Happy New Year all you wonderful Posse folks!! So now that the holiday crush is over and the tree, decorations and lights are all put up (well, for some of you – it’ll be next weekend for us), it’s time to share your stash.
As for me, after being highly disappointed early in the Christmas shopping season with Neiman Marcus and their up-and-down, technically challenged Web site, I had to eat my words. Some time later came an e-mail offer of $50 off an online purchase. And it was that rarity of rareties: an offer that did NOT exclude beauty and fragrance items. So quick as a wink I hopped onto the site and treated myself to a discounted Frederic Malle candle in Tubereuse. So beautiful and so close to Carnal Flower – I love having that scent wafting through my living room. It makes me so unbelievably happy, delirious with delight, almost giddy! Who knew a candle could do that?
Now normally my budget-minded self would shrink (shriek?) from spending so much on a candle, but with the discount, it put it at least in the neighborhood of reasonable and I just couldn’t resist.
Later on, when I happened upon a nicely priced set of little Annick Goutal Noel votives, I splurged with cash and a gift card from my DH to add them to my candle stash. I’m looking forward to burning them once the tree is down, to keep that wonderful, crisp vibe going into the dead of winter. Between them and the Malle Tubereuse, I may never leave my living room again. 🙂
What about you? What’s new in your holiday stash? What treasures were you gifted with — or gave to yourself? Because all you kind, generous and thoughtful perfumistas deserve to treat yourselves, too.
I haven’t gotten any gifts from anyone else this year in the way of perfume, however, I have gone a little nuts on myself over the course of an amber/ambergris hunt and so I don’t feel the least bit neglected. These were waiting for me after I returned from a mission trip to Mexico: Lorenzo Villoresi Ambra, Madhat Scents Amber Tar, 20ml decant of PR Fiore d’Ambra and an older SL Ambre Sultan. I feel all warm and gooey and covered in Amber. Oh, and I may have just placed an order for the Aroma M Geisha Noire Oil and EdP set!!!
Hi, Danielle! I love it that you’re on an amber “bender” — I’ve done that, too, and loved exploring all the variations. Do let us know which one (or three) steals your heart completely! BTW, how did your mission trip go? We may do one with our church this spring or next, since my son is now old enough to go. In fact, if I could smuggle along some samples, they might make nice goodies for when we arrive there.
I’ve been on a bit of a fun cheapy gourmandish bend lately. Gifted myself Tokyo Milk’s Bittersweet and Honey and the Moon. Also Outremer’s Vanilla, Hanai Mori Butterfly (so many love this on fragrantica, we’ll see!), and large samples of L’Instant de Guerlain and Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia.
What a nice batch of goodies you’ve got there. I haven’t tried any Tokyo Milk but keep meaning to, but the Hanai Mori and L’Instant are quite nice, and I just adore Lys Soleia. In fact, I’m thrilled that you mentioned it, because it’s such so lovely and you’ve put it back on my radar. Thanks!
Hi Ann-
Wish I could just sit and sniff all the lovelies described here. I am still trying to learn the lesson of SAMPLE before FB.
I gifted myself (unsampled) Fille en aiguilles by Uncle Serge—sure I would love it.
Wrong.
Sigh.
It will smell nice on my college age son.
Love your posts Ann and the comments.
Happy New Year to all you fellow extra-neuroned noses.
I have sort of the opposite problem, Sarah — I sample, sample, sample but rarely buy a FB. 🙂 (Maybe I have commitment issues, ha!) So sorry about the Fille, but your son will enjoy it and give it a good home and you’ll like sniffing it on him. Thanks for your kind words and thanks for reading. Have a happy, healthy and blessed new year, dear!
I didn’t receive any perfume gifts from anyone. The last time that I had gotten a bottle of perfume as a gift was probably 5 or 6 years ago. I did manage to get myself a vintage EDC of Miss Dior. For $35 (including shipping), it was sealed and the seller even threw in the vintage sprayer. It was a fabulous deal in my book. But I have to make a resolution. It’s finish up a couple bottles at least before I can go and buy another full bottle of anything. My teeth are getting fixed up and it’s going to cost a pretty penny.
Eldarwen, that was a wonderful deal!! I hear you on the finishing up before getting more fragrance, although my issue is with samples/decants, rather than FBs. Hope the dental work goes smoothly and as pain-free as possible. Try to think of what a great, healthy smile you’ll have when it’s all done. Hang in there!
I love the idea of keeping the holidays going with ambient scent. An exquisite candle seems particularly apt for this season of longer, darker, colder. Sonoma Scent Studio”s Forest Walk, Winter Woods, and Ying Ylang gleam like 3 jewels on my dresser, with SSS Cocoa Sandalwood in the bath for my man. I am rich, and redolent.
It really helps, Gwendita, anything to keep the deep winter blues at bay. You’ve got that covered, too, with all your goodies, plus something for your guy. Very nice!
My DH gifted me an FB of Chanel 1932, which I’ve wanted since the minute it came out, and my son will be sending me some PdN Amber Cashmere Intense, so I feel very blessed this holiday season!
Yay, Maggiecat! So happy you got a FB from your DH — he’s the man!! And your son, too, for the PdN. You raised your boys right! 🙂
Oops — that should be “trained” — sorry!
Hi Ann,
Don’t you just love it when someone hands you money like that? It makes it easier to splurge where you normally wouldn’t. I got a bonus from work that felt like that. I bought myself the Amouage 12-piece women’s sampler and the Byredo Bal D’Afrique shower gel from Luckyscent. And 2 Chanel lipsticks. I love gifting myself because I always get exactly what I want (and it’s even better when I get to shop with free money).
Yes, yes, yes, Lizbee!! Cash and gift cards rock! I know sometimes they get a bad rap because some people think that the giver didn’t put a lot of thought into that gift, but for us perfumistas, it’s beyond perfect. And wowza! — lucky you to have that wonderful Amouage sampler, the Byredo gel and Chanel lipsticks (love ’em). Enjoy your amazing stash!
Got myself the amazingly gorgeous Fumee D’Or from DSH Perfumes
Ooh, I love your choice. That, both alone and to layer with DSH Deco Diamond,s is on my lust list.
Rena, that sounds fabulous! Although I haven’t explored as much DSH as I’d like to, though. Do tell us more about the Fumee; I’d love to hear your description of it and why you love it. Thanks!
Hey Ann,
No fragrant gifts but I did grab myself a 1988 7.5ml Mitsouko parfum and an old Caron 60ml Infini PdT
They are both ridiculously, heartbreakingly, fabulous and I’m chuffed.
Portia xxx
Great vintage score there, Portia! Especially the Mitsy — I’m so envious! I must confess though that don’t think I’ve ever sniffed Infini. Must remedy that soon. Happy New Year to you and Jin!
A little bottle of Eau de l’Hiver and a half off jar of Chinatown.
Howdy, Annie! Lovely treasures you snagged there, but am curious about the Chinatown — is that a jar of the body cream? If so,guess I didn’t realize it came in that form — how delish!
I got myself a bottle of MDCI Les Indes Gallantes (sp?), when Luckyscent was running their Christmas gift with purchase promo (still plenty of gwp’s there…just sayin’) I intended to purchase Cio Cio San, but at the last minute changed my mind, and made a blind buy. I am not sorry! Les Indes is a rich dessert and perfect for the cooler weather. I love it! Hope your holidays were all wonderful and wish everyone a wonderful, blessed New Year filled with love!
Hello, sweet Sherri! Thanks, and wishing the same for you! I’m thrilled for you that you found love with that blind buy of Les Indes. I have a sample of it and it’s growing on me more every time I wear it; MDCI really is such a great, well-done line. Enjoy!
I found a little bottle of Nirvana Black perfume oil in my Christmas stocking. 🙂 Other than that, I’ve been really good at resisting perfume temptation. Now that our weather is finally getting cold I can wear some favorite winter scents that have been forlorn and neglected during our crazy warm December.
Dina, love those stocking surprises — yum!! I agree with you; after an unseasonably warm spell, it’s such a treat to pull out the cold-weather favorites, isn’t it?
I got myself some stuff from Smell Bent. I finally caved and bought a bottle of Werewolf Lumberjack Reclining on a Bearskin Rug and also a set of samples.
That is such a cool line, isn’t it, Ladomna? Have never tried the Werewolf one but if it’s full-bottle-worthy, then it must be some good stuff. Enjoy it and have fun playing with your samples this winter!
Hi Ann, I got myself a vintage Shiseido Feminite du Bois on ebay for Christmas. I don’t think it can get any better than that!
Oooh, Neva — lucky you to score such a cool vintage find. Enjoy that treasure, dear!
FB of Tom Ford Tobacco Oud & Noir pour femme. Because I think I deserve them!
Hi, Carla. Excellent goodies! And of course, you deserve them. I need to go get a spritz of the Noir Pour Femme myself now. Enjoy those lovelies!