It's Hump Day and Now Smell This is 18 years old. More birthdays: Jules Verne, Kate Chopin, Neal Cassady, James Dean. What fragrance are you wearing?
Me: more rose points in Hermès Myrrhe Églantine.
Reminder: on 2/10, wear a fragrance with rose, if you have one. (This is a repeat from 2016).
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2023, where I'll try (but obviously sometimes fail) to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Queen of Sweden [cropped] by M's photography at flickr; some rights reserved.
Good Morning
Sending all the love I can muster to Turkey & Syria
Drinking Dirty Chai by August Uncommon tea, though I really need to do is just make a coffee. Didn’t sleep well last night, woke up abruptly to the smell of smoke, though there was no fire in our building. Must be somewhere in the neighborhood.
I haven’t finished Papyrus and it looks like I have to return it to the library since its due and has a hold on it. I think I will mark my page and then re-request it at some point.
SOTD is POAL
Twins!
This perfume omg 😱
This makes me happy.🌹🌹✌🏻
… even though I want to keep this scent to myself at the same time I want other people to smell the haze of POAL around me and follow me down the street asking, demanding to know, what this marvelous fragrance is. I let you know if this ever happens…
LTSG it WILL happen!Haha!Poal and funnily enough also Iris Poudre from Malle are the two fragrances I get the most compliments and questions on.✌🏻🌹💜
I have never had so many compliments as I have with Iris Poudre. It is amazing and happens almost every time I wear it.
So sorry you slept poorly! You do smell great.
Well the little samples one gets with an order from Luckyscent is what I am wearing today. No idea what as the label is so darn tiny that even with my reading glasses it is unreadable. Darn 50+ year old eyes.
I read the link to the rose you are wearing Robin and realized it has been forever since I have gone to Hermes and sniffed.
Happy 18 th year of the blog. I am happy to say I think I may have found it about 13-14 years ago.
It’s a long time!
Hermes seems about due for another round of Hermessences? So maybe you can wait and smell them all at once.
Can you take a picture of the sample label and then use the photo to zoom in and read the label?
I do that sometimes ha ha
Wearing La Fille de Berlin today thanks to a lovely NSTer. Such a good one.
Mr ringthing is a terrible patient. He’s feeling great, trotting around without using his walker, still hopped up on steroids. I’m a stressed out mess because I don’t want him to fall, but I hate to harsh his feel good feelings. Physical therapy starts tomorrow and I hope they whip him into shape.
Ugh. I know that terrible patient story. Hopefully the pt person will whip him into shape.
You smell great. La Fille was love at first sniff for me. Here’s hoping Mr. R. gets the best from his PT!
I’ve seen my own version of the horrible patient story, too. Good luck to you both with Mr. ringthing’s PT!
Bringing out the heavy hitter FM Portrait of a Lady. Love this!
Yay!🌹🌹
Hey Twin!
Its big but at the same time not dated like most bold fragrances from say the 80’s, that were big
Robin, that’s an extraordinarily beautiful rose photo you found for us today!
I agree! Happy Birthday to NST!
Isn’t it? Rose week is never hard to illustrate
Happy Anniversary, NST! 🌹Robin, thank you for creating and keeping this blog active for so many years. This is a place where I don’t only grow as a perfumista every day, but also a place where I have found a community of friends in good and bad times. Thank you all, and cheers! 🥂
SOTD Jo Malone Red Roses. Another rose perfume that was one of my big favorites many years ago. While I still enjoy wearing it, it is a scent that I am not in love with anymore, as before. I appreciate, though, that it is in my collection.
Happy Wednesday!🌹
Second all of what you said about NST 😊 And you smell really good!
Thank you, Ringthing! You also smell gorgeous in La Fille de Berlin!
Did you see Pepsi is making a Peeps flavor?!
Oh no! I did not know about it. Thanks for the info! Most likely they will be sold at big stores. I will keep an eye on it. Cool to try a Peep flavored Pepsi!
I would eat a pepsi flavored peep but don’t think I’d drink a peep flavored pepsi. Maybe I am the weird one.
“Peep flavored Pepsi” sounds like something I would actively avoid!
There is a new Dr Pepper flavored Peep. I will give them a try if I happen to see them.
Yeah, I would eat that for sure.
You smell nice. I had so many Jo Malone scents at one time, but this one never hit it off with me. I do like it on others so maybe it was just a phase I was going through. Now I love rose scents, but there was a time I did not. Old age setting in I guess.
Thank you, Kris!
Most of my Jo Malone perfumes are likes, not loves. My favorites so far are Mimosa & Cardamom, Orris and Sandalwood, Myrrh & Tonka, and Bitter & Chocolate, which was a limited edition.
Thank you for participating for so long!
I liked JM Red Roses when I had the opportunity to sniff a bunch of them all at once.
Still thinking about getting JM Myrrh & Tonka one of these years.
Myrrh & Tonka is so comfy, especially on cold days. Full bottle worthy for sure.
Keeping an eye out for sales!
I’m wearing Tom Ford Cafe Rose. On my skin I’m getting a basic, generic floral, no coffee and no rose. I may scrub and put on a Demeter I got around Halloween called Dark Roses.
That’s too bad that Cafe Rose didn’t work for you. On the other hand, if the Demeter works, 💰saved! 😉
We were twins today! But I really enjoy Cafe Rose. It’s one of the few dark roses that doesn’t go metallic or flat on me. Sorry it wasn’t for you!
Wearing Portrait of A Lady this morning.
Another one of us is smelling good.
Love seeing all the mentions of POAL today!
Happy Humpday!
SOTD!
Amouage Lyric.I don’t have to tell anyone how gorgeous this is.
Happy Blogiversary Now Smell This!!
So glad I found you way back when!
I think my first comment was around 2010 or so,when I became a SERIOUS fumehead!
XO’s🌹🌹🌹🌹
I am sure you can smell me from the city…
Smelling fantastic,yup!😁🌹🌹✌🏻
Lyric is a wonderful perfume.
Scent twins❣️ 🌹♥️🌹
Thank you JB!
Points-free so far in Demeter Dandelion. I ran across on article on green perfumes this morning, and it set the mood for now. No telling where I might go from there. I have Diptyque l’Ombre dans l’Eau, so maybe I’ll go green and CP compliant at the same time.
I wore CdG Grace Monday, which I enjoy quite a bit, and have considering buying a full bottle.
Green roses are still roses
Wearing Nina Ricci Extase Rose which is the almost perfect rose for me, it is sweet jammy kind of rose. I really love it.
Nice! I’ll have to “sniff” that one out. 🤭
18 years is quite a milestone, congrats NST!
Wafting rosy, violetty goodness thanks to Rose Cherie.
Love Rose Cherie!
I am with Lillyjo I love Rose Cherie!
Or it’s major inertia! Thank you though
NST is an adult now! Robin, thank you for keeping such a wonderful community going over the years. I’ve learned so much since I started reading, probably 13 years ago.
SotD is going to be Eau d’Italie Paestum Rose, once I get moving in a few minutes. Little sprays, as I’m trying to hold on to this one now that it’s discontinued. Will have to see what I pull out this afternoon.
NST should be able to vote!
If you know what Joy smells like, you instantly get the corporate thinking behind the decades-later flanker Eau de Joy, which I am wearing a spritz of today: “The same, only brighter, fresher, younger — for a new generation!” It *is* recognizably Joy, but amped up with aldehydes and fruit notes, then darkened with civet and sandalwood: in truth, it’s not as good as the original, but good nonetheless — with all that expensive-smelling rose and jasmine, of course it is.
You smell lovely! I just got a bottle of this and find it addictive.
Beautiful!
It still sounds so much better than oodles of stuff out there.
NST is old enough to vote! Good work, Robin!
Following the “perfumes you didn’t know had rose” theme, which I started yesterday with vintage Dune, today’s SOTD is less surprising, perhaps with Bal a Versailles, which doesn’t really go with my gold Crocs, knee high wool socks, and bathrobe-lol, but smells pretty great. Adorable hubby can barely smell this – “Sort of cinnamon, I guess?” And yet, smelling one spritz of No 5 makes him leap away in more or less mock distress. No accounting for sniffer differences. Does anyone else here experience Bal a Versailles as barely there?
I got both of these samples as part of a set of “What does ambergris do in perfumes?” samples from STC, (no affiliation, just an occasional satisfied customer) and I am happy with the ones I have tried so far! Others include Rochas Femme, Jill Saunders No 4, a couple of Hermes scents and Casimir. I bet at least one of these has Rose in it for tomorrow. Friday will be Mohur Extrait!
Happy Wednesday, one and all.
I love the idea of BaV and crocs!
Nope, BaV is one of the biggest perfumes I have ever come across! A little dab will do ya.
Yes, BaV is a knock down the room as you pass through sort of scent to me!
Happy Birthday NST! 🎈🥂🎂
Joining others in gratitude for Robin and this amazing community. You all have brought me untold joy, knowledge and levity (and an ever growing perfume collection!) these past many years.
I’m in Clinique Beyond Rose for cp points and inspiration from PL67 to wear lesser worn rose fragrances this week. I’m not sure why I don’t reach for this more often. It’s a beautiful, rich balsamic rose in a beautiful bottle.
I suspect you smell wonderful. Beyond Rose is one I’ve thought about, being a fan of the balsamic family!
I bet you would like it. If you would like a decant, I am happy to oblige since it’s yet another FB I’ll never finish! Email me at l e sli co rth ell aaaaat geee male dottt commmy
Thank you allo!
Just for grins I did a quick Internet search for Beyond Rose. Wow! That *is* an awesome bottle!
Just a bit of Egyptian Musk today, because I’m away from my stash.
Left early to head to Tacoma to have a ceramic coating put on the outside of the camper and a stain/mold inhibitor sprayed on the inside. Finally will be able to move into it starting tomorrow. Found out my muffler issue on the van was a probable attempt to remove the catalytic converter. No rust or corrosion at all but a couple of the bolts that connect the Catalytic Converter to the rest of the emissions system had been cut through. The gasket blew as soon as I started the van. So, that will cost a chunk of change to get fixed. Was told by the garage that a vehicle in their lot waiting for repair had the CC removed overnight because they were unable to bring it inside the garage. Just got to the camping center here and was told they had a truck stolen from their lot, it went through their fence/locked gate on the way out, and was found a couple of miles away, stripped. Really uplifting stuff. 🫤
To end on a positive note, I will say the post office here, the auto repair, and the veterinarian have been wonderful. Very helpful and all interactions have been very positive, so there’s that!
And forgot to say Happy Birthday, NST! 🎂
Thank you Deva, and really sorry — I guess maybe you are lucky they didn’t manage to steal it?
Geez, some people will stop at nothing. Reminds me of the stories we heard when we lived in Milwaukee of people having their houses broken into and copper piping stolen. I’m a firm believer in karma.😈
Ugh. Sorry Deva.
Well that’s a drag! May you be protected from all negative forces!
Yeah, the catalytic converters and copper piping have been issues here. But usually it’s just quick smash & grabs for radios or anything left out on the seat — anything they can sell for a quick buck.
Which reminds me of a somewhat humourous version of these stories: Some years ago a colleague of mine had her house broken into, and the main thing that was taken was a big wheel of specialty parmesan she’d just bought. So she asked the police when they came why on earth her parmesan would be the target, and they told her that there was an underground market for selling stolen cheese cheaply to those $1/slice places around the city. Who would have thought?
That is some niche thievery!
Back in college, when we all stored our cds in those books instead of jewel cases, a friend had her car broken into and the jerk must have sat in there smoking a cigarette while flipping through her cd book selecting which to steal (along with other items from the car) because he left about half of them behind. It felt extra intrusive.
What on earth???
That takes the cake! 🙄
Argh, sorry to hear the CC crime wave has hit your parts too. It seems extra worse to me, because the van is your home!! I’m at least happy to hear that everyone there has been helpful and positive.
Seriously…sickening. My niece, who lived in Philly, had her catalytic converter stolen.
Philly seems to be a regional hotspot for converter theft.
It’s ALL over the US. One of the reasons I go let the dog out in the middle of my shift is to make sure everything still there. The dealer I bought my truck from said that their ENTIRE lot haD CC removed. Hundreds of thousand of dollars worth od damage to new and used cars. The dealership was closed for a week for some reason, and the thieves knew it.
Possible inside info/job?
Oh Deva, I’m so sorry. That is beyond despicable! But, at least there are some nice people to help you out there.
Glad to hear that your catalytic converter was still in place! Replacing those are a hefty bill.
Yes, my insurance would cover anything over my deductible which is $500, though. As it is, the bill will be about $450. The problem really right now is getting a replacement…
Ah yes. Parts shortages.
What a hassle! I’m glad you’ve run into some good folks there.
Mostly great people here. Vet got Tess in right away for annual physical and blood work, post office has been deluged with all my Amazon purchases and have been stellar. The mechanic got me in first thing after work so I could get the problem diagnosed and then get sleep for that nights shift. Some nice people at work and one not so nice who is the source of a LOT of drama. There’s always one…
18!? Holy cow! You’re old enough to vote now.😆
Happy Birthday (anniversary ?) NST and thank you Robin for this most lovely corner of the internet.☺️
I’m in Eau Premiere which does have rose listed, as many of the Chanel’s seem to. Must be part of the Chanelade.
The mornings are getting lighter and I heard birds chirping today. Spring WILL come!
I heard the birds the other day. Music to my ears!
I saw about 20 robins clustered together on a grassy area last weekend!
We are scent twins today. Eau Premiere is one of my longest favorites and appropriate for any occasion.
I know Chanel No 5 is supposed to have roses and I have my grandmother’s old (circa 1980) bottle of EDT but I don’t get roses at all, just aldehydes.
I going to get into the rose theme tomorrow
Happy Birthday NST! Thank you Robin! Thanks also to Angela, Jessica, Kevin and Erin. I’m grateful for this lovely community – I’ve learned a lot about perfume and perhaps even more so about life!
Sotd is Rahat Loukhoum. I’m remembering my years in Turkey where I first tried Turkish delight (I wasn’t a fan.)
I have a pistachio green and light blue 1 pound box of Turkish Delight which I got on sale for the princely sum of $3 (clearance of clearance), expiration October 2023. Maybe I was attracted to the weight of the box because the ingredients are: sugar, corn starch, water, hazelnuts, pistachios and acidity regulator (citric acid).
I may now be afraid to even open the box. 😳
Go for it and report back!
I didn’t like Turkish Delight when I first tried it either.
Do you like it now? I thought the American version was very different, but I tried that many years ago. I’m sure it’s easier to find more authentic versions these days, but I’ve never felt compelled to do so. 😂
I do, but I have to remove the excess/loose sugar first. Rose is a favorite flavor, followed by lemon. And one of the Mediterranean restaurants in my area also has a small grocery store in it, so authentic Turkish Delight is not difficult to get hold of.
You smell wonderful! I might be out of Rahat but I have to keep searching. It is astonishing the decants that turn up when I’m looking for something else
Thanks! It reminds me of you. I only have a dwindling decant myself, and when I looked at the prices to replace it I thought I probably won’t. It just seems wrong that you might be out of it, so I’m hoping it makes its presence known!
Happy 18th Birthday NST! This blog was one of my first introductions to the perfume community way back in 2015 and I’m so glad that it exists. Thanks Robin for all your hard work
Way off the CP today in Coromandel EDP. Just been craving it, no explanation needed
I also went down a whole rabbit hole researching vintage Miss Dior Cherie/Miss Dior. So curious to smell the original strawberry and popcorn version. A video I enjoyed detailing the differences in versions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J4nvgPplf0
Researching vintage is quite the rabbit hole! I love it. I own vintage Miss Dior, and I tried the recent version and yep, everyone was right and it bears no resemblance to the original. Never tried Miss Dior Cherie, but strawberry and popcorn sounds interesting – I’ll check out the video. Thanks for the link!
Ooh do you like the vintage or recent Miss Dior better? IIRC one is more patchouli forward.
I prefer the vintage by far.
There’s no arguing with a perfume craving! Best to go along with it.
Truth!
Happy Birthday NST! Wearing Amouage Memoir today while vacuuming today.
Thank you Dawn!
It’s 42 degrees and sunny here! I’m wearing Miss Dior Le Parfum.
It does contain rose but unfortunately my bottle also contains a nail polish remover note as it is starting to go off.
Happy Birthday NST. I think I joined during the 10th Birthday year. One of the better decisions I have made. Lol.
Uh oh. Nail polish remover/acetone smell is a sure sign of perfume decline.
Sunshine twins today!
Triplets!! It was a real surprise to step outside today since it was warm too.
Yeah it’s a shame. It still smells good after about 5 minutes so I think I will just wear it as much as I can in the next few months.
Oh no, I’m sorry about your perfume! But very happy that you have sunshine.
Thanks!
You know it rarely happens. I wish I knew why all things the same one perfume will turn and others don’t.
Happy birthday to this most wonderful place!!
I’ve got a few in-person meetings today, so I’m in the very subtle but wonderful Safran Troublant.
You smell wonderful!
Happy 18th Birthday NST! This is a fabulous place and a huge thank you, Robyn, for everything
I first started reading NST way back in 2009, but it was some time after that before I started commenting. I think it might have been the 10th anniversary that prompted my first comment.
My rose today will be Nahema, one of the truly greats.
Hi twin, you smell wonderful!
I will be wearing Nahema Friday I think. You are smelling good🌹
Nahema! Swoon.
Gorgeous!
No idea when I started reading, but I know it’s been a long time. Thank you Robin and all who participate in this lovely community! I’m in Xerjoff Lira for a vanilla base and a small amount of Dio Rose Gipsy.
Dior Rose Gipsy!
I would totally wear something called “Dio Rose Gipsy”! 🤘🎶
I waited for you to say this!🤘
That sounds like a great combo of notes. I’m on a quest for a good vanilla rose combo that isn’t over the top like Tocade (at least for me it was a bit too much).
Thank you cazaubon!
Happy Birthday to NST! and thank you to Robin for this ongoing gift!
Back from visiting my sister. Her granddaugthers are so big! one has a drivers permit.
my goodness.
it was just a great visit, the weather was perfect no humidity.
Post shower will be ll Rose 31.
Thank you!
And oh my, a driver already.
I know.
I’m glad you had a great visit.
Happy 18th Year, Now Smell This! Thanks, Robin. For the CP, Nahema. I started out in the 2021 version, but followed up with my 2018 Bee Bottle. Both smell like Nahema, but the 2021 has a more transparent or airy quality, while the 2018 seems still to have some of what was probably the heft or backbone of the original. Shout out to Kris, who asked about the 2021 of Mitsouko: not having smelled it, I suspect the new Mitsouko would also have that lightness that is popular in newer reformulations, but would be recognizable. Pre-shower, I also dabbed on some Avon Regence. The drydown is nicely woody, but the top is very guest-soapy and simple. I enjoy my Avons, but this is not one I’d reach for, unless for reference.
Thanks! I am guessing you are right about Mitsouka.
I will be wearing the newer version of Nahema on Friday. You smell great!
Wish I would have known about Nahema back in the day!
Same here! And, I might try the 2021 again tomorrow. I want to give it any credit due.
Happy Birthday, NST! Robin, this is a lovely space about perfume, books and people.
Just used up the solidão perfume from Sabé Masson, Né dês Roses. So soft.
I really liked Sabé Masson, and I don’t even know if they’re still in business! (Or I knew but I’ve forgotten)
Happy Birthday NST! Thank you Robin, for creating and maintaining such a wonderful website and community. And thank you to all the folks here who contribute to making this such a supportive and interesting community. I have learned so much since I started coming here regularly. I came to learn about perfume and to practice verbalizing what I smell so that I’d improve my sniffer. I have stayed for the warmth, generosity, and comraderie!
Claiming CP points today in a sample of LAP Abyssae 33. I get menthol/eculyptys, fresh pink rose, and milky, underripe fig. I think I get the cashmeran note, but it is difficult for me to wrap my head around that one enough to verbalize it. There is also something slightly salty in this, like beach air in winter. The whole thing gives me vibes of a being in a beach house in winter, sitting on a sofa next to a big window, under one of those thin wool blankets with a white and pale gray chevron pattern that seemed like they were in every home decor magazine five years ago.
Tea is F&M’s Superb Assam, partially because I forever amused by Superb Owl Sunday.
How are your kittens doing?
They are doing really well. Thank you for you for asking. The two boys have gotten so big! I’ve had only female cats for so long that I forgot how big (and heavy) the males get. They are still definitely kittens tho. Right now the three of them are play soccer with a makeup brush I had left on the bathroom counter but that they decided needed to be on the floor. Anything and everything is an adventure for them.
We got our first male cat almost two years ago, when he was a tiny kitten. He grew and grew! When I see him next to our lady cat, he looks so big! His paws are huge, and so is his head! LOL!
Thanks Vee!
Robin, sending you huge hugs, and wishing NST the happiest of birthdays! 🎉💐🥳🎂 Wow, 18 years! Congratulations!
I’ve been reading for almost that long, I think since I first fell down the rabbit hole around that time, and I think I found out about your site from MUA.
I am so grateful for your happy space here, and the community it has nurtured. We are so lucky to be the beneficiaries of your labor of love. 😘
What a beautiful photo you’ve found again. Does that rose actually have blue petals?
SotD for CP points (admittedly, not so difficult this week) is Amouage Lyric. EdP version. Happy to be scent twins with J B today!
Gosh, and it’s been eons since I’ve gone to check out the fragrance board at MUA. Maybe I will do that on vacation next week.
Oh, and no, it is straight pink so that must be the lighting and/or background:
https://www.davidaustinroses.com/products/queen-of-sweden
Ah, thanks!
Same here. The last time I looked there were still a few familiar names, though, so I’m sure some people would remember you.
Happy 18th Birthday to NST! 🎈🎊🥂🎂 Like a few other commenters, I found this blog between 13 and 14 years ago. It has brought a lot of perfume knowledge and a lot of positive interaction with a fantastic group of people to my life. Thank you so much Robin!
Such a gorgeous rose photo today! It made me sigh with happiness. I hope it smells as good as it looks.
Late today, since I had an afternoon grocery run. And of course, I didn’t get a couple of things I needed. But they weren’t on the list. Oh well. Nothing critical was missed.
SOTD = JHAG Lady Vengeance, from the Sample Stash, and one of my fellow NSTers. It works as well in spring like temps as it does in winter-ish ones. A nicely versatile dark rose!
LV is on my list to buy if I see a good deal. I really like the older JhaG line-up.
Thank you Jalapeno!
Supposedly it has “a lovely myrrh fragrance”, but of course I’ve never smelled one.
Even better! That rose sounds decidedly swoon worthy!
I rarely shop with a list except at Costco since I don’t want to miss out on the sales, I don’t go too often and I am easily distracted.
I can’t seem to remember grocery stuff without a list anymore. Those brain cells are off doing other things.
Happy birthday NST! I started reading 8 or 9 years ago. It’s been a haven in times of stress and a great place to feel connected to amazing people.
My SOTD is DedCool’s Taunt. I was surprised to find my roller ball of the oil in my purse – I usually don’t carry perfume with me. But I am not complaining because I smell great.
It is a haven for me in times of stress too!
Happy 18th NST! Thank you, Robin, for making it a wonderful journey and destination.
SOTD = Guerlain Shalimar Millesime Tonka
Love it!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Coa7Q23uqzl/?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
PSA: Beautyhabit code for 20% off with pre-tax $150 purchase – 20LOVE23. To be frank, I got less than stellar customer service (meaning none) around the holidays and I chose to purchase the exact things from another site. The customer service is usually pretty good and 20% is a good deal.
Lol at the kitty joke on IG 🤣
Thanks hajusuuri!
Happy birthday, NST! I had to look to see when I first started looking at this blog. It was around 2009 when Gucci Flora launched and I looked up reviews. I haven’t been able to follow as closely lately, but love catching up and have met the most lovely people through this site. Thankful I never lost my sense of smell with COVID because I enjoy fragrance way too much for that. SOTD is Tobacco Vanille.
Thank you Sapphire!