Etat Libre D’Orange Story of Your Life (Jerome di Marino) 2024 + Longing for Love Giveaway

Story of Your Life by Etat Libre D'Orange

Etat Libre D’Orange Story of Your Life by Olya Bar©

We all long for someone—it makes us feel, it makes us feel alive. Etat Libre D’Orange’s latest fragrance is inspired by a sweet ache of love’s taste, the craving for the person who made you feel something real. A scent of the lazy mornings spent wrapped in sheets, droplets of water glistening on the skin after a warm shower, and the quiet anticipation of breakfast shared in silence. No words are needed when the scent of love hangs thick in the air.

Etat Libre D'Orange Story of Your Life

Is this the brand’s first true gourmand? They have flirted with the genre before, with offerings including Like This, Frustration and La Fin du Monde, but Etat Libre d’Orange Story of Your Life is a full dive into sweetness—yet it still bears the unmistakable, bold character of the house. This audacity clings to the skin.

Fragrances that smell like bedsheets

Morning bed via Unsplash.

Etat Libre d’Orange Story of Your Life opens with the balmy warmth of benzoin and the enveloping sweetness of Davana essence, like morning sunlight that broke through the bedroom, illuminating the darkest corners and coaxing dawn to arrive. As it begins to blossom on the skin, the luminous orange blossom peaks out with a warm scent of something familiar. And there it was—a tray filled with the kind of indulgence that made the early hours’ worth savoring. A collection of pastries, their flaky layers dripping with rich, golden butter, sat piled high. The scent of freshly baked dough filled the air, mingling with the heady aroma of dark, molten chocolate. In the center of the tray, a steaming cup of hot chocolate beckoned. It was thick, almost velvety, with a darkness that hinted at a depth far beyond the usual sweet treat. The scent was intense and bold, and just when you thought it couldn’t get better, there was the faintest whiff of rum rising from the cup, turning the drink into something even more sinful. A dash, maybe two, of that warming liquor swirled through the hot chocolate, adding an unexpected kick that felt almost daring for the early hour.

Best pastry scented perfumes

Brioche via Unsplash

The world outside seemed to slow. Could the morning get any sweeter than this? The first bite of pastry practically melted on the tongue, butter oozing into every crevice of the flaky layers. Each sip of hot chocolate was a warm embrace, the rum cutting through the richness, adding a complexity that made you pause and appreciate every moment. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the city waking up in the distance, but inside, it was pure decadence. This moment of indulgence made the world seem softer, sweeter, and just a little more luxurious. The kind of morning that lingered in your mind long after the sheets had cooled and no longer smelled of the night full of love.

The dry-down is like the slow reveling of time together, the musky trace of skin against skin, the earthy embrace of patchouli, and the golden glow of amber woods resting on a bed of warm vanilla. This fragrance tells a story of life and love, memories and longing, and the certainty that you’ll meet again one day despite life’s distances. It’s the scent of a heartbeat, skipping at the thought of your love and its imprint on your soul.

Savor it. Life moves too quickly—moments like these slow it down, if only for a little while. After all, the present becomes the past in the blink of an eye.

Notes: Cistus Essence, Davana Essence, Benzoin Siam Pure JE TM, Laurel Essence, Orange Blossom Absolute, Brioche Accord, Rum Pure JE TM, Cocoa Resinoide, Patchouli Essence, Vanilla Infusion & Absolute, Amber Wood, Orcanox ™.

Olya Bar, Editor

Disclosure: Bottle of Story of Your Life kindly provided by Twisted Lily, where I am the Head of Digital Strategy & Communications, opinions are my own.

Etat Libre D'Orange Story of Your Life

Etat Libre d’Orange Story of Your Life courtesy of the brand

Thanks to the generosity of Twisted Lily we have a 100 ml bottle of Story of Your Life for one registered reader in the USA. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Olya’s review and where you live. What is your favorite Etat Libre D’Orange fragrance? Draw closes 09/23/2024

Etat Libre D’Orange Story of Your Life is exclusive to Twisted Lily until September 30, 2024.

Michelyn’s Note: From all of us at ÇaFleureBon: HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY TO ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE (September 2024), especially to founder and Creative Director Etienne de Swardt.

Jerome di Marino (now with MANE) is featured in our Young Perfumers series and was Ermano’s 2020 Rising Star

Secretions Magnifique was inducted into our ÇaFleureBon Modern Masterpieces Hall of Fame in 2013.

Read Nicoleta’s reviews of Frustration, Ghost in the Shell, and Rien

Frustration was in Olya’s Top 10 Best Scents of 2023. For Nicoleta, Ghost in The Shell was a 2021 Top 10 Best of Scent.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial@olyabar@etatlibreorange@etiennedeswardt@twistedlily360@jeromedimerino

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32 comments

  • You don’t see a brioche accord on top many fragrances, setting this one apart and truly making it Etat Libre D’Orange’s first true gourmand entry. I saw the teasing up to its release and this one sounds delicious. For a house known to put out very daring fragrances I’m super happy they decided to venture out and start doing different types of scents, like a gourmand. Olya expressed it beautifully on her review, we should savor life’s moments and not let the pass to fast, and this cozy fragrance will help you do just that. After all, this is the story of your life, live it, embrace it and wear this fragrance. I’m located in the USA.

  • jessica.rauch says:

    Happy birthday Etat Libre D’Orange!! I LOVE Story of Your life already!! I love the idea that it transports you to lazy Sunday mornings! That’s a great scent profile with the pastry with butter, orange blossom, rum drizzled hot chocolate and patchouli to ground it. Wow! Is this my new favorite fragrance?! My favorite fragrance from the brand so far is I am Trash but this might be a new favorite. – New York, NY

  • First time gourmand sounds wonderful.
    Happy birthday Etat Libre D’Orange!.. love the notes .Olya expressed it beautifully on her review.Thank you for this chance USA

  • The way Olya describes Story of Your Life as this sweet, decadent, but deeply personal scent is really intriguing. I love the idea of a fragrance that combines gourmand notes like brioche and hot chocolate with the complexity of patchouli and rum. It sounds like the perfect balance of indulgence and sophistication.

    As for my favorite Etat Libre d’Orange scent, it has to be *Like This*. There’s something so comforting yet unexpected about it—the mix of pumpkin and ginger always surprises me in the best way! I’m curious to see how Story of Your Life compares, especially since it sounds like a full dive into the gourmand world.

    USA

  • Devry DelHoyo says:

    Olya’s review has definitely piqued my interest. A bread gourmand is very unique. I especially would be interested because all the sweet vanillic gourmands out there have become a bit much for me. As a lover of lactonic fragrances I really enjoy Ghost in a Shell. — Utah

  • Story of Your Life sounds like a yummy gourmand fragrance, perfect for fall weather. My fave from Etat Libre d’orange is Frustration. I liked that Olya mentioned a cup of hot chocolate with a little added rum. Thanks for another wonderful review and draw. MI USA

  • Chris Mugavero says:

    My favorite part of Olya’s review was the descriptive prose, incredibly poetic in the journey this fragrance took her on enraptured me. The brioche accord is certainly intriguing. Exit the King has always been my favorite of the House, the soapy freshness is unmatched. Rien and Remarkable People being close seconds. – NJ USA

  • Olya makes this one sound lovely — what’s not to like about brioche and cocoa? But its name makes me think of Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life,” which is the basis of the film ARRIVAL. The novella is a good deal more melancholy than the movie, so it doesn’t match this scent particularly. But it’s a wonderful piece of science fiction and somehow it makes me more interested in the scent that bears its name. My favorite ELDO is You or Someone Like You, which is, for me, the perfect spring scent. I’m in Oklahoma, USA.

  • Olya makes this one sound lovely — what’s not to like about brioche and cocoa? But its name makes me think of Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life,” which is the basis of the film ARRIVAL. The novella is a good deal more melancholy than the movie, so it doesn’t match this scent particularly. But it’s a wonderful piece of science fiction and somehow it makes me more interested in the scent that bears its name. My favorite ELDO is You or Someone Like You, which is, for me, the perfect spring scent. I’m in Oklahoma, USA.

  • LuRon Anderson says:

    I always love Olya’s reviews! As she aptly stated, “we all long for someone”. That, painful at times, longing can equally be spoken of in regards to the collection of fragrances by Etat Libre de’Orange. I want them all but my favorite has to be Ghost in the Shell.

    WA, USA

  • I was captivated by Olya’s review of Story of Your Life by Etat Libre D’Orange. The way she describes it as a sweet, nostalgic ode to love and indulgence really resonated with me. The idea of mornings filled with the scent of warm pastries, hot chocolate with a hint of rum, and the intimate, musky dry-down evokes such a vivid and luxurious atmosphere. I’m intrigued by how this fragrance blends familiar gourmands with the bold, unmistakable character Etat Libre D’Orange is known for. It feels like a perfect scent to slow down time and savor the moment.

    US

  • What really caught my attention from Olya’s review of Story of Your Life is the fragrance’s ability to evoke such intimate and indulgent moments. The imagery of lazy mornings, wrapped in sheets, paired with the rich scents of hot chocolate, pastries, and a touch of rum is so vivid—it makes you feel like you’re right there. I love how Etat Libre d’Orange takes a bold dive into the gourmand realm with this fragrance, while still keeping that daring, signature edge. The dry down, with its patchouli, amber, and vanilla, sounds like the perfect comforting finish. This feels like a scent that tells a deeply personal story.

  • Olya my dear,
    You know I’m a gourmand kind of girlie all day and so this sounds like such a beautiful take on that, give me allll the warm pastry and hot cocoa vibes with someone you love, that musky skin scent cuddling up with someone on a cold day. Love it. So far my favorite ELDO is I am Trash. I live in upstate NY! ❤️

  • Congratulations and happy birthday ELdO! I am not a gourmandienne but I’ll admit this one sounds unique and like one I could love. Just the fact that Cistus is listed at the top and not the base, and I love Laurel and Benzoin, then add in orange blossom and davana… it’s sounding so deeply wonderful! Brioche is such a great scent. I’m hoping to win! I am in California.

  • I am most interested in the way she describes this scent as a marriage of gourmand and skin scent (in my interpretation) which strikes me as the perfect autumn morning scent – I would love to try it. I’ve only ever tried You or Someone Like You from this brand and I loved it.
    I am in the U.S.

  • I’m excited to try ELdO’s first true gourmand! Story of Your Life hits all the sweet notes with the benzoin and davana opening and a buttery rich brioche accord. The dry down sounds comforting with earthy patchouli, amber woods and vanilla. A perfect fragrance for cool mornings wrapped in a cashmere blanket. Favorite ELdO is You or Someone Like You. MD, USA.

  • FragranceIsMe says:

    The notes in this one appear comforting and warm to me. A lazy day feel…definitely comforting. Perfect for this upcoming time of year. My favorites from this house are You Or Someone Like You (affectionately referred to as YOSLY) and my latest infatuation… Frustration…so good!!
    BTW – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🙂
    USA

  • Wow! This sounds amazing? Happy 18th birthday Etat Libre D’Orange! I love their fragrances. A chocolate, vanilla, brioche morning with this scent sounds absolutely perfect. Yes, Please!

    I live in the USA.

  • My interest was first sparked by this being a gourmand. After that the description of the baked items and ingredients. I don’t have a favourite from the house at the moment. US

  • Everything about what Olya mentioned regarding Etat Libre d’Orange Story of Your Life being like I enjoyed a lot. It seems it will be boozy and rsinous just sounds nice. Thanks for the generous draw from USA. As for favorite there’s a few id like to try but haven’t.

  • Eris.can.swatch.kaos says:

    What a unique fragrance! I just loved the scene pictured here in this review, the decadent nature of this perfume is apparent. Based on the notes listed, I’m most intrigued by the combination of rum, brioche, and cocoa with patchouli and amber wood. I’d love to take this scent for a spin. I don’t have a favorite Orange Free State perfume, as I’m not yet familiar enough with the brand. I live in Oregon.

  • This style of gourmand is often too sweet for me, but Story of Your Life wisely reaches for some darker notes to keep the composition wearable. I’m intrigued by the “dark, molten chocolate” with a dash of rum, alongside the buttery pastry notes. And as usual, the bottle is beautiful; I like the Etat Libre D’Orange style. (My favorite ELDO fragrance is Fat Electrician.)

    I’m in the USA.

  • ELDO is such a playfully unique house and I am always interested in whatever they come up with next. As Olya mentioned, they have touched on gourmand a few times, but this one seems like it may reach a bit further in that direction that previous offerings. The incorporation of chocolate into the mix alongside benzoin and patchouli sounds an absolute dream. My current favorites from the brand are Tom of Finland and Experimentum Crucis, though that may change if you asked again later. Best of luck to all. I live in NC, USA.

  • I love Eldo as a line so much. Excited to hear Story of Your Life is big on pastry notes, then add rum and chocolate. Orange Blossom and Laurel has me intrigued. I have more than a few bottles from Eldo. My fav is Divine Enfant but I get tons of compliments on Like This. I love Olyas comparison of this to a decadent breakfast. I live in the USA

  • I’ve never owned any ELDO fragrances but they are on my radar. This sounds like a very artistic and spirited composition. This has alot of sweet elements and I believe that orange blossom absolute is a very juicy and strong accord. I’ve had my eye on divin enfants I believe it’s called. Hope to win the giveaway and try this beauty. From Jacksonville, NC.

  • What a picturesque review! As an orange blossom lover, I’m curious to smell a fragrance that doesn’t use the ob/ marshmallow combination. This sounds very different and Olya’s narrative review has me very excited to try it. In US

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    This sounds incredible! I love a bready note and the way you describe the pasty in this sounds so divine. I love your description of the rum and chocolate and how this fragrance just keeps getting better. I am so curious to see Etat Libre D’Oranges take on gourmand and it sounds like they’ve really nailed it. I really love this house and the interesting things they do with fragrance. My favorite is Putain des Palaces. Thank you for the draw, from the USA.

  • foreverscents says:

    Olya’s review of Story of Your Life gave me a very serene and calming feeling. I thought about mornings when waking up to a nice breakfast was the best thing to happen all day. I also thought about long indulgent breakfasts with many cups of hot chocolate, all while the outside world moves at a frenetic pace. The brioche accord in the fragrance sounds so lovely, as does the benzoin and cocoa.
    I love Rien from Etat Libre D’Orange.
    Happy anniversary to this remarkable house!
    I live in the USA.

  • I’d love a fully gourmand from this house. I love Fin du Monde. love that about the steamy cup of cocoa and the flaky pastries. I hope to experience that this winter and take it slow. Truly life speeds by. Those notes sound amazing, especially the brioche. Congratulations on 18 years. Thanks for the chance to win this. USA.

  • Awesome article , learning about Etienne de Swardt inspiration behind Story of Your Life, the fact that Jerome di Marino created the fragrance, and especially Olya delicious gourmand trip to Paris was a pleasure.
    Etat Libre d’Orange are famous with (sometimes a lot….) quirky fragrances, I do believe even the gourmands are is no exception.
    Frustration is fascinating and alluring scent i love, the roasted chestnuts and the cognac i find beyond addictive and I’m happy Olya mentioned it. La Fin du Monde I haven’t smelled, and Tilda Swinton Like This, or if you prefer just Like This i wear for many years. I believe Olya forgot about Fat Electrician, also a gourmand in my opinion.
    Family trip to Paris is what I’m thinking right now thanks to Olya , some small coffee shop, freshly baked goodies on display and a good strong black espresso. Story of Your Life is tranquil gourmand I’ll gladly wear in the Fall.
    Tilda Swinton Like This is my favorite for sentimental reasons, it reminds me of grandma,and her garden ,and pumpkin pie ❤
    Thank you for the opportunity
    USA

  • Olya’s review has me longing to try Story of your life. The benzoin, Brioche Accord,Cocoa Resinoide, Vanilla Infusion, and Amber Wood sounds like it will make for an amazing gourmand fragrance.