The scond one I’ve tried was the Hamptons. I think it’s too similar to Creed’s Silver Mountain Water. And SMW is a gorgeous scent, I dont need a (overpriced) clone of it in my fragrance collection.

And last but not least I have tested Coney Island. In my opinion, it is nothing very special and I can barely get any chocolate or caramel note. It is nice, it is fresh, but it is not worth the high price.

Here in europe, Perfumes are much more expensive than in the United States. A big bottle of Bond No. 9 costs 200$ in the US, here it costs 200€, which are 270$!

My big problem is The Guide. It should be banned from anyone who doesn't know anything about fragrance. It's not a guide at all, it's not objective in the least. If I want to get a good feel for a fragrance I am not familar with, I'll go to the Fragrance Directory at Basenotes, which gives a really good degree of objectivitiy across a wide base of opinions.

I do think Bonds are way over-priced though. I have three, the afore mentioned Hamptons, Riverside Drive (I also love) and Eau De New York (which I like but turns sour on my skin after a few hours). I bought these at Selfridges when they decided they didn't want to stock Bond anymore and they sold them at a seriously rock bottom price!

Back from Paris I am, sadly… but thank you so much for sharing that insider information with me! of course I could not resist checking out the Dior boutique on Avenue Montaigne… it's probably worth a trip to Paris on its own. And so are those three colognes! I really love all three of them, perhaps with a slight preference towards Eau Noire, but Bois d'Argent just seems to be the most wonderful thing to wear on a hot summer day. Animale… definitely, but in a very subtle way. Fourrure… I don't know, to me, it feels more like wearing a gauzy light grey veil, but then, strangely, what comes to my mind is one of those beautiful Russian cats with dark blue-grey fur… very fascinating!

I actually had such a hard time deciding which one of the three I liked best that I ended up not buying any of them, stupidly! (but of course luckily for you since there still are all those 8 bottles left for you… well, at that point, I had already bought SL's Borneo and MKK, Lostmarc'h's Aod and Ael-Mat, Dyptique's l'Autre and Essence of John Galliano – what a shame that this one is only available as room spray, I'd wear it gladly! – and my budget was sort of strained… of course, having done some research on my own, I found a German perfume shop which seems to have some bottles on stock, but only ships to Germany, so I can take my time to make up my mind and then work my French pout on some German friend *LOL* isn't it amazing how that always works on men? even works on my hubby, every time, although he knows I'm doing it on purpose!).

So much for my trip to Paris, and now I'm back at my desk to make sure I'll have some cash ready just in case I'll decide to buy both Bois d'Argent and Eau Noire, anyway.

Well, thanks again for the tip, and à bientôt!

Jewel

Yes it was definitely meant as a compliment And you are a true “jewel” you know?! (Let that be our secret you and I, ok?)

Oh yes you won me over because I cannot resist that Beautiful oh-so French Woman Pout.

Once you are at the Dior Boutique on Avenue Montaigne, please try the 3 colognes that Hedi Slimane designed in 2004. Cologne Blanche, Bois d'Argent and Eau Noire.

I am currently liking Bois d'Argent a lot. Jeanne Dore' at auparfum.com describes it as “une fourrure animale pas facile a adopter mais qui demande a etre domptee”…Please let me know what you think or if you agree.

But it is Eau Noire that is the most raved about. It is a very “polarizing” scent either loved or hated. Definitely not for the faint at heart. I personally am still hesitant about buying it and I have been consulting with my therapist Kevin in secret

I can't wait to hear about your visit to the Dior boutique on Avenue Montaigne and say hello to the my favorite hotel nearby: Le George Cinq!

A bientot,

Eric