Tangled Up in L'Heure Bleue

2011-12-09T17:40:00.000-05:00

2011-11-01T19:42:00.001-04:00

2011-09-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

Coral Negro Perfume by Suchel

2011-02-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

Coral Negro: Head notes include citrus and spice, heart notes are mainly tropical florals, and the soul of the scent is sandalwood, amber, with touches of musk and patchouli. Suchel perfumes are award winning scents and the history of perfumery in Cuba is a very old and respected one. The French house of Molinard was at one time a huge favorite in Cuba. Habanita by Molinard is still a popular perfume.

I have a thing for Coral Negro which keeps it in my top five, and here is a quote from from a good friend of mine regarding Coral Negro. I couldn't describe it any better than he does.

"The saleswoman brought out a bottle, she said it was The Black Coral of Suchel for me to try. Instantly I found it to be on par with the best French perfume. It had a warmth, and was seductive. I decided to buy a bottle for my wife. In the days I spent in Cuba, while sampling the handcrafted fragrances offered in the boutiques and visiting the impressive Perfume Museum, it was as if I was in a place like Grasse, but more mysterious ~ with a very, very spirited nightlife. " ~J.C.

Long ago I imagine, in Habana Vieja the old men sat companionably, in well-worn linen suits and savored their espresso. Perfumed women in lovely handmade dresses brought them a light meal and another espresso ( which they had made from the freshest beans, spring water, raw sugar and boiled milk.) The women heated the water, stirred in the coffee, and boiled it for just a second in tiny pots over a fire. They carefully strained it through cloth. The strong scent of the espresso mingled with that of the cigar smoke and perfume on the breeze. When the Italian espresso machine came to Cuba it was met with great enthusiasm, as you can imagine. Since I've been reading the Coffee Messiah's blog I've been wanting an espresso machine. I doubt if I'll ever get one, and so I'll continue to make primative espresso.

Fun Factoid: French Colonists who settled in Cuba in the 1700s set the standards for coffee cultivation, standards that are still maintained today.A friend told me that François-René de Chateaubriand wrote that the Island of Cuba presents itself by the scent of vanillas and the perfume of tropical flowers. I wasn't able to find the exact quote anywhere, but Chateaubriand did spend time in Louisiana and no doubt sailed to Cuba at some point during his tour of The Americas. I've never read any of his books, but while searching for information on his travels, his novels and memoirs looked very interesting.

Perfume bottles are found on old Cuban postage stamps (I tried to find a clearer stamp image, but no luck.)

~ Yesterday's book review made me add a post script to this post.
The flashy cover review caught my eye ~ Rachel Kushner's novel Telex from Cuba set in the 1950's.

"Kushner has fashioned a story that will linger like a whiff of the decadent Colony perfume." ~ Susann Cokal for The New York Times

The Colony perfume she's referring to is Jean Patou's 1938 creation. (A strong tropical rum punch of a chypre with tobacco, leather, woods, and floral notes.)

Other quality perfumes inspired by Cuba include:
Cuba by Czech & Speake of Jermyn Street, London
perfumer: Robert Stephen
Head notes: a nice blend of rum, lime, and mint
Heart notes: rose, spices and bay
Soul notes: spices, tobacco, cedarwood, and tonka bean.

Cuba Express by perfumer Dominique Dubrana
for Abdes Salam Attar Dubrana chose 4 scents that reminded her of Cuba: coffee, tobacco, rum and cacao.
She blended them with tropical fruits and Caribbean spice.

Helen

2011-01-09T23:08:00.000-05:00

Helen of Troy Vs. Helen of Rubinstein

When I was very young I came to think that Cosmetics Executive and Beauty Salon Queen Helena Rubinstein was a magical queen named Helen, who ruled in a faraway city named Rubinstein.
Rubinstein had minarets studded with rubies and people traveled around on flying carpets. Helen of Rubinstein was a stunning brunette who made Helen of Troy look bland by comparison. Helen of Rubenstein had the finest silk gowns, She wore sapphires and emeralds, and there were even jewels on her velvet slippers. She took baths in a beautiful sunken tub full of perfumed waters. Flower petals were the carpeting under her feet. Beautiful and delicious cupcakes were brought to her by devoted servants. I wanted to travel to Rubenstein and live there for awhile, ( or forever) and I was young enough to firmly believe in flying carpets. I had seen illustrations of them in books, and my older sister had assured me that flying carpets did exist, but only in Arabie. ( The city of Rubenstein was somewhere in Arabie). I was given empty perfume bottles, and as you can see by the photo posted, they were beautifully designed. They conjured up more daydreams for me. Perfumes sitting on a dressing table looked like they could be used in some magic ritual, or hold a magic potion that would help me soar above the minarets on my own magic carpet.

post script: My eldest sister also introduced me to Bob Dylan, Dark chocolate, and photography.

Jack Black: Blacque Jacque Shellacque

2011-01-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

Actor Jack Black ( School of Rock, Shallow Hal) will play Blacque Jacque Shellacque in the upcoming biopic, "Pogo Stick"

Shellacque was a French Canadian fur trapper who landed a starring role as the villain in two Bugs Bunny cartoons. Shellacque was a great actor and worked very well with Bugs Bunny--his future seemed bright. Yosemite Sam flew into a rage at not being cast in those cartoons and told Warner Brothers: "There ain't ROOOOM enough in the cartoon biz fer the both of us!" Warner Brothers decided to let Shellacque go to placate the difficult Sam, who was already an established star.

Shellacque sunk into a deep depression and his drinking escalated. He suffered through many public humiliations and a series of short stints in jail. His wife left him, his friends stopped taking his calls, and he suffered some serious injuries while pogo sticking under the influence. During his recovery he met the woman who would change his life forever.

This is an inspirational story that will have the audience in tears. I hear that the script is top notch, and that Jack Black actually lived with Shellacque in St. Foy, Quebec, working on the accent and body language needed for a realistic portrayal.

Photo of Jack Black courtesy of the Jack Black Fan Club of Warwarsing, NY

Bob Dylan has a small role in the film, playing the actor Vincent Price.

On Fifth Avenue

2010-12-04T16:28:00.001-05:00

Scribner's was my favorite bookstore. It was beyond compare. The only time I ever left without purchasing a book was the day I discovered "comic genius" Jackie Mason all alone, at a table, attempting a book signing. His assistant wasn't even with him at the table. He was shouting out jokes, trying to get people to come over to him. Customers and bookstore employees alike were pretending he didn't exist, which made him louder. It is hard to browse books AND ignore an obnoxious person, so I went over to Rizzoli's that day. I preferred Scribner's to all other bookstores for so many reasons that I practically went into mourning when it closed forever. The beautiful space became home to a clothing store, or two, and then a Sephora. I finally went inside one day because:
a.) It was a humid 90 degrees and I wanted some free cold air.
b.) I felt nostalgic for the beautiful space that was once my beloved Scribner's.
c.) They had perfumes in there.
I had pretty much ignored Sephora up until that day. First I wandered around just looking at the space itself, then I took a few snaps. I had mixed emotions, swirling thoughts about the beauty industry and great bookshops going out of business. A feminist rant was going on inside my head, and then I went to test some perfumes. I had the perfumes all to myself, as the store was filled with tourist ladies and their teenaged daughters who were all mesmerized by lipsticks and bronzers.

The perfume I tested that day was a unisex scent by Guerlain: Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca. It has notes of grass, spearmint, and just a hint of lemony wildflowers. This scent, to me, also has notes of fresh air & sunshine. I'm currently enclosed in an artificially heated space due to freezy winter temps, and it smells like a fresh breeze through a summer meadow. This is one many people would call a "summer scent" but it works very well year 'round.

2010-11-25T19:21:00.001-05:00

Habanita by Molinard

2010-10-29T12:28:00.000-04:00

The air was thick with clove, patchouli, cigarette and other forms of herbal vapor... I thought, "So, this is a Bob Dylan show." --Chris Lane

Habanita by Molinard: 1921 (Inspired by dancers in Havana.)
Head Notes: Bergamot, Lavender, Juniper
Heartnotes: *Mastic , Leather, Heliotrope, Peach, Turkish Rose, Jasmine
Base: Amber, Vanilla, Patchouli, Musk, Tonka, Tobacco, Opopanax
Habanita In Parfum form is exquisite: great sillage, just feminine enough, and intoxicating. Rich and smoky...it really defies description. Intriguing.
*Mastic is a pleasant note; lemony & incense-like.
In Greece, mastic is used to flavor sweets,make wine, and
scent cookies and cakes. It also has medicinal uses. Mastic is
a costly ingredient since the tree grows only on the
Island of Chios.

Check out the lovely Molinard website: http://www.molinard.com/visite_gb.php
Molinard was founded in 1849 in Grasse in Provence in the south of France, remaining an entirely family-run business (oldest in France) right through to the present day. Molinard originally manufactured Eaux de Fleurs (flower-scented waters) and Eau de Colognes that were then sold in its small store in the heart of town. Perfumery is a scientific art. An art mastered by the perfumer, who has a "palette" of between 5,000 to 6,000 different scents, each with its own individual note and personality.
Molinard invented the Concreta: a solid perfume (without alcohol) which they sell in a beautiful gold compact. You can order directly from Molinard.

Je Reviens

2010-07-09T14:15:00.002-04:00

Today's Fragrance: Je Reviens
1932 House of Worth
It has head notes of Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang, and Aldehydes.
The heart of the perfume is a bouquet of Carnation, Jonquil and Violet.
The foundation notes include Amber, Musk and Sandalwood.  

2010-05-22T11:07:00.000-04:00

Love is All

2010-04-10T13:27:00.000-04:00

*Love is All by Guerlain

This post is a special tribute to a particular group of people -- Let's all congratulate all the couples out there who love each other so much, who have found great joy in being together. Couples who have weathered storms, coming through them loving each other more than ever. To all the couples, together for a just few years or for many, who understand the power of true love. (They have lived it.) This post was inspired by some bloggers who are deeply in love, and have been in love with that very special someone for decades, and by my own sweet and remarkable better half. Cheers! This is not to exclude those who are currently searching for that special someone, so don't feel badly, just join me in saluting those who have worked at coupledom and found it to be so worthwhile.

All You Need is Love

Can you see John Lennon's face in the Kaleidoscope image?

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
~ Lao Tzu

"Love is the energy of the Soul."
~ Zukov

*Love is All by Guerlain is a light fresh romantic yet kittenish scent. Take it from a cat who was once a kitten! Mimosa and
Orange blossom in a nice amber sandalwood base. No wonder my bottle is empty!

Platine by Dana

2010-03-17T20:39:00.001-04:00

Platine was soapy. I used to think of perfumes as either edible, soapy, or flowery when I was a kid. Not knowing how else to categorize them, I just had those 3 groups in my head. Then of course I had blends, such as the soapy floral... which was Platine.

Platine was meant to make women think of diamonds set in platinum bands or the glamour of platinum blonde hair.

2010-03-16T15:46:00.000-04:00

Promise her Anything ...

2010-03-07T20:33:00.002-05:00

...but give her Arpege. The women in the photographs are my aunts and if they were promised happiness they certainly didn't get it until they were out of their terrible marriages. Not everyone gets the romance promised in perfume ads. But in these photos they are all just starting out, hopeful and romantic, with no idea what was ahead. One is at her wedding with her Matron of Honor and the other is on the road during her honeymoon trip.

Emeraude

2010-02-26T12:32:00.003-05:00

Amazingly this just recently opened old bottle of Emeraude (approx. 35 years old) smelled just like a new bottle purchased at a local drug store. Although the owners of the Emeraude formula changed, they managed to keep the scent. This speaks volumes for storing things in a cool, dark, dry place.

At a concert last summer, we were packed in tight. After John Mellencamp finished his set and before Bob Dylan came onstage, the woman sitting next to me asked me if I was wearing Emmerood Perfume. I said --"Well close, but it's Shalimar." She said her mom used to wear both those perfumes and it made her feel very nostalgic for them. "Maybe I'll buy some." she murmured. Then she proceeded to get up to stretch her legs or whatever. At some point she accused a man at the end of the row of "groping" her as she passed by. The guy told her to F -off and worse, much worse, really insulting her. His buddy joined in laughing at her and criticizing her weight and looks. (She was a nice looking woman in my opinion.) Indignant, she huffed off and returned with a security guard. At that point the two men (who seemed very drunk) and the woman's boyfriend began shouting at each other and the security guard told them to all calm down or leave. From then on there were scuffles between the three men, a couple of nose to nose stare downs, many taunts and ugly insults, raised fists, poised for action, and so forth. It went on and on and it was silly until it turned into a real wrestling and punching match. Security guards came over and pulled the threesome out to give them a stern talking to. They returned after awhile, still muttering threats. All through Bob's set the woman next to me cried while her boyfriend was taunted by the two guys at the end of the row.

Anyway, back to the Emeraude / Shalimar connection. Emeraude was often referred to as the poor man's Shalimar, since some notes were very similar, and Emeraude was always very affordable and easy to find. (Today it's a bit harder to find, but still very affordable.) I hope they never stop making Emeraude.

2010-02-10T14:25:00.001-05:00

Something Blue

2010-02-08T09:06:00.000-05:00

Shalimar

2010-01-17T03:33:00.000-05:00

Old Labels

2009-11-14T15:55:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I looked closely at the old Prince Matchabelli Labels my aunt gave me ages ago. I remember beach combing as a kid, and creating make-believe gypsy patterans, little piles of shells, beach glass, & whatever dross we found on the beach.

Blog Break

2008-11-14T13:13:00.003-05:00

Magical Moon

2008-10-28T12:53:00.000-04:00

Magical Moon Eau de Parfum by Hanae Mori 2006
Headnotes: Blooming Osmanthus Flower, Sugar Cane, Star Fruit
Heartnotes: China Rose, Orange Flowers, Guava Nectar
Basenotes: Patchouli, Incense, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk
A very warm oriental fragrance. This is a romantic perfume that is both light and potent at the same time. It truly lives up to the name.

"Conceived by master perfumers under a full moon in a garden of night-blooming flowers, its rich buds and blooms are harvested according to an ancient lunar calendar, blended in vats lined with blue moonstone, and bottled under a full moon." --Sephora.com

There is a scented valley in China, where Buddhist Monks planted Osmanthus long ago. Today these groves of Osmanthus perfume the air in the fall, during the Moon Festival. The gentle rains are fragrant and petals float down on a scented breeze. Moon cakes are made for the festival, using flavoring from the Osmanthus. The flowers are also used to make tea, jam, sweets, wine and liqueurs.

Maja

2008-10-09T11:07:00.005-04:00

From Spain. Maja. Eau de Toilette, pretty mild. spicy and a little soapy. nice.

Rose Essentielle

2008-09-30T18:34:00.000-04:00

St. Theresa of Lisieux (The Little Flower) is the Patroness of florists, pilots, and of France. (possibly because she was French, flew around in the sky, and smelled like roses even though she wore no perfumes) In "The Dharma Bums" a novel by Jack Kerouac, a hobo tells a young man about St. Theresa and how she promised to shower the earth with roses from heaven, forever, for all living creatures. She did a good job showering my yard.

Rose Essentielle by Bulgari is a true rose scent, light but enduring, and it smells like the roses in my yard. (pictured here)

Eddy's Perfume Review

2008-09-29T10:19:00.000-04:00

Eddy has been with us for 90 days now, and his warranty has expired. Time for him to earn his keep helping Ched review scents.

Iris Ganache by Guerlain. This (if properly applied) is a light warm scent. Iris butter blended with patchouli and cinnamon makes it both spicy and gourmand. Lightly sweet unless you pour it on. (Why is it that excitable humans tend to overdo it?) I suppose you humans think more is better. Yikes.

Maeve Brennan Again

2008-09-27T00:00:00.008-04:00

I was thrilled when Maeve's stories were collected and reprinted. I have been a fan of hers for many years. I've mentioned her in at least 4 blog posts, like this one.

After her death, Maeve Brennan was called a genius. In life she was loved by her many friends. Angela Bourke, Maeve's biographer described her office at the New Yorker:

"Glass panels in the metal door dribbled light into the corridor of Sleepy Hollow, but Maeve worked with her door open, and instead of the dreary cells the men tolerated, her little office became a bright and fragrant space, where she would sit behind her typewriter, wearing enormous reading glasses. She smoked constantly, but so did everybody else, and Maeve wore Russian Leather perfume that wafted along the corridors and gathered in her room. She brought in potted plants, had the walls painted white, the ceiling Wedgwood blue..."

They no longer use the same formula for Russian Leather, the new scent smells very similar, but toned down. The original had more Pizzazz -- the word Pizzazz was coined by Diana Vreeland, editor of Harper's Bazaar, (where Maeve once worked.)

Mariella Burani

2008-09-24T10:10:00.000-04:00

I was able to thoroughly test Mariella Burani products since I found a perfume shop that had several gift sets and bottles. They were using one of the gift sets as a tester. The perfume itself smells like something that was created long ago, something that only Mrs. Gottrocks could afford to wear. It smells expensive and tres chic. Wearing Mariella Burani might forever ruin some of the classics for you, as it feels warmer, richer, and you'd reach for it instead.

Avin ( the SA pictured) was captivated by it. for her it held some memory of a scent, a favorite place, ( so real it evoked strong emotion, yet she could not place it.) For me it is the best of all the classic Aldehydic scents, each note captured perfectly. The strong citrus and aldehydes at the top, the violets and roses blooming in the heart, with unusual notes chiming in. It is a masterpiece that is still available online and in some shops. Warning: For evening wear only unless you are a daring femme fatale.

Mariella Burani 1992
Head: Bergamot, Mandarin, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Aldehydes
Heart: Rose, Violet, Ylang, Ylang, Peach, Iris, Lily,
Geranium, Coconut, Jasmine
Base: Cedar, Balsam, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Vanilla, Musk, Oakwood, Tolu, Styrax, Labdanum, Castoreum, Benzoin.
A Powerful, deeply satisfying, classic yet sultry evening scent.

Donovan does Guerlain

2008-09-19T13:28:00.000-04:00

Donovan: Wait, Bob! Before you fire up a ciggie, try my truly gorgeous new 'fume!

Thierry Wasser at Guerlain

2008-09-17T00:00:00.002-04:00

Thierry Wasser (seen here with Jean Paul Guerlain) was born near Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Obsessed with botany and earth science as a child, he received his degree in Botany at age twenty. Four years later Wasser was a Junior Perfumer with a degree from Givaudan. If you've tried Dior's Addict or Lancome's Hypnose, you've experienced the creativity of Thierry Wasser who is now the head perfumer at Guerlain.

Wasser is the nose behind 2007's Quand Vient La Pluie, (bergamot, heliotrope, violet, jasmine; patchouli leaves, praline note, white musk, herbs, woods.) and Iris Ganache (bergamot, vanilla, cinnamon, and iris butter in a patchouli base.) Both are excellent~ elegant yet modern.

Angelique Noire

2008-09-16T20:34:00.000-04:00

Today I was reading a post at Merle Sneed's
blog. I thought, hmmm... Sneed's blog smells really good.
Then I realized it was the Angelique Noire I had put on this morning. I went out to get a haircut, and afterwards as I was
walking to the liquor store I thought...this haircut smells so good. Then I realized it was the Angelique Noire. This kept happening to me all day. I thought the perfume had faded, but it kept wafting back, probably due in part to my incredibly warm, soft skin.
( I am a bit tipsy as I write this )
Angelique Noire is a dark angel, a mysterious blend of notes
that always surprises me when I wear it. Always.
Perfumer: Danièle Andrier
Some of the notes are Angelica, Bergamot, Spices,
Almond Wood, and the famous Guerlain Vanilla.

Gossamer and Kirsch

2008-09-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Gossamer was hard to love. At first he scared me the same way he scared Bugs Bunny. Then I liked him just a little, then I felt he was endearing & sweet, or he tried to be sweet. This reminded me of his perfume look-alike that smells like Cherry Liqueur. I wasn't so sure about that at first either. But I came to accept Delices De Cartier just as I had accepted Gossamer. They are both lovable.

-Photo of Gossamer with his hair in TNT curlers at Bugs Bunny's beauty salon.
This was JUST before his head exploded.

* Update

Unlike cherry liqueurs and many 'cherry brandies', Kirschwasser is not sweet. The best Kirsch has a highly refined taste with subtle flavors of morello cherry and a slight bitterness from the stone.

Cherry Brandy is much sweeter and not as nice to drink. The fact that Delices de Cartier smells like a tart cherry Kirsch rather than cherry brandy or cherry candy/ cough drops is what makes it a worthwhile perfume. It will not bring to mind candy or cough syrup, but it is a very boozy scent.

Bob Dylan in Houndstooth

2008-09-06T23:00:00.000-04:00

I don't display perfume bottles until they are empty. While removing the metal cap and plastic tubing, I finally noticed the houndstooth design on the bottom of the Miss Dior Cherie Bottle.
I used this perfume all summer and never noticed the pattern etched on bottom of the bottle.

I've wanted to do a post on the sculptors who design perfume bottles for awhile, but the pattern got me thinking about clothing designers who also decide to make perfumes. Some, like Dior and Chanel, create classics and some use the cheapest chemicals possible to make a fast buck.

And seeing the houndstooth pattern made me think about Dylan's transformation from his old Folksinger clothing to Mod suits. It wasn't a shocking, sudden transformation, but over a five year period he goes from shabby to sharp, from hobo to hipster. Still some people are offended by the changes in his musical and personal style and hate him for it.

On May 17, 1966, Bob Dylan stands on an English stage, wearing a fitted houndstooth suit and pointed boots in front of a 5 piece band with his fender stratocaster, playing rock and roll. There are boos and catcalls from the audience, as some feel he has sold out by "going electric" and finally, just before the last number, someone in the audience screams "Judas!" at him.

Sometimes I think even the 'very resistant to change' are transformed, even if it is only a slight change of thought, or for some, maybe not much more than a new haircut. But I can't imagine anyone wanting to be the same person they were a decade ago.

"A worried man with a worried mind
No one in front of me and nothing behind
There's a woman on my lap and she's drinking champagne
Got white skin, got assassin's eyes
I'm looking up into the sapphire tinted skies
I'm well dressed, waiting on the last train
Standing on the gallows with my head in a noose
Any minute now I'm expecting all hell to break loose
People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed."
--Bob Dylan

A Post for Victor Tabbycat

2008-09-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

Now that September is here, it's time to start sampling some scents. I chose Sensual Amber by The Bath & Body Works because it's a warm, rich amber, perfect to have on hand for that first chilly day. The head notes contain a bit of fruit, so it seems sweet at first, but that doesn't last long. The woodsy soul of the scent make this a joy to wear, and at under twenty dollars, it's a bargain. It smells as good and lasts as long as similar scents that cost three times more.

Inspired by Victor Tabbycat, this film is a look at a Starling who crashes a party. The Starling didn't follow direction very well, though, he had an attitude, came in late and dropped some of the big crumb he was supposed to walk off with, plus he flew in when he was supposed to walk in. He refused to do a re-shoot. Typical. Everyone knows how frustrating these birds can be. Why do you think they call it 'flipping the bird' ? Exactly.

Insolence

2008-09-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

Insolence by Guerlain 2006
Perfumer: Maurice Roucel
Bottle design: Serge Mansau
Notes of violets, iris, and berries.
For casual wear.

Jardin for Marguerite

2008-09-02T06:31:00.000-04:00

The path to Marguerite's jardin?

This one is for Marguerite, who has a very inspiring garden. This was made for Marguerite on a sultry day in a weedy garden, not one as well tended as Marguerite's own jardin.

I'm always amazed at how blogger shrinks down my movies and blurs them. (sigh)

Benches

2008-08-27T03:00:00.001-04:00

For Tony.

Bal a Versailles (Jean Desprez 1962) To me this scent is a rosier but murkier copy of L'Heure Bleue-- but that's just how it feels on my skin. It works better in cold or rainy weather.

Man in the Red Hat

2008-08-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

If my blogger buddy Mickey Blackcat went to the mall, he'd head straight for the man in the red hat and apron. Thanks for being a good friend, Mickey!

When Summer Sizzles

2008-08-23T01:41:00.000-04:00

I feel sad that these men have to wear suits and ties all summer. It would be fun if suddenly it was the fashion for men to dress like the late Steve Irwin to work in NYC on hot humid days. Those little shorts and the cute hat. After all, it is a jungle.

There's something intoxicating about wearing a big floral on a sultry summer night. Applied correctly, (and worn with a skimpy sun dress) it can be really effective.

Jardins de Bagatelle by Guerlain is a prime example of something that really works on a tropical night.
Head: bergamot
Heart: jasmine, gardenia, tuberose,
Soul: woody notes
A graceful scent for those who enjoy ultra feminine florals. It is as sheer as a strong floral can be considering the tuberose gardenia combination. The famous Guerlain jasmine seems to calm this potion down just enough. Starting out sweet and emphatic, it becomes much more refreshing and delicate as it settles down about 30 minutes after application. It will last all evening. It would be almost Southern Belle except that it is thoroughly French.

The Poet's Chair

2008-08-23T00:01:00.001-04:00

~For Possum (LKD)

Cheers!

2008-08-22T00:00:00.003-04:00

This film is dedicated to Jenny Ha Ha of Flaw and Disorder, who has been blogging a lot less because she had a baby (a daughter) this summer. This film is a toast to Jenn & Ironman.

Six Unremarkable Things About Me

2008-08-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

1. Like many other people, I'm right handed.

2. Like many other people, I know how to send an e mail.

3. Like many other people, I feel that maraschino cherries are more decorative than anything else.

4. Like many other people, I enjoy being near bodies of water.

5. Like many people I appreciate that Bob Dylan has talent.

6. Like many other people, I buy food to take home and eat.

This was a tag from Possum, and I'll pass the tag to six other people: Post six unremarkable things about yourself. Appreciate the ordinary!
1. Mercury
2. Merle
3. Mouse
4. Megan
5. Mrs. Mayhem
6. Marguerite

Of course I'd love to know all of your truly unremarkable bits, so EvErYoNe is tagged.

Hardware: A Short Film

2008-08-18T00:15:00.000-04:00

I've decided to create a short film for each of my blogger commenters, and first up is Hardware, a film dedicated to Merle Sneed.

No film will exceed 30 seconds, and most will be 15 seconds or shorter.

It will be a sort of Film Festival, with each film inspired by some blogger out there, who has touched my life and expanded my mind. Thanking you all in advance for the inspiration.

This is Me

2008-08-16T04:11:00.001-04:00

Here I am spending another Saturday morning watching an old movie on TV. More than 150 channels and all I watch is one old movie channel.

I'm about to cancel cable, and just get old movies from the library ~ totally free!

What are Joseph Cotton and Claudette Colbert eating in this scene? It was dessert, and it wiggled. Could it be jello???

Hairbrush

2008-08-14T00:00:00.007-04:00

I love my hairbrush.

Someone gave me this ages ago--it always make me think how hard it would be to curl your hair by this method. And tedious. Lucky I never suffered from curl envy... curling irons, hot rollers, all of the modern methods are a turn off too!

~There is a perfume called Clean Hair Smell by SmellThis. It's based on the smell of shampoo and apples.

Wayfarers

2008-08-13T00:00:00.003-04:00

When Lettuce visited, we sometimes spent most of the day walking and taking pictures. I took this one in Manhattan when we were on our way to meet Steve. These carefree times were the highlight of my summer.

A few days later Lettuce and I hit thrift shops where I found this old photo of an elegant man standing next to his car. This was probably everyday elegance back then. (My parents always looked pretty spiffy and I liked that.)

Our wanderings took us into an offbeat drug store where they had an odd selection of old classic perfumes and a fresh tester of Vol de Nuit. I sampled a bit, knowing I already liked it, but it's always nice to get something that smells real good, for free.

Vol de Nuit (1933 Jacques Guerlain)
Head notes of bergamot and petitgrain
Heart notes of jasmine, daffodil, and spices
Soul notes of rare woods, forest notes, amber and vanilla.

Third photo: Ched with his Guerlain Encyclopedia. (2007)

Dragonfly

2008-08-11T16:30:00.004-04:00

I see a lot of dragonflies in the Hudson River Valley and Catskill region, but this one was more meaningful than most. (Click on photos to enlarge) In some cultures the dragonfly represents swiftness or happiness.

A few days ago I was driving along and decided on a whim to stop in a rather deserted place to take pictures. A place that was busy a decade ago, but abandoned now. It was a silent place, and it was one of those perfect weather days, just made for rambling around, so I thought why not stop...

and take a closer look?

The dragonfly was visiting the little oasis in this picture--
I was very surprised to find this! (You really have to enlarge the photo to get the full effect.)

Mother Nature decided it was time to reclaim a bit of what man made and then abandoned, a parking lot and a strip mall in Monticello, New York. In what seems to be not much more than a deep puddle, she grew cattails and other water loving plants that attracted the dragonfly.

It's not surprising that the dragonfly also symbolizes renewal.

I am a Cat

2008-08-09T00:00:00.006-04:00

Ched (circa 2006) "We're running low on Fritos."

For the last few weeks I've been wearing Shalimar. Summer is a tough time to sample scents for many reasons. (they don't last in hot weather, we're busier in summer, we're swimming, traveling, we need to simplify, scent-wise.) Some of those big ass florals really attract bugs, too. But Shalimar has enough citrus & smoke to ward off bugs. Bugs seem to hate bergamot.

Last month I wore Mitsouko a lot. I switched from the heavy perfume to the lighter, peachier EdT. Nice for summer nights. It seems when I get bored with perfumes, I just go back to basics. A nice vacation from sampling, just savoring an old reliable favorite.

I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan

They say everything can be replaced
They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here.

I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

They say every man needs protection
They say every man must fall
So I swear I see my reflection
Someplace so high above this wall.

I see my light come shining
from the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

Standing next to me in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he was framed.

I see my light come shining
from the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

Chrissy Hyndes covers this song wonderfully. go to Youtube:
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YSoDaTcH8g )
if you're interested in seeing / hearing her.

Fly Away Home: Sky Friday

2008-08-08T00:44:00.003-04:00

I was walking across a parking lot with Lettuce and Steve when these migratory birds flew over.

A few days later Lettuce was walking up these stairs at Newark Airport. We were both so tired, it was like a dream sequence.

She walked into this blue carpeted area. Of course I added more blue to the photo. I was very sad to see her go, but it was time for her to fly away home. Later she e mailed to say she'd had a very nice flight. (Her wings were a little tired, but otherwise...)

Stairs are Everywheres

2008-08-07T00:35:00.000-04:00

We usually don't notice stairs very much...

Unless they are difficult to climb while carrying bags of groceries, or they have snow on them, and then we only notice them in a "I must be careful" sort of way.

How many times have I run down these very steps to catch a train that had just pulled into the station? Thousands of times. I ran up and down these steps almost daily when I worked on one of the top floors of a nearby skyscraper.

~The old W.T. Grant Building, now known as One Astor Plaza. More than 50 stories tall... one day, there was a power failure in the building and of course the elevators didn't work, so we had to walk down the stairs. As we were walking down, the Big Lunkhead Bossman complained that it was so very tiring and asked those of us who were forced to walk with him,
"Is it easier to walk down or up a flight of stairs?"

Someone answered that down was easier, while the rest of us pretended we didn't know. But the boss wasn't sure... he mumbled something about something he'd learned in physics class. I remembered thinking it would be lots easier to shove him down the stairs than up, anyway.

I like stairs, and I like ladders, but I didn't have a good photo of a ladder to post. This was the best I could do, re: Ladders.

“That's my Stepladder, my real ladder left when I was seven”
~ Noel Coward

Kerhonkson to Bethel

2008-08-06T00:31:00.001-04:00

On Sunday we stopped in Kerhonkson to check out the world's largest garden gnome. I don't usually care all that much for gnomes, but he had a good vibe.

It really was amazing to stand next to this giant. This was a great thing to sandwich in between the Mt. Tremper Kaleidoscope and Hippiefest in Bethel.

It was a perfect day from start to finish. Check out the sky. It gets very cool and slightly damp in the mountains starting at dusk, even if the day has been hot and muggy. Later that night it was clear and you could see so many stars it was incredible.

Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, Mt. Tremper, NY

2008-08-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

Before we went to Hippiefest in Bethel, we went inside a huge kaleidoscope (where I took this very short video while lying flat on my back.) The Kaleidoscope was once an old silo.

Hippiefest 2008 Bethel, NY

2008-08-04T00:12:00.006-04:00

All of the performers were excellent, and Bethel is a beautiful place. The acts were surprisingly good, with The Turtles, Badfinger, The amazing Eric Burdon and Jack Bruce, and lone female Melanie doing a long cute version of her Rollerskate song. Melanie talked a lot, but I was walking around taking pics, so I only caught part of what she was saying. It seemed like the same exact thing she's done at other concerts at Bethel, so I felt I wasn't missing anything by focusing on the concertgoers while she did her shtick. Eric Burdon did have one female musician, (base player, I think) but it was mainly a fest of hippie guys. The Turtles made brief, funny jokes, and after singing "It Ain't Me Babe" said Thank You Mr. Zimmerman, Sir!

Eric Burdon covered a Stone's song. Paint it Black, and did it very well. Burdon was a powerhouse. All of the acts were strong.

Storm King Art Center

2008-08-02T04:03:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday we visited Storm King Art Center in Mountainville, NY. The 500 acre sculpture park was founded in 1960.

We pretty much walked around in the 90 plus degree heat for over five hours, and still, the security staff had to come and find us close to closing time. We were, of course in the far reaches of the park having just discovered a whole mess of cool sculptures, small and large, that we hadn't seen yet.

We had to trot quickly over many acres of hills and through wooded areas so as not to annoy employees who wanted to go home. We annoyed them anyway, by being 30 seconds late. They were waiting next to my truck, glaring. They didn't respond at all when we smiled and said goodnight.

Since there were many wooded areas, and massive trees here and there, we were able to survive the mugginess of the day. There is no restaurant on sight, so picnicking and lounging around is encouraged.

top photo: The Storm King Wall by Andy Goldsworthy (very small section seen here)
middle photo: Suspended by Menashe Kadishman
bottom photo: 3 by Mark Di Suvero

Other artists works include: Magdalena Abakanowicz, David Smith, Louise Nevelson, Nam June Paik, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, Richard Serra, Siah Armajani, Louise Bourgeoisie, Johnny Swing, (and many more.)

Girl With The Red Ice Cream Cone

2008-08-01T00:46:00.003-04:00

I'm really enjoying taking portraits of people. Took this picture a few days ago in Central Valley, NY.

Friends

2008-07-30T00:47:00.006-04:00

I met these men on Tuesday and they had a very nice vibe. The man on the left explained that they were best friends. He said the man on the right was like a father to him in fact.

Yesterday: People

2008-07-29T10:07:00.004-04:00

Met these tourists on 29th Street in Manhattan

Took a portrait of a friendly Ice Cream Vendor on 43rd Street

Lettuce in a deli joking around

On the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn

At The Shore

2008-07-27T22:27:00.002-04:00

When Lettuce and I arrived at Coney Island, the sky had already turned stormy.

A thunderstorm hit and the rides were shut down. Crowds of people fled.

We sought refuge at a clam bar where we huddled under an awning with a small group of people for quite some time.

Everyone was in a good mood and I think we had more fun than we would have if it had simply been hot and sunny.

As we were leaving I saw this group trying to decide what to do next.

Random Pictures

2008-07-26T23:16:00.004-04:00

Today we stayed close to home, and took a leisurely six mile stroll.
(Click to enlarge)

We walked up and down and all around, went to a gospel concert, (where Lettuce showed me how to use the video function on my new camera) and sat for a while just looking out at the river. Grateful for the cool breeze on an otherwise sultry day.

It was one of those days where nothing much is happening, but a lot a nice things happen.

Strange

2008-07-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Chedwick (L.) and Eddy touch noses.

Chedwick on the sofa. Proof that it's impossible to take a bad picture of a cat.

Mysterious fluffs are rolling around outside like little pink tumbleweeds. Neighbors a half mile away are watching them roll by, asking "what are those things?" They are the seedy spent blossoms of the Smoke Tree. On a very windy day it's like pink snow flurries, as we live on the side of a hill where the wind is often eddying. The fluffs fly up and sideways and down, they go everywhere like all the seed pods in spring. Some are fairly large though, and scare people.

Lettuce Arrives from London

2008-07-24T21:10:00.002-04:00

Lettuce is here and all is well

I picked Lettuce up at the Airport and we are about to go out for a drink.

Happy Happy Door Door!

2008-07-24T00:04:00.000-04:00

I know a lot of people would love to have this door, but it's just too fancy for my taste ~ I'd expect some Danny Elfman music to start playing every time I went in or out. Or some nice calliope music anyway, and I'd have to start wearing big Victorian hats if this was my door. Oh, and the apartment would have to live up to the door~you wouldn't expect to see squalor on the other side.

This mailbox was right outside the colorful door. I liked the way the Queen's Ann's Lace looked growing there. Ever since I was a toddler, this weed has been one of my favorite flowers. I finally figured it out today ~ reminds me of snowflakes, which have always seemed magical to me.

Knockin' on Heaven's Door

2008-07-23T22:32:00.002-04:00

See the Video with Bob (and Roger McGuinn) here

In Praise of Coffee

2008-07-23T00:09:00.003-04:00

This past week we had a heat wave, so I spent more time in my local coffee shops than I normally do. I read a very interesting book, too.

I met a shy man on the street. He had a cup of coffee and a mask.

Kim had the right idea thinking we should just spend the month of July celebrating birthdays. One month of non-stop celebrating would make us realize how fortunate we all are to have each other. Famous people born on this day include Haile Selassie, Raymond Chandler, and The Coffee Messiah.

I could sing the praises of coffee, but could never do it as well as The Coffee Messiah does. His blog has made me appreciate coffee more, try new blends, brew it with more thought, and drink an extra cup every day.

The Coffee Messiah recommended this book, Pre Raphaelites in Love by Gay Daly. It's so well written, I really enjoyed it, and it took me back to a time long ago when some of these paintings meant a great deal to me. (of course I was just staring at small reproductions of them in an art book.) Now that I know something about the artists and the models, I'd like to see some of these paintings and wonder how many of them are in museum collections today.

Random Things

2008-07-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Dennis chooses the perfume Rumeur as his pic for July's summer scent. Dennis says it's a cut above most of the stuff you find on the department store counter, and it has magnolia. Dennis loves magnolia.

It's going to be a busy few weeks starting on Thursday when I'm picking up a certain blogger at the airport. Guess Who?

Does anyone remember what the original Tweed smelled like?

If you've ever seen Dirty Dancing, you may have noticed Baby's mom, played by former ballerina and Tony Award winner Kelly Bishop.

Kelly played Howard Stern's crazy mom in Private Parts and was Toby Maguire's mom in The Wonder Boys. She wanted to be Sarah J. Parker's step-mom in Miami Rhapsody. Mainly a theater actress, she gets offered a lot of mom roles. (and is still close to many of her film kids, including Howard Stern and Christian Slater.) She's known for being very sweet and easy going--the opposite of her most famous mom role as Emily in the TV series The Gilmore Girls.

Sláinte

2008-07-19T05:09:00.001-04:00

A truly beautiful day in the neighborhood would have been me and Fred just hanging out with F. and Kimy, celebrating their birthdays with some Guinness and storytelling. Happy Birthday to Wat and Kimy and anyone else who has a birthday this week!

(Fred brought the drinks photo(shop) by Chedwick)

Shady Goings On

2008-07-18T09:33:00.006-04:00

My yard was once very sunny, and I had a veggie patch and lots of roses. It could have won the tidy yard award.

But the oak and maples and the pines and cypress and spruce all grew bigger and shaded out my medium-small yard.

The patio was once in full sun, now it gets some sun for maybe an hour a day.

Things have grown on their own, too, like these butterfly bushes that just appeared (I planted one and now have four.) I just mow a narrow path through my back yard with a push mower. Weeds are everywhere and many, many people have suggested I hire a landscaper. An opossum seems to live in my backyard now, and there are a few deer napping under trees, bunnies of all sizes are in the tall weeds, a woodchuck mom with her babies hangs out. Every time I walk through the yard some wild animal pops up. The trees are noisy with birds. We seem to have a big population of chipmunks and squirrels, too.

This large lilac is leaning sideways trying to get to some sunshine. When I planted it, it was in the sun. Not anymore. On the plus side, I use less water, and I don't have to protect plants from wildlife. If a deer eats a rose bush down to a nub, I just say bon appétit. Someday I'll plan and dig and prune and plant a civilized garden again, but for now I'll just enjoy the shade.

(I did get several cuttings from the leaning lilac, and they are thriving in the sun in other people's well-kept yards.)

Staying Home

2008-07-17T01:00:00.001-04:00

As a kid and as a young adult I lived in urban areas. Home was often a small apartment I happily occupied. As long as there was a good view from the window, I'd rent the place. I learned early that landlords and co-op boards called the shots however, and I didn't want to stay where I'd have go before a board to get a new kitten approved. I wanted a home where I could plant trees and see the stars on a clear night.

Home for me is an outdoor as well as an indoor place. Home means sharing a space with nature. I'll gladly commute to work, but not to see wildlife or hike up a mountain.Some people would label my life conventional and/or dull, but that's the way it goes. I'm a suburbanite who lives within easy walking distance of a mountain and a river that I could never get tired of. In summer, for at least a few weeks, I become a total hayseed with grand dreams of someday being a beekeeper with an apple orchard.

I've decided to not go on any serious vacations for awhile, choosing instead to stay close to home and re-discover my own backyard--The Hudson River Valley & the mountains we call The `Gunks and The`Skills. I also hope to hike a nearby section of The Appalachian Trail. I guess I should start a journal called Staying Home.

The Afternoon of the Turtle

2008-07-14T22:15:00.002-04:00

It's after 10pm and I'm still thinking about turtles. It started with a turtle cloud, or a cloud that looked like a turtle to me.

I drove for about an hour and then stopped to buy some fruit. (I like to park far away from all the other cars and walk across parking lots for some reason) and I saw this van and thought-- another turtle... and this turtle is like a celebrity turtle!

I drove for another hour and was walking to the post office when I randomly happened upon a courtyard with... more turtles. What can it mean?

That's a lot of turtle sightings for one afternoon. I wonder what Tut Tut would think of it.

Lake Weekend

2008-07-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

This weekend I relaxed at *Fishy Lake. I learned that people put on shoes to go swimming now. "Swim Shoes" This seems weird to me, but modern people wear shoes when they swim in lakes because maybe they'll stub their toe on a sharp pebble or something. I didn't wear shoes in the lake, and I didn't hurt my feet, either. I was advised to get swim shoes though, in case of a future encounter with a sharp object.

The lake is full of fish, and snakes too--harmless shy snakes. (it was hard to get a picture of a snake, but I finally did it!)

Yesterday there was enough sunshine to swim and watch a fisherman grill up some lunch. This is the exterior of my friend's cabin on the lake. It needs work, but she is like superwoman, so in a year or two you won't recognize the place. She can use power tools. She spent every weekend this spring gutting the once very dark and scary interior, and made it bright, cheery and functional, She recycled many building materials, old cupboards, etc... It's 900 square feet, and is now the summer home for her two young children. Lucky kids!

My friend used to spend a lot of time on a sailboat with her mother when she was a kid. Her mother wore Coriandre in those days, so my friend is experimenting with it now. She says it reminds her of her mom as she was thirty years ago... and has brought on many good feelings and memories. The perfume was introduced in 1973.
Coriandre's head notes are sharp, but fade quickly into a nice woodsy scent. The oak moss and spices made it a good scent for the lake weekend.

*Fishy Lake is not the real name of this lake.

What is Beauty?

2008-07-11T19:53:00.010-04:00

Several e mails have come in from readers comparing kitten Eddy to a Golliwog doll. One helpful reader even sent a photo of a Golliwog doll as I had no idea what they were talking about.

First of all, Eddy would never wear a bow tie. Secondly, I think Eddy is very, very, beautiful.

A beautiful blogger gave me a gift set of Estee Lauder perfumes. I took them home and began sniffing. Just days later I had an interesting moment with a woman in a market.
I don't often go to this particular market, but in one crowded aisle I squeezed past this woman who smelled really nice --and the scent was vaguely familiar. I had to go back and tell her she smelled nice. Although she looked as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, she perked right up and told me she was wearing Estee Lauder's Beautiful. All I can say is, she wore it very well. The woman had a British accent, and as I looked into her eyes and listened to her talk about the perfume, I realized she and I had had a brief encounter before, maybe a year or so ago, in this very store while choosing items from one of the British & Irish aisles. She was beautiful.

I'm not surprised that perfumer Sophia Grojsman created Beautiful, with head notes of rose and lily, heart notes of orange flower and more lily, in a sparkly vetiver, amber, and sandalwood base. But it's a stronger floral than most of her creations, so only a small percentage of women can really wear it beautifully.

Birthday Donuts

2008-07-10T00:00:00.003-04:00

I looked through a pile of old journals to see what I was writing about each year on my birthday. Apparently one year a co-worker gave me three donuts. (I was to choose two and he would get the third.) I let him have the Boston creme and shared the old standby with him. It was one of the rare occasions that I wrote about food or gifts on my birthday. Sometimes I was at work on my birthday, and except for my 27th, they were all happy entries, or happy enough anyway. On my 27th birthday I lamented getting old and frivoling away my precious twenties.

I tend to let birthdays go by as just another day, pretty much. I never yearn for a cake or a party, probably because as a kid my family made a huge deal out of birthdays, the apartment was decorated, an over the top party was thrown, too much fuss, and I had enough of that.

On one birthday I made a list of things I was tired of hearing my co-workers talk about.
1.Politics (complete with shrill debates)
2.Religion (which Christian has the best church)
3.The diets they are on (and on and on)
4.Movie stars
5.How much they hate the boss

and I tried to list interesting things I overheard at work:
1. nobody ever says anything of interest.
and yet I like my job.

I went for long walks on some of my birthdays, but didn't bother to note exactly where. (once it was a long hike up a mountain, and I can only guess it was probably Mohonk Mountain by the description of the scenery.)

I spent some birthdays on the road... Tampa Florida, Ireland, Bethlehem PA, Los Angeles. On one birthday I walked through Central Park in the rain and around the reservoir. The rain never let up but I was into it, it was something I had wanted to do, and my companion was fine with it too. Later we walked over to the Metropolitan Museum of art to dry out, but other people had the same idea, and the place smelled like wet people. (which is not anywhere near as bad as wet dog, but still...all the wet coats...) There was a big Diane Arbus exhibit, and everyone crowded in to see it, a smelly woolly crowd.

I noticed I went through phases with my journals. One year they were kept in French, so they read as if an 8 year old wrote them. One year there was much modern poetry quoted, another year it was Shakespeare, another year there were tons of references to operas I had gone to. Then there was a comic book phase
which lasted a lot longer than the opera phase.

A series of grocery lists written in Irish were the only references to food. (besides the 3 donuts.)

The journals were 50% dull, to be honest ~ Stuffed with necessary work notes, lists, and reminders.

In one birthday entry I wrote: Felt like Muriel Fedder at the movies with Seymour. I often referenced books, and this was a J.D. Salinger moment. I instantly knew what this was all about, even though I wrote it years and years ago.

On one birthday in my early twenties I was happy to just do laundry and give my new apartment a thorough cleaning. Although I realized "did laundry" might not be a great journal entry, and added this cartoon.
But who isn't made happier by the sight of basket of freshly done laundry?

Today is not my birthday, but if it's yours, Happy Birthday!

Why I go to the Big Crazy Mall

2008-07-08T10:36:00.003-04:00

No, I'm not crazy, and I don't crave punishment. But I do go to the mall every so often. Why? I'll tell you why--

There's a huge Japanese bookstore at the mall, and I always find a good book there. They have hundreds of books of Haiku, and loads of novels, memoirs, histories, classics, and short story collections. Plus they have little teeny notebooks, cool pens, and incredible art supplies.

This is a book I got and it is a real classic. At first it was just a short story that appeared in installments in a literary magazine back in 1905. Then the short story became the first chapter of an epic trilogy that is a classic of world literature.

I Am a Cat is the story of an unloved, unwanted kitten who is the observer of human nature for Natsume. A very inventive and brilliant book.

2008-07-05T08:02:00.000-04:00

Fragonard Perfumes

2008-07-05T05:59:00.003-04:00

Funny enough, Fragonard was the first French scent Eddy came in contact with when he came to live with us last Sunday. He started by sniffing the Fragonard soap, and even tasted it (just a lick.) Here he is (on right) with Chedwick posing with all that remains from my last trip to Grasse. (Fragonard also has two boutiques in Paris and one in Eze.) My favorite scents from Fragonard are: Rêve Indien ( fruits, rose & iris in an amber patchouli base), Murmure (I don't remember the specifics but I liked it), Miranda( a nice oriental with a tropical feel & a coconut note), Billet Doux (a carnation blend with woodsy base), and Etoile Du Sud which I still have (a lovely lilac scent that is cool like spring rain). My favorite men's cologne is Concerto (a citrussy cologne in an amber base with tea notes.)

Two that I'd like to try are Grain de Soleil (a modern almost gourmand scent with cinnamon and spice headnotes, a rose & iris heart and an amber, vanilla and incense base) and éclat, an ethereal floral with citrus headnotes, a freesia and light gardenia heart, in a sweet marshmallow base.) The Marshmallow is a perennial flowering plant (Althaea.) its roots and sweet leaves are used in perfumery and in the making of medicines. I've never heard of it being used in perfumery before, and am curious.
Fragonard has many sample sets to choose from and minature bottles, all at reasonable prices.

This post is for Cynthesis who asked if I'd ever reviewed Fragonard. I always meant to & quickly put this post together last night. Excuse the sloppiness.

Happy Independence Day

2008-07-04T00:12:00.003-04:00

I'm back and my plan for the long holiday weekend is to relax and recover from the adorable ball of frenzied energy that is Eddy. Extra humans will be on hand to keep the little guy busy so I can nap and catch up on my reading.

I'm still letting Eddy appear on my blog, and here he is posing with the latest issue of OPE which arrived yesterday.

It is total B.S. that a perfume 'smells the same' on everyone. This green tea scent by Bulgari smells so good on my neighbor and on others, but on me it does not. The funny thing is, I assumed it would smell nice on me, since I like so many Bulgari scents. Notice the Juicy Couture in the photo-well I didn't even feel like trying that one, but guess what? It smelled very very good on me. I'm not going to buy it, but it just goes to show... you never know.

if i was in your shoe...

2008-07-03T07:42:00.000-04:00

i like the feel of the leather on this shoe

but it's just too tight !

do you have it in a half-size larger?

News Bites

2008-07-02T11:29:00.001-04:00

Eddy, who has been blogging ever since he got this swell laptop, has named Merle Sneed's blog as one of his favorites.

Jakob Dylan has gone solo.

New Morning shows a young Bob, possibly around Jakob's age.

Yes they do make perfume in Minnesota. You can find it hanging on the wall at the Minne~Mart right next to the auto air fresheners.

Bob Dylan Interview

2008-07-01T10:32:00.000-04:00

A Brief Interview with Bob Dylan

d.chedwick: (looking around) I see you have quite a bit of perfume here.

BOB: I'm no Brian Eno, but I do like fragrances. This morning I'm wearing Un Jardin le Sur Nil by Hermes. Yesterday I tested SJP's Lovely.

d.chedwick: Do you have a favorite Cologne?

BOB: I have a top five, or six.

d.chedwick: And they are?

BOB: I like the Guerlains. Molinard makes great perfumes too.

d.chedwick: What do you think of SJP's Lovely?

BOB: Well, pretty; but it has an unfinished feel to it.

d.chedwick: What is your take on Un Jardin Sur le Nil?

BOB: This one is very good. The top notes are Grapefruit and Green Mango...that will definitely wake you up. What can I say? A very fresh scent. Jean-Claude is a good friend and a great perfumer, he has a very original way of looking at things. He also gave me a bottle of Terre d'Hermes, which is just stunning.

d.chedwick: You travel a great deal, how many perfumes do you take along?

BOB: I have just one suitcase for perfumes, it has a lot of pockets, I could easily pack 60 bottles of perfume, but I'm really a bath products man, and those take up a lot of space, so I try and limit myself to about 10 bottles. Like I said, I'm no Brian Eno. He travels with maybe 200 bottles, and he's into those essential oils too. He has a lot of heavy baggage.

d.chedwick: Do you carry a lot of sample packets and vials?

BOB: People usually give me the largest size bottle to try, actually I would prefer some sample vials.

d.chedwick: You realize I'm a cat, and I'm not really interviewing you.

BOB: I thought I'd just play along, you seem like a very nice cat.

Cinnabar

2008-07-01T00:46:00.001-04:00

A collector's item: Estee Lauder makes these limited edition solid compacts, and this one holds Cinnabar. I've never tried an Estee solid, but the liquid perfume Cinnabar is still very popular. With head notes of strong spices and peaches, heart notes of cinnamon, florals and vanilla, and soul notes of patchouli and woods, this is a classic spicy oriental. Introduced in 1978, just before the big scents of the mid 80's hit. Some call it a luxurious winter scent, one that keeps you warm. Others dab on a tiny amount for evening. My friend Candace says she loves it for the same reasons she likes Ysatis and Mariella Burani. "A bottle lasts forever ~ you only need a drop on the back of your neck." Blends of spices and simple elegant florals with a fruit note like peach seems to be a winning formula. (Photo: Candace's Collection)

meanwhile, another story about Eddy's first day with us:
Chedwick: "Here, Eddy, let me show you how to play with that string thing!"

"Oops! Eddy tore the string thing off the chair cushion ~ so I thought we could play with it a little while."

Sensing Darkness

2008-06-30T00:45:00.001-04:00

Habanita parfum by Molinard, Angelique Noire and Rose Barbare by Guerlain. These definitely have a sultry side, but they're more complex than that. They also have a happiness note. Dark doesn't have to be scary and/or depressing to be dark. Evening is an enjoyable time for plenty of people.
What's your favorite dark sexy scent?

Our newest family member, Edward, is dreaming of the day he can get work as a perfume spokesmodel. He's already passed the sniff test ~ he really enjoys French fragrances.

Summer Bouquets

2008-06-28T20:53:00.005-04:00

Oooh! A fresh bouquet!

It's not what you think --I'm not a plant eater at all, I just like to smell the flowers and greenery.

For summer fragrances, the Aqua Allegoria line from Guerlain is an easy way to go. I keep a couple in the 'fridge for extra hot days, but I also am loving Miss Dior Cherie for the second summer in a row. (I also like Coco Mademoiselle.) It's all about freshness and these scents are very cheery too. Who wants to smell matronly on a summer day? I say put on a cotton sun dress and some very light youthful scent. I tried Pure White Linen by Estee Lauder and was surprised how much it reminded me of Muquet des Bois by Coty. But I think I'd opt for Estee's newer fresher version.
This one is a huge favorite with my homies.

Sky Watch Friday

2008-06-27T00:13:00.002-04:00

I could probably maintain a blog of just photos of clouds. I've been a keen cloud watcher ever since I can remember, and have no problem watching the sky for an hour or two at one sitting.

Dalistyle Perfume (2002) This one is roses by the seashore with a touch of modernity. I'm not big on the watery seaside note in perfumes, but this one is light and fresh. While it'll never make my top 30 list, the playful Dali group of perfumes is worth checking out. There are dozens, and I've only tried two of them so far.

The bottle was inspired by a character in a painting, the woman with roses on her head or something like that.

Today We're Transporting ...

2008-06-26T00:11:00.002-04:00

The green bus transported a half dozen men from the low security wing of our county's correctional facility. The men set to work scraping, cleaning and painting the facade of the old government building. Meanwhile, a mailman was sad because his truck (filled with mail for people just like you and me) broke down, and had to be towed away for repair. (A prison bus, a mail truck, a tow truck!) This block was just like a page out of Busy Town!

And then a typical farm pick-up truck drove past.

I was going to do a post on fuel (trains, planes, and automobiles) but then I saw this group of inmates and was able to talk with them and their nice guard. These inmates are just beginning a building maintenance class that includes instruction on plumbing, electrical work and carpentry. Everyone works at their own pace. The inmates are so happy to be in these classes, learning something beyond the usual janitorial work that almost 80% of them do. This is Transportation theme day, but I'm also thinking about programs for Transformation.

Here are some bonus pictures:

Where the Woodbine Twines

2008-06-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

Last weekend every book I picked up mentioned Honeysuckle. In one novel I finished, a main character was always vaguely scented with a sweet honeysuckle perfume. So I pulled out the florilegeum and took a picture of this page.

Then I flipped through this children's book called Flowers and Their Friends written in 1897.

Le Chevrefeuille perfume by Annick Goutal is a soli-floral honeysuckle scent. I wish I could say I've tried it, but I haven't yet.
I know a lot of perfumes must have a nice honeysuckle note, but I'm drawing a complete blank. All I know is the vine is blooming like crazy in some places now, and it's very enjoyable while it lasts.

I first discovered Woodbine in a Robert Burns poem when I was a kid and looked it up, only to find it was another name for honeysuckle (or sometimes, the Virginia Creeper vine.)

...Oft did I rove by Bonnie Doon
To see the rose and woodbine twine
And every bird sang of its love
As fondly once I sang of mine...
~Robbie Burns

"Well my heart's in the Highlands gentle and fair
Honeysuckle blooming in the wildwood air
Bluebelles blazing, where the Aberdeen waters flow
Well my heart's in the Highlands,
I'm gonna go there when I feel good enough to go..."
~Bob Dylan

The Marc Jacobs Shoot

2008-06-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Dennis shows Chedwick how he wants him to pose for the Marc Jacob's perfume shoot. "Like this, breathe, and then say: ahhh... nice and light for summer! A breezy fresh gardenia! got it?"

Ched is upset: "I was told Ben Affleck was going to direct me - not you!" Chedwick scampers off the set.

Dennis thinks for a minute.

"I'm the director here, and if you don't like it, I'll just get an Olsen twin!"

Curious Chedwick

2008-06-23T06:24:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking about my Carbon Pawprint. I have a friend who doesn't own a car, so I get asked to drive her here and there quite a bit, which I don't mind until she starts bragging how her carbon pawprint is Lighter than mine since she doesn't own a car. And I'm thinking of all the places I would never have driven to except that she needed to go there, and the bus was an option, but getting a ride is better. Does this mean she is increasing my pawprint? I think she is!

And speaking of cars... what happens when the driver of this car finishes reading his Flannery O'Connor? Does he start over again?

And another thing I'm curious about is my new blog assistant, Ricky. I hired Ricky last week and since he's shy I didn't ask him what kind of animal he is.

(Maybe that's a politically incorrect question nowadays ?)

Big Pig Mystery Ends

2008-06-22T00:00:00.002-04:00

The frowny pig toy in the jumble of orange things post was the famous Pig Won't. When you flip the pig over, he becomes Pig Will.

Kids love this book even though it's a basic etiquette book. They chuckle at the rudeness of Pig Won't at first, but soon kids see he would be a complete drag to go anyplace with because he's so obnoxious-- bad behavior ends up being tiring for everyone and ruins many an outing. Very controversial now, because Pig Won't does get a spanking from his mommy -- the book will probably be altered at some point because of this act of violence, but the pig parents are loving and simply refuse to allow Pig Won't to act like a complete A-Hole. In the end, he becomes a better and happier pig and wants his nickname changed from Pig Won't to something more positive.

And speaking of name changes, Lowly worm was a nice character who came under scrutiny for having a name that might cause him to have low self esteem.

So far, Lowly has resisted having a name change forced on him by concerned parents. When I asked him about it he explained: "I may be just a working class worm, but I have pride in the family name. The Lowly family has got nothing to be ashamed of!"

Some of Richard Scarry's books have been simplified since kids can't always understand the wording. (he sometimes used British or old fashioned expressions, and these were modified or deleted for American readers.) I miss the bits that were removed, and in some cases a lot of charm was removed with the bits.

In Other news...
This car almost ran me down on Thursday. (what would happen to my blog if I was completely flattened?) I was walking along, (having just taken the pics of lowly worm in his apple car) when this Honda Accord driven by an elderly man lurched up onto the sidewalk. I had to leap out of the way (insert small heart attack here.) He showed absolutely no remorse (he didn't even seem to see me at all.) I waited until he was parking and went over to take a quick snap. (Just watching this zombie try to park his car was totally worth the wait.) So if you see this car, you've been warned.

Perfume Notes: Vanilla

2008-06-21T05:47:00.000-04:00

Since six of my readers tell me they don't care for vanilla in perfume, I thought I'd explain why vanilla is in most perfumes.

The vanilla note is a must for all love potions, as it's long been considered an aphrodiasiac scent molecule. Not only does it smell good on its own, but it enhances the fragrance of other notes, especially woods, spices, peppery notes and florals. If you want your sandalwood to smell stronger or richer, paring it with vanilla can do the trick. A rose is rosier when the right amount of vanilla is added. Vanilla can take the sharp edge off peppery or ginger notes while keeping them true.

Vanilla is also a natural fixative for perfumes. (Not all natural fixatives are safe to use, so vanilla is a good choice.)

I love the way Guerlain and Goutal use vanilla in their fragrance bases. It's always there, but so well done, so well blended, that it doesn't stand out, except in the creations they want it to stand out in (for Annick Goutal that would be the almondy soft Vanilla Exquise and for Guerlain the delicious smoky Spiritueuse Double Vanille.)

Vanilla planifolia is just like every other note in perfumery, you'll love the way it's handled in one scent, and dislike it in another. ( I used to say I couldn't wear any perfumes with a cinnamon note in them--until I found I'd been happily wearing a few for several years.) It's impossible for me to list every single note when describing a perfume, so mostly I list a small percentage, to give a general idea of what the perfume might be like. However, the only way to tell is to smell.

Chances are though, if you don't like pure vanilla when baking or eating desserts, you're not going to enjoy a gourmand perfume like Hanae Mori's Butterfly or other perfumes that may use a larger amount of vanilla. Each perfumer or fragrance company has their own way of blending vanilla, and the quality varies.

Visual: Vintage perfume poster / Asia.

Chedwick Loves Trouble

2008-06-20T00:35:00.002-04:00

Chedwick wants Trouble.

Maybe next Christmas he'll get a bottle.

Trouble by Boucheron (Gold Bottle) 2004 Perfumer: Jacques Cavallier
This is a blend of roses, including black rose, orange blossom, bitter almond, vanilla, amber, and sandalwood. It's been compared to Dior's Hypnotic Poison (which its head notes do resemble) Dior's Addict (shares a sexy warm heart note) and Tocade by Rochas (it does have a Tocade-like note that lasts quite awhile, which must be the black rose extract--very nice.) I'd rather have Trouble than the two Dior scents it resembles though, because like Tocade, it is something very wearable and sexy. Nothing iffy about it. It takes about 15 or 20 minutes before it blossoms into a really fabulous fragrance. Don't judge it by its headnotes, but by its heart & soul.

Jacques Cavallier is also the nose behind other scents that I like: Stella, Hot Couture by Givenchy, and Tom Ford's Noir de Noir

Trouble Eau Legere (Bottle in foreground on its side) 2006 Perfumer: ?

A lighter version of Trouble, but really very light. I don't see any need for a lighter version.

(Revlon had a perfume called Trouble circa 1989, and it was nothing like the scents shown in the photo here. I never see the Revlon scent anymore, which is fine with me.)

"Some people develop eye strain looking for trouble." ~ Old Saying

Do We Amuse You?

2008-06-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

The most amusing thing about these boys (who I saw quite by accident two days ago) was the fact that they had no idea they were posing under a sign that made them appear to be on sale. They'd just climbed onto the display case in the middle of playing some game and it turned into sitting nicely and posing when I took my camera out -- one of them saw me and alerted the others to the Photo Op.

I was out looking for something amusing in my neighborhood, and finding nothing much, I headed for the pet shop (which turned out to be depressing.) Next door to the pet shop was a strange amusement place for kids I'd never noticed before. It was dark and weird inside, and this odd Cosmetology Fun Zone caught my eye. The mom and boy reflected in the mirror were attached to one of the many machines that gave the place a casino for kids vibe. There were workers standing around having personal conversations who could not care less that I had climbed over a barrier, entered without paying, without a kid, to climb on stuff and take pictures of the creepy world they were slacking off in. Once I left I wasn't even sure the place actually existed. I decided not to look back.

Summer Trips

2008-06-18T09:50:00.009-04:00

I amused myself while standing in line by doodling a smiley face on the back of my hand with a sample Nanette pen at Sephora last month. Roses + Peach = a winning combination. I returned yesterday to purchase one. Roller balls are hardly new, I've seen some ancient ones from the 1960s, but who knows when they were invented? Anyway, thanks to Airline travel restrictions, roller balls are making a big comeback.

Nanette Lepore (Fashion designer b. 1972, Youngstown Ohio.) I like this rosy scent because it's a fresh floral with peach, lime, and light cherry blossom & vanilla notes in a light sandalwood - amber base. There's nothing 'sporty' about it, it's simply feminine and very light.

You can buy tiny roller ball bottles online and fill them with your favorite scents. Perfect for a summer of traveling.

Lavanila sells an elegant roller ball bottle of their scents. I think I got this one (at left) for about $14.

Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit (this isn't a bitter grapefruit, but a sweet zesty one.) The creamy vanilla is the real star here though, with just a dash of lime and bergamot-- another fresh sweet feminine summer scent.

Perfume Episodes TV Quiz

2008-06-17T11:36:00.001-04:00

Mayfield VS. Mayberry

Wally and Beaver, citizens of Mayfield, decide to sell perfume!

Q: What is the name of the perfume?
a. Flower of the Orient
b. Ever So Charming
c. Evening in Mayfield
d. Emeraude

Q: What prize would they win if they sold enough bottles?
a. a trip to Bermuda
b. free donuts for one year
c. a movie projector
d. a time machine

Q: What was one of the fragrant notes in the perfume?
a. Mayfield mimosa
b. Long Island driftwood
c. baseball mitt
d. skunky something

Meanwhile, over yonder in Mayberry, Opie takes a job at the drugstore & breaks a bottle of perfume! He now has to spend all of his savings to pay for it.

Q:What was Opie originally saving his earnings to buy?
a. a banjo for his girlfriend
b. an electric guitar
c. a set of drums with cool cymbals
d. a time machine

Q:What was the name of the perfume Opie broke?
a. Cannabis Santal
b. Blue Moonlight
c. Evening Splendor
d. Romantic Rebel

Q:What does Opie's boss do at the end of the episode?
a. breaks a bottle of liniment.
b. breaks open a bottle of Jack Daniels
c. breaks a bottle of medicine
d. break dances ( after using a time machine)

Photos by Ched: Green Apple Japanese Room Scent, Old Domino of St. Louis Cologne bottle.

The Dreamer

2008-06-16T18:06:00.000-04:00

"I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours."

- Bob Dylan

The Dreamer (Launched about a year before Gianni Versace was killed.)
Imagined by Gianni Versace, inspired by barrooms, gin & tonics, meadows and John Lennon's song 'Imagine'
and I'd love to know who the perfumer is.
(UPDATE: the perfumer is Jean Pierre Bethouart, who also created Parfum Sacre for Caron
and Co-Nosed Givenchy's Ange Ou Demon with Olivier Cresp.)
Head Notes: Juniper, Wild Flowers. Linden
Heart Notes: Lily, Iris,Tarragon, Artemesia,
Vanilla, Amber, Tobacco, Spices, Woods

sensual intense fresh spicy sexy
manly, yet unisex... The Dreamer is everything, it seems.
works well when the woman is wearing L'Heure Bleue or Insolence
as it has the same fresh transparent yet spicy, romantic, haunting feel.

Serge Lutens et Chedwick

2008-06-16T00:10:00.002-04:00

In 2007 the French Government gave Chedwick and Serge Lutens both the title of "Commandeur" in the Order of Arts and Letters. Serge and Ched have been close pals ever since.

"We just hit it off." ~ Chedwick

"Chedwick est un chat épatant!" ~Serge Lutens

Ched enjoys many of the Lutens fragrances.

"I've learned that ginger and pepper can be quite refreshing in hot weather." ~ Chedwick on Five O'Clock Au Gingembre.

Ched is not the only famous perfumed cat. His distant cousin, Jean Paul, not only appeared in a Nahema advertisement, but was the pet of the famous Guerlain family.

Sunday

2008-06-15T07:55:00.000-04:00

Empty perfume bottles make nice little vases. Play with the photograph in iPhoto for a minute, and it looks like a painting.

This post is for my father who loved flowers and the scent of Shalimar.

Hibbing Trek

2008-06-13T00:08:00.004-04:00

Blogger Kim and I are planning a winter trek to Hibbing, Minnesota. First we'll wait at this friendly looking Greyhound bus station for our bus to Hibbing.

Once in Hibbing, we'll go to The Chamber of Commerce to get a Bob Dylan Walking Tour folder that includes this map. We'll have lunch at The China Buffet which used to be a clothing store where Bob's uncle's best friend's cousin once worked, and see Bob's childhood home as well as the schools he attended and places where he may have once smoked a cigarette.

We'll want to get warm after walking around the winter wonderland that is Hibbing, so we'll duck into a nearby museum to see a diorama of the very first diorama being built.

Finally, the Greyhound Bus also has its roots in Hibbing, so we'll go to the Greyhound bus museum and take pictures of each other waving out the windows of very old Greyhound buses, before going back home on a modern Greyhound bus.

We haven't set a date for the trek yet, but as soon as really cold weather sets in, we'll be on our way to that bus station. If anyone wants to join in the fun, let us know!

Photo Credits: Vplus (Bus Station), Hibbing COC (walking tour map)
Hibbing Museums (Diorama, Bus Poster)

Chant D'Aromes

2008-06-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

Chant D'Aromes (1962) perfumer: Jean Paul Guerlain
head notes: mandarin, bergamot, honeysuckle
heart notes : gardenia, jasmine, ylang-ylang
soul notes : woods, earthy forest note, vanilla

An extremely light elegant floral with a nice base. The name says it all, a scent that sings. It starts off soft and powdery, and the first time I tried it I spritzed on too much and couldn't appreciate it. But I've been wearing it during this heat wave and find it to be a quiet honeysuckle gardenia blend with a note that reminds me of a high end cocoa butter (probably the earthy forest note blending with the famous Guerlain vanilla.) I think this one would be either too old fashioned or too demure for most people~ a good summer scent though. I have to give it two paws up.

Jeff Bridges in Granny Panties

2008-06-12T02:00:00.000-04:00

Chedwick thought the Jeff Bridges doll that Dennis ordered was creepy. The Bridges doll's body is muslin and his granny panties are 100% cotton. Made in USA.

Ched's Green Art

2008-06-10T15:20:00.001-04:00

I like to use found objects to paint on, but usually it's a piece of wood or metal I find in someone's trash. This morning, this object was brought into the house, and while it's rare for one to come into our house, I started thinking of how many of these are out there, being brought into homes and offices every day and never used a second time. So I decided to decorate this one and re-use it the next time we get our coffee or Chedwick Cola to go.

Why do the people at my house prefer drinking Ched Cola over Coke or Pepsi? The answer is easy. Ched Cola is always chilled to perfection and contains delicious Jamaican Rum.

Neglected Garden, Sleeping Fawn

2008-06-09T14:05:00.003-04:00

Just moments after I took this picture, I walked across my neglected garden and began pulling weeds out of a thick fuzzy patch that had been neglected for years. Out flew a fawn. But for some reason the fawn stayed in the yard (although huge gaps in the neglected fence are everywhere) nibbling delicious weeds and staring at me.

More curious than frightened the fawn let me get pretty close. My Stone Age camera has no fancy lenses. After I backed off, it continued to chew and look at me, then after awhile to chew and ignore me.

Now this is the second time in two weeks that I've walked right past a sleeping fawn. And I mean close enough to almost trip over the fawn. The first incident was in the Catskills, in the woods, where I blithely hiked past a sleeping fawn that suddenly sprang up right in front of another blogger, Kim, who was walking just a few feet behind me. A few days ago, while touring my very neglected suburban garden, this second awakening of a fawn happened.

1. Coincidence?
2. Is Mother earth trying to tell me one of my totem animals is a fawn?
3. Is the New York State deer population at an all time high?

If it is #3 , people, please spay and neuter your deer before letting them go outside.