Gigolo by, Jean-Pierre Borg 1972-Perfume Review

(photo from the listing I purchased at Nine Of Cups on Etsy-she's great, by the way, consider that an endorsement).


Danny wanted this perfume so when asked what he's wearing he could reply, "Gigolo." I'm sure the name doomed this fragrance to obscurity at least in the American market, though the meaning is different in French.

Gigolo, despite the name was a women's fragrance, though absolutely wearable by anyone. Quite green, with tuberose and patchouli it isn't the sort of thing that knocks you over with sweetness. To be honest, I barely noticed the tuberose, and the patchouli is very well done-nothing reminiscent of a hippie head shop/incense about it.

Launched in 1972, Gigolo is sort of a, "Pre-Charlie." Green, but not as sinus-ripping green as Aliage, or as challenging as Yendi. Going back in my mental time machine to 1972, I'm pretty sure I was wearing whatever happened to be on my sister's perfume tray which was either Aliage, Chanel #19, or Azuree. Frankly, they were all ass. Sorry. Had I been aware of Gigolo at the time, I would have found it a relief from all the other bad chypres of the time, but alas I don't recall ever hearing of it. Today of course, Gigolo smells rather mainstream-mixing green with patchouli wouldn't raise any eyebrows with anyone that's smelled perfume in the last forty years-but in 1972? Perhaps it would have seemed original, or a better take on what was already becoming the norm. By 1974 when I was starting to know what I liked (and didn't) I was getting bottles of Je Reviens from anyone that was paying attention to my requests, and Heaven Sent from those who ignored them.

Gigolo has incredible lasting power. I have skin that tends to neutralise scent rapidly, so I typically apply it to clothing as well. On my wrist, Gigolo lasted a good nine hours. The silage isn't huge-but you wouldn't need to invade my personal space to catch a good whiff of it either. The hankie in my handbag *still* smells of Gigolo days later. Luckily, it smells nice. As I bought this for Danny, I don't expect to be wearing it again, but it was nice to catch an olfactory reminder of early 1970's America.

"Young man, you smell nice! Whatever are you wearing?"

"Gigolo! Nice eh? Here, smell my finger."

"Have you ever tried, Monsieur Musk? No? Now that was a classic.

Gigolo  though difficult to find these days is worth a purchase if you're looking for a nice, inoffensive green floral from the early 70's. Leather trousers optional.

I know the meaning is different in French, but I couldn't resist a Blondie video.

Hey There's Ioway Pete Wearin' His Corn Belt

My favourite sort of Saturday where I load the family into the mighty Ford Tempo, and head for Council Bluffs-but first I had to stop at Penzy's for spices. I mixed up a batch of Madras style curry powder (so I could control the heat) and I *gasp* ran out of cardamom. I Know! Had to remedy that immediately, so Penzy's spice store it was.

We have a long relationship with Penzy's, going back to their days as a by-post only operation. I could buy less expensive spices, but with allergies in the family, being able to know it isn't being packaged in the same spot with nuts is worth it. Anytime I had questions they've been able to tell me what is packaged in which facility, and what not to buy. As I don't like spending time in hospital emergency rooms, this knowledge is worth paying a bit extra for. They're not any more expensive than grocery store spices (sometimes they're cheaper) and the quality is really a night and day difference. I'm not being compensated in any way for saying this-I simply like the company and am a happy customer.

Off to Iowa we went, and I had the opportunity to wear the gorgeous scarf from Curtise. This makes two weeks in a row where my scarf matched my dress with an almost eerie perfection. I mean, look at that.

It is so stinkin' hot outside-and humid too. Next week looks better, but that doesn't really help today, now does it? I wore the lightest dress I own, which is this parachute material number. Being a thin nylon, it *really* isn't for windy days, but today was calm-in the dead still sense. And hot. Did I mention how hot it is?

I wore a kimono over the dress because most places over-do the air conditioning. There's no middle ground I'm afraid, so as  I shift from freezing to sweltering, I find layers just as useful in summer as they are in winter.

We stopped at a new thrift store in Council Bluffs (next door to the Dairy Queen across from Mall of the Bluffs) called, Sequels. They had been in some earlier location I wasn't aware of, but I was happy to know they exist. The store is in an old gas station, and they've used the shelves that once held fizzy drinks behind glass doors to hold shoes. That's my kind of thrift store. The ladies that run it are just as sweet as can be, and the stock is small, but well-selected. Clothes run $1.00-$2.00 and shoes are about the same. I found a lovely flannel-lined slip from the 50's, and a wooden beaded handbag from about the same era. I spent $3.00 and left happy as could be.

We interrupt this trip to Iowa for an update from the Kitsch Museum:


Danny's taking the curator job quite seriously, I'm (sorta) pleased to report.

 Oh dear, you just know it is going to be awful if he dubbed them, Ginger and Mary Ann.

 Yep, they're awful. Still, the powder room needed something on the wall. I'm not sure I'd call them cherubs exactly, but they are "naked" which has a completely different connotation than, "nude."

This one looks like a cross between Charro and Bridget Bardot. Qooochie, Qooochie!
I can believe I bought them as a hideous example of 70's décor, but I don't know who the hell would have bought them in the contemporary. Anyway, here's a few other gallery labels I found added around the house:

 He's having fun with this, obviously.

Right. So that's the museum update.

Ha! Leg on vanity returns-take that rheumatoid arthritis!

The Goodwill in Council Bluffs did not disappoint either. There was California pottery (heaven help me, the museum is gonna need a new wing) a satin jumpsuit (I don't know why either, but I don't really need a reason to wear a 70's satin jumpsuit if I desire, do I?) more 70's Homco wall hangings for the museum, and polyester shirts galore. I adore that Goodwill location. We timed the trip-it took 27 minutes, which really isn't bad at all. It was a haul when we lived in the country, but now it is a quick trip on the Interstate.

 Outfit Praticulars:

Route 66 dress-K Mart last year
Scarf and mirrored ring- gift from the Made out of Awesome Curtise
Bracelets-thrifted
Shoes-K Mart a few years ago
Vintage Kimono-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Necklace-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-Goodwill

 

Quoochie Quoochie!

 

Because You Can Never Have Too Many Cake Carriers

They take up so much room, they need a seat to themselves in the car, and they're not airtight-but a cling-film wrapped cake on a paper plate just doesn't make the same sort of entrance when it is your turn to bring dessert. This one is so beautiful I haven't taken it downstairs to the storage shelf, but instead have it in my kitchen window for all to admire. $2.99 Goodwill.

Sometimes though, you're asked to bring some, "dip." You can't just show up with a ramekin of potted cheese no matter how good it is (and my potted cheese with Port and mace is pretty damn good). This piece of California Pottery solves the whole, "where do I put the crackers?" issue. $1.99 New Life Thrift.

So we have the cake and cheese sorted, but what if you're put in charge of the libations? You're not going to plunk an ice cube in a cocktail are you? Of course not, that's what the Magic Hostess and her six, scary, rotating steel blades are for. It won't make a bourbon and ginger ale taste less disgusting, but it sure will look pretty. $2.99 Goodwill.

Oh look, Auntie brought some Coronation Chicken. Go grab the pretty green piece of California Pottery, and pile it with lettuce first so the chicken looks less like curried barf. .59 cents, New Life Thrift.

What? The party is at MY place? Quick, dust off the Homco wall sconces, and put in fresh candles.
(from a still growing collection of matching sconces trailing down the stairway) about $1.99 each at varied locations.

 

Gosh, after all that entertaining, I'm exhausted. Thank goodness I had all the necessary housewares to make the soiree a success.

How about you? Have a weakness for cake carriers or use-specific pottery?

No, I Can't Juggle or Ride a Unicycle

 

...I only *look* like I ran off to join the circus.

 This Chessa Davis skirt is impossible to accessorise. I'm not typically a fan of the, "less is more" thinking, but I didn't think the skirt required competition for attention.

Yep, there's a lot going on there. Wild as the skirt looks, Chessa Davis didn't make clothes for hippies-these were for well-off socialites and the like. First Lady Betty Ford wore Chessa Davis clothing, though I'm sure with a ruffly blouse and roller-set hair the overall look would be a bit more sophisticated. I'm about as sophisticated as a sack of spuds.

I love the signed clay trinkets hanging off the skirt. They're fragile, but can be removed for laundering. I'm amazed they survived intact this long.

 

Oh no, that hemline doesn't scream, "clown" at all. Not one bit.

 Outfit Particulars:

Chessa Davis skirt, Thrift World, Millard
Black Top-Gordman's (years ago)
Earrings-World Market (also about 10 years ago)
Rings-All over the place
Bright red bangle (weighs a TONNE) Goodwill

 I ordered the new shower curtain. I'll just bet you're shaking with excitement. I know I am.

 

I Watched it For a Little While

 

 I thought it was time to mention this Omaha landmark before it disappears like all the other distinctive places.

 $44.95 a night seems reasonable enough. but honestly this seems like the kind of place you  wouldn't be spending the whole night. That stretch of L street isn't exactly posh. There is a K-Mart within walking distance, which makes me sad they don't do the Blue Light Special anymore. I suppose I ought to explain the Blue Light Special. K Mart had a mobile discount cart they would move to different areas of the store and it had a  blue light on a tall pole (so you could see it across the store). When the light moved on to the next spot, the special was over. This was a "thing" people did (in the Midwest anyway) in the 60's and 70's. Nothing like a Saturday night with your parents at K mart chasing the blue light.

Know what you could have bought at K Mart in the 60's? A set of Burwood thingies for your living room.

 Sure, they catch dust like crazy, but that's what you have children for-dusting the wall art. Or polishing the leaves of the jade plant.

Yeah, they're going to need a good going over with a damp cloth.

 

This one is plastic made by Dart Industries. These were later (70's, I think). We didn't have anything like this because my mother was a painter (meaning we had her work hanging in the house). This will go nicely with the white and gold chalkware swan.


By now you should be convinced that Nebraska is where the 70's went to die (and haven't quite finished the job)but in the event you still remain unconvinced, here's a bit of California pottery to make the case. Strangely, I already owned the bowls that fit around this beauty-now I have a set.

 You wouldn't put fruit in it, and cover it so I'm not sure what I'll use it for.

 I don't know why I love this stuff the way I do. Anyway, for .69 cents I wasn't about to leave it.

I found a new wall I like for photos. This one is outside Thrift World at 36th and Q. The building dates from the early 70's, when stonework like this looked modern.

 

This little relic has seen better days, but then so have I. I handed over my five bucks as fast as I could before someone bought it out from under me.

This is a handsewn dress (not by me). It would look better on a thinner person, but I didn't have one of those, so here's how it looks on me.

It was rainy, so I got out my trusty plastic rain bonnet. And the sign from Janice because hey, I can't have kids on my lawn in the rain-it'll leave footprints.

So now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to spend what's left of the weekend relaxing in our rumpus room.
Man, I wish they still did the Blue Light Special at K Mart.

Another Faux Fur

I would place this coat in the early to mid-70's as I remember my mother having a similar style coat (except hers was real) with the suede trim. I am sadly, not a tall woman, and a full-length coat isn't the sort of thing I ordinarily find flattering-this coat is the exception. I've worn it quite a bit since purchasing it, which I can't say of most coats I've brought home.

I was concerned the fur would look flat after washing, but it brushed out perfectly. The suede is still a bit stiff, but softens with each wear. If I had the time, I could work it by hand to restore the softness, but I'm lazy. It isn't noticeable when worn, in  fact, this coat has people stopping to ask me about it every time I wear it.

Let's face it, Tissavel makes the best faux fur. They do. Next time you're in a store with several faux furs, check the labels. Odds are, if there is a Tissavel among them you will know it by comparison before you see the label. No, I don't work for them (they are still in operation) but I do appreciate well made materials.

Coat Particulars:

1970's Tissavel faux fur coat purchased for $24.99 (more than I would typically pay for a coat, but given the quality I made an exception) at Goodwill.

1970's Wine Glasses

 

I don't drink much wine (and when I do I prefer it in a Duralex glass) but when I spotted these at the Goodwill in Council Bluffs, Iowa I knew they would be perfect for cornstarch pudding. That's a rather generous serving size, and come on, don't they look elegant in a 1973 sort of way? You know they do.

I'll just slip into my nicest patio dress before dessert.