My friends! Our lovely blogmistress Patty forgot to hit “publish” in our fancy new system when she’s done. Here is today’s, a little late.
So. Did my wilderness adventure first class this week. This is the mountain trekking class where they teach you how to use the compass and pack for anything so you don’t croak on a hike somewhere. And – the are teaching us to go off trail.
Despite my start as a farm girl for the first 17 years of my life, I am all city girl except my brief forays onto horses and gardening. I like cleanliness, running water, flushing toilets. I don’t like dirt in my food or bugs in my water or having to dig a hole to poop in. What am I doing in a class like this? Well. I like to take pictures, and the best pictures in Colorado are out there, off the beaten path. And for some strange reason, I just have this drive in the last year to get out of all the ruts I’ve made in my life and go off-path, literally and spiritually.
But the class was great, and I am totally jacked for doing the field days and planning some long hiking trips. For some reason, the fear of being out there, exposed in the world has just disappeared.
You know what really smells good? Balmoral, which is one of those Cire Trudon candles, and it is all outdoorsy green, but not overly green, just that rich meadow smell. Great throw on this, subtle scent, you don’t feel like someone stuffed an evergreen in your nose.
And you know what else smells good? I’ve been thinking about what scent I’ll probablly be wearing this summer, and my usual staples come to mine, Santa Maria Novella Eva, Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan, Chanel Eau de Cologne, but I’ve added a little sleeper beauty to that pile. Parfums de Nicolai Le Temps D’une Fete. Notes of galbanum, mastic, opoponax, narcissus, hyacinth, daffodil, styrax, oakmoss, and sandalwood make up this wondrous green floral stunner. It bursts into life with green, unfolding into the prettiest, and never sweet, spring bouquet, stirred up with some naughty narcissus, and all knitted together with incense and woods notes. That it takes a very deep bow to the classic scents from Dior makes it smart as well, but it’s not nearly as difficult to wear as some of those classic perfumes – easy on the nose, but complicated enough to keep me sniffing happily for hours.. Seriously, how did I have this laying around so long and never smell it? I”m truly ashamed of myself for missing out all this time. It’s not just perfect for spring, but for any time.
So either in life or perfumery, what is something you’ve been missing out on that surprised you most when you discovered it? We haven’t done a drawing in a while, so let’s do one. I’ll give out a samples of the D’une Fete to three commenters.
Like you, I discovered something just outside my front door–ocean swimming. It took a friend of mine about half a year to convince me to go swimming with her. Not just frolicking at the beach, mind you, but serious swimming. We went in the spring, and I was sure I would die of cardiac arrest when I jumped in (it’s a large ocean pool). I didn’t die, but the very cold water certainly took my breath away! I never swam so fast since high school swim team….The feeling afterward was like a drug, a super relaxed, virtuous feeling, and an enormous appetite that completely counteracted any of the caloric workout! I think it’s the cold water equivalent of being out in the fresh air all day.
Perfume-wise, my belated discovery, late in life, is perfume with a serious musk component. I think it was Bonne Bell musk in my youth that totally put me off musk for years, or some reptilian memory of a bad college encounter wearing the stuff.
Please include me in the draw, your description sounds divine.
Ummm….I used to go hiking when I was a teenager, but that was long ago. Every night, when I lay down to go to sleep, I remember how much I love my bed!!
Something new? I am taking a Drawing class that starts in a few weeks. I have meant to for years, but am just finally getting around to it.
The scent sounds lovely. I am always searching for the next best green floral!! I would love to be entered in the draw. thanks.
Well, clearly I am the odd woman out in this group, as I used to love multi day backpacking trips and still do…I can easily give up a hot shower and fluffy pillows for a days on end in return for a taste of the simple, with gorgeous scenery, few people, and the feeling of being smack in the center of all that raw nature. Simple food tastes wonderful and ultimately I miss being Away From ALL more often than I miss Having It All.
I would love to learn how to read a map and compass, as I rely on my partner for that.
In the last few years my adventure has been triathlon. I never was an athlete (I mean at all. Never.), so it surprises and thrills me to be one now, in my 40s. My husband is amazed and I have to say I love surprising him too after all these years. Someday in my future I see an full Ironman distance, but for now, I stick to half that distance, and it’s plenty.
If I win a sample and LOVE it, that will be the surprise– to “get” a green fragrance at last.
Oh! Oh! Oh! A drawing! Count me in! I’ll grovel if I have to! Galbanum! Oakmoss! Styrax! Green floral! What’s not to love?
Yes, you can call me a Green Fiend, especially where galbanum is concerned. 😉
I used to be like you, Patty – a former country girl who converted to urban and grew rather fond of things like running hot water and toilets that flushed.
That all changed some time ago when the DH took me camping as a birthday present in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico a few years back. It was a time of year when few other people were there, so few, in fact, that a ranger we met told us we were about the only other human beings in a fifty-mile radius.
I’m a European, and that kind of solitude blew my mind. It also endeared me to things like washing up in icy rivers and hearing bears rummaging around outside in the dead of night. The outdoors has held few terrors since.
Congratulations on pushing your own limits! It feels good, doesn’t it? I’ve been doing it for a while now, and have all intentions of being truly terrifying by age 80!
Kudos to you for your wilderness adventures! Me, I’m not so much into roughing it but I do really love aspects of it…night sounds in the woods/desert and the blackness of the sky/seeing billions of stars against the velvety blackness that are invisible from the city! I grew up in the country and have fond memories of it.
As for new things to love…boot camp! I’ve been more of a gym rat over the years but just discovered how much fun it is to suffer the challenges of outdoor boot camp drills. Of course, only after we’re finished does it truly register in my brain as “fun”.
As for perfumes, I’ve always loved and worn a lot of them but sometimes was left unfulfilled by mainstream choices. I guess the surprising thing is discovering some great mainstreams that were there all along such as original Azuree which I now love, also YD Amber Nude.
I’d love to be in the drawing…
OOPS – sorry for the double post!
Something I’ve been missing out on that surprised me most when I discovered it? That would have to be dogs. While I have been an animal lover all my life, the many dogs I have owned over that span have played a rather minor role in my daily life – a life crowded with studies, work, travel and children. I have in fact spent the last 10 years without a dog until last summer, when I decided to adopt a rescue.
Since then, my life has taken and abrupt, giddy detour.
I have become something of a dog therapist, volunteering with rescue groups, the local animal shelter, and doing therapy dog training. It’s been wonderful fun – and the direct connection with animals has been a soothing, soul restoring experience.
The second big surprise is how much I have come to adore perfume. Didn’t have a clue until two years ago. I had acquired some lovely perfumes over the years – Joy, Shalimar, Laura Ashley no.1 – but I never really “got it”.
Discovering the delicious complexity of perfume has been akin to discovering wine, or ethnic foods, or traveling to unknown places. It’s an emotional and sensory pleasure. Since March, I have been wearing Bois De Violette frequently; it mirrors the moist earthy sweetness of our southern spring. Also the Chanels – No.18 AND No.19 – and Tauer’s Reverie au jardin. Fragrances heighten the pleasure to be found in the natural world, and so, changing perfumes with the seasons, I feel that I experience life more deeply.
I truly love PdN’s Odalisque and Sacrebleau. Temps d’une Fete sounds just wonderful, and especially so for spring.
Something I’ve been missing out on that surprised me most when I discovered it? That would have to be dogs. While I have been an animal lover all my life, the many dogs I have owned over that span have played a rather minor role in my daily life – a life crowded with studies, work, travel and children. I have in fact spent the last 10 years without a dog until last summer, when I decided to adopt a rescue.
Since then, my life has taken and abrupt, giddy detour.
I have become something of a dog therapist, volunteering with rescue groups, the local animal shelter, and doing therapy dog training. It’s been wonderful fun – and the direct connection with animals has been a soothing, soul restoring experience.
The second big surprise is how much I have come to adore perfume. Didn’t have a clue until two years ago. I had acquired some lovely perfumes over the years – Joy, Shalimar, Laura Ashley no.1 – but I never really “got it”.
Discovering the delicious complexity of perfume has been akin to discovering wine, or ethnic foods, or traveling to unknown places. It’s an emotional and sensory pleasure. Since March, I have been wearing Bois De Violette frequently; it mirrors the moist earthy sweetness of our southern spring. Also the Chanels – No.18 AND No.19 – and Tauer’s Reverie au jardin. Fragrances heighten the pleasure to be found in the natural world, and so, changing perfumes with the seasons, I feel that I experience life more deeply.
I truly love PdN’s Odalisque and Sacrebleau. Temps d’une Fete sounds just wonderful, and especially so for the spring.
I also bought a bottle of Eva for the summer months. It’s almost time of the year to break it out of the dedicated-fridge. Plseas enter me in you PdN draw as well
The Caribbean. Warm water, lush flowers, blue/green seas.
Board games! It’s almost spring, so it’s a little late to mention cocooning activities, but went to a great games evening recently. Forget any let’s-not-spend-money overtones — it’s just fun.
I’ve loved PdN for quite some time now, so I was completely surprised to discover only last year that I’d somehow missed out on Temps. *Love* it.
Much to DH’s distress, I really can’t do camping. Adore nature and am obsessed w/ macro lens shots of various plant parts, but…the reality is that I *need* all the mod cons. Day trips are basically my limit. Hope you post the photos you take on these hikes!
Only just rediscovered Jalaine’s Vanilla. Was under the impression I was finally over vanilla for good and I’d never cared for Jalaine’s in the first place. Oh, how wrong I was. Never say never. I’ve also discovered encaustic painting. Was reluctant to buy stuff for yet another art medium, but finally broke down and stocked up on encaustic supplies. I love it beyond reason. Can’t believe I waited so long to take it up. Perfect soul match.
Stumbled back on. Yay!
Temps d’une Fete is seriously gorgeous. Like being on a tropical island without the touristy, faux-native vibe.
Pefume-wise I seem to be going a bit crazy. I found out that Patou For Ever has that elusive pineapple note, and lo and behold…it does and it’s lovely. Not all synthetic and/or paired with coconut. Also, on a lark ordered a bottle of Eau de Rochas from my local etailer. Heard it was beautiful…and it is!
Hugs!
I’m so glad Le Temps d’une Fête is getting some love… It’s gone into the rotation recently (very late Spring here in Paris) and it’s my top “warm green” (the top cold green is N°19, Vent Vert in the vintage being in a category of its own).
My recent perfume “where have you been all my life” moment is Bois de Violette and Féminité du Bois. Took me, what, 17 years to reach critical mass on those…
No life discoveries or rediscoveries — no leisure to indulge in, alas…
P.S. I already have the Nicolaï, so no need to include me in the draw.
I guess I’ve done quite a few adventurous things, but I also tend to really hold myself back from doing things that I’m curious about for fear of embarrassment or failure. Some things I’ve considered: Ballroom or Bollywood dance classes; adult swim lessons (so I can do more than a granny breaststroke); joining a singing group. We’ll see if I ever take the plunge.
In the perfume universe: I just discovered Calyx (yes, finally) via a decant and I’m finding it extremely fun and joy-inducing. I’d love to be in your PdN sample draw.
Calyx is really great…you just have to make sure it’s fresh. It really matters with that one for some reason.
Joe,
I’ve got to tell you you have some very satisfying experiences ahead if you do decide to take the plunge into dancing, swimming and singing. Go for it – there’s very little to lose and so much to gain!
Best,
Margot
Um, has anyone anything to say about Parfum Generale’s Tuberose Couture? I can’t decide…
I’ve had a small sample of that for awhile and I just love pulling it out and putting on a few drops. After discovering Carnal Flower (another small sample) I think I forget sometimes about the PG.
What is it that you can’t decide, exactly? Whether you like it at all? Get a 5ml decant and if you use it all up, it means you want more. It’s a sweet, sugary thing, but that’s the beauty of it.
I can’t decide if I like my tuberouse freaky-beautiful like Criminelle, or Just Beautiful, like Carnal Flower, or Sweet, Classic & Beautiful like Couture. I was half-way through the sample and then I saw something shiny…
I’m about to break out the Amoreuse, which is one of my serious spring-summer scents, but lately I’ve been spending quite a bit of quality time with Bois de Violette because it’s just really hitting the spot right now. On the colder days, as in, every other, I spritz on the Ormande Woman.
All of this however is in anticipation of the arrival of the Homage Attar which is on backorder from Luckyscent…when are they going to ship already???? Cooooommmmmme Ooooooonnn, I’m dying here!
I would love to be in the draw, this sounds EXACTLY like something that I not only would love, but have been looking for! 😀
What was I missing out on for a long time? Hard to say with regard to perfume, but I guess I did not start exploring my “girly” side until a rather advanced age, and i love it. I used to dress in jeans and baggy tees, no makeup, told myself I didn’t care. Now I am not only a perfumista but a fashionista & avid makeup lover. Who knew!
Yes, yes, yes Patty! Temps d’une Fete is brilliant…I love it to peeeces! Odalisque is also very beautiful if you haven’t given it a serious trial.
IMHO Patricia is following right in the steps of her illustrious ancestors and doin ’em proud. You are going to rock the the wilderness trail!
I have been discovering — or perhaps rediscovering — scents from my grandmother’s day. My latest obsession is Cherigan Fleurs de Tabac — like Chergui on a bed of Turkish pipe tobacco.
My other significant rediscovery has been how much I still enjoy singing. I have also made a few forays into stand-up. Man, do I love being the center of attention!
I want some of that…where? ebay?
I have discovered that the Paul and Joe scents, Bleu and Blanc, are wonderful – Blanc is a milky, powdery hawthorn-heliotrope-mimosa (I think of it as Apres l’Ondee’s great-granddaughter) and Bleu is warm, ambery cherry pipe tobacco. They are also very reasonably priced!
Please enter me in the drawing. 🙂
Ooosh, no thanks. Love the outdoors but not overnight. Our family never went camping when I was little – my mom was definitely the Holiday Inn and nailpolish type. I’ve been rediscovering PdN as well; the spinter weather has been perfect for Vanille et Tonka.
the whole hole-pooping part is the place where I draw the line. I’d remain clenched until the whole thing was over or subsist on liquids.
A BIG fan of Le Temps d’une Fete here, it’s simply brilliant.
A recent life discovery for me has been jogging: if there was one sure thing with me it was that running really wasn’t my thing. What a waste of time, what a bore. Then after watching the NY marathon I decided to give it a go and now I love it. The first time I ran home from the office (about 10kms) I felt like I had just flown to the moon, so so happy.
Also, being the nerd I am, I have started experimenting on best jogging perfumes, logging every run with time, distance and scent. So far big florals give the best push, especially loud tuberoses and jasmines. Fracas is great.
Happy Easter to everyone !
Definitely great sweat scents…Un Lys, too…and Sarrasins…and of course Carnal Flower and Criminalle, but Bandit is excellent too. And Jolie Madame. The all heat up nicely and the sillage is to die!
Congrats on getting on the trail. I haven’t been able to force myself to go beyond a day hike. The thought of sleeping outside or in a tent just pushes me over the edge.
I used to read A LOT and then had children. I still read a lot but it was either reading to them or about them. I just couldn’t find the time or stay wake enough in the evening to get into a novel. I read blogs and newspapers online, but not a novel. On a recent trip to our condo (alone), I hit the local bookstore for something interesting to read. Quickly worked through that. Then I went to the local library for a few more books and devoured those as well. There’s just something about sitting on the beach with a book (and not having to keep an eye on little ones)! Now that I’m back to reading every day, I feel as though I missed an entire era of good fiction. My must-read list is growing. It’s not quite as long as my must-try perfume list but hey, give me time!
I grew up hiking, camping, horseback riding etc, but I have grown accustomed to fluffy pillows and hot showers. I don’t know whether I can go back now. Maybe horseback riding and 1/2 day hikes.
The Nicolai line is just wonderful but I haven’t tried Le Temps d’une Fete. I recently fell in love with Odalisque and I am fighting the urge to buy a bottle.
Other recent discoveries? I now officially love tuberose. Carnal Flower is calling my name.
I’ve recently become an afficionado of canine agility. I’ve showed dogs for conformation and for field trials, but somehow never had an interest in agility. We acquired a border collie a bit over a year ago and after seeing her joyously throwing herself into the agility course at the dog park, we started her in classes. She, of course, adores it and surprisingly I do, too.
I haven’t tried Temps d’une Fete yet, but as much as I love my other de Nicolai fragrances, I’ll definitely make a point of trying this one, too. It sounds right up my aroma alley.
Oooh! I was going to do my younger Rottie but I tore up both shoulders right about the time we would’ve begun work. Danged shame. His dad is a great working dog. We call his son The Supermodel (he’s too tall for conformation, alas, being about 3 inches too long in the leg).
Do you have fun working with them? It does look like so much fun. I had 3 Rotts in an earlier time and whenever I would bring them to the park this little Border Collie would just get this gleam in his eye – next thing you know all 3 of my ginormous Rottweilers were being herded! Too funny for words. The BC was excellent at it, too!
xo>-)
Temps d’une Fete is a happy place for me…a perfume fiend, er, friend, sent me a sample, and I was ready to purchase almost immediately. I see the galbanum note on paper, but so far for me it’s mostly a green veering white floral with some depth and a hint of an edge. Like what you said, only you said it better. 😉 I totally agree with your vibe: “easy on the nose, but complicated enough” to satisfy my desire to huff.
I am person who is happy with decants–too many choices, and too much desire to have those choices, to need a full bottle of practically anything. But I did go ahead and get this one–it’s nice that the Nicolai line offers a 30ml size. Helps the budget. 🙂
Bring the bottle when you drive over. I’ll be here…oozing and secreting…
That Temps d’une Fete – Mistress Shelley has been touting that for awhile, ever since I fell so hard for Drama Nuui. It will be fun to compare.
Kudos to you, Patty, for venturing out beyond your regular routine!@};-
For me, the biggest (recent) surprise was how much I enjoy learning about specialty metals and heavy machinery. Seriously. I thought I would be bored out of my mind, learning about corrosive alloys,etc – but I LOVE IT! Huh.
I haven’t quite mastered forklift, which is way harder than it looks sometimes – and don’t get me started on Bobcat, which are terrifyingly quick. Learning how to keep 3000 lbs of steel from toppling off a forklift is a skill and one I’m enjoying learning, even if a whole lotta screeching is involved!
This spring/summer will bring me to something as heavy as heavy machinery – but way less reliable. The draft horse 6-Hitch classic. I hope to be able to take hitch lessons. Drafts are pretty easygoing but performance athletes, like hitch horses, can be a bit skittish. Starting with one (and a cart)….if I don’t kill myself I’ll move up to two hitched to the wagon. Wish me luck. It’s a long way down from that wagon seat!LOL!
xo>-)
What, are we simultaneously sneaking time with the Posse? Where’s my waving emoticon??? [waves furiously]
Kids…I’m missing out on that.
Just wanted to cheer on Temps D’une Fete. I have two tiny samples. I LOVE this stuff…feel very happily addicted to it. Fantasize about rolling around in vats of it. It’s not a comfort scent, but still gives a strong vibe of joy…a complicated green floral joy.
Green florals are also a favorite of mine… Temps d’une Fete has been on my Test Wishlist for some time, and I might just have to go drop it into the shopping basket soon!
I don’t have a new discovery to report, but rather a rediscovery. I had forgotten, for years, how much fun it is to swim. I don’t mean splash around in the pool and play dolphin, but swim properly. I swam on teams summer and winter for several years as a child and teenager, but some time after college I gave it up, due to the difficulty of getting to a pool with lanes (I moved to Podunksville with no YMCA, even, upon my marriage). I’ve just joined an athletic club and am really digging my swims.
As for perfume, my biggest surprise is that I actually adore orientals. For decades I thought I abhorred orientals because I knew Opium, Obsession and Youth Dew were so classified… turns out my dear darling Emeraude is one! (Found a stash of vintage PdT on the ‘bay, as plush as Scarlett O’Hara’s velvet-curtain dress, thanks again to March for the suggestion…) Parfum Sacre, Theorema, and Organza Indecence are orientals. And I’m making friends with Shalimar in vintage PdT, as well as PdNicolai’s lovely Sacrebleu. I can’t believe what I missed out on all those years, thinking “oriental” meant “perfume that hauls your stomach contents out through your nose.”
I saw this wasn’t published and thought… should I help Patty out? But then I was sidetracked by something sparkly somewhere.
I don’t camp much anymore (too moany a back for that) by I’m an outdoors country loving boy all the way after spending most of my formative years in the city. Only miss city life once or twice a year.
Lee–
The sparkly things get me every time.
Carter and Lee: proud to be magpies.
Carter and Lee
Sitting in a tree
Smelling like Bras
And forgetting where they be
First of all congrats on taking to the woods and for trying something new and different! I grew up camping with family (and I’m the oldest of six!) so that’s my excuse for never spending a night under the stars again!! Although I love nature, scenic views and wildlife.
Funny you should mention the de Nicolai fragrance as I just found it in my sample pile and wondered why I hadn’t tried it yet. As soon as the temperature gets above 35 here, it’s on!
And in the recently discovered category…. the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series. I’ve seen them in BOMC for years, and knew that they were best sellers, but just hadn’t ever read one. Someone recently gave me the first one, and I was HOOKED! I read all 18 in a little over two weeks. They are the only books I can ever remember reading where I’ve belly laughed so hard I had to put the book down.
I’d have to say perfumes in general. After many years of using only one or two allergy-safe faves, I started branching out into other fragrances and fell in love with the whole idea, in addition to numerous specific loves. In college, when I was still wearing a lot of different perfumes, I never cared for any of the Guerlains except Jicky. So when I finally recently tried Mitsouko, I regretted, just a little, waiting so long.
I have a few samples of Parfums de Nicolai – Number One and Just un Reve. I especially like the latter. This summer, I am going to get to Europe for the very first time. I have Les Senteurs on my list of must dos.
Downhill skiing…never thought I’d do it, friends talked me into it, tried it, hated it, but could see (in the nanoseconds before I fell down) why it might be fun. Kept trying and now enjoy it, but have (ahem) VERY limited mastery. Oh well…And a perfume surprise was Neil Morris’s watery aquatic Rainflower. Generally I hate that class (or maybe just think I do) but I really like that. Enough to buy a bottle, which DD the oldest promptly stole….