It's Hump Day and the last day of January, plus National Backward Day. Birthdays: Alan Lomax, Jackie Robinson. RIP Chita Rivera. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm commando for a couple appointments this morning. I'll report my fragrance later in the day.
Reminder: 2/2 is Groundhog Day...assemble some winter- and spring-appropriate samples in a bowl, and pick one at random, then tell us if spring will be early or late this year. (This is a repeat.)
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 A Winter Walk [cropped] by judy dean at flickr; some rights reserved.
ps Manzanita Capital has bought DS&Durga
https://basenotes.com/perfume-news/diptyque-owner-acquires-brooklyn-based-perfume-house-ds-durga/
So, if the founders of the brand will be in the same role, doing what they always did, why sell it and lose control of your own project? I don’t understand that. I’m missing something, I guess. Maybe they just wanted money up front and no responsibility for the finances (profits/losses) anymore..?
A huge infusion of cash.
The founders have a diminished role over time and keep a hand in it until they don’t.
Byredo launched a fine jewelry line today.
Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown and The Ordinary are master classes in how this is done.
Ah, got ya! The bottom line is always money, isn’t it? 🫤
Money and land.
Same happened to Atelier Cologne after they got bought by L’Oreal.
I dont see them launch any new stuff anymore and probably the good fragrances have been reformulated as well
Infusion of cash plus offloading many administrative / distribution tasks. Ideally, leaves you more time to just create the perfumes.
One would think.
🙂
Le sigh.
Good morning NST. In keeping with my theme of wearing year round scents until Friday, today it’s Clair de Musc, so pretty. I keep thinking that I’ll try layering it with some other perfumes to up the musk factor but it smells so good on it’s own that I haven’t tried it.
Thanks to whoever it’s was who said that Northern Exposure is now on Prime, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it.
Hi ringthing – you are in my favorite musk and smelling wonderful! I’ve tried Musc Koublai Khan several times and never got the excitement, but CdM wows me.
I like MKK too but it’s so inaccessible. CdM and Kiehls Musk take care of my musk needs.
I just started re-watching it on Monday! Good times!
Awesome! We’ve been watching too. It’s like an old friend.☺️
Hello.
Sotd is EL Private Collection.
Made a mug of chai but instead of milk, I went with whipping cream for some extra richness (truth is I need to use up, or try to anyway, my carton before it’s gone bad). Tastes really good. My carton is 1L sized, god knows how I can finish it. Cream in EVERYTHING!
I forgot to reply to yesterday’s comments until it’s too late.
I recommend this beauty youtuber called Hotandflashy. I follow her because her skincare journey and tips and info are transparent and quite scientific/ fact based. Do check her out if anyone’s interested!
You can make butter from cream by whipping it beyond “whipped cream” — in fact, cream that is past its prime makes this easier. The part that isn’t so easy is squeezing all the whey out of the resulting butter. We did this a few times when I was a kid, and that was my first introduction to unsalted butter.
Cream in scrambled eggs, berries and cream, yummy.
I like hot n flashy too, haven’t watched her in a couple of years, I’ll have to check in.
Sorry SheriG, this was supposed to be in the general comments.
That would be a fun way to use my cream up! Thanks!
I like hot and flashy too! Not much of a youtuber, but I see her on Instagram.
I follow her there too!
You could make a nice spinach quiche. That uses a lot of cream.
Or creamed spinach. That’s delish too 😋
H888, Angie has great recommendations! Love seeing her routines, and cute doggies.
You’ll never see me saying no to cream in anything. That and potatoes…
Three words: Potato au Gratin 😍
YES! I like the way you think! Potatoes in any form, I just can’t resist them…
Oh, and I adore Estee Lauder’s Private Collection, you smell marvelous.
Thank you 😊
House twins – all the NST talk about the EL Legacy collection made me eye my hoard for any missing pieces! 🙂 Happily, there was Spellbound. Regarding cream, I treat myself at Christmas with heavy cream in my coffee. And I have a few or more sips straight up too!
The legacy collection new had me worried about the potential axing of the OG scents. I actually went ahead and bought BUBs.
I’ve watched hot and flashy too. If you are into skincare I would highly (highly) recommend Caroline Hirons….books, blog, insta. I have transformed my skin in the last 2 years by following her recommendations.👍
Omg I need to check her out! I do looove skincare.
This is the perfect time of year for making cream-based soups.
I have cream of mushroom lined up 💛
Today I’m getting close to the end of a sample of JPG Scandal Le Parfum, which is really nice, but far too simple: jasmine and vanilla caramel and nothing else. For a third the price, something more along the lines of CSP, which this resembles, I’d have a bottle (and toss the awful cap), but there’s just no way it’s worth what they’re charging.
Scandal Absolu is coming soon, maybe it will be better. Or not 🙂
So I blind grabbed Montale Vetiver Patchouli from my stash of decants. I’m not sure what season it is but I’m enjoying it.
Montale Red Vetiver is amazing, I had a bottle eons ago and it took forever to finish it! I wish they’d reissue those scents in 30ml bottles.
Good morning everyone! I’m in JM Osmanthus Blossom and am trying to actually detect any osmanthus in it. No dice. I’ve been wearing fragrance, but not commenting. A friend was in the hospital for a few days, but she’s home now and recuperating nicely. I’m very relieved! She’s a “second mom” to several of us here. ❤️
I’ve worn OJ White Gold, Chanel Eau Premiere (several days in that one) and finally thunked a decant of vintage No. 5 from a very kind NSTer. The day after I wore the No. 5, I could still smell it on the cuff of my sweater. I may never wash it again. ❤️
ToTM is Piglet’s Big Adventure, and I thunked that one. Very satisfying, this thunking thing.
I’m glad your friend is doing well. And happy thunking.
Good news about your friend, and I can definitely get behind Eau Premiere for days!
Nancyleandros, did you see BFMV is on sale? 30% off for a limited time.
You get enabler points today! Wow, it is just too easy to go from thought to purchase when you’re in your cell phone. And they have Shop Pay. Too too easy.
Glad your friend is doing better.
Happy to hear that your friend is doing much better.
SOTM is Caron Bellodgia from a dabber that must be at least ten years old. I want to love this one, but it’s just not quite the spicy spring carnations scent that I was hoping for. I went on a carnations binge several years ago and never did find The One — maybe it’s time to recommence the search.
Have you tried En Voyage Fiore di Bellagio? It’s a lovely carnation that reminds me of the Caron in that it has a vintage vibe but it’s a bit more crisp.
No, haven’t come across that house at all. I’ll see if I can find a sample from somewhere and give it a try — thanks!
CdG used to have a carnation scent that smelled pretty good, but it’s been d/c’ed for a while now.
My cats woke me up early today and I’m still commando. I’ll post again later. Meanwhile, here’s another perfume article in the mainstream media that makes almost no sense. I’m posting it for your collective amusement:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/fragrance/a46502954/perfume-sillage/
Pretty sure that article is heavily “influenced” by those few perfumes recommended within it. Sadly, 99.9% of journalism these days is about selling something. These are the days where you literally cannot believe your eyes.🫣
Or they’re regurgitating some Reddit or TT controversy for clicks (and ad revenue ). Ughh.
https://www.naturalpigments.com/19th-century-watercolor-palette.html
I thought of you when I saw this.
My SmokeyToes woke me up at 3am, storms moving through the Bay Area have him freaked out.
You have rain already?
We get big storm tomorrow.
Thank you Calypso.
Wow. That article is terribly written. Many sentences make no logical sense; they’re just a jumble of plumped-up phrases strung together. I’d say the writer needs to go back to school, but suspect there was minimal human involvement, and certainly no editing.
Are your cats OK?
I’m sticking with spring in Beauty Pie’s She brought peonies. Pretty but oh so fleeting.
So glad the coldest, darkest, longest month of the year is coming to an end.
It is pretty, but definitely short lived! I’m also looking forward to longer days and earlier sunrises.
Did you get the sample set? I love Element 79 from the sample set and will definitely be getting a bottle of that one. Their scents are very reasonably priced for members.
Good to see you sistine!👋
I got it in a sample set from a year or two ago. I’ve been super tempted by the recent sets but am on a very low buy.
Last night Indigo Vanilla by En Voyage perfumes. Thunk!
SOTD SSS Sienna Musk. Thunk!
Made it over the passes in good weather yesterday! Predicted bad weather today so happy I’m now in the valley. Stayed at an alpaca farm last night and getting ready to take a look around when I’m done with my second cup of coffee.
Stay dry out there, Oregonians!
Oh, wow, an alpaca farm! How fun! I often visit one up in northern Michigan when I go there in the summer. It is so cute to see the new babies and how they gambol about. They keep two Great Pyrenees dogs who live among the alpacas their entire lives and guard them (because some pastures are way out in the woods on the hills and no doubt have some coyotes around). There is also a very appealing boutique there that sells wonderful products such as alpaca hats, socks, scarves, and sweaters, and I confess to have dropping some money there! Alpacas come in such an array of nice colors and the people who run the farm say they are very very sweet animals.
I bought a hat! It’s a lovely marled hat in warm grey and soft beige. 🦙
Yay! Alpaca wool is very warm but also light. It sounds wonderful!
Enjoy your day. I could see you working on an alpaca farm, as an alternative to nursing.
Thank you. No, I’m not interested in working with animals in that context. Plus, I’ve been told that while alpacas look fluffy, sweet, and approachable, they are most definitely not.
Alpacas! There are some Amish in my area who farm alpacas, and a gift shop in town has locally made products. I have several pairs of soft, warm alpaca socks. What a nice place to stay.
I have a hoodie made from alpaca hair as well, but it’s only good as a base layer because and softest wind cuts right through it. I’ve washed it several times and it’s held up well.
Your location sounds so exotic.
Ha! Nope, right on the edge of city with 1.2 million population. Nothing exotic except the alpacas!
Alpacas! Squee!!
They are adorable! They are clipped short except for their fluffy “boots” which are long and shaggy! 🥰
Glad you made it safely over the passes! Plus alpacas!
Me too! I was a wee bit concerned because of the time of year, but the weather was perfect! A few years ago I was turned back when heading to Bend because I had no chains. The road was solid packed snow! ❄️
Some of the warmest socks I have are made of alpaca wool (and other fibers). They are also several years old and have held up rather well.
Same! Plus they don’t absorb water and are naturally antimicrobial. So they (socks) don’t stink! Very essspensive though…
It’s the last day of January and also the last day of winter per old Celtic tradition, with tomorrow, the exact halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, traditionally having been considered the first day of spring. This has always made sense to me, particularly where I live, where spring is always visibly getting underway by now. The landscape and soundscape are full of chattering robins, the milk maids are blooming in the woods, the alders are hanging out their catkins, the early-blooming mimosas and ornamental pears are showing their first flowers, and there’s a softness and a mildness and a bracing chlorophyll-ness in the air.
Today is *dark*, though — a major rainstorm is rolling in and the leading edge of it is making the trees toss like eelgrass in a tide pool. When I opened the back door this morning before sunrise, the air was warm and soft and buttery, damp and charged and heavy, with just the fewest little rain crumbs being blown into my face. Definitely a day for cozyness, so I’m in Piment Brulant and loving it. Definitely also a day for Lush Posh Chocolate once shower time rolls around, and for those of you who may be eyeing the Posh White Chocolate and Rose: it’s lovely.
What beautiful descriptions in this post! Thank you!
Very atmospheric musings from you today!
Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit! February already, which is often the month which the most settled , warmest weather down here as the wind tends more to the NW ( foehn). I was reading about C19 watercolour paint palettes yesterday…the paints have more texture than today due to using natural pigments, so we’re less flat on paper…and one of the colours used is rose madder so I’m going with a rose perfume, Fille de Berlin.
I was thinking of a perfume problem. How to make okay perfumes better through layering. I have a couple of perfumes that I like but they are a bit one nite or harsh ( Amouage Bracken) or pale and thin, or too sweet and how to make them better through adding another perfume ( I guess I was thinking about mixing paint in the back of my mind). A CP where we put forward one of our problem perfumes and others make suggestions on how to “ better” it. Any suggestions re. Bracken gratefully received!
I like your suggestions. Unfortunately I don’t have bracken, so I can’t offer any ideas.
The research on 19th century watercolor paints is very interesting! I wonder if one can actually see more textures in the paintings as a result of those colors?
To answer your question from yesterday: no, I haven’t gone to see Poor Thing yet. Somehow the idea does not appeal to me. Also, I thought your comment on Oldboy was very interesting. It would take a lot of viewings to get past the violence so as to notice other aspects of the film. But I can comment that Choi Min-Sik is an absolutely remarkable actor. How a man with such an unprepossessing face can be so memorable is a mystery to me. He plays the villain in Lady Vengeance, the third film in the trilogy, and makes him both truly evil and strangely sympathetic. Have you seen that one? I think it’s the best.
I was thinking about the famous corridor fight scene , how it’s almost like a painting, with that strong horizontal emphasis with the fighters surging forward and back , against the darkness with intervals of light coming from the ceiling as punctuations. It’s very beautifully staged.
I love that idea! After somewhat impulsively buying a FB of Profumum Patchouly at Fumerie a few years ago, and finding I didn’t reach for it often because it’s so heavy, I had great success “making” my own version of Sticky Fingers by layering it with the rooty iris in O! Unknown.
I love this CP idea. I’ve never been a perfume layerer, but that would be the reason to do it: to make delightful something that’s otherwise meh.
I’ll have to give this some thought!
Officially casting my vote for “make delightful something that’s otherwise meh” to be a CP theme someday!
Hi and happy Hump day! My SOTD is a mix of Cloud and Hermes Eau des Merveilles. Mimics BR 540 without the price tag. 🙂
Oh, I just started watching Griselda, the story of Griselda Blanco. Takes place in Miami in the late 1970s/early 80’s. Excellent so far.
I started watching but have to admit if was because of the clothes and cars- the whole 70’s vibe is strong! 😊
I do love the 70’s vibe! I lived in SW FL during that time period, and remember hearing about all of the drug/cocaine issues. I miss great Cuban food.
This was a very long January. But it did give me time to think about what retirement will look like if I am not working or volunteering. Have been so careful with money but today I am going to go get a massage and enjoy it. My last one was in Mombassa.
SOTD will be commando so I don’t bother the massuse.
Enjoy your massage! I think it’s terrible that you haven’t heard anything one way or another. Very rude!
Thanks Deva.
I know the entire process for the fellowship role and have no expectations to hear until March. They are really great about informing.
I am going to look at February as month to get myself to gym, have better schedule, go to the Getty, stuff like that.
I decided to wear some ll another 13 since the sample is here on my desk.
Ugh, that’s a long wait, but I’m glad they do eventually follow-up with you. Sounds like you have February well planned! 💪
Revisiting my sample of Tonka Cola and pondering if I need a FB. 🧐 This one is quite good and better than your typical Mancera. 😉
Has anyone purchases from BeautyLiv please? They have a good price on Bake that I have been mulling. 😇
Work has been crazy. I have 2 big deadlines for today, 1/31. I uploaded a bunch of documentation for one project to our auditor late yesterday and am going to do a 2nd batch for project two today. It’s a big relief…but a brief relief as there’s still lots of work to do before two big audits in early March. I have decided that I am not one of those people who would keep working if I win the lottery (which I don’t actually play) I have decided. ehaeheh 😆I would give it all up and maybe work at at animal shelter or open a non-profitable (not non-profit 😉 ) perfume store in San Diego where I would lose money each month and all the lovely NSTers could visit the shop while on vacation. 🥰
I ordered a bottle of Amouage from BeautyLiv a few months ago and everything was fine.
Thanks for confirming, cazaubon!
I ordered my Bake from BeautyLiv and everything went great. Prompt shipping, legit product. I think they are a branch of Maxaroma if I remember correctly.
Thanks, foxbins…didn’t know it was part of Maxaroma.
I highly recommend Bake and it looks like you’re already there!
Yes, I also liked Devotion some say they are the same…no need for both…same nose…but I think otherwise. ehaeheh 😉
I would love to come see you and shop in your perfume shop!
Thanks, Calypso will confirm when I have won the lottery and the shop is operational.😄Does seem like it would be lots of fun though.
I’ll be in San Diego in April – if you win the lottery before then, please let me know so I can visit your shop!
Thank you, sistine…it’s still a couple months away so hope springs eternal. 😄
If you had to choose between Tonka Cola and Bake, which one would you get?
Probably Bake. I really do enjoy lemon and vanilla perfumes. I bought Devotion already which is also Cresp and some reviews think is redundant if you have Bake but I think otherwise…😆
About to leave for a doctor’s appointment and wearing Estee Lauder Pleasures today.
Hope the appt went well Dawn!
Good morning! I’m racing by to say that I’m wearing PdN’s Le Temps d’une Fête.
Hope that means fair weather today 🙂
It’s coming up winter today with Corpse Reviver. I put it in the bag because I thought I’d give it a second chance, and…no. Allegedly it’s a gourmand, but again all I’m getting is a bitter celery note. (I guess celery is food, so…) It’s been 6+ months since I last tried it, and it / I haven’t changed, I guess.
Celery? Ewwwwwwwww. Not good.
Yeah, still celery. Still strong, 7 hours in.
Clementine and yogurt smoothie
I reached for Aramis Tuscany per Donna today, so I’m waving to Jalapeno who loves it, that woody drydown is so good and tonight it’s an old friend, Organza Indécence, I should wear it more while it’s still winter.
You are right. Loved that one back in the day! The original bottle and packaging was perfect.
No CP today, but looking forward to it on Friday. SotD is EL Spellbound from 2015. I am really loving its spicy-fruity-woody-animalic-and all but the kitchen sink vibe. Random thought: keep looking for the Hitchcock movie Spellbound at the library, but it seems to have gone on “permanent checkout,” i.e. swiped.
Not sure I ever sniffed Spellbound.
Wearing Histoires de Parfums 1725.
Feeling a bit crappy as today marks a year since I ended a 3 year long relationship with my former partner.
Is it a coincidence that almost at the same time a year later my feelings towards someone else got rejected?
I can’t really answer your question, but I’m wondering if perhaps the dark times of winter put additional pressure on relationships, such that more of them end in the winter than in more hopeful seasons like spring or summer. Just a thought. It sounds banal or saccharine, but I hope these two experiences will turn out to be educational emotionally for you, in helping you figure out what you want and what seems to work. It’s never an easy path, in my experience. I’m wishing you well.
I find that certain times of year (for me it’s October through December) seem to have all the intense/ negative events. Maybe late January is your low time?
Sending you a hug on your hard day.
My SOTD is Diptyque Volutes. I’m doing another side-by-side comparison between the EdP and the EdT. I remember in the past preferring the EdP as a bit softer and sweeter, but right now I’m darned if I really can’t notice much of any difference! Go figure. Let’s see how they continue to develop over the day.
Ha, and now I can’t remember which I liked better! But if memory served I liked all the EdTs better than the EdPs.
Been in a real funk lately, so I’ve been spraying every comically bright citrus and floral in my collection to banish the bad vibes and remind me that spring is coming! Today it’s Jour d’Hermès, which until now was strictly a like, not a love, but somehow it’s working better for me now than it ever has. Luminous, soft, yet brightly snappy and vigorous. I was considering swapping it, but now I think I need it. It clears out the cobwebs.
It’s a gorgeous scent that I don’t reach for enough. I hope it’s helping you feel better.
My SOTD is Boyfriend – it’s a cool grey day here in North Carolina but the daffodils are starting to poke above the ground, so I’m wearing a cozy scent while it still fits the weather.
I took a break from NST/ all social media for several months while dealing with a lot of stuff. The stuff is still there, but I’ve really missed this community and decided that I should add it back into my electronic rotation to guarantee some lightness and joy in my day. Can’t wait to reacquaint myself with your lives. It’s so nice to see so many familiar usernames.
So happy to see you back! I hope the “stuff” plans on departing your premises soon!
I know what you mean about the stuff forcing a pulling back from the extra-energy activities. Good to see you here, and I hope there’s much lightness and joy to come!
I am very happy to see you here!
Hiya! Nice to see you back here posting.
We are scent siblings today; I am wearing the Boyfriend Body Creme.
Hi sistine! So nice to see you posting.
Stuff, there’s so much of it! Nice to see you sistine, and hope some of the stuff works itself out on its own, although of course it rarely does.
Also very happy to see you here, sistine. I agree..so much blessed stuff…hope some of that stuff finds its way elsewhere and your load is lightened. 🤗
It’s nice to see you posting again!
Hi sistine, welcome back!
Welcome back, so glad to see your post!
It’s gray and drizzly here but not too cold, so I might go outside for a walk later, but I am making rice custard and need to stay in until it is done baking. Bertie had another injection today and is sleeping next to me. SOTD is Fils de Joie and it is putting a smile on my face.
Mmm, rice custard sounds so comforting for a grey day!
Rice custard! I knew something was missing in my day 🙂
Happy Birthday, Jackie Robinson!
Anticipating spring (and of course Jackie Robinson day, April 15) here with wafting vintage & delightfully pretty Diorissimo parfum. It goes surprisingly well with today’s footwear choice of sparkly silver Docs. At least I tell myself that.
I broke my declared no-buy through April last week for this stuff and a purse spray of No 19 parfum, but truly they were free in perfume math…
Love the combo of Diorissimo and Docs. And one never needs to explain a purchase of No. 19.
I just noticed this afternoon that the sun is still up after 5pm! I used to be closing blinds around 4:40 in the afternoon.
SOTD = the January Special again, for the last day of January 2024. Where did this month go?
I’ve been noticing the longer days, too, just this past week! It’s heartening.
I pulled out a manufacturer’s sample of YSL Opium from the grab bag today.
I found it as I was cleaning and going through cupboards, rolling around in the back. It’s not a vintage version, but it still smells pretty good.
No CP today. The day got away from me before I thought about fragrance. Now I’m in Tabac Blond, plus some BFMV. Not a logical mix, but when BFMV was mentioned as on sale above, I had to re-sample. I’d flirted with an FB before. At 30% off, yup! It’s a go.
As soon as I sign off, I’ll be getting ready to join some friends at a local Mexican restaurant to watch a friend play guitar. Haven’t been to this restaurant before, it’s supposed to be fancy-ish.