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Post by Val the Cookie Queen
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I am about to head off to my third Esxence -The Scent of Excellence perfume and beauty trade show. Esxence 2016 is
the eighth show and represented by the eight becoming the sign of infinity. Esxence 2016 is … “The endless flow of time” not to mention sniffing one’s self into a coma.
Esxence: The Scent of Excellence 2016
Milano. March 31 – April 3 2016
To Infinity and Beyond
I shall be traveling with my long suffering partner-in-crime, therapist and dear friend Dr. Fox. Vero Kern will be joining us in Milan to complete the formidable trio of women on the go.
APJ: Esxence Web Friends
This year I am a little more organised, inasmuch as I have made a list of presentations and stands that I want to attend and visit. The last two years have been a bit random. Australian Perfume Junkies are official web friends of the Esxence and I would like to take more advantage of what the Esxence has to offer. Please take look at the Esxence site and give me a hand. Perhaps there is something you APJs think I shouldn´t miss? It is nice to see the APJ banner on the Esxence homepage. You can of course click the Esxence GIF link right here on our own APJ page. The magnolias will be in full bloom in Milan and spring will have sprung. The Perfume Magpie will be there, the Colognoisseur, and The Chemist in a Bottle to name but a few. I have decided to attend some of the cocktail party launches this year instead of passing out with exhaustion in the hotel and watching Italian TV. I will be taking a nap in the afternoon. And be keeping up a regular intake of espresso.
Esxence and Esxkin, perfume and skincare. Very exciting. I’ll try and keep you updated with photographs as I go along. Check in on the APJ Facebook and Twitter. Neela Vermeire Créations will be my first stop.
I hope being web friends includes meeting Charlotte and Wilbur, and perhaps a dinner date with Spiderman.
Yes I am taking cookies.
Stay Tuned.
Ciao. QC xxxxx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
You and Vero together. I would love to be there! If you don’t mind, please tell her I love Mito and Rozy, which are the only ones I’ve managed to acquire. And Italy in spring, so wonderful (although I think Italy is wonderful any time of year). I must go before I die of envy — have a wonderful time, Val. We depend on you for a report, with pictures!
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Please don´t die of envy. I know I am lucky. It will take a lot of prepping I tell you! I will need to make sure I have all the fresh cookie ingredients bought for the week following the Esxence before I go, as well as baking up a few hundred before I go. It will be worth it all to sit in the car and head south. Big hugs. xxx
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P.S. Your writing was my gateway drug to try Vero’s work, and I am definitely hooked!
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Good.
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Lucky, Lucky Cookie!!! Maybe I will go next year????
If you have a moment extra visit O’Driu for me. If he is there again this year…? His weird ways make good grist for the mill.
BTW…you have converted me to Vero! I recently bought a bottle of Mito EdP and my next will be Onda! Say “hi” to Judith from me and Brad.
Happy and safe trails.
Azar xxxx
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Hi Azar! Really??? Mito? I so love the EdP. The cracking blow your mind opening notes, followed by the most beautiful drydown. Onda is worth having as a piece of art. 🙂 I would love to go with you. 🙂 xxxxxx
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I just took a look at the list of brands and almost fainted. Not even talking about not knowing 90% of them, just the number of presenters… You should be extremely careful to avoid re-trying anything you’ve previously tried, then ruthlessly discriminate against any brands that do not seem right to you for whatever reason – packaging, color scheme, naming, etc. Then check with Lucas which brands/perfumes he likes – most likely, you can skip those :). And only after that do your best not to sniff yourself into a coma 😉
I so wish I were there! Not even for perfumes themselves but to meet you, Magpie, Lucas and others.
Enjoy your trip!
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Truth is dearest Undina, is I don´t actually sniff that much down there. I take the samples that I want to have a go with and do it when I get home. I don´t take any vials of those that I know are not my cup of tea. I did that the first year and then ended up with loads of little bottles lying around. Lucas and I do have quite different tastes, but I throughly enjoy spending some time with him. The highlight will be The Magpie. I don´t know 95% of them you are ahead of me. 😉
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Oh, that sounds so wonderful! Wish I could have organized myself earlier. I’d go for sure.
I’ve checked the list of exhibitors and it’s really huge and impossible to cover completely. I would be definitely visiting April Aromatics and the Turkish brand Nishane. I’ve read only favourable reviews of them.
Have a great time and please share your impressions with us regularly. I’ll stay tuned.
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Hi there Neva! I am not sure where you lie but maybe next year or Florence in September? I will absolutely check out Nishane, I tried them in Lodon and need to look again. I will try and post regularly. I always mean to but seem to get so caught up in the rush. I will take time out for Tea and Tweets and Facebook. xxxx
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Have a great time and a safe trip! I’m useless to tell you what to try because I’m easily distracted off course at those things. It will be great to meet some new perfume people. That’s the best part usually.
I’m trying to get to Sniffa this spring but my truck goes in the shop today and it needs new tires in addition to other repairs so my perfume vacation budget might be affected. I’ll just keep living vicariously through you I guess.
Xoxo
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Hi Poodle. Oh the people are absolutely the best. Walking into the huge hall is like disappearing into a cloud of oud and woody aroma chemicals. Fun but challenging. Hahahahahaha. I will make sure I Tweet picks for you. Lots of hugs. xxxxx
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Val – I’m incredibly jealous…but equally as excited for you and to hear all about your adventure. Have yourself a fantastic time!!!
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Hey Steve! I loe it when you drop by. Thanks! I will try and be adventurous in my
choices of scent. 😉 xxxxxxx
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Wait, a dinner date with Spiderman?!
Oh how I’d love to hang out with you, Magpie, Vero and Dr Fox. I think it’s great that you are going in with a plan this year, whether you stick to it or not.
Okay so I looked at that dizzying brand list and I would try and hit the following (I’ve chosen ones I’ve heard intriguing things about but can’t get hold of easily).
Anatole Lebreton
Masque Milano
Atelier des Ors
Stephane Humbert Lucas
Maria Candida Gentile
LM Parfums
April Aromatics
Have fun and look forward to cyber stalking you!
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Oh Tara thanks for a list. I shall take it with me and see how far I get. Cyberstalking? Haha I will drop in on chat at various points! It is a dizzying list and I already have preconceived ideas about a lot of it. I shall try and be open-minded. 😉 xxxxxx
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Hi Val,
Every year I hope to make it to either Milano or Venice…
If I went, I’d go to see a few stands just for the WTF? factor. Perfumes with a real diamond hidden in the bottle? (Orlov) A brand named Homoelegans? A scent to juggle your chakras ? (Coolife) The rudest and possibly also ugliest perfume bottle imaginable? (Olfattology)
Have all the fun and say hello to Dr. Fox and Vero. Bussi.
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Hi Sabine! Interestingly enough I have been asked by another blogger to see if I can grab something from Homoelegans and Olfattology. Not heard of Coolife. I will adhere to the WTF factor and see where it lands me. I carry around a bucket of cookies so let´s see who lands at my feet!! Lots of love. xxxxxx
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I’m so excited for you! If you get a chance, I’d add the new Aedes de Venustas to your list, and second Masque and April Aromatics!
Big hug xo
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Holly! Aedes de Venustas and Masqu Milano are on my list. I am planning to attend the Friday night Masque Milano Champagne and Iris Party along with Vero and Dr Fox. I´ll force myself. xxxxxxxxxxxx
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Val, have a wonderful time! The brands list is incredible. There are definitely a few I would spend a lot of time with. And a few, not so much. Enjoy. It should be great fun.
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Hello Maya 🙂 It is a mind-blowing brand list huh? It makes me wonder who buys all the stuff. I find myself feeling bad for the stands that you see with no one at them. We shall see. Nice to see you. xxxxxx
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Have a fab time, not least with Vero and the perfumistas you are meeting! I think the afternoon nap will be essential. I just looked at the list of exhibitors and it was simply staggering. I am not sure I know enough about the perfume scene anymore to suggest some key ports of call. I might even have to tag on a morning nap as well after the first day or so. But seriously, have a total blast – well, I know you will, and I look forward to hearing all about it, and seeing the pictures!
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Between you and me dearest V, the best part of each day is getting back to the hotel, putting on jammy bottoms, turning the telly and staring at my iPad and looking forward to the fab breakfast in the morning. Aaaahhhhh. xxxxxxxx
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I’m laughing out loud here! In one week, we’ll be there!! I should be doing some homework and make a list of priority sniffing and the others. I haven’t done that yet. Would I ever get around doing it before Milan? Who knows.
See you there, Val!! xx
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TM!!! Nearly there. How lucky are we? Violet Hunt 2016. It won´t be easy. xxxxxxx
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What a dazzling array of exhibitors! Fantastic. No point in me giving you my list, it would be almost the same… Nice to see Raw Spirit there, they give some of their profits to indigenous charities, including Australia.
Have a fab time!
xx Tina G
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I have no idea who you should be going to see at the show but sometimes the best part is just exploring and following your nose. So nice that Magpie will be there with you, so we will have double the pictures and reports. You will all have a ball. I laughed when you said the best part is coming home and putting the jammie bottoms on (mine is taking the bra off) lol. Oh enjoy the champers and iris party too. Jealous, but happy for you too. xx
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