Happy Almost-Friday! Plus, National Scrapple Day, World Freedom Day and Chaos Never Dies Day. Birthdays: Ivan Turgenev, Dorothy Dandridge, Robert Frank, Carl Sagan and Mary Travers. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm commando for a medical appointment this morning. I'll report back with a fragrance later this afternoon.
Reminder: 11/10 is Neil Gaiman's birthday. If you read (or watched) Good Omens, maybe scent Aziraphale or Crowley? Or scent some other favorite Gaiman work, or just wear a fragrance that you think fits any fantasy, science fiction or graphic novel or movie/show of your choice (it doesn't have to be by Gaiman).
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2023, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is The Aspens [cropped] by Sheila Sund at flickr; some rights reserved.
Neil Gaiman’s work: Neverwhere
Character: Hunter
Scent(s): Cuir de Russie/Shalimar
Hunter is a fighter and a bodyguard, but most importantly she hunts dangerous monstrous beasts and is obsessed with killing the Great Beast of London (a boar-like creature). Here are some quotes that describe her:
***
“If you are crossing the bridge, I will go with you,” said a female voice, rich as cream and honey, coming from behind them. Richard was not able to place her accent. He turned, and standing there was a tall woman, with long, tawny hair, and skin the color of burnt caramel. She wore dappled leather clothes, mottled in shades of gray and brown. She had a battered leather duffel bag over her shoulder. She was carrying a staff, and she had a knife at her belt and an electric flashlight strapped to her wrist. She was also, without question, the most beautiful woman that Richard had ever seen.
***
Hunter smelled, not unpleasantly, of sweat, in a way that made him think of great cats in cages at zoos
***
So ideally something leathery, creamy, sweet and animalic. Ambre Fetiche would be good, but I don’t have it anymore. Le Lion would probably be a good match, based on the descriptions and reviews (I have not tried it myself). Eventually I chose Cuir de Russie, because this is the most beautiful leather scent, in my opinion. Later I added a few spritzes of Shalimar for sweetness, creaminess and animalic notes.
Wow, I need to add this book to my “must-read” list! I’m in a reading rut/dry spell, this might be just the ticket!
I really like Neverwhere – the characters, the story, the world-building. I re-read it from time to time.
Need to search out this book! This matches well with my SOTD, Eris Ma Bete.
I am not familiar with this scent, but based on the notes and description, yes, it is another good match.
Again interpreting the fantasy theme broadly, I am wearing vintage Secret de Venus. I would use this to scent the 1948 comedy fantasy film “One Touch of Venus”. It really does smell like something Venus would wear, the lead male character in the film is a window dresser in a department store (where they very probably would have sold Secret de Venus), and besides, with this perfume, one touch/drop is all you need to last for 12+ hours.
How have I never seen that movie?
It’s been a long time since I saw it, but from what I recall, it was fun and worth a watch.
I am wearing Goutal Heure Exquise and enjoying my morning coffee reading love poems , watching the first snow of the season. I am planning to go to an estate sale this afternoon and maybe a visit to the bookstore to get the book that won the Goncourt Prize « veiller sur elle » if it’s not sold out.
Sounds like such a lovely day🌸
Sounds so nice. Hope you find some good things at the estate sale.
Sounds like a wonderful day, good luck book hunting! I usually buy at Gallimard.
Thank you, i will check Gallimard.
I’m wearing Bvlgari Black for the first time in many years. I’ve had a full bottle for over a decade, but when I stopped tolerating vanilla, I got to the point that I just hated the vanilla dry-down in Black. I put a very small amount (for me) on my chest. We’ll see how it goes.
Black is one of my favorites from Bvlgari. I remember it being immediate love for me when I was in a pre-release focus group. And of course, the hockey puck bottle appealed to my goth/steam punk aesthetic. You smell marvelous!
A pre-release focus group — how cool!!
Somehow I am surprised it went through a focus group…would have thought they’d have toned it down more.
Hello all!
I’m in a bit of Boxeuses today, which I think is a bit underrated. I don’t find it particularly leathery but it is a sensuous and tart plum scent on my skin. I just love how retro it can feel.
This is my first day for classes and I’m already tired. Wish me luck!
Have a great day, everyone.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Adding more good luck!
Good luck!🍀
Good luck!
Good luck!
☘️
Hmm, Boxeuse sounds good! Hope your first day of class went well!
Good luck 🍀
You smell great!
Good luck! 🍀🍀🍀
I’m in Sonoma Scent Studio To Dream for the Dream King today. I’ve been commando most of the week since I’ve had to be in the office, but I’m hoping I can get away with it today.
I think we may be twins from 2 different mothers! NO ONE has ever mentioned T Dream except for maybe once or twice many years ago. To Dream was my first favorite from Sonoma Scent Studio and it disappeared quickly from her website way back when. Love it❣️
I’m about halfway through cataloguing all my samples, and fortunately I’ve gotten through the box of SSS samples that I got years ago. I haven’t worn them much lately, so it was nice to have the reminder!
You smell lovely today!
I also have some To Dream! It’s just a small decant and only has about a ml left now so it’s on my shelf of low-fill decants to try and use up soon.
I am in Jo Malone Rose Magnolia today. Layering it with another from the Christmas collection.
Lets be clear, I can’t compete with the smells coming from the kitchen as my in-laws prepare chai tea and other things..
I had a fun evening last night celebrating the centenary of Kahlil Gibran’s works at NYPL. Was a fun event and our new curators first NYPL Live event!
Fragrant hugs to those who need it..
Ohhhh, home made chai! Enjoy!! The Kahlil Gibran event must have been so much fun! I’ve already applied my SOTD (Opium) but now I’m craving something rose-scented, tea? Persian love cake?
The last library event I attended (zoom) was How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America, by Priya Fielding-Singh. It was an excellent book but very sobering topic.
I love Persian love cake! Do you make it? Or buy it?
I’ve had a few times at different friend’s gatherings, and once, at a wedding. I plan to try it for the holidays. It’s so amazingly fragrant it’d be worth all the work.
Your delicious chai! Enjoy your time with them.
Lucky you! Happy Diwali in advance!
Thank you! 🪔
Happy Diwali to you!
And thanks for the perfumed hugs. Always, always appreciated.
Loving the header artwork! We had a cool down overnight finally! Wearing a North Face hoodie and my Thermo -Ball slippers because, Dang it! It’s November!
We’re off to civilization today to do Jalapeño levels of laundry, plus grocery shop and hopefully get T-Rex’s prescription that they told me on Monday would be in the next day and of course was not.
Wearing CSP Café Vanille (or Vanillé Café, I can never remember) today as I enjoy my first cuppa steaming brew. Hope everyone has a good Almost Friday Day!
Glad it’s cooler for you.
Thanks, me too! So sick of hanging inside the camper. The sun was just like an incinerator ☀️🥵
Hope you are able to get your prescription for T-Rex. Have fun doing laundry! Never know, you may meet some interesting people.
9.75 for a double load washer!! 🫨 Walmart told me to call after 3pm to see if the Rx came in…🤞🏼Nah, nobody interesting today except the attendant who’s nice as can be. 😊
😊
9.75!!
Exactly my reaction…water in the SW is very spendy these days…🌵
Got a chuckle from your comment about “Jalapeno levels of laundry”. Especially since we were laundry twins today.
But I did only one load. Washing king-sized sheets is a pain in the bootocks.
Seriously, every bit of clothing, sheets, towels, 15 (!) microfiber wash cloths, T-Rex fleece…couldn’t carry it all in one trip…😅 The whole production left me a bit cranky. But, I did find $40 that must have been shoved in some pocket that I forgot about, so that’s a plus! 💰
Sweet! Found money bonus!
Wearing Naomi Goodsir Iris Cendre to continue with my iris week.
Happy almost Friday! 🌻
You smell so good! I love that one.
Thank you, Allo! Iris Cendre is a beautiful scent!
Ohhh, Iris is lovely.
I might chose Iris 39 from Le Labo for tomorrow’s SOTD. Will have to set a reminder.
Iris 39 is gorgeous! You will smell fantastic tomorrow!
Scent twins–we’re wafting irisy sophistication 😉
Sure we are! 😀
I’m in iris again too. Have not smelled your SOTD, but I am sure it is lovely.
I am sure you smell great in SMI.
Iris Cendre is a dry, smoky iris and tobacco scent. Lovely and interesting.
You do love your Iris!
😊
In (testing) Cape Heartache, which for its forest, fruit, and resinous overtones I am linking to Parable of the Sower–the very end as the Acorn community is being established.
For some reason, Cape Heartache just felt too masculine. I guess I am more the floral gal. It is a nice scent though, just not for me.
Inspired by PriscillaE to wear Bvlgari Black since I don’t reach for it enough.
And it just so happens that I found out last night that my “little” brother (he’s 30 and I was 33 when he was born) has a girlfriend named Priscilla! I’m so excited because he is very shy and has had a hard time meeting new people so this relationship is opening new territory for him❤️
That’s so nice.
That’s neat!
Awwwwww. That’s sweet.
Good morning all, my SOTD is vintage Opium (edt and a dab of extrait).
I am definitely wafting spices and resins! But I need a chai tea after LTSG’s post!
It was 52 degrees in our apartment when we woke up, a tad too chilly for me! Stay warm out there!
You smell wonderful today!
It was 4C here (40F) this morning here and I’m wondering when spring will kick in. Sharing a blanket with you!
Passing you a virtual cup of Chai
Thank you! I dearly miss a local vendor who made his from scratch. It was worth the drive to Half Moon Bay for a cup.
You smell fabulous!
During the Covid lockdown, when travel was restricted to ‘ essential’ , Neil Gaiman made the newspaper headlines here and in Scotland for leaving his home in NZ and flying to his other home in Skye (17000km away) to get a bit of space from his wife. I am matching with Jo Malone Melancholy Thistle.
I had to look up Skye
It’s a beautiful place in every respect
I can relate.
As can I.
Oh, had forgotten that! And now they’re divorcing.
And I wonder if they still own Bob Dylan’s Woodstock home or if that went in the divorce…
We visited Skye in about 2007ish. It had always been on my list as I had read several books set there. Absolutely loved it.
Ok, claiming points today as follows:
Someone mentioned Ray Bradbury yesterday, which made me remember Fahrenheit 451 which is about books, and I have a sample of Commodity Book I’ve been wanting to try, so that’s my sotd.
Perfect thinking, ringthing!
Paris-Riviera again, cooling down more here, time to get some sweatshirts. Just glad I am not up north anymore where it’s freezing lol.
We had a high of 68 today!
I’m in Dryad today, and rather matching today’s image! Frosty gorgeous morning and what Winnie the Pooh would call “a bothering sort of day” ahead of me — too many errands and meetings.
Hope all the bother is over by now Isabella!
Femme by Rochas today, breaking out the Ovaltine because I’m a granny in spirit. My birthday is this weekend and I’m going to a restaurant I’m excited about and might buy myself a fancy little cake.
Happy early Birthday!
Happy birthday for the weekend!
Happy birthday! Isn’t Ovaltine the best?😋
Eat the cake..or the fancy cake
Have a great birthday weekend!
I vote yes on the fancy cake! Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!🎂
Yay – happy birthday this weekend! And definitely yes to the fancy cake.
Happy birthday 🎂 this weekend. Enjoy the little cake!
Happy birthday Desirae! We are nearly twins…mine is tomorrow. And despite the fact that I am likewise a granny in spirit, my mom is making me a chocolate cherry cake as requested.
Happy Birthday wishes early! And yes, get the fancy cake! 🎂
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!
Chiming in super late, but birthday triplets with you and Robin–mine is on Sunday!
Hello.
Sotd is TF Café Rose.
I have been making lots of pumpkin spice lattes but I am starting to feel a little festive and am tempted to start making peppermint lattes.
I like Cafe Rose so I know you smell great.
I know the pumpkin spice lattes and the peppermint ones are both popular. I try to stick with the skinny lattes to avoid some of the calories, but the others are certainly tasty.
I ask to make it skinny by using half of the syrup and non-fat milk…but still always with whipped cream because they have essentially zero calories.
Back to my staple lately with Shalimar MI. I am not sure what is drawing me to this so much. The only thing I can think of is that I have been trying to find something with a little vanilla in it that I could tolerate. Maybe this is it. Not sure, but that’s ok.
Whatever it is, you smell fabulous!
Have you tried it? I have never been a Shalimar person so I don’t really get why I like this so much.
If you like it that much, it’s a win-win all the way around. I thought I disliked rose notes until I found one that definitely has rose but only as supporting actor. I think it was you who bought a BUB of MI? If so, smart thinking because you will be enjoying some vanilla for years.
Yes, I did get a BUB. How are you liking it? I know you had to wait a while to get it until you got to Santa Fe or some town in New Mexico.
Oh, I like it a lot, but I like MVP more.😍
Never got to try that one, but I am sure it is beautiful too.
Happy that your blind buy turned out so well!
Thanks. I have had good and bad luck with blind buys, but this one turned out well.
Shalimar is the queen!
It’s the end of another week here – already! I’m wearing 1000, a lovely rich floral. It’s a while since I read much by Neil Gaiman, but I’m sure there are characters who would suit this.
Absolutely.
Apples from Kent and yogurt smoothie
Sunshine and showers today. L’Occitane Eau d’Iparie this morning, one of my acquisition last month, I love it and tonight it’s Habanita, modern version as I save my vintage version a little bit, they are both excellent anyway.
*acquisitions
I have the Habanita 100th year anniversary bottle. Having never smelled the vintage, I will say it is excellent.
It must be a beautiful bottle.
Eau d’Iparie is supposed to be one of the best incense perfumes that I have never tried.
Yes, it’s lovely and to my nose different from my other incense perfumes.
For some reason my morning eye appt has been filled with way too much drama, albeit minor drama unrelated to the eyes.
Now sprayed on Dzing! and happy to be home.
Hope your day gets better.
Thanks, just parking and then insurance drama.
Sorry springpansy!
Ugh, insurance drama blows rancid chunks.
Ugh insurance, yay Dzing!
I’m not feeling CP inspired today so I decided to join PL67 in an iris scent, Atelier’s Silver Iris.
Very nice.
My wedding scent. :-). You smell lovely!
You smell great!
You smell fantastic!
Beautiful!
I got to change out my diamond nose stud yesterday for a tiny little silver hoop with a diamond chip. Had to wait seven months for it to heal before I could get it done.
Have interview this afternoon for a role that really interests me and even though its’ hybrid, it is very close to where I live.
Nordstrom has most of its’ fragrances on sale today. I mean pretty much all the lines are 15% off-
SOTD today will be Victoria Beckham sample 3 – Portofino something. Yesterday was Room 27? and I really enjoyed it.
Did you sample these at Nordstrom’s? I didn’t see them at my tiny local Nordies.
I got the samples with an order I placed on the VB website. I like some of her makeup products.
I was surprised at the Nordstrom’s perfume sale as well!
Hope that your interview this afternoon went well!
Wearing Tonka Impériale as I needed something soothing and familiar.
Hugs! Hope all is well.
Thanks, it’s been a rough go for the past week but I’m hoping over time my emotions will settle down.
Hang in there, amiga.
Sending more hugs, since I missed commenting on your post over the weekend.
I’m wearing Angel Muse.
Foxbins, wondering if you are keeping your purple hair or once was enough?
I still have half a bottle of dye. I’ll do it again someday when I’m in the mood. Probably when it’s warm again, because I rinsed it with the garden hose so I wouldn’t have to clean the bathroom tile.
Smart move.
I learned from the best!
Diptyque Tempo today. Haven’t worn this one in a while and forgot how damn good it is. 🥰
Diptyque Tempo *is* damn good!
Tempo is excellent. The juice inside my bottle is the regular color but all the decants have somehow turned neon green with no impact to the juice smell.
Was commando-for-dr-appt twins with Robin this morning, but now I’m back (with only one new hole in me —yay dermatology!) and am about to go select a scent for the remainder of my day. Hopefully the anomaly the doc removed was what I think it was (a reaction to a stabbing by an especially sharp Atlas spruce needle while gardening) and not something worse.
Fingers crossed you get good news about what the dermatologist removed!
I hope you get good news!
🤞for good news!
Kind of gloomy weather here today. Plenty of clouds hanging around. Not looking forward to the predicted cold snap for the weekend. At least I got a decent night’s sleep last night. 😉
SOTD = commando, except for Korres Grecian Gardenia in the usual spots.
It was indeed yucky today! I was quite productive that I went to Costco. It doesn’t matter when one goes to Costco because it is crowded no matter what. Next time I should just go when it first opens…
I think 11am on a Tuesday or Wednesday is one of the least crowded times to do a Costco run. At least, that’s been my experience at 2 different locations. YMMV, of course.
Happy to hear you slept well.
Definitely felt much more like myself today.
Yay for sleep.
SOTD = Sonoma Scent Studio To Dream
ockeghem inspired me to wear this and of course, it also fit with my Neil Gaiman Lucifer reference as somehow the entire show felt like a dream. Anyway, I love this one. It was hard to come by and what you see on IG is all I have left of this beauty!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CzcZLHaxExT/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Poll Worker Observations:
1. We were down by two poll workers, but somehow we made it work! We should be at 9.
2. There were perhaps 350 or so voters, a handful of whom were first time voters so we chose to celebrate them by clapping 👏 when they were done.
3. Somehow, we had to issue Provisional ballots to ~ 32 people, and this is quite unusual. Half of them don’t recall getting them and the rest recalled getting them and decided to just vote in person. Good practice for next year.
4. Weird – so this one woman came in and provided her Driver’s License which made looking her up a breeze. There were 2 places to sign. The first one was the “Authority to Vote” coupon and the other one was online. When I looked on the screen, the signature was too different for me to pass it. We ended up issuing her a provisional. My suspicion is that she voted for her mom previously or the poll upload picked up the wrong signature. What were the chances?
5. Outrageous – one woman came in close to the end of the voting time (they had until 8pm) and announced that she was only there because her dad made her do it. She refused to provide her driver’s license (as is her right) and she went to 4 of us to try to search for her. Finally, on the 4th try, she said that oh maybe look her up under a different name! She came up under the different name and her first name was different from how she spelled it. Anyway, when she was advised that her name was different, she said the poll book was wrong. Really? Anyway, we should just ask her to provide an ID to prove she was who she said she was but by then we were too exhausted to do that for her. I’m convinced it was the right voter but she probably had a bad day at work and/or just had a fight with her spouse (or dad/mom) and/or she was a B which rhymes with witch. 🤦🏻♀️
Re: #5.. I think she was just the last option. Lol.
Gotta agree with lillyjo re: your #5.
So you didn’t get scared off by your experience? 😉
My Son started to not feel well last night, and now I feel unwell. Mostly cold symptoms.
I wore Dior Dolce Vita today, because I wanted to feel pretty.
I’m hoping to be in bed very shortly.
I hope the crud leaves as quickly as it came. 🤞🏼
There is definitely “something” going around. I felt cruddy and rundown for about 3 days recently and had a bit of a cough. But it left as quickly as it appeared.
Hope the same happens for you and your son.
I’ve been hearing that from various sources too. One of the things about the pandemic lockdown was that we all stayed cold- and flu-free … and now all those germs are finding new homes. Grrr.