New Acquisitions

I had gotten a 50 ml bottle of Annick Goutal's Mandragore several years ago from CO Bigelow at Woodfield (now closed, alas) for $20.  It was in the "girly" bottle most Goutals come in.  I really like Mandragore.  Oddly, for a citrus scent, I prefer it in the winter.  It doesn't have a whole lot of longevity, but I do like it very much.  I recently bought a bottle in the "manly" bottle, just because I think it is nice.  I'll give the remainder of my 50 ml bottle to Janet, who has used hers all up!

I also ordered a 50 ml bottle of Amouage Memoir Man.  So, after Epic Man and Tribute, my third Amouage!

Mandragore photo from Nordstroms.  Memoir Man photo from Basenotes. 

Barneys Bag Event

I went with Sara and her friend Shannon for lunch and then over to Barneys to shop.  Sara wanted these Christian Louboutin shoes which the Louboutin boutique didn't have in her size, so they suggested Barneys.  They didn't have the ones she wanted, though.

From there we went, natch, to the basement to buy perfume and cosmetics, since it was yet another bag event.  I ended up getting:

Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule. I had tried this another time and wasn't too keen on it.  I liked it much better this time around.  I also wanted to try out Vétiver Oriental, only to discover that it is now only in the bell jars.

Frédéric Malle L'Eau d'Hiver.  I had gotten a sample last time I was there, and liked it a lot.  I was also able to try the new Dries Van Noten perfume, which is very nice.  They only had a tester, but Christina said they would be carrying it. 

I also tried Byredo's Seven Veils, which I liked pretty much, and Bullion, which was nice, but at $280 kinda pricey. 

Myrrhe Ardente

Last night my bottle of Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente arrived.  I had previously owned a 15 ml mini, now I have a full 100 ml bottle.  So, now I have three out of four of Les Orientalistes:  Myrrhe Ardente, Musc Nomade, and Encens Flamboyant. The only one I am missing is Ambre Fétiche -- I used to have a 15 ml mini of that, too, but I gave it to Janet (along with a 15 ml mini of Musc Nomade).  I won't be getting a full bottle of that, thank you ma'am.  Amber and I do not see eye to eye.  I'll probably give my 15 ml mini of Myrrhe Ardente to Janet as well, since she is such an Annick Goutal fan -- she's been wearing L'Eau d'Hadrian since the 80s.

Nuit Étoilée

I had ordered a bottle blind of Annick Goutal's Nuit Étoilée, which arrived today.  I sprayed a bit on, and am not quite sure.  I don't smell mint, pine, anything I had heard was in it. More swimming pool.  But I will give it a go at a later date.  It might work better in the summer.

Animated .gif Maker

I got an animated .gif maker and I have been trying to make one of that cat.

I made a larger one but it doesn't move when I upload it here.

Here's a smaller one. 

Duty Free

So, after almost two weeks of spending no money in Japan, I get to Narita, go through immigration, and what do I do? I head straight for Hermès!

I ended up getting the gift set with four 15 ml bottles of:  Poivre Samarcande, Vanille Galante, Iris Ukiyoé, and Santal Massoïa (one each). It did turn out to be cheaper than had I bought the set here.  It was certainly cheaper than if you had bought it at a Japanese Hermès boutique.  I can't say I am super nuts about any of them, but that may change.  I know I don't like everyone's favorite Vétiver Tonka, and Brin de Réglisse didn't do anything for me. Maybe I could have gotten Paprika Brasil instead of the Vanille which, if I remember, is more a lily than vanilla.

Flying Home

I'm going to leave for Narita now, hopefully getting on a plane.   I probably will sit in Economy Class, in a middle seat.  The flight looks better tomorrow, but, for some reason, Naoki wants me to leave today.  I probably should have left Friday. The flight was wide open.  Wish me luck! I really don't want to go home.

Golden Bat

I've been smoking Golden Bat cigarettes this week, because they are cheap.  Back in the '80s, I used to smoke Camel straights. When I moved to Japan, they only had Camel filters.  So the closest thing I could find were Golden Bats.  They were 90 yen a pack, which at the time was like 90 cents.  They are now 200 yen a pack.  Anyway, it's been over 20 years since I first came here.  I usually smoke American Spirit, and you can find them in Japan (I actually started smoking them here), but they are not nearby.  So I have been smoking Golden Bats. Surprisingly, they are not harsh.  Actually, back home I roll my own because cigarette costs are so prohibitive (it's over $100 a carton now in Chicago!).

Boxeuses

Today I wore Boxeuses (I didn't wear a fragrance yesterday).  I'm not sure I like this on me.  Mainly because of the fruit.  I like it more than Daim Blond, which I don't like at all.  But both are fruity leathers.  I think the fruit here is what kills it for me.  I didn't mind wearing it, but just don't think I would get a bottle of it.

 

Image from Bois de Jasmin.

La Myrrhe

Today I wore La Myrrhe.  Well, I don't think it's me, really.  I think I prefer the root beer goodness of Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente.  But... you never know.

Image from Barneys.

Iris Silver Mist

Today, I've been wearing Iris Silver Mist. It's nice, but I so far don't find it all that different from other irises I have.  I have Hermès Hiris and L'Artisan Parfumeur Iris Pallida.  I'll have to compare them when I get home.  I realize that Iris Silver Mist came first.  Just don't know if I need to get a bell jar....

 

 

Image from Perfume Shrine.

Mets Cola

I'm drinking Mets Cola, which is made by Kirin.  I went shopping for Coke Zero this morning (they don't have Diet Pespi anywhere, only Pepsi Nex, which is lemony, which I don't like, so I've been drinking Coke Zero).  Anyway, the drugstore had this stuff called Mets Cola, and it said zero calories, or thereabouts, so I bought  a bottle.

I looked it up, and it appears that it came out last spring.  It contains "an indigestible form of dextrin that can be used as a fibre supplement and restricts the body's ability to absorb fat when eating." Not to be outdone, Pepsi has come out with something similar here called Pepsi Special.  I saw smaller bottles at the grocery store this morning, but didn't know what it was, so didn't get it.  I wanted a 1.5 litre bottle or bigger, as well.

Mets Cola doesn't taste bad, so maybe I'll drink that the rest of my stay here instead of Coke Zero!



Image from Japan Today.

Bois et Musc

Today, Bois et Musc. Nothing to add quite yet. Yeah it does smell like Feminite du Bois.

 

 

 

 

Image from Perfume Shrine.

El Attarine

Today, El Attarine.  This is the one I've liked best so far this stay.

Image from Fragrantica. 

Encens at Lavande

Today, I'm wearing Encens et Lavande.  People say they like it more than Gris Clair..., to which they compare it since they both have lavender and incense.  From the get-go, E&L is rather mustier so far.  Gris Clair... is certainly stronger smelling, and perhaps sweeter.  I've said before, I prefer Gris Clair... dabbed to sprayed. I really don't like it sprayed.  Here, natch, I'm dabbing from a sample.  I'll report more later. I'm going to sleep.

 

 

OK... later. I still get musty.  Don't think I'll be plunking down $300 for a bell jar. 

 

 

 

 

Image from Barneys New York web site. 

びっくりしている猫

For those of you who don't speak Japanese, the two cats, in a longer version of the commercial, are talking about how bored they are.  The larger cat notices that the roof on another building is different, then the other cat reacts.  This shortened version cuts to the chase.  I figured most people who read this wouldn't speak Japanese and would just be bored watching most of the commercial.  Naoki makes this face all the time, although he said I make this face all the time.   It's a commercial for a roofing company.

Mandarine-Mandarin

I'm trying Mandarine-mandarin today.  I've had it on for a bit.  To be honest, it seems very light on my skin.  Slightly indolic orange, a little smoky, as they say.  I don't get much of an impression from it.  Perhaps it will smell different later on.  I do not get candied oranges as some have said.  I was kind of expecting this to be overpoweringly sweet and syrupy, but no.  People complain about L'Artisan being light.  Hmmmm.

Photo from Perfume Shrine.

Serge Samples

As usual, I brought a bunch of samples with me to wear to Japan.  Since I had gotten them pretty recently, I brought samples of Serge Lutens De Profundis, Mandarine Mandarin, Boxeuses, La Myrrhe, Bois et Musc, Encens et Lavande, Iris Silver Mist, Rahät Loukoum, and El Attarine [I just realized -- I don't have Fourreau Noir here.].  I had gotten the samples since the bell jars had become available in the US.  There are still a few that I don't have samples of.... but this will do.   I figure I can do a bunch of full wearings while I'm here, since I may be here two weeks or so. 

Happy New Year From Japan

Naoki came to Chicago on Saturday.  Yesterday we flew out to Tokyo and got into Nagoya tonight.  So I'm in Nagoya now for a bit.  Luckily, we got business class coming to Narita. This is the first time I have flown since PSS.  I'll keep on the lookout for the loads on the way home.  I'm off until the 15th.

Mon Numéro 10

I had a $25 gift card from Barney's, my father had sent me a $100 bill in the mail, and I was downtown, so I went to Barney's. I decided to get a bottle of L'Artisan's Mon Numéro 10, of which I have a ton of samples.  So, it ended up costing me $94.

Ashley was there, at last.  There had been some L'Artisan event a while back, which I couldn't make, since I worked too late.  Anyway, they were giving out gifts at this even, and they had some leftovers.  So it turns out, she saved me one, since I was a good customer:  a 15 ml bottle of Fleur de Narcisse.  I had never smelled this, but it is actually really nice.  The Perfume Guide gives it only 3 stars, but I think I would rate it higher, and regret it is out of circulation.  I could have sworn one of the online retailers sold it still, but I was unable to find it anywhere.

Musc Tonkin

I bought this blind! I haven't really tried it yet.

Penhaligon's Amaranthine

Min New York was having a sale, so I ordered a bottle of Penhaligon's Elixir.  Unfortunately, I got an email a day later, saying they coudn't ship it.  I called the store, and was told that it was out of stock, and that they were no longer going to be carrying Penhaligon's.  As I could substitute something else for the Elixir, I asked for Amaranthine, which I do really like, and it was available.  My bottle just arrived today.  Although I do really like Amaranthine, it may be a bit too feminine for me to pull off, so I may give it to someone for Christmas.  I have almost a month to decide.

I must say, I am not nuts about Penhaligon's packaging, with those bows n all. 

Premier Figuier Extrême

I got the limited edition ten year anniversary of Premier Figuier, in the extreme, eau de parfum version.  Per L'Artisan's web site, Olivia Giacobetti is the perfumer.

Amouage Tribute

After a two-month wait, my bottle has finally come! It was on backorder forever.  I was just getting ready to plunk down another $300, as the 30 ml bottle was in stock.  But then, I got home and there was a note on my door that a package had been delivered.

I'm kind of afraid to open it, since there is talk of reformulation.  I was able to find my teensy sample from a few years back, so I should be able to compare the two.    Hope it's as good as I remember.  Fortunately, I didn't break the $300 threshold in buying this, as I got a 20% discount! If I had gone beyond $300, there pretty much would be no turning back.

Hurray!!

Obama won!!

Recently

Sara Dornacker bought this for me....

Byredo

Black Saffron

Other things I got myself....

Etat Libre d'Orange

Fils de Dieu du Riz et des Agrumes

Comme des Garçons

Kyoto

L'Artisan Parfumeur

Séville à l'Aube

Serge Lutens

Un Bois Vanille

Yet Another Bag Event

Today I had lunch with Sara Dornacker from work.  We went to The Cheesecake Factory, where another co-worker, Laura Marshall, works.   Sara is, I guess a regular there.  Anyway, I am still stuffed.

Afterwards, we went to Barneys.  They were having their fall bag event.  So, yes, I bought some stuff.

First, I got Comme des Garçons Ouarzazate, from their Incense Series.  I'm meaning to get all five, eventually.  It's not as show-offy as others in the series, but I like it.  It probably would have been better in the summer, and it has been getting colder and colder, lately.

Next, I got Serge Lutens Louve.  I had a sample of this, and tried it recently.  I don't think a lot of people like this one.   The Perfume Guide only gives it two stars.  I do think it is very nice, especially now that it is getting colder.  I may have more words on this later, after I have worn it more.

Barneys in New York has begun carrying all the non-export line in what they call "cloche" bottles.  (The Serge Lutens web site calls them "flacons de table.") Prices are roughly twice what they are in Paris.  I guess that is to be expected.  I ordered five samples from Surrender to Chance (my first order since they broke away from The Perfumed Court):  La Myrrhe, De Profundis, Boxeuses, Iris Silver Mist, and Fourreau Noir. I figured I wasn't about to blind buy a $300 bottle of perfume, and these were the ones I was most interested in.  Surrender to Chance also sells empty bell jars for, like, $9.  So I got one for Bornéo 1834, which I have in the export line spray bottle.  Muscs Koublaï Khän and Borneo 1834 seem kind of perfect if they were in bell jars.  I figure I can decant my bottle of Borneo into the bell jar.  I had bought a 15 ml decant of MKK in a bell jar a few years back from the Perfumed Court, but I never decanted my 50 ml export version into it (they do smell the same).  The MKK bottle's label was kind of smudged when I got it.  The Borneo bottle is in perfect shape, though... so I think I will go through with it.  If I like other non-export scents, and they are not exporting them soon, I may plunk down eventually for a cloche bottle.  Why not?  The cloche bottles are 75 ml.

I also got a 1/4 ml sample of Amouage Homage.  I haven't tried it yet (nor have I tried the Lutens decants). I was looking for something else today, and I found my sample, or what's left of it, of Amouage Tribute.  I'll hang on to it until my bottle comes (it's currently on backorder), considering all this talk about reformulation.

Sara was acting very conspiratorial with Andy at Barneys, and she ended up buying Nuit de Cellophone, which I thought an odd choice.

26 September 2012 EDIT:

Sara smelled very good in Nuit de Cellophane.  It actually was a good choice for her.  Beautiful.  I guess I pretty much ignored it previously because it was a floral.  I still don't think it would work on me.

While I had been at Barneys, I tried Bois de Violette.  I'd like to try it more.  I have Féminité du Bois already, but it really does smell different from the Shiseido version (of which I have a 1 ml sample somewhere).  I think Bois de Violette smells more like the Shiseido version.... although, I would have to compare them.  Anyway, more research!

I tried my sample of Homage, and, to be honest, was kind of disappointed.  I gave my sample, for what it is, to Sara, because she liked it. I hope I am not disappointed with Tribute whenever it arrives. I'm saving the remainders of my Tribute sample so I can compare it with the bottle when I get it.

In the past few weeks this month I bought a full 100 ml bottle of Safran Troublant.  I already have a 15 ml version from the Les Épices de la Passion coffret... but it is headed towards dry.  Beauty Habit was having a sale, so I thought, why not?

I went to Mertz Apothecary in Lincoln Square last Saturday.  I was going to go downtown, but I figured it would be a mob on the weekend.  Anyway, it turns out that there was some German festival going on in Lincoln Square, so that was a bigger mob.  I ended up getting Mousse de Chêne by Outremer (L'Aromarine).  It was a cheapy.  I also ended up getting that Santa Maria Novella iris toothpaste.

I also ordered Ineke Gilded Lily, using my coupon from having bought the sample set several years ago.  They honored it!!! What sweeties! Anyway, I'm liking it more and more.  As usual, the bottle and packaging are beautiful.  I was noticing they have these limited scents through Anthropologie, and there is one called Angel's Trumpet.  I wonder if it is at all similar to Evenings Edged in Gold, which also contains the angels' trumpet note.

Last but certainly not least, I ordered a 12 ml bottle of Amouage Tribute, which now gets my most expensive ever bought, although I did not pay the full $350 price for it.  I shopped for the first time at MinNY.  I'll let you know how my experience goes.  Because of the price, I am sure I'll be extra touchy.   I've heard nothing but good things about them, though. The last time I wore Tribute was from a tiny sample while I was doing census work.... and I can't really find my sample anywhere.  So I've been thinking all summer I was going to get this, and today buckled down and ordered.  There have been posts on Basenotes to the effect that Tribute has been reformulated.  Don't know if this is true or not... we shall see! I'm thinking it's the same kind of talk as Creed batch differences. I'm hoping it will smell like I had smelled it.

Yet Newer Things

I just got:

Kenzo Jungle pour Homme, just because I like Jungle L'Éléphant. I have had the pour Homme in my Amazon.com shopping bag for the past two years, waiting for the price to drop and I sort of never pulled the trigger.... well anyway I found it elsewhere at a lower price so I got it.  What's it like? I dunno.... I think it is for cooler weather than now.

Clinique Aromatics Elixir, just because.  Do I like it? I dunno.  I think once again it might work better in cooler weather. We're in the end days of the heat, I think.  I've been meaning to get either a bottle of this or of Aramis 900 at some point.  Anyway, the bottle is kind of small.  I remember being in some department store or Sephora and trying it and Tamio saying, Why would anyone want to smell like that? and thinking, I need this.

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune mainly because I wanted something more substantial than Osmanthe Yunnan in the heat and I like grapefruit and I heard it was good.  Yeah yeah I know I know.  I've had a poor record with Guerlain.  And then there are the stories that it smells of cat pee.  Well, maybe more  human pee. Not really, but in the back of my mind are the stories that Jackhammer's back room is furnished with a big bathtub for water sports, so now that whole goddamned image is stuck in my head.  I'll give it another try tomorrow. The perfume, not water sports.

Well, all three came in the mail yesterday and I briefly tried them, so they are all clashing.  I was wearing L'Artisan's Al Oudh today to boot. I have one more on order, and it hasn't come yet.  Again, now is not the time of year to maybe be wearing it so I will hold off judgment when it arrives. Annick Goutal Mon Parfum Chéri, par Camille. It is on its way by pony express or something.  EDIT:  This was finally delivered today (15 August 1012).  Very nice!!

Some Things New

I got a bottle of Osmanthe Yunnan because it has been so hot... then it cooled down.  Osmanthe Yunnan just bloomed on me in the extreme heat.  When it cools down it is not as noticeable.

I also ordered a bottle of Voyage d'Hermès.  It hasn't arrived yet though.

I guess I have gone all Hermès lately.

Shoes

I've gone kind of shoe mad lately.  Here are the most recent.  I had better stop.

Newer Things

On Saturday I went to Barneys. I got Comme des Garçons Eau de Parfum.... the new one. 100 ml. I also got Frédéric Malle's Café Society room spray. Last Thursday night, I was reading Basenotes, and in one thread, someone had bought a bunch of L'Artisan fragrances on Fragrancenet, for very cheap! I checked it out, and ended up ordering Méchant Loup and Thé Pour un Été, both 100 ml, each for less than $50! Anyway, the bottles arrived today. Both are the old bottle design, so that may be good, an older vintage. Very quickly after I ordered, a lot of the L'Artisans were out of stock, or the price had doubled or tripled!

Home again

Just got home this afternoon. Snow, pretty much for the first time this season, so everyone in a panic. I had a few hitches on the way home.... ANA said my ZED tickets were only good for 3 months, so I had to buy a ticket to Tokyo. I need to look into this. I thought they were good for a year. I got business class on the way home. So that will cost me about $150 or so, as well.

I got home around 6 pm, and my bottle of Epic Man was awaiting me. Four Seasons was having a 20% off sale, so I actually paid less for this Epic Man, which is 100 ml, than I did for my 50 ml of A Taste of Heaven. I don't feel so guilty.

L'Artisan is having a sale, so I ordered bottles of Poivre Piquant, Piment Brûlant, Passage d'Enfer, Mûre et Musc Parfum, and Tea For Two. They were all 50% off. I haven't gotten them yet, and they may not even have mailed them. They all seem to be discontinued. The first three in the 50 ml size. And maybe the MeMP, which maybe was only a limited edition anyway. [EDIT They were out of the Mûre et Musc Parfum, so I didn't get it.] The shocker is that they may be discontinuing Tea For Two. I thought it was pretty popular. Why would they discontinue it?

I thought I would give the Mûre et Musc a try. If I don't like it I can give it to someone as a present. I have the edt, which I like. Passage d'Enfer is a funny one. I always feel like I can't smell it for the life of me. I figured I would pop for half off... again, I can give it away because no one else seems to have this problem. Piment Brûlant and Poivre Piquant I only have in 15 ml size at the moment, and they are going to run out at some point. Currently, I have a lot left of these (although my Safran Troublant is running low). Tea For Two, of course, I already own. Either I will have this as a backup or give it to Tamio for his birthday this year, since he is clearly to cheap to buy one for himself!

My father also sent me $100 by USPS! That finally showed up. So maybe tomorrow I will go shopping for more!!

Nagoya

I flew to to Tokyo on the first. Amazingly, I was able to sit in first class!! And, even more amazingly, perhaps, I was able to fly ANA to Nagoya. It is the New Year holiday here, after all. So I arrived tonight. It is now the third, at 2:15 am. Naturally, I am up. Naoki is asleep.

I brought some samples with me. Lucky Scent had a package all ready, and I had a few I wanted to try.

Frapin 1697 edp. I haven't tried this yet.
Mary Greenwell Plum. I smelled it a bit, seemed a tad girly,
Parfum d'Empire Azemour. Tried it a bit. Reminded me somewhat of Yuzu Fou. They don't really smell alike, other than citrusy, but the feeling is similar.
Isabey L'ambre de Carthage. Haven't tried it. Not so nuts about ambers, as you well know, so not so keen to try.
Comme des Garcons Eau de Parfum. I am kind of very excited about this. It's the one with industrial glue and scotch tape, in the cool bottle.
Idole de Lubin edp. I'm very excited to try this, as I'm a big fan of the edt.

I'll let you know as I try them all. I may be here close to 2 weeks.

Afterchristmas

Well... I got my sister one of those L'Artisan amber balls. I gave my mother Ninfeo Mio. I gave my other sister Diptyque's Pomander room spray. What did I get? My mother gave me a box of coffee cups (for a Keurig machine).

I bought myself Annick Goutal Mandragore Pourpre, which finally came today. I got the woman who works in the office of my apartment building Guerlain Samsara, which is what she wanted. It just came today.

Went to Barneys

Today I bought Serge Lutens Arabie. I used to hate it, but it is really nice this time of year.

I also got Frédéric Malle's Notre Dame candle.

News

Last week I got Serge Lutens Douce Amère. This past Saturday, I got Comme des Garçons Avignon.

New Things

I guess I have gotten a bunch of new things since I last wrote.

Serge Lutens Féminité du Bois, Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge, Lalique Flora Bela.... these all a while back.

Also: Lubin's Bluff -- hurray! -- and Cinq Mondes' Eau Égyptienne -- the last only 15 ml.

Yesterday, I got L'Artisan's Bois Farine. I had been indifferent to it for a long time... but came around to liking it a lot.

Anyway, I think that is it.

I've been kinda sick for a long time, since before I went to Japan. Bad cough,which still won't go away.... kind of affects my sleep.

I applied for a new job at United, and got it. So I start tomorrow. We shall see. Because I had only been part time, it is a huge raise for me. I need clothes to wear!

Another Bag Event

Yesterday, Barneys had yet another bag event. So, I got L'Artisan's Traversée du Bosphore and the Frédéric Malle Coffee Society candle.

Naoki is visiting. He may go home tomorrow, maybe Tuesday. Depends upon flights.A short visit. I went to Japan on Monday, got stuck in a typhoon when I got there and none of the trains were running in Nagoya. It took me 6 hours to get to Naoki's house from the airport. I didn't have enough money for a cab, and the cash machines were closed. Naoki (who is a civil engineer) was working because of the flooding, and couldn't give me a ride. So at 1230 am he finally was able to drive me home, but then went back to work.








Image from L'Artisan Parfumeur web site.

By The Way

By the way.... I got myself bottles of Voleur de Roses on sale from L'Artisan and a bottle of Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio this month.

Voleur de Roses I am not quite sure I like. It smelled very nice from the sample. From the bottle it may be a bit too rosy for me. Will give it more time.

Ninfeo Mio also seems to smell different from sample to bottle. From the bottle it seems greener, more like Premier Figuier than I remember.

L'Eau de Jatamansi

I bought a bottle of L'Artisan's L'Eau de Jatamansi for Delwin and Chad. I gave it to Delwin tonight when he drove me home from work. A couple weeks ago I wore it to work, and Delwin really liked it. I made him a decant (maybe 3 ml). The next week he told me that Chad really loved it and was wearing it all the time. So I figured I would get them a bottle.

I got mine last year. It was all I could do last summer from wearing it every day. I'm glad Delwin likes it. Last year I converted Janet (who went through a whole bottle in a year) and Tamio.

It's been on sale at the L'Artisan site. I hope they aren't discontinuing it.

Iris Pallida

L'Artisan Parfumeur seems to have rebottled Iris Pallida 2007 in 50 ml bottles ands reduced the price ($115). Barneys got three -- count 'em -- three bottles in yesterday, and I bought two!!











Image from L'Artisan Parfumeur web site.

New Acquisitions

I went to Barneys today. They had their bag event, so if I spent $200 I would get this bag o cosmetics. Zo....

I got Frédéric Malle's Saints des Saints rubber incense and L'Artisan Parfumeur Cœur de Vétiver Sacré. I've only tested the L'Artisan from samples, but it has grown on me. It might work better in warmer weather. I was undecided between that and Méchant Loup.... well, perhaps next time. The Malle rubber incense I think suits me more than a candle would. We'll see how this all works. They only have the rubber incense in one flavor so far....

Anyway, my purchases did the trick, and I got my bag... bags, actually. Patty at Barneys made up a "man bag" for me, which is mainly Malin and Goetz samples and some Kiehls after-shave balm. I also got the regular bag they were giving out. Most is stuff I will never use (lipstick? nail polish?), so I will give them to someone. There were some samples of Serge Lutens Nuit de Cellophane, FM Outrageous!, and Barneys' own Route du Thé included. I did get some other perfume samples on top of those as well: The Different Company Rose Poivrée, FM Lipstick Rose and Le Parfum de Therese, Mark Birley for Men, Ulrich Lang Nightscape, and Voyage d'Hermès.

I ordered bottles of Annick Goutal Sables and Chine Impériale several weeks ago, and they finally showed up. I had been curious about Chine Imperiale ever since I had read about it on Perfume Posse, so bought it blind. It's a room spray, but March seemed to have worn it on her skin. I bought it from FragranceNet, who normally do not have odd rarities.... so I was kind of excited about it. It wasn't that expensive, either!! I'll weigh in on it at a later date. I'm kind of scented out at the moment!

Things Fall Apart

I got an email at work a few weeks ago, which began:

I purchased two tickets to Aruba. My husband after 31 years walked across the street and is living with that girl.

This is quite the amazing opening to a letter of complaint to a large corporation.

Breaking in My Barneys Card

Today I bought a 50 ml bottle of Byredo's M/Mink, as threatened. I guess they just came out with the smaller size.... I was waiting to get the 100 ml, but this will work.

I had gone to Barneys with the intention of getting a bottle of L'Artisan's Iris Pallida 2007, which I thought they had. Turns out, no! I am pretty bummed about this. Looks like Aedes de Venustas carries it, as well as Beauty Encounter, and probably some other sites.

I also got a 50 ml bottle of Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur in the oil form, which I do like better than the eau de parfum. It's still a bit sweet, but I think I will like this better.

I got a bottle of L'Artisan's Thé pour un Été for Tamio. I hope he likes it.

Let's Get Serious

I brought samples with me this trip. Naoki only has Givenchy Insense Ultramarine, no thanks! I see his bottle is running dry... yay!

I was going to bring my backup bottle of Dzongkha and leave it here, for when I was here. However, I wore it a couple days ago, and could imagine getting really sick of it if I wore it every day. I still may buy Francine's bottle offa her because she doesn't want it.

SO, the samples:

Byredo M/Mink. I'm seriously debating buying this.

Frederic Malle Une Fleur de Cassie and Dans Tes Bras. I got a lot of Malle samples recently, both before and after buying Portrait of a Lady. I brought just the two, because I wanted to clarify things in my head somewhat. One reason I think I wasn't so nuts about the Xerjoffs is that I tried them all at the same time. I was afraid of doing the same with the Malles. Une Fleur de Cassie, because I am trying to like florals more, and Carnal Flower smells a tad post-coital on me. Dans Tes Bras, because Shelley makes it sound so great! Plus, I was there when she bought it. I was not so entirely excited about the Malle line initially. Musc Ravageur, I really didn't like (smells of Nestle's Quik on me, although, maybe the oil is better, thank you, Katie Puckrick). Vetiver Extraordinaire doesn't seem wholly original to me. Portrait of a Lady kind of turned my head around, both for Malle and florals. I am still trying to adjust to it. I need to develop the perfect spray level. When Christina at Barneys sprayed it on me, it was perfect. I find that when I spray it on, I am conscious of it all day, which kinda bugs me. Anita says it gave her a headache, and I can see that. So I need to lower the level or something. I still love it, and it gets my best release of 2010 vote. Anita thinks it will reveal itself in hot weather, so we shall see.

By Kilian Cruel Intentions. I was not expecting to like this at all, but find I do. It reminds me of Amouage Epic Man, which is on my wish list. They are about the same price, so one or the other. I have Back to Black in the nifty travel atomizer and A Taste of Heaven in the full bottle-and-box presentation. In retrospect, I should have reversed these: Back to Black in the bottle, and A Taste of Heaven in the travel size, because I like the former more. But A Taste of Heaven is a beautiful lavender if there ever was one. Much nicer than Caron Pour Un Homme, which is a bit musty on me (though cheap! and, if you don't compare it to the Kilian, it is also a beautiful lavender once the mustiness fades). But Serge's Gris Clair... is my fave lavender still. Anyway, Cruel Intentions is the only other Kilian to make an impression (as in "want") on me so far (I need to test Pure Oud more, though it is entirely out of my budget).

Vero Profumo Kiki and Onda edps. I haven't tried the pure parfums of these yet (I also have a sample of Rubj in edp, but didn't bring it). I have worn Onda once so far, want to explore these more.

L'Artisan Parfumeur Cœur de Vétiver Sacré. I really love Karine Vinchon's L'Eau de Jatamansi (in the summer, it is all I can do not to wear it every day), so want to give this a fair chance (she also did Amouage's Opus III and Memoir Man, both of which I have samples). My first reaction was that CdVS was a bit sweet on me (another L'Artisan, Traversee du Bosphore is also really sweet and I want to give it more time, too, but didn't bring). And I am kinda sorta a L'Artisan fanboy, if you haven't noticed.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Absolue Pour le Soir. Francis Kurkdjian, Francis Kurkdjian.... I have not smelled a single thing he has made that I liked. Until this. I own Davidoff's Silver Shadow, which smells of baby powder, pretty much. I have gotten similar reactions to others by him. Meh. Absolue Pour le Soir, however, seems different. I was pretty positive about it when I wore it the once.

So, that's what I brought. I am here ten days (maybe longer, if I can get someone to pick up my hours on January 13th and 14th). Eight samples, so there should be some repeats. I wore Borneo 1834 on the plane over. So... maybe I'll do some reviews since I have idle hands all day, every day (Naoki will be working much of the time. He's out visiting his mother, who is very ill, as we speak).

Happy New Year!!

I flew into Japan today... I'm currently up at 3:45 am.... natch! Naoki's asleep (good for him!) I'll be here for another week or so.... maybe longer, if I can get someone to work for me the 13th and 14th...

Happy New Year, all!

Merry Christmas!!

Image from The Woodblock Prints of Ando Hiroshige.

浮世絵

I was reading Patty's review of Hermès's Iris Ukiyoe at Perfume Posse, and naturally thought of... ukiyoe!

This is my favorite ukiyoe print: Seba from The Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido by Hiroshige (click to enlarge). I have a copy of this print, framed, although it is still not hanging. I bought the print at the Ukiyoe Museum in Matsumoto. The man in the store claimed they made it using Hiroshige's original wood block. However, if you compare my copy with this one, or ones from the Japanese National Museum, the lines aren't as fine in the grass, so I think the salesman was fibbing. Still, I love the loneliness of the scene. The location is in Nagano-ken.

I took this image from an excellent site with copies of Hiroshige, The Woodblock Prints of Ando Hiroshige. Coincidentally, this site uses Seba as the image on its home page.

Renown

I always liked this commercial from the early '90s for Japanese clothing line Renown when I lived in Japan.



I found out recently the song was originally done by Sylvie Vartan for a Renown commercial in the '60s.



I guess there were other commercials between the two. They are all kinda weird and fun.

One

I bought Smell Bent's first anniversary limited edition scent One. I had tested it in the perfume oil, but ended up buying a 55 ml bottle of it in eau de toilette. It arrived last week, but I was unable to try it as I was in the middle of my week-long Dzing! scent challenge.

After midnight last night, I finally sprayed some on. It does remind me of Dzing! Per the Smell Bent web site, One smells of "aging paperbacks buried under cardamom, dark vanilla, dry wood and sweet musk." It is not as complex as Dzing!, and is somewhat louder and sweeter. More vanilla-y, no leather. One is supposed to be a limited edition that was not to be available after October 31. However, it is still on sale by Smell Bent. I really like it. I hope they add it to the permanent collection.

Dzing!

March at Perfume Posse is having a "Scent Challenge," and I have chosen Dzing! to be the scent I wear for a week exclusively. I don't think this will be difficult, as I wore the same thing every day until about a year ago. I have been in the mood for Dzing! lately.

I recently tried Smell Bent's limited edition One, which smells kind of similar. I have only smelled One in the oil, but I ordered a bottle of the edt, which should come some time this week. I will be interested in comparing the two.

Al Oudh

Today, went to Barney's, and, yes, got a bottle of Al Oudh. It's pretty skanky if you ask me. I really like it a lot and will be eating oatmeal until the next payday.

I really should be reviewing things here so maybe someone might be kinda sorta interested in reading this.

I think I will make a list of stuff I own... that's a start.

Mûre et Musc

I just bought L'Artisan's Mûre et Musc, in a 50 ml. It is the old bottle. Luca Turin in Perfumes: The A-Z Guide, says that it has been reformulated, and that the old version was better. I don't know if this is the older version or the reformulated. I am not sure when they changed the bottles. My recent L'Artisan acquisitions (Dzongkha, Timbuktu, Les Épices de la Passion) have all been the older bottles. Mûre et Musc smells like the L'Artisan sample they sent me last fall, though. I prefer this to the Extreme version. The Extreme, to me, smelled too much of grape Kool-Aid. Mûre et Musc is not my favorite L'Artisan, but I like it, and had been thinking of getting it.

Dzongkha

I have an interesting tale to tell.

In January, I came back from Japan. After having spent no money there, I decided to go out and buy the L'Artisan Parfumeur Épices de la Passion coffret. It is three 15 ml bottles of Saffran Troublant, Poivre Piquant, and Piment Brûlant. I had seen it in a store for $75 and went there to get it. By chance they were having a 75% off sale and I got it for $18!

Two months later, I am in the same store and checking out the L'Artisan stuff. For some reason, I sprayed my friend with Dzongkha. I had tried it last fall and, to be honest, wasn't so nuts about it. But this time I just loved it. The SA told me that, on the following Thursday they were having some sort of sale again, so I decided to come back.

When I returned, the SA I had had in January was there, and she remembered me. I had every intention of buying a 50 ml bottle of Dzongkha, less the discount of the day. We got to talking, and she and another SA decided to just GIVE ME a used Dzongkha tester with about 80% remaining. I offered to pay for it, but they said, no, it had been opened, and they were just going to throw it away (they had another Dzongkha tester on display). Also... to be honest, the bottle was kind of grungy. So I bought a 50 ml bottle of Timbuktu instead. And I got the Dzongkha!

Last fall I had liked Timbuktu more. But now I am really in love with Dzongkha, and I think, if it is still there next time I go, I will buy the 50 ml bottle of that, too, as a backup!

I really like L'Artisan, and think so far it is the house that suits me. A lot of people complain about longevity, but, so far, I have no complaints there. I own 100 ml bottles of Dzing! and Tea for Two. Sprayed on, they last me a long time (Tea for Two more so). I would like to buy more of the line. I also like the L'Artisan SA at Barney's on Oak Street, and, when I decide to get bottles of Al Oudh or more recent stuff, that is where I will buy them. But in the meantime, I will keep going back to this store until I deplete them of all their L'Artisans! (They are not carrying the line any more.)