Jasmine & Roses, Figs & Lime

Henri Bendel was my favorite stop at Sniffapalooza yesterday.

Tired again--it's 12:08 on Sunday night--but want to jot some fragrance notes before I forget. Reflections on yesterday's Sniffapalooza Spring Fling for scent lovers:

• First stop with Sis: Guerlain counter on Beauty Level at Bergdorf's. I had my eye on the special-edition Emilio Pucci bronzer/blush compact, in a Pucci-print carrying case. This is the only Pucci thing I own, though I'd love others. Years ago, a high-profile dermatologist in NYC, quoted in many top magazines, clued me in to Guerlain's Terracotta powder, which makes you look like you have a light, healthy tan. This Pucci powder is a luxe twist on that.
• Kiehl's Since 1851 department. My friend Diane loves one of the face washes--Sis bought that one, and I bought a cleanser in a tube. Saleswoman La Verne White was very helpful. Sis and I bristle at salespeople who are too pushy.
• Tom Crutchfield.  Tom is amazing, and the intimate Annick Goutal corner alcove at Bergdorf's that he commands is like a little jewel box--or like you've wandered into your gorgeous French mother's secret perfume stash. Tom had on a great colorful shirt and bowtie, and even had his mother's vintage Pucci sunglasses for show. Seeing him makes the whole expedition worthwhile. He knows this exquisite line from Paris inside and out, with a passion. I first heard about Annick Goutal, like a cult secret, from my friend Sandra Lee, when we worked together at Good Housekeeping years ago. Gosh, I was only in my 30s then.
• Perfumers' refueling. You have to stay hydrated and fed to shop from morning till night. Tickets for the day, including lunch [but not wine] cost $90--I bring that up to put the lunch in context. It was very nice, though elbow-to-elbow crowded. [Tickets started out years ago at $25, but the price has climbed.] I liked the meal at Opia on 57th Street near Lex--especially the organic mixed field greens and the apple strudel with vanilla ice cream. The coffee was good. I needed a caffeine hit to energize myself for our next jaunt, another round of sniffs and whiffs. I liked sitting at lunch with Sis, Susan, and three other women we met: Valerie from NYC, Patti [sp] from Irvington, NY and Pam from Minneapolis [she works for the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day company]. Perfumistas all.
• Lunch mist. Won't lie here. Sis and I were chatting today about how we felt a hard sell during lunch--there were 10 speakers, representing seven different interests. We were held captive from 12:15 to 2:30, but of course not against our will. [The next event, @ Bendel's, started at 2:45.] Two interesting men at the podium: Francois Damide, a Frenchman with a flair from Jacomo, and Chandler Burr, curator, department of olfactory art, Museum of Arts and Design. The Art of Scent exhibition will open Nov. 13, 2012.
• Bendel's booty. Good stuff! Lucky I didn't spend my whole budget at Bergdorf's. Bendel's had a 20 percent off sale if you spent over $100....so would you believe I got my Annick Goutal Hadrien refill [$130] for 20 percent off? Saved $26. It's really hard to get discounts on brand-name beauty and fragrance. And the lovely blonde saleswoman with a gamine haircut and crimson toes in her high-heeled sandals gave me a tiny golden funnel so I can pour the elixir into my collector's flower-painted Annick bottle that I bought years ago from Tom at Bergdorf's. She also gave me a travel-size spray [which I passed to Sis] and the gift with purchase was an awesome tote bag with signature Bendel's brown and white stripes, with goodies inside. Also: A waiter passed a platter of chic cellophane-wrapped cake pops iced in brown and white, the Bendel's colors. And I liked fragrance manager Albert Gomez there--big smile.
• Dark chocolate mining. For the first time, dipped into French chocolate boutique Michel Cluizel with Sis on our walk down Fifth Avenue on way to Grand Central for her, Port Authority for me. Chocolate sardines--intriguing. Chocolate-covered almonds--true treasure. Had them once from lovely shop in Montclair, but out of my price range yesterday after all that spritzing.

I'd love to write more but I'm too tired, and want to save a minute to actually wash my face rather than just write about the Kiehl's face wash. Good night.

TCOY

1. Went to support group! Glad.
2. Popped over to Van Vleck Gardens Plant Sale. Bought small pink zinnia, ornamental strawberry and petunias and planted them in pretty planter out front.
3. Went to Mass.
4. Went to Montclair Film Festival with Figgy and her pal. Awesome. Actor Patrick Wilson [HBO's "Angels in America" and many other credits] was fielding Qs at the Montclair Art Museum about acting and the girls got their photo taken with him.
5. Nap, window screens open, cool, fresh air.
6. About to wash this face--1:20 A.M., better late than never.