polls: 59 posts

Black locust blossoms that smell of jasmine, Indian incense and coconut water

What fragrances do you consider the staples in your perfume wardrobe? What do you put on when you can’t quite decide what to wear? 

Over the past week, my staples have been Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne, Chanel No 19 Poudré, and for the evening, by Kilian Sweet Redemption. No 19 is a perfume I wear often, and if I can’t decide what to wear, I reach for it, knowing that it will be perfect no matter what the occasion. I was surprised to discover how much I fell for No 19 Poudré after all. It’s sheer and crisp at first, but the drydown is tender and soft–the layers of musk, powdery iris and sheer jasmine. Sometimes just pretty is more than enough for me.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Photo by Bois de Jasmin

What perfume or fashion habits have you picked up from your mother or grandmother?

“My grandmother will not leave the house without perfect hair and perfect makeup and her splash of perfume,” explained actress Natalie Portman about her “new mom” fashion style. Portman always seems to be well-put together and elegant. Her photos in fashion magazines usually appear in the best-dressed, rather than fashion disaster columns. Still, I liked the quote and the accompanying photos of the movie star in a trench coat and black pumps.

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The cherry blossoms in Central Park are not the only signs that spring has arrived in the Big Apple. When I notice that New Yorkers shed their habitual dark uniforms and incorporate a splash of color into their wardrobe, I know that winter is finally over. I start taking my lunch outside and find small open air coffee shops to enjoy some sunshine and people watching—one hour of la dolce vita, if you will. As I was observing a beautiful redhead in a pistachio green coat and pink shoes, I realized how energizing colors can be. I myself was dressed in grey jeans and a black sweater, hardly a dazzling color combination.

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What have you tried recently that you absolutely loved and would recommend? What disappointed you?

I have been enjoying a good perfume month so far, as I have been smelling new launches. L’Eau de Chloe, A Lab on Fire What We Do in Paris is Secret, Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb, Serge Lutens L’Eau Froide and Etat Libre d’Orange Fils de Dieu are the new fragrances I liked. I was not thrilled with Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Capri, but I did not have particularly high expectations for it.

Image: Yellow Magnolia by Bois de Jasmin.

What are your hobbies? What activities does your ideal weekend include? What perfume are you wearing?

It is freezing today, and the moment I look at the thermometer, I wrap myself in Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan and a warm sweater. Although I pretend to be disappointed that we are going to cancel our weekend trip, I am actually delighted to have two days to devote to some of my hobbies: dancing, reading, watching old movies, and of course, cooking. Few things are as exciting as a loaf of bread rising just as it should in the oven. Or as fragrant!

Photo: a baguette I baked recently. My attempts are finally starting to look recognizably like baguettes, rather than brown knobby sticks.