Orange Blossom - Le Couvent Des Minimes

Ok, are you tired of hearing about this one yet? Oh my how I love to gush! When I find a great product at a great price that brings me such happiness, I can't stop myself. The joy of a great, simple scent that is uplifting with lovely sillage to last the day.

The only note I find listed is Mediterranean orange blossom extract. But I can tell you this scent is sunny and bright and sweet and clean smelling. Today I'm wearing the Cream all over by body and I have the Floral Water spritzed on my neck, arms and chest. This is a mood inhancing happy fragrance to brighten your day or send you off to blissful sleep.

Le Couvent Des Minimes was founded in Provence, France in 1862. As far as I can tell they sell exclusively through Bath & Body Works stores here in the USA. Orange Blossom is the latest scent to be released in the line. I have to tell you I want it ALL. All of it!! There is Bath Gel, Lotion, Floral Water, EDT, a Candle and best of the line - the divine Body Softening Cream. I think by far the cream is the best product in this line and smells amazing.

I'm doing a happy dance today, full of giddy joy for this fragrance, and the fact that it's Friday, doesn't hurt.

You can find this line at most larger Bath & Body Works retail locations and online at:

Bath & Body Works

Scent of the Day - 03/31/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

TGIF!! What a long week, so glad it is Friday!
Le Couvent Des Minimes Orange Blossom today.
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 03/31/06

Scent of the Day - 03/30/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Fifi for me today. I'm wearing the EDP and still it is so subtle, I can barely smell it. Not sure if this one has enough sillage for me.
What are you wearing today?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Thursday 03/30/06

Scent of the Day - 03/29/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Marc Jacobs for me today. A beautiful clear day here in sunny Southen California.
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 03/29/06

Scent of the Day - 03/28/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I'm still undecided, it's rainy and cool here this morning and I'm dreading going to work. After some coffee, I'll make my decision. Meanwhile, what are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 03/28/06

Scent of the Day - 03/27/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I'm wearing Le Maroc this morning.
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 03/27/06

Jeanne Cagney - Remembering a Star

Today is Mrs. Morrison's Birthday.
Recently someone wrote to me asking about her and how I knew her. After I wrote back, I decided on her birthday I would re-tell the story that I had previously only told to him.

She was one of my girlfriend's mother.
We both lived in Athens, Ohio during the time. But I actually didn't meet her until sometime later here in Southern California.

She was living in Newport Beach at the time. I had talked to her a couple of times briefly at the house when I would go over, but you don't usually engage your friend's parents in conversation, you know?

Many years later, after I had lost touch with my girlfriend, I went to a women's luncheon and Mrs. Morrison was the guest speaker. I went up to her, to say hi, and she took me aside and sat with me awhile. She was so nice and talked to me like an old friend. I will never forget how gracious she was towards me. She said you don't know this, but the reason I am speaking today is because I have cancer. She went on to say, I wanted to tell you privately before you heard me speak. I didn't want for you to be shocked or upset. She said she was in remission and feeling much better and was there to speak of her ordeal and to give others hope and to speak of her faith in God.

Then even in her speech, she stopped and introduced me. She made me feel as if I were special. That was the last time I saw her. I cried the day I read the news of her death. Privately. Like a friend had passed. No one even knew I knew her, as I did.

Aside from being the sister of James Cagney, she was a star in her own right. You can out more about her film career here: IMDb

She was beautiful, charming and gracious.

Birth: Mar. 25, 1919
Death: Dec. 7, 1984

Scent of the Day - 03/25/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I'm testing the two new Keiko Mecheri fragrances today.
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 03/24/06

Scent of the Day - 03/24/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Oh I am so glad it's Friday! Working all week with this cold has been no fun at all. But today I'm feeling much better, and it's a beautiful, clear and crisp morning here in sunny Southern California. Just beautiful. I'm wearing today a lovely orchid perfume by Oleda called White Orchid.

What are you wearing?

Blue - Morgane Le Fay

Morgane Le Fay is a NYC based fashion design house owned by Liliana and Carlos Casabal. The Casabals collaborated with perfumers from the house of Givaudan to create their latest scent, Blue, made to capture the essences of a twilight evening with "shadowed forest floors" and "a smoldering sunset".

With notes of galbanum, ylang-ylang, Turkish rose, pepper, cardamom, sandalwood, smoky musk and benzoin, it seems they have accomplished just that. Soft and sexy it smells like a soft summer night, just at twilight. A weekend night when the heat of the day has faded away and you are clean and refreshed from a shower, pondering where to go out for the evening. A warm wind carries the soft floral notes, while hint of smoky musk portends the evening to come. A pepper note persists throughout but it calmed by the sweet sandalwood. Clean, sexy, elegant.

Isn't this just a beautifully striking bottle with its enticing pale blue juice? Makes you want to buy unsniffed, doesn't it?

You can find Morgane Le Fay Blue at www.luckyscent.com.

Or visit their design website at:
http://www.morganelefay.com/home.html

Scent of the Day - 03/23/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Morgane Le Fay Blue for me AGAIN today. Oh my, this is lovely!
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Thursday 03/23/06

Scent of the Day - 03/22/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Morgane Le Fay Blue for me today.
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 03/22/06

Scent of the Day - 03/21/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Guerlain Vega for me again today.
How about you?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 03/21/06

Vega - Guerlain

Vega was composed by Jacques Guerlain in 1936 and re-released by Jean-Paul Guerlain this year as part of the Legacy Collection. The first of some very special recreations of vintage scents to commemorate the opening of the new Gruerlain Boutique on the Champs Elysees this year.

Vega is a a classical aldehydic floral with notes of ylang ylang, jasmine, iris and sandalwood. It opens with a burst of florals softly powdered by the iris. It drys down to a softy woody base where the jasmine lingers.

A bit less aldehydic and less sweet than Liu. I find this similar to Chamade. With Chamade as the median I see Liu to the left, being sweeter, brighter, happier and Vega to the right, being less sweet, a bit melancholy.

Others have noted sensing vanilla, rose, orange blossom, amber or vetiver. I may agree with the amber and vanilla, some of the others may be standards in the Guerlain base.

Can you even imagine how hard it was for me to break this gorgeous seal?

Scent of the Day - 03/20/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Guerlain Vega for me today of course!
What are you wearing?

"When the swallows come back to Capistrano..."

WHEN THE SWALLOWS COME BACK TO CAPISTRANO

(Written by: Leon René)

Recorded by : Gene Autry; Pat Boone; Calvanes; Xavier Cugat; Bobby Day; The Dominoes; The Five Satins; Emile Ford; The Ink Spots; Harry James & His Orch.; The King Sisters; Guy Lombardo; Tony Martin; Billy May; Carmen McRae; Glenn Miller; Dick Todd; Billy Ward & The Dominoes. And others I'm sure.

"When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea"

I always remember this date because it was my Mother's Birthday. She loved the romantic idea that on her birthday, the swallows return every year to Capistrano. Sometime after I had moved here, I took her to Capistrano to visit the mission and see the historic place she had only heard of in song. I would have to guess the version she loved best was by Gene Autry. I think she had a crush on him.

Also the Buzzards return to Hinckley, Ohio - but they never made a song about that.

Scent of the Day - 03/19/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Morgane Le Fay for me today, still recovering from my cold. Thank goodness I didn't loose my sense of smell. :O)
What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - 03/18/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Still not feeling well today. Just a touch of Vega for me.
What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - 03/17/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 03/17/06

Scent of the Day - 03/15/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Guerlain Vega for me today. :O)
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 03/15/06

Scent of the Day - 03/14/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Finally! My beloved Le Maroc has arrived from Switzerland! I am doing a dance of joy! Even better than my sample, I think this one is meant to be sprayed. Wearing it today in all its glory and bumping my review!!

Le Maroc Pour Elle - Andy Tauer Perfumes

My new love, my latest passion, is this hauntingly beautiful fragrance from Tauer Perfumes - Zurich, Switzerland. This time I surprised even myself. The first time I tried this scent, I thought wow, such a medicinal opening, I don't like that. After being turned off by many medicinal type scents it was a knee jerk reaction. But wait, the next time I tried it knowing the opening was there, my reaction was different. Humm, I do kinda like this after all. It is unique, interesting, inviting. I set my sample aside for further testing.

Lying in bed a few nights ago, I suddenly crave this. I jump out of bed and go retrieve my sample. Yes, it's comforting now, smooth and velvety. And now my nose is stuck to my arm. In fact, I can't get enough.

"Le Maroc pour elle is the perfume of the Moroccan rose at dawn, combined with the seductive evening scent of jasmine. The flower fragrances melt into the enchantment of cedar wood from the High Atlas, forming a truly sensual oriental perfume. The head note is composed of fresh citrus and hints of lavender. Cedar wood forms the perfume body, gently combined with the balm of oriental woods." - Tauer Perfumes

The Moroccan (Maghreb) Rose and Atlas cedarwood are from the region know as Maghreb. Encyclopedia.com describes Maghreb as an Arabic term for NW Africa. It is generally applied to all of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia but actually pertains only to the area of the three countries between the high ranges of the Atlas Mts. and the Mediterranean Sea. It is from this region these precious oils are produced.

Intoxicating, compelling, addictive.

You can find Le Maroc Pour Elle for sale on the Tauer Perfumes website. (Now in English) www.tauerperfumes.com

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 03/14/06

Le Dix - Balenciaga

Le Dix is a classic floral aldehyde, and the first created by Cristobal Balenciaga. Le Dix was first released in Paris in 1947. Le Dix is French for "ten," named for his salon at No. 10, Avenue Georges V.

I just discovered this beautiful scent very recently. It does have that "perfumey" smell, but that is attributed to the aldehydes giving it a more old fashioned feel. Sometimes I think "perfumey" translates to sophisticated and elegant, don't you?

All of my favorite perfumes contain bergamot, and my favorite base includes sandalwood, musk & amber. So it's no wonder I fell quickly for this one.

"Delicately flowery, Le Dix unveils a fresh top note of bergamot and lemon.
The heart blooms graciously with an accord of ylang ylang, rose and lily of the valley. This refined bouquet ends in a finale of iris, civet, musk and vanilla. Woody notes of sandalwood and vetiver give the fragrance extra elegance and self-confidence." - Perfume.com

Notes:
Scent Type: Floral - Aldehyde
Top Notes: Aldehydes, peach, lemon, bergamot, coriander
Heart Notes: Jasmine, rose, orris, lilac, lily of the valley
Base Notes: Vetiver, sandalwood, musk, amber, tonka bean, benzoin, Peru balsam

Scent of the Day - 03/13/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Le Dix for me today - So elegant, I love this!

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 03/13/06

Scent of the Day - 03/12/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Wearing Fifi today, how about you?

Scent of the Day - 03/10/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Donna Karan Wenge for me today!
Thanks to Patty!

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 03/10/06

Scent of the Day - 03/09/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Testing two classic Guerlains today - one on each arm.
Liu and Vega

Paris Photo of the Day For - Thursday 03/09/06

Scent of the Day - 03/08/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Le Couvent Des Minimes Organge Blossom for me today.
I am very much in love with this simple, uncomplicated,
fresh scent from Bath & Body Works.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 03/08/06

Sira Des Indes - Jean Patou

I really wanted to love this one, and therefore I have given it more tries then usual. After all, it is not like Jean Patou releases new scents often. My anticipation grew as I awaited the release.

Disappointment came quickly with the artifical opening note, that I am thinking must be the pear/banana accord. Smelling not as much like a banana or pear as plastic. Thankfully it fades quickly into a lovely sweet floral. The floral note is magnolia champaca, sometimes known as yellow magnolia or the Joy Perfume Tree. (Do you love the Joy Perfume reference?) The fruit notes act to sweeten the floral rather than smelling fruity, which I thought was very well done. That was the good news. Bad news; Indes is quite animalic. Not really Serge Lutens MKK or anything, but plenty more than most. At first I thought it was just the floral acting indolic, but no, it is more than that.
The thrust of the scent is a sweet floral with animalic musk floating in and out.

Close to the skin and not long lasting, proved to be the final blows to any chance this one had of winding its way into my heart.

Notes: Magnolia champaca, banana accord, bergamot, pear, red berries, cardamom, musk, amber, vanilla and sandalwood.

Available now at SAKS in store.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 03/07/06

Scent of the Day - 03/07/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

One last try for Sira Des Indes

Scent of the Day - 03/06/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Still testing - Sira des Indes
I just can't fall for this one.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 03/06/06

A smoggy shot - The Arc of the Defense

Scent of the Day - 03/03/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

What are you wearing?
Bond No9 - New York Fling for me today.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 03/03/06

Paris Photo of the Day For - Thursday 03/02/06

Scent of the Day - 03/02/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Wow, I just discovered Formula 701* Orange Blossom Cream. It is so sweet and soft. Great for sleeping in or layering under your favorite Orange blossom fragrance. Today I have it layered under Laura Tonatto Fiori d'Arancio.

What are you wearing?

*I thought this was L'Occitane at first, the packaging is similar. I wondered why it was in English, duh!

~My Perfume List~

My Fragrance Wardrobe:

Aigner Too Feminine
Anne Pliska
Antica Farmacista Vanilla, Bourbon & Mandarin
Aptiva Euphoria
Aqua di Parma Arancia
Aqua di Parma Iris Nobile EDP
Aqua di Parma Iris Nobile EDT
Aqua di Parma Mandorlo
Aquolina Pink Sugar
Armani Prive Cuir Amethyste
Arpege Eclat D'Arpege
Arrogance Mix Lime Sugar
Balenciaga Le Dix
Barbie
BBW Cherry Blossom
Belara
Benandre
Black Widow
Bobo Dinner
Bond No 9 - Little Italy
Bond No 9 - New York Fling
Bond No 9 - The Scent Of Peace
Boucheron Jaipur Saphir
Boucheron Trouble
Boucheron Trouble Sheer
Brandy
Burberry Brit Gold
Burberry Brit Red
Bvlgari Blv Notte
Bvlgari White Tea
Byblos
Cacharel Lou Lou
Cacherel Amor Amor
Calypso Chevefeuille
Calypso Mimosa
Cartier Panthere - Eau Legere
Cartier So Pretty - Eau Fruitee
Cathy Guetta Ibiza
Caudalie Fleur De Vigne
CdG Rhubarb
Chanel Bois Des Iles
Chanel No 5 Voile
Chanel Une Fleur De Chanel
Chantecaille Wisteria
Charles Jourdan
Chopard Wish
Corinne Cobson Eau D' Corbson
Cosmo Moulin Rouge
Costes By Hotel Costes
Costume National Scent Cool Gloss
Cote Bastide Peche de Vigne
Creed Spring Flower
CSP Cool Tropic Palm
CSP O'Pomelo Sud Pacifique
CSP Vanilla Apricot
Dana Tabu
Delish Clean
Delish Clean Provence
Dessert Creamy
Divine Divine
Divine L’Ame Soeur
DKNY Be Delicious
DKNY Energizing Woman
DKNY Wenge
E. Coudray Amber et Vanille
E. Coudray Jacinthe et Rose
E. Coudray Musc et Freesia
E. Coudray Vanille Canelle
Eadward Fragrances Belle
Ebba By Sea
Eliz. W. Citrus Vervain
Eliz. W. Sweet Tea
Emanuel Ungaro Apparition
Escada (New - Diamond)
Escada Collection
Etro Messe de Minuit
Etro Raving
Etro Relent
Evening In Paris - Original Formula
FCUK for Her
Fifi Chachnil
Flowerbelle Oceane
Fragonard Belle de Nuit
Fragonard Eclat
Fragonard Eiffel Tower
Frederic Malle Iris Poudre
Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose
Fresh Index Pink Jasmine
Fresh Index Violet Moss
Fresh Index Wisteria
Fresh Lemon Sugar
Fresh Memoirs of a Geisha
Fresh Sugar Bossom
Gaultier2
GF Ferre For Her
Giorgio Armani Sensi
Giorgio Armani White Notes
Giorgio Red 2
Guerlain AA Herba Fresca
Guerlain AA Lemon Fresca
Guerlain AA Mentafollia
Guerlain AA Tutti Kiwi
Guerlain AA Winter Delice
Guerlain Angelique Noire
Guerlain Apres L'Ondee
Guerlain Chamade
Guerlain L'Instant
Guerlain L'Instant Iris
Guerlain Metallica
Guerlain Miterorites
Guerlain Sous le Vent
Guerlain Terracotta Voile d'Ete
Guerlain Un Air De Samsara
Guerlain Vega
Hanae Mori EDT
Heeley Cardinal
Heeley Eau D'Iris
Heeley Eau de Menthe
Herve Leger
Herve Leger Rose Leger
Histoire d'Eau Amethyste
I Coloniali Javanese Cananga
i Profumi di Firenze Ambra del Nepal
i Profumi di Firenze Florentia 22
i Profumi di Firenze Mirra
i Profumi di Firenze Vaniglia del Madagascar
i Profumi di Firenze Zenzero
Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey
Izzy Sayan Ginger Grapefruit
Izzy Sayan Spiked Rhubarb
J Lo Glow
J Lo Still
Jalaine Citrus Dream
Jalaine Rain Forest
Joop Jette
Kenzo Flower Le Parfum
Kingdom
Kingdom Summer
Kiss & Tell
KM A Fleur de Peau
KM Genie Des Bois
KM Gourmandises
KM Grenedes
KM Hanae
KM Loukhoum
KM Mogador
KM Paname
KM Passiflora
KM Peau De Peche
KM Sanguine
KM Wild Berries
La Maison Vanille Divine Des Tropiques
Laila
Lancome Mille & Une Roses
Lancome Miracle
L'Artisan Orchidee Blanche
Laura Tonatto Amir
Laura Tonatto Dama
Laura Tonatto E Duse
Laura Tonatto Fiori d'Arancio
L'Elbolario Caprifoglio
L'Erbolario Te Verde
Lepanto
Les Parfums de Rosine La Rose
Les Parfums de Rosine Rose d'Ete
Liz Claiborne Vivid
Lorenzo Villoresi Musk
Lorenzo Villoresi Teint de Neige
Luciano Soprani Donna
Lulu Guinness Pink Pearls
Maile Kauai Plumeria
Marc Jacobs Amber
Marc Jacobs Blush
Marc Jacobs Blush Intense
Marc Jacobs Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs Rain
Mariella Burani
Mariella Burani Mysterieuse
Mariella Burani Romantique
Marina Marinof Nothing But Happiness
Menard L'eau de Kasaneka
Michael Kors KORS
Michael Kors Island Hawaii
Michael Kors Michael Kors
Molinard Eau Fraiche
Molinard Nirmala
Molinard Violette
Mont Blance Femme Individuelle
Montale Chypre Vanille
Montale Sweet Oriental Dream
Montale Vanille Absolute
Mor Marshmallow
Morgan Le Fay Blue
Moschino Couture!
MPG Bahiana
MPG Sanguine Muskissime
MPG Soie Rouge
Nenuco Baby Cologne
Niki de Saint Phalle
Nikos Sculpture
Nina Ricci Cherry Fantasy
Ormonde Jayne Frangipani
Ormonde Jayne Osmanthus
Ormonde Jayne Sampaquita
Ormonde Jayne Tolu
Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet
Parfums Gres Caline
Parfums Di Nicoli Eau D'Ete
Parfumerie Generale Cuir Venenom
Perfume of Life Lazy Love
Perfume of Life Wanderlust
Perfumes Mathias - L'Eau de Tuborouse
Pleasures - Summer In Bloom
Ralph Lauren Ralph
Ralph Lauren Style
Rance Josephine
Rance Musc Blanc
Red Pearl
Robert Piguet Baghari
Roberto Cavalli Just Cavalli
Roberto Cavalli Oro
Roberto Cavalli Perfumo
Roberto Cavalli Serpentine
Romeo Gigli
Rykiel Rose
Santa Maria Novella Gaggia
Santa Maria Novella Violetta
Senteur Cola
Senteur Tropique
Serendipitous
Serge Lutens Clair De Musc
Serge Lutens Douce Amère
Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger
Serge Lutens Un Lys
Shanghai
S-Perfumes 100% Love
S-Perfumes 100% Love More
S-Perfumes Sloth
Stella McCartney Stella
Stila Crème Bouquet
Stila Midnight Bloom
Streness Summer
Strenesse
Sugar - Liquid Sugar Habit
Tan Giudicelli Zen Eau d'Eté
Tangerine Kiss
Tauer Perfumes Le Maroc
TBS Lemon Tea
TBS Pink Pepper
The Different Co Bergamot
The Different Co Jasmin de Nuit
The Different Co Osmanthus
Tipton Charles Mandarin Guava
Tipton Charles Ocean
Tipton Charles Sandalwood
Torrente L'Or de Torrente
Tocca Stella
Torrente L'Or Rouge
Velvet Rope
Viktor & Rolf Antidote
Voluspa Hawaiian Maile Vine
Waaah!!!
XOXO
XOXO Heartbeat
YSL Yvresse
Zen Nature Pitanga
ZZZtherapy

Also the ones below until sold or traded.
Want to swap or sell:
Cadwell Massey Freesia 1/2 Full
Escada Sentiments Pour Homme
Escada Sunny Fruitti
Eternity Purple Orchid Purse Spray
Fiorucci
Givenchy Extravagance Decant
NIBTheorema Legarro
KM Myrrhe & Merveilles

Constant Comment EDP - Sonoma Scent Studio

This is a great little pick me up scent that is big on presence. Made to mimic the delicious aroma of Bigelow's Constant Comment tea, it captures the essence perfectly. In fact it's making me want a cup right now. It is spicy and bold with predominate notes of orange, cinnamon and clove. I'm not getting a tea note, yet the whole composition does smell like remarkably like the tea. Not terrible complex, just simple and staying rather liner so far for 4 hours.

The notes from Sonoma Scent Studio just say "orange, tea, clove and other spices". I find this very comforting, almost as if you wear drinking the tea itself. I knew I should have got the bigger bottle!!

Here is the tea link: Constant Comment Tea by Bigelow.

Available from Sonoma Scent Studio.

Scent of the Day - 03/01/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I'm wearing a little number from Sonoma Scent Studio called Constant Comment. Made to smell like the tea of the same name and it does. Spicy cinimon and cloves, very potent stuff. Wish there was more of a black tea note present. But it's quite nice on this cool morning.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 03/01/06