Field Notes From Paris

I found myself at work today completely naked! I had forgotten to put on any scent this morning. I missed that little extra part of my ensemble that has become part of what everyone at work looks forward to each day. “What will Lanier be wearing today? His trademark Neapolitan vest, will it be a bow tie or traditional tie in a half Windsor knot? Grey wool slacks or black wide wale corduroys? But most important, what will he smell like today? He always smells so interesting.” So I was sitting there missing my crowning touch when I realized I had a little tester in my backpack. I had yet to try this perfume that is made in my very own town, so what the heck. I opened the lovely and cleverly packaged sample and SPRITZ! Within a few moments my boss came by. “What smells so good?” I smiled and motioned her over. “Could it be me?” Her eyes widened, “Oh my but that is heavenly. What IS that fragrance?” “My Little Secret” I winked. “You mean ‘My Sin’?” She looked intrigued. “NO.” I protested. “It’s my little secret that I am not ready to share.” She gave me a rather Miranda Priestly up and down look and then walked away. “If you don’t tell me by the end of the day what that divine fragrance is don’t even bother to come in tomorrow.” She tossed the words over her should like a overstuffed Mark Jacobs bag. Later in the shipping department Abe the big Kahuna of the department said. “Hey Dude! You smell great! What is that word for food...you know! You smell like that....that word for that kinda food them Greek Gods eat.” “You mean ambrosia?” I smiled feeling like Apollo or Aphrodite might swoop down at any moment an lick me. “Yeah like Ambrosia ....and a bakery! What is that stuff you have on? Gotta get me some, the wife will love it.” “Dude!” I said with a wink. “It’s just me!” “JUST ME? I think I heard’a that, is it by Calvin Kline?” He really wanted to know but I was late for a meeting so I had to leave him to ponder if CK was out with a new fragrance. Well I didn’t tell anyone at work but I will tell you... just between us. It is Ineke’s “Field Notes From Paris”. And it is indeed Ambrosia! The Big Kahuna got it in one whiff and my very own devil in Prada has very good taste. Everyone else has gone on about how it opens, its uniquely blended notes and dry down so I will leave that to them. But I will say that I love the more unusual notes of tobacco flower, honey and leather that seem to add a mystery and spice to the whole affair. What matters to me on this little secret I am sharing with you it that it is spectacular and a real head turner with out knocking over walls or blasting out plate glass windows. And even more importantly I enjoy being wrapped within its scrumptious cloud. It is perfectly smart, adult, sophisticated and elegant. A respectable silage and good projection and lasts on my skin 5 to 6 hours. Five Platinum Stars *****

This one is lovely. On the open, it's warm, with a gentle punch of spicy citrus on the skin, and a cloud of a comforting powder. It's a dewdrop morning in early fall- sparkling, refreshing, but with an ever-present warmth. The citrus then begins to mellow out into the background, allowing the sweetness of beeswax and the coziness of the warm woods to shine through. The white florals here serve only to soften the fragrance -it's not overly floral but is powdery. One of few powdery scents I enjoy- not a babypowder scent- more of a dusting, or a cloud of something? I was looking for a softer and brighter scent for spring and summer, while still retaining the warmth and spiciness I gravitate towards. It's not the typical leathery, boozy, animalistic tobacco you get from a lot of fragrances- the pairing of tobacco and tobacco flower makes it clean, gentle, and sophisticated. To sum it up, this is a very soft fragrance that is predominantly warm- with just a touch of brightness from the bergamot and corriander. Smells like a fall morning, and is perfect for those looking for a lighter and more refreshing summer scent without sacrificing warmth. It smells like reading an old book under a tree, long walks and holding hands, like a cup of tea on a balcony watching the city below you dance through the day, a warm fluffy blanket and an extra pillow in bed.

I got the Ineke sampler (mostly for idyllwild) and being a fan of more fresh, green scents, didn't expect to like this much. How I was wrong. First thing that snaps into focus when I smell this is MUSEUM. It must be the leather and wood notes combined, but all I can picture is ancient, tan leather furniture and dusty, wooden bookshelves. There's a gentleman sipping a cup of coffee in the gift shop and a woman in a tweed blazer smoking a cigarette just outside the entrance. Or maybe you're in an old university library. Either way, everything is in tones of sepia. On my skin, the florals come through and the fragrance leans less masculine. I don't get much of the citrus in this, but I can still tell that it's there. To me, it's mostly fresh, light tobacco with the undercurrent of dusty wood and vanilla/tonka. At the same time, I understand the folks that say it reminds them of a cleaning product, even though the two ideas seem diametrically opposed (I guess that's a testament to how well-blended this perfume is). If you're a newbie and none of that sounds appealing to you, trust me, get the sample and give it a try. I'm totally spellbound. EDIT - Bought a full bottle. I enjoy spraying it on my leather-bound journals, its such a perfect library/study/academic scent. I love it!

This woody oriental from niche class act Ineke fast became a favorite upon discovery. The slightly sweet, citrusy top leading to a spicy tobacco heart and leathery drydown...I was swooning upon my first encounter with this fragrance, and have since bought multiple bottles for myself and others ever since. It's just dynamite, and will have you ready to fall in love again and (responsibly) dole out hugs and kisses all over. All the better that in that it's unisex. Has served me beautifully in warm and cool weather, day or evening (with the exception of super hot, humid weather wherein it defaults to the drydown). Will doubtless have others asking, "Mmm...what ARE you wearing?" in multiple settings. Per usual with Ineke, stellar packaging that reflects the genesis of the fragrance, rooted in her days studying perfumery in France and pondering notes in her journal while sitting in French cafes. The whole presentation is first rate, and the scent unforgettable. With average longevity and projection, the current price point of $95 (75ml) is just fine...and certainly worth it once you get a whiff. Fans of woody orientals, leather or tobacco notes...run, don't walk, to this one! ★★★★ (out of ★★★★).

This is a MASTERPIECE. By far the best fragrance iv received. Each phase of this scent is a completely different story, yet they segue into each other seamlessly and without disjointedness. The opening is bright, playful, and fresh to death with its perfectly balanced Bergamot/Coriander aka Citrus/Spicy duo. Then, the frag does a 180 as it transitions into its heart, consuming the bright opening in its dark, herbal smokiness thanks to the Patchouli/Tobacco mix. Note that, although the middle is darker and more mysterious, Field Notes From Paris uses both the tobacco leaf as well as the tobacco blossom or flower. This means that the 'tobacco' element is clean and sophisticated instead of dirty and/or anamalic. Finally, the dark heart is won over by a smooth, sweet, aromatic base of Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Beeswax, and leather. (Again, similar to the tobacco in the heart, its a crisp, sweet leather as apposed to a musky or dirty leather) Bottom line: I want 9 bottles of this stuff.