While on vacation, I read Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent, a book that follows the creation of a French luxury fragrance and an American mass-market fragrance. The two perfumes, Un Jardin Sur Le Nil for Hermès, and Lovely for actress Sarah Jessica Parker have both been officially been added to my Lemmings List (mostly out of curiosity). The book was great fun to read, and I’m looking forward to reading some more of CB’s offerings.
I’ve never watched Sex in the City—five minutes of an episode a few years back sated my interest for a lifetime—and SJP has never really been on my radar, until now. She is so lovable through Chandler’s eyes, that I just bought a bottle of Lovely Liquid Satin (the silicone spray version of Lovely) un-sniffed. I’m pretty sure that I don’t like Lovely the original; I had a spray sample at some point in the past, which landed in the waste basket (sin of sins!). And I’d promised myself no more bargain perfumes! We all know by now that a few GREAT DEALS! at the discounters is the equivalent of one niche wallet-monster… and Safran Troublant is supposed to be my August purchase.
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, by Jean-Claude Ellena, is probably worth buying—but I will wait to smell it first. However, JCE’s profile in the book whetted my appetite for The Different Company, and stoked the fire I’ve already got going for the Hermèssence collection.
Oh, but those prices.
beauty on the outside 
Uff-da. I hear you on prices…thank goodness TDC offers those travel sizes. You can get three of one, or mix and match.
Hermessences, occasionally a travel version is available, but still rather precious in price. I am fond of Rose Ikebana (rats!), so have gleaned some through swappage and decant purchasing.
And now that I’m busy enabling…if you weren’t aware, Safran Troublant comes in an Epices trio. I’ve seen trios of people (cough, cough) agree to buy the collection for purposes of each taking one bottle. Maybe you could do the same?
As for Great Deals, I hear you. Danger, Will Robinson, danger! As my mother used to say…”with the money I saved, I can go out to lunch”…slippery slopes, indeed. 🙂
I’ve been wanting to get the Epices set, but I can’t seem to find it! LuckyScent doesn’t have it, and neither does the L’AP website. I’ll see if they have it at the Perfume House, I’m sure I can unload the other two if I don’t like them… although Duchafour did one, didn’t he?
I love his perfumes!
As for the Hermessences, I can get 8ml for a decent price… I just have no way of sniffing before I buy! At least not anytime soon : )
Being a perfumista over the internet is hard work, you know? I sure love swaps and splits!
Your mom sounds like fun 😉