Blame it on the Posse Monday: Sample mania

sample

sample

I’m going to turn the tables a little on you today, darling Posse folks, and put the ball in your court, so to speak. If you’ve won a sample or samples from us in the past six months or so, I would love to hear your thoughts on what you received, and if you liked it enough to get another sample and/or decant, or even enough to spring for a FB. Or if you’ve sampled something because of a review or mention on the Posse.

Come on now, inquiring minds want to know. I confess, I’m every bit as tempted as all of you, every time Patty, Musette, Portia or Tom pulls out something new (or old) for us to drool over.

Isn’t it funny how the power of suggestion works? I can’t wait to sample Amouage Journey, because Musette talked about it in early May. And Patty’s shout-out to the Nuxe perfume has me going as well, along with the Chanel 1932 extrait and more from earlier this year. And all the talk about the Magnolia Grandiflora scents had me practically doing somersaults to get a sample of those two fragrances. Like many of you, I’m eager to sample the new Frederic Malle magnolia scent. And I’m sure there are quite a few more that I’m forgetting.

So do share: What perfume lemming can you blame on the Posse? 🙂

BTW, I’ll be in and out of town the next few days so I won’t be able to reply, but will enjoy reading your comments.

  • AnnieA says:

    I won a sample of Musc Tonkin a while back, and while it made me like I was stuck it an attic, it was a Perfume Adventure and quite fun. Think it was the beginning of a lucky streak, as a couple of months later I won a book via a personal finance blog. Can’t remember any specific yearnings to blame the posse for, although yearnings I’ve definitely had…

  • Laurels says:

    I won a set of winter holiday samples from Portia, and it is a great assortment–warm, cool, comforting, frightening, etc. I also won a swag bag from the LA Scentsation, which I wanted so very much that I thought I had no chance at all. So the Posse has made me feel lucky, for the first time in my life.

    As for lemmings, you’re kidding, right? From the first sample I ever bought (Tocade, yuck) to the Reem Acra that I now want to get my hands on, you lot never stop making me go at least slightly over budget.

  • It may be more than 6 months ago by now, but I won one of the sample sets from the Musk guide post giveaway. It was like 40 samples or something like that, so it was a treasure trove of musk. I discovered a few that I really really liked, like PdN Musc Intense and Mona di Orio Nuit Noire. And now I also know what JAR Ferme Tes Yeux smells like. Don’t think I’d want to own it, especially for the $$$$, but it was fascinating. I also got an extra sample of PdE Musc Tonkin out of it, which I really liked.

    • Lol I just went and looked back at the Musk guide post, and it’s been a lot longer ago than I realized. It was about a year and a half ago! It doesn’t feel that long. How time flies when you’re smelling good stuff, eh?

  • kizzers says:

    I was lucky enough to win the draw for the Roja Dove extrait samples and the David’s Tea. All lovely, but my husband and I both loved the Vetiver best. I also won a bottle of TF Black Orchid a few years back from Lee, so I do feel super lucky!
    The Posse draws are amazing – and location is never an issue, so I never, ever feel excluded – thank you guys so much x

    Almost every post and comment here spawns a lemming, from the brilliant writing, to the witty replies – and those Perfume Note Guides will bankrupt me !

    🙂

  • Liz K says:

    I recently won a draw for some miscellaneous samples and asked that I just be sent whatever. I ended up with things I would never have chosen to sample and quite like two of them, Eau d’Epices and Agar Musk. I am, in fact, wearing Agar Musk today since I applied it yesterday before mowing the lawn and it has ridiculous longevity through copious sweat and much scrubbing in the shower. I don’t know that it is FBW for me but I will probably always keep a sample on hand because it smells exactly like the rare woods section of my local high end woodworking store.

  • Sapphire says:

    I won samples of DelRae Wit and Ann Gerard Rose Cut. The Rose Cut isn’t really my speed. It gets better as time goes on, luckily. The Wit, however, is gorgeous. If I can get my DH to get a FB for me some day, I would love to. Even he said it smelled nice, and neither one of us usually goes for big, white flowers. There is enough softness to it to keep it from being cloying or overwhelming. I have never smelled daphne before, but maybe I will try to find some to plant at the new casa in Arkansas if it will grow there. The Posse is to blame for many of my loves, including VCA Muguet Blanc and Orchidee Vanille. They contributed to Guerlain Angelique Noire as well. Love the menopause posts and hearing about everyone’s animals.

  • einsof says:

    *laugh* i would never BLAME anyone for introducing me to a scent (ok, maybe one man for making me love Cool Water, but it’s annoying to associate a scent with one particular night. *ahem*)

    However, my Fracas wearing mother is now hell bent on owning a FB of Amoureuse from Parfums DelRae after stealing my Fairy Godmother’s wonderful sample.

    so i will probably be thinking of you all as i pull out the cash to pay for her next gift. 😉

    meanwhile, i’ve been so honored to get to try so many of the houses i would not allow myself to purchase as they were not all natural, not to mention the wonderful mixed media scents the Fairies have been kind enough to send my way!

    blame you?? i THANK you!

  • JanLast says:

    There is a lot of blame to spread around. Shame on you all for dragging me, kicking and screaming from my safe little Guerlain and Chanel hole, into the exciting, very loud and glorious world of perfume! The first recommendation I received was 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noir, which ended up being a FB, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve been slumbering with Slumberhouse, indulging in Ineke, adoring Agonist, you get the picture.
    As a died in the wool fairy, I’ve made friends all over the world by spreading my samples around.
    We may be a little rough around the edges, but all in all, I think the Posse is THE place to be.
    So, thank you all for the past adventures and I’m ready for the next.!

  • Patty sent me a beautiful sampler of Frederic Malles and made my whole month! I didn’t end up buying a decant of one of the ones she scent, but I did explore the line further and end up with a decant of Therese. Thanks again to the Posse for all of your generosity!

  • Caroline says:

    Attention, ladies…a new season of Longmire begins tonight!

  • Bastet says:

    I thank the Posse for bringing Worth Courtesan to my attention – I like to wear it at bedtime, especially in the summer, and it always gets a positive reaction from my husband.

    • Sherri says:

      Oh, Worth Courtesan! I had forgotten about that! Yes, I bought a fb of that one after I think it was March went crazy for it! I don’t get all that sexy from it, but it smells great! I’ll have to wear that today!! Thanks for reminding me, Bastet!

  • Sherri says:

    A while back, I won a sample of Dior Gris Montaigne. I thought it was very elegant and easy to wear. It’s not something I’d buy a full bottle of, not because it’s not beautiful, but because I’m not much of a rose chypre lover. However, I cannot even count some of the others I have purchased FB’s due to Posse reviews: Dior New Look 1947, Byredo La Tulipe and Pulp come to mind, but there are countless others. You review it; I order me a sample! 🙂 It was the Posse who got me started down the rabbit hole with L’art et la Matiere, and five years later, I have over 50 Guerlains! 🙂 Not to mention Balenciaga handbags (I blame it on Patty!)

  • Solanace says:

    I just won Mohur Extrait, lucky me! It is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes the first time I tried it. Puts to shame Amouage Epic and Guerlain Rose Nacrée, which were my huge rose lemmings so far. Side by side with Mohur, Rose Nacrée feels flat, shrill and uninteresting, and I’m just relieved I never managed to get that FB I craved for so long. Now, only Mohur Extrait will do. Should also mention that Portia had some arrangement with Neela, who sent me a big sample of the extrait herself, along with a hand written note addressed to me. Lovely. She even tucked in a ceramic disc perfumed with Ashoka. I’m hooked too, of course, what can I do? The stuff is delicious! Also won a decant of Amouage Beloved Man here a while ago. It is incredible too! The baggie of goodies Musette sent me was likely stolen by the mail, though. Hate Brazilian mail, they’ve got so many samples and decants from me, even the complete Hermessesnce sampler pack I was so eager to get my nose on!

  • poodle says:

    A long while back I won some Oscar de la Renta Oriental Lace and I did/do like it. I’m not sure if it’s FB worthy yet and would need to test it a bit more to know.
    More recently I won some Opus VIII which I also really like. It’s possible I might want more of it but I do have a few perfumes that feature white florals so I need to decide if it’s different enough to spend the money on it.
    I have purchased perfumes based on reviews here. Some Serge Lutens come to mind. I’m not sure if it’s the actual reviews or the comments but I blame the Posse for a lot of perfume debt and lemmings.

  • Ann, I blame YOU and Musette for my bottle of Reem Accra. Your revciew and Musette’s sample pushed me over the edge. Also Patty has often sent me careening after a new fragrance to Surrender To Chance so I can see if it works for me.
    The Posse was also responsible for my trying of all the Perfume 101 & 102 frags.
    SO MANY.
    I’m glad,
    Portia xx

  • Lisa D says:

    Haven’t won anything from the Posse that I recall, but I’d still love to blame y’all for some of my perfume buying, if that option is available. Justification must come from somewhere!

    Ooh, I do remember that I bought a whole passel of tea from the Georgia Tea Company on your recommendation, Ann (and it was good tea, too! Loved the Snowflake, with black tea and coconut). So, if you’d just start favorably reviewing all the scents on my perfume wish list, that would help me a lot. 🙂

  • Jennie says:

    Sadly, my Le Cherche Midi #6 and #35 samples won in November never arrived :(. Oh well, blame international shipping.

    I HAVE however recently purchased Ellen Tracy Bronze, based on reviews and mentions from Posse people, and am currently waiting for it to arrive from the US. Hope this one doesn’t fall into the black hole too.

    I love reading the “Guide to the Best (insert flower here)” reviews. A great source of information for those of us who don’t get to sample things in person.

    • Jennie,
      Did you win the from me? I am sad the Le Cherche Midi’s did not arrive. I think I may have a sample somewhere here of one of them. Please send me your address to portia (underscore) turbo (at) yahoo (dot) com (dot) au
      Portia xx

  • Gina says:

    I won the wedding fragrances pack and of them all, I love, love, love Chanel 1932. Thanks again, Patty!

  • Tena says:

    I just recently won a sample of Le LaboFleur d’Oranger 27 from a Posse giveaway , and as much as I hate to say it, the scent is a complete snooze on my skin, Completely linear, artifical in its; orangeyness and faded inside an hour, I did enjoy trying it, and it is now in the swap pile for the next time there is a perfume fairy sample swap.
    I cannot even begin to mention all of the scents I have tested or bought FBs of due to Posse reviews, but some include:\
    Lancome Cuir de Lancome (3 decants in)
    All of Malle’s scents ( I bought the entire coffret)
    Olympic Orchids (sprung for the entire sample packet)

    I adore reading the Posse’s posts, and look forward to every new one. It may lead me to a new treasure, or simply cause me to laugh my fool a$$ off (looking at you Musette)

    • Tena,
      What a shame that you didn’t love the FdO. I was mildly unimpressed myself. Nice but….
      Portia xx

      • Tena says:

        Portia, the entire Le Labo line is a big MEH to me. I have sampled 4 or 5 of them, and have never found one I would bother to scare up even a decant of. I ordered a sample pack of the last ones I am remotely interested in – maybe I will find my winner at last? Regardless, I appreciate the opportunity to try the FdO. Thanks.

  • Ncmyers says:

    I won Le Labo Lys and Ylang and loved them both! I got larger decant of the Ylang and would also get the Lys if funds allowed. I find the Ylang to be smoky and dramatic, it lasts a long time on my skin. Great for evening, especially. The Lys is gorgeous, fresh and lovely. I also won a Puredistance Black sample! So lucky! It’s really nice too, but maybe a touch masculine for me. Very rich and spicy, saffron in there, I’d say. You can really tell it’s high quality. I love smelling it, and I’m so happy to have it. Thanks Posse!

  • Glannys says:

    I enjoy wearing the sample of Le Labo Benjoin 19 I won from Patty. It is very warm and cozy, with lots of resins, woody and coniferous. Just the sort of stuff I like. I wish it were more affordable and available though – I guess I like it a lot but I do not love it enough to pay its price plus international shipping. But I am so glad and grateful I tried it!

  • Angelique says:

    It’s been a while, but I was very pleased to have won the Killian Forbidden Games/In the Garden of Good and Evil/In the City of Sin sampler set from you all. They are all *Hella Good* … and I felt wealthy when I wore them. BUT since I have, literally, 6 pages of “Wish List WANT TO TRY!!!” items, I didn’t reorder them.
    However … the Hermes Fauborg 24 that one of you recommended (now that I think of it, it was in the How to Smell Rich article … or something of similar title), and that is actually used in my religious practice to honor the Lwa of Rich Women … that I feel compelled to order and reorder for myself and a friend.
    Keep up the good work, please. Some of us have become definite Scent Sluts because of your recommendations.