It's Monday and Tequila Day. Birthdays: Amelia Earhart, Zelda Fitzgerald, Jennifer Lopez. What fragrance are you wearing?
I’m starting the week with community project points, in Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Nil.
Reminder: on 7/28, we're off to Africa! Wear a perfume that is named for a place in Africa, or that reminds you of a (real or imaginary) trip to Africa, or that features an African ingredient, or ? Modified from a suggestion by JB.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2023, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Blue Nile, Ethiopia [cropped] by Nina R at flickr; some rights reserved.
Aedes de Venustas Grenadille d’Afrique for the CP. This citrussy vetiver is good on a hot day like today.
Had temporary crowns fitted today. They feel a bit weird. I will have to come back on Thursday, because the dentist needs to do more work before making permanent crowns.
Robin, you smell fantastic! Un Jardin Sur Le Nil is on my list for this CP.
Hey, and now I’ve added Grenadille d’Afrique to my list…if I can find any. I think I have a sample but can’t remember!
Hope all well go well as your crown fitting progresses!
My temporary crowns also felt a little strange when I had them. The permanent ones were much better.
Today I am going to earn CP points a week-ish early by wearing Rhinoceros.
Or, since I have heard it is pretty bombastic, I may chicken out and wear Rouge Saray instead. I’ll let y’all know tomorrow.
Happy Monday!
Have not tried Rhinosceros!
Rhinoceros is perfect. Do you have Chanel Lion for later in the week?
I don’t have anything specifically African-themed that I can think of, except for one rather sideways connection I’m saving for Friday. Today I’m in Demeter Amber, which is, as the British like to say, just what it says on the tin. It’s a nice, friendly, uncomplicated amber, a pool of sensual warmth. Highly recommended if you like this sort of thing.
I love Amber fragrances.
Starting out with Un Nuit Nomade Click Song, the fragrance created for Miriam Makeba, known as Mother Africa.
Oh, wow! Had not heard of this one before; how very cool.
Nice pick
I have some orange blossom oil and some oud oils I picked up in Morocco-but will save them for Friday or the end of the week for the CP.
Today I am in Jersey by Chanel. I just wanted a simple fragrance for Monday.
Another day of “mommy summer camp” Today I am keep in low key
Also started reading 📖 Paper Palace.
I really enjoyed that book.
Good! We have similar taste so I am sure I will as well
I’m wearing Finisterre, which is not my favorite Maria Candida Gentile fragrance.
🙂
In Demeter Salt Air for a hot, humid, cloudy day.
Having an iced lemonade and trying to get ready for a very hot week in the 90’s with real feel in the 100’s. August heat is knocking at the door!
Happy Monday! 🌞
Supposed to be hot here this week too! Stay cool!
You too! Stay cool and hydrated! 🌊
I’m looking at a scorching week also. Not complaining! Lol🌞🌷
I am about to start complaining! 😆
Lol! Keep cool!
Teflon kitty has a vet appointment on one of the hottest days this week. I will be idling the truck and running the A/C to keep her comfy until they let us into the clinic.
Thanks Robin, you’ve given me my idea for Friday!
Today I’m in 10 Corso Como. My great summer clean out continued over the weekend including all of the perfume boxes I was saving yesterday. 10CC was one of them which reminded me how great it is. Not sure why I was keeping them…? Please chime in if you also throw yours away!
Today is an old med drop at the police station after work.✔️
I throw mine away too. Sometimes I feel kind of bad when I send someone almost a full bottle and I don’t have the box to go with it. Unfortunately, I throw the box away as soon as I get the perfume.
It is going to be very hot here this week too so I think I am going to have to wear citrus scents most of the week.
I’ve kept all of mine, and have no idea why. I guess it’s so I can include the box if/when I sell/gift it — maybe that’s not as necessary as I thought it was?
Before the rabbit hole, I tossed mine. But boxes sometimes help date a vintage perfume, so reluctantly I keep them.
I used to toss mine, but now I keep them. I line the back of my perfume shelves with them.
I tried keeping my boxes but it got to be too much so I tossed them all.
When they come boxed I keep them in their box except if the packaging is ridiculously bulky but I also have unboxed tester bottles and second-hand with no box.
I keep some of the boxes that are really special like Amouage or if it was a special edition of sorts,but purely for extra space I threw most of mine away after years of storing the stash in their boxes It just became too much of a hassle to unbox every time I want to wear something,also.
I toss the boxes and just keep good notes on when and where I bought what. The only exceptions are vintage bottles (if they come with a box), and oddly shaped bottles that need the box in order to stand up (looking at you, CDG bottles). I do it mostly to save space, but also because I worry that fumbling with a box everytime I want to access a bottle is an invitation for my clumsy hands to drop that bottle. I also just really like opening my cabinet and seeing all of the pretty glass.
I’ve kept most of the boxes that my perfumes come in. If a box is really mangled when I get something, I toss it. Those boxes will come in handy for the upcoming move.
I keep 99% of my boxes. Sometimes I get annoyed when there is too much negative space in a box but I always think there’s a reason why they are designed that way.
I’m going with LADDM for the CP today, on a rainy day in the Northwest. It’s been a while since I’ve seen rain, so it was nice to wake up to the sound of it this morning.
Robin — you smell great, and Sur le Nil is on my list for this week.
Envious of your rain! It’s in the forecast here today but hasn’t shown up yet. ☔️ 💕
I hope you’ll wear “something” you picked up in Cape Town last year during this week!😉✌🏻🌹
Wait for Friday! 😉 I brought my bottle along on my week away especially for this.
Ha, and now I’ve added LADDM!
Nice to hear that some places are getting much needed rain.
Slept llllooooonnnnng and thoroughly last night, and am now happily wafting Alba and enjoying the prospect of a cool-ish day with some rain. It has been eons since it last rained here and we need it!
Alba sounds like a lovely comforting almond/woody scent from what I’ve seen. Perfect for rain.
Had to reschedule my colonoscopy. It was supposed to be this Wednesday but I couldn’t take off tomorrow to do the prep. I work 2nd shift and the prep isn’t doable with that. Currently in Infusion d’Iris but getting in the shower and will be in Lyric afterwards.
You will smell wonderful.
Sympathies, that procedure is one of my least favorite things to do.
Colonoscopy prep is deeply unpleasant, yuck.
Love this theme! Completely non-compliant, but will try to play later in the week. Personally, it feels like I’m in a leaky hut in Maloti Mountains at the moment. I broke down this morning and turned on the space heater in my office! Our indoor house temp has crept up to 65, but it feels colder. Applied LL’s Bigarade this AM, aspiring for warm Hong Kong-like breezes.
I wish I could send you some heat.
Ditto!
I’m in 4160 Tuesdays Both Sides of Clouds today.
Yesterday we got the phone call that our long-awaited couch is in the warehouse; should get it next Monday!
Hope it arrives safe and sound!
Me too! It’s been a long time! We got rid of the old couch in mid-May. Plus we didn’t really anticipate a 6-week wait once we purchased it. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Yay for the couch! You smell gorgeous.
Thank you! Can’t wait to sit on a couch again! I’m using my old office chair and a patio chair now.
So close and yet so far on that couch!
Seriously! It’s been a long wait.
Following up yesterday’s Insolence with SotD Tocade, which I discovered after spritzing is by the same nose, Maurice Roucel. Undina had a recent Saturday Question about perfumes that one once loved, but then cooled toward. I was thinking Tocade might be one of those for me, since I have not reached for it in ages. But no. AND, I am on “Team Love the Tocade Bottle.” One of my perfume sidelines is collecting bottles designed by Serge Mansau. I know it’s the juice that matters, but I am not against the fun of a well-considered bottle. Or even just marketing in general: Katy Perry Purr and Meow bottles, anyone?
I love Tocade *and* its bottle!
You smell great, looked at my Tocade not long ago but decided it was a bit warm to wear it.
The heat did make it bloom, but I was lighter on the trigger than usual. Also, was indoors most of the day…
I bought Purr purely for the bottle!(and because HUGE fanboy of Katy Perry!)
Yes – and like both scents very well! I tried Mad Potion, but passed it along.
How do you find out who designs the bottles?
There is a good article on Fragrantica. Just search there for Serge Mansau. I then did some other Googling, and found a few other articles. He designed bottles in a variety of styles, and quite a few of the famous ones.
Two things tangentially related to perfume:
I had a busy weekend and didn’t jump into the what’s-in-your-shower discussion, but just wanted to report that I have both Lush Grass and Rose Jam, and decided to try combining them, and it’s a lovely blend — like a warm florid meadow in late spring, when things are still juicy and sappy.
Also, for those of you who are gin fans, Hendrick’s currently has a limited edition gin out called Flora Adora, and it’s an absolute explosion of rose. It smells so good that when I spilled a few drops the other day, I dabbed them behind my ears. This + Fever Tree elderflower tonic water + lime is *heavenly*, and very much the cocktail equivalent of the shower gel combo above. 🙂 I’ll be buying a back-up bottle, which is not something I’d ever do with gin.
Ohhh I think I need some of this. Gin is my favorite spirit…and with ROSES?!
Mr. G is a fan of both Hendricks gin and Fever Tree tonics, so we will be checking these out — thanks!
The cocktail sounds delicious.
~*heads to liquor store*~
Ooh, thanks for the tip on the Hendricks! Does it have a lot of cucumber in it? I ususally avoid the regular Hendricks because as much as I love the rose notes in it, the cucumber notes put me off. I’m hoping the Flora Adora has the rose dialed up and the cucumber dialed down.
That’s exactly what it has!
Uh oh. I may have just had a full blown lemming stampede for that version of Hendrick’s! I enjoy the regular version, and I’m not a cucumber fan.
Wearing MCMC Maine (in the perfume oil formulation), an easy going beachy rose. Good for a steamy day in the city!
It’s overcast and cool this morning, a welcome break from the recent heat, and I’m wearing the last Kerosene sample, R’oud Elements. I’m so used to sour ouds that this one took me totally by surprise. It’s bitter orange and light woods, and if there is agarwood in it, it’s very well tamed. There is lavender, not usually a note I get along with, and I don’t mind it here. Most of Kerosene’s scents are rather heavy but this one is…fresh. I will finish the sample. I wish he sold smaller bottles.
Of the ones you tried, were there any stand outs?
I may buy Follow, the nonsweet coffee one, and I would buy a decant of R’oud Elements if I could find it. Winter of ’99 was good, too. All of them were interesting.
Everyone smells great, and kudos to those of you looking after your health, and that includes teeth 🙂
I’m in a slightly too generous amount of Cologne Bigarade.
It’s going to be a hot week here, and humid, but the epic rains are over and my basement is dry-so thankful.
Good week for colognes-one of my favourite genres. Eau de Rochas, Eau de Patou, Angeliques sur la pluie, eau d’Hadrien, Chaldee – it’ll be a good week for perfume. Oh, and I got two samples from Diptyque-eau de sens, and fleur de peau. I don’t know anything at all about these scents so something new to try 🙂
Had my gutters fixed today…if I make it to the end of the summer with a dry basement I will likewise be so thankful!
Have fun with your new Diptyques.
I tried to counteract the cool and rainy weather with summer scents, so this morning it was Premier Figuier still faintly detectable on my wrist but tonight I picked Shalimar Parfum Initial l’Eau which has the best grapefruit and I adore it’s drydown too.
Good strategy!
It helped😃.
I’m sure I won’t be the only one in Timbuktu this week 🙂
Also on deck would be sur le Nil, Iskander, and Harmatan Noir.
No, you won’t be! 😁
For sure I will be joining you later in the week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB-OGtSEc64
I am matching my favourite African song, Brenda Fassi’s Vulimdlela with one of my happiest perfumes, Sun. The song and perfume “ makes way” for joy and sunshine. It is my most get up and dance song , and I love it. Happy Monday/ Tuesday!
Yay for Brenda Fassie!
My favorite songs are “Weekend Special” and “Zola Budd”!
She was a force of nature that one!
Excellent idea!
HDP 1804 today — off topic but perfect for our steamy weather. We attended a great wedding yesterday and the post-wedding brunch this morning. Not used to so much socializing (and dancing!).
Decanted a bunch of samples over the weekend to take to our daughter in Australia. Unfortunately I think the two boxed sets of Hermes minis are not going to fit in the suitcase on this trip (too many books for our grandson).
Back to packing — we are both about 90% there but that last 10% is a challenge as space gets tight.
Glad the wedding was great!
What day do you leave?
We leave Wednesday. Assuming all goes according to plan.
Happy Monday!
Starting Africa-week off with none other than Wick Fragrances Fabulous Human.My favorite local brand,born in Cape Town just before the covid-storm hit us.I recently scored with 50% off on my favorites from Wick because the packaging is changing.
I hope to be wearing a couple of local brands this week!
Hint for some inspoMadagascar is part of Africa too…#GetYourVanillasOut.😉✌🏻🌹
great reminder! I was worried I would have trouble participating this week, but now I think I’ve got it covered. Thanks!
Oh my! Another idea!
Clever work on the CP inspiration!
My sotd is Dior Dolce Vita. It arrived today, but honestly I am not sure if it’s authentic. The batch code is from 2014 but nowhere does it say Dolce Vita on the bottle and it doesn’t say CD on the atomizer. It smells ok but maybe a little thin. Idk… I’m disappointed. I’m going to do some investigating but I already want to throw it in the trash.
Oh, no 🥲my partial bottle is outside in a chest or I would tell you how mine looks.
But I can try tomorrow.
This is a partial bottle too.
I have a genuine bottle and it doesn’t have any markings/ letters or name on the bottle or atomiser, and only has the small plastic sticker on the base
Oh thank you Kanuka. That is how mine is. I feel better now.
I just checked my 1996 bottle. Take a good look between each of the first round of circles. Mine has the name painted on, in what was likely originally gold paint. I could see it easily wearing off so maybe you’ll see a faint trace. Also, the name and other info on the bottom is printed directly on the glass and it very faint. I could see it wearing off too. Finally, neither the cap nor the sprayer has the CD logo like so many other CD’s do. BTW, this bottle was designed by – Serge Mansau!
I will double check on markings after work tonight. I assumed that all the bottles had the CD on top. I guess not. Is your cap plastic?
Yes, plastic cap; 50ml spray. I think you’re fine. I was thinking too that the bottle is hard to fake, and unless you see scratches or signs of tampering, the juice is likely the real deal!
As others have commented, you seem to have the real deal. Maybe let it settle for a bit before wearing it again.
I think you are right. I don’t have your patience when it comes to perfume mail. I sprayed right away and I think that was a mistake.
I have a few drops left from a sample of African Rooibos by Chris Collins, I’ll use that one evening for the CP. Meanwhile, I’m wearing Rouge Sarây for the desert theme I recall from the advertising, although the word is Turkish.
Great idea with African Rooibos!
Im in Sur le Nil today, which I haven’t worn in so long that I forgot how much I like it.
Tea today is Clippership’s Full Moon Fruit. I’m having it hot, but I think it would work better as an iced tea, but I only drink hot tea, so Mr. Vee gets the rest of this sample pouch.
I have a sample of that, so it’s a possibility for me. Thanks for the idea!
I am wearing one of my recent buys – 1 oz bottle of Creed Fleurs de Gardenia. Mouth watering scent. Most of the days, almost every day I am wearing Love in White. I reach for it with my eyes closed… Very special and sentimental as it was my very first Creed ever back in the day…
I am also loving my beautiful travel atomizers from Creed. One I am still keeping in the box unused, one I am keeping in my purse filled with my favorite Green Asian Tea.
As I mentioned somewhere on here already a package with Aqua Allegoria Winter Delice is arriving today!! So excited. I have also just ordered Mandarine Basilica in a special format created for Macy’s (0.33 oz) and I love all kinds of cutesy travel sprays like that. I recently purchased 3 0.33oz travel sprays of the new 2023 Creed Spring Flower but haven’t used any of them yet. I get so happy thinking about all my favorite things AKA perfumes.
Hope your package arrived by now! I did not know they’d done a little bottle for Macy’s, will have to go peek.
Mandarin Basillic* from the Aqua Allegoria range.
I usually enjoy tequila but today I am not feeling it. Bad timing on my part I guess.
Spooky kitty had a bad day yesterday, health wise. I suspect that her last vet visit is coming up sometime soon. Poor little thing. 💔😿
SOTD = commando. Switched to Bliss’ Lemon & Sage Body Butter today.
Oh poor Spooky kitteh. Maybe she’ll spring back again, I hope. 🙏
Spooky has a few chronic health issues. She’s stopped cleaning herself and is sleeping a lot more than she used to. Plus she is missing the litterbox a lot now. It’s a sad sight.
Sending Spooky Kitty pets, chin scratches, and her most favorite treats. Sending you hugs and comfort and keeping you both in my thoughts.
Thanks Vee.
Poor Spooky. 💙
Yeah. The last time I talked to my vet about her, she asked about Spooky’s quality of life. It’s been on my mind for a few months now.
Gosh, poor Spooky!! Sending both of you hugs!
Thank you tulipani. Appreciate the hugs.
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear about Spooky. Sending you hugs, Jalapeno.
Aw, so sorry Jalapeno.
Thinking of you and Spooky.
You all must bear with me now because my SOTD has a very far-fetched connection to Africa. I could not think of anything for the CP apart from some Zoologist scents that I wasn’t in the mood for, but for some reason I got Joni Mitchell’s song “Carey” stuck in my head as an earworm, and then realized why. It appeared on “Blue,” my favorite album of hers and really influential in my college years. The opening lines say:
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldn’t sleep
Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here, Carey
But it’s really not my home
My fingernails are filthy
I’ve got beach tar on my feet
And I miss my clean white linen and my fancy French cologne
So, I had the sudden insight to put on some “fancy French cologne” in honor of the song and donned some of my very precious and very fancy indeed special sample of Delina Exclusiv Parfum.
Yes, tenuous I know but I’ve enjoyed it and kept singing the song all day!
how do you like the Exclusif Delina?
I love it! It’s definitely a more intense version of the original scent. I think it has more depth, i.e., more of the other notes besides (beautiful) rose that add complexity to the fragrance.
Ear worm indeed but I bet you smell nice!
Oh, I love the creative link to the theme!
SOTD = Sticky Lips
Sticky Fingers with rose and violet! 💜💜💜
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvGNhCoxw1J/?igshid=Y2I2MzMwZWM3ZA==
I have a newfound appreciation for museums. I used to zip through them thinking of when I’ll be back next. Now, I don’t think I should stress out over this.
Now off to read the comments!
It’s been way too long since I have been in a museum. Definitely pre-pandemic. Maybe 2015 or 2016?
I didn’t think I would have more than one or two scents for the CP this week, but I’ve picked up so many ideas and it’s only Monday!
I wore a sample of Chanel Gardenia today and it’s not doing it for me. I remember liking it more before it was part of the Les Exclusifs range. Oh well, easy pass.
Makes your wallet & credit card happy, right?