Happy Holidays! We'll be back on Monday. In the meanwhile, feel free to talk about whatever you like: what perfume you're wearing today, what you're cooking (or eating), anything at all.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Santa_blue_1 by ~Brenda-Starr~ at flickr; some rights reserved.
As is usual in the last few days before Christmas, I have been baking stollen ( a German fruited bread). It is a rather convoluted story, as we are not really German, but we have it every year for Christmas. As much as I love perfume, there is no smell better than bread baking in the oven! I will also be making a couple of jugs of homemade lemonade (courtesy of my Meyer lemon tree) to take to the family gathering on Sunday.
Yay for homemade bread! I am thinking I will bake fresh bread for my family on Christmas, too. I don’t really have a Christmas tradition these days, being only my second Christmas as a single person in a very long time, but I know that FOOD will play a role in any new traditions that I create!
I bought a stollen today! I love stollen but I’ve never tried baking it (not sure why) and instead usually just buy it from German vendors at a Christmas market. Today, though, I got one from M&S and it looks insanely good.
The smell of warm stollen… mmm. Our family recipe for it comes from my Russian grandmother. Pfefferneuse, too — lots of German goodies along with the traditional Russian ones. Enjoy your stollen! This may sound odd, but it’s actually great with blue cheese.
Thinking of Russian holiday dishes made me think of kulich. Easter, I know, not Christmas, but so good.
For the record, the recipe I use is actually from my 1970’s edition of the Betty Crocker cookbook. The only change I make is to double the amount of fruit (candied cherries, citrus peel, and raisins) called for, so that it is really loaded with good stuff. I don’t know how close it is to what they make in Germany, but it is very good and my family loves it–so much so that I end up having to bake 8 loaves. It is not really hard to make, just rather time-consuming and a little messy. There’s no hand kneading involved (it is beaten in an electric mixer).
The back story: Years ago, my grandparents used to get a loaf of it every year from a German woman they knew. They would save it and bring it with them when they came to visit and we would have it for breakfast on Christmas morning. The funny thing is, I HATED it when I was a kid, probably because it was dry and stale by the time we ate it. One year, my mother baked it because the German woman had died, so my grandparents didn’t have a loaf to bring, and I found out I liked it when it is fresh and moist. Now I bake it every year, and I can’t imagine Christmas without it!
I don’t know how it is that I’ve never had stollen. Is it anything like panettone?
Nope, one is light and fluffy and the other one, er, isn’t. LOL!
Ah.
I’ll bake some polish sweet bread next week. My in-laws wouldn’t eat it or appreciate it if I made any for Christmas. Mom usually makes it every year but the poor thing has had bronchitis so she hasn’t made any. You are so right about the smell of bread baking being the best. I haven’t had stollen in years. Maybe I’ll dig out a recipe and try some of that too.
I bet the homemade Meyer lemonade is fantastic!
Lemonade is my favorite way to use up the generous produce from my tree, and yes, it is delicious. It just tastes no nice and fresh when you make it from real, fresh fruit, and the Meyer lemons are sweeter and less acidic than the standard supermarket varieties. It has really spoiled me for any other kind. I still buy lemonade in the summer, when I have no fresh lemons from my tree, but it has to be real lemonade, with a significant percentage of lemon juice (10% or more). I cannot abide fake lemonade.
50_Roses is right!
The best smell is that of fresh bread (or cookies) but since I’m stuck at work all day, with 20 students high on candy canes, I’m wearing Egoïste.
Haha! “20 students high on candy canes!” Sounds like last Friday for me! Actually, wouldn’t you know it, my principal walked in for a surprise observation on Thursday afternoon, just after we’d handed out candy canes as treats! Yeeahh, they were just as well-behaved as you would imagine! : /
Oh, that’s just not fair! Your principal should know better. ***wags finger at Marjorie Rose’s principal**
OH, bread baking: Yes!
I am at my desk at work, and wearing Chanel Cuir de Russie, which is my new love. I’ve been wearing it four days a week for about six weeks, now. Just.Love.It.
You smell mahvelous! 🙂
fresh bread smells delicious, you do smell great too!
Cuir de Russie was my SOTD, too…perfect for the holiday season, n’est-ce pas?
I am at work today and its so quiet as a lot of people took the day off. I am pretty much ready for Christmas which is great considering I didn’t start anything until the 15th. I took off the week between Christmas and New Year’s and am looking forward to it. My oldest son (who lives in California) arrived this morning and is spending a week with me and we will be getting together with my other two sons. No new perfumes for me this Christmas as I needed a new computer and bought myself a laptop (at the cost of a couple of Amouages). My SOTD is Le Labo Santal 33. There are so few of my perfumes that I can wear to work but this is one that is user friendly to the work place. (A lot of people have complained about my perfume so I have now limited what I wear to work.) I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday season and that 2012 is a good year.
Oh, Filomena, I’m with you–at work, practically alone. I just heard a different department got the word they could leave at 2:30 today. First time I’ve been jealous of them! Anyway, I rather wish I’d sprayed something grand and overbearing today–who would have known? I didn’t, however, because I had to go to the hospital to visit my dear husband for a few hours before I came here. I try to be sensitive, scent-wise, when I go there. Maybe at noon I’ll let something strong fly! For now, I just a on a fading Le Temps d’une Fete. Good enough! Crossed fingers all of us working people get some small grace this afternoon.
Le Temps d’une Fete? You smelled lovely.
Wishing you and your husband the best.
I bought myself a waffle iron so I will have homemade waffles with real maple syrup and speculoos spread on Christmas morning. It’ll be a yeast batter so I’ll have some of that nice yeasty smell around. I’ve missed homemade waffles since my last waffle iron broke a few years ago….
Years ago, when I lived in N. Va., it was the Christmas tradition of very good friends of ours to make pumpkin waffles on Christmas a.m. Luckily we got to partake – YUM!!
Christmas waffles! I have tried to make this a tradition with my family, but the bums just don’t *get* it! Maybe I’ll make them for myself anyway! I LOOOOVE the scent to yeasted waffles, made with plenty of butter. Such a cozy way to start the day!
Tried speculoos for the first time recently. Just give me the jar and hand me spoon. That stuff is so yummy. I bet it’s great on waffles.
DH is the breakfast guru in our house and he’s making waffle batter as I write…..
a:d
Not at work today – YEA!!! – and only slightly embarrassed to admit that I’m not even dressed yet! So no SOTD either. I’m feeling Iris Ganache though – a no-calorie way to enjoy sweets!
FYI… I bought myself a bottle of the new Aromatics Elixir Perfumers Edition for Christmas. I really liked it, and even on my sweet boosting skin, it was very herbal and dry, almost bitter. It very much seemed like a scent from the ’30’s or 40’s, and well done. And it didn’t seem anything like the original AE to my nose. However, it really burned so I had to send it back. I doubt it was the oakmoss as I wear oakmoss-laden vintage scents regularly.
So, I get to buy myself something else for Christmas. I’m thinking it will probably be the new SSS Nostalgie, due out in Jan.
Happy, happy holidays everyone!
I am really looking forward to trying Nostalgie as well.
What a shame that EA didn’t work for you since it sounds fantastic! I wasn’t planning on trying it but after reading your description I’m going to seek it out.
Have fun picking the replacement gift, though 😀
I was disappointed too as I really liked the way it smelled, but I cheered right up when I realized that I got to shop for myself…. again! 😉
I did not get dressed til the afternoon, and I’m just about to shower. It’s that sort of day. But have tons of cooking done!
Why is it that it’s easier to cook in PJ’s?!?
It just IS!
Rapple, that’s too bad, I have that new AE and really like it. But I’m sure you’ll come up with something even more wonderful.
Just wondering, did this burn effect occur on sun-exposed skin, or other?
Evening, inside, right after opening the package and dabbing some on. The only other scent that did that was Colony, and I assumed that it was the pineapple. But I know what you mean about sun (hasn’t been any in central Ky. for months now!) as I have to be careful of Philtre d’Amour in the sun.
I wasn’t fond of AE until I smelled it on a colleague 2 yrs ago and thought I was smelling Mitsouko. It turned out to be the reformulated version – she’s worn it for years and mentioned the different smell in her most recent bottle. So I’ve been wanting to smell the new edition. Too bad you didn’t like it.
I, too, am looking forward to Nostalgie!
This was the limited edition that they call Perfumers Reserve. I really did like it (and I think you would too), but it didn’t like me! 🙁
Wearing Fresh Brown Sugar today. Not sophisticated at all, but I love it! And since it’s only slightly less lemony than Lemon Sugar, I look forward to trying the lemon custard scent Robin reviewed yesterday. Made pumpkin bread the other day, and will be baking an apple pie tomorrow to bring to Christmas dinner.
Happy Holidays!
And it’s perfect for this time of year. Who needs sophisticated 😉
I’m at work, and I think I may well be the only person in the building.
I have not much to do…I have the spice cake to make Saturday night, and the brandied cherry sauce for it to make Sunday morning. Other than that, I’m just kind of waiting. As far as cooking goes, though, I’ve already started steeping the spice blend for the cake in the brandy, and have a second batch without the long pepper and with about a half cup of sultanas for the glogg that may or may not get made.
Best news of all, the cold from hell has been suppressed! I can breathe! I can smell! I got a package from Smell Bent today! This is freakin’ awesome for a Friday!
Oh good! Sure seems like a lot of people are sick this week.
Long pepper – that sounds interesting!
The first trial (cup)cakes didn’t go so terribly well, as I didn’t get enough funk out of the pepper, but on the last one, I found that by steeping the catkins (after beating them about a little in the coffee grinder) in brandy for a few days I get the effect from it that I want. Plus I can use the brandy in/with other things.
Need I mention I make an awesome day-after-Christmas pot of coffee?
Merry Christmas, Robin, and everyone! Wearing La Petite Robe Noire 2 today. All set for Christmas. Finished shopping last week, cleaned most of the house yesterday (need to finish upstairs…) and went to the grocery store this morning. Have work to do today, though, so I’m not “off” yet!
Christmas eve – my husband and I go out for dinner. He has a crazy work schedule during the holidays and prefers to have a nice relaxing dinner – no cooking, no dishes! We’ll then come home and open our gifts to each other.
Christmas day – church in the morning, visit some family, then roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner. Hoping we’ll have some time to relax and watch movies. Looking forward to seeing the new Sherlock Holmes, too. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too!
We are going to eat our meal on Saturday night, & hopefully have leftovers & then go see Tin Tin on Sunday night.
My husband and older son saw Tintin yesterday and loved it. I can’t wait.
Oh good, glad to hear it!
Hello everyone!
SOTD is Mandragore Pourpre. I got a little tired of wintry heavy-hitters plus it got warm(er) and wet here. Far more typical English weather and certainly nothing like the last two winters when we were knee deep in snow. Anyway, I’m doing some last minute chores and errands and Mandragore Pourpre is working really nicely for me.
I was planning to treat myself to some perfume but didn’t make it to the big city so I’ll probably have to brave the crazy sales crowds next week. I’m more or less set on a bottle of Tubéreuse Criminelle.
I’ve been having a resurgence of wearing lighter scents too–I thought this wasn’t supposed to happen until January! Blame the unusually temperate weather this year.
I like to wear MP in the winter too. It is light but still warm. All those spices and the anise seem very holiday to me too.
Yes, it does seem pretty early to be already craving lighter scents especially since I find many heavier, cold weather perfumes more interesting (MP is one of the few lighter scents that still manages to keep my interest). Ah, well, hopefully my winter scent mojo returns soon! 😀
Hello and Merry Christmas (and Happy Chanukah and Joyous Yule!) to all!
As stated above, I am still trying to figure out what I do for Christmas as a single gal. . .having family over in the afternoon, but even that is rather up in the air. I hate to admit it, but I had a tiff with my mother about Christmas food yesterday, and it is still unresolved.
The short version is that I offered to host, and yet she insists on bringing a MOUNTAIN of food! I tried to explain that what I enjoy about hosting is that I get to feed people, but she was clearly offended that I didn’t welcome her “little” contribution of eggplant parmesan, maybe a pasta salad, a bean salad, oh, and we need a green salad, and how about some pies?
Grr. So, no idea what I will cook.
Oh, and today’s big news is that I’ve been strongly encouraged to take the plunge and meet with a loan officer about getting pre-approved for a mortgage. I’ve been dragging my heels, and I still don’t really feel ready (emotionally–my finances are pretty good), but I figure, all the pre-approval does is make sure that I’ve got that lined up whenever I DO feel ready. Right? Anyway, that happens later this morning, so I will try to choose a fragrance that sends a message of quiet competence!
Marjorie, one thing I’ve learned when my mother drives me crazy (happens often!) is that it *usually* stems from her not being able to relinquish the mother role, especially since we’re all grown, and still needing to feel needed. It helps me to deal if I try to keep that perspective. Good luck!
And just jump in with the approval process. It’s actually quite painless.
Thanks, Rapple! Yes, I suspect you are exactly right about her needing to feel needed. I struggle not to take it personally, though, I admit. And the real irony/tragedy is that I DO need her, but not for eggplant parmesan! I would much rather hear her say that she thinks it’s great that I’m feeling confident enough to consider buying a house on my own instead of having her bring bean salad to Christmas!
Marjorie Rose – good luck in the pre-approval/house thing. My husband and I just decided this fall to “do it already” after 7 years of waffling. We’re just in the process of negotiating the inspection report, blah blah blah. No smellies under the tree for me this year! That’s OK. I have enough to last for 10 years as it is. Anyway, I’m so in love with the Bois des Iles I got for my birthday that I don’t want anybody else right now. Here’s me cheating: SOTD: Mauboussin.
Wow! 7 years? That makes me feel less like the tortoise! I’ve only been working on this for a couple of years. . .ha!j
The real fear is that there is SO MUCH uncertainty in this economy! Even if things in my control look ok, there’s SO MUCH out of my control! Teaching is a great job, but there’s very little job security with state funding being cut year after year. I’m in my 4th school in 5 years. I keep getting work, but I always have to restart at the bottom of the seniority ladder. But this year is my first time at the same school two years in a row! I’ve decided that’s as good as my job security is likely to get in the next few years, so why not jump in?
Anyway, I’m probably sharing too much, (as I fear I do!), but I mean to convey my appreciation for your support! 🙂
Marjorie: one of the reasons we waffled so long was to wait for my husband’s job siutation to stabilise. Mine has been very stable during this time waiting, but not his. It’s a big concern. Renting isn’t the worst thing ever. I’ve been renting various good and bad apartments all over the country for about 20 years since I left my parent’s home. One of the young women who works for me at the library in the children’s department is a school teacher. Her and her new husband just bought a house last year and she was laid off from her regular teaching job right after they got it. It is considerably stressful for them b/c she is in queue to be rehired, etc, but the schools here are cutting too.She works excessively picking up sub jobs and at the library – she works all the time incl. weekends to help cover their housing costs. If waiting gives you peace of mind, then wait. It’s not about having money for extras at that point – you’re talkiing about stress for utilities, food, insurance, taxes, mortgage, etc. Good luck.
Marjorie, one of the few smart financial decisions my husband and I made was to qualify for the mortgage based on one income, not both, then still buy less house than we qualified for. There is a big difference between what you can qualify for and what you can really afford. We went through layoffs and financial crisis about seven years before the rest of the country and were still able to keep the house, the school district, semblance of standard of living during that time. We’ve also made extra payments when possible and refinanced when the rates were very low. I’m kind of obsessed with the mortgage now because I can see the end of the tunnel. We owe less on the house than many people spend on new cars ( which we have ever purchased) and it will be payed off by the time the 14 yo graduates from high school. We also bought the smallest house in the best neighborhood we could find and though I’ve wished for it to burn down many times over the years once it is payed off we can invest more money in it. A very smart, very wealthy friend of mine told me real estate is always a good investment provided you have the time to ride out all the ups and downs of the market. Buying a house to flip is probably a bad idea right now, but in the long run it always pays off. Here endeth the lesson because this is about everything I know about real estate. Best of luck and I hope everything worked out with your mom over Chrismas.
Hey, what’s Christmas without a little family tension? If you happen to resolve your tiff, I have plenty of family drama over here I’d be happy to share! All in the spirit of giving, of course…
Good luck with the pre-approval — for projecting quiet confidence, I’m a big fan of CdG 2 Woman.
Thanks, Lilydale! Feel free to generously share your drama, if you like! So considerate of you to offer! 😉
Hey Marjorie, Merry Christmas! This is my first time in five years as a single girl too and it’s certainly a big change. Looking on the brightside: not having to divide time between familes and deal with another person’s family tensions!
It really is different, isn’t it? I *do* appreciate not having to deal with my ex’s family! (Although his scary mother called me about 6 months after he left. . .apparently she didn’t know how to reach him and thought I could help. . .yeah, didn’t happen!)
I think I’m doing ok creating my own traditions, but there’s lots of trial and error, I admit! Do I like going to the Nutcracker alone? Do I need a real Christmas tree now that he’s not here to object? Should I make fudge, even though I’m likely to eat it all myself? : P
Hope you’ll have a great holiday despite the tiff! (and don’t they always seem to happen right at Christmas)
Marjorie Rose, it must be so frustrating! I’m sure you’ll figure out complimentary items and it will be a wonderful feast! It might also help to reflect on how she’ll be gone before you know it and you’ll be missing her at Christmas and wishing you’d thought to ask her about x before it was too late. Or not…. It is exciting to buy a house, though! Best wishes!
Here’s my update:
The loan meeting went fine. I’ll probably do a little loan shopping early next week, but if I don’t get any better offers, today’s were good enough (her eyes lit up when she saw my credit report! Suddenly, she seemed to think I wasn’t too bad a risk!).
I decided to wear Un Rose Chypree, which I got a sample of from Naomi (THANKS, Naomi!). I am not finding it to be the sillage monster I expected from previous comments. So, either my skin eats it, or I’m “deaf” to some of it. . .it’s nice, though! I do find that I get little whiffs of it that trail into my nose several hours after putting it on, and that is enjoyable.
What an exciting time for you. Best wishes! I’m at the other end of the spectrum. We just paid our mortgage off (got the notice yesterday)! Feels pretty good!
HUGE Congratulations!!!!
Of course, it is in anticipation of THAT day that I am encouraged to buy a house! It must be a fabulous feeling to know that you own it outright! I long for that sense of groundedness and security. Yippee!
Congrats on the loan meeting going well…and best wishes as you set forth establishing new holiday traditions!
SOTD is Penhaligon’s Lily & Spice, which I had completely forgotten about but is really hitting the spot. Luckily I’m in only in charge of the appetizers for our X-mas Eve bash, so all I have to do is churn out some spiced nuts, smoked trout pate, and edamame. And I just made some dark chocolate peppermint fudge for the heck of it — now to give it away so I don’t eat it all…
OMG – I think I drooled on my computer at the thought of your fudge!
Trout pate! How delicious that sounds.
It does!
If you need help getting rid of that fudge i can give you my address.
Too late! About 1.5 pieces left…
I put some L&S too, which is feeling Christmassy, if somewhat indirectly. Might switch to Anais Anais this evening, as the friend coming over doesn’t like strong perfume. After all the stollen talk I picked up a little one while grocery shopping today — I *guess* I am glad they list calories now, but perhaps we should just eat straight butter instead, as that might be “lighter”.
Okay, if you are not all shopped out, I got a sale email from c.o.bigelow, which is bigelowchemists dot com (they sell body care, etc., but also a lot of fragrances 🙂 thru today (friday), everything is 25%off with the code “fan25”. Happy Holidays!!
Excellent, thanks!
I’m home alone and wearing Vol de Nuit. A little strong for day and no one else home to nuzzle my neck 🙁 but I love it. Hubby comes home early this afternoon so he can enjoy the base notes. hee hee
I have never made stollen but this year I traveled to Germany for a trip to visit the Christmas markets and I bought a nice one in Dresden. I came back with my suitcase stuffed w/ treats: cinnamon stars, gingerbread cookies, something called Dominos, marzipan candy, etc. I also bought plenty of ornaments and wooden items, but food seemed to dominate! We’ll have the stollen warm on Christmas morning.
Oh, all of that sounds so wonderful!
Oh – I’ve always wanted to go to Germany for Xmas celebrations. It seems so special. That’s really cool that you did it.
I don’t think Christmas in Germany is that much more special than Christmas in America, to be honest. That said, I’m still rejecting reality and pretending that I’m still in Germany.
I’m in 28 La Pausa in my nearly-empty office; I’m still adoring the combo of my leather jacket and classy iris. Hey, did anyone catch what perfumes Miss Piggy had on her dressing table in the new Muppets movie? The scene went by too quickly, but I saw Mandragore.
I didn’t see it, but that’s awesome if she had a bottle of Mandragore. Go Miss Piggy!
I haven’t seen it but I just have to ask, do you find yourself pausing dvd’s at those types of scenes just to see what the perfumes are? I made my husband go back to a scene and pause it the other night. He thought i was looking for some clue to what was happening and all I really wanted to know was what the cool looking bottle was sitting on the bathroom counter. He did not get it.
I do when I notice, but I often don’t notice and then am surprised to hear about perfume sightings in movies I’ve already seen.
28 La Pausa is so perfect! Isn’t it great to have some peace and quiet in the office to wrap up loose ends?
Wow, you’re good! I did notice Miss Piggy’s intriguing collection of bottles, but the shot was gone in the blink of an eye — too fast for me to figure out what they were. I wouldn’t have pegged her as a Mandragore girl — more like Opium or Mitsouko or something similarly enormous.
Opium for sure.
Ha – that’s so funny. I see Miss Piggy with an overdose of vintage Arpege (gold lame cape and gown too, yes?).
I’m on the other end of Poland this Christmas, visiting my family. I’ll be staying there since Nov 27th, I couldn’t take much so I decided to take Dsquared Potion with me, which I’m also wearing today. Thought this warm-spicy and such cozy scent will be great for this Holiday.
Dear NSTers, I wish you warm, wonderful and joyous Christmas. Hope Your Christmas will be delicious and very aromatic!
I send you all a big hug!
Oh, and same to you Lucasai! Enjoy.
Thanks, Robin!
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, too, Lucasai!
thanks Nozknoz
Merry Christmas to you too, Lucasai! My family is Polish on my father’s side. I’ve always wanted to go to Poland. Someday!
When you happen to visit Poland you can let me know, so we can arrange a meeting maybe
A very Merry Christmas to you too Lucasai! Safe travels.
Thank you so much. Hope there won’t be much traffic on my way back home
Happy holidays everyone. Loving the talk about stollen, I must try to make some (newbie baker here, just taken it back up after leaving school in the late 70s). Will google a recipe right now. Also Squeeee! won a Cologne du Maghreb in the Tauer Advent!!!!! So delighted!!
I saw your nickname on the prize list! Congratulations, great Christmas gift from andy Tauer
Congratulations on that win! Nice Christmas present for you.
Sunsetsong, congratulations 🙂 and enjoy 🙂
High five to a fellow winner!
High five!!!! and thanks to eveyone else for their kind comments. Andy is a generous soul.
He is, isn’t he? A great guy.
Congratulations! What a great Christmas present, and please give us a review when you get it.
I haven’t been around much lately b/c I’m totally and completely brain fried at work. But I wish everybody a very happy holiday season whatever you do, and that you all have wonderful and much wanted smellies to open! Best wishes, etc. ~Ann
I’ve noticed and I’ve missed you, Ann. A few other of the regulars missing too. I hope everyone is alright.
Thanks – I miss all the camaraderie for sure. I can’t say about the others, but I’m justing hiding in the wings right now. Mostly I’m too cross-eyed to read or comment. There is no energy for keeping up or anything. The nice thing is that it’s sent me back into my existing collection and I’ve been really enjoying things I already have. I’m hoping as we get through the spring things will lighten up.
I totally understand, and whatever it is, it seems to be universal. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard say the same thing you have (including myself!). I’ve gone from reading and commenting on a half dozen blogs, to just this one. But have a very Merry Christmas! Hopefully your holidays will be restful and restorative.
Hope you’ll get a nice break then?
Yes, mostly. I’m totally going to ignore my work email, so that’s a plus. We’re doing a very quiet Xmas this year, so I’m looking forward to some nice extra sleep. We’ve had such mild weather this year it certainly helps.
Thanks, Ann, also wishing you happy and fragrant holidays!
hi everyone!
I’d like to wish you all a beautiful christmas with a lot of love!!
i am new here, I have been on another site for a long time.
I used to work in the luxury cosmeticbrand and I am still addicted to perfumes…And this is my question to you..any idea to replace escada (margaretha ley, red box)
Since it is discontinued, i have about 70 bottles…still desperate for a replacement for my signature. Now it is Coco, 2nd is boucheron.Yes, the classics!! Hope to see some advices, if not, again, merry christmas to everyone!!
Hi and welcome!
You might want to consider the Monday Mail:
https://nstperfume.com/the-monday-mail/
thanks a lot, I will!!
bonardi
Can we expect a Monday Mail update post soon? Seems like it’s been a while…
We’re due for one in early January.
I can’t wait. I sent a bunch of samples to a Monday mail participant and it has been so much fun reading her opinions of the fragrances. I also threw in some things she didn’t ask for and EL Sensuous was a surprise hit! She said she always thought they had a big “not for you” on them, too traditional and too “perfumey” for her, and she really liked it. I love when that happens, when I’m able to introduce something new that’s a hit. My daughter is crazy about the Tokyo Milk perfumes I gave her and said her boyfriend really liked Poe’s Tobacco which she wore for her birthday dinner (another Christmas baby).
Wearing and loving Phaedon’s Dzhari today. It’s gorgeous. Happy Holidays, dear Robin and NST team. Thank you for all you do 🙂
Thank you, and hope your holiday is wonderful!
Hi Everyone, I’m in Washington DC for work, and it has been nice to get the NST mails during daytime hours – not near midnight, which is what normally happens, because I live in Kenya. I am the last one in the office, being a workaholic comes second to being a fume-aholic! Any ideas on niche perfume shopping outlets in DC, as I will have Christmas eve free to spoil myself? Happy holidays!
Are you restricted to the city itself? The only store i can think of would be Blue Mercury in the city, but in the surrounding area you have Tysons Corner. This has Saks, Neiman Marcus and a little store called Art with Flowers with carries L’Artisan, Etat LibreD’Orange, Amouage, Keiko Mecheri, Penhaligons, Serge lutens, Yosh, Ineke, etc. There is a Santa Maria Novella boutique in Friendship Heights, which you can get to by metro. Im sure there are some spots to check out in the Georgetown area as well.
Yes, Art w/ Flowers is probably the best niche selection in town. Also Saks in Chevy Chase has some nice lines, including Armani Prive. Don’t know if the VA Saks has the same things, but probably.
But it’s not a fabulous perfume town.
Happy Holidays all!
SOTD is Roberto Cavalli Her which is straight up comforting, skin-scent play doh to my nose. It was a recent cheap thrill treat to myself.
Extended periods of time with my family in close proximity is always fraught with the potential for fueds, but everything has been wonderful so far. I won’t be doing any cooking for Christmas-I love cooking but can’t handle the pressure of doing it for the holidays-so I will strictly be relegated to dishes. Especially looking forward to feasting on raspberry-chocolate-cream pie, my favourite holiday dessert.
Raspberry Chocolate Cream Pie, you say? Golly, maybe a road trip north is in order. . . 🙂
Happy holidays to you too.
This cake sounds “sinful” 😉
I’m thinking the same thing MR!
Any chance you’d post the recipe for that raspberry chocolate cream pie? Sure, I can’t make it for Christmas, but New Years is just around the corner!
After some plying I have convinced my sister to surrender the recipe. It is really, really delicious, and yes, maybe a little sinfun. Easily my favourite pie!
It is a 3 layer pie. To begin, use one open-faced golden brown pie shell. Use one package fresh or frozen raspberries. Heat over medium with one table spoon corn starch and three table spoons sugar. Let mixture cool for one hour before place in the shell.
The second layer: half a cup of sugar with 8 ounces of room softened cream cheese. With vanilla to taste (about 1 tablespoon), fold into half a cup of whip cream. Spread on top first layer.
Final layer: Melted chocolate. We use two bars of the darkest, melted with about 2 tablespoons of butter. Melt and evenly spread on top of the whip cream layer. Then you can refrigerate over night or just let cool until the chocolate hardens.
Enjoy!
This sounds lovely! It reminds me of a Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake that my step-mother used to make. It was a plain cheesecake with chocolate raspberry cream cheese swirled in. The whole thing is topped with a ganache (chocolate and heavy cream melted into a lovely coating). She would decorate it with fresh raspberries and mint leaves–beautiful and always a crowd-pleaser! I am not usually much for fruit in my chocolate, but the tartness of raspberry seems to be an acceptable exception!
If would like to experiment with combinations of tart fruit and chocolate, try lemon with dark chocolate. I found a recipe once for dark chocolate lemon truffles, and they were fantastic!
Oooh, that does sound good!
Enjoy, indeed! That sounds wonderful. Thanks for the recipe.
Happy Holidays everyone! Today had to be a gourmand day, so I am wearing A*Men.
Tomorrow it will either be Kilian Love Don’t Be Shy or Straight to Heaven, or possible Guerlain L’Instant Pour Homme (EDT or EDP).
Decisions, decisions. 🙂
I have L’Instant EDT. Do you find the EDP to have much of a difference in scent, or just stronger/longer-lasting?
It is different, in that the cocoa note is a lot stronger. What is weird is that I didn’t really ‘get’ the cocoa in the EDT until I acquired the EDP, and then it was like a light bulb that went off.
I like both of them very much, but I still prefer the EDT because I like the sharpness of it. The EDP does last longer, but it is much more subdued and the anise note isn’t as pronounced.
SOTD – Timbuktu. Have been enjoying its mellifluous, mellow, melancholia!! Something rather sexy and haunting about it. WIll wear an uplifting citrussy orange blossom tomorrow though, as antidote to this grey, wet miserable weather we’re having in London……..xxx
May I ask which orange blossom? This is a note I would like to explore some more. At the moment I have O de L’Orangerie which I absolutely love. Thanks.
Hey! OJ Blossom is well worth exploring, it is a wonderful note.
My favourites are Tubereuse 40 from Le Labo and Fleur D’Oranger from L’Artisan……so far! The Tubereuse has incredible staying power, is beautifully balanced between citrus and white flowers and is radiant! The L’Artisan is simply, minimalist, straight-up OJ Blossom, and it bright and clear as a bell. Both are hard to come by, as Le Labo is available only in the NYC shop, and the L’Artisan is a seasonal limited edition. But you can get samples from The Perfumed Court to try. The Penhaligon’s one is very nice too, but not bright and citrussy enough for my tastes. Hope this helps!
Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Tried the Penhaligons but didn’t love it. I have only just discovered L’Artisan Parfumeur and will explore some more. I want to visit my friend in London so think I will plan a fragrant journey round the city.
I would also love to know which orange blossom scent you’re going to wear. It’s a fragrance I really love. You get some orange blossom in the top notes of Ormond Jayne’s Tolu. One of the best ones I’ve ever smelled is from Spain, Agua de Sevilla. They sell it in the US on a website called Delicias de España. It’s available in specialty shops and department stores in Spain. Here is the description (somewhat garbled English) from the Agua de Sevilla website itself: “This fragrance evokes the spring of the Andalusian capital thanks to its flower components; specially de blossom and the jasmine. In its essence, it maintains green flower components, although the papaya, the Moroccan jasmine, the tuberose and the ylang-ylang obtain a more fruity texture which achieves a flowery background musked and woody.” It’s a really beautiful fragrance.
I work at J.Crew and have to be in until 1 am due to all the late Christmas shoppers 🙁 I’m thinking about wearing Tonka Imperiale as a way to keep me yummy and cozy that late, but am a little worried it might be strong around so many people. Oh well! It’s Christmas Eve Ever… I should get to wear what I want! Hope you all have a fabulous holiday!
Oh and I also caved and bought the small size Perdigone candle from Diptyque. (and so glad I did!)
I had to look up that candle – it sounds great and it must be beautiful!
1 am, wow! Hope it will go quickly.
Got my Cologne du Maghreb prize from Mr. Tauer today, but sadly cant smell it because im still getting over the flu. Also got my credit card bill with all the christmas gifts on it, son of a b****. lol. Maxed out, but paid off in full. Ive never carried a balance in my life and im not about to start now.
Report back when you recover!
Hope you’re better soon, and congrats on your win!
Good for you on the win and paying off your card, Rictor – hope you feel better soon!
I feel your pain. Take drugs, feel better!
(ugh, and I don’t even want to think about money.)
Hope you feel better soon! Report back on how you like the Colgne du Maghreb!
Merry Christmas everyone!
I am fairly new to this site, but this year got a lot of good advice on here so am trying again. I asked this once before, but am going to ask again. I know I am getting a Nordstroms gift card for Christmas and although I know a few perfumes I want, I am still thinking about the blind buy of Prada Candy. I am a floral person and like things like P. Balenciaga, Jo Malone and Cartier. Not sure if I would like Candy or not. I know it isn’t floral, but maybe it would be good to try something different. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Buy it! Its nice, not overpowering (and I have been wearing it on warm summer days here) It smells, to me, slightly like La Perla Charme but less floral and more soft spice.
Is there any chance you can shiff it first? I gave Prada Candy a couple good tests, and I am really not a fan (not that I hate it–I just don’t find it very interesting or particularly good smelling). Do you know if you like gourmands and more specifically the smell of benzoin that resembles caramel? I think some scents that might be a good way to gauge it are Angel (different animals entirely but kind of similar theme) or the original Prada (sort of similiar structure). Have you tried or do you like those?
I say don’t do it!!! Sample first. Candy is super sweet. That being said, I have ignored that good advice on a few occasions in the past. With around a 50% success rate on blind buys in my own experience I wouldn’t gamble with a gift card.
Thanks for the advice. I am thinking maybe I won’t like it. For some reason I have the feeling it may smell like Viva la Juicy by JC. That smells like caramel to me. That one I do like. I am not sure what the benzoin smells like.
Not at all like Viva la Juicy, it is far softer, smoother and creamier.
Thanks. Well, then maybe I would like it. LOL.
Nordstrom has all those wonderful Annick Goutal florals – it’s worth a trip or quick sample order from TPC first, if at all possible.
SOTD is Donna Karan Gold.
At this moment, I’m eating my mom’s liver pate appetizer which along with pork pies, pork sticks, cabbage rolls are our food traditions before Christmas. Christmas Day begins with blintzes (hubby’s family tradition) and dinner is the standard turkey dinner affair.
I’m pretty sure my dog Layla and my son will have something scented for me under the tree. Fingers crossed.
I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. I haven’t been participating in the fume blogs much lately, but love to come back now that I have a bit of spare time and read all the thoughful, interesting comments here. Thank you.
Glad to see you, and you smell great!
Dogs really are the perfumista’s best friend!
They really are. She always knows exactly what to get me. Very thoughtful… 😉
Sounds like I need to have words with the kitties!
Reporting back: Dog gave me Donna Karan Cashmere Mist body creamand sweet son selected Chanel Cuir de Ruisse. I’m a lucky gajl for sure!
Wearing Prada Candy and possibly wearing it for Christmas Day tomorrow-to me it smells Christmasy. I will be baking a berry pavlova this afternoon to take to our family Christmas lunch-not hard, thankfully! Merry Christmas!
It does smell Christmas-y!
debbie, you sure do smell christmas-y. Candy’s vanilla toffee is sure a holiday scent
Thanks for the abundant recommendations, Rictor!. Can’t wait for tomorrow, will be stalking out all of the shops you mentioned 🙂
I’ve been cooking for days. I’ve got the in-laws coming and they are so fussy. I hate cooking for people who won’t eat anything. Hopefully there will be plenty to choose from between apps, dinner, and dessert. If they leave hungry it’ll be their own fault.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope Santa is good to all of you!
I hate cooking, period! But yes, it’s worse for fussy people.
I love to cook and I love food, and I have a very hard time sympathizing with people who DON’T love food! It seems like such a personality fault to me! I think what I would *try* to do is remind myself that I’m not responsible for how they react to my cooking, that it isn’t personal, and it’s their loss. . .of course, I would probably have a hard time taking my own sage advice for the first few hours! 🙂
Good luck, and I hope you find plenty joy and distraction along the way!
I learned my lesson last year so this year I’m not even bothering with sweet potatoes or brussel sprouts. They didn’t even touch them.
Their loss! I love roasted sweet potatoes AND Brussels sprouts (especially sauteed in a little butter or, even better but never tell my doctor: chicken fat!).
My family LOVES Brussels sprouts and we eat them a couple of times a week. I know that’s weird but they’re always the first to go. My favorite way to serve them is to steam then cut in half, sauté in butter and deglaze the pan with a splash of balsamic vinegar. I wish I could grow them but it doesn’t get cold enough here for most cruciferous vegetables.
Our daughter is an aspiring chef and this year she baked them in a smoked Gouda gratin.
What’s worse is to be forced to eat a meal at the home of someone who doesn’t love food or cooking and has no idea how much to make. My MIL is the only person I know who ever ran out of food on Thanksgiving Day! One year we hit some pretty bad traffic for the 4 hour drive to their house and got there about an hour after everyone else had started eating (~1 P.M.), and she was already out of mashed potatoes, green beans, dressing, etc. DH and I ended up leaving as early that evening as we politely could and found a restaurant that was open so we could finally get enough to eat.
Oh, how disappointing! You’re right about eating with a host that doesn’t like to cook—rarely as enjoyable! But to run out of Thanksgiving?! My mom might roast the turkey “just a little longer” too often, but there’s always plenty of that dry, old bird to go around!
That is awful but no worry about that here, I have plenty of food. I always cook too much. I am my mother’s daughter. She always made sure there was plenty.
Both in my oven as I type this. Sweet potato soufflé and halved Brussels sprouts.
This Christmas, I am traveling to Indianapolis and Chicago. I’m particularly excited about the Chicago part, as I’ve never been there. Anyone have shopping recommendations in either city?
The one place that’s definitely on my list is Barney’s in Chicago, but what I’d really like to know about is local shops and boutiques I shouldn’t miss…
Perfume Posse hosted a Chicago Sniffathon a few years ago — might have some good ideas for shops:
http://perfumeposse.com/2008/09/16/the-posse-storms-chicago/
Thanks Robin! We leave Indy for Chicago tomorrow and that post was quite helpful!
I’m really looking forward to a stress-free holiday! Instead of going to my mother’s (which always seems to end up, um..dramatic), we’re going to meet up and take in a movie and go out to dinner. We just did this last Thanksgiving for the first time ever, and it was fantastic. Everyone got along, laughed and ate well.
I wish everyone here at NST a wonderful, safe and scented holiday!
And the same to you! Your holiday plans sound delightful. Have you picked the movie yet?
I guess it will be “We Bought a Zoo.” The first suggestion was “War Horse,” but I said I didn’t want to see another Speilberg war movie (I guess I should have looked it up first, because it seems that it’s not really a war movie.) Then, they said “Sherlock Holmes,” which I wasn’t really wanting to see. Then, I suggest “Mission Impossible” because they are fun, fast, entertaining films and I just want to be entertained at the moment! But, my brother won’t see Tom Cruise movies. If this is the big family problem this holiday – I’ll take it 🙂
The in-laws decided to skip Christmas with us after Mr. Lil warned them that we all have some kind of virulent pestilence. So now I can pare down the menu to just things we love to eat, yay, such as pistachio biscotti.
SOTD was Cuir de Russie, which proved perfect for a cold, rainy start to the holiday weekend. Tomorrow calls for a gourmand; Sushi Imperiale sounds about right.
Question for NSTers: Can anyone based in the US tell me about his/her experience ordering fragrance from England? Specifically customs fees? Specifically specifically Ormonde Jayne? Marjorie Rose, I know you ordered OJ Woman not long ago. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Happy holidays everyone!
Hi Lil, I’m in Canada, so not sure if you’ll feel the situation is comparable (although I suspect that Canada Post & Customs are at least as difficult as their US counterparts). I’ve never had any problem ordering from Ormonde Jayne, and over the years I’ve ordered a lot – first a Discovery Set, then several bottles of EDP, and now I’m addicted to their bath oils. I’ve never been charged duty or brokerage.
I’m planning to wear OJ Ta’if tonight – we celebrate on Christmas Eve, and for the last few years Ta’if has been my Christmastime scent.
Happy fragrant holidays to everyone!
Thanks Timbit! I’m intrigued by the bath oils but ignorant of them — do you apply in the tub, or immediately afterward?
Hi Lil!
I had no trouble at all, but I wasn’t aware enough that there MIGHT be trouble to worry about it! Ha! (The old “ignorance is bliss” excuse!)
Now, I have since read that there may be additional charges and such that I could have asked to have excused, but since I knew nothing, I pursued nothing. . .the total cost to me was $122 for my bottle of OJ Woman plus the bonus purse spray that was being offered at the time.
Oh, and the Discovery Set has no hidden fees as far as I could tell. It was $72, with no shipping fees.
Hope that helps! Maybe others can educate us about customs stuff?
Thanks for the details, Marjorie Rose! Enormously helpful. I’ve been burned before by unexpected customs charges when ordering from Europe (bedding, not fragrance), so I wanted to be sure. It’s wonderful having the NST community to turn to for answers. Hope you are enjoying a lovely Christmas!
Hi Lil,
I live in the US, and like Timbit I’ve never had any problems with customs (or anything else) ordering from OJ. I’ve ordered quite a few things from them over the years, never a problem (except one time they sent the wrong thing–but that wasn’t a customs issue). So go ahead and order! Hope you love what you get.
BTW, as others have said, I’ve often found myself wearing Ta’if or Tolu during the holidays in the last 5 years. So thanks for reminding me–I think I’ll do it again!
Thanks Smellifluous! (Great nom de net, btw.) Ta’if and Tolu seem to get a lot of love here, so I’m looking forward to meeting them. I’ve already fallen in love with Ormonde Woman.
I have ordered from Ormonde Jayne three times (a discovery set, Ormonde Woman, and Ormonde Man) and have had no problems with their service. I did read here recently where one poster (I don’t remember who) raised the issue of VAT, which I had not even thought of. I did not get any reduction in price form that listed on the website, so perhaps I paid VAT when I shouldn’t have. On the other hand, I did not pay anything extra. The discovery set price includes shipping; in the other two cases, the price plus shipping was just what was stated on the website. All three orders arrived promptly, within a week or placing the order. Honestly, that is faster than for many domestic orders I have placed.
I remember reading that someone got VAT waived as well. Which is pretty interesting, because I had inquired about that myself and they said they wouldn’t waive VAT. I haven’t ordered anything myself from OJ because I think it’s unfair that I have to pay it – if you buy it in person, you get that VAT back. Oh, well…
A week? That’s incredible service! Thanks for the info, 50 Roses! And happy holidays!
Got out of work about 20 minutes early so that was nice!
I have a question for you all – any thoughts on what perfume you will be wearing on Christmas and/or Christmas Eve (or Chanukah or just Dec. 25th!)?
I’m hoping I have a new scent to wear on Christmas day. Today I have to finish all the prep work and get the house in order. Not sure what I’ll pick. It’s feeling like it might be a Shalimar kind of day.
I wore Tolu last Christmas and New Year’s eve too, it was perfext and I was going to wear it again tonight, but forgot my decant when packing! So… maybe Shalimar, like poodle… or une rose chypree… will have to go through the samples I brought. What are you planning to wear? Happy holidays!
Oh, I have just gotten Tolu as part of the Ormond Jayne sampler set (Christmas gift to myself) and absolutely love it! I foresee a FB in my future!
I’m wearing L’Air du Desert Marocain today and either OJ Woman or Wazamba tomorrow!
I have been wearing A LOT (ok, like 6 sprays at a time!) of OJ Woman lately, and the green, hemlock note seems so seasonal; so, that may be my choice again. On the other hand, I’m really enjoying my little sample of AT’s Une Rose Chypree, and I might want to keep enjoying that. . .in either case, I feel like I need something “special” and yet nothing that might compete with all the lovely smells of the season!
Tonight, I’m going to a cocktail party and am leaning towards Ta’if (it should be cool tonight) I’m also considering Seven Veils. Christmas day will be with family, and it’s supposed to be 81 degrees out, so I’m not sure what to wear…but I’m open to suggestions!
I’m wearing SSS Champagne de Boid today. Still undecided about tomorrow but I’m leaning towards Amouage Lyric because I find that it goes incredibly well with all the usual smells of food and wine.
Merry Christmas everyone! My mother is in town, so I’m not wearing any scent-she’s allergic to so many things and fragrances give her headaches and will even make her lips swell. I might be able to get by with a non-floral vanilla.
Sorry for your mother, and you! A soft vanilla sounds like it could work though. Do you have one in mind? I have a Molinard/les senteurs vanilla which is very basic but nice, and sort of non-perfumey. Hard to imagine that type of scent bothering anyone, but with proper allergies you never know. Merry christmas to you too!
I ended up wearing Sensuous. It’s so enjoyable to wear, but not huge silage. I forget how much I enjoy wearing it!
Your poor mom! That sounds like some serious allergies.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Ok, so my latest samples arrived and I have DSH Lumiere on one wrist and Perfume Generale’s Indochine on the other and I can’t decide which one I love more! They are similar so I feel I shouldn’t get both but I really want at least one of these!
Sujaan, I have a small sample of Indochine and really like it. Definitely need more. Haven’t tried the other one yet, though, so I can’t compare.
I am reeeeeaaaally loving Indochine. It may be FBW. That’s rare for me too. I’ve been sample obsessed, trying to define my scent.
One thought: you could get decants of both and give them a thorough try in order to decide if you need more or one or the other – or BOTH, ultimately.
Great idea, thanks! I’m going to check through the perfumed court for availability. Happy Boxing Day…if you celebrate that.
An early christmas gift to myself was a forgotten, dusty old pack of 3 Roger et Gallet soaps in Oeillet, that I found at a medical foot care shop (!). They smell absolutely beautiful of spicy cloves. One soap in the guest bathroom scents the hallway. Love it. Unfortunately, it also makes me want to seek out all those famed, discontinued carnation fragrances.
Aaaarggggh! I’ve always wanted to find some of those. Still annoyed it’s been discontinued.
So glad you’re getting to enjoy them!
Mals, I’d be happy to send you one! I’m sure you’ll love it and it would be great to share the wonderfulness. You can drop me an email at my hotmail address, it’s hagarwo.
I’m having my usual good luck with circum-Christmas eBay shopping – two Yosh’s that I recently fell for and wanted FB. I’m afraid to wish for more! But I’m traveling with Mr. Print who hates perfume so I’ve worn almost nothing for days. It’s killing me. Going to try getting away with some Do Son solid in the car (light and stays close to the skin). Also ate a cupcake I didn’t have to bake for breakfast – my life is pretty good this Christmas Eve! Hope everyone else’s is the same!
Oh, and already gave 3 bottles of perfume away for Christmas and all 3 extremely well received. I feel very smug! Because I know these three ladies of varying ages quite well and I knew I’d picked winners. (one Violette Precieuse, one Amazing Grace, and one Ava Luxe Madeline.) yeah!
Congrats on your eBay scores! It makes me want to wander over there to see what I can find…. Merry Christmas!
Me too! Honestly, I check ebay with some frequency and haven’t run into the couple of scents I’ve been wanting. But, I thinking maybe after the holiday, unwanted presents might make their way to the site:)
Ok. So in my usual tradition of TMI. . .my cat (well, one of them), Claudius, has just gifted himself! He must have opened up the bathroom cabinet and chose a toy for himself. . .his very own tampon “white mouse” toy! Hahahahaha! He’s chasing it around the apartment like it’s the best toy ever! I will never spend money on cat toys again! (Sorry if this offends anyone’s sensibilities! But it is SOOOoooo funny! Thank goodness he’s done it today and not tomorrow when my mother and her boyfriend will be here!)
That is fantastic!! What an affordable and sanitary gift for a cat lover!!! Lol Especially if it’s owner is female, she could always borrow one in a pinch.
Ewwww! I would hope that no one would want it when he’s done with it! 🙂
Oh gosh, I meant a new one out of the box! Not one that had been played with!!!!!!!!
Ah, yes! Much better!
Hahahaha! You never know what a cat will deem to be a cat toy.
2nd this! And my two cats generally scorn “official” cat toys!
Hilarious!
That is hysterical!
Wearing Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple today and will wear Winter Delice tomorrow, because both in their individual ways smell like Christmas to me.
We’re planning on a quiet Christmas – my family is in the Pacific NW and my husband’s family is “up north” in New York. We’re trying to decide whether to see a movie in the afternoon or go to the beach (it’s around 80 today), then we’ll have a traditional Christmas dinner. Then Monday is the start of a super busy week for me – it’s the 2nd busies week of the year at the zoo and it will indeed be a “zoo” there!
I’m surprised to hear that zoos are so busy after Christmas–is it because so many people are on vacation with their families? I suppose you are in a warmer place than I am, though. It is dark and damp in December in Oregon. However, our zoo does “Zoolights” at night in December. It’s quite lovely, if cold, with lights throughout the zoo at night!
Yes, I’m in Florida. Families in town, vacationers, the kids being out of school and the weather all bring people to the zoo.
I know the Oregon Zoo well. I remember Packy from when he was a little elephant! My sister and nephew went to Zoolights last year and really enjoyed it.
Zoolights sounds pretty. I live in Los Angeles, I should check to see if they do anything special like this…wonder if the animals are up and about during the night hours…
When you happen to visit Poland, you can let me know, so we could think of arranging a meeting
I looooove Poland.
I went on a program to Berlin and we had a week long excursion to either Gdansk/Warsaw or Munich/Vienna, which students were randomly assigned to. I got in the Munich/Vienna group but luckily I was able to switch with another student. It was my second time in Poland–I went to Gdansk/Warsaw/Krakow previously this year.
I want to go to Bialowieski National Park someday.
Hi everyone!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Yesterday I got 12 samples from Luckyscent…my first sample order ever!! I am SO excited to try them all! Yesterday I wore Like This and enjoyed it very much. Another I tried is Miriam, and it’s beautiful. But today, I’m wearing Chanel No 5…I was in Belk and never leave the store without a spray from their tester! 🙂 I enjoy this site so much and I’m learning so much from your posts and thoughts on all things perfume!
Making an eggnog cheesecake and spicy Mexican chocolate cookies today. Cinnamon buns this evening, for Christmas breakfast. Cooking the turkey breast tomorrow, for Christmas dinner. YUM.
SOTD has been Alahine, because it’s my official Christmas scent. Will probably wear it tomorrow too.
Cinnamon buns are our Christmas morning tradition!!!!!
Surprisingly, all the food turned out well, even the eggnog cheesecake which was AMAZINGLY creamy and subtle-tasting. It was a new recipe.
And cinnamon buns are always good.
Oops, so sorry I posted this as a reply, Jada!
Welcome to NST and the scented life… yeah, those sample packs will GET you, at least in the wallet if not in the heart. Look out. And enjoy. REally. 🙂
Oh, I can remember how much fun my first sample order was, or even just the discovery that you could even buy samples! Enjoy and be sure to come back and let us know what you think. Merry Christmas!
I’ll definitely be coming back and asking questions…my nose is still learning to pick out the notes I like! Before, I would say “florals are nice”, but only now can I just now begin to pick out certain florals, such as violets, etc. So much fun!!
Ah, yes, Jada. It starts with a sample order, and before you know it ….. 🙂
I can tell already….one sample pack is just the beginning! Going to have to pace myself! Why do my favorites have to be the expensive ones? LOL
I’m about to make my annual batch of shortbread. I’m wearing a pink caftan and wafting Havana Vanille. Holiday Cheers to all you NSTers!
What, just one batch? 🙂
Unfortunately, I’ve got the nasty gluten intolerance thing, and I really miss shortbread and spritz cookies! Enjoy them for me.
Well, Mals, I *did* double the recipe. Rap, I’m sorry that you can’t indulge, but hope that you’ve found other treats to enjoy!
My sister is making wassail!!!!!!!
I don’t know what that is, though.
Wassail originally was a spicy, mulled cider. Today, it’s usually more of a mulled wine – spices, fruit, and sometimes brandy added. Very nice in a cold climate!
I recently found a half-full vintage bottle of L’Heure Bleue eau de cologne at an antique shop in Galveston for only $5. The scent has not gone off and is dusky and amazing. I am not sure if I will wear it for Christmas tomorrow but I’ve definitely been dabbing it on lately. I don’t know the vintage but it’s a cool looking older bottle.
Do you mind telling me which shop? I didn’t realize any of the antique stores in Galveston dealt with perfume. Unfortunately, there are not as many antique stores there as there used to be. My favorite one (The Peanut Butter Warehouse) was devastated by Hurricane Ike and did not reopen.
I just baked apple butter bread and will soon be whipping up a batch of “mockamole” (guacamole made with sweet green peas instead of avocados). Fir balsam incense is burning, and I am currently wearing Geisha Green by Aroma M.
I make guacamole with half avocado and half peas–I thought I was the only one!
Mockamoleans unite! 😀 .
Just got back from an early Christmas eve dinner at a French bistro in Old Town Alexandria, which is particularly lovely at Christmas time. Took a taxi, and the driver was from Cambodia. He commented how different customs were in different countries. In the US, people disappear (into their homes or out of town) on holidays, while in Cambodia, everyone is out in the streets and markets on holidays. (It may help that it’s not freezing cold there!)
One of my favorite Christmas Eve rituals is getting out the classic deco black glass bottle of Caron Nuit de Noel and dabbing on its velvet aura of sugar plums and sweet spices. Seasons greetings to all!
Agree that a gourmand is perfect for the holidays. Decided on Missoni for the chocolate note, which to me comes on strong as chocolate-covered cherry.
Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night!
Just finished watching my all time favorite Christmas movie – Love Actually. And wrapping presents. Lots of presents! My family gathering isn’t until Monday, so I’ve still got time. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night! 😀
I *LOVE* that movie! I feel like such a sap, but I think I cry every time when Colin Firth’s character proposes!
I’m watching my quirky, not-so-traditional traditional Christmas movie–Die Hard! It started as a joke tradition with my ex, but now I find it a nice antidote to the usual Christmas schmaltz (of which I watch a lot in the preceding weeks, but am usually done by the time actual Christmas comes around).
YES! The best part (okay, one of) of the movie! I love that scene starting with the hysterical march of the the father and sister to the restaurant, gathering neighbors and strangers as they go.
Having four brothers, I totally understand about Die Hard. In our family, it’s Independence Day. Same idea….
Have a great day!
Independence Day makes me cry, too. . . 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Well I had to work at the restaurant on C. Eve, so I decided to be a lttle festive and wear my M by Mariah Carey. I hadn’t worn it in a while but I always get compliments on it. Altho the matching lotion I have has turned watery, like I can shake it like a milk carton practically. Does anyone else have lotions or the like that have done this? It’s not even that old, specially compared to some of the other stuff I have.
Happy holidays Everyone! May your Day by joyful and scent-filled!
Yes, I have often had lotions do that. Lotion is what is known as an emulsion, which is a mixture of two normally unblendable liquids, usually oil and water. Mayonnaise is a familiar example. The emulsion consists of very small droplets of one liquid dispersed in the other, and is typically thicker than either of its components alone, just as mayonnaise is thicker than either vinegar or oil. If the emulsion breaks down, it will become thinner in texture.
That is very very interesting….so do you usually throw your lotions out after they turn or do you just use them up? Mine is a little more than half done, and it’s still a little lotion-y, so I figure I’ll just use it up. It still smells good. Or is that too gross?
It’s up to you. Sometimes I have tossed out lotions that have broken down like that, just because they are too messy to use. It can be difficult to apply and spread a lotion that is too thin and watery. If it’s one you really like though, and it smells good, by all means use it if you want to. All that is happening is that the oil and water are separating. The only reason you really should throw one out would be if it was actually spoiled, in which case it would probably smell bad. This is actually more likely to happen with lotions made from natural vegetable oils (almond, apricot, and so on), which can go rancid in time.
Thanks, I probs will use it up, I guess it doesn’t make any sense to throw it away. 🙂
the day is almost done…we are about to light the 6th candle of channuka and i am wearing l’eau d’ambre…it was a casual spray on my way out from handing in some knitted squares for a charity…a combined club monacco, lane crawford effort for crossroads foundation. Club monacco suplied the cotton yarns and had a pop up shop in lane crawford and handed out yarn and needles to whoever wanted. The squares are made into blankets for the poor. love the combination of business and charity and i get to be productive…and calm around the hectic hyper kids!…and for a great cause…wanted an ambre but not the heavy hitters
I love things like that. I went to a church bazaar recently and they had knitted prayer shawls there that were really pretty. I went to look at them and there was a sign saying that if you need one or know someone who might, please take one. There was also some yarn and the instructions on how to make them there that you could take as well. People donate the yarn and people donate the time and effort to make them and they just give them to whoever needs one. I did grab a copy of the instructions but did not take a shawl because there are people far worse off than I am. It’s a great thing when people do nice things for others. Bravo to you for helping out like that. Happy Channuka.
Mazel Tov! We have a few hours to go yet. I guess the traditional, cliched Jewish Christmas Chinese food is convenient for you! 🙂
Our next door neighbors give us bunuelos and tamales every year and they make a chicken batch just for us. The weather is usually nice and we like to drive to my husband’s old neighborhood, tell silly stories about our crazy family, and then stop at his favorite childhood park to watch the kids play with their Christmas toys and learn to ride their new bikes.
Are your Channukah candles scented? 😉
Wearing Guerlain L’Instant Pour Homme EDP, which I received earlier today. Just great. Went walking in the French Alps on the most beautiful day, so sunny, yet snow everywhere. And nearly blind from the snow glare! Now waiting on the turkey in the oven…c’mon…. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and glad tidings to all. I also want to say a special Happy Birthday to everyone here who, like me, have a Christmas birthday. We are legion.
I’m wearing Epic Woman which I applied lavishly before bed last night with dreams of frankincense and Mysore sandalwood dancing in my head.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Julia!
You smell MAHHvelous!
(PS I’m a Thanksgiving birthday, sort of, since the date changes year to year. But every 4-6 years, my birthday falls on the holiday. A mixed blessing!)
Thank you! My actual birthday is in a couple of days but I’m still a “Christmas Baby” and just wanted to give a special shout out to everyone out there who receive birthday cards with reindeer and holiday gifts that are ” also for your birthday.” 😉
I love Epic Woman. I’m ready to buy my third bottle! Sweet dreams.
Oops! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Julia!
Third bottle!?!? Wow! It is amazingly gorgeous and I must say that the emerald green and gold bottle is very festive.
Happiest of days, Julia! You smell lovely!
I’m a little late, but Happy Birthday, Julia!
I never considered wearing a coconut fragrance. I tend to love Middle Eastern scents. But I am in love with my hair moisturizer (Mizani Coconut Soufflé) and I would love to find a fragrance that is similar.
I can’t really describe it well. It’s just a very nice coconut smell, not too sweet. Help?
Happy holidays, everyone!
It would be worth sampling Honore des Pres Coco Love. Also, I think it was last weekend’s poll (or the one before?) in which someone asked about coconut perfumes and there were many tempting suggestions.
I second Love Coco. Many coconut fragrances are too sweet and/or have too much vanilla to suit me, but to my nose Love Coco smells just like a freshly cracked coconut! Delicious! It does have a coriander leaf note that beautifully accents the fresh coconut appeal.
The only coconut scent that I’ve known and enjoyed is EL Bronze Goddess, but it is only available seasonally. Lovely suntan lotion-y scent, though!
J-Lo Miami Glow is a nice coconutty fragrance. I like a couple of her fragrances and think they are well done, better than most celeb fragrances out there. Speaking of celeb fragrances, I’ve decided I want a bottle of Queen Latifa’s first perfume. I passed on it when CVS had it on sale and now it’s out of stock. I haven’t looked at the mall because I don’t go to the mall unless absolutely necessary. Maybe the online discounters still have some?
Santa brought a bottle of Bois des Iles in extrait. Now to figure out how to open the seal without breaking the bottle or having a perfume explosion.
Congrats, what a wonderful gift!
I used a pair of tweezers to pick away the seal when I got my Cuir De Russie extrait. It was a lot more straightforward than it seemed 🙂
I used tweezers to pick away the seal as well, then I couldn’t get the stopper to release. So I put the bottle in the fridge for a minute or so. Then I tried it again. As it slowly warmed back up to room temperature, I felt it twist slightly and I was able to release it then. I am in perfume heaven.
WOW! That sounds fabulous! There are very few extraits that I feel inclined to sample, but that is one that I can only assume is genuinely gorgeous! Enjoy it (when you figure out how to open it up!).
Thanks Marjorie Rose. It truly is a beautiful perfume. I’m so relieved I was able to get it open without my usually klutziness. I was so afraid I’d spill it all over the place, like I did 23 years ago with the YSL Opium I received from my then boyfriend. (He’s now my husband and still spoiling me with perfume.)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!
SOTD is Lyric which turned out to be the perfect choice and mingled effortlessly with all the delicious smells of festive foods without being too distracting or overpowering.
Has anyone received any scented gifts? Do share and let us know what you got! I treated myself to the Diptyque Perdigone candle but that’s it.
Lyric is beautiful! Happy Christmas!
I think Lyric is perfect for the season, too. Wore it to a party earlier in the week.
Merry Christmas, everyone! After several very busy days of baking, cooking, rehearsing, and surreptitiously installing an XM satellite radio in my husband’s car, I am finally getting to relax a little. The family get-together at my parents’ house isn’t until this evening, so I get a few hours of quiet time to myself.
We had our Christmas dinner-for-two by candlelight yesterday evening after church, followed by our gift exchange. I used the AG Noel candle during dinner, and I gave DH a bottle of Derby, in addition to the satellite radio.
SOTD is Avignon. We had our regular Sunday church service today, so I figured what was more appropriate for church on Christmas Day than a frankincense scent?
DH doesn’t buy me perfume, and I doubt I will get any from the rest of my family, but the kitties did give me the AG Noel candle and room spray as early Christmas gifts, and I treated myself to the l’Occitane Delice des Fleurs gift set. Besides the Derby for DH, I gave my 12-year-old niece a bottle of SSS Cameo.
Surreptitiously installing XM satellite radio in your husband’s car – not to mention the special scented presents – you are a truly gifted gifter, 50 Roses!
I’m so excited! Santa, well my hubby actually, got me Avignon. And I had never sniffed it so I was a little nervous when I went to spray it on but I’m pleased to say I love it. It’s exactly like I hoped it would be. 50 roses, you smell wonderful!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and assorted greetings to everyone. For this Christmas afternoon and evening I’m wearing Noir Epices, one of my desert island scents and a Christmas tradition for the past couple of years. Enjoying a bit of chilly northeast weather, but the days have been beautiful..
I just noticed (while searching for something else) that First in Fragrance has Rubis candle wick scissors. You use them to shorten the candle wick of candles in glasses easily and evenly. “Through constant shortening of the candle wick, the candle burns slower and you have a longer enjoyment.” They are 46 euros, but if I had a collection of expensive scented candles, I would need these! 🙂
AAAaahhhh! *long sigh* I love this part! My apartment is my own again, the dishwasher is running, the cats have reappeared from their hidey-holes behind furniture and such. . .so lovely and peaceful!
I decided to wear Lipstick Rose for this afternoon’s festivities–a casual family meal. AH GEEEEEZ! Ha! I just realized that I forgot to put the Brie out with the other cheeses! Oh well, I guess I’ll have to eat it myself! This was an honest mistake, I swear!
Oh, and for anyone wondering, no, Claudius did not entertain my parents with tampon frivolities! Thank goodness! And my mother managed to only bring ONE extra thing we hadn’t discussed earlier, so that was good, too!
Found a store here in Riyadh which sells Guerlain Aqua Allegoria for USD 26.00 each (125 ml bottle). Without sniffing, I bought myself Gentiana, Pamplelune, and Herba Fresca. Enjoying the Pamplelune the most! Hate, hate, hate Gentiana! I know, that’s what you get when you buy something unsniffed. *sigh*
THANKS! I’ll probably order a sample. And I’ll hunt through NST for coconut reviews / recommendations.
For some strange reason, my replies are not showing up in the threads to which I post. That was a thank you to NozKnoz and Haunani.
This christmas I am in love with Brulure de Rose from Parfumerie Generale. And Timbuktu on my husband 🙂