A repeat of a poll we did way back in 2016. As always, answer as many or as few as you like! Or just talk about something else altogether.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today?
2. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that you fell in love with right away? Did you buy it?
3. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that was a huge disappointment?
4. Share something wonderful with us! It can be anything: something you discovered, or bought, or read, or saw, or something great that happened to you recently.
Note: top image is Warmth and light wakes the world to life again [cropped] by Susanne Nilsson at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m traveling and stupidly only brought two perfumes with me. If I had been smarter I’d have brought Philosykos because that’s what I’m craving today … but I did think to bring SMN Eva, so that’s my SOTM. The decant sprayer on that one is beginning to fail — luckily it’s nearly empty, and even luckier I had quadruple-wrapped it so the leakage was contained.
For most recent Love At First Sniff? Francesca Bianchi’s Under My Skin. Holy whatever, that stuff is gorgeous, and of course I bought it. No self-control here. 😂
No recent huge disappointments in perfumery that I can recall. One relatively minor disappointment was the reformation of Italian Leather. It’s still recognizable, but lacks some of the grrr in the original.
Something wonderful? Not sure if this qualifies as “wonderful” exactly, but in the course of permanently repairing our burst pipe in the garage, the plumber identified a second leak. The “wonderful” part is that the drywall and insulation haven’t yet been replaced, so the secondary leak was easy to spot and fix. Yay? 😜
Under My Skin is lovely, isn’t it? I bought it in pretty short order myself.
It’s just heavenly. I love the iris note under all that amber.
Your “wonderful” is why being a responsible adult can be such a drag sometimes lol.
Indeed! So annoying being a grownup. 😉
Ha, file #4 under “it could be a lot worse”, right?
Absolutely!
You influenced me into a bottle of Under My Skin. 😂 It was one I had to sample a few times, first, though, before I became hooked.
Oh yay! I sampled it a bunch too, but really I was hooked from the first sniff. 😆
Yay to finding and fixing your secondary leak…like the pre-crime division from Minority Report. 👍🏻
What a great analogy!
Oh, I too think finding that leak was SO wonderful!
Yes indeed. This has been quite the educational experience that I never really wanted to have, but if we had to have another leak this is exactly how I would have wanted to have it. 💦
Thank goodness that secondary leak was found and fixed!
Happy weekend!
1. It’s Nishane Zenne today
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3cidh4oE2z/?igsh=MXB4ODMxNmRsZTdyZw==
2. Probably Ormaie L’Ivree Bleue years ago, yes I bought it.
3. Diptyque Fleur de Peau
4. I’m ready for Esxence, flights to Milan are booked, appartment as well. Can’t wait to smell lots of perfume.
4 bis. I bought Olfactive Studio Iris Shot as a self gift for my upcoming birthday.
Lovely picture and lovely plans!!
Thanks
Hooray for all except no.3. Looking forward to your reports from Milan!
Have fun in Milan Lucasai!
Have a great trip, please tell us all about it!
Ooooh, looking forward to hearing all about up sniffing adventures in Milan!
Milan sounds like fun. We will be waiting to hear all about it.
Yay for Esxence…looking forward to your thoughts!
Esxence should be so good – spot a trend for us!
Enjoy Milan!
1. Today it’s Rochas Byzance, absolutely unique, literally like nothing I’ve ever smelled. It was instant love (story of my life) in 1987 and I still love it to this day.
2. The last thing I fell in love with and bought was SL Écrin de fumée, not quite love-at-first-sniff but by the time I’d worked through a sample I had to own it.
3. Disappointments are too many to name. Not even going to try.
4. Nothing specifically wonderful to share, but honestly I’m just happy to be alive. Despite the endless stream of bad news in the media, which I really have got to stop reading, life is pretty good! There are worse places to live and worse people to be, my sense of smell works, and I have no complaints.
Byzance is truly wonderful — you smell divine.
Ditto on your number 4
Same
Me 4!!
#5 here!👋
Pyramus, a very good friend of mine wore Byzance in university. I remember the bottle and how good it smelled on her. You smell amazing, and I like the spirit of your post 🙂
I am loving your positive attitude. I need to take that up more often.
Hi NST. Today I’m wearing Geisha Noire, which is also my love at first sniff (once I figured out what that sample was) and yes, I bought it. No major perfume disappointments, maybe some meh feelings. Something wonderful? Not that great but Land’s End came through with another good sale so I was able to get some shorts and stuff for PT after surgery. And everything fits!
Lands End is such good quality.
It really is, and prices are sensible when you get things on sale.
Geisha Noire is a beauty. And yay to clothes that fit! I buy quite a bit from LE, not least because they’re one of the few retailers who still carry petite sizes.
Having comfortable clothes for PT is a wonderful thing.
1. Guerlain Tobacco Honey
2. Fueguia Xocotel or however you spell it
3. I haven’t smelled anything new recently
4. I am excited to watch the Apple TV show with Juliette Binoche plays Chanel..it’s something called the new look.
I am always reading something. I am looking at some new makeup releases from Guerlain like the concealer and the lip oils. I also see the CdP came out with a $110 lipstick! Omg
Thats even more than the Hermes lippies!
$110 for a lipstick – when I convert that to $NZ, I am stunned! I won’t be buying that in every shade 🙂
Ha! I will be buying in 0 shades. 😂
Ditto this!’
Joining this club.
Sorry, what is CdP? 100$ for a lipstick is too much!!!
CLÉ DE PEAU
1. 31 Rue Cambon today. It got coldish so this fit the bill. I kind of blocked out that I have two huge bottles; I remember posting this last year but I cannot figure out where/when I got the first bottle. I should be wearing this weekly! (Don’t worry, I didn’t pay retail!)
2. I bought a mini of Enlevement au Serail and though I’m not sure if it’s the current version or the old version, it is completely lovely. I wouldn’t mind a bottle but I’m trying to be good.
3. I wasn’t really into Bake, though I don’t think it’s a bad scent. It simply reminded me of my mother’s enduring obsession with Yankee Candles.
4. I’m looking forward to my brother’s wedding in El Paso this spring. I just bought a suit, and will be able to rewear it to my cousin’s wedding in Alabama in the summer.
Can’t wait to read everyone’s answers! Robin, I hope you’ll post yours if you haven’t in the time it took me to write this.
I laughed at your #3. I haven’t tried Bake yet.
It really isn’t bad at all! I just wouldn’t want it on my skin for hours.
I bet you look dashing in that suit! Enlevement used to be mentioned quite a bit here and was one of dozens I put on my mental list to sniff and then promptly forgot, because I’m old. Have you any idea what scent you’ll wear to the wedding?
I’ll be sure to post a picture from the day! I’m not sure what to wear, and it should be cold in El Paso. Maybe Noir Epices?
EaS is a very old fashioned scent but I honestly seek that out. I’m sad that isn’t not really in my budget.
Would love to see a photo on your IG! Best wishes to the soon to be bride and groom! 💒
Thank you!
I’m of very like mind on Enlevement au Serail. I got a sample years back, but it was discontinued before I could seriously think about buying something so expensive. Now it’s back, I got another sample, and I’m in exactly the same position 🙂
I know exactly how that is! It’s so lovely. I would have to confirm I like the current formula but maybe I can hide away enough of my pennies….
I really tried to get into Bake too and just couldn’t do it. I guess I though there would be more complexity to it, but straight up lemon pound cake on me.
It’s rather impressive to me but I did get tired of it after 30 minutes. I wouldn’t fault anyone for wearing it though.
Yes, I got tired of it too. I know some people love it. We all just have different skin types and different tastes and that’s okay.
Absolutely!
I will add my answers below but they’re pretty sad!
1. Commando. My son tested positive for covid this morning (again! he had it in Oct and I got it a few days later) and I decided to rest my nasal passages in advance just in case 🙂
2. I don’t try new fragrances so much anymore and when I do I don’t keep track. But a very kind person sent me a decant of CdG Kyoto which I was happy to fall in love with all over again. Not buying it unless they release it in a smaller size, though.
3. Almost everything unfamiliar that I try, so I won’t name names (and I don’t keep track anymore anyway). I do feel like I increase my odds of happiness if I just wear one of my familiar favorites!
4. I feel very much like pyramus above. Everything around me seems a mess (and I do miss my husband terribly), but my health is reasonably good (knock on wood and please don’t let me get covid again!) and I have a lot to be thankful for. I am really enjoying belonging to a gym again and doing yoga & sauna regularly, and I have a decent part time job and am enjoying volunteering at the library once a week, and spring is coming, yay.
Hope your son’s case of covid will be mild and you don’t catch it.
Hugs for the sad aspects of your journey through life and you have my admiration for getting back to yoga.
No, not more COVID! I hope it’s mild and you aren’t afflicted. Knocking on wood.
Things are a mess. Your routine sounds lovely. I love the sauna as well; it’s so relaxing.
“I don’t keep track.” I feel so validated because I judge myself to be a less than serious perfume person because I don’t either. Some times in the back of my mind I feel a spreadsheet forming, then is disappears like a will -o-the-wisp. 🫤 I hope you remain Covid free and your son has minimal symptoms. I’m glad the part time job is working well for you and kudos to getting back to the gym. In my own life I’ve found channeling certain emotions like grief, anger, and frustration, which are considered “negative” by the toxically positive society in which we live, can made a hugely positive impact on one’s life. Props to you for continuing to find joy and satisfaction during such a tumultuous time.
Eh, what’s the difference if you’re a serious perfume person? Be the perfume person you want to be, right?
I enjoyed keeping track at some point, now I don’t.
It is Sunday night and I’m not sick yet! Holding out hope. My son is doing an excellent job of quarantining.
Glad to hear that you are still holding out from That Virus!
Crossing fingers you don’t get Covid, Robin.
Life is never easy, especially when we have lost a very dear one. Sending hugs.
I am wearing Le Lion today to RRRWAAAAWWAWW get my taxes done. Then a mani pedi to reward myself.
I fell in love with Diptyque Benjoin Boheme and there is a bottle (the old bottle is still available at a few boutiques) sitting here next to me with all sorts of goodies the SA sent to me.
How did I manage this without a job dear reader? I sold two handbags and a pair of boots on eBay.
Looking forward to starting the Apple show about Dior. Sad to have last episode of True Detective tomorrow.
Not a good buy – I didn’t love Dior Spiceblend. It was kind of bland.
( I only bought a sample)
Le Lion is wonderful! How has your experience selling on eBay been? I’m tempted to sell some stuff as well, but I’m very intimidated by the whole process…
It’s pretty easy Deva.
Take good pictures
Be honest price fairly
Ship on time.
It’s one of the reasons I keep things in boxes and dust bags. They are all in great shape,
And I’m getting a tax refund from the state and the feds!
Start my Uganda trip fund!
Chiming in to say thanks for the eBay tips. I’ve been afraid to ruin my rating by getting a bad buyer. Do you ever sell perfume there?
Sure do.
I had a bad buyer couple of months ago and saved all communications and eBay took care of everything.
Piping in to say, I’ve had bad sellers too, but usually there is a way to appease them without costing too much of your energy. I had a really crazy one last summer but it worked out alright.
I like the casual-ness of Mercari as well, no affiliation.
Ok, good to know thanks! I will look into it when I have a moment. I don’t have much to sell but a couple of handbags and maybe some perfume.
So glad you got your Benjoin Boheme!!
When I have exhausted the shows I am watching on Acorn & Britbox I will cancel both and get Apple again so I can see the Dior show…it does look good!
I’ve never watched Succession, but might have to start after True Detective ends.
Sigh.
Succession is a really well done show and I enjoyed it, but it was also high stress and I am glad to be done with it. Most of what I’m watching now is basically comfort food.
I’m watching the Dior show and it’s rather disappointing so far (3 episodes). I love Ben Mendelsohn but he’s really wasted in the role as all he does is sigh and cry. The portrayal of Chanel is very scathing, perhaps justly so, but it makes it unpleasant to watch. We haven’t seen enough actual FASHION yet and I hope there will be more in the later parts of the series.
I watched the first episode last night and didn’t love it.
Aha, good to know, thanks to you both! Maybe I will skip it then.
1. I’m in the last of my Bianco Latte sample. It is very good. Not sure that it’s true love though.
2. Element 79 from Beauty Pie. It was part of a sample set and was instant love. So much so that I emailed the company to see if they will be releasing it in bottle size, and much to my delight, they will! Some time this spring and yes I will be getting a bottle.
3. Not sure that I’ve had any huge disappointments or scrubbers recently. So many fragrances that I try are just *meh* that I think I keep my expectations low.
4. Wonderful? Well, this morning I completed my 97th barre3 class since joining last fall. I should hit 100 some time this week, so that is feeling pretty good. 💪 I don’t have my Madonna arms yet lol but I’m working on it.
Also: sun!🌞🤩😎
Bianco Latte wasn’t a love for me either.
Yay for your 97th barre class!
I really liked Bianco Latte but haven’t decided on a FB yet.
Good job with the consistency of your barre class.
1. Haven’t decided yet, still mulling it over as I have my coffee.
2. The most recent thing that I remember, and my memory is terrible these days, is when I was at Fumerie in Portland with another NSTer, and got a whiff of Ummagumma. Bought it on the spot and continue to love it. Since then I’ve bought other perfumes, but that one is really stands out in my mind. Definitely a Top Five in my teeny collection
3. I’m kind of picky, and tend to be an all or nothing person when it comes to perfume. I’m rarely WOWed by scent these days, so I go into a new sniffing experience with no expectations.
4. It’s astounding, then wonderful, and I just can’t wrap my head around it. I have friends in Asheville, NC and I did a contract at the hospital there in 2020, right after HCA took over. Since the takeover they’ve been in the news constantly. In February of this year CMS stated that the hospital was in “immediate jeopardy” of losing CMS funding due to deficiencies of care that critically impacted patient care. I won’t go into it because I know most people don’t care about this stuff, and this is a perfume site, but long story short, HCA’s response was legendary: “We never promised quality care.”
Yeah, they said that. I cannot state strongly enough the precarious state of thousands of hospitals across this country. But you WILL care very quickly when you or a loved one is admitted to one of these facilities. Please don’t start yelling at staff, we’ve been ringing the alarm bell for years. The wonderful part, in my opinion, is that these things are starting to get media attention. I hope it continues and I hope these money grubbing CEO’s, CNO’s, CFO’s and all the rest of the acronyms get put in the legal hot seat for continuing to cut patient care in critical ways while making millions every year. When I was there in 2020, this 800 bed hospital had ONE phlebotomist. Stat labs were taking HOURS. Article below for those interested.
https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2024/02/06/feds-cite-ashevilles-mission-hospital-for-immediate-jeopardy-hca-division-president-tells-staff/
Ended up going with Ummagumma. No surprise there! I love it and it loves me! 😍
Yes, they changed significantly when HCA took over in 2019. The community in Asheville is very tight knit and is up in arms. The friends I have there are both physicians, one practicing with an Internal Medicine group. When HCA took over, the group declined to participate at that hospital because of the strong arm tactics used by HCA. And yes, one phlebotomist! Talk about delay of care..! The Attorney General is also suing HCA. The article is here:
https://avlwatchdog.org/hca-mission-respond-to-stein-lawsuit-denying-they-have-broken-commitments-made-at-time-of-sale/
I have to respond to your #4 as I used to be a state surveyor many years ago. If they were in immediate jeopardy, as you know, that is very bad. One phlebotomist for an 800 bed hospital? Are you kidding me?
My husband and I drove to North Carolina 10 years ago and I had a medical emergency in Asheville. I have to say that I did get good care in the emergency room at that time. Things must have really changed.
Sorry left a comment for you in the wrong place. 👆🏼
Interesting. I went to the HCA website and they sure don’t seem to be following their mission and vision. Very sad.
Hospital corporation’s only mission is “profit.” You can read anything you like on their website, listen to all of their positive spin, which is very evident in their response to CMS, and on and on. Actions will always speak louder than words. I’m trying not to disappoint my recruiter by throwing in the towel, but I am this close 👌🏼.
I do enjoy your commentary on the medical world, Deva! Thanks for sharing.
I get very angry because people, patients and staff, deserve better. Between insurance companies and hospital corporations, Americans are getting less and less quality care while having to pay more and more each year. 58% of those in medical debt have health insurance..! Does this make sense to anyone? BRB, I have to go huff some Ummagumma and calm down. 😂
Not to pile it on, but it is troubling how scripted and coded interactions with medical professionals are becoming.
Absolutely agree with you. Was just speaking to another (old) nurse the other night about this. AI is right around the corner.🤖
I will pile more on. I’ve been having some medical issues and so far haven’t found any answers ( between 2 doctors and 2 appointments) as my symptoms are worsening I called both offices where I was told ” we might not be able to find out the problem but if you come in we can offer you some prescription ( a controlled substance) I declined but did get an appointment so I can ask for more tests in person.
🤦🏻♀️ OMG! I’m so sorry! These people at the “front desk,” who usually are NOT medical people, they’re receptionists, are the worst gate keepers. One thing you might try is to call (if you’re seeing a neurologist, I would try there first. Or whatever specialist you’re seeing) and ask to speak to the office manager. If they can’t get you in sooner, which I hope they can, ask to have the PHYSICIAN call you. At least you can go straight to the horses mouth. Write questions/problems/symptoms down to have on hand so you don’t forget anything. It may be a PA or an NP that calls you back, but they are better able to judge if you need to be worked in for an office visit. 🤞🏼 I hope that helps. How frustrating for you!
Thanks Deva. I was shocked at how easily I was offered this prescription to “control symptoms” my appointment is with the neurologist this coming week and I plan on asking questions. She was very nice during my first visit.
My sister the nurse practitioner has long covid.
She was rebooked for an appointment with the pulmonologist yesterday for one month- no staff.
Yes, all over the place. Entire floors in hospitals or sections in the ER closed. It’s really horrible. I hope your sister improves!
thanks Deva.
1. SOTD is Byredo’s Rose of No Man’s Land. It is so beautiful.
2. Shalimar MI and I did end up buying it – three times🤣
3. I would have to go with Bake. It wasn’t a huge disappointment and I had sampled it, but I just thought there would be more to it or something. Even when I tried to combine it with vanilla lotions or different fragrances, it just stayed with that lemon pound cake smell to me.
4. I will be going to see my grandkids in North Carolina next month so that is wonderful to me!
I’m so happy you have three bottles! Pure unadulterated perfume love right there! ❤️
Probably a little excessive 🤣
I loved Shalimar Mission Impossible too and bought a BUB.
For anyone who missed out on Shalimar Mi it is being sold on QVC as part of a set w/ Shalimar body lotion…if you search for Shalimar Millesime the set comes up. Someone posted that on Fragrantica and thought I’d share and enable. 😅
You almost got me She-ra! Lol
Yes, I saw they were selling it on there.
Shalimar MI is lovely. I sold chunk of records to buy that one! I may like it better than the MVP….
Good morning! I’ve got a bit of NST to catch up on. I’m visiting my 93 year old mother, that’s usually very quiet and uneventful, but she tripped when we were walking in the garden and has broken her arm right up near her shoulder. So, ambulance and a night in hospital, and not much dignity as she needs my help to get on and off the toilet, along with everything else. The wonderful thing is that she is so much better this morning than she was yesterday.
Meanwhile, in perfume news, I have a bottle of Le Galion’s L’Astre waiting for me when I get back to Wellington – that was supposed to be today, but I’ve changed my flight to stay a couple of days longer.
Hope your mother will continue to improve.
Enjoy your new bottle.
So sorry to hear about your mom! Hope she heals well, and quickly!
Yikes about your mom! I hope she heals well.
Also very sorry to hear about your mom. Glad she is doing better and hope she heals quickly.
I’m sorry about your Mother’s fall. Sending her best wishes.
I am glad that she is at least feeling better. Falls are scary as f%@&.
I’m so sorry. Hard for all.
Gaynor, I’m so sorry to hear that about your mom. I hope she heals quickly!
I’m glad your mother is better today. That’s a scary experience for all involved.
Oh no! So glad you were there, and that you’re able to stay longer. Hope she continues to improve.
So sorry to hear about your mother! I’m glad you were with her.
Yikes. So sorry to hear about your Mom! Falls are terrifying for older folks.
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she feels much better soon.
During the day I wore an Aveda body spray, grounding or whatever it is, to go to the dentist so I was in the west end but discouraged by the crowds I didn’t do any shopping. Tonight I’m in Volupté which smells quite wonderful, I was in the mood for it.
Chloe Rose essentielle intense at the duty free this summer, no I didn’t buy it, I’m on a low buy and also I’m waiting for a bargain but it’s certainly in my future.
Burberry Goddess at the duty-free, I thought it was a mess, completely non-distinctive, the reverse of Burberry Black which is equally sweet but much more interesting.
The daffodils are out in my neighborhood and the weather has been very mild and a winter without snow.
I’m in agreement with your “completely non-distinctive” assessment of Burberry Goddess. Yet I’ve seen it in several TY and YT videos. It must be brand PR. I take all “influencer” recs with a boulder-sized grain of salt.
The amount of crap PR they recommend is awful. I feel bad for the viewers that don’t understand what is really going on, and go and blind buy. The Clone houses are all over the influencers atm.
I agree about Goddess. I re-tried it the other day and thought it was very forgettable. ( which is why I re-tried it! I had forgotten the first time. Lol)
Burberry used to have good perfumes, lavender and vanilla are some of my favorite notes, I couldn’t even detect lavender in it.
Have you tried YSL Libre? It has very detectable lavender, and is also perfumey. I think the Le Parfum version is the best as it has extra vanilla.
I think I tried the edp but I didn’t like it. Will try to sample Le Parfum, thank you for the rec.
You have daffodils already?! Man, I’m jealous, those are my favorite.
They’re early this year for sure.
I liked Goddess enough on a strip, but it wasn’t something I was dying to try on skin.
1. SOTD is CdG Ourzazate on one arm, Zagorsk on the other, from samples that arrived with my FB of Kyoto. I’m enjoying both, though Ourzazate fades (or I go anosmic to it) fairly quickly. I could easily own this entire series, it’s all so good.
2. Le Parfum de Therese. I did buy an FB, but 90% full from Mercari.
3. Not a “huge disappointment”, because I didn’t have any hopes pinned on it, but DS&Durga Deep Dark Vanilla was very “meh” for its name.
4. The comic play I went to last night was terrible. More a dramedy, not the comedy it was billed as, which would have been fine if it were any good, but it wasn’t. It was a hackneyed pastiche of stale ideas from a million sitcoms and movies that preceded it. The wonderful part: watching my friends’ reactions to it had me in tears. And then, analyzing it with them after. Shared laughter with friends is the best.
The whole CdG incense line up is stellar! I have a strange affinity for their minimalist packaging. 😍
Your #4 is reminding me I’m overdue for some uncontrollable belly laughs…
Wouldn’t it be the best if Commes des Garcons would release the Incense Series as a coffret of 15ml bottles? That’s a perfume fantasy of mine.
Mine too!
I think it’s actually your idea Robin, a good one.
I would definitely buy!
Lucky you with your Mercari score! I’ll be honest, Malle is one of the brands I am wary about buying second-hand.
Yes, and I was wary. But I looked at what else the seller was selling, and it seemed very plausible as an individual perfumista needing to sell her collection. Plus I figured, Therese would not be a moneymaker for fraudsters. A risk, but it paid off!
Yes, I almost added: “I doubt anyone is counterfeiting PdT!” That’s one I never get tired of.
1) Wearing Delta of Venus today. I really like it. Delicious guava with a lovely drydown.
2) Might be Rauque. Wow – what a smooth and beautiful leather. So polished, yet with a quiet presence.
3) Disappointment: Bianco Latte. I thought I would enjoy it, but something about the mix of notes is not for me.
4) Finished one of many items on the list of house projects — painting laundry room and front closet. And next week we have the reward of a trip to Colorado to ski and visit with friends.
I am hearing more about Rauque lately!
I did not like Bianco Latte either. It was very strong on me.
Re 2) Sounds like a certain NSTer may earn an enabler pin. 😁
Yes, indeed.
Safe travels!
Hello! Digging out from the second severe winter storm in eastern Canada. First one was bad enough-about 100 cm of snow. How much it that? Well I have s mall short driveway and it took about six hours the first day, second day was the winds were too high to shovel, and the third day was about eight hours of shovelling. I had to get up on top of what the plow left to shovel down to find the ford f150 I knew was there and could not see. My neighbours got it worse-they had a 19 foot drift on front of their shed, which housed their snowblower. Next storm was also impressive but only took about five hours to shovel out-maybe I’m getting better at it 🙂
I used La Chasse body wash, which leaves a lovely scent on the skin. Disappointment was Goutal’s Foile D’une Soir-notes sounded lovely, but the sweetness was excessive and lasted forever. Now when I tried it we had a death in the family so I’ve put it away and I’ll try it later when my head’s in a better place.
Something wonderful: in the past three weeks I had three good long conversations with three friends. They all happened accidentally and gave me a change in perspective, and it’s been really nice. I love that about people: that is we sure our thoughts a lot of the time things seem better, or at least more manageable. So cheers to friendships-long or short, they’re one of the things I like best about life.
I’m looking forward to hearing other people’s responses 🙂
That is so true about friendships.
The snow buried your f150?!? 🤯 I hope you’ve recovered from all those hours of shoveling.
Nice to hear about old friends resurfacing! That is truly a wonderful thing.
That is some serious snow! We have not had a storm like that in years. (Well, if it buried your truck, maybe ever.)
It’s the biggest storm in at least 20 years. Neighbours truck (same as mine) got buried, except for a few inches of its nose. Looked kind of funny-like truck was emerging from this huge wall of snow. Climate humour really isn’t funny.
Gosh, can’t imagine.
That is an unbelievable amount of snow! I have never seen anything like that in person.
1. Tihota, from a gift sample with a recent Luckyscent order. Mr. Mossy walked in the kitchen and asked in so many words if I was making a chocolate dessert. I did not think I had so much sillage! I am enjoying it, but it is linear to my nose so far. The weather is very cold and dry today, which is not the best perfume testing weather.
2. I recently got the current version of EL Cinnabar. I would not have gotten a back up vintage some years ago if I had smelled the current first. It’s a delight, and partial bottles are very reasonable on Ebay and probably Mercari, too.
3. Cher Eau de Couture. An avalanche of cloves and floral bouquets – with red-hots on the side. I think I might like it if I smelled it on someone else at a party in a big room. 🙂 It was a budget blind buy travel spray, so no tears shed.
4. We had a late-day and overnight fall of snow, about three inches, and awoke to a bright blue sky with all the evergreens dusted with snow. A family of bluebirds stopped by my bird feeders. I was so happy I had thought to put out some suet last week, because I had forgotten to do it for a while.
You smell great in Tihota. I am quite happy with linear scents.
The neighborhood juncos and sparrows were very happy that I remembered to buy birdseed yesterday, just in time for our little snowstorm. I swear if there’s nothing out there they will sit on the deck railing and eyeball me thru the sliding door. They do guilt-trippin’ well.
I liked Tihota, but on me it smelled like a very sweet vanilla cake.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today? Kayali Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli…a travel spray impulse purchase from Sephora when they did their 20% off around the holidays. I hadn’t tried it before and it’s surprisingly good. I am not into oud but the oud is very light in the opening and gives way to a lovely mix of vanilla and patchouli. Nothing groundbreaking but the cozy vanilla dry down makes me happy.
2. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that you fell in love with right away? Did you buy it? Mancera Tonka Cola…not sure if it was instant love but it was much better than I expected and has a great dry down…reminds me of perfumes my aunt wore in the 80’s somehow. I am mostly all about the dry down…I guess because that’s where the vanilla blooms. And yes, I found a great price on one of the discounter sites and bought it a week ago. 😁
3. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that was a huge disappointment? Calaj Delizia Oscura…seriously maybe the worst scrubber of my life. I threw the sample in the trash. ehaeheh Sickening violet maple syrup and it was absolute beast mode. I put it on sitting at my desk and I still think I can smell it sometimes when I am working…phantom scrubber from Hell. 👻
4. Share something wonderful with us! It can be anything: something you discovered, or bought, or read, or saw, or something great that happened to you recently. This past Thursday, I got in and out of the DMV in less than 20 minutes for my D. L. renewal which included a vision test, thumb print and new photo. To be fair, I had made an appointment and did the online application in advance so I had my 💩 together but still quite a magical experience. 🦄
Wow on #4! Next year I have to renew a bunch of things. I should read up on RealID (there may be an official name to it but I am too lazy to look it up) which means I have to bring additional approved documentation to be authenticated.
I’ve been looking for a review I could trust about Sugared Patchouli. Thanks!
Making a mental note about Sugared Patchouli…
SOTD = Kilian Love, Don’t be Shy Extreme
Should wear this more often …
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3dY_MTxdaK/?igsh=YThud2FyYXdvanB5
And here’s “caturday”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3dcMWaR-DF/?igsh=MTVwMDgzNW1ka2x5ZA==
I have decided that the almost 1 foot of snow we got last night and into this morning was enough to bow out of going to my friend’s birthday celebration. I never even though we have this much snow which was more than the two more recent snow storms combined! Anyway, I texted my friend to let her know. Of course snow totals do vary quite a bit but I did not want to run the risk.
In other news, I may have mentioned using games in training and it’s been found to be effective. There’s an article in the Wall Street Journal that has a discussion on the topic. You can google “Are Games the Secret to Better Company Training”.
Other Poll questions – I have been trying to be “good” and have been focused more on my own collection. Really 🤣. Were now more than halfway through February and my low-buy no buy is still intact. Yay me! 🥳
Yay you!
I can’t believe you received so much snow! Did it break a record?
It was not record-breaking AFAIK. I believe we had one in the winter of snow woes that was 18 inches in a short window.
Wow! You were slammed with a heavy band of snow!
I’d trade with you…
1) I am wearing Blossoming Romance, a long-defunct V. Secret Garden scent that I (still) own bottles and lotions of. That buy’em up on clearance habit…..
2) I took a sniff at YSL’s MYSLF at Macy’s when it came out last fall, and I gotta tell y’all, I was kinda blown away. I thought the composition was really well done and didn’t fall into generic men’s scent territory. I did not buy a bottle. Maybe I’ll see if they have a sample.
3) I wore Balenciaga the other day and, while certainly not a scrubber, was expecting more jazz and fireworks or something. It just kinda smelled like every other decent fragrance I’ve worn.
4) My BFF and I went to see Drew Barrymore! She (bff) surprised me with tickets to be in the audience of Drew’s talk show, and we stayed overnite in NYC (I scored a small handful of samples from Sak’s, btw). I’m telling y’all, Drew is as stinkin’ adorable live and in person as she is on a tv or movie screen. And she came up in the audience and sat not even 12 feet from us. And then we watched our episode and laughed at ourselves on tv, hahaha. We had a good time.
How cool about Drew!
Your #4 sounds so much fun.
So glad you had a wonderful time.
Howdy All!
1. I am currently wearing Shalimar Millesime Iris because She-ra almost got me with enabling. I do love it but I know I will want whatever the next LE comes out.
2. I think the last perfume that was love at first sniff was Guerlain Rose Cherie. I didn’t buy it and at that price never will.
3.On the flip side… I have been disappointed in pretty much all the new designer releases ( Devotion and Lust for Sun being exceptions)
4. I have the weekend off and found Thin Mint girl scout cookie style BROWNIES at Sam’s Club. I really don’t know what more I could ask for. ( but I will think of something 🤣)
I am confused. (Nothing unusual 😂) Sounds like you have Shalimar MI so how was She-ra enabling you? Did you think she was kidding about it being on QVC? It really is on there.
Guerlain Rose Cherie was definitely love at first sniff for me too, but just don’t want to put out that much money for it. I have other roses that I really like so don’t need it.
Oh I know it’s on there. I looked! I meant she almost got me to buy the set with the lotion, because I really want the Shalimar lotion but don’t need another bottle of MI. I should just get the lotion separate but for the price I could just get more perfume! Now I have confused myself. Lol.
LOL. I know I wouldn’t mind having the lotion either.
Well, I have three bottles. Do you have a BUB? If not, you could get one with the lotion. Just saying🤣
Enjoy your we off Lillyjo. You make me want to try Devotion and the other one as our tastes are similar, your having problems with orange blossom and me with tuberose are the only difference I’ve noted.
I am not familiar with these cookies, I bet they’re good.
Your health woes: so sorry no cause could be identified for your back. Have you considered PT or a chiropractor?
Lust for Sun is pretty similar to the original Juicy Couture, but less sweet. It’s definitely a tuberose.
I haven’t seen a chiropractor. I’m more concerned with having underlying issues that might be causing my symptoms.
Hooray for your weekend off!
Yay me!
Hope that your weekend off was a nice, restful one!
1. I’m wearing one spritz of Aloha Tiare. I had a massage booked and didn’t want to gas out the therapist.
2. I bought a sample of Philtre that initially didn’t wow me, but the rest of the day I kept wondering, “What smells so good?” So I bought a bottle
3. Arquiste Indigo Smoke was a big disappointment. Calypso and I have similar taste in perfume and she loved it, so I bought a travel size. It will probably be up for swap at the swapmeet.
4. I made plans this morning with my sister to do a culinary tour of Japan this fall. We have not traveled together as adults, but we have a good time when we hang out. Plus we are both adventurous.
Was thinking about you the other day re: skiing. Were you able to do any this winter? And that sounds like a great trip with your sister! 🇯🇵
No real snow until after New Year’s but since then, large dumps a couple of times. I was up last Sunday and it was so crowded.
I’m so sorry to hear this contract s_cks. March is coming quickly, though.
It’s just me. I take full responsibility for my bad attitude. 🙃 I can’t imagine trying to ski on crowded slopes. You’re brave. ⛷️
Sorry you didn’t like Indigo Smoke! I do really love it. Your travel plan to Japan sounds fantastic! It’s a place I’ve never been and would love to visit some day.
PSA: $20 off $100 at beautyhabit on their Specials page
1. Eau de Rochas, before I go to spin class and sweat it all off
2. I really liked that Boucheron Homme, which I had never smelled before. Lots of bottles available on ebay, so…. 😉
3. I didn’t care for Guerlain Tobacco Honey
4. In the space of a week, I’m seeing Funny Girl at our local theatre, a philharmonic concert, and a National Geographic presentation from one of their explorer/photographers. Whew!
Twins with you on #3! High pitched screeching is what I got. No thanks! 😵💫
Yes, exactly! So many new releases start off great, but are so linear that they just annoy me after half an hour. So disappointing!
I agree with #3 as well.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today? EL legacy White Linen
2. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that you fell in love with right away? Did you buy it? #1. I didn’t buy it yet. Thinking about it.
3. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that was a huge disappointment? EL Legacy Azuree, because I can’t take cumin. I love the rest of it.
4. I’m able to shovel snow and do more after my hip replacement last March. The sun is out and we didn’t get much snow yesterday, so I didn’t have to pay someone to shovel. My puppy’s heart murmur has not progressed. Really thankful for everything good.
Great news about your hip!
Hopefully there won’t be too many more snow shoveling chances this season.
Glad to hear someone is in love with at least one of that collection!
And even better to hear your hip replacement is doing what it should, that’s great 🙂
1. What fragrance are you wearing today? Dior New Look 1947. I’ve been wearing it a lot lately!
2. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that you fell in love with right away? Did you buy it? Hiram Green’s Arbolé. Love at first sniff, and yes, I bought it!
3. The last new (or new to you) fragrance that was a huge disappointment? Can’t think of one.
4. Share something wonderful with us! I’ve been planting lots of new roses lately, since I got help moving some huge, overgrown hydrangeas in an area that now gets more sun than when I first planted them. All are supposed to be fragrant!
Oh what fun to look forward to all the roses!
Yes, I’m very excited to see them! Just have to wait … So far, most seem to be budding and branching out very nicely. It’s funny — I read about roses in other online spaces, and I just don’t get why someone would go to all this trouble for a rose without much or any fragrance. But then, I guess that’s why I’m into perfume as well as roses, lol.
Well, I agree…why not get both since it’s possible? I prefer scented daffodils too, although I do grow some that aren’t.
I’m late in the weekend but asking for opinions, pro and con, regarding FB Under My Skin. I keep coming back to it and Walmart has it for a steal. But the “vegetal rootiness” and “lavender” are making me pause. It sounds right up my alley, then I read a couple of reviews and I’m now wondering…maybe not. So, If you’ve sampled or have a bottle, what is/was your experience? Blind buy safe? Asking for a friend. 🙃
It wasn’t for me because it smells like b.o. If you love Salome, this could be for you! Note: not enabling 🤣
Well, I DO love Salomé…☺️
1. So far today I’m just testing a couple samples from the LVNEA botanical perfume oil discovery set, Papillon de Nuit and Dagger Moon. I’d originally ordered samples of their colognes and EDPs and pretty much liked all of those so decided I wanted to try all their oils too. I think they’re a pretty solid brand if anyone is looking for a new brand to sample. I’ll warn they’re not the most long lasting sure to being natural perfumes. I’ve found some travel sizes on sale for some of the scents I liked the most so I’ll probably buy a few at some point.
2. I haven’t bought anything recently that hasn’t already been on my radar for a while, but some recent possible loves are Hiram Green Philtre, ånd fragrance Får (the Simon Constantine brand), and Oriza L. Legrand Empire des Indes plus a few from LVNEA, including L’Incarnation and La Serpentine.
3. I was disappointed that while I like the smell of Delta of Venus, it really irritates my nose. I was also really underwhelmed by Masque Milano White Whale and Sleight of Fern, as I’d wanted to smell them for a long time. I’m passing along my samples to someone who will hopefully enjoy them!
4. A couple things: I just finished my first Agatha Christie, and don’t ask me why it took me so long to read her because I really enjoyed it and will definitely continue reading them. It was the first in the Poirot series, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Also, this weekend we’ve attended a film noir festival at our neighborhood movie theater! We went last year to just one film, but this year we went to see three movies and are considering going to another tonight. The festival plays through Thursday but the weekend shows have the distinction of being hosted by Eddie Muller, a film noir expert and host of Noir Alley on TCM. We’ve loved all three movies we’ve seen so far. The Friday night show was a recently restored Argentinian film called Never Open That Door. I wore Caron Farnesiana that night. Yesterday I wore vintage Miss Dior to see Victims of Sin (from Mexico) and Union Station.
You have so much fun to look forward to…reading the whole Poiret series in order takes a good long time and is very enjoyable, I did it reasonably recently although now I can’t remember when.
1. I’m wearing La Panthère Parfum from Cartier – my first time. It’s much peachier than the EdP, and I like it a lot. However, I’m heading to the theater later, so I think I’ll switch to something a little less diffusive. Maybe Lolita Lempicka Homme.
2. Sampled “Love Kills” from Masque Milano, and Knize Two at Scent Bar. Fell in love with both, and had to have them.
3. Blindly bought “La Douleur Exquise” from Les Abstraits, based on great reviews. I’m not crazy about it, unfortunately. But sometimes it takes a while for me to appreciate a fragrance – when I first tried “Interlude (Man)” from Amouage, it was almost unwearable to me. Three years later, I’m addicted to the stuff. So perhaps there’s hope for me and “La Douleur Exquise.”
4. My dog (from a local rescue) got her DNA test results back; it seems she’s got either a litter mate or her mother living nearby(!) I’ve messaged the owner – fingers crossed I hear back and we can arrange a play date.
Hi Daniel and welcome! Sorry I was slow to get to approving your comment today…I’m always slow but even slower on Sunday. Hope you’ll join in again.
And that’s so cool about your dog, hope you will hear back!
Thanks for the warm welcome, Robin, and for all you do to keep this place going! I’ve been a huge fan of the site for years – not sure what prompted me to finally post, but I’m glad to be part of this passionate community. I’ve learned a great deal from the many knowledgeable folks here – it’s an amazing resource for this forever-student of the perfume world.
No word from the other pet owner, but my dog Maggie and I haven’t given up hope!
Well, now you might as well keep posting 🙂
Everyone here is very nice, and we have tons of dog lovers too.
I’m late but welcome!
Thank you!
1. L’Artisan Timbuktu.
2. As I have mentioned before, the last new to me scent that I fell in love with was Jo Malone Honey and Crocus. I have not been able to buy it because it was a limited edition and nowhere to be found.
3. Nothing comes to mind right now, since I have not sample anything in a while.
4. We are finally working in our new office building and I love it. Very spacious, lots of natural light, well organized and easier commute. Very happy with the change!
Happy weekend! 🌻
So glad your #4 worked out for the better!
Ditto this! 👍
Thank you, Lillyjo! I am very satisfied with the change.
Very happy to hear that the new office is a step up for you!
Thank you, Jalapeno!
SOTD = Slumberhouse Grev
🩵 and I should wear this more often!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3gdwAHR10r/?igsh=MzJtNjg3ZzVvcXUz
1. Started out the day in Rauque.
2. Rauque!!!
3. I liked Legacy Private Collection but was disappointed that to my nose, it was too similar to Synthetic Jungle, which I already have.
4. We had a rain free walk on a local island beach today and saw Loons, Common Mergansers and Harlequin ducks.
And have you bought Rauque yet?
Yes! Immediately after I saw the look on Persolaise’s face when he smelled it for the first time😋
Interesting about your 3rd item! I didn’t find Legacy Private Collection close to Synthetic Jungle at all. Funny how we perceive scents so differently.
I’d love to hear your comparison. I was probably also considering the cost and whether they were different enough to justify the $280 price tag😬
1. Wearing a sample/decant that has a worn off label. I’m 100% sure it’s Shalimar, but what iteration/flanker I cannot tell!
2. Le Cri was my last full bottle purchase (earlier this year), I did fall in love instantly with the sample although it took me over a year before buying it. If I didn’t find it discounted, I probably would not have purchased it.
3. I haven’t been too disappointed lately because I keep my expectations low, ha! But the one that came to mind is Guerlain’s Oud Nude, it’s not awful awful but it made me sad they are introducting things like this while discontinuing scents like Iris Torrefie, Tonka Imperiale and Oeillet Pourpore/Lui. Same can be said of Tobacco Honey.
4. My friend gave me an orchid as a housewarming gift and I feared it wouldn’t survive since it shed many leaves after it flowered. But now a year and a half later, it’s flowering again! Gives me hope for my not very green thumb.
Tulipani, that’s so funny because my orchid is just starting to bud again after a year…was about to give up, primarily because I did not really take such proper care of it.
Wearing today: Chanel Allure EdT, 1 spray to each side of my neck. I love wearing this one when i am spending teh day out of the house.
Loved right away: Akro Bake. I am not too into gourmands, but this is light and easy to love – if you like lemon cake or lemon cookies.
Disappointment: None recently. Well, I did get a travel spray of Byredo Gypsy Water from ebay that I can’t tell if it is real or not. It probably is, but I am suspicious so i think that is what makes me doubt its provenance. But it smells just like the sample vial i have, which is why i think i’ve gotten in my own head about it!
If it smells like the vial I would not worry!
Okay then, I won’t! 😀
1. Wearing today? Testing my sample of EL Legacy Private Collection. I am pleasantly surprised with this one and liking it quite a bit. Usually modern green notes are sharp/stabby and generally unpleasant on me. Not with this one. Very pretty!
2. Last new to me fragrance that I fell in love with? Might be Obsession for Women. I can’t stop thinking about it. So the name fits, doesn’t it? But have not bought any. Can’t justify the expense right now.
3. No major disappointments in perfume recently. But I also have been very cautious in returning back to fragrance. Baby steps.
4. Something wonderful? Well, for the people who are sick and tired of winter, I had some self-removing snow fall over the weekend. Saturday morning I woke up to about 2 inches of the white stuff. By Saturday afternoon most of it had melted away.
4a. Teflon kitty has been extremely playful as of late. Very spry for a mature kitteh of 12 years! She’s adapting to her new situation rather well.
Glad for you of the self-removing snow and of Teflon thriving in her new environment.