Saturday is World Freedom Day and Chaos Never Dies Day; Sunday is Vanilla Cupcake Day. We're covering all possibilities with our standard open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance that says freedom (or chaos, or cupcakes) to you, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Natural Still life [cropped] by Sheila Sund at flickr; some rights reserved.
I just pulled out Diptyque Eau Duelle, like it, don’t love it. Pure vanilla feeling, but out of the spice drawer of your kitchen. Cupcake-ish, but before the cupcake has baked.
I felt the same way about Eau Duelle. I prefer Laura Mercier Vanille Gormondes.
I discovered Laura Mercier recently, Lillyjo and promptly got Lumiere d’Ambre which became my favorite light amber, I also liked Eau de Lune but haven’t tried Vanille Gourmande, and you make me want to.
I’ve gone through 3 bottles of the Vanille. It’s simple but I really like it. It’s not overly sweet. The price is pretty good too.
Thank you for the mini description, Lillyjo. I’ll try and smell it soon.
That actually grew on me quite a bit with a few wears. My initial impression was “vanilla ice cream, boring” but it has a quiet charm
I really enjoy this perfume in hot weather (preferably in tropics but any hot place would do if I can’t get to Hawaii to wear it
).
I’m going to do a side by side comparison of my decant of OJ Osmanthus and sample of OJ Osmanthus Elixir. Trying them separately, I’m not seeing a lot of difference. And OJ’s cheerful citrussy osmanthus will be nice on a gloomy, rainy morning of furniture shopping.
It is such a happy scent! Curious to hear the difference, I have never tried the elixir.
I just can’t smell much difference. I guess Elixir is a tiny bit richer, but maybe I just think that due to the name?
Right, thanks!
I adore osmanthis. Maybe someday I’ll get to try one of these OJs.
I love OJ’sversion – but it is less about the osmanthus and more citrussy/fruity to my nose.
Just finished off my decant of Misia, sent to me by a kindly nst-er. It worked out to be Fancy Violet Candy on my skin, but a fun scent experience.
I think that’s a good description of Misia!
Hello fragrant friends!
the move is over, but the unpacking continues. I am not used to stairs and right after the movers left I slipped on the bottom step and crashed.
Thought I broke or fractured my hip. But is just bruised and unpacking doesn’t get done by resting and icing. So, a slow move, but that’s okay.
I have one fragrance roller out that I took to see my sister, so one spray of Memo French Leather will do it.
Have a baby shower to attend tomorrow, hopefully will have found some clothes to wear by then.
I tested Tonka Imperial at the Guerlain Pavilion at Epcot and I am glad I didn’t buy. It was very sweet by the end of the evening.
Take it easy, apsara!
Oh no! But so glad you don’t have a fracture. Do rest and ice, the unpacking can wait.
Yikes! Keep up with the ice. Moving is always so much more work than one remembers from the last time. Merciful amnesia + more stuff!
Wishing you a quick healing on that bruise!
Youch! I hope you heal quickly and congrats on the move!
Best wishes for your recovery, bruised hip sounds painful, I have a bruised ankle myself.
Stay safe Aspara, I hope you heal quickly!
Ouch! The unpacking can wait, keep icing and resting and I hope it passes quickly.
Thank you all for good wishes!
Just taking it slow. Feeling much better today. Rest, ice and Advil.
Plus a package with Le Labo tea noir landed at my new front door yesterday. I had a Nordies gift card.
Congrats on the move, and take care of your hip! I feel your unpacking pain; we moved two weeks ago and still have a few boxes in the office we’ve managed to pretend don’t exist.
Moving is hard enough without extra stress. Best of luck and take care!
Yeowch on the fall! But congrats on getting most of the move over with. Easy does it on the rest, I guess.
For world freedom day, https://youtu.be/diYAc7gB-0A
One of the best mtv videos ever imo.
For chaos never ends, I am heading into work, lol!
Sotd is Narciso edp white cube.
I will try to smell like a vanilla cupcake tomorrow ?
Yes! When music was great, and models were models. Sending peaceful vibes your way!
Thanks! Saturday’s are the worst!
They are so incredibly beautiful
And they still are gorgeous! I really miss super models. I don’t know why now magazines only put actresses on the covers.
Thank you so much for the link! I was never much into music videos and had never seen that before. Such a great song and the visuals in the video are wonderful.
Oh yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love the song, and the visuals are so good.
I remember this video, blast from the past, a good pick Lillyjo,
Hey, Aurora how is your ankle doing?
Thank you so much for asking, Lillyjo. Less swollen, but still painful, I bathe it in cold water, it makes me realize how lucky I am to be usually mobile.
Glad to hear it’s less swollen. Don’t do too much too fast.
Love It! Thanks so much, that was really fun, and perfectly on point.
Im glad you enjoyed it??
Lillyjo, I am just now looking at this blog before going to bed. Thank you for the link…it was the best part of my Sunday.
I hope it’s a good week for you Filomena!
Absolue pour le Soir for a gorgeous day. I’m on my way to see a giant pizza get made, and hopefully eat some? I’ll report back.
Enjoy your day, all!
It took me a long time to love APLS, you smell great! I hope you get to eat some giant pizza!
A giant pizza fits both celebrations for today
F Fabulous, sample. Smells ok. I have a sample of Soleil Neige I’ll try next. Really wish Violet Blonde would come back.
Q: I had a Kilim handbag, around the handle was a metal gold-band/ring. I’ve been searching for another one. It’s similar to Elephant Walk brand. Is anyone familiar with this type of bag? Thank you ?
Report back on your thoughts of Soleil Neige. It took me 3 wearings before I started to really like it.
So far I’m not loving it. The notes on Fragrantica and what I smell are different. I get a plastic smell, did you?
I was getting lemon dryer sheet, but I tried it again last night, and got some creaminess similar to Angel Muse. I should mention that last night is when my cold came on, so… I will try it a forth time when I’m able to smell better.
Feel better!
Get well soon, don’t forget, plenty of hot lemon and vitamin C.
Good afternoon from the U.S. East Coast. Clear but cold where I am.
Scent of the morning: Demeter Condensed Milk. I like it. I’ll figure out something more like a cupcake for this evening.
I never did get around to wearing an “Art House” kind of fragrance. The last several days have mostly involved doctors’ appointments — regular check-up stuff — and taking Mom out grocery shopping. Plus I’ve started volunteering at the local SPCA, and I don’t want to wear fragrance around the dogs. (Unless it’s the one Tania Sanchez described as smelling like Vietnamese beef salad.)
Have a good weekend!
You smell great neyronrose!
Thanks, Robin!
Hi neyronrose! Any chance you’ll be willing to swap with me a small sample of you perfume?
Hi, Undina! The “Condensed Milk” fragrance was from when I got a large bunch of Demeter samples from Surrender to Chance. But that’s one of the ones I might get a full bottle of from Fragrance X. I’ve seen 1 oz. bottles of Demeter fragrances for less than $20 there, and 3 oz. bottles for $20 to $25. I’ll take a look there and update you if I do get a bottle.
That’s so great that you are a volunteer for the SPCA! The closest chapter to me is too far to visit very often. You’re a busy person and you smell wonderful, neyronrose
Thank you, ringthing.
I’ll enjoy interacting with the dogs. The majority at the local SPCA seem to have at least some pit bull ancestry, but the ones available for adoption are generally very sweet-natured and friendly in their interactions with people, and eager to please.
Good morning! Scent this morning was Guerlain Lavande Velours (Thank you, Katsura!). Unfortunately, I was somewhat congested, so I didn’t get the full effect, but what I got seemed pleasant. I also had Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender body lotion on my limbs, and it didn’t seem to clash. As I said last winter, my skin gets terribly dry, and I have to remember to moisturize regularly.
I found some of the “older” types of Crabtree & Evelyn lotion in Marshall’s on Saturday, on their holiday tables in their “Beauty” section. I found a big bottle of rosewater lotion, which I’ll have to wear when I’m not in the same house or car as Mom. But *I* like it. And they had collections of the little tubes of “ultra-moisturizing” hand lotion in rosewater, lavender, “lily” (lily-of-the-valley), iris, and so on — their more traditional floral fragrances. I’ll have to look at the local T.J. Maxx and see what they have, too.
Oh, I forgot — tea yesterday morning was P.G. Tips. I made it stronger this time, and really enjoyed it. It was strong enough to be good with milk. Tea this morning is jasmine green.
Tea during the day has been decaf black and decaf green, and in the evenings, Numi’s Moroccan Mint — no actual tea, just mint leaves, so they’d call it a tisane, instead. Perhaps I’ll go with decaf spiced chai tonight, or if the temperature dips considerably again, hot chocolate.
Wearing a perfume I tried years ago and thought I didn’t love enough to pursue an FB… but lately I have been craving to resniff it, and finally broke down and bought a decant. Scratching that itch, but I am still not sure I need an FB. Not even sure how I could purchase one.
I’m in Scent on Canvas’ saffron and nutmeg composition, Rose Opera.
Still feeling sniffly and vulnerable about missing the Le Cri offering on Beautyhabit for 20% discount. . . ?
Is it sold out?
Sold out on Beautyhabit. Other sites are still carrying it, sans the 20% discount.
I’m so sorry about Le Cri.
Lately I’ve missed out on a couple of great specials at Luckyscent too. Wah.
Don’t lose hope – Black Friday/Cyber Monday just around the corner…
I am getting nervous that it will sell out again, so I may cave and just buy it at the regular price–which is not astronomical in the perfume universe!
I have also been sniffing around Guerlain’s Promenade des Anglais—which does cost an arm and a leg–but definitely won’t sell out any time soon. So, maybe Cyber Monday will yield some fun!
Exactly!
Thanks for the picture, Robin! No perfume today. My husband and I took our mothers out for a very special lunch. Unrelated, I smelled Guerlain Champs Elysee (?sp) EDT, the older bottle, this week and it is a really nice mimosa.
Isn’t that pretty? Hope it was a fun lunch!
Anyone familiar with the scent of Guerlain’s L’Essentiel foundation and a possible fragrance dupe for it? I really love how it smells.
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes earlier this week. Hamilton was impressive! I took AngelaB’s advice and wore my favoritest perfume, Armani Prive Bois d’Encens. Mmmm.
SSS Equestrian today. I never tried it from the original SSS, but this is a pretty nice fall scent — apples and hay with a bit of leather. I only got a sample of this one, may need more…
Happy belated birthday! Scorpio?
Ooh, pixel, Bois d’Encens is so good. Happy B-day to you, albeit late.
Happy belated birthday! ?
Happy belated birthday to my fellow Scorpio! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.
Well, happy birthday, fellow Scorpio. The Equestrian sounds intriguing.
Happy birthday, Pixel!
??
Happy belated birthday, and glad you were able to enjoy Hamilton!
Wait, is new SSS up and running???
Yes! Go get some!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh I’m so excited. This spells doom and gloom for my limited-buy. Oh dear oh dear.
SOTM is Heeley Cuir Pleine Fleur. I’ve stomped Mr. G in both of our Saturday morning crossword duels, and need to find the energy and motivation to go get clean and dressed and go out to do some shopping.
Seems like if you stomped him twice he has to do the shopping
Happily bathed in Oeillet Sauvage from the split meet. Knowingly overspraying out of excitement is kind of chaotic, isn’t it?
I’ll have to figure out something for cupcake tomorrow, may break out the old Prada Candy.
I got some of that at the splitmeet too! I’ve yet to go wild with it, since I’m craving heavier scents with the change in weather. I should follow your example!
I’m smelling gorgeous in Une Nuit a Doha from the split meet. Wow. Immortelle, tobacco, and vanilla.
Nicely grounding and stable for Chaos Never Dies Day. And can I just say, I’d like to get off of the crazy-pants roller coaster ride for just a little bit. It seems like every aspect of our lives is getting more complicated and less productive. My doctor’s office has stopped answering the phone – I have to leave a message and they’ll call me back. Five phone tag calls yesterday. My doctor’s office. Has stopped answering the phone.
I really do smell good, though.
Oy. The amount of time wasted in the name of efficiency is astounding. I hope you get through soon.
My doctors’ offices are like that, too, now! Very irritating! On the plus side, one of them now has an online appointment signup that has turned out to work very well. Although that requires another flipping password… ?
That’s what I mean….everything needs a different password, nobody answers the phone, it’s all becoming a variation of “you can’t get there from here” or “you CAN get there from here, but it’s gonna take you a long time and be really frustrating along the way.”
I am also objecting (cuz’ it is one of those days, and you are my people) to the massive degree of “self-service” that is being injected into everyday life, as a result of businesses and organizations not wanting to pay people to provide said service.
Okay, stepping down off my soap box, gonna go spritz myself with more scent…..
Fwiw, I totally agree with everything you said, and share your frustration.
+1
The best revenge is to smell good.
That’s my motto, as well, bpg!
Don’t you love it when they say “We’ll get back to you in 24 buisness hours.” That friggin’ means at least 2 business days, but usually 3 or even 4 days or more if office hours are partial days only. And don’t get me started on the self-checkout. Wegmans is the pits and I let them and some other customers hear my rants. I was more than halfway through the self-service when the machine kept telling me to put something back, then I pressed the button for customer service, I waited 30 seconds and when no one came, I took everything (mostly already bagged) used the 8 items or fewer line. I did not even bother unbagging and just dumped the bags on the conveyor belt (one bag = one item) along with the remaining loose items.
Another bane! The worst part is it shouts out what you’re ringing up. Ugh!
Ours shouts out the price of each item.
Yup. I’ve had nothing but problems using self-service so I will stand in line for a real cashier. And don’t get me started when we are at the airport trying to check in! Nothing ever works at self-service there either, so the staff has to feel entitled to check you in. I will usually retort back with some kind of stinger if necessary.
Re airports and airlines. I also refuse to use the self service check-in. And I feel that forcing people to do things online has provided the airlines with an extra income stream: to choose your seat $x, to add this $x, blah blah blah. Despite all the cutting back on customer service employees, I get more cold calls for marketing than ever. That’s where all the money has gone to.
I’ll stand in line for a human cashier, too. It doesn’t take any longer.
The airport kiosks are baaaad.
Ha! I guess one (maybe the only?) benefit of shopping at The Smallest Wegmans is that there is always a clerk RIGHT THERE when things go wrong. But we have had self checkout for only a few months, and although part of me does not like it on principle, I have to admit that I have NEVER had to wait in line there — we have eight stations and at least three are always empty. OTOH, now that they are the only food market in town other than WalMart — and the only one even remotely within walking distance for many people — the aisles are always frustratingly crowded. The store is too small to accommodate the people who used to shop in the two other, now closed, grocery stores we had.
Normally the self-checkout has 1 or 2 employees but they were helping others who were having problems as well.
Yes to all this.
The self checkouts are okay if you’ve used them before and know how they work, and you only have a few items. If I do use them I usually ask loudly what my discount is since I’m doing all the work! Although I prefer going to a cashier and engaging with them, more than often I’ve been stuck behind someone who is disputing prices, wondering how many loyalty points they have, paying by debit, credit card or a phone that doesn’t swipe or tap properly, kvetching about how their bags are being packed… blah, blah, blah. I despise being held up by technology! Another thing I noticed last weekend when I was out at a restaurant for brunch with my sister. We placed our simple order and waited and waited for it to show up wondering why it was taking so long. I started to notice that dudes from different food delivery apps were coming in to pick up orders and that was likely the reason for the slow, shi++y service. It’s like when you’re in a store at the cash ready to pay for what you’re buying and the salesperson answers the phone to help a “customer” calling from home. I’ve actually left stuff on the counter and walked out. ?
I’ve had a Starbucks cashier who interrupted my order and said mobile orders take priority and she left the register to stick a label on a cup! I should have interrupted her when she came back and demand to speak to the manager right there and then and not move out of the way while a line is forming behind me.
Whaaaaat? So you’re better off ordering from your phone while actually standing there in person? Why even have a counter? Just have a pickup window.
I rarely go to Fivebucks but if I did my “coffee ID name” would be “Pistoff”.
Yes, I’m answer to being better off with mobile. I’ve done that when I saw the line was long!
Ugh, my sympathies on the doctor’s office. I’m my 92 year old mother’s caretaker and her doc’s office is open from 8:30 to 11:30, and 1:30 to 4:00. My own doctor’s office is closed for an hour and a half over lunch. When are people with 9 to 5 jobs supposed to schedule appointments and get refills?
And to jump on the service (lack of) band wagon, who else remembers full service gas stations? You’d sit in your car and a guy would fill your tank, check your oil, wash your windshield, take your money….self service came in not long after I got my license but for years you could choose full or self service and pay a little more for full. I’d happily pay for it now, especially in the winter.
I’m in NJ so there’s no self-service gas pumping ? (although I think some have very limited self-service).
Ohhhh so jealous!
Don’t be. The ONLY thing that gas station attendants do in NJ is fill the tank. And some of them are so inept and slow about it that I could get it done sooner.
It’s a sunny yet chilly day out, and I’m wearing Assam of India today, sipping on a fusion of coffee and chai and working on a winter reading list/picking my next few books. There’s around three inches forecasted on Monday with the possibility of heavy lake effect snow, yikes. The season for warm drinks, fuzzy pants, and good books is officially beginning here
Oh no, snow already!
I will have to try chai and coffee mixed, I’ve never had that.
I am organizing my samples and trying to find all of the so-far-untried ones to try. Random selection from thispile today is Montale Sweet Oriental Dream. Which smells kind of like Johnson’s baby lotion to my nose. Not a winner. (On a positive note, it’s not one I bought, rather got in a swap or giveaway, and I haven’t showered yet, so I have a chance to wash it off and wear something good tonight.)
Ha, that is not my oriental dream either.
Heeley Eau sacree. I like the coca cola note, it makes me smile. More congress today til late afternoon, managed to knit half a,sock while listening.
Met an old friend for dinner at a korean restaurant, then visited the KaDeWe perfume section.
Today there are fireworks in Berlin because its the 20th year, since the berlin wall fell
Hi Tannina, What do you mean when you write “more congress”? Are you listening to your congressional proceedings on legislation? Or is it related to the Berlin Wall activities? Sorry to be so dense!
I am at a medical congress thiscweekend
I’m glad you asked; I was wondering also. ?
I really like Eau Sacree. It reminds me of Cardinal but is a little easier to wear. So good!
After two weeks of dry weather, it’s raining here today. I’m wearing Stash to keep warm and wondering if it is worth the hassle of calling Comcast (or Xfinity, as they are so grandly calling themselves now) to appeal the latest rate increase on my bill.
Sometimes I hate being an adult.
Supposedly the way to kick things off is to start with the “cancel your service” option on the phone tree…
This was what i did to try to get someone in the U.S.
Agreed with AnnieA. And if it’s feasible for you, walking in to their physical office with your cable box in hand works wonders, too. When we did that a few years ago, the guy in the office said that the phone rep we had talked to the previous week had not even remotely given us the best deal available. He saved us another $30/month — but we had walked in not even thinking about keeping the service.
I just came across this video review of a NEW (2018) Jeeves and Wooster book authorized by the estate of P.G. Wodehouse. Hurray! FYI, the reviewer happens to be a scion of a venerable banking family mentioned in the book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=590&v=Us4d_Q73zSw&feature=emb_logo
I watched another of Mr. Hoare’s reviews, of a design book by Jennifer Bowles. He also gives a tour of his own library’s design section, which I would like very much to settle into for a month or two. ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUZvjmhAm2M
New Jeeves & Wooster! Ooh I must find that!
Oh, if anybody reads it do tell us all how it is!
I’m late checking in. I’ve been running errands today plus a bit of fun shopping. This afternoon I made some Kerala Chicken Korma from a recipe in the newspaper The Telegraph. It’s pretty wonderful although I goofed when blending together the spices and tomatoes for the sauce and left out the cashews–an all-important part! The sauce was already cooking by the time I realised my error, so I ground them up separately, and inserted them. I know it’s just not the same though but it’s pretty delicious. I’m saving that for tomorrow because I’m having a friend over tonight and making seared tuna steaks with couscous and salad, then raspberries for dessert. Pretty simple meal really. This is my friend with bad breathing problems and so I’m commando today. I just hope my house won’t set her off with some kind of products or smells. But at least she also lives with multiple cats and so that’s not going to make things worse for her.
I’m coming over. Chicken Korma (well, really, any korma dish) is one of my favorite things to eat!
Me too! This is the first time I’ve made it and I’m pleased, though I realize it would be better if I’d made it correctly. It was tasty today and I bet it will be even better tomorrow. The smell while I was cooking it was divine!
Sounds like the food alone will be a delightful olfactory experience. Nom!
Wow. I’m coming over too!
What I didn’t say is that I served the berries with an eggnog poured over that includes rum, bourbon, and brandy. It’s wickedly good!
The whole meal sounds delicious but especially the berries!
The first time I read that, I thought you said your friend had bad breath problems.
Oh dear! Ha ha!
My scent this morning was Kiss Me Intense, which I love for it’s non-sweet but cozy aspects. Was at an all-day women’s retreat at my church, which was really great. I got to teach knitting to a few ladies, which was fun. Now I’m home and wish I could settle in on this cold night to watch college football, but we are heading out soon to see Dwight Yoakam. Should be fun.
A vanilla cupcake sounds wonderful. Two sounds even better.
Love Dwight Yoakam! Have fun!
My husband became a total Dwight Yoakam fan after watching Ken Burns country. (And that was after leaving the room when his part started, saying I don’t care about this guy. Ha!)
Dwight has a tremendous respect for the music…for those who came before. The musicians with him were very, very good. It was a huge treat. He’s still got a great voice, still wears those tight pants and still wears a huge hat.
Timbuktu today. I think I’m addicted. I went to see a friend at an open studio tour, and she said, “I’m not much for perfume [in fact, she hates it], but you smell fantastic!” I might have to give her some.
Oh how nice!!
SOTD = Chanel Allure Pour Homme Edition Blanche
I’ve started my Chanel week!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4p09AEBzvp/?igshid=1rwp7s45mjuvh
In other news, I dislike the Post Office woman. She was the one who called me out back in September on my packages being flat and floppy (get your mind out of the gutter! It just means that I did not have some kind of hard board and/or added thickness for it to count as a package); that time I had to go home, repackage and prepare another shipping label and when I got to the Post Office again, she took her sweet time to go back to her station and then smugly told me I just missed the day’s cut off for the mail and wah wah wah it will go out with tomorrow’s mail. No big deal for me that it was delayed a day. Then yesterday, I dropped off packages and got the same b-tch and she had to re-weigh the packages (I’ve seen others do it so I understand it’s procedure) but instead of believing the weight that showed up, she bounced each package several times hoping it would somehow go over the weight I paid for (4 Oz.)…I knew one of the packages was at 3.9 Oz but little did she know I use a postal scale and know better than to weigh incorrectly. And then today, I got to the post office right before it closed, got in line and she had the audacity to tell me that the last person she’s helping was the person ahead of me. See why I called her a B? Anyway, there was another postal worker there and he scanned my package.
I have more split decanting to do as well as freebies to package up. I should be done by Monday (keeping fingers crossed).
Sounds like that lady is on a power trip, and has very little else to do in her life.
Exactly correct, lillyjo! They have to make everyone else’s life miserable to make themselves feel better about their own. I think when I was in University a million years ago, my professor called it ‘one-downing’.
Ha! I have a suspicion this is the case with the miserable postal worker.
She probably has a miserable life which she caused herself and work is the only place she can lord it over anyone.
Dob her in! (Assuming you’re in the US:
https://usps.force.com/emailus/s/ )
This is awesome!
I may just do it! Thanks.
That lady is a nut. I wonder if you could file a complaint against her? Why do people get so nasty about doing their job?
I am looking into it. Next time I see her I will try to get her name.
That is infuriating. I would go to a different PO.
Same. I use paypal post and put packages out for my (super nice & amazing postal carrier) to pick up. Couldn’t be easier. Option 2 is to go to our local post office which isn’t listed on the USPS site, which is presumably why it’s always empty. Post offices are usually such miserable experiences – I’m kind of spoiled for now.
For splits, I like to get a receipt to prove that the post office has the packages, although I don’t always do it (get a receipt). Knock on wood, I’ve never had a problem with losing packages when I simply drop them in the mailbox.
The other one near me is farther and teeny tiny and the few times I’ve been there, I gave up and just dropped off the packages or regular mail in the mail slot.
Good grief.
If I knew the trouble you were going through to send out the packages I would of just walked over to the Hermes boutique and have you hand me the bottle from the split
Nah, I would not let a worker intimidate me into not using this particular post office. I’ve just never had a good experience with her.
Oh Good gosh that is well beyond exasperating! I feel awful as I am sure my split is in that mix. Would you consider complaining to her supervisor?
Heh, your split is in the works. Complaining with her around is just like complaining about a server while there’s still food in the kitchen for you.
?
Do your receipts have a code to fill out a survey? My post office people here always tell me to “fill out the survey and let us know how we are doing”.
Yes, except the person who helped me was not the nasty person. I’ll remember for next time. Great idea!
Gorgeous sunny hot day, wearing Loree Rodkin Gothic II and wearing dark eyeshadow and purple lipstick.
I love purple lipstick. I bet you look fabulous!
Thanks! I had black boots and a black t-shirt on. It was a fun day.
Sounds like a great day to me! May I ask what lipstick you have on? I just bought another nude-ish color today but I think I need some color in my lipstick-life.
I have a wardrobe of purple lipsticks, but my latest obsession is Bite Beauty Black Truffle (made in Toronto!). I also love their lip mask in Maple, of course.
Black Truffle is really dark, but if you put lip balm on first you can tap the lipstick on to get as light or dark a shade as you want.
Thank you for sharing. It is definitely a dark and vampy shade! I can see it being a beautiful, versatile color. Great tip on tapping the color on; I won’t be so afraid of dark colors from now on.
I looked and could only find one called truffle here. I know that alot are being discontinued.
It’s still here:
https://www.sephora.com/product/amuse-bouche-lipstick-P405057?skuId=1796614
I’m wearing Lost Cherry to warm up a cold and snowy evening. My daughter asked her 4 year old what she wanted to do today and she said, “Not wear clothes and not leave this house”. And when I face timed with her, that was indeed what she was doing. Sounds good to me, but at least I’m going to wear pyjamas.
Lol! Sounds perfect to me!
Too funny!
Love this!
Hysterical- what a way to make a Sunday special!
I sampled Providence Perfume’s new scent, Drunk On The Moon and her re-release of Indolice. The original Indolice was supposed to be filthy. The updated version has a difficult opening, for me, but the dry down was great.
I was out about today and had lunch at a nice restaurant with a friend. I was totally psyched because there was bottle of Hermes Hiris in the ladies room. The blue bottle. It gets a lot of mentions here so I was very excited to try it. Only a perfumista will understand. The food was great too!
The Hiris was in the bathroom for everyone to use?
Yes! I was shocked to see it.
That’s amazing! Are you planning a return trip there?
? I usually go once or twice a year with my bestie. I’m sure that I’ll go back again but not soon.
That’s so fancy! I’m glad you got to go.
It is a nice place but not high end fancy. A fairly small restaurant in the city. They just updated their decor in cream, navy and tan. Maybe that explains the blue bottle? Probably belonged to an owner who doesn’t realize it’s significance.
I happened upon the Knize Vienna Instagram and found a post about their fragrances dated July 1, 2019.
Courtesy of Google Translate:
“Today marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Marlon Brando. #FunFact “The Godfather” was one of the biggest fans of KNIZE Ten, the world’s first men’s fragrance series! KNIZE Ten: Created in 1920 by Francois Coty, founder of modern perfumery, exclusively for KNIZE. In addition to Brando, Billy Wilder and Marlene Dietrich also swore by KNIZE Ten, which incidentally is also available for ladies and is available in various fragrance variations from KNIZE.”
However, Fragrantica credits Vincent Roubert. Kevin credits both of them in his review:
https://nstperfume.com/2010/01/13/knize-ten-fragrance-review/
That’s very interesting!
Today’s SOTD is Tauer’s WOWILLA layered with Dune. This is my favorite time of year when I drag out all my spicy ambers, Orientals, and resin perfumes.
When I find my bottle of Laura Mercier Minuit Enchante, that’s next on my list to wear. I think it’d layer nicely with Tauer’s Amber Flush.
That sounds like a great combo, must try it. I have a partial bottle of Nuits Enchantées a kind NSTer included in a swap. It’s now discontinued and exorbitant on ebay.
Wow, what a generous NSTer! That’s what I love about the folks in the perfume community. So very kind and generous.
Minuit Enchante, is a favorite, I adore the spices and resins. I don’t remember what Nuits Enchantées is like. Does it have a lot of spices or is it more sweet/amber?
I’m fortunate to have a backup of Minuit Enchante, this is a desert island perfume (along with Fendi, Knowing and Magie Noire) for sure.
It’s a more sweet amber/vanilla, less spice than Minuit Enchantée.
Happy Birthday, Robin! It is the tenth here already and I read a Happy Birthday comment on one of your reviews in my early days of NST reading and remember thinking you shared a birthday with my mom. I hope I remember correctly!
Yes, you did, how kind of you to remember! Happy birthday to your Mom as well.
Happy birthday!!
Happy birthday!! Hope it was great.
Thanks cazaubon & springpansy!
Happy Birthday Robin, if today is indeed your birthday as Amyitis mentioned above.
Thank you!
Happy belated Birthday Robin…hope it was a good one!
Thank you Filomena!
Oooh! Happy birthday robin! And if it isn’t your birthday, I still want to thank you for being you and bringing us all together to talk about something positive and fun. Look how many lives you have impacted!
Thanks gvillecreative, that’s nice.
I second all the above. I can’t explain well enough how much this blog helped discover a love of all things fragrant and a universe of scents unknown to me before. And such a fantastic community. It’s such a positive note in my days ( and nights).
Thank you and happy birthday!
Yesterday (Saturday) my SOTD was L’Heure Bleue, which is not work-friendly for me but fine for a day of household chores and working from home. Today I think I will go vanilla-cupcake-adjacent in Angel (I know it’s probably more chocolatey, but it is definitely super sweet gourmand). Bonus is that, although I have ANOTHER cold, I bet I will be able to smell it.
Angel cuts through any illness! But sorry you’re under the weather again, boo.
Any perfume eBay lovers here? I won a bottle yesterday which only happens once or twice a year (probably since I bid so little and don’t snipe). I’m a little bit nervous about this one since it breaks one of my eBay rules, but I’m verrrrry excited. I wish that everyone was as trustworthy and kind as the people here.
Congratulations! I’m like you, a low bidder non sniper. I’ve had more success with “buy now or best offer” listings as a couple offers have been accepted. What did you get? Glad you are excited about it!
A 2014 bottle of LL Rose 31 which I have been wearing like crazy this last month (from a quickly dwindling decant).
Oh, that’s a beauty. Congratulations!
Wow, that’s a beauty!
Someone said it’s a lot like CDG 2 which I have never tried. If so: you smell great!
I wasn’t around for the CP Friday so I wore my choice yesterday, Commes des Garcons 2. Today it’s the first Commes des Garcons, my gateway niche perfume many years ago. Definitely in my top ten.
Is that the one that’s like ink?
Yes, I love it but it’s definitely different. Those early Mark Buxton CdGs are my favorites.
I’m glad it’s cupcake day and I am wearing a perfume that smells quite like it: Berdoues Vanille Cocoa. Resting this afternoon as I volunteered yesterday at the library.
That sounds like a scent I would like!
It’s a nice little perfume, more vanilla than cocoa but you know I wouldn’t go out of my way to smell it, it just fell into my lap for five pounds, also longevity is not great.
It’s Vanille Cacao not cocoa.
Spending the morning paying a couple pesky bills. Good news is that one is a little less than I thought. Spent yesterday in Amouage Memoir, which is still lingering into this morning. TPC is having a 15% off sale today but not quite seeing anything that excites me. I am looking to add an Urban Decay lipstick to my Sephora cart to order along with the Kiehl’s face cream. I am dreading the DMV tomorrow. Forgot to renew my ID last month and need to do that tomorrow because I have to do something that involves a current ID on Tuesday.
I’m surprised the DMV is open since it’s Veterans Day. when my dad worked for the state, he had more holidays than me.
I just looked it up and they are closed. I might have to go in super early to get it done Tuesday to make my appointment at 10.
Bite lipsticks are on sale for half off, plus the sale discount, I loaded up.
Gourmand fragrances are problematic for me. I don’t like to smell like food (fear of being eaten?), and I don’t want to make myself hungry. Especially for something I can’t eat if I want to maintain my health. However, the other day I came across an old sample of SL Jeu de Peau, which I had detested because it smelled like maple bars or caramel corn. But this time my sniffer was more ecumenical. I liked it! It’s still peculiar, but for the first time I could get behind smelling like pastry all day.
So excited to try this one. I’m in a bit of St. Clair First Cut, thanks to Calypso. This has grass and honey to start. We’ll see where it takes me next!
I hope everyone is having good weekend! I’m finally settling in for some NSTea time. ?
I’m wearing vintage Tatiana again. Heading out to the library and the grocery store pretty soon before I do some baking later.
Oh you smell divine!
My first love was Tatiana.
Chergui today. Lots of family drama to stress about. But I just finished yoga so I am trying to deal with things in a healthy way.
I have a cart-load at BeautyHabit and considering whether to pull the trigger…20% discount but it’s still $$.
I hear you on the family stress, ugh. What are you contemplating on Beautyhabit? I got Loree Rodkin Gothic I.
Having a mostly lazy Sunday in Jo Malone Myrrh and Tonka. I have about 1ml left in my decant and am definitely planning on buying a bottle when my decant is gone.
Friday night I tried what might be the most beautifully done smoky fragrance I’ve smelled – Hendley Bloodline, which was made exclusively for American Perfumer. The 15 15-ml bottles sold out within hours of release. At the time, I had recently fallen for a couple from Hendley but was trying not to get sucked into the small batch limited edition-ness of it all. Well, after spraying from the sample of Bloodline generously sent to me by AnnE, I immediately regretted at not buying a bottle. One spray covered my whole arm in woodsmoke, an enormous, rich, beautiful cedar and other immersive forest smells. It’s just gorgeous. I will make my 1.5ml spray sample last as long as I possibly can.
After still smelling of Bloodline in the morning yesterday, I sprayed Bruno Fazzolari Vetiverissimo over it, which is a smoky vetiver “attar.” It wears kinda close to the body, so it was a good pairing with the sushi I had for lunch. I love the little, family restaurant in my neighborhood that’s the antithesis of trendy sushi restaurants. Don’t get me wrong, I love some of the trendy restaurants too. But sometimes you want really straightforward sushi served by the most warm, friendly, attentive women you’ve encountered in a small, quiet atmosphere eaten on formica tables. And after my evening shower, I switched to Anubis for more smoky goodness.
What a great perfume weekend! I’m sorry I never got to try Bloodline, it sounds wonderful.
I got the Nordstrom’s Christmas catalog today, on the last page they mention a special Bonus Note event Nov. 14-19. If you are a Nordstrom’s Nordy Club member or cardholder it’s a nice deal. Spend $150 get $30 bonus note, $300 for $60 note, $500 for $100 note. They have JM Myrrh & Tonka. I already have and love that one but have my eye on Rose & Magnolia.
Thanks for the tip on Nordstrom. I also have a bunch of bottles on my eBay watchlist.
And it has been a really wonderful perfume weekend!
Sephora still has their Insider discounts going on until tomorrow. If I hadn’t used it already, the JM would have been a nice thing to get with it.
Thanks, but I will probably take my chances on eBay for a deep discount. I am all about getting a bargain.
Right now there is a great promo on jo malone’s site. Playing around with it, I found the key to getting a good free gift. Put an expensive item in your basket before you play the matching game. I tried it twice today, clearing my cookies for the second try. Both times I got 100ml bottles of perfume as the free gift.
Wow!!
I know. But I didn’t want either one, Orange blossom and peony something or other. So I guess that’s good for my wallet! ?
Started off in Profumum Roma Battito d’Ali for my vanilla cupcake scent. Then my bottle of Mancera Purple Flowers showed up on the doorstep so I sprayed that on too.
I did a bit of sniffing this afternoon in our local good niche shop Kuhl-Linscomb and tried some things I’d not seen before. Sarah Baker Rules of Attraction seemed worth trying on skin but by now I really dislike it. Aldehydes, animalics, and iris. It has a strong plastic note to me. Also tried Arquiste Alexandr and did NOT like it. On the plus side, Andree Putnam Tuberose Interdite. I seem to be on a quest for my ideal Tuberose. This is a contender, and unusual. It’s got a very dusty feel. Rich white florals and hints of peach that make it distinctive. I’m not planning to buy a bottle anytime soon. I got a nice sample from the SA. It costs $175 and is packaged in the most ridiculously gargantuan box! Very strange!
That sounds amazing. I wish we could sniff you.
That’s such a fun store. ?
Yes it is, but they have once again rearranged everything and I had to wander awhile before finding the perfumes. Lots and lots of home scents and holiday candles. Still, they do have interesting selections that include ones new to me.
Happy belated birthday Robin!
Orchidée Vanille for me today as something to keep me warm in the chilly weather. I topped it off in Sephora a few hours later with Juliette Has a Gun Vanilla Vibes, which was quite nice. I tried on a number of lipsticks but refrained. After my long day yesterday and standing for four hours at a concert, I was happy to spend the late afternoon and this evening on the couch and do some laundry. A good day. A slug that actually got some tasks done….
Orchidee Vanille would work rather well as a winter warmer of a scent!
Happy Scented Birthday, Robin! ?
It’s been a weekend filled with cooking. Lots of yummy things coming out of the kitchen, which means tasty leftovers for lunches and dinners for part of the week. Mr. Jalapeno’s still busy with the smoker, which has been going for over 10 hours now.
SOTD = Wrappings lotion on my shins. I’ve noticed that the gift sets of the lotion and perfume are now at the department stores. Maybe I will grab one this year.
Can I come over? Pleaaaaaaase, I promise I’ll wipe my feet @ the door.
Boy does that sound cozy, homey and wonderful.
A perfectly perfect Sunday. Hope it is grand. You deserve it.
We ended up with far too much pulled pork! There’s enough in the fridge for a Thanksgiving-style feast. ?
It’s great you don’t have to think about what to cook for the week!
You should get the Wrappings, you’ve been enjoying it now for awhile. Macy’s discount runs through tomorrow, plus they will probably do it again before Christmas.
It felt so good to have what felt like a “normal” weekend!
Definitely grab a set of possible. It seems to be the perfume equivalent of a unicorn.
I fluked into my set last year. I tried to order online thru Clinique but it was never delivered. Very bad customer service experience trying to order online. I ended up paying the UPS charges for a free concealer sample that would have come with the Wrappings. I was a bit ticked at the time! Then we were out shopping at the outlet mall one day and I saw a set with a 20% off discount. I snapped it up in a heartbeat!
I’m thinking I might not even wait for the after holiday sales re: Wrappings. It is so reasonably priced right now, it’s perfumath free.
Thanks Jalapeno! Jealous of your pulled pork, although I do have some frozen from last time I made too much
But we do not have a smoker, that must be extra delicious.
Oh My Gosh, how did I miss this earlier?
Happy Birthday Robin!
Thanks AngelaB!
A day of mostly being on the couch sick. Question- does anyone think Arquiste Ella would be a safe blind buy for me? I see it appears to be getting discontinued and can be found on sale. Mostly I’m afraid it might dry down ambroxany.
In an attempt to smell like a cupcake today, I wore a small spray of Bon Bon.
Happy Birthday Robin!
Sorry you had a yucky sick day today, lillyjo. Hope you are feeling better soon!
I haven’t sampled Ella, but on Fragrantica there are some interesting comments. I’d probably really like it based on what I’ve read. I’m sure someone who’s tried it will chime in.
Aw, that stinks you had a day of being sick on the couch.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, lillyjo.
I know nuthin’ about Ella, but Elisa P is a fan, if I remember right.
Thanks lillyjo, and hope you are up and around today!
Sorry you are sick! I did not care for Ella, but YMMV. Apparently it’s supposed to have an 80’s retro vibe?
Hi Lillyjo- I bought it immediately after first sniff, I am happy to send you a sample ( my supplies arrive this week)!
Adding my happy birthday wishes to Robin!
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Robin! I hope you were able to enjoy a birthday treat of choice!
Thanks Gail, I did ok