Best of the Best 2009.

It was a nice surprise to be included in the group of bloggers who are participating in a joint blog project envisioned by Elena from Perfume Shrine - Best of the Best 2009. :)

I find it appropriate to end the year (and a decade) on a positive note since it seems to me we are all missing some positivism in our lives, especially at the end of this decade.

Underneath you will find links to other participating blogs to check what are their thoughts on what was best this year.

Hm, I don't know where to start from. :)

*2009 niche perfume releases I bought or plan on buying

Serge Lutens: Fille en Aiguilles

L'Artisan Parfumeur: Al Oudh

Parfum d'Empire: Wazamba

*Mainstream releases I liked enough to own

Lolita Lempicka: Si Lolita

Givenchy Harvest collection 2008: Organza Fleur d'Oranger

*Releases I didn't try but consider mention-worthy

Cartier "Les Heures de Parfum" collection

Van Cleef & Arpels "Collection Extraordinaire"

*Perfumes that knocked me off my feet

Donna Karan : Labdanum

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz: much of her work is incredible, but to limit myself to one, it would be Sandalo Inspiritu

Parfums DelRae: Amoureuse

Andy Tauer: L'Air du Desert Marocain

Juliet Stewart: Juliet

Ava Luxe: Madame X

Amouage: Lyric for Woman

*Discovery of perfumers whose work speaks of their incredible talent and individuality

Dawn Spencer Hurtwitz, Ava Luxe and Andy Tauer

*Best vintage discovery

Balmain: Vent Vert - I still have no words to describe it

*The notes I fell in love this year

Labdanum, orange blossom and sandalwood

*House whose work I appreciate but cannot wear

Bulgari

*Author discovery

James Rollins and his Sigma series

*Authors re-discovered by each book of theirs I read

Kresley Cole, J.D. Robb and Stephanie Laurens

*The movie of the year

Ok, I haven't watched Avatar yet so this might actually turn into movies, but I did watch Sherlock Holmes and enjoyed it immensely. :)

*And in the end, the realization of the year

This is my first year as a blogger (still not a full year) and I would never have guessed how much joy and friendship this would bring. This is not a hobby, it is a way of life which promotes knowledge, positive thinking, intelligent conversation and the thing I appreciate most of all - friendship and camaraderie across the borders and around the world.

Other wonderful bloggers participating, so please check them out as well:

Mossy Loomings, 1000fragrances, Smelly Blog, Bittergrace Notes, Shoes-cake-perfume, Eiderdown Press Journal, Scent Hive, Olfactarama, Roxana's Illuminated Journal, A Rose Beyond the Thames, The Non Blonde, Notes from the Ledge, I smell therefore I am, Under the Cupola, Perfume In Progress, Savvy Thinker, Perfume Shrine

Picture by: Perfume Shrine