So, July. We’re out of our most recent mini heat wave and moving, by late this week, into number 3 of the summer.
I went into town for a haircut, which was fun. A seriously snarky chat with hairdresser about how people dress here during extreme temps and how you’d think they’d know better.
Haircut good too.
Then did spaceNK with plan to test a couple of Tom Fords but was hungry (never sample hungry) and got distracted by the Ellis Brooklyn bottles (see here). Tried three of these (see below) and I should have stuck with the Tom Ford plan.
Anyway, to my mind, the one truly outstanding thing TF has done is his film, A Single Man, which is not only a great film but stylistically astonishing. Mean to re-watch it.
Ellis Brooklyn: I just can’t do the About faff for you. Have a look at the website. Debuted in 2015, named for owner’s daughter (Ellis) and the fact that she lived in Brooklyn.
I do have a very warm spot in my heart for Brooklyn, having lived there when it was still a bit gritty, had affordable housing, great affordable eating, etc.
I sprayed Florist on myself, plus Salt and Dear Sky on paper – all for the names.
Salt actually sort of smells like salt but it’s got a sweet note that shouldn’t be there. Notes: Ylang, violet leaf, Tahitian tiare, magnolia dianica, musk, ambergris, sandalwood.
Dear Sky is a wan fruity floral. Notes: bergamot, rhubarb, honeydew melon, strawberry leaf, tuberose, peony, pink pepper, ambrette, golbanum, cedarwood.
Florist is I guess meant to be the smell of a florist shop. L’Artisan did one of these decades ago that was quite good. This smells like quiet white flowers. Notes: bergamot, lemon sfume, lily of the valley, pear, tuberose, golden gardenia, jasmine, honeysuckle, cedarwood, sandalwood, ambrox.
Yes, I know, snarky. But if you’re looking for good summer spray over and over there’s loads of higher quality, cheaper stuff out there (50ml of EdP for these is £126). Wearing Florist just made me irritable. I washed it off (what was left of it) and put on Lutens Dompteuse.
I came out of the sampling feeling like Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada when she all of a sudden stops talking to Andi and says, “Do I smell freesias? You know I hate freesias” and Andi stumbles about saying of course there are no freesias. The Ellis Brooklyn I tried had that effect.
Further, my new braces on the lower teeth are being annoying. Only 17 more months…
So, onward through summer.
Have you tried Ellis Brooklyn or seen A Single Man (did you know there’s going to be a Devil Wears Prada 2 — do you think this is a good idea?)? Sampled or seen anything we should be looking out for?
Pics: mine and pexels
Well I guess being called “Ellis Brooklyn” was warning enough. Too bad,; the bottles are cute.
I love “A Single Man” but it really does need a couple of viewings. The first time I was just checking off all the things I wanted to possess: Colin Firth’s John Lautner house, Colin Firth’s cool vintage Mercedes, Colin Firth’s gorgeous Tom Ford wardrobe, Colin Firth period..
The other thing that I thought watching is was “What is Colin Firth so depressed about? He’s had more propositions in the last 20 minutes of this movie than I’ve had in the last 20 years, and by much hotter people..”
But I am, in the end, less than nice.
You really did love it, all of it 🙂
The bottles are … colourful. They spray fine. I guess they reminded me of candy I ate as a kid that got stuck in my teeth, pulling out my fillings.
I ADORED A Single Man — I’ve rewatched it a few times! Tom Ford (the person) gives me the ick but clearly he has a strong visual POV. They have the Ellis Brooklyn line at Sephora and I remember being underwhelmed and never tried them again. Wait, what are people wearing in the heat? Too little? Too much?
Agree, ick.
Too little. It’s a thing here — people’s brains turn to goo when it’s hotter than 75 degrees.
LOL I love the different perceptions of what’s “hot” — that’s a cool summer day here! Although when there are heat waves in the UK it’s terrible because folks aren’t armed with the AC we have here.
It can get verrrry humid here which makes what should be comfortable temps hard to take.
Reminds me of Seattle. We are currently griping because it is going to get to 80 for two whole days! We know that we have it so much better than most but still get cranky going to our overheated remodeled attic bedroom. Not cranky enough to use our window AC though!
At 75 degrees!?! Add a little breeze to 75 degrees and you have my idea of heaven!
A Single Man was excellent and better than the original novel. My only TF perfume is Tuscan Leather.
Someone else mentioned that, that the film is far better than the book. It really is a great film. Further, though, it’s visually astonishing.
Thank you for taking one for the team! My favorite ‘florist’ scent is Trapp’s Bob’s Flower Shoppe which is a home scent ( but I I use a bit of the diffuser oil in my hair)
Sigh. I think I was distracted by the colourful bottles. I should have just gone with the TFs they stock.
I never saw A Single Man but I enjoy movies with nice fashions. I enjoyed Devil Wears Prada. A good haircut is a great thing. Haven’t sniffed any Ellis Brooklyn. I have a cousin who lives in Brooklyn. I’ve driven through, but never visited really. No new scent sniffing lately. I’m caught up in wedding planning for our daughter.
The narrative is fascinating, the acting is sublime and the visuals are stunning.
I don’t really know what Brooklyn is like any more, not having been there in many years. It used to be great, particularly around the Carroll Gardens to Park Slope area. Every once in a while I look at house prices and clearly there’s no way I could afford to live there now.
I had an Ellis Brooklyn discovery set – just gave it away. I rarely find anything available at Sephora that makes me want to buy a bottle. But I don’t buy much at all any more, so I have no idea what’s new and interesting. I have a little bias against TF for the puerile perfume names of some of the more recent offerings although I’m always interested in a good movie so maybe I’ll check out A Single Man.
We don’t have a Sephora shop around here — can only do online. SpaceNK is good though.
Heya Cinnamon,
There are a few Tom Fords around here. I think my most worn is Patchouli Absolu but I also love Soleil Brûlant and a couple of the basic line like Black Orchid and Grey Vetiver (among others).
The Ellis Brooklyn name doesn’t ring any bells for me. Probably never got to Australia.
Glad you’re loving your new hair.
Portia xx
I really do mean to try some more TFs. I wasn’t at all impressed by the cherry ones but there do seem to be some good ones with decent names.
I’m not surprised to hear no EB there. I’m not sure why SpaceNK has it here.
My thoughts on the meh ranges in elite fragrance stores is that they cater to the newbies who need to be led towards the big bright beauties. They’ll start with something pretty and wan that has been given approval due to its proximity to greatness. Also really good for favored aunts and uncles to start the perfume journey on youngsters.
I love TF White Suede, a soft musk with interesting notes, but Intend to wear it in Fall and Winter. I’ve tried the Ellis scents and haven’t been taken in by any.
White Suede isn’t one I’ve tried. I hated the two cherry ones. Yup, the Ellis fragrances aren’t much of a much.
Oh dear, you tried Ellis Brooklyn. Never going to go well. I got a travel size of Salt & another, I forget which in a fragrance box. I think from SpaceNK. I’m not a lover of salty, marine scents. Most I can’t smell at all, but sadly the Ellis Brooklyn I could. I found it nauseating. It’s in my “never again” box.
I wish my hairdresser still had her salon. She went mobile after having her children. It’s not the same having my hair done at home
What happens to stuff in the never again box?
I could see having someone come to you as being a bit of a let down. I really enjoy going into town for the haircuts and having a morning of ‘activity’.
The “never again” box will either be destroyed, gifted to anyone who likes them or sold if they have monetary value. The box is quite large.
ASM is one of my very favourite films Cinnamon- ravishingly beautiful,as you say, but heartbreakingly sad, stellar work from the two leads and seriously underrated IMHO.. I wonder why he only dipped his toe once into film? And if we’re being snarky, Tom please stop with the nudge nudge wink wink names for your frags and make something worth the prices you’re asking,hey?
It’s an incredible film. In all kinds of ways. Did he not do anything else? I have this weird idea there was another. I will look.
Sigh, yes, I find the adolescent naming irritating.