Welcome, October! Dig out the fall favorites

OctoberOh, happy day –– it’s finally October! And in my neck of the woods, that means fall is getting close. We’ve already had a little taste of it with several nights in the 50s and a day or two in the 70s, so that’s encouraging. In addition to the falling temps, it’s so enjoyable to see the leaves changing, although around here, it’s practically November before we get any good local leaf peeping. But that’s what a trip to the mountains is for. Beyond these autumn joys, this time of year is extra-special for me because our wedding anniversary and both of our birthdays are coming up within the next month or so. So a lot to look forward to in my household in October and early November.

Anyhoo, I’m beginning to poke through my perfume drawers and see what I want to be wearing throughout the coming weeks. Off the top of my head looks like I’ll be pulling out several of the lovely Lanvin vintage extraits that STC offered earlier this year, Guerlain’s Cuir Beluga, and MDCI Fetes Persanes. And also Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilee and Lolita Lempicki Si Lolita to tide me over on the remaining warm-ish days that fade into cooler evenings. Because here in the Deep South, autumn comes on in fits and starts, throwing a few 80-plus degree days into the mix, just to keep us on our toes and keep our closets confused. But hopefully the 90s are gone for good, now that it’s October.

What about you folks? Are you ready for fall where you live? Or has it already visited you? What scents are you most looking forward to wearing? And of course, please share what you’re digging out for the opposite seasonal shift, for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Dionne says:

    At my latitude (Edmonton, the farthest north of the major Canadian cities) autumn starts right at the beginning of September. It’s kind of a jarring contrast, as the last two weeks of August are commonly some of our hottest, but all of a sudden, boom! the kids go back to school and the leaves start turning color. It’s a rare year we don’t have snow for Hallowe’en, but we always keep hoping… I pull out the lighter spices and incense for this season, and keep my heavy hitters like Black Cashmere for the long winter ahead. Top of the rotation right now are Like This, Nu, Ormonde Woman, Wazamba, Dune and Bottega Veneta

    • Ann says:

      Hi, Dionne! Wow, living way up there I would imagine the change of season comes hard and fast. Not like here, where it see-saws back and forth until late Oct. You are smart to ease into your cool weather frags, saving the big guns for the long winter ahead. And you are, like, the third or fourth person to mention Black Cashmere, so it’s definitely in the air and a fall favorite. I’m going right now to dig up my decant 🙂

  • Tara C says:

    Lovely fall colors and cool nights here in Montreal. I am enjoying lots of Amouage, Tom Ford, Andy Tauer and Serge Lutens – the heavy orientals I love but can’t wear for months, despite them being 80% of my collection. I am a fall girl for sure!

    • Ann says:

      Yay, another fall girl! It must be so lovely seeing Montreal in the autumn. I’ve always wanted to visit there, and the fall sounds perfect; one of these days, once we get our son out of high school and into college. (Of course, then we will have no extra money to travel, ha!). Enjoy all your lovely heavy-hitters!

  • HeidiC says:

    It’s definitely fall already here in the Upper Midwest — we had an unusually warm day yesterday, so I spritzed on the Guerlain Pamplelune, but otherwise, I’m firmly into fall scent territory: the Fetes Persanes is a favorite, as is my beloved decants of Ciel de GUM, Vol de Nuit, and all my various leather perfumes. I have not tried the Guerlain Cuir Beluga — how is it?

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, Heidi! You are making my mouth water as many of those are my faves as well, but it’s not quite cool enough just yet for us here. We had a warm-ish day today, and as I was feeling a little blue, I pulled out the Le Labo Tubereuse 40 for one wrist and the Armani Vert Malachite on the other. Instant happiness!

      • Ann says:

        Ooops, forgot about your Cuir Beluga query. To me, it’s a soft, creamy suede, a little sweet, with no sharp edges. Almost as if homemade vanilla bean ice cream dripped down off a waffle cone onto the fingers of a lady’s delicate leather glove. And something in its DNA reminds me a bit of the sadly discontinued (but oh so yummy) Iris Ganache.

  • Eldarwen22 says:

    It’s has cooled down quite a bit in Cleveland. I have started to break out the Amouage offerings a little more. Shalimar and Theorema have been getting more wear but now it’s L’Air du Desert Marocain’s turn to shine. L’Air does well in fall with bonfires.

    • Ann says:

      Woo-hoo, it’s Amouage time! And a big yes to those great bonfire-type scents. I remember loving fall in Ohio as a little girl, before we moved to Florida. Enjoy!

  • Suzanne says:

    Hi Ann!

    Though I love summer and welcome it every year, I’m always my very happiest (weather-wise) when autumn arrives. As Sharon C. noted, in Pennsylvania we get beautiful leaf color around mid-October, and best of all, we get most of our blue-sky days at this time of year. I’m looking forward to wearing lots of rich orientals and ambers, and yesterday wore a sample of the parfum version of Annick Goutal Ambre Fetiche that I received from a very dear friend years ago. So gorgeous!! A couple commenters above me mentioned Black Cashmere, and I am nodding in agreement on that one — it’s a favorite.

    When you go to the mountains in Georgia, is it the Piedmont region? Just curious – that sounds like a beautiful area from the little I’ve read about it.

    • Ann says:

      Hello, darling! I’m so envious of how beautiful your Pennsylvania autumns must be. One of these days I’m going to take an October-long road trip up that way and all the way through New England. Glad you’re enjoying some fall scent beauties, too. When we go to the mountains in October, we tend to go up near the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, or if it is later in October, will hit North Georgia. Alas, not this year (too much homework for son and too much work for me and DH). Hugs …
      P.S. I’m still itching to go to the rhubarb festival one of these years 🙂

  • Sharon C. says:

    I’m an October baby, too, and this time of year is my favorite (Halloween especially). Miss the autumn colors of northern Pennsylvania (childhood home), but western Tennessee can be pretty, too. Right now I’m visiting family in southeastern New Mexico, and summer isn’t relinquishing its grip very quickly. But I’m still enjoying Neil Morris’ October and the new Nirvana Bourbon from Elizabeth and James.

    • Ann says:

      Yay, another October fan! I haven’t seen the fall colors in Pennsylvania (one day), but I think it’s pretty cool that you are in western Tennessee. We usually end up visiting the eastern corner mostly because it’s closer. Enjoy your visit to New Mexico, you lucky lady!

  • FeralJasmine says:

    We are having lovely cool nights and days that aren’t so fiercely hot. I am dipping into my lighter ambers: L’Ambre des Merveilles, Ambre et Vanille, and their like. The cooler nights prompt some heavy hitters: Ambre Loup, vintage Opium, Tobacco Vanille, and Black Cashmere. In a couple of weeks, my husband and I celebrate our birthday, which is on the same day, so this is always a festive month for us, especially this year when we have just finished celebrating a decade anniversary. Besides, it is my favorite time of year anyway!

    • Ann says:

      Hi, lady! Sounds like it’s a grand season for you, too, with all that going on. Big congratulations on your wedding anniversary! And a big thumbs up to all your yummy scents.

  • rosarita313 says:

    Fall is definitely my favorite season here in the lower Great Lakes – chilly nights, crisp days, beautiful leaves etc etc. And finally, the opportunity to wear sweaters and jeans (summer is unkind to fat people.) It’s been rainy here and I’ve been wearing Trayee, Lubin Idole, Black Cashmere, Bottega Veneta, Memoirs of a Trespasser, all my favorite spicy scents. I’m glad you are finally getting some relief from the heat, Ann!

    • Ann says:

      Hey, sweetie! I’m right there with you on the “unkind” season. And even if I were a size 2, I have a bad leg that always swells (damaged valves from post-op blood clots), so no shorts, bathing suit, etc. for me anyway. Your mention of Trayee and Black Cashmere is making my mouth water. Enjoy all those lovelies!

  • Portia says:

    Hey Ann,
    Heading towards the warmth but I find the mid seasons are interchangeable here. That means I’m getting my spring florals out but also my light ambers and some of the more exotic vintages.
    Today I went for a big sniff of the new CHANEL Exclusive EdPs. The only one that I felt was sincerely superior is Beige, it has a much wetter, less floral winsomeness. Beautiful.
    Portia xx

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, dear! It’s nice that you can wear a range of things right now. And thanks for the report on the Chanel Beige. It didn’t knock my socks off when it debuted, but I would like to try it now, as you make it sound much more interesting. What did you think of any of the others? Were any less pleasing than the originals?

  • Neva says:

    I’m nostalgic for the summer and I can’t help it. Always trying to find something good in the colder days and it’s really difficult for me. If only it would not rain so much… yet one of the things I’m looking forward too are fall perfumes. This weekend I’ve added to my current rotation: Feminite du Bois – Shiseido, Truth – Calvin Klein and Rose Velours – VC&A.

    • Ann says:

      I hear you, Neva. Even though I get tired of the long,hot days of heat, there is something bittersweet about summer ending. Btw, I’m intrigued that you mentioned VCA’s Rose Velours, as I’ve never sniffed it. What kind of rose would you describe it as?

      • Neva says:

        I’d say it’s a dry spicy rose with honey. Later I get additionally also a lot of bergamot on my skin.

  • Maggiecat says:

    Fall is creeping in too slowly, but we’re getting some cooler nights and leaves have begun to change. Fall is my favorite season – it’s also a time of family holidays for us, (my son, husband, sister, and I all have October birthdays, and our anniversary is in November). And Christmas season is waiting as well.
    Besides, I love cool weather scents!

    • Ann says:

      Yay for another fall lover! Sounds like you have a VERY busy month or two ahead of you as well. I love the cooler scents, too, and can’t wait to get more out.