Happy World Wildlife Day!
We're marking the occasion with our usual open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the discontinued fragrance you miss the most, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
It is cloudy, cool, and grey. More much-needed rain is coming within the hour.
A little splash from a mini of Theorema and my most-favorite “vintage” j crew wool cardigan are warming me while I eat the last delicious square from a bar of Theo orange 70% dark chocolate. It is SO GOOD! Thank you to the fabulous perfumista who sent it to me from Seattle. I am in chocolatey-orangey-wooly-warm-cozy heaven.
Photographic award-winning eye candy:
https://mymodernmet.com/smithsonian-photo-contest-2018/
There are some wonderful wildlife photos there. I hope you enjoy them while you ignore your to-do list just like me.
Adorable photo!
yes, I heart that seal. so cute. 😀
Is Theo not available in S CA? I thought it might have nationwide distribution, or at least west coast availability.
I have seen Theo around but never got to know the brand until now. Yum.
That photo is great! Thanks for sharing, i am going to save it on my phone. Pictures like that are great to have for cheering yourself up, or other people.
Glad you enjoyed the seal photo and saved it. I bookmarked it on my laptop.
For anyone who likes to burn incense sticks there is a beautiful photo taken in Vietnam further down in the article.
Yes, that one is amazing!
Gorgeous photos! That ocean wave peak is amazing.
I like that ocean wave too. Very beautiful.
Wearing just a touch on Nahema parfum. I saw a relative bargain on Ebay and snapped it up. Now I’m scared to use much! It is gorgeous, though.
Enjoy!!! I heard that the lifespan for Nahema is not that long, I read that I think on BdJ blog
Thank you! I remember reading from the Guide that damascones degrade relatively quickly but I’m a confirmed vintage-head; I don’t mind some patina! 🙂
I am in BdR from the splitmeet. I don’t know why I am so obsessed with this one at the moment..
The CEO and my crazy monkey are both sick with fevers, lucky so far that my baby Buddha and I are ok.
Usual weekend routine, farmers market , compost, reading the WSJ while everyone is sleeping…
Trying out one of those Korean beauty cushions by AmorePacific…the teenagers across the hall from me are obsessed with these makeup cushions as well as K-pop music.
Oh, and happy Holi to those who celebrated. We did a little yesterday , close to bath time ???? so the powder didn’t get all over the place
Hope your household gets well soon! My daughter loves korean beauty products, I’ve just seen a few things around here, they seem a little pricey.
Makeup definitely gets pricey, but if you’re into skincare there are affordable (read not-haha-you’re-insane) brands to try! Though I do lemming some of the limited edition cushion compacts.
Just the opposite. There are tons tons tons of products at very low price points but with very high quality ingredients. My favorite emulsion is $3.75/oz; favorite toner is $9.50/oz; favorite cream is just under $18/oz.
I do also use the insanely $$$ Sulwhasoo Timetreasure line, but I buy tiny minis of the products, which there seem to be no end of on the market, and which are dang near free. My HG a.m. duo (the water & emulsion) I can usually find for $4-5/oz.
Some Japanese products are very affordable too
Kpaint – what is the name of the line that makes the emulsion/toner/cream you like?
Emulsion & toner are Swanicoco; cream is by SanDaWha. YuriPibu Black Truffle cream is also really nice (and easier to find) and often found half-price (or less) on amazon.
Where do you find the Sulwahsoo line mini?
How do you find that line?
I really adore their sheet masks
amazon/ebay, with ebay generally having the best deals (direct from S Korea.) I’ve never used Sulwhasoo sheet masks – I’ve used the Illi ones, though (who also make my HG cleansing oil.) I’m kind of an AmorePacific fangirl although the Illi masks are not my favorite-favorite 😉
Kpaint-which is your favorite from the Sulwahsoo time treasure products. Do they have a product that wow’d you?
Kpaint – is there a body oil that you like? I thought maybe a skincare person would have a good rec
Lots of others here are probably more helpful/experienced in that category.
I had been using coconut oil (the kind that’s solid at cool temps) until just recently. I got some fractionated coconut (not solid; also no coconut scent), shea nut, and avocado oils that I made into a mix (and added perfume to) about a week ago and have used it a couple of times. It makes my skin very soft but it’s not as moisturizing as the solid, scented coconut oil.
There are plenty of experts here who can offer you better tips, I’m sure!
Enough so that I can smell it 😉 It really depends on the perfume and the amount of oil.
It won’t let me reply to your reply— I love the idea of diy body oils. How much perfume do you add to the oil?
Speedy recovery to your family and hope you 2 avoid the crud!
Wishing speedy recovery to the ill ones. BdR is obsession worthy IMHO.
Thanks Hajusuuri, I have been really enjoying it
I love that AmorePacific cushion and it has been my go-to summer foundation for 5+ years. (I’m not obsessed with K-Pop music, though ;))
Oh no, hope they get better soon! This year has been super rough with the flu and all kinds of other ick. 🙁
I hope everyone recovers quickly!
Me too..its been non stop sickness!
I hope to become obsessed with BdR when I can smell a little more!
I hope your whole household feels better soon 🙂
You’re little family has had quite a time with illness lately! I hope everyone feels better lickety split. ????????
I am wearing Laine de Verre. I read the review, but thought I’d try it anyway. I agree that it is lemony, but I’ve smelled worse. It seems to work well enough on my skin. Not something I will buy, but I will use up the sample, which I received as a freebie.
I’m glad you liked it better than I did PriscillaE!
Spending my evening in a little Encre Noire.
TK Maxx (UK) have switched up their little Etat Libre selection: Charogne; Noel au Balcon; Marquis de Sade; La Fin du Monde; Delicious Closet Queen; and Putain des Palaces. I may have spent a bit of money over the past couple of weekends…
Anyway, have a great weekend everyone.
Wow. Restraint seems pretty futile there. Enjoy!
If my TJ Maxx ever stocked Etat Libre d’Orange, I would likely buy every single bottle, just because I could.
Exactly!
I am trying to show a little restraint, but heck it’s difficult!
Ending SL week with UBV, my very first “niche” bottle purchase. I still remember how excited I was to get it.
Happy weekend to all, and to those in the Northeast, stay safe and warm????
It is gorgeous cold sunny out today
Sun? What’s that?
A while back you mentioned you wanted to try the Hiram Green line. I have some samples I’d love to pass on to you, if you’re interested. My email~ laugsb at sbcglobal dot net
How kind of you! I’ll shoot you an email after I get home. Thank you!
Cool today, but sunny as heck! I’m working, wearing Bottega Veneta. My coworker said ” what are you wearing today? I like it” me too????, thanks to a generous Nster, I’ve been able to finally sample Jasmin Rouge, I really like it, but gosh it disappears so quickly. Is there something similar that lasts longer? Hope all of you out east are doing ok.
Make Jasmin Rouge last longer? Just add some sprays when you cant smell it anymore. ????
No it does not have the best longevity, on me it starts to disappear after approx 5 hours. But I have tried a gazillion jasmine’s and could not find a dupe.
So I finally caved in and bought a small bottle even though I struggled with the price (at that time i had made this vow to never spend more than 150 euro on a bottle of perfume, but hey it was christmas!????)
I would be happy with 5 hours, but I’ve tried it twice and only got 2 hours. I did 4 sprays, maybe I will be more heavy handed. I do really enjoy it.
You smell great! I like to wear Bottega Veneta Au Legere which is lighter and softer. However, lately even the Legere is not working for me. I am thinking to layer it with something else and see what happens.
Hope you have sometime time to rest this weekend.
Thanks! Just got home from running errands after work, then back to work tomorrow at 8am. It’s OK though, I find I’m much more productive when I’m to busy. I’m so happy it’s not snowing.
I bought the matching lotion to layer it with, which helps a bit.
Boy, glad that cyclone thing is gone!
It’s beautifully sunny, though still a bit windy. I’m wearing TDC Kashan Rose as it’s bright and optimistic. One can try…
Went out for brunch for our anniversary which is today. We stayed up late finishing the Edward Gorey puzzle we started last week and am deciding whether to glue or not to glue. I hope that’s the most challenging decision of my day, lol.
Happy Anniversary!
Many thanks, lillyjo!
The puzzle:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf3xFp9nWSx/
You might have to glue.
I think so. First one I’ve done in a decade. Hate to break it up.
Impressive!
Have you tried any mystery puzzles?
You mean with no picture to guide? Not sure I have the emotional fortitude for that kind of thing yet, lol.
Not only no pictures but also with a murder mystery accompanying it; and once you put it together, you’ll get clues to solve the crime. For example, Classic Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle – Foul Play & Cabernet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026MSNT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fg0MAbFTKVSG5
Oh! That looks fun! On some of the ferries here there are jigsaw puzzles set out at tables to work on to pass the time. It’s always hard not to get sucked in to them, but then you miss all the beautiful scenery. We saw a pod of orcas last crossing – fortunately the captain announced it or we’d have missed it 😉
Happy Anniversary and hope your brunch was good!
Don’t think I could do a puzzle on a boat. I can’t even read on my 10min ferru ride without getting queasy.
Whale sightings are the bimb!
Happy Anniversary. I would glue and frame – it is amazing!
Thanks h! I’m leaning towards gluing.
Happy Anniversary!
Glue it and enjoy it!
Thanks! I will!
Happy anniversary! Glue the puzzle – it’s so cool.
The gluing has commenced ???? Thank you!
Happy anniversary!
Great puzzle. How many pieces?
Thanks! 1000. Took about 7 hours total (2 people).
Hey, happy anniversary!
❤️❤️❤️Those who puzzle together stay together! ❤️❤️❤️
Awwww. Thanks ???? If you don’t kill each other in the process.
Ditto on Nancyleandros comment…
Puzzle together..stay together
So far, so good!
Happy Anniversary!
Thanks KC!
Happy anniversary and that is an amazing jigsaw puzzle.
Thanks Gaynor!
Happy anniversary!
Many thanks L!
Happy anniversary!
Thank you cazaubon!
Happy Anniversary!!
Just looked at the photo of the puzzle. Glad you are gluing it. It’s wonderful.
Thanks! It was a fun lil project.
Happy Anniversary! And totally agreeing with you about the cyclone. Still a bit too much wind for my taste today.
Thanks Jalapeno! It was pretty windy today. And cold.
Happy anniversary and your puzzle is amazing!
Thank you Petunia!
Wanted to add my contrats to the long, long list! ✌????
Thanks! Much appreciated ????
Best wishes for many more happy years.
Thank you and amen to that!
Cool and cloudy today, so I went with a new consignment store find – an old 50ml bottle of Ysatis de Givenchy! It’s…a lot for my nose. Can anyone help me figure out what I’m smelling?
Here are a couple of (older) Ysatis reviews that might be helpful: http://ismellthereforeiam.blogspot.com/2010/02/givenchy-ysatis-classic-floriental.html
https://boisdejasmin.com/2014/05/givenchy-ysatis-fragrance-review.html
I have vague memories of smelling Ysatis when it was new, but at a distance and I never wore it back in the day. But if you want my Cliff’s Notes review, it would be “Lemony BWF on thick bed of moss and woods with some civet.”
Ooh, thank you mals!
To me the lemony notes have disappeared from this bottle, but the white florals and woods are going strong! I’m never sure if I smell moss or not. It’s another component that I’m planning to track down in extract form or something so I can actually figure out what I’m smelling.
Is it the old bottle with the gold cap? I’m interested, Ysatis was my first “real” perfume love. The current version really is not the same.
Meant that for your post below.
That first “real” real perfume love sounds good for a communiyy project!
It was a big love for me too, lillyjo. My mother in law (at the time) wore it, and I complimented her on it. That Christmas, she gifted me a bottle with a dabber top. My 24 yr old self felt quite fancy, dabbing on perfume.
Thanks for letting me shoulder into your comment! ????
It is!
Definitely more readable after an hour or so. I’m going to assume the big floral note is ylang ylang, but I haven’t ever smelled any by itself so… And there’s some civet, honey, and indoles that are coming together nicely (or, you know, not so nicely)!
I’m thinking this will be lovely to keep a decant of, but not a mustkeep for me. If anyone is interested in it let me know!
If you decide to rehome it, let me know.
Hi lillyjo, I realized I never replied to you. Would be happy to rehome it – mail me at amy dot kimm at google mail!
Oh you are lucky! I never find any fragrance at my consignment shops. I think everyone must just throw it away. You can smell ylang ylang essential oil at any grocery store or health food shop that carries oils
XD I keep forgetting to do it when I’m near a Whole Foods!
Ysatis is wonderful! I stopped wearing it many years ago when it became my youngest sister’s signature perfume. She has been so faithful to it that no matter how much I have tried her to sample other perfumes, she has never been interested in anything else. She says it reminds her of one of our grandmothers, but in reality grandmom never wore Ysatis.
That’s both funny and very sweet. 🙂
That was a signature of a highschool friend and I always thought she smelled amazing. Agree ylang and other white florals. I have a mini I like to sniff occasionally.
That’s perfect, I’m a huge fan of minis!
I can’t smell Baccarat Rouge 540!! Like, at all. What the heck? The only thing I couldn’t smell before was Molecule 01, but I know I wasn’t alone with that one. No trouble with NR for Her or anything else notorious for that. I wonder what my problem is with Baccarat Rouge? I haven’t read of anyone else having this issue with it. I’ve tried 2 different samples and they smell like water on me!
You should try it again on a different day/weather. I have that reaction to Iso E-Super but it comes and goes. I described my similar experience with another perfume several years ago here: https://undina.com/2013/01/31/my-first-niche-perfume-tiempe-passate-antonias-flowers/
I can’t smell it all either.
How strange! I have not had this anosmic reaction… Yet – I would find it sort of disconcerting and annoying – but I have heard people wearing something over the course of a month and then being able to pick up on it
There are people willing to wear a perfume they’re totally anosmic to for a month? LOL. They are clearly more patient than I.
I think maybe it was Kevin?
Have you ever sprayed perfume on your arm – smelt it – and then sprayed a perfume you’re anosmic to on top of it?
Hmm, no, but that’s an interesting proposition.
Sorry – I can’t help but that happens to me a lot, too. (Though not with BR540)
I didn’t have a problem with BR but I did initially with Molecule 01. I took the test strip home and couldn’t figure out why my room smelled like wood. I think I can smell it better from a distance.
It should have been World Wildlife Day yesterday. You would think it fitting if you were with me at Newark Penn Station during the commute home yesterday, which, by the way,,was an almost 3 hour affair for me. The behavior of some of the people there were worthy of a TV show featuring starving wildlife fighting for one portion of food. While standing in the midst of a sea of fellow commuters and getting shoved here and there, this woman with a shrill voice standing near me kept making comments and asking anyone and no one what’s happening why aren’t we allowed to get on the tracks there’s no place to go but people keeping trying to go from point a to point b blahblahblahblahblahblahblah. Thank goodness NJ Transit deployed buses to go directly to one of the larger stops which happens to be my stop. Who did we get stuck with? Shrilly person, of course. Approximately 15 minutes before we got to the station, she called whomever was supposed to pick her up. Whether it be a miscommunication or something else, the person had not left to get to the station. Shrilly person must have repeated 50x “I told you to leave at x-time and now I have to wait 25 minutes for you oh my God 25 MINUTES why didn’t you leave now I have to wait 25 more minutes I had been standing since 4:30 and now I have to wait 25 minutes did you hear that 25 minutes 25 minutes.” I wanted to tell her to shut up and had she done that, whomever she was speaking with would already be in the car and have driven 15 minutes without having to listen to her.
SOTD = TF F***ing Fabulous (which it is) with a side helping of Lui
I’ve done the decanting and is now putting the rest of the packages to ship! I have more to do for the ones that turned into swaps and the ones with some freebies.
You like that scandalously Fabulous TF?
I do ????
Reading your commute reports is the only thing that keeps me at peace with not living in a big city anymore 🙂
I hate stupidity when people sacrifice end results (i.e.: minimizing the time one would have to wait in the described by you situation) to immediate short-term gratification (explaining to that person on the phone how wrong they were). Not even going into the whole thing of loud private conversations…
The only saving grace is she did not do it the whole ride. If she was not so annoying, I would have given up my seat to her partway through the journey.
Same here, Undina! And thank you Hajusuuri.
Oh that Shrilly person story…
So she had to wait for 25 minutes? Yup I get it, its annoying but not the worst thing ever right? why get so upset about it. Listen to a podcast, read a magazine or newspaper
She should be glad and grateful someone is willing to pick her up, because she does not sound like a lovely woman….????
My thoughts exactly. Time to take a deep breath and chill out.
I wondered who she was speaking with. The other person could have said take a cab (I would have given all that whining).
wow! That is some commute story…
You would think it’s the first time NJ Transit experienced a major outage. NJ Transit gets an F-.
That does sound like a nature documentary! Yikes.
I was glad to not witness any biting!
Oh good lord! I do not understand why people can just shut up! This is the best thing about living alone- no one is yammering in my ear.
I was admitting a pt, and his wife kept cutting him off, disagreeing with him about everything, and would not shut up. Then she started arguing with him about how he was feeling (was having nausea). I could not look her in the eye because then she would know I was thinking unkind thoughts about her. Sheesh! How do people live like this?!
Eeeek. Your interaction with these people are more personal and must be draining. Thank ago for perfume and perfume people, right?
It sucks tje life right out of me some days. But then I go home to my BFF with the waggy tail, have a spritz or two of perfume and all is well. Sometimes a bit of chocolate helps, too ????
My friend, I have a suggestion ~ noise cancelling headphones ????
Ha! I use that on the plane but with a daily commute with interim stops and constant motion of people in and/out, I try to have all my senses on the alert.
Ugh. As if the weather wasn’t miserable enough…
For a storm that ended with a lot less precipitation (in many parts) than forecasted, it impacted the infrastructure quite seriously.
I saw some of that crazy on the nightly news last night. Ugh!!! and Ugly!!!
People were recording the chaos. I bet there are some YouTube videos out there and shrilly person could be heard.
Another cold week here but it seems next week the freeze will be mostly gone, which is good. Spring is just few steps away afterall.
I’m super excided about NVC Niral that the brand announced today. Meanwhile I’m wearing my favorite vanilla – Aedes Cierge de Lune.
All buttons are now tied up for my trip to Esxence in April. It’s going to be fun and I can’t believe I’ll be doing it for the 5th time.
That NVC sounds really great! And I always enjoy your Esxence report!
Yessss so glad we can see bye bye to those harsh icy winds. I am soooo looking forward to spring. Blossoms! Daffodils!
Oh cool Esxence, id love to go there one day, but it feels like an event for business/press only….
You smell great!
On a separate note, I’m really hankering for some Arielle Shoshana and there wasn’t much interest in a second bottle during the splitmeet, but if anyone would like 5-15ml, please let me know! I have 20ml spoken for and have 50mls to go before I can justify getting a bottle. Email me at amy dot kimm at the g of the mail.
100ml bottle $125 = $1.25 per ml
– $1.15 for 5/10ml sprayers // $1.40 for 15ml sprayers
– $0.75 for packaging
– $3.50 for shipping
5ml decant $11.65
10ml decant $17.90
15ml decant $24.40
You’re so persuasive! I’ll email you, 🙂
Yay!
I’ll be excited if this one actually happens! 🙂
Hi, where are you willing to ship to Rayleighblue?
I’m in the UK and have heard so many good stories about this one and am dieing to try. I’m good for 15, if you’re willing. ????????
Willing to ship anywhere if you cover shipping! I’ll check international shipping costs so we’ll have a ballpark number to work with.
I hope everyone’s having a great weekend.
Yesterday my brother and his wife welcomed their second son into this world. Yay!
All the comments yesterday in respons to my ‘doubts’ about Amouage had me return to the store today to try some other ones.
I sprayed Jubilation Woman on one arm and I kinda blind picked Memoir Man for the other arm.
(Btw some favourites you guys mentioned were not to be found on this counter, no Fate, no Ubar, no Lyric, no Myths…)
Jubilation is lovely, this may sound silly but to me it smells a bit like Mitsouko had a fling with Salome. Best part starts after 4 hours.
Memoir Man is okay. The first hour it struck a few harsh chords that made me feel a bit uncomfortable, it gets better over time though and now I get a cosy but not very exciting woody drydown.
I decided to stink it up some more and added Russian Oud by Areej le Doré on another part of my arm.
Its quite good, its a COSY (yes it deserves those capitals) scent, comforting. but those Areej prices are even more alarming than the Amouages.
Oh well, for now I am happy with my sample. There are a lot more COSY fragrances of good quality out there that are more affordable.
Icy winds are very slowly turning its back on us here in The Netherlands. I am looking forward to spring!
Congratulations on the new nephew!
Oh, hooray for the new baby. Enjoy him, Auntie Jiji!
Congrats!
Like I said before, its maybe a good thing for you wallet if none of the Amouges made you swoon..hahaha
Occasionally you can find them on fragrance discount websites
Haha yes so true.
But I feel now like its a brand I need to explore more, because it is, just like Serge Lutens, a sort of household name in the perfume world.
I remember I had a sample of Fate Woman back in my early days as a pefumista (2 years ago) and while not a love at first sniff it sparked my interest. I tried to forgot about it, because back in those days I marked brands that were too expensive as a no-go-area. Haha. Oh how my mindset has changed. ????
Fate woman was all baby powder on me
Yeah that all I remember, powdery and for a rookie somewhat overwhelming ????, but i dont recall baby powder…
I cant find that sample anymore…i wonder how I feel about it now with a more trained nose. ????????
Teint de neige by Villoresi is totally baby powder to me, i dont like it, but i know someone who loves it. And when I look at all the other Teint de Neige products they are releasing, I suspect its quite popular.
Brand new nephew! Congrats!
My favorite Amouage is Silver Man, but I believe it was discontinued. It was very different from their other scents, very refined and somehow both retro and futuristic. I need to get a full bottle of that…
Your description of Jubilation sounds spot on to me! As well as Jubilation, I also have Mitsouko and Salome, and I can certainly see a connection 🙂
Agreed! Though it also smells very much like Femme to me. Femme on steroids.
I love Mitsouko (i have a mini of a vintage) and Salome (sample is almost empty argh) both!
Jubilation gets even better after 8 hours, very alluring. I think i need to arrange at least a sample to see if its just a fling or if she is here to stay ????
Mmmm… Something bothers me in this comparison. I think it’s the fact that Jubilation was created long time before Salome so it seems wrong to describe it through the comparison to perfume, derivative of which it cannot be “by definition.” (Mind you – I don’t like either of the three mentioned perfumes).
I understand, and I am well aware Jubilation was created before Salome.
But this just happened to be the order in which I got to know these perfumes. So thats how I perceive and describe them.
And yes, i am aware it may sound like saying “Under pressure sounds like Ice Ice baby” ???? Though I more meant to say it has same vibes, not like it was a copy or derivative….
Anyways, English is not my first language so the finesse is not there sometimes. ????
Congratulations on your new nephew!
FWIW, I rather like Interlude Man, both Lyrics, Fate Woman and Gold Woman for Amouage. I have found the line to be hit or miss with me, and at those prices I don’t mind not loving or even liking everything.
Congratulations on the new edition to the family!
Congratulations Aunt Jiji! One of my nephews and his wife had a baby boy last Wednesday evening. They named him Finn which I really like. It sounds like a character from a book.
I have a student named Finn, who has a brother named Emmett and a sister Maeve. They are all quite small in stature and they remind me of pixies or something.
Are they Irish by heritage?
Their last name is more likely Scottish, but you know those Celts, they get around. And maybe mom’s family is Irish.
Congrats on the new nephew! Being an aunt is awesome!
Congratulations on your new nephew! Enjoy him!
Do they have Beloved Woman? While I respect all the Amouage frags, most aren’t for me. But Beloved is amazing.
Yay for new members of the family!
Started off the morning with a couple of spritzes of Micallef Note Vanillée for my Saturday morning lazy breakfast/facebook read, after my shower switching to Lancome Roses Berberanza.
I’m trying Lampblack today, and am thoroughly impressed. I can’t even figure out why I like it so much – kind of like Dzing!, jt just works.
Have a great weekend!
That one is on my To Try list! Those notes and the description intrigue me.
I wish Bruno Fazzolari had a point of sale in Europe…I love Au dela (may need a bottle) and am so curious about his other releases!
Lampblack is really good. If I didn’t already have a big bottle of CdG Black (which smells very similar to me) I would buy it.
I love Lampblack. It’s simple but interesting and compelling at the same time to me.
You inspired me to add a spritz of Lampblack to my Tauer Rose Flash 🙂
Is it acceptable to try something just because the name? I love the name “Lampblack”…
Yes ????
In Chanel Coromandel.
Nothing special today. Running errands as usual and waiting for my nephew to come over later. His birthday is on Monday so I asked him to have dinner with me and my mom here at home tonight. Lazy to cook today, so I will ordered whatever he likes and enjoy his company.
I will read all the posts later.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
You smell fabulous!
Thank you! ????
Enjoy the dinner and company!
Thank you Lillyjo!????
Oooh…hanging out for cooler weather to wear my beloved Coromandel! You smell gorgeous!
Thank you! I hope Fall arrives soon for you with colder temps! ????
Sweet! Enjoy your time and no cleanup afterwards ????
Thank you! No cleanup afterwards is the best part of it. I am glad he does not mind that I am not cooking for him this time ????
Great scent! Enjoy hanging out with your nephew.
Thank you! As usual it was very nice to have him around! He is so busy in college that we do not see him often.
Smart choices all around!
????
Hope you enjoyed your nephew!
I did! We had a good time together!
I’m slow getting started today, but I did empty eight samples in February, so that makes me happy!
I’ll be in Le Cri and probably other things from the splitmeet goodies after the shower. Y’all have a good day! ????
I loved all the split meet goodies..
I am having a little trouble warming up to Vanilla Hinoke, but I am trying..but will re visit again
I saw She-Ra’s comment that she didn’t have a great first response either.
I was first introduced to it a couple of years ago when it came in an Olfactif monthly box. I initially hated it, tried it again and still hated it. I was going to pawn it off about a year later but all the love from the ladies around here convinced me to give it another try. I warmed up to it slowly then ended up using the rest of my sample and really missed it when it was gone. I bought another sample, then a bottle.
So give it time? Try it again in another season?
I had a sample of that one from somewhere/someone, and I couldn’t cozy up to it either. But Geisha Noire, that one I liked a lot.
Congrats! I’ve never kept track of empties, but I particularly when I go through periods when I mostly wear decants I find myself tossing empty vials on a pretty regular basis. Always gratifying 😉
I have a backlog of skincare samples and minis, so I keep the empties and go through them at the end of each month. It’s kinda fun to go through all of it.
Always feels like an accomplishment to empty a sample! I’m slowly working my way toward finishing some this month.
Good luck with your samples this month!
It’s cold in LA, and the sun is breaking through the rain from last night. I’m wearing Samsara edp and drinking a nice warm cup of earl grey. Samsara is a great cold weather perfume, it’s nice to have an opportunity to wear it!
Enjoy the cold and as many cold weather perfumes as you can handle wearing! ????
I am taking full advantage here in San Diego as up to last week it had been a very warm winter.
I’ve got tons of grading to do today, so I’m getting ready for it by spritzing on some of the linen spray I made several months ago – primarily jasmine and vetiver. It’s an intriguing combo, which I find both strengthening (for the fortitude I need to spend my Saturday working) and calming (for evaluating student work).
What did you use to make your spray? I always want my linens drenched in violets when spring hits.
Vetiver essential oil and jasmine absolute, both from Liberty Naturals, in some perfumer’s alcohol that I think I got from a place called The Perfumer’s Apprentice, many moons ago.
Interesting! What’s different about perfumer’s alcohol?
It’s not denatured like rubbing alcohol, so it doesn’t have that bad smell.
Just FYI, I bought a big bottle of a Berdoues Violet toilet water…cheap. I’ve been using it mostly as linen spray….
I was looking at that just the other day… Thanks!
We’ll be joining some friends for a Yum Char lunch today to celebrate my beloved’s birthday, I’m not sure what perfume to wear yet, something special, but subtle. I don’t want to interfere with anyone’s lunch. Maybe just a little Trayee, inspired by the news of Neela Vermeire’s new release.
Happy birthday to your sweetheart! Trayee sounds like a nice choice.
Enjoy your celebration!
Have a good time with your celebration(s)!
I am also feeling inspired by the new release. It just might be a Pichola day for me ????
Back home after spending the work week in warm and humid west Florida, and it is a sunny 70 degrees here. I picked up a sampler of the new Jo Malone English Fields line from STC and randomly chose Oat & Cornflower for today. I’m pleasantly surprised that it not only isn’t the screechy musk that some have gotten from this one, but also that I’m not getting that dreadful sharp powder that so many JM frags give off on my skin. I’m getting mostly sweet, lightly toasted oat, with a hint of white musk. It’s definitely a your-skin-but-better kind of scent on me.
I’m looking forward to being in warm, humid Florida next week. 🙂
Sampling Vétiver Babylone. I’ve had this sample for several years but never got around to trying it on skin. And of course, I really like it. I need to start disliking more than I like! Will that ever happen? Probably not. ???? I imagine this is fantastic in the summer heat.
Ah, but maybe it will be TERRIBLE in the summer heat (just trying to help).
I have never even heard of this. I love almost all vetivers. What’s the twist on vetiver that this one has?
Off to a slow start today but I made up for it by doing a kick-butt exercise dvd with lots of cardio. I know I will be feeling it tomorrow or the next day.
Finally showered and used my Chanel No 5 body crème as a treat. And now that I am putting my iris perfumes away, off my dresser, I added some Chanel No 19 edt as a top-up since it seemed to call out.
I hope that everyone on the East Coast is staying safe and warm.
You smelled great today!
Been making scones this morming for my Dad’s birthday party later and have tested a couple with my morning coffee while pondering what to wear and psyching myself up for all the other stuff I have to do before the party.
Gin Fizz I think to try and inspire me with some party mood.
Happy birthday to dad! I love scones with jam and double devon cream.
Thank you! Nothing quite as classy as devon cream but still should be nice 🙂
Good luck with the party or hope it went well if it happened already! “Testing” the scones???? My problem with baking is overtesting, lol.
Quality control is important 😉
And yes party went well thanks!
I have sometimes lone money on a site called Kiva.org, which provides low or no interest loans around the world. Today was the first time I supported someone who wants to start a business making perfume, although I have loaned to someone who wanted to open a retail perfume store. This borrower is located in Jordan. Maybe we will all fall in love with his scents some day.
Oh I do that too. What a great project – and how awesome would that be!
Interesting. I’m going to check it out.
So interesting ScentSpirit! I have never heard of this either – I’m going to show this to my 12-year-old as well.
I’ve done with some of the kids at school too. You know, research a country or an industry and then loan some money to it.
We started family kiva accounts ages ago (I think for Christmas) but eventually lost track of our “investments” — hopefully the money went someplace good. I should do it again, thanks for the reminder!
Pizza with friends up in East Harlem and a trip over to the Target today. Irritated at MTA because the bus I got on decided to end its route at 97th instead of usual 125th. I did walk for a few blocks before a local came, and I was almost blown over by the wind. It all worked out, and lunch was great. And I managed to get out of Target for under $100, which is unusual.
Sample day again. Insolence EdT. For some reason violet appeals on a cold day when I am not in the mood for cozy. To me, it’s a chilly note.
oooh, sorry you had to walk in the cold! Target gets too much of my money, agree it is hard to get out of there spending less then $100!
Also agree about violet, it’s chilly character is the reason I can wear and really enjoy Insolence EdT when I usually want to run far, far away from berries in fragrance.
Which pizza place did you go to? I’m up that way some days of the week.
Patsy’s, between 117 and 118. It was good, but I prefer my local Angelo’s. Although, our friends said the pasta dishes are good.
Not perfume related —
This morning, I opened a bank account to leverage a great deal which I learned about through a mailer. As I expected, given all the scrutiny on financial services companies for many reasons, the banker needed to go through a “know your customer” routine. I had no issues with any of the questions, although I raised my eyebrows when he asked where I got the $200 (no, I am not missing any zeros) that was going to be a token deposit but before I was able to answer, he assumed I got it from another bank. I initially agreed but then said it also could easily have come as change or cash back from a grocery store transaction. Now, if I presented twenty $100 bills, his question would make more sense. When I asked why he asked the question, he answered “We’re required to ask the source of cash being deposited when opening a bank account.” I hope they change the policy to only ask if it exceeds a certain amount.
Anyway, as usual, there were a whole bunch of papers to sign. He gave me a copy of all papers I signed except for one. I asked why I couldn’t get a copy and he said it was for Internal Use Only. I said I have a right to a copy of everything I signed and he insisted that per bank policy, it was for internal use only. I then asked to speak to the manager. After a short delay, the manager came over and told me the same thing. I repeated that I have a right to a copy of what I signed. She finally relented and I got my copy. There was absolutely no reason on God’s green earth that I could not have a copy — it was an agreement, a signature card, and a tax certification rolled into one! I just scrutinized the document and while I saw “Internal Use Only” I believe it was applicable to a reference number and not to the entire document. It appears this bank’s procedures need some updating and the bankers need to be retrained!
All these to say that if something does not feel right (like not getting a copy of what you signed), speak up. Perhaps I’m more willing to be confrontational than most. Would you have spoken up if you were in my shoes?
Yes, I would have asked and if they refused, I would have ended the whole process.
I tried to pay a credit card bill in store once, was told no, they can do that. Called customer service to pay via phone and was told there would be a $10 “service charge” for paying via phone. Ooooh, boy! Not only did I pay my bill, I was NOT charged the service fee, and then I said “thanks, no thanks, I’m closing my account.” Lots of back pedaling on their part, but way too late. Never heard of such a crazy thing in my life. I was HOT! ????
That’s outrageous! I do most of my bill payments online and I know which ones take longer to get paid. For the longest time, Amex was paid electronically and a one business day lead time was sufficient. One month, and it happened to be right around vacation, I went online to pay the bill and to my horror, the timing changed to needing 5 business days. Thank goodness the Amex website allowed a one business day payment without am fee! Amex went back to being electronically paid but it just annoyed me that these things could change without notice.
Oh that makes no sense. My credit card company credits me immediately when I pay online, even on a Sunday. It doesn’t take five days for a wire like that to clear.
Some payees actually get a check so it really is online for the one paying (e.g. my monthly maintenance fee that goes to a mom & pop management company). The Amex thing was a fluke I think.
That is ridiculous. This is what happens when people are trained to do things according to check list but don’t really understand the “why” behind what they’re doing.
Hearing this, I’m tempted to go open another account somewhere just so I can tell them the source of cash was the 7th race at Belmont. (And then wonder if they’d notice Belmont isn’t running right now…)
????????????
Yeah, you know, the way this transacttion went, I could just as easily have been assisted by a robot.
I would have probably just demanded to see the form again, took out my phone and scanned it with the app. I’m not sure if I even want those people to try thinking: it is probably better for all of us if they just follow the instructions. We need to fight with those who create the instructions. But it’s extremely annoying, I agree. And I’m glad you didn’t allow to be bullied.
oooh, tell me more about the scanning app! I would usually just take a picture but taking pictures in certain places is prohibited, including, I would imagine, inside a bank.
There is a free app Tiny Scanner – Tiny Scanner – PDF scanner to scan document, receipt & fax by Appxy (for some reason I cannot get a link from the store but you should be able to find it). They also have a paid version. It is not just taking pictures though it does use camera. But it’s arguably not the same as taking a picture since it is creating a PDF from the paper sheet with auto-detected borders, not just snapping views of anything.
Adding my two cents. I’m very non confrontational, but I would have also spoken up, because I would have felt like I was being bullied. I’m currently fighting with my prescription coverage provider. Out of the blue, they decided I’m only allowed to use a certain pharmacy ( that they have recently merged with) and that I have to use mail order. This is not what I signed up for in open enrollment. I told them I’m not agreeing with these terms, and am trying to get out of using them as a provider. They told me they are allowed to change their practices. Anyway, after reading your post, I’m going to call back and ask for a copy of their rule book. So, thank you! I’m reinspired to keep fighting. Also to add, one time I was asked to provide a bank information on where I got money from so they could make sure it wasn’t from somewhere illegal. I said if it were illegal, I doubt I would be at a bank. Lol
This exact same prescription issue happens to me. ????
Happened*
It’s such B.S.. I told them I would rather pay double than to have to give my money to a pharmacy I don’t like.
I raised a bit of a fuss, too. I was able to continue getting rx’s filled as per usual, but it was a real hassle. Good luck!
Yikes, good luck with your health insurance company!
Don’t get me started on mail order prescriptions…. I spent hours trying to deal with this. My husband vastly prefers an in-person relationship.
Did you succeed? My mom spends hours on the phone with the prescription by mail company. She is allowed to get her prescriptions through brick & mortar pharmacies.
We changed insurance, so I let it go. Although there is still an outstanding dispute over a bill that I should deal with. Long story, but it was a result of something not our error but seemed to be my responsibility to solve. We will wait to see if new insurance tries to force us to mail order….
Good for you, lillyjo. Sometimes even the smallest things… like Barnes & Noble cafes. I used to get my coffee and oatmeal at the mall Starbucks because the B&N Starbucks did not have oatmeal and I refuse to have to transact at 2 different locations of the same company. Anyway, one of the workers approached me and said I could not sit there. I asked if there was a written policy as to who can or cannot sit in the cafe and the worker did not have an answer. It happened again and again I asked…still no written policy. Months later, I happened to notice a flyer-menu and at the bottom, there was a tiny note about cafe tables can only be used for purchases made in-store. I stopped going to B&N regularly, not because of the policy, but because my routine changed.
Good for you! I would have insisted as well. Hopefully if more people insist they will review their policies.
I am going back in two weeks and telling them and maybe they’ll see the light of day.
Eeeee, I honestly don’t think I would have known to ask for copies of signed forms… Real life tips from NSTers!
I think I am just anal but still.
I know it’s not about the banking thing I mentioned but I had a manager once who refused to give me a copy of my performance review. I told my new manager and she raised holy hell with my former manager’s HR business partner. I got it the next day. Needless to say, when I used to kickbox, my “target” was always that former manager and my workouts were oddly satisfying.
Talk about satisfying workouts! I was forced into a new position about 3 years ago with a real bully of a manager and supervisor. I begged them no, but they put me in there anyways.
I lasted about a year when they finally decided I wasn’t suitable. I coped with the stress by doing shadow boxing workouts and yoga. Each punch of boxing was strangely satisfying, I had a target. Another manager in the company snapped me up for her department and I’m still there today.
I speak up, especially at the bank. At a particular bank I went in to the branch office three times to roll over a CD. They never did what I asked, so I closed all my accounts there. The teller acted offended that I was taking my money and leaving.
I swanned around the house wearing Shangri la today. Actually, I cleaned the house and then worked on the books for my husband’s business but I did wear Shangri la. ????
I love the term “swanned around”! I think it was Deva who may have first used it on NST but it could very well had been you!
It wasn’t me. I was just feeling goofy.
I’d like to both kiss and smack the NSTer who sent me a bit of Le Temps d’une Fete…I have never tried it until today- sprayed some on this morning and have been in love all day. Crazy how you can love some things at first sniff.
Missing my guy tonight but cozy with my baby bird watching Roman Holiday…one of my all time favorites. It’s Peck/Hepburn perfection. Happy weekend, all!
You smell great KellyC!
I love that movie but I haven’t watched it in forever 🙂
I’m reading about Le temps d’une fete everywhere it seems – but it isn’t made anymore, right? It’s become a lemming to me.
Not made at the moment, but perhaps it will come back — I think (?) it has come and gone before.
Hi! Has anyone tried Histoire de Parfums opera collection? Especially 1890 (la Dame de Pique). I just love both the Tckaikovkij opera and the Puškin novel.
Has anyone tried it? How is on the smoke and leather facets?
Thank you!
Cecilia
Can’t say anything about the scent, but I am with you on Tchaikovsky and Pushkin works.
This was meant to be an answer to Cecilia.
Sotd is Cuir Impertinent. I know a few people here like the smell of cherry tabbaco, I would recommend giving this a sniff. The leather doesn’t come in until the very end, and is pretty faint. Happy Sunday everyone!
Interesting. Have you tried Black Perfecto? To my nose, it has a cherry/ leather thing going on too.
Yes, BP has the cherry leather, where CI is more cherry tobacco. Like opening a bag of it at first spray.
So I got that email from Luckyscent w/ a post Oscars photo of Faye Dunaway marketing a 10 ml limited edition fragrance called And The World Is Yours done by Dominique Ropion for A Lab on Fire…
So I bought it…it was early morning…not even really fully awake…and got a travel spray of Acqua e Zucchero to bump it up to free shipping territory…b/c despite being tired I really don’t like paying for shipping…
So I’m at 51% of my perfume budget for 2018…just confessing to you, my fragrant peers, on this first Sunday in March. 😉
With LuckyScent you can always use the promo code NST for free shipping, when purchases are less than $75. I always use it, unless I really want to add something extra to “bump it up to free shipping territory”….????
Enjoy your new purchase!
Thanks for that hot tip!
Wow…that is a great tip…thanks so much!
Oh man I saw the promo for free shipping too late!
I succumbed to the LuckyScent email for that ALOF Edp. No idea how it smells. Saw the notes and CUMIN so I’m kinda regretting buying it…
Don’t fret…it is highly swappable… 😉
Thanks, that code is a real find. 🙂
Gosh, this is good to know! Thanks! Shows how much I pay attention to ads…
The NST code is good not only for purchases under $75 but also over. I use all the time for any purchases. Very rarely I use the “freeship” code over $75 they have.
Thank you for mentioning the code!
Oh boy…
How do you like in the world is yours? What’s it like?
Just ordered it today…will weigh in when it arrives…but it has some vanilla. 😉
Oh right! I’ll stay posted!
Definitely let us know what you think!
Lucky you, I just checked and it’s already sold out. 🙁 I hesitated because I did not want to pay $8.95 shipping nor spend $75. Oh well!
I will be happy to share some.
Even though it said sold out, it also said on backorder and I was able to add it to my cart, so I placed the order and emailed Luckyscent to find out if they may be contemplating a larger batch due to demand. Will let everyone know what the response is.
lol, that is exactly why I didn’t get it. $9 for shipping for a $30 purchase seemed silly. But I sure wanted it….???? Maybe they will restock it and then we can all use the free shipping code. ????
I will be happy to send you some. 😉
LOL at “So I bought it” I’m living vicariously through your shopping ????
Pulled out my neglected Le Labo bottles last night, I am going to try to wear them all this week. Should have bought the 50ml bottle of Ylang 49 instead of the 100, that stuff is nuclear.
I bought the travel size of that one. I think it is 15 mls? I wore it last night for a dinner party we hosted. Love it! But in over two years I have only managed to use up about half the bottle! And I am not shy about my perfume ????
Gorgeous but potent. I bought the liquid balm and only apply tiny dots when I wear it.
So I decided to use it up I am going to start wearing it on my ankles every day for yoga class. 🙂 That way it won’t gas out me or my fellow classmates.
I was out most of the day yesterday doing a double feature of Black Panther and Annihilation. I can’t remember the last time I went to see two movies in one day, though I’ve spent many a Saturday watching multiple movies at home. I’m really glad I went to see them both. I read the book Annihilation, read the series actually, and the movie version was very different. Has anyone else read the book and then seen the movie? What did you think?
I wore L’air de Rien for my movie outing and smelled so good all day. Last night I wore Jeux de Peau from a sample. I might go ahead and finish the sample off today. I still have a 5ml decant of JdP too.
I read the books so have been curious about the movie. I liked the first book as far as I remember but the series didn’t impact me much. It was probably your mention of the books here that made me read them…. Was the movie tense and scary? I’ve been a bit timid about seeing it.
Must see Black Panther. I stay current on The Marvel Universe….
SOTD is Sample that just arrived of Carnal Flower thanks to generous NSTer.
Have I heard others say this has some skank? To me it is gloriously clean. Like I bathed in the most wondrously lush bath filled with flowers and then laid down on the softest white sheets in a sun-filled room with sheer white linen curtains wafting….
I also find it very clean. Clean and green luxury.
LizzieB and Elisa P, I got a split of Carnal Flower from the lovely Coin-op, took a quick whiff and am afraid to put it on! So potent, afraid I’m turning into a wimp.
I just did one spritz on my left wrist and have been huffing it the last few hours. Just added a second spritz. It doesn’t seem that potent to me. It might be my nose, though.
I don’t find it that potent either beyond the initial blast. I find it settles quickly. Try dabbing it instead of spraying it-that’s generally what I do unless I’m home all alone.
This is for Ede…despite all the ragging on Peter Rabbit, the worst movie was the Emoji movie 🙂
Bee Movie, another dutiful mom moment for me, was pretty excruciating. ???? ???? ????
hajusuuri and ede, we took our grandchildren to the Emoji movie this pas summer. The worst ever. I’ll take every Sharknado plus a Steven Segal movie over Emoji.
Who you’re doubling down? ????
I made my sister take my son to the emoji movie!
Having a lazy Sunday. Little bit of cleanup, a couple of errands, and trying to keep my cats from killing each other. My hairless little kitty is not enjoying her furry brother trying to chase her. She hisses which doesn’t stop him. What does stop him is she’ll run to the food bowl and start eating and then he’ll stop. Like there’s some etiquette regarding it not being ok to disrupt eating. Pretty funny.
SOTR(room) is my Pacifica French Lilac candle which is lovely and throws nicely. Wearing a bit of Geisha Green which works well on this grey, cold day.
Is your hairless kitty a sphynx please? My not-so-better half has allergies but I would love to get a cat again someday and have heard the hairless are potentially better for allergy sufferers. Also the rex cats some say are less allergic choices too. Your avatar pic makes me smile and makes me remember my dearly departed ocicat named Charlotte. The ocicats are a mix of siamese, shorthair and abyssinian and she was a fearless and talkative lovebug. Cats. 🙂
” not so better half” you are killing me today, LOL! I have one too!
Many of us do… 😉
She-ra, we all know that YOU are the better half. 🙂
And certainly the better smelling half. 🙂
LOl! You crack me up. Ocicats are beautiful. And I’d love to have a Devon Rex!
I love my little naked girl. Also super affectionate, friendly, and dog-like (so, needy, lol). She’s not a pure Sphynx- she’s half Canadian Sphynx and 1/2 Peterbald (which is a cross between an Oriental shorthair and a Donskoy (Russian) Sphynx. Her brother (the torturer) has full fur.
I’m not sure, really. There’s debate about that. The allergens are a protein in the cats’ skin oils and fur is usually the vector. And I think maybe it would depend on whether a person has skin reactions or respiratory reactions. Some people say they don’t react to Sphynxes the way they do to other cats. I’ve heard Persians are low allergenic, too. Since he’s your not-so-better-half, you may just want to try it for research ????
Yes that is an interesting distinction between skin vs. respiratory. My dad is very allergic and usually gets almost immediate breathing problems if he enters a home w/ cats but my sister got a long haired cat and he never had issues at her home so it seems they are not all created equal on the allergy front. And to your point, i agree that the only to test it properly is prolonged exposure. 😉
I am wearing Givenchy Organza, a new find at the thrift store today, I think it is absolutely beautiful, find it so cozy, comforting, the lasting power is great too even though I put only a very small amount.
Have a great week
I am jealous to hear about all these cool thrift store finds – the “best” I found was a surprisingly pricey bottle of a Paris Hilton scent, I think…but every time I go to a thrift store now, I always check for fragrances, just in case…
The original Organza is so wonderful, and I think sexy smelling. I can’t believe some of the great perfumes people find at the thrift stores. I rarely if ever see any.
Taking advantage of a cooler autumn-ish day to wear my beloved Galop to work. Mmmm…saffron-infused rosey leathery goodness. Got to get in quick before the temp ratchets back up later this week.
Your description has me getting up to spray some now☺
I forgot to say that I’m wearing Fusion Sacree- Clair.