Tag Archives: Paris

Having fun in Paris II

Perfume shopping December 8, 2011 Comments: 17

I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but upon hearing I’m going alone to Paris, my mother said she’d like to come as well (she was never there).

I am so glad she decided to come, even though the 3 days aren’t even close enough for someone who is there for the first time to see anything. But she had fun.

So, I spent the Saturday morning walking around (and getting a bit lost) with my mother, then headed to meet with Asali at 3, before we went together to meet Denyse for coffee.
We were meeting at a bistro at Palais Royale, the most easiest to find if you remember correctly the instructions from the email (which I didn’t). But we found it (and a nice French guy even googled the location to help us). 🙂

And let me tell you, time spent with Denyse flies by. She wasn’t as I imagined her from her blog writings, she is very gregarious, smiling, vivacious and interesting to talk to (or just listen to). I feel Asali and I were lucky as she brought with herself, two of the creations she tried at the IFF Speed-smelling lunch she talked about on her blog.
I was much more impressed with Citizen K than with Yamazaki Idylle, which I wouldn’t mind drinking but well, the Idylle from the name is one of the Guerlains I’m not in love with. Citizen K on the other hand, I seriously hope will become widely available (if we’re lucky).

After coffee, of course we proceeded to Serge Lutens.
I was there only once 3 years ago and I was the only one there. This time around, there were a lot of people inside and people kept coming and going. It was a bit crowded.

I wasn’t interested in buying a bottle (except the Christmas present for my boyfriend) because as my company is located in Slovenia (the EU), SLs are always available for ordering.

I smelled many, learned I really like El Attarine and was careful not to get too close to Un Bois Vanille so it wouldn’t follow me home. 🙂

Denyse suggested one more stop after Serge Lutens, so she took us to the Iunx shop. She and Asali kept talking about the name and I kept thinking, how come I’ve never heard of this line before?!
Well, that happens when all you ever do with names is read them somewhere and don’t pronounce them. 🙂
Once we were in front of the shop and I saw the name in writing, everything fell into place.
(from now on, I’m pronouncing brand names loudly – except possibly for Xerjoff)

The shop only carries two lines – Iunx and Costes.

The Iunx perfumes are located in these strange tubes which release scent when you put your nose close to them. It’s actually a great way for getting a good smell. Too great as I learned I really enjoy the tubes containing Eau Frappee, Eau Baptiste and Splash Forte.
The very good-looking girl SA told me that my choices range all over (which they do) but each of them is unique and interesting and now I need to get myself samples so I can get to know them better.

In the end I walked out with Costes 1. 🙂 The winner of the day (and quite economical when compared to other perfumes I liked that weekend).

We said our good-byes to denyse and hopefully, there will be another chance in the future to visit perfume shops in Paris with her explaining all the details and background.

Having fun in Paris

Perfume shopping December 7, 2011 Comments: 22

I was there for only 3 days (not even 3 full days at that) but I still think time flies when you’re in Paris.  It went by in a flurry of visits and walks.

On Friday afternoon I met Asali for the first time and we thought we’d visit several perfume shops that afternoon.

Our first stop was L’Artisan’s boutique just opposite the Louvre with the Numeros.
Ok, so we didn’t smell them all on skin properly, but first from the bowls, and then on strips and only numbers 1, 3, 4 and 10 (those were the only ones they had).

I really liked number 3 for Germany and Asali prefered number 10 but overall, I can’t say I think they are that special. And the number 3 (with lavender, iris and vetiver) seemed very familiar to me while I was smelling it on me.  I still didn’t remember what exactly it is reminding me of.

Next, we  managed a quick visit to Sephora where I wanted to try the new Aromatics Elixir (and didn’t, because the tester was empty) but we sniffed some of the Guerlains on offer.
And here we are: Asali

And I:
I am not very happy to be falling a bit for Tonka Imperiale, I can tell you that. (170 euros not happy)
Also, I wouldn’t mind having some Cologne du Parfumeur as it smells like an extremely classy and elegant cologne.
The really surprising thing was that I seriously like La Petite Robe Noire. 🙂 It’s frivolously easy to like.
Btw, we were lucky to even get these 2 photos as an SA arrived and said it was forbidden to take pictures.
Our next stop was Sens Unique and that also turned out to be our last stop for the day. 🙂
The lovely shop owner Svetlana spent almost 2 hours with us explaining everything and discussing perfumes.
Asali was convinced (by Svetlana) that there might actually be a green perfume out there she might enjoy wearing.
I, on the other hand, asked directly if she knew of a Christmasy perfume. And she did.
Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be Une Crime Exotique by Parfumerie Generale. 🙂
The other one by Parfumerie Generale that caught my attention was Cedre Sandaraque  – a really strange concoction – starting too sharply on me but then turning into something dangerously intriguing.
I will have to give it more time  and then possibly decide if I need to buy it – if I’ll be able to wear it often enough.
I walked out with Une Crime Exotique of course. 🙂
 
Afterwards we sat down for a glass of Kir – I never tried that before, dry white wine and a bit of blackcurrant syrup – yummy.
(I stand corrected – Laurinha explained that the cassis syrup isn’t a syrup but Creme de cassis, also liquor – see comments below)
Asali is even nicer in real life than through emails and we just started talking from where we left off previously.
And she has lovely green eyes – if you’re wondering why I’m saying that, it’s because I’ve always wanted to have green eyes. 🙂
Next to come – what happened on Saturday. 🙂

Paris – here I come!

Uncategorized November 9, 2011 Comments: 28

I’m practically bursting to announce this to everyone – I’m going to Paris! 😀

In 3 weeks and 2 days no less – for a 3-day weekend but any amount of time in Paris is fine with me.

And all this is thanks to Asali who convinced me it’s no point in delaying these kinds of things, who will be there at the same time so I’ll meet up with her, and who obviously knows when is the right time to prompt people into such undertakings as I found a return plane ticket for quite a reasonable amount of money (and a wonderful hotel to stay in too, at least it seems so from their site).

I’ll be sure to take a lot of photos and describe in detail the fun everyone will have. 🙂

Until then, some pics from the last time I was there: