Something old, something new, something borrowed...
I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday, at the perfume meetup at niche boutique Noor. Thanks the Dan, who organized the whole thing, I finally met some other GTA scent-heads. I brought my samples, in all their obsessively organized glory, and I even traded for a few new ones. The owners, Fred and Nahla, provided coffee and cookies, and the chance to sniff a few new things. As well as my favourites in L'Artisan, Diptyque, Comme des Garcons, Penhaligon's , Eau d'Italie and Delrae, Noor is now carrying Heeley and Costes and some amazing scented candles. I even got to sniff a couple of things that the store is not carrying... yet.
Here's what I remember best from Noor's secret stock of bottles that aren't for sale:
Robert Piguet Bandit: not as good as my vintage bottle of Bandit, but still a great perfume.Robert Piguet Visa: too sweet for me.
Robert Piguet Futur: nice bitter-green opening, but the heart has something weird going on, like Secretions Magnifique weird. I want to try this again, it's complicated.
Robert Piguet Cravache: a nice anise, like sniffing sambucca.
Vero Profumo Rubj (extrait): really lovely floral with a ruby red grapefruit top note.
Vero Profumo Onda (extrait): gorgeous tobacco. Just the tiniest dab lasted all day long.
I also tried the new L'Artisan Traversee du Bosphore and Penhaligon's Sartorial but wasn't really drawn to either one. I might go back another time and pay more attention but there is just so much to smell.
I picked up a full bottle of Commes des Garcons Hinoki at last. I've been mooning over that perfume for more than a year and now it's cedar sauna with incense goodness is all mine. And I grabbed a sample of Diptyque Olene because I fell for the sweet jasmine/honeysuckle note, even though it's not seasonal. It's a very pretty spring scent, which is why I chose the painting above. That's also kind of what we looked like, all milling about smelling different things, the air fragrant with flowers.
I have something special planned for the week before Christmas, so it's time to start thinking about some gifts from the Orient... stay tuned.
Painting: Sandro Botticelli. Primavera c. 1482. Tempera on wood panel, 6'8" x 10'4 " (2.03 x 3.15 m). Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
This sounds like a fun event. How was it organized? I would love to do something similar in my area of the country.
ReplyDeleteHave not tried Hinoki, but cedar and incense are right up my alley, so I may have to score a sample now.
So wish I could love Bandit. Actually, I can admire the perfume, but can't seem to avoid the accompanying crankiness it brings along with it. In that aspect, it does certainly stand out.
Sounds like a great time! I wish there were things like this happening here!
ReplyDeleteWill they be carrying this "secret stuff" in the boutique eventually? I hope they launch the online boutique soon. Canada really needs more online perfume options.
I see you got the CdG Hinoki. Wonderful! Doesn't buying a full bottle feel good?
Great match - Olene and Botticelli!
Hi Josephine: It was organized by a thread on Basenotes, under the Internet Shopping and City Shopping Guides- Canada - Toronto section. I don't usually hand out on basenotes, just no time, but peredepierre.com clued me into it.
ReplyDeleteHello JoaneElaine: You're in Halifax, right? A meeting like this would be so subversive there, like a prohibition booze can.
We talked to them about getting an online store started. We really do need it.
sounds like a fun time. great way to spend an afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming out on Saturday and it was really nice to meet and chat with you! Glad to hear you had a good time and found some new goodies (I just couldn't like the Hinoki :-(
ReplyDeleteI'll send out the word on various blogs and Basenotes+MUA for the next one; if anyone wants a direct email just KJ has my contact info.
Daniel