SOTD 12.11 – 18.11.2018

/ AustralianPerfumeJunkies

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Portia

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Hi APJ,

A SOTD (Scent Of The Day) thread is a really good conversation generator. The idea is you’ll chime in through the week with whatever scent you are wearing. You don’t need to be super knowledgable, have high faluting tastes or be a published author to comment. Just tell us what fragrance you’re wearing, smelling, buying etc. and how it makes you feel and/or anything else about it that tickles your fancy.

You can also comment on everyone else choices too. It’s great to tell someone how much you love their choice, ask for more info about it, the house or perfumer. There’s someone here from around the world 24/7 and perfume people love to chat.

SOTD 12.11 – 18.11.2018

You probably won’t have time to write every scent, every spritz but whenever you feel the mood take you share your current spritz and a few things about it. Maybe you love/loathe it, want it, are excited by the notes/bottle/SA who sold it: WHATEVER! As always here at APJ, taking sides never means taking offence and everyone keeps it respectful and light, even though we can sometimes trawl the depths.

Hopefully you will come back and see if anyone has responded to your comment and you can reply to them.

Go To It Crew.
Portia xxx

654 thoughts on “SOTD 12.11 – 18.11.2018”

  3. FM Lys Mediterranee. The sun is out (for the moment, anyway) and this fits the bill today. Housework to plough through, I was a bit lazy last week 😉

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  5. Inspired by my ride or die list from Saturday, Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne des Bois. Just as good as Bois des Iles; sad that I can’t get more but will enjoy every drop!

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  6. Tiger’s Nest from Portia. I’m really getting incense which is fabulous. My first couple of wearings I was thinking amber. Maybe my nose doesn’t ‘know’ incense, never having smelled it before. Well it knows it now and loves it.

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  8. BVLGARI eau parfumee eau the noir. Beautiful dry woody rose with a hint of incense and oud. For working out on the airport ramp in 9 degrees Fahrenheit lol. It’s a cold one!

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  11. The sub zero temps have begun, and I spent the past couple of days cooking yummies and cleaning. Today is a curl in front of the (electric) fire with the hounds and binge Netflix day. Ombre Rose is the perfect companion.

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  12. Had a very busy day at work and back to work again at night. Glad it’s quite now. Didn’t wear anything in the morning!!! Now wearing Tobacco Silk from Gallagher Fragrances. Really enjoying the drydown

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  15. Last night before bed I gave myself some hefty spritzes of Phaedon’s Pluie de Soleil (burst of sunshine) and still this morning after sleeping 7 solid hours, walking the dogs and breakfasting I’m still awash with pineapple and fruit salad. The sandalwood is so muted it only gives the lightest grounding touch to the fragrance. Perfect warm spring morning scent.

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  16. In Shalimar perfume this evening wishing my bottle of Pour Un Homme would arrive.
    My home reno clients called to say they were thrilled with the outcome. They hardly recognized the main floor of their house. They want to meet for lunch later this week. Hope something good comes out of this. They do have two additional properties……
    On another note. Has anyone ever wrecked a favorite perfume for you? My eldest daughter, who’s nickname is ________Nasty (her choice) said she thought First Cut just smelled like soap!! And, to add to the insult, when I said that I loved Pour Un Homme, she said it was cheap crap!! Honestly! Now when I smell First Cut I think I am smelling nothing but soap. Huh. Vastly annoyed by this.
    And the girl has some real perfumista creds. Her collection probably rivals Portia’s and she’s got some real beauties in there. Not very nice is all I can say. But how do I get it out of my head that First Cut smells like nothing but soap?? The power of suggestion is so very strong when it comes to subjective views on matters like perfume and food.
    For example, I might bake a chocolate cake and tell you I had put a bit of coffee in it. You might agree that, yes indeed, you could taste a smidge of coffee, even if I was actually lied and did not.
    Oh my! I am very rambly tonight. Guess that’s what happens when you’re on your own for too long. Sorry gang😜

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    • And just what’s wrong with soap anyway? It has been providing the essential service of removing the stink off people and leaving something lovely in its wake since I don’t know how long. It would be a rancid, foul smelling world without it. And I couldn’t give one continental what anyone else thinks of my perfume, unless it was turning their stomach or making their eyes water. I’m not easily swayed by the opinions of others.

      Liked by 1 person

    • I thought smelling soapy was a compliment Marcella. I love how orange blossom or lavender can propel me back in time to when soaps were mostly made from them in our house growing up. Sandalwood will take me straight to my last long term partner Varun who introduced me to the Mysore Sandalwood Soap.
      Soap = good. Your daughter = NAUGHTY!
      Portia xx

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Yesterday Diana mentioned a perfume with violets and soft leather and that inspired me to wear violets today: Dsquared She Wood. Some years ago I almost emptied a 100 ml bottle and then I suddenly couldn’t stand the intensive smell of violets. Ever since then it is sitting in the dark in my closet waiting to be rediscovered. Today it still feels to heavy on violets.

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      • Yes, do it Diana. The violets are very strong in that one and the price is also relatively okay. I’d be happy to send you a decant but we have the stupid “no liquid” regulation and it wouldn’t pass through the customs control.

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    • I don’t have much with violets in it with the exception of Dans Tes Bras which I love tremendously. I wore it frequently during the intensely hot and humid weather we had during the summer and it was great. Smelled like clean but lightly perspiring skin.

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  21. Gosh, Tuesday night already; this week is flying. Still in a pretty hot spell. Monday I went for Mugler Cologne, a neroli and citrus fragrance that, in value for money terms, just thrashes things like Neroli Portofino. If you shop around you can pick up this gem for well under $100.

    Today I felt like something greener and went for Hugh Parsons Hyde Park. Not my favourite green scent – Chanel No 19 and Green Valley Tweed beat it easily – but this is a seriously well done fig fragrance, comparable to the far more expensive Philosykos. Another great value for money option.

    Perhaps I should make value for money a theme for my choices this week, and so what I end up with.

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  22. 31 Rue Cambon this morning–I found a sample this morning when digging for something else and realised I had never tried it. It’s lovely… but, I don’t think it’s for me. Too elegant? Bloomed nicely when I got warm and glowy (ok, fine, pouring with sweat) at the gym. But otherwise it felt a touch too well mannered for me, in the never-scuffs-their-shoes and always has a clean hanky sort of way.

    Zoologist Civet this evening. Purring gently in pools of lamplight. Yep.

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      • I’m not sure–because I can’t remember when I managed to sweet talk this sample out of the SA. But it’s probably the EDP.

        Lifting is going pretty well, thanks! Progress is still happening, and that extra 2.5kg is going on, week by week. Up to about 65% of my old max now, but for reps, and it feels so very good to be moving some (relatively) heavier weights around and having to work a bit harder again.

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  23. The dregs of First Cut après gym. I’ve had to add loads of walking to my weight routine. Hospital tests a few weeks ago and a subsequent follow-up revealed that I have moderate/borderline severe peripheral artery disease. After a careful review the doctor determined that my diet was not the culprit (I have been avoiding red meat, fried foods, butter, cheeses and all those highly saturated fats for years). I’ve always been lean, so weight is not an issue. Years of smoking in the past combined with a genetic predisposition (my parents both died of coronary artery disease) seem to be what brought this on. Sheesh! Ageing is not for sissies. It takes more and more effort and time to remain healthy. So walking it is. 45-60 minutes, 4-5 times a week. I’d much rather bike, but that won’t do the trick. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️

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  25. Working on a sample board and poking my head in here. Not very inspired in my work today. But very inspired by the cloud of lavender lollies that surround me. Received Pour Un Homme and well-pleased with my order.

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  26. Well then. Not much work done today, but I’ve been pretty prolific over here at APJ 😂. Just so’s ya’ll know, we’re getting temps of -10C, -20 with the wind chill tonight. And it’s only November! Such fun. And I have to see a prospective client this evening 😬

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  27. “Russian Princess”, another one of Duchaufour’s creations for the mass-market fragrance brand Brocard. It’s got a handful of berries, just a dollop of sugar and musky base, all in all, it’s quite pretty, just maybe a bit simple for my taste (I know, I know, it would seem like there’s no pleasing me!).

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  30. OK, so I’m going to go with the “value for money” idea but, as the Hyde Park example shows, it can only reflect what I paid at the time. Frags I considered excellent value for money when I bought them are now either hard to get or no longer widely discounted.

    Caveat over, today’s choice is Acqua di Biella no. 1. This is a venerable EdC that’s been in production since the late 19th century but doesn’t get anywhere near the love Acqua di Parma gets. It’s got a lovely jasmine, bergamot and neroli thing going, with a hint of mint. I pretty much stole this when I bought a FB on sale for 20% of RRP, but even so its price is pretty fair and it’s worth a look if you want a change.

    My last two entries don’t seem to genuinely fit the “value for money” criteria, so I will see if I can apply it better for the rest of the week.

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  31. I tried on some new samples on Monday. One was Suède de Suède by Mona di Orio, hoping for a really good cloudberry note in there – and I cannot find it! The name suggests the perfumer is Swedish, so should have a clear understanding of what cloudberries are like, both in the wild and as a jam. So, I am disappointed. For anyone wanting a soft leather perfume, this one maybe is the right thing, no sharp edges and a good composition. Doesn’t last long on me, 2 hours or so, and stays close to skin, so would be office friendly.

    Also tried Un Air de Bretagne, which is pleasant, but has a hint of what I associate with expensive shaving products, so maybe a decant of this would be nice, so far not an absolute love (that is, no FB buy for now).

    Finally tried Alahine in edp, and really like it, but cannot describe it. Sure, it may be oriental, but it is not very heavy. Some say it has a lot of lavender, I mostly detect flowers and amber. This is a nice one, but it will take some time to get to know it, may have to buy multiple samples! A friend had this as one of her favourites for a long time, so I felt it was time to try it.

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  33. I resprayed Solstice Scents Estate Vetiver this morning because this is so darn addictively good…vanilla, tobacco and patchouli (and to my nose cocoa and lots of it) with a touch of vetiver…this is what I smell. I looked at the website and was sorely tempted…yikes!!!! Prices for full bottles are very reasonable.

    Not sure what I will wear today after my shower. Maybe test drive Romeo and Juliet ?

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  34. Indian Study Santal, another of Portia’s Perfume Pressies. This is a deceptive little creature. It goes on very quietly and gently and hovers about in the background in a powdery and musky haze, and every so often it gives out a puff of Sandalwood and vetiver. It’s very nice and I think if sprayed would have much more presence.

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  35. Lunch with the clients today. They picked a great restaurant, one of Montreal’s most popular and normally requires a couple of months on a wait list to get a reservation. They must have some serious pull. I’m going to wear Pour Un Homme. It’s refined while still being relaxed and friendly. It’s going to be difficult dreaming up sartorial splendour tho. It’s -12C this morning with a significant wind chill. A down-filled dress with Goretex tights might do the trick 😏 Ugh. Just love prancing around town looking like a pathetic imitation of the Michelin Man.

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  36. Tokyomilk Bittersweet for me today. Notes say cake flour, dark cacao bean, osmanthus and bronzed musk. Haven’t worn it for ages.
    And then so I may earn my enabler pin, I thought I might just mention a cool site that’s having a sale. But they also do samples of some of the cool stuff which (to me) seems hard to find here in Oz. It’s called LKNU Parfumeria. Looks like doing a clear out and getting some new stuff. I might treat myself to some samples like Papillon Tobacco Rose and Salome (as mentioned somewhere in a SOTD thread) and some interesting 4160 Tuesday stuff. Tokyomilk scents also on sale….

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  37. Bandit. Generously applied. After being swaddled in layers of clothing all day I was feeling positively suffocated and needed it stringent green and leather.
    Lunch was…..interesting. Don’t want to make anyone drool here, so I won’t mention that plump, beautifully briney oysters were slurped and that there may have been a dish that featured lobsters.
    And OMG!! These folks are mega wealthy. The house I worked on. A lake house in the Townships, ski chalet up north and…..wait for it….a house in Saint Martin!! 🤯 Yikes!
    Makes me wonder……why did they choose me 🧐. They’re delighted with the result and are having a cocktail party next week with what are,hopefully, their equally wealthy friends. And yours truly. Spin-off work perhaps???

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  38. I can’t believe I did not wear anything yesterday. But was smelling awful but I did enjoy the smell. It was my day off and usually, I spent time cooking(love love cooking) and playing with my perfumes. But I spent my most of the time with my car with the minimal use of internet. Lots of cuts on my hands. But I enjoyed my time. The whole day I smelt the grease and motor oil. Glad it wasn’t that bad.

    Now wearing Ummagumma by Bruno Fazzolari. Love it a lot. Straight I get the leather, chocolate and tobacco. Lovely stuff. For some reason, It reminds me two fragrance 1- Cafe V by OO and Rhinoceros by Zoologist.

    Also testing Sadel by Svensk Parfym. Leather is a bit strong. Almost feels like burnt leather.

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  39. Been wearing Vanori by Sylvaine Delacourte – and I’m so pleased with it’s performance & sillage! The drydown is delicious – I wore it on my clothes- which got on the coat, which transferred to the robe and the closet and bedroom just smell mega yummy from Saturday night’s wearing! Knew I’d like it but didn’t know I’d love it – yay!

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    • I will chime in and say that those Delacourte sample packs are so beautifully put together and so ridiculously cheap…with conversion rate I got one set of Musc pack (5 fragrance sprays around 1.5 ml each in cute little box gorgeous presentation and booklet explaining each scent) and a Vanilla pack (same as musc 5 sprays…etc etc) and combined cost for BOTH was 9 USD with free shipping! I sampled them all and saved them for stocking stuffers because they are that cute and presentable…however, I ended up making a care package for a good friend who just had surgery..she said no flowers so I sent her tea and perfume and included those two sampler packs. Also, if you like something you get a discount code with the sampler pack..not sure if it was 20 or 30 percent off future purchase…and they have a put together your own travel spray sets…I think each bottle is 15ml and you can choose your scents..I really liked Florentina (?? I think that was the name…a gorgeous sweet iris/heliotrope scent that some say smells like a modernize L’heure Bleue) and Heliacrisse (cause it had a hefty dose of immortelle)…but I was mature and did not order anything 🙂

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  41. Clinique Aromatics in White. A flat no-hoper with a touch of johnson’s baby oil. Will pick something else to go to my son’s OT. Fingers crossed she does not cancel after we get there.

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    • Cancel AFTER you get there? What ever happened to communication? Little by little hospitals, doctors and physiotherapists here all seem to understand the benefit of sending out text messeges when they need to change appointments. Obviously, ordinary businesses have done this for years.

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    • What’s your son’s OT? I hope everything is alright. Have not tried the Aromatics in White, but wore and enjoyed the original Aromatics Elixir year’s ago. Recently I tried the Blach Cherry. My daughter loved it, me? not that impressed.

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      • Occupational therapist. All well here, thanks, Marcella!

        In White is pointless. This is the perfume that should have been called “Beige”. Gah! When a perfume says white, I’m ready for big, lush indolics. Not some timourous baby oil smelling stuff.

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  42. Today’s “value for money” pick is the real deal: Rochas Man. Those of you who may have met up with me over the years know that I love my coffee, and this is a really good coffee gourmand. It’s not a heavy gourmand though, but quite light. It opens with a very nice cafe au lait scent and then dries down to a more floral lavender and jasmine. You can easily buy this for under $50, a great price for a perfume designed by the designer of Helmut Lang EdC, Dans Tes Bras and Musc Ravageur. It does suffer a bit in the longevity department, but at this price you can afford to spray more. Reviewers often compare this to Bond New Haarlem, and who knows what that costs these days.

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  43. Today I’m wearing Choeur Des Anges from Atelier Des Ors. Someone talked about it a few weeks ago, I think VerbenaLuvr, but I’m not sure. Anyhow, I liked the description and got me a sample. it’s worth it! Imagine a gourmand with prominent orange that lasts and lasts. I feel osmanthus and honey but above all hovers the blood orange and it doesn’t fade. Such an uplifting perfume. Santa, bring me a bottle please 😉

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  44. Masque Milano Russian Tea. Thanks to Portia for reminding me that I have this one. I moved around some of my samples and decants and had lost track of this. Without a doubt the best tea scent I’ve ever smelled. I like tea scents but don’t love them so this is not destined to become a full bottle purchase. I’d definitely wear it if it was gifted to me tho.

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  45. Yesterday I was massively berated by a coworker for my perfume..she was ‘gagging’, gave her a headache, etc etc etc….oy vey!!! I work with a bunch of drama queens…so today I was relatively commando….Nubian Heritage Raw Shea Butter with myrrh and frankincense (oh lordy I am addicted to this stuff and wish someone made it in an EDT cause it smells THAT good!) and a drop of Eden Botanicals Champaca essential oil on one wrist and Eden Botanicals ambrette seed essential oil on the other wrist. Now I am home and I sprayed myself silly with Bond no 9 New Haarlem, Prada L’Ambree and I Fiori del Cielo…all three are new to me….and all smell good 🙂

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  46. Lutens Boxeuses today, and then a good dose of Kingdom Metamorphic on my scarf after my swim. Pondering something richer for the rest of the evening, though I do like this slightly rough-edged peaty-mineraly-leatherish smoke. And it seems to last so much better on fabric than on my skin.

    Yesterday: Beaufort Fathom V all day, and Chergui in the evening.

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  47. God I forgot my sotd again, work has been keeping me busy of late. there are demanding divas here too. And that’s just the men. Narciso (white cube) today tried its best to fend off annoyances plus crappy grey and wet weather. A monumental job, and it was somewhat adequate. It put up a good fight.

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  48. Feminite du Bois as my SOTD, and Cuir Amethyste is going to be my choice for the night. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to wear something a few days in a row. Wait, actually, I can: winter 2014/2015, Dior Homme Intense. I had a huge love affair with that one until I eventually fell out of love.

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  49. Driving all over town today hunting up fabric samples. Detoured to a major department store. Had a spray of Coco Mademoiselle Intense. Nope. Not for me. Smelled aggressive and department store-ish.
    After freezing our tender bits off yesterday we are expecting 15-20 cm snow overnite and tomorrow. It’s gonna be cold so no sleet and no melting when it hits the ground. This stuff’s gonna stick around. And no winter tires on my car yet 😱 I gave my appointment of today to my SIL and daughter cuz they have to drive out of town on the weekend 😇

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  50. Well hello all. Has anyone missed moi? Somehow I’d missed the beginning of this week, so I’ve just spent the last hour reading every comment here. Anyway I thought I would mention that I have found that I actually own a scent which is oud centric. It is a love. So much so that I own a 30ml BUB. The tragic thing is though ,it is now discontinued, and has sky rocketed in price. Guess what it is; in a purple bottle.
    Yesterday ,Thursday I thunked the last 1ml of a decant of Rose de Kandahar, and really gave it no further thought…..until one of my colleagues walked into the staff room and said ‘ ohhh I wonder who was in here before… it smells manly’ LOL I promptly proffered my arm and said’ I think you’ll find it is my fragrance because it contains oud’ She bent down smelt my arm ,,smiling ..yes, so good. This same girl has also complimented me when I’ve worn Grey Flannel lol.
    Now it’s Friday morning, and I’ve sprayed myself preshower with Truth and Dare {thanks Cassie} and procrastinating because I don’t wanna go to the Pits.
    And breathe…… sorry for the long post

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  51. Today’s value for money scent is out of left field a bit. I’m wearing Floid Vigoroso today. Floid is a Spanish company that have been making traditional barbershop products since the 1930s. Vigoroso is an after shave splash with a faint opening of bitter citrus drying down to a soft powdery scent.

    While it has menthol and other skin protection elements it doesn’t go on with a sting and can be applied anywhere you would put on perfume. Being an after shave it sticks close to the skin and doesn’t last that long, so I tend to apply if pretty freely and treat it as a daytime scent which you might layer with something else in the evening, or maybe as something soft to wear overnight. If you don’t like a splash you can always decant it into an atomiser and spray.

    Vigoroso costs about $25 for a 150 ml bottle from online shave sites. At that price it’s potentially a great introduction to perfume for guys who don’t want to break the bank trying new things out. The respected site Badger and Blade rates this as the one of the best after shaves in the world, so why not give it a go?

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  52. Well now, this insomnia business is just great. I get to play APJ in different time zones and have a fighting chance that someone out there is popping in. I wore Russian Tea yesterday and may have semi-lied when I said that I wouldn’t be pursing it any further than the small sample I have. It’s a beautiful, authentic, black, unsweetened tea that releases occasional puffs of a smokier lapsang souchong variety. I’m also getting shy whiffs of something ever-so-slightly fruity/floral. Extremely satisfying. I think I need a decant 😏

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      • Truth! Hopefully I can hold out till next Thursday. 4deg C overnight and a daytime max of 14. I have this feeling that January will be hell.

        Anyways this fragrance is very nice and light. I don’t know the smell of Coppertone so no hit of nostalgia here.

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  54. I smell like a busy bee barista today. Slathered in an oil slick of coffee eo mixed with carrier, topped off with several squirts of Ylang Ylang Espresso. I was feeling very tired this morning and needed the hit.

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  55. Mr. Marzipan and i were up at midnight clearing the eight inches or wet heavy snow off of our long driveway before it turned into freezing rain and sleet which produces an ice rink that doesn’t thaw out until the spring….winter is officially here folks!

    However, due to poor road conditions I am homebound so I can play around with my perfumes in between the mega amount of chores that need to be done both inside and outside (including clearing the deck and front walkway)….the youngest Marzipan is still home so he will help out as well.

    will chime in later with my SsOTD….probably will wait until after shower…..

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    • Glad you’re home. We got somewhat more than you did, but the light, fluffy stuff. And it’s not supposed to stop till tonight. I’ve got to do some driving today but the plows and salt trucks have passed so I’m hoping it won’t be too bad.

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    • I can’t even imagine the pain😖 I hope you have lots of magnesium salt in your house for your poor muscles. But one good result- no bitchy coworker to deal with so spray every inch of yourself later!

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    • Terrible…it’s only November and you already have snow :-/ I mean, that how it used to be in my childhood but in the past 20 years we get very little snow and I can live with it very good.

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      • Yes, it really is terrible…and I am NOT happy about it…the snow is extraordinarily disruptive because everything closes and the roads are often blocked by falling trees…plus, the snow removal….I will be wishing for spring very soon!!!

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  57. Had an awful fragrance day in the morning. Friday always excites me because when I go to pray on Friday I get to smell lots of different fragrances mostly perfume oils. Some of them are synthetic ,some of them are very high quality rich oud, amber, rose, frankincense based fragrances. As a fragrance lover I can easily differentiate. Today it was cloudy here in Sydney and I wore Mancera Back to Black. It is a solid release from the house. If you like Montale Black Aoud you’ll like this one too. To me they both are very identical. BA was my 1st niche fragrance. And I remember, 1st time I did 6 sprays and I was knocked out flat. The opening can be a bit overwhelming with synthetic oud and rose . I shouldn’t say can be, it is a punch on your face and it grows for 5 to 6 hours then it settles. If this is BA then it is nothing in front of BTB. Holy shit. My decant is around 3years old. I got it after it was released. I accidentally in a hurry sprayed 4 sprays. OMG. I choked myself. It was so embarrassing in front of 100 of people. The guy next to me after prayer gave me a innocent look and probably was trying to tell me ” mate your cologne is too much, you are killing me” and I did realise the fact that I stink. I felt so bad that I left immediately after. Came home took a shower and changed clothes. Had a good sleep. Afternoon went to meet a friend who’s game is going to be over (getting married). He complimented me. I didn’t wear anything, it was from BTB. Had a good time. Ate chicken kebab, Tehare ( beriyani without spices) and end up with tea. Came home took a shower and prepared for my night shift. I was confused what to wear and also concern what to wear as my job doesn’t encourage to wear perfume. Me being silly me, did wear something. Lavender Noir form Phoenix Botanicals. Two dabs on my both hands. Smokey lavender. It’s a shame that it doesn’t last on my skin. Hardly 3-4 hours. What an embarrassing day.

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  58. Ostara this morning–determinedly sticking with the illusion that it’s spring. And wearing The Zoo’s Club Design (a.k.a. Scent Tattoo) this afternoon now that it’s dark again. This is really rather wonderful, and I may just have to wear it lots until I get to experience all the layers and details he’s built in to this little wonder.

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  59. Molinard Habinata for my Saturday errands and shop run. Using up all of my sample. So delish!
    Saffyishere- glad your parcel arrived. Hope there are a few treasures in there – enjoy 😘

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  62. Thursday afternoon I finally thunked my travel spray of Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia. Just the right thing for a bit of exercise. Sud Magnolia is nice, but I tired of it, unlike Orange Sanguine which I still love.

    Tried Davidoff Coolwater Wave just before going to bed Thursday. This was a free sample, and I was curious. It has something very much like a sea water accord, but there’s also something very synthetic about it, so had to wash it off. It was hurting my nose, really. I’m thinking of just throwing this in the bin.

    Friday morning tried CK Euphoria. Exotic fruits and sensual woods (what is that anyway?). This was more like red berries and something sugary to my nose, so will rehome the sample. Younger people do seem to tolerate sweeter scents better. Post shower put on two sprays of Alahine, then layered with a little Dior Ambre Nuit before heading to work at noon. Good combo, but I’m always unsure about layering!

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  63. Melanie….. thank you again for the little collection of samples you sent me. How did you know that I have wanted to try Jasmine et Cigarette…..FOREVER!!!? Just one query… what is the Cry Oud..put it into Fragrantica search and provided 3 or 4 variations of a ‘crystal oud’. I’m a bit confused. I’m surrounded by an ocean of samples and decants, and just cannot decide so I’m heading to my perfume drawers; Crabtree/ / Evelyn Gardenia. Knowing I smell fab will get me through my shift.

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    • Saffyishere- it’s not City Oud by Dueto? That will teach me to keep better notes on what I send! Thought you might like Jasmin eat Cigarette going on some of the other scents you mention. So glad you will get to try it. Look forward to your thoughts on it xx

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  64. Joining Marcella in the insomnia group! Passed out at 6pm…but alas, now I am WIDE AWAKE….reading comments and dithering about what fragrance I want to sample at the moment…hmmmm…maybe, Baiser de Russie (not sure if I spelled that correctly?)

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    • Is this insomnia thing contagious? We’re three of us now? Myself, Mrs. M and Cassie? Anyone else want to join in? We can have a club.
      I’m not an ‘app’ person, normally, but I purchased one yesterday. It’s a variety of choices in the white noise department. I tried ‘crackling campfire’ last night, then got worried that I had not put the fire in the living room fireplace properly to bed. Of course I got up to double check. Wide awake after that, natch. Fell asleep to ‘violet noise’, which then woke me up an hour later 🙄

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  66. It seems odd to post here about “value for money” after my Jicky article has gone up. I doubt I’ll ever get value for money like that ever again. Still, back in the real world of fragrances that we can actually buy, today’s vfm is Le Troisieme Homme de Caron. While this doesn’t exactly conjure up a murky Graham Greene atmosphere it is a very nicely-rounded scent with enough citrus, woods and spices going on to let you wear it all year round. I wore it today in coolish but sunny weather and it was spot-on. Lasted pretty well, maybe 6-8 hours. You can easily find this for under $100, maybe even under $50 if you shop around for a while.

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  67. Last night after the Basier wore off I went with Youth Dew Amber on one wrist and Tabac Original on the other…now I am testing my “amber” oil that is marinating in my bathroom on my hands…it is still a bit smoky so I am hoping in a few weeks those vanilla beans will continue to sweeten it up.

    may do some more testing later of new goodies….

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    • Quick question here. I see that both you and Cassie tend to oil up with regularity. Aren’t you both just as greasy and slick as all get out? I tried massaging a good quality coconut oil into my parched skin last winter and immediately became a magnet for every dust particle and animal hair in the house. What gives with this oiling business. I don’t get it.

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      • I oil up every day. My skin is very dry and seems to just drink it in. I use sweet almond or coconut mostly. I would surely be a wizened old crone if I didn’t do this.

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      • yes, as cassie said above..I have EXTREMELY dry skin (this is why I don’t hold scent very well and spray lavishly)….I oil up in the morning and at night…I have been doing so for years…and I will have to say it does make a difference in the appearance of my skin….I use everything..coconut oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, sesame seed oil, raw shea butter (that is my new obsession…Nubian Heritage Raw Shea butter with frankincense and myhrr…holy cow I would love this in perfume version), jojoba oil even olive oil (which also makes a fantastic all natural make up remover if you are looking for one)….no oil slick..it sinks right in….

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        • Alright now. This is all of the list of Things I Need. I’m going to get sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and the raw Shea Butter. Can I use a body cream/lotion wither under or over these products?

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        • Wohoo I can get this Shea butter from iherb. Is it a good moisturiser? Though my shelves and cupboards are already groaning under the weight of lotions and potions . I should look like a flipping goddess🙄

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          • It’s a fantastic moisturizer but as I mentioned above it can feel a bit tacky. It’s like a paste but you warm it up in your hands rubbing it together, then it turns into an oil and you apply it to your skin, sparingly. I don’t do the sparingly because I love the way it smells so I don’t mind being a bit tacky…and when you use it on your hands it forms a moisture barrier so even when my hands get wet it still seems to be there afterwards. I also bought the Nubian Heritage Shea Butter Hand Cream and Shea Butter body lotion but they don’t smell as good as the raw shea butter. However, they are less tacky and have a normal lotion/hand cream consistency.

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  68. Tested Side Effect by Initio Parfums Privé last night. A rich, dense extremely long-lasting blend of tobacco, rum, vanilla and cinnamon. Given the notes, I should have liked this more, but there was something odd in the tobacco note that was a little harsh. I did get some very nice whiffs of leather tho. A very raw, untanned sort of leather. Gimme Russian Tea, anytime.

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  69. Tested seven from Coquilette Paris..favorite thus far is Mirabela as it has a pleasant coffee note..runner up is Ambrosia..do I need full bottles of these? Nope.

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  72. No perfume earlier for sloping around on the treadmill this morning. My arteries may be crying tears of joy, but my wonky hip is getting mighty pissed off. This will not end well 🥺 (used a new emoji, ya see that?)
    Zombied out on the sofa inhaling the zen that is Sedona Sweet Grass. Kittie purring next to me.

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  73. I’m Evan inspired today so Montale Oud Musk. Heading out with friends with green thumbs to nursery to find stuff for the garden. I’m so not a gardener.
    Evan, thanks for the info on the versions of Montale. I was wondering if you would like to try some other Montales? I have a little bunch of Montale samples I don’t love – drop me a line ( smelanie at outlook dot com) I’d love to share them with you. They deserve a good home!

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  74. Well the last vfm fragrance for the week is pretty much a staple that is doubtless known to you all: Guerlain Homme. This one, to me, is more green that citrus and not hugely strong. I reckon that you need to spray a lot to really get this to sing, so it’s just as well that it’s cheap. You can find it easily for well under $100 although I have been hearing rumours that it’s discontinued.

    My choices this week were in part dictated by the weather; it’s been pretty hot, so summery fragrances were the order of the day. There were a few others that I wanted to highlight for you but they weren’t right for the day, or I just ran out of time. These include Bentley for Men, Guerlain Vetiver, Guerlain Habit Rouge, YSL Opium Pour Homme, Lanvin L’homme Sport, Versace Dreamer and Van Cleef and Arpels Pour Homme.

    We should not overlook our local heroes either. There are Australian perfumers making excellent fragrances at really good prices. A good example is Mark Evans at Evocative Perfumes, whose fragrances can be bought at $70 for 50 ml. I have Olibanum, and it’s excellent; the rest of his line has a similar high reputation.

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  75. I woke up feeling quite unwell; nauseous, dizzy, head spinning and a bit unco-ordinated at nearly 7am this morning. I made it to the loo, but despite feelings of didn’t vomit. With much concentration ,I somehow managed to get back to my bed, and waited for hubby to come home { [usually about 7. 45 }, and told him of my woes; So I think my BP is out of control…again. I feel really yucky, but I’m dressed waiting for a friend to take me to my GP service. I have thunked a 1ml sample of Grand Neroli by Atelier Cologne. It is gentle ,and reassuring. Will give update later.

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  76. Yesterday afternoon/evening we went to the Twilight Fair at my son’s school. It was lovely and cool. I dabbed on some SL Santal de Mysore (my least fave SL because it smells just like my spice dabba) and blasted over it with SL sa Majeste la Rose. Worked perfectly, and perfectly acceptable for an outdoor event. The reptiles and the small farm animals were a hit! As were the rides and the sausage sizzle.

    This morning I had a long, long uninterrupted date with my sketchbook. The very pleasant JHAG Miss Charming and a my cuppa chai for company. I took a break from the applications but stooopidly decided to watch the news. Ugh.

    Hope everyone is having a delightful+restful weekend. I’m watching Foyle’s War (taped). Ah, I see Peter Capaldi is on screen now- must go! So glad I sprayed some SL TC on earlier. 😉

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  77. Wearing SL Five o’clock au Gingembre, it’s just such a calming and relaxing scent to me. Most likely will put on something else later in the day. And the sun is out, so must get outdoors.

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  78. Last night tested Oil Perfumery Oud Ispahan…very nice…not sure if it is an exact replica as I have never tried the exclusive but I do like it…have a feeling the middle Marzipan is gonna steal it from me!

    this morning Eau Sauvage…the bottle looks old so I am guessing it might be pre-reform….it’s glorious…I love it…and it’s citrus goodness is making me forget that we are getting more snow in the afternoon which makes me very sad 😦

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    • Oh dear Mrs. M, I share your sad face at the prospect of more snow. It’s headed our way as well. I suppose we’ve just got to get used to it. I discovered yesterday that Montreal is situated in a ‘Snow Belt’ 😩

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  79. A surprisingly delightful testing of Gardener’s Glove (St. Clair’s Scents) last night. The opening, which on it’s first test run put me off, pleased me no end this time. Galbanum, green, tomatoe leaf overlaid by a significant birch-tar leather. It evolved quickly and was joined by a garden fresh rose and a clean, clear jasmine. Then a stunning note which I could not identify but smelled so familiar. Some research revealed it was honeysuckle. It transported me back to my parents deck smothered in masses of climbing, rambling honeysuckle, sharing a cup of tea in the glorious summer sunshine. Both First Cut and Gardener’s Glove have me enthralled. Either one would be a perfect antidote to the cold and snow of winter. Now I have to choose between them. That’s gonna be a toughy.

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  80. Wearing Myrrhiad in honour of Pierre Guillaume. Apparently, he has a crush on me. Did you see the picture of him on Portia’s weekly round-up? He’s thanking Portia for making me known to him. I suppose he’ll be lavishing me with all sorts of perfume pressies now. He’ll have to compete with Frederic Malle who has also succumbed to my charms 😎 And no, there’s no whiskey in my coffee this morning. This is all real. It’s happening now.

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  81. Greg’s post about his vintage treasures inspired me to wear some of mine. The 50 y.o. Mitsouko, eau de cologne. I’m wearing two versions, actually: the darker & mossier one was made in France, the other is the American blend, so much lighter and brighter. I like them both but I think I have to part ways with one of them: almost 130-140 ml in colognes plus a big tester bottle of vintage eau de toilette means years if not a decade of wearing whereas I don’t give them the skin time they all deserve. What’d you think?

    And on a slightly different note: have you ever used perfumed powders? I have a big Miss Dior box I don’t dare open. Not yet, al least.

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    • It feels great having such vintage treasures but on the other hand if you don’t treasure them enough, it makes no sense. I know how you feel because I love vintages too and at least a third of my collection are vintages. Maybe we should declare a “vintage week” per month?
      I’ve had an Armani perfumed powder in the eighties with a huuuuuge powder puff. It was very potent. In my opinion perfumed powders are great for the summertime because they need bare skin to bloom.

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      • I would love for y’all who own the vintage to declare a vintage week…I will eagerly read what you are wearing and take many walks down memory lane.

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      • Neva, I love my vintage bottles but I’m a bit afraid that chypres can turn bad with time.
        The way you described using perfume powder makes me want to open mine right now but you’re right, I’d better wait for the summer to do it.

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    • I’d keep the darker French version myself. I’d be happy to take the other one off your hands tho😏. As for wearing powders, not happening for me. I have ridiculously dry skin and am in fact currently being tutored by Mrs. Marzipan and Cassie on the benefits up oiling up.
      I do recall, however, using a Chanel no. 5 dusting powder in my late teens. In this particular case I recall being quite impressed that the scent was true to the perfume. If my skin could tolerate it, I would be powder-puffing myself nightly before bed. It’s such an elegant and old-world practise.

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    • About 40 years ago I only wore Youth Dew in powder format…gosh , I haven’t thought about perfume powders in ages…your mitsouko sounds divine..the darker and mossier one.

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