Saturday is National Comic Book Day, and we're kicking off the weekend with our standard open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance that would work for your favorite comic book character, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Superman: Seen near Brick Lane. [cropped] by Garry Knight at flickr; some rights reserved.
Viva Italia! The Italian women’s cycling team did a fantastic job at the World Championships and Elisa Balsamo won gold. 🙂
I’m wearing the cheerful sweet and fruity African Queen by Jousset. It smells like candy.
Viva Italia!
Today I’m wearing the collaboration between L’Artisan and Aedes, from back in 2008. I’ve always really liked this one, both for wearing and for spraying around the house. It’s another perfume that I bought in my earlier days of fragrance fanaticism, when expensive meant anything approaching or just over a hundred bucks.
It’s going to be a working weekend, folks. I’m prepped with lots of yerba mate for hydration and caffeine, I’ve got the air purifier running right next to me, and I smell good.
You smell great! I love this one and have about a quarter full left in my bottle.
apsara, have you ever used it as a home spray? It’s like the most amazing array of spice and incense notes, but without the actual smoke.
I use a lot of frgrances for sprays
this one I usually spray on a hankie and tuck in a lingerie drawer.
I wish I had bought a bub when I had the chance.
Same here, on both counts — using a lot of perfume as home sprays, and wishing I’d bought a BUB!
You (and your house) smell fabulous!
L’Artisan was my first fragrance house love and Aedes wasn’t far behind so their collaboration has a mythic quality for me. And of course being discontinued just adds to the mystique! I wonder if this one could come back with the relaunch of Aedes…one can always dream 🙂
Yes, I was in love with L’Artisan for the longest time! Safran Troublant, Voleur de Roses, Passage d’Enfer, Dzing!, Navegar — such fantastic perfumes.
I’m enjoying a sunny day on the patio in Vanille Havane (Les Indemodables).
Went for a long walk this morning but I feel pretty lazy at the moment so I think I’m just going to kick back and relax watching some Ted Lasso episodes.
Happy weekend everybody!
You smell great! Love this one.
Thank you Apsara!
You do smell great…enjoy the TL binge!
Thank you Robin!
I have yet to start watching TL. As soon as I posted about having a lazy day, my husband mentioned he would love to eat some meatloaf. So off I went to the grocery store, made some meatloaf, added a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a couple of loads of laundry. So much for my kicking back ?
The good news here is that meatloaf is a dish my husband knows how to make better than I do.
Wow, that is a lot of activity for someone feeling lazy…hope you got some rest on Sunday then!
Today I am trying Pierre Guillaume “Suede Osmanthe” from a sample. It smells nice going on, but – for me – it almost instantly becomes untraceable. The notes (Apricot, Suede, Black Tea, Osmanthus, Cashmeran, Aldehydes & Musk) would probably suit several NST folk with skin that doesn’t devour perfumes wholesale.
I spent a few minutes updating my Fragrantica profile (also “Koenigsberg”) and ordered 3 FBs of hard-to-find DS&Durga scents form a UK site, so fingers crossed they make it here intact and in reasonable time from Plague Island. :^D
Comics (broadened to Graphic Novels) – my most recent read was “Nieve en los bolsillos” by KIM, telling the story of the author’s time spent as a Guest Worker in Germany in the early ’60s, when a lot of Spanish men moved north for work, either legally or illegally. KIM was an illegal and the story focuses both on his experiences (mostly okay, but always vulnerable to exploitation) and the back stories of the other Spanish men he worked with, exiles, social outcasts, political refugees & economic migrants.
https://www.amazon.com/Nieve-los-bolsillos-Alemania-1963/dp/8467931434/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=nieve+en+los+bolsillos&qid=1632587998&sr=8-3
Next up: either “Berlin” by Jason Lutes or “Heimat” by Nora Krug.
https://www.amazon.com/Berlin-Jason-Lutes/dp/1770464069/ref=sr_1_1?crid=238WSGWJ4R7JP&dchild=1&keywords=berlin+jason+lutes&qid=1632588094&sprefix=Berlin+Jason+%2Caps%2C382&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Heimat-German-Family-Nora-Krug/dp/0141980109/ref=sr_1_2?crid=NNZV2WECHVJ4&dchild=1&keywords=heimat+nora+krug&qid=1632588133&sprefix=Heimat+Nora%2Caps%2C561&sr=8-2
Top recommendation if you like *DARK* humour – “Beautiful Darkness” by Fabien Vehlmann & Kerascoët.
https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Darkness-Kerasco%C3%ABt/dp/1770463364/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Beautiful+Darkness&qid=1632588053&sr=8-1
And now, dear perfume friends, I am off to the beach. :^)
Ooh, which DS & Durgas did you order? I recently got White Peacock Lily and Bowmakers.
I ordered 3 of the HYLNDS collection, which have become hard to find. In fact, I thought they were discontinued. Probably all old hat to you ?
– pale grey mountain, small black lake;
– bitter rose, broken spear;
– spirit of the glen.
I hope they live up to my memories of them. ?
Thanks for the recommendations! I just got Nieve en los Bolsillos and Beautiful Darkness, and looking forward to reading them.
I have experienced quite a few scents that suddenly disappear and wondering if it’s just my nose and not skin- as in having olfactory fatigue quickly with certain molecules..
Lucky you, enjoy the beach 🙂
5th Ave by Fragrance du Bois
Notes:
Bergamot, Rose
Caramel, Violet, Cyproil
Vanilla, Musk, Cashmir Wood, Guaiac Wood
I finished House by the Cerulean Sea, there were tears. Something about the book really touched my heart. Whats next?
Oh..National Comic book day..we are a super hero house hold.
I don’t think there is a comic book for Voltron, but we watch the entire series together on Netflix. If you were to ask my children, they would tell you that “mommy is in love with Prince Lotor” I couldn’t help it, he is like a villain with sophistication and his voice, and I am a sucker for the long hair.
I, too, teared up a bit while reading House by the Cerulean Sea.
It had a gentle quality about it that was really lovely.
It was very touching!
No comic books for me. Well not since I was a kid with Vera and Archie.
12 sweet hours sleep in the very cool California night air.
Usual Saturday chores ending with a mani pedi as reward.
SOTD post shower will be Chanel Paris Edimbourg which feels just right for end of September.
12 hours, how lovely!
In CSP Amour de Cacao for the first time in a very long time. I spritzed last night before bed, so it’s gently fading now.
Also, Happy National Public Lands Day! Entry into any National Park is FREE today if you’re so inclined. Go out and recreate! ?????? ?
Nice, wish I was near a national park!
Hope everyone is having a lovely first righty weekend of this fall.
I think I’m starting the carnation season so I opted to wear Prada Infusion d’Oeillet today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUPljyQjWd2/?utm_medium=copy_link
Hope you are too lucasai!
Gorgeous picture, as usual Lucasai! ❤
Beautiful picture, lucasai. I’m always impressed at both your prop styling, and that you have the right props available!
Seriously, Prada should get in touch with you to shoot their perfume ads.
Hi everyone!! Been so busy it is hard to even make time to post here more often these days. But I will try to keep up because I love me my NST!!
Yesterday my package of Jo Malone Golden Needle Tea arrived. It is a gorgeous 15ml bottle and comes with it’s own box (not part of the set).
Oh my goodness, what an experience!! Yes You can tell 100% it is a cologne infused with REAL tea. Spicy and earthy. Like opening a tin can full of high quality loose tea leaves. The sandalwood complements it perfectly. I want tp snag a large bottle while I can still find one.
National comic day? Look at my username: comes from an anime that is and always will be a part of my life since I turned 4 years old.
In Japanese it is called Majokko Megu Chan. In Poland it was Bia not Megu. Same thing though. I always am Bia or Megu, the red haired witch and my best friend since birth is Noa the Blue haired witch.
Other animes I love are Hime-chan no ribbon, Akazukin Cha Cha or Marmalade Boy. In many of these Japanese animes just like people in Japan or in Poland for that matter drink a lot of tea so… I am contributing today!!
So glad to learn the meaning of your user name, I was wondering!
Interesting username!
I’ve found the Jo Malone tea scents to be among their best.
Haha now You guys know about my username:))) and yes the Rare Teas last on the skin like a good quality EdP.
Sounds like you have some serious anime/manga chops.
No real comic book loves, but I did love the Sunday Chicago Tribune comics. My dad would stop and get Dunkin Donuts and the Trib every Sunday morning when he got off from the firehouse. He and I were the early birds in the house and he would always hand me the comics and Parade section while he went for the front news section, always reminding me to “Save a chocolate Long John for your mother.” It wasn’t until I was much older and living in Florida that I realized Long Johns from DD were a thing only in the Chicago area. I remember those mornings of shared quiet, newspaper, and donuts like it was yesterday. I loved Andy Cap, Family Circus, For Better or for Worse, Garfield, Beetle Baily, Hagar the Horrible, B.C., and the Far Side. Haven’t thought of this in YEARS! ?
Oops, meant this as a comment to myself above. Feel free to delete!
Do not delete! Lol
I love this memory!
Here’s one of my favorites (though really, they’re ALL just laugh out loud funny):
https://twistedsifter.com/2011/01/comic-strip-of-the-week-3/
? Cats and dogs are so classic!
That’s a precious memory, Deva. Thanks for sharing. I remember my dad just chuckling on Sunday mornings when he read Crankshaft. He WAS Crankshaft, in so many ways. ?
My Dad was a Crankshaft fan, too!
Beautiful memory, Deva! Thanks for sharing!
So I had to google chocolate long johns, and consistent with the explanation in wikipedia that is what we’d have called an eclair, which where I lived was pretty much the same as a boston cream donut except for the shape. Obviously it is not the same kind of dough as a true French eclair.
I wish I could remember the comics I loved! I know I liked Nancy, and later Doonesbury.
I didn’t want to google chocolate long johns, for what I hope are reasons I don’t have to spell out, so thanks for taking one for the team, Robin! Turns out, it’s like an eclair, so that’s a relief.
The Long Johns we had didn’t have any filling, though…Really just a regular donut with icing in a different shape. They were everyone’s favorite in my house ?
Oh, then wikipedia was misleading!
Loved that jaunt down Memory Lane!
All of those cartoons! So good!
My husband gets freshly baked vanilla long johns from our local market. Growing up in CA, I remember my sister being a fan of what we called Maple Bars. Same thing, just a maple-flavored frosting.
What a great memory!
A quiet Sunday morning, and I can still smell last night’s Francesca Bianchi – Lost in Heaven. I’ve mentioned before that I like a lot of her perfumes, although I have only the one FB so far. They are potent, and unfortunately don’t agree with my skin. However, that is easily fixed with spraying a cotton ball and tucking it in my bra.
Many years ago, I was quite a fan of 2000AD comics. I’ve forgotten most of the characters, but did like Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper. I’ve no idea about perfumes for either of those 🙂
So nice you’ve found a way to wear it anyway!
Trying Chanel Paris – Édimbourg from a sample the nice salesperson gave me when I bought Tam Dao. It’s very fresh! I think I’m smelling the juniper berries and I like it. It’s the first Chanel I’ve tried, so I’m glad it’s a pleasant experience!
Wow, your first Chanel! I wish there was a way I could magic some original Cristalle to you from the 1970s…that was my gateway Chanel.
Oh, I just looked up the notes, it sounds beautiful!
Congrats on sniffing Chanel:). My gateway was No 5 like probably many others lol. My Exclusif gateway? Lolol..Rue Cambon.
My getaway Chanel was No. 19!
Mine too! I remember when my dad bought a bottle for my mom.
I’m all rosy today. Showered in Fenjal Oriental Rose shower gel, then 4 sprays of Eau de Protection. I haunted evil bay a long time before finding this at the price I was willing to pay.
Listening to Steely Dan, greatest hits. Who knew they could fill two CDs with hits? I sense several ear worms coming down the pike….
But then, any major dude will tell you that, right? ?
Only a fool would say that.
Just as long as Rikki don’t lose that number.
Anyone from my old school, for sure.
Y’all are awesome ? ??
California tumbles into the sea
That’ll be the day I go back to Annandale
I always found that lyric amusing, even before I moved to California; my mother’s family is from Annandale VA.
We were tempted to go to a concert here with Steely Dane, a cover band. Might have been fun. Enjoy the ear worms!
Here I am — sharing the things we know and love, with those of my kind.
I have that Greatest Hits — uh, album — too! Are we calling it album now, even though it’s probably some weird sort of file that streams out from an eavesdropping mechanism in one’s house?
My all-time favorite Steely Dan production, though, is Aja. Every track a great one. I once had a semi-mystical experience as I was driving my car late at night along dark country roads, under the influence of something I can’t quite remember, listening to those songs (on cassette) and feeling at one with the universe.
Aja is great — thanks for reminding me to rip it to my computer. I had a similar experience driving and listening to Dire Straits — had just decided to end a bad relationship, and was heading into the east end of the Columbia Gorge just as the sun was setting. The relief combined with the lovely scenery and Mark Knopfler’s haunting guitar made for a memorable drive.
Actually, I’ve never stopped calling them albums. CDs are really just tiny little records, right?
Steely Dan puts the shine in (my) Japan and the sparkle in (my) China!
Boddihsatva, come and take me by the hand.
Comic Books? Nothing better than Archie!
I just posted my swap list. It’s at the very end. Happy swapping!
https://nstperfume.com/2021/09/18/the-swapmeet-episode-19/
Running out and will come back later!
Archie and Classics Illustrated were my favorites.
Those were the days!
I read Archie growing up – in fact, I think this is the only comic I read. Veronica was my least favorite character in it for some reason
I hated Veronica too!
Did anybody even like Veronica Lodge?
I’m looking over your list and will let you know soon!
?
Do you recall the Archie cartoon that aired on Saturday mornings way back when?
??♀️ I went to a Roman Catholic school whose patron saint was one whose “day” was Thursday and so we had Thursdays off but had classes on Saturday instead. I think. That said, when we were off school, we usually ended up watching Casper the Friendly Ghost, Wendy and the like.
I think Captain Kangaroo used to show Casper every so often…
I was dreamin’ when I wrote this. Forgive me if it goes astray…
I am trying Black Opium today for the first time…I think. ehaeheh 😉 In the last 5 to 10 years I didn’t try many mainstream/designer perfumes…especially the first couple years after my daughter was born…too busy I guess so I don’t think I tried that many new fragrances niche or otherwise those first few years. Then in the last 4 or 5 years I have focused on niche mostly based on blogs and review sites I read.
Now in the last year or so, I am more about sampling anything/everything and then hunting down specific notes (vanilla 😉 ) , note combinations (vanilla/orange blossom) and specific noses/perfumers. I also compulsively read Fragrantica and go based on what others say there.
Which is a long-winded way to get to 😉 …when Black Opium Extreme came out a month or two ago and I read online reviews and comparisons to the original, I began to wonder…did I ever try the original Black Opium myself? ? Certainly I am aware of the popularity/sales, the sweetness, the hate as it has nothing to do w/ the original and copious flankers. But I also felt like I had never really sniffed the original. Vanilla Quest, to the best of my memory, got underway in maybe 2017/2018 (keep me honest, folks) so I wasn’t into gourmands when Black Opium came out in 2014 and it wasn’t on my radar. I also love many of Nathalie Lorson’s works which made me wonder further.
A couple weeks ago, I tried Black Opium Extreme at Ulta and quite liked it. Very dry mix of coffee, chocolate, flowers and patchouli…not groundbreaking but I enjoyed it and bought the 1 oz. bottle. Then I got a bee in my bonnet that I really needed to try the original (as the perfumer first intended) for comparison and Science so I began to look on evilBay. As you can imagine, millions of bottles have been produced and it has no doubt been reformulated since 2014 but I need a first edition or close 😉 ….what’s a girl to do if she wants to hunt down an old bottle? ??♀️ Then I remembered the special collector bottles they did which are so nicely documented by year on Fragrantica.? There have been some flankers but the collector bottles are the original juice just in different/fancy bottles.
The story doesn’t seem to end, huh? 😉 So I focused on finding one of the 2016 collector editions on eBay…and I did for a good price.?? All a long way of saying that I am trying 2016 Black Opium today confirmed by the batch code and it’s pretty nice. ehaeheh 🙂 I probably prefer Extreme as it’s drier w/ amped patchouli but this is good. It’s interesting how well this has sold w/ all the flankers and special bottles. It’s also interesting how much hate there is but that is probably a combination of the repurposed Opium name and the sweetness which is a dealbreaker for many. As I sniff my wrists, I can feel the simultaneous love and hate coursing through my forearms.?? Behold the power of perfume!
I’ve been looking for the Nuit Blanche for a decent price. It’s pretty similar to the original but creamier.
I haven’t sniffed that one either…checking eBay for samples now…?
You are a badger. 🙂
An incorrigible one at that!?
I am lucky to be living in the time of the internets to be able to hatch these schemes…what would I have done w/ my perfume obsession 50 years ago w no research tools…I shudder to think…ehaeheh?
I love your story! It is more relatable than I care to admit.
We are all on a slippery slope…with occasional periods of rain?
*Chortles*
All for the sake of Science ?
Always for a good cause…?
I bought black opium when it came out but after a few wears I put it aside. I think the coffee chocolate combo didn’t work for me ( same happened with Lush cardamom coffee) . Nice bottle though. I must have tried coco noir around the same time. Neither perfume seemed strongly related to the original.
I hope your sister is doing well. Giver her my best wishes.
Your comment prompted me to unearth my own unloved bottle of Coco Noir and douse my forearms. The bottle is beautiful and I should like it based on the notes but somehow it never spoke to me. I shall probably rehome it via evilBay…I have sold off 10 or so bottles this year finally after threatening to do so for the last couple years and it feels liberating. 🙂
My sister is doing pretty well…thank you for asking.♥️ She will have her 8th of 12 treatments tomorrow. They were worried they might have to delay treatment if her platelets dropped but they held steady and went up a bit.
How are you feeling? The godwits are beautiful…appear to be the same family as sandpipers.
I am so glad your sister is doing okay. When I was having regular blood transfusions I used to talk to a lot of chemo patients and they were all so strong. I had extremely high platelet counts whereas they were all so low , so two extremes. I am really good, thanks. My CT a shows I have no secondaries and I am no longer anaemic and spring is here and I am outrageously happy to be alive. I hope your sister knows she will get there!
That is just the best news, Kanuka!
How lovely.
So glad to hear you are feeling well and the scans were clear! I am taking a multivitamin (when I remember) for anemia myself. 😉 Yay for spring and all things living!?
There seems to be a surprising amount of like/affection for Black Opium Extreme here at NST.
Wearing a tiny spritz of Amouage Honour Woman.
Thank you everyone for your good wishes, hugs and healing vibes for my mother’s health. They were all really appreciated and comforting. She is still in the hospital showing no much improvement. I am waiting for my youngest sister now to arrive at the hospital, so I can run some errands and go home for the rest of the day. I am trying to be positive and think that things will be better soon.
This morning my beloved bottle of SL L’Eau Froide slipped from my hand and broke into pieces. I still don’t understand how such a heavy bottle could have shattered so badly. I will miss it a lot, since it had become a big favorite of mine, so comfy and peaceful. Probably, I will consider a replacement for the holidays.
It is a beautiful fall day here. Sunny, warm and a bit breezy. Perfect to enjoy some time outside! Looking forward to pick up some sushi on my way home and then relax in front of the tv. Next week should be better!
Have a healthy and wonderful weekend, everyone! ?
Thinking of you, PL67 and hoping your mom starts to feel better soon.
Hope you get some rest this evening.
Thank you, Adanst!
I’m glad your sister is coming so you can have some respite.
Hoping and praying she shows improvement soon.
Thank you, Lillyjo! Both my sisters are helping. I hope tomorrow is a better day!
I’m so sorry to hear about your shattered bottle and no improvement for your mom! Sending you much good vibes for a turnaround soon. Get some good rest this evening!
Thank you, Tulipani! I hope she starts showing some improvement soon.
I’m saying a prayer for you and your family, pl67.
Thank you, Nancy!
If I had a bottle of that SL, I’d be sending it your way. More hugs for that, and for your Mom’s situation. I hope that you were able to get a bit of rest this afternoon.
Thank you, Jalapeno! I am home already and trying to relax for the rest of the evening!
I hope your Mom is feeling better very soon. Sending you more hugs and good thoughts.
So sorry about your inadvertent bottle thunk! Hope you can rest and reset tonight.
Thank you, Gail! I hope is a better day today for mom.
At least, I didn’t break my bottle of Saffran Troublant when sprayed on it an hour ago!
Continuing to pray for your mom!
Thank you, Hajusuuri!
Healing prayers for your mom. Sorry about your broken bottle too, I’ve done it too (Kai).
Thank you, Cazaubon!
If I remember well, this is the second time that it happens to me. I also dropped my newly bought decant of FM Iris Poudre a couple of years ago. Sometimes, I forget that spraying my perfumes in the bathroom is very risky!
And I recently dropped and shattered my Shalimar Philtre. Who knew there was so much glass in 10ml?!
Lillyjo – let me know if you’d like a decant. I just got a bottle. Let me know at kclberry in the scape of the net dot com.
I am sorry to hear you lost your decant of Philtre. I agree that there is tons of glass on just a 10ml decant. Cleaning all that mess is an task.
Praying for improvement and rest.
Thank you, LizzyB!
PL67, are you still at the same place as last year, and can I send you a decant from my L’Eau Froide? I like it but will never use it up. Let me know at kclberry in the scape of the net dot com.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, MossyBerry, but I another generous NSTer fulfilled my wish for L’Eau Froide. You guys are amazing! Thank you! ?
LOL – I have the same thing happen – everyone shares! 🙂
I hope your mother gets well soon.
Thank you, Kanuka!
Sending you great, big hugs, PL67, and hope your mom improves.
The naughtier of our two cats knocked over a tall lamp a few weeks ago and the shade shattered…I see the appeal of plastic shades now. ehaeheh not embracing plastic atomizers yet though 😉
Thank you She-ra.
A plastic atomizer is a big NO for me, so I will take the broken glass mess!
Sending healing prayers for your mom. Glad you have your sisters to help.
Thank you, Sistine!
Hello
My favorite comics as a kid.. Heathcliff, WW, Garfield. Yes, I am still a cat person today lol.
I have a friend who may join NST, very nice person, she likely will have a username of sweethonesty(if you are reading this sw, hi!). Just letting you guys know:). And yeah, do I get an enabler pin? Lolol.
Today feels like a Chanel day..probably a Chanel No 5..edt:)
New NSTer enabler pin! ?
Mr. Mossy who is a gentleman of a certain age is a *major* Heathcliff fan. He hoards newspapers under his chair if he falls behind on reading it.
Recruiting a new NSTer should earn you something a little flashier than an enabler’s pin.
You are right..Donatella herself should call me say how wonderful I am…lol
SOTD: Experimentum Crucis. When I cataloged this into my perfume notebook I called it Experimentum Circus. Whichever version, it’s a tongue twister.
Experimentum Circus actually sounds like more fun, doesn’t it?
I’m wearing Salome today. It’s sunny and warm outside but I’m inside watching the Ryder Cup. I got a flu shot this morning and had to wait an hour at my local pharmacy because they are so short-staffed. The injection was in my right arm, so why does my left arm hurt?
You’ve reminded me to get that done this weekend! We’ll be traveling in several days so I want to have had the flu shot before the trip. Sorry your arm hurts!
Emphatic drainage?
Empathic drainage!
So happy it’s the weekend! The air is hazy/orange tinted again, but the AQI isn’t terrible, so we had a nice trip to the farmers market this morning. I love this time of year when we’re starting to get apples but the strawberries and stone fruits are also still around.
I’m wearing Eau Capitale.
You smell great! Farmer’s market fresh fruit is the best.
Sotd is Shalimar Souffle Intense.
I’m breaking in new shoes at work tonight. So far they feel pretty good.
You are brave for breaking in a new pair of shoes at work! ?
You smell wonderful – I’ve worn new shoes to work but I made sure I had band aides in my purse! 😀
Had a busy but nice day today — started with my first haircut in months, and got rid of all those raggedy ends; then off to the farmers’ market; then a small grocery trip, then a bridal shower/lunch for my oldest daughter’s BFF. I wore 4160 Tuesdays’ An Excess of Carelessness again, but when I got home there was a package for me with two discovery sets I had ordered on sale and a tester bottle of Ramon Monegal’s Monbloom! It’s an exotic white floral so I think I’ll wait until tomorrow to try it.
YAY! Haircut! ✂
Wearing L’Occitane almond hand lotion. It was another warm day today; looks like the end of summer though.
Found out today that my hubby’s folks are planning a big anniversary party this week. Last we heard, it was only my hubby and I plus his sister and her hubby. Now there will be at least 12 people (maybe a few more) attending. I tried to book a hair appointment but can’t get in to my person. May have to risk it with a new person the day before the party; nothing drastic. I’ve scaled it back to a blow-out only. Then there’s the scent to pick out!
Good luck, Gail!
Thank you! I NEVER get my hair styled (only when I get a cut) but this will be for a special occasion. I’ll be taking a risk especially because it will be someone who’s never touched my hair before. My regular person gets my hair texture (think thick and unruly). If it’s a flop then I can at least wash and try to re-style it somehow myself for the party on the day.
Hope that your hair styling adventure turns out well!
Thank you! Me too. I just want it to look better than my normal ‘do nothing’ style. Being home for so long I’m out of practice for going out anywhere fun, let alone looking presentable!
Procrasti-NSTing instead of packing for my vacation. We don’t leave until tomorrow afternoon, so I’m not all that motivated tonight anyway. I used to be able to pack for a week in 20 minutes, now bc of COVID I so rarely go anywhere that it takes me 20 minutes just to make sure I have everything I need in my purse for a Target run.
Speaking of Target, I have a PSA — Method really leveled up their scents with the hand soaps in the metal bottles. I have the Vetiver+Amber and the Ylang Ylang+Hyacinth and love both.
Tested a few things at Ulta today. I like Alien (shocker), Si is WAAAAY too sweet for me, Aromatics Elixir is not for me but I understand its appeal, and God is a Woman is another surprisingly decent cheapie from Ariana Grande (at some point I guess I have to stop being surprised and accept her line’s track record).
I’m not much into comics or graphic novels, but I loved HBO’s Watchmen series. Regina King and Jean Smart are just fantastic.
Thanks for the Method soaps heads up! Hope you have fun on your vacation!
Interesting about Method – will check that out. “Procrasti-NSTing” goes into my lexicon!
Ooh, where are you off to? As to the Method soaps, I saw them last week but did not buy them. I may buy them shortly on your recommendation.
I LOL’ed about procrasti-NSTing! And loved it!
I liked the soundtrack to Watchmen:)
Working and reading scientific papers today. But trying to find space for relaxing activities too like going for a walk and having a nice lunch. Finding lately that breathing exercises are helping a lot with stress.
Today I put on Oesel Xerjoff (from a sample) which I love in small amounts. It’s one I’ve been considering a full size bottle for a while (and before something awful happens to it in the form of discontinuation/ reformulation) … however I doubt I would ever use it up.
Hope you found plenty of time to relax today!
Still in Lost Cherry but will be switching to no 5 after my shower. Bath and Body Works is starting to release their winter line. Just ordered 2 Winter candles, after last year’s Candle Day fiasco, I will make sure that I stock up on Evergreen and Winter shortly before Candle Day. Financially, this year has been a little easier.
So glad to hear that!
Made it home yesterday from Alabama after being there 3 unexpected weeks. I’ve never been so happy to be home in all my life I don’t think. I wore some version or combo of No. 5 all three weeks- lotion, edc, L’Eau, Eau Premiere- for my aunt who passed. Today I am finally in something else and am wearing Genre which I love.
Goodness, having a 22 year old son, I can honestly say I have had many many discussions on comic books and comic book characters as well as having seen many movies based off of them. I don’t have a favorite I don’t think but generally do enjoy most all of them. I recently watched the series WandaVision and really enjoyed it a lot.
Welcome back!
Enjoy the home time KellyC! (And I liked Wandavision too.)
I was never into comic books per se, but I dipped a toe into Mad Magazine once in a while. No scented pairings come immediately to mind. ? Spent yesterday in SMN Eva and eau de dirt after digging up some Japanese irises that had stopped being happy where they were, and today I’m happily basking in Prada L’Eau Ambree. Trying to decide what perfume(s) to take to a family wedding celebration coming up soon. Since the events will all be held outdoors, I’m thinking something green/fresh, like 19 or Cristalle. Suggestions?
Hello there SheriG!
I know you are a fellow leather perfume lover. I was wondering if I could send you my bottle of Armani Cuir Amethyst? The bottle itself is beat to heck, but the juice is still good.
If you would like it I am at
gm razoo g ( no spaces) at the old timey yahoo.
Sending you an email now!
Just replied!
I mainly remember comic books from when we would go camping, and the campground store had a wide selection. I’d read comic books while indulging in Jolly Rancher’s Fire Stix. I did read the funny pages in the paper during college and for a few years after. The Washington Post had 3 full pages of comic strips, and I read every one. Boy, Spider-Man (my favorite) moved slowly….
Aedes Oeillet Bengale on a warm yet cool Fall day. Horrible night sleep and had to get up early. May hit a final outdoor concert in town this evening before settling in for football.
Bought a pumpkin-carving kit because I found it amusing, and our village has a pumpkin patch festival coming up in a couple of weeks.
You smell so nice
Happy Sunday boys and girls!Just a quick check-in to see what’s up,what’s new…The new Estee Lauder collection sounds nice!I was hoping for some advent calender news,seeing it’s about time they start popping up!(saw a review of the Charlotte Tilbury skincare advent calender for 2021 which made me curious about the perfumey ones!)
SOTD Adam Levine.
Still on a mission to explore South African perfumeries and perfumes,so far had mixed results,from serious disappointment(Saint d’Ici,would have LOVED to adore even just one of the six,sadly NO) to serious LOVE!(Apartment.co perfumes,also six in the collection,and I WANT THEM ALL!!).I ended up with a perfume called THE OTHER DETAILS WERE HAZY,pretty interesting take on rose.The other one I HAVE TO HAVE is called “Page 28 was missing”,cannot recall the exact notes but it was instant love as well.I’m posting sporadically on Instagram again,so good to see some of you over there as well!
Summer has also arrived,as usual we basically skip Spring and go from Winter to full-on scorching Summer.Love it.
Stay well stay safe!
XO?
Dunno why my post was thrown here as a reply though…anyways!xo
Howdy! It’s so great that you’re exploring South African perfume brands. I’m not surprised by your wide-ranging assessment which echo that of the perfume industry as a whole. I read with amusement about Page 28 is missing because I had to return a book that was missing a whole bunch of pages ?.
Haha!I love that!!Good seeing you post over at Insta as well!I’m following “most” NST Friday projects through you over there!So sorry for my absence over here!Will try to say HEY more often!Xo
You smell good.
At night, when we stayed with my grandparents, my granny always read us what we called the “funny pages”!
In Neroli Outrenoir – could this (gasp) be dethroning Coromandel as my favorite perfume? Only time shall tell…
I used to watch The Wonder Years way back when and see that the series has been rebooted. I’m wondering if I should watch it with my 12 year old. I was around that age when I saw the original. Watching together might spark conversations about middle school dynamics he generally doesn’t want to talk about
Exciting about finding a new favorite. I have had some close calls with my beloved Estee – should probably take an honest look at some of the “pretenders.”
Vive la France! Julian Alaphilippe won the men’s elite cycling world championship today for the second year in a row, beautiful win.
Cool misty morning here at the beach, wearing an old friend, Bois d’Arménie.
I’m wearing Bois d’Amenie too. ? It’s gorgeous!!
We smell fabulous. 🙂
Thanks for that cycling news flash. I got to tell my husband who, shockingly, didn’t know. He’s an Alaphilippe fan boy.
I’m a big Alaphilippe fan girl so this is great news! Thank you for sharing. We were glad he won the opening stage of the Tour de France but hoping that he would end up higher in the overall rankings.
Monday again and a chilly start to the day with snow dusting the hilltops. The clocks clicked forward an hour which I’m happy about as the dogs were up and wanting to be fed at 5am for the past few weeks. With daylight saving that 5am becomes 6 am which is much more reasonable. The first migrating godwits are returning from their nonstop flight from Alaska this pst week and the first northern royal albatross has returned to the breeding colony in Dunedin ( a male who has been at sea and not touched dry land since 2019). Wearing santal majuscule for warmth and reading a wonderful biography of W.G. Sebald (CaRole Angier: Speak, Silence)
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/first-godwits-touch-down-christchurch-estuary-after-marathon-flight
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/bells-ring-arrival-first-albatross
For those interested in birds. And a correction…the albatross has been flying since 2017 , so first land for 4 years!
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/14/speak-silence-by-carole-angier-review-a-remarkable-biography
And for book lovers
I ordered 3 of the HYLNDS collection, which have become hard to find. In fact, I thought they were discontinued. Probably all old hat to you ?
– pale grey mountain, small black lake;
– bitter rose, broken spear;
– spirit of the glen.
I hope they live up to my memories of them. ?
Sorry, phone playing up, this is what I replied to Cazaubon earlier… ?
I was blown away by Sebald when I somehow came across him – “Austerlitz” especially.
That’s amazing about those birds!
One of the tagged godwits got halfway to NZ from Alaska and then got hit by strong winds and had to turn around and travel all the way back to Alaska and then had to try again and fly 10000km back to NZ .
Wow!! That is incredible. Thanks for all those bird links, I loved the story of the bells and welcome for the returning albatross. Dunedin is gorgeous!
That is amazing re: the albatross and it touching land so infrequently!
I love Santal Majuscule!
Me too. More and more, in fact.
SotD = The Time.
Yesterday I wore Golden Needle Tea cologne and… It wore like a regular perfume. I mean it lasted well into the night and on my wrists!! I couldn’t tell it’s a cologne and not a EdP if I didn’t know any better.
Sounds like a really lovely perfume.
It’s been a very long time since I have looked thru the pages of a comic book. I’m much more into the “Sunday Funnies” from a newspaper, although I read those online now. The superhero genre is kinda “Meh” for me.
A long time favorite comic strip is “Mother Goose & Grimm”. My Dad got me started reading that back when I was 18. Plenty of goofy escapades and bad puns, but I love it. Cannot think of a perfume to match it at all.
SOTD = switched back to Atelier Cologne Encens Jinhae today. I decided to pop onto the Atelier website and have a look around thanks to a comment by lillyjo, and it looks like currently only 100mL bottles of that are available. And that is just too darn much. So I will check back every so often to see if that 30mL size ever shows up.
I thought that whole collection that Encens Jinhae is part of was discontinued? Not sure where I read that, I think on Basenotes.
I received a sample of it from a wonderful NSTer. Right now, Encens Jinhae is a strong like but not a love. And I probably should stick to purchasing perfume “Loves”.
Looks like Santal Carmin is on the to be d/c’ed list, too.
I’m so bummed about that. They are letting all the good ones go. I haven’t liked any of their new stuff.
Yes, here it is from BN:
Atelier Cologne is discontinuing a series of fragrances. These are still available (until they last) on their website, in the created-on-purpose “Archives” line.
These include:
– The Azur Collection: Mandarine Glaciale (already unavailable), Sud Magnolia, Figuier Ardent and Citron d’Erable – except for Cedre Atlas, which is still in production, but has been moved to their ‘Bois Purs’ line.
– The whole Orient Collection: Mimosa Indigo, Encens Jinhae, Philtre Ceylan, Tobacco Nuit, Poivre Electrique.
– Iris Rebelle
If you’d like to split the 100ml bottle let me know!
Thanks for the info. I kinda cringed at the $$$$$ for the 100mL bottle. I’ve already chickened out on one perfume purchase this weekend due to cold financial feet.
There’s a 200ml on fragrance net for $157
Still alot, I know.
Yeeek! 200mL is even worse than 100!
Shout out to madtowngirl: I had my first dinner guest in about three years (was already behind before all the COVID worries) and decided to go for it with your mother’s banana cake recipe! It was huge hit: all you said it was, as in easy, super-tasty (I have not had cake and coffee in ages) and the frosting (I did chocolate) was just as good. With your permission, I am adding it because I hope others will try it. Also, it’s one of those recipes where, if you cook regularly, you will probably have the ingredients on hand. Maybe not the buttermilk… Thanks for sharing. No SotD; could not commit.
The Cake:
For kpaint and/or anyone else interested in my mom’s banana cake recipe:
2/3 c oil
2 1/2 c flour
1 2/3 c sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 or 3 ripe, mashed bananas
2/3 c buttermilk
2 eggs
Mix dry ingredients with oil and eggs. Add buttermilk, add bananas.
Bake at 350 for ~35 minutes for a 9×13 or 25-30 for two 9 inch rounds (depending on how hot your oven runs)
Chocolate frosting:
1 stick butter
1/3 c buttermilk
Cream together and gradually add
3 c powdered sugar
1/2 c Hershey’s unsweetened 100% cacao (the powdered kind)
1 tsp vanilla
Or, Buttercream frosting:
1/4 c butter
2 1/2 c powdered sugar
2+ Tablespoons cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
This is an easy recipe that turns out delicious every time. Report back if you try it!?
In Moulin Rouge..which smells like masculine lipstick lol:).