DIVA. Goddess fragrance!

   You know how some people just seem to be born with it? Class, I mean. Refinement is a natural part of their lives.... like breathing. So effortless! Sophistication graces everything they do. Thats the old DIVA. A true Goddess of a fragrance.
   Richness! It exudes it! Magnificent, lush honeyed roses. With a velvety civet curled up on a deep bed of oakmoss. Beautiful florals spiced to perfection. Mmmm... the carnation. I'll say it again ~ Perfection!  (And yes, a coriander note that I can love without restraint. Imagine that!) I adore this fragrance!
    Then theres the newer version.... she tries soooooo hard! A little too much so. But I love her for that. In the end her rough edges are exposed. Her lack of depth is a bit of an embarrassment, but she still manages to hold her head up. What with all the regulations against certain ingredients, what else can she do? At least she has the balls to get out there and try to follow in the footsteps of her Goddess mother. She may have more brass than class, but is still so much better than most of the perfumes nowadays.
     I enjoy wearing the modern DIVA. Those honeyed florals are still there. The roses are still beautiful. The drydown seems to suffer the most. But with the banning or limitation of ingredients that's to be expected. Wearing this fragrance.... you WILL be noticed! (Try it on at home first. If you're shy about your perfumes, this one might not be for you.) And both versions last for hours!!! hahaha   Anyone who likes/loves chypre florals should definitely give DIVA a try.

 



   If you aren't certain if a perfume is a new or older version, hopefully you have a box to reference to. Companies are now required to list "all" of the ingredients. (Yeah, right.) Older perfumes will only list a few or none at all.

DIVA   by Ungaro                Jaques Polge    Chypre floral    1983

Notes (gathered from various internet sources)
   Top: Aldehydes, Coriander, Mandarin orange, Indian tuberose, Bergamot, Cardamom
   Heart: Carnation, Orris root, Turkish rose, Ylang ylang, Moroccan rose, Narcissus, Egyptian jasmine
   Base: Honey, Iris, Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Civet, Vanilla, Oakmoss, Vetiver, and according to one source ... Opoponax 

Histoire d'Amour.... my precioussss!

   Finally, I managed to take a half way decent photo of one of my favorite fragrances!  Histoire d'Amour by Aubusson.  In another post I complained about how it had been reformulated. That alteration should have been considered a criminal act and someone should be doing jail time for it.  At least that's my opinion.   I've been reading through reviews and there are people out there that like and appreciate the newest version.  I'm obviously NOT one of them. hahaha
    I have a real soft spot for woody chypres and this is one of the best. I find it to be an enchanting scent. The top notes are a bit "zingy" and lots of fun. The basil note in this is just perfection!!! The base notes come in very early and create a solid foundation for the evolution of the fragrance as a whole.  The florals are a joy to experience. A bit old fashioned, but gloriously so! The galbanum and ylang ylang melt together to create a resinous incense note that seeps into the olfactory pores of all the other flowers in this delightful composition. I just can't sing its praises enough!
   Guess you can tell when I REALLY like something! chuckle 
   Anyway, I should have added a third bottle to the photo above. The newest version is extremely pale! (The box design has stayed the same on the front. But on the back it will say made in the USA.... not France. You've been warned.)  The bottle on the left is the formulation before the last one. Its wonderful. As a matter of fact, I'm wearing it today. LOVE it! The bottle on the right is one that I bought online this week. I was simply trying to get in some back-up. Imagine my delight when I unwrapped the package and was left holding a bottle from the 80s! AND the juice turned out to be pristine!!! I kid you not, I wanted to weep with joy. It seems the further back you go in Histoire d'Amour's production, the better it gets
   As you can see, the glass bottle has a matte finish and the cap is made of a much better quality plastic then the more modern versions. I cannot fathom why they went with the plastic cap.   I really like the overall design. Someone described it as being Victorian in appearance. I'll agree with that, just wish they'd done the whole thing in glass... like they did with the parfum version. Note: The parfum is magnificently smoky!
    Oh! where is my brain this week? I should have taken a photo of that presentation too. Oh well, will have to add that later. In the mean time, keep an eye open for this under appreciated jewel of a perfume. And give it a try. (For me it has the extra benefit of helping with spirit communication and creativity. Plus the happiness factor. You can bet I'll try to always have a bottle of this around!)
     

Histoire d'Amour   by Aubusson     Woody Chypre   1984

Notes (according to various internet sources)
  Top: Mandarin orange, Osmanthus, Basil, Bergamot
  Heart: Orange blossom, Galbanum, Jasmine, Ylang ylang, Rose, Narcissus
  Base: Patchouli, Musk, Oakmoss

Carolina Herrera. Voluptuous White Floral.

   

Notice the difference in color?! The Edt on the left is a newer version, not sure if its actually the reformulation. It still smells pretty good to me. On the right is the old Edp, in the older style bottle. What a beauty!

 Hmmm, I seem to be in another white floral phase. I really need to document whether this is a common full moon occurrence or not.
   Found my Carolina Herrera by Carolina Herrera is just the fragrance I was looking for. Its rather exquisite!  So rich and complex. Lovely composition of florals. Sweet honeysuckle, jasmine, orange blossom, a rich buttery tuberose....  funny, I never used to like tuberose very much. It had to sit in the background in order for me to tolerate it. But not anymore! *At least not when its well done.   CH has a nice animalic  facet also. Thanks to a very well done, smooth civet note.  Classy and refined with a resonant note of sensuality. What more could one ask for?
   This is a true 80's fragrance. A powerful potion! Yes, it can be a bit loud. Just apply with a softer hand.... the way most folks should with a big white floral. On fabric it can last for days!!!  Try it on a scarf, just wonderful! Rich and classy smelling.  I want to describe it as feminine, but "womanly" is a much better way of saying it. 
   Definitely a Goddess scent!   I wore it out under the full moon last night. My prayers danced on the evening breezes in a luscious mist of flowers! Simply beautiful.

    I researched it this morning and found it has been reformulated. I can't imagine anything good will come of that. So try and find an older bottle.


Carolina Herrera  by Carolina Herrera     Floral   1988

Notes (gathered from various internet sources)
   Top: Apricot, Orange blossom, Green notes, Bergamot, Brazilian Rosewood
   Heart: Honeysuckle, Tuberose, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Ylang ylang, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus, Spanish Jasmine
   Base: Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Civet, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Cedar

Did I Mention that I Love Incense?!

   Well, when I've had the time I've been on a bit of an incense high lately. I went ahead and ordered from that catholic supply catalog I mentioned. Two pounds of frankincense and a pound each of  Adoration and Mylapore.  
   The frankincense is lovely, as always! The first blend is described as "Cassia enhanced with a hint of cinnamon, ingredients in the oil of unction (Kyphi)." Its ok, can't say I'm overly impressed with it. Will stick to the Kyphi that I purchase elsewhere.
   The second blend I haven't had a chance to try... keep getting sidetracked somehow. Its described as "beautiful scent of  rosewood and Frankincense that comes to us from India is reminiscent of the ministry of St Thomas the Apostle."   I'm not sure what that has to do with this fragrance, but I'll be consulting with a friend who is my go-to to find out about "all things Catholic". hahaha   She has SO MUCH patience with me!
    Anyway, I've been on a frankincense binge....  and loving every minute of it! Years ago I used to sell smudge herbs and resins at Moon ceremonies and the occasional Native gatherings. I carried a variety of incenses and essential oils. I'd be sitting up late at night at my kitchen table with my old fashioned scales weighing out benzoin, patchouli leaf, myrrh, copal, sage, TONS of lavender and so much else! Sorting through smudge sticks and sweetgrass braids. It was wonderful! Then in 1994 it ground to a halt when I developed sensitivities to all the beautiful fragrances that I loved so much. Oh well, 17 years of not being able to surround myself with them just makes me appreciate them more!
    Sad to say, a lot of my old contacts aren't in business any longer. But that doesn't mean there is a shortage of such places. Just one glance at internet listings and I see that the whole world is there within reach. Can hardly wait to start trying some of the Arabian perfumes and such. What an adventure... revisiting some old favorites and trying new things!  I am reawakening my "good scents" and LOVING IT!!!!

Deseo. Yep, I bought it for the bottle.

   Meet one of my guilty pleasures! I originally bought it for the bottle, but have since gotten some more for back up. No, it isn't earth-shatteringly original, but it has some nice twists to your average floral woody musk. And its just so danged pleasant!!!  Plus it holds up really well on my skin in the Florida heat and humidity.
   Well, most of the time! I had an "incident" with this fragrance early on. I'd been wearing it for several days running, trying to get a better sense of its seeming ability to morph at a moments notice. One day it would be a floral, next day more fruity, another day it would get soapy, etc.. But I was really enjoying it in all its forms. Then came the day! I'd had a horrid morning at work. I was in an even more horrible mood! I could tell my hormone levels were flying off the charts because of how impatient and down right nasty I was acting! So what did I do when I got home? Did I bathe, relax and drink a little herb tea to smooth myself out? Hell no. I walked in, changed out of my uniform and spritzed on some perfume.        Turned out to be a really BAD move on my part. Yes, Deseo morphed again. This time it decided to react to my anger and tension. Wow, did it ever react! It became this hideous alien creature on my skin. Damp, slimy and aggressive as a scent can be! And, OF COURSE, it wouldn't wash off!!!!! It latched on to the cellular structure of my flesh and wasn't about to let go.    But I'll tell you, that changed my mood dramatically. I felt like I was fighting for my life for a few seconds there. Really, that's no exaggeration. Somehow it was as if the energy of the fragrance attacked the negative and "bad" energy that I was feeling and expressing. That's what I was truly fighting with.  And whatever the energy is that is attached to this particular fragrance.... it abhors negativity!
    Needless to say, I was surprised by that turn of events. But you never know when, and how, help will be there for you.
    As a fragrance to wear, its a lovely scent. Really does remind me of a semi-tropical garden. The florals are quite nice. The bamboo note is a great addition. And longevity is good too! A winner all the way around. Be sure and give it a try if you can.

 

 

DESEO   by Jennifer Lopez                          2008

 

Notes (gathered from various internet fragrance sites)                   

 

Top: Bamboo, Yuzu, Freesia, Bergamot.

Heart: Orange blossom, Rose geranium, Mimosa, Star jasmine 

Base: Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Musk, Atlas cedar, Oakmoss 

                    

This is obviously MY bottle!!!

   I'm not normally one to purchase empty bottles... unless I figure I can put something in it. Or its just so stunning and affordable I can't say "no".   Then came the day I saw this one!  And I just KNEW I had to have it.
   You see, my first name is Alice and my middle name is Mae.  Spelled with an "e" ~ but considering how unlikely I am to find another perfume bottle with my name on it... I decided I could overlook that tiny detail. Hey, I  figured this was as close as I was ever going to get!   
   And yes, I adore honeysuckle!  chuckle!

All it took was a hint of Autumn....

 

   For all of three days we had a tiny glimpse of Fall. It didn't smell like Autumn, but the humidity levels dropped and the breezes were almost cool! chuckle   Hey, I'll take whatever I can get this time of year. Now we're back to hot and muggy ~ and another month to go before it starts to actually dry out and our night temperatures begin to become something verging on comfortable. 
   But you know, those three days were enough to send me digging into the boxes of perfume I reserve for cooler weather! I just get SO EXCITED!   My heavy Orientals and spice bombs! Darn near everything from the '80s! Resins that bite and entice! Lush incense! Has it got lots of civet? Open it up and slather it on! Patchouli? OH YEAH!!!     Even some of the lighter fragrances... I can apply MORE.    I love it when those resinous waves arise from my skin and wrap around me like some vaporous magickal cloak.
   And with the arrival of Autumn I will finally be able to open the windows! Smudge herbs burning, clouds of smoke purifying my little dwelling. An iron pot that I use to burn resins in will be put back to work full time. (Have to keep things safe around here! I have cats and dogs.)
    Need to stock up on some supplies. Find out whats still out there! I know I can still get Blue Pearl. That's been one of my favorite stick incenses for decades. I hear Sat Sai Baba Nag Champa has been altered. (tears  will fall if that's true) Thankfully I have a jar of my beloved breuzinho resin left!!!! Wonder if the Palo Santo is still any good? Still have myrrh and frankincense, but I'd like to get some more. You can never have too much of those. Got a Catholic supply catalog a few weeks ago with some really nice blends. And they were on sale too! (I was drooling over some of the censers they had pictured in there. They would look just lovely hanging from my ceiling!) 
    Oh my, I'm feeling grandly overwhelmed!  And I love it! hahaha