Saturday, April 25, 2009

Fifi Awards finalist: what a joyful surprise!

It was my utter surprise and pleasure to see I made it to top 5 finalists at the 2009 FiFi Awards Nominees out of more than a hundred submissions from top venues! The article cited in the "Editorial Excellence in Fragrance Coverage" category is "Jean Claude Ellena is all about the Dirt!" and was submitted by my hard-working editor at Sniffapalooza Magazine, Raphaella Brescia Barkley, who believed in it from the start (and good thing too, as I wasn't even aware of the contest regulations and never submitted anything myself!) Can I say I'm overwhelmed? (Especially since I'm writing in a foreign language.)

The Editorial Excellence in Frgrance Coverage (Blog category) is an historic appreciative gesture on the part of The Fragrance Foundation for the quality work that is being conducted on online venues, legitimising them as editorial vehicles. My congratulations to all the winners, sincere thanks to the Fragrance Foundation panel and it's wonderful to belong to such an interesting community!

You can read my article on this link and see the full list of finalists here.

And to celebrate the happy occassion and thank my loyal readers, may I extend a lucky draw for a 10ml decant of my favourite fragrances of all: Jubilation 25 by Amouage! (Draw is open till 30th of April, midnight)

Disclaimer: the scent was bought on my own hard-earned cash!

109 comments:

  1. Fiordiligi18:19

    How absolutely marvellous and hugely well-deserved! I am thrilled for you. Many, many congrats, dearest E. I heard about it yesterday but have been unable to post before now.

    Keep up the good work!

    May I please be incouded in the draw?

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  2. Oh my Lord! is this how I enter?
    would love to try it!

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  3. Congratulations, Helg! I hope it will be the beginning of other good things for you.

    And yes, please do put me in the very generous draw!

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  4. Anonymous18:41

    OMG, this is great and well-deserved! Congratulations, dear Helg!
    Lavinia

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  5. Congratulations on the nomination! It's time online fragrance writing got some recognition from the industry and your JCE article was excellent.

    P.S. In the end, the man I met who was wearing l'Eau d'Hermès wasn't JCE: I asked him. Too bad, it was a great anecdote!

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  6. What a fantastic surprise, you go gal! Many many congratulations on this totally well deserved nomination that is a more than appropriate reward for your hard work :0)

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  7. Congratulations, E, and thanks for linking to the article. I missed it the first time around; another fascinating read!

    Please leave me out of the draw this time; I haven't tried the fragrance in question, and I've had more than my share of free-sample bounty lately, anyhow.:)

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  8. Mike Perez19:37

    I'm not surprised at all - you deserve it E! Congratulations.

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  9. Anonymous19:52

    Congratulations to you, Nathan, Raphaella & Sniffapalooza Magazine. It's a great group of people.
    I'd love to be in the drawing with the rest of the admirers.
    Sincerely,
    Christine Lewandowski (RHM)

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  10. Oh my goodness, congratulations!! I lurk on your blog most of the time, but cannot resist the lure of such a fabulous draw. Thanks for the opportunity. I've learned so much from this blog. :)

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  11. My dearest D!
    Thanks you ever so much for your most kind words and your support. You're a gem :-))
    Of course you're included.

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  12. Datura,

    thanks for joining, of course you're in and best of luck to you. I love it very much and it's a good "toast" on my little happy dance :-)

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  13. Dear Alyssa,

    thanks for stopping by and for your kind wishes, I appreciate it a lot!

    Best of luck! :-)

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  14. L,

    aww, you're too kind, thank you.
    Hope you're very very well!

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  15. D,

    thanks so much for your comment and your kind words on the piece: coming from you it's high praise indeed.

    PS.Duh, it had been such a juicy, wonderful anecdote; it was so good it should have been so! (Let's get into the Star Trek time machine and change things)

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  16. Dearest A,

    you're most kind in saying so, thank you! And I haven't forgotten the mail, will be contacting you shortly (by the end of the weekend atleast)

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  17. A,

    you're very welcome and thanks for reading and the support! Much appreciated.

    If you change your mind later on on this scent, let me know. It's too good,honest. :-)

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  18. Mike,

    awww, you're a gem, truly thanks for everything!

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  19. Christine,

    thanks so much for dropping by and commenting, it's so sweet of you. :-))I agree, the level of the magazine is very elevated and it's an honour to be among such good company!
    Of course you're in! Good luck!

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  20. Anita,

    thanks for delurking on such a joyful occassion and sincere thanks for your wonderful compliment which is surely the very best one can hear.
    And draws are perfect for aiding delurking, so what better opportunity? :-)) You're in!!

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  21. Melissa L20:46

    Congratulations!

    I'm a long-time reader and enjoy all of your articles. Wondeful work.
    Please enter me in the draw. Thanks.

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  22. WOW! Congrats on this well-deserved recognition, Elena.

    I hopped over to the links and read all the articles and I think yours about Jean Claude Ellena and the one about Yann Vasnier were absolutely la creme de la creme.
    Excellent my dear!

    I hope to see a fragrance book of yours published one of these days.

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  23. Katherine21:32

    Congratulations! It's always great to see perfume bloggers getting industry recognition.

    Please enter me in the draw!

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  24. What a phenomenal accolade, Elena - sigharitiria!! Your work is indeed a guiding light in the sphere of perfume editorials... hats off to you and your tireless efforts!!! :)

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  25. How wonderful! You deserve it. I've been a little out of touch with computer problems (these appear to be solved now) so am just now learning about this. Congratulations!

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  26. The honor is well-deserved. That's a terrific article. Congratulations!!

    (Leave me out of the draw please. I like to think of some lucky winner meeting Jubilation 25 for the first time ;-)

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  27. Many congratulations, E, you so deserve the nomination and then some, and certainly not only for this one article! No need to enter me in the draw, though.
    P.S. Please, please forgive my being long overdue to send you that package. I haven't forgotten and will get on it as soon as I sort some things out.

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  28. maitreyi1978@yahoo.com01:35

    It's great to learn more about Ellena. He made my beloved Un Jardin Sur le Nil. Congratulations, and please enter me in the draw.

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  29. Congratulations!! Your blog is wonderful to read and very informative. I refer to it almost daily. It is a great reference for a newby like me. Thanks for all your hard work! Please enter me in the drawing.

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  30. Well done!
    I have to say I am not in the least surprised.
    PerfumeShrine is the most informed, intelligent and influential perfume blog out there and your JCE article was enthralling.
    Thanks once again for the draw.

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  31. congratulations!

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  32. Congrats E!! No need to enter me in the draw. I have a purse spray that of J25 I still need to get through. Just wanted to send my best.

    ~T

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  33. Hi!

    You really deserve it. You are one of the best perfume writers/bloggers that I've read. Moreover a great conoisseur, a deep text.

    The best and fragrant greetings from Brazil,

    Cris Rosa Negra

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  34. ChantillyLace10:42

    Congratulations! Would love to be in the draw! Thanks!

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  35. THRILLED doesn't begin to cover it....

    Well-earned and merited.

    I just returned home and saw this; made my 'late night'....

    So very proud of you; couldn't be more so, if you were my very own [which I wish you were...]!

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  36. Anonymous14:17

    You deserve this. Your writing is superlative and you are a flashlight in the sometimes veiled world of fragrance Congratulations E.

    xx00

    Michelyn

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  37. Rappleyea14:25

    Heartfelt congratulations to you Helg! You certainly deserve the recognition for your excellent work. To my knowledge, you are the only perfume writer who combines both passion for the subject as well as science and history in a fair and balanced approach. Brava my dear!!

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  38. Congratulations, Helg!! You so it!!
    deserve it!
    I can only second all the appraisals, really!
    Brava!!

    Please count me in the draw, too. I would love to finally try it. I only know their Gold and adore it. :-)

    Greetings
    lillie

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  39. Melissa,

    thanks for saying so, much appreciated and hope to continue giving pleasure.

    You're included!

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  40. Sue,

    you're flattering me! Who knows, maybe there will be something.
    Thank you for commenting, hope you're very well my dear :-))

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  41. Katherine,

    I admit I didn't even know there was an option until someone sent me the announcement of "voting begins". By that time submissions had closed of course...But Raph, bless her heart, was quicker.

    I do believe it's a great step by TFF and online venues gain so much by this move, hence I called it "historic". It is!

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  42. Dimitri,

    σ'ευχαριστώ απ'την καρδιά μου γιά τα καλά σου λόγια, να'σαι καλά πατριωτάκι!

    Go G team! ;-)

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  43. P,

    I was wondering on the lack of updates and hope you are back to normal now :-)
    Thanks so much for your kind compliment.

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  44. M,

    awwww, from such a GREAT wordsmith (and thinker) such as yourself I will cherish this kindness like a treasure.

    And you're a generous woman too! Indeed someone will be delighted with discovering this masterpiece of a scent!

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  45. Dusan, darling, how are you? Hope everything goes well and please don't worry. I am a very patient woman and I was actually thinking of making a lovely package your way myself, as it's been so long since the last time. I'm sure you'd be pleased with discovering some new things! (same addy,huh?)

    Thanks so much for your most kind words, much appreciated! :-))

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  46. maitreyi,

    Ellena is a genius IMO and will go down in history; even the things I am not crazy about of his are well thought out. And thank you!

    You're in of course!

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  47. Tara,

    thanks for saying so, very happy it acts as a reference.

    You're in, best of luck!

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  48. Mark,

    you're so generous with your wonderful compliment you're making me blush! *deep crimpson*
    Thanks for your support and trust in me.

    You're welcome and good luck!

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  49. Thank you Karin!! Hope you're very well :-)

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  50. Trish,

    honey, thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs to you :-))

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  51. Chris,

    Oi!! Tudo bom?
    Thank you my dearest so much for your wonderful, generous words, it warms my heart! It's great to be united by our passion.
    Thanks for the long mail as well, will respond very soon!

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  52. C,

    thank you! You're in, of course!

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  53. My good, kind, generous, protective, tender Ida,

    THANK YOU SO MUCH darling! I wish I were your own as well, I feel you so close to me. You're the best-est! (if I'm allowed this grammatical hyperbole, the subject sure merits it)

    Hope you and your family are well and those other Unis have responded in similarly enthusiastic terms!

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  54. Michelyn,

    thank you so much for stopping by for this, much apprecited. You honour me!

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  55. Thank you dearest for your compliment, I'm overwhelmed, what can I say? I'm happy to have you, dedicated and wonderfully smart readers as my audience.

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  56. My dearest N,

    mille danke!!! You know I cherish your words. Thanks so much.

    Of course you're included, I think it's a smashing perfume and I know someone will get very happy to try it out & enjoy. I'm sure you'd love it!

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  57. What an honour, Helg, and very truly deserved! No need to include me in your drawing -- I just wanted to sincerely congratulate you!

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  58. Anonymous17:45

    Well done! And how kind of you to offer us a chance at Jubilation 25. Please put my name in the hat.
    Gretchen

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  59. Hello, E! Congratulations!! It's fantastic that your hard work is being recognized. No need to include me in the draw -- I have quite a bit of Jubilation 25, which is, as you say, fabulous!

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  60. PhinClio23:07

    Congrats on the FiFi nomination! Please enter me in the draw.

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  61. Anonymous23:49

    Put me in the draw

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  62. Congratulations on your nomination! It's certainly well deserved: your blog is one of my three perfumery must-reads (along with Now Smell This and Perfume Posse).

    Do please enter my name in the draw. I've only ever tried one Amouage and would like to try more--they get such glowing reviews, not least from you.

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  63. Congratulations E! I love your blog and I try to read it every day. I would love to be entered in the drawing. Jubilation 25 is one of my favorite fragrances and my bottle is starting to disappear!

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  64. Helg,
    Gee, I step away for a couple of days...and look at the excitement that greets me when I return.

    Fantastic news...and very well deserved acclaim. As always, happy to be a part of your readership...pleasant company before and after this award.

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  65. Elizabeth04:29

    Συγχαρητήρια, Ελένη!

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  66. Elizabeth04:30

    Oh, and I would love to be entered in the drawing. :-)

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  67. Congratulations! You definitely deserved it. :)

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  68. Congrats !
    Put a plume in your hat !!!
    I'd love to be included in the draw !!

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  69. Congratulations, very much deserved! It's very easy to forget that you are writing in a different language because your vocabulary and choice of works is so wide and always so appropriate!

    Looking forward to reading lots more wonderful writing Kx

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  70. Well done! I'm so pleased to hear of this! How wonderful to be recognised for your hard work. I am surprised to read that English isn't your first language - that makes it all the more special that you are a FIFI finalist. Keep up the great work!

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  71. QVC = Retailer of the year? I had no idea QVC was hawking perfume...though I suppose they have everything these days. Congrats on the article recognition! And thanks for offering such a wonderful draw. I'd love to be included.

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  72. Camilla13:05

    Congratulations!
    Would love to enter the draw. thanks!

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  73. Anonymous14:23

    Dear E,

    You deserve this. Congratulations. Finding your blog was like coming upon a treasure that is never depleted; no matter how many times I come back to it I learn something new and always profound. It is always about something deeper than just the perfume. Love it.

    I love your Ellena article. I have always wanted to bottle the smell of horse sweat (a scent both cool and hot, just stunning) and I am sure this talented man could do it.

    Please enter me in the draw. I feel way behind in perfume knowledge, so I would love to get a chance to smell great perfume.

    Natalia

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  74. Congratulations! You are a wonderful writer. :)

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  75. All I can say is you better damned win! :-D You're such a wonderful and thorough writer. Please enter me in the draw.

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  76. rachaelg18:16

    congratulations on your well-earned nomination! and as for the draw, please and thank you! I've never tried jubilation.

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  77. Anonymous22:09

    Congratulations, you deserve the acclaim!
    Please enter me in the draw.
    Thank you!
    Molly

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  78. Congratulations! I'm happy that others recognize your superb writing. The Elena article was particularly outstanding. The fragrance world is so lucky you are writing for us.

    No need to enter me in the drawing.)

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  79. Anonymous09:07

    Congratulations!!!!!!!!

    I read this blog every day.

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  80. congrats, I love perfume blogs and I think I have read this one for the longest.

    Love to enter the draw too

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  81. KathyT15:46

    It is certainly well-deserved. Congratulations!

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  82. Thank you Suzanne!! I appreciate your stopping by very much :-))

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  83. Grertchen,

    thanks, honey. You're in!!

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  84. Hello dear J!!
    Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated. It was a gratifying surprise as I had researched my subject for long.

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  85. Phin,

    thanks and you\re included!

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  86. Done deal, Lulu! Good luck!

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  87. Thank you my dear for the honour you bestow on me, ohh, such a good company too!
    Yes, the Amouages are excellent and this one is to die for. Best of luck to you, then!

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  88. M,

    you're so sweet to say so! Thank you. You're in!

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  89. My dear S,

    it warms my heart to read your delightful comment. You honour me with being such a great interactive audience.

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  90. Elizabeth,

    σ'ευχαριστώ από την καρδιά μου, καλή μου!

    ReplyDelete
  91. And you're included naturally!

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  92. Ines,

    thank you honey for saying so!

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  93. Thank you Carol!! Very kind of you to stop by.
    Good luck in the draw!

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  94. K,

    aww, you flatter me! Sometimes I do so many typos due to the different alphabet and keyset too! (urgh.....)

    Hugs to you!

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  95. Audit,

    thanks sweetie. This is exactly why I was completely surprised by this.

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  96. Karin,

    I am entirely unfamiliarised with QVC, I'm afraid. But I'll take your superior knowledge on the workings of retailing in general. We don't have a QVC here...

    You're in and you're welcome on the offer, best of luck!

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  97. Camilla,

    thank you and you're in!

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  98. Natalia,

    sweetie, it's been excellent "meeting" you on something that moves us both on such a profound level. I appreciate all your kind words and your dedication to reading me. Hope I never let you down.

    Horse sweat is a magnificent smell (horses are magniicent creatures in general, I always thought!) so I'd love to find the magic essence that captures the spirit. If you do before that, let me know!!

    You're included and best of luck!

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  99. Lindsey,

    thank you ever so much for saying so!

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  100. Jen,

    I think the results have already been known and it wasn't first slot, but I feel like the sky was handed out on a silver platter: in so many submissions to land in the top5 while writing in a foreign language is unbelievable.

    You're in!

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  101. R,

    thanks so much! I hope you win the draw!

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  102. Molly,
    so nice of you to stop by and comment. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  103. My dearest M,

    how are you my darling? Hope everything is going well.

    Hugs to you!! :-))

    ReplyDelete
  104. Dear Iris,

    thank you ever so much for your kind words, you're so sweet and I appreciate your being one of my very very first readers!! (I cherish that and all your kind gestures to me)
    Hope you're very well! :-))

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  105. Thank you D!! I hope you find good things to read :-)
    (will respond to your mail very soon)

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  106. Lian,

    thank you so much!! I am MOST happy you've kept up reading me for so long, then!

    Good luck in the draw, too.

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  107. Kathy,

    heart-warming words, I thank you sincerely.

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  108. I wanted to personally congratulate Elena and Nathan here for the wonderful thing they did for Sniffapalooza Magazine! I have worked non-stop for the past three years on the Magazine and to have TWO stories make the TOP FIVE for is almost unbelievable! When I heard the news (from a text message from the FiFi breakfast from Karen Adams) I was over the moon with excitement for all of us. I never expected this at all.

    I submitted the stories at the last moment and had to Fed-Ex them overnight. I am so happy that I made the deadline! I also did not even send in those exact articles…and it was a tough decision to make. I made the right choice, obviously.

    Elena Vosnaki and Nathan Branch catapulted Sniffapalooza Magazine into the FiFi Award Nominations that were chosen for this historical award nomination. Sniffapalooza Magazine garnered TWO nominations in the TOP FIVE finalists in the category of Editorial Excellence in Fragrance Coverage 2009 Blog over selections from perfume blogs from around the country, just because of them!

    As one person from the Sniffapalooza Magazine Guest Book said:

    “I love this magazine. Where else do Genies come out of bottles, real men wear roses, Jason Bourne wears ivory soap, a new fragrance from Neil Morris brings us the tranquility of Japanese gardens and finally, you can listen to super stars like Serge Lutens, Frederic Malle, Jean Claude Ellena, Michel Roudnitska, Aurélien Guichard, Thierry Wasser, Bertrand Duchaufour, Kilian Hennessy, Laurice Rahmé, Andy Tauer, Ralf Schwieger, Antonia Bellanca, Ulrich Lang, Gerald Ghislain, Neil Morris, Vero Kern, Mandy Aftel and Yosh, talk about the industry as if you were all having a cup of tea together? Brava! Amazing! ”

    The content of the magazine is intended to be broad and varied and its success is due to its contributors. This is why it is so popular. The success of the Magazine, I feel, is due to the mass and general appeal of our vast and international readership. As another reader said:

    "There truly is something here for everyone’s reading pleasure - from the erudite to the delightful".

    Thank you so much, you made me so proud of you – and for us to finally deserve the recognition; for all of our wonderful contributors as well as our readers around the world.

    With utmost respect and love to all-

    Raphaella
    Editor, Sniffapalooza Magazine.com
    www.sniffapaloozamagazine.com

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