Scent of the Day - Thursday - 05/31/07

TDC Osmanthus for me today, what are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 05/30/07

Good morning world. Today I'm wearing Neil Morris Zephyr. What are you wearing today?

Aldehyde 44 - Le Lebo - Review

Le Labo perfumery, located in Grasse and New York, had a vision of something different for their in-store perfumery sales. Their technique blends essential oils with alcohol and water at the time of purchase. Every order is made fresh right there while you wait. I'm not saying it is any better made fresh, but it sure is an interesting concept that draws the buyer into a closer relationship with the perfumer.

Today I am testing the exclusive Aldehyde 44. (By the way, the number in the fragrance name refers to the number of notes that make up the scent's composition.) The reason I say exclusive is that this fragrance is part of a marketing strategy that has us perfume lovers quite in a frenzy. Aldehyde 44 was made for and is only available in Dallas, Texas. Le Labo started this exclusive campaign with Tuberose 40 which is only available in NYC. No phone or internet sales, you must track down a live body in NYC or Dallas to make the purchase and send it to you. Not a challenge for a seasoned perfumista, but an obstacle to be sure. And, there are plans to add more city-exclusive scents. So more scurrying will ensue.

Aldehyde 44 is a beautiful, classic, aldehydic floral. One I would love to own and hope to one day. I warn you, I'm a push over for aldehydic florals so it was easy for me to fall. I'm testing this from a vial and can only imagine how lovely will be sprayed; the manner aldehydes are meant to be experienced. The opening is a fresh and bright bouquet of florals. As it settles in, the florals begin to get creamier and the indoles come into (or should I say - out to) play. Not too strong as they are tempered and smoothed by a woodsy, musky, powder. Very nicely composed. Now who do I know in Dallas?? Hummm.

Notes: Aldehydes, tuberose absolute, narcissus absolute, jasmin sambac, musks & woods

Only available at Barneys - Dallas, TX

Photos from: Le Labo

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 05/29/07

Ayy, back to work. Aldehyde 44 for me today, What are you wearing?

Happy Memorial Day Weekend USA!

Scent of the Day - Friday - 05/25/07

So glad it's Friday! What is your choice for today?

I'm wearing The Different Company Osmanthus today. There is a beautiful light peppery feel to this one that I Love.

Notes from Luckyscent: Osmanthus fragrans (China), leaf green, bergamot, orange, tangerine, rose, rose bay, castoreum, hay, musk

Virtuessence of Esther - Virtue & Valor, Inc. - Review

Oh my, have you seen such a lovely bottle? Have you seen such a beautiful website? Have you heard such a worthy business approach?

The Virture & Valor company has set out to be different from the rest. To honor a higher calling. Partial wording from their website states, "We are motivated by the virtuous women of the Bible and want the women of today to see themselves in them as they triumphantly faced their fears, endured their hardships with valor, walked in the strength of God, and embodied virtue. "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a women who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30)." Please read more about their creedo here: ABOUT US

How refreshing! Inspired by Queen Esther - her integrity, strength and beauty. Not only is this a lovely sentiment, but it is a tribute to all women. And may I say how beautiful the fragrance is, how elegant and truly worthy of praise. The notes so perfectly chosen, from the symbolic pure lily opening to the gifted frankincense in the base. It really is a beautiful composition, I'm sure that most of you will love. And who wouldn't love owning that beautiful bottle? Just think what a lovely gift this would make. I might just have to give one to myself! Samples are free from the website with a nominal postage fee. I urge you check out the website and read the tempting description of Queen Esther on the page tabbed "Esther", then sample this little beauty and see for yourself.

Top notes: Lily, Orange, Ylang
Middle notes: Cinnamon, Ginger, Jasmine, Clove
Base notes: Vanilla, Amber, Musk, Patchouli, Frankincense, Sandalwood

Images and text from: Virtue & Valor

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 05/24/07

Virtuessence of Esther for me. What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 05/23/07

Today I'm wearing Aldehyde 44 by Le Labo - Lovely! What are you wearing?

Shalini - Review

Ahhh ... I smell completely, deliciously, lovely today! And you can too for only $900! Well if you want to cheap-out you can only spend $400, but hey at this price might as well go for the Lalique falcon. Life is short, right?

Is it that good, you say? Well unfortunately, yes. It is complex and deep while still managing somehow to be delicate and tender. Created by Maurice Roucel the notes include tuberose, neroli, tiare, sandalwood and musk. I'm rather surprised to find there is tuberose in here, it is a quite tame non-indolic tuberose, rather sweet and fresh. Overall it's a lovely bouquet of perfectly composed flowers resting on a soft base of sandalwood and musk. Sexy and understatedly elegant.

Like I mentioned to a poster the other day, I do struggle in my mind with the idea of the exclusivity and price tag, does it serve to influence? I try to think not, but on some level it has to. I wish it were available in non-crystal and perhaps an EDP version. It does lay a bit close to the skin, which adds to its sensuality, but I would prefer it to surround me.

If you are like me, you too can be queen for a day by purchasing a sample and lavishing the whole thing on yourself in one dose, one perfect day to enjoy this lovely parfum as if you owned it.

Now if you have the big bucks, you may purchase 1oz in the more plain crystal bottle for $400, or pay $900 for the limited edition butterfly wing design Lalique falcon which contains 2.2oz.

Availabe at: Aedes

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 05/22/07

Ohhh I am queen Shalini today! Please come forward, speak to me of your fragrance today my loyal subjects, I command you!

Scent of the Day - Friday - 05/18/07

Testing JAR Shadow this morning. TGIF!!
What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 05/17/07

Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur du Male. Wow. What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 05/16/07

Bulgari Omnia Amethyst today. The last decant from eBay. What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 05/15/07

Eau d'Amouage for me today, what are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Monday - 05/14/07

Kors Hawaii for me today, what are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Friday - 05/11/07

Today the whole office is offsite working our Charity Golf Tournament. I chose Anne Pliska for today. We are in for a long day, 12 hours usually. So instead of TGIF this week, it will be TGIS!
What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 05/10/07

Another crazy day at work today, we are hosting a charity golf tournament on Friday and there is so much to do still! I choose DKNY Energizing Woman for today. I'm sincerely hoping it will help! What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 05/09/07

Cuir Beluga for me today.

What are you wearing?

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 05/08/07

Today I'm in the mood for an old favorite, Roberto Cavalli Perfumo - the tall pink bottle with the clear snake top. A great soft spicy, sweet powdery amber. Although I don't mention it often, this is number two on my all time hit list.

What are you wearing today?

Gendarme - Sky

I'm still anxiously awaiting release of this new Gendarme scent - SKY. Here is the first look at the bottle, and a hint at the notes. News of the debut says late May, according to the press release below:

"At first it seems extremely simple and fresh. The water lily and white amber revolve around warm woods and Spanish moss, then the underlying caress of soft leather that's shiny, spicy and downright passionate... Even during the day there are thousands of stars in the sky.

In Late May, Gendarme SKY will debut at select stores... but you can get it first. Get a FREE* 1oz bottle with every purchase of $100.00 or more.

Keep checking our website, gendarme.com, when or where SKY will be available."
(*while supplies last)

You can read my review of SKY by clicking here: SKY - GENDARME - REVIEW

Scent of the Day - Monday - 05/07/07

Undecided toady - Maybe Le Maroc.

What are you wearing today?

Jojoelle - Formerly Green Lady Soap

Some of you may remember The Green Lady Soap Company. They made wonderful dupes and great matching lotions. Well they were missing for some time and after sniffing around a bit, I finally talked to the new ower who took over the store. She said she would let me know when they re-open. It has been some time since I spoke with her, and now the shop called Jojoelle, is open.

Here is a quote from Jojoelle regarding the transition: "As many of you know, we recently took over the scents and formulas of Green Lady Soap. We are currently carrying GLS' popular fragrances in addition to some of our own creations. Our perfumes, perfume oils and soaps are the exact formulas you came to love from Green Lady Soap, and have not been changed. We have not yet released GLS made-from-scratch lotions and creams. We are still currently testing them and have selected wonderful replacements in the mean time. Cold process soaps will be available in late April. Please let us know if there is a former product or fragrance you would like to see. We may already have it and would be happy to make it for you or can order it. If you have any questions regarding the products, please contact us."

You can buy samples by buying the perfume trio, which includes three 1/2 dram vials in your choice of scents available in perfume or perfume oil. The great thing about this shop is the ability to get matching lotions to some of your designer scents, which may not be offered, or the prices are too high. I have listed just a few that I thought might pique some interest. Especially the Chinatown dupe and iPdf, since lotions are not available for these by the maker.




Amber Nepal - Compare to Ambra Del Nepal
Blue Sicily - Compare to Light Blue
Childlike - Compare to Child
Dark Vetiver - Compare to Black Vetyver Cafe
In Full Bloom - Compare to Flowerbomb
Lemon Sugar - Compare to Fresh
Little China - NEW! Compare to Chinatown by Bond 9
Madagascar Vanilla - Compare to Vaniglia Del Madagascar
Pink Candy Lane - Compare to Pink Sugar
Sparkling Sugar - Compare to Sugar by Fresh
Stranger Things - Compare to Alien
Tainted Charm - Compare to Hypnotic Poison
Vanilla Banana - Compare to Vanille Banane
White Lava Beach - Compare to Fire Island by Bond 9

Free Shipping on ALL orders!
Receive free shipping* on ALL US orders between May 7th and 31st! Use code MAYFREE07
*We reserve the right to use the shipping carrier and method of our choice during free shipping events.

Click here to go to the website: Jojoelle

Scent of the Day - Weekend!

Les Parfums de Rosine - La Rose
For me today.
What are you wearing today?

Switching to Anne Pliska for a party this evening. Don't really want to go, maybe this will help.

Scent of the Day - Friday - 05/04/07

Valentino Rock 'N Rose for me today. I like this one, one of the better fruity florals out there.

What are you wearing on this fabulous Friday?

Scent of the Day - Thursday - 05/03/07

Craving Reverie au jardin again this morning. What are you wearing?

Black Violet - Tom Ford - Review

Oh my goodness how can it be that I love two of the new Tom Ford Collection and I've yet to sniff them all? The line I had no interest in is suddenly beginning to feel like the ultimate dresser set. If I buy them all do I get the tray at least, or is that another grand?

I am trying to convince myself that this one is too similar to my precious Armani Prive Cuir Amethyste. Yet is scares me to think, might it be better? After all I do love my Amethyste, but I fear that formula I own no longer exists and was tweaked to be more masculine. This one is violets and woods and something that smells like cold cream. The fruits seems to make it juicy without actually smelling fruity. It is irresistible and I cannot keep from sniffing my wrist.

Notes: citrus, pulpy fruit accord, black violet, woody notes, oakmoss

Scent of the Day - Wednesday - 05/02/07

Today I think I will use the last drops of my TFPC Amber Absolute. I will be buying this one.

:O)

What are you wearing today?

Scent of the Day - Tuesday - 05/01/07

Happy May Day! Today I'm wearing Ormonde Jayne Frangipani. I was inspirded to wear it when Andy Tauer mentioned Frangipani.

What are you wearing today?

Amber Absolute - Tom Ford - Review

I have to say I find myself quite amazed to be sitting here and sniffing this delicious aroma that is Tom Ford Amber Absolute. I had absolutely no intent of even buying a sample set after the letdown of the Chanels and considering the price of these offerings. Yet, how could I not sniff when a generous friend handed over her sample set to me? It is perfumista law to sniff. And sniff I did.

Immediately I proclaimed, "I must have this." When an amber is so quintessentially perfect it gives you goose bumps when you sniff it, you must own it. There is a smoky note in the top that usually would turn me away but here it is perfectly blended becoming one with the amber. Slowly it softens into a soft, woody, incensey amber. It is stunning.

Swoonworthy is my final verdict to all my fellow amber lovers. Be forwarned, save your pennies or do not sniff at all.

Notes: amber, African incense, labdanum, rich woods, and vanilla bean