Welcome to a January Monday. It’s also National Hot Sauce Day. Birthdays: John Donne, Lord Byron, August Strindberg, Beatrice Webb, George Balanchine, Sam Cooke. What fragrance are you wearing?
I’m in Chanel Bois des Iles, and taking a partial point for the island theme.
Reminder: on 1/26, we're off to The Caribbean! Wear a perfume that is named for a place in The Caribbean, or that reminds you of a (real or imaginary) trip to The Caribbean, or that features a local ingredient, or ?
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2024, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is The Cave of Wonders: The Baths at Virgin Gorda [cropped] by Dan Nelson at flickr; some rights reserved.
Hello.
I am feeling better, though I still have a sensitive stomach and mild aches but I can begin to tolerate perfume again!
Sotd is MFK Oud Satin Mood body oil. It smells beautiful and not overpowering, just the right gentle cloud of scent floating off the skin.
You smell fantastic
I love a good body oil
So glad you are on the mend!
Happy to hear you are feeling better!
Hurray for feeling better bit by bit!
27 degrees this morning…a veritable heat wave! BdJ has a post up about bwfs, so am in Carnal Flower.
BdJ??
Bois de Jasmine, I think.
😂
First time I tried CF was in 10F weather, and it was amazing.
I’m with you mals. I LOVE the white florals in the cold!!!
You smell wonderful and I am twins with you today in Carnal Flower. It’s perfect this time of year!
Gorgeous pick for Winter weather!
I’m wearing Dame Mate, Heliotrope & Patchouli, pulled from my sample bag.
One of my favorite Dames from his trio line. I think it might be discontinued. I know he discontinued a whole bunch from that line.
Last time I checked, Mate, Heliotrope & Patchouli was still around. I think Dame was resizing the bottles to 50mL, so it was temporarily out of stock.
👍👍👍👍
Happy Monday! Cheerfulness – fake it till you make it. It’s cold.
Taking points today for PdN Vanille Tonka, vanilla is grown in the Caribbean. Not sure if I have enough for a vanilla week but I can come close because I don’t really have a beachy scent. Has anyone smelled the Brazilian scent Cheiros? By the Brazilian Bum Bum cream people.
OMG, Vanille Tonka. I used to looove that stuff, and then they changed the formula (probably had to. it has a lot less lime, IMO). But yes, cheerful!
Hi! Yes, I miss the extra lime, and the base doesn’t seem as deep. But it still smells great.
You smell great…that one is very Christmas-y to me. 🙂
Thank you She-ra.
You smell great!
They have a bunch of frags (body sprays, I think) with “Cheirosa” in the name, but if you mean their EdP with the gold-disco-ball cap, then I can confirm that it smells just like the Bum Bum cream
That Bum Bum Cream is so potent that I could only wear it when temps were in the teens!
I haven’t smelled it. Ulta has a travel kit of the cream, body wash and body spray, I’ll treat myself one of these days.
If you don’t like sweet gourmands, then it won’t be your kind of thing.
9 degrees Fahrenheit
French Kiss
Floral Romantique
Guerlain THUNK x 2
You know, everybody seemed to thunk Floral Romantique. It’s boringly same-old, it’s overpriced for a run-of-the-mill floral, all of that.
And I would agree. All true…except that I really love it. I actually bought a bottle because I love it so unreasoningly much. (There’s no accounting for taste, is there?)
Hahaha!! Mals, I’ve really missed you!! I was on your blog a few days ago. I hope you decide to resurrect it one day.
No judgement, we like what we like! I thunked it because my New Year’s resolution is one thunk per day and so far so good.
I love it too and have 3 bottles. I know it’s kind of pedestrian but I find it very pretty and fun to wear.
I think it’s very pretty and definitely easy to wear!!
2 before 10am! That’s speed thunking!
Well honestly they were not full. So one went on one side of my body and the other went on the other side 😁
You smell fabulous!
Thank you🩵🩵🩵🩵
Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt. The Caribbean connection is the sea note and ambrette seeds (they come from West Indies, among other places).
Um, Robin, I accidentally subscribed to all comments to this post. How do I change this? “Manage your subscriptions” link is broken. Help!
So sorry…going to take me a few to remember how to fix but will get it done!
Not as hard as I thought, should be deleted, and will add looking into the management page to my long list…this site BADLY needs a week of housekeeping.
Just saw this reply. THANK YOU!
Thank you! Well, I should have been more careful when selecting a subscription option. Now my inbox is flooded. 🤣 I have just chosen “Replies to my comments” for this reply, maybe it will undo my previous choice?
This is perfect for the CP.
Thanks! I always thought of this scent as a “European seaside” perfume, but, come to think of it, its warm sweetness works for Caribbean as well. At least I think so – I have never been there.
We’re all the way up to 17F this morning and I’m in Amouage Memoir Woman, which I tend to save for winter.
Well, it’s for dang sure winter. And I smell fabbo.
We are at 30, which is nearly a heat wave. It is definitely winter. Nice to see you checking in mals!
Memoir is fabulous.
You smell great!
37 days to the start of meteorological Spring!
SL Écrin de Fumée. Spicy dark-chocolate incense on a cold cold morning? Yes please!
Sounds good to me too!
Another great winter perfume choice.
I like this one very much. You smell great!
You smell wonderful today!
No points for me today — predictably, I’m in Under My Skin once again. Great news — our house has water again! The burst pipe has only been temporarily capped, full repair to follow soon, but the temporary fix at least means the toilets are usable. And our favorite contractor came out and thinks the damage is limited to the garage, and maybe one wall in the laundry room, which is also great news. However, it looks like the waterfall from the garage ceiling may have toasted our cable and internet connection (without which Mr. G cannot cope), which means we’re still hanging out at my parents’ place so my scent choices are very limited. Full disclosure: I would probably be wearing this scent anyway. 😆
Well, all around much better news that could have been otherwise! I hope the cable and Internet connections get fixed asap!
Much better news, for sure — it is shocking to open a garage door and see water absolutely gushing out of a hole in the ceiling … but it would have been exponentially worse to have seen that in any other part of the house!
I’m glad it’s limited damage but sorry you aren’t back home yet.
Me too on both counts! But my parents’ little apartment is cozy, and they are out of town so we have the place to ourselves. It could be much worse!
Oh that’s good!
Good to hear that your contractor has already been at the house to survey the damage. Any idea how long you will be displaced?
No real idea yet. If it turns out that our cable and internet were NOT victims of the water damage but were coincidental outages at the respective providers, we could be back home in a couple of days. I don’t really hold a lot of hope on that, though — I think we’re going to have to have both Comcast and Xfinity redo our connections. Boooo!
Wearing CB I Hate Perfume At the Beach.
The Caribbean equals summer to me. So, I will probably do a whole week of summer perfumes to bring the warmth and cheerfulness of pleasant, sunny days to my cold, winter days!
On my second cup of coffee and a Nutella puff pastry.
Happy Monday! ⛱️
I might join you in summer perfume this week. I think I have enough. Happy Monday!
Thank you, Lillyjo!
I’m glad to have a “summer scents” company this week! We really need to kick out very hard this horrible winter season. It has been very tough, so far!
I had a nutella croissant yesterday. Good stuff!
Indeed! So tasty! 😋
The January Thaw is headed your way too, PL67! Promise!
Fingers crossed!🤞🏻
Robin, I like you play on the CP and will probably copy you at some point this week. 👍🏼
I’m not a fan of BWFs which seem to be viewed as having tropical/island vibes. Instead I went with CSP Coco Figue, which has every tropical island note you can think of, except rum. I must have made the right choice because the sun is back after a two day absence.
Poor T-Rex got a mouth full of Cholla yesterday. I think she must have stepped on a broken off piece and then tried to remove it using her teeth and mouth, ending up with some stuck in her tongue, roof of her mouth, and lips. I removed what I could right there, then hustled her back and plucked the ones out of her tongue with tweezers. I think I got them all, and she had no problems eating last night. I gave her extra belly rubs and that seemed to help. Poor pupper. ☹️
Also, I might quit my job even though I haven’t started yet. So there’s that. Lol
I hope everyone is staying the course much better then I am. Smell well, y’all!
Quit and not get another contract or just calling it quits altogether?
I want to be reborn independently wealthy. Can you arrange that for me? 😉
😁😁
I’ll arrange it so we can be independently wealthy twins!
👯♀️ I can’t think of a better person to be twinned with!
Poor T-Rex.
Don’t you have a vacation in February?
No, I’ve been off since September and was supposed to start a contract January 8, which was cancelled at the last minute. Not by me, but because the agency didn’t follow through like they were supposed to. So, I’m with my second agency (I’m with multiple for just this reason) and supposed to start 2/5 but they have made the process so onerous I feel like telling them forget it. I was supposed to go on vacation in April to France but had to cancel that because the January contact was cancelled…you see how crazy this is?! No joke, I’m just want to bawl like a two year old…😭
Well damn… I’d be upset too! Life is crazy. As my favorite meditation says, “Breathe in strength, breathe out bullshit!” Hugs!
That is my kind of mantra! 😉
I’m going to borrow that meditation very soon!
Well that really sucks. I hope things get better for you and you can go through with the February contract, as I’m sure you could use it financially after January’s failure. Sending hugs to you and T-Rex!
You could also think of aquatics, tropical fruits, spices grown in the area (nutmeg & allspice for starters! but lots of others), rum notes…
For woods, Lignum Vitae (aka guaiacum sanctum, holywood).
Oh poor T-Rex, and poor you…does that mean you’ll have to look for another contract?
I will keep all those excellent suggestions in mind, thank you for taking the time to list them!
T-Rex seems to be fully recovered. My biggest concern was one of the spines would get lodged in her esophagus or lower down her GI tract and cause a perforation, so I’m hoping I got everything out.
I haven’t quit yet, and I don’t really know what I would do if I did. I seem to be having a Late in Life Crisis…most normal people have mid-life crisis but nope, I’m a day late and a dollar short, as usual. 😂
Hey, it’s never too late to have a crisis! If you didn’t get to it earlier you need to do it now before it’s too late 😉
Oh poor T-Rex, the desert can be a difficult place to deal with but that’s better than a snake’s bite.
She’s been really smart about the cacti in the desert. This is the first time it’s been a real problem. If she inadvertently gets something in her paw, she usually just stops and holds the paw in the air and waits for me to pluck it out. I think that stepping on the cholla was so painful her immediate reaction was to bite it, hence the mouthful of spines. But she seems perfectly sassy today. As for snakes, we’re only here when all 14 (!) species of venomous snakes are hibernating. Once it warms up and they wake up, we’re gone! 🐍
Aww, poor T-Rex. I’m glad you were able to get all the spines, though.
Bummer on the contract / agency…why do they have to make it so hard?
Thanks, and yes, I JUST did a contract with this agency which finished in June 23! They do a background check every single time…any other company you can just sign a release, but now they are using a different company and they want exact dates for every job for the last 7 years..! I just keep going around and around with their App and it will never save my info and continually boots me out so I have go through it all over again. It’s such an incredible waste of time. Geez, I may need to spray more perfume to offset the Eau de Frustration! 🫠
Oh no poor doggo! You have a smart one and I am glad the worst seems to be over.
She’s smarter than me because look at her life! Two solid, very expensive Science Diet meals a day, snacks and treats, a cozy bed, fresh cold water, walkies and endless belly rubs and…I’d like to change places with her. 😀
I am sure there are other places that would love to have you. I would think Arizona would have opportunities for nurses.
I’m in Arizona now and the pay is 👎🏼. But let me tell you about a recent interview in which I turned down the offer-
Her: Very high acuity unit! We have trachs, withdrawals, post cardiac caths, vasoactive drips, BiPaps, stable vents. Ratios are CNAs 1:16, RNs 1:7
Me: Bye! 🤣
Yeah. I would be saying bye too with that assignment. Do you have to do bedside care or is that what you like? After the first five years, I switched to admin and education for 35 years. Are you willing to do that? You may not be interested. Not as high stress though.
No, I’ve never had any interest in admin or management. I want to clock in, take care of my patients and clock out. I don’t want to be on call, I don’t want to be responsible for anyone other than myself. Before I started traveling I was getting all kinds of pressure to do charge and the whole “clinical ladder” BS and I didn’t want any part of it. It’s just me and my patients. I like patient care in general but it’s really impossible these days. Ratios are now worse than during Covid with very high acuity patients. I prefer cardiac step-down but as a traveler I’m the first to float. Really, some of things I’ve seen are just unbelievable. I think I might have PTSD…😵💫
After 2 weeks of covid I am finally emerging from the fog
No perfume these days
Reading In the Country of Others and daydreaming about Morocco while reading this book.
Stay healthy everyone!
Glad you are starting to come through it ltsg!
Hope you feel 100% soon!
So glad you’re better, two weeks! No perfume, Have you lost your sense of smell as a result?
So glad you’re finally feeling a bit better. What a rough road it’s been for you. 🤒
Poor you, hoping you’re at 100% very soon.
Sending you hugs and glad you are on the mend!
Oh, no, I’m sorry you went through that. Did your family members also catch Covid? I’m on the fifth and final day of Paxlovid treatment for my Covid. It supposedly works like a miracle drug for some but I’m still feeling pretty lousy. I am glad you’re better!
I was wondering how you were and I am glad to hear you’re on the mend.
Glad you are feeling better. Always good to have a book handy.
Oh yuck! Sorry to hear that it is COVID. Pleased to hear that you are finally starting to see light at the end of that tunnel.
Why is it still January!?! This is such a long ##$!% month!
More snow and freezing rain on the way.
I go back to work today after my staycation. Sob.. also don’t ask me how it happened but we now have a dog. I think it’s an Australian cattle dog of some sort. Now I am going to have dog stories.
I am wearing BBW Coco Paradise body spray. I will probably switch later for work tonight.
I am so over winter, too…
Congrats on your new pup!
Thank you! I’m a little nervous about the extra responsibility though.
January is a long giant Monday
Perfect description!
A counter view — January is the best month (gift link):
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/style/januarys-secret-its-the-best-month.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Pk0.sook.ngSynhYj6o5W&smid=url-share
I wouldn’t mind it so much if I didn’t have to go outside for 30.. I mean 31! Days. Lol. I’m a winter wimp.
January is pretty nice from where I’m standing!
You’re lucky I wasn’t mid sip of diet coke! 🤣
Good one👍
😺
A doggy! Congrats! Looking forward to your new stories! 🐕
Thanks! I’m hoping there not too entertaining. Lol
This is all new for me.
I’m with you on this awful weather!! Hate it!!
Good luck with back to work
Congratulations on the fur baby!!!
Thank you!
How old is your dog? Hope the weather improves soon.
Around 6 months. He seems pretty laid back. The rescue people told me he won’t get very big. I hope they told the truth.
They don’t tell you what the breed is but my daughter told me. She reads alot about animals.
2 more days of bad weather then finally the temperature will get above freezing.
It’s almost over, the sun will be breaking through any day now and basking you in warmth and comfort. You can make it! And a DOG!! I’m so excited for you and your kids. You MUST tell every single dog story. What did you name her/him? Is it a puppy? The vet can help you tell his age and he might be chipped so you can return him to his owner if so, no extended responsibility required!
Ah, so you ADOPTED him?! Great move on your part! I highly recommend puppy obedience and socialization classes. Cattle dogs need firm boundaries. Ask me how I know…
Do they get big?
I thought that was what T-rex is. He seems to want to eat every piece of lint in my house.
He’s about 25 lbs.
T-Rex is a medium sized dog, about 44-45 pounds. I’m going to give some suggestions to make your life easier and less stressful and then won’t say anything else unless you ask. (I used to teach obedience classes for pet owners and competed with my own dogs in obedience trials back in the 90’s, so I’m not blowing smoke out my you know what!😄)
#1) get a crate and crate train him before he destroys your house and you patience. Feed him in there. Give him a special treat every time he gets out in there. He gets crated at night, when no one is able supervise him, and when you have just had enough and can’t take it anymore. 2) Cattle dogs are very energetic, and when actually working as intended, will work themselves to exhaustion. They are also very smart, which is why it’s essential to get him started in some obedience classes. Plus, that interaction will give his very busy mind something to think about. I wouldn’t really recommend this breed for a first time owner, but it is what it is. On the upside, they are very lively, charming and funny dogs. Best of luck!
Thanks Deva. He is crate trained and we are using it. So far so good. I appreciate any advice you have.
Thank you!❤️
Well then, you’re already ahead of the game! 🐕👍🏼
He’s a 6 month rescue dog with a chip. He came with the name Dillon and I am not going to change it. I have to find a vet still. There’s a lot around here. I am the last person in the city to have a dog.
Exciting news about the dog, is it an adult or a puppy?
6 month old. I guess that’s still a puppy.
Very much still a puppy, lillyjo! Some breeds are considered puppies until they are 2 or 3 years old. Definitely do your research/homework about the type you have.
I know you said not to ask, but I usually don’t pay attention 🤣. How did you end up with a dog???
I was just in the right place at the right time ( or the opposite?!) And I caved. January has made me weak, I tell ya.
Good luck back at work and with the new dog!
Thanks! I just pulled into work. Fingers crossed I get home before then freezing rain 🤞
Yay for your new family member! 🐕
Pets are extra responsibility but there is so much joy as well. And the joy is so worth it. Not unlike kids…well, most of the time ehaeheh 😉 as you know. 😍
Yes.. I know! Lol🙂
Those are super smart dogs, and I bet she’ll be quite entertaining. Congratulations!
Thank you!
What? A new dog? Well, good for you.
Let’s hope!
Congratulations on your new furry family member!
Thank you! And good to see you!
Hello there! How’s life?
Congrats on the new member of the family! As someone who has never had a dog, I feel excited and nervous for you!
I feel the same way!
I’m working on sending much warmer weather your way!
Congrats on the new furry family member! Do tell how it happened!
Thank you!
Imagine this was your everyday chapel and instead of popping in your AirPods you’d have the servants bring in the musicians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFyv7c1XyYU&t=2s
Beautiful chapel!
Beautiful place and music.
Such talent and gorgeous chapel…thanks for sharing.
My favourite part of the day is standing outside as the stars start to fade and the dawn chorus begins. I used to think that all the birds wake up and sing but there is a very “ strict” order once you tune your ears…first the ringing, bell-like tui and bellbirds, then fifteen minutes later the lyrical blackbirds and thrushes then another ten minutes and the sparrows and finches come in. And then it stops. I worked out that this order matched the size of the birds: from biggest to smallest but when I looked it up that’s not really the explanation . The birds wake up according to the size of their eyes in relationship to their bodies. Those with the biggest eyes wake up first, as they are more sensitive to light. Amazing. Warm and wet here and doing a week of rum and tobacco, starting with the very strong Abel black Anise. Keep warm you guys!
https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/native-animals/birds/bird-song/tui-song-50.mp3
This is what I hear when it is still dark, before dawn
Thank you for sharing this beautiful observation. Amazing what we learn when we pause and stay in the moment.
Lovely, thank you!
I love this too — it’s the silver lining in habitually waking up too early. Here the morning soundscape is all owls at first — great horned and northern pygmy — when the last stars are still out and the sunrise first starts to pink the clouds, plus the wall of sound made by the pacific chorus frogs in the nearby wetlands. Then the various songbirds start to trickle in, with the robins coming in right about at coffee time. In a month or two the songbirds will start to make their own wall of sound, like 1000 bells ringing in the tender new air.
I read that robins wake very early ( big eyes) but we don’t have European/ American red breasted robins here so they are t part of my dawn chorus. We have a beautiful native Robin which is brown with a pale yellow belly. They are hugely inquisitive and will come around campsites in native beech forests or on tracks and follow. They don’t live in the cities or farmlands though, only in beech forests
https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/south-island-robin
American robins wake VERY EARLY and I put that in grouchy all caps because of all the times I’ve been doing fieldwork in the mountains and trying to get a decent night’s sleep while camping, and lo, the robins start up at the first hint of daylight, like wilderness roosters. Your little robin is so sweet and elegant looking!
I’ve heard American robins mouthing off at 4:30 in the morning during the summertime. Not even the sun is up then!
Also love this post. Your descriptions of nature are always thoroughly beautiful. 🥰
Wonderful! Thanks, Kanuka!
I seem to be avoiding all the CPs lately. I’m wearing Rodin Bis because sometimes I crave its anise/violet/ambergris structure. So unusual and so lovely. It really does remind me of the inside of my mom’s purse way back when.
Weights and yoga done –now off to work on housework projects that I’ve been avoiding.
Really, the overarching CP on NST is: Wear Something Great!
😀
Oh gosh — the smell of the inside of my mom’s purse! I hadn’t even realized what a clear and intense scent-memory that is for me, but suddenly I can recall it so strongly that it’s almost a physical sensation!
Yes, I agree!
Twins in avoiding all the CPs lately!
Nobody should do the cp if they don’t want to…it’s just for fun, so entirely pointless if you don’t find it fun. It should not even be necessary to explain why you’re not doing one 🙂
Wearing Amouage Epic today. It’s been 2 years since I lost Jake and still miss him terribly. I am thinking of Worth Courtesan or Narcotic V for Friday.
I am so sorry Dawn. Hugs to you 💙
Sending lots of hugs. ♥
So sorry, sending hugs.
Hugs
Hugs in memory of your furbaby.
Sending big hugs to you.
Hugs. 🌻
Hugs for your Jake. And you.
Sending a few more hugs, Dawn.
Today I’m wearing Good Girl Gone Bad By Killian. Found a sample in my drawer as I searched for something new to try.
I’d describe it as pretty. I’m a few hours in and the jasmine and fruitiness have simmered down but the osmanthus is still front and centre, which is good news in my books. I am starting to get hints of the amber and cedar, and hoping for more of that.
I might try a side by side (arm by arm?) comparison with Osmanthus by Acqua di Parma. I think I preferred that variation on the theme, but we’ll see…
Also in something pretty aka “flowers from far away”, namely Dusita’s Douceur de Siam.
I think I have a sample of your SOTD. Should resniff that one; you make it sound quite appealing.
Doing a big thunk today of my Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle decant. This lasted me many years, but it did begin to slowly evaporate in recent years so I kept it out on a shelf so I’d actually wear it somewhat regularly instead of losing it to evaporation. I really like the perfume but will certainly never own a bottle at the price it goes for on eBay when it shows up there. And if I’m being honest, I’m sure I can find or already have something fairly similar to it that will evoke the same kind of perfume experience. Sometimes we do build up in our minds those scents that are rare, discontinued, or expensive. Anyway, I’m saying goodbye to this one today. And there’s actually a CP connection because of the vetiver that is grown in Haiti.
I know I build up discontinued perfume way more than some of them deserve. I also find I am reluctant to get rid of something that is discontinued even if I don’t care much for it.
Guerlain’s Vetiver Pour Elle was ridiculously priced even when new. Glad that you thunked your decant instead of letting it evaporate!
Thanks for all the Caribbean suggestions. I’ll tuck those away for later and today is Le Galion’s Rose because I’m wearing a dress with roses.
Perfect! You always sound like you’re in such pretty dresses Gaynor.
Apple, pear, orange and yogurt smoothie
I reached for Guerlain Champs Elysées this morning, the edp, it’s not the most popular in Guerlain’s catalogue but I’ve always enjoyed it. I also have 30ml of vintage extrait which I should wear. Tonight I am in Fragonard Les Naturelles Fleur de Vanille which is really good and well, natural smelling.
I so wish Guerlain was available to smell here in person. Champs Elysees was here briefly about 20 years ago. I don’t remember the concentration.
Smelling the Guerlains is always a treat, there is also an EDT IIRC, all concentrations are lovely in their own right. The extrait bottle is on the balcony or I would have used some. I also think you would enjoy Liu which is the Guerlain No 5.
You get an enabler pin for citrus fruit today. I picked up some Sumo Mandarins while grocery shopping this afternoon since they are in season, easy to peel, and usually quite tasty. 🍊
😃🍊Wonderful, citrus fruits are the sunshine of winter.
I’m non-islandy today in Cuir de Gardenia. It’s so relentlessly grey here — I’m happy for the earth, but I literally cannot recall the last time I saw the sun, or blue sky. Weekend was a hazy blur of fatigue, hip pain, migraine, and generalized sorrow, and I’m finding it difficult to navigate the uncertainties and insecurities (real and imagined) involved in being in a relationship after a long stretch of stable, me-being-in-control-of-everything singledom. And I have a second, more serious surgery now scheduled for March, with all the attendant feelings. So, I wanted a fragrance that could hug me, one with zero screech, nothing challenging, and nothing so specific that it could become the scent-memory of a difficult time. Cuir de Gardenia is so lovely — it just cuddles up to my skin and smells like me, if I had just emerged from an enchanted beehive.
Sending you comforting hugs and a hot cup of tea.
Thank you! Hugs and tea sound spot on. 🙂
Oy, you have a lot going on. Hugs!
Thanks for the hugs! It’s a weird time, for sure.
Cuir de Gardenia sounds like a perfect choice for you today. I hope everything improves and maybe at least the sun comes out soon.
Thank you. It’s supposed to get brighter and warmer later in the week, at least!
Sending you well wishes.
Not sure why your mention of surgery had me suddenly remembering that when I had a major surgery 15 years ago, I meditated a lot and listened to this healing meditation CD. I think it helped me a lot and I would recommend it. Surgery does bring up so many feelings. Good luck!
I had a lesser surgery last May and the recovery was in some ways rockier than I’d expected — I think I was so focused on managing logistics and attending to prescribed rehab that I forgot to make time for things that felt nourishing and supportive like meditation, witchy herb salves, and gentle therapies. Thank you for the reminder on this!
Sending more virtual tea and sympathetic hugs! 🫖☕
I’m wearing a large dose of my favorite incense bomb, Rundholz April 6, 1968. It’s pouring rain here and I’m cuddled up with the dog in fragrant bliss.
I have to find my decant from you know who!
An incense bomb of a perfume sounds right up my alley!
Well, it’s not the Caribbean, but it feels tropical today: Un Jardin sur le Nil. I’ve actually never been to the Caribbean, unlike just about everyone else I know, but then, someday I do want to visit Cuba. I suppose Cuba would bring tobacco as a note into this CP? Hmm…
A kind NSTer sent me a sample of Lubin Jardin Rouge with my split and I wore it last night and quite liked it. I’m not usually a huge fan of berry perfumes (though I do like rose), but this was just the right combination of berries and rose and spices for me. Maybe it was a last night thing? I will need to try it again. 🙂
Cuba! I had a wonderful experience. Not sure how it is right now but I am sure you’re better off flying in from Canada than the U.S. Also, don’t bother bringing in Cuban currency because there is a special one for tourists; whatever you do, don’t exchange for it with US$ as there is a penalty.
Feels like January 45th. I’m sampling Esprit d’Oscar. Oscar de la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic, no?
Totally January 45th!
Yes!
SOTD = Commodity Milk
I have never been so indecisive about how I feel about a perfume! I am usually a yes / no kind of person, no matter how big or small the line. Although I have to say I rarely post about perfumes I don’t like because, why waste my time. Anyway, Milk is a milky amber but the drydown is shrill, synthetic and sharp. I will be giving this another go!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2afdnXR000/?igsh=MXV0NnVqcXppN3JyOQ==
And, peeps, I received the Dance of the Dragon candle on Sunday! It is beautiful and stunning and more candle for the price! I haven’t burnt it yet because we’re now in a heat wave (~ 37F) and I’ll wait until it gets below 25F before I use it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ag_Q1x0nK/?igsh=N2pmMjNmZWQwb3hh
Milk was a big no for me. I found it very sharp, like you said.
In case you didn’t notice, Robin has posted some new candles today. A few sound delightful. Take a peek 😊 Not that I would enable you or anyone.
😈
🤣
LOL, oh, no, not YOU!
🤣
Ooh, I even like the candle box! Report back when you start burning it, does it smell nice unlit?
Your SOTD sounds like a hard pass for me to even give it a sniff.
Yeah I found Milk very sharp, nothing like its mellow name. I tried it because I have and love Commodity Gold and find THAT one so easy and comforting. I guess so many reviewers loved Milk, I felt compelled to try it. I have the 3 version sample pack. Maybe I will give it another run.
So glad the candle seems decent!
It’s raining cats and dogs here today (in honor of lillyjo’s new family member 😉 ) but it’s truly pouring. I was on my way to a doctor’s appt. and they called w/ just under 45 minutes notice that he was sick and had to reschedule. Thankfully I had just gotten on the freeway and got right back off. People in San Diego cannot drive in the rain. ehaeheh Most of southern CA lacks the skill I dare say. 😆Drainage is a problem to be sure but it’s like they all want to drive like it’s sunny, dry and 70 degrees every day.
Thunked The Sexiest Scent on the Planet today inspired by CM8. My sniffer is not 100% so I was going through old samples to test my nose. I can smell they to varying degrees. My Coco Mademoiselle Intense decant was the strongest eheheh 😉 but I was not in the mood for that.
I am still on the mend from some virus funk (apparently not Covid or maybe the tests can’t detect it anymore? I did not feel that sick and have never actually tested positive for it. I wish we had tests that can detect all the viruses b/c I am definitely a curious sort. ) that started last Weds. The virus is not unlike a perfume Ehaeheh it had mild to moderate sillage/punch but lots of longevity…keeps on going and I can still smell/feel it! 😉 Like the samples you don’t like but can never wash off.
Funny — during my brief yet all-too-long stint in LA, I found that when it rained all the drivers slowed down and drove like terrified little old ladies. Since I’m a lifelong PNWer, I was accustomed to a slight slowing, but was amused by the terror. Schadenfreude. 😈
Hi thunk twin!!
Big rain in LA yesterday and today. Had to go out for some errands and I am in a flood zone. I drove just fine.
Home now, my sweater is smelling of the beautiful Dzongka.
Strangely enough, people in Vancouver have a lot of trouble driving in the rain, too. Snow I get, but rain?
Wearing Rose Anonyme today. One of my favorite from Atelier Cologne.
So the last thread that connects me to the boy that brought much pain to my life lately is that we have each other’s books. I’d like to return them and get mine back. He doesn’t speak to me first, only replies (sometimes) with plain words that make the conversation going impossible.
I feel like getting the books will be the moment when we’ll never see each other ever again.
5 months. 5 effing months & I’m back to nothing.
You smell wonderful. I feel for you with the failed relationship. Are the books unique? If not, you may be better off just leaving well enough alone.
I second this.
I third this.
I fourth this. You might be better off just repurchasing the books you truly miss.
Things will unfold. They always do. Hang in there.
You’re not back to nothing. He’s back to nothing!
I promise you so much good is waiting for you.
I am so sorry you are going through this pain. Hugs.
I agree with the other posters who have said that you are not back to nothing. It may not feel like it at present, though.
And I would be sorely tempted to donate your former flame’s books to charity. At least have something good come out of it.
SOTD is Shalimar MI. Big surprise, right?
Are you almost through the first bottle yet?
Believe it or not, no.
I’m wearing Angel Iced Star for the coconut and pineapple notes. It’s a good counterpunch to winter. I think Lillyjo gets the enabler pin.
It’s a good one!
I’m doing the CP with L’Artisan Havane Vanille, which I distinctly remember buying in 2011. I’ve still got at least a half bottle left. It’s a bit of a heavy hitter on the sweet side but is wonderful on our very dark drizzly day here. I’ve got to run now for a Zoom but will check back on everyone later!
I hope your mouth and jaw are feeling better. 🦷
Thank you, Deva. I honestly think that the Covid bug which involves sinus congestion and a lot of coughing has interacted with my poor sore jaw to make each one worse. In particular I’m having trouble sleeping at night due to both pain and coughing. I very much appreciate your well wishes, though, and hope that perhaps after my final two doses of Paxlovid, things will perk up.
😂 I’m in Les Indemodables Vanille Havane.
I should get a sample of the L’AP to try them side by side.
This feels like the month that will never end, I think it’s because there are five Mondays this January. One more to go!
I really need to buckle down, it’s been very hard for me to get motivated at work since my winter break vacation. I’ve been answering emails and handling little things, but totally avoiding all my big projects.
Copying pyramus in Écrin de Fumée today. I thought I would have a tough time finding something appropriate for the CP and the cold rainy weather this week, but I have a few ideas now!
I agree but for me February always feels even longer…March feels hopeful again, even if the weather is still bad.
And like you, VERY hard to get motivated!
I am definitely in the minority here, wondering where January has gone. Wasn’t New Year’s yesterday? 🤔
Went grocery shopping today for a few things, and spent almost $100. Worth it to get some fruit and veggies into my fridge, though. I’m looking over the circulars the stores send out to find deals.
SOTD = still in Boyfriend Body Creme, in the usual spots.
However, on Saturday I actually wore some perfume! Sprayed a bit of SL Ecrin de Fumee from a sample in The Sample Stash. Rather liked it.
I’m glad to hear you had a good pefume experience on Saturday. 🩷
And I’m with you on January feeling fast. I had a few small home projects I had wanted to tackle this month and I have done none of them so far. They may all end up jammed into next weekend.
I jumped on a Perfume Lemming that Robin had posted before Xmas from Serge Lutens. It was simply too good to pass up.
Greetings from Colorado, BTW!
Salutations from ice-covered New Jersey!
So I’ve heard! You all have had more snow this winter than where I ended up in Colorado! 🤣
Check out any online coupons too. Are grocery prices about the same there?
I’ve signed up for the loyalty programs for 2 supermarket chains that are local. Plus, I have a Costco membership.
Can’t really compare apples to apples. The stores I shopped at in NJ aren’t here in CO, and the stores I go to here in CO aren’t in NJ except for Whole Foods, and that is an “every once in a while” splurge.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Target Circle coupons lately. It’s just annoying that you have actively select them in the app rather than just getting them automatically at checkout
Hi Friends! I have been lurking a bit over the past several weeks while dealing with an onslaught of family things (COVID came for almost everyone, among other things), but not posting much. I am committed to thunking samples on the regular this year, and I know telling you all will keep me honest about it, so I’m going to try to get back in the swing of posting. 😂
Today I thunked a sample of Nishane Ambra Calabria, which I quite like. It reminded me of Nishane Ani, so I spritz that one of for comparison. They have the same vanilla dna, but where Ani has a sweet, rounded mandarine peel note, the AC has a crisp, green galbanum note. Second cousins, I’d say.
Tea today was a Rwandian BOP that was too robust for my taste.
A lot of people seem to be getting COVID back East lately.
Yeah, it is on a tear right now. Everyone I talk to has either had it or has a family member who has had it since Christmas.
I hope the good Colorado air keeps it away from you!
Thanks. Was worried about staying in hotels during my move, but that turned out all right.
Glad to see you posting!
🥰
Glad to see you back. I was wondering what happened to you.
Testing but not thunking three decants from Ava Luxe- White Violet, Palisander and Royal Parvati. Wow! Are they good!!! Natural smelling with a beautiful drydown.
I remember being intrigued with this brand years ago when I tried Milk and had a list of others I wanted to sample. But then I thought they had gone out of business.
Apparently not because I just spent an hour on the website and reading reviews.
Any recommendations from this brand?
So many comments today! I’ll have to come back later in the week read some of the conversations more carefully. Not much time tonight, so skimmed and didn’t comment much.
Work is going to be busy and stressful for all of Q1. As a result, decided to drop out of a student dance recital that I was on the fence about. I just can’t commit to the amount of precise needed, the recital is 3 hours away anyway 🙄, and the lead time to learn the new routines and practice is just not reasonable for me right now.
I definitely need to work on stress management and ensuring work/life balance, but the stress of a deadline and looming performance for a hobby is just not helpful. Sigh.
Commando most of the day, then Les Indemodables Vanille Havane for the CP.