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, August 12, and our summer travels are over. We had a great trip to New England to see my FIL. Along the way, we had our three kids with us on a beautiful lake for several days, saw both of my sisters and three of their kids, also saw my husband’s sister and her family, met our great-nieces for the first time when our nephew came to see my FIL with them, and met both the newish puppy and the young ocicat in my younger sister’s house. Whew! Unlike last summer, we didn’t digress to other destinations but drove straight up the Eastern seaboard, with one stop in Richmond and one in Connecticut, both on the way up and the way down.
We stayed in the most fabulous bed-and-breakfast inn in Richmond, called the Boulevard Inn. It’s a 1914 townhouse in a historic neighborhood called the “Fan” (due to its shape on a map) that is full of cute restaurants and beautiful houses. Our hosts, Mitch and Roni, couldn’t have been nicer or more hospitable. I highly recommend it!
Have you been able to stay anywhere special this summer? I kind of can’t believe summer is really over, but it is. Our son moves back to campus today, and I return to the office. The weather, however, is still very hot and steamy. How about you?
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
hey OH,
That BnB looks so beautiful. What is that style of architecture called? It seems distinctly American but with bits and pieces of other things.
Reads like a wonderful holiday, relaxing and entertaining. So much family.
We can feel our winter abating too. The days are warmer and we are seeing sunshine again after the weirdest, wettest year I can recall. The weather bureau is predicting another year much the same. We are high and dry but so many have not remained so.
I dropped a bottle of Le Galion Eau Noble in my office last weekend and it smashed, draining into the carpet. It’s so gorgeously fragrant in here I’ve hardly been wearing perfume. No need, probably won’t be for another year. It’s not even annoying. I’m enveloped in this magnificent scent, like an olfactory cocoon.
Portia x
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The style is Colonial Revival, I think, which is very American and not unusual at the start of the 20th century when this house was built. I’m sad to hear of your bottle disaster but it sounds as if you’re making the best of it! What does Eau Noble smell like?
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Thanks OH, I’ll be off to look that up in a minute.
Eau Noble is a comfortable herbal woods that opens green and juicy. While thoroughly modern it does hark back to the 1970s days of fougere/chypre. So what I’m left with after a week is a very pretty oakmoss/wood and hints of lavender. Thank goodness it was a Le Galion that fell. their impeccable mixing and low key beauty are a perfect setting to sit and work. Anything else might have been a trial.
Portia xx
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Also, I just looked up that BnB OH. WOW! Seriously beautiful. The area is full of interesting stuff too. You’ve inspired me to think about Virginia as a holiday destination. It looks like we could easily do four or five nights there.
Portia x
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Virginia is beautiful and has tons of history! You can combine a trip to Richmond with Williamsburg and Washington DC very easily.
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Thanks OH, I’ve sent some stuff through to Jin to gauge interest.
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Such a lovely B and B! We haven’t been anywhere recently. Our next trip will be for the grandkids’ first birthday party, which will have about a zillion aunts, uncles and cousins. Hopefully it won’t be too overwhelming for the babies. We’ll stick around for some one on one time with the immediate family after the party. What perfumes did you take on your trip!
I’m wearing Ormonde Jayne’s Champaca now and loving it so much. It has a beautiful development, starting out with a bit of citrusy sharpness and moving to a delicious creamy floral, with perfect balance.
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Wow, I can’t believe those babies will be one soon! Seems like yesterday when you were excitedly awaiting their birth then your first visit!
I took a bunch of my Royalty Scents subscription decants of Christian Dior fragrances. Rose Kabuki and New Look 1947 got the most wear. If I had to choose between them, I’d pick New Look 1947, it gets many compliments and I am really growing to love it.
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Your break sounds the perfect mix of family, fun & a sprinkling of old time luxury.
No holidays for us this summer due to my mum’s declining health & now DH having a rapidly growing tumour. He had the operation yesterday & the surgeon will call as soon as the histology is available. Further treatment will depend on that. So unlikely to be holidaying anytime soon.
As far as perfumery goes Eau Extraordinaire continues to be my scent for this summer
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I hope you and your DH get some positive news, that is so stressful. You’re doing a lot of caregiving — also stressful. I’m very sorry you’re going through all this.
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