Happy Almost-Friday! Birthdays: Ben Jonson, Julia Margaret Cameron, Jacques Cousteau, Gene Wilder, Hugh Laurie. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm adding depth to the rose note in Hermès Rose Ikebana with a very mild underlayer of Tauer Rose Flash. I'm quite pleased with the outcome.
Reminder: 6/12 will be Boost me up Friday...add a layer to your fragrance to strengthen or emphasize a desired note. Suggested by happy888cat.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2026, where I'll occasionally manage to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Marina [cropped] by Paul VanDerWerf at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD is Body Kouros (a week late with it’s eucalyptus note) which makes a good warm weather woody incense.
Ooh, sounds nice. I’ve not tried this one.
This sounds wonderful! Eucalyptus is so refreshing! Which reminds me that I have a bottle of Thymes Ltd. Eucalyptus that I need to use up.
I’m layering last night’s Dior Homme with more Dior Homme because a dear friend gave me her old bottle for my husband who is enjoying it mightily but I am also stealing it like crazy and can’t get enough of huffing my wrists. I wish they made this in parfum concentration. It’s so good. I have no idea if it’s even made anymore and I know the online sites are full of fakes, arghh.
In other news, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market and bought 3 boxes of Blenheim apricots, which are currently spread out all over my dining room table in various stages of ripeness. I am giving them away to friends and family and will devour a large amount of them raw and make jam and apricot crisp with the rest. And I might go back next week to get a few more boxes. They are only in season for about 4-5 weeks so it’s kind of like a gluttonous fever.
My neighbor who is from Plovdiv Bulgaria says they taste like the apricots back home and are the best she’s had in 15 years here. The farmer drives down from the Central California Coast to sell them in LA and chefs go crazy for them too.
Enjoy your apricot binge! Those sound lovely.
Today I was in the mood for Clinique Chemistry, yet another one of those bought-it-the-second-I-smelled-it scents — thirty-plus years later and I still love it to pieces. Citrus and subdued ginger up top, not that harsh detergenty ginger that seemed to be everywhere a decade or so later, leading into an arresting spicy floral. It’s refined without being stuffy: what it calls to mind is a man in a suit and bow tie, but he can wear the bow tie without looking affected. He has a neatly trimmed beard with a little silver in it.
I adore Clinique scents! Chemistry is wonderful, you smell fantastic! 🙂
I had a bottle of Simply, but had to get rid of it, once menopause (mental Pause!!) arrived, it no longer worked with my chemistry.
I tried layering Lostmarc’h Iroaz and Maison Crivelli Rose Saltifolia at bedtime last night and liked it so much that I’m back in it this morning. They are both salty, beachy rose scents, but Iroaz has a bit too much rose and Rose Saltifolia a bit too much salt. Together they’re just perfect.
Nice!! I wish my layering attempts worked out that well.
You achieved perfect balance, excellent.
Good morning, everyone. It’s still morning here. I am wearing a dab of Coco Mademoiselle extrait on one hand and Gabrielle extrait on the other. I am inhaling a sniff of one and the other as the day goes by. I should mention I have a day off today – usually I always work on Thursdays so I’m still on my pj’s not doing anything constructive at the moment haha and on those rare mornings I can just relax I usually put one of my Chanels on my skin just to enjoy.
Gabrielle Chanel extrait is the smell of sunshine. It’s sparkling and fizzy and clean, floral fresh at the same time. That bubbly quality is what I am crazy about. I love it.
Coco Mademoiselle extrait is the best version of it. And yes I also have a bottle of the Intense which I adore but the extrait is where iris just shines.
I received many compliments whenever I wear one of these scents overall.
Gabrielle extrait is sooo glorious.
Hi Folks! It’s been a week of John Varvatos for me, with some hits (and some misses.)
My favorites: Artisan, Artisan Pure, Dark Rebel Rider, and Vintage. They’re well made, and all have a slightly retro/classic vibe. (Vintage, for example, hearkens back to Drakkar Noir and other leathery fougères of that era.) They aren’t groundbreaking, but they’re fun to wear, and, if you find them on discount sites, very affordable.
Less successful:
Artisan Forest – it’s a bit TOO figgy for me, but it could be worth sampling if you really love that note.
XX Artisan Teal – a sweet, aromatic aquatic, and the most generic JV I’ve tried. Not a good match for my skin.
XX Artisan – a synthetic woody, citrusy vetiver. Almost pleasant.
“Almost pleasant” — 🤣
The “almost pleasant” killed me!
IIRC, I had a sample of Dark Rebel Rider and thought it was pretty darn good. Artisan Forest sounds like it could be in my wheelhouse…
The original Artisan is so good! I have not explored the rest of the line really.
I wanted to boost the coastal wood and sea flora notes in Wood Sage & Sea Salt using Big Sur Eucalyptus. However, since the latter is a much stronger scent and undergoes some unpleasant transformations on my skin, I decided to use it as a scented body product. I put some unscented body product in my palm, added a couple of spritzes of Big Sur, and then applied it all over my body. After that, I sprayed Wood Sage & Sea Salt over the base layer. I enjoyed the result – a beach scent with better staying power.
A good, unscented lotion can be a perfumista’s best friend.
This is so true!
Yesterday’s SOTD was no 19 edt. We tried to turn on the air conditioner yesterday and it wouldn’t start up. There is something up with connection when my dad took a look. With all of the power outages that have been happening over the past couple months, melted something. But we have a fan going to help keep us cool. I think that I will wear Worth Courtesan today.
I hope your A/C is going to start working soon.
Layering today-amping up citrus:
Body wash-Hemp Triple Moisture Fresh Citrus
Body butter-Jergens Sweet Citrus
Perfume-Eau des Merveilles
That sounds like a great summery combo.
I like it😎
layering points
😊
I am joining the citrus party with my scoop of blood orange ice cream.
You must smell so good!
Sounds tasty!
I’ve had blood orange ice cream mochi before. Delicious!!
That sounds yummy!
That sounds like a great combination!
Thanks Gail.
Sounds like your SOTD combo would work great for soupy summer weather.
It’s definitely been that!
Still no layering over here but because of all the posts yesterday about EL Bronze Goddess, I’m wearing it today.
Beautiful day here yesterday and today looks to be the same. I got a bunch of chores and errands done because it wasn’t like being drowned in dragons breath being outside.
While I was out lifting my camper to get it repositioned on my truck, some random kiddo who must have been visiting someone at the apartments, ran up to me, did a little dance and shouted, “I like your hair!” And then promptly ran away…so I guess my haircut it a winner? 🤣
I wore Bronze Goddess yesterday but didn’t come by, I’ll read the comments later.
I love random hair comments! That’s so cute.
She was adorable! The way she danced around and then ran off was so cute. As a childless person, I have no clue how old she was…maybe 5 or 6? But cute as a button! 👧
Not layering today, though I have an idea for tomorrow. Today I’m wearing Lolita Lempicka.
I had an idea for tomorrow and literally forgot it…hope it comes to me in the morning 🙂
I’m wearing Un Jardin Sur le Nil, a perfect summer perfume. I didn’t layer it with anything but I used to enjoy a spray of L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer with UJSlN.
Oh, I might steal parts of that idea! Thank you.
Hello.
Sotd is Kelly Caleche over TF Oud Wood. I always felt OW to be a tad too dry and this combo softens it.
Just saw the news about Chanel relaunching some of their extraits. I can’t be happier. Dear Santa, if you are internet savvy and reading this…..
Enjoy your extrait if you decide to buy
Oh wow, a relaunch of the extraits sounds marvelous, what body part do I need to sell off to afford one??
My letter to Santa as follows:
Dear Santa: We’ve been good (though that could change by December 25th…) and we have a list!
Thanks for considering our perfume fascinations…
-ps, the cookies are on the way.
Today’s layering combo is Joy and Cartier Baise Vole. It works beautifully, they complement each other perfectly.
I bet that is a good combination.
The week has turned into an SL Cuir Mauresque fest now that I have returned to Chez allo. Following many layering suggestions, I am wearing CM with Diptyque Eau des Sens and loving the leather/orange blossom combo. Of course CM wins out but I’m going to try another spray of EdS to keep the magic going.
Curious about your CM…do you have the newer tippy black bottle or the older rectangular bottle?
It’s the tippy gratte ciel bottle.
Thanks, that’s the same one I have. I feel like there’s a big difference in the older bottles. I’m sure it was reformulated and I didn’t realize it when I bought the newer bottle, but in my memory at least, the older version had a lot more backbone and depth. I’d like to do a side by side comparison but of course that’s not possible anymore. While I still like the perfume, I am a little disappointed in how thin and unsubstantial the newer version is, but that’s just me. Some may feel it’s still a powerhouse.
I don’t have an older bottle to compare to either. Even though the gratte ciel version seems strong to me, there’s something too linear about it and the layering seems to help soften/round the effect.
Speaking of Fests, I forgot to mention that I just heard about ScentFest SF, happening 6/26-6/28. I wish I could go! Any Californian NSTers planning to attend???
“Not just another trade show.
San Francisco’s first international fragrance experience.
ScentFest is a curated, consumer-focused fragrance experience designed for people who actively seek niche, artistic, and independent perfume brands. A place for discovery, sampling, storytelling, and real-world connection between brands and the fragrance community.”
I’m in a cheap and cheerful tea combination. BBW Black Tea body creme and spray underneath EA Green Tea.
Wonder how that BBW Black Tea body creme would go with Berdoues Assam of India?
It’s a fairly linear body creme, scent wise so I imagine it would be OK. I’ve never tried the Berdoues; I know it had quite a following a few years back.
Assam of India was the perfect, lightly sweetened black tea with lemon scent. I haven’t seen it around for a while now.
Nice!
Hi all, and happy almost Friday! Today’s SOTD is L’Mûre et Musc vintage cologne, from the humungous dome shaped cap bottle by L’Artisan Parfumeur, layered with the original Vanilia (Sandalwood, ylang ylang and Vanilla!) by the same perfumer.
Oh, bet that is good!
Happy almost Friday to people on the other side of the date line, I’m very glad to say it’s Friday here already.
My beloved is back home after two nights in hospital, and everything is going well.
I’m wearing the fabulous Bengale Rouge from Papillon Artisan Perfumes, I won’t overwhelm anyone in the office, there is hardly anyone there on a Friday.
Glad to hear your special person is out of the hospital and back home.
So glad he is home, and I bet he is happy to be there.
Lush Sticky Dates triple threat today: bath bomb, shower gel, and lotion. I thought about adding the Body Spray (thank you hajusuuri for the decant), but decided that it would be too much of a monster in today’s heat. Instead I went with a sample of Une Nuit Nomade’s Jardins de Misfah, which to my nose is dates + rose + almond. It is not especially complex, but it is pretty.
Dates only grow in hot climates so that’s perfect!
I hadn’t thought of that! I always associate dates with cool, fall weather.
You smell … STICKY!
Mission accomplished! 😂
ZOMG! That’s a whole lotta Sticky Dates!
There are only a few scents that I have in multiple formats. This week’s CP screamed “if not now, when?” for layering those products together.
I am wearing M Micallef Ananda and drinking my second cup of English Breakfast Tea.
I just got back from a trip to Hungary. My perfume souvenirs are Viktoria Minya Hedonist Iris and L’Erbolario Shades of Dahlia. They bring back good memories when I wear them.
Perfume souvenirs are the best for lovely memories
Welcome back!
Omg. Cleaning gurus help please!
I spilled 1/4 cup of devilishly sweet mocha in my fancy leather handbag! 😭😭😭😭
I was in Starbucks and put my drink in my bag (hindsight such a DUMB move) because my hands were full and surprise, surprise, the cap fell off and tragedy happened.
How do I even clean my bag properly. HELP PLSSS.
My attempt at first aid so far is take out everything, invert the fabric lining and going ham with wet wipes. But what can I do about the leather that is very likely wet abd sticky with the mocha that’s soaked through? 😭😭 Even worse, my bag is only 10 days old… my baby 💔
Your best bet is probably bringing it to a cobbler to see if they can clean the leather. Or, you could try dousing the outside with leather conditioner to try to push the mocha back toward the lining. And not to be glib (truly) if the stain looks good – say, a mocha stain on brown leather – you could embrace it and soak the whole bag with mocha, or rock it with the mocha stain as is, a la Mary-Kate Olsen’s wine-stained Balenciaga bag.
Thank you!! I will try the conditioner.
I guess the silver lining is that my bag is black so I can’t see the potential damage to the leather.
Are there any dry cleaners in your area that specialize in leather goods? If so, contact them and see what they say about your situation.
I need to google but I don’t think there are any nearby. I was almost tempted to just soak my bag in a tub of water to release the coffee, which I won’t do of course but je suis tres desperate.
You could maybe use a leather cleaner and follow up with a leather conditioner.
I ordered a set of them. Should arrive tomorrow! Can’t believe how stupid I was. 🤦♀️
I was going to agree with Hera. I have a few Coach purses and they carry fairly inexpensive cleaner and conditioner. Do you have a Coach store near you?
Oh no! I hope the damage ends up being minimal.
This may or may not make you feel better. Yesterday after cooking chicken thighs in the crockpot, and cooling down the resulting broth I somehow managed to spill the entire container as I was putting it in the fridge. Liquid everywhere in my kitchen. I spent over an hour scrubbing my floors and countertop to clean up the mess. Plus all the lost broth for future soups. I was so upset with myself last night. Accidents do happen. I hope your purse is OK after it has a chance to dry out.
Better days ahead for us I’m sure!!!
I washed the fabric lining and it’s drying out so fingers crossed.
I also had a horrible mess in my kitchen involving the pressure cooker. I was making concentrated fish stock with lots of fish offcuts and it must’ve been too full because when I went to release the pressure, boiling hot stock fountain galore!! It sprayed everywhere, the walls, cabinets, floor… I couldn’t do anything while the pressure was releasing so I could only watch the horror unfold to it’s fullest and go crazy.
Oh it was a past event btw. Not today, thank god.
Good gracious. Glad that was not today.
Oh my goodness! You said it, horror unfolding! It’s the helpless feeling you can’t do anything about it.
Hopefully tomorrow is a quiet, uneventful day.
SOTD = Regime des Fleurs Black Spruce
Woody goodness! I’m not exactly sure but spruce smells like pine to me …
In other news, I really like green peas. The frozen ones are the easiest for me. And the good news, it is good for you! Here’s a free gift article from the New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/well/eat/peas-health-benefits-recipes.html?unlocked_article_code=1.olA.TI-o.tl0wlcEik87_&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Frozen green peas make for a tasty add in to mac & cheese, FWIW.
And makes it a complete meal 🙂
Love this! I have a box of mac & cheese waiting to be used.
I’m a big frozen green pea fan myself.
Me too! I try to only buy “organic” but I may be kidding myself.
I make green peas rice often and I’d add a generous knob of butter and season with salt when it’s done.
Frozen peas, carrot and corn mix on the other hand…bane of my existence.
I have to try this!
It’s another beautiful day in the neighborhood here. I think today’s high temp was around 80 degrees F? The only fly in the ointment is an Air Quality Alert for roughly the next 24 hours, which means ozone pollution.
SOTD = still in O de Lancome. Today I have paired it with TBS British Rose Body Yogurt in the usual spots. It’s a rather harmonious matchup.
I tried the new O de Lancome body sprays. They can’t compare to the original.
I remember trying O de Lancome and one (maybe both?) of its flankers back around 2016. Didn’t care for the flanker(s).
I figure my 75mL bottle will keep me happy for a good long time.
Lancome has a rose as it’s loge, released a whole collection of rose perfumes yet never(?) made a rose scented lotion or cream. Wonder why?
*logo
I hope the beautiful weather outlasts the Air Quality warnings so you can go out and enjoy it! Or at least open all your windows and enjoy it from inside.
I saw yesterday’s reply this morning. The triplets are all good. Mr. Vee’s New Year’s resolution was to watch 300 movies this year and he is on pace to watch way more than that. The parlor panther seems to have the same resolution because he has turned into a lap cat and snuggled through almost all of those movies. The gray tortie is still more of a cat’s cat than a people cat, but she has warmed up to us a lot. And the crazy orange boi is still doing crazy orange boi things like bathtub ping pong. The stray is now a fully pampered house cat living with my in-laws. He follows my MIL around the house all 😍 for her and she is all 😍 right back telling everyone how smart, sweet, friendly, brave, handsome, well-behaved, elegant, etc, etc, etc he is. Oh, and regal. I’ve heard her describe him as regal to multiple people 😂 I am endlessly tickled by their mutual admiration society.
How is Chez Jalapeno?
Last night was quite nice, so I had the door to the deck open.
Love the phrase “parlor panther”! So good to hear that your little clowder is doing well, and that the former stray has a wonderful forever home.
Meanwhile at Chez Jalapeno, Teflon kitty is a spry senior with her 15th birthday coming up at the end of October. It took 3 months to get her to accept the oral allergy medicine she was prescribed late last year. She’s never going to be a fan of it, but at least I can get her to take it. Hopefully once the allergy meds fully kick in, she won’t keep getting recurring ear infections.
I am happily wearing bifocals since last summer. My brother recommended an excellent eye doctor that he sees, and she has worked out well for me.
I think I gave away my O de Lancôme!
😮😮😮
😮😮😮
I’m just sitting here waiting for the storms to come. I saw Wisconsin and Illinois had tornadoes. I’m really starting to dislike spring this year.
My sotd is Burberry Goddess from a sample. I’m liking it.
Oh look now I am under a tornado watch.
Hopefully it doesn’t level up to a Tornado Warning.
It did go to a warning but it’s about to expire now.
Argh! Sorry about the Tornado Warning, but glad that it’s expired.
Hope it fizzles out–looks like our tornado watch expires around 9. I’m in one of Chicago’s far north burbs, and I think being close to the lake is somewhat safer when it comes to tornadoes.
Tonight there’s a Mumford & Sons concert at Wrigley Field, and I just read they cancelled the opening acts, will open the gates at 8:30 and concert starts at 10. If I had tickets, would probably skip–I turn into a pumpkin at 9:30! 😂
I’m on the other side of the lake, and sometimes it really helps out with intensity.
Hope you all are safe, this pretty scary stuff.
Currently safe in the basement. Thanks Laila!
Stay safe lillyjo! The tornado sirens just stopped here. Larry the cat LOVES being in our ancient spidery basement, so many new places to explore.
Glad you’re safe at home. I hope it clears out soon.
We had a big blast of thunderstorms here but barely any actual rain.
Sitting here glued to the tv watching all the tornado warnings all around us. There’s one right now for parts of the city of Chicago and a severe thunderstorm warning for us. We’re ready to move all of us to the basement if need be, hopefully not.🙏. This is the second set of storms today; supposedly there have been 8 tornadoes that have touched down in this storm’s path through IL and IN.
SOTD is EA’s Blue Grass, a long-time favorite of my mom and I love it, too. It always reminds me of a wonderful trip we took through the horse country of KY and its rolling green pastures. I’ve read that her love of nature inspired the name Blue Grass, after the view of the fields from the windows of her Virginia home. Interestingly enough, Blue Grass has many notes but none that are green or grassy, so I’ve used BBW’s body products in Green Clover and Aloe to make it green and grassy.
Looks like the tornado warning for Chicago was just downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning, so I’m beginning to breathe a little easier. So are 😻😽and 😺.
Stay safe, all!🙏
Glad you are safe!
I’ve been glued to the radar too.
Good to hear that you aren’t under a Tornado Warning anymore.
All’s well that ends well. Phew! A beautiful morning here. A/C off, windows wide open, birds singing.🌞🐧🎶