PSA: the next Freebiemeet will be on the 20th of this month.
Today, our standard open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, your favorite "fight the chill" perfume, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Satellite Eyes Winter Nor'easter ("Amazing view from space shows the #BombCyclone as this powerful winter nor'easter was moving toward New England on Jan. 4, 2018.") [cropped] by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center at flickr; some rights reserved.
OMG
I am hunkered down in my hotel in eastern PA. Slept till 10 a rare treat and had coffee under the covers.
Going to go out for a manicure only. Pedicure can wait till am back in CA.
KOP mall tomorrow no matter the temp.
I packed a half full bottle of PDN Ambre Cashmere before leaving home and its perfect for right now.
Ordered the new Berdoues.
Safe travels back to the land of warmth and sunshine!
thanks Deva!!
Apsara I can’t remember (if I knew) how long you are here? Hope it will warm up soon, don’t blame you for being hunkered down. If someone had brought me coffee in bed this morning, I would not have gotten up either
I travel on Sunday and go home on Thursdays. Once a month I stay over a weekend, easier on the body and good for the project I’m working on. If all stays to schedule, in September I’ll shift to Dallas for the part of project. Easier flight time and great shopping and restaurants in Dallas. Plus friends who live there and Equinox.
Hope all will go to schedule, then — that’s a lot of travel time to be in a place you don’t love.
Good morning, Enjoying the remnants of L’heure Bleue that I applied last night, and getting my butt kicked in online Scrabble. Lying in bed, sun coming through the windows. Our damp deck outside is steaming. Maybe I will get up soon. First, what can I do with UUSPLFD ? Not much ????
Dang. Too bad no E in that batch. I only got PLUS.
Dang.
I got FLUUDS..the last leaky wheeze of a wonky atomiser on a 2ml perfume sample bottle
By the way it’s often spelled P..FLUUDS in British English
That sounds Scandinavian to me. Or like something from the credits in Monty Python’s Holy Grail.
Phine!
Alternatively, SPLUF!
Yes!
SPLUD?
Ahem. Just looked up spud to see if it was slang for anything. All that I will say is that it is ????????
Splud not spud. Spud’s a-okay!
Ha! I think I won’t google that.
One of our go-to games for neighborhood game night is Scrabble (also Big Boggle and a recently acquired version of Password). One of the gamers gave us Scrabble dishtowels for Christmas–available at ShopPBS.
Up early this cold Saturday for a scheduled call. Always nice to have a warm cat next to me early in the morning… Still relatively early (by NYC standards) when call was over, so I trundled off down to the laundry room. I love that no one is doing laundry on Sat mornings before 9 am.
Showered with final gasp of Hinoki show gel and some Lush snowflake soap (from last year’s bogo).
Staying with the sample project by dabbing on Aroma M Geisha Noire. Perfect for this cold day. It better be perfect, since I just about dunked the entire sample on my arm.
You smell great! That one really hits the spot in this kind of weather. It’s like a deeper, smokier Shalimar. Something really sexy about it.
Will join you in doing laundry today. Our laundry room is almost always free since most people don’t use them because the dryers stink. Have to keep the stuff in them for about 1-1.5 hours to get anything dry. And he’s had the vendor replace the dryers to no avail. We still go to the laundromat ????
I always think of you when I see my Aroma M samples. I think something you said prompted me to get this at Twisted Lily. I really like this one.
I’m incredibly thankful for our laundry room. Huge, clean and with almost the opposite problem on dryers.
By the way, do you notice difference between their roll on oils versus the EdP?
I’ve tried both versions of the ones I bought when they carried the line at TL but always preferred the oils of the ones I tried, though not sure I can quite remember why. Maybe they were more vivid or more intense? They also last a long time on skin, portable, less volume and space occupation, and a little less $.
Yes, the laundromat dryers are a few degrees away from scorching.
Oh, you smell wonderful. I spent most of December in Geisha Rouge EDP.
Have they checked the dryer vents leading out of the building? Super-slow drying can be caused by clogged dryer vent pipes. (Says someone whose dryer vent hose used to plug up with ice in the winters in Massachusetts…)
I’ll ask my landlord to check. I imagine they never get checked-they’re right above our back door so have to go through our apt to get there.
Ooh! I was *just* looking to replace my Vanilla Hinoki decant but this one sounds very intriguing.
If a nice laundromat is nearby, it’s almost always a better way to get laundry done: a week’s worth of laundry in 2 hrs v. 1 load. There used to be a great one in Seattle with a restaurant & bar (now long gone.) The one I went to in LA was in a strip mall with a Trader Joes & taqueria, so we shopped and ate while our laundry was running.
If there is no nice laundromat and if you don’t have a car, it’s a real PITA.
The Seattle bar/restaurant/laundromat/concert venue was called the Sit ‘n Spin ;D
That place was awesome for so many reasons! It is sorely missed
We have a car so it’s a lot easier and there’s a supermarket next door so we usually food shop. Though last evening we went to a laundromat around the corner that has a room in the rear that now has a bar and about 2 dozen pinball machines!
They’re on to the right idea there!
Splashed on one of my favorite releases from 2017: Andrea Maack’s Birch! A great woody fragrance that gets very creamy on my skin.
Doing chores like laundry and planning out the week including the Friday Scent Project choice. A batch of cookies is on the list too.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s warm up! Meaning it won’t be below freezing! ????????
Hope everybody rocks their Saturday!
I’d like to try Birch. Hers is another line I want to explore more. I really like Coven but have to be in the mood for it because it’s so strong. I sniffed the first three or four she released in a shop some years ago, but the only one that stood out at the time was Sharp, the orange blossom one.
I’m enameled with Birch. I have not tried Coven but have a sample somewhere. Can’t wait to give it a try.
I got a fall sample box from Twisted Lily a few months back and I’ve been neglecting it. Today I tried Apoteker Tepe’s The Holy Mountain. Not quite my thing, but worth a sniff for anyone who loves frankincense!
Thanks for the reminder of Apoteker Tepe. I’ve only tried and really like Anabasis from them. I started a list of brands and samples I need to catch up on. Adding them to it. And I typically really enjoy frankincense so that sounds promising.
Funny. I woke up with the words Apoteker Tepe in my head. I’ve never smelled anything by them but I love the house name
Hehe I sometimes get those words in my head too.
Sounds right up my alley. Like Rabbitsflower I am adding the brand to a rather substantial list I want to try.
It’s nicely done, lots of smoky incense with some hints of green. Staying power is not great, but typing that made me realize that frankincense never lasts on my skin. Hmm.
I love their bottles, too!
I was invited to my cousin’s place this afternoon. I was treated to a nice dinner and I have to admit they built a nice house.
I wore Parfum d’Empire Le Cri de la Lumiere for the occasion.
Greetings, and happy Saturday!
SOTM is leftover Amouage Beloved from last night. Likely will spritz some more in a bit–it’s smelling perfect to me right now.
Mr. Spicebomb and I just (Monday) returned from our honeymoon in Italy. We bought two bottles at Maria Santa Novella in Florence–a bottle of Ambra for me (super resinous and lovely) and Nostalgia for him (with strong whiffs of engine cleaner, which he enjoys).
Oh congratulations on your newly wed status. GLad you had a honeymoon too.
Thank you! The wedding was in late July, and we delayed the honeymoon to avoid August heat and crowds. I think it was a good choice–with the exception of Rome, we didn’t have to deal with lines at major sites. It was a lovely trip, in any case!
Did you end up going to Venice? I remember the thought of Venice in winter was …polarizing.
Yes, we flew into Venice and stayed 3 nights. It was cold, but quite lovely! Actually, we really lucked out with weather most of the trip. One really icky weather day in Rome and one in Sorrento, but pretty much dry and pleasant enough the other days!
That’s terrific. I was of the opinion that you would feel like you hadn’t really been to Italy if you didn’t go to Venice, no matter how cold and grey it was.
It is such a surreal place! And I think the Duomo there was my favorite of the big cathedrals we visited–top to bottom in sparkling mosaic. Definitely happy to have seen it!
I remember posts from when you were just starting to date Mr. Spicebomb. ☺ Congatulations!
Thanks!
Congratulations! Enjoy your perfumes! ????
I think we need to plan a perfume meet-up for Florence. There were SO MANY perfumers to go check out–we only went to a couple shops, so that Mr. Spicebomb could see other important things, like old churches, art museums, and such. Definitely have more I want to sniff!
I’m in.
Woohoo! That’s ONE!
How lovely!
Sounds lovely! And nice to see you.
Congratulations Marjorie Rose. It all sounds wonderful!
What fun, so glad you had a good time and made it to SMN!
Thanks, Robin.
It was the best sniffing of the trip, for sure! We went to AquaFlor, a local perfumer in Florence, too, and didn’t walk away with a fragrance, but with some lovely soaps for our sister-in-law. Apparently, the perfumer will do a bespoke scent right there in the shop, if you schedule it. Certainly the whole alleyway smelled A-MA-ZING as we approached it, so I easily believe he’s preparing things on site!
We also happened upon a lovely shop in Rome, which I sadly did not get the name of, and I liked the scent I tried on skin very much, but once it developed after half an hour or so, it didn’t change further. It was nice, but I wanted MORE. Probably means I need to do more testing.
In any case, I am certain I only scratched the surface! MANY perfume shops came up when I did searches in those two towns.
Oh fun, I had not even heard of AquaFlor. I loved SMN, though, even when I was there pre-perfumista-ness.
The sales associate at SMN seemed so pleased to talk scent with someone who cared about the details! It was a very positive experience to explore and discuss options with her. It is such a lovely space, and the approach isn’t pushy at all, so I can see how it would appeal to nonperfumistas as well.
*waves*
sounds delightful.
I had a craving for Beloved yesterday when I was in line for passport renewal, and went upstairs to the Perfume Shoppe for some sniffs & thought of you and the time we went there (passport office thus conveniently located)…
must be a sort of mind meld
That was such a good trip! I am far overdue for a visit up North. Not spring break, but maybe later. . . I need a vacation without travel or weddings or other life-altering events first . . . but I do love it up there! Our mutual friend keeps teasing me with great hotel deals, the latest meet-ups, and such that I am missing.
jjlook – I know where you were – I was there in May – isn’t it a great place ?
Congratulations and welcome back!
Oh!!!! Congrats to you and your new hubby!
Congratulations You two! Italy is the best place for a honeymoon! I have purchased some Nostalgia btw- for my race car engineering nephew! Great choice.
It’s an odd scent–I was very proud of my Mr. S. for being openminded enough to want to WEAR it, not to just note it and move on. Did your nephew immediately recognize the engine cleaner note, too?
Oh, the Ambra sounds niiiice! Congratulations to you and the hubby!
It is my first really chewy, resinous woody scent, but it so, so good–it won me over!
Congratulations!!
Put on James Heeley Cardinal, because incense feels right for Christmas (it’s Christmas Eve here today), but then felt I need something warmer, so I dabbed some Chanel Coco EDP. I think Coco is great as a “fight the chill” scent.
Happy Christmas for everyone who celebrates it this weekend! We did not cook a traditional Christmas dinner but had some nice food and sparkling wine.
Merry Christmas!
We learned while we were in Italy, that January 6th was a bigger deal over there in many ways than Christmas. If we’d known in advance, we might have stayed later for it! I would love to have a little Bufana doll . . .
La Befana!! La epifania
Merry Christmas Glannys! Enjoy!
The Feast of the Three Kings’ is indeed a bigger celebration in other countries. The holiday shops in NYC (e.g. Bryant Park) pretty much close down at yearned, whereas in Barcelona, the outdoor stalls were going strong and get stronger after Christmas and children get their big gifts during Three Kings’.
My friends and I have a tradition of getting together after Christmas, always on the Saturday closest to January 6, even if that date is after the 6th. Today is the day!
Merry Christmas! I am wearing Coco as well. Just perfect.
Thanks everyone!
I think it will be Chergui today. Just finished exercising and now sipping coffee.
I’m eyeing up a bottle of Vol de Nuit edt, looks like a vintage bottle from maybe the early ’90s. It’s a bit pricey so just wondering what any fans out there think.
Jump on it. Before I do.
Absolutely worth the splurge for vintage edt. You won’t regret it!
Do not think twice. Get it and enjoy it!
Ok, I caved.. thanks everyone for your input!
I’m finishing out the color project wearing Aromatics in Black, although black isn’t really a color, apparently.
Just sniffed it for the first time last week? your opinion?
Well, Mr. G has apparently transferred his nasty chest cold to me, so I am bundled up in fluffy warm things and a spritz of vintage VdN EDC on each wrist. Typical that I’ve felt well enough to go to work until today when I don’t have to. Grr.
Feel better!
Thanks! I’m doing everything I can (warmth, fluids, VdN …)
Acquired-chest-cold-from-spouse twin! Fortunately it’s pretty mild. I hope you feel better soon! Lots of tea, vitamin C, and VdN!
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s nice to have company. Tea and vitamin C are next up!
Ugh! So sorry you aren’t feeling well. This season for colds and flu have been the worst. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.
Yuck! Hope you recovery quickly!
I watched a wonderful Werner Herzog documentary last night about life in the Taiga for a trapper (Glannys…they celebrated Christmas on Dec 6, too). It really just followed his life …cutting wood to make skis, making birch tar ( which they used as a mosquito repellent), mainting his log cabins ( lots of moss ), fishing, trapping sable in winter. His skill with an axe was gobsmacking. I think it is called The Happy People (Netflix). Wearing woodcut on one wrist and bois de vanille on the oher. Happy weekend …hope those storm clouds track further out to sea.
As an adult, I named first dog “Taiga” because I was always entranced by that area of the globe. So inhospitable, yet full of life.
What a cool name. I am going to hunt down some books about the region.
I loved that documentary! Aside from the day-to-day survival, it was his relationship with his dog that really got me.
I always get anxious that something will happen to the dog in movies like that and I have to admit to getting a bit emotional when the dog was running behind the snow mobile for 150km
Thanks for the movie description and recommendation. Adding that to my Netflix list. And you’re smelling good on both arms.
Thanks!
I loved that movie!
It was great, wasn’t it. The Gleaners is another fantastic documentary, set in France.
Thank you, just added to Netflix queue!
SOTD is L’Artisan’s 60 Mirabilis from their Natura Fabularis collection. It’s one of the few ambroxan-heavy fragrances that I find pleasing. The overall effect for me is a lightly woody musk with whispers of incense and a cool rootiness. I would never have paid full price for it, but an unexpected visa gift card made it a more affordable purchase (and the bottle was also a factor…I do love me that gold bee!).
Curious if anyone knows whether L’A has d/c this line, as they seem to have disappeared from their website?
Oh no! I was wondering that too as I tried to order samples from their website yesterday and couldn’t find them? I hope not, I just heard about them!
I don’t have any clue about what L’Artisan is up to with those perfumes, but jeez it certainly wouldn’t make sense for the to discontinue those so soon. They even put them in those nice special bottles and everything. I wish they were as reliable a brand as they used to be.
Mirabilis isn’t one I’ve tried, but I really enjoy Violaceum and Arcana Rose from that series. Tenebrae didn’t do anything for me.
That’s good to know, thanks for sharing LisainDenver. I have had my eye on that one too, but it doesn’t sound like it fits now so Money saved!
Geez, Bomb Cyclone sounds very unappealing and dangerous. Hope everyone in the path is snug, warm, and smelling good.
SOTD is Smell Bent Gypsy. Only day off out of six, the sun is out, but I’m stuck running errands and laundry- such a waste of a gorgeous day, but I smell gooood! The great news is I extended my contract until May, and the issue that had my back up a couple of weeks ago was resolved because my contract is air tight. ????????
Congrats on your contract extension Deva!????
We survived here the Bomb Cyclone. Now we are trying to survive the frigid temps below zero…
Stay warm! ????????
Yeah, that name had me ready to make a below ground shelter, but now that it’s passed, I can say we’ve had much worse.
5 12 hour days?!? That’s insane! I used to dread 3 in a row. Hats off to ya! And congrats! I’m taking you like Oregon. Still need to visit the PNW soon.
Yes, you do need to visit soon! 3 12’s in a row is my limit too, which I communicated clearly. They slipped in one day off and then on for two more, Sneaky Buggers! Oregon is beautiful, but sadly very “regulated.”
I’m so glad for you, Deva. I live in that same contract world. I hope I am locked and good for the next 18 months.
Thanks! Work contracts are new to me, so I’m still feeling my way around. I don’t like being perceived as a whiner, but also, not a pushover who will let what is clearly stated in the contract slide for someone else’s convenience and pocketbook. 18 months sounds like a great contract-haggle-free period!
You aren’t a whiner. You have knowledge and skill sets that are badly needed. You know your value and worth.
Got to sleep in today… my regular Saturday activities start up next weekend. Trying a sample of Olympic Orchids Mardi Gras. Civet and orange blossom- started really strong but drying down nicely. Enjoying my exploration of this house. Yay for indies!
I really enjoy Mardi Gras… it feels like a little bit of hanky panky on sweet billowy fluffy orange blossom clouds. =D
Cool and wet here. I think I’ll go with Delrae Panache today for no particular reason other than it’s a good one when I can’t decide. Yay for the weekend. Although, I’ll mostly be cleaning and organizing. (But also a little baking, which is my stress release.)
Washed my sweet old dog yesterday and she is lying next to me smelling very faintly of clean and coconut. Such a comfort.
That one is a good no-brainer.
SotD = Ineke Balmy Days and Sundays
This perfume smells like a summer garden, cut grass, honeysuckle, the scent of the amazingly green-thumbed neighbor’s flower garden, then it goes musky and soapy clean.
I couldn’t decide what to wear for scent today. So I did a lucky dip and pulled this decant out of the box. I like it and will use it up. Thank you to the long-ago NST swapper who passed it along to me.
Be well and be warm (or cool!), NST.
I love that perfume name. I wonder if it’s intentionally the flip side of “rainy days and Mondays”? Anyway, this one doesn’t sound it’ll get you down ????
ha! yes, I think Balmy Days and Sundays is a direct hit against “those Mondays.” Definitely a cheerful scent.
A summer garden sounds darned good right now!
Agree! Thoughts of a summer garden are welcome in December.
Trying AP Violaceum. I like this very much -sweet spot of iris/violet/green/suede- and might attempt a split during splitmeet ????
How is the sillage and longevity?
I only did small dabs so it’s rather quiet, but I will report back after a more generous application tomorrow. It has now lasted almost 6 hours, though it’s pretty faint at this point.
That sounds so nice!
Oh, I hope you do! It’s one I’ve wanted to try.
Wearing Zum Frankincense and Myrrh Mist from Indigo Wild over their body lotion, after a shower with their body wash. It is absolutely lovely and comfy. I got this beautiful gift set as a Christmas present from one of my co-workers with a mini set included and some soap samples. I had never tried anything from that line before and I have been wearing them for the last couple of nights. It is all resins, very long lasting, soft and comfy, especially for the cold weather we are having here. The quality of the products are great. I would love to try other scents from them later, but for now I am enjoying with a smile Frankincense and Myrrh.
I liked that one too. I purchased the body mist and the cone incense last year and used up both pretty quick.
Being an incense lover I see myself wearing them very quick also. I will try some of their other products later. They have a very wide selection.
Zum F&M is a great scent. You smell wonderful!
Thank you!
I’ve never tried their scented products but I was a dedicated user of some of their face wash, hand soap, and shower gels for many years. It’s been a long time since I’ve used them and I can’t even remember which ones they were, but they were really nice & well-crafted.
It is good to hear that their other products are also nice. After I finish the ones I have now, I will for sure try more from them.
Feeling all oh la la in OJ Woman this morning. It smells like hunter green, somehow. Lots to do today but Saturday has me doing them very slowly with lots of breaks in between.
You smell maaaaaaaarvelous!
Good morning.
I was inspired by all the resolutions to use up our samples.
So, I started with Comme de Garcons Nomad Tea. It’s one of their recent reissues.
It’s fun. It’s sweet, like sugar, but with the bitterness of tea underneath. I am surprised by how much I am enjoying it. I am going to pour it into a spray sample bottle to see how I much I like it when its sprayed on.
Has anyone else tried it recently?
This sounds great, but no, I haven’t tried it yet.
Today I wore Idyllwild for first time (from a sample).
I visited my mother in hospita. she is doing better, though insurance is giving us a hard time when it comes to a transplantation abroad…fingers crossed folks.
She immediately told me she liked the scent I was wearing, so I gave her my sample right away
Idyllwild is great by the way, i liked it a lot as well.
I sampled Slowdive yesterday by the way, its very lovely, but I am not sure if I could/want to wear it often
So glad to hear your mom is doing better. Hope the situation with the insurance gets resolved without delays.
Fingers crossed that all goes well with you Mother!
Idyllwild is amazing and was my first purchase of 2018.
Glad to hear your mother is improving!
Glad to hear your mother is doing better today! Certainly her sense of smell is spot on and good she can enjoy scents. Hope things work out with the insurance. Often there needs to be a lot of pushing with insurers, here too, and it’s one of the least pleasant parts of my job. Wishing you strength and the energy to push on!
Sending positive vibes for the insurance to approve! I love Idyllwild too.
Jiji I really love that one. It is the sage , some undefined floral lihjtly underneath that is always perfect – for public consumption…. would never assault or insult And elegant simultaneously!!! I am so happy I blind bought it. It’s very special. Hope you two enjoy it !!!
I got some big news today. I actually finished a bottle of perfume today. The one I finished was a 1 ounce bottle of vintage Bal. Today I am in Amouage Memoir bath stuff. That body butter is wonderful because my skin is extremely dry with the sub zero temps.
Congrats! It’s quite an accomplishment. One I have yet to achieve.
I met Ralf Schwieger when he came through town a few months ago, and informed him that Lipstick Rose was one of the only perfumes I’d succeeded in draining. He didn’t seem to appreciate the significance of the compliment.
Memoir body butter sounds dreamy!
Wow. I’m surprised to hear that. I figure we perfumistas are one of the target markets for perfumers, but maybe not. (Or maybe he was offended that his perfume would be anything other than finished off and repurchased, ala the “signature scent” model?)
He was very charming and didn’t seem offended–just also didn’t seem to recognize it as a compliment! His business partner (Jacques maybe? . . . something like that) was there, and when HE spoke about sales, etc, he mostly spoke about the houses and what they were looking for, rather than the end-consumer, per se. I think we perfumistas are still a pretty small piece of the market, in any case.
Congrats on the contract extension and the resolution to the problem. Glad it worked out for you!
Enjoy the sun
This was meant for Deva.. not sure what happened other than ‘fat fingers’. Sorry!
Happy Saturday NST! Slept until 10 today. I have a bit of a chest cold but don’t feel too bad, fortunately. Just slightly achy.
We saw The Post last night and I enjoyed it. I guess the sequel was already made (All the President’s Men) and now I’m hankering to rewatch it. I’m betting Meryl Streep does NOT win best actress for this. As per tradition. Not sure who I think will, yet.
I used up the last few drops of my Aroma M Nobara-Cha sample and caved on buying the oil version. I prefer her oils, mostly. I think her aesthetic just jives with me. Don’t like everything, but the ones I have I’ve really loved. And I got to meet her in Sept and she’s really nice and down to earth.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Feel better. I’m with you on Meryl Streep and have thrown my money towards Sally Hawkins who gave TWO of the best performances this year!
What’s the other film besides The Shape of Water? I haven’t even seen Three Billboards… other than the trailers, but I was thinking also Frances McDormand. Looks like a fierce performance and I just really like her acting.
Maudie which was out earlier in the year and fair warning that it is a “box of tissue” type movie. In a good way that is.
Ah. I missed that one. I like a goid tear jerker, so will put it in the list.
Oh, Elisa, I tried the Nobara-Cha again and I have to confess I really don’t like it. I think it’s going to go into the freebie meet.
Aww ????. Hopefully it finds a new home. What didn’t you like about it? I can see why one might not like it. I wasn’t smitten apparently when I first tried it and put the sample away for a long while, until you mentioned it! And then I was smitten! Though the top notes smelled a little off, like vintage perfume would smell. Or maybe that’s how it smells?
I think maybe just too much sandalwood. I’m waffling about keeping it and trying it in warmer weather,
Ah, yes there’s a goid dose in it. I love the sandalwood in it. Reminds a little of the sandalwood in Mohur extrait.
Hope you are feeling 100% soon. You are making me interested in Aroma M.
I think it’s kind of a love it or hate it line.
And thanks! I hope you’re feeling better than you had been.
Thanks, feeling pretty good today. I rested as much as possible this week. That’s why my house is such a mess!
Ha! I don’t really have an excuse as for why mine is a mess.
Hope you feel better.
Thanks scentfromabove!
Notes on Shalimar Tea for all my tea lovers out there:
It was hard to get the water to 95C, had to use a stove to boil the water since my electric kettle goes to a lower temperature.
Color is a golden hue
If you don’t like sweet tea, then money saved and I would pass on this one.
I got vanilla , spice (cardamon?) and lavender but no bergamot. Which was unfortunate, but I already have tea with bergamot so no loss there!
If you are looking for more bergamot and a stronger black tea (Shalimar is a mix of black and green) I would try Thé des Lumières by Mariage Freres (has a bit of almond flavor but the bergamot stands out) and has a more robust flavor. Parsifal another Mariage Freres. Some of compared Paris by Harney & Sons, but I find that to be over the top sweet with lots of vanilla and dollop of caramel.
Didn’t finish:
Over all its a very nice tea. Beautiful , light and great for the afternoon.
I am going to say, for that price point, I am not sure if it is worth it. For me, Mariage Freres is the king of kings, but if anyone else has tried it I would like for you to chime in. There is a review of BdJ, and she was a fan (but didn’t pay for it and got it as a gift)
SOTD Shalimar ode Vanille flanker..madagascar…my neighbor whom I shared the tea with thought this was the best Shalimar she had smelled and loved it on me.
Thanks so much for your review! I wonder if mixing in a bit of Earl Grey could bring it closer to the true Shalimar, and also cut a bit of the sweetness? I love Mariage Freres teas, but don’t trust myself on their website anymore….the last visit was unfortunate to the credit card ????.
The smell is very much similar to my Shalimar ode a la vanille flanker, the taste is lighter and sweeter than I expected, but I don’t mean that as a back handed comment, I really enjoyed it!
Thank you so much Lovestosmellgood! That actually killed my lemming for the tea quite dead, and I appreciate it.
Am testing Twilly today and not liking it. I mean, *really* not liking it — there’s a persistent baby-aspirin/Tang dust aspect, and also that spiky synthetic jasminoid thing that gives me headaches. The waft three inches off my wrist is nice, but the headache is NOT. Oh dear. And I had moderately high hopes for this one, too.
Perfume headaches are the worst. It’s like a friend stabbing you in the back. Hope it goes away quickly.
I’m with you, although I don’t think I could’ve described it that well.
So sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you mals86. I am really starting to enjoy Twilly a lot. The ginger notes are very apparent in this one to me. Not a huge fan of “ginger” anything, but it gives it that unique twist that I like. It is a quite different fragrance to me.
I quite liked the ginger bits.
I actually kind of like the way Twilly smells, but I prefer scents that I feel like become one with me and Twilly feels like it wears me. So it ends up just feeling too perfumey, if that makes any sense? It probably doesn’t. Haha. Oh well – I hope the headache didn’t last too long!
I get what you mean. I have to have a connection with a perfume too.
Luckily for me I have no idea what either baby aspirin or Tang smell like so I can’t form a connection
I do get what you mean though and can see how it would be a headache perfume but I really like Twilly and again, luckily, get no headache from it. It does remind me a lot of APOM pour femme though, with added ginger twang. I loooves APOM, but can also see that that would be a headache perfume for some too..
It would be a sweet, powdery or chalky orange smell, with a bit of acid thrown in. Like an artificial orange drink mix.
Yes, I had that same response, to something spiky and synthetic.
SOTD = Slumberhouse Baque
One spritz and it is still going strong 5 hours later! Sweet resinous and woody tobacco. I couldn’t detect the vanilla nor the animalic vibe of ambergris. It shares the coconut-like base in Pear & Olive, although it is not as prominent.
I am attempting to record my SOTD year round. Last year, I lasted … 10 days.
Question – A friend of mine is traveling to India on vacation at the end of the month. Knowing that I love perfumes, she offered to mule some back to me. I don’t know of any perfumes that are only available in India. I mentioned getting some sandalwood oil but I don’t know what to ask her to look for. I don’t want her to go out of her way to find a shop; I was thinking of what may be available in a market. I would love to get ideas from you. If not a scented oil, what else may be small and interesting from India? Thanks!
Hajusuuri, there is an Indian company called Forest Essentials that seems to be something like the Body Shop or l’Occitaine of India. Their Oudh and Green Tea body mist (a cologne, basically) is light and natural smelling. The other one I’ve tried is the narcissus one (Nargis), but it smells like orange blossom to me. I’m curious about their Sandalwood and Vetiver.
On another trip, she brought me mitti attar:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/04/making-perfume-from-the-rain/391011/
Next time, I’m planning to request choya nakh, the seashell attar:
https://theperfumemistress.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/attars-and-choyas/
Technically, we could probably find any of these things online here, but I tend to think they’ll be fresher and less expensive in India.
I forgot, she also brought me rose water body mist from Kama Ayurveda. They also have body mists of vetiver water, Mogra water (jasmine), and lavender water, as well as other products for skin and hair.
Thanks, nozknoz. The seashell attar looks particularly tempting!
I also got a lot of coconut in the base of Ore which kind of killed it for me. Went from cocoa, boozy, woodiness to a Mound’s bar.
No help on the India front but I’d say some sandalwood oils/soaps might be nice. I like the ones I got here in Curry Hill. Don’t recall the brands.
Wow, I never noticed the coconut note in Ore. I only had a dabber sample. I did like it but I am not usually a fan of that note.
I also had a dabber. Don’t know what gave me the Mound’s bar impression. And I actually don’t generally mind coconut, but would rather have it in a tropical floral context.
I have to pull out Ore to see what I get from it!
I like the idea of tracking SOTD. I’ll try that this year!
Today I’m in the caught a cold crowd, and as a result overdid my Cuir de Lancôme. And I’m at my sales job. Sorry, customers, for my germs and my sillage.
Oh you poor thing! Oftentimes, other than being in a sterile bubble and no human contact, no matter how much you try to prevent things, you end up with what someone else has.
Re: Tracking SOTD — a number of NSTers were able to report on most worn fragrance / house and I was feeling a little jealous of their discipline and persistence.
I don’t think you can overdo CdL, personally….
Hajusuuri, I just returned from India recently and in my experience, quality perfume is not as readily available as it is in many other places I’ve travelled to.
There are MANY places claiming to sell sandalwood oil and other ‘essential oils’ but these are mostly not essential oils but rather fragrance oils, of varying dilution and quality, at quality prices. If you’re happy with a perfume oil made from who-knows-what then easy done. Some are quite pretty! Sandalwood essential oil is a rare creature and the only place that I know of that sells the real thing is the gov’t sandalwood factory in Mysore and it costs a bomb. You could buy it online for not much more. A lot of sandalwood is used there but often young and poor quality wood so it’s not at all like the old-school stuff. Trying to get the facts from salesman was an exasperating and futile (but amusing) exercise so I just had to laugh it off and give up!!
Auroville near Pondicherry is a big commune type place that make and export the Maroma range of incense. I’ve been buying it from Oxfam for years and love it so I was very excited to go to the source and buy it for less than a third of the price and with so many awesome scents! They also make delicious perfume oils- I bought 4- but other than the store on site I didn’t see any elsewhere.
If you like incense though it’s a good alternative, and even the cheaper ones are yummy.
I just checked and Marima have an online store and the prices are good
Maroma..
Thank you for this very comprehensive comment, perthgirl! I hope you are keeping cool where you are!
How does Baque compare to, say Kalemat and Tabac Aurea? I need another tobacco like I need a hole in my head, but I’m curious….
I smell no resemblance between Baque and Kalemat (sharp ambery musk). Tabac Aurea is more resinous and does not have that coconut / woody vibe that Baque has. If you layer Pear & Olive and Tabac Aurea, you would probably get the essence of Baque – but why mess with two good perfumes? (Says she who doesn’t hesitate to do that to other equally good perfumes)
Uh oh! That may mean I need to sample…????
I took a vacation day today. Spending it doing housework and eating 75% off Christmas candy. Some of my coworkers know that I really like perfume, so yesterday one of the male associate’s says to me ” hey, bet you can’t guess what Cologne I’m wearing’ so now I’m under pressure, lol. So I gave him a sniff (ha!) And I mostly smelled vanilla, and a little smokiness. I knew I knew it, but all I could think of was Givenchy PI. Nope, it was Bvgari Black. Dang it! I so wanted to have guessed. Anyway, sotd was Miu Miu, but then I went to the mall and sprayed a random tropical body spray, so now I smell like coconut.
I love the scent of coconut. You smell great.
**whispers** when the kids weren’t looking i ate the last marshmallow Santa today. it was delicious. i regret nothing.
Some Kenzo UFO to be wasted on cleaning and sorting things.
Anyone have any feelings about the Otto Parisi line? It’s available in a store here, and am curious.
I really like Stercus and another one I can’t think of at the moment. Seminalis, which is new, actually made me retch!
Good morning, all. Just back from the airport, picking up my boss on her return from Turkey. It was rather scary, walking through the early morning city in the dark to get the car, but I have probably been watching too many police procedural type programmes, and stirred up a part of my imagination that would have been better dormant. Obviously, nothing untoward happened, though a couple of people approached me for money. However, I walk so fast they couldn’t keep up with me. Eggzellent. I wore the gorgeous, slightly skanky Beloved, and I must say that the combination of clean morning air and one of Amouage’s finest was intoxicating. If I had been gurgled, the nasty person doing me violence could not have complained about my perfume.
Anyway, am now safely home, good deed accomplished, eating breakfast and watching Eric fiercely destroy a box that used to house a bottle of champagne. Yesterday was our wedding anniversary—a biggish one — and we had a family party with lots laughter, the photos (oh, goodness, we were so heartbreakingly YOUNG! And there was mum…and Great Aunt Susie, the old besom! and dad and grandad….lovely memories) and bubbles which went straight to my knees in an unseemly way because I hardly ever drink anything alcoh
Interlude. And then I fell actually asleep writing this! The dear man said he watched the iPad tilt forward until it was resting on my nose, and then Eric got into the crook of my arm, and Titus on my hair, and we all zzzzd for about an hour. So now the day awaits, rather later than I thought. Beloved was still lovely pre-shower, but the day is already hot and I want something sharper, so I am now wearing Narcisse Bleu, so pretty, so fresh. Work for real tomorrow, so I must get organised. Be well, all.
Happy Anniversary! Glad to hear you have a wonderful time with your loved ones!
Happy Anniversary! That’s so cute about you falling asleep with iPad and kittens!
Happy Anniversary! Glad you got back safely! In the U.S. (or at least my company), it is unusual for an employee to be asked to pick up his/her manager unless it is part of the employee’s job description. We are very risk averse.
Oh, I offered. She was ill when she left to go home for Christmas and her first six months here have not been without, ummm, incident. We have some tricksy colleagues, very tricksy indeed…anyway, it just seemed to me that it was a cold and unfriendly arrival back into this country if there was not one single familiar face at the airport, now that she has some familiar faces, if you see what I mean. But the flight got in at 4.30 a.m. and we park our car at the university, over a kilometre away, which is why I was racing through the pre-dawn city among the left-overs of Saturday night’s fevers….
Thank you all! Yep, 45 years. The dear man is very easy to be married to ????, but still, it feels as though we’ve accomplished something deliberate and worthy, because it hasn’t always been just exactly perfectly straightforward.
Wow! That’s wonderful and a very lovely and accurate summation of the reality of a long-lasting relationship.
Indeed, wow. Congratulations on a lovely 45 years.
Happy anniversary you crazy kids!!!!
We’re having a sunny weekend between rain storms. Happy to have the rain, happier to have a couple of sunny days.
SOTD is Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Toit, which works fine on a sunny day like today.
I forget what the sun looks like…
You smell great. That’s my favorite Jardin I think.
Happy Saturday Everyone! Today is bittersweet for me. My Christmas vacation is coming to an end and I am back to work on Monday! Boo! Today its about 61 degrees outside. I know in other areas it is cold, and I yearn for more cold weather. The cold weather reminds me of Christmas, and I’m just not ready to see it all come to an end. I spent most of the day yesterday taking down my tree and decorations. The holidays come and go so quickly. Well, one of Christmas gifts was the Lancôme holiday gift set. In it was a small bottle of their most popular fragrance right now; La Vie Est Belle. A lot of people (not NST community) have been saying how fabulous and beautiful this scent is. I think its okay, but nowhere near FB worthy imo. It will do. My mom seems to like it, so I may pass it on to her.
So, La Vie Est Belle is my SOTD. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
If not a rock your world perfume, at least a pretty name and a worthy aspiration!
Awhile back I asked a woman what perfume she was wearing and she said La Vie Est Belle. She smelled so good, I was really surprised because it smelled totally different than when I’ve tried it.
There’ve been a few perfumes that I didn’t like on my skin or up close, but have loved from a greater distance from someone’s sillage. Hermes Galop was one of them.
I don’t like Flowerbomb, but smelling it on someone else was eye-openingly good.
SOTD is Guerlain Oriental Brulant. Soft amber goodness. A bit tired after yoga and dog walking this morning. Then a dog bath. It took three rounds to get the smaller dog clean! Her fur is like Velcro for dirt. She was NOT HAPPY.
Poor doggie! But you smell wonderful (and I bet she does too).
Too funny! My small old dog goes bonkers after her baths. Racing around the house like a crazed hooligan.
My terrier dog used to do that, too.
She’s a terrier????
My terrier tries to jump out of the tub. After I lost my balance trying to grab him and cut my back on the faucet, I’ve started taking him to the self-service dog wash with raised tubs. Normally he’s the sweetest, gentlest thing, but getting wet is a hard no.
I wash her in the kitchen sink. I’m sure she would jump out if I didn’t keep one hand on her at all times. ????
Ha ha ha, poor doggie, but none of you get much sympathy from me, a crazy cat lady! Trying to bathe cats is the absolute worst!
Ha! True. I still have scars on my arm from a bathing incident with a previous cat nearly 2 decades ago. It had to be done, though. The BIG mistake was thinking that blow-drying her was a great idea???? We did try bathing our current Sphynx early on but it was too traumatic all around. She doesn’t really need it, though, thankfully.
I have been mom to many cats and never once been brave enough to try bathing one.
Finally trying out Stash today, and relieved that I like it since I bought it as a rare blind buy and was worried about buyer’s remorse. On me, it plays out as a sort of coconut-vetiver combination with the faintest hint of curry at the bottom. Thought I was crazy at first, but my husband noted the coconut also. It’s a combination I never would have thought of, but I’m actually really enjoying it.
That was my go-to scent last winter. I’ll have to pull it out and see if I get any coconut, you smell wonderful!
Eau Duelle for yet another day of on and off snow showers. ❄️☃
Very thankful for 4-wheel drive which allows me to procrastinate shoveling the driveway. ????
We had a reprieve from snow today, but tomorrow it will be back. I saw it should get above freezing next week, so better to wait and let the driveway snow melt????
This sounds like a great plan ????????
I woke to 4 hours of sustained snow, and it is currently -28 C
I put the flannel sheets on the bed, sprayed it with a decant of Malle’s Dans Mon Lit , lit a candle ( Diptyque’s Pomander) had a hot shower, spritzed myself with CioCio San and am heading into bed to snuggle with the greyhounds to watch a movie.
I was supposed to meet a friend for a movie, but neither of us are going out in this crap. Tomorrow’s high is -31 C. FML
How do you use scent to get you through nasty weather??
We were thinking of seeing Darkest Hour today but likewise but off by the weather, although it isn’t even that cold here — I think it is -7 C?
I most often spritz my bed linens with scent when the weather is very cold (or very hot). Freshly laundered and scented sheets are the ultimate comfort. The past few weeks I have been using lavender essential oil and lavender-accented fragrances at bed time.
Zzzzz . . .
Compliments of a generous NSTer I am trying Battito D’ali and Vanille Oud.
The BD is nice but not as beautiful as Vanitas from this line. I am eyeing some other samples from Profumum on Luckyscent.
The VO is also nice but not as beautiful as Note Vanillee from this respective line.
I haven’t bought any perfume yet this year. Yes, I know it is only January 6th. ???? I was reading Cazaubon’s suggestion of setting aside a pre-determined amount of funds and only spending that amount on perfume for the year. I believe this is called a “budget”. ???? I was thinking I don’t really need a budget but then I was surprised to see I spent $500 the last quarter of 2017 on various and sundry EBay perfume pursuits…I didn’t really spend money the first half of the year when I was job searching so I made up for it. Now I would like to add that I sold and gave away a considerable amount of perfume and makeup last year and the sales for 2017 exceeded what I purchased in 2017. The fact that I had that much to sell from my “closet of shame” is another issue to be addressed at another time. ????
But it is easy to blow money on perfume without being aware of it. So this year I am going to set an amount and disclose the amount to all of you, my perfume peers. I have to percolate on the amount. I am not yet ready to commit to an amount today. ???? But an amount is coming…maybe tomorrow as I am itching to buy something and it would seem I should set the amount for 2018 before I make a purchase in 2018.
Disclosure: the amount will be full/partial bottles only. (Do I hear laughter? ????) I don’t really spend wildly on samples/decant/splits. I suppose I could have a separate amount for these items too. Yes, amounts. Amounts are coming.
You picked up some really nice scents last quarter.
Ha! Good plan!
My suggestion is once you arrive at a budget, give yourself an extra 10% on top of that for samples and splits.
This is a good idea. I actually think I should be trying more thing and buying fewer bottles…you know try new things vs. stockpiling something which I may turn fickle on. So perhaps I should think of an “amount” and do an 80/20 or 70/30 ratio on FBs and decants/splits etc.
As for setting an amount, what I do is look at the previous year (or quarter or month) and set a goal to reduce that by a %, never putting myself on a famine budget because I’d rather succeed than fail. So if you spent $500, maybe you want to reduce your spending by 20% and set a goal for $400 for this quarter, etc. If that goal’s easily reached, reduce it another 20% the next quarter. My own goal has been to be a more conscientious consumer and stop and think before I buy. For me, that stopping and thinking can drag out for months.
That said, if your sales exceeded your purchases last year, you’re way ahead of most of us! Do you sell on ebay? I think about doing that occasionally but am a bit afeared that dealing with crazy buyers will just be nightmarish. Maybe it’s worth a shot, though. What’s your experience been?
A friend has a booming eBay business but the fees are crazy.
To me the fees are worth it b/c otherwise some things would still be languishing in said Closet of Shame.
In terms of the fees, Ebay takes 10% when you sell and Paypal takes another 3% plus some flat amount per listing like 30 or 50 cents I think.
I did sell the stuff on Ebay. I sold some things several years ago and then spent many years in my favorite role on Ebay as the buyer
but when I was laid off last year I figured I would try my hand at it again and it went very well. I haven’t had any issues really. Ebay really wants the buyers and sellers to be happy so they get their cut of the share so really if anything goes wrong on either side they try to make it right to, again, get their cut. 
I will reply to Laura below re: the fees…it’s a reply to a reply so you will see it too…
Do tell, what resides in the Closet of Shame? ????
The Close of Shame really represents some random, non-perfume and non-makeup items that I need to go through and give and decide what to keep or what to give to Goodwill…somewhat usual clutter although you may find some sealed on the card Yoda action figures in that closet…you just may…
But in addition to the usual clutter one accumulates, I began to store perfume and makeup in the Closet of Shame as well. Some of the perfume and makeup I have no intention of selling and it’s there b/c I have run out room on the Dresser and Shelves of Shame. But in the last year, I just realized I had stockpiled too much new, unopened product that I probably didn’t need. Some of it might be limited edition etc. so some people would be interested and some is vintage and/or random old perfume. So I decided to go through and get rid of stuff when I was laid off last year and it was quite liberating. I intend to see what all is left to do another round of culling.
Looking back at my Ebay purchase history for 2016, it’s like I thought the zombie apocalypse was coming and the only thing which would repel them would be vintage Coco. I stockpiled it like we we were at war…not sure who with… 
Getting rid of stuff is definitely liberating. When I free up physical space I always feel that I’ve cleared out some important metaphysical space as well.
I’ve been trying to decide how to rein in perfume spending this year, in a way that feels reasonable, and that will keep me accountable. One idea I had was to include a running dollar total on my NST SotD comments throughout the year to keep me honest. But I don’t know if I can bring myself to do it. (hangs head)
Busy day doing housework, taking down the tree and tidying everything away. I wore the majority of my Fort & Manley Coffret because that is how I roll. Anyway, SOTE will probably be Providence Perfume Abmber cream oil. It is a soft and comforting sleep scent. The cold weather is supposed to break tomorrow. It will be a balmy 17 degrees. Thank goodness!
Supposed to be a heat wave here today. 19 degrees! Stay warm!
I’ve been MIA the past few days though I did participate in the project this week! My son is in town and I’ve been spending some great time with him- have barely been on the phone or computer at all. To recap, however, Thursday I wore L’Heure Bleue and yesterday I wore Black Opium. Today am in No. 19!
Yay for spending time with your son! Very happy for you.☺
Last night at dinner I thought to myself. “I hope KellyC is having a great time with her son, that’s probably why we haven’t heard from her.”
Thank you for thinking of me! It was hard dropping him off at the airport today. I cried as I watched him make his way through security. I sure do love that “kid”! But we had an amazing 5 days! Really great quality time…
My SOTD is Yosh Ginger Ciao, and I am very, very pleased not to have blind-bought it off of Hautelook when it was on super-duper sale. I do not like it. Sure, there’s ginger, but there is just so much white flower-coconut-tropical nonsense that I just cannot.
I got gardenia and jasmine plants today!!!!! I’m so excited. I also got a camellia and a rose called Perfume Honey that promises to smell spectacular (I am terribly susceptible to marketing), but I am particularly excited about the gardenia and jasmine because I was so sad last year not to have gotten either. Keep your fingers crossed that they’ll thrive this year! The boyfriend is pretty grumpy about the plant purchases–“we don’t have the room!” he gripes–but I think once everything is in bloom, he’ll soften.
There’s always room for more plants! Nice choices.
That’s exactly what I always say! I’m glad to hear you think the way I do about plants
Your place will smell divine! Indoor or outdoor? I had a sambac jasmine and a gardenia sumner before last. The gardenia was a heartbreaker. It got diseased and most of the blossoms would fall off. But the ones that bloomed were beautiful and fragrant. And the jasmine smell was amazing in the evening. That rose sounds beautiful, too.
Outdoor, sadly :-/ we have two devilish cats indoors, so plant space indoors is limited. My mother tells me gardenias are horribly difficult to keep alive and promises it will be dead by Feb. We shall see!
If they live past February, you should be rewarded with a FB of a gardenia perfume!
Yes, my two gardenias survived about 6 months, and then the went brown and died rather dramatically at the end of the summer a few years back. My garden center offers money-back guarantee, so I replaced them with dwarf rhododendrons. Not as lovely-scented, but hardier.
Yeah, that’s what I hear. I can only keep them going from late Spring to the Fall since I can’t bring them indoors for the cold months, because cats also.
Gardenias apparently ate susceptible to a strain of pseudomonas bacteria that turns them brown. There are biological sprays to prevent it. I found this out after it was too late.
Today I wore Cafe V – I am thinking of asking for some more Olympic Orchids samples for my birthday in a month or so, but having trouble deciding. Right now I’m thinking maybe Seattle Chocolate, Sakura, Elektra, Woodcut, and California Chocolate – but who knows. I’m not even sure I like chocolate that much so maybe those are bad choices!
On an unrelated note – has anyone here smelled the Capri Blue Anthropologie exclusive Saffron Chardonnay candle? Ugh, I got one for Christmas and I love love love the way it smells but it’s not available anymore and I’m dying to find anything (perfume/candle/shampoo/etc) that smells like it!
Seems worth a shot to ask Capri Blue if they make another scent that’s similar? Looks to me like they do answer messages on their FB page.
I emailed them asking if they had any other similar or the same candles and they basically just said that it was a limited edition candle and wasn’t available anymore.
It was not helpful and sad!
Oh, sorry — that really isn’t helpful. Good luck finding a substitute!
It’s a three perfume day for me. I started in January Scent Project Smolderose. I wore that to brunch, a thrift store, and the grocery while I had a bad sinus headache. It smelled great and didn’t seem to make my headache worse. I need to wear it more to gather my thoughts on it. Then I finally retried Angel because I got a sample of the EDP in a recent Sephora order. Nope, still not for me, and that’s probably the last time I’ll try it. I like the sweet opening. It’s fun. But I don’t enjoy the patchouli overdose. Finally, I’m wearing Ubar…also not a winner. Oh well, serious money saved on that one. However, I have recently fallen for Gold and possibly Dia.
Oh, and the Goodwill trip and Japanese food with my friend were great fun last night! I found a couple necklaces in styles I was looking for and a couple of jackets that aren’t like anything I already have. We had lots of delicious food and laughs and also got ice cream after dinner. A success. ????
Thrift store shopping is always fun! I found a Waterford crystal clock for sale for $2.50 at a Salvation Army store and bought it for my mom last summer. We laughed because the battery for it cost $12, way more than the clock itself!
Hello all
I’ve been watching the news of the big US freeze and to be honest, I don’t know how any of you can even get out of bed each day! Brrr..
Here it’s a milder summer than usual so far. Today is 30°C and a bit windy, but with the doves cooing in the trees and the windchimes tinkling, and I’m at home cooking, writing and thoroughly enjoying a day off.
SOTD so far has been Guerlain Fleurs de Cedrat, which I keep on my desk and spritz repeatedly (longevity is ridiculously poor) to perk me up while I’m writing and creating and planning the year ahead. I’m looking forward to 2018! The energies are finally out of the old, heavy, challenging phase and moving into a time of re-balancing, creativity and ease so woohoo! Yalla! Let’s go!
Hooray for 2018!
Perthgirl, I usually don’t mind cold weather, but this extreme windy cold has me wanting to stay in bed until noon. My apartment is perfectly warm and yet I still feel uncomfortable because the air is so dry, I guess. Re 2018, I totally agree: Yalla!
Awesome news for you! Hope it continues on and on!
Pressed repeat today with SB Gypsy. Also, since I’m a BF fan girl, It behooves me to tell you that the Non-Blonde has a review of Feu Secret today. It sounds like love to me…????????
No SOTD yet this morning, where it’s kind of cloudy in Galveston but supposed to make it up to near 70 today. Yesterday was glorious and sunny and around 60. We’re lucky not to have the bad weather the rest of the country does. I wore Elixir des Merveilles yesterday, still my favorite from among the variations of that scent.
SOTD = Chanel No. 19 EDP
I’m using a new bottle, having finished the first one on December 27, 2017. Horrors! No, not reformulation, thank God, but the atomizer is wonky – too hard to press and when I do, it is a jet stream of perfume that comes out! I will dive it a few more tries and if the problem persists, I will contact customer service.
I went to a party last night and sat next to a woman wearing Angel. I didn’t even ask her to confirm because she wore so much that some got on me by just being in her vicinity.
And I meant to mention that I got up early enough to make it to early church service but it was cancelled due to no heat!
Our church service was held as usual, but I will say it was really cold in there.
HA!!
These are the times that try women’s souls!
Oh, that is a bummer about your 19 sprayer.
I wore Angel last night but it wasn’t me sitting next to you
HA!!
Wearing JM Dark Amber and Ginger Lily, which has been lovely this winter in the cold. I debated TF Shanghai Lily, but will put his on later tonight for a bit of comfort after we return from the airport – delivering my eldest son who returns to military duty in SC and I probably won’t see for another 6 months. Wish us luck! He’s already had his flight postponed 4 days because of the weather in the south and is under pressure from the higher ups to get back there. My younger son is also home from school, thankfully for another week – at least it will be a gradual progression back to my empty nest!
A question for the lovely folks on NST… any ideas what to do with a mouse I caught last night in a live trap? He’s adorable, but actually left his calling cards in my silverware drawer! His charm is running a bit thin, but it’s bitter cold up here in New England and I’m at a loss with what to do with him. I have an old house that apparently has a revolving door for these little guys. I normally drive them to a field that abuts a river for release, but with this bitter cold it seems more cruel than a snap trap. Any ideas are much appreciated! I’ve tried google, but answers are varied and conflicting and I’m still at a loss. Warm wishes to all in this bitter cold – we’ll be in our bikinis on Thursday in New England compared to the last two weeks!
Have you a garage AnnJune? There is usually Never just 1 mouse – You should set some traps and see if you can trace where they came in from? Do you have a barn nearby by chance? Transport him there if possible in a box.
Do you have a pet crate can where you add some birdseed and free him when it is warmer or tomorrow (whichever comes first) ? If you put him loose in the garage – they can tunnel into walls quickly so you take that risk as well, perhaps leave the door up an inch or so for him to leave ….? We deal with these guys periodically, especially in the wintertime.
I do agree it would be cruel to kick him out. So much for your quiet Sunday! Good Luck!
Hi AngelaB – Thanks for your ideas! We do have a garage, but I’m afraid he will be back in the house in 5 minutes if I put him out there. Also, plenty of barns around, but I’m not sure the farmers would be happy to see me unloading a mouse, and I can’t think of one where the house isn’t within sight. My house is very old and was purchased as a foreclosure that was not very well cared for. I’ve spent the last few years renovating and redecorating, but I’m sure there are numerous places these little ones can get in. I’m planning to have someone seal up the foundation and outer walls at some point, but that’s still a ways down on my my to-do list, unfortunately.
I’m not too thrilled with the idea of housing him here, but I may put him up for a few days until the weather is not quite so frigid. No good deed goes unpunished – lol! Thanks again : )
I don’t really have any ideas, but your humane approach to the mouse warmed my heart ????
Thanks Elisa – he really is adorable. : )
Hope you find the best, wiser, human solution for that poor mouse. ????
My cat brought me a mouse yesterday – I assume also in the house because of the bitter cold (MD here). I quickly realized the mouse was still alive and faced your same conundrum – if I put him out in his exhausted, wet, shock, he would face a certain death. We ended up putting him in tupperware with a little water dish, carrots, celery, cheese and pb, and ened up releasing him today during the day when it would be (at least slightly) warmer. Our 3 yo was very concerned with his well being (as were we) and it was a happy moment when he ran off into branches and looked healthy!
I’m glad your cat and mouse tale (tail? lol) had a happy ending! That’s what I decided in the end also. He’s currently in the cellar in a screen-covered plastic storage bin hiding in a washed out can of pumpkin with some granola and water and cotton upholstery batting for bedding. A few days here should see us warm enough to release him. Hopefully that’s the end of the mice for the winter, but fingers crossed!
I am going stir crazy with cabin fever…. but Ambre Loup arrived last nite to distract me. A sick hubby with the ‘nasty head cold’ and pup who is part thoroughbred and who simply CANNOT stand to be inside is causing me to either laugh or go MAD!!!!
So I now have already purchased my FB for the year – (yikes by Jan 4th no less, I am in serious trouble!)but it is NOT the amber that I thought I would pick….. I can’t make up my mind between MP&G’s Ambre Precieux and Profumum’s Fiore d’Ambre the former feeling so absolutely comforting and easy on my skin like silk and the latter with that opium seduction wafting in my direction constantly. They are both gorgeous. Ambre Loup will get a proper test today. I love it so far with only 1 decent spritz to the wrist. It is smoky more than amber so there is some distinct difference.
help…..
I ❤️ AL. Hope you end up in love.
Ditto on loving Ambre Loup!
Very best of good mornings, all. Monday. Well, that happened faster than I thought it would. The kittens have been sooooobad— that’s a new adjective, by the way. When we’re talking about something we’ve caught them doing, we find ourselves saying that as one word, so it’s become an official description. It’ll probably be in the Shorter Oxford within a decade, Etymology Unknown, but NST will be able to say with certainty that the word evolved as a response to Titus Waterdragon’s sustained attacks on a certain beloved leather jacket and the lining of the sitting room curtains.
To perfume: it’s hot and humid, and perversely, I fancy something heavy and rich. But that’s just silly. On the other hand, life is short: we should take pleasure where we can…I’ve compromised between heavy and rich by choosing Queen of the Night. It’s deep and luxurious, and it’s certainly gorgeous in cold weather, but it’s not really heavy, so it should be good for work today. Actually, the aircon is so cold, it’s only about 18 degrees in my office at the best of times, and even at this time of year, I often need a jacket. I take it off when I go outside.
Well, friends, I should begin to face my day. My morning posts usually mark the end of my own time each day. Maybe that’s why I write so much…insight happening here! Once I press “Post Comment”, I seem to enter a new space in which other people’s requirements batter against my time. I must think about this. Be well, all.
It’s always so delightfully odd that you are on a different day from here. Good luck with Monday!
Maybe Titus is trying desperately to fulfill his dreams as the first kitten fashionista by “improving” your jacket and curtains?
Have a lovely Monday!
It wouldn’t surprise me, but right now, his ambitions appear to centre in reaching the top shelf, so he can body surf down again on various bags and bits of luggage stored there. Messy AND dangerous!
Yesterday I tried a Mexican perfume, Xinú Monstera. It reminded me of CdG Calamus, but with a sharper green edge that is slightly unsettling. Like finding oneself alone in a tropical forest and realizing that might not be entirely safe. I found it completely linear after the first few seconds. I will try to sample the rest from that line, partly because I really like the bottles, admittedly.
Later on I tried Parfum d’Empire Le Cri de la Lumière which I quite enjoyed. I don’t, however, get how this is a perfume about light. True, it’s not heavy, but, to me, the combination of ambrette, iris, and rose yields a rich scent.
Those Xinú bottles are fabulous.
So glad you mentioned your green scent felt unsettling. I have been wearing a very green scent off and on this week. I love the way it smells right out of the bottle, but it does make me feel odd in a way I couldn’t quite describe until I read your post.
I may have to let this bottle go . . .
Wearing the perfect trip-to-the-mother-in-law’s house scent: Idylle Love Blossom. I’m enjoying it more and more and have worn it quite a few nights after an evening shower. Pretty, soft, lilac-y powder, though not overly powdery. Matches the texture of my sweater which is a soft, hazy fuzz. Remembered to bring laundry to do there this time as she keeps suggesting and offering and I forget every time. Saved me a trip to the laundromat yesterday!
It’s my FIL Bday today. We didn’t get him anything except the effort of the 45 min drive to their house. That’s kind of how my husband and his sibs feel about him, and though I don’t have the baggage they have with him, I can see why they feel that way…
Fwiw, If someone makes a trip to see me, I am more than thrilled. It must feel a little awkward for you though. I hope it’s a good visit.
Yeah, I kind of feel like that too. We do it more for my MIL whom I enjoy. I don’t think my FIL cares one way or another. Either way, he’ll be off by himself in the den watching sports.
Glad you must be feeling better.
Thanks! Well enough to sit in a car and then sit around someone else’s house.
In the J,Crew/Arquiste 57 today. I don’t love it at the beginning but like the softness as it dries down.
I am cold. It’s cold in our apartment, and the church was chilly. I downed a hot chocolate on my way home from church on the subway…just to have something warm to hold. But, I know that in two days I will be wishing for the cold…I’ll be at my Dad’s house with the heat set to 75-76F. (And he lives in Nor Cal, where the outside temp will be mid 70s)
I now actually understand the benefit of a faux-fur lined hood. It definitely keeps my face warmer and keeps my eyes from watering. They start watering once the temp hits the 50s, so that’s nice.
Typo! It’ll be mid 60s outside in Nor Cal.
Hello NST!
Hope everyone is safe and warm up North!20 minutes to midnight:Monday!
What a fun weekend!Despite the relentless heatwave we swam,walked for miles through the estate,had a bbq and ate lots of watermelon,papaya and fresh Passion fruit harvested from a tucked away bush in a quiet corner of the estate.Life still is beautiful.Friends,Fun,and Sunshine.Sometimes I forget how truly amazing life still is,despite days of sadness and the weird “new order”we are currently experiencing worldwide.Be well all!
And have a SUPER week!
X
Living vicariously thru your warm, amazing weekend. Thank you for the reminder that Life is still beautiful. It is! We just tend to forget about it very often… Hugs Johanob! ????????????
Sounds wonderful! Thanks for spreading a little warmth and joy!
Dropped the “kid” off at the airport today. Cried as I watched him go through security. Crazy how kids grow up so fast. Hard for me to believe he just flies all over the country by himself! We had a wonderful time this week though. I’m wearing my Shalimar today for comfort.