Happy Almost-Friday and Friday! (I am leaving for vacation in the wee hours of Friday morning. There will be a few more posts after this one on Thursday, but none on Friday, and posting will be even lighter than usual for the next 10 days. I will try to make sure there is a scent of the day poll every day, and I’ll post other fragrance things when I can, but if I miss a day, apologies in advance.) What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in the very summer-y Napoleon Eau de Cologne from Hové Parfumeur, which a kind reader bought for me while she was on vacation in New Orleans.
Reminder: on Saturday, 2/8, Now Smell This turns 15! For our birthday, we're moving the Friday Project to Saturday, and meshing it with the Lazy Weekend Poll. Wear a fragrance that you found out about from Now Smell This, or received in a freebiemeet, swapmeet or splitmeet, or just wear a favorite fragrance that you've talked about on Now Smell This. Plus, if you can, share the single best tip or piece of advice you ever received from another reader.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2020, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is New Orleans - French Quarter "Preservation Hall" [cropped] by David Ohmer at flickr; some rights reserved.
I did a random grab today and came up with Tory Burch – Tory Burch. It’s a good choice for a cold and snowy sweater day like today.
Mine was nearly a random grab…opened a drawer and picked the first thing I saw that was a random act of kindness from someone at NST
Enjoy your vacation, Robin! I hope it’s something wonderful and a time of great refreshment.
SOTD: JM’s new Vetiver & Golden Vanilla — me likes! Got a sample at Sephora (didn’t think I’d be able to pull that off as they always say they don’t do samples with the JM brand). It’s bourbon vanilla, boozier obviously, but more of a tonka vibe to my nose. I smell both the vetiver and the vanilla and its still going strong after applying at 8am this morn.
Glad you like it! It was just really strong, rooty vetiver on me, so didn’t work that well. I may need to revisit….
Oooo that makes me think I should make an effort to try it!
Hmmm….
fortunately, my Sephora has never said anything like that.
I feel lucky!!
Thank you floragal!
That one sounds good!
It was a blind buy for me at the end of 2019 and am really loving it.
Have it on right now and was thinking mmmmmmm, I smell great!
Oh yay! I actually liked it too but prefer Carner Barcelona D600 with its iris.
I meant to comment yesterday when you mentioned scheduling fun time. I did that last Saturday and participate in an Escape Room event with 3 friends!
Escape room is fun! I did this with my colleagues a few years ago and had a blast.
I’m wearing 4711 AC Rhubarb & Clary Sage, which is a favorite. A few years ago, I was lamenting on NST about how my bottle was fast disappearing, and how I couldn’t find another bottle. I had given up looking. Someone replied to my comment to say that they had seen at least one bottle on ebay. Sure enough, I checked and there was a large tester for sale at a reasonable price. I bought it immediately. It should last me for years. That is only one of the many reasons that I read NST daily. Thanks to whoever it was that cared enough to let me know about the ebay bottle.
I’ve had similar experiences here – NSTers are the best.
Yay! It sounds delicious and I am glad you found a bottle
NSTers are the best. Robin herself has emailed me to let me know where to find something I had mentioned I was looking for. Thanks Robin!
SSS Jour Ensolleille as I run out on a grey and rainy-looking morning. Hope springs eternal, eh?
SSS is a House I totally learned about here on NST. I finally obtained various samples, loved JE but didn’t pull the trigger on a FB…just a travel spray. Just as I was preparing to buy more, it closed. I jumped as soon as it reopened. This will become a favorite, I can tell. It has that greenness in the midst that I often crave.
I”ve not really explored this brand either. Glad they’ve reopened and may have to do some sampling.
Left without my umbrella this morn and I refuse to purchase a new one. Hopefully, it won’t downpour when I’m commuting later today.
Oh, I adore SSS Jour Ensolleille – it’s golden sunshine in a bottle.
SSS is a House I adore, each of their scents I’ve tried have a bespoke feel to them. I wish they’d re-release Opal (powdery, slightly sweet musk with a touch of ambrette) and Egyptian Musk.
I’m nearly finished with my JE sprayer, might pull the trigger on another one. You smell lovely!
Psst, if you do, make sure to do it before 14 Feb! They have a 20% off promotion going on (SCENTS20).
Thanks for the reminder!
Good morning Y’all,
Wearing Atelier Orange Sanguine, to cut thru the rainy gray wet air. I forget how good this one is!
That is a good one!
You smell wonderful!
Have a lovely vacation, Robin! I’m in Indochine today, and (as Maxwell Smart would say) loving it. Happy Friday Eve, everyone.
Thanks SheriG!
You smell super good.
SOTD is Theorema.
I learned about it from Robin, and it is a great scent!
Theorema is wonderful and it’s a pity that it was discontinued. I have no idea why Fendi discontinued it.
Yay!
Hi all!
I’m in cheap and cheerful Jacomo Paradox after finding a great deal yesterday. I have slowly been collecting the perfumes LT mentions but doesn’t review (at least in the most recent Guides.)
This one is indeed a restrained melon floral with a hint of caramel in the base. Sounds like a mess but very well done.
And Robin, thank you for ask you do for us#
I bought a mini of Paradox years ago and did not love it…glad you are finding it cheerful!
I really rather like it, asthma melon seems more Diorella than Jelly Belly. I don’t know if I would have liked it much earlier in my hobby.
A dry*** melon, eek!
Ha, I was wondering!!
What’s your favorite so far that you’ve collected from this category?
That’s a tricky one! I can only think of three or four off the top of my head. He mentioned Yvresse in the 31 RC review, and that’s one of my Holy Grails. That might be cheating, though and I didn’t seek it out for that particular mention.
Happy vacation time, Robin! Enjoy! Hope you are heading to warmer places!
I am wearing Neela Vermeire Pichola. This was the first sample that I received from a very generous NSTer when I joined NST 4 years ago. At that time I had mentioned in one of the posts that I was having a hard time wearing Fracas (tuberose is my nemesis) and she kindly sent me samples of Pichola and Carnal Flower, which I can wear in small amounts and enjoy. I was very excited to receive new to me perfumes at that time. So excited! Thank you Oakland Fresca! ?
I have a hard time with bwf’s but have been able to wear Carnal Flower too, I think because it is so “buttery.”
I agree! CF is buttery and not as blunt as Fracas is . That makes is much more wearable.
I only know CF from the ones you mentioned, it can some times give me a headache, even though I really like tuberose.
That is one of my problems with tuberose: migraine inducing!
Thanks! We’re going to Grenada again — same as last February — and it should be in the low 80s, which will suit me fine ?
Yay! Please, send some sun to us here! ???
Have a good time!
Sounds wonderful!
I love Pichola! Don’t recall sending it to you, but I am SO happy that it has given you pleasure.
VC&A California Reverie since I sprayed some on last night and could still smell it this morning. It’s cold and rainy, one of my least favorite combos, but CR is providing a little sunshine. This went from swap decant to full bottle pretty quickly.
I associate this perfume with Oakland Fresca for some reason. But it was definitely the love it was getting here that piqued my interest.
California Reverie reminds me of you. This and Aroma M and Botega Veneta.
I was going to say Aroma M reminds me of Elisa P
Ditto.
Yep, absolutely.
Huh, and CR is relatively new to me. But I guess when I really like something, I OD on it for a while until I’m over it and move on, lol. I still really like some Aroma M stuff, but have sorely neglected what I own this year ?
Haha… probably because I live in California. And I do love the name of the frag ?.
Ha! Probably. Or maybe it’s Pixel, lol. Any other Californians I’m leaving out? ?
Oh me, I hope! CR is one of my top 2 favorites. I bought a regular sized bottle, and then a bigger BUB ?
Ha! Yes, most likely!
And CR reminds me of LizzieB
Ah, she’s also a Californian! ? As am I.
I hope you have a lovely vacation, Robin.
Today’s scent is L’Artisan Havana Vanille, which I am pretty sure I learned about from NST.
Havana Vanille is fabulous and can’t understand why it was discontinued. Vanilla dominant perfumes always seem to be very popular.
Thanks Monkeytoe! You smell perfect.
Sampling Nacre Blanche since I didn’t have enough skin space to test it when I was at Parfum d’Ambre. It’s a very nice tuberose but nothing I must have
Buongiorno!
A (new) friend of mine came over for chai tea, my second time making it without my FIL around. She had only had “cafe chai”, and she was shocked on how spicy mine was and less sweet (there is no sugar) and drank a full two cups! She asked for some cream and I had made some cardamon and rose water tea cookies to eat with it. She is Dutch and I enjoyed the 3 cheek kisses when she arrived and left, made me miss Holland. Must visit again soon.
I will be too busy this weekend for the CP and lazy poll but NST inspirations:
Books: I am on my 4th Mary Renault book thanks to OaklandFresca
Perfume: 4 years ago I got Shalimar as a freebie from a generous NSTer.
I also discovered Alahiiiiiine on this blog, gotten generous amounts of Encens Mythique from a generous Canadian on here..
and many many more. What a generous community! I am forever grateful!
It makes me so happy that I turned you on to an author. Such a great feeling to sail away on book—what’s that Emily Dickinson poem? There’s no frigate like a book to take you lands away…. something like that. I am still reading Whitehead’s Underground Railroad.
Would you share your chai recipe? I’m trying to perfect one without sugar.
I wish I could, but the spice I use my father in law prepares
Cardamon and rose water tea cookies!
Yeah that made my ears and tummy perk up! That’s one of my favorite combos for cocktails!
Wearing Perles de Lalique today. Blind purchase, arrived yesterday, and I’m in love. Where has this fragrance been all my life? Though a coworker just walked by my office and said, “It smells like potpourri in here.” #notsorry
Casmir today. It’s my FriYAY! Woot woot!
Yum! Happy Friday! Woot woot!?
Happy Friday!
Smelling GREAT today!
Finally checking in with you fine smelling friends! My 10 hour work days (my new job is busier than I’ve ever been) plus being on Pacific time zone really messes with my NST time lol.
Scents this week: Monday-Shalimar edt, Tuesday- Genre, Wednesday- No. 19 edt, and today Mohur! Such good ones.
Tuesday and today for the project this week.
My hubs left on a red eye last night to WV to visit his family for the weekend. I’m holding the fort down with little Nacho. I look forward to just chilling, watching some chick flicks, not cooking, etc lol. I’ll miss him but after this week at work some downtime will be nice.
I love weekends like that every now and then. Enjoy! Just FYI Thelma and Louise is on prime. Just watched it with my college girl before she went back. One of the best chick flicks ever!
Also, good to see you!?
Enjoy your free time! You have been smelling great this week!
Oh, enjoy your vacay, Robin!
Enjoy your weekend!
Yay! Hello! Hope you’re enjoying CA life, heavier workload notwithstanding!
Enjoy your weekend of “chilling out with Nacho!”
Enjoy your time away, Robin!
Thanks Carolyn!
I finally got to try Tubereuse Criminelle! I know for most of you it is old news, but somehow I’ve always wanted to smell TC and ISM and being able to smell even one of them, was a really big deal for me. I love the big menthol opening, but then again I like Dior Granville, which is wintergreen and muscle rub to most people. Thankfully no rotten chicken in TC for me. On another note, my two cents on Yatagan: definitely no poop (and I get poop in UFdC), just bracing herbs and leather. Definitely an outdoorsy scent that layers well with amber and dirty musk. Have a nice vacation, Robin!
I’ve never tried TC, some people get rotten chicken?!?
The Muse in Wooden Shoes aka mals? 86 and Tanya Sanchez!
Huh! I will remember that if I ever get a chance to try it!
I get muscle rub too in Granville. TC is very interesting, but totally not me….
Have a fantastic vacation, Robin!
I’m in Dior Vetiver from a splitmeet, and I smell amazing. Why don’t I wear simple(ish) vetivers as much anymore? Oh right, because I have a bajillion other things.
Thank you to everyone for your lovely wishes about this weekend’s reunion/anniversary concert
I’m so excited. Most people are arriving today, so I will get to see friends starting tonight!
Dear NSTers, here’s a reminder to appreciate your bodies and talents as they are RIGHT NOW. As a performer, I get to see what I looked like and sounded like years ago. Sometimes I appreciate how far I’ve come; my classical Western (operatic) singing technique has improved massively over the last decade, for example. But other times, I’m just exhausted with my former brain for being so negative. Last night, in preparation for this weekend’s concert, I watched a video of myself performing in 2011, and omg! Was my voice ever really that good? Was I really ever that pretty? I certainly never, ever felt pretty or talented at the time.
But this is a really good lesson, I think. I don’t feel pretty or talented now, but maybe in another decade, I’ll look back at videos of myself at 32 (now) and think, I was so young and pretty and good at things! So I should stop yelling epithets at myself, probably.
Yeah, you probably should. I think you’re young, talented and beautiful and I’ve never ever met you.☺️ Have fun!
Aww thanks <3 I will!
I missed all the concert news but good luck!
Yes, in 10 years, you’ll probably swoon over how great you looked at 32
Thank you! Hehe, yeah, maybe I should take more pictures
Maybe Instagram is onto something. (No sentence has ever made me feel older.)
No sentence has ever made me feel older – is hysterical!
And you are spot on about the epithets, Koyel.
Such good advice. I find myself doing that all the time. I will see old pictures of myself and think, “aww, young, vibrant, pretty” or whatever and NEVER think that at the time. I need to try and appreciate myself more as I am.
Hugs, friend!
Yes! Let’s try to do more of that this year
So happy to read you’re settling in nicely in CA!
Thanks Koyel!
On the other side of that coin, possibly you were a nicer person for not feeling 100% young, vibrant and pretty?
Good point, Robin.
Hahaha perhaps! And thank you for pointing out that potential upside. Though I dream of finding a balance between not feeling ugly and not being conceited. I’m sure it’s possible.
Yes, exactly…but seems like many of us end up on one side or the other.
I know what you mean. As I look back at photos over the decades, I’m 56 now, I realise the quiet and shy me didn’t know what she had! At least age has brought a bit more self-confidence
Hehe. Agreed! I feel more confident and less interested in what other people think now than I did a decade ago. I hope that trend continues for me, too!
Youth is wasted is in the young is trite, but true. I feel more confident at 49 than I did in my younger years. And I also care less (though not totally without care) about my appearance or whether I’ll be good at something, therefore take more risks than I used to.
Ah, so true! I wish I had believed it when I was younger. There’s a lot to be said for taking risks!
I’ve done that very same thing about my appearance. Especially about older photos.
I feel bad that my friend and I were not able to get together yesterday. My appointment went according to plan but my mother forgot she had a doctor’s appointment. Said friend had to get up early for his job today and when I got home, he had to go to bed. My mom’s appointment went longer than she let on, I wasn’t exactly happy because it was supposed to be a follow up. I woke up in vintage LHB and switching over to LADDM for work.
That is frustrating. I hope you can reschedule with your friend on a day you have more control over!
Sienne l’Hiver by Eau d’Italie . . . having fantasies about taking a very long road trip. Instead, I have five large writing projects on my place–each one a little less interesting than the last. Any time I need to use ‘illiberal’ and ‘synergy’ in one day I get grumpy.
Five large writing projects is a lot…and even “synergy” is enough to make me grumpy. Good luck powering through! (“Powering through” possibly being another grump-inducer, though.)
I am currently tangling with the use of ‘orthodoxies’ to signify a political class– as in ‘certain reforms were objected to by the orthodoxies.’ Ayeeeah! I am very grumpy!
(I hope you have a fabulous break! LOVE that feeling the morning you set out–the entirety of your vacation ahead of you.)
“orthodoxies” made my brain go straight to “doxies” which is what a friend calls his dachshunds. Snort.
Do you enjoy any of your writing projects? The ones you mention sound rather dire… Are you a technical writer?
Anyway, you smell great.
I know. This perfume is very addicting!
I am not a technical writer, but some days I play one at work! I do a lot of curriculum writing for an international women’s rights org, which I really enjoy, and communications. But I also end up with a lot of other writing and editing projects on my plate. Yesterday’s particular agony was a summary of an anthology of articles by 10 authors (not including me), and the summary was drafted by four authors (including me), and now no one can bear to look at it. So, I am the final reviewer before it goes back to the university that is going to publish it. (I also moonlight writing short articles on health-related topics for a local rag (I write for a hospital), with no byline.)
SOTD is Angel Liqueur de Parfum (one spritz – it’s nuclear strength!) layered over the body oil.
On my second espresso in the hopes I’ll have energy for my lunch time workout. It’s supposed to be a killer today!
You smell delicious, that’s my favorite Angel.
Thanks!
How was your workout? And did your SOTD survive it?
Hello Jalapeno – it was a killer! But we had so much fun. I was able to lift heavier weights and fun for a bit longer. I consider that an accomplishment! Our instructor (classes are given by SFSU Kinesiology students) kept remarking, someone in here smells really good!
And *run* a bit longer, I might add…
Safe travels and have a good vacation, Robin! Thank you for this blog, I’ve learned so much about perfume and “met” so many wonderful people.?
I’m in Coromandel from a NST split. This was a blind buy and it certainly lives up to the hype. It’s sooo good. The sun is back out today and the cardinal in my front yard is insistent that spring is coming.???
Thanks to all for the well wishes for my husband yesterday.
Adding my good wishes for your husband.
The birds in my yard are insisting the same thing, even though it’s snowing!
Thanks lillyjo! Our forecast originally had us in line for snow but then it changed directions and is all south of us. After January I am done with snow and ready for spring.
Missed the post yesterday about your husband, but sending overall good vibes. Enjoy the sun and your cardinal- they always remind me of a precious aunt whose house was filled with cardinal figurines. ?
Thanks KellyC!
They remind me of my granny, who loved them too. On one of my visits last year I brought her a hanging cardinal figurine with a poem attached that basically said think of me when you look at it…..shortly after she passed away a cardinal somehow got in and couldn’t find it’s way out of our screened porch….I am not a religious person, but I can’t help but think it was some sort of sign.☺️
madtowngirl – it’s a sign, I am sure of this!!
Hope husband is home and in bed??
Yes-he is! Nurse’s orders!
Oh good.
I missed your post somehow. I hope he feels better! Glad you got him to urgent care.
Thanks ElisaP! Yeah me too, after he basically refused the ER Tuesday night. He hates hospitals and doctors…but likes nurses.?
Your cardinal must have been talking to some mourning doves that were in my area last week. They were all busy cooing at each other.
I had a rough morning after having a stuffed up nose last night that caused my throat to be so dry while I slept. I woke up multiple times because of it. When my nose is stuffed up, it can make me gag in the morning, which led to me feeling even more tired. I gargled some salt water and ate a little honey to try to soothe my dry throat. Why do these things always happen on the worst day? I’ve got an all day meeting to be in today and don’t want to dry cough my way through it.
I also needed a pretty under the radar perfume for this meeting so I went with Guerlain Idylle Love Blossom, which I got in a swap with ElisaP.
Sorry for the rough morning, hope things will look up.
I hope the meeting goes by fast and that you can rest soon.
Blech, I know the feeling. I’m still struggling with a little drainage from the last cold I had and it made me gag this morning. Not a great start for sure. Hugs.
As a fellow sinus sufferer, yuck. I’ve tried all sorts of remedies: neti pots, different nasal moisturizing solutions, oil drops, steroid sprays, etc. and nothing has helped that much (except for Afrin, which is great until the rebound congestion sets in).
I hope tonight is better!
I totally ODed on Love Blossom when I bought it and now can’t seem to finish off the ~10ml left in the bottle.
You do smell pretty and office-friendly, though!
Hope you feel better soon!
Ugh! I hope that you sleep better tonight.
Enjoy your vacation, Robin!
My sotd is Vetiver Extraordinaire, by Frederic Malle. I can’t remember where I read about this fragrance first, but I think there are some fans of VE on NST as well.
I mostly wear this in summer, but turns out it does not disappoint on a winter’s day.?
Jiji! I listened to the Spartans episode of You’re Dead to Me on my walk yesterday. I must have looked very odd laughing hysterically as I waddled about my neighborhood. So funny. Guess I now need to watch the 300 with Gerard Butler.
300 is hilarious!
Its not a good movie. But its quite entertaining. And half naked men….with abs, lots of abs (painted on or real? ..dont know, dont care, its a movie ?)
Oooh, I love campy, bad movies! Ishtar is one of my all time favorites. I make everyone I know watch it (so far, no one else has seen its charm . . . but my hope springs eternal).
Have a great vacation Robin!
SOTD is Diptyque’s Eau de Sens.
Oh, that’s a pretty one! Thanks for the reminder – I haven’t worn it in ages.
No ski day today–100mph gusts and rain on the mountain. Despite that, the ski cams mounted on some of the lift poles show a few people out. My days of skiing in the rain wearing a garbage bag ended about 20 years ago
so I’ll stay in with the kitties on my lap.
NST-inspired scent of the day is Aedes de Venustas.
You smell great!
100 mph gusts?!?? Isn’t that way more than even hurricane winds? Crazy they even let people out on the slope!
They shut down the lifts that go that high. Still, skiing lower down the mountain in windy, rainy weather is no fun at all.
Nope, doesn’t sound fun.
Yuck!! That weather is horrid! I skied once on “boilerplate”, which is partially melted, hard packed snow with all the powder blown off. I never did that again.
I’m in MPG Ambre Mythique today, from an epic swap with a lovely NSTer. I would never have heard of this perfume, this house or even known the concept of niche/indie perfumes had I not been fortunate enough to find you generous folks. ❤️
I honestly would have never heard of SO many good scents if it weren’t for NST! Thankful!
Same!?
Safe travels Robin, it’s a good time for a vacation, cutting the winter nicely.
I’m wearing Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours which I find very easy to wear, it’s not a spectacular perfume but sometimes it’s all I want.
I haven’t tried that one yet, but love the original.
It’s a really nice variation, plummy, I like the original very much.
You smell good! I like that version and have a mini around somewhere…
Thank you Elisa. The plum in it is lovely and very noticeable at the start.
The BV Eau de Velours was on my Full Bottle wish list for a while. Then I got distracted by other good smells… ?
Ah, yes, it happens to me too. I suppose if you have BV you can pass on this one, though I was telling Elisa, the plum is lovely and different in this one.
I have the original BV and it’s almost all oakmoss and leather on me. The Eau de Velours had a gorgeous rose note in it when I tried it at a department store. So in my case, they are definitely related, but different enough to consider having both.
I hope your vacation will be somewhere warm and sunny (if that is what you like) where little umbrellas float in your drink of choice.
I’m participating via my Otherland candle today – would have never heard of Otherland had it not been for Kevin’s reviews. I’m burning Old Fashioned today, and then will have to make the tough decision whether to do another day of Cuir de Lancome, which I really liked yesterday (splitmeet) or Guerlain Liu, which I first encountered in a freebie sample pack and have since purchased a FB of (my biggest perfume splurge thus far).
Yep, thats exactly what it is!
Back to work today after the public holiday yesterday – it feels as if I’ve been cheated on a weekend, then I remember it’s actually Friday! Le Temps d’Une Fête today, I’m wearing a yellow cotton dress and I think they will go well together. It’s a heavy cotton, the weather isn’t very warm considering this should be the height of summer.
You look and smell wonderful!
I hope that you get some real summer weather soon.
Oh you smell divine Gaynor.
I’ve had a sick daughter at home for the last 2 days. Fortunately I already had the time off. I’m wearing Angelique Noire, courtesy of Hajusuuri. If I could only have 5 perfumes at this time, this would be one of them. It reminds me of my childhood, but can’t pinpoint exactly why. Until I came to NST, I had no idea the vast amount of perfume that Guerlain had. I knew there was more than what I saw on my shelves here, but I figured they were just all in France. Lol.
Have a safe trip Robin. Bring back some sunshine ?
Love Guerlain. Hope your daughter feel better soon! Hugs!
Hope your daughter feels better soon!
Sending healing vibes to your daughter!
I hope she’s feeling better!
I’m not sure Guerlain was ever on my radar, except recognizing the Shalimar bottle and the Aqua Allegorias.
Sending healing vibes to your daughter.
W00t on Angelique Noire!
Thanks everyone! I hear her laughing in her room right now, so that’s a good sign she’s on the mend! Also a sign that i better go see what’s so funny, LOL
That sounds promising! You smell wonderful.
Being sick sucks, no matter how old you get! I hope that your daughter gets well soon.
Best wishes of recovery for your daughter Lillyjo.
That’s high praise for Angelique Noire.
TDC Oriental Lounge, back to read later!
Thought of you when this afternoon I unpacked a pretty, petaled, round, blue glass box, vintage, I purchased on Etsy. It arrived in smithereens. I was so worried about the shipping that I paid extra and asked the seller to please use the funds to better package the item. Well, she didn’t. I’ve sent the seller photos…
Oh no!
That is so sad. I hope you are promptly refunded.
In Chanel Misia today. Hajusuuri generously sent me a little bag of Chanel samples a few months ago. She was looking for a recipient who wouldn’t have the easiest time getting to the high-end stores that carry such. We decided I qualified. (Thank you, hajusuuri!) I wouldn’t have known much about newer Chanel perfumes without that help.
Woo hoo! Are you feeling better?
And I disappeared for weeks. Feeling better now, thank you.
What’s your thoughts on Misia?
I love it. Violet and iris, powdery, with a touch of aldehydes. I have Nina Ricci’s Farouche, Chanel No. 22, No. 5, and No. 19 so I’m set for the ‘ladies who lunch’ perfumes. I do really enjoy this one but for the price tag, OOF!
It’s been a few weeks, but I think I liked it. If I am remembering right, I liked the powdery aspect.
Bianchi Under My Skin, just one spray, because it’s strong stuff. Some here seem to love it, but it has a bit toouch costus with the unwashed hair smell for me to want more than my 5ml decant.
I think that whole line didn’t work for me due to that note or something in her base.
Enjoy your vacation, Robin! I’m wearing Rahat Loukhoum which I always associate with you in particular.
This is one that makes me think of Waterdragon.
Aw, I miss her! I often wonder about people who aren’t around any longer, and there’s several more just recently. I hope some will drop by to say hello to mark this major anniversary!
Was thinking the same thing!
We can hope! ?
Oh good, that’s a good association
Galloping by to say you all smell great, I’m wearing Fresh Index Fig Apricot, and now I will gallop off into the rest of Thursdsay
I do love a good fig perfume. Fig & Poppy by Specialize Fiorintini is a beautiful green fig.
Miller Harris Fig Amere is a perfect woody/fig.
?
Safe travels Robin, and enjoy your vacation! ??✈??
It’s grey, gloomy AND rainy for me today. Plus there has been a Flood Watch issued for the area. Bletch. ☔?
SOTD = Caron L’Anarchiste, from the sample stash. It’s a weird one, and proving difficult for me to parse. I am enjoying the whiffs I’ve been getting today.
Pretty much rain all day around these here parts.
I don’t recall smelling what you wore today!
L’Anarchiste is definitely unisex, and a fresh woody fragrance from what I can figure out. But not the dreaded calone fresh… more like herbal fresh. I haven’t smelled anything else like it that I can think of.
When you pick from the sample stash, is it a blind pick, or do you look for something you want to try?
I usually have a selection of about a dozen or so sample vials that I choose from, if I am picking a sample. Some of them I have no idea what they smell like beforehand. Other times, I take a cautious sniff from the vial before applying.
Robin, have fun on your vacation!
SOTD = Parfum Satori Satori
Spicy powdery incense. Also, while not listed in the notes, I also detected violets. The perfume is understated and close to skin, perfect for the office.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8PGX-vhJnB/?igshid=131p7kalnwx1z
I had a craving for pasta today (for lunch). One would think that there’s a place that would just roll of someone’s tongue but no. Someone thought perhaps the pizza place nearby may have it, but no. I looked at the menu and saw rice balls and meatballs – perfect even though not pasta. I knew I overordered for one person when the take out bag contained 2 sets of utensils :-). Not complaining because I’ll have the other half for dinner ?.
I would have posted here earlier were I not distracted by something I saw at ground level. I’ll post a link to the distraction once it’s up on IG.
Here’s the distraction video:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Pm8KWhXX0/?igshid=xxv9eu41l6pt
That distraction video is pretty cool!
Your perfume sounds lovely! And the distraction was amusing.
Does anyone have advice about placing bids on online auctions? How do you figure out what to bid since you can’t see the other bids?
SOTE is Lutece thank you to Gail. I hope you are well!
If you really really love it, set an upper limit and submit that.
Figure out how much you want to spend on whatever it is, and stick to it. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the moment and continue bidding for something.
Auctionitis is real!
Haha!Thank goodness I never do online shopping…
Is it an Ebay auction?
Goodwill
**waving hello**
I’ve been back to my hometown for the last 2 weeks as my Mom has been in the hospital. I haven’t been wearing much scent these 2 weeks but I did bring lots with me. Heading back home on Saturday.
I hope you get your bottle of perfume!
I’m sorry to hear about your mom and hope she is o.k.
Have a safe trip back home Saturday!
Agreeing with what others have said – don’t worry at all about the other bidders, put in your max (a price you would be truly happy to pay) and if someone else goes higher than that, you didn’t want it anyway.
Ditto!
I usually wait and come in under the radar for the win
I’m posting late. Today I wore Shay Mimosa Flower which I purchased on a recent sniffa outing with NST friend nancyleandros. I still love it!
Visited Mom today and she was all well! Sitting up, perky and joking, looking nice with her hair newly done. I was so relieved after finding her so unresponsive on Tuesday. Thank you to everyone here for support and suggestions.
I’m glad your mom was better today.
That’s good to hear!
Sending love and huggssss!!
Hugs!
Great news about your mom! ?
That’s great news.
Oh good.
Hey ho from New Jersey! I am here for my MIL’s 90th birthday party! And a weekend of being ordered around by Generalissimo SIL, but we’ll cope with that ?
SOTD is/was ELdO Antiheros for its lavender calming. Liking this one more each time I wear it.
I brought my trial set of Donna Karan Essences with me – lavender, Jasmine, wenge, labdanum. So I will be playing with combos this weekend.
Lol at generalissimo! Happy birthday to your MIL.
Hope it’s a great visit?
Hope your weekend goes well, despite the generalissimo.
We just called her to check in and ask about plans for dinner tonight. Got a screaming fit in response about how she’s too busy cooking for the party tomorrow. Which is her idea, we wanted to do the party at a restaurant. Ayup it’s gonna a fun time! ?
Again, Toooooooo funny!
Hoo boy, she’s in a hum dinger of a tizzy, isn’t she?
Any chance she’d be open to some CBD oil in her tea?
I’m so bad, chastize me now and get it over with !!
THIS!
? Hi there Pixel! Sorry that the weather couldn’t be a little nicer for you. At least it isn’t loads of snow. ☃
I admit that I LOL’ed at Generalissimo SIL, too. I have a Generalissimo-type in-law as well. My sympathies.
Jo Malone English Oak and Hazelnut for me today! I had lots of serious meetings so didn’t want to be too intrusive or floral. Worked great!
Hope the meetings went well!
I was wearing O’Driu Pathethique today, and its beauty reminded me that I’ve seen O’Driu perfumes disappearing lately – dors anyone know what happened to the house? Seems their website is dead, and their fragrances are not to be found anymore.
Oh, wonder if they went under.
Happy Friday everyone!
Wearing Guerlain Encense Mythique D’Orient. One of my favorite perfumes thanks to a sample that our wonderful ElisaP sent me a couple of years ago. Stunning! A forever staple in my collection!
I love it too!
Isn’t it great? ?
I adore that one! Also discovered that through NST
It is so gorgeous. I stocked up on many samples until I get a full bottle.
Oh I just blind bought a sample of that, reading this has me so excited.
The fragrance.net spray pumps with the twist up top/sprayer are a brilliant idea.
I hope you love it! It is a wonderful perfume. In my case a “must have”. Let us know what you think about it.
I will wear it today to the ArtsFest and report back. It is quite breezy today so I’ll have the added advantage of additional whiffs!
Have fun!
Yeah, I see why it’s a “must have”. This is beautiful.
Thanks PL67,L2SG, and AnnieA.
You guys get an enabler pin.
Hello Friday! I’m taking a break from the CP because vintage Azuree was calling my name. It is big and bold and beautiful, all lovers of vintage leathers and powerhouses should give it a try.
The Azuree I have isn’t vintage, but is still a bold leather scent. LOVE the old bottle style!
Snow day here! No school for my son or for me. I’m wearing Tauer Wowilla oil topped by Tocade, which is definitely a perfume I first heard about on NST – remember mals86’s “that slut Tocade”?
That sounds like a nice combo! I don’t have Wowilla, but I do have Tocade and Rose Delight, so maybe I’ll try that some time. I certainly do remember mals86 and “that slut Tocade” and that phrase still delights me!
Happy Friday, everyone! I’m celebrating NST’s birthday in Azemour les Oranges, which I most definitely would never have heard of were it not for this lovely online space. I love it at all times of the year, but it seems especially nice for the Spring Tease weather we’ve been having here – it’s been getting to 50 degrees nearly every day and raining hard, which is quintessential Oregon spring weather. It’s barely February, though, and I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Eek.
I’m on the other coast, and have been experiencing similar weather. It’s really weird. No snow to speak of for my area at all so far.
Wearing Rose Rebelle Respawn since I remember hanging out in Twisted Lily with LizzieB and IHadanIdea and seeing how different it was on each of us. We all sprayed within 5 min or so of each other but our individual skin chemistries produced very different results
Oh my goodness! I’ve completely lost track of this scent. I need to dig it out. This is the problem with continuing to collect and growing a collection to the point where you forget really good ones.
Nice memory for you
I remember that day!
Wearing that decant of Chanel beige from a splitmeet here.
You smell fabulous!
Lovely! Nice way to ease into the weekend.
I’m wearing Encre Noire. Before reading NST, I thought that women wore perfumes and men wore colognes. I didn’t know about unisex fragrances, or that anyone could wear the fragrances that they enjoyed, regardless of whether it was marketed to women or men. Thank you Robin and everyone else for making it clear that you should wear what you love, instead of what society feels is gender “appropriate”.
Ditto!
Hear hear!
Friday! Yay!
SOTD: JM Vetiver & Golden Vanilla (again)
I sprayed a bit more heavily today and still really enjoying this scent.
Trying a new salon for highlights and cut later today — wish me luck!
Wow. Brave. Good luck!
How’d the highlights & cut go?
In the chair as I type.
Stylist is a hoot. Russian who is obsessed with our politics and finds it all “incredibly fun”.
?
?✂!
Thanks for checking in
I am wearing Iris Nazarena today.
The office I worked at today participated in a this nationwide ‘community project’ called WarmeTruienDag (translation is something like WarmSweaterDay.
The heat is turned down or off in school or office, and you have to wear a warm sweater.
No problem, i have plenty of warm sweaters. ?
It seems like its mainly a Dutch thing (?) Though I just discovered WWF Canada promotes it as well https://schools.wwf.ca/events/sweaterday/
What an interesting project! I haven’t heard it mentioned in Montréal. But I try to keep the heat (and the bill) low by layering long-sleeved shirts with cashmere sweaters.
Wonderful idea!
The government decided on loadshedding this summer,which might alleviate the need for it during the coming winter.We’ll see….
We have our heat valve off in our apartment – NYC apartments tend to be wickedly hot because of central building controls. So, I love this idea – happy wear a warm sweater. When I was a kid, my mom was always big on the whole “put a sweater on” if one got chilly. That changed drastically as she aged.
That’s different. Is it to conserve energy/cost as well?
Interesting idea, I like it.
Snow day in Montréal! Fortunately I’m in San Diego for the winter. Wearing Guérlain Attrape-Coeur. Happy Friday!
You smell delicious!XO
I am wearing Theorema today. Someone mentioned it yesterday and it was calling my name. I don’t know why this was discontinued because it’s fabulous. Either Saturday or Sunday I will file my taxes to get my refund. My choices are to get either Lonestar Memories or Coromandel when I get my refund.
I’m wearing Lonestar Memories today, and seriously considering a FB purchase myself. (I found to my horror last week that my barely-used decant had nearly evaporated.
) LM or Coromandel — either would make splendid use of that refund! 
I haven’t made any decisions yet on if I am going to make purchase or not even.
All morning I thought it was Saturday ? I’m a little disoriented, apparently.
Three days off and three days of sunny mid- 60’s weather! Sadly, after that. It’s forecast to be cold and snowy…
I’m celebration of the perfect weather today, I’m in PdE Corsica Furiosa, which I haven’t worn in forever because I consider it a hot weather fragrance. Since I avoid hot weather as much as possible, it hasn’t seen the light too much recently. I have to say, it’s better than I remembered. Like lunch with an old friend- relaxed, comfortable, with a lots of interesting things say.
Happy friYAY all✌?
I started out in L’HB which would not suit today’s project at all, so I have switched to Moon Bloom. I heard about Hiram Green here, and loving all things tuberose, bought and split a bottle. I hated the bulb sprayer so my Moon Bloom has been living happily in a plain glass atomizer for the past few years.
Thank goodness it’s Friday!
Say yes to Friday!
Standby weekend for theatre,so just laying low.Lol.Yesterday’s off day did me good,luckily so far no emergency cases.We are having an energy crisis in South Africa,so they have been implementing loadshedding intermittently in different areas at specific times.Currently sitting in semi-darkness with my emergency lights on,they cut the power in my area from 19:00-21:30 every evening to try and conserve power and keep the grid stable.Which sucks because I want to listen to awesome music,read my new Find me book….just sucky.
SOTD was Diesel Only the brave tattoo,somewhat uneventful linear masculine.It was grab-and-go this am,I basically promised a friend on Insta he can have it when we see each other….lol.
Happy Friday and weekend you guys!
Definitely popping in Saturday to say Happy Anniversary to Robin and the NST crew!
XO
How are you finding Find Me?
That was one of my favorite reads for 2019
OaklandFresca turned me onto Mary Renault, another author I have become obsessed with.
I am enjoying it quite a bit!I’m still busy with the Sami/Miranda storyline,but I like that angle as well.
I’ll check out Mary Renault as well,thanks!
Hmmmmmmm, it sounds like what you call loadshedding is what we’d call “rolling blackouts” here in the US.
Oh right!Yes I think it is the same concept.We of course make many many MANY stupid jokes over here about and related to loadshedding,as you can imagine!Haha.Better to keep your sense of humor about it.
What jalapeño said…and then we have the weather-related ones like tonight. I got home to a dark neighborhood but thanks to my super-bright iPhone light, I did not have to feel my way to the lock and stumble into the house!
No blackouts for me today, but my Internet was flaky due to high winds.
It’s a somewhat chilly Saturday morning with soft rain,but I don’t mind it.We had CRAZY warm days this past week.The grid is stable at least,but when an infamous “highveld thunderstorm” hits my city:guaranteed blackout!
Glad you made it safe home H!
XO
Finishing my animalics week with some Dzing!
Had to console my mother on the phone, because she had to let her very old tomcat go today. The vet put him down at home on his favorite sofa and he died painlessly. I hate to hear my mother crying!
Oh, so sorry to hear about your mom’s heartbreak. Pretty sure that your mom gave that tomcat a beautiful life.
You may have inspired me to copy animalics week.
I am sorry to hear about your mom’s cat. I can imagine how hard it is for her.
So very sad; we feel for your mom’s anguish (and yours, because yes, it is just awful to hear your mother cry…).
I’m so sorry for your mom. We know how it feels….
It is devastating to lose a beloved animal. I am so sorry.
I’m sorry for your mom, you and her cat: it’s all very heart breaking. Warm thoughts to both of you.
Aw. So sorry for you and your mother. Saying goodbye to a beloved animal companion hurts so much. My sympathies. And yes, it sucks to hear a parent cry.
It’s always hard to put down a pet.
Hugs to your mom.
Oh no, that’s just so hard. I’m glad it was peaceful. It’s a blessing to allow them to die at home, in your arms.
Awww.Hugs!!!
So sorry to hear about the Tom Kitty. Losing a furry baby is so hard! So glad he got do pass peacefully at home with those who loved him.
So sorry Tannina, warm thoughts and hugs, and I understand so well your mother’s grief – it’s so hard to take the decision for a beloved pet – I had to take it recently as well.
I’m wearing Bill Blass Nude, which I got as a freebie from an NST meetup at missionista’s some 6 or so years ago. I didn’t know anyone but everyone was so welcoming. Everyone agreed I should take Nude because they liked it on me. I gave floragal my sample of Tauer Une Rose Chypree, because it was a scrubber on me but good on her. I should wear Nude more often…my husband said it’s beautiful.
The funniest part about that meetup was I hadn’t been in NYC that long (this time…I’d lived here before) and I mentioned to a friend in SF that I was going. She said she hoped I was leaving the address with my husband since I didn’t know anyone in real life and only knew from online. I still chuckle over that.
NST – cover for some really baaaad people! LOL.
I remember you telling me about that on the train afterwards. That live swap was so much fun. I don’t live in the area anymore but I would totally take the bus down to NYC on a Saturday if there was a fun group swap scheduled
After I had my husband sniff my wrist today to confirm he liked Nude, he told me that he could smell my fragrance I was wearing yesterday in the movie we saw. Only when I moved, but he loved it. Will have to wear Jour E.nsoleillé more often.
Well I LOVE it when the sillage kicks in only when you move,it makes me think my perfume is alive and living,with me!
I like Nude a lot.?????
Yes! I love it too. Happened a week ago when I was wearing Beach Walk. A friend commented she would just get little whiffs when I moved. Makes me feel I out on the exact right amount.
Well that confirms I’m gonna need to wear Nude more often.
SOTD = Zoologist Bee
I heard about this line here from hannahmom who popped up recently after a long absence. Kevin did a review last week and I’m pretty sure Oaklandfresca wore it one day earlier this week or over the weekend. It’s a musky powdery sweet floral honey vanilla ?.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RsRYLBoxc/?igshid=7y46q7khi111
In other news, people are just so rude. Coming back from lunch, someone bumped me from behind, did not apologize and kept walking at the very edge of the sidewalk, .2 inch would have dropped her to the street. If I were feeling rambunctious, I would have sped up (not that I was walking slowly to begin with), bumped into her and sarcastically say “oh sorry, I did not see you.”
SotD = Ostara
Once again this week, Ostara is making me smile. I have a bunch of fresh daffodils on my kitchen counter. The smell in here is intoxicating.
Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday! Safe journey to Robin, our fearless fragrance leader.
????????!
I’m wearing four samples of things from my shopping trip. Didn’t much like Capitale or Eau Minthe but fell over n love with 34! I’m also wearing a spray of Liu and a fancy Lancôme jasmine. Just had a half a bowl of sublime Chicken pho. It’s sunny and 71. February is our best month in Houston!
We’ve had rain all day yesterday and practically all morning today. There’s now a chill wind out there and we’re expecting more precipitation…although not snow, at least I don’t think so anyway.
Mr. Jalapeno mentioned that he had snow flurries up where he works this afternoon. Nothing stuck, thankfully.
SOTD = back in L’Anarchiste.
Big honking 4.2oz bottles of this are going for perfumath free at some of the discounters. No way am I tempted by those vats! Maybe I should use up the sample first before I go bottle hunting… ?
LOL, maybe you can host a split?
I’m thinking maybe I should figure out if I really like/love it first… ? I know that I don’t hate it. ?
Well, the sinus issues I mentioned yesterday turned into full blown sickness by the end of the day so I’ve spent the day at home in bed or on the couch. Earlier I tried on some PPC Love-in-a-Mist from the mini I blind bought from Beautyhabit’s sale section since it arrived last night. I liked it but am looking forward to trying it again when I’m not sick.
Hello All, I have been off the grid this week. I blind bought Mon Guerlain eau Florale thanks to a review by Colognnisseur and it’s lovely, plus it came in a set with a mascara and pretty makeup bag and all at a great price.
I began my day in LPRN eau fraiche. It is a Guerlain day.
I have so many NST’ers to thank for all that I have tested and yikes now own in some capacity. You all have made me laugh, escape and learn.
And thank you for putting up with my rapid fire iPhone typos.
Happy vacation Robin, you’ve earned it!