We already did an "extra" reading poll for fall last year, but COVID-19 has many of us reading more than usual, so we're adding spring to the mix too. Please recommend a great book to add to our reading lists, and tell us what fragrance we should wear while reading it.
What I've read since our winter reading poll:
I finally finished Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton, then I read American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph Ellis. For me, these are late night reading, so they go best with whatever helps you fall asleep peacefully: Aftelier Ancient Resins?
Also non-fiction, I read Mark Girouard's Life in the English Country House: A Social and Architectural History (Floris Malmaison would be just right), although I skimmed some sections, and then I skimmed through Lifespan: Why We Age, and Why We Don't Have To by David Sinclair. I read parts of The Aztec Treasure House: Selected Essays by Evan S Connell, which Erin recommended to me ages ago. Then I started Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of Funny Stuff (something cheerful, like Byredo Pulp).
On the mystery / thriller front, I'm still working my way through the old school British mysteries by Edmund Crispin, and I read 4 more in the last quarter: Buried For Pleasure, Frequent Hearses, Beware the Trains and The Long Divorce (Eau Sauvage or Eau de Guerlain). I read books 10 and 11 in Dorothy Simpson’s Thanet series. I read Peter May's The Man With No Face, just because it was in the room where I went on vacation back in February, and it turned out to be a perfect beach read (Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess).
On the fiction front, I thoroughly enjoyed Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (Annick Goutal Vetiver would have been perfect if I had any), and then I started Hilary Mantel The Mirror and the Light. I raced through the first 2 books in that series but this one I am reading very slowly — a few pages late at night before I drop off to sleep. I'm only about halfway through, so no spoilers please.
Note: top image is Spring flowers on old book indoors. [cropped] by Nenad Stojkovic at flickr; some rights reserved.
My head is recently refusing to read any books. It takes me much more time than usual. Last book I’ve read was “The Secret of Chanel No.5. The Intimate History of the World’s Most Famous Perfume” by Tilar J. Mazzeo.
Wearing today – Rania J. Lavande 44. We’ve had some first rain in ages today but absolutely nothing for the drought we’re having in Poland.
It seems some people are having a harder time reading, and others are reading more…go with what works!
Wish I could send you all the rain we’re having lately.
I really wish you could!
Very dry here in The Netherlands as well. Some patches of grass already look like august-grass. And we had forest fires as well.
?
If my weather app is correct some rain is coming our way next week, but it will never be enough, we havent even recovered from the dry summer last year.
Same in Poland! There has been a huge fire in one of the national parks the other day… I think fruit and veggies will be really scarce and expensive this harvest season.
Rereading old gardening books. A somewhat more modern one I’m fond of is Passalong Plants by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing.
Book looks great! I used to keep rooting hormone and propagate shrubs, but have not done that in years.
nice! I am reading fewer novels lately, and gardening books sound very appealing. Old ones have such interesting photos. 😀
Some very old gardening books have been digitized on Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org). Some were originally published in Victorian times, and some go up into the first decades of the 20th century. The cutoff (a cutoff?) for books being out of copyright is 1923.
There was quite an interest from authors writing about gardens in having color photos in their books when the technology for that became relatively affordable. I believe that was in the 1920s.
I believe E.A. Bowles’ books on gardening were published a little after that time. Graham Stuart Thomas was writing books well into the later 20th century. And many gardeners in the U.S. South will have heard of Elizabeth Lawrence and her southern garden.
that’s fantastic! thank you for sharing. I’ve visited gutenberg.org in the past but never thought to look for gardening books. 😀
Oh, you’re very welcome. 🙂 I enjoy sharing my love of gardening books. 😀
I found for Project Gutenberg that your results will be most productive if you use the author’s full name. I went down a rabbit hole from Project Gutenberg into the Internet Archive, too. The Internet Archive doesn’t proofread the books they scan, so their e-books are not so readable as the Project Gutenberg books are. If you search through the Internet Archives, it also helps to put in the author’s full name. I’d stick more with Project Gutenberg, though.
So…
Gertrude Jekyll is pretty well known. You can search for Dean Hole under “Samuel Reynolds Hole” and for Canon Ellacombe under “Henry Nicholson Ellacombe.” Alice Morse Earle is a pretty straightforward name. 🙂
Others I found were Henry Arthur Bright and Harry Roberts (1871-1946). It helped to have Roberts’ dates in there, too, because there are a lot of people named Harry Roberts. I learned that the J. in J. Horace McFarland was John, but I also found books of his that just used the J., in addition to the ones I found that had John.
I keep in mind that some Victorian gardening practices are not recommended now. Like in some ways we’re more choosy about what we use for fertilizer than the Victorians were. We know more about germ theory now.
Also, some of the insecticides and fungicides they used without protecting themselves from the sprays were not particularly safe for humans to breathe.
Some botanical names have changed, too, so it may be a bit of a search to figure out what the current scientific name for a plant may be.
Happy reading! 😀
Ended up reading My Father and Myself by J.R. Ackerley today. Mr. Ackerley’s father had a convoluted life of his own. Many questions the son came up with didn’t have clear answers after the passage of time. This was published after J.R. Ackerley’s death in the late 1960s, from what I gather. It has a forward by W.H. Auden that is full of “spoilers.”
Mr. Ackerley’s memory is blurred on some points, but he remembered that his mother wore Jicky.
Should be *foreword.
Also, I wore Jicky that evening, since it was specified in the book. I seemed to get more of an herbal vibe from it than I usually do, like more of the culinary sorts of herbs. I didn’t find that offensive, though. It was still a pleasant mix of notes.
Light reading for me, mostly journals and travel stories. Wearing Dzongkha to accompany Destination Kailash by Colin Thuberon and Bois d’Ascèse for Jean Désy’s From the Depths of my Cabin.
I’ve had several Colin Thubron books on my TR list for ages (In Siberia, which I might have read about here, and Shadow of the Silk Road are the ones I remember) but have never read him. You like?
I’m liking it a lot, beautiful writing.
SOTD is a decant from a kind NSTer a while back which I’m just now sampling:
https://instagram.com/stories/vantasticviews/2295208885073815691?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=2zinwc6xuk0e
Me likely, but the florals, added to the bombastic honeysuckle blooming outside are a bit much for my floralphobe heart.
I’m audible booking “Grant” and happy to report I stayed awake long enough last night to enjoy the first 45 minutes, then started dream weaving. Two NSTers I’ve met IRL made an appearance in the dream, along with a Rottweiler! So strange!
Happy weekend, folks!
https://youtu.be/xZKuzwPOefs
Ah, the memories! ?
Man, what a great song!?I love reading all the comments. Sigh, take me back to the ‘70’s.
Speaking of the seventies, last week I lost a couple hours to googling “1970’s shoes.” Crazy, I know, but all those platform shoes warm my heart! And I still clearly remember my dad’s white loafers paired with his yellow polyester leisure suit. The pièce de résistance was the psychedelic geometric polyester button down! Those were the days! ?
Gads..you are reminding me of my senior prom date, who showed up in a light tan leisure suit with dark brown contrast stitching. And…piece de resistance…a big, matching dark brown hat, complete with feather accent.
Yes, those polyester button downs! I’m sure my dad has some stored away somewhere, he never throws anything away!?
Yay. Grant is on my TR list.
Want to read a bio of Andrew Jackson first, and if anyone knows a good one do say!
I really liked Andrew Jackson by H. W. Brands for a really comprehensive biography. Also American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham for something more focused on his political acumen and time as president.
Thank you so much NovemberRose!
The hubby just completed Grant by Ron Chernow, all 1000-something pages, and loved it.
ha! you’re right on, honeysuckle has a strong scent, sometimes it invades my dreams. 😀
Fragrance: I’m wearing a sample of SL De Profundis today and it is wonderful. It’s elegant yet not heavy and I don’t find it mournful, but it feels serious and thoughtful. Hard for me to describe. Why have I not tried this before?? Oh, right. The price. (I confess to ordering a small bag of samples from LuckyScent to keep me going thru this period. And yes, I may do it again.)
Books: I really enjoyed The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. I found it both engaging and historical. But for something light before bed, I’ve also recently read my way through Elly Gregory’s series about Ruth Galloway and loved them.
Happy Saturday, all.
And adding that the De Profundis is THE most beautiful violet color.
agree! I want to smell it just because of the violet tint. 😀
Would you say the Ruth Galloway series are plot driven or is more on the literary crime side? I’m curious about them but can’t browse thru a copy at the local library. I think more then anything I miss the public library which also had a very good coffee shop in it
Plot and character driven. She really focuses on developing the roster of main characters. I think the plot construct is actually secondary.
I will see if I can find a free excerpt online – thanks
I read most of them via library in electronic book form…you might want to check that as an option. If you have the kindle app, the first is available on Amazon for $5.
Yasmina, if you have scribd app they’re free. Loved them.
Agree.
Oh, I do so miss the public library!!
My parents were big fans of reading and libraries-
I have been going to libraries as far back as I can remember.
I was actually working at a little part-time job at our local library. I was surrounded by books!! They are all closed now.
I have never been a big buyer of hardbound books. So, I am rereading all my novels that were crammed into bookcases years ago. It’s better than nothing…..
Yes, I’m downloading kindle books – that part of our library is still up and running, thank goodness!
She’s an anthropologist, so you also learn many interesting things about different periods of English history and prehistory.
That’s cool! I’m an anthropologist too – cultural though so only know about the present
She’s actually an archaeologist – but I would say there is anthropology and sociology in there as well. They’re really enjoyable books.
You’re right, spring pansy — thanks for the correction!
Speaking just about the US academy here not the series , archaeology is one of anthropology’s four fields, the other three being cultural, linguistic and biological anthropology.
Springpansy and Nozknoz, there’s a famous quotation (in anthro/archaeo circles at least) that says, “Archaeology is anthropology or it is nothing.” I’m assuming Yasmina has heard this one before. 🙂
Eau Premiere.?
I discovered that the bagel shop a couple blocks from me is still open so I walked down to get a chai tea latte. It’s not as good as starbucks, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. Our safer at home order has been extended until May 26 so it’ll be awhile before I get a good one.
Haven’t been doing any reading for leisure lately because: school. My class will be done May 17 and then I have a break until July when I’ll take a bioethics class. Looking forward to that one!
I was crabby and feeling depressed yesterday so we got in the car and headed out of the city for a hike in the woods, which always helps. We got to see a fox, very cool.
What degree/course are you doing? And glad your mood has improved
Thanks! I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had ups and downs during all of this. I’m also profoundly affected by sun, or lack of it, and yesterday started off gloomy.
I’m doing my RN-BSN. My first bachelors degree was in psychology so when I did nursing school I opted for a 2 year degree…now I’m finding that most employers want the bachelors, I missed out on a position because I didn’t have it, so…back to school it is.
Probably a longer answer than you were looking for, lol.??
I’ve flirted with this idea as well. It’s one of many reasons I want to keep Florida as my “tax base” even after I sell my house because I can do a one year program like yours fairly cheap with resident status. Ugh. If I thought it would improve my clinical skills, I think I’d be more willing, but it’s all managerial BS and I don’t think I’d survive the uselessness of that type of “education.”
Oh that’s interesting – it’s always hard to dive back into college work rhythm after working. Good for you!
Here in NYC, our local Starbucks have opened for mobile app pickup. You can’t enter, but you can order for pick up. That may be true elsewhere.
A walk that ends with buying a latte sounds like heaven right now. As does going for a hike in the woods. Wish I was quarantining with you!
I hope your break when your class is over will be refreshing.
Last spring we had a family of foxes in our backyard!!! So beautiful, but I have yet to see them this year. But the deer are out in full force.
Glad your mood improved! And how wonderful you saw a fox! I love those little critters.
When/if the shelter in place lifts, I plan on visiting Santa Cruz island to see the Channel Island foxes.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/california/stories-in-california/endangered-island-foxes-break-record-for-fast-recovery/
Soooo cute! I didn’t know about these efforts on the island and will put on my to do list too.
trees make me happy too. 😀 glad you had some time to destress.
I love foxes. I used to hear them at night when we lived in Colorado. They have an interesting “bark.”
Hi everyone- I’m in Oeillet Bengale. It’s really a Goldilocks fragrance – just right.
If you are a Tana French fan I really recommend Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series. I can’t wait for the latest to come out in paperback
The Atkinson series sounds great! Thanks for the suggestion ✌?
I was so happy to discover her after I finished all the French novels!
Love the Jackson Brodies including the last one…it will be worth the wait.
It’s the small pleasures, especially right now
I am joining you in Oeillet Bengale. I recently ordered a new set of travel sprays because I was running low and feared they’d completely discontinued. It’s a really good scent.
I was thinking of getting a travel set too. If someone wants to split let me know.
I can second your Kate Atkinson suggestion. I like her crime novels, but some (not all) of her more serious fiction, I find slow going. She’s a good writer, though.
I agree about her non mystery fiction — she is very fixated on ww2 and military history
I like wearing Oeillet Bengale in colder months ?
You smell wonderful!
Geez..I wish I could add something to this but you know I don’t read any books!
lol
One chapter from finishing The Dutch House, normally I don’t like to say anything negative but this book was a snooze!
Oona out of Order..a fun read!
Dear Edward, Saint X just ok
Dark Vanessa..this book is good & sexually charged.
Read these since the start of shut down-
Shalimar today…
I am glad you had the same reaction as I did to The Dutch House. I thought I would enjoy it more because it is set in an area where I grew up (I know those houses), but it did not grab me the way that I wanted it to. Want to pick up Dark Vanessa.
I’m frantically writing down notes on your reading list….
I haven’t been reading as much lately. I borrowed and returned All the Light We Cannot See because I wasn’t reading it. I started it, quite liked it, but just was failing to actually read. I’ve reserved it again because I do want to read it.
I’m starting Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby because I enjoyed the movie so much.
Looking forward to getting some good recommendations this weekend.
Wearing Oeillet Bengale because I now have a new set of travel sprays that I got on discount.
I loved All the Light We Cannot See. I hope you’ll get to enjoy it as well when the right time comes.
You smell lovely, of course ?
Loved that book!
Loved it too.
I love that book, but the tone of it is very quiet.
My reading these days is mostly focused on the novel coronavirus and its impact, whether in the New York Times, The Atlantic, other publications, StatNews, Twitter people that I follow, and so on.
I’m continually ordering or downloading books and not getting around to reading them. I’m about halfway through Preet Bharara’s Doing Justice, which I highly recommend.
FYI for incense lovers: here is the latest edition of KyaraZen’s newsletter:
https://www.kyarazen.com/kz-incense-secrets/?utm_source=KyaraZen+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b78ae916b7-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_WEEKLY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6086993cfd-b78ae916b7-540178981#
I love his Instagram account, but I’m so glad he’s also writing more again.
Okay I think I just might be falling down a new rabbit hole – I love burning incense!
This incense made with real oud and other natural substances such as real sandalwood and occasionally camphor is a new experience, very subtle.
Also, it’s not like perfume oud, but rather the most elegant burning wood smell, because that’s what it is, resinous wood.
I bought a tiny tiny amount of oud chips from Enfleurage awhile ago and can’t bring myself to burn it cuz it was so expensive
It’s also fiddly to set up the charcoal, etc., for the chips. The incense is easier if you can find it.
I have an electric incense burner and love how easy it is
I’m tuning in to the Atlantic and NY Times in limited doses. I like the articles suggested at https://kottke.org/quick-links/
That’s very interesting, thanks, tiffanie!
hope you find a few articles you enjoy 😀
You may enjoy A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy by Thomas Buergenthal. He survived Auschwitz and became a judge at the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Very well-written and thoroughly engaging.
I read something about him, truly an amazing story!
Way too much of my reading time, probably, has been spent doing exactly what you are doingm, nozkoz, but without the Twitter and with The Guardian. Otherwise much the same sources. The Atlantic has been on this. I’ve also found Vox helpful. BUT I decided this weekend I needed to stop for a while and just check once a day for anything big.
I am cranky, hormonal, craving chocolate and Stephen King. I watched A Good Marriage which sucked and I am certain the book is way better. I may listen to some audibles of some of his other works. The Stand crossed my mind as I never read or listened to that one..but probably now isn’t the time.
I did like reading What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and the movie isn’t too bad either.
Chocolate cream pie is on the way via free trial of Shipt..I needed choco that bad to sign up for a trial.
Watched Thelma and Louise and Dead Poet’s Society yesterday for my continuous movie binge.
A giant, black cricket of some kind was found in my kitchen. I have not had an insect that large in my house before..quite the startle lol. At first, I thought it was a roach or a scorpion..I would just die if I ever saw a scorp I think.
No scent but wearing a scented lip balm by Celestial Seasonings, yep their tea flavors come in a lip balm:). Wearing Sleepytime Lip Balm for something soothing.
You just created a serious lip balm lemming!
I hope that chocolate pie hits the spot!
I love Sleepytime Tea – gotta try that balm!
Yeah they sell them in a variety pack too, I also wanna try the Tangerine and Lemon Zingers and the Vanilla Rooibos ?
I’ve occasionally gotten an intense vibe of The Stand from our times, including but not only the pandemic. I never read the book, only saw the television miniseries a long time ago.
Sleepytime + lip balm = a major lemming! thanks for sharing. 😀
For an excellent chocolate cookie, have you tried this recipe? It’s from Food 52, three ingredients and so simple. I made two tweaks, I used Gluten Free Flour mix (Cup for Cup), and added 1/2 teaspoon of espresso powder. It amped up the chocolate flavor immensely. I made sure to read the user comments, which gave me much-needed assistance. I found these cookies were better hand-mixed vs. in a stand up blender.
https://food52.com/recipes/78504-3-ingredient-nutella-brownie-cookies
And another note? The chewy texture of these cookies makes for an excellent ice cream sandwich, I used Haagan Daas mint chocolate chip.
I apologize in advance for the increased sugar intake. 😀
Oh geez yum, sounds heavenly:) Iove nutella and cookies..too bad eggs are kind of a pain to get these days. Or at least they were last time I was actually inside a store.
Lip balm and chocolate lemming!! ?
I have been browsing this website- it’s great
I don’t need more lip balm. I don’t need more lip balm. I don’t need more lip balm.
I have had a rough week emotionally – it’s just all been a lot, and little things that normally wouldn’t bother me really made me sad. For example, my birthday was on Thursday and my husband didn’t think to get a slice of birthday cake. This is obviously not a catastrophe, but it felt like one. Whoever compared this time to wandering aimlessly in an endless forest in yesterday’s post was right on.
Today I’m wearing Arielle Shoshana Saturday because tiffanie wore it yesterday. And tiffanie has impeccable taste.
Be safe, healthy and well.
Happy belated Birthday! Sorry you’re feeling a little rough. I think we’re all feeling the emotional roller coaster effect. I hope things start looking up for you. ✌?
Happy belated birthday. That would have definitely bothered me too at any time, but it’s especially now. I’m already dropping hints that I expect some semblance of a celebration on Mother’s Day. I hope today is better for you
My neighbor brought me a slice of chocolate cake and I am going to eat it in honor of you!!!! So sorry that your birthday was not all that. It is never the major tragedies in life that trip us up….we are equipped and supported to handle them…it is the small issues (that no one else would see as an issue) that burn us. You are not alone, deep breath, this next year will be better, you can make it so.
Aww I can share some chocolate pie and can stick some candles in it lol. I was alone on my bday this yr(nobody really wants to do anything a week after Christmas)but treated myself to a chocolate martini and a black forest slice at a nice little coffee shop.
Sorry sistine! And a very happy belated birthday, hope you’ll celebrate with a slice of cake when you can.
My kids will bake cake tomorrow-for a rainy day activity.
I will pass you a virtual slice..do you like chocolate?
Happy belated birthday to you!
hang in there, sistine. It’s ok to have sad days with everything that’s changing so much. And especially on a birthday! I know for me that one too many upsets, even little ones, can feel overwhelming.
I’m ok with one or two emotional blows in a day, but three strikes and I’m out, or more likely hiding out in the bathroom trying not to let anyone hear me cry.
hug hug hug hug hugs to you!
Happy birthday! I had a rough week too. The forest metaphor is mine but Amy left a great comment yesterday that’s it not really a metaphor…it really is a forest we have found ourselves in. Big hugs to you.
Happy Birthday to you!??????
Oof, sorry to hear that, sistine. Sunday is a great choice for some needed cosseting.
Belated Happy Birthday!
Belated happy birthday! I got no cake either, but did get a card, so at least I know he didn’t forget ;-). Yesterday sucked for me too. Everything is up and down, some days are okay and others it feels like things will go on like this forever. Be gentle with yourself.
Happy belated birthday! ??
I hope today was a better day for you.
Belated Happy Birthday. I’ll relate one of short snippets in Readers’ Digest, which I a, taking liberties to describe it my way. Early in a couple’s marriage, the husband kept forgetting their wedding anniversary. Finally, the husband thought of a brilliant idea. He paid for a subscription at a florist shop for a flower delivery every year. This went on for years and all was well until one day, he came home and remarked to his wife “Nice flowers! Where are they from?
Happy belated birthday! ???
Id be sad as well, at least I hope you gifted yourself something for your birthday. And if its not possible now, promise yourself to do it later.
Happy birthday, Sistine! I am buying my own cake for my bday on Wednesday. I insisted so that I get what I want. But I did already get a card from Mr Marzipan.
I hope you are in better spirits today.
Happy belated birthday. Your husband is likely experiencing the time blur we all feel…. nonetheless, hope you find good things to celebrate all week…
Happy belated birthday!
Awww, happy belated! Mine is in three weeks and I’ll undoubtedly still be stuck at home social distancing, so for sure I’ll need to plan to do something nice for myself as Mr. Teebear and I don’t typically celebrate bdays or holidays.
I’d love for him to spontaneously make an exception as times are stressful, but I know better than to hope! 15 years together and he still can’t remember exactly what day I was born on ?
Adding to the birthday wishes, and to the sympathy for the lack of cake. I know times are tough, but that isn’t acceptable! I hope you get some makeup cake soon.
Hey all!
I’m wearing La fin d’un été today, and even though I wish it lasted longer on me, I love it so much. I don’t think it’s made anymore unfortunately.
I read The Dutch House a couple of months ago and even though I liked it more that Lovestosmellgood (see above), I was not moved by it or compelled to recommend it as a must read. I then read an article in the NYT written by Ann Patchet (the author of the Dutch House) in which she was praising Kate DiCamillo (a children’s books author) whose books she had not read until recently. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, AP was saying, simply changed her life. That was such high praise, I had to read it too.
I can’t say it had the same effect on me but it was a lovely book and I’m glad I read it. I probably missed out on the beautiful illustrations having bought the Kindle edition.
Speaking of books which may have the unintended effect of putting you to sleep, I’m very slowly reading Why We Sleep by neuroscientist and sleep researcher Matthew Walker, which delves deeply (over almost 350 pages) into scientific research on sleep and why we don’t get enough of it and how bad that is for all of us. More than you ever wanted to know about sleep. But very interesting.
Wishing all of you a relaxing weekend (if such a thing is still possible).
One silver Covid lining is that everyone in my house is getting so much more sleep. That’s definitely something I’m gonna miss when all this is over
oh, same for me. I haven’t had so many days in a row with adequate or even extra sleep for many years. It’s a big silver lining for me. I’ve been told by an expert that 80% or more of positive mood and mental health is quality and quantity of sleep. 😀
I believe that – so important
I have listened to a bit of Matthew Walker on the Peter Attia podcast, and was wondering if I should get his book. Funny that it’s putting you to sleep!
Edward Tulane is a very good read. I highly recommend 😀
I read the Matthew Walker book, and it was really good! Especially in the beginning though, it put me to sleep. It was hard to get past the first 50 pages, because I just kept nodding off.
I’ll also put in a plug for Kate DeCamilo, we’ve read her books with my kid, and she’s great. Flora and Ulysses is really funny.
For some reason I really liked The Dutch House and I am not usually a big Ann Patchett fan. Maybe it has to do with one’s relationship to one’s siblings?
I am reading mainly non fiction right now.
A Dutch book on historiography of the middle ages.
And I bought A Curious History of Sex by Kate Lister. I have only read one chapter so far and I love it already. She has an awesome Twitter account @whoresofyore
For my book club I have to read a book by Anne Enright (forgot the title ?). I still need to purchase it, i think i will buy the eBook version, not the printed version.
I cant think of a fitting fragrance right now.
But reading about middle ages makes me think of roses, lilies and jasmine (all of them important symbols in the iconography of Mary) incense (churches… duh) and leather (horses, saddles).
I am wearing Lâme perdu right now and I love it.
Haha I love her handle
Me too!
We are scent twins. I’m also in L’Âme Perdue.
I treasure my memories of the day I bought it in Brussels. A sunny February day, a morning spent at the KBR looking at old Breughels, the afternoon around the Louiza area, getting my olfactory fix.
It now seems like it happened in another life.
I miss those trips as well. Museum visits, nosing around in perfume shops, or just strolling around…
And Bruxelles is such a fascinating city. Ive been there many times but mostly for art exhibitions, food and shopping. I really want to do an architecture oriented visit next time!
That account is wonderful — thanks, Jiji!
I wonder which Anne Enright. I just finished Actress and wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it.
Yes, that’s the one….
Will report back when i am finished!
I have been clearing out the bookcase of paperbacks in the attic and the den….re-reading and stacking up for the next library book sale (whenever that occurs!). So, I have been enjoying early Lisa Gardner novels ( The Perfect Husband, The Survivors Club, etc.) and some romance novels as well–excellent escapism from Eloisa James and Julia Quinn, also fun, funny, well written. On the more serious side, just slightly, reading the two volume Stephen Sondheim book on his work. Must read for every theatre worker.
No scent today, still in PJ’s, slept till nearly noon, not doing a damn thing….
I was just thinking that I may never borrow books again from the library, let alone rummage through a book sale…but never say never!
Yeah, there were already good reasons for libraries to move more and more to kindle, and this will accelerate that trend I’m sure.
But it’s just not the same? i Need to touch the pages
I hear you. I am getting used to kindle more & more but I would still prefer a paper book.
It isn’t the same is it, although I have been reading on my iPad a lot. I get the convenience and my house and office are overrun with books, but I love the pages and the haft and knowing where I am in the book by the feel.
You can join my kids..they are still in their Pj’s
We ate blueberry pancakes with maple syrup (Canadian only)
But of course! Canadian maple syrup is the best.
“No scent today, still in PJ’s, slept till nearly noon, not doing a damn thing….”
sounds perfect! 😀
It was pouring rain earlier but the sun is peeking out now, so I’ll go for a walk later. I have to clean up the kitchen as I was shucking oysters and it looks like a battleground. Well, it is, as the oysters REALLY don’t want to be opened. Bits of shell and seaweed and little mussels are scattered all over the countertop, as are my leather gloves, a screwdriver, and a mallet. I only had to resort to microwaving three of them. Now they are all on ice for dinner.
Reading–All of the Ruth Galloway series, I enjoyed them immensely. Like ltsg, I also read Oona Out of Order (it was fun), Dear Edward (hated it), two novels about a female Dallas police officer by an author named Kathleen Kent (good but violent), Valentine, Separation Anxiety, After the Flood, and now I’m reading the first in a series by author Ben Aaronovitch called Midnight Riot. I have tried to read Stephen King’s The Institute but I can’t do scary books right now.
I love the old WWII posters like “Loose Lips Sink Ships” so I was really happy to see a Portland artist did this: https://www.savelivesstayhome.org/
Forgot my SOTD! It’s Jour d’Hermes Absolu.
You smell lovely!
Love the poster! Only wish everyone on the frontlines had access to this kind of PPE.
I loved Oona out of Order-I loved to experience NYC in different eras.
Dear Edward was just ok..I am happy I read it but it would nothing I would pass on to someone.
SOTM was Italian Leather, to go with crossword puzzling and laundry. But now that two or three of you have mentioned De Profundis in the last couple of days, I’m craving a lighter, more spring-y scent. My little decant of DP was drained a while ago … maybe Jour d’Hermes? Has anyone tried the current version of De Profundis against the bell jar version? Are they the same?
For reading material, I have been alternating between old favorites and a new book called How Much of These Hills Is Gold. It’s a bit harrowing, so I’ve been taking it in small chunks.
Italian Leather makes me swoon!
Me too!
I don’t care for the current version of De Profundis, too much white musk for my taste. The original was so exquisite.
awwww, darn. white musk is my kryptonite, it’s all I can smell in some perfumes.
I’m with tiffanie – white musk is not my thing. The original formula was glorious, for sure. 🙁
All the talk about De Profundis made me unearth the remains of my decant and spray … and now its making me want to try and come up with a layering combo that’s at least close, because it’s just so darn beautiful. All I’ve got so far in the way of ideas is to combine Kyoto and a very pure iris (maybe Le Galion Iris) or narcissus (suggestions?), and something woody but not sweet. Or maybe Kyoto is woody enough?
Hi all, my SOTD is Bandit. We went for a nice four-mile walk, heard a woodpecker, witnessed several hawks swooping in and out among the trees. It’s going to be very warm and sunny today in SF.
I just completed The Last Kingdom, The Iron King, and Once Upon A River.
Currently reading Vanishing in the Haight, The Green Mill Murder, Cool Gray City Of Love, and The *$$hole Survival Guide (Robin, delete my comment if inappropriate).
Robin don’t delete 😉
You know I would never delete a comment when someone took the time to grawlix their own profanity.
Thanks Robin! I have a potty mouth, cleaning it up a little is something I’m working on. I tell my friends they always know where I’m at by either the amount of cuss words or the creativity involved. 😀
No worries. I have a potty mouth too. I find “shut the front door” oddly satisfying but there are no real good substitutes for other popular phrases in my toolkit 😉
LOL 😀 good for you on both the creative use of language and cleaning it up a little. I adore a salty conversation, but mostly when I’m not the one who spits fire. 😉
I’ve learned a new word!
Me too…I do it but didn’t know there was a proper word for it. 🙂
Bear in mind that it is a noun, but I don’t see why it can’t be used a verb too.
Me too!
I learned a new word too!
Robin, if I’m using it, it’s probably a verb. 😉
I managed to read 2 Readers’ Digest issues cover to cover and I’m almost done with the 3rd one. I have a ton of them and I’m glad they survived the last pre-COVID pruning. That said, I will say that I do not avoid pandemic news. After my workday (and also during my lunch), I have the TV on to news and I also read the Coronavirus news section of the New York Times. I especially like to read the human interest stories. The facts, as awful as they are, are data points I file away as I consider the situation we’re in. If it begins to affect my well-being and my emotional state, I will dial back.
SOTD = L’AP Safran Troublant
So wonderfully good!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ak-lphrVS/?igshid=k1ldg55kammg
Yesterday, I had the sudden realization that even if stores were to open up while we are still required to wear masks, I probably will not be trying on clothes. That’s a game changer because I normally like to try on JJill clothes since the sizing is not consistent across different styles. Would you feel comfortable trying on clothes given the opportunity as various businesses start opening?
I adore Safran Troublant, such an under rated beauty.
I would absolutely feel comfortable trying on clothes.
I love Readers Digest. Just last week I was looking up their Laughter is the best medicine pages, because it always makes me laugh.
As far as trying on clothes… it would depend on the store, and the return policy if I bought without trying. I won’t ever try clothes in my own store again.
I love Readers Digest, I’ve learned so many interesting tidbits along the way!
Trying on clothes doesn’t bother me, but I have so little interest in buying them I hadn’t even considered it. I’m currently not buying anything at all (other than chocolate and pastries). 🙂
The only Covid articles I am interested in are scientific ones. Can’t bear the media hype.
chocolate and pastries are essential at all times.
🙂
I am with you 100 percent on everything! ( including the chocolate and pastries!)
Yay to chocolate and pastries!!!
What did you think of Mon Guerlain Intense please? I am going to get a decant methinks…all the reviews seem to say amped vanilla which is music to my ears. 🙂
I like it, but did not especially notice extra vanilla, just more overall oomph.
Thanks!…I like oomph.
I’m very grateful the NY Times is making their pandemic articles available to everyone. I find it comforting, also scary. And I dial it back all the time.
I’d go into stores and try things on again. But…I don’t really need anything (there is a dress at Uniqlo that is tempting me….)
I’m not reading as much updates from mainstream news sources, other than statistics. I prefer more scientific ones or the videos that Deva linked to. Those fascinate me, because they are generally educational re how things work.
I wouldn’t feel particularly comfortable trying on clothing in a story to be honest. It depends on various factors, of course, and cloth doesn’t hold the virus for long apparently, but unfortunately these are the kinds of stores that I think are better off doing mail order (if they can) for the time being.
I’m having another slow-going day after insomnia kept me up until well after 3 last night. I’m chilling with the kitties. Later on I plan to make a big batch of vegetable soup featuring leeks, white beans, turnips, and whatever else turns up. With nice fresh herbs. My scent of the day is Marfa and my achievement of the day was mopping the kitchen floor. It will look nice for, if I’m lucky, about 12 hours. We had a sunny morning, a brooding thunderstorm, and now the sun is coming out again. Weird. I have pretty doves out on my bird feeder.
I forgot about the survey. Like Lucasi I seem unable to read these days. I’ve had to do a bit of work lately that involves philosophy reading about disgust. Such as the well-titled “Yuck! The Nature and Moral Significance of Disgust” by Daniel Kelly. Disgust is a big topic lately because of how it’s connected to emotions but also moral issues such as racial attitudes. So this is relevant now, maybe too relevant. Mostly in evenings I binge-watch Prime or Netflix shows. I’m near the end of the new season of Bosch now. It’s pretty good but earlier ones were better.
We just finished binge-watching Ozark with Jason Bateman, it was depressing but very well done.
That show is harrowing. Mr. G binged the whole thing, and it was all I could do to watch three or four minutes at a time. Egads.
thanks for the warning! I adore Laura Linney but will pass on watching Ozark.
Bosch is on my list for next. I did two Korean shows in a row, so need something gritty. And, I made my husband watch the Dual Spires episode of Psych last night. He liked it. I want him to watch the Bollywood episode, if only for the scene where Sean and Gus are eating the very spicy Indian food. It makes me laugh out loud every time.
I loved Psych – such good cast chemistry and quick, witty dialog. And things in the background! The Twin Spires episode was especially full of those, of course. Thanks for the reminder!
They have been doing marathons on Thurs and Fri on one of the cable channels. USA? The cast has participated in commentary via Zoom. They all agree the “It’s a Wonderful Life” parody really pushed the envelope….
I made minestrone soup yesterday..
enjoy
Mmm… I love minestrone!
The soup sounds delicious…I’ll be over at 6. 😉
I have plenty left!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_bK6S8JfMWuL0U7yUq1Ys3G6iecAonCMYqjTA0/?igshid=10ms0a0ncj216
Oops, sorry, I had to make my account private due to constant male hassling by predators who are no doubt swindlers posing as some handsome Americangiy with the same four photos every time. Yikes.
Catching up on a couple of books about Frank Lloyd Wright (Hollyhock House, The Lost Wright).
SOTD Tempo (Diptyque).
You smell great…have to wear Tempo soon.
I had a generous sample, Tempo was wonderful! I enjoyed it but it wasn’t FB worthy though. I have a huge bottle of L’ Eau Trois and Ofresia to work through…
Really, really struggling to read. I did manage a few chapters this morning. Vol de Nuit by A. de St. Exupéry. Beautiful.
Had a wonderful long and surprisingly quiet walk. Wearing the rich and fruity L’Âme Perdue. So glad I bought this.
Tea is a nice Chinese green. Last year’s harvest.
We finally had a sunny day so we did a walk too. Lots of people out doing home improvement stuff.
I love Saint-Exupéry, my favourite is Terre des Hommes. Have you read Nicolas Bouvier’s L’Usage du Monde? Also excellent. (I’m giving the original French titles since I don’t know what language you prefer to read in.)
I have not. It’s going on my reading list, thank you! Interesting man, a Swiss wanderer.
In AG Musc Nomade.
Apart from my annual Pride and Prejudice reread, I’m struggling to read fiction. I’ve been reading Bill Bryson’s The Body, but sadly find it both dull and humorless. I bought it in the hope of “a lawyer can still enjoy a John Grisham book” (and I thought that The Emperor of Maladies was an excellent book on cancer -written by an oncologist, but written really well and insightful and good for professionals and laypersons alike). The Body feels as though someone took out all the interesting and hard parts of a medical textbook, without really supplementing with history and oddities. Rant over. Sorry Bill.
I read Eastern Horizons – hiking the Silk Road by Levison Wood.
Started reading Flavour – A user’s guide to our most neglected sense by Bob Holmes.
Watched Dr David Katz on Bill Maher talking about the pandemic and must say that the world will eventually have to take a more pragmatic approach. Children are low risk and I cannot home school my children for 18 months. Just one example.
Flavour sounds interesting!
If you haven’t already read it, Salt, A World History, is an excellent read. 🙂
Thanks for the rec!
The Emperor of all Maladies was excellent. I read it years ago, just after it first came out. You smell great by the way, and I too reread Austen quite often. P&P being my favourite.
P & P is just so elegantly written. I read Sense and Sensibility again as well ( I think it was her first novel), and it lacks that certain something. P&P was her second novel, but she nipped and tucked it when she was in her late thirties, obviously to great effect!
I know that Emma is generally considered to be her masterpiece and I can kind of see why. I just do not enjoy reading it as much as P&P.
S&S is fun, but like Northanger Abbey it’s not quite as polished as some of her other work.
Have you read Persuasion?
I haven’t! And I have one of those thick compilation books with all of her novels. Will remedy that ASAP.
I’ve had watch parties lately where we’ve done Emma (most recent version) and then Clueless the week after (since it is based on Emma), and those have been really fun escapism!
I’ve read some very favourable reviews of the new Emma, but the actor playing Mr. Knightley is so far removed from my own image of him that I haven’t been able to go and see it.
Also Mr. Knightley isn’t even remotely as great a hero as Mr. Darcy 😉
I think I’m the odd such in that I really like Mansfield Park.
Good for you! I kind of enjoy the obnoxiousness of Aunt Norris, but all in all it’s not as enchanting as P&P.
I meant; I don’t find it as enchanting as…
I do too LizzieB. It’s not my favorite of Austen, but it’s still a favorite book and have reread it multiple times.
Oh thank you, was wondering about that Bill Bryson. I found his Road to Little Dribbling humorless too, so maybe I just don’t care for his later writing.
I just watched the 2 part Gene series on PBS, and now am in the middle of the Emperor of all Maladies series, it’s possibly not as good as the book but it’s pretty interesting. I really like Mukherjee’s writing in the New Yorker and turns out he has a good TV presence too.
Maybe it’s not us, but him ;)? Didn’t know about the series, it’s been a while since I read the book.
I have become very frustrated with reading Bryson. Earlier books of his are great the first time you read them, but then going back for a second reading, they just don’t hold up and seem a bit mean. His later work rarely strikes me as funny, and often comes across as whiny.
Ah, maybe I would not love his early work now then either.
Little Dribbling — he just seemed like an old crank. Mind you, I’m an old crank, but it isn’t enjoyable to read.
The Emperor of Maladies is on my list. I also like Atul Gawande’s Being Human.
I think a friend also recommended Atul Gawande’s book. I think in English it is Being Mortal? I was waiting for her to finish hers, but now I’ll just look for it online. I used to love paper books!
Oh yes, I misremembered the title, thank you for correcting me.
I just reading Being Mortal and highly recommend.
The Gawande book is great, but I sobbed my eyes out while reading it.
I also liked the Dr. Katz interview and totally agree. Here’s the link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lze-rMYLf2E
That was excellent. And extremely informative. Made a lot of sense to me. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks. I value your opinion.
I suppose we’ll be having a kind of a natural experiment and as some states open up more rapidly or adhere less rigorously to shut downs and social distancing. It will be interesting to see what happens — from a safe distance, I hope.
Most of my reading is escapist, nnow more than ever, often science fiction, and I’ve just finished the Revenger trilogy by Alastair Reynolds – I bought the first book ages ago, took a while to read it, then couldn’t put it down. It’s a pirate adventure, right down to talking like a pirate, but set in a far future. Really good!
I’m following that up with two new SF books by Peter Hamilton and, in between, Angela’s new book, Secret of the Blue Lily. I thoroughly enjoyed that too.
We’re moving out of a very strong lockdown, reportedly one of the strictest. It’s not changing much for most of us, but we will be able to get food by takeaway or delivery, and order non-essentials online.
Perfume-wise, wearing three different perfumes a day during lockdown means I’m nearly through my FBs, and will soon get back to my samples.
Off to clean the bathroom in Patou’s 1000 🙂
Gaynor, were you the one who recommended Redshirts the last reading poll? I enjoyed it very much, so fun.
No, it wasn’t me, but glad that someone’s recommendation paid off!
I love the name of that book. So sly. Beyond Star Trek, it makes me think of Sam Rockwell’s tour de force performance in Galaxy Quest.
I recently read an excellent novel called Godshot by Chelsea Bieker, about a teenage girl named Lacey who lives in a religious commune run by a man who claims he can bring the rain down on their drought-stricken California town. Nobody is allowed to drink water because it’s seen as doubting his word, so everybody drinks soda instead (and is baptized in it). Because of the soda, my first thought was A Lab on Fire’s Paris/L.A. due to its fizzy cola note. Another fragrance that might work is Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s Coeur de Raisin, because there’s a scene where Lacey eats a fresh grape and is astounded by the intensity of its flavor. It’s a really good book, though parts of it are difficult (thematically) to read.
The best nonfiction book I’ve read so far this year is Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby, which is a collection of really funny essays. She has two other essay collections (Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life) that are great too. Recommended fragrance: something fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously, like Fantasy by Britney Spears or something from the Smell Bent line.
Last month I read almost nothing due to depression completely eroding my concentration skills, but am happy to report I’m back at it. It’s my favorite pastime and I missed it!
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ll add these to the queue!
If you like non-fiction, Unfollow, A Memoir of Leaving the Westboro Church was a very interesting read. A bit disturbing at times though.
I’m glad you are back to reading- it’s really the small pleasures
Godshot sounds very interesting. And if you want more fiction about cults, there is on by an Australian author, Janette Turner Hospital, called Oyster, and it’s good. I like some of her other books better though, and would highly recommend The Last Magician or Charades.
I’ve read We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, and am looking forward to reading Irby’s others.
Thanks for all these wonderful recommendations! I poured over the comments and have checked out 4 books and have 4 more on hold. 🙂
I am in Fragonard Jasmin today…haven’t worn this one in a while…jasmine and citrus…quite perfect for spring…I keep sniffing to see if there is any vanilla but so far I detect none…have to remind myself that not every single perfume has vanilla in it…a difficult lesson to have to keep relearning… 😉
That Fragonard sounds really nice. And glad you got some new books to read!
It’s time I pulled out my Fragonard, which is jasmine and tea.
That’s a good one! I actually had a wipe sample of it and really used it as a wipe!
I really need to explore the Fragonard line. They sound like beautiful perfumes and are reasonable in price.
So many good books and audiobooks and podcast series lately!
My favorite was “Crisis in the Red Zone” (about the 2013 Ebola outbreak). I read this in Feb and couldn’t put it down. I know it may sound too close to present issues, but it really is great science writing.
Also strongly recommend the “Making Sense” podcast. There’s a book too, but the podcast is amazing: there was a recent interview with the Yale professor who studies happiness and well being that was just awesome and especially thought provoking in times when we are all so much thinking about HOW we should live and what truly makes us happy.
Perfume front: Hermès Rose Ikebana.
Work front: I am being called to work in the office again permanently on Friday (or maybe the following Monday). I was surprised by my own discomfort and sadness at the request. I’m… feeling all the feelings. All of them.
I hope that you are staying safe, friends! Staying safe and taking care of each other.
best wishes for your return to work. I hope all goes well.
Thanks for the podcast rec!
I can imagine all those feelings. Good luck luck on your return. I am going to check out that podcast…I have heard of the course and book.
I hope your return to work is as smooth and uneventful as possible.
Good luck with the return.
scent twins. adore rose ikebana.
I don’t really have the patience to be reading these days, especially after working all day. There’s way too much going on.
Today I wore Lush Tuca Tuca, layered with the matching solid version for a quick grocery trip.
This afternoon we made the Irish stew (with cabbage, beans and barley) that someone here had kindly shared the link for awhile ago. It’s sooo good, thank you!
Hope everyone is hanging in there.
And my boyfriend is making that stew tomorrow! I’m looking forward to it.
Stew: the ultimate comfort food!
Today I wore Chloe Love Story eau Sensuelle, then Angelique Noire and now in Shalimar Souffle Intense. I’m Feeling exhausted from doing a whole lotta nothin today. I’m supposed to have sunshine tomorrow, so hopefully it will put a little pep in my step.
I can give you some of my work LOL ????
Oh, no thank you, lol. I’m actually not complaining. I’m sorry you have such demanding work, and hope it eases up for you.
SotD = Lubin Epidor from a sample
Epidor is happy and carefree, golden and sunny, I’m really enjoying it today. It’s funny, the last time was less enjoyable. But it’s been a while, so perhaps I mis-remember it. And maybe I’ve not yet gotten to the part I like less? Tonka bean in a drydown can sometimes make me go “ew”, especially if it’s strong enough that I can taste it. Time will tell.
Learned a French slang term yesterday: “jeudredi”, a combination of jeudi (Thursday) and vendredi (Friday). It is used to welcome in the weekend a day early, typically with “une bière”. Seems a perfectly appropriate word to co-opt given how often I don’t know what day it is. I think every day should be jeudredi, much like some folks like to think “it’s 5:00 somewhere” all the time.
Not reading many books lately, though I should have the time and wherewithal. As others have mentioned I am enjoying journalism lately, in limited doses, and often curated at https://kottke.org/quick-links/
One book I would like to recommend is “Your illustrated guide to becoming one with the universe” by Yumi Sakugawa. It’s delightful.
Epidor ( thank you PL67!!!) reads very very sweet on my skin.
skin chemistry is amazing, isn’t it? 😀 Epidor stayed medium-sweet on me.
Epidor doesn’t get very sweet on my skin which is odd, because usually anything sweet gets dialed to 11 when I wear it. I really love Epidor.
same for me, I think it’s the tonka bean that keeps the sweetness in check.
The tonka bean peeked out for a bit but wasn’t enough to be offputting. Sometimes on my skin tonka turns sort of dusty and almost sour smelling in the drydown. But it was in fine in Epidor, which is a nice because the rest of the perfume is glorious.
Jeudredi is so useful! Thanks for that, I’m going to talk to my francophile friend about it. I think he’ll love it.
😀 yay! everyday should be jeudredi, LOL
Thanks for the link!
my pleasure! I enjoy Jason Kottke’s sensible outlook.
I’ve been wearing Smell Bent Prairie Nymph today since I didn’t get around to wearing it this week. I bought my first perfume of the quarter today. I got a lightly used bottle of Volutes EDP from eBay. I also ordered a couple Marimekko for Uniqlo tees. And yesterday, I finally placed a Luckyscent order I’d been thinking about for the last week: La Compagnie de Provence Savon de Marseille Fig hand soap, Oriza L. Legrand Verbena bar soap, Maison la Bougie candle on sale, and some perfume samples. I hadn’t bought anything in a while, so I guess I’m going on a little spree right now.
Love the Marimekko and Uniqlo partnership. The jacket I bought at Thanksgiving turned out to be a fabulous purchase. I wore it all winter and got many compliments.
I really wanted some of those items they released on black Friday, but the larger sizes went fast. By the time they restocked the sizes, my interest had waned. If I like the quality and fit of these tees, then I may buy more from the line. I’m glad your jacket purchase was successful!
Yay for your LS spree!
Indeed! If only they’d had samples of Bee in stock. I really want to try that one.
Ohhh, I adore Smell Bent’s Prairie Nymph. One of these days, I’ll need to replace my bottle.
I love it too. I bought a bottle last year during a sale. My travel spray lasted me forever because this perfume is nuclear powered on me.
With the 12+ hours a day of WFH no time or energy for reading.
SOTD Sarah Horowitz Brigitte
That is a serious work load.
It’s absolutely insane. But expected of me. And if things don’t change soon I may end up without a job anyway. ???
I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope you can keep you job and not have to work those long hours. What field are you in?
Speech pathologist
Had to look that one up, the Dutch word is entirely different.
A good job and interesting.
When I was still working in radiology I used to make video fluoroscopic swallowing exams for speech pathologists. Unfortunately I never had the time how they were used or interpreted afterwards.
I’m sorry to hear you are in such a demanding position. I hope you are able to find some balance for yourself.
I bet you smell amazing!
Thank you, Sistine. I am trying.
Ohhh, I adore Smell Bent’s Prairie Nymph. One of these days, I’ll need to replace my bottle.
I’m so sorry about the heavy workload! Please take good care of yourself.
I’ve learned the hard way, my energy and peace of mind isn’t an endless supply, it needs to be replenished and nurtured. 🙂
Thanks for the sound advice ?
I had to adult last night, and my three spritzes of yesterday’s Yosh Ginger Caio is STILL going strong. Like most thing you find “meh,” it just keeps going and going. ..
Going to hit the shower, hit the bed for a wee nap, and then this evening will have a nice lengthy phone chat with an old friend here that I’ve been unable to see. I’m not a phone talker in general, but I need a friendly convo about general life stuff. She’s had a lot of changes over the last 20 years, so we’ll have plenty to talk about. Enjoy your Sunday Funday!
Sounds good. Enjoy your chat. I too will be chatting with my childhood friend of 52 years today. We were supposed to get together this weekend for my birthday. But a long phone conversation is just as good ?
I hope you have a nice long chat with your friend. I miss seeing my friends, but we manage to keep in touch in other ways.
Auphorie is offering a mail order version their Paris perfumery master class, “from the imperial perfume of the Qing dynasty to the birth of early modern oriental perfumes.”
They will send the digital workbook by email, and the kit of 22 raw materials by express shipping.
https://auphorie.com/collections/master-class/products/perfumery-master-class-module-01?mc_cid=2cf9702d91&mc_eid=f298f9b792
I hope it’s ok to post this Robin, I’ve always admired Angela Merkel’s level headedness and she is showing her other talents as well.
It’s not meant as a criticism of other politicians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SQVZ4CeXA
Eau de bleach..yuck. And more Sleepytime balm. I hate the smell of bleach, my cat apparently likes it. Lol. Odd.
Will probably order pancakes from my fave brunch spot in town, Griddlecakes. Best darned breakfast. Gunna support one of my favorite small businesses. I mean..pictures say it all? https://www.instagram.com/griddlecakeslv/
My Shipt order didn’t come yesterday so to curb my choco craving..it’s pankcakes with choco chips, I hope:).
Oh
My
God
Yummy!!!!!! Eat some for me too ?
I think they used mint choco chips on my pancakes but not complaining, it was interesting and yum lol
Delicious!!!!
Those pancakes!
I totally understand the bleach thing. Our cat loved the smell of newly washed, bleached sheets; it was almost like it was catnip. He would bury himself under the blankets to sleep on the clean sheets!
Thanks for the condolences on Friday, guys. My grandmother was tired of fighting her cancer and wanted to be with my grandfather. I made me peace with it and understand. I am okay with that. Spending the morning in Worth Courtesan, while looking at Luckyscent. Avignon, the Hedonist travel set and Lonestar Memories are the 3 I am looking at. I am thinking Kyoto for the funeral tomorrow but will probably switch to Epic later on today.
So sorry for your loss, Dawn. Grieving is especially rough right now. Sending good thoughts.❤️
Hugs dawn. ?
My condolences Dawn
Dawn, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
I’m sorry Dawn.
I’m reading The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili. It. Reminds me of a modern day War and a Peace set in the time of the Russian Revolutions in a Georgia. There is a lot of mention of the great grandfather’s chocolate bakery, so I would wear Tihota but I am out of my sample.
During this time I find that none of my fragrances appeal to me or seem right. Haven’t put anything on yet.
Going to look that one up, thanks — sounds interesting.
Thank you so much for the belated birthday wishes and hugs yesterday. I read them this morning just before I gave myself a pep talk to buy the groceries, and it made me feel so much more balanced and happy. And while shopping I bought myself a belated birthday key lime pie (they didn’t have any cake), so I am very excited about that!
Mayonnaise. Our grocery store was completely out of mayonnaise. How many sandwiches are people making right now?
My SOTD is California Reverie. I’ve really been craving jasmine lately, so I think I may binge on jasmine this week.
My grocery store was out of cheese, and I thought the same thing! Everyone must be eating sandwiches. I should check the peanut butter shelf next time.
Yum to the key lime pie!
Cake twins!!!!!!!!!
I am saving it for Wednesday.
I also bought baklava and a fresh fruit torte for today LOL ?
Had I left it to Mr Marzipan he would have bought a chocolate cake. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but I am in the mood for key lime pie ??
Enjoy your pie!!!!
An opportunity to make your own if you have enough eggs and oil at home. Also a chance to glam it up with herbs.
More belated Birthday wishes here! ? I’m sorry that it was a bummer for you.
Bubba Gump Mayo Co…Mayo on the half shell, mayo and potatoes, mayo oreos, mayo salad, shrimp and mayo, mayo chocolate sauce, celery stuffed with mayo, Scott Mayo? Bacon wrapped mayo, mayo and dumplings, Corned mayo and hash, mayo stuffed bell peppers…mayobe I should stop now
I didn’t answer the reading poll yesterday, but I don’t really have a lot to share. I’m one of the prior who’s had a tough time reading since the pandemic started. I finished an interesting read called The Shining Girls right at the beginning of transitioning to working from home. It was about a time traveling serial killer. Really interesting premise and pretty well done book overall.
I tried to start a fantasy series by N.K. Jemisin, The Broken Earth. But after initially really liking the first 10 pages, I just couldn’t use my imagination as required in fantasy. I was way too preoccupied and overwhelmed otherwise.
So I’ve been slowly reading Listening to Scent: An Olfactory Journey with Aromatic Plants and Their Extracts by Jennifer Peace Rhind. This kind of reading was just what I needed. Some bits of olfactory science, developing your sense of smell, descriptions of the odor profiles of many essential oils and absolutes, a primer on building accords. It’s a great little reference book.
The Broken Earth is GREAT!!! But, it would be hard to read at this time, I think. A lot of terrible things happen to the characters, and it seems like they are often going from the frying pan into the fire. But seriously, once you have the brain space to focus on it, it’s amazing. That series made me think of her as highly as I think of LeGuin. Jemisin is incredible.
Yes, I’ve heard so many good things and will definitely read it at the right time. I am almost done with Listening to Scent, so I’m going to try next Saga of The Swamp Thing comic series by Alan Moore (written in the 80s).
Hmm reading my comment, and I don’t know where “the prior” came from. I just meant “those” not “the prior.” I use Swype on my phone, and it’s insufferable sometimes.
Huge fan of The Shining Girls!
I was doing a lot of candy reading right at the beginning of NY on PAUSE. I finished a romance (Mr. Right Swipe by Alisha Rai), a mystery (Bitter Brew by somebody McKevitt), and a modern fiction novel (Good Karma by Christina Kelly), none of which were that exciting.
Then I started Supernova Era by Cixin Liu, and it’s really good, but also really slow going. It’s about everyone on earth over the age of 13 dying, and the children having to take over the world. Some parts of it remind me too much of what’s going on outside right now. I’m not letting myself read anything else until I finish this, because otherwise I just won’t finish it, but I estimate it will take me another week or two. I’m watching a lot of tv/movies right now instead.
Also going on some long bike rides. I’m doing 2 per week of about 17-20 miles distance. It’s great because I can go out really early in the morning, and there are not many cars on the streets, and there are not many people out, so it is pretty easy to maintain social distance.
Scent of the weekend is Penhaligon’s Lily of the Valley, which is spring-y and perfect, and I’m bathing in it!
Supernova Era sounds like fun but maybe hard right now — let me know when you’re done! I am watching way more tv than normal too.
I recommend A Quiet Adjustment by Benjamin Marcovits, a novel based on Byron’s marriage, and pair it with Habit Rouge.
Oh, that one looks interesting too. My list is getting long!
Well, I’m a ding dong: I somehow managed to post my “hello perfumeworld, I’m back” message on the lazy weekend reading poll from over a month ago. Oh, well.
I’ll just repeat my book recommendation, which is an oldy: Christopher Moor’s Practical Demonkeeping. Humor is right up my alley right now.
Christopher Moore is such perfect reading for right now!
Had a lovely 4 mile walk today, with lots of kitties, birds and flowers. My SOTD for today (4/26/20) is Halston extrait.
Happy Sunday schmoopies.
Happy Sunday to you schmoopie
you’re schmoopie! 😀
?schmoopie!
Shalimar
Rainy Sunday
Baking chocolate cake and drinking Turkish coffee
Also doing some Italian homework
Started a new book The Best Bad Things, will keep you posted.
My late-night bake will likely be a strawberry jam almond bundt cake – only using what’s in the pantry, otherwise, I’d be making a lemon Earl Grey cake. No lemons lying around.
Hello all! Have been in hiatus lately for various mundane reasons.
I randomly selected a sample from my Diptique loot bagged just spritzed on some Eau des Sens: very detergent-y but it’s only been about a minute.
For fun, I am reading À Rebours by Huysmans. I am looking forward to the section on the perfume organ but the details are so vivid (and bizarre) that I linger and linger on the same page – definitely not getting far!
For work (an exhibition review), I am diving into the the world of Degas and the Ballet. It’s an academic review, so lots of contextual reading.
For the flower lovers here: did you know that you can purchase dehydrated daffodils? I was at an overpriced supermarket (WW – you know which one) I came across them in the florist section. They almost look like green straws with buds at the end and when immersed in water, half of the them bloomed the next day and all by the third. The different is that the flowers are not as fleshy and robust as regular fresh-cut blooms.
Wow, no, had no idea you could buy dehydrated daffodils and will investigate! Taht sounds just weird.
They are imported from Ireland.
Aha, interesting.
This week’s books:
5/5 Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Premise: part thriller, part speculative science fiction. Apparently being made into a TV thing.
Review: I went in with reservations – speculative sci-fi is not especially my thing – and finished the book in two sittings. It’s great. Explains theoretical physics in a way that is really functional for a layperson and doesn’t let it bog the story down whatsoever. An accomplishment!
3.5/5 Scythe by Neal Schusterman
Premise: in a utopian future where the digital cloud has optimized life and eliminated death, some people have to become reapers to keep the world population sustainable
Review: it’s a young adult book, so it’s a quick read and well paced. The moral lessons feel pretty heavy handed sometimes and some plot twists are obvious, but I think it’s a great story for young adults to dive into questions of mortality and end-of-life ethics while still being an entertaining read – and you can certainly still enjoy it as an adult if you like this genre.
1/5 The Wallflower Wager, Tessa Dare
Premise: Regency-style romance with a titled lady who has rescue animals
Review: Legit awful. The plot pacing was so uneven, the main characters are purely caricatures, language and the social norms of what should be a fixed time period are all over the place. I love trashy Regency romance but this one didn’t do anything for me.
2.5/5 The Dragon Republic, R.K. Huang
Premise: Book 2 of the Poppy War, a fantasy version of China and the Sino-Japanese wars where Eastern gods exist and can possess people to give them quasi magical powers.
Review: I barely made it through the Poppy War, the first book of this series, and am officially giving up with this one. There just isn’t any depth to the main character and the plotline is absolutely plodding by this book.
2.5/5 Persuasion by Jane Austen
Premise: a Regency woman whose early marriage hopes were dashed by her family’s disapproval finds her way back to love
Review: am I the only one that highly disliked Persuasion? I found Anne’s character unsympathetic, a Mary Sue whose only character flaw was caring too much for her family’s opinion at a young age (the horror), and her sister and father drawn in such broad satirical strokes as to make them wholly unbelievable. It just didn’t move me, and I loved most of her other books!
SotD Akro Dark. Made milk-and-white chocolate cookie bars this afternoon and Mr. Teebear is being fabulous and making Chinese Buddhist feast with fried egg tofu. That’s all I accomplished for the weekend!
Dark Matter sounds great!
SOTD = Mugler Les Exceptions Over the Musk
So good. Musky powdery woody amber.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_dUrZvB2VG/?igshid=vhgawoulji6b
Great reading suggestions!
So what are the differences between Billy Bob Kitteh and Billy Bob Kitteh 2.0?
Billy Bob 2.0’s eyes have eyelashes that make them look more peppy and his mouth is upturned instead of a surprised ?…other than that, the coloring is exactly the same. Oh…and Billy Bob 2.0 actually has a cap that is the same color as the scarf but I have never pictured him with his cap on yet because I love his ears!
Thanks! ??
Oh my gosh, that bottle is even prettier in person!
You already know you smell wonderful ?
Thank you!
I’m part of the group who can’t read books right now. Some days it feels like I can’t even brain, ugh. So no recommendations from me.
SOTD = FM Superstitious, from the sample stash. I finally changed it up from Prada Candy today. I like Superstitious, but I think I might be back in Candy tomorrow. I’m craving comfort scents right now, and Candy seems to solidly fall into that niche for me.
I really love Superstious, but it’s not easy to wear.
Usually I have no issues with Superstitious. This past week has been a challenging one, though, so I’m really sensitive to things that normally won’t faze me.
I really like Supersritious. Maybe I’ll thunk my sample…I have a travel spray waiting in the wings.
Pardon the misspelling – Superstitious
Hey no worries!
I have been reading Angela Sanders newest mystery,Secret of the Blue Lily.I am halfway through and am loving the fragrance connection and detailed Paris settings.Usually the setting for her Vintage Clothing Shop mysteries is in Portland,OR which is very familiar to me.This is very well written.I haven’t been able to figure out who the real villain/villainess is so far.I love that the Sianese cat in the book is named Jicky.
Rose ikebana, balcony, sunshine & books: Ursula K Le Guin’s blog (smart), Mary Oliver’s Blue Horses (peaceful), David Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist (adventurous, fun and sometimes funny). Wonderful Sunday. Now back to home office monday in Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet as I have been craving citruses lately.