It's our first lazy weekend open thread of the new year...talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the last fragrance you tried and put aside for different weather, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Parc du Rouge-Cloître, Bruxelles [cropped] by Frank Vassen at flickr; some rights reserved.
Happy weekend!
Sotd is Rabanne Fame Parfum. Repeating this because my sweater still smells of it from my last wearing and I don’t want to risk anything different clashing.
Candle at the moment is BBW Feliz Navidad. Wayyy past Christmas but I still haven’t finished it! Not really complaining though because it smells delicious and joyful.
The last perfume I put away was MMM From The Garden. Too crisp and green for the dead of winter.
That candle sounds really nice. I still am using my D.S. & Durga Portable Xmas Tree (purchased during their last sample sale) and Wickry Candle Co. Frasier Fir. My partner got the Frasier Fir one as a gift from a co-worker. Otherwise, I think I actually would have burned through the other one during December. But instead ended up alternating between the two! Oh well, they still smell good and seasonal in January. 😉
It’s Memoirs of a Trespasser for me this morning (and last night at bedtime). Been craving it lately — it’s my comfort and warmth scent. I think the last thing I set aside for warmer weather was Paris-Deauville — it is just way too light to survive below 50 degrees.
Both perfumes you mentioned today are great, but I would agree that Deauville is better in warmer weather. Enjoy Memoirs of a Trespasser today.
Smelling wonderful SheriG! I think I will copy you tomorrow.
ITA with you about Paris-Deauville.
Shalimar Tonka today
Great scent for another icy morning. I agree with a review I read that wearing Shalimar Tonka is “placing you within some mythical geography that is part Lahore, part North Pole”
I would say Songes is a fragrance I sort of put away for winter, unless I need a boost of sunshine during these winter months. In general I don’t wear my perfume wardrobe during specific seasons.
Sending fragrant hugs to those affected by the fires.
Speaking of fires, one of our local farmers at the market (Samascott), their barn caught on fire this week. Who knows if/when they will be back at our local market.
After reading Empire of the Summer moon I made my better half watch Dances with Wolves, different tribe etc etc but I found a lot of similarities in the movie as the book. I couldn’t believe my other half had never seen this film. The musical score is also nice. Its such a long film we have to break it up into days…
Dances with Wolves is a great movie. I have seen it several times and was able to meet Doris Leader Charge (Pretty Shield) when the movie first came out. When they won an academy award for best adapted screenplay she translated the acceptance speech in Lakota. Many of the actors are from South Dakota, where I live, so it was very popular in this state.
Did you see my email from the other day? I am glad to send you samples of the other Shalimars.
Thank you, I appreciate the offer but I will pass. I don’t want to be temped 😛
I saw the movie when I was younger (and in my youth) and I remember having a crush on Wind in his Hair. I thought he was the most beautiful (and unusual) man I had ever seen on TV. I love the scenes where the wind is actually dancing through his long dark hair. I also remember his voice, his sharp gaze; proud and protective of his people.
I had no idea that most of the actors were from SD. I am sure the people there must of been so proud!
A lot of the actors were. We have several reservations in the state.
If you haven’t seen Last of the Mohicans, that would be a good follow up movie. Btw, in this week’s By the Book (NYT column), Graham Norton has Cher’s book as an upcoming read.
Might join you in Shalimar Tonka.
I am enjoying Cher’s book. I would say it’s not a very dense read if you want to give it a go. More like a fabulous, glittery conversation with Cher herself, full of humor, charisma, and raw honesty.
Putting that movie on the list. I am going to drive my better half nuts!
Be prepared to fall in love with Daniel Day Lewis when you watch Last of the Mohicans.
You know me so well! LOL!!!! xxxoo
Second the suggestion for Last of the Mohicans! The soundtrack is amazing, and yes, Daniel Day Lewis is irresistible.
MFK Petit Matin for a lazy Saturday.
I have a fragrant question: a couple of days ago at the airport I tested Diptique Olene and I really liked the Jasmin note in it. I realized I don’t have any perfume that is Jasmin-centered so I was wondering what are your favorite…
Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend!
SL A La Nuit is a wonderful jasmine
Yes!
Thank you for your recommendation. SL are not available in my country, but soon I am traveling to Barcelona and I may look for it 🙂
It could depend on how you feel about indolic jasmine (can smell like moth balls, wet dog and bad breath – but in well done fragrances, I personally love it).
Some of my favorite indolic jasmines are SL Sarrasins, Perris Monte Carlo Jasmin de Pays, Rogue Jasmin Antique, Santa Maria Novella Gelsomino and Lush Lust.
Favorite non/low indolic jasmines are SL A La Nuit, L’Artisan Thé Pour un Eté, IA Fox in the Flowerbed, and ELdO Jasmin et Cigarette.
I don’t know most of these, but I love ELdO Jasmin et Cigarette. As a never-smoker that surprises me somewhat, and I will probably never have a FB, but I enjoy it immensely — on me it’s mostly jasmine and then every once in a while it is nightclub.
I really like it too. Some people experience it as quite strong but I could take more jasmine and nightclub💃
P.S. Glannys recently layered it with Joy and I loved that combination. It really amplified the jasmine.
I tried Jasmin et Cigarette once and found it too strong, although it was in my early days of perfumista so I should revisit it. I am also gonna try some others that you listed, thanks! 😊
I would agree with Allo on Fox in the Flowerbed. I like A La Nuit. This winter I have been enjoying the jasmine version of Shalimar.
Thanks Kris! 😊
A third vote for Imaginary Authors Fox in the Flowerbed, it’s a lovely jasmine. Imaginary Authors sell samples on their website and they are nice, generous 2ml spray samples. A cheap jasmine is Jennifer Aniston, you can pick it up at online discounter.
Imaginary Authors Fox in the Flowerbed is now on my “to try” list! 📝
Oh yes, Olene is one of my favorite Diptyque, I also like Jasmin des angels, a fruity jasmine.
I was smitten by Olene when I tried it. I avoid buying perfumes on a whim but I’ll definitely give it another try soon!
*des anges
Allo and Kanuka have mentioned most of my jasmine perfume recommendations. But you might want to try Tauer Golestan, too.
Be warned that Tauer Perfumes are not safe blind buys!
I would agree with you. I love BWFs and this one I did not care for at all. Tauer perfumes are ones I would never blind buy, but I can’t say that I have had any that have worked for me. I think I may be the odd man or woman out.
I meant Tauer fragrances have not worked for me. Other perfume houses I would dare do blind buys. I have several times with Guerlain.
This brand is still not available in my country, but if I have a chance I’ll try it.
Summer has been so lacklustre here. It’s 10C (50F) here, and not set to get much warmer today so there’s no need for lighter, citrusy colognes. I’m wearing A La Nuit as Nina mentioned jasmine perfumes above. I saw Aldomovar’s English language The Room Next Door at the movies yesterday (Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore ) . It’s based on a Sigrid Nunez novel. The screenplay/ dialogue is a bit stiff and mannered throughout, very much “ statements” rather than conversation but aside from that it’s very good and the apartments/ houses are great, with coloured blocked ( red/ green) interiors and beautiful settings. It’s a solid watch without being terrific, but is worth seeing. Also watched James Dean’s East of Eden ( thanks Calypso for mentioning) having just finished the novel. Dean is so fluid in his movement, really engaging.
I really want to see The Room Next Door. Thanks for the writeup. After just reading a rave review of The Last Showgirl I’m now also very keen on seeing that one. I’m glad you enjoyed East of Eden. I’ve read that Raymond Massey really didn’t like James Dean’s acting style much and so his revulsion when his “son” threw himself at him in the father role was quite real. It’s heartbreaking–the entire cast is so excellent.
Got your e-mail and responded!
Cool, thanks so much
Your email came through! Just had a look and Passionate Views is in the university library so I can borrow it tomorrow! Yay.
Love all this book/movie talk!
Me too!
Anything from Almodovar gets my vote — I wanted to see the new movie as soon as I read about it. I also saw a rave review of “The Last Showgirl” (maybe the same one? NYT?) and am curious, just as I am about “The Substance” though I don’t like horror that much.
I’m in Santal Carmin today.
You smell wonderful Lucasai!
You smell good. I have to haul mine out!
Well, I’m back to work tomorrow after three weeks on leave, and it’s been wonderful to have so much time off. It will all be fine once I walk in the door, but it’s a depressing thought right now. Maybe I need to buy a perfume to cheer myself up 🙂 .
Meanwhile, even though it feels like winter instead of summer, I’m going to wear a summer favourite, Le Temps d’une Fête.
You definitely need to buy a perfume to cheer you up. Let us know what you’ve chosen!
Yes, new perfume will definitely help with back-to-work blues! Be sure to clue us in about it! Vicarious spending!
You smell marvelous!
Ooops, should have said you smelled marvelous on Saturday (although I’m sure you smell marvelous today too). Hope the first day back went OK.
I adore robins and this picture is particularly charming.
Wearing Paestum Rose, it’s such a gem and I hardly ever wear it. Somehow I tend to overlook it, even though I really enjoy wearing it.
You smell wonderful! I also love Robins, Varied Thrushes and Towhees, all considered Thrushes. They have so much personality.
Your sotd is so good, enjoy.
You smell fantastic. One of my favourites, even before I wore it at Paestum, which was an amazing visit in afternoon in November, when it was tolerably warm and deserted. 🙂
Really should have bought that one before they axed it. Don’t let it go to waste!
I wore Olympic Orchids Carosello last night because Mr. allo chose the letter “c” for our choose-a-perfume game. For some reason, this fragrance reminds me my grandmother’s house.
I love this time of year and the fragrances I associate with colder weather. They are also the fragrances that last longer on my fragrance eating skin and I can spray them on scarves, coats, etc. Today I’m gravitating toward my Tauer perfumes and first up is Maroc Pour Elle from a generous NSTer swap💕
Oh, nice! You’re smelling wonderful. I have scent eating skin, too, and prefer my heavy hitters because they last longer.
Perfume sticks to me like glue. I wish it didn’t because I like to switch perfumes during the day sometimes.
What did you think of Le Maroc pour Elle?
The fragrance I wore and put aside most recently due to seasons is Après l’Ondèe, which I was given for Christmas so I wore it a few times, but to me it’s really a spring scent, so I’ve put it away for now. I’ve been enjoying Jo Malone’s Orange Bitters and Ginger Biscuit. Considering spritzing Kenzo’s L’Elephant, because I think it is best in cold weather. And I’m not going anywhere, with snow and ice still on our streets, so no fear of overwhelming anyone but my patient husband!
Oy about the snow. We got a little bit in NJ.
Did you layer Orange Bitters and Ginger Biscuit? They sound like they could make a good combo!
I didn’t, but that’s a great idea! I’ll have to try it.
I don’t have Orange Bitters, but can confirm that Orange Marmalade + Ginger Biscuit smells like a delicious pomander
I love Orange Bitters
Me too. Have you tried Orange Marmalade? Is it much like Orange Bitters?
I have a decant of orange marmalade, and honestly, Orange bitters is more of my cup of tea.
I purchased Orange Marmalade at the end of winter at Jo Malone when it came out and wore it once or twice.
Put it for sale on eBay and it sold within five minutes?
Just dissapears too quickly.
And now it has disappeared completely to someone else.
Hi NST! Hope everyone is doing as well as can be.
I have been sluffing around in pjs all day, enjoying the snow and sunshine. So no shower yet but I will wear Hypnotic Poison after I take one, since springpansy mentioned it recently.
I wore my PJs until noon today, that’s when the resident cattle dog here told me she wouldn’t stand for it anymore, so she followed me into the bedroom and stood in the doorway until I opened my clothes dresser drawers. 😁 she wanted me to get dressed and take her for a walk. 🐶🐾
you smell fabulous ❤️ that’s my favorite Poison, and such a pretty bottle.
My Larry the cat needs to be more like your resident cattle dog and not put up with it, but he loves a pj day.
sotd = l’air du desert marocain solid perfume
laddm has been my constant companion.
I don’t often crave the same scent day after day, but ease and simplicity are good right now.
I’ve missed NST the past few days while I tried to limit my media consumption. I needed
to turn down the volume. 😬
Hope all of you have a weekend full of exactly what you need most.
You smell wonderful, my dear!
Ease and simplicity ought to be the theme of every January.
SOTD = 4160 Tuesdays Chocolate Ginger EDP
Another winner 🤎! Powdery very dark chocolate with ginger and a spot of cream. At some point, I will need to figure out how to get back the ability to copy the link but so far, no luck!
I spoke with the organizer of the Italy Jubilee trip in November and it looks like I’m going! I do have to renew my passport (boo hiss) because it will expire 2 days before the required 6 months.
Has anyone had the Starbucks Cortado? It sounds decadent and I may not even get around to trying it until my $3.99 per month for 3 months runs out at the end of February.
That scent sounds lovely! Yay for a trip to Italy, that’s wonderful.
Your scent sounds delicious! 😋 I used to eat candied ginger covered in dark chocolate for a treat. The only reason I stopped is because Trader Joe’s stopped selling it.
I remember those tubs of chocolate covered ginger! They were good.
too good – my waist thinks.
Chocolate Ginger sounds delicious! I’ve been enjoying hearing about your 4160 Tuesday samples
It’s quite cold -3C tonight but the sun was shining earlier. I wore Rochas Absolu today and it didn’t do much for me, I used to like it though and it’s a cold weather perfume. Tonight it’s vintage Caron Nocturnes and I’m much happier, I’ve loved it since a teenager but only got it two or three quarters ago, so it’s still a thrill. Smoothie of frozen cherries and yogurt is still in the kitchen because I found it too cold but I will retrieve it eventually.
Sorry you fell out of love with Absolu, but how nice that Nocturnes is still thrilling after all that time!
Absolu quickly went back in the cupboard, it’s only a half-full 50ml, might end up as a air freshener😀
When I got off work this morning there were some hot air balloons floating about, but in the distance so I wasn’t able to get good photos. It was so cold this morning (low 20’s) I’m not sure what would make anyone think “Gee, I think I’ll float up a couple hundred feet into the atmosphere where it’s even colder.” I guess they wanted to take advantage of the no wind situation, but they must have been freezing. 🥶
Like a fool, I volunteered to work a partial shift tonight so thinking I’ll wear something warming but pretty. MVP always hit the spot. It’s another BdI in that it’s appropriate for any and all situations: work, date night, funeral- you name it! A BUB is a pipe dream.
Trying to keep an even keel by remembering the extraordinary folks who always step up during times of catastrophe. Fire fighters (always at the forefront!), pilots, international folks whose only aim is to help a neighboring country, the everyday people busy lending trailers, time, property to help rescue horses, livestock, pets, people lending their house to keep shelter pets safe…these are the people I want to be like when I grow up!
💕 a wise person told me when things are awful to look for the helpers, they’re always there.
We love Mr. Rodgers 🙂 quotes
💖😊
I grew up in Pittsburgh PA. Mr Rogers is our patron saint!
I started the day out in Byredo’s Rose of No Man’s Land, but then after I received a late mail delivery today from a kind NSTer, I changed to Encens Mythique. Oh, my I loved it and had to purchase a bottle immediately. So much for my low buy for this year already. Hopefully, I can still stay low, but knew I had to have this one.
Also, I received more decanting supplies today so I can offer decants to NSTers if there is something I have you may be interested in. I have been so fortunate to receive samples/bottles from people on here and though I have sent out some samples/bottles myself, I have never been able to make decants until now. I am so excited. It’s like a new little hobby.
What are your thoughts on EM?
I loved it, but I thought it was going to be really strong and it wasn’t. I am not good at describing scents, but on me it was powdery and seemed fairly light. Am I all wet?
I always feel cool when I am wearing EM, like slipping on my favorite leather jacket
A love at first sniff is so rare. Congrats on the new acquisition!
I know. That doesn’t normally happen to me.
I never posted yesterday — realized around midnight that I’d written a post and forgotten to hit the post button. So my somewhat odd contribution to the CP was to wear Lyric, because I was going for “expensive” because Denmark was *so* expensive compared to about everywhere (but especially Germany) when we were last there. I’d already worn BdI parfum extrait the night before, which is probably ounce for ounce the most expensive perfume I own, so went for Lyric instead.
SOTD is ELdO Fat Electrician. More of the working through the perfumes I left at home while we were away. In terms of putting a perfume away, I’m thinking through whether I should do that with PdN L’eau Chic, which I bought in Paris, but then I liked it in cool weather when I bought it and I think it works better than PdN L’eau a la Folie, for example, which I mostly only wear in warmer weather.
I like your reasoning for Lyric, actually!
Delighted to be catching up with everything on here again – last Sunday night I fainted, hit my head on a glass table – blood everywhere! – & the end result, after a paramedic came to the house followed by an ambulance to take me to hospital, is half a dozen staples in the back of my head, which are due to be removed on Tuesday! My husband, who heard the thud as I fell, has just about got over the shock, my eating & sleeping habits are still a bit all over the place, & extensive bruising pretty much everywhere bar my face & feet is beginning to fade. I have not had an overnight stay in hospital since I was born (very lucky, I know) & this visit did not break that record as I was only there for a few hours in the early hours of Monday! I look forward to getting back to my usual self now a week has passed & I will be reading Robin’s articles & everyone’s comments again on a regular basis.
Wow! Pleasur heal quick
Please* heal quick! Glad you are ok!
Thank you for your comment – improving each day, though not looking forward to staples removal tomorrow!
Yikes! How scary. I hope you heal fast and feel back to your usual self soon.
Thank you so much.
I know the nurse is coming out on me and it’s not my business, but hope you had the reason you fainted checked out by the physician as well. Take care and hope your head heals quickly!
Thank you for your concern & knowledge – medical staff were very thorough & the MRI confirmed it was a ‘cut’ as opposed to an ‘injury’.
How scary! Please take care!
Indeed! Thank you for your comment – I am going about things a tad more slowly than usual, I have to say!
Ouch! Heal quickly!
Thank you – I’m feeling more my old self each day.
Hope you heal quickly, Carolyn.
Thank you for your good wishes, NinaV.
Oh my goodness! please take care!
I am, believe me – thank you.
So glad you are better!
Thank you – everyone on here has been kind, helpful & supportive – I wouldn’t have expected anything else, NSTers are a very nice bunch of people!
I would second Kris’ recommendation to find out why you fainted. That could prevent further episodes.
Hope you heal quickly and completely. Concussions are no fun.
Medical staff had no idea why I fainted, just one of those things, & I wasn’t concussed, thankfully – I do think fainting is better than falling (if you have an option!) as when you fall you tend to extend your arms out to break the fall which tends to mean broken bones, whereas I went down in a heap, totally relaxed! Thank you for your good wishes.
Take care of yourself, maybe a drop in blood pressure was the cause but a good idea to have a medical investigation.
Thank you – I’m taking it day by day & doing only as much as I feel I can – thank goodness I’m retired!
Wishing you a full and steady recovery! And, if your are into it, a cool-looking scar to show off when you tell people what happened.
Thank you so much. Any scar will be hidden by my hair, though!
Yikes – I am so glad you are alright and already getting better. Hugs!
Thank you for your good wishes.
Oh my goodness Carolyn. So glad you are ok.
Thank you, Robin. Just back from staple removing appointment – no red flags, told I can expect a 2 or 3 week further ‘getting back to my old self’ condition, which is absolutely fine – I’m not getting any younger after all! Everyone on here has been lovely & it’s much appreciated & won’t be forgotten.
No red flags is good! I have fainted before, it’s scary…hope it does not happen again.
SotW is vintage Obsession perfume. I was reading the CK article on raiders of the lost scent blog which sent me down a rabbit hole of looking at vintage bottles on evil bay. I have both a spray bottle and a mini from before Coty took over and ruined everything. My mini simply says perfume, not Eau de perfume, so I’m thinking it’s Parfum? Either way it’s gotten very concentrated over the years. It smells amazing. It’s also the perfume that is most “me” even after all these years, which seemed fitting yesterday as it was my birthday. It was a very low key day spent with my favorite people. We all went for dinner at a pizza place downtown I’ve been wanting to try, especially now that I can eat pizza again without my gallbladder bothering me. It was delicious. That was followed by my favorite chantilly cake from Whole Foods, and we ended the night watching one of my favorite Wes Anderson movies. All in all a good day.☺️
Happy Belated. You smell great
Thanks ltsg!
Happy extended birthday—make it a birthday week! You smell beautiful.
Thanks scaresbears!
Happy Birthday!
I believe you are correct about the mini being parfum. I’m going to go down the CK rabbit hole now.
Thanks lillyjo!
lol, the Obsession rabbit hole then led to an Eternity rabbit hole. Although I didn’t wear that one it was everywhere when I was in college. Would love to smell some vintage just for fun.
Belated Happy Birthday! It sounded like a fun day!
Thanks hajusuuri! It was a really nice day.😊
Happy Birthday!
Thanks Kris!
Happy belated birthday! 🎉
Thanks NinaV!
Happy belated birthday! Glad your day was good!
Thanks apsara!
Happy Birthday! I recently sought out vintage Obsession, and reference that Raiders of the Lost Scent article too. (RotLS is *chef’s kiss) I have a cologne and an edp. I have not had a chance to wear either in an attentive way, yet. I don’t know any WA movies except Asteroid City and I just love it.
Thanks MossyBerry!
Back in the day I went through a couple bottles of the cologne also, the short squatty dabber bottle. I’d be curious how it compares to the EDP.
Ooh, if you loved Asteroid City, I would highly recommend his older stuff, those are my favorites.
Happy Birthday! I adore Wes Anderson- which film did you watch?
Thanks LesLiesse!
We are big fans in our house too, and we all have our favorites. For my bday we watched The Royal Tenenbaums.
A superb choice although personally I feel each one is a classic is in its own way. Personally I have soft spot for Rushmore, the first one I ever saw. I haven’t seen Asteroid City yet.
Rushmore has one of the best soundtracks ever!
In college, a friend declared it the soundtrack for cleaning the dorm room because it made cleaning less tedious, and I still clean to it 20+ years later
Belated Happy Birthday wishes! You wore something spectacular for the day. It took me a while to appreciate Obsession. 🍕🎂🎊
Thanks Jalapeño! Yes, I can see how Obsession could be an acquired taste.
Yeah, I grew into it! 🤣
Happy Birthday, yay for pizza not causing trouble now that you’re sans gallbladder.
Thanks Aurora!
Happy belated birthday!
Thanks Deva!
Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. Glad you had a happy birthday!
Belated happy birthday wishes! You smelled wonderful. I still enjoy my Obsession Sheer, smells the same as the OG Obsession to me, just a bit lighter.
Belated happy birthday, mtg! It sounds like it was a really nice one.
I’m wearing Parfum Sacré today and reveling in its pillowy embrace. Long ago (45+ years), I was with my grandmother the first time she tasted fettuccine Alfredo (this was before Alfredo sauce was so ubiquitous). She took a bite, put down her fork, patted her lips with her napkin (her table manners were always exquisite) and said: “I could just ROLL in this!” . I’m thinking I may want to edit my perfume collection down to fragrances that make me feel that way, and Parfum Sacré would certainly make the cut!
That’s a goal- only wear perfumes you could roll in!
Yes, I should make that my goal!
♥ this!
My Number One Intense package is delayed due to the fires in California and I am okay with that. Haven’t showered yet and still in Vanilla Flash. Thinking of Lyric lotion layered with the edp when I get into the shower. I am so happy that the new season of All Creatures Great and Small starts tonight on PBS.
I watched the first episode last night with a mug of tea, a blanket, and two kitties curled up on my lap. Pure heaven.
I watched using the PBS app and all of the episodes from season 5 were available. I thought they usually release them one per week?
This is exactly how I rose from the crypt, err…bed, this morning! Feeling every bit as stiff and old as the man himself! 😂
https://youtu.be/pb1P9vq0Xcw?si=jOO-xjQ2BrGYMahU
I had a darling 92 year old patient last night who wants “everything done.” Jeeez, if he only knew….
Bengal Rouge today for its warm, slightly intoxicating cuddliness. Either I have developed some winter allergies or caught a bug from the Petri dish of a hospital. Sneezing and drippy, red nose. All things that enhance and beautify my features and my life. I woke late, and my highest aspirations are to have a second cup of joe and take a nap before bed. Motivated is my middle name. 😴
I hope you are napping well Deva.
I don’t know exactly what is meant by “everything done” but all I want in a hospital is as little as possible and let me leave asap 😉
And ps…will see below if you reported in on Monday, but hope you are better!
Happy Sunday!
I am in that place where I am reading numerous perfume reviews and looking at discovery sets, hoping to find my next favorite scent. I know how that usually ends – with buying a new bottle/set that won’t satisfy my need and will make me feel guilty for spending money… So I am trying to break that habit. I decided instead of searching online and buying new sets, to first search in my extensive sample stash. This week will be dedicated to Acqua di Parma perfumes. Today I am in Arancia di Capri. I like the opening, but I am not crazy about how it develops on my skin. Not FB worthy.
If there are any scents you are looking for that I may possibly have and you live in the USA, I would gladly send you some samples.
I don’t live in USA, but thank you for your generous offer 🩷
Of, course. Hope you can get some samples you enjoy.
Finally put the Christmas tree away. Good thing it’s small so that cleanup is quick.
I’m in J’ai Ose edt. I had a bottle of this eons ago, I think it’s fairly close to the original Guy Laroche. Yesterday I was in Choco Musk edt. I thought I reported in on Friday with my sotd of Hiris, but I must have gotten distracted with the LA fire news. I’m hoping the folks affected are staying safe; it’s just tremendously heartbreaking.
I have scheduled putting the tree away, LOL…I guess that counts for something.
SOTD is Shalimar MI. Big surprise 😊
It is delightful, and you smell wonderful.
Thank you💕
Hello! Hope everyone is doing well:). Getting my house ready for a guest coming in to town and smelling of She’s a Kiwi Huney by One Way Bridge. Also, getting over a cold lol so the application is light. Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! 🌹
Get well soon.
SotD, Coco Mademoiselle. I blind-bought a lovely, shimmering-white, 20ml Chanel travel spray of Coco Mademoiselle at Plato’s Closet yesterday. I would have resisted except for how pretty the case is, and I was hoping it could be refilled with other Chanels. That does not seem to be the “case,” so to speak. Anyway, I am a fan of the CM edp Intense, and this is noticeably different and, to me, not as interesting. I can’t figure out why. The patchouli is very much the same, but then there is…something…or maybe not something. With all those citrus top notes, maybe CM edp will do better in warmer weather! We had 4 more inches of snow yesterday. The city cancelled the Winter Farmers Market at this “park” we have, which is mostly pavement and pavilions. I don’t see why they could not have cleared the parking lots and walkways, especially after I got an email from a local craft bakery saying that they had already made over 400 pastries and loaves and had to offer a truck sale, half off, at our Coop. I thought I’d wait and go over near the end. Happy news was it was a mad rush and they sold out after the first hour! It was great to see the support for people who work 100% of the time to provide healthy and delicious food!! BTW, I am in the Midwest, and 4″ of snow is nothing special for our area. Grrr. Hope everyone is getting some relaxation this weekend!
That’s a shame about the cancelation. Maybe they thought the main roads wouldn’t be cleared?
To be fair, it was probably something like that, because of course farmers live on farms and many rural roads in our area take a few days to clear. Probably they were afraid only a few people would show up.
Sotd Abel’s Nurture. Feeling emotionally exhausted from the sadness and stress of our SoCal fires.
Hugs to you LesLiesse 🩵
So kind of you lillyjo! 🩵
C’est une horrible situation, j’espère que la pluie viendra bientôt.
Moi aussi!!!
I was out early this morning getting my car serviced in case we still have to evacuate. As I was waking back to my home, filled with gratitude that my small corner of the city was intact, I heard birds singing for the first time in a week. They were in the old growth trees. I was so filled with awe at them and gratitude I started crying gently. It was cathartic. Stay safe Angelenos.
❤️
Sending good thoughts your way, and hugs.
Good idea, getting your car serviced “just in case”.
Snow all day here in MI, it is dry and fluffy but not accumulating very rapidly and so everything looks pretty, and the roads are not a problem. All the people I know personally in California are further north and out of the fire zone. Such devastation!
Oh, my SOTD is Tam Dao. I often wear this when I go out shopping- it has a presence but is soothing and not “in your face.”
Also in Michigan. I was VERY tired of looking at brown winter lawns so the snow is making me very happy. Wishing along with everyone else that I could send some precipitation to California, though. I’m going to have to try Tam Dao one of these days; present but subtle and soothing is appealing these days.
If you try Tam Dao, you should know that the EdT and EdP are different. It’s been long enough that I don’t remember detail though.
I appreciate the heads up. I’ll research when I get closer to actually sampling it; right now I’m trying to get reacquainted with my existing and long-neglected collection
I’m joining the glad for snow club! The cold brought blue skies and it is very cheerful! I am also getting nice birds at my feeder: bluebirds, woodpeckers, tufted titmice, juncos, etc.
Also in the Glad For Snow Club! Colorado gets most of its annual precip that way. I’d like to see more of it.
Shalimar Vanille Madagascar
My favorite flanker, I actually prefer this to the original Queen
I wonder if most people at this point prefer one or another of the flankers?
Still in Lyric this morning. I am thinking of either Gris Charnel or Hedonist after my shower. Today will be a boring day of vacuuming and opening a Barkbox package with my dogs this afternoon. The Barkbox has been sitting on my dresser since Friday for no reason. I was a little surprise that my Luckyscent order is arriving today. With the wildfires in California slowing things down, I wasn’t expecting it until a little later.
Mostly boring chores here too Dawn. Hope you got something fun from Luckyscent!
Enjoying Samsara edt in the red bottle – I think it’s from right before the Bee Bottles came in in, what? 2014? Compared to some older edt’s and edp’s I have, it fades to a light skin scent after only a couple hours but is present, especially on clothing. I walked, did a little housework, and I am now going to curl up and continue reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for the second time. Perhaps a kitty will join me, but they may have already decided on their warm spots for their post-second breakfast naps. =^v^=
The red bottle suits Samsara so much better than the Bee Bottles.
I am still wafting in Shalimar
Mediation this morning with my circle, tea is Tea Tibet from Mariage Freres. Cute dress with cowboy boots for the library later today.
Shalimar cousins. I am in the MJ version.
I’ve been wearing a hodge podge of fragrances and having fun randomly going through bottles.
Bal d’Afrique
Cycle 001
Dzing!
Dzongkha
El Attarine
I might have to start the week in Carnal Flower to honor Betty White’s je ne sais quoi💃
Do you have all your perfumes organized alphabetically?
No, my perfumes are generally organized by house or note if I don’t have more than one perfume from a house. But Mr. allo has been going through the alphabet when I ask him to call out a letter to me (and I find a perfume that starts with that letter). It’s a silly game but a fun way for me to start my year long project of wearing more of my collection.
I wore Carnal Flower the other night, but wasn’t thinking of Betty White. If you see the connection, I might repeat and claim the CP points 🤣
I’m thinking she was known for her out-there-ness as a woman of a certain age and I certainly relate when I wear the audacious Carnal Flower💃
For some strange reason I decided to wear T Rex this morning, and I sprayed it on with great abandon. OMG, I am just about gassing myself to death with it. At this point it is just smoke, smoke, smoke. I will have a shower in a bit and hope that it moderates some before I go out to run some errands. I am picking up a pair of glasses that had to be re-made for me because they didn’t get the spacing right on the progressive lenses; that is, I had terrific distance vision but couldn’t read anything up close. Hope they work better this time.
Last night I had a weird dream: I was attending a conference somewhere, like Washington, D.C., and went to an upscale mall where I found a little artisan booth selling both cool jewelry and gorgeous handmade scarves. And lo and behold, it was run by a group of my former students! I was so impressed. The odd thing is that I still have a clear and vivid memory of what my favorite necklace and scarf looked like. In full color. Both were too expensive, unfortunately, in the $12,000 range! I guess my students were doing well!
I’ve been really enjoying reading Passionate Views and found your essay so thought provoking ( I emailed, don’t know if you got it).
Yes I did! Thank you. I’m glad. I’ll reply soon.
Cool. I was just checking.
I had to read that about 10 times since T Rex is the name of Deva’s dog. I kept looking to see if Deva had written this and how her dog was smelling like smoke.
Ha! When that perfume launched I really thought I’d end up with a bottle because of the name. Got a decant and realized it is NOT for me!
It doesn’t sound like one I would like either.
Hello fragrant people. Just catching up a bit and have chosen Paestum Rose as my SOTD based on some of your previous comments this weekend. I also don’t wear mine enough, and it’s sooo gorgeous and calming.
Here in Los Angeles, we are gearing up for another 2 days of wicked Santa Anas. The wind is already quite gusty again and moaning through the trees and eaves of our neighborhood and will get worse tomorrow early morning and Wednesday. The fires here are still raging though they haven’t spread (thank you brave firefighters) and the city is on edge and in grief for all those who lost their homes and loved ones. So many remain evacuated. Our family is safe for now, but the next 48 hours will be dicey if fires spread or more start. (We live close to some hills full of dry brush and so does one of our sons, who already evacuated once). My sister in law, whose house in the burn area was part of a small island of homes that somehow survived, has luckily found a rental in a safe zone as it could be a month before power/gas/water is back on. For now, she is not allowed back in even to gather supplies and clothes. It’s impossible to find respirator masks or air filters in the shops.
The outpouring of support and donations for those displaced by the fires is heartening to see and the billionaires hiring private firefighters to save *their* properties and patrol for looters and arsonists while the rest of the city suffers evokes prescient Octavia Butler’s book The Parable of the Sower. She lived her entire life in Pasadena/Altadena where the Eaton fire is. It’s sci-fi that feels all too real today. Highly recommended if you haven’t read it.
I hope your family and homes stay safe. Thinking of you all.
Be safe and keep strong, thinking of you and your family.
Hugs to you, and good thoughts for your safe passage through this!
Be safe, and be well. Hugs.
So glad you checked in, was hoping you were doing well. Fingers crossed, but I’m sure you are ready to leave if need be.
50% chance of snow today. The mountain tops have swathed themselves in cloud scarves and it’s pretty grey. Fighting the temptation to crawl back in bed. I’m hoping the sun will make a brief appearance sometime today.
Despite the cold (high is low 30’s today), I’m going to try to get myself and the doggo out for a bit of a hike because we’re both going stir crazy. I need to get some kind of balaclava because my checks are so red, wind blown, and cracked they sting and hurt. Currently looking like a glazed donut because I’ve layered so many different moisturizers and barrier repair creams…🥶
I’m wearing an oldie but a goodie today. SSS Winter Woods from a small 15 ml bottle I’ve had forever. It’s been so long since I last used it I had a bit of trouble with the spray mechanism being very sticky/stuck, but finally managed a healthy spritz, which is all you need of this one.
I am still laughing at Calypso’s post regarding her scent T Rex. Thought I was reading about your dog.
I’ve seen similar scarves on the mountains here.
Laughed at your glazed donut comparison, but hope you found the right headgear!
Like Deva, I’m off for a dog walk. Planning a slow, “ sniffing” circuit where I go at the dog’s pace and stop as often and as long as it takes for her to get her fill of scents ( mostly dog pee, I suspect, on tree trunks). It’s always fascinating to see what captures her attention. There are some spots where she stops every walk , to check in. But sometimes there’s an entire,y new location and I wonder what creature has recently passed by ( possum, rabbit, rat, dog). While she sniffs, I tend to look up towards the tree canopy and chill out gazing at the leaves, or looking for birds. For weeks I’ve heard the call of the native tomtit ( which looks a little like a black and white version of the Robin in the photo) but I can never see it. I ve heard it in the same spot over the years but only seen it once, around 2020. They’re not common in this part, and I have heard only one other, on an opposite hill. Wearing Fiele Myrrh for a drizzly, grey day.
https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/tomtit
For the birders
So you’ve only seen it once but you recognize the sound? I am impressed!
Monday post: Sotd Abel’s Cyan Nori. Supposed to be top notes of tangerine & peach, thru musk then seaweed. Excited to mix citrus and marine notes.
How’d your SOTD turn out?
I think the poor air quality from the fires is altering my sense of smell because all I sensed was seaweed even with two sets of spraying 4 hrs apart. There’s so luck out of our control here in Los Angeles that the small gesture of choosing a scent has been calming.
SOTD is Shalimar MJ. Mmmm jasmine. I had a procedure so had to wait to get home to apply. I hate going out without my make up and perfume on, but I figured for an endoscopy the staff might not like it. Glad to be home. Everything came out fine.
Glad you got an all clear.
Thank you Aurora.
Twinning with you today in celebration of good health!
Super!
Glad everything is ok!
I have been having tests for chest pains for months, but all tests have come out okay so not sure what is going on. It’s not severe pain, but annoying.
Kris glad to hear you’re staying g on top of it! We women know our body well so if we say there’s a problem then the doctor’s issue is they haven’t figured out the correct test to give you! L
Happy to hear that your endoscopy came out OK in the end. 😉
Unknown chest pains, not so good.
Very irritating. I was so hopeful they might find a little something today. Oh, well. It can’t be too serious since I have it for this long. The one thing that does make it go away for a few days is massage.
Doused myself in Shalimar MI. I may have to keep the bottle handy for random spritzing.
Yesterday I was going through important papers that just got put “away”. It’s been much too long, as they need to be organized properly. Plus boxes from when we moved need to be sorted and correctly labelled. Of course, my idea of organized is different from my hubby’s, even though we’re both Virgos. I’m taking back control..lol.
Smelling fabulous! I wore that yesterday. Went with the MJ today. Did you get that one?
No, I didn’t get the jasmine one yet. I’m sure it’s beautiful!
I think it is very nice and on me is pretty strong so have been wearing it this winter, but others think it is fairly light. I guess fragrances wear differently on everyone.
I still have a lot of untouched boxes from my move. I hear you!
Really? I am the opposite. I would have them all unpacked in a day. OCD at its best.🤣
I have quite a few boxes that are filled with books. Not in a hurry to dig into those. I have a sinking feeling I need a bigger bookcase.
On top of it, I discovered a big error that needs to be corrected; I had to call the lawyer’s office. Ugh!
Bleah!
SOTD is a sample of Papillon Epona. it is both perfumy and soapy. Like a perfumy violet soap with a thick, creamy lather. I get saddle leather as the second dominant note. There is a bit of an herbal/aromatic lift; maybe that is the hay note they list in the description. There is also a hint of a clean animal note, not really skank. If I breathe deeply, I get narcissus right at the very end. This is not for me, but I can see how someone else might love it.
Tea today is F&M Breakfast Blend. This is one is tasty, but not particularly special. I have enough leaves for one more pot and then I’ll let something else take its place in the tea cupboard.
Watching the news about the LA fires and feeling very useless here on the east coast. Keeping our LA NSTers in my thoughts.
Oh, good to know about the soapy note. This has been on my “To Try” list since it came out as I’m a fan girl of this house. Soap and I are not friends, at least not regarding perfumes. 😅
I can cross another perfume off the “To Test/Sniff” list now. Soap = Nope!
I’m in Lèa today and smelling wonderfully vanilla and almond musky. This is one of a couple bottles I’m working on finishing off this year so I didn’t lose anymore to evaporation.
You are smelling wonderful!!
Thank You!
sotd = l’Heure Blue edp
It’s so chilly and windy with low humidity today. This perfume smells so rich and airy all at once. Strange but nice. 💙
I’m wearing Ta’if today, from a little sample vial of the parfum. It’s my first trial of this one, and I find it a scent that provokes an emotional response in addition to finding it aesthetically pleasing. It sends me right back to childhood and the red climbing rose that I thought smelled like red raspberries (I still think some roses do) and the dog who would happily eat the rose petals if they were offered. He was a Good Boy. My usual favorable reaction to a scent is “Wow that smells great!” and not a tumble down a sentimental hill, and I wonder if others have had emotional reactions to perfumes. Aside from irritation at some of the crazy prices, of course, and laughter at the hyperbolic ad copy!
That would be “evokes” , not provokes.
Yes, I have definitely had emotional reactions to perfumes at times. It’s quite interesting the very specific feelings/memories that a scent can bring about.
Yes, I have had an emotional response to perfume, and it was quite unexpected. I had one make me very homesick.
Yes, I certainly have too.
I’m wearing a bit of Burberry Goddess (leftover from spraying before bed) and a bit of Indochine on my wrists.
Working on my goals for the new year: I feel like I am at boot camp, although it’s a boot camp of my own making. Worked out for two hours (which included pilates, weights and walking up and down hills) and now I am pooped. I suppose the end goal is not really to make me then curl up in a blanket and read for the entire rest of the day…
Good for you, getting some exercise in!
My brother has been grousing that his gym is busy busy right now with all the New Year resolutions people showing up.
Yeah but that’ll get better soon. 😆
I am putting my 2 cents in about snow ( the discussion up top aways) I don’t like it a bit. I would rather look at frozen mud grass all winter. It’s blowing snow and a feels like temperature of 5 degrees tonight.
For the last 2 days I have been wearing Coco Parfum. I love all things Coco.
My heart goes out to everyone that is affected by the fires out west. I really just can’t imagine how scary it is.
Never smelled the Coco parfum, but the EdP is fantastic!
I think I prefer the edp out of the 3 versions.
👍👍!
I have Coco in the parfum concentration in spray form as well and love it too but often wonder whether I should have either gotten a dabber bottle or the EDP instead; I can’t seem to apply it without getting so much I worry about suffocating those around me. User error no doubt. It is a wonderful fragrance though and you certainly smell fabulous!
Bright and sunny earlier today, so I was enjoying that weather while it’s here. A nasty polar vortex is headed my way later on this week. 🥶🥶🥶
After the sun set, I watched the Full Wolf Moon rise, accompanied by Mars. Jupiter is already high in the heavens. 🌕🪐🌟
Did some more clearing out of stuff this afternoon. Very happy Best Buy takes old electronics for recycling. I’d rather not put stuff like that in a landfill.
A couple of things I have put away for the season: Fzotic POOF! and a scented candle called “Tree Lighting”. POOF! is definitely a Spring/Fall scent. And something that smells like a Christmas tree has been replaced by an incense-scented candle.
SOTD = Rihanna Rogue. Been hanging out in it for a few days now. I have a cute little 0.5 oz bottle of it, and am wondering if I should have picked up a bigger one.
You sure are seeing some cool sky things lately.
For sure!
Gosh that Wolf Moon and Mars were spectacular tonight!
They were a beautiful sight, for sure.
Darn, I couldn’t see Mars last night on my walk, but I did see the full wolf moon, which was spectacular, along with Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. We had a lot of clouds in the east, unfortunately.
At one point last night, Mars dipped behind the Moon in what is called an “occultation”. So that might be why you didn’t see it.