My Perfume Collection – 2010

Here is my perfume collection minus a few that I left at home when I moved to go to university. I always love seeing other people’s fragrance line up. Choice of scent is such a personal one – are you a fruity / floral enthusiast? Or a spicy woody musky type? I tend to lean towards the latter in most cases but on occasion I will spread my wings and go beyond a patchouli base.

PARIS JARDINS ROMANTIQUES – YSL

Rarely do I find a floral frag that captures my attention quite like Paris Jardins Romantiques. It combines two of my all time favourite flowers (lilacs & lily of the valley) but pairs it with basenotes of musk and sandalwood.

It’s fresh, not overly floral, with a powderyness to it and very GREEN. Springtime in the tuileries indeed! This was a limited edition release in 2007 so unfortunately a secondary seller might be the only way to purchase it now. (There are a few )

miss dior cherie l’eau – christian dior

Another very green springtime perfume. I love it’s freshness thanks to the pairing of bitter orange with musk. It is beyond dreamy and stands out from all the floral bomb scents that seem to be taking over these days. It’s a wonderful take on the previously launched Miss Dior Cherie (which I have back home.) While that version is more patchoulish, I love both versions.

chance – chanel

Chance is a patchouli based perfume which makes sense why I fell in love with it. In high school, this was one of my go-to scents (along with BCBGirls Metro.) Now I have to be in the right mood to wear it because it is BOLD. Fortunately, it hasn’t be discontinued.

angel Garden of Stars le lys – mugler

Do you want to float away on a cloud of patchouli and lily of the valley? This is the scent of all scents for that. This is the muskiest floral I have ever come across and it’s divine.

The original Angel is spectacularly intoxicating with it’s moody musk and patchouli. Mugler has my heart. Get Angel EDP, it’s so worth it.

by for women – dolce & gabbana

As you keep going through this list, you will realize that i gravitate to lily of the valley, patchouli, and woody scents. This is all three of those things plus extra spice. This is a smoky, musky gourmand and I cannot get enough of it. The leopard print bottle seems so fitting for its contents. I regret to inform that it has also been discontinued.  (There are a few on ebay for eye popping prices.)

Chanel N5 original EDT

There’s not a lot to say about Chanel N5 that hasn’t already been said. It is a cultural icon. This particular bottle is one of the refillable ones. The case is durable and quite frankly looks like a large Chanel lipstick. I did opt for the Eau de Toilette version as the Parfum is a little too pricey for me. I have been accused of smelling like a grandma and I’m fine with it. Whoever said that has an uncultured nose.

CHANEL N5 elixir Sensuel

Launched in 2004, the #5 Elixir Sensuel is a lovely but odd departure from the original #5. It’s a viscous but gel like substance rather than a spray. It’s another scent I fell in love with in high school as it seemed like a more youthful version of the original. To me it smells soft, clean, and extra powdery; it seems to last forever. 

betsey johnson

This breaks all the rules for things I thought I do not like… and yet it all works here? The top notes are a medley of fruits and citrus followed by floral mid notes (hello lily of the valley!) The basenotes are what I resonate with most: cedarwood, sandalwood, praline, amber and musks. YUPPPPPP.

Plus the ostentatious bottle is reminiscent of vintage perfume lined up on a elderly lady’s vanity. I love it. I will happily pair this with my Betsey Johnson silk screened t shirt dress and the Velvet Underground. Fortunately, this scent is still available – Betsey Johnson Eau de Parfum.

le petit prince

When I went to France for the first time I purchased a perfume for babies. I thought it was HILARIOUS but also it smelled so good I couldn’t leave it. The first note to hit you is very citrusy. Which is typically not my thing. However, this particular blend of citrus mixed with cedar, fir, and oak moss is a blend I cannot deny.  I use it sparingly as I have no idea how I would ever replace it should I run out.

for her EDP – narciso rodriguez

Spicy powdery musk with a dash of floral. Of course it has patchouli in it. Are you sensing a pattern forming here? This is not my number one go to but it is on regular rotation for sure.

LIGHT Blue – dolce & gabbana

Everyone and their dog has this scent but what would my perfume collection be without it? Probably fine, to be honest but Light Blue was my gateway scent to loving cedarwood. I rarely use it anymore but every so often I feel the urge to take a quick wif. Then I promptly set it back on the tray and abandon any notion of using it.

THE ONES I LEFT BEHIND

Just because I left them behind, doesn’t mean they aren’t still near and dear to my heart. At home I have:
Amber by Prada
Brit by Burberry
Maybe Baby by Benefit
Miss Dior Cherie by Christian Dior
Agent Provocateur
Dream by Gap
Angel by Mugler

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photographs - sandy joe karpetz