Welcome to the Friday 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 3, and what a week it has been. On Monday, we buried my dear father-in-law: Rainy Days and Mondays. I appreciate the kind words from several of you! Flew back home late Monday night, had another day off on Tuesday to decompress, then back to work we all went on Wednesday. I’m so glad it’s Friday!
In fragrance-related news, I spent the weekend using my husband’s bottle of New York, by Patricia de Nicolai, because I forgot to bring any of my many decants and samples (my go-to travel options). New York was so interesting yet comforting, for hours at a time, that I used Amazon points to buy a large back-up bottle so DH and I can share it. Have I mentioned lately how much I love Amazon points? Some reputable retailers of fragrances like BeautyHabit have Amazon stores, and you can use your points there. So much for my low-buy resolutions — but I tell myself that using points isn’t really “buying”, lol.
In other, more cheerful news, we are planning a trip to Lisbon, Portugal this spring, with our son and his girlfriend. This will be AFTER our upcoming trip to Barcelona with our two daughters. A work trip for my husband, while daughters and I entertain ourselves all week. I’m making up for all the trips we weren’t able to take in 2020 and 2021.
I know many lovely perfume outlets in Barcelona but have never been to Lisbon. Suggestions, anyone? Please share in the comments! Also, don’t forget to check out new posts from me and Portia on Monday, when we’ll do our next “Notes on Notes“. The note in question will be vetiver. I hope you’ll chime in with your thoughts!
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
I look forward to reading about your two trips. I shall be living them vicariously through you. Travel outside the UK is off the menu for the foreseeable future. Getting travel insurance with DH’s illness is almost impossible. Where I can get a quote £2000 to £3000 for a week makes it is unaffordable for us.
We are going to Ludlow, a historical country town with a wonderful foodie culture & Farmers market & castle. Ludlow played an important role in British history, it controlled the Welsh Marches, the border with England & Wales. Ludlow Castle was the home of the Princes of Wales, including Arthur, elder brother of Henry VIII & the son of Edward IV, the 12yo Edward V who was imprisoned & usurped by Richard III. I shall be book to go horse riding as often as possible too.
Perfume shopping will be in Bristol, Oxford or Birmingham at a push.
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Ludlow sounds like a marvelous place to visit, and very exotic to this American! I’m sorry the illness prevents traveling further, among its other impacts.
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Lisbon is a lovely city, bit my visit was 20years ago. Enjoy your holidays
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I don’t know of any perfume stores in Lisbon. Miguel Matos on Fragrantica is Portuguese. If you send him a DM on Fragrantica he will probably be able to make some suggestions for places to buy perfume in Lisbon. I’m looking forward to hearing about all your lovely trips. All my traveling is just back and forth to help out with grandchildren. Their nanny quit to go back to teaching (she needed health insurance) so the twins are adjusting to day care. Little Liam is already sick so we will probably be looking after him next week. They aren’t allowed at day care with fever or runny nose (thank goodness!) but the kids still spread germs. I hope the little girl doesn’t get sick, too. Taking care of one of them at a time is a breeze, but two 17 month olds at the same time is chaos!!
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You are one awesome grandmother!
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YAY! Having holidays booked is always so exciting.
PdN New York is gorgeous. I have the intense version. Do they still make the original?
Portia xx
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I think the only new stock is New York Intense, but Luca Turin, who loved the original, gave that top marks. I was able to get a back up bottle of the original, though, since that’s what I had gotten my hubby some time ago.
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Lucky find..
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Indeed!
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