This really is going to be one of those posts, and I do apologize, but I just have a bunch of stuff to talk about, some only a little bit about perfume.
First, I am going to just squeeze March to pieces for turning me on to these Not Your Daughter jeans. If you are blessed with a figure that slips into 7 jeans, I’m pea green, but my boyish hips disappeared with the birth of my first son. These things are marvelous. I have hated to go jeans shopping forever because I hate the way they look, they fit or don’t fit. It’s just a trial and painful to shop for jeans. I ordered these without trying them on, just using the sizing guide, and they are perfect. Just enough stretch in them to be comfy, not enough that they are sloppy or loose. If you tend to wiggle around a size depending on the season/laxity of exercise, etc., these will accommodate those, um… size revisions.
Second, we need to organize all of you that are going to Sniffa so we can make sure we get together and meet. March and I both are going, and it’s week after this, in NYC. If you’re going to be there, drop a note in comments, and if you put in an accurate e-mail address (which only we see), we’ll include you on an e-mail and try and plan a meet-up outside of Sniffa activities on Thurs or Fri or Sat or all three!!! Like my life could get any better. I get to meet Chaya and lilybp and Neil Morris this week already, so I’m pretty jacked about meeting more of you next week.
Third, it is your solemn, sworn duty as a perfumista to root for KU in the Final Four. Well, okay, not really, but if you don’t have a team already picked, KU is a worthy team with a long, classy history of basketball excellence… and they are playing the coach that abandoned them IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT when he said he would stay — the Evil Roy Williams. No, I’m not bitter, why do you ask?
A month or so ago, March sent me Estee Lauder Azuree to sniff because she thought I would love it. She gets Aces for her powers of fragrant perception. Introduced in 1969, it has notes of Basil, Jasmine, Citrus, Armoise, Vetiver, Rose, Patchouli, Moss, and Amber. It goes on like a moss blossom popped its little champagne cork, perfuming the air with lovely green bubbles. It is your best day in the garden, your favorite, worn pair of leather gloves held up to your nose after you’ve been snipping Rose Bushes and catmint and lavender. If you are a fan of classic, timeless perfumery at its best, snag some Azuree for a run - it’s balls-out underneath a very gorgeous, feminime circle skirt — you know the one, it widens out for miles when you twirl around.
Image from Caryl Bryer Fallert
Stopped by the local Nordstroms Estee Lauder counter yesterday to get sample of Bronze Goddess. I was wearing Youth Dew (didn’t feel well and for some reason find YD a very comforting scent). The completely clueless SA not only didn’t recognize the smell of YD, she had never heard of Azuree and “had no idea of where to look for it.” You would think either Nordstroms or EL would take care to actually train their people.
Oh, trying to get ahold of it at the counter is ridiculous, but they still have it on the EL site and other places. Well worth trying, and it’s pretty cheap, which is a plus!!!
Try an Ulta, if there is one near you. They are pretty much self-serve, but they do carry the EL scents. Always nice to hear there’s another Youth Dew fan out there.
I have recently started reading this website every few days - and what do I see, but some Jayhawk love!! Thank goodness they are everywhere. I am already so excited/nervous for this NC matchup I can’t stand it. RCJHGOKU! Beat Roy and all his Carolina blueness! And, for a newbie, what is Sniffa?
I went to Duke, so you know who I’ll be rooting for in this match. Go Jayhawks! My husband and I will be watching the game with rabid KU alumni friends who are also still seething over Roy Williams.
We are so counting on the Duke supporters, as it should be! We’d do the same.
Yes, we stay bitter for a long time.
Why any coach would not believe that KU is a place to coach until they want to go to the NBA escapes me. It will just serve RW right to have KU be the one to crush his dreamz this year. That rat.
Hey Patty-I’ll be at Sniffa, and sooo happy to meet you…and Neil, and Mark David, and Divalino, and Chaya and some MUA folks…and…and…wheee!
Go KU!
I just noticed Azuree at my local Macy’s-will give it a try. I do have several vintage circle skirts to go with…
Wheee!! This will be super-fun. I’m assuming you and March have done the meet-up info on who is staying where and how we get together, right?
Er, not yet…I can’t quite disremember my hotel…checking reservations….
Info sent to March
I will be at sniffa…hope to meet you. I will be handing out coffee bean samples for all attendees during lunch at Seppis.Some fresh coffee to clear your nose !
The Azuree sounds lovely !
Wonderful!!! We’ll keep an eye out for you. Is that the lunch on Saturday?
Hi Patty,
I’m a frequent lurker, sometime poster (post-er?!), and I will be Carol’s charming assistant/lackey at the Sniffa. I’m really looking forward to meeting you, and March, too!
My present crush, btw, is a KU boy, so I have been sending good vibes their way.
Cheers!
Christen
You’re going to have such a wonderful time. I’d be jealous if I had time to fit it in…
Much love to you, slinky pants.
We HAVE to get you over here one of these days, you know.
Slinky pants? Ha!
Wow, I love that graphic. Perfect thing to see first thing in the morning, it’s so vibrant & energizing. I see it’s a quilt … in my new dream house it is hanging on a wall in my beautiful big bedroom.
Sniffa … yes!! I’m so there, and both days too!! I’m so excited to meet everyone. Except Lee. Who won’t be there. Phoooo on that, you hear me? Phoo!!
Aww, see now I feel bad that I made you make the sad eyes face!!!
Oh, yeah!!!! We have to meet up, definitely!
I didn’t even realize it was a quilt. Now I want it too!!!!
Yes, PHOO on LELELEE.
I wanted to get horizontal/vertical/sideways with him, even in the presence of DH, who is coming with…
[Hear that, Louisie ? You get those RED lips on, and give him a big one !]
That quilt is a tonic for the soul.
I can even SMELL it.
Can’t wait !
Ready and armed
Poor Lee. He’s becoming a bit of a Posse tart, I think. :0
We’ll all jump him, that serves him right for being such a cute Brit Boy.
What’s with the becoming?
giving you the benefit of the doubt that you weren’t all tart, hon
I hope you do come and see me this time, Patty and March!
We definitely have to. Now we just have to get a plan….
Have a wonderful time at Sniffa! And at the risk of being banned from the blog, this UNC alum says “GO HEELS!”
As a North Carolina native and resident, it would be treason if I didn’t chime in with you Sara and say, “GO HEELS!” I so wanted it to come down to Davidson and Carolina, but then again, I also want a full bottle of Jubiliation XXV. “You can’t always get what you want…” as some might sing.
There’s no ram emoticon; this was the closest thing I could find. And if anyone wants to knock me unconscious, kidnap me, and wake me up at Sniffa, I’ll be their Patty Hearst!
*searching for ban button for you and Matt*
I kid! Bless you for being loyal, as you should be. But I think we should make this more interesting…. say betting perfume samples on the outcome?
Ooooh…a side wager always makes things more interesting, although I doubt I have any samples that you don’t already own. The loser could have to wear Arabie to work for a day.
I did just get the lowdown from my bf (an NC State alum) on just how Evil Roy Williams is, so he like you, would be delighted to see the Heels crushed. I read him your post concerning the upcoming game and he said you were a Very Smart Lady. Of course, I could’ve told him that.
You’re on. I’m so confident, I would bet any sample I have that KU will win, and in return, you have to wear, um… Vera Wang around for one full day. Not that it really lasts that long, so you’d be getting off easy. Or I’d wear Arabie for a day if I lost… gack!
yes, yes, NC State would know how evil Roy Williams is. That man is just a devil, covered up by a super-nice exterior. On this point, Duke, NC State and KU fans stand firm against NC at all times.
You’re on!! I love to bet (it always makes a game more intense) but I hate gambling money (if I lose, it’s money lost that I could’ve spent on perfume).
Damn that there’s no handshake emoticon!
betting on basketball w/fragrance! my head is exploding with delight. I AM IN!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for not banning me patty!
/
WOOHOO Sniffapalooza, here I come! (am a sniffa virgin, so please go gentle with all the PDA’s!) xoxox
Wheee!!!! We will mos def get together, deets to follow early next week.
Azuree will always have a very special place in my heart. My first ever ‘real’ boyfriend bought me Azuree bath salts for my 15th birthday. The scent was far too mature for me at the time, but I do remember luxuriating with those bath salts. Good to hear it getting some love these days. It really is a wonderful scent.
As for the NCAA…..my teams fell early, but since I drew Memphis in the office pool, I’ll say GOOOOOO….oh dear, I don’t know what their mascot is! LOL I’d better look it up.
That’s funny.
But they aren’t playing in Kansas’ bracket unless they win in the first round, then it’s the championships, so you have to picke between KU and NC. Pick NC and you can go sit in the banned corner with Sara and Matt. 
Kidding!!!!
Horrors!!!! My late husband attended NC State for his BS and I’m positive he’d rise from the grave and haunt me if I cheered for UNC. lol But then again, I DO look good in baby blue…..
Looking forward to meeting all of you! Especially those of you who I met last year without having any idea I was doing so :”> (that’s a *real* sniffa virgin for ya’). Let the wild rumpus begin!
Will definitely try to sniff some Azuree today, thanks Patty!
Let’s try that again — the appropriate emotions I’m going for are this: :”>
And this:
“And now,” cried Max, “let the wild rumpus start!” “Now stop!” Max said and sent the wild things off to bed without their supper.
I loved that book
Yeah, yeah, so excited! We should have Posse people wear something so we can find them.
How’s about Posse hats?
No hats, we’d all get hat hair. And no capes (to quote Edna in The Incredibles)
I wiah I was going to see you all there, alas, not to be
Phoo on you not being there, too!
That would have been too perfect for words, but one day! Next L.A. Sniffa, I’m there.
“it’s balls-out underneath a very gorgeous, feminime circle skirt — you know the one, it widens out for miles when you twirl around.”
I doubt I have to mention the kind of picture this painted in my mind as I read… LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, you win the prize, the first person that appreciated what that sentence was saying. Name your sample, and send me your address, and it shall be yours!
Have a fabulous time at the Sniffa all! Look forward to hearing the tales. Love Azuree and very pleased she’s getting some more love now.
Azuree deserves some love. It’s so different from the iterations they are doing now. It’s just lovely!
I’m very lucky that our local Dillard’s has an extensive collection of Estee Lauder perfumes, as I adore just about every one of ‘em. Right now, I’m tapping my foot for truly warm weather so I can justify dousing myself in Bronze Goddess. Lush stuff, that.
But my absolute favorite of all time has to be Azuree. Thanks for spreading the word on this absolutely divine juice.
It is just a little miracle in a bottle. I tend to like only the old Lauder stuff, Azuree, Private Collection, Cinnabar, and very little of the more recent things, though I don’t hate them, just probably don’t pay as much attention as I should. I think I need to sample some more of them.
I know y’all will have a wild time at the Sniffa. I wish I was meeting you wonderful folks. While you’re there, do me a favor and put in a plug for a West Coast Sniffa. Patty, you’re closer to this coast. You’ve gotta come to that one too.
I will! I bet they’ll be back that way. Wasn’t the last one a great success? If they do it again, I’m totally there.Wish you were going to be at this one, that would have made it so perfect!
I’m going to Sniffa and would love to hear about meet-ups. New to the community and excited to meet folks. I have a cold and I’m desperately taking vitamins and such to try and get my nose cleared up by then. Thanks!
I *need* to get to a Sniffa one of these days! I’m w/ Anthony - that description of Azuree is beyond brilliant.
DH, though is *fiercely* pulling for *any* team that can beat them (despite the fact that he went to got both his law degree and doctorate at UNC and taught there for a few years - his undergrad school is the one that has his undying loyalty and its team did *disastrously* this year). He will be stricken beyond words if UNC wins.
And…LMAO about Roy Williams. Sacrilege around these parts.
Love, love, love that quilt! If I had even a little bit of patience, I’d really have liked to have been a quilt artist. Sadly, patience is something I’m completely lacking in. Used to design and build furniture, but ended up giving it up due to an awkward tendency to cut myself and also due to that lack of patience. Wood working has a lot in common w/ sewing.
Don’t you just love the effervescence of Azuree, Patty? I love it!
I know you will have a blast in NYC. Go for it!
And one final note:
GO BRUINS!!!!!!
Peace out, baby!
I really want to go to Sniffa but I don’t know how to… um get involved. I thought from the website you need to be a member which I am not at present but would gladly do if need be. So if you could help me figure what I need to do I will do 10 Hail Mary and 20 Our Fathers to get into my typa heaven. Thank you for the help (if you can) and if so can’t wait to meet up!
Sniffa is run by the Karens at Sniffapalooza, this is my first one too. At this point, I’d just email the contact us button on there, there must be one, and ask how to register? You have to “join” to register, but since it’s only a week away maybe you can skip the formalities (which if I remember right was filling out a short form.)
sniffapalooza.com I think
Hi Patty,
I’ll be at the Sniffa and am really looking forward to meeting you. I mentioned the idea of dinner on Fri to March. Maybe that will work! Sarah P
Hey, email me back! Want to go up together on Thurs.?
I, too, am a Sniffa first-timer. Coming from Albany in upstate NY, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be going to NYC in such fun and interesting company.
Yayyy!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see you!
Mary and I go back … what … 20 years?
I’m a virgin to both Sniffa and the Perfume Posse message board, but I’ll be in NYC for the fun on Saturday. So excited to meet other passionate perfumistas and perfumistos!
Patty and All Others –
Totally off topic: sorry!
I saw your post about your family’s plan to take a European Holiday this Summer. I lived in Rome for many years. IMHO — not a bad ruin to see there. I might recommend the Capucin Church at the base of the Via Veneto (of La Dolce Vita fame). For your reference here is a link: http://eternallycool.net/?p=728 The photos might make it look all the more dramatic than it is — but the whole catacomb ~ bones theme is unique and dramatic, and impresses me as very goth and impressive/memorable for your children. Another thought, instead of castles/ruins in Rome — Assisi, as in St. Francis of Assisi. It is lovely and a few hours outside of Rome. By the way, the Sniffa sounds perfectly sniffalicious. I hope all of you have a great time!
I have read about Sniffa for a while but never thought I would go as I am a fragrance fanatic, but not a perfumista, ya know? After reading about so many newbies going though, I just contacted them through their site and can hopefully make it for a day or two. How exciting - I look forward to it - hopefully it is not too late to join in the fun.
Azuree doesn’t seem to have made it across the Pacific. Ah well. I wonder if they have it in Korea
So exciting to here both of you will be at Sniffa. I will be there Saturday, and hope to try and get in hellos to everyone. Whoo hooo. It’s so fun. I probably will skip lunch though to go shopping more( sorry , but it’s I shop therfore I am ).
I am Dartz on Sniffa board so I usually write that on my nametag, along with the blog name.
Can’t wait to see everyone, please let me know your meet up plans, just in case I can somehow make it.
D
I am coming over the pond for the Sniffa and would be downright disappointed if I didn’t get a chance to see you and the rest of the Posse. Would you please let me know more about the meet-up…thanks!