What fragrance did you pick today?
I'm wearing a dab of Guerlain Après L’Ondée (and fittingly enough, it's still damp outside here from last night's rain).
Reminder: this Friday, August 15, wear something by Guerlain. We'll do this again in winter, so don't feel like you have to wear Shalimar if it's too hot for Shalimar. The following Friday, August 22, wear something beachy, or anything you think of as "a vacation in a bottle".
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.
Mitsouko- to bring a little efferevesence into a grayish day.
Perfect!
Since it’s quite humid here I’ll go with Eau D’Hadrien
Yeah, it’s humid here too.
A few hours later, and E D’H is almost all gone (except for a soapy finish). Time to switch to Thé pour un été.
Today is Nicolai’s Odalisque. Mmmmmm-hmmmmm.
You smell great!
SOTD for me is Humiecki and Graef Bosque. It is very soft and I get a nice dry grass kind of note from it.
Ah, wish their new one would come out already! (and now can’t remember what it’s called)
I went running back to my vintage L’Interdit today. I wanted to make this last and last, but it’s just so darned wonderful that I can’t leave it alone.
Carpe diem…
I forgot to wear Hermes when the fragrant Friday post came up, so got my Rouge out today as the weather here has cooled down, thankfully. I forgot how ambery and incense it is, and I am enjoying it, although not as much as I used to in its previous incarnation as Parfum d’Hermes. Love scent days and fragrant Fridays!
The original 1984 Parfum d’Hermes is one of the truly great scents: it’s a perfect example of the floral oriental (with so much incense!), and in a more just world it would be in the pantheon with Joy and No. 5. I have a half-ounce of the extrait which I am wearing as often as I dare to: I don’t want to run out, but I don’t want it to go bad before I can finish it, either.
It is rainy today. Feels more like early fall. I had to search for my sample vial of Frederic Malle Iris Poudre (I had left it in a purse). This kind of rainy day is perfect for a moody iris fragrance
I also thought of Apres L’Ondee, but my sample vial is drained.
Feels like fall here too, and our trees are already dropping leaves.
Am in a sampling mood today so I have Wit on one arm and PK Perfume Gold Leather on the other. Rather liking Wit. Realized that I don’t have to buy something freshly sniffed when I go to Scent Bar– as long as I can’t sniff it on the ground here in NY it’s good
It pays to have a plan
And more importantly a budget! If I’m not bowled over by any new sniffs this weekend my backup plan is a bottle of Botrytis. I am going to have fun sniffing!
Bois Farine, because I feel a need to smell official (but good!).
I really want to try this as I love JCE. I’m nervous that it’s being discontinued though. What if I love it!
Is it really being discontinued??!! That is good to know. I was just thinking about how quickly I was going through my decant.
SOTD is Alice by BPAL (notes: milk, honey, rose, carnation, and bergamot). It smells like Earl grey tea with spice, sugar, and milk. The bergamot is long-lasting.
I picked up some summer-appropriate Guerlain samples at Sephora yesterday. Now, I just have to remember on Friday …
Ooh, Alice sounds great. I wanted to by a sample of that, but the BPAL website was all out
Maybe I’ll just blind buy the full size because it sounds amazing!
Ditto. They are always out of the imp’s ears I am interested in and the selection is just so overwhelming.
I just checked again though and it looks like Alice is available in the most beloved imp pack and by itself. I should order it before I get lost browsing the site and end up with several hundred dollars worth if samples in my cart.
I have never tried a single BPAL scent and I just don’t know why. I really have to order a bunch of imps’ ears from them some day soon.
Still sprinkling off and on here (Day 5 of rain!)… I still have most of a 7.5ml decant of Apres l’Ondee, purchased in 2009, but I so wish I’d bought a full bottle of it before they reduced the heliotrope in it (2012, I think) and skewed it more toward iris.
I think I’m going to start a project to WEAR my small decants and minis – wear ‘em up, drain ‘em… There are some decants I do wear frequently (Iris Poudre and Carnal Flower come to mind, as well as Citizen Queen), but for the most part I’d rather spritz out of a full bottle if I’m not sampling. I need to address the issue.
Accordingly, the SOTD is Tom Ford Black Violet, from my little sampley dram bottle.
I know what you mean about the small decants and minis – they seem so precious because I have so little, but its silly to let them evaporate or go bad. I’m going to make more of an effort to use mine also.
I have only vintage AlO and have not tried the new…when I run out may just let it go…
I’m the same way: I’d much rather ‘wear’ my bottles rather than decants and samples. I decided that decants should be smaller (5ml is good size) and if I manage to drain that and still want more, then a FB is warranted.
I have 2 Apres l’Ondee decants and I definitely prefer the earlier version as well. In the later version, I detect more licorice and iris notes.
I’m trying to do this too, and have finished a few decants so far this year. But I also use decants for traveling. I usually travel every six weeks or so.
Those decants are so treacherous – and why is it usually the most precious ones that suddenly evaporate?
I’m wearing AG Mon Parfum Chéri par Camille (EDT, from a small sample) and I love it. Although its warm and humid out today, its doing well in my cold office. Wish I had bought a FB before it was discontinued.
That’s a good one – very unusual. I had also thought it was discontinued, but it’s now showing up on the AG website in the new bottles: no longer deep ruby glass. Great that it’s back, but I used to love the special colors.
I also see the old bottles around here and there. It’s discounted on Amazon, for example (no affiliation). I know one can’t always trust the stock photos, but I tend to believe this one because of the discount.
Thanks for the info. I wonder if the new version in the different bottle has been significantly reformulated?
I have not heard that it was reformulated, just repackaged. But I bought the old bottle because I loved the red glass. Same thing with Nuit Etoilee and the blue bottle.
I’m doing a self-imposed iris week. Today’s scent is the somber Iris Pallida (2007). It’s rooty iris (orris) paired with cedar, patch and musk, but to me, it comes off as peppery iris. I purchased this scent early in perfumistahood. It was a (very expensive) blind buy. Armed with a 25% off coupon, I had already fallen in love with iris notes and was swayed by the lovely description. I can still remember when it arrived in it’s wooden box: one spritz and I thought that this was a very serious and somber scent.
I have never smelled this, and while I want to, I’m afraid to fall in love, need it, and never be able to find it. Just sounds so pretty.
It’s pretty… but… I don’t know if I’d buy the bottle again. Heeley’s Iris de Nuit is very much of the same character: somber rooty iris + cedar + musk so you might want to give that a sniff.
I just don’t find Iris Pallida a particularly cheerful scent, so I don’t reach for it very often. It’s for rainy day funerals, I think.
Wearing Zeste de Soleil again, as I try to convince myself it wouldn’t be entirely insane to buy the discounted 6.7 oz bottle… (I mean. It would be. But.)
It isn’t raining here but it is so humid that our smoke alarms went off when my husband opened the door to let the cat out this morning. Therefore SOTD is Rose Jam body wash. I don’t think I can handle anything more potent.
It’s terribly humid here too. Just wish it would stop looming and start raining already. Wearing EL Jasmine White Moss and that seems to be doing well.
I like Jasmine White Moss, but don’t own any. It sounds like a good pick though.
Did you have the baby?
No, not yet. I was due last Saturday.
I saw the doctor yesterday. He is only willing to let me go one week before inducing me. I’ve been contracting, but not at precise enough intervals to head to the hospital. They’re not intense enough either. A few nights ago I fell asleep while Mr. Lucy was timing them. Early this morning I finally got to five minutes but decided I wanted some waffles and lost them. I don’t think you’re supposed to be able to make waffles when your in labor. Keep your fingers crossed for a a miracle. I really, really do not want to be induced.
On the plus side (?!?!?!), our townhouse association decided we need a new roof and the construction crew started this morning. (Even though I made prior arrangements to have it finished by the due date.). It sounds like the world is coming to an end. The cat is under the bed and I have a pillow and blanket over my tummy to muffle some of the noise. Maybe the baby was meant to be late. I would be really upset if I had brought a newborn home from the hospital and had to deal with this.
I know it must be so frustrating to wait, but hope the Lush and the kitty help to keep it bearable.
Yes, frustrated is the best word for it. Everyone else, like my mom, thinks that I’m ready because I’m uncomfortable. My discomfort is not of any concern, I would go on like this forever if it was healthy for the baby. I was just hoping to go into labor naturally and only care about what’s best for him or her. And yes, the body wash is a small luxury for me so it helps. I got it on eBay long after it left stores so I am lucky to have it. Kitty makes everything better – if he will come hang out with me. He’s usually very interactive, but under the bed is where he wants to be today.
OMG. Dare I ask how long it takes to put on a new roof…?
Luckily our building is only four units so they’re thinking two to three days. Every other building in the subdivision is eight units and they’ve been taking about five. We live in an upstairs unit though, so the noise seems dangerously close. (I think we technically are in a Coach House; The private garage and entryway are downstairs and all of our living space is above another unit.) I have to give them credit, there are eight to ten guys up there and they are working fast. They clearly know what they’re doing and have a little assembly line going on. It’s not like the small town I grew up in where the only three roofers took weeks to do my parents house.
–And they must have bumped the satellite dish, because it’s out. I’ll be patient since there’s no reason to ask them to fix it while they’re still working…but if they screw up my Internet or air conditioning they’re going to have a very angry pregnant lady to deal with!
Oh, thank goodness there’s a whole crew–I was picturing two guys who’d be there for the next three weeks working on it!! Crossing fingers it’s resolved promptly…and your new one arrives immediately thereafter!
I was exactly one week late, and also in August. I will keep my fingers crossed for your miracle
Thank you. That is reassuring. I keep reminding myself that I’m only a few days over and I still have time. I feel like I have a deadline to meet, yet there’s nothing I can do but hope I meet it. It’s a very powerless feeling. I guess baby is letting me know who’s in charge upfront!
I was late too, by three weeks. Also in August and my poor mom had no air conditioning. But that was a long time ago and I guess due dates are a bit more accurate now.
Points to press that are reputed to speed up labor that I learned years ago: 3 or 4 fingerwidths above the inner ankle bone, the back of the hand in the webbing close to where the thumb meets the other bones and right below the middle of the collarbone
Well, I didn’t know about the collarbone and I can’t reach my feet.
I’ll start on my hands and when Mr. Lucy gets home from work I’ll have him try the ankles. Thank you so much for the tip. I really appreciate it.
Another old Jewish trick is fasting. My obgyn said if you stop eating and drinking you will go into labor within 24 hours.
But hopefully you will be successful with the accupressure. We’re pulling for you!
We’re all rooting for you!
Thank you. I appreciate all of the happy thoughts.
Today I am wearing Dyptique Do Son because I was craving tuberose and Do Son is quiet enough for office wear.
Today’s forecast is not too hot ( thank goodness) and a good chance of rain, so I went spring-like……Oriza LeGrand Foin Fraichement Coupe. Lovely powdery green, wrapped-in-a-soft-robe vibe.
Very cool and rainy here, almost feels like late September but because it’s so green from all the rain we’ve had this summer it’s more like early May! Wishing I had some Apres L’Ondee, it’s one of the few classic Guerlains I can wear and a perfect day for it. Instead, I chose Guerlain’s Meteorites as my SOTD; I love its soft, springlike violet notes, almost making me think I had summer ahead of me instead of looking over my shoulder and waving goodbye.
I so love that Meteorites, Laila! Actually bought it, inspired by the lovely smell of the Meteorites make-up powder.
I’m wearing PG Felanilla, reminded of it by someone wearing it yesterday. A good choice on a foggy morning to finish up packing the garage. Later I will switch to something businesslike to get me in the mood to write a report…maybe something ambery.
Fellanilla could be a cat’s name!
I am wearing CdG Kyoto in the hopes that the coffee in it will help keep me awake.
Happy Tuesday Everyone! My SOTD is Blackberry and Bay by Jo Malone. Another fruity fragrance that I own that smells quite delicious!
I’ve never tried this one, adding it to my list of “ones to sniff” – thanks!
One of my favorites too
I hope you love it. And, it pretty much lasts all day. Jo Malone does “fruity” fragrances well in my opinion.
I’m wearing Field Notes from Paris today, an orange blossom smoky wonder.
We had an office move on Friday and today’s my first day back in. I’ve kindly given my new cube mate a heads up that he can expect to smell a new fragrance practically every day, and to please let me know if any are unbearable.
Hopefully he will love everything I love
Decided to go with Mahora today. Totally envying those of you who are having fall-ish weather.
Dior Oud Ispahan for me today
SOTD is Diptyque L’Eau Trois. So good.
Great you like it! L’Eau Trois is special.
I am also amazed how much I like the Diptyque body care kit that I bought primarily because I couldn’t resist the deal. The products smell great and this seems to be a really high quality stuff.
TDC’s Osmanthus, it goes well with the weather, which is showery with those dramatic skies that Ruysdael painted so well.
I appreciate TDC’s Osmanthus but maybe cannot enjoy it that much as it seems that we never get any rain in SoCal …? I recently also tried Osmanthus by Fragrance Republic (08), and it is not bad at all either.
SOTD = Guerlain Cuir Beluga
Love it! I think I need a FB!
I almost wore that today! Have had a sample languishing for a very long time.
Cuir Beluga is lovely, lovely, lovely.
I am trying to use a different sample every week, to make a dent in my huge collection, so today is Michael Kors Glam Jasmine. It’s a very pretty jasmine scent, but it might be a little too sweet for my taste.
Tired today, after Pilates class and shower I needed a comforting scent, whent with Stephan H Lucas 777 Oumma. It feels warm and cuddly.
Another cool morning, so another warm scent: Yves Rocher Neonatura Cocoon, which is just vanilla and cocoa powder and patchouli and nothing more and yet is really, really excellent.
Oh, I love this one . . . As a gardener, I like to wear Cocoon at the very tail end of winter; although there are no visible signs of growth in the garden yet I know that life beneath the earth’s surface is beginning to stir. That thought comforts me and offers hope . . . that’s what the cocoa and patch say to me in this one!
I teensy dab of vintage Opium EDT. I love it! I might have to get a 50ml before it starts becoming scarce.
I went with Heure Exquise today. Almost wore a Guerlain instead since I’m traveling on Friday and probably won’t have anything Guerlain with me. Oh well!
I’m wearing a sample of Nobile 1942’s Anonimo Veneziano that I got from the generous people at the MiN boutiquea couple months ago, who also offered me a shot of tequila (not my usual thing, but this was the smoothest, most amazing tequila I’ve ever tasted) and a slice of crepe cake on the day I acquired it. It was quite the decadent shopping experience, let me tell you.
If you like tequila, we should take a field trip to La Biblioteca
SOTD is Guerlain Tokyo. Guess I should have saved this for Friday! It’s a nice light green tea.
Day 2 of sampling Chanel No. 22. Dare I say I prefer this to No. 5?
I have had no luck with my scents today. Woke up to the first ‘cloudy’ day in weeks, only to realize that it wasn’t cloud but smoke from all the forest fires. It had me craving a different style of perfume. Tried Atelier Cologne’s Vetiver Fatale, but had to wash it off – too masculine. Tried their Rose Anonyme, thinking the incense would work well in the smoky air, but it feels claustrophic, almost choking. Will likely wash it off, too.
What do you wear when the forecast is ‘local smoke’?
You could try to complement the smoke. Amber and vanilla work well with smokey aspects, but if it is hot out they might be overwhelming. Isn’t Atelier’s Vanilla Insensee fairly light? I only tried it once. A floral that might be able to stand up to the smoke is something like Serge Lutens Sarassins (jasmine and leather). Perhaps a lighter tea based scent would work? I like Osmanthus Yunan, but it may be so light that the smoke overwhelms it.
No real ideas, but I know those pesky days when everything feels wrong, lol!
Good luck with finding the right one
Thanks for the ideas, rose pepper, and the commiseration, Merlin. Third try seemed to work: went with Arpege and have felt much better. I haven’t had a chance to sample any of the ones you suggested, rose pepper, though I can take a sniff of Vanilla Insensee next time I’m in Sephora (my local testing options are very limited). I don’t generally like vanilla, but if it’s fairly light I might be OK.
SOTD – Cristalle. This past winter and spring I rarely wore a fragrance consecutive days. Even though I still have ample samples to rotate through, I keep reaching for Cristalle day after day. Not sure if I will continue wearing this when the weather gets cooler, but it sure is working for me now!
Wish I could try the original Guerlain Après L’Ondée, sounds spectacular!
It rained most of the day here, and heavily. I’m wearing Deneuve, a very soft and beautiful chypre that has been a good match for the weather.
My last post on NST!It’s been fun talking perfumes with you guys!Thank you for all the tips and information!Moving along swiftly…..My SOTD was Café Chantant by Nobile 1942.Fun Black cherries.Keep smelling fabulous NST!xo.
You’re leaving?! Hope everything is ok- we’ll miss you!
Sorry you’re leaving. Come back! You’re South African, right, johanob? I had wanted to ask you where to find the best perfume shopping in SA, in your opinion? Take care.
Best of luck to you Johanob! I’ve enjoyed your input – you keep on smelling fab and take care of you
Best wishes to you wherever you are going.
SOTD PdN Sacrebleu Intense. I never smelt the non-intense version so I don’t know the difference.. Sometimes it seems similar to L’heure Bleu and other times nothing alike. Odd.
It’s a not-too-cold day here and I am in Melograno. I have discovered that perky scents work surprisingly well in cool weather!
Merlin, read a lovely book that you might want to check out (I think we shared a similar taste in books a number of weeks back). The Humans by Matt Haig.
Yes, I definitely enjoyed The Passage – so I’m going to get a sample of this one right away. Thanks for the recommendation
Just read the prologue and am hooked…
The Humans is one of the best books I’ve read all year. It’s lovely, much like The Summer Guest, which is another book written by Justin Cronin (so different from The Passage – which I’m so glad you liked!)
We’re having a cold snap here in Sydney of late but the sun is still shining bright so Cristalle EDP is the perfect choice for me today . I’ve slathered Jasmine white moss (EL) body cream all over my thirsty skin so I’m wafting a floral trail that had my nose buried down my shirt all the way to work today. You could say I’m channelling spring a little early.
I’m late, as usual, but if you see this I just wanted to say that I layer Cristalle with Jasmine White Moss too!
I didn’t manage a scent this morning but it was for the best as I had a run in with an unreasonable and belligerent person this afternoon that probably would have ruined any scent for a while. I am now baking cookies (almost forgot my boss’s birthday is tomorrow) and wearing For Strange Women’s Decadence and Debauchery.
I wore Guerlain Encens Mythique – just a dab is all it needs.
I like the idea of Après l’Ondee for tomorrow, after the flash floods.
SOTD: Habit Rouge, It is bitter-cold and wet in Christchurch so it requires something warm and fuzzy. This is my go to comfort scent.