Joey and I also visited Bergdorf’s Edward Bess counter, of course. I love Edward Bess Cosmetics, I think it is the most elegant and refined line available right now. In Europe the brand is only available online through zuneta.com, who have excellent customer service, but it is something else to actually be able to see and touch the items. I went there hoping for the new palettes, and I bought them too, but they will be shipped, since they were sold out.
The beige one is for me, the berry colors for my friend S, the eternal lurker. 🙂
After Bergdorf’s, Joey and I went on to Saks Fifth Avenue. The first stop was the Cartier counter. We both knew Baiser Volè already (A lovely, quiet lily.), but were happy to smell the newest Mathilde Laurent creation in the Les Heures line, Cartier’s exclusive line similar the Chanel’s Les Exclusifs or Dior’s La Collection Privée.
L’Heure Convoitée (The Coveted Hour) is a powdery carnation scent, that is at once spicy and soft, a bit like lipstick and plastic, but in a good way. I really liked Grain de Musc’s review here.
Next was the Chanel counter and with it Jersey, the latest release in the Les Exclusifs range. What can I say other than: Oh dear! I read many not exactly favorable reviews, but I needed to smell for myself, and lavender and vanilla didn’t sound so bad to me. But it is bad, people, really bad. The opening is harsh, the middle quite indistinct and the drydown, an abysmal white musk laundry detergent smell-alike. The whole story is over in under ten minutes, which is a good thing, in a way…
After Saks, Joey and I went to the Dior boutique, since a bottle of New Look 1947 was on my shopping list. Happily clutching it to my chest, we left and I had to part company with Joey. I can highly recommend her as a tour guide, should you ever come to New York (she said she loves to do that too!).
That afternoon, I went to Sephora on Times Square, despite being warned, but I had to see for myself how perfume in the US mainstream is treated.
What struck me was the power of Sephora. Apparently they got almost each and every company to make small roller ball sizes of their scents, a great thing in my opinion, if only there was a perfume to be had, that I, snob that I am, would be interested in.
But I did smell a few things, what remains on my mind is Boyfriend, the perfume launched by Kate Walsh. Maybe it is me, but isn’t it awfully similar to Prada Candy? It is quite nice and a refreshing change to the ubiquity of pink out there.
On Sunday I went to Saks once more, to take a closer look at several cosmetics lines, I don’t have access to here in Vienna – Dolce&Gabbana and Burberry. I came away with foundation from the first and lipsticks from the latter. I had to, didn’t I? I’d never get another chance! 😉
FAO Schwarz was next on my agenda, I have two kids after all. (Truth be told I go there every time I’m in New York, long before I ever thought about kids of my own, I guess I am one still.) And look what I found:
Apparently perfume is everywhere. 🙂
I was lucky enough to stay at the W Hotel this time, and that is home to Bliss Spa. And while I didn’t go in for a treatment, I made good use of the Bliss Boutique located on the ground floor of the hotel.
Bliss Spa products accounted for a good portion of the weight we lugged home.
My husband and I are great fans of the show Seinfeld, so my husband went on the Kramer Tour, where Kenny Kramer, real life model for the character Cosmo Kramer, leads fans through the neighborhood, where the show took place. Mr O had fun!
We had some great food too, this time, the best was a Chinese restaurant in Midtown called Shun Lee Palace, I can highly recommend it. The food was delicious and the service impeccable.
All to soon it was time to go home again.
We’ll be back next year!
Olfactoria's Travels 
D & G foundation – yummy ! I love their make-up line, gorgeous colours and excellent quality. My next weekend is a long one in London – with D&G nail polish and lipstick on the long shopping list… I’m so tempted by E.Bess, but not brave enough to order from Zu without actually seeing the colours.
I’m a risk taker! 😉 (only when it comes to colors or perfume though). London – how great! Have fun!
I’m disappointed! We’re clearly not the first people you’re telling this story: you’re skipping many details, cutting yourself short and all other things that people do after they go over the story of their trip a couple of times already.
Ok, I’m joking (partially) but you could have told us more! 🙂 Your trip sounds amazing. I love New York and had been to it many times but nevr like that. Now I think I should visit it again.
Maybe my shortness (perceived or real, I don’t know) is on account of the inevitable jet-lagged stupor that I experience after every long-distance trip. I’m not really up to speed yet… 😉
I always had terrible jetlag coming back to Germany. Going west, no problem. Going east, GARG!
Garg describes it to a T. 😉
LOL, I”m with Undina, I want more! Maybe there could be a part three?? 😉
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with us!
There is not much more to say, except about food adventures, but that is the husband’s expertise (I’m working on him to write a guest post: “Mr Olfactoria eats”) Four days are not that long after all! 😀
Would love to read the husbands guest post….olfactoria goee eating
I’m such a foodie – Dr.O., please, pretty please, write a guest post for us
I’m working on it (or him, rather! 😉 )
Me too! 🙂
Awesome trip! Makes me really want to get on a flight over to NY immediately!
Me too! 😉 I’d like to go back immediately!
Loved hearing about your trip and got a great chuckle over your comment on Chanel Jersey.
Next time I’m in NYC, I’m goin’ on the Kramer Tour. I loved that show too.
That fits that you are a Seinfeld fan too, love you even more now! 🙂
Did you try Jersey?
I tried Jersey in London last week and can confirm it’s dreadful.
The fact that it is a Chanel, and an exclusive one at that, makes Jersey especially disappointing for me. 😦
Birgit, I have not tried Jersey yet and really have no plans to, as from everything I’ve read about it, I pretty much can tell that it’s not my thing. Seems like a very odd choice for Chanel — it almost sounds like the antithesis of Chanel in terms of its aesthetic for fragrances.
I’ve only been to NYC once, (being a West Coaster), but a Seinfeld tour could lure me back for certain!! Jealous!!!
It would be fun to go “Seinfelding” and perfume sniffing together with you, M! 🙂
Love, love, loved it! I know little about cosmetics so it was interesting to learn about Edward Bess. I know and love Bliss products however, which I think are reasonably priced for what you’re getting. They do nice bath/shower gels with interesting scent combos.
I’m dying to try L’Heure Convoitée after Denyse’s review and you make it sound even more intriguing! Many congrats on your bottle of New Look – 2 tuberose purchases, who’d have thought it?! I don’t hate Jersey but a bland lavender from Chanel is very disappointing and no where near worth the price.
I had a perfume-making kit when I was little and Mum says I was OBSESSED with it so that explains a lot!
I’m sure you’d like Edward Bess, I never met any one who didn’t.
Maybe L’Heure Convoitée is your ideal, long-sought for carnation?
I love the image of little Tara working with this kit. 🙂
Suzanne, the kramer tour is a must for any seinfeld fan. not only do you get the chance to see many of the original venues (the restaurant, the Y where kramer researched shower technique, the soup nazi – with a chance to have a meal there, the fruit store where kramer was banned etc) but you get an insight into the show through kenny’s eyes. he may not be as crazy but michael richards did a great job with the character. also you can buy souvenirs from kra-mart.
i may even go again next time.
Oh, thank you for such a great description!! Now I really, really want to go … especially to the Soup Nazi place. That episode was priceless. After I hit the soup nazi, I’ll go get some junior mints for dessert, as I can’t eat that candy now without thinking of Kramer. 🙂
unfortunately i can’t post a photo of my package of junior mints signed by the real kramer. regarding the soup nazi: it’s called “soup man” located at 295 west 55th st. the lobster bisque is great. get a large. it comes with bread, a banana and some chocolate. ( at least if you go there with kenny). the great thing is that you really have to order on the right, pay and move to the left to receive your order.
Did you visit vandalay industries as well? I’ve heard they are Big in latex:-)
Yes, he did and we have the bumpersticker to prove it! 😉
I loved reading about your trip! It made me very wistful for New York, it’s been too long since I’ve been there. I really hope that one day, a bunch of us can be there together at the same time. We can have a perfume-themed sleepover, book a couple of hotel rooms with adjoining doors and have at it!
I’ll be there! What a lovely idea! 🙂
You packed in such a lot – also make up and toys! – I am impressed. Glad to have you confirm my own view of Jersey (being poked up the nostril with a pointy stick of lavender), and how great about your bottle of New Look, which I have yet to see in a store, but would probably buy it too if I saw it. It is very “me” : – ). I have resisted buying a 100ml bottle of Apres L’Ondee here in Germany, which I have seen twice now for 99 euros for the 100ml size. If they did a 50ml bottle for 50 euros I’d have had it in a flash!
Good luck with the jet lag – I was just thinking about you in that regard today, especially as the kids will be on Central European time while you may be convinced it is the middle of the night!
I think the Dior’s are only availble in Dior boutiques and Selfridges. I am constantly wearing New Look, it was a really good investment.
There is no 50ml bottle of Apres l’Ondée unfortunately. But now I know what to bring to our possible coffee meeting in two weeks. 😉
Emits small squeal of barely contained excitement! I feel a Guerlain swaplet brewing… I could also do mail muling run from the Czech Republic, if that would be of help? Go easy on the Gummibears, mind – I am flying Ryanair this time… ; – )
Guerlain swaplet! Yay! 😀
Birgit, this is one of my favorite posts of yours! Edward Bess, D&G, Burberry are all excellent cosmetic lines. You must try the eyeshadows from D&G and Burberry, excellent pigmentation and so smooth. Please tell the Husband that we love Seinfeld too. I’ve bought the entire boxed set of Seinfeld DVD’s for my husband. The “Soup Nazi” episode is priceless – “No soup for you!”. The Lemon&Sage body butter from Bliss is a classic – I always have some of this on hand, especially in the winter. And FAO Schwartz is a delight for children big and small. You really packed a lot in on your four day trip and you have some lovely, special perfumes as souvenirs. I was a so enjoyable to live vicariously through you on your trip to NYC. Thanks for taking the time to recap it for us. 🙂
We are totally on the same page, it seems. 🙂 I love everything from D&G cosmetics, a great brand. Seinfeld is cult in our family. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed my post!
Jersey by Chanel? I don’t think I’ve ever even heard of it!
Happy smelling!
I can’t say you have missed a lot! 😉