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Happy Holidays!

Posted by Robin on 24 December 2014 145 Comments

christmas holly fir tree decoration

Happy Holidays! We'll be back on Friday. In the meantime, feel free to talk about whatever you like: what perfume you’re wearing today, what you're cooking (or eating) over the holidays, anything at all.

Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…

Note: top image is christmas holly fir tree decoration [cropped] by markus spiske at flickr; some rights reserved.

Filed Under: poll
Tagged With: holiday, open thread

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145 Comments

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  1. pyramus says:
    24 December 2014 at 10:58 am

    I’m wearing Demeter Sandalwood, because if I can’t smell like a Christmas tree I might as well smell like some kind of tree. Demeter’s version probably isn’t all that accurate but it’s really nice, dry and close to the skin.

    I didn’t do ANY Christmas baking this year. I tried a new cookie recipe and it was a disaster (I ended up with sticky batter instead of rollable dough and I just couldn’t rescue it, nothing worked) and I lost my will to bake. I might still make some coconut macaroons on Friday to bring in to work for Saturday. Or I might not. I brought in a tin of fancy chocolate biscuits last week — that ought to satisfy my co-workers.

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    • Marjorie Rose says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:13 am

      Oh, I’m so sorry about your cookies! What a frustration! I wish I was there to problem-solve it with you–I like that kind of puzzle!

      Your co-workers’ needs and your obligation to them has probably already been met, but of course, if you need a baking palette-cleanser with the macaroons, I’d understand!

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:09 pm

      Drag about your cookies, sorry!

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  2. Erin says:
    24 December 2014 at 10:59 am

    Quiet around here today! I am wearing Christmas Theorema and am at work… although I’m not sure how much work is getting done. Best wishes to all, whether you celebrate or not.

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:09 pm

      We are scent twins today!

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  3. Jenkr says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:02 am

    Commando so far and maybe will be for the whole day. I’m in Florida at my parents’ house and there is a pool less than ten feet away

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:09 pm

      *jealous*

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:18 pm

      I love the smell of chlorine from a pool! Enjoy!

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      • kindcrow says:
        26 December 2014 at 12:52 am

        I love the smell of my “whites” (towels, washcloths, socks) after I’ve washed them with chlorine bleach.

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  4. Marjorie Rose says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:10 am

    Merry Christmas, Robin, and all who celebrate!

    This afternoon, I join Mr. Spicebomb and his family to celebrate Christmas Eve, and tomorrow I will host a small family Christmas dinner myself. This morning, then, will be spent cleaning and cooking. A batch or two of fudge, clean and soak the mussels, vacuum, sweep, etc., etc. . .

    Post-shower, I think I want to wear OJ Woman. Smelling like a tree seems appropriate. Part of me wants to wear Ubar instead (so sparkly and special), but it can be so big, I’m thinking it wouldn’t play well with dinner tonight. Anyone else struggling to decide on “celebratory” and “plays well with others?”

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:12 pm

      And merry Christmas to you! We do our holiday dinner tonight, so I’m cooking already, although it’s a pretty easy meal. I should have done more cleaning than I did though, oh well!

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  5. thegoddessrena says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:25 am

    In the spirit of the holiday I am testing Classic Myrrh from Con Euserdorff on one hand and Myrrh Casati from Mona di Orio on the other. Myrrh Casati smells more “Christmasey” at the moment

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    • Omega says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:27 am

      I really want to try that MdO.

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    • thegoddessrena says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:28 am

      Von not con and foodwise I will be going over to a friend’s parents’ house for her paella tonight and something Italian tomorrow

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      • nebbe says:
        24 December 2014 at 12:00 pm

        Paella mmmmm. Enjoy!

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  6. Kelly Red says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:29 am

    SOTD is Penumbra by Aqua Flor, a soft incense frag-close to the skin. I am doing a few last minute touch ups around the house and putting together tomorrows breakfast casserole. My dad, step mom, brother and all his family arrive later this afternoon!
    My Cire Trudon Gabrial candle is all ready to burn tonight, the tree is lit, the radio is playing Christmas songs and I am happy to soon see my family.

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:26 pm

      What’s in breakfast casserole?

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      • pyramus says:
        24 December 2014 at 1:14 pm

        If hers is anything like ours, you layer slices of good bread, shredded cheese, and cooked sausage in a casserole dish, pour eggs beaten with cream over it, and toss it in the fridge overnight, then bake it the next morning. Basically savoury bread pudding or French toast in a Pyrex dish. Add bacon, onion, cooked vegetables, anything you want: it is a very forgiving dish.

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        • Robin says:
          24 December 2014 at 2:20 pm

          That sounds good! Thanks.

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          • Filomena says:
            25 December 2014 at 10:13 pm

            The baked breakfast casserole is what we had this morning as well. However, we also had calamari in spicy tomato sauce, ham, bacon and sausage, baked diced red potatoes with herbs, bagels and cream cheese, French toast, Prosecco, Bloody Mary’s, Makers Mark and Egg Nog.

          • kindcrow says:
            26 December 2014 at 12:55 am

            Shredded potatoes or frozen hash browns can be used, too.

        • mals86 says:
          24 December 2014 at 3:21 pm

          Easy and delicious.

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  7. nozknoz says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:31 am

    Yesterday’s AG Nuit Etoilee (which smells like their Noël candle with a powdery finish) is still in evidence. Later I’ll wear Caron Nuit de Noël, my holiday tradition. And I’ll be in good company, according to Perfume Shrine, who notes that many insist on wearing it at Christmas time, including Roja Dove and Karl Lagerfeld. I wonder if Choupette gets a touch, too? ;-)

    Any other Nuit de Noël fans here?

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    • Omega says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:59 am

      I like NdN:)..from what I sniffed of it. The AG wasn’t for me..not sure what it was…mint or immortelle, not sure which. I was hoping I’d like that one. Perhaps I will try it again sometime.

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      • AnnieA says:
        24 December 2014 at 12:24 pm

        There is a definite anti-mint contingent vis a vis Nuit Etoilee. Fortunately, I just get the coniferous side of it.

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      • nozknoz says:
        24 December 2014 at 12:53 pm

        It’s an odd one, but it grew on me. It helped that I really wanted that blue bottle! ;-)

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    • meganinstmaxime says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Haven’t tried Nuit de Noel but this is on my list of must samples. It would be great to have an old school Xmas scent.

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      • nozknoz says:
        25 December 2014 at 4:36 pm

        It’s a classically French idea of Christmas – definitely worth sampling!

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    • jjlook says:
      24 December 2014 at 4:43 pm

      I have a tiny vintage sample which I wore last xmas and not again till yesterday…
      It’s a once-a-year kind of gingerbready/sandalwood/oakmoss thing on me. But man, it persists.

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      • meredifay says:
        24 December 2014 at 5:09 pm

        That sounds great!

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    • farouche says:
      24 December 2014 at 6:13 pm

      Also wearing Nuit de Noel tonight. It is just classically beautiful. :-)

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      • nozknoz says:
        25 December 2014 at 4:31 pm

        I appreciate it more every year, farouche! :-)

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    • Calypso says:
      24 December 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Yes I am and I wore it last night out to dinner. I’ve also been spraying my sheets with it. It felt very pretty and festive last night. Today though I am back wearing my new favorite (and new purchase) Carthusian 1681. That initial blast of tangerine just makes me beam.

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      • nozknoz says:
        25 December 2014 at 4:31 pm

        Mmmm – Nuit de Noël perfumed sheets must be wonderful! And I like the idea of a bright beam of tangerine on Christmas day! :-)

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    • Bear says:
      25 December 2014 at 12:58 am

      Hello nozknoz!!!
      Thank you for reminding me of NdN, I forgot I have both the extrait and an EDT from the late ’80s. Wearing the EDT because I am feeling lazy and don’t want to dab, just spray and go!
      Lots of oakmoss (mousse de saxe, really), sandalwood and animalic musk on skin. Will wear it again tomorrow ( really later today). Merry Christmas Everyone!!!! Not really feeling jolly this year, but hey, you can’t enjoy the peaks without being in the valleys, sometimes. :)

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      • nozknoz says:
        25 December 2014 at 4:28 pm

        I’ve often wish I had a spray version, too – I think clouds of Nuit de Noël would be wonderful. But I do love the black crystal flask bottle. Wise words, Bear, and I hope you get some peaks in 2015!

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        • Bear says:
          25 December 2014 at 5:55 pm

          Thank you nozknoz!!! And a wonderful 2015 to you, also!! :)

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      • poodle says:
        26 December 2014 at 7:55 am

        Truly wise words. I needed that. Thanks.
        Hope your Christmas was merry.

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        • Bear says:
          26 December 2014 at 9:20 pm

          You’re welcome, poodle!
          Thank you for the kind words – I hope you had some enjoyment in your Christmas.
          And yes, I had some merriment – and some reflection on 2014, and anticipation of 2015.
          I guess I will jump the gun and say,
          HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE !! ;)

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  8. Eleebelle says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:32 am

    Happy holidays to everyone!

    After a very long workday yesterday and very little sleep, I’m hoping to get home at a reasonable hour so I can go grocery shopping. I’m still not sure what side dishes I’m cooking and whether I feel like baking at all. Work’s been so demanding that I’m not much in the holiday spirit and am having a hard time believing tomorrow’s actually Christmas. Because it doesn’t even feel like winter today, I passed on the Christmas-y scent I was going to wear and wore Jicky. Hopefully that will give me the fight to stay awake through the rest of the day.

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:27 pm

      Sorry work has been so demanding, and hope the holiday spirit kicks in for you at the last minute!

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:23 pm

      It’s hard to be ready for the Holidays when work is heavy. Hooray for Jicky!

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  9. austenfan says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:33 am

    I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I started work early today and it was very busy. I’m in Gardénia Passion to counteract this grey and wet day.

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 2:20 pm

      Grey & wet here too, supposed to be nice tomorrow.

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:24 pm

      Gardenia Passion sounds wonderful for a dreary day!

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    • solanace says:
      25 December 2014 at 6:14 pm

      I hope you had a good evening, in spite of the wet weather. Lots of tropical rain here, too.

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  10. Abyss says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:39 am

    Phew, I had to work today, but I’m back home now enjoying a cup of a tea and a mince pie. SOTD was Ambre Narguilé which I’ve been wearing a lot recently since it’s smells so cosy and quite festive. I’m about half way through the 100ml bottle, though, and I think the price has doubled since I bought it! :O

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 2:21 pm

      Yes, I keep worrying about the last bit of my Osmanthe Yunnan. The prices are not so kind as they used to be.

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  11. scentfromabove says:
    24 December 2014 at 11:40 am

    Well, its official! I have the flu! I was hoping that I didn’t, but its been going around lately. I just had enough energy to take a quick shower. Although its not ideal, I had to because I have been sweating so much. I will probably spritz something on a bit later today, but it will be something light. Probably Orange Sanguine. Off to the kitchen to drink some OJ.

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    • Eleebelle says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:47 am

      Hope you feel better soon!

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      • scentfromabove says:
        24 December 2014 at 1:43 pm

        Thanks so much.

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    • applebite says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:56 am

      Hope you feel better quickly! Surely Orange Sanguine has some sort of healing vitamin C effect, right? :)

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      • solanace says:
        24 December 2014 at 12:51 pm

        I believe it does. :-) It is very uplifting, anyway!

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        • scentfromabove says:
          24 December 2014 at 1:44 pm

          It is uplifting. Thanks.

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    • Marjorie Rose says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Oh, rotten timing! I have heard that the flu going around this year is especially onerous. I hope you get through it quickly and as comfortably as possible!

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      • scentfromabove says:
        24 December 2014 at 1:45 pm

        Marjorie Rose, I know you can relate since you work in a school also. We have had so many sick kids this year. Unfortunately, I was bound to get something with all those germs lingering in the air. Thank goodness for our Winter Break!
        Thanks for the kind words.

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 2:21 pm

      Ugh, so sorry.

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  12. Vanie says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Merry Christmas everyone!
    Thanks to my family being reconstituted, I have 5 parties to attend in the next 4 days. I’d like your help to choose which scent I should wear on each day. Tonight and on the 27, I have traditional smart family dinners. On Christmas Day, I have two casual family get together. And on the 26, I have a Christmas dinner at my in-laws countryside home.

    For the moment, the contenders are Bois de Iles (maybe layered with some Infusion d’Iris body lotion?), Fille en Aiguilles, Nuit Étoilée, l’Air du désert marocain, Orange Star, Coco, Armani Code for her, Omnia and Volutes. What do you think?

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    • Marjorie Rose says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:14 pm

      Is the idea to give each scent it’s own stage? I can play this game! Let’s see. . .
      Today (“smart” family–does that mean dressy?)–Bois des Iles (very classy)
      Tomorrow 1 and 2 (casual): Omnia (cozy, friendly) and/or Orange Star (festive orange note!)
      26th (country in-laws): L’air du Desert Marocain or Volutes (although I haven’t sniffed this latter one)
      27th (“smart” again)–Fille en Aiguilles

      You will smell fabulous with any of them, of course!

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      • Marjorie Rose says:
        24 December 2014 at 12:36 pm

        its not “it’s”
        Apologies to any grammar-philes! :]

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      • Vanie says:
        24 December 2014 at 2:09 pm

        Yes that is what I meant! Thanks for your answer! Pretty much what I was thinking, accept maybe swap the Fille en Aiguilles and L’Air…

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    • Omega says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:34 pm

      Those all sound good. I particularly like Fille, Bois de Iles, Omnia and Volutes. Orange Star and Marocain would be good too.

      1) I like Omnia for the In-laws. It’s not loud in the least and is very inviting.
      2) Casual fam..whatever your fave(s) is/are. I like Volutes and possibly Fille or Orange star. Volutes has that smooth honey and tobacco…I think good for casual. Agree, Orange Star is festive…and would work well too.
      3) Sadly, idk what a smart family dinner is…but if fancy..I’d also go with Bois de Iles.

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      • Vanie says:
        24 December 2014 at 2:10 pm

        Yes, I meant “dressy”. I’ve been watching too many British Youtubers!
        Thanks for the suggestions!

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        • jjlook says:
          24 December 2014 at 4:44 pm

          Orange Star! Casual but sparkly.

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  13. applebite says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Merry Christmas!

    It’s apparently 10 degrees here today but I’m not stepping outside to find out – just going to lounge around cooking and eating with family while bowling them over a bit with L’Agent :) Still a fave after a year of perfume obsession!

    Had a date last night with the man I’ve been seeing and decided to go all in with the Coco, which is one my ‘I feel most like ME in this scents’ and he absolutely loved it. Writing a thank you note to Santa for a man who is into my perfume addiction on top of everything else! :)

    Seasons greetings to everyone, even if the season is just a swapping out of perfumes! ;)

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    • meganinstmaxime says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:31 pm

      Coco rocks! Glad to hear he liked it too. It’s hard to find a man that is into perfume!

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      • Filomena says:
        25 December 2014 at 10:21 pm

        It’s hard to find a man

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        • Filomena says:
          25 December 2014 at 10:28 pm

          My computer cut me off, but what I wanted to say is that it’s hard to find a man in itself let alone one who share our love of perfume…but I am sure it does happen. Last week I had an amazing conversation with a gay guy I know and he was really into fragrance. I told him about this blog.

          I’m wishing fragrant holidays to all!

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  14. Hera says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:11 pm

    Nothing right now but later I was thinking of wearing Bois d’Armenie or Angeliques Encens. My family and my husband’s family are coming over for dinner so I have some cooking to do.

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Hope the cooking goes well!

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  15. meganinstmaxime says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:27 pm

    I’ve been testing Bombay Bling today. This came in the travelling perfume sample box from Bois de Jasmin. The mango does smell absolutely fantastic and I’d been dying to try this range. Not sure what I’ll wear tomorrow for Xmas Day yet. I have 4 choices in mind though that I wrote about on my blog. Thinking of Aomassai, No 22, Rozy EDP or Ambre Fetiche. I’ll decide tomorrow though as I can’t make up my mind! I wore No 22 last year and thought it was a good choice though. Happy Xmas Eve to the Northern Hemisphere people and Xmas Day to the Southern Hemsisphere folk.

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    • Eleebelle says:
      24 December 2014 at 1:00 pm

      Bombay Bling really does the fruitiness just right. Enjoy!

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      • meredifay says:
        24 December 2014 at 5:14 pm

        I’ve been craving mango to eat. Now I want to smell like a mango too! Putting Bombay Bling on My Samples to Acquire list..lol

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  16. AnnieA says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:30 pm

    I’m wearing Kenzo Flower Oriental, as it was a Christmas present to myself. Slightly bewildered yet pleased at the winter sunshine. Having an open house this afternoon for my neighbours and curious who will turn up.

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    • Marjorie Rose says:
      24 December 2014 at 12:39 pm

      Oh, I hope your open house goes well, N! I invited one of my neighbors over for my housewarming, and it was definitely the right choice! So nice to have that sort of comfort with ones neighbors.

      What sorts of nibbles are you offering?

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      • AnnieA says:
        25 December 2014 at 11:31 am

        Thanks, MR, it did go well! A good number did turn up, including our brand-new neighbours upstairs, and it was a pretty relaxing way to spend the afternoon away from the bustle. I couldn’t find a Bûche de Noël at the store so made do with swiss roll, and had chocolates and clementines to go with the coffee and tea.

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  17. johanob says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Happy Holidays everybody!Hope it’s a joyful,peaceful happy time for all of you!SOTD is a phletora of stuff I tested today!Spoiled myself with a big bottle of Byredo Mojave Ghost,and will probably wear it tomorrow.On standby for work,holding thumbs it’s an uneventful time!Be safe!Be good!Merry Christmas!

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    • Robin says:
      24 December 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Good luck, hope you get the day off!

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      • johanob says:
        25 December 2014 at 11:52 pm

        Thankful that I had a no-work Christmas day,yes!

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    • Deva says:
      25 December 2014 at 7:06 pm

      Hope your holidays were uneventful, work wise. Congrats on the new fume- I have yet to try anything for the Byredo line. What about it appealed to you? Note list or did you sample? Happy Holidays to you :)

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      • johanob says:
        25 December 2014 at 11:59 pm

        Hi R!Happy Holidays to you too!Christmas day was uninterrupted by work,thankfully!Byredo as a brand(to me) was love at first sight and smell!The first perfume I smelled from them was Accord Oud.and I immediately HAD TO HAVE IT!Lol.Mojave Ghost and the idea of an elusive Ghost flower appealed to me instantly.Did the research and read up about notes.Tested instore and AGAIN was smitten at first sniff!I like interesting florals.On the day I also got Seven Veils from the brand.HAPPY BOXING DAY!;-))

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  18. Gi says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Happy holidays to all! All the best to you and yours in 2015.

    This morning I tried out a sample of J’adore someone sent me. I don’t get it. Not horrible, but doesn’t do much to entice me.

    Christmas eve party tonight, I think I’ll bring out the Mohur. Does that clash with turkey?

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:36 pm

      Mohur sounds very festive – hope you had a great party, and Merry Christmas!

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  19. solanace says:
    24 December 2014 at 12:52 pm

    Shalimar Ode à la Vanille. Perfect comfort.

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:37 pm

      That sounds both festive and relaxing – Happy Holidays, solanace!

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      • solanace says:
        25 December 2014 at 6:16 pm

        Thank you nozknoz! It was fun yesterday, we ate and talked a lot, over quite a few beers. Wishing you a great 2015!

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  20. VeraJayne says:
    24 December 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Have a Merry Christmas everyone! Love reading all your comments. Thanks to Robin and the gang for the best perfume website! I am wearing Youth Dew today. Wish me luck lol

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:38 pm

      I love spicy Youth Dew in the winter! Merry Christmas, VeraJayne!

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      • VeraJayne says:
        26 December 2014 at 1:42 pm

        Merry Christmas to you! I love the black cat! I lost mine three years ago still miss him dearly. He loved Youth Dew. Would puff up and get all frisky when he smelled it.

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  21. Laila says:
    24 December 2014 at 1:16 pm

    Getting ready for a contemporary version of a traditional Polish Christmas Eve tonight with immediate family to honor my heritage. I made mushroom/barley soup and baked kolaczki, Mr. Laila picked up pierogi, fish, Polish beer and the rest of the fixin’s at the Polish deli, just have to warm those up. Tomorrow is the only holiday I don’t have to cook – and boy do I celebrate! Going to a family member’s home for a traditional English feast, standing rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, and poppers! All I have to do is relax and help the Little Ones decorate the gingerbread house which this year, I’m told, is a gingerbread aquarium!

    Tonight I’ll be wearing tiny spritz of Clinique Wrappings and tomorrow SL Rahat Loukhoum.

    In the spirit of the Season, wishing all of you – whether you celebrate or not – peace, love, and joy!

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    • pyramus says:
      24 December 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Wrappings is SO Christmassy! Partly because it is only sold at Christmas, I guess, but also because it is sparkly and festive, basically tinsel garland in a bottle.

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    • poodle says:
      24 December 2014 at 4:25 pm

      My brother’s mother in law used to have the traditional Polish Christmas eve. I miss that.

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    • solanace says:
      25 December 2014 at 6:18 pm

      Rahat Loukoum is very appropriate for decorating a gingerbread house. I love it!

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  22. Deva says:
    24 December 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Started the say with an extra long holiday spin class (90 minutes!), came home, showered and dithered about deciding what to wear, scent wise.

    Weather is NOT cooperating, it’s about 79 degrees F, windy, and overcast as a “cool front” is due to push through sometime today. UGH! Not Christmas weather at ALL!

    So decided to go with Zelda from my brand new bottle! I just ordered it and didn’t expect it to arrive before Christmas but it came yesterday. This stuff sends me into raptures its so gloriously glimmering one minute then darkly mysterious the next- really a scent with a lot of personality and intrigue.

    I am going to try to squeeze in the new Hobbit movie today although I still have quite a bit of baking to do, but it’s just too hot right now.

    Happy Holidays to all and hope all your perfume dreams (and the other dreams too) come true this Christmas.

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:44 pm

      Zelda sounds great. I love the review on The Scented Hound because he admits it was a blind buy and obviously knows his magnolias. I may be tempted too… Happy Holidays!

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      • Deva says:
        25 December 2014 at 7:01 pm

        Hi Noz
        I have to say this one is Big Love for me- right up there with Un Rose de Kandahar. I know nothing about magnolias and don’t consider myself a “floral” lover but I think Zelda defies classification. She’s a beauty and definitely worth sampling. Dense and luminous, waxy, humid, and evocative. I’m not really a sucker for packaging but the bottle is a perfect match for the perfume- weighty, old-school elegant, and fits in the palm of your hand like it was crafted specifically for you- Happy Holidays to you and yours :)

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  23. galbanumgal says:
    24 December 2014 at 2:37 pm

    Merry Christmas, NST! Our usual Wed yoga teacher had a sub arranged, who fell ill, so we had yet another sub, who took the “power” in power yoga to a whole new level, plus it was 15 mins longer! I’ve collapsed in a heap in front of the tv–E is running old SATC episodes. Cooking/shopping are finished, but might venture out later to p/u a Christmas cactus for friends I’ll see tomorrow. Will probably put on some Moon Bloom.

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    • L says:
      25 December 2014 at 2:11 am

      Our yoga class was canceled and I wish it hadn’t been. However, I’ve been participating in the Holiday Sanity Challenge with Bryan Kest via PowerYoga online. It’s been great having these classes on my laptop to do whenever I can.

      My Christmas Day scent will be 31 Rue Cambon.

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  24. sweetgrass says:
    24 December 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I’m going to my parents’ house for tonight and Christmas morning. We have family visiting from Oklahoma (aunt, uncle, cousin and her husband), so it will be good to see them. I’m wearing Sikkim Girls today. Not sure what I’m going to wear tomorrow. On a holiday I generally try to wear something that’s not going to clash too badly with food.

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:45 pm

      That’s the challenge, isn’t it, especially with a big holiday feast? Hope you had a wonderful Chrismas, sweetgrass!

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  25. missionista says:
    24 December 2014 at 3:09 pm

    Happy winter holiday of your choice to anyone who celebrates! In my household we observe Channukkah, Christmas and the Solstice. Perhaps it is the same for many of you.

    Infusion d’Iris today for a half day of work. Now at home, going to a cookie party later tonight. Then traditional-ish dinner tomorrow after the early AM rush to open presents. My kid has barely slept for 3 nights now, she is so excited!

    On a semi-related topic, I finally discovered what the note/smell is that I can’t stand, that is sort of orange-y and sort of cilantro-y and very metallic. It’s called beta-sinensal, and found primarily in orange peel (and therefore in orange oil, so in any number of perfumes). It’s not always strong enough for me to dislike it, but when it is…ugh! Very happy to have a name for it finally.

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:12 pm

      Happy Holidays, missionista! How were you able to identify beta-sinensal?

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      • missionista says:
        26 December 2014 at 9:36 am

        Hi Noz,

        It happened purely by accident. Primary Partner had made the fruitcake, and I was washing dishes. When I got to the microplane (from zesting the orange), I smelled IT, THE SMELL OF DOOM! So when I was done, I googled “why do oranges smell metallic” and voila, there was the answer. It feels so good to have a name for that stuff. I ran to the kitchen to tell PP, but he didn’t care that much. I was so excited I danced around the room. And then I told my mom about it the next day. She thinks I may be slightly overreacting in my happiness about this. :)

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  26. poodle says:
    24 December 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.
    I’m a little blue this year so I just want to get through this Christmas without a complete teary eyed breakdown.
    I’m having gift stress and don’t think I got enough for certain people or I didn’t get them anything that will wow them. Basically it’s too late to do anything about it now. I just have to make the best of it.

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    • kindcrow says:
      24 December 2014 at 5:14 pm

      (((hug))) I’m so sorry that you are unhappy. In regard to the gift stress, based on your comments, you seem like a kind and interesting person, so you have already given all of those people something great by just you being you (to paraphrase the wise Fred Rogers, who was a true bodhisattva). Hang in there.

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      • meredifay says:
        24 December 2014 at 5:18 pm

        …”wise Fred Rogers, who was a true bodhisattva” …. what an astute observation!

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      • Holly says:
        24 December 2014 at 5:43 pm

        Sweetest response ever, kindcrow. Thank-you for raising my spirits. And you know that “hang in there” thing? It actually works.

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      • poodle says:
        24 December 2014 at 7:05 pm

        That’s incredibly sweet of you to say. (so much for me not getting teary eyed)
        I’m doing my best to hang in there. I just try to do too much sometimes. Plus mom is pretty down since this is the first Christmas without my dad. We’ll get through it. Thanks for the kind words.

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    • Holly says:
      24 December 2014 at 5:38 pm

      Thank-you for sharing this, Poodle. I think you’re very courageous in reaching out at a difficult time. I’m in the same boat and I understand. I hope you will feel at peace as you navigate your way through the holiday season. Take care :)

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      • poodle says:
        24 December 2014 at 7:09 pm

        I know I’m not alone. I just would love to have a Christmas that’s relatively merry. I’m sorry to hear your in the same boat but at least we can keep each other company. I hope your holiday is a happy and peaceful one as well.

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        • Filomena says:
          25 December 2014 at 10:39 pm

          I’ve been in the same boat for 13 years! I get sad on Christmas Eve which I seem to have to spend alone for the most part (although I worked until early afternoon) but last night was a lonely night for me. However, today, Christmas, I was able to spend with one of my three sons and his family (my 9 year old granddaughter and 4 year old grandson) and it was a great Christmas day.

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    • Deva says:
      24 December 2014 at 6:16 pm

      Poodle, you have a lot of company in that particular boat. This is very hard time of year for a lot of people with the extra pressure to exude “holiday cheer.” And people love you for YOU, not the “gifts” you give at this time of year.

      A good friend of mine says he “doesn’t do Christmas” because he gives year round and personifies idea behind the holidays on a daily basis, 365 days a year. And he does!

      Best wishes to you and your family, both two legged and four!

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      • poodle says:
        24 December 2014 at 7:16 pm

        Thank you. This boat is getting pretty full it seems. I used to love Christmas and I know someday I will again. I’ve had a few sad ones so it is hard to muster up the holiday cheer at times.
        Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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    • johanob says:
      25 December 2014 at 12:32 am

      It’s a rather big boat,Poodle.Rather like Noah’s Ark.My Maternal Grandmother died in 1989.I was in Grade 5 back then.She was the glue that held our family together.She died suddenly the 3rd of December that year,while visiting us for the Holidays.Christmas has never been the same since then.You try to muster up joy and cheer over this period,participate in all the rituals and feasting,but actually all I’d like to do,is sleep untill the 27th!It’s Christmas morning over here,and it’s already a HOT summers day at 7:30 am!Hope everyone has a great day!Chin up poodle!You are amongst friends here.

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      • poodle says:
        25 December 2014 at 8:01 am

        I just woke up to a relatively warm, windy, rainy Christmas morning. Very unusual. I guess I won’t be pulling out the heavy winter sweaters today. I’m glad it’s not snow because we’d have a foot out there by now but it doesn’t look very festive.
        I can relate to your story. I had an aunt who loved the holiday and she died suddenly. It was never the same. Plus, dad had his stroke on Christmas eve over 20 years ago. Needless to say he was always down on Christmas.
        Hope your day is/was happy!

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        • johanob says:
          25 December 2014 at 8:37 am

          It’s been a good day,thanks!But HOT!!It’s 15:40 and 33 degrees celsius,people!Expected rain tonight!Hope your day is a good one too.;-)

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  27. PriscillaE says:
    24 December 2014 at 6:35 pm

    I drove four hours to Austin today, and just wanted something uncomplicated that I like. I ended up putting on Prada L’day Ambree. I put Rose Anonyme and Alien in my case, so one will be my Christmas scent and one will be my drive home scent.

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    • PriscillaE says:
      24 December 2014 at 6:37 pm

      Stupid auto fill. L’eau Ambree.

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    • poodle says:
      24 December 2014 at 7:20 pm

      A four hour drive…that’s not too much fun. Is it normally four hours or was that because of traffic? There was an accident on the turnpike yesterday and the backup was 14 miles long. What normally takes people minutes to drive took hours. I felt so bad for the people stuck in that.

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      • PriscillaE says:
        24 December 2014 at 8:32 pm

        Nope, it takes four hours to drive from East Texas, where I live, to Central Texas, where the rest of the family live. I actually made quite good time.

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        • Calypso says:
          24 December 2014 at 8:48 pm

          Yeah, four hours is nothing by Texas standards! (It took me two hours to make it from Houston down to Galveston today–two bad accidents on the roadway).

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  28. mals86 says:
    24 December 2014 at 7:19 pm

    Getting ready to leave for Christmas Eve service. I have a turkey breast to cook tomorrow for a family dinner, and I have that Minion hat to finish crocheting (I’m down to the earflaps and sewing on the eye/goggle/goggle strap, it’s so cute), and there are stockings to fill this evening… but I’m nearly done.

    SOTD has been Prince Matchabelli Potpourri, a dry spicy-woody carnation that really pleases me, with a small overlay of PdN Vanille Tonka for more carnation goodness. Mmm. (Vanille Tonka is missing the delightful pop of lime it used to open with. Sigh. It’s still good, though.)

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    • poodle says:
      24 December 2014 at 7:25 pm

      I wanted to crochet some gifts this year but somehow the holiday snuck up on me.
      So Vanille Tonka is different. I thought it was my sniffer. I had tried it ages ago and loved it but when I recently got a bottle it wasn’t quite how I remembered it. I thought I might have confused it with something else, which is still entirely possible too.
      Merry Christmas!

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    • perthgirl says:
      25 December 2014 at 2:48 am

      Mals, the minion hat sounds adorable! Wish someone would knit me one- how cute! Lol
      I got a bottle of VT recently, but ive never tried the old version.. it has a very faint lime opening but i think youd have to know it was there to recognise it. It is lovely though.

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    • mals86 says:
      25 December 2014 at 9:45 pm

      The minion hat turned out absolutely ADORABLE. I don’t have a photobucket or Flickr account or I’d share a picture of Bookworm in it. (It was a big hit… she kept exclaiming, “It’s a MINION!!!” and she’s worn it all day.)

      I still like VT, but the lime has much less presence than it used to.

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  29. Lisa D says:
    24 December 2014 at 8:37 pm

    Wearing Reem Acra today – a quite nice oriental. The boyfriend and I are having an extremely casual celebration tomorrow – the plan is to fix a couple of bacon ‘n’ blue cheese burgers, watch a movie, call our respective family members to wish them well, and relax the day away. Happy holidays, everybody!

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    • L says:
      25 December 2014 at 2:21 am

      Oh – relax away! Good for you!

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  30. Cockatoo says:
    24 December 2014 at 9:08 pm

    It’s already Christmas Day Downunder and Santa has brought me a bottle of Byredo Pulp. It’s a perfect figgy summer scent. Merry Xmas everyone.

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    • perthgirl says:
      25 December 2014 at 2:49 am

      Yay for perfume pressies! Yum. Merry christmas! :)

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  31. perthgirl says:
    24 December 2014 at 10:47 pm

    It’s Christmas morning here and i have to get ready for work soon. Not having a great time this year, having to work and getting up with no one to share it with. I even forgot to wrap a present for myself! Lol. But, fragrancex emailed me this morning saying they had Lutens Vetiver Oriental back in stock so i just ordered me a bottle :)
    Just cooked a mini turkey, porcini mushroom and bacon roast to take for lunch at work, wish i could have some wine to go with that! Listening to Andrea Bocelli as he is my Christmas music, and pre-shower wearing Under My Spell Noelle. Bought 4 minis very cheap at last years xmas sales and havent worn them yet so it mustve been the Christmas vibe… Not too bad really but ill change it for work. Maybe A La Folie.. not sure..
    Have a fantastic, stress-free day all you lovelies!! X

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    • perthgirl says:
      24 December 2014 at 11:07 pm

      Chose Fracas! It’s like having the Sugar Plum Fairy for company all day :)

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      • johanob says:
        25 December 2014 at 12:35 am

        Nice choice!Hope your day isn’t filled with JUST work!Merry Christmas fellow Southerner!Perfumed greetings from S-Africa!

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        • perthgirl says:
          25 December 2014 at 2:51 am

          Afraid is IS just work :-( but have family things next couple of days..
          Thanks Johanob, hope you have a great day and it isnt too hot over there!

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          • johanob says:
            25 December 2014 at 8:38 am

            Good day,HOT day!Summer in full swing here!xo

  32. MelbMan71 says:
    25 December 2014 at 1:25 am

    Merry Christmas all! Today I’m wearing Ambre Nuit by Dior. Who else thinks it smells like Fendi Donna?

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    • nozknoz says:
      25 December 2014 at 5:04 pm

      Merry Christmas! I haven’t had a chance to try Ambre Nuit yet. I’m sure many fans would be happy to find a replacement for Fendi.

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  33. meredifay says:
    25 December 2014 at 11:15 am

    SOTD – Scent of Hope. Didn’t like it so much the firest time I opened the sample, but this is the third time I’ve put it on and it seems perfect for today. Hubbie and I have both lost parents this time of year and so there is always a mix of feelings. But we are healthy, physically and financially, and happy with each other and we are going to his sister’s house for dinner, so my responsibilities are limited to making some broccoli and carrots with a bacon balsamic sauce (it’s like a hot salad!). And being pleasant in the face of family dynamics. Then we will come home and maybe watch old movies. The Thin Man, Casablanca, or a spaghetti Western. And count our blessings.

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    • Calypso says:
      25 December 2014 at 1:21 pm

      Your salad sounds delicious–do you sort of steam them at all first?

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  34. Sapphire says:
    25 December 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Merry Christmas, everyone! Am in Ambre Sultan today for something rich and festive (and that I can’t wear to the office). Also testing out Knot on one hand and La Panthere on the other. May need decants in the future. We adopted two kittens yesterday for our boys, a buff tabby now named Moon Kitty and a white one with grey tabby markings named Sparky. Very playful and friendly, though they haven’t mixed in with the dogs yet. Back to work tomorrow, but it has been a pretty nice holiday overall.

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    • johanob says:
      25 December 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Ambre Sultan is sooo festive!You smell great,naturally!Merry Xmas!

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  35. nozknoz says:
    25 December 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Reflecting on Caron Nuit de Noël, I looked up French Christmas traditions and found this on the whychristmas?com website:

    “Yule Logs made out of Cherry Wood are often burned in French homes. The log is carried into the home on Christmas Eve and is sprinkled with red wine to make the log smell nice when it is burning.” Now I’m fascinated by this idea and wonder what it smells like!

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    • johanob says:
      26 December 2014 at 12:29 am

      The first thing your comment reminded me of,was that “log-carrying-lady” in the tv-series Twin Peaks!Sounds like something she might have done as well!Lol!Happy Holidays!

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  36. Lucy says:
    26 December 2014 at 9:32 am

    I’m late to the party again. Getting ready for Christmas was difficult this year and I haven’t had time to participate on NST for weeks! Plus the entire family had the flu, including our four month old baby. Luckily we all feel better now.

    I hope everyone here had a wonderful holiday season!

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    • mals86 says:
      26 December 2014 at 9:54 am

      Glad everyone’s better!

      Log in to Reply
      • Lucy says:
        27 December 2014 at 10:58 am

        Thank you, mals. Feeling sick on Christmas Day would’ve been terrible.

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