Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day! What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing Richard E. Grant's Jack Piccadilly '69.
Reminder: on 1/20, wear one of your "top 10 of winter" fragrances (unless it's summer where you are, in which case wear one of your "top 10 of summer" scents).
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2017, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
The original COMME des GARCONS EDP.
Cloves, cinnamon, labdanum, and black pepper.
Triple strength coffee and sunshine. Life is good.
Carpe Diem. Peace.
Peace to you too , bear!
Wanted to share that every time I treat myself to a cup of coffee (which isn’t that often as it turns me into an energizer bunny a thousand times over) I think of you
That’s nice to know chocolatemarzipan8, thank you!
If I ever find chocolate-covered marzipan (I went to Aldi and none to buy and the clerk seemed puzzled when I inquired about them) , I will consume many in your honor.
and just so you know…the chocolate covered marzipan logs sell out quickly at Aldi’s during the holidays so get em while you can!!!
At the Aldi’s near me, the plantains run out more quickly than the chocolate-covered marzipans! I shopped there two weeks ago and happened to be by produce when the plantains were being unloaded. Since I needed to get 3, I decided to stick around. I could sense eager anticipation in the air and one person even attempted to snatch one particularly healthy looking specimen but stopped when he got a dirty look from the unloader and the ones patiently waiting.
Perfect fragrance!
Cartier La Panthere for me today. Needing something strong today.
That kind of a day?
Yep, it’s a Monday.
Happy MLK Day! A great reminder of equality and compassion in today’s frightening, worldwide social climate.
I’m perfumed in the wonderful, cold-weather-perfect SSS Winter Woods. I don’t know when I’ll be able to wear this once I move in with the Boy after returning to the US, so I’d better wear it as much as possible while I’m still in France.
Yes, may his words speak to our hearts and may we all be a little like him in these scary times!
Winter Woods…gorgeous….do try it in the summer too…the heat amps up the amber which smells like a rich vanilla on my skin in the summertime.
I was just wondering if anyone had ever dared to put it on their skin in the summer!
Hee!Hee! I tend to do that a lot….I like to give things a try when it is the “opposite” weather just to see how they smell to my nose…I am also going to recommend you try Assam of India in the winter as on my skin the sandalwood becomes more pronounced.
I need to get my hands on a sample of that. I’ve been meaning to, thanks to the praise you’ve heaped on it. Besides, I want to love the juice that goes with those cute little elephants!!
Oh, I like to play that game, too! I have been surprised a handful of times by a winter fragrance blooming beautifully in the warm weather, without being suffocating. I have found fewer “summer” scents that I adore quite as much in winter, though. It is more likely on a rainy day than a cold and dry one–which just seems to be a fragrance killer.
Koyel-
My best friend of 49 years gave me a very generous gift certificate for my birthday last year…I blind bought Assam with it because the elephant is her spirit animal and the bottle made me think of her….luckily I loved it….to my nose I see a similarity to vintage AG eau d’Hadrien as I really pick up the citrus notes..it is very versatile and beautifully constructed as are all of the Berdoues…yesterday I sprayed some Arz El Rab on my robe and I love that one too….heck, I love em all!
oh and I have been meaning to ask you, can you sample all the Berdoues where you are in France now? I think they are made in France, yes? The bottles in person are truly a delight
There is definitely a bottle of Assam of India nearby that I can sample! It’s just that by the time I get to the Berdoues, I’ve usually already sniffed ten things and am feeling light-headed and sick enough that I can’t sniff any more. So I just need to go back and make AoI a priority! It’s just in the back of the shop, after all the other exciting things, you see.
When you do try Assam as well as others let me know what you think one way or another…..
Skipping yoga this morning since my gym is hosting an MLK Day of Service (fantastic idea, just don’t want to cope with the huge crowd and parking dilemma). It’s geared toward getting teens/tweens involved in activities such as assembling toiletries for hospitalized veterans & other civic services.
Testing my little sample of Villoresi Vintage Ylang for the 2nd time.
How cool.
I 2nd that!
That’s awesome. I hope they have a great turnout.
Wearing Ninféo Mio, a wonderful summer fume, will probably be my choice this Friday. Camping at the beach with Tolstoi and my family was wonderful, a much needed escape from newspapers, social networks, work… And now I’m neyod thrilled because I won the Régime des Fleurs giveaway. I suggested here the book ‘What a plant knows’ in two theads at least, so Falling Trees, which is inapired by recent research showing the cognitive abilities of trees, is VERY appealing to me. Thank you, Robin and the good people chez Régime des Fleurs!
Beyond thrilled, oops.
I rather like “neyond”
Ha, I did too!
With Tolstoi as in with a book by said author, or with a companion (human or otherwise) of the same name?
War and Peace.
Thanks for the book recommendation! Plants’ sensory abilities are a fascination of mine; I’ll have to check this one out.
Inspiration! Ninfeo Mio for me today too, thank you. It will be perfect for what my diary says is happening. Eggzellent.
I was thrilled that you won!
Yay, thank you! I’d be thrilled if it had been you, too.
SOTD- SDV
Tea- Barry’s Gold Blend with a dollop of Organic Caramel Sauce
Ok I guess I am cheating a bit on no sweets
Sounds very right, anyway.
Dont’t tell anyone…hee!hee!
I have just recently discovered the joys of using a dollop of caramel or chocolate sauce in tea. I have come to enjoy an Earl Grey latte with a dash of vanilla extract and Caramiel (a thick, caramel-honey sauce).
MMM…now THAT sounds really good !
I think my resolve to not “eat” sweets had just been broken…athough technically I am drinking them
Yup, that is definitely different. Not cheating at all. Don’t you worry about it.
You know I have organic vanilla extract hanging out in my fridge…since my no buy also includes expensive teas I might liven up the “cheap’ stuff with some of that…thanks for the suggestion!
I read your post and right away made a cup of tea and added some caramel sauce. Boy! It is so good. Thanks!
My pleasure!
What a good idea… I mean, the perfume – as much as I love sweets, luckily I do not want anything sweet in my tea, unless I’m sick and drink it with lemon and honey. But I like your perfume choice and will probably follow it.
Unfortunately I have a terrible sweet tooth
Me too! Just not in drinks
Hmmm… One of my favorite teas (David’s Salted Caramel) has been discontinued. I’ll have to experiment with adding caramel to other teas to see if I can replicate it that way. Thanks for the tip!
Bigelow’s makes a Salted Caramel tea …not sure how it compares to the David’s but I think it is yummy.
Hello!! Greetings from sunny Perth, where I have a week off to enjoy the lovely weather. (And because I turn 40 this week and refuse to work on my birthday!!
I had planned to skip the country for a few days to avoid any part in it at all but no work is holiday enough)
Now that it’s bedtime I’ve doused in L’heure Bleue after a shower with Lush Wash That Man shower gel (highly recommended! It’s based on the smell of French perfume which then inspired my perfume choice..)
Today though I’ve already worn Orchid Soleil, Terracotta, Pamplemousse & Rhubarb and TDC Bergamot. Not all at once though. Lots of gardening and post gardening shower and changing clothes so instead of refreshing I just chose something else.
I’m so glad there’s a MLK day. So much more relevant than one of the Queen’s many birthdays..
Enjoy the milestone bday this week!
I recently got to try Pamplemousse & Rhubarbe and loved it.
Happy birthday week, and enjoy your time off in the sunshine!
Happy birthday week, perthgirl! It is nice to be able to laze about. Truth be told, vacations are stressful (but fun!).
Yes, I often desire a vacation to rest up after my vacation.
!!!
Happy Birthday week! Big milestone and welcome to the 4th decade!
Happy birthday week! I hope your next 4 decades are fantastic.
Oh, you’re one year ahead of me! Does 40 feel *significant?*
Enjoy your birthday week, young lady!
Happiest of days, Perthgirl. I remember 40 as a marvellous time. I grew my hair long again for the specific purpose, it now seems, of cutting it off immediately after it was all one length and at my shoulder blades. And other mad schemes. I don’t think I stopped laughing for a whole year. Have fun!
Happy birthday week. Welcome to the 40’s. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy the week.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!!
Happy birthday week! That is an awesome idea.
Happy birthday week, I hope you continue to celebrate all year
Wearing Naomi Goodsir Cuir Velours for this week’s community project. I do not have a definite list of top ten winter fragrances, but this week I would like to wear the fragrances that feel ‘right’ in winter. Cuir Velours is a great comforting winter scent – warm and soft like a blanket.
Sounds lovely!
I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep, so here I am, showered, dressed, and perfumed at 7 am. I wanted a floral today so I am wearing Moon Bloom. The bulb atomizer is going wonky so I may have to transfer the juice into another bottle soon.
Have the travel spray so I don’t have to cope w the bulb atomizer. You smell fab!
Good morning! I have been unwilling to buy scents with bulb atomizers, even though I think they’re super cute, for fear that they would evaporate more quickly. Have you had the Moon Bloom long?
I’ve had it a little over two years, I think. It’s not evaporating as far as I can tell, but I think the tiny hole in the sprayer is clogged because it’s not a fine mist anymore.
Drat! I wonder if there’s some sort of magic soak-it-in-alcohol kind of solution?
I think I’d try holding the tiny hole bit under warm running water and rubbing it lightly with a q-tip. I have to do that with hairspray sprayers from time to time and it seems to help get the fineness back into the nozzle.
No bulb atomizers for me either. The are so unwieldy to use!
I LOVE bulb atomizers – that’s why I keep them safely tucked away in the boxes, not attached to my beautiful Guerlain bottles
And if you ever want to replace a bulb atomizer, let me know as I have never used mine.
You got me wrong: I never use mine as well
I love them … platonically:)
Gotcha! So twins even doen to where we keep them!
I am commando today, can’t compete with all the Indian cooking happening in the kitchen right now.
Dal, spicy potato and eggplant, bean curry
S(ip) of the day is MF
Oh my gosh!!! Can I come to your place and devour all of your food??
Are you still sore from your retreat? It never ceases to amaze me how sore my body gets every week after a yoga class….but I love it as I feel as though I have accomplished something not just emotionally/spiritually but physically as well…
sure!!!
WE have so MUCH! yum! yum! all vegetarian and no dairy though..
that is fine by me…I eat anything and everything and happen to really love Indian food….especially homemade!!!
Lovestosmellgood, did you see the new Chanel lip crayons? Have 2 in my cart, but am resisting. Need more lipsticks like a hole in the head.
YES! What colors did you get? I am going to look on Thursday
A deep (Carmin) and a neutral (Rose Violine).
Looking up those colors…
Sounds delish!
Your kitchen sounds so yummy. Yowza.
In professional training all day, so a light dose of Amber Flush body oil to go with “Preventing Fraud in a Professional Development “
My condolences on the training, that sounds like a real snoozer. You smell wonderful, though!
Good morning everyone. Just back from a long walk in the park with my dog. Having coffee now and wearing a spritz of SL Ambre Sultan, one of my favorites ambers. My weekend was crazy running errands, meeting my sister’s in-laws who came to visit from Italy and finally storaging all the Christmas decoration. Since, I am not working today, I will be relaxing the whole day. I already told my husband that he either cooks today or order from outside. I will not step in the kitchen at all and not plannig to go outside again. Lazy and relaxing day before I start another very busy week at work tomorrow. Happy MLK day!
Enjoy your day off!
Sounds like a lovely, peaceful morning. Enjoy your day of relaxing and you’re smelling great!
Sampling Black Flower Mexican Vanilla but this doesn’t seem to be a me scent. I initially liked it but now it seems a bit sharp and is making my eyes water
I initially thought I liked it, too, but on a second wearing it seemed too synthetic to me, in that way that practically every vanilla fragrance these days seems to. I may revert to dabbing vanilla extract behind my ears…
snort.
LOL! get thee some bourbon vanilla 30% from Eden Botanicals if you are craving the real stuff….
and it would blend nice with your Orange Sanguine ….
I’d smell like a dreamcicle!
I gave that one a few wears, but ultimately it didn’t work for me either. There was something about it that came off as sulfuric on me.
I will be the odd man out and say that I happen to like BFMV as it reminds me of Love’s Baby Soft which I wore in the 1970s….similar vibe….
That one is up there with Angel on my “headache in a bottle” list. Usually I try to use up generous samples that I’m not wearing by spraying them on the curtains to scent my home. BFMV resulted in my sleeping in the guest room for a night and then taking the bedroom curtains down and outside to air. Dark Horse and Desert Rose both had a similar result. I like the way they all smell but just can’t tolerate them for more than about an hour without feeling horrible. Wonder what it is that goes wrong? I have no trouble with Herb/New Musk/Chocolate or any of the soliflores.
Wow. Even the worst fragrance encounters in my life don’t go that much awry! I was burning a Demeter candle the other day, called something like Lavender Meadow (?) and forgot about it. When I went back into my office an hour or so later the whole room smelled like one of those Lysol floral bathroom sprays that you encounter in gas station restrooms. It took a couple of hours with the windows wide open to clear it out. (Needless to say, I don’t recommend this candle!)
Wow… What a result! Though, I must say that based on the quality of their perfumes I wouldn’t expect much from their candles anyway.
The travails of someone always looking for a bargain with candles… have NOT yet found it.
Oakland Fresca – have you tried the Voluspa candles? I think farouche likes them. I bought a bunch of petite ones as gifts and ended up with several extras. I could send you one of them (Spruce) if interested!
and Oakland, I am also going to recommend the Pacifica soy candles…they smell lovely (especially the Tibetan Mountain Temple) and the prices are reasonable…
I had a couple candles from Hendi Bendel a few years ago that smelled lovely, had good throw, and burned cleanly. The cute packaging didn’t hurt either! The prices have definitely gone up since then, though.
I do not have any physical manifestations related to the use of this perfume but it was just too sweet for me (though I also thought that I liked it on the first try).
Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber
Nice! haven’t seen that one mentioned in a while.
You smell great. I can’t wear it anymore because of sad memories, but I love catching it in passing on other people.
I like this one and wear when it’s warmer.
Happy MLK day to everyone! One of my favorite winter scents is Pear&Olive from Slumberhouse. A liyyle bit goes a long way. Hope everyone enjoys their Monday.
Edit: little
This is a perfect scent for sharp, cold days. So cuddly.
I like it a lot. I really hate this one was discontinued.
This morning I wore Givenchy’s Insensé, now sadly gone after midday gym and shower!
But you did the gym, that’s the important part!
Not so sure, Insensé smelled great
OK, I’ll reapply when at home
I’ve hit that point in winter, and in my relationship with “winter” perfumes, where I’m tired of cozy-in-the-face-of-coldness and am yearning for warmer, sunnier weather like a little plant leaning towards a sliver of sun. Thus, I’m in Orange Sanguine today, and thinking that citrus colognes, while making up the bulk of my “summer” perfume wardrobe, really aren’t inappropriate in January. After all, it’s now citrus season in all its satsuma and cara-cara glory!
OJ is perfect!!! You smell great!!!
OOps that would be OS…although OJ might be appropriate too!
I always find myself reaching for my light and pretty spring scents a month or two early–I love the mental vacation! And you are, of course, correct that this is citrus season, and you are scented appropriately!
Yes, I agree with you all–and “mental vacation”–is a good way to put it. The winter has not been very cold. Consequently, the blanketing effects of my winter perfumes have not been as welcome as usual. I’ve been wearing them though!
I’ve said here many times that Orange Sanguine is a winter perfume for me, as I have the same winter/citrus-eating pomander associations. Séville à l’Aube is as well. Oranges and incense? Sounds like winter to me! I should pull it out to wear soon, come to think of it.
Mmm — thanks for the reminder! I haven’t worn my Seville a l’Aube in a while, and I love it in winter!
SOTD = SSS Pacific Forest
Just one spritz as a little bit goes a long way!
On perfume spending…I was not on a no-buy, just wanted to see how many days into the new year I could go without purchasing perfume…and Ta Da – I lasted all of 15 days. The culprit: A Zoologist sample set. I WAS going to take advantage of the STC MLK discount but I thought it was better value to just go for the set directly through the Zoologist website.
Have a great day, everyone!
LOL!!! I was wondering how long it would take!
smellin’ good today, hajusuuri!
Thanks! And nozknoz gets an enabler’s pin for a decant site. I saved by not buying a full bottle (or two) of the Roja Dove perfumes. The 25% off is mighty tempting but the ones I was interested in would still have been 4 digits each AFTER the discount.
Ahhh, another person playing around on the Zoologist site. I didn’t pull the trigger, but those sample sets are nice. 2 ml is a good size. Can’t wait to hear which ones you like.
Will do!
Cousins – I’m in SSS Forest Walk today.
We smell good!
Yes we most certainly do!
I haven’t tried this one yet – I need to get a sample while the cart is on (I hope, it’s still on – need to check).
I also bought some samples. But I can’t tell which ones. No, it’s not a secret – I just don’t remember the brand (it’s new to me).
I didn’t last even 15 days
LOL!
Pacific Forest smells like Forest Walk so if you like FW, you’ll probably like PF!
SOTM is leftover Memoir from last night. It will probably last me until my shower–it is so tenacious!
We are beginning the slow thaw in Portland, and I fear the roads will get worse before they get better. I rescheduled my hair appointment for the day, but I have another appointment this afternoon that I’ve already rescheduled twice. . . I can’t decide if I want to head out to it or not. It’s supposed to get *just* above freezing, which means the packed snow and ice will develop a lovely, slippery sheen on top. . . Ugh.
In completely unrelated news, I did my measurements earlier, and while I’ve stayed pretty much the same weight over the past few months, the circumference of my shoulders has increased by an inch, and my calves and waist have reduced by about half an inch each–so there’s some proof that I’m still getting stronger! Yay for the gym!
Ugh, I hope that if you do end up going to your appointment you have a stress-free trip. Congrats on your continued strength increase! Your gains as you improve at something that truly has a useful function are very inspirational.
Thanks, sistine! I will test the roads a few hours early to be sure it will be ok.
And while it’s true that lifting weights is functional and makes my life easier (and less painful), I admit, my goals are less practical than that–I want to be buff!
Someday, I will be impressively strong and actually look like someone who lifts weights. 
Hooray for your stronger measurements. I was reading an old cafleurbon post and saw that some actress or model had the world’s smallest waist at 13 inches! How is that even possible? Where do you fit all the internal organs?
I suspect she rearranged her organs with a corset or some such torture device! That’s teeny!
After years of successful weight loss, I have been working hard on “resetting” my goals–to be MORE rather than to always try to be less/smaller. It’s a struggle, with so much of culture pushing us the other way, but focusing on my strength gains seems to help.
!!!!!!
Congrats! And reschedule the other appointment. No need to risk it.
I know that’s what I *should* do, but as I’ve rescheduled it twice already–all due to this absurd weather/road conditions–I kinda just want to finally move on with it all!
From your mouth to the gods’ ears! I just got a call offering to cancel and reschedule–the roads are getting “polished” by traffic, at this point. Hopefully, by next week’s appointment, they will be passable!
Congrats on seeing solid results from your hard work at the gym.
Thank you! It’s SLOOooooooooow, so any sign of progress is welcome!
Congrats on your continual progress! So impressed by your consistency and persistence
It’s always nice to be able to measure progress, too.
Thank you! It feels good more days than not, so that helps me stick to it. As for measuring progress, I feel like I’m stumbling around most of the time, trying to read between the lines. Best way to know if you’re gaining muscle is dissection, and I’m not really looking to go that route!
Nishane Suede et Safran for me this Monday.
L’heure Bleue today. I’ve never felt it to be confined to any season though I expect it’ll be too dense if it gets hot! It really never does here so I can smell like leather marshmallows all I like year round
Where are you?
I’m wearing Lyric, definitely great for winter. It’s a bit too wet in Brussels to feel like real winter to me, but it’s actually quite cool, close to 0 degrees (Celsius).
You smell divine! I wore A LOT of Lyric this winter–it is such a great cool-weather scent. And you can have some of our snow, if you like.
I’m not a huge fan of the colder part of the year, but I do miss Estonia winters (as opposed to the grey wetness of Belgium). The thing is I do not want them to last five months.
Sounds like typical Oregon winters! We have literally had ninety-some days straight without sunshine some years.
You smell great!
If you take snow off Marjorie Rose’s hands, you can send some of your rain my way
I’m good with this plan!
I actually like rain, but the Belgian one is often of the half-hearted, soul-destroying variety.
Lyric is gorgeous
I do smell pretty good
Am cranky. This may or may not have something to do with the fact that The CEO goes back to work after the college break tomorrow… and may or may not have something to do with perimenopause (sorry, TMI)… and may or may not have something to do with my short sleep last night. Then there’s the fog outside… innumerable reasons to be cranky.
Maybe I need to start focusing on positives. I definitely need some liquid fragrant sunshine, just don’t know what would make me happy today.
Mary Greenwell Plum, methinks!
Plum, or a de Nicolai? Wish I’d tried Vanille Tonka prior to the reform.
Did Bookworm make it back to school?
She did get there yesterday evening, thanks for asking!
Hmmm. I still have a tad of old Vanille Tonka. (Somewhere!) That cheery lime might do the trick…
I’ve been wearing Plum lately, but it doesn’t seem to hit the spot today. (I sniffed the bottle… you know me well!)
You are entitled to crankiness and yup perimenopause will reek havoc on your sleep…hope the day gets better
Thanks.
All those seem like excellent reasons for crankiness.
Bleargh. I’m trying to cheer up.
Any decision yet? I was going to suggest Azemour or something else orange-y as a picker-upper, but figure I’m too late by now. Hope you feel better soon.
Had to laugh as over the weekend I read Bridget Jones’s (sic?) Baby: the Diaries. Bridget thinks she’s peri-menopausal, but she’s not, wink wink.
Will file that under “things could always be worse.”
Yes, dealing with peri- and full menopause are better than being pregnant! (at least to me)
Greetings from Memphis on MLK Day! I’m headed down to the National Civil Rights Museum soon. There are a lot of people in town this weekend and lots of events.
Wearing Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere. I needed something pretty.
Perfect way to celebrate!
I forgot to say that the NCRM is attached to the Lorraine Motel where King was assassinated. When you first see the wreath on the balcony outside the room where he was shot, it just brings tears of grief. On the other hand, it’s good to celebrate all that he and the Civil Rights movement accomplished.
I’ve never been to Memphis, so living vicariously through you this AM. The thought of that wreath is very poignant.
I’m wearing Dzing today. 3 spritzes – I’m very shy about knocking out people with my perfume, but I resolved this year to wear at least one more spritz every time I apply perfume (from 2 to 3). Woo – living on the edge!
Have a great MLK Jr day everyone. Stay safe, warm, healthy, fragrant and positive.
Haha! I may join you on the edge! I wear perfume mostly for me but I can be self conscious about projecting too much perfume into other people’s space. I shall adopt your resolution!
Ha! It’s really not so bad being BEEG! Typically, I wear 6-7 sprays, and I have to remind myself to do fewer with the real powerhouses. I rarely regret getting to properly enjoy my scent!
I used to be shy with spritzes, too, but since my skin doesn’t project scent very well, what’s the point if I can’t even smell myself? So I’m now in the 8-10 camp, or more if needed. Even with that dousing, my H will have to press his nose to my wrist when I ask him to smell me – including in confined spaces like cars.
You smell wonderful!
I’m thinking of splitting this but it seems a lot of people already have it!
If you are thinking about Dzing, I just wanted to chime in and say I’d join in a split if you had one!
Yay! I’ve seen the 100 mLs are decent prices although not 50% off.
*at, not are
Dzing! split? please! do! it! lol
Yippee, there’s interest. I can avoid the first world problem of being stuck with 100 mLs of a perfume!
Always happy to help with this particular terrible first world problem
Luxuriating in Organza Indecence today. Looking forward to wearing my winter favs all week! Feel like I’m in an alternate universe with all this rain we’re having in January…. Never thought I would miss lake effect snow, but I do. ????
That’s a nice one.
Sounds like our two areas of the country decided to swap weather patterns – I’m still snowed in by 8 inches of snow and temperatures that haven’t allowed any thawing whatsoever for the past week. It’s supposed to break tomorrow, warm up and rain like the dickens, and I Can’t Wait – cabin fever!
No worry about flooding where you are? My place is safe, but my gym has become an emergency shelter for the homeless folks who live along Springwater trail.
Only in our garage. We live on a little ridge in between low points so our yard should be relatively okay (even with the predicted 4 inches of rain on top of 8 inches of icy snow), but our driveway slopes downhill toward the garage doors so I worry a little about that.
I will be SO glad when the ice is gone, but the coming storm seems like the worst way to go about it! I hope your garage stays dry!
Happy MLK Day! I’m watching and am being inspired by congressman John Lewis’s speech. Much respect. SOTD is a couple spritzes of Chanel no 22 edt and am retesting or trying to use up a sample of Parfums Quartana Mandrake which has such a fun and bright fruity opening, ala Calyx, Pulp, or Rhubarb Ecarlate. This one would be good for the upcoming reverse hemisphere Friday project.
You smell wonderful on Chanel 22. I mostly wear it in Winter. I find it very cozy.
Thank you! I do like it in the cold weather, so far.
You smell elegant. I wore it last week and I forgot how much I adore it
Just back from a beach clean-up event in honor of MLK Day (much like galbanumgal’s post upthread, this is a day of service volunteer event). Fortunately, it’s a Florida beach, so it’s 74 and sunny.
SOTD is CJ Scents’ Amber Incense, which is just as billed. Mr. Aparatchick loves it.
74 and sunny. Sigh.
Jeleaous about your 74!
Joining in the envy fest.
It’s really unfair.
It’s sheer hell in the summer, if that’s any consolation.
I’d misplaced my 31 Rue Cambon but found it this morning….yippee! I’m so happy to smell it again, a definite winter favourite and good medicine for Monday morning blahs.
Yay! It’s always fun to find a perfume that has been misplaced
Almost like buying it all over again! Though it can be terrible that first moment you can’t find it 
It is another gorgeous day outside. My youngest has a ton of homework and needs a great deal of help getting through it, but I want to think of some way to honor MLK with him–contemplating Jefferson’s agrarian ideal goes against the grain today! Grrrr.
Not yet wearing any perfume this AM, but I am leaning towards something fruity and happy I think. No perfume yet, but not scentless. Applied Dr. Silkman’s body lotion candle (Lover’s Lane) goop to the backs of my hands and elbows. Feeling vaguely Victorian in this waxy citrus patchouli combo.
The scent in those candles is nicely lasting. My favorite right now is Silk Road. I bet you smell good.
That’s the other one I purchased, but haven’t tried it yet. It sounds really nice. My guess is that for many this “cream” is too sticky and greasy. It is not great for a quick morning routine, but for a day off pampering session it does the trick. My skin and hair are really dry and appreciate the slather.
I have used it lightly, mostly on my hands and nails. I find it especially effective for my nails, which tend to be weak and brittle. I sit and rub it into my nails as I’m reading or watching TV. A light application on the tops of my hands makes them soft. But you are right….light application.
Hey, guess what? Two celebrations today: I’ve been working hard, really hard, to bring my blood sugar into normal parameters so as to avoid diabetes medication. I’m clearly in pre-diabetes, but I really don’t want to cross that border, so I kidded the doctor into letting me try to control it with diet and exercise, and today I got “normal” readings for the first time! Of course, I have to improve and maintain now, but it still feels like a victory. Better even than that, though, a very special student will meet me this afternoon for her pre-viva preparation. More than a year ago, this brilliant young woman had a complete breakdown, behaved impossibly badly (instant dismissal type of badly) at work, and walked out on her teaching and her research. At the time, her departure saved me from having to instigate dismissal procedures, but the whole thing broke my heart, professionally and personally. Last year, she reappeared, re-started her research, and finally submitted a really strong thesis. The examiners’ reports are fabulous, the viva takes place next week, and I’m so happy about this outcome that I could cry. In fact, today is so good that I should probably wear my new mail sack, because if ever I’m going to be in the spirit to carry it off, today’s the day. So, Ninfeo Mio, for its layers of refreshing green coolness, and (maybe) the asymmetric navy blue bag…or (more likely) my funky checked skirt. Yay for great days, eh?
Yay for controlling your blood sugar! From the research I’ve read, exercise is HUUUGE for helping with that–get your muscles more efficient at using glycogen so your pancreas doesn’t have to work so hard. Here’s to good health!
That is a wonderful story about your student. A happy day indeed. And congrats on the self improvement and really mastering your health!
Hooray for the blood sugar! Hooray for the student! Hooray for mail sack! (I think I missed it when you bought this item; can you remind us?)
I bought it last week –an impulse– and the dear man’s verdict: “Looks like a mail sack made by ver anti-social prisoners!” It definitely is an odd garment-I will have to rise to its occasion, as it were!
Congrats on your achievement today. Keep going!
Keep it up!I should do my yearly check-ups this week as well.especially as I suspect I might be a tad high with the cholesterol.
Good news all the way around!
Congratulations on the blood sugar and your student. It’s great to hear that someone has done so well in turning things around.
I think I’ll join you in Ninfeo Mio – celebrating two sunny days in a row, which is cause for celebration in this meagre summer.
“Meagre sumer” — that’s the perfect way to describe this season. Up here we have quite successful sunshine, but it’s accompanied by a mean little wind that must have spent its time as it was meandering up from the Antarctic thinking up ways to make us thin-blooded Northerners suffer. I must say, it’s done a jolly good job: it lurks around corners and then rushes out and cuts to the bone! I’m wearing a jacket. In January! Inconceivable!
Hooray all around!
Huzzah for what sounds like a great day!
Congratulations on your good health and your special student!! Truly those are both things to celebrate
Congratulations on both pieces of good news! I would really like to see a photo of the mail sack dress, any chance you have a link to it or can post it somewhere?
Such great achievements, for you and for your student. Cheers!
I’m wearing my more subdued fragrances on Mondays at the moment. Spending 8 hours in a shared office, something I’ve never had to before, has made me aware that too much of a good thing is still too much. So Satin Doll for today.
You smell wonderful!
Second scent of the day is The 7% Solution which I know won’t bother me since I liked it enough to get a full bottle last year
I’m wearing Atelier Cologne Jasmin Angelique from a sample I got at Sephora. I like this one a lot, partially because I like galbanum, and partially because the jasmine doesn’t seem too “clean”.
Also, because I’m easily tempted, and I’ve been seeing a lot about the line, I just ordered the Zoologist sample set (the one with all of the perfumes since I couldn’t decide which ones I wanted to try). I’m also glad they offer travel sprays so I have a smaller option if I happen to fall in love with one (or more) of the samples.
Sample set twins! I didn’t even look at pricing for the bottles. Since many of us are or will be trying out the range, we can probably find one or two to split!
I just got this sample set and have been having a lot of fun testing them all weekend. There are a few that are more fun than wearable, and some I like a lot (Civet, Beaver) but they are all at least interesting and unique.
SOTD!Smellbent The Fall.In the category of “Part of Top 20 discoveries in 2015”.If it wasn’t for Portrait of a Lady and Bendelirious,I could wear smellbent every day on a deserted island,there really is something for every mood/occasion/weather condition.Happy MLK day!Remember to have a dream.xo
I will forever associate you with Smellbent
Cheap and cheerful?Lol.Glad to be associated then!Lol!x
more like priceless and cheerful…..
Working my way through the Kerosene tin I won…yesterday’s Copper Skies lasted impressively. Would highly, highly recommend to anyone looking for a dry, storytelling amber like LADDM.
Today, per foxbins suggestion, am trying Unforsaken for a little bit of sunshine on a cool day….
What should I try tomorrow?
I’ve only tried Broken Theories from that line – it’s very nice and a little bit odd.
Oh what fun! I tried Black Vines and found it fascinating, but probably not for me (and besides, I already have Reglisse Noire). I think I’ve smelled Pretty Little Machine, but I can’t recall it. . .
I loved both of those, along with Unforsaken.
Hope everyone has a peaceful MLK day.
SOTD is Armani Prive Ambre Soie. Lovely.
I got my sample of NV Rahele over the weekend; ummm, it sure is a lot like Gucci Rush. I’m going to have to try both at once to compare & contrast. I adore the Disco King fun of Rush, but am not in love with Rahele (sniff).
Also tried the L’artisan Natura Fabularis series. Terrific quality, not so terrific projection and duration. I liked the rose one best (yes, that’s me, liking a rose scent): rose, woods, vetiver. If only they weren’t so pricey. Maybe they’ll find their way to the discounters at some point… though it seems like they haven’t even found their way to the regular outlets, yet.
Do you know if Rush has been reformulated? I bought a bottle about 15+ yrs ago. I was hoarding it bc that’s how I roll with my favs. Then my daughter took it (without asking????) and finished it!
I don’t know the vintage of my ‘bottle’ (the rectangular red box), sorry.
You may have to reform(ulate) your daughter, just sayin’
Too cute!!!
You’re scaring me: do you mean Rush do women? That perfume was my first scrubber ever. Now I’m afraid to test Rahele
I mean the original Gucci Rush. Osmanthus often has a peach/apricot scent, which both Rush and Rahele start out with. Rahele then brings on the leather; Rush brings on something bass-y
Mind you, Rahele is not swinging from the chandelier (or disco ball, perhaps) like Rush, it’s much more civilized, but they seemed rather similar to me.
“Rush do women” was “Rush for women” before autocorrect decided it knew better
But yes, I think peach/apricot might be the culprit: it doesn’t work for me in most perfumes.
Hi Pixel. I was sort of underwhelmed by Rahele to tell you the truth, and this without any Rush associations. I really like Violaceum 2 and the Rose too; the former I will undoubtedly breakdown and buy despite the price. I tested last night and it stayed persistent if quiet for at least six hours. Haven’t tested so thoroughly with the others.
Had a real hankering for Andy Tauer’s Ingrid today. I don’t know why it has been discontinued because it’s fabulous.
I haven’t tried that one (and I’m such a fan-girl). Could you describe it?
I thought that one was limited edition to begin with?
Yup, just like Dark Passage although distribution was better fro Ingrid. It was available via LuckyScent .
Late today! Spending MLK holiday off work, but running children and pets around for doctor and dental checkups. There’s always something to do around here……
SOTD: Verde di Persia, by Farmacia SS Annunziata. Cassis and apple among the notes listed….but I smell dark chocolate??? Anyhoo, it’s great!
“The time is always right to do what is right.” -MLK
I wore Guerlain Tonka Impériale last night for the first time in about a year and was absolutely swooning. I wore it in small doses last winter, a bit trepidaciously, as it seemed so rich and sweet, if not a bit cloying. Apparently I’m totally past that (says the girl who just fell down the Angel rabbit hole. Lately a day is not complete if I don’t smell either the original or Muse.)
I’d be wearing more of the Guerlain right now but am pressing on with getting through samples and discovery sets.
Am testing some Parfumerie Generales this late morning – Praline Santal on one hand and Musc Maori on the other. I’d tested both previously and my only recollection of Praline Santal was the intense toasted hazelnut-buttery opening. I missed that this time around (I could smell the hazelnuts initially but only with my nose pressed up against my hand.) Puzzled by what I was smelling, I asked my H what he thought. “Apples and honey” was his response and he’s absolutely right. I’m having a bad sinus day and he has a cold, so I’ll proffer that as an explanation for this bizareness since there’s no reason it should smell remotely like apples and honey, right?
Musc Maori smells like milk chocolate and I have discovered this fall/winter that while it sounds like a good idea, I really do not like smelling like a cup of chocolate.
I think Muse got you used to hazelnut, in a good way.
SOT Afternoon is Tauer’s Hyacinth and a Mechanic. I smell like flowers and fumes, but in a cozy sort of way.
Just got the nod of approval from Mr. Spicebomb, “Mmm. You smell good; I like that one.”
Excellent! I love mine too.
It’s good when the weird scents get some love.
Sniff of the Day = Eau des Merveilles
Word of the Day = culbuto!
Not feeling like spritzing, so I sniffed EdM and it was wonderful. Thank you to the NST well-wishers over the weekend. You helped.
Naps, novels, and lots of water are just the things when feeling under the weather.
You KNEW I had to look up the word! It’s really cute, both the thing and its multiple-purpose reincarnation! I think everyone needs a culbuto in their life.
Isn’t that just a French word, for which there are legitimate equivalents in English?
It looks like a rocking toy to me.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roly-poly_toy
Exactly! That’s why I asked.
I learned the word culbuto when reading about Eau des Merveilles Bleue on the Scented Salamander blog. Chant Wagner uses culbuto in reference to the rocking Eau des Merveilles bottle. Very clever.
Checking in late after a bike ride, shower and nap. Wearing the earthy Bois d’Ombrie today.
Hi Robin – how is REG’s newest fragrance? I’ve wanted to try all three but don’t believe he has a distributor in Canada yet. They all sound wonderful – he’s been one of my favourite actors since I first saw him as Withnail back when it was released in the late 80s. Today was spent in Hermes Rhubarbe Ecarlate.
This one is lighter and more wearable than you’d expect from the description, and heavy on the iso e super. It’s nice. I will try the other 2 this week.