I’m sorry, what??!? Ten years??? How is that even possible? Maybe it isn’t actually true. Maybe it’s some kind of temporal illusion conjured by a brain that’s been exposed to far too many episodes of Doctor Who. Or maybe that’s just me trying to tell myself that I’m not A WHOLE DECADE older than I was when I hit the ‘Publish’ button for the very first time on this site.
But the privilege of ageing is to be embraced. And so I’m going to push my incredulity to one side and replace it with gratitude. I’ve said this before, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth repeating: I would not have reached this stage if it hadn’t been for all of you. It is your encouragement, your generosity, your wit, your knowledge and your helpfulness that have kept convincing me – over and over – that there is still an audience out there for the sort of perfume writing that I try to provide. You have no idea how much your support means to me!
I must also thank the brands and their representatives for their professionalism over the years, and for respecting the independence of my voice. That is the principle on which this site was founded in 2010, and I’m pleased to say that it remains at the forefront of my work here.
Finally, I have to thank none other than the long-suffering Madame Persolaise. And I don’t use that label lightly. She’s the one who’s always kept waiting when I tell her I haven’t yet finished an article. She’s the one who has to pick up the pieces when a deadline forces me to break a promise. And she’s the one who has to put up with hours and hours of me wittering on about brands and materials and launches. In fact, if you enjoy my work, it’s really her you should be thanking, not me, because she’s the one who makes it possible for me to produce it! My gratitude to her knows no limits.
I had hoped to mark this occasion with more than just a celebratory blog post, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in the best of health last week (nothing serious; just excruciatingly tiring) so all plans had to be suspended. However, I’m hoping to broadcast at least one special episode of Love At First Scent on YouTube on Saturday 14th March at 1:00 pm UK time, in which I shall take the plunge and attempt to do something I’ve never done before: present my personal Top 10 perfumes of all time. Yes, ‘glutton for punishment’ comes to mind.
So, please cross your fingers that I’m not attacked by any lurgies again, and give yourselves a round of applause for being the best readers that any Persolaise could ever hope for.
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
P
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Happy tenth birthday, here’s to another ten. Looking forward to watching your Love At First Scent this weekend.
Daniel, that’s very, very kind. Thank you so much!
Fingers crossed, the broadcast will go ahead with no hitches.
Many congratulations on a magnificent 10 years, Persolaise – can’t remember when I first discovered you, but definitely in the earlier years! Your articles are always thoroughly enjoyable, & I just love your London Shopping Guide (as you are well aware!). Here’s to the next 10…
Carolyn, thank YOU for all your support over the years. I can’t quite believe it’s been a decade.
10 years is remarkable. I’m a late convert to Perfumery as an artform, firstly from reading Luca Turin and now from watching your channel which whilst it acknowledges the commercial also tries to look like the Perfume and perfumers as art and artists. I very much appreciate the niche you have in the online world and your videos remain a delight – as involving today as 10 years ago in a format that is largely unchanged, and has no need to do so. Do you think the huge multitude of Perfume bloggers online are raising the bar, along with work like yours – and do you have favourites or do you think they mostly dumb down? Congratulations. Keep doing the great work. Publish another book!!
Kenny, this is so kind of you: thanks very much indeed.
I’d say what’s great about all the perfume writers/bloggers/vloggers is that we’re all quite different from each other. We all bring something unique to the mix, and so our audiences can decide what they like best about us.
Congrats! What a wonderful achievement. Hope you feel 100% soon.
Thanks very much, Richard. I’m getting there!
Happy anniversary and all the best wishes for the future! Your blog was the first I discovered when I started to develop some interest in perfumery, and it has provided me with a wealth of inspiration. Thank you so much!
May I add a birthday wish for myself? I especially admire your writing, which I find to be both richly metaphorical and precise, both informal and informed. This quality requires elaboration, and is less easily achieved in the video format, what with being spontaneous and dealing with constant interruptions from the audience. Please do more written reviews!
That said, I am definitely curious to see your best-ever presentation. It’s only two days away. You have my sympathy, for you must be in a terrible state of mind…
Sebastian, your comment means a great deal to me because, as you can imagine, writing is my first love. But unfortunately, for all sorts of reasons – some of which I’ve hinted at in a few posts here and there – I can’t devote as much time to it as I’d like to at the moment.
But I shall take your words to heart and make the effort to give the written word a bit more of my attention. Wish me well!
Congratulations and thank you—I’ve always enjoyed your writings. Very much looking forward to the Top Ten! What a treat!
Diane, that’s really very kind, thank you.
It’s going to be a very *personal* Top 10. In other words: what I like wearing myself.
That will be fun! Because I think in general you are one for the more unrestrained and demonstrative kind of perfume. Let’s see.
I’ll do my best.
Congratulations to your success with this profile as well as to your supportive Mrs. Your respectful and eloquent approach makes you a role model.
That’s extremely kind, Marcus. Thank you!