rose

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Sì

siI got this at Åhlens in Stockholm, a blind buy based on the (unusually talkative for a Swede) saleswoman’s advice–and I love this stuff.

It’s like VS Strawberries & Champagne finally old enough to drink, Chevaux d’Or without the gold plating, or Sadanne after moving to Milan.

Black currant wine cork pop at the beginning, then jammy roses that bloom on the clothes for hours. Woody vanilla, with enough patchouli to give it a smirk, stays close to the skin all day.

Fruity sweet, a little powdery, but with a bite and effortlessly stylish.
Chatty Swedish sales lady nailed it.

This hit came out of Italy in 2013 as well, also stylish and interesting.

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You Or Someone Like You

You or Someone like you bright edgy
Etat Libre d’Orange spray sample of You Or Someone Like You, on Kindle cover of book by the same name.

“Possibility in the blue air.”
Chandler Burr’s collaboration with ELd’O–in an homage to LA–is quite good.

A big fresh peel of grapefruit, then a mint mojito–with really nice white rum–and roses.
It’s bright and fresh and cheerful, loud projection and nice longevity, cool green musk at the end, kind of a Gucci Envy updated for this modern age.

I like it much better than the book, which is not cheerful at all, and has very little citrus.

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Ciao

Mini Vince Camuto with filigree cap, on box with pink flower with gold medallion in the center.

Ciao is a girly coming of age party with birthday cake and strawberry champagne and a bouquet of roses, but finishes with cheers and a beer at a pub.

Fun and sweet, but earthy at the end.

A good celebration song–

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My Burberry Black

My Burberry Black
Magazine peelie picturing a square bottle floating on a dark liquid surface.

I loved the rich fruity floral scent on the peelie, but when I tried it on in the store the amber punched me in the stomach and the patchouli hit me on the head with a hammer.

I got two compliments during my rush to the bathroom to scrub it off, and the guy said “ooh, nice,” when I got home–my shirt cuffs actually smelled wonderfully of peachy rose jam.

So I wouldn’t turn down a mini of this, to save for scarves, but not one for my skin.

*

Got this stuck in my head today–

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Pretty Rotten

pretty rotten edgyTokyoMilk No. 33 opens with poisoned alcohol, that metallic knife edge of distillation fumes called “the angels’ share.”
Dusty bruised apples roll in fast, brown sugar and rose–nice, but on me soon get lost in the forest green notes–and end in bittersweet musk.

A fairy-tale step-mother perfume.

Movie soundtrack videos are usually kind of meh, but this one is fun.

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Cafe Tuberosa

cafe tuberosa
Atelier Cologne sample spray on test card with image of yellow bottle with red label.

Fun.

Cocoa and loud roses, orange zest and white flowers. Coffee kicks in after 15 minutes and settles into personal space for another quarter hour.
The chocolate sticks to the skin, but the citrus lingers longer on clothes.

I’d like it on a guy, too–a laid back type who wears floral print shirts and has a good belly-laugh.

This one is also fun and laid back.

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Vaara

VaaraStrangely sweaty in a four seasons way.

First sniff is wilting tulips and grubby spring earth, then humid summer roses bloom for a bit before fall spice takes over with sweet curry funk. Finishes with a cool murky aquatic on the surface of the skin.

The notes list quince, carrot seeds, coriander and peony; benzoin and cedar and a bunch of other stuff that I can’t suss out, but would have liked to experience.

This bit of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is much more exciting.

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Joy by Dior Intense

joy intense
Ad peelie of glass bottle with pink eau. (The store tester did not stain my clothes.)

Soooo much better than the first draft.

The sad Earl Grey sachet is now bright bergamot zest, the pale cream made into sweet vanilla custard, and the rose is a full bouquet of long stemmed high teas.

Sandalwood and tonka add warmth and spice, and if the musk were a little more sheer, I’d buy it by the quart.

(The backup ladies absolutely steal this cover!)