…50% off…..$25.00
4. Ciara 80% Cologne (2pk) $8.00 (gave one bottle to my coworker)
5. Clinique Aromatics gift set….50% off!!!….$37.50
6. Malin & Goetz Bergamot 10ml $14.95
7. Lancome Iris Dragees 8ml $35
8. Scentbird January: Juliette Has a Gun Moscow Mule $14.95
9. Scentbird Feb: D&G Light Blue Escape to Panarea $14.95
10. Scentbird March: Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Coco
11. Luxury Scentbox: January: Penhaligon’s Orange Blossom $18.95
12. Luxury Scentbox: Feb: Lalique Reve d Infini $18.95
13. Luxury Scentbox: March: Lanvin Eclat d’ Arpege
14. Lancome Jasmines Marzipane 8ml $35
15. Burberry The Beat 10ml $10.00
16. Guerlain L’Instant De Guerlain $37.09 (BIRTHDAY MONEY!) 🙂
17. Guerlain Champs Elysees $46.89 (BIRTHDAY MONEY!) 🙂
18. Guerlain Vol de Nuit $38,49 (BIRTHDAY MONEY!) 🙂
19. Nicole by Nicole Richie $12.59
FAVORITE BUY: Vol de Nuit. No contest….nothing else comes close!
WORST (Most disappointing) BUY: Vanille Coco I thought I ordered Vanille COCOA! LOL!
Onward to next quarter……
Oh, you got the Wrappings holiday set, very nice!
Total luck! I was at Belk getting a teenager a pair of shoes, and down at the very bottom of an endcap at the Clinique counter were the lonely, unwanted Christmas gift sets! I nearly squealed out loud! (Actually I did squeal out loud, much to the SA’s amusement….) 🙂 GOOD STUFF!!!!
I’m going to scour the dept. stores after Christmas next year – I love Wrappings!
You can also hit Clinique.com after the holiday, all sets are 50% off. 😉
That is quite the list! ?
Isn’t Rentless so good? I have the solid too. It might turn out to be my gateway patchouli…
I’ve been keeping Rentless in my purse, for occasional perkup on the drive home….it’s really good!
I am so envious of your talent of finding good perfume deals! I am most envious of your Wrappings find; I’ve been wanting to try that for ages, but the perfume counters I visit never seem to have Wrappings, even at Christmas. Enjoy your wonderful haul! And sorry for the Vanille Coco confusion haha 🙂
I am very happy to report that zero purchases from Q1. *happy dance*
Let’s see if I can keep it going, my trigger finger is getting itchy!
I admire your discipline….I need some badly. A couple of weeks ago my hubs and 3 kids declared at supper that I have “a perfume problem’…. HA HA HA
I told them that I don’t COLLECT perfume. I CURATE perfume. It’s serious business, thank you very much, and they need to kiss my well scented hiney! HA HA HA
Hey, great minds think alike! I’ve used the same phrase also. Truthfully, I had no idea how many bottles were in my collection until we moved last Fall. Then I was busy stashing bottles in sock drawers to avoid the hubby’s scrutiny. 😀
I had a similar experience when we moved last June, and, remarkably, have bought only a single bottle of perfume since the move! (A small bottle of scented oil when we were in Istanbul last September.)
Oh, but you’ll have that bottle from Istanbul, so that’s a perfume and a nice memento! 🙂
Yay, no-buy twins!!! Good job!
At first I thought I was doing OK, just 4 perfumes that had been on my wishlist for a long time:
VC&A Orchidee Vanille
Tom Ford Vert de Fleur
Parfums DelRae Bois de Paradis
But then I decided to stock up whichever of my favorite SL I could find in the old bottles before it’s too late. I ended up with:
Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin, Fleurs d’Oranger, Feminite du Bois, A la Nuit, Daim Blond, and Fleurs de Citronnier
Yikes!
Forgot to include a travel spray of Black Perfecto in my first list- now it adds up to 4.
Gorgeous stuff you’ve got there…..
I’ve been thinking about a backup of La Fille de Berlin myself. Oh jeez…
Me toooo! Fragrancenet.com has in stock . . .
LFdB is so beautiful- I’m getting low on my current (2nd) bottle so I know I’ll need the new one soon.
And all my new SL purchases came from FragranceNet with an extra 37% off coupon, so although not cheap it could have been a lot worse.
I bought an almost full bottle of Dzing! In January on eBay, but since then have been abstaining from new perfumes, and enjoying what I’ve got. Am hoping to acquire a bottle of Vetiver Insolent when I get paid tho, if I spot a bargain on eBay.
Really want to try Neely Vermeire’s Niral, does anyone know if there is a stockist In London?, I haven’t been able to find one via google, except Roullier whites, which doesn’t carry Niral, Thanks!
Dzing is spectacular!
I think u sent me a sample, so enabler pin to u!
Neela Vermeire website says Jovoy Mayfair is a stockist; Jovoy Mayfair website doesn’t list Neela Vermeire. But it might be worth a phone call?
Thanks, i’ll definitely give them a ring.
Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent? I’ve seen it in TK Maxx, so it might be worth keeping an eye out there and on Notino.
Brilliant!
Love Dzing! So unique. Enjoy it.
Thanks springpansy, I find it so cosy!
This quarter was not so bad:
Chanel Bois des Iles 75 ml (replacement bottle, the old one leaked and then turned slightly)
Hermes Musc Pallida (hideously expensive but I really like it)
Hermes Twilly 30 ml
Not bad at all…hope your new BdI behaves better!
Just one bottle for me this quarter. Elizabeth Arden White Tea
White Tea is GORGEOUS!!!! I hope to run across the bath products at some point (I think they make ’em?) 🙂
Yes, they do have body cream, shower gel and some others!
Dear Donatella,
I have been so restrained that I may have to turn in my perfumista card. You will be embarrassed to be seen in my company…I only bought two 10ml travel sprays this quarter. Both Memo–Tiger’s Nest and Tamarindo. The Tamarindo was a souvenir of Singapore so it doesn’t really count, therefore I got only a measly 10ml!
I am sorry. I will try to spend more in the coming months. Your example is inspirational.
Foxbins
LOL
Report for perfume detention at 3pm
Signed,
Angry Donatella
?
Not a cent. Nowadays I never buy anything unless I’m on vacation anyway, and I’m not going anywhere until December (touring the Christmas markets of Germany!), so I guess it’ll be quarter after quarter of nothing.
I have enough, anyway. I need to use up things I already own.
Your trip to Germany sounds like so much fun!
A number of sub-optimal blind buys
JM Lupin Patouchli
JM Hemlock
Aesop oil burner with Beatrice oil
BUT On postive side, second hand treasures
Boucheron
Boucheron Jaipur
AND one desperate measure at the mall
Mon Guerlain rose bloom which came with a pink cosmetic purse…cosmetic purses the gift with purchase equivalent of single use plastic bags!
I somehow can’t quite picture you with a pink cosmetic purse 🙂
I love the original Mon Guerlain (edp), haven’t yet tried the rose bloom. And a shame about those sub-optimal blind buys.
A pink cosmetic purse is pretty low on my list of must-haves
With Donatella visiting so soon after my overseas trip, I can seek absolution in a very timely manner 🙂 I’d been planning the trip for two years, so I had plenty of time to refine my list. My suitcase was getting heavy by the time I got back:
Thierry Mugler’s Chyprissime – I’d tried this two years ago, decided against an impulse buy, and had been kicking myself ever since.
Mon Nom est Rouge – Majda Bekkali
Remember Me – Jovoy
Guerlain – Neroli Outrenoir
Divine – Divine
Dusita – Le Sillage Blanc. I wrote earlier about the fabulous experience meeting the perfumer, Pissara Umavujani
Ausmane – Rose Impériale. I’d never heard of this brand, but we came across the shop in an old arcade, just one street away from our hotel, so a souvenir seemed appropriate.
Then I did some impluse buying in Dubai, it didn’t seem right to visit there and not get a local perfume or two. Our hotel was right next to the Mall of the Emirates and, as shopping seems to be the main activity in Dubai, we felt we should join in. I picked up a small bottle of an oil, Rose Malaki by Swiss Arabian, and an EdP with the exciting name of T10, by Taif Al Emarat, another unfamiliar name.
And I also have to confess that, despite my upcoming trip, I bought Hiram Green’s Shangri La in January, as I heard it was being discontinued.
Looking forward to reading everyone’s lists!
And I intend to never add up what all that cost!!
That is always wise! Love that you got Divine. It’s such a lovely perfume, and still my favourite from this house.
It still cost less than what Donatella spends on perfume, look at it that way 🙂
The only one of yours that I’ve sampled is Jovoy’s Remember Me….LOVE that one! Nice list!
I really like “Mon Nom est Rouge”, so rich and deep. :^)
Well done. I don’t know any of those perfumes but I bet they are great.
Great list of souvenirs! 😉
This quarter I acquired:
Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime 10ml travel spray
Fragonard Lavande 50ml bottle
Diptyque L’Eau de Tarocco 100ml bottle
Ormonde Jayne Ta’If 50ml bottle (Valentine’s gift so doesn’t count!)
Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint 100ml bottle (swapped, so . . . half counts?)
I also did some swapping and wound up with some fun new goodies. I am loving Pacific Lime and Ta’If and Tarocco (I’ve been eyeing this one for over a year). On the fence about the Lavande. Put myself down for 3 bottles.
Tarocco’s a great one, isn’t it? It took me a few tries to get it (which is weird, right? you’d think it would be easy to love), but now I adore it, which is too bad because I fell for it just as I finished my sample!
I used up my sample in no time and then thought about a fb for a year! The last thing I needed was more citrus but here we are . . .
Ta’if is fantastic. I’ve had it for years and still reach for it frequently and get many compliments (thought I wear it for my own enjoyment, so that just a nice bonus). Good choice!
It was my favorite discovery of last year – I was thrilled to get a bottle as a gift!
I just sampled that Fragonard (it’s a bargain!). It’s nice, but more iris than lavender to me- was hoping for lavender-dominant.
I had the same reaction – it’s pretty but not what I was expecting. I think I only really like lavender soap-type scents.
Just one for me. The travel spray set of Aedes de Venustas with ten ml of Iris Nazarena, Oeillet Bengale and Copal Azur, with the bonus original AdV. This was my tax refund gift to myself. No regrets ?
Perfect!
Love iris Nazarena!
Plus that beauty bag! Curious what’s in it!
Lutens Vetiver Oriental FB
Lutens Chene FB
Tom Ford Sahara Noir decant
Encre Noir FB
Diptyque Tam Dao decant
vintage Dior J’Adore 70%full
and far too many disappointing samples.
All good stuff!
oh and I forgot Santal Majuscule (BUB). I bought the Lutens on ebay in the old bottles because of reformulation rumors. Even though I didn’t have the money right now, but that’s what credit cards are for right?
Boo for disappointing samples
Not ONE! Not a one! Because I’m doing a good job adhering to my very strict no-buy 🙂 I have gotten several perfumed presents, and have greatly profited from the generosity of fellow NSTers, both in the form of freebies and swaps. In particular, one especially kind NSTer gave me her travel spray of Camel, which is the perfume I’d been most ardently longing for! So anyway, I’m holding strong, and although I am very much looking forward to the end of my no-buy, this period of not buying whatever I want has been really good for me, both emotionally and financially.
And now I will go enjoy reading about all of your purchases! <3
AUGH and you had to go and post this stunning success right above my tale of no-buy failure! Hahahahaha. I’m so glad you got Camel!!
Hahaha but now I can delight in your list! Which is lovely! And frankly not very excessive. Minis! Decants! You were very conservative and judicious.
Er.
Um.
Some of you may recall I declared a no-buy, ambitiously, for ALL OF 2019. Apparently that met January. In February I couldn’t resist the splitmeet, and then it all exploded catastrophically in March with a fragrancenet coupon. I do think it helped shift my attitude toward more planned and selective buying… but Donatella sees all!
Specifically, she sees:
Terracotta FB
Devin FB
Dilettante mini
CdG2 mini
Drole de Rose decant
and a bunch o samples
*meant
Those CDG mini pebble bottles are adorable, though. How could you resist? (The full size ones are clunkers, but, the minis? Perfect.)
Yes, and I love the scent. This quarter I didn’t get one thing I don’t love – probably because I was on a no-buy ?
Too funny! I too find that if I tell myself to buy NOTHING, I am judicious when I choose to break the rule
Zero, null, nada… but I’m still bound to buy my birthday perfume from February.
Good for you Lucasai!
Not a single one so far. I have a feeling that won’t last into second quarter, as I will be traveling, and possibly purchasing…
Two FBs including Lalibela and Fleur de Peau. I found Lalibela on a steep discount on the bay so I couldn’t pass it up.
Assorted decants including La Cri de la Lumiere, Kismet, Magnolia, Chanel 1957, and travel sprays of Tiger’s Nest and Carat.
But, I gave away four FBs and two travel sprays to my cousin. So really, a net of zero.
Oops! Sorry missionista! I have no idea how this happened.
How is 1957?
I only tested it briefly. It seems more modern than other Chanels. The scent is quite pretty but you have to like musk.
None to date, i don’t think? But i bought a new purse ($40), plants and planting supplies ($150) and planning on a new pair of summer sandals ($140) so no money savings is happening ??
Ha, that is how it works for me…the money goes somewhere even if it isn’t perfume!
So much for my low-buy. I acquired DSH/American Perfumer Colorado, LPRN Black Perfecto, PdN Rose Royale, ELDO I Am Trash and PdN L’Eau Mixte. (Hey, I had $20 at Twisted Lily, I had to buy several bottles…) I also got a bottle of Atelier Pacific Lime using my Sephora Rouge reward plus a few extra bucks. My total outlay was less than $250, in perfume math perhaps that is still a “low” buy. Only one blind buy – the ELDO – which wasn’t entirely successful. Everything else had been sampled at one point or another.
Think of the shipping costs you would have wasted if you had just gotten one thing in that Twisted Lily order
The coupon had a minimum purchase about amount, but same idea…
That is a truly excellent haul for such a “reasonable” sum!
I confess I went a *little* crazy on ebay in February.
Timbuktu – the 30 ml size;
Assam of India – a scratch-n-dent bargain;
TDC Bois d’Iris 10 ml travel spray, which I only bought because it came with that adorable stainless steel refill case;
TDC Rose Poivree 10 ml travel sprays to put into said adorable case, which I’m only counting as one bottle because they came as a 3-pack 🙂
And 50 ml of Couer de Vetiver Sacre. I fell for one of those FragranceX “back in stock! hurry!” emails.
You’re right, Donatella – I do feel better.
Thank goodness for the swapmeets – they really satisfy the urge for something new… until next quarter at least!
I too bought Bois d’Iris albeit VCA’s. Scent homonyms?
I was on a serious no buy until late March when an incredible deal on TF Vanille Fatale came onto my radar. Couldn’t pass it up! ?Wanted to offer it in the splitmeet but missed the window by a few days. Seriously, though I will never use this massive bottle. Will split if anyone is interested! My email:
laugsb at sbcglobal dot net
Congrats on your good deal!
Thank you!
I originally thought that I hadn’t bought a single bottle. Then I checked my email archive and discovered otherwise.
30mL bottle of Elizabeth & James Nirvana Rose. It was under $30, not counting tax & shipping. So, one bottle for Q1.
At that price, AND the line disappearing, it barely even counts! You are without sin.
Just a one – Gold from Perfumer H! Very happy with it 🙂
Some of her scents sound *so* good but I’ve not smelled any yet. Is it in one of those gorgeous bottles? They are so elegant.
No, I didn’t get the bottle unfortunately, I agree those are gorgeous but they are also very expensive.. So I just got the refill bottle with two travel sprays included. Only the juice for me ? Gold is a lovely orange blossom perfume that works for men as well. I was also tempted by ‘Neroli’, ‘Orange leaf’, ‘Vetiver’ and ‘Cologne’ and I received testers of those last two scents so I’ll be exploring them somewhat more soon. Lovely London shop! I was personally welcomed by Lynn Harris so that was nice as well!
Oh how fun!
Aye, they are *ferociously* expensive. Agree that the juice has to be the priority, however pretty a bottle. I’d like to have a good exploration of her range, but almost never get to London and samples seem to be rare beasts. Glad you got a chance to try them 🙂
I bought two bottles, 100ml of Nahema and 50ml BV Eau de Velours. Both from FragranceNet, total expenditure $135.54. Not terrible, and no regrets. Am feeling pretty good about the size/contents of my collection. Think I might just sample for a while.
Not terrible at all!
Nahema’s on fragrancenet? Oh no . . .
Bless Me, Donatella:
Just ordered Lillylang/Dovana custom box from Sylvanie Delacourte DESPITE the diss track from his most Serene Biochemist. I really like the clean musky scents- they are elegant and persistent. Yes, they are indeed soapy and almost delicate, but heat brings radiance to the scents, and this makes it perfect for the office and for casual wear.
Bless me Donatella, for I regret *nothing*. Though I have been profiligate, my skin is fragrant, my shelves still have space, the rent is paid, and the cats are not going hungry.
Two brand new:
Vero Profumo Naja
Bogue Profumo 0,7738
Two second hand:
Vero Profumo Onda voile
Heeley Vetiver Veritas
and a clutch of vintage parfums, each a patiently stalked bargain:
Bandit
Jolie Madame
Vent Vert
Miss Dior
Chanel 19
So. Gosh. That was really rather more than I had planned for the quarter. Other than one new thing that will be coming my way soon, I intend to keep my wallet 90% closed in the second quarter. Please look at me sideways/over your glasses or tut loudly if I sound like I am pining for something. There’s nothing that can’t wait.
There’s a new Bogue? How is it?
It was an experimental project, so, a tiny edition rather than a full release. So it almost pains me to say that it’s really good–not as heart-stoppingly kaleidoscopic as MEM or as operatic as MAAI–but both fascinating and lovely. It’s another really complex mix that changes and plays interesting tricks as it shifts its weight between different emphases, becoming more floral, more resinous, or more spiced, but with a strong chypre heart.
Good stalking!!
I think winter perfume purchases should be exempt as they are really just an alternative for Vitamin D
I think this is the best justification I have ever heard. 56 degrees north needs supplements, damnit! 😉
LOL!
I heartily agree.
Haha 🙂 lovely!
After a year of no new perfumes (too much stress and too little discretionary income), we sold the house and I am spending the money I got back from insurance, utilities and so on.
Maria Candida Gentile “Elephant & Roses” 15ml
Maria Candida Gentile “Exultat” 15ml
Maria Candida Gentile “Sideris” 15ml
Givenchy “Pi” FB
Annick Goutal “Encens Flamboyant” FB
Molinard “Habanita” FB
Taur “Lonestar Memories” FB
2x10ml decants and 2x5ml decants of this and that
A bunch of samples
Wow! Good for you!!!
I like your list!
I claimed I’m on a “no-buy” but it’s really more a “hold” and no buying on a whim. I have stopped myself more than once.
But… I did participate in an OJ Champaca split of a travel spray and a 30 ml bottle of Kiss Me Intense (which I believe was at 20% discount…)
I have a $75 gift certificate to Bigelow’s burning a hole in my wallet.
And speaking of discounts…Twisted Lily is doing 20% off. May just be today. Not sure.
Oh fun, do you know what you will get at Bigelow?
No idea at this point. I was thinking of Fiori di Capri solid, but I tried it, and I wasn’t impressed. So back to square one.
after going a bit overboard with buying samples last year in the frenzy of my new fragrance obsession, i felt like i’ve been really good this year (especially given my budget!) – it turns out i *have* bought some here and there:
stash 30ml and body lotion ($30 for the set – my boyfriend likes the perfume more than me, but i enjoy the body lotion and wonder if it’ll make me like the perfume more, eventually )
queen by queen latifah – a mini ($10, one that might soon turn into a giveaway)
two 10ml decants i was really excited to find:
papillon anubis
mfk oud
i haven’t felt the desire to buy anything lately, and it’s really nice!! it’s been good to work through my sample box, and it feels especially satisfying when i finish a sample or even just put one into the giveaway box. i do have a few scents on my wishlist…though i will try to refrain from buying anything unless i have a reason to celebrate OR finish something i really love OR come across a great deal on something on my tiny wishlist. for now, i want to get way more into swaps and using up what i have.
Two full bottles from SmellBent. In my defense, they were 20% off (thanks for the PSA LidaD!)
Just the 30 ml Alien edt and a travel spray of Cartier Basier Vole, all covered by Christmas-present money from my in-laws. I am usually restrained and limit myself to one non-gift-money purchase per year, but I am feeling the itch for something new and summery right now, so perhaps that purchase is coming soon. Luckily I am “slow to part with money” as my mom would say, so I take forever to make up my mind.
I am the same way! And have been since I was little. You must have been born that way, too, if your mother says that!
Only bought one bottle. Went with Ubar but wanted to buy more.
I bought a trio of vintage TDC Osmanthus 10ml refills for my birthday, and was ever so pleased! It had been a long time since a perfume purchase, but it was the perfect gift.
I bought 3 bottles in total, although 2 are not in my hands yet. Someone here on NST mentioned a SL Iris Silver Mist travel spray so I snapped one up. Plus it was a 37% discount.
1. M. Asam edp spray. I bought it for a no-brainer summery citrus scent (emphasising lime). I had some skin-care originally and really liked the cleanser so when I saw the fragrance I snapped up a bottle.
2. Guerlain Vetiver tester edt. Purchased on fragrancenet with the same 37% discount. It should be the older version. i tried it originally when I was at SFO airport on a long layover and it has haunted me ever since.
3. Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. This should be a travel spray refill so I’m hoping it will fit my black atomiser; although they didn’t have a picture posted at the time.
I bought just one bottle last year (which I waited a long time to buy). Q1 was another thing entirely!
Samples that failed me:
Chanel Biaritz and Deauville
Bottles off of EBay:
Amouage Beloved – LOVE THIS!!
Hermès Eau Claire – backup due to discontinued
Swaps additions:
SL Chergui bottle
VCA Bois d’iris (on my buy list since launch!)
Decant of Dryad
Freebie addition:
PdN Odalisque – beautiful!
Grand total including shipping costs for shipping my side of the swaps: $139.46
Worth every penny!
Hope I remember everything correctly.
Givenchy Pi 100 ml for my son’s 15th birthday (he has good taste)
Guerlain Shalimar Souffle in the peacock bottle 50 nl (had to have that bottle)
Estee Lauder Amber Ylang Ylang 75 ml on ebay (a girl needs a back-up)
from the swap: Chanel No 19 Poudre and Coco Noir
There might have been one or two other things, but can’t think of them for the life of me.
The Pi being a gift might cancel something out.
Forgive me, Donatella, for my scented sinning has been feeble. Although I did get some samples, they were primarily for my mother. I only bought one full bottle and spent well under $100.
• 4711 Acqua Colonia Lavender & Thyme FB
• Guerlain LPRN Black Perfecto travel size
• Oscar de la Renta Esprit d’Oscar 10ml (Yay, Splitmeet!)
• AG Ce Soir ou Jamais 8ml
How is that 4711? I was eyeballing it recently…
It’s quite spicy and herbal and has good projection for a cologne. I smell more thyme than lavender (unlike the majority of people on Fragrantica, apparently), but YMMV. I actually bought it to do double duty: to wear some and to use a portion as a cheat for a linen/room spray base (by decanting and mixing with water or vodka). It’s too heavy on the thyme to work as a relaxing lavender aromatherapy pillow mist as I’d hoped, though, so I think I could just add some more lavender EO….
Thanks! It sounds nice.
30ml of PdN Neroli Intense. My only regret is it’s only got about 5ml left ?
I think Donatella would expect you to get a BUB, like, presto.?
And, since she’s compassionate and omniscient, she sent a Twisted Lily 20% off sale our way ?! Just made use of it!
Code is SPRING2019 for anyone who wants to start the next quarter off right ?
Worth every penny!
I agree!
Forgive me, Donatella, for I have sinned.
The sinning involved a few trips to Sephora. My first trip there, with perfume books and a notepad — I’m sure I didn’t look eccentric at best (yeah, right) — I ended up getting a rollerball of Chloe, since I couldn’t afford a regular-sized bottle of anything there at the time.
Later, I got the Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar, on sale after Christmas. I had no idea that Dad would start coughing and wheezing when I carried it past the room he was in. I’ve very recently swapped away some of colognes and body products that made him cough and wheeze. I’m packing them up tonight, in fact.
On a more recent trip, I got AERIN Mediterranean Honeysuckle travel spray and an Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime travel spray. The Pacific Lime was not a hit at home, so I’m sending that off to a home where I’m sure it will be better appreciated. 🙂
A couple of people had suggested Marshalls to me, and I got a little bottle of Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom perfume, a bottle of Tommy Girl EdT, and a little bottle of Tocca Florence there.
Fortunately, samples don’t count, because I got an awful lot of samples. My New Year’s Day shopping included the Histoires de Parfums Discovery Collection sample set and the Ormonde Jayne Signature Discovery Collection sample set, both from LuckyScent. I’ve also gotten many samples from Surrender to Chance these last couple of months.
I’m sure I’ll be sending off some of those samples that are more masculine and/or too strong for me. My e-mail is neyronrose at gmail dot com.
I got many samples from FragranceX and Perfume.com, too. I also got a 10 ml bottle of Bulgari pour Femme in that Fragrance X order.
I’m sure I’m missing things, but I’ll look again when it’s earlier in the night.
I am home today (Wed) waiting for an engineer for the phone line so that’s a perfect day to make my confession.
I’ve got to rein in getting back up bottles, it’s becoming ridiculous but then with discontinuations and reformulations (sigh)
YSL Cinema Festival d’Ete 100ml £22
OdlR Oscar Latin Light 100ml £20
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess 100ml (it’s the first iteration, so almost vintage) £26
Miller Harris Etui Noir 100ml (which I’m trying to swap) £35
Rituals Victoire d’Ambre 50ml which I had wanted forever £20
Avon vintage Timeless BUB 50ml £1.10
Halston vintage 50ml £10 my favorite purchase
AdP Profumo 100ml £46 BUB
Moschino L’eau Cheap and Chic vintage and discontinued BUB 100ml half-full
Guerlain Mitsouko vintage EDT (I didn’t have the EDT) £22.99
Hermes Hiris (blue bottle so almost vintage) £31 my second favorite purchase
Yves Rocher Ispahan vintage and discontinued BUB 75ml £9.30
Coty L’Aimant vintage parfum de toilette BUB £3.00
Serge Lutens Dent de Lait 100ml £39 (I fell in love with this odd perfume)
Floris Stephanotis vintage and discontinued BUB 100ml £34.95
VC&A First vintage EDT BUB £15.29
Houbigant Demi-Jour vintage and discontinued BUB £50ml £6.50
Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady decant 15ml £17
Jean d’Albret Princesse vintage EDT 100ml £25
Le Couvent des Minimes Eau des Missions BUB 250ml £12
CD Diorissimo vintage EDT BUB £29.58
jurlique Rose Essence rollerball £1.20 my best bargain
*I counted all these BUBs as half purchases. Ouf, I feel better having got this out of the way and resolve that I will refrain more next quarter.
wow! You’ve got some absolutely stunning additions there!
Thank you Crikey. Fortunately only one regret that I have in the swap. Do consider vintage Halston if you come across it, it’s a wondrous chypre.
These are great deals!
Thank you Lillyjo, yes eBay UK has got so many deals. But I will try and be much more restrained next quarter.
Impressive! Especially vintage scents.
Thank you Glannys, only one didn’t work out for me no matter how many times I tried, it’s Miller Harris Etui Noir, now in my swap list.
nice work Aurora!
Thank you Coin-up, some of them I had wanted for a very long time, but next quarter will be much leaner I hope.
Beautiful list indeed!
Thank you Jada, our eBay UK does offer many great deals, only one regret now in my swap list, some of these perfumes I had wanted for a very long time.
Nary a one! I’m having some quiet quarters lately. (Still buying too many books, though.) I do covet your Pichola, though. One day I’ll get a travel spray of that one.
Erin, I have nearly stopped buying books altogether…now I pay for library privileges all over the place 🙂
I thought I have been restrained this quarter but here’s the tally.
Jardin D’Ecrivain George
Frederic Malle travel size Dries van Noten
Frederic Malle travel size Lipstick Rose
back up of CD Cuir Cannage mini (7.5 ml) since the discontinuation
I also bought a 10 ml decant of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille and a 5ml sample of Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille. I also bought Lush Smugglers’ Soul solid perfume, which is gorgeous.
I’m happy with my purchases, glad they’re smaller in size but it is easy to forget how quickly they pile up.
30ml Fou d’Opium and 2 mini bottles of Guimauve a Soie $138 Pistil Whip travel size $45
Haie Fleurie du Hameau (very vintage) $49
travel sizes of Le Demi Monde and Sisters Sarah from Sixteen92 (on order but not yet received) $40
Wow, I forgot to come back for the damage poll yesterday. Better late than never:
FBs:
Lush Big body spray
Lush Avocado No-Wash body spray
Decants:
Parfums de Nicolai Le Temps d’une Fete 8 ml
Annick Goutal Le Chevrefeuille 12 ml
Christian Dior Tendre Poison 10 ml
Lush Lord of Misrule 8 ml
Sylvaine Delacourt Virgile 8 ml
Ormonde Jayne Tiare 7 ml
Heeley Oranges and Lemons Say The Bells of St. Clements 8 ml
Those Lush sprays sound interesting – must take a look next time I’m near a Lush store!
Limited edition, I am afraid. 🙁 I had to grab mine quickly.
Although you never know – they may be available in your country now.
(It’s actually Avocado Co-Wash, not No-Wash. I keep making this mistake.)
Aww – come on, Lush! I might be going through London this summer and then will definitely seek out a Lush there.
If you go to London, you should definitely check out Lush Oxford Street shop. It’s their flagship store with exclusives you can find only there.
I saw this too late yesterday so here goes:
FB (1oz) Angel Muse, app. $20 (TJ Maxx Clearance) – I split off 10ml in the split meet, app. $14
Travel Spray of OJ Woman, only kept 1 and split the others at split meet, app. $25
Keiko Mecheri Jour d’ete split, 10ml, app. $15
Chanel Cuir de Russie 10ml decant from UK ebay app. $36
Atelier Bergamote Soleil decant 10ml ebay app. $12
Samples at ZGO perfumery app. $12 (Note to self: their sprayers are terrible)
So, discounting the samples, $102.
I’m planning to spend some $$ or actually euros this summer, though, at a perfume store in Berlin, and if the Cloonkeen Castana sample that my SIL has gotten for me is any good, I might buy that as well. And I might just have a peek at Twisted Lily in a moment. Just in case.
I tried Angel Muse several days ago and quite enjoyed it. I might get a decant eventually. So congrats on your bottle.
Oh, I need to go see if I can find one of those 30 ml Angel Muse bottles!
Maintaining my no-buy, however I did snag that Sephora Rouge reward and bought Atélier Cologne Vanille Insensée with it. I also bought 3 gifts which don’t count and gave away 2 bottles, so I’m still -1 on the bottle count. 🙂
Dear Donatella,
It’s been a big buying quarter for me and I hope you’re not too disappointed. I have purchased…
– Zoologist Bat and Camel travel sprays (the rest were split or swapped)
– a discounted 1oz bottle of Miu Miu l’eau Bleu (because it’s fabulously fake and the bottle was adorable)
– a discounted bottle of SL Fleurs d’Oranger (still in transit and hopefully not an eBay dud)
– a decant of Angel Muse
– a decant of Profumum Roma Olibanum
– a decant of Chergui
And more swaps than I originally intended, though thankfully they don’t count. However I also have Sephora store credit that will likely be shunted into travel sprays of Vetiver Elemi and something else…
Better late than never…
Hiram Green Moon Bloom 10ml travel spray
Hiram Green Slowdive 10ml travel spray
Comme des Garcons Eau de Parfum 2011 100ml
Anatole Lebreton Bois Lumiere 5ml manufacturer’s spray
Pekji Perfumes discovery set
Memo Tiger’s Nest 5ml decant
Parfums Delrae Bois de Paradis 50ml
Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolu 50ml
Vintage Balmain Ivoire EDT 80% full from Goodwill
Grandiflora bottles of entire line – eBay deal