They just don't understand meeeee!

So I come to you in mild desperation. I've just moved to Canada and will soon be experiencing my first real winter, and so, to help me through it I want to purchase my first truly wrapped-in-cashmere, fireside comfort scent. I'm just getting started in really learning about perfume, so your insights would be greatly appreciated!

My much-loved summer scent is Bulgari Omnia Crystalline -- on me, it wafts a light lemon-ice, lemon-rind scent, with guaiac wood undertones. I loved that it was fresh without being ozonic or cucumbery or, God forbid, fruit-salady/sugary. I especially loved that it wasn't obviously feminine.

For winter, I'd love something warm and maybe slightly gourmand or smoky, perhaps woody, not too sweet and definitely not shrill.

So far I've tried Mitsouko (urinous on me), Shalimar (far too sweet), DK Cashmere (fades to nothing), Poison, Hypnotic Poison (I can't detect the musk so it seems empty on me) -- no dice. I kinda like Samsara, but my husband is underwhelmed by it.

I explained this all to the SA at the Bay this afternoon... and she sent me home with samples of Vera Wang For Women, MJ Lola, and CK Beauty. Surely not?? Really not feeling confident in those. Everything else she had me sniff in bottles just screamed "SUMMER FLOWERS!" or "TOILET FRESHENER!"

Do you good people have any suggestions for things I should sample? Preferably not extreme niche stuff that I couldn't track down in a Holt Renfrew/Neiman Marcus/similar.

Wow you guys. Thank you so much for all the suggestions! This is much more than I expected!!

To answer a couple questions -- I'm in Calgary, and we have a Holt Renfrew here, which carries a fair number of the nichier things. I know they have Lutens, Hermes, the rarer Chanels, Comme des Garcons, Jo Malone, Diptyque, that sort of thing. Possibly parfum or EDP versions of Shalimar, etc. too. I don't see them having SUPER niche stuff though, so I'll start modestly with the more mainstream scents.

I must say I'm very interested in Sonoma Scent Studios though. Winter Woods sounds divine, as do the incense ones. I may just order a few 5mls.

Things that have worked for me in the past are mostly summer scents, since I've never lived somewhere with a real winter (or indeed a real fall or spring). The only cool-weather scents (well, cool by MY standards) I've worn that I've enjoyed are Samsara and Coco Mademoiselle. My husband is OK with Samsara, he finds it pleasant, but Coco M makes him feel sick. When I've tried a Chanel, he generally turns his nose up, and I wonder if it's some kind of common note or composition. Aldehydes maybe? Or perhaps Chanel in general is a little too "minor European heiress" for his tastes.

Also, yes, isn't my hubs a gem! He's much more conventional than me, which is probably good, otherwise I WOULD be dousing myself in Dzing!. Not that I wouldn't enjoy that, LOL!!

Re: DK, yes, it's Black Cashmere I've tried. I will keep a lookout for it though, I tried it in an African summer which may have been a bad idea chemistry-wise. I have also worn Angel (totally forgot about that!) and it reminds me strongly of being young, dumb and aggressive. I also find it extremely sweet.

Anyway!

I've compiled all your suggestions into a spreadsheet. (I am nothing if not committed.) I have 16 "mall" scents and 27 "nichier" scents, and 18 that fall somewhere in between, so I'll have to ask around and see who stocks what.

I can't thank you enough for the warm welcome too. I hope at some stage I'll be able to start contributing in this forum I've read so many of your reviews and have such admiration for you all.

I logged back in to take a look and lo and behold, DeepSilence & Siifter, I am wearing Opium this very day I'd tried it years ago and hated it, but my tastes have definitely changed... wow. It's a stunner. Seriously considering picking up one of those delightful [cheap] coffrets from the Bay.

HOWEVER... you guys. I tried Coromandel [edt, obviously] on Friday.

O.
M.
G.

I will never be the same again.

I get emotional just thinking about it. I don't have words... it's just too perfect. I was close to tears on the train on the way to work, breathing it in as it developed. So perfect. Just beautiful.

And 12 hours of staying power -- 12 whole hours of paradise. WOW. I don't want to put it on again because it's just too beautiful, I don't even want other people to smell it. I want it all to myself.

Where am I going to find $250???? GAHHH I must have a bottle. At least it's an enormous bottle, I mean it's not that expensive when you think about it... I'm going to guard my sample with my very life.

Also picked up Bois des Iles & Cuir de Russie samples (can I just say the Chanel SAs are just dolls?! I was amazed by the sheer friendliness and excitement to share their advice, no pressure to make a sale, just a lovely experience). TBH I tried Coromandel first because I thought I would like it the least, based on reviews... well my LORD, if I like the other two as much as I liked Coromandel, I am SCREWED. $750???? And this is me STARTING OUT in perfumes? Oh dear. It'll be beans on toast for a month. (and it will be WORTH IT)

I also sampled Black Cashmere and Chaos. Still underwhelmed, though I see BC's merit for sure.

Also... another SA, upon hearing my plight, offered me samples of Acqua di Gio. For real?? As a heavy winter scent?? I don't get it. (She was a very nice lady though. I got my Opium & Belle d'Opium samples from her too, so it's not all bad.)

Going to retest Coco tomorrow. After the pleasant surprise of Opium, I think it's worth trying it again after several years' break.

Thanks again for all your help. More suggestions are welcome! Hope you all have a peaceful & happy Sunday!