PSA: the haiku challenge will be next weekend! And happy Mother's Day to anyone who is celebrating.
Regardless, we're relaxing and enjoying the May flowers with our usual open thread poll.
Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, what's blooming now where you are, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is When This World Crashes Down on Me, You Remain [cropped] by JFXie at flickr; some rights reserved.
Today I’m in my favourite lavender soliflore, 4711 Acqua Colonia Lavender & Thyme. The simplicity is what I love.
Sometimes you need a simple straightforward cologne to cleanse the nasal palette. I really like the direction 4111 has gone with their contemporary offerings. They did not run off and bang out a bunch of oud and gourmand things, they built upon the scaffolding of their original cologne.
Wearing Indult Reve en Cuir. This is a beautiful soft leather. Indult has now “remade” this fragrance as Cuir 404. I think I have a sample somewhere to compare. Both were created by Francis Kurkdjian. Cuir 404 “reimagines” Reve en Cuir as a “fresh, modern interpretation of leather, with an airy lightness”. I find the original Reve en Cuir to be soft and modern and airy, but okay, whatever.
I loved the original Rêve en Cuir and have kicked myself several times for not acquiring a bottle while it was still available. The 404 version isn’t as magical to me.
Agree. (Found my Cuir 404 sample. Why did they think this was better? Less expensive to make? I hate to always be cynical, but…)
You are onto something there, springpansy.
I have a half bottle in the vault. It’s a stunner.
I’m rounding out Sir David week in Voyage d’Hermes, in part for its citrusy woodiness and in part for all the voyages he made while filming all the awe-inspiring nature series we love so much.
Ah, very nice thinking there, SheriG. Fits perfectly.
Clever take on the CP and you smell marvelous, I like this scent so much – best use of cardamom imo – that I have both the parfum and the EDT.
Excellent!
Good Morning NST.
I am awash in Alyssa Ashley Musk Perfume from a very old vintage purse spray. The juice has thickened to a dark oily liquid and the sprayer has broken off so thank goodness there’s only a little bit left as it’s very hard to get out. I may have to take pliers to it and decant the bit that’s left.
Anyway, anyone remember this one?
I smell marvelous and very 1970s. It’s a very lovely earthy musk with light florals and soft animalics, like a furry wild animal that has just run through a field of fragrant flowers in the hot sun and just might be friendly if you give off peaceful vibes.
Love this description. And I am so glad you tell us about your very interesting vintage fragrances! I remember that one from the 70s, but I never tried it.
Thanks, springpansy. It sure brings back memories for me.
We still have that perfume in chemists here. Its founder, Enrico Donati was a very interesting man. He started as a surrealist painter and was great friends of Marcel Duchamp and helped organise the 1947 Surrealism exposition at MOMA ( his works are in their collection). At one point he married into the Houbigant family ( then divorced and took over the company). Alyssa was his daughter’s name. He lived to almost 100 and died in San Francisco.
Wow, amazing!
Wow, that is amazing and I never knew any of it! am going to have to read up on him. Thank you, Kanuka.
Oh yes, such a lovely floral musk, my bottle must be from the eighties ie very short ingredients list, water, perfume and coloration reference, I also have Jovan musk.
I love all those ’70s musks. Coty had one too and each smelled a little different and was sold at a good price point for teens (prolly their target market) and wree available in the drugstores. I think they were all reformulated at some point because they contained nitromusks which then became illegal.
Interesting, Denise. Yes, I think nitromusks were the first to be banned sometime in the 70’s, IIRC L’Air du temps was full of them and reformulating caused problems for NR.
The AA musk lotion was always a big seller at my old store. We couldn’t keep it in stock.
Oh, yes, I remember this one very well, even though I was never much of a musk person so never bought a bottle. But I remember it as being very, very popular.
Feel like I’ve gotten stuff accomplished this morning. 💪 Finally got my truck to a large enough truck wash to rinse off the 100 pounds of Wyoming mud. It took four swipes of my credit card to get down to metal! It still needs a good scrubbing and debugging, but that is yet to come…Took doggo on a well deserved long walk at a local park. We found a couple of city parks good for walking although the best one, which is right on a fast moving stream, is quite busy and loud with multiple adjacent sports fields.
Not flying under the radar today, scent wise. Wearing Devotion which has quite the throw on me. Also burning my Fresh Amalfi Lemon candle and enjoying it immensely.
Lots of smells in this camper currently. 🙃
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! No matter if your kids are human or animal, if you are loving it, supporting, growing it, embracing it, caring for it, you are a mom in your heart of hearts! 💕
Also, how cute is the fact that Lego’s have changed their packaging to include Sir David?! 👏
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYGAus0AbUM/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
So sweet!
That is so lovely. Toys are for everyone!
Whenever I go to thrift stores, there are always people clustered at the toy aisles, buying vintage toys, games, roller skates, dolls, etc. When I ended up waiting in a long checkout line one day behind a young dude carrying a Barbie camping kit and a Bratz doll (!), I asked him about his finds and he says he resells them and that most of his buyers are adults nostalgic for toys they had as kids or else pined for but couldn’t afford as kids but can now buy. He says a lot of them go for $$$. Merchandise from old cartoons and TV shows and most anything branded from movies and popular culture are also hot sellers. Interesting to know that the craze for vintage extends way beyond perfume.
♥
Joining Deva in Devotion. I had a nice day yesterday watching fur seals…mostly snoozing on the rocks or playing in the surf. Also saw a large colony of Otago Shags ( like cormorants) and Spotted shags. We didn’t stay late enough for the blue penguins which come out in the evenings. Didn’t go to the albatross colony as we got sidelined by a community book fair . Such a nice day. Happy weekend everyone
https://waitakinz.com/explore/shag-point-matakaea-reserve
One of the places I went to, the video shows it best
Wow, that video was fun. Seals are so endearing!
By complete coincidence, I just read an article a friend sent me that she just published, about the documentary film The Bridge, about suicides from Golden Gate Bridge. A very few of the jumpers survived; one was a young man who immediately felt after he leapt that he didn’t want to die, and he landed on his feet and swam frantically up, and was ultimately lifted up by a seal! He now views what happened as divine intervention. It reminds me of stories the ancient Greeks told about sailors who were saved by dolphins.
How odd, strange story. How very lucky.
This is a link about the movie; I have not seen it. My friend wrote about it because it’s so controversial. I can add, at least, that they have now installed a net barrier under the bridge that saves most of the potential suicides.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_(2006_documentary_film)
Oh my. I did not think you could survive that.
Here’s what Wikipedia says: “Survivors: Out of thousands of attempts, only about 26 to 40 individuals are documented as having survived the impact over the bridge’s history.” It’s less than 2% and they often have severe injuries.
That is amazing. I’m so glad that guy survived and I hope it’s given him a literal new lease on life and that he spends a bit of time working a suicide prevention hotline or something.
He does! He’s quite an activist and has even made some of his own films about it.
Here’s info on him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Hines.
That sounds like a fantastic day.
Wow, an opportunity to see seals, shags, penguins and albatross – very cool!
Today is my birthday and I am shocked at my age.
Taking my birthday gift cards to the mall and buying myself a few treats. Like new bras.
Dinner later with friends.
SOTD is vintage gold cap L’artisan L’eau de
Ambre.
Happy Mother’s Day to any and all who celebrate!
Have a marvelous birthday. A new bra can really lift one’s self-image (a little joke there)! Enjoy the other treats and dinner, and I’m sure you smell terrific!
Thank you, Calypso! As a matter of fact, I got a new size and got lifted!
Here’s info on him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Hines.
Hurray!
The first part isn’t supposed to be here…..just the Hurray!
Happy Birthday! 🎂
Thank you, Deva!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you, lillyjo!
Happy Birthday to you, apsara!💐 Have a lovely time with your friends tonight. You sure smell good for the occasion🎉🎂
Thank you, allo!
Happy birthday, apsara. May is good month for a birthday! Respect that age — you worked hard to get here.
True enough, springpansy!
Happy Birthday 🎁🎂🎉!
Thank you, hajusuuri!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday!!!
Have a very happy birthday and a great year Apsara.
Happy Birthday💐🎂
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!!
Happy birthday!!!
Happy birthday apsara! Enjoy your dinner and your new treats 🙂
Happy Birthday! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!🎂
Happy Scented Birthday apsara! Enjoy those trips you have planned for later on.
Happy belated birthday, apsara! I hope you treated yourself with something nice!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday, apsara!
Happy (late) birthday! I hope all the treats were good.
Happy birthday, belatedly! I hope you had an enjoyable day.
After browsing in my sample dish I chose to spray on some of St. Clair Scents’ Pharaoh’s Passion, which I am shocked to see now, came out in 2020. I just have a sample. I never bought a FB because I just wasn’t sold on it. Not sure if it’s aged, as it seems ok, but it has a kind of sour rose smell that I just don’t go for. Too bad, because she has made some very beautiful things.
You are shocked because you’ve had the sample hanging around since then?
Well, that too, but mainly, that it just seems like it was yesterday!
I know that feeling!
I love love love Pharoahs Passion and wore it early in the first pandemic summer. I have hunted for another and keep emailing Diane to see if there is any hanging about.
All I have is the small sample bottle from her but I’d be happy to send it to you, it must have an ounce in it…. ??
I still have some of this honeyed beauty in the bottom of my bottle, but thank you for your generous offer. 💐
Recently took a girls trip to Salem Mass and bought Fourteen Carrots by Heretic parfums as a souvenir. Very rooty, light but earthy, warm. Like carrot sunshine in the spring. It’s what I thought Zoologist Rabbit would smell like. It doesn’t last a long time, but it’s a good time!
That sounds lovely.
That sounds nice! Wonder how it compares to I Love Les Carottes.
Sounds nice, practicalann.
SOTD = Chanel No.19 EDP
So good! I may be able eke out 3-4 more wears (maybe 1-2 more) before the bottle is thunked!
I may have mentioned that I have not booked a cruise as yet (still!). In case you are though, this article from the New York Post has some tips:
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/hantavirus-cruise-vacation-planning-c47d4670?st=QthS9X&reflink=article_copyURL_share
Where are you thinking of going next?
Late posting Twin!
Stayed up late last night cheering on Montreal in the NHL playoffs, so this morning required two coffees.
Brunch with friends and a few art galleries for the afternoon.
Some SOTD(s): Chanel Sycomore to the plant sale early this morning, then switched to 1957 after my shower for brunch and could still catch traces of Sycomore after I showered.
The rest of the day calls for reading and relaxing on this perfect rainy spring day.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers celebrating this weekend!
Oh, I bet you smell fabulous. I love Sycomore, and need to try 1957.
Do try! But 1957 is best on skin
It was quite a game! 🇨🇦
It was a totally different team on the ice!
The goalie is a bit hot headed- I saw him loose his cool
Happy Saturday, everyone.😊
I’m in Orchidée Vanille from Van Cleef & Arpels, a gently musky almond/bitter chocolate/vanilla scent. It’s not sugary, and it’s not a powerhouse; it becomes a skin scent after an hour or so, but it lasts and lasts. As Kafkaesque describes it, “My skin, but better.” Several hours into it, I don’t smell perfumed, I just smell really nice.
Great description!
Happy weekend! It’s a lovely sunny autumn day here, I’m going to enjoy it while I can, there is a cold change coming.
I’m wearing my new purchase of Rahele from Neela Vermeire.
I do love those last days of autumn!
2 clementines and a pear but on the naughty side I am eating a slice of lemon meringue pie. Lush Shade this morning, I think it’s the last Lush which ever took my fancy, shortly after it was released in 2021. It’s a really good sandalwood, advertised as being from West Timor. Tonight, I am wearing Lancôme Rose 6am, not worn since November but I love it as much as ever.
I’ve just received news that a package I returned to Australia has finally reached the seller. I never collected it from the post office because there were duties to pay, and it rarely happened to me. I had realized too late that the seller didn’t accept returns, eBay washed its hands of the situation and I was getting worried. The seller did contact me after all and has given me a tracking reference. I asked her to mention in the description ‘gift’. We’ll see if I can avoid duties this way. It gives more confidence in the postal service of both countries. I did pay for postage again but it was around £10, not too bad. It’s a jade pendant, not perfume😀
So will you might still get your pendant? I hope so. Jade is so beautiful.
Yes, Lillyjo, thank you, it’s on its way back to me fingers crossed for not paying duties this time.
Ugh, I am about to try to figure out something maybe sorta similar…I bought something that the seller claimed was in Virginia, but in fact has shipped from the UK. I do NOT want to pay duties and have to figure out what to do. I sent a complaint to the seller as soon as I got the tracking which showed it coming from the UK, of course they have not answered me.
It’s a pain, good luck🤞, Robin, hope it gets sorted out.
Duties! Ugh. Dealing with that here, too. Mr. Ockeghem bought me a purse for my birthday from a U.S. company, but for some reason had it shipped to Canada instead of our U.S. post box on the other side of the border. The duties and “processing fees” (the processing fees are the WORST) were worth about half the cost of the purse. And then of course it’d been advertised as a shoulder bag but the strap wasn’t long enough for that, so I’m returning it. None of the fees get refunded and I have to pay return shipping (I’m going across the border to ship, but still, it’s $35 US).
I don’t mind paying the duties if I’m bringing something into Canada that I can’t get here. But I HATE the processing fees.
I sympathize, those processing fees sound like extortion.
I’m wearing Hush Hush edp on this blustery spring day.
we are having a windy day too..
It was a sunny day here, and I had the day off.
My hand went to Dune for my sotd. I love Dune so much. I just have to be in the right mood to wear it. Have we ever done a most contemplative or complicated relationship perfume cp? I think Dune is both for me.
I share in your ❤️ of Dune.
Dune is a next level fragrance. At first I didn’t get it, but when I got it, there was no turning back.
Oh you smell marvelous Lillyjo, I wear it rarely because I only have a little half empty 30ml bottle. I’m on the look out for another little bottle.
That is a great idea for a CP, and I bet everyone’s nettlesome perfume would be different.
Dune is like that for me too. A little hard to wear but the drydown is amazing.
The warmest day we’ve had in awhile with temps in the low 70’s, some 🌞 and breezes. The cool temps have kept my lilacs thriving, and I’m returning to my favorite lilac fragrances today in Pacifica French Lilac. I don’t know what ‘French’ lilacs smell like, but this lovely soliliflore touched with hyacinth sure smells like ‘fresh’ lilacs and was very enjoyable today.
We had a fun afternoon at the Old Town School of Folk Music today. Mr. Laila has taken guitar classes there for several years and decided to start taking private lessons a few months ago. Today was the private lesson students’ Spring Recital and Mr. Laila’s first performance, along with 9 others. I enjoyed being part of the intimate audience and he did good! + it was wonderful to escape from the world’s ills for an afternoon. Music is a great healer.🎶
Relaxing with the ballgame now, my Sox are winning 🤞.
Oh congrats to Mr. Laila, that’s lovely!
Haiky challenge next week? 😮 Thank you for the reminder, Robin – I completely forgot! Okay, three done. We’ll see if I write more later.
It is a rainy day here. I started with En Passant, then switched to Yardley Lily of the Valley.
I’m looking forward to your haikus!
Lovely morning here and very spring like, so I scrounged around in my stash and found a decant from a swap moons ago labeled “Caleche: Vintage.”
Lots of flowers wafting up…not sure how I feel about it just yet…🙃
Moms, I hope your day is filled with four legged and two legged kids who adore and appreciate you. 💐
After reading about the BBW candle you bought, I had to go get one today. It is very nice!
Oh, glad I could enable you! 😉
Whew, it’s 85 and very humid today, and I am NOT ready yet for summer. I went to visit Mom today, but she was pretty sleepy so we didn’t have much of a celebration. My SOTD is Tom Ford Myrrhe Mystere.
We did a mother’s day dinner and my mother did not feel well enough to attend so I brought her dinner to her afterwards…we are all heading there, right?
SOTD is Shalimar Millesime Rose. I really like it but did decide I don’t need a BUB. I have enough other roses.
Scent twins! My first wear of Millesime Rose today, I decided it would be my Mother’s Day gift to myself. I like it and it surprised me to detect some hint of Shalimar in it (incense and hint of leather). Like you, I don’t think I’ll need a BUB.
It’s gone out of stock a few times now, so people are obviously buying it. However, I don’t think a lot of people here bought it.
For anyone who loves Annie Lamott, here is her “Oh Vey, Mother’s Day”, sent to me by one of my stepmothers
https://annelamott.substack.com/p/oy-veh-mothers-day
Thank you for this — thought-provoking, and oh so true. 🩵
SOTD is commando (again). Ockeghem Teen is doing a day-long climbing workshop in the mountains today, so we came up last night, and I dropped her and then went for a solo hike. Now I’m just waiting for the climbing to be done, and then we drive back to the city. Not looking forward to the traffic.
Not much Mother’s Day for me. I asked Ockeghem Teen as we were driving out of the city yesterday why we were seeing so many men and boys carrying flower bouquets. Her answer: “There must be a big concert somewhere with a lot of soloists.” 😀 Absolutely no clue that Mother’s Day was today. Then her response was: “Well, I’m going climbing, so you have most of the day off. That’s my gift.” Ahem, one I registered her for. Mr. Ockeghem is away for a month, so he’s not arranging any festivities.
No festivities for me either ockeghem.
Happy Mother’s Day!💖
HA… the “Teen” part of “Ockeghem Teen” pretty much explains that! Sorry.
Happy Mother’s Day to all who nurture, whether it be two-legged children, four-legged, furry, winged, finned or all of mankind! As a lover of nature, my hand reached for Dame’s Earth Mother today – the Mother of us all! I ❤️ Its earthy patchouli, green/grassy sage and galbanum, and its sweet caramel giving that final warm, comforting hug that was Jeffrey’s intent in creating this fragrance.
A cool mostly 🌞 morning, but we braved the chill to open the sliding door to the deck and let the lilacs in full bloom send their magnificent scent into the bedroom as we relaxed with our morning ☕️ and Sunday 🗞️. Even better was the Sunday dip in the hot tub right next to the lilacs and some bird-watching, mostly bird-listening. Our Merlin app tells us we have various migrators here; although we can hear some of them we haven’t seen them yet.🐧🐤🐦
Sending ☮️ to all via a beautiful song my favorite musician reposted today in honor of Mother’s Day. Ian recorded ‘Blessed be our Mother’ when he was in Arizona recently after he learned it from a Navaho musician. It’s a song of peace and healing as Mother comforts all. Though you may not understand the words, may the music soothe your soul.
https://youtu.be/Qij4lANd3FE?si=QJdPHS5JMHCBtCdH
That is great planning to have the lilacs planted right next to the hot tub!
Happy Mother’s Day!
I’m posting from work because I got called in tonight. It’s busy, as usual.
I’m wearing BBW Vera Bradley peach something. It was a very sunny day today.
Sorry you got called in on Mother’s Day lillyjo! Happy Mother’s Day to you anyway!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Had Italian with my mum and now we are both having carb coma. Pizza to share and a plate of pasta each, not to mention the bread basket and tiramisu enough for 3!
Sotd is Shalimar.
Nice! My sister and my son and I ate a massive number of grilled lollipop lamb chops, followed by ice cream. We are having meat coma, maybe?
I wore Amouage Fate for mothers day and enjoyed a day alone with my four legged daughter Mila. 🐶
that is a beautiful fragrance. I am going to pull out some Amouage to wear this week…
Glad you had a nice day with Mila!
Sounds like a great day!
Cassiopea today for my SOTD
This is a nice safe floral that doesn’t last on me…
Sleepy as I stayed up to watching the Montreal team win over Buffalo.
Need. More. Coffee
I had a lovely Mothers Day yesterday!
That’s wonderful!
What an aggravating morning which was capped off by the fifth call (since February) to New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. STILL waiting for my refund from them. Argh! The ONLY state I’ve worked in that has given me such a pointless hassle to get my %&@$ money!
Trying to chill with Korres Saffron, Amber, and Cardamom. I think a tranquilizer dart might be more effective…😴
🤞for you getting your money!
Wow, I am sorry you are having such a battle to get your money!
SOTD is Kai.
Getting ready to leave this weekend as my stepson is retiring from the military so there will be a celebration. Of course, we love going to North Carolina to see the grandkids. I won’t be posting for a few weeks since I don’t bring much perfume with me. I just wear Daisy, Happy and Gucci Bloom while I am down there. Easy travel sprays that I always have with me.
Congratulations to your stepson and a thank you for his service.
Have a safe and fun visit!
Have a safe trip, Kris! Easy fragrances are great; you’ll smell fabulous!
I’m still feeling a bit tired after my travels, but I’m coming right. I’m wearing the always lovely 31 Rue Cambon today.
It always takes awhile to get back into routine, doesn’t it? Rest up!
A breezy cool day today but lots of 🌞 and blue sky. The unusual cool temps have kept my lilacs in bloom and I was able to cut another supply today to scent our home. And I’m in harmony with them in Alfred Sung’s Sha, a soft Spring floral with a definite pronounced note of lilac but with other florals including LOTV, water lily, frangipani, heliotrope and others. Very well blended, I see it as a watery (but not aquatic) lilac skinscent and I ❤️ it. I bought it years ago very inexpensively and when I see the prices this long d/c scent is going for now, I gasp! 😳
Happy Monday to all! 🪻
Alfred Sung perfumes are underrated imo.
I wore Armani SI today for work.
Tonight I am wearing Bvlgari Jasmin Noir.
That seems a nice day – night pairing.
Had a busy weekend away. On Saturday I was in Chanel Paris-Venise. Yesterday and today I wore Prada Infusion d’Iris absolue. For Mother’s Day we visited my hubby’s Mom (and Dad). We bought a pizza for lunch, and also took a cheesecake and home made raspberry coulis for dessert at dinner. We sure had a nice day visiting with them.
So glad you had a nice Mother’s Day celebration with the in laws!