Hey, it's No Brainer Friday! Our community project for today: wear one of your seasonal "no brainer / go to" fragrances. Thanks to SheriG for the suggestion!
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I often have a little group of no brainer fragrances at the front of my cabinet or on a shelf, but the weather is so back-and-forth lately that I've never really pulled together a final set for fall and early winter. Still, my hand went right for Marni, so that's what I'm wearing.
Reminder: on 11/25 we're doing Black Friday cheap thrills, edition 3 — as we head into the holiday spending season, wear something that costs $50 or below, double bonus points if it costs $25 or below. No points for wearing something expensive that you bought cheaply via a sample or decant or somesuch! We're trying to find real bargains here.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2016, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: image via Marni at Facebook.
Encre Noire. TGIF! 🙂
Great choice.
Love Encre Noire – one of the best. Wonderful vetiver!
Such a great choice! 🙂
Yummmm! Plus it’s super affordable via discounters to boot! 😀
Gorgeous choice, my husbands scent today too.
22
Wonderful!
Yes!
thumbs up.
Always excellent!
Woohoo!
Happy Friday, everyone.
I am wearing a real no-brainer, since I walked out f the house commando on accident after arranging a group of go-tos to pick from this morning. I sprayed on some Concentre d’Orange Verte when I got to my office.
I am brewing a cup of Marangi Estate Assam from Upton.
You smell good! I had to decide between CdOV and Encre Noire, and the Lalique won out. I’ll wear the Hermes tomorrow. 🙂
That’s a best no brainer! You smell effortlessly lovely!
Anything in the CSP Vanille line serves as a no-brainer for me because they’re so pleasant and unobjectionable, plus I can leave them out on my dresser because they’re in aluminum cans and aren’t affected by the light so I always see them — they can’t hide away and get forgotten. Today I’m in Vanille Amande, sweet marzipan deliciousness.
That sounds yummy!
You got an enabler’s pin for Vanille Abricot!
Not sure it is a no brainer, but went with Eau Duelle by Diptyque. It is snowing and cold here today so this is a nice comfort scent.
Yes, perfect!
Vanilla-ish is good in cold weather 🙂
Snowing?! How AWESOME is that?!
*said like a person who never has to drive in it* ????
yup!
Agree! I love other people’s snow so much!!! I HATE my own snow when it rarely happens! LOL! 🙂
great!
Oh, I think it’s a perfect no-brainer! (But snow! Ack.)
Definitely a cuddly comfort scent, that was my bedtime choice last night 🙂
I wore a sample of that last night, so nice in the cold!
Ooh, you smell so good! I love Eau Duelle. I have the remnants of a sample that I’m guarding because I’m on a no buy right now.
Very jealous to hear that you have snow.
Wearing my favorite “no brainer” Chanel No.19. Good for all occasions, seasons and times of the day. Gorgeous! My birthday is tomorrow and I will head to Rhode Island to celebrate with some family members. I got as a present from my mother a full bottle of PdN Week-end in Normandy (I gave her hints about what I would love to receive this year 🙂 ). I have to thanks Okland Fresca for sending me a sample few weeks ago. I loved it at first sniff since it brought me back happy memories of my childhood. A place where I used to spend vacation with my family. Lovely, relaxing and happy scent. I will enjoy it dearly.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy the trip.
Happy birthday and bon voyage!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! Chanel 19 never dissappoints!
Happy Birthday!
Have a good birthday. You smell great.
Happy Birthday! great choice.
Happy Birthday!
Hope you have a great birthday and weekend! And enjoy your lovely gift.
So glad you got what you wanted — do have a wonderful birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! You smell fantastic.
Happy B Day and yes, you smell lovely!
Happy Birthday!
Hope u have a wonderful day, and enjoy your’e beautiful new perfume!
Both 19 and Normandy are gorgeous. Happy birthday!
Happy birthday! Have a wonderful year.
Happy Birthday! The nice weather is supposed to continue on Saturday here. I hope you have fun with family.
Happy, happy birthday to you! Fragrant memories are wonderful.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday! and a wonderful celebration with your family.
Happy birthday for tomorrow!
Happy Birthday! That’s a lovely fragrance; my bottle is tucked away for the winter.
On my wishlist is a vacation in Deauville. ????
Enjoy your birthday and your new scent too!!! 🙂
Enjoy your trip and have a lovely birthday!
Joining in the birthday wishes and hey TWIN!
We’re twins today, Robin. Marni is a great “no-brainer” since it works beautifully in so many situations.
Marni’s a perfect no-brainer. You smell so good!
Hey Twin! We smell fantastic!
Hey, we’re triplets!
Make that quads, we do smell fantastic!
The more the merrier!
Crowning this week that I “indavertenly” spent in Chanel – No.5 Eau Premiere. It’s a real no-brainer for all occasions, all weathers, all seasons. It’s Chanel without the ponderous luxury of the No. 5 extrait, which can feel a bit like you have to be worthy of it. I can bathe in No. 5 and feel neither under- nor overdone.
Ah, I should have included this under my No 3!
I haven’t tried the new L’Eau yet, so maybe you were right to keep it kind of open 🙂
I think Premiere is the better scent, but L’Eau is just so easy – and well-made, if not super interesting.
you smelly lovely
Yes! This is also why I love Eau Premiere- it’s a lovely scent, just grounded enough but easy to wear all the time!
Excellent!
My no brainer today is Dior Ambre Nuit.
You smell great!
good choice.
I did a full no brainer week, but I’ve left Olfactive Studio Lumiere Blache for last. I love it, it works every time, everywhere. After Cristalle, it’s my most versatile scent.
I owe Kanuka my Top 5 Chanel No Brainers list – I was watching Eddie Izzard in Antwerp yesterday (amazing!) and could not post. I love many Chanels, but I truly tried to pick the ones I could wear any day, without any effort. Many of my absolute favourites (31RC, CdR, Sycomore, Egoiste) are therefore not included: I find them all super easy, but I can envisage situations – although these are extremely rare – where I would prefer not to wear them. It’s all a question of definition, though: 31 Rue Cambon is definitely my absolute go-to for important work occasions, for example, and Cuir de Russie when I want to be kind of kick-ass, but have to stay polished.
1. Cristalle. As I said, I think it’s the most versatile scent I own. I’ve worn it to the beach, I’ve worn it to the theatre, it’s never wrong.
2. Eau de Cologne. This is a pretty perfect cologne, in my opinion, and not too sharp – something that can bother me on certain days with some other colognes.
3. A variation of No 5. I need to make an effort with the original, but the hair mist, body oil and the new L’Eau require no work whatsoever.
4. 28 La Pausa. I love No 19, but sometimes it’s too strict. La Pausa never is (and fades quickly anyway:)). I guess No 19 Poudre could be a less demanding alternative to No 19 as well, but I don’t own it.
5. Pour Monsieur. A classic and often unfairly overlooked. Complex enough to be interesting, nice enough to be approachable. I need to get a bottle for spring.
You smell great!
I’ve enjoyed all the Chanel No Brainer lists this week. Eeek- my top choice remains Beige, with EDC and La Pausa following.
Three years ago, Beige would have been on my list as well. I still think it’s a great scent, I just don’t enjoy it as much as I used to and have found bigger Chanel loves.
I agree with you. At one time I liked Beige, but for some reason I became tired of it.
Cristalle just doesn’t work well on my skin.
How do you like the newer Eau Premiere? I missed the original, but like my little sample.
I like this list! If I were writing one, I’d try to fit No. 22 in there somewhere.
For me, unfortunately, No 22 is a challenge, so I cannot personally call it a no brainer. But I completely understand that it would be on many lists.
That’s a nice list. I’ve not tried Pour Monsieur though. I may be able to remedy that this weekend since I’ll need to buy a new mascara at the Chanel counter.
I can totally see Lumiere Blanche being a no-brainer. It’s a great scent!
You smell amazing! I’m going to see if I can convince someone to get me some Lumière Blanche as a graduation present in February 🙂
Your list is so sophisticated! So you.
Thanks for your list and the thought that went into it. I will hunt out the Pour Monsieur in town today. I have only two Chanels that fit the no brainer category for me: Cristalle and Coco. – and Coco is my daily grab ( keys, wallet, notebook, Coco) I wonder what Eddie Izzard wears? He always strikes me as being charismatic due to a combination of his intelligence, humour, and sharp observation. Lumiere Blanche , yes!
I can see him wearing Fracas, easily????
Eddie Izzard!! Thank you for the reminder! Off to YouTube for some laughs.
I love Eddie Izzard! I only saw him once live, and he was a total hoot.
Oooooh, I’m green with envy!
He really is wonderful. I’d only seen him on TV/Internet before and loved it, but live was even better. He is so funny, but also seems like a fantastic person.
I enjoyed reading your list and the thoughts behind it! It reminds me that I’ve wanted to smell Pour Monsieur, but I don’t even know if any stores near me carry it. I’ll have to do some retail detective work…
In Europe it’s still relatively easy to find, but it’s important to try the right version. I think Kevin explained it in his review some time in the past.
Wearing Tom Ford Santal Blush,a F/W no brainer. It’s so cozy 😀
you smell lovely.
I love this one, it’s on my ‘decant to get at some point while it’s still cold list’
I sprayed it on very liberally in Fenwicks last weekend, (the SA gave me a funny look), and could still smell it’s gorgeous sillage on my coat and scarf a week later, it’s delicious, u smell very gorgeous.
Thank you! Yes it has great longevity. I would spray it on my sweaters if I weren’t worried about staining.
I survived on a generous TF counter decant for a bit, but just had to get a full bottle 🙂
Marni is on my to-try list (has been for far too long, really). But to nobody’s surprise, I had to go with PG Cuir d’Iris today. My newest no-brainer, just in time for the Friday theme! It kind of reminds me of Dior Homme, another no-brainer for me, but richer and somehow smoothly raspy. Gorgeous.
Dior Homme is a definitely a good no-brainer.
smelling great!
Sounds beautiful, I love you’re description. My hubby has Dior Homme intense, but he doesn’t like it on him, but he does on me, and I adore it, u smell amazing!
Like SheriG above, Dior Homme is a great no-brainer for me as well, but I don’t have access to my bottle right now so I am wearing another no-brainer, Encens Flamboyant. Incense is so soothing to me and I could sure use some today, feeling quite tense for some reason.
you smell wonderful! I love Dior Homme as well.
Wonderful iris!
JM Blackberry and Bay. The JM line was where I started this obsession most recently, having abandoned the great fragrances to which I was exposed as a child for reasons I won’t get in to.
When stumbling out of bed bleary eyed, it’s hard to go wrong with those little samples even if you can’t read the label! 😉 .
Lovely and easy to wear!
JM kind of specialises in no brainers, I think. BB&B is one of mine, too.
agree….on both statements!
you smell delightful! BB&B is such a perfect fall scent.
This is a good one. I love it.
I agree!!
This is a easy yet interesting scent, with the sweetness of the berry grounded by the sharpness of the bay leaf. Love it!
B&B is so good! My next wish from Jo Malone is English Pear and Freesia….hoping my daughter gives my hubby help with his Christmas shopping! LOL! 🙂
Get the soap!!!
One of my favorites!
I love Blackberry & Bay! Perfect for fall, and spring, and bleary-eyed mornings, and watching five-year-olds play sports.
My fifth no brainer of the week is ISO E Super, which I mixed up with perfumers alcohol and a little distilled water to make my own cut price version of Molecule 01.
🙂
Fabulous! I hope you can forgive me for hoping you are wearing a white lab coat and safety goggles while laughing like a mad perfume scientist. Bwah-ha-ha-HA!
I think I’d look good in a white lab coat!
nailed it.
Excellent! I think you win!
Love it!
My no brainer probably seems odd– Covet by SJP. This was the first perfume my husband commented on, and one of the first times I blind bought something at TJ Maxx. It just works for me.
Covet is a lovely scent. Very versatile. Not all perfumes have to be niche to smell great and you do!
Covet is wonderful, actually and I like that you can get it for like $20 some bucks at TJ Maxx. Awesome!
Covet is good stuff!! I just rediscovered it myself…
I love Covet and find that layering it over various scented lotions – sometimes lemon, sometimes cocoa, sometimes? – enhances its chameonlike seasonless no-brainer status!
Diam Blonde today, not a no brainer for me but have a meeting and wanted to step it up a bit. My no brainer lately is Romantina
DM is fantastic, but it wears very big on me and I have to be careful not to wear it around picky people. You smell great!
you smell incredible.
I really like Romantina.
Me too. I keep forgetting I have a sample floating around. It’s simple but pretty.
Romantina is very nice, I could easily wear that as a no-brainer too.
What could be better than a Friday? A Friday off work, followed by a Saturday and Sunday off work, with wonderful weather, cool enough at night to contemplate lighting the fire pit in the back yard, that’s what! T-Rex and I are both full of beans and feeling abundantly energized.
Today’s no brainer will also work for next weeks cheap thrill: Queen! It’s become a real go to and I can see myself going through the entire bottle in this lifetime, which is a clear demonstration of value for money.
On the upscale end of fumes, I was planning on gifting myself with a FB of FM Dries Van Noten after the holidays, but now the funds have been redirected (dang and double dang!) to purchase a sparkling new crown! What joy this holiday season-an almost new toof!
Egads, Batman, sometimes I wish I were a Great White with an endless supply of new teefs, ready to pop out of my gums at a minutes notice!
had a feeling you might wear Queen today 🙂
I’m so predictable, it’s sad! ????
Deva, it’s all good 🙂 and I always get a thrill out of how excited you are about Queen….especially since it is such a bargain!
Same 🙂
YES!
I bought a bottle of Queen for a friend and now I regret not getting a second bottle. Superb!
Queen is such a good treat!
Note to self; MUST grab myself a bargain bottle of Queen, it sounds gooood!
Amen. The ability to regenerate perfect new teeth at will is among my most wished-for superpowers. That probably makes me sound weird(er), but I’ve always had dental problems.
I’ve always wanted an eye at the end of a finger so I can see around corners and find the earring that rolled under the bed and seeif the itchy spot in my back is a mosquito bite. If I can’t have that, self-renewing teeth would be a close second choice.
Every Queen needs a crown or two….or three….LOL! I laugh with you, because my dentist has offered to let me buy a crown too!!! LOL! I laugh to keep from crying……
Wearing Marni Marni today- my ultimate no brainer. Victoria from BdJ gets an enabler pin for it- after reading her wonderful review couple years ago I went to Nordstrom to get a sample- instant love, and bought a bottle couple months after after draining several more samples.
Drinking black coffee with sugar (MEEEEEHHHH!!!!) as my kids finished mommie’s half and half…
I have to try it. I keep hearing about it, and keep meaning to try it but always forget!!!
I will gladly send you a sample!
Happy Friday Y’all!!
I don’t really think of fragrance as no-brainer….because I tend to stop and pause before applying anything. Whether it’s day, evening, office, party, outside, etc…..I really enjoying considering my options! And most importantly, I must always consider if the Perfume Grinch in the office today? HA HA 🙂
That being said, I do have a couple of scents that work anywhere, anytime….including my SOTD: Chanel No 5 EdT. I’m SO glad this perfume is back in my life! It’s was my grandma’s signature scent, so wearing it is a big ol’ hug from her! Gotta love that!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM8-HEJgNVH/?taken-by=jadainga99
No. 5 EdT is fabulous and distinctive. You smell wonderful. And YAY for grandma hugs. 😉
That pic is really cute:)
You smell great. And happy scent memories are a wonderful bonus!
I’m in Iris Nazarena. It’s not necessarily an all-round no-brainer, but it was one for me today. It’s going to be warm out and I needed something relaxing and calming so it fit the bill.
It is pretty much a no brainer for me, one of the easiest irises to wear and just so wonderful. You smell great.
you smell lovely!
A no brainer iris for me. Beautiful!
Love that one, you smell great.
UGH…I really ENJOY considering my options! I’m ENJOYING this morning’s consideration right now….LOL! 🙂
I can’t even correct my grammar mistakes in the right place today! LOL! Sheesh…. 🙂
SotD = Eau des Merveilles because it’s easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy any day of the week, month, and year.
EdM seem to play nicely with whatever else I’ve been wearing. Yesterday’s Dzongkha is subtly revived by EdM this morning, even after a shower last night. It’s magic. Or better living through perfume chemistry. Good stuff.
Oooh good one! I forgot about this one.
Sometimes I forget about EdM, too. Guess that’s what makes it a no-brainer. 🙂
Yep, it really is perfection. One of my go to’s as well.
Have you tried the Elixir or Eau Claire? I tried the Elixir a few weeks ago at Sephora and liked it, though not as much as the original.
You smell great!
I actually prefer Elixir and Ambre versions to the original, but all are great!!!
I do like Eau Claire though it took several tries for me to get there. Elixir des Merveilles is on the list for my next perfume counter sniffing session. Several times I’ve been told it is great for autumn. Thanks for the timely reminder.
I prefer Eau Claire and L’Ambre to the original.
The ultimate no brainer, IMHO.
**mic drop**
Excellent! I need to replace my finished FB soon.
I don’t usually hang on to empty fragrance bottles, the EdM is one I will always keep, and a full bottle is best of all. 🙂
Those bottles are wonderful.
Count me in as another fan of Eau Des Merveilles, but for me it’s a summertime no-brainer. The Elixir is my next favorite and I love it in colder weather. The L’Ambre on me is just O.K., it doesn’t seem to have the lasting ability of the original, which hangs around all day. And I find I just don’t wear the Claire version very often, it seems the mildest of them all.
You smell wonderful. I just got my EdM bottle during the Sephora 20% off days!
I’m wearing my absolute number one go-to, no-brainer scent, Mitsouko. However, I scored some decants of the edp at the Guerlain sale at STC, so I am wearing a different concentration than I’m used to. I have, thanks to Doc Sinister, a bottle of the edt, which I love. We’ll see about the edp.
I love that Mitsouko is a no-brainer for you because for me it’s the exact opposite — I have to consider the mood I’m in, where I’m going, who I’ll be with, and probably the phases of the moon, because to me, Mitsouko is a demanding creature with very specific needs. I hardly ever wear it as a consequence of that, but when I do wear it, I really MEAN it.
I also love the edt. I’ve never smelled really vintage parfum but I like the edt better than current and past edps and the modern parfum, and I mean a LOT better.
I agree. The edt has more presence.
I am glad Mitsouko is a no brainer for you since it is very lovely. For me it is a very demanding perfume, as Pyramus says. It has to be the right day for me to wear it. Amazing but complicated.
Perfect no brainer. I love to wear it when I go browsing in a second hand bookshop…it blends beautifully with old paperbacks.
I’m another one in the ‘demanding’ rather than ‘no-brainer’ category when it comes to Mitsouko – it seems to require a certain amount of thought process from me rather than instinctively reaching for it.
You smell fabulous! I think I could go with Mitsouko as a go-to, too.
Haven’t seen Doc Sinister for a long while!
Like This today – not exactly for the project, although it is kind of a no brainer fragrance if you want to embrace autumn, I think. But I only brought a small selection with me on this trip, and this was one of them because it’s interesting and versatile. And also, the sample doesn’t have crazy sillage (do any ELdOs? My bottle of J&C stays pretty close) or weird tricks. So, it”s good for a conference setting.
I’ve been thinking someone should do an “away from home” smell: coffee, ironing, what else do hotels smell like? (“Respectable” ones!) Maybe pillow mints?
Yesterday, I took advantage of my lunch break to drop in on the Nordstrom flagship and smell some perfumes. I had a GREAT experience with the SA at Frederic Malle, who was very helpful and friendly and happy to talk about perfumes. So, I got to sniff a whole bunch of those for the first time, plus Fracas (for Carnal Flower comparisons). Came away with a sample of Vetiver Extraordinaire, which I probably won’t try until I get home. Definitely recommend the Frederic Malle counter on Thursdays!
Also had a helpful, hands-off-y interaction with the Chanel perfume SA. They have those ceramic sticks for the Exclusifs now, so I went around sniffing those, too – and Cristalle, which somehow I’ve never managed to smell (tried that one on paper). Anyway, CdR was certainly my favorite of the Exclusifs. Just as well I won’t be able to afford it, as I’m not sure I could wear it either! Might go back today, or maybe will try Barneys? Ah, adventures!
You smell great. I recently got a sample of it, and it is on the FB list
I have a number of no-brainer, easy to wear perfumes. My top contenders today were Huitieme Art Poudre de Riz, HdP Ambre 114, and L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme Extreme ( edp). I went with the Guerlain today since it’ll be mid 60s here. The milky cocoa and smoky tea warms it up but it never feels heavy. I really love this stuff and it can also cross over into the cheap-thrill category since it’s practically free on discounter sites- the edt version, especially.
That Guarlain is very nice. I bought it for J once (for me to steal), but he goes through his bottles so fast!
wow, that Guerlain sounds really great, I need to give it a try! I’m sure you smell wonderful.
I think it’s perfect for SoCal “Winter”. I also really like the edt which is more citrusy, but really juicy, real-smelling citrus.
Going to my try list.
I really need to sniff out the Homme version of L’Instant. It sound intriguing.
Well, the one funny thing I have discovered about myself this week is that I just don’t really have any no-brainer fragrances. I always think (over-think!) about my fragrance choice. However, I do have some that I feel almost always work in any situation: The Pour un Ete, Narciso Musc Oil for Her, Chanel 5 EDT and CJ Scents Vanilla Incense. Still, I have to feel it when I make my choice. Today I’m wearing Lancome Mille et Une Roses just because I enjoyed it so much yesterday.
I think I’m going to run over to DSH Perfumes Essence Studio on Saturday – I haven’t been for ages and want to sample a few things and maybe get a bit of Gingembre for the holidays. And it always smells amazing in there. Happy weekend everyone!
I also enjoy Mille et Une Rose a lot! And I like the color of the juice.
Today is a glorious sunny and warm day in Toronto. Blue skies and bright yellow leaves still on the trees. A beautiful Friday. My no brainer is Hermes 24 Faubourg EDT. A wonderful fragrance to wear anytime, anywhere, any place. It is so sophisticated and clean. I read online that Andy Tauer is visiting Portland today with a stock of perfumes from his vault. Wish I could be there. Am going to order online. The shop is Fumerie and he has brought his soaps with him as well. Oh the excitement!
Yes, Andy Tauer will be at Fumerie today- and it’s pretty darn exciting!
Ede, if you are going to be there in person, plz report back on that new one Hyacinth Mechanic (or something like that)
Yes, if you are going to be there full report please. I love Andy’s advent calendar. Last year, for the first time in 3 years of participating I won an explorer set with Incense Rose and Incense Extreme and Noontime Petals with a little note from Andy. The advent calendar is a lot of fun reading people’s comments from all over the world.
My no-brainer is a new addition to my collection – Gothic I by Loree Rodkin. I am a huge vanilla fan and has delayed getting this one by about a year, trying to decide if I indeed need another addition. Looks like I did need it – it has replaced the rest of my favs/no-brainers and became my no 1 vanilla.
did you know it comes in a soap set?
No, and I prefer not to know it 🙁 I already have EDP and started debating the oil version. I have a feeling you might be getting an enabler pin 🙂
LOL! sorry 🙂
Have you tried her soaps or oil? Or others in the series?
No but because of you I did explore and read about the notes….
Of the entire series….which was how I discovered the soaps 🙂
And thanks for sharing it 😉
Friday!
1) No brainer? Stash by SJP. I really think that this is my every day go to for the rest of the fall and winter.
2) Having a potluck today. I made southern style greens* the way grandma (actually did not) used to make! It looks like I am the only one who made actual homemade food- everything is else is from the Costco ready case!
* For our European/Antipodean friends, southern style greens are usually made out of collards, mustard greens and/or dandelion leaves, sauteed with onion and garlic and spice, then simmered in broth. The broth can based with veggies or made from ends of meat, like smoked pork shanks.
*My family is from Panama, so actually we made greens fried in coconut oil.
ack you are making me hungry 🙂
Sorry!
*dishes up a bowl of greens with a side of hot white rice*
Yum it sounds Delish 🙂 I always mess up cooking veggies (unless it is potatos) and end up eating my veggies raw
RAw veggies are good veggies, honestly- but when it’s chilly outside a nice soupy bowl of greens is very nice indeed!
Oh, gosh. You’ve made me think of greens and now I really want to make a big pot of my favorite sausage, bean, and Swiss chard soup or some sautéed red beets with greens, or fresh baby mustard greens. Mmmm.
Everyone else hit the deli? I only do that in dire emergencies and can usually at least make some cookies or deviled eggs. Good for you for making an effort.
Sounds so good. I will try the coconut oil to fry the greens.
Sounds fantastic. And I really like the sound of the coconut oil version. I love using cocnut oil… A no brainer oil. I wonder if the NZ equivalent is puha and pork? Waterdragon will know. Puha is a kind of sow thistle, grows like a weed and is boiled up with pork bones. It can be quite tough and stringy though.
Haven’t thought of puha for a thousand years, and now I want to go foraging! I used to chop it and steam it lightly with a bit of butter that would melt through, then sautée it at the last moment with whatever flavour I wanted, usually onions and garlic. Puha can be bitter, but I like its the contrast with with a rich meat like pork, as long as the pork isn’t cooked in a hangi. Mum had a theory that puha contains so much iron it would stop girls from getting teenage anaemia and acne. I didn’t get either, but maybe that was genetic luck, not puha! She also told me that during the Depression, it kept whole families healthy when other food was short. I can believe that story.
I had a work potluck today too! I made a salad, and there was a lot of homemade yumminess. However, there weren’t a lot of plates, so I had to deal with the weirdness of the sweet potato casserole touching my slice of red velvet cake.
This is the kind of problem I like having.
Sounds delish. And, of course, bacon moves any dish up a notch ????
These sound really good!
Ain’t nothing better than a pot of greens…..cooked in ham hock, if you please!!!! Nom nom nom nom 🙂
But of course!
Ham hock (smoked pork shank)
2 large chopped onion
Several crushed garlic cloves
bay leaf, pepper, nutmeg
Collard and mustard greens. (3 lbs)
Simmered in a crockpot for a few hours. VERY lovely if I do say so myself! 🙂
Nice of you to make something delicious. Work potlucks can be quite awful IME.
Especially when there’s no sign- up and everyone brings either the bevvies or dessert.
The potluck was very good and I only had a couple of servings of greens left!
For potluck, I usually sign up for dessert and buy or just contribute towards pizza and such.
A lot less effort and clean up!
For me the no brainers are a group of 5 – 8ml decants that I keep in a cylindrical box that once held fancy caramels. All of the decants just have that sweet little amount left just before drainage is complete because they are so well loved and soooo no-brainy. It’s such a joy to just reach in there and grab anything. Today’s SOTD is ELDO Afternoon of a Faun.
OK I’m going to reply to my own comment 🙂
Just got back from a walk during which I went to the store and got the jumbo size cylinder box of fancy caramels for DH. Also found a super crappy looking (in other words perfect) carry on rolling bag for India at the local thrift shop for 5 dollars. Pure happiness.
The other no brainer decants in the cylinder box are:
Black flower Mexican vanilla
Eau du Sud
Dzing!
Trayee and
J’ai fait une reve
Oh boy I am right with you on the BFMV!!!
There’s just one or two more wearings left in the travel size, so I think I will get some more soon. I think it’s wonderful that Dame offers a 5ml travel size with free shipping. Really one of the best deals, how could you not get them?
I like your mix! So now you’ll have a jumbo box and can add to your mix?
Yep that’s the deal. He gets the caramels and I get the box. Only the jumbo box is twice as tall, so maybe better for storing incense. The half size box is the perfect height for 8ml decants in the tube shaped sprayer. The nice thing, though, about draining decants is that there are open spots for new tenants.
uh, I just read that comment and I think I might be on the spectrum..
LOL!
I think by definition any perfumista is somewhere on the spectrum 😉
CdG Avignon for me.
Great scent!
No time yet for a no-brainer list, but wearing EL Jasmin White Moss which is a lovely Cristalle imposter really, and on number 1 (Eau Verte is the most empty bottle I own, and the first and possibly only one I will ever empty!).
A great weekend for all!
I’ve only tried it once, but I agree. Pity it’s no longer made.
Amouage Journey. I wear this all the time and it works wonders…the perfume equivalent of actually getting the hairstyle you asked for and leaving the salon happy. The perfume equivalent of trying an outfit in a shop changing room and liking your reflection in the three way mirror. The perfume equivalent of spending two hours on the couch reading a great book without feeling guilty. The perfume equivalent of hammering a nail into the wall to hang a picture and getting the dwang and not hollow plaster!
Love your analogies ????
Me too!
Journey is so completely perfect for me too. Love love love you’re analogy, so spot on!
😉
New three! ????
Me four! Journey is one of the Amouages I haven’t sniffed yet. Will have to.
Wow. Must try it.
me too
I feel that way about Amouage Fate. So perfect.
I’m wearing Le Labo’s Musc 25 – I’m trying to turn it into a no-brainer, because I love it and have realized that I’m not using my bottle because I’m afraid of using it up. But if I loved it enough to shell out the cash for it, shouldn’t I set it free into the world?
This week has been crazy – I’ve read all the comments, but haven’t been able to comment myself. I spent three days in Gris Clair and yesterday in Beige.
I noticed I have been saving my favorite perfumes too. I really need to enjoy them more often.
I also spent a couple days in Gris Clair. Helped me not hyperventilate in the midst of craziness.
Today’s no-brainer (I have a few–D600, Eau de Merveilles, Mistral Patchouli, Oro) is Amyris Femme. Light but lasting on me, pretty, suitable for almost any setting or situation. Now that MFK has been bought I’m glad I have a bottle. I’m going to see Fantastic Beasts this morning and then to meet Andy Tauer this evening. I will be buying his soap for Christmas gifts and I want to smell Au Coeur du Desert. Happy Friday, all!
What a fun day!
Thanks for heads up on MFK being bought. Enjoy the Tauer event and do report back on the soaps.
He released a limited Loretta soap a couple of years ago for a Kickstarter goodie bag for a film release in conjunction w/ his Tableau line and it was amazing. I heard he’s doing a tuberose soap and am hopeful it will be similar to the Loretta one.
Who bought MFK?
LVMH but I am not sure it is confirmed…..
Surprised as FK sounded very much like he wasn’t interested in selling in recent interviews. A drag if true.
I wish I was hanging out with you today!! Have fun…..
That sounds like a great day–enjoy!
I wore Amyris Femme yesterday! 😀 Huh it’s been bought.. I am going to hold on my travel sprays tight.
This buyout is probably bad news for Absolue pour le Soir. If you want it I would buy it now.
It’s so hard to find already! Do you know a source?
I believe you can buy it directly from France off his web site. Possibly also the Premiere Avenue site or First in Fragrance as well.
Milk of Flowers which is as close as I get to a signature scent– it’s good in any weather, any mood, any location
The next time we see each other I have to smell it on you! You have unicorn skin so just about everything smells great on you 🙂
I’m wearing the biggest no-brainer in my fall rotation (the half dozen scents currently parked on top of my dresser): Bois Farine.
Love Bois Farine!
I had several options today but reached for Black Jade by Lubin. It’s subtle, beautiful and easy to wear. I loved reading everyone’s choices for today.
I loves this one!
This is my 15 yr old daughter’s BIG Christmas surprise this year! She absolutely loves my little sample of Black Jade, and has mentioned wanting to have it “someday”. (She knows it’s a wee bit out of our budget!) Santa was paying attention…..LOL! (Mrs. Santa might have to borrow a spritz from time to time!)
Awwww, she’s gonna be thrilled!
Wow, she is pretty sophisticated for a 15 year old. I bet it will be fun for Santa too! Lucky girl!
Happy Friday (or Saturday) to all!
My no-brainer/go-to scent is Stella McCartney Stella. Day or night, any time of the year–you name it–it works. But I find it particularly nice to get whiffs off a turtleneck sweater in fall/winter.
Yum. It makes me sad that Pop was so meh in comparison.
Simple and beautiful!
Someone else could probably leave my SOTD comment today 🙂
For No-brainer Friday, SOTD = Chanel No. 19 EDP
No. 19 EDP and Atelier Cologne Sous le toit de Paris were my top 2 choices.
Fashion Faux Pas Friday – Working and/or living in NYC, one encounters all sorts of people who did not look in the mirror before leaving the house or who simply didn’t care! We have 2 winners this week:
1. Early shift woman waiting to. be let in to Urban Outfitters – I was blinded by pasty looking skin visible through a 6 x 6 inch rip starting from the butt cheek. Never mind that I’m not into the ripped jeans look…this was wardrobe failure.
2. Woman in my office building on a weekday (we’re allowed to. be business casual except if we have client meetings) – turtleneck, short leather jacket, skin-tight suede short shorts and leggings. The hooker look is so not cool. I would have sent her home if I were her manager.
Dear oh dear, it’s difficult to know what some people are thinking when they get dressed in the morning, both outfits sound dodgy that’s for sure!
I think some people are delusional that they look good with certain fashion forward pieces – the holey jeans looked like she tried to fit herself into a pair 4 sizes too small for her, sat down and ripped it.
Laughing hysterically at no 1….especially the phrase “butt cheek”…..don’t know why but I find that hysterical…..hope you have a great weekend!
I couldn’t unsee!
You probably wouldn’t believe what some girls wear to class at the university. It’s truly horrific.
I can believe it. Some people just have a warped sense of fashion.
It’s like your #2, but with summer clothing–and even less of it. So bad it actually shocked one of my UK classmates who was visiting while we attended a conference.
When I see someone like that, I think their house has no mirrors and/or they have no friends.
Unless their friends are dressed the same way 🙂
I’ve really enjoyed reading the comments today, such fun.
I went to a Spotty themed cake fund raising morning for Children in Need this morning, at my little boys pre school, and so Marni was a double no brainier for me today, that gorgeous spotty bottle lept into my hands! I paired it with a floral/spotty patchwork dress from Cath Kidston, which is quite old and very easy to wear, another no brainier for the mornings activities.
So many wonderful home made cakes, I don’t think I should eat any more for awhile..
After the Marni lovefest here today, I need to go try some 😀
What a great cause, and I approve of cake fundraisers. Who wouldn’t want to purchase a delicious piece of cake, especially knowing that the proceeds go to children in need.
Shalimar. Always a good pick. Have a great weekend, NST!
Yes it is!
An excellent pick!
I’m glad that you consider the bombshell that is Shalimar a no brainer. You smell fab.
Rose Vermielle. Grabbed from the samples to be tested box. Now in the samples to be savored box. 🙂
That one smells like rosy BO to me, but the notes listed online claim otherwise. Am I alone?
Koyel, I don’t recall what Rose Vermeille smells like but agree with you that some roses smell like BO (looking at you Rose 31).
Man I hate the smell of Rose 31. And it hurts my nose. Oddly, the body wash is kind of nice.
Rose Vermeille is wonderful, it has that lovely jammy raspberry note.
Went out with the dear one last night to try out a new local restaurant, and am in consequence feeling both fat and fragile. It’s confusing to feel these two things at the same time. I need a week of frugal eating and thin, energetic perfumes. To this end, I have applied L’Occitane Verveine. It’s a lively, sparkling little thing that wafts around in the breeze like a gauze scarf and is even less substantial. I will get exercise all day by returning to the bedroom every twenty minutes to reapply it. I have inserted myself into my tightest skinny jeans so that I remember about the eating. Just as well I quite like broccoli!
LOL — that’s the perfect exercise program!
Theorema, a perfect no-brainer. Its sillage is such that it’s mainly for me, and I do have a meeting today, but it is warm and interesting and a little happiness inducing.
For me, it is probably the most happiness inducing of all.
I’ll be heading out soon for the regular Saturday morning trip to the supermarket, I’ll be wafting clouds of AG’s Le Chèvrefeuille. It seems right for the sunny morning, it fades too too quickly, but the upside is I can easily wear something else this afternoon.
Ah, you smell fantastic!
O’driu Pathetique today…I guess I am not participating? In any event, it smells gorgeous, and I should buy a FB!
Smelling gorgeous is a perfectly good excuse for not participating.
5th labdanum perfume of the week and SOTD is Grossmith “Golden Chypre”. This is the one that smelt best just sniffing the decant, but now applying it, it makes me cough when I spray and has a hint of soapiness I don’t care for. On the upside, it’s got a nice spiciness. I’ll post the notes when I get home. :^)
Top: cardamom, nutmeg, bergamot and orange;
Mid: rose, geranium, heliotrope, patchouli and vetiver
Base: woods, amber and musk.
Reviewers compare the opening to Mitsouko, for those to whom that means something. :^)
The notes sound good. I should try to find a stockist in the U.S.. Failing that, I will seek out the line when I’m in London at yearend.
The Grossmith line sounds very appealing to me, but given its price and scarcity, I will focus on your report of soapiness. Yuck. (Soapy grapes?)
I have a facsimile copy of the Gamages store catalogue from 1912, which is where I first came across Grossmith. Some family descendant resurrected the brand and they now sell re-creations with the same names as in that catalogue (Phul-Nana, Hasu-no-Hana, Shem-el-Nassim) which I would love to smell some day.
Actually, I found out that LuckyScent carries this line.
You really earn all those Enabler Pins. If I ever get back to the Scent Bar, I will have to try them. For now, I will imagine that they all smell like “fine French soap.”
Frederic Malle French Lover.I wore Eau de Protection yesterday,and this seems to continue that particular theme,albeit a bit more masculine.Also something of the old Fahrenheit in French Lover.Not a no-brainer,but still very wearable.(My no-brainer would be Jicky,by the way!)70% packed to move in January.It’s scary how time flies.Happy Weekend!!
Congrats on getting to 70% packed! I think French Lover = Bigarade Concentree? And I believe it bas cumin or something that mimics cumin like ambrette seed?
I think it was Bois d’Orage….
Yes,that one!I forgot it has the two name thing going!
That’s it! Thanks for correcting.
You are absolutely correct!And thanks!70% packed feels like a huge accomplishment,given everything I still need to pack…lol.
Chanel No 5 EDP. Its perfect in every situation. I recently bought the No 5 cleansing cream, and it is so nice to use them together. Plus, my bathroom smells wonderful after this combination.
The thought of a No 5-scented bathroom is heavenly.
A little Elixir des Merveilles for today. Eau is more no-brainer for me but I haven’t opened my new bottle yet, plus I’m headed to the Chocolate place for lunch today with family so thought a bit of a gourmand touch was in order.
Lunch at the chocolate place sounds decadent!
Did you have dessert for lunch, or do they serve savory food as well? If the latter, does it all contain chocolate, too? (Why I am so intrigued I don’t know; perhaps I want to live vicariously in a world where everything is chocolate.) EdM sounds like a perfect choice either way.
I would like to live in that world too 🙂
Happy Friday!
My SOTD is vintage Magie Noire perfume. Perfect for a very crispy cool SF day.
🙂
I overslept this morning and had to rush around to get ready and get out the door for work. I completely forgot about the no-brainer scent today, but I reached for L’Heure Bleue so maybe it is one of my no-brainer scents. Usually, H’iris is my go-to no-brainer scent.
Equally perfect.
Beautiful. LHB makes me compulsively sniff myself!
Did you read Kafka’s post on vintage LHB? I looked through my bottles and I have one from the 30s, unopened by me as yet.
Please report when you do. I bet the scent is amazing.
I will. I probably should have my perfumista card pulled as I forgot I have that really old one. Nestled inside the box is a card that says Happy Birthday M-something (too faded to be legible) and a date in 1937.
I haven’t; I will now!
Oh my gosh! if and when you open it and wear it please do report back!!! 1937…..wow, I am speechless!
Mine did too because I plain forgot I had it. I bought several vintage bottles over the past several years and decided to look through them after reading Kafka’s post. I still have to look through the Shalimars; first view is I have none from the 50s.
Cuir de Lancome was my choice for today. We’re getting a cold front today, and it’ll finally feel like fall… for a couple of days before it gets back up to 80 again.
Enjoy it while it lasts!
How nice to have a Friday community project that requires no serious contemplation – nor searching! – for that just-right scent, just my hand reaching out for my long-time mid-to-late fall favorite, the original (or is it already considered vintage?) Givenchy Organza Indecence. Sweet but smoky, sexy yet comforting, it satisfies like no other. Loved it at first sniff all those years ago, love it still, I could (almost!) foresake all others . . . but I never want to run out . . . so I don’t.
Sounds like love to me 🙂
Since it feels wintry here today in PDX, I skipped my fall no-brainer (L’eau d’Ambre) and headed right into my winter season one: Vol de Nuit.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Send the cold weather this way!
Ha! I’m sure you will have it soon enough! 🙂
Now that strikes me as a very sophisticated no-brainer. Is your fall choice the L’Artisan? I never seem to hear much about it.
Well, VdN is my HG and I’ve stockpiled it, so for me it’s a. no-brainer.
Yes, the L’Artisan is my fall go-to. It’s a very simple fragrance. Not sophisticated at all. I’ve found that popular fragrances go in waves here; some get mentioned a lot for a while and then drop off. We’re such fickle lovers, you know. ????
SOTD = Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black. It’s also a pretty good comfort scent, which is something sorely needed as of late.
Sending comforting hugs your way. I just got a rollerball of Boubon which I emptied into an atomizer.
Geez, just noticed the typo…BouRbon
I like Boubon better 🙂
The hugs are very much appreciated, Hajusuuri! Thank you.
I wore Roberto Cavalli Oro yesterday, for the same reason. This has been a rough year, and yet I’m not looking forward to next year.
Estée Lauder Sensuous. I expect to have at least one scent twin, but I’ve guessed wrong before.
Nope, just me. The variety of choices today was really interesting.
I’m not sure where my Friday went: I planned to comment here from the morning – and somehow couldn’t find time. But since on Thursday I spent about 10 minutes trying to come up with a “no-brainer” (I know it’s pathetic 🙂 ), I do want to share – even if nobody reads this thread any longer: I went with Alahine, and it was perfect for both a cold morning and an unexpectedly hot afternoon.
I am reading 🙂
I appreciate it, a three-eye owl! 😉
I’m reading, too.
Thanks! 🙂
Me, too. For you, deliberating for only 10 minutes counts as a no brainer, considering the due diligence you put in deciding to buy full bottles 😉
Well… To tell you the truth, I wasn’t really deliberating – I was “weeding out” perfumes from the list I got from my database 🙂