An update of a pandemic poll we did in late March, again in May and then again in September. As always, answer as many or as few as you like, or just talk about something else.
1. Have you been vaccinated against covid-19? If not, and if you plan to be vaccinated, when do you expect you might get a shot? (Obviously not everybody is planning to be vaccinated, but ya'll know we are not going to have a vaccine debate here, so no need to start a discussion on that topic.)
2. Rate the virus-related restrictions in your area from 1 to 5, with 1 being complete freedom of movement and 5 being complete lock down.*
3. If your area is back to normal (or opening up), are you continuing to restrict your own movements / exposure? What number would you assign to your own freedom of movement?
4. Are there any fragrances (or related items) you bought, or didn't buy, just because of the pandemic? How else has the pandemic changed your fragrance shopping?
5. How has the pandemic changed your fragrance habits and usage?
6. What's blooming in your local area at the moment?
7. Now that we're nearly a year into the pandemic, with potentially months yet to go, tell us about your best coping strategies! Or, feel free to share something — anything! — wonderful with us. (And of course, if you're struggling, do feel free to share that too. We've all been there.)
Note: top image is Beautiful Morning Winter Sunrise With Pink Clouds And Snow Covered Hill With Bare Trees [cropped] by Jessica Lewis at flickr; some rights reserved.
* You can interpret this however you like, but I will repeat a comment I left on the March poll: "To me a 3 is you can still go out to exercise; a 4 is you can go out to store but can’t wander about without an excuse like store or meds or something, and they don’t even want you taking a walk; a 5 is complete lock down & can’t even go to store." So 1 would be no restrictions at all, and a 2 would be some restrictions (have to wear a mask? some types of establishments still closed? limiting number of people in a store, etc).
Happy Saturday! Love the pic and the photographer has lots more beautiful shots of Pennsylvania too.♥️
I work for a healthcare system and am very grateful that I have been vaccinated.
Today I am wearing Vanille Bourbon by Il Profvmo and Orchidee Vanille by Van Cleef & Arpels to see if I need to keep or rehome. I bought FBs early in my Vanilla Quest but haven’t been reaching for either in a while.
Also sniffing some Vilhelm perfumes from a generous NSTer today on strips: Morning Chess, Dear Polly, Dirty Haze and Basilico & Fellini…Dear Polly is my favorite but reminds me of something I already have methinks.
I love Orchidée Vanille, if you decide to rehome it you know who to call. :-).
Vanille Bourbon was one of my first purchases. I must have been agnostic to something or it was really fleeting – I ended up selling mine pretty fast..
Oh I love Dear Polly! If it does come to you, I’m curious what it reminds you of.
My answers:
1. I doubt I will manage to get a shot before May or June, if then. My husband has had his first shot and my mother has had her second.
2. In September I said between a 2 and a 3, now I don’t even know…I am no longer paying attention.
3. About a 4. I am out and about very little, many days, not at all, and I am rarely in a store or place of business. I am really looking forward to warmer weather.
4. Really no change…I am buying almost nothing.
5. Again, no real change.
6. Nothing, but my husband reports that he has seen the snow drops in our front yard just starting to poke though.
7. Last year my coping strategy was mostly staying busy with home improvement & redecorating projects. As soon as it is warm enough to open windows, I will be painting again. Meanwhile, I am bored, and sick of winter, and can’t seem to get interested in any of the reorganization projects I had hoped I’d get done before spring. But I am cheerful more often than not, which is actually a bit of a surprise. I got a lot of new plants last summer and fall, and trying to keep them all alive through the winter has been a good calming activity as well.
Glad about your husband and mother. Hope yours comes sooner than later!
Looking after a plant is very calming…until you remember you haven’t thought about it for a while and then discover it died in the interim which turns out to have been waaaay longer than you thought. Oops!
That was always my way with plants, but when you amass enough of them you are pretty much forced into checking every day or two…when I started bringing them home last year my husband solemnly told them to enjoy their remaining time on earth, but in fact I have not killed a single one 🙂
Perhaps there is still hope for me… 😀
Beautiful serene photo pick Robin.
#7 I admire you! What are you wintering over?
I can’t bear to toss my poinsettias (I often don’t – they make beautiful summer shrubs. and are so grateful for the loyalty)
I need one or 2 to fuss over, but after a few years of this we had grow lights situated everywhere and it became cumbersome so we went the greenhouse route instead. I I have a funny story on this subject: our black cat would use the large-ish palm trees that we’d left indoors as her litter box, NOT FUNNY at the time and after trying tin foil over the rims we eventually went to river rock which worked well.
Oh — just regular houseplants! I used to keep tons when I lived in SoCal, but in PA it is harder, esp. during a cold winter when we really have the radiators blasting. Plants in my very old house have a choice: a drafty windowsill, or a drafty windowsill with a radiator just underneath it. Ha!
So you have your own greenhouse? I am envious!
I had so many new plants, I took some to the office and placed them in the lobby (a lovely baby variegated schefflera and a lush spathiphyllum), and nobody said anything. I also take pride in a begonia that I rescued as a little sprout after I noticed it survived a hard freeze back in 2007; it has overwintered in a laundry room pot ever since, and blooms there all winter, and on the porch the rest of the year. It has been trimmed back and repotted, and probably is actually a scion of the original plant, but it’s fun.
My husband likewise has begonias that he sticks in the laundry room for the winter, and aloes and a few other things.
I did not even know until last year that there are variegated spathiphylums…have 2 of those.
Robin, I feel your boredom at winter. There is just so much snow and cold a girl can take. But we are almost out of it, glorious Spring is just around the corner!
I sure hope so!
Not eligible for the vaccine yet, too young, but my husband who is over 65 got his first shot already.
In San Diego we are in the second highest tier, will possibly drop a level soon as cases/hospitalizations are dropping.
Personally I don’t go out much other than a daily dog walk or rare trip to the grocery store. I could eat out but I am just too apathetic and not really a restaurant person anyway. I did get a haircut 2 weeks ago.
Pretty much all my fragrance purchases have been online, although I did buy JM Scarlet Poppy in store as I was able to test it there first.
I’ve worn less perfume than normal due to not going out, and anxiety. I can’t tolerate strong smells when I’m anxious, and even though I mostly wear perfume for myself, part of the routine is selecting a perfume & outfit, and sitting around all day in sweats doesn’t trigger the act of applying perfume.
We have some South African lilies blooming in the backyard now and the wisteria is starting to bud.
As for coping strategies, I do yoga, meditation, reading, youtube videos, dog walks and online ordering of books & perfume samples. 🙂
I justify buying perfume on the grounds that many of them help my anxiety. Of course the amount I buy triggers anxiety and thus we have the perfect addiction loop. ?
Same here!
Anxiety works in mysterious ways. The Acqua Colonia 4711 went on a 75% sale at a shop here and I kept getting anxious that I’d miss one I would really like later so I kept going in and getting more. Now I’m totally stressed out that I have a ton of these weak colognes…
I put those big bottles of cologne around the house — in cupboards, closets, etc. — and use them as home sprays. I spritz linen drawers, dryer balls, bathroom sinks, throw pillows, throw rugs, the shower stall right before I get in, the nozzles of my humidifiers, bookmarks, and everything else I can think of. They’re great for this purpose, because you don’t feel bad about using them generously!
Oh! That’s a great idea! I was wondering if I should use one up before opening another to try preserve them for longer, but I really love variety so maybe that would give me a way to use them simultaneously.
Also, if I do not want to spray perfume directly on a surface for some reason, I spray it onto a thick piece of paper (like an index card or a doubled up paper towel), and then place the paper wherever I want the scent.
I am in the very last tier of priority for the vaccine. I am thinking that at Virginia’s current rate it will be June or July before I can get it. The last thing I want to do is take a vaccine from someone that needs it more. I am not employed currently, can afford to stay home and have no intention of looking for more work until I am vaccinated. My self imposed restrictions probably put me at a 3 or 4. I double mask now. My state is very open but facial covering is required and consistently enforced. I mostly focused on vintage fragrances, though I did participate in the split meets(first time)and liked it so much I am thinking of hosting a bottle myself the next time. Perfume mail has become a real mood booster so I order samples and try fragrances old and new. Much more now than I ever had before. I know someone else has mentioned this but daily bathing whilst enduring pandemic depression can be a real challenge. Why? I am not going anywhere(sometimes it feels like ever again) I wash my face daily and brush my teeth and hair and try to wear a fragrance but I have be very intentional about it. Blossoming right now it is Ume or Mume or Japanese Plum or Apricot. The blossoms are beautiful and quite fragrant. Some Witch Hazels have started to put on their spring show. Fragrance communities and friends have saved me. Knowing that a very kind group of people that share a passion is here and listening is very necessary for my continued mental health. Perfume friends here and on Instagram have been one of the best and most uplifting aspects of the pandemic…..
“Perfume mail has become a real mood booster so I order samples and try fragrances old and new.”
This!?? And perfume friends have lifted me up as well. 🙂
Oh, I bet witch hazel is blooming here too but I haven’t any nearby. If it warms up at all I will go see if the witch hazel at Longwood Gardens is in bloom.
Every year I swear I will plant some myself!
In the winter, I think it is fine to skip a daily bath, especially if you are at home. TMI, but I change up undergarments each day and of course wash and moisturize my face. I have been brushing and flossing more, but I have been to the dentist, and am finishing up a crown now.
1. I haven’t been vaccinated yet, but I heard some news this morning that I might be eligible some time within the next week or two, which is a great relief. I am definitely getting vaccinated, as soon as I can. The county by county rollout has been frustratingly slow and fragmented here in California.
2. I think restrictions are around 2.5 in my town, but I’m not really sure because I’m in self-enforced, major lock down.
3. I’m definitely at a 4, by choice.
4. I bought so much stuff over the past year, though not necessarily fragrance-related. I made one big purchase (Initio Absolute Aphrodisiac), and LOTS of little sample pack buys.
5. I am spritzing away with an abandon that is unusual for me. Pre-pandemic, I was a single spritzer (maybe two if it was an Hermessence). These days, I go big and stay home.
6. It’s the desert, so not much. 🙂
7. I’m not sure I have any coping strategies that are much different than the ones I used pre-pandemic. My work keeps me too busy, so that is just like it was before. I do miss getting together with my friends, but we have regular Zoom sessions (Thursday night we did a cheese tasting). I don’t feel isolated (though I should note that I am a person who is very comfortable being by myself a lot). There is a distinct weariness, though, to my perspective. 2020 was just so tiring, and I haven’t managed to infuse myself with much enthusiasm thus far in 2021.
On the other hand, I’m walking around, wafting a cloud of HdP 1804, so that’s pretty good!
Yes, your scent cloud is very good, indeed!
Go big and stay home is a fabulous motto! ?
Good morning, NST! I’m in a cloud of Dryad and waiting impatiently for my second coffee. My poll answers:
1. I will be eligible for the vaccine at the end of February, and will start the process as soon as they’ll let me.
2. I guess I’d rate the virus-related restrictions here at 2.5 – restaurants are allowed to have indoor dining again (at roughly 30% capacity) and stores and other workplaces are open (most with capacity restrictions), but people are still skittish and, mostly, very compliant with masking and social distancing recs.
3. We are definitely not back to normal here.
4. My fragrance buying habits were primarily mail-order even pre-pandemic, so no big change there. I admit to justifying some perfume purchases either as much-needed retail therapy or as a good use of $ saved on car- and makeup-related costs that have disappeared in the last year.
5. During the pandemic stay-at-home, I took full advantage of being able to apply whatever fragrances, in whatever strength, I wanted.
6. Absolutely nothing blooming here. My daffodils were just forming buds when the cold snap and snow/ice storm hit. I haven’t had the heart to check their current status yet.
7. Coping strategies – well, the shutdown was a bit of a blessing in disguise for me. I had always planned to retire near the end of last year, and working from home for most of that year was a kind of nice, gentle glidepath into retirement. Now that I’m fully retired, I’ve been coping by trying to appreciate the time I have to read as much as I want, get some home repairs arranged for, finally get around to painting some rooms in colors that complement our recent change of carpeting – things like that. I figure I’ll be in serious need of a new project just about the time my yard wakes up and it’s time to do some outdoor clean-up.
You can come over to my house and work on projects, any time…. 🙂
Tempting … very tempting. Where are you located? ?
You and your Dryad cloud smell great!
Thanks teebear!
SheriG, you totally inspired me to dig out my sample of Dryad and finally try it. It’s wonderful! You smelled fantastic yesterday. Thanks for pushing me. 🙂
1. I received my first shot last week, and I’m scheduled for the second on March 16.
2. I would say about a 2. I live in Texas, and many die-hards refuse to wear masks. Most businesses don’t enforce mask requirements, and those wearing masks often wear them wrong.
3. I am at work, but we set restrictions on people entering the library starting in May, which are still in place. I have been going into stores and restaurants more often, but not if the employees are not following the mask, gloves, cleaning regimens.
4&5. I’m not buying right now, and I’m wearing what I bave.
6. Nothing is blooming, possibly because of our week of freezing weather. Usually we have narcissus about now and tulip trees, but nothing yet.
7. I am just trying to live my life, adjusting my routines as needed.
SOTD is Timbuktu.
You smell great. I love that scent. The dryness of it. Amazing!
Had a sad weird evening last night, and really couldn’t figure out who to share it with–and then of course thought of my beloved fumies.
First off the questions:
1. I have not been vaccinated. I have driven elderly relatives to vaccination appts. My husband (who works in a hospital and deals extensively with the public) has been vaccinated, my parents have been vaccinated. My youngest son, who has cognitive and other neurological challenges, has been participating in online advocacy events to press the state to authorize that people with mental disabilities be pushed higher up in consideration for when they get the vaccine–as a population, especially adults with disabilities–are in a much higher bracket for COVID illness and death.
2. I guess we are at about a 4 here. I still go out for walks at least every other day.
3. No idea what is normal or if the US will ever be as it was–but maybe we can become something better.
4. I have rationalized indulgence to the tune of decants, full bottles, candles, even shower gels that cost a lung.
5. I am frequently not fit for public so heavily have I applied what I am wearing!
6. Magnolias, Paperwhites, Crocuses, Hyacinths, Tulips, Irises, Camellias, Rosemary flowers, and many others I cannot name.
First a happy story: In the “aren’t people fabulous” category, while looking for a book on Etsy–a first edition of the Sara Crewe book that came out before A Little Princes (not terribly valuable, but something I wanted) I found a purveyor selling a copy at a very reasonable price. So I looked at her other books, and found an amazing little booklet from the 1890s with prints of portraits fashionable ladies on bicycles. She was asking $200 for it–much more than this total non-collector wanted to pay. But the pictures were wonderful. . . so I wrote her asking if she’d halve the cost–figuring she might be sick of waiting for someone to pay the full amount. She wrote me back right away that she’d discount it for me and was delighted it was going to a new home. She added that she thought it might be very rare, which is why the price had been so high in the first place. Anyway, I bought the book and was looking forward to its arrival. But last night her word “rare” was stuck in my head, so I did a little online sleuthing. My friends, that little book was being offered for $1000 to $5000 on other sites—no idea why! So after a little tet a tete with the greedy devil on my shoulder, I wrote the seller to tell her what I had discovered and that she should feel quite free to cancel the sale to me, and if she’d already sent the book I could send it right back. Well, this morning she wrote that she was fulling aware of the listings, but was just really happy to send the book on to someone who would enjoy it. Amazing!
And then my sad news. . .was getting to it. Our eight year old, soft, huge, sweet, scaredy cat grey tabby collapsed and died last night. There had been no indication that he was sick in the least. I had had a pet n’ cuddle with him earlier in the day hanging out in the kitchen. We heard a thump, he had fallen down a short flight of stairs and was lying on his side–I am all but certain it was not the fall. Fifteen seconds later he was gone. I had to call my older son who is quarantining alone for two weeks in his college dorm to tell him what happened. We are all going to miss the kitty’s soft fluffy sweetness.
Oakland Fresca, I am so sorry about your cat. That is so sad, and I know you are going to miss him terribly. Hugs.
Thanks. He was a silly old lug, but we loved him.
I’m so sorry, OF. Sending you love.
Thanks Koyel. It was such a surprise. He was only about 8 years old, and had thick, soft lustrous fur– and purred easily.
I’m really sorry for your loss.
That’s a great story about the book. I get the seller. I would rather take a loss to know something is going to a good home, then to sell higher to someone who might not appreciate it.
Yeah. I felt fine “swindling” her out of a couple of hundred dollars, but I had to check in with her when I saw the four-figure prices. Anyway, I now really cannot wait to have the book–which is now a book AND a story.
Oh, so sad about your kitty! Big hugs.
I know. Big dopey cat. Such a sweetie.
Your book story made me happy, because I too would rather sell an item to someone who is going to love it than to someone who thinks of it as a commodity or an investment, even if that person is going to pay me ten times as much. There are things you can’t put a price on.
Exactly, and as said to Lillyjo, it is now a twofer–a book and a good story.
I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. This is so sad
Also love the book story and outcome and very sorry about your poor kitty. I had a cat who was 8 and passed suddenly as well. She had a saddle thrombus where a blood clot breaks off and blocks blood to the legs. She was hale and hearty then passed within a day or two. My condolences to your and your family.
Oh no, that’s a horrible thing. It happened to my beloved creamsicle cat Samson at only age four. His back legs were paralyzed and he was wailing in pain. I rushed him to the emergency vet clinic and they had to euthanize him. Worst experience I ever went through with a cat.
I wonder if that was what happened to my cat. He seemed so healthy, and then poof. All of our cats have lived well into their late teens, so this was really unexpected for me. He was like that kindly old gentleman that never quite hears you, but you have happy conversations with him nonetheless.
They can also develop heart murmurs that are progressive and thus difficult to detect. My kitty gentleman Cole passed unexpectedly at just two years old – I wasn’t home but Mr. Teebear said that it was instantaneous, Cole made a funny noise and was gone by the time Mr. Teebear got to him. He’d just gotten a clean bill of health not two weeks prior. They’re furry wizards at hiding when something is wrong.
I am so sorry to hear of the unexpected loss of your cat. I know how hard that is, and I’m sending hugs to you and your family.
Thanks.
I am so sorry to read about your cat, an awful shock.
It was a total surprise. He had been a Christmas gift to my younger son when we first moved into this house–and he spent most of his time stretched out on my son’s bed dreaming of goodness knows.
That’s just so sad about your kitty. Sending hugs and I am absolutely positive he had a wonderful life with you.
Thanks.
I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved kitty. Having had a dog die suddenly like that I know how shocking and painful it is. Big hugs to you.
As for the book, I am impressed by your honesty and integrity and am sure that it was destined for you. 🙂
He was a very beloved kitty! Thanks Cazaubon.
So sorry about your cat. I was also sorry to read about your husband’s diagnosis. I hope that you can find an expert that you can trust. Hang in there!
So sorry to hear about your sweet kitty. Thinking of you and your family.
Thanks.
I’m sorry about your kitty, Oakland F!
Your book story is amazing and your no. 5 answer made me laugh out loud. Best to you!
Thanks.
Thanks–and the cats never mind my perfume!
I felt such dread reading your post, which is a kind of treatise on life, good and bad, as it is. Such a wonderful experience with the rare book and then the great sadness at the end with your dear kitty. I’m so very sorry.
Wow… impressed by your reaction after discovering the value of those prints…I might have given way to the little devils on my shoulder!
And of course sending the biggest condolences for your cat. What a shock!
Sending you many hugs on your kitty’s passing. It’s so hard to know what happens sometimes, they can be gone so suddenly, but he knew he was loved and that’s the greatest gift you can give your pets.
I am so sorry to hear about your cat. You gave him a good life, and it sounds like he was not in much pain at the end, I hope those things can comfort you.
What a good news/bad news rollercoaster. Sorry to hear about your cat, it’s so hard even when it isn’t unexpected.
I am so sorry for your kitty! As missionista says, the fact that he didn’t suffer and that you gave him a happy life are the things to remember now. Hugs.
I’m so sorry OaklandFresca.
Oh I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved cat! So hard to lose any member of the family!
Im so so sorry about your cat ?
I am so sorry to hear about your beloved cat. Sending comforting hugs.
Oakland Fresca, thanks so much for sharing your good and sad news with us. I’m so sorry for the loss of your cat, and the shocking manner in which it came.
Oh. I am so terribly, terribly sorry about your kitty.
So sorry, losing a pet is hard, hugs.
So sorry to hear about your cat. Great story about the rare book.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. They are truly members of the family; sending you hugs.
So very sorry to hear about the sudden loss of your beloved kitty. Sending you and your family hugs and thoughts of strength.
What a shock for all of you, I’m so sorry.
Your book story reminded me of the documentary The Booksellers, which you probably saw.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your cat — what a loss, and what a shock. Sending love to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss – what an incredible shock. Sending hugs to you.
What a terrible shock about your cat. I’m so sorry.
But I did love your story about the books and the Etsy seller. Enjoy your new treasures!
Really sorry to hear about your kitty, Oakland Fresca. They really work their way into our hearts.
My heart goes out to you about your dear kitty.
My heart aches for you in the loss of your kitty, Oakland. Same thing happened to me in January 2020; I still miss my sweet boy…
Really impressed with your son’s advocacy for vaccine equity.You must be so proud!
1. I got my first shot this week, after a bunch of appointments were posted last weekend. Was sure the appointment would be in April/May and was shocked when it came up just a few days out. Had to drive an hour each way but that is better than than the previously available appointments, which were almost 300 miles from where I live. Turns out I got the Pfizer vaccine so should have second shot and as much immunity as I’m likely to get by the end of March. I am eligible in two categories; my husband is eligible in one but does not want to get the vaccine until he can get it locally.
2. I’d say we are about a 2. Many places are partly open, with masks expected but not necessarily enforced.
3. I’m a 4, personally. Have started double masking and I go pretty much nowhere. Will be back in the classroom as of Monday (just for two hours/week) since most of my students will be out of quarantine, at last. I’ll be getting my third haircut of the pandemic era this week. My stylist, who is the salon owner, is super careful and they allow only one client at a time in the shop. And since I’m just getting a cut, no color anymore, the appointment is 30 minutes max.
4/5. Not buying. Still enjoying my Sephora splurge from last fall! We are attending a Zoom wedding later today and I will put on some No. 5 parfum in honor of that event.
6. Only thing blooming here is SNOW. But it’s brilliantly sunny today!
7. Connecting as much as possible with friends — I have a weekly Zoom lunch with a friend (also a colleague) with whom I would have a weekly lunch on campus back in the day, and the monthly conference calls that my college roommates and Ibhave done since we graduated 30 years ago have now become weekly, which has been terrific. Yoga, as others have mentioned. Playing with the cat. And just yesterday I resumed my weight training (done at home; first session in months), and it was such a mood booster.
My husband had to drive an hour for his shot too, and will have to do it again for his second shot. I am still amazed at how much time & effort it took me to get him an appointment — it is not a good system.
Yup. We have colleagues who have spent hours and hours for days on end at the computer to get appointments — and some of them have then driven those 300 miles to the appointment site. For the ones who are in the 65+ category, the system is SO unfair — they are eligible for vaccines here (in town) at pharmacies, but there are not enough to go around for that group. I got lucky in that I spent, combining ALL my time looking for an appointment, maybe three hours in the computer. But I also pretty early on resigned myself to not getting my first shot until April or later — for me (and note that I said *for me*) the stress of fighting with the computer system was greater than the stress of waiting until spring or early summer for my shots.
Happy Saturday everyone!
Sotd is L’Artisan Iris Pallada, a discontinued gem that I will miss once I empty the bottle which is about to happen really soon.
1. I don’t think I will be vaccined this year. My mum as health service worker already took 2 doses but vaccination in Poland goes very slow and I’m only 30 which puts me in one of the last groups that are waiting for their shots.
2. I’d say we are at 2. Two weeks ago hotels, cinemaa and some other business partly reopened but restaurants are still closed. Honestly I think everything will be closed again as of March since the numbers are growing…
3. I’m not restricted and I go to work every day. But I rarely go to the shopping centres these days and rather order online or buy food with a list to make it faster.
4. No and my habits didn’t change. I bought Ormaie L’Ivree Bleue for my upcoming birthday.
5. Didn’t change my habits and still wear perfume like I used to do it.
Congrats on the Ormaie!
Thanks ?
1. I have not been vaccinated, though my husband has been fully vaccinated since he is a first responder. When will I be eligible… dunno. May? June? I am in the next tier but California is moving large groups ahead of me on an almost daily basis, and the vaccine shortage continues, so…
2. Restrictions in my area… I guess a 2.5 or so.
3. I am restricting my own movements more than ever, especially since these new more-transmissable variants have been detected in my area. And since my husband has been vaccinated, he is now doing all of the erranding/shopping. I’ve avoided the plague so far, why blow it now? So I guess that makes me a 5, though I do go out for walks/hikes often.
4. The pandemic hasn’t really changed my fragrance shopping much, though it’s changed my plans for fragrance shopping. Pre-pandemic I did pretty much all of my purchasing online due to a crushing work schedule. Now that I’m retired, I would have had the time to sniff in stores, but due to the pandemic I won’t set foot in a mall, so… still the same, actually. My bad behavior on blind buying continues 🙂
5. No real change to my fragrance usage, though I have really started working on reducing the collection so there is a lot of “keep it or get rid of it” sniffing going on.
6. Daffodils are just starting here! So far I have had one bloom. Hundreds to come 🙂 Hummingbird sage is budding, too, so those should start soon. And the rosemary is blooming.
7. Coping strategies… well, being a hermit by nature, the pandemic hasn’t fazed me too much. I am reading a lot, watching old movies, doing puzzles, and slowly working on my first big retirement project: cleaning out every cabinet, closet, box in the whole house. Kitchen, dining room, great room, laundry room are done. Lots yet to go (closets… basement… garage… oh boy…)
SOTD is… samples! Still got plenty of those to go thru.
Oh, cleaning out every cabinet and closet — that was to be my winter project! I just can’t seem to muster the enthusiasm to get started. We did do some of the basement, but that’s it so far.
I just take it slow. One drawer or one cabinet a day. It took a couple of months to do the kitchen, mainly because I was deep-cleaning the whole room as I went. But I’m in no rush.
Hope your vaccine time comes fast
Hi everyone!
My husband, mother and I have had our first shot of the vaccine and the second shot is this coming Tuesday. We haven’t seen our daughter and her husband in over a year, so we are going for a visit asap.
I don’t know what the status is in my area now. Masks are required and enforced.
I am still at a 4. Cases are way down in our state and my favorite thrift store is back open, so I’ve been there a few times, but it’s over a year since we’ve eaten out and I don’t plan to anytime soon.
I bought 3 bottles with the first stimulus check. Some new pj’s.
I wear lots or don’t feel like wearing any. Rolling with it either way.
Blooming? Icicles!
I’m coping in some healthy and unhealthy ways. Eating and drinking too much. My congregation is very active on Zoom and that’s nice, I attend a couple study groups with different friends. People have done some really sweet and thoughtful things for us and I want to reciprocate but that ennui sets in again and everything stops. I’ve watched a ton of old movies but can’t manage tv some days.
“I bought 3 bottles with the first stimulus check.”
♥️
Right? I also love this!
Yes! Thanks for getting that out there: you are not alone…
First of all, I’m wearing Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Ambre, which is beautiful, really just those two components but so well done — surprisingly not too sweet, and how could you go wrong with all that lush CSP vanilla?
As for COVID fun: In the part of eastern Canada where I live, they’ve been taking the pandemic seriously, slamming everything shut when needed, and as a result we have only 7 active cases in the city and 105 in the entire province (most of them in the north and concentrated in retirement homes). Just about everyone wears masks all the time, and you don’t hear much complaining: there’s a handful of jerks who protest in front of City Hall on a weekly basis but even they wear masks, because they’ll be arrested if they don’t.
My husband and I don’t expect to see a vaccine before late summer, early fall, and we are okay with that. Let the really old people and the health-care workers and teachers get theirs first, we say. We really miss travelling (we were all ready to go to Japan last September, and, well….) but we can wait this thing out for as long as it takes. Despite everything, we feel really fortunate — we both still have our jobs (he’s working from home), we don’t have kids, we were never that social to begin with so we’re not going stir crazy from isolation, and we like one another’s company.
My fragrance habits have changed only in that I wear smaller amounts less often, because he *really* doesn’t care for them and he’s always home so I can’t wear them with abandon: it’s a tiny spritz or a little dab every now and them. But these are the sacrifices we make! I’ve bought almost nothing in the last year, just a few unsniffed Lush solids: I think I have enough, especially at the rate I’m now going through them.
Despite all my complaining I feel really fortunate too. And it is such a relief that my husband got a shot since he has been working this whole time.
Pixel’s FREEBIE: a repeat from last week.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana French Grey (lavender / musk / neroli), 30ml spray, 99% full
US only. Contact me at emc dawt 71 17 a la gee-mail.
Pixel’s SPLIT: I stumbled over a great deal on a set of 10ml Atelier Cologne manufacturer’s travel sprays. I’m keeping 3 of them; 2 are available for y’all.
1. Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine, 10ml travel spray
2. Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee, 10ml travel spray
$17 each, includes first class shipping. US only, NST regulars only, contact me at emc dawt 71 17 a la gee-mail.
#2 Vanille Insensee is taken
SOTD is Bottega Veneta.
1. I’ve gotten my first dose purely due to luck. I would be in the last tier, but I volunteer at a local clinic and one day they had some no shows and a few vaccines they didn’t want to go to waste so I got mine. I have weird guilt feelings about this. I wish that it could have gone to my parents who are at higher risk, but at the same time all the advice I have heard is that if you have the option to get vaccinated you should take it.
2. Probably a 2.
3. 2. I recently got an office job that requires me to go in person. There are policies to keep people safe and I mask/hand wash diligently, but it still feels risky. My outings are pretty much limited to groceries/hardware store/occasional take out/masked walks with friends.
4. I bought a lot of samples. The pandemic totally kicked off my fragrance hobby. I wore perfume regularly before, but being a suddenly unemployed musician prompted a need for a hobby, since my usual go to (weight lifting) was not happening. Spending hours reading about and sampling fragrances was perfect. And since I was unemployed I was very diligent about budgeting and sampling rather than blind buying, which I probably wouldn’t have been otherwise, ha.
5. See above. I like a lot of fragrances that I probably wouldn’t have a year ago.
6. Just the crocuses as far as I can see, but spring feels just around the corner in my area of the PNW!
7. Long walks! I’m still struggling a bit, especially as the anniversary of my last public performance is creeping up. I didn’t realize how much energy and motivation playing for other people gave me and I really miss it. Of course I still practice every day, but often I find myself just going through exercises to stay in shape rather than making music.
Hope your guilt on getting the leftover vaccine passes…there’s a real window of use it or lose it as I am sure you know.♥️
Second that!
Thanks, it is very nice to get reassurance about this!
Glad you took the shot!
Thank you!
Please don’t feel guilty about taking the shot. Far better that someone uses it than that it goes to waste. And if you therefore don’t get sick, and don’t pass the illness to someone else, then that’s a public health win!
That is a very good point!
I hope your guilt passes, it prevented a dose from going to waste and, the more people vaccinated the better! Good for you!
Thank you!
What everyone else has said — it was good for you to take the shot. And thank you for volunteering. A close friend has done both vaccine clinics and elections and said that Election Day was longer but the vaccine clinic was harder.
Luckily, the clinic I volunteer at is very organized and all the people coming in for vaccines have been very patient and positive. It’s been a really good experience.
Much better that you got vaccinated than having it go to waste!
Glad to hear that your clinic is getting shots in arms that would otherwise get wasted. That’s so important!
1. I am very grateful to be fully vaccinated.
2. I would say a 2 or 3. Most everything is at 25% capacity.
3. I’m a 2 – I go to stores when I want/need something and am always masked. If we go to a restaurant, we’re outside and most of the time I would much rather get take out to support local restaurants but dine in the comfort (and with cheaper wine!) of our own home.
4. I’ll be honest – the start of the pandemic has coincided with my interest in and love of perfume skyrocketing. NST has had no small part in this (a good thing). I have never been a big shopper in general or of perfume specifically until the past year. Discovering perfume discounters and the convenience of online shopping (and nowhere else to spend $$$) has changed all of this.
5. Since the pandemic started and I have purchased more perfume, I have organized it in a way that is more accessible, hence easier and more enjoyable to wear daily. When I read and am inspired by NST, it has been so enjoyable to wear fragrances that I forgot about or didn’t really understand. The deep dive into notes and the perfumers behind the perfumes has added so much meaning to the enjoyment of the fragrance itself.
I also love studying French so watching videos of Frederic Malle talking to his perfumers or a random French TV interview with Marcel Roucel is beyond pleasurable.
6. My favorite: Daphne Odora!!!
7. Besides reading about and smelling perfume (those perfume genealogies in NEZ are like candy!), I try to run regularly and get outside as much as I can.
Oh, and Sotd is Chamade. Harbinger of Spring!
I wonder if there are lots more perfumistas now just because of the pandemic — it would make sense.
If I remember correctly, you live in Seattle too? I’m expecting to see our neighborhood’s daphne odora blooming any day now that we’ve had our snow for the year. I can’t wait for it. It’s my favorite too!
Yes, good memory. Daphne is such a welcomed olfactory welcome to Spring!
I actually did see daphne in bloom on my walk home from the grocery this afternoon!
Yay!
1. I have not been vaccinated. CA vaccinations have been a nightmare , so I am not even sure when it might happen. I keep hearing about people with pre-existing conditions being in higher tier and none of my doctors have any idea about vaccine availability. I know this is a complex issue but I feel like we had about a year to figure out distribution guidelines and eligibility and completely failed.
2. I think our area is at about 3? I see people eating out when I drive by, etc.
4. I am at total 5. The only time I leave the house is to go do the doc/hospital- and then I double mask, pack my own sanitizer, wipes and paper towels. I am a major germophob on a good day, and this obviously sent me into the new levels of phobia.
5. I have been cutting down on purchases in the last few years, but I really accelerated last year. I have been pruning a lot and now I try to ensure that if I am buying something it is truly adding to my collection, and not just replicating what I already have. I did discover a couple of interesting brands – Teone Reinthal, Anna Zworykina, and am interested to try more of their work.
5. My perfume usage did not change!!! I never cared about what others thought about my perfumes.
6. Things are starting to bloom. I can tell by increase in allergies – my daughter is allergic to some grass and oak, and we are literally surrounded by oaks. End of Feb and March is a difficult time for her because of allergies.
7. My coping strategy is to keep busy. I try to come up with by projects to occupy my time. The other day I decided the bottoms of all pans and pots should be scrubbed clean, so I spent a ton of time doing that. While this work is wasteful – these things are gonna get all dirty anyway, it did give me satisfaction.
Re: #1 – I am not at all certain that we’ve had almost a year to figure out distribution guidelines and eligibility. From what I recall, and yes, it’s been almost a year, there was a lot of controversy over prioritization for ventilators and space in a hospital – basically, life or death decisions. With this said though, states have had some time (probably no more than 6 months) to determine a strategy and the execution was all over the place with fits and starts and pivots, hopefully, all for the best.
Clarissa, my husband is high risk, and likewise, his doctors knew nothing. You might want to check the website of your county or state health department…I managed to find a shot for my husband on my own, using information from the health department to find out where they were available.
The reddit group for coronavirus / pennsylvania was also really helpful with tips to deal with making appointments. If I had not found out there what days & times various stores released new appts, he might still be waiting. So you might want to see if CA has a local coronavirus page on reddit.
(Apologies if you knew all that!)
Hi everyone! I seldom post but want to make an effort to chime in more often. I live in NY and work in healthcare in NYC. I’m fortunate to have had both doses of Pfizer’s vaccine. I’m also the caregiver for my mother, who has dementia. She’s not yet vaccinated so we don’t go out much. I recently bought Parle Moi’s Milky Musk, which is lovely but so fleeting.
Taking care of a parent with dementia must be very stressful!
I haven’t tried that Milk Musk but I do like the Molton Brown version.
Although I don’t have experience with caregiving for a person with dementia, I salute you.
merrysovery, hope your mother will be able to get a shot soon, that’s so hard!
Being a caretaker of someone with dementia is one of the most difficult things I can think of. I hope that you will be able to comment more often here.
I hope you and your mom can get vaccinated soon. This sounds like a very taxing situation.
1. I’ll first have my Covid antibodies checked and then decide whether I’ll take a vaccine. They finally started the rollout in my area, but I’ve been procrastinating. I had a very bad reaction to the H1N1 vaccine in 2009 (I knew I had multiple exposures that year prior to the vaccine becoming available, but hospital staff were being forced to take the vaccine) and I ended up with supraclavicular lymph nodes the size of an orange on the side of the injection and eventually a myocarditis.
2. Restrictions are 2, but my family is a 1. Kids go to school, adults to work. I only restrict where and how I see my mom. I also go for long periods without seeing her if co-workers have tested positive.
We are all super-careful when dealing with patients, but there is a thing called tearoom covid.
3. Last year I bought a lot more than usual -not just perfume. I felt a real need to stimulate the economy and support shops that I was grateful existed. We also dined out and did take out WAY more than usual – probably 4 nights out of 7. Again, the restaurants are in dire need of support. As for now, I think the consumerism streak has run its course for a bit!
4. I had a huge birthday (50!) earlier this month and my family and friends made me feel loved and so grateful for all of my blessings. With age I realize that the things that give me joy are not things, but people and experiences.
I do miss travel, though!!
Happy belated Birthday Amyitis!
Thanks, lillyjo! Hope your weekend off is a good one! I always enjoy your quirky sense of humour.
So far so good, and thank you! You made my day!?
Happy birthday for a little while ago!
Thanks, Gaynor!
Happy belated 50th!
Congrats on the birthday!
(What is tearoom Covid?)
I think what Amyitis is referring to is healthcare workers contracting Covid-19 from other colleagues/staff in the break room when people remove their PPE to eat/drink/chat.
It is a well established fact that as a healthcare worker you are more likely to get infected with Covid from another staff member than from a patient as we all tend to protect ourselves well when we come in contact with patients nowadays. This has become such a problem that many hospitals prohibit the staff from gathering in the same space during lunch breaks or any situations in which you feel compelled (or maybe comfortable) to take off your mask.
I did not know this either!
Oh, Adanst, thank you for the explanation! I’d never considered that.
Congrats on 50! And I miss travel too…
Happy Birthday belatedly from me!
50 is the new 30!! Really.
Best of luck with #1.
#3: You and I can do some great work for the greater goo, I am doing my part to save the restaurant workforce. ?
What is ‘tearoom covid’ if you don’t mind me asking?
?nevermind my question. saw above.
Happy 50th to you Amyitis!
A very enjoyable milestone from what I remember ?
Happy birthday!
Happy belated birthday! ?
Happy belated birthday! 🙂
Happy belated 50th to you, that’s very exciting!
Many happy returns.
Belated Happy 50th Birthday! ? ? ?
Happy belated Birthday to you!
Happy five oh Amyitis!
Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Amyitis! ??????
Happy belated bday!!!
Happy Birthday, and thank you for sharing those experiences.
New Zealand started vaccinations yesterday, starting with border workers. They are the frontline here, because our border restrictions and quarantine are very strict and have worked. The plans for the country will be released soon, I expect to be well down the list – that’s a good thing, as I’m fit and well, but I’m also realising that at 57 I’m not considered young any longer!
Other than restrictions on overseas travel, life is very normal here. We’ve had a few short periods of higher restriction when a few cases have been detected in the community, but we’ve not had a nationwide lockdown since April-May last year.
Most of my perfume shopping has always been online, given the limited availability here, so no change there 🙂
My most recent purchase was a sample set from a New Zealand all-natural perfumer, Circe. I was keen to support a local business, and a couple were really nice, but like most all-natural perfumes they have zero longevity.
Flower-wise, I look forward to reading all your comments about spring flowers. We’re now in late summer, and the mornings are getting a bit nippy already.
Gaynor, it is so nice to know that life is normal somewhere!!!
Seconding this.
Happy Saturday NSTiers
Wearing Melodie del Amour, Dusita sampling.
1. I have been vaccinated because of my job, but then again I think that was not the most necessary vaccine as I had COVID first wave March 2020! I think they should utilise vaccines better as the evidence is that those with natural immunity are as well protected as those vaccinated. I cannot wait for my parents to get their vaccines and at this rate in Spain it could be months before they are..
2.Total lockdown in the UK right now.. just work and shopping for groceries, no travel outside your area allowed.
4-5. I have been buying more samples and many more perfume bottles than usual averaging one every month or so online as a way to escape how drab everything is. Lustre HG, La Douceur de Siam, Embers, Gourmand Coquin and Iris Torrefie were recent acquisitions over the last few months. I don’t spend money on pretty much anything else.. Wearing perfume more often, also to bed which I never used to. I cannot wait for restrictions to lift so I can do a fragrant trip to London or Paris.
6. Not much blooming here yet, soon the narcissus and bulbs will start. My garden is a bit wild and muddy with an overflowing mossy pond.
7. My coping strategies right now are phone conversations with family, perfume, snuggling with my cat and online matches and YouTube videos on chess which I am rekindling with after watching Queen’s Gambit (not very original!).
I feel like the Queen’s Gambit has led to a serious spike in interest/rededication to chess! I was mainly taken by the fashion and spent a lot of time on Etsy trying to find the quilted house-coat her adoptive mother wore.
The recreation of the mid century fashion and style was a very strong point for me too. Loved the costumes in the series and how they defined the characters, the scenes with the piano, the make up, the house decor.. everything.
Did you manage to find the quilted house-coat? I was myself looking at 50ies style pinafores in Etsy afterwards! ?
1) My first vaccination appointment is a week from today. It’s 75 miles away, but I’m willing to do that, especially if it’s on a weekend.
2) Around here is a level 2-3? Masks are mandatory. The only places I ever go are work or grocery shopping, so I’m not 100% sure what’s going on.
3) I’m probably at a 4 – I teach and students are back in our building, so that’s all the risk I’m really willing to expose myself or my husband (who can work from home) to. We’re being really careful because his dad is undergoing cancer treatment and he wants to be able to see him if it’s necessary.
4) I was buying fragrances at the start of the pandemic, but then started a no-buy in July. My collection is definitely enough to keep me entertained.
5) I apply more heavily now – 4 sprays. (Before I was 1 or 2). I also have been wearing perfume to bed, which I didn’t do before.
6) Blooming? I saw something that looks vaguely like daffodil stems poking up, but I couldn’t swear that’s what it is.
7) Coping? Lately, not well. I’ve run marathons and I feel like we’re only at mile 16. I feel like I’m never going to get to see my parents or brother in Canada again. So I’m allowing myself to cry when I need to, the extra glass of wine (or three) and just trying to hang in there. Oddly, I’ve stopped buying things, which used to be my main stress relief strategy. But they’re just things, and they’re not going to fix what’s bugging me. (It only took me 44 years to figure that out!)
Oh, my SOTD is Like This. I forgot the important part!
You smell wonderful! And allowing for good cries and some wine is an excellent coping strategy.
Seconding both of these.
It’s OK not to feel OK right now.
Hello all!
Scents of the day are again, two: Iris Perle on one arm and Musc des Sables on the other. I don’t know what it is about these two together that gives me so much pleasure. As the kids say these days, I’m obsessed. Now to the poll:
1. Both hubby and I are fully vaccinated because we’re healthcare workers. Very grateful for that.
2. Our area restrictions (GA) have been about the same since May/June 2020, which amounts to a level 2 I think. Masks are required indoors by most establishments although not mandated by law. Indoor dining is limited and most schools offer a choice between in person and virtual learning.
3. My activities remain the same for the most part. I go to work, exercise outdoors, go grocery shopping as per usual. I have not eaten inside a restaurant in almost 1 year and still do not socialize indoors with anyone outside my household (except masked when at work or getting a haircut). I’ve been to Sephora a couple of times during less busy hours.
I look forward to spring and patio weather so we can “break free” a little. And I’m cautiously optimistic about returning to international travel later in the year.
4. I have not bought any clothes or shoes (with the exception of a pair of running shoes and two sets of pajamas) in the last year.
For some strange reason I’ve bought and used more makeup than usual in spite of having to wear a mask (and an N95 at that) for a good portion of my day. I guess that might be one of my coping strategies ?
5. I don’t think my perfume wearing habits have changed. I still wear perfume to work daily, on most days I will apply something different in the evenings and when I’m off I may switch between 2 or 3 in a day. Living dangerously folks!
6. Not much is blooming here except for the occasional camellia (I think).
7. Coping strategies. I’m not sure (see above: perfume, makeup, exercise). I cannot complain though as I feel that compared to so many people whose lives have drastically (and for some irrevocably) changed, I’m one of the lucky ones.
Wishing all of you a good weekend and sending extra good wishes to our Texas peeps and to all struggling with illness and difficulties of any kind!
My Indemodables sample set is on its wat to me! Can’t wait to try them. I seem to remember that you are a doctor but can’t remember in what field. When I was still in healthcare life was still more of less like it had been before Covid. And my friends who still work as doctors seem to be having a very similar work life.
Oh, how fun on finally getting to try the Indemodables! I cannot wait to hear your impressions. I feel like I’m building them up too much and maybe you’ll find them just meh ?
You remember correctly. I’m a pediatrician. Not much has changed for us except having to wear the uncomfortable but highly effective N95s and all the other protective equipment.
Do you miss medicine at all?
I miss chatting to people and doing a job that I know backwards.
But other than that, no, not really. It was high time to leave it behind
Good morning NST! Wearing Plum Japonaise, and have a single errand to deal with (mailing last weekend’s freebies) and then I have a whole day to relax. 🙂
I don’t expect I’ll be getting a vaccine anytime soon because I’m 28 and not an essential worker so I’m at the bottom of the priority list. Alaska is doing a good job of getting them out though since the Native hospitals and military bases get their own allotment separate from the state government. 20% of Alaskans have at least their first already, which is pretty impressive considering how remote many areas are and the number of people who don’t even want one. Possible that I can get in before I move, but I’m not counting on it.
I’ve been more prone to retail therapy since this started ? Haven’t bought anything too crazy but a lot of decants and discovery sets
20% is amazing! In mid February, PA had only finished 10% of the 65+ age group. We have a long way to go.
SotD a whopping 3 sprays of I’m Home. Mr. Teebear hates this one so I apply with extreme caution at home. Since I had to change cities for work, though, this decant got packed along to make a good showing of it!
1. I don’t imagine I will be vaccinated until late summer at the earliest, depending on if Canada encounters more supply issues.
2. I’d say a 4.5. Only essential item stores are open to the public, although online purchase and door pick-up is an option for many stores and almost all restaurants now. Masks and distancing are required in all indoor settings. I’m not even sure what gathering restrictions are, as I don’t gather!
3. I am similarly at a 4.5. I do my grocery shopping in person wearing a filtered mask, but no meeting friends/relatives whatsoever, and only excursions are to purchase household needs and go to work.
4. I’ve been buying more samples during the pandemic because there’s no option to smell in-person.
5. Sampling more regularly via vials is fun in its own right versus the store experience, as you can really let the perfume live on your skin versus (usually) getting nose-blind after 8-10 samples in store.
6. Icicles are the only thing blooming!
7. Coping strategies:
(a) sticking to “one non-caffeinated beverage for every coffee or tea” has been great for my anxiety and hydration.
(b) loving-kindness meditations now and then (UC Berkeley has a great one posted online).
(c) exercise. Resuming my professional training since last summer has been a huge help but on off-days a quick HIIT session in the space I have, or even just a walk, is a lifeline – I walked 9km today.
(d) Reading a LOT of science fiction and fantasy. Pure escapism that has the benefit of feeling slightly less passive than staring at a screen.
(e) I’ve cut back my wine consumption. Although I was sticking 90% to an “ideal” single 5-oz serving per day over 2020, I’ve been finding I’m actually more even-keeled when a drink is a 1-2x/mo treat.
(f) for anyone who likes cats and Instagram, the account @foster_kittens is basically free therapy.
Oh yes I follow that account too, and those current ones are SO darling! I also enjoy love-and-hisses, which is on FB, IG, and the Web. She’s a foster for kittens and pregnant mama cats and has one now that is just looking ready to explode, but no kittens yet! We’re all dying to see them!
Definitely just followed that account too, oh my goodness that momma kitty is adorable! (And must be like “COME OUT ALREADY”)
Oh my gosh, that mama cat is STILL pregnant?!? Poor thing. I’ve been watching that account and thought surely she would have had them by now.
Now I am following – must be four kitties at least about to enter the world.
1) I have NOT been vaccinated yet, although I plan to be the instant I can. My mom has gotten both doses, so I’ll be seeing her more soon, and am very relieved about that.
2) I think we’re about a 2 in NYC? Some businesses are still closed, some are open partial hours, or with capacity restrictions. Most people are complying with mask wearing, but not quite everyone.
3) I’m semi-restricted. Maybe about a 2 as well. Currently working at 2 different jobs, and I have to go in to the office 4 days out of 5. I had been biking to work a couple of times a week, but with the snow and ice, I am taking the subway 4 days/wk. I’m wearing a mask every day. I go grocery shopping as usual, but I don’t really do any fun shopping. I order takeout, but almost never eat at a restaurant, even outdoors. I have not visited my mom much in the past year either, and try to do so outdoors. I only socialize outdoors, and that rarely. It amounts to walks in the neighborhood park with 1-2 friends at a time, and only the friends who live nearby. I miss parties so much. My kid was in hybrid school, then it was cancelled, but it is about to start up again. My partner works from home 5 days/wk.
4 & 5) I am not buying fragrance right now. I’m trying to use up what I have. My goal for the year is to go through one sample (anything less than 5mL) per month, and to use up a couple of larger bottles that are close to the end. I have been spraying with abandon, since I see almost no one at my workplaces, and anyone who is there is wearing a mask. I made a post-Christmas LUSH purchase, but that’s pretty standard.
6) I have no idea what’s blooming since it’s all happening under the snow, if at all. And I’ve killed every plant I’ve ever touched. Even air plants don’t survive in my house.
7) So many coping strategies…we got a cat! He is a senior cat, who came to us from a friend of the family who was moving to a different country and could not take him. He’s wonderful, and holds the weight of my household’s mental health on his furry little shoulders. He was just diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, so I’m working on giving him medicine. Other than the cat, I was biking a lot, but that has ended with the snow and ice. My partner is cooking and baking up a storm. My kid has fallen into an online gaming hole. Partner and I drink more than we did pre-pandemic for sure. We are also all watching way more movies and netflix, etc. than pre-pandemic.
Wearing Papillon’s Tobacco Rose today–it starts out nice enough, but drying down quite powdery on me, and I don’t like that part.
Yay for your senior kitty!!!! What a blessing for your household. My kitties are now both pushing 11 and are very much an emotional cornerstone.
I loved the opening of Tobacco Rose! Can’t quite remember the drydown now…
Our guy is 13, and so spry and active. He’s a total sweetheart, and while he won’t consent to being given liquid meds with a syringe, he happily eats them when mixed with treats. He’s getting a lot of treats now!
We just lost one of our senior cats, and we often tell the other one not to worry about having to shoulder the role of Pet Therapist by herself. 🙂 – that she is doing fine.
That is precious ♥️
Awww, that’s so sweet. I’m sorry that you lost the other one though.
1. No, it’ll be a few months I think before I can because of my age and good health (not complaining about either of those things). I would like to choose which vaccine I get and I hope by that time we will have enough of each that everyone can choose their preference. I am pissed though that my 89-year-old grandma hasn’t been able to get hers yet. We have a system locally where you register and they contact you when you can go. She’s registered, her age group has been getting the shots for weeks but she hasn’t been contacted.
2. About 3.5? Cannot be outside after 8 PM, stores close at 7 PM, restaurants can only do take away, mask mandatory everywhere. But I get to go to the office once or twice a week which helps me keep sane. Seeing people in person is so important.
3. We’re not opening up yet for at least a month. I’m going crazy being shut up inside, home feels like prison, so as soon as there is a bit of loosening on the restrictions, I would like to meet people. Caustiously and very selectively, but I’m intent on starting to live a bit.
4. I’m not sure if my purchases are in any connection to the pandemic, but I have 2 new additions in the last 4 months. (Ta’if and Ormonde Woman) I had sampled them for over a year before committing, so I guess it was bound to happen regardless of covid.
5. I did make it a point to wear fragrance every day during the pandemic, it kept me entertained and helped my mood. It has turned me very introspective about my preferences. I didn’t have to consider any occasion or anyone else since we were always at home, so I only followed my mood and I learned a lot about myself through fragrance, if that makes any sense…
6. Snowdrops? I haven’t seen any but I saw people posting photos on social media.
7. I’m about to start a major renovation project so planning that has worked well for taking my mind off the situation sometimes. But mostly it’s been a struggle. My current living situation is less than ideal so being at home all the time has been very difficult. But on the bright side, my best friend and I are really making it a point to talk more regularly than before so that’s great.
I came accross my sample of Atelier Cologne’s Oolang Infini and I decided to give it another go. A few years back when I first tried it, it was a big no for me. I found it week and not interesting. However today I’m enjoying it a lot, it feels richer somehow (or my sense of smell improved over time) and very pleasant.
Interesting that your response to Oolang Infini has changed. I think I also found it weak and watery some years back – maybe I need to revisit!
I should add that I still don’t find it strong, but I get a good 6 hours of it now and it’s not a skin scent on me. I’m not sure why my experience changed so much though… but I’m glad because I like the notes so I wanted to like it from the start.
Same experience with Oolang Infini when I first sniffed it – basically, I couldn’t smell anything, but I ended up getting the soap, which I was able to smell. Go figure. I think I have a partial bottle somewhere which I got as a freebie from someone here.
Ah, the soap sounds is tempting!
I’m in Glossier You, which isn’t a complicated fragrance but I really like it. When my decant is gone I don’t think I’ll buy a bottle but if one fell in my lap, I would gladly use it.
Yes, I’ve had both my vaccines, but even more exciting is that my parents got their second dose yesterday!?
We still have mask mandates in place where I live and I’m totally pandemic fatigued out. I get it, I really do, but most of all I just want my high schooler to be able to go back to school. This virtual schooling is literally sucking the life out of her. I can see it happening and it breaks my heart. I want her to be able to sit in a real classroom with her friends and teachers, to be able to walk home from school with her girlfriends and talk and giggle. If someone had told me a year later that she would still be online learning I would have thought they were crazy, yet here we are. Sigh. This too shall pass…right?
Coping: reading, watching tv, listening to music, yoga, drinking tea, texting my big kids, facetime with my parents, looking at pictures of old houses online, watching youtube videos about skincare( I’ve become a bit obsessed lately), having days where I feel like screaming or breaking things, or both, for no reason in particular and….for every reason in particular. And, NST. Thank you for this corner of the internet Robin.☺️
I hear you about the virtual schooling. My middle schooler is a shell of his former self. ?
Tell me more about youtube and skincare! I am also down a similar rabbit hole and just bought an expensive facial toning device
Tell me more about your facial toning device!
It’s NuFace — the mini version and I got it from Sephora so I can return if it doesn’t work. I got it because Lisa Eldridge uses it and I can see no discernible aging in her across a decade of videos…I mean, I am sure she has had some surgery or injectables but still, it can’t hurt.
I just bought the Foreo Bear!
Yes, that is how I would describe my daughter too. My older/college daughter coming home for several weeks over Christmas was a saving grace for all of us. I actually heard laughter in the house again.
For skincare I’ve been watching Hot and Flashy, lol, and she has some good recommendations but her routine is too comlplicated/too many products for me. She does use that NuFace also. Mostly, I’ve been trying to figure out the best serum for my skin type.
I would similarly love to hear more about your skincare rabbit hole!
I started using Cerave Skin Renewing Cream Serum as an entry-level retinol recently after other retinol formulations I tried were too drying.
The Cerave seems to be hitting that sweet spot of keeping my pores less congested, which many numerous attempts with AHA/BHA products were not really taking care of.
CeraVe gets a lot of love from you tubers, everyone from influencers to dermatologists. I use their hydrating facial wash and like it. Recently I’ve been watching videos by Hyram and I am hooked. Love him, he’s got a great sense of humor and reviews lots of stuff.
Youtube videos about nail polish are definitely like crack for me! Haven’t fallen into the skincare rabbit hole though…yet!
Hey everyone!
1. I probably won’t get the vaccine until it becomes less of a challenge. I am guessing I’m not on the list yet, but will ask my doctor in April, when I go.
2. I think my state is a 3? Restaurants opened up this month at 25 % capacity. Some stores are opened shorter hours, but of course my store now has extended hours, lol. Masks are required everywhere. Schools are hybrid now since January.
3. I’m probably a 2. I have to go to work. I go to the grocery store and take my daughter to the mall. I tried double masking but I absolutely could not breathe.
4. I haven’t changed my perfume buying but have changed my perfume loitering. I miss being able to go to store and spray ten testers on 2 arms. This has led me to frequent bbw more though.
5. I still wear perfume every day.
6. Nothing blooming here.
7. I don’t have any coping skills other than to keep getting up and going about my buisness. Covid hasn’t stopped the bills from coming in, or the dishes from getting dirty. On the inside I am horrified by the world events. I hope and I pray.
Sotd is Carnel Flower. I was comparing it again with LL Lys 41.
CF is better. I’m going to make pork chops for dinner. Don’t ask me to share, because I already know they will be dry and nor very flavorful! Lol, I really can’t be trusted with pork.
I gave away my sample of Lys 41 ages ago but I would agree that CF is better. I don’t like florals and even I like it. You are so right about the bills and the dishes.? We just gotta keep on, keepin on, right? Spring is on the way! Good luck with the pork chops, lol. https://thetakeout.com/how-to-perfectly-cook-pork-chops-without-drying-out-1832872413
I’ve used this method and it works pretty well.
Thanks for the info!
You smell great in Carnal Flower and LOL on the pork chops!
You wouldn’t be laughing if you had to eat one!?
My main problem is even though I have a meat thermometer, I overcook everything because I’m afraid of poisoning anyone!
😀
#7 – too true!
On the pork, I just buy marinated and breaded pork loin cutlets and pan-fry. I need to figure out how to air fry but that means I have to take the air fryer out of the box.
I didn’t know I could by them already prepared. I will look into it!
In the US laws were passed to preventing trichinella contamination in commercially raised pigs in the 1980s, and as a result almost all trichinosis cases are from wild boar or home-raised pigs.
Hope this relieves a weight from your mind when you cook that you can go a bit easier on them!
My mom’s parents were from Eastern Europe where trichinella in pigs still tops 50% to this day, so she was taught, fairly enough all things considered, to cook it beyond *any* hope of recovery. Memories of her Shake and Bake pork chops still give me nightmares! ?
OMG. I hadn’t thought of Shake and Bake in forever! Talk about a foodie flashback…
It does ease my mind a bit. Thanks!
1. I have an appointment for my first vaccine this coming Weds., the 24th. It’s the Pfizer. I’ve been eligible for awhile now but they have prioritized people with more major health problems than I have. Very eager to get it. Mom has had her first one and their place is scheduled for today to get the second one–I hope it goes smoothly!
2. I’d say we’re at around a 2.5 or 3. Restaurants are open with limited seating. People do go out and eat and shop. I’ve eaten out a total of three times in the past year, all on outdoor patios, and feeling a bit anxious about that. Ordinarily, we have outdoor dining here year-round.
3. I’m probably also a 2.5. I go to the grocery store and drug store, and have gone into maybe four shops, all very small and privately owned by people I’d like to keep in business. They’re all so chatty and grateful!
4. Yes definitely. I had a regular habit before of sniffing perfume in stores and that stopped around early March last year or maybe before. I think fondly of a great time I had shopping at the Houston Galleria with nancyleandros before all hell broke loose! This year I’ve done more purchasing of sample sets. I only remember buying one FB but that’s probably wrong.
5. Yes I still wear perfume every day. I must do so in order to report in to my friends here at NST! I’ve been participating in a group that posts their outfit-of-the-day too and it’s kind of been a life-saver that has made me dress in a nice way with pretty jewelry every day, almost (I confess I’ve skipped a few), and the perfume is part of that–trying to keep up appearances!
6. This question makes me tear up. We had SO MUCH blooming and it’s all DEAD and gone after our Snow-pocalypse and deep freeze this week. I took supplies (including bottled water) out to Mom’s place today, and where before I’d admired the gorgeous gardens with roses, Sweet Williams, stock, and pansies glowing, they’re all flattened. It’s heart-breaking. More worrisome is whether we’ll see a spike in Covid-19 cases now due to people being in crowded conditions at shelters or going to stay with people who still had heat and power (as I did too; we wore masks but it’s still anxiety-provoking).
7.* I’ve been coping (when not just sleeping a lot) by going on a daily walk as much as possible, taking many photographs of houses and trees and flowers and cats, cooking a lot of new things (and always posting pics of meals on social media), and binge-watching all the good shows and cop shows I can find on Netflix, Hulu, Acorn, etc. I have had biweekly Zoom cocktail hours with a group of best women professional friends, weekly Zooms with Mom and my other family members, Face-Time daily with a good friend, and recently joined an online support group for Alzheimer’s care-givers. I’m sure I do drink too much wine though and have strange sleep habits.
SOTD is Zoologist Snowy Owl, which I tried to spray on as heavily and lavishly as possible, but it’s just gone again. Sigh.
*I have also taken 24,587 photographs of my cats. 😉
I love your selfies, you always look so elegant. and your lipstick, I love all the colors.
Wow, thank you so much!
I have been thinking of you often Calypso these past days — the headlines from Houston were so crazy and worrisome. I’m glad you are alright and also glad you are getting your shot soon!
Thank you, it’s been traumatic. But many people have it worse than me, with pipes that burst, flooding in their houses, and more cold. Even a few miles north it was ten degrees colder than at my house!
Oh, I’m sorry to hear about the gardens. It’s just that the usual floral comforts may not be around when the immediate crisis has passed…
I’m very happy to hear you’re about to get vaccinated!
In our socially distanced office, I have had a few Non-Casual Fridays, in the spirit of “this too shall pass.”
Your coping strategies sound A+++.
Hope your vaccine shot treats you gently, and congrats on getting one soon!
I’m so sorry about the gardens, I’m glad your mom is doing okay though, poor TX has taken it on the chin these last few years. I hope for the best for all, and that there’s minimal community spread.
I, like you, have posted numerous photos of my cat, numerous flowers, and food for my IG page, it makes life a little more colorful.
1. Well down the priority list for vaccine locally. Not sure when it will be available for my cohort.
2. We are probably a 2 here. Schools still hybrid (2 days per week in person for my high schooler). I’m still not teaching due to restrictions – can’t really teach preschool music with distancing and masks.
3. I’m not intentionally restricting myself, but not doing a whole lot either. Many of my activities are still virtual.
4. Coming off a 2020 no-buy – haven’t bought anything new.
5. If anything wearing more perfume in larger quantities!
6. Everything is covered with several inches of snow right now.
7. Have been really up and down – good days and bad. Not working means too many hours that I need to fill and the motivation to do the long term projects around the house is absent more often than not. A lot of tension in the house as my son is not doing that well with the remote schooling, which has been the majority of his year so far. He’s a junior, an academically important year, and we are all frustrated considering he was doing terrifically well before last March. Just trying to put one foot in front of the other, I guess. Today I’m wearing Dame Desert Rose perfume and body cream, and thunked my travel spray of the perfume. Any accomplishment these days…
I’m so sorry about you son. I predict that colleges will be making allowances in admissions decisions since surely everyone understands how different the circumstances have been.
My son is in the same boat. Last year pre-shutdown, he was doing fantastic! This past year of remote learning, he’s really struggling and there isn’t any one on one help available. I see him getting very down.
Sending you hugs on the difficulty of online learning for your son, and it taking a toll on household harmony.
Your son is definitely not along in struggling and I’m positive most universities will be taking that into account. Many are implementing pass/fail grading for this year with their own students, already understanding that there just wasn’t time and resources to make the shift adequately to address everyone’s needs.
As to when I will be vaccinated I don’t know. Not that concerned, Luxemburg is very well organised so it will happen at some point.
I guess we are at a level 2/3 here. Restaurants and pubs are still closed, there is a curfew but non essential shops have reopened. Masks are mandatory in most places.
I work from home, wil occasionally meet with people, outdoors as well as indoors. But other than that I try not to mingle top much. I go out for walks.
Perfume buying had nog changed except I can’t go and sniff in shops for obvious reasons.
I wear perfume like I used to pre-Covid.
Bulb flowers have appeared. Snowdrops, crocuses. Have not spotted any daffodils het, but then they might not be as popular here as in the Netherlands.
Trying to keep in touch with friends, not looking too far ahead and focusing on the positives. I do have a great job that has me intellectually challenged like I haven’t been in a long time. And Luxemburg is great for walking
I can’t wait for crocuses! Soon, soon.
SOTD Shalimar
1. nope
2. 2 NYC finally has a bit of indoor dining since I find some outdoor dining is basically indoor dining but on the sidewalk.
3. 3 I am cautious, only because I have gotten burned once by meeting a friend in Central Park with masks. She was not feeling well 2 weeks later and her husband and herself got COVID tests and he was positive and she was not. Even though her husband was not present at our gathering, and weeks had gone by since we had seen each other she gave my name for contact tracing which spiraled out of control, in my opinion. Her husband in the end was false positive.
4.How else has the pandemic changed your fragrance shopping? I don’t understand this question 🙂
5. I spray more-keep your distance
6. yellow and brown snow 😉
7. Studying Italian, and also I started Moroccan Arabic. My french friend asked me “oui, why do you study THAT!? Arabic is so not an elegant language, no? ” (insert thick French accent)
As a native Arabic speaker I’m so excited you are learning this language! I feel like the root system helps make Arabic easier to learn.
Why did you choose the Moroccan dialect out of curiosity?
Salam yasmina
My dream one day is to travel to Morocco ??. Learning darija has helped me stay connected to that dream, and studying both that and Italian has helped me stay connected to the world.
What version of Arabic to you speak?
I speak Egyptian Arabic.
Morocco is such a beautiful country, I hope you get to visit one time.
While I was there though I had to ask people to speak in French because the Moroccan dialect is very difficult for most Arab speakers outside of the Maghreb region to understand. But they could understand my Egyptian Arabic perfectly from all the films and music Cairo exports regionally :))
My teacher told me that Egyptian Arabic is more musical, is that true?
Maybe I should be studying Egyptian Arabic
Egyptian Arabic is the most widely understood dialect across the region, which is why many people tend to study it versus other dialects.
As for it being “musical” or not, there are a lot of language ideologies about different dialects of Arabic, as there are about any language. By language ideology I mean implicit and explicit ideas and judgements about the attributes of a language that are often comparative and point to wider ideas about the society that speaks the language.
So, for example, Egyptians like to think of their dialect as “light” because they like to think of themselves as having a highly honed sense of humor and will judge other dialects as “stuffy” or “heavy” — for example Gulf dialects — because they feel these societies are such in a wider sense. Or your French friend judging Arabic “inelegant” — she probably judges French very elegant by contrast and would extend that assessment to French culture in general.
So long answer to your question — I personally wouldn’t invest any language with an inherent attribute. But I am very interested in how its speakers and hearers do!
This is very important information for me ?
I was just asking because I find the Italian very musical and one of the reasons I was attracted to the language and was curious about the tone of the Egyptian Arabic after she mentioned this to me.
I did some research this morning on different arabic dialects and the Egyptian one is the most widely spoken, according to Mrs. Google. Hmm..now I am wondering if I should add this one.
Yes; entertainment media has its benefits. : )
Yasmina, not sure if you are still reading comments but if you have any books that you recommend, just for some culture, I will add them to my reading list.
That’s so cool to know that the movies your region produces mean your Arabic is more universally understood! I ran into an “issue” working 3 months in Turkey once where I couldn’t learn a lick of Turkish for similar reasons. That area gets few English speaking tourists and all UK-based. The locals were so excited to have an American accent “like in the movies” that my friend and I there on contract were in ultra high demand to have conversations with for English practice!
That sounds like a marvelous goal! I would love to visit Egypt and Morocco one day. Keeping fingers crossed that will happen some day. 🙂
LVTSG, for contemporary Arabic fiction in translation, you will have tons of good options to dive into from the publishing house Hoopoe Fiction, which is a subdivision of the American University in Cairo Press. Here is a link to their blog:
https://hoopoefiction.com/blog/
The towering figure of Egyptian literature remains Naguib Mahfouz, who won the Nobel Prize for literature. I highly recommend his Cairo Trilogy. A more contemporary novelist who has also gotten international recognition is Alaa al-Aswaany, mainly for his novel the Yacoubian Building, also set in Cairo.
As for learning the Egyptian dialect, if you decide to go that route, Netflix has a ton of Egyptian films and you can read the subtitles while watching. I have no idea if this is a good learning strategy, but I do make my son sometimes do it to keep his language skills up 🙂
thank you!!
I put Naguib Mahfouz and Yacoubian Building on my list.
2nd the Cairo trilogy, it is wonderful.
Arabic sounds elegant to me – not mention the GORGEOUS script!
Agreed!
I am not studying the script, yet!
If you like looking at Arabic calligraphy, search for zoomorphic images. It’s amazing what some artists can do! I got my kids’ names entwined in the shape of a butterfly recently. Very pretty.
I would love that, my oldest child’s name etymology comes from the Arabic language coincidentally
Wow – how how had I not heard of that – truly stunning!
This whole conversation has been so fascinating! Thanks! It’s funny how different languages sound. I’ve always found Russian very enticing. On the other hand I cringe when I hear Chinese! It sounds so sharp and angular and angry, like barking! Probably an awful admission!
I feel the same about Chinese.
I also feel the same way about Russian as you do, as well as Farsi.
Chinese like a handful of other Asian languages is tonal, so the word can’t be said with a different tone (rising/falling/dipping/peaking/flat) or the word means something different.
A big side effect of this is that one of the easiest and principal ways to make it clear that what you’re saying is important – is just to say it louder! ?
This is a really great video where you can hear more what just chill conversational Chinese sounds like (I am not sure what dialect). But unlike people bargaining (aka arguing) in Chinatown, it’s just an interview with one of China’s most famous vloggers, Li Ziqi (her videos are so cool!)
https://youtu.be/J9CfVcXoYh4
I know a lot of non-Chinese speakers feel that way. I love Mandarin–I’ve studied it off and on for about 8 years, and lived/worked in China for nearly a year. It doesn’t sound sharp to me, more kind of comforting.
This Instagram post by the Wako Department Store in Ginza includes a beautiful scent bottle and an extraordinary teapot:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CI7F7qVDCaX/?hl=en
1. I was thrilled to get my first shot of Pfizer BioNTech this week! ????
2. Not sure. There are limitations on indoor restaurant seating, and schools and offices are mainly virtual.
3. I’m old, so I’m still self-isolating.
4. I have allowed myself to buy some vintage perfumes on ebay because of the pandemic.
5. I don’t think the pandemic changed my fragrance habits and usage, which was always mainly for personal enjoyment, but now I can’t go to shops or perfume events.
6. Only snowdrops are blooming so far in Northern Virginia, and the occasional rogue hellebore.
7. I’m pleasantly surprised by how much food is available on Amazon (not Fresh delivery but just regular mail orders). I can get a lot of my staples that way, and even odd things like shelf-stable cooked beets. And there’s a wide range of international food to liven things up.
Congrats on your shot!!
Thanks, yasmina!
So glad you were able to get your first vaccine!
Thanks, adanst!
Great news about the Pfizer shot!
Thanks, Merlin!
#1 woohoo!
#7 as long as you don’t end up with 50 pounds of something
I double check quantities now, lol!
It sounds like there are some interesting stories behind your current diligence NozKnoz ?
Glad you got your shot!! Glad to have any excuse to buy more vintage perfumes on E**y! I love my recent CD Dolce Vita, which the kind seller sent along with the original cello wrap and shop bag!
Wow that teapot!!! Congrats on your vaccination dose!
1. Not vaccinated yet but I’m guessing it will be before this summer since I know the university wants to go back to residential teaching next fall.
2. I think we are at a 2.5. Hope it can stay this way.
3. I don’t go anywhere inside really except the pharmacy.
4/5. I have been doing alot less shopping in general. But if anything my interest in perfumes and perfume wearing has increased.
6. No idea what’s blooming. I really need to learn more about local plants. But it’s the tundra here right now so I’m guessing not much.
7. I recently discovered paint by numbers. It’s so relaxing to just mechanically fill in a canvas. Also have been really into make up tutorials after Undina mentioned Lisa Eldridge. I’m now a fan and know how to do Zoom make up right
I am a huge fan of Lisa Eldridge also, and have to admit to binge-watching her videos. Have you seen her “Ted Talks” videos featuring her cat Ted? Priceless!
No, I haven’t seen Ted the Cat yet! Need to check that out. I keep on watching the same set of videos from her over and over since I decided to do my make-up synchronously with them in the morning.
I think I have watched more makeup tutorials and makeup reviews in 2020 than in my entire lifetime. Better late than never, LOL. I find them relaxing but they are undoubtedly the reason why my makeup purchases have gone up. Who needs a bronzer under an N95?
Before that it was skincare. I’m still interested but it’s taken a backseat to makeup.
Lisa Eldridge is a long time favorite.
I know — I keep on buying lipsticks that no one can see, including one of the Velvet ones by Lisa Eldridge
Oh me too! You are not alone; I got 4 lippies and a pouch with her last launch.
I got the Velvet Ribbon Kit with the lipstick, gloss and lip liner. Wow! The pigment is truly impressive in those. I’m not normally a bold red lip wearer so it was a bit of a shock seeing myself in the mirror ?
I stopped wearing lipstick entirely because of masks, and I’m so bummed out about it. Still wearing eye makeup sometimes though, and always, always nail polish.
I could never get into nail polish, although one time I did the gel option in the salon and loved how it didn’t chip for three weeks. But then getting it off was a big hassle.
Lisa E. is good; I learned how to do tasteful eyeliner from her, via The Non-Blonde.
I learned from Lisa E that I can use my eyeshadow as a subtle eyeliner! I do this all the time now especially on the lower lash line. So pretty.
Oh, I really enjoyed The Non-Blonde! I miss her.
Lisa Eldridge is a long time favorite, as is Hot n” Flashy and The Non-Blonde.
For skin care, I love Dr. Dray, a board-certified dermatologist with a PhD, I’ve learned so much from her videos, and I love her practical approach.
Penn Smith is also good for skincare, I’m a fan of her affordable skincare dupe video series.
Affordable dupes! Heading right over to Penn Smith…thanks for the recs.
Here’s one of my favorite videos of hers, affordable favorites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG34rvYvYQI&t=801s
Not to burst anyone’s bubble but all these makeup purchases make me think there’s something about the videos ?
What do you mean? Now you got my attention
Yasmina, Gail, adanst watch Lisa Eldridge, not only because of Undina’s mention but because she’s apparently really good (I have no opinion as I have not watched at all). All 3 have bought her products. I wonder is there’s anything subliminal happening. This could of course be a conspiracy theory…
The only way to check this theory is to have you now watch and see it any lippie purchases ensue ?
You’re cracking me up here!
I’ve watched the videos and purchased nothing. 🙂
I’ve watched lots of her videos and only purchased one Maybelline eyeliner from CVS as a result.
Do we have to get this scientific ?
I also love makeup video by Lisa Eldridge
Another makeup artist I like on IG
https://instagram.com/aliandreeamakeup?igshid=1tyk86vy08orf
Besides her makeup looks I like when she goes out and about in Paris and it provides a look into the Parisian life
Yep, I watch her YouTube videos as well. I think she’s a talented makeup artist and it sure doesn’t hurt that I get to see snippets of Paris through her ?
Following her now — very glamorous!
No vaccine here.
Life rambling on, not much change.
I am also spritzing with abandon.
I found a few scents that I love but won’t purchase.
Enjoying the little things for balance as I watch the world spin.
I do lose a day though occasionally as it’s all a big blur, but ‘What a time to be alive!!’
You love but won’t purchase because you are on a no buy? Or funds just currently limited? Or some other reason?
I‘ve not been vaccinated and it probably won‘t be before summer (or even beyond) due to the slow slow progress and myself being rather at the bottom of the priority list.
I‘ve no idea what level we are, but my husband and I have probably been acting level 5 since March.
Perfume buying stopped completely, then I had a bit of a spending spree and have now established a budget a month rule which is so far working very well.
I spritz 3 or 4 sprays rather than the 2 or 3 I did before. Otherwise my perfume wearing habit haven’t changed much. Something different every day usually to fit my schedule, mood and stress levels. New things mostly at weekends, as I don‘t get the leisure to appreciate a fragrance properly on the more stressful work days.
I‘ve taken up painting again and it’s a great creative outlet. Otherwise reading, yoga, long walks, running, looking up various perfume blogs on the internet…
Snowdrops are out! Hooray. Spring, the sign that no matter what is going on, time passes and things will change. Doing my best to enjoy every day as best I can, in spite of circumstances.
Long walks: yes!
1. I haven’t been vaccinated against covid-19 but plan to as soon as I’m able. I don’t meet the age requirement but am immune-compromised, I am a little bummed the powers that be didn’t consider people who are young and immune compromised in prioritizing vaccine recipients but nothing to be done about it. I am in tier 1c, perhaps I’ll receive my vaccine by May or June?
2. Virus-related restrictions in my area are about a 2.5 or 3, numbers are trending downward, which is great.
3. Even if my area returns to normal, I will continue to restrict my own movements (social distance and masking included) to limit exposure until more people are vaccinated, I am vaccinated, and higher herd immunity is confirmed.
4. I have long wanted it, found, and purchased Angel Sunessence Bleu Lagon (hooray!!). The hubby hates it, so I’ll wear it M-F, so it wears off by the time he gets home. I am on the hunt for Fendi Life Essence, it’s glorious stuff and still reasonably priced.
5. I still use fragrance every day, and makeup/sunscreen. I feel it adds to a sense of normalcy and I feel a bit dressier and put together.
6. Cherry Blossoms are blooming, and they are so gorgeous.
7. I’ve struggled, had some loss (a friend of 40 years, a cousin, and my youngest uncle) but am still trying my best to be positive. Good diet, walking, exercise, reading, and proper rest have helped immensely. TV is also quite good. I am addicted to the new All Creatures Great & Small, Miss Scarlet & The Duke, The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco (Netflix) and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen and Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, and I’ll Have What Phil’s Having.
And sometimes, a good cry in the shower is in order. I don’t cry often, but it’s a release valve.
I also have not been afraid of emailing my boss and saying I need a mental health day (I use different phrasing).
I’ve gained 10 lbs but as I formerly struggled with eating disorders and other health issues, I’m surprisingly not too torn up about it. I figure lycra is my friend, and when I can return to the gym, the weight will drop quickly. I can only do so much.
I’m so sorry for your recent losses. It sounds like you’re taking good care of yourself, at least! Sending hugs, and totally agree that shower cries are a good release.
And cherry blossoms, oh, swoon.
I’m so sorry about your losses!
Well done for finding the Mugler – but even bigger congrats for the pragmatism and flexibility around body weight.
Sorry about your losses ST!! Also, I have very understanding bosses, too – it’s been a blessing.
Your coping skills and strategies are phenomenal! Love it. Sorry for the losses you’ve had this past year.
Sorry to hear that you have recently lost so many people dear to you. Hugs.
SOTD Bond No.9 New Haarlem.
1. I am not eligible for the vaccine yet, so I have to keep waiting patiently for it. I am still trying to get an appointment for my mother. It has been impossible to schedule one, but I hope she is able to get it very soon.
2. Restrictions in NY are in 2 already.
3. I am still in 4 and not planning to change it any time soon.
4. The pandemic made me go crazy with perfume purchases last year. Not feeling that urge any more. Now I am going thru my perfume collection again and I have a drawer almost full of bottles, decants and samples that need to be rehomed. I don’t have any plans to buy anything soon.
5. Now, I wear more than one perfume during the day and I sprayed with more abandonment than usual, since I am working from home.
6. Nothing is blooming yet. We only get snow, snow and more snow.
7. My strategy is still the same nearly a year into the pandemic: Limiting the amount of time I spend watching and reading the news. I only do it once a day. Other than that I am so busy with work and my mom that I have no time for almost anything else.
Happy weekend, everyone! ?
I think cutting back on the news is a good idea. Hearing the same thing over and over becomes more like admonitions, rather than information. RE: your #4: I am ready for another swap meet – I’ve been sorting, too!
I went crazy with online perfume buying last year, too. I think I got it out of my system, though, because lately the only things purchased online have been tea, spices, cat food, and wool socks.
1. Not vaccinated yet. I probably won’t be eligible until September; maybe I will get it as my birthday present?!
2. We are probably between a 3 and 4.
3. Movement is probably at a 3. Trips to the grocery store is the highlight. We can go outside for walks/fresh air.
4. No changes to my fragrance shopping; I haven’t set foot in a retail store for almost a year so no sampling in person. I have been getting more skincare items and am trying to focus some attention on that since I haven’t been wearing makeup during the day.
5. Most days I wear fragrances, at least 6 sprays.
6. The snow has mostly left here but we won’t see any flowers until Spring. I will have to go check on my Bleeding Hearts to see if they have poked through.
7. I’ve been doing yoga daily for the last few months (Adriene) as well as trying to keep up with a bit of weights, mostly with old dvds for variety. I’ve also been watching YouTube, mostly makeup application and perfume reviews – for humor and a break from golf and other sports my hubby watches.
#5 … just 2 more … you can do it ?
?
LOL! I agree that’s the magic number!
😀
I still haven’t had the courage to go for this!
Where do you distribute your 8 sprays so that you don’t feel overwhelmed?
Most actually land on hair!
My answers:
1) No, and no. I don’t even get flu shots. I rely on my 1000 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.
2) I would say about a one and a half/two. Our state’s infection rates apparently have been rapidly dropping, so restrictions have been loosening up somewhat. Masks are still a necessity, libraries are pick-up only, Barnes and Noble will yell at you if you sit on one of their benches or even the floor to flip thru a book or magazine, and restaurants are still less than 100% capacity, altho that has eased as of last week (they can stay open an hour later now). Other than that, most of us have pretty decent freedom of movement. I don’t know about schools, I don’t have kids so I don’t really pay attention to that.
3) Probably a two. Leftover from quarantine, I stay home at least one day a week. It’s kinda refreshing to not have to worry about getting ready/looking presentable and all. Especially in the cold weather. Hibernation is nice. Come spring and summer, that may be a different story. And when I do go out, it’s not for that long.
4) No. Nothing has changed.
5) Hasn’t changed. Same habits.
6) Nothing is blooming. In fact I just drove home through a snow squall that we weren’t supposed to get. I’m getting a little tired of it.
7) I still get my bouts of anxiety, but I had those pre-pandemic too. Interior design online sites and publications actually help a lot. I have a magazine that features a washroom that looks very zen-y and serene and chill, looking at it calms me just a little. I know that sounds weird, but, it works. Also, my cat is a very good buddy. He is quite entertaining.
Today’s scent – Coze Verde 2.1. I put it on and it reminded me of a cross between Emeraude and Coco, maybe? It was nice though. I liked it.
#1 good reminder! I just popped 3 Airborne gummy vitamin C.
I love the fact that just looking a picture of a well-designed bathroom can make you peace out! I’m gonna look up pics and see if it works for me!
😀
1. Yes I was recently, the UK programme is galloping ahead
2. Officially in lockdown, shopping for essentials only, non-essential businesses closed, 1 hour of walking/exercising permitted. I would say 4 or 3.5
4. I’ve realized I buy more perfumes than planned, more time to browse online with wfh
5. I now wear two perfumes per day very often
6. Alas no bloom yet
7. I made crêpes earlier this week
Go UK!
I didn’t realize there was a timelimit on outdoor time too. That’s so hard. I hope the rates go down soon so the lockdown can ease a bit.
Congrats on vaccination! Wow what a bummer that outdoor walking is limited in time, though.
I had a huge case of the antsies yesterday and did 9km before I felt good to go back inside!
I’d go stir crazy if my area had a restriction on outdoor time. I’m not outside much due to weather, but knowing that I can go out if I want to makes a difference.
1. I am on a standby list for the vaccines that might go bad if they don’t get used. My office is next door to one of the county sites, so I (with the hearty approval of my boss) could abandoned my post and be at the site in 5 minutes. I will get an appointment as soon as it opens for my age group, too. DH has an appointment but not until next month, which was disappointing since he tried to sign up ASAP.
Except for the schools, we seem to be at 2 or even 1. Today’s paper said that our smaller local high school is going to 5-day in-person learning in March, which the remote option retained. The *surviving* restaurants are open with limited seating, mask use is almost universal, and our (college town) economy has a lot of businesses that seem to have been able to integrate distance work. This is a challenge for all the young dual-career families; at our office, they seem to all be handling it with grace and love; very touching. The biggest restriction seems to be that certain local government issues have become even more contentious because Zoom is, IMHO, a total fail to facilitate passionate debate, and gives the power to the host. For some reason, they turn off the video for the citizens.
3. I have been back to work full time, in office since April. We are very socially distanced; everyone has a work from home option; about a third do. Almost all document signings are done curb side (up until this week, the weather cooperated). Some one-on-one meetings have taken place in-office, with only our 6+ people sized conference rooms in use. As I have said before, with no special risk factors, and much compassion for the small-business economy in our small town, I have not restricted my movements more than a 2. But I also have no family near by, and a small circle of homebody friends, so we just yammer on the phone more.
4. Are there any fragrances (or related items) you bought, or didn’t buy, just because of the pandemic? How else has the pandemic changed your fragrance shopping? I think I have purchased a couple of more luxury items, such as my first Amouage, Opus III, because of more time at the discounters. Frag*Net is always giving me 35%, which makes me think they know they’ve reeled in a fat one. 🙂 Since I have been fully employed, I have been able to use the better part of our COVID checks for consumer spending. Can’t help but think that has filtered over to perfume. Definitely, I have bought more, and have not done as much “bottom fishing.”
5. Not too much change in usage; perhaps a bit more daring in my office choices – I wore Knowing, Mahora, and Ciara to the office various days last Fall.
6. What’s blooming in your local area at the moment? Maybe the maple trees; but we have a 6″ blanket of snow, so nothing to report.
7. I have been eating and cooking more, but also have been more motivated to walk, especially at lunch with a loose group of coworkers who also enjoy it. We have one of those rails-to-trails nearby, and lots of sidewalks. That has been fun. I have put on a few pounds, but nothing too shocking. I have been using my Fitbit more to bark at me if I spend too much time sitting. I have struggled to see some of our long-time local businesses go under (and our local Macy’s: many people had worked there for decades). My dear Father was a life-long self-employed realtor, and I wish everyone knew how much small businesses are a passion, not just a source of income. I know many people do understand. As the Amazon trucks roll past my house I wonder where things are headed; and question my own online shopping, though I do live in a perfume desert.
I love reading everyone’s comments here; that is a coping strategy for sure!!
Nice to see Ciara mentioned. It’s gorgeous!
It makes a statement – I just love it.
Your #4 about FragNet made me laugh!
Right? You know *they* KNOW!!
1) If things work out, will be vaccinated at the end of the summer. No news yet about my mother who is in another, more shambolic province.
2) Probably 2 to 2.5. Stores and restaurants open, but no travel;
3) 3 to 3.5 Working from home, going for a daily walk, Have been meeting friends outside for coffee, and pop in briefly to stores;
4) Have done a little bit of perfume shopping, but:
5) Have been using up my samples. Also finding I want milder perfumes, to my surprise;
6) Snowdrops and crocuses are appearing. We also have an impressive amount of moss;
7) Having regular phone calls with friends – we help one another by keeping in touch. One somewhat annoying result of doing a dry month is finding that I’m sleeping better. How I miss a nice glass of wine, though!
As you might guess, *moss* in perfume and all other forms delights me, and we have some fun mosses around our house too! My favorite:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladonia_cristatella. Here’s hoping your Mother gets her shot sooner rather than later.
Hello!
1) I do plan on being vaccinated. I don’t think this will happen for a couple of months yet.
2+3) I would say here in Portland is about a 3- mask wearing, limited shop areas + hours, no theaters, no indoor dining- and i am still working from home. With the exception of my break in Southern Oregon in November, I have not gone outside the confines of Portland. I have not even been to Beaverton!
4) I have purchased a number of sample packs, which has been fun- and allowed myself to truly enjoy he lovely scented products I have purchased instead of ‘saving’ for a date, or a Friday, or whatever. Lovely body oils massaged in after a workout & shower, bath oils for soaking, EDT lavishly sprayed before a bike ride to a supermarket or a protest, EDP dabbed on for a Zoom cocktail hour.
5) I am finding that I like airier fragrances now, and florals & grassy green citruses. Scents that evoke garden, green growing things, life.
6) The snow is melting, and up pops snow crocuses and little buttercups as of yesterday! And roses were blooming through the winter due to the relatively mild temps and sunshine!
7) I have been exercising- spinning, Pilates, strength training- in ebbs and flows, but mostly flows. I have been drawing and doing calligraphy, usually with music on.
I have been cooking alot- at the begining, using quite a bit of cream and butter and drinking a fair bit of very expensive wine along with veg from my garden- I have calmed down on the butter & wine though! No weight gain, no weight loss. And of course, I spent money on long due home improvements! And every Friday, there is a Zoom happy hour!
As I am a social person, I am surprised at my contentment with being home.
I have been more on the ebbs than the flows, and will be sorry when I can finally go to yoga class again!
1. I get the same email every week from my county saying that their progress through 1a is slow. As a teacher, I’m 1b. One of my sisters and both of my parents have had their first shots, though, which makes me smile.
2-3, 2-3: Most places are open but restricted. I run errands when I have to, but with all of the February snow, I’ve been home even more than I had been.
4. I have purchased more fragrance since the pandemic began but not to the point of any regrets. We need some joys and hobbies to see us through.
5. My Fitbit has changed my usage. No more sprays on my left wrist!
6. If there were flowers, they’d be buried under snow and ice. I get winter fatigue every February, so it’s right on time.
7. More adventurous cooking and planning how I will decorate our new home (we moved in September). I look forward to getting outside more in a few weeks, too. I also play a lot of Candyland; my son vaguely understands that luck has everything to do with it, but he maintains that if he practices, he will be rewarded. He also offered that if I win twice in a row, he will buy me a rose with his own money, so I am very lucky indeed.
#7 you’ve raised him right!
Ha, ha re: FitBit. I just push my sleeve up higher. Plus I have a special watch I wear, so my left wrist is rather crowded.
1) I’ll be vaccinated as soon as I possibly can be, but I don’t know when that will be. I’m an “essential” government employee with a high-risk underlying condition (asthma), so I’m hoping sooner rather than later!
3) Super restricted (see underlying condition), though even before the pandemic I led a pretty quiet life. Currently, just weekly trips to the grocery store and post office, and I meet with colleagues out in the field once a week or so, with masks on. I haven’t seen my dad in five months or my S.O. in three, which is sad.
6) Mimosa, milk maids, mustard, daffodils, dandelions, forget-me-nots, anemones, willows, redwoods (not technically ‘flowering plants’ but doing their pollen thing), flowering quinces, Japanese magnolias, and the earliest cherry plums. My son is getting tired of me pointing and “ooh”ing at every single blossom, but I’m *so* ready for spring!
7) My coping strategies include ample outdoor time and as much safely distanced time with friends as possible. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to see really any friends in weeks due to confoundments on their end. I wouldn’t say that I’m coping all that well at the moment; today, my son came up and rubbed his warm little hand on the chronically sore part of my back, and it was so soothing and so moving to have this little human contact that I burst into tears.
Aww your son is sweet. Virtual hug to you
Adding my hug to Yasmina’s!
Another hug from me!?
Hugs! ?
You have such a sweet boy! Hugs to both of you.
Big hugs to you!
SOTD = Guerlain Angelique Noire
Oxidized goodness! The vanilla got boozier!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLhr2ZwBPmf/?igshid=1itds7o1bb9vz
I’m glad our Texas peeps seem to be doing ok. My company has many people there and I think we’ll see more snow/cold impact for some time to come.
To the poll!
1. I am not 100% on board at this stage. It will be a while before my turn comes … probably in the summer at the earliest. If I do get the vaccine, I wonder if the 2 dose is better than the 1 dose? Is the second dose a booster? Does one really need a booster?
2. Restrictions are probably a 2, which I believe is lower than how I rated where NJ is. I actually haven’t paid much attention because I stick to my routine.
3. I am personally at a 3.5. I have been double-masking since before it became a recommendation and it’s because people continue to use masks as mouth guard or a chin strap. I carry hand sanitizer (foil packets and an attachment to my purse) and have hand sanitizer in the car which I use religiously before I remove my mask. I also carry and use gloves (nitrile and the cheap plastic ones) most of the time. I go to 3 stores to do my grocery shopping; I go to Target occasionally and the mall occasionally. I have met up with my sisters and their family several times and have done 2 socially distant walks with a friend. I have not dined indoors and won’t do it for as long as we still have to be masked. I have dined outdoors exactly once and it was to indulge in a margarita after one of the walks. When I have to change my routine, which I’ve had to do for various reasons, I drive myself nuts with a lot of what ifs and have tried to keep it as safe as possible.
4. Still rotten with frag purchases
5. Have been wearing 8 sprays every day since March 16, 2020. Sometimes I wear more.
6. I have no clue what’s blooming – too much snow lately.
7. Coping strategy – I plan personal projects but don’t beat myself up if I don’t get it done. I do have to buy a new computer (a Mac) as mine is too old and I have to do it by sometime mid- March but the earlier the better. If the weather cooperates tomorrow, I may donate work clothes. I have decided that whenever I need to show up in the office for work, I will be in way more casual clothes; I hope my sweater is still in the closet.
I got some 4711 cologne flankers and I am proud to say I REGULARLY do 8+ sprays, at regular intervals throughout the day! ?
I rarely re-up but you got to do what you got to do. Keep smelling fabulous!
Hi H!
To your #1 questions: for the Covid vaccines currently in use under emergency authorization (both in the US and in other parts of the world) the two doses represent the primary series. Because the first dose does not provide as much immunity as possible, a second dose is needed to build better immunity. In the future, when we gather more data as to the duration of said immunity, if we see that it drops significantly, we may need a booster dose of the vaccine. That may be months or years down the road from the primary series. For now, it is important to get both doses.
More and more data is emerging showing that for persons who’ve been infected naturally with the virus one dose of the vaccine may be sufficient to achieve the desired results.
Re. # 4: you rock!
Thanks adanst – Keeping fingers and toes crossed that we’re on our way to herd immunity!
hajusuuri, there was an article in Ars Technica yesterday about a new, mysterious vulnerability in the new Macs. Might be worth a read. Only 30,000 machines have been identified with it but the attack vector sounds very sneaky and open-ended. I may need a new computer soon and am following closely.
Thanks for the heads up anngd!
No. 4 should say Still an expert!?
LOL!
Your #4 could have easily said “one of the biggest benefactors at NST”. Nothing rotten about that at all! ?
Heh! Thanks!
You smell great. :-). My bottle of AN that I recently thunked had turned dark & boozy too.
It is so good!
Here in South Africa the vaccinations have hardly begun. I would be glad to get it as soon as possible but am not in any prioritised categories.
Crossing fingers but the numbers are currently relatively low (though Iv read they are liable to be 10x higher than is being registered). In any case restrictions are fairly low key. I follow protocol by always wearing mask in public and social distancing. I also seldom have coffee at any indoor coffee shops (one of the biggest life changes for me) and go out for coffee far less than I used to and have even less of a social life than I did pre-Covid. ?
When restrictions (and numbers) are down I do test perfume at shops. Last year was my first time buying online and this has now become a possibility.
Because I go out less I try perfume out at shops much less frequently which means I lean more on my own collection for olfactory stimulation! I wear about 3 different scents a day – on average. And I spray liberally for my own delight ?
Iv bought more than pre-Covid due both to Covid anxiety as well as the end of a long relationship AND the apprehension of returning to study… And due to the availability of so many excuses ?
Like many others I’ve found exercise to be the absolutely best coping mechanism but also one that requires the greatest effort of will (for me). As with other things, I always have plenty of excuses! ?
I hear you re: excuses, but I have been plugging away at getting outside every day, and that usually leads to at least a walk around the block. I have been shopping my collection more, too, though wonderful new samples and FB’s have found their way to my mailbox…..
Oh yes, my walk outside actually does not require any real will power as I have a 14-year-old puppy that has been walking me much of his life! Unfortunately the walks are now shorter than when he was a more junior puppy…
Also, it’s summer here so a trip round the block does not require the fortification one would need right now in North America! Your diligence is certainly to be admired and I’m sure it is paying off.
I haven’t walked outside in the past almost 3 weeks. The last thing I need is slipping on ice so I would rather just move around inside the house. I also try to stand while working but that was difficult last week when I had a good number of Zoom meetings.
Wow, it must be really difficult spending 3 weeks inside! I have terrible balance so would have to do the same 😮
No SoTD yet, probably Fate.
1. Have not been vaccinated yet although I’m over 65 and very high risk. Trying very hard to navigate our state’s poor app and abysmal rollout. On a call list for vaccine. Hoping by month’s end.
2. MA is probably 3. I’m more 3.5 although I need to go to 4 or 5. My husband had what may have been a direct exposure yesterday, so we are trying to figure out how to isolate from each other. Unf my health and lack of strength means I rely on him for a lot.
3. I stay at home, never go in shops, but we have gone inside restaurants a few times, which we won’t do any more. He does all the shopping, so the isolation probably means Whole Foods or Amazon delivery for a while. We both wfh. We’re introverts but the isolation has been too much.
4. I have bought samples, no FBs. Trying to work through samples. Not being able to go in shops makes it harder to commit; trying not to blind buy.
5. Extra sprays! And perfume every day. I tend to stick with comfort and forcefield fragrances.
6. Icicles!
7. I read even more than before, and watch TV too much. I try to stay off social media. This community is a safe haven, and I thank Robin and all of you for helping keep me sane. About to start a paint by number, we’ll see how that goes. Also probably too much vodka.
Sorry to hear about your husband’s exposure! Fingers crossed that he will test negative, stay safe!
Thanks, tulipani. Fingers crossed here!
Yikes on your husband’s direct exposure! I’m hoping for the best for both of you.
Oh dear, please let us know — my fingers crossed too!
Oh no, what crappy luck for your husband to have had a direct exposure when isolating yourselves from one another is so difficult!
Truly hope you guys are able to test negative soon and put this challenge behind you.
I’m sending best wishes to you and your husband! I really hope he didn’t catch the virus. Fingers crossed!
Ugh, hoping for negative test results.
Happy Sunday, everyone! Haven’t picked a SOTD yet, but I wore Lubin Kismet yesterday.
1. I will get vaccinated when I can, I have no idea when as I’m not in any priority group. Several Californians here have already mentioned that the rollout in our state has been a bit of a mess! I was much more concerned with my parents and high-risk friends getting vaccinated, and thankfully that’s happening.
2 and 3. I think my city & county are at around 2? It doesn’t feel very lockdown at all, but I guess it’s a mix.
I work from home 100% of the time, so I don’t go out much except for daily walks around the neighborhood, grocery-runs, and take outs.
4 and 5. The pandemic and WFH has definitely changed my perfume habits! Having worked with fragrance-sensitive people for over a decade, I’ve been conditioned to be very shy with the sprayer and self-conscious about what I wear, even after I stopped sitting near those folks. WFH has really freed me, since my new “coworkers” (son & husband) don’t often seem bothered by anything I wear. I gleefully try many scents a day now, it’s wonderful!! I bought way too much last year, discovery sets, samples, full bottles! But now I feel quite settled, happy to dip into the hoard I’ve accumulated over the years, and aiming for a low-buy this year.
6. I’ve spotted daffodils. And there are few trees with a lot of tiny white blossoms in the neighborhood, I have no idea what they are. But they smell pungent! My son has described the smell as “shrimp” and my husband has referenced something much more unmentionable! LOL.
Fragrance has definitely helped me cope during the pandemic. I’m quite a homebody so the lockdown wasn’t too hard for me to get used to, but the “sameness” of every day and the news have definitely put me in a mood at certain times this past year. I remind myself to be grateful for all the things I have: my health, my job which I enjoy, my family, fun escapist shows on Masterpiece and all the little things!
Yep: the little things!
Oy on the shrimp smell comment ?
Wow, so many comments this weekend! I didn’t get a chance to read many of them yesterday, so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do today. No SOTD for yet, as I only woke up 40 minutes ago. I had a nice sleep in. I can detect last night’s Anima Dulcis on my sleeves though. Yesterday evening I had a great two hour phone call with a good friend and also ate some tasty food – Indian street food for lunch and blueberry pancakes with over easy eggs for dinner. We just got a nice new ceramic pan delivered, so my boyfriend wanted to try out eggs in it right away. He had a much better time with them than in our old non-stick pan.
1. No, and I don’t really expect to be vaccinated for a while since I’m 37. I’m honestly not even paying attention to WA’s vaccination yet.
2. I guess Seattle is around 2.5. We recently started allowing indoor dining at 25% capacity but masks ate required everywhere and at least 90% of people I encounter comply.
3. Yeah, I’m still basically doing the same thing I was many months ago. Not eating at restaurants, even outdoors and not really going inside anywhere except the grocery store and occasionally the post office. So I guess I’m at a 3-4. I still go out for walks, or at least, I’ll do it more when it’s not so cold out.
4. So far my first quarter buying has been better than last year, but I still have definitely purchased more perfume than necessary this last year. I’ve definitely been making attempts to buy less and have talked myself out of many possible purchases. So I’m hopeful for this year. Being home all the time makes me really see how many perfumes I have and how little I need any more.
5. I can wear anything I want and as much as I want, which has been very gratifying. My workplace is scent free, but since not wearing perfume five days a week sounds like punishment to me, I still wear perfume to the office, albeit my lightest ones and very few sprays. So since I’ve been working at home for almost a year, I wear anything I feel like and reapply throughout the day.
6. Not much really, but I do love the smell of the many sarcococca (sweet box) bushes in my neighborhood.
7. My biggest coping strategy has been daily walks outside, but winter has really sidetracked that. I’m looking forward to better weather that will allow me to get out more. It does wonders for my mental health. Also reading and watching escapist stuff like thrillers, mysteries, sci fi, fantasy, etc. I enjoy having a good show to binge or a good book to get lost in. Oh, and GBBO really helped pick me up when I was feeling down.
Walking outside makes such a difference. I have not had a really decent outdoor walk in weeks now, and they’re calling for more snow tomorrow, ack. Really looking forward to spring.
GBBO has been a help, definitely!
a Hearty HALLOOOO!! from a fairly ridiculously hot South Africa!
It’s been a minute since I last said hey!
I miss you guys,will try and catch up asap with everything!
Work has been superbusy,but we are thankful for that.
Our country has a registration system for vaccines,they are starting with healthcare workers(of which I am one).I think this coming week our staff will be vaccinated.
I received the most AWESOME perfume package from a darling NST-er in the US,and I am still.in awe about all the contents!Slowly working my way through them and giving updates to her as I test and sniff and enjoy.
It truly is the little pleasures that keeps me going,enjoying the small things that gives me daily joy.My favorite in the package so far has been Le Labo Tonka 25.LOVELOVE,totally fb worthy!
AWESOME to see many of you on Instagram as well,I try to connect there as often as I can.
Have a wonderful week,be safe,and always wear perfume in copious amounts!!
Deva also said I should say HEY on her behalf!I love her Insta page with the antics of that T-Rex doggo…hehe.
Lots of love to you all!
Johanò?❤️❤️❤️
Hi, Johanob! So happy you will get the vaccine soon – enjoy that hot weather as we in the midwest make paths in the snow to our mailboxes. Hope all your patients are getting better. Hi, Deva!
Hey, it has been a dog’s age since I’ve seen you here! Glad to see you posting, and to hear that you are mostly doing all right.
So glad you are well Johano!
Your update gave me the biggest smile! Thanks for chiming in!
Nice to hear from you Johanò! How wonderful that you got a perfume package. :-). So much fun exploring new goodies.
Good to “see” you and glad you will get vaccinated soon!
Good to see you again!
You had us spoiled there for awhile. Lol??
Woo hoo, glad to see you here too!
Hi everyone! I’m enjoying a lazy Sunday so far.
1. I haven’t been vaccinated yet, but I’m hoping it will be sooner rather than later. I had to go back to working in person last May because we were told it was essential for us to reopen (public library), but now apparently we’re not essential enough for the city to put us in category 1b with the other essential workers. Grr.
2. I’d say we’re about a 2 in Chicago.
3. I’m acting as though we’re a 3 or so. I have to wear a mask at work all day unless I’m at my own desk or eating lunch (by myself) in a designated area. I ride the train to work but it’s become really unpleasant–there are fewer people, which is good for social distancing, but it means the scofflaws get away with some really gross behavior: smoking on the train and the platforms, eating and leaving food on the seats and floors, harassing people for money, etc. I keep my mask on, listen to podcasts, and ignore as much as I can. Other than work and the grocery store, I hardly go anywhere, except around the neighborhood during walks with my dog. I haven’t eaten indoors in a year I think. I really miss going to restaurants with friends! I often get take-out for lunch when I’m at work, but that’s nothing special.
4. I already did most of my fragrance shopping online, so that hasn’t changed. I’ve been buying a lot of samples and sample sets.
5. Since I’m still going in to work in person I can’t spray with abandon, but I do wear perfume nearly every day, usually just a couple sprays. When I have a day off I apply more! I’m trying to use some things up since I’m running out of storage space.
6. Nothing is blooming here yet–we’re still under several feet of snow! However, one of my indoor amaryllis plants has some new shoots coming up, so maybe I’ll have some blossoms in a month or two.
7. Coping strategies: virtual hang-outs with friends and family, chatting with neighbors outside, my coronavirus puppy (I adopted her in April after my last dog died in February; it was sooner than I thought I’d get another dog, but it was just no fun being stuck at home without one). When it was nicer out I’d go for walks with a friend. I watch way too much TV and Netflix, and I read a lot. I have a weekly virtual knit night with a friend, and I’ve started doing some language exchanges in French and English with people in France and Morocco. That’s been a lot of fun!
What app/program are you doing the language exchanges through and is it free or paid? I’d love to find a French chat pal but don’t want to pay.
I signed up for the free version of My Language Exchange. It’s easier to send messages to people if you pay, but I didn’t since I wasn’t sure how it would go, so I just waited for people to contact me :). I got a few random requests at first from people who wanted to practice their English but didn’t speak French (so there’d be no real exchange unless I wanted to learn their language), but there are plenty of nice people on there too. It may take a little time to find people you click with, but it’s worth a try!
Definitely need to catch up on comments from this weekend. I’m in Oeillet Bengale today, finishing up a travel spray. No worries, I have an unopened back up set.
1. No expectation in vaccine anytime soon. Although, amusingly, I do have a letter from my healthcare provider saying I have a qualifying condition. Which is news to me. My husband does, but he didn’t get a letter. Sigh. No vaccine appointments available anyway.
2. I guess NYC is about at 3. We now have indoor dining again at 25%, but still many things locked down.
3. I’m personally at a 4-5. I don’t really restrict my movements, other than I’m more hesitant to ride the subway. That’s a physical safety issue, though, and less about health per se. I attend church, will dine indoors, shop as I wish, flew on a plane… in all things I wear mask(s) and carry sanitizer, etc.
4-5. No change.
6. No coping strategy other than simply adapting. I took one of those Strengths-Finder tests some years back at work, and my #1 was Adaptability. It has come in handy. ???
1. I haven’t been vaccinated yet. I’m at the end of the line along with quite a few other folks here. I am planning to get the shot, despite my fear of needles.
2. I’d say that New Jersey is still at a 2. Beaches and parks are open. Salons and barbershops are open, albeit with extra precautions, which I appreciate. I think casinos are now open, at reduced capacity. Indoor dining is allowed at 25% capacity or thereabouts, but I don’t feel comfortable doing that. However, I have ordered pizza from my favorite place a few more times since the last poll. People are still skittish about getting close to each other, and almost everyone wears a mask in public places.
3. I am now at 2.5 personally. I have had a few haircuts since salons and barbershops re-opened. The place I go to has quite a few safeguards in place, so I feel relatively comfortable there. I have also done some medical appointments that were postponed from 2020. Both cats have gone to their vet, which has pet guardians staying in the car while the vet examines the cat and gives the human a consultation via cell phone. I have done a couple of trips for non-essential purchases, but those trips were short and for a clear objective. Still wearing masks if I go anywhere outside for errands. I have a set of 2-layer cloth masks that have disposable PM2.5 filters in them.
4. Not really. I am considering getting samples of scented body oils from Soivohle, though.
5. Not really. The amount of perfume and scented body products I use has stayed constant. If I feel I can’t wear perfume (say, at a doctor’s office), I wear scented lotion on my shins to fly under the perfumed radar.
6. Nothing blooming here except for salt stains on the sidewalks, and piles of dirty snow on the street corners.
7. Coping strategies? Still cutting down on news consumption. A good cry or a bout of swearing can be SO cathartic. Kitty snuggles can chase away the blues most of the time. Sometimes my methods are less than healthy, like sleeping more and eating too many salty, crunchy snacks. Mostly, I try to take it one day at a time.
I’m with you on the snacking, my go to is gummy bears. I know it’s not good to get too much sleep but I struggle with getting enough. I wake up all night, and never feel rested.
Sleep deprivation can really mess me up and make me unable to function. I notice that my body temperature drops, and I can’t control eating habits as well as when I am rested. I’m also super irritable.
Mmm, gummy bears!! I don’t sleep well at all either and have to use medication. Lately I’ve even been using CBD/THC gummies to sleep, which works pretty well and they taste good too. 🙂
Does it help you stay asleep? That’s my biggest problem besides the movie reel of my dreams that are non stop when I manage to sleep.
I cut them in half (they are 5mg each, Kiva Camino is the product). It lasts about 4-5 hours, then when I wake up I take the other half and sleep the rest of the night. I found that whether I take a half or a whole one, it lasts the same amount of time, so it’s more economical to cut them in half.
I’ve ordered out less than at the beginning of the pandemic. I was not used to having to cook so many meals for myself considering I usually buy lunch when I’m in the office.
On masks – I have a tote bag full of the cloth ones. I am attracted to patterns and different mask structural designs. I had this idea that if I end up going into the office, I’ll probably end up using 6-7 masks a day (maybe it’s TMI but every time I visit the restroom, I don’t think I want to wear the same mask again, which is why I have not used a public restroom since March 16, 2020).
1. I’m cautiously optimistic that my co-workers and I will be able to get vaccinated in March.
2. I’m not really sure, because see #3.
3. I maintain my own restrictions! 🙂 While I can do some work from home, I have to go in the office periodically. We’re tested weekly; I double-mask and try to maintain as much distance as I can there. I go to the grocery store and that’s about it. I’ve seen a few friends, either to walk or sit outside in nice weather, but that’s been pretty limited.
4. I haven’t bought anything during the pandemic.
5. I realized that I had treated fragrance sort of like make-up and hair; part of my ‘game face’ or ‘corporate armor’ (for work) that I donned before going out in the world. It made me feel put together and ‘intentional’ somehow. I haven’t worn fragrance on many of the days that I’ve worked from home. I do see the value in wearing scents just because — or for no reason at all — but when I don’t feel my best (which has been many days during the pandemic) I don’t care much about putting on perfume.
6. Heath – a lovely evergreen that has tiny mauvey-pink flowers in the dead of winter. I’ve tried several times to get them to grow in my yard, without success. I have to admire the ones in the neighborhood instead.
7. Well, I’m not patting myself on the back for how well I’ve coped… 🙂 (Lost 7 pounds early in the pandemic; gained 15 back.) But my immune-compromised sister, who had surgery and chemo last year for ovarian cancer, seems to be doing well and has now had both her COVID vaccinations. If I can get mine, I’m going to visit her ASAP!!
Now to read everyone else’s comments —
Gotta admire your restraint and not buying any pandemic perfume!
Not sure how long my virtue will last once in-store sniffing resumes… 😉
I’m in awe of your #4! Hope you can get your shots and see your sister soon.
Thank you; we’ve done lots of phone calls and Face timing, but I can’t wait to wrap her up in the biggest hug ever!
I hope you get your vaccination soon! And thoughts and prayers that your sister continues to do well. I think I met her when we met up at Barney’s (R.I.P.).
Thanks, H. My sisters and I are still impressed by the skill with which you navigated the perfume counters that day. 🙂 Sad that so many great stores have closed…
We’re back from our weekend getaway to San Juan Island. It was just as wonderful as I’d hoped and didn’t even rain on us much. We kept to ourselves except for sitting outside at the microbrewery on a deck open to the air.
1) Not vaccinated yet–not my turn, but I’m a big proponent of the vaccine and will be as soon as I am allowed.
2) I think Seattle is at about a 3 (not sure officially).
3) Mr SP and I work from home. I go to the store carefully once a week or every two weeks, double masked with safety glasses and EARLY to avoid any crowds. We get take-out once in a while to help support the restaurants and take a break from our own cooking. We walk outside A LOT.
4) Pretty sure I made a couple of purchases due to pandemic stress: a candle or two and a roll on of Essential Faith Aura. I was over my budget, but whatever!
5) I wear perfume every day and look forward to it. I guess that hasn’t changed much but it feels like a Good Thing on days when there are lots of Bad Things.
6. Spring bulbs are coming up! I’m excited to see the daffodils that I planted last fall.
7. Coping: I have a couple of friends (as well as our sons) that I check in with regularly on the phone (and sometimes outdoor masked walks) and they help keep me sane and laughing. Exercise and getting outside for sure. Yoga every morning even if it’s only 15 minutes. And sometimes brownies and sometimes wine and always something on TV or a book to look forward to (just finished Shetland), in the middle of Schitt’s Creek, now reading Vera series, still finishing The Brothers K. Hang in, everyone.
Your get-away sounds great; glad it wasn’t too soggy!
It was great, thanks! I hope you get to see your sis very soon!!