It's Tuesday plus National Chocolate Cupcake Day. Birthdays: A. J. Liebling, Anita O'Day, Chuck Berry, Martina Navratilova, Wynton Marsalis. What fragrance are you wearing?
I went for the easy points today: I'm in Annick Goutal Mandragore for the Harry Potter series. Tea this morning is chai (a mix of Numi Chai and Mariage Frères Chandernagor) with a splash of cream.
Reminder: on 10/21, for Ursula LeGuin's birthday, choose a work of speculative fiction or a character from such a work, and wear the fragrance that you think fits. Your chosen work can be written, audio or visual. Bonus points if you choose a work of LeGuin's or one of the shortlisted works for the inaugural Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2022, where I'll try (but obviously sometimes fail) to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: the Marauder's Map Ceramic Teapot is $35 at ShopHippo.
What a fun teapot! Tea here today is Upton traditional masala chai. Today’s weather is the same as yesterday’s- rainy and dreary. Time for spice!
I’m afraid I’m going to be a total failure at this week’s CP. I read very little speculative fiction (and I had to look that up.)
SotD will be Christopher Street.
And maybe I’ll make some chocolate cupcakes.
Same here, AnnE. I clicked on Robin’s link and quickly realized I hadn’t read anything listed on the wiki. We still smell great! 😊
We do! And it’s nice to know I have some company in the “non-sporting “ division. 😊
You know you could also do a TV series or a movie, or anything! I am doing Good Omens tomorrow and might do The Good Place later in the week.
But of course you can also skip it!
Great ideas, Robin, thanks!
According to that Wikipedia article, some Shakespeare plays could be considered speculative fiction. So if you have seen “The Tempest” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, you’re good!
Ok, so now I’m in. 😂
I’m in Memo Sintra, which is too sweet for my taste. I’ve decided to try the samples from my discovery sets without reading the notes until I’ve sprayed. Sintra isn’t quite a scrubber. I think it would be good for those who like sweet scents. I had my first hot cup of tea in a while, but it was just Twinings Irish breakfast. The low tonight is supposed to be in the thirties, but after tomorrow we will be back to eighties for highs.
Interesting – the change in weather also made me reach for some green jasmine tea last night, for the first time in a while.
That scent is SO potent, and so lingering. I didn’t hate it but I’d certainly never buy or wear it. When I went sniffing with nancyleandros a while back she was completely repulsed and sickened by it–just sniffing not trying any on–it almost made her sick to her stomach! I agree with you it is terribly sweet.
Day two of His Dark Materials, and I was going to do Mitsouko for Marisa Coulter, or at least the Nicole Kidman version in the movie, because it is golden like her (and her dæmon), and refined, but it has claws which it hardly bothers to keep hidden.
But it doesn’t seem like something the *character* might wear, so I’m in Tom Ford Black Orchid, which is considerably darker and more turbulent — it seems as if it has hidden motivations. (I bought it on a trip to New York when it was new — I didn’t even have to think twice, it was so obviously the kind of thing I can’t resist. It’s not anything like the actual *me*, god knows, but I love it.)
Scent twins!
Scent triplets!
Series twins!
Good morning.
Sotd is Shalimar Tonka.
I was thinking how to use up perfumes that I want to part with (either them being too old or just meh) so I bought ceramic tiles and hung them on ribbons before spraying them with perfume. Works really well and spreads the scents effectively.
I’m lazy, I just spray my shower curtain. But I like your idea!
Heeey, i like the shower curtain idea. Can’t believe that’s never occurred to me. Thank you!
Enjoying Santal Majuscule because Allo reminded me of it. Last night: BRRRR. Now sunny and above freezing here, but this morning: a light snow that stuck to cars and shady corners! I’m delaying bringing in my big tropical plants but they went in the garage last night – with temps in the thirties, I don’t trust the blanket method. In Winter they go to our laundry room because *cats* and they are in the way and don’t get any natural light all winter. Thus, the delay to bring them in. We should get quite a few more sunny days above 40.
You smell great and cozy:)
Snow, ack! I am not ready.
I chose Black Orchid. I was in the mood for something dark, moody, thick and mysterious on a mundane Tuesday and BO fills the bill.
LOL at BO. 😄
(Sorry, couldn’t resist. My inner child grabbed the keyboard.)
Haha. Me too😆
I know! I always think twice about typing it or not.
Well, look at it this way – you made us laugh. 😉
I think a lot of us got a chuckle out of that abbreviation!
Generous amount of Serge Noire..for some reason, it’s rubbing me the wrong way lol. The stale potato chip bag note is lingering more than usual lol
Uh oh. I’ve never tried that one but stale anything does not sound good.
Commando at the moment. Have a mammogram this afternoon and they said no deodorant or perfume. After that, I think Eau Premiere will be just fine.
Good luck. You will be smelling lovely afterward.
I’m commando too because I’m going to my dentist, and don’t like to force a scent on someone who has to work so close to me. (It’s just a cleaning today so nothing too scary.). Haven’t decided what to put on later today. Good luck with your mammogram.
Hope that your mammogram is boring and routine!
A high today of 70F. I’ll take it! It doesn’t scream fall, but it’s good enough for now. Yum yum!
Morning tea is TJ’s Fall Maple Coffee paired with a pumpkin bagel topped with a schmear of pumpkin cream cheese. Yum number two!
I’m wearing Profumum Ambra Aurea today from my beloved travel spray which I accidentally stored upside down. Oops! No leakage or harm, so that’s a relief. LOVE this one so much! So deep, dark, rich, and thick it always brings up the image of the darkest molasses slowly oozing into a molasses cookie batter…yum number three!
The dash alert on my van has never come back on so I will be cancelling my appointment for tomorrow. I’m so full of good news today! Yum number four for the win!
lol, I love all your good news! I’d take 70 too, that’s my perfect temperature.😎
Yay for all good news!
Yesterday my check engine light came on. I shouted a bunch of swear words then remembered your story. I turned the car off, waited and then turned it back on and held the turn a little longer than usual. The light stayed off, but still crossing my fingers! Happy for your good news!
Keeping my fingers crossed right along with you! 🤞🏼A pox on dashboard lights worldwide!
Oh, I don’t know … my very first car was a 1970 VW Beetle that had a 1974 engine — story was that the prior owner had an engine light get activated but the bulb was burnt out so he didn’t know it, and the original engine got bricked. So, hooray for engine lights and boo for car troubles? 😉
Good point!
It’s always a good idea to check the gas cap when the check engine light comes on. The gaskets on them can wear out over time.
Your resilience is always encouraging, Deva, and your breakfast has me planning a trip to TJs, it’s about an hour away.
Yay for no dash lights! My spouse informed me that there’s no heat in the car this morning, which is just fabulous as we’re headed out to the Cascades this weekend. Here’s hoping that maybe it’ll just…start working in the next few days; I seem to recall that this happened one year before and it just needed a moment or two to think.
Yay for the good news! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I’m in Lea again, it worked so well yesterday.
The sun is back! Yay.🌞
My college daughter’s graduation is 2 months from today. Hard to believe. Where has the time gone? I can still see her in my mind the very first time we left her on campus. Her smiling and looking so confident as we drove away. She’s done so well. Especially considering everything. We have a lovely (well it looks lovely) airbnb rented for the weekend and I’m really looking forward to it. So proud of her.☺️ Part of me is just a little bit sad. I’ve mentioned before, she goes to my old alma mater and it’s been so much fun visiting, seeing familiar and new places and experiencing it from her perspective.
Also, I have no idea what to get her! So if anyone has a good suggestion, I am all ears.
Yay for sun! We have it here too, a little bit of a hot spell. Congrats on your daughter’s graduation!
Thanks cazaubon!
Gosh time really does go so fast.
My suggestion for a gift would be something she would be able to keep forever. Maybe jewelry?
Jewelry is my first thought, too. I don’t remember what my parents gave me but two aunts gave me jewelry that I still have and wear.
Thirding the jewelry idea. My parents gave me a lovely lavender jade pendant necklace that I wear very often and love to bits.
Great minds think alike! There is a boutique in her college town that carries a charm with the name of the city and a little diamond. I’ve eyed it for myself, but now I’m thinking it would make a nice gift that will remind her of where she went to school.☺️
Jewelry is always nice for a gift. What about perfume too? LOL
Ha! I wish I knew if she’d like one of the guerlains, they do engraving.
Yes, they do engraving. I just saw that the other day.
Depending on what her post-graduation plans are, a work/office-appropriate purse is a nice graduation gift.
That is a nice idea. She’s not exactly sure what she’s gonna do. She may just “coast” for a semester and head back to graduate school in the fall. (At least that’s what I’d like her to do😈)
Maybe luggage?
This is what we gave our sons and they still use it all 11, 9 and 7 years later.
I like this idea too. I got some for my hs graduation and still have it!
Maybe just ask her what she wants. My dad insisted on getting me a college ring because he loved his. I said I didn’t want it… but that’s what I got. Eventually sold it for the gold. I *really* could have used the cash instead since I was setting up my first apartment and I was flat broke.
OTOH, my husband’s parents gave him a nice watch which he still wears, nearly 40 years later.
Perhaps the moral of this story is that your gift will be fine, whatever you pick, if you know your kid well — which it sounds like you do 🙂
I asked her what she wanted and her response was “a new whip.” (A new car) Funny kid, that one.
A watch is more in my price point lol, maybe an Apple Watch…🤔
I will second the recs for luggage and/or jewelry. However, depending on madtowncollegegrad’s sense of humor, a bullwhip might be an idea?
After all, she did ask for one.
Haha, that’s really funny Jalapeno (and I mean that for real, not the sarcastic kind of that’s really funny).😂That would be a fun prank gift.
Who knows, something like that could come in handy one weird day…
Nice sunny morning here, yoga, then teeth cleaning (ugh), then a trip to the beach. I’m wearing 4160 Tuesdays Over the Chocolate Shop.
Oh, I”ll join you in the ugh for teeth cleaning, as I’m going to have that done too–in about an hour!
And me three, tomorrow morning. But I also have planned a pedicure later in the morning after the dentist as a treat!
Nice!👍🏻
A lot of us wearing Black Orchid today. It seemed like a good choice here as I woke up to 21 degree weather today. Always smells good to me in the cooler months.
I had to go to the bookstore to get the latest book by Colleen Hoover. Not sure if any of you read her books, but I had to laugh as half the store was carrying around the same book. Also, I figured while I was at it, I might as well get the new John Grisham book. I have more books than I have shelves that’s for sure. One can never have enough books as far as I am concerned.
You smell great!
As do you!
I just read about her in the New York Times…had not heard of her and had no idea she was such a big thing!
At the Barnes and Noble here there is one table just dedicated for her books.
Wearing some 2001 Shalimar Eau de Cologne from the Swapmeet via a generous NSTer.
My only experience w/ Shalimar before MVP and the recent Tonka is the dearly departed Shalimar Light. This cologne is reminding me of the Light version w/ amped powder so far.
I wish they’d kept on doing versions of Eau Legere / Light.
Wearing Rose Cardin today, which is one of those scents that if taken out of its kitschy, Victoria’s Secret-looking bottle and added to a niche line it would get a ton of positive press. A real chypre with good patchouli, kind of a cousin to Agent Provocateur with a slight jammy element.
I do love how much Rose Cardin looks like its launch year, 1990!
In FM Le Parfum de Thérèse in honor of Diorella’s 50th birthday -both are masterpieces by Edmond Roudnitska.
I don’t have any Diorella (other than a sample thanks to a generous NSTer that I don’t want to use up) and since it’s the sister of Eau Sauvage, which I love, I might need to find a FB….
You smell fabulous today, allo. 😊
Thank you Nancyleandros😊
Oh wow, I do have Diorella, and you’ve now helped me decide what to put on later today (after I’m through at the dentist’s)!
Oh good! Do you have a vintage or newish version? In whatever version, you will smell divine!
Ooo good plan. Perhaps I’ll switch to Diorella later once my Shalimar MT is completely gone.
It has finally cooled off a bit here, but still very smoky. I was sad to hear that Larch Mountain, where I have hiked often, is on fire. Errands today, I think, and sausage and peppers for dinner. I’m wearing Safran Troublant.
Safran Troublant is one of the best fall scents in my opinion
Yes, I would second that.
Third!
Sampling Orpheus Incarnate from Curionoir which is so far a really good carnation scent.
Oh, that perked my ears up! They are rare.
So difficult as carnation is not a popular not nowadays
I chose Scent Trunk Treemoss by Maya Njie to pair with my boy Swamp Thing. He’s definitely one of my favorite comic book characters. Bonus: he at times has tubers like sweet potato growing from his body, so he saves you money on groceries. 😆 And Treemoss reminds me of a less intense Dryad. Sometimes the base heavy dose of oakmoss in Dryad is a bit much for me.
It’s hard to see how it’s possible now that I’ve read the Wikipedia page, but I have never heard of Swamp Thing.
Oh, wow. I’m glad to have introduced you to Swamp Thing. 😀
You’re never too old to learn new things!
I’m in Lonesome Rider today for Lee Scoresby in His Dark Materials. I was trying to find something more like a BC forest, for “Sea of Tranquility”, but failed. Guess I’ll just have to go into the BC forest, instead. 🙂
Great pairing!
2nd that, it’s perfect.
I also think that’s a great pairing!
I’m in Hermes 24, Faubourg because this is what utopia smells like. 🥰
The best utopias are the well-heeled ones…
Yes,I can imagine this is what Utopia smells like!
Lovely
It was quite nippy this morning which was thrilling to all the puppy dogs we saw on our walk. I couldn’t decide between Prada Candy, Bottega Veneta and L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme, so I’m reeking out in all three. 😊😂
I can smell you over here!
Hi! 👋🏻
Ha! That’s awesome. I suspect that Candy and BV actually compliment each other.
I’m in my latest purchase of Fendi Furiosa. I have lots of gardening to do but trying to wait for the combo of fog/smoke to improve a bit first. I planted garlic last fall and harvested amazing big juicy bulbs this summer so that’s first on my list to get in the ground again.
Gardening envy!
Garlic tastiness envy!
Do tell more about planting garlic! Can you grow it in a container?
Good question. I’m not sure–this was my first year growing it. I understand that it’s not difficult to grow and puts up with a lot of different soils and situations, but I don’t know the answer about container gardening.
Am in the spine-stiffening No. 19, although I hope this afternoon of participating in safety inspections doesn’t really call for it.
Funny, the CP this week led me to believe that it would be the all-Mugler station on nst. Incorrect, and rather ironic, since my only Mugler is the un-futuristic Supra Floral.
Are you inspecting or being inspected? Because if my inspector was wearing No. 19 I’d be nervous that they are going to find everything tiny issue and grade stringently. On the flip side, if I were inspecting and detected No. 19, I’d give the benefit of the doubt that any issues will be addressed right away, no nonsense. Either is good for you, but I could see your making someone else tremble… 🙂
Good pick for a safety inspection!
Hey we’re twins if you are wearing the EDP!
National Chocolate Cupcake Day! I’ve been eating very badly recently, so I’m on a no-dessert-that-isn’t-fruit week, but I’ll be dreaming of chocolate cupcakes as I eat my persimmons tonight.
I plinked my little sample of Kulfi today finally, but it’s ok! Because my perfumes have been somewhat organized, and I will be able to locate my bottle in a matter of seconds probably!
Also, Robin, I see that you read Lincoln in the Bardo recently, a book I distinctly remember badmouthing here a few years ago and feeling ashamed of disliking. Everyone here was very nice about not judging me for disliking it. So what did you think?
Can you put chocolate or whipped cream on the fruit?
Hahaha, I think that goes against the spirit of the no-dessert week 🙂 but also, I think persimmons are best without any condiments!
I listened to the audiobook of Lincoln in Bardo, and (despite being a George Saunders fan) I think listening to it, rather than reading it, is the only way I could have made it though. Having different actors for each of the characters helped enormously.
Glad to hear that listening to the audio of Lincoln in the Bardo was easier than reading it. I had bought it when it came out because I was a fan of the author, but couldn’t not differentiate the voices/dialogue.
I’ll check it out on Audio, and it another whirl!
I don’t know why you should bother to be ashamed. There are great authors I just can hardly bear (Dickens, for one). It is what it is. And if you are reading for entertainment, you should just read what is entertaining you, right? Even if you are reading for more intellectual reasons, I don’t see why you have to like *every* book or author that other people like, or say is worthy. There are plenty of others, after all.
So I did think Lincoln in the Bardo was a great book, but it was at times tiresome to read, especially late at night. I set it back down when I wasn’t in the mood and read more Agatha Christie, and I bet I finished 4 Christie books while I was working through Lincoln in the Bardo.
Lincoln in the Bardo made me think, and pieces of it will stay with me, unlike the Christies (and mystery books generally) which float through my brain without lingering.
SOTD!
Tam Dao.
Just lovely.
Distant cousin to Iris Poudre’s spectacular drydown,was my thoughts during the day!
SOTE!
The Different Co. Adjatay Cuir Narcotique….this is beautiful.Tuberose/Leather.LoveLove
Oh your sote sounds fabulous!
You should really seek it out for a sniff,it’s beautiful.
I just wore that on Sunday and it really is lovely! One of my desert island perfumes. My mom complimented me once when I was wearing it and it was hours after I couldn’t smell it anymore.
We both smelled MAAARVELOUS!!
I neglected my Diptyque stash for way too long,I really should wear them more often.The ones I have are so well done,I think we forget the classics with all the new-new.
Happy Tuesday!🌹✌🏻🤗
What other Diptyques do you have? I also have Fleur de Peau, and Eau Duelle is on my list when my Vanille Insensee runs out.
I have today off so I went back to bed after I put my daughter on the bus. I didn’t get up until 10:30! I have one more hour of free, do nothing time.
I almost joined the Black Orchid crowd for my sotd. At the last second I chose vintage Cabochard. What a beauty. I am even going to say masterpiece. Leather plus perfumey. Swoon.
I saw about 2 snowflakes last night. I’m still counting it as my official start of winter ( even though it will be 70 later this week. Lol)
Enjoy your day off!
We’re counting the days untill Friday,it’s that kind of week at work!
XO’s
(19:48pm…😉🌹)
Truly a masterpiece and you smell fabulous. Hope you’re still enjoying your free time 😊
Back in my second shift days, I would go back to bed every morning after I got the kids off to school. During those hours is when I would have the most vivid, realistic dreams.
Can’t wait for 70!🌞😎
I had temps in the 30’s (degrees F, not C!) here this morning. Supposed to repeat that tomorrow. Great sleeping weather!
Good for you on sleeping in (close enough) and you smell wonderful!
No CP points for me today, even though I love Ursula LeGuin and speculative fiction in general. It’s a madhouse here, we’re having a new air conditioning system installed after our old one just couldn’t keep up in last summer’s heat. The new one will be SO much more efficient, too!
Today I’m in the dregs of Shalimar MT which I finally tried last night. I didn’t like the baby powder open, but after that blew off, the dry down was lovely, all warm and cozy. Still a hint of cozy going on this morning. I do prefer MVP but MT is pretty darn nice.
I am disgusted that I still have never read Ursula LeGuin, but she is on my list and I will, some day!
Congrats on your new a/c system, I am jealous.
I am wearing vintage Eau d’Hermes by Roudnitska. I started reading Jean Claude Ellena’s L’ecrivain d’odeurs and I had to wear this one , he talks about his creations, his relationship with Roudnitska and mentions that whenever he meets with him, he wears this one. Amazing book,i highly recommend it.
That’s so cool! I just found Rochas Femme recently, and it is in my top 10. Two legends being legendary together, i love it!
Rochas Femme is beautiful!!
Went for Pappillion Bengale Rouge this morning, waited about 30 seconds and then had to wash it off. Not because it isn’t gorgeous and lush and rich, but because my stomach suddenly decided to go on the fritz and it threatened to revolt and ruin the scent for me forever.
I just dabbed a bit of a random local indie oil perfume on top. It is a little piney without any sweetness. Just the right neutralization so my cranky stomach chills out.
Is it Friday yet? 😉
Hope you’re feeling better, nebbe. Friday will be here soon, I can just feel it! 🤗
Boo hiss on the touchy tummy!
Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea Trilogy is one of my favourite books. I can see a lot of incense and green perfumes fitting well, and smoky notes for the dragons, who are very wise creatures. I’m wearing Suleyman le Magnifique from Fort and Manle, it’s got a smoky note that would suit the dragon Orm-Embar.
So glad we do have ULG fans for this CP 🙂
A beautiful fall day but feeling a bit tired, I started to take vitamin C hoping it will do the trick.
I picked Quartz de Molyneux, waving to Jalapeno, I always associate it with Diorella but it’s more easy going, tonight it’s Weil Suki Essence, one favorite cheap thrill.
So Quartz works for you in the fall too? 😉
Oh yes, it performed very well, I was surprised.
I’m in Alkemia’s Old Books and Fresh Flowers. I get neither. I don’t know if I’ll even add it to my freebie pile! Speaking of which, I’m wondering if I should remove what are essentially dregs. What say you?
I would say ditch the dregs. Sometimes they are recoverable, but other times they have gone off in addition to evaporating.
Thank you! None of them are old or off, but they’ve evaporated due to faulty packaging – spray samples all from the same vendor. That being said, most people just don’t want freebies any longer and I’ve had many things sent my way that I don’t want either!
My $.02: if it’s a covetable niche or classic fragrance and there are only a few drops left in a sample vial, I say include it. I’ve been pleased to try a few things that way that would otherwise have been difficult to try. The receiver can always toss if they don’t want them. After all, these are freebies.
Thank you! I think times have changed, and people aren’t as eager as they once were. I certainly have many places and people to pass things along to, but they wouldn’t necessarily have the same appreciation and could be taken aback by a few!
Chilly but bright and sunny today. One of the cats is currently draped over a heat vent. Spooky kitty is definitely a summer person.
Got a call from CVS this morning letting me know that my Rx was ready. So if the pharmacy counter would have been open yesterday when I went, I still would have left empty handed.
SOTD = back in SSS Incense Pure again. Thinking that there might be another travel spray of this in my future along with the Fireside Intense.
Have you ever layered them? I bet they smell good together!
I have not layered them yet, but based on the sniffs I get individually, they would play very nicely together.
Spooky has the right idea!
Now she and Teflon kitty are curled up together on the kitty hot pad.
I’m testing Sana Jardin Celestial Patchouli today, which is basically 80% patchouli and 20% creamy woody notes. I thought I could reverse engineer to match a story for CP points, because celestial! patchouli! — both scream speculative fiction worlds — but nothing has come to mind.
Tea this morning was clipper ship’s coconut cream, and this afternoon is Georgia Tea co.’s snowflake (coconut + almond). I prefer snowflake by a smidge.
How about mixing it with kittens? JK 🤣. How are they?
They are very sweet and absolute crazy. As I type this, Gus, my all-black halloween kitten, is rubbing my ankles and purring so loud that I can feel the vibration. Ten minutes from now he will be chasing his brother Tim all over the house to wrestle. Once they are done wrestling, they will immediately fall asleep and their sister Mel will come over and sit on their heads, where she will fall asleep. An hour later they will wake up, meow for food, and the cycle will repeat. 🙂
I wish I would have gotten a picture of Spooky as a kitten when she would stretch. It was the perfect Halloween cat pose!
Maybe Gus will be easier to photograph?
SOTD = Chanel No.19 EDP
The one and only …
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj3ySDJOniC/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
I forgot to mention, I went to Trader Joe’s yesterday and the pumpkin cream cheese was missing in action (although I did not ask about restocking). Anyway, I consoled myself with getting Pumpkin Ice Cream, so there’s that!
Also, I just started watching Endeavour, a British cop procedural. I am loving it! Available on Amazon Prime because yeah, I am too cheap to subscribe to other streaming channels.
Your picture looks like spring!
I love that pumpkin ice cream! Years (decades) ago, Baskin Robbins used to have the best one, but then they started added pie crust pieces to it and I much prefer pumpkin ice cream without chunks of things in it.
Pretty picture! Is one of those owls new? The “tie dyed” one? 🦉
I love the low level on your 19. Very impressive.