It’s Tuesday, SWINTON’s birthday and Guy Fawkes Day. RIP Quincy Jones. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm staying calm in L'Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha. Tea at the moment is Kusmi Tsarevna.
Reminder: on 11/8, for the 10th anniversary of our Friday projects, we're repeating the first one we did, way back in 2014... think of your favorite fragrance note (or one of them, if you can't narrow down), wear your favorite fragrance that features that note, and tell us about it. (Hat tip to happy888cat who noticed the anniversary! We are quite a few months late, but that's how things go around here.)
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2024, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: the Oribe teapot in green ("Japanese stoneware teapot with a dark green glaze and whose name is eponymous with the Oribe style that appeared in the 16th century to designate green ceramic productions is equipped with a filter for easy preparation of your favorite tea") and the Yuki teapot in white ("Meaning ‘snow’g [sic] in Japanese Yuki is a sandstone teapot with a delicate whitish glaze. Teapot made in Japan and equipped with a filter making easy the preparation of your favorite tea") are €66 each at Dammann Frères.
Hello.
I FINALLY got my hands on Sticky Dates! The hunt was loooong!
It was sold out when I was in Thailand (I went to 3 Lushes there) and I couldn’t spot it on my local Lush’s website so I thought HK wasn’t importing it. Then last Friday when I went into Lush to take a look at the new Sparkling Lights shower gel, I saw the whole LE body sprays on the shelf (but NO Sticky Dates). I was told HK did in fact import the collection and SD was sold out. I asked if they had the tester and did a couple of pity sprays before going home. (Sparkling Lights was a huge meh. I couldn’t really smell much. The gel was pretty though) At home, I sat in front of the computer feeling super bummed and as a last ditch effort, I went onto the website again and this time instead of just looking at what’s new, I clicked into the fragrance section and scrolled. Lo and behold, tucked below was SD and IN STOCK! I ordered 3 immediately and now they have arrived!
So my sotd is Sticky Dates and I am extremely pleased with how delicious it smells.
Persistence pays off, glad you got your SD at last.
I have the body wash of Sticky Dates and really like it too.
Congrats!!
Yay for getting your Sticky Dates, and that you are enjoying it!
I am trying to keep calm and carry on this Election Day in the U.S..
After I go vote I will probably have Rishi Ruby Oolong tea.
Comfort…clothes, food, teas, and perfumes today. A walk will do me good too.
Your plans for today sound like mine, except I will choose some other nice tea, not having any oolong on hand. I went through and dusted my mini display yesterday (I should really get a shadow box or something). I moved several to the front – forgot I had a vintage Robert Piguet Baghari and a Gem de Van Cleef & Arpels to try. Beautiful fall day here!
Trying the same here…helps that it’s been a busy day, plus managed to fit in QiGong class & sauna 🙂
I’m wearing SL Vetiver Oriental today. I wanted something warming but not big (like l’Elephant) because it’s early here and I’m not in the mood for BIG.
Woke up when my fridge started dinging at zero dark thirty so I had to haul myself out in 25F in my jammies to switchover my propane tanks. 🥶Then of course I couldn’t get back to sleep. T-Rex was offended by the wake-up time and the temperature. 😂
I voted early by mail before I left for France so my attitude right now is what’s done is done. Nothing more I can do. I won’t be scrolling through the news channels because I’m sure I’ll hear soon enough from people who are very angry because this party or that party didn’t win. I’m tucked up in the woods and have no plans of being around town or crazy, angry people for the next day or two. This country has gone bonkers and I’d like to illegally sneak into France but I’m not smart or duplicitous enough to pull it off. Missing you, France! 🇫🇷
Your plans sound perfect! I bet T-Rex is so happy to have you back.☺️
I’m continuing on with my discovery sets and today Bee from Zoologist is up. I definitely want a decant of this, since both honey and ginger are favorite notes.
That’s one of my Zoologist favorites, you smell wonderful.
That’s a good one!
I’m in Vanille Insensee.
I was up early and stopped and got my sticker on the way to work, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.✌️
We’ve got drizzle again today. Yuck. We have not had sun here since we switched the clocks Saturday night. Hope it comes back today! I miss it.🌞
You smell good.
Drizzle here today too. Good day to stay inside, but had errands to run which included voting. I am meeting a friend for lunch and then I think it will be good time to hunker down.
I voted by mail, but this is the first year there was someone at the early drop off box handing out the sticker…which I thought was a nice touch. Yes, even grown ups appreciate the sticker, ha!
How about we swap weather? I’ll send you sun, and I would gladly take drizzle.
A perfume friend loaned me her Meo Fusciuni sampler set and wow, these are amazing. I’ve only sampled 3 so far and like Shukran the best, an intoxicating blend of mint, lemongrass, clove, blonde tobacco and white musk (at least to my nose). The mint is strong especially at first and the blending with lemongrass/citrusy notes seems a bit odd but in a bracing and engaging way but perhaps not for everybody. Good longevity on me, but over on BN some have panned the longevity. I see that someone is doing a splitmeet split on several of these and I can understand the allure. Very botanical, top-notch ingredients, very niche, clearly a labor of love. Perfumer is a chemist and botanical expert from Sicily and the very elaborate sample set includes descriptions of each and the music the guy was listening to as he composed them – all interesting and to me obscure/unknown but I’m going to give them a listen and it’s cool to sample the scent and listen to the music, as my friend pointed out. Wonderful presentation. I would be really sad to find out that he’s owned by some cynical hedge fund and this is all style over substance, but the nose doesn’t lie, and they seem authentic, quirky in the best way, and a labor of love and personal vision. My friend says Luca Turin has praised the brand in his substack. I hope that this and a long run with the dog will keep me from fretting too much today/tonight as we wait with crossed fingers.
Lucky you! Yes, LT did praise the brand in his Substack, and if they were still taking away our passports to put the residence permit in it, like in 2016, then we’d have had to stay in the EU and instead of Istanbul, Ockeghem Teen’s birthday trip would have been to Sicily. I was plotting a trip to his store. 🙂
I’m really dying to go to Sicily for many reasons, including perfume. I’d love to take a cycling trip there and eat all the local delicacies.
Amber is one of many favorite notes for me, and at the moment I’m happily wafting Ambra Aurea. Will shower it off for a derm appointment later this morning — I’m actually looking forward to this appointment as a distraction from the election coverage which is blasting away at me, both from the tv and from Mr. G who is reading me stories about it. I’m considering extending my appointment to include some shopping and maybe a nice latte and scone somewhere, as self-preservation.
lol, yes! Shopping and a latte sound perfect.👍🏻
Perfect plan.
Good plan on your part.
Definitely a day for prioritizing one’s sanity!
I never got around to chiming in for the poll over the weekend. But I am intrigued by coming up with a perfume to vote off the island! I was all set to confidently say: Baccarat Rouge 540 edp. I got it in an auction for a decent discount, but after the first spray (and I had tested it) I felt like the lemmings led me over the cliff again. 🙂 Yet giving it the Last Chance wearing, I started to see its appeal again. Are there any big BR 540 fans out there?
I was shocked at how unimpressed I was at first sniff (and so was the clerk at the counter, offended really😂). But since then it has grown on me. I never crave it, but I understand it, I think. And it does break new ground (at least for me 🩷). I like it when I smell someone wearing it!
I have only tried this scent once and I did like it, but I think I would need to try it a few more times before I made a final decision.
I do have a travel spray bought from a perfume pal, and while I do like it I am not in a tizzy over it.
I really, really liked BR 540 when I first tried it, but found the price tag very unappealing. Need to dig out the manufacturer sample I have of it and try again. I’ve noticed a shift in my perfumes tastes/preferences.
I agree. That price tag is ridiculous.
In Musc Outreblanc. Pretty, but suspect I am anosmic to most of it.
Question: Do you know anyone who has, or have you, visited the Osmotheque in Versailles? Any stories?
I’ll email you with stories😊
I’m wearing Diptyque Eau Rose EdP (the LE one in the beautiful black bottle.) I can’t believe that I thought that I disliked rose fragrances until I fell down this rabbit hole and tried a few. Truly a revelation!
I’ve been spending too much time in other parts of the interwebs, and what happens is that I run out of time to visit here. That must be remedied! 😉
I think there’s something nice about coming to a particular note or fragrance family late in the game…it means a whole new world opens up.
Yes, you’re right, Robin! Have you had any experience like this?
There were a number of notes and/or fragrances that it took me 5-10 years to “get”, but I would say my tastes are pretty stuck now, not least because I am no longer really sampling in any big way.
I admire your persistence. I should take a rest from all the sampling I’ve been doing. It’s getting so expensive, too!
We’d be happy to see you more often! 😁
😊
I’m something of an emotional wreck today, but in an effort to lean towards optimism, I’m wearing vintage Joy.
Vintage Joy? Perfect. Absolutely perfect. NYT audio app has a 5 minute mindfulness and meditation practice today. I’ve already played it twice.
Good luck! Though I’m very far away, I can feel your pain.
Hurray Daniel. You smell marvelous.
That ought to work!
Great scent Daniel!
I am leaning heavily into optimism. We’ll see how that goes!
Gulp. Fingers crossed!
I’m in Ummagumma again for comfort. It finally turned cold here, and brrr! I’m also having to figure out how to juggle the radiators (the hot water is heated in the kitchen and then goes around the house, so if you have the radiator on in the living room — the first room it goes to — and you want heat in my room — the last — you may not get it).
Based off the strength of Luca Turin’s recent reviews, I just bought the full Anatole Lebreton sample set, so I can try it before I go to Paris to see if there’s one I want to buy. I hadn’t heard of the line before, so it’s always nice to try something new, especially when he speaks so positively about it. Something good had to come out of today, right?
Though honestly I’m feeling a bit distant from all the U.S. politics this year. It helps to be on another continent, I guess, though I was all in on it back in 2016. The polls won’t close until just before I wake up tomorrow, anyway.
I would not mind being on another continent! You are best far away IMHO.
Calypso mentioned myrrh notes yesterday so I’m wearing Fiele Myrrha which is a very smooth, almost creamy myrrh and sandalwood scent. It’s a duvet blanket of a perfume which is rather nice.
Myrrh is also one of my favorite notes. Other frags that include it are Caron Parfum Sacre, Dior Bois D’Argent, Lutens La Myrrh of course, and Keiko Mecheri Myrrh & Delires. I have read that it’s a very difficult material to work with, sticky and hard to blend, but not sure why it’s more challenging than other resinous notes.
thanks for the list!
Fiele Myrrha sounds right up my alley. ❤️ On the list it goes!
I must find that to try!
I left you a myrrh scent on yesterday’s post you must try. Hermes Myrrh Eglante. It is gorgeous!
I like the description of a “duvet blanket of a perfume”. 🙂
Your SOTD sounds like the perfect scent for now…
How cute is this hand-blown honey dipper perfume bottle?! 💛🖤🐝💛🐝🖤🐝💛🐝🖤💛
https://www.etsy.com/listing/71813580/beehive-perfume-bottle-nature-decor-bee?gpla=1&gao=1&
No affiliation. I’m just catching up on Luca Turin’s substack and googling random perfume thoughts today. No particular reason. 😅
I’m testing Perfumer H Smoke, which is nice enough though not what I expected at all.
PSA: Perfumer H is now shipping to the U.S. its Icons Collection, a boxed set of 9-ml sprays of five of their popular EdPs.
The price of the set does not quite meet the minimum for free shipping, so I was FORCED to add two scented teas and a small bottle of first aid for hands to my personal care package. It arrived just in time. 😸
You are full of great information! I’m not on LT’s substack, and I would like to correct that posthaste.
Perfumer H has been on my radar for over a year, but I’d given up on trying those scents outside a trip to London. Stars added to your enabler pin. What is Smoke like to you? I hope you enjoy your new treasures. Be well.
It reminds me of Bvlgari Black, but softer, warmer, and a bit more vanillic. Still in the deft and transparent style of Perfumer H — not a gourmand at all.
I’ve only given it a quick light spritz, though. Needs more testing.
Ooh! You are singing to my favorites. Bvlgari Black is one of my favorite fragrances of all time! Smoke goes on my list. I looked at the website and I may still have to save it for a London sniff. Thank you for the mini review. Please report back on the others you have. (Off to spritz my hockey puck/tire bottle now)
Sampling Guerlain’s Jasmin Grandiflorum Extrait 30 that I sprayed at the counter.
Was hoping to see some of these on the split meet-a bottle is so outrageous.
Reading The Four Winds, just started watching Territory on Netflix. Though I am more in the mood for a western show with some romance. oh well.
In laws are gone-last sips of chai tea
Is that Guerlain worth its hefty price tag?
Today I finished my decant of Diorella. I did not wear it often, but it was a nice occasional treat.
Good luck with the elections, US.
Thank you Glannys.
My stomach is in knots so I’m wearing Amouage Jubilation, a perfume power stance!
I need to think about my favorite perfume note and plan a line-up when the dust clears☀️
Love it — the power stance! Also I love Jubilation!
Amouage Jubilation is stunning.
I decided to do my errands early in the day and then meet a friend for lunch. After that I will hunker down at home as it is cloudy, drizzly and cold out today. I am interested in the election, but don’t want to concentrate on that all night so a good book may be in order.
For years I didn’t like rose scents, but suddenly a few years ago they started growing on me. Today I decided to go big or go home and am in POAL. Love it!
You are Big, and will be At Home…
Also hunkered down for weather.
I’m wafting vintage Shiseido Zen today.
Chosen for all the obvious reasons.
great scent and a good choice. must find my bottle soon
Lovely choice. I would join you (in the current version) if I had my bottle with me.
👍👍
Someone recently mentioned about wearing something while searching for something else. It may have been Robin? I looked for my bottle of Terracotta, but I noticed my bottle of Farouche instead. It’s been a long while, so I applied that jnstead of Terracotta. I love the pressurized sprayer!
It’s mostly green and soft, quite dry to me. So it’s the exact opposite of Terracotta.
That could be a CP! Perhaps we could call it “There and Back Again”…
Ooh, good call!
Wow, you don’t see perfumes with pressurized sprayers anymore.
Isn’t that the truth! Mine is a vintage bottle; even had the box when it arrived.
I’ve got many favourite notes, and I’m going with rose today, in Le Galion’s La Rose.
I expect rose will make a good showing this week.
Wearing a light spray of FB’s Under My skin for a day in the office. Brilliant sunshine after yesterday’s rainstorm.
i love saffron both in food and perfume, so i went with Calligraphy Saffron today. its a good scent for colder days, so cosy and delicious.
That IS a good choice for colder days! I should dig out my sample sometime soon.
It’s dry this morning, so I raked the oak leaves in the back yard that fall from next door’s tree. My big maple blows into his yard, so it all works out. I am imposing a news blackout until at least Thursday in order to preserve my sanity, and in lieu of reading newspapers I am streaming Shogun. I read the book ages ago, and saw the miniseries with Richard Chamberlain, too. I am liking this new interpretation, and when the action moved to Osaka Castle, I yelled at the tv, “I was there!” I saw the room with the pine tree and tiger mural in real life. So cool. Today I am wearing Aedes de Venustas, the original one. I smell so good.
How cool to have been to Osaka Castle! Seeing that in the film must have been even better than seeing a perfume you know in a movie. 😉
You smell wonderful! And sadly I missed Osaka Castle while we were in Japan, but the photos look amazing.
You smell wonderful!
To see Osaka Castle in person must have been awesome!
I bet ya a whole slew of people are yelling at their tv’s for a completely different reason today! 😂 I’m off to google Osaka Castle…
PSA: the Neko Atsume (Kitty Collector) app is doing a livestream video of the kitties doing various things in one of the houses. The perspective is 3D, switches the viewing angle from time to time, and the various cats come and go.
I’d like to think the developers are trying to help calm subscribers who might have election night agita, but it could be pure coincidence. If anyone can read Japanese, please let us know what it says.
I got to the video from the app (clicking on the ad kitty that sometimes comes up when you go to News to get the daily password), but I’m guessing you could find it by googling one of the Neko Atsume fan sites or searching on YouTube.
It’s quite adorable. 😻I don’t know if they’ve ever done this before, as I don’t check in daily anymore.
Oh my goodness, I haven’t checked in on that app in a long time. Going there now…
I hadn’t heard of this before. Thanks! Always up for MOAR kitteh videos.
It’s a sort of game, but a gentle one that doesn’t demand any strategy or attention span. I did buy fish early on in order to expand and furnish the houses more rapidly, but you don’t have to. Enjoy!
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/magazine/why-am-i-obsessed-with-a-cellphone-game-about-collecting-cats.html?unlocked_article_code=1.X04.XA_T.0OtyloFDoQ2E&smid=url-share
I’m wearing Carnal Flower in both body oil and edp. Wouldn’t an extrait de parfum of this fragrance be pure bliss?
To all of you who asked about the tea tasting I hosted on Friday: it went really well.
My colleagues tasted one white, two green, one oolong, a first flush Darjeeling, a green jasmine and a smoked Japanese tea.
Once we were on the oolong we combined it with some olive oil tasting. My colleagues enjoyed it very much and not having ever tasted decent quality teas, it was quite an experience.
Glad to hear it went well! Sounds like an amazing way to start, especially if they’ve never had good quality tea!
Wish I could have been there, too! I almost always drink black or herbal teas and could use some education on the others.
Thanks for the update!
Me too. Actually, I usually drink black tea or green tea. I could use some education myself on this subject.
Thanks for the tea tasting update. It sounds like it was wonderful!
I love lemon, so I’m in PG Grand Siecle Intense for this 80 degree November day. I’ll be watching the returns tonight through my fingers.
Great pick! I think I am done watching for the night…
I’ve been overwhelmed lately, so I took today as a vacation day just to get a few unwanted tasks done. I also took tomorrow as a regular day off to recover from today ( tasks + election) there was a time in my life when I could do a million tasks and not need any time off..
Anyway, I wasn’t sure what to wear on this important day because I didn’t want to choose a jinx perfume. When I saw Coco edt, I thought Coco is always perfect.
The combined effect of a protective patchouli forcefield and Chanel armor sounds ideal!
Great description!
Hugs. Hope you made it thru those unpleasant tasks today.
Thanks jalapeno. Just stuff that needed to be done that I couldn’t put off any longer.
Coco is always. Enjoy your days off.
Oops. Always perfect.
For glamor and optimism, am in Carnal Flower. Just discovered Freeform is showing Mary Poppins, so have a cheerful alternative to the news. Mrs Banks just sang about the suffrage movement.
Oh lovely!
Fresh Hesperides. My new favorite citrus
🙂
Had some brief snow flurries here this afternoon. They lasted maybe all of 5 minutes? Waiting for the rest of the precipitation to show up later on. ❄️⛄
Voted a couple of weeks ago. I am actively avoiding the news today, and burning one of my new Wood Wick candles for ambience. I *really* like the Lavender & Cypress! Not expecting that.
SOTD = commando, but wearing scented lotion in the usual spots.
Yuk to the snow! I need to get new tires before it gets here.
It’s so dry here that I will gladly take any I get. Desperately need the moisture.