It's Monday, World Elephant Day, and International Youth Day. What fragrance are you wearing?
I’m doing elephants in Berdoues Assam of India.
Reminder: on 8/16, wear a fragrance by Kerosene, Keiko Mecheri or Kai, if you have one. Partial credit for any other small-ish brand that starts with the letter K.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2019, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Mother & Calf, Damaraland Namibia [cropped] by David Siu at flickr; some rights reserved.
Good morning Y’all!
Starting off the week feeling crisp and fresh in Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Bleu. LOVE THIS STUFF! It’s the perfect summer fragrance for a very hot and steamy day….
You smell great Jada !
2nd that. I need to buy a travel bottle, my samples are running out.
FB is just $37 on FragranceNet….awesome deal!
That’s been my bedtime perfume lately. It’s a good one!
We were almost twins! I changed my mind at the last minute.
I may go with Assam of India, too.
I do have an interesting tea of the day. It’s a flowering tea, green tea with a lotus flower and amaranth globe. I believe it had some jasmine flavor, and the package label that I printed out says “natural guava flavor.” The label from Wegman’s says ITOEN Blooming Guava Tea. Dad is more of a fan of guava flavor than I am, but I also got some “Jasmine Globe Green Tea.” The globe there is also amaranth.
I used to buy tea at the Ito En store in NYC, including a Yuzu Sencha, but have not been in so long I don’t even know if it is still there. Hope your teas are good!
Ito En used to have some rather good pre-brewed teas at Wegman’s. I have no clue if that’s still the case.
Oh, it’s by a company called “Ito En”? I took the capital letters that were all together like that as an abbreviation or letter combination that I wasn’t destined to know.
I haven’t been to New York City in a long time. I’ve collected many different sorts of tea, though.
I haven’t smelled or tasted yuzu as a note — or not that I know of, anyway. And I haven’t seen a written definition of the difference between sencha and matcha, although I can look that up easily enough. I’ve very likely tasted both sorts, though.
I have many, many samples of various perfumes and colognes to try when my folks and I aren’t in the same house.
Someday I may get into an exploration of yuzu as a fragrance note, but for now I’m trying to concentrate on being happy knowing that I have a vast array of scents I have yet to try. lol
Yuzu is pretty close to grapefruit. Dried and in a tea, it’s probably not different enough to tell, and same with perfume…
Weird…I could not get into NST a few minutes ago…it blocked me on my phone!!!
anywho….my project is A FORTNIGHT OF CHANEL
yesterday was Cristalle eau Verte in the AM and Coco Mad intense in the PM
Today Une Fleure
I am polishing my tiara from all the enabler pins I earned from Assam of India the summer I wore it seven weeks straight…will be curious to see how many NSTers will be wearing it today besides you, Robin. How do you like it? I still have two rows of elephants left….never thunked that bottle. And now the middle Marzipan has laid claim to it-LOL! That’s how we roll chez Marzipan!
Do you keep the bottles of the Berdoues or any other perfume bottles that you like when they are finished? Same with the boxes?
I have a select few bottles that I keep. As you know the Escada Limited Editions I keep even though they are empty. Sadly I didn’t save the boxes. The Berdoues I am keeping both bottles and boxes as I love them both. I have them on display in our bedroom.
I like it fine, but without the elephants it would not be worth buying, to me, as there are better citrus teas. That said, it is perfectly enjoyable to wear and the elephants are so cute that I will be very sad when my bottle is gone.
Like what?
Carthusia Mediterraneo would be my first pick — they fill the same slot for me, so I basically wear Assam instead if I feel like seeing the elephant bottle.
More citrus and tea that I like better than this: L’Artisan Thé Pour Un Été, Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan.
Jo Malone Assam & Grapefruit — I would rank this about the same as the Berdoues.
I feel like there is something else obvious that isn’t coming to mind…
Thanks, Robin!
Bvlgari Thé vert?
Austenfan, yes, maybe, but also seems like there is something else that is more citrus-forward than the Bvlgari. But still has not come to mind.
House twins today, CM/CM8!
I should have worn an elephant. Jungle or Assam of India. Or, Elephant from Zoologist. Actually, the one I really want is Elephant & Roses. Oh, well. I did watch an elephant being born on one of my favorite shows last night, Secrets of the Zoo. She is the cutest little Indian elephant. Apparently she is the first elephant born at the Columbus Zoo in 8 years. I’m in O de Lancome, to help with the heat indexes of 110 + that have been happening in my part of Texas for the last two weeks.
Oh, I would take a bottle of Elephant & Roses too!
And wow, good luck staying cool.
I woke up this morning in MKK and now since I have showered I am in Miss Dior original. Don’t know if I have sinned or not but I was looking at the specials on Luckyscent and bought Monyette Paris Coquette Tropique for $10. I know it’s an eighth of an ounce and an oil but it was practically free and a blind buy. Also bought a canister of green tea too for 10 bucks.
They paid you, in perfumista math!
I hope I do like it but if I don’t, it’s no big loss.
I love the elephant photo, Robin.
Today I am wearing L’Artisan La Chasse aux Papillons.
You smell so pretty!?
I’m wearing Vacances by Jean Patou. This is gorgeous stuff and reminds me of spring.
The current version? I keep meaning to go try those.
Yes, I got my bottle around 2 years ago. I like most of that collection but Vacances is the most unique. I think they are going to stop producing the Heritage collection altogether so you might want to try it sooner rather than later.
Feeling beachy on this beautiful summer day in L’Artisan Un Air de Bretagne.
Happy Monday!
smellin’ great!!!!!!
Thank you! ?
Oh crap! It’s happening again! On my phone I am banished from posting…on my computer it posts twice!!!!!
Um, that’s three times actually? sorry, lol.
Oh God! LOL! ?
I have no idea why you are banished on your phone…there is nothing in the spam queue.
Try turning the phone off and then on again. That often helps when something goes haywire.
Morning. I’m in Shalini. I splurged on a 10 ml bottle several years ago (not the fancy one, but still…) and have never been sorry. It is so beautiful. And i have a dinner date tonight.
Hope it is a fun dinner date!
I guess I can do Jungle l’Elephant. One spray. “For the elephants…”
For the elephants!
I am wearing Dune today.
I spotted quite some mentions of it here on NST lately.
I wad familiar with it during my school-days back in the 90s, but I only smelled it on others, i have never worn it myself….
So
…while I was visiting the department store looking for some sweets (for a friend tomorrow who is recovering from surgery), I decided to give it try!
It sure brings me back to my teenage years ? oh and it still smells quite good, though it probably has been reformulated…..(?)
Oh just read about elephant day….the box of Un jardin après la mousson has elephants on it….I may wear it later this evening
That box is so pretty!
It is! Love the colours of the bottle as well.
I like the bottle the best of all the Jardins bottles. The fragrance as well, come to think of it.
Dune is gorgeous! I just retested it last week too and it’s definitely on my fb list. You smell great!
Thank you!
Found my TB of Iris Poudre, after not wearing it for quite a while. I love this version of iris.
Love the elephants, also. I get a kick out of watching You tube videos of the big ones helping the littles ones navigate puddles of water and such. And the one of the baby elephant sneezing and then running to hide behind it’s mamma always cracks me up! Happy Elephant Day!
Oh dear, elephant videos! I am shocked by how much time can pass once I get started on animal videos.
I’m in Prada Infusion de Vetiver. It hit the spot yesterday, so this is day 2.
On Saturday, I went to a fun DIY lip balm workshop at a local shop that sells locally-made bath & body products. I came away with 10 (!) tubes of lip balm that I scented with a combo of rose geranium, grapefruit, and lemon essential oils. I’m surprised at how well they turned out and I think they’ll make nice stocking stuffers come christmastime.
Fun!
Wow, what a great idea!
Agree with Robin that this is a great idea!
One thought, if you’re saving them for Christmas, you might want to keep them in the fridge. Commercial cosmetics have preservatives to extend the shelf life; if these don’t, the oils might start to become rancid.
Excellent suggestion, nozknoz! Just popped them in the fridge.
I started this week with D600 by Carner Barcelona. I’m happy that this ‘week’ is only 3 days because on Thursday we have a public holiday here.
I have spent some time today writing my guest post for Cafleurebon, I hope you’ll be able to read it soon.
Good luck with your article. Writing nerd question: Do you use a keyboard with English or Polish layout as I think they are quite different?
I have a standard QWERTY keyboard, does that answer your question?
Yes it does
I needed something non sweet to offset the high humidity today, so I went with Tam Dao. Turns out I am on theme, because there are little elephants on the label.
Today is my Saturday, so it’s errands and catching up on laundry. Hoping the sun comes out at some point.?
Is Tam Dao close at all to Santal Carmin?
Not to my nose. Even though they are both sandalwood, Tam Dao is all about wood and cedar, whereas Santal Carmin is creamier and softer and has that note of saffron.
Good to know. Thanks!
No elephants for me today, I’m wearing Jour d’Hermes.
You smelled great despite the conspicuous lack of elephant
I’m wearing Tuberose Flash today. It’s absolutely gorgeous in this 94 degree weather.
I have to go back to work tomorrow, sigh. I am super excited about the school year starting and getting to see all my students, but this summer was insane and I don’t feel like I got a break. Oh well.
I’m not a fan of school going back in August. I prefer the After labor day start.
Kids in my area won’t go back to school until after Labor Day. Good thing, too, since a lot of the older buildings don’t have AC.
Has anyone tried the Iiuvo line? It sounds interesting:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/07/t-magazine/tomi-ahmed-iiuvo.html
But I haven’t found any reviews on perfume blogs yet, just PR-based magazine articles like this one.
Your question is the first I’ve even heard of them.
They’re not even in Fragrantica yet!
A very late in the day comment to say I tried a couple at Mecca here in New Zealand, I was amazed to find something so obscure here! I trued Soignée and Fonteyn, and I noted that they were both pleasant and slightly spicy.
In Purple Rain, inspired as I was to buy a sample after Hajusuuri’s very positive review. It is lovely. Very Prada-esque. I have a cold, which is definitely messing with the smell-works, but Purple Rain reminds me of what I loved so much about Infusion d’Iris when I smelled it for the first time–but somehow there seems to be more going on with this version. (How’s that for a trenchant perfume review?–Better stick to my day job!)
First day back at school for my youngest. 11th grade. Yesterday we celebrated by going to the symphony for a live orchestra playing of the score to Prisoner of Azkaban. Nothing quite like Davies Hall filled with folks dressed in Potter paraphernalia cheering on Hagrid. High brow and low brow meeting just about where I usually feel most comfortable!
Good perfume review! When is the full length book coming out?
I hope school goes well this term and get better soon.
Why thank you. Thank you. (Curtsies and clears throat). Well, I really am surprised. Thank you. (Reaches in pocket and pulls out a rather large piece of paper.) I wrote this down, you know, just in case, because I didn’t want to forget to thank someone. Ohh. I am so nervous. There are so many who are more deserving. . . Every one of my co-nominated is so talented. So wonderful. I never thought. Never. .. Well (smooths out paper) first I would like to thank the Academy. . .
A book? Well, now that you mention it. . .!
50 shades of perfume. Volume 1
Oh fun! The first time we went to the symphony in SF was to see them perform the music from Lord of the Rings. Highbrow meets lowbrow, but it was fun, and got us to return.
I bet people were in costumes for that as well. I like the carnival atmosphere coupled with the great music.
I’m gonna go literal with Jungle L’Elephant, right after my post-gym shower.
And extra points for ‘K’ Kenzo
Which make up for the ones I lost for failing to notice that I’m in accord with the CP…….
I wore Stash elixir to the gym, which was too heavy. Now I’m in Roja Te Amo. Yum.
Stash is more potent than a Roja?
Do tell about this Roja. Please and thank you.
Ha-I was really self-conscious about being too fragrant around other people in the building. The Roja I wish I could identify each note, but I detect citrus, leather, cinnamon/spice. It does smell very decadent, and works nicely in cooler temps. If you’re in the US I can send you a decant.
A question for any of you North Americans. Do you use the word ‘druthers’ ( as in preference) in everyday speech? I received an email yesterday where the ( academic) correspondent used ‘druthers’ and I can’t decide if it is because it sounded more highbrow than preference, or if she is American?
Right, we will probably get snow today so I need something warm and sweet. Santal Majuscule will do the trick.
I’ve heard the word before, but I wonder if it’s regional? I rarely read it or hear it used here in the Midwestern US.
I think of it as old fashioned; I have said it in my life and I have heard it said, but I think mostly I’ve read it — as dialogue in books.
It is definitely an American word. It was not originally a highbrow word, in fact it was the opposite.
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/194850.html
Here we go! I have never used it in speech and never heard it in speech …but I will now.
I think that word is of another era. Can’t remember the last time I heard it or used it, myself. But if I had my druthers, I’d bring it back into fashion ? And autocorrect is wanting to turn it into “brothers”.
I type slower than you but we were saying about the same thing at about the same time. And I agree, it should come back, it’s very useful.
Ha! I think of The Honeymooners or I Love Lucy. I’m sure that word is used somewhere by someone in those shows.
Kanuka, I’m from the American mid-west originally, and I would only use it if I wanted or slipped into a sort of casual, drawly, folksy tone, and only in this construction:
“Well, if I had my druthers, I’d pick [or do] X.”
Maybe the person did it unconsciously to lighten the tone, or thinks it’s humorous — or it could be that’s just a figure of speech they like. It’s hard to tell when you can’t hear the tone of voice.
Here’s what Merriam Webster says about the origin:
“Druther is an alteration of “would rather.” “Any way you druther have it, that is the way I druther have it,” says Huck to Tom in Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer, Detective. This example of metanalysis (the shifting of a sound from one constituent of a phrase to another) had likely been around for some time in everyday speech when Twain put those words in Huck’s mouth. By then, in fact, druthers had already become a plural noun, so Tom could reply, “There ain’t any druthers about it, Huck Finn; nobody said anything about druthers.” Druthers is essentially a dialectal term and it tends to suggest an informality of tone, but in current use it doesn’t necessarily suggest a lack of sophistication or education.”
I don’t hear it in the DC area these days and don’t know if younger people use it at all, or even know what it means.
Isn’t that nice…it sounds so lovely and lilting. I love it when Jada says y’all as well.
Yup. I use it. Dad was brilliant; apple fell into neighbor’s yard. Mom just as smart, charming and well mannered.
Teaching English, I hope I passed it along to the next generation. If I had my druthers, I’d use druthers instead of rather.
? at “apple fell into neighbor’s yard.”
Not because I haven’t used it, but it wasn’t noteworthy.
☺
Always happy to provide a giggle, Jalapeno.
Sometimes, it just hits the spot!
I feel like it can have a certain utility, such as making light of the expression of one’s preference in order not to seem overbearing.
But I’m not sure, because I can’t think of a specific example of when I’ve used it.
Depending on the company I am with, I may use the term properly or it is fun with a touch of snark. ?
Thank you ! This is brilliant
In my experience, Druthers was used more when I was growing up. I’ve used it from time to time as an adult.
I tend to live in the past though..
I still use it but far less often than I used to. I agree. Colloquial and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it used in written correspondence.
Thanks for the question. I intend to use it more often now.
I agree that it’s old fashioned, but I (at the ripe old age of 32) use it all the time
I’m agreeing with a few other posters in saying that “druthers” is of another era, and is also very informal. I remember the old folks using it quite a bit when I was a kid. I use it infrequently.
I was in Vegas a few days..first time there. Things I didn’t like, things I did. Traffic horrible..buffets great, lol. I tried to visit the Chanel boutique down there..but I entered through the wrong way with the car..(there were not signs not to enter that way) some snooty guy yelled at me repeatedly shaking his hands at me..then I just wanted to leave after that, so I did. Not great parking there and I am not a local so had no idea where to park..just wasn’t worth it. I don’t think I would attempt to go there again..it’s really in a high traffic area and hard to get to. No thanks. I much prefer calling them and having samples or whatever shipped to me. Lol..funny though..first time to the strip and my first stop was the Chanel boutique, it had to be, right? Maybe I can Donatella points for that? lol.
I didn’t realize how much a blanket I use often at home smelled like perfume, when I came back..was nice to smell it:). Ahh, the scent of home–perfume:).
Commando but wearing a shirt that still has the scent of Tuscany Per Donna on it?
Ugh, I think I would rather step on a bunch of Legos than drive in Vegas. Last time I was there, I did a lot of walking or taking the monorail to get around.
Lol! I agree though.
I wore Bahiana today too! I have the green bottle with feather. It’s definitely a bottle that stands out from the rest. I ❤️ the gem on top! It’s perfect ?
I’m sorry that my post ^ ended up in the wrong thread!
Happy Monday!
Today I’m wearing MPG Bahiana from a 1/2 full bottle I got on Ebay (blind buy) and arrived over the weekend. I bought it more for the geographical invocation than the notes because my drumming group plays a percussion style originating in Bahia, but it does also fill the “tropical cocktails” void in my collection. It’s kind of a citrusy cocktail with a splash of coconut water and a dash of salt. The base has a bit of green woodiness to it. It’s fun, but quite light- which is actually a pro for me.
Happy I got it and it’s in one of the older, green glass bottles with a fugly emerald in the cap. I was shocked to see how expensive it is in the new bottle at Luckyscent ($195/100ml)! I got ~45ml for $28 so pretty good in the end ?
There’s nothing like a discounted original style bottle!
No doubt the scent has more character and nuance than the latest reformulation, too.
I do like this older style bottle, tackiness and all! I wonder about reform, though. Curious to smell a new bottle. If anything, I’d think they’d make it more intense since most of the user reviews complained about poor longevity.
What I mean is, IFRA keeps whittling down the list of what can be used, and reducing the concentrations allowed. Substitutions often alter the character greatly. There may be more penetrating but overused ingredients, like white musk or woody ambers.
It’s always worth a try, though. I’ve occasionally liked a new version more, such as Chanel Sycomore EdP. Please report back!
I’ve also liked some reforms or modernizations more than the originals. I’ll definitely r err port back if I cross paths with the newer stuff.
Congrats on the eBay blind buy that turned out to be a great bargain!
Thanks! Even if it doesn’t wow me, it’s pleasant and inoffensive, and gone in about 2 hours so don’t have to commit to a whole day of it anyway.
Nice buy!
I really liked Bahiana…if it was available in a travel size I would have bought it when it came out.
I wore Bahiana today too! I have the green bottle with feather. It’s definitely a bottle that stands out from the rest. I ❤️ the gem on top! It’s perfect ?
I got me no K’s, so I am going to be out of luck for the CP this week. SOTD is Donna Karan Woman (now there’s a K! sort of!) from the dustbuster bottle. I enjoy it.
I think K is going to be a tough one for a lot of people.
Fiori di Capri today, because I bought a back up (almost full bottle) on eBay for much less than a new bottle would cost. I can spray with abandon now.
Spent a nice a nice amount of time yesterday at Bigelow Chemists. I still can’t decide how to spend my gift certificate. Just too many choices. Was pleased to see the store cat is still around…I hadn’t seen her for awhile. And got a good recommendation from the SA on a cat food for our little miss finicky.
Then walked to east side and stopped in Atelier to spray in Cedrat Enivrant. I didn’t realize they’ve discontinued both Blanche Immortelle and Sous le Toit de Paris. Unfortunate, especially the latter.
That’s terrible about the discontinuation but I have enough to last me a lifetime.
Cedrat Enivrant is perfect for a hot today. It was actually not bad today but I think it is downhill going into later in the week.
I thought Sous Le Toit was the best thing they ever did.
Wow that’s sad. Those two are in my top 5 favourites of the line. Glad I have lots.
I went to a nice shop today to buy some special birthday cards they have there and sniffed several perfumes while I was there. (Kuhl-Linscomb in Houston) I tried a lot that were very “meh” on little scent strips and then chose two to put on skin: Arquiste The Architects Club and Agonist Hope. I’ve got a tiny sample of the Arquiste but wanted to see how it is when sprayed lavishly–very very nice indeed. Vanilla with something of a masculine, strong edge to it. The Agonist seems to have an overwhelming note of bergamot, which I like in perfume but not this much.
I like the Architect’s Club but not enough to buy a bottle. If I were shameless, I could call my cousin who reps for a number of perfumes houses, including Arquiste, and beg for a bottle at a deep discount or get samples by the fistful (which was what he did when we saw each other at Barneys).
Hello NST! I’ve enjoyed 4 days of perfect summer weather. ?? Unfortunately, yucky nasty weather is in tomorrow’s forecast. I’ll be keeping a wary eye to the sky.
Good news about my friend who was in hospital: she was released late Friday evening and has been home since. She was kind of out of it on Saturday when I visited her, but given how serious her situation was when she was admitted, I am not surprised.
SOTD = Chanel No. 19 EdT, from the sample stash. I wore this on Sunday, too. Both days seemed to call for it.
Woo hoo! I heard about the upcoming bad weather too! That said, No.19 is perfect dealing with your friend. I’m glad she’s doing better.
I’m glad about that, too! I told her not to scare me like that again.
Congratulations! So happy to hear that your friend is home. You have been such a good friend to visit her. A lot of people can disappear when you get sick.
I live in the Northeast and am counting my Blessings regarding the gorgeous weather we’ve been having! I don’t want to think about change!
Part of me wanted to make sure that she was all right after her hospital adventure.
Happy your friend is home, doing better! What weather are you getting? It’s very muggy here and we may get storms with lots of rain, unless it goes south.
Right now tomorrow’s forecast is calling for “strong to severe thunderstorms”. Possible flooding in the usual low-lying areas.
Glad to hear your friend went home
Thanks Koyel!
Happy for your friend, but will be unhappy with you about tomorrow’s weather. Supposed to be stormy here, too ?
I’m so glad she is getting better and better. You are a good friend, Jalapeno and will have been such comfort.
And you smell very elegant.
Box of eels SOTD.
Bottle is getting low….
Uh oh!
Finally sitting down to post. My sotd was Vanilla Vibes. This time I wore it without layering with Orange Sanguine. I noticed a shorter longevity and less saltiness. Sephora sent me a vib summer sale coupon for next week. I’m happy to see them do sales more often.
I bet that your wallet isn’t so happy about the Sephora sale! ?
Well, I’ve actually started my Christmas shopping for my daughter, lol. She loves make up, so I try and pick up the stuff she likes when it’s on sale, and stash it.
Smart! I hope that your hiding places stay hidden until Xmas. ?
And that I remember where I hid them ?
The more I wear Vanilla Vibes, the more I like it!
Same here!
I don’t have alot of ‘K’ frags in my library (as my hubby called it this weekend).
So I”m working on my sample of Chanel Paris-Venise again tonight. Trying to decide if I need this one. I’m leaning to yes, but we are also pondering going to Vegas in September so I usually purchase a ‘souvenir or 2’ when we go. Does anyone happen know if the Barney”s there has closed yet or is that in the future?