Scent of the Day - Monday - 04/30/07

For me today Reverie au jardin again. I can't beleive how much iris I get from this one, it just blooms on me. Just beautiful!

What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Weekend

Trying out the Tom Ford Collection and still on my perfumista hgh from meeting Andy Tauer - What are you up to?

Wow, what a perfect afternoon and evening! Doing what I love to do; talk about perfumes with people who think like me. And today getting to meet a perfumer all the way from Switzerland, Andy Tauer. The Scent Bar in Los Angeles hosted this meet & greet, and my friend Debbie and I were the first to arrive! So we so got to take pictures and speak one on one with Andy. I must say he is so nice, such a sweet person, so easy to talk to. And since we have corresponded with each other over the internet, it was like meeting an old friend. My head is still spinning and as some of you have noted, I've not been keen on writing lately. Well actually it is more like the words just no longer come. Writers block or drought is more like it. But my perfume rush is still flowing and the last thing I want to do right now is sleep.

Andy told us the story of how he got started as a perfumer and brought along some absolute notes that make up the composition of his new fragrance, Reverie au jardin. You will be fascinated to know that reading Mandy Aftel's book on a trip to Kenya started it all. That and a little seduction by a frangipani tree that stirred his senses and made him think that he would like to try making some fragrances. And to that we are eternally thankful! It was interesting to smell the notes separated one by one and how beautifully they come together in this lovely new fragrance. Scent strips were passed around, bottles were autographed, we talked and laughed and shared our passion. It was perfect.

Afterwards several of us girls went to dinner and basked in the afterglow of this warm and friendly encounter. Still marveling at the fact, that yes, there are many of us out there with a common bond, this undeniable passion for fragrance.

You can read my review of the new Andy Tauer Scent by clicking the link below. This fragrance is fabulous, and even if you think you don't like lavender, this may be the one to make you change your mind. Just beautiful -

Reverie au jardin Review

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 04/26/07

NO SCENT for me today! Why?? Because I have the privilege of attending the Meet and Greet for Andy Tauer this evening at the Scent Bar in Los Angeles! Woohoo!!! (Well I may put a little Le Maroc on my neck just for the occasion) :O)

Taking off work early, it's going to be a great day! What are you wearing?

Coney Island - Bond No. 9 - Review

Here in usually sunny Southern California, Spring seems to be noncommittal; one day calling for sandals the next for boots. It has never really felt like Spring for any length of time. Now that it is almost May, we are all wondering when it will come. But one whiff of Coney Island, Spring is bypassed and suddenly Summer is here!

Opening with a tangy margarita note to make your mouth water, with eyes closed, one can even imagine salt on the rim. At the same time there is a slight beachy aspect, or do I just imagine that as well? Whatever it is, it's quite bewitching and I've fallen completely under its spell. This will feel icy cool in the heat of the summer most assuredly. The composition eventually mellows into a very delish, lightly fruity, citrus that wears beautifully throughout the day. On my skin the mid notes never really appeared, not that I'm complaining. I had everyone in my office take a mandatory arm sniff and all agreed it smells quite delicious. Light vanilla and light wood appear much later in the drydown. Maybe on others the mid notes will appear, but I'm perfectly happy the way this one develops on me. I think it will work well for most. Another great, must have Summer scent! I have included the notes below that read like a summer cottage shopping list, as well as Bond's press release for your reading pleasure.

FROM BOND NO. 9:
First the Hamptons… then Fire Island… now Coney Island:
When it Comes to Summer Scents and Explosive Fun, Bond No. 9 is Covering All the New York Beaches.

What is the smell of fun—and how do you bottle it? That was our mission at Bond No. 9 when we decided to capture the essence of Coney Island and turn it into an eau de parfum. Why Coney Island? We were intrigued by the vintage allure of this century-old fantasy-land with its honky-tonk chic, its Mermaid Parade, its incomparable hotdog haven (Nathan’s Famous) fronting the Atlantic Ocean along Brooklyn’s southernmost edge. But we wanted to celebrate its future, too, just as a formidable revival is getting under way.

Coney Island isn’t just any amusement park. In its early 20th century heyday, New York’s premier people’s playground was a rowdy, mind-numbing pleasure-mecca that more than matched the energies of the city that contained it. Its daredevil rides—the legendary nine-hill Cyclone roller coaster … the Wonder Wheel … the freefall Parachute Jump—set a fevered, frantic pace, while its bathing pavilions were more like phantasmagorical gilded palaces that shimmered in the air. Not to forget the raucous nightspots. For a city that where glancing at strangers for more than two seconds has always been an impertinence, here was an escape hatch—a Bacchanalia where one and all had free rein to scream together in terror and joy. Sure, in recent decades Coney Island fell into decline, but today it is decidedly on the upswing, with brand new rides, a water park, and a mammoth glass atrium in the works.

Bond No 9’s Coney Island conjures up both the magical history and the reawakening of this beachfront paradise. Combined in this contemporary gourmand delight are the sugar-cool notes of margarita mix, hypnotically seductive chocolate and caramel, plus cedarwood. The high-voltage blue bottle recalls the Coney Island’s expanse of sea and sky, while the contrasting gold neck evokes the thousands of electric lights that once lit up its night sky.

Launch Date: June 1st 2007

Top Notes:
MARGARITA MIX, with fiery tequila blanco already poured in
Un-humble MELON that goes way beyond fruit salad
Freshly-ripened GUAVA that’s naughty but sweet

Mid Notes:
CINNAMON win sensual mode (fougedaboud apple pie)
CHOCOLATE – the stimulant with the tasty mega-kick
Pour-able CARAMEL, out to intoxicate

Bottom Notes:
Decadent, unredeemed MUSK
VANILLA that’s not minding its manners
Cool and collected CEDARWOOD … because somebody’s got to put on the brakes
Mellow SANDALWOOD, like settling down after a pulse-quickening roller coaster ride

Bond No. 9 - Website

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 04/25/07

Today I'm wearing Bvlgari Amethyste.

What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 04/24/07

The new Bond Coney Island for me again today. I'm trying to get my review written, but I can't seem to get to the heart notes.

What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Monday - 04/23/07

Today I'm wearing Bond No. 9 - Coney Island. Really a great summer scent! My review to follow shortly.

What are you wearing today?

Yesterday I went to San Diego to the Nordstrom Fragrance Festival, and to visit my friend Tara and celebrate her Birthday. As usual the fragrance festival was not as much fun as the shoe and jewelry shopping and just hanging out with my friend. The last several times it has been rather disappointing, maybe because we have tried everything. No niche at this Nordstrom store and the mainstream stuff just isn't that exiting I guess. We tried the new Miss Boucheron, too fruity, and the new Issey Summer which was green, but so light and disappointing. Then there was ckIN2U her which was eh. Many items being touted as "new" which of course to us perfumistas were not new at all. I mean please ... Kors Island Hawaii? Betsy Johnson? Is that all ya got?

There were three new Givenchy Harvest scents which proved to be the most interesting offerings. They have taken Organza and added orange blossom, Very Irresistible and added rose, Amarige with ylang ylang. Quick reviews to follow shortly.

Tara and I agreed the Organza was the best one. Still not remarkable enough to buy, but if you love Organza, you'll be in for a treat. The bottles are very nice. Classic and uniform, and they were offering a great bag GWP, but we were strong.

Not so strong in the shoe department though. :O)

Scent of the Day - Weekend

No fragrance for me today, I'm off to a sniffing day in San Diego!

I'll be back Monday with the details and a review of Bond's new one: Coney Island.

Scent of the Day - Friday 04-20-07

Back to the Chanels for me today - Gardenia

What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 04/19/07

Narcisse Noir for me today. I just recently discovered this beauty and bought a bottle. Caron is not my favorite house, but now I have three. :O)

What are you wearing this lovely Thursday-almost-Friday morning?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 04/18/07

Back to Vintage No 19 for me today.

What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 04/17/07

Today I'm wearing Chanel No 18. I think it will be a Chanel week.

What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Monday 04-16-07

Vintage Chanel No 19 for me today. Just lovely.

What about you?

Reverie au jardin - Tauer Perfumes - Review

I will start by saying lavender is not my thing. So as much as I appreciate Andy Tauer's craftsmanship, I was scared this would be very un-me. But on the contrary, this is very me. On my skin the lavender make the briefest of appearances then runs for the hills. Suddenly the iris bursts forth in powdery blooms. It is beautiful, warm and sexy. The powdery softness with a hint of rose makes one think of well-clad dressing tables of yore, with their rose water in bottles and round canisters of finely milled powders.

I get a soapy, clean, powdery presence with glimpses of florals that float in and out. As if your bathroom opened on to your garden, and you could lay in the tub with full view to your garden, the summer breeze blowing in the delicate wisps of scents. A lovely daydream.

It does lay close to the skin and reminds one more of clean soap and powdered skin, rather than something sprayed on the skin. Well done Andy, when you seduce, you do it masterfully. I am quite in love.

The perfumer, Andy Tauer says, "I love lavender, in all its facets ranging from herbaceous, spicy green notes to sweet, clean flowers and woody, vibrant chords. I wanted to create a fragrance that captures this complexity and transform it into a perfume. A perfume that melts into the skin, and makes me dream of green lands and twinkling stars. The notesThe head notes are very green and fresh- lavender (high altitude mountain lavender from France, galbanum and fir balm with bergamot and rose absolute from Bulgaria softening the herbaceous lavender. They lead over to a musky, fresh heart note (frankincense from India and ambrette seeds) with a woody and flowery orris line.The body note is the most complex part of the scent, being a soft, and airy wood accord (vetiver, tonka beans, oakmoss). Hints of vanilla and ambergris, sandalwood and cedar wood play into a balsamic tone that seems to last for ever."

With any luck I will be able to meet with Andy when he comes to the Scent Bar in Los Angeles, and I am very much looking forward to that! Click here for more information on that event: Scent Bar

At this time Reverie au jardin is available for Pre-Order at Lucky Scent.

Photos: Tauer Perfumes, Better Homes and Gardens

Scent of the Day - Friday 04-13-07

Today Reverie au Jardin - again - so lovely! And soon I will meet the perfumer in person! How exciting, yes?

What is your choice for this lovely Friday?

Scent of the Day - Thursday 04-12-07

Today I'm wearing Maybe Baby thanks to Sweet Diva.
What is your choice today?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 04/11/07

Today I'm wearing SL Rousse, I wanted something spicy.

How about you?

Scent of the Day - Tuesay - 04/10/07

Ormonde Jayne Osmanthus for me today - I'm forcing Spring on this cool overcast morning.

What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Monday - 04/09/07

Be sure to enter the drawing below for the give away! Even though it says "Sign Up" it really means ENTER the drawing, that is if you choose not to get email.

I just can seem to decide on a scent today - I'm home just doing chores.

What about you?

Coutorture Giveaway!!

Easter Blessings to all!
Victoria

Scent of the Day - Weekend

Not wearing anything today - still debating on tomorrow.

What will be your Easter Scent?

Scent of the Day - Friday 04-06-07

Happy Friday people - Happy Good Friday!

Fragonard Belle de Nuit Parfum for me today - What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Thursday 04-05-07

Le Maroc for me today - What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday 04-04-07

Oy! Late again today. I have no excuses.

Andy Tauer's new one again for me today. I just can't find the words to write up the review. I have serious writer's block. But it is lovely. I'll be buying a full bottle ASAP.

What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Tuesday 04-03-07

Oh my I'm so behind today! I ran out of the house with no fragrance! Lucky for me I have a stash in my purse. So I'll be wearing PG Bois Copaiba.

What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Monday 04-02-07

Do tell how was the NYC SNIFFA??

Today I'm wearing Andy Tauer's new one:

Reverie au jardin

Official word - It is DELISH!!!