A repeat of a poll we did back in 2019 for the International Day for Tolerance, a UN observance dedicated to “strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples”. This is a goal I wholeheartedly support, and I hope my poll on the subject of fragrance-related tolerance will not be taken as making light of a serious topic. This just isn’t the place for the discussion of serious topics, hence our handy dandy keep-the-peace comment policy.
1. Name a fragrance or a fragrance note (or a brand?) you are slowly learning to tolerate?
2. Name a fragrance you thought you hated, but loved when you smelled it on someone else?
3. Name a fragrance or a fragrance note you will probably never be able to tolerate?
Or, as always, just talk about something else…
Note: top image is Elogio della differenza ! / A Tribute to diversity ! [cropped] by Hervé Simon at flickr; some rights reserved.
I have a very high tolerance and honestly can’t think of any note or fragrance that I dislike. I even enjoy Secretions Magnifique which smells like the Atlantic Ocean on my skin in the best possible way. Burberry Brit Sheer is my scent of the day.
Right away that puts you in the highest bracket for tolerance 🙂
I agree with Robin! Luca Turin says he thinks it is marvelous, but I would bet he means that in a technical sense and has only ever tested it on paper.
Good morning perfume people!
1. Vanilla in its gourmand form (always loved Shalimar which is not in the least edible) like in some A Lab on Fire frags
2. The Dior Joy
3. Super gourmand baked pastry sugar scents
Robin May have already posted this link, but it just popped up in one of my digests this morning. I haven’t tried the Hermes it mentions:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/best-luxury-perfumes-for-her/
Thank you for the link!
“…Nagel considers it a new classic” is pretty funny 🙂
I have a friend who was once dating a man who was writing a best seller. 😊
Of course he was. Bless his heart.
I wonder if that’s a typo, I mean, attributing the quote to Christine Nagel.
None of the other blurbs quote the perfumers, but rather only Linda G. Levy, president of the Fragrance Foundation, who recommended this list.
Now, Barenia is the only recently launched perfume on the list, so *maybe* they did have a quote from its nose? But wouldn’t you get more than that from Christine Nagel if you had the opportunity? 🤔
In this New York Times interview, Ms. Nagel does *not* call Barenia a classic:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/style/hermes-barenia-perfume-christine-nagel.html
She does call it a chypre, which is pretty hilarious given the ingredients. If Barenia is a chypre, I’m a nun, lol. 😹
Sali Hughes just reviewed it on her Instagram page. She said it’s a chypre and spent some time explaining what a chypre is!
thank you for the fun link!
I’ve not been able to wear any of the new Hermes perfumes, so I’m trying hard not to get too excited about Barenia, but maybe it will be a winner.
Several perfumes on the list are scents I’ve wanted to try for a long time. I need to get out and sniff more. 😄
This morning I’m in Memoirs of a Trespasser, over the remains of last night’s Cape Heartache. Memoirs goes quite well with a nice latte, which I will have in hand as soon as Mr. G finishes making them. (I’m in charge weekdays, and he takes weekends.). Meanwhile, here are my poll thoughts:
1. I find rose a difficult note, but have discovered a few scents with rose that are quite tolerable. So far it’s mostly where rose is more of a supporting player rather than the star.
2. Nothing comes to mind. I can think of one or two cases of the opposite — a fragrance that I love(d) on me, but really disliked on someone else … but that’s not the poll question.
3. Gardenia. Blech. Makes my tummy feel 🤢
Your #2! Pray tell.
LOL! Well, there was a time when I enjoyed wearing Flowerbomb, but then smelled (way too much of) it on someone (for whom, admittedly, I have very little respect) whose skin (and over-application) amplified the musk to outlandish proportions, and I developed a very negative scent association. Oy — hopefully said person doesn’t read this blog. 😬 There was also a woman I used to work with who wore Coco Mademoiselle, which I liked well enough early on, and I could always tell when she’d been in the elevator before me. And not in a good way.
Ahah! Thank you. I totally get it 🩷
Still wafting Shalimar MT today.
As for the questions, I have very limited space so it’s saved for perfumes I love unapologetically, from top to bottom, and from open to close. Life is too short to “tolerate” a scent. I wouldn’t say I “hate” any specific note but I’m not a fan of sharp florals, especially rose centric perfumes, aldehydes, and soapy scents. Not a fan of scents with huge, overwhelming projection because to me, it’s analogous to sitting at a stop light and a car pulls up next to you with the bass thumping so loud your car starts to vibrate and you can feel your brain sloshing around in you skull. The biggest one I have is l’Elephant and I generally save that for when I’m alone or will have little interaction with people. I don’t think I’ve ever smelled a perfume on someone else I disliked. One of the things I enjoyed about my trip to France is the 75% of the population smells absolutely wonderful. 20% smell like Switzerland (ie: neutral), and 5% smelled like clothes left in the washer so long they became moldy.
Another sunny, cool day here. Happy weekend! 🌞
Ha! Re: French population odor profile! Now do the US! LOL.
I wouldn’t dare. 😉 Vive la France! 🇫🇷
I love the French population comment. Makes me want to visit France.
I also like the comment about perfumes with strong projection being like the loud base emanating from cars. I am very averse to noise, always turning down TVs when I go into patient rooms in the hospital. I wonder how much hearing loss we are going to see in the future with all this loud music.
Well, I can’t really judge because I was a head banger back in the golden days of my youth. Now though, I can’t stand loud anything. Loud voices, loud traffic, construction, alarms continuously binging and banging at work. I’m sure you’ve heard of “alarm fatigue” but for me it’s the exact opposite- “alarm sensitization.” I never thought I’d ever choose silence over a wonderful piece of jazz or other type of music, but yes, please: Just. Be. Quiet.
🙉 🙃
And yeah, the patients that blast the TV when you’re trying to communicate with them just blow my mind. Really, don’t pay me any mind, I’m just standing here with my mouth moving because I have nothing else to do. 🙄
Deva, when I had my hearing tested a few years ago, the specialist told me that our ears become more sensitive to loud noise over time. Unfortunately, hearing aids don’t correct that, he said.
I guess noise canceling headphones would help, maybe? But you probably don’t want to wear headphones or ear buds when you are working.
I notice that here in Germany, too. The scents passing me in the streets are much less screechy and eye rolling and far more, hmm, that’s interesting or tasteful in a sophisticated way. I’m not looking forward to going home to males who bathe themselves in the loudest, screechy-ist scents known to man.
Individual perfumes can definitely grow on me – some barnyardy Amouage fragrances, for example, were challenging at first, but now I love them. I don’t seem to have notes that I simply don’t like – even “aquatic” notes are okay, if handled well.
I tested negative for Covid three weeks ago, but annoying symptoms persist: really stuffy nose, and lots of sneezing, like some sort of weird allergy. Odd fact about me: I only sneeze in prime numbers.
Wearing “Dans Tes Bras,” which I find very soothing to a troubled mind.
My adorable hubby has the same symptoms!
Daniel, I love that your love DTB as much as I do. You smell great and I hope you feel better very soon. Take care 🙂
Thanks, Carole!😊
And, yes, Dans Tes Bras is a hidden gem in the Malle line. I never smell it on anyone else, but I sure do love it. Happy to know you love it, too.
Dans tes bras is such a beautiful name. 💖
Thank you for sharing your stuffy nose frustration. Late in October I had a stuffy nose that turned into weeks of congestion and sneezing, and it hasn’t really let up until today.
I thought it’s just allergies due to lots of golden rain trees dropping flowers recently. But now I wonder if a respiratory bug is circulating in this area.
I hope you are feeling well soon.
Thanks, Tiffanie!
Did you happen to test for Covid when you were feeling your worst? I don’t normally suffer from allergies, unless I cuddle too much with the family cat. Maybe I’ve got a different bug?
There are so many other respiratory diseases, including other coronaviruses, RSV, and of course influenza. Also if you used a nasal decongestant spray at any point with this infection, you could have rebound congestion.
I’m taking Allegra for the pollen now.
I love that you only sneeze in prime numbers!
How’s the pollen/allergen count by you? Maybe that could be causing your current symptoms?
Apparently, it’s “good.” And I’m not really prone to allergies, anyway.
I suspect it’s a remnant of my recent bout with Covid. My nasal passages could use a reprieve, I must say!
My sotd is Amouage Epic and I smell, well, epic.
My mom’s caretaker has been out sick most of the week – lots of illness in my area right now – and I am experiencing caretaker-substitution burnout. It’s taking all of my character to just get off my butt and take care of business.
1. Through exposure to Montale, I am slowly coming around to liking aoud.
2. Angel was so strong that I was overwhelmed but a coworker wore it and I gradually came around to loving it. It did take awhile though.
3. I just can’t tolerate violet in perfume, especially sweet violet. It triggers headaches from mild to piercing. Violet leaf seems to be ok.
Oh, and I want to know what folks think of Phlur as a brand, and specifically about their vanilla scent. I’m very much out of the loop.
I like Phlur well enough. I know they get a bit of hype. I tried Vanilla Skin. It’s a soft Vanilla musk. It smells good but I think it’s priced a little high. I haven’t tried their Vanilla body sprays.
Adding that most of their perfumes dry down to some sort of chemical smell on me. Which is why I haven’t bought any.
That seems to be the case with so many newer perfumes, a chemical drydown.
I’m sorry that you are carrying so many duties at the moment and I hope you get some rest soon.
Thank you Kanuka.
Dear ringthing, as Kanuka stated, you are carrying a lot.
Caregiving is so hard when you are in it. I do have a much greater tolerance for the oldest and frailest having been down that path.
Yeah, violet is not good. Headache inducing for certain.
Thank you apsara.
Sending hugs to you, ringthing. ♥️
Hugs back, She-ra!
Sending you thoughts of strength, ringthing.
Thanks Jalapeño.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/nov/16/winter-is-coming-but-dont-panic-54-expert-tips-on-getting-through-the-cold-dark-months-ahead?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
A cool wee article with tips on how to get through winter. Our winter is hanging on ( now in its sixth or seventh month) with hail and rain all yesterday, and fridge-like temps this morning. But, somehow, a long, tedious winter is preferable to the movie I went to yesterday ( Gladiator 2 ) which was so dull I became more focussed on the green-glowing EXIT sign than what was happening on screen ( another …yawn…fight). The weird thing was that even the sets and crowds and spectacle were somehow “ empty” ( dramatic sense) tedious and dull, even though they were real ( not faked, special effects). The bad emperors had ginger hair and Ed Sheeran haircuts, the good guys had penetrating stares ( probably thinking about how to get through another five minutes without yawning), Denzel Washington chanelled Leon de Talley in big gowns and sweeping arm movements. The two women in the film ( one died within ten minutes of the start) had lines written by someone who hadn’t looked up from ordering pizza on their phone while dictating to a scribe…Just know I love you etc. Anyway, some good actors ( wasted) . Two stars. Wearing Cristalle , waiting for sunrise ( just watched a spectacular moon set)
How very disappointing about Gladiator 2! Wow! I’m so sad. I loved the first one unreservedly.
I saw Ridley Scott plugging it with the Russell Crow equivalent. Seems like Ridley Scoot is another really old guy who has just gotten too old. He talked a lot about Blade Runner-never a good sign when plugging a different movie! The original Gladiator was quite a spectacle.
I have read some very positive reviews so don’t let me put you off. I just found it a bit hollow, with zero tension and flat storyline.
Why the second star?
So many spectacle films use a ton of CGI, which after a while just seems to flatten the scenery and dull the battles. Perhaps that was part of it. But golly I hate when women’s characters are given dreary empty lines, or an excess of cattiness.
Second star because of the actors and also some crowd scenes ( and the fact they weren’t CGI but real )
Oh, no — Ridley Scott also directed Napoleon in 2023, which was a gigantic disappointment and another example of great actors wasted. I did appreciate the ending and some of the battle scenes, but the lines that intrigued me in the trailer weren’t even in the film. How can they do that?! 😾
I love this Guardian article and was in great need of tips. Thanks so much, Kanuka!
Sampling another Anatole Lebreton today, Caribe Kiss. Definitely a summertime scent, but it has potential (nothing that makes me go -ick, sunscreen with bug spray…). I will try it next week in the 80 degree weather of Florida!
Everything (well, almost everything) is better in 80 degree weather!
Agreed — I don’t usually like coconut-heavy “beach” scents, but I thought Caribe Kiss was very well done.
Happy Caturday to all.
Cannot tolerate Tuberose or BWF anymore.
That goes for a heavy dose of clove, too. Just enough is enough.
Come to think of it, I don’t like a metallic or aquatic note, either.
But as I have gotten older, I have a greater tolerance outside of fragrance for things that used to get to me.
Finished both seasons of The Diplomat in record time. Now what?
Post shower my new bottle of Ambre Nuit. It’s downright chilly in my part of LA and I got out the Ugg bathrobe last night.
I’m in the same The Diplomat boat. Season 2’s 6 episodes weren’t nearly enough. I suppose it keeps us wanting more😋
Too short!!
The showrunner says more episodes for season three.
We were excited at the release of the second season of The Diplomat, but the recap of season one was full of things I didn’t remember, so I think we’ll have to rewatch that first!
We watched the first season again too and had also forgotten quite a bit😬
I think tuberose can’t tolerate me lol. It tends to turn into aerosol air freshener on my skin.
We have a similar dislike of notes!
I used to be unable to stand tuberose on my skin, I’d feel suffocated no matter how beautiful the perfume might be on a blotter or somebody else. Now I am learning to love this difficult flower and found some that smells pretty on me. One is Amouage’s Love Tuberose.
I also used to dismiss aquatics but they are fine now.
What’s left is metallics. Smells like blood!
Usually aquatic perfumes make me run away in the opposite direction.
Hello everyone!
Lots of homework to finish today so I can be ready for a tutoring session tomorrow. I’m so ready to be done with this semester! I’m in Todd Oldham since it’s going to be a long evening.
1. I’m not always a fan of vanilla scents but I did try one the other day that was a bit less boring that the usual: Couleur Vanille. I think it’s being discontinued, as with all my other favorites.
2. I never want to wear Chanel No 5 but I always admire it on others. The only version I wear myself is the Eau Premiere.
3. Coffee. As someone who’s worked in many sides of coffee service, smelling like I spilled a latte on myself brings up too much trauma! I don’t mind it in candles but once it’s on skin… No!
Have a great weekend everyone!
One vanilla that I find very nice and not typical is Les Parfums de Rosine’s Vanille Paradoxe. It’s vanilla with fresh green herbs. No ice cream shop with this one!
Ah I’ve always wanted to try the PdR line. That one did sound very interesting.
Good morning! As Kanuka said, we still haven’t properly shaken off winter, yesterday was really cold, but today looks better. It’s still cold, but there is some sunshine.
Vanilla – so many perfumes have a bit of vanilla, but it can easily be too much. My definition of too much has been getting looser, and I’m wearing Tobacco Vanille right now.
Dior’s Dune – I never hated it, but there was something in it that didn’t work for me. A colleague wore Dune every day and she smelled amazing.
There are plenty of notes I really don’t like when they dominate – caramel, cherry, salt, musk. White musks remind me of washing powder and feel scratchy. I’ve never been able to find the right words to describe animalic musks, over-ripe is best I can do.
Oh yes, I find some musk notes pretty intolerable.
white musk makes my throat feel itchy 😆
Some musks come across as concentrated detergent to me. Horrible!
Wearing Boy and going for a bike ride.
1. Name a fragrance or a fragrance note (or a brand?) you are slowly learning to tolerate? Lavender, which I like alone but usually not in fragrance. Boy converted me. I have a feeling that Fourreau Noir would also convert me.
2. Name a fragrance you thought you hated, but loved when you smelled it on someone else? I rarely smell fragrance on anyone else, except maybe Baccarat Rouge 540 or a similar fragrance. But I don’t care for it.
3. Name a fragrance or a fragrance note you will probably never be able to tolerate? AMBROXAN!!! NEVER!!!🤮 In good company with lillyjo💕
I join you and Lillyjo in despising Ambroxan. Wholeheartedly.
Triplets!
1. I have finally started to tolerate Givenchy and all the flakers. It use to really bother me-I don’t know why.
2. Estée Lauder Beautiful. To me is so much-too much. On my friend-she smell fabulous.
3. Santal 33 by Le Labo. No. Thank. You.
Today is a lazy day of crocheting and reading. Still on Four Winds by Hannah and almost finished. I heard the ending is sad-so I am bracing myself.
Crochet twins 😁 What are you making at the moment?
I haven’t crocheted in so long! I used to make amigurumis – bears, bunnies, cakes and random food items like burgers and sandwiches from this pattern book I picked up in Japan.
Sotd is Atelier des Ors Blue Madeleine
Hope it is a good weekend lucasai.
SOTD is DSH Mata Hari, I haven’t worn this in ages.
Ohhhh you smell wonderful. I might take a look at MH during Dawn’s holiday sale.
I can definitely get behind an International Day of Tolerance.
I ordered a bunch of samples recently. Today I am wearing PG Indochine. I had tried it many years ago and thought it was “okay.” In fact, I wrote a little review on MakeupAlley in 2011 (!) saying:
“My summary: Cadjmere opening, Praline de Santal drydown w/a hint of honey. Not a bad fragrance, just not one that caught my interest.” Cadjmere and Praline de Santal are also PG fragrances. While I still find the comparison to be more or less true, I now think that’s great. Really liking the Indochine!
1) I like BWF much more than I used to.
2) Can’t think of one.
3) I still have trouble with some patchouli reading sour or moldy to my nose. Also joining others with ambroxan difficulties.
I would not mind too terribly if IFRA outlawed ambroxan.
😂
1. Smoke is a note that sometimes makes me feel a bit anxious, as if some primitive part of my brain is shouting “Fire! Run, you fool!”. It’s odd since I enjoy a fire in a fireplace or as a bonfire. It doesn’t stop me wearing Encens Flamboyant or Bvlgari Black but requires waiting for the smokiest bit to recede a little for real enjoyment.
2. I rarely detect fragrance on anyone else these days. Either fewer people are wearing scent these days or I’m not frequenting the places the perfumed people are found.
3. Youth Dew Amber Nude (terrible name). In the beginning of my perfume quest I was convinced ( based solely on descriptions of it) that this would be a Holy Grail scent for me. A charming SA sprayed my forearm with it and I wandered around the store while letting it settle, all the while wondering why the store smelled so peculiar. Eventually I sniffed my arm and practically ran back to the beauty counter, held out my arm and wailed “Is it SUPPOSED to smell like this???”. She sniffed, recoiled in horror and ran to get a pile of tissues and some industrial strength cleanser.
SOTD is Idole de Lubin EDT. Love it.
Great story about the SA! And Lubin Idole is a terrific perfume
I’m with you on smoke. It makes me anxious too.
No smoky scents for me please. 😆 The smoke always overwhelms the rest of the scent and makes me feel suffocated or uneasy.
I can deal with a light smoke note in perfume sometimes. Very mood dependent!
Great questions. I’m wearing Dryad today.
1. I used to think rose was difficult, but I realized that rose SOLIFLORES are difficult, and that some of my old favorites feature rose: Realities, Aromatics, etc. I also recently tried Chopard Rose Seljuke and loved it.
1a. I also have the opposite: thinking I loved iris because I loved TDC Bois d’Iris. Turns out what I loved was the bois.
2. Coco was always too powdery for me, but it’s my friend’s signature scent and I like it on her.
3. It’s a tie between patchouli and lavender.
Realities is a great perfume.
1. I’m starting to enjoy vanilla more. I never used to gravitate towards sweeter scents but it’s becoming more prevalent in my fragrances. The one where it got me was in Dior Addict, especially in the drydown.
2. I don’t really smell fragrance on anyone (in my small world).
3. I can’t wear anything with an obvious lavender note. Rose is another one, especially if it’s not well blended.
Today I’m in SL Datura Noir; it’s playing nicely with the cold weather. Cookies are done; I ended up making white chocolate and raspberry cookies (a play on chocolate chip) rather than shortbread. I used the dehydrated raspberries my sister made for me (in her oven) when I was visiting a month ago. Wow, are they a flavor bomb! I put my order in with her for more next summer! Luckily she has lots of raspberries in her yard. Snow is now falling here.
I am having dehydrated raspberry envy!
Seriously! I used to be able to get them at Bulk Barn (here in Canada). They haven’t had them for at least 2 years.
I was so thrilled to get them from her. They were the last of the season so it was just a small amount this time. I told her she has some “gold” on her hands.
Dehydrated raspberries are great as an add-in for yogurt, too! 😋
SOTD = Dior Mitzah
Seriously good! Why Dior ever discontinued this is beyond comprehension!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCcvNNrRfM2/?igsh=MWN4cTJtNDloaHppdw==
Last night I attended a concert at Rutgers. My friend and her significant other were there too. The tickets were quite inexpensive, specially for alumni but I suppose they’ve done this to encourage attendance.
I have no answers to the poll questions as I haven’t shied away from brands and/or notes. I may change my mind though because I am fickle that way 🤣.
And finally, here’s my caturday post – nothing too exciting as I was trying to avoid holiday illustrations!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCcv9VyRhPe/?igsh=MWtueDgxaXVteWM3cA==
OMG I love that box. I had to look it up…there is nothing inside that I want and just as well. (Gummy ghosts, presumably for halloween, and sparkle pops…chocolate+pop rocks.) Money saved.
That kitteh box! So cute!!
Hello! Happy Saturday, for those who celebrate it, from me and Pounch The Kitten.
I don’t hate any one note, but I did find Angel didn’t suit me. A customer wears it and when she comes in I always compliment her on her scent-it’s so beautiful, and it’s Angel 🙂
There’s a note that seems to singe my nose and I think it’s ambrosian. I tend to smell it on groups of young men when I visit Halifax-it’s very very potent and once I smell it my nose feels like it’s been burnt.
I went to the gym last night and ran into a person I knew briefly from thirty years ago-he came right over to say hello and we chatted for a bit. It was so nice to reconnect. I’m having a self indulgent weekend – lots of gym time, long saunas, lots of water, and then using loads of nice samples of creams and oils and moisturizers. I used the Sisley saffron body cream, which is really nice and has a subtle scent. I didn’t use any additional scents-I wanted to try all these special things I’ve been saving for years.
Hope everyone has minutes of complete mental peace this weekend.
Your indulgent weekend sounded wonderful!
yep. That should have read Pounce the Kitten. Autocorrect, indeed.
Happy Saturday, all!
1. I’m pretty tolerant of most notes and brands.
2. I find Angel to be too much to wear myself (even one spritz) but I’ve enjoyed sniffing it on others when worn sparingly as well. Alas, it’s quite rare to spot it these days.
3. I can tolerate it, but I’ll probably never be a lover of bubble gummy tuberose or beachy sunscreen type scents.
Yesterday I wore Feve Delicieuse and today I’m continuing the feve in Feve Gourmand. The weather is quite lovely today: bright, cool, and crisp. I had an enjoyable walk to the farmers market with my son this morning, treated myself to a delicious ham & cheese croissant.
When I go to Sephora or Ulta I always want to sniff the bottles of Alien and Angel. They do smell great from a distance tho I will never wear them myself.
I used to come across Angel “in the wild” every so often, and it smelled great. It’s been a while since I’ve smelled perfume on someone else.
Happy weekend!
No sotd for me because I caught the flu and am feeling stuffed and dizzy headed.
1. I used to not enjoy aquatics but now I am coming around and finding a time and place for them.
2. K by Dolce Gabbana. I once asked my friend if he was eating oranges because I could smell the freshest, zestiest orange scent on him, turned out it was K. It’s nothing like this on the blotter!
3. I don’t think I’ll grow to enjoy metallics in perfumes because they are just too blood-like to me.
No metallics for me either. It’s a rough flu season already. I hope you feel well quickly. 🤗
Please take care of yourself and drink lots of fluids if you can.
Ugh, so sorry! I am a couple days late, hope you are feeling better by now.
I never get tired of browsing Choosing Keeping. Their landing page is currently full of delightful art supplies and other treats and essentials. If you scroll down, you will come to Antoinette Poisson Perfumed Playing Cards.
“Immensely covetable, here a box of decorative playing cards which have been perfumed. Use as drawer liners, postcards or decorative objects.”
https://choosingkeeping.com/collections/all?srsltid=AfmBOoroB_5vclVqJZRZxGp1Ua9VpnjvihzedfBzzYmK9WuCRdI7bCez
I will keep browsing until I find the eerie Christmas ornaments.
I usually object to Christmas trees and other holiday decorations appearing in stores before Thanksgiving and even Halloween, but is it ever too early to celebrate the return of Mushroom Girl?
https://choosingkeeping.com/collections/spun-cotton-dolls/products/christmas-ornament-spun-cotton-mushroom-girl-out-of-rose-bud
Oh my goodness. That is fabulous! If it were 1/10th price, I’d snap it up. Eerie indeed.
You can always just save the photos to your phone and enjoy a better view of Mushroom Girl than you would on the tree. 😉
I splurged on a hardback scented notebook from Choosing Keeping at the start of the year. The book itself is beautiful ( marbled paper cover) but I was sorely disappointed by the absence of any scent, which was created by Perfumer H. I had to hold the pages up to my nose and inhale deeply and even then it was little more than a vague bitter green peppery smell. I always carry a notebook with me and tend to write with a fountain pen, and the paper also has a slight sheen, so the ink sits on the page so is prone to smudging . But it’s beautifully made but at around NZ $200 ( with expensive postage) not worth it
Oh, no! I feel bad about this because I recommended it last year.😳
I ordered the whole set when it was first announced, and everything in the box was permeated with the glorious scent when it arrived. But I only took the ink out, wrapped everything else in aluminum foil, sealed up the box, and stashed it for the next (now upcoming) holiday season.
So I don’t know how much scent the notebook itself had, as opposed to the candle and incense, or how rapidly it would have dissipated. At a minimum, though, you’d expect a shop specializing in stationery to have perfect paper in their custom notebook. 😾
Apologies, Kanuka!
Don’t blame yourself at all. I don’t think I saw your recommendation before I ordered.
I will have to come back to answer the questions, but here’s a quick funny story.
I was at the gas station this morning and while crossing the parking lot a woman in a car stopped me. She asked I would buy her a coffee and donut. I said I would. When I came out and handed them to her she looked at me up and down and then stared at my face. Then said this…. ” I am a reverend and I am going to bless you. I am going to ask The Lord to bless you with a root touch up” lol! I almost died of hair embarrassment! But I thanked her and told her to ask for blessings for my children instead.
Sotd is possibly ironically Devotion.
Oh wow. Not sure I would appreciate that blessing.
That’s priceless! I commend your act of kindness, and you handled the recipient’s response beautifully. Sounds like you also chose the right scent!
I LOVE that story. 🌞
Wow, what an interaction and blessing.
Oh, dear — I hate to think what she would choose for me! 😹
Ha! What a passive-aggressive blessing!
Indeed!
You’ve been blessed! By a reverend, no less!
Wonderful story!!! 😍
I have to wonder, a reverend of what?? That’s quite the tale!
Best story I have heard in a long time.
You are good, lillyjo, and you are probably my hair twin…I nearly always need a root touch up.
Wearing the “top of the mornin’ to yous’ Couvent des Minimes Eau Aimable sent by Allo. Its an almost marshmallowly soft orange blossom. Nothing naughty in this one. The scent of a nursery with its windows wide open to a garden on a cloudless day sort of thing.
Reorganizing perfumes. I caved and added an Ikea shelving unit to our bedroom, replacing an old, wobbly, too small rattan thing.
House remodel rant to follow (don’t read further if these stories bore you!): I’m not much interested in investing in new shelves for the bedroom beyond Ikea as we are very much in the hole to pay for a bathroom replacement. I say replacement because the team is literally going to rip out every wall, the floor, and the ceiling, and probably a good chunk of our garage below—our 1927 house with its old pipes has been slowly leaching shower water into nooks and crannies below the floor and things are now apparently perilous. Why am I telling you this? To share two things. 1. I have learned something totally unexpected about myself! I get inordinate joy from building 3D models of the room with accurate printing of the wallpaper and tiling etc. I think I may need to invest in a glue gun and several sheets of thin modeling wood (or whatever it is called😉) and indulge a new hobby making miniature rooms! 2. And, I want to share this wallpaper company, Rebel Walls, where I have really enjoyed online window shopping for the past few weeks. I even chose one paper for a wall in the new bathroom: https://rebelwalls.com/concrete-art-swallow
That wallpaper is cool and will look great in your bathroom. Nice workin the 3D models ( balsa wood ). If you use that foam cored card ( which has a cardboard surface) and buy a low ‘ stick’ adhesive sheet you should be able to stick and peel off sample papers etc. multiple times. Looking forward to seeing your creations!
I love the swallows — so serene! 😻
I’m always devastated when developers tear down a beautiful old house with character in my neighborhood and put up a McMansion. But I tell myself that there were probably problems like you found lurking in them.
Enjoy your new hobby and the ultimate results of your remodeling!
I love the swallow wallpaper, also!
Congratulations on your new shelves. Last week I went to IKEA for the first time in years, it was fun to wander the marketplace downstairs without any need to go upstairs to the furniture showroom. I love all the kitchen gear, glassware, and dishes. 😍
1. I am learning to like white and yellow florals. It may depend on how they are blended and how strong. Straight up white florals are still too much. Patchouli is another tough one. Certain perfumes like Youth Dew have strong associations for me – that one was one my grandmother wore – and it is tough to get past the scent memories.
2. I like white florals on others. Maybe it is that I get a light, fleeting waft and don’t have to be surrounded by it. Ditto patchouli. I used to hate it in college but once in a while I encounter someone who smells great in straight up patchouli.
3. Giorgio is my kryptonite. A note I don’t like is cumin. I don’t like the artificial “aquatic” notes. I hated the old synthetic sandalwood but there is a newer sandalwood note that is softer, almost coconutty to me, ala Nothing But Sea and Sky.
Wearing a sample of Ganymede. This will go in the “no” pile of samples, which is fine because I have a pile of samples I like and others I am still vetting.
I have several favorite big white florals, but Giorgio is always a no-go. 😂
IIRC, I didn’t like Giorgio back in the day at all!
Monday already. I spent much of the weekend reading Our Evenings, a new novel by Alan Hollinghurst. It is so beautiful and precise…the words create such a strong sense of heart ache in the ordinary.. The tenderness in the son/ mother relationship is almost painful. It’s an incredible book. It is immersive and slow but not laboured. Probably my book of the year.
Wearing Pohadka.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/sep/30/our-evenings-by-alan-hollinghurst-review-one-for-the-ages?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Oh thank you, that looks wonderful. Reading too many books at once as always but have added to my list.
Wearing Ummagumma today for the lovely, soft, cozy, furry comfort of it. Love this one so much, and it’s one of the few perfumes people tend to compliment when I wear it.
Here’s a lovely lady wearing a mini Shalimar bottle. What style!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCZlwlhR-A5/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
OMG, I have zoomed in on this and taken screenshots so that I can do it myself or commission a jewelry maker to do it.
I have a vintage pendant by Lanvin of a mini Arpege bottle, slightly flattened, but if feel the connections are too fragile to actually wear it. Have thought of getting a jeweler to reinforce them, but they are gold-toned so it might be more expensive. It’s much smaller than the Shalimar bottle.
It’s an easy DIY for anyone who knows a bit about wire work. Minimal tools needed and craft wire is easily available. It comes in many colors or different gold/silver/brass tones. Make sure you use “gold filled” wire and not “gold plated.” The latter will fade and become discolored.
Here’s a short video of a small bottle turned into a necklace. The wire work looks well done. Of course, you use whatever wire works for you. The circles where the chain attaches can be made much smaller so the entire thing looks more in proportion. Get crafty! 😃
https://youtu.be/4pUGzAphIRY?si=xW1WZWbrCbVTAKzT
For decades, there was a wonderful shop in DC called Bedazzled that sold beads and findings from all over the world, and all the tools, etc. I think beading fell out of favor and the owners retired. I miss it so much. But I still have tools and can probably find the right wire online, right?
Beading didn’t necessarily fall out of favor, it just went on-line like so many other things. It’s a shame because actually seeing the beads in person allows you to catch the subtle nuances the different coatings give the beads. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered the “perfect” color online only to realize when it arrived it won’t work in my project because it’s so different than the online photo. 🤷🏻♀️
Also, thanks so much!
Trying ELDO Story of Your Life today and notes are below. Something being used for wood is giving me the nose-burning-woody-aromachemical vibe which will hopefully dissipate. Someone on Fragrantica says it just smells of pure ambrocenide which I just googled so perhaps it’s that molecule my nose doesn’t like.
In terms of notes…believe or not, I have not always liked vanilla. Something turned on in my brain several years ago now. Suddenly I loved and craved it and life, as they say, has never been the same. ☺️
Leather used to be tough for me but I enjoy more and more now. I can only handle beginner/low-level oud and marine/aquatic is still pretty much persona non grata.
Top notes : Cistus Essence, Davana Essence, Benzoin Siam Pure JE™
Heart notes: Laurel Essence, Orange Blossom Absolute, Brioche Accord
Base notes: Rum Pure JE™, Vanilla Infusion & Absolute, Amber Wood
Light leathers are growing on me. 😄 I used to shy away, but now I’m curious.
Those big, smoky, birch-tar leather perfumes can be challenging ones!
Hi everyone! I have been suffering from cold symptoms that will not go away. The initial cold kept me home for three days, and then I felt better enough to go back to work, but the crud in my head and chest is still going strong. I tested myself for Covid since my sense of smell disappeared completely (wah!), but it was negative. It’s slowly coming back, but not 100% yet. I’m trying out Coty L’Origan courtesy of Laurels today, which is lovely from what I can tell.
1. Nothing I can think of right now
2. Same
3. Poison and Loulou. I love tuberose and big white flowers, but those two have something in them that I can’t stand. Maybe some day I’ll learn to appreciate them.
I have jury duty tomorrow at the criminal court… fingers crossed I don’t get picked for anything, and I get to leave early!
Fingers crossed! And hope you feel better soon!
Thanks lillyjo!
hope you feel your best soon and that your jury service is painless! 🤗
Thanks tiffanie!
Hope your number doesn’t get called and you can go home tomorrow!
Thank you! Everyone’s hoping must have worked because my number didn’t get called, and I got to leave before 2pm. Woohoo!
Excellent news! 🎉✨
Growing up, there seemed to be a lot of cheap musk perfumes worn by would-be sexy young folks. I do now have Montale White Musk, which works as a skin scent.
One day perhaps I will find a calonic perfume to my liking, but I am not holding my breath.
Oh, and I can’t remember exactly which celebuscent a store clerk was wearing – a Juicy? – but it did smell cute on her.
I have a hard time with musks, especially the clean laundry ones. If musk is in the perfume name, I’m probably not going to sniff it. 😄
sotd = Amber Narguile
and I ate a piece of pumpkin pie, so I feel seasonally spicy. 🥧
1. I can’t wear big patchouli perfumes, but Portrait of a Lady made me see the light, and there have been other quiet-ish patchouli accented scents I’ve sampled and enjoyed since then.
2. There are others, but Coco comes to mind. It smells glorious from a distance worn by someone else, but I can’t bear it on me.
3. I have a hard time with Cashmeran. It feels like a stab in the nose, probably a lot like ambroxan is for so many of us. More Eau des Merveilles for me! 😅
LOVE Ambre Narguilé!
Poll answers!
1. I didn’t care for lavender at first, but now I have 2 fragrances in my Full Bottle Stash that are lavender-forward: Mon Guerlain EdT and Burberry Brit Rhythm for Women. And I like them very much when the mood strikes.
2. Not sure I’ve ever had this happen.
3. I can’t deal with soapy perfumes at all. And Shalimar will be a perpetual NOPE for me, since it is the signature scent of Mr. Jalapeno’s stepmom.
SOTD = commando today.
Gah to number 3 and bad associations!
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2024/nov/16/what-a-carve-up-playful-intricate-japanese-leaf-art-in-pictures?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Came across this piece of incredible artwork …all cut out from leaves with a scalpel. It must require a very steady hand and a sharp blade and patience. Just saw the sunrise, salmon pink. Wearing Copper, which I haven’t worn for ages.
Those are extraordinary. Thanks for posting the link.
I am wearing several sprays from my new bottle of Hiram Green Arbole. I really like it.
I planted spinach seeds in mid-August, hoping for a fall crop, and after watching the seedlings pop up, I left them alone. It has rained enough that I didn’t need to water them. Today I went to check on them and the squirrels (Maybe? I have no idea what small animal eats greens) have dug up every single one. Left the weeds, of course!
Those darn squirrels! I also planted some spinach seeds for a fall harvest, and as soon as they were a few inches high, the squirrels (or maybe just one in particular) dug them up. I caught one in the act and shooed it away, but it and/or its friends must have come back.
Rotten furry-tailed rats!