Kevin is on vacation (the nerve!) but do share your scent of the day, and anything else perfume-related (or not) that you want to tell us.
I’m not wearing any scent at all, but I’m burning the Francis Kurkdjian “Armenia Year” edition of Papier d’Armenie, and my house smells fabulous.
Note: image is Biscuits [cropped] by sjdunphy at flickr; some rights reserved.
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My Scent of the Day:
Coco by Coco Chanel. The fabulous Coco. I am a guy but I love this one. It is my first purchased perfume that attracted me to the perfume world.
A classic! And I think plenty of men wear it.
Coco was the first ‘classic’ fragrance I bought; and probably still my favourite – although Arpege is out there in the front as well!
That’s a surprise. I don’t know why, but I assumed you were female. Sorry. You smell great!
It’s so interesting online…I have gone sometimes for years thinking someone was one gender, only to find they’re the other. And a few people, after years of reading their comments, I still have no idea. Which I guess is as it should be!
It is fabulous! If I were forced into picking one scent to be my signature for the rest of my life, I think Coco would be it. It is so complex, elegant, and glamorous, yet cozy, comforting, and easy to wear.
Hey Lucy, same here same here. If I had to pick one perfume for the rest of my life it will be Coco by Chanel.
You read my mind
. That is the reason why I love Coco so much.
I’m also a HUGE Coco lover. It was my signature scent for many years, and I still wear it fairly regularly.
Me too, me too! And to think that I hated it at first.
Oh, a surprise poll in the middle of the week! How great!
So yesterday my Mum got her bottle of Kyoto and I got my backup bottle of Prada Amber Pour Homme. It will be my second bottle of Prada! Also got a pakcage from a perfume blogging friend.
I’m wearing Chanel 1932, so consider me being a “diva” today, (or maybe a “div” for masculine?)
Ooh, how do you like 1932, Lucas?
I received a call yesterday inviting me to attend a launch/consultation thing for it but I have to wait until the first week of March! Supposedly there will be a Chanel perfume expert to talk to and a goody bag so I’m pretty excited.
It’s my second day of smelling it and I think it’s gorgeous, sparkling aldehydes, jasmine, powdery iris. This 1932 is very glamour.
That event sounds great, have fun while being there. Sounds ultra exciting!
That sounds so good. I’m curious about all the comparisons to 31RC since that’s one of my absolute favourite perfumes (I own a big 200ml bottle) but I find that it doesn’t quite work in warm weather. Perhaps this might fill that role.
Oh and I’m planning to leave my credit cards at home so that I’m not tempted to buy there and then
Share your thoughtd with me and everyone else once you try 1932 and compare it with 31 RC.
Leaving credit cards at home sounds like a plan!
I bought a decant of 1932. To me it is a blend of 2/3 31 Rue Cambon and 1/3 28 La Pausa. I love it! 31 RC is too much for me most days and 28 LP does not last very long on my skin. Problems solved. SOTD: Patou 1000 edp. I’m longing for spring breezes.
200mL? Wow! Not too many scents that I could honestly say I would use that much of!
Peke, thank! That’s sounds gorgeous!
Marjorie, yup. They only introduced smaller sizes a couple of years ago so it was either that or a decant and I don’t really do decants. No regrets here, though. It’ll probably last me a lifetime and I figure that I won’t need to worry about re-formulations/discontinuations either which is always a worry with things especially if they are special.
Abyss, that makes sense. Did you see my nearly instantaneous about-face below? *bows head in shame!* :]
I’m trying to make up my mind about Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis. Does anyone layer this with something? I keep thinking it’s missing something.
I have found Wild Fig & Cassis to have a more well rounded scent in bath oil form than as a spray. JM makes French style oils so they turn into more of a milk bath when combined with water rather than the kind of oil that makes your tub slippery. It can also be applied directly on the skin so it is really a multipurpose product – in the bath, at the end of (or after) showering, mixed with lotion,…It really is a great product and a bottle lasts forever. The scent will be soft, but you’ll get wafts of it all day long. A big bonus is that your bath towels will smell awesome. I prefer Nectarine and Honey Blossom in bath oil too.
Lucy, you sound like you work for Jo Malone –
No, I promise I don’t. I just believe in telling everyone I can when I find a really great product that I believe in. There are so many duds out there.
I tried the Chanel the other day and I think it’s fabulous! Does anyone else think this is a somewhat lighter and more sparkling Rue Cambon? I’m not sure I need a bottle though – I’m not really a floral girl. SOTD: Ormonde Woman.
So there’s two of us who like it. Now that you mentioned it Chanel 1932 reminds me of 31 Rue Cambon, but not very much. Their drydown has a similar manner but everything else is different. 1932 is aldehydes, jasmine and iris while Rue Cambon is great patchouli and bergamot. Both are fab.
It is quite glamorous while still being transparent and light! Great work indeed.
Oh, it’s very glamorous. And I agree, quite transparent. Wonderful perfume
Rue Cambon is on my to buy list. The ingredients in 32 don’t appeal, but if I get over to the Chanel boutique in a couple of months, I’ll give it a sniff.
Rue Cambon is great. And if you have a chance do try 1932. Even if you don’t love it it’s worth giving a sniff, it’s Chanel afterall.
Hahaha, Lukasz, yes, I trust Chanel completely to please my nose.
Good Jonette, good!
Lucasi, did you drain your first bottle, or is this a different Prada? Also wondering what you think of the Intense version…
I almost drained my first bottle of Amber Pour Homme. Few more wearings and it will be empty. An occasional chance to buy a new bottle appeared so I didn’t hesitate.
I’ve got 3 Prada at the moment. Infusion d’Homme, Amber Pour Homme and Amber Pour Homme Intense. I love the latter one as well as all the others.
Yes, I love the Somalian myrrh in the intense (well I think its that note that I love – but its the mix, obviously.) It’s a wonderful oriental! All three are very nice though. I shared your disappointment in Lunar Rossi.
Intense is more sexy, more suitable for a night-time wear.
You mean Luna Rossa? It’s definitely worse than other Pradas, but still one of the best of all those sporty fragrances that appeared in 2012 before the Olympics.
Today I’m giving Fleurs d’Oranger another chance. As a huge white floral lover, I’m so surprised that I didn’t fall for it right away. The first time I tested it I hated it. It was a blazing hot day which was a mistake to mix FdO with heat/humidity. So I waited until fall to try it again. I didn’t hate it. And now today (35 degrees) I’m giving it another go and I kind of like it. So who knows, maybe someday I will love it. Maybe.
The Serge Lutens, or another one?
Yep, Serge Lutens. I love Fleurs de Citronnier but I’m not going to give up on FdO!
I’m sticking with Citronnier
I’m with Citronnier too!
OK, someone needs to stand up for FdO. I own a full bottle and I think it’s fabulous.
Oh, it’s fabulous, yes! I’m just not fabulous enough for it.
Anniky, me too! The only couple times I’ve worn it, I got crinkled noses and people diplomatically remarking that it was “very musty” but I adore it.
Neither worked that well on me, but of the two Citronnier smelled better. Then again orange blossom is not one of my favourite notes.
I love o.b. and loved FdO on paper but on me it smells like the cat peed on my clothes
Today is Diptyque Volutes, the bottle I won here a little while ago. I absolutely love it and it has become my go to cold weather scent. Most days I alternate between this and SL Daim Blonde, another favorite. I head off to Norstroms today and will snag some Chanel samples, especially that 1932 if I can. Chanel often doens’t work on my skin but I always have hope.
I do like Volutes, hope I end up with a bottle too.
I smelled Volutes EDT last week and was immediately struck by how different it was to what I briefly smelled back in August (which, I always assumed was EDP). The two formulations seem really quite separate.
It’s wonderful that you are getting so much use out of your win. I am very curious to try this one, but do not have any stores with testers near me. I’ve been wanting Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille for awhile, but it’s out of my price range. I’m hoping Volutes will fill that void.
Congrats on not just winning, but also loving and enjoying the Volutes.
Hi Lucy, have you tried Chergui? It’s less expensive than the Tom Ford and I also prefer it. The Tom Ford is linear, unrelenting and quite heavy (not that I would turn down a bottle!) My only problem with Chergui is that it doesn’t persist long enough on my skin. Other people though do not seem to have this problem – and it lasts very well on clothes.
I have not tried it yet, but it has been on my sample list. Perhaps it’s time to bump it to the top. Thanks!
I also like Chergui, but my fave tobacco of all is Tabac Aurea which is more affordable still.
Tabac Aurea has many enthusiasts but I am not one! I love several SSS scents but dislike the dryness of Tabac Aurea. It reminded me of the tobacco note in Field Notes from Paris. Another nice one is Amen Pure Havane but the tobacco note doesn’t last very long and it all turns to chocolate…
Since getting Chergui I don’t use P.H that much.
I agree, Tabac Aurea is wonderful. As are, of course, many other SSS fragrances. I had just made up my mind to order my first FB (Forest Walk) together with several travel sprays and samples, but the international shipping situation has made it almost impossible
It was a no go for the 1932, that must be an exclusive and I wasn’t paying attention. But they gave me samples of Chanel Beige and Prada Amber, also I treated myself to 2 of Clinique new Chubby eyeshadows, not perfume but still fun.
I’m giving Beige a try tonight… totally opposite the Shaal Nur I was wearing earlier today. The Beige on me is still in the Gardenia stage, though I’m hoping to sniff out the iris facet soon!
1932 is exclusive, but so is Beige. I don’t know why they would have samples of one but not the other.
I’m wearing Diptyque Eau Rose in preparation for Valentine’s Day. My enforced bed rest will be ending soon, and in celebration of both my return to health and my birthday this week, I ordered myself a bottle of Tauer’s Une Rose Vermeille. It should arrive tomorrow.
What a nice present! And happy birthday
Happy Birthday, Happy V-day, and Happy Health!
Happy, happy birthday and get all the way better asap.
Oh! It was my birthday this week and I was thinking about buying myself Une Rose Vermeille too (and my name is Elizabeth
)
Happy Birthday!! And happy health.
I’m still a bit surprised I like it so much as it’s not at all my usual style so I’ve just bought myself another sample and if I drain that I’ll definitely get it.
Ooh, health, birthday and a Tauer–wishing you so many happy returns of all of the above!
As soon as it warms up a little (I’m in SoCal and we’re expecting mid 70′s, though it’s currently about 50), I’ll be wearing Voyage d’Hermes in the parfum concentration. This is my new HG scent! I was a guest on the Monday Mail last spring, looking for something to wear in warm-to-hot weather, and everything I tried was a dud. It was sad. I tried all these citrus and orange blossom and cologne things, but they all bored me plus I discovered I don’t actually like orange blossom. I tried Voyage d’Hermes a few weeks ago at Sephora just because I like Hermes scents in general, took a sample home when I realized I liked it, fell in love, and ordered an NIB bottle from ebay. It’s been two years since I ordered an actual bottle rather than a decant… this scent AND this bottle were worth it. HG!!
it is a great warm weather scent, so why didn’t we manage to recommend it? Happy you found it anyway!
How wonderful that you found one you love!
Ooh that sounds nice–I was in an Hermes boutique yesterday and got caught up trying Jour and some Hermessences, but I spied the bottles of Voyage and Terre (and maybe a third–Kelly Caleche? I can’t recall) in pure parfum… now I think I’ll def have to make a second trip to try those, you’ve talked me into it! (Twist my arm
)
It’s such a beautiful fragrance isn’t it? I fell in love as soon as I smelt the edt and bought it on the spot, and as soon as I saw the parfum I did the same! Beautiful and refreshing and comforting all in one
Ormonde Man, each time I wear it I like it more.
Nice pick!
Le Labo Rose 31 – but now I really want to find some of that Armenian paper, that was an instant lemming
It’s lovely. More powdery & a bit sweeter than regular Papier d’Armenie. I may buy a bunch for my dresser drawers. Check ebay & Amazon, I think I saw it both places.
I was just burning some Armenian paper yesterday — so nice that you mentioned it today (now I’ll burn some more
. But I have only the regular kind (maybe $5 from eBay). Which one of M Francis Kurkdjian’s do you recommend? I see they have Aqua Universalis, APOM, and Lumiere Noire, and was wondering which one you like in Armenian paper.
I’ve been burning incense sticks regularly lately (to counteract stressed cats spraying!) The Armenia papers sound fascinating. I’d like to know more about the scents, as well.
BTW, the cat problem is being resolved (slowly) since I had a cat behaviorist here. I’m still implementing changes.
I have never burned any under his brand name, sorry, although I know he makes them. He also did 2 fragrances for the Papier d’Armenie brand — the Rose one, and this Armenia year one.
Oh dear, and just checked his prices…I will stick with Papier d’Armenie!
Thanks, Robin! I have those two but did not know that they were by Kurkdjian — nice!
Jonette, good that your cat is feeling better! If I could recommend an incense stick, it would be Matsu-No-Tomo by Shoyeido (Premium series); have you tried it? It is not extra cheap (but they have much, much more expensive kinds). I buy the big size box to save, and when I burn it my house smells good + two days later does not get that odor of old and cheep incense.
I would love to hear which one you recommend.
@Morgana, have you also tried the Nippon Kodo lines? I’ve been told they are ~almost~ as good as Shoyeido’s stuff, but I’ve never smelled either. Any other scents you recommend in this vein?
I’m glad I returned a day later to look again at the replies. Morgana and Elle, thank you for your suggestions. I’ll have to google these. I’ve been trying different brands of patchouli (I am a fervent patchouli lover). It’s remarkable how they all can smell different from each other.
I splurged on MFK’s APOM paper last spring and it was perfect! Fresh orange blossom and cedar. I loved it so much I bought a fb of the perfume and it’s one of my top 10 for spring/summer.
the fragrance reminded me of APOM
A couple of weeks ago I was indulging on some orange blossom pashmak (Persian fairy floss/cotton candy) and it was like eating perfumed silk strands, in the nicest possible way!
Elle Golbane,
I did try some of Nippon Kodo as my local Japanese ceramics store (which recently closed down) was selling them. I wasn’t impressed (but it could simply be that I didn’t try their best varieties). I also tried bunch of Shoyeido’s that were not that impressive. The problem is that once I smelled the Premium, there was no way back. Luckily, Matsu-no-tomo is affordable. If you don’t know them, I would recommend trying the Premium sampler — at least you can give yourself a chance to smell the divine stuff (even though the sticks in the sampler are way too short). When I become rich, I’ll burn Go-un (the cheapest of the sticks with kyara but nonetheless fabulous). Baieido should also have excellent stuff, but I haven’t tried it.
perthgirl,
Now you made me super curious … Luckyscent should sell samples of MFK’s paper.
Today is a Dzing day for me. It’s very cold, crisp and sunny outside, so I want a little animal to curl up next to my ear and whisper sweet cotton-candy nothings to me.
Aw!
I assume that’s your interpretation of the scent. I have to bear with a real-life close up rendition of siamese cat opera.
Ha I know what you mean. I love it but it doesn’t whisper to me either! More like the lion’s roar (…or lion tamer’s??
)
Sorry, yes! My interpretation. I seem to fall into the camp that finds Dzing cozy and well-behaved (my friends think it smells like a spice cabinet on me, so I must not activate the elephant poop parts of it). I think I would like to SEE a siamese cat opera, but certainly not smell of it!
I am wearing Prada Infusion d`Iris today.
One of my favorites
It is just gorgeous. The one I consider my signature scent.
Me too, it had been a while since I last wore it, but I still find it really lovely!
Me too! It’s still up there in my top five.
On my favourite list too. And one of the few I still can enjoy while I`m pregnant. It is beautiful, comforting and classy.
I put it on because I woke up with an awful headache. Only a few perfumes are allowed then. Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert , the Prada and any citrusy cologne.
So I can see why it would work well being pregnant.
I hope you are feeling better now, Austenfan.
Hmm, couple of people wearing rose today. Think I’ll follow suit and break out SL Majeste de la Rose. I don’t know why this one doesn’t get more attention, it’s one of the best soliflores ever (IMHO).
Perhaps Serge Lutens rose fans can be divided into two categories: those who love Sa Majesté la Rose and those who love Rose de Nuit. I much prefer the former: totally in my Top 5 Roses. Perhaps I’ll wear some tomorrow for Valentine’s Day.
Many people say that Rose de Nuit is darker and more complex. I had a dab sample of Rose de Nuit and simply couldn’t make it out as an especially rosy fragrance in the first place. Sa Majeste la Rose is ‘bright’, pretty and positive. These characteristics would usually put me off – lucky its exquisite as well!
Since it’s winter, all the SLs are in heavy rotation, so this morning first thing I put on some Un Bois Vanille, a few hours later I felt like Jeux de Peau, and now post-shower it’s Douce Amere. There may be a progression here (gradually decreasing sweetness?) but it was unplanned: mostly it’s just, “Hey, that would be perfect right now.”
A Serge day, nice! I miss Douce Amere, haven’t worn it in ages. Hope my bottle is not spoiled, now I’m afraid to look.
Your post reminded me that I forgot to put anything on in the morning rush. Have now rummaged through my bag in search for samples and am wearing Chant d’Aromes. What I would actually like to wear, however, is Un Matin d’Orage – it arrived recently at our local Goutal counter and since that I have visited every other day to spritz myself. I will probably be detained soon by the department store security because of my suspicious behaviour.
Your candle sounds heavenly!
So sorry to be an idiot – I was thinking “what an interesting alternative to a candle!” only to compliment you on your candle… Well, it is quite late here already and I’m still working, so I’ll use that as an excuse.
LOL — no worries! I have sort of gone off candles lately. They’re so expensive & I often end up disappointed. Incense & burning papers are cheaper, so if I don’t end up liking them, I’m not so mad.
I am also wearing Le Labo Rose 31 today. I’ve been wearing Chanel 1932 every day for the past 5-6 days (ever since the bottle arrived at my door). I hadn’t bought any perfume at all since November (including samples) and purchased a full bottle of 1932 unsniffed (which isn’t like me but I just felt I would love it and I do).
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
So glad it worked out!
Today I dug Fresh Cannabis Santal out of the back of my perfume cabinet. Sweet, chocolatey woods with some plum. No pot, though!The name isn’t really accurate.
I didn’t get pot from it either, or not much anyway.
SOTD is Olfactive Studio Lumiere Blanche. I was feeling quite indecisive today so settled on this because it’s quite an easy one to wear.
Looking forward to trying the new Lutens. I wasn’t that excited about it but Victoria’s review mentioned my beloved Bois de Violette so now I’m a little more hopeful.
Oh, must go read that review!
3/4 of a vial of La Chasse Aux Papillons. Did the “oh no oh no” juggle and spilled the contents everywhere.
Well, I can think of worse fragrances to permeate your house for months. At least it’s somewhat light. About 40 years ago my aunt had a bottle of Estée Lauder Private Collection break in her clutch purse while she was out to dinner at a very fancy restaurant. I’m surprised they didn’t ask her to leave.
I forgot to add that I am very sorry you lost your sample though.
When I first smelled EL Private Collection, I thought it was vile. One day I got a waft of the most beautiful floral bouquet coming from the SA at the EL counter. Upon inquiring as to what it was, the answer came: EL PC! It was drop dead gorgeous on her. Just shows ya it so depends on the wearer!
I think that happens a lot with the classic ELs. PC, Youthdew, Cinnabar,…they all gave me headaches the first time I tried them. Once my perfume palette was more advanced and I could identify notes I found them all to be exceptional in their own way. Come to think of it, Mitsouko was like that too. IMHO that kind of complexity is what makes old(er) formulas so special. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to!
Ahh, that’s the worst feeling!! Are you liking the scent at least?
My nose is still seriously compromised by this darn head cold, so no SOTD for me. Nice to live vicariously thorough the rest of you, though (especially those who’ve been lucky enough to snag some Chanel 1932).
I find the herbal/aromatic Lush perfumes to be quite soothing when I have allergies, sinus etc. Ginger, for instance is sharp enough to be smelled and also seems to help my symptoms. Recently Rappleyea recommended a mix of chamomile lavender and tea-tree essential oils. I have acquired the lavender oil and been adding it to scentless body cream. This also helps a little.
Glad it’s helped!
Yes. And I used to detest the smell of lavender and now I really like it!
I did want to ask you which camomile is best to use. The shop I went to had something called blue camomile and just plain camomile. Both were from France, but the ‘just plain’ camomile was about three times the price of the ‘blue’ one and four times the price of the lavender. I left a bit confused.
The “plain” or Roman chamomile is the one you want. I love blue chamomile for other applications, but Roman chamomile is more anti-inflammatory.
Ok, thank you so much for the advice!
Ooh, that sounds very appealing — thanks for the tip. I know there are plenty o’ reputable places to buy essential oils where I live, so I will definitely check this out.
Emily – I hope you feel better soon! You’ve got a package flying toward you as we speak!
Thanks, Rapple! I haven’t even had the energy to go to the post office, but I *have* to go out tomorrow for a doc appointment, so I will mail your package then. Apologies for the delay!
No problem at all Emily. I’m in absolutely no hurry. Just feel better.
My advice to Merlin was a blend of tea tree oil, lavender oil and chamomile oil and then to rub the straight essential oil blend (not diluted in a carrier oil) over sinus passages several times a day. I have uber-sensitive skin and have never had a problem with this blend. Generally oils are not used undiluted though. It really depends on the oils.
I hear ya with the head cold! I have been stuffed up like a pug for the best part of two weeks now, and I cannot smell a thing. No tastebuds either. It’s really miserable. Feel like I ‘m living in black-and-white instead of colour. I have a little pile of luckyscent samples waiting for me to crack ‘em open once I finally come to my senses again.
SOTD is Mandorlo di Sicilia by Acqua di Parma. I just needed that powdery/creamy almond today.
I’ve not been able to smell that one, but I do love some of the AdP line. Is it a very foody scent (in my mind, I imagine an overly sugared almond fizzy soda, which I hope is not the case). What does it smell like on you?
SOTD: Seville a l’Aube. I like it more each time I spritz it. Soon I will have finished the sample vial and will have to spring for either a FB or another sample (limited fume dollars just now…).
wearing Donna Karan Chaos
I find the new Marni has definitely borrowed here a lot, does anybody think the same?
I am not familiar with either, but I am dying to try the Marni. Hope to get to SFA in the near future to do just that.
If this is true then I need to run to Saks and get a bottle.
Ooh! Have not smelled Chaos yet, makes me want to try it. Is it by chance a version of Marni sans incense? That would be ideal, to me…
Chaos is brilliant, classy, cedar heaven – though I have the original formulation and don’t know if the modern reissue is different. The original bottle is so wild, too. I can’t say the name relates to the juice in any way, though. I find Chaos to be Calming.
That sounds pretty great–thank you for the details! Adding to list to hunt down
SOTD is CSP Vanille Mokha. I’ve had a cold for about a week, so my sniffer isn’t quite back, but wanted something cozy. Yum – chocolately coffee! Also, the morning temps here in SD have been quite chilly – just 40 when I woke up this AM so something sweet seemed like just the thing.
The CSP scents are definitely good comfort scents!
Today i am wearing Mark Birley Charles Street. I feel like it is almost time to put away the cold weather scents. Winter was much too tame for me this year.
SOTD is Diptyque Olene, because I just received it in the mail yesterday. It was a partially blind buy – I tried it one time a few years ago and couldn’t remember any details except really liking it. When I found a bottle for 50% off online I just had to have it. The opening is gorgeous and I am in love with the honeysuckle, but after that all it seems to want to do is remind me that there’s “JASMINE!” in there. It’s pretty, I like it, and I got it at a great price…I’m just not sure I really needed it when I already own Diorissimo. Oh well. Spring is right around the corner and I should get some mileage out of it then.
Tuscany Per Donna by EL. One of my all time faves. Hope they don’t ever discontinue. Now I want to try that Chanel 1932..but there are no Chanel boutiques anywhere near me and I don’t do blind buys, lol. You think if I called a C. boutique, they would be generous and mail me a sample? Doesn’t hurt to try, right? lol. Just hope I don’t get someone really snooty, ya know?
Love this…really, really pretty. You surely smell amazing today Omega!
Well, thank you!!!:)
Such a shame that this one doesn’t seem to get a lot of love. It’s always been one of my favorites from Lauder.
Today, I took Carnal Flower body butter out for a drive. Thick and so richly scented that a spritz of the actual fragrance wasn’t necessary. I cringe when I think of what I paid for it but damn it, I just HAD to have it.
…and you’re worth it!
You gotta do what you gotta do! I am sure if I liked tuberose, I would love CN…but I don’t so, more for you!:).
Jealous!! So jealous!
I tried Dior Miss Cherie le Parfum for the first time today and I’m very pleasantly surprised! I think it’s simply lovely.
SOTD is the new SSS Cocoa/Sandalwood natural. It’s snowing/raining/sleeting here so this is perfect. I think is a gorgeous scent, and much drier and less foody than one would think from the notes.
Happy Valentine’s Day all!
Thanks for reminding me – I need to get a sample of that one, and a few others!
Doing my part to enable.
Oh, I envy you so. As I complained elsewhere, I am quite lost now that international shipping from US has become so difficult. I need to write to Laurie and see if there is a way to get her stuff all the way to Estonia, but have not wanted to bother her at the moment (from the blog it looks like she still needs rest).
One of her posts on the subject (on her blog) talked about using a delivery service. Either go to her blog or email her and I’m sure she’ll give you the information. I hate it that you can’t easily get her wonderful perfumes!
Actually I’m in the same boat as you. What I have done is e-mailed Laurie to ask if she is able to post samples to South Africa. In the last while I have established that sending bottles is not possible for the moment. But, I have a brother who lives in England and who will be visiting the US in April; so I can have bottles sent to him. And again its not simple because he will then be returning to England. My mother though will be going to England in July so she can collect from him. So, the whole thing would take lots of planning, but I can probably have a bottle by August or so!
It might be that its not impossible to send bottles overseas, just very expensive… For me its the same thing at the moment! I didn’t know Laurie had a blog? What is it called?
Merlin, you are correct – she can send bottles with UPS for example, it’s just insanely expensive (something like 150$). Laurie is looking at different options and promised to report back on her blog. When you go to SSS web site, the menu options are at the very top (Home/Fragrance/Samples etc) and Blog is the last one on the right. Enjoy the reading! And I’m sure we both get our bottles somehow:)
I must do a SSS sample order. I’ve been thinking about this one since it was announced here.
I have to say that I’m shocked at how much I love a chocolate scent! Do try it.
SOTD: Versilia Aurum. Nasty snowstorm here today, so I needed this soft amber to warm me up. Right now after a bath I’m gonna spritz Cinnabar.
I’m on holiday, and visited a lavender farm yesterday evening here on Maui. I’m wearing Tauer’s Reverie au Jardin today, as I was craving that herbal lavender scent. It’s lovely, contemplative, but I want something more straight herbal (other than the Caldey Island)….anyone have recs to explore once I get home? Right now I just have a handful of samples. So glad the Tauer was was in my random mix of trip samples! Aloha
Hi! Let me know if you’d like to visit a Vetiver farm on Oahu. Email me at vetiversystems@gmail.com or hiteashop@yahoo.com. I’m glad you got to visit Kula Lavender or Ali’i Lavender. What a fragrant experience surrounded by lovely people!! Aloha, Mary
Oh, that would be wonderful. I love vetiver, and would be fascinated to see how it is cultivated. It may have to be on my next visit, but I’ll email you
Be well.
Have you tried the new Cartier? I think it’s called L’Heure Vertreuse–it’s a blast of verdant herbalism
Thanks, that is a great thought. Musette on the ‘Posse reviewed it recently, but I’ve not yet found it in person. I will. Good idea! Be well
Antiheros by ELdO is almost all lavender, and A Taste of Heaven by Kilian if you’ve yet to try it isn’t bracingly fresh and herbal, more lavender and vanilla, but is definitely lavender and cool enough to be one of my favourite summer frags
I’ve tried several ELdO scents, but never Antiheros. Will check it out. I know I have a sample of BK’s A Taste of Heaven somewhere at home, and I will retest. At the time, I was so enamored with Straight to Heaven, I think I gave it short shrift. Thanks for the suggestions!
Oh this is a nice surprise! I’m wearing my little sample of FM Iris Poudre. I’ve been in the mood for all my ultra-feminine fragrances this week (likely due to Valentine’s Day)! It is quite beautiful… but I (er… my wallet) really hope the drydown makes me not want a full bottle!
Guerlain L’Instant Magic over Roger & Gallet Huile Sublime Bois D’Orange, both wear close to the skin.
Passed by Sephora on the way home and sprayed the new Lacoste on wrists. Will be glad to scrub it off in a minute.
L de Lolita Lempicka today.
It’s evening now so time to change over. SOTD was Ava Luxe Nr. 23, which is really nice. Bedtime scent will be Amouage Opus V. I have a small sample spray which I got when I did a big perfume purchase a year ago. I have fallen madly, deeply in love with it. The teeniest bit is all that is needed, as this is super potent and would otherwise overwhelm. It lasts about ten hours and is divine. This sample is lasting forever and I may just purchase a sample when I run out of it, as a full bottle would never even reach the halfway mark. Wish me pleasant dreams!
SOTD is the last of my Elixir des Merveilles sample. Luckily a very nice perfume fairy is sending me some more.
Also expecting some DSH samples I ordered. I had hoped they would arrive in time to be a Valentine’s treat to myself, but they may be a little late for that. I haven’t tried any DSH perfumes yet, so I’m excited to finally get to try some. I got Cimabue, Pandora, Dirty Rose, Cardamom & Kyphi, Mahjoun (sp?), and Lautrec.
It’s valentines day morning here, not that I’m a real valentines day sort of person, but I thought I’d enter into the spirit of things and wear something with rose. I’ve gone with my sample of Costes. I was hoping to get lots of spices and wood with a smidge of rose but so far on my skin it is all musky-rosey-expensive soap…
Today I wore Iris Silver Mist. It is the first fragrance I have ever worn that has made me feel like I am in paradise. As people have said it is ‘cold’. To me though, it is the kind of coolness one feels when one has totally overheated, when one is hot and feverish – it is a delicious coolness, deep sweet and earthy in a totally other-worldy way.
All this glory and alas – it hardly lasts on me at all. The first blast is terrific; but then it seems as though I have to put my nose right to my skin to smell it. Its worth putting my nose to my skin – but still! I am comparing it now to Infusion d’ Iris which I love, and although it is a far deeper, and a much more lovely smell, IdI seems to have better projection…
With Iris Silver Mist, I never got over the strong carrot note. I know, I know, orris is a root and so is a carrot, but I felt like a crudite platter when I sampled it.
True Confessions: I love carrots: and no, I don’t have any Bugs Bunny in my DNA! So its not that I want to smell like a carrot, just that the scent of carrots makes me happy, so I like it in my vicinity – which amounts to the same thing, I guess…
Wearing Laurence Dumont Vanille Gingembre today. This one is a little lighter and more effervescent than my other Dumont fave, Tendre Madeleine.
Jill, you brought something new to my radar. That’s a house I’ve never explored! In all these years of perfumania, I continue to find new perfumers and entire perfume houses to sniff. I’ll have to do some sleuthing and see if I find this line locally or online. Be well.
Would love to hear what you think if you check them out! The scents are more cozy and suited to the winter months, for the most part, IMO.
SOTD = FM L’Eau d’ Hiver
Yum!
I need to try that Malle I think..though, hope it’s not too musky. Any fume with the word, ‘hiver’ I want to try!
Oh, I think it’s more soft floral/heliotrope than musk. I suppose there’s a sort of crispness that could be interpreted as “clean,” but to me it has none of the objectionable dryer-sheet accord I associate with musks.
Today I am wearing one of my favorites…Chaos by Donna Karan.
SOTD is FM Lipstick Rose. I’ve been in sort of a rosey mood all week.
Yay! The *other* Malle I own (other than L’eau d’hiver, mentioned above). Lipstick Rose is such a perky scent!
Isn’t LR lovely? I own and adore L’eau d’Hiver, too.
You clearly have very good taste!
The feeling is mutual, of course.
Ormonde Jayne Champaca is SOTD. Just needed something easy and appealing (dare I say comforting?) Sample’s going fast, think I’m running out of excuses not to buy a full bottle.
Unless I need to order a pure parfum sample first, to be sure I’m making an informed choice?
I heart Champaca and Ta’if and desperately want a bottle of each!
Oh really! Did you see that they’ve been giving away a 17.5ml of Ta’if pure parfum with orders over $200/100£, ending today? Sorta crazy, ounce for ounce that’s like a $100 free gift! Ta’if doesn’t work for me but it struck me that there must be people for whom this is the ideal time to take the plunge! Maybe you?
PS, not affiliated–if only!
I did receive an email from OJ, and believe me, I was so tempted to pull the trigger! I’m amazed by my own restraint, frankly.
Thanks for your comments
. Maybe Coco is a classic perfume but forme it is an ageless, out of time smell. Every oriental perfume I smell, I always compare it to Coco and then ask myself if I need it. You know what it is, I wished that Chanel made new ads for Coco. Why only Chanel no. 5 and Coco Mademoiselle??
I use both male and female perfumes, because for me every perfume I have tells a story or when I sniff it takes me to a different space, time or era. I don’t like sweet smells. For example Coco Mademoiselle is really a scent for woman, but No.19, Cinnabar, Youth Dew, Fracas, Opium are imo a scent of their own standing. A funny thing is, when I use these perfumes everyone asks me what the name is. And when they realize that it is sold at the woman part of Douglas, they are suprised. And they understand more that some perfume have their own life.
I absolutely agree, the gendering of perfume is fairly ridiculous (though admittedly, I have a hard time imagining a woman carrying off YSL Kouros, for example…). It’s such a pleasure when men dare to wear “women’s” fragrances and know what they like. I will have to reconsider Coco again.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Yes please reconsider Coco again. But the eau de parfum version. And when you go to a store, ask the SA to spray it on your wrist, wait for 5 seconds, close your eyes and smell it.
What I get from Coco is the smell of a being in a room decorated in rococo style, golden chandeliers, furniture with golden and black velvet embroidery. Large mirrors on the wall that capture the light of the golden chandeliers. The curtains are long, to the ground and are heavy curtains made from black and red brocade. On the floor you have a big persian carpet and the walls are painted in silvery shimmering paint.
I don´t know why I get those imagination from some perfumes. I can write a whole page just about one perfume
.
When it comes to gender in perfume, it is just that there are some really good perfumes sold only for woman that I think I love it too, why not use it? There are also wonderful perfumes for man that I use too (Like Fahrenheit, Pour Monsieur, Equipage, Antaeus, Habit Rouge, Vetiver, Obsession, Egoiste, Rocabar and so on). But there is no perfume for men like Youth Dew. Should I not use it, because some SA saids that it is for a woman?? I told her that I use it myself, she was suprised
.
I can’t stand sweet, fruity perfumes. If I want to smell strawberry, I will buy the real fruit. Or sugary perfumes for woman. Those perfumes are really for woman. But the classics, are genderless imo
I’ve almost had fist fights with sales people at Douglas when I’ve tried to buy “men’s” fragrances for myself. (I almost never shop there because they tend to only carry new releases and only the staff at the shop in the P.C. Hoofdstraat are knowledgeable, and that shop tends to carry a much better selection, including classics).
I’m with you on the sugary, sweet fruit scents. However, I love Lalique Amethyst, which is berries (but more musky than sweet. I am also haunted by memories of Diorama, which I wore in the sixties. It had a note that somehow vaguely brought strawberries to mind. When Samsara first came out, I thought it slightly reminded me of Diorama, but not enough to buy it. Perhaps it has been since reformulated, or my sense of smell has changed. I tried a tester of it a year ago, and it didn’t smell anything like I remembered. I ordered a sample of vintage Diorama from one of the online perfume decant suppliers, but I think it was ruined. It was quite awful.
Oops! I hit send too soon. Does anyone know of a fragrance that might resemble the Diorama from the early sixties?
I don’t get the gender labels for perfume either. It makes as much sense to me as saying that women should drink white wine and men should drink red. I say wear what you like regardless of its packaging and place in the store.
When I first smelled Coco, it didn’t seem like an ‘older’ perfume at all. Even when I bought it – I felt like it could have been a new release. More recently though I think I am beginning to notice the structural differences – like it has more of a definite skeleton than more modern perfumes. Not sure I can explain what I mean though!
No actual scent of the day, but the Cinema that I sampled yesterday is still going strong 27 hours later
Feeling bored about the usual, I put on a few drops of Timbuktu this morning. It is beautiful, but I haven’t necessarily liked it too much on myself. To avoid possible unhappiness, I suppose, I put a little ELDO Eloge du Traitre on the other wrist. Now they are answering each other in a pleasing way, different takes on wood and smoke. Not unhappy at all. BTW, check yesterday’s NYTimes for Frank Bruni’s column. It’s about fictitious fragrances for politicians. I think Frank is a perfume fan.
SOTD was Ambre Nuit. Haven’t picked a SOTE yet.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
SoTD is Creed’s Fleurs Bulgarie. It’s not about the roses at all in my book, it’s the ambergris drydown that draws me.
Oh Papier d’Armenie, I love the stuff. My French host mother used to burn it in the kitchen while doing the dishes, it brings back the best memories of delicious but simple meals en famille. How wonderful your home must smell…
I woke up this morning still smelling the snuggly warmth of the patchouli in Tauer’s Dark Passage that I’d put on before bed last night. I knew I had to go to an event where many serious people in dark suits would be in attendance, so I layered Ferragamo’s Signorina on top of that for a more demure profile. Signorina is “pretty” (and conventional) enough, but it can’t hold a candle to Tauer’s scent. I was delighted to still smell the patchouli on me when I came home, while Signorina had faded away long ago! Both were a windfall from Robin from a December giveaway.
Scent of the Day is DS & Durga/ Anthropologie Exclusice Lady GreyStock, which I acquired from the clearance area at a bizarrely low price. Usually low priced perfumes last fifteen minutes on me, but this has real lasting power and smells lovely.
By the way, did anyone else notice the Wall Street Journal article on the sense of smell today. Among tidbits therein,
1. Smell diminishes as one ages, although one can preserve and exercise it, by sniffing various testers. (They recommend little baggies of cinnimon, carrots etc. I recommend trips to your local perfume shop, or department store with best fragrance counter).
2. Perfumers recommend smelling coffee in three small sniffs to clear the “palate”
3. As people age and/or the sense of smell diminishes, roses (along with garlic and onions) remain the items which people can still smell.
Perhaps this explains the awful stereotype of “old lady perfumes” and over cologned gents; the folks lose their ability to detect their fragrance so they over apply, it would also explain why rose is sometimes considered an “old lady” note.
Still does not explain why youngest customers like Beiber scents.
The Wall Street Journal recommends marketers introduce new stronger scents to market to older customers.
(Yeah, because that’s what the senior really wants, to scrub floors with a new tropical scented detergent).
Interesting, Dilana.
You know, I never have found that coffee trick to be of much use, myself. Seems like once I’m fatigued, I just need to stop sniffing for a while. (And how long I seem to have the focus for sniffing seems to vary a fair amount from day to day.)
Wearing Bois des Iles today. I’ve just about drained my 15mL decant, and I’m considering diving in to buy a bottle. However, I don’t think I have an option to buy it locally!
And online, the only thing I can find is direct from Chanel–with two sizes, 2.5 oz. or 6.0 oz! After commenting above that I can’t imagine buying 6 oz. of any scent, there’s a hypocritical voice in my head saying, “go for it, what the heck? It’s only $100 more, and I can get 3x as much!”
Feel free to talk me off of this cliff (unlike Poodle and her Malle enabling)!
Over here in Aus I have no option to buy online, so when our Chanel boutique opened I was so excited as I wanted BdI parfum and either 31RC or CdR in the smaller size edt. Or Sycomore. Or Coromandel :-/ Then I found that there are not and will not be parfum in stock, nor the smaller size bottle. And the 200ml? $300! What!? When I mentioned that I’d never get through that much the sa suggested I use it as a room spray…. needless to say I left empty-handed, dejected and slightly astounded. Not worked out plan b yet.
Wow! I guess I shouldn’t complain about options, huh?!
I don’t really understand the whole only-offer-a-huge-bottle sales strategy. I know they’re probably trying to encourage folks to consider them signature scents, and who knows, maybe that’s a really big portion of the population of individual purchasers. However, I’d bet as a sales niche, we fragrance collector-types have got to make a significant dent in overall sales dollars (or equivalent currency!). Why not offer smaller sizes? Not even the more typical 50mL and 100mL? It just seems like playing “luxury” games.
I feel your pain. I’m in Australia too. I buy large decants from Surrender to Chance or The Perfumed Court. Often they sell the EDTs in 15 or even 30 ml sizes.
Room spray indeed! Pshaw!
STC and TPC are absolute lifesavers- I don’t know how I’d even remotely be able to try all the fragrances I have without them! So I do have 5ml decants of all exclusifs except 1932, but I’d so love one of those lovely Chanel bottles to call my own!
And I just checked. US$ 210 for the big one and only $110 for the 75ml size. Feeling justifiably ripped off :-/ lol
Yup! It’s awful isn’t it! And STC has just had to put up its international shipping prices.
There are delivery services in the US – an address you can have something shipped to, and they forward it on – but I’ve never gone down that path. Sounds expensive.
Ah, here you are! Chanel *are* playing the luxury game with these and there is something very indulgent about spraying from those insane 200ml bottles.
I am probably the wrong person to offer advice since I own a 200ml of 31 RC, 75ml of Sycomore and half an ounce of CdR parfum so there’s clearly no consistency in my choices but I would say that, while bigger bottles do give you more mls/$, you could put those extra 100 bucks towards something else (like, y’know, that thing we won’t mention).
Have you tried it in parfum? That’s what I would be buying personally but that’s only because BdÎ EDT is very fleeting on me and parfum is only marginally more expensive than the smaller bottle of EDT.
Hiding in the bottom of the thread!
I haven’t tried the parfum. I know what you mean about BdI being fleeting. I am finding it better in this cooler season, though. Actually, I haven’t tried ANY scents in parfum (please don’t take my perfumista membership card!). I suppose I could sample that first . . .
Sooooo…much as I understand that the Costco logic of “economize by paying more for far more of something than you could ever use” should never be applied to perfume (and for that matter, is probably best avoided in nearly all things!), there is part of me that’s def sucked in by the “but the last 130ml is so cheap [comparatively]!” And if you’ve emptied a decant… Do you swap much? Maybe it’s potential swap currency?
But Abyss is totally right that $100 is a third of that thing we’re not mentioning. You should probs just get the 2.5oz and the unmentionable treat right now.
Thank you, that’s very helpful!
Now I have a rationale for buying a lifetime supply of BdI AND something it would be best not to mention! (Or even allude to!)
Since you have asked for it, let me put on my best dis-enabling voice: why not get another decant and wait until someone you know goes overseas. At worst – no one goes – and you have just delayed the decision (and have even better grounds for knowing whether a large bottle is worth it). In South Africa the smaller bottles are available so any time anyone is going anywhere, just do some research!
You know, that’s definitely crossed my mind. I don’t know anyone going o/seas who’d willingly be by perfume mule, so it’d just have to be ME who goes
$1800 in airfare to Paris is worth seeing Paris alone, but then there’s aaaalllll those perfumes non-existant here. Chanels, Dior exclusives, most Guerlains, Uncle Serge’s non-export, the list goes on. Then I think maybe customs won’t let me fly them back in! (I am going to Turkey in May does anyone know if they’re there?) 
I say buy it and split it! The per ml price on a big bottle is great and I’m sure you’d get plenty of takers!
SOTD is Profumi del Forte ‘Roma Imperiale’. I discovered this brand recently with some Luckyscent samples and I really like them! My fb of RI arrived in the mail yesterday (found a bottle really cheap!) and I’ve been immersed in a cloud of it ever since
(notes are:
Neroli, Rosewood, Coriander, Tomato leaf, Cinnamon, Orchid, Iris, African Seringa Flower, Oak moss, Vanilla, Sandalwood. To me it’s kind of herbal and crisp and slightly sweet. Delicious) I also really really want a fb of By Night, White too :-/ The packaging too is beautiful and hand crafted, and their perfume good quality. It’s so nice finding new loves
Oooohh…I would try anything with tomato leaf in it. This sounds nice.
Wore the last of my sample of Guerlain Songe d’Un Bois d’Ete. All three of the Les Deserts d’Orient are big decant if not FB worthy for me. I wish they would add these to the regular line.
SOTD = SSS To Dream
A surprise purchase (ummm, I guess I really should say impulse purchase) for myself today – Comme des Garcons Incence Kyoto Series 3 – Oh my!
Hajusuuri, my Mum has just bought Kyoto too!
I bathed in Bulgari Omnia today – the original brown one. Such a perfect comfort (as in I wanna be comfortable and not think about my perfume) scent for a unseasonably cool summer’s day. Also, yesterday I rocked quite a bit of Paris, and I needed an olfactory rest! I feel like Omnia doesn’t get the love it deserves – creamy, easy-breezy and never too much.
I love Omnia too! It is really nice layered with Dior Homme.
Oooh, I can imagine! I suddenly feel like I should also try it layered with L’Instant pour Homme…
Like This by Etat Libre d’Orange for my lazy winter Thursday.
SOTD – Voleur de Roses for Valentine’s Day ironically it has nothing to do with roses… Happy love day to all!
The chest cold turned into full blown pneumonia. It started last week, I haven’t been able to smell or taste in a week. So I sprayed Bois de Violette by Lutens. I wanted it so bad but like many orders from Luckyscent they got lost. The bank settled and I get my frags other places. I’ve just met the me version of the year 28. I love her, I’m turning her on to perfume. Good perfume. I have something that I hate and wAnt to get rid of it. It says: ORMOND JAYNE
ISFARKAND, eau de parfum. Also London perfumery is written on it. I ordered it from their website and I used to hear everybody oooooh and awe, did I get the wrong bottle? Anyone want to buy or trade? I hate it.
I am wearing Ambre Gris and loving it, loving this little dry hay note in the middle of thighs sweetness
Lol meant this sweetness