Persolaise Italians Don’t Like Shalimar + End Of Summer Give-Away
I need a few lessons in basic Buddhism. One of the main problems with having an extremely busy Day Job and a tendency to go away on long holidays is…
Review: No. 19 Poudré from Chanel (2011) and Miriam from Tableau De Parfums (2011) + Miriam Winners
There’s a lot of anti-Chanel feeling around at the moment. Before the venerable house had given everyone an opportunity to recover from the various Chance flankers, they released Bleu which…
This Is How It’s Done: Tanagra And Bouteille On The Côte d’Azur
Although Madame Persolaise’s French is pretty good, she thought it might be useful for us to take a culinary dictionary on our travels this year, just to make the process…
Review: Kokorico from Jean-Paul Gaultier (2011)
There’s at least one person in the world who thinks Kokorico is a work of genius. A couple of weeks ago, when I picked up the scent’s tester at a…
Evelyn Avenue Interview + Miriam Give-Away
Some of you will no doubt be aware that perfumer Andy Tauer has entered into an intriguing collaboration with film-maker Brian Pera (of Evelyn Avenue). Over the course of the…
Give-Away Teaser + Reasons To Be Thankful
We’re surrounded by empty suitcases. The washing machine has been whirring away for hours. There’s a heap of unopened junk mail in the bin. All this means we’re back at…
Review: Vitriol d’Oeillet from Serge Lutens (2011)
Uncle Serge and Christopher Sheldrake have been up to their old tricks again. Their latest release could easily be dismissed as an old-fashioned feminine, a woody floral stuck somewhere in…
New Cure For Insomnia: Counting Perfume Releases
It’s the final week of August, the holiday’s nearly over and life will soon have to return to normal at Maison Persolaise. It’s going to take a little while for…
Reviews: Yuzu Man from Caron (2011) & Hiroshima Mon Amour from Nez À Nez (2011)
The spirit of orientalism is alive in the latest masculine from Caron. Yuzu takes its inspiration from the East Asian (predominantly Japanese) fruit of the same name, and as you’d…
What’s My Credit Card Limit Again…?
It’s always at this point in our epic summer holidays that Madame Persolaise and I wish we could slow down time. There’s still so much to do, so much to…
Reviews: Juniper Sling, Esprit Du Roi & Eau Sans Pareil from Penhaligon’s (2011)
Would it be too cruel to say that Penhaligon’s Anthology series of re-issues comes to a close not with a bang, but a whimper? Eau Sans Pareil is pleasant enough,…
Review: Stecca from Hilde Soliani (2008)
If I must have a fragrance that isn’t flawless in its entirety, then I’ll choose one whose weak section is the top notes: at least they fade away fairly rapidly.…
If It’s Friday, This Must Be Grasse
Free Wifi hasn’t been as easy to find as I’d hoped, but I’m pleased to say that so far the holiday has gone very well (although I gather the situation…
Review: Mon Numero 1, 6, 8, 9 & 10 from L’Artisan Parfumeur (2011)
Is there anyone out there who thinks there should be more perfume releases? Clearly, the answer to that question is a resounding Yes, because the number of new creations emerging…
Poisonous Candles + Roja Dove At The Wellcome Collection
I hope you’re all behaving yourselves while I’m catching up on my summer reading. I’m just breaking my cyber-silence for a few moments to let you know that an article…
Review: Auburn Pentachord, Verdant Pentachord & White Pentachord from Tauer Perfumes (2011)
One of the reasons I’m an admirer of the music of Björk is that it combines the finest elements of classicism with a reckless love of everything that modernity has…
London Perfume Shopping Guide (SEE BELOW FOR NEW VERSION)
ON 8th FEBRUARY 2012 THIS POST WON THE 2011 JASMINE AWARD FOR ‘BEST WEBSITE FEATURE ON FRAGRANCE’ *** THIS PARTICULAR VERSION OF THE LONDON PERFUME SHOPPING GUIDE IS NO LONGER…
Ciao For Now – Summer Break 2011
It’s hard to believe, but almost twelve months ago to the day, I published a post saying that Madame Persolaise and I were busy packing for our summer holiday. Well,…
Reviews: Fareb, Sucre D’Ebène, Manguier Métisse, Ambre Céruléen & Naïviris from Huitième Art (2010)
The unifying concept behind Pierre Guillaume’s Huitième Art certainly seems promising on paper. “What would Chanel N° 5 be without its aldehydes,” asks the range’s dedicated website, “L’Eau Sauvage without…