While 2010 was a thrilling year of discovery for me, testing dozens and dozens of fragrances, 2011 was a year of reflection. It’s hard to believe that a new year has already begun.
At the start of 2011, I determined that it would be the year I explored independent and natural perfumes; while I didn’t get to as many as I hoped I would, I did broaden my horizons.
Sonoma Scent Studio maintains top spot as my favorite indie house, with the release of Fig Tree cementing that blue-ribbon firmly in place.
I also explored Aftelier, Plume Perfumery, and a few other natural lines, which taught me that I do like tuberose: when it’s in a natural setting. Two stand-out tuberose scents for me were Mandy’s Cepes & Tuberose, and Tara’s Vanilla Tuberose. Highlighting different aspects of the note, both within a gourmand-ish setting, I have been pleased to find, in one fell swoop, two tuberose perfumes, and two naturals that I really like.
DSH Perfumes got a new look, and wowed chypre-lovers with the release of Pandora. However, it was Dawn’s perfume Lautrec (from Colorado, by way of Austria) that knocked my socks off, landing a coveted spot on “the List.”
2011 was also a year of contentment for me: before my move to Texas, I pared down my perfume collection of many non-essentials, and I am extremely satisfied with what remains. This sense of contentment came two-fold, first, with a bottle of SSS Champagne de Bois purchased in January, followed a bottle of Amouage Memoir Woman purchased in February. That bottle of Memoir was my tipping point, I think, and I sincerely believe that if, due to some sort of zombie-filled post-apocalyptic scenario, forced to choose just one bottle, Memoir would be it, and I would have no regrets.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want more perfumes! Or that I’m done sampling. My 2012 wish-list includes Amouage Opus IV, Tauer Reverie au Jardin, Dior Mitzah, Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea, Byredo Oud Immortal, DSH Lautrec, and more! That wish list doesn’t stay short for long…
2011 was a great year for blogging, and blogging friends. Thank you readers, commenters, and fellow bloggers for a wonderful year!
beauty on the outside 
Happy New Year, dearest Dee! That is a lovely list- what kind of scent is Lautrec?- I have a feeling it is a green scent- is that right?..:)
I discovered you and your blog this year and and am so glad I did! *hugs*
Lavanya, thank you so much, and happy New Year to you!!!
Lautrec is a plush oriental, narcotically addictive, smooth, full, and round. It is delectable!
I am so glad that you found me! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to get to know you even better in 2012 🙂
:)..and..I owe you a post- I haven’t forgotten- will try and get to it soon!! 🙂
Happy New Year, Deetscherl! 🙂
I hope 2012 is for me like 2011 was for you when it comes to paring down and finding my core collection.
I hope you fulfill all your wishes on that list!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
2012 is YOUR year Bee! I cannot wait to “meet” your core collection once the culling is complete— it will probably be one of the finest on the planet… 🙂
Thank you so much for finding me this year and for your very kind words about Cepes and Tuberose. Your blog is lovely and I am looking forward to more this coming year.
Mandy Aftel
Mandy, it was truly a delight to discover that I do not, as I thought, hate tuberose! Your Cepes & Tuberose is a marvel, and I’m so glad that I found it! Thank you so much for reading, and for commenting!
xo
Happy New Year to you too, dee and fragrant best wishes for 2012!
Sounds like it was a very good perfume year for you. It ‘s wonderful that you found your “you complete me” fragrance in Memoir. Also finding out that tuberose works for you in a natural setting is an interesting discovery. How also cool that SSS, Aftelier and DSH all provided “a-ha!” moments. I still haven’t tried DSH yet and I especially must sample the carnation one and now Lautrec. Hope you get that Opus IV soon!
Thank you so much Tara!
I am curious to know, which one is the carnation in Dawn’s line? I MUST try it! Lautrec is a divine oriental, a must-sniff. I should give it the full review it deserves!
Regarding Opus IV, I have vowed not to purchase another single perfume, not even a sample, until I have purchased that bottle. As soon as it arrives, you can look for a gloating post 😉
Oeillets Rouge is, in my opinion, a beautiful carnation, you should definitely try it (after you get your Opus IV bottle, of course! 😉 ).
Aha! Is that what it is? I do need to try it, since I’ve been looking for another carnation (to compliment Bellodgia). After Opus IV!
Thanks so much for including me, Dee! I’m glad you’ve been enjoying your bottles of Champagne and Fig Tree! It’s wonderful to know they’ve brought some fun into your year. And glad you clicked so well with Amouage Memoir — great to find one that’s totally you. Happy New Year!
Thank you for making such beautiful fragrances! Champagne de Bois is by far my most complimented scent, and Fig Tree is probably my favorite new release in 2011. And now I have the release of Nostalgie to look forward to…
Memoir is certainly my most “me” scent, but I think that as a whole SSS is my most “me” line! Someday I’ll have a bottle of Tabac Aurea, and Rose Musc, and Winter Woods, and Incense Pure… and Nostalgie! 🙂