...Sorceress:Yes, thank you for directing us to the link, Pipette. So interesting to read what our body does to protect itself from supposed damage. And then we...

...we are, Sorceress. ;) Interesting read. Thanks for sharing, PontNeuf!My thoughts? Chicken-and-egg.The rise of the scent snob is explicitly attributed to mass-market...

...Sorceress:Bling doesn't factor into my decision at all.I second that! At the end of the day the beauty of a flacon, or lack thereof, is not a decisive criteria...

...It's odd sometimes how others will react to how many perfumes they find out I own. They can't seem to wrap their heads around the number at all. I've seen ladies show me their trays of perfumes that contain roughly 12-15 bottles and they are overwhelmed with that amount. But they don't look at perfumes in the same way that I do. For them, they simply pick up a bottle, spritz some on their decolletage, and they're good to go. They'll tell me their SO purchased it for them, so it's special for them. Ok, that's their version of enjoying fragrance. It's definitely not mine.I look at all of my bottles, my minis, even my notes on what I've sampled, as a sort of reference library. This is my hobby. It's what I do to relax, to give myself peace of mind, to take myself away. I truly enjoy perfume. What's even more fun for me, is using those perfumes in layering and creating new scents for myself out of what I already own. This past summer, I took a few months to create my own perfume from my own fragrances and my own fragrant oils. It was a labor of love and pure enjoyment of fragrance. The end result was something I can truly call my own.I use all of my fragrances, I love my hobby. It brings me happiness and that's all that matters to me. I'm always on the look-out for others to add. Why? Simply because of the sheer enjoyment and pleasure. This is what I have chosen. Others choose their hobbies, spend their dollars and people don't bat an eye because their hobbies are considered main-stream. Some people gamble at casinos and throw their money away, and still others consider that pleasurable. Perfumes are my vice, I enjoy their artistry through photography, through smell and through creating.

...Sorceress:I believe there are just some perfumes that are not made for me, no matter what the season, no matter what I do to try them, no matter what I do with...

...Sorceress:Must de CartierAnimaleTabuPersian Wood AvonRare Rubies AvonOpiumMagie NoireShalimarPassion Elizabeth TaylorKnowing Estee LauderHabinitaYes, ET...

...RebeccaS:Thanks for sharing, nice alternative to existing sites. Unfortunately many brands are fake (grey in the list). When I choose such brand, the site says it is not supported, but why is it displayed in the list then? I still trust more to this batch code checker: http://checkcosmetic.netThe brands in gray are this: "The selected brand is not supported by CheckFresh.com.You can support the development of CheckFresh.com software by sending the found batch number. This information will help us improve the program." I found this particular checker to have certain brands that others do not. Of course, using alternative ones will cover all brands, and you should have the codes covered for anything, hopefully."

...Allure has these videos on YouTube called "Scent Of Desire" where they blindfold people and have them describe the people they are smelling. Has anyone seen them? Here is a link to the first one: http://youtu.be/z6yeeFfHXB0Can you blindly describe someone by smelling them?

...I much prefer "Spicebomb" over "Flowerbomb". Givenchy "Pi" is another. Elizabeth Taylor's "Passion for Men" has a different flavor that appeals to me rather than her "Passion" marketed for women. I'm not a floral person and never have been. I run the other way if a perfume is full of floral notes...

...I have two of the Al-Rehab oils and one of the Al-Rehab eau de Perfume natural sprays. I am finding the oils very unusual to work with, despite all the accolades from others. I agree, the oils take very long to get a result, perhaps I am too lazy to wait for a result, but I just don't enjoy the drydown as I do with a regular perfume. On top of that, I must put my nose to my skin just to get some type of idea of what I am really smelling for one called Dalal, which is a lemony butter cookie type of gourmand, and the other is very similar in being a skin scent, but it does radiate a bit better (Alauddin), which is a darker liquid that reminds me of almonds, woods and perhaps oud. It's definitely unisex. They are so inexpensive I didn't mind seeing what they were about. Now as far as the eau de perfume natural spray, I have Organdy, which is very similar to a cross between Organza and Organza Indecence. Now this one lasts a few hours and I'd love to find a matching oil. For $8, it was well worth it. I'm not really into the oil craze now that I've tried it, but I do like the perfume sprays.

...Sorceress:As far as milk-producing cows and Western farmers: if you've ever been to a dairy farm, ethically, the conditions are not pretty. Calves are taken...

...That's exactly what she does, because she used to work in the industry. Plus, she works on the perfume to get it to your specs, not some generic ideal, which is fantastic. When I sat down and started, she told me not to worry about taking my time. She said for me, it would take a number of sittings....lol. But I've had so much fun! Imagine designing your own perfume...it's really heaven.

...Sorceress:Should anyone ever visit the Poconos in Northeast Pennsylvania (USA), there is a shop in a town called Scranton. It is called NOTES and is run by a...

...Should anyone ever visit the Poconos in Northeast Pennsylvania (USA), there is a boutique perfumery in a town called Scranton. It is called NOTE and is run by a woman who used to work with Firmenich. She creates perfumes now on her own, along with matching candles. But the best part of her shop is this. You can create your own perfume. You sit at a table where she has these little bottles of fragrance notes. You dip little paper strips into the bottles finding your favorite scents. You bundle them, wave the bundle in front of you and it creates the new scent. Eventually, you create your own perfect perfume unique to you. She then makes the perfume for you. So, for example, if you like vanilla, incense, myrhh, leather and tonka bean, she'll put these notes together in a perfume created just for you. She'll save the formula so you can re-order, too. What a fun place.NOTE Fragrances401 Spruce St.Scranton, PA 18503

...I'm waiting for a "Chapeau Bleu" , I love the bottle. The juice sounds wonderful, too.

...I don't remember my MIL wearing any perfume, but she would wear make-up. My mother and aunts (two lived downstairs) always wore perfumes, Chanel No. 5, Shalimar and Estee Lauder's Youth Dew in the blue rubberized bottle are the three that I remember. That first sniff of Shalimar is what sucked me into this orgy of perfumes as a little girl and I've never looked back....

...Bath & Body is ending this week-end. I stopped in today and they have lowered even the $4.00 items (bath gels and body lotions) now to 75% off, such as "Dark Kiss" and others that were originally the higher "sale price".

...Le Baiser du Dragon"Least fave: "Cabotine"**Sorceress, your collection is enviably eclectic...

...Favorite: "Tobacco Vanille"Least Favorite: "Black Orchid"

...polka dot shoulder bag to carry the puppy in, holding a gin & tonic.I named her Dani as in daneeeeeeeeeeeeeeee for where I live on Daniel Island.Sorceress, I will probably be a pest to you as well. Everyone will have my pm's blocked. :lol...