Ode to Mitsouko

 

The presents are wrapped and under the tree, except for what Santa will bring later tonight. I´ll be spending much of today at church putting the final touches on the decorations for Christmas Eve, then home to bake iced sugar cookies (Santa’s favorite). This is a funny, wistful time of year for so many people. I have no idea how many of you will even stop by the blog today, but I thought I´d post something a little sacred and a little profane, about my love for Guerlain Mitsouko.

In perfume circles, Mitsouko is one of those givens – like Mount Everest, or death. It exists in its timeless majesty, whether or not you appreciate it. It has an air of inevitability. I suppose my first tentative sniff of Mitsouko was like a budding oenophile´s first sip of wine that didn´t come in a gallon jug from the supermarket. Mitsouko was my gateway drug. It was my introduction to the kind of ecstasy a scent could provoke. I had no understanding of it; I had no concrete idea of what I was smelling. Mount Everest doesn´t care whether you understand it.

Mitsouko dates to 1919 and is classified as a fruity chypre; its list of notes (Osmoz lists bergamot, lemon, mandarin, neroli, peach, rose, clove, ylang-ylang, oakmoss, benzoin, vetiver, cinnamon) don´t really hint at the bizarre beauty of the scent. Its baroque Orientalism makes me think of kohl-eyed beauties in silk brocade harem pants; at the same time, it could appear in the bottle of a high-end niche perfumer today and we´d be raving about its edge (although I´m having trouble deciding which perfume house might be worthy of the release.) Unlike many current releases, Mitsouko is “fruity” only to the degree that its peach provides a modicum of relief from the sharp, astringent spice and citrus notes. If you have only smelled the EdT, I am sorry, but you have not smelled Mitsouko. The parfum is the smoothest, an elixir of smoke, fruit conserve and spices that wears like velvet, but I am also fond of the (admittedly harsher) EdP, the concentration I met and fell in love with first.

I wonder whether the best way to come to Mitsouko is cold, without any preconceptions. A close friend was visiting recently; we were both dressing for a formal party, the kickoff of our holiday season. She´s not really into fragrance. She poked through my collection, looking for something suitable, and her fingers touched my tiny, beautiful bottle of Mitsouko parfum. “You should wear that one,” I said, wondering what she´d think. She dabbed some on and then stood there, transfixed, for the better part of five minutes, nose to wrist, murmuring oh my god oh my god oh my god. She called me the next day to tell me the fragrance was still clinging to the sleeves of her coat, and where could she buy some?

Last week I discussed my semi-regular, wrongheaded attempts to layer Mitsouko with anything (Mitsouko will eat many fragrances without breaking a sweat). Anne suggested Fendi Theorema (Patty seconded the idea), which sounded so peculiarly perfect I got up bright and early the next day and tried it. Which brings us to the profane part of the post (for those of you who find Mitsouko sacred and not to be trifled with), because I´m here to report that the combination was not only tolerable but incredible. Layering Mitsouko with Theorema solves two common problems. If you like Theorema in theory, but all that candied orange goodness is too sweet for you, Mitsouko provides a dark, rich base. If you like Mitsouko in theory (or, what the heck, dislike it) and find wearing it the equivalent of scaling the aforementioned Everest, Theorema provides a sweet, warm spiced fruit note that calms down the sharper parts of Mitsouko but still leaves you with a fragrance of immense dignity. As I gazed at the article in the New York Times yesterday on the winter waltz season in Vienna, with the young women dressed in their ravishing white ballgowns spinning across the floor, I thought, there is an occasion worthy of Mitsouko. What a fragrant memory that would be.

For those of you interested in the details: I tried Mitsouko parfum dabbed with my small sample of Theorema extrait, which is almost impossible to find. Of course, it was magnificent. But really, if you like the idea, the EdPs of both sprayed on are a perfectly lovely alternative. You need a lot less of the Mitsouko; I think I decided one light spray of Mitsouko to three sprays of Theorema was about right. I ended up decorating one wrist with that and then dabbing onto the other (horrors! Crushing the notes!) because I thought applying the necessary sprays of that combo my neck and both wrists would create enough sillage to kill everyone around me.

To all of you, Mitsouko lovers or not, I wish you the best of whatever you hope for in the last days of this year, and good things in the next.

 

Image of Clara Bow: clarabow.proboards105.com

Image of Mitsouko: guerlain.co.jp

Image of Vienna Philharmonic ball: vienneseball.org

 

  • elyse says:

    thanks! I am really loving that “old lady” smell right now. I can’t stop myself spraying myself with mitsouko at least once a day, even when I don’t leave the house. And my boyfriend thinks it’s sexy and elegant. I can’t tell you how happy that made me because i am becoming perfume obsessed.

    • March says:

      And I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet another Mitsouko lover! Glad to hear your boyfriend likes it.

      Hey, we’re here for all your perfume obsession needs. 😉

  • JR says:

    I’ve never written before but the Mitsouko piece inspired me. Mitsouko is an unmitigated masterpiece — which I understand has recently been reformulated to omit the oakmoss, among other changes. (I heard l’Heure Bleue has also been neutered.) A very sad day for perfumery, if this is true. Nevertheless, the original formulation is gorgeous. I bought Theorema a while back (after reading Luca Turin’s assessment of it) and found it a little too sweetly gourmand for my taste — so now I’m anxious to try this intriguing hybrid. I love your blogs. Happy New Year to all.

    • March says:

      I haven’t smelled the reformulation (having stocked up on the previous version). I’m hoping the lights haven’t been dimmed significantly. I’m glad you enjoy the scent, and thanks for stopping by!

  • elyse says:

    i just got a bottle of mitsouko in the mail esterday- not only my first full bottle EVER but undoubtedly a lifelong love. what is that “perfumey” note that comes across in so many older perfumes?
    Happy New Year, everyone!

    • March says:

      I think it’s a more contrated combination of ingredients like synthetic civet, amber, musk … older perfumes were a lot “dirtier,” frankly. That’s the “old lady” note people complain about and I love.

  • RobinfromVancouver says:

    Brilliant revamp, everyone. This is the first time I’ve actually been able to navigate your site, after many attempts on recommendation from the “other” Robin at Now Smell This.

    Alas, I have never sniffed Mitsouko, only owning the EdT. Would you tell me, please, what’s the most important difference? Just trying to imagine the Real Thing in context. Right now, I have the EdT — two squirts — with two squirts of Theorema, and it’s GORGEOUS. Who would have thought? Maybe it’s not as lovely as it would be if. . .but it’s amazing nonetheless.

    I look forward to visiting your site LOTS, now that I can with ease!!!!!

    • March says:

      Robin, welcome! BTW in case you haven’t figured it out I post as marchlion on NST, I see you on there all the time.

      Just my opinion — the Guerlain EdTs tend to be not so much watered down as … bitter? Like they took all the beautiful flow and imagery of whatever the perfumer had in mind and offed all the notes a squidge. Or maybe it *is* too diluted, like the pixels are too big? Mitsouko EdT definitely gives you the “idea” of Mitsouko. But (again IMHO) then you smell the EdP and you go, holy cow. And it spoils the EdT forever.

      The parfum, of course, is the smoothest. But I will break rank here and say I think I like a little of the roughness of an EdP, particularly in Guerlain, even though my little brain can process that the parfum is qualitatively “better.” I like a little fierceness in my scent. Probably Shalimar (which I can only bear in parfum) and Vol de Nuit (ditto) are the exceptions, and even then I don’t really like Shalimar, my Guerlain nemesis…

      You know, I feel terrible writing this, but it wasn’t until we revamped that so many people commented about how much trouble the previous platform was. I wish they’d told us last year.:”> I could live with “your design is a pain,” at least we could fix it. Anyway, I hope to see you over here regularly, welcome.:)>-

      • RobinfromVancouver says:

        Thanks very much for such a thoughtful and helpful reply, March. I totally understand what you mean now about EdT v EdP and parfum; I found the same thing with L’Heure Bleue very recently — wow, talk about serendipity — not having sniffed it since I was in my twenties in the seventies, when I’d only ever owned the pure perfume (and it was probably the original formula back then as well). The pixel analogy is a VERY apt one.

        I don’t know if I’d made that connection: Marchlion and this site. I think I was kind of peripherally aware, because you obviously know what you’re talking about and you clearly have a comfortable rapport with Robin et al at NST. I’m really happy to have your site now, too! I thought that the trouble with your previous platform was all my fault, and that’s probably why alot of your fans didn’t say anything; we non-computer-y types tend to take all the blame for technical glitches. The main thing is, it’s lovely and easy to navigate now, and I’m looking forward to whole new year exploring scent with you guys. Thanks for such a wonderful place to meet. — Robin

  • Flora says:

    LOVE the new look!!

    And thanks for the Viennese Ball photo – every year I watch the New Year Celebration in Vienna on PBS and dream of a world I will never see in person.

    I have never actually worn Mitsouko, but I do appreciate it as a lovely work of art that is like no other.

    • March says:

      I have never watched that on PBS. My resolution is to do so this year, I bet it is lovely.

      Yes, a work of art like no other.:x

  • Erin says:

    Just gorgeous re-design. I’ll be having a Merry Christmas with most of my new samples arriving from TPC today – think I will wear No. 19 extrait for Christmas. Wishing you all, Patty, March, Lee, etc., the very best, heart-warmingest holidays ever! Meet y’all back here on Boxing Day to discuss our swag…:d

    • March says:

      Those TPC samples are just like Christmas every time they arrive, no? They make me really happy.

      Wonder if you got any good fragance swag for Christmas?

  • Elizabeth says:

    First off, I love the new site design! It’s 1000 times easier on the eyes.

    Mitsouko truly is a wonder, but I’m more of a Caron girl than a Guerlain girl. How does that old saw go: Guerlain for the courtesan, Caron for the duchess? 😉 Joking, joking.

    My kohl-lined-eyes-and-oriental-brocade fragrance is, accordingly, Narcisse Noir.

    A Merry Christmas to you and yours, and a wonderful 2008 to come!

    • March says:

      I wonder if many/most fragrance nuts tend to (if they were honest) be EITHER Caron or Guerlain fans? Not so much of both?

      As you know, I admire Caron rather than love the line… but there’s always time for me to come around.

  • Kim says:

    Love the new look – is that old lace there in the corner, opposite the arsenic? 😕
    Also glad that I can check out the blog in public places!

    I finally had a chance to try Mitsouko in the EDP – the EDP is soooooo much better than the EDT. It must be marvelous in perfume strength! So now I am going to have to try all the Guerlains in perfume strength – so far the EDTs have all gone sour on my skin.

    It’s interesting to me that with these established houses (Chanel, Guerlain) it is a different piece of work in EDT vs. perfume strength. Compare to Lutens, where each perfume only comes in the one strength. Wonder if it is marketing or by design?

    Hope you enjoy your holidays and have some wonderful family time.

    • March says:

      That IS old lace! Patty came up with the theme. Honestly, this has been a learning process for us. One of the things we learned is we get tired of looking at people up there. Another thing is, a toned-down design is pleasing. I think we both tend to be more-is-more sorts, with predictable results.:-\”

      I am with you on thinking releasing fragrances in one strength makes a certain amount of sense, but I know nothing about the economics of the industry, and don’t know where they make most of their money. My personal opinion is that with the exception of Jicky, most of the classic Guerlains in EdT are pretty bad. Glad you tried the EdP!

  • tmp00 says:

    Love the redesign!

    Mitsouko is such a joy…

    Happy Holidays to you all! 😡

  • carmencanada says:

    Hiya Posse people, and Joyeux Noël to you all — I’m late to the party, been scrubbing the flat all day (house guests, the finicky type). I’ve been making do with Mitsouko edp, but I guess I’ll have to splurge for the extrait some time. Wouldn’t dream of layering, though. I didn’t quite love her on sight, tested several times before I decided to buy her, two years ago — I’ll pull her out tomorrow for Christmas (tonight, Nuit de Noël, it’s the only time of year I wear it).
    Baisers de Paris, and enjoy the festivities!

    • March says:

      Thanks! I do hope I get to meet you someday, how much fun would that be?

      Mitsouko EDP is an extraordinary fragrance, and it always cheers me to chat with others who share the love.:x

  • Gina says:

    The new look is great – sleek, refined, perfect. How funny you didn’t know many people would stop by here today – I come every day, several times a day, unless I’m unable to get to a computer. This site makes me so happy, thank you.

    I love Mitsouko. I’m not entirely sure if I’ve tried the parfum or the EDP – I have a little sample I know is one or the other, but it doesn’t specify on the vial. It is gorgeous, I’ve just put some on. And, honestly, I have a bottle of the edt I bought ages ago that I also love. It’s very different, but still very lovely and unusual. I’ve actually never tried Theorema, but will add that to my list. The combination sounds divine.

    I hope the holidays are lovely for all of you!

    • March says:

      Gina, weird, I didn’t get the notifys for these comments, sorry!

      Glad you stopped by, and even gladder to hear you like Mitsouko. Not everyone does.

      I am very, very pleased whenever I can convert someone, too! I just had a friend buy an ounce of perfume; the bottle is lovely.

  • Elle says:

    Fab new look! Adore the colors and the poison theme is brilliant! And the Dolce Vita bottle was a great choice w/ that theme – one of my all time fave names for a perfume.
    Love the fact that you are constantly experimenting w/ Mitsouko layering combos that I can then try. Will have to track down my Theorema later today and try this one. Sounds brilliant! I’m still trying to find my Black Musk sample to layer w/ it. If all else fails, will break out the CB and try that…maybe for when I have to face my in-laws tomorrow.
    Have a wonderful holiday!

    • March says:

      Heh heh. Yeah, in-laws will be all over that.:-\”

      “She’s a sweet girl, but doesn’t she bathe?”

      Glad you like the new site, PLEASE let us know if you see room for improvement. I’m a little bummed that people were so hesitant last time to let us know if something, um, sucked. Or was illegible or took to long to load or whatever. We were tinkering with this as late as last night (WHILE I was doing this post, which was weird) and we continue to tinker, so comments welcome! I do like the much cleaner look, which is what we were going for.

      I think you are one of the few people who really appreciate my daft attempts with Mitsouko.:d

  • Cathy says:

    Love the new look also…on my big-screen Mac, I can read everything very easily. Perfect!

    I took a chance on ebay the other day, and bought a 1oz bottle of Mitsouko ‘parfum’ for just over $30 (instead of the usual $300.) Now, I haven’t received it yet, but I’m hoping beyond hope it really turns out to be the parfum…it was such a steal. If not, I’ll keep trying. Love my decant though…you’ve inspired me to wear it today.

    Happiest and coziest of Holidays to all. (Wish I could wear PJs to the barn!)

    c…

    • March says:

      *SO* happy to hear it looks right! Also happy to hear from a Mac user, you would be surprised (or maybe not) how things can mess up appearance-wise using different systems. So giving you the same pleas I made elsewhere — if you notice anything wrong/broken/stupid/otherwise to be improved upon, please let us know. There are always kinks that don’t reveal themselves until we go live with something and then try to use it! I am still figuring out how to do cosmetic stuff in the posts (hence the wonky spacing issues.)

      I hope your Mitsouko works out, let me know! If nothing else, the bottle is gorgeous.<:-p

  • Sylvia Scarlett says:

    Congrats on the new layout! It’s beautiful and much easier to read. And you made me want to try Mitsouko again… I like the EdT but I guess I’ll ahve to find some parfum to really experience it!

    • March says:

      Thanks! We were really trying to get a cleaner, streamlined design. It’s tough for me (and maybe Patty as well?) I am afraid I am a “more is more” type of person. But we both got bored with the drama of Dirty Girls. This is a lot easier on the eye.

      The parfum is great, but honestly — if you can find some EdP I think you’re in the ballpark, and it’s a lot easier/cheaper.

  • Catherine says:

    Merry Christmas, March, Patty, and everyone! I enjoy the new image for the site…it feels perfect for the snowy landscape outside my windows.

    I’ve tried Mitsouko perfume–but the liquid in the vial smelled turned, as did that of Vol de Nuit and L’Heure Bleue and Jicky (got them off ebay at the beginning of the year). As I’ve never smelled them out of a bottle, I can’t tell if that’s my nose reacting or if it’s true. I love Jicky edt, for instance, but the perfume from the vial turns my stomach….Maybe next year I’ll try again.

    Much merriment to all!

    • March says:

      Hmmmmm. Wonder if the base doesn’t agree with you? To have them all turn would be odd. And the different concentrations of Jicky smell REALLY different to start with … I kinda like the EdT, though.

  • sara says:

    Love the site’s new look–almost as much as I love Mitsouko! I’ve been wearing this one for over 30 years and it’s my all-time favorite! I urge everyone to try the extrait–it’s worth the que$t! Merry Christmas to everyone! cheers, Sara

    • March says:

      Another Mitsouko lover coming out of the woodwork! I have never smelled a vintage bottle, I bet it might have been even more loaded before. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you too.@};-

  • Gail S says:

    The new site design is lovely!

    Now I will have to search out some Mitsouko parfum, I too have only tried the EdT. For shame……

    Merry Christmas to all of you, thanks for providing such fun reads throughout the year!

    • March says:

      Merry Christmas to you too! You all are the icing on my cookie… now that I can see the new site, I am happy with it too!:”>

  • IrisLA says:

    One of my favorite postings ever! I absolutely adore Mitsouko and Theorema parfums, and never in a million years would it occur to me to layer the two. They are both Perfection already. But I’ll try it!

    P.S. Love your new look.

    • March says:

      Thanks! As I’ve said up there before, if you have any suggestions or issues with the redesign, let us know…

      and let me know where you come down on the layering of those two great scents!:o

      • IrisLA says:

        They are wonderful together! 1 dab Mits with 2 dabs of Theo. A warmer, more cozy Mitsy is the end result. Thanks again for recommending this combo!

  • Vasily says:

    Mitsuoko sounds like it just might be great layered with SL Arabie. There, I said it…

    Congrats on the new look! It has two major advantages for me:

    1) I don’t have to hide my screen at the coffee shop, embarrassed that someone might think I was visiting an S&M site.

    2) The site actually loads in this century.

    Happy and blessed holidays to all!!

    • Sariah says:

      LOL, Vasily, I too am thankful for the more work appropriate redesign. Don’t get me wrong I loved the sexy/cute cartoons, but had to do a real fast scrolldown whenever checking the site on my lunch break.

      Mitsy and I don’t get along, will have to try the parfum some day.

      Merry Christmans to the Posse!

    • March says:

      See, that’s one of those things I never even thought of — work appropriateness. Duh. Well, we’re still fixing problems. I think a few things aren’t working right yet? If you notice anything or have suggestions, please — let us know.

      I think Anne (or someone else in that same post!) suggested Arabie. My problem is I don’t, um, really properly appreciate Arabie.:”> But for someone who does, it’d be great.

  • rosarita says:

    Hi, Posse 😡 I lurve being off work and leisurely reading you all over coffee and toffee (I’ve done quite some baking and cooking of my own of late.) I got the Dirty Girls site as always on opening, but the drop down let me see the new one, which is very clever! Hope you can see it soon, March.

    In honor of this post, I’m sampling a vial of Mitsouko a kind perfume person included in a swap some time ago. It’s the edt, unfortunately, and smells ok but not special. I’m visiting friends in a City next week; can the parfum be smelled in a store anywhere, like Neiman’s? If I can get the attention of a SA, of course. Hah! Enjoy your time off, everyone, however you spend it.>:d<

    • March says:

      No, that’s the problem — I think you can *buy* the parfum at say NM but they won’t let you sample it. I never sampled until I bought my wee bottle unsniffed. I didn’t check on TPC, not sure if they sell the parfum? Possibly not. The bottles are so pretty.

  • Patty says:

    Mitsouko parfum is about the only version I can wear now. EDP isn’t bad, but she can be a tad ragged on me.

    I was ignoring this experiment, even though I signed off on it, but I went and hunted down both this morning — listen, I’m the person that lost my nombre noir extrait, which I did find, btw, tucked inside of a locked By Kilian box.,.. go figger – and this combination is just stunning.

    And I’m wearing it in my jammies, which I intend to leave on ALL day.

    • Lee says:

      Me too P – the jammies all day thing.

      And I could’ve told you your NN was in the Kilian box – you posted that’s where you were gonna store it…

      • Patty says:

        I’m thinking… I can stretch the jammies all week, but there’s one day that may be dicy, and i need to wash up other pairs and decide if I can run in them? Yes, I think so. 🙂

        Did I really? Lord, I think you’re right. I really am a dunce, I should have asked y’all.

        • March says:

          Why do you need to wash them? Just spray on some more perfume!

          Giggling about the Kilian storage, I think Lee’s right, that rings a bell.

    • March says:

      Hah! I TRICKED my browser! I went ’round Robin Hood’s Barn to get in (okay, I went ’round Robin’s blog) and then snuck in when the blog wasn’t looking.

      That’s my technical explanation.:d

      Oh, so glad you found NN! I knew you hadn’t lost her, she was just playing with you. That is a dandy combo, thanks for pushing me that direction!

      Okay, I have to go get out of MY jammies now, b/c I’m supposed to be at church in 10 mins!:o

      • Patty says:

        Hey, are you getting e-mail notifications? Mine seem to have been just turned off for some reason, and I”m not getting them at all for comments, whether I subscribe or otherwise. I’m trying to figure out if it’s me or the little mailing function in the blog?

        • Lee says:

          They stopped half-way through my post last week….:-?

        • March says:

          No, no notifys. What I DID like awhile back is I was getting other people’s comments but stopped getting my OWN replies, which was nice and efficient.

          But no notifys yet. Also, unless I am missing something, if you use the Peppermint Patty format the comments don’t thread.

  • Marina says:

    Loving the new look! Happy Holidays to you all!!

  • Malena says:

    hi march,
    what a surprise :)a new design for the posse & what a great one, très chic!
    i´ve samples of theormea in extrait & EdP & i´m still deabting if i need on of them. i like it more in theory…it´s a bit too sweet for me, but perhaps i should give it another chance now that it´s colder.
    i absolutely adore mitsouko, just splurged on the vintage extrait. i love most guerlain frags (expecially the vintage) but i have to admit, i don´t like insolence nor l´instant *yikes*
    somehow i never ever layered any scents, i think i´m too lazy, i have to love a scent just like it – but perhaps i´ll layer mitsouko with theorema, they really could be a good team.
    – oh, i almost forgot: i finally ordered enslaved & unspoken & guess to whom i talked again :))…yes, the man himself! he even remembered me (perhaps they don´t get that many calls from germany) 😉
    merry christmas (*)

    • March says:

      Hey, Malena — as I think I wrote recently, mostly I layer by accident, trying too many things on the same day. Mitsouko layering is just my own perversity. Yeah, Theorema can be too sweet on the wrong day, even for me, although 95% of the time I love it.

    • March says:

      PS It’s nice to hear the man is actually THERE and WORKING in his boutique! And congrats on the new scents!

  • chayaruchama says:

    Bless you, Marchele !
    Mits is the very first scent I ever bought myself, at age 11.
    She’s the reason Bernhard followed me home in a blizzard 25 years ago [ and asked me to marry him one week later].

    Louise- write me, silly !
    I’ve got vintage Mits for you, I’d love to give you, you sweeeet thang.

    Vienna, waltz, and Mitsouko ?
    Be still, my beating heart…
    [My heart BEATS in 3/4 ,or 6/8- did you know that ?]

    The look is so pretty.

    Love to you, and all of our Posse friends !
    Be loved, blessed-
    And Smell good !

    • March says:

      At age 11?!?!? You are the sophisticate. I was probably wearing Love’s Baby Soft at 11.:”>

      I am happy to have you in my life. Here’s to a great 2008! And btw I am two left feet, but in my dreams I would waltz in Vienna.

  • Divalano says:

    Nice redesign, very sleek. Got me a bit confused though, checking in early & only partially caffienated, lol.

    My gateway drug was Dzing!, not nearly so illustrious an entrance as Mitsouko. And probably just as well, I’m sure Mitsouko would be impenetrable for me. I think she’s one of those women I’ll have to admire from afar, though at some point I’ll likely introduce myself and say hello. Merry merry, happy happy to all of you!!

    • March says:

      Oh, I wish Dzing! smelled better on me! I wanted it to, desperately. It smells quite nice on other people. Excellent gateway drug, though. Gets you far away from the idea that perfume is supposed to smell like Encanto Dreams or whatever./:)

  • carlene says:

    I haven’t even read the post yet (I will, I will), but I wanted to tell you I LOVE the new look!

  • Judith says:

    Love the new look–and the new slogan! And I deeply love Mitsouko parfum. I have never tried to layer it, and, pardon me, but I don’t think I will. The Lady stands alone. I love reading about your experiments, though. Happy, happy holidays!!!

    • March says:

      Thanks, J. Let us know if there’s anything on the site that’s flukey or irritating, it’s adjustable.

  • Anne says:

    AH HA! Saw the drop-down and couldn’t resist. Went to “dirty girls” first, of course. Customizable according to my fragrance mood. I love it!

  • Anne says:

    What do you mean, “I have no idea how many of you will even stop by the blog today”? Something would feel out of kilter with my world if I didn’t stop by to visit, even if I don’t have time to chat. 😡

    Yes, I too tried the Mitsouko with Theorema. Neither scent is compromised and they both are enhanced. Loved it, then loved it more and more! The amber combo wasn’t so great and also I tried layering w/Rousse. That one surprised me because I agreed with you that the Rousse would be eaten alive by Mitsouko. Wrong! But still my all out, hands down, am going to wear it tonight to a party tonight favorite was Mitsouko with Theorema. Mitsoukorema, Theomitsou, Theosouko. Tsk, tsk! Now that’s a sacrilege! :d

    P. S. Love the new look. MattS is right, nothing but class. I was unsure what was opening on my screen this a.m. Thought someone had messed with my favs!

    Peace to all and to all a Merry Christmas! >:d<

    • March says:

      Hey, kudos to you, babe. You solved the Mitsouko Conundrum I’ve been messing with for a couple years. I still plan to try it with Burning Leaves, although that has disaster written all over it…

      Merry Christmas to you!

  • Abigail says:

    I am so relieved that other people see the new site look and I’m not crazy.

    It looks great! Very sleek.

    I also have never sniffed Mitsuoko, I’m just taking a chance – a very small one – that there will still be some to sniff when I get around to it. 🙂

    Though your post did answer one question – does anyone ever like it on first sniff? And apparently the answer is yes. It was starting to seem like it was something that always had to be come to grips with, like puberty. No one really likes THAT right off the bat.

    Enjoy your cookie baking!

    Today I will be driving all over getting paperwork and plates hoping to pick up my new (to me) car, which is an hour away from here. Maybe I’ll squeeze in some scone baking tonight.

    • March says:

      You’re crazy. *I* can’t see it. Sigh. I’m waiting for Patty to email me back and tell me the special button to push so I can see it.

      Where’s the dummy button?:-?

      Baking, yay! I love scones. Specifically, I love scones with currants, as opposed to raisins, although I don’t even know the botanic difference. I have a leetle bag of Christmas currants I found, waiting for some sconage.

      • Lee says:

        currants – made from currants (normally black). Raisins – made from grapes.

        The geek is in the room.:-b

        • March says:

          Fine — then how do I fix the view w/o clearing my cache?[-(

        • Abigail says:

          Currants are gooseberry relatives, while dried currants used for scones are made from champagne grapes – they are very very small grapes that are a pain in the neck to get off the stems when fresh.

          I’m not sure why little dried grapes and very tart fresh fruit have the same name.

          Can you press CTRL+R to clear out the old image?

  • Louise says:

    Oh! You look so handsome and very elegant-I mean the site, and surely the Posse and all you lovely posters and silent readers,too. The winter chill and holiday season must be casting a special glow.

    I haven’t smelled Mitsouko, then, because it’s only been the edt. Now on my to-smell list goes the parfum.

    So-which dress did you finally select for the party? I don’t as yet have an occasion for New Year’s, but will be wearing my very tight, beaded, 157 pound flapper gown in any case-even for watching videos at home.

    Adventures and contentment for all in the New Year.

    • March says:

      Oh, I wish I could see it! It’s the funniest thing, if I *navigate* here from another site like NST I can see it, but when I enter comments it’s back to the old look.

      I had no idea we were going live with it! I’d have added those immortal words: IF THERE IS ANYTHING ABOUT THE REDESIGN YOU THINK SUCKS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! THANKS!

      Next time I see you I’ll bring Mitsy, as Lee has nicknamed her.;)

      Oh, I have one of those 157lb. flapper gowns!! And I’m afraid to sit down in it because it’s old and the fabric might split… I wore this really beautiful, unusual sari-fabric blouse which has flowers sewn on it made of beading, and that sounds horrible and applique-like, but it’s not, it’s gorgeous, it was a gift and I’ve never seen another like it. With an, um, protective cami underneath cuz the flowers are not strategically placed…;)

  • Lee says:

    Ain’t MattS lovely? My Matt is a MattS too…

    March – I’m gonna wear some Mitsy (too inappropriate?) parfum myself today, in honour of your post.

    I’m like Maria: the closest I get to a formal party is a trip to the chippy. hope you had fun.

    • MattS says:

      :”>Awww shucks. You’re a charmer yourself, Mr. Lee. The merriest of Christmases to you and your MattS across the pond. Hope Father Christmas brings you something that smells nice.

    • March says:

      What’s a chippy?

      And you and Mitsy have some fun together!;)

      • Lee says:

        Where you buy fish and chips. But it’s also slang for a carpneter (not as in ‘Why do birds suddenly appear…’). So take it either way. In the first, I smell of grease and vinegar, in the latter, of timber and what not…

      • Lee says:

        And Mitsy is doing her lovely parfum thing as I type…

  • MattS says:

    Wow. First of all, the site looks beautiful. It’s also much easier to read and much easier to navigate. You guys ain’t nothing but class.

    Wow. Secondly, you’ve written a beautiful post. I’ve never smelled Mitsouko, but heard it’s name so often, it has a legendary, mythical quality like a ghost or Garbo. I looked for it at several perfume counters at an area mall (a disaster in and of itself) and they didn’t have it. I’m sure that’s a surprise to no one. So, I’m certain I’ll be visiting TPC this week to procure a little sniff. Is is terribly feminine or is this one of those classics anyone can pull off?

    And with a third wow, I say thank you for a wonderful new friendship, a warm, supportive community of freaks, er, enthusiasts like myself, and a witty, beautifully written, grand ol’ way to start my morning every day. Thank you guys so much.

    Merry Christmas to the Posse, the readers, and everyone out there. Peace and good will to all.

    • March says:

      Matt! Crap, at 3am when Hecate came in to tell me she was awake (“hey, and thanks for that info, Hecate!”) I was thinking I needed to email you to say THANKS! and I have been wearing out the Wall of Sound Christmas, how great is that!! You know I love Christmas music, right? And I didn’t have that one, and I have a LOT. The tea is delish, BTW.

      I wish I could see our new look! I wonder if I need to clear the cache or some sort of technogeek thing…

      Nope, it is NOT terribly feminine. In fact, if you go over to Now Smell This and search there’s a review from one of their *guy* posters who was wearing it and some other classics, I believe. But it’s not exactly a kicking-back-in-front-of-the-TV scent either.

      And Merry Christmas back!

      • MattS says:

        It’s in my Top Three Christmas CD list. Despite his madness, Phil Spector is a genius and I love all his girl group stuff. (The other two cds are Charlie Brown Christmas with Vince Guaraldi Trio (beautiful and sad, like Christmas sometimes should be) and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas which is usually best after a couple of glasses of wine. Enjoy!

        • Lee says:

          I love Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas album. It’s on my playlist, alongside Thomas Tallis, King’s College choristers, and, for those bleaker moments, Low and Sufjan Stevens (these two clear the room – everyone I know hates em).

    • Patty says:

      You really are just wonderful, Matt, and I’m glad you found us.

      I hope all of you know that its the commenters and readers that really make this fun for all of us.

  • Maria says:

    Congratulations on the new look, Posse! It’s elegant–not that I didn’t notice the bottle marked “Poison” on the far left. Most witty. Hey, the look is no longer there after I hit the comments button. Will it return?

    I admire Mitsouko. I’ve never cozied up with it the way I have with Caron Alpona. But maybe it’s a fragrance that eschews that kind of relationship. “Adore me and be adored by others,” it says.

    I’m so envious of your having a formal party to attend. I haven’t gone to one in decades. Several decades.

    Have a blessed and joyous Christmas, everyone, whether you are believers in its founding story or not. I just hope you’ll be happy, Posse friends. 😡

    • March says:

      What new look?

      :-\”

      Seriously, I can’t see it. I wonder if it’s up right now?:-w I was working on this post last night and it kept dropping in and out… the tools and gizmos are different now, so please forgive any oddities in appearance.

      It’s a special party, at the National Gallery of Art. It is so very beautiful. I look forward to it each year.

      Hey, Caron and Guerlain. I could easily have substituted a Caron for the Everest scent.