Frango Mints

I recently made a few purchases.

First off, Serge Lutens Vétiver Oriental, which was available in 50 ml from a discounter.

Is it just me, or does this remind anyone of the smell of Frango Mints (or, alternately, Fannie May Meltaways)?  Maybe I'm imagining things. I do like it and am glad I got it.  I've been on a Serge kick as of late.  I may get Mandarine Mandarin next.

I also got Aramis Perfume Calligraphy Saffron, which was on sale fairly cheap.  This was a blind buy.  I have yet to wear it extensively.  I was not expecting a whole lot.

Lastly, a retailer on Amazon.com was selling the elusive Shiseido Basala in the edt, so I got it.  It smells ok, but I fear it may be a counterfeit.  The lettering at the bottom of the bottle ("Eau de Toilette" and "Shiseido") rubbed off almost immediately when I opened the box.

I've been searching for this for years. It's near impossible to find.  I think I will give up looking. This is much stronger than the after shave, which I got several years ago.  However, it comes across somewhat thinner than I remember it.  It does last on my skin fairly long, though.

Fleurs d'Oranger

After circling around it for several years, I finally got a bottle of Serge Lutes Fleurs d'Oranger.  I've always kicked myself that I never got a bottle of the L'Artisan Fleur d'Oranger, but it was not ever available here when I wanted it.   Maybe one day....

Anyway, the Serge is exactly how you would think it would smell, coming from Serge.

I've also ordered Fleurs de Citronnier, since I saw LuckyScent still had the export line version available.  It hasn't been delivered yet, though. (EDIT: Dang. I see Parfum1 had it and at a lower price!)

I've really pull back on buying stuff lately, if you noticed.  A good thing.  The Fleurs d'Oranger was at a price point I was willing to pay for it.

Next week Barneys is having their seasonal bag sale.  I sorta promised this sales assistant there I would buy a bottle of Le Labo Gaiac 10.... so if one is available, I guess I'm getting that... Last year, by the time I got there, it was gone.  There is plenty of other stuff I could get.

O also ordered some samples from Surrender to Chance.  A bunch of Serges I had never smelled:  Sarrasins,  La Vierge de Fer, Santal de Mysore, and Vetiver Oriental.  I also got a (very small) sample of Shiseido's long-lost Nombre Noir which, after a brief dab, smells very perfume-y on me.





Photos from us.sergelutens.com.