Photo: Jimmy Chang from Pexel’s
I’m not sure what it is about the holidays this year but I’m just not quite feeling it. I’m done with picking out the gifts – most of which have been already given out. We actually started the gift exchange on Thanksgiving in fact, which was a first. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it definitely changed the momentum which usually starts peaking right after Thanksgiving. The holiday candles I’ve been lighting lend a deliciously spicy woody aroma that normally gets me in the spirit.
Things have been kind of weird ever since we decided to try and sell our house back in September. The whole staging process and needing to have everything looking perfect and un-lived in hasn’t been a bowl of cherries. The house is off the market until after the New Year but it still doesn’t feel like home the way it used to.
With a couple of holiday parties next week I’m planning to step up my holiday game. Time to finally get festive before it’s all over!
I have a few sparkly outfits so that at least isn’t a question mark. What’s been on my mind is what to wear fragrance-wise. I’m thinking about something that I normally wouldn’t wear, possibly a boozy scent that I’d never wear any other time of year. Hey why not? If it’s too much on its own I’ll layer it with something suitable. I’ll create my own secret sauce.
When searching through my obscenely large collection of perfume samples, I came across some options. Granted, most don’t smell anything remotely like a straight up version of the referenced booze. Obviously I’d never want to smell like a spilled cocktail! But they are all scents that I’d never normally reach for and might put me more into party animal mode.
Here they are by type:
BOURBON – Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon
RUM – Malin + Goetz Dark Rum, Martin Maison Margiela Jazz Club
VODKA – Kilian Vodka on the Rocks, Gris Clair
CHAMPAGNE – Yves Saint Laurent Yvresse
COGNAC – Queen by Queen Latifah, Aftelier Cognac, Strange Invisible Perfumes Capricorn, Tommy Bahamas Set Sail South Seas for Men, Dua Fragrances Cupid’s Lust
KAHLUA – Thierry Mugler A*MEN
GIN – Bowling Green, Heeley Menthe Fraiche
AMARETTO – Gucci Pour Homme
I’m leaning towards Malin + Goetz Dark Rum which is deliciously warm and slightly spicy or possibly Yves Saint Laurent Yvresse. Yvresse is fruity, powdery and warm with fizzy, effervescent quality. Either of these say Happy Holidays in a subtle, almost imperceptible way.
What fragrance are you planning to wear to upcoming holiday soirees? Something naughty or nice? ?
Happy Holidays and remember to drink responsibly!
I thought this article was pretty funny because I never really thought about the scent of perfumes actually smelling like alcoholic beverages. My wife bought Gucci Pour Homme for me. I never realized it’s because she secretly wanted me to smell like Amaretto. I’ve actually gotten a few compliments on this cologne.
Hi Eric,
To me, Pour Homme is mostly a woody and smooth tobacco scent. I’d be surprised if your wife wishes you smelled more like Amaretto lol. I love the smell of Amaretto more than I enjoy drinking it (too sweet) so maybe your wife was picking up on that note.
Cheers!
Erica
Hello Erica,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I prefer Jack Daniels whiskey myself and sometimes Crown Royal. I haven’t tried some of your options on the list, but maybe I’ll try.
It sounds like you’re having a tough time selling your house. I hope you are able to resolve that and get it back on the market. Not sure if you want a guy’s take on fragrances, since I primarily wear Chrome Azzaro cologne. Not the most exciting for holiday parties but it works for me.
I’m trying to remember the name of the gin I had the last time I was at a cocktail bar here in Houston. It was greenish and tasted amazing. I’ll have to look it up and get back to you. I don’t go to a ton of holiday parties anymore. I think the last one I went to had a lot of scented candles and the food smelled more amazing than any of the fragrances.
Well I hope you have a great holiday party and are able to achieve everything you want in the upcoming holiday season.
Daniel
Hey Daniel,
Trying to sell our house hasn’t been that bad (so far at least) compared to some of the horror stories I’ve been hearing. It’ll get sold eventually and at the moment it’s a very full house with the 3 kids all home. We went to a party this week-end that was super low-key but really fun so I’m already over whatever I was feeling when I posted this. See – already forgotten!
And yes I absolutely do want to hear guys’ thoughts and input on fragrances. I have found that men have as much to say about scents as women, possibly more in fact. I love it! This initially came as a surprise to me when I started my blog.
Whisky is a fairly pungent liquor so it’s got to be toned down a bit but I’ve heard that Seth Kornegay’s Petra is a really interesting scent that’s based on an Islay single malt whiskey. It’s not cheap at almost $300 an ounce (yikes!) so don’t get too excited and rush out to try and find a bottle. For some reason I think the aura of gin is easier to achieve in fragrance due to someone figuring out that adding juniper berries and citrus pretty much seals the deal.
I haven’t smelled Chrome Azzaro recently but I remember it being very clean smelling and invigorating. That plus the fact that you really like it makes it an excellent choice for holiday parties or any group gathering.
Happy Holidays to you and your Chrome Azzaro too:)
Erica