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Thursday, August 31, 2006

Sous Le Vent - Guerlain - Review

Never say Never - Again

Ok, this time lavender. The "it doesn't work on me scent" of all time. I really never met one I liked or could even tolerate without an instant headache. But the "I'll never own a lavender fragrance" sentiment went flying out the window the moment I closed my eyes and breathed in this gorgeous, cool green chypre. The most delicate, tender lavender blossoms wrapped in a sueded pouch. A touch of fresh carnation to add a little spice, a pinch of iris to keep things dry and earth bound.

Sous Le Vent literally translated is said to mean the leeward side of an island; sheltered from the wind. Cool and smooth like velvet. A green chypre - dry as if green leaves would fall and crush beneath your feet. Heartbreakingly beautiful lavender rendered here so tender; a fairytale of forest woods and lavender fields where lovers meet in secret.

Notes: lavender, tarragon, basilic, citrus, carnation, oakmoss, iris, woods, patchouli.

The fragrance is a reissue of the one created in 1933 by Jacques Guerlain and is categorized as an aromatic chypre. It is not considered a limited edition, as in; it is not numbered or in a fancy bottle, but it will only be available for a year. The price is 180 Euros for a 100ml EDT, and at this time I believe it is only available from the Paris Guerlain Boutique. Well worth searching out this rare beauty before it is gone again.

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 08/31/06

I will be wearing the gorgeous Sous le Vent today. I own no other fragrance similar to this. What are you wearing today?

Oh! And CONGRATULATIONS to someone who entered the Coutorture! Drawing from my site, and won!! See??? Yes, it could have been you! So enter the drawings, you too could be a winner!
~ Congratulations ~

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 08/30/06

Today I am resplendent in TABU!
What are you wearing today?

Bond No. 9 - New Site

In case you missed it, Bond No. 9 has a fabulous new online site: http://www.bondno9.com/.
The site is fun and full of information and notes on all the scents. You can add your choice of sizes to the online shopping basket check out and go!

The story behind Bond No. 9 from their press release:

The Bond No. 9 collection–26 women’s, men’s, and unisex eaux de parfum--has a dual mission: To restore artistry to perfumery, and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own. Each fragrance represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility. With new introductions in the coming seasons, Bond No. 9 will infuse the island of Manhattan with scents.

Going against the grain of most commercial fragrances, Bond No. 9 restores the grand art of perfume blending, using only high, 18 - 22 percent concentrations of pure eaux de parfums–the longlasting concentrations of the legendary vintage scents of the 1920s and 1930s. What’s more, each fragrance has been blended in New York, by hand-picked French perfumers who, like Rahmé, have gravitated here to what has become the world capital of beauty and fragrance.

Coutorture! - Drawing

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 08/29/06

I'm wearing LV Alamut today - what are you wearing?

Alamut - Lorenzo Villoresi - Review

I have been anxiously awaiting a sample of this newest release for women from the Lorenzo Villoresi line. Trying to be patient wasn't working so when I saw a decant come up on eBay, I just had to get it. The Lorenzo Villoresi press release describes the fragrance as "rich, opulent and velvety flowers of a Thousand and One Nights, dreams of secret gardens in the moonlight of the fresh Oriental nights". How's that for tempting one's patience? Well now that it is here - my first thought was that it reminded me of Etro Messe de Minuit; but rather than cold, damp and musty this one is warm, dry and cozy. No mildew or old books here. The opening floral notes are lost on me, this comes across as incense right from the get go, slightly medicinal due to the labdanum and the benzoin. Straining to smell the floral notes, I only get the rosewood. Sandalwood keeps it from being too dry, the drydown is a soft sueded powdery amber. Lasting power is bad for sillage, but a nice close to the skin scent will linger. It is FBW? I'm still unsure. Which maybe says it all.

According to LAFCO in Los Angeles this one is due in the first week of September. Stunning in its gorgeous red bottle in contrast to the usual deep blue or frosted clear, the fragrance will be available in EDT, EDP, Parfum, as well as other bath and body products.

Notes are:
Top: Osmanthus, Rose, Jasmin, Rosewood and Exotic Flowers
Mid: Narcissus, Tuberose, Ylang Ylang, Orange Blossom, Labdanum and Ambery Notes
Base: Amber, Musk, Amyris, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Benzoin, Leather and Powdery Notes

If you must have it before it lands in the USA -

http://www.ausliebezumduft.de/kosmetik_produkte.php?products_id=2180

Monday, August 28, 2006

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Friday, August 25, 2006

Scent of the Day - Friday - 08/25/06

TGIF!!! Testing the Iris Nobile EDP today. Very Jasmine? Hummm and heady. I got a couple of friends who will like this one! (You know who you are!) What are you wearing today?
Clean perfume has a new scent: Clean Shower Fresh. Honestly I thought this was shower gel, till I saw the price at $76.00.

Those who just HAVE to have it can pre-order at Beauty Of A Site

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 08/24/06

Today I'm wearing Tauer Perfumes Le Maroc, so beautiful! You can find my review here: Le Maroc. What are you wearing today?
And The Winner Is…

Congratulations to the recipient of the Best New Product Award at EX-TRACTS, Le Petit Prince. EX-TRACTS is a New York City trade show specializing in new discoveries in beauty and wellness and is considered the personal care industry’s show of choice for new product launches. BERJANGusa celebrated the fall 2006 launch of their new line, Le Petit Prince, at this prestigious trade show. From Sunday, August 13 through Wednesday, August 16, EX-TRACTS spotlighted over seventy new products and attracted over 5,000 buyers. However, the big winner of the week was Le Petit Prince.

Le Petit Prince is the signature fragrance for BERJANGusa’s Le Petit Prince line. The award winning spray is designed for boys and girls ages 3 to 10. The Le Petit Prince fragrance is light and fresh with a blend of tarragon, verbena, cedarwood, oak, and refreshing citrus fruit notes. The fragrance comes in a frosted glass bottle decorated with a colorful illustration of the Little Prince. After receiving the coveted award, BERJANGusa ended the exciting week by hosting a book reading of the famed novel for underprivileged children.

BERJANGusa’s new innovative collection is designed especially for children. The Le Petit Prince line is a line of children’s fragrance, hair care, and skincare products aimed at boys and girls ages 0 to 10. The sweet and playful Le Petit Prince products are based on the characters and story book of The Little Prince, written and published in 1943 by Antione de Saint-Exupery. The Le Petit Prince line was introduced in France in 1997 and consists of five vibrant brands with innovative packaging that invigorate children and adults. The Le Petit Prince book and products are sold all over the world in children’s boutiques and elegant department stores, such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann in Paris. The Le Petit Prince line is distributed exclusively in the United States through BERJANGusa.

BERJANGusa is the sole U.S. distributor of the Le Petit Prince line, which includes La Rose du Petit Prince, La Petit Prince B612, Dessine Moi un Mouton, and Les Triples. More information about the Le Petit Prince product line is available at www.berjangusa.com.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Scent of the Day - Sunday - 08/20/06

Guerlain Plus que Jamais - oh no, another lovely boutique scent, someone help me!!!

Friday, August 18, 2006

Guerlain Metallica - Metalys - Review

Not "How do I love thee ..." but "Why do I love thee?" Why do I love ANOTHER Guerlain Boutique fragrance? I have two brand new Boutique Guerlains; now suddenly I fall for a third. Am I trying to drive myself crazy, or to the poorhouse, or both? I had tried this one before and dismissed it. And when these things happen, don't you say to yourself, humm if I was wrong about this one, how many others have I been wrong about?

So yes as you can see, I have just scored a gorgeous Bee Bottle of the now discontinued Metallica. I have added some nice pics so those of you who have never seen a limited edition Bee Bottle can check it out. This was the first time I had seen one, so I was more than thrilled to own it!

Originally created in 2000 by Jean Paul Guerlain, Metallica, due to a trademark lawsuit with the rock band Metallica, was forced to change its name. It is now known as METALYS. So this bottle is rare indeed. And rare for another reason, yes, they tweaked the formula. I believe Guerlain in order to meet EU allergen requirements made a few changes during the repackaging. There is controversy as to whether it as has been done, but a side by side comparison reveals the truth; Metallica is muskier and more powdery in the opening notes. Metalys is brighter with more carnation in the opening. The drydowns are pretty much identical, except Metallica is far longer lasting.

Slightly metallic, powdery sweet and ambery, the notes include: vanilla, ylang ylang, rose, carnation, iris, tonka bean and amber.

Scent of the Day - Friday - 08/18/06

Wearing Guerlain Metallica again today. I sound like a broken record, but I'm very smitten with my newest acquisition! What are you wearing today?

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 08/17/06

Wearing Guerlain Metallica again today on this Thursday that feels like Friday. What are you wearing today?

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 08/15/06

I have a DDS appointment this morning, so I'm starting out with Gres Celine. I'm bringing along a Guerlain Sous Le Vent decant just in case I need a boost this afternoon at work. What are you wearing today?

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Blind Scent Review and Game

Ayala at SmellyBlog is currently running the results of her blind scent reviews (featuring yours truly) and has added a twist. She is allowing readers to also try and guess the scents. You could and win a sample pack of Ayala Moriel Parfums most spicy concoctions – Palas Atena, Fete d’Hiver, Epice Sauvage, Finjan and Rebellius! The Big Reveal of both the names of the perfumes and the name of the winner for this blind contest will be announced on Tuesday night!

Scent of the Day - Sunday - 08/13/06

I will be wearing my Sous Le Vent today, while trying to work on my review. I truly love this one, but I'm struggling with the review. All I have is - I Love this!
What are you wearing this weekend?

Friday, August 11, 2006

Scent of the Day - Friday - 08/11/06

TGIF!! Really looking forward to this weekend, I have been so behind. Today I am wearing Bond No 9 Chinatown. What are you wearing?

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 08/08/06

I'm wearing my new Montale Chypre Vanille today. Love this stuff! What are you wearing today?

Monday, August 07, 2006

Scent of the Day - Monday - 08/07/06

Well today I'm testing the three mystery scents sent to me by Ayala of SmellyBlog

My lips are sealed till her review, check out the results of my three scents below.
What are you wearing today?

Blind Blogger Reviews

The reviews are in! My fellow bloggers have tried their best at detecting my three mystery scents, chosen my me, designed to confuse and befuddle! And of course I removed the three scents from my perfume list, just in case anyone went sniffing (haha) for clues! Below are the reviews by Marina of Perfume-Smellin' Things and Ina of Aromascope.

Mystery Scent No. 1:

Marina says: Pretty, flirty, powdery scent along the lines of Talco Delicato and Teint de Neige. It smells more floral (and more fruity) than my Talco Delicato and less floral than my Teint de Neige. I have never smelled any of the Stila fragrances, and for some reason I keep thinking this might be Stila Crème Bouquet. A couple of months ago, when I was in throws of mad love for Talco Delicato, this would have been urgently full bottle worthy for me.

Ina says: Floral overload! I'm getting a bouquet of white flowers, quite soapy, slightly powdery. It seems to just kind of stay that way. I'm getting a very pronounced soapy flowery note but I can't place what it is. Hard to guess what the scent is or what house. Very bright and cheerful. Methinks it's something available in department stores now. But, wah! I can't place it.I'm gonna totally flunk this.

The Big Reveal: Montale Chypre Vanille
Notes: Iris, rose, soft woods, oakmoss, vanilla, sandalwood and amber.





Mystery Scent No. 2:

Marina says: This is a tough one to describe. Is it floral? Is it fruity? It kind of is both of those things, but not overly so. It is also a little powdery…and understated, slightly sweet scent, not particularly interesting, but quite pleasant.

Ina says: Another floral but more grassy/oakmossy, with a slight vintage feel. Very mature and elegant. Seriously clueless as to what it might be but I've definitely never smelled it before. Dries down with a sort of animalic/fecal note. My guess it's an 80s scent.

The Big Reveal: I Coloniali Javanese Cananga
Notes: Ylang Ylang, musk, woods, amber.




Mystery Scent No. 3:

Marina says: My favorite of the three. The very color, dark golden, of the juice itself suggests that this might be vintage. It smells…classic, a little strange. Is it an old Guerlain I have never tried? It is dark and earthy, I smell vetiver and patchouli, and , God help me, it smells not entirely unlike my beloved Djedi. I want this!

Ina says: I know exactly what it is! Please don't tell me I'm wrong! It's Amir by Laura Tonatto! Is it not? Is it not? If it's not, it's a dead ringer for Amir. Trying to remember what else smells like it... I think I've read Tabu smells like Amir, so Tabu is my second guess. Ambery/mossy/grassy orange blossom.

The Big Reveal: Laura Tonatto Amir
Notes: Myrrh, petitgrain, lime wood, orange essence, incense, amber, musk, woods and spices.


Thank you both for your great reviews! And congrats to Ina for correctly guessing Amir! Today I begin my sniffing challange, three scents scent to me by Ayala of SmellyBlog. I fear I will not do as well!!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Scent of the Day - Friday - 08/04/06

Today I'm wearing one of my new loves; Luciano Soprani Donna. I am very smitten, I find it quite captivating, fresh and sweet and bright. Review to follow soon.

Over night we had slight rain and it is feeling as though it may stay on the cool side, at least for the morning. I'm off to work now, I hope to get some new reveiws completed this weekend! Hope you all have a nice weekend.

What are you wearing today?


photo from Nordstrom.com

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Perfume Bloggers Blind Scent Reviews - Coming Soon!

I have sent my three mystery scents, one set of each of my three selected scents, to Perfume-Smellin' Things and Aromascope bloggers. I will be posting both blogger's impressions and then the big reveal!! Will they be able to name the fragrances? Will they not recognize a favorite? Can they guess the house? Will they mistake a famous Guerlain for Paris Hilton? Stay tuned and see!

Participating are:
Aromascope
Perfume Critic.Com
Perfume Posse
Perfume-Smellin' Things
Scentzilla!
SmellyBlog
Victoria's Own

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 08/02/06

Guerlain Metalys for me today - What are you wearing?

Guerlain Boutique Update - NYC

Just thought I'd pass along this NYC boutique update for those of us waiting for the USA release of some of the Guerlain Paris boutique Fragrances:

To My Fragrance Fanatics!
New Limited Edition Fragrances will be arriving August 20th: Les Parisiennes Collection
Attrape Coeur 125ml edt (Amber-Fruity-Musky)
Derby 125ml edt (Ferny-Chypree-Leather)
Lui 125ml edt (floral-Aldehydic)
Philtre D’Amour 125ml edt (Chypree-Fresh)
Insolence 3.4oz edt, perfume .25oz, plus Body Products

Please Reserve your Fragrances as they are limited! Always call and ask for JASON!
(212) 872-2734 (646)320-2637 Voicemail

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 08/01/06

Wow! August! Can you believe it? This year is flying by. Sorry to hear the hot weather that finally left Cailfornia is headed across the USA to the Midwest and the East. Please try to stay cool and take extra care of your pets.

Today I'm wearing Anne Pliska again, my HG and sometimes I wonder why I don't wear it more often.

What are you wearing today?