A few questions to while away the weekend. Or, as always, just talk about something else.
1. What fragrance are you wearing today?
2. What's the last perfume you decided was full bottle worthy (even if you have no plans to buy it)?
3. What's blooming outside in your part of the world?
4. Share something wonderful with us! It can be anything — the most fun thing you did recently, something delicious you ate, your latest binge-worthy TV series, the last good book you read, any fabulous news you recently received — really, anything…
Note: top image is August in the Garden - Explored [cropped] by Mark at flickr; some rights reserved.
Happy weekend!
1. Oud Alezan.
2. Tested- Comete. Untested but immediately seemed worthy – Patchouli Paris.
3. I don’t notice anything blooming. But the greenery is lush though.
4. Binge worthy is the Olympics. Right now it’s Mens Break Dance and watching the athletes twisting and doing all those difficult footwork made me feel like an absolute statue. 😂
You tested Comete, but didn’t think it was full bottle worthy? I haven’t tested it, but thought it might be. Unfortunately, I don’t feel like paying that price right now😂
No no I thought it WAS worthy! It’s realllly nice! 😀
I thought it probably was nice.
I’m planning to do a Comete split at our next splitmeet (just FYI in case a decant would be a happy median for you)
Oh, I really want to try it so that would be wonderful!
I was lucky enough to catch a bit of the Olympic Break Dancing on YouTube. Too bad it won’t be part of the Los Angeles Games.
1. Today’s choice is Au Delà Narcisse, to round out last week’s CP. Ye gods, but it’s gorgeous!
2. Au Delà was also the last perfume I decided was full bottle worthy, but I did it kind of backwards — bought the FB first, decided after. Before that impulse buy, the last was Hermes Rocabar. Another beauty of a scent.
3. Blooming in my yard are my roses, some late daylilies, the catmint, and some astilbe. It’s late in the year for blooms here — even the pollinator-garden yard across the street seems only to have weeds in bloom.
4. I have a few somethings wonderful this time. I’ve been binge-watching episodes of Doctor Who (from the 2005-onwards reboot) and loving it. If you were ever a fan of the old Avengers series (John Steed, Mrs. Peel, all that wonderful 60’s weirdness) you might enjoy Doctor Who. In book world, I just read The Daughter of Time and really enjoyed it, although it was a challenge to keep all the Georges, Annes and Henrys straight. And in fragranced-things world, the two new Fzotic soaps that I ordered are both wonderful (Limonata especially, but the Toasted Lilac is also lovely).
Hey, happy weekend everyone!
Au Dela is joy in a bottle! You smell lovely!
Thank you! And I agree. 🙂
I loved the Christopher Eccleston doctor, and Rose
I agree — I adore David Tennant, but I still liked the Eccleston doctor’s interaction with Rose better.
😍David Tennant will always be the Doctor for me
Last night my generator went out and we couldn’t get it started. That meant that we had no running water, no septic, no anything. Had to make a run to get some free water and ice at my local grocery store. My electricity came back on almost a half an hour ago and was able to take a partial shower because of freezing cold water.
1. No 5 Eau Premiere since I have to go to work.
2. Eau de Hongrie
3. Nothing at the moment
4. Currently reading something about the medical history of the Tudors. I can’t remember the title though.
So sorry you are going through this. Hey! A good thing is you smell fabulous 🌹
Getting electricity restored is always a relief. People used to do quite well without it, but modern houses are not designed for electrical free living!
Glad your electric is back!
Glad your electricity is back and I hope you get to take a nice, long, relaxing, hot shower soon
YAY for having your electricity back!
Did you figure out what happened with the generator?
1. I’m back in Korres Saffron Amber Cardamom again. Me likely! Thanks to the kind person who swapped it to me. 😊
2. Can’t remember the last full bottle I bought…I think it was BdI Parfum after learning they were being discontinued. I still haven’t opened it…😬
3. The only thing right around me is miles of dried grasses and the occasional tree. Lots of wildfires blooming, unfortunately.
4. Went over to my neighbors RV last night to help her with her bracelet and then had another lady, a co-worker as well, joined us working on her beaded/macrame project. We hung out for a couple of hours and had a great time. I had a flashback to childhood when my mother was in a local Women’s Club and a Craft Club, and neighbors regularly got together to have movable feasts (and drinks!). Each neighbor made something delicious and everyone went from house to house to eat. Do people even do those sorts of things anymore? Anyway, we booted her husband out and we three gals has a very nice time! Nothing earth shattering but quite nice for my little semi-anti-social hermit self. 😊
My old neighborhood in Colorado did progressive dinners for a while, while it was small. Got a bit unwieldy later. I love that kind of thing–I guess I need to start one up here in Seattle. And re your bracelet get-together – that is wonderful. I’ve always thought that the crafts are sort of secondary to the fellowship and it’s good for women in particular to support each other in small groups. That could also be true of NST –not just women, of course, but as a supportive community with a common bond.
Progressive dinners were a big thing for a while, but I don’t hear about them anymore. Do people still have them?
It seems like that kind of socialization is made for RVers — so much less distance to cover between courses. 😆
🤣
My neighboorhood has one or two progressive dinners are year, but they are a lot of work to organize. More often we have BYO parties where one person will host and provide plates, napkins, cups, while all the guests will bring an hors d’oeuvre or dessert to share, along with whatever they want to drink. Those are a lot of fun for much less effort.
1. I’m wearing Box of Eels parfum.
2. I’ll buy Hiram Green Tryst (and maybe Arbole, Arbole) probably during Black Friday sales.
3. What’s blooming? Beats me. Nothing seems to be in flower. Plus, my tomatoes aren’t ripe yet.
4. I am reading Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns. I expected it to be a dry statistical and sociological analysis of population trends but it is just wonderful. The statistics and sociology are blended into the narrative so skillfully. No wonder it won a Pulitzer.
https://african.business/2024/07/arts-culture/rewriting-the-record-an-african-history-of-africa-reviewed
You might like this book, an African History of Africa. It’s incredibly interesting, and not a straight academic text so very engaging. Covers a wide area, time-wise and geography-wise. It’s also a TV series, and BBC audio ( I think)
Thank you!
1. I’m wearing De Profundis – a blind grab this morning and what a good grab it was.
2. I bought HG Tryst and I enjoy it a lot but will probably split it at the next splitmeet bc I don’t need a FB of it.
3. After a long trip down the fragrant rabbit hole, I’m finally slowing down aka I don’t have anything currently on my wishlist. I’m still kicking myself for passing up a chance to buy A La Nuit and Sarrasins for a reasonable price but reminding myself that I have enough perfume to last several lifetimes and then some!
4. Mr. allo and I continue to binge watch the British Antiques Roadshow. I always learn so much about history through the beautiful objects people bring. I’m also gearing up to study French on a regular basis again – use it or I’ll lose it!
♥ to #4!
💗
Ohhhh, you smell amazing.
Thank you😊It’s a good one.
I forgot that #3 was about what’s blooming in my area.
One of my favorite scents is a flower similar to jasmine from the Harlequin Glory Bower tree and it’s currently blooming in a neighbors yard, there are still a few flowers on my Daphne Odora bush and the Mimosa trees are in bloom with their fragrant fluffy poof poofs!🌸
Yep, the Harlequin Glory Bower tree in my neighborhood is blooming nearby and is intoxicating. Sadly, I haven’t found any blooming daphne in a while, and I didn’t think I’ve ever seen a mimosa tree. But the star jasmine and HQGB are keeping things fragrant around here.
Too bad SL doesn’t have travel sprays of A la Nuit and Sarrasins. Those would be perfect!
I just took a break from cleaning so will post my answers later and read the other posts from everyone.
I do have a question for everyone to ponder. I am looking for a body lotion/butter/cream that would pair well with Portrait of a Lady and Eau de Protection and not cost an arm and a leg. TIA.
Weleda wild rose body lotion is good value and very simple, true rose that could work nicely
https://www.weleda.com/product/pampering-body-lotion—wild-rose-g006210
Is this a darker rose scent? Great price, but want to make sure it is not a tea rose as I have that one covered 😊
Not sure that I would describe it as “darker”. Probably similar to the L’Occitane Rose body lotion.
Thanks. I may try both.
I am choosing to ignore the not cost an arm and a leg comment — I use Clinique Body Butter which doesn’t smell of anything but will moisturize your skin without feeling greasy or tacky.
I use all their facial products so why not? Thanks.
I like Korres rose body butter. I think it’s a middle ground rose.
I didn’t see any rose body butters on their site.
The Cashmere Rose comes and goes. There’s also an Apothecary Wild Rose that shows up on an occasional basis.
Right now I am seeing both in showergels on the Korres website.
But not as body butter.
Not currently. But I have seen them in the past month.
It looks like Cashmere Rose is available on the HSN website. The one I have must be an old version because it just says Rose.
Yes, I didn’t see any that just said rose.
How about Pacifica’s Persian Rose body butter?
Every place I looked they were out of stock, and I heard Pacific quit making their body butters.🤷♀️
Wow, that sucks.
These two are my favourites for layering:
Kai Rose body lotion
Saltspring Soapworks Shea butter rose lotion.
I think those are both more of a tea rose scent. I am looking more for the dark or deep rose scent. Thanks, I am sure I could be wrong about both of them.
I’m not sure if this is within price range, and I’ve never tried their body lotion, only shower gel, but you might try Molton Brown Rosa Absolute body lotion. I guess they discontinued the scent, but it looks like you can get it on a few different sites for about $30. When I used the shower gel and sampled the perfume, I found it in the same vein as POAL.
Yes, that is certainly in my price range. I just didn’t want to pay $200 for lotion😊 Thanks for the recommendation.
Instead of looking for a rose scented lotion, would one with patchouli work for you?
I thought about that too. I think I got a few in mind now that there were so many recommendations, but what were you thinking?
LUSH has something called Karma Kream, which is the same scent as their Good Karma showergel.
I haven’t tried any of the lotions, though.
Thanks, my friend. That has pine in and orange flower as well so not sure about it. It might work. I will maybe try at another time after trying a few of these others.
Yesterday I drove out to the sea cliffs at the entrance to the harbour, where the albatross colony is. I was showing a friend who had never been there and I didn’t think we would see any albatross as it was a calm day, and winter. There are many, many birds out there: various native bulls and shags, all beautiful. As we were standing on a lookout platform enjoying the gulls, thinking how big they were, an incredible albatross with long, long wings glided up from behind the cliff and passed about ten feet above our heads. Without flapping once, it glided away, over the ocean, banked and still gliding came back towards us, and passed over our heads so low that we could see its eyes. The wingspan is incredible, and the way they glide, never flapping their wings is breath taking. They really are majestic. There is no mistaking an albatross , ever. I guess it’s the same when you guys see a golden or bald eagle. We were alone, as there are no cruise ship tourists at this time of year so it was extra special. Lots of ice plants in flower on the cliffs, and bull kelp below. Freezing cold out there. Wearing Bois de Vanille today and off to a double,feature of Three Musketeers, the new French version.
What a beautiful experience. I do love to watch the big birds soar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXUvHgPmKVc
This Smithsonian video of where I was and shows what it was like
Bookmarking this to watch later! Thanks.
It’s gorgeous!
Wow, what a dramatic location! I am astounded that they can live for 45 years! And what interesting courtship rituals especially the beak-clapping. It must have been a very amazing sight you and your friend got to see!
Oh wow! They are amazing creatures. Their wingspan is almost incomprehensible
What a wonderful thing to happen. I’ve never seen an albatross, but I love watching animals doing what they do best.
That sounds like an amazing experience. I get excited when I see bald eagles in my neighborhood, but the albatross sounds really next level.
Gulls not bulls
I was wondering if “bulls” was a New Zealand thing. 🤣
Me too!
Same!
SOTD = Scotch Porter Miami Duppy EDP
I won this 50mL bottle as part of the zoom masterclass during Covid. Amber, sandalwood and tonka bean? Sign me up! 🤎
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-f59rtRHac/?igsh=MWNnZGN5anJmbzN6Mw==
In other news, you know I like to travel but at the moment I have not made any plans for the next adventure. Here’s an article from the NY Times talking about travel.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/10/opinion/travel-vacation-world.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B04.rvBO.ZT-ugzwXWljP&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
I will answer the poll questions maybe later over the weekend.
You do love your tonka! 🤎
I’m wearing Manoumalia and hoping I’m not suffocating people. I am very congested because of my cold so while I can smell, my nasal detection powers are a little limited.
I haven’t tried any new fragrances in a while. A bottle I’ve been coveting for a while is Rubj, it will have to be the voile de parfum, as the extrait is no longer available.
Another fragrance I wouldn’t mind having a bottle of is Madagascan Jasmin (Grandiflora has become rather elusive in Europe) and maybe Queen of the Night. I’m mostly just pleased with what I own and have already bought a fair number of bottles this year.
There are still some campanula out in the fields. Linden trees have stopped flowering. And there are other field flowers that I don’t know the name of.
It has been a stressfull couple of weeks and there is not yet an end in sight. My parents are mostly in full denial about their situation although they kind of accept the help that has been “forced” on them. They are too old, both in body and in mind, to be able to change their habits of denial that have “served” them a lifetime.
Thankfully a lot of people have been very helpful, so that has been a very pleasant discovery.
I think many elderly people are in denial. My mother in law is like that. We finally decided to let her do what she wants. Luckily, my sister in law lives only a few blocks away.
Oh, I’m sure they are not the only ones, but they are fortunately the only ones I have to deal with.
I just hope I will be more rational and prudent when I got older.
I call it the “I’m Fine” syndrome, my mother being a master of this phrase. Now that she’s in a seniors’ residence she finally admitted she’d only left the house once a week for groceries, for the previous decade…
It’s amazing what people will do not to have to admit they are no longer capable of looking after themselves.
My father is 89 years old and was in renal failure last week. He is slowly improving, but even now he will not admit that he very nearly died. He left his papers in a mess (having refused our help for years), the house was filthy and my mother hadn’t had a proper meal in days. (Can you tell I’m completely fed up?).
It must be such a relief for you to know that your mum is looked after.
Sounds like you’ve had a horrendous time and you have done well to stay sane. I hope you continue to find helpful people to support you. You’re doing a great job!
Thanks Kanuka! And I loved the video of the albatross. Are you familiar with Baudelaire’s famous poem about them? I haven’t read much poetry but I enjoyed this when I was a student in France (several lifetimes ago).
Never heard of the poem, thank you for the tip.
https://www.poetica.fr/poeme-127/charles-baudelaire-albatros/
Sending you a big hug, austenfan. It’s almost an impossible situation when they don’t ask for and/or refuse help. Glad you have some assistance now; hopefully it’s taking a bit of strain off you.
Thank you Gail, I’m particularly glad I have a brother and sister to share the load.
austen fan, Manomalia is gorgeous! still have a sample here-might wear it tomorrow.
I really have sympathy for the parent situation. 13 years ago, after a period of estrangement, I looked after my mom for the final year of her life. She had just turned 60 when she died. I remember she had made pathways through the hall-she had paintings stacked on one side, and books on the other. She was tiny and could fit. I was a more regular size and could not-she thought it was hilarious I couldn’t fit. I was profoundly irritated in the summer heat lol. If you can try walking ten min each day-helps to lower blood pressure. Good luck with your family, and you smell divine 🙂
I faced a similar situation when I went to their house nearly two weeks ago. My mother is a pathological hoarder and one of their spare bedroom is a shrine to something. I gave it a rough cleaning, getting rid of all sorts of interesting insects and a lot of dust. She had basically forbidden the lady who cleans for them to enter it.
I was estranged from my parent for almost ten years as well and re-established contact some 15 years ago.
What I find particularly hard is that there is little affection in me left for them, but I still feel obliged to help them. It makes it very draining. I will somehow have to find a way to struggle through this. And thankfully my blood pressure tends to be on the low side! Thanks for your well wishes!
Pleased to hear that you are getting some much needed support in your situation. It’s very much a difficult one to be in.
1) Today I happen to be wearing Profumum Confetto. Although I really like it, I do prefer it in cooler weather. I think next I will be putting on a spritz of my relatively new Astier de Villatte Eau Chic, much more suited to summer and so pretty.
2) I’d like to grab a bottle of Crystal Noir EDT while it’s a decent price at the discounters.
3) Something that smells completely wonderful is blooming at the botanical garden next to Hiram M Chittenden locks where boats can go from Puget Sound all the way to Lake Washington via the locks. Allo? therabbitsflower? Any guesses? It’s on the right just when you walk in from the parking area. I should have taken a photo. I’ll do that later. Shiny dark green leaves and small white flowers with 4 (I think) petals, but I know that’s not very helpful.
4) I recently had a very bad bout of toothache out of the blue and it turned out that I needed a root canal. I had a very efficient and pain-free experience which has made me much less anxious about dentistry (things have improved exponentially since one that I had many years ago) and I’m counting that as a really good thing!
How wonderful you had a pain-free root canal! I know things have improved, but still, my most recent one (two years ago) was pretty unpleasant. I think it’s mainly because I appear to be among the percentage of people who metabolize Novocain very quickly so the dentist or oral surgeon has to keep giving me new shots every 10 or 15 minutes. They suggested that the next time I need something extended like that I should consider going the full anesthesia route, though, naturally, insurance makes you pay more for that.
I spent part of my grade school years within walking distance of those locks. That was a very long time ago. 🙄 If the flowers are quite tiny the plant might be a variety of laurel, or maybe privet.
Springpansy, could it be star jasmine? There’s a lot of it blooming in Capitol Hill right now.
I thought of that, but it doesn’t smell like jasmine to me. Allo reached out and thinks it’s a Harlequin Glorybower tree and it does look like those pics. If you’re over that way, give it a sniff. It’s gorgeous.
Oh, very nice! There’s a HQGB tree a block away from me, and I agree it smells wonderful.
A pain-free root canal? That’s rather impressive!
I’m wearing Memo Lalibela today. Heavy on the vanilla with some various florals and coconut.
The last scent I decided was FB worthy was one or the other of the Le Labo city scents, either Myrrhe 55 or Poivre 23, but I couldn’t make up my mind to buy either of them given their ridiculous prices. Now almost a year has expired and there’s another new city scent being advertised that sounds intriguing. Coriandre 39. I will probably visit their store soon and try all these and perhaps buy one of the little bottles.
What’s blooming here: Well, we have a chaste tree outside with a lot of purple blossoms–no scent that I can detect; and a fair number of crepe myrtles, again, flowers with no scent, but they add color to the urban landscape. There are occasional sage bushes covered in purple blossoms, and they do have a marvelous smell. I don’t have any flowers of my own now as my geraniums have gotten too cooked, but I did buy a pretty coleus plant a few months back that has gotten gigantic and provides some nice colors on my front porch.
Something wonderful: hmm, I feel so grumpy from the hot weather that it’s hard to think of something, but I did get some nice books as gifts recently. One is The Colours of Our Memories, by French historian Michel Pastoureau, a sort of rambling diary of different thoughts and memories about colors. (It makes me want to write a parallel one of my own!) The other is The Melancholy of Untold History, a new novel by Minsoo Kang, that I have just begun. It combines tales of world and East Asian myths interwoven with the life of a contemporary history professor…. It’s brand new and a friend of mine knows him and sent me an autographed copy, which was awfully nice of her.
Everything pretty here is scentless too, at the moment. We also have lots of crepe myrtle, and some varieties of hydrangea are still going strong (while others are totally done). I have a mandevilla on the front porch doing very well but we will see if my son remembers to water it while I am out of town next week!
Coleus are gorgeous plants! I also have a few varieties in my front yard pots providing contrasting colors.
I’m wearing Safran Troublant this morning, I opened the cupboard and it leapt to view.
Like Austenfan, I’ve got my eye on Rubj VdE. I bought the EdP years ago and love it. They are quite different, so I’ve decided I need both. I’m hoping to visit Europe next year (early thoughts, so it’s only a maybe), so Rubj will be on the shopping list.
The early spring flowers are appearing here. I’ve seen daffodils, kowhai and magnolia, just lovely.
We’ve been watching quite a lot of the Olympics, we haven’t bothered much in the past, but somehow we’re more interested this year. Neither of us is a big sports fan, but at this level of skill any sport is interesting. We were transfixed yesterday afternoon by the first round of the men’s 10 metre diving.
In a case of “Monkey Sniff”, I’ve just trotted over to my tray of Winter perfumes to put on a spritz of Safran Troublant. It’s quite nice in the warmth of summer, if a bit more sweaty than usual.
Monkey Sniff 😂
1. I’m wearing “Dans Tes Bras” by Maurice Roucel for Frederic Malle. I just love it. Not as overtly sexual as Roucel’s “Musc Ravageur,” (which I also adore,) but equally sensual in a different way.
2. Very happy I just bought a full bottle of “Él” from Arquiste. Reminds me of Kouros, but more refined.
3. There’s a tree in bloom here in the Valley of Los Angeles, and I’ve got to figure out what it is. Gorgeous raspberry colored blooms.
4. I re-watched (for at least the tenth time) Antonioni’s “Blow Up” on the Criterion Channel. Extraordinary film, and in my top-ten of all time. I want to show it to my daughter when she’s next in town, but I want to be sure she doesn’t have access to her phone while watching it, since it requires serious attention. (I know, I know, I’m a pain.) I’m just afraid I’ll make it seem like homework.😳
I wish we could get the Criterion channel here …but we can get Criterion Blu rays sometimes ( different region from USA which complicates things). Love Blowup (but probably not absolute top 10 for me atm). Also love Criterion Closet.
Do you get Turner Classic Movies or their streaming app Watch TCM? While not as daring or extensive as the Criterion Channel, it shows lots of the same movies.
No we don’t unfortunately, and our Netflix is a very reduced version compared to US. So my son downloads a lot of movies and has a big Criterion ( and Imprint) DVD a collection. I like movies centred around photographers, some real ( and often creepy e.g Peeping Tom ) classics.
Michael Haneke Hidden ( Cache) , Rear Window, the little-known Australian movie Proof ( Hugo Weaving)
Peeping Tom is still so unsettling all these years later. A classic.
Being a photographer myself, I’m drawn to those same films. (Alas, I don’t look as cool with a camera in hand as David Hemmings.😎)
And Blow Out, the creepy companion movie to Blow Up
Proof is so brilliant!
Blow Up is a great film! And it’s crazy seeing such a young Jane Birkin.
Every frame of the film seems poster-worthy. Antonioni’s use of color is staggeringly gorgeous.
Redgrave is stunning, (Birkin, as well,) and Hemmings (unpleasant as his character is) is beautiful, too. And Herbie Hancock’s score is fab!
Absolutely! And Blow Up sent us down the Antonioni/Monica Vitti rabbit hole. So good!
Daniel Dans Tes Bras in one of my most favourite fragrances ever-I’ve never smell it on anyone else!
Criterion fan here, too-I could watch The Home and The World over and over again. Hope your daughter enjoys Blow UP 🙂
Carole, you’re right – I never smell it on anyone, either, but it’s SO good.
I’ll check out The Home and The World!
1) Child. I still have 2 samples left and wanted to try one. Nice gardenia. Tomorrow I am going to finish up my Cashmere Aura travel spray.
2) Cleopatra. Sometimes that line is on sale at Anthropologie.
3) Allllllllll the black eyed susans are out and about now and having a garden party.
4) I may be going on a boat on the lake this week. My bff and her husband rent a boat for some family and friends every year for her birthday, and I could never go in past years because I always had to work. And this year it’s a little awkward because we got into a phone argument over politics and the upcoming election about a month-ish ago. She leans one way, I lean the other, and it’s kinda awkward now, and I don’t know what to do with it.
Politicians come and go but a good friend is hard to find. Is there any way to talk to her about putting your differences aside?
I really feel for you on your no.4.
A similar situation happened to me and it broke my heart.
I hope you can patch it up and have a good time boating.
Maybe you can discuss that you will no longer discuss politics together?
I shared a house with a fellow student and we ended up becoming friends. Very different backgrounds though, she is from a very religious protestant family and I’ve been an atheist since I first thought about religion. As we were living together we decided that it wasn’t worth having any arguments over it, we were never going to agree anyway.
Over the years we’ve just kept it that way. I think she made some effort at converting me at first, but it’s probably easier teaching an elephant to dance the quickstep, so she let go of it after a few attempts.
I hope you can work out some kind of solution with your friend.
Thanks for the food for thought, all. I’ve known this gal for many years and still wish to celebrate her b-day with her and company. And a boatride sounds reallly nice right about now.
One of my dearest friends and I have opposite political views and we usually avoid the topic. Surprisingly, sometimes we do find common ground. Maybe I can do it because husband and I are opposites and that is a lot more difficult.
The art of disagreeing and still being friends is so important. Loss of civility in our society is really hurting us all.
My brother and I disagree on quite a few things, but we long ago decided that was OK.
1. Wearing Rose, Cassis & Sandalwood by Dame.
2. Unsniffed, I decided Zara Romance d’Iris was full bottle worthy and it definitely was that. Love it!
3. Just my geraniums are blooming at my house.
4. I received Lush Sticky Dates and Rose Jam Shower Gel, and they smell great to me plus I finished the book The Wedding People which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Last week when I went to Lush, the SA said ” I hope you aren’t here for Sticky Dates, Tik Tok made it sell out” apparently it’s super popular.
Also the Rose Jam might work well with PoaL.
Yes, I already thought of Rose Jam with PoaL. Just wish it was in lotion as well.
They do have a in shower body moisturizer in Rose Jam but they call it Ro’s Argan. It smells the same.
Oh, yes. I did see that. Thanks.
We were perfume house twins yesterday.
Happy Sunday!
Last days of winter here so we’re in that timespace right before spring starts where everything is kind of dormant.Cannot wait for the first blossoms and fresh green leaves!
Scent of yesterday was Lush Lust,a favorite jasmine.I get a really intense jasmine,but no indolic funk.
Yet to decide on today’s sotd,I’ll update after my shower!
My last two full-bottle worthy scents that I indeed did buy was Commune de Paris and a fresh bottle of Etro’s Heliotrope.No regrets!
Silly but wonderful(to me at least!):My favorite Marvis toothpastes were finally back in stock and I picked them up yesterday.The Amarelli Liquorice is so yummy,makes my routines just a bit more glamorous!Lol!
XO’s
Frederic Malle Sale Gosse by Fanny Bal for a gloriously sunny day!👌🏻😉
1. I’m wearing ELDO Jasmin et Cigarette.
2. I purchased Zara Livre Blanc. Because Olivia Giacobetti was involved plus the notes sounded up my alley. It’s not groundbreaking but it’s an easy wear. I’ve been attracted by those lately.
3. I have Bright Lights cosmos blooming. They’re from seeds; I was afraid they weren’t going to grow or do much but they’re beautiful today. Zinnias (also from seed) are blooming their heads off! The birds and bees love them.
4. Related to No. 3, I recently planted the rest of my zinnia seeds in a small container in the hopes of prolonging the season. They sprouted fairly quickly; so I was thrilled. Yesterday my hubby noticed one of the younger robins trying to eat the seedlings. I tried to cover up the container with a makeshift grid to discourage this. Fast forward to this morning, the grid was moved and some of the leaves were chomped. I then took a bunch of long grasses and covered the top of the pot as an interim solution. When we were outside, I noticed the cheeky robin looking at the pot then glanced up at us, then flew off. Obviously miffed! They’re quite funny to watch and definitely don’t miss a beat.
Love your #1🥇
Thank you, allo! I keep forgetting that it’s in my stash.
Who knew that robins enjoyed zinnia microgreens? 🐦
Seriously! I see the sparrows digging up things in the soil. My hubby’s dad mentioned that the baby robins they saw when they had their house were so lazy! He felt bad for the poor parents having to almost non-stop feed the ‘adolescents’. Anything quick and easy is apparently the goal for them.
1. This weekend I am thunking my travel spray of Cafe Tuberosa.
2. Gabrielle L’eau is full bottle worthy for me. It will have to wait though because whatever the next limited edition Shalimar is will come first.
3. Every year a purple flower plant blooms at the back of my house. I don’t know what it is, but it’s pretty.
4. Lately I have been binge watching cleaning videos. I know a lot of them are veiled commercials ( I bought a scrub daddy! Lol) but I love seeing the before and afters.
Re: #2, I was just thinking about the upcoming Shalimar. Has there been any confirmation what it will be this time?
I’ve only heard speculation that it will be a rose version.
Thank you lillyjo!
Your nr 4….
I’ve been watching HOARDERS on youtube….🙈🙈
I have heard rose and also heard jasmine. I like both so either would be fine. I am not buying anymore perfumes either until the new one comes out, though that new Gabrielle sounds nice. I liked the original.
Sounds like the Gabrielle L’Eau would be a nice companion to the No. 5 L’Eau.
I was tempted to wear Jubilation 25 today. But when I smelled Mitsouko, Mitsouko won out. I think that Mitsouko is more of a cooler weather perfume since it’s barely 70 degrees here.
Did you get your power back on, Dawn?
1) I am wearing a sample of Escentric Molecule 05, based on cashmeran. I get sort of a citrus peel note, will have test it out again.
2) I recently caved for a bottle of Day Three’s Escándalo. I justify it by a discount I got from trying the sample pack. Nice citrus/fruity/green. I bought the sample pack to try out Say Less but liked Escándalo better.
3) Crape myrtles are blooming here. Most of our vegetation is in the dying off phase due to August heat.
4) A doe and her 2 fawn have been hanging out in our yard. We like watching the little family. Husband puts out fresh water for them. One benefit of having a wild, unkempt yard is that there is nothing precious for them to destroy.
1. Currently in Goutal Encens Flamboyant, but wore two Malone scents during the weekend: Orange Blossom (Sat) and Wood Sage&Sea Salt (Sun).
3. Phlox and aster.
4. The localization studio for which I did testing and proofreading of a game reached out saying that the developer wants to put the names in the credits. So they ask if I want mine to be added. 😲That’s a first! I am excited but also nervous – what if I missed something serious??
Also, I finally found the shoes that fit me with orthotics inside.
Not-so-good-news: I am coming down with something. Cold symptoms, hopefully not Covid.
Great news about the game credits, but I’m sorry you’re sick. Hope it’s not Covid. Also, I love asters!
Your number 4 is very cool- good for you!
Excellent news for your Item 4!
Hopefully it is a cold and not COVID… 🤒🤧
How exciting to have your name in the credits!
Hope whatever it is you are coming down with is mild and passes quickly
1. I’m doing some house chores at 35°C, so still no perfume for me.
2. I’d like to get a bottle of La Chasse aux Papillons. That, or Bvlgari Aqua.
3. It’s a concrete jungle out here.
4. I’m going to be a dad in November.
Congratulations on your no.4!
I’m very happy for you!
Wow, what great news!
Wow, congratulations! How exciting!
Thanks so much, everyone! 😊Yeah, I’m super excited about it, especially since it’s been a long time coming.
Congratulations!
Many congratulations!
Congratulations!
Dusan, very belated congratulations, that is wonderful news!! You must be so excited.
Thank you, Robin, and thanks everybody! It’s never too late for congratulations 🙂
1. Glossier You. I was in Tam Dao over the weekend.
2. I won a bottle of Prada Un Chant d’Amour on evilbay over the weekend. I tried this one and loved it a couple of years ago but found this line way out of my budget so have been on the look out for a bottle. I got this one for a fraction of the price from a seller with 100% positive feedback, so fingers crossed.🤞
3. I was at my mom’s over the weekend and her hydrangea is in full bloom. It wasn’t when I was there 3 weeks ago.
4. Saturday was my older daughter’s birthday and it was SUCH a nice time, that I’m feeling a little deflated today having to return to work and reality. All 3 of my kids together with my parents and me and my husband. The people that I love most in the world, it doesn’t get any better than that for me.☺️ Even my daughter’s special person joined us for an evening of good food, cake, presents, stories and laughs. They met while working at camp together 2 years ago. Makes my heart happy that her heart is happy.🥰
🤞on your new bottle!
Glad it was a great weekend. Sorry you have to be back to work.
I sometimes wish my son had a special person, but he says he just isn’t interested. All the happiness wishes to your daughter.
Thanks lillyjo!
My son is the same as your son. As long as he is happy, which is ultimately the thing I want most for all of them.☺️
Aww what a great weekend. Glad you found a bargain on the Prada.
Thanks ringthing! Me too, can’t wait for it to get here!
Fingers crossed on that new bottle! Happy to hear your family meetup was such a good one.
Thanks Jalapeño!
May your heart be happy, and may the hearts of those you love also be happy…a nice blessing for Mondays…I am wearing Light Blue Summer Vibe in the pretty blue and white bottle – the scent is a nice enough hot summer day scent, which is a bonus, because I bought it for the bottle… 🙂
Wow – that *is* a cool bottle. Off to look it up…and coming back to say Fragrantica reviews are generally positive. I will keep an eye out for this one.
It is a light, not citrusy, not to sweet floral that actually lasts 5-7 hours on my skin…
Definitely “bottle pr0n” with that one.
I have my current rotation on a lazy Susan – 10 or 12 bottles or so, and this one stands out. for sure. 🙂
SOTD = Cartier Baiser Vole Essence de Parfum
Beautiful bottle and of course I don’t remember when I wore it last! Powdery lily vanilla! ❤️
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-lWS3BR_iN/?igsh=MW5lZWRzMXozMWVrYg==
That is such a beautiful bottle!
Cartier makes objects, not bottles. I loved the dark red “Le Must de Cartier” bottle from back in the day… this one does look striking.
Hoping all Los Angeles area NSTers have settled down after that earthquake. Felt a really strong jolt here in Studio City. 4.4 doesn’t SOUND like a big quake, but when it’s close by, it’s pretty scary.
My rattled nerves need a distraction, so I’m spraying Bigarade Concentree liberally!
Yeesh! Everything is OK. though?
Unsettling is a perfect way to describe post earthquake sentiments.
All is well!😊
1. SOTWeekend has been Lime, Gardenia and Benzoin from Dame Perfumery. It’s a very pretty, lightweight floral that I am enjoying very much in Colorado. Funny thing is, I was rather “Meh” about it in New Jersey. Thanks Kris!
2. Last perfume I tested that was FBW? YSL Black Opium Neon. Bought it at the Duty Free Store in DIA.
3. What’s blooming? Fluffy white clouds. TBH, I don’t know if anything else is. My apartment complex has a notable lack of blooming things.
4. Something wonderful? The Front Range has been getting some much needed moisture lately, and about half the active wildfires in the state at the beginning of August have either been contained or extinguished.
Oh, I am so glad you enjoyed it. I thought maybe you had given it away. I encourage people to do that if I give them something they don’t like.
I’ve learned to give a new perfume at least a 2-season try. Sometimes what doesn’t work one time of the year will smell great later on.
Also, differences in humidity (or lack thereof) can really change how some perfumes behave.
Hence the better in Colorado than in New Jersey, huh?
There are so many Black Opium flankers that I stopped paying attention, but I just looked at the notes for Neon and now I’m curiuous to test it the next time I see it. Does the dragon fruit give it some tartness?
I did not notice any tartness when I was sniffing in the airport. What I got thru my KN-95 mask was white flowers and some coffee. It isn’t nearly as sweet as the OG Black Opium though, so maybe the dragon fruit is doing something after all?
1. SOTD is Smell Bent Prairie Nymph, thanks to the generous Jalapeno.
2. Last perfume I tried that was FBW was BDK’s Ambre Safrano. I have trouble distinguishing plum notes, but I got it right away with this one and it is beautiful. What’s funny is, my sample of this was from a discovery set and I didn’t think this would be one of the standouts for me. I tried it out of a sense of needing to complete the “discovery” process. Happy surprise!
3. My neighbor’s red crepe myrtle is in full bloom. In my backyard, the marigolds and nasturtiums protecting my tomato plants finally bloomed (I planted the seeds late this year).
4. I found a way to use up all of the zucchini! I’ve been roasting it along with onion and garlic, then blending it all into a chunky sauce. Good with pasta and EXCELLENT as a base for green shakshuka.
Very glad that Prairie Nymph found a home with someone who appreciates it!
Zucchini sure can explode in number over a summer… (not gonna use that emoji!)
🤣
1. Miu Miu – it’s really grown on me, and its clean woodiness is perfect for this weather
2. A lovely NST’er sent me a sample of Bottega Veneta eau de velours, which was soon after discontinued. I found and tried it earlier this year and I just love it. Ebay’s FB prices were crazy, and most sellers were dicey-looking *except* one offering several reasonably priced carded samples. I picked up a few and I’m satisfied. I think I’m forgetting another answer to this question, because I have quite cut back on FB’s of late.
3. My sambac jasmine and my shasta daisy. The daisy is new to my yard, and it is just the happiest flower ever! It shot up to about 4′ tall, and right now has 10 or twelve pure white flowers with bright yellow centers.
4. I had so much fun last week, when I finally got to meet my sister’s first grandchild. At 17 months, he is still an adorable mixture of baby and toddler. It was a great time to be with family and I always enjoy Salt Lake City, which is where they all live. Delicious squash and lima beans awaited me in the garden for Sunday dinner when we got home!
I got behind on comments while away, but I hope you are all well.
Welcome back!
Hope that the air in SLC cleared out a bit while you were there. They’ve been having issues with wildfire smoke too.
Shasta daisies are so vigorous and striking! But sorta stinky. Some horticulturalist should develop some daisies that smell as nice as they look!