image - vicki archer
Over the past weekend the rain has been relentless... relentless in that it hasn't stopped except to drizzle from time to time...Weather in Provence is never dull or ordinary... it is always dramatic... It doesn't just rain... it pours in torrents...quantities of water that bring new meaning to the word, 'wading'... The rain falls off the rooftops in sheets... there are no such practical things as gutters here... and a dash outside means a complete drenching... The sound effects that go with the stormy weather are just as impressive as the volumes of water... 'thunderbolts and lightening.... very, very frightening'... Actually...when you are used to the Provencal dramatics of the weather kind... it is the perfect excuse to stay inside and catch up on what needs to be caught up on... or do absolutely nothing at all...
One thing I did do was re-read all your fragrance 'true loves'... and what was clear to me was that Chanel No 5 is still the favourite followed closely by Mademoiselle. This perfume discussion has reminded me of so many fragrances I used to enjoy and made me even more determined to step outside of my comfort zone and waft through some new ones... I had completely forgotten about Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant... I adore that... and the Guerlain fragrances... not to mention Diorella and Diorissimo from Dior...
I have made a category at SHOP FRENCH ESSENCE called 'Your Fragrances' and included some of the lovely comments that explain what it is about that particular scent that appeals... I hope that you enjoy the browsing and that these pages provide some inspiration for your perfume selections...They have for me...xv
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Yes Chanel No5 is certainly an oldie but a goodie! Will check out your shop, sounds interesting. x
ReplyDeleteI have just been browsing the 'Your Fragrances' section - such a wide range of perfumes. I spotted a few that I used to wear and had forgotten about - maybe it's time to revisit! I do like the new Tom Ford scents though!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
Dear Vicki
ReplyDeleteMaybe Hermes should create another new perfume, L'eau Provencal Jardin inspired by the scent of the rain on the provencal garden!
For the past 20 years I've mostly worn Chanel 19 or Hermes Caleche. As much loved and trusted favourites, I always feel happy and confident each time I open the bottles. Other perfumes I try from time to time and have enjoyed include Hermes: Un Jardin Mediterrane and Un Jardin dans Le Monson; Dior's Ivresse; Prada's Infusion d'Iris; Jean Louis Scherrer's Un; Annick Goutal's L'eau du Sud and L'eau Hadrien.
It's interesting how perfume can be like Proust's madeleine: When Revlon's Charlie was re-released for a while some years ago, I bought a bottle for sentimental reasons (hadn't used it for many many years) and sprayed - there were instant flashbacks and I was in my early 20s as a brand new wife of a post grad student in Cambridge.
Have been a perfume lover from earliest childhood. When my father gave my mother a magnificent bottle of Schiaparelli's Shocking I loved it. I still remember the glamourous glossy shocking pink box and the wonderful bottle of a lady's waist with beautiful little (ceramic or glass?) flowers winding around on wires. The perfume was heavenly too. Sadly for my poor mother my little child's (can't have been more than 4 years old) fingers used to open the bottle and inhale and admire the beauty. One time I didn't put the top back on properly and almost all the perfume leaked out. Amazingly my mother was very patient with me although my father was sadly disappointed as Schiaparelli was not easy to get in Australia in those years.
Use to wear Chanel No 5. Interesting that it is still a favorite.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday, Cindy
Being English, I'm so used to the rain and try to put a positive spin on it and love being inside, fire blazing, candles burning, comfort food in the oven and listening to the rain outside.
ReplyDeleteHope that it's stopped now though Vicki and you can get outside.
I missed your fragrance post.....I'm not very keen on designer perfumes. I like individual perfumiers and Angela Flanders is one of my favourites. I do like Bal a Versailles though, but, they used to sell it in Harrods but, not anymore. Even when we were in Versailles they didn't have it !!
I'm off to check out your readers favourites. XXXX
I love that you are discussing fragrance!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add Bergamote 22 by Le Labo, and Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin. I also love Santa Maria Novella potpourri!
I think the best anecdote for rain is a good book, although a dose of perfume is a lovely pick me up.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes!
Loved visiting your latest shop Vicki, it was like a trip down memory lane. I finally let go of two old bottles of 24, Faubourg today...it has been years and they still looks so pretty on my dressing table but I am of a mind that is time for a change. Either that or I buy a new bottle. :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Vicki for a break in the clouds. I am ready!
Jeanne xx
I'm so jealous--I wish that I could wear perfumes!! Super post and I hope that you are having a sunny, warm day today. Mary
ReplyDeletea ggod friend from high school ... her dad used to call perfume
ReplyDelete"chase me daddy foofoo"
just sayn'
Oh yes but it is the rain that enriches that beautiful earth for the lavender, olives, grapes and herbs! Just like the mistral is so needed too!
ReplyDeletexxx's
Speaking of 'fragrance memories'...I took a whiff of 'Aramis' recently, the cologne my high school sweetheart wore, and WOW...I was startled by how immediately it transported me to such an intimate place and time! : )
ReplyDeleteI only wear essential oils...lavender, sandalwood, frankincense and black pepper are my favorites!
ReplyDeleteHope the rain will become more reasonable! I'm loving this fragrance post Vicki and i'll try not to be too chatty :-) I've had a real love affair with nearly all Guerlain perfumes (currently wearing Mitsouko). In Paris, I once was totally captivated by the fragrance of a friend going to have dinner with her boyfriend. It was like a mixture of mystery, seduction and silky elegance. It was Vol de nuit by Guerlain. I tried it too only to go out at night. I had a serious addiction to Shalimar before adopting Mitsouko...I also like to revisit my mom's perfumes, Arpège by Lanvin and the Hermès colognes.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the long comment by talking about perfume is one of my favorite topics ! :-)
xo
Lala
Quand l'eau de parfum peut remplacer les pluies diluviennes... que du bonheur!
ReplyDeleteGros bisou
Greetings Vicki - I think our usual rain made it's way to you over the weekend. We've had 4 days of sunshine which makes me wonder if I really got off that plane in Scotland? Your blog has changed since I was able to read last. I adore your new changes and your shop is such fun to look through. Many great ideas for holiday gift giving. I am a gal that has loved Theirry Muglers Angel for 13 years but recently have feel in love with Tom Ford's Black Orchid. So many fabulous scents so little time! Sending you all my best and hoping the sun will shine soon for you. xx
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed looking at the wonderful range of fragrances and quotes on your 'Shop French Essence'...you have the best ideas Vicki.
ReplyDeletexxx DJ
ps yes, I'm going to be trying some new ones out!
Oh this is so fun. My new obsession with Jicky is the result of a great article by Lucia van der Post in the FT's How to Spend It - maybe about a year ago. If you can't find it, let me know. (She wore it for her wedding.)
ReplyDeleteMany of the old classics were mentioned, the greats, and a couple of your readers have mentioned them. Vol de Nuit, Bal a Versailles, Quelques and others. Some are being made again, limited. There are perfume blogs that can help you find something. My two favorites are Perfume Shrine and Now Smell This, but there are many.
I smelled something Proustian on someone the other day, it was Norell, I wore in my 20's. I immediately went on eBay and bought an old bottle. BTW, the old juice is most likely still good, so worth a visit.
Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet has always been a go to when you don't want to smell too girlie. It's Prince Charles scent.
Thanks, I loved seeing all your readers comments and look forward to more discussion.
Vicki, you have done a marvellous job of gathering all these beautiful perfumes on your store. You will rapidly become our ' go to' store for fragrance. l love it !
ReplyDeleteVicki
ReplyDeleteFollowing up on the Santa Maria Novella potpourri in an earlier comment. It's completely wonderful. But even more wonderful is the scent from the shop as you stand outside on the footpath in Florence. I asked one of the staff if I could buy this scent and she said it was impossible, as it was just a combination of all the amazing scents in the shop. Some weeks later we were walking in a street in Rome when there was the same beautiful scent in the air - sure enough we were by chance approaching the Santa Maria Novella shop in Rome. How wonderful if they could just somehow capture this and bottle it for our homes!
I love rain and I love perfume. Every time I catch a scent of Tresor I remember my first love. For the last several years I've been wearing Arpege in the FAll/Winter and Fracas in the Spring/Summer.
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteAgain, I must say how marvelous this is of you to do this!! I love it, and to include reader's comments, descriptions, memories?? Brilliant! MERCI!!
By the way, I have been through a couple of Provencal storms...dramatic is an understatement! You are a brave woman!!:))
But it is all so worth it, isn't it?
xoxo,
- Irina