Midweek public holidays are lovely things especially when one stumbles upon new discoveries in old stomping grounds.
Like the fact that the Ngee Ann City Takashimaya Godiva counter I've passed by a gazillion times sells amazing dark chocolate soft serve ice-cream cones. Which I had to have of course. Along with six pieces of pralines.
Since I was obviously on the way to ingesting my month's calories in an afternoon, my sister (partner in crime, I should learn to leave my purse at home when in town with her) and I headed to Ladurée for macarons of course, I love their raspberry and violette flavours especially. The second happy discovery was made here when I learn that they stock amande dragées and in such pretty little jewellery boxes too!
Second discovery purchased, we made our way upstairs, I had to top up on both MOR's Marshmallow and Honey body creams ( I find the Marshmallow too sweet as a perfume but the body cream is like marshmallow fluff. The Honey body cream is so luxurious and smells exactly like white honey, every girly girl needs to try this house for body products).
Stepping off the escalator on the fourth floor though, what did I see?? A counter with BOTH Etat Libre d'Orange and Laboratorio Olfattivo scents! Both the entire ranges too! Ok I noticed that they had the entire range for Laboratorio Olfattivo and the quick glance I gave the Etat Libre d'Orange section looked like most of the line was there too. I had earmarked some of the Laboratorio Olfattivo scents to buy samples of, unnecessary now since they are being sold on level 4 of Takashimaya near the escalators and the MOR counter.
Alkemi: It starts off quite loud but becomes softer with time and I prefer it in the dry down than the opening which I found a little stinging on the senses. It's a warm Oriental loaded with sweet myrrh, amber and incense being the dominant notes on me with a woody base.
Alambar: Staying true to its name, Alambar focuses on the amber note with other notes playing supporting roles. It's a dusty, dry and mildly sweet amber, simple but well-executed.
Daimiris: Saffron and cardamom were the dominant opening notes. Daimiris has a herbal sweetness, is spicy and slight boozy, slowly softening and becomes more musky as it dries. I couldn't make out the "daim" candy note to my disappointment, but will definitely go back for a second try.
Kashnoir: This started out spicy and sharp, dry and pungent- I'm not sure if they used coriander seeds or the leaves or both as I smell the sharp herbal smell of cilantro/coriander leaves but at the same time I smell citrus like the yellow-white seeds. I love, love, love! the dry down. It's a heady woody patchouli and powdery sweet vanilla with a tinge of citrus.
Rosamunda: This stayed linear on me. It's a sheer feminine sweet rose and patchouli but the patchouli is muted here and the sweet, greenish rose is more prominent. Slightly dusty in the dry down...saffron?
Patchouliful: A balmy and sweet scent featuring the earthy aspect of patchouli. It opened slightly spicy and medicinal but the dry down is sweet, warm labdanum and woody patchouli.
I didn't sample the rest of the line but these six are all exquisitely constructed and beautiful scents. I enjoyed Alambar, Alkemi, Daimiris and Kashnoir the most. I found Kashnoir to be the most distinctive, the strong coriander note will probably be a divisive factor for those who sample Kashnoir. Rosamunda is a passionate rose but I remain unmoved as it is similar to other roses/patchouli/oud combinations. Patchouliful is not dark enough for my taste but I prefer it to Coromandel, I find both in the same vein of sweet, creamy patchouli but the labdanum in Patchouliful makes it more passionate than Coromandel which I've always felt was too muted a patchouli.
The Laboratorio Olfattivo scents are sold in 100ml minimalistic glass bottles at 180 SGD each.
P.S: My last discovery for the day was that Ferragamo are now offering custom made versions of their Vara and Varina shoes. I was told by the sales assistant at their Takashimaya store that a custom order will take about 8-12 weeks to finish, each order being made in Italy. You get to play around with their Ipad app to configure your shoe from the heel colour to the bow colour and even get to stamp your initials on the base of the shoe.
Custom made Ferragamo shoes
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