My dear Readers,
this will be my last post for the forseeable future. I am putting Olfactoria’s Travels on hiatus, if it will be a permanent one, only time can tell.
Let me explain.
Five years ago, on October 30 2010, I posted for the first time. A lot has happened since then. It has become clear to many of you, that my heart is no longer in this endeavour and as sad as I find this, it is what it is and I have to go with it. After my summer travels, I found it hard to return to writing. Initially this was because of a vicious troll who found an apparently satisfying pastime in haunting me, critisizing me, my writing, my looks, even my children (isn’t that the pits, or what!?), so I felt the need to retreat from the online world as much as possible. I wanted to talk to nobody I couldn’t see with my own eyes and felt threatened by the entire virtual life. Then as time went on (and the troll went on trolling somewhere else), I found I felt relieved not having to post. The guilt and the relief fought for dominance in my mind and week after week, relief won and I kept my silence.
Perfume, which has taken such a dominant place in my life for a big part of these past five years, had also forcibly taken a backseat thanks to my asthma, so I felt at a loss what to write, how to connect with you. And when I look back, it has all been about connection. Perfume was the vehicle, but we bonded over the personal things. When I read a blog, I do so because of the person behind it, less important is the theme he or she writes about. I think that was the case here on OT for many of you as well. And despite the wonderful and much appreciated work of Tara and Portia, my congenial partners in crime, I know that OT is no longer the place it used to be. So there could be only one consequence…
I thought for the longest time that stopping the blog would be a huge declaration of failure. But then I had the idea that everything comes to an end, absolutely everything (not the most original of ideas, I know, I’m no philosopher! 😉 ). And when it does, it doesn’t negate what has already been done. When a book is written, it is no failure to stop writing, when a mountain is climbed it is not a failure to go back down. There are over a thousand reviews on this blog and they won’t go away. I wrote them and while some are good, some are okay and some are abysmal, I still did them and that I can be proud of. This blog was a labour of love for a long time, now it makes no sense to keep it forcibly alive when the love has moved on.
Now for the truly sappy part – but it has to be said, because the truth is sometimes sappy: I couldn’t have done it without you. From the start, a tight band of perfume friends have formed and congregated in the comments every day, some moving on, others coming in to fill their places. I never felt alone, writing for a void, because there was no void, there was a lively place full of laughter and wit and deep thoughts and shallow cravings and intelligent conversations.
I want to thank a few people especially since they made an impact on OT and helped it launch and flourish. In the early days the fact that the admirable Victoria of Bois de Jasmin and Marina of Perfume Smellin’ Things took the time to read and comment almost every day was wonderful. They brought a lot of readers with them of course, but the most important thing for me was their validation of what I was doing, since I really didn’t know what it was I was doing in the beginning.
As OT grew, I saw that I needed more voices to take some pressure off me and to make things more interesting, to add new perspectives and other tastes into the mix. Some wrote regularly and often, others passed through. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. It was an honour to have you, Sandra, Michael, Lady Jane Grey, Val The Cookie Queen, Alex, Jordan River and the absolutely wonderful, gifted Neil of The Black Narcissus. (I possibly may have overlooked someone, if so, I’m sorry, I’m a bit emotional right now and not to be relied on for accuracy…)
But of course my two main contributors and holders of the staff in the past months were Tara and Portia. I hope they know how important they are and how much I love them. Both also want to say goodbye today.
Let’s hear from Tara first:
It’s no over-exaggeration to say that landing here on OT for the first time, via Google one fortuitous day in early 2011 changed my life.
Birgit’s superlative writing instantly resonated with me. So much so that I immediately left a comment which was not something I was accustomed to doing at the time. B wrote eloquent, evocative reviews (in a language which is not her own) and they connected with people around the globe.Birgit was also the first person from Perfumeland I met in “real life” and my previously hermit-like existence exploded outwards from there. She was the one who thought I could write about perfume when I genuinely didn’t think I could. She shared her blog with me and this year, her city, home and wonderful family too. I feel very lucky that our paths crossed.
Olfactoria’s Travels has been a very special place for me. Not just because of B and my fellow bloggers, but because of the many consistently engaging and well-informed readers. This is an amazing community and I know that the friendships we’ve made will continue to be active, even if the blog is not.
So instead of saying good-bye, I want to end by saying a heartfelt thank you to Birgit and everyone else who’s shared this journey for any part of these five fantastic years.
And some lovely words and music from Portia:
Hi Olfactoria’s Travelers,
You will be missed. How lucky I have been to get to write for the person who inspired me to start APJ? How much fun it’s been meeting and conversing with you all and so many friends I’ve made and met throughout the frag world because of Olfactoria’s Travels. What an amazing place Birgit created and I will miss our time together each fortnight, but also I will miss the coming and reading Tara, Sandra, Birgit and their unique and interesting takes on scent, and life perspectives. In honour of our parting I am wearing Guerlain’s Shalimar vintage parfum and modern EdP, nothing feels more ceremonial, tragic and beautiful than the love story of Shah Jahan for his shop girl turned queen and the farewell that nearly bankrupted his country.
Here is a song that says it better than I ever could.
Gladys Knight – So Sad The Song
Life is change, move with it.
Wishing you all a fragrant life filled with fun and laughter,
Portia xx
Thank you, Tara and Portia for your time, effort, these lovely words today and most of all your friendship, which will certainly survive the end of the blog.
So, my dear readers, here we are now. Before you leave, a few words on the past five years, since this is the blog’s birthday too after all. A few stats for the numerically inclined among you (Hey, Undina!): The blog has had 1 950 194 views, 50 730 comments and 1354 posts have been published. We had some very successful series of posts, like The Monday Question, People In Perfumeland, The Vanilla Series by Neil or Perfume Around The World. I will hopefully get it together in the next weeks to sort through the archives and organize everything a bit better, making things easier to find. Despite the hiatus, I hope OT will still be used by those who want to read up on a specific perfume.
Last but surely not least, The Husband says goodbye too. He wants you to know that he immensely enjoyed his status as The Husband and having his own little band of fans. Nowadays he is the one who won’t go away for a few days without his decants, how times have changed… 🙂
If you made it this far, in this long post, over the past five years, I am thankful and happy having been able to be your host here on OT. I will miss you all.
Somewhere the flower of farewell is blooming.
Endlessly it yields its pollen, which we breathe.
Even in the breeze of this beginning hour we breathe farewell.Rainer Maria Rilke
Big hug,
B x
Olfactoria's Travels 
Thank you for everything. You really made a difference. I wish you a very happy life, surrounded by all the people you love. Bye Birgit. x
Thank you very much, marjo! I wish you the same.
I will miss you Birgit. Please inform The Husband that I occ. read the post about the Mercurial store.
The Husband will be pleased! 🙂
Thanks for your readership, saffy!
Yes, thank you! You helped me on the way to perfumland and it was always such a pleasure to read you!
That is so good to hear, thank you Lesputnik!
I have loved Olfactoria’s Travels since I found this lovely place a few years ago. I never commented, but read avidly. Thank you and I wish you all the best for everything.
It is great that you spoke up in the end! Thank you for reading, Gaynor!
Thank you dear Birgit for the wonderful writing and for introducing me to the fabulous Portia, Tara and Val! Thank you for letting me contribute as well. See you soon. Sandra xoxo
Thank you for all your help! See you soon!
Dear Birgit, ironically for what is sadly ‘The Last Post’, that has to be one of the most eloquent, moving and poignant pieces ever to have been written on a perfume blog, including the sign offs from your trusty co-contributors,Tara and Portia. I didn’t know you had had such aggravation from a vicious troll and can completely understand that that would put you off the virtual world entirely. I do remember the asthma trouble causing you to majorly rethink your hobby a while ago. I also cannot agree with you more that things coming to an end are categorically not a mark of failure – nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed I have often said exactly that to myself and to others wrestling with whether or not to end a long term relationship with a partner. Things have a natural lifespan, and are not retrospectively undermined by the act of ending. I believe that most fervently about my time with Mr Bonkers, for example, and would say the same principle applies to ventures of all kinds.
For OT – as well as being THE ‘virtual water cooler’ for me in Perfume Land -has been and always will be a fantastic archive of reviews for people everywhere – I know how often I use it myself as a resource, and will continue to do so.
Then as you say there are the friendships with people forged through this perfume blog, which will endure. I am also grateful for the way in which OT has acted as a catalyst for meeting you and so many other interesting people – both virtually and in real life.
Thanks for the past five years! And enjoy your time ahead however you spend it. Also, do please continue to correct / enrich my German as appropriate! I have greatly enjoyed our language related exchanges.
Dearest V,
you are one of the loveliest people I know. Thanks for all your kind words today and in the past years. You are my spelling and grammar “watchdog”, thanks for that too. 🙂
We’ll meet again soon, either here or there. Hugs, B
I’m so sad to hear this news but I felt in my heart that this was coming. You can be so proud of what you achieved with your blog and the community you created. Yours was one of the first blogs I discovered and in my first stages of perfume mania I trawled your site finding out all I could about perfume, so I believe it will still be an incredible resource for perfume fans. I wish you all the best and I hope I still get to read Tara’s reviews somewhere. And of course I know where to find Portia and the Cookie Queen over on APJs and Neil’s writing on The Black Narcissus. I have to say it is quite concerning to read about a vicious troll, Victoria on Eau MG also wrote about her experiences recently too with this and it just seems so bizarre that someone would want to waste their time criticising people they don’t know. Au revoir and all the best to you and your family. x Megan
Yes, it was a long time coming.
Thank you for all your lovely comments. All the best for you, Megan!
Dear Birgit. What a beautiful goodbye. Like others, I too have felt that it was probably going this way, yet it somehow always takes you by surprise when it happens. I remember it was the same with Natalie of APB: I knew it was coming and yet nothing prepares you for the empty space the blog leaves. You blog going on a hiatus will certainly leave a large empty space in the perfume sphere. You will be greatly missed. All the best to you.
Dear Asali, as long as Perfumeland has such great writers as yourself, all will be well. xx
Aww, thank you Birgit.
Birgit – I’m so saddened to see that you are putting OT behind you, but I completely understand. When I first started to realize that there was this strange and wonderful fragrance community out there and there were some great insights and information that was just waiting for me on the web…the first place that I found was OT and you and and the others have been here for me all these years. Thank you so much for making this place such a welcoming one.
And sorry to hear about your troll issue. If I could possibly put a positive spin on the situation….if you weren’t successful in what you were doing, they wouldn’t have any interest in harassing you. So in my mind, that means that you have made a wonderful and large impact on the perfumed community….and like any star in Holllywood, etc. that means that the crazies will come out. I’m so glad that chapter has ended for you.
I wish you the best and know that just because OT is retiring, it doesn’t mean that you’re disappearing altogether.
Thanks for the wonderful years and all the best to you and yours – Steve
I’m definitely not disappearing altogether. See you on The Scented Hound, dear Steve!
I’m sorry to see it end but like you said even really good books have ending sand that’s just the way life is. I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog one day and I’m glad I finally did get to meet you and the Husband in NYC. Writing takes time and sometimes isn’t easy and while I will miss reading and commenting here I completely understand that you need to move on from this. Life changes and things that used to fit in easily sometimes don’t anymore. Sorry about the troll. I’ve never understood the reasoning behind being nasty to complete strangers online as a pastime for some people. Best of luck to you in whatever the next phase of life brings you. Who knows, maybe something else will inspire you and you’ll resurrect the blog with a completely different theme. No matter if you do or don’t, just make sure you enjoy whatever it is you do. All my best to you.
Thank you, dear Poodle! Maybe we’ll meet again one day. I’d love that. Keep on sniffing! 🙂
One of perfume’s messages to me is that its very nature, like life here, is transient. Whilst it is here it enhances, makes beautiful, causes all kinds of different feelings and thoughts, and leaves a scented memory. Your blog’s sillage has been truely wonderful, and the drydown is moving. Thank you for sharing this part of your travels. Wishing you, Tara, Portia, Sandra and others, and The Husband, godspeed, with Hermes wings no doubt 😉 !
I love your comment – so true about perfume being the modelchild of tranciency (is that a word?).
Thank you for your loyalty and for sharing many insightful comments. All the best, dear Hamamelis.
You blog changed my life. Bussi.
Your* tsk 😦
Ah, no, you would have found your way to your people anyhow. 🙂
Love you Birgit. Thank you Olfactoria’s Travelers.
Bit teary here.
Portia xx
Thank you for everything. Nobody is more dependable than you! xoxo
I came late to your blog, Birgit, but what a gateway to the online world of perfume it was. It makes me sad to think that there won’t be new chapters to read, voices to hear, and people to meet. For many mornings OT was part of my coffee and ipad in bed reading news and emails routine, and I will miss it. Of course it won’t be really gone, but right now it feels a bit like finishing a novel you really, really loved. That peculiar moment when you have come to the last page, and turn it. Thank you for writing that book.
Such a beautiful comparison, thanks so much, Sabine. I’m sure we’ll see each other in London sometime.
Thank you for all the inspirational and personal posts you have shared during the years. I am happy you have made a decision to close the blog, because it sounds like a wise one. All the best in the future!
Thank you, Martin, all the best for you as well!
Aww Birgit.. Hugs!! (And sob!) I can only echo what everybody has already said. You created such a lovely place for all of us to ‘hang out’.and the fact that this is ending can never take away from that. In fact I think it takes great courage to end something this immense. I’ve made lovely friendships through this blog and i will always be thankful to you for that. I hope we can keep in touch through other channels. I will miss you.
I miss you all too!
Lavanya, all the best for you and your babies and good luck with your great venture!
On the one hand I don’t want to be repetitious – but like so many, yours was the first perfume blog I read. I don’t even remember how I happened to find it, but I began reading, and then whoops! down the rabbit hole, er, world of perfume and blogs. I have thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful writing (and am humbled that you write so well in a second language. Would that I were so eloquent in my native tongue!) I am sorry that your writing for OT is ending, but you have widened the internet world of fragrance lovers so that we are not utterly bereft – just somewhat. I am saddest that the personal and anonymous malice that is the flip side of the internet had a role. Your generosity and kindness have always shone through your writing, and I am still hoping for a meetup in New England someday. You have a standing invitation to Providence, and I will make bacon for the Husband. Thanks for everything, and happiness to you all — xoxo Molly
I’m so honoured that OT was your entryway.
We will take you up on your kind invitiation one day – you shouldn’t have mentioned bacon! No keeping is away now! 😉
All the best, dear Molly.
Thank you for time and passion you shared here. It surely made Perfumeland a better place Birgit. All the best!
Mags
You are too kind, thanks a lot, Mags! Greetings to Italy!
Oh, sad that you are leaving but very happy that you chose the relief feeling! I too would choose relief every time! Onwards and upwards! I am also a silent follower, first time comment. My favorite thread was the sneak peak into your closet, the travel posts, and others. You have inspired my love for vintage and Guerlains. You have created a thing of beauty, and its ok to let it go. All my best,
DeeDee
So lovely to hear from you on this last post. Thanks for your readership!!!
Birgit, thank you so much for all your hard work and the love you put into your writing. OT has been a lovely and elegant corner of internet (reflecting yourself) and while I haven’t always commented, I’ve not missed a post since I found this place. Thanks to all your excellent contributors as well, OT will be missed.
I will miss your comments, thanks for being auch a loyal reader, dear ringthing.
I don’t know if I’ve ever commented but just wanted to let you know that I’ve read your blog for a few years and will miss your wonderful writing! Best of luck, Nafia xx
You have. 🙂
Thank you, Nafia.
Thank you for the last five years and all the best for your life and that of your Family. Maybe we meet again in a different connex in our city.
Thank you, Iuno!
I am sorry to hear this news, but it is for good reasons I know. I could not come for a more different life, but felt your gentle style of reviews and writing were quite similar to what I would want to do should I be able to write. And the Hermes scarves! Never in a million years would I own one but absolutely loved seeing your photos on them. They even inspired me to visit the closest store, although I was still too scared to approach the sales lady.
So best wishes, and should yo and the lovely family be in the San Francisco area, please remember you have a local here who would drove to walk around and show you a few places.
Perfume brings people of diverse backgrounds together, and isn’t it lovely when we discover we are not so different after all?
Thanks for everything, Shelly!
So sad but it’s so true, life happens, things change, and it’s important to follow your heart and mind, and of course what your body tells you. I was not aware of the behind the scenes troll, and understandable how that would poison the water, but as you can see from these responses you inspired so many perfume lovers in a beautiful way. Your classic taste and calm style was refreshing and soothing for me. I know all that energy and creativity within you will continue to create its own beautiful environment.
Dear Lucy,
I’m glad you were one of the people I had the pleasure to meet through this blog. Thanks for your kind words. All the best!
I will really miss your clarity and honesty, Birgit! Thank you for so many fun and inspirational posts and for the thought provoking questions that came my way on Monday mornings. All the best.
Azar xx
The same to you, dear Azar! Thank you!
Birgit, your blog and your unbelievably kind and elegant way of moving through the world, so generously taking us with you on your figurative as well as literal journeys through perfume land and other places, has been an exquisite gift. Olfactoria’s Travels has felt like home to me even more than a blog, thanks to your warm way of engaging with people, your sharing of your love of perfumes, scarves, family and friends, not to mention travel, books, films and other pleasures. I understand completely your decision to put OT to rest (I’ve arrived at the same place more or less), and am so sorry to hear about the troll. As you move on, please know that what you created here was so beautiful! It was a great accomplishment, and even more. ❤
I know that you understand, dear Suzanne.
I’ve been astoundingly cool so far, but your comment made me tear up. Thank you! xoxo
I will miss you lots, dear Birgit.
Hey! I was already missing you, but I understand your decision and wish you the very best in life. Thank you for the constant inspiration.
Hugs,
Caro
We’ll stay in contact, dear Caro. Hugs to Argentina!
Oh Birgit, you will be missed! Please try not to look at this hiatus as a failure, but the culmination of 5 successful years of writing…a lifetime in the blogging world! Thank you for your insight and your beautiful writing. And, thanks to the rest of the gang! It’s been an absolute pleasure. 🙂
Jaclyn, thanks so much, it was my pleasure too meeting you.
BTW, I’m so glad the homework situation you described in your last post seems to be an international phenomenon. 😉
Thank you for all you have done, and best wishes on your future endeavors! OT is a testament to the love and passion you have for life, and I’m sure you bring that into everything else you do now and what you will venture into in the future. 🙂
Thank you, Sun Mi, I will make sure to remember your kind words when I need them.
I’ll miss your posts. Good luck, Birgit!
Thank you, Joan. All the best!
I’m so sorry to hear this but I wanted to say thank you. For years now, I have read and enjoyed your reviews and they have been so helpful to me in acquiring my collection. I wasn’t a faithful follower so to speak, but you were always in my mind as a good, non biased, interesting but not overly poetic reference that I could use time and time again. You didn’t go overboard with notes and your preferences or professing an expertise that could be misleading to your readers, I think you got the balance absolutely right. Maybe out of this troll experience, some good came from them in as much as they caused you to consider the bend in the road and follow it, which you might not have otherwise done. So although we readers are sorry to see you go, maybe you will reincarnate again in the fragrance world or otherwise find a new joyful path. I wish you the best of luck going forward and I will continue to use the wealth of information that remains.
That is very nice to hear, thanks Abby. I’m glad OT was of help to you on your perfume journey.
Dear Birgit,
You will be missed… I love your blog, OT was my entry in perfumeland. So well written and filled with kindness… Thanks also to Tara and Portia. All the very best to you and your family.
And to you, Julee!
It is an honour for me that you found your way into Perfumeland through OT. Thanks for your comment.
The very best of wishes of wishes to you and your beautiful family, Birgit. We’ve been lucky to have five years of Olfactoria’s Travels- thank you for a lovely gift.
Oh, Ari, thank you, my dear. Have fun at your store Halloween Party tonight! Wish I was there!
Your blog was my entry into the online world of perfume. And what an amazing world you created for me (and my daughter). The story of The Husband using expensive perfume to get ink off the furniture is still a favorite memory. And after your series about your Hermes scarves, I am now the proud owner of one. Enjoy your lovely family.
Perfume and Hermès – I’ve done my job! 🙂
I almost forgot about the perfume as cleaning agent incident, thanks for reminding me, it was hilarious! 🙂
Thank you for reading dear Nancy!
I’ll jump in here with my mom because she already wrote what I wanted to say. It really was thanks to this blog that we both found this amazing community of perfume lovers and just all around wonderful people. I will not forget how warm and welcoming you were with all your comments and answering my questions. I would spend endless hours reading old posts and reviews just to know what you (and the other contributors) thought about a scent. I hope you and the family have many, many new adventures together! Be proud of all of this work, it will live on! -Rachel
That’s so kind, thank you, dear dubaiscents. I enjoyed our conversations.
All the best for you and your family!
Dear Birgit,
Wishing everything best to you and yours. I have had the most wonderful feelings on Olfactoria’s Travels and I love friendly, warm atmosphere here. Maybe I’m not the best participant, but even without my possible comments, I’ve been there all the time. As you know, I love the blog very much. I hope that the blog’s archives will remain. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions and I appreciate yours. My warmest wishes.
I know you were here, Damir, I so appreciate your sharing of my posts on Twitter and FB, thanks for that!
The archives will definitely remain online.
Birgit, I have so enjoyed *all* your posts, not only those related to fragrance, but also those related to family, travel, and lovely scarves! Your writing is amazing. It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet you in New York City last November, something I hope will be repeated frequently. I wish you and your family all the best as you take your next steps into the future. If this hiatus becomes permanent, you can still look back with immense pride on what you have accomplished.
Dear fleurdelys, I enjoyed meeting you too last year. Thanks for your kind comments and your readership. All the best!
Hello Birgit,
Thank you for writing and maintaining this wonderful blog for 5 years. I will miss reading, but completely understand the need to close this chapter. Best of luck to you!
Thank you, Missionista, all the best for you too!
I will miss both you and your blog. I have been a reader for about a year, and I always enjoyed reading whatever you posted be it about perfume, scarves, travels, whatever. I wish you much luck and happiness in life wherever your path takes you. Thank you for all you’ve contributed to mine.
All those wonderfully kind comments are amazing and will be treasured forever. Thank you, Kandice!
Dear Birgit, It seems like longer than five years, and not so long, that you started your blog. Thanks for sharing your experience with fragrances and your other interests with your always eloquent voice. It has been a pleasure to watch OT grow and blossom. And it has been a pleasure to get to know you and to gain your friendship. Love and best to you and your family. xo
Dear James, you are right, time is strange it feels like yesterday and forever at the same time. Thanks for your loyalty and unwaverig support. I truly appreciate it.
It has been my pleasure and privilege, Birgit. Love.
Dear Birgit, it is sad you are leaving this lovely blog, it was such a place of beauty in a sometimes (increasingly) ugly world. I have always enjoyed reading your beautifully written articles (which were ALWAYS interesting btw) and I must say, your English is probably better than many if not most, native speakers. It is sad you had to endure bullying (I suppose this is the risk you take, when you are ‘out there’) but nevertheless it is painful for you. I am also sorry you have developed asthma. I loved your posts about the scarves and Vienna’s hidden beauty. I am sure if you ever decide to come back online, there are several fascinating subjects you can write about as eloquently as Olfactorias Travels. In the meantime, enjoy your lovely family and be healthy and happy, Birgit. Much love to you from London (via Dublin) xxx
It is sad indeed, especially when reading such a comment as yours. Thank you very much.
I love that you comment favourably on my English, I might just copy your sentence and send it to my mom with an accompanying Ha! 😉
Dear Birgit, it has been such a pleasure to learn from you and all the people who post. Your blog has been a safe and beautiful place, and your lovely responses have been a balm to the souls of
many, myself included. I wish you healing from asthma and a long and healthy life with your lovely family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So do I, Anita. I always looked forward to reading your comments and “talking” to you.
All the best for you, stay healthy and enjoy your music for decades to come. xx
I suppose this was most definitely inevitable, but you will be, always, my Grace Kelly. xxxx
I gladly will. 🙂
Dear B
I’ve expected this for some time – and still, now I’m sad.
Thank you for the marvellous time we had here on the blog, for bringing together the lovely OT community, for the occassional samples. I hope you can find another “project”, which will make you work as passionately as you did with OT.
And you know where to find me – for support, advice, even for some constructive criticism, or merely to have a chat & a cup of gren tea.
Love,
m (LJG)
Don’t be sad, if anything, today shows how absolutely wonderful perfume people are – as if we needed more proof – but still, it is amazing how everyone turns up and says goodbye. The good thing is, the two of us don’t have to! 🙂
Sorry to see you go Birgit, I didn’t post much but always followed with great interest, all very good things wished for you for whatever comes next. Xx
Thank you aileen, I really appreciate your kind wishes.
Dear Birgit,
For as much as I will miss coming here, I mostly feel grateful for the time you’ve given, and for being able to read your interesting, welcoming thoughts. Thank you very much for your blog. All the best, and Tschau!
Sincerely,
David
Hello David, I’m glad you had a good time here on OT and thanks for reading!
I think it’s wonderful that you are doing what feels write. Seeing blogging as feeding the beast does not lead to great blogs. Crafting your life in order to connect with readers over a topic you’re not that into anymore feels awful. I’ve been there. Thank you for the time you’ve put into this endeavor.
So true, it is the passion for a topic that engages people, if it is gone, it’s time to leave it to others.
Thanks for reading!
Dearest B.,
As sad as I am to read that OT is coming to the end of this journey, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for your forum and the wonderful sense of community that you created. You blog was one of the first perfume blogs that I started reading, and it has always remained one of my favorites.
Although my bank account is much lighter now :-), thank you for your kindness, humor, grace, support, and above all, friendship! Here’s a toast to the continuation of your travels IRL!
Yours in pork belly 🙂 ,
Daisy
Daisy, my dear, you are very high up in the list of wonderful things the blog has brought to my life. I appreciate out friendship so much and can’t wait to see you again, bacon and all! xx
Dear Birgit
I am one of those who avidly read but don’t comment (much) – mainly because I am not the best at coming up with articulate, interesting and compact snippets – at least not quickly …. I ponder too long!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every single post and readers’ comments over the last three years, and probably a significant proportion of your earlier articles as well. Your blog has been consistently engaging & fun whilst oozing eloquence and style – characteristics I am sure you will bring to any project you turn your hand to. Very best wishes from Edinburgh, Caroline.x
I’m glad you decided to say hello (and goodbye!) today, Caroline. I appreciate your comment and your readership, thank you!
I understand, but will miss your graciousness.
“I surrendered my beliefs and found myself at the tree of life injecting my story into the veins of leaves, only to find that stories, like forests, are subject to seasons.” – Saul Williams
This quote is perfect, thank you so much for “giving” it to me.
All the best to you, dear Dionne up in cold Canada!
Oh, Birgit, I will really, really miss you! I am glad that I discovered your blog three years ago after falling down the rabbit hole and am thankful for the immense archive you created and the people I virtually met through your blog. The fragrance community is special!
I wish you all the best, Servus!
It is special! Vielen Dank, dear Anka, I was always happy to “see” you on OT.
I have loved reading your blog and regularly read your archive not just for perfume but all nice things in life. Your blog has been a firm favourite and will continue to be. I am about a year into my perfume hobby and your writing has helped that along the way. All the best 🙂
I’m really glad my archive is helpful and still being read. Thank you for your kind words and enjoy your fragrant journey, Hayley!
Dear Birgit, since the beginnings of my infatuation with perfume, your blog has been a staple in my browser bookmarks 🙂 Though I haven’t commented much over the years, I have been an avid reader of your musings and have always enjoyed them. Thanks for the time you and your fellow writers have spent smelling, sniffing, musing, commenting and writing about what all connects us here – perfume. It was a joy and I wish you the best 🙂 Liebe Grüße aus Bratislava
Your comment was a joy for me, thank you!
Best wishes to Bratislava!
machula,
Jin & I are coming to Bratislava in February 2016. Would you like to hang out?
portia (underscore) turbo (at) yahoo (.) com (.) au
That would b e very exciting for us.
Dear Birgit, this news came as a huge shock… I’ll truly miss OT, it has been such a lovely place to pop in, read and get inspired. Thank you for the great time we all had here, I haven’t been a most active commenter but I’ve read every single post on your blog. I wish you all the best and the new beginning in your life. Yukiko xxx
Dear Yuki, it means a lot to me when you say you read every single post. Thanks so much for that. I wish you all the best too!
Danke für all deine Kommentare. Habe viel gelernt. Gruesse.
Thank you for all your comments. Have learn a lot. Regards.
Sehr gerne, danke für’s Lesen!
Alles Liebe!
You are welcome, thank you for reading. All the best!
It’s sad news, but I’m also very happy for you. It’s like you said, everything comes to an end, even wonderful things! I’m happy that you are doing what feels right to you.
I want to thank you for your many years of beautiful writing and photos. And thank you for creating a safe space for perfume lovers. It’s not easy to keep producing quality content and it does take a lot of time. I want you to know that I’ve always appreciated your blog. Thank you so much for sharing five years with us!
Best of luck to you and your family! Let’s toast to new beginnings!
Dear Victoria,
you know what you are talking about! I admire your constant
quality output, there are not many who are able to do that.
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I read your every post, so I’ll see you over there! B x
You’ve done so much for all of us-thank you for years of beautiful work, and for responding to all the comments. Hope life treats you gently. I don’t have the right words to express my thoughts-just hoping you are well, in every sense! Take care, and love to you, and all your family, and to the people who read and comment here-
Carole
You certainly found the right words, Carole. Thank you very much!
Dear Birgit,
I’m sad for this journey’s end but happy that I got to meet you and the husband in 2014! As gorgeous as you are in pictures, you are radiantly beautiful in person. I always look forward to the OT notification emails in the morning on my commute in to work…all this means is that I get extra snooze time. Take care, be well, and hope to see you again.
hajusuuri – The Big Stink
More snooze time for me too! 😉
Thank you, haajusuuri, it was lovely meeting you in person and online. And you defintitely have the best fumie name of all time! 😉
Birgit – time doesn’t always allow me to spend it on OT but when I have done so, I have always been amply rewarded! I have very much enjoyed your elegant posts. I’m glad you are ending on a high note (for yourself) – you have taken us on a wonderful journey through Perfumeland and it has been a real pleasure.
(and I do hope your asthma abates!)
Wishing you all the best!
xoMusette (Perfume Posse)
Dear Musette, I am touched by your words, thanks so much. I’m happy I still get to enjoy your reviews over at the Posse. Hugs.
Birgit, you blog has been a bright spot of good writing and interesting opinions for the last several years. I was sorry when your health changed your relationship with perfume and too away some of the joy. I’m even more sorry to hear about the troll situation. Knowing that it’s part of online life and a risk you take by putting so much of yourself out there is no consolation (been there, done that, got the t-shirt and the anger). I hope you find your place in the community once again and I’m thankful for having had the chance to meet you.
–Gaia
Dearest Gaia,
it was you I followed over from the beauty side into the thick of Perfumeland and I will always be grateful for your expert guidance.
Meeting you was lovely, although I regret I was too shy and “starstruck” to make the most of it. Thank you for your words, I’ll treasure them always. B xx
I am shocked you were also the victim of a troll…it’s sad to see you go but I am gonna take the courage and say it , of all the bloggers, you were my greatest crush (i know your husband is gonna kill me 🙂 ) but he should also be understanding ..afterall, he did pursue you before winning you over 🙂
Ha, the Husband probably wouldn’t kill you, but he does have access to plenty of sharp intruments… 😉
Thank you very much for your lovely comment. All the best!
Many thanks for your blogs wishing you success in your next assignment and love to your family. You will be miss. Regards Ayo Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2015 07:01:22 +0000 To: ayotol@hotmail.com
Thank you, Ayotunde! I appreciate your comments and readership!
Thank you so much for the lovely and elegant space that you created with this blog.
Even though I seldom commented, I am saddened that this conversation is over. I loved reading your posts and the comments that followed. You have had a wonderful group of individuals who supported each other in many ways.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you for being a part of this lovely community, sunnlitt!
All the best!
Birgit, because of you I understood about my own love of perfume…I celebrate your decision, though, because life in it’s essence, is movement. Happy trails, Birgit, and thank you xx
Beautifully put, thank you!
dear birgit,you have shown me more colors through perfumeland than i ever thought possible.thank you,sara
It was my pleasure! Thank you for reading!
Dear Birgit, I am really sad to see you end your blog. But all endings are beginnings as well. You close one door and then another opens someplace else.
It was a joy reading your blog and sharing your perfume journey and I do hope we won’t lose all contact now that you will no longer be blogging.
I wish you and your boys all the best!
Hugs! xxxxx
We sure won’t, dear Ines! Maybe another Vienna City Marathon beckons? 🙂
Thanks for everything! xx
Dear Birgit, I will miss your blog but you must do what is best for you. I wish you all the best in your future life. You inspired me to buy Marie Kondo’s book and to organize my life. Vaya con Dios!
That’s great! It is an inspiring book.
Thank you for all your comments, rickyrebarco.
Dear Birgit, it was your writing that opened up this wonderful world of perfume for me. Reading your blog has been such a pleasure and I have found some of my most beloved scents based on your reviews (Amouage Epic continues to be my most worn scent). Calling time on your blog negates none of this and thank you truly for creating such a cosy, welcoming, interesting and scented space xx
Dear Alex,
thanks for stopping by and for your lovely words. All the best for you! xx
Dear Birgit, It is with a tear that I read this but then also Joy for you. Closing a chapter in our book of life is not easy and always done with much soul searching. I have been absent much over the past year from the virtual world and it is “freeing.” I wish you nothing but the best in the next chapter of “Your Book of Life.”
It is freeing! We are so dependent on the internet, it is frightening.
Thank you for your readership, I really appreciate it.
Why would anyone do such a terrible thing to you? Your blog is lovely, I’ve so enjoyed reading it. Unfortunately there are some awful people out there, who write vile, vicious things about people they don’t know, or have never met. I’m not sure exactly what they get from it, how can being unkind about others ever give any them any satisfaction? It looks like you are taking the positives from your blogging though, and thats brilliant. We should all try and look for the positives in our experiences and relationships, and not allow ourselves to be defined by the bad stuff.
Good luck with everything! Love, Jane x
Thank you, Jane! All the best for you too!
Dear Birgit,
I followed OT for a couple years, commenting from time to time. In the last year or so, my perfume interests have waned, and I have become very busy with many other things. But I happened to stumble upon this post this morning, fortuitously, and wanted to stop and write to you.
I absolutely love your reviews, and have always checked OT first when looking to read about a new obsession. I think we have a lot in common with regard to taste! Your descriptions are so well thought out, often humorous, and full of poetic prose. Your strength of character, class and kindheartedness shine through your writing and commenting, and it breaks my heart to hear you’ve been trolled.
Thank you for giving all of us a glimpse into your world, your thoughts, the pictures of your surroundings, your wonderful scarves, and most of all, your gorgeous family. I’m sorry to see you go, but completely understand. Indeed, absolutely everything comes to an end.
Warmest wishes to you, Birgit. And thank you for creating Olfactoria’s Travels and inspiring the perfume community. You will be missed – very much.
Nina xx
Dear Nina,
I’m happy you stopped by today to say goodbye. I truly appreciate your words about my reviews, they mean a lot. thank you!
All the best!
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? OT was one of the first perfume blogs I read religiously and although I have removed myself from the online community I will always look upon OT and you as a bright spot during my brief online participation….
All the best to you and your family!
Brie! Lovely to see you!
Thanks so much and all the best for you!
As it is abundantly clear from all the messages above, you will be dearly missed. And as the curtain falls on this wonderful adventure of yours on which you gracefully and generously took us all along, I would like to thank you for sharing so much with us (not only on perfumes, but on your life, family and other things you care about). I will always be grateful to you and Antje for making me the incredibly lucky winner/owner of her fabulous sample collection two years ago – it is an ongoing discovery journey. I have enjoyed each and every one of the OT posts and the warm glow this blog alsways seems to have. And last, but not least, I want to thank you for your Hermès scarf posts, a topic on which I daresay I was and still am your biggest fan.
I deeply hope that your asthma gets better, that the despicable troll’s memory swiftly sinks into oblivion and that you discover new exciting avenues to explore (and hopefully decide to share them with us again). In any case, I have no doubt that you will succeed in whatever you decide to do and will do so with grace, intelligence and elegance.
Good-bye for now,
Iuliana
Dear Iuliana,
it is wonderful to read your words. It makes me happy that you are still enjoyig the Antje good bag and I’m glad the Hermès posts jave found their aufience too. xx
Birgit, thank you. Olfactoria’s Travels has been a home, a place of friendship, laughter and warmth, as well as an amazing perfume information resource. Not only do I come here for regular new reviews, I also find that when I’m looking up fragrances, Google gives me two top searches – the first often being Fragrantica for notes & details, the one right underneath being OT for a more personal experience & review.
I also learnt so much more about Hermès – your scarves are amazing! And everything about them, I’ve recently gone back to your posts on MaiTai inserts in an effort to try and organise my own handbag… And Mansur Gavriel bags are on my wish list. 😉
Thank you for everything. I do hope to ‘see’ you around.
Lots of love,
Tina G xx
Dear Tina G, it sounds like we have many tastes in common! 🙂
Thank you very much for reading and commenting, I truly appreciate it. All the best to Australia!
Dear Birgit: It is with both a heavy heart and with joy that I read your last post. Joy because your journey will now take a different path and you have left all of us in Perfume World so much the richer for your elegant and informative posts. Au Revoir..Until we meet again… over Amber perfume!
Dear Michelyn, I’m honoured that you stopped by. Thanks for your kind words! See you over amber! 😉
Dear Birgit, thank you for these five years that I’ve been able to follow your beautiful blog! Like many others yours were one of the first places I found when my perfume interest started. And you are singlehandedly responsible for my addiction to Hermes scarfes!
Wishing you and your family all the best,
Eva from Sweden
Dear Eva,
I’m sorry about the Hermès addiction. It is infectious and I should have warned you. 😉
Thank you for all your comments and for reading. I wish you well!
I will miss your inspiration dearly. This blog meant a lot to me helping me discover ambers I wouldn’t have known without you. Though I have only commented a few times here and on your Facebook page I have followed you guys everywhere I could on the on the web and through social media. Sad day for me but I won’t be selfish. I wish you well.
So kind of you, Shawn. Thank you! All the best!
I am sorry to see this end, it has been a lovely, welcoming place to come to. I have loved everyone’s writing but especially yours dear Birgit. I have found some really lovely perfumes to wear from reading your reviews and one “go-to” comfort scent in Hermes L’Ambre des Merveilles. Lately my obsession with perfume has waned but the entries I will miss most are the ones about your Hermes scarf collection. I’m still hoping to find the one perfect one to spend my saved up pennies on. I will also miss the humorous entries by and about The Husband. He sounds like an amazing guy.
Still hoping to visit your beautiful city of Vienna some day. My Dear Husband promised a trip for our 25th anniversary and I’m still waiting. Maybe for our 26th…
Wishing you joy and happiness in your next endeavor. All the best to you and your beautiful family.
Dear Tatiana,
I hope your travels take you to Vienna some day, I’d love to meet you.
Thank you so much for your loyal reading and commenting. All the best for you and yours.
Dear BIrgit: I wish you all the best! Your kindness and generosity touched me deeply. There are perfumes that you sent me and I always think of you when I wear them. Thank you so very much ! xox
I’m happy you still wear them. Hugs.
This has been such a welcoming blog, I am sad to see you leave it. I tried to check and found I have been reading OT for over 3 years, it is one of the few blogs I have cared to subscribe to. I wish you all the best and I am sure your talent for writing can be put to good use in many other ways than through a perfume blog. Good luck!
I have also very much enjoyed the reviews by Tara and Portia, so I am hoping Tara will find a new platform for her writing.
Thank you, dear Ingeborg.
Tara also expressed the wish to stop for the moment, so she is not a “homeless” writer. I’m sure if she wants to she’ll find a way.
Thank you for three years of readership, I really appreciate it.
Dear Birgit,
Even though, as others, I felt it was coming, I’m sad it became a reality. Your blog is one of a very few, for which I can say I read most of the posts (though sometimes days later). Your blog and you had the biggest influence on me: I tried learning from you and following your lead. I don’t think I succeeded but I got a lot from you.
You touched so many lives in a positive way, that I believe that good energy should be coming back to you many years from now. I wish you, The Husband and your boys health and happiness. If you ever travel to California, my vSO, Rusty and I will be honored to see you at our place (or take you around – though I cannot promise Rusty’s participation in that case).
Thank you for everything.
Seeing you and vSo again and meeting the inimitable Rusty for the first time are high on my priority list.
Your words mean a lot to me, dearest Undina, as I know you don’t give praise insincerely. Thank you for your excellent graphs you did for OT and for tirelessly reading and commenting. Big hug. xx
Dear Birgit, I am sorry to see that you will put OT on an indefinite hold, although, like many, I saw it coming.
I would like to thank you for all your writing and bonding over perfume (you are right, it is all about connecting). Your blog was one of the first that I discovered after falling down the rabbithole back in 2011. There were not as many readers / commenters as there are now and I saw your blog growing without commenting often myself. It feels a bit like letting go of a child for me and I mean this in the best possible way.
I wish you all the best for your next journey, take care and enjoy it! Love and hug from Innsbruck to Vienna,
Marie
What a fitting comparison, I feel like that too.
Thank you for reading, Marie. All the best!
I realise I’m late getting here, but I just wanted to add my voice to all the good wishes. Birgit, you and your team brought a genuine passion for perfume to the blogosphere, and that’s an increasingly rare quality.
Thanks for all your hard work.
All the very, very best for the future!
Thank you for stopping by, Persolaise, I truly appreciate it. All the best for you!
I wish you all blessings.
Thank you very much!
You will be missed, dear Birgit! I feel so privileged to have gotten to “know” you over the past several years and feel fortunate to have the backlog of your work to reference.
Best of luck in the future to you and your lovely family. xx
Thank you, dear Farouche. I feel the same! B x
I am sad, but not surprised this day has come. I have read every post on your blog and often referred back to them, and will continue to do so for as long as you are able, or wish to, maintain your archives. Your posts have always had a calm elegance, a quiet passion, and a true appreciation of beauty, not just of perfume (and a great command of English!). And there has been much amusement as times, too. Though I have rarely commented I appreciated the thoughtful community you built.
Thank you for all that you have offered. And I wish nothing but the best for you, your husband and your boys.
I really appreciate your comment and your loyalty over the years, Lindaloo, thank you so much. All the best!
Thank you, Birgit, sharing your love for perfume and time all these years. xxx Esperanza
Thank you for reading, Esperanza.
It’s been lovely. Thank you.
Thank you, Judith!
It’s been lovely. Thank you for all your contributions to the perfume blogosphere and community.
Thanks again! 🙂
🙂 Dear B.,
I’m sorry to hear that you’re going on hiatus – I hope not forever, but whatever it will be, it’s your choice, your decision. It has to feel right for your.
Maybe you will surprise us with a a new fragrance or an Hermès scarf – who knows?
All the very best for you and yours and perhaps our paths will cross again.
Big hug xo 🙂
Who knows indeed? Thank you for reading!
And meanwhile I know where I get my Hermès fix – at Happyface 313! 🙂
😀 Thank you! 😀
Lovely B,
Hate goodbyes, so let’s just say, till the next time!
If something has run its course then you certainly have to have the courage to let it go – how on earth would new things come into our lives otherwise? In the words of the great Bob Marley ‘Don’t you know when one door closes, another one opens’.
I hope you’ve stopped to congratulate yourself on everything you achieved in the last five years.
You are my style and beauty guru as well as being a culture vulture.
Give my best to the excellent husband. Perhaps we’ll see you in January for Portia’s big night?!
Big hugs, Lila xx
Dearest Lila,
you have always been such a strong supporter of OT, thank you for that. My amber evening in London will always be a highlight of my life, all thanks to you!
We’ll surely see each other again, I’m definitely coming to Portia’s talk in January. How could I miss that?! Thanks for everything, hugs, B.
I don’t know you…except through your efforts and those of your readers on Olfactory Travels. Yet…the value I place upon these contributions has built a strange digital friendship that I call treasured. Your honesty in your last post overwhelms. Thank you. eflaherty at mac dot com
So kind of you to say that, thanks so much. All the best for you! B
As usual, I fail at proof reading. Olfactoria instead of Olfactory. 😉
I read your farewell and, for some reason, thought comments weren’t enabled; I wasn’t thinking or seeing too clearly.
Good luck to you and yours, and I wish you happiness.
cheerio;-)
I would have missed out on a lot had I disabled the comments. 😉
Thank you for your readership, dear Anna. Cheerio! (Always wanted to say that! 🙂 )
Sorry to hear you’re retiring, but I can only imagine how much work goes into maintaining a blog! Your blog quickly became a favorite after I fell down the rabbit hole a year ago. I particularly enjoyed reading the Monday question, such a great start to the week! Anyway thank you and I’ll definitely will keep coming back to the archives!
Thank you, Mariann, I’m glad you enjoyed reading OT. All the best!
I will miss olfactorias travels and wish you all the best, always appreciated your writing, knowledge and taste!
Thanks a lot, Cybele! I appreciate it.
I tried to comment yesterday but it looks like the comment didn’t go thorough. I’ve been reading all the comments and can only add, like many others, your blog quickly became a firm favorite and the Monday question series in particular was a great way to start the week! Anyway thank you so much for everything, all the best!
It got stuck in the moderation queue, sorry. 🙂
Thanks again, it’s good to hear such kind words.
Thank-you for all your hard toil these past years. I will continue to consult your website for a long time to come. Rob
That is lovely to hear, thank you Rob.
Dear Birgit,
So sorry that you are calling it quits for the selfish reason that I really enjoyed your blog. Realize that I am late coming to this forum, but I do hope you will have as much fun with your post blogging life as much as we all have reading about your perfume adventures. You will be very much missed.
Dear blacknall,
thanks so much for your kind words, I appreciate them.
Warm wishes to you and see you on your blog.
Thank you, dear Ladies, for a great experience of reading superior perfume reviews. I learned so much, and loved reading the comments also. i do hope you keep the archives online so we can read, reminisce and savor all that transpired over the years. Wishing much success in whatever new endeavors are on the horizon for you–bon chance et au revoir.
.
Thank you for reading, Nirvana Stone, the archives will definitely remain in place. Au revoir!
Dearest Birgit,
Thank you so much for inspiring me and the rest of your followers. I shall miss you and your amazing posts but alas c’est la vie!
All the very best to you and your loved ones and may our paths cross again someday.
Much love,
Nx
Dear Nana,
thank you for your readership. I also enjoyed our communication off the blog. All the best for you!
Oh no! I’ve only just discovered your wonderful blog and it is typical of me to arrive just as the party has ended. I can still feel the warmth of the guests and can still smell the scent of their departure.
I am grateful though to have so many reviews to read and enjoy.
With very best wishes for the future, Cain. X
Thank you, Cain! I’m glad you found us, even now. Enjoy going through the archives and smelling your way through Perfumeland. Best, B
Dearest Birgit, your lovely voice will be missed. I’ve always been so grateful for your openness and vulnerability here, in addition to your wonderful reviews.
And my goodness! Look at all the comments! It’s truly heartwarming to see, and to know that you brought so many of us here together to say farewell. All the best to you and yours.
Dear Holly, it is indeed incredible how many spoke up to say goodbye. Thank you for your kind words and for your readership, all the best to you!
Dear B, your blog was the first perfume blog I liked and really enjoyed reading it. Your delicate and intelligent view on the perfumes and Hermes scarves helped me develop my own hobbies (sometimes obsessions, I dare to say) and go deep into them. Thank you for your kind and prompt help for sending me pictures of your Hermes scarf Tous Les Bateaux du Monde.
Hope to meet you in Vienna some time!
All the best and thank you again!
Hugs
Hello dear Preska,
it was a pleasure to find a kindred spirit in you to share the Hermès love. 🙂
Thank you for reading and I hope to meet for a chat some day.
Best, B
Thank you so much for sharing these past few years! I have loved visiting the blog and also appreciated your thoughtful replies to comments. It always made me feel welcome. Best of luck with all your future endeavors 🙂
Thank you dear Nemo, your kind words are much appreciated. All the best to you too!
Please come back!!! We miss you!!!
❤️