I enjoyed Ines’ Paris diary post so much, I had second thoughts about writing anything myself, although I had already promised to do so. I am not a diary person, and find it much easier to concentrate on a single subject; however, I found that once I got started I had a lot to share, in fact so much so, this ended up in a two parter as well. J
Firstly: Ines is indeed every bit as red haired as you would imagine and every bit as lovely, and spotting a bright red winter coat, she lit up the Paris December landscape. Although I might have talked somewhat AT her at times, she did not seem to mind too much, our rather long e-mail correspondences prepared us, and meeting in person was just an extension of our cyber friendship.
My trip with Ines started out at L’Artisan Parfumeur, where we headed straight for the exclusive Mon Numero collection. I really liked Mon Numero 10, which is basically a very wearable, soft incense fragrance, and I could imagine it would get at lot of wear if I owned it, but all in all, from this line it is still a bottle of Olivia Giacobetti’s Safran Troublant which has my number - in the future at least.
From there on we decided to go to Sens Unique in the Marais. I discovered to my great pleasure and surprise, Sens Unique is situated right opposite my Paris hairdresser in this hip part of town, so I actually had a pre-sniff in there the day before meeting up with Ines. At this first visit I (re-)discovered the perfume line Evody which does hold quite a few gems. I tested the gorgeous Bois Secret which is just that; lovely secretive wood. As Ines mentioned I also came very close to getting myself a PROPER green fragrance, Parfumerie Generale’s Papyrus de Ciane. It was definitely green, and yet it had enough vetiver, incense and spice for me to feel on safe and friendly ground. The only reason that it didn’t get to come straight home with me was, that it didn’t feel at all wintery to me, and considering I might have another 4 months of winter to come, I would rather wait a little. Buying a perfume, and then not to wear it for several months, just doesn’t seem quite right. Am I alone feeling that way? Une Crime Exotique was beautiful and very Chrismassy, and I can absolutely see why Ines went home with a bottle. And another vote goes to the lovely Svetlana, who was a wonderful host, and let us sniff to our hearts contend. Our time in the small but very well stocked perfume boutique flew by so fast, that I was very happy that we already had an appointment for the next day meeting up with Denyse to go to Palais Royal.
What can I say, Palais Royale is wonderful, and I could go home with half the shop, but at this moment I restrained myself. Denyse next took us to Costes, which are the single distributor of Iunx, Olivia Giacobetti’s brand. At Iunx I fell for the stunning creation L’Ether. Here again it was an resiny Incense scent, one in true Giacobetti style swirling and radiating above and around you, playing hard to get. It is truly ethereal, and a perfume I keep going back to in my mind, thinking this will too find its way into my perfume cupboard.
Denyse I found to be a truly vibrant, passionate and warm woman, and she shared generously of her vast knowledge and time. Spending time with her and Ines was a great pleasure, and I felt grateful yet again over the joys and friendships that this scented community has brought me.
While we had spent all this lovely time together on a scented tour of Paris, it had gone dark around us, and after having left Denyse at Rue Rivoli, Ines and I walked through the Tuileries Gardens and said our goodbyes by the Pont Royal. A very worthy place to do so, I find.
I'm glad you posted your memories of Paris Asali, I can't get enough!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to find a perfume boutique where you feel at ease to sniff as much, and for as long, as you like. It's sadly not always the case. Sounds like you found a winner there too but I can totally understand not buying a perfume you won't wear for ages. I want to buy Osmanthus Interdite but I'd rather have the money in my account until next spring/summer when I'll actually wear it!
Hi tara, I enjoyed Asali's telling of those days a lot. :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough if she thinks she talked at me, that's because I kept losing concentration with so many things in Paris vying for my attention. :)
Hi Tara, thank you - I am glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for your sympathies regarding buying habits, I did feel a bit weird at that particular moment but thinking of it, you wouldn't buy clothes for spring yet either, would you? OI is great though, I understand that you want that one:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ines, and very noble of you:-)
ReplyDeleteOh, how nice to arrive here and discover I'm in for the second serving of what I didn't know was going to be a double-treat! Really lovely to see the Paris meet-up through both your eyes now (like watching a friendship bloom in the most gorgeous hothouse in the world).
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea you didn't purchase the green perfume yet, Asali, not only for the reason you named but also because it sounds to me like you were reeeally swooning for Giacobetti's L'Ether. (Or maybe you just have me swooning for it!) :-)
I love hearing more, and from another perspective as well!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Part 2! :)
I totally understand waiting for a more seasonally appropriate scent, I do that too.
Suzanne, you see right through me. I suppose it actually took the writing down to realise how smitten I was with L'Ether. Giacobetti is somewhat of a magician the way her fragrances seem to stick in the memory long after they are gone. And thank you for the kind words, can't wait to see Paris through your eyes too:-)
ReplyDeleteOlfactoria, thank you I am glad you enjoyed it, I love reading of other peoples fragrant travels, it's always a bit like being there yourself:-)Thanks for the moral support regarding seasonal appropriate perfume shopping. So January will probably see L'Ether in my cupboard;-) (can we add never enough incense/ myrrh perfumes, to the never enough ambers?)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, it's a truly lovely experience meeting someone in person with whom you already have a virtual friendship. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I just have to add, Asali is much better at deciding not to buy something than I am. :)
May I join the others in saying how interesting it was to get Asali's take on the sniffathon. I had never heard of Sens Unique before, so that will go on the list for my next visit. Sounds like you really hit it off together - and also with Denyse.
ReplyDeleteSorry to miss you both by such a small margin....
Ines, it's just the case that normally the fragrances that I truly adore take a bit of time to reveal them selves to me, so I hesitate. Sometimes I wish I was quicker:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Vanessa, I am so glad you enjoyed it, I know you travel a lot, and I love your travel posts. As I said above, it always feels a bit like being away yourself. Can't believe we just missed you, hopefully next time.
ReplyDeleteSens Unique should definitely be on a must visit list, as should Marie Antoinette (also Marais) and Jovoy. I didn't visit MA this time around, but will write about Jovoy in the next post. Excellent boutique, but perhaps you already know those.