What a fabulous adventure we had a Los Angeles Scentsation! first, I want to thank the fabulous Miss Anita for all the hard work she put in to making this a great day
I’d also like to thank, Luckyscent, Beautyhabit, Smell Bent and Opus Oils for hosting us and treating us like beloved friends come to visit. The hospitality was overwhelming and amazing – The mimosas and yummy snacks at Luckyscent; the amazing spread at Beautyhabit from Rock Chef Rolls (Hibiscus Tea that I went back for repeated refills); and the marzipan and violet wine at Opus Oils. Pampered and fussed over for hours is really a great way to spend the day. Oh, yeah, along with all the perfume sniffing!
The absolute icing on the cake was running around Los Angeles in a bus with Chinese writing on the side and OMG Productions on the back and a Chinese driver named Frank and the absolutely stunning and funny as hell Miss Portia entertaining us. I have a video or two of Portia that I might need to edit or I might just let fly as is without any profanity editing because, well, we’re grown-ups, including a false eyelash application lesson. Look for that in the future!
From beginning to end, it was so Perfume Posse. I loved meeting everyone that came, that’s always the best part. Talking here is great, but meeting in person is the best, and this was such a great group! I have so many thanks to give out for all the companies that contributed to the gift bags we gave out – Neela Vermeire, Ann Gerard, Providence Perfume, Olympic Orchids, Parfums Lalun, Strange Invisible Perfumes, Dior, Arquiste, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Amouage, as well as the many brands that contributed to gift bags at Luckyscent and Beautyhabit!
Thank you to everyone who played with us on Saturday, and I hope we do it again! Thoughts on the day? I think most people think Barney’s sucked, and I agree. They wouldn’t do anything for us, even a bottle of water and an organized presentation would have been nice – what’s up with that store, do they just not like to sell stuff? – so it made it a little chaotic. More time with Brent would have been great, and there are other smaller perfumes in the California area that would have been a better idea, but the travel to get to so many of them would have been tricky, I think we would have needed a central place to meet several of them. Yes?
I do have a couple of extra gift bags from the event, and I’d love to give them away to two lucky commenters! Have you ever gone to a perfume event? Do you want to? Should we do another one in Los Angeles next year? Or Chicago? Or, um, Paris? 🙂 I’ll draw two names of commenters at random to give a gift bag to!
I just returned from my trip, which was at the same time as yours. I was so disappointed I had to miss it, so yeah, another one would be GREAT! I would love Paris, but Chicago is right around the corner from me, so that’s good too 🙂
I vote to see the unedited tapes… Portia is a hoot, and you know what you’re in for before you click the play button. Hilarity IMO 😛
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This sounds wonderful! I wish I could’ve made it. I would suggest Dubai for an event but, while we have a ton of choices for perfumes (and lots of other stuff to do) there is a definite lack of small niche perfumeries which is where I think you get that true customer service. Most of our stores end up being like you Barney’s experience except for a few above average SA.
How fun. I’m so glad that you all had such a great time. Portia looks so in her element behind the counter at Scent Bar! Maybe next time! xoxoxox Steve
I have been trying to go to one of these events since somewhere in the vicinity of 2005, but no such luck. Would sure love to go on a Posse Bus trip. Want to see the tapes unedited! Love you guys!
I have never been to a perfume event but it sounded like so much fun! I would love to one day!
Wow, sounds like such a wonderful time! I went to Sniffa in NY 4 years ago… it was my first (and only, so far) event and I had a wonderful time. There were wonderful seasoned perfumistas who guided me and made me laugh. I had a great time. I would LOVE to attend a posse event as I truly love all the characters who write (and visit/comment). Oh,and I vote for Paris. Tee hee! 🙂 Thank you for the draw. xox
P.S. I would love to be entered in the draw.
The only perfume “event” I have been to was a perfume event at my local Nordstrom, all mainstream all the time, a major disapointment. I would love to attend a Sniffa, will have to pray to the perfume gods for a major income increase. I would love to hear more about this event and please, please, please post the Portia videos – she is a hoot and I also want her hair.
Have never attended a perfume event, but would love to see more pictures. Looks like fun!
I’ve never been to a perfume event. I almost went to the New York Sniffapalooza but things just didn’t work out. Eventually I’ll get to one.
I’ve never been to a scent event before, but if the Posse decides to do a Scentsation anywhere on the East Coast I’ll be there…
Now I’m having regrets I didn’t come down from the Bay Area! But we have regular perfume events here, in San Francisco’s Union Square, where there is almost everything (and the Barney’s staff is AWESOME). You all should come to that one day! Tama Blough organizes these events–thank you, Tama!
Yes, yes, Nina! Tama is great and one of these days I’m going to get to SF for one of those events!
I have been to a few of the SF Sniffa events, and they have been a blast!! I think that Perfume People are lovely and incredibly generous.
Tama does an incredible job organizing them and setting the stage for a wonderful afternoon.
I live 2 hours away from San Francisco, but it is so worth the fun and excitement!!
Aww- I wish I could have been there and met you all and the lovely Portia! But I had a conference in Florida to attend so couldn’t make it. I vote for next year in LA!
That’s funny about Barney’s- I would’ve thought they would have loved having you guys. I have had a nice experience with one of the SAs (I think Angela) who you used to work at the scent bar (and who was at scent bar the first time Andy Tauer visited if anybody remembers).
I must know what this bottle is from the event!
It’s in the 10th picture, next to the Tauer and Knize Ten:
http://www.hypoluxe.com/blog.html
Pretty sure it is Vanille Cuir by M. Micallef.
Wait. Did that count as my post? I would love to be entered in the draw as I had no idea there was such a thing as an organized sniffing party prior to this year. We sure don’t have them in my area and I could never afford a trip to LA for one but if you ever hit Texas or a neighboring state, I am totally in!
I’m late to comment but just wanted to say thank you to Patty and Anita and everyone else who helped organize Saturday’s trip, and especially to Portia for keeping us all entertained. Everyone at Luckyscent and BeautyHabit was amazing, and so generous with the giveaways, and Brent from Smell Bent was great to actually come talk to us on the bus. I was sort of nervous about going, actually, with the drive to LA and everything, but I’m so glad I did. Would love to do another one sometime.
Hi Janice,
The AZ to LA drive definitely ended up being worth it for us too! Drove part way, stayed overnight, then completed the drive in the morning.
Cheers,
Rob
Since I live on the other side of the world, I will have to live vicariously…please post more about this fabulous event, photos etc.
Or bring everyone to Australia next time!
Interesting that LA Barneys was so unpleasant. At SF Barneys, the SAs are super friendly and attentive, maybe too much! Every time I visit the perfume basement I pick up a tail of perfume-savvy SAs . . . now that I think about it, maybe they’re watching to make sure I don’t shoplift. Dammit.
I had a wonderful time meeting up with a fellow sniffer I met in the comments section of the April Perfume Fairy Godmother post, one CarolynC. We went to MiN together. SO MUCH FUN. I’m fairly introverted, but these perfume events sound awesome.
It’s a shame about the LA Barneys. When we did the original Chicago Event (Chicocoa Scentsation) the staff was WONDERFUL! They really made that Event a delight! Considering the rather large number of simoleans that were spent this past Saturday…..
It sounds like SO much fun, I wish I could have been there. I haven’t been to any perfume events although I would have loved to attend the Art of Scent exhibit in NYC. Unfortunately, like many others posting here, I probably won’t get the chance to attend something like this except for a large inheritance. I would love to be entered in the draw – the bag sounds amazing! Glad everyone had such a fantastic time, and I’d love to see more pictures and video from the event!
I’ve never been to an event and it would be a dream come true to attend one. That bag sounds amazing.
I have been cursing my luck at the event falling between my moving away from LA ( in October) and coming back for a visit ( I”ll be there Friday night!)
Now I get to add missing meeting Lisa D ( a fabulous swap partner!) as well as the rest of you.
I will absolutely drive to one near Chicago, St Louis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas…just need some notice.
Please oh please oh please…video, more posts, open up a thread to those who attended to comment..anything so that we can all get a feel of how it went!
Tammy, it would have been so fun to meet up with you! Hey, how do you feel about leather (ahem, I mean scent-wise, of course)? I got a great big sample of Amouage Opus VII in my swag bag that I can send your way!
I’m glad it was so much fun! I just attended my first perfume event, the Seattle Artisan Perfume and Chocolate Salons last weekend, and it was fantastic. It feels so rewarding to be around other perfume lovers. The gift bags you’re giving away sound like they’re filled with amazing scents!
I’d probably be anosmic after the first 15 minutes as my nose numbs out on overload! Still I would LOVE the whole sense of community and the common interest and enthusiasm. Unfortunately there is nothing of that sort anywhere near where I live.
Had a wonderful time!! So many fun people, and Scent Bar and BeautyHabit were lovely hosts! Portia, you had me laughing so much on the bus (I was sitting in the seat behind you with my husband). You are a doll. Loved meeting the Posse! I have so much swag that I will be sniffing for months. :). Thank you so much for organizing this! And I would go to another in LA or Portland (as suggested above).
Yes, lets do it in Paris…!
ok, I will be serious for a moment here. I have never been to a perfume event and have always wondered. How can you distinguish any scent at all in the chaos?
I would love to go to a perfume event, as I’ve never been. What about someplace like Philadelphia? I’d much rather go to a Posse scent event than any other. Thanks for the report, looking forward to more stories, and thanks for the draw!
I’ve never been to a perfume event but would really like to. I don’t know if we have any in Texas.. I’m pretty sure not in Houston. Since we don’t have anywhere near as much niche stuff as LA does, anything here is more likely to be corporate. I don’t know what the perfume shopping situation is like in Dallas (and I am curious, so if there are any Dallas people around, let us know what’s going on there).
I would’ve loved to come to LA this time but couldn’t afford to. If it were to happen again in LA or Chicago or wherever I would definitely be interested if funds allow.
A non-perfumista friend and I went to a sniffapalooza in San Francisco a couple of years ago. It was a really interesting day, and the perfume SAs at the SF Barney’s were pretty nice.
I just viewed all the pictures on the Hypoluxe Blog. Now I’m more jealous than before. 🙂 It looks like everyone had a spectacular time, and I want Portia’s hair!
Never have, but I so, so want to! Maybe one day I’ll make it to NYC…West Coast is too far though I would like to see it someday.
Portia sounds so fabulous and real-life perfume enthusiasts and sniffing galore…oh….sigh. Love reading write-ups
I live in San Diego so I thought about making the trip up, but I would have had to get up at 5 am, drive several hours by myself up and back too. It would have been too much for this very pregnant lady. But I should be up for it next time, if you were to do LA again – I hope you do! I haven’t been to any other perfume events as San Diego doesn’t have as much to offer as the big cities, and haven’t made it to NY or SF for Sniffa. Thanks so much for the opportunity to take part vicariously!
I second the suggestion for something in the Mid-Atlantic region — I often feel that the good stuff happens only in NY on this coast. Though Paris would be hard to resist, so if anyone want to pitch in on airfare….
This sounds way more fun than my weekend which consisted of being slamming busy at work, sudying for my finals and then yesterday going to court so I wouldn’t get evicted and then doingmediocre on my final. I did, however, manage to get to. MIN to pay for Pretty Machine and get a handful of samples. If you do Paris (or London) can you do it in the latter half of 2015? That’ll be in that 6 month grace period between graduation and when I have to start paying back my loans. I think it would be crazy fun to do a perfume event, and now that I live in NJ maybe I’ll go to Sniffapalooza if it doesn’t occur when I have class
I have never been to a perfume event, but would love to someday! Maybe have the next one in Boston?
Thanks for telling us about Scentsation; it sounds like it was wonderful, and thanks for the draw.
Would love to attend and have not been able to. My vote is for Chicago as I could drive there. I’m in Cleveland, so NYC would work, too. Anyway, sounds like a good time was had by all. Thanks for the draw.
I would love to attend a perfume smelling event some day in the future! Sounds like an amazing time 🙂
I’ve never been to a perfume event. I hope that one day, I will be able to do so.
Like so many other folks who posted above, I’m living in a remote area far from a Metro area. I do my sniffing by ordering samples, etc. Having the opportunity to win a gift bag is amazing. Thanks. 🙂
Having the Perfume Posse Sniffa in L.A. makes sense to me. (hahaha….I just typed “makes scents”…) Having the rare opportunity to visit Luckyscent and BeautyHabit —– well,to me, those are like the Mother Ships of Perfume Bounty!!
L.A. also seems like a good gathering place for various independent perfumers, too.
Also……in a purely selfish way, L.A. would be MUCH more accessible for me. Besides, I could entice my family with a “side trip” to Disneyland as an added bonus, right??
Thanks for the commentary, the pictures, and video — post everything, ok?
Cheers!
I am DYING to attend a perfume event! But I also equally want an afternoon spent poring through Luckyscent…..heaven! I can’t wait to see the videos 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
I wanted so much to be there, to hang out with all y’all and Portia! So next time you have an event in L.A., NYC, Chicago, Paris, wherever, I will be there!
PS, since I couldn’t be with you, I had my own little sniffapalooza in the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver. The SAs at Lush and Nordstrom were MORE than accommodating when they realized I just wanted to hang out and have some fun in my non-home town, and I came away with some fabulous samples.
I’ve never done a Sniffapalooza or anything like that. I did go to Alyssa Harad’s book reading here in Austin, which kind of counts. I hope someday to get to a Sniffa or something… it’s hard when you have little kids.
I’ve never been to any such event, but I’d love to hop on a bus, drink a few mimosas and do some serious sniffing with you guys. Please don’t edit the video!!
A sniff trip would be so much fun but given allergy and asthma issues, it just isn’t in the cards. Scents are taken one at a time and in very mall doses. I looked at the pictures on Hypoluxe’s blog (http://www.hypoluxe.com/blog.html) and spotted a few familiar faces. Can’t wait to see the video!
Have never attended an event – the travel budget is limited – but would love to.
And would adore seeing Portia’s eyelash tips. Srsly. ADORE.
So jealous that you had Portia at your event! Hopefully she will be able to make it to a Sniffapalooza in NYC someday. I have attended a few Sniffas, and always have a good time. I love the swag, and getting to try the new fragrances. However, the best part is meeting and talking with people – fellow fragrance fanatics, bloggers, authors, and perfumers. Thanks for the drawing!
I’ve never been to a scent event but hope to sometime in the future!
I’ve never attended a perfume event, but would LOVE to! Paris anyone??? 🙂
Can’t help but notice that Chicago seems way out in front for a Perfume Event and I will chime in to agree with that. I’m sure the local media would love to cover something new & fun!
Oh, Patty! I was sooooo jealous of all you guys in LA doing the perfume rounds. I have never ever done a perfume event and would so love to! Living in the boonies of New England makes it a tad hard to even shop for perfume in person, most of my buying is done online, unsniffed! Thank god for perfume sample sites like Surrender to Chance. Anyone know what the perfume situation is in Boston? Is it worth the 4 hour trek for me? I’d be curious to hear anyone’s experiences, especially with finding places that sell more niche or Indie perfumes.
Sounds like a lovely time was had by all. I would have loved to attent as this is a novel concept and sounds like a complete blast! Thank You kindly for the chance to experience some of the fun via a gift bag draw =)