8-) Â*My daughter and I just returned from a week in Florida at Walt Disney World. It's good to be back amongst all of you and share the bits of info below.
Here is a link to my list of the 35 fragrance brands available in EPCOT's World Showcase:
http://www.basenotes.net/community/Y...1147371853/0#0
Â*B E S T Â* N E W - S C E N T Â*D I S C O V E R Y
L'Occitane's Green Tea & Jasmine (limited edition)
As lovely and light as a cool drink over ice on a summer's day. Top--bitter orange, orange essential oil, pomelo, cardamom; heart--green tea extract, jasmine absolute from Grasse; base--thyme, cedar.
:-? Â*O T H E R Â* S C E N T S Â* S N I F F E D
To be fair, I sampled some of the following only on mouillettes (paper strips). Further, it was usually near 90 degrees Fahrenheit and humid, and I was on my feet constantly--not ideal circumstances for savoring anything. I've recently learned that I bring lemon to at least some scents. Noa, Happy Heart, Beautiful Sheer, SJP Lovely, all smell almost identical on me--just like pretty lemons! I'm not happy with this determination, but at least now I have a better understanding as to why so many light scents smell shrieky-sharp on me and why "soft and mellow" has been so elusive.
 EPCOT/France/La Signature (Guerlain shop): I sampled Colours of Love, Aqua Allegorias Tutti Kiwi and Grosellina (red currant), Chamade, and parfum-strength Jicky. The three new fruity scents did nothing to excite me. I found the parfum-strength of Jicky in no way superior to the EDT I've been enjoying at home, but that might be related to the hot conditions under which I was sampling it. I wore L'Instant one evening and tired of it quickly.
 EPCOT/France/La Plume et Palette: I was surprised to learn that Annick Goutal is now well represented. I smelled strips sprayed with Mandragore and Duel, but couldn't assess their depths in the heat.
 EPCOT/Italy: I enjoyed wearing Acqua di Parma's Iris Nobile one day. Easy-going, sweet floral.
 EPCOT/Japan: I sniffed both the revised and classic Zens (white and black bottles) and Relaxing. The word "relaxing" is so suggestive that I actual did relax each time I revisited the test strip.
 Airport/Perfumania: Checked off a few classics from my to-sniff list--Worth Je Reviens, Van Cleef & Arpels First, Cacharel Noa, Estée Lauder Pleasures and Beautiful.
 Airport/L'Occitane: Neroli, Green Tea & Jasmine, Eau des 7 Fleurs Eau de Parfum.
:'( Â*D I S A P P O I N T M E N T S Â* W E R E . . .
Guerlain's Cuir Beluga is not making its way to Florida until 2008 (according to La Signature staff). Not finding Pivoine Magnifica, although other Aqua Allegorias were available. Not finding Hermès line represented anywhere. The staff in Italy not offering to open the Borsari Violetta di Parma to sample when every other brand there was represented by testers. No paper strips for testing in the U.K.'s fragrance store. Not finding a new scent I wanted to add to my wardrobe.
:-/ Â*P A R K Â*S M E L L S
What scents I picked up from the mass of humanity seemed to be mostly from the Calvin Klein collection. Sadly, management just can't seem to exorcise the urine smell from the monorail cars despite a recent refurbishment of their interiors.
Â*L I T E R A T U R E
I read May Allure magazine flying down to Florida. Its fragrance article was pleasurable, if not highly educational.
Peter Suskind's novel Perfume filled many a pleasant hour back at the resort where I'd retreat from the oppression of too many tourists. An entertaining story, but I'd like to see the last two pages rewritten. I mean, really--that's the best ending he could come up with? Thank you, b-noters, for clueing me in on these appropriate reads!!!
:-* Â*R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
Banana Boat SPF 30 sunscreen. No odor! Absorbs quickly, not greasy.
I took along Jo Malone Orange Blossom and Fresh Index Cucumber Baie and was very happy with these choices considering the heat.
Here are a few snaps for your viewing pleasure.
Here is a link to my list of the 35 fragrance brands available in EPCOT's World Showcase:
http://www.basenotes.net/community/Y...1147371853/0#0
Â*B E S T Â* N E W - S C E N T Â*D I S C O V E R YL'Occitane's Green Tea & Jasmine (limited edition)
As lovely and light as a cool drink over ice on a summer's day. Top--bitter orange, orange essential oil, pomelo, cardamom; heart--green tea extract, jasmine absolute from Grasse; base--thyme, cedar.
:-? Â*O T H E R Â* S C E N T S Â* S N I F F E D
To be fair, I sampled some of the following only on mouillettes (paper strips). Further, it was usually near 90 degrees Fahrenheit and humid, and I was on my feet constantly--not ideal circumstances for savoring anything. I've recently learned that I bring lemon to at least some scents. Noa, Happy Heart, Beautiful Sheer, SJP Lovely, all smell almost identical on me--just like pretty lemons! I'm not happy with this determination, but at least now I have a better understanding as to why so many light scents smell shrieky-sharp on me and why "soft and mellow" has been so elusive.
 EPCOT/France/La Signature (Guerlain shop): I sampled Colours of Love, Aqua Allegorias Tutti Kiwi and Grosellina (red currant), Chamade, and parfum-strength Jicky. The three new fruity scents did nothing to excite me. I found the parfum-strength of Jicky in no way superior to the EDT I've been enjoying at home, but that might be related to the hot conditions under which I was sampling it. I wore L'Instant one evening and tired of it quickly.
 EPCOT/France/La Plume et Palette: I was surprised to learn that Annick Goutal is now well represented. I smelled strips sprayed with Mandragore and Duel, but couldn't assess their depths in the heat.
 EPCOT/Italy: I enjoyed wearing Acqua di Parma's Iris Nobile one day. Easy-going, sweet floral.
 EPCOT/Japan: I sniffed both the revised and classic Zens (white and black bottles) and Relaxing. The word "relaxing" is so suggestive that I actual did relax each time I revisited the test strip.
 Airport/Perfumania: Checked off a few classics from my to-sniff list--Worth Je Reviens, Van Cleef & Arpels First, Cacharel Noa, Estée Lauder Pleasures and Beautiful.
 Airport/L'Occitane: Neroli, Green Tea & Jasmine, Eau des 7 Fleurs Eau de Parfum.
:'( Â*D I S A P P O I N T M E N T S Â* W E R E . . .
Guerlain's Cuir Beluga is not making its way to Florida until 2008 (according to La Signature staff). Not finding Pivoine Magnifica, although other Aqua Allegorias were available. Not finding Hermès line represented anywhere. The staff in Italy not offering to open the Borsari Violetta di Parma to sample when every other brand there was represented by testers. No paper strips for testing in the U.K.'s fragrance store. Not finding a new scent I wanted to add to my wardrobe.
:-/ Â*P A R K Â*S M E L L S
What scents I picked up from the mass of humanity seemed to be mostly from the Calvin Klein collection. Sadly, management just can't seem to exorcise the urine smell from the monorail cars despite a recent refurbishment of their interiors.
Â*L I T E R A T U R EI read May Allure magazine flying down to Florida. Its fragrance article was pleasurable, if not highly educational.
Peter Suskind's novel Perfume filled many a pleasant hour back at the resort where I'd retreat from the oppression of too many tourists. An entertaining story, but I'd like to see the last two pages rewritten. I mean, really--that's the best ending he could come up with? Thank you, b-noters, for clueing me in on these appropriate reads!!!
:-* Â*R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
Banana Boat SPF 30 sunscreen. No odor! Absorbs quickly, not greasy.
I took along Jo Malone Orange Blossom and Fresh Index Cucumber Baie and was very happy with these choices considering the heat.
Here are a few snaps for your viewing pleasure.
