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, July 14, and it is Bastille Day! Vive la France!
Do you plan to wear a French fragrance today? I’ve already announced, on Now Smell This, my goal of wearing a succession of French SOTDs from the houses of Caron, Chanel, Guerlain, and Jean Patou, with possible detours toward Parfums de Nicolai and Atelier des Ors. Candidates include: Infini, No. 22 or 19, Parure, and L’Heure Attendue. Wish me luck!
Please drop by on Monday for the monthly “Counterpoint” blog post that Portia Turbo and I have been doing. We’ve got a great one for you, and it’s French! Full disclosure: it may go up in the afternoon, since I’ll be at my office on campus most of the day.
My countdown toward retirement at the end of July continues — it is both exhilarating and a bit weird. My kids are planning a retirement party for me with family and friends at the end of August, and it’s such fun to find out weekly who will attend, including some dear friends from far away. My workplace will have a retirement reception for me on July 31, my last day on campus. I’m glad to get that chance to say goodbye in person to many colleagues, both at my school and from other campus offices. Since I’m not moving anywhere, I will still be able to have occasional lunch or coffee with some who are particularly close work friends. What a novelty — in almost 19 years in this job, I have rarely even left my desk for lunch (I know, bad habit).
Do you have any special favorites among French fragrances or fragrance houses? Do tell!
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
I am wearing Guerlain Samsara today
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Lovely choice!
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I am a big fan of Nicolaï- 11 bottles in my collection (love that they offer 30ml!!). Will either wear Cap Neroli, Eau Mixte or Eau de Corail today, depending on how hot it is when I get around to my perfume. Your retirement party will be so much fun! Think of how much more gardening time you’ll have!! Yay!
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Bonne chance! I’m wearing Le Labo Santal 33 as I’m trying to use up my travel spray. These days I get self conscious about wearing something too recognizable!
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You are going to love retirement, and your garden will love it, too. You will notice, however, that time passes so swiftly when you’re doing what you want, not what your employer wants! I don’t miss my job at all, but I do miss some of my colleagues. I see 3 of my closest work friends on a regular basis for visits, lunches, etc., and that has been important for me. Two of them are lawyers so we keep up with the legal field along with our personal lives.
I’m wearing Nicolai Riveria Verbena today. I love the Nicolai fragrances so much. I have many as well, including three nice travel sizes of the L’Eau’s. And I love Guerlain and Chanel, the quintessential French brands. My other favorite French houses are Teo Cabanel, Parfums de Rosine and Hermes.
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Morning OH,
Yesterday for the 14th here I wore Guerlain AA Nerolia Vetiver. Today for the rest of the world a swipe of Vol de Nuit parfum. I’ve kept it low key because after lunch today I’m meeting with a bunch of perfume mates for sniffings.
The rest of the weekend will be pretty regular.
Very excited to read your side of the Counterpoint on Monday.
Portia xx
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Almost there!
The first few weeks of retirement feel like a holiday, but six years on I still find novelty in staying home & reading all day if I do wish.
Sadly, economic politics, family health, the pandemic have all conspired to bring many of our plans to a grinding halt.
Instead we’re trying to savour what we can, when we can
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Wise words, thank you!
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So true! I had a lot of international trips planned after I retired, and have yet to go anywhere except to visit the grandchildren, due to the health issues I”ve had since retiring and the pandemic. But it’s fine with me, my sweet babies are more important than anything else to me. I also try to enjoy each day as a special gift.
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I love how both of you are cherishing simple gifts.
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I hope your retirement years are full of wonderful opportunities and adventures.
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