Q & A with Perfume Posse’s Patty White: “Pouring Perfume” + Surrender to Chance Draw

Patty White started Perfume Posse back in the day when there were about a dozen, not thousands of fragrance bloggers. I recently received a press release announcing that Patty and business partner Lisa Lawler left The Perfumed Court (where they were formerly co-owners) to start a new decant/sampling site-Surrender to Chance. I may be one of the few perfumistas that never bought a sample on Perfume Court, so I had so many questions about the whole business of buying tiny vials and plain bottles. Patty graciously agreed to be interviewed, answered all my questions and more.

What is your mission and vision for SurrendertoChance.com ?

PW: We wanted to create a perfume sampling site that was easy to use, welcoming, and educational – to the degree any visitor wanted to be educated.  We want to serve the hard-core perfumista who follows all the hundreds of new releases every year and tries a large number of them, as well as make a great space for someone trying to find something new after wearing the same perfume for the last ten years. We want to guide those wanting to know more about perfume – giving them information to the level they want it. Not pushing them in one specific direction, but showing them the possibilities and letting their own internal discovery process take over once they have a roadmap.  We want to provide the roadmap.

 How  does Surrender to Chance differ from The Perfumed Court?

PW: We are exploring indie/natural perfumers, getting more of their products on the site, introducing people who have only worn mainstream perfumes to the beauty of an independent artist with a vision. There is something essential to “getting” that perfume is art, smelling something that you can either like or don’t like – doesn’t matter which –  but you understand completely what the perfumer was trying to achieve.  Indies are doing great work, creating some beautiful perfumes that have a sharp, interesting factor to them, and that is a rolling tide that isn’t slowing down.  With better access now to the best materials, it has popped out of the “crafting” classification into serious perfumery.

 Has the “decant’ consumer changed over the past five years?  In what ways?

 PW:  Yes and no.  Buying a perfume decant is something more people know about, but it’s still a very small percent of the population.  There are a lot more people who have become disenchanted with the traditional ways of buying perfume – going to the counter, being talked into something you’re not really sure you like, but you feel like you have to bag your kill (women who love to shop know what I’m talking about) after spending 30 minutes in hunting your prey. You take it home, hate it or are indifferent to it, which is worse, and just want to avoid the whole mess for another decade.

  Do you work with any of the perfume companies in obtaining bottles to decant?

 PW:  We normally don’t.  Not that we wouldn’t.   Perfumers that are closer to the consumer 'get' that what we do makes their scents more accessible and results in more sales when the perfume is good or great.  I think of it as the great democratization of perfume – nothing is beyond reach of anyone, even in a small amount.

Are decants replacing full bottle purchases?

 PW:  I don’t think so as far as the general public. The dedicated scentophile makes decisions on whether to get a sample/decant/full bottle based on their personal tastes and/or what they really love and what their budget allows.  There is a magic in the whole experience of the perfume bottle. A perfume, done well, is an expression of art – from the way the scent is put together to the packaging to the ad campaign.  There was an old ad campaign for F. Millot Crepe de Chine that has a picture of a partially empty bottle and the caption “By this time, you should have quite a past.”   That was a complete experience – from the scent, which is so interesting and beautiful to wear, to the ad campaign, to the beautiful bottle – this scent was geared to women who had lived and held the public and private scars of their life gracefully.  No part of the perfume experience was left untended.  I’ll always love my full bottles, but there are a lot of discontinued, long-lost scents (Gobin-Daude! Fath Iris Gris!) that are impossible to get in any quantity. For those scents, having a little 3 ml decant or ½ ml sample vial, is a blessing.  Would I rather have a great big beautiful bottle of Fath Iris Gris? Yes, please, and here is my soul as payment. 

Is the economy a factor?

PW:  The economy does factor in. It’s the “little luxury” concept. Times can be bad, but people like to have a little something special. If that full bottle isn’t in the budget for this month or this year, getting a small amount of it helps you take care of yourself, doing something special and a little luxurious.

Have you "surrended to chance' and discovered new favorites?

PW: Absolutely. I would have never had the chance to smell Guerlain Djedi or Fath Iris Gris. I probably also wouldn’t have learned to appreciate my “great bang for the buck” perfumes like Carla Fracci Giselle, which can be had for almost nothing, but is soaringly beautiful, or Carven Pour Homme  We have dragged back some strange things that we heard about once, then hunted down across the globe, fell in love with it, and then turned it loose in the store to let everyone else fall in love with it – or hate it! – Like The Party in Manhattan. I don’t think it is sold in any outlet now except their store in Italy. It is truly glorious, Guerlain-esque with amazing heaving bosom qualities underneath it. Elegant, refined, old-world, and sexy

 How do you balance your role as Writer-Owner of Perfumeposse.com with the demands of a new business?

 PW: About as well as you might expect and sometimes worse than that! I also work full-time in the corporate world as a vice-president with about 140 employees in my department.  Lisa and I both have full-time jobs, so the decanting, customer service and technology/database/web/application designing are done by our incredibly lovely, smart and caring staff.    Writing for Perfume Posse is only one day a week since we have several really great writers who contribute.  Surrender to Chance also has a perfume news/review section, and that’s where I plan to put a lot of the educational pieces.  Finding the time to write the volume of materials that are calling to be written is the difficult part.  As our motto at StC has become the last month – “Don’t talk with your mouth full of elephant.”   Just in case someone isn’t aware where that comes from – when you have a huge job to do, and contemplating it is overwhelming, you are asked -how do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.” 

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

 

Thanks to Patty and www.surrendertochance.com, we have a reader's choice sampler draw $21.00-$31.00 value. To be eligible, leave a comment about what you like about the site, the interview and  the sampler pack you would like to win. Draw closes April 25, 2012

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

 

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74 comments

  • I just like Patty’s ideas; she’s not afraid to dream and make it into reality! I’ve learned a lot from her (and her team). I’d be interested in trying some of the newer Serge Lutens; I sort of quit around the crayony-smelling ones.

  • farawayspices says:

    I could spend hours on this site, and the prospect of trying all of the goodies leaves me swooning. I love the mention o the ad for F. Millot Crepe de Chine which reads “By this time you should have quite a past.” I am gearing up to watch Mad Men in an hour and this is a great quote…they don’t make ads like they used to!

    I would love to win the Ginger Spicy Sampler sampler pack for Women, if I am so lucky!

  • It’s so nice being able to buy a decant of something before buying a full bottle. It’s saved me from purchasing some expensive disappointments. I think I’m going to give the Carla Fracci Giselle a try.

  • The new site is fantastic. I love the daily specials, the fragrance reviews, the bright and airy layout and especially the lower postage rates. My first order came without a hitch, and I’m loving the new cinnamon candy.

    My choice of sampler pack would be one the Niche Tuberose. Thanks for the draw!

  • pklagrange says:

    Thanks for the interview. I’m a faithful purchaser of decants, having learned that one wearing of perfume only rarely reveals whether I will truly like the scent (two notable exceptions being Prada Candy and Parfum d’Empire Azemour). Patti, also thanks for reminding me that the perfume experience involves just more than the actual scent. We love the new site – the breadth of perfumes available is breath taking. I would like the Honey Badger special deal if I were to be chosen!

  • Great interview. Both of the questions I have been wondering about were answered here, namely, the mission of STC and how it will differ from TPC.

    I’m loving the creative ideas that STC applies to their sample packs, and I’m always amazed at the fact that I can access some of the hardest to find fragrances. I’m looking forward to discovering more scents and watching STC evolve along the way.

    It’s not in the price-range, but I like Chypre – A Classic & Niche sampler – 7 samples

    If my choice needs to be within the price-range, I choose: Beginner Classic & Niche Sampler Pack (Perfume Posse Blog picks) – Part 1, 11 samples 1/2 ml of each sample

    Thank you.

  • What I enjoyed most about the interview was mentions of some fragrances I haven’t heard of that I need to check out ^^ and also how she phrased the little luxuries in this economy about decants.

    The site’s logo is uber cute. I really like how they have broken up the sample packs into notes… because that is exactly how I sample perfumes. I get hooked on a note and want to try several takes on it.

    I would love to try the Niche Tubereuse sampler. as I have been seeking out the perfect tuberose scent of late

  • breathesgelatin says:

    I like the navigation of the site, and the search functions seem to work well.

    Thanks for the draw.

  • I’m a longtime reader (as rosarita) of the Perfume Posse and have enjoyed Patti’s writing there for years. PP was one of the first four blogs I discovered, back when there were about six.

    I like how the Surrender to Chance site is using Facebook to reach out to clients, how daily specials are offered, and the lower shipping costs of the new site. I’d love to try the vintage sampler Roja Dove #1.

  • I like the site very much; it seems more user-friendly than some of the competition. Also, I like Patty’s emphasis on using the site to meet the varied needs, education and otherwise, of their customers.

    Should I win, I would very much like Clove–An Intermediate Sampler. Thank you for doing this giveaway!

  • I love the new site, and of course the blog. I buy a few decants every so often, it’s a little gift to myself. Of course that has inspired several full bottle purchases, and some probably lifelong addictions. I got my taller half hooked on Creed Silver Mountain Water, so decants it is going to have to be for him.

    Let’s see, if I could choose a sample pack…Hmmm…Patty’s Spring Picks sounds good right now. xo

  • I like how the site is easier to navigate and not as cluttered. The logo looks great! I am really glad that they plan to have more lesser known “indie” fragrances. This give more exposure to the lesser known fragrance houses. I would like to win the “Amber – A Men’s Amber Sampler – 8 samples”

  • This may be a small thing, but I love the multiple wishlists option, and that the lists can be named. It’s a feature I’ve wanted for a long time; being on a budget, it reminds me of stuff that I still want to get, even if I can’t this particular month.

    Not easy to choose a sampler, but I’d go for the saffron sampler pack.

  • To be eligible, leave a comment about what you like about the site, the interview and the sampler pack you would like to win

    I liked the site’s simple design and I appreciate the sample packets by notes.
    I liked the reference in the interview to the two great budget fragrances she mentioned, Carla Fracci Giselle and Carven Homme.

    I would choose the sampler pack, Green – A Lush, Luxe Green Fragrance Sampler – 7 samples

  • Where do I start? Wishlists, navigation, options – I love it all on the site! I think it’s great what Patty is doing with StC to bring more niche frags to the masses instead of just the mainstream or vintage, and I applaud her educational efforts. When I first entered perfumista territory, I had no notion of where to begin. I was intimidated. I reached out to a kind perfumista soul who has been generous beyond measure to me with her friendship, knowledge and scented gifts on my educational journey. I think what Patty wants to do in this arena is important for budding perfumistas, or existing ones to expand their knowledge base.

    I would love to win the Aldehyde Luxury sampler pack! 🙂 Thank you!

  • On the site, I like their Daily Chance Specials. Their discounts and great prices, and especially their large variety of decants.

    The interview: I like their commitment to making rare, expensive, niche, indie..etc fragrances available to anyone who may be curious to try something new.

    I would love the 2011 Best Selling Perfumes in France sampler – 14 samples.

  • I just won something from Surrender to Chance, so I don’t wish to be included in the draw.

    But I wanted to say this is a wonderful interview, Michelyn! I love the StC site and find it educational as well. I find the availability of the decants does not deter me from buying full bottles of scents I truly love versus what I’ve done in the past: spraying something on because the bottle is there.

    Some of these glorious indie scents would remain unknown to me without sites like StC and Cafleurebon as well.

    Well done, Michelyn!

  • In all honesty I was a little dubious at first. I was a number one fan of The Perfumed Court and bought from them regularly. This sudden separation made me anxious and sad. It took awhile for me to warm to the new Surrender to Chance, but now that the new site is now active, I am starting to see some pleasant changes.
    I like that reviews written on the new site may indeed be rewarded. As a perfume reviewer myself, this is good news. The prices are still good and the range equally as impressive. The Perfumed Court will still get my orders, however I am not denying the fact that I’d just as easily place an order with Surrender to Chance too. This new adventure has certainly opened my eyes and given avid sample buyers like myself a different path in which we can choose to venture.

    If I won, I would love to win the “Scent Notes” Perfume Critic Sampler Pack.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • My fragrance journey began with samples from the Perfumed Court. I loved the beginning, intermediate, luxury, choose 5 from a line, and note sample pack concepts. I have been the biggest fan and I am delighted to see Surrender to Chance offer another option. I am already in love with the daily deals. I would love to try the Memo sample pack.

  • Great review of this new site, fantastic variety and the sampler packs are just great!! I love the sampler packs by note so if I won I would like one with iris notes! Thank you for the draw!

  • I liked when Patty talks about people who are disenchanted with the purchase of perfume nowadays. That’s because many people buy perfume guided by the first impression or they are somehow conditioned by the shop assistants.
    Then, days after buying the perfume, people realize they don’t really like it. So I think decants are a great way of trying perfume before buying!

    I liked the list of top sellers on the site, the discount to Çafleurebon readers and the Help me Choose section.

    I’d like to win the “Green. A Lush, Luxe Green Fragrance Sampler-7 samples” pack. Thanks!

  • Thank you for a great article! I admire Patty White tremendously for having the vision and the guts to undertake this new venture.

    I agree so many people are disillusioned with perfume because what they are accustomed to is the commercial, poor quality, allergenic, chemical smell emanating from our nation’s department stores. I applaud Patty for her concept of re-introducing the thing of beauty perfume is intended to be back to the general public.

    Sampler packs: I have no clue, really, but the saffron one does sound interesting.

    Thank you again!

  • I am having a wonderful time with all the new information on fragrance- and am delighted wit the opportunities for exploration and education that “Surrender to Chance” will provide. The Aldehyde Luxury Sample Pack sounds quite intriguing!
    Thank you for continuing to educate the public about this art form.

  • I like the site because it’s easy to use and easy to find brands and perfumes and sample packs in it. I’m happy to see an alternative to the Perfumed Court coming to light.

    As for the sample pack, I choose the Chanel 6-pack.

    Thank you!

  • Oh, very interesting! I like this idea very much!
    I think that this pack is very interestig
    Beginner Classic & Niche Sampler Pack (Perfume Posse Blog picks) – Part 1, 11 samples 1/2 ml of each sample

  • I liked the article very much…it explained a lot. I love the new site and have been looking to find a new spring scent. I like the idea of a daily special, and the sampler packs. I would love to try Patty’s Spring Picks sampler. Thanks for the draw.

  • I love the new site with its daily specials. PP was the first perfume blog I found , so it is like home base for me. Please enter me in the draw.

  • I have only place a few decant orders and am happy to see this website as an option. The one have been curious about Soivohle and so the indie angle is interesting. The sampler I would start with is Classic & Discontinued – Hard to Find, Rare and/or Reformulated Scents, I love smelling the past perfumes.

  • Please don’t enter me in the draw – as I am an ad-hoc ‘partner’ on the Posse that would just look skeevy if I won :-p….

    but I do want to say … “wow, Patty. I sometimes forget how passionate you are about perfume – and about life and experiencing everything you can while you are on this planet, in this form (I’m coming back as a Tyrannosaurus Rex, next time ’round). I think the new site is gorgeous and I love the direction you and Lisa are taking it”

    …and you have creating a new lemming – but I ain’t gonna say what it is!
    xoxoxoA

  • I like Perfume Posse a lot, so when I heard about Surrender to Chance I went over and bought some stuff: some Guet Apens (very nice, very hard to find), two Keiko Mecheris I thought my wife would like, a sampler of “romantic perfumes” for a gift, and a sampler of “masculine roses” for me to try out. Service is quick, packaging is done well, and you get candy too. The sampler I’d go for is the Xerjoff Oud Stars.

  • The site: very easily navigated and so many choices! 😀 LOVE the name she/they chose also…

    The interview: I am so glad to hear about StC from the owners side (first): her vision, her mission and her experiences. I had heard so much about TPC; but never ordered from there. I am amazed at how much Patty does…full time corporate job, blogger, decanting business! Impressive!!

    My choice for the draw: The much ballyhooed XERJOFF Oud Stars sampler (available 4/28/12)! *sighs*

    Thanks for the insightful interview and also for the wonderful draw.

  • I am opposed to the unlicensed reselling of perfume, so I won’t be entering this draw. However, I would like to observe that the title of your company sows doubts in consumers already skeptical about the contents of resellers bottles and vials!

  • I’m glad for the opportunity to sample things I have not tried w/o the vast expenditure of $. Although that does lead to falling in love with things I cannot likely have. Also, living in Canada makes it extra difficult to obtain “the prey”.
    Good luck with all the new adventure!
    Cheryl

  • I like the categorization of the products in the site. It makes it easy to narrow your search. From the interview I got a few great ideas for perfumes to look for (never heard of the Party before). There are many interesting samplers there but within the price range I would go for Niche Amber. Thanks for the draw

  • I have been following the Posse for a few years and am interested in this new venture. The site seems quite easy to navigate and the choices are extensive. If I would be so lucky to win the draw, I would choose the Intermediate Classic & Niche Sampler Pack 2. Thanks for the informative interview!

  • What I like about the site:the name! and the fact that they carry everys ample of my favorite all natural fragrance line (Pacifica).

    What I liked about the interview: I was so impressed to hear that Patti is actually a corporate exec as well as writing Perfume Posse and now running Surrender to Chance.

    Sampler I would like to win: Office sampler-17 pack in order to finally find a satisfactory scent so that my perfume hating co-worker who baulks at just about EVERYTHING I wear might very well say to me,”wow, you smell lovely” 🙂

    Thanks for the draw!

  • I like that we can try super niche frags without shilling out big bucks. I’ve bought dozens of decants — ended up buying a FB of about 1/4 of them.

    I liked the “Have you surrendered to chance and discovered new favorites?” question of the interview, as I’m always keen to know what a perfumista’s pick of the moment is.

    I would love to try the Beginner Classic & Niche Sampler Pack!

    Thanks

  • I am glad that this interview is up because when people feel that they do not know enough about something, they often come up with the most outlandish ideas about it! The only way of getting rid of the shadows in the corners is to turn on the light and see for yourself that the corners are empty and there is no monsters under the bed. This interview is one of the lightbulbs that were lit recently on the splitting of the TPC and appearing of STC.

    I like the site — it is easy to navigate and I like the story behind the name.

    Should I win, I would love the Luxury Aldehyde Pack. I know it will inspire me!

  • It’s great to have another option when it comes to ordering samples and decants, hopefully it means more variety overall, plus the ability to comparison shop! I’m running low on some things I love so I anticipate placing an order at Surrender to Chance soon. Hard to choose a sampler but the Intermediate Classic & Niche Sampler – Perfume 201 Part 2 looks great.

  • Regarding the CFB site, I love the large number of interviews, the gorgeous art that goes along with the reviews, and the fact that the postings are frequent.

    My favorite part of the interview is the passage: “There was an old ad campaign for F. Millot Crepe de Chine that has a picture of a partially empty bottle and the caption ‘By this time, you should have quite a past.'” What a fantastic quote!

    The sample set I’d like is the Sandalwood Scents – A Beginner’s Introduction – 4 samples in the 2 ml spray size.

  • hotlanta linda says:

    What`s NOT to LOVE???!!! 🙂 🙂 Nice work!! Tuberose sampler would be a fine prize 🙂

  • I’ve always loved scent, but only in the past five years or so has it turned into something of an obsession (a fragrance I’ve never cared for!). Companies like TPC and now Surrender to Chance have allowed me to explore new and exciting frags far beyond the department store, scents that otherwise would never have been available to me. It’s an addiction, but mostly a harmless one. Thanks, Patty!

  • Janet in California says:

    I love decants, very rarely will i buy a full bottle of something without going through a decant first. I would love to try Incense – An Exotic Sampler.

    Thanks!

  • I admire Patty to not just realise her dream but to then go ahead and improve upon that realisation 🙂

    If win I’d love to get the Sexy Pathcouli samples and if I don’t I’ll probably buy it anyway!

  • I love that there is an option to read and/or leave reviews of the scent from other customers. Also the webpage is so easy to navigate with eye appealing graphics. Waiting for my first order from them to arrive now.

  • Aparatchick says:

    I like STC’s logo! (yes, I’m just that shallow). It’s bright and cheerful. And of course, who doesn’t love a honey badger?

    I’ve often wondered how much time it takes to actually fill an order – find the perfume, decant it, label it, pack it and ship it. It seems like a very labor intensive business. If you ever get a chance to ask Patty about that …..

    I’d probably pick something from the note sampler section, but it would be difficult to decide which.

  • My favorite part of Patty and Lisa’s new site is their philosophy. I LOVE what they are trying to do. Their philosophy that it is ok to love or hate a perfume but the important thing to do is to smell it – because knowing what you hate tells you as much about yourself as knowing what you love.

    If I won-I would pick one of the vintage samplers – the Classic and discontinued one,

  • I like the sampler packs by notes. sometimes I want to fill a gap, and it’s nice to have options. I was interested to learn that this is a side business and Patty has another job. If I won, I would pick Coriander, an Intermediate Sample Pack.

  • I like the idea of the daily specials and the fact that they have included both sample packs, old favourites and vintage perfume on the page. Not too keen on the logo, really. If I won I would pick the Green – A Lush, Luxe Green Fragrance Sampler.

    I have just placed an order in preparation for the summer holidays in Italy, plus was curious about the Crêpe de Chine, I own an old bottle where the juice has turned and am curious to sniff that one.

  • I just love being able to explore the amazing history and uniqueness of perfumes without the limitation of having to purchase full bottles. Even samples that I end up not particularly liking are worth it because of new experience I get from them. I would be interested in any sampler pack that would have Diorissimo. Haven’t had much exposure to the Dior line and that one sounds amazing!

  • I love how easy it is to navigate the Surrender to Chance site, along with the little hidden honeybadger in the logo! The interview with Patty was very interesting as well – I really enjoyed the way she summed up the adventure that exists in trying new perfumes of all price ranges and discovering new favorites. I would love to win the TokyoMilk Dark Set of Eight 1ml Samples, as I’ve been looking to try this line but can’t find it in stores.

    Thanks!

  • Tourbillion says:

    What I like about the site is the selection, and learning about new or rare perfumes. My favorite part of the interview is that they are going to add more selections from natural perfumers.

    It is hard to narrow down, but I think that the Gardenia sampler would be my choice.

  • I’ve been buying samples & decants from TPC since they formed the business, and happily, got to know Lisa and Patty in person–they both truly love perfume and helping other perfumistas. When you’ve seen them shopping in Europe, it’s something to see! (Shopkeepers look dazed when they leave…)
    I’m looking forward to becoming a customer of their new venture. Already like the navigation on their new web site, and the blog! It’s been a few years since I purchased “note” samplers, but those were awesome for learning as a new perfumista, and are just one of the ways decanters offer educational resources to consumers that the etailers and perfume companies do not. Now I mostly buy samplers from a house I’m not familiar with, or of a newly released collection. There are several new lines I’d like to try if I win your draw!

  • The Daily Specials are a great idea! I’ve been checking the site, well, daily. I would love to try the saffron sampler!

  • I really like the “Help me Choose…” section because I think it could be very useful. It’s great to have some assistance selecting some scents, especially if you don’t know where to start (like me)!

    I like what Patty says in the section about full bottles vs decants. I fully agree, nothing beats the experience of a full bottle of a fragrance!

    I think I would be most interested in the Autumn Sampler!

  • What I like most about the website is the design, it’s very beautiful, especially the logo – colorful and symbolic. And I love, of course, the possibility to buy samples and sample packs!

    Hard to choose a sampler from such a wide range of options… but I will go for Bread – Fresh from the Bakery sampler set. 🙂

    Thank you!

  • I’m very excited about STC! I love how easily navigated the site is, and especially excited about the daily specials! I’m about to place my first order, too. Were I to win the sampler set, I’d love to try the Myrhh. Thanks for the draw and good luck to STC!!

  • Interesting to know Patty’s point of view on the difference between TPC and STC. The site looks airy, simple and easy to navigate with a note of cheerfulness.

    If I choose a pack … Xerjoff Oud Stars Sampler . Curious about these…

    Best of luck STC.

  • Have always loved Patty’s writing and am excited about STC.
    Would like the Coriander Intermediate sampler pack if selected!

    Love the how do you eat an elephant quote.

  • I agree that by sampling one can appreciate fragrance as art. Although I seldom order samples I do like to get sampler packs by perfumer or a new line of scents. Nice interview.

  • TimeaZsofia says:

    I like the easy way to navigate the Surrender to Chance site, and there are a lot of exciting sample pack.
    About the interview I loved Patty’s enthusiasm about the fragrances, and I feel they really want to help people and they love they work.
    If I would win, my choose of sample pack would be the “MUA 2007 Top 25, part 1 12 samples”.
    Thank you for this fantastic draw! 🙂

  • I like that the Surrender to Chance samplers serve as learning tools, to educate the fragrance consumer who may have a voracious appetite for all things myrrh, but may next month crave aldehydes, for example. Also the amount of vintage and HTF items are amazing. I love their mission, from the article: “Not pushing them in one specific direction, but showing them the possibilities and letting their own internal discovery process take over once they have a roadmap. We want to provide the roadmap.” Right on. I am into aldehydes right now, and would love the Aldehydes Luxury Sampler. Thanks for the interview and the draw!

  • I just ordered and received a 10 sample pack I chose from the list of top 100 women’s fragrances from StC. I am new to the world of niche fragrances and I am LOVING the process of exploration! I would be happy to receive any sample pack available since I am not yet familiar with many scents. The incident that started this exploration was a random sniff of Bottega Veneta at a local Neiman Marcus. It just sparked a fire in me for some reason and I have been seriously loving this new “hobby.” My favorite so far from the same pack I purchased is Serge Lutens Daim Blonde- no surprise since I was so caught by Bottega Veneta! Thanks for the draw!

  • Thank you for developing your site! I love the colorful front page and the ease of navigation. I love that folks can leave a review! I want to hear what others think so I can decide what I might like. I am interested in fragipani absolute…so I guess I’d like a sampler pack that had that it in : ), and I’d like to try your breathtaking orange blossom or the summer scents pack. Good luck on your venture and thanks for the chance to win a pack.

  • Perfumista8 says:

    I love the new logo and the philosophy behind it. I can’t believe Patty juggles all that at once. Sheesh- I feel lazy just having one high pressure job 🙂 I like exploring sample packs of specific notes- it is educational and often introduces me to perfumes I wouldn’t think to try.

  • I also like the navigation part – easy to use and nice looking. Glad to learn from the interview that more natural lines will be added. I’d love to win a Mimosa sampler pack.

  • I like the logo, the searchability–by year, note, house, and perfumer, as well as a section for naturals, sample packs by all sorts of themes including not just notes and perfumers and houses but also top picks from different years and forums…it seems like a beginner would be well-guided, a browser drawn in to explore, and someone looking for a particular thing would find it easily. Versatile and helpful.

    From the article I got the sense that the women who run the site, Patty and Lisa, are organized and dedicated managers in addition to being perfume gurus! My favorite bit was: “Don’t talk with your mouth full of elephant.”

    Spent a lot of time browsing and then my computer froze…the site just sucked me in! Soooo many wonderful choices! I would choose the Xerjoff Oud Stars Sampler….
    The Phaedon, myrrh note, clove note, and milk note sampler sets are all so tempting too! It looks to have taken a lot of work putting all these (hundreds?) sets together.

  • I love the picture that came to mind when Patty was talking about searching out fragrances, “…hunted down across the globe, fell in love with it, and then turned it loose in the store to let everyone else fall in love with it – or hate it!…” The intention to search out and making it available to us is a beautiful desire for which I am very grateful.
    I would love to win the sample pack that let’s you choose 10 out of NST’s Top 100 fragrances every perfumista must try. Being new to the art of perfumery I have some glaring omissions in what I’ve sampled, so that one sounds great.

  • I love reading anything about Patty – thanks for interviewing her in your blog.

    I love the daily specials that appear and disappear on the StC site – almost like a daily scavenger hunt. Also, I love the coupons that occasionally pop up when you visit the site. I’ve already received my first order and have another order fermenting in the checkout cart.

    From the interveiw I learned that StC is including more indie/natural perfumers.

    I would love to win the women’s incense sample pack.

  • rosiegreen says:

    I like the clean, easy to read design of the new site. It is much brighter than the Perfumed Court. Any of the samplers would be wonderful but Todays pick would be the Coriander Intermediate set for women. It has some great choices.

  • Patty rocks (and you too, Ms. M)! Love outside of the box dealings. Dirty deeds done dirt cheap!

    Happy to see that StC slants to indie/ natural perfumers. Got to get an order in now!