Happy Holidays! We'll be back tomorrow.
In the meantime, feel free to talk about whatever you like: what perfume you’re wearing today, what you're cooking (or eating) over the holidays, anything at all.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Christmas cookies composition [cropped] by PIVISO at flickr; public domain.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it today.
I am wearing Aramis Calligraphy Rose, one of my favorite winter roses.
And speaking of roses, I plan to try a number of rose oud scents, starting either this week-end or soon after New Year’s Day. I have decants of Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme and Montale Black Aoud, but I want to try other scents with these two notes. I have a number of unsniffed samples that fit the bill – it would be fun to explore and compare.
By Kilian Rose Oud is really nice!
Great – it’s one of the samples I have and I am going to try it soon.
Full list:
Laboratorio Olfattivo Rosamunda
Dior Oud Ispahan
By Kilian Rose Oud
Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud
Giorgio Armani Prive Rose d’Arabie
Tom Ford Noir de Noir
Lancome Oud Bouquet
Oud Ispahan and Noir de Noir are big favorites of mine. I hope you like them. You have very nice samples to try. Enjoy!
Yes, these too seem to have many fans. I look forward to trying them. Thank you!
Aerin’s Evening Rose may not really be oud, but is a nice rich rose too. Enjoy your quest!
The combination of rose, incense and cognac definitely looks tempting. Thanks!
Evening Rose is stunning. One of my favorite rose scents.
There’s a wonderfully affordable Yves Rocher Rose Oud that was too oud-y for me but might we worth a shot for you!
Oh I did not YR did rose oud too (but then nearly every house jumped on the bandwagon)! And I can actually get a sample of this scent easily. Thank you very much!
Second this. It’s a beautiful dark, wine like rose and my favourite from the Secrets d’essence line.
Yves Rocher Rose Absolue is a very satisfying cheap thrill, if you’re ever looking for rose without the oud.
Thierry Mugler Miroir des Joyaux is really worth trying, it’s my only oud/rose along with a decant of Noir de Noir, I figured two ouds was enough and they both really hit the spot.
This one looks interesting too. Thanks!
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and a happy fourth day of winter/summer (as the case may be where you are) to all. I’m in TF Violet Blonde this morning because it’s cinnamon-y and cinnamon links with holidays in my head. We’re headed out to see family for breakfast and a fun gift-card exchange game that has become a bit of a holiday tradition for us now that all the littles are grown-ups. I’m looking forward to seeing nieces and nephews who I don’t see very often the rest of the year.
Hey, I have a question for you all – does it seem like holiday decorations are at an all-time low this year? At least some of the houses in our little neighborhood usually have lights and other festive decorations up, but this year there’s only one that has anything (wreaths on either side of the garage door). Just wondering if it’s just here or if it’s more widespread.
Houston is just as decorated as ever, fwiw.
I live in Houston too and everything is decked out here. But Houston is a festive city.. even the zoo is well .
Here in New York, at least in my neighborhood, I saw more decorations than previous years.
Same. In my small town I would say there are more lights than usual.
Plenty of decorations her3 in San Diego.
Thanks everyone – sounds like it’s just here that’s uninspired this year (my house included).
I noticed more than usually decorations here, in the SF Bay Area, as well – and I know for a fact that it’s so because I actually counted decorated houses in my neighborhood in the recent several years.
Yes!!! I noticed that too.
Hey NST, Merry Christmas from Bob Dylan~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qE6WQmNus
Super fun video! Thanks for posting ?
Such a happy video! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for posting!
AWESOME, thank you.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
Having a quiet and relaxing time today at home after our family gathering last night.
Wearing SSS Incense Pure from a sample a dear friend sent me. Beautiful, comfy and relaxing. Just what I need today. Have a peaceful and happy day everyone!
Merry Christmas, dear M! Glad to hear you’re kicking back and relaxing today. ?
Hope your day is full of calm and beauty. You smell fabulous! ?
Enjoy your relaxing time! You deserve it! and you smell absolutely amazing!
Thank you! ?
Enjoy the day!
Playing lazy today, before getting back to the crazy reality of work tomorrow.
Happy Christmas Day everyone! Hope everyone had a delicious family celebrations and that you found some great presents under the tree.
This year Santa brought me 4 books, 2 shirts and a watch. Nothing perfume-related but maybe I’ll treat myself to something nice soon.
SotD is my dear Prada Amber Pour Homme.
Anything in mind already to treat yourself?
No, not yet but I’m sure I’ll figure something out.
Happy Holidays! You smell warm and wonderful!
Thank you Deva! You too smell amazing in Jailsalmer! Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas, everybody! We’re headed out soon to my sister and BILs house for lunch and card games. I’m in Ginger Biscuit layered over an amber body lotion, as I was yesterday. I’m struggling a bit with a light cold, but my sniffer is still working. ?
I hope everyone has a peaceful holiday with lots of great food and company, and no drama!
Merry Christmas to you too! Enjoy your family reunion and have lots of fun! Wishing you the best today and always!
??♀️ No Drama Day! That ginger biscuit sure is popular…! You smell great!
smelling great! Ginger Biscuit is so good!!!
Having a peaceful morning at home. I still have a few freebies to give away (see my comment at the top of yesterday’s Monday scent of the day post).
Hey, thanks again for your generosity
looking forward to my Christmas-ish present-ish.
Glad to hear you’re having a peaceful day!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! I’m in vintage shalimar extrait. Santa brought me a bottle of the new Areej Ledore koh-i-nor and it looks beautiful in my perfume cabinet. Wishing everyone the best and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Oh, congrats on your new bottle! Santa is one smart guy! ??
A nice quiet morning at home with the dog and the DH. Will be making butter tarts for my husband’s birthday tomorrow, but other than that, just relaxing.
Last night at sunset I walked all the way out to the end of the Ocean Beach pier, the longest concrete pier on the west coast of the US, and watched the big waves rolling in through the mist. It was beautiful. I thought of Kanuka and all our NST friends down under, way off at the other end of the pacific, enjoying their Christmas day. It’s a small world after all.
Yay, waving back at you across the big blue!!
Happy birthday to hubby!!!
Happy Birthday to your hubby! Butter tarts are a good way to celebrate!
Merry Christmas scent lovers! I remember wearing Annick Goutal Nuit Etoile last year and smelling like 100% Christmas but also being ‘finished’ with it on the 27th…This year a modest dose of Musc Ravageur not to upset anyone in church and waiting for my 10ml Music for a While (also FM) to arrive.
Merry Christmas NST! SOTD is CdG Jaisalmer for a stunningly beautiful day here on the Oregon coast. The sun in shining for all its worth, the surf is crashing, T-Rex just finished her Christmas Kibble, and I’m enjoying a hot cup of coffee while watching frothy waves.
Doesn’t get much better. Smell well y’all! Have a safe and happy holiday, whatever your religious tradition. And if you have no religious convictions, just have a bang up day! ?
If you have 5 minutes, give this a listen to and allow yourself to be still. https://youtu.be/AeaJFFhWG5Y
Thank you for sharing the link of Sheila Chandra. So peaceful and absolutely beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been a fan of hers for many years, such a lovely voice!
Beautiful …thanks for the link!
You’re Welcome! I’m wondering how long the daily Casablanca kick will go on…? Sounds like you are thoroughly enjoying it! Happy you got a FB for Christmas from a very intuitive Santa Claus??
See below-LOL!!! I think the Casablanca kick will now go on for a long time..y’all are gonna get sick and tired of me posting my SOTD. I am mixing things up at night though..tonight I did one spray of Cuir de Russie on my neck.
Holy cow, your morning sounds like perfection. Happy day to you and T-Rex!
A nice little hike was the cherry on top! Happy day to you and yours! ?
Long walk at the Isar river in munich, them heading to my boyfriends parents.
Wearing Arabi Cana by Kolmaz. Excellent scent for a low price if you like a smokey and fruity scent with a leather note.
I hope your day goes well and your time with family is stress-free
Merry Christmas to all celebrating! I am wearing Les Nereides Opoponax, a good holiday scent.
Love opoponax as a note..bet you smell divine.
And I like seeing those gingerbread men and candy canes. I have some of both handy for snacking.
I have eaten too many holiday goodies…mostly pumpkin flan (my favorite) and chocolate cranberry tart. Careful eating starts tomorrow
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and I hope you get a nice day off for everyone else! Mom and I are having a slow relaxing day today. Later on I’m going to bake a turkey breast with various accompaniments, and if I get ambitious enough, I’ll make cookies, though that might have to wait until tomorrow. My SOTD is a perhaps perverse choice, Zoologist T-Rex (!). I was just somehow in the mood for it and applied it lavishly, and do you know what was the first note that hit me strongly–fir! So it was appropriate after all! I’m liking this more and more and might have to spring for one of the fancy limited edition red bottles. Anyway, I’m in the CP with this one, released in 2018.
Ha! That’s on my “to try” list for many reasons! Have a great day with your mom! ?
?? I hope it is perfect!
Having lunch at the airport before our flight to Texas. Wearing my best of the year by my husband’s request (though he didn’t know about the project)–my custom DSH– Slinky Carnation. There would be something wrong if this WASN’T my favorite !
Hope the flight was painless
Boxing Day and all is well. Yesterday was sunny and hot, not a cloud in the sky and we sat outside drinking champagne and then ate the patched up turkey with (home-grown )cranberry and walnut stuffing, feeding the dogs under the table. Two helpings of Alex’s tiramisu followed by eater-remorse! So full I had flashbacks to birthday parties from the 1960/70s when cake ruled the world. Wearing 2018 Interdit…similar to Mon Guerlain but without the lavender. Bit blousey-sweet to start but softens. Hope everyone is having a good day!
It is just now Boxing Day here, and I join you in eater’s remorse.
Merry Christmas!
Casablanca all day and night.
Santa surprised me this morning.??
Yay! Santa knew you deserve more Casablanca in your life! Enjoy! ?
Thank you, my friend.
and our meal is Chinese food! We just got back from the movie theatre to see A Star is Born…we are having an unconventional Christmas and I love it!
Chinese food twins!
yum yum
Very happy for you! Merry Christmas to you and the Marzipans!
right back at you, lillyjo!!!
Nice! I’m getting a craving for some egg rolls right about now…
hee hee…go get some for you and T-Rex!
Merry Christmas! Congratulations too!
There should have been an enabler pin somewhere in your stocking!!
I HAD to try the small size!!
LOL ? ? hope you enjoy it!
We had a lovely day yesterday with my beloved’s family, lots of food and conversation. The great-nephew is now nearly two and understands all about presents
The weather improved at the end of the day, so we had a warm evening.
Merry Christmas to everyone still experiencing the day!
Glad to hear the weather perked up and you had a happy day.
Merry Christmas everyone.
SOTD is Fendi extrait, I always wear this on Christmas Eve and Day. I scored a bottle of Fendi Uomo for my husband, it smells just as I remembered. His normal scent is Fahrenheit by Christian Dior, I thought this was a nice change.
We decided on a Christmas Eve supper (we’re headed to a friend’s house later today). Supper was Rib Eye roast, sauteed asparagus, over wilted mache greens, dressed with lemon champagne vinaigrette and Garlic mashed potatoes. We finished with Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.
I’m looking forward to my friend’s celebration this afternoon as I’ll (hopefully) get a chance to visit with his next door neighbor, a Holocaust survivor. I’ve made a batch of coconut macaroons for her.
Merry Christmas smokeytoes!
Merry Christmas to you also! Enjoy a lovely day today!
Merry Christmas everyone! I was going to wear Chergui today but decided on Wrappings instead. I put on some of the scented lotion this morning and will add the perfume later on before we head out for dinner.
We had a very quiet morning with the in-laws so far. It will get more crazy this afternoon with everyone.
For me Wrappings will always be the quintessential Christmas scent…to me it’s 1990 Christmas in Manhattan….the smell of Christmas trees on Broadway and roasted chestnuts sold from street vendors…such a beautiful scent, you smell great!
I almost wore Wrappings today! It is so special around the holidays.
Happy Tuesday to all who celebrate ? Enjoying a pretty chill time at my BILs in Rochester. They have an adorable new pup who looks like Petey from The Little Rascals, and getting some major slobber from their 8 yo Lab. Took a walk with them at the park around a pond.
Looking forward to a beef tenderloin with chimichurri later.
SOTD is Cavern NY Atrium perfume oil which smells perfectly seasonal.
A chill holiday is the best kind of holiday! Enjoy!
Aww, puppy slobbers are the best! ?
On my way to my grandmother’s house while wearing Le Maroc pour Elle by Andy Tauer. It’s my first time wearing it and I’m not sure if I like it or not.
Report back on the final verdict. Have a great time with your grandma!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Got home late last night (really early morning) after having spent Christmas Eve eve with friends whose Hungarian Christmas tradition called for a candle-lit Christmas tree!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrzST5OhfUI/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Cristmas Eve SOTD = Eau de Poulet Frit
Nothing competes with that in a closed car.
This morning, I decided on a perfume I did not originally plan for – Guerlain Cuir Beluga! Love!
We started the day at a neighborhood diner then regathered at a sister’s place for tea and cookies and gift exchange. Surprise of the day – my sister is a pretty prolific knitter. The works are far from perfect, but they are functional and she has an eye for colors! I’m now back home and eating Chinese food!
I have a lot to do before I leave for Lisbon on the 27th! In case I don’t get to post here (yeah right), hope everyone is well rested to celebrate the New Year!
I’ll probably post travel pictures on Instagram; I think you can get to a place to follow me if you click on the link I embedded in this comment. Heh, surprisingly, I haven’t posted anything about perfumes yet, but that too shall come….I am having fun with the holiday theme….hmmm, maybe I’ll line up my red bottles…or maybe I’ll save that for Valentines!
Wishing you safe travels and a wonderful holiday. Make the most of Instagram! It can be a really fun way to document your life and times. Cheers!
That tree is beautiful!. Merry Christmas to you!
Love that tree!!!
Yay to having a family member that knits!
Safe travels!
late lunch/dinner twin
Have a fantastic trip!
Merry Christmas! The Christmas Eve service yesterday went well, and we followed up with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner for two. The first course was homemade cream of mushroom soup. DH loves it so much we nearly always start with that. We followed that with smoked chicken and sauteed cabbage, and finished with lemon pudding. The last is one of those things that seems as if it shouldn’t work but does. The two main ingredients are milk and lemon juice, but it does not curdle. I found the recipe on the Food Network site years ago, and it has become one of my favorite ways to use the lemons from my Meyer lemon tree.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/my-favorite-lemon-pudding-recipe-1940171
Tonight we will have duck breast with cranberry orange sauce, brown rice pilaf, roasted asparagus, cucumber salad, and more lemon pudding. I have eaten duck breast before, but never cooked it myself.
I really hope it comes out well, as duck breasts aren’t cheap. DH is probably going to be sorry I have to go back to work tomorrow. I never feel like cooking this much after a day of work.
Ooh, lucky you, with a lemon tree! Your meals sound really delicious!
Your two meals sound so perfect 50_Roses!
My daughter didn’t sleep a wink last night, we finally opened presents at 6am, but I snuck in a nap. I wore Coco for the presents, now, after a shower I’m in Alien taste of fragrance. I’m wishing everyone here some peace and calm. This is my favorite version of this song https://youtu.be/zj36MsDjbfc
?⛄❤??
??????
Such a great version of the Drummer Boy! Thank you for posting. You are smelling wonderful. Hope your day is a relaxing and peaceful one.
Thank you!
Enjoy it all lillyjo!
and thanks for the link (you learned how to do it!)
I did!
Merry Yule! Wearing TDC de Bachmakov and imagining I’m in a winter wonderland instead of work.
Perfect scent choice — sorry you had to work!
Merry Christmas Everyone! I am seeing my new beau this evening and haven’t picked a scent out yet.
Question for all: should I wear a familiar scent that my guy has smelled on me most of the time or should I change it for the holiday?
He normally smells JM’s Honeysuckle and Davana. But I was also considering Valentino’s Donna, Chanel’s Gabrielle, Gucci Bloom, or Narcisco Rodriguez’s For Her. Plus, I have several other JM’s as well. Any suggestions?
I’d incline toward the familiar one tonight, and a new one for New Year Eve. But others might disagree.
Hmm.. I say switch it up. Out of the one’s you mentioned, the valentino seems most holiday like to me. Hope it’s a great date!
I like the familiar.
Where what makes you feel good tonight! If you want the coziness of the familiar, do that. If you want the excitement of the new, do that. He will enjoy it either way, I’m sure. Whatever you do, have a wonderful date
Uh, wear* obviously….
Go4It
MixItUp
Make it special.
Merry Christmas to all my best-smelling friends! I smell like a Christmas tree in Krigler Good Fir. Evergreens all round.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, lillyjo!
Merry Christmas AnnE!
Thank you, ms. pl67!
Merry Christmas / Happy December 25th, NST! I hope you’re all having a wonderful day.
Christmas Eve was the dinner-and-pressies gathering with the grandparents (SOTD: La Fille de Berlin). Today is stockings/pressies with the parents and lounging around the house in cozy PJs, and I’m wafting Replica Jazz Club.
I just haven’t been able to get myself to wear any ‘winter’ perfumes yet, since the weather here has been warmer than normal—like, consistently in the 70s. Tomorrow the temperature is *finally* supposed to drop into the 50s, so I’m ready to bust out some cool-weather scents. Yay!
You’ve smelled great the past few days!
Ok, peeps. What are your favorite DSH perfumes? Which ones didn’t work out for you? I want to place an order but DSH has an overwhelming array of choices! I own and love Scent of Hope and Oeillets Rouges (need to reorder). Thanks.
I always enjoyed Cafe Noir. I finished the mini I had last week and I am thinking about getting a larger size later on.
From her holiday offerings, I like December, Twelfth Night, and Lumiere. I didn’t care much for Hannukkah Cannelle, which just smelled like spiced apples, or Winter White (I am not too much into gourmands.) Three Kings and Onycha were too dry and bitter for me. I think they would be better as masculines. From her non-holiday offerings, I really like Jitterbug and Pandora, which both have a distinct vintage vibe.
Seconding Jitterbug! And I love Œillets Rouges.
Epices d’Hiver. Gorgeous.
I adore Ashram for the nag Champa note
Did you see ClaireV’s series of reviews of DSH fragrances over on her site takeonethingoff? They are grouped into different categories, and look like a pretty good overview.
Merry Christmas, friends! I wore Vanilla Flash today. It really hit the spot.
Had a great day with my puppy and my nephew! They made Christmas pretty great! I miss my son, but I’m going to visit him this weekend and I know he’s had a good day!
I hope everyone had a beautiful evening.
I had a young nephew here the last couple days and he told me it was the best Christmas he ever had — yay. Glad you will see your son soon!
Merry Christmas NST! And Happy Boxing Day to everyone who celebrates.
Posting crazy late today. I had a great time at Xmas dinner with friends this afternoon/evening. I received a Luca Turin book from them, The Secret of Scent, which is pretty amazeballs!
SOTD = Diptyque EdT, from the sample stash. I have to admit that Nuit Etoille was also calling me.
I beat you at crazy late! That really is a great present.
Glad you had a happy day
So late that probably no one is reading, but I had a lovely Christmas day with my boyfriend and friend over at her apartment. She cooked for us, and we watched Elf, Christmas Vacation, and Bad Santa all day, so it was really chill and her food was delicious. She made candied pecans, baked brie with homemade fig orange jam and salami, pork tenderloin stuffed with bacon, herbs, and orange zest, green bean casserole, corn spoon bread, rolls, parsnip purée, pecan pie, gingerbread cookies, and gingerbread cookie ice cream. She also gave us a pecan pie and candied pecans to go. I don’t know how she pulled all that off. I am in awe. I wore Fille en Aiguilles. It was between that and Smell Bent Elf-Fulfilling Prophecy.
I am still reading! Exhausted but my husband and I stayed up watching the first Harry Potter, after watching the last Harry Potter last night. Quite tired and off to bed — but I am likewise in awe of your friend, that sounds amazing and like an awful lot of work!
Wow, can I come along to your friend’s house next year?!
Happy Holidays Everyone!!! I hope the day was lovely and wonderfully scented for all!
Happy Boxing Day and late Merry Christmas! It has been busy but wonderful here since Christmas Eve, when we went to one of several services at our church; we went in the late afternoon, when my son’s choir was singing. Gorgeous music, flowers, everything! Christmas Eve dinner was a Greek stifado (red wine and lamb stew with cinnamon, currants, and pearl onions — very fragrant). Christmas morning was relaxed and fund, and “Santa” brought me some lovely scents. Wore one of them — Cartier’s new Carat. Beautiful! Went to friends’ house in the afternoon, then home for traditional Christmas dinner: filet mignon with red wine reduction and mushrooms, with roasted butternut squash and riced sweet potatoes. We watched “A Christmas Carol” after dinner, my favorite version with Patrick Stewart. We are hosting a Boxing Day party today; my oldest daughter spent much of yesterday baking for it. I’ll have to post photos of her creations, they’re amazing! I hope everyone’s Christmas was happy!