Still a great trip, but we had a surprise! When we got to Liberty’s on Tuesday, there on the table — I’m getting ahead of myself. Liberty’s is really an amazing store and my favorite of the department stores we’ve gone to so far. Gracious, relaxed, interesting selection. They were all simply lovely with all of the traditional British hospitality that it’s easy to get used to. The store is gorgeous, original building. Anyway, when you get to London one day, make sure you go to Liberty’s, you will be completely charmed.
Back to the surprise. We get to the area Liberty’s had arranged for us, and there on the table of newish release is a brand spanking new L’Artisan that none of us had even heard of. Havana Vanilla. The twittering around the room was electric as as well anticipated getting a bottle. But, sadly, no. It was an advance bottle, it won’t be released until October. It’s gorgeous. A somewhat rummy vanilla that feels like it has pineapple and coconut in it, but doesn’t, which is a good thing. It’s not sweet, but you perceive a beach and sun and hot young men with glistening pecs, wonderful drinks with umbrellas and heavy lidded eyes soaked with relaxation. I loved it. It worried me a bit because it seemed to disappear for a while, but it’s a sleeper. It went through a quiet phase and then re-emerged in about an hour. So when you finally get, don’t get discouraged if you think it goes away for a while. Not sure it does that for everyone. I don’t have it on now, so details are sketchy and can only give you my impressions from yesterday. I’m looking forward to its release.
Tuesday was also Miller Harris and Ormonde Jayne. I’m familiar with both of the lines, so nothing new for me, but, again, the hospitality of both places was above and beyond. I did snag a Citrone Citron (Citron Citrone?) parfum for me and Louise to split. Great citrus, and the parfum really stuck.
Today is Roja Dov an Al Quarashi, theater (seeing Wicked) tonight. This is exhausting, but I’ll sleep when I get back, right?
Miss you all, xoxo!
That new Artisan sounds splendid. I’m glad they’re introducing a new vanilla, as their Vanilla was waaay too sweet for my liking, but gorgeous nonetheless.
What
I’m really interested is the Miller Harris parfums!!! When did they introduce parfums into their range? I believe they are 150 pounds for 30ml, right? Anyways, I would loooove to hear a review of citron citron parfum!
Take care
Must. Have. New. Vanilla.
October????
And, you’d think I have enough vanilla things but really, they’re all scrimped & hoarded decants … Note Vanillee, Vanille Galante, SDV, my tiny bit of Vanille 44 … maybe I need a FB vanilla? And L’A is affordable, comparatively. Sort of. I did not like the first L’A vanilla but I’m *sure* I’d like this one, aren’t you?
hehehe
I don’t even like vanilla scents, really, but I am intrigued!
Sounds like you’re having a great time :).
Oh, cabana boy. Bring that bottle of Havana Vanilla right over here, will you?
Oh, dear. Lemming, lemming, lemming.
This sounds wonderful already but looking forward to hearing more about it. I love a good beach/sun scent any time of year. Perhaps Louise will share her thoughts with us when she gets her split!
I’m glad you are having such a good time in my city!
Liberty is my favourite store, too. I’ve never had a bad experience there (well, unless you count that there is always a queue for the restroom in the basement. But that’s all!)
The fragrance department is so well-stocked, and all the SAs are helpful, knowledgable, unpushy and friendly. I spend most of my bricks-and-mortar perfume budget in there. (I got three half-price Mona D’Orio scents in their sale recently).
And the little ground floor tea shop is very nice, too.
Hmm, that new L’Artisan sounds gooood….. October? Bah! 😉
Glad you’re having such a good time, Patty! (Hi, Louise!)
I love London. And I’m very intrigued about the Havana Vanilla. I wonder if L’Artisan will carry it in their NYC store?
Hush, don’t even suggest that L’A will start having regional exclusives. It WILL come to NY!!
Francesca,
L’Artisan will most definitely be carrying our new Havana Vanille fragrance at our boutique in the Henri Bendel store in Manhattan. It will also be available online at our website and at any of our independent retailers nationwide. We would never exclude any of our loyal fans from the opportunity to experience any of our delightful fragrances. We can not wait to hear everyone’s thoughts on the Havana Vanille once it is released! L’Artisan Parfumeur is now on twitter (http://twitter.com/Lartisan) and we would love it if all of you would join us!
Sounds like you’re having a grand time (how unfortunate that it wasn’t in August when I could have joined you, but let’s not grumble)
Took the liberty of linking you on this, as I bet people will be excited on the new L’Artisan.
I know you are having a great time Patty. I am sorry I couldn’t be there this year; Lisa is a fearless shopping buddy on a Sniffa trip — tell her Gail says hi!
What a fun surprise at Liberty! Still, it does seem odd to me that L’Artisan kept this a secret from the perfumistas & bloggers when the launch is only a few months away. Guess Havana Vanilla didn’t remind you of Hermes Vanilla Galante at all (re: the tropical feel– the orchid/lily notes…)?
Wow, that is exciting news in perfume-dom. Havana Vanilla … Havanilla … Hava Nagila (wait, what?) … not to mention that I’m destined to get it mixed up with Felanilla. I have to laugh at all the Cuba references in perfumery, however — I used to live there, and on the whole Havana is NOT a pleasant-smelling city!
Enjoy the rest of your envy-inducing trip — I LOVE Liberty’s!