Saturday is the first day of Spring and the International Day of Happiness. Sunday is National Fragrance Day. We're happily holding our usual open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance that makes you happy in Spring, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Tokyo, March [cropped] by WKC at flickr; some rights reserved.
Am I first? Question, has anyone tried BDK perfumes? I’m tempted by several on Beautyhabit but haven’t ever tried them. I may do a few samples. I’m annoyed by perfume that doesn’t last so if some one has experience with this brand I’d appreciate the opinions.
I’m wearing Highland Lilac to celebrate Spring and pretending it’s warmer outside.
I too am tempted by Gris Charnel.
They’re nice… well made, but pretty low projection in general. I bought Gris Charnel, because fig.
do you love it pixel?
It’s fig, iris, sandalwood, all very tasteful and muted. I’m not sure I’d say ‘love’ but it will work well in the spring/summer, I think.
Thanks!
Highland Lilac? What’s the 411?
That’s the brand AND the name of the scent. It’s a pure lilac perfection. It’s fairly inexpensive and I only wear it in the spring.
Boring cheap looking bottle, but the juice is well done.
I just purchased the roller ball. I really want to replenish my En Passant—but am feeling too cheap.
I’ve tried Gris Charnel, it was quite light and I thought it merited further sniffing, which I haven’t done yet. You have to really like cherry to like Rouge Smoking. It was too cherry for me, so of course lasted forever
Lol, that was one I was interested in, but I already have TF Lost Cherry, so don’t need another. The amber one, forget the name now, is a possibility.
Highland Lilac is spring in a bottle! It’s the most realistic lilac
They’re definitely worth sampling. I bought a bottle of Gris Charnel, which others have done a good job at describing. I also liked Creme de Cuir.
Morning, everybody. I’m right at this moment in a Perfume Zoom! It’s a Sniffapalooza event; this morning we are being introduced to The Harmonist perfumes. So, I’m commando at the moment, but will be covered in scents within the hour……
Oh cool. I need to find out about these.
Sounds fun! Let us know if any of the perfumes stand out as winners.
Enjoy! Sounds fun.
Wasn’t the Paris store beautiful? I foolishly spritzed this morning, so just used slips of paper to try their perfumes. It was nice to sniff through the entire line. ?
Can you please tell me how to get in on this for the future?
Sure! Here’s the sniffapalooza link. Scroll to the very bottom of the page and hit the pink envelope icon.
They fill up really quickly, FYI!
http://www.sniffapalooza.com/
Thank you!
Yes, a pretty boutique, and in Paris, which only adds to its glamour. I like that they sent us so many samples, but I actually prefer it when we go more slowly through each one. It’s a terrible problem to have, I know — too many new samples.
I’m going to test them out over the next several days.
I already have my shopping list ?. Royal Earth and one of the candles or the travel spray and holder.
Hard to celebrate International Day if Happiness when another lockdown has started today. Oh well… At least it’s not a full lockdown and we can leave our houses.
International Fragrance Day will be easier to celebrate tomorrow ?
I’m in L’Ivree Bleue today, as I couldn’t make up my mind in the morning what perfume to wear so I went with the newest one
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMo0qngBbD7/?igshid=jbqn4cr0yom2
My weekend question – has anyone tried Diptyque Orpheon yet? I’m curious about it.
Other news – Memo is launching Sicilian Leather, I wonder if it will be just as good as Italian Leather.
https://www.parfumo.net/Perfumes/memo-paris/cuirs-nomades-sicilian-leather
I’m glad you’re at least able to leave the house, but very sorry to hear you’re locked down again. I hope this is the last time!
I hope so too but things are not looking bright.
I have tried Orpheon. It is musky rose ?. Nice, but not convinced I need a FB ??♀️.
Oh? I thought the brand described it as more juniper & jasmine scent.
I got juniper in the opening but it disappeared quickly.
Same. Underwhelmed by this one.
Appreciate your thoughts
I probably should have said musky floral. I did not get the jasmine at all because. I am anosmic to some jasmines. Also, I have only tried it on blotter and will be unlikely to actually wear it.
Oh, the notes for Sicilian Leather sound gorgeous! I can see a sample at least is in my future.
They do and I hope to score a sample
I have tried it too and agree w/ hajusuuri. I got sweet powdery floral w/ woods in the drydown…preferred the drydown. I think it’s good but kind of bland/not that interesting overall. Tempo is still the best recent work/stand out from Diptyque in my opinion.
Doesn’t sound very encouraging.
I didn’t like Tempo at all. For me their most interesting recent scent is Eau Capitale.
I tried it and didn’t think much of it
I see
Those lockdowns are hard, we are just shortly before our third lockdown in in germany
Sorry it gets you as well
Sorry to you both! Hope they are short.
I quite liked Orphéon, but woody floral musks are one of my favourite categories.
I’m wearing French Lime Blossom, Jo Malone, a very old spring favourite, for the Spring Equinox.
That’s a lovely scent.
Ohh, I loved French Lime Blossom by Jo Malone. I wish it was in production..
I can’t wait for warmer weather, I’ll drag out the linden scents, De ma Mere by Shelley Kyle and Clarins’ Sunshine fragrance. Both have lovely notes of linden, beeswax, and amber and are surprisingly long lasting.
For body products, I adore Linden soaps, you can purchase them on sale at Baudelaire soaps for 21% off right now..
You can buy French Lime Blossom directly from the Jo Malone website – it’s one of the scents they brought out of the archives. Only 100 ml bottles are available.
You smell wonderful. I bought a bottle of French Lime Blossom to give as a gift years ago. It didn’t stray far from my grasp tho! I “sampled” from time to time. It’s a good one.
International Day of Happiness huh? Well, the sun is out and there is not a cloud in the sky, so yeah, I’m happy.??
I’m in Santal 33, so I smell like New York City.
When I got out of the shower this morning I noticed that the inside of my hands looked orangish. I started using Maelove Glowmaker vitamin c serum about a week ago and I think it’s staining my hands!? Now I’m nervous about what it’s doing to my face. Has anyone else ever had this happen?
No, but yikes!
I’m glad you’re having a sunny day!
Thanks! Me too, and the weather people say another one is on the way for tomorrow!?
Hmmm about the orange hands. Wouldn’t you typically apply with fingertips only?
I guess I could…I watched a video of how to apply it and I’ve been rubbing it between my hands and then *pressing* into my face as suggested.
My hubby is using The Ordinary Vitamin C; there is a bit of orange on the top and outside the tube (you know how messy guys can be). So it’s probably normal, maybe just oxidized. His face is ok, not orange.
Thanks Gail! Yeah, I emailed customer service and they responded that the residue left on my hands was probably oxidizing and turning orange. My face seems “okay” too, lol, I guess because I apply a thick moisturizer over it so no oxidation takes place….?
Oh that’s very good to know from the professionals! Glad they responded to you. I know that Vitamin C can be very potent but also so good for your skin.
you have sunshine hands
and you smell good!
I’ve had a friend dye herself orange by ODing on beta carotene from carrots before! Luckily she’s the sort of person with olive tone skin that looks great with a bit of color, lol.
If you apply moisturizer over your vitamin C serum and/or wash your hands thoroughly after applying to your face it should help. I didn’t have issues with vitamin C serum staining me but also truthfully didn’t stick with it long, it didn’t do wonders for my skin. I always wash my hands after skin care so I don’t accidentally pet the cats with retinol or whatnot on them.
When I was in high school, I loved carrots so much and ate so many of them that my skin turned orange. Once, when I went to give blood, I was turned away because they thought I might have Hepatitis!
Happy Spring! I’m wearing Safran Troublant today, a good one for a chilly, sunny day.
You smell lovely. I enjoy Safran Troublant even though it lives very short on my skin
Mine seems to be hanging on forever today! I’d like to try something else this evening ?
You smell great!
Thanks, sistine!
I love Safran Troublant. Doesn’t last long but 8 sprays do wonders!
Yeah, I do have to overspray a bit with this one.
Robin can I suggest a Friday project? I call it: Green thumbs, green fingers, green hands! Wear your greenest scent. ??
Oh yes!
Second that
Third!
Cute idea!
Let me look and see when we last did green…although I don’t think we specified “greenest”.
Oh, and thank you — suggestions always welcome! I just want to try not to repeat projects too frequently.
Saying goodbye to Winter in Diorissimo! ???
Sunny, warm, beautiful day! I am ready to go outside to take a long walk in the park. Crocuses and the first daffodils are welcoming Spring in my area.
My sisters will stop by later for dinner. We already placed an order for pick up from our favorite Persian restaurant. Looking forward to having a nice time!
Happy weekend everyone! ?
Dinner with your sisters sounds great!! I am going to my sister’s house for dinner tomorrow for the first time in forever!! We are both now vaccinated and looking forward to spending more time together. Enjoy your time with family.
Thank you, Jepster!
I am happy we can already start seeing our families more often. Enjoy your gathering tomorrow!
Twins with you in Diorissimo! It sounds like a perfect day ahead; enjoy your visit!
Thank you, Gail!
We smell great!
Enjoy the sisters visit! A little while longer and I’ll be able to do the same with my sisters also! ?
Thank you, Nancyleandros! I hope time to meet your sister arrives very soon! I am very positive that this year will be much better! ?
Sounds like a wonderful Saturday!
It was! We had a lovely time!
You smell wonderful – and I hope for the coming months that at least family gatherings will be more of an option. I think the vaccines will be a part of that.
Thank you! Family gatherings have become the most meaningful option these days. I am so grateful we are all healthy in my family to keep sharing with each other. Summer will be very special this year.
I just pulled out my Diorissimo today while putting away my heavier winter perfumes. You smell great!
Thank you, Petunia! Diorissimo is a big spring favorite of mine. I am glad I can start wearing it again!
I wish we were saying goodbye to Winter. It’s supposed to be in the 30s tonight!
Awful! Our extended forecast shows temperatures in the upper 50’s for the next 10 days. I hope you get warmer weather very soon!
IRIS DE SYRACUSE SPLIT #1 (US Only).
I purchased a 121mL bottle last week from FragranceNet. The cost of the bottle is $100.74 (35% off included) + $8.94 (taxes) and free shipping. Total: $109.68
Price comes out to $0.90 per mL. Supplies and shipping $5.50.
I will split only 50 mLs.
5 mL – $10.00
10 mL – $14.50
Payment is via PayPal Friends & Family or Amazon eGift Card.
Please, place dibs here and email me at monica67 at aol dot com
Thanks for participating in the split!
Dibs on 10mL. Will email you later. Thanks.
Dibs for 10ml, please! ?
Dibs on 5 ml, emailing now.
Dibs 10ml please!
I’d love 10 mls please. I’ll email after work today.
I’d love 5 mls.
This split is now closed. Thank you, all!
ETRO MESSE DE MINUIT SPLIT #2 (US only)
I purchased a 100mL bottle last November on Black Friday from FragranceNet. The cost of the bottle is $71.49 (35% off included) + $6.34 (taxes) and free shipping. Total: $77.83
Price comes out to $0.77 per mL. Supplies and shipping $5.50.
I will split up to 70 mLs.
5 mL – $9.35
10 mL – $13.20
Payment is via PayPal Friends & Family or Amazon eGift Card.
Please, place dibs here and email me at monica67 at aol dot com
Thanks for participating in the split!
Dibs on five ml, please. I realized I’ve never smelled it!
Dibs on 10ml, please.
Dibs on 10mls, please.
10mls please! I’ll email you after work tonight.
Dibs on 5 mLs. Thanks.
Dibs on 10ml, please. I’ll email you!
This split is now closed. Thank you!
I’m wearing Apothia’s Pearl from a recently found sample. It falls fully into one of my favorite fragrance categories – “perfumes that smell like spas or boutique hotel lobbies”.
I got my second COVID vaccine dose this morning and celebrated with an almond croissant and an espresso. I’m feeling tired now (not sure if it was the shot or just a long week) so I’m going to take a nap with the cat.
Have a wonderful day everyone! Happy first day of spring.
Yay, excellent vaccine news and perfect celebration.
Congratulations on the 2nd vaccine! Your fragrance sounds wonderful; have a great cat nap?
Yay!
Super on the 2nd shot. I’m in vaccination wasteland NJ.
hajusuuri, is the vaccination rollout going slowly there?
Butting in, if you don’t mind. The CVS and the county vaccine supersite near me are always busy giving shots, so I think it is pent-up demand. Also, some places are booked into the fall already.
I don’t qualify yet although if I gorge myself for the next few weeks, I’ll probably meet the rather low bar of BMI of 25. More essential workers will be eligible effective March 29th and I don’t qualify as one.
I truly have not issue waiting … but when I hear about a whole bunch of states already in or on the verge of opening up to everyone over 16, it makes me wonder why NJ is so behind.
I’m also in vaccine wasteland in MI. So frustrating
I just heard on NPR news this morning that they’re now trying to ramp things up and make vaccines more available in Michigan. I was paying attention because my brother and s-i-l are there now and hoping to get one soon. I hope that news story is true!
Good to know. I’m keeping my fingers crossed
Good news from calypso ☝️
Congrats on the vaccination, sistine! I got my second dose yesterday. A sore arm is all I’ve experienced thus far. Nonetheless, a nap with the cat still sounds like a good idea….
I had my second shot on Wednesday. I slept about 10 hours that night and then took a four-hour nap on Thursday afternoon. After that I’ve been fine. My nap was also joined by cats (four of them). Quite cozy.
Nice! I nap with kitty cats sounds wonderful!
I love napping with my cat Larry and Larry x 4 sounds even better ?
Congrats!
I love the smell of spas and boutique hotel lobbies.
Made me smile to think of it as a perfume category.
I kind of get that scent-feeling from Infusion d’Iris EdT, but not the EdP or Absolue.
My husband was very tired for 48 hours, then a little tired for another 48. Really wiped him out.
(ps that’s for 2nd shot Moderna)
But glad he is done!
Me too, thanks
Mmm, almond croissants! I’m going to miss those, I’m guessing they will be a lot harder to get in BC than in Montréal.
Cazaubon, some Vancouver almond croissant recommendations:
(1) L’atelier Pâtisserie at 260 E 5th Ave.
(2) Seasons Bakery (formerly known as Bakery Sate) at 2879 Commercial Drive.
I’m sure there are more, but these were my two go-to bakeries when I lived there and needed a good almond croissant!
Unfortunately we will be on Vancouver Island, near Nanaimo, so not quite as civilised. But thanks for the recs!
Yay for your second dose and your celebration is my IDEAL.
Wearing a bit of Tea for Two today and contemplating a walk despite the gray and misty weather. Happy Saturday!
You smell great!
Wearing vintage Diorissimo today.
I noticed that my tomato and radish seeds have sprouted! Peppers still haven’t shown but I’m hopeful! Happy Saturday all.
Yay for sprouts!
I love radishes, those are definitely on my planned garden list when I get my house.
Eeeee so exciting! Sending your sprouts good growing vibes.
12 hours sleep✅
Nowrouz Mubarak! Happy spring memories from living in Iran that have lasted a lifetime.
SOTD post shower will be passage d’ enfer.
Mani pedi later.
Happy nowruz!
Happy Nowrouz! I have some Persian friends here who’ve been posting beautiful photos on IG and FB of their decorated tables (haft seen?) (?).
Haft seen. Seven s
Wow, sleep goals! I’ve been doing a solid 7-8 for a while now and am grateful but a good 12-hr marathon is nice sometimes too. Happy Nowrouz!
Bois d’Encens exhuding calm contentedness on my skin to celebrate Happiness Day.
You smell marvelous.
I’m wearing 8 sprays of Pivoine Suzhou this morning. I’m finally back at home after airline chaos due to storms affecting flight schedules. Now peeling cats off me in order to do laundry. I’ve been plastered with furry creatures since I walked in the door last night!
Awww, happy furries!
Were they Hawaiian storms, or closer to home? I’ve been noticing a whole lot more commercial flights going over my house, which means PDX is using the alternate runways (which usually means high winds). Very glad to hear you made it back safely.
Snow storms in Denver and Wyoming messed up crew schedules/required rest intervals, and that cascaded into the rest of the system. United Airlines was especially affected but there was spillover to other carriers after United started canceling flights and reassigning passengers to redeyes and such.
Ah, good to know – thank you.
Awwwwwwwww, the kittehs missed you!
Welcome home and enjoy the kitty lovefest! It was nice having fur-free clothing while it lasted ?
No scent yet, feeling a bit off due to not-so-good sleep. Saw a ‘fogbow’ this morning though — lovely. (rainbow in the fog)
Beautyhabit sent out an email a week or so ago with some adorable black kitty erasers which I could not resist… just opened the package… OMG soooooo cute. They will never erase anything in my house.
Watched SuperFly last night. There was a, uh, intimate bathtub scene, and what am I focused on? Yes, that’s right, the perfume bottle in the background (Shalimar in the montre flacon). Perfume addiction, it’s real, people.
Ahahaha I know that feeling too well! During scenes where there is a vanity or the likes I would pause the film or show to see if I can recognise any bottles ?
Hah! We saw that movie a couple of years ago in the theater here, and I too was staring at that flacon by the bathtub.
(Such a great soundtrack.)
The artist Turner who taught and wrote about color theory was very interested in rainbows and other related phenomena and once painted a “moonbow”–rainbow in the moonlight.
Saw a moon bow in Maui and won’t forget it.
How cool, seeing that fogbow! I’ve only seen a couple of pictures of them. Very ethereal.
Showered with MB Muddled Plum shower gel. Didn’t use the body lotion, but instead added drops of a rose massage oil I bought at Christmas shops in Bryant Park to my usual body lotion. I am nicely soft and fragrant. Trying to get up the energy to go to Whole Foods, interrupting the marathon first weekend of March Madness….
The MB shower gels are so good
Go Badgers!!??
Happy Norooz to all those who celebrate.
Cooking a Persian feast, currently making a Persian Love Cake.
Debating one which perfume today, I will let you pick out of these bunch
Ninfeo Mio, No 19 Poudre, Infusion d’Iris, La Danza della libellule, Encens Mythique
I vote for Encens Mythique!
Great! Encens Mythique it is…I think that fragrance would pair well with these rose water desserts I am making at the moment.
Happy New Year! Your posts have been making me hungry!
Our local library has quite a selection of cookbooks — I should look at the cookbooks featuring Persian food. I think I remember a cookbook with “rosewater” in the title, even. 
Take care!
Mmmm your persian feast sounds yummy! Tell us more about what you are cooking
Salam yasmina-
I made a kidney bean soup with about every herb you can think of, its suppose to be good luck for the new year. Here is a recipe similar to the one I make https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/new-year-good-luck-soup-aash-e-reshteh
Then Fesenjoon, which is like a chicken stew that you cook in pomegranate sour sauce. Vegetarian Khoresh Bademjan, but I omitted the eggplant. I will serve all of this with jeweled rice.
For dessert I made a Persian Love Cake, and then another which is not Iranian, its called Muhalbiyah. Our of everything make this pudding is always the most memorable. My mother in law still remember when I made her muhalbiyah in 2016!
Wow, that is a lot of cooking. You’re very ambitious! Now I must look up recipes for muhalbiyah.
Happy New Year to you! Ahhh, I’m so jealous you have Persian Love Cake! Your day of cooking sounds spectacular. I’ll be right over!
I love muhalibya!! All of the dishes sound delish, but the chicken pomegranate one especially ?
Oh wow thank you for this list! Sounds stunning. Happy Norooz to you!
Khoresht e Karafs today, made the first time. Really nice, even if I usually don’t like celery. Nowruz Mubarak to all who celebrate it.
I only know No. 19 Poudre and Encens Mythique; I think either would be wonderful for Spring New Year’s Day.
Happy Norooz!
Good morning, NST! Re-sampling Soivohle Femme Seudo this morning. It is supposed to be an androgynous, floral-tobacco scent, and there was a tobacco leaf note early on, but now it’s mostly a dry floral-vanilla. Granted, it was dabbed from a 1 ml vial, and sparingly at that, but I think it’s not going to be the tobacco scent I’ve been looking for. The search continues. Meanwhile, the new little bottle of Paris-Deauville arrived as promised, and it’s an extremely successful blind buy – I love it! Some combination of its notes (maybe the basil added to the mandarin orange, lime and petitgrain?) almost reads as very clean soap and ocean breeze to my nose. Fascinating. I’ll switch to that once Femme Seudo is done.
I love Paris-Deauville! I got a sample from Nordstrom in 2019, and I thought it was a perfect summer cologne for special meetings at the office. Now, I just think it is perfect anytime , even for shopping at WINCO (without being shot, of course!)
It IS just perfect anytime – I’m basking in it now!
Nouruz Pirooz, LTSG!
Happy Nouruz to you, and Happy Spring!
Wishing you lots of love today
No fragrance yet…was decanting some perfumes this morning for a lovely NSTer for a meet up this afternoon in real life. ??
I was shocked by how many Solstice Scents samples I have…represents a couple years of mighty fine retail perfume therapy as I have mentioned before. ?
Enjoy your meet up!
Thanks for a fun meetup! I’m overwhelmed by the number of Solstice Scents, they are very prolific.
A quiet start here. My mother has absolutely no trouble sleeping, and it’s an effort to winkle her out of bed for breakfast.
I’m thinking of Chinatown, I have no idea why it popped into my head.
It’s taken a while to write this short post, one of our cats spotted a small spider on the wall and has been jumping all over the desk trying to catch it and I’ve been trying to stop her – very entertaining, the spider is miles out of reach.
But will she get the spider eventually? I could use a cat to kill spiders
We only have one kitty now, but she is a wonderful spider hunter. We plan to get another soon, and I hope that kitty will carry on the tradition.
I’m jealous of your kitty’s hunting passion!
Mine LOVE mice and birds and worms, but they’re indoor cats, so those are in short supply at least right now; our previous apartment had mice but after Kitty #1 murdered one, it was mouse patrol only, they wouldn’t come in anymore.
Spiders? Nah.
The carpenter ants each spring? Absolutely not.
Flies? Not even.
The only thing they’ll go after currently is moths, which is better than nothing, I suppose? But usually they just yell at me as if to say “Mommy bring it closer so I can kill it and eat it.”
Happy Nowruz to those who celebrate!
In POAL — sprayed this morning and still going strong.
Last week I took a Peruvian cooking class on Zoom and will try to recreate the ceviche and pisco sour today for a backyard dinner. It’s not summer yet but I am acting like it!
How did it go?
Lovely. I need to do this more routinely!
Happy Spring everyone! I’m wearing St. Clair Scents Eve. It’s a fragrance that I liked initially, and bought the small bottle of, and now I absolutely adore it. I’m going to need to get a bigger bottle soon. The combination of fresh citrus and gorgeous rose notes is so fantastic. I did six sprays today–that’s a lot for me. I’m feeling sated because I went to get take-out at a local Vietnamese place that has absolutely the finest pho I have ever tasted. I forgot to tell them no jalapeño so it was unusually zingy today. That should have woken me up but now I feel so nice and warm inside I may need a nap. Recently I ordered a batch of lemon blossom scents from Luckyscent and feel frustrated that they haven’t arrived yet. Maybe this afternoon?
Pho always makes me feel VERY cozy and ready for a nap!
My last order from Luckyscent took forever! Hope you have better luck!?
That sounds like a really wonderful lunch and feeling
You smell nice of course!
I suppose discovering the jalapeño once you get home is too late. I probably would not have been able to eat it.
Luckyscent seems to be shipping only once a week, they used to ship so fast. I am only three hours away from them and my orders now take at least a week to get here. They must be running a skeleton crew due to Covid.
Relaxing on the couch researching some new books to order while enjoying a favorite snack: California apricots.
Getting excited about spring weather and foods.. I think it might reinvigorate me to cook again but not holding my breath.
SOTD: Rose Jam
Dried California apricots are a much loved delicacy in this house!
I am wearing Grace by Grace Coddington. I have been baking bread and my husband’s birthday cake for tomorrow (banana chocolate chip) but I’m going to go out for a walk now and enjoy the sunshine even if it is cold out there.
Yum! Banana chocolate chip is a favorite in my house too. Chocolate or butter cream frosting? Happy birthday to your husband!
Happy Birthday to your hubby! That cake sounds wonderful!
Happy birthday to the hubster! You smell great; I really love GC.
Happy Birthday to your hubby!
Happy Birthday to Mr. Scent Spirit! ???
He is touched by your good wishes, thank you all. (Whipped cream and chocolate ganache.)
Saturday!
1) Am in Wonderland Peony for this first day of spring.
2) Housekeeping- vacuuming damp mopping, cleaning the bathrooms, AND THEN a trip to Portland Nursery! I have cleaned up the hell strip garden to the front, so now to replant!
2a) And I got a new computer which needs to wiped and configured.
3) I need to make an appointment at Cargo.
I repotted a few indoor plants, and that was my gardening AND my housekeeping for the day! Boys are outside doing some early spring yard work, though.
Honestly – that sounds just about enough! I am DONE. Am having a lovely gimlet in the sunshine peaking through rain clouds, which is nice.
Oh, I do like a good gimlet!
Cargo is one of my favorite places.Their yearly calendar is always a work of art.
Enjoy!!
Why do you need to wipe a new computer? Curious because I am buying a new one too and the few times I’ve bought a new computer over the years, I just used them as is.
Hi there! *waves*
For me, computers come loaded with stuff…that I do not want or need. So I will reconfigure and sometimes even re-image a computer for my needs. I like to use a virtual Linux machine, GIMP and other open source software and sometimes do beta testing for my work’s software. And sometimes having less software on a system can make i more efficient.
Having said all that, it is perfectly fine to use a computer right out of the box!
Hi everyone! Happy Saturday to you! I spritzed late, such indecision today! My SOTD is Coromandel by Chanel. The hubby and I had a fantastic breakfast and five mile walk today. Prepping veggies and marinating chicken in yogurt and spices for supper.
A five mile walk – yay! I hope you gave ST a little nibble of chicken.
Would you believe SmokeyToes turns his royal nose up at chicken?
Now if it’s runny egg yolk or seafood, he’s all over it. Such a funny little cat.
Now Gino (g-d rest his fluffy little soul), you couldn’t turn your back on lunch. He would make off with whatever you had on the plate.
Oh, what a prince! Mine are so refined as to refuse most beef, pork AND seafood. Chicken, dairy and eggs are grounds for a lot of sucking up though.
You smell great of course
Accidentally made persian food today and cooked Khoresht e Karafs today. I also made a eggnog liquor cake.
SOTD in the morning was Occur, later Calligraphy Saffron.
You smell wonderful – morning and later. Two of my favorites!
I’m in Santal Kardamon, over Nemat Vanilla Musk oil. I tried a bit of The Harmonist Yin Transformation on my shoulder. It was very pretty sprayed on paper, but there’s a watery element that doesn’t quite work on me, on skin. Money saved, but then again, I’m supposed to be on a no buy! ?
I’m so curious about Harmonist but the line is pricey. What did you think of the samples you tried?
I will send you my set! I’ve already decided what I want.
Wow! Thank you! I would love to try them.
I should wear Royal Earth but regardless, I want a bottle. They are so beautiful.
Yes! The carroty/iris/vetiver of that one was gorgeous sprayed on paper. Will try on skin and see how doomed I am. ?
What an appealing line-up: carrot, iris and vetiver. I should avert my glance.
Look away! ?
Oh, that combination sounds wonderful!
You smell wonderful!
Slept in very late, got some badly needed rest followed by a hot shower and a big cloud of Shalimar, what could be better. I have fallen head over heels in love with pre code Hollywood movies from the late 20s and early 30s. Kay Francis and Miriam Hopkins, what hoots they were. Enjoy your weekend everyone!
steamy shower + cloud of Shalimar = perfumed bliss!
Hello! I guess I’m still on a “smelling like food” kick, because I went with Demeter Chocolate Chip Cookie. lol! Cookies make me happy.
I was outside clipping the grass around the spring-flowering bulbs that have leaves coming up, on the hill out front. The crocuses are blooming, and I need to make more labels that say “crocus” so I don’t clip their leaves while clipping the grass.
I wore lots of layers, because I’d heard it was cold earlier in the day, but by the time I went out around 1 p.m., I didn’t feel too cold. I put rubber gloves on to protect my hands, and they always make me feel like my temperature has gone up ten degrees. That’s okay when it’s still somewhat chilly out. The first time I tried the grass clippers on the hill there, something there took a little chunk out of the side of my index finger. Maybe it was one of those “sedges have edges” things. I put quite a bit of effort into cleaning out the small wound, and treating it, and it seems to be healing all right. I’m still protecting that side of my knuckle, though.
There are six kinds of crocuses blooming, and that makes little patches of cheerfulness on the hill. Some of the daffodils and jonquils have their leaves pretty well up, and I’m seeing the tips of tulip and hyacinth leaves coming up. I need to make more labels that say “hyacinth,” too.
The ‘Erlicheer’ daffodils sprouted way too early, and their leaves got frost-burned. It may still bloom, though. It’s a plant that tries hard. I think it’s really more suited to more southern locales, though, or at least a more sheltered area than on a hill facing east in this climate zone. I’d ordered a few more from a garden catalog for this spring. In that they were advertised as “Summer Cheer,” the daffodil that will bloom in the summer — and then bloom in the spring in the following years. It’s not the sort of narcissus that needs to be chilled, is the feeling I’m getting.
I’m looking forward to seeing the daffodils blooming in a couple of weeks, followed by the tulips and hyacinths. The Easter lily that I repotted in the fall and have on a windowsill inside looks like it will be ready to bloom pretty soon. That was definitely in the “does not need to be chilled” category of lilies.
Take care, folks!
Spring flowers are such a for the eyes.
When I lived in the northeast US the crocus always made me happy. The way they poked up from the thawing ground felt like a declaration of optimism.
oops! such a **treat** for the eyes.
Sorry to hear about your gardening “oooops”!
SotD = Vanille Galante
I’ve not worn VG for so long. It’s delightful, like seeing an old friend for the first time in ages. Can’t stop sniffing my wrists.
My pink jasmine vine has been in bloom for about two weeks now, should have another week or two of heavenly huffing. I put fresh cuttings in a vase on my desk every day.
These last few weeks I’ve made an effort to sniff scents that will remind me of pink jasmine flowers when they’re gone again. Vanille Galante reminds me of the sweet banana-y vanilla of fresh pink jasmine. 34 blvd St Germain has the funky sweetness of a jasmine flower that’s starting to decay. Songes and Luci ed Ombre go in the right direction too. BWFs forever!
I have never heard of pink jasmine – off to Google
Pink jasmine is my favorite white flower, though I love all jasmines, gardenia, tuberose, honeysuckle, orange blossom, lily – can’t get enough.
A pink jasmine vine sounds lovely!
Courtesy of Pixel, I’m in Cartier’s Oud & Musc. I smell pretty incredible.
Had a bit of an adventure today getting vaccinated. Despite my disclosure of my son’s age, etc. when I made his appt., and going through two FEMA checkpoints, it was only at the third and last that we were informed that it was illegal to give my 17 years and 11 months son the Johnson and Johnson stab. So I got mine (thank you very much) and we then rushed down to a hospital in the south bay that was open for a few hours and was doing Pfizer stabs. So, that’s us 1.5 done. My son will have to go back for the second shot, of course. Nevertheless, I thought it would be months before this was to happen, so I am thrilled. Plus, we all got poke bowls and ate them in the car—it almost felt like old times.
So glad that in spite of the hiccup, you and your son are vaccinated and 1/2!
That’s so great! Yay!
Vaccines AND poke bowls – good and good fun.
Super! Kinda weird that your son could not get the J&J vaccine but eh, better the 2 dose than none.
Congrats!!!! Glad your son was able to get a first round of vaccine despite the confusion!
Yay for most of the way there with the vaccines! I’ve heard that the J&J vaccine isn’t approved yet for anyone under the age of 18 yet, but that trials are getting underway.
In Gelsomini di Capri and feeling very grateful for Spring.
My favorite perfume shop had another garage sale today which translates into “free” perfume and more than I need. Most bottles are full testers. I’m looking forward to the next swapmeet!
Swapmeet: me too!
Enjoyed everyone’s reports; I don’t think I said my SotD: Etro Patchouly. It is the patchouli I remember from (year deleted) when I first smelled patchouli. I womened up and faced gardening issues in honor of the first day of spring. It was beautiful here, and I had to make myself come in, once I got out and got started. Funny how that is often the way of most outdoor activites…for me…maybe for others??
Etro Patchouly is definitely NOT neutered!
It might be that way for me if I could ever get myself started
Busy all day long with baking, brunch at SIL’s house, meetup with She-ra and then dog walk & dinner. Exhausted and heading to bed soon, but wanted to report I wore SL Rahat Loukhoum.
Woo hoo. And I am jealous of your meet-up with She-Ra!
In a cloud of Tigress Musk right now and later on it will be vintage BaV. That should be one of the community projects, Musk or skanky perfume. Or maybe a vintage formulation. I am waiting until after Tuesday to pull the trigger on a bottle of Coromandel. Just don’t want to make a big ticket purchase until I know what the cost of Jake’s surgery is. If I have waited 3 years for a bottle of Coromandel, I can wait a few more days.
Ohhhh you smell great! I love skanky/musky perfumes, that’s a CP I could get behind!
Me too! Maybe categories of skank: musk skank, cumin skank….what else?
Civet or castoreum skank, hyraceum.. Some types of oud are barnyardy too apparently.
Ambrette seed skank
Honey skank (this one does not bother me at all)
I would love a skank CP – I accept the term, but to me the animalics are aristocratic. One of my first vintage find was a big bottle of Bal a Versailles edc. Love at first sniff!
Have you tried the EDP? Also, I know you’re not asking to be talked out of it but just in case, could the $$$s go towards an emergency fund for medication if he needs to take some after the surgery?
I have tried the EDP and really enjoyed it. But I am making myself wait until Wednesday or Thursday to get a bottle in case.
I’m in Royal Earth and Magnetic Earth, both from The Harmonist. Dang y’all, these don’t last long. I know my skin is dry, but after an hour, I can only detect them when my nose is touching my arm. Two sprays each. Maybe I need to haul off and hajusuuri the rest of these two samples. ?
Lisa D and hajusuuri, how do these wear on you, if you have time to respond? Or anyone else who has tried the brand. Yes, I know, incomplete sentence.
Gorgeous weather today, clear and cool. Will take the Wild One to the dog park and maybe try to dust a bit. Enjoy your Sunday, friends!
Nice to get your take on this house Nancy!
Most welcome!
I will wear Royal Earth tomorrow and see. I don’t go by longevity when I purchase something, especially since the bottle is just gorgeousness personified!
The bottles are quite elegant.
I still smell Encens Mythique from yesterday. It’s in my hair me thinks
I forgot how beautiful this scent is. ?
You smell wonderful. EM is a gem!
Happy Fragrance Day!!!
I’m sampling JHAG Mad Madame today and liking it quite a bit. Rosy and animalic. Mr. Teebear is unfortunately somewhat touch-and-go with rose scents though, so I’ll need to contemplate.
Doing my usual Sunday puttering: baking English muffins, making some pasta sauce, etc.
I got some Mio berry flavored water flavoring concentrate a few weeks ago thinking it would help me with hydration, and unfortunately found it intolerably sweet. Yesterday I had a bright idea and mixed what was left of it with a small bottle of honey vinegar! Now I’ve got something closer to Thai drinking vinegars, which are sweet-tart.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
Every day is Fragrance Day here! ??
Came back from running errands and the day is gorgeous! Warm, sunny, bright. It makes me be in a cheerful mood!
Not wearing scent today. I am going to start decanting in a while for the splits, so I will be smelling great for the rest of the day.
Wishing everyone a lovely Sunday! ?
The winter seemed especially long this year. The sun feels electric today! ?
It was a harsh weekend. The sun is very intense today! Love it! ?
I meant winter.
The cats were LOVING the sunbeams today in the bay window! ??
It was gorgeous today! I am sure they enjoy the sun! ???
Hey everyone! It’s been a super busy working weekend. The Great American stimulus shopping spree is going full force here. My boss said our sales numbers are matching Christmas numbers! The big difference is we have no staff this time of year. We opened the store this morning with 3 people. Yesterday I wore TM Miroir des Joyaux and today I’m in TF Metallique. Happy Spring!?????????❤
Your Spring sounds like it has really Sprung! DH and I thought shelves looked rather empty at our local Target (though we did see the return of 91% rubbing alcohol). I hope you will get some good overtime, if you want it, or a *bonus* for your great attitude!
I hope you have a day off soon to enjoy the weather!
Happy Spring, Lillyjo! We survived winter! ?????
Hope you have time to rest, soon!
Hopefully they bought big ticket items!
Wow, crazy times at your job! Hope that things calm down a bit.
Wow, gorgeous day here. Sunny and low 60s. To celebrate spring, I went with Splendiris.
You smell wonderful!
I’m feeling like iris today too! Hiris for me.
SotD current version of Cinnabar. It is delightful: I have a wonderful vintage bottle, but I sure don’t feel cheated by the new one. Pardon me while I once more mention that I am an EL fangirl, and if you want to smell wonderful, EL will have something for you, today, now, at a reasonable price. IMHO.
My mother wore Cinnabar back in the day. Does the current version smell like the vintage?
No, it is not like the vintage. But it is very much the same perfume; the middle phase is like the lingering effect of the vintage. Then, it lacks the lingering effect of the vintage. I say, if you love the vintage, you will still find the same perfume, but not the same oomph.
I am also an EL fan:). Tuscany Per Donna..that was total rabbit hole scent for me. Now you got me thinking to wear some Youth Dew powder:).
TpD is one of my top 5. I just love it. I have not tried the current, but it is notable that it is still being sold with no advertising…..what does that say?
I would have loved to get a bottle of TpD when it first came out, but was a poor college student at the time. I remember it being gorgeous.
One of my childhood music teachers wore Cinnabar back in the day. It was beautiful and long-lasting. I could often smell it on my clothes for hours after a lesson.
Oh yes: most EL’s are like that.
Was wretchedly ill last night from side effects of my vaccine stab—but feel much better this afternoon. Organized my perfume decants while I lounged around in bed, and then roused myself to go to a local nursery for plantings. In BDK’s Wood Jasmin, which very weirdly is reminding me of Zoologist’s Bee (which is probably just more evidence that my nose is totally broken). It is sunny outside, and I can almost imagine the plague finally receding and human contact resuming—very soon. I’m off to dig.
You’re the only person I know who got the J&J vaccine and aaargh about feeling ill from that! I hope you’re feeling better although I suppose you are since you’re out doing yard work!
I had my shot at 9:30 AM, and it was about 8 or 9 at night and I was in the kitchen with my family when I realized I was shaking so hard that I was having trouble standing. It was a pretty dismal night, but by mid-day today I am feeling much better. So a fierce but mercifully short reaction!
Wow, so sorry Oakland Fresca, that must have been sort of scary? Glad it was short.
Hmmmmmmm. The comments about side effects of the vaccine here on NST are mirroring news stories I’ve heard. It seems that women are having more reactions to the jab. But it isn’t certain if that is because women are more likely to say something if they aren’t feeling well, or if there is a stronger immune system response for women.
So sorry you felt bad after your shot! At least it didn’t last too long. A French friend said she was in bed for three days with 103 fever after the Astra Zeneca shot.
I just got back from a nice walk with the pup. It’s so warm out today, comparatively speaking! Still need long sleeves, but it feels great. I think spring is my new favorite season (it always used to be fall).
I’m sampling Tubereuse Criminelle today. I got a very minty vibe when I first sprayed it, but now it’s more definitely tuberosy. An interesting take, adding mint and wintergreen (some say camphor too?) to a tuberose, but I don’t think I’ll want more than what’s in my sample.
Hope you all had a good weekend! I’m sad it’s almost over.
One of the older SLs that I haven’t tried. A good friend of mine went through a bottle a few years ago and really liked it. I’m not fond of mint notes in perfume. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to get a sniff.
I would say only try TC if you enjoy BWFs. It is not shy at all!
The mint dissipates pretty quickly, but I can still smell a tiny bit of it. Jalapeno is right, it is a BWF, and the tuberose and jasmine are strong. It is kind of an oddball though!
The husband had a rough night of insomnia and coughing. So, I was solo at church, which also meant I was able to walk the mile there instead of cab. (He’s not sick, it’s likely a side effect of some meds.). Baiser de Russie on a gorgeous, crisp morning.
And…I ignored my “no buy” and stopped in Bloomingdales in the walk home. They had 2 bottles of No. 19 EdT, and only found the EdP when the very nice SA ran over to a different counter and found some bottles. So…I pulled the trigger on EdP. He couldn’t believe they no longer will carry Cristalle…he has a lot of clients who wear it. Since I’m moving, I won’t have access unless I buy online from Chanel. So, I kind of panicked. ???
Cristalle is such a beautiful scent. It doesn’t make sense. …
Yeah, he said he heard that they might eventually limit Cristalle to Chanel in Paris. I don’t know if that’s true. As Calypso says below, SAs have been known to be very wrong.
Glad to hear that you got No. 19 EdP. Was there any news about that one?
I’m not the only one today raving about beautiful weather. It’s just SO nice here now! We treasure our beautiful spring days because we live in fear of the early arrival of +90 temperatures and +90 humidity. I went for a lovely walk. Some plants that got killed by the freeze are now showing green shoots. Also it’s been cool enough that my mushroom growing box in the garage has about 20 little “pins” coming up including one BIG ONE–these are all crimini mushrooms. They practically grow while you watch them.
Today I wore YSL Cinema. I know my bottle was purchased back when it first came out, which I now read was 2004. I have hardly worn it at all. I was mad because an SA at Neiman’s talked me into buying it when I went there looking for Boucheron Initial, which was discontinued. She lied and said they were similar. NOT! One of the things you learn as you get further along on your perfume journey: Many SA’s even at fancy stores do not have a clue what they’re talking about. Anyway, Cinema is pleasant but not earth-shattering; too sweet.
Some friends recommended the French TV show Call My Agent, and I’m now into Season 4. It is hilarious, but good in other ways too. I’m passing along the recommendation.
I think I’m on season 2 of Call My Agent. I really like it. Watching too many things at once at the moment though!
Late to the party again, but I spritzed some Diptyque Orpheon today. Now going to bed in Micallef Vanille Orientale.
I tried Chanel Le Lion again today and liked it better than before. What I mostly got today was patchouli, and more patchouli. Gosh. Previously on the two times I tried it, the leather stood out foremost and put me off.
My Luckyscent samples finally arrived–after 13 days. I’ll be reporting back tomorrow.
My paternal grandmother would say that there was just the one snowdrop beneath a hedge by the house where she and my grandfather lived for many years, and when she saw that bloom, she knew that spring was coming.
In years past, when we’ve been able to get to south Florida for a couple of weeks in late February or March, I really appreciated the warm weather and the flowers that grew in the subtropical climate, but I also enjoy seeing the crocus and daffodils and lilacs here in the spring.