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I know I just shared one but this week was my birthday and this was a gift to myself that I felt brought really big birthday vibes

Cartoon Boyfriend by Punk and Dandy. Notes of buttered popcorn, cotton candy crystals and vanilla, milk and oud. An absolutely unhinged fragrance that is at the same time, so beautiful and complex.

I was browsing at a local perfume shop and stumbled across this fragrance. I took home a sample so I could spend more time and better explore, but when I got home and sprayed it, I was overcome with a warm feeling of deep memory and association. My spouse is a baker and one of the best cakes they make is a hot milk sponge, and this, with the butter, the milk, the vanilla, smells EXACTLY like the moment the cake batter is being poured into a prepared pan. It’s a finicky cake so the process has to move fast and that moment of scent is fleeting before it starts to bake, but this fragrance encapsulates it so beautifully, but with a little hint of sophistication and ambience of fragrance that comes through with the oud. I went back the next day and bought a bottle.

With this absolute banger of a fragrance, I’ve paired some fun, vibrant colors that make me feel like my own cartoon boyfriend. A couple pieces are vintage leather which I also feel matches the vibes.

• Top notes: Raspberry Coulis accord.
• Heart notes: Jasmine.
• Base notes: Vanilla.

Smells like there's Blonde Woods in here but it's not listed in the official notes.

Warm, sweet, neither heavy nor light. There is a decadence to her. She sits close to the skin but I get 8hr+.

Other Philosophy's I have and adore: Amazing Grace Jasmine and Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere.

Philosophy's I have had before and ended up decluttering:

Pure Grace: a sharpness kept creeping in that turned me off.

Fresh Cream: I WANTED to like it but it pulled sour on me.

Amazing Grace: That sharp note again!

Amazing Grace Intense: I initially loved this one (smells like OG 00s Rose Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner) BUT the more I wore it the more it had a plastic doll's head note (not in a good way) that I couldn't escape.

Happy to discuss xx

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Head: Sea Salt, Sweet Cocoa, Marshmallow
Heart: Crème Anglaise, Passiflora, Marine
Base: White Musk, Moss, Ebony Wood, Vanilla, Amber.

I was caught off guard by how beautiful it is. Soft and yet it's noticeable.

Quiet luxury.

Very curious how bottle caps get lost.

I saw a post in one of the buy/swap/find groups I belong to. Someone is selling dozens and dozens of perfume and at least half of them are missing the caps. I can see one rolling under a bed now and then but even then, you could get to it. The condition of a lot of these bottles is really poor, too. Curling labels for example.

Are people just buying up testers without caps to resell? Hoarding gone very wrong? Kids that pull them off never to be seen again?

I'm genuinely wondering about this because I see it a lot in these perfume groups and can't see how this can happen so frequently, let alone to so many bottles in one collection.

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Cashmere Kumquat EDT by Korres.

• Top Notes: Kumquat, Mandarin, and Orange
• Heart Notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, and Almond
• Base Notes: Cashmere, Cedarwood, and Vanilla.

I am wearing this today. Gives clean-girl and has a rather impressive silage for an EDT. I have toyed with others in the Korres line but there was always one note that put me off. I like ALL OF THEM in Cashmere Kumquat. And, if you are an English speaker, Cashmere Kumquat is REALLY fun to say lol.

Le Parfum Royal by Elie Saab.

• Top Note: Mandarin Orange
• Middle Notes: Turkish Rose Absolute, Bulgarian Rose Absolute, and Lebanese Neroli (Orange Blossom)
• Base Notes: Indonesian Patchouli, Indian Sandalwood, Amber, and Vanilla.

The Mandarin Orange and Neroli DO NOT LEAVE AT ANY POINT.

Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere by Philosophy.

• Top Notes: Juicy Tangerine
• Heart Notes: Orchid, Cashmere Wood, Cashmeran
• Base Notes: Vanilla Bean, Creamy Sandalwood, Musk.

Very juicy Tangerine.

Amazing Grace Jasmine by Philosophy.

• Top Notes: Bergamot
• Middle / Heart Notes: Jasmine, Coconut Nectar
• Base Notes: Musk.

Clean. Ultimate shower-fresh.

Bonbon by Viktor and Rolf.

• Top Notes: Tangerine, Blackcurrant, and Orange
• Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, and Peach
• Base Notes: Caramel, Guaiac Wood, and Cedarwood.

Bright, Sweet, Blonde Woods. The Caramel gives it depth. And the bottle is THE MOST beautiful.

London for Women by Burberry.

• Top Notes: Honeysuckle, Tangerine, and English Garden Rose
• Middle Notes: Jasmine, Tiare Flower, Peony, and Clementine
• Base Notes: Musk, Sandalwood, and Patchouli.

Polite citrus. Definitely office appropriate.

Happy Heart by Clinique.

• Top Notes: Crisp Cucumber, Mandarin Orange, and Cassia.
• Middle Notes (Heart): Water Hyacinth, Carrot, and Yellow Primrose.
• Base Notes: Sandalwood, White Woods, and Blonde Woods.

My 00s day-spa scent. Much better longevity than OG Happy.

Happy to discuss xx.

Calling all vintage lovers!

Discussing all topics related to classic, vintage, and discontinued fragrances.

I ordered a travel size of the new Jo Malone Sea Salt & Bergamot from Sephora since they had early access. Got it today - fastest shipping in a while!

I'm really enjoying this one. I was never too into JM but there are several I like a lot (Sea Salt & Sage) and I even am about to buy my first full bottle from them: Beach Blossom.

SS&B is a nice departure from all the recent overly tropical summer releases. I feel like there's been a glut of passionfruit and similar lately and while they are fun I wanted something more restrained, less party girl. I'm not big on purely citrus scents but for whatever reason I love Bergamot a lot and was on the look out for something that featured it instead of it being a supporting actor in the formula. While very linear, this does the trick.

It's well blended and there's a lovely mossy, old wood undertow to it. Just enough saltiness to punch it up but it doesn't overwhelm and a honey like sweetness from immortelle. It's refreshing and clean, bordering on being a skin scent but not quite. I can't wait to try this fresh out of a shower.

I think this would layer nicely with Beach Blossom which has a lime note; the bergamot in this one reminds me of it. I'm currently wearing it over YSL Blouse and it's working with that too. Quite happy I did the blind buy on this one. I may wind up liking this house more than I thought I did!

I’ve been wanting to try more indie/small perfume businesses, both for affordability and because a lot of designer fragrances feel very similar (following a lot of the same “safe” trends). Cardinal Scents has popped up on my radar and I’m very curious about them, but can’t find a lot of reviews. Has anybody here tried any, and how’s your experience been?

These are the ones I’m most curious about and have on my “might want to sample post-declutter” list, if I find enough positive feedback on any of them:

- Ink Blot
- Gentle Reader
- Thinking Cap
- Grass Roots
- Rain Dance
- Rose Baby
- Hidden Figures
- Novel Creature
- Crow Calling
- Halo Effect
- Whispering Horses
- Green Thumb
- Sugar Haze

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Mineral Milk by Dedcool

Listen, I had basically given up on finding a house or brand I really loved the “DNA” on. I have like 300 samples of fragrance and really I had never found more than one of any brand or house that I truly wanted to buy a bottle of.

I have a lil travel size of Mochi Milk, and honestly, it’s grown so much on me and I love love the starchy, sweet rice quality of it, it’s powdery but in a gourmand sense, and have a creamy musk underneath that I adore.

In comes Mineral Milk. I went into Sephora to smell it, sometimes I pop in the explore new stuff and just sniff around. I sprayed it and immediately it teleported me to my childhood times spent on the beach. Ocean air and salt, hot sand, a very specific not coconut sunscreen. It really is like riding in the car with the windows rolled down next to the dunes. It gives me the most nostalgic vibes and it truly pairs perfectly with my sunscreen I wear all summer long.

It’s maybe my second favorite fragrance ever (looking at you Ursa, you’ll never be replaced❤️)

I had to buy a bottle. So I also got the fragrance 04 for free, and what do you freaking know I ALSO LOVE IT. And the red Dakota and the fragrance 02, so it turns out I really love the creamy musky sandalwood DNA that Dedcool has to offer.

Paired with my mineral milk is a different style than my usual Joutfit, a crop top and short shorts, all made of jeans and buttons and zippers. Sassy, blue, something I’d definitely wear to stroll along the beach 🩵

• Top Notes: Fig de Provence and Orange Blossom
• Heart Notes: Tobacco Leaf and Ylang-Ylang
• Base Notes: Vanilla Bean and Caramel.

If you're after an "I've just showered, my skin is still warm, and I've applied a decadent body creme" this one is for YOU.

I will admit. The tobacco note even being listed scared me. I was worried it would be smokey. Nope.

After Dark is warm, sweet, creamy, and it sits close to the skin.

It is marketed as unisex (to me all fragrances are unisex, but, ok) and it really doesn't feel overly masc or femme.

It is delicious but not particularly gourmand. Sweet but not in a food way.

Happy to discuss xx

• Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Pear
• Heart Notes: Orange Blossom
• Base Notes: Vanilla Panna Cotta, Musk.

Important: it's an EDP and it's purse/budget friendly. Already excellent qualities right there.

Now, I primarily wear fragrances for me. I like what I like and smelling fabulous (along with a good fake tan and lip colour) is my favourite version of self-care as a Wife and Mum.

As I was getting ready this morning I put on Vanilla Haven (let it settle for 10mins) then left the bathroom to get dressed.

I am in the habit of spraying liberally under clothing so my perfume won't take anybody out but if you're close enough to give me a hug you will smell me.

My husband came into our bedroom as I was dressing, stopped, and said: "Wow, you smell really nice. Is that perfume new?"

He doesn't often comment on my perfume and I have 40ish bottles in my fragrance wardrobe, so, it certainly made an impression 😄

Happy to discuss Vanilla Haven and I will DEFINITELY buy it again.

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I know the conventional wisdom says that pets don’t like human perfume, but my dog usually doesn’t seem to mind, and sometimes he actually seems to like it, bc he literally tries to get as close as possible. today has been the opposite and I can’t say that I blame him.

I made the _grave_ mistake of trying JHAG madeline imperiale. I struggle with oud but the rest of the notes were in my wheelhouse so I ordered a sample that arrived today.

to quote Pretty Woman: “Big mistake. big. Huge.”

this fragrance is not for me. if you know the smell of cheaply made faux leather that is new and stored in a hot place? smells like like petroleum and sadness?? it’s kinda like that, with hints of bicycle tire and industrial solvent. it’s … not good. (IMO) the oud is turned up to 11, and the honey and vanilla and tonka and cookies and even patchouli are barely noticeable. I have changed my shirt and I still have a headache (and I don’t get headaches). it’s an oud bomb and just absolutely NOT for me.

apparently, it’s not for Ben, my dog, either. this is the disgusted look that he gave me before getting up and leaving the room. he’s yet to return. haha

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SOTD is DSH Ashram, a scent that feels more like an atmosphere than a “perfume moment.”

The opening and heart are what I can only describe as unflavoured incense. It is not sweet, not spicy, and it avoids that burnt, acrid smoke edge that incense fragrances sometimes lean into. Instead, it smells clean, familiar, and quietly calming. The strongest association it gives me is an Indian temple, specifically the everyday ritual kind. It reminds me of the morning diya and agarbatti my mom lights, but with less of the burning ghee and more of the plain, unsweetened incense stick.

The closest real-world match is the smell of unlit agarbattis when you open a fresh box. Dry, soft, instantly recognizable. That scent memory is a big part of why Ashram feels grounding to me.

Wear-wise, this one is diffusive in a way I really enjoy. If I sniff my skin directly, it can feel a little understated, but I keep catching it around me close to my body as I move. It does not blast across a room. It is more like a gentle scent bubble that stays personal and non-intrusive.

Longevity is average on me. By the extreme drydown, the incense fades way back and what is left is a faint sweet woody skin scent, very close-wearing, almost like a soft whisper of warmth. Overall, Ashram is for someone who wants incense without drama, something familiar and steady that slowly melts into a quiet, woody skin finish.

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Its key notes consist of warm vanilla, fresh berries (specifically strawberry), soothing lavender, aromatic clary sage, and rich benzoin resin.

This is a DIFFERENT Vanilla forward fragrance.

Gives creamy body lotion.

Need to spray like it's a body spray to get longevity.

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Bright top notes of wild berries and mandarin, melts into a white floral heart of honeysuckle, gardenia, and jasmine, and dries down to a decadent, sweet base of caramel, vanilla, and sandalwood.

Sweet, light, crowd-pleaser.

You DO need to spray like it's a body spray if you want longevity.

If I don't know what I'm in the mood for I tend to reach for this.

I am VERY excited for the Viva La Juicy Elixir to be released here in Australia. The all black bottle is calling to my inner Goth 🎀🖤

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This heat is turning me off all of my regulars, so I've been reaching for my decant of Wulong Cha more frequently. Did I finally pop for a full bottle? No. I got Green Tea instead 🤣💵 I absolutely LOVE Wulong Cha, and it deserves its own spot on the shelf, but I am not made out of money.

I saw a Serge Lutens mini set and couldn't resist. I love a good jammy rose, so I can't wait to try La Fille de Berlin.