So in my comments on Cinnamon’s post for this week (and I forgot to write on that how cute is her house?) I noted that the Autumnal Equinox has brought us cooler nights but oddly, warmer days. Like into the 90’s (F, of course. We’re Amurrica!) Luckily I am facing north and shaded, which is not good for any plants I might want to try to grow but keeps the place cool. My office is air conditioned so that’s good. But after a while I tend to go a little stir crazy. Since gas costs more than co@#$ne these days, I am not taking the pleasure drives that I might have before.
Luckily I do have friends and we either meet out, or sometimes in.
One of my friend is very charitable and one of the things she likes to do is have sing-alongs at the Motion Picture Home for the elderly. They enjoy it and so does she.
Jackson, sawing wood.
Her pup does not.
I’ve known the pup since he was, well, a pup. He doesn’t like being left alone. so when she’s off singing I stay at her place, AC on, pup snoring at my side (which is as cute in a dog as it is not on a partner) while I watch my programs: This Old House, Ask This Old House, ATK, and Cooks Country. So it’s a total win win. Then Yesterday, Sunday we hung out and watched movies. “Devil Wears Prada 2” and something with Doris Day called “Julie”.
The former was okay, but probably should have been seen at the movies. The latter was actually pretty good. Doris in Peril from Psycho Hubby Louis Jourdan, with an ending that presaged “Airport 75” by a few decades.
But I did get a chance to rest out a sample of a Balmain I had not heard of, Cuir Élysées. The Balmain Website reads that it’s “luxurious and tactile” with notes of leather and raspberry. Thankfully I get a lot of the former and only a little of the latter. I love raspberries. In a fruit tart they’re great and a small handful of frozen ones make the kale and spinach smoothie I have every morning tolerable if not palatable. In a scent, however? Uhhh..
The Canyon Couch Critics strike again..
Luckily it’s a lot more pelt than patisserie. It’s not quite as self-effacing as some like Chanel but it’s not fresh from the range like a Tauer. Lasting power is pretty good- I could still discern it after 8 hours, and they sell sizes as small as 10ML for $45 USD. If you do get it from Balmain, do have them do the free gift boxing thing. It’s likely somewhat a waste of paper unless you have a use for boxes, but it’s pretty. Like the scent.
Balmain Cuir Élysées is available at their website in various sizes. My sample was a GWP.
Images: My iPhone, pexels.
I sit here in North Texas thrilled that rain has finally arrived and cooler temperatures are to follow. Summer has been brutal!
Berries – I love them as a food group but have no desire to smell like them. In fact, except for citrus, I would prefer to keep most fruit notes in my frig rather than my body. I’m not sure why this is, but there you go.
I may go out and stand in the rain for a while now…?
I really like the rain (within reason) so I’d stand out there with you.
i like cherry in some perfumes but is that a berry or a stone fruit?
I hope you did go stand in the rain for a while!
It missed us. Further east in Palm Springs they had some.
Ooooh! That sounds like the perfect way to spend a day (or a weekend!) I’m sorry it’s so hot there, although it sounds like you’re decently set up for it. I also love raspberries for eating, but drawing a blank on perfumery. I’ve never tried this Balmain but I should.
I got samples from getting the smallest Vent Vert. So that’s a good thing. Still have to try the other.
its going to be hotter this weekend but I think I will go to museum row anyway. There’s a couple of things I want to see at both LACMA and 5he academy museum and I have membership to both soooo..
Hey Tom,
While I don’t really love raspberries in real life (they’re OK but…) in perfume I can quite like them.
Love that you have a pooch you baby sit. Perfect.
Portia xx
Raspberries can be tricky. You practically have to get them off the bush for them to have any taste.
Babysitting pups is the best- all the affection and no picking up poop at 7am.
Tom,
I also enjoy America’s Test Kitchen, and I feel the same way about raspberries. They’re my favorite fruit. “Julie” sounds like a good movie. I also loved Thoroughly Modern Millie and What’s Up Doc. The Balmain sounds really good. Soft leather scents will be great as it cools down. I have Miss Balmain, Vent Vert, and Jolie Madame and like them all.
You should write about those three!
I’ve been a subscriber to Cooks Illustrated forever. Which is funny because I hardly ever do more than microwave things or make blender food for myself. By the time I’ve tasted and tested food I am cooking I am full and won’t want to eat it.
Fruit and leather … fine. This just doesn’t sound that exciting. Totally with you on raspberry tarts, a bowl in the evening during high summer, etc.
Petrol prices are mad here. Diesel even worse.
People in the states are going bonkers over the price of diesel here. The not-so-funny thing is that diesel has always been more expensive than gas. (at least since the 1970’s) Of course it’s just crazy how much everything is.
I have never heard of Cuir Élysées either. I know I’ve raved about how I love raspberries to pick and eat, but I don’t like how its recreated in perfumes. There were a lot of perfumes with a rose and raspberry combo for a while and I didn’t like any.
Feeling fall here too. 70s and 80sF during the day and some nights down to 50sF. So this weekend I did some perfume housekeeping and switching around of bottles. I found a vintage (1997) bottle of Rochas Tocade that I bought 7+ years ago for basically “free”. It was a blind buy but perfumer is Maurice Roucel and I wanted the bottle itself. The perfume was so-so but I love the bottle which everyone online thought was tacky, lol. Still love the bottle and now I’m also really enjoying the perfume!
In my hometown there were woods on what used to be small farmland between the backs of houses and they (and blackberries) grew wild. Even the ones that were picked from the farm stands seemed freeze-dried by comparison.
And don’t get me started on the tomatoes.
Auntie Mame and What’s Up, Doc! Two of my favorites! The trash can scene in WUD is hysterical!!!
I know! It’s brilliant. That chase at the end. Makes me want a late 60’s Caddy convertible.