Rabbit rabbit rabbit! Welcome to December. It’s also World AIDS Day and Rosa Parks Day. Birthdays: Rex Stout, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor. Our community project: wear a fragrance that will bring you peace, joy or good luck for the month.
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I'm aiming for a month of comfort, in Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Butterbeer.
Reminder: on 12/8, we're off to Spain! Wear a perfume that is named for a place in Spain, or that reminds you of a (real or imaginary) trip to Spain, or that features an Spanish ingredient, or ?
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: the Felt Bunny Ornament ("This little felt bunny ornament is wrapped in a green scarf to stay warm and holds a glittering star. Handcrafted of soft felt, this Christmas ornament is ready to add a playful woodland charm to your holiday") is $13.99 at Pigment.
Joy is when you look for a specific scent and find one you didn’t remember you had. Today I’m wearing Bandit. Oh, the galbanum joy!
Ohhhh! Bandit! I adore that perfume! You smell marvelous. 🙂
Yum!
Yes, oh joy!
❤️ galbanum! You smell great!
I am house twins with Robin in DSH December. I find that this scent really does match its name very well.
December 1 also means that I finally get to start my advent calendars today. I picked up a coffee advent calendar at Target (on sale!) and I already had purchase one with liquor-filled chocolates and an Exit escape game advent calendar.
Enjoy your calendars! They’re so much fun. When we were in Germany in October we were astonished at the sheer number of advent calendars available, hundreds of titles — every bookstore and department store had them.
I didn’t get one this year: I’ve gotten an Inkvent calendar (25 little bottles of fountain-pen ink) for the last few years but opted out of this year’s because I really do have enough ink to last me forever. I can still enjoy them vicariously on the r/fountainpens Reddit sub: today’s is Fortune’s Gold, a greenish gold with shimmer.
I have not seen any advent calendars in the stores here except for the coffee calendar that I bought, and maybe a few of the type with little bits of chocolate. That doesn’t surprise me about Germany, since advent calendars were invented there. Did you buy any of them? If it had been me, I probably would have gotten at least a half a dozen of them to supply myself for the next several years. I really wanted a traditional advent calendar–the type where you open a door each day to find a small picture. I do have a few of that type, but I have reused them so many times that there is no surprise left, so I am giving them a rest this year. I got the NM calendar, but since it is only 12, not 24 or 25, I am going to use it as a “12 days of Christmas” calendar, opening one each day starting on December 25.
pyramus, you opened the world of special ink to me some time ago when you mentioned inkvent! I have not fallen down that rabbit hole, but I am glad you reminded me of it again. I strive for a nice cursive hand, but real calligraphy is beyond me. My Mother was excellent at it!
Rabbit rabbit rabbit!
I’m wearing Parfum d’Hermès extrait, which has brought me joy for decades, and I trust it will do the same for the coming month. It’s so rich and lush and complex, warm as a fur-lined coat, to my mind one of the greatest scents that was ever created.
There are certain perfumes that just transport you and provide endless enjoyment. Amazons fills that bill for me.
Oh, yes — Amazone is magical and timeless. I have all three concentrations from different eras (extrait from the seventies, EDT from the eighties, and EDP from about 2000), and I can see how it would be that one scent that never pales, that’s always what you want.
Nice! I have some of each and they are so enjoyable. I’m completely surprised at this, but the newer version isn’t bad, it’s lighter and more fizzy.
🐰🐰🐰!
Joy is when you discover something new and you love it and get compliments the whole day!
JHaG Ode to dullness.Anything but dull!
Happy Friday,I’m so glad this week is over!
XO’s
So glad you found a new love JB, hope the weekend is fantastic!
Entirely forgot about the rabbits today, I was doing the Candle Day sale at Bath and Body Works. Wearing Eau Premiere today.
What did you buy?
I got 2 Paris Café, 1 each of Pure Wonder, Sweet Whiskey and Champagne Toast. I wasn’t really feeling Winter or Vailla Bean Noel and I already have a million single wicks of those.
Well, this is the first time I remembered the rabbits and said it numerous times so I have a set for you.
I do not need anymore candles from BBW so hopefully I won’t find myself wandering out there today. However, some of the ones you purchased sound awfully good.
I am wearing Joy in the hopes that it will bring joy and peace in December and in the New Year.
I will go to my favourite Christmas market tonight with my sister, looking forward to that.
Nice choice, you smell great.
Have fun at the Christmas market! I miss a lot of fun stuff in Montréal due to not being there in the winter.
Perfect choice for the CP plus it smells so beautiful.
Joy is sure to bring you joy! One of the loveliest scents ever made.
Enjoy the evening with your sister. You smell so good!
Enjoy the Christmas market!
In Eau Premiere for a cheerful, peaceful scent bubble.
Since we’re all about niche around here, Cure fans check out this Dinosaur Jr cover of Just Like Heaven, which I recently stumbled across:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsfuN7kefE&list=RDPBsfuN7kefE&start_radio=1
Scent twins!
I should of joined you in Eau Premeir – that would of been great for the library today
Thanks for the music!
I adore Eau Premiere, it reminds me of Tama B., it was the version of No. 5 she loved best.
No. 5 is a holiday favorite, my first gift from a boy. I’m scentless so far today, I may dab some vintage EDC post gym.
I actually remembered my rabbits for the first time in forever. Of course when I say that word, the dog perks up her ears and looks around excitedly – she loves chasing rabbits. 🙂
I’m wearing PoTL Luctor et Emergo.
Aww! 🐶
I remembered too, for once! And you picked the perfect scent, maybe I will wear that tomorrow.
Our dog knew that word too!😂 She was a yellow lab and actually caught one once. I think she shocked herself because then she didn’t know what to do with it.
My last female caught several squirrels. I don’t know what she would have done with them as I made her drop them right away.
Squirrel-catching is top-level, even in play! They are wiley.
That’s too funny! Our first dog had a great nose, and when we saw him sniffing at a certain spot under our shrubs, we checked it out and discovered that a momma bunny had dug her nest there. We had to put up a makeshift fence around it so they would survive him.
I didn’t get there quickly enough. I was there, letting her sniff and dig. A baby bunny was dangling in her mouth! On Easter!
Lord, craziest Easter ever.
Ack! I hope she dropped it. 🐇😮
She did. She was just trying to play. It just went sideways and we spent Easter finding a wildlife rehabilitation place.
Scent twins, earlier today.
Rabbits!
I wanted to smell like the library so I am in Black Saffron today for volunteering my time there later today.
I woke up feeling really blah! Thank goodness perfume is a mood lifter..and coffee too
Another scent I would of picked for today is Shalimar, Angels Share, or a Tom Ford
I’m with you! Perfume and Coffee are instant mood lifters!
Never thought of it, but yes: saffron *is* a library note!! Good catch!
Wearing Fenty this morning, but if I’d gone with the community project it likely would have been Donna Karan Gold. Maybe I’ll wear that tonight.
Gold is a perfect scent for December joy…
Rabbit x 3!
Joy is having the exact perfume that fits the mood of the day. Sotd is Babycat. Delicious, plush vanilla and the name is adorable.
Went to the chiropractor for the first time and boy, am I glad I did, because my spine is in all the wrong angles. That explains the stiff neck and super tense muscles. It was a kinda painful 90mins but I felt so much better afterwards. I will be seeing him again next week.
Oh good!!
A good chiropractor crunch feels amazing afterwards, doesn’t it?
🐰🐰🐰I finally remembered them and lots of them so I have plenty of sets for others.
Even though my birthday isn’t until the end of the month, I’m feeling old today as I officially started on Medicare.
SOTD has already brought me much joy and continues to do so will wear Shalimar MI.
Ha, I consider myself old because I am looking forward to Medicare and my first response to your comment was congratulations!
Me too! Looking forward to 65 for that reason alone.
I still have several years to go until Medicare, but I am sure I will look forward to 65 when it gets closer. At my job (from which I recently retired) the minimum age to retire and get a pension was 55, so the day I turned 55 I was all smiles at work. From that day on, I would tell myself that I was only staying on because I chose to, not because I had to. Fifty-five was also the age I was when we got our mortgage paid off, which was another requirement for me to consider retiring.
I have to admit I was glad to go on it because I retired at 62 and have had to pay for health insurance for a few years that was fairly expensive. That means I can save some money or just buy more perfume😉
Welcome to the club! 🧓🏻
Thanks Ann😊
Yay for remembering the rabbits and your happy-making SOTD!
Woohoo, congratulations! I’d retire as early as possible if I could figure out the health insurance.
My husband flew home from Bangkok yesterday and gifted me the airline amenity kit which includes Penhaligons Luna hair mist so I’m wearing that. It’s really nice, a blousy lemony sugar cologne. I can imagine it would do the trick on a 10 hour flight. I will have to look up the perfume version, as it might be nice for summer, though the 10C outside barely calls for light and refreshing. Off to the gardens in a minute. The big linden trees will be flowering soon but the sweetest scent at the moment are the cabbage trees, with their big clusters of flowers. The birds love them.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/features/109673837/cabbage-trees-more-productive-than-predictive
What cool looking trees — the blooms are spectacular. Nice picture here too:
https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/bloomin-beauties
https://www.nzbutterflies.org.nz/species-info/cabbage-tree-moth/
They have a beautiful moth as well. Perfectly camouflaged on the trunk.
I am not generally a fan of moths but I do admit that is beautiful!
Yes to the scent of cabbage trees! I only recently realised what a lovely scent they have. There are a lot near me growing down a bank below the road, and they have now reached nose height for passers-by.
Those are spectacular! Would you be able to describe their scent at all?
It’s very sweet, almost like Christmas lily or Easter orchids ( or azaleas/ rhododendron). Fresh and sugary
Nice! Must be beautiful, wafting in the air.
I did remember my rabbits on the way to the bathroom this morning but thought it was Wednesday. I’m not very reliable! Oh well. 🙃
Wearing Kalemat today for peace. I love this from start to finish and all the in-betweens…it reminds me of my dad.
When I was about five he decided to kick the cigarette habit and took up pipe smoking, like a good Irishman should! Don’t ask about the logic, because there is none. It’s just the way it was ‘70s. Everyone was smoking something. Before the days of CNN, the parents watched the local Chicago news, then the national news, then the international news. Followed by 20/20 or 60 Minutes if it was the right day. I found all this very boring and would climb up on the couch and wedge myself between the back of the couch and underneath his arm, put my ear to his chest, nose wide open, and huff second-hand pipe smoke. I’d just close my eyes and float on clouds of great smelling tobacco. I had no clue about all the “news” of course but loved hearing when he and my mom were discussing something. With my ear to his chest, all I heard was this quiet deep rumbling, couldn’t understand the words and never cared to. Total peace in my book! So, here’s to my dad and his pipe smoking ways, which made great memories for me. 🥰
Have a great weekend, peeps!
I love that story! I had an uncle who smoked a pipe when I was growing up, and I always loved the smell.
I think if you’re going to smoke, then a pipe’s the way to go. If I was still a smoker, I would probably try it myself.
I love this story too! My dad also smoked a pipe in the late 70s, early 80s. The smell of the pipe tobacco bags was so good!
Wasn’t it wonderful?! ☺️
Such sweet memories, my father was a pipe smoker too.
If you’re going to do it, a pipe’s the way to go, imo. 🙃
Aww, I love this story! It made me smile…and then tear up.🥹
Aww! I love going down memory lane, especially around the holidays. I am very grateful for those good childhood memories. It’s important to dig them out occasionally to keep perspective balanced. 😊
Aww, love this story!
Thanks. And all these years later, I wish I was still as oblivious to the news…😵💫
What a lovely memory!
Thanks, we all have them tucked away somewhere. Gotta air them out once in a while to enjoy all over again.
What a beautiful and evocative memory you’ve shared with us here! Thank you.
When I was in college the professors still smoked in their offices and in the classroom, and I did have a slight crush on a handsome, tweed-coated psychology professor who always had the most gorgeously scented pipe tobacco. I have no idea what kind it was, but he simply epitomized the ideal of “professor” to me.
Then in graduate school I had a nasty male professor in a seminar situation who always used foul language and smoked nasty cigars. I stuck it out for about two weeks and then quit the class and avoided him thereafter.
I think you did the right thing regarding that nasty foul mouthed cigar smoking dude! 👍🏼As for the pipe smoker, I don’t think anyone gets through college without a “professor crush.” I’m sure a few of your students crushed on you! 🎓
That’s a really good memory, Deva. My dad switched from cigarettes to a pipe, too. I wonder if it was a “thing” back then.
It might have been a “thing.” I’m not sure when healthcare providers really started to rev up the anti-tobacco campaign, but it probably was late 60’s and early 70’s?
I think it was later than that. When I started my nursing career in 1981, we were still smoking in the hospital. I knew a doctor who put his cigarette out right before he got on the elevator. I was still smoking then too.
Yep, 1988 I knew a pulmonologist who smoked and wore bucketfuls of cologne to try to hide that fact. But, I think ads against smoking and and official “tobacco is dangerous” started earlier much earlier IIRC. Smokers just never paid attention.😆 Had an elderly friend who had breast cancer in the 90’s, had the mastectomy and chemo mix and survived without recurrence for some 20 odd years. To the day she died she denied that anyone spoke to her about smoking being dangerous. I find that hard to believe, but she insisted…🤷🏻♀️
What a lovely memory! I never knew anyone who smoked a pipe, but I have always loved the smell.
It’s wonderful! And I have to find my 15ml of SSS Tabac Aurea, another great tobacco perfume..!
That is a great story!
Thanks, he was a good man, which I’m not saying as his daughter but as an objective observer. When I went to Ireland in 2016, I met a lady who had gone to school with him. It was a one room schoolhouse situation, so all ages together. Anyway, she was very young and he was in his teens, so they only brushed elbows for about a year before he left school. She told me some AMAZING stories! I mean, I was astounded! Not only that she remembered him after all those years, but the detail in which she remembered was really, just mind blowing. She gave me such a gift because it was a memory of my dad that I never witnessed, but know to be true.
Very cool 😎
Aww….🩵
That is so cool!
Beautiful story, Deva.😢. My dad smoked a pipe, too. He died suddenly when I was 14 and my mom gave most of his things away, including his pipe collection. I’d give anything to have just one as a remembrance.
Oh, I’m sorry! Losing a parent is always devastating but being so young..! The only thing that I have of my dads is his gold 25 year firefighter badge he got when he retired. My mother was going to throw it away! The best part of your dad you already have though, right? He’s a part of you and he gave you some great memories to treasure. Memories are the BEST because they can’t be lost, stolen, or thrown away. ☺️
Thanks for sharing, Deva!
You have a knack for telling good stories Deva.
I’m going for Joy and December today with Erik Kormann Eau de Fröhliche No. 2, or as I call it, the cat butt bottle, which brings me joy each time I use it.
No rabbits today; I remembered them after I asked the spouse what his schedule was today. Oh well. Taking today off to use up personal days, but it turns out I don’t have as much to do as I thought I would. Picking up a gingerbread house kit from a bakery is all I have on the agenda.
Some days you need a *not a lot to do today* day. Enjoy the extra day off!
I have an extra set of rabbits for you.
How is Ockeghem Teen doing today?
She’s back to school and doing fine, though I think she enjoyed two days of sleeping in. I assume her back isn’t fractured as we’ve heard nothing back about the x-rays. Thanks for asking!
I’m back from my trip to SE Asia. Back a couple of days ago but I’ve been pretty jet lagged and out of it. We had a really great time, mostly eating and hanging out with extended family I haven’t seen since before the pandemic. And much to my relief, we didn’t get sick during the trip.
Big thanks to MissGoldsmith for the mobile passport control travel trip! It saved us a lot of time on our return, my husband was mightily impressed.
The jet lag has made me a bit nauseous, so I have been commando for a few days. I did remember to rabbit since I was awake more than asleep for most of the night, ha! If I were to wear a scent for the CP today, I would pick Safran Troublant. I feel most lucky to have a purchase a bottle of this before it got discontinued.
It sounds like you had a great time.
Welcome back! Hope you get over the jet lag and nauseousness soon!
Welcome back! Rest up.
Yay!! Glad the tip paid off.
So glad you had a great time on your trip! May you recover quickly, and enjoy Safran Troublant for real soon.
Glad to have you back!
Glad you had a wonderful trip and a safe return. Hope those warm memories brighten your days for a long time!
As much as I love to travel, jet lag ALWAYS gets me and I pretty much now refuse to travel to Asia. I hope it fades fast for you!
Welcome back! Jet lag can be brutal. I don’t blame you one bit for taking it easy.
Just scented a birthday card for a friend with several of my rose fragrances. They definitely bring joy (literally JOY) so I’m going with “Everything is coming up Roses!” for the CP
Nice.🌹
What a nice thing to do!!
Great idea!
Very nice🌹
Awwwwwwwwwwww!
I remembered my rabbits when I first woke up this morning. I have had 3 nights of excellent sleep. Hopefully I’m on a roll.
In Eau Premiere again, it was my SotD yesterday too. Waiting for some samples to arrive from STC today, according to tracking they are out for delivery.
Rant ahead, you may want to avert your eyes.
When my older daughter graduated from college last December, she came home and started researching graduate programs that she wanted to apply to. One of her top 2 picks was the university literally a skip, hop, and jump from our front door. She has been waiting for a decision to her spring admission (so starting in January) application since May. May!!! She has repeatedly reached out to her contact/program coordinator and these attempts have been met with delays, excuses and unresponsiveness. She finally heard back from her this week only to find out that after 6 months of waiting they STILL have not made a decision and will review spring applications for a start date of next summer OR fall.😤 I am beyond irate. What an incredible waste of time, energy and the cost of the application fee. I told my daughter that if this is any indication on how they run their program, then she doesn’t want to be there any way.
On the bright side, she got into her other top pick and will be starting next month. To attend here and live at home would have been a huge financial advantage but alas it was not meant to be. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and I’m sure she will thrive where she’s going.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for listening, rant over.🤣
Sorry about all the frustration, but I believe in things happening for a reason. Wishing her every success!
Thanks cazaubon! Me too, I think she’ll be very happy where she’s going. (I’ll just miss her☺️)
You smell wonderful! I feel your pain. I work at a university, the delays are felt everywhere, everything seems amiss.
I hope they can straighten things out and she gets an answer soon. This is very frustrating for you both, I’m sure. Sending warm (scented) hugs. 🙂
Thanks ST! A big part of the frustration was hearing back from her one pick within 2 months and then nothing from the other. Ideally she would have liked to have picked between the two, but she also wanted to get registered, secure housing etc and just couldn’t keep waiting.
Yes, absolutely! There are so many moving pieces and if it’s in another state, even more so!
I agree with you about the graduate program sounding very disorganized and that it doesn’t bode well for the experience. I hope she will have a good experience at the other choice. With a motivated candidate, things have a way of working out wherever the student goes.
Thanks Zephyr2! I think so too, she’s very excited to get started.
Oh, that sounds really slow and disorganized, even for a university. They can be a real pain when it comes to HR matters (tenure and promotion decisions routinely take 18 months, which boggles my mind), but usually they’re on it with admissions, unless the department is coming apart / losing funding / unsure they can take students.
Yeah, there must be something going on within the department. The statistics for her particular program are available to the public, and last year 18 students applied and 6 were admitted, so it’s not like they’re looking through tons of admissions. She was first told they were meeting to review applicants in September, then October….now this.😏
That’s crazy! Who would want to wait around that long to find out? They’ll lose all their good candidates. Oh well, I hope she likes the other program.
It IS crazy! Absolutely inexcusable in my book.
Sorry that the second school/program can’t seem to get its proverbial act together. Best of luck to Gradtowngirl!
Thanks Jalapeno!
Frozen mango, fresh apples and yogurt smoothie
I picked rather randomly today, Iris Nobile Sublime, no clue how this flanker differs but it smells good. Tonight I felt like rose and patchouli, so it’s Rouge Nocturne which I really enjoy, I never tried Voleur de roses but figure it smells similar.
The smoothie sounds delicious! Have you tried Sugar Bee, Opal, or Lady Alice apples?
Seems there’s a bountiful apple harvest this year and lots of tasty varieties are available.
Thank you, these varieties are all new to me, what pretty names but then I live in the UK, I rely on local varieties from Kent, Gala and Kanzi – Nicoter in particular, they both are good eating apples.
A frozen mango smoothie sounds delish! Made my mouth water reading about it. 😋
SOTD is Chanel No. 5 EDC vintage. It reminds me of the holidays, my first romantic love and loved ones gone by.
It’s chilly, I’m working from home today, I was up at 5:15, did pilates and mobility exercises before I cracked open the work computer. Enjoying a cup of lemon/ginger tea with honey, my throat feels not quite right and this will help. I am craving Coconut/curry/chicken soup.
December 1 is a reminder of seasons changing and new beginnings are around the corner. I do love this time of year, and enjoy the peace and stillness.
In other local (SF/Bay area) news, apparently the local animal shelter captured a female beaver, which no one has seen in many years. She was dehydrated and is getting IV fluids but this is quite exciting.
Oh, and I’m driving myself crazy with the King Arthur Flour baking catalog. I want all the pretty shiny things!
It is very cool. I looked at one a while back.
Fortunately, we have pretty good local grocery stores and markets, so things like rose water and orange blossom water and the like are pretty easy to find (and not expensive).
We have beaver up here in the North Bay, but I’ve yet to see one. Apparently we also have *porcupines*, which I’d hardly believe except that I’ve seen the wildlife camera footage with my own eyes!
I have always wanted to see a porcupine in person!
I saw a porcupine in the wild in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming.
It gave me the dirtiest look I have ever received from any sentient creature as it walked away.
Ha, what a grumpy porcupine!
Be careful with porcupines and doggies! I’ve watched too much Dr. Pol and Critter Fixers, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
I grew up in farm country (eastern Long Island), I knew a vet very similar to Dr. Pol. We had all manner of critters!
I saw one in Québec a few years ago. Bigger than I expected!
I just heard the beaver was 61 lbs! 😯 I had no idea they grew that big!
Oh yeah they can be huge!
I was very shocked to hear about a beaver lodge built in my very suburban town in NJ. And had to see it with my own eyes in order to believe it.
They are cute, but apparently, also stinky. Which I wonder what that is like as musk as a favorite perfume note!
Beavers! We definitely have them up here (well, we should, as it’s a national symbol). They seem to be a theme this week: Neko Case just posted on her Substack this week about how excited she was to find that beavers have finally moved onto her farm and have built a lodge. Beavers are pretty cool.
Hello
Having a pretty bad time at the moment.:(
Probably going to put on Paris-Riviera.
I have a question, does anyone know, where to get perfume bottles made and ordered from a drawing design?
Sympathy 🪔
I am sorry for your tough times – don’t know what it could be, but I do worry that memories and or expectations surrounding the holidays might give extra pressure that should be viewed askance. I have never seen custom perfume bottles advertised! Our town has a glassmaker’s studio. Depending on how many you needed, maybe you can find a local glass artist who could help? Also, house twins in Allure.
So sorry, Omega. I hope your troubles are fleeting.
If someone can provide that service, I think they will be back ordered shortly. 😊
Sending 🤗 🤗 your way and hope that the bad time will end soon and you will be the stronger for having endured and persevered.
Hugs Omega.
Sending hugs, I hope things smooth out soon.
Adding to the hug pile and sending you wishes of comfort.
Adding hugs as well. Hope your issues are resolved quickly.
I don’t know what my perfume choices might be for today, my latest order of samples arrived from Fragrance and Art. They are in Sweden and I do love getting packages from exotic parts of the world 🙂 .
Oh fun! And that store has such a nice selection.
I’m wearing Muscs Kublai Khan because it does bring me peace and joy. I think it smells like Christmas, the sweaty wise men and the animals and the manger. I remembered rabbits after I fed the cats, does that count? It was pretty soon after I got up.
Lol to your sweaty wise men! I always assume the rabbits count as long as they’re the first thing I say aloud in the morning, even if I’ve already been up for a bit and made coffee, like this morning.
Blast from the past! I need to revisit that one.
I also was amused by the “sweaty wise men” reference. Thanks for a bit of much needed levity!
Beautiful day here. Wearing a sample of Tihota. It really is a lot like BBW Vanilla Bean Noel. There is definitely something to be said for straightforward vanilla but, ouch, the price!
I have a sample of Tihota in the sample queue – thank you for the review.
Literal online queue (ok, yes, I almost used literal digital which would have been weirder) or you already have a sample and its time to be sampled is coming?
It is a sample whose sample time is coming. 😸🏺
Rabbits all around–I am looking for joy all month. With my birthday just a few days away, I am wearing Ineke’s Field Notes From Paris because I always want to be in France on my birthday. Sadly, not this year, but I will enjoy this holiday season no matter where I go….hope all of you do, too!!
Happy Scented Birthday in advance! I hope you do something wonderful to mark the occasion.
Great pick for your birthday!
Happy early Birthday!
As I’m writing this I’m wearing Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit and sipping on Harney & Sons Nutcracker blend tea with a splash of oat milk. You’d think I like Christmas, but you’d be wrong. At least I like the perfume and tea.
This will be SOTD tomorrow!
I wavered between Rahat Loukoum and one of my many roses for today’s CP, but then I saw my little beloved bottle of Demeter Wet Garden and went with that. Wet Garden was a long-ago ‘gateway’ scent for me — the first time I picked up a bottle of something and sprayed it and thought it smelled heavenly, rather than “perfumey.” All these years later, I still adore it, and there’s something deeply comforting and reassuring about it for me. It reminds me of a time in life when everything was lighter and easier, and it brings some of that light and ease into the present and makes me hopeful for even more of both in the future.
Another Uncle Serge old faithful.
Nice choices.
Perfumed hope in a bottle = priceless
Taking a mid-day break to perfume-up and put real clothes on. Will read comments in more detail when I can relax for the evening.
SOTD is Vol de Nuit, because someone else wore it recently, it’s been a while for me, and all the Guerlain classics make me happy.
Happily realized I don’t have that much prep/cleaning remaining before my friend comes tomorrow. Looking forward to our outing, which will involve a visit to a crystal/gem shop, a good lunch, and then some wine tasting.
Don’t ask about my real clothes during this decluttering.
So thrilled you aren’t on this position.
Do you have my email? I might have a few things you could enjoy.
Have a great time with your friend! Sounds like fun.
Glad to hear that you are all set to enjoy your friend’s visit!
SotD for the CP: OG Allure edp for joy and peace. It’s layered over Allure lotion from a bottle that I just can’t quite thunk. TBH, I added a bit of water to the bottle and shook it, and quite a bit of respectively thick lotion was still coming out! I think tomorrow will be the day, though. I still miss glass lotion bottles so you know where you stand.
Yes to call of this! Minus the water.😂
I need the glass bottles for lotion. I hold the plasticky ones up to the light, but it isn’t even close.
And hot darn you smell fab.
Well, I didn’t want to hide the truth from you guys – and I would for sure rag any friend of mine who added water to their lux lotion! 😀
You just went to confession. You are absolved.😂🤣😂
😅😅
Throwing away that Allure lotion stuck in the bottle would be far worse than adding a bit of water to it!
💧💧
Same here! I hate seeing any of it go to waste. I have a clear plastic bottle with a pump that I add random tubes of lotion to so it never runs out, because I prefer a pump to having to deal with caps or lids (I always put on lotion after I wash my hands since they get so dry).
I’m wearing L’Heure Bleue which is appropriate as I’m feeling rather sad. One of my favourite colleagues retired yesterday, and while I’m glad he will be able to enjoy his well earned free time, I will miss him a lot. Work won’t be the same without him.
I think I would need vats of something particularly uplifting to make it through December in good spirits. I loath this month, and that seems to be getting worse, not better.
Sorry for my gloomy presence today, I will make amends in the near future!
This is a very hard time of year for a lot of people so you are not alone. And really, no need to apologize for feeling down, ever. No shame in being human and traversing the entire emotional spectrum of this thing called life. It’s just us here- humans being human. 🙂
Totally agree with Deva and December can be a down month for me too so I know how you feel.
I understand how December can get people feeling down. No need to be ashamed.
December’s a hard one for me, too. Lots of joy, but also lots of sadness.
A chilly rain and dark, gloomy skies made it difficult to even want to get out of bed this morning, much less contemplate themes of peace/joy/good luck for today’s cp. Even the birds joined in my reluctance to greet the day – at the first glimmer of light they usually flock to the bird feeders outside my window but even they slept in today!
Only Yoga Joan could make me go out on such an ugly morning to class; her positivity, without being polyannish, is truly the essence of today’s theme and made it all worthwhile. So I chose the much-recently-talked-about Wrappings as my SOTD; it reminds me of forest-bathing, which reminds me that it’s time in nature that always brings me great joy and a sense of peace. So glad I got a BUB!
Despite the gloomy forecast for the weekend, I’m really looking forward to 2 special events: My favorite holiday community event, Empty Bowls, is tomorrow at my nearby community college – a global movement by arts/crafts people to support food-related charitable organizations (you can find an event near you, just look up Empty Bowls, you won’t be disappointed ). Then on Sunday it’s my favorite cellist Ian Maksin in concert ❤️before he tours again near you – (check out ianmaksin.com for complete tour schedule, you won’t be disappointed.)
May you find joy, peace, and good luck all around you!🥰✌️🍀
Wrappings twins!
Thank you for the tip about Empty Bowls. If I can blow money on perfume, charity is better.
I hope you feel more like yourself.
Our event is not expensive but very rewarding. The pottery students donate the bowls they make, we choose one from a wide assortment and that money goes to a local food pantry. We are served a very light lunch of a bowl of soup and some bread to remind us of how little some have to eat. There’s usually an additional silent auction to raise more funds as well as some musical entertainment. All in all, a very gratifying afternoon.
Chilly rain and dark, gloomy sky twins with you today. Yuck.
But you and AnniePerfumes smell wonderful!
🥰
Lots of extra 🐰.
Take ’em if you need ’em.
I’m thinking of Christmas, Peace on Earth, Joy to the World and good luck with Wonderful Christmastime.
Wrappings is SOTD.
I’m all about Christmas til January 6th.
Have a comforting day for all who need it.
Peace, joy, good luck and comfort to my twin! 🤗
Hugs to you!🥰
Yes to it being Christmas until January 6! I get so annoyed with people who think the “12 days of Christmas” end on the 25th. Nope, that’s when they start. Although, in some traditions, Christmas does not really end until Candlemas on February 2, so you actually don’t have to take down your decorations until then. I get so annoyed by people who start yanking everything down on December 26.
Christmas never really ends at my home.
If you need a glass, well, there’s a bunch of snow etchings in them.
I mean, I add more and the big ole outside decorations only stay til the Zoning Commission comes by.
I love Christmas!
I have kitchen towels with reindeer and stockings and such that I use all year.
YES to Xmas lasting until January 6! I lived in part of the country that did not understand that concept in the slightest for 10 years. Was happy to leave!
It’s that way in my part of the country. I have had so many people tell me that you are “supposed to take down the Christmas decorations by New Year’s”. No, you are not. Christmastide runs from the evening of December 24 through the evening of January 5 (Twelfth Night), then Epiphany is on January 6. No, the Twelve Days of Christmas do not start on the 14th. No, Christmas is not “over” on December 26 or 27. At least in our church, the decorations are left up for two Sundays after Christmas, which is when we observe Epiphany.
10 years of that nonsense? You did much better. 😊
Christmas comes but a long time in my book. To throw everything away right away is sad.
We always get one gift as a kid, too on January 6th.
Count me in on extending Christmas – I leave my tree and decorations up til Epiphany and don’t put anything up until Dec. 1. Then only half come down because half of my decorations are ‘winter’ and stay up thru mid-February. I’ve seen many trees lit and decorations up around here as early as Veterans’ Day, then trees out on the curb the day after Christmas. I just don’t understand that.
When we were in Juneau, AK some years ago, we were told that they leave their Christmas lights up until Valentine’s Day. It makes sense; as long as the nights are there in the winter having some light would definitely lift the mood. I am glad that our city leaves the lights and decorations up and lit until at least the first few days of January. It may not be Epiphany exactly, but at least Jan 3 or 4. We have been going out of town for New Year’s the past several years, and staying at various hotels, and it is gratifying that the Christmas decorations and trees are still up for NYE, as they should be. I like to visit one or more of the light displays in the area after Christmas Day to help keep myself in the Christmas spirit. Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo runs through January 7, and the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens in Galveston will go through January 6. I just wish more people around here would follow suit with their own lights and decorations.
In Québec, lots of people leave their light up through February because it is cheering to see them, plus who wants to go outside at -30 to take the lights down?
More Christmas!
My mother left all the decorations up through the 6th as well.
I love your mother.
4:39 pm and it’s pitch black outside already. But, on to comfort and joy.
SotD is Hermès Violette Volynka, which is inextricably linked to the occasion of its purchase. I was traveling, and a couple of fellow NSTers invited me to meet them for a perfume expedition and lunch. I had such a great time! It was especially welcome, as I had travelled to care for a relative who was recuperating from surgery. I hope I’ll always remember this. 😊
I really need to try that scent. It sounds so good.
Do you have my email? I can send you some to try.
That would be wonderful!
I don’t have your email, but if Allo has it I can get it from her.
I think she does, but here it is:
standing dawt armsakimbo at geemale dawt com.
NSTers are some of the best folks around, for sure.
Yes, yes, yes.
Amen.
I remember you buying the bottle of VV with such fondness and joy💜 And then we took the Chanel counter by storm! I’ll never forget our fun outing. Come back anytime😊
Thank you, dearie. ☺️ It was a wonderful day!
🐇🐇🐇 I have 4 sets so can give away 3!
SOTD = versatile god bless cola Extrait de Parfum
Sweet buttery caramel popcorn – sweet tooth satisfied and a joyous beginning to December!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0U614uRUwh/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Weddings, not that they are happening in these here parts but there seems to be a good number of articles discussing them. Would you pay $3,500 to have a wedding social-media content creator? The prices range from $1,000 to $3,500. Not me. Well, this of course is nothing compared to what I read was the most costly wedding – IIRC $250,000,000. My eyes popped because why?
Thank God social media was not A Thing when I got married!
Seriously …
Also, I think some people are now regretting what they posted on social media years ago.
Social media makes dumb people think they are smart. I blame Oprah, Jerry Springer and Geraldo for making people believe that over-sharing is a good idea.
Don’t forget Dr. Phil as a founding member of “Oversharers Anonymous”.
When my husband and I got married way back in 1990, I had never even heard of a “wedding planner”. My then-fiance and I planned it all with some help from my parents. The big thing in those days was to have your wedding videoed, which we declined to do. We stuck with regular photographs. I had all the things I cared about and had envisioned whenever I had tried to picture myself getting marries–a wedding gown, a bouquet of flowers, music, a photographer, nice engraved invitations, a nice dinner at the reception, and a wedding cake. All the people we cared most about were there to see us get married. The total cost for everything came to ~$2000. In today’s dollars, that would be around $4500 to $5000. Still a chunk of change, but nowhere near the $$$$$ that most people spend these days. It is possible to have a beautiful and meaningful event that you will remember fondly (and that will look good in the pictures) without bankrupting yourself.
I found my wedding dress for 85 dollars. I was thrilled! My sister made my veil. It’s certainly a different time.
My MIL planned my wedding for free. 🙂
Good thing or…
Have you ever come across a song that had lyrics so true to your life at the time that it hurt to hear them? But you felt so heard and understood?
That happened with me recently. So today’s Song of the Day is “A Symptom of Being Human” by Shinedown.
The clock is ticking down to when I have to be out of the house and in Colorado. I will need all the luck I can get. Hopefully those rabbits will come thru for me.
SOTD = commando. I forgot about perfume today. Too busy.
Good luck! 🍀
Thank you hajusuuri!
I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible over the next month or two with all these big changes you’re going through. I actually remembered rabbits this morning and can happily give you some of mine. As for a song hitting home, I was in the drive through at McDonald back in 90’s (when you knew it was bad for you but could still afford it!) and I tuned in to NPR and they were playing this music that just stopped me in my tracks. Got out of line, pedal to metal home, called the radio station, talked to a live person who gave me the information about the song, then recommended a better version, which I picked up the very next day. Got home, played it, and had the most cathartic cry of my life. I highly recommend it. It’s sung by Dawn Upshaw, conducted by David Zinman with the London orchestra. It’s Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony #3. It’s perfection!
Thanks for the rabbits Deva! I remembered them after I said something to Teflon kitty this morning. Figures, huh?
Dawn Upshaw’s voice is amazing. I remember seeing her perform with the Chicago Symphony a few times when I was in undergrad, and I insisted on going out and buying one of her albums.
Yes! My opinion really counts for nothing because I know nothing about music or singing, but even my uneducated self knows quality and the ENTIRE arrangement was just top notch!
Sending you lots of luck for these final stressful days!
Thank you tulipani! Fingers crossed for no major weather events until, oh, late January? 😉
I have no rabbits to give, but I’ll just send good wishes for luck with the move & changes.
Thanks ockeghem!
Sending 🤗 🤗 and 🤞 🍀 wishes. Take a deep breath 😮💨; you can do it! 👍
Thank you Laila! Sometimes I do need to remember to breathe or just take 5 and relax for a bit.
The best of luck Jalapeno!
Thanks lillyjo!
Wishing you the best of luck and hoping for peaceful moments for you in the next few weeks.
Thank you Gail.
Wishing you a smooth transition from NJ to Colorado, Jalapeno, a big change for Teflon too.
Thanks Aurora. Teflon kitty is NOT a traveler by nature. A 15-minute trip to the vet is cause for major kitteh drama.
I just read the lyrics to that song Jalapeno. Wow! It probably does feel like that with all you are going through right now. Best wishes to you and know that everything will be okay in the long run. We are all pulling for you.
I have never asked I guess and don’t remember if you mentioned it or not, but do you already have employment in Colorado?
Thank you Kris.
Those lyrics are something else, right? I’m starting to listen to more of what I call “my music” now. That’s a step in the right direction.
Haven’t mentioned a job (or lack of). I have some savings that will help out with expenses for a bit.
That’s good. It will all work out.
Safe travels, Jalapeno! Le meilleur reste à venir – The best is yet to come💗💗💗
Thanks allo! Trying to tie up loose ends in NJ at present, and hoping that unpleasant surprises are kept to a bare minimum.
Just adding my hugs and warmest bestest wishes to the mix. May it be as gentle a transition as possible!
Thank you Isabella!
How’s your old-souled son doing?
Sending you all the good luck!
Thanks cazaubon! Hoping that no weather whammies hit either me or the movers.
All the best wishes for luck and more luck for your trip! 🤞🏻🍀👍🏻
Thank you, AnnE!
Sending you big hugs and good luck wishes, Jalapeno! Can your vet give you something to help Teflon kitty stay calmer during the travel time?
Thanks socks!
The vet has prescribed some “kitty tranq” for Teflon for her vet visits in the past. I’ve been holding on to some for the move.
Wow! Those lyrics! That’s pretty deep writing. I hope you find peace and stability in the coming weeks.
And take 3 sets of 🐰. You should be fine.
💖
Thank you AnniePerfumes!
I started crying in the car the first time I heard those lyrics.
Wishing you the best of luck Jalapeno!🍀🍀🍀 I’ve been thinking about you. I hope all goes well.
Thanks madtowngirl! I will gratefully take any and all positive vibes sent my way.
For the CP I went with an incense amber perfume called Peace by Olympic Orchids. Hopefully, it will bring a peaceful month as the holidays often cause my anxiety to amp up even though I do enjoy all the lights, decor, and coziness of the season. I am very excited another weekend has arrived. Just a couple hours left of work now.
An incense amber perfume sounds ideal for December.
It was just perfect today.
You’ve inspired me to revisit my Olympic Orchids collection. She’s really got it goin’ on.
I hope you have a relaxing weekend and that fragrance helps make the holiday season lighter.
Thank you, allo! You’ll have to let me know sometime which are your favorite OO perfumes.
I’ve loved reading everyone’s perfume choices and reasons for them.
I spent the day with a good friend; she has Netflix and I don’t, so we watched the first 4 episodes of The Crown. (We did the same thing last year and both enjoyed it.) I didn’t want to wear too much of anything but I wanted comfort, so just a spritz of PotL. Then when I got home, DSH Inner Sanctum, which always makes me feel peaceful and cozy.
Hugs for those those who need them, happy Friday everyone.
Sounds like a fun binge day!
Hello PoTL twin!
I’ve worn 3 perfumes today. The one I have now is for the cp. Chance eau Vive for peace. It reminds me of summer and I am wishing for a dry winter, which will provide my anxiety some peace. Selfish, I know. Sometimes I am though.
The MidWest seems to get clobbered by precip every winter, so I understand why you’d want a break from that.
No drought in your area?
I ended up in Lush Celebration lotion today. It’s from the December Kitchen Box which arrived today on my doorstep. I had this a few years ago so I was happy to see it in this box as it’s so fragrant and moisturizing. It’s the same Lush scent as Champagne Snow Showers perfume from years ago so it reminds me of Christmas.
We even had a bit of snow overnight!
One of these days I will try that box, it does sound fun.
Hi folks! I totally forgot my rabbits this morning.
I broke my several-months-long “no new big bottles” vow over the Thanksgiving weekend, and one of my purchases arrived yesterday, so that’s what I wore today: Aramis Calligraphy Rose. So pretty! It has a very fine sprayer too, which I appreciate. I got a sample from a lovely NSTer earlier this year, which is when I fell for it. It reminds me a little of the Rose Delight body oil I have from Tauer.
I’m so glad I have this weekend off, I need a break! I’m going to try to do some cleaning, organizing, and finishing up of craft projects. If I can motivate myself to get off the couch, that is.
Oooooooooh! Calligraphy Rose is definitely worth breaking a No Buy for!
Thank you! I also have (small) bottles of Bottega Veneta, Aromatics Elixir, and Laura Biagiotti Roma coming, and only one is a blind buy for me (Roma). Then I’m getting back on my wagon.
That’s what we all say.😉