Hump Day, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Birthdays: Joe DiMaggio, Percy Sledge. What fragrance are you wearing?
It seems like ages since I've worn today's scent, Hermès Vetiver Tonka.
Reminder: on 11/27, pick your Black Friday poison...wear the last fragrance you bought, wear a cheap thrill, or wear a fragrance you love but refuse to buy in a full size because it's too expensive.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2020, where I'll try (but frequently fail) to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image shows gift suggestions for women (left) and men (right) on the Hermès USA website. In case you were curious (I was, obviously), the Lao elephant paperweight in solid ebonized mahogany wood is $580.
Bvgari Black today!
And I’m first to comment, for the first time ever. Woo hoo!
Woo hoo!??
Winner winner!!
Chicken dinner!
??
win!
It’s gonna be a good day!??
I’m wearing Diptyque L’Eau Trois, which I don’t think that I like. There seems to be a rather shrieky top note. Maybe the drydown will be better. I’ve worn it before, and remembered not liking it, but I thought that I would try it again. Still don’t like it.
It’s good to try things a second or third time, just in case. I hated La Nuit de Paco Rabanne upon first sniff, and it was enshrined in my memory as the Worst Thing Ever, but then literally decades later I smelled a vintage sample and was blown away: it hadn’t changed, but I had.
On the other hand, I don’t like L’Eau Trois either and probably never will. I think there are four broad categories of scent: Instant Love, Let Me Think About This, I’ll Try It Again But I Dunno, and Ugh No Not A Chance Ever. L’Eau Trois was in the third category for me; I used up a sample, and it just isn’t me.
Love your categories and agree on all counts.
I’ve heard mention of the shrieky note, I get incense, amber, and resins. I’m sure it’s been reformulated.
Part of it could also be skin chemistry. I know Kevin liked it when he reviewed it, and I’m glad others enjoy it. I just don’t.
L’Eau Trois did NOT work for me at all! It was a “One and Done!” sample.
For no particular reason, Lacoste Elegance, which I am quite sure is the only men’s scent with a clear, distinctive raspberry note. It is delightful. To be honest it doesn’t really fit with the rest of the scent, which is a spicy oriental, but that just makes it even more unexpected, like a black suit with a hot-pink necktie. It’s so much fun.
That’s a CP idea — perfume’s that are fun to wear
ignore that apostrophe – lol
That’s how I feel about TF Tuscan Leather.
I’m in Samsara edp, the current version, from a brand new bottle that I did not buy. I got a text Saturday morning from my favorite auntie-my mom’s only sister and my godmother-saying that she sent me a package and tracking showed that it was out for delivery. When I checked the mail there was a box with the return label from perfume.com and inside was this perfume!? It’s my aunt’s signature scent and when my daughter and I visited her in Arizona in January I kept commenting on how good she smelled. Now when I wear it, I’ll think of her.☺️
My college daughter is on her way home today!? She tested negative and has been quarantining in her apartment so she could come home for thanksgiving. I can’t wait to see her!
Both of those stories are lovely!
Aww☺️…thanks!
Yay for you that you’ll see your daughter soon + smelling gorgeous thanks to Auntie! Hope it’s a wonderful visit for you both.
Thanks floragal, I haven’t seen her since labor day, so I’m really looking forward to it!
Wow, what a fabulous gift and a fabulous homecoming! I hope you have an amazing day. Does your daughter have to go back to campus after Thanksgiving?
Thanks!
She’s off campus this year and all of her classes have been online, so technically she doesn’t have to. I’m trying to talk her into staying home where I know she’s safe until classes start again next semester but I don’t think I’m gonna win that one.? it’s so hard, walking the line between parenting and letting her make her own decisions. I just have to trust she is making safe choices.
lovely story, hope it will smell as good on you as it does on her!
Thanks E, I hope I do!??
Wow! Many thanks to be thankful for!
Indeed.☺️
So nice from your auntie to send you a gifr
I know! She’s the best.☺️
Aww… yay to both stories!
Good things come in 3’s so you got one more coming!
Oh good!? Maybe that mild winter I was taking about???
I was thinking the same thing!?
Loved hearing your Samsara story, and you smell great!
Thanks!?
Yay for Samsara ❤️ and yay for your daughter visiting!!!
??
I’m so glad you’ll see your daughter soon! Also noticed how thoughtful your auntie is, to track your package for you, and let you know when it’s arriving. It’s just so sweet. ❤️
It really was so sweet, out of the blue like that! It made my whole weekend.☺️
Thanks for sharing your happy things, I needed that ?
Aww, I’m glad ringthing.☺️
Lovely on both counts! I hope your holiday continues as it has begun.
Thanks AnnE! Hope so too!?
Your Aunt sounds wonderful! Enjoy T-day with your college-age madtowngirl.
What a lovely Samsara story! I love aunties like that.
Yay!! I am feeling sad missing my mom & dad.
Love this whole post!
About to briefly brave the grocery store.?? Wearing some Hempz Minty & Mellow Marshmallow Fluff souffle from a recent Ulta order. Will reward myself w/ vanilla perfume when I get home. ?
I was just going to ask where’s the vanilla, lol, then I read the last sentence.? Good luck at the store!
Good luck shopping!
Also thought of you when I bought some Vanilla vodka on the liquor store. Planning on making a egg nog cocktail with that and amaretto. Hoping the vanilla vodka doesn’t compete with my Shalimar
That sounds really good!
That sounds really good!
That sounds yummy!
I don’t know what possessed me to do it bit I bought a quart of egg nog? Maybe it’s the picture of pancakes?
Good luck! Yesterday the checkout line at my Whole Foods was halfway around the store. Properly spaced out of course but eep.
Yikes. My Trader Joe’s has been like that a couple times. I just back in my car and leave.?
How is that lotion? As far as moisturizing?
Fairly moisturizing but the scent was pretty short lived…I find that w/ most all scented lotions and potions usually though.
Thank you for yesterday’s input about Les Indemodables! ?
You are most welcome. I find it to be a good line…not a poser niche house if you will.
++ just caught up on yesterday’s indemodables/ iso-e super talk! Thinking alike as I have a sample set arriving tomorrow ordered in the hopes that they will have a classic perfumery, non-‘molecular’ vibe. Another iso-e-a sensitised nster here! It’s nice to know I am not alone ?
Yes and I not against chemicals nor am I into naturals. I just don’t get the overuse of things like iso E in recent by the often high-end niche houses. Pretty annoying. Will look forward for your thoughts as you sample them.
Good luck! I am actually procrastinating that’s why I’m here, because I’m going to go to the grocery store with my children.
Good luck shopping!
Grocery was a surprising delight. Not crowded and I was home in 45 minutes but I am like the Terminator when food shopping now…fast, merciless and often trailing burnt vanilla behind me.
But that is the way to be.
Now I am comparing some Eau des Missions to SDV from about 3 or 4 years ago so not vintage SDV. I am much preferring the Missions. Reformulated SDV has a sour opening for me…it dissipates eventually but the opening isn’t pleasing. I don’t recall this sourness in original formula SDV I tried years ago. Very grateful to Springpansy for swapping w/ me and foolishly parting w/ her Missions cologne.
Just kidding of course. We all grow in and out of love with fragrances and I have some waiting in the wings I need to rehome as well.
I know– what was I thinking swapping that one away?! (just kidding – I thought it should be go to a true vanilla lover.)
Ha, if you are trailing burnt vanilla behind you I’m surprised you don’t have a crowd following you by the end!
I used to work for Publix back in my HS and college days. Shopping during the holidays was always crazy!
Current SVD (don’t know previous formulation) to me is a bit to cedar-y strong/pencil shavings.. not sure why as most people don’t comment on it. That stops me from loving it. I wondered about Eau de Missions and hesitated as they say they smell so alike.. now I may try it!
I am the same way re: grocery shopping now. It’s become a “Let’s get this (bleep) thing over with.” No burnt vanilla trail for me, though.
LOL! I still prefer SDV to EdM. I was at the local grocery today and it was a breeze. I think everyone else must have been hiding at home. Felt lucky!
Virtual event over, life back! Sitting on my couch with a new gorgeous Catskills candle burning, cup of coffee and listening to
QXR radio.. content and happy.
While in Boston this weekend the hotel we stayed at had Le Labo products and I fell in love with Rose 31.. the lotion in particular is
gorgeous and wonderfully moisturizing. On the Christmas gift list it goes but in the meantime, I’m enjoying the mini bottles I took with me and the perfume of which I purchased some samples from the store down the street. Definitely fits this Black Friday’s CP as this brand is crazy expensive! Fun to read Robin’s review of this from 2006. Miss your reviews, Robin!
SOTD: Rose 31, the perfect spicy, subtle & romantic rose scent
That sounds so…normal and lovely. Hotel, buying samples at a store, etc. I’ve got to get outside today. Going a little stir crazy. And congrats for end of virtual event!
Thank you! I don’t think I’ve worked so hard ever. Still recovering!
I just walked out to get lunch in a light rain just so I could walk. The air was nice and fresh, and I know I won’t walk when I get home from work.
I’m glad life is back to normal! You smell great.
I stayed two years ago at a hotel in Toronto that had those soaps and bath products too, and really boarded them afterward. That’s a lovely scent!
Hoarded not boarded!
Lol
Got it
If you adore the lotion, try the perfume oil. I adore it, it’s lasted a few years, and if you want a scented bath, it dissolves beautifully in warm bath water.
I have the spray but much prefer the oil.
I saw that option and was a bit curious. Thanks!
Floragal, I miss my reviews too! But can’t seem to do them now.
Anyway, you smell great.
Well, you do have many, many years of reviews one can go back and enjoy. I know I do
So true. For a number of years I never even read NST’s comments or polls. I just came here for reviews – which I still do, too!
Thanks both!
https://brooklyncandlestudio.com/products/catskills-escapist-candle
Is that your candle please? looks lovely!
Yes!
Tbh, I would never spend that much on a candle but evidently my husband would
And I will say it was a really good purchase. The smell is divine and the two wicks give it an extra kick of scent that reaches far & wide in our apt. Dare I purchase a back up?
It sounds wonderful and, per the website, BUY 3+ ESCAPIST CANDLES, GET 15% OFF AND FREE SHIPPING…all in caps no less….heaheh
quality candles are worth it imho as we spend so much time at home right now.
I will be taking advantage of their Black Friday sales! Thanks for the link
And totally agree that you can’t go wrong with home purchases as we are at home more than ever.
sotd – Uncle Serge’s Gris Clair which I love love love on cold days
By the way – what does Iso Super E smell like? Is it a woody note? I saw lots of posts about it in the last few days and some descriptions of what it’s in. My fragrantica searches came up with “you have to register to read this article” and I can’t be bothered. So – if anyone is willing to type some infos about it here – I’m curious to learn more about it!
If you scroll alllll the way down the page, Fragrantica has a riveting article about the discovery of Iso E Super and its use in commercial perfumery. (https://www.fragrantica.com/notes/Iso-E-Super-422.html) Highlights:
“Iso E Super has a remarkably pleasant smell – dry, woody and cedarlike, with aspects of ambergris, vetiver and patchouli and a slight phenolic nuance. At the same time, it is amazingly transparent and neutral, without that heavy feeling typical of natural woody materials.”
“[In 1988, Dior] Fahrenheit reshaped the perfumery world, and brought forth many variations of different artistic merit. One of its structural peculiarities was the large amount of Iso E Super – about 25%. It is one of the first cases of an Iso E Super “overdose” and the first attempt to construct the fragrance with Iso E Super as a main active ingredient.”
Oh brilliant – thanks pyramus!!
I’ve often wondered whether I should just try and buy a little bit of iso-e-super and ambroxan to figure out what they smell like. I have not spent any time looking, though!
that’s a good idea!
You can buy samples from Escentric Molecules…they have both ambroxan (Molecule 02) and iso e super (01 I think?)
Good idea – this might be the easiest way rather than finding a perfumery supplier! Thanks.
Do remember that not every “ambroxan” is the same…each of the fragrance & flavor houses have their own version, or really each has more than one version. And there are variations on iso e super too.
But this will give you the general idea.
Good idea! I’d like to be able to definitively identify my hated note.
I’ve done a few virtual sniffing events where you get a sample of completed perfume, plus samples of some individual components. They’ve all been great learning experiences. And now I have a little raw materials reference library. But no ambroxan or iso E.
“I’d like to be able to definitively identify my hated note.”
♥️♥️♥️
I should perhaps clarify something for those NOT sensitive to Iso E Super. I realized that most people (eg Merlin who said Encre Noir smelled like Vetiver to her, which it does) think we dislike Iso E’s smell: for me it is very airy, peppery, woodsy and vetyver-adjacent. It is not that I don’t like the SMELL of Iso E, it is that when it’s there, I feel physically nauseous and get a terrible headache. Like someone who may actually like the TASTE of peanuts, but it gives them an upset stomach.
oh dear – that souns pretty awful!
The same thing happens to me Amytis! x For me it’d also partial anosmia to other notes and it’s that peppery alcohol-like cloud, then the queasiness and the nausea. It’s really disconcerting as you want to like a popular perfume and wonder why on earth you cannot smell what others can.
It stopped me from enjoying (or properly smelling) anything in the Ormonde Jayne collection and have since then have become quite apt at identifying it. Nowadays I go for more vintage style perfume to avoid the stuff.
Yikes! What a bummer that merely sniffing something could make you feel so bad.
But I guess there are things that could kill you with a sniff. So, I should be surprised at my own surprise, really.
Amyitis – thanks for clarifying – you are right I did NOT understand! So it’s a little like having a sensitivity to a food – which feels very much the same as an allergic reaction. I think I’m actually anosmic to the stuff. I can smell Encre Noire strongly but many scents – including a lot of Ormonde Jayne smell like they are lacking a middle! I wonder how many people have a sensitivity to it? Presumably its rare or it would not have made IFRA regulations?
Hi all!
Another long day before being off for Thanksgiving. Wearing Serge Lutens Bapteme du Feu, which is a bit more opaque than his usual fruity fragrances but I love it. It also wears like iron.
Stay safe all!
House twins, never smelled your scent. Is it good?
I really like it but it’s a bit polarizing. The fruit now is sense and smoky. It reminds me most of Mandarin Mandarine but with a complex spicy warm heart.
I have several times been tempted to buy that one! Enjoy your holiday!
I didn’t pay much to be honest. Maybe $60? I love a deal. ?
You as well, friend.
Spent the morning in no 5 edp. I am not vacuuming before work, I have no motivation to do it and if my aunt doesn’t like it, she can go pound sand. Wearing no 22 edt today. The big debate right now is do I get the Coco Mademoiselle body lotion or go with the Coco Mademoiselle Intense mini travel spray? One or the other, not both. Or save my money and Ulta points.
“she can go pound sand” best line ever
How is Coco Mlle Intense?
I haven’t smelled that one.
I recently sample the Privee one for nighttime and it is nice but not long lasting
I haven’t tried the intense version either but can’t get to the mall to check it out.
Have you tried Coco Noir?
I know I smelled it years ago but can’t remember what it smelled like. I have no interest in smelling the Coco Mademoiselle Privee. I am not wasting money on something that doesn’t last long on skin.
I am a big fan of Coco Noir. It’s not as good as Coco, especially the vintage, but it is a smooth, elegant perfume that’s nowhere near as loud as Coco Mademoiselle. And the Coco Noir bottle is gorgeous! As for Coco Mad Intense, I love it: smells just like Coco Mademoiselle in the opening but the citrus-y top notes settle down quickly into rich, elegant patchouli. Chanel really is my favorite house.
I’m sorry, but your ‘pound sand’ comment gave me a belly laugh. I can sympathize with you; I also have a family member who thinks it’s okay to criticize the state of my house, which he does not live in. I hope you can have a peaceful Thanksgiving, Dawn! ✌?
Was this the aunt who tried to help you by hiding your perfume bottles? If yes, then I would forget to set a place setting for her. Oops ?
I was wondering the same thing!
Same one. Still made at her for that along with her and my mother about steamrolling me by not abiding about what I wanted to do and needed for my birthday.
I was wondering that too. I could send Dawn some coal for a certain someone’s stocking.
Pound sand! Dad used to say that. Thanks for the memories.
As far as your Chanel dilemma, my vote is cast for the lotion. You won’t need perfume, they are so rich. I have a couple I have accumulated over the years (body lotion, cream, butter obsessed).
Feeling the vacuum pain. My darling husband is being a peach getting me a lighter vacuum for Christmas. ?
I think vacuuming and dusting are my least favorite house chores!
Now give me a closet, cupboard, pantry, or refrigerator to organize, and I’m in!
So interesting. I do not vacuum or dust as frequently as I should, but I do not mind those chores nearly as much as cleaning toilets or the shower.
My brother and I still say “Pound Sand” on occasion!
Shalimar parfum and ode a la vanilla
Can you smell me from wherever you are …?
MaxMara sweater dress
I can! You smell fantastic!
I can! You smell amazing.
hmmm…you smell good!
I sprayed in a heavy hand..out to the liquor and grocery stores and want to make sure everyone is keeping their distance! HA!
That’s the spirit! Be sure to report any compliments, and I hope you get one or three!
Sadly your scent trail is stopped by the Atlantic Ocean
I smell you and I love it! ♥️
You always smell and look great!
I’m wearing DedCool’s Taunt again today – it’s just a comfortable, no fail easy reach.
Plus great name (and apologies if I am repeating myself)
Hello all, my SOTD is Laura Mercier’s Minuit Enchanté. Wafting loads of vanilla, spices, and resins.
Double-espresso consumed, putting on my shoes and headed out the door!
Ah espresso…I am going to make some coffee now..
You smell fabulous!
Thanks to a decant I got from Undina a year ago I could treat myself to a couple of sprays of Kilan Amber Oud today. This is a good stuff. Goostuff I say!
You smell fantastic!
One of my favorites!
I wore that Monday! One of my favorites. You smell good!
Vodka. Iron fisted micromanaging boss decided we need to be punished for having the next 2 days off, and is demanding we cram 5 days into a 3 day work week. Where is all this servant leadership I keep hearing about? Never mind we have to send emails about everything we do, including scheduled breaks. So yeah vodka.
I used to work in banking (Federal Home Loan Bank of SF), month and year-end was a killer.
Oh.. so sorry about this boss! Not how you want to go through life given that work is such a big chunk of our time. Hope your two days off feel like month-long breaks!
sorry about your work week…passing you something from the liquor store.
Lol! She’s in another state off for the day but still bird dogging us. I need all the alcoholic booze I can get. I’m worried I didn’t send her an email for leaving for lunch at the time I’m supposed to leave at.
Oy, she sounds interesting!
Oh, the stories I could tell about the annoying bosses.
Before I knew any better, I’ve had my share of one or two come backs, I blame the ignorance and immaturity of my youth.
Sounds like you need a big vodka shot…
This borders on harrassment.
Ugh, and instead of getting actual work done that would add value to the business, you’re wasting time documenting your every move for the micro-manager.
I’m sure I could get more money elsewhere, but there’s a lot to be said for loving your boss and coworkers!
Sorry about the bad boss.
No scent today because it’s time to Let The Cooking Begin! Today: brine the turkey, bake 2 cakes (a rigotorte [chocolate pastry base, chocolate fluffy layer, chocolate glaze top]; and a spice cake), and make the cranberry orange relish. Tomorrow: make stuffing, a butternut squash side, brussel sprouts with bacon, rosemary bread, and of course deep fried turkey. And then I will lie on the couch for days.
I know it’s absurd to make 2 cakes for 2 people, though in my defense we’ll be swapping 1/2 of each cake with neighbors. Really I am just making the spice cake because I got a new bundt pan (the Nordicware Autumn Wreath pan) and I must try it out. I am a sucker for fancy bundt pans. The recipe I’ll be using is a mashup of a Maida Heatter spice cake and ontbijtkoek… fingers crossed. It’ll make the house smell fantastic, anyway (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice).
I wanted to make the cranberry relish today but the cranberries aren’t coming until tomorrow morning. I add an apple and orange juice to mine..how about you?
A friend makes a home made cranberry relish and adds a jalapeno pepper, the combination of sweet, sour, and spicy is delicious!
I just go with the classic version: fresh cranberries, a whole navel orange, and sugar. But only half the sugar amount that is usually recommended… I like mine tart and zingy.
I make mine that way as well, except I use maple syrup instead of sugar.
Oh, now I need to try that. Same amount of maple syrup as sugar, do you think?
Ditto! I like it super tart.
That sounds exactly like the cranberry relish my mom used to make!
Oh not absurd at all! I LOVE a pretty Bundt pan, I checked out the Nordicware Autumn Wreath pan, it’s gorgeous! I love spice cake, I bet your kitchen smells amazing!
I’m making all the sides today, Sweet Potato Pone, Honey-Smashed minted carrots, garlic mashed creamer potatoes with scallions and chopped celery, sausage corn bread stuffing, and roasted brussel sprouts. They always taste better the following day.
You can probably tell, I’m a big fan of inappropriate carbohydrates!
Team inappropriate carbohydrates forever!!!
SmokeyToes leads the charge!
Love carbs
Have fun with your cooking, everything sounds delicious!
Sounds absolutely awesome! I’m cooking quite a bit today as well. Hooray for a day off!
Oh, that bundt pan is gorgeous! Enjoy your cooking and baking adventures today!
Sorry to reply about cranberry sauce here, but we ran out of replies above. I use 1/3 cup maple syrup, the juice of one orange, 4 cups of cranberries, 1/4 cup water and a good pinch of sea salt.
I just made it- that’s why I remember the ratios!
Thank you so much for finding a way to help me, sistine! I’ll be trying this next week for our second Thanksgiving. ?
Well, I am making two pies for two, pecan and pumpkin, and we will gobble them up; all our neighbors are doing social bubbles so not much food sharing these days. Pie is a great breakfast food at our house, an idea that NST’ers have endorsed many times so we will spread out the calories that way.
Absolutely. I grew up in fruit pie for breakfast since we lived on an orchard. I pretty much can’t eat pies other than my own now though because I put such a small amount of sugar compared to others. (That way I can justify more for breakfast! Mwah ha ha!)
with fruit pie for breakfast, not “in”
One of my clients used to make fried pork chops smothered in gravy, home fries, and peach cobbler for breakfast.
Pie is definitely a breakfast food! I put almost no sugar in mine either.
Sounds wonderful! All of it!
We’re ordering our meal from a local restaurant, just don’t have the energy to make all the food for Thanksgiving. I may cave and make some dessert, however.
Wow, pixel, you are good. We have pared our meal down to almost nothing. Wish we could join you at your house
We miiiiiiiight have enough extra for you
Sounds like an amazing feast!
All of your food sounds amazing!
Hermessence Santal Massoia from a small sample. I would love to own a bottle of this.
I love Santal Massoia. It’s such a perfect scent. I have the travel spray, but I’m considering buying the ginormous bottle to replace it when it’s finished.
I’m going to pretend I’m outside today in Badlands, another of the scents I sampled in the Sniffa event on Monday. Grapefruit and balsam on the top, followed by some juniper, verbena and vetiver. Very much evocative of a hike in the mountains (yeah, like I’d know about that, couch potato that I am).
Not cooking this year, and I’m sorta happy about the lack of fuss!
You smell great – I’m becoming a huge fan e Badlands. (The Badlands of Alberta are also one of my favorite places, so it wins name points too!)
Enjoy your day of no cooking!
It’s good the decants are so sizable – we’re going to get a lot of wear out of these, I think.
Hope T-Day is good for you and yours!
Wearing Badlands, as well!
This is my second favorite. This is a great clean, beachy scent on me, but your description is terrific. Miami Duppy has gotten so much wear, it would be a wishlist, if I wasn’t already plotting, lol.
I can see how it would strike you as beachy. Its strongest feature is that “outdoors” vibe. I think it’s the juniper that makes me think of greenness and hills rather than ocean and sand.
Plot away, fragrant one.
Love me some juniper!
Definitely gotcha with the outdoors.
I did consider making Sloppy Joes for Thanksgiving, but am pretty sure that wouldn’t fly with Mr. Jalapeno. We have pared down this year’s menu, though.
Evening in Paris might count for CP…more as an unintended freebie. If you’ll remember I got that random package from Vermont Country Store in August. No one cops to gifting me, and the items were just random enough to seem like it was just sent to me by mistake. I contacted VCS and got nowhere.
So, I opened the bottle today and spritzed. Quite honestly, I get almost nothing. A fleeting glance and gone. I will replace with something different later.
Wearing an old cashmere cardigan from Lord & Taylor that I bought probably close to 20 years ago and rarely wear. It’s a sea foam green. Buttoned it up and tied on a scarf. Maybe I should add pearls. Always appropriate when one plans to chop onions and celery….
You do your onions in style
Looking stylish in the kitchen sounds fun! I eat onions a lot, cooked in all kinds of dishes, but the smell of cutting them is so yucky to me. I just never get used to it. I use the sweet onions for almost everything because they are a little better. I usually peel them under running water and wash my hands and open a window, too. But eating them anyway other than by themselves, even in some raw, more acidic dishes, does not bother me! Long rabbit trail here, but I recently read Two Years Before The Mast by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. and near the end of the journey the crew got scurvy and were in bad shape until they encountered an outbound ship with fresh provisions. Raw onions saved them – it was quite a flight of fancy for me to imagine being sick and weak and then to have the cure be eating an onion like an apple, LOL.
Lord & Taylor! sad..
In Boston they were still open but big sales happening and all those bright, ugly, yellow signs on the windows saying “close out” that I couldn’t bring myself to go in. I want to remember the store in it’s good days and the many enjoyable shopping memories I have over the years.
☹️?
Yeah, I miss L&T. The store by me closed around this time last year.
Looked cute today in your scarf and cardigan!
SOS to incense perfume people. Twisted Lily is doing 20% off (EARLY207NZK6GT8) and I want to replace my husband’s Ouarzazate with another CdG incense. I’ve tried them all but cannot for the life of me remember them. Which one should I choose?
I’m not perfumed yet, but leaning towards Chinatown.
I’m a big fan of Jaisalmer. It’s a fairly bright incense, though – not deep or warm. I find it calming.
Oh no! Enabler!?? After the recent rumors of that line being discontinued, I really need to get a bottle of Kyoto before it’s gone.
I remember liking Kyoto (which I know has many fans) and I own Avignon but even though I like it, I don’t end up wearing it much (smells a bit too much like church incense). Thanks for the promo code!
My favorites are Zagorsk and Kyoto. The others didn’t move me.
I think I found another perfect incense I’d love to purchase — Givenchy Encens Divin, but the price is up there and I don’t need 100mls!
Beautiful scent and lasts all day.
Thanks all—I went with Kyoto!
I love Avignon and Kyoto.
My two favorite incense perfumes from CdG are probably Avignon and the original CdG eau de perfume.
PSA, more Black Friday codes:
Sonoma Scent Studio: 20% off on 15ml and 30ml bottles, 11/24 thru 11/30, code is THANKFUL20
OsswaldNYC: 20% off orders over $75, now thru 11/30, code is 20Thanks
Thanks pixel!
Bvlgari Omnia which I hardly never wear and got for a song ages ago.
I have a coupon for ALzD and AM dithering about which perfume to buy, my options are: MPG Ambre Précieux, Arquiste Boutonniere No7 or Grandiflora Queen of the Night. Do any of you lovely people have some suggestions?
I really liked Queen of the Night, so that would be my vote.
It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?
Tough decision to make. My favorite of that bunch and the only one I own is Boutonnière. What can you use more of in your collection? An amber or a floral? Or both? ?
I own a gazillion florals, and about 6 ambers, but I wear florals a whole lot more. I’ve still got some Boutonnière from a decant.
I also love Queen a lot, but it’s a tough call because that’s one of the best ambers out there!
I guess I’ll probably get Ambre Précieux, it has been on my wishlist for ages, and I love it so much.
I’ll probably get Queen in spring or summer. But haven’t quite made up my mind.
The only one I’ve ever smelled is the MPG Ambre Precieux. So I’m not much help.
? Question: I really love the scent of my ? & ? natural deodorant – the scent ingredients I can decipher are: chamomile, coriander, geranium, and orange peel. Any ideas what could be a good matching perfume?
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
No perfume idea, but the A&H sounds very nice – will check it out.
Most of the perfumes with orange I can think of are the juice, not the peel. IDK if that would work for you.
Well, if you happen across the Arm & Happer natural deodorant (original) in the grocery store, give it a wiff and let me know if inspiration strikes!
I decided on Fourreau Noir today, my cosy lavender mothball in a fur coat scent.
I got out today earlier from work and got a spontaneous haircut today in a new to me salon. The hairdresser cut my short grey hair really nice, so i am quite pleased.
Oh nice! I need a haircut soon.
A good haircut seems to be worth much more than its cost…
You smell great! My grey hair looks like a bird’s nest.
Other perfume PSAs:
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5) Phlur #2: 20% off travel spray set containing Hanami, Sandara and Ameline, no code
6) DedCool 30% off, code COOL30
7) by RosieJane – 30% off all full size products, code = VIPCOOLTURKEY
8) Parfums Raffy – 17% off, code BF2020
9) Capsule Parfumerie (formerly Orris Perfumery) – 20% off, code grateful20
10) Heretic Perfume- save 20% on $50, 25% on $100 or 30% on$150+, no code required
Enjoy!
Thanks for the scoops!
Work is so busy ? i am soooo looking forward to the weekend.
But at least I smell nice…Black Orchid edp
I dont think Id ever wear this to a crowded office, but my home is my office now…..so 3 sprays it is (which is quite a lot for Black Orchid) ?
We can smell you from here
(and you smell great!)
Yes we can (and yes you do)! ?
? thank you!
Wearing Iris Torréfié today and contemplating a FB.
I am of two minds about it though. On one hand its longevity leaves something to be desired, I don’t find it particularly original or ground breaking and it comes in a 75 mL bottle only; on the other hand spraying more of it takes care of the first issue, it seems to last pretty well on fabric and I just find it so easy going and pleasant.
?
And because we need more enabling, Nieman Marcus has a $50 off $200 including beauty and Saks has a similar tiered promotion going on (ends today).
Iris Torréfié is a nice one, and am doing some of that “la la la Ican’t hear you” myself…
Iris Torréfié is fabulous on clothing. I am enjoying my sample very much though it is slightly out of my normal preferences. It’s a very high-style scent to me.
If you would REALLY miss it after it is gone, then maybe the 75mL bottle isn’t as outrageous as it first sounds. Especially if it is fleeting and you reapply frequently.
If not, then money saved.
I don’t feel 75mls is excessive.
It’s a beauty! You smell great.
Hmmm, Vetiver Tonka sounds lovely. I’m in a new-to-me (and not really working for me) layering of Tam Dao over Artisan’s Coeur de Vetiver Sacre, in an attempt to mimic the scent of my hair conditioner. Clearly, vetiver is NOT what I smell in that, but whatever it is is yummy so the investigation and experimentation shall continue.
Ooh, what conditioner is it? I’m a sucker for great smelling hair products.
It’s KMS Tame Frizz – comes in shampoo, conditioner and a leave-in serum, and I use them all. I have straight hair, but the grey ones are coming in a bit corkscrew-y, and the Tame Frizz line is light enough that it smooths but doesn’t weigh the hairs down … plus they all (I mean the products, not the hairs) smell just divine.
Ok now I need to smell the conditioner!
Also RIP Diego Maradona. ?
I do not really follow soccer, but boy, he was young.
Such a tragic person. I always felt this sense of impending doom about him and I’m not a football fan at all, but Maradona was special somehow.
Wearing the SL Borneo 1834 that accidentally ended up in my Keep sample pile. Oh dear, it smells strongly of musty patchouli, so hopping it will calm down in a bit.
Lol – that’s how it is on me, too, but lots of people love it!
I’m sampling Le Lion today thanks to a lovely NST perfumista. Since it was a gift (free) and the last thing I received, it works nicely for the CP and in addition, I will smell very elegant while I prep Thanksgiving dinner in my yoga pants. ;D
rawr! Le Lion is perfect for this Wednesday before the holiday. You smell beautiful
Yessss for yoga pants at Thanksgiving dinner!
SotD for the Community Project is EL Beautiful Absolu in the Andy Warhol Special Edition. It is the last new retail perfume I bought. I thought it might be more like the 1985 original with “absolu” in the name. But, I am afraid while it is nice, it has that “modern” smell; cedar instead of sandalwood? cashmeran instead of oakmoss; dabs of both but with filler cashmeran IDK; I am not that good of nose yet. In other news, one of our local restaurants offers what they call the Holiday Burrito. It is a traditional turkey dinner wrapped in your choice of regular, WW, or gluten free burrito: turkey, peas, smashed potatoes, corn and cranberry relish. With a side of gravy. Could that have turned out really yucky? Some think so, but I get one or two every year! What do y’all think?
yes! I’ve eaten a turkey burrito – sliced turkey layered with cranberry and veggies and stuffing – so the Holiday Burrito sounds like a winner.
The burrito sounds amazing. I’d try it in a second!
The specialty sub at our local sub shop is the Bobbie — turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce on a hoagie roll. When I used to eat such things, it was my favorite sub.
Pic here:
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/food/2016/11/03/delawares-signature-bobbie-sandwich-could-have-been-winona/93128322/
I remember eating the Bobbie–great hangover food!!! (I was an undergrad at West Chester….we used to roll into Delaware to drink, cause you could buy beer at age 18)….ah youth….
Ha, when I was young, it was the same in Maryland — beer and wine at 18. And in DC, you could have hard liquor at 18.
Those days are gone!
That looks delish.
That burrito (and Robin’s sandwich) sound perfectly fine to me!
I would eat that burrito happily haha!
Thank you all for the input and “validation.” The shop sells a lot but no one I’ve raved about it to like it! Maybe I oversold it?
Inspired by Austenfan, I too will be wearing Bulgari Omnia.
Then you will both smell great.
Still working through my ELdO sampler in Yes I Do and Dangerous Complicity. I guess lots of people find Yes I Do boring, but it’s a pretty, sweetened lily of the valley on me, and I’m digging it. Dangerous Complicity is nice and wearable, but what is supposed to be dangerous about it? The only scrubber so far has been La Fin du Monde. I did smell the gunpowder, and on me, it was disgusting.
Thanks for the nice thoughts on my conferences yesterday! I finished at 8:30 and could still speak coherently, so that’s a win.
ooooh, sorry the gunpowder was awful. I don’t like smoky notes in perfume. Makes me feel like I’m at a BBQ.
I sometimes do, though I remember the first time I sampled Vetiver Extraordinaire, I truly thought something was burning! Once I realized it was me, I liked it.
I really like the gunpowder note. I’m so happy to hear tour conferences are over and you still have a voice!
I really like ELdO as a house – I own 6 full bottles of theirs so far. Have you tried Like This yet?
Oh, glad it works for you! I’m so curious: which six?
I tried Like This last night, so I didn’t get much time with it, but it was definitely one of the most interesting of the bunch.
I own:
Remarkable People
Like This
Fils de dieu…
You or Someone Like You
Jasmin et Cigarette
She Was an Anomaly
Fin de monde may be in my future. I also really liked my sample of “Une Amourrette…”
What I love is that they have really affordable 30ml bottles of many things. So I have a goodly number as well.
Dangerous Complicity is just like Narciso Rodriguez to me. Nice, but not dangerous. The people at Eldo are nice, but I think their perfumes are mostly more boring than they do, and I like boring perfumes.
I like boring perfumes, too! I marvel over the true works of art, but I wear my “safer” perfumes more often.
Totally agree the names are far more outrageous than the actual scents. But the scents usually very enjoyable.
How many samples are in that ELdO sampler?
A whopping 20!
Joe Dimaggio? I am aghast! From a review of a biography of DiMaggio…
“How was it that Joe DiMaggio – a high school dropout whose favorite reading material was Superman comics, a man who was a lousy father, an unfaithful husband and a wife beater, a guy who was reluctant to enlist in World War II, someone who never did a meaningful day’s work in the last 47 years of his life, who was monumentally vain and cheap and mistrustful–became a national hero?
Simple.
He could hit and throw and run with a gliding grace, and when he could no longer do those things he … well, he looked great in a suit. But as Richard Ben Cramer establishes in his absolutely persuasive DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life, Joe D. had a secret. He knew the power of silence. The less he gave, standing remote and noble and regally aloof, the more the world took it as evidence of dignity.”
Daniel Okrent, “Say It Ain’t So, Joe,” Time, Nov 20, 2000, 74
In all seriousness, my main association with Joe DiMaggio is the Simon & Garfunkel song Mrs. Robinson. I never paid any attention to sports.
Oh good, I’m not the only one!
Great song.
I think of Mr. Coffee when I hear Joe DiMaggio’s name.
SotD = Tauer au coeur du desert
I’m lonesome for laddm. My mini bottle ran dry a long time ago, and I shouldn’t buy more perfume until I empty something I already have!
au coeur du desert hits the spot very, very nicely. I think I like it as much as laddm.
I pulled out my little metal box of Tauer samples (love the sliding lid and perfect blue paint inside) then realized I could happily wear only these for the rest of the week: PHI and the 3 Flashes – Tuberose, Vanilla, and Amber.
Happy Wednesday to everyone, and happy pre-turkey day to those who will indulge tomorrow. I hope your preparations are appropriately over the top, or not, depending on your whims and wishes.
Oooh, you smell wonderful. I hope your Tauer week is a hit – I love all of the scents you mentioned.
thanks, sistine!
Tauer works for me, at least with these five.
Wearing LADDM now. Coeur had something in it that didn’t do it for me.
as the day goes on I feel au coeur du desert is dryer than laddm. It somehow smells more vegetal, like dry grass and leaves. laddm is more resinous and bright to my nose.
Yes, I agree, Laddm is more resinous and less dry. Love both!
laddm and au coeur are both works of art, to be sure!
Thanks for comparing Tauer Au Coeur du Desert to LADDM. From the sounds of it, I’d appreciate the brighness and resins of LADDM.
agree, laddm does have a luminous quality, a sort of richness, that the dryer au coeur du desert is missing. not a bad thing, just different.
It’s a shame that Andy Tauer doesn’t ship samples to the US anymore. Those tins are so nice.
yah! agree, that it’s too bad postal restrictions make shipping from Switzerland to the US a problem.
I got an email from Tauer a few weeks ago, it seems like it said there are pre-set sample groups that are held in a warehouse in the US, so those are available for order and shipping within the US. Also there’s a solid laddm perfume packaged in the Tauer tin that I’m lemming pretty hard.
I could do a Tauer week too. Good stuff!
join me?
Hermes Eau Des Merveilles, finished off my 2ml sample. Have a mini to get through next. Bring it on.
I may wear Ambre des Merveilles tomorrow…
Oooo good idea!
yes to Hermes!
I like that elephant a lot
but not enough, thank goodness.
yay for Eau des Merveilles! I adore that scent, and the mini bottle is so cute.
Wearing Slowdive today; it’s from the last set of samples I bought and is still a contender as a fb.
It’s nice isn’t it? I was also in Hiram Green today (Voyage). Slowdive is such a thick intense honeycomb.. making me want to go find my sample!
It is such a beautiful fragrance! I think that’s what I like about it; the honeycomb aspect plus its not overly floral.
You smell great, I love Slowdive.
That sounds so good! I haven’t sniffed that one yet.
Someone on another blog was signing off to make a cranberry pie with pecan streusel topping, which sounds very tempting.
Bad sleep last night, wearing AdP Iris Nobile edt, which is lovely and thoroughly undemanding,
Must be contagous. I was tossing and turning last night. I finally gave up and finished a re-read of Beaches.
I just started reading The Lions of Fifth Avenue, it’s very good so far!
Me, too. Next time I will just get up and read instead of lying there frustrated.
I had to run a meeting at 5:30 AM today. Kept having nightmares that I overslept and didn’t show up. (I pretty regularly run meetings at this hour, most recently every weekday for a span of 3-4 weeks, with like 15-20 attendees. If I didn’t show, it would be embarrassing, but someone else on the call could cover. There shouldn’t have been anything exceptional about last night.)
I woke up and checked the time. 3 AM. ?
Tabac Tabou from my recent sample order. A strong like for sure! I wish there was parfum d’empire sample set. I’ve tried quite a few but would love it if they did the same as ELDO, for example.
Speaking of, ELDO’s Black Friday is 15% (no code needed) and 15% off plus BOGO on discovery sets, though that code was not working this AM.
BOGO15DK
I would love a parfum d’empire sample set, too! I hope they’re listening.
I also echo that I wish they had a sample set!
Late to the party today. We worked half day only and it was very busy with meetings.
I went then to run some errands and I finished right after places started becoming crowded.
Wearing Robert Piguet Calypso. It was a nice and warner day today. Waiting for the rain to arrive again tonight.
Hope you are all having a nice day! ?
It was a beautiful day today, Happy Thanksgiving PL67!
Happy Thanksgiving, Coin-op!
Glad you finished up before things got too crowded! Hope you have a great day tomorrow!
Thank you, KellyC! Happy Thanksgiving!
SOTD = first wearing of LADDM from my new replacement bottle today. Really is a little masterpiece. It smells like no other perfume I have. In reviewing my collection, I see that the perfumes I continue to wear regularly are all very distinct from one another. I like variety.
Made a batch of mincemeat, from a recipe I found on line which resembles what my Grandma used to make. This is now curing in the frig to let the dried figs and raisins absorb the apple brandy. I will bake a pie on Sunday with it. Tomorrow, Roast Turkey with sausage and mushroom dressing, mashed potatoes, a creamed corn casserole. I won’t have to cook again until Christmas! Lol.
Ohh, I love mincemeat! Are you serving with hard sauce?
No we do vanilla ice cream.
Hard sauce! Mom always made mince pie for Christmas and Dad made the hard sauce. Incredibly rich and incredibly yummy. Miss them both.
I miss my parents too. Hard sauce= butter, sugar, booze. What’s not to like?
house twins!
Hoping to get more Thanksgiving prep work done later on tonight, namely cooking and chopping giblets for the dressing/stuffing. It’s really time consuming, but worth the end result.
SOTD = back in Divine EdP again today.
I’m sure it will be delicious!
I agree the effort is worth the results! My poor hubs didn’t grow up with a lot of homemade items- lots from boxes and cans- and he’s always so amazed at the effort I put into big meals like this and how good it is haha.
SOTD is Voyage 2019 from Hiram Green. Very nice and long lasting spiced amber. Some days I find it a tad sour but others it is so cozy and delicious. I think it may be a matter of temperature, today I adored it!
I find temperature and mood can be a big factor in smell.
Love Voyage 2019!
I’ve been in and out of here a couple times today but didn’t share my sotd, Shalimar. The tag line could be “when nothing else feels right…Shalimar.” I have on big clouds of the edc punctuated by dabs of vintage extrait and I smell wonderful.
Shalimar is so gorgeous.. took me a while to appreciate but now it’s one of my favourites. They say the current version does not compare too badly? I have never smelled the vintage or edc but so tempted to find a bottle!
I have a lot of Shalimar from different times in different strengths, and personally I think the current edt (which I bought on sale at CVS a few years ago) smells wonderful. If you like vanilla, lemon and incense, it’s a must try classic. (in my opinion)
Thanks, that’s good to know!
I so agree with the “when nothing else…Shalimar”. You smell amazing.
SOTD = Chanel No.19 EDP
I wanted to be super-prepared for the NJ auto inspection and it turned out to be a 25-minute affair. I took my time getting there and was surprised that I was the 11th car at that time. No complaints here and I’m good fit 2 years. I actually considered buying a new car so as to avoid the auto inspection for 5 years. I checked my odometer and my car only has … < 23,000 miles (and not the 30-something I quoted yesterday) ?. Credit goes to No.19!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIBsM02BnRP/?igshid=95lj1wrgvfu6
In Thanksgiving news, I confirmed my Seasons52 Turkey dinner orders and I just have to pack up some desserts I ordered from rbitreats.
In smelly news, besides a bunch of samples from a dear NSTer, I also just received the Powell’s Bookstore perfume, the package of which is in mail quarantine and will be opened late tomorrow or on Friday.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!
Like forward to hearing how you like the Powell’s Bookstore fragrance. I enjoyed reading about it on Fragrantica.
Wow, that was quick for inspection!
I was surprised to hear the Powells bookstore perfume mentioned on my local radio station. The morning djs were trying to figure out why anyone would want to smell like a book, lol.
Happy Thanksgiving!??
I’ll be checking to see you report on Powell’s!
Oh, looking forward to the report on Piwell’s! Byredo Bibliothèque didn’t work for me.
Super quick inspection! Hope you have a great thanksgiving!
3 Mile High Apple Pies later, I am done for the day – once I deliver groceries to a friend due to Covid. But they are all doing just fine!
Wearing Ambre Aurea today …. I went in looking for Ambre Narguille but switched up at the last second.
Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe SL’s 5 o’clock Gimgembre??
Enjoy.
You’ll smell great tomorrow either way!
Luci ed Ombre today, but it’s faded and I’m contemplating my next scent.
Hoping for a coupon code for someplace that stocks Parfums d’Empire. If not, oh well!
yay for Luci ed Ombre! So beautiful, you smell like white flowers in heaven.
Oh, another PSA: 25% off full bottles at Olfactif with code JOLLY25 “now till Cyber Monday”
My poison today is the criminally underrated Davidoff Zino, an oriental woody launched in 1986 and composed by Michel Almairic. It is rich, baroque and a patchouli/rosewood composition that is just beyond suave.
Oh boy, a lemming is born!
Right? Off to research this one…
Ohhh that sounds good!
I bought it after reading perfumeshrine’s “Twin Peaks” post on it. Except it was three peaks with Zino, Coromandel and the SL Borneo.
I bought it for the hubs but am the one wearing it.
Super late! I spent my whole shift in the toy department today preparing for Friday. It still looked messy when I left. I managed to sneak out on my lunch to best buy to get my son his video game. They were crazy busy. I was 8 minutes late punching back in.
My sotd is Narciso edp white cube. The perfume that made me think.. well, I guess I like gardenia now. Lol
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!
If you’re working Friday, I hope it won’t be too crazy!
Thanks! It should be busy… But that’s a good thing. I just hope we don’t get alot of call offs.
Happy Thanksgiving Lillyjo!
Of the cubes, I’ve only tried red cube, which I’m so so about.
White cube is by far the best of the bunch. If you get a chance, give it a sniff. Also read Robins review, it’s the perfect description. Happy Thanksgiving! Good to see you posting!
I will check it out, thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving, lillyjo!
I’m super late. Been cooking off and on and making kitchen messes. Had a fun happy hour zoom with old girlfriends. Gorgeous weather in the mid-60’s. Been enjoying The English Game with lots of nice male eye-candy. I tried a timid dab of Hyrax today and determined that I can find it interesting, not detestable, but not really worth repeating.
Sounds like you had a great day!
Testing Puredistance Rubikona today, it was very nice. Off to spray some SDV for bed.
Happy Wednesday! Woo hoo!
Didn’t wear anything most of the day- was cooking and prepping. After bath this evening I threw on a sample of something that I thunked. I can’t even remember the name. It’s a tobacco vanilla thing that’s nice for a cozy evening.
Hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow! Hugs!