Happy Black Friday / Buy Nothing Day! (It's also Native American Heritage Day, and here are 3 birthdays for you: James Agee, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Nye.) Our community project for today: 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.
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I'm wearing the last fragrance I bought, Maya Njie Vanilj.
Reminder: 12/4 is National Cookie Day. Do what you like with the theme, and feel free to link to your favorite recipe.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2019, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: the Jonathan Adler Elephant Bank is discontinued, but turns up on eBay from time to time.
My cheap thrills these days are Lush solids: uncomplicated, portable, and so inexpensive. Last month I ordered the two new limited-edition scents, Frangipani and Fresh As, and a couple more that I didn’t already have, Dirty and Smuggler’s Soul. Dirty (spearmint and tarragon!) is my favourite of the four, but today I’m wearing Fresh As, which mostly smells like floor cleaner, to be honest, Pine-Sol inadequately masked with flowers, but I’m into it.
Lush makes the only solids that I think are really worth having – but I think the block roll out Gorilla version may have been a bit more useable than the little tins which I find difficult to open. I’m with you on loving Dirty. I have the body spray, a solid and also the hair cream
I originally bought the spray for a boyfriend but he didn’t like it so I gladly took it over. It reminds me of the seaside!
Though I like Dirty it isn’t my absolute favourite – the polarizing Snow Fairy is. For the first time today I used the entire layering procedure of a scent: shower gel, body conditioner and a spritz of the spray. The shower products leave only a subtle trace so its not too much and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE using the whole line. It makes me feel so uncharacteristically organized
I love the solid version of Breath of God. The spray was bonkers strong in me, but the solid is perfect. How does the Frangiapani perfume smell?
Curious too – South Africa didn’t get it.
Frangipani is extremely disappointing. The floralcy I was expecting is mostly buried underneath a not entirely pleasant smoky wood. I thought I’d be getting an interesting soliflore akin to Rose Jam or Lust but instead it’s kind of a tire fire with a bouquet tossed onto it.
At least it was cheap. And it mixes well with other things, if you keep the proportions under control.
A tire fire featuring a random and drowned bouquet does NOT sound appealing
Lush perfumes can have quite discordant openings but if you get past it some are lovely. My personal favourite is snowcake – both soap and perfume. Almond holy grail. In fact this smell is what send me down the perfume rabbit hole, being a limited edition I was desperately searching for a substitute years ago.
Sadly they are becoming a bit less cheap thrills, lately they are only offering large 100ml bottles for many which makes them less affordable!
Unfortunately never smelled Snowcake (we don’t get it). Did you ever find a replacement?
What a shame! There’s the limited edition soap at the moment in the USA website so may be a good way to try the scent if you live there. It’s a very buttery soap, I use it as shower gel. Worth trying if you like almond.
Cara from Farmacia SS Annunziata has a similar vibe but not quite the same. I think what makes Snowcake special for me is a combination of rose and benzoin plus a bit of zing from cassia (and marzipan note which is a bit shrill at the start).. I have not seen that combination of notes in other perfumes and at one point even considered getting the oils to experiment.
I’m in South Africa so we have a relatively limited selection (Lush only arrived here a few years ago). It might be lucky cos lately I’m liking TOO many of their products
I know they have the Almond Blossom Body Wash (though I haven’t smelled it) and their Roasting Chestnuts was meant to be predominantly marzipan but many were disappointed at it not smelling like Snowcake… One of my preferred loukhoum scents is Montale’s Oriental Dream – and when I think of ‘Snowcake’ I sort of imagine it smelling that way!
I think the cassia must have made it really interesting though.
I think you’ve created a need with that Roasted chestnut gel
Need to sniff it next time I’m allowed to touch anything in lush!
I also loved Sweet Oriental dream but in tiny doses, to go to sleep. That stuff is potent! It’s definitely in the same family. BTW seems you also have the Snowcake soap in South Africa if you are tempted to try. Seems lush heard the ‘bring it back’ cry of the band of Snowcake groupies all around!
OMG – you are right! I will have to pay them another visit to at least smell Snow Cake!
They are very generous with samples here so perhaps you could sample the Roasting Chestnuts? I get a mentholated smokey scent from it – interesting – but I prefer Yognog which is a rich caramel.
Sweet Oriental Dream IS potent. One spray under my top is the only way to wear it
I keep thinking about getting the solid versions of Rose Jam and Lord of Misrule. Your description of Dirty is tempting…
The Rose Jam solid is ever so nice. It’s somewhat sweet, with just a bit of thorniness: doesn’t last as long as you would like, but it’s so easy to reapply that who cares? And it mixes *really* well with the jasmine of Lust: I hardly ever wear one without the other any more, and was sort of considering digging some of each out and melting them together in a little jar.
If you’re considering ordering a bunch of things, What Would Love Do is a bright tangeriney lavender and 1000 Kisses Deep is a slightly detergenty osmanthus-myrrh concoction: all four of those mix well with one another if you bore easily. And Goddess smells like cola (they say it’s jasmine and rose and sandalwood but you can’t fool me, it’s cola) and Vanillary smells like a bit of toasted coconut mixed with a lot of toffee and I own altogether too many of these things, don’t I? But they’re so cheap and fun!
It’s hard to resist those 30 ml bottles! I am also guilty of having a small lush perfume collection- I blame the essential oils in the store clouding my brain
I’m borrowing that one: it’s a scent-induced fugue…
Hello all, My SOTD is two cheap thrills, Skin Musk by Parfums de Coeur. layered over Egyptian Musk body lotion by Kuumba Made. I may add a spritz of L’ Artisan’s Patchouli Patch later.
I am so very stuffed from Thanksgiving – I am just having coffee for now and am headed out for a run in a few minutes.
I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday yesterday!
I bet you smell great! Enjoy your run.
I bet you smell amazing!
Happy Birthday to Bill Nye! I’ve had a little crush on him since high school. Yep. I’m a total nerd. And I have a thing for bow ties.
Accidentally on topic today in cheap thrill Perles de Lalique, which I picked up for next to nothing at the discounters. Good stuff.
Lol. I recently texted my college daughter the ? emoji, to which she responded “are you calling me a nerd” and I said “no, I’m calling you smart.” “same thing” she said to which I responded “whatever, nerds are cool”
You are cool NovemberRose.??
Nerd is the new sexy I heard ?
Ian Malcom in Jurassic Park is proof.
Some years back, I played Mystery Date with two friends on New Years Eve. We were crying laughing. The funniest part was that the nerd was the most attractive guy of all of them.
I’m in Chanel Le Lion which fits the cp perfectly for me. It is both a recent decant purchase and not something I would buy a full bottle of. Those les exclusifs prices are a little out of my league, lol.
No in person shopping for me today. I’ll be writing a paper. Ugh. I think it’s kind of crummy that our professor assigned a paper to be due thanksgiving weekend, but, it is what it is. It’s my weekend to work so I have to work on it today.
I might treat myself to a new pair of black leather Chelsea boots. I’ve been eyeing a pair for weeks and there is a decent discount offered today. If anyone has a good recommendation for flat heeled Chelseas, I’d love to hear them.
Sorry for your assignment this weekend! Good luck on it. I’m envious of your Le Lion! I haven’t seen, or better smelled this one yet.
I just bought black Chelsea boots! It’s from a brand I haven’t tried before, but I’m not going into a store to try anything on, so I gambled. Thursday’s Boots.
Those look nice, do report when you get them!
Those Les Exclusifs line prices are heart attack inducing. I am not doing anymore shopping today.
That’s a bad professor move. I am sorry you got stuck with a holiday weekend deadline. I moved my usual Sunday night deadline to Tuesday, and the students I meet with on Monday mornings don’t have anything due until Wednesday. I figure that if I don’t want to be working over the holdiay* I should make that possible for my students, too.
*I did work a tiny bit on W and several hours F, but not at all on Thanksgiving proper. I’ll work at least three or four hours each weekend day, too. But I am refusing to answer emails from colleagues until Monday — especially this year, with a sizable pay cut after several years with no raises whatsoever. Some of our assistant profs are making less now than they were when they were hired. (Yes, we are glad to have jobs — but not ready to surrender all personal boundaries because of it.)
SOTD is cheap thrill Adam Levine for her, that I bought because of you enablers here ? I think it is a lovely fall scent (do I smell carnation?) but very shortlived.
I fell for Aerin Evening Rose in 30% discount. I had and sold this one, but never found a better boozy rose. I will be wearing this tomorrow.
Finally, I’m back and forth on JHAG Musc Invisible. It reminds me of The Body Shop White Musk and takes me back many years ago. I don’t want to smell like White Musk, but something about this version grabs me….
Yeah, I did the same thing on that one and then caved and got a travel spray from Twisted Lily. 28 bucks, practically perfumemath free.?
Good idea! 7.5 ml will last me a long time and is practically free!!
Hi all!
Wearing Hiram Green’s Voyage for the first time. I received a sample in my very generous Freebiemeet package. I’m always surprised with the HG line as they feel very restrained to me. Beautiful though.
I’m limiting myself to only one perfume this weekend. Let me live vicariously through you if you are buying something!
Stay safe all.
Hiram Green comes out with some really well-done perfumes.
That is a very well done amber.. I really love the HG collection and have 4 of his including Voyage. How he does that with just naturals and IFRA compliance I really don’t know! He has a very unique style.
If you are in Europe he has a 20% sale on all the perfumes with code in his Facebook page.. not sure if he ships elsewhere. I could not resist and bought Lustre which is a green and not screechy bright rose with a base of olibanum (probably the most restrained of the bunch but still love it).
He ships to the US free if you buy 2 bottles.
I’m sure you smell good – just ordered the discovery set, which will include a sample of this one!
Hey Coumarin, glad you like the Voyage sample! It is of the original version, not the 2019 one that is currently for sale. I’ve not tried the newer one myself.
I’m wearing Fils de Dieu… which was a cheap thrill last Black Friday when ELdO had a buy a bottle, get one free deal. I’m not sure if this was the free bottle or if Remarkable People was, but I’m still thrilled by the deal.
I’m a stress shopper and I’m missing my family in Canada very much. I have no idea when I’ll get to see them again. I know logically that buying a new perfume is not going to fix this problem, and that stress shopping is why I got myself into a no buy in the first place, but it’s hard not to try to distract myself from my feelings by researching perfumes, deciding on one, and then waiting for it to arrive.
I’ll guess I’ll just go for a walk?
Go for a walk, and then if you still yearn for a perfume maybe you can go ahead with less stress…
Feeling the same here. I caved on the 4160 Tuesdays pink Friday sale today. Won’t be seeing my family in Canada until April.
Good luck sistine.
I have channeled all my stress buying into redecorating and home improvements this year, which has helped me buy less clothing.
I don’t have such a hard time not buying perfume as I do clothing. Oh, and plants, but luckily it is now a bit cold here to have plants shipped.
I’m sorry you’re missing your family and that you can’t see them for a while.
Same here sistine… hopefully the vaccine will allow us to see light at the end of the tunnel soon.
The cyclical nature of the researching…deciding…purchasing… is something I relate to too well. Sometimes as a distraction, too often as avoidance
SOTD is MDCI Chypre Palatin, my most recent FB, and later in the day I shall switch to MDCI Fete Persanes, 2nd most recent FB.
I have NO plans today. Thoroughly looking forward to a lazy day.
Yay for lazy days! Enjoy, MissGoldSmith.
I hit the order now button on my Ulta cart and now I am done with Christmas shopping. I used all of my Ulta points for the Coco Mademoiselle body lotion and a body wash for a friend. I am not going to spend anymore than the $5 I already did spend. Sitting in Chanel no 19 edp and about to get into the shower. My choices are Clinique Happy since it was the last perfume I bought and a cheap thrill or Cormandel since I can’t quite justify the price of it right now. It’s going to be a lazy day for me today.
Wow, good for you Dawn. We do very little Christmas shopping, but still, I have not even started.
What I want : coco noir parfum
What I am wearing , the better version Coco
LOL. Coco *is* the better version
Coco for the win!
You smell fantastic.
Just got back from running errands and taking one of my cats to the vet for his annual check up. For the CP I’m wearing Old Spice, which is my most recent cheap thrill.
Hoping the check-up for the kitty will go well.
Thanks for reminding me: I definitely must test that sometime soon!
Keeping fingers crossed that all goes well for the kitty cat’s vet appointment.
SmokeyToes goes back for a follow up (including blood work) on Monday morning.
Wish us luck….
My Black Friday buy was Dawn Spencer Hurwitz’ gift set of 10 ml sizes of this year’s Heirloom Elixirs collection, with 20% off from code “bright20” in compliane with my own blog post to consider supporting independent and small businesses this weekend! Heading outside soon to plant more spring bulbs! Haven’t yet chosen a SOTD, but I’m considering Cabochard.
Excellent Black Friday (and small/independent) buy choice! I have more DSH samples on the way and plan to buy something larger from her once I decide.
Also supporting only indie this year, I hit up 4160 Tuesdays.
Ooh, what did you get from 4160? I spent a lot of time browsing but decided I already have such a collection of their scents, and I was mostly tempted to get more of what I have, that I pulled back from the brink.
Well, I have an excuse to buy more of what I love because I live in two countries and keep a bottle in each.
I got more Mother Nature’s Naughty Daughters, Eau My Soul and Captured by Candlelight, plus bits and bobs of Maxed Out, Brigadoon, Centrepiece, Midnight in the Palace Garden, White Queen, Maxed Out and Another Kiss by the Fireside. It will keep me busy for years to come!
I’m wearing the hidden gem of Richard James’s Eau de Toilette, which not only was the first fragrance I bought with a discount when I was starting to get into perfume in the early 2000s but which I again managed to catch quite cheaply when they reissued it a couple of years ago.
That one is seriously hidden, I forgot all about it.
… and such a great scent it is, too. Not only using tuberose as one of the cornerstones of a male fragrance, but also making tuberose seem the most obvious ingredient for such a scent was just a stroke of genius. Too bad it only ever seems to have been made in single batches and never really got on people’s radar!
I am wearing the lovely and seasonal Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit. I have *two* decants of it, thanks to a team nst effort – many thanks! I would buy a whole bottle, but alas, it was a Limited Edition.
I thought they had brought that one back recently, but either I am wrong or it’s already sold out again.
I didn’t see it this year.
I thought I saw Ginger Biscuit on NM’s website earlier this fall.
It was just yesterday I posted about waiting limits for FBs especially 100 ml ? and today I blind bought Vanilla Silk from Gallagher which was part of a limited run of 10 different silk notes he did in 2016 and was discontinued. He has released a couple of these again in short batches in the last couple years I think too. There was a BF email sent last night saying they had limited bottles of Vanilla Silk and they had 3 bottles left when I woke up and I bought the last one. ? Was lemming it and excited to see it offered…hopefully will be good and I can share w/ my vanilla-in-arms comrades as well.
Also wanted to post a PSA for Krystal Fragrance (no affiliation) but I have ordered samples and decants and they have really expanded their houses in the last several months…lots of niche lines. They have 10% to 20% off depending on amount spent and I may get a FB of Wicked Good as she also carries Gallagher. Codes in the link below.
https://krystalfragrance.com/pages/black-friday-sale
I really want to smell your Vanilla Silk.
And you shall! That was part of the mental rationale in fact…it’s not just for me…others *need* to try it too!
Thanks for thinking of your fellow perfumistas! It was a public service.
I want to smell it too!
Of course…the vanilla must flow!?
Smoky-woody vanilla, sounds nice! I hope you like it.
Vanilla Silk is kind of a racy name!
Cheap thrill is my little bottle of Headmaster by Solstice Scents. Apple, bourbon and vanilla, very fall.
I’m doing some refrigerator reorganizing and wrapping a few gifts. Listening to music, sipping coffee, watching Mr Cardinal fly about, a very low-key day.
What a great name — Headmaster!
West Indian Lime for a hot hot Friday!
Not sure if it fits anything related to the cp,but it’s a pretty good refreshing cologne,like the Acqua di Parmas,but not that expensive.Cheap-ish thrill then,I suppose.
Happy Friyay!
XO
I am very envious of your heat. We are still scraping 16C on a good day, and rain and wind.. Had to wear my wool beanie and down jacket . I think you guys are hogging the sun!!! Have a relaxing weekend.
Cheap thrill points for sure.
Agent Provocateur was one of my last three bottles, I also bought Perles de Lalique and a BUB of Aromatics Elixir. So I fit the CP with my latest bottles, which is also a cheap thrill, although the other two would fit in there too.
I blind ordered Lady Rose Monkey from 4160Tuesdays, because it was deeply discounted and Tania Sanchez called it an inverted Mitsouko. Hope I will like it.
Came home to a pot of lentil soup the boyfriend made for dinner and now enjoying a nice glass of Riesling
an inverted Mitsouko! Do tell what you make of it when it arrives ?
Agent Provocateur is good stuff!
I will do that
In a sample of Diptyque’s Eau Lente which fulfills CPs because it came as a testing sample with the full bottle of Eau Lente that I bought. Am in two minds: keep or return?
You are not loving it then?
No – unfortunately not loving. It’s one of those I might wear on certain days and enjoy. And i’ve made up my mind: not adding bottles of stuff I don’t love to my collection
money saved!
SOTD = Powell’s by Powell’s
On CP considering this was the most recent fragrance I received, not counting the Beautyhabit box that just got delivered but which needs to be in Mail quarantine for a day. Powell’s is nice and light, lightly spicy vanilla. I wore … 24 sprays … which lasted all of 2 hours. It was good while it lasted and absolutely office safe because no one else can smell you ?. No, it does not smell like the bookstore but perhaps I should have gone into the innards of the book stacks where the sun don’t shine? Also, as I mentioned on my IG post, the bottle looks like it was made by Demeter although it’s supposed to be bespoke and Demeter may not be able to say anything about it. ??♀️
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIGlCIHhhuu/?igshid=h0ba393bbrpi
I read the comments on the Powell’s Bookstore site and only 1 person appeared to have smelled it despite mentioning it is supposed to be a gift …hmmm; most others were just about customer service, delays in shipping to after Christmas because demand was overwhelming and several anti-fragrance rants (not surprised because Portland, speaking from experience based on family there).
If you’re giving fragrance as a gift, do you test spray it before gift-wrapping it? I don’t because I think that’s just wrong. I’ve given my one sister a perfume once and I told her I would like a decant and would help her make it ?.
Black Friday! As of 11am, I had already received 100 emails ?. I will peruse and take my time to decide…most sales and discount codes last at least the whole day and the set-back would be if the items go out of stock.
Well, thanks for that report, more money saved! I do not spray gift fragrances.
Also received tons of ads but had decided in advance what I wanted to buy and where, so tossed them all.
Good idea with having a plan! And ? on not spraying the gift fragrance.
There is a lengthy article about the Powell’s scent on Fragrantica. It’s stated that the scent was produced by Demeter. Your instincts are spot on!
I just read that! It doesn’t look like she smelled Powell’s though but her description is very close to the actual smell. I think there’s a mistake though as she mentioned Christopher Brosius as if he still has something to do with Demeter but he no longer does … unless I’m behind and he’s back with the company.
24 sprays ?
I think spraying a new perfume before giving as a gift is like eating a piece of Candy out of the box before giving it.
I like your analogy of a box of chocolates!
reminds me when the kids were small and we’d buy a book as a birthday gift for another kid and they would want to read it first – I’m pretty sure we didn’t.
But -how about a candle? I bought an Otherland 3 pack, planning to give one to my daughter, perhaps keep one, and have one on hand for gifting. I do think I will sniff them all, though….
If you bought a candle set intending to split it up, it’s fair game to smell them first. Maybe I’m just a fussy perfume buyer – I always want to have the first few air spritzes so I know what I have has never been sprayed.
When I have given perfume as a gift in the past, it has still been in the shrink wrap.
Me too although some don’t come with the shrink wrap anymore.
Seriously with the emails — I deleted more than 150 on Friday and am already over 50 today.
Up at midnight California time making a razzia on the 4160 Tuesdays Pink Friday sale. This will be my only perfume purchase this weekend. Husband bought me a new bread machine we will be picking up at Kohl’s today. Other than that, nothing much planned for the day except for a walk with DH and dog. Beautiful sunny day. I’m wearing SL La Myrrhe inspired by Bois de Jasmin’s recent post. Only have a few mls left, sniff.
Making a raid?
Yes :-). Made out like a bandit.
I was too slow to get something from the pink sale, they were all gone…
Enjoying my day 1 of holidays and wearing Guerlain LUI.
It will be like an advent calendar of perfume!
Have a happy holiday and keep warm.
Enjoy the holidays!
I have made several “Black Friday” purchases in the last week or so. Eau des Baux, SSS Fig Tree (and a BUB of Nostalgie), and I’m eagerly awaiting a new bottle of Carner Barcelon Tardes. SOTD will be Eau des Baux, since that’s what I have today.
Carner Barcelona is such a special scent. I lived in Barcelona many years and it was used to scent one particular fancy retail shop there. I’m transported to that place when I smell my sample!
I mean, Tardes
I’m so excited to get my bottle! It’s the first scent I’ve purchased from a blind sample in YEARS! It’s really special and so different than anything else I have.
My husband loves Barcelona. I hope some day we can travel there!
Shalimar body lotion and Eau de Cologne. Both bought at good discount.
Moments of hilarity and panic yesterday while in final stages of Thanksgiving dinner prep. We thought bird was done, but it wasn’t. It was also upside down (I was just basting, not in charge). Some freak outs by other individuals with me talking them down. One thing to know about most of these meals…nothing requires perfect timing. Mashed potatoes can be kept warm, as can gravy and yams and stuffing and roast Brussels sprouts. Slice the turkey pieces and toss back in oven under foil. It ended up delicious, and bird was juicy. ????
About to walk down to Gap. Took advantage of sale to buy a pair of khakis for $11!
You smell ? amazing
I have had panic and hilarity on Thanksgiving! The worst was the year my mom convinced me my turkey was not done when the thermometer said it was, so I put it back in and when she was ok with me taking it out, it was totally overcooked and everything else was cold. Ha!
The only year my sister hosted Thanksgiving for family and friends, she overcooked the turducken by a good 2 hours. Leather was easier to chew.
The timing is what always stresses me out about thanksgiving. This year I made the turkey and gravy a day ahead of time, sliced and kept warm in the crockpot. I’m definitely gonna do that again.
After my experience yesterday of cooking turkey parts instead of a whole bird, I’d do that again! Everything came out great.
Happy Birthday Jimi – All Along the Watchtower on permanent rotation here…and written by Bob Dylan. Its a twofer!!
Saw Jimi at Woodstock and at Fillmore East.
Talked to my sister for three hours yesterday that was our Thanksgiving from coast to coast.
SOTD is Diane St. Clair Pharaohs’ Passion. It is very rich and warm and long lasting and I will probably buy another travel size but never spring for full bottle. Truly one or two sprays are enough.
In the year of no spending, I bought six bottles ( two backups) but the year isn’t over so I should shut my mouth for now.
You have to seize perfume opportunities when they arise!!
Your SOTD sounds so intriguing
A twofer for sure!
I hope everyone had a great holiday, and you ate your fill…and beyond!
I am wearing Diorella. I spotted it in an unopened box in the 2nd hand op-shop ( charity /thrift shop) yesterday while I was killing time, waiting to meet a friend at the next door cafe . There was also an unopened box of Knowing and a couple other perfumes. Wasn’t going to buy anything but money goes to charity, the hospice, so …it’s lemony, greenie, soapy. It’s okay and I want to test it against my Fleurs des Citronniere.
Making tofu today so the house will be smelling of soya beans.
The blackbird fledgling are finally feeding themselves , so the male is off the hook. Terrible pollen from the silver birches and the limetrees ( linden) are just beginning tomshow signs of flowering.
Yep, beyond, check!
And what a great find, congrats.
My SOTD is Boutonnière No 7 which is expensive but mine comes from a decant that I received from a nice fellow perfumista, so I got it for free.
I like it, but not as much as I used to, so it’s off the Buy List.
Golden Wood by the Harmonist is my cheap thrill since I got it as a barely used tester when Barney’s went out of business
My SOTD was Teone Reinthal’s Taif Rose from a sample- first impression but it’s really gorgeous. Now that it’s worn off I’ve put on YSL Caftan, soo warming and incense heavy but not too churchy, more on the soft balmy side.
I’ve dived with one black Friday purchase for Hiram Green Lustre (he has discount- yay!) but also bought Embers last week so need to really control myself now..
Wearing Rouge Hermes, which is the latest cheap thrill, as it’s a mini I purchased on ebay that arrived just in time for this posting this morning. I swapped a bottle away here a few years ago as I never reached for it, but have thought of it off an on since and I’m completely enjoying it! Will reapply after my long walk along marshes and pastures (and up a very long hill!) as nature’s scents are a huge part of the enjoyment of the walk – esp on a cool damp day. Still, will be lovely with a cup of tea after and I can definitely see a FB in the future. Happy weekend to all!
I’m in my favorite cheap thrill, Gucci EDP (the dark brown juice in the clear glass bottle). It must be becoming scarcer because the discounters have started hiking the price a tad recently, but it’s still on the less-expensive side. Happy Friday everyone!
One of Liz Zorn’s perfumes is a pretty good dupe for Gucci EdP… my sniffing notes say that it is called Harbinger.
Really!?! Good to know – thanks!
Not on CP with Taklamakan, from a sample. I like it – has dried down nicely. Trying to get organized to see if any things on people’s xmas lists are to be had cheaper on Black Friday…this takes too much time!
It is time consuming! Good luck!
I’m enjoying bright sunshine today and a second day of relaxing after not cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in years.
Joining in today’s cp in the last drops of my sample of Vagabond Prince Enchanted Forest. How I love everything about this one – especially its black currant ❤️ leaf, blossom and bud notes, its name and the magical images it brings to mind, its beautiful bottle and what I imagine is the scent of the Eastern European forests I hope one day to visit as I seek out the ancestral villages of my grandparents. But aside from samples and decants it appears the only size it’s available in is 100 ml., which is way too much and beyond my budget. I really, really want that bottle, but perhaps I will have to just settle for a decant one day.
It’s ‘buy nothing’ day for me today but good luck to those of you who are happily shopping. Enjoy the weekend ahead!
I love that perfume too, everything about it., including the bottle . It is at the top of my buy list but it is so expensive with the exchange rate and shipping. You might also like Grandiflora Boronia, another Duchaufour creation…you may see some similarities.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to check out the Boronia one day.
Can’t you just sell the amount you don’t need as decants yourself? I know it’s a bit of work but in the end it might make your own amount even cheaper, since, as we all know, the price per ml tends to be higher the smaller the bottle.
Yes, I could but for various reasons I’ve been reluctant to enter the world of decanting/selling, although I certainly appreciate those who do!
Same here — the thought of hosting a split makes me anxious, even though it would make sense for a couple of things I really want and *cannot* justify if keeping the whole thing. I bet you’d have a lot of takers (probably including me) if you did decide to host a split of this one. But again, I understand the reluctance! I would be worried I’d mess it up as host.
Plus I want to the bottle and so does at least one other person! So, at least for now, perhaps I’ll just treat myself to a decant.
Joining you in buying nothing today!
But I’ll start tomorrow . . . ?
I’m in a cheap thrill today — back with the Body Shop Smoky Poppy, which I unearthed for Remembrance Day. It was probably my one perfume indulgence the year I last lived in Germany, as I wasn’t working.
Actually, not working goes a bit with the theme of this week. I’d thought I was a prime candidate for the layoffs they announced a few weeks ago, but I managed to escape, thankfully. Always hard to see good people go, though.
No Black Friday purchases here, though my email is inundated. Just work…lots of work…and I’m thankful for that. I’ll have to see this evening if there’s anything calling my name.
So glad the layoff did not affect you!
I really liked Smoky Poppy but unfortunately something in it made me sneeze. Most annoying cos it was so interesting, lovely AND affordable. I have the White Musk Smoky Rose but it’s probably less interesting.
Glad the layoff did not affect you, these are tough times.?
Good news about not getting laid off! It sucks anytime, but even more so around the holidays.
Glad to hear you didn’t get laid off, but also know it’s stressful being one of the ones left behind. I’ve been on both sides of that experience! Sending hugs.
Glad to hear you are okay, but layoffs make it hard for everyone. For us, people just simply disappeared and it was only through the grapevine that most of us found out who had been let go. It was haunting to have longtime colleagues just vanish.
SotD = Nasomatto Narcotic Venus
Just a few spritzes from a sample, which is enough this afternoon. White florals and especially tuberose make me feel so happy in cool weather.
Sort of on point for the CP, this sample is one of the last few I purchased, part of an order from Smallflower, sometime about six months ago I guess. Can’t recall buying any other perfume since then. And though I covet a bottle from Nasomatto, those caps are amazing, I will likely never spring for a FB, too pricey.
A little retail therapy happened this morning. The other day I saw some pretty hobnail drinking glasses in a movie set. Searched online a bit and found them (or something very similar) for sale. I bought a set of the highballs and also the double old fashioneds:
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/godinger-mars-modern-vintage-highball-glasses-set-of-four?ID=7952012
I want to hold them, the bumps look like fun, though they may be hideous in person. Oh well, time will tell. I break glassware regularly, so it was time to stock up so I have some pieces that match. Makes me feel like a grown up.
Time for lunch, a turkey sandwich and a sliver of pumpkin pie.
Ooh, I love those glasses! But I’m a huge fan of mid century modern, I could spend hours looking at pictures of Heywood Wakefield and Pyrex online.?
I love those glasses!
Hi all, I’m wearing my latest perfume purchase, Zoologist Dragonfly. After much sampling I’ve become more and more smitten with this and so bought the FB. It has pretty pale purple juice but this is be case where I disIike the animal illustration. It’s very light and airy, and I get definite heliotrope and sweet rice with a bit of spicy peony and sandalwood. Yesterday to finish my Thanksgiving cooking and delivery to friends, I wore Bee. That scent is so potent! I was still smelling it on my wrists this morning. Today has been mostly lots of rain with a scary thunderstorm this morning. I made it out through the drops to a favorite local small jewelry store where I bought a pretty little necklace on sale. My food contributions to friends were much appreciated and I enjoyed my leftovers today!
The picture (Dragonfly) is definitely sinister!
You smell so good. And your day sounds great!
Wearing Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, my latest purchase and also a cheap thrill.
I had gone through a decant first, it’s very linear but that’s OK, very strong, so only two sprays.
I didn’t buy anything today even though I need a new laptop, I figure it can wait until the January sales.
I hope that you are backing up your important data on that laptop!
Thank you Jalapeno, you know, I don’t really have anything very important stored?
Gosh, you must really have got a great deal if Tobacco Vanille counts as a cheap thrill.
And I’m rooting for your laptop to survive long enough for you to buy a replacement
Thank you Colognissimo (love that name) yes, I too hope the laptop will stay on its last leg and the deal for the Tom Ford was really exceptional.
You smell fantastic!
You might want to keep checking Christmas deals, I am thinking they will continue to stay good.
Thank you Lillyjo, I see we both love TV. I’ll look at the deals for laptops but I did my Xmas shopping earlier in the year.
SOTD = Clinique Wrappings. I am wearing both the EdP and the lotion/body smoother. My set arrived Wednesday.
And I should have waited an hour before hitting the “Buy” button, because I could have used the discount code hajusuuri mentioned! ? But I wasn’t going to miss out on Wrapping this year…
Sheesh. “Wrappings” ?
Yay! Glad that you got it; I love Wrappings. Off to check for a bub bottle!
Thanks! Right now, Wrappings has the same calming vibe that I get from some incense perfumes. Definitely a good thing.
You smell good!
Thank you!
I’m glad you got the Wrappings, I think I remember you really liking it last year about this time.
Thanks! And yes, you are quite right about me digging Wrappings last year. I waited too long for a good sale, and when I was ready to pull the trigger, Wrappings was gone.
Yay for a new buy!
Enjoy your Wrappings! I’ll be pulling mine out for December. I love it this time of year.
You smell divine, I don’t have the body smoother, I imagine the two together smell divine.
Wearing Fils de Dieu today, about 10 sprays! This is my last bottle purchase which was back in the summer. Yesterday I wore Paloma Picasso from a cute mini that was hidden in my stash.
Happy Friday everyone!
Fils de Dieu wanders onto and off of my Full Bottle Wishlist.
Happy Friday!
I posted earlier, but I lost service as soon as I hit post. I worked a midshift today. It wasn’t too bad. The worst part was cleaning up the mess after the human tornados. Came home to more depressing mail. I’m just tired and want to cry. I am twins with Madtowngirl today in Le Lion. The last perfume I bought. I am happy the weather has been pleasant enough.
Hugs to you, lillyjo.
Oy about the human tornadoes! Hugs.
And you smell great of course!
So sorry Lillyjo, this is a difficult time of year.
More hugs going through.
Oh, take care, Lillyjo. Hugs and fragrant warmth to you.
Happy Friday, everyone. Hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday. I wore Iris Torrefie yesterday which I just love. Ate too much of course and enjoyed leftovers today.
Not really participating today, just wearing TDC Bois d’Iris just because it smells nice. Haven’t done much shopping today, mostly a few things for my nieces and nephews.
Smelling good!
Happy to report that the leg of lamb, smothered in garlic was a chef d’oeuvre!
Black Friday Poison = DSH Muresque and L’Or(ris)
Most recent FB = Oeillet Bengale
Sotd = Heretica Redmoon (great fall fragrance and I love the staying power)
Oops – Hermetica
I like Heretica ?
Just imagine how that must smell, lol!