Although the weather has been somewhat mild, the  winter blues is setting in. Flus, colds, and the desire to hibernate with a good book and a great scent is affecting all the ladies at CaFleureBon; curl up with our favorites and wrap yourself in a fluffy coat and waft to your hearts' content.

Mary Beth Devine, Contributor

The calendar says winter’s here. At present, it’s frightfully wrong – a Halloween snow and  temps in the 50ºF range at mid-day. Cold treks to and from work call for something stalwart and, at the same time, reassuring. With that in mind, I offer you three of my perfect winter scarf  (and mitten) scents.

 

  Parfumerie Generale 18 Cadjmere –  Notes of myrtle branch, sap, red tangerine, rosewood, Kenyan cypress resin, coconut milk, sandalwood bark, ambrette seed, vanilla,  Apparently a love it or hate it scent – a lot of people remarks on the sweetness and that put me off for quite a while, but I finally took an unsniffed plunge. This is all about rosewood on me – opening that old jewelry box – the one that holds the jade earrings and the treasured carved ivory. There is a touch of sap at the opening to gently lead you in to a treasure trove of exotic woods. The coconut milk and vanilla that I dreaded smooth any rough edges from the sandalwood and leave me cocooned in a cloud of freshness and warm reassurance. Available at www.theperfumeshoppe.com

  

Ineke Field Notes from Paris  – Notes of orange blossom, lemon and coriander, tobacco blossom, patchouli, cedar, tonka bean, benzoin and vanilla. Forget the notes on this one.  Yes, there’s orange blossom as a constant, but there’s also tobacco leaf (think good old just-cut Virginia), leather, and, hand to the almighty, lavender. You read correctly. Is it any wonder this is a ‘must-have-bottle-handy-at-all-times’ pick? Most reviewers seem to classify it as ‘masculine’ and I do see their point – it might be a tough one.  Tobacco and benzoin can be tricky little devils to deal with. Ineke went a bit afield with this one, but it was worth it. It always get compliments.  Wanna smell my neck? www.ineke.com

 

Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum – Notes of hawthorn blossom, Bulgarian rose absolute, precious woods, vanilla, Comores flowers, white almond, musk.Once I read it was inspired by the treat, well, I struck it from my short list. I tried it again a few months ago and am slowly coming around. It starts off vaguely spicy then adds rosewater to a not too sweet dollop of marzipan.Then I find a cherry note – like those cherry glycerin drops we used to use when we were children. It’s a little jarring. I mean, it’s not the candy. Or is it? Wait a little longer and a lovely soft slightly sweet, slightly floral powder develops. It skips in and out through the life of the wearing. It’s a lovely weekend around the house fragrance and kid friendly. Would I wear it to work? Still a little too sweet on me for that (But that’s chemistry for you!). If the usual array of ‘candy sweet’ and powder accords isn’t your thing, I urge you to give this one a whirl. Keiko’s journey might make you change your mind. www.keikomecheri.com

Tama Blough , Senior Editor

 

Nothing says winter festivities to me like Serge Lutens Arabie. The first Lutens to win my heart, it is redolent of stewed fruits and booze, with a comforting, golden glow that puts a smile on my face every time.

 

 

When I crave leather,  Mona Di Orio Les Nombres d’Or Cuir is at once cozy, deep, and smolderingly sensual.  Richly spiced. smoky leather on a bed of opoponax and castoreum, it is a winter knockout.

When the weather is particularly nasty, it is great to have the dark, thick aroma of Nasomatto Black Afgano wafting up from my scarf. This is one scent that shines in gruesome weather; the provocative and alluring hashish note never veers into head shop territory. www.luckyscent.com

 

Summer fruits in the barren winter? En Voyage Peche Noir delivers those heady aromas. Luxurious and deep with a lush fresh peach note, this delectable chypre is perfect on a crisp, clear day.

Michelyn Camen, Editor In Chief

Yes, I'd rather be indoors wafting my favorite winter perfumes that wrap me in their scented cocoon.

 

Trompeur by Yosh Han If you translate the word Trompeur from the French it means Deceitful or Misleading. I have loved this fragrance since 2002 when I first discovered it under another name; it was named for JT LeRoy The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things. I have recently returned to its cozy gourmand embrace with its unusual composition of bay rum, massoia, fig ,and vanilla.  One tiny drop on my wrist lasts 24 hrs. When Yosh Han recently read my aura she was spot on when she told me that this earthy scent will keep me grounded. Good vibrations.

 

 

Elle by Xerjoff  The XJ/XJ 17 line by Xerjoff and Sergio Momo is the very definition of aspirational pricing. Yet, I am convinced  that you are getting the very best. Elle is all woman, there is no doubt  that it is the diamonds, pearls and stiletto heels of my fragrance wardrobe.Very sensuous with leather, floral and resinous notes of amber and patchouli. Why? Because I am worth it. Available at Luckyscent.com

 

 

Cuir Beluga by Guerlain   Yes that is Monica Bellucci smeared with caviar. There is no caviar nor can I detect any leather in this heavenly vanilla scent that is redolent of immortelle and heliotrope. My favorite in the L'Arte et La Matiere collection; Cuir Beluga has created more controversy among bloggers and critics than any other in the line. Some cannot detect the leather note, (it is there),  but for me it evokes cashmere, silk and suede. The longevity is above average (six hours) and is a fragrance that I reach for time and time again when I want to feel wrapped in luxury.

 

 

For our Winter Fragrance Draw part one SEVEN DRAWS

 

 

 Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum 50ml

 

Ineke Field Notes from Paris 75ml

 

 

100ml of Mona Di Orio Les Nombres D'Or Cuir

 

2.5 ml Peche Noir from En Voyages Perfumes

 

5ml of Elle from Xerjoff (five carded samples)

 

3ml of Cuir Beluga from Michelyn's stash

 

3ml of Yosh Han's Trompeur perfume oil

 

 The draw is random. Tell us which of these fragrances are amongst your favorite winter scents, but you can specify if you choose. Draw ends January 13, 2012.  That is Friday the 13th and Michelyn's personal good luck day.

 

We announce the winners only on site, our new www.cafleurebon.com page and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and www. cafleurebon.com use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume