Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack March 2017: Green

I have to say straight up front - I think this has been my favourite month ever! (I actually love all the scents included this month). "In the first month of Spring we explore the phenomenon green (cut grass and leaves) in perfume and how perfumers go about instilling it in a formula".

Inside the pack this month:

Zoologist Hummingbird EdP (60ml - £125, 1ml - £3)  which is designed to make you "think of a tropical forest and it's lush green vegetation". It has a high level of coumarin which smells of warm hay with green smelling florals. With top notes of apple, cherry, citrus, lilac, muget, plum, rose and violet leaf. A heart of honey, honeysuckle, mimosa, peony, tulip and ylang ylang with a base of amber, coumarin, cream, moss, musks, sandalwood and white woods. 

Huitième Art Aube Pashmina EdP (50ml - £88, 1ml - £2) which is "a straightforward green with a note of tomato leaves propped up by a geranium-basil mix". With notes of basil, currant leaves, geranium, rosemary, satinwood and tomato leaves. This is really fresh with a fruity edge.

.vero.profumo. Mito EdP (50ml - £138, 1ml - £5) which is the "perfect perfume to learn how galbanum smells". "French perfumers call this resin "runner bean in a shoe" - green beans and leather.  Bloom Perfumery say to compare this with Aube Pashmina (synthetic green - tomato leaf) "compared to a carefully built up green created from combining natural materials with a green nuance". With top notes of green leaves a heart of champaca, magnolia grandiflora and tuberose and a base of galbanum and hyacinth.

PG16.1 Bois Naufragé EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1ml - £2) which is new in (a reintroduction) which is formulated with a note of mock fig (carob) which is sweet and leafy. With a top note of fig of Egypt (carob tree), a heart of sea salt and a base of vetiver fraction and ambergris.

Baruti Melkmeisje Extrait de Parfum (30ml - £98, 1ml - £5) which is built around linden absolute (a rare and expensive material). A green floral with powder and honey notes. With notes of honey, iris butter, lilac, linden, musk, pear, sandalwood, vanilla and vetiver.

The final pick this month is by Bloom Bespoke Lab KisKis EdT (50ml - £69.99, 1ml - £2) which is Bloom's own experiment "the fruity green nuance has been created from combining blackcurrant leaves, cucumber and apple accord". With notes of amber, sage, cucumber, granny smith apples, oakmoss, rose, vanilla, blackcurrant leaves, jasmine and raindrops.

Have you tried any of these perfumes? As I said, this month goes down as one of my favourites over the two years of my subscription (I could easily have them all full size - if only!) You also get a code for 10% off any of the bottles this month.

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: February 2017 - Vanilla Et Co

My February Bloom Perfumery sample pack arrived on Thursday and in February we were exploring Vanilla, it's alternatives and materials closely related to it.

I love that we are also sent raw material samples to be able to identify the different forms of Vanilla - Coumarin, Vanillin, Full on real Vanilla, Ethyl Maltol, Tonka Beans and Heliotropin.

There are 3 samples this month that I've had in other sample packs previously. Two which I wasn't keen on but one which I adore - TARDES by Carner EdP (£85 - 50ml) which I received in my very first sample pack in July '15 - see my thoughts on it HERE. I still love it, so it will be a purchase soon!

I like new in: Parfumerie Generale's L'Ombre Fauve EdP (£81.50 - 50ml) which is a re-introduced formula. It's an amber composition and naturally has vanilla in it. With top notes of red amber, a heart of civet chevrone with a base of precious woods. Also from the same house is PG21 Felanilla EdP (£81.50 - 50ml) which is made with two varieties of real vanilla and is absolutely beautiful. It has top notes of saffron and vanilla (Bourbon and Taihitian), a heart of hay and iris absolute with a base of amber.

The other two that have been in previous sample pack are Brocard's Modern Classic EdP which uses Ethyl maltol (£17 - 50ml) and has notes of pear, praline, blackcurrant, white musk, orange blossom, vanilla and ethyl maltol and Angela Ciampagna's Liquo EdP (£95 - 50ml) which has top notes of lavandin, violet and lemon with a heart of anise, licorice, straw and coumarin with a base of frankincense, vetiver and tonka beans.

Civet by Zoologist EdP (£125 - 60ml) is from a new brand at Bloom Perfumery. It has top notes of bergamot, black pepper, lemon, orange and tarragon with a heart of carnation, frangipani, heliotrope, hyacinth, linden, tuberose and ylang ylang with a base of civet, coffee, frankincense, labdanum, musk and vanillin.

The final perfume (there are 7 this month!) is Aphrodisia by Brocard EdP (£26 - 75ml) which has top notes of bergamot and cassis, a heart of jasmine, rosewood and ylang ylang with a base of heliotrope, heliotrophin, musk and vanilla.

What do you think of February's choices?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: January 2017: Exploring Resins

My January Bloom Perfumery Sample Pack arrived on Saturday. This month we are exploring more exotic and rare resins - elemi, Peru and tolu balms.

"Elemi comes from a tree native to the Philippines and smells somewhere between cedarwood and frankincense with a lot of citrus nuance. Peru balsam is much smokier, boozy and vanillic and comes from South America, so does tolu which smells sweet and reminiscent of old library ambiance. All these materials offer perfumers a choice of intense shades of smokey, sweet, spicy or crisp woods depending on what the resins are combined with".

The first perfume which I totally fell for is Angela Ciampagna's Aer EdP (100ml - £160, 50ml - £95, 1ml - £5) which focuses on the citrus green aspect of elemi. It opens with mint, grapefruit and lemon with juniper in it's heart. With top notes of grapefruit, lemon, mint and pink pepper, a heart of jasmine, juniper and magnolia with a base of cashmeran, elemi and patchouli. Love this!

From Parfumerie Generale we have Long-Courrier EdP (100ml - £116, 50ml - £80, 1ml - £2) which is a salty vanilla. It's part of the PG's Cruise Collection which is about travel to remote exotic locations. With notes of cedarwood, cocoa, elemi, musk, orange and salt.  

Meanwhile, PG26 Isparta (100ml - £117.50, 50ml - £81.50, 1ml - £2) is summer roses with a dark side. With top notes of candied fruit and oud, a heart of Isparta (Turkish) rose and patchouli with base notes of ambroxan, benzoin, calamu, frankincense and Peru balsam. We also received this in July's pack.

PG10.1 Bouquet Massai EdP (100ml - £117.50, 50ml - £81.50, 2ml - £2) which we received in November's pack (there has been a few repeats now over the 2 year subscription). Tolu is paired with coffee. It has notes of cashmeran, coffee, karo karounde, magnolia, peach, peony, raindrops, sandalwood and tolu.

From Huitème Art Parfums there is Poudre de Riz EdP (100ml - £115, 50ml - £88, 1ml - £2) which is a floral with powdery sweet notes. With notes of benzoin, cedarwood, coconut, iris, syrupy rose, tiare, sandalwood, tolu, tonka and vanilla.

The final scent this month is New In: From Angela Ciampagna Fauni Extrait de Parfum (100ml - £245, 1ml - £7) which is a leathery gardenia (and is lush!). With top notes of green leaves, a heart of frankincense, gardenia and ylang ylang with base notes of amber, benzoin, musk and tolu.

I've been really enjoying this month's picks, even with the two repeat perfumes. What are your thoughts on the selection?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: November 2016: Exploring Cashmeran

My November Bloom Perfumery Sample Pack arrived the other day. This month the theme is Exploring Cashmeran.

"Cashmeran is a slightly unusual but incredibly distinctive ingredient that is widely used in perfumery - both for the way it smells and they way it exalts and affects a blend. Also called musk indanone, Cashmeran is a lot of the time referred to as blond woods by perfumers because it has a very velvetine and rich quality to it; but it also smells sharp, woody and clean. It's essentially a spicy musky woody note".

Grossmith Floral Veil EdP (50ml - £170, 1ml - £5) with top notes of cassis, green leaves and lemon, a heart of geranium, rose, tuberose, vanilla and ylang ylang with a base of amber, cashmeran and musk.

Praline de Santal by Parfumerie Generale EdP (100ml - £117.50, 50ml - £81.50, 1ml - £2) the cashmeran helps the hazelnut to sit at the top of the scent. With top notes of hazelnut, a heart of cedar and heliotrope with a base of cashmeran, musk and sandalwood.

Angela Ciampagna Ducalis EdP (100ml - £160, 50ml - £95, 1ml - £5) which is one of my favourites from this month's selection. It has top notes of nutmeg, geranium and salt accord, a heart of rose, may-lily, cyclamen, ylang ylang, acacia and cedarwood with a base of sandalwood, rosewood, leather, amber, musk and vanilla.

Parfumerie Generale's PG10.1 Bouquet Massai EdP (100ml - £117.50, 50ml - £81.50, 1ml - £2) cashmeran helps the floral notes fuse with the gourmand-ish fruitier notes. With notes of peony, magnolia, karo karounde, coffee, cashmeran, sandalwood, tolu balm and fruity notes. I like this one too.

From Olfactive Studio we have Lumiere Blanche EdP (100ml - £108, 50ml - £74, 1ml - £2) which is gorgeous! With woody notes and spices. With top notes of cardamon, cinnamon and star anise, a heart of almond, cashmere musks and iris with a base of cedar, sandalwood, tonka beans and white musk it cocoons and comforts. Love this one.

The final perfume this month is Just Landed: Arquiste ELLA EdP (100ml - £135, 1ml - £2) which is floral, leather and spicy. With notes of cannon ball tree flower, angelica root, carrot seed, Turkish rose, jasmine absolute, cardamon absolute, black buckwheat honey, ambergris, patchouli, civet, vetiver, cigarette smoke and chypre accord. This is a very heady scent which is growing on me!

What do you think of this month's picks?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: August 2016: Jasmine

My Bloom Perfumery August sample pack landed yesterday. This month the theme is Jasmine.

"A flower with several different scent facets, the jasmine can smell green and airy or it can feel heavier, more narcotic, indolic and animal. It's a material that's regarded as an essential component in modern perfumery, even though natural floral extracts are so rare and scarce nowadays that some cost more than the price of gold".

The first one I tried is Nishane's Hundred Silent Ways (50ml Extrait de Parfum - £120, 1ml - £5) which is a floral gourmand and simply stunning. It has top notes of Mandarin, Peach and Tuberose, a heart of Gardenia, Iris butter and Jasmine and a base of Sandalwood, Vanilla and Vetivert.

Just Landed: Phaedon's Sable & Soleil EdP (100ml - £95, 1.6ml - £2) is "an ode to a tropical Eden resplendent with sandy beaches, exotic flowers and crystal clear shimmering azure waters" (got me sold already!) With top notes of Lemon, a heart of Coconut milk, Geranium and Jasmine with a base of Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tonka beans and White Musk.

Jazmin Sarai's How you Love EdP (50ml - £72, 1.6ml - £2) which is inspired my Sade's "It's only love that gets you through" and has notes of Cardamon Absoute, Grapefruit, Jasmine Absolute, Rose oil, Beeswax Absolute, Sandalwood and Musk.

PG's Drama Nuui EdP (100ml - £117.50, 1.6ml - £2) is very floral with rich heady hues. With notes of French Jasmine, Gaiac wood, Musk, Petigrain, Sandalwood and spices.

Next up is Just Landed: Brocard's Modern Classic EdP which is very, very reasonably priced (100ml - £21, 1.6ml - 80p) which has notes of Pear, Praline, Blackcurrant, White Musk, Orange Blossom and Vanilla.

Finally, Grossmith's Shem-El-Nessim EdP (50ml - £170, 1.6ml - £5). This one is just not to my taste as I find it too heavy and a bit powdery for my liking. It has top notes of Bergamot and Neroli, a heart of Geranium, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Orris with base notes of Musk, Cedarwood, Heliotrope and Vanilla.

What's your favourite Jasmine scent?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: July 2016: Continental Roses

My July Bloom Perfumery perfume sample pack has just arrived and this month the theme is Continental Roses. I love rose scents so I'm really looking forward to trying them out. 

"Throughout the ages the humble rose has remained one of the most precious and multifaceted ingredients in perfumery".

Bloom Perfumery have selected for us "six different variations on the idea of a rose".

I've not really had time to test them out properly yet but on first sniff I'm drawn to Bestseller Parfumerie Generale's PG13 Brulure de Rose EdP (£81.50 - 50ml, 1.6ml - £2) which aims to portray the life cycle of a rose: from tight green bud to a full bloom. With notes of Rosewood, Rose, Amber, Musk, Raspberry and Sandalwood.

Next up, again by Parfumerie Generale is PG26 Isparta EdP (£81.50 - 50ml, 1.6ml - £2) which is also a Bloom Perfumery Bestseller. With Red Fruit, Smoke of Agarwood, Patchouli Leaves, Isparta Roses, Benzoin, Tolu Balm and Amber.

Rozy Voile d'extrait by .vero.profumo. (£156 - 50ml, 1.2ml - £10) is exclusive to Bloom Perfumery. The Rose isn't so noticeable in this formulation but it's there complementing the Blackcurrant, Tuberose, Honey, Cassis, Labdanum and Spice notes. (great to try such an expensive perfume too!)

Baruti's Indigo Extrait de Parfum (£80 - 30ml, 1ml - £5) has notes of Amber, Atlas Cedar, Frankincense, Hyacinth, Rose and Sandalwood. "The perfumer  sought to mimic the rose scent of freshly picked damascena roses by using Greek Roses with a Moroccan Rose absolute".

Just Landed: Parfumerie Generale's PG4.1 Le Musc Et La Peau (I can't actually find it online yet) is a blend of 7 musks with notes of Ylang-Ylang, Tonka Bean, Amber, Cedarwood, Rosemary and Vanilla. You can wear this scent alone of layered with any other fragrance.

Phaedon's Cendres de The EdT (£69 - 100ml, 1.6ml - £2) is exclusive and a best seller which has notes of Camphor, Cardamon, Cedar, Musk, Myrrh, Pepper and Rose. 

What do you think of this month's picks?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: May 2016

I can't believe this is my second last month of my subscription! I've loved receiving beautiful perfumes every month. This month is "Sea, Sand and Sun Lotion" and the picks are gorgeous!

My eye was first drawn to CARNER'S Costarela EdP (which is new in) (50ml - £85, 1.6ml - £2) which captures a coastal Mediterranean breeze and has top notes of Bergamot and Saffron, a heart of hot sand accord and sea spray accord with base notes of Ambrozan and Virginia cedar. Love.

Next up is Art de Parfum's Sea Foam Extrait de Parfum (50ml - £88, 1ml - £5) which smells of the ocean, salty and foamy as it breaks onto the shore. With notes of Bergamot, Frankincense, Haiti Vetiver, Lemon, Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, Guaiac Wood, Laurel, Patchouli and Seaweed.

Absolutely loving Parfumerie Generale's Bois Naufrage EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml £2) which has top notes of carob tree (Egyptian Fig), a heart of salt and a base of Ambergris and Vetiver. Bestselling Paris Seychelles EdP (50ml - £80, 1.6ml - £2) is a white floral blend (lush) with notes of Black Pepper, Galbanum, Lily, Petitgrain, Coconut milk, Ginger, Monoi Oil and Plumeria.

NEW IN: Neon Graffiti by Jazmin Sarai EdP (50ml - £72, 1.6ml - £2) has notes of Ambroxan, Cardamon, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Mint, Sunflower, Bergamot, Frankincense, Ivy and Mimosa and is fresh, floral and fruity.

The final one this month is Best Selling: Eau de Protection by Etat Libre d'Orange EdP (50ml - £70) with a salty note wrapped up in the ginger and rose heart. With notes of Benzoin, Black Pepper, Cocoa, Frankincense, Patchouli, Bergamot, Bulgarian Rose, Ginger, Jasmine and Salt.

What are your thoughts as to May's selection?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: November to March Favourites

I've now only a few months left of my Bloom Perfumery subscription. I've absolutely loved it and it has introduced me to loads of perfumes I'd never normally have tried which are now firmly on the wishlist. You can see my favourites for July, August, September and October HERE.

These are my favourites from November - March:

In November, Bloom Perfumery switched it up and gave the girls the guys selection and vice versa. Initially I was a bit surprised but ended up really loving one of the scents (for me, rather than hubby).

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CUIRS by Carner EdP (£81 - 50ml) totally stole my heart. It has notes of oud and leather with saffron, gaiac wood, sandalwood, Texas cedar, violet, Amyris wood, patchouli, musk, tonka beans, cistus and nagarmotha. I also adore TARDES by Carner (review).

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In December my favourite was Esprit Divin EdP by Paul Emilien (£140 - 100ml) a spicy, woody and floral scent with top notes of clove, ginger, grapefruit, frankincense, nutmeg, rose saffron, vanilla, amber and cardamon with a heart of musk, nagarmotha, patchouli, rosewood, sandalwood and violet leaf with a base of amber, labdnum, musk, spices, tobacco and Turkish rose.

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January saw me fall for Foudre by Parfumerie Generale EdP (£80 - 50ml) a floral and woody scent with a hint of freshness which has notes of black tea, champaca, pepper, cashmeran, musk and vetivert.

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In February I loved Nanban by Arquiste EdP (£135 - 100ml) which is smokey and woody and has notes of black pepper, black tea, Chinese osmanthus, coffee, copaiba balm, frankincense, leather, myrrh, saffron and styrax.

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Last month I just loved Boszporusz by Nishane Extrait de Parfum (£110 - 50ml) a breezy sea inspired scent with notes of cypress, galbanum, sage, seaweed, gardenia, jasmine, amber, musk, oakmoss and patchouli.

Sign up to a Bloom Perfumery Yearly Sample Pack Subscription HERE. It costs £120 for the year and monthly you get 5 x 1.6ml samples, a promocode for 10% off that month's selection and a 1.6ml sample of a recent launch.

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack - January 2016

My Bloom Perfumery January sample pack arrived at the beginning of the week. The pack is about "crisp and fresh fragrances".

My favourite this month is New In: Foudre by Parfumerie Generale Cruise Collection EdP (50ml - £80, 1.6ml - £2) which has notes of Black Tea, Champaca, Pepper, Cashmeran, Musk and Vetivert. It's crisp, slightly fruity, woody and floral. Lush!

Exclusive: L'Eau de Phaedon EdT (100ml - £69, 1.6ml - £2) which has notes of agave leaves, aloe vera, jasmin, mandarin, musk, neroli and white woods. Which smells fresh with greens and citrus.

Bestseller: Exclusive: Carrousel by Paul Emilien EdP (50ml - £60, 2ml - £2) with top notes of Bergamot, chili, Grapefruit, Carrot Seeds, Eucalyptus and Sicilian Lemon. With a heart of Egyptian Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Texas Cedar, Violet, Gaiac Wood, Sandalwood and Turkish Rose with a base of Amber, Vanilla and White Musk. 

Just Landed: Mitchell & Peach English Leaf EdT (50ml - £50, 1.6ml - £2) - this is a fresh and herby scent. It has notes of Basil, Coriander, Cedar and Mint.

PG12 Hyperessence Matale EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml - £2) - with top notes of Bergamot, Jasmine and Mint, a heart of Black Tea and a base of Cedar and Leather. This is quite smokey with a touch of citrus and leather. I'm looking forward to wearing this one. It's my second favourite this month

PG Corps et Ames EdT Apaisante (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml - £2) - with top notes of Geranium and Verbana, a heart of Jasmine Sambac and Patchouli with a base of Musk and Sandalwood. This is quite a powerful scent and reminds me a little bit of Clinique's Aromatics Elixir. 

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: November 2015

This month Bloom Perfumery mixed up the sample packs and the girls got the ones for the guys! I was initially a bit surprised but being a lover of Drakkar Noir, Eau Savage and Cacharel Pour Homme in the 80s I decided to give this month's choices a bash.

Bloom Perfumery also thinks swapping this month will help with Christmas present choices for the men in your life - there are woody, citrus, leather, spices, herbs and frankincense notes in the perfumes this month.

My favourite this month is CUIRS by Carner EdP (50ml - £81, 1.6ml - £2) an intense oud leather scent with top notes of Saffron, heart notes of Gaiac Wood, Sandalwood, Texas Cedar and Violet and base notes of Amyris Wood, Oud, Patchouli, Leather, Musk, Tonka Beans, Cistus and Nagarmotha. I also adore TARDES by Carner (review).

My second favourite this month is best seller PG20 L'Eau Guerriere EdT (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml - £2) which is woody, spicy and fresh. It has top notes of Cinchona Bark, a heart note of Frankincense and a base of Aloe Oud Wood and Ambergris.

The ultimate best seller for men in 2015 has been Tabac Rouge by Phaedon EdP (100ml - £95, 1.6ml - £2) which smells sweet and spicy on my skin and reminds me a bit of chai tea! It has notes of Benzoin, Cinnamon, Ginger, Honey, Frankincense, Musk and Tobacco.

Frapin's L'Humaniste EdP (100ml - £98, 1.6ml - £2) is light, refreshing and aromatic. It has top notes of Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cardamon, Lemon and Pink Pepper. Heart notes of Juniper, Nutmeg, Peony and Thyme with a base of Oakmoss and Tonka Bean.

Bestseller Autoportrait by Olfactive Studio EdP (50ml - £74, 1.6ml - £2) is my least favourite. It's apparently a popular choice for customers working in the City and No.5 bestseller this year. It has top notes of Bergamot and Elemi, a heart of Benzoin, Frankincense and Musk with a base of Cedar, Oakmoss and Vetivert.

Finally, new in Selfie by Olfactive Studio EdP (50ml - £74, 1.6ml - £2) almost smells quite edible on first spritz. With top notes of Angelica Root, Elemi, Ginger, Star Anise and Frankincense with a heart of Maple Syrup, Cabreuva Wood, Cinammon and Lily with a base of Oakmoss, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Suede, Tonka Bean and Styrax.

What are your thoughts on this month's choices?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: 1st Four months

I signed up to Bloom Perfumery's monthly subscription way back in July and thought I'd update you with my favourites from the first four months. See my initial thoughts - July, August, September and October.

July's favourite was TARDES by Carner EdP see my review HERE.

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In August I found I simply adored PG16 Jardins de Kerylos EdT a balmy fig scent with fruits and woods.

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September saw me fall in love with one of the most unusual scents I've ever tried.  Coeur de Noir EdP by Beaufort London is a heady, smokey and sexy scent. It has top notes of ginger, ink, rum with a heart of leather, paper, vanillin and base notes of cedar, tobacco and birch tar. 

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My favourite in October was again by Perfumerie Generale and part of the By Invitation Only collection. It's simply a stunning scent.  Gardenia Grand Soir EdP is a rich floral with lush green notes, a hint of bergamot with Sandalwood and Musk.

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Have you tried any of these perfumes? Are you tempted to sign up to the Yearly Sample Packs Subscription?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: October 2015

Saturday was a good day for parcels and one of them was my October Bloom Perfumery sample pack.

This month it's evening scents - luxe floral formulas "olfactive equivalents of tiaras and mink stoles".

I'm finding I'm loving the perfumes from Parfumerie Générale - this month it's Gardenia Grand Soir EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml sample - £2) - A lush green Gardenia with top notes of Bergamot and Green Accord, heart notes of Gardenia and Sandalwood with a base of Musk.

My second favourite is Rozy EdP (.vero.profumo.) (50ml - £138, 1.2ml - £5) - a delicious fruity honey rose with top notes of Damask Rose and Passion Fruit, a heart of Lilac and Peach with base notes of Honey and Sandalwood.

Next up is Jasmin et Cigarette EdP (Etat Libre D'Orange) (50ml - £70) - "a reference to old Hollywood chic" with notes of Jasmine Absolute, tobacco, Apricot, Tonka Beans, Curcuma, Amber, Cedarwood and Musk.

New in is Shermine EdP (Huitieme) (50ml - £88, 1.6ml - £2) - "a rich powdery perfume with a fantasy ermine note". With Argentinian Lemon and Iris-Ermine accord.

Classic Dali EdP (Salvador Dali) (50ml - £49, 1.6ml - £5) - "an absolute classic". It has top notes of Bergamot, Violet Leaf and Clove with heart notes of Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Mimosa with a base of Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Patchouli and Musk. This is quite powdery which I usually avoid - but I quite like this one!

Just landed Duftbluten by Nishane (50ml extrait de Parfum - £120, 1ml - £5) - is a "musky woody floral". It has top notes of Gardenia and Magnolia with heart notes of Osmanthus and Patchouli with a base of Frankincense and Oakmoss.

Introducing Photoshop Oil (Ami lyok) - a moisturising body oil with a little bit of shimmer and Monoi Tiare flower oil, shea butter and tocopherol - which is a lovely extra!

What are your thoughts as to this month's selection?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: September 2015

I'd forgotten that I was due my Bloom Perfumery September sample pack so it was a nice treat to receive it when I arrived home from work yesterday. This month the scents are perfect for the start of autumn - warm woods infused with vanilla, amber, frankincense, ginger and more. I actually love all the scents this month.

The pefume that stands out the most for me is one which is new in Beaufort London Coeur de Noir EdP (£95 - 50ml - £2 - 1.6ml) - it's a simply stunning perfume and unlike anything I own. From a new British Perfume House which draws inspiration from ships, sea battles, voyages and tattoos. It has top notes of ginger, ink and rum, heart notes of leather, paper and vanillin with base notes of cedar, tobacco and birch tar. It starts off very powerful and mellows to a smokey sexy scent. Love it!

Passion Boisée (Frapin) EdP £98 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) is a warm and spicy scent with top notes of mandarin and nutmeg, a heart of cypress and rosewood with base notes of ambrette seed, sandalwood and vanilla. It appears quite subtle and perfect for autumnal days.

Eau de Madeleine (Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger) EdP £110 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) a beautiful scent which has notes of frankincense, leather, sandalwood, vanilla and incense.

Hasu-no-Hana (Grossmith) EdP £185 - 50ml - £5 - 1.6ml) it's nice to be able to try a perfume I'd never be able to afford! This is a classic formula from 1888, an oriental chypre which is rich with flower, spice and wood notes. It has top notes of bergamot, bigarade orange with heart notes of iris, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang and base notes of oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, tonka bean and vetiver.

The Architects Club (Arquiste) EdP £135 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) a delicious autumn amber with a note of Mexican vanilla, benzoin and resins and woods. It has notes of ambermax, amber, angelica root, bigarade orange, gaiac wood, juniper, lemon, oak and vanilla.

The final perfume this month is best selling PG18 Cadjméré (Parfumerie Generale) EdP £117.50 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) which is comforting and gentle. A soft sandalwood with a hint of vanilla. With a top note of tangerine, a heart of cypress and rosewood and base notes of ambrette seed, sandalwood and vanilla.

I really love all the scents this month and I'm looking forward to trying them out. Do any of the perfumes included this month jump out at you?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: August 2015

I've had my Bloom Perfumery August sample pack a couple of weeks now and already have a few firm favourites.  As you know I'm on a spending ban but I'm planning on picking up the perfume I've loved most in the (July - December period) after my ban as a little treat.  You can see what I received in July HERE.

This month the samples come in plastic vials (exactly the same if you buy a sample online).

Inside the package is 5 x 1.6ml samples - and this month includes fruit, honey and patisserie inspired fragrances. There is also a 1 x 1.6ml of a recent launch and a promo code for 10% off one of the perfumes included in this month's selection.

My absolute favourite this month is Parfumerie Generale PG16 Jardins de Kerylos (50ml - £81.50) which is a delicious fig scent perfect for summer. In fact it is a "summer fruity best seller". Inspired by a fruit orchard on a cliff in Cote d'Azure and has top notes of Fig tree fruit, heart notes of Peach and Sycamore with base notes of Musk and Tuberose. Love!

Ciel D'Airain (Huiteme Art) (50ml - £88) is a woody and fruity scent. It is "a study of a pear" and includes fruit notes, bark, leaves, ambergris and olive tree twigs. It is quite unlike anything I've worn before but I really like it.

The all year round best seller among the fruity scents is 1270 (Frapin) (100ml - £98). The perfume is a tribute to the year the Frapin family started making Cognac in the Grand Champagne region in France. This is fruity and sweet with notes of Cocoa, Coffee, Pineapple, Prunes, Raisins, Grape Blossom, Immortelle, Linden, Pepper, Gaiac Wood, Honey and Vanilla.

Like This (Etat Libre d'Orange) (50ml - £70) - a gourmand edible scent which is rich and sweet. With notes of Ginger, Heliotrope, Immortelle, Musk, Neroli, Pumpkin, Rose, Spices, Tangerine and Vetiver.

This best-seller PG03 Cuir Venenum (Parfumerie Generale) (50ml - £81.50) is my second favourite this month. It has top notes of Orange Blossom, a heart of Leather and Tamanu Oil with base notes of Atlas Cedar, Honey, Musk and Myrrh. I love it's leathery scent with floral and honey notes.

The final sample is new-in Pasion Choco (Nishane) (50ml - £110) - which is sweet and comforting with notes of Passionfruit, coffee, carmelised Grapefruit, dark Chocolate, Orchid, Coriander, Vanilla, Benzoin, Patchouli and Dark Musk.

What do you think of the choices this month?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: July 2015

I signed up for Bloom Perfumery's Yearly Sample Pack (£100 inc P&P) at the end of June and received my first pack yesterday. It includes 5 x 1.6ml samples of niche scents delivered to you each month for a year (and this month an extra perfume which is new in). This month the selection is summer florals.

It will be my monthly treat as I'm going back on a spending ban 11 August...until...gasp 30 December.

You can also buy sample packs FOR HIM or UNISEX.  I chose the FOR HER selection.  See more details HERE.

PG15 Ilang Ivohibé (Parfumerie Générale) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £81.50) "the imagined scent of a rare fantastical flower, which only blooms on the tropical Comoros islands". This EdT has top notes of Lavender and Vanilla, a heart of Egyptian Jasmine, Iris butter, Orange and Ylang-Ylang with a base of Patchouli.

Première Danse (Paul Emilien) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £60.00) "inspired by the first dance of a debutante at a ball, the fragrance is a sweet gentle floral". An EdP which has top notes of Bigarade Orange, Blackcurrant, Italian Iris and Mandarin. With heart notes of Mimosa, Vetiver and Violet and base notes of Amber, Benzoin, Cistus, Incense and White Musk.

Néroli Blanc EdP Intense (Au Pays de Fleur D'Oranger) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £55.00) this EdP is June's bestseller and is "bright, radiant and juicy". It has top notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange Blossom and Verbena with a heart of Jasmine and Rose and a base of Cedar, Musk and Vanilla. This is one I've tried out and I think it's just perfect for summer.

Infanta en Flor (Arquiste) (1.6ml - £2, 55ml - £125.00) this is the most layered perfume from the selection. An EdP it is "daringly luxurious layered floral with a leather accord". It has top notes of Bergamot, Cistus and Immortelle with a heart of Jasmine, Leather, Orange Blossom and Rose with base notes of Benzoin, Musk, Rockrose and Tonka Beans.

TARDES (Carner) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £81.00) this is Bloom Perfumery's all time bestseller. It was the first scent I tried from the pack and I love it. Full size being added to my wishlist!  The EdP is a "musky woody floral with a shy elusive rose" and has top notes of Almond, Bulgarian Rose and Geranium with heart notes of Plum and Virginian Cedar with base notes of Heliotrope, Musk, Rosewood and Tonka Beans.

There was also an extra sample included - NEW IN:

Mojito Chypre (Parfumerie Générale) which retails at £80.00 for 50ml and is a modern Strawberry Chypre with notes of Adehydes, Labdanum, Lime, Oakmoss, Mint, Patchouli, Rum, Strawberry, Vanilla and Vetivert - perfect for summer holidays!

I'm looking forward to trying all of these and will update you with my thoughts later.  Also included is a special code to receive 10% off any of the above in full size for a limited time.