i'm curious about the fragrances, but when i read the descriptions they don't sound like what i like. what i really have always liked are the older perfumes, like my grandmother used to wear. old perfumes i have always worn and used up several bottles: lanvin's "arpege", YSL's "rive gauche", and chanel "19". lately i have been wearing "rive gauche" a lot. what i also love is pure violet. i had a bottle of violet perfume i got in italy which ran out, and it was one i really loved, and i have never found a match in the U.S. i also like cinnamon bark, but i don't gravitate towards spicy perfumes, usually. i think most of the scents i love are described as "woodsy". i definitely do not like lots of citrus or highly sweet- perfumes that i might describe as "bright" do not fit me. so of all kristen's fragrances, which is the closest to what i like? thanks!

I think Isobel is definitely the closest match to what you like, followed by Adelaide. It'd be worth getting a sample of Giselle too. Hth.

Maybe get the sample kit? That's what I did and I'm glad I did.

Pretty much all of them smelled good on me. I was so surprised with how natural fragrances smell. Downside is the scent dissipates quick. However, I believe the smell is more complex and I can smell more of the notes and they aren't strong like I thought. I love to sniff it alot. I was surprised I liked Kristen as much as I did. I didn't think I'd like a peppery scent but it actually smelled good!

Isobel is nice as well which smells of florals and has cinammon in it too although you prob would not like Dulcinea or Madeleine which are sweeter scents (although I love thoses!).

I bought the sample kit too but I haven't opened it yet !! Scents are often hard to describe, and how they smell can vary from person to person. Now that my cold is about gone (except for this lingering cough!) I can start on them.

do you remember what the violet perfume from italy was called? was it borsari violettina?

I'll second Green3 - try Isobel and Adelaide. I think you'll really like Isobel.

thanks, everyone! i hope i really do get an AL gift cert for xmas, so i can get all the stuff i want, including fragrance now!

no, i don't remember what the italian violet stuff was called. i think it was not expensive at all, but it was not fake-smelling. i'll have to check out that one you are talking about, nadja.

would you remember from a picture of the bottle?

oh, hey, nadja!- i just saw this post today! thx for the pic! that's not it, but you've got me curious, now. i have a thing for italian violets. i like wine that is grown where the violets grow, too, because it has a lovely bouquet. they have some violet candy i like, also. anyway... thanks!