Rosa Nobile by Acqua di Parma c2014

Rosa Nobile by Acqua di Parma: launched in 2014 as part of the Nobile Collection. The Nobile collection is composed of fragrances that are each dedicated to a specific flower, previous editions included Iris Nobile, Magnolia Nobile and Gelsomino Nobile.

Rosa Nobile is a tribute to the queen of flowers, a particular rosa Centafolia which grows in Alba, Italy on a limited organic plantation, Piedmont. Because the scent is so fragile and fleeting, the buds have to be picked at early dawn, while the garden is still covered in dew, or else the buds will lose their potent fragrance. This painstaking picking process is only conducted during the months of May and June as the roses fragrance is at its most intense.


From Acqua di Parma:

"A fragrance with a brand new and modern personality. A unique charm in the essential structure whose base reveals sophisticated nuances. The fragrance opens with the soft and fresh citrus scent of bergamot and mandarin, enhanced by pepper notes in a unique composition. At the heart, the Italian rose is the star, with its rich intensity. The seducing touch of its velvety petals is enhanced by harmonious notes of violet, peony, and lily-of-the-valley. This crescendo of emotions continues in the base, with Virginia cedar wood enhanced by a grey amber and musk accord, creating an unforgettable blend. Rosa Nobile. A fragrance as rich as a bunch of freshly picked roses."

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral woody musk fragrance for women.

• Top notes: Sicilian Mandarin, Calabrian Bergamot and pepper
• Middle notes: Centafolia rose, peony, violet and lily of the valley
• Base notes: cedar wood, ambergris and musk

Rosa Nobile is available in eau de parfum and velvety body cream.

The body cream has a rich, but lightweight texture that is quickly absorbed leaving the skin moisturised and delicately enveloped in the sophisticated notes of Rosa Nobile. Ingredients with emollient and antioxidant properties such as rice protein, beeswax and vitamin E, work together with rose extract to nourish the skin, enhancing its softness. A precious and luxurious cream that leaves the skin velvety like the petal of the rose.

A friend from Facebook sent me a sample and I sprayed the fragrance on the back of my hand.

Etoile D'Or by Volnay c2013

Etoile D'Or by Volnay: launched in 2013.  Created by Amelie Bourgeois who was inspired to create a modern interpretation of Etoile D'Or by using one of Volnay's original formulas dating back to the 1920s.

Click here to discover Parfums Volnay

Parfum Pour Toi by The Pink Room c2008

Parfum Pour Toi by The Pink Room: launched in 2008.  Created by Cyrille Carles.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral woody musk fragrance for women.

• Top notes lemon, blackcurrant, grapefruit
• Middle notes: rose, fleur de melati, lily of the valley
• Base notes: sandalwood, vanilla, white musk

Visit their website here

I received a sample directly from Sarah Barton-King, the founder of The Pink Room, and was very interested in trying it as I was fascinated by the look of the boutique.

At first, I smell straight up citrus, a blast of lemon and grapefruit. Normally just the mention of grapefruit in the scent pyramid would make me run in the opposite direction as I really don't enjoy the smell of grapefruit, however, this is not the I-just-cut-up-a-fresh-grapefruit-to-eat-for-breakfast scent of grapefruit, it is blended so well with the zetsy lemon that it does not make me scrunch up my nose and sneeze. 

The fresh citrus makes way for a sheer fusion of rose and lily of the valley, nothing heavy in this floral meld. I was wondering what the fleur de melati is and if I could detect it in the perfume. Of course I smell it, it is simply  jasmine sambac, but known as melati in Indonesia. The jasmine, rose and lily of the valley are a little shrill at first, but slowly, the creamy notes of vanilla appear and start mellowing out the flowers, making them smooth. A whisper of white musk and the woody note of the sandalwood round out this diaphanous fragrance. The vanilla, while sweet, is not cloying. 

At the end of the drydown, I am left with a soft trace of the flowers upon delicate vanilla and musk. My overall impression is that the fragrance is very light, airy, and definitely aimed at the younger set. 

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Jasmin Reve by Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger c2013

Jasmin Reve by Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger: launched in 2013. Created by Jean-Claude Gigodot.  As one can tell from the name, Jasmine is the star of this fragrance.

And brides as delicate and fair 

As the white jasmine flowers they wear 

Hath Yemen in her blissful clime 

-T. Moore 

Jasmine is highly prized all over the world and is one of the most costly perfume ingredients. It has been reported that more than five million blossoms must be gathered to produce one kilo of what is known as "pure jasmine absolute". As a result, much of the jasmine used in perfume is a chemical approximation and is present in about 83% of women's fragrances and 33% of men's.

Jasmine oil is often used in aromatherapy as a natural remedy for stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. It is also said to act as an aphrodisiac.

Then how serene when in your favourite room 

Gales from your jasmines soothe the evening gloom 

-Crabbe

 Ancient Greeks and Egyptians knew the divine power of the jasmine and used it in not only perfumes, but as offerings to the gods. The Pharaonic Egyptians painted flowers on the walls of their palaces, temples and tombs. These paintings show chrysanthemums, cornflowers, roses, irises, jasmine, narcissi, vines, and poppies, with papyrus and lotus.

The intense fragrant essence of the jasmine is recalled in the origin of its name which derives from the Persian word "yasmin" which means "a gift from God."

In early days it was known in English as Gethsamine, Gelsemine, Jesemin and Jasme. It is also the Jasmin as well as Kajan and Zambach of the Arabians.

Here jasmines spread the silver flower 

To deck the wall or weave the bower 

-Cotton 

So what does Jasmin Reve smell like? It is classified as a Floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: jasmine
• Middle notes: rose
• Base notes: musk, sandalwood and vanilla

I received a sample directly from Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger and dabbed some drops on the back of my hand. Jasmin Reve means Jasmine Dream in French and this is exactly what it is. At first sniff, a dreamy waft of plush, narcotic jasmine greets my nose. There is a distinctive fresh bloom effect about the jasmine that I find very appealing. A trace of sweetened spice weaves its web as the fragrance dries down. Now I can smell the soft sandalwood mingling with the creamy vanilla. A vanilla that is not cloyingly sweet. The musk is as soft as gossamer without being overwhelming. It has moderate sillage and as the dry down fades, the jasmine is tenacious until the very end. 

My overall impression of this perfume is that it has a very ethereal quality. Luxuriant and refined. Perfect for wearing with your softest of cashmere sweaters or pashmina shawls. I also think that this would be suitable for a bride to wear on her wedding day. The matching perfumed candle would be appropriate for a wedding gift, Mother's Day or hostess gift.

Visit Au Pays de la Fleurs d'Oranger's website

Gold Leather by Atelier Cologne c2013

Gold Leather by Atelier Cologne: launched in 2013. It was released as part of the Collection Métal, created by perfumers Sylvie Ganter and Christophe Cervasel. To further enhance the metal theme, the bottles are richly covered in genuine precious metals, making an industry first.

The bottle for Gold Leather is appropriately cloaked in a shimmering gold finish. For those that enjoy the refreshing feeling of splashing cologne onto their skin, the removable spray pump can be removed. The 100ml and 200ml bottles sport a handcrafted leather cap for a luxurious touch.

Ce Soir Ou Jamais by Annick Goutal c1999

Ce Soir Ou Jamais by Annick Goutal: launched in 1999. The name in French means "Tonight or Never", sounds like it could be a plea from a lover. Inspired by the scent of a beautiful rose Annick Goutal found in a priest's garden, it took her a reported fifteen years and over 160 secret ingredients to capture an almost perfect replica.

From Annick Goutal:

"Infinitely secret murmur, pressing and tender proposal of a lingering and discrete perfume which intrigues and arouses desire...  

According to Annick Goutal, it is the perfume of her life, the most accomplished. Interpretation of a rose in a "priest's garden" which she stumbled upon, so much idealized in the extent that it makes one's head spin.  

15 years of work and determination to succeed in revealing the transparency of this delicate, mysterious, almost wild rose."

So what does it smell like? It is classified as an intense floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: aldehydes, lemon, bergamot, pear, rose geranium, peach, lily of the valley, and hibiscus
• Middle notes: acacia, orange blossom, lavender, apple blossom, beeswax, jasmine, verbena, rose hips, Turkish rose, tea rose, violet, lilac, mimosa and Bulgarian rose
• Base notes: incense, sandalwood, myrrh, anise, patchouli, leather, musk, oakmoss, ambrette, benzoin and amber

Available in both parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, body cream, shower gel and soap.

I received a sample from a Facebook friend and just sprayed some on the back of my hand. Starting off with a hint of citrus zest and juicy pear, beeswax, rosehip tea, then revealing a heart of fresh cut bouquet of both sweet Turkish and soapy Bulgarian roses and ending in a marriage of spiced wine and a patchouli laden chypre base with a touch of powdery jasmine.

Each time I smell the perfume, it seems a little different and new notes appear. I love this. This is as if Tea Rose by The Perfumer's Workshop and to Jo Malone's Red Roses cologne had a baby, it has a slight vintage feel that I enjoy. Many of the ingredients in the notes listed above I was able to detect through several sampling sessions, as the "secret ingredients" truly are secret and not officially listed anywhere online.

I imagine an elegant woman wearing a slinky black velvet dress arriving at her handsome lover's home on the last night before he leaves on yet another business trip. He opens the door and lets her inside. They immediately embrace and he tastes her violet candy like red lipstick as they passionately kiss. She nuzzles her head into the crook of his neck and smells his musky aftershave spiked with lavender, patchouli and ambergris. He smells her vintage aldehydic chypre perfume that she sprayed on her hair. Her lover presents her with a lush bouquet of long stemmed roses. They stroll into the dining room. She sits down at the table to an empty goblet which is twinkling with the flicker of candlelight.  A small Baccarat crystal vase on the table holds crimson hibiscus blossoms sits atop the freshly laundered linen table cover. A gilt rimmed Limoges porcelain plate holds a succulent baked pear and sliced peaches drizzled with honey and garnished with candied citrus fruit peel. He pours an expensive red wine into her goblet. Her lover presents her with a red envelope, she excitedly opens it, it simply reads "Tonight or Never." She coyly smiles, looks up at him with a mischievous look in her eyes and takes his hand in hers.

Sortilege by Le Galion c1937

Sortilege by Le Galion: launched in 1937 by perfumer and Le Galion owner, Paul Vacher. The name means "spell" in French. It's magical blend was composed of over 80 ingredients. It was suggested to be worn for blondes and brunettes, and described it as sumptuous, warm, luxurious, and suitable for evening wear.

Sweet William by Ineke c2011

Sweet William by Ineke: launched in 2011 as part of the Floral Curiosities Collection that was originally offered exclusively through Anthropologie. Created by the classically trained Ineke Ruhland, who was inspired to compose these original fragrances based on the flowers growing in her garden.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a spicy woody fragrance for women.

• Top notes: peach schnapps, cinnamon, clove
• Middle notes: sweet william, sandalwood, cedarwood
• Base notes: patchouli, bourbon vanilla

I received a sample directly from Ineke and was pleasantly surprised to see it arrive inside of a simulated book coffret alongside four other scents from the Floral Curiosities collection. The little "book" has a pocket on the inside that resembles a library card pocket. Tucked inside the pocket are library cards that look like they were repurposed from an old card catalog. On each card is a pretty illustration on one side and the description of each perfume and the flower that inspired its creation on the reverse. Each sample vial is a generous 2.5ml spray that holds enough fragrance so that the perfume may be worn a few times so that you can get acquainted with the scent. I think the whole presentation is just adorable and worthy of a gift to a treasured friend or cherished relative.

Now since my curiosity was piqued, I sprayed the Sweet William perfume on the back of my hand and my initial impression was "WOW". I close my eyes and think of a delicious dessert to be served on a cool early autumn day like today. Succulent baked peaches, the last from the harvest, expertly sliced and arranged in a swirl over a creamy bourbon vanilla custard, generously drizzled with a decadent schnapps glaze and sprinkled with the pungent spices of cinnamon and cloves. An antique crystal bowl holds a potpourri of cedar and sandalwood chips mixed in with dried sweet william and patchouli leaves. The heat of the fat pillar candles on the table brings a gentle heat which intensifies the scent of the dried foliage and the delectable dessert.

After an hour, the perfume is still strong and spicy with a beautiful woodsy vanilla drydown. I think it would smell very nice on a man as well as it is not too feminine as this is not a floral style fragrance. My husband said that it smelled very good, like the cinnamon that I sprinkle on his toast, which he loves to have with his morning coffee. The marriage of these spices and woods remind me of Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo, another fragrance that I enjoy wearing in the cooler months.


Click HERE to purchase Sweet William 0.5 oz Eau de Parfum
Click HERE to purchase Sweet William 2.5 oz Eau de Parfum
Click HERE to purchase The Floral Curiosities Collection Scent Library Sampler Set

Traversee du Bosphore by L`Artisan c2010

Traversee du Bosphore by L'Artisan Parfumeur: launched in 2010. Created by Bertrand Duchaufour who drew his inspiration from his journey to Istanbul. The Ottoman delicacy, Turkish delight plays a big part in the composition which helps makes this a beautiful fruity floral perfume with sugary gourmand notes.

Amouage Gold by Amouage c1983

Amouage Gold for Women by Amouage: launched in 1983. Created by Guy Robert, it was the first fragrance issued by the house of Amouage and is a perennial classic among its devotees.

Plum by Mary Greenwell c2010

Plum by Mary Greenwell: launched in 2010, created by celebrity make up artist Mary Greenwell in collaboration with perfumer Francois Robert.

Lemon by Mary Greenwell c2013

Lemon by Mary Greenwell: launched in 2013, created by celebrity make up artist Mary Greenwell in collaboration with perfumer Francois Robert. It was inspired by Mary's own memories of her Mediterranean vacations.

From Harrod's:

This stunning fragrance is a fresh citrus floral with a soft chypre dry down. The citrus notes are specially designed to last a long time, not just to disappear after the first spritz. The soft chypre accord on the dry down gives an elegance and richness that really has to be experienced to be believed.

So what does it smell like? It is a fresh citrus, floral chypre fragrance for women.

• Top notes: lemon, lime, mandarin, bergamot and bitter orange
• Heart notes: narcissus absolute, clary sage, hyacinth, jasmine and lily of the valley
• Base notes: precious woods, oak moss, patchouli, tonka and amber

Available in:

• 50 ml Eau de Parfum
• 100 ml Eau de Parfum
• 7.5 ml purse spray

Folle de Joie by Joie c2014

Folle de Joie by Joie: launched in 2014.

L'Amour by Lalique c2013

L'Amour by Lalique: launched in 2013, and created by Nathalie Lorson.