Happy Hump Day! There are 9 days left in 2021. Birthdays: Lady Bird Johnson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ralph Fiennes. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Aftelier Candide. After it fades I might be back in Theorema, we'll see.
Reminder: 12/24 is Christmas Eve. We won't have a community project but there will be a poll starting on the 23rd, so if you're around, do tell us what fragrance you're wearing.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2021, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Berlin before Christmas [cropped] by Sergey Galyonkin at flickr; some rights reserved.
It’s going to snow soon and then rain and then probably freeze up and I have to go out in the middle of it all, but I don’t care right now, I’m warm and cozy in SL Douce Amère, the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.
Ah, I will try to wear that this week. So sorry about the crap weather.
Douce Amère is such a heavenly fragrance! So weird, and yet so purringly cozy!
Today end of my work week. YAY! still chilly in LA and rain on the way.
I don’t mind since we need it and I am home alone for Christmas. Anything to stay safe till my sister comes at end of January.
SOTD is Cuir de Russie. My big find.. a sealed travel size of MM Russian Tea on eBay.
How fabulous that your sister is coming. And great ebay score!
thank you sistine, I am so excited. I have seen her once in two years.
What will you do on Christmas, apsara? Have you got something fun to read or watch?
I do Robin. I plan on 11 hours of sleep and watching maybe Matrix or Encantado.
That sounds lovely — especially the 11 hours of sleep.
Good morning.
Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes yesterday. I had a great day, nothing too over but sweet and nice.
Sotd is MFK Oud Satin Mood.
Currently drinking Earl Grey with a slice of lemon.
Sweet and nice sounds perfect!
Glad it was nice. You smell divine–I love Oud Satin Mood!
Earl Grey with lemon and a touch of honey is my favorite!
Glad you had a nice day! Oud Satin Mood is my favorite of his.
This morning I’m in Wood Sage and Sea Salt, because I was craving its softness. Will likely switch to something with more heft post-shower — right now Dryad sounds lovely, but who knows? It’s very chilly here, apparently gearing up to snow a bit, and I’m feeling very sorry for the poor fellas putting on a new roof across the street. What a time of year to be doing that. ❄️
Darned cold to be roofing! And you would think it would be harder in bulky outer wear too.
I’m wearing Isabela Capeto, from a bottle that I got earlier this year, or maybe late last year. I didn’t even open it until today. I like it, but I have the feeling that my skin is going to eat it up.
The doll bottle? I am jealous!
Just had my best yoga session since August (I only started again last week, after almost four months of not doing it). I ended up in Shalimar yesterday. Think I’ll go for Wrappings today. After lunch, I am heading to church to help pack and deliver donated (new) winter hats/coats/gloves to a local center. I do not do much community volunteer work but today I have the flexibility — and I am the youngest member, so I feel like schlepping things is my responsibility!
Good for you, on both counts! I have done way less yoga and way less volunteering since covid started.
I’m wearing Shalimar, the Mexique version from a decant that I’ve been hoarding. I noticed that it is evaporating so today is a perfect day to spray it on liberally. So glad that I brought this one along for the ride!
Boo hiss to decant evaporation! But of course you smell great.
Thanks Robin! Wish I got a bottle when I could have.
Gail are you on vacation? ( sorry if I missed it)
Yeah, we are still away!
Decant and travel spray evaporation is the pits.
Cold winter day here, busy day at work as people try to get everything tidied up for the holidays, as almost everyone takes off between Christmas and New Years. This year I am nominated to work, so oh, well, it will hopefully be slow. SOTD my rose, frankincense and nag champa oil, which really is one of my favorite scents, and at $7.00 for 15 ml, a huge bargain. I should order some more of it – the little shop where I got it recently changed hands, and might shift direction or something. A little present for myself.
Sounds nice. Treat yourself!
Definitely sounds like something to get while the getting is good.
It’s a cold day here too, and windy, but the sun is shining. No snow at all yet this year which would ordinarily be a cause for complaint but with PT, wheelchair, walker etc I’m happy with dry weather. Wearing Black Orchid which smells so good, yet another on that looong list of “why don’t I wear this more often.”
Darned cold here too, and my mother is recovering from knee surgery so I am likewise hoping for no snow!
(Although really I never want snow.)
Last two days before break…I can do this!
I made myself a mini-CP for today and tomorrow: I’m wearing scents given to me as Christmas presents. Last night I wore Lady Vengeance, and today I’m in Nicolai Musc Intense, both gifts from my husband in years past.
I like your mini-CP idea!
Great gifts!
What a fun project! And, if I may say so, what good taste your husband has.
Thank you! He does. And he picked LV out himself—one of the few Jhag fragrances that has ever worked for me.
Evening SOTD twins! I just spritzed from a new bottle of Musc Intense; it’s so lovely!
Hi, Twin!
You and Old Herbaceous smell fantastic! I love Musc Intense.
Cool and rainy here today, thankfully not freezing. I woke up out of a horrifically stressful dream that my landlady had decided to sell my home out from under me and I couldn’t get my phone to dial her number so that I could tell her I wanted to buy it, all the while knowing that I couldn’t afford it. Way too close to actual reality, at least in terms of my feelings of insecurity and my ever-worsening financial situation. Lots of bad news on that front this past week; glad I got Littles’ Christmas presents purchased early!
So, I’m in several sprays of Malibu Lemon Blossom to hopefully lighten and cheer my heart and remind me of sunnier, less burdensome times.
Oh no! I never understand why the bad news has to come this time of year. So sorry to hear that, but here’s hoping things look up a bit soon.
It’s a bit “A Christmas Carol” around here, but fortunately I’m not the character who’ll have to endure multiple visits from ghosts!
Thinking of you Isabella (my mother in law’s name ?). I hope you can enjoy your time with Littles.
Thank you! We have lots of fun baking projects ahead (and then lots of fun eating to do), so I’m sure we’ll have a good time.
What a stinky and upsetting dream. I hope something good happens today to put it in the background, where it belongs.
Well, I splashed out for the big flower bouquet at the grocery store this morning, so that can only help.
I hope things will work themselves out for you, and that you and that awesome boy of yours have a very Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Lillyjo — you too!
I’m so sorry for the financial stress. I hope you are able to have a celebratory time and get some respite from thinking about it.
Thank you! I’m taking a big chunk of time off work between now and the new year and am planning to fill my mind with good things!
Stressful dreams about real life stress are completely unfair. I hate them. I love that you chose to banish them with lemon blossoms – I used to work in orchards, and blooming lemon trees are one of my favorite scents ever.
Best wishes that things look up soon!
Citrus blossoms are my one constant, go-to, eyes-rolling-back-in-sheer-bliss scent, and have been since childhood. How could anything smell so good?? When I worked in the mountains, sometimes I’d drive down through the flowering orange groves in the foothills at night, and the scent on the warm night air was beyond intoxicating.
That’s a lovely memory. I hope this, and your big bouquet of real flowers, brings you a little lift during these hard days.
The scent of citrus groves still haunts my dreams at least once per week, and I left California in 2003.
Fingers crossed I can convince my husband to move there!
So sorry for the not so good news. Not in the same vein but way back when, we had a rule where no one can be severed starting Thanksgiving week through year end. These days, anything goes.
That is a very sensible and humane rule.
Seriously!
Enjoy those flowers and your sweet son’s company!
Both are quite good for what ails ye!
I hope the baking and time with Littles provides some respite from the stress you are feeling.
Thank you! We’re off to a good start with our first afternoon off together — so pleasant to just play and not bother with checking work emails dozens of times.
No SOTD yet, but may go for Kyoto or Avignon once I go back upstairs. Or maybe I’ll dig through old samples. I think I have some Douce Amere somewhere; could try that, inspired by Pyramus.
In a surprise, yesterday I managed to get my booster, a bit ahead of schedule. Friends let us know about a pharmacy with extra vaccines and a pharmacist who was somewhat flexible (it’s two weeks until I’m 6 months out from my second dose). Different vaccine this time (Moderna), but fortunately the same side effect (sore shoulder, nothing more). So, that’s a bit more relief before we travel to see family in the US. At this rate, half my luggage is going to be COVID equipment, with N95 masks, rapid tests, and the telehealth RT-LAMP tests to get back into Canada. The province introduced new semi-lockdown measures yesterday (bars and gyms closed until mid-January)…here we go again.
Off to work, which should be pretty quiet today.
I hope your travels to the USA and back are completely smooth and uneventful!!!
Hooray for the booster!
Glad you got your booster early! Hope you have a great holiday!
That’s a lucky break, getting an early shot!
I’m so glad you got your booster a bit early; peace of mind is a good thing.
Congrats on getting your booster! Wishing you uneventful travels.
I’m wearing an old PG favorite: Pierre Guillaume L’Ombre Fauve, since Robin mentioned another new line for PG yesterday (oy – way too many, but I still like his original line).
Workday ends at 1:00 today and then the real work (cleaning, wrapping, etc) begins!
I have that one, springpansy! thanks for the reminder!
I’m doing my own mini-CP this week. I’m wearing each of my Chanel parfums from my box of 5. I have Gardenia, No. 5, No. 22, Cuir de Russie, and Bois des Iles. Today is No. 5 for a day of errands because I don’t want to be in the stores after today or immediately after Christmas.
That’s a lovely personal-CP! You’re in for a very elegant week.
Wonderful idea! I need to do this
Mine has n.5, n.19. Allure, Coco & n. 22. Found it on ebay. Some of the top notes are funky but once those wear off, daaaannnng.
Enjoy your week!
Those parfums all sound gorgeous!
Commando at the moment (mammogram today), but something warm and spicy later…..suggestions?
I am also seeking suggestions for a face oil–mature, dry, some redness, sensitive skin. Let me know what is working for you!!!
Warm and spicy….Opium, Coco, Cinnabar, something with an amber base. For face oil, I like rose hip oil from the health food store.
Prefer unscented face products, and 2 that are good are Peet Rivko’s and Paula’s Choice Moisture Renewal Oil Booster (currently on backorder). Seem to be in the minority on this, as there are tons of fragranced options.
Good job getting the mammogram, I hope your result is good.
Seconding either Opium or Cinnabar, and throwing in LAdDM as an option.
Hope that your mammogram was minimally painful!
I’m a fan of REN Evercalm Recovery Balm. The texture is oily, but man, it works.
I’ll second galbanumgal on the Paula’s Choice Oil. I also love squalene oil; The Ordinary and The Inkey List both make good ones and their prices are hard to beat.
Celebrating a good outcome at the derm MD today. I was worried because irregular borders, black with some lighter black mixed in…Completely harmless! She whipped out a canister of liquid nitrogen (which looked like a mini flame thrower!) and started zapping away. So COOL!
Anyway, wearing Shalimar MVP to celebrate being alive, relatively healthy, relatively sane, and having purple hair.
Remembering past holidays with people who are no longer here should have me tearing up and depressed, but really, I’m thinking how lucky I was to have had those good times to remember in the first place! So many people have a difficult time with the holidays. Even though I’ll be spending all the holidays working, I don’t mind a bit. Let others have the day off with their families. I’ve had my time.
Hoping the new year brings better times for everyone.
Great news and worth celebrating!
Thanks!
Glad to hear that everything went well at the dermatologist! And I love your approach to the holidays and those who aren’t here. I lost my mother during the holidays, many years ago, and I try to have similar thoughts — how we’re keeping her memory going with all of our holiday traditions.
I get you. For me it was my dad who passed a few days before Christmas years ago. A heart rending time. Holiday traditions are a wonderful way to remember the past. So many things I didn’t pay attention to when I was younger- small gestures and mannerisms, uncommon kindness, things left unsaid- I remember so many of these things now as I take time to look back instead of selfishly looking forward as I did when I was younger. Sometimes I have to catch myself because for a split second I still think of them in the present, when in reality they are no longer bound by time. I like to think they’re free wheeling around the universe. The moments I remember them are the moments I think they are tapping me on the shoulder, flashing a smile,
and taking off again.
I love this post! And yay for the derm news.
Thanks!
You’re so great Deva. I really admire you.
I am glad your appointment went well.
Thanks! I was kind of worried about the one spot she zapped.
?
I’m not that great and this is how you can tell: I went into work the other day and told the Charge Nurse “You gave me a ? assignment and don’t like it! And this is NOT my usual complaining (which happens every work day! ?), this is my EXTRA complaining on top of everything else.” He just rolled his eyes and said “What else is new?” They’re going to miss me so much! Not! ?
Sorry…. not convinced! My book still says you’re great??
Me too.
So glad all went well at the dermatologist.
Thanks!
Thrilled to hear this! And you’re right — if grief is the flip side of love, well, then love, and gratitude for it, is the flip side of grief. I’m so glad you’re full of appreciation for the people you’ve had in your life, and feeling positive.
I’m a firm believer that death is not the worst thing that can happen to us. It’s the unending suffering of people who can’t/won’t let go. This culture is rife with the willful ignorance of death and the dying process. I hate when people die in the hospital because it’s usually not a good death. And a good death is goal we should all strive for.
This is so true. I never thought about it much until my Dad died, very contented at home, in early 2020. He kept saying how lucky he was, and it really made me think. I would like to die at home surrounded by loved ones, feeling lucky.
Robin, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize your dad died so recently. I agree with both you and Deva (and your dad) — we’re so estranged from the dying process that we can wind up treating it like something unnatural. I’m Cajun and it’s traditional for our people to spend the night in the funeral home with the body of a recently departed relative, the night before they’re buried. Makes for some interesting slumber parties, but it feels like an act of respect, care, and acceptance of the death (with possibly some superstition mixed in).
I am so happy to hear your good news!
Thanks!
Hooray for your good news at the doctor! And your outlook on getting to know and love people making it worth missing them really hit me.
Impermanence is something I really studied years back. Everything is temporary, and I really try to remember that because it makes me more grateful and less #%itchy. ?
I hope your memories bring comfort and laughter.
That was a good outcome. I’m worried about you working when things are looking so ominous. You know this already, but please take care and stay safe.
Aww, thanks for your concern! I try to be as careful as I can. Who would keep T-Rex in line if I kicked it?! She’s at high risk for becoming a Doggie Dictator if left to herself…?
Glad to hear all is well!
Thanks, and still enjoying your advent calendar posts over on IG! ??
Hooray for the good outcome at the dermatologist! And you have such a positive attitude toward the holidays. I’ll be missing some relatives who are gone now too, but should focus on remembering the good times we had together.
Thanks! Tears and grief are necessary components of the healing process, but it’s nice when we can finally remember our people and smile instead of cry.
Hurray for great news from the dermatologist!
Thanks! I’m kind of unhealthily fixated on watching these things slough off now…?
Funny story – the first time I went to a dermatologist I spent the first few minutes asking what each t did because I was so nervous. “Oh, this cauterizes wounds”. “This excises growths”.
So, a bit into the appointment, they pick up the cauterizing one. Oh nooo… why did I ask?
Yeah, cauterization is a stinky business!
Just went through that myself — the doctor thought it would be helpful to describe what she was doing at every step, “Now I’m scraping… now I’m doing some burning…” but I was like, “DON’T TELL ME WHAT’S HAPPENING!!!”
It’s not an unhealthy fixation — it’s watching science in action. It’s fascinating!
Glad to hear your appointment went well.
That’s a great outcome! I’ve had a number of weird skin things removed over the years, it’s always a relief when the news is good. Congratulations!
Thanks!
Yay for the good derma news! Wonderful post, Deva. I bet you smell marvelous, too.
Thanks! This Shalimar MVP is an absolute stunner. I’d like Santa to bring be at least 5 BUB’s, please! ?
?
Perhaps someday I’ll get to try it and see what the fuss is all about. ?
Starting this day out in Trillium, a green tea scent by House of Matriarch. It’s very fresh and cheerful, but still has some complexity, which I like. Not enough to buy a bottle — way too expensive for my taste — but I’m enjoying the remains of this travel spray, which I believe I acquired through the Magical Traveling Box of Perfume a couple of years ago (thanks, lucasai, and whoever added it to the box!).
That sounds like a nice scent. When I think of trilliums, here they’re a really big, white-flowered species that’s the first thing to bloom each year (not counting the willows and manzanitas). It blooms while it’s still dark and wintery out — they’re like magical points of light in the deep dark squishy woods. If I were to invent a trillium perfume, it would probably be a lot like Black March but with something like lily of the valley threaded through it.
Trilliums didn’t grow where I grew up. When I moved to Ontario and saw them for the first time I was absolutely enchanted.
I used to see them in Michigan when I went out mushroom hunting in the woods as a kid with my family.
I saw lots of them when hiking in NC, too. Beautiful and delicate! Still remember when I randomly came across a patch of Pink Lady Slipper Orchids when mountain biking up there years ago. So beautiful! ?
Those are really special! We have lots of little saprophytic orchids around here, but they don’t have the glamour of the lady’s slipper ones.
I have a small size of that and I like it very much! I also have a large clump of wild trilliums growing in my small back yard, thanks to the avid gardeners who lived in this house for about 45 years. I hope some day a later owner will like to discover the things we’ve planted here, given that we’re closing in on 30 years in this house!
As you can probably tell, trilliums are one of my favorite flowers! ? That scent sounds really nice.
I visited my friend yesterday and we sat outside in the garden, plucking ripe loganberries from the canes nearby. I had never eaten them before and they were so juicy and delicious. Later I drove around the harbour to the library, and then back over the hill to home. The buttercups are in full flower in the paddocks ( joining the foxgloves and lupins). Had a big meal of broccoli from the veggie garden….what a perfect day. Wearing Ys-Uszac Jeanne and thinking about getting up…still in the planning stage.
What a gorgeous day you had!
This does sound like a perfect day!
That sounds lovely! Here at the opposite end of the seasons, we’ve just gleaned the very last, barely-ripened berries from our frost-withered raspberry canes, and I’m already getting a bit tired of apples. Something is always in bloom, here, though — right now it’s the neighborhood camelias, the manzanitas, and the first of the willow buds, and the hazel has its catkins hung out.
What a nice healthy dinner!
I am currently in Tobacco Vanille today. Too tired to care if it’s too much for work. I just want the holiday craziness to end.
Hang in there Dawn. Are you working Christmas Eve?
When 1 works retail, working on Christmas Eve is a given. But it’s only 4 hours though.
Good luck! Probably all of NST will be thinking of you and sympathizing with the horrors of retail on Christmas Eve.
I’ll think of you with sympathy, as well as of Deva, this Christmas Eve.
Best of luck, and many hugs!
Best of luck, and many hugs!
I hope it calms down soon! You smell great.
First day of the holidays! We’re having a leisurely breakfast, before a day where I have lots of things to do and plenty of time to do them.
I can detect the tiniest trace of last night’s perfume, Femme by Rochas. It’s a modern version, I’ve never tried a vintage. I really like it, but I have never bought a FB as I know I’d never wear it often.
I just got a small bottle of the current version of Rochas Femme, and I like it too. I’ve also never tried the vintage! I don’t seek out the vintages because I want to concentrate on things I can easily get. There are already so many in production.
The *old* vintage was much more animalic, but if memory serves the modern replaced those notes with more cumin. BUT, my version of modern is now nearly vintage so I have no idea what you get if you buy it in 2021!
It looks like I am doing a generous nster week. Today I am wearing Santal Carmin. It is as lovely as I remember. It’s my day off and I am running errands and cleaning.
Will you be cooking? I love your adventures in the kitchen?.
Ha! Well I am taking it easy. I am cooking half a ham and just regular side dishes and probably store bought pie. I still have a few things to pick up at the grocery store.
Oh, half a ham is no mean feat, and side dishes too, hoping you have good pastry shops for a delicious pie.
Hooray for the day off! As for cooking adventures, I just got a pound of squid tentacles and will be using my air fryer…speaking of which, the exact air fryer I have is on sale at Target (same price as I got it given the $75 gift card back).
You know I actually went in store to check it out!
I had to concede that I just don’t have the counter space. I would have to give up my microwave.
I definitely use my microwave and stove less. Do you have room for a microwave cart? That’s where mine sits. The counter that has the air fryer used to have stuff that did not need to be out in the open except for a small tubular lamp which got relocated to a 4 drawer cart that, so far, has not (and will not) accumulated junk.
I don’t. I have a very tiny kitchen. When I bought my house, I remember my aunt (a good cook) yelling at me for buying a house with a small kitchen, lol. I didn’t know..
Yay for getting All The Things Done today!
Not sure what I will be having for Christmas dinner. Maybe we will see something interesting at Costco on Friday?
At dinner tonight I put the question to my son, “Do we save the bottle of champagne I bought today for New Year’s Eve, or do we drink it for Christmas and then buy another?” Guess what that little chip-off-the-ol’-block decided?
Just booked a stay at a hot springs resort since my workplace decided to give me off on New Year’s Eve. Yay for relaxation!
Random sample of the day is Tilia Gold from Ring Botanicals
Yay for a wonderful way to ring in the new year!
That sounds fantastic!
Oh my, that sounds so awesome.
Hurray, what a great idea!
That sounds great. Enjoy!
In Aftelier Ancient Resins layered with CdG Jaisalmer.
Very busy day. Back later to read comments.
Happy Wednesday! ?
Oh, that’s a lovely combination. You smell great!
Thank you, Nancy! ?
Perfect pick!
Thank you! ?
Nice combo!
Working through samples, yesterday and today. Tried CdG Rouge, which started out with a shower of pepper, ginger and mint, but softened into a dry patchouli. If there’s any beetroot in this, I can’t detect it. A definite like!
Sisley Eau de Sisley 2 started out very green with basil and citrus, but it went aquatic on me. ?
We’re having a quick Christmas get together tomorrow with family for a late lunch and maybe games afterwards. I need to tidy and swiffer some horizontal surfaces and make a dessert, and I’ll be ready.
Have fun tomorrow!
Thanks Calypso, stay safe!
Good luck with the family get-together!
Thank you Jalapeno! I’ll probably need it.
Glad you like Rouge!
We saw the sun at last, but it was colder today, tomorrow back to milder temps but grey skies, and rain.
In vintage Arpège which I often forget about which is a shame as it’s such a treat, the sandalwood drydown really is so creamy.
Oo, I have a wee vial of this somewhere — must dig it out and re-try it.
Me too – lovely stuff.
Oh do try it.
Hi Aurora. I don’t know what all the restrictions are over there now. I was wondering if your brother was able to visit this season, and how is he doing?
How thoughtful of you Lillyjo, yes traveling is restricted to essential reasons, so Xmas is not included. I’ll be on my own but don’t mind so much, I’ll bake a cake or make crêpes and lots of radio listening for wonderful music.
Sunny weather twins today! But I had a rather large helping of wind to go with the sun, yuck.
Wind without rain always feels like rather a waste of air.
Hope the wind didn’t do any damage to your property, glad you saw the sun.
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words yesterday. Things did get substantially better in the evening! And then this morning it all spiraled out of control again–I had a dream I had COVID and still had to go out into the world infecting others, then woke up an hour late, and the tween and I had another screaming argument. The tween years are not easy! Deep breaths, and trying for calmness again tonight. Sklalolazka, I admire your yoga practice. Maybe I should take it up again–haven’t done it since early in the pandemic.
If yoga isn’t accessible, can you try something like box breathing? I find it helps me a lot when anxious.
Or tapping. It sounds weird but I think it also really helps. You can find samples of tapping videos on line.
Tapping, as in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCTOpdlZJ8U
?
No, but that video was entrancing! Both the singer and the dancer!
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tapping-into-sleep_b_58a9cb52e4b0b0e1e0e20c6e
Spent most of the day cleaning, then went and got a manicure. I wore No. 5 L’Eau because it seemed fancy but not too fancy.
So, in the dark humor vein – I cancelled my trip to Canada to visit my parents on Saturday. I was supposed to fly out on Monday. I didn’t get the results of the COVID test I took on Friday until Tuesday morning, so I wouldn’t have been able to get into Canada anyways.
Shrug. Pandemic. Blergh.
Blergh is right. Have you rescheduled?
And ? on No.5 L’Eau!
I’ll go sometime in the summer. Man, No. 5 L’Eau is just an absolute beauty. It’s on my very short list of “If I had to choose a signature scent…”.
I’m so sorry you had to cancel your trip. I hope you’ll be able to have a nice time anyway, and hang out with your family virtually?
The test results are definitely a primo example of dark, ironic humor. But you smelled great today!
Bleurgh indeed. You do smell wonderful, though.
Song of the Day: https://youtu.be/_fh133ZO1AE
? This made me cry earlier today. It brought back a memory of my Mom. Ages ago, when Mr. Jalapeno and I were dating, we found ourselves on South Broadway in Denver, waking past various shops and restaurants. In the window of a vintage store was an old aluminum Christmas tree, complete with the color wheel. It was definitely not cool when we saw it. I mentioned that artificial tree to my Mom when I got home, and she said that one of my aunts had had one back in the day when it was the cool, cutting edge thing. And you couldn’t string lights on it for fear of electric shock, or starting a fire.
The song brought back this story/memory in an instant.
I still like the song, but it is now bittersweet to me. Funny how our own experiences can add something that a composer or musician would never have thought of in a million years.
SOTD = Divine EdP, from the sample stash. I have maybe 1 more wearing in my little dabber sample. Then I can start using the spray sample I have!
Hugs.
Vince Guaraldi is one of my favorite jazz musicians. I have this CF which I believe I bought at Starbucks when they used to have such things.
Thanks.
The terrestrial radio station I listen to has something called “The Moment of Zen” right before 10am every weekday. This week they are doing all Vince Guaraldi Trio Xmas songs.
I had to look up aluminum Christmas trees, because I thought we might have had one.
I don’t think so after looking. We had a bright blue fake one. We had those big bulb lights though.
Hugs to you my friend ?
The aluminum tree I saw was silver, and looked like it had been made out of giant pipe cleaners. I was not impressed.
When I was a kid, our neighbours had one of those trees! I have memories of having Christmas dinner there a few times. I definitely remember their tree. I probably thought it was pretty cool at the time! Loved the sparkly colors!
I have vague memories of when my parents had live Xmas trees, and my Mom was not happy about having to always vacuum up the fallen pine needles.
Aww, bittersweet memories can just surprise you out of nowhere, can’t they? I love that Charlie Brown music. I never knew about aluminum trees, but mid-century modern is still very popular so maybe they’ll make a comeback ?. I’d like to see jello molds with rainbow layers!
I definitely was surprised by my reaction today. I watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” when it aired on PBS this Sunday, and no waterworks then. Go figure.
The Vince Guaraldi Christmas album is so good! Definitely in my top five xmas albums and on heavy rotation at the Vee household right now.
You’ve been on my mind this week, Jalapeno. Sending you (and your brother) hugs and wishing you happy holiday remembrances of your mom.
Thank you for sharing these memories and that wonderful Vince Guaraldi tune, and sending you hugs, Jalapeno. And a cartoon of the day to accompany your Christmas tree memory: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x36p3zf
I’m no neuroscientist, but I’d guess that music is second only to scent in bringing up intact, visceral memories. One of my Johnny Cash records got me in the tear ducts recently, and very unexpectedly — that was a tough one to explain to a concerned 6-year-old.
Thank you for the song, holidays bring back memories of past Xmases, I hope that from now on you will only remember happy times for the duration.
I don’t mean to brag, but I’m sitting out now on my kitchen porch sipping some white wine and enjoying the blue sky and sunshine, and company of a few kitties who are observing the nearby tree closely for birds and squirrels. It’s supposed to be 84 on Christmas! There are at least some days of the year when I don’t wonder what on earth I’m doing living in Houston. My SOTD is ELDO You or Someone Like You, from a recent sample set I bought from Twisted Lily. It’s oddly juicy when it goes on but really fades away. I sprayed liberally but after four hours, it’s almost gone. Best news of my day: I just noticed that the small Meyer lemon tree I bought myself for Christmas last year has quite a few blossoms on it! I hope blossoms –> lemons!
Heh! I envy you the kittehs but the 84…way too hot for me. That’s exciting news about your lemon tree!
84…I am officially jealous.
SOTD = Jorum Studio Pentimento
Day 22 of perfume advent calendar: milky, vanillic, nutty, tonkaish and boozy!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXyshy9O850/?utm_medium=copy_link
My other advent calendars:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXyv2fVOMoc/?utm_medium=copy_link
I worked for a little bit today as I will tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s going to be very quiet overall but one never knows!
Your warning made me burst out laughing ?
Hilarious!?
All the stickers get one. I probably should go back and edit the first one.
Such floofy owlness!
Isn’t he?
That Pentimento sounds really good.
Have you burned any of the Guerlain candles? I’m curious as to how you like them.
Saw your comment on yesterday’s thread this morning. Mr. Vee and I have a wooden advent calendar from Etsy and we trade off days. It is surprisingly difficult to find 12 gifts that fit in a 2x2x2 cubbie. Lucky for me, Mr Vee figured out an angle to get mini votives to fit. ?
I woke up way too early for my taste this morning in order to be ready for my 7am ride to the airport. I brought my dog with me on the plane, which was extremely stressful since she did not like being in the carrier! She did okay until we took off, but then panicked at the noise, vibrations, change in altitude, who knows, and was scratching desperately to get out and yelping, poor thing. I let her out and held her on my lap for the whole trip, her shaking and panting but also interested in looking out the window. Fortunately it was only an hour-long flight!! And now that we’re safely at my parents’ house, she’s made a full recovery and is her usual self again. And I took a nice nap ?. No perfume today, but tomorrow I’ll pick something from whatever I have in my old bedroom. Ahh, I love being home.
I could not ever imagine flying with either of the cats! There would be much feline complaining, and probably vomiting. Not good at all. ??
I can imagine! My brother has taken his cat on many flights and he seems to do fine, but maybe he’s hiding his stress.
Poor pup! Glad all is well now.
Thanks! Me too!
I would tend to come down on the side of taking a pet, particularly if you are going to a private home. My story: we took our first cat, who was very bold and sassy, on a plane trip, and yes, we took her out of the carrier and held her once in the air (she wore a harness). She showed no fear on the trip; but her light pink nose, which we called her “mood nose” went deep pink, and stayed that way until she got back home a week later. She was confident-acting, but with the nose color, and some eating issues, I could tell she was stressed. She acted fine once we got to our destination of my Mother-in-Law’s home, and my M-I-L loved getting to see her. We took her to the beach one evening on a leash (in Florida) and tried to explain that that was where all the *fish* came from, but she turned right back into her carrier, poor dear. Overall, I’d say if you have a bold kitty or pup, they will be fine, but the shy ones are best left at home.
A small dose of anxiety meds
prescribed by your vet can go a long way to making the ride more comfortable for the animal. Highly recommend this approach because it makes EVERYONE more relaxed! Also, saw a lady walking 3 cats on harnesses last week. They heeled better than most dogs I’ve seen! ?⬛
Yes I think I’ll try that on Sunday! I might need some too! Ha, I can’t imagine walking three cats at once!
This is safe for work:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXwRqoWs0W2/?utm_medium=copy_link
Oh my gosh, so funny!!
Yes I’ll see how she does on the flight back! If she’s still not okay with it, I probably won’t try this again. But she really does love being at my parents’ house: more room to run around, a fenced-in yard, lots of treats and attention from everyone! That is so cute you took your cat to the beach, like a field trip to learn where her food came from! It’s good you knew her well enough to read her nose!
Laughing out loud over your kitty’s “mood nose”!
I’m glad she’s okay now.
Glad she is doing well now and enjoying getting spoiled at your parents’ house. My cats cry all the way to and from the vet, I can’t imagine them on a plane (or in the airport).
My SOTD was Tocca’s “Colette” hair perfume. It’s very cozy and comforting, which I needed to brave a root canal today. It’s all over, the endodontist was very skillful. God, I hate dental work though! My past post on Colette is here if anyone’s interested: https://scentsandsensibilities.co/2018/01/12/fragrance-friday-hair-spray-colette/
Glad to hear that your root canal went smoothly. Now on to healing up!
Thanks! I’m just grateful they could fit me in this week, as they’re closed next week. And I can already eat pretty normally, just in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Good thing, since I’m the cook.
Cringing at “root canal”! Hope it’s painless and quick. Dental work went much better for me after one dentist discovered I have “an unusual nerve pathway…” ?
Thanks! Yes, the pain management was excellent; the procedure took about an hour. An “unusual nerve pathway” sounds horrifying!
So mad today… A gift for a friend from Sephora arrived from FedEx today. Well the perfume was there and so were the two free samples. But what about the gift wrap I ORDERED and paid extra for? And what about the note I made? So sad… None of the gift wrap was there. I called and a woman [ed note: description removed] said She can give me a $5.00 store credit. Not even back to my debit card but store credit. With $5.00 I can’t buy anything, most of the time it won’t cover the shipping costs so it is like forcing me to buy something else from Sephora because of that mere $5.00 store credit!! I asked Her if She can ship the gift wrap or something and She said She cannot ship just the gift wrap… I ended up just hanging up the phone. Maybe that was rude of me but I got real upset.
You might try leaving a message on their support forum, like this:
https://community.sephora.com/t5/Customer-Support/Missing-Gift-Satchel/m-p/6025132
There are tons of those. Although for all I know, all they’re offering those people are store credits as well.
majokkobiachan, After thinking about it, I went back and removed a description from your comment in case it made anyone uncomfortable. Feel free to email me if you feel I was unfair (although I’m going to bed shortly so it will be tomorrow before I’ll answer). I’m sure you did not mean to make anyone feel uncomfortable, and I am sorry you had this bad experience!
SOTD was a Nuit de Cellophane, for no particular reason. Spent the afternoon making Tassies with my mom and sister. My mom could make them in her sleep, but mine never come out right. Well, we realized today that my tassie pan has bigger cups than my mom’s, so I had been stretching the dough too thin. I never would have figured that out if she didn’t live close enough for me to pop over for a few hours of baking. Reason #89 why I am so happy they moved near me.
Today’s advent tea was camomile with bee pollen. It was fine. I’m not a huge camomile fan, but the pollen gave it a pleasant aroma.
I had to google tassies…I have never heard of them and now I wonder if they’re regional?
My sister seems to think they originated in New Orleans. My mom got her recipe from a neighbor (in NY) but we don’t know where the neighbor got her recipe.
Interesting…would not surprise me if it’s southern in some way, but who knows.