...Flavorite:My hot pink/fuchsia roses peeped out this morning and I was caught off guard by their exuberance. Here in the Pacific Northwest US- we have just...

...My hot pink/fuchsia roses peeped out this morning and I was caught off guard by their exuberance. Here in the Pacific Northwest US- we have just survived another neon-golden hued yellow-vicious Ginestra/Scotch Broom outbreak (considered and invasion weed here-most people are allergic to it- everyone's sneezing and crying... but Santa Maria Novella makes fantastic Cologne called "Ginestra"). The other thing that popped out yesterday on the roads is beautiful pastel pink Lupines. So we're "Pretty in Pink" here, you might say!

...Briarthorn:I just tried the new formulation of the Laura Ashley no.1 It wasn't bad at all. It had a nice 80s vibe. Very Molly Ringwald in "sixteen Candles". I can't recall the original scent perfectly but the new one is at least has the same feel as the original (thanks to the peach). Here in the states the new version is in the discount stores like Ross, TJMaxx and Marshalls for a song (and in a pretty bottle). Perhaps you can find it affordably in the UK too. I don't think giving it a go would be amiss. I can say for sure that the new version isn't as deep or complex as the original, but if you don't put them side by side I think you may be satisfied with this new interpretation (especially if you get it affordably).Ooooh! Thanks so much for this input! I live near a TJ Maxx- so I'll be on the look out for it! I find it fascinating that seemingly totally different formulations can lead to similar "scent memories". I am excited to try it now!

...Halston "Z-14" or "Lagerfeld" by Karl Lagerfeld are timeless classics-sort of sweet/powdery daytime appropriate, for men that are still fairly easy to find and within budget.

...1. Carriere by Gendarme= Pure Grace by Philosophy2. Perfect Veil by Sarah Horowitz= Nude Musk by Ava Luxe3. Artemesia by Penhaligon= Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan4. Philosykos by Diptique= Mediterranean Fig by Pacifica5. No.9 Blackberry Musk by Trish McEvoy= Falling In Love by Philosophy

...with Flavorite about Daim blond. And you should try Cuir Cordoba of course :wink...

...Flavorite, You have a very limited scent profile that works on you. It's amazing that you know so well what your winners are though. Have you tried Lancôme...

...I've never tried a Juliette Has A Gun fragrance so "Vengeance Extreme" might be interesting. Leather and patchouli, hmm...Sleuth and Flavorite, the Italian houses always interest me so I Profumi di Firenze's "Patchouly Rosso" and "Patchouly Noir - Osmo / Patchouli Noir - Osmo" will get a...

...Flavorite: I'm surprised that you wear perfumes with a note of something you're allergic to eating. I've become allergic to kiwi fruit & now I'm afraid to wear...

...I recently discovered my "gold star" floral notes are Lilies (Stargazer, in particular), Neroli, Freesia. Hawthorne shimmers on my skin. This is very different from what I imagine I like (Tuberose, Jasmine). What doesn't work on my skin at all are Violets in any form. For foody notes, I am always attracted to vanilla fragrances, but honestly, vanilla turns boozy, candy-like and cloying on me- even the driest vanillas. Grapefruit is a no-go- totally rancid within 20 minutes, consistently. Rum intensive fragrances such as Frapin's "1697" and Guerlain's "Spiritueuse Double Vanille" just unwearable, except for one week in late December- although in theory, I love the idea. Mushroom/ truffle notes such as TF's "Noir de Noir" become hyper truffle- like a country bistro in the South of France in mid-January. Berries turn bitter and green fig fragrances which I adore smell so over the top green and herbaceous- it has blown some SA's minds... what always works- and it is ironic since I am allergic to the actual fruit is Peaches/ Nectarines (?!). Petigrain, Cyclamen and Vetiver are equally poor on my skin. The biggest stars are Galbanum, Cardamom, Hinoki and anything in the musk category...smells fresh and at home on my skin- even if it is not a "clean white musk". Go figure!

...Been testing and would like to add "Rose Oud" by Illuminum and Serge Lutens' "La Fille de Berlin".

...1. L'Artisan's "Patchouli Patch"2. Tom Ford's "White Patchouli"3. Estee Lauder's "Youth Dew"4. I Profumi di Firenze's "Patchouly Rosso"5. Bond No. 9's "Nuits de Noho"6. Bruno Acampora's "Nero"These are some that I have tried and come to mind immediately as worth trying. Also, for a floral Patchouli, there is always Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb, which has a healthy dose in there.

...So cool! I love the stones. Thank you for sharing!

...For me, some of the Noses that resonate are: Michael Boadi, Maurice Roucel, Calice Becker, Frank Voelkl and Christopher Sheldrake.

...I´d also like to try another one by Kerosene, he started as a fragrance reviewer but he has been making perfumes for some years now.@ Flavorite: Interesting that you recommend Illuminum, because what I heard on forums was that it was a bit "meh". So why do you like them so much? Which are the...

...I just spent the afternoon browsing at my favorite Niche Shop- I can whole heartedly recommend Illuminum, Santa Maria Novella, Serge Lutens, Byredo and Ava Luxe brands. They are all intriguing and unique. Enjoy!

...According to what I can ascertain, petigrain is typically extracted from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange plant, while neroli generally refers to a steam distillation extract from the blossoms themselves. I'm guessing the some use the term 'orange blossom' to refer to a less concentrated extract of neroli produced by the method of enfleurage where the essence of the blossom is placed in an odorless fat based carrier oil/fat and the essence is allowed to transfer by diffusion. I'm no expert though...

...Flavorite: I have to agree with your observations. Especially about The orange blossom being very sweet much of the time, especially when It's paired with...

...L'Artisan offers the airy sparkly "La Chasse Aux Papillons" which is highly circulated for a niche brand and then Serge Lutens' "A La Nuit" knocks-'em out cold with "Moroccan, Indian and Egyptian jasmine" together in a composition with green notes, honey - they dance on the skin like magical nymphs in a Mid-Summer Night's Dream. Another one for the purest is "Rodin" - simple solid, pricey - three note song. Not unlike Tom Ford's "Jasmin Rouge"... I practically had to show ID to test it at the counter...not all that...jasmine water in gorgeous red glass. I just tried "Nuda" again, and I thought...good but not worth it for what it is- which is not very unique sort like Jasmine oil from the natural foods store in an bottle with a funky cap. Wow, there are quite a few others that I can't recall at the moment.

...Personally, I think of Neroli as allowed to be more astringent, bitter and bracing- my flagship fragrance for this is Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, which in spite of its notably low sillage is one of my 3 must have fragrances of all times for Summer- energy and cooling freshness in a bottle. I have Atelier's Neroli- but now I find the petigrain is too pungent and the whole composition grates on my nerves. Orange Blossom fragrances can range from too sweet when married with sugary vanilla notes to light as air Spring breezes. I found APOM to be too much woody and sweet base notes for me- sadly after I went for the full bottle- and I adore Henri Bendel's Orange Blossom- easy, light and pretty version. Jo Malone also does this flower justice. Always love to try new orange blossom and Neroli scents!