It's Memorial Day weekend — summer at last! supposedly! — and we're celebrating the holiday with our same old open thread poll.
Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance you're thinking will be your most-worn this coming summer (or winter), whatever. And if you have a friend or family member who died while serving in the armed forces, and you want to tell us about them, please do.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Camelia Still Life [cropped] by TIGER500 at flickr; some rights reserved.
Well, I’m rounding out Turtle Week in Lostmarc’h Iroaz, a lovely beachy rose. Apparently there is only one turtle species truly native to Brittany (whence Lostmarc’h), the European Pond Turtle, a freshwater species, and is it CUTE! But since Iroaz is more ocean-beachy than pond-beachy, I should also mention that several other turtle species are found off the coast of Brittany, whether or not native to that specific area. My favorite (after very little research) is the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, whose shell has classic tortoiseshell coloring.
I googled your European Pond Turtle, it is cute!
Ha to summer at last, it was 37F when I got up this morning. Sunny and 50s now, beautiful but still need a sweatshirt. Sometimes garden procrastination is a good thing, there was patchy frost early.
I’m wearing IA Dipped in Chocolate while I impatiently wait for the mail and my bottle of Lattafa Khamra, which is a blind buy from Amazon. I’ve finished 2 samples of Angel’s Share, can’t afford a bottle and off I went with Google, looking for dupes. Khamra was the winner for bottle appearance, price and scent description, do any of you have it? I would like to know your thoughts. It sounds like stuff I already have but I know I’ll probably like it and it will be nice for chilly days if we have any more. I hope it starts warming up soon so I can gripe about the heat lol. Enjoy your weekend!
Never heard of the brand. Did you get your bottle, and if so, how was it?
I did! The presentation is pretty over the top but the bottle is heavy and pretty. It didn’t arrive until late in the day and it smells good but Dipped in Chocolate overwhelmed it. I’ll give it a proper try on Monday.
I have been in fleece all day! Just as well I did not make it to the beach.
I am in No 19 Poudre and a few dabs of No 19 parfum
I had a trip to the farmers market this morning and then for my horse lesson. I am working a lot on my mental blocks while riding and also building my leg/core
I don’t have anyone who died in war. My father was in Vietnam,
Glad your dad made it home! My dad made it home from the Pacific during WW2.
Riding horses takes more muscle strength than many people realize…I have not been on a horse in eons, but I remember.
Thank you for your Dad’s Service.
Thank you for your Dad’s Service.
I am wearing FM Lipstick Rose.
Still chilly here today so doesn’t feel much like summertime. When it does though I see myself wearing lots of iris and rose, like I always do, and probably throw in some citrus scents and a coconut one. Will see how the summer progresses.
what is your favorite iris? I am wearing an iris scent today
Probably FM Iris Poudre, but I don’t wear that in the summer. I wear Splendiris a lot in the summer since it’s quite airy.
Loooove Lipstick Rose. One of my desert island scents. You smell fab 🙂
Thanks. I wouldn’t normally wear it now, but it just hasn’t been very warm this week.
Normal temperatures are expected here next week.
Here too!
SOTD = Eris Parfums Green Spell
Woot! Kinda perfect for today due to spring weather. And it has the name of a color. Plus it is a great fragrance which I really need to wear more often! 💚
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKDJz1_RpPr/?igsh=MW5jaXFnbzhrazhtNw==
Have a great weekend everyone!
And is green your favorite color? Mine is any shade of purple, and not sure if I have a single perfume with purple or lavender in the name.
Green is my favorite color. As to purple, I do have Prada Purple Rain!
You will have to lend it to me for next Friday 😉
You could look for perfumes you have that are purple in color or have purple packaging, though I’m not sure how many there are of those either. But immediately coming to mind is Lolita Lempicka.
You’ve inspired me to give Green Spell another try.
Yay! Do please let me know what you think of it!
I am in Escale à Portofino, which I plan to wear lavishly this summer ☀️
Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend.
You smell gorgeous.
Hope your weekend is relaxing too NinaV!
I’m wearing La Parfumerie Moderne Desarmant, the most beautiful lilac scent. The weather is good and I am full of energy, so I am doing house projects this weekend. I have already primed the kitchen ceiling for a water damage patch, added music to the MP3 player I take on walks (I refuse to carry a phone when I am walking), prepped dinner, and shortly I am going to the backyard to do battle with a boxwood shrub that is trying to take over the walkway.
Excellent!! I got lots done today but suspect you did more 🙂
Ahah! You must have been the one to send me a decant of Desarmant. It is now long gone, but but I continue to haver about buying a full bottle. A wonderful scent!
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my visit with my mother, and the weather has been beautiful for the time of year.
Kanuka and I met a couple of days ago and chatted about perfume and all sorts of things.
I’m meeting a school friend this morning, we’ve known each other for nearly 50 years!
I think I’ll wear 1000 again. After only five days away from home I’m already missing my usual choices of perfume.
So glad you are having a good visit Gaynor, that all sounds lovely.
Wearing Cheirosa 62 today. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do. Tomorrow I am looking at going to a Civil War reenactment. It’s a pity that I have to work on Monday but I would have had 8 days off right before a holiday so it’s expected and I do need some extra cash.
Have a great time tomorrow!
Happy weekend!
Sotd is Miss Dior Parfum, the newest one. When I first tested it I was like “meh” but it’s slowly growing on me.
Looks like I am one of the few that prefers the cold! I get headaches just from the heat. Yikes.
I’m with you, I prefer cooler rather than hotter, especially with 🌞. And I have a real difficult time with humidity, regardless of the temperature. 😓
A second day in a row with 🌞 skies and temps warming up to the mid-60’s, a beautiful day for an outdoor arts festival including a performance by two of our favorite musicians who don’t perform in our area very often, Patchouli and Terra Guitarra.
Patchouli is Julie, singer, songwriter, guitarist. The songs just come to her, she says, she writes beautiful lyrics, has a lovely voice and an incredible smile that could light up the darkest room. Bruce is the Terra Guitarra instrumental half, a truly master guitarist (acoustic to Spanish) who also plays a haunting Native American flute, writes the music to Julie’s lyrics, and is also an artist who paints in colorful acrylics and has his own art gallery. If you live in WI or MN, you are lucky, as this is where they perform most often as they live in WI on the Mississippi River just across from MN. They winter in FL and perform all season long down there. Husband and wife, their music knows no single genre, ranging from folk, folk/rock, and Nuevo Spanish guitar. Mostly, their music brings hope! You can learn more here if interested, and see where they’re performing next. https://www.patchouli.net
Everywhere I go, my world is finally fully green, so my SOTD fittingly was Balmain Vent Vert.❤️
Sending peaceful vibes to all! ☮️ ✌️
Thank you for the much needed peaceful vibes!
That sounds like a perfect day.
Happy Sunday all and happy 41st anniversary to my husband and me. I’m wearing vintage Coco edt which is my favorite form, and a few precious drops of vintage parfum.
My husband has a side job that happened to fall today in Michigan so we are taking a long drive and will stop for lunch somewhere along the way, especially nice since the job will pay for the food and fuel.
Enjoy your day everyone 😎
Happy Anniversary! It’s looking like great weather for a drive.
You smell perfect!
Thank you lillyjo it was a beautiful day and I did smell perfect 😘
Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your drive!
Happy Anniversary, ringthing!💐💕💐
Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! It’s a beautiful day for a Michigan drive.🥂💐
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many more 🥂
Happy Anniversary ringthing!
Thanks everyone! We had a lovely day.
41 is amazing, a very happy anniversary to you both!
Wearing FM Une Fleur de Cassie and recovering from a 12 mile urban hike yesterday. Mr. allo and I are leaving in 2 weeks for a walking trip in the UK (Cotswolds). We’re walking from Oxford to Bath this time; 2 years ago we walked in the northern Cotswolds and loved it.
The walking part is relatively easy for me but the weight of a pack can tire my feet mush faster. We leave some luggage in Oxford to pick up after the walk but will carry a week and 1/2’s worth of clothing, etc. with us each day we walk. It’s certainly incentive to pack as lightly as possible.
If anyone has walking tips re: how to keep the feet happy, etc, I’d love to hear them 😊
I meant to add that I wore L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur de Roses (Rose Thief) yesterday for the walk and found myself doing what I always do, pilfering roses along the way. I give their fragrance credit for helping me to go those extra miles 😎🌹💃
No tips from my angry feet. Lol.
But go you!
But you saying “But go you” will now be in my mind when I’m walking and get me at least another 5 miles if not more!
No tips, but hope you save room in your suitcase for perfume-that is if you are taking any time to do shopping😉
I will definitely be taking time for perfume shopping because we end the trip with a week in London🥰 And I’ll bring lots of samples to wear while walking and keep me inspired and motivated😊
No tips, but I admire what you’re doing,; your trip sounds intriguing!
It’s a nice way to see a place and also helps me enjoy eating Bread Pudding guilt free!
You are smelling lovely today!
Thank you, NinaV!
A tip that helps me on long treks: metatarsal ball of foot pads (Dr Frederick’s brand on Amazon). You don’t feel them when walking, but they provide extra cushioning.
And you’re smelling stellar in Une Fleur, think I’ll join you in it.
That’s a great tip – cushion rules!
I haven’t walked long distance in them, but would recommend Smartwool’s hiking socks. They stay put, and you can get versions with extra padding in the heel and ball of the foot. And wool wicks moisture.
It’s so interesting you mentioned Smartwool socks because we did a Smartwool vs Darn Tuff sock test on our last long walk. Mr. allo, as much as he normally loves his Darn Tuffs, said that they felt abrasive compared to the softer Smartwool socks.
In the words of Arte Johnson: “Verrrrry Interesting!”
I’ve soaked my feet in some Epsom salts and cool water when they’re sore. Maybe your hubby will massage them? I’ve never gotten that, even after repeated requests! Therefore I’ve learned to self-massage the painful areas. A creme with urea as an ingredient is moisturizing and can also help exfoliate.
Epsom salts is a great idea and way to relax the feet after a long walk. I also have some cream with urea after Robin mentioned it in a recent post so I’ll be sure to bring that on the trip. I am very fortunate to have a hubby who gives great foot massages while we’re reading on the couch. It’s one of my favorite things in the world!
Allo, that sounds like a fantastic trip!
I don’t really have any groundbreaking advice for sore feet (a hotel room with a bathtub would be nice) but, if you have some time in Bath, treat yourself to some pastries and bread at Landrace. You will have earned it.
There will definitely be time spent in hotel bathtubs! And thank you for the recommendation in Bath. Landrace sounds wonderful! 😋
What fun! I would love to do that with a drone carrying my pack, ha…
Maybe for bread pudding, though, I would be willing to carry something.
Why didn’t I think of that? A pack-carrying drone! My feet would thank me🥰
I’m with you and am definitely food motivated😋
Trying to hurry my mother up so we can get the show on the road for the Civil War reenactment. She really wants to see it but never could manage to be on time for anything, even before dementia. Wearing vintage no 19 today.
Have fun!
Have a great day, Dawn!
Sounds wonderful! We had a WWII re-enactment here last week, and it was wonderful to see so many young men ‘soldiers’ interested enough in history to dedicate themselves to pursuing this endeavor. Some looked barely out of their teens. 👍
SOTD is Dame Cassis, Rose & Sandalwood. Beautiful day here today!
Do you know if this fragrance smells at all like Diptyque L’Ombre Dans L’Eau? I’m thinking of the Cassis and Rose combo.
I don’t think I have tried that one by Diptyque, at least not recently, so I don’t know. Since this one is discontinued by Dame, I will need a similar one at some point.
I’ve tried both L’Ombre Dans L’Eau and the Cassis, Rose & Sandalwood. To me they do not smell alike at all. The Diptyque was almost all musk on me, so YMMV.
I have a feeling the Diptyque is probably greener too. I don’t really get that with Dame.
Maybe? The top notes for the Diptyque vanished in a flash on me. All I got were base notes.
I love Cassis, Rose and Sandalwood, glad I have a large bottle! 😅
Me too, but I like it enough that I am already wondering what will be a good substitute once it runs out. That may still be years🤣
I’m back and getting back into routine after a few days with my mother.
I’m going classic for work with Vol de Nuit.
Welcome home Gaynor!
I have a terrible cold so I went for the strongest perfume in my collection – Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme. I can barely sense anything. 🤞it’s not COVID!
🤞
BOO! for not feeling well. Sure hope that it isn’t COVID either.
Crossing my fingers with you…they do say the numbers are very low right now, but I don’t know who’s counting these days.
I hope it’s not The Plague. Whether or not you can smell it, you smell wonderful today.
In Cuir Fetishe— a new perfume for me. Despite the name, this is a fairly floral leather—think a bouquet tied up with a leather cord.
That said, looking forward to someone asking me what perfume I’m wearing😉
Both my grandmothers were nurses in WWII, and my grandfather a captain in the Navy. Sadly, I learned very little about their experiences. I know my maternal grandmother and grandfather served in the Pacific Theater.
Thank you for your Grandparents service.
🧡 Seems like another world. My mother’s mother and I used to sing the songs from South Pacific together–that time and those memories were dear to her.
SL Bois et Fruits.
The last two nights were rough — loud drone noises and explosions. We both ended up going to bed in the morning after sitting in the hallway. Unfortunately, another night like that is expected tonight. It’s 1 a.m. now, and I’m feeling rather tense, sitting at my desk and waiting for a new attack.
Glad to hear from you Glannys. I’d heard about what is happening in Kyiv.
But angry that civilians are being put into harm’s way. I will hold off on saying more, lest I violate NST’s comment policy.
Thanks, Jalapeno.
Well, the shooting began. Another night in the hall way.
Stay safe Glannys.
I’m sorry Glannys. Please stay safe.
Stay safe, Glannys 🙏
I’m so sorry, Glannys. I think of you, your mom and sweet Kora kitty often. Please stay safe.
I’ve seen the news; I’m so sorry you have to go thru this. 😅 Like Jalapeño. I’ll refrain from saying more. Praying for your safety 🙏.
Hope you will check in tomorrow Glannys, we are all thinking of you.
I’m so sorry for all of it, Glannys. I think of you and your mother and kitty quite often and it’s great when you check in.
Count me in the batch of folks who are having yucky weather for the Memorial Day weekend. Friday was nice and summer-y, but a big cold front came thru late in the day. Some places in Colorado out by the Kansas and Nebraska borders had baseball-sized hail.
None of that for me, thank God; only thunderstorms. Now cool temps and rainy weather for the next several days. It might dry out by next weekend?
SOTD = Guerlain Neroli Outrenoir. Some lovely NSTer sent me this a while back, and I am finally getting around to trying it. Fits the weather.
Sorry the weather stinks. Were you planning to grill tomorrow?
If the Flintstone-sized steaks are thawed out, and my brother is done fixing his truck, then we will be grilling. My brother has a way to grill if the weather sucks.
Happy Sunday
Hermes Barenia from a sample.
Anyone try this one? What do you think.
Picnic today and mostly tea and reading. Wishing the weather was rainy so I can stay in all day and read- but was happy to see friends.
From Hermes I like Galop and Eau de Mervielles
I liked Barnia well enough. My favorite Hermes is Galop and Cuir D’ange (sp?)
I am considering Galop – it’s not on a discount sites- I keep checking. Barenia is on some.
I would love to know what Galop and Barenia are like as I have not tried either. Right now, my favorites from Hermes would be Hiris and Eau des Merveilles.
Galop is a leather rose 🌹
Barenia is a chypre (sp?)
My favorites from Hermes are Kelly Caleche EdP, Eau de Neroli Dore, and Eau des Merveilles Bleue.
I like Kelly Caleche too
I keep thinking about a bottle of that one. If I can find a 50mL one, I’ll be in luck.
I like Kelly too..
Today will be my first day back at work after vacation. The first day back always seems to be the hardest along with the day before vacation. I am thankful it will be a 4 hour day though. Still in no 19 but after my shower, I will switch to Cheirosa 62 for my shift.
Hope the 4 hours flew by Dawn.
Hi guys, happy Monday! Just briefly checking in. We are alive and well. Well, mother seems to have caught my last week’s virus, but no missile or drone damage in the vicinity.
Wearing Liquides Imaginaires Blanche Bete – I plan to wear a scent with the name of a color each day of this week.
Thank you for your kind words yesterday.
Glad to hear from you. Do you take your kitty into the hall with you when you go out there during attacks? I bet she’s scared too. Please keep us updated. We’re all concerned.
Our hall is in the middle of the flat, and we cannot shut the doors to prevent her leaving the hall, since shut doors are more dangerous (due to explosive waves). So, unfortunately, she often stays in one of the rooms. We check up on her often to make sure she is not near windows. We also put her food bowl in the hall to encourage her to at least go there for food.
Yesterday I put her carrier in the hall, ready to get her there and run. Fortunately, we did not have to.
Glad you checked in Glannys. I hope your mother feels better soon.
Hope your mom feels better soon, and continued thoughts being sent your way for safety and peace.🤗
Thank you for checking in, Glannys. I’m behind on the comments.
Relived to hear from you again Glannys. Sorry to hear that your Mom isn’t feeling well. And poor Kora kitty. Those air raids must be hard on her too.
So glad you guys are well and no nearby damage. So much stress!
SOTD is Shalimar MJ. The jasmine is in full force today. Funny how some scents change after several months. I love it💕
I can’t say I have experienced a perfume changing as much as MJ has. It’s really a favorite now.
I haven’t either and I’m with you. I like it much better now.
I’m working today and it’s starting to get pretty busy. The weather is gorgeous but the folks around here just love to shop.
I am wearing American designer Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia for Memorial Day.
You smell wonderful. I love that fragrance!
I thought EL Tuberose Gardenia was discontinued? 🤔
Pretty sure they brought it back at least once, but now it is under the Aerin brand.
I’ve been revisiting some of my SL scents, especially those that seem lighter and better for hot weather. Lately I’ve kept wearing Vitriol d’oillet and enjoying it a lot. It’s fresh but not boring. It’s got some sweet and some spice.
Two weekends ago I had the tough decision to make to put one of my dearest cats to sleep. He was very ill and it was the best thing though very sad. I’m on the edge of doing something I maybe shouldn’t do, adopting another cat who looks just like him. I saw him on an adoption page and was very taken with him. He’s big, three years old, and an orange and white tabby. If you know about cats you’ll know that these are the sweetest and goofiest ones of all. I’ll report in soon.
I’m sorry for your loss Calypso.
Many years ago I had an Orange and White cat. He was very loving and smart.
I don’t blame you for getting another one. When I used to have cats, I got two tabby brothers two different times so I know the feeling.
I think your gut is telling you what you should do, so perhaps you shouldn’t overthink it? Each of us has a different grieving period, and adopting another cat doesn’t mean your love for your sweet departed one is no less nor lasting. 🤗
I’m so sorry for your loss Calypso, and I totally understand wanting to adopt another right away. I’m partial to orange tabbies so my opinion is go for it. Let us know how it goes.
Sorry to hear about your sweet kitty Calypso. But I will add that there is no “right” or “wrong” time to adopt a new companion animal afterwards. Maybe it’s the Cat Distribution System at work?
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet kitty, Calypso.
Bless all those who sacrificed for our freedom and democracy going back to Revolutionary times in the U.S.! Bless Mr Engineer’s family where he and 3 generations have served. Bless his mom who sent all 3 of her sons out to battle and miraculously got all 3 back home.
Sotd the Harmonist Sun Force (to go with the Air Force and the Space Force).
We’re having an indoor picnic so we can be with my aunt at her place, the 3 of us plus 2 caregivers. Mr Engineer celebrated with me on Saturday because he’s doing a day of service with homeless Navy veterans today.
Bless the NST community across the globe!
Thank you for your family’s service LesLiesse.
Your comment about Mr. Engineer’s mom sending all 3 sons out to battle struck a chord with me. Each of my grandmothers sent all 3 sons into combat at the same time in WWII. I simply cannot imagine the pain they must’ve endured experiencing that! Yet they came through it all somehow, but I never heard them talk about it as I was growing up.
Serious respect for those Blue Star and especially Gold Star families.
Had a nice lunch and visit with my son’s family, then stopped at the cemetery to visit my uncle’s grave on this Memorial Day. My dad served in WWII as did all my uncles on both sides of the family. All came back but one.
Visiting my grandma’s house often as a child, I was always drawn to a small display in her living room: a picture of my handsome Uncle C., my dad’s youngest brother, who was an Army medic killed in action in Luzon, the Philippines, just a few days after his 23rd birthday, trying to help another wounded soldier. I was fascinated by his medals: a bronze star, a silver star, and a Purple Heart. He died long before I was born, yet somehow I felt I knew him each time I saw his picture. It’s him, and others like him, that I honor and thank on this day of remembering. 🙏
For my SOTD I wanted something reminiscent of that era, so I chose vintage Miss Dior edt (1947). Just a couple of dabs of this were perfect for this special day.
Hope your day has been a good one!
Thank you for sharing this story, sounds like you picked the perfect scent for today.
It’s Memorial Day and I have spent it hanging out with my mom and later, putting in the vegetable garden at her house. Keeping it small and manageable this year 👍
My dad served in the Philippines in WWII in an office typing reports while his boot camp buddies were working on the railway. Dad wouldn’t talk about his time in the service but late in his life, he confided that he had always felt guilty because he knew how to type, that’s how he got his office assignment, and both of his buddies died of cancer that was linked to their time working on the railway. And to join the war effort, he had to denounce his Mennonite faith publicly. I don’t think it was patriotism as much as he wanted to get off the farm and he grabbed his chance. That war busted the world wide open for so many young people.
And thank you for sharing your story! Glad your dad’s Phillipines’ experience was a more positive one than his unfortunate buddies or my uncle. Yes, that war sure busted life open for many. My parents were only married for a few months when my dad was drafted. He was sent to England where he loaded bombs onto airplanes. He didn’t get any leave or come home for nearly 3-1/2 years! Can you imagine?!
Wow, that had to be so hard! And nothing but snail mail, heavily censored. Those letters must have been so precious.
Omgoodness all those words and I didn’t name my sotd! It’s Lattafa Khamra, my first real wearing. I like it. It reminds me of a rather thin version of something early Serge Lutens, with some stewed plums combined with plenty of cinnamon and dates and drying down with patchouli and vetiver. It’s not a scent that I feel I have to have as I have others along this line but I’m not sorry I bought it. It reminds me of Angel’s Share but I wouldn’t call it a dupe and it has lasted all day without being overwhelming. The bottle is heavy glass with a heavy acrylic cap and it was only $24 on Amazon. This will be a good bedtime scent.
My dad (and other members of his crew, most of whom I met eventually, although they’re all gone now) always talked about how guilty they’d feel every time another plane didn’t come back but theirs did. I think the guilt was everywhere. All the jobs had to get done, and everyone sacrificed to get them done, one way or another.
And I know my dad felt guilt over bombing.
But it changed my dad’s life too…he was the first in his family to go to college. The GI Bill was a big deal.
Song of the Day: https://youtu.be/rbkQk_1OV9Y
“Taps” always hurts a little for me. No one on either side of my family was killed in action that I know of.
Back from my brother’s place. Yes, we had those big honking steaks! We both had leftovers. 😋😂 Teflon kitty was glad to have her human back home.
Today the weather was better than it has been in a few days. Still a little stormy though. I keep reminding myself that every drop of rain is A Good Thing.
SOTD = still in Neroli Outrenoir. It will probably be too warm to wear it soon enough.
It is hard to listen to, isn’t it?
Glad you got nice grilled steaks 🙂
It became even more difficult after it was played at my Dad’s funeral. That was the coldest weather I have ever been in.
The first Memorial Day after he passed was so hard.