Our fourteenth annual 'stepping back' poll: can this group of shameless enablers help each other not buy perfume? Let's find out.
Name a perfume you've been itching to buy but suspect you might not need, and tell us why you think it might not really be a good use of your money. Maybe everyone will talk you out of it. Or, maybe not so much.
If you participated in this poll last year, tell us if you ended up buying the fragrance anyway!
Or, as always, just talk about something else.
Note: image is Crater Lake [cropped] by aspearing at flickr; some rights reserved.
Last year at this time I wasn’t hankering for anything. Then came the rest of the year, which held the Great Forest Quest and the myriad experimentations that required. Pretty sure I set a record for purchases overall … I KNOW I set a personal best for blind buys. 🤑 And now? I’m back to not itching to buy anything, but that’s after ordering a travel spray of Frapin 1270 and a small bottle of Courreges Seconde Peau last week.
Meanwhile, I woke up with Siberia on my mind (the wind here is absolutely howling; thank goodness it’s sunny), so I layered LVNEA Holy Oak over Ambre Russe for a forest-in-exile vibe. It works well!
Ambre Russe is a great one that I don’t wear enough or see mentioned enough. I don’t know the LVNEA but your description of forest in exile is very evocative. Hope the layering warms you!
I agree that Amber Russe doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. Holy Oak turned out to be exactly what I was hoping for in the Forest Quest. Pluses were that it’s a natural perfume company, and the folks there are so nice!
Please let us know how like enjoy the Courreges Second Peau.
I will! It’s supposed to be here on Tuesday. Fingers crossed!
Wearing Chanel no 19 edt today. The not buying perfume is going alright but still want to buy some but have that California trip I am saving for.
House Twins
House triplets.
👯
House quadruplet, belatedly!
*perks up immediately*. What California trip is this?
Narciso Rodriguez Jasmine Musc today. I am working this weekend to catch up on a few projects while simultaneously mulling more perfumes to declutter. 😅
I ordered a sample of the reissue of Absolue Pour Le Soir…never owned the original and am looking forward to trying it. Also got a sample of Grand Soir…never had this one either and people complain about reformulation but interested to see what the current version is like. I am going through my Nostalgia Era for older perfumes and houses methinks.
I have almost blind bought Jasmine Musc a hundred times.
How do you like it?
All over my thread are these stories about throwbacks to 2016 fashion. Any fragrances from that year you’re nostalgic for She-Ra?
I had a busy morning and skipped the farmers market to volunteer at the soup kitchen at my church.
You are all a little late helping me with the Stepping Back poll —I may have treated myself to a generous 1.7-size sample of Chanel No. 5 Eau Première — my scent of the day.
Donatella forgives. ✨
Now I’m home, curled up with a cup of tea, watching the Rangers play the Flyers.
I will give Dawn an enabler pin for this purchase. Lol
Wear your new sample in good health 🙂
Thank you Robin, I couldn’t help myself. 1.7oz is a nice size sample 🙂
We were house twins yesterday!
Rangers playing Flyers? Been listening to the Empty Netters podcast for distraction as they reviewed Heated Rivalry now I’m going to watch tomorrow their Hockey 101 episode. I’m not a podcast person usually but. Ow I’m listening to one regularly and on hockey! I can’t believe it.
I was talked off the full bottle ledge, at least temporarily, by a kind NSTer who sent me a generous decant of Lutens Chene a few swapmeets ago. Thank you! I still have some and have even shared a bit with another Lutens lover (you know who you are, Lutens fangirl!) and I love it, but somehow the feverish need to buy a full bottle RIGHT NOW has abated.
In fact, I might wear the decant this evening. For now, I am sampling the difference between Chanel Sycomore EdT (now d/c) and EdP. I agree with most reviews on Basenotes. The EdT was a Chanel outlier for me, it was dry and smoky, not sweet, a bit sharper in the best way. The EdP is sweeter, has lost all the smoke and sharpness of the vetiver green, and has been put through the perfume equivalent of a gem polisher to buff all its spiky edges smooth. It is more plush and full and probably more and ‘safe’ user friendly for the traditional Chanel lover. I like them both, but the EdT has a special spot in my heart as I love that inky vetiver smokiness.
I adore Chanel Sycomore
IIRC liked all the early EdTs better than the few EdPs I tried…
On the other hand, I prefer the new EDP of Sycomore, although I also liked the EDT. One of the few vetivers I really like. I also liked the Bois des Iles in both EDT and EDP, although I would have loved to have grabbed the parfum when it was available.
SOTM for Sunday is Bois des Iles EdT, you have reminded me to wear this beauty, springpansy. It’s one of my all time Top 5 for sure. Not sure what I’ll do when my low bottle runs out. Every once in awhile I’m tempted by vintage listings online, especially for the pre-L’Exclusifs bottles that pop up occasionally, but I’m afraid of getting a bottle that’s been tampered with.
And speaking of Bois d’Iles or Box of Eels as Deva would say, I too was very glad to see her pop up here on NYE to say hello, and to know she and T-Rex are well. It also made me very curious to visit the Okefenokee in Florida.
And then, recalling that Deva is a nurse, (I don’t recall if she is an ER nurse?), and having just finished Season 1 of The Pitt (what a show!!!) I have renewed admiration for she and all nurses do each and every day. As for The Pitt, I most highly recommend it, & there is a twist more than halfway through that will have you GLUED to your seat. No spoilers).
Joining you in BdI today. ♥
We smell elegant and wonderful!
I liked Box of Eels EdT when I had it.
I believe Deva normally works in ICU, but I could be wrong.
Both ICU and ER sound very stressful!
On my 2026 Purchase List is a SL discovery kit. I see below you watched S1 of The Pitt. Having spent my childhood there I want to watch it. It’s been cleaning up (haha auto correct changed been to Beene capital B & all-now I want to smell his Grey Flannel) on the award show circuit. Thank you for your fortitude to not spoil us!
Oh you are in for a treat, LL!!
I’m wearing Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Black Perfecto Eau de Parfum Florale. Isn’t that a mouthful? I got a decant from somewhere and it was initially okay but today I think it’s awful. It hasn’t gone off, but now it smells like cough syrup to me. I might toss it as I am trying to make more room in the perfume cabinet.
Oh, so sorry!!
I do love cough syrup smell but not everybody does.
I talked myself back from the edge over Guerlain Encens Mythique. I bought Encens Mythique d’Orient over 10 years ago and still have nearly half a bottle.
Thank you for your enabling efforts, but no enabler pins for that one!
However, I’m contemplating two other purchases, so do let me know why I shouldn’t buy Spell 125 from Papillon Artisan Perfumes or Djelem from Suleyko? 🙂
HA, hope somebody will chime in because of course I do not know either of them!
I think Guerlain has axed EM, just in case you need a push to buy another FB
I think you are right. I believe it is the d’Orient that most of us have been buying.
What’s the difference? How do I know which one it is I’m loving?
I’m sure you have the d’Orient.
I think they are almost identical.
Spell 125 is lovely, but in the end I decided to be happy with Feu Secret. To my nose they are similar.
I have been doing good so far not buying anything yet this year and not really wanting anything-yet😁
Last year I was looking for a good citrus and this October, when I was in North Carolina, I picked up Eau D’Italie, at a cute little boutique. Although it is a chypre, it does contain some citrus.
SOTD is Shalimar L’Essence for out chilly weather. It is 5 degrees at 2:30 p.m. 🥶
5!! We got a few inches of snow but we’re at a balmy (ha) 37.
Lucky you!
I have 2 from the Eau d’Italie line and enjoy them both. I am glad to see they are in stock in the U.S. as I rarely see them around.
They actually had quite a few at this particular place.
That is wonderful! I think the line is great. I have Paestum Rose and Baume de Doge. LMK if you ever want to try either.
Thank you. I will let you know but doing fine for right now.
Thanks to you, I have a lovely citrus perfume: Paris-Deauville.
Hugo Boss Deep Red has a wonderful blood orange note in it. Or, I should say, it used to. My bottle is several years old at this point.
You smelled wonderful on Saturday! Kris, can you weigh in on the vanilla debate. Does the intro of vanilla render a scent gourmand or does it have to also have a honey/ caramel/ rum element)
No, as I am not a gourmand person and don’t have much in vanilla except Shalimar L’Essence.
Robin, thank you for including link to last year’s poll. First, I wrote I only had 2 full bottles, now it’s 10. Second,I wrote I was trying to hold off an IA joy box or full library until my April birthday. My aunt’s serious and fatal illness plus my getting Covid meant I was like, birthday? what birthday? Never got the IA box. I did keep my vow to fire recovery in LA and donate to WCK everytime I bought scent for myself during the year. To get to 10 bottles from 10 I clearly made up for lost time later in the year. I think I was only up to 3 by Memorial Day.
January is Dry January both from a libation and a fragrance-buying standpoint. Halfway through now.
SOTD BDK Impadia sample, which I want to buy a FB of but $$$. It covers all the bases for me Rose Woody Citrus Gourmand (does Vanilla automatically make something a gourmand?). Looking at the ingredients I didn’t think I would love it like I do, but the whole olfactory experience with my skin chemistry is greater than the sum of its notes. Plus the bottle is another Rothko-inspired bottle (catnip for me visually).
So, another sample in an ordinary sample bottle or a visual and olfactory feast with a FB?
Imo vanilla doesn’t make something automatically gourmond. I don’t know the official answer though.
I love Babycat and would not classify as gourmand.
Apsara I did some research and I think one needs vanilla + either honey/ caramel/ rum to become a gourmand. Babycat is an Oriental Spicy officially on Fragrantica.
Oh, that’s a great idea to have a dry January for perfume purchases as well as alcohol, LL
Thank you DH! It’s been good for calorie-counting as well as letting my budget recovery !
Vanilla doesn’t necessarily make something gourmand though it’s often. Examples include EL Youth Dew, Pleasures Intense, Shalimar…
You’re absolutely right! Please see my response to apsara above!
Vanilla is in a lot of perfumes that are definitely NOT gourmand. Happy888cat mentioned Shalimar, which I also thought of right away. There’s also Habit Rouge, Cartier Baiser Vole EdP, and Must de Cartier. Plus, the OG Opium from 1977 had vanilla in it.
Jalapeño you’re absolutely right !please see my responses to H888C and apsara above!
Here’s something that I thinks best explains what a gourmand perfume is (at least in the beginning of the category’s existence):
https://youtu.be/0UIB9Y4OFPs?list=RD0UIB9Y4OFPs
Jalapeño, this links takes me to. Def Leppard mix. Pour Some sugar on me. Or dos that make it a gourmand?
Maybe I just should have mentioned the song title instead. I associate gourmand perfumes with a sugar note. Angel, the granddaddy of them all, has a cotton candy note.
But not everything with an edible note is a gourmand. You have to take the entire composition into account. Examples:
Melon note = Diorella, not gourmand
Peach note = Mitsouko, very much not gourmand!
Chocolate note = Soivohle Paracelsus, a dark sultry rose that is not at all gourmand
Amaretto note = Chopard Le Baiser du Dragon, not gourmand
While I don’t have a burning desire to add anything to my collection, I occasionally think about purchasing Hermes L’Ombre Des Merveilles. I have the original EdM, Elixir, EdM Bleue, and the Eau Claire and really enjoy all of them, in that order. I’ve never tried the L’Ombre and am not on the verge of purchasing it but the notes sound good. All thoughts/suggestions are welcome.
Very cold today and I’m staying with my ‘white’ theme in AG Songes, a rare white floral that I loved from the moment I sampled it at the much-missed Marshall Field’s years ago (and I don’t like white florals!). It’s also a rare scent I wear sometimes in winter and sometimes in summer. I layered it over the BBW body products in Snowflakes and Cashmere today to keep that cozy winter white vibe going.
We’re off to our favorite local seafood restaurant for dinner and then a concert nearby featuring a tribute Steely Dan band. Really looking forward to this.
Happy weekend!🎶🎵
Enjoy your night!
I’m with you and many others in missing Marshall Fields. Enjoy your fun sounding evening!
That’s funny because I have Eau des Merveilles, but occasionally think about purchasing Elixir and L’Ambre. I haven’t done it yet. The L’ombre I have not tried, but I know there are people here that have so I am sure you will get some recommendations whether to get or not.
Your post reminded me I probably already have too many Merveilles – I forgot I also had the L’Ambre, and I like it third, after the EdM and the Elixir.😊
Good to know.
Isn’t Songes beautiful? The matching body products were out of this world! I could use them as fragrances all on their own, they’re so scented. You smell soooo good.
Oh gosh Steely Dan + seafood! How was it?
Eau Claire is hard to find anymore. What was that one like?
Laila, I’m catching up on older posts, but I have a big bottle of this and would love to send you some to try. I’m at standing dot armsakimbo in geemale land.
I really haven’t sniffed anything lately that I just have to have. I do really like a perfume by Orabella called Blooming Fire. (It’s at Ulta) but it’s not anything I would pay full price for.
It just won’t quit snowing here, and I fear it never will.
I’m wearing No.5 L’eau today. It’s so bright and sparkly.
I really like Leau as well. It’s very sparkling, just like you said, and it’s easy to wear. I also like No. 5 Premiere. I now own both.
I am not familiar with that one so I can’t tell you one way or the other what to do.
I hope the snow clears away this week and you get a few clear days
Meanwhile, there’s a snow drought here. I’d take every single bit of yours if I could.
Sorry about your torrid weather LJ!
Tabac 28 for the day.
I have reached 2007 papers on my office cleanout and think I will be done by the end of January.
Then it’s pictures, but I am not sure I will start on that task for a bit.
I have a friend going to Japan, so I am on the edge of choosing one purchase at duty free for her to bring back.
Chanel
Dior
Guerlain
Have the houses listed, but not the fragrances yet. Still pondering on five or six.
I’m curious which five or six so we can help you☺
Yessssssssssssssss
I’d opt for Chanel no. 5 extrait if the duty-free has a Chanel boutique.
They do, but I have the extrait.
No lack of helpers here!
1. Spiritueuse Double Vanille
2. Gris Dior Esprit
3. 31 Rue Cambon
4. Bois de Iles – backup
5. Gaiac 10 – backup
have at it!!
I vote Bois De Iles but they all seem to e very special fragrances. Please tell us what you choose when the time comes.
Have you smelled 31RC recently? I think it’s a beautiful choice, but my sample is several years old. Dunno what it’s like now.
I have 31 RC and love it. Of course, I would encourage you to get that one.
2007! Wow you’re making real progress apsara!
I have no current perfume lemmings. I go in spells: sometimes it’s perfume, other times it’s jewelry. Both hungers are being quiet now. Who knows why?! My SOTD was/is Hilde Soliani Orgasmo. Sigh, it’s an extremely quiet and calming scent. I hope others are doing all right with some of the bad weather conditions this weekend.
It’s nice when you aren’t lemming ANYTHING…peaceful, I think.
Ack, I just realized…you’ve had your shoulder surgery already, yes?? Hope the recovery is going well!
Robin, you are so kind to remember and ask me. It was scheduled for the 15th but the doctor’s office called and postponed it for two weeks, the 29th.
Ah, that’s too bad I know you were ready to have it taken care of.
That’s a shame . I hope the delay hasn’t thrown you too much.
Sorry to hear that your procedure has been postponed. What a pain.
Calypso, your scent is quiet & unassuming and called Orgasmo? 😉
LOL, I know–it’s not at all what one would expect! It’s really just almond and vanilla. Very relaxing. (I guess, if I may venture to be bold, it’s meant to be post-coital bliss.)
Calypso that is both logical and poetic! Bravo!
I’m luxuriating in vintage Guy Laroche Fidji EDT, and I’m convinced I smell like an exotic Pacific trade wind. I’ve got my eye on Bulgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert EDT. I’ve owned many bottles of the EDC. It’s a summer staple, especially now that Goutal Ninfeo Mio is discontinued, and it’s currently available online at a discount. I especially covet the 350 ml bottle retailing for £432.00, and NOBODY needs that.
The 350 ml bottle of EDT, sorry I need coffee!
350 ml is a lot of ml! But hope you got that coffee 🙂
I didn’t realise Ninfeo Mail was discontinued. That’s a shame. Fideistic is awesome, enjoy it!
You’ve inspired me to wear Ninfeo Mio today 🙂 .
Fidgi is a great scent, and you’re right-you do smell exotic! I had no idea Ninfeo Mio is discontinued. It’s a beautiful citrus. I do love the way Annick Goutal does citrus-it’s the most pleasing house to my nose.
Ninfeo Mio has been discontinued?? That sucks!
I absolutely adore that you’re calling in “luxuriating!!!”
I’m too fickle and impulsive in my perfume buying to learn any lessons about sticking to a perfume plan of attack, or to be persuaded by others ( unless they’re in a shop with me saying “buy it” which happened the other day, sadly…Aerin Honeysuckle as a consequence). I saw Sentimental Value yesterday. Stellan Skarsgard was excellent, his expressions displayed the cracks in his emotions vs. outward presentation. It was one of his best performances, subtle (almost as good as his Lars Von Trier days). The film lagged a bit in places ( arguably a bit long) but I’m glad I saw it. Monday here and it’s going to be sunny. What a treat. Wearing my Norther Cemetery perfume blend: rose, dash of peppermint ( as many of the heritage roses have a candy cane peppermint sweetness), a dash of eucalyptus ( for the huge gum trees that shimmer with scent ) and a dash of Manuka for the earthiness. I’m really pleased with it.
Actually, now I think of it I’ve had a craving for L’eau Issey recently. Not sure why but some flashback to the 90s must be niggling at my subconscious. Wonder if it’s been reformulated ( probably has).
Almost no way that it hasn’t. Still worth a shot!
Ditto this: I’m too fickle and impulsive in my perfume buying to learn any lessons about sticking to a perfume plan of attack.
I love the “perfume plan of attack” 😎
I always have a plan of attack! I just don’t stick to it. ;D
You’ve reminded me that I spotted some of the Aerin range recently. I’ve never tried any of them, I’ll have to fix that!
I’ve been intrigued about this film since he won at the Golden Globes! (Which auto-corrected to Gloves which would make SS a boxer instead? 😆)
I’ve still got SL’s La Proie Pour L’Ombre on my clothes from last night, and I’m contemplating today.
It’s our provincial holiday and I’m so excited to have a day off, even though I’ve only been back at work for two weeks after the summer holiday.
I’m not sure whether to go with something spicy and warming, or something summery to encourage the weather to get better – maybe Ninfeo Mio, inspired by PekeFan’s comment.
Enjoy your holiday Gaynor!
Broken Record Alert! My perfume plan of attack would be to find any vestigial inventory of Roberto Greco’s Oeilleres and abscond with it😎
I enjoy Ganymede and am also intrigued by Marc-Antoine Barrois Encelade and Aldebaran. I have a discovery set winging its way to me to help formulate any plan of attack.
I would not say no if any of the Spoturno or new Coty fragrances dropped in my lap😋
My “I would not say no” list is LONG, LOL…fingers crossed for both of us.
True, this only scratches the surface!😬
Good luck for the Fragrance Faeries to visit you ladened with decants!
🙏🧚♀️
I dodged answering the questions yesterday because I need to smell the scents I’m interested in and they are at Fumerie. I’m intrigued by Hiram Green Ultra; I have all his fragrances except Dilettante. I also want to smell IA Abandoned Mansion; I have no luck at all with this house but Josh is such a nice guy I keep trying to like something. So no planned purchases unless sniffed but chime in if you have opinions on these two!
Today I am wearing PdE Musc Tonkin.
I like quite a few of the IAs but have not tried Abandoned Mansion, and would kill for a bottle of HG Moon Bloom but have not tried Ultra.
So I am useless!
I have a sample of Abandoned Mansion which I haven’t tried yet. But I think SheriG *has* tried Abandoned Mansion.
I have, and it is very IA-ish. Foxbins, if you didn’t care for Memoirs, you probably won’t care for Mansion either. That said, if I can find a sample vial I’d be happy to get that to you to try, AND I have a near-full sample of Ultra that’s yours as well. I’ll email you in a few.
Happy Sunday perfumistas!
Calling all frankincense lovers. Discovered in the head make-up artist for Heated Rivalry (yes, even the head make-up artist has a following in this hockey love story mania) uses an organic, vegan, natural frankicense cleanser on the actors. Here’s the link on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Libations-Organic-Wildcrafted-Frankincense/dp/B071GS1JRT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XBLGWC670YAC&th=1
Geez, that’s a big link. LOL. Also, it says that this product has fewer returns than average, always a good indicator for me. I was vascillating between G Encens Mythique and PG Indochine + BumBum creme, and went with the later in honor of the cute tushs’ on my phone recently.
I ordered the Frankincense cleanser and decided I would pair with my Encens Mythique days as it’s also a moisturizing oil
[Ed note: link shortened]
Well do report back! Although not likely I would switch my cleanser unless you tell me it smells like magic 🙂
I use a drug store brand cetaphil that I’m very happy with. That said Kris opened up a layering world to me when she put SdJ BumBum crime w PG Indochine. I thought since this is also a treatment oil that I would layer it with G Encens Mythique which I like to wear when I’m feeling more spiritual or prayerful. I’m going to buy a a FB in February to replace the 10ml sample sent from a generous NSTer that I’ve been parsing & parsing since last winter.
Crème not crime
Although a BumBum crime does sound funny!
Bum Bum Crime sounds like I don’t wanna know 🙂
I use a reasonably priced cleanser from La Roche Posay and am perfectly happy with it! If yours doubles as a treatment oil I doubt I would wash with it, but hope it works for you!
If it doesn’t, get a little bottle of Frankincense eo, mine is from Aura Cacia but if you want higher quality you can check Enfleurage. I just add a drop to my lotion or whatever when I want to layer, and sometimes I just open the bottle and smell, it really is very relaxing.
I was thinking…. It’s a BumBum crime not to use our BumBum crème!
Thanks for eo tip!
I’m curious to hear about your experience with that frankincense cleanser, too. But there’s no chance I can use it on my face no matter what. I have 3 things I rotate thru during the year and that’s it.
It’s also a moisturizing oil so I thought I could pair with frankincense fragrance for layering.
Ah, that makes sense.
Have you ever tried Ancient Resins oil?
No. What scent are they?
It’s from Mandy Aftel:
https://www.aftelier.com/Ancient-Resins-Body-Oil-Hair-Elixir-p/bodyoil-ancientresins.htm
I’m not itching to buy anything right now although I still have La Curie Ossuary on my short list to get eventually.
My sotd is Guerlain Shalimar L’Essence. I noticed that there’s a bit of a dent in the bottle already. It’s a great cold weather scent for me.
It’s nice not having the perfume lemmings chattering away in your ears, isn’t it?
Yes, very well said!
Mine is starting to get a dent too. I have really liked it this winter.
I got the smallest bottle (which is usually unheard of for me).
You smell gorgeous Gail!
Thank you LesLiesse! It’s quite a remarkable scent. It took me awhile to come around to vanilla in fragrances.
Me too. Vanilla has been a hard one for me.
The phrase of the day all over Chicagoland is ‘Bundle Up! Go Bears!’ Temps reaching only the mid-teens today going down to zero tonight, and the Bears vs. Rams NFL Divisional Playoff game 🏈 @5:30 kickoff at frigid Soldier Field. Do the Bears have an advantage being used to playing in cold weather whereas the LA Rams do not?🤔 We’ll find out . . I’m not a football fan but we’ll be watching and happy to see no matter the outcome how sports, music and the arts unite people, at least for awhile, and provide an escape from the crazy world we live in.
I’m relaxing now that my favorite beef stew is tucked in the oven. SOTD is YSL Black Opium layered over BBW’s Vanilla Cafe body products. Yum! 😋 (But then I never met a scent with a coffee note I didn’t like – ❤️ to drink it and ❤️ to smell like it.)
Last nite’s concert was fantastic – 12 very talented musicians, including 3 female vocalists, performing in a historic theater saved from the wrecking ball, front-row seats at a nominal price. Deacon Blues not only performed Steely Dan admirably but they also did some Doobie Bros. and Chicago, too.
Sending positive vibes to all!🎶🎵
So great!
I will add Aja right now to my playlist.
Bodhisatva on all time greats rotation.
I have my bottle of Black Opium Neon hanging out on my dresser, waiting for its turn. I might pair it with a BWF lotion or body butter.
Stay warm out there in Chi-town! It’s freaking COLD.
Gosh, tied in the 4th quarter!
SD + DB + C = nirvana!
Incredible game! As half my family hailed from Chicago I was rooting for the Bears and Caleb Williams. Fingernails chewed down. Sorry to all we Bears fans.
Too late for anyone to tell me to step back for January 2026. 🤣🤣🤣 My downfall was browsing on eBay, and I ended up with a 50mL bottle of an older version of Hypnotic Poison.
This time last year, I was wanting a larger bottle of Samsara parfum than my teeny tiny 2mL mini. However, I got distracted by other scented goodies and completely forgot about it until I looked up last year’s answer. Maybe I will pursue it this year.
SOTD = still hanging out in the current version of Coco EdP.
Almost twins. I’m in Coco edt.
Hiya, scent sibling! Or do you prefer “almost-twin”? 😊
Scent sibling sounds better. I just couldn’t think of it.
Congratulations on the Evil bay find! You smell marvelous today btw!
Thanks LesLiesse!
Hi everybody! I was present here years ago but it’s been since 2011 or so. I have been hankering to add the new formulation of Byredo’s Casablanca Lily to my collection, but the performance seems weak, it’s expensive AF and I have another honeyed tuberose in my collection (Not Telling by Thameen- although I’ve been on the fence about that one). Please de-influence me! 🙂
Welcome back!
Hm, for cases like this (you already have a similar scent, the price is high, etc.), you could try the “I’ll buy it when it’s on sale” approach – soft de-influencing, if you will.
well said Glannys!
Welcome back Sam!
Welcome back!
Ok, to de-influence. Why not see if you can get a sample or decant of that Byredo? That might be enough to scratch the itch.
Not familiar with either of those scents so I’m unable to influence you but just wanted to say welcome back!
Happy Monday! I would like to cautiously say that the power situation is improving, although I’m afraid to jinx it. Thank you all for your kind comments last week.
I’m feeling sleepy, so today I chose coffee – for drinking and for scenting myself. Lush Cardamom Coffee (solid) as a warm, cosy base, and a few sprays of Akro Awake (coffee, cardamom, lemon) for a more bracing coffee hit.
Sigh. Of course, now emergency power outages are announced. Why not…
Well phooey on that! 😠
Very sorry Glannys. In a small modicum of solidarity, I decided to wear my coffee scent in solidarity with you- Sotd Zara Gourmand Coffee. Hoping that the warmth and energy of our wondrous community brings the same to you when the power is out.
Nice! We are coffee buddies today.
And it looks like we are back on the regular outage schedule. Fingers crossed.
You smell wonderful, I love those coffee scents! And praying for those power outages to end. Watching my favorite war correspondent Phil Ittner has kept me aware of the serious crisis that faces your country as a result of these. 🙏
Quick PSA: next Friday’s project is pomegranate.
https://nstperfume.com/scent-of-the-day-friday-community-projects-2026/
Thanks, Robin. Finally a CP I cannot participate in – I do not think I have anything with pomegranate. Checkmate! 😂
I don’t think I can either, and it’s not a note I gravitate toward in fragrance, but my collection regularly surprises me when I start googling notes.
I predict a good number of people won’t have one, but that is true of many of the “note” projects we do.
An extra week of wear what you want 🙂
I like to look at the notes of the fragrances I wear daily and have been surprised to see a pomegranate note in some of them, so some NST’ers may already have one with an unsuspected hidden pomegranate note.
Thank you posting ahead so we can plan Robin! I’m particularly excited for the Chinese New Year thread of Fire Horse as my father was a Fire Horse. Also looking forward to my first CP with the Italian Winter Olympics opening on Feb 6th! For that I have a snow discovery set which I’m looking forward to wearing. My dry Jan is wearing on me and I’m looking forward to being able to purchase some fragrance again. Like so many things, NOT being able to do them makes them more enticing.
Also I’ve no pomegranate or even red fruit (cherry or apple or strawberry). I do have a dark red bottle of a rosy spicy Natura Ilia Plena, which I will use. 😆
But January gives you time to plan your next purchase more carefully 😉
Oh gosh I already started planning what to get myself for Valentines Day since Mr Engineer and I broke up and he won’t be getting me a gift!
Oh, sorry you broke up! Unless it’s a good thing in which case congratulations 🙂
Melograno! I confess I didn’t know that is melograno is Italian for pomegranate. I think I’ll have Friday covered.
In fact, I’m going to do a week of SMN, starting with a thunk of Mr. allo’s Tabacco Toscano After Shave Lotion!
And in case it helps anybody, the French is grenade.
Yesterday’s SOTD was Headspace Rose and there is a review up. I wasn’t much of a fan. Today’s SOTD is Flos Mortis.
Sorry you did not like it after you won it, Dawn!
Popping by to say that I’m starting my week in the always wonderful Tea for Two.
Getting the week off on the right foot 🙂
I’ve got a couple of perfumes that will work for this week’s CP: CK Euphoria and Bvlgari Omnia Corail. If I still had a sample of JM Pomegranate Noir, that would work as well.
I actually got snow here overnight!! It was only between 0.5 inches and 1 inch, but still. Snow! About half of it is gone already even with temperatures hovering right around freezing.
SOTD = still in Coco EdP. Got another perfume monogamy streak going, it seems.
PS. RIP to Valentino, aged 93.
Oh my, totally missed that today! Feels truly like end of an era.
I love Omnia Coral, I love to wear it in the summer as the color coral is one I wear a lot in the summer and this fragrance harmonizes so nicely with it.
It is a lovely choice for summer. IDK how it would stand up to bitter winter weather.
Congratulations on the snow jalapeño!
It was 3 degrees Fahrenheit with a NW wind early this afternoon as we walked the 3 blocks on icy sidewalks with the low-in-the-sky winter 🌞 glaring in our eyes making it even more treacherous. But it was worth the trip, as we really wanted to see Song Sung Blue at our local theater and today was the last day. Based on a true story of a Milwaukee husband and wife duo, Lightning and Thunder, who performed Neil Diamond’s music, it was fantastic! An emotional rollercoaster – I cried a lot, tears of joy, tears of sorrow -and as I stopped in the restroom afterwards everyone there said they cried a lot, too. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson had tremendous on-screen chemistry, and I didn’t know they could sing so well. The film was a heart-warming celebration of family love and trying hard at what you love and – if you’re a Neil Diamond fan like me – you will ❤️ the music. I highly recommend!👍
SOTD is the original vintage Givenchy Hot Couture edp, love this peppery raspberry on a cold winter day. A pot of chili simmering on the stove is just about ready and we’ll curl up with our 📖 📕 for the night with 😻😽😸.
🥳 Celebrating the legacy today of MLK, Jr., Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday, and the life and contributions to the fashion world of Valentino.
My stepmother just told me earlier today how much she loved that movie! I will see it eventually.
Quite a day for 3 people who arrived to better the world in each their own way.
sotd = Eau de Guerlain
Wore EdG all weekend and today, it felt very nice. The bit of minty freshness in this cologne plays nicely with the eucalyptus and menthol in Vicks. 🤧
I’ve got a bit of the cold virus that’s going around these parts. So i mostly laid low today, hoping I’ll be well rested and ready to go back to work tomorrow. 🤞
Stay well, NSTers. 💕 Maybe wear lots of extra perfume, the alcohol kills germs, and if your scent bubble is big enough it might encourage people to stop breathing on you. 😆
Sorry to hear that you are under the weather tiffanie. Hope you have some chicken soup handy! 🍲🥣🐔
Feel better TF !
Hope that worked tiffanie! (You did smell great)