Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne sample pass, USA only

[30 Roses]

I was at Nordstrom today and had a wonderful chat with Lyndsay, assistant manager in cosmetics, about the new Jo Malone, Blackberry & Bay, which is definitely growing on me. I find this a calm scent.

Lyndsay generously contributed 10 samples for the purpose of a sample pass and discussion. These are 1.5ml official spray samples. Edit: Each of 10 participants will keep one entire sample. I know many of you don't live near stores selling Malone and may like to try this.

To be in this sample pass, you must have been a member of Basenotes since at least August 1, 2012, and must have made at least 10 posts. Men are also welcome. This is easily a unisex fragrance, not sweet.
USA only, please.

I'm going to set up 5 groups with 2 members each.
As soon as the first 5 people have signed up, I will send packages containing 2 samples to each of the first 5 members.

Each of the first 5 members will keep one spray sample, and mail the second sample to the person after them on the list for their group. Member #2 will keep his sample also.

Let's move this along quickly.

Post reviews or impressions, as you wish.

Postage for each of you to send the samples on to the next person will be only $1.95 to send a bubble mailer first class. (I just slap on 2 one-dollar stamps to avoid waiting in line at the P.O.)

Who's in?

Edit: I now have the names and shipping addresses of the first 5 members.
As more people sign up for the #2 slot, they should PM their names and mailing addresses to the members who will be shipping to them (except that I already gave Genie Jeanie the address for PerfumedLady.)

- - - Updated - - -

Group 1:
1. Genie Jeanie-- received
2. PerfumedLady-- received


Group 2:
1. NDN-01 received
2. Hayven-- received


Group 3:
1. kalli-- received
2. bookhouseshell-- received


Group 4:
1. cestrum nocturnum -- received
2. calilove-- received



Group 5:
1. whitefluffy-- received
2. darkdreams-- received


The group is now closed to new members.

[Genie Jeanie]

I would love to join in, 30 Roses! I've developed an interest in this house, but have never had the opportunity to sample any of their scents.

[30 Roses]

Great, PM me your name and address.



Edit:
Maybe I'm overly optimistic about interest in this scent? If there seems to be little interest I'll close the groups after we have 10 members, and then everyone will have one sample to keep and one to mail to the next person.

I think this one really is growing on me...3 stars for now but I find I want to wear it more. It's rather centering.

[Genie Jeanie]

I love the description of this scent from Jo Malone's website!

Vibrant. Verdant. New Blackberry & Bay. Inspired by childhood memories of blackberry picking. A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. A scent of innocence. An irresistible collection to savour.

My childhood friends & I had many prickled fingers from snitching from a neighbor's bushes.

[Twolf]

Give it some time, please. You know how it is with many people having a long(er) weekend, away from home, not having computer access from home, etc. Some people are just nice as they have already been recipients of your kindness in the past sample passes.

[30 Roses]

True, Twolf. It's a holiday weekend and people are busy.

There's only one scent to test this time, though; in the past we did two Malones per pass. It's not a limited edition and I see lots of samples on eBay, so maybe people think it's not worth the cost of postage to pass it on. But I'll give it some time.

I hope people will feel free to participate no matter how many sample passes they have taken part in before.

[lucasai]

Too bad this pass in US only... I'll sit and watch you then.

[30 Roses]

People aren't exactly breaking down the doors, lucasai...send me your address and I'll pop one of my 2 personal samples in the mail for you, while keeping the group USA only, at least for now.

[lucasai]

Oh no! Keep them! There's no sense sending just this one sample all over the world. Costs of shipping will overprice the sample itself... And I'm not sure if something bad is happening or not but I for the last two weeks I didn't get any parcel from the States and at least one should already arrive, don't know wha to think about it.

[30 Roses]

It might be slow on our end...I think mail is moving a little slower here than usual. The USPS has financial woes and has been reorganizing, shutting down many local post offices and sorting facilities. I hope your items arrive soon. Waiting can be nerve-wracking.

[Alityke]

In the UK JM did a free sample if you "Liked" them on Facebook, as By Killian do. Did this happen in the US? It might explain the slow response

[30 Roses]

That's interesting, Alityke. Maybe they did that here too, I don't know.

Many or few, we'll have a little bit of chat about Blackberry & Bay, and I hope anyone who has tried it will feel free to add their impressions, pro or con.

I may not be online so much today-- have some things to do. I'll check in later.


updated:

Smelling it now, it occurs to me that Blackberry & Bay is a little like Byredo Pulp, minus the fig. It's also a little like L'Ombre Dans L'Eau, without the aggressive tomato stem note. It's less assertive than either fragrance, lower sillage and longevity.

[PerfumedLady]

Twolf is right, think this will fill up now that the holiday weekend is coming to a close. Which is why I'm here to grab my spot! If possible, could I be one of the later testers? I have the giant Weil pass making it's way to me now but if you need me to be one of the first, I will make it work.

Just had Mr.PL play around at the JM counter at Saks last week but missed this one. He seems to like their ideas about layering as much as I do. We need one of those displays in our house!

[30 Roses]

I put you in slot 3 but I can move you to slot 4 if you prefer.

[NDN-01]

I'm interested. I've been wanting to try Jo Malone but just haven't made it around yet.

[30 Roses]

I'm interested. I've been wanting to try Jo Malone but just haven't made it around yet.

Okay! You're the first person in group 2, so please PM me your name and address for mailing.

We're late getting out the door, but finally off now (whew!) Please, everyone, feel free to just keep on signing up and I'll assign you to slots when I return.

[NDN-01]

Okay! You're the first person in group 2, so please PM me your name and address for mailing.

We're late getting out the door, but finally off now (whew!) Please, everyone, feel free to just keep on signing up and I'll assign you to slots when I return.

Fantastic!! Will do. Thanks.

[PerfumedLady]

I put you in slot 3 but I can move you to slot 4 if you prefer.

Nope, 3 is just perfect, no need to change! Thank you!

[yellow_cello]

I got a sample of B&B in the way Alityke mentioned - if any UK basenoters are wanting to to try it, just PM me your adress and I'll send it out to you. It comes in a pretty little card box-holder-thing with the publicity photos on Sample now claimed

[kalli]

Could I get in? I really do like some Jo Malones from what I've tried! Thanks so much!

[30 Roses]

Yes, you're first in group 3, kalli-- would you PM me your name/mailing address?

- - - Updated - - -

I'm giving this a bump in the hope of getting more participants. Oh, too bad! It just updated.

[cestrum nocturnum]

Ooooh, this sounds lovely! If there is space, I would love to join in! Thank you for obtaining the samples and providing the opportunity!

[kalli]

I can send to CN after I am done if that works for you 30R.

[30 Roses]

I've put you in slot 1 for group 4, CN-- thanks kalli but I'm trying to fill the #1 slots first so that the first 5 people can all be testing and posting impressions at the same time. When we get one more person to head group 5, I'll ship.

[Whitefluffy]

30 Roses, Twolf is right: I don't know if I can impose anymore on your kindness. But if you do need people to sign up, I would absolutely loved to. Your and Quarry's descriptions made me very intrigued. I do like berry fragrances, but can't stand L'Artisan's Mure at Musk. I am not very good at descriptions or picking notes apart, so it is doubtful I will be very good contributor; but definitely interested I am...

[30 Roses]

Okay then! We have five groups and I will mail out tomorrow to you 5. Meanwhile we can keep adding group members as they sign up.

Even if you've participated in every sample pass I've ever done; this is a whole new scent, so why not try it?

I've decided to cut the groups back to 2 members each. Each of 10 participants can keep one entire sample and mail the other sample immediately to the person after you (as soon as you have someone listed after you, that is!) This saves me a bit of postage and it will make the group more interesting as we all sniff and post impressions.

We still have 4 slots open.

[Hayven]

I'd like to take a sniff if there is still availability, please!

[30 Roses]

That's fine, Hayven-- please PM your name and mailing address to NDN-01, who will mail to you.

Room for 3 more members.


My husband has begun using the other of my 2 personal samples-- he finds it quite light and needs multiple sprays, and even then complains that it fades too fast. But then, he is used to one spray of Pulp! (Which lasts all day and announces itself to everyone around.) It is true that Blackberry & Bay is light, but I enjoy the gentle wafts of scent.

- - - Updated - - -

Mom (age 83 with dementia) walked outdoors and fell today, got herself a big black eye. She had to go to the ER to get a CT scan.

I have to spend overnight with her as she is confused and unsafe on her own. Will probably get the packets mailed tomorrow or Friday at latest. I know, I know...but they were almost ready to mail when I got the call!!

[Genie Jeanie]

How horrible, 30 Roses!!! Sending big hugs to both ((you)) & ((Mom)).

And no rush - family first!

[30 Roses]

Thank, Genie Jeanie. Mom slept thought the night, thankfully. I was surprised how comfortable the rollaway bed was and got a decent night's sleep as well.

I spent 2 hours orienting the new caregiver this morning (she had never provided care at Mom's residence before so there was a lot for her to learn.) I have to go back later to take a few more things over-- food etc.-- and I'll later have to orient a new person who will cover Saturday & Sunday, but as of now things have settled down to "minimally disrupted". I can cope with that.

I'll finish packing up the Blackberry & Bay samples and will get them in the mail today.

We still have 3 slots open if anyone else wants to sign up.

- - - Updated - - -

UPDATE:

I'm heading to the P.O. right now to mail all 5 packages.