By Ann
With our Posse swap coming up next month, I’ve been poking through my collection, seeing what I have accumulated and (attempting) to decide what to keep and what can go.
As I was taking inventory — sort of — my mind wandered over to what I’d really love to add this year, perfume-wise. Still can’t afford much, so I was thinking that I should scrimp and save for months, buy just one fantastic bottle and call it a year. Just not sure I can do it, though, as it would sorely hamper my love of sampling new scents, despite my New Year’s resolution to curb that impulse. My limited budget tells me I can’t have it both ways, unfortunately.
If you had asked me a year or so ago what I really wanted most, I would have said Amouage’s Memoir for Women. I thought I had to have a bottle, but never was able to take the plunge. I haven’t worn it for quite some time so I put some on today, and although it’s still wonderful, it’s no longer the object of desire that it once was. Isn’t it funny how cravings come and go?
I’m still loving several of the Le Labo city exclusives and hope to add a bit more to my decants and samples of those, but I can live without a full bottle until the next time Luckyscent offers them all for sale (that is, if I’ve been good about saving).
Right now, what I’m most jonesing for is more of Byredo’s Gypsy Water, its body products, and their new Seven Veils (which Musette also liked and wrote about recently). Not necessarily full bottles, but more to test-drive them a while longer.
So what about you? What singular bottle are you planning (or desperately wishing) to acquire this year? Or maybe you’ve already gotten it …
My wish list includes Hermès Santal Massoia, Kilian Amber Oud, Kinski, Phaedon Grisens, and samples of the Olfactive Studios… Although that Etrog one someone mentioned sounds pretty interesting too!
Like many of you, this year I’d like to get either FB or just generous decants of several ones I’ve had my eye on for ages now. At the top of my list are Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan, By Kilian Cruel Intentions, and Solange Stoned. I just need to stay focused and not get distracted by other deals in the meantime.
I’ve already acquired quite a few of the things I wanted this year! I bought No. 22 from an a friend. I made an order at Sweet Anthem of one of their fragrances that only comes available every so often. I ordered some samples of Mona di Orio! Off to a great, great start.
For the rest of the year, I really want a Tauer or two – my top choices seem to shift around, but right now I’m craving Orange Star and Carillon Pour Un Ange. My secret wish for the year that will probably go unfulfilled is Nuit de Noel in extrait.
Other than that, I’d like to try Le Labo’s Aldehyde 44, the Parfums d’Empire maybe, any new Tauers… Either during the end of the year sale… or if I get my ass up to Dallas, I could try it there.
look out on swapamania jennifer…i could do decants of BV
i have been in to smell that fragonard a few times….haven’t really compaired notes and studied in detail…but it is NICE! I didnt get piney I got a slightly effervescent vanilla (probably from flowers.)
I think I pretty much am hoping to get some samples/partial decants of stuff I haven’t tried,or backup bottles of stuff I love that seems to be phasing out(With,Love by Hilary Duff;Twilight by SJP;Eau Rouge or Eau Blanc Bvlgari).
I also really want a sample/decant of Fragonard’s Fleur de Vanille as I have a sample and want to verify that it really IS that scent(notes listed on various sites sound more floral/gourmand and my sample smells a bit piney).
My nose is wanting to sniff samples of the Lmtd ed Aromatics Elixir and Bottega Venetta too.
I hope everyone can access Basenotes ’cause my wardrobe’s a bit large to be typing out -but I’d be happy to swap samples or decants of most stuff I don’t list for swap.
I want Etat Libre d’Orange’s Rien. There are others on my wish list; Amouage Gold, Goutal Sables, Hermes Voyage, Malle Carnal Flower, but my next purchase will have to be Rien. Isn’t it wonderful to call perfume Nothing, especially such a powerful one.
Austenfan, that scent gets a lot of love — can’t believe I’ve never tried it. Will have to remedy that one of these days. Fingers crossed that you get your bottle soon and enjoy it immensely.
Right now the bottle I want most is “Le Temps d’une Fete,” but that’s probably because it was supposed to be my Christmas present from my son, but the Perfume Shoppe is all out of the 30ml size and I really don’t need 100ml of anything. I know Luckyscent carries it, but it’s such a hassle to get things across the border.
I had a bit of an epiphany in the fall when reading another thread about acquiring bottles, and someone stated (don’t remember who now) that for them a lot of the enjoyment came from sampling new things rather than buying bottles. Boy did that ever ring true for me. I have a modest monthly sampling budget, and at first as a newbie it was hard not to feel envious when reading about people with oodles of samples.
Eventually I realized that my enforced slow sampling pace was actually a boon, because everything that came through my door got several wears plus I still get time to wear my faves. (And I still have LOTS to look forward to trying, and not just the new releases either.)The truth is, I LOVE sampling new things.
The mantra “work through a sample, get a decant, work through a decant, get a bottle” has worked well for me – especially since I have yet to work through a decant. ;)
Hi, Dionne. Hope you get your Le Temps very soon. I think I’m one of those people, too, for whom sampling seems to bring far more enjoyment than acquiring a full bottle (bottles), so far, at least. I love that mantra, by the way, but can never seem to get past the decant stage, ha!
Ooh, Dionne, I’ve got a bottle of Le Temps d’une Fete in 30 ml. Let’s talk when Swapmania comes to town!
Oooh, sounds wonderful. I don’t know if I’ve got anything you’re interested in, but I’m definitely game.
you have discipline i would love to acquire! I too would love to sample le temps
Just to be clear, discipline is waaaay easier to acquire when you have no choice. ;)
i should not be allowed the choice:-)
I completely agree on the wanting to sample rather than wanting to own full bottles. But where I am, samples are never given out for free, but only upon the purchase of a full bottle. Even ordering decants can be quite costly with the shipping. So there’s my justification (excuse) for wanting full bottles!
My singular bottle will be Tribute Attar. Or Epic – but not the perfume. What I really want is the body wash and body cream (or lotion – both are glam). There is a lovely little floral note that I get therein that I miss in the perfume and lemme tell you, if you have the bw/bc combo, the perfume is serious overkill! 😉
xo >-)
but I’m still trying to decide about the Tribute Attar….right now I can’t afford either one, so I have some time to make a decision…:-?
I haven’t tried the Amouage bath stuff and I’m scared to. But it might be cheaper that getting a full bottle of perfume.:-ss
Musette, I knew you would be waving the Amouage flag — you go, girl!! All those bath/body products sound simply luscious …
um wait is that the strong attar or the other one..I am confused which is which! the one i liked, danced and revealed a brightness that was magical…but to short lived for me…the attar bottle is beautiful too
that was probably Homage. Tribute is very longlasting and sublimely dark and smoky.
xo >-)
homage it was then!
Last week broke down and bought a bottle of Borneo 1834 after vowing that I would try to find one via Swapmania first–it seems to be one of those “love it or hate it” scents. But baby it’s cold outside (AND damp and dreary) and nothing is cozier than Borneo’s anise and patcholi deliciousness. Furthermore, my second decant is almost gone and why chance it?
One of these days I would love to have Malle’s Portrait of a Lady. She’s lovely!
Ohhhh, Borneo is at its ***finest*** in the super cold!
Glad you guys are loving the Borneo — wish I could, but it just doesn’t play nice with my skin. And Kismet, hope you acquire the Lady one day very soon!
good move…i LOVE borneo!
I’ve always lived my perfume life on a shoestring and am recently unemployed (due to health problems, which also leaves me unemployable for the forseeable future.) So I’m shopping in my collection. Samples are my pitfall; expensive in themselves and leading to more desires, so I’m resolved not to sample anything new for a while. The exception will be Sonoma Scent Studios. I have my eye on a 5ml bottle of Incense Pure, and I still haven’t tried Champagne de Bois as mentioned above. I’ll get there one of these days.
Hi, Rosarita, I feel your pain as I, too, was unemployed for over two years. Hope you feel better and can get back on your feet again soon. As for the perfumes, maybe the Perfume Fairy will visit you … :)
lets have an email address, so i can contact you…i would love to be a fairy :-)
I’m not sure I can limit it to one FB a year. Right now I’m hoping for a Guerlain. Am going to Epcot soon and hear that they have a boutique. There are so many I have never gotten to sample, and I surely do hope they have a few of those. Then I’ll pick one (that’s all I can afford for now).
The other bottle I want is Parfume Sacre by Caron, but at least I’ve sampled it (thanks Ann!) and would feel comfortable ordering online.
Hi, sweet Pam. Lucky you, going to Epcot/Guerlain. Do let us know how the boutique is there. Alas, last time I went to WDW (early 2000s) I was not the perfumista I am now. And maybe they’ll have the new Myrrh one for you to try.
hi there..i have a parfume sacre that i have tried to love…but cannot…lookout for swapamania
I’m in the same position as many of you – limited budget (darned recession!) and strong desire to keep sampling new scents. I’d love an FB of Ormonde Jayne Woman, but alas…not right now. And I probably shouldn’t have ordered those Amouage samples, as I’m sure I’ll love something there as well. On a more positive note – Hove’ Parfumeurs (in New Orleans) has delightful scents, reasonably priced. I’m enjoying Diverti – a sandalwood with light floral and spice notes that is most delightful and easier to wear than some other woodsy perfumes.
Other great perfume houses from New Orleans are Bourbon French Parfums and Lagniappe Oaks Perfumery (neworleansperfume dot com)–the online descriptions are a little vague, but they offer a large selection of fragrance with matching body products, and great sampler packages.
Maggiecat, would like to talk about OJ Woman with you, if you’ll send me an email at snchamness at msn dot com.
Ooh, I love Hove! I’ve had good luck with several of their scents- Creole Days, Verveine and one whose name escapes me.
I’ve heard good things about those N’awlins fragrance spots. Maybe we should plan a road trip to check it out?
Save for a few bottles that I’d like to buy as my decants run out (Carnal Flower, Vega, Lyric Woman), and possibly a small bottle of Nostalgie from SSS, I can’t think of anything I am now dyyyyyyying to get. The last thing I fell hard for from a sample was BK Sweet Redemption, and I splurged on two travel bottles via ebay for my birthday, so I’m not feeling pressured in that direction.
I need to purge some unloved bottles. I’d probably have better luck selling them for a song on ebay, though – I doubt I’d have many takers for them here at Swapmania.
Hey, Mals, so glad to hear you got your Sweet Redemption — I know you were loving that a lot. You’re the second person to mention Laurie’s new Nostalgie; would love to know more about it and what you thought of it. Thanks!
BTW, you never know about Swapmania — someone out there might be eagerly awaiting one or more of your unloved bottles …
Yeah, Mals, it’s probably me!
Right now the Arquiste line is on my mind after reading Octavian’s reviews; I’m especially captivated by the idea of L’Etrog, which he compares to the original Eau d’Hadrien. Also looking forward to sampling the new Diptyque, Eau Rose, and Olfactive Studio Autoportrait. And I need to remedy not having tried Guerlain L’Instant yet. Aftelier Tango is a special lemming, too. I never get to the point where there’s nothing I’m longing to sniff or acquire!
Hi, Nozknoz. You’ve got your sampling agenda all set up there — I envy that! I’ve gotta play catch-up on the latest scents; I’m woefully behind. Guess that’s one good thing about this hobby (addiction?) that we have — there’s always something new to try.
So true, Ann: the perfumista’s work is NEVER done! ;-)
Mona di Orio’s Les Nombres d’Or Vanille. Bottega Veneta. But, truth be told, I have so many decants now…back when I started the blog, around the time of major reformulation, was when I bought most of my FB’s. Lots of vintage too. I’m really glad I did that, because the new stuff doesn’t tempt me as much, except for some of the niche indies which tend to be frighteningly expensive. So I guess I’d have to say I’m pretty content right now.
Hey, lady, sounds like you were the early bird back then and now you’re pretty well set. Wish I had had that kind of foresight. You’re right, though, it’s good to be happy with what you have (although I have to remind myself of that now and again).
Given that yesterday I bought the two bottles that had been on top of my list for months (Traversée du Bosphore and Eau de Camille, yay!), I’m in no rush to add more, but right now OJ Tolu tops my list. SSS Winter Woods is close to being second but I still need to try it more…
Good for you! I really like both of those that you bought. You’re smart to test-drive the other a bit more, just to be sure.
Oh, and the bottle I am currently obsessing over and tempted to buy blind is Myrrh et Delires from Guerlain L’art et la Matiere. Bergdorf Goodman said they should have it by 2/7; does anyone know if the Las Vegas boutique has it yet. (something for my “to do” list today).
Hi, Sherri! I know what you mean about Nordstrom — they’re so nice, so you want to buy something even if they don’t have exactly what you want, perfume-wise. I’m the same way with mine, and also another dept. store has such a sweet SA (always generous with samples, thoughtful, etc.) that I try to buy what I can there with her.
Haven’t been keeping up quite as much with the new releases, so want to hear more about the new Myrrh. Sounds nice …
My last purchase was just this weekend–a bottle of Diptyque Eau Rose. It wasn’t on my “to purchase” list and rather an impulse buy. I’m not a rose lover, and when I come across one I actually like I somehow feel compelled to buy it…go figure.
Also, since I feel like a pest at Nordstrom’s (I’m in there once a week smelling things), and they’re always very gracious giving me samples of whatever, I try to buy there. Unfortunately, they don’t carry the Cartier L’heures, high-end Guerlains, BK’s or Amouages–things I’d like to have. So I get my Diptyque candles and makeup to show my appreciation for them putting up with my scent addiction.
I know exactly what you mean: I have been lusting after Montale’s Red Aoud for months and Chocolat Amere for over a year. However, I recently tried the final drops of my samples and couldn’t feel any real love for either of them, although they’re still nice. I managed to find a decant of Chocolat Amere in a nice price anyway, but I’m very glad I didn’t buy any FBs. Same with Louve: I’d tested it twice and loved it. Finally bought a FB only to discover that I find it too sweet after a couple of hours:( I rarely use it now and almost always when I’m at home, so I can scrub it off if it becomes too much.
The perfumes I’m dying to have now are Ambre Precieux, Felanilla, Al Oudh & L’air du desert marocain, Havana Vanille. I hope I’ll manage to get at least half of them until the end of the year. My problem is that I get distracted easily from sales and end up buying perfumes that I didn’t really want or haven’t even tested just because I found them at a good price (ordered Cuir Amethyst by Armani Prive yesterday untested ,just for its price). That unfortunately tends to leave me with no money to buy the ones I really want :-? How pathetic am I?
Fanip,
I am the same way! I won’t go into the perfume section at T.J. Maxx anymore because I always come out with something I think is interesting but never works out. Now evilbay…that is another story…I’ve gotten gorgeous vintage Femme, Jolie Madame and Shalimar for a song and some other beautiful perfumes, but also had my share of “duds”–perfumes gone bad–or just not what I was expecting but unfortunately I’ve had enough successes that I won’t give up. I hope Cuir Amethyst is a success for you!!
Also, what about those GWP’s? I had to restrain myself not to buy a high-end Guerlain because BG was running their beauty/fragrance GWP. I made myself look at every item in the two gifts and determined all I would use would be one eye cream and decided it wasn’t worth it, but it was HAAARDD to resist!
Thanks Sherry! It’s nice to know I’m not the only susceptible one:D
So happy to know that I’m not alone in being a fickle perfumista — I feel much better hearing from you guys! :d Fanip, where on earth did you find a good price on the Armani? I have a bottle of something I DO need to replace.
And ladies, I know what you mean about getting distracted; those GWPs used to exert an almost magnetic pull for me (I don’t go in stores much anymore so that helps), and don’t get me started on eBay. Although I must admit that I’m envious of you folks who score great finds at Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, etc. Mine never have anything but junk!
Ann, I thought I replied yesterday but I don’t see my comment now, so I’m sending the info again: I got the Armani from strawberrynet. It was 35 euro for a 50ml refill bottle. Unfortunately, CA was the only of the Prive collection available. I hope it works for you!
Thanks so much, Fanip!!
Fanip:
Here I am, pathetic right along with you! :-) In fact, I’m probably the club president. I’m a sucker for a bargain, whether well tested or completely unsniffed. I get the same way about inexpensive perfume that I imagine some people do about winning the lottery – it could happen, right? I could find my all-time, where-have-you-been-all-my-life, can’t-live-without-it scent in a late night $9.99 eBay listing, dontcha’ think?
I agree Lisa D! So far though I’ve managed to stay away from ebay. Unfortunately, I’ve suscribed to a few eshops’ mailing lists and get all their offers and sales. It’s extremely hard to resist the “Get it now for 20% off” or the “no shipping costs” offers.
Today I bought what I have been lusting for forever: A Taste of Heaven. I ran into it in person, which I never thought would happen, and was persuaded by the fact I wasn’t going to have to pay shipping/customs. It was quite the splurge, but it was my number 1, so here’s hoping I can relax on purchases for the rest of the year…
I know what you mean about losing (some of) the pull after lusting for something for so long. This has happened to me with Like This. I had also lusted after it for so long, and got to wear it for the first time in months the other day… and hmm… the love doesn’t seem so intense anymore, although I’d still like to have it.
Meg, congrats on finding that Kilian — that was a sign, I think, for you to buy it, and you did. Like it was meant to be. Glad I’m not the only one that happens to, in regards to the “gotta have it” perfume.
Hello! Gosh, it’s been forever since I’ve posted on here. So glad all the emoticons are back! :)
Just this past Friday I received my singular bottle in the mail– Tabac Blond extrait. I love the edp, but it shrinks in the cold, and the extrait shines. All I wanted was to be able to wear this one year round, because there are none higher in my book, and now I can.
Unfortunately, those crazy boutiques like to send samples along with your purchase, and I’m already sort of infatuated with Secret Oud… :>
Wait, the emoticons aren’t really back? :-?
Welcome back, Liesl! Those emoticons are tricky little buggers; I think they only work for the blog admins (like Patty, March or Anita). So very happy for you that you found your true love in the extrait — it is divine.
See, you bring up an interesting point that I’ve been thinking about quite a bit recently. Given a choice between owning special bottles and trying new things, I’d have to choose trying new things (samples)– and for the longest time, I thought I should be buying special bottles. But as you mentioned, some things I thought I just had to have are not my top favorites any more. Plust I wear fragrance so lightly that I can get quite a few wearings out of my sample vials and decant bottles. Maybe I just won’t buy any more bottles!
Hi, Debby! I think you and I are on the same page. I, too, wear scent so lightly that even a sample vial will last a while. So maybe we just keep sampling and don’t worry about it … :)
Girlfriend, you might be “over” Memoir, but I’ve got a 5 ml decant over here with your name ready to be on it, all set for Swapmania.
On the top of my wishlist is a bottle of Vero Profumo Rubj EdP. Gosh. I LOVE that stuff. After that, PG Indochine. Then, I’d like to try any of Mona di Orio’s Les Nombres d’Or collection. And then. And then. And then…
Hey Lisa, thanks for thinking of me — you are so sweet. But I know there will be several folks out there for whom Memoir is priority No. 1 and it’ll be a must-have for them.
The last bottle of perfume that I bought for myself is Amouage’s Memoir for women and for Christmas, I had gotten Chanel’s no 5 Eau Premiere. I’m saving up for a bottle of Amouage Lyric or Gold for women. My resolution is to try and finish up some of my decants. I broke part of my New Year’s resolution and bought some more decants.
Hi, lady, I hear you on buying more. It’s so hard — it’s almost like they jump into your shopping cart and you’ve bought them before you even realize it ;)
It’s hard to pick just one. :( I think my top choices probably vary given the day and my mood but right now Frederic Malle L’Eau d’Hiver is first to my lips. Also Miriam by Tableau de Parfums.
I try not to dwell on it.
Thanks, Joanna. Those are both lovely scents. I need to wear my little sample of the Miriam again …
I can’t remember the last time I bought a full bottle of anything; it’s literally been years. I sample from TPC and some of the etailers (like the Etsy creator of ‘winter Kitty’ and DSH) and then wind up listing sample grab bags on Ebay or throwing them in Ebay outgoing packages. Have been feeling very jaded and perfume weary.
Life is full of surprises, though, and I have very recently become quite taken with Laurie Erickson’s (Sonoma Scent Studio) Champagne de Bois. Someone posted about it on MUA so I got the large spray sample and fell pretty hard.
The description from the SSS site: Champagne de Bois is an effervescent perfume with sparkling aldehydic topnotes, a touch of spicy clove, and a rich, woodsy base composed of sandalwood, amber, labdanum, and vetiver. It’s long-lasting with lovely, soft sillage.
I don’t get much in the way of aldehydes, though on me there is an initial, mild effervesence. What makes me curl my toes and gnaw my knuckles with pleasure is the delicious sandalwood. This scent is like being cocooned a in warm, sandalwood scented cashmere blanket. It’s been a cold, rainy, windy weekend here, I have liberally used my sample and am not tired of it at all. It keeps getting better and better. And the price is fantastic! I think a full bottle is in the near future.
She tossed in a sample of her newest-Nostalgie-which is in the spirit of the old Chanels and I’m eyeing that one, too…
You describe it so beautifully — love the idea of being “cocooned.” And I’m so happy that you found something to love so completely. It’s a lovely scent, but alas, there’s something in her base (I think) which does not agree with me and I hate that. The Nostalgie sounds nice, but I’m almost afraid to try it, but you never know.
P.S. I replied to your post on Tom’s blog Friday, but wasn’t sure if you saw it. I, too, am a big fan of the Citron clothing line. Great fabric and prints and comfy as well. So glad Nordstrom is carrying some of it …
Another Citron fan! I used to shop at their tiny boutique in Santa Monica back in the mid-80s, before the line was a Big Name.
I know what you mean about certain bases; Ava Luxe and Neil Morris have that kind of base that disagrees with my skin chemistry.