Hermes perfume. I wish I could afford you.

[MistAllChuckingFrighty]

...and not just an occasional dowsing in you in Debenhams.

Yes, it's a pity StoC is in the US - I haven't found a European source with quite such a wide choice. But you could also try Crystal Flacon. Plenty of European suppliers have a sample service (e.g. Les Senteurs), but not many do anything larger.

I was hunting for Ambre des Merveilles myself last year, but found some on eBay.

Anyway, as Wilting says, if you order from StoC order a few while you're at it to make use of the postage. My last order was for about 12 different samples and decants; I have a whole boxful now, including frangrances I would never be able to afford a full bottle of (Tom Ford, I'm looking at you).

They usually have discount codes. December ones as follows: 5% off with code "prettylights" and 8% off orders totaling more than $75 with code "holidaycheer". They come beautifully wrapped too!

(blimey, sounds like I work for them, doesn't it? )

You naughty person! I was in a perfumery shop today, wasn't too keen on your choice, although I do like their Eau de Pamplemousse, but I did try les exclusifs de Chanel & now I want the Gardenia. It is pricey, although not entirely sure how much as I managed to resist buying today.

Wilting did you like Ninfeo Mio ? I think it's a lovely perfume- like a wild garden in summer after a lot of rain. Very 'green' smell.

Oh I love ninfeo mio. My 8ml sample from StoC is nearly gone. Have been watching ebay but you never see it at a good price. Should have bought that 25ml bottle I saw a few weeks back in tk maxx. I'm clearly an idiot!

First, fragrantica should be a first port of call when figuring out what perfumes you might like.

Do you like straight-up gourmand vanilla and amber, or is a spicy vanilla OK? Because if it's the first, there's Yves Rocher Vanille Noir or Voile d'Ambre. If you like spicy vanillas, try Guerlain Shalimar, either the original or special vanilla versions Ode a la Vanille, Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route de Mexique or Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route de Madagascar. Yes, Shalimar has harsher initial notes but the base is such a wonderful vanilla-in-a-church, wood and incense. Jacques Guerlain said that he couldn't imagine a good fragrance not having vanilla, so Guerlain might be a good place for you to look.