This is a repeat of half-year poll we've done for the past couple years. As always, answer as many or as few of the questions as you like, or just talk about something else.
1. What’s the best new scented thing you discovered in the first half of 2023? It can be anything, from a flower to a fragrance to a body product.
2. What new scented thing do you hope to discover in July?
3. Now that the year is about half over, what do you think is the best new fragrance release of 2023 so far?
4. Share something wonderful with us! It can be anything — good news you received recently, something delicious you ate, the latest TV series you binged — really, anything…
Note: top image is pink balls [cropped] by Rosmarie Voegtli at flickr; some rights reserved.
Except for the first one, I’m afraid my answers to the poll questions will be disappointing. Here goes:
I discovered so many new-to-me scented things in the past six months — Fox in the Flowerbed, Ganymede, Acqua di Sale, and my SOTM, Caleche EDT, for the perfume category, and coneflowers, red thyme, and Walker’s Low Catmint in the garden category (just yesterday! and my back is feeling the gardening today).
I haven’t sniffed a brand-new release ever, I think — just not my thing, I guess.
Because of all the perfume discoveries in the first half of this year I’m really hoping to NOT fall in love with anything more for a while. My wallet is relatively unhappy right now. 😂
As for something wonderful … well, aside from the tiny corner of my garden that I rehabbed yesterday (it was a patch of very sad and dusty dirt with one large picturesque rock, and now is a pretty little vignette), the younger of my two stepsons is getting married at the beginning of July, to a sweet woman whom Mr. G and I both like very much, AND I finally figured out what to wear to the ceremony! Weather permitting (or even if not), the wedding will be outdoors, on grassy property up in the hills northwest of Portland, and I find that it’s not easy to dress appropriately for that.
Congratulations to your Son! I wish my son would meet a nice girl.
Oh, I bet he will eventually. The groom in this case is 40, so clearly he waited until the right person came along.
Congratulations on the wedding, and especially figuring out what to wear! That would be a challenge.
It was, and I’m grateful to have had several months to work it out!
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. I am sure you will look fabulous!
Well, “fabulous” might be stretching. 😆 Besides, it’s considered gauche to upstage the bride, right?
Yay, for everything!
Indeed!
Congratulations on the impending nuptials and on finding something appropriate to wear. I’d love to hear what you decided on!
I’m keeping it pretty simple — white slacks and a sleeveless top from Nic + Zoe in shades of blue with white and coral accents, and block-heeled sandals in a coordinating shade of blue. And a seed pearl necklace. I can’t figure out how to embed a link, but the top is called Angles Live In Tank on the Nordstrom website. I’ll add a pale blue cardigan if it ends up being too chilly for sleeveless.
I found it on the Nordstrom website. Love that top. I still say you are going to look fabulous without upstaging the bride. Now to pick the scent.
Scent! Egads, so many possibilities. It would probably be best to wait until the morning of and decide then, but my first thought was Bel Respiro, quickly followed by Cristalle. In any case, something that won’t attract bees.
That outfit sounds perfect. Refined, stylish, unfussy. And congratulations!
Thank you, on both counts!
best wishes to the happy couple and their happy families!
Thank you! They’re very well suited to one another.
Congratulations on the wedding!
Thanks Gaynor!
Congratulations on the wedding and the best to your son and his future wife! Your outfit sounds fabulous!
Thank you!
Congratulations and here’s to a happy marriage
Thanks Kanuka — it’s looking promising so far!
So much good news, yay!
Indeed yes — happy news, and so far a complete lack of drama. My favorite kind of wedding planning. 🙂
Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials!
Thanks, J!
Your outfit sounds fabulous,and I love the idea of wearing Bel Respiro to the ceremony!
Ooh, a vote for Bel Respiro! It is such a gorgeous scent, and yet won’t draw attention away from the happy couple — might be perfect.
Fun!
1. I have 2. First, Chaldee from the swapmeet. It was blind for me, the notes looked promising and it smells even better than the sum of it’s parts. Second, Tula classic purifying facial cleanser smells like sparkling aldehydes and soap bubbles, I look forward to using it every day.
2. In July I want to smell classic chlorine, because I want to swim even if I have to go to the public pool.
2. Harvest Mouse from Zoologist. I want a travel bottle. But it might be the only ’23 release I’ve tried.
4. My estate sale yesterday had no perfume but it was in an amazing Victorian brick house with at least 3 stained glass windows and lots of rooms and hallways upstairs. I found a little pile of gorgeous silk scarves in a closed drawer of an old wardrobe. They are all from the 30s and 40s and have tags, I’ve just been admiring them. Such beautiful attention to detail!
Your face wash sounds divine
Chaldee! It is fabulous. Congrats on your finding!
Chaldee sounds nice. I see they sell your facial wash at Ulta. May have to try it.
Did you buy the scarves? I love finding beautiful old silk scarves in thrift shops, where they often go for as little as $5.
Yes, they came home with me. Everything was 25% off so the scarves were only $2.25 each! They are very fragile.
I love silk scarves. Have you thought of mounting them in display frames? I used to wear scarves a lot, but then hot flashes made then uncomfortable. I’ve been trying to come up with alternative uses for them, and hanging them as art is one idea I’ve toyed with.
I framed my first Hermes scarf I ever bought.
It’s gorgeous and I have no regrets.
Wow, that was quite a bargain!
Chaldée is lovely, it was my first ever blind-buy.
Chaldee was my first Patou Heritage Collection blind buy. Not sorry I did.
Ohhhhhh the scarves sound amazing!
Happy Father’s Day weekend. Thinking of my Dad today
1. Angels Share (new to me)
I really love it
Bond Tribeca – a BR549 knock off but still a high 💰
2. I have a nice set of plants on my balcony so I am really loving all the fragrance from there
3. I haven’t smelled anything new that was memorable
4. Headed to Canada later his summer and can’t wait for chai tea. Reading the Couple Next Door, not a new book but I am liking it. Watching Silo on AppleTV and enjoying it.
I’ve just started reading Victoria Belem ( Bois de Jasmin) The Rooster House . I haven’t finished yet but it’s really interesting if you are into nonfiction
That is on my list too.
To be celebrated –
1. My first social security check @70 in the bank.
2. Yellow fever vaccine done yesterday. Whew!
3. Finished Manifest. Got me through Covid times.
4. Reading Hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls, is wonderful.
5. Six paychecks = 12 weeks to Africa
New fragrance for 2023. Ingenious Ginger by Goldfield and Banks. Full bottle worthy. Ceremonia also beautiful and was gifted.
Happy Fathers’ Day to those who celebrate and happy, loving memories to those whose dads, husbands, brothers, uncles who are not here with us.
I really enjoyed Hang the Moon. I don’t know why, but I try to read the books from Barnes and Noble’s book club. Every once in a while, I find one that I didn’t care for, but most months I think they are pretty good.
I am actually listening to it in my car. Jeanette Walls is the reader.
I got to hear Jeanette Walls speak recently at a local bookstore that hosts a lot of author events. She was very engaging and I’m in line for Hang the Moon at my library.
I think you will enjoy it. I really did!
I just ordered a travel size of G&B Ingenious Ginger!
travel size so nice they have.
Hwww, the quarterly confession now comes earlier, haha.
1. I was very lucky to encounter too many great works in the past half year. Here are some of this last quarter.
– Donna Karan Gold EdP (Yann Vasnier, Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Calice Becker). An indolic, green yet ambery lily. Incredibly sensual.
– Nishane Unutamam (Miguel Matos). This is a very confusing scent (in a positive way). It begins with medical spices and refreshing mints but turns into a roaring animal. A poetic and extraordinary composition that I would hardly imagine before. Nishane keeps its packaging simplest, as it could hardly be a commercial success. Great kudos to Miguel and Nishane for still launching this creation!
– Anatole Lebreton Racine Carrée (Anatole Lebreton). Refreshing vetiver with carrots and celery. Unique yet decent. I feel L’Artisan last-year collection Le Potager is of the same spirit, but they are less impressive to me than RC. (BTW. the formerly limited Brioche has come to the regular line (tho its heavy honey and tonka is not for this season) while the lovely Cornaline seems to be sadly discontinued. 🙁 )
– Vero Rozy vde (Vero Kern (?)). The vde version has also been re-launched. Some say that the reformulated versions (of both edp and vde) are lighter and slightly different from the original. While I do not have the chance to sample the original, the current works are fabulous. Many thanks to campomarzio70!
– Apoteker Tepe Pale Fire (Holladay Saltz). Another revived house. I have also got costus-heavy Karasu and the incensy The Holy Mountain, but this buttery coconut smells most original to me.
– Hiram Green Arcadia (Hiram Green). Arcadia is a classic spicy fougere. I can hardly say it is groundbreaking, but it is so beautiful that deserves a mention.
2. The upcoming plan…
Wide Society is on my radar. Launched by the same creative director of TDC, Wide Society seems quite overlooked? In today’s market, their prices seem very reasonable, so I’d sample them in July or later.
I am also considering Golden Acacia from Salvatore Ferragamo. I am not sure whether it will resemble Slowdive by Hiram Green, so I have been hesitant for a while…
3. Best new release this year.
Caravanserail Intense by Nicolai! I have not tried many new launches or they have not impressed me very much (e.g. L’Eau Papier). Caravanserail Intense is adorably cosy spicy coffee. It must be shortlisted.
4. Something wonderful…
I am following Claire Denis’ films. Ever since her first film back in 1988, she has dealt with the themes of races/colonialisation and gender/sexuality. Her handling of sensation and embodiment is literally masterful. Surprisingly, she seems to be so underrated?!
Happy weekend, everyone!
yep, Caravansarail is a wonderful one!
And Clare Denis films all great, enjoy.
Thanks, pal!
yep, Caravansarail is a wonderful one!
And Clare Denis films all great, enjoy.
Wow. You had me with the Racine Carrée in the cart on Luckyscent’s website before the fog of perfume addiction cleared. Will revisit when I am less susceptible 😂 Never heard of it, but now I want Want WANT!
My honour! You may also want to try other Anatole’s creations. They are also very interesting. Hope you will like it 😉
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jun/09/claire-denis-france-film-director-stars-at-noon-interview?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
A good recent interview about Stars at Noon. Such a bold director.
Aha! Thanks for your sharing, Kanuka. I started following Denis exactly because of this interview! I knew her name, but guiltily, had overlooked her works, because they are (misleadingly) low ranked throughout all the platforms.
But two films a year, both shot during the pandemic, secured weighted awards in Berlin and Cannes; it is quite an achievement, isn’t it? So I began with the users’ recommendations in the comments, such as Trouble Every Day and 35 Rhums. And soon get bewitched by her camera!
Beau travail is my favourite
1.New scented thing discovered was Jergens Original Scent eau de Parfum
2. Not sure
3. I’m not even sure if I sampled any new releases
4. The minis are doing extraordinarily well… youngest graduated recently 3.98 GPA computer engineering and computer science dual major from oldest engineering school in the country, middle mini just got a HUGE raise as a nurse in the hospital she works at thanks to her union and eldest is graduating in August with her masters degree in NP. On top of all that the three feline grandchildren are still with me!!!!
Wow! Your number 4 is wonderful. Good for them. Quite the academic group you have there.
Congratulations to all the minis!
Congrats on the kiddos.
Well done to all your kids!
Congrats to the mini Marzipans on their accomplishments! And congrats to you on the furry grandkittehs!
High five!!
Today I’m in Tauer L’air du Désert Marocain, which I like because of its slightly dusty, creosote-y overtones. I’ve never smelled a Tauer scent that I flat-out loved, and I couldn’t say why, but there are few that I enjoy well enough.
Out running a lot of errands today and was in Shoppers idly sniffing a few things, including Mugler Angel Elixir and Angel Nova, but I jadedly didn’t find any of them interesting at all. I think mainstream perfumery is not my thing any more, and I live in a very small city so I don’t get to try anything novel. Maybe on our trip this October….
As for #4, I have been watching a bunch of series (serieses?) lately and was completely captivated by Severance. The last episode was the most gripping thing I have ever seen, an hour of almost unendurable tension, absolutely extraordinary. There had better be a second season because the first one ended with at least four cliffhangers that I can think of. Honourable mention to Mrs. Davis and Poker Face. Wreck was tremendous fun. Dead Ringers was okay, though far too sweary even for me, but the ending was so medically stupid that it poisoned the whole thing. I tried to get through Beef but in episode 8 the main characters doubled down on their obstinate stupidity and I just couldn’t take it any more. (It should have been about six episodes long.) I also discovered that there’s a whole second season of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, so I watched both seasons in one big binge.
So many people have recommended Severance! I’ve been reluctant to check it out, partly because of that guy in it who was a demon in The Good Place (I worry that I won’t be able to see him as anything else), and partly because the pandemic severely limited my tolerance for suspense. Maybe Severance should be my “getting back on the horse” series.
Try the first episode and see where it gets you. I’ve bailed on series after one episode because it didn’t work for me (Game of Thrones, Mad Men), so there’s no shame in that, as far as I’m concerned. But Severance is genuinely astonishing. It’s smart, well written, and extremely well acted, with things to say about corporations, the work/life balance, and the nature of identity. Also, lots of twists! It keeps you guessing from the very first scene. I wish I could watch the whole thing again knowing nothing about it. The only thing I’ve ever seen that can match its deviousness is the first season of Russian Doll.
If you need to detach Adam Scott from his role in The Good Place, try watching the original run of Party Down, which is so great. I haven’t seen the newest episodes (yet).
Never even heard of Party Down! So now I have two new things to watch Adam Scott in — must be fate. 😂
Oh. Okay. I loved the first season of Russian Doll. Haven’t watched the follow ups (sounds like you were not as enthralled by those?).
Same here SheriG. I will watch Severance when my tolerance for unendurable tension goes back up. If it ever does.
Yeah … I keep waiting, and re-reading books I already know by heart. Gotta start making my way back into “new” things. One step at a time!
I feel the same, SheriG, just not open to challenging entertainment yet. I still want to read things that are familiar and soothing.
I loved Severance
1. Best thing I’ve smelled so far this year: Hermes Violette Volynka thanks to the splitmeet. I am saving my split for the fall. The leather note seemed like it would be the perfect fall/dark academia fragrance.
2. I hope to smell the new Dioriveria in July, although reviews on fragrantica don’t seem promising. Might be for the best if I don’t love it given the price. Also going to try Bastide Figure Amour for the fig/flower combo search.
3. I don’t think I’ve smelled any new releases.
4. It’s my son’s 5th birthday today! Happy birthday to the sweetest boy in the world.
Happy 5th Birthday to your son!
Thank you!
I have not had good luck with Hermes, but I do want to sample Violette Volynka at some point.
Happy Birthday to your son!
The description on its website is: “elegant, unexpected combination: between masculine and feminine, and two unique materials.”. For once, the marketing copy is right on. It is both masculine and feminine at the same time, but I wouldn’t describe it as unisex but as…well, both-sex. And thank you!
Not sure about the leather if that really comes out. That usually is a big no for me.
The leather is a little pronounced at first, but not overbearing. It seemed like it died down pretty quickly and the violet takes over.
Good to know.
Happy birthday . Such a fantastic age to enjoy
Happy birthday to your son, 5 is a significant age – first half-decade 🙂
Happy, happy, happy Birthday to your son! 🎂
Happy birthday to your son!
Happy Birthday to your son! 🎂🎈🎉🎁
Best birthday wishes to your little one!
Hey y’all! Summer is definitely here for us GA folks.
1. My favorite scented discovery this year has been Lutens Santal Majuscule from the last swapmeet (thank you again, Jocelyne, for the generous offer). This, of course, is not new except to me, and I’ve simply fallen in love with it.
Another favorite discovery has been Puredistance no 12 (a 2021 release).
2. I have a feeling that July will be uneventful in terms of scented discoveries.
3. I’ve not smelled a single 2023 release. I’m very much behind and ok with it.
4. I watched and liked The Diplomat on Netflix.
I’m planning a trip to Ireland for September. Very much looking forward to it.
I also love Puredistance No.12!
I’m glad you love it. I don’t hear it mentioned much. I know Undina loves it as well.
Tell me more about the Puredistance! I love the Gold one and save it for special events occasions
It’s a beautiful, feminine floral extrait de parfum, elegant, smooth and velvety. The flower oils and extracts include ylang-ylang, rose, osmanthus, jasmine, orange blossom, on a base of patchouli, musk and vanilla. To me it resembles some of the floral compositions of the 80s but it is way more restrained and easier to wear.
Wow that sounds amazing – will put it on my to sniff list
Ireland! Half of me (genetically) is from there and I’ve always wanted to go. Do report back!
I will, SheriG.
1. Cheirosa ’71 is uncomplicated and fun to wear when I am in the mood for a nutty gourmand
2. I hope to find new scented soap
3. I’ve read about new releases but haven’ tried anything
4. I’ve made the switch to summer smoothies with lots of fresh stawberries
I ran errands in Amouage Dia today, tonight it’s Avon Rapture, my favorite Avon which smells like a Guerlain.
I am very into scented soaps right now. They inexpensively scratch the itch for whichever scent I’m craving. I recommend the Panier des Sens line-used its Lemon Blossom this morning.
We feel the same way about scented soap. Thank you for your recommendation, I didn’t know about this brand.
If you can get your hands on their violet bar, it’s fantastic. It seems to have disappeared here in the states.
Aurora is there anything you can compare Dia to?
Butting in to mention that I have heard Dia is similar to Amouage Gold. I’ve never been able to test that myself, though.
Yes, thank you Jalapeno I heard that too, I hadn’t seen your comment.
No worries! 😉
Well, I think it is often described as a lighter, aldehydic Gold.
I hadn’t seen Jalapeno’s comment which confirms what I heard.
SOTD = Akro Bake
Newest of the new so that answers question #1! I absolutely love it. When I get home, I will layer with another one which may end up being a good summer staple combo. We’ll see. I may split both as they are all brand new this year, bought in the last 3 months, and brand spanking new just opened last night!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtmOOSqu2e7/?igshid=ZWQyN2ExYTkwZQ==
AlsoBake is the newest of the new!
As to July and onwards, who knows? As I commented to apsara, I just bought a travel spray of Goldfield & Banks Ingenious Ginger and while I am pretty desire I will get it before the month ends, I will count it as July.
I don’t know what’s the best so far so I am not mentioning any!
As to something good – I got off a call with family just a little while ago. We do need to schedule more time to do this!
I don’t recall if I mentioned but I am contemplating stopping with the masking while riding the train. I don’t care that I am perhaps one of last holdouts – the 5% that still do wear masks on public transportation (NJ Transit only as I have avoided the NYC Subway and the PATH train these past 3+ years). I asked the people at work and they all stopped wearing masks when it was not required. For those commuting – do you still mask? BTW, I don’t consider flying as commuting – the jury is still out (for me) on mask wearing. I have taken note that I’ve heard people who mentioned catching COVID after flying.
Also, posting a new “discovery” –
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctkk7J4x1B-/?igshid=ZWQyN2ExYTkwZQ==
… and my Caturday post
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtmLp8KOjDP/?igshid=ZWQyN2ExYTkwZQ==
a lovely kitteh it is, hajusurri!
Thank you!
Gorgeous Caturday pic!
Thank you!
Because of my job, I use public transportation a lot every single day, going from one site to the other, attending meetings outside, etc. Therefore, I still mask when commuting, and I am not planning to drop it anytime soon. I have to be extra careful not to bring Covid home due to my mother’s lung cancer.
I 100% understand. I am debating.
I fully endorse an Akro bake split! I have been lemming that one badly due to all the rave reviews and my love of lemon desserts. Would you say its a safe blind buy?
You know what my normal answer is LOL but I will say it’s best to try it first before committing!
If u r saying that I better given your penchant for “large samples” 😜
If I am taking NJT buses, I am still wearing a mask.
I finally stopped wearing masks outdoors at the farmers markets this summer.
No NJT bus for me either. IIRC, I stopped masking at grocery stores in March this year.
I’m still primarily working at home, but have been masking on public transit until recently. I would probably still consider it for a longer trip out to work (45 min on the train) or on a crowded car.
I still mask for sure on planes. But masks are no guarantee that you won’t get sick, of course — Mr. Ockeghem masked on his flight to Europe in December and still came down RSV a day or two after the flight, almost certainly from the flight since otherwise he was just in archives / by himself in an apartment.
Very true about the no guarantee of not catching something despite wearing masks. My train commute hovers around the 45 minute mark AND I have to walk through NY Penn Station where there may be people I would rather avoid.
I don’t wear a mask anywhere except while traveling by air. I caught covid last summer on a flight and decided after that I would wear one to fly. But I used to get sick from flying for years before covid. I think it’s just too much enclosed close contact with too many people to be safe without a mask on a plane if you don’t want to get sick (even though it’s not 100% effective). The metro I am only on there for 30-40 minutes max, there is a ton of ventilation and I’m not sitting crammed like a sardine next to people for hours like on a plane.
Still working on a thunk for the Allure body lotion. But as it faded, I decided to try a blind grab from my unboxed-bottles cabinet. I averted my eyes and slid my hand above the bottles…oh joy! I lowered it on Tuscany Per Donna, which I have not worn recently. I have both the Aramis and the EL versions; this was the EL version, from 2014. Yes, it’s quite like Samsara edt. I love both: don’t make me choose! 😀 (Regarding the Aramis version, I don’t experience much difference.)
The EL Tuscany per Donna is like Samsara? That is very dangerous knowledge for me to have! 😱
Many say so – and I have thought that too. If you can’t try the current version, which a few years ago was quite good, email me for a decant of the OG bottle version. 🙂
Best new scented thing is Zoologist Harvest Mouse. I acquired a decent-sized sample during the split meet and really like it. I’m afraid it’s the only thing from 2023 I’ve tried so my judgment that it’s the best this year must be taken with a grain of salt.
Exciting scent recently sampled is peony from two gorgeous bouquets I bought yesterday at Trader Joe’s. I said on Facebook it smells so good I want to eat it and a friend chimed in with a link explaining that they are safe and even delicious to eat!–and long used for various medicinal purposes. Imagine tasting some peony jam!
The other scent I’ve enjoyed of late is Byredo De Los Santos. I’ve not gotten on board the Byredo bandwagon for anything else but this one is marvelous; its herby notes are quite pleasant in the hot weather.
What are those pink flowers/balls in today’s cover picture? I don’t know, but they’re just so cute.
Today I’ll be staying indoors, like most people I know who can manage to, due to our “excessive heat warning” (it’s a real thing in the weather warning system), I hope to try to do a painting of a peony or two!
Here is the link about using peonies in cooking and for medicinal purposes: https://practicalselfreliance.com/edible-peony/?fbclid=IwAR35wAgW4s7C5ydSu6uFnX6878whrglEY1Cv0I_PPb5Ab4zzUrkrrNubFwU
It’s really quite interesting!
Wow, that’s interesting. I’ll have to add them to my list of things to look for ….magnolia petals were last years addition.
Do you think those pink pom-poms might be some kind of dahlia?
https://www.americancamellias.com/care-culture-resources/the-camellia-family/making-tea-and-other-products-from-camellia-s
Also, tea from camellias!
I don’t know why I was surprised at this but there was a Byredo boutique in Newbury Street in Boston. I got two samples of De los Santos and while I haven’t worn it, one of them is on the to give away pile.
I know someone you could give it away to. 😉
It is going into the bag where I am saving never used manufacturer’s samples as part of a split freebie. You can email and let me know whom you think should get it.
I really liked Harvest Mouse. It’s the only Zoologist I have liked. I’m curious about Sacred Scarab
I like it a lot. It’s hard to take at first but is delicious after a little while. It’s very rich. They just announced that a new attar of it (Sacred Scarab) is coming out soon,
Yes I saw that! The drawing for this one is really striking too
I just ordered it.
1. My favorite scent discovery was probably Ferre thanks to a NSTer however, she also swapped A Rose of No Man’s Land and I really like that one too. Those would be my favorites.
2. I am receiving several samples from another NSTer so we will see what that brings.
3. Not sure if I have tried any new releases. Sometimes they all kind of run together in my mind 😊
4. We just had some new flowering bushes planted so excited to see how they come out. Sure would help to get rain.
What are your new flowering bushes?
Potentilla-a few pink and a few yellow. We will see how they do.
Potentilla are quite hardy! We have yellow ones planted along the driveways in our complex. We are in zone 6.
I had pink ones when we lived on the coast. Lovely, pretty carefree plants!
I hope they are hardy. I am kind of babying them now since they are new😊
Oh, those are so pretty!
Wearing a spritz of L’Artisan Memoire de Roses thanks to a sample received from a very generous NSTer.
1. New to me this first half of 2023 are Zoologist Bee which I love, Hermes Violette Volynka and Un Jardin a Cythere. I recently discovered Thymes body lotions and soaps. I have been wearing them a lot. They are very cozy, comforting and easy to wear, especially on very stressful days.
2. I am eagerly looking forward to receiving the Kayali Pistachio from Vee’s split. It sounds right up my alley, and I hope it is as good as people have described it.
3. As usual, I am behind trying new releases, so I don’t know what is the best release so far.
4. Nothing exciting happening in my life, as you all know. For the last couple of weeks, I have been getting beautiful peonies for my mother from Trader Joe’s. Every time that she looks at them she says they are so gorgeous! I am so glad to bring a little beauty to her life when she manages to be awake.
Happy Father’s Day! I miss mine deeply and I am sure he still keeps an eye on our family from heaven! 🌻
Isn’t Zoologist Bee great? I tried Kayali Pistachio the other day and I am still kind of on the fence on that one. Kind of sweet for me.
Bee is a very beautiful scent. It met all my expectations. I still need to try Sonoma Scent Studio Bee’s Bliss, which sounds delightful.
I have been craving for nutty scents lately, so I just hope Kayali Pistachio is a decent one.
I miss my dad too, and I am sure they are both sitting comfortably on a cloud knowing they have good daughters.
Very beautiful and touching words, Apsara! Thank you! I am sure they are both proud of us.
I saw some peonies at the big farmers market near me this morning, and thought of all the NSTers who have mentioned them lately. Glad that they are making your Mom happy.
I still hope to find a couple of more bunches next week. TJ’s didn’t have many in stock this week. I guess the peonies season will be over soon. In the meantime we are enjoying them greatly!
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/111170/camellia-sasanqua-gay-sue/details
It’s getting on for mid-winter so the gardens are quiet but maybe because of the lack of competition scented plants really catch my attention when I go through the botanic gardens and the winter flowering camellias have been wonderful, mostly sasanqua…they smell like a peony with a bit of rose. The other wonderful smell comes from the native bush areas, mulchy fern scents and native beech trees…kind of wet, mossy, Ferny and dusty. Lovely.
Lots of wonderful things…watching the blackbirds hunt for worms and following me when I weed the garden. Listening to the native Grey Warblers who trill in the trees. Watching the tui at the sugar feeder, their long tongues poking out and spraying sugar everywhere as they greedily drink. The beautiful pre dawn skies with Jupiter shining brightly and the early evening sky with Venus, Mars and Leo . Sitting in a sunny spot in my living room, reading, day dreaming ( Bois de Jasmin’s Rooster house is my most recent read). All nice things but no new perfumes to report, except maybe one of the Highland scents, the mallow one.
Have a happy weekend! Wearing Abel Pause, 2000 sprays or thereabouts.
I love your writing, you make cold and dark winter mornings sound wonderful!
That’s funny about the tuis!
I tried and bought lots of new things on my trip, so I’ve got quite a list to confess to Donatella in a few weeks 🙂 .
I’ll also have more new things to try shortly, with a handful of samples on their way from Luckyscent. That includes Harvest Mouse, which has featured today.
I have tried lots if things that are new to me, but I think the only ones that are new this year are Caravansérail Intense from PdN and SL’s Écrin de Fumée. I love both of those.
Some wonderful news comes after my beloved had radiation therapy for throat cancer last year. We were delighted when he got the all-clear this week after the follow-up scan a year after his treatment had finished. He has been feeling fine, so we were confident the treatment had worked, but it’s still a huge relief to know.
That’s really wonderful news. What a big weight to be lifted from your minds
Wonderful wonderful news
I am so happy for you both!
Fantastic news about your dear person!
Great news! So glad!
Gaynor, that’s just wonderful.
Very good news indeed!
Such good news! I’m happy for you.
Wonderful news about the all-clear! Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!
Yay for good news!🌹🙌🏻
Great news!
What great news! I’m happy for you.
I went to bed feeling better and woke feeling worse?! Not sure how THAT happened…😆 Going light today with SL UBV
Not hankering after any new releases, old vintage releases or anything in between at moment.
1. I bought a kantha summer quilt a while back and when I unpackaged it, it smelled absolutely lovely. It came from India so who knows what it was, certainly nothing I was familiar with, but it was a delight. Hated to wash it.
2. Not too interested in smelling anything other than wilderness areas- pine, desert, ocean- whatever, just get me away from the stink of civilization.
3. No opinion on this since I haven’t tried anything new this year. At least nothing I can recall, which says a lot.
4. Like some others here, I’m doing a countdown to freedom which starts September 24th. Also really enjoyed sharing my giga-flood book with the PDX folks I visited this week. The last half of the book is basically a scavenger hunt around the Portland area that highlights the first Lake Missoula flood when an ice dam partially collapsed and let loose a flood that changed a huge portion of the Washington and Oregon landscape. There are still some areas in and around Portland that haven’t been paved over, removed, or otherwise tampered with, where one can see the evidence of this monumental dousing. Totally boring for most folks, but I’m enthralled by the power of nature, in any way, shape, or form. And the PDX people I left the book with are just the type to pack up the kids and make a day (or two) of searching these areas out. 😃
Love kanthas. Enjoy it.
I have always wanted one. I don’t need any more quilts or blankets though.
https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2021/09/08/book-review-islands-of-abandonment-life-in-the-post-human-landscape/
I think you would really like Islands of Abandonment which is a series of places that have been abandoned by humans and taken over by nature. Also on audio . The chapter set on an island on the Forth in Scotland was great.
For Deva
Swona not Forth, wild cattle
Thank you for this! I just ordered the book. 😀
1. What’s the best new scented thing you discovered in the first half of 2023? Mine are a couple of fragrances: Lili Bermuda’s Bermudiana, and Miguel Matos’ Miracle of Roses. I had such a wonderful time trying most of his collection at the Barcelona Perfumery!
2. What new scented thing do you hope to discover in July? I’m trying to rein in spending! But I am looking forward to the sweet smell of retirement on July 31, lol.
3. Now that the year is about half over, what do you think is the best new fragrance release of 2023 so far? I really haven’t kept up with new releases, but I’m very intrigued by Providence Perfumes’ new magnolia fragrance. It sounds beautiful.
4. Share something wonderful with us! My niece had a beautiful baby girl a few weeks ago, the first baby of that generation on my side of our family! She’s so cute, and I can’t wait to meet her this fall when she will be christened. I’m in a frenzy of deciding what I can make for the baby, now that I’ll have more free time. I am re-learning how to sew.
Wow, I am also very interested in Miguel Matos’ works! Unfortunately, his creations, either for his brands or for others, are not very available here 🙁 But I feel we may share some aesthetics, as most of the time, I can comfortably rely on his writings.
Happy retirement, and congrats on the new arrival!
Congratulations on the new family member!
Congrats on the new addition to your family!
Retirement is soon, good for you!
What I am about to write definitely comes under your ‘something else’ category, Robin! Penhaligon’s parent company, Puig, has closed many of their shops – really surprised & disappointed to find this out, & can’t find anything in business news or media coverage about it. Concessions in upmarket department stores, here in the UK & in the US have gone, as has their flagship venue in Brook Street, Mayfair in London, which was the real shocker. A few shops in what we call ‘county towns’ have closed, as has one of their Covent Garden locations, & also their spots in airports here in the UK. One of my best friends, with whom I have had a London trip in late Nov/early Dec every year since 1997 (recent pandemic years being the exception) will be devastated to hear that their branch in the Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly has also closed – a lovely shop in a gorgeous location. If anyone has any information on this subject I would be very grateful for their input.
Some of the boutiques in the U.S. have also closed – I’m sure the one at Rockefeller Center closed and I am also quite positive that the one at the World Trade Center (not sure of the new name) had also closed.
Thank you for responding to my message. The Rockefeller Centre closure was one I was aware of, also the concessions inside Neiman Marcus (or Needless Mark-up as a former colleague from Missouri used to call it, which always made me chuckle) & Saks in various locations. The move away from their base here in the UK just seems to be a cynical business decision, given their whole ‘we’re a traditional English company trading on our heritage’ sort of ethos. I was a wearer of their Bluebell fragrance for many years & I’m just disappointed at their current stance, not to mention when Puig also bought L’Artisan & then promptly closed down their Covent Garden shop where I had bought a bottle of Mure et Musc & had many people complimenting me about it!
That is interesting. I have seen lots of mentions of new travel retail efforts for Penhaligon’s, especially in Asia, plus new releases coming later in the year, so it might just be strategic rather than a sign the brand is about to fold or something. And they are opening stores in other locations.
https://www.trbusiness.com/regional-news/asia-pacific/debut-penhaligons-door-opens-at-king-powers-rangnam-downtown-store/235856
https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/puig-heinemann-australia-debut-penhaligons-sydney-airport-15-03-2023/
Thank you for the links to these articles, Robin – interesting reading. I didn’t think for a second they might be going out of business, they are obviously targeting what they think might be a new & lucrative market (says me cynically!). I may be old fashioned (or just old!) but I am put off by the attitude of trading on their English heritage while closing so many of their shops here in the UK.
I hear you! I wonder if English heritage does not sell as well in England as it used to?
I have nothing for the first three, so here is my #4:
Mr. Skal and I went to a winemakers’ dinner last night where we knew almost no one — and ended up with four excellent table companions, including one who turned out to be a student I’d taught 20 years ago (my first at my current employer) and his wife. I didn’t recognize him, but he did me, and then I remembered his name. And then he told me about the books we’d read in the courses he took with me, and I thought maybe I’d done okay.
Less good, we were startled at 2 a.m. by a very loud “slide, crash, THUMP” that sounded like it was right beside our bed. We were both already awake so we did not imagine it. We spent the next hour combing through the house, including attic, basement, and outdoors, plus another daylight inspection. We have no idea what it was, which is disconcerting — the cat was on our bed so it wasn’t him — and we both lost about three hours of sleep. Very draggy today.
That’s so scary!! I would have freaked out
Forgot to say (I plead sleep deprivation) that SOTD is Paris-Deauville. The weather here is becoming warmer and more humid, so this is just right.
Even though I would rather be reading While There is Still Time by Yeonmi Park, about to leave to visit my grandmother in memory care. My dad was stoked to get Max Miller’s Tasting History book and he said he now has to watch his YouTube channel. Currently in no 19 edp and I don’t care if my grandmother doesn’t like Chanel offerings, I am wearing this for me.
I hope the visit went well. I know for sure that Music helps people in memory care relive the long ago. I am also quite sure that even perfumes / smells are also memory triggers – I know of at least one person here whose relative had experienced this.
Happy Sunday and Father’s Day to those who celebrate!My Dad passed away in 1979,I was 3 years old.Memories of him are mostly tied to photographs,and horses.
SOTD!KISS(yes the band) Him.This and Kiss Her were two bargain-finds way back when at a local discounter.Fun fragrances.
Poll:
1.)Best new scented discovery so far of 2023 has been my Mèmè protea reed diffusers in black and white(I’ll try and link to their Insta).Gorgeous product and throw/scent is devine!(Milk tart on my nightstand,cinnamon/vanilla-coziness)
2.)I hope to go on a sniffathon asap!Have not smelled anything new in months!
3.)Best new (to me) discoveries has been Jo by Jo Malone and Kayali’s Pistachio fragrance.
4.)My apartment is looking fantastic,and hopefully the paint-renovation will be finished this coming weekend.Crisp white textured ceilings makes me extremely happy.
Also excited for a trip with two girlfriends to the crystal and glass factory on June 30th.I have this idea for my bathroom that envolves classic blue and white ceramic and glazed planters,and lots and lots of plants.Excited to decorate again!
XO’s🌹❣️🤗
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrNW4zPKoAs/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Mèmè diffusers…aren’t they fun??
🌹
Planter/color idea sound great – remind me: you decided to stay in your current place?
3 years old. That’s rough friend. 💙
In Mango Thai Lime – no brainer for a hot day.
I hosted a little sniffa at my house and the crowd favorite was Brooklyn by Gallivant
What fun to have a home sniffa!
It was really great to share my collection and I directed my guests to this blog’s great reviews and community
🙂
Posting late this weekend. I have been busy as heck at work. 3 nights in a row. Yesterday I wore Shalimar edc and today I am wearing Clean Best beach day or something similar to that name. Lol.
A big hug to anyone missing their Dad today. Robin, I am especially thinking of you and your Son.
Oh, thank you lillyjo. We kept very busy today.
1. I’m really liking the Otherland Extra Hour candle I brought home from NYC, and a lot of other things I’ve sampled this year.
2. I’m coveting Akro Bake, and have a sample in my Luckyscent shopping cart, with a couple of others mentioned here (Harvest Mouse, Caravanserail)
3. I am so far behind all the latest releases that I’m lucky if I’m smelling things produced in this decade. 🙂 #2 is my attempt to remedy that…
4. I’m getting my washrooms renovated, starting tomorrow. (Hmm, not sure if that’ll be a good or a bad thing for the next little while.) Also, in two weeks I’m leaving for Greece (and leaving the washrooms to be done in my absence / with chats on WhatsApp. 🙂 )
Woo-hoo for #4! The best way to do a renovation.
1. Best new scented thing? Fresh. locally grown strawberries. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. I will enjoy while they are here!
2. New scented discovery in July? Not sure what, if anything I will come across.
3. Have I tried anything new this year? 🤔
4. Trying a new kibble for the cats, to see if Teflon kitty’s mystery rash is a symptom of a food allergy. It’s going to take a bit of time, but so far, so good. The cats like the new food, which isn’t always the case.
SOTD = the usual, Korres Guava body butter. I did not realize that Korres had both a lotion and body butter version until recently.
And for folks up in NYC, Korres has a brick & mortar store! So you can physically try things before you buy.
Yes, strawberries should be soon! I saw some cherries at the farmers market last Friday but not 100% sure they were local.
Oooh, our strawberries are done (we had a few warm weeks but now it’s cool again), and the cherries have just come in. (They’re from the Okanagan, which is the middle of BC / middle of Washington, and is warmer / semi-arid.)
I made Mr. Ockeghem a strawberry pie today (he’s a pie fanatic) with what I was assured are the last of the strawberries, at least for now. Evidence seemed to bear them out, as only one stand had enough strawberries to make a pie.
I saw Dame will be coming out with a Strawberry perfume.