It's our same old lazy weekend open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, any fragrance-related regrets you have about the past year, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Rural Christmas [cropped] by Thomas at flickr; some rights reserved.
One step closer to Christmas, a lot has been done at my home for the last few days but there are still things on our to-do list.
I’m in Atelier des Ors Rose Omeyyade today.
The other day I tried Jo Malone White Moss & Snowdrop – I liked it a lot but at the same time it turned out it’s already sold out in Douglas where I went to smell it. I wouldn’t mind having a couple of ml to wear/test it.
Happy Christmas, Lucasai. I hope you are enjoying your winter Christmas and all the lights and decorations. I have been wearing Snowdrop and White Moss and can report that it is a nice, spicey-sweet with a hint of bitters cologne that works well in summer. The lasting power is not great, and it stays close to the skin. It is nice layered with orange bitters,too.
I only smelled it once when in Douglas and I quite liked it, that’s why I hope someone will be splitting a bottle somewhere so that I can get a hold of a few ml.
I liked it on paper but when I put it on skin, it disappeared quicker than most of my favorite Jo Malone perfumes do. I’ll try it again when I see it (if it’s not sold out) but since they didn’t make it in 30 ml, I won’t be getting it anyway.
I had it sprayed on my skin by a SA once but I was also wearing gloves so I thought that was the reason why it disappeared so quickly but maybe it’s just its nature to be fleeting.
I’ve been told in the store that they had 30 ml available (?)
You smell wonderful, Rose Omeyyade is stunning.
I’ve tried the Jo Malone Snowdrop and White Moss, and thought it was rather nice, but like most Jo Malones, it didn’t last long at all.
Guess there is more of us thinking it was really short-lived
Now I am lemming the Jo Malone. You are not good for my wallet ?
Oops
No sotd yet, but I plan on putting on Clinique Wrappings after my shower. I have to do some stocking stuffer shopping today; my FIL just loves Licorice Allsorts and my MIL loves Popcorn Twists, so these will be a part of their stocking.
I posted my Toblerone Shortbread recipe late on Thursday night for anyone still interested.
Happy weekend all!
Have a great time shopping! I’ve never heard of popcorn twists, are they like popcorn balls?
They aren’t a popcorn ball. They melt in your mouth, absolutely yummy with no kernals getting stuck in your teeth. Not affiliated, they are just a good thing!
http://www.olddutchfoods.ca/product-flavour/old-dutch/popcorn-twists
Thank you for the shortbread recipe!!
You are welcome! Enjoy!!
Growing up in Vancouver, we always had licorice all sorts, Purdy’s chocolates and Terry’s chocolate oranges at Christmas.
Yes to all of that! Purdy’s chocolates are amazing! How about Laura Secord?
We always get a Terry’s chocolate in our stocking. We’ve stopped buying big gifts but do small, fun things instead. The in-laws seemed to get too stressed out about buying gifts so we made the decision to keep it fun and low-key. Its more about being together now!
I remember as a kid always wanting a Terry’s chocolate orange and never getting one. This year I spotted them in the grocery store so I bought one for myself.
OMG WHERE IS IT? i had the big family Xmas celebration all day and missed everything here! I would loveeeeeee to have this! You are so kind Gail!
Merry Christmas All! I will soend the day carching up with a holiday cocktail!!
Yep-> GOT IT!!
I had to give me doctor a call yesterday since my sinuses are not letting up and the pressure was so bad I could barely lean over to pick anything up off the floor. She recommended dipping my head over hot water and sleeping with a humidifier on. So far that has helped
So I am scentless today. Currently making tofu for lunch , because, moms never get a break. Even when we are sick.
Sounds rotten, poor you. I hope you can get some relief from the pain soon.
Take care of yourself! Sounds really miserable. I hope you’ll get at least some relief with those remedies.
I am really sorry you are sick. I hope the suggestions help. How does the hot water trick work?
Steam inhalation, I guess. It is an old remedy that helps clear nasal passages.
I hope you feel better, Lovestosmellgood. Try to get some rest, if possible.
Sorry to hear that, I have a colleague who suffers sinus problems, and I know how miserable he finds it.
Poor thing, hope you get some relief soon!
Feel better soon!❤️?
Oy! Take care of yourself.
Oh no! I hope that you recover soon.
Hope you got a bit of a break today!
Feel better!
This time last year I developed a sinus infection that really persisted. Feel your pain. Humidifiers do help, so I hope it clears quickly (you are reminding me to clean and pull mine out). I used to have one of those big, flat Vick’s vaporizers that does a stream of warm steam. I’d plunk it down on the coffee table and lean into it. A lot more comfortable than a bowl of hot water. Was good for the skin too!
If you’ve got a neti pot/sinus lavage thing, I find that to really help. Also Mucinex D.
I really hope you feel better soon, ltsg!
oh no, that sounds so uncomfortable. I hope you feel better soon!
Hope your feeling much better today!
I hope that you are feeling better by Christmas L2sg!
Put on DSH Onycha this morning in belated honor of the solstice yesterday, and am not really loving it. It smells very much like myrrh to me, very dry and bitter. I am not getting the labdanum (which is one of my very favorite perfumery notes) or the benzoin. I think it might be better on my husband. I will have to tell him it is a “men’s” scent, as he won’t wear anything he thinks is meant for women. I sprang for a 1 dram bottle of this rather than a sample, so I don’t want it to just go to waste. Ditto for the Three Kings I bought at the same time.
Onycha sounded so enticing, but I didn’t care for it either. Great idea to try it on masculine skin!
I’ve been going through my perfume collection, culling things that I have to acknowledge I will never wear enough to keep the bottles. I would probably have gotten rid of many of these bottles a long time ago if packaging and shipping them weren’t such a pain.
Yes, ditto. It’s not an easy job, but good to do.
I will do that in the new year
I tried an Unwanted giveaway on a local FB fragrance group , but not a peep. Fortunately, I was able to pass along one bottle in person during an unboxing event.
I wish there could be some sort of perfume get-together locally where people could swap or give away their unwanted bottles without having to package and ship everything. It is not just the time and effort involved, but the cost as well. Also, when I swap or give away multiple bottles at one time, I am always afraid I will mix a couple of them up and send the bottles to the wrong people.
Is there a homeless shelter near you that would accept perfume donations? If not, why not randomly leave them in public restrooms?
No homeless shelters here. I am afraid if I randomly leave things in restrooms, either it will cause a panic (suspicious package and all that) or else some well-meaning person would take it to lost and found. I did donate some bottles to a resale shop once, but have since been concerned they might have thrown them out. They seemed a little reluctant to take them, and I understand some shops won’t accept or sell used perfume.
The bathroom idea makes me think of the Killing Eve series. I watched a couple of episodes in a marathon last night…and let’s just say I would not spray a random scent I found laying about…..
I totally agree on the act of packaging and shipping being a factor in not getting rid of perfumes I should have a long time ago. I have many unwanted perfumes that were more popular 5-10 years ago, so they’re harder to sell or swap now. I need to work on acting quicker when I decide I no longer want something.
I do that a couple of times a year. I get some flat rate boxes, bubble wrap and go to town. 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m sure everyone here has always followed USPS rules about shipping perfume (ground only, sufficient packing material to absorb spills, ORD stickers on box, etc.), but just in case anyone has, shall we say, fudged a bit, have you ever had any trouble as a result? The only way to send it by ground seems to be to go to the post office in person during their business hours, which means I can only do it on Saturday, which means going on the day when they are the busiest and the lines the longest. The automated kiosk only gives options of Priority Mail or First Class, which means being less than truthful about the contents of the package.
What rules? ??????
I have never ever had any trouble as a result.
I’ e been doing this since the start of the new year.Slowly but surely I am getting to my ultimate collection by thunking,selling and giving away perfume as gifts this christmas!
You cold try selling it all as a ‘lot’ on eBay. At least then you would only have to ship it once. Also you could offer it as a freebie you pick up on Craigslist, freecycle or such.
When I moved a couple of years ago, I posted here a few times that I had freebies to send out as long as takers were willing to pay postage. People were more than happy to do so for a box of otherwise free goodies.
I totally agree! I managed to give a number of unloved bottles to a friend with a nascent perfume collection a year ago, and feel so thankful I was able to do that 🙂
Busy busy at work this morning. Wearing Vanille Galante and lots of it. Have a great weekend!
Well, you smell amazing. I hope your work day passes relatively painlessly.
I finally did some Christmas baking! Made some lebkuchen topped with melted chocolate. I only make these at Christmas time, so my kids are sentimental about them. My mom and MIL are visiting for a week. Wish me strength! L’Eau d’Ambre Extreme again. I only have a 10ml travel spray, but could easily do a FB. Good luck to all having guests over Christmas time or doing lots of entertaining!
Good luck to you!
Good luck to you for your 1am shift! Hope it’s a breeze!
Try to let go and enjoy any way you can. My MIL was fun, but also used to drive me a bit crazy. She’s gone now and I wish I could still hear her laugh.
Mine drives me crazy too! But my husband has even less patience with her. Which leaves me keeping the peace and I’m the DIL. Hope your home life is on an even keel again. Saw your comment on feeling out of sorts, but it was too late to comment that I hoped things would resolve.
Thanks, doing better. I have some things to work on.
How touching and a perfect sentiment.
Isn’t life dunny that way….
Ha that’s my dummy fingers
should read-> ‘funny’.
Wishing you strength! Also, I’m wishing I could sample your baking. I really miss being able gift baked goodies to folks…
Chocolate covered lebkuchen from scratch? I am impressed.
It’s an easy recipe and the texture is just right, like those in the German tins with the big cookies in it. I’ll post the recipe tomorrow.
???
Wishing you strength. Can I come over?
That’s what I was going to say 🙂
Strength to you!
Thanks Sistine, Robin and Amy!
About to put on DSH Gingembre again. Such a lovely warm oriental. Funny, because I put it on early in the fall and thought I might give my bottle away, but now it’s just right.
Perfumes are like people, sometimes you want to smell them, and sometimes you want to give them away? it all depends on how they are behaving.
Haha perfect!
😉 !!!!!
You nailed it!!
Haha! So true! I’ll need to borrow that expression.
I often say that about chronic illness – it’s like a difficult friend you learn to hold hands with. Some days are easy, others, not so much. 🙂
This! ?
True! ?
Exactly why I hang on to things!
I’m in SSS Equestrian today, because APPLES! Just got out of a nice hot shower in a nice heated shower room (Oregon State Parks are the BEST!). Will spray sparingly since I only have a travel size. All SSS perfumes last forever on me, so one spray is generally enough.
The California Curse, as I’ve come to call it, is finally loosening it’s grasp. Finally got my new FL DL (using the “expedited” process, which was NOT expedient!) so now I can do the prerequisite drug screen for work. That means money will start flowing in instead of out?? So relieved! Still working on replacing passport, CC’s, and SS card. Also lost was my America The Beautiful Park Pass, and other governmental credentials which will be more difficult to get replaced…
Hope everyone has a happy holiday week coming up. I’m sad for people that are not feeling well, who are extra stressed, or missing loved ones who have stepped out. This can be a rough time of year, and I’m trying to focus on being thankful for all the things I have, as well as the things I don’t have.
One of the best things I’ve learned over the past five to ten years is to stop comparing. Easier said than done, but its a huge weight lifted from me since I always found myself coming up short. Intellectually, we all understand this, but emotionally, it’s a bit tougher to grasp on a deep level.
Best of the Holiday Spirit to All! I’ve realized I’ve never gone “wassailing” and I’m pretty sure I’d like to do that before I kick it…!?
I’m with you on the trying not to compare and, like you, I think I’m doing better. I’ve worked in the same place for a long time, and have seen people I worked with go on to senior roles, and felt very envious of opportunities that they have had and I think I haven’t, and I’ve realised recently how corrosive envy can be.
On a much lighter note, I saw your comment yesterday about hair colour. My hair is very gray, but some ferocious bleaching meant that the green took very well 🙂
Good to know! Although I used to “color” my hair to cover the grey, the hair stylist always used a Demi-permanent color because my hair is so dry. It used to make my hair look shiny and gorgeous, and the texture was smooth and curly. As I’ve become increasingly grey, the texture has completely changed and I’m afraid using bleach with just cause my hair to break off. It’s frizzy mess Au Naturale, I can’t even imaging what it would look like if I added bleach to the equation…?
I’ve solved the chemical damage problem by keeping my hair so short that none of it is more than a couple of months old!!
Same, and I bleach with a high-lift color. It causes less damage to my curly and thus already super-dry hair.
Since it’s pixie-short, I also do it myself.
Is there any way to install a hidden lock box that’s permanently attached to the vehicle where you can store your documents from now on? What a pain to have to replace all that.
Wishing you a lovely holiday week with T-Rex!
Yes, there are mini-safe type devices that can get bolted to the frame through the floor, but they’re quite expensive to purchase and have installed.
Maybe I’ll trade T-Rex in on a Rottweiler ?
Or several furious Dachshunds!!
I hope Oregon will compensate for all the ills that happened to you in California.
I love your photo’s by the way!
Thank you! I really enjoy taking the photos?
I was raised with a pack of dachshunds: 3 smooth and one wire. Best. Watchdogs. Ever! And those little legs can travel pretty dang quick! ?
Pity you aren’t near San Diego, I’d loan you my handy husband. 🙂
Ha! I could have used him the other day for sure! After hitting rain in N. Cali, my roof vent started leaking. So there I was, parked under a huge car wash, soaked, freezing, and up on an unsecured ladder trying to seal the vent in my very wet and slippery fiberglass roof! With gale force winds, no less! I’m surprised you didn’t hear me cursing all the way down in sunny warm San Diego! ?
I’m thankful you are in my life to put life in perspective. You left the familiar behind and embraced your new life with a passion. You’ve had many challenges, but each time, you bounced back stronger and wiser. ❤️
That’s very nice of you to say! I think I’m bouncing back because I’ve become more round! ?
LOL!
I love your Instagram photos, your pluck and the way you attack obstacles. I have also recently realized the futility in comparing, and I feel much lighter as a result.
I wish I could say you smelled great, but I’ve never smelled Equstrian. I’m allergic to apples, so I probably should not.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Thank you Sistine! I hope you have a lovely weekend and holiday as well! Good on you for putting the kibosh on comparison! ??
When I stop and remember that everyone has their own version of crap, I stop comparing. Outwardly our lives can be very different, but on the inside we are probably dealing with similar issues, and insecurities and love and loss. We’re all human, after all. Well… except for Hajusuuri ‘s comuters, my customers and the people at the san Jose post office ?? Merry Christmas to you and T-Rex, Deva! ⛄??
Your “except” part made me smile – thank you.
No one has it easy (life just doesn’t work like that) but some of us wear life more easily than others. I wish I fell into that category, but I don’t, and I actually don’t think that’s something we can change. I admire those who do.
Thanks Lillyjo! T-Rex and I send you big ?’s! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday! I’m still wondering where the alien lifeforms that inhabit the San Jose PO, hajusuuri’s train cars, and your workplace came from?!? So ODD! ?
Excellent advice about comparison. I try mighty hard not to as well and usually do ok, but there are moments . . .
Yes, I’m familiar with those moments! Lol! ?
Happy Holidays to you too Deva! hope 2019 will be a great year for you!!! xxoo
Right back at you CM8! I think I will end up dreaming about Casablanca tonight…?
🙂 🙂 🙂
I think I have a sample of Equestrian kicking about somewhere. I will have to look, because I like a good apple note.
Count me as one who loves your adventures and likes to live semi-vicariously through them. Even the challenges (although I wonder if I could deal with them as well as you do.)
Thanks LizzieB! Please know that I heavily edit my comments about our adventures to be NST Comment Compliant! ?
Wearing Chanel 19 today, had to since I finally tried the soap I got a few weeks back and it was so nice. I want to smell it all day.
Another great scent experience this morning came as I was wrapping a Frasier Fir candle I’d bought as a present. Man alive, that smells amazing! I didn’t really want to wrap it and kept opening the box to give it another sniff. Now I’m hoping to find one under MY tree but the chances are a billion to one of that happening.
Isn’t Frasier Fir wonderful? You could always gift yourself some 🙂
Haha now that seems like the obvious solution!
I bought a Frasier Fir candle last year at the after-Christmas sales. You have reminded me to dig it out and make the house smell like Norne.
I’m sure the Chanel soap is wonderful! You smell amazing!
Maybe you should order one for yourself now
I need that candle! What brand is it?!0
Frasier is a UK retailer
Thymes makes my Frasier Fir candle.
Oh right!Blonde moment!??♂️?
Oh, I saw it on amazon! I’m making a mental note to get one of those after the holidays, thanks!
Chapters last year had a great Frasier Fir sale during boxing week…
Oh I’ll for sure take a peek after Christmas.
Twins!
Ah, yes, I bought a Frasier Fir candle for my house this year and have been burning it every evening–it really does smell fantastic!
Sounds better than the sandalwood incense stick I burned this morning, which smelled oddly meaty.
I’m doing the final stages of house cleaning before picking my mother up from the airport this morning. It’s fortunate my mother comes up once or twice a year, otherwise I’d never get round to cleaning some of the more obscure corners 🙂 She would never comment on undusted bookshelves, but I like to make sure there’s no dust there. Perfume-free as yet, but I’m leaning towards something floral, maybe 1000 by Jean Patou, to keep up the number theme.
I hope you have a great visit. It was very sweet of you to go back to blonde for her. I bet the green was amazing!
I was just thinking that today…pretty sure no curtain would ever get washed in my house if my mom didn’t come to stay!
So funny. When my mother was alive I would go to her house two or three or four times a year and clean *it.* And I have distinct memories of her instructing me, while herself sitting on the couch, on how to, say, vacuum the stairs properly. And that was when I still lived at home – and was barely big enough to wield the vacuum cleaner.
Sounds like my mom! I think of her at Chief Delegater and Boss of Everyone. In her defense, I will say she put on a spectacular feast for holidays. Antique china, Waterford crystal, gold flatware, the WORKS! And when the table was all set, and a boatload of people gathered around, she absolutely preened with joy. My dad would hand wash all the crystal and china after. What a guy!
Happy almost Christmas, to those who partake 🙂 My life’s been such a mess of late that I didn’t get a tree this year. But I’m heading out soon to go tromping thru the woods to cut some pine branches and make some swags. Will get a wee bit of holiday spirit going here 🙂 And I’ll do some baking later to add to the nice holiday smells.
Meanwhile the universe continues funning me. A month ago I ordered some beach chairs to be sent to my father for his Xmas gift. Two weeks later they showed up at my front door… 3500 miles away from his place. I called the company, they were very apologetic, and sent him a new set for free. Guess what showed up at my door on Friday? Ayup. Now I have 4 beach chairs and he has none. I give up 🙂
If you didn’t have such bad luck, you’d have no luck at all. Hope next year is better!!
Ha! Beach party at your place?
I’ve been using some downed pine and spruce to decorate the van. It makes the van smell quite nice too! Hope the chairs make it where they really belong eventually….
We are so far from the Christmas spirit that my husband thought it was still November. And his family arrives tomorrow. Yikes!
That is so frustrating about the chairs, almost no words to describe it. At that point I’d have to laugh because it sounds exactly like something that would happen to me.
Your swags will be beautiful! Happy Holidays?
No tree here either and I am not sure I even have an excuse. The chairs: oof.
Thanks for that laugh…
I know it’s a pain for you, but it’s a good story. That poor company. One has to wonder how many other mistakes they’ve made that will cost them $$$.
Out of all mishaps your beach chairs story is the funniest. Maybe it’s Universe’s way to tell you something? 🙂
I wish you a better structure in your life the next year.
Good lord!!! Lololol That is ridiculous.
I am wearing Byredo Pulp today, an anti-winter scent if there ever was one. I need to pack for my trip to Sacramento but I’m having an acute attack of the lazies. All I want to do I pet the kitties, eat chocolate, and read my thriller.
Pet kitties, eat chocolate and read your book? All I have to due is sub in my puppy…that that is exactly what I’m doing! Complete satisfaction!
That sounds great. Packing for Sacramento can wait!
I’m in Naomi Goodsir Or du Serail for a haircut this afternoon, followed by dinner out with a few family members.
You smell fabulous. I think I’ll put some on and join you later on. Right now I’m wearing a few dabs of Vero Profumo Rozy extrait.
Ah I was wearing Rozy EDP tonight. Near twins!
You smell amazing.
You smell great!
You smell great!
A while back I asked you all for suggestions for a fragrance for my son who was turning 16. The response I received was fabulous and we had fun trying a bunch of scents. He ended up choosing Acqua de Gio and gets lots of compliments. It is a very safe and clean teen fragrance but he has plenty of time to become more adventurous! Kevin has a review on NST which sums it up rather well.
I ended up perfectly thrilled to take over his sample of Terre de Hermes which is quite nice.
Nice pick
I have been wanting to buy a perfume for my son who turns 17 on New Year’s Day so this is really helpful. I was considering the Gucci Absolue but I will try the Armani too.
I mean Guilty Absolute. Both scents are Morillas , I think.
I love and own the Absolute. Always huff it when I’m in Sephora. ❤️
Casablanca….continuing on theme of starting next week’s CP early.
I was going to order samples and there was a glitch in the ordering system (it was going to charge me $5 for shipping). I sent a note and got a nice reply back that yes, there was a glitch and that I should order in 2s. I will do it this weekend.
Glad you go that straightened out! I will be curious as to what you think of Casablanca…fair warning, it’s potent so DON”T overspray 😉
Forewarned is forearmed!
Muscs Koublai Khan.Because it’s an awesome perfume and I needed to smell uber-sexy today!
Happy Weekend everyone!
✌?❤️?
P.S!Thank you everyone who said HI yesterday!
Holiday has been cut short by some turmoil at work,otherwise life is grand!
Looking forward to the new year!
To everyone who sent me a scented letter,thank you SO much!
I shall reply ASAP!
Love you guys!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oooh. You smell wonderful. If I fly to South Africa will you sit next to me and let me buy you a cocktail?
It’s a date!?❤️?
You smell fab! Hope you have time for a Christmas braai despite the work turmoil.
Haha!Love how you know the word braai!The answer is a definite YES!You planning on a traditional feast in San Diego?
X
Yes, we are heading to SIL’s house for a holiday feast.
Enjoy!????
You smell awsome and welcome back Johanob.
Thanks so much Aurora!Glad to see you around!?✌?
Always wanted to test this. Hard to get in Germany. Sounds like my kind of scent…
If you like a great animalic dirty musk,this is it!
I have however heard that newer bottles are rather tame,but do seek it out if you can!
This and the Bruno Acampora Musc are my favorites.
✌?
SOTD = Lancome Jasmins Marzipane
Very nice and one spritz is still going 8 hours later!
I braved the mall first thing and it was perfect as many people were still snoozing. I got the bulk of my shopping done by doing it the easy way – a good number of people are getting either Harry and David Pear Butter or Chocolate Truffles. I had also previously bought a bunch of B&BW hand soap, personal humidifiers, gift cards and L’Occitane stuff. I may just need to buy some wine. Anyone I forgot will likely get an Amazon gift card and/or Ferrero Rocher chocolate.
Our extended family get-together is tomorrow and we have more people than we originally anticipated – all good! How we landed at the date and place were all done via text. This year it was very apparent that the torch for organizing these family gatherings had now been passed to the next generation.
One spritz? Amazing. I love JM but I need to spray a lot.
We’re all so different. BTW, I will be trying out the dryer balls this weekend. Will report back.
Well done! A crowd-pleasing array of gifts…
Thank you. I hope there’s a little bit of appeal in each gift!
I hope you have a great time!
Thank you, lillyjo!
Have a great family gathering!
Thanks! It was very nice but not without drama…we ended up with 28 people. A cousin had a meltdown and walked out (there had to have been a previous disagreement with his BIL) while his sisters were largely silent about it until towards the end. We sat at th same table so, AWKWARD. Oh, and a couple arrived about 2 hours late but their excuse was they had to bring the baby – I’m still trying to figure out this one.
Curious about that one…more jasmine or more marzipan?
Oh and my parents went to Aldi’s repeatedly and no marzipan..this was the year of only one marzipan log for me…last year I think I ate about 10-LOL!
More jasmine for sure in the beginning and then almonds, vanilla and musk. It is sweetish.
Have a great family time!
I get more jasmine on JM until dry down, then soft almond. Do you experience same?
Same on the jasmine being front and center at the beginning and I get almonds, vanilla and musk in the drydown. No sandalwood but I think if I spritz more, I would get it!
Your gifts sound perfect! I wish everyone who gives me gifts (other than my vSO – his gifts are usually great already) would bring something consumable.
I hope they like the consumables!
Crazy busy work day and loving it! The Saturday before Christmas is always fun, because everything is a mess, and there’s nothing I can do about it. The pressure is off!? in a unexpected move, I chose Dior Tendre Poison to wear today. It’s beautiful and is reminding me of spring?
Beautiful! I hope tomorrow is equally stress-free.
Thanks! Tomorrow is my 1 am shift, so I might not be as perky!
Have fun at work! You smell great by the way!
Thank you!
That was every man in my family shopping . . . Oh no, that will be tomorrow!
Love your spirit! I wish you calm shifts, if it’s possible at your line of work.
So I went on my annual December sniffathon last Friday.Smelled everything that was new and supposedly exciting.
Disappointed in most!JHAG Liquid Illusion was not the promised Iris,Liquides Imaginaires Desert Suave does smell of dates and exotic spices,but fades to a humdrum oud-y affair quite quickly.Map of the Heart White Heart was just meh.Frapin Laskarina was a good rose,but smelled all too familiar to other roses I’ve smelled before.
The surprise standouts were Jo Malone White Moss and Snowdrop,also the Ella K range had some interesting takes on familiar themes.
There’s a M.int fragrance in their violet line which apparently has a spectacular pineapple note,anyone tried it yet?
I walked away with a Skins Cosmetics Holiday box,it contains the cutest ever 7ml Portrait of a Lady mini,and an even cuter mini Diptyque Ambre candle.I am happy about that.
❤️?✌?
Hooray for the sniffathon but phooey on the underwhelming results. Money saved!
Your Skins Cosmetics Holiday Box sounds amazing. While you were there or elsewhere during your sniffathon, did you see the new Frederic Malle packaging? I got Iris Poudre and it is sleek, except that the box is prone to sliding open and atomizer may come tumbling out fairly easily.
Now, I am more keen than ever to smell JM White Moss and Snow Drop!
BTW, I finally set up the hajusuuri Instagram account…hopefully, I sent the follow request to the right account.
No,we’re usually a bit behind the Northern Hemisphere with new releases,new packaging…I do hope the new coffret makes its way over here though!
Although exchange rate calculates $695 as R10195,18,exactly.Lol.That’s a down payment on a seaside apartment!
Will look out for you on Insta!
✌??
YOU have made me want to sniff that Jo Malone -LOL!
Happy HOlidays, johano!
Thank you B!Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I think the JM is definitely sniff-worthy!
Let me know what you think!
✌?❤️?
Applied some Pekji Ruh from a sample and I really like this! I am not sure what is standing out here (notes listed include coffee, cardamom, saffron, rose, amber, among other things I like to see). It all comes together well .
wow that sounds delicious! I am very inspired to make an essential oil blend with cardamom and I have all those oils you listed except for cardamom and saffron 🙂
Ooh, that does sound delicious. CM8, let us know how the oil blend turns out, if you make it.
Will do !!!
I am wearing a sample of Silent Grove by DS and Durga today. It’s nice, but I’m not swooning.
Things I am grateful for today: my incredible husband, adorable nieces, a wonderful extended family, my super cute dog and cat and tasty winter ales. And that the Christmas shopping is pretty much done.
Amen!
Wearing the last bit of Tama’s L`Air du Desert Marocain over Aftel’s Ancient Resins oil. I love the ambergris in LADDM, it’s so beautiful.
I finished Ancient Resins and splurged on a bottle of Tauer’s Wowza.
I’m looking forward to putting it in my hair. Labdanum, Patchouli and vanilla sound delicious! ☺️
The hubby and I just walked nearly nine miles walking all over San Francisco visiting different shops, getting to know our new neighborhood. Now I’m ready for a nap!
We discovered a great local market (Bryans in Laurel village) picked up mixed greens, a few cheeses (triple cream brie, blue cheese and a Manchego) with a nice cut of steak for supper tonight. It’s a splurge but it’ll make a nice Christmas eve supper in our new place.
Oh, that sounds like a un-traditional and delicious holiday supper.
It’s just the two of us, so a few snacks and a great plate of mixed greens, new potatoes and a good-quality steak seemed perfect. 🙂
The salad dressing is an aged balsamic vinegar, sea salt, good-quality olive oil and Dijon mustard, swipe the salad bowl with the cut side of a clove of garlic. Done. Simple is the best way to go.
Sounds delicious. When I lived in SF I loved those corner groceries. I’ve not seen them replicated elsewhere.
That sounds so romantic!
Congratulations on your new place! San Francisco is my home town, although it has changed so much since the sixties. But always a beautiful place.
I love hearing that Bryan’s is still there! I lived near there in mid 80s and liked that store a lot.
mmm. you had me at triple cream Brie!
The Onycha from this morning seemed to have worn off, so now I am in April Aromatics Liquid Dreams. I suppose this is a spring scent, but it is bright and cheerful and is what I wanted. Besides, it is 75 F and sunny today, so it feels like spring anyway.
Today I was in my favorite second hand store and spotted a green depression glass cake plate with three low feet that just elevate it by a few centimeters. I’ve been looking for a perfume tray for awhile and this really fit the bill. Since I’m finally settled in one place for awhile with my perfumes it’s really nice to be able to set out a selection on the dresser.
Sotd: vintage Chanel 19 parfum. I’m shocked at how little it takes, I barely touch the stopper and it lasts all day
That sounds like a perfect perfume display! Isn’t it fun to play with the bottles and create a visual display?
Yes! It’s really satisfying to arrange the bottles so they are ready to choose from.
It’s good to hear you are settling in nicely. Your perfume tray sounds beautiful! I know alot of people store their bottles in drawers, but I get so much pleasure from displaying mine. Sometimes I just like to sit and look and sniff. You smell wonderful ?
Aw thank you for your lovely comment. I agree about putting them out. They sat in a box for over two years while I was in transition during and after the divorce. So now I get to enjoy them in situ and not on the fly. The green plate is their landing pad. For a Winter selection there is
L’air de Rien, vintage Chanel 19 parfum, Jacomo 8, Indochine, Rose Anonyme, Salome and Ambre Sultan
That sounds like a wonderful assortment! I’m inspired to go through my bottles and do the same.
You smell wonderful! Now I’m thinking about wearing it though usually I wear No 19 when it’s warmer…
Most of Xmas grocery shopping was done today, all the vegetables were on promotion. It was a lovely white clouds, blue skyes day a so mild 14C for the season. Will do the wrapping of presents today. Was wearing Fidji today, and I regret not wearing it more this year as I have a BUB of vintage, it is very long lasting too.
Happy pre-Christmas all.
*skies not skyes of course
Casablanca all week long….I don’t remember the last time I was this excited about a new release. My sample will last a while as I am only doing one spray.
Oh, no. These comments are creating quite a lemming in me…
Your first sentence reminded me of this song:
https://youtu.be/Jwf3_6m9KZo
ha! and that’s about the gist of it…casablanca WOULD last all night long 🙂
You can always get a sample spray….just sayin’…if you only need one spray like me it would last you a while…it’s a 50 percent extrait…makes Giorgio look like 4711 even on mY scent eating skin!
SOTM is Oha. Why don’t I wear this more often? Oh yeah, it does have a bit of sillage. The choir is doing their Christmas cantata today and the poinsettias are in the church sanctuary now, and this just felt right. Actually the bottle practically jumped into my hand yelling “Me! Me! Pick me!” This afternoon we are going to see a Christmas themed play ( a comedy), which should be fun.
Enjoy the play! My H and I usually go to 3 Xmas shows, 2 of which are comedies. 3 can feel like too much some years, TBH. We saw exactly zero this holiday season (primarily because we moved.)
We did enjoy the play very much! We also have seen three shows this year, spaced two weeks apart. The one we saw today is called “Neighborhood Noel”, and it involves a Christmas decorating contest with two fiercely competitive neighbors, a bake-off, a visiting mother-in-law, etc. It was put on by a wonderful community theater group in a nearby town. Two weeks ago we saw “Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley” in Houston, and four weeks ago we attended the Elizabethan Madrigal Feast put on through the local fine arts council. It really has been nice to have something to look forward to all season.
Since it was mentioned, I think I’ll be in Jasmins Marzipane today. I love the soft dry down. Should go well with the cleaning and baking flurry expected today. I’ll make the Miette chocolate wafer cookies and some sables rolled in sugar and pistachios.
I think I’m done Christmas shopping, but I have to find where I tucked away some of the items I got for my husband awhile back. Happens every year…I forget I found something early and hid it. We have friends coming over tomorrow night, and I will give the mom and two daughters (college and HS) sheet masks as gifts. I figure that’s a fun thing for them.
Went downtown last night to see Meet Me in St. Louis on the big screen. Such a perfect movie. Great music and very funny dialog. It definitely holds up (although the print wasn’t great.) I had to laugh…my husband frequents this theater (usually without me), and I swear he’s greeted like Norm in Cheers by all the young, hipster kids working there. He loves it. (I’m the mysterious wife who shows up now and then so they know I’m real and not a figment of his imagination…)
I watched that last night, too, but home alone on the tv 🙂 One of my favorite holiday-season movies is Auntie Mame, but no one seemed to be airing it and I didn’t want to fork $ over to amazon.
Auntie Mame is a fabulous movie…one of my absolute favorites. It is especially wonderful in a theater. I get a huge kick out of the fact I live only a few blocks north of Beekman Place. (Our whole apartment pretty much fits in Mame’s bedroom…)
Just checking in here after being late to read all the comments and stories and Christmas plans. It all sounds wonderful! We’re having unusually warm and beautiful weather now in Houston. It got up to 76 yesterday with gorgeous sunshine and blue sky. My mom is loving it, being away from the cold and gray days of Michigan. I had some cat lady friends over for dinner last night and made a feast with shrimp, veggies, and cheeses for appetiser, and then a chicken curry made with coconut milk. It’s pretty easy and tasty. I include some thinly cut red bell pepper and haricot verts, which add nice color. We have a beautifully decorated tree, some big flower bouquets, and stockings hung along the railing. Very festive and I’m feeling more relaxed about my mom staying with me since we’ve gotten her enrolled into a senior activity enter starting in January for three days a week. This place also invests a lot of energy into supporting caregivers and I’ve already gotten some information about support groups, classes, etc. My SOTD yesterday was MFK’s APOM, which seemed appropriate for our warm weather. Not sure what I’ll wear today. We’re going to the big Methodist cathedral nearby which has a marvelous choir. It should be fun, then a lazy day eating some leftovers.
And your plans all sound lovely. And glad for Mom getting enrolled. My parents never took advantage of the activities in their development, which was too bad. They could have had more fun.
And made friends.
My grandmother steadfastly refused to rub shoulders with the “old people” in her facility and thus missed all kinds of daily outings.
Sounds perfect! So glad you’re finding support! Being a caregiver can be exhausting. Take advantage of any support and “me time” you can. Enjoy the holidays! ✌?
In CdG Avignon. Feeling a bit down today. I am missing greatly all the loved ones that are not around anymore and that I wish they were.
Christmas shopping is done. I am going out in a while to get some groceries and then I will spend the rest of the afternoon baking some brownies and making a spinach/artichoke dip that I will bring to our family gathering tomorrow evening. We will meet at our sister’s place again. I am glad that she hosted all the holidays this year. It is a nice break for me. I will wrap the presents tonight which are mostly gift cards with some extra goodies for everyone. It is uplifting to read everybody’s plans and Christmas preparations here. No matter how you celebrate the best thing is to enjoy and be in peace. Hugs to everyone!
I’m sorry you are feeling a bit down, but I can totally relate. I don’t see my family and good friends from back home too often at Christmas time as they live far away from me. We do our best at this time of year; its all we can do. I know my very good friend is especially hurting this year and wish I could be there with her.
Enjoy your afternoon and celebration with your family tomorrow!
Thank you Gail! The holidays are always a very sensitive time for many of us, but I am sure we will find comfort in the memories and cherish the moments we will spend with the dear ones near us. Wishing you the best on this holiday season and you too enjoy your celebration. Hugs! ?
Glad that the pressure is off of you to host this year. I hope you have an enjoyable time and decompress. Wishing you lots of peace in 2019 xxoo
I am so glad and relieved also! I will just enjoy the evening. I wish you also a very quiet and relaxing Christmas time. Let’s hope for a better 2019! ?
bathrobe celebration-LOL! although the kids are trying to talk me into a movie on Christmas morning!!!!
A movie on Christmas morning sounds wonderful! Do not miss it! After that you can go back to your bathrobe celebration! ?
A perfect scent choice!! You smell wonderful, and I hope you’re able to enjoy time spent with friends and family. Don’t forget to wear your helmet, knee pads and wrist guards when you go shopping- it’s brutal out there! ?
Thank you Deva! I am back from Trader Joe’s and it is totally insane there. You need to take either an anti anxiety pill to survive there or add a baseball bat in addition to the helmet, knee pads and wrist guards to face the ugliness of some people out there. I am happy to be home now! ?
I briefly considered going to Trader Joe’s but decided that I am not in the mood to deal with the madness. Glad you got yours out of the way unscathed! I hope you’re celebrations lift your spirits.
You were lucky not going to Trader Joe’s. You could barely walk there and the nastiness of some people was irritating! You saved yourself a annoying time.
I wore Avignon last night, great choice! I’ll be joining you in baking this afternoon. Hope you enjoy the festivities and don’t let the funk get to you too long.
Avignon is such a relaxing scent and is working really good for me today. Hope your baking goes fine. I will start mine in a while. I also wish you lots of happiness and enjoyment. ?
House twin with Zagorsk today. Calming scent for an afternoon with my always critisizing mother …. Worked okay
Hi twin! Those incense perfumes always work very well. Good luck with your mother…
My cold has not disappeared yet. I still cant smell and taste 100%. But luckily my taste is good enough to enjoy the delicious ‘kerststol’ (christmas bread). With cranberries, a little almond paste, nuts and cinnamon powdered on top.
Today I did shopping for the dessert I will make tomorrow evening at my parents house.
In perfume related news 😉
Xmas gift for my husband is Bois d’Ascese (Naomi Goodsir). He preferred it to Bois d’Encens, though it was a close finish. ?
Hope your cold totally disappears tout suite!
Mmm, that kerststol sounds yummy! Great choices for your husband, love them both. Hope your sniffer is back in service very soon.
I woke up early this morning so thought it was a good time to get up and bake my cookies. I put on some vintage Shalimar edt to do so!
My hubby slept through my baking but got up just as I was putting the cookies into tins; he reached in for 1 to sample, so I guess that was our breakfast!
Wishing everyone a peaceful and relaxing holiday!
Your hubby has perfect timing! And you smell wonderful??
Thanks Deva! I had my Shalimar bottle out as I was making a decant for a fellow perfumista/co-worker.
I’m in the leftovers of SSS Equestrian today and probably will add another spray this morning. I really enjoyed it yesterday, and it’s a nice “Holidayish” scent without having the expected vanilla/cinnamon/gourmand/evergreen vibe.
Just finished my breakfast with a view! I don’t know what was better- the ham and cheese omelet with piping hot coffee or the view of high tide rolling in like a juggernaut. We still have high surf warnings and the breakers are tossing huge logs, trunks, and other assorted flotsam like pick up sticks. There’s a seagull prancing around on my roof, driving T-Rex batty!
Oh, wait! Maybe it’s Santa…..?
It is Santa!!!?. Merry Christmas to you and T-Rex!
You smell absolutely beautiful!
Nice…I have a sample of it somewhere in the basement…haven’t gotten around to thunking my SSSs because no one has taken over the business…but I will get around to them eventually…you smell great!
Everything about your breakfast sounds absolutely fantastic!
Wishing you and T-Rex a very Happy Holiday!
Definitely Santa! You smell great!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and it is a stunning day! I just went out to the (outside) laundry to check on the plastic wrapped frozen turkey defrosting in the tub and some creature has been in and nibbled it in the night…a cat or a rat? Or maybe Santa’s reindeer?? Ho ho ho. We’ve invited Alex’s Iranian and Yemeni students over for Christmas dinner as they are alone so I will have to patch up the hole so they don’t notice. The veggies are still in the garden …one advantage of summer is digging up spuds.
One more trip to the supermarket and wine shop. Two more loads of washing. Wearing Lakeland Floral which is a favourite NZ perfume. All good. Reading Orlando in an attempt to persuade myself to enjoy Virginia Woolf…i have read 4 of her novels and have never enjoyed them , for some reason they leave me irritated ( I think it is the tone, and the characters). Go well everyone!
I hope it was Santa’s reindeer! ?. Enjoy the festivities! ???
Went to the Cuban pastry shop for breakfast, now enjoying a puppy nap with a cup of tea before starting my baking. SOTD is Vero Profumo Kiki extrait.
Puppy naps are the best! I really admire your Vero Profumo loyalty this week??
yum yum yum….I am joining you in a nap…sadly sans puppy 🙁
Mmmm Cuban pastries. One of the best things I’ve ever eaten was a perfect guava pastry in Miami one time…
In Bois des Iles edp waiting on the tarmac to cross the lakes to Toronto, headed ultimately to Ottawa. My husband will spend the holidays in Seattle, then we’ll regroup at home for a few days before heading to Savannah GA for a long weekend together.
He flew out yesterday and volunteered to bump twice. All told, he collected $1600 in United Airlines flight vouchers. (!!!)
Methinks we will spend the holidays together next year in the Caribbean…
Be well, all, and enjoy the season.
Enjoy, kpaint! You smell great!
Good to see you posting, kpaint! You’re smellin’ mighty fine!
Today I’m wearing Ford’s Noir de Noir. I don’t wear it that often, but for me it’s kind of like Lyric – it’s big and rich and interesting. I think this one is outstanding.
Feeling a little less stressed from the work week last week and a little more ready for Christmas. After-church baking today + picking up the one son who lives across the country from the airport so we are all excited.
Enjoy it all!!!
Oh yay for so many things- Noir de Noir (one of my favs), baking, and picking up your son!
I’m in Annick Goutal Musc Nomade. There are so many smells going on in the house right now, between candles and food, I chose this so as not to compete! ?
And that’s a great one!
Love those house smells!
The melange is amazing!
I’m so sorry to hear the news about Nacho. I really hope his brother is healthy and can be your fur baby!
Nancyleandros! I will report back on the dryer balls once I try them…I should be able to experiment in the next few days.
Back at work, til 1 am tonight. I’m wearing sensual orchid, layered with bbw almond blossom lotion. I’m not feeling well though. .. I guess I’m old enough now where I have my good days and bad days. I get tomorrow and Christmas off, and hopefully will get some rest.
Good luck tonight and rest while you can!!
Take care Lillyjo! Just a couple of more hours for you to get some rest. You can do it!
Ugh! Nothing worse than working when you feel bad! I hope you’re able to sleep in tomorrow and have a relatively stress free Christmas Eve Day!
And tell all those last minute shoppers to leave the store by 0030 at the latest so you can get out on time!
I hope you feel better soon and are able to get some rest.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well but you smell wonderful!
Enjoy your days off.
Oh, boy. I hope it’s just barely busy enough for your shift to pass quickly! I know that’s probably wishful thinking, though. ?
Thanks everyone. It’s just one stupid night, and I can get through it. I just know though, that someone will come in at 12:48! Lol!
Oh no! I hope you feel better quickly. Also hoping your shift today is relatively stress-free! You smell wonderful!
It’s still fairly busy. I just had a guy yell at me because our selection of merchandise is “so picked over”! Really, dude?! It’s pretty much Christmas Eve!! I just said, yep.. and walked away
Good luck getting thru your late shift lillyjo! You’ve more than earned the next 2 days off. Hope you feel better for Xmas.
Zagorsk inv the morning.
Went to a new lebanese restaurant with my brother and boyfriend . They Just opened today. Food was nice. Wore some Vintage shalimar edt for Dinner.
Have some nice christmas day, you all…
Late on checking in this weekend. It’s been busy but fun-filled with holiday visits with friends, crafting, and cooking (also a few nice cocktails!). I’ve worn Nirvana Bourbon for two days mainly because I have the rollerball set sitting on my shelf right now and it’s a good go-to.
Bad news already about our baby Nacho. His current home contacted us yesterday to tell us he had labored breathing. They rushed him to the vet where he was diagnosed with a serious heart murmur and the vet suggested they put him down so that’s what they did. 🙁 He has a brother who is still available though and they are getting him checked by the vet to make sure he doesn’t have the same problem. Keeping my fingers crossed I can get Nacho 2.0. I need a little friend to love. :’(
So sorry and sad to hear about baby Nacho. I hope his brother’s tests come up fine and you can have him soon. Hugs!
Oh poor Nacho! I’m sorry KellyC, I hope you get a loving friend soon.
So sorry for the bad news, kellyc. In a way, probably better that the health issue was found now than you having to go through the heartache of having to make the decision once you have him already. Best wishes for a healthy report for Nacho 2.0!
Oh no! So sorry to hear about little Nacho, KellyC! I hope that your Xmas puppy wishes come true and his brother is a healthy addition to your household.
Oh no! I’m so sad to hear this Kelly. I hope you get your new furry friend soon.
Sending you hugs and good wishes.
It seems the post office has made a rather large error. On Thursday evening I mailed four packages of Christmas gifts to various members of our families. A little late, I know, but I figured at the worst they would be a couple of days late. I sent everything Priority Mail, using the automated kiosk, and was pleasantly surprised to see that the estimated delivery date was December 24. Yesterday evening I was checking the status of the packages to see if they were still expected to be delivered Monday, and was shocked to see that all four packages showed a status of delivered. The real shock is that all four were listed as having been picked up Friday morning at the postal facility where I mailed them ~15 hours earlier. I am hoping that somebody just made a clumsy mistake and clicked on the wrong button or something and that all four packages are actually on their way to their proper destinations. The alternative (that they actually handed my packages over to some stranger) is appalling. Everything is insured, so they certainly should reimburse me if they have mishandled the packages, but I really am hoping I don’t have to buy, wrap, and ship 12 gifts all over again. I think next time I will go back to using UPS. They seem to be more expensive but I have never had them lose a package.
Well, I am somewhat relieved. I have confirmed with two family members that they got their packages yesterday. Apparently, there must be some glitch in the USPS system that caused the status to display incorrectly. Still, what is the point of a tracking system if it is going to display wrong information?
USPS tracking is inconsistent. Sometimes it takes days for things to appear and they appear with 3-4 days worth of tracking at once! I’m glad you were able to confirm delivery of some of the packages. My brother-in-law had been waiting for some medication and had watched it ping pong around some post offices and the package was finally sent back to the online pharmacy. My sister kept telling him to go to Walgreens to have an emergency prescription filled but he is stubborn! He said that according to tracking, he should receive the package tomorrow. Hmm, OK, he would rather go without medication?
We tried the mail order prescription thing for my husband’s medication some years ago (when my employer was practically forcing the issue as the only way to get long-term prescriptions), and it was a nightmare. About 1/2 of the time, the shipments were mishandled. At least twice the package was not sent after I placed the order, and I had to reorder; one package never got to us at all; several times my husband had to get an emergency prescription to avoid running out; several other times he came within a day or two or running out; once a package came to our house about a week late after having been opened and taped up again. It was creepy to think that someone had been handling his medication and possibly could have tampered with it, but the pharmacy absolutely would not send a replacement since that one was ultimately delivered.
The opened package is unacceptable! On the mail order pharmacy, my mom is constantly on the phone with them for one reason or another. It feels like a full-time job to keep up with what is supposed to be a service!
The head of our function said something profound the other day at a Town Hall: We have spent years trying to make things easier for us (as the service provider) by shifting the work to our clients. She said this as we are in the midst of a multi-year project to transform our business processes and being very mindful of customer experience. What we’ve done over the years was to implement self-service but they are tedious and not very intuitive.
I opted out of the mail order prescriptions after a few years as it was so much hassle and worry. I haven’t heard of anyone really having a good experience with it. One of my coworkers is on thyroid medication, and she tells me she has repeatedly run out before the refill arrives. My husband is now on several long-term prescriptions, and we get them at the drugstore one block from our house. It turns out we don’t have to use the mail order, we just have to pay full price if we don’t, rather than getting the discounted rate. I think it comes out to about $80 per month more to get the meds at the local pharmacy, but it is totally worth it to us.
50_Roses, I’ve had a couple of weird tracking system episodes lately (past couple of months), too. A FedEx one refused to update anything for 3 days! I did get the package, but it was irritating not being able to find out where it was.
I keep thinking what we need is a better method of package delivery. Tracking glitches aside, it is frustrating when a package required a signature and I have to go pick it up at a USPS/UPS/FedEx location that is primarily open during the hours I am at work. I cannot go during a workday, and my employer does not allow us to get personal orders delivered to us at work. Several times I have had to go to a FedEx location 40 miles from where I live to pick up a package because they would not allow me to get it at the location 3 miles from my house (something about whether it came by air or by ground). The only day I can get to the post office is Saturday, and Saturday is always busy, with long lines. They want you to be available to sign for it when they come by your house, but you never know exactly when that will be, even if it is possible to get time off from work to be home for it (and who wants to burn up vacation time waiting for packages anyway?). UPS is about the most convenient for me, as they have a location in town that is open late enough for me to get there after work. Of course, even when they are willing to leave the package, there is always the concern about the thieves who go around stealing packages right off front porches. With more households having nobody home during the day and online purchasing increasing every year, the need for a convenient and secure way to receive packages is huge.
I haven’t looked into it yet but apparently, you can use a UPS store as your shipping address and they will hold it for you until you have time to pick it up. It comes at a price, like a P.O. Box.
The other option (for FedEx packages) which I found out about after my credit card was compromised is that you can have a package delivered to a Walgreens (or any place that has an in-store FedEx pick-up / drop-off counter).
I think that must be a rather new thing (or at least new for those of us not in a major city). It was about 3 or 4 years ago that I had to make the 40 mile trek to get a package. I knew I wouldn’t be home to receive it, so I set it up in advance to have it held at a FedEx office, and the nearest location available was the one 40 miles away.