It's cold outside so the lovely friendly perfumistas are by the fireplace, sniffing our scarves and dreaming of the desert

[Lotsofpots]

I think we're on thread no 24 - appropriate for the upcoming advent fun!

SOTD Chanel Coco.

Kali, I'm off this week, so taking the opportunity to time travel with you. Have been in vintage Opium (gorgeous) and also vintage First. Have never really given the latter a proper run-out.

It's a shape-shifting tour de force, but so implacably formal, I'm not sure I have the lifestyle to wear it . It has the perfect aldehydic opening: cool, airy, exhilarating and borderline smoky with a hint of grease. Then comes an overtly fruit/floral chypre stage that reminds me a bit of the original Missoni, but has a bigger soapy/mossy green undertow. And after that comes soft warmth from civet and sandalwood (with spicy carnation still peeking through). It's slightly less formidable on repeat wearings, but still smells like it was designed to keep others at a distance, whilst impressing them with the wearer's authority and sophistication.

I thought it was a bit like Diva - but having tried them side by side, I think that's chiefly the bottle shape and the civet note. In the latter, the aldehydes are dialled down, and the honey and rose are dialled up, making for a sweeter and more accessible composition.

I lost you all, hadn't realised there was a new thread! MoD, your parcel should be on its way later today!

Mrs M, I haven't received a PM about adding text to the calendar, have they just not been sent yet?

Stinky, hope you're ok, and that by the fireplace is giving you strength and comfort!

Thank you.
Not looking forward to today much.
I think sotd might be extra sexiest scent

Hope today goes okay Stinky.
SOTD Whispers in the library.

Boglins - I haven't sent yet. Would you like to be the guinea pig? I'll PM the link to you later; if you get a chance, please would you test to see if it works, and then I'll message all participants.

Oh Mrs i love your descriptions - i am afraid mine will be nowhere near as knowledgeable.

Feeling unwell today but just proof reading to do until kids home from school so lots of tea and honey for me.

No SOTD as yet...

I'm very fond of First, MrsM, it's a cracker and that's a lovely review. I have weeny bottle from ebay; I don't wear it often enough though.

SOTD is Amouage Opus 111. Lots of jasmine in this, possibly a little too much for my comfort but these are always well-made and luxurious scents nonetheless.

I am considering having a really epic clear-out of my perfume collection for the new year. I've recently got seriously into yoga and want to spend some money on a proper membership of the wonderful little studio up the road from me...but that's probably my year's perfume budget and then some!

The trouble is, both perfume and yoga are really good for my wellbeing but in truth I have enough perfume to keep me going for years...

Oh, teta, I popped your advent package in the post first thing so hopefully you'll have it for the 1st!

Yes of course MrsM, I'll happily be the guinea pig!

I always worry I may just be subliminally recycling other people's insights Kali...Luca Turin in particular writes with so much impact, that I'm sure things gets inscribed permanently in my grey matter!

First strikes me as a perfume for Grand Dames (along with Mitsouko, and Sortilege??). Everyone needs at least one that works for them, for visiting the Bank Manager or Head Teacher or for scary work situations.

Excellent Boglins - many thanks. Will be a bit later...

Thanks @MaudBaileysGreenTurban. I keep on meaning to try more Amouage as I really like Lyric Woman.
I'm another one that loves your description of First @ MrsMoggs.
But I fear it's too grown up and terrifying for me. The scariest I get is s rather cool n chilly Cristalle 😂.
Wrappings is my Sotd again.

I love Cristall
i have a friend who has a BIG job and is beautiful and terrifying all at once
she wears it with chanel no19
ver sexy

still no SOTD.

Hope you feel better soon kali

Actually a positive day for family member today. Lots more to do though:(

Sote pp by the fireplace

I am in love with so many Grande Dame perfumes these days, although I am the furthest thing from a GD one could imagine

I fell for 24 Faubourg pretty early in my perfume journey and for me that's really one of the grandest, but I would also include Mitsouko, vintage Miss Dior and Givenchy III in my Difficult Meeting armoury. Habanita too, although it perhaps errs a little on the fuzzy, comforting side.

I've asked for a proper FB of Mitsouko for Christmas. It's about time I committed rather than shilly-shallying around with decants!

eddie - they are lucky to have you in their corner.

maud thank you x

Mitsuoko is so beautiful. It's the only guerlain I "get".

I visited the diptyque stand in John Lewis and got myself a bottle of the lovely Philosykos. There’s currently 20% off fragrances in John Lewis and coupled with some vouchers I snagged a real bargain.

I think with Guerlain it's all about the dry down

[pretends to know what she's talking about]

It's the guerlinade I struggle with.
Turns nasty on my skin

Whispers in the Library is delicious, but not much sillage. Although we do all have winter viruses here, so it may be massively over-powering, and I just haven't realised.

SOTD MMM Fireplace. flora I really like Whispers in the Library. I got it in summer and wasn’t keen on it, but it’s lovely now the weather’s changed.

Ah, maybe thays where I went wrong with it too!?
Wasn't keen in summer at all
I think ds2 might have scarlet fever...

Oh no stinky.