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 NOT Friday, October 28, because I am a day late in posting! We have just wrapped up a week-long visit to New Hampshire, to see my father-in-law who will turn 92 next month. He is doing well, sharp as ever, and we’ve had a lovely week spending every afternoon with him, going right after lunch and staying until his dinner arrives. We’ve enjoyed a week spent in the gorgeous New England fall, though the fall foliage was just past its peak. The reddest leaves tend to fall earliest, from the maples, but there was still plenty of breathtaking orange, gold, yellow and brown to admire. We went on some good walks including a lakeside trail that follows the shoreline and an old railway track.
And of course, I’ve enjoyed smelling the fresh New England fall air, which to my nose is a blend of wet leaves, soil, pine and balsam, damp moss, ferns, chrysanthemums, and lake (I would include sea water if we were on the coast). Probably some petrichor too, as we had a few showers this week.
I’ve also been enjoying some of the Guerlain samples I was sent with my order from the Guerlain boutique in Las Vegas. A few I’ve really liked: Oeillet Pourpre, Herbes Troublantes, and Frenchy Lavande. They blend well with the fall air. I like Oeillet Pourpre very much, but I don’t think it is significanty better, to my nose, than L’Artisan’s Oeillet Sauvage, which I love. I might prefer it slightly to Lutens’ Vitriol d’Oeillet, which I also like very much.
I can’t believe that Halloween is upon us! Do you have any special Halloween plans or traditions? Ours, to the detriment of our waistlines, is that I go out and buy far too much candy in hopes of many little trick-or-treaters, then we don’t get as many as I had hoped, and we “have to” eat all the candy. I’m trying to do better this year!
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
The break sounds lovely OH.
The rainbow in the pick looks like one of the muses from Xanadu coming to earth.
Just got home from our friend Scott’s Halloween Party. It was completely OTT and his yard was turned into a completely spooktacular event. So much fun, even though I loathe house parties. Jin and I went for an hour. OOOOHed and AAAHed at the decorations, everyone’s costumes and chatted with a few dear friends. That took about an hour and then we fled. Perfect outing really.
Happy Halloween to you and the crew.
Portia xx
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Your visit sounds relaxing & joyous!
I know the exact smell you mean about autumn. Taking Jarvis for his morning walk earlier after constant rain over night. Cold, wet earth, the metallic twang of leaves starting to decay, oak bark & petrichor.
I’ve just received a sample of Guerlain Cherry Oud, all I could think of when sniffing on paper was ‘children’s antibiotic medicine’. Not something I would choose to smell of. I will try on skin when I’m in a better place mentally.
Right now the soft cloud of Shalimar Millisime Tonka is just right. Not very radiant or long lasting but a comforting cuddle in a spray
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Yay, you got to wear the new Shalimar!
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Only cos DH is back in the cancer hospital with post chemo sepsis, the boiler broke & we needed a new one putting in, then one of the loos broke & flooded the en suite at midnight. Not been a great week & I needed comfort. The SMT just hit the spot!
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Oh no, I’m so sorry! Yes, you did need comfort.
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The foliage sounds lovely. We have seen some nice leaves on our drives to Saturday football games recently. I’m wearing Five o Clock au Gingembre today and getting an unexpected stay at home day (son is sick and not traveling with the football team for today’s game.). Thinking I’ll take a nice walk, have a nap, and probably some photo editing (which is pretty much every day.)
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Sorry to hear your son is sick, I hope he feels better soon. You smell great!
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Hope your son recovers quickly
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Agree that New England autumn has been lovely! I am most drawn to the red/orange leaves but the ground covered in yellow leaves is gorgeous too. We don’t personally do much for Halloween but my work had a party and some coworkers went all out. Underwater themes seemed very popular.
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It’s so interesting how Halloween is now for grownups as much as kids! It was kids-only when I was growing up. But hey, the more the merrier!
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Sounds like a wonderful trip! I’ve been wanting to try Herbes Troublant and Frenchy Lavande. I’ve heard good reports from everyone who’s tried them. I’m enjoying my spicy scents this week— Frapin If and Etro Paisley.
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Great that you got to spend time with your father in-law. Time is very precious. I’ve noticed that the tree colours here are very vibrant this year, the weather has been mild and there’s not a huge amount of leaf drop yet. I’m having a quiet Hallowe’en this year, no Smallies visiting as they have their own little social lives and parties. A friend is having a fancy dress party tonight but I’m giving it a miss as I have a busy work week. You did really well with your Guerlain haul, unexpected extras are always exciting to try out.
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