L’Artisan Tea for Two (by Derek)

My name is Derek, and like many of you my life is guided by my nose. It started as a child: my mother would allow me to help choose the fabric softener and detergent we purchased. On each trip I would carefully smell each and every bottle. She has told me many times that I [...]

L’Artisan Tea for Two (by Derek)

The Box of Possibilities

by March I have a box from a perfumista friend sitting on my desk.  I just checked the label; it’s been there for two months, unopened.  Why?  Because I like the idea of the possibilities that box contains.  It thrills me to the marrow, just looking at it.  I know you know what I’m talking [...]

The Box of Possibilities

L’Artisan Mon Numéro 10

I have to admit that L’Artisan is a house that I am, well, just not that into.  I can appreciate it; a lot of the scents are really wonderful and I can’t fault the artistry.  I just usually have the reaction that I like it, but “X” does this in a way that I like [...]

L’Artisan Mon Numéro 10

Swapmania Redux

By March Was Swapmania a big perfumed bottle of fun, or what? Having so many swappers put their email address/contact info at the end of their swap lists worked well, in my opinion.  Interested parties simply contacted them directly to try to work something out.  This accomplished two things: it sped up the swap process, [...]

Swapmania Redux

Sad News

    While I was doing last-minute research for the Cuir Fetiche post, I learned of the passing of Jean-Francois Laporte, the visionary behind Sisley, L’Artisan and Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier (MP&G) among others.   His contribution to the perfume world is extensive and he will be sorely missed.   I cannot do him justice here [...]

Sad News