Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
May 2017 bring you everything you wish for, or at the very least, an improvement on 2016. Last year was a tough one for many so it’s quite likely you’re glad to see the back of it. I hope you had fun celebrating last night in whatever way you chose.
While global events troubled me deeply, on a personal level 2016 was resoundingly positive. I managed to go from Couch to 5K and not only raised over £300 for charity but finally felt motivated enough to change my diet for the better. I also ticked three destinations off my bucket list: Venice, Barcelona and Edinburgh and even began embracing red lipstick.
Starting A Bottled Rose on the 1st January made me start the year as I meant to go on. Like many bloggers, I’ve felt the pressure to post regularly but it’s been great. The blog has made me feel more connected to this brilliant community and there’s been so much great stuff to write about. Indie scents like Vanilla Smoke and Amber Tapestry by Aftelier Perfumes, Vanilla Hinoki by aroma M and a selection from April Aromatics have been particularly inspiring. It’s also been fun to continue reporting on the events run by Perfume Lovers London, which were kicked off magnificently this year by Portia’s extravaganza in January. It brought together many of dearest friends from near and far.
Other highlights were a visit to Papillon Perfumes HQ, finally meeting my pal Tina G of Australian Perfume Junkies and the exquisite Scented Supper in honour of Mandy Aftel’s visit to London.
Now for the giveaway! To celebrate my first blog anniversary and to thank you for reading, I’d like to send one of you lovely, intelligent, no doubt extremely attractive individuals, a a little of two of the most precious perfumes in my collection. The winner will receive a 4ml decant of Guerlain’s wondrous, rare and discontinued floral aldehyde perfume, Vega and 2ml of my beloved vintage oriental chypre Vol de Nuit parfum (also by Guerlain).
As you might be aware, stringent rules and regulations now mean it is extremely difficult to post perfume outside, or even inside, the UK. However, I’m willing to take a chance if you are, so while I won’t be able to guarantee your prize will reach you, I’ll try my best.
The draw is open to everyone from anywhere in the world until midnight on 9th January 2017. To enter, please tell me in the comments below which perfume/s you’ve enjoyed wearing the most in 2016, whether old or new. The winner will be chosen via Random.org on the 10th January and announced here.
Best of luck!
A Bottled Rose 
Tara to Tara, wishing you a wonderful 2017! Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary!
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Thanks very much, Tara C! It’s lovely to have you along for the ride. I hope 2017 is a great year for you.
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Have a lovely new year! MY favorite one has been Lancomes Hypnose 🙂
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Happy New Year, JennaO! I hope 2017 is kind to you. You’re in the draw 🙂
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Amazing accomplishment. I have often though of starting a blog, but APJ deadline twice a month shows me I couldn’t possibly!! Absolute admiration for you. DNEM. Vega was my Christmas Day Scent. A million bussis. CQ ❤
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It’s a lot less stressful writing for someone else, CQ but I’m glad I went for it with your support.
What a fabulous SofCD!
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Happy New Year, Tara!
Wow you’ve achieved a few amazing accomplishments in 12 months. Really big congratulations on the first anniversary of A Bottled Rose. I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles, whether they be makeup, event, perfume or travel. Fab stuff & always fun & informative. Thank you.
DNEM but sometime in our future I would love to try Vega. Let’s put it on the to sniff list! 🙂 xxx
Best wishes for a wonderful start to 2017! Lots of love.
Tina G xx
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Happy New Year, Tina! I hope 2017 is as exciting and adventurous for you as 2016 was.
I’ve found in the past that I tend to overlook the positive achievements of the year if so now I consciously keep track of all the good stuff.
I’ll make sure you get to try Vega at some point!
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Hey Tara,
I wish you a Happy New Year, lots of energy, lovely gatherings with other fragrance lovers and exciting travels around the world (you should visit me in Berlin!). And congratulations on your blog anniversary!
For the first time I celebrated completely without any New Years resolution which feels very good. But now you inspired me to at least buy some red lipstick tomorrow…sounds fun!
Thank you very much for the draw, it’s difficult to ship to Germany but since I would love to try Vol de Nuit parfum, I’d take the risk.
Fragrances that I enjoyed the most in 2016 were Taklamakan, Misia and Angélque Noire. And I discovered many of the Slumberhouse ones and would love to buy Sova but it’s already discontinued.
Best wishes
Anka
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Happy New Year to you, Anka!
I think rather than worrying about resolutions, it’s good to take stock of the progress you made in the past year and think how you want the forthcoming year to be defined more generally. Maybe you want to meet more people, try a new hobby or travel more. Whatever you focus on, starting out with a red lip is brilliant way to set the tone 🙂
I’m pleased you’re entering the draw and love your faves. Angelique Noire is an under-rated star.
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Miss Dior 😃
Happy anniversary Tara! You have done so well with this blog, what a wonderful writing style you have. AMAZING. To many more posts!
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That’s so encouraging to hear, bluefrogi. Many thanks. I hope 2017 brings everything you’re hoping for.
You’re in the draw!
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Omg! I would love to try those!! I really envy your chance to meet Mandy Aftel ,and I congratulate you for this blog , I like a lot the one of Vanilla Hinoki ( as is my Facebook name Haru Hinoki 😉 ) Thank you and have a deeply lived year.
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I forgot my favorite smell !!. 😮 it was Vintage Dune Dior.
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No worries, you’re in 😉
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“A deeply lived year” is a wonderful wish, Paula. Thank-you. I will try to make good on that.
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Hapoy New Year! Congratulations Tara on your one year anniversary! That is an amazing accomplishment. I wore many favorites in 2016 – but loved wearing Guerlain SDV and back in the autumn I wore L’Artisan Traversee du Bosphore until I emptied my bottle. I would love to try Vega again since I missed my chance. Thank you for the wonderfully generous draw. Sandra xoxo
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Happy New Year, Sandra! Wishing you much happiness in your new home in 2017. I hope you all settle well and enjoy exploring your new city.
Thanks for continuing to take the time to follow the blog. I’m pleased you’ve entered the draw!
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Happy New Year Tara, and congratulations on all your accomplishments. Keep on with old and new motivations. I shall try to keep off cigarettes and keep going to the gym! My most worn perfumes this year were La Fille de Berlin and Moonlight Patchouli, VC&A (courtesy of the lovely Tina G). Hope all our dreams come true in 2017. x
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Happy New Year, pats133!
Those are two excellent goals and the fact you are continuing with those habits rather than starting from scratch will make it a lot easier. Congratulations on both.
I adore La Fille de Berlin and so happy you won Tina’s draw!
Here’s to our dreams coming true!
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Happy New Year, Tara, and congrats on your first year of blogging! – well, in your own right, I mean, as your distinguished blogging record on OT goes way back. I am so glad you decided to strike out on your own as it would have been a shame for your ‘voice’ to have disappeared when OT was retired. And what a busy and successful year you have had in 2016, notwithstanding general world chaos and a slew of bad news left and right. I would ordinarily say DNEM in your giveaway but it is such a tempting one that I shall ask to be entered after all. The perfume I have most enjoyed wearing in 2016 has been Aroma M Geisha Noire, for its similarity to other furry animalic ambers like L’Ombre Fauve. I was also very taken with By Kilian’s Amber Oud, which is a sweeter take on the same idea.
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Your support helped me a lot, V.
I hope 2017 brings us better news globally and for you in particular.
Yay for you entering the giveaway! Vanilla Hinoki is fab and I agree there is a lot of vanilla in Amber Oud which is a stand-out from BK.
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Happiest of new years to you, and congratulations on the year of your own blog. And what a glorious year.
My most enjoyably worn perfumes this year? Chypre 21, and Boxeuses, but particularly Bapteme du Feu, because I’ll now always associate it with a magical week in Venice.
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Thank you, Crikey! For the longest time my years blurred into one another with no meaning and few distinguishing highlights. I’m determined for that not to be the case any more.
Venice knocked my socks off.
Good luck in the draw and Happy New Year to you!
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Tara, congratulations on your achievements! New to me this year are a great variety of perfumes, my favorite being Shalimar Parfum Initial. Thanks for the chance, and have a happy new year!
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Much appreciated, Olivia!
I hope 2017 is good to you and yours.
You’re in the draw 🙂
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Hello and congrats to you! While not new, the perfume that made me the most giddy to find and wear is Serge Lutens’ Louve- I love it so so much! Thanks for this chance to try two legendary perfumes!
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Hi Cyndi H!
Thanks for reading and entering the draw.
Isn’t it fantastic when you find a perfume that makes you feel giddy? Enjoy Louve and have a great year ahead.
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Many congratulations Tara on everything you have achieved and shared with us all over this past year. You somehow always manage to bring the fragrances to life that you are introducing to us all and for that we are eternally grateful.
My all time favourite of the year has been Coco Mademoiselle from Chanel.
Very best wishes for the coming year. Xx
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Thanks so much. It’s lovely to have you read, comment and enter the draw, Carol!
I hope 2017 is a great year for you and the whole family.
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Absolutely anything by Mandy Aftel (but am partial to Vanilla Smoke)! Super jealous about the Scented Supper. Wow!
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You have great taste Akuokuo and you’re in the draw!
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Whoohoo!!!
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🙂
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Tara, I wish you to continue your success in 2017 (and even in 20017, as you wrote it ;-), though I have some doubts as to the planet’s fate by then) both in your personal life and in blogging! One year flying solo is a huge accomplishment!
DNEM, but I can offer a mule service to the U.S. (and I’ll forward it here), if your winner happens to be from this part of the World.
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Thank you so much for those warm wishes, Undina. It’s support from friends like you that helps keep me motivated. You technical know-how in the beginning was also invaluable.
I really appreciate your mule offer and will no doubt take it up with thanks if the winner is in the States.
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Congratulations on one year of your own blog. I know from personal experience that this requires a lot of work and dedication. Plus you do it so well. Your perfumes look great but don’t worry about entering me. I do t trust the postal services from the U.K.! All the best for 2017. X
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Thanks, Megan. You’ve been so supportive right from the end of OT and it means a lot.
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Hello Tara I really enjoy reading your blog please keep it going! The Guerlains sound lovely so fingers crossed. I have enjoyed penhaligons Iris prima the most this year. I find it soft and comforting which sometimes is just what you need. All the best for 2017!
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Hi Hayley,
Lovely to “meet” you.
I definitely agree that a soft and comforting fragrance is more than enough 🙂
Good luck in the draw!
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Happy New Year Tara,
Congratulations on your first year anniversary of your lovely blog, I always look forward to reading it! I enjoy it and am so happy to have spent time with you in Venice!!..you inspired me to wear red lipstick 💄 as well Tara, you look gorgeous suits you so much 💗I love reading the posts and always read the comments, as These are a few of my favourite things!
I have heard many good things about Vol Nuit , so many fragrances I need to try, at moment addicted to Coco Noir Mademoiselle, even though it’s summer here….
Anna xoxo
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Anna Maria, hanging out with you in Venice was a TOP highlight of the year for me. Didn’t we have the best time?
I really appreciate your support of the blog and it’s lovely to know you’re enjoying the posts. Red lipstick looks really striking on you so I’m glad I encouraged you to give it a go.
You’re in the draw, pal!
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Hey Tara,
DNEM
Happy New Year.
WOO HOO on the first anniversary of your blog. I love it, and you.
Congratulations on so many mountains climbed in 2016. You are an inspiration.
Hugging you across the seas,
Portia xx
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Hey Portia,
Our Skype chat was such a help in getting it right and you played a big part in the best moments of my year.
Hugs!
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HEY! We haven’t Skyped for ages. We need to fix that.
Portia xx
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We do!
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Dear Tara, thank you for the kind offer, and the lovely blog, I don’t always comment but I always read.
One of my most loved perfumes this year is Calling All Angels. It is very special and I wear it on special occasions. I wore a lot of Une Rose Chypree, and some Mona di Orio’s (Vanille, Eau Absolue, Ambre), and Arbolé Arbolé. In spring and summer I wore Journey, AG Rose Absolue, Iris Nobile. And ofcourse my old faithful, Heure Exquise!
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It’s lovely just to know you’re reading, Hamamelis. Happy New Year to you and yours.
I was really pleased to get to try several perfumes from April Aromatics this year. I was very impressed and Calling All Angels is standout in the line. Wonderful.
I’m so intrigued by Arbolé Arbolé. I must looking into getting some.
Good luck in the draw!
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Dear Tara,
I didn’t know your blog was a new thing last year! Well done you, I love teading it and find it inspiring and i want to go out and sniff lovely scents after reading it.
So my fave scent of 2016 is Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles. I love Serge Lutens scents, they’re all very distinctive and have wonderful personalities. I chose this one because I’d been looking for a spicy one, and none had quite hit the mark. This is spicy, rich and deep and has many layers, all subtly different, that come and introduce themselves to you as you wear it. Complex and keeps you guessing, you never know where it’s going to next!
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So lovely to have you comment and enter the draw, Jackie!
Yes, the starting the blog was a big one for me this year although I’ve been writing on another blog for several years.
It’s funny because I’ve been thinking lately that I need to re-try Fille en Aiguilles because it reminds me of Christmas with the fir, spice and incense. It’s a fabulous scent and I bet it suits you.
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my favorite perfume is ms dior cherie!
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Lovely – you’re in the draw Melanie!
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For you year 2016 was a year of accomplishments – congratulations, T. !
I feel that during 2016 I had less and less time for parfum – for appreciating it, musing, searching, trying. The outstanding one for me would be SHL’s Taklamakan.
Have a very happy 2017 !
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I’m just thinking how I’m going to keep it up this year, M!
All the travelling you do can’t leave much room for perfume exploration. I hope 2017 gives you more time and space.
You’re in the draw 🙂
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A happy new year to you Tara and congratulations on your blog anniversary! I very much like reading your bog, but I don’t always comment, not always time and energy for commenting. From 2016 I’m most happy about a near-full bottle of Ostara, bought from someone who didn’t love it as much as I do. I enjoy the way you describe the perfume gatherings in London. It gives some ideas for scents to try and I feel I learn something even if it is written in an entertaining, light style.
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Happy New Year Ingeborg! It’s nice to know you’re reading and enjoy the Perfume Lovers London reports. Ostara is lovely. Good luck in the draw and have a great weekend.
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Happy New Year Tara!
Since April 2016 I have used exclusively VdN EDT.
Reason?
In that month my life turned upside down and my spiritual awakening started.
Night Flight fits perfectly to a phase called “The Dark Night of the Soul”.
You are flying alone in the dark and you are scared but you have to trust yourself.
You have to surrender to Universe.
You have to accept adventure and uncertainty.
A smell of VdN gives an assurance that in the end you will land successfully.
You can just enjoy the flight.
I would love to smell VdN in the parfum form.
Nina
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Beautifully put Nina. I feel very much that way about Vol de Nuit myself. I’m sorry to hear you went through such a tough time but it shows what a comfort perfume can be. I hope you have come through it stronger and wiser. May 2017 be a very Happy New Year for you. You’re entered into the draw.
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Congrats on the blog anniversary and on everything else you’ve achieved this past year! I haven’t spent as much time on perfume this year, especially sniffing new ones. The upside to this has been getting to know ones I already own a little bit better, and/or finally trying ones that have been languishing in the perfume cupboard untried for entirely too long. The ones I’ve enjoyed wearing the most are maybe SL Chergui and Le Galion Aesthete, my newest classy pirate perfume. Thank you for blogging, and thank you for the giveaway!
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Nice to see you here Nemo and thanks.
I think it’s really good to spend time enjoying your collection. It’s too easy to add bottles and move on.
You’re in the draw. Good luck!
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What a wonderful giveaway and I enjoyed your blog! I have really enjoyed Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance!
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That’s lovely to hear, Joy! You’re entered into the draw.
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Thank you so much!!!
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You’re welcome! Thanks for reading.
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Gorgeous picture!
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Glad you like it Neil.
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