Every once in a while I do actually come up with something on my very own to write about. This isn’t one of those times.
Portia wrote about one of these a week or so ago and reading that review I needed to give it a try. Since I hate shipping just one thing when three will go for the same amount I went to Surrender To Chance for two more in the line, which for some reason I slept through.
Abyssis is a salty marine scent. Those can go several ways- they can be the delightful (and I believe discontinued) Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel where the salty marsh notes are brightened by rosemary and sage or they can go the direction of the infamous Secretions Magnifique, which I call “CSI: Coney Island” for reasons we won’t go into on a family blog. This one treads a middle ground, smelling like a freshly laundered cashmere sweater you threw over your shoulders for a walk along the beach. It isn’t quite as light as Les Nez’s L’Antimatiere (also, I believe discontinued) but I also found it less compelling. Since I have a bit of the Les Nez and a couple of hoarded bottles of Fleurs de Sel I will not be needing this one. $200 for 100ML
Ile Poupre is the best argument against marketing drivel I have come across in a long time. They blather on about a mysterious island somewhere and blah, blah, blah. Which does no favors to this delight of a scent. The opening is all sweet/tart with Shiso and ginger, becoming sweeter with fig and fenugreek before adding in cedar and finally musk. I am not sure how I would try to market it. I just want to smell it. $136 for 50ML, $200 for 100ML.
Blanche Bete says that it is taking you to a enchanted garden where and yet another mythical creature roams. Apparently the creature roamed too close to the kids breakfast table, knocked over little Beezie and Wendyo’s Froot Loops then slipped in the milk puddle. Poor thing got very upset and sweaty trying to upright itself (Beezie and Wendyo were no help at all, not even calling Nanny to assist.) Supposedly there’s Jasmine and Tuberose in there, but even that most indefatigable of white flowers are simply smushed by the musky vanilla fur of this beast. I hope at least the kids eventually got their breakfast. I will content myself with a long stay on Mystery Island. $190 for 50ML, 280 for 100ML.
Have you tried any of these? Want to? Lets discuss (or diss) in the comments.
These are available from the perfumers (difficult to navigate) website. My samples were from Surrender to Chance.
Photos from my iPhone, Pexels, and Wikimedia Commons
Ooooh I will join you and Musette on Mystery Island, that sounds delicious! Honestly I’d try the cereal one just because. The salty marsh one is all yours, those almost never work on me and veer in the direction of “trash can next to boardwalk fish joint” although not quite SM lol.
Salty Marsh almost never works on me- the miller harris was one of the few, more’s the pity. Let’s al go to Mystery Island!
I’m in for Mystery Island!
We got the snow that’s been doing the rounds around the country and the temps now and for the next week are supposed to be bitterly cold.
Oh for a tropical island with white flowers growing everywhere, their scent wafting on the warm breezes and some happy people (like me) to enjoy it all.
We’re having rain and a low of 42F. I’ll take mystery island!
You definitely have your own version of bitterly cold!
Yep. Grew up in New England, but after three decades in SoCal anything under 60F is get-out-the-parka time.
I read somewhere over the holidays that the founder of this brand set fire to a spray of one of the lines perfumes. I cannot find anything on the interweb about it now, maybe it was my megastressed fevered brain that suffered an hallucination.
Whatever, I can’t say it made me want to explore this house
I am getting awfully testy in my old age about these new houses that spring up with a portfolio of 12324 new scents..
Me too. They get a very special side eye from me.
Well since I think side-eye is a dying art, I think we should practice it as often as necessary..
I totally support doing weird combos — and some even smell really good. But, reading this made me a bit tired. Pushing the envelope … for the sake of pushing the envelope. The Ile Poupre sounds worth a look though.
Hey, I am a big Serge fan, so weird combos don’t phase me. Just do it for a reason. Like salt on caramel sounded weird but isn’t but caramel on chicken livers sounds weird and likely is. As well as vile.
YAT for inspiring this post Tom.
Now you’ve got me wanting to try Blanch Bete. I reckon animal antics are a perfect fit with breakfast.
Portia xx
You inspire me so often my dear it isn’t even funny..
Love these entertaining reviews Tom. Especially the dea of beachy salt breezes and mention of a mystery island since Virginia is in the middle of another humongous snowstorm. Thank Goodness we still have power. Time to read a good book or binge watch a show.
Stay safe Dina C!
Thanks! We got 7-1/2 inches, and I shoveled out this morning. 🙂
WOW!! that’s insane! Hope it melts soon.
Indeed!
I’m sorry you’re in a snowstorm- but will it stick or melt in 24 hours? The latter would be kind of fun as long as you have heat.
There was a fun “what if” book about a major snowstorm hitting Los Angeles. Nothing good happens. But fun read.
Rain is predicted, and above freezing temps, so I’m hoping it washes away nice and quick. We’ve already had our allotted amount of snow for this winter!
Well I hope you avoid getting more. Stay warm!
Terminal Freeze?
If so … what a FUN read
The book? I forgot to write the title: Deep Freeze by Thom Racina.
I tried two of their wine scented perfumes and I think one other. It was when the line first started. I didn’t like any of them. With so many perfumes and houses out there, I forgot all about them.
That’s an easy thing to have happen. It’s overwhelming sometimes.
Holy cats and crackers! I am STILL hacking up a lung from cackling at Blanche Bete (Omg – I hope you never aim your pen at moi!)
But Ile Poupre? Sign. Me. Up. I’ve got it on my to-try list!
I believe we have whats known as “mutual assured destruction” keeping us safe from strife.