I'm so done with winter. Now the weather people are saying a blizzard for Sunday night into Monday. 12-18 inches of snow with 55+ mph winds. I'm going to try to not think about that and wear something tropical today.

I have posted something similar before with an ask to the group about houses that they think don't get enough hype or punch above their weight class in terms of what you get for how much love they get in the internet's influencer spheres. I think the last time I was talking about Guerlain and it seems they definitely get their respect. They deserve at least in this community as there are more than a few of us that speak highly of their product line whenever we can. I've also cheerleaded for Ferragamo, especially their leather line as another house that definitely puts out solid fragrances without a lot of fanfare at least that I notice online. Today in my infrequent and poorly defined ongoing series, I wanted to bring some attention to John Varvatos. I'm sure most of the experienced fragheads here know about them, however when you can find their stuff at discounters, it is often for prices that are comparable to clone houses and yet I've never smelt a Varvatos fragrance that wasn't unique and definitely its own thing. As an example, today I wore the newish Varvatos XX Elixer likely one that's not on. Too many people's radar as a strong date night or leather fragrance, and I think that's a shame. It's a very solid fragrance that opens with a lovely Ginger opening that reminds me of the best parts of La nuit Blue electric by YSL or even the one vibes. Cardamom is not listed but I thought I got some in the open. That could be the ginger and devonna though. Or even the rum from the mid poking through. It's not a leather leather. It's a nice solid evening date night fragrance. One of the knocks that I've often heard about this house and experienced as well is performance and because it's an Elixir concentration, this one definitely as quickly as some of the others in the line. Ifyou can find this one at dispatchers I definitely think it might be worth considering, and likely you can sample it at almost any department store. Others that are definitely great options are Artisan Pure and Vintage both are fragrances that smell like themselves.

technically this isn’t a full on mail call because i acquired these scents over a some time lol, but nonetheless, i’m excited to share these with you! these are all of the designers i’ve acquired within around two months after carefully sampling and experimenting. the one i’m really excited to share is a bottle of ralph’s club new york, mainly because i got a complimentary engraving on it. the one i picked was “invictus maneo”, which is latin for “i remain unvanquished.” it’s a personal, deeply special phrase to me, mainly because well… these last few years have been some of the worst and hardest of my life. and yet, here i am, unvanquished. this bottle is both a trophy, a reminder of how far i’ve come, and a reminder to keep going, because, i remain unvanquished! the other ones i’ve picked up on, replica jazz club, which i mean ive been just using travel sizes for the longest time lol, finally bit the bullet. definitely one of my favorite boozy scents. to add to the list, tom ford’s oud wood, a smooth, spicy take on oud that performs… surprisingly well on my skin lol. i was such a hater until i used it more, and now im crazy enough to buy a full bottle. and of course, the most recent pickup, neroli portofino ALSO from tom ford. this is legit one of my favorite summer scents… ever. fresh, clean, soapy, floral citrus, with a slight sunscreeny tang, this scent is somehow very nostalgic for me lol as an ocean lover and it gets compliments too, not to mention one of my favorite bottle designs in existence. a gorgeous shade of emerald and gold. only con is a super subpar performance to some, but i think it’s excellent in high heat, as it’s noticeable but won’t choke a room out. it’s more of a compliment to your natural skin musk, rather than an extension. as a guy born to surf the waves of southern california beaches, stuck in a stupid fucking desert (yeah ugly dusty filthy valley, i’m talking to you), this is like bringing a little bottle of my personal oceanic heritage with me lol.

I’ll be purchasing my first two fragrances from The House Of Creed looking for the best bang for my buck, any suggestions as to what fragrances and where to purchase?

This is a recent acquisition for me. Launched in 1992, it’s a timeless woody aromatic cologne with an old school masculine vibe. It opens with bergamot, lemon, lavender, and green notes for a crisp slightly herbal lift. The heart brings in spicy warmth from cinnamon and tarragon, blended with subtle florals, before settling into a refined base of oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar, and patchouli. The overall feel is smooth, balanced, and gentlemanly. It’s fresh and green upfront, then evolving into something warmer and more substantial. It's very masculine with a nostalgic charm. Performance is solid for an EDT, as I’m getting 4-5 hours. It has moderate projection and good longevity on skin. The bottle presentation enhances the classic appeal. It’s a heavy cut glass design that reminds me of a vintage flask or whisky decanter. At its current price point, it's a steal for anyone who appreciates 90s powerhouse fragrances or wants a versatile, compliment getting signature scent for day or office wear. Highly recommended if you like classics like vintage Polo or similar refined aromatics.