Welcome to the weekly Perfume Chat Room, perfumistas! I envision this chat room as a weekly drop-in spot online, where readers may ask questions, suggest fragrances, tell others their SOTD, comment on new releases or old favorites, and respond to each other. The perennial theme is fragrance, but we can interpret that broadly. This is meant to be a kind space, so please try not to give or take offense, and let’s all agree to disagree when opinions differ. In fragrance as in life, your mileage may vary! YMMV.
Today is Friday, February 12, and here in the USA, Monday will be the Presidents’ Day holiday. Sunday brings us Valentine’s Day, and today is the official day of Lunar New Year. We are officially in the Year of the Ox! Now Smell This has a community project this week to wear a fragrance that evokes the traditional qualities of the Ox: dependable, diligent, reliable, etc. That had me stumped until my eye fell upon a Serge Lutens sample of La Religieuse, so that’s my SOTD. I know others have had less positive experiences with nuns, but I went to a Catholic school in Brussels for two years, run by nuns, and they were lovely, so I have positive associations with “les religieuses”.
I’ve just found out about a new documentary that follows perfumer Francois Demachy, called “Nose.” I look forward to seeing it! Do any of you have special celebrations ahead for any of these holidays or other festive occasions? Any special fragrances in mind for them?
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
Nothing special for the weekend, maybe a special meal on Valentine’s day. My son was born in an Ox year. He fits the profile. Diligent, kind, reliable, hardworking and takes forever to make a decision! My husband and I are both Dragons.
Ox year perfume, hmmm, Lutens Chergui, I think. It’s my faithful reliable fragrance to wear when I can’t decide what to wear. It’s always pleasing and it’s a hard worker, lasting all day and night usually.
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I think we’ll have a special meal too, though I’m late deciding exactly what! I think chocolate must be involved, though.
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I’m wearing Goutal Vanille Exquise. Not really on project but it fits my Friday Favorites. We just decided to skip the usual Vday cards – hubby has been super busy with work so no need to add to his list. I might try to make a special meal on Sunday. Tonight we are meeting friends for Lunar New Year dinner – she is from Taiwan and therefore orders all of the food. In the past we would have a giant raclette party (4 families) but that’s out for this year.
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I hope you have a great evening, I’m envious! We made stir-fry at home. It was yummy but not really authentic.
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I wore Aromatics Elixir for the Metal Ox. Today vintage No19. My boyfriend is making burger buns for today’s dinner. I went outside for a small walk for the first time in 3 weeks since I got covid. Still creeping around like a very old lady, but it’s getting better every day
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I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better. You smell marvelous, at least. Outside is good, but don’t overtire yourself. It took my daughter a while to feel back to normal.
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We didn’t have this day as a holiday at my work, but since I took several days off for my birthday celebration, I extended it through today and got an extra-long weekend. Today I decided to do some testing, not rose-related. Serge Lutens Bas de Soie. It’s beautiful, and I regret I didn’t get to retry it while old bottles were still available. Oh, well… I have many nice iris perfumes already, so I’ll survive.
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I remember trying Bas de Soie some years ago; I liked it, but it wasn’t a passionate love such that I had to have a full bottle.
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