It's Hump Day, National Mario Day, Harriet Tubman Day and International Bagpipe Day. What fragrance are you wearing?
We do not really grow roses, but my husband bought a rather sickly looking unmarked bush at an end-of-season sale last year, and so who knows, perhaps we'll have roses this year? Or, perhaps not. Either way, I'm in Ormonde Jayne Ta'if.
Reminder: on 3/12, for plant a flower day, name a favorite flower that you grow in your garden (or in a pot?) or that grows locally, and wear a fragrance with that floral note.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2021, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Rosa [cropped] by DAVID BURILLO at flickr; some rights reserved.
I hope you have roses this summer!
I put on some Andy Tauer Une Rose de Kandahar because you mentioned them and because it happened to be sitting on my desk. It’s not 100% my thing (I find it sort of… muddy?) but it is nice.
I need to dig out my sample of Ta’if. It’s one of my favourite rose scents but I never think about it because I don’t have a full bottle.
I’m not big on rose scents, but Ta’if is really nice.
Interesting you get “muddy” from PHI. There’s an astringent note at the top that clears my sinuses and overwhelms me for a minute before it settles down, so I don’t think muddy is a word I would associate with it!
Oh, the early stages are fine, lots of rose and tobacco, which I love, but after not too long it starts to go murky on me: it loses all its shape and mostly becomes this uninteresting glob of patchouli. But hey, if it works for you!
I’m not into Rose soliflores either, but both Phi and Taif are roses I like!
I have one of the travel sprays of Ta’if. I wish I had one of the travel sprays of the AT! But I don’t really need any more perfume.
You smell so good
Good wednesday everybody. My Lancôme Orange bigarade fell out of my closet. As if to say say: wear me! And so I did.
I feel like I sometimes need fragrances to choose me rather than the inverse!
I’m in Eau des Merveilles. Many sprays.
I woke to the sound of rain at 4 am and then I layed there awake for awhile, and then the worry train started. Ugh. I was finally able to get back to sleep and luckily I don’t work today because I woke up right at my start time.
I got an email from my university yesterday that there will actually be a graduation ceremony in may. Live! In person! I didn’t realize how excited I would be for it until I got the email. Maybe it’s silly for a woman of my age to want to go through (another) graduation ceremony, but I don’t even care. I’ve worked hard, dammit! I have persevered through death, a job change, not to mention a global pandemic. Call me selfish, but I think I’ve earned it.
You have worked hard for it! And that’s WONDERFUL news! I’m so happy to hear you’ll get to walk for graduation.
And you’ll be smelling nice too! What scent do you think you’ll pick out? Any thoughts??
Thanks SmokeyToes! Hmm…I’m guessing Eau Premiere, classy, unobtrusive, or maybe some grounding sandalwood: Tam Dao.
Tam Dao seems grounding, but Eau Premiere sounds fun also, something celebratory and jubilant.
You HAVE earned it–excited for you!
Thanks springpansy!? Now I just need to keep my focus for these last nine weeks and not get senioritis too bad.
Oh, we all relate to Senioritis, but fair warning, don’t ask me for help, I was the I’m skipping class – going to the beach queen! ? ?♀️ ??
You probably value that graduation and ceremony more than earlier ones since you chose to enter the program and chose to continue it.
Congradulalations.
Yes! This is exactly how I felt when I got my master’s degree. So much more meaningful later in my life because I made a conscious effort to obtain it, not just an “autopilot” sort of thing.
I’m happy for you madtowngirl!
Thanks Dilana, I think you are right. I’ve definitely taken my studies more seriously than I did when I was young.
Nice! Congratulations.
Thanks!?
That’s wonderful, what an achievement, yay for graduation in ceremony, so much more special.
Thanks! Yes, I’m so excited to have something that feels like getting back to “normal.”
Adding my congratulations! That is a wonderful achievement and that you can also celebrate in person.
Thanks!?
You have totally earned it! You deserve to walk and ENJOY that hard-earned degree!
Thanks missionista!?
Graduation in this time is truly a great achievement – you’ve earned every ounce of pride!
Thank you teebear!?
Congratulations and well done. Your excitement for a ceremony honoring a significant milestone in your life is completely understandable.
Thanks!?
Fantastic news! So glad this will be an option for you and congrats!
thank you!?
I hope you can go – you DID earn it. Fragrant High Five!
high five MB!?
Scent twin and worry train twin! I’m thrilled that you’ll get to graduate in person. That’s fabulous news.
thanks! it is fabulous! sorry we were worry twins, but at least we smelled great!?
Such awesome news, getting to graduate in person!
it really is awesome!?
This is very exciting! I feel very proud for you!?
Wonderful news Madtowngirl! So lovely that your graduation will be face to face! ?
thanks!?
aww, thanks lillyjo!☺️
I missed yesterday’s SOTD, but En Passant is sounding appealing to me right now so that is what I’ll be wearing today. Malle’s travel size sprays are good if you want one of their fragrances, but don’t want to invest in a bigger bottle. I am pandemic travel dreaming of visiting Vita Sackville-West’s Sissinghurst gardens in England while smelling lilacs.
I’ve been doing a lot of pandemic travel dreaming lately…….English gardens sound lovely.
I would love to see Sissinghurst, later in summer when the white garden is perfection.
I tried to do an all white front yard — trust me, no Sissinghurst, but I just like the idea. My husband keeps sneaking things in there, and then I move them. We are often at cross purposes in the yard, LOL…
I am lucky to live really near Sissinghurst Castle (although nearer to Batemans which is in my village), and am a member of the National Trust, so i’m looking forward to a visit in the near future.
Since splitting up with my kids Dad, I don’t have a garden anymore and miss my roses, so I appreciate visiting local NT gardens even more.
I will think of you Robin, I hope you do get Roses this year!
And I will be hoping you will have another garden, mayfly!
Thanks Robin! ?
Combating a cloudy, blustery morning with a dose of Vivacious.
I like that one – you smell good!
Wearing Jil Sander #4, and it has all the flowers plus a bit of everything else. It is definitely a big everything-and-the-kitchen-sink-too kind of fragrance.
But I really want to ask you all a question. Last night, Mr. Missionista smelled a smell in our bedroom that he swore was cat pee. After maligning the cat’s good name, we smelled every inch of our bed, blankets, area rugs on the floor, dressers, closet, trash can, not to mention the cat himself and Mr. Missionista’s slippers. NO scent of cat pee anywhere. We checked under the bed–nothing. We smelled the inside of the humidifier–nothing. We went over to all my perfume bottles–nothing. While I could smell something in the air, it did not read as cat pee to me, rather it smelled just like some little “chocolate” flavored guest soaps we had in my house as a child.
So, fume heads, what smell registers anywhere between sweet soap and cat pee and would hang in the air rather than cling to a surface (we smelled this most strongly in the middle of the room)? Are we hallucinating a phantom scent? We only smelled it in our bedroom, not in any other room of the apartment. We turned on the ceiling fan and it has disappeared over night. I’m stumped.
Wow, I’m stumped too!?
Are you sure that your cat didn’t spray your carpet? Only one of my cats spray, and preferers to spray fabric. His urine doesn’t smell as bad as his spray does.
Not sure about that, but I will swear by Nature’s Miracle to clean up cat urine scents. My old boy went through a “marking” phase when we moved years ago, and it saved my sofa. Doused every surface and let it dry naturally, and it really does make the scent go away.
One of my friends had olfactory illusions after getting her second vaccine (Moderna), and one of them was cat pee! Luckily, they went away by the next morning.
Oh, interesting!!
According to a search of comments here on NST, some people’s noses get cat pee from grapefruit notes or honey notes in perfumes.
Lots of honey notes do that for me! I think I swapped away Smell Bent’s Prairie Nymph for that very reason.
I don’t really care for honey notes in perfumes – I don’t get cat pee from them, they just don’t suit me somehow.
Prairie Nymph was a no for me as well.
I bought a lotion one time that was supposed to smell like chocolate and coffee but came off kinda like cat pee to me. It sure wasn’t strong enough to smell with the lid closed, though
You smell good in in Number 4. Not sure about the mystery smell but your hunting it down made me smile.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. The smell was gone this morning when I woke up, and has remained gone all day. I don’t think I had anything uncapped with grapefruit or honey notes. And I’m pretty sure it was not actual cat spray or urine, since we really sniffed every item in the room, and none of the items smelled bad, just the air in the room. We haven’t had our vaccinations yet either. So weird. A friend suggested maybe some small rodent or something died in the walls? Who knows.
Ooh no that smells MUCH different. Cat pee is a vast improvement.
Maybe the cat farted?
LOL.? you are cracking me up everyday this week…
I’ve BEEN farted on by a cat or two! Definitely a different stink than cat pee.
Is there a chance there was a draft blowing litter box fumes into your room?
Boxwood can smell like strong cat pee. Is your bedroom near any shrubs?
Wearing Boucheron Iris de Syracuse.
I live in an apartment, so no garden for me. My mother has pots with only green plants and cactuses by the windows that are easy to take care of.
If I had a garden I would definitely grow any plants and trees with scented flowers, as well as herbs. For now, we will wait until Easter, when I usually get geraniums, mini roses and any seasonal annual flowers that we place on the window sills.
Beautiful sunny day today! As usual at this time, on my second cup of coffee with a pinch of saffron and few drops of orange blossom water and a piece of focaccia drizzle with black truffle oil.
Now, back to work! Happy Wednesday! ?
I once (and only once) lived in an apartment with a balcony, and for those three years I had window boxes, one for herbs and one for scent-flowers: alyssum (so pretty) and sweet peas (the vines climb all over everything) and catnip (I dried the leaves for catnip mice but the tiny bell-shaped flowers themselves have a delicate perfume, almost a cross between rose and carnation) and night-scented stock (SO beautiful at night), and possibly others I’ve forgotten.
I used to have a window box with herbs many years ago in the kitchen. The smell was heavenly. I think I should start a new one again.
I have always wanted to have sweet peas, but I don’t have a balcony where it can easily climb. I have had boxes with primroses, hyacinths, tulips, dianthus, mini roses that I have enjoyed a lot. I love the idea of alyssums! They would be great for my boxes this year! I will report back!
I misread the sweet-pea seed packet and thought they grew to 6″ high, which would be perfect for a window box, but of course they grow to 6′ high. The tendrils more or less took over the balcony railings, which I actually didn’t mind.
I would love to have grown hyacinths but I didn’t plant anything with bulbs, or in fact anything that would require a lot of maintenance: I wanted annuals that I could sow in early spring and enjoy through the summer, and then tear out when fall arrived with no guilt. (Winter in Eastern Canada is going to kill most everything anyway.)
I definitely prefer the annuals for the same reason. The winter here also kills them, so I will have free space on my windows again once they are gone. Once tulips and hyacinths are done with flowering, I usually take the bulbs out of the pots, clean them, put them in a thick paper bag and place them in a drawer in the refrigerator until next season when I replant them. I think they are low maintenance or at least I don’t pay too much attention to them.
I grew lavender and mini roses on my apartment balcony.
I don’t have a balcony, but I can give them a try this year and see if they survive on the window sills.
I envy friends with patios, I would love to grow flowers, herbs, and veggies. Friends of mine are growing avocados, lettuce, and an herb garden. It is so much fun to go to their apartment (we’re in a pod)! Hummingbirds and all sorts of critters love to visit!
Oh, hummingbirds! My mother was an avid gardener in cottage-country Ontario and had so many hummingbirds in the summers. They’re called flying jewels for a reason. (But they FIGHT. Holy cow they can be vicious little beasts.)
Pyramus – Oh NO Kidding! The feeder wars are amusing and a little scary to watch! Very territorial little guys…
Same here! I always enjoy going to friends and relatives with backyards. Most of them grow flowers and veggies and birds always jumping and singing around. Hopefully, next year I will be able to visit them again. In the meantime I will keep enjoying other people’s houses in my neighborhood full of beautiful flowers! I am glad that at least many type of birds stop by our windows everyday.
Oh ditto! I love planting practical things I can eat or put into tea. Just no space where I’m at currently!
BTW, would you mind telling me about your scent, Iris de Syracuse? It sounds lovely.
Iris de Syracuse is pretty lovely and elegant. It opens with a nice orris butter note that lasts no more than 15 minutes on my skin. The orris remains like a whisper in the background all the time after. Then a sweet ambery, musky accord shows up and stays until the end. It is not gourmand. I would say the blend of flowers and woods is well balanced. It wears close to the skin after 3 hours with a longevity of 6 hours. I have gone thru a couple of decants from FragranceNet. I haven’t bought a full bottle because it comes in 4.1oz and not I am sure if I would get enough interest in a split, especially because it is not a well known iris. It is worth trying.
Thank you!
That coffee combo sounds amazing! I make mine in a pour-over and for the last 6 months or so I’ve included some spices in the filter (usually cinnamon, nutmeg and/or turmeric). Never tried saffron! And I bet the ob water adds some “sweetness.” Seems very fancy.
I always flavor my coffee. The list includes among other things all spices, cardamom, cayenne pepper, saffron, ginger, clove, anise, cinnamon, and I usually add drops of orange blossom and rose water. If I want to become fancy I add lavender or mint, rosemary and thyme leaves. Also, hazelnut powder or peppermint oil. A sprinkle of sea salt always makes it more savory. I have never tried turmeric, but tomorrow I will add some. I am always looking for ways to make my coffee enjoyable since most days I drink no less than 3 cups a day.
The turmeric adds a savory/earthy tone to the coffee. “Spiced” without tasting like Christmas. I hope you like it!
I love anise, I think I need to try that one next! I love coffee, but sadly it gives me migraines in quantity, so I’m limited to a single mug in the morning. Decaf doesn’t bother me, but doesn’t taste as good, so I usually don’t bother to switch over.
I’m busy taking coffee notes…. I might have an afternoon cup with cardamom.
LOL! It is really fun and savory to try different spices! I hope you enjoy your cardamom coffee! I will try with turmeric tomorrow! ?
I grew up in an apartment (but one with balconies), and a couple of times a year my parents would drive to a plant nursery/garden center, drop of the flower boxes and get them planted with an assortment of annuals. I’m not sure if nurseries do that here, but it seemed like a great way to get a nice assortment of flowers.
I have gotten several boxes with assortment of flowers in nursery places here. They are very lovely and save lot of time, especially when I don’t feel like getting different plants and mixing them together in a pot.
It makes me happy to think these boxes exist here, too! I should make my father look into this come spring. His boxes look very sad when I visit him.
I’m waiting for some of the potted herbs on the patio to wake up. The thyme has been very resilient in past years, but one of the plants was looking rather tired late last fall.
Hopefully, they will wake up healthy and on time for the new season!
I’m wearing Muguet Porcelain for the first time, from one of their orange boxed spray samples. Springlike, yes, but I’ve decided that I’m not a big fan of LOTV.
But you’ve tried others, right? Vintage Diorissimo? (I’m sure you have, just checking.)
I’m in Rose Rouge because I just saw a bottle on Hajusuuri’s Insta feed the other day.
And you smell great!
Hi all, my SOTD is one of my favorite rose scents, L’Arte di Gucci by Gucci EDP. A thorny Rose/Chypre of the best kind. Although Rose is prominent, I pull a lot of Patchouli, Musk, Labdanum, and Sandalwood. It was a tossup between this or Gucci No. 3, another rose chypre, but with more mossy notes.
I am beating myself up, I blew my calorie intake yesterday. Noom is recommending snacking, (which has me eating when I’m not hungry). Then the husband brought out tortilla chips and salsa, and I was a goner.
Ah, live and learn…. Today is a new day, I’ll begin anew. I’ll start with a walk to get things going.
You smell wonderful!
I can’t resist tortilla chips either.
Me neither! I like a little sweet occasionally, but salty/savory? That’s my real kryptonite!
I managed to get a three-mile walk in today, got caught at the end of my walk in driving rain and hail. Time for a scalding hot shower!
Forgive yourself. I am a proponent of not dwelling in that particular sea. A moment, maybe two; sufficient only to help yourself make more of the choices you want in the future. Then forward, and leave it behind you.
Lisa D, thanks for the reminder to be kind to myself. It’s good to make note and learn from it, and move forward!
Tomorrow *is* a new day, and chips and salsa are indeed heaven-sent!
You’re playing the long game and an occasional indulgence is going to be absolutely okay when you’re staying active and finding healthy meal and snack choices overall.
Absolutely no need to beat yourself up – besides, sounds like the hail did it for you!!!
No Kidding! I was picking hail out of my hair, it was kinda funny, actually…
Yeah, the hail really beat me up!
That hail was no joke, I observed it from my window today. I think I’m about 15-20 miles from where you are. Hope you’re all thawed out now!
Hail can be some scary stuff!
I’m in “take your pick of florals” Trésor. Rose and peach to my nose.
I miss the roses we had in CA. The house we rented had rose bushes in the front and back. At the end of the driveway was a solo bush that had huge yellow blooms. Just to prove how hardy roses can be, that area had no sprinkler system and just dirt (in a very, very hot town). Yet that bush was healthy as could be.
Ohhh, I adore Tresor. The original is so pretty it brings tears to my eyes. It was my mom’s signature scent in the 1990’s.
One thing I love about Northern CA, especially in Ross, Napa, Calistoga, and Sonoma, are the rose bushes all around the vineyards. So beautiful and fragrant!
I tried to grow roses in Pacifica, one block from the Pacific Ocean. Nope. All my beautiful roses were dead within a few years. At least I got a few rounds of blooms. Evelyn rose and Sterling roses were my favorites.
Sterlings are so fragrant!
It fragranced the entire back yard, they were so pretty smelling!
Hmm. I like this community project for a lot of reasons. All plants have a smell. Even house plants. If you have a schefflera and you cut off a leaf, smell the sap. It is gloriously green. Please be careful, many plants are toxic but I am always delighted to find that most flowers have a scent. We have tropical bonsai in the house during the winter and when I water and brush leaves I get little whiffs of interesting smells. I grow Asian lilies in the yard and some smell intoxicating plus the early blooming magnolias are getting ready to go and witch hazel blossoms, subtle but lovely. Plus early blooming fruit trees smell heavenly. Even some cherries have a nice smell and the earthiness of camellia blossoms. I could go on but I will stop. So lilies this week. So I will start with Providence Perfume Ginger Lily, which I believe has been discontinued but is great and exactly as it named.
What a lovely array of descriptions!
Thank you!
I enjoyed the read.
Robin, you smell great!
My SOTD is SSS Nostalgie, for the rose and narcissus combination–a flower we will have in abundance in a few months and a flower we have a few of now. I wish I’d gotten my act together this winter and bought bulbs. Our backyard is nearly full shade, but in the spring, we should be able to get bulbs to be happy before the leaves come out on the trees.
We’re house twins! I’m in To Dream which some people say is very similar to Nostalgie.
Lily of the valley likes shade, esp under a deciduous tree! And it spreads like mad, although admittedly, not quickly.
Nostalgie is gorgeous!
SotD is Iris Fauve from a sample
Its lovely!
I bought a pair of plain, black Giorgio Armani loafers, they were heavily discounted (like 70 percent off!).
They arrived today and geeszzzz they are sooo comfi and beautifully made.
Hmmm I wonder if covid19 lockdowns have changed shoe sales; less pumps/courts, more sneakers and slippers?
Or no sales at all! I’ve been padding around the house barefoot or in socks for a year now, and the thought of going back to wearing shoes all day when my office opens is horrible! And this from a (former?) shoe lover.
I am replacing damaged-beyond-repair shoes, one pair at the time. But i dont think heels will be replaced soon. ?
Yay for barefoot, but its just too cold right now. And i dont want to turn on the heating all the time. So socks or slippers for me (i have those extremely unsexy granny slippers with suede on outside and wool on inside) ?
Vee, I bet you’re right. I have not bought a single pair of shoes in the past year.
Slippers and flip flops for this girl. Though my flip flops are leopard print?
???There are plenty of fancy and fun flip flops and slippers nowadays!
Have a new sample sitting on my desk that I thought about wearing today. Tomorrow, then!
I definitely bought another pair of house shows because of COVID-19. They are rather fun and made by Giesswein in Austria.
Trying out a sample of Le Labo Iris 39 today. Got to try the new Diptyque Orpheum, it is lovely, but the drydown is white musk so if you don’t enjoy that, you may not like it. Byredo Mixed Emotions was weird, smelled like peach on the test strip, Vicks vapor rub on skin. I did smell the peach later after the camphor burned off, bit it was bad for an hour or two. The three new Jo Malone Hibiscus scents were pleasant but typical Jo Malone.
That Diptyque sounds great!
The Diptyque does sound good, where were you able to try it?
Nordstrom had a tester but no stock. They are expecting bottles in about a week. The SA said they are doing 10 points per dollar on fragrance purchases next week, after the 17th I think.
What did you think of Iris 39?
It’s actually pretty good, my expectations were low since a lot of Le Labos don’t smell much like the listed main ingredient. It is a dry, cool iris, not sweet at all. I get to pick a bottle for my upcoming birthday as a gift from my husband, will decide between Orpheon and Iris 39 I think. Or maybe the husband will get me one and the dog will get me the other one.
I love Iris 39; it was my first Le Labo from 2013 and it still smells fabulous despite ? living in my medicine cabinet.
I signed up for the Sniffapalooza x Diptyque session tomorrow and will smell Orpheum for the first time. I try not to sniff the samples until the session.
Sounds like you have very savvy shoppers at your house!
Oooof, thanks for the heads up on the white musk in Orpheum.
All we have in our teensy yard is an old climbing rose bush by the porch so I think I’ll wear roses the rest of the week. Today is DSH American Beauty.
Perfect! And I’m jealous, I really want some climbing roses.
VC&A Bois Doré sample today. I’m just not much of a floral person, although my summer love, AG Le Chevrefeuille, would count. I’m just not ready to wear it yet. I also have a few rose fragrances and an iris or two. But today I’m in almondy/tobacco-land and it’s a bit too sweet.
We have rose bushes and I don’t know much about them but I’m planning to learn. I trimmed them pretty far down before knowing much. I’m hoping they’ll come back.
I was just thinking about Le Chevrefeuille, because we do have honeysuckle out back. No LC, alas, so might make do with Olene.
Scent of the morning is Yuzu Fou. I wish I had a Yuzu Fou at my house.
Ha, so do I!
Wearing VCA First, EDP. Another great Elléna creation. I first smelt it on an extremely kind secretary that worked on one of the hospital wards where I was employed as a junior doctor. She was incredibly helpful, and she made me aware of this gem. I didn’t enjoy the job, but people like her made it more bearable.
That’s a great story and a nice reminder to me that my work as an administrative assistant CAN matter! Thanks.
Oh, it definitely matters! I was a paralegal until recently, and our department’s admin (when we had one) could make or break my day in a second and a half.
It can matter A LOT!
springpansy, AAs the world over make a huge difference in any organization’s culture. There is one AA in our Office of Instruction who has just the best, most positive outlook, and she elevates the entire office.
Thanks, everyone. I strive to be that kind of AA, for sure!
Springpansy – Administrative Assistants make a huge difference! They are THE hub of any department or organization. What you do absolutely matters and I hope your colleagues appreciate what you do!
Adding my voice to say AAs DEFINITELY matter, and matter a lot!
I used to wear that one back in the day as a well. It was an assertive, elegant floral if I remember correctly. Not the kind of thing I would attribute to JCE now that I have smelled his more recent creations. Does it smell more or less the same?
I got mine in 2004, and got my mother a bottle some 8 years later. There is a difference between those two. Mine has more of a bitter, darker base. It is a gorgeous rich, radiant aldehydic floral.
And yes, it is very unlike his later creations, starting from Thé Vert.
that’s another one on my list to seek out once I’m back in a place with perfume stores. I can picture it on the shelf in one particular place…
Good morning!
I’m twins with Robin in Ta’if.
You smell lovely!
Thank you LisaD!
Hey twin!
Hey Robin! If you ever want more Ta’if let me know. I just bought a new bottle after finishing my previous one.
Still trying to think my decant of Tommy The Girl. It’s supposed to have a violet note, and those are flowering at the moment everywhere.
Is it any good?
I think it’s discontinued, but it’s a very fresh fruity scent with a fig note. Not bad, but you don’t have to search it out
Thanks!
Annick Goutal Heure Exquise
for my week of Iris
Chanel makeup, almond milk cappuccino
Oh, so elegant Heure Exquise, I still love No 19 just a tiny little bit more though.
I love Heure Exquise.
I know I have vented about the before but I am sad Annick Goutal exited out of the USA
Yes, it’s a pity, even in Europe the house seems to be in some decline.
Chanel No 18 is my SOTD.
Robin, you smell great!
Why thank you, and of course so do you!
I’m in AromaM Geisha Botan, remembering how I looked forward to the short-lived peony blooms my mom had planted in front of my childhood home.
GB smells more like floral vanilla supported by moss than anything overtly peony-like, but I quite like it and have almost drained my decant.
Peonies smell so gorgeous…
Peonies have such a divine scent. I haven’t found it suits my skin in perfumes, but that makes them blooming in real life that much more valuable!
Mr. Vee & I somehow managed to book vaccine appointments for today. Got an email from the state last night saying we are eligible and with a list of appointment options. Thought we were months away. So excited!
SOTD is Regime des Fleurs Glass Blooms, which is giving me strong flashbacks to a Crabtree & Evelyn scent from the 1990s that was marketed as a baby perfume (although I believe it was called a “splash” or “cologne” — which was an accurate description of its intensity). It came in opaque powder pink packaging, and there was also a lip balm in the line (maybe other things too). I loved that scent as a teen, but don’t remember the name and have never been able to find it again. I’m guessing C&E had second thoughts about marketing a perfume for babies and pulled it. Anyway, this is a light, floral musk with a dusting of powder. Cute, gentle, and soft; like a sleepy kitten.
Drinking Queen Anne tea from F&M.
Vaccine twins … er, triplets! I get my first dose today!
Congratulations to you and to Vee and hubby!
Woo-hoo!
I think I have that same tea (though I haven’t had any tea since getting a cappuccino maker in January).
Congrats on the vaccine appointments!
Wow, well done on getting those vax appointments!
I’m in an old bottle style Paloma Black. Lots of rose.
Nice!
It is a deep desire of mine to one day have a garden. City living makes it tough but I’ve got very fond memories of a successful vegetable garden from when I was a kid and would enjoy nurturing flowers and other lovely growing things steps from my back door.
SOTD: Encens Divin
Counting down the days — 4 left! until more daylight!!
More daylight yay..
I hope the kids adjust fast
Yesss to more daylight!
I’m in Carthusia 1681 today. It has rosemary, iris and lavender, all of which grow either in my yard or right next door, and I find it very calming. Getting my first shot in a few hours, and am a little anxious about it.
congrats! Your perfume friends are hear to help with the anxiety
Good luck! You’ll be glad to have had it.
I’m sure you’ll be fine – don’t look at the needle! When I got my shots, everyone was very friendly.
I got mine Monday, and yesterday my arm was sore, but today I woke up good as new.
That sounds lovely. Rosemary is such a delicious scent. I wish it was used with florals more. I have resorted to making my own by layering L’Eau Bleue d’Issey Pour Homme with rose scents, but I’d love to have something that was designed to include both.
But you’ll be so relieved having it.
SheriG – you asked me to let you know how the vaccine went. It was actually kind of emotional for me, the long pandemic and now finally, some hope! The injection itself (Pfizer) did not hurt. My arm is sore this morning, but not bad and I feel fine, maybe a bit tired, but really, fine. (I had a lot more trouble with the shingles vaccine earlier this year, so I feel prepared in case the second one is more difficult.)
You’ve got this!!
Thank you, springpansy! All good to know – Mr. G got the shingles vaccine yesterday and his arm is really sore today. I just got home from being pfizered, and so far so good. Hopefully I’ll be like you and just have a little soreness.
Thanks, everybody! It went just about as well as it possibly could have – they were very efficient and everyone was really nice as they herded the masses through the system.
Wonderful!
Yay! So happy for you.
Yay on your first shot!
You smell great and congrats on the vaccine!
Congrats on the vaccine! Sending positive thoughts for no side effects!
Good news on you getting your first shot! Fingers crossed for minimal side effects.
I’m not on the CP today. After hearing the discussion the other day on here of Le Participe Passe, I had to seek out my bottle and wear it today to try to figure out why all the hate. For me it was almost an instant purchase! I could bathe in it! I think a lot of people find immortelle impossible, but I seem to lap it up. I get that, caramel, and patchouli. It’s pure love for me. True, I can detect that curry note that could put people off. I’m not getting much fruit except the opening bergamot. I‘ll report later on how it progresses.
My kitty Kayla has cancer in what the vet calls her “mammary chain”—lumps on two nipples. It’s slow-growing. We can care for her with steroids and B-12 shots, but she’s too old and frail for surgery. She still is enjoying life, eating and cuddling, and purring. I will baby her for now with all her favorite things. She got a few tastes of scrambled eggs this morning.
Sorry to hear about your cat! Spoil her with abandon!
Poor Kayla.
Good to hear she’s still enjoying life, though. My last older cat really liked getting bits off my bagels.
I am sorry about your Kayla. Spoil her shamelessly. Olympic Orchids Gujarat is one fascinating perfume. It seems similar to the one you are wearing. There is curry and cumin and incense and dustiness but no sweetness what so ever. It is savory and an a real olfactive experience and challenging. Immortelle is one of my favorite notes in perfumery but many people do not care for it. Victoria over at EauMg associates it with Maple syrup disease, it is a real thing, and the desperate poverty of many Appalachian communities.
Oh no, poor Kayla. So sorry to hear this. But glad to hear she is still enjoying cuddles and food. I hope you can keep her pain free for long time!
I am so sorry about Kayla. If it is an option for her, cats usually tolerate chemo pills very well – no nausea or loss of appetite or fur. One of ours (14 years old) has been taking them for years with no change in quality of life.
So sorry about your kitty, you’re right to spoil her.
I’m sorry about Kayla.
Awwww, I’m sorry to hear that. She is fortunate to have a nice life with you. ♥
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your cat! Hugs to you, and may her elder days be gentle and comfortable.
I am so sorry to hear about Kayla. Sending hugs to you and her.
Sorry to hear about the cat’s diagnosis. Keeping her comfortable and happy sounds like the best thing you could possibly do, and you’re doing it!
Immortelle definitely smells like maple syrup on me.
Sorry to hear about Kayla but glad you have a palliative care plan that makes sense for her! I’m sure you will be able to give her many happy days yet, and enjoy spoiling her as much as she enjoys it!
Oh dear, so sorry Calypso!
I like immortelle, but it lasts forever on me and after 10 hours I have to shower it off as I’m exhausted by it.
Sending lots of vibes for you and Kayla, spoil her rotten and enjoy your time together as I know you will.
Calypso, I’m so sorry about Kayla. I lost a cat to mammary cancer about 30 years ago. I know in her remaining time with you she will be so, so loved. And spoiled as only a grieving owner can do.
Sending so many hugs to you and Kayla.
I am going to give SL Participe Passe another good chance this weekend since you say it’s good; hoping your Kayla stays on the happy side of her health issues. Sending chin scritches her way.
Awwwwwwwwww. So sorry to hear about your kitty Kayla’s diagnosis. Hugs to the both of you.
I’m so sorry about Kayla’s health. I hope she manages to stay comfy and well for a long time, and to enjoy all the spoiling she’ll get from you!
I’m going to wear my sample of Le Participe Passe soon as well! I don’t recall it being offensive at all, and I want to see if I can detect the curry note.
Oh, so sorry to hear about Kayla. Sending you hugs, Calypso.
Poor baby! I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope she does as well as possible for as long as possible. It’s so hard when our beloved pets get sick.
Very sorry to hear about Kayla. Agree you should spoil her rotten. My old cat Hamlet used to go bonkers for eggs. Big hugs to you.
In Misia today, one of the few violets I enjoy. I got this decant, along with a few really nice other ones, in a swapmeet a couple of years ago with someone who no longer posts here, I think. Lovely stuff!
Our dog was very bad today – ran off (because he doesn’t like walking in the rain), chased after two little dogs and intimated them, almost made into a 4 lanes of traffic, etc. I know it doesn’t make any sense to discipline dogs long after the fact, but I have a mind to cart him off to the groomer today (he’s due for a grooming, and he does not like it at all – I have to carry all 58lbs of him into the salon).
Good luck with your dog at the groomer. It sounds like a very stressful day dealing with him today! But at least you smell wonderful!
Oh my, sorry for your dog going AWOL today!
That is scary, so glad he did not make it into the traffic, at least!
I’m with you on the punitive bath. They won’t make the connection but you can feel some satisfaction.
So glad he didn’t get hurt though I admit I laughed at the thought of him chasing the little dogs and you wanting to discipline him by taking him to the groomer!
Wow, you had quite a day with your dog!
The dog got lucky because I couldn’t be bothered to call the groomer (hard to reach, usually only get through on Saturdays)! Thinking about a getting a private trainer again. This guys knows tricks and commands, is bomb proof with children, has pretty good recall/stays close when walking, has no annoying house habits pretty much, behaves himself at the dog park mostly, but is a pain on leash towards other dogs or off leash when the other dogs are leashed. If an unleashed dog runs up to him when he’s on leash, he’s fine. Wah!
Iris day 3, L’Heure Promise by Cartier from a sample. Pretty iris-sandalwood.
You smell lovely, I enjoy les heures series, I have a set of samples, but they’re too expensive.
TF Lost Cherry today. ?
Two cups of coffee but still don’t feel awake. ☕️ Wake me when the day is over please.
My niece is starting to get her senses of taste and smell back post Covid! ?
Good news about your niece!
Indeed it is! ??
That is some happy news!
Oh good!!
You smell wonderful! Great news about your niece.
Great news about your niece and you smell wonderful!
That’s got to be such a relief that your niece is getting her senses of smell and taste back!
Glad that your niece is recovering; that is great news.
Was in no 5 Eau Premiere this morning and now in Hedonist. My dad is still in the hospital and doing well. We are waiting to see if he will be released today. It looks like there will be a financial windfall later this month. Then I can get Jake’s fatty tumor removed and get that bottle of Cormandel that I have wanted for so long.
Glad to hear your dad is doing well.
Good news about your dad and the windfall.
Glad your dad is doing well.
Great news about your father!
Glad to hear about all of this!
Great news that you should have some financial liberty coming up and hope your dad is able to be discharged soon!
Excellent news!
Great news all around!
Glad your dad is doing well.
More violets today – Caron’s Aimez Moi.
Yum! I have not worn that in ages.
In Chamade extrait, I was going to wear my usual parfum de toilette but decided to go lavish and to use some of my little 30ml bottle. It is for rose and hyacinth, two flowers I love.
It is very stormy today, lashings of rain ? and winds, gloomy but I’m quite cheerful, having fresh pasta for dinner.
You smell wonderful! I think I’ll break out my Chamade extrait for tomorrow — it’s been all wrapped up since my last wildfire evacuation but time to get back to enjoying it!
Thank you! Yay for your using your extrait tomorrow, it is so worth it and make us feel special.
Smelling amazing.
Thank you Kelly, I couldn’t stop smelling my wrists today.
I’m glad you are having a cheerful day!?
Thank you Lillyjo. It’s strange as sometimes the weather affects me quite a bit, but not today. The fresh pasta with sundried tomatoes and mushroom sauce was very tasty ? hope you will have something equally delicious for dinner.
Your SOTD is the very essence of spring.
I think so too and I recommend the extrait, it was still detectable on my skin this morning.
I’m in Iris Ukiyoe today because Coin-Op wore it Monday and reminded me of it. I finally started back up with after-work walks yesterday and did see one iris blooming, so I’ll take CP points. I got myself in an uphill spot and just took in the pre-sunset skyline in front of me, which was downtown Seattle to the left, Space Needle, neighborhoods on green hills, the Olympic mountains, and sparkling Lake Union. A cyclist stopped also to take in the sights since it was so perfect there. I’m grateful to have these beautiful sights nearby.
Oh, and I’m wearing a new tunic with maybe my favorite print ever. It’s wildflowers and mushrooms!
I decided to put on some earrings and have to share these with all you iris lovers. This is my first time wearing these even though I bought them last year. They’re sold out right now, but you could join the mailing list to get notified of restock. Warning, the jewelry sells out fast! These irises are large but not very heavy.
https://thealchemilla.com/shop/iris-earrings
Ohhh I love those! And you smell great.
Wow, that shop has some nice things. I have book marked it to go back when they have more stuff.
Wow! Gorgeous earrings! I hope they get them back soon!
You smell amazing! And I’m with you on this beautiful city – especially on a springy day like today, oh, and all things Iris!
It’s cold and pouring rain here today, and I’m fighting back the gloom in La Haie Fleurie.
You smell lovely! Looking forward to wearing that again soon.
Cold and rainy here too. Hoping the sun returns!
I am wearing The Bat (Old stuff6 not the new version)
I respect it as a unique and weird scent but I won’t wear it again =)
Waiting for my “pallas cat” scent from the Zoologist =)
I love Bat for it’s weirdness but can only wear a dab from time to time.
Omg Pallas Cat would be amazing! They’re such marvelous little creatures.
Yes! https://potterparkzoo.org/animals/pallas-cat/
It would be tough to choose between Ocelot and Pallas Cat for me.
https://youtu.be/soBYeKyUIPU
I challenge you to not vote Pallas cat after watching this.
But ocelots are REALLY beautiful too!
Kittens of either type will make me squee and melt into a little puddle.
I think I’ll follow Robin in roses today. I’ll go with Mohur.
I pretty much always have at least one rose in my yard. I love them. I prefer shrub roses or something like Floribunda that are easier to care for but my uncle had a whole front yard full of hybrid tea roses which are notoriously picky to care for. He spent his whole summers (he was an educator/principal) tending to his massive rose garden. He had all different colors and they’d usually be in full bloom by around Mother’s Day. It was quite a spectacle and people from the community used to drive past their house just to see it and take pictures. His favorite rose was one called “Mr. Lincoln”- a beautiful, deep red that grew quite tall and the fragrance was soooo powerful and strong- as you know, not all roses, even hybrid teas, have a strong smell, just depends on the rose. Anyway, I found a Mr. Lincoln last year at a local garden center and planted it in my front flower bed; it made me happy all summer. It’s starting to leaf out already so I’m excited for it again this year.
How is Mohur?
Mohur is lovely, and the Mohur Extrait you can still get on LuckyScent is fabulous.
Mr. Lincoln roses are also fabulous.
Mr. Lincoln is beautiful!
Mohur is soooo beautiful. I love roses and this is one of my favs. I only have a bit left in a 10ml decant but I love it enough that I will be getting another decant or possibly splitting a bottle.
that rose garden sounds wonderful!
I have so many fond memories of it. He taught me all about roses and caring for them and let me “help” him though I’m sure I was more of a hindrance at times.
You smell great in your Mohur!
I used to live in an apartment in a converted Victorian mansion that had a Mr. Lincoln rose in the garden, and one has been on my wish-list ever since. Amazing fragrance! I currently have seven roses in my garden, mostly David Austin ones plus one hybrid tea, a Barbra Streisand, that smells amazing. WHEN THE DEER DON’T EAT THEM.
Do you love your David Austin roses? I’ve always wanted one. I’ll have to look and see if I can find a Barbara Streisand as well!
I do love them, but NOT AS MUCH AS THE DEER. Though, the deer seem to leave the “old rose” roses alone more than the “English rose” roses. So far, they haven’t touched my Comte de Chambord.
Such a lovely post on all things roses.
Every time I see a rose or wear a rose I think of my beloved uncle. He and his roses are seared into my brain!
One of the museums in the Denver area used to have a wonderful rose garden. Maybe the Museum of Natural History? It’s been decades since I’ve been there, though, so I have no idea if the roses are still there.
I’m in a little Roses Vanille (2 sprays this morning) though I’v periodically added some 4711 K&Myrrh to awake and freshen myself. The Roses Vanille has maintained a gorgeous soft warm comforting presence
I like this Mancera so much I am flirting with the idea of a second: Red Tobacco. Anyone else have favourites?
I have several: Choco Violette, Roses & Chocolate, Coco Vanille, Purple Flowers, Velvet Vanilla and Roses & Vanille. I smelled Red Tobacco once, I remember it being strong, but don’t remember much else. I know it’s popular though.
Smelled it ages ago in an airport and liked it but it would be better to test it again. The reviews of Velvet Vanilla have been very tempting too as I love angelica! How is the Choco Violets? Sounds interesting!
Assuming you like chocolate and violets, it’s great!
I like both but when I think of the combo I have this idea it might smell quite melancholic? Strangely enough I find Montale’s Cafe Intense a bit dismal in mood ??♀️
Actually I find both notes can go either way for me…
NSTers! I just got my second COVID shot! I am in the observation area (I have to stay for 30 minutes) catching up on all things NST. I truly hope that the acceleration in vaccination we’ve been seeing in the U.S. will continue and that everyone who is waiting will be vaccinated *soon*.
SOTD is Infusion d’Iris, repeated from yesterday because it flies under the radar in most public spaces. Monday was Iris Poudré, which is still Awfully Fancy to me but I do like it. But after everyone’s reports on Monday I am still jonesing for another bottle of La Pausa. Sigh. Given what it costs now, it was practically free when I bought it in 2013.
Congratulations on shot #2!
Congratulations!
Congrats on shot #2!
Congrats on the second shot.
And adding, I wish I’d bought La Pausa way back!
Yay for shot #2!
Yay for the second shot!
Love the “live from the waiting area” report: glad you’re done!
SotD JUS Parfums Superfusion, no relation to flowers really as it’s quite a modern chemical composition.
I often reach for this small decant on “work days” and it never fails to make me feel sharp and fresh and awake.
But it also, I’m now realizing, never fails to give me a bit of a headache after a few hours. Not sure what the culprit is, but once it’s used up, I will move on without regrets.
Ugh, perfume headaches are a total bummer!
Yeah, I think the first 1-2 times I assumed it was other stresses but it’s definitely a recurring thing that’s been happening each time I wear it, and today it totally was after my work crunch was done and I could relax. Oh well! One less perfume to yearn for a FB of.
Good way to look at the situation. ?
Sotd is JD Vanille Farfelue. I like this one, but I don’t get any vanilla. I find it similar to EL White Linen. I’m so super tired. It’s my 7th day in a row working. One more day then I have Friday off. I’m supposed to have Saturday off too, but I might work it since we were offered overtime this week. I guess I will see how I feel.
Friday is around the corner! You will survive! Please, be kind to yourself! You also need to rest. Sending hugs! ?
Hang in there lillyjo! One more day, then you can rest.
Ooh, I just got a sample of that one. I don’t get a lot of vanilla either and I think I like the Labdanum sample that I got better. Hang in there! Hope there is sun tomorrow on your day off!
Hopefully you’ll get a good rest tomorrow night!
This is tough but one more day and you can do it!
Hope you get some much needed rest on Friday!
I hope you get some good rest; that’s alot of days in a row to work.
I didn’t get much vanilla either I don’t think. Hope you enjoy yourself on Friday after so many days of work. I am over this week. Kind of this month too. Ahhaha too early to say year. ??
Such a pretty rose today Robin! Thank you for posting it.
More absurdly warm weather and sunshine today. Definitely enjoying it while it lasts, since Old Man Winter is still out there, lurking…
SOTD = back in Tilting At Windmills Cologne.
I’m stuck inside the house. I would have gone out for a little walk earlier but have a pressing activity, currently awaiting the green light to proceed.
Hope that you will be able to get out for a nice walk before this weekend. Weather’s supposed to turn then.
I will make sure I do!
I think we had your weather yesterday. We actually sat outside in the sun for about an hour in the late afternoon. It felt so wonderful!
Wow, nice! The Philly area hit almost 70 degrees F yesterday. But the weekend forecast mentioned the possibility of snow flurries, ACK. Time to get outside errands and tasks done while the sun shines.
*la la la la i can’t hear you*
If you like pictures of roses, you could kill an hour or two, easy, on flickr!
I’m wearing Angels Share today from a spray sample I dug out from the bottom of my purse. I am on vacation and forgot that I took the bag of samples out of my vacation toiletries after the last getaway. It might be Angels Share all week.
Did you make it to Hawaii?
Yes indeed. 78 and sunny here.
Nice!!
SOTD = Sonoma Scent Studio To Dream
Rose violet iris with heaps of tonka – I will give myself CP credit. To Dream is a great yearround fragrance and one of my favorites from SSS. It is sadly discontinued but if it ever shows up again, get out of my way as I need a BUB!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMQKBFMhXvm/?igshid=q9s85txxq3x9
Only read if interested in splits. I have many new fragrances that I will likely split (U.S. only) in 5 or 10mL increments at cost like I usually do. No dibsing here please. Send me an email by clicking on the link to my username and include “Split / Perfume Name(s)” as part of the subject line. Planning on fulfilling by mid-April. Bought at ~ 15-25% off but there’s tax for some: Memo Paris Sintra (40mL), BDK Tabac Rouge (60mL), Les Indemodables Vanille Havane (20mL) and L’AP Coleur Vanille (60mL); bought at full price Providence Perfume Co. Irisque (25mL). There’s an outlier – Diana Vreeland Outrageous (25mL) which is the Parfum Absolu version of Daringly Different bought at ~25% off but need to add tax – I will split off in 2mL increments but only select this if you are getting something else.
Are there any current SSS perfumes with tonka in them? I’ve thought about getting some samples from them, but am doing rather well with my resurrected Very Low Buy.
Nostalgie and Tabac Aurea both have tonka.
Nostalgie, which I don’t recall trying, is said to have similarities to To Dream.
Good luck on your Very Low Buy. The year is still young ? with plenty of enabling opportunities.
SotD Montale Cafe Intense, from a kind NST’er. It did just what I want for an office, or better said Work Day, scent in that it kept me company. I will be restrained and finish the generous travel spray, but it is a full bottle candidate. It is in the same baileywick as my dear Queen Latifah Queen. All sweet and vanilla and amber, with other things going on….I had a good perfume day.
Off to read comments for a bit until my stew is ready: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spiced-moroccan-vegetable-soup-with-chickpeas-cilantro-and-lemon-harira
That looks delicious!
I haven’t been able to check in that much this week, with a slew of medical appointments both for myself and my son. I feel quite wiped out, and there’s another biggie coming this Friday, I’m getting a cavity filled and it’s in a very tricky spot. Fingers crossed!!!
The weird weather (hail, rain, bright sun) has been making me very indecisive with what to wear so I’ve been in a mish mash of samples. Le Labo Iris today along with others. For Friday, I had planned to wear my new Iris Torrefie, but now realizing it will coincide with the dentist visit, and I don’t want ANY such scent association. ?
? on Iris 39 – my first Le Labo!
Good luck on Friday tulipani! Hope it goes quickly and smoothly.
Good luck at the dentist.
Once again the “deeply rehydrating” Fresh rose face cream became deeply rehydrating hand cream for me this morning.
I may do something rose this evening, too, more purposely. Also, I have a lot of jasmine, iris, violet and osmanthus perfumes, and a couple of lily ones.
In among the online gardening catalogs, and also in physical catalogues, there were pages about nameless roses that would be “much more expensive if named.” lol. I’m guessing that the “two tone” rose is ‘Double Delight.’ So I got what will likely be a waxed and in a box rose. If I remember the saying correctly, roses are defined as “a plant that would have been a perennial if it had lived.”
Also I ordered a “pink cushion” rose that is actually supposed to be ‘The Fairy.’ The ones on the Hillside Garden at Longwood Gardens seem to do well there, though I’m sure they get far more care than any rose I’ve acquired over the years, or ever would acquire, do.
Also I got a set of three rugosa roses for very cheap. The ad copy says that you can have a huge, prickly hedge from them, but I’m more interested in the scent of the flowers. I don’t think I really needed three, so I’ll probably be looking to pass one or two off to friends who like to put on heavy protective gear and prune roses like that.
There are loads of rugosa roses by the Barnegat Lighthouse down the Shore. The bushes are definitely a spiky armful, but the flowers are surprisingly fragrant.
What a coincidence…I have the Ta’if Hair Spray by Ormonde Jayne on today. The first time I smelt Ta’if it took me a good few seconds for my brain to register this as a rose. I was expecting the English rose scent that my dear old piano teacher used to wear (who was born in the 19th century!) and Ta’if was an explosion of dived into an unchartered abstract rose world of saffron and dates. That was over 10 years ago and I still go back to it. I couldn’t get on with the Tai’f Elixir they launched two years ago with Cambodian Oudh, but it got rave reviews.
I’m wearing a tiny spritz of Journey Woman, I do like this one, and it’s nice in early spring but it can be cloying.