SOTD: Sous Le Vent

So I can't stop my Guerlain madness at the moment because waftbycarol made remember that I have a sample of Sous le Vent which I will be putting on later after I take my shower. Today is one of those days where I have a ton of housework and errands. What I do remember of Sous Le Vent is the opening with lavender and enjoying it, but I remember not being to happy with the drydown, we'll see if this has changed.

Right now on my hand though I have Rochas Femme from a sample of mine and I forgot how wonderfully spicy and gorgeous this is, it always reminds me of spice dusted skin, I really should get a decant of this. This is also the scent I would scent Nigella Lawson with (I hear though she enjoys Coco by Chanel, which is appropiate!).

On to a little mini-sniffathon I had yesterday at the mall when I went to go get tea:

Tea Bergamot by L'Occitane: The opening of this is amazing, perfect juicy citrus, you just want to bite into, unfortunately the drydown did not live up to the opening. Still I will give L'Occitane this: They know how to do their citrus and tea scents.

Lace Orange Blossom by Victoria's Secret: I mainly tried this to see if the osmanthus showed through (it didn't), but I this really is a nice little orange blossom scent if you are looking for one.

Cashmere Vanilla Jasmine by Victoria's Secret: For lovers of BBW's Breathe Romance Sensous Amber & Myrrh go get Cashmere Vanilla Jasmine, very very similar but a little bit richer with just a hint of Sage Machado's Pearl.

La Lune by Dolce & Gabbana: This was really boring I was initially interested in this because of the use of leather and tuberose together, there is no leather, just a very boring floral in my opinion.

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image: Beauty in the Breeze by Deng Xianxian 2008

SOTD: Chanel N. 22

The weather is incredibly strange this June right now it is cool and overcast, usually at this point in the year the heat and I are battling it out, but not right now. I was going to wear Nuit de Cellophane today, but couldn't find my sample, so I reached for the ever beautiful Chanel N. 22. So yesterday evening after Apres L'Ondee wore off I put on a couple of dabs of Cuir Beluga and came to two conclusions 1) excellent strength and sillage and 2) It smells very similar to Ambra del Nepal (which does not have a $200+ price tag).

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image: Enticing Innocence by Patrick de Warren 2000

SOTD: Apres L'Ondee

It's official I have found a new favorite photographer: Iris Brosch. So once again I try to delve into Guerlain and I think quite frankly it may be time I gave it up. Last week I ordered three samples: Cuir Beluga, Spiriteuse Double Vanille (may be one of the worst fragrance names ever), and Apres L'Ondee. So far I have tested Apres L'Ondee a few times and it has not meshed, but today I am giving it my full attention. SDV turned into a very regular vanilla on me. While I have enjoyed Cuir Beluga the price tag on it is well not going to make me buy it, I liked it but it was not love. The thing is I really do want a Guerlain to rhapsodize about...but none of the women's fragrances ever really mesh for me and while I love Guerlain's Vetiver it is not a scent that creates a dramatic response in me, it is a great cologne, sigh. Guerlain where did you and I go wrong? Okay we were never right in the first place.

image provided by http://www.vogue.de/articles/who-is-who/designer/fotografie/2008/11/18/12167

image by Iris Brosch

SOTD: Vanille by Calypso St. Celle

Lately I have been having one of those note obsession moments, the one where you are looking for a new note to fall in love with, or in this case looking for a new variation on a note you love, in this case vanilla. For the heck of it I ordered a sample of Vanille by Calypso St. Celle, intrigued by the use of orange blossom. Well this isn't exactly what I was looking for while many have described this as non-foodie, but to me this smells like dulce de leche with a dash of sea salt and airy notes of orange blossom, pretty but not what I am wanting.

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image: At the Seashore by Richard Blossom Farley 1921

SOTD: Kenzo Eau Fleur de Magnolia

Sometimes a floral surprise comes along that you completely and utterly did not expect to like. I love big blooming magnolias and here in Northern California they are everywhere but too often when fragrances are supposed to be based on magnolia they smell like gardenia. The case of Kenzo's Eau Fleur de Magnolia is a true magnolia scent and one that is interesting  entwined in this beauty is smoky lemony pine quality and a creaminess that never veers into sweet. Now I am going into blasphemy with a comparison but this sort've reminds me of Herme's Osmanthe Yunnan. This really is a treat I did not expect. 

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image: Magnolia #4 by Jeri Eisenberg

SOTD: Ambre Fetiche

I had a long weekend on Saturday I met up with my boyfriend's friends and on Sunday I had dinner with my boyfriend's mother and stepfather, and I am having one of those Monday's where I want a weekend for my weekend. So I am going to spend the day in Annick Goutal's somewhat subdued amber, Ambre Fetiche, strangely esoteric and yet also very animalic. 

On the bright note I made a delicious raspberry nectarine crisp yesterday for dinner and it went over very well. I used Mark Bittman's crisp recipe and made a few adjustments added more sugar because the nectarines were on th tart side and salt to the crisp topping (why do so many recipes for crisps forget this vital ingredient? Salt is what brings out that delicious golden buttery crispy goodness.). 

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image: Luna by Edward Charles Halle 

SOTD: Le Chasse aux Papillons

Perfectly beautiful spring day means super pretty fragrance, what do I reach for L'Artisan's Le Chasse aux Papillons, something unusual is happening today with it though, instead of lemon tinted tuberose and jasmine I usually get from it, I am instead getting warm linden blossom. Linden blossom is another scent I associate with my early teen years, along with loving the scent of muguet, I had a big love for linden blossom, and remember my bottle of fragrance spray of linden blossom by Pre de Provence. 

On other news: I am really pretty disappointed in Luten's Nuit de Cellophane, just not my cup of tea, but then again money saved. 

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image: Girl in a Cornish Garden by Thomas Cooper Gotch 1889

SOTD: Baghari

So I finally did it, I got a bottle of Baghari, a perfect little 30 ml bottle (why can't more companies make this size?). For years I have desired to have a Robert Piguet fragrance to call my own, but found neither Fracas nor Bandit to my liking, and then Baghari was released. I like to think of Baghari as the perfect aldehyde for beginners there is no sharpness to it, but at the same time there is no mistake that aldehydes are used in it. While I agree with Luca Turin on the wonderfulness of Baghari, especially the description of it being like "panetonne", I have to wonder where on earth he gets the idea that it's a chypre? There is nothing chypre about it. This always dries down on me to a warm ambered vanilla. 

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image: Orange by Jeffrey Nemeroff 2006

SOTD: Un Matin d'Orage

Today is going to be hot, I already have the air conditioning set, on days like this you reach for scents that bloom in the heat yet are not overwhelming, so I chose Un Matin d'Orage. What amazes me about this scent is its starkness, in a way it is almost bone-bare, and what makes that even more amazing is that this is a gardenia scent. Gardenia scents are are often the epitome of voluptious fleshiness but this is the opposite, Annick Goutal seemed to make the point of not adding a single ounce of extra oomph in this, it was only meant to express one moment and nothing else. 

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image: Untitled by George Shumacher

SOTD: Fifi Chachnil EdT

I am always rather amazed by the vintage flirty quality of Fifi Chachnil, it smells like it is from a bygone era, but it only came out a few years ago. It is playful but full of womenliness the powder, tobacco, and amber are alluring yet the top notes of coriander, rose, and bergamot always keep the wittiness of the fragrance going. I would say it is the fully throaty giggle/laugh of having a glass of champagne and then hearing a really good joke. I'm going with the edt today because the rose and coriander are more pronounced making it far more appropiate for spring and daytime.

 

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image: La Coquette by Howard Chandler Christy 1920

SOTD: Angelique Encens

I was tempted to go with Fifi Chachnil today but the truth I am in no mood for the flirtyness of it, what I instead wanted was the perfect contemplative quality of Creed's Angelique Encens. For me this is the perfect embrace of hazy lily tinged vanilla, sweet green angelic, and dry luminous incense. And it is at this point I curse the price point of this fragrance because it is utterly perfect; when looking for solace I reach for Angelique Encens.

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image: Angel Resting by Fabiana Anton

SOTD: Osmanthe Yunnan

The last two weeks have a gone by in a blur my finals week was spent in the throws of an awful cold and pain of trying to focus on getting my finals done, finally though some calm has come. The weather is perfect, I'm sitting outside right now enjoying the shadows of leaves that sway in the mildest of breezes. I think I may have finally gone past my black plague thumb of gardening, my basil and oregano seem to be thriving and the other plants as well. I can reach down and touch the basil and at the meerest touch my fingers have the scent of it; the scent of fresh basil may be on of the most aphrodesiac scents in the world with its hint of spice. 

Put on Osmanthe Yunnan today and think I might go for something creamier in a bit. Just enjoying life for the moment. 

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image: Peach Blossom with Books by Zhang Wei 

SOTD: Songes

Sometime early this morning I woke up to the scent of Songes in my nose, I'm taking this as a sign. I admit this is a sort of emotionally hard weekend for me, Mother's Day always is, my mother has now been gone for over 21 years, for most of my life, add in the fact I am on my menstraul cycle and you have the perfect combo for a little crying. What also makes this stupid is that I wore Agent Provocateur something about that scent always puts me on edge and yesterday once again it worked its magic. So today I will spend the day in the sweet dreamy embrace of Songes. 

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image: Untitled by Joe Muir

SOTD: Agent Provocateur

I suddenly had a deep dark mossy craving the kind tinged with darkness and cool because it doesn't see the light of day very often, the answer the original Agent Provocateur. I'm not much of a chypre girl, I admire the genre, and I admire those that can pool it off, but in general they are not something that settle well on my skin. Agent Provocateur is a scent I have long admired and because of this I keep around a large sample, some how it is working today, but who knows how that will turn out, we have an uneasy relationship.

image provided artnet.com

image: Untitled; Priscilla in moss by Yigal Ozeri 2007

Your Blog Is Fucking Fabulous Award.

Hehe, I got an award from the wonderful Rose at A Rose Beyond The Thames 

Here are the following Instructions and Rules:

1. You have to pass it (the award) on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post. (easy Below)
Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then “add image” it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the “picture” widget. Also, don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Giving out awards, love doing this:

1. For lovely reviews on organic or natural perfumes and products I love Scenthive

2. Because the ever lovely Divina always provides thoughtful reviews and a generosity that is a above and beyond and we both share the pain of student deadlines Fragrance Bouquet

3. Because I love the ruminations between nature and fragrance, Notes From the Ledge

4. Because she always offers lovely writing and thoughts, Daily from The Daily Connoisseur

5. And what would this be without mentioning the ultimate perfume knowledge junky out there, Helg from Perfume Shrine

And now for five f&%*ing fabulous addictions:

1. Perfume! Really this deserves no explanation.

2. Tea, yes my cupboards suffer the disease of too much damn tea.

3. Jezebel, because it keeps me sane when the world seems to be determined to be insane.

4. Cookbooks. I often like to spend my nights browsing through them dreaming up delicious things to eat.

5. My cat. I'm pretty positive I am hitting the crazy cat lady stage but she is so damn cute I don't really care. How could you not love a little plump squishy faced cleptomaniac kitty? It's impossible, besides she makes these hilarious bird noises.

SOTD: Chanel No. 5 pure parfum

So the new Chanel No. 5 advertisement movie with Audrey Tautou has finally premiered and it is lovely. What strikes me the most about is the sense of intimacy you get from it nnlike the Nicole Kidman one (alright I didn't like that one). This advertisement really resonates with the scent because of one of the many stories to go with the legendary scent was that Coco wanted a scent that smelled like a woman, which i have always thought Chanel No. 5 does, it reminds me always of skin freshly powdered right after a bath.  

image provided by http://www.celebritywonder.com/picture/Audrey_Tautou/AudreyTautou_Cohen_3846856.html

SOTD: Amour le parfum

It's cold and rainy outside to only thing to do, put on Amour le parfum. I love this creamy powdery incensey rice pudding of a scent, not boring but pure comfort.

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image: Child (Harwood) with Doves by Achsah Barlow Brewster

SOTD: Diorissimo

Today is May 1st, so you know what that means, bring out the lily of the valley scents aka muguet. I keep around a sample of Dior's Diorissimo just for this occasion, because as I mentioned it before I not a big lily of the valley wearer because it is a scent of my tween years. On a plus side the boyfriend really liked it; he is a very floral guy.

On to deliciousness, last night we made steak Diane with garlic mash potatoes and a simple green salad, and this is where you will laugh, topped off with the kitschy of desserts, rice crispie treats. But I didn't feel too guilty considering steak Diane was created in the 1950's. It was all delicious. The recipes I used can be found here:

For Steak Diane:

http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/recipe-of-the-day-steak-diane-for-two/

For Garlic Mashed Potatoes

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Garlic-Mashed-Potatoes-103016

These recipes are really easy and really good.

Ended the night by beginning to watch the series Damages, watched the first two episodes, and we are hooked.

New favorite magazine: Mental Floss.

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image: Lily of the Valley by Judith McMillan

SOTD: Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang

So lately I have been craving vanillas and ambers, but here is the conundrum, I don't want my winter/autumn ambers and vanillas, they are too heavy and spicy. So while looking through my samples yesterday I ended up finding Estee Lauder's Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang, and this really seems to be hitting the spot. It is light, airy, enveloping, and gentle, makes you just want to relax in its glow. Lovely stuff. On other notes, cats can be exceptional wackjobs sometimes, like now. 

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image: Morning Divinity by Eleanor Miller

SOTD: Lieu de Reves

After a complaint of the weather being in the 90's we are suddenly in the 50's talk about a mood swing. Yesterday I spent my day in my sample of Chergui and came to the utter conclusion that it does not do diddly on me, rather it becomes a nice musk, and all those other wonderful notes seem to be sucked out by my skin, I am sad because this one always seems to inspire poetry in others. Still a nice thing for the wallet. I was then tempted to go with Bois des Iles today but I just wasn't feeling the sandalwood and my other spring stuff was feeling to shrieky, until I remembered by hoarded sample of Lieu de Reves, has just the right amount of warmth, tranquilty, and sometimes I get a little tobacco in the drydown (I suspect from the vetiver). 

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image: Yellow Green and Violet by Wolf Kahn

SOTD: Matin d'Orage

Can't believe I have not posted about this amazing beauty, Annick Goutal once again makes me love a floral I don't usually love, this time gardenia. I can't too see how this does in balmy humid weather, I have a feeling like Osmanthus Interdite it will bloom.

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image: White Camellia by Stephen Lang

SOTD: Le Chasse aux Papillons

Oh how nicely it has cooled off. It feels like spring again and not summer; which by the way I don't want for awhile. My one complaint is that is overcast. Update on Sienna Musk: that was definately not for me, my skin had a reactioning of just amplifing it way to much, so much so that I got a bit of a headache from it. So I am going with the super pretty and light Le Chasse aux Papillons today.

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image: Morning Glories on Sunflower by Tony Mendoza 2004

SOTD: Sienna Musk

Many have described this as a gourmand, but I fairly positive that I know why Sonoma Scent Studio's Sienna Musk is not gourmand on me, Laurie's sandalwood, which always becomes smoky on me, in a good way, but most definately smoky. The spices leave quickly on me and what is left is a smoky woodsy creamsy musk, I think this would smell exquisite on a man. Doesn't really evoke Sienna to me but rather the southwest with its dryness.

image provided by http://davisdesigncorp.com/wordpress/2007/08/03/art-quote-of-the-day-3/

image: Georgia Ram's Head by Georgia O'Keefe

SOTD: Datura Noir

We are suddenly having 90 degree weather here (started on Sunday but should be done today) and suddenly most of my spring stuff is seeming to heavy, so reaching for the creamy coolness of Datura Noir. So strange how the weather works.

image provided by http://www.sausalitoartgalleries.com/Brick%20and%20Mortar%20Art%20Galleries/Capture%20Fine%20Art/Capture%20Fine%20Art%20Photography%20Healdsburg%20&%20Sausalito/slides/holm-033SacredDatura.html

image by Joseph Holmes

Something Stinks at Amazon.com

In protest of Amazon's new weird attitude towards "certain" books, I am linking to this:
http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/amazonrank/

Fragrant Thoughts and Fun From This Last Week

So this week I took a little mini sniffa-thon at the mall and here is what I tried and thought:

-Butterfly Flower by Bath and Body Works
Fragrance Top Notes: Black Tea, Mouthwatering Tangerine, Cyclamen, Banana Leaf
Fragrance Mid Notes: Maxillaria Tenufolia Orchid, Asian Syringa Flower, French Mimosa
Fragrance Base Notes: Creamy Coconut Milk, Musk
This is girlish, very pretty, sweet spring floral. What those notes do not mention: Lilac! This has a lot of lilac and I have to say this is one of the better pure florals I have smelled in awhile.
-Escale a Portifino by Dior
notes: A glorious experience of fresh top notes of bergamot and citron, tempting middle notes of almond and orange blossom, and base notes of cool cypress essence.
Want a perfect cologne tonic for summer, this is it between this and the John Varvatos Artisan, and waiting to sniff Infusion Fleur d'Oranger, I suspect one of these will be my summer fragrance.
-Miss Dior Cherie L'eau by Dior
notes: strawberry leaves, pink jasmine, caramelized popcorn, strawberry sorbet, patchouli .
I got a lot of rhubarb from this on the paper and makes me think I need to test it out because it was pretty but in a very chic way.
-Be Delicious Fresh Blossom by Donna Karan
notes: Grapefruit, Cassis, Apricot, Muguet, Rose, Jasmine, Apple, Blond Woods, Smooth Skin Accord.
I really didn't get much from this on paper, but I feel now looking at the notes I should try because of the apricot.
-Flora by Gucci
Top notes: citrus accords, peony. Heart: rose, osmanthus flower. Base: pink pepper, sandalwood.
So this is supposed to be centered around osmanthus and for a moment it is, but then it is taken over by a super sweet caramel bottom with a dash of pink pepper. Pretty bottle though.
-Lotus Garden by Pacifica
notes: lotus blossom, cassis, green violet leaf, and pink pepper.
Lots of tart mango.
-Malibu Lemon Blossom by Pacifica
notes: Litsea Cubeba, flowering Angel's Trumpet, and fresh herbs
Very herbal reminding me of lemon grass, verbena, and citronella, a nice change from the usual.
-Bali Lime Papaya
notes: slightly musky papaya, bright Kaffir lime, and sweet lime blossom.
In lotion form this mainly smelled like pear, a nice pear, but pear none the less.

And because this so right on the money about the obnoxiousness of Carl's Jr's advertisements


And my new favorite song to rock out too, Franz Ferdinand's "Your What She Came For"

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image: Spring by Juan Erlich 2007
video provided by current.com
video uploaded by CRO875

SOTD: Songes

The weather has cooled down a little bit but the sun keeps on shining beautifully. I took a sniffage trip to the mall earlier this week and will have a report up tomorrow. Otherwise I have been enjoying the beauty of this perfect gorgeous spring weather, I think spring in California may be the shortest season, summer comes so fast. I right now have a vase of daffodils on my dresser and they really are my favorite spring flower, they are perfect in all of their sunny trumpeting glory. Also I just a read a wonderful book called His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik, for lovers of regency fun and dragons, this is wonderful, besides the main character reminds me a bit of Austen's wonderful Colonel Brandon.

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image: Was it a Dream by Amy Guidry 2008

SOTD: Chanel No. 22

More perfect spring day which only demands the loveliness of Chanel No. 22. This is one of those scents I only wear in spring, I find that it is the only weather that perfectly fits Chanel No. 22. In summer it is too much, in Autumn it does not go with the colors, and in winter its vibrancy is too much.

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image: Agua Viva 1 by Janaina Tschape

SOTD: Silken Yuzu

I have a lot cleaning to get done today with a few errands, so going with the vibrancy of Silken Yuzu, and later on in the sensuality of Songes. The weather is hopelessly gorgeous.

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image: Fritallaria by Portia Munson

SOTD: Le Chasse aux Papillons

Let the pretty begin! Everything is blooming beautifully and it makes you want to put on spring dresses, but it is still to chilly to do that, so I will content myself with the loveliness of Le Chasse aux Papillons. This is also the weather where I want to sit outside and enjoy a good book while sipping fresh mint tisane. So damned gorgeous!

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image: Summer by John William Waterhouse

Spring Fragrance Wardrobe

It is finally spring and I could not be happier, after so much amber and incenses, and heavy gourmands, you find yourself wanting ethereal spring fragrances, and I just wanted to share my spring wardrobe choices for spring:

Bois des Iles- This one never gets old, the sandalwood becoming more dominent, and bringing out a creamy earthiness that just enhances the skin.

Bvlgari pour femme- Jasmine tea and surrounded by blooming mimosa, beautiful but warm, nothing austere about it.

Chanel No. 22- A white floral sparkling with aldehydes and having a wonderful dry back drop of incense and nectorous vanilla, a perfect bouquet.

Datura Noir- In spring the coolness of Tuberose blooms in this, making a wonderfully milky concoction, with hints of almond.

Egyptian Goddess- This just blooms on me, the lightest breath of heat, and you are surrounded by the perfect floral musk.

Gold by Donna Karan edt- I have always wanted a lily fragrance in my collection and this one just blooms beautifully on me, it is sensually intense, but at the same time utterly spring.

Infusion d'Iris- The sheer easy serene elegance of this always stops me, the combination of earthy orris with hints of green and the lightest touch of orange blossom, always makes me think of silver and green.

La Parisienne- Shining silver bells and spring blossoms, I am always happy when I smell this.

Le Chasse aux Papillons- This is a sunny slightly humid spring garden bursting with vitality, it makes me want to be surrounded by daffodils.

L'Heure Attendue- Warm ambered lilacs, old-fashioned in the best of ways, yearning.

Lolita Lempicka- Powdery, sweet, with violets and anise dancing merrily together, this is jubilant and happy.

Mille et Une Roses- The sheer gentle warmth of this utterly romantic rose always stops me in my tracks, it is heavenly with its dewiness.

Osmanthe Yunnan- While I associate Osmanthus Interdite with summer, there is a greeness and smokiness to Osmanthe Yunnan that makes me think spring.

Narciso Rodriguez- This is good with any season, but I find in spring it takes on the character of a fertile spring nymph, a lively sensuality.

Songes- Creamiest of flowers warmed by incense and somehow it reminds me of bees buzzing.

Un Lys- Like falling into a lily.

image provided by artmagick.com

image: The Four Seasons (Spring) by Alejandro de Riquer

SOTD: Gold

Decided I would enjoy the luxury of heady lilies today so Gold is what I reached for.

And because I am completely geeking out over the wonderful interview between Neil Gaiman and Stephen Colbert, this is a form of heaven.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Neil Gaiman

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Political Humor

Mark Sanford
NASA Name Contest

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image: Casa Blanca Lillies by Kimberly Meuse

video uploaded by comedy central

SOTD: Mille et Une Roses

So I am kind've giving up on that whole waiting for the first day of spring thing to wear spring fragrances, which is sort've obivious after looking at my SOTD's for this month. So it is official I am off the market for looking for others, after basically three weeks of non-stop 2 hour late night conversations and great dates, I figured I should just go with it. So it is Sunday and I have come down with a cold, I'm not to happy about it but at the same time, I have a great Sunday ahead, Ben and I are meeting to go bookstore browse and have Indian for dinner. So what to wear fragrance wise? I decided to go with the romantic, warm, and clean Mille et Une Roses, I am always astounded by the gentleness of it. How is everyone spending their Sunday?

image provided by artmagick.com

image: Pot Pourri by Herbert Draper

SOTD: Lieu de Reves

Helg you were right when you said this was pretty and I am going to add this is just plain pretty. I like to think I go with the edgier fragrances but the truth is I don't, but at the same time nor do I often wear what I consider to be utterly and completely pretty (I sometimes think this is just hard for me to pull off, because off line I am a rather sarcastic person) but Laurie at Sonoma Scent Studio has pulled off pretty at its prettiest. The violet in this feels as though it has been drenched in cool spring rain and then been left on a plate with rosewater madelines and perfect snow white macaroons. This is gourmand in the sense that L'Heure Bleu is gourmand, there are notes of gourmand running through it, but the fragrance is not edible. This is the sort've of fragrance that other women will complement you on. Bizarrely enough all I can think when I smell this is if you enjoy the prettiness of Le Chasse aux Papillons then I highly suggest you take a sniff of this, they do not smell similar at all, but they run in the same family of pretty.

Also having the guy over tonight, I'm making pasta carbonara and roasted asparagus, and I am going to pull out the Fifi Chachnil edp.

image provided by artmagick.com

image: Spring by Frances MacNair

SOTD: Chanel No.5 pure parfum

I am waiting for spring with anticipation and I trying to hold off on my spring fragrances until the first day of spring, obviously that has not been going very well, so today I chose to put on Chanel No. 5 pure parfum which I consider more a cold weather scent but with floral overtones, but it is not that today. Rather the balsamic undertones of it have come out to play today, the tobacco tinged vetiver is having its full reign. On the upside: Our cats are so snuggly that it is really hard to get up in the morning, both of them insisting on having their own snuggle time, it is a bit ridiculous.

image provided by http://carminemag.com/2008/04/08/nomi-chi/

image by: Nomi Chi

SOTD: John Varvatos Artisan

As I blog this morning I can tell it is going to be a gorgeous day and the I see the plum blossoms are already blooming. Spring is almost here; I feel both excited about it and apprehensive, part of me can't wait to enjoy the sunshine but the other part of me wants more rain. Going to enjoy the day in orange blossoms though.

image provided by artmagick.com

image: In the Grove of the Temple of Isis by John William Godward

SOTD: Lolita Lempicka

So I am kind've of having the really unexpected, I think I have actually met someone who I could be very serious about and who is about me. I admit I expected this year to be full of really bad dates but instead the opposite has happened I have met someone who is genuinely interested in me and we can talk easily to one another, we share the same interests, and attitudes and philosophies. We have talked long on the phone every night since we have met. I am no die-hard romantic and after a 5 year relationship I have a good idea of what is bad and good, this is scary good. So to answer the beauty of spring and what I am positive in a 99.9% sure way is going to be a relationship, I am putting on Lolita Lempicka. So the question is what has everyone's romances been like?

image provided by http://www.pentruochi.com/2008_11_01_archive.html

image by Eveline Tarunadjaja

SOTD: Bois des Iles

So today is one of those chilly rainy days where I need to get a lot done so naturally I reached for the woody elegant comfort of Bois des Iles. Now on to the bigger news, the date went really well, we have a second date on Saturday and the schedule for that is we first visit a book store, then go watch Watchmen, and after that Ethiopian for dinner.

image provided by http://reset-info.com/2008/04/amy-sol.html

image: image by Amy Sol

SOTD: Infusion d'Iris

So the chosen date scent is: L de Lolita Lempicka pure parfum. For the first part of my day I will be wearing Infusion d'Iris, must have something calming today, I admit I have spoken to this guy for the last two nights late into the night, but I am such a nervous nelly.

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image: Flush by Darren Waterston 2007

SOTD: Parfum Sacre

The weather is cold, windy, and rainy, so it is the perfect time to take out the creamy spicey rosy goodness that is Parfum Sacre. But now on to the next major question: What should I wear for my date tomorrow Un Bois Vanille or L de Lolita Lempicka pure parfum?

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image: The King's Daughter by George W. Joy 1902

SOTD: John Varvatos Artisan

May this be the year I finally get my orange blossom scent? I was for awhile quite enamoured with Les Couvents des Minimes Orange Blossom, but after a time I found myself annoyed with salt note and that it sweetened up after awhile. I loved the opening of Ava Luxe's Orange Blossom but found the bottom too sweet. As much as I adore 4711 it really is more of a neroli scent and has poor lasting power.
A few weeks ago I read Kevin's review over at Now Smell This for John Varvatos' Artisan, and after reading it I knew immediately needed to try it. So far I am rather in love, it is pretty, it is unisex, this could easily be worn by a man or woman. The citrus and orange blossom remain through out although towards the end it takes on an herbal mineral quality that is refreshing and soothing. Still I hold out because Prada is coming out with Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger and considering my love Infusion d'Iris, I just can't wait for this.
Also while writing about orange blossom scents, I find that I associate these scents more with summer than spring; which season do associated orange blossom?

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image: Water Girls by Catherine Campbell

Most Worn For February: Sensual Amber

The strange tiny month of February has ended. It was full of dramatic events and I for one am happy to be done with it. I found it very interesting to realize that my most reached for scent was Bath and Body Works Sensual Amber; the more I wear it the more I realize it has quite a floral creamy middle and that the opening of it reminds me of Burberry Brit Red.

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image: Amber Flight by Bruce Tolman

SOTD: BBW Cherry Blossom lotion

So the gorgeous spring weather continues as a bit of a treat to myself I am going to the mall to do a bit of sniffing, so I'm only wearing lotion today, and the epitome of spring sometimes is the fragrance/idea of cherry blossoms.

And on to some small joys:
Recently a little frozen yogurt shop opened up and my official favorite topping of it is lychee, there is something very serene and soothing about the combo.

Some music for friday, Air's Cherry Blossom Girl



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image: Geiko=Cherry by Tomiko Kato
video uploaded by pol115

SOTD: Miss Dior Cherie

Some how I am in better spirits and I just don't want my heavy oriental fragrances so I instead I am spritzing on my sample of Miss Dior Cherie. I love that the notes of this look scary on paper but the reality is it is actually very classy, more of a clean musk.

And something to make you wish for summer, John Legend's P.D.A.


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image: Yellow with Green Stars on Pink by Natasha Law
video uploaded by bluekat34

SOTD: Chanel No.5 Sensual Elixir

So I haven't reached for an aldehydic beauty in awhile and I thought my sensual elixir deserved some attention, the day is cold and clear, and I think aldehydes sometimes do the best in this weather. Coldness keeps them bright and sparkling yet doesn't let them become overbearing. So far I have kept constant this year in being seasonel with my fragrances but I am pretty sure the doldrums are coming out in the fragrance community. So how is everyone doing, broken down yet and brought out the spring fragrances?

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image: Emma Pink & White by Jesse Frohman

SOTD: Angelique Encens

I need something so ridiculously calming right now it is not even funny, the answer: Angelique Encens. It's rainy and cold outside the way it is supposed to be. Last night I made homemade chicken broth and now I'm thinking I need to make soup. I want something simple and completely comforting.

image provided by http://designdig.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html

image: by Ana Laura Perez

SOTD: Lolita Lempicka

So today is girls night, my roommate broke up with her boyfriend of just over a year this last sunday, and the apartment has been down with good reason. So in a strange turn of events we have a Mary Kay lady coming over well not so strange considering she is my roommate's friend who also happens to the cousin of the now ex-boyfriend (the cousin completely understood why Nee broke up with her cousin). As for tonights menu: artichoke dip, apple cake (made by me), wine, and something else. And more break up news apparently my little brother broke up with his girlfriend 3 weeks ago (what is this the break-up year?).

As for my fragrance choice: Lolita Lempicka, I need something girly and fun, and this fits the bill. As for next Monday's date scent: Magnetism by Escada. Never fails on the compliments and it is just plain sexy.

We need some music I think, Tainted Love done by Soft Cell, featuring the really bad 1980's video:

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image by Stella Im Hultberg
video uploaded by curious13april

SOTD: Magnifique

So I am re-entering the dating world, I figure I need to force myself to do this, considering my character is not to. So the question is what is everyone's date night scent?

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image: Woman in Red by Guy Pene Du Bois 1938

SOTD: Sensual Amber

Pretty spring makeup find that works for all seasons, so I have a hard time sometimes finding makeup, the combination of pale-skin and dark hair can sometimes be a conundrum. But I must say I am horribly impressed by Laura Mercier's First Blush Face Palette, the colors are really understated and yet instantly awaken the face, it instantly gives you a gorgeous glow and warmth.

image provided by http://imoreta.wordpress.com/2007/06/03/audrey-kawasaki/

imabe by Audrey Kawasaki

SOTD: Philosykos

What is the answer to fragance boredom in a recession? Go get your box of samples out! Today I am visiting Diptyque's Philosykos, now I feel rather stupid that in my obsession a few years ago with fig, I didn't bother to try Philosykos; which is kind've blasphemous as far as fig scent lovers go. This september I received a sample of it with my Ambre Russe sample, not being in the mood for a fig scent I didn't bother to try it, but did stick it in a box for future sampling. Well I am kicking myself because is quite frankly this is the perfect black mission fig scent: green, sweet, creamy all at the same time.

And now for some humor that rather ties into the erotic symbol of the fig leaf or as Jemaine likes to call them his "sugarlumps" and no I wouldn't play this at work:


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image: Good Afternoon by Alex Katz 2007
video uploaded by McTezTube

SOTD: Evening Edged In Gold

So there is nothing like a second go at something, in this case it is Ineke's Evening Edged In Gold. I can smell the osmanthus now, this is as smooth as silk, there are no velvety apricot fuzz qualities to it. While it is a floral this is not a spring or summer scent, there is a rich depth to it that can be overwhelming in the summer heat, it is strangely aquatic, but not in a melon sort of way. What strikes me the most about this scent is just how very Northern California it feels, I can't explain it other than this is the scent of dusk in Northern California in the Bay Area with a definate hint of breeze from the bay. I admit I am so glad I retried this scent.

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image: Transitions XI by Barbara Weldon 2005