...Blooming nicely. Thanks for asking. :)

...Zoka, if you're reading, I would like to suggest that you change the font for Fragrantica to COMIC SANS. It would fit in so well with the tasteful layout of your site. *insert kiss-blowing emoticon here*

...Wow! Please take some perfume photos with them, C. :idea:

..."People who boast about their IQ are losers."-- Stephen Hawking

...My pleasure, Anessa. Did you catch the part about hovenia driving men mad? Excellent quotes and bits of wisdom, Mia. :)"Only the uncannily beautiful, a strange friendship, a painting, an airplane wing, a melody, an abstract perfume can hold our attention for long. The last thing art wants to do is imitate nature. Nature imitates itself well enough already."-- Luca Turin, Folio Columns 2003-2014

...What I remember about Rebecca is all the mentions of white azalea, which was the scent of Rebecca's perfume."And so he would now study perfumes and the secrets of their manufacture, distilling heavily scented oils and burning odorous gums from the East. He saw that there was no mood of the mind that had not its counterpart in the sensuous life, and set himself to discover their true relations, wondering what there was in frankincense that made one mystical, and in ambergris that stirred one's passions, and in violets that woke the memory of dead romances, and in musk that troubled the brain, and in champak that stained the imagination; and seeking often to elaborate a real psychology of perfumes, and to estimate the several influences of sweet-smelling roots and scented, pollen-laden flowers; of aromatic balms and of dark and fragrant woods; of spikenard, that sickens; of hovenia, that makes men mad; and of aloes, that are said to be able to expel melancholy from the soul."-- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

...I'm not a fan of the black label. I thought the old labels were timeless. :(

...Is it perfume from a dressThat makes me so digress?T. S. Eliot

...I take it you're not a Jeremy fan, Anessa? ;)Elle ne porte rien D’autre qu’un peu D’essence de Guerlain Dans les cheveux...Serge Gainsbourg

...I'd forgotten all about this quote thread, Mia. This one has been stuck in my head for days:"...And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worldsare immune to your consultations,They're quite aware of what they're going through..."-- David Bowie

...Sorry about your shoulder! Hope it's mending well.About downsizing, I'd say don't do it unless you're losing interest in the hobby. Even if you think you'll never wear a certain perfume again, think twice. I could kick myself for some of the things I've purged, only to want them back. Best of luck with whatever you decide. :)

...True! :)Normally I don't wish for colder weather, but we have yet another storm coming tonight and I fervently hope to get snow as opposed to ice. Those ice storms are the worst. Pet peeve: able-bodied people who don't clear their sidewalks. Grrr.

...

...Never heard of the composer, and my first thought was, "How is this not Mozart?" Then I consulted my friend, the Google, and discovered that Boieldieu is affectionately known as the French Mozart, so that cleared everything up. Lucky you, seeing XdM live. :)

...*whimper* So cold!

...Does a high price tag necessarily guarantee a great perfume, though? I've tested pricey artisanal stuff that claimed to be composed of natural, rare and fabulous ingredients yet smelled absolutely hideous. So much depends on the skill of the perfumer, IMHO.

...Nice topic, Mia. :)I've noticed that sometimes people shy away from jasmine soliflores because of the presence of indoles. "Jasmin Full" is one to try if you happen to dislike the skanky aspect of the note. Almost antiseptically clean, and brightened by orange blossom and honeysuckle. Of all the jasmines I've tried, the Amouage attar was probably my favorite, but I never got around to buying it before it was discontinued. :( Can't even remember enough about it in order to describe it coherently other than it was glorious.I do love "Songes" by Annick Goutal, which I think of as Gauguin jasmine, complete with bananas and a tropical feel.

...I agree that the edp lacks oomph, Rodogone. The thing is, jasmine can be a like a slinky gown worn with high heels and a feather boa, so I like Jasmin Noir for work. I get to enjoy my jasmine while keeping it pretty much to myself. :wink:

...No worries, SmartFred. :) This is sort of a "Confess your unpopular opinion" topic, after all.

...Rodogone, Jasmin Noir is excellent, IMHO. Iranian peeps have good taste. :)Mia, Sun and Wonderlust are pretty obscure here. Have you tried either one?