A fruitful 40th b-day indeed frag fam. New additions with more en route. My Prada lineup is growing nicely. The classic og Luna Rossa will sit nicely next to my carbon & black flankers and it smells great. A light fresh slightly crisp fougere vibe for sure 👌🏼. The paradigm also smells great. Something of a sweet woody floral with an aromatic balsamic edge 👌🏼. I feel like as the bottle ages a bit it’ll get better too so that’s a bonus. The Y EDP is such an excellent scent and crowd fav however I already have a bottle so this one may stay wrapped and go onto the “trade” shelf. anyone interested😏? So I also received a nice gift card too and placed an order for these four frags. Although gimmicky (which I’m a sucker for) these two frags smell very good when I sampled them a while ago and am excited to get some heavy applications in. The two insurrections are wildcards that my eye has been on for a while. Something about the bottles is very alluring to me plus the accord breakdowns are are excellent and seem right up my alley. Full wears to unfold in time.

Introduce yourself and level-up, it's that simple! You'll get at least 5 likes (oftentimes more!) which will move you to level 2 and on your way to level 3 (these levels give you access to prizes!). What to say in your intro? Share where you're from, your reason for joining, your profession, perhaps your favorite fragrance or a picture of your entire collection! Whether you're a seasoned cologne collector or just starting, have fun engaging with the group.

While in the end, the damage wasn’t as bad as predicted in my shoulder, it was in between for lack of better word. My surgeon said that it’s almost would have been better. Had you torn everything but right now there is a collagen patch that has been placed in my shoulder to heal the gap that is in there with the muscle tear and rotator cuff tear and ligaments, and he also feels that that will help to speed up the recovery process. As of now, I start PT next week and I’ll be in a sling for six weeks. Wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I appreciate you guys.

5 Mins past mindnight, but still should be shared - I have not grabbed my Good Mood Fragrance in a while.

After reading @Jonathan Ventura Post about labeling. Everything is about Labels, even in the designer world, where an independent person making clothes and accessories can never compete with the bigger upscale designer houses. Just like in perfumery, where Niche / Artisan is top of the line as far as quality and artistry. In the fashion world, Designers are the Niche and the independents are the designers. So the role reverses. If you look at the designer fragrances, they are mass-produced and most often Generic and safe. If you look at independent clothing brands that sell accesories and clothing and shoes at Walmart and Kmart and go to a store that sells LV or Dior look at the diffrence. Look at the red carpet at a Hollywood event, you cannot even count the Dior, Ysl and Hugo Boss, Chanel Dresses and gowns strolling down the Aisle. Look hat Ralph Lauren how many elite wear this brand. So everything has a label, but they all live in their own worlds. so why do people buy designer frags? People buy designer fragrances, even if they seem "nothing special," for brand prestige, accessibility, trend alignment, and the comfort of familiar, crowd-pleasing scents; they offer an affordable entry into luxury, convey personal style/status, boost confidence/mood, and feature quality ingredients and beautiful packaging, making them ideal for everyday wear or gifts. Key Reasons for Purchase: - Brand & Status: Wearing scents from famous fashion houses (like Dior, Chanel) associates the wearer with that brand's luxury image, offering a sense of status and belonging. - Accessibility & Familiarity: They're easier to find (ubiquitous) and often smell pleasant and familiar to many, making them safe choices for daily wear or gifting. - Mood & Identity: Fragrance boosts mood, reduces stress, and helps create a personal brand or statement, making the wearer feel more confident and attractive. - Quality & Longevity: Many use quality, sometimes natural, ingredients and fixatives for a longer-lasting scent, justifying the cost beyond just the name. - Marketing & Nostalgia: Heavy marketing and association with celebrities create desire, while familiar notes can evoke positive memories, making them feel special. - The "It" Factor: Sometimes, a fragrance becomes popular because it's the scent of the moment, aligning with current trends or creating a sense of shared experience.