It's World Book Day, St George’s Day, UN English Language Day and Shakespeare Day. Also, Thursday, I guess. What fragrance are you wearing?
Me: partial credit in Starck Paris Peau de Pierre.
Reminder: on 4/24, wear a perfume by Santa Maria Novella, Sonoma Scent Studio, Smell Bent, S-Perfumes or Strange Invisible Perfumes if you have one. Partial credit for any other small-ish brand that starts with the letter S.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2020, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Anticipation for the Spring [cropped] by Vladimir Kud at flickr; some rights reserved.
Ciao Amici-
Having an Italian morning. Tonight is my first Italian class (on zoom of course), and its been awhile and I am rusty. I am both nervous and excited. My girlfriend suggested I dress in Italian to get into the spirit. So today I am wearing a thrift store find, from my beloved Housing Works (NYers will know this one) https://images.app.goo.gl/nPqBuVbkzCRSdrM99
I put on some Armani eyeshadow
SOTD: La Danza delle Libellule (exceptional edition)
And in spirit of World Book Day, I am currently reading The Dutch House.
How do you like the book?
Any Italian perfumes?
hmm..
Well I am half way through and I am waiting for something to happen..So far the beginning reminded me to Rebecca (the way you go on and on about a house)
My perfume today is Italian “The Dance of the dragonflies” Here is the luckyscent video (no affiliation) https://www.luckyscent.com/product/52310/la-danza-delle-libellule-by-nobile-1942)
Nice! Thanks for the Luckyscent link!
So fun! Italian! I thought about starting to learn a new language, or at least relearning one.
well..if you have time at home..now is a perfect time to start!
I am challenged with 2 kids at home, one evening a week is all I can do.
Buon Fortuna! ( think that means good luck)
World Book Day! Really, really need to get back to books and quit being so distracted by the interwebz and video programming. Though I’ve found the marathons of Monk (Tuesdays on Sundance
and Thursdays on Me-2) to be humorous and soothing. We’re all turning into Monk by thinking “wipe!!!” after every public interaction.
Eau d’Hiver today, which seems much more a spring scent to me.
We are doing our spring reading poll on Saturday, so maybe that will help!
I am wearing A la Nuit.
Lots of it.
Right now there are ups:
Like online drinks with co workers is fun, enjoying the sunshine, oh and I saw boars and roe deer in the forest.
…and downs
Sleepless, headache,
Reading world news is definitely not healthy right now ?
And i have a sore neck and back, i really need to be more aware of my posture, maybe invest in a better chair and stuff like that
But luckily I am still healthy and I have enough work to keep me distracted from anything covid-19 related for a while.
I would suggest skipping the news.
Someone will tell you if there is an apocalypse
True! But I know for me I need to be able to communicate with colleagues and clients on stuff and that includes the news.
then maybe you should evaluate how you can have a relationship with the news and not have it affect your wellbeing ie: sleep etc etc
Yep, I stopped watching about 3 weeks ago and I feel so much better.
LOL yup, and maybe its better not to know if its coming, right? ?
Are you still enjoying your clothes?
Yes!
I do wear more casual stuff.
I don’t work in pjs though, it sounds great in theory, but pjs and sweatpants are my ‘netflix and chill’ (or Amazon and chill ?) clothing LOL ?. I really must be dressed to feel ‘at work’ and to ‘be ON’.
I dont wear make up though, but I am not a big make up wearer anyways.
Sunscreen, eyeliner and sometimes lipstick….that used to be my morning beauty routine ?
Oh and it feels really decadent to shop in times like these, but *psst….I bought new leather sandals. ?
oo..tell me more about the sandals!
I bought some too recently.
Flats with sparkles
Did you go to the Veluwe?
You smell wonderful, I need to wear my A la nuit again. I also really like Jasmin Rouge.
Yes, to the part east of the Hoge Veluwe, near Deelen. We went there around 7 PM. The parking lot was empty when we arrived.
Have you tried Madagascan Jasmine? I only have a tiny sample, but I think it will make it to my Buy list. 🙂
I have, it is very, very good. I think it’s another Michel Roudnitska. I like his florals, the ones he did for DelRae are excellent.
Btw totally forgot to ask about your job interview ?sorry. Any news?
Yep, I got the job. It’s not quite clear when I will be able to start there as I will have to move abroad and will have to have a medical check abroad which is impossible right now.
I’m over the moon, as this is the job I’ve been coveting for years.
Congratulations!!!! That sounds very exciting?
So happy for you! ?
I tried not reading the news and it’s hard because I just naturally want to know everything, but I’m staying away from it as much as possible, for my own mental health. I figure if something’s really important for me to know, I’ll stumble across it.
I think almost any quantity of A La Nuit qualifies as “lots of it”, but I admire your bravado. Spray with abandon if you can!
I am a very curious person by nature. But right now news is madness.
Not only because of the way some governments/ politicians are behaving, but I also feel like the newsrooms are spending every drop of ink and every second of airtime on details about Covid-19, even when they are not really news worthy or fact checked.
The promise of a medication or vaccine is mentioned almost 20 times a week somewhere….NO, stop it please. Media and politicians are only creating false expectations. ??
So yes, you are wise avoiding it and I am trying hard (and succeeding more and more) to do the same ?
I hear you – the news isn’t uplifting. I’ve been allowing myself 1 hour a day to read or watch news (and preferably not at night), then I shut it off. It’s helped a bit.
That sounds like a good strategy!
It’s really helped! And difficult, I’m a news and politics nerd but it helped me to realize there’s only so much I have control over.
Also helpful is a few yoga poses that calm down the nervous system like Bridge pose, plow pose, and legs up the wall pose.
You definitely need lots of A la Nuit. Such a beautiful, but fleeting scent. My favorite jasmine so far!
I have so many favourite jasmines. ? But á la nuit is in my top 3.
I miss my office chair 🙁
ME TOO!
Yeah, i even miss the whole office ?. Not the office coffee though. Coffee at home is much better. ?
Totally agree with you there.
I love the idea of seeing boars and roe deer!
Ive seen quite a lot of boars, but I am always in awe of their size and my heart makes a little jump because they are cute AND a bit scary.
One time a boar suddenly appeared from a shrubbery nearby. He ran away, of course, but i estimate there was only 10 meters between us. I think he/she never heard us coming (maybe because of the direction of the wind) but I will never forget the ground shaking when he galloped away.
Wearing vintage Chanel no 5 edt. At work earlier than normal. My Ulta order has shipped but still waiting on Barkbox to update. Will be ordering that no 5 lotion from Sephora today. Have that 10% and $60 gift card to use.
Nice haul! No. 5 is always perfect.
I’m wearing the lovely Un cœur en mai. Just a pretty scent, but it is very, very pretty indeed.
Tea is something green and tropical by Palais des Thés. It’s nice
Yes it is! I would buy a little cheap bottle of that, ha.
If I ever make it to the States again I’m going to send you a large decant. I got myself a bottle (discounted!) to celebrate my new job. It is just wonderful even if not ambitious!
BTW, congratulations on the new job!
Oh, so happy you rewarded yourself! And good to have something to wear to remind yourself while you wait.
I grabbed Shanghai Lily from my decant box. This is my first time to wear it.
Like?
I do like it. I think it will be great for fall and winter.
Like a few others, I’m having sleep issues. Didn’t fall into a real sleep until about 4am, then slept until 10am. Gah! This has been going on for the past five days and my usual audiobook sleeping pill is not working. ☹️#notfeelingrested
Commando until I manage to drag myself into the shower, then will go with SSS Equestrian for a day of adulting.
The nights I don’t sleep well I refer to smokeytoes advice about putting some Shalimar powder in bed for a cozy nights sleep, maybe if you have something really nice to wear/scent to bed it may help.
Yes! I suffer from chronic insomnia but I’ve found that a few drops of vintage Vol de Nuit generally make for a more restful night.
Usually an audiobook does it for me, too, but I have noticed lately that the muscles around my neck and shoulders have been unusually tense. When that happens, I do a session of “self-massage,” by laying on my back on the floor, and positioning a variety of foam rollers, massage balls, whatever, under my shoulders and neck. Sometimes I roll, sometimes I just find a spot that needs pressure and stay with it. I usually combine this with a lot of intentional, slow deep breathing, and the emptying of my mind, or focusing on relaxing a particular muscle. It’s not a miracle worker, but every little bit of ease helps.
Like meditation, with props. I’m going to try that!
SheriG, exactly right. The sensation provided by the props gives me something to focus on (as does the breathing), and that helps me let go of all the other stuff.
I need to try this for sure. I can feel the tension and pain in my left neck and shoulder area at night. Have no idea where I’d get one of those roller things right now, unless they carry them at Walmart… I’ll check tomorrow, thanks for the suggestion’ ?
Until then, use something like a tennis ball, or a rolled up towel, or a towel wrapped around a soup can, etc. Anything that has a little give, but is nonetheless firm.
I bet the goodest girl might have something you could use, if you could keep her from noticing that you’re using it…..
Cannot recommend strongly enough Ron Chernow’s biographies. They are extremely detailed and long, and there is something about knowing I have hundreds of pages to go anyway that makes me fall asleep faster (it’s not like there is any point in staying up? this probably makes no sense to anyone but me). Plus, you will learn history but also fall asleep thinking about the problems of other eras instead of your own…
I am finding The Mirror and the Light is working the same way. I read Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies pretty quickly, but I am happily reading a few pages of MatL every night and dropping off to sleep. I expect to finish it in late 2020 😉
I second the Chernow books….fascinating and so well written you just keep going through all 700 pages!!
I just went and checked them out, thanks! I’m most interested in the one on Grant, but I think it may be TOO interesting, if that makes sense. All the stars have to be lined up correctly in order for this “sleeping pill” to work for me. It’s 50% the narrator’s voice (I have a fondness for deep masculine narrators) and then 50% subject matter, which has to be interesting enough to keep my attention, but not so interesting as to have me wondering what’s coming next. I’m absolutely ridiculous. ??♀️
Grant will be my next one, after the Mantel. Have read the Washington & Hamilton so far.
I love a powdery scent for bed time. Shalimar powder is my favorite. Bal a Versailles is another great dream scent, and it smells fabulous the next morning (nuclear-staying power!).
Yes, I’ve tried this as well and it helps relax me but not get to/stay asleep.
Have you tried melatonin or CBD? I’ve found them both helpful. Plus some lavender essential oil, but I would usually pair that with one of my aforementioned solutions.
I’ve tried melatonin without success. Can’t use CBD anything due to drug testing for work. ☹️
Ugh, so sorry. I have a pretty low tolerance for most drugs (well, that sounds weird to say), so melatonin has hit me too hard before. I basically can’t take Nyquil unless I can afford to sleep for 10-12 hours.
One of the nice things about the Lush solids is that they’re very simple and streamlined, so you can pile two or three on top of one another and they still work. Sun adds a bright citrus punch to anything, and Goddess gives scents a strange cola overtone that I love.
Anyway, today I’m in 1000 Kisses Deep, which smells like osmanthus but with a detergent-y top note that I don’t love, and Rose Jam, which eradicates (or covers up) the detergent entirely: they fit so well together. (They also go with Lust, either paired or a Big Scary Floral* trio, but I’m not in the mood for all that jasmine today.)
*not actually that scary
I like but don’t love 1000 Kisses. I wish they’d redo it because I also like the name & the song.
I find that Lush scents generally layer quite well with each other. Once I layered Lust with Tuca Tuca (liquid versions) and was quite pleased with the result.
SOTD is Bandit by Piguet – I was in the mood for galbanum and leather today. 🙂
You smell great!
(I bought a sample a few weeks ago and I immediately loved it)
well I think you fulfilled your desire for leather and galbanum.
And with some to spare! 😀
I was listening to Danzig and Type O Negative, last night, Bandit seemed to fit the bill.
Wow, Bandit goes great with that playlist.
I forgot to mention my two books currently reading is Cool Gray City of Love, a very enjoyable book about various SF neighborhoods and This Is Going to Hurt, tales from a British ER Doc (irreverent and hilarious)…
Next two in the queue are The Bronze Horsemen (by Gary Kamiya) and The Strangled Queen (by Maurice Druon).
I’ve read Cool Gray City of Love! I agree that it is very enjoyable. I recommend it to anyone looking for some non-stressful non-fiction.
Missionista, there’s something comforting about reading the back story on SF’s neighborhoods.
I used to live there, and rarely miss it, but sometimes I do, and reading the book really scratched that itch.
Finally getting some partial credit in Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 Khôl de Bahreïn. Balsamic oriental notes, something slightly rubbery and a smell of make up. A strange and interesting scent.
That does sound odd!
I love the name of that one.
I love that one Glannys!
FBW for me!
When I first tried it a couple of days ago, I was not impressed, but it is growing on my today.
*me
The more I think of this scent, the more I imagine a dressing room of an actress starring in a historical film. She is already in her Eastern costume, and the makeup artist puts on make-up on her face. Luckysent mentions Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra – I think this is the right idea. Incense is burning somewhere in the room. Still not sure where rubber fits in.
I also think Inara Serra from Firefly might wear it.
10 Shiny points for the Firefly reference.Will definitely have to smell now!
SOTD: Philosykos (Will I ever learn how to spell this without looking it up?)
On sleep: Last night I decided I must go to bed much earlier since it’s taking me so long to fall asleep. I also took a Benadryl which made me a wee bit drowsy and I slept much better than I have in a while only waking once and then quickly going back to sleep. We’ll see how long this lasts.
Sleep seems to be on everyones mind today.
Are you going out at all? How about grab your face mask and head to Central Park? Mr L went the other day with his guy friend and they did a distance walk around the reservoir.
Yes! I walk every morning and sometimes again after work and this helps a great deal. These are just very trying times, the loss is great on many fronts and weighs heavy on my mind and heart.
Another cold, grey day with snow flurries on and off. Not so happy about it.
Wearing Dusita Le Sillage Blanc. Very nice chypre, but not enough to make it to my full bottle buy list, as I was expecting.
Here an article about how to stop face masks from fogging up glasses. I tried it yesterday it worked pretty well on me.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2020/04/16/how-to-stop-face-masks-from-fogging-up-your-glasses/
No snow here but it’s chilly and we’re expecting rain. This is the weirdest PA April ever.
And thank you, did not know that tissue trick!
We are also expecting rain for later and for the rest of the week. Such a boring April, cold, dark and rainy most of the time. Hope May brings more sun and warmer temps.
I very much preferred La Douceur de Siam than Le Sillage Blanc.
I agree! La Douceur de Siam is much nicer. It is mostly roses and champaca on me and I like it better. Le Sillage Blanc is very sharp and potent, even though I just dabbed a bit. Pretty, but not something that I would wear often.
Did you know that Le Sillage Blanc is Pissara’s take on Bandit?
I didn’t know that. They are both similar, but I cannot wear Bandit at all. It is a scrubber on me. Le Sillage Blanc is nice, but after my sample is gone I will not look for it again.
Thanks for the tip with the tissue, will try it later when I brave Trader Joe’s.
Hope it works for you.
Thanks. And the T-shirt face covering ?
Hope it is helpful!
Great tip about the tissue! It’s nice to have an easy solution. Thank you, dear! ?
?
Great tip page—thanks! I have been having that very problem!
I hope it helps you! It is working for me.
No snow here, but a lot cooler than I expected from last night’s forecast. ??
I have a mask with a wire I can adjust to better fit my face, so I haven’t needed the Kleenex trick yet. But it’s good to have that as a backup!
It was not a pleasant day outside for sure.
The wire in my mask has not worked much for me no matter how tight I fit it on my face. The tissue helps a lot. Good to have it as an option.
Solstice Edge of the Night today. Meh, smells like a hodgepodge to me and it has that kind of mushroomy patchouli. I will probable scrub & switch after my yoga lunch – I was eyeing Chasse aux Papillons this morning.
life is too short for bad perfumes..I would scrub and switch!
Another gray and chilly day here, it would be so nice to see the sun for a change. Wearing Silences and that growly galbanum smells good. Last night’s movie was Baby Face starring Barbara Stanwyck, from 1933, which is excellent – those pre code dramas don’t hold back!
Aren’t they amazing? Pre-code movies, that is. Mick LaSalle, film reviewer in SF, wrote a book about female pre-code stars. He loves them…especially Norma Shearer and Stanwyck. It’s a good, quick read.
Thanks, I’ll look for it!
SmackDown: Guerlain Idylle edp vs Champs-Élysées edp. These are two less spendy Guerlains that I haven’t ever tried, so I ordered samples in one of the recent StC sales. I ran side by side tests the last couple of days. My verdict has been that I prefer the opening of Idylle, and the drydown of Champs-Élysées. Today, I am wearing only Idylle, and it is pretty. Not sure I need an FB, but glad I’ve finally indulged–so to speak.
PS. If anyone has tried the edt versions of these, how do they compare to the edps?
I have the EDT of Champs Elysees. I have never tried the EDP, but the EDT reminds me of a less complicated, lighter and less funky Un Fleur de Cassie. It is very pretty, yet I don’t get tired of it. It is not very sweet – I guess the EDP would be sweeter and heavier. I’ve tried Idylle, but found the dry down extremely monotonous.
There is a moment, upon first applying the CE (edp) where I smell something I don’t love, and then it calms down into something pretty. I am thinking I might prefer the edt. Will keep my nose out for it >
You are making me think it’s time to pull out my spring scents, which includes Idylle Love Blossom, flanker.
It is getting there. Spring is in the air. . .
I think Elisa P likes Idylle, if I remember correctly. Maybe she can chime in..
She won an enabler pin from me for the flanker.
ah. So I wasn’t mistaken.
I don’t wear it often, but I like Idylle Eau Sublime, a dewy rose, very much.
In Ormonde Jayne Osmanthus Elixir.
Gorgeous for spring. If only the price wasn’t so wild.
Is it that much better than the regular OJ Osmanthus? (Or maybe I’ll wish I hadn’t asked, ha)
I wasn’t sure what to wear this morning so I went with Fleur de Peau.
My daughter got a partial refund on her room and board this week since she’s been home since March 13. Her online classes are going well and I casually made the comment the other day that since her classes were going so well that maybe she just wanted to stay home this fall and do college online. She just laughed at me. So…I guess that’s a NO.?
God bless these kids, what an adjustment.. and for the parents too!
Chatted with my neighbor yesterday as she has twins that are graduating college this year and of course, there’s no ceremony and no job prospects. They’re home for now and who knows what comes next. She’s a good mom, just going with the flow for now. I think many parents are probably secretly giddy that they get this extra time with their kids.
Yeah, I’m definitely enjoying this extra time with her. She’s my middle child and has always just gone with the flow. She has adapted much better than I would have at that age so I have to give her props. I feel so bad for kids that are graduating this year?to work so hard and not have a ceremony.
Me too!
and the summer internships..
Mr L is up in the air if he is able to pay for extra office space to have interns
No points for me, but I smell divine in about 12 sprays of 24, Faubourg.
You are such a faithful lover of 24 Faubourg! No doubts you smell divine every time you wear it. I love it too!
It is definitely one of my top 5. 🙂 It’s funny – my mom’s skin chemistry is so different from mine that 24F smells awful on her. But when I visited her in early March, we went shopping and found an Alexander McQueen scent called Amber Garden that, on her, smells very much like 24F. So if any NSTers have tried 24F and thought “what’s all the fuss?”, maybe try Amber Garden as a substitute?
Oh! Thanks for the info about Amber Garden. I definitely need to try it. It would be great to compare them both side by side. However, 24 is a very special perfume for me!
You smell great!
lol.. love how you count out 12 sprays
I’m wearing a lot of Orange Sanguine, it’s overcast and I wanted something cheerful. Tuesday’s grocery store trip was uneventful though I was surprised to see that none of the employees doing the restocking or picking was wearing a mask. I kind of understand, I have a hard time breathing through mine and can’t imagine wearing one if I had to exert myself.
Scent twins! I needed something cheerful and uplifting today, as it is kind of gray and struggles with online learning continue apace…
I’m seeing the same thing in the grocery stores here, foxbins. Very few employees with masks, which is why I’m still not sure if it’s safer to shop for myself or take a chance on store pick up. The pickers are there ALL DAY. They are touching things ALL DAY, and I’ve seen groups of them just standing around talking to each other. ?
Now, starting on Monday, everyone in Houston is required to wear a mask when out in public, unless they are exercising.
Okay, rant over.
SOTD is The Different Company Santo Incensio which I think is the same as Le 15. Anyway it’s lovely. And I am wearing earrings, too, so that’s dressing up for me 🙂
Am awaiting a delivery today from my CSA. The last couple of times, they deleted stuff from my order at the last minute, so this time I really over-ordered since for some reason it’s been hard to find produce in the grocery stores lately (in California?? how does that make sense?) But, uh, they didn’t delete anything. Ruh roh! Gonna have a LOT of chard to work thru, lol.
Also awaiting a delivery from my local wine shop. That might be an even more important delivery 🙂
For sure! Something has to help the chard go down. 😉
Chardonnay!
Brilliant!
I thought you were going to be punny with I have chard work ahead of me ?
I would be more looking forward to the wine.
That’s weird, we have produce but not dry goods. I’ve been cooking and freezing when I have more than I can eat at one time.
Hopefully a lot of garlic also came with all that chard?
I’m joining the not sleeping well crowd. It’s mostly my vivid dreams that keep me tossing and turning.
I’m going to help my daughter color her hair blond today.
Sotd is original Juicy Couture.
Cold and rainy here again.
If you smell anywhere as good as my mom in the original Juicy Couture, you must be smelling amazing!
I really do! I really like it, and should wear it more.
Hope the hair project with your daughter will go well. Fingers crossed you get the good night you need.
JC is quite similar to Mary Greenwell Plum so you smell pretty.
Interesting to know. I’ve never smelled MGP, but have been curious about it.
Good luck with the hair!
Another twenty minutes and we will know how it turned out!
Same here—-very weird dreams! I struggle to quiet my brain to get to sleep, and then it gets weird when I do.
Yes, same for me. My brain never shuts off. I dream all night long, every night. They are exausting.
Wishing you better rest!
Thanks! Same to you ?
Re the dreams — there is so much to process these days!
The odd thing is, I’m still dream processing from decades ago,at this rate, I will never catch up, LOL.
This would be a great epoch never to catch up on!
I’m just now starting to have weird, vivid dreams that I can remember. It’s been a while since that has happened… I used to have them all the time.
I am wearing Niki de Saint Phalle today, perfect for a warm spring day. I really should read more books, instead I watch series, at the moment I am watching Bones….
Forced myself to pick up a book last night vs. turn on Netflix. I love to read but I’ve been zoning out with binge-watching most of which is not worth it. I did really enjoy The English Game, however.
Following Deva in wearing SSS Equestrian after a nice shower. At first spray, I’m always a bit unsure about this one. But a half hour later I find it very nice…oddly, the apple seems to show up then. Mostly apple and hay to my nose right now. Quite loving the outdoorsy feel.
My sleep isn’t too disrupted of late. Although, last night I stayed up till 1 am. Woke up early and decided at 7:30 am I wasn’t falling back to sleep so might as well get up. Nowhere near enough sleep, but I feel oddly fine. (Tuesday night I slept almost 9 hours, so the average is not bad.) When I need OTC help, I find that one-half of a Unisom is the exact right dose. It has to be that brand’s particular ingredient. I tried some CBD/Melatonin tab my sister sent me a couple of times, to absolutely no effect. The biggest thing I dislike about getting older is not falling asleep within two minutes and sleeping through the night. I wake up a lot more often now.
Me too! Just remarked to my husband last night that I long for the days when my head would hit the pillow and that was it, I was out and out for good.
No points for me….in Hermes Hiris. Still too cold here in New Jersey. Spring is here, but I am missing the warmth.
I took the kids out for a walk and was in my winter coat.
I’m in another sample from Luckyscent, Les Bains Guerbois 1885 Bains Sulfureux. Really pretty, but out of my price range. Rosemary, orange, herbs and slightly sweet.
I have a single loaf of honey oatmeal wheat bread on the second rise. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve made yeast bread, so I was a little nervous! It’s always a little bit of a charge when you see the rise. ?
the kids and I will be right over for bread
?
That perfume sounds interesting. I’m always intrigued by herbs in perfume, like basil, tarragon, or rosemary. I’m surprised you found yeast! It’s hard to come by.
I had the yeast from earlier this year, just never used it. You are right, there’s not much flour in the stores, and no yeast. I only made the one loaf because the recipe is new; didn’t want to risk the ingredients on an unknown. Turned out fine, though!
Good afternoon! Hand cream at bedtime, and then I conked out. I’ll try to put on a dab or spray of some nice soothing fragrance tonight. I’ll peek outside, but I don’t want to get into lots of yard work when it’s raining on and off. I don’t want to put lavender on during the day when it’s warm enough for bees to be active, because they’d swoop in and investigate me.
My lavender bushes are more bees than lavender at the moment!
I would imagine! 🙂 Still, it must be nice having lavender bushes. 🙂
When I got a hyacinth with blue flowers the other day, a bee buzzed in to touch the flowers while I was putting more soil in the pot. They’re quick to check it out when they see blue or purple flowers, or flowers with ultraviolet markings that point them towards the pollen.
We seem to have a variety of bees. There’s a sort that isn’t quite bumblebee-sized, but larger than a honeybee. They really don’t seem to be aggressive towards humans when I see them. They’re very focused on the flowers, and getting the pollen and nectar. Since they haven’t been able to get out when it’s very cold out, I would think they’d be especially focused on the task when it is warm enough for them to fly.
A few years ago I learned that there are 450 different species of bees just at Pinnacles National Monument, which is not a large place. Since then I’ve been aware of various tiny little native bees in my garden, along with the more standard varieties. Lots of people in my town keep honeybees, so it sort of feels like everyone’s pets visit every day. 🙂
Tea for tomorrow morning: Decaf English Teatime with a couple of handfuls of fresh spearmint. When it cools enough, I’ll refrigerate it. It’s that time of year for me — being able to use mint for flavoring, and nipping off lovage leaves to put on bagels with cream cheese.
LOVE fresh mint in savory dishes! ?
Yes, I like mint and yogurt as accompaniments to Mediterranean or South Asian food. I’ll have to look in my Chai, Chaat and Chutney cookbook to see if there are things I can cook that Mom won’t have issues with. (Probably not…) I have the better part of a ten-pound bag of basmati rice that should get me a good way through an apocalypse. 🙂
Early evening: Dabbed on a bit from my sample of FM En Passant, and took a nap shortly afterward. Several people here have mentioned En Passant lately. I find it very nice. I ordered some lilac sprouts (starts?) from Direct Gardening. I’ll have to think where to put those when they come, but fairly near the two lilacs I have, most likely.
Though I have a good number of science fiction and fantasy books, and lots of light fiction reading, I’ve been rereading The Fragrant Path by Louise Beebe Wilder these last couple of days. I’ve realized I’ve actually managed to acquire a surprising number of the fragrant plants she recommended over the years I’ve been looking for them, considering the book was originally published in 1932. Some of the plants have persisted in the garden, and some only lasted a month or two under my care or lack thereof. But there have been a lot I enjoyed while they lasted. 🙂
I wanted incense today and chose Etro Messe de Minuit. I’ve also fallen for the incense dry down of Weil Essence Suki.
Invariably beautiful and warm weather here but we now need some rain.
I discovered fragrance net sells Weil. What’s your favorite that isn’t insensey?
I will try and send my rain your way!
I’ve always liked Bambou for summer (I don’t know its flankers), it was a big success for Weil when it came out, I just hope it hasn’t changed too much.
I’ve got plenty of rain in my 10-day forecast, so I will try to share some, too! ☔
I have a hard time going to bed at night. I find myself up until 2:00 am and then when I go to bed I sleep like a stone, until about 10:30. Here is the odd thing. If I go to bed earlier, I still will sleep for 11-12 hours at a stretch. Depression, worry? Also, I see Santa Maria Novella mentioned above. I never got to the store in Chevy Chase and I would be breaking my rule of no full bottle purchases without a sample first but I am curious about that Patchouli! I have tried to locate a sample from some of the sampling services but no one ever seems to have it. I interpret this as a message from the universe that I must wait. In the meantime, I will console myself with a squirt of Sadanne from Slumberhouse.
Ha, I thought the end of your sentence would be, “….that I must buy it immediately.”
I almost typed that thinking that Santa Maria Novella could probably use the business.
There is a sample of SNM Patchouli on ebay right now. ?
Also some empty bottles said to have approximately 1 ml left for close to the same price. With SNM, the sprayers screw off, so you should be able to get to the juice to dab but not spray.
(No affiliation.)
Thank you. I am now fully enabled.?
We are here to serve, stinker_kit! ?
After sampling PdN Odalisque in the fall, I finally bought a small bottle. Great decision! I can see how it would definitely not be for everyone, but it feel very comfortable to me. So glad I can spray it often now.
I’ve been forgetting about PdN, and she’s so good. I love Maharanih, among others.
Sprayed myself with vintage Diorissimo today.
Then resprayed my clothes and hair when I received a rather annoying urgent request; the good side of working from home!
MAJOR up side to telework! ?
Aack, both of the imaging centers within walking distance are now closed during COVID-19. Therefore, I am back to taking taxis to the hospital center for my next X-rays and ortho consultation.
Telehealth had been such a relief, but that depended on getting the X-rays done elsewhere. Now, I feel rather take cabs to a more distant imaging center and then go to Fedex to send the CD to my orthopedist, I might as well go to his office and get it over with. The crowded elevator is the worst part, but there must be stairs somewhere, right?
I put on SSS Winter Woods this morning but I’m going to need stronger stuff to deal with this frustration. Perhaps Guerlain Idylle Eau Sublime, which Oakland Fresca’s post on Idylle reminded me that I have. It’s an EdT, but a little goes a long way!
Ugh, I’m so sorry — that sounds extremely frustrating. I hope you don’t have too many appointments left!
Thanks, Isabella! I’m not sure if this is the last one, or not. I hope I’ve healed well enough that that’s the case, or at least if there’s a next one it could be delayed until an office visit is safer.
They should limit the number of people in an elevator.
You’re right, hajusuuri, and perhaps there are now. In my condominium, we have been asked to ride one at a time.
Your wearing of Winter Woods reminds me that I never tried it in warmer weather, a la Chocolate Marzipan (8). I should run that experiment.
It’s not heavy at all, I think it would work!
Despite my short commute to the lounge, I’m still in a rush to get to work on time! I’m starting each day with an 8am stand-up, I don’t have anything to contribute (not being an IT person), but it’s very useful to hear what is going on. I was starting to feel very disconnected.
I’m a bit lacking in small houses starting with S, so I’m celebrating Friday with Serge Lutens’ Bois de Violette.
Do you Zoom?
“Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters” ??
Song of the Day — “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. I had a pretty good cry listening to it earlier on. It’s really the first time I’ve cried since everything got locked down here. I’ve kept a lot of things bottled up.
SOTD = back in Prada Candy. It’s become a good background scent; there, but not demanding attention. Present, but comforting. I do have quite a few options for the CP tomorrow, yet I think I will let my mood chose for me then.
Sometimes a good cry can really help, and then sometimes it’s like, “Dammit, feelings, get back in the bottle!” I hope you’re feeling better!
This time, I think crying was cathartic. I am feeling better. A bit of chocolate from the chocolate stash also helped, I think.
I saw a bumper sticker today that said Keep calm and eat chocolate.
Well, I did part of that today! ? We’ll see how tomorrow goes. One day at a time.
That is a good one.??
Sometimes a good cry is just what I need. Hope you feel better. Hugs.
Thanks madtowngirl. Hugs definitely appreciated!
Glad you let it out. I hope you were able to locate some extra tissue during this god forsaken tissue shortage. I cry occasionally, too, but find cursing roundly and loudly much more therapeutic . ?
Thanks Deva. Right now I think I am all “cussed out”, so had to cry instead.
We’d been getting TP, paper towels, and Kleenex routinely at Costco before the world got upended, so we are plenty good on “paper products”!
You smell good. I’m glad you let it out!
Thanks Hajusuuri. It’s been a long time coming.
??
I was surprised how long it took me to cry after I broke my arm, which happened just as I was trying to lay in supplies for COVID-19 preparedness (February 27). It’s like my mind had decided, there’s a series of things we have to power through first before we can stop and give in to how bad this is. That worked during the day but I was having panic attacks when I went to bed and tried to go to sleep.
So I definitely expect and hope that crying was beneficial to you, too!
That could very well have been part of it… no time to freak out now, get thru X, Y, and Z. Then all bets are off.
Seville A l’Aube today. Trying to buckle down and get some work done, but I keep wandering out into the garden. The weather gods threw a switch here — we were having frost, and then all-day-long fog and dreary barely-60s temperatures, and suddenly it’s 80 degrees every day? I can’t stop going outside barefoot!
Oh am I jealous, I would so love to be barefoot outside in the heat, wearing Seville a l’Aube!
Gabrielle today as it seems to match the yellow leaves on the silver birch. The bottle is almost empty, a reminder of how wearable it is…maybe…like Jour d’hermes in that regard. I fell on my arse while out walking yesterday, brought down with a thump and crack by acorns ( literally) on the path. You know those cartoons where people skitter around on loose marbles thrown across the floor…same deal but with 100% natural products! I thought I’d broken my wrist and had to sit very still while I gathered my thoughts. The dogs misinterpreted the sombre nature of the event and kept up a “this is a blast’ barking competition. Anyway, I walked home with a large wet brown strain on the seat of my jeans…no lasting damage, nothing broken and a long weekend awaits!
So sorry you fell, Kanuka, but happy nothing was broken.
Oh dear! I’m glad there was no worse damage. We always have that problem with lots of acorns on the ground here too. The other side of it is they sting when they fall and bonk you on the head!
I got a good laugh envisioning this, and of course, I’m glad you are injury free. This kind of thing happens to me all the time. Sometimes I’m sure the world is intentionally trying to end me or I have some rare undiagnosed neurological disease, but nope- I’m just not paying attention. Pretty sure my death with be preceded by an event like this. ?
Death by acorns and then eaten by the dogs…our future as a werner herzog doco
Glad to hear that nothing was broken, strained, or sprained. But OUCH! Acorns are a hazard I did not grow up with… it’s been an interesting learning curve for me.
Glad you are o.k.!
A few years ago I was walking along a slope and came to an area that was peppered with tiny round acorns. It was somewhat grassy, so I was OK until I reached a certain incline. Suddenly, there was nothing I could do to stay on my feet! Fortunately, I slipped sideways against the incline and could laugh as I went down.
I’m glad you’re OK!
I wonder if the makers of James Bond films will ever include an ‘acorn spray’ button on the dashboard of the aston martin?
?
This is why I used to love the old Bond films with Roger Moore, they were just delightfully silly.
SotD = Puredistance Opardu
The white flowers + green notes reminds me of honeysuckle. Smells like a shampoo I used a long time ago, maybe it was Herbal Essences? As the perfume unfolds it gets even prettier. I like it, though it has that soapy smell I can almost taste.
I’ve reached maximum “doneness” with the WFH/safer at home situation. I peacefully accept what each day has to offer. After breakfast I promptly fell back into bed, diagonally, and lazed about for half an hour. I have been productive since then, nothing left on my to-do list other than yoga. Tomorrow will be extra busy with work and life, so today’s the day to charge the batteries.
A couple fun articles! Perfumers pick books + perfumes, if this was shared already please forgive me:
https://www.wallpaper.com/beauty-grooming/smell-story-perfumers-share-the-books-they-love-and-the-scents-they-inspired
Secondly, Fran Lebowitz, NYC’s patron saint of staying home and doing nothing, expounds her views:
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/fran-lebowitz-is-never-leaving-new-york
The drive here is lined with honeysuckle and while it’s beautiful to get a whiff occasionally, it’s powerful. I spent a lot of time outdoors the last two days working on van projects, and I had to go inside a couple times because it was so heady. Lovely in limited quantities, but I think I am super sensitive to florals for some reason.
Also, that NY article was a gem! Thanks for posting a link. The best line, IMO is :
“No. Every single thing that could be wrong with a human being is wrong with him.” The simplicity and truth of that statement is profound.
My second favorite line: “Don’t hug me. Please.” ?
lol and lol 😀 glad you enjoyed the article, she has a fantastic wit and amazing way with words.
Nice article on the perfume to art inspiration! Thanks for sharing ?
happy to share 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed it, the intersection of different art forms appeals to me.
Thanks for that New Yorker link! It was a fun read.
you betcha! as a former Northeasterner myself, I like to get a 212 point of view from time to time. 😀
Thank you for the Fran Lebowitz article, I would have missed that!
I’m late as I had to run errands to find supplies that Mom needs. I have standing orders from Amazon for basic things but they’re out of stock on everything. I felt lucky to find most of what was on the list but no gloves. I must look for somewhere on-line that has them in stock to ship. I’m wearing a mask now and it’s already hot here and so uncomfortable! Ick!
Forgot to post my perfume. Rich rose from Areej Le Dore, Malik el-Taif. Some oud but not very noticeable by me anyway. It’s a combination I love. The By Kilian Rose Oud is wonderful! Best thing from them.
That sounds Amazing!!
I missed out on posting yesterday, but I was on project in Smell Bent Bollywood or Bust, which is rose, sandalwood, and saffron. I don’t wear a lot of rose perfumes, but I do enjoy that one. I also appreciate that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It becomes a skin scent after a few hours.
Having said that I don’t wear a lot of rose perfumes, I’m wearing another rose perfume today! Strange Invisible Perfumes Prima Ballerina, which has a really fantastic lime note. Listed notes are just: lime, sage, rose, and botanical musk. This one has amazing longevity for a natural perfume.
Oh, that Smell Bent sounds lovely!
Late today…I posted about the Rising Phoenix Blue Kyara Oil. Fragrant, slightly floral, woody, minty, resinous incense and very long-lasting.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Vvs7YhxSk/?igshid=1vrlu6eehirl
I have quite a few packages arriving this week and I am letting them sit for a few days before opening. I will post about the smelly stuff when I wear them for show and tell ?.
My brother-in-law’s birthday is coming up. My sister will order from Cheesecake Factory, we may or may not meet up there for pick up but we’ll Zoom for dessert. I never pass up free food if I can help it ?.
COVID-19 – the lingering side effects, especially for those who were on and survived after being on a ventilator, are quite devastating. Let’s please not wish anyone ill with this virus or any other misfortune…Twitter is particularly vicious. Things have gotten really bad in government housing for migrants in Singapore that some have begged to go back to the country from which they left to escape poverty – it’s bad.
Is your sister just getting dessert from The Cheesecake Factory, or is she going for the whole 9 yards?
The whole 9 yards for me and for herself, spouse, son. Younger sister opted out of getting the food but will join Zoom dessert.
We just recently got a Cheesecake factory here. I haven’t even been yet!
There’s something for everyone!
I highly recommend the banana cheesecake
Yes it’s a seriously awful disease. Have you read some of the latest reports on how it’s causing unusual blood clotting especially in the legs, but also in lungs? Scary.
Yes, and brain with younger people stroking out. Also, kidney failure.
One has to be very choosy about who one reads on Twitter and NOT read the comments, unless you’re certain they block actively.
I don’t actually log on to my account, follow people, and look at my feed. I simply look up the people I like from time to time (or every day, depending on the person) and scroll through what they’ve posted. That’s all I can handle.
I have not really managed who I follow except way early on when I first set up the account. This will be a project at some point.
Meant to wear Full Fathoms V for Shakespeare Day, but never made it to the sample box.
Long day of meetings, going to relax with Safran Troublant. Something about the rose, the cream and the gingers just feels peaceful
You smell beautiful!
I am wearing Tauer Oud layered with FM Une Rose. After watching FM Live yesterday on Insta, I was inspired to layer Oud and Rose. I really love the result.
I love FM Lives , Wednesdays.