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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Will The Real Colombina Please Stand Up! A brief interview with our fragrant leader.

By Kelley

This interview comes with a giant WARNING! First off, I am not a journalist; in fact, I don’t even pretend to be a writer in any way. I do read a lot though. Secondly, I realize that because this is a perfume blog, this should be fragrance related. After asking many questions that had nothing to do with scent, I snuck in a few at the end. I hope you find this as entertaining and informative as let’s say…“Oprah”.

Now that the warning is out of the way, I want to point out that this “interview” is being posted on Marina’s birthday! She was a great sport throughout the process of emailing back and forth. I also want to add that this is my year anniversary writing (sporadically) for Marina’s blog. What I would like everyone to do is to read the interview first, and then add a note to the responses listing why you appreciate Marina and her Perfume-Smellin’ Things blog. OK? Got it? [Marina here, feeling extremely self-conscious. What I want you to do is to join me in congratulating Kelley on his blogging anniversary. Thank you.]

Marina, tell us about your family and some of your earliest memories. Where were you born? What was your first bottle of perfume?

I was born in Russia, and, looking back now I realize what a happy, careless childhood I had. I was the only child and was spoiled rotten not just by my parents but by a grandma and a great-grandma. You can imagine!

My very own first bottle of perfume was Poison, bought for me when I was, I think, 13-14. Prior to that I've been "borrowing" my mom's Madame Rochas, Climat and Magie Noire.

Tell us a little about your experiences at school in Russia. Were you a cool kid? A nerd? What hobbies did you have growing up. When did you leave Russia and why? Also, how did you meet Mr. Columbina?

I was a cool nerd :-) My hobby has always been and always will be reading. In fact one of my earliest memories is of me at 3-4 years old, reading Uncle Remus story, How Mr. Rabbit Was Too Sharp for Mr. Fox.

I first left Russia, because I won a scholarship to study abroad, then another, and then yet another. The journey of a thousand miles truly begins with one step...Mr Colombina and I met in Oxford, where I was working on my DPhil (PhD).

Astrological sign? (Leo) Chinese astrological sign? (I am an ox!) Have you ever had your palm read? Been to a psychic? Have you ever had a mystical experience? Why do you think your purpose/destiny is (why are you here)?

I am a Leo and a Dragon. Bossy, conceited and flamboyant, yep, that would be me. I had my palm read and my future told by someone once. It is scary how right she was on many counts. She even predicted the character of my daughter, years before the said daughter was a twinkle in anyone's eye. Apart from that, I don't think I have ever had anything that could be described as mystical happen to me. I have always fancied myself somewhat of an existentialist, and I don't really believe there is a purpose to this life or that one has a destiny. I have always felt that, just like Sartre said, existence precedes and rules essence (don't ask me how that goes with a psychic predicting my daughter's character though). I believe that we create our destiny as we go.

Tell us a little about Mr. Colombina. What does he do? Is he from the United States originally? What is your life like with such a funny guy? What is the most romantic thing that he has done? We are also dying to know about Little Miss Colombina, so can you tell us about her?

Mr Colombina is American with English (his mum) and German (his dad's family) roots (he also has some Scottish, Irish and Spanish blood). Add to that my Russian, Polish and who knows what other pedigree and you can see what a multinational being our daughter is. What is it like to live with a funny guy...Borrowing Billy Graham's words, I will say that Mr C's keen sense of humor helps us to tolerate the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected, and outlast the unbearable stuff that life throws at us. The most romantic thing he has done was probably proposing to me at Heathrow airport. Our little Miss Colombina is truly the most unique person I've ever met, if I say so myself. She has a tremendous imagination, she is a little actress, she is eccentric in all these wonderful little ways, and she is just a sweetie and a cutie.

What are your current hobbies? What are your favorite movies? Favorite books? Favorite singers/bands? (Don't worry, we will be getting to perfume soon)

Is blogging a hobby? Somehow it feels like it occupies a bigger and a more important part in my life than a mere hobby would. I love old Soviet comedies, as for favorites books, they are: Michael Bulgakov The Master and Margarita, Albert Camus The Myth of Sisyphus, Milan Kundera The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Erich Maria Remarque Heaven Has No Favorites, and John Galsworthy The Forsyte Saga. I also love many of Françoise Sagan's books, and everything ever written by Marina Tsvetaeva, Anna Akhmatova and Agatha Christie. As for singers/bands, I love Elton John, Sting, George Michael circa The Older, The Walflowers (what happened to them?!), Goo Goo Dolls, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica.

Since this interview is being posted on your birthday, I won't burden you with long lists of favorites (Best Winter Fragrance, Best For Hot Weather, Best Oriental...) instead, I want you to list your deserted island picks. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have 10 bottles (10 is a generous amount for traveling but who cares?). List the 10 you couldn't do without and why.

A couple of months ago this wouldn't have been possible, but I feel as if lately I have been finally letting the superfluous, the Not Really Loved scents to sort of fall away and found myself left with the "core" scents, the ones that are truly Me and that I Really Love. They are:

A Maze by People of the Labyrinths, because it is incredibly gorgeous and sumptuous.

Aoud Roses Petals by Montale, because it fills me with a strange sensation of being newly in love.

Iris Poudre by Frederic Malle, because it is sublimely perfect from start to finish.

Chanel No 22 for the exact same reason. These two are my Instant Chic scents. I put them on and I feel perfectly made up and perfectly attired, even if I am not.

Une Fleur de Cassie by Frederic Malle, because I find it strange and strangely comforting.

White Aoud by Montale, because I find it to be drop-dead gorgeous and comforting. It's like one of those great celebrity moms, say Liv Tyler, glamorous but also warmly maternal.

Messe de Minuit by Etro, because if I didn't have it, I would go mad. It is my stress relief drug of choice.

Diorama, because it was created for me in my previous incarnation as a existentialistically-inclined socialite in the post-war Paris. What? No laughing, no laughing! This scent is so "me", it feels like it was custom-made for me.

Dzing! by L'Artisan, because it rather inexplicably smells like very happy years from my past

Une Crime Exotique by Parfumerie Generale, because it smells like Russia, like winter holidays, like childhood and like fairy-tales.

What are a couple of your favorite scent memories?

My mom's perfumes, the smells of hers and grandma's cooking and baking, the scent of peonies that my great grandfather planted when I was born, the gasoline of which my dad always seemed to smell, the smell of Samara circus (i.e.Dzing!), the smell of mandarins on New Year's Eve, the smell of the Baltic sea, the fragrant air in Sochi, the scent of my daughter's hair and her neck when she was a newborn.

And for the last question, is there anything else about you that you would like your readers to know?

Dear readers, dear commenters, you mean a lot to me, I say it with all sincerity, from the bottom of my heart. I can't believe you want to read my ramblings and I am very thankful to you for reading them!

113 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINA!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel honored being the first one to leave a comment for such a special person on such a special day! Strangely, I feel like I know Marina. I wake up every morning, get my coffee and sit down to read her blog FIRST .In fact I get grumpy if she dares to skip a day! Perfume is one of my favorite things in life, and the way she writes about it is mesmerizing. Even if I disagree with a review (something I hated!) I have to smell it again. For me, she is the best of the best. And Kelley, I found the answers to this post infinitely interesting. Even more than her fabulous summer fragrance series with the stars! You're too cool Marina!
It just so happens that I am about to give birth to a baby girl and even though I had the name "Marina" picked out long before I discovered this blog, I cannot help but be even more proud that she will share it with such a rare and beautiful soul like that of Marina!
Happy Birthday Girl!

11:00 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, sweetie!!! S dnyom rozhdenia! You mean a lot to me, and I hope we can meet up again in October. :) Mwah!

12:07 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

S Dnem Rozdenia, Marinochka!
I'd discovered your blog last December and ever since my day doesn't feel quite complete without reading one of your "ramblings". I miss your witty and poetic writing if a few days go by without you posting. I love the way you connect seemingly unrelated things to describe a perfume or a mood it evokes, sometimes it's so right on, I get goosebumps...
As far as I can judge, my tastes in perfume are very close to yours and your rewievs is the last opinion I count on before deciding to buy a bottle or decant of any pretty poison. (Can you say No Pressure?:)
All the jokes aside, thanks for maintaining this warm, wonderful and thought provoking blog for many a perfumista to relish, it's a delight!

12:10 AM EDT  
Blogger Erin said...

Happy Birthday Marina! And thanks for letting us know, Kelley... Hey, I just had a terrible feeling - wait, yes, it is my best friend's b-day as well! And it is too late to call. Darn. At least I didn't miss the divine Miss C/M's :)

12:22 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you! May your wishes come true and may Mr. C. invite you to spend your afternoon with his CC in the perfume shop of your choice, and listen to your stories later in the fanciest restaurant in town!

12:48 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Marina, happy birthday! Kelley, happy anniversary! Thank you to both of you for both of you!

I couldn't repress a giggle, Marina, when I saw that the top two fragrances on your list are strongly rose scents. Maybe I'm misremembering, but wasn't there an anti-floral time in your past? :-) No matter, we all go through phases. One of the things I admire about you is that you always admit your changes. Congratulations from one Bulgakov lover to another. (I'm glad to see bookworms triumph.)

1:02 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

How can I possibly say anything more profound that Veronica's post? I too read Marina's blog every day. I get my coffee and sit down to read what she has to say. Being a guy, a lot of the fragrances probably won't ever come and live with me but she writes so well that I have to read them anyway! I am wondering if I should call her Dr. Columbina?

I just want to say that I am deeply grateful that you (Marina) have this blog that continues to keep me addicted to fragrances and that you not only allow me to leave comments but also to join in the fun and review fragrances too! I have discovered that even though I might not be a writer, I do enjoy writing about scents and you have helped me make that discovery about myself.

I hope your special day if filled with wonderful surprises and the same for the coming year.

Happy Birthday!

1:44 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Not knocking Veronica's comment but I goofed and it's the first responder that get's the prize! Wow! I can't read her name because it's underneath the orange words...sorry!

1:46 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Marina! S Dnyom Rozhdenia! Happy Birthday!
Yes, you are so cool, you are so interesting and outstanding personality... I wish you a happiness with all my heart.

1:54 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Longtime reader here, wishing you a happy birthday, Marina!
What a coincidence - I decided to finally de-lurk today, because I thought you'd like to know that I'm enjoying my first full-bottle niche purchase- Dzing! by L'Artisan. Thanks to you for inspiring me to try this amazing scent, and for your wonderful blog. Like Kaytiana, I read your blog FIRST every morning and it always brightens my day.

2:00 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Adding my birthday wishes before finally going to bed (it's late here). I find so much wit, solace and sensual beauty here. You inspire me to return to my own creative projects. I wish you many fine surprising and exquisite scents for years to come.

2:12 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!! What a nice interview! I must say,there is a good reason you are so popular - I look forward to reading your posts because your warmth and affection shines through, and of course Mr. C. is always a delight when he drops in. You brighten our days!

2:23 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, dear bookworm! And thank you very much for my daily "blog-fix".....

And happy anniversary, Kelley!

3:01 AM EDT  
Blogger tmp00 said...

Happy birthday, dear Marina! And how funny that you share the same date as my dear Godchild!

3:41 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays and thanking you for the scented joy you fill us all with on a daily basis. Heres to many more mornings waking up and reading your fabulous blog!

Happy Anniversary Kelley!

-MarkDavid

4:28 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I find it sometime scary how after reading blogs day afer day, you feel you know the writer and can even sense their shifts of mood: are they happy, sad, disappointed, mellow. Yet, individually you are almost ghost to them, a reader. Anyway enough said on that. Why do I read Colombina's blog every day: beside being extremely competent and beautifully written, Marina's posts have a soul. The comments seem to rise from somewhere deep, complex and beautiful.
Happy birthday, wish you all the best and thank you.

6:36 AM EDT  
Blogger elle said...

Happy birthday!!!!! Mwah!!! Veronica expressed perfectly how I feel about your blog - you are beyond brilliant as a writer (and the creator of my new favorite word, "oomphalicious") and I can't imagine my mornings w/out checking in to PST. I also love the fact that you are completely in sync w/ the essence of the vintage Diors - you epitomize their style w/out doubt. Hope this will be a fantastic year for you!
And, Kelley, congrats on your blogging anniversary!

6:51 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday my dear!!!!!

Your blog is always like a breath of fresh air compared to certain others (no names mentioned)

6:59 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Marina! You are part of my morning ritual too and I could never have said it as well as Kayliana. Hoping you have a WONDERFUL day, ms. Colombina!! And Happy Anniversary, Kelley!

7:06 AM EDT  
Blogger donanicola said...

Many Happy Returns of the Day, Marina! And also to you Kelley! This was the first blog from which I de lurked and as such it holds a special place in my heart. I felt and continue to feel that I can say anything and Marina will respond in just the right way. The reviews are always beautifully written but the humour is never far away. (btw, I used to love the Tar Baby story of Uncle Remus's - that Brer Fox - he lay low... has me in fits of laughter every time). Thank you Marina and I hope you have a lovely day with Mr and Miss Columbina.

7:38 AM EDT  
Blogger marchlion said...

Hey, Happy Birthday, Marina! I hope you spend it doing something wonderful with Mr. and Little Miss Colombina.

Any perfume presents today?

8:00 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A very happy birthday, Marina !
I've learned an awful lot from you, during this short time - I found the blog in ´last April first.
I've often felt that we're a bit similar (is that our heart form the "Eastern Block" ?).
I love your blog because it's so full of affection and tenderness - and that's so rare these days.
(I celebrate you today, wearing Serge Lutens's Claire de Musc...)
love,
m.

8:08 AM EDT  
Blogger lilybp said...

Happy, happy birthday to the brilliant, creative, beautiful, poetic, and witty Marina!! "Knowing" you and your blog has enhanced my life a thousandfold (something I never would have thought possible from an internet encounter). I never cease to marvel at how wonderful, funny--and of course spot on--your reviews are! The reviews by Kelley (Happy Anniversary!!!) and Tom are also wonderful. And Mr. Colombina's posts are, of course, priceless!!! Thank you for everything! С днём рождения!

8:43 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Carly,
And here I go, bursting into tears :-) Thank you so much for your kind words! I can't help but feel happy that there will be a little girl named Marina soon! Bestest of wishes to you and to her!!!

8:53 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Inesochka, zolotce! Thank you so much for the wishes and everything, my dear lovely friend!!! MWAH!

8:54 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Veronica,
Thank you so much! You are too kind, thank you! I am feeling pressure :-) but I am so glad to know that we share tastes in perfume!

8:58 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Erin,
Thank you so much! I went to look who else was born today :-): Napoleon, Julia Child, Ben Affleck :-) Darn, I am a couple days early for Coco Chanel's birthday :-)

9:04 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Andy,
Thank you! I loved what you wished so much :-) I hope it does come true. Mr. C, please read Andy's comment with the close attention it deserves!

9:05 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Maria,
Bookworms rule! :-)

Well, I still insist that I don't like rose scents unless they are dark and aoud-ful :-)

9:05 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Kelley,
I am so embarrassed but so excited to have been interview by you. Thank you! And thank you so much for being with us, I am always looking forward to you reviews. *hint hint hint* :-)

9:07 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Genia,
Thank you so much! It means so much seeing your wishes here, thank you!!!

9:08 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Denise,
Welcome, thank you so much for de-lurking and for your kind wishes! And hooray about Dzing! Dzing is the best.

9:09 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Sweetlife,
Thank you so much! I can't believe the blog serving as any sort of inspiration, but it makes me happy to hear that. I am forever inspired by others too and forever thankful to them for inspiring me.

9:10 AM EDT  
Blogger carmencanada said...

Heureux anniversaire, dear Marina. What more can I add to all the comments that have been made here? I, too, often read your words first thing in the morning. And I'm glad that through the magic of the internet, I've found my little blonde scent-sister. I'm also grateful to have been a guest in this column, and hope to be so again. My wish for your birthday? That Mr C would announce a trip to Paris (it's a partly selfish wish...).

9:12 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Donna,
Thank you! And you know I love your aricles! Am going to enjoy reading the today's!

9:14 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love this interview, this blog, and you two (and dearest darling Tommo too). Martina, you never fail to engage and interest me, even (especially?) when I don't agree with you!

Happiest of happy birthdays to you.

And now I want to know your PhD focus, you lovely brainiac...

p.s. Form yesterday - No. 5 I admire, no. 22 I like. And could possibly love, given time.

9:15 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Marina - not sure how that T slipped in - apologies. And From, not form. I'm a klutz today.

9:18 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Dinazad,
Thank you very much!!!

9:19 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Tom,
Thank you very much and I am glad to share the birthday with your godchild! Your posts are a gift to me every week. Might sound mushy, but is true.

9:20 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Markdavid,
Thank you so very much for your kind words and kind wishes!!

9:20 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Silvia,
Thank you very much! I feel close to my commenters and people whose blogs are read and people I know from various forums. I've been tried for a long time to explain this kind of closeness to Mr. C. It is not real in a sense that we have never met physically, but it is real all the same.

9:23 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

L,
Thank you so much! You have been and always will be such an inspiration for me. Biggest hugs and huge thank you for everything!!

9:24 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Prince Barry,
Thank you so much for your kind (and royal!) wishes! And thank you very much for reading the blog!

9:25 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

M,
Thank you so, so much!!!

9:26 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Nicola,
Thank you so much! And I am so glad you decide to de-lurk :-) I am always looking forward to your comments.

Note to self: I should get Uncle Remus's storys for little Miss Colombina :-)

9:27 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

March,
Thank you!! I think a perfume present will be coming in the evening :-)

9:28 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Melinda,
Thank you so much! I feel the similarity too and I do think it might be in part because of the common "Easter Block" bond. I am so glad you are reading and commenting!

9:29 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Judith,
Bol'shoe spasibo!! The blog and the forums made it possible for me to meet so many amazing people- you!- something I also never thought possible as I never imagined it might be possible to feel a "connection" and affection through online communication. Thank you for everything!!

9:31 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Denyse,
Thank you so much!! From your lips to god's ears :-) I love knowing that I have a fabulous, chic and talented scent-sister in Paris :-)

9:33 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Lee,
Thank you, thank you!! The thesis is not complete (will it be? *sigh*), but it was dealing with ethnic diasporas.
PS. I admire No 5 too, but can't love it. It is cold and aloof.
PPS. I can't tell you how many times I have misspent my own name. I am especially prone to signing as Marian :-) March might not remember, but she could attest to that :-D

9:36 AM EDT  
Blogger Melissa said...

Let me "delurk" to say, Happy Birthday Marina (and Happy Anniversary Kelley)! It is wonderful to get to know a little more about the person behind this fantastic blog. I read this site every day and have learned so much. Thanks for all the hard work you put into this--I hope you had a great birthday!

9:39 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birtday, dear Marina!

I'm a new commenter, but a truly devoted lurker/reader/fan of your blog. I have bought so many bottles of perfume in the past year (unsniffed, because I live in a university town in PA where there are no big department stores, etc.) thanks to your exquisite reviews. I think Ina once referred to you as "The Goddess", and you truly are! Hope your birthday is as lovely as you.

PS - Congratulations, Kelly, on your anniversary. I love your (and Tom's) perfumed writings, too!

9:41 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Melissa,
Thank you so much! I love when de-lurking happens!!

9:41 AM EDT  
Blogger NewKidOnTheBlog said...

Marina Colombina....

Trying to read/scan the post quickly whilst at work ... I thought you said,

"Somehow it [blogging] feels like it occupies a bigger and a more important part in my life than a mere HUBBY would."

It was only upon re-reading, I saw it said HOBBY!

It's nice to see the appreciation and the love your readers share with you on this, your birthday. But in the words of our "Little Miss Colombina" ... "I love you the mostest!"

Happy Birthday Darling. Thanks for putting up with me. I love you!

Oh and thank you for suggesting I read Bulgakov. As you know, it has been an inspiration.

Paul
(proudly AKA: "Mr. Colombina")

9:42 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Suzanne,
Thank you and welcome!! I will come back several times today too look at "the goddess" part :-))))

9:42 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Paul Mr Colombina,
No, thank YOU for putting up with me and my hobby :-))) I love you the mostest too, above all perfumes, yes, that's true :-)
Now I will have to think of a way to make you read Camus and Kundera.

9:45 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, dear Marisha!
Thank you for the fun we all have reading your fabulous blog. Very best wishes to you and your family.

9:51 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Olechka,
Thank you so much!! Spasibo!!

9:57 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

S Dnem Rozhdenia! Happy Birthday! May all of your wishes come true. :)

Your list of favourite books could be my own. I am reading Michael Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita in French right now, to both hone my language skills and enjoy one of my favourite novels. I have to admit that the French translation is much better than most English translations I have read.

Vika

9:57 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Vika,
Ogromnoe spasibo!! Ooh, Bulgakov in French, how wonderful! I so, so admire you talent for languages. You are an inspiration in so many way!

9:59 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

dinazad, thanks! I look forward to many more reviews!

9:59 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Thanks markdavid!

10:00 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Thank you very much elle!

10:01 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

em, thanks. I can't believe it's been a whole year!

10:03 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

donanicola. Thanks. I am hoping that Marina gets tons of expensive perfume! I know that's what I would want (of course not just any old expensive perfume...ones I had chosen).

10:04 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

lilyofbp, you are very kind.

10:06 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Dear Leopoldo and Melissa, thank you so very much.

10:08 AM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

suzanne, thanks! I am working on an invertiew with Tom as well! I should finish it soon.

10:09 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Marina and keep on smelling like your lovely self!

11:18 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Many good wishes and felicitations on your birthday, Marina. As others have said more aptly than I can, your blog is a morning 'must' for me and while I know it is as much a responsibility as it is a joy to produce something new each and every week day, it IS greatly appreciated by all of us. I hope your day is everything you want it to be.

Kelley, nice job for a novice interviewer! Will we be seeing you on 60 Minutes soon, now that you're amassing your investigative reporter's creds? :)

11:34 AM EDT  
Blogger IrisLA said...

Happy Birthday to Marina and Happy Anniversary to Kelley!

Wonderful interview. Scholarship to Oxford -- I just knew you were a very brainy gal!

11:35 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Bday! And thank you for gifting us w your gorgeous reviews :)
My exploration of scent began w a bottle of Dzing! 2 yrs back but my true voyage began last spring when I became itchy to learn & experience more. Googling each scent in turn, I found a handful of great blogs but kept coming back over & over again to your reviews. I now read you & a few others but you became my own personal guide & I adore you for it. Keep it up!!

11:39 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Jenavira,
Thank you so much!

11:49 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Teri,
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words!
Kelley deserves a program of his own, on art and perfume!

11:50 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Iris,
Thank you so much :-) As for brainy, Mr. C thinks they lowered the standards at Oxford, as sometimes I can't do basic math. To that I answer that I studied humanities not sciences and have a calculator :-)

11:51 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Divalano,
That's how I got sucked into this abyss of perfume obsession. I innocently googled some perfectly mass-market scent, stumbled upon Makeupalley, then found Now Smell This and Bois de Jasmin, and I was a goner! :-)

11:53 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Joyeux anniversaire, Madame Colombine! And many many many scents more. My daughter is a Leo, how much loving fun, glamour, humour and imagination it has been since her arrival. Merci à Kelley pour le texte et aussi sa modestie!

11:54 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Aliki,
Thank you so much! Your daughter must wonderful!

11:55 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Marina. Here's to many more blog entries !

11:55 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Faizan,
Thank you very much!

11:56 AM EDT  
Blogger NowSmellThis said...

Huge birthday wishes to M, and a happy anniversary to K!

M, I did not know you were a bookworm -- that is one more thing we have in common. Thank you both for this lovely interview!

12:04 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Robin,
Thank you!
Well, that's it, first 2 scents we both like, now this. The Prophecy of 3 Things That R & M Will Like has come to its fulfillment. The end of the world is here :-D

12:07 PM EDT  
Blogger Gaia said...

Happy Birthday, Marina!
Your blog is among my most favorites. It's fun, smart and charming, which I suspect closely reflects you.

Thank you for being here and for sharing your love of perfume with us.

12:13 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

G,
Thank you so much!!! You are very kind!

12:28 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Happy, happy birthday, Marina! I hope you have a wonderful year. Thanks for the fabulous blog. :)

xoxo
Karen/freskagirl

12:32 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Karen,
Thank you so much!

12:48 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly- happy anniversary and what a fabulous idea- to interview Marina!!

Happy Birthday Marina!!!- it was lovely reading a little bit of your history and likes etc..{and I love Unbearbale likeness and goo goo dolls too ( and Sting..:)} your daughter sounds truly adorable..
have fun!!

3:09 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Happy Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day. My day is not complete until I read your blog & yours is the first one I read each day. Thank you, Kelley, for the interview.

I'm off to pick some wild flowers for today is my sister's birthday also. Sending you some virtual wildflowers, Ms. Colombina!

3:12 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i meant unbearable not 'unbearbale'

3:17 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you, Dear M, my fellow Leo! Your blog is so, so wonderful, my day is incomplete if I don't read it. I've learned so much about perfume from you, and I am so happy to see we share so many favorites...although I think all that really shows is what a terrific influence you are (and also what great taste you have)!

Have a wonderful day and a spectacular year!

3:31 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy bday dearest Marina!

3:38 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Lavanya,
Thank you very much, my fellow Kundera fan!!

3:54 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Edna,
Thank you so much, you are very kind! Happy Birthday to your sister!!

3:55 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

P,
Thank you so much! I read your blog absolutely everyday, and love not only your perfume reviews, but your articles about books!

3:56 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Evilpeony,
Thank you so much!

3:59 PM EDT  
Blogger Dust Glitter and Vapor said...

Happy Birthday!!
You've got a lot of de-lurkers today--just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed your blog and read it every day. Even though you have created way too many lemmings for me to afford!
Many Happy Returns,
GalileosDaughter

4:01 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Dust Glitter and Vapor
(love your nickname!)
Thank you very much! And welcome!

4:03 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

And another -- a mostest very happy birthday to you, Marina, and congratulations to you, Kelley!
Thanks so much to you both for all the pleasure and more that you've given me in the past year, since I discovered this blog.
Marina, it's you who put me back on the path of perfume obsession, you know. What a gift! (Curse? oh, no, or if so what a blissful curse ...) May your day be filled with such gifts in return.
JenniferR, another obsessively daily reader

4:10 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Jennifer,
Thank you so much! Blissful curse! I love that :-)

4:12 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

teri, thanks for the compliment but I wouldn't hold my breath! I think I will stick to painting...

4:46 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Thanks irisla for the compliment! I aspire to write like Marina...maybe when I grow up?

4:47 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

You are welcome aliki! And, thank you.

4:48 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Robin, it was my pleasure and thanks. I read your blog every day and some times more than once!

4:49 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Lavanya, thank you so very much for the compliment. I have to admit that it was a good idea. Marina is a very unique person!

4:51 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Thank you yellowcedar, that is nice of you.

4:52 PM EDT  
Blogger Kelley said...

Thank you very much Jennifer!

4:53 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As they say in certain places in Russia (and here in the States - God Grant You Many Years! God Grant You Many Years! God Grant You Many, Many, Many Years!

It's always a pleasure to read your blog - and I especially love it when Mr. C. posts. And now, seeing your list of favorites, I realize I must try the Montales and the first one you mentioned, because every other one you list, I love, too. - xxx, minette

8:48 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Minette,
Thank you!!
And yes, A Maze is wonderful, I highly recommend it.

10:39 PM EDT  
Blogger Trina said...

Happy birthday, Marina!!! I appreciate this blog (and you and all the contributors) because here is where I get all my fiercest and best lemmings :~D

10:45 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Trina,
Thank you! I love it when lemmings are -said in Tyra Banks's voice- FIERCE :-)

10:47 PM EDT  
Blogger NewKidOnTheBlog said...

Kelley,

I would be remiss If I did not thank you for writing such a brilliant, interesting and wonderfully written interview. The genuine responses it evoked really touched Marina. Thank you and happy Anniversary!

Paul (Mr.C.)

8:49 AM EDT  
Blogger chayaruchama said...

Dearheart-

I'm late !
[No computer access for days now- crash and burn...]

May you be blessed with many more years of discovery and adulation !
Much love from Frau meister...
Here's hoping i get to wrap my arms around you in October !


MWAH

6:47 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Thank you, Idochka!!

8:06 AM EDT  

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