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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Délices by Cartier

Top Notes: pink pepper, frozen Morello cherry & Sicilian bergamot
Mid notes: freesia, violet & 3 types of jasmine: pink, white & yellow (homage to the Cartier Trinity ring)
Base notes: tonka beans, amber & sandalwood

Created by perfumer Christine Nagel, Délices de Cartier is their sixth women's fragrance and the first since 2003's Le Baiser du Dragon. The gorgeous bottle was designed in-house and references one of Cartier's 20s era art deco brooches. The presentation of the Parfum is visually stunning. The red and clear falcon with a red ribbon styled top adorned by a clear jewel. All incased in white satin. it truly looks like a jewel.

Those of you who fear cherry cough syrup, fret not. The cherry note is spiced up with a little pink pepper in the opening to keep it warmer and spicier and less sweet, while the bergamot keeps it fresh. There is a similarity here to Emanuel Ungaro's Apparition. If you like one, you'll probably like the other. I heard the EDT was not particularly long lasting so I opted for the parfum. Less than 2 hours after I left the store not a trace of the EDT remained. Although it was nice in the opening and its bottle is beautiful as well. Especially in the large size, very beautiful.


Now available in the US at Cartier boutiques, Neiman Marcus & Bergdorf Goodman. Available in March at Cartier boutiques internationally, and starting in April at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Sephora & Macy's.

Scent of the Day - 01/31/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Today I will be wearing my new Cartier Delices Parfum - Review to follow.
What's on your bod today?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 01/31/06

Monday, January 30, 2006

Reviews By Fragrance Name

100% Love - S-Perfume

100% Love {MORE} - S-Perfume

A.Maze - The People of the Labyrinths

Acqua di Sale - Profumum Durante Roma

Acqua e Zucchero - Profumum Durante Roma

Alamut - Lorenzo Villoresi

Alessandro - Mazzolari

Amarige Mariage - Givenchy

Amber - Marc Jacobs

Ange ou Demon - Givenchy

Anne Pliska - Anne Pliska

Antico Caruso - Profumum Durante Roma

Ailleurs et Fleurs - The Different Company

Baghari - Robert Piguet

Best of 2005

Best of 2006

Black Amber & Black Lotus

Black Orchid - Tom Ford

Blue - Morgane Le Fay

Blue Sugar - Aquolina

Blush Intense - Marc Jacobs

Bois D' Armenie - Guerlain

Bois Des Iles - Chanel

Bryant Park - Bond No. 9

By Sea - Ebba

Caline - Parfums Gres

Cardinal - Heeley

Charmes et Feuilles - The Different Company

Chypre Rouge - Serge Lutens

Citrus Vervain - Elizabeth W.

Citta di Kyoto - Santa Maria Novella

Constant Comment - Sonora Scent Studio

Cool Tropic Palm - Comptoir Sud Pacific

Cuir Amethyste - Armani Prive

Cuir Venenum - Parfumerie Generale

Delices de Cartier Parfum - Cartier

Dianthus - Etro

Dorissima - Goldmund

Dzongkha - L'Artisan

Eau d'Iris - Heeley

Eclat - Fragonard

FCUK Her - French Connection UK

Femme de Montblanc - Mont Blanc

Fire Island - Bond No. 9

Fleur D'Oranger - L'Artisan

Fiori d'Ambra - Profumum Durante Roma

Fresh Carnation - DSH Perfumes

Golconda - Jar Parfums

Hawaiian Malie Vine - Voluspa

Ichnusa - Profumum Durante Roma

Insolence - Guerlain

Iris Nobile EDP - Acqua di Parma

Island Hawaii - Michael Kors

Ivy - Marc Jacobs

Jarling - Jar Parfums

Jasmin de Nuit - The Different Company

Josephine - Rance

Keep It Fluffy - B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful

Kiss Her - Kiss Cosmetics

KORS - Michael Kors

L'Eau de Tubereuse - Mathias Paris

L'Inspiratrice - Divine

L'Instant - Secret Touch - Guerlain

L'or Rouge de Torrente - Torrente Parfums

Le Dix - Balenciaga

Le Maroc Pour Elle - Tauer Perfumes

Le Parfum De Therese - Frederic Malle

Lime Zucchero - Arrogance Mix

Lonestar Memories - Tauer Perfumes

Mandarine Mandarin - Serge Lutens

Mandarine Tout Simplement - L'Artisan

Mariella Burani - Mariella Burani

Messe de Minuit - Etro

Metallica / Metalys - Guerlain

Mandorlo di Sicilia - Acqua di Parma

New York Fling - Bond No 9

Orange Blossom - Le Couvent Des Minimes

Orris Noir - Ormonde Jayne

Osmanthus - Ormonde Jayne Vs. The Different Company

Passion - Ferrari

Patchouly - Profumum Durante Roma

Pink Jasmine - Fresh Index

Pink Pearls - Lulu Guinness

Red Corvette - Corvette

Rose Leger - Herve Leger

Safran Troublant - L'Artisan

Santalum - Profumum Durante Roma

S-eX - S-Perfume

Sous Le Vent - Guerlain

Stella In Two - Stella McCartney Parfums

The Scent Of Peace - Bond No 9

Thundra - Profumum Durante Roma

Sens et Bois - The Different Company

Sira Indes - Patou

Sloth - S-Perfume

Stella - Tocca

Too Feminine - Aigner

Unforgivable - Sean John

Vega - Guerlain

Velvet Rope - Apothia

Vintage Violet - Ava Luxe

Violet - Marc Jacobs

West Side - Bond No. 9

Zenzero - i Profumi di Firenze

Non-Perfume & Other:

Best Of 2005 - Non-Perfume

Clarisonic Facial Brush

The Great Mascara Hunt

MONOPOLY: Sephora Edition

My Tribute To Jeanne Cagney

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Scent of the Day - 01/30/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

Fresh's Pink Jasmine for me today, review below.
What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 01/30/06

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Pink Jasmine - Fresh Index

Notes:
Top: red orange, freesia, spring lilac
Heart: magnolia, peony, fresh jasmine, tiare flower
Base: precious woods, velvety peach skin, marsh mallow

Ok, I keep breaking my no jasmine rule. So what does that mean? I guess it means I like like jasmine sometimes. After all I really love Marc Jacobs Blush. But as I have explained before, according to the notes of Blush, there is no regular old jasmine in there. Fresh lists "fresh jasmine" in their notes. As opposed to?? So maybe I do like jasmine as long as it is fresh. As you can see by the notes, there's a lot more going on here than straight jasmine. But it does still manage to come across as a jasmine scent. Opens with a fresh citrus note but soon calms into a soft sweet floral with jasmine as the primary note. It is fresh, crisp, clean. Perfect for Spring or as a pick me up in a stuffy winter office.

Now if someone can just make a non-tuberose tuberose scent.

Black Amber & Black Lotus

Today I'm reviewing my two newest scents from LuckyScent. I was fortunate enough to get to preview them when I went to the Scent Bar in LA. Both are created by Michele Bergman who also created Black Gardenia. Both in darling glass bottles with ornate caps. They also come with cute black logo travel pouches.

The first fragrance is Black Amber:

Notes are: Dark and light Tunisian amber, vanilla, hint of patchouli

Black Amber is not necessarily black and dark and deep as expected. It is a nice medium amber finding its way somewhere between the medicinal and the powdery. Tempered with a touch of vanilla and a hint of patchouli, this is a very nice amber to add to any amber lover's collection.


The second fragrance is Black Lotus:

Notes are: Lotus, sweet floral notes, soft musk

Black Lotus is really a misnomer in this case. In fact, Mandy Aftel and Michele Bergman should have worked out a switch. Mandy's Pink Lotus is so dark and deep and heavy. While this version called Black Lotus, is light and sweet and well ... pink. Opening with a fruity sweetness calling to mind candy apples, it soon calms into a soft sweet floral on a base of light musk. Very sexy, clean and nice for those of you that prefer a slightly sweet skin scent. Although I love the amber, I think I'm partial to the soft sweetness of this one.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 01/28/06

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I'm testing my two new scents from Lucky Scent! I will be reviewing them later today. They are brand new at LuckyScent, so you'll be the first to hear!

Friday, January 27, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 01/27/06

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Today I'm wearing my own creation from the perfumer's workshop. It doesn't have a name but I adore it! The amber was so smooth and soft and sweet.

Notes: Bergamot Orpur, Purple Orchid,
Mediterranean Air Accord, Oxygenated Water Accord,
Amber, Cashmere Accord, Patchouli

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Unforgivable - Sean John

Last night myself and a couple of POL friends attended a "Perfumer’s Workshop" persented by Nordstrom. I think we were hoodwinked. I know we were hoodwinked. Hoodwinked. Isn’t that an odd word?

We were told there was to be a 90 minute presentation by two French perfumers from the house of Givaudan. I’m not sure why we were told this, the perfumers were French (One of which was David Apel) and may be also working for Givaudan.

We were told it was a presentation on a men’s fragrance - that was true.

We were told there would be another part to the presentation where we could play around with mixing our own fragrances – True.

What we were not told was the name of the fragrance. Are you ready for this?????

SeanJohn. Pronounced “SeanJohn” all run together and with a slight French accented twist. Are my ears hearing correctly?? Sean … John? P. Diddy?? Puff Daddy?? I really almost felt I might burst out laughing. They were all so serious. Next comes the video where “Sean John” thanks Estee Lauder for giving him the opportunity to create this fragrance. All in his street talk lingo style, I mean not to the extreme, but not proper English either. He talks about some of the inspirations for the scent and then …

The photo of the ad. YUP. There it was. Dawn and I looked at each other in disbelief. We sat there quietly thinking about the 3 pages of POL posts trashing the ad and the whole raunchy mess as the serious, elegant and prestigious presentation was being made.

It was surreal.
But here is the kicker – It smells great. Both Dawn and I really liked it. It’s very fresh and clean smelling. I love bergamot. There is an opening blast of bergamot with Mediterranean air accord and a Cashmere accord.

There was a man sitting by us and he bought it. He said that he also like the packaging and he thinks other men will too. The bottle is gray and slightly rounded and sits in an acrylic base on your dresser/counter. To spray you lift the bottle out. Dawn and I both thought the acrylic looked cheap and glass would have made a nicer presentation. Maybe a glass base, then you could buy refills. Nordstrom lists the notes as: Sicilian lemon, champagne, Tuscan basil and smooth rum.

So there you have it! But we really did have fun experimenting with all the scents they had set up for us to play with. A whole tray of notes with droppers and bottles for mixing. Then the perfumers would come around and help you out if your scent didn’t come out exactly the way you wanted it. I used six notes for mine and I was very pleased with the results, even the perfumer liked it!

New York Fling - Bond No 9

This fragrance is special to me because I bought it in NYC from the Original Bond Store on Bond Street. It's very sparkling and effervescent, the way I hoped Yvress would be. The bergamot in the opening keeps it fresh and clean. The cardamon mixes with the whites florals to spice things up, then comes a nice lingering drydown of amber and musk.

A little talked about No 9, that really sparkles, this one is underrated. It really commemorates anyone who has ever had a Fling with the city of New York!

Top: Clementine, bergamot, cadamon
Middle: Peony, lily of the valley, freesia and basil
Base: Cedarwood, amber and musk

Paris Photo of the Day For - Thursday 01/26/06

This beautiful old building is the oldest church in Paris.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Congrats to Franco of Lucky Scent -

There was another mention of the Scent Bar in the LA Times today.

Scroll down to the second story in the link.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 01/25/06

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Today I'm wearing I Coloniali Javanese Cananga. Javanese Cananga (also known as Ylang Ylang) comes from Manila and the Comoro Islands.
Floral top notes
Musky and sensual heart note
On an amber base.
Made in Italy.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

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I'm wearing Laura Tonatto's E. Duse today, a beautiful violet fragrance. What are you wearing?

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 01/24/06

I thought it was very interesting that the movie we know as Anger Management was called Self Control when showing in Paris.

Monday, January 23, 2006

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I'll be wearing Anne Pliska today.

This is in honor of my new Blog dedicated to Anne Pliska. It also has ordering information and her toll free number.

Anne Pliska Perfume - Click Here

This lovely picture that at first glance looks like a dew covered rose, is actually a Geranium, a note found in Anne Pliska.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Photo of the Day For - Sunday 01/22/06

Ok, it's not Paris, but rather a tiny hummingbird I captured perched in my back yard. I thought it was rather sweet.

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Testing more Ava Luxe today - Doll Face. I sorta like it. :O) What are you wearing?

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Friday, January 20, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Friday 01/20/06


The tribute to Shopping and the Paris Sales continues! Here I am on the Champs, so close to the new Guerlain, oh how I wish I was there right now!

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I'm wearing March Jacobs Blush today. What are you wearing?
TGIF! Have a great day!

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Thursday 01/19/06


The tribute to Shopping and the Paris Sales continues with this shot of Dior.

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Wearing Rance Josephine today. Busy, busy time at work for me. I'm in all day meeting the next two days. So I might not be able to check back in. But please sign in anyway, I love to read what you are wearing! Have a nice day!
Victoria

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 01/17/06


The Paris sales are in full swing and my friend is off to shop them. So in her honor, here is a picture of the Samaritine Department Store. The store offers rooftop viewing of the city. This is where I'd like to be today shopping my little heart out.

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Monday, January 16, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 01/16/06

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Today is a USA National Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr Day - Post Offices, Banks and Government offices are closed today in observance. To those of you who have the day off, I hope you have a pleasant & relaxing day.

- Victoria

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Keep It Fluffy - B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful

This completly foolish sounding name is actually a lovey perfume by UK perfumery; B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful, a sister company to LUSH here in the USA. This fragrance is their top seller, and I can see why. It's very wearable, feminine and girly. Definitely a comfort scent with its ice creamy, vanilla top note.

As with the other two I tried from this line, it starts out a little medicinal. While although medicinal, it is still at the same, time strangely compelling. The middle notes are all florals including jasmine, rose and ylang ylang. The drydown is smooth with a slight smokiness around the edges. Very unique, not your average gourmand or vanilla.

I fell for this one before I knew it was another near impossible to get fragrance. The website's shipping is way too cost prohibitive. Humm let's see now, who do I know in London or Dorset?
:O)
Victoria

Paris Photo of the Day For - Sunday 01/15/06

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I'm wearing Keep-It-Fluffy, how embassasing!

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush

Ok people, I took the plunge. I impulsively ordered this face brush from Beauty.com. They had a $20 credit back rebate, I had cash back credit from prior purchases, no sales tax and free shipping. Oh and did I mention they also had a $20 off any $170 purchase. So I ended up spending about $148 and I still have that $20 credit. (I LOVE Beauty.com!)

Well the reviewers on the page, all but one, gave it FIVE stars. One gave it FOUR stars. And now that I have tried it for 3 days, I give it FIVE stars too. Never has my face felt this clean after washing. Not even with a buff puff or facial scrub. It's simply amazing, that's all I can say. I really feel my moisturizers are being absorbed better. During the day if I happen to touch my face, it feels so soft.

Many years ago I had a battery rotating facial brush. A cheapie. I did like it, but it was NOTHING like this. Nothing. I love that you can take this in the shower with you. It is heavy and substantial feeling. Tonight I had the bright idea of turning it loose on my elbows. So I'll update you later on the results of that. After I do may face I just go over my elbows. But I can tell you they feel softer already.

Now keep in mind, I am using my own soap. I tried the cleanser that came with the unit and I didn't like it at all. I use Seikisho Kose Facial Soap. (Which also by the way has a FIVE star rating.) This soap in addition to being black and decorative and curved to fit against your face is a great soap on its own merit. Falling in between a glycerine soap and a traditional bar, it leaves your skin with no residue without over stripping.

I really can't say enough about the combo of these two, but I am so pleased I wanted to share with you.

So is it worth it? Absolutely. Definitely. Positively. Yes.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Saturday 01/14/06

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Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Zenzero - i Profumi di Firenze



Now here's the interesting thing - when Zenzero first came out, everyone was saying that it was just Ginger added to the Madgascar. While I was at Barneys last week, the SA "rep" told me this was not true. Now apparently different SAs are trained by the fragrance company reps in order to be more knowledgeable on certain lines. And this happened to be the trained rep who said they hear that a lot, but it's not true. She says it's a different vanilla completely. And there are other differences too, to which she did not elaborate. Obviously there are a lot more notes than they are spilling.

Isabella Imports, the distributor for iPdF in the USA shows these descriptions on their website:

"Zenzero – (Oriental/Spice) Vanilla orchid perfume is warmed up with white ginger to create a seductively addictive fragrance that is as elegant as it is earthy. Zenzero translates to ginger in Italian and was a favorite spice ingredient of the Medici family for their 16th century perfume recipes. Delectably rich and deep, Zenzero is as luxurious as the finest cashmere wrap and captures the sensual glamour of a beautiful fall evening. Vanilla orchid from Madagascar and White Ginger."

"Vaniglia del Madagascar – (Oriental) World’s finest vanilla from Madagascar renders this irresistible fragrance. Delectably rich and deep. A must for vanilla lovers! Vanilla Orchid and Vanilla bean from Madagascar."

Ok so the only difference I see is one has Vanilla Bean, and one has Ginger. Vanilla Bean has a very chocolately effect on my skin, I really prefer that over a straight Vanilla. But the Ginger in Zenzero really melds with the vanilla to become something else, neither vanilla or ginger, but a soft melange of the two with a light floral overtone. It's very pretty.

While sniffing around on eBay I happened to find the above picture of a bottle with a different label. Also interesting don't you think? The label says Vaniglia and Zenzero.

Bottom line - I bought them both, I love them both. I've taken to spraying one on one arm and one on the other. That way I don't play favorites. :O)

Scent of the Day - 01/10/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I decided to wear my CSP Cool Tropic Palm today. I love this one, something in this just drives me crazy, it must be the ozone and iodine mixture. So great for another warm day here in Southern California.

Paris Photo of the Day For - Tuesday 01/10/06


What a lovely rooftop garden - photo taken from atop the Arc D'Triomphe

Monday, January 09, 2006

- News To Me -


Did you know that Beauty.com carries a large selection of Etro Fragrances and matching Body Milk, Shampoo and more? Ohhh that Heliotrope Lotion will soon be flying my way.

Another great thing about Beauty.com and Drugstore.com is their rebate program, incentives and free shipping. (Not to mention no sales tax for me here in CA) You get free shipping over $49.00 and as I said no sales tax, and 5% credit with every eligible product you purchase. They also have these amazing incentives like $20 off if your total is over a certain amount. So if I'm looking to buy something anyway, like this lotion for example, I just shop for regular drugstore items I would be buying at the store. What a deal! I love it. I just thought I'd share. :O)

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 01/09/06

Scent of the Day - 01/09/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I plan on wearing Samsara, I'm just discovering this beatuy.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Alessandro - Mazzolari

I recently recieved a sample of this as an extra in a swap. I had never even heard of it before. But maybe we will be hearing more about it. It definitely is worthy of some discussion. It really is what I thought Luctor et Emergo by People of the Labyrinths would be. It opens with a strong Play-doh note note that softens into a sweet honeyed almond via the soft powdery heliotrope. It seems to last fairly well, but as it turns soft, it stays close to the skin. For almond lovers this one is a must. The drydown is lovely, and it has more oomph then POTL. Humm now I want to check out more from this line.

Available at First In Fragrance

Paris Photo of the Day For - Saturday 01/07/06

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Just testing some scents today and doing some decanting. But I did put on my Roberto Cavalli cream this morning, heavenly!

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Wednesday 01/04/06

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Bvlgari Au The Rouge for me today. Love this one!

My trip to the New Scent Bar and Barneys

(Alternate Title: "Oh, this is the last one we have in stock.")

Oh I was soooooooooo bad last week. So very, very bad.

My trip to LA: Where shall I start? Went to Scent Bar, met Franco from Lucky Scent. He's very nice. Cute store, easy to find. Just blocks from the Farmer's Market and Macy's. Most of the products are there for testing. I talked up Anne Pliska and left him a roll-on decant I had with me. Didn't buy anything, but sniffed two new ones coming out by Black Gardenia - Black Amber and Black Lotus. Loved them both. Sniffed several other new ones that didn't get the names since I didn't like. Did retry the Divine line and almost bought one, but resisted. My friend has them all and I'll retest again. Left there feeling relatively unscathed. Took my camera, but I was all in such a scent frenzy I didn't remember to take even one photo.

Had a great lunch outside at a little cafe right there on Beverly Blvd. Saw a little boutique near where we parked the car, went in and chatted with the owner a bit. Bought a small something I can't disclose because a friend may be reading this.

Then came Barneys. Which at first seemed like it was not going to be worthwhile. They didn't have several things I wanted to try. Like a few of the Laura Tonattos and the iPdF Mirra. Nor did they have any scoop on the new Keikos since they stopped carrying the line. So I'm standing there thinking well maybe I'll buy something from the iPdF line. So I end up buying Zenzero, one I had tried before but it didn't thrill me. Someone had told me it was just the Madagascar with Ginger added. The SA rep was there and she said that isn't true, it's a different vanilla all together. Anyway it smelled great. Maybe the difference from smelling it in the heat of the summer and in the winter, but it was nice. Then I tried their peach. Wow! So nice. What the heck, I'll get that one too. Then here comes my friend with Velvet Rope, saying, "You must try this!" Yep, one sniff and I threw that on the pile too. (Review below) Then we are at the Chanel counter and I'm having a sample of Allure Sensuall made. I have been wanting to try at home. On the counter is this HUGE, and I mean HUGE, bottle of No5 something. Turns out to be bath milk. The bottle looks like a freakin' factice. My friend is getting one and of course there is only one left. (Oh and it's a limited edition.) We get to talking how after I use it up I could fill it with purple water for my bathroom. SOLD!!! Ring 'er up! It smells divine. Just divine I tell you.

Oh the pillaging did not stop there ....

My friend had tried the Bvlgari Rouge Tea but I hadn't, it was getting late, but SAKS was right next door. Run in for a quick sniff. Yeah right.

Well I loved it. And the sweet 70+ year old SA who openly admitted the Clive Christian's sitting right next to the Bvlgari were not as good. So I bought it. Then I went over and sniffed Escada's new summer scent. Nice, but I'm not getting sucked into buying those, I end up never wearing them. Ahhh but there is a HUGE Marc Jacob Blush display.

I tell the lady, I have Blush, I love it. The SA says, well now would be a good time to buy a back up bottle because we have this great gift with purchase. (And of course, there is only one left - standard line, I'm sure - but I fall everytime) It is a really cute silver bag with blush, lip gloss, mascara gloss and a fragrance roll-on. So I say what the hell, I've been wanting the PARFUM. SO I BUY THE PARFUM!!

Holy cow.

Are you still with me?

So by then I'm turning pale and feeling faint, and the SA says, well if you open a Saks charge you can take 10% off. Oh ok, that makes it all better - heck throw in one of those Fresh Geisha EDPs too.

10% off the rest of the day you say??? Lordy, good thing it was late and we had to go.

Whew!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

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


I love this print, I have a copy in my house. Very nice.

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

I'll be wearing my new Marc Jacobs Blush Parfum today.
Ahhhh!! Yes, it was soooo worth it!

What about you?

Velvet Rope - Apothia

According to the Apothia website, "Velvet Rope is a dry vanilla martini spiked with absolute jasmine and a twist of grapefruit."

Velvet Rope starts off with a blast of grapefruit zest. Not just sharp grapefruit, I mean a blast of grated peel. Up your nose and in your face. A bit unexpected for something with velvet in the name. A little boozy too, it smells like a drink at a swanky LA nightclub. Just a guess, but maybe juniper berries give it that cool gin feel. It smells intoxicating; sexy and fresh.

As you walk around with your arm glued to your wrist, it begins to soften into a mix of red fruit and vanilla that slowly melt into a base of musk. If you are looking for something different, this is it. This will shake up your little fruity floral world.

Created by Gary McNatton, best known as the nose behind the Gap's Grass and Earth scents. Gary worked with Ron Robinson to develop candles for Apothia at Fred Segal. First came the candle, then scent samples that flew out the door of Fred Segal's so fast, the ivy was nearly ripped off the walls. Now the scent has become the Signature scent for Apothia. Also available at Barneys.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Paris Photo of the Day For - Monday 01/02/06


To start the New Year - here is one of my best shots of the Eiffel Tower. Hubby took most of the pictures, but I managed to capture this one.

Scent of the Day - 01/02/06 - What's Yours? - Log In!

I'm wearing Velvet Rope by Apothia, a lovely new fragrance I picked up in LA last week. A new fragrance to begin a New Year - perfect. What are you wearing?

(A review of this scent, as well as my LA trip details, will follow soon)

- New Year's Resolutions -

- HAPPY NEW YEAR AGAIN -

Ok, it is deja vu all over again! New Year's Day again today! Very odd. The ROSE PARADE, the day off work, what does it all mean? An extra day before those pesky resolutions need to begin. So go ahead and splurge on the rest of the Christmas candy, I won't tell.

Here are my New Year's Resolutions. If you feel the need to write yours down for validation, please feel free to do so!

1. No more buying unsniffed - not even eBay. Try before you buy is the new rule.
2. Buy Decants rather than bottles if possible.
3. Only buy those I LOVE rather than those I LIKE.
4. Thin out and pare down my collection.
5. Start selling some bottles and decants on eBay.
6. Go to LA and out to the stores with friends more.
7. Continue to spread the word about Anne Pliska and send more samples.
8. Devote more time to my Jewelry and get my Jewelry Website running.
9. Spend less time on the computer and more time with Hubby.
10. Make a commitment to lose weight.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

100% Love - S-Perfume


100% LOVE - By S-Perfume, a small independent perfume company in NYC. A fragrance described as having "the wet velvety skin of rose petals in water", demands to be tried. Ethereal is the perfect one word description of this fragrance. I'm not sure if there are aldehydes here, but to me it smells like a faint mist of rose water with aldehydes. Truly the scent of angels. I am completely taken by surprise and 100% smitten.

100% Love Notes from the
S-Perfume website:
Notes: The pulpy erotic part of a secret red fruit, the soft and wet velvety skin of rose petals in water, and a mystical "concoction" of incense and black chocolate.
Scent Created by Sophia Grojsman
- HAPPY NEW YEAR -
Thank you all so much for stopping by! I'm new at blogging, hopefully I'll improve in the coming new year.

It should be obvious that I do love perfume. My nose is still in training, my writing skills need MUCHO work, so for now I'll keep trying to dazzle you with pictures so you don't notice there is not much content. But I promise to work on that!

I'd love to have you stop by with your scent of the day. I love to hear what others are wearing. And just to say hello.

It has been a thrill for me to participate in the Best of 2005 Blog Ring. I enjoyed making my tribute and even more enjoyable was linking to and reading all the other wonderful blog reports.

And now a plug for my home board: Perfume Of Life - where I spend most of my time. A simply wonderful chat board that evolved from and revolves around the love of fragrance. There are some really smart, witty & wonderful people there.

The friends and contacts I have made through my love of perfume have been a blessing to me far beyond what I could have ever asked. So many of you have touched my heart with your kindness, your hospitality, your insights, your knowledge, your caring, your thoughtfulness.
I wish you all the very best for 2006!

Reviews By Fragrance House

Acqua di Parma - Iris Nobile EDP

Acqua di Parma - Mandorlo di Sicilia

Aigner - Too Feminine

Anne Pliska - Anne Pliska

Apothia - Velvet Rope

Aquolina - Blue Sugar

Arrogance Mix - Lime Zucchero

Ava Luxe - Vintage Violet

Armani Prive - Cuir Amethyste

B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful - Keep It Fluffy

Balenciaga - Le Dix

Best of 2005

Best of 2006

Black Amber & Black Lotus

Bond No. 9 - Bryant Park

Bond No. 9 - Fire Island

Bond No. 9 - New York Fling

Bond No. 9 - The Scent Of Peace

Bond No. 9 - West Side

Cartier - Delices de Cartier Parfum

Chanel - Bois Des Iles

Comptoir Sud Pacific - Cool Tropic Palm

Corvette - Red Corvette

Divine - L'Inspiratrice

DSH Perfumes - Fresh Carnation

Ebba - By Sea

Elizabeth W. - Citrus Vervain

Etro - Dianthus

Etro - Messe de Minuit

Ferrari - Passion

Fragonard - Eclat

Frederic Malle - Le Parfum De Therese

French Connection UK - FCUK Her

Fresh Index - Pink Jasmine

Givenchy - Amarige Mariage

Givenchy - Ange ou Demon

Goldmund - Dorissima

Guerlain - Bois D' Armenie

Guerlain - Insolence

Guerlain - L'Instant - Secret Touch

Guerlain - Metallica - Metalys

Guerlain - Sous Le Vent

Guerlain - Vega

Heeley - Cardinal

Heeley - Eau d'Iris

Herve Leger - Rose Leger

i Profumi di Firenze - Zenzero

Jar Parfums - Golconda

Jar Parfums - Jarling

Kiss Cosmetics - Kiss Her

L'Artisan - Fleur D'Oranger

L'Artisan - Mandarine Tout Simplement

L'Artisan - Safran Troublant

L'Artisan - Dzongkha

Le Couvent Des Minimes - Orange Blossom

Lorenzo Villoresi - Alamut

Lulu Guinness - Pink Pearls

Marc Jacobs - Amber

Marc Jacobs - Blush Intense

Marc Jacobs - Ivy

Marc Jacobs - Violet

Mariella Burani - Mariella Burani

Mathias Paris - L'Eau de Tubereuse

Mazzolari - Alessandro

Michael Kors - Island Hawaii

Michael Kors - KORS

Mont Blanc - Femme de Montblanc

Morgane Le Fay - Blue

Ormonde Jayne Vs. The Different Company - Osmanthus

Ormonde Jayne - Orris Noir

Parfums Gres - Caline

Patou - Sira Indes

Parfumerie Generale - Cuir Venenum

Profumum Durante Roma - Acqua e Zucchero

Profumum Durante Roma - Fiori d'Ambra

Profumum Durante Roma - Acqua di Sale

Profumum Durante Roma - Antico Caruso

Profumum Durante Roma - Ichnusa

Profumum Durante Roma - Patchouly

Profumum Durante Roma - Santalum

Profumum Durante Roma - Thundra

Rance - Josephine

Robert Piguet -Baghari

S-Perfume - 100% Love

S-Perfume - 100% Love {MORE}

S-Perfume - S-eX

S-Perfume - Sloth

Santa Maria Novella - Citta di Kyoto

Sean John - Unforgivable

Serge Lutens - Chypre Rouge

Serge Lutens - Mandarine Mandarin

Sonora Scent Studio - Constant Comment

Stella McCartney Parfums - Stella In Two

Tauer Perfumes - Le Maroc Pour Elle

Tauer Perfumes - Lonestar Memories

The Different Company - Ailleurs et Fleurs

The Different Company - Charmes et Feuilles

The Different Company - Jasmin de Nuit

The Different Company Vs. Ormonde Jayne - Osmanthus

The Different Company - Sens et Bois

The People of the Labyrinths - A.Maze

Tocca - Stella

Tom Ford - Black Orchid

Torrente Parfums - L'or Rouge de Torrente

Voluspa - Hawaiian Malie Vine

Non-Perfume & Other:

Best Of 2005 - Non-Perfume

Clarisonic Facial Brush

The Great Mascara Hunt

MONOPOLY: Sephora Edition

My Tribute To Jeanne Cagney

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer