We're starting the year off with our standard open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the 2024 fragrance release you’re itching to try, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Winter Forest [cropped] by _ PokemonaDeChroma _ at flickr; some rights reserved.
It’s pretty darned cold today, about -17°C with the windchill, but I’m toasty in a wool coat, a huge scarf I knit (about 14 feet long by 18” wide), and Yves Rocher Neonatura Cocoon, a magnificently simple concoction of dusty cocoa, vanilla, and patchouli. On the bus, on my way to the mall to (among other things) inadvisably go to Lush and see if I can sample any of the Valentine’s Day merch. But I’m not buying anything! Probably.
I was wondering if you know of any good waterproof fountain pen inks? An ink that won’t bleed or smudge if watercolours are washed over the top.
I do! Platinum Carbon Black is the one I use, and is a pigment ink (as opposed to nearly all dye-based fountain-pen inks) that binds to the paper. You have to let it sit for a while: it’s not enough that it dry normally, it has to form a bond, which can take an hour or two. Noodler’s makes a few bulletproof dye inks which are completely tamper-proof, being waterproof and bleach-resistant, hence the name, but frankly the quality can be variable (it’s a very small operation). De Atramentis makes a number of document inks in various colours (and they can be mixed), but they tend to feather and may not work well for watercolour paintings and other fine-arts applications. And Diamine also makes document inks that are iron-gall, so they chemically lock into the paper fibres and never ever bleed or fade. (That’s why they’re called document inks: they’re meant for official use and that means they have to be really permanent.)
Thanks very much. That is really helpful. Thank you.
Your scarf sounds so warm!
It really is! I made it when blanket scarves were a thing, and I just love being swathed in it.
It sounds like a good knit.
Do report back! There is a shower gel I would want badly if it didn’t have some sort of shimmer in it. Passionfruit IIRC.
Most of the Valentine’s stuff didn’t really interest me. They had the Passion shower gel you’re talking about, a beautiful dark shimmery red, but I didn’t even sniff it: I have a lot of shower gel, enough to get me well into 2025. They also had the Goodnight Sweetheart linen spray but it wasn’t interesting to my nose, and a space for the fragrance, New Romantics, but not a bottle of it, not even a tester. I walked out empty-handed, which is for the better.
Well drat!
This one sounds soooo yummy and especially for winter.
I am referring to the YR Neonatura Cocoon that Pyramus is wearing.
Sticky dates is warm and comforting, too!
Sleepy, as well.
💖
Hiram Green and Fzotic have said they will have new releases in 2024… curious about those!
Ooh, I’m always keen to try anything from Hiram Green!
Hiram has announced the name of the new perfume – Philtre.
Oh yay!
Oh no for me although I will make exceptions for indie lines and perfumery proprietors…
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/mar/21/the-rack-by-ae-ellis-review-a-masterly-map-of-suffering?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I’m currently reading one of countless “lost” or under appreciated great novels ( think Stoner, for e.g) called The Rack. ( written in the 1950s) It’s set in a French TB sanatorium and deals with life and death, illness along with hallucinations and treatments. That’s not really selling it but it is extraordinary. Not matching it with a scent but wondering if others have a favourite “ underrated” novel as I am trying to escape the hype around new releases this year ( that could include perfume as well as books) after reading some duds last year. Wearing Divine which is a good summer scent. Off to see Ferrari later. Zzzzz.
If you haven’t stumbled across it already, try A Month of Sundays by John Updike. It’s about a minister in exile of a sort, and is very funny in a very dry way. The book gets a bit bawdy in places, but I bet you can cope with that.
Thanks , I will definitely hunt it out
I will put in a plug for Penelope Fitzgerald, who I reread last year. She is by no means “lost” but I do think the fact that she was female, a bit weird perhaps, and not always good with the press mean that she is not as well appreciated or widely read as other lesser British writers of her time.
I would have put Rachel Ingalls in the same category except that she seems to be getting some attention lately, I think she was underappreciated because she mostly wrote novellas.
Love PF and thank you for Rachel Ingalls whom I don’t know, and I would add Elizabeth Taylor. Barbara Pym has been on the radar these last thirty years so I don’t think she needs us to rediscover her.
Gosh, have not read Elizabeth Taylor in years and I don’t have any of her books anymore. Thank you for reminding me, I am going to see if my library has any.
I have read Penelope Fitzgerald but haven’t heard of Rachel Ingalls, so thank you!
Hmm, maybe I should reread her. I suspect that — as with many things — I was just young enough when I read her that I didn’t get it. (I just reread Kafka’s Metamorphosis this year, for the first time since I was required to read it in high school. Holy cow, what a brilliant piece of writing — not at all the boring text I thought it was 35ish years ago).
Gosh, there are so many books like that, that I did not appreciate until I was older. But it goes both ways, there are books I was rabid about when I was younger, and now I just can’t summon the same enthusiasm.
This is a great idea and my underrated novel (a 5-novel quintet? quintology?) is the Cazalet Chronicles, which take place in Britain from about 1937 to 1948, set in a country house and London, with a huge cast of characters both upstairs and downstairs. By Elizabeth Jane Howard. Somewhat autobiographical. She knew everyone in mid-century Britain, worked for the BBC, wrote a bunch of novels that were somewhat dismissed in her day, was married to Kingsley Amis, who treated her terribly, and was kind to her stepson Martin Amis. I think a lot of you here would enjoy these. Also, she mentions perfumes that people are wearing throughout! She clearly was one of us.
Excellent recommendation, I also enjoy reading her, she has a somewhat racy but very good novel whose name escapes me.
Yes, 2nd EJH.
I’ve never read her so thank you.
I will put my vote in for William Trevor. Totally under appreciated master of the short story, but also a superb novelist. I will admit that I am biased because he’s from Ireland and the same county as my dad, but the literary glitterati seem to agree that he was smashing good however he chose to use his pen.
https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2016/nov/21/william-trevor-obituary
I will vote for William Trevor too!
Love William Trevor. Can also recommend Sebastian Barry and Bernard MacLaverty for more Irish writers
Wonderful topic and I’m making notes now about all of these fine suggestions. Thank you. I will add one–I might have mentioned it before–the Ibis Trilogy by Indian author Amitav Ghosh. Sea of Poppies is the first one and the best, imho, but the entire trilogy is wonderful. It is vast, sweeping, and complex, about the complicated participants in the opium trade in the Indian Ocean in the 1830s. There are so many characters you do need some kind of chart to keep the straight, and they are from a multitude of countries and backgrounds. Parts are horrific and parts are very moving, with a lot of beauty, and most of all, the use of language in it is very creative, as Ghosh re-creates many of the pidgin tongues spoken by his enormous cast of characters, including gutsy sailors from virtually around the world.
I haven’t read Sea of Poppies but also liked the others I have read, so thank you!
Yes!!!! I have come to his (Ghosh’s) work only recently, but am including The Hungry Tide in my new course this semester. That’s the only one of his I’ve read so far; well worth seeking out.
Apparently over the next week it’s going to get as cold as that photo above here. The ski hills are cheering, as they haven’t even really been able to make snow, but my plants were having a nice winter until now. Need to go to the nursery to buy some extra covers to put over them today, I think.
Still getting up and having breakfast, so not sure about SOTD but I may go back and try Nishane Ani again. I got a sample of it with my Christmas gift and tried it the other night, and it strongly reminded me of something from my early perfumista days (I’m thinking SL Rousse), which I still have a small roller ball sample of. Ani had more creamsicle, though, I think. I may try comparing them today.
We’re doing snow & freezing rain today…just rain out to get some rock salt, it’s ugly out.
Ugh, I’m not looking forward to that. Freezing rain is the worst. I just put cloches over my more sensitive plants; let’s hope it helps.
Good luck!
Wearing Deneuve extrait today. Won a $50 STC gift card and got myself an angelica sampler set, tuberose set and a Gris Charnel extrait decant. Have to make sure that I love the extrait version of Gris Charnel before I put it on the top of my to buy list. It’s amazing how quick a gift card can be spent.
Wonderful about the win.
Congrats, Dawn!
That Deneuve was a great perfume! You smell marvelous, Dawn.
I’m spending the morning in Omnia Ambra while impatiently awaiting the bottle of Under My Skin that the postal service says is coming today. Desperately needed haircut this afternoon, which is good because a week from today it might be snowing and/or sleeting here and there are steep hills between me and my hair person.
Both of these are in the sample order that was just reported as delivered to my mailbox. Waiting for the rain to let up so I can grab them!
Ooh, have fun! I hope you like them — I love them both.
Haven’t tried Ambra yet. I’m going to have to spend more time with Under My Skin and possibly get a second sample or small decant with a sprayer. Method of delivery and number of sprays could make a real difference for me. Could become a total love, or end up in the “I admire the artistry, but don’t need to own”. For me, the difference is all a question of how prominent the sweet honey-ish note is.
I was happy to see that our Angela Sanders is holding a writing workshop at a bookstore near me. Since Covid, I like to know that people are okay. Today is rainy and cold and Imaginary Dog does not want to go out but must. I’m wearing Chanel Cuir de Russie parfum because it always warms me up.
It’s chilly by LA standards, so I think I will join you in Cuir de Russie post shower.
We will smell great!!
Happy weekend! Light snow and cold today and I’m wearing Patou Chaldee. This was on my list for myrhh week but I didn’t wear it, and I’ve been craving it ever since.
That’s a good JP, had forgotten it had myrrh, so thank you.
It’s actually opoponax, so sweet myrhh. I am huffing my arm.
Slept 10 hours without moving.
Listening to Covenent of Water in my car since I never read it on any flights.
Watching Julia on MAX. I tried May December but I could not engage with it. Finished The Crown of course.
Mani/pedi later today.
I am yearning for Cafe Tabac from Aedes. Loved the sample.
I am also yearning for LV Nomad and Tobacolor. The prices are insane. They actually make Aedes de Venustas prices look smaller!
Inbetween interviews I have three separate piles going.
One for Goodwill
One for Working Wardrobes
One for eBay
Oh yes, one more for Eileen Fisher to recycle clothing.
Congratulations on your night’s sleep, that’s awesome.
I love sleep.
Yay you for making those piles! I’m in closet/office/basement reorg hell right now, but it will make me creat my own. give-away piles, so that’s good.
I think I love everything about your post.
Minus the outrageous prices.
I am aching for a mani/pedi.
Its just nice to feel pretty. With puppy, I can’t do it myself.
Thank you for the reminder on Eileen Fisher. I have a couple of old dresses that I’ve been wondering what to do with ever since they ended textile recycling in my city.
No textile recycling? oh dear.
The resale market for EF seems pretty good on eBay. I don’t sell, but I do buy a lot of EF there.
It’s very good. I resell there what I don’t recycle at the store.
You seem to sleep so well. Do you dream a lot? I feel like I am always in a dream state and never feel rested.
I have struggled with sleep a lot over the years.
I am really good about sleep hygiene.
No electronics, no TV, nothing in my bedroom to distract me.
Sleep mask, sound machine, silk pillowcase.
Sleepy lotion from Lush.
Plus for many years I have had very early alarm clocks and need to sleep to function.
People KNOW I am not available after 9pm.
Had a nice dinner out last night — the company was great, but my entree was a disappointment (fried chicken, which used to be divine at this place, but they’ve changed their preparation to one that it turns out I do not love, AND it was woefully overdone). And the service was not good — “oblivious” is probably the best way to put it. ( I have a pretty high tolerance for the inevitable mixups and errors that happen in a restaurant, but last night felt like studied indifference.) everyone else like their entrees about, so I just ordered poorly.
I did wear HdP 1804 and put on the same sweater this morning that I wore last night — still with traces of the scent — so I have reapplied.
My goal for today is to get the first two weeks of my brand-new spring course set up. If I can do two weeks/day, I will have plenty of time to make adjustments before the semester begins. I already have an outline of topics and lots of readings, but may need to change the order of topics. And so, back to work.
I miss those times of creating a syllabus and anticipating the new semester. Teaching in Houston from January to April was always such a pleasure–the one time when we have beautiful weather and you didn’t have to sweat going from one building to another. I hope the preparations go well!
I’m back to work tomorrow, after two weeks off. I like my job, but I’d much rather be on holiday. Of course, now that I’m about to go back to work, the weather is improving.
Perfume-wise, I tried the new Tom Ford, Myrrhe Mystère, the other day. I like it and it seems quite similar to Armani’s Myrrhe Impériale, of which I have a FB. That’s a relief, as the TF prices have got ridiculous. I thought I’d been wildly extravagant buying Myrrhe Impériale, but Myrrhe Mystère is more expensive for half the amount of perfume.
For today, I think I’ll celebrate the sunshine in Le Temps d’une Fête.
Tom F is insane. I have thank Robin and her gang of enablers for the recent purchase of Café Rose. I was at Sephora and read the reviews after being mesmerized.
Sephora was having the 20% off of you buy a full bottle, but they didn’t have one. I still got the discount for the smallest size.
Also, there were tons of testers stolen, within 2 hours. Crazy.
A couple of inches of snow today here in Pittsburgh – the big fluffy flakes. I will wear Alahine whenever I manage to get a shower (have been packing up my kitchen in advance of renovation starting Tuesday). Last night we finished watching All the Light We Cannot See on Netflix. Excellent, and directed by one of my college classmates – Shawn Levy- who has created quite a career.
A kitchen reno, how nice! Just keep focusing on the end result.
I was just thinking of you the other day! Nice to see you.
How exciting about your classmate.
Thanks for the recommendation of All The Light We Cannot See. I had been interested, then I read some tepid reviews, so I focused on other shows. Good luck with the kitchen!!
I hadn’t seen any reviews, we just loved the book so gave it a whirl. Took a little to get used to the flashbacks/timeline but we all ended up enjoying it.
I loved listening to the book, wasn’t sure about the movie.
Maybe I will give it a try.
My sister has to work this evening so we can’t look at the red carpet clothes for the Golden Globes together on opposite coasts.
Good evening.
I think I’m reaching a moment when I have to end the thing with the guy I’ve been seeing for 5 months now. I had high hopes, really got into it and commited to it. I gave my feelings but I’m not getting the feelings back. It doesn’t seem to be mutual. On Thursday I went him a couple of messages about my day at work and he responded that I’m texting him too much. We’ve been silent every since, so a bit more than 2 days now.
I feel devastated, sad, angry too. I really wanted to develop something with him and thus gave up on dating apps when I started feeling more serious about him. Now I will be back to a drawing board and I’m not sure I’m in the mood for making new acquaintances right now.
Sorry for using this space to vent about personal stuff but letting it out does help a bit.
Trying to find some consolation in Calling All Angels.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1weJDYo-jd/?igsh=ZW91aGk5dHdlb3Fy
Hugs!
Relationships are tough
I’m so sorry, lucasai. I went through something similar while dating my now-husband — in fact, we broke up over it briefly. Things may come back together for you and him, but taking a break to gain perspective is good sometimes. Sending more hugs.
I’m sorry lucasai. If I remember correctly, previous to this you were in a long term relationship. It’s perfectly ok to take a break to heal before trying to meet anyone new. You deserve much more than “you’re texting too much” ( sorry for the unsolicited advice.. I mean well and wish the best for you)
Yes, I’ve been previously with someone for 3 years, we broke up in January 2023.
Sending good thoughts! That photo is lovely.
Thanks
It seems like it’s a considered decision but I understand it’s difficult, sympathy.
That sucks. You deserve to be with someone who likes you and cares to know what is going on in your life. Don’t force yourself to go back out into the dating pool if you’re not feeling it. Sending hugs!
Hugs to you.
it’s okay to be by yourself for a while and figure things out.
As my much loved therapist always told me – things will unfold.
Ugh! On a better note, maybe you can give yourself a break and think of what perfume you’ll buy / get for your birthday in February.
I can’t remember the last time I bought perfume to be honest
Then it must be time! I hope you’ll allow yourself to indulge.
So sorry.
I remember breaking up with someone who I knew didn’t want to be with me. He was too nice to do it, so I did it. I loved him madly.
It actually taught me how to love that deep and to work on myself. He was a wonderful man. Still is. We just weren’t meant to be, then.
Joining the others to say this stinks. For me (note bene! — YMMV) the “transitional” relationship after the LTR became a pattern, and often turned out to be helpful — but that didn’t make the breakups any less painful.
SOTD: Fueguia 1833 Xocoatl
Some celebrations: My FIL turned 75 yesterday and spent the day with all 5 of his grandchildren.
Today is the 10 year anniversary of my father’s passing.
Reading Iron Flame, the second book after Fourth Wing
Hugs, ltsg.
Sending comforting hugs, Ltsg. 🌻
Adding my hugs.💙
Sending more hugs.
Thinking of you.
Thanks all! 😘
More hugs.
Wearing Serge Lutens De Profundis.
Very cold day today. We are expecting lots of rain between tonight and tomorrow, so I am not planning to go outside for the rest of the weekend.
My serious plans for declutering have started. Early this morning, I dropped two big boxes of kitchen stuff at Goodwill. Afterward, I brought four full suitcases with some of my mother’s clothes to my youngest sister. That was very tough, and I got very emotional. She will go over the clothes and keep a few things that she is interested in. The rest she will donate to the church for charity next week. Getting rid of my mother’s personal stuff is very, very hard, but necessary. I am taking my time to accomplish that task, but I am sure that before summer arrives, I will be done with it.
I am having my third cup of coffee with a dash of turmeric and a salmon burger with avocado salad.
Happy weekend, everyone! 🌻
Good plan staying in.
For once I am not jealous of what you’re eating. I can’t eat seafood!
Lol! I don’t eat seafood so often. My brother-in-law was cooking when I arrived at their place, and he packed some of the food in a container for my lunch. I will be back to my “regular food” tomorrow! 😀
I will be looking forward to it! Lol.
😄
The weather seems to coordinate with the mood.
I’m sorry this is so difficult. Doing it alone and making those decisions have kept me at a stalemate.
We’ll declutter together.
Hugs.
Thank you, Annie. You know how sad and tough it is. One day at a time! Sending hugs! 💕
It is hard to do.
I am forever grateful that my mother did so much during my dad’s last months and as she continued to lose her sight, she kept downsizing. It was a gift to make everything easier for my sister and me.
Still, I come across things that grab my heart.
Hugs all around.
Thank you, Apsara. My father hated to accumulate things. Her personal belongings were very few, which made everything very easy for us. My mother was the opposite, so I have a lot of work to do. But it is still very comforting to slowly go over her stuff.
Yes, I understand. My dad loved his stuff and lots went in his casket with him.
We really were careful the last year of my mothers’ life, not being able to to see kept things to a minimum around her.
Bittersweet, bittersweet.
Sending you big hugs! Sounds like you’ve made some good progress on the kitchen. I know how difficult it is to go through a loved-ones possessions; it’s nice that your sister will help out.
Staying inside twins with you. The rain is here and snow is coming. Plus the temperatures will be dropping here so we will actually be getting winter. Not a fan!
I made good progress in the kitchen. I still have to get rid of many other things. I was shocked to find so many bottles of different type of seasoning in one of the cabinets. Most of them went to the garbage. The same for appliances that I have not used in years. All of them have to go!
It is ugly out for sure and the snow started earlier than forecasted.
It is sad when one is going through a loved one’s possessions.
I had help from my siblings and a nephew when my parents passed (Dad 9 years, Mom 4.5 years). Although much was done immediately after their passing, I still have a lot of their household effects.
We only had snow flurries late in the afternoon, now only light rain. It looks like it might get worse after midnight.
My sisters wanted to help out sorting and packing my mother’s belongings, but I asked them to let me do it myself. It is too hard and special at the same time. I need to do it at my own pace, so I can cope with it.
I so understand the need to sort things by yourself. Because of some circumstances, I was able to do a lot of the sorting and cleaning out when my dad passed, but we all took on something or another and got through it.
Big hugs to you as you work through the process, friend. 🤗
Thank you, Nancy.
Big hugs. I am glad you’re finding the courage to go forward, and I’ve been facing this task along with you and AP and several others. As I feel with my mother’s things, I know your mother’s things will help and even bring joy to someone else. Today we are gloomy weather twins, too.
Thank you, MossyBerry. It is so depressing that we have to go thru that. Despite feeling comfort knowing that some of my mother’s things will be of great help and bring joy to others, letting them go is very painful. I wish I could keep everything, but that’s not an option.
When I moved four years ago and downsized, I finally got rid of books and CDs and tapes.
I kept one book from each parent. AND I took pictures of everything which I can always look at. My sister did the same
What I am doing now at 70 will make everything easier.
Good for you, especially when there’s so much emotion around the stuff you’re trying to clear. As others have said, as sad as it feels now (and I get it, I have now helped clear away the possessions of both my parents and my DH’s parents), it’s comforting eventually to think that someone will benefit from the passalongs. Hugs!
Thank you, Old Herbaceous. I am so glad others can benefit from most my mother’s possessions. It is uplifting. There is a small dresser where she kept her most personal stuff like perfume, make-up, hair brushes, jewelry, etc. I have not been able to touch anything from it. It is too personal. I think it will take years before I can over it, or perhaps I will keep it untouched forever. Time will say.
Full on sunshine and mid 50’s low 60’s today. We’re in the RV capitol of the US for a few days and there are many, many, MANY others here as well. 😅 Hanging close to my solar/electric guy to make sure everything is working right, which it seems to be. I can now run my air fryer and space heater, both of which are powers hogs, at the same time. I doubt I will ever need to do that but it’s nice to know I have PLENTY of power and no longer need to hook up for heavy power loads! I can smoothie, air fry, blow dry to my hearts content! It’s a very impressive looking system. I may add another solar panel down the road to speed up the charging, but so far things are looking good! 👍🏼
Very busy morning, just now eating breakfast for lunch and having a second cup of coffee. Starving am I!
Wearing a long neglected sample from BPAL which I’ve had forever- probably 12 or more years..? Anyway, super potent, viscous and so deeply colored that when I swiped a bit on my wrists, it temporarily turned the swatched area an unpleasant, deeply jaundiced color. After really rubbing it in, it looks like faded iodine, barely perceptible but still there. This is their signature scent, but I guess not always available due to fluctuations in resources.
I feel a bit like Cleopatra on her barge, slowly rolling down the Nile, scented sails fully set…😃
Glad your power is working out well. I love the Cleopatra vision!
I just looked it up, it seems really cool and so glad you’re happy with the power improvements.
Yay for lots of power! I should think it might be very necessary to run a space heater and air fryer at the same time.
Sticky Dates spray.
This little guy on my lap makes it very hard to move. But, we’ll be going for a ride and quick walk soon, so I’ll enjoy this while I can.
Pinned down by puppy love! Just go with it 🙂
Back from the ride and pinned again! I should be wrapping presents for Little Christmas, but…
I woke up feeling down today. The impending weather doesn’t help. I’m going to go through some clothes today to donate. I don’t really have that many clothes but still if I don’t wear them, they should go.
I’m wearing Dolce and Gabbana Devotion today. A lovely fluffy lemon vanilla. I had received a travel spray of Armani My Way for Christmas. I didn’t care much for it ( too much bubblegum tuberose mixed with ambroxan) so I exchanged it for Devotion.
I hope you feel better soon, Lillyjo! Declutering is not an easy task. Good luck with it!
Thanks! It’s an ongoing process. A little bit at a time.
Excellent to have Devotion now, somehow this sentence sounds odd, it’s perfumista talk😉, hope it it colours you day lemon yellow and will make everything alright.
That’s very sweet Aurora. Thank you 🤗
Oh, great decision, tuberose and ambroxan, two notes that make me shudder.
Or vomit.
😃
I don’t like too much bubblegum in my tuberose but the ambroxan drydown was the deal breaker.
😱
I hope tomorrow is an up day.
I have too many clothes. I have gone through them many times, but I only wear the same things.
Thanks AP!
AP – it’s the 80/20 rule. We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.
When I turned 55, I got rid of everything and slowly built a working wardrobe of Eileen Fisher pieces. It helped a lot and I didn’t have to think about it, especially traveling weekly for work.
Now I need even less.
Everything? That’s a huge leap!
You constantly impress me.
Oh not very impressive, but thank you.
I have the rule of five. Five colors in my wardrobe, so everything goes with everything
And a pop of color with a bag or shoe or scarf. Don’t have to overthink.
I think today I will tackle that sock drawer (also home to pajamas and undies, and I’m having trouble closing it). I’ve been feeling incredibly low in energy all week, and today actually managed to get out of bed at a decent-for-me time, instead of oversleeping. I will take that as a small win.
Not the socks and undies! I don’t even have a bra that fits!🤣
Oh dear typos *it colours your day is what I meant
I’ve just used a very good shop bought pasta sauce, the brand is Sacla for Europe folks, made in Italy, with tomatoes and mascarpone. We ended dinner with lychees. I reached for vintage White Linen this morning and it smelled perfect on this mild day and tonight it’s Réminiscence Héliotrope, I’ve decided I like it ever so slightly better than Dragée for some reason.
Now, I’m looking for that sauce!
You smell amazing.
Hope you can get the brand where you are Annie and thank you, I’m glad of my perfume picks today.
I’m definitely looking!
White Linen is one of my favorite Estée Lauders.
NOT perfume related but could be useful:
I mentioned yesterday that I was going to post about participating in the settlement related to a Verizon administrative fee overcharge. If you have a Verizon mobile account any time between January 1, 2016 to November 8, 2023 AND you revoke the right to sue separately, you can fill out a form and send it in by sometime in April (it’s on the form). It is an easy form to complete as it is only asking for your full name, address, mobile number and where you would like to get settlement $s. It’s impossible to predict how much one will get because it depends on how many submit by the deadline.
Here’s the link to the form. If you can’t open it, you can search for “Verizon Administrative Charge Settlement”. I am almost positive that this is U.S. only.
https://angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com/www.verizonadministrativechargesettlement.com/docs/Verizon%20Claim%20Form.pdf
I don’t have Verizon so this doesn’t apply to me. However, I’m so sick of these greedy companies with all their nonsense charges! It’s EVERYWHERE! I had a reservation at a state park here in Arizona for two nights and ended up having to cancel. I canceled within the timeframe for a full refund. Representative #1 said their system was “down” and I would receive an email later in the day to confirm my refund. Crickets. Called back and said I never got an email. Transferred to rep#2 who said again their system was down and blah blah blah, we can send you a check as a refund. No, I want my card credited, since that’s the way I paid. (Plus a check will take forever to get to me from my home address.) she had to check with her supervisor, and they would call me back. Supervisor called back and said we can send you a check or a gift card. It’s an e-gift card that I could use immediately. No. I want my card credited. A big kerfuffle, hemming and hawing, really pushing the gift card. Finally put my foot down and said very clearly “I want a credit on my card.” Then, I was told it will take “10 days to review” the refund and another “10 days” for my account to be credited! Randomly talking to someone later that day, and they had the very same experience last year for reservations they had to cancel at the very same park! 🤯 I have heard nothing in any way from Arizona State Parks since this happened. No emails, no refunds, no nothing!
I would dispute it with your card company. That’s ridiculous.
That said, I’m still waiting for refunds on items I know have been in the possession of the merchants for over a week…sigh.
I’m going to call in Monday to get the low down.
I had a weird charge on Amex. I called the number and it turned out to be a service center for Real Simple magazine, which usually ends up getting thrown away without me having cracked it open. I saw the refund right away despite the CSR mentioning it could take 2-3 days.
Grr. Delta owes me $350 or so from a flight cancellation (hotel and meals for an unscheduled overnight) this summer. Or rather, the travel insurance company does — but I need to supply to them, via Delta, the official reason for the cancellation in order to have the claim processed. Delta is refusing to supply it (I’ve gone the email customer service route, as well as spending many hours on hold for live c.s.). There will come a point when the time and energy spent are worth more than the reimbursement, which I am sure is the rationale behind this obstinacy on Delta’s part. I have been a very loyal Delta flyer for years, but no longer.
My loyalties belong only to a couple of close friends, my dog, and my bank account. Certainly not to any company, corporation, or conglomerate.
This is the same device health insurance companies use over and over. Randomly deny claims that ought to be covered knowing that most people will not have the stamina and patience to pursue the issue, thus making millions on top of millions. If you can’t pay up front, they offer you a “health care card” which is just a credit card with high interest rates that oh, by the way, is owned by the insurance company. Let not get into insurance companies buying hospital systems and all the physicians that work therein..! 🙄
I hear you on the overcharging and lack of transparency. Let’s not proceed with cable TV.
Thanks, I have made note of this!
A chilly, grey day, but I did a lot of cleaning and got the Christmas decorations stored away. It was a happy task, because I could take advantage of the closet that I cleaned out and reorganized a couple months ago! Earlier, I’d spotted my partial bottle of Kelly Caleche edt and it just hit the spot as SotD. I never made it over here Friday, but was CP compliant in Jean Broussard Ombre Rose, thanks to Jks’ mention of it. I think I have a newer, more powdery version of the edt, but it’s hard to get too powdery for me. And that bottle is so beautiful, it was my claim for points.
That’s such a good feeling. Go you!
Just read in the Post that the Girl Scouts have teamed with the personal care brand Native, to produce a line of scented shampoos, conditioners, body washes & deodorants that smell like some of the GS most famous cookies. Suspect I’m not a target customer 😉.
In Rose Cherie today, it’s flurrying but not sticking to the streets. Should go for a walk, but not finding the motivation.
You smell great in Rose Cherie!
Motivation is overrated.😉
SOTD = Herve Gambs Hotel Particulier Parfum
For some strange reason, I was not very aware that this is a Parfum! In any case, this will go into the category of why do I not wear this more often! I got this at a boutique in Lisbon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xeFc6xDPZ/?igsh=MWllcDZjbHpyOHR2bA==
In other news, a friend gave me a hat and scarf set, but since I don’t need any more of either, I returned it as the gifter helpfully included the gift receipt. Anyway, when I was at Customer Service counter, the SA immediately said that perfumes must be returned at the perfume counter. I had to look behind me to see if she was addressing someone else but no, it was me! It’s possible I may have Perfumista tattooed on my face but it also made me wonder why she assumed I was returning a perfume? I have never been more SEEN in my whole life! 🤯
Oh, and I wanted to share my calendar Caturday posts since I’m so enamored with the colors!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xezo5xEm_/?igsh=MXJtYXRobXBwdmtkYg==
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xgcnxx_qV/?igsh=MTExdno2M2I1dDY3Mw==
So sweet!
Wow, that’s crazy! Have you ever returned a perfume there before?
Never at Macys. I don’t recall returning opened nor unopened. For opened, I have at Lush (there was no way I would keep that Barbie body spray!).
Barbie was awful.
I hope she felt dumb when she saw the hat and scarf.
She had a brief look of panic then decided she did not care.
This is hysterical! That’s a tattoo, alright.🤣
Seriously!
Too funny! Did you happen to be wafting that day?
It was a personal waft of Bitter Peach and Le Bain de McBain.
I feel like apologizing to all the people going through or anticipating cold weather because our weather has been gorgeous here! Bright and sunny and clear with temps in the low 60’s. I think we are owed this however because of our horrendous summer.
I kept lusting after Amouage Lineage after I couldn’t find any Amouage at Duty Free in the airports on my recent trip and finally pushed the button and bought a bottle for a very good price on eBay yesterday! The seller has excellent reviews, so let’s hope this is an untouched FB, as promised. Christmas present to myself!
Yesterday I was complaining about losing interest in cooking. I went to the grocery store and bought nice things to help motivate me back to the stove and so this evening I’m planning to make some colorful stuffed peppers with (not sure yet) brown rice, pecans, and maybe cheese, white beans, and/or spinach. We shall see. I hope they are yummy! I have been eating out a lot lately, which has its bright spots but I also think I plan more healthy things at home. I’ll report in later!
Your peppers sound great!
Was just thinking about stuffed peppers! 😋
I love stuffed peppers but we rarely have them — what a nice idea. Hope they are/were yummy.
The photos look delicious on IG! 😋
It seems that many of us are decluttering or reorganizing! I guess that’s a worthy January activity. We are clearing out and updating our daylight basement level, where my DH has had a home office for many years, so our oldest daughter can use it as an apartment for a while. Her rent was increased and she’s trying to save for grad school, which she hopes to start in August (she has to apply this spring). We’re happy to offer her the space, but it has compressed my planned timeframe for clearing out a lot of stuff! Oh well, it’s good for me to have a deadline and just a bit of time pressure. I will enjoy the part that involves reorganizing and recording my fragrance collection!
Stay warm, everyone! Our weather is cold and rainy, but just warm enough not to snow. Bummer — I like snow in limited amounts.
Decluttering is year round, but it is in random bits and pieces.
Not now! I am like you in a rush. This will wonderful for you! Your daughter.🥰
Hello everyone, I made it home safe after work today before it got too snowy out; it was starting to stick just a wee bit, but all the roads seemed pretty well pre-treated already. I am very glad that a co-worker picked up my shift tomorrow morning, since where I am it’s supposed to keep going until afternoon. I will be snug as a bug with a cat’s hug, haha.
Today’s Soup Of The Day was Eau Parfumee Au the Vert. I was curious as to what a “vert” was; turned out it was pretty and spring-y, although it didn’t last too long.
If anyone in my neck of the woods has to drive tonite and early morning tomorrow, be careful!
Glad you got home safely!
Thanks!
Okay, so I’m wearing my first scrubber of the year, Chris Rusak Timbre. It’s a cedar overload backed up by some kind of cleaning fluid. I have some errands to run, so will give it more of a chance, but I have alcohol wipes in case of need.
Probably need to take a hit off my inhaler as well…😵💫
Big fail! Curious me wonders if you saw that coming? Or, did you think it was going to be a winner?🙀
I didn’t think it would be a winner, but hoped it would dry down nicely. It’s actually okay at this point, gentle woods and some powder. But not worth the trauma getting to the dry down.
I hope that was a sample.
Ack, that gave me such an unpleasant sensation even reading your description!
We had rain and wind all night as a cold front moved through. Now just cloudy which will be clearing throughout the day leading to a warning of a “hard freeze” tonight. Nothing compared to what a lot of you are facing over the next couple of days. Stay warm and safe! I’m in my favorite cold weather scent Kenzo Jungle l’Elephant. 🐘
We had a high of 41 today so I guess I can’t complain, but trust me I will anyway. Is your new power system 100% freeze proof?
On my way to see Mummies of the World while wearing Jubilation 25.
Oh that should be fascinating! Hope it is.
Back in Dryad today for a post-holiday visit with a friend. I know she likes Chanel, so I gifted her my partial bottle of No 19 parfum. It had just been sitting in my drawer unused for a while, and I know she will wear it and appreciate it.
How wonderful to have a perfumed pal, and what a great gift. My two closest friends both border on being anti-perfume. I think they only hold back because they know how I love it.
SotD En Passant. Fragrantica had an article about the new(?) Synthetic Nature and a commentator mentioned En Passant which suddenly sounded good. EP came up because it got reformulated last year, and someone in the discussion wondered if that was why SJ changed to SN.
I am vaguely guessing that SJ was trademarked in some country that caused a problem, but who knows.
Synthetic Nature sounds like the name of a bad bra.
Ahahahah! 😀 It does, and if you act now, you can get a second one freeeeee.
LOL!!
Thunked 3 samples this weekend, mostly because they’d nearly completely evaporated in the last couple of years:
1. FM Rose & Cuir, a disappointment.
2. Atelier Matieri’s Cacao Porcelana. Worth a sniff if you want photorealistic chocolate opening backed by warm/spicy woods. Not too sweet.
3. Marie Jeanne’s Jasmin Patchouli. I think I’m partially anosmic to this one. Nothing interesting to say about it. I know back in 2020/2021 I was considering an FB from this line, and can’t remember if it was this or something else. Glad I didn’t, I guess.
My samples from Indigo and the Perfumed Court had the worst evaporation, almost all nearly thunked. What has fared well: all dabbers; sprayers from most brands themselves; sprayers from Tigerlily/Ministry of Scent and Olfactif.
Oops. Didn’t mean to post my random update as a comment on yours!