Saturday is the fourth day of Christmas (four calling birds), the third day of Kwanzaa, and the seventh night of Hanukkah. We're celebrating everything with our same old open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, what you’re hoping to see on fragrance counters in 2020, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Blackbird 4 [cropped] by Jimmy Edmonds at flickr; some rights reserved.
Winter Woods
I am hoping to see less releases in 2020…..yeah, wishful thinking.
Fat chance! But I plan to mostly ignore them and drench myself in scents I already own and love.
???
Me too ??
What was everyone’s favorite fragrance-related gift this year? It can be from a birthday, anniversary, Hanukkah, Christmas — whatever occasion you like! Mine was probably the Aquaflor set my husband bought with me/for me in Florence this summer. Yes, the fragrances (Rosae and Tzigana) are gorgeous, but it’s my favorite gift because of how we got them. We had looked for the store in an ancient street, after a long day of walking; I found a display window but the only door I saw was closed, so I was prepared to leave disappointed. DH went up the street and around a corner, and found the actual entrance, although by then his feet and knees were sore from walking, and he knew I would want to linger in the store and buy something. Now that’s a nice spouse! Thank goodness, they have comfortable chairs.
Oh, such a nice story!
And a patient husband!
I think my favorite gift to myself was Kashan Rose.
My friend A.J.’s sister, B., had said she couldn’t find the original Elizabeth Arden Green Tea fragrance anymore, just the flankers. She wasn’t thrilled with the Green Tea Cherry Blossom. I found her a bottle of Green Tea sans additional fruity notes at Marshall’s. It was an inexpensive gift, but B. was happy. Sometimes I get as much of a kick out of giving gifts as I do getting them.
That was so nice of you! It’s not the price, it’s the effort and thoughtfulness that count most. How do you like Kashan Rose?
I bought Kashan Rose this year, it is a lovely fresh spring rose scent.
Sorry that I didn’t get back here until now. I like Kashan Rose quite a lot.
I’d tried samples of it, so I knew I liked it.
Nice story and nice that you love the perfumes, too! I got only 1 scent gift, which was from my MIL. It’s a set of 10ml “accords” to layer that she found at Costco. I actually will probably regift or donate it since I just don’t have that kind of space for all those travel sprays (I think there’s 6 or 7), but I thought it was so thoughtful of her to think of my scented needs ?
That’s a really kind gift from a MIL! I loved my late MIL and miss her, she died just before Christmas two years ago.
Inspired by neyronrose, I’ll also call out my favorite fragrance gift I gave to someone else: my teenaged son got Berdoues 1902 Trefle et Vetiver eau de toilette from me, and he really likes it! Score!
Ah, very nice!
I loved this story and Florence is so beautiful, with its quaint streets. My favorite scented gift has been a set of Roger & Gallet soaps from my brother. R&G’s quality is outstanding, they are right now scenting the bathroom.
I bought 31 Rue Cambon @Chanel in Amsterdam while my sister patiently sat outside.
I think Santa Maria Novella did her in. She doesn’t even pretend to walk in anymore!
Our loved ones can be so patient about our hobby! We also visited Santa Maria Novella; my DH looked around quite a bit, as it’s so interesting, but then found a comfy seat and coffee in the adjoining cafe. It was our first visit to Florence and we would love to return!
I am pretty sure that’s where my sister was when I came out!
How do you like the EDP of 31RC?
I love it LTSG!
Are you on holiday in Amsterdam?
No, we came home through Amsterdam on our way home from Tanzania.
My sister and I forewent seeing each other for thanksgiving and Christmas to save for our next safari, summer 2021.
You have a sweet husband, and I know mine would do the same for me, he’s so patient. This Hannukah he offered me Kilian Woman in Gold, which I love. Earlier this year he bought me Guérlain Angélique Noire for my birthday and Mon Précieux Nectar for our anniversary. It was a great perfume year!
That’s so very lovely!
Love that! Aren’t we blessed?
Indeed we are!
That’s a sweet story, and you have a very sweet husband! ❤️
Happy weekend!
My family already started some preparations for New Year’s Eve. This year we are travelling to the seaside to have a family party by the lighthouse.
Today I’m wearing Nishane Suede et Safran.
That’s a nice one.
Isn’t it?
So beautiful and relaxing to welcome the New Year by the ocean! Enjoy!
By the sea to be more precise ?
That sounds like a wonderful, magical evening ahead. Enjoy!
It’s something different, we are doing this for the 1st time.
Where will this be and what special foods are you likely to have? Is it super cold there?
We are renting an appartment and there will be some concert under the stars in town that we want to join. It will be quite cold I think
Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks
I am running errands while wafting a cloud of Bengale Rouge.
I really want to try BR, it gets a lot of love on this blog. Isn’t it great to waft a gorgeous smell while doing mundane things?
I have come to realize that I am wearing BR more on weekends. Probably because it has the potential for beast mode. If I overspray, no one gets hurt! ?
Ooh, I bet you smell beautiful! I haven’t tried BR yet, I’m afraid of adding another Papillon to my wishlist.
Don’t try it until you have the funds in hand, it’s dangerously addictive.
That is expert advice?. It is quickly becoming one of my top 5.
More gardenias, more carnations, more animalics and less white musk are what I’d like to see in perfumes next year
That would be great!
I love carnations too, I’d love to see them make a comeback.
Hope we get lucky
Yes to more carnations and less white musk!
Yes, that sounds wonderful. I love AG Matin d’Orage for moments when I want to be more angelic.
AdV Oeillet Bengale is on my wishlist for the coming year when I want the opposite.
Yes!
Happy Saturday everyone!
Question for all of the cooks out there: I have a whole raft of Meyer lemons from the tree in my sister’s back yard. I made lemon bars for the Christmas meal, but don’t want to make a bunch of sweets that I shouldn’t eat. Any ideas from the NST culinary hive mind on how to use my haul? Thanks so much!
My January project is to clear off the top of my dresser. It’s a crowded mess of samples and decants, and it’s bugging me. I’m in SDV now, and will thunk this beauty today. ?
For the lemons, I would try them in salads (and maybe even make a salad dressing with some of their juice, some olive oil, some basil and a little black pepper) … or make daiquiris with the juice – I bet that would be delicious.
Oh, I like the salad dressing idea. Meyers are a little less sour, so they would be great in a dressing or a marinade. Thank you!
Does lemon marmalade count as sweets? How about lemons preserved in honey? (Plunk a couple slices into boiled water to soothe your throat.) Also preserved lemons in the Moroccan tradition, to put in salads or tagines. Also before using the flesh, slice or zest off the peels to make citrus salts and sugars and compound butters. Also lemonade! Also limoncello! I’ll stop there, but if you’re ever at a loss, just email me. I love Meyer lemons and have put lots of thought into this.
Limoncello! A friend makes that.
Koyel, those are wonderful suggestions, thank you! I’m leery of traditional canning, but I’ve done refrigerator preserves, and Meyers would work great. Compound butters….never made them, but wouldn’t they be great on baked salmon?Ahh, my creative juices are flowing!
Alas, if I was still a drinker, I’d make limoncello. I’ve made it before, and dang, it’s yummy. ?
Oh yes, I’m still too scared of my sterilization abilities to not keep my preserves in the fridge after the first week or so. I like to put zest and left over delicate herbs (e.g., parsley) into compound butter and then freeze the butter if I don’t think I’ll use it soon, and yes, they go wonderfully with fish! Or bread. I’m not picky.
If you’d like the limoncello sweet-bitter-citrus without the alcohol, may I suggest syrups and shrubs? For a lemon zest syrup, pack the peel with sugar like you would for limoncello and let sit for a day or so, and then just filter off the wonderful yellow syrup that will have formed. For a shrub, before separating the syrup, add in white wine vinegar (forego the usual apple cider vinegar for the lemon shrub, since it would try to overpower the delicate notes of the Meyer lemon); add a mass equal to that of the peels. Then let it sit for another day before filtering it. Both the syrup and shrub will go wonderfully with sparkling water (and, if you’re me, a splash of gin!). You can add in a few sprigs of thyme or other herbs, too, to round it out!
Anyway, I’d love to hear what you end up doing with your lemon wealth. Send pics! I’m trying to decide what to do with a clutch of limes myself. I wonder what limecello tastes like.
What about lime curd? I’ve seen comments on some of the recipes that limes work just as well.
I’m gathering up all of the ideas and will definitely report back!
Lime curd is in the plans for next weekend! (To be accompanied by blueberry scones, cheesy quiche, pancakes, and sausage!)
Lemon curd is easy to make and give away as is marmalade. We had multitudes of lemons at our last house. I basically ended up squeezing them all for the juice. Froze some and had some sitting in the fridge to just make lemonade. I would make sparkling cherry lemonade with cherry Italian syrup to lightly sweeten and sparkling water.
Lizzie, I’ve never made lemon curd. Sounds like it’s time to try something new! Thanks for the suggestion. ?
Oops, didn’t read closely. I really like the sparkling cherry lemonade idea!
Making preserved lemons is a great way to use a bunch a once. I’m a big fan of of them in stews, soups, and on chicken dishes. Many uses, really. Haven’t made any in a while, but it’s pretty easy (lemons and salt in a jar, basically). They do have to “cure” for about a month.
Ditto this! I keep a jar of preserved lemons in the fridge – they last forever, and add a really fantastic flavor to all kinds of savory dishes.
I tried making preserved lemons once, and one jar got nice and syrupy, and the other one didn’t. Not really sure which one was safe, actually, but I’m determined to try to make them again. They are pretty pricey in the grocery stores, so I’m motivated. ?
Nancy, I used to squeeze the juice and strain it, then fill ice cube trays. It’s gives a burst of fresh lemon all year long.
Nice idea! I hesitate to add the obvious, but…lemonade?
Oh yeah, I lived in a lot of countries where produce wasn’t available so I leaned to freeze lots of things like the juice of tomatoes to add a fresh flavor to soups, stews.
I still do it today with coffee. The extra in the pot goes into mini trays and I add to a vanilla protein drink.
Hey apsara, I’ve done that, too! It’s nice to have the juice on hand when the baking urge hits.
Your new avatar is really cute! ?
Thank you!
Oh yes, Limoncello. Yum! Here’s a preserved lemon recipe, I’ve not tried it or know anything about the technique. Just familiar with the concept.
https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-preserved-lemons-moroccan-middle-eastern-cooking/
Thanks for that recipe! I’ve looked at several recipes today, but the directions are very concise in this one. I think I’ll run some canning jars through the dishwasher and get started!
Yum! Roast or pan saute lots of thin slices with some chicken and herbs.
Oh, that sound yummy, and so easy! I’m thinking chicken cutlets so it cooks fast, and a drizzle of half and half at the end! Yum, indeed. Thanks for the inspiration. ?
Limoncello!!!!
Sooo good in the summertime!
Wow, I’m so impressed by all the lemon suggestions and recipes! My late mother, who was English, used to make lemon curd and it was amazing. I’ve never tried making it myself.
I found Ina Garten’s recipe, and it looks pretty fool proof.
https://www.mastercook.com/app/recipe/WebRecipeDetails?recipeId=12992426
Thanks!
Lemons can be juiced to make very tasty marinades for chicken or fish. Just remember that the acid can start to “cook” the protein if you leave it in for too long.
Good point jalapeno. I’ve ruined chicken by marinating it for too long, and the final product was just all kinds of wrong!
I had almost forgotten this post:
https://nstperfume.com/2010/06/15/out-of-the-bottle-a-welcome-with-meyer-lemons-and-elderflower-cordial/
Gosh. That post was great. I’m bummed that segment no longer exists!
I miss Alyssa too
Wow, the ideas in the comment section are great! Ricotta cheese, lemon zest and flat leaf parsley over pasta? Sign me up!
I’m thinking a lemon granita would be good too, with a drizzle of St. Germain in it to make it more slushy.
Thanks so much for the link!
A lemon pasta with white beans and olive oil, another variation
A lemon pasta with white sauce using rice milk.
I have 2 trees at home and use them in my water and teas and salads daily.(you can through them quickly)
They are nice additions to margaritas ? and would make terrific lemonades.
I like your pasta ideas, thank you so much! How wonderful to have two lemon trees; that’s quite a treat.
I think I’ll use some for a simple syrup, for lemonade in the summer.
https://www.latimes.com/style/la-fo-meyerlemons16jan16-story.html
This looks like it has some great suggestions! I envy you this lemon bounty.
That article has marvelous ideas. I like the one for roasting lemon slices, rosemary and shallots, and serving it with bread. Yum. Thanks!
Black Opium, sample. I like this one.
Taking a nice long break from the Internet. Have a happy and healthy 2020! ?
Flopper, I hope this doesn’t mean you’re telling us goodbye–for a year–not really?
Echoing Calypso…. the whole year?
Wishing you a happy New Year!
Oh no, echoing the above comments: hope you’re not leaving for the whole year! But I hope your internet absence gives you what you are hoping it will. <3
Flopper, enjoy your Internet break.
Wishing you a great year!
Happy New Year Flopper! I’ll miss reading your posts.
Aww, we’ll miss you! But much admiration. I could do with a bit of an internet purge, myself.
Aww, flopper, I’ll miss seeing your comments! But I understand your need to take some time for yourself. Take care. ?
Oh no! I will miss you, Flopper. Be well and Happy New Year. I hope to see you here again.
Feeling better than yesterday so today will involve some cleaning up, long overdue, and try to get out for a bit so as not to miss the mild 50 degree weather.
I’m wearing some L’Occitane orange blossom shea balm topped off with a smidge of Houbigant Orangers en Fleurs, which I can sort of smell with my still-stuffy nose.
Finally watched Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I was hesitant since I’ve heard mixed responses, but I really enjoyed it!
I thought it was brilliant. Pretty much the best movie I saw all year. Glad you are feeling better. I need to get outside too…
Wow, that’s high praise! It’s pretty much the only major feature film I’ve seen this year. I usually wait for them to stream somewhere and then I do the pre-Oscar cram, lol.
I hope you got out!
Not sure what I liked so much…the acting was huge. I also felt a profound sadness over the real events because of how well Tarantino brought Tate and the others to life.
We did get out. Entered the park near The Plaza and took a long walk winding around and over to W. 86th. So many people!
It reminded me of one of those “choose your own adventure” books I had as a kid. I agree he did a great job soliciting affection for his characters, so that the real ending hits harder. But he also has a way of making even his murderous characters likeable and charming in some way in many of his movies.
I’m convinced he was channeling Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead movies at the end. It was way too familiar.
Me TOO!
Glad you are feeling better! Definitely enjoy fifty degrees while you can.
Thank you! I did get out for a bit- it was nice out ?
I watched that movie at the weekend and thought the acting, including the dog, was great. Loved the clothes and cars too. Last night I saw Ad Astra which was also good. I think my favourite recent movies are Parasite, The Courier (Scottish) and a grim Russian movie set in Stalingrad with two women. ( forgotten the title but incredible).
Glad you are feeling better!
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/11/beanpole-review-kantemir-balagov-leningrad-war
Beanpole is the movie
Thanks and thanks for the movie recs! Beanpole sounds right up my alley.
I really liked Parasite also. His movies are very good.
Slow brain. The other film is The Souvenir ( not the courier) and is filmed in Sunderland not Scotland….zzz. Sorry.
Ha! I looked up The Courier and decided it was gonna be a pass for me.
Really nice temps today for sure! I hope it continues to the New Year…??✨
I hope you enjoyed today’s weather, too! Here’s to hoping!?
I’m with neyronrose that giving is just as fun as getting. That said, I am pretty cautious about scented gifts and usually restrict myself to bath products. Yves Rocher for everyone!
Yves Rocher has some beautiful products.
I’m in this mood for what I consider more old-school scents. Usually I’m drawn to green and more floral, but I’m looking for deeper and and denser. Of course, my definition of that is likely different from others’.
Allure today. I think this is an older bottle, and it hits the right spot for what I’m seeking.
A touch of Satori Mizunara today. Hives decided to come back and move to legs. Oye, oye, oye.
I move into 2020 28 pounds lighter. Two more to go. Now to stay there.
My year of no shopping starts Wednesday, so I am getting a new bra and a travel sized Camel if it’s available.
Then I will have to you know, use what I own…and live vicariously through all of you!
Congratulations on such progress toward your weight loss goals! That’s very impressive. A year of no shopping, wow, that will again require a lot of will power. I wish you the best with your resolution and plans!
Thank you!
The saving will go towards next Africa journey. And I am super motivated to be a lot lighter on those little Bush planes.
Congrats on achieving weight goals! I need to work on my own fitness in 2020, I spend too much time sitting (including at work).
High five! I lost 32 lbs in 2019, but luckily, I didn’t throw out my smaller bras from many years ago. I left them at my mother’s house, and this winter, I’ll take them all back to CA with me. It feels nice to wear bras that fit again.
The weight loss has, charmingly, given a surprising number of men permission to inform me I’ve “lost too much weight.” Thank you, sirs; going forward, I’ll gain or lose weight in accordance with your preferences.
Camel is fantastic.
hehehehehe
Congratulations on the weightloss, Koyel!
Thank you, Gail!
Very well done on the weight loss Koyel! I wish you continued success with your health goals.
Thank you, Jalapeno! Right now, I’m contemplating the relative merits of going down to the basement to work on those continued health goals vs. vegging on the couch with a cup of chamomile tea and the endless entertainment of the Internet.
Congratulations Koyel! I have never understood peoples’ comments on such private matters. MYOB!
I know, right?? Thank you!
It is slightly better than having people tell you that you’ve gained too much, but only slightly!
Ahahaha ah yes, only slightly. Either way, as cazaubon said, they can M(T)OB!
Congrats on the weight loss! That is alot of hard work rewarded.
Congrats on the weight loss, and certainly an Africa trip is worth saving for!
Congratulations on the weight loss, but aiyiyi on the return of the dreaded hives!
Congratulations on being so close to your goal and your year of no shopping, best of luck with both of those endeavours!
Coco Noir body cream and extract parfum
Yesterday I finished Alberto Moravia’s Agostino. I am still on OaklandF’s recommendation if Renault books , I will pick up the Persian Boy at the library.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alessandro-baricco/silk/
Happy Christmas and New Year. You have probably read this book, Silk ( a novel) by Italian author Alessandro Baricco as it is 20 years old but if not you might like it. It is short and is spare, very quiet but with beautiful imagery…about a man who travels to Japan to get silk worms.
Dear Kanuka, Grazie!
I have not read this book. I am studying la lingua italiana and trying to keep the momentum going by reading lots of Italian authors. I appreciate this recommendation and will see if it’s at the library and happy new year to you as well
Ah, so my library does carry it! I will let you know when it arrives at my branch and I start to read it.
Great. i have a feeling you will like it.
I loved Silk, lovely book.
I read it – it’s good.
Read that in the mid aughts– loved it!
Happy holidays to all!
I’m currently in a dilemma of the pleasanter kind. My grandmother always gives me money for Christmas because she has no idea what to get and she rarely goes out anymore. It’s been half a year since I bought a full bottle of perfume, so I thought this is my chance. I have some loyalty points with Atelier Cologne, so Patchouli Riviera and Trefle Pur are in the running. I never got to try the original Mistral Patchouli, but I got a sample now after the re-release and I quite like it. But then I thought, maybe I should get something I would never buy myself because of the price, so Ormonde Jayne Ambre Royal is also a possibility. I’m sure I’ll use up every drop of my samples until I arrive at a decision.
Looking back at 2019 I don’t think I tried many of the new releases. I know I didn’t like Un Jardin Sur La Lagune, but I loved Winter Palace. Too bad Memo is on my “don’t even think about it” list because of their pricing, because the scents I managed to try from them were great.
Any highlights/big disappointments for you guys this year?
I am really enjoying Clouds’ Illusion, a crowd-funded perfume from 4160 Tuesdays with Eau My Soul. Sarah McCartney made two versions of the same fragrance, one with mostly (very expensive) natural components and one (more affordable) with mostly synthetic components. The first is called Clouds, and the second Clouds’ Illusion, both names from the song Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell. It’s really beautiful! I also loved the trio of scents from Atelier des Ors based on a Klimt triptych, which I got to try in January. I also got to meet blogger “Megan in Sainte Maxime”, which was so much fun!
That’s a very interesting concept for Clouds’ Illusion!
I bought Clouds edp, it is very lovely. Next year she is coming out with a blended version of Clouds and Clouds Illusion, called Both Sides Now, which uses some naturals and some aromachemicals, to get the best effect at a smaller price.
That’s neat! I’m supposed to get Clouds in Sarah’s January Joy box, a Christmas gift, and will look forward to comparing them.
I would give preference to something expensive you wouldn’t normally consider buying. One of my goals going forward is to splash out on big loves and stop frittering money away on smaller purchases that are easier to make.
That’s a very good point, and great goal!
Big highlight for me this year was meeting two NSTers in person, Oakland Fresca and Calypso! I was so tickled to spend a little time with both of you. ?
Back atcha!
That is so awesome, it’s great how the internet can bring people together!
It was such fun!
Andrea, the Beauty Habit website has some of those Atelier Cologne scents on sale.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll check it out!
Wearing and enjoying Shiseido Inoui again.
Wearing Arielle Shoshana Saturday. Is anyone interested in my sample set of Saturday and Sunday? I’d be happy to spread the love and send it out to someone. In return, I’d like to know what you’re wearing today and why.
Whoops – I’m not wearing Saturday, just wanting to re-home it!
I would love the sample set, if available:). I am wearing Tempo by Diptyque because it’s a really good patchouli and I don’t even really get enthused about patchouli. Woody scent for a cool day.
Great, it’s available and I will reply to your email.
My best (and only) scented gift was a wonderful box of surprises from the very generous Flopper who sent me Marfa and other fun things. I put the rest in my stocking and only opened them on Christmas, and am still exploring them all! Today I’m wearing Ajar by Jardins d’Ecrivains. It’s beautiful! Light and yummy at the same time with a lot of bergamot. It says pear is a top note but I’m not picking up on that so much. I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend. Yesterday I went to the new Little Women. The theater was absolutely full–It’s one where you choose an assigned seat and there were only about three left when I got there. It’s fun to go to a movie with a packed house and an enthusiastic audience. The film is visually gorgeous. I have some criticisms, but overall it was a delight.
I’m happy to hear that you liked the film, my daughters and I plan to see it in coming days.
Oh, nice! I was hoping to hear people’s impressions of Little Women. I watched the 1949 version this week which was fun to watch. It was prefaced with an interview with Greta Gerwig about her rendition (TCM).
I loved Lady Bird, looking forward to her version of Little Women.
I’m looking forward to taking my girls, 14 and 19, over the winter break. We watched the PBS miniseries a couple of summers ago before my oldest left for college and I cried like a baby, lol. I do love that story.
I’m seeing it tomorrow with a neighbor; glad to hear you enjoyed it. Little Women and Little Men were books I read multiple times when I was growing up.
This is my 3rd time trying to post today, I keep getting interupted. Sotd is Tabbaco Vanille for work tonight. I smell mighty fine. I’m looking into getting the travel spray, next time Sephora has a coupon. It comes with the cute little holder. Does anyone have a favorite Jasmin that is not indolic, but not too clean?
I hope that this year, we will see less flankers and more interesting designer releases.
Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac and Marigold is a not too clean, not too indolic wearable jasmine. THe marigold cuts through with a bit of spicy/pepperiness so the whole is not just a simple floral.
I will look into it. Thanks!
Hi Lillyjo!
Give Hermes Cedre Sambac or Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge a try if you get a chance.
Happy New Year to you!
Thanks, Happy New Year to you too!
Seconding the Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold. I got to smell that one right before Xmas and liked it quite a bit. Have you tried Atelier Cologne’s Jasmin Angelique?
I really like Jasmin Angelique, but it turns a little ashtray on me.
Uh oh, ashtray isn’t good at all in my book.
Hope work is okay tonight! I was at the “big” mall earlier today and it’s definitely less crazy than pre-Christmas.
We were pretty slow until closing time, of course!
I’m wearing Amouage Portrayal right now, and not really enjoying it. It’s jasmine, but with a fair amount of ylang ylang as well, which is giving a disconcerting banana effect. I much prefer TF Jasmin Rouge, Hermès Cèdre Sambac and JM Jasmine Sambac & Marigold.
I have tried Jasmin Rouge, but not the others, they all sound pretty good.
lillyjo, I have a 4ml sample of the Cedre Sambac that was sent to me by a generous NSTer that I would be happy to send you, it didn’t work for me. You can email me pkwisdom in the yahooland.?
VC&A California Reverie, is stunning and easy to wear. A great value right now on line with end of year sales.
I’ve tried this one. Very pretty indeed, but it never felt like “me”
In Joy EDT, went to the lake nearby for a long stroll with my brother. We fed the ducks, swans and wild geese and even a raven.
We are scent twins today, I too am wearing Joy EDT! Trying to decide whether or not I should get some of the extrait, which I’m sure is very different. Thoughts, anyone?
Hello twin! The extrait I have (vintage)vis more animalic, the EDT (modern) is more floral. I like both, really.
Commando so far. Still dealing with this super nasty cold that refuses to go. A friend and I have tickets for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular show tonight. I have seen the show many times in the past and it is always fun to go back. Crossing fingers I am able to make it. If so, I am planning to wear few spritzes of Clinique Wrappings.
Happy last weekend of the year, everyone!
Oh I hope you can go! Fingers crossed!
That sounds like such a great evening! I hope you feel well enough to go.
Glad that Wrappings is in the line-up again!
Take lots of cold/cough medicine! The last time I was getting over a cold and went to a play, I thought I was fine, but then couldn’t stop coughing the whole time!
I hope you feel well enough to go and enjoy it!
Feel better!
You will smell wonderful in Wrappings, no matter what. Feel better!
The Rockettes!? Oh, I do hope you feel better and get to go!
It’s sunny and cold here, and I am sampling Hyrax. I get warm animalics and a touch of burnt plastic. Not my favorite from this house, but I’ll use the remainder of the sample to dirty up some cleaner scents. Twilly, maybe. Imagine a dirty Twilly? Might be fun.
I am glad Bertie Wooster is gaining strength. Dogs are so wonderful. Agree about dirty twilly…or super spicy twilly with clove and cardamon, cinnamon.
I saw your update on Bertie Wooster earlier this week. Great news for him and you! I hope he continues on a healthier and happier path.
I somehow missed the Bertie Wooster update, but I’m very glad to hear he’s doing better!
Adding that I’m also thrilled Bertie Wooster is feeling better! That’s very good news!
I get an almost overwhelming pleasure from listening to the blackbirds in my garden at dawn and throughout the day. I noticed that they often perch right at the top of the tree, or power pole when they sing…so their voice carries I suppose. I have three locals…scurvy eye ( as one eye is a bit ringed in white, old blackie – who is the dominant , bossy bird; and two-tone who is a young bird, black from the legs and tail downbut speckled brown from the waist up to the head. I feed them so I can watch them and the sparrows while I work.
What I hope for in 2020 is free shipping! Just paid US$40 for shipping on a bottle of Sotto la Luna Tuberose…my surprise love of 2019 as it has none of that coconut creaminess of tuberose that I find overpowering. It is more like a night walk through a garden but also reminds me of ‘Big Charlie’ bubble gum, which came in long pink canes, in the 70s….might have been a NZ thing. Took me gaes to work out the memory. The gum was terrible as you’d end up with a massive glump in your mouth and nowhere to put it.
Nicest gift….Alex bought me Twilly when he went to Melbourne. Nice blind buy.
Owed the lawns yesterday then read Me Talk Pretty, and went for a walk in the cemetery.
If you like short, British TV series then I recommend ‘A very British scandal’…Hugh Grant plays a politician and Ben Whishaw his lover, true story …well acted.
I’ve read about it, and I intend to watch it. It will be broadcast on Dutch television soon.
Hugh Grant’s career has been taking an interesting turn these past few years. I watched a BBC documentary about him a couple of days ago. It was a very good watch. He is very articulate.
Hugh Grant is really good.
I love him also because he has my father’s smiling eyes.
And there’s something about his smile too….
Ouch, that shipping hurts! But Sotto la Luna Tuberose is gorgeous (although my dog hates it and buries her nose in the bed when I spray it).
I really like Hugh Grant, will look for the show & documentary
I’m sorry your dog hates it, but it sounds like she looks really cute when you spray it
I’m wearing my latest acquisition Mon Exclusif by Guerlain which I wholeheartedly adore. Donatella and I have become best buds these past few months and I look forward to confessing my sins next year.
Went for a nice long walk today, the weather is rather nice, crisp and not too cold. Have since made pumpkin soup which has turned out really well. I just love it when a new recipe works.
You smell wonderful. My bottle of Mon Guerlain Intense just showed up today, looking forward to trying it. Wish I could track down more Mon Exclusif, Fragrancenet had it for a while but not now.
I keep on changing my mind about the intense. Sometimes I seem to like it better than Mon Guerlain (edp) sometimes it’s the other way around. But out of those 3, I like Mon Exclusif the best. I got my hands on an eBay bottle, they are getting hard to find in Europe as well.
I saw Little Women this week. I loved it.
The trailer looks really good. I’d love to see it.
I was hesitant…I often am because I fear too much modern sensibility will be applied… But, I’ve heard /read enough to alleviate that concern, so think I will see it soon. Glad you liked it.
I’m wearing SP Parfums’s Civette Intense and absolutely LOVING it, it’s a huge animal frag but incredibly cozy and warm, it’s like Chinchilla that way but a good deal less sweet.
I wanted to try Powder and Dust and suckered myself into getting a trio of travel sizes instead of just getting samples since I was getting everything shipped from Germany and honestly no regrets— he shipped me a signed copy of his book on perfumes?? It’s in German but it’s full of photos and diagrams and portraits of the perfumer with his dogs, honestly A+,
So what do you think of Powder and Dust?
Seconding for your opinion.
It gets such rave reviews on YouTube, but they don’t really make it easy to sample.
No, they don’t! Free worldwide shipping is nice but it isn’t really much of a draw if you have to spend 50€ and you only want to sniff!
I like it quite a bit but I don’t think it’s anything super special— if you like mimosa and baby powder, it’s lovely, but that’s the whole composition. I associate the YouTube crew with a very different style of fragrance than this— it’s very understated for a YouTube colab.
(As an aside, I officially do not understand the Art and Olfaction awards, Carre Blanc was straight up disgusting.)
Yes, they are great in salads and in moroccan dishes
Oh, this was meant to be for the discussions for using lemons?
Funny!
? Thanks, tannina!
Wearing several sprays of O de Lancome, trying to conjure up some warm weather. It feels much colder today because of the humidity and wind.
I caught a show on HBO this morning featuring Ralph Lauren. He seemed to be ahead of his time, and he certainly loved his family. I wish I still had some of his iconic Lauren perfume in the red bottle. That was amazing stuff!
I was wishing I still had Lauren the other day, myself.
I’ve wished that often too! It was my signature scent in high school and my first real department store perfume. I had the bottle that had to lay on it’s side. I’ve heard the reform just butchered it.
I had that same bottle. It really was a nice one.
Peau de Bête for an evening at the opera. We saw a Prokofiev. Love for the three oranges. It was a really funny opera, great costumes too.
We cooked J amie Olivers Chicken in milk today and had homemade oven fries with it.
That recipe looks delicious. Hmm, it uses lemons….
Oof, I love that one, you smell fantastic!
I’m in Chanel 1932 thanks to a generous Nester.? It’s from one of those cute 4 ml minis. Since I prefer spraying over dabbing, I stuck a sprayer from an empty 5 ml decant in the top and it worked like a charm. I can still smell it and I’m several hours in.
Dreary and drizzly weather here today, it was a good day to stay inside. Supposed to be warmer again tomorrow and fingers crossed for no rain.
I got an email from my daughters school earlier today relaying the very sad news that one of her classmates and her mother were killed in a helicopter crash in Hawaii on Thursday. It was not someone in my daughters small friend group, but she did know her. I got all choked up and almost broke down in tears when I read my daughter the email. I don’t personally know this family either, but it’s terribly tragic news. I’m sure they were on a holiday family vacation and in the blink of an eye their lives are forever changed. It’s so sad.?
That is terribly sad news for that family. Hugs to you MTG. Hang in there.
Oh no! I saw a write-up about the crash. I’m very sorry; it really hits home sometimes.
Such tragic news. It may just be my personal paranoia but I feel like helicopters just aren’t all that safe. I won’t go up in them.
Me either. No helicopters or hot air balloons.
I travel anywhere and everywhere and they are off the list.
I’m sorry for both families.
Your daughter must be very shaken.
I’m really sorry, mtg.
Oh, I’m so sorry! I heard about that crash. So awful.
That’s incredibly sad. I’m so sorry.
I came down with the dreaded awful cold sweeping the Nesters ? out there. I am catching up on all the holiday posts and a few movies.
I finished The Morning Show on Apple TV last night and season one is really enthralling and well done.
So much to say on this topic…. this show is well balanced and very honest. A must see.
Feel better soon, AngelaB. I am still feeling pretty awful. Let’s hope this cold is gone before the new year arrives!
Thanks you too, bad timing, eh?
Ugh, so sorry you are sick too! Feel better!
Thank You Lillyjo.
I loved The Morning Show, Angela.
Having spent 10 years of my life at a large, very well known media& entertainment conglomerate I can say yep…this is exactly what it’s like.
Thanks for sharing that!
Sorry to hear that the creeping crud has taken hold of someone else! ?
Commando again. I missed the Rockettes show last night. The cough and sneezing was to overwhelming to attend. Spent the night watching tv and resting, instead. Today, it will be the same. Thanks for your get well wishes yesterday. Hope to feel much better by tomorrow! I wish the same to all NSTers dealing with flu and cold right now. We will survive! ?
Awww, dang it! Keep resting and get better soon. ?????
Thank you, Lillyjo!?
That stinks, missing out on seeing The Rockettes. ? You weren’t kidding about this cold being a nasty one. Resting is the best option now, it seems.
Hope I am able to see the Rockettes again next year. ? I usually don’t get the flu or bad colds, but this cold one has hit me really bad. Resting, fluids and medication are helping a lot. Hope to feel better tomorrow to face the day at work.
Well drat, I’m sorry!
Thank you, Robin.
Cool & sunny again, wearing Guérlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille.
We had cold & gray & rainy, so I am jealous.
Wow. You are all making me want to stay inside my little apartment and avoid the world…so many people with colds and feeling crummy. Hope everyone recovers quickly.
Does Trésor qualify as old school? It falls into that category for me. Not niche and a kind of timelessness. So that’s what I’m wafting. And wearing the new wool/cashmere UNIQLO hoodie my husband gave me for Christmas. Reading the NY State drivers’ guide in preparation for getting my license on Thursday (trading in my CA one.) Boring day. The husband went off to see more Agnes Varda movies, but I’m just too lazy.
Woke up today thinking it was Monday. Still confused. I think it’s all the football…throwing me off.
That’s funny.
I loved Tresor when it was first released but then my good friend got it as a gift from our other good friend and I just couldn’t buy it after that. I need to find it again.
I am so thrown off I don’t even know what day it feels like, but for sure it does not seem like tomorrow should be Monday already.
Two sprays of Cuir de Russie after lazy coffee and a long shower.
Get to work from home Monday and Tuesday, which is wonderful. We have more rain coming to SoCal so better be off to get groceries.
Yay for working from home!
It’s Portland, so it’s raining, and I’m testing my sample of Moth. I love this one, it’s odd but wearable and unlike anything else I own. A travel spray is in my future.
I was surprised to learn that all my smoke detectors need to be replaced after 10 years, so I’m doing that today, and of course the base of the new ones are a different size than the old ones. The stepladder is out and I am just waiting for the drill to charge. Then I’m going to make some almond milk custard to use up the almond milk I bought for visitors. Then I might go see Little Women.
I think I have a sample of Moth. I loved Chameleon and bought a bottle of Bat before they discontinued the first iteration. I also think Nightingale and Civet are quite lovely. Your day sounds perfect to me, despite the rain.
A travel spray of Moth is also in my future for the same reasons
Greetings! It seems to be the season of the sniffles! I hope everyone is recovering from their colds! In my household, it is the sore throat and sinus type. So here is a comforting remedy. Try to prepare hot tea using lemonade instead of hot water. Add a bag of your favorite mint tea and a bag of a green tea, preferably with ginger but one could use any number of teas for the second bag. Let is steep and then drink it up while it is still hot. It is amazingly comforting and clears your head. Does anyone have a Dawn Spencer Hurwitz they love? I want to order some samples but she is prolific and I find the choices at the website overwhelming! Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Wearing Aftelier Ancient Resins in balm and body oil today.
Thanks for the tea recipe! Going to the kitchen to make some now.
I have several DSH favorites: Vert pour Madame, Foxy and her YSL-inspired collection.
I like Fumee d’Or, Chinchilla, Foxy, Cafe Noir and Oeillets Rogues
Thank you for the suggestions and I will order samples with these in mind!
I am doing almost the same recipe w/chamomile tea; peppermint tea aLOT OF LEMON & some honey. It is so soothing for the throat.
Okay for DSH Epices d’ Hiver, vintage patchouly, Love is Everything, Foxy
& Souvenir de Malmaison. There are so many that I’d like to own.
Not sure if anyone is still reading but has anyone tried Diptyque’s Benjoin Boheme? I am mildly curious but don’t see samples anywhere. Is it discontinued?
Still reading, but I never noticed Benjoin Boheme around whenever I went sniffing. Then again, too many things on the “Sniffing List” so I am not surprised that I missed it. Maybe Hajusuuri tried it?
Yes, I’ve got a decant of it and think it’s wonderful. I think it’s exclusive to the Diptyque store. I got in on a split of it when it was first released.
My in-laws gifted us the stay at the farm to table bed and breakfast since we were going to stay there anyway. The Saturday night dinner was spectacularly good. No perfume today because we were soaking in our private hot tub this morning. It’s so nice to do a total reset. We will be staying an extra night because there might or might not be a winter storm in Boston tomorrow. Petted the goats and donkeys this morning and learned that the donkeys protect the goats from coyotes and bobcats. Life is good
How lovely!
I’m hiding out in the bedroom while the boyfriend cooks down onions and beef for a stew. I wish our small apartment didn’t retain cooking smells so much. But I am really looking forward to eating this stew tomorrow.
I haven’t chosen an after-shower perfume yet but I wore a little Myrrhe Eglantine to go grocery shopping earlier.
Yesterday I thunked my decant of Jo Malone Myrrh and Tonka. I like it enough to have plans to buy a bottle off eBay in the next month or two. I went to brunch with my friend yesterday to make up for last weekend when neither of us were feeling well. We went to a really good middle eastern restaurant that makes the tastiest baba ganoush I’ve ever had. Then we shopped and browsed around downtown with a stop at Seattle’s gorgeous main library. It’s been a very nice weekend.
I ended up choosing Olympic Orchids Dev One for a super strong animalic incense to see me through the rest of the weekend.
I love Dev 1 and have gone through almost an entire bottle. You smell great!
That all sounds like a nice weekend!