Blog Annoucement: You Can Now Bookmark Mimifroufrou.com + New Blogs
Dear Readers,
We've set up a new entry point to the website at http://www.mimifroufrou.com where you will be able to look at the main page at a glance to see if there have been any new posts. It's still a work in progress, but you can bookmark us and link to us as of today.
I have added two new blogs to the site: The Sapid Salamander, where I will post on all things flavorful, food-related etc. and Salamander in Paris where, you've guessed it right, the focus will be more about the nooks and cranies of the city (and beyond). It's a way for me to organize the site differently, while incorporating more topics of interest to me.
What mimifroufrou.com is about:
Life is a motley patchwork: from the latest tea strainer, 17th century dish towel, new and old macaron flavor, beauty concept, movies, French and American quirks, to the last dregs of a perfume bottle.
Empty pumpkin boxes in Paris waiting to be filled with chocolates. And that's about it as far as pumpkins go. On the other hand, there are loads of fresh winter squashes.
Blog Nuts & Bolts - We're on Twitter {Ask Marie-Helene}
Dear Readers,
We wanted to call your attention to the fact that you can get updated on what's happening on the blogs on the mimifroufrou.com site via Twitter. The perfume blog can be followed on www.twitter.com/scentsalamander and the beauty blog on www.twitter.com/beautsalamander.
Twitter is convenient because it allows for I-Phone updates....
Congrats to Milaxx and Rita who have won 2 entries to the Makeup Show in NYC, 17-18 May 2009. The winning entries were selected by a random number generator.
Please send me your names.
Other interested parties can still purchase tickets. Please go here for more details.
Win 2 Free Tickets to the Makeup Show NYC May 17-18 2009 & Bring a Guest {Ask Marie-Helene}
Thanks to the folks at the Makeup Show NYC, The Scented Salamander/Beauty and the Salamander/mimifroufrou.com readers have the possibility to enter a drawing for two free tickets to attend the Makeup Show in New York City on Sunday May 17 and Monday May 18 from 9:00 am to 6 pm daily at the Metropolitan Pavillion. The winners can each bring a guest.
"For the fourth time the Makeup Show New York brings the industry
together like no other trade event has before. The biggest brands. Top
industry exhibitors. Speakers from every area of makeup artistry. New
product introductions. Special Pro-only offers. Seminars, forums and
hands-on workshops. The best networking opportunity in the business.
It's a must-attend event for anyone involved in the makeup industry.
Two days of inspiration, education and community building in the global epicenter
of the beauty and entertainment industries - New York City."
Just
leave a comment and 2
winners will be randomly selected which will be announced
on Monday May 11th 2009.
Hilary Duff Fragrance Giveaway & Guest Appearance on Law & Order: SUV April 28th, 2009
The Hilary Duff people want to call your attention to the guest appearance of Hilary Duff on the Law and Order: SVU show tomorrow on Tuesday April 28th, 2009. So in support of this shoutout, they are offering free giveaways of 6 Hilary Duff perfume gift sets to the The Scented Salamander readers: 4 of the spring gift set of Wrapped with Love and 2 of With Love.
You just need to leave a comment below to express your interest. Winning entries will be picked by a random number generator. In order for me to not let this slip our of my mind I will accept entries until Thursday April 30th. The winners will be announced on May 1st. International readers welcome.
The Winner for the Signed Bottle of Stetson All American is...
The star-spangled olfactory pyramid of All American found at the dedicated website AllAmericanStetson.com
I have been awfully busy and I apologize for the delay in announcing a winner for Stetson All American, the Signed-Bottle-by-the-Own-Hand-of-Tom-Brady!!! But here we go, it's anntje!
The result was given by a random number generator.
We have other giveaways coming up so please stay tuned.
Update on the Keiko Mecheri interview: I know I said I would publish the Q & A with Keiko Mecheri yesterday, but had to deal with a few things offline. Have to be in and out today too, so - crossing fingers - the interview should be up this evening! (in English and French) If not, tomorrow at the latest!
Thank you for your patience, All the best, Marie-Hélène
Stetson All American Launch: Any Questions You'd Like Me To Ask Tom Brady? {Ask Marie-Helene}
If you have any questions you would like me to put forth to Tom Brady on the occasion of the launch of Stetson All American (see previous announcement), please send me an email or leave a comment below.
The new cologne is tagged, "a modern NEW fragrance for the all American man". Are you inspired?
Mystery Violet Perfume in Manhattan...Please Help! {Ask Marie-Helene} {Violet Notebook}
Sometimes one falls in love with an unforgettable waft of perfume and this event heralds the beginning of an obsessive quest. Risa writes,
"I was eating dinner in Manhattan in a sushi restaurant when a table of 4 sat down next to us....within 5 minutes the ladies perfume empowered the area...i was absolutely in love...yet i heard them talking it was not my language of English. the perfume was extremely powdery, yet had a violet scent to it....soft and quite a statement.....might u be able to suggest anything....to this day i am so upset i didn't even try to ask her....it was fabulous...probably a scent from Europe , and i cant even get it here...but i have been trying to look up anything i could online, and i have been quite unsuccessful...PLEASE HELP..."
Risa
Dear Risa,
We're here to help, whenever we can. First of all, let me tell you how I can well imagine that scene, which sounds like a missing episode from Sex and the City!...
Valentine's Day Tips For A Fresh Breath {Ask Marie-Helene or rather, Dr. Smith}
We got some great tips from a dentist from Los Angeles, Dr. Daniel C. Smith, on how to prevent bad-breath fiasco on your Valentine's day. Here they are, unedited and uncut, just in time to help you prepare for your big romantic night out. But before that, you'll have be practical-minded.
"It
has been reported that between 14 and 25 percent of Americans and 35 to 45
percent of the entire world's population have chronic bad breath."
Dr. Smith's Date Night Advice
When Placing Your Order...
Meat eaten in
large quantities can cause bad breath, mostly due to the digestion
process, which begins in the mouth.
Carbohydrates cause the
strongest odors in the mouth - sugars, starches, and cellulose
Milk intolerance
is also a cause of bad breath. If you are sensitive to dairy products
- steer clear of ice cream desserts!...
Is There A Fragrance Similar To Tresor by Lancome...by Estee Lauder? (& Maybe by Others, adds TSS) {Ask Marie-Helene} {Perfumista on a Shoestring}
"I was wondering if you could give me an idea of what scent by Estee Lauder would be comparable to Lancome's Tresor. I cannot wear too
many colognes, so I am looking for something like Tresor, but made by Estee Lauder. Any help would be appreciated. When I go to the cosmetic
counter, after smelling just a few it gets to me. Thank you for your
time.
Jennifer Schroeder"
Dear Jennifer,
Off the top of my head, I'd recommend trying
Estée by Estée Lauder. It is also a powdery and velvety floral oriental, feminine and
rich although it will not smell exactly like Trésor by Lancôme.
If
I understand your question correctly to mean that, perhaps, you are
looking for a cheaper, more recession-proof priced version of Trésor, then I'd certainly recommend the peachy and rosy Exclamation! by Coty. It was created by perfumer
Sophia Grojsman, the author of Trésor, and smells like a relation of it. It is a lovely
fragrance despite its mass-market distribution channel which might turn
off some (word to the perfume snobs!)...
What Are The Best & Cheapest Online Discount Perfume Stores? {Ask Marie-Helene} {Shopping Tips - Coupons & Deals}
I received another general-interest question about where to shop for both authentic and heavily-discounted perfumes. Here is my selection of some of the best and cheapest perfume stores on the internet.
Please do not hesitate to chime in!
"Scented Salamander:
I found your blog last night and it's really helping me with various
choices. It's a great site.
My question is this:
With all of the online sites to buy from a novice like me is at a loss
as to who to buy from as the horror stories of knockoff sites abound.
Price is a primary consideration as I'm just one of the common folk. The
site I've found to have the best prices is Scentiments.com and since it's been
in business for about ten years I thought I might try it.
My question to you is should I? Or is there a better site to buy
from?
Thanks for your time and I'll be waiting your reply.
Could My Favorite Cologne Have Been Tweaked? {Ask Marie-Helene}
Hoyts German Cologne postcard from Hannibal1107. The word "lasting" takes on a new meaning today.
I received a message that I thought would be of general interest to readers, so here it is.
Don't hesitate to chime in!
"I've
found myself in one of those situations people infrequently find
themselves in when the ordinary and routine so often taken for granted
turns in to some Hitchcockian head-scratcher.
I purchased D&G The One at the Duty-Free in London
Gatwick November last, a newly-released fragrance I was happy to try
since Light Blue had been so compatible with my desire for
understatement with scents.
Anyway, when I ran out, I replaced it at Dillards in Barton Creek
Mall in Austin. It had only just arrived and my brother and I each
bought a bottle.
I ran out again a couple of days ago, and that's where the story
begins...
I know we are supposed to go all Norman-Rockwell on each others today and wish one another a happy and warm Thanksgiving like this one, above, eyes twinkling and teeth flashing with joy
But I found these photographs by Maya Elise Joseph-Goteiner as well. They were also taken on Thanksgiving day and are simply called Thanksgiving, each of them separately
I have lately been thinking how lovely it would be to feel the progress of the Holiday/Christmas season by featuring pictures of Christmas or festive, or noteworthy perfumery window displays from around the world.
If you would like to participate, please send me your photo(s). A commentary on your part would certainly add spice.
An Announcement for Plagiarists, Plunderers & Pilferers of All Hues & Shades {Ask Marie-Helene}
This announcement is for you who take contents out of this blog without attribution and without our permission, simply copy and paste a whole post or translate it into a foreign language or take out the news or scholarly contents of 3 or 4 different sources in different languages assembled into one post here without giving credit and linking back to The Scented Salamander......
The Quest for The Civet Oil {Ask Marie-Helene & the Readers}
When wearing civet cat fur was in (1925). One wonders how civet cat pelt smells like?
I received a little while back a query from Peter about a mysterious civet oil bottle. I answered as best I could - happening on an interesting thread while doing so - but thought that readers in the US especially might add more information. Here is his letter,
"Hi,
Back in the early to mid 1970's, I was given a rather small bottle of civet oil. It was black and I believe dimpled in the center and a small screw on cap with an applicator wand, could you tell me who made that fragrance?
Thank you. Peter, Block Island, Rhode Island."..........
Ombre Libertine by Parfumerie Contemporaine {Ask Marie-Helene}
"First of all, just let me say that I love your site! I'm hoping that you or one of your readers can help me track down a perfume of which I find absolutely no trace on the internet. When my mother passed away in 1998, I got a box with some of her perfumes in it. I hadn't really delved into them until recently (and here it is, coming up on 10 years!) One of the perfumes is called "Ombre Libertine" by a company called Parfumerie Contemporaine, located at 16, place Vendome in Paris (now the site of Piaget Jewelers). For all intents and purposes, this fragrance never existed (no reference on any perfume site that I've checked). It's a wonderful fragrance, and all that I have left is a spray bottle about 1/3 full. I would love to find some more if it's still around!
Long Lost Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrance: Help Please {Ask The Readers}
Here is a letter from a reader. Please help him out if you have any idea what this cologne might be because I don't think I will have the time to research this question.......
Smells Like Rain In The Spring In Belgium...... {Ask Marie-Helene}
Hi,
I came across your website a few days back and was really impressed. There is an ocean of happening things to read on your website!!! I am looking for a particular perfume for a friend back in Belgium. The trouble is he only gave me the description of the fragrance and he doesn't remember the name of the perfume either. Here is what he says....
Smells like rain during spring in Belgium
Contains clay
Pretty expensive
Is there someone who can help me ??? I'm now in India and am leaving for Belgium in a week. Would be fantastic if I could get it for him.
How To Buy Patents Of Discontinued Fragrances {Ask Marie-Helene}
Hi,
I was surprised and happy to discover your website, being a lover of the fragrances I've loved/love. I've wondered about some of the fragrances that have been discontinued, and you may have info on your site about this, but I haven't had time yet to read everything! I'm just wondering about how easy/difficult, and how costly, it is , for one to buy recipe/patent for discontinued fragrances. Might be a better option for me to buy STOCK in companies that WILL produce some of the older good ones.
Are Guerlain Mayotte and Guerlain Mahora the Same Perfumes? {Ask Marie-Helene}
Hello - I read your blog everyday, and really enjoy it.
I have a question – but first, a little background. We were in Epcot the other day, and of course, I stopped in to the French and Italian perfume shops. In the Guerlain store, I came across “Mayotte”, which they were telling me (actually pompously insisting to me) was a “Vintage” fragrance, but I knew that I had read somewhere that it was actually called something else in the last several years or so, and then reissued in a new bottle. I just did not recall the name of the original fragrance at the time. Since returning home, I’ve done my research, and it was originally called Mahora. I liked the fragrance, but I didn’t need a 4.2 oz bottle for $190.00. I love fragrances, and have many – and because I have many, I prefer smaller bottles. Which leads me to my question – is it absolutely the same juice? On your website I read that it is, however, on another it says that it’s been reformulated. I can get it at a great discount on one of the website discounters, but not having tested Mahora (and having tested the Mayotte), I don’t want to purchase it, unless it actually is the same juice. I defer to your expertise.
Bryant Park by Bond No 9 now has a newly designed bottle following, apparently, issues over copyright infringement that would have been brought up by the Italian fashion brand Pucci. Their trademark bold concentric ovals are out, but the colors remain similar. For a pic of the old bottle you can go here.
Copyright Infringements
Let me take this opportunity to remind some people that this blog is copyrighted regarding all its original contents. You cannot copy and paste my contents into another blog, on top of that without mentioning my authorship, and then explain that this was because you just wanted to spread the love of perfume further afield and you are only "writing" for a few friends anyway (do you sense a contradiction here like I do?). If you want to keep track of certain articles you can use a service like del.icio.us. If you want to reference an article, the best way to do so is to link back to it, with a teaser is fine.....
This spring, John Galliano was convicted of plagiarism for copying William Klein's style of painting over photographs. The designer acknowledged that he had been "inspired" by them, never apparently expecting that this could amount to, er....,plagiarism. William Klein said that he felt he had been hit in the teeth when he saw Galliano's advertising for Dior (which I haven't seen). Via Vogue, photo is from Ursus Books.
Parfums de Rosine in Paris & Ambre by Les Ecuadors, Where to Find Them? {Ask Marie-Helene}
Hi-
I really enjoy your blog--I think you are doing something unique and interesting. A real pleasure to read.
I have two questions for you that may be easy for you to answer.
First, where is the Parfums de Rosine boutique in Paris; I have been told that it's in the Palais Royal, but never found it. And I have never seen the Rosines anywhere in Paris except at a Foire in the Tuileries last year, of Saveurs et Senteurs. But no one there knew where to find the Rosines in Paris either.
Also, I have been reading some of the French perfume boards, and keep seeing mention of an Amber fragrance "de chez Ecuador" and I absolutely cannot figure out what this is. Can you help?
Many many thanks, All best Camille
Camille, many thanks for your letter, here is my answer to your query:.....
What Might Be Happening When You Rub Perfume Vs. Spray It? An Answer by Dr. Ryan M. Spoering of Harvard University {Ask Marie-Helene}
As a follow-up to the debate initiated by Gretchen of Beauty Hatchery on whether or not to rub perfume I thought it would be worthwhile to ask a chemist what he thought of the question. I more specifically wanted to ask what might be happening when one rubs perfume onto the skin vs. sprays it. Turning to a trusted source, I put the question to Dr. Ryan M. Spoering, a chemist at Harvard University. Here is what he had to say in response to my query....
I'm hoping you can help me learn more about Nina Ricci's Coeur Joie. I think it was very important before 1960.
My friend is trying to find it, or something very much like it, for his wife's birthday. It is her all-time favorite.
Any help you can provide would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Neal
Hi Neal,
Thanks for a great question. I understand why your friend's wife considers Coeur Joie to be her all time favorite fragrance. It is a beautiful subtle perfume which combines soft flowers and woods in a rare fashion making it a very feminine scent with a discrete element of masculinity in it thanks to an understated element of dryness. The bottle by Marc Lalique is also exceptional....
I just wanted to thank the readers who have sent me letters requesting fragrance advice and would like to take this opportunity to ask them to be patient. You messages are very important to me as I am sure they will be to others. I will answer them as soon as I can.
Best, Marie-Helene
Photo is of a correspondence written between two young men in the 1860s and taken by Muffet.
Is there an English Version of Luca Turin's Parfums : Le Guide? {Ask Marie-Helene}
L. wrote:
Where can I obtain an English version of Luca Turin's Perfume Guide?
Dear L.,
To my knowledge Luca Turin has not allowed any English translation of his text to be done. (If any reader knows otherwise, please let us know). He himself attempted to translate excerpts of his guide on his now defunct blog, Perfume Notes, but it looks to me like he may not have had the time to do it himself although, at the same time, he didn't seem quite ready to let anyone else do the translation for him. He considers that an author is not necessarily the best translator of his own work. I am guessing that it might be easier (less tedious) in a way for him to just re-write a new version of it in English or an entirely different guide in English...
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