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[parfumnotes]

1/30/23

 I really didn’t mean to go a year without writing. Back in September, I started an entry that I never got back to, so here’s an attempt at a new one.

It was a pretty eventful year in my perfume world, as well as my personal one. 2022 saw us taking lots of little road trips, several of which one or two-nighters. It was nice to see parts of the state we hadn’t before. We got one great 5 mile hike in before monsoon got busy. Not that it rained much here, but the mountains would be too rainy and cold to enjoy.

Onto the goods. I’ve been extremely content (thrilled) with my perfume wardrobe and mostly focused on acquiring some backups of big loves. Some new additions include this creamy, thick vanilla-tonka beauty called Ajmal Evoke Silver.

bitter orange, rose, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood

This one smells amazing in hot temps! It’s a change up for me because I’m a big floral lover, and really want bright florals in the heat. Evoke doesn’t bloom as beautifully in cool temps though, and it isn’t at all too heavy for hot weather. This has led me to try warmer scents in warmer weather, even if it is slightly against my preference. It has a milky quality like Armani Si Fiori (WHY did they discontinue it?), which is an addition from early last year.

black currant, green mandarin, neroli, rose, patchouli, oakmoss, vanilla, white musk

I’m very grateful for having received a bottle of Si Fiori before it was too hard to find. Another big love that I was wanting for probably 3 years but could never find: White Soul Gold & Diamonds by Ted Lapidus. Make what you will of the name and sure, the bottle is different.. this is a beautiful piece of work by Francis Kurkdjian. This is another one that develops to the best version of itself in warm weather. It’s like a mixture of a creamier JPG Classique Essence and Alien. Some soapiness, a lot of orange blossom, very dense vanilla. It reminds me a bit of PdM Safanad, though not powdery like Safanad. What it is- womanly in every way.

neroli, mandarin, orange, jasmine sambac, orange blossom, amber, vanilla orchid, heliotrope

I also managed to finally get my hands on Signorina Misteriosa. This is a lovely, milky tuberose-blackberry-vanilla. I love these both! I’d nearly forgotten how much I enjoy juicy berries in fragrance- probably because they can feel too shampoo or body spray like. Not here.

blackberry, neroli, tuberose, orange blossom, milk mousse, black vanilla, patchouli

For fun trip to Arizona last spring, I wore Kate Spade Live Colorfully. I also took along my bottle of Intense Tiare, a sample of Gabrielle Essence (even more gorgeous in heat!), and layered True Gold with Far Away Gold by Avon... but it was Live Colorfully that I attached to this particular trip.

water lily, mandarin orange, star anise, gardenia, tiare flower, coconut, Tahitian vanilla, musk, amber

Being obsessed with banana accords, I had to have D & G The One Essence. I have owned a bottle of the original The One for many years, but made the mistake of wearing it during the difficult time of losing my mother. That caused me to completely stop wearing it in spite of loving it. That wasn’t even a conscious decision but it was having the Essence version that brought it to my attention. I can wear it now, thankfully, and this version is so delicious. One night I wore Essence to bed, and the next morning sprayed Tom Ford Champaca Absolute. The vanilla base amped up Champaca Absolute and the two blended so beautifully that I have worn them like this again.

peach, litchi, mandarin orange, bergamot, lily, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, vanilla, amber, vetiver

Did I really try to say I didn’t obtain that many new perfumes? Haha I’m not even going to try to list them all here but let’s not forget Prada La Femme. I was given a sample of La Femme a couple of years ago but when I smelled it, it smelled exactly like Dali Wild, which I already have. So this year on a whim, I decided to try it again and was hooked. Bubblegummy-tuberose-honey floral. Could be beachy, somewhat tropical.. very clean and feminine.

magnolia, bergamot, carrot seeds, frangipani, tuberose, ylang-ylang, iris, spices, beeswax, vanilla, vetiver

Another delicious gourmand, warm, powdery, sultry berry-ish scent that I fell in love with is Cacharel Yes I am Fabulous. My friend sent a decant of this for me to try and I used every drop. So good. SO GOOD.

blackberry, heliotrope, milk, hazlenut

My birthday surprise was the gorgeous Ylang in Gold (Edition Speciale) by M. Micallef. I was fortunate to have previously sampled both the original Ylang in Gold and Ylang in Gold Nectar, which I preferred. Then I saw this bottle, the lack of mint of the original and extra fruity notes of both and only dreamed. I’m so thankful to have this beauty- wish they’d make this formulation permanent. It’s smoother, a little woodier but very much about ylang and vanilla. The great  thing is that good old Casmir by Chopard is close to Ylang in Gold.

geranium, citruses, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, coconut, vanilla

I can’t not mention Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud. This one was on my radar for ages but the reviews were too scary. It was when I smelled something on bubble wrap from another order that something said to just buy it. I had never smelled it before, but a hunch told me that it was Shaghaf Oud. It’s wonderful. Mostly vanilla, praline and oud. I wish the rose was stronger.. but I actually love to layer this with Pure Honey. Can’t get enough..

saffron, oud, rose, praline, vanilla

Another fragrance that I was gifted a sample and fell for is Frank Boclet Ylang Ylang. Goodness. This is very gourmand caramel that shines on the later dry down when the florals come out to play.

mandarin orange, incense, bergamot, ylang-ylang, jasmine, iris, caramel, amber, musk, vetiver

My daughter and I took a trip to the mall one day. It’s funny or sad how little I venture out anymore. On this rare excursion, I was able snag a bottle of Burberry Her Elixir. The Elixir version sits exactly in the middle of Burberry Her and Burberry Her Intense (love) in depth and tone. More milky- most people associate it with milkshake. It’s more girly than the Intense version.

strawberry, blackberry, jasmine, vanilla, amber, sandalwood

Other very worthy mentions I’m enjoying: Michael Kors Glam Jasmine* - Solinotes Ylang Ylang Blossom* - Al Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition - Mauboussin My Twist - Afnan Souvenir Floral Bouquet

*These deserve their own posts. MK Glam Jasmine is one of the best jasmine scents out there, in my opinion. I have smelled Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge EDT and love it, and while they aren’t exactly the same, Glam Jasmine is hugely satisfying. Long lasting, great sillage. Solinotes Ylang Ylang Blossom has become a favorite easy reach for my insatiable ylang craving. When I first wore it, it reminded me so much of something I couldn’t put my finger on. Tanning lotion and Orchid Soleil, minus the milky (whipped cream) note. You can’t beat that.🌷

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1/30/21

One day left of January and we haven’t had any snow yet. There was just a brief shower of flurries about a month ago, not enough to stick. Today is freezing and cloudy.

Earlier this month, we celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. Our date was pretty perfect. We went to our favorite Thai place for an early dinner. There were only two other tables occupied the entire time, so it was really nice and quiet. For my anniversary gift, I got J’Adore Infinissime. It was going to be between that and the newest Miss Dior, which is a nice, warm, powdery floral. I like it but am so thrilled that I got Infinissime instead. It’s truly an ethereal scent.

I picture another world as seen through a golden crystal ball. I get bubblegum tuberose, a slightly soapy jasmine, and honeyed ylang... mmm! I love it. 🌷

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New Year’s Eve

12/31/21

For the last day of 2021, I’m wearing the delicious layering of

Burberry London & Chopard Casmir. This is a vanilla bomb which becomes more exotic and elegant the longer it wears. I love how these combinations only get better as the notes mingle and dance. It’s freezing cold here, with snow by tonight.

This morning, I had a nightmare about everyone testing positive for a death sentence disease, the antidote of which was a drop on the tongue which would “put them to sleep” so they wouldn’t suffer. I was trying to stop everyone, but no one would listen. The “sleep drops”, which were supposedly a better way to die, were the real killer, and the tests were all rigged. It was so sad and terrible. I told my friend about it and she said that both she and her eldest daughter had disturbing dreams, too.

Last night, I walked a brisk 2 miles with the intention to do a leg workout after, but my knee immediately said, “nope”. I was able to do some body weight exercises earlier today, thankfully it didn’t bother me. Now I’m preparing for a 4 miler. I will probably reapply Burberry & Casmir since they’re perfect for this kind of weather, and a cozy night in.

Changed my mind; ringing in the new year with Mauboussin Promise Me Intense (black rose and oud) and Casmir. Yum! 🌷

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Trees

12/26/21

Christmas was calm and quiet. No complaints there. My youngest son and I got to catch up some, which always makes my day. Now there are but a few days left of this year, and I fully meant to be using them on some projects. I started out today reorganizing my samples, but the wind kicked up out of nowhere, causing me to feel slightly dizzy. After a cat nap, I’m feeling better and ready to put the last bit of daylight to use.

For Christmas day, I was having trouble deciding what I wanted to wear, but ended up layering Chloe Narcisse over Ajmal Aurum again. It was even more beautiful the second time. Today, I was in the mood for fluffy white chocolate and cardamom, so I layered Desnuda over JS Signature. It’s so nice and cozy, very much in the same vibe as Bvulgari Omnia. I love that one and really need to wear it more.I wish they sold 100ml. All day yesterday, it was on my mind to spray Mukhallat over Vanitas. It was stunning! Definitely a favorite which I plan to wear often.

Surprisingly, we haven’t gotten any snow yet. We could really use the precip as it hardly rained this year. Not a single leaf is left, just bare, brown sticks and branches. It’s meant to be freezing the next week or more, in the 40s during the day, even in the 30s for a couple. I should hop off and strike a few to-do’s from my list. 🌷

Mood: (maybe I can make myself sick of it 😁 )

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🌟

12/21/21

What a fast year. I say that every year but really, this takes the cake. Speaking of cake, and sweets in general, it’s Christmastime. I’m eating an absurd amount of chocolate chunk cookies and am not sorry. For the past two to three months, I’ve been craving chocolate out of the blue. Even in my fragrances, I’ve been reaching for scents with chocolate and white chocolate.

Over the past week, I have worn multiple perfume layerings which have been exciting. Fancy Love + Fancy, Nude + Parissienne, Nude + L’Extase Rose Absolute, Parisienne + Hanae HM, Dior Addict + Velvet Vanilla, and French Story +  Forever Diamonds. There might be a few others not coming to mind at the moment. For Christmas, I wanted a backup of Velvet Vanilla and a bottle of Montale Mukhallat, which arrived today. The opening is strawberry incense, and surprisingly light. The magic here is in how it combines a common childhood nostalgia with something more curious, dreamy. It isn't childish, but beautifully eccentric.

Its final stage is a truly delicious vanilla. I’m enjoying it so much. 🌷

Notes: big strawberry, vanilla, almond, peru balsam, musk

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Scent of Gold

This is one of my most favorite perfumes ever. It’s right there with Elie Saab Le Parfum Intense and Do Son. LPI is pure beauty, some kind of magic to me. Gabrielle Essence smells like golden flowers and ribbons drenched in sunshine. While many associate edible scents with intimacy- and I enjoy those as well- velvety warm vanilla and clean musk with big, honeyed white and yellow blossoms will always be more alluring.

Cold weather doesn’t dampen my love for beachy fragrances. They’re comforting reminders that winter isn’t forever. 🌷

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Winter (Flowers make me happy)

12/9/21

This week I’m enjoying:

the intoxicating layering of Carolina Herrera + CK Beauty for one decadent, surprisingly refined white floral. My husband complimented me on this combination where, if I wore either alone, he’d find them too strong (as do I). Last night I combined some caramel (Orissima by Ted lapidus) with YSL Yvresse. This was pretty warm and yummy for a super cold night with hot tea. Rather than spray one atop the other, I only sprayed Yvresse to the back of my neck and kind of flanked myself with Orissima. This way if the notes weren’t in harmony, they weren’t clashing. I wore 100Bon Jasmin & Ylang Solaire, which is such a pretty, beachy floral. It turns to a skin scent. If not for that, I’d want a bigger bottle.

Today, I’m wearing Rodeo Drive 273 on my body and sampling L'Atelier des Subtils Eau de Coton, a Christmas gift from my friend, on my arm. It’s a winner. Very clean floral, but not cold, sterile, or sharp. She nailed it. It’s giving good silage as well- so pretty and feminine. I sampled Nishane Vain and Naive this morning- it smells exactly Like LUSH Candy Bubble Bath Bars. I’ll be using every bit of my sample to soak in nostalgic bliss.

On Monday, I wore Jasmins Marzipane with Roses Vanille. Another scrumptious layering experience. We’ve entered winter mode now, after enjoying a mild fall. I even went for an invigorating walk Monday since it wasn’t too windy. As for today,  I’ll be a happy hermit with piano, chores, and trying to squeeze in a workout before a long, boiling hot bath. 🌷

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1st of December

12/1/21

It’s been a whole year since I’ve written. Another strange year in terms of things and events in the world. Mostly, it’s been a good year. There seems to be a direction we’re all moving in regardless of whether we want to, are aware of it or even care at all. We’re all bits of snow becoming part of a building avalanche. I hope I’m wrong.

I don’t want to dwell. This year, some new perfume loves have come into my life. Starting with the beginning of the year, so let’s back up. I had the chance to smell Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc sometime in 2019, but had others on my want list at the time. On a very special day out with my husband, we popped in to the perfume counter and sampled several perfumes. Gucci Bloom’s flankers were among them but alas, didn’t quite tickle my fancy. When my husband smelled Eau de Soleil Blanc, he said, “that smells like you”. We left with that and a massive love (obsession): Chanel Gabrielle Essence. Oh, my gosh. Gabrielle Essence is so beyond sexy. I can smell the coconut, vanilla, tuberose.. it’s just perfect.

Shortly after that, I got to sample Givenchy L’Interdit Intense. As soon as I sprayed it, I was instantly hit with a memory of my school yard. I tried to fully grasp it, and why there, and though vague, think it was the orange blossom and sesame (oil) reminding me of skin slathered in tanning oil and later, being perfumed for a very adult date night. That means it couldn’t me a memory about me, but it sure made an impression. Spring rolled around and to celebrate another very special occasion, the gorgeous Montale Intense Tiare came into my life. This I got to sample first, too. Intense Tiare was so cold and creamy like cake frosting in the sample. But the full bottle revealed an elegant powdery touch that has made it one of my top 20 favorites. These beachy fragrances are amongst my favorite scents and while I enjoy things like Guerlain Terracotta, I personally find Intense Tiare to be the best of this category, hands down.

New acquisitions also include Lancome La Nuit Nude and La Vie Est Belle Soleil Cristal, the latter being my favorite of the two; YSL Black Opium Neon, and Burberry Her Intense. Soleil Cristal is very beautiful and easy to wear. For my birthday, my husband got me the gorgeous Love Tuberose by Amouage.

 Her Intense is another obsession of mine. It wasn’t really on my radar like Her (original), which I’d smelled in a magazine. I happened to spray Her Intense on a sample card, brought it home and left it on my kitchen counter. For weeks I kept picking it up and inhaling it... truly delicious! The best of grown-up “girlie”. It smells of strawberry-vanila-bubblegum lipstick.

Most recently, I ordered a bottle of Casabella due to it being voted similar to Elie Saab Le Parfum Intense. No regrets! It’s a brighter, cooler version, reminding me more of the original Le Parfum. That delicious honeyed orange blossom accord with its tangerine top, ylang and cinnamon, is a delicious honeyed orange blossom-type fragrance. (It doesn’t contain orange blossom, funnily enough, but smells so similar to Elie Saab Le Parfum).

One of my dearest friends sent me a bottle of Freckled and Beautiful by A Lab on Fire. It’s a vanilla-honey suckle that reminds me of a much softer, less citric Glow. Beautiful and cozy.

Recently, I’ve been learning about layering fragrances and on the suggestions of someone who is a genius on this topic, have had a whole new world opened to me. For instance, today I’m wearing the beautiful, wintry combination of

Midnight Fantasy and Roses Greedy. I don’t wear Midnight Fantasy alone because the iris and sour cherry end up too sharp, but this and another pairing (MF with Divina) really bring out the best of it. There are many other combinations I’m enjoying and many to still experiment with. There really is a science to it, and the result is pure art.

Additionally, I’m back on my piano and it feels so great! 🌷 kk

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December.

12/12/20

November wasn’t great. Never mind.

I don’t know if I’m ready for this year to end or a little afraid of what the next one brings. Both? Trying to remain hopeful gets tiring. More change, some I expect and some unknown. This is supposed to be my happy place to drop words, not my diary to download thoughts. So I’ll chalk it up to winter blues and try another day.

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October, already?

10/2/20

I meant to write yesterday. Like a lot of this year, it slipped away before I could make good on it. This is the year that never really got started and for every reason to drag, has somehow flown faster than any I recall. And that’s saying something.

I had a wonderful blessing over the summer, though I was not fortunate enough to keep this blessing for longer... maybe the time with me was preordained. I have already poured my soul out into documenting as much of the sweet story as I could elsewhere, so I don’t think I will go too into it here. In short, the last time I wrote, during which I’m sure I had him tucked into my bra, I’d just found this little baby quail... who lived with me for 8 days, but wasn’t long for this world. I did my best. I am so grateful that I felt compelled to go for a walk that day, and for every minute with that precious little love ball I named Sunshine.💜

A few other things have happened, like my daughter moving out. Soon she’ll be marrying so it’s a good thing- and even better, she’s still close by. There have been new additions to my perfume wardrobe this year. My hair is the longest it has ever been and I rather like it. I’ve remained consistent with exercising and am very happy with the results. It’s worth it in every way. If I can just push through on the days I don’t feel like doing it, I always feel like a million bucks midway to afterwards. Most importantly, I’m doing it for my health. My birthday was a few weeks ago and my sweet husband truly spoiled me.

I hate to see summer go because it takes me farther away from the time I had with Sunny. For now, the weather has remained warm- low 80s- with that touch of a crisp breeze and fall smell. In two or three weeks, it will be cold enough to turn on the furnace and too cold for an outdoor walk. I might as well enjoy the last bit of warmth that I can.

Signing off with the rest of the year’s additions:

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Sunshine 7/3/20

I’ve wanted to write for a while but just didn’t bother trying to find a starting point. Rather than talking about the crazy and weirdness in the world, I’ll start with the sum and move on. The world has gone crazy and things are so weird.

Even so, blessings and miracles still happen. I had a great day Monday. After a nice day out with my husband and daughter, that evening I went for a leisurely walk (as opposed to throwing on sneakers for more of a brisk exercise walk). This is rare... I had on some hippy pants and gold sandals and just felt compelled, as if I *should* go for a walk. Once I got up to the intersection of the street where my mile marker is, I crossed to the sidewalk and saw a couple looking at something in the opposite lane to where I was. The husband stepped off the curb with a camera and snapped a pic, and I was just curious and kind of straining to see what they were looking at. I made a bee line to them: there was the tiniest baby bird just sitting or lying in the middle of the lane.

I knew a car could be coming any second, because it’s a busy road between several neighborhoods, though it was blessedly empty for those moments. I didn’t wait when the man expressed wanting to pick him up but not being sure if -- I scooped him up and took him to the rocks. The man explained that his hands had never issues and he didn’t want to hurt him, which I understand. This precious little baby bird ran back toward the street when I sat him down, so I quickly got him and moved closer to the house of whose ever yard we were in. He kept following me, every step, and as the yard was all rocks, I was so afraid one of us would step on him. He would zip really quickly, then tumble over the rocks. I chatted for a few minutes with the couple while trying to decide what to do.

They thought he was a finch who fell from a nest in a tree that was directly over where he was in the street. But the way he followed me, he reminded me of a duck. Finally, I told him I couldn't just leave him there. He obviously got separated from his family when they were moving and, being so tiny, would either be run over, stepped on or eaten. I scooped him up again and walked home as fast as I could, without jostling him too much (I hope).

So this beautiful little birdie is a Quail. He is so so so so so precious to me. I could go on and maybe I will another time, but it’s important to at least document how he came into my life. I’m so grateful.

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Anniversary dessert

2/8/20

A very dear friend gifted me a 10ml decant of Roses Vanille by Mancera for Christmas. It was instant love. Super pudding-like, creamy vanilla, sugar crystals and rose petals. LOVE. The creamiest vanilla I’ve ever experienced. My husband surprised me with a huge bottle 5 days before our 24th anniversary!

The bottle is sooo much prettier in person. It isn’t bright yellow at all, more beige and bronze. This is such a romantic perfume. Very intimate and inviting. For our actual anniversary we had a lovely dinner after spending the day out running errands. It was so cold but our meal was delicious and our son-in-law to be had given us a gift card for Christmas so it was even more of a treat.

The very next day, after having received Roses Vanille, he surprised me with Mandorlo di Sicilia. This is similar to Nigritella in the vanilla and warm spices without being heavy at all. It’s quite bright and soft.

The bottle is huge!

On the 24th, Guerlain Terracotta

arrived and while I’d never had the chance to smell it before, I knew I would love it even though it was such a mystery. It smells to me so much of honeysuckle! LOVE! And following that, Gardenia Petale by Van Cleef & Arpels found its way to my collection.

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Winter rose …