Like I needed more perfume

[Bagbabe53]

In my mid-50s and currently on a Jo Malone streak... more about that in a minute.

In my 30s, I wore mainly Lauder's White Linen; then in my 40s, graduated to Dazzling Silver. I still wear both--- WL for casual days, and DS for business meetings (men compliment me all the time when I wear it, no matter what their age). For evening, it's Chanel's Coco (NOT the Mademoiselle, the original one). A couple of years ago, I felt I was in too much of a rut, and began experimenting. I found most of the new scents were either too fruity somehow, or did absolutely nothing on me. Was I resigned to old scents, I wondered? There's something to be said for using what works, but still... somehow it began to feel staid. Bought a bottle of Diorissimo in Paris at Catherine's (a great discounter there) but it's best for summer on me.

I began reading about Jo Malone, and decided to give it a chance. I bought the box of minis. I especially loved Pomengranate Noir and Orange Blossom, also the Nectarine Blossom. Some of the others did nothing for me. Bought Verbenas of Provence (lemons) and then Red Roses. Love RR with PN or VOP. Will buy large size RR when I run out of the small size. With all the mixing, possibilities are endless with JM. I finally feel like perfume is fun again!
A few notes: JM RR goes well with Lauder's WL body creme as a layering base, BTW, probably because WL has bulgarian rose as one of its major elements. May eventually spring for JM RR body lotion, but at $65 a pop it's a little steep.

[BettyBoop]

I only have one Jo Malone fragrance but love several of them. I've got Lime Basil Mandarin -- kind of reminds me of a Vietnamese restaurant!

[anne]

CB I Hate Perfume sounds so great!! But, I´d love to try them on or sniff them first. That is one shop I will visit for sure if I ever come to New York!

BTW I was so proud when he told the story about reading Tove Jansson´s book November (in his journal, where he tells about creating November the perfume). She was a Finnish author you know. 

There have been times, even years when I havben´t worn perfumes at all. Every now and then, I DO buy them, though...   

The latest buy (from USA) - O de Lancome. I suddenly remembered I used to love it when I was young. But, it hasn´t got a lot of staying power, and it doesn´t smell like I remembered...maybe my own chemistry has changed?? (I remembered it as a citrus fragrance.)

I used to love Chanel 19, too.

I must confess, I have lots of old = too old fragrances in my drawers. What a shame. 

[BettyBoop]

I used to wear O de Lancome and it was a very lemony fragrance. I loved it but my friends used to call it "O de Pledge" as in Lemon Pledge.

If you like citrus, you may like Hermes Orange Vert. Also, Jo Malone has some lovely citrusy fragrances.

[Kelly]

And for midrange, there's always Px Calyx, which should be sold again by now. ;D

[anne]

I suddenly remembered I was on a Guerlain spree when I was in my 20´s...L´Heure Bleue, Shalimar, Mitsouko, Chamade, Nahema, Jardins de Bagatelle, later Champs-Elysees......The first two are far too sweet for me now, but I suddenly remember how I used to love the latter ones! I wonder if I still would? 

I seem to remember one from the later years I did not buy and regret it, Guerlinade? I haven´t seen it anywhere any more?

[anne]

I ordered a tiny vial of Jardins de Bagatelle with my CB samples. Oh and also Beach by BB!

I was looking for a perfume by Rochas, I remember using one in my 20´s...but I was not sure any more...could it have been Mystere? That´s discontinued, isn´t it? 

BTW I am remembering more and more perfumes I have bought, used and discarded...EL White Linen, Clinique Happy, Giorgio Beverly Hills (I am hoping this is a false memory!), Red Door by Elizabeth Arden, Paris, .... fickle is my middle name!

[BettyBoop]

I ordered a tiny vial of Jardins de Bagatelle with my CB samples. Oh and also Beach by BB!

I was looking for a perfume by Rochas, I remember using one in my 20´s...but I was not sure any more...could it have been Mystere? That´s discontinued, isn´t it? 

BTW I am remembering more and more perfumes I have bought, used and discarded...EL White Linen, Clinique Happy, Giorgio Beverly Hills (I am hoping this is a false memory!), Red Door by Elizabeth Arden, Paris, .... fickle is my middle name!

My BF in college bought me Madame Rochas and Bal a Versailles...two fragrances that I would never wear any more. (Bad memories, perhaps?)

[anne]

Mmmmm! My Jardins de Bagatelle arrived, and I wear it daily. It´s funny how smells awaken memories! One whiff and I am a 20-year old, pretty like young people are, but not so sure of myself. I remembered stuff from my youth I haven´t thought of in ages!

BTW, is there a way of predicting which fragrances one would like, based on fragrances one loves already? You know, type in 5 or 10 of your favorites, and we´ll tell you which new ones to buy?

[ILuvLucy]

Mmmmm! My Jardins de Bagatelle arrived, and I wear it daily. It´s funny how smells awaken memories! One whiff and I am a 20-year old, pretty like young people are, but not so sure of myself. I remembered stuff from my youth I haven´t thought of in ages!

BTW, is there a way of predicting which fragrances one would like, based on fragrances one loves already? You know, type in 5 or 10 of your favorites, and we´ll tell you which new ones to buy?

I'm happy you are enjoying your perfume, Anne.
Here is a web site that has samplers.  Not exactly what you were talking about.  But, for instance, I typed in "beach" in the search, and it came up with this sampler:

Antonia's Flowers Tiempe Passate 1/2 sample
Creed Virgin Island Water
Creed Erolfa
Hermes Eau de Merveilles
Jil Sander Sun
Laura Mercier Almond Coconut
Estee Lauder Azuree Soleil Oil
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Oil
Estee Lauder Bali Dream
Bobbi Brown Beach

It's 11 samples (1ML vial) for $29.99 (U.S. though, not sure about out of U.S.?).  But, even if not, you can maybe get an idea of what you might like.   

Here is another set that seemed interesting (called "Perfume through the Ages):
Hermes Eau d'Hermes - 1951
Estee Lauder Youth Dew Original - 1952
Balenciaga Quadrille Original formula edt - 1952
Caron Poivre parfum 1/2 sample - 1954
Christian Dior Diorissimo edt original - 1956
Givenchy Le De Original Edt - 1957
Givenchy L'Interdit Original edt - 1957
Gres Cabochard Parfum 1/2 sample - 1959

Anyway, here is the link:
http://theperfumedcourt.com/Products/Beach--A-Day-At-the-Beach-Sampler---11-samples__ADAYATTHEBEACHSAMPLER2.aspx
I haven't ordered from them, but coalcracker has.

[anne]

Hi ILuvLucy,

actually my first order from PerfumedCourt has just arrived!

Today, I got my CB I Hate Perfume sampler!

I am wearing At The Beach 1966 as we speak. LOVE IT!

On the other hand, I received Bobbi Brown Beach yesterday, and I do not like it much - it smells like oriental bazaar / sandalwood to me??

I have yet to try CB Mr Hulot´s Holiday, Eternal Return and Black March, which I received today. Only 1/3 ml samples but plenty to see which ones I love and want more of!

[ILuvLucy]

Hi ILuvLucy,

actually my first order from PerfumedCourt has just arrived!

Today, I got my CB I Hate Perfume sampler!

I am wearing At The Beach 1966 as we speak. LOVE IT!

On the other hand, I received Bobbi Brown Beach yesterday, and I do not like it much - it smells like oriental bazaar / sandalwood to me??

I have yet to try CB Mr Hulot´s Holiday, Eternal Return and Black March, which I received today. Only 1/3 ml samples but plenty to see which ones I love and want more of!

Oh! Great!! 
I love "At the beach" too.  I also really like BB Beach -  I can smell the Coppertone.   I have the Mr. Hulot's, but haven't tried it yet either.  The internet is a wonderful thing - haha.
 

[Une Femme]

I love Sula's Butterfly Kisses too!  The bottle is adorable and the scent is so much better than you ever expect at that price point.  It isn't a fragrance I would wear in the winter but we just went on a vacation to Mexico and it was perfect for that.  I'm looking forward to pulling it out again when the weather gets balmy.  Some time in June, LOL.

[Izzy]

Those body splashes are very nice. I wear these to be 

[anne]

I just ordered Bobbi Brown Beach Body Oil from E**y, and am surfing the Perfumed Court web-site as we speak.

BTW What´s  the deal with Bobbi Brown Beach EDP? (That´s the one I originally wanted, but made do with the body oil.) It isn´t available to Finland in any fragrance shops, BB´s own web shop does not deliver here, neither BB UK. The few I dound on E**y were ridiculously expensive. It is still sold everywhere, right? If it is not discontinued, maybe people just love it so much they won´t sell it? 

Oh and I will also order a tiny vial of CB I Hate Perfume On The Beach 1966, I loved it! Needless to say it is not available over here, neither was it sold at Liberty´s at London. I DID buy Mr Hulot´s Holiday over there, though!

There is just the slight problem that I really should not buy ANYTHING as I really have problems paying my bills. I´m a little bit ashamed. Ok, a lot. Ok, I may have problem here.