Do tell us your fragrance of the day, and whether or not you've added to your fragrance collection this week?
My two week vacation is winding down. I have worn a bit of Bronze Goddess body cream most evenings, but have mostly gone scent-free during the day.
Reminder: tomorrow, the 25th, wear something by Hermès OR something by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2014, where I'll try to always have the next six or seven weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: image is The Colorful Rambling Rose, Cape Cod's Flower via Boston Public Library at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m wearing Dune–inspired by seeing so many people mention it here lately.
And no additions this week, but last week I received DSH Scent of Hope and am looking forward to spending more time with it.
Ah, I want to try that one too!
Wow, I’m first? This pretty much never happens. 😀 Anyway, since Angela reviewed it yesterday, I’m wearing Elizabeth Taylor Passion (from an old mini I found in an antique shop). I’m an olfactory Throwback Thursday. 😀
And it still didn’t..lol
Some day…
A girl can dream, right? ;P
🙂
They’re quick aren’t they! Lol
Enjoying some Osmanthus Interdite.
How do you feel about your fragrance break, Robin? Do you miss it or is it nice to have a bit of a break, considering how many scents you have to review and consider on a daily basis?
I like having a break, and don’t generally bring much perfume on vacations. Plus, do not like having fragrance on at the beach anyway.
You smell great though!
Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your vacation!
I’m wearing Prada Infusion d’Iris, something reliable after a few days of not terribly inspiring testing. And as a matter of fact, yes! 10ML of Lys Mediteranee came in the mail yesterday.
Nice, congrats on your LM!
Thanks! I had sprayed on the very very end of my sample, feeling tempted anway, and then my sweetheart walked by and said “You smell good, that one’s my favorite.”
🙂
Let’s see, tomorrow will be 84 degrees F in New York- too hot for Ambre Narguile. Maybe I’ll go with Bois Farine. Wish I owned some Osmanthus Yunnan!
Today I’m puzzling over the new Chandler Burr Untitled fragrance announced last night. Here’s the most revealing part of the description:
Before its launch it was either laughed at (there was simply no way people would want to smell like this any more than people would want to smell like makeup) or despised because this was–it was felt–an affront to the art, a stylistic degradation of it by the application of a shockingly inappropriate aesthetic.
My first guess was Secretions Magnifique (“no way people would want to smell like this”, “shockingly inappropriate aesthetic”), but it’s quite cheap ($20 for 15 ml), which suggests a mainstream perfume. Anyone have any guesses?
I thought it looked like all that wild language was about the mystery fragrance’s “progenitor” — and the actual episode is a 21st century reinterpretation. It’s hard to tell, though, with the secrecy. I thought maybe the progenitor is Chanel No. 5, the school is modernism, and the offspring, the episode, is Eau Premiere, although I’m not sure Chanel would allow the repackaging.
We were thinking the same thing at the same time!
Great minds! I’m interested in buying one at some point, but if it’s Eau Premiere I already have it and if it’s an Angel baby I probably don’t want it.
Or a spawn of Angel…
Oh, this is a great guess.
Angel IS a good guess.
Do we have to wait for someone to buy it to let us know?…
Yeah, watch the comments at Luckyscent I assume? Didn’t pay attention last time so don’t really know where people are talking about it.
Oh, but just went to read the whole description, & so withdraw the Angel guess. Had to be something earlier than that.
I thought of Angel too but he did make it sound like the progenitor was an early perfume. His trying to liken every perfume to a movement in the visual arts gets kind of grating.
I understand why he’s doing it (he wants us to equate perfume w/ other art forms) but admit that a) I don’t care if perfume is an art form and b) don’t get all that curious about the Untitled series.
But surely that wouldn’t be laughed at? It sounds like something that we wouldn’t want to wear..
ELdO or even Demeter?
It said the progenitor was laughed at before its release but that it “was in fact was the first great work of scent in one of the most important schools of art in the 20th century.” Then the actual episode is an update or flanker.
No kidding about the secrecy. I would go so far as to say “intentional obscurifying”. God bless Chandler Burr, but I have no idea what he’s talking about half the time.
I know! For all the project is supposed to be about stripping away fragrance marketing, I find it one of the more precious marketing gimmicks in the game. Not that it doesn’t suck me in, of course….
+1
It sounds like an update or flanker of a really influential perfume. Could it be No. 5 Eau Premiere?
Just from what you wrote Ari, I thought Secretions Magnifique too. Wouldn’t that be something if you could get it for $20? Too good to be true I know, but a girl can dream. The only other one I can think of offhand is one of Alan Cummings fragrances. Is 2nd Cumming still in production? I will have to go read the full description and keep thinking about it.
Nevermind. I just read the full description. Will keep thinking about this though.
…and my guess was going to be Lipstick Rose, but I think a) I didn’t read the description properly and b) Lipstick Rose is cute rather than shocking.
He also talks about the re-imagining of brutalist architecture:Episode 03 is a very interesting and, in my view, successful work. Exactly as architects have done–I think of Tadao Ando and how he has brilliantly reconceptualized Le Corbusier’s mid-20th-century shocking, brutal work into early-21st-century buildings with gentleness and humanity–the creative director and the artists they worked with have reconceptualized E03’s proto-form to create a 21st-century evolution. ”
Burr has described Fracas as the scent equivalent of brutalist architecture so perhaps it is one of Piguet’s attempts to capture the Fracas for generation x market. (Piguet seems to have been especially peeved at Truth or Dare which smelled like to be Fracas with Fizz to me).*
On the other hand, Burr also equates Channel No. 5. as the equivalent of the glass box modern building (because the Aldehydes, like glass are not simply decorative elements but the key structural component brought to the outside**).
*If they do release something called “Fracas with Fizz,” I hereby declare they owe me a free bottle for the use of the name.
** These are Burr’s architectural analogies, not mine. Windows are always a key structural element of any enclosed building. And Fracas is about as masculine and brutal as a Jessica Rabbit.
Ah, then maybe the relatively recent Petit Fracas!
I’m wearing POTL Luctor et Emergo again. So yummy.
The last thing I need is more perfume samples but I got a bunch from three different perfume friends in the past couple of weeks. They’re all spilling out of a martini glass on my desk awaiting my exploration.
I want a bottle of this. Such a shame POTL just sort of gave up after A*Maze.
I want a bottle too, or at least a decant. I avoided this scent for the longest time but it’s great.
Yes, really thought they’d do more by now. But given how competitive the niche market is these days, wonder if even LeE sells.
I keep meaning to order a decant. One of my favorite wearing to bed scents.
The Rambling Rose Aadvark Smothers The Garden Shed 🙂
SOTD Shanghai Lily with a few top-ups because I love the opening notes best.
My parcel arrived a couple of days ago with a back-up Theorema, a 15ml original Organza, a 50ml Gucci Accenti and a 50ml original Extravagence d’Amarige.
I’ve been sick for the last couple days so only tested a bit of the untried Accenti and Extravagence. Accenti I’m not sure about- the opening reminds me of Rumba which I’m also unsure about, and it has spices mixed with bitter green floral which is an odd combo. The Extravagence though seems rather nice and I’m sure I’ll wear it a bit in warmer weather.
Been on a bit of a buying spree lately so the credit card is crying ‘nooooo!’ so nothing more for a bit… :-/
SOTD is Cuir de Lancome. Almost any fragrance works in my office; it is so cold in here today I could have gotten away with a super heavy winter scent 😉
I feel the same way with the A/C blasting all day!
CdL – one of my favorites!!
It makes me wonder which Jean-Claude Ellena scent to choose for tomorrow. So many of his are lighter and more delicate. I have samples of elixer de marveilles, osmanthus yunnan, and kelly caleche that are the contenders so far – I think they might have enough oomph to compete with the AC!
I haven’t bought anything this week (just some samples), but I am stalking some FBs on a discount site – even discounted four bottles is still expensive and I am having a hard time choosing which ones to NOT get.
For the next few days, it’s gonna be cool (60’s and low 70’s) I’m gonna have to drag out Cuir de Russie and Amouage Epic. It’s freaking cold for Cleveland this time of year!
ELdO Rossy de Palma. While I was fishing around in my box of Etat minis yesterday (and ended up wearing Nombril Immense) I remembered I had this fantastic rose, big and wet and fresh at first, then ever darker and gloomier as it devolves into patchouli and inky incense. Ideal for a wet, dreary summer day.
Rossy de Palma will pick up a gloomy day by its collar and give it a good shake.
You smell great! Rossy de Palma is one of my favorites.
Jour d’Hermes again today. It’s such an easy scent to wear to the office. Hard to over spray, mild sillage, nothing “fruity pink” about it that might undermine my efforts at professionalism.
I have a sample of this I’ve been saving, will probably break it out tomorrow.
My SOTD is Jo Loves No. 42 The Flower Shop. I absolutely adore this line and this particular fragrance is my favorite. It has peonies and moss in it (two of my favorite notes). It literally smells like you walked into a flower shop.
I have just discovered STC from the fabulous perfumistas on this blog. I have purchased an Atelier sample set and also a Peony sample set that I am eagerly awaiting. I should either receive it today or tomorrow.
One of my New Years Resolutions this year was to step out of my comfort zone and try new fragrances. I can honestly say that I have gone above and beyond this goal and have enjoyed every minute of it. I hope everyone has a great day!
Enjoy your Atelier set! That’s a wonderful line with lots of winners.
Thanks! I can’t wait to try them out!
L’Eau d’Hiver today, so I guess I started early with the Ellena theme 🙂
Precious Woods by April Aromatics – lot’s of sandalwood and cedar but done in a natural and solid way, rather than screechy & sweet. I adore it & I can see going thru my bottle split very quickly if I don’t pace myself.
I love being on vacation & sort of ‘ignoring’ scents on some days. It really takes me out of my element, which is what I enjoy the most about vacations. Enjoy Robin! I haven’t smelled Bronze Goddess Body Cream but I’m sure it smells lovely.
Thank you! The body cream is heavily scented, almost too heavily…so you’d have to really like BG.
Today I am wearing Acqua di Parma Colonia. Regarding POTL LeE mentioned in above comments, I am a big fan of it and am never without a bottle.
i have really enjoyed all of your great postcards, Robin!
I’ve always been really curious about Colonia. I do like classic colognes. I’ve read in some blogs that Colonia has a good rose vibe in the middle. What is your take on the smells/notes/accords in Colonia?
Pop on over to BdJ for a review today on Colonia and other colognes 🙂
thanks!
I’m still on my Sous le toit de Paris by Atelier kick. Not tiring of this one at all.
As for purchases this week, I did buy a mini-sized Lolita Lempicka off of Ebay. I love licorice and anise, so thought I’d give it a go. It says its gourmand, but from what I’ve read it isn’t an over-the-top sweet. Excited to try it!
I have a soft spot for Lolita Lempicka, it’s probably my most complimented perfume.
Really? Hmm. Good to hear!
There certainly are a good amount of flankers so it must have done quite well.
I like LL a lot. I thought it was too sweet at first, but after trying it a couple of times, I was able to make more sense of it and pick up the green and earthy aspects that help to cut the sweetness. There is a note in the drydown that I especially like, that makes me think of a forest floor.
No Sotd yet, might skip my morning scent ritual. Visiting my mom and so I usually bring a couple samples for her to try. She never enjoyed perfume until I got into it – and now not only has she been very sweet about my new hobby, she is game to sniff and even try a couple on skin.
I brought Amouge Fate for women, since I dint know if she has tried an oriental chypre before, and a couple others – an herbal woody fragrance and a musk. Should be fun to see what she thinks of Fate. Pretty sure the musk won’t be something she likes, so might not even share it with her at this point, and we will see about the herbal woody one.
This week I bought Eau Premiere, very excited about that, and a half full bottle of Lacoste Inspiration for fall/winter. Kind of on a buying kick. Should probably stop soon. Hmmm.
What fun to share your perfume hobby with your mother! Perhaps you’ll turn her into a perfumista yet 😉
Congrats on the Eau Premiere! I’m not a Chanel fan, but I was surprised by this one..
Thanks! It is surprising, right?
My mom is a sweetie, and a total tomboy. She is very particular about what she likes and doesn’t like, and has never worn perfume before, but so far I have surprised the both of us by finding her two scents that she loves. Tam Dao was the first a few months ago (she bought a bottle right away) and this morning she loved Parfumerie Generale Bois Blond. Loved it. Sprayed it on right away – so cute!
I also introduced her to pedicures this past summer. That was hilarious – when it was time for her heels to get scrubbed, it tickled her so much and she made the silliest face. We were all laughing with her – she got a kick out of it, especially once the scrubbing was over 😉
And now she gets pedicures on the regular. Love her.
I love Eau Premier. It is one of my year round go-to scents. Congrats!
I am resisting unscrewing the cap and bathing in it 😉
😉 That’s what the bath products are for!!! 😉
SOTD is Phoenix by MCMC.
I ordered a couple of FBs from BPAL last night — Alice and Plunder. I recently received a bunch of samples from Lucky Scent. I guess samples don’t count towards a collection, though.
Bombay Bling today, absolutely fun scent to wear!
Waiting for an order from Sweet Anthem perfumes. I really wanted to try Juliet, reviewed by Kevin last month, but ended up ordering several more (we all know how that goes, don’t we)!
Whooaaa, I wore Juliet yesterday! Ariel(le) synchronization!
Today is Narciso Rodriguez (black bottle) that I’ve inexplicably fallen for.
It is almost time for my Paris trip (yippee!) and have become slightly obsessed with which perfume to bring with (making a decant of only one and can’t decide between Un Air de First or PdN Odalisque) and also which to buy while I’m there. I want to get something great that is either exclusive to Paris or super difficult to get here. Maybe a Dior boutique fragrance or a Neela Vermiere, or Reve d’Ossian…I just don’t know! Any suggestions would be welcomed!
Not inexplicable at all! I love that perfume.
Doesn’t Serge Lutens have a non-export line?
Also, I love Narcisco Rodriguez as well.
I love NR but it doesn’t love me – gets super sharp. I keep buying it for my Mom and stealing the body cream.
Maybe a Jovoy? Think they may carry some scents particular to the Paris store. It’s supposed to be a haven for niche. Otherwise an exclusive Guerlain? Decisions, decisions!
Jovoy is on my list of must see destinations. And how could one possibly be in Paris and not visit 68 Champs Élysées!
Next to rose, violet is my favorite floral note, and my favorite summer violet is Jean-Charles Brosseau’s Fleurs d’Ombre Violette – Menthe, my SOTD. Although it shares equal billing in the name, the mint is but a cool, refreshing kiss atop the soft, woodsy, slightly sweet violet that ends in a powdery finish (neither too sweet nor too powdery to be cloying). Fortunately, I don’t smell any of the honeydew, wild strawberry or coconut notes supposedly in this scent. The bottle is the same beautiful Art Deco style as the Ombre Rose and Ombre Bleue.
Haven’t added anything to my collection (neither FB nor samples) since the back-up of EDM. Right now I’m content enjoying what I have, which is already far too much!
My favorite floral notes are carnation, violet, lilac, and linden. I’ve heard of Violette-Menthe before, and I’ve always wanted to try it. I just ordered a bottle of it on-line. It was only $30, so I won’t be out too much money if I don’t like it and I can always gaze at the pretty bottle, right? Rationalization!
Today I am wearing Vetiver Pour Elle to convince myself that it still is July and not suddenly-soggy September.
*Ahem* samples: just received ca. 15 samples from Indie Scents, TWO perfume buddies gave me about a dozen samples, and I now have a half-dozen Demeter minis to boot. Feeling a bit drunk on perfume at the moment, which is rather fun. Favourite sample so far: SSS Rose Musc — incredibly pretty, and reminiscent of Encens Mythique.
Rose Musc is probably my favorite SSS scent, and my favorite of all her rose scents. I wore that like mad a few years ago, which reminds me that I should get a new bottle… But also, fyi, I was testing Aerin Evening Rose earlier this week and it immediately reminded me of Rose Musc.
Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle?
Is that still for sale anywhere?
I am pretty sure VpE is available in the Montreal and Toronto Guerlain boutiques, if that helps. The Toronto SAs were even nicer than the Montreal ones (I did a telephone order with the former), and the Montreal ones were pretty nice.
I’m wearing SSS Yin & Ylang, very beautiful. I have a travel spray (I love this option!) and it has lived in my purse this summer, and gotten a lot of wear.
As for adding to my fragrance collection, I just ordered Rochas Femme and Shalimar Ode a la Vanille from fragrancenet, with a mini of Badgley Mishka parfum thrown in just for fun (this last was a blind buy, but at less than $10 seemed worth a try).
I also bought a Badgley Mischka mini a while ago. It is one of my “fun” perfumes, because some days I just want to smell like a giant fruit basket!
Synchronicity indeed! I wore Rochas Femme yesterday, I had one of the tiny bottles of the EDP, not available in the larger size, so I ordered the EDT. I know Rochas changed the bottle and probably the juice so trying to get the older formulation! Today I wore Madame Rochas, aldehydes are nice in Summer, I think. Badgley Mischka is one of the loveliest fruity fragrances going, I have the small bottle too!
Yin and Ylang is really nice! Reminds me, I should review that at some point.
My office is freezing. I am wearing Serge Lutens Rousse and typing in fingerless gloves. Brr.
Manguier Matisse was the most recent scent I bought and I’m wearing it today but that was more than a week ago. Am now trying to save for my LA visit to Scent Bar since I’m pretty sure that I’ll be coming home with *something*. If anyone would like to join me there on 8/17 or 8/18 drop me a line. My yahoo address is my screen name
Wish I could join you, my dear goddess. I want to hear ALL about it the next time we see each other.
It is so refreshingly cool and breezy here today – I wanted to wear something warm and spicy, but not too much. I settled on Diptyque Eau Duelle. Mmm.. I am lucky b/c it lasts forever on me.
I’m wearing Mito VdE today – keeping with my “galbanum” theme of the week. Thanks to Oakland Fresca for suggesting it yesterday! It’s lovely and I really do need a bottle at some point. [whispers to self: finish the decant before buying a bottle!]
I’m awarding enabler’s pins to Mals and Robin for their galbanum suggestions that sparked a purchase! So, I haven’t *technically* added to my collection since it hasn’t arrived yet, but a bottle of Crown Bouquet and a mini of Vent Vert is on their way!
Oh fun…hope you like them!
OH YAYS!! I do hope you like them.
SOTD = Hermes Eau de Mandarine Ambree
It’s a sea day today and I am practicing for tomorrow. Another perfect scent in my opinion. It was not long-lasting but that could be because I was outside walking while the winds whipped around me! It had a nice citrus opening and a soft amber dry down. Tonight is formal night ( lobster on the menu!) and I have a sense of humor so I will switch to Voyage d’Hermes. Since the SA at the Hermes boutique in Boston was generous, I have two more to pick from for Hermes Friday!
Oooo – lobster! Yum.
Dang, I want lobster, but I am on the West Coast! The only time I’d go into a McDonald’s in Montreal was when they had McHomards on the menu, (aka lobster rolls).
Also wearing Eau Mandarine Ambree. I find it juicy and warm…. it’s almost too hot here today for it but I’ve enjoyed it immensely and re spritzed this evening.
SOTD is La Via del Profumo Tawaf. I am a jasmine freak so this is perfect. It wears really close to the skin, though, so suitable for the office.
This week I could not resist a $35 bottle of PdN Eau d’Ete which arrived yesterday. I’m going sailing Sunday and it will be perfect then.
Hello, all. Sorry I missed the last couple of days. I made an unexpected brief trip for work and had spotty computer access.
First off, I want to say how much i’m appreciating reading everyone’s choices each day. I have compiled a long list of things I now want to try, or dig up out of my sample horde thanks to all of you.
Digging in the sample horde today produced Jewel for Her by M. Micallef. Wow – this is a heavy hitter. Jewel isn’t Angel, but she’s waving to her from across the room. There is a hefty wallop of patchouli here, but it’s a bit more boozy and less sweet than Angel.
I have to admit, I love the big powerhouse perfumes. I like them obvious and I like them to linger after me when I leave the room. I’m probably every women’s office neighbor nightmare. But fortunately there are no women in my office besides me, so I can let Melanie Wilkes stay at Twelve Oaks and I can be Belle Watling whenever I want. I mean we all know Belle probaby was awash with some outre scent, right?
In any case, back to Jewel for Her. This is discontinued and I probably wouldn’t have bought it anyway, but it’s beautifully made with high quality ingredients, so our visit with one another today has been an enjoyable one.
We must have been separated at birth! I loved reading your post. I too like powerhouse fragrances and I like my presence to still be known after I have left the room. Does that mean I am full of myself? Lol!
I have no idea what my legacy will be when I leave this earth. But one thing I know for sure, people will definitely say, “That was one good-smelling lady!” What more can you ask for?
And, like you, I enjoy reading all the posts as well. The group of people who post here have the best taste in the world! I have learned so much from everyone!
Belle probably wafted, yeah. Who can blame her?
I’m trying to butch up my newly purchased Theo Fennell Scent Edp with a bit of Bulgari Black. Turns out my sample of Scent was Edt and I guess there’s more than just a strength difference?
I don’t know. I’m still a relative newbie and not an expert layer-er. However, I am an apparent expert procrastinator here.
I love layering. Just go for it! I normally put one thing on my neck, another on my wrists, or different locations on the arms. I try to keep them from actually touching the same space. If they don’t play nice, you can usually get one off without ruining the other.
Funny you should ask – I just got back from the mall and bought one of the Eaus (Eau Spontanee) from L’Occitane since they were half price. I’m such a sucker for a sale. I haven’t been in there for ages since they are so pushy, but I saw something I wanted to sniff. They’re still pushy, but I’m glad I popped in. There is another thing I want to get once I get a coupon – a rollerball of something Brazilian, forget the name.
And today is Guerlain AA Herba Fresca. Love love love this.
AA Pamplelune. Haven’t bought anything this week. Unfortunately I can’t participate in tomorrow’s Hermes or Jean-Claude Ellena challenge, since I don’t own any of either. Oh well. I think that I’ll go niche with another Smell Bent Frankensmellie – Florist Fridge.
Pamplelune is so nice! AND FLorist’s Fridge.
M7 Fresh today, which I was lucky enough to find last fall.
I haven’t added to my collection this week, but hey! …There’s always tomorrow!