Imagine if we had the power of smell-o-vision on our blogs! I'd use it right now, to help me with this post. You'd get the scent of bergamot, lemon, amber, cedarwood, vanilla and more. Sound nice?
The thing is, I was in my local pharmacy a few weeks ago, admiring the seemingly random displays of soft toys, sunglasses and birthday cards amid the cough sweets and corn plasters, when a well-dressed sales rep caught my eye and suggested I might like to "take a free sample!" as she thrust a little card into my hand.
A quick glance revealed a miniature grey tube of perfume attached to the card, so I dropped it into my handbag and was quite excited at the thought of trying it when I got home.
I don't wear perfume often - I'm sensitive to a lot because they make me sniffly. But I like the thought of smelling of something exotic now and then, just enough to make me feel feminine and like I've made an effort - and this mini freebie was an unexpected treat.
Anyway it's rather alluring - quite spicy, a touch woody even, and it doesn't make me sniffle - all good. So I've been wearing a little spray of it each time I've been out these last few weeks. Down the pub with my friend the other night. Down the Indian restaurant with our neighbours on Saturday. Actually just about every time I go out. The sample tube is running out.
Today I decided to look it up for the first time, to see how much it costs - thinking maybe I should buy myself a bottle. Turns out I've been wearing a rather expensive Eau de Toilette. For men.
Still, why not?!
Haha! As you say, C, why not? I love trying out free samples, too. Years ago, I used to throw Christmastime hints to my mother for the expensive French perfumes. Now, I opt for a tiny bottle of "Lily of the Valley" (my favourite flower) essential oil from my local health food store. (More in keeping with my simple tastes, not to mention my budget!)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you smell very nice
DeleteI think I may stick to smelling like a man. Well, a man who's wearing a particularly pleasant Eau de Toilette anyway...
C,
DeleteI was just going through your blogroll. Do you ever hear from Singing Bear?
Ah, he is really missed here on our blogs, but we do keep in touch from time to time privately.
DeleteThat's good to know, C. Maybe he'll start blogging again some day, too.
DeleteHa ha - Why not though if it smells lovely! I have only ever had one or two bottles of perfume on the go at any one time but a couple of years ago darling daughter got a job at Boots the Chemist and every so often she could buy the tester bottles of perfume for £1 (once they were half finished) - I have all sorts of smells in my dressing table drawer now and if I don't like any of them only a £1 wasted so not an expensive mistake. Personally I like the spicy, musky smells best but do you remember that there used to be machines in ladies "restrooms" back in the day where you could get a little spray of Yardley Tweed or something similar - Think we're going back to the '60s here. Totally different kinds of machines in "restrooms" now!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the £1 tester bottles, definitely a bargain. When I was working in an office and booking a lot of travel for colleagues, they'd often come back with those selection boxes of tiny sample bottles from Duty Free and I ended up with a few of those. A great way to occasionally wear something expensive and even if I didn't like the perfume I always loved the tiny replica containers (there's something about things being in miniature!)
DeleteI think I visited the wrong 'restrooms' in my youth - a little spray of Yardley Tweed would have been far preferable to other essences...
Well we are all agog I'm sure at what this scent is! ( though a trailing sillage of scent should always be compelling and mysterious....) anyway I'm glad you liked it, I've had some very unfortunate experiences when those white clad ladies in large and expensive department stores spritz you with something that leaves the rest of your tube compartment wrinkling their noses!
ReplyDeleteHaha, ok - it's Floris of London's 'Santal'. I've just been amusing myself reading some online reviews, here's one:
Delete'The first time I smelled this heavenly scent, i was in the elevator with Placido Domingo who was on his way to a performance. He was sumptuously dressed in a tuxedo with diamond buttons. But, what I remember most about meeting him is how good he smelled. I couldn't resist asking him what scent he was wearing. I could not imagine what divine scent it was - what would one of the best opera singers of our time, one of the most elegantly dressed men I've ever seen wear?? It was Floris Santal. The rich sandalwood and warmth exudes elegance and fit him to a T'
So there we have it, I smell like Placido Domingo ;-)
Oh I know what you mean about those department store perfume guerillas - ugh!
As long as it's not Hai Karate you should be OK.
ReplyDeleteHaha, that takes me back...no I don't expect to be seduced by a voluptuous woman any time soon. But perhaps I should still be careful how I use it.
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