Ahoy! It’s Friday and International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Our community project for today: get as creative as you like with the pirate theme. Wear a fragrance inspired by a pirate or piracy, wear something you bought so cheap it was a steal, steal an idea from someone else, whatever!
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
My plan today was to wear something inspired by "Pirate Queen" Zheng Yi Sao. Instead, I'm sick, and hoping to get back to bed pretty soon.
Reminder: 9/26 is the first Friday in Autumn (unless you're in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case you know what to do). Wear something to celebrate the new season.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2025, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is detail from the ink-painted scroll Pacifying the South China Sea, via the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
Hello and tgif!
Sotd is Diptyque Lunamaris, inspired by the beautiful mother of pearl, another treasure from the ocean. What has pearl got to do with pirates other than the sea? It reminds me of the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl!
Heavy rainstorm is expected through the weekend so today I am doing a huge grocery run to stock up the fridge. Might be a good idea to take up some long cooking projects. I will probably end up baking a cake or something (cheesecake is ALWAYS a great idea).
Cheesecake is indeed always a good idea!
Sorry you’re sick, Robin. Hope you feel better soon.🤗
For today’s cp, I was going to join those of you who chose Hermes Eau Des Merveilles, but then I remembered a different one I hadn’t worn in ages and chose Elizabeth Taylor’s Black Pearls instead. My thought was that because black pearls are very rare and very valuable, I envisioned them as something that would be found in a pirate’s treasure chest + its bottle resembled a seashell🐚 . I decided to look up ‘black pearl’ and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Black Pearl is the name of the fictional ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series – I did not know or remember that! So I’m claiming points on several counts!
The actual fragrance (possibly a Sophia Grojsman creation? not confirmed) is a 1996 scent with a peach topnote, a blend of florals – white rose, gardenia, aquatic water lily and lotus – and a soft powdery, woody base. Today is the last of our very warm, summery days and, fortunately, Black Pearls softens pretty quickly to a skin scent. I’m enjoying it.
Just about done with cleaning and prep work for tomorrow’s party. Hoping the rain predicted for tomorrow – of course, it has to rain tomorrow! – will be just a shower and not a storm. The party is inside but I’m hoping to use our well-covered screened porch as well, since it opens into the living room.🤞
Ok, back to finish cleaning. Happy Friday to all!🏴☠️
Sorry, I didn’t intend to post this as a reply to happy888cat, don’t know how I managed that!😔
Black Pearls is a great perfume.
Please get well soon, Robin!
I’ve saved my most piratical scent for today – a sample of Black Phantom by Kilian.
Official description:
“Inspiration: On turbulent seas, an inescapably transient pirate ship braves black waters, leagues deep in mystery. Black Phantom “Memento Mori” reveals its hidden treasures to the curious nose in waves.
Fragrance story: Rum accord from Martinique, akin to ‘pirates water’, spikes the scent of strong coffee at its heart, balanced by vetiver essence. A deadly bite of cyanide accord hides menacingly, like the smile from death itself. Smile back as sugar cane and dark, creamy sandalwood assures a trying journey holds a sweet reward.
Key notes: Rum, Coffee, Sandalwood”
Yes, this scent definitely carries a dark and mysterious aura, worthy of a pirate ship sailing through haunted waters. But on my skin, it eventually settles into a comforting gourmand – chocolate with coffee and almonds.
That contrast made me think of the comically ineffective pirates from The Pirates of Penzance. Dangerous in theory, but tender-hearted to a fault – letting whole ships go simply because the crew claims to be orphans. Just like Black Phantom, they may seem menacing, but turn out to be sweet in the end.
“For I am a Pirate King!
And it is, it is a glorious thing
To be a Pirate King!”
That is perfect, Glannys. Well-chosen!
I do love a Pirate King!!! Especially when played by Kevin Kline…saw that production way back in the late 70’s with the incandescent Linda Ronstadt as Mabel….wonderful!
Yes! I had him in mind when I was writing my comment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH4IuO55U9I
Thank you Glannys!
I thoroughly enjoyed this poetic post Glannys! And that video of Kevin Klein – hilarious! Thank you so much ! Arrrrgh me matey! Yo hoho!
Yesterday’s SOTD was Bois Dore. Beautiful scent, but faded way too quickly boohoo. Haven’t decided what’s on the menu today.
I started “Lead Sister – The Story of Karen Carpenter” and am already currently almost half way thru. I am not a particularly huge fan but want to know how she got from point a to point b in such an unfortunately short lifetime. Also, did y’all know that she was a drummer as well as a vocalist? I did not know that either.
I actually did know that, GateGirl-she’s one of the most talented drummers of her generation! I might look for that book, too.
She had a beautiful voice, sad life.
Hope you are feeling better soon, Robin!
I had two choices for yo ho ho and a bottle of rum: Malin&Geotz Dark Rum and Lubin Idole, but it’s so warm I went beachy with Bronze Goddess instead.
I forgot about Lubin Idole but that’s a great suggestion, ringthing. I might have to make that my scent of the evening.
Thank you!
I thought of Bronze Goddess…it’s what you’d wear if pirates stole your boat and you were stranded on a beach 🙂
Quick PSA
Ulta continued their half price sales through today. All the Vacation perfumes, Ariana Grande I think? And there are other perfumes included in the sale.
Robin I hope you’re soon on the mend. This has been such a fun CP and I’m hoisting the Jolly Roger today with Lutens Santal Blanc. It’s prolly way too warm and humid to wear this in L.A. but the mornings are crisp so I reached for it. Satisfies the CP two ways: Lutens has the Morocco connection and a beautiful home there and the notes include a sweet boozy rum raisin. It’s my fave of his santals. Have a great Friday, everyone, and see you all tomorrow for the Swapmeet with bells on! It’s always so much fun and I can’t wait!
I love Santal Blanc, you smell amazing!!
Thank you! and 2nding Hera, you do smell great.
🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ wonderful post DeniseH! Keep cool in this humidity.
Oh no! Sorry you’re sick Robin, feel better soon!
I’m in Dior Dune, because it’s a little salty? And sea water is salty, and pirates sail the seas. Okay, that’s the best I could do.😆
We are continuing with our beautiful weather and the extended forecast looks like more of the same. I have a paper to write today (and tomorrow if I don’t finish today), first of the semester, wish me luck.😰🤞
All this good weather is making me nervous about the winter. Lol.
Good luck! You smell great!
Thank you, and very good luck on the paper!!
Hope you feel better soon, Robin!
I wore Cuir De Russie Parfum last night, and it’s still with me this morning. Is it blasphemous to say that I prefer *wearing* the EdP to the Parfum? The extrait is magnificent, of course, but on my skin it’s very heavy, and I’m more often in the mood for the somewhat lighter EdP. (I’ve never tried the discontinued EdT, which was supposed to be beautiful.)
Not sure what I’ll wear later today – I’ll have to find something swashbuckling.
I tried the edp version and didn’t like it. CdR is edp form smelled rough to my nose. The edt is lovely like the parfum version. CdR was the one that made fall down the rabbit hole.
Daniel I tried all those forms of CdR. I loved the older EDT-I thought it was perfect. I prefer the EDT of CdR and Coromandel.
The parfum for me wear close to the skin and I Love it in winter-not sure I’ve ever worn it in the summer.
So my experience mirrors Dawn’s. But I do think whoever wears any form of this smells soooo good!
Thank you!
And I don’t think it’s ever blasphemous to prefer any concentration over any other. They’re often different in subtle ways besides how heavy or long lasting they are, and sometimes the “sparkle” of lighter concentrations is just the right.
Ha…hours later I realize I left out the last word, “thing”…
Oh no, Robin! I hope you don’t have the cold virus that attacked me recently — it hung on for way too long and consumed way too many boxes of tissue. Feel better soon.
I’m commando at the moment, and will have to choose something relatively well behaved for an eye doctor appointment this morning. It will probably be Eau des Merveilles, or Robin’s patented layering of EdM and Eau Claire des Merveilles, either of which fits both salty air and ideas pirated from someone else. Ahoy!
Going to follow you today with EdM.
I would happily take your cold virus…worried I have covid again because there is tons of it floating around here. I did test negative last night but will test again this weekend. It “feels” like covid at the moment.
Wearing Lancome Tresor for the CP.
Just back from having my Covid and flu shots. I hope I don’t get any side effects since I am working late today.
Beautiful sunny day with a high temperature of 85 degrees. Last warm day of the season, I guess.
Feel better soon, Robin!
Happy Friday! 🌞
Good luck to you. I had both shots too recently and the only side effect I got was a very tender arm (I had both in the same arm).
Thank you, Calypso! I had both in my left arm. I always get some tenderness. My sister felt unwell after she got both vaccines a week ago. I hope is not my case.
A perfect cp pick! You smell beautiful. 🤞for no side effects.
Thank you, Lillyjo!
So far so good! 💉
What a perfect choice!
Thanks Austenfan!
Thank you, and will keep my fingers crossed that you get nothing more than a sore arm!
Thank you, Robin! 🌻
I hope you don’t get too sore. Last year I had both at the same time; it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting; (haven’t had this year’s shots yet).
Smelling fab in Tresor!
Thank you, Gail!
My arm is a bit sore, but other than that I feel good.
Hope you feel better soon, Robin! I am commando until tonight when I have a formal event to attend. I plan to wear Portrait of a Lady to celebrate all those romance novel covers with a proper English Young Miss in the arms of a Wicked (and wickedly handsome) Pirate!! I think that meets the challenge…and I will smell great, too. Looking forward to the swapmeet–happy weekend everybody!
Have a great time tonight!
Enjoy the event!
You will smell fantastic at the event!
Starting to go through two massive boxes of dog toys. Stepped on one a Kong ball that I didn’t see and fell. Made a mess out of one of my feet and one of my knees last night. The toys that I am getting rid of are being donated.
Still in Lolita Lempicka. After my shower, it will be Epic. It’s kind of still within the theme of traveling but I am sure there were bandits/pirates along the Silk Road.
Oh no! It’s tough to have a hard fall like that. But good for you to donate unused toys.
Ouch!!
Hope you recover quickly Dawn.
Feel better soon Robin.
I am wearing Dior Poison, whenever I wear a perfume from the past, I always say to myself why do I bother trying new releases, the vintages are perfection to me, so complex with several layers and sooo interesting.
I think Poison goes with the theme.
I’m on your side. I like so little of what I smell nowadays that I find myself going back to vintage more and more, and in fact am increasingly tempted to buy a few vintage chypres online so I know I’ll have them for that day when I just stop wearing anything else.
I recently tested a handful of new releases and thought is this even perfume? I guess we are just not the target market?
Poison is perfect! I also thought of Opium.
Poor Robin, that’s too bad you’re sick. I hope you get over it soon.
I’m in Galveston for a few days and later this morning I will be heading to Lafitte’s Cove, which is a beautiful birdwatching stop named after the actual pirate who lived here back around 1817! I will add a link to a historical marker that tells about him. After a bit of birdwatching (it is still way too hot and humid here for much trail-walking), I plan to go to the downtown area to visit some nice antique shops. One is called Maison Rouge, which I only now realized is named after Lafitte’s rather opulent home that he had here back in the day! My perfume is one of only two I brought with me, my new Poivre from Le Labo. But since pirates probably preyed on Spice Island ships, maybe pepper fits the theme?
Here’s the promised link, and I meant to say, “birdwatching SPOT”:
https://www.visitgalveston.com/directory/jean-lafitte-historical-marker/
Very cool, thank you!
Sounds like a great time!
So glad you’re enjoying your time in Galveston, I thoroughly enjoyed it when we were there a couple of years ago when we visited our friends in Oak Ridge North, Texas. I’m a big Jimmy Webb fan so when our friends mention Galveston to me, they always follow it with ‘oh Galveston’! I was lucky enough to go to Luckenbach with them yesterday – I’m also a big fan of Townes van Zandt, Guy Clark & Kris Kristofferson so was delighted to see their photos on the walls of a couple of establishments there – one of the ladies I had a chat with was very surprised that someone who lives in Aberdeen, Scotland had even heard of Townes & Guy, & even more surprised when I said I’d seen them both in concert a few times (I’ve seen Kris many times too, including on his retirement tour when he played Aberdeen.
Arrrgh, I hope ye feel better soon, Robin matey! Sleep is the ultimate remedy. I got a flu shot on Wednesday and too little sleep last night, so I’m not feeling great but I’m cheering myself up with a cornucopia of orange blossom scents. Somehow when I think of pirates 🏴☠️ I think of a Spanish coast, and to me orange blossom is a very Spanish thing. 🇪🇸
I started with my usual daily blend of Hiram Green Dilettante and Tryst, added Klorane Eau de Bebe, weird little thing I found while reorganizing my perfume collection, then L’Artisan Fleur d’Orange 2007 from my boxed special edition bottle which I decided to sell off just recently, because I lost that loving feeling for it, then some Seville d’Aube, of course, from a little sample. Want to find Thorn and Bloom and Rosana Illuminated Perfume orange blossom solifores to add in. And might go crazy and daub on some vintage Narcisse Noir perfume to round this up. Few days ago I dropped a bottle of vintage NN cologne on the floor.. only a bit was left but it was an unholy mess of glass shards to clean up. The floor smells great, though!
Thank you akimon!
and WOW that is quite a mix, you must smell amazing.
I honestly couldn’t think of anything for the theme. It’s a humid though not terribly hot day and I’m in breezy Ô de Lancôme, never the wrong choice.
You smell wondeRful!
Feel better soon Robin!
My SOTD is compliant with the dreary, misty weather and the CP. I am wearing Eau des Merveilles.
I think I am getting your weather tomorrow night.
Probably.
How aRe you feeling today lillyjo! I hope much betteR !
You smell salty sea woody goodness!
Thank you Kris!
I hope you get well soon Robin!
I could not think of anything to match the CP so I chose to wear something that matches this glorious September day. I’m wearing both Cap Néroli and Néroli Intense paired with the orange blossom body oil by Nuxe. It’s a very beautiful combination.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Have a great weekend too!
Thank you, and I bet you smell fantastic. I should try that body oil one of these days.
It’s a hot humid day here, and my scent is not CP compliant-it’s Lutens Vierge de Fer . I adore this in the summer, and I don’t remember wearing it this summer. So I smell like spices and pears and sandle wood-oh maybe I can make a case for spices like I did yesterday. I will miss Lutens as it’s skyrocketed in price and not readily available at the discounters anymore.
Gosh I didn’t even think that fragrance would be subject to tariffs ! Ouch! Oopsie TaRiffs I meant to type.
Robin, blimey please feel betteR! Scallywags and landlubbeRs alike call ye ouR PiRate Queen!
Ahoy! ShiveR me timbeRs me mateys! A FRiday full of booty, doubloons, Rum, and wondeRful mates to be in cahoots with!
Arrrrrgh! Yo ho ho! And a perfume full o’ Rum!
Sotd IA Falling into the Sea,!like if you have to walk the plank! (And not the planking we do for our abs)
A seawoRthy FRiday deaR NST!
major points
😆 thank you LTSG! It’s a lot of auto-correct to get every R capitalized to type like a PiRate!
I love that you even replied like a pirate!👍
🏴☠️🤗
I have an advantage because my hometown baseball team is the Pittsburgh (PA) Pirates!
You win Talk Like A Pirate Day!!!
Thank Ye, ouR PiRate Queen !
Arrr, I be wearin’ Barenia Intense by Hermès, smellin’ like the finest leather treasure in all the seven seas!
fit for a captain commandin’ the fiercest crew!!
Feel Better Robin!
Glad to hear a good report – my bottle is on the way.
Oh wow! 😮 I am jealous
Got for a captain commanding the fieRcest cRew! Bravo! Well done!
Thank you!
Wearing Commodity Gold for all the pirates’ gold, some of it at the bottom of the ocean.
Wrapping up my vacation. I never get as much done as I want but it was a welcome reset. Weather has been warm and sunny and I hope to get a walk in later. I have to tackle some more clean outs.
I did a minor clean out while I was home sick. It’s amazing how much we accumulate.
Sotd is Une Rose…Picture a red rose between my teeth, dancing about the ship, intoxicating the crew with spirits and sea shanties, only to steal their precious gold right from under their piratey noses🌹😎💃
P.S. I hope you feel better, Robin. I imagine the pirates would prescribe a pint (or 2!) of rum to cure what ails you 🍹🏴☠️🍹
And who knows, it might work!
Allô I would totally watch youR stoRy as a film! Love the CP inteRpRetation!
Me, too!
Love your scent!
Wearing Eris Parfums Mx. and reaching a bit for pirate points. I think the ingredients sound like things pirates might have picked up/stolen during their travels to hit far off trading routes:
Top: Indian Ginger, Madagascar Black Pepper, Saffron, Ethiopian Olibanum
Heart: Australian Sandalwood, Virginian Cedarwood
Base: Haitian Vetiver, Indonesian Patchouli, Laotian Benzoin, Russian Birch Tar, Venezuelan Cacao, Castoreum
You smell wonderful!
Thanks! Love Eris!
Love the CP inteRpRetation!
;D
Ahoy, fragrant friends! I’m setting sail with Amouage Myths, to collect the treasured CP points. I smell bold carnations, salty ambergris, some chrysanthemum -water fustiness, and musk and patchouli from looted treasure chests. I had to laugh, but when Mr. Mossy arrived at our regular Thursday night Mexican restaurant, we got a table painted with a one-legged “pirate,” parrot in proper position, standing next to a treasure chest (all the tables there are painted with something)! I’m enjoying reading everyone’s choices – so much creativity!
Looted treasure chests! BRavo! Your dinneR sounded CP-compliant as well – extRRRRa CP points!
Points!!!
SOTD = Dior Dune
… vintage from the smaller bottle. Nice as always and I do need to wear it more often! I copied madtowngirl because it was just easier.
I finally got a check from HSBC who originally told me to wait 5-10 business days because they only mail on Fridays. It only took 3 business days. I am still waiting for the check from Provident Bank which I thought I would get today but boo hiss 😡.
I’m the target audience for Insta stuff so I did a thing and ordered from a dessert place. It’s supposed to arrive today. Lo and behold the Fed Ex truck came and went but there was nothing on my doorstep! Coincidentally, I saw a box about the size I was expecting across the street. I waiting several hours and sure enough, there was a “I was delivered” email with a picture — of the box across the street. I was going to complain but thought better of it because one of the items tasted good and the other one I will try tomorrow. If it is good, then par for the course. If it is yucky 🤢, well then they will suffer my wrath. I’m hoping I don’t have to though because it will take time.
Did you have to go across the street to get your package?
Lucky you noticed it.
I did! I saw my next door neighbor who is hard of hearing and I had to quickly shout out what I was doing before excusing myself as the box was heavy!
I’ve been going with the “so cheap it’s a steal” idea all week, and wearing a lot of Zara. Yesterday was Leather Jardin. Today is the new Gourmand Coffee, which is strong, linear, and exactly what it says it is. For $40, I can’t complain in the least. This one may be less a steal than Leather Jardin and Vapeur Blanche, where the perfumers are names and quite reputable.
I think I did all my talking like a pirate last night, because it was already morning in Europe and it was very important to alert my spouse to the fact that it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day. Probably my best invention was kitty’s participation: “Me-arrrrr”.
Feel better, Robin!
Me-arrrrr indeed! I too love the ZaRa GouRmand Coffee. Leather Jardin was discussed yesteRday. The tester smelled veRy unappealing. I’m debating a blind buy.
If you want, I can send you a sample, decant, whatever😂
Yes, please! Yo ho hi and a bottle (sample size) of Leather Jardin by Zarrrrrrra! 😉
Thank you ockeghem! Hope spouse and kitty appreciated the holiday 🙂
I decided to go with the bottle I have that a pirate would be most likely to steal and it’s clearly my empty vintage Amouage Ciel that looks like this: https://ebay.us/m/wcGs6K
This bottle was gifted to my aunt while still full from a client of hers and then my aunt gave it to my mom after she liked the scent. My mom showed me and I said “OMG Mom, that’s Amouage!” This was about 10-12 years ago. I made a decant for myself from the bottle, then my mom used it until it was gone and gifted me the empty bottle. I still have a couple ml left in my decant so that’s what I’m wearing today. Unfortunately, the top notes have gone off since I last wore it so I just pitched the last bit of decant. But I can still admire the empty bottle sitting atop a bookshelf.
Another bottle I have that I thought of for this interpretation is Balmain Ambre Gris cause the pirates might like the cap, which is a gold ball. https://ebay.us/m/3j1J33
Those bottles R gorgeous! TRF, inspiRed inteRpRetation of CP! 🎉
Thanks, LesLiesse! I do adore having the Amouage bottle and wish it didn’t end up getting lost amongst a variety of things sitting on top of this shelf. If I had more space, I’d give it special display!
That’s exactly how I feel about my mother’s 1956 Shalimar bottle that my father got her for their first wedding anniversary!
❤️
That Amouage is gorgeous!
I’ve never seen it before.
Isn’t it? It’s a real work of art. I’m so happy to have it.
I’m feeling a bit better today and managed to make it to work.
I picked from my treasure chest of samples and decants today. I’m wearing Gallagher Rose all Dae. It is a lost treasure because I forgot I had it!
I went looking for a house dress for my 91 year old aunt today. They are hard to find but finally had luck at JC Penny.
Robin I hope you feel better soon!
VeRy happy to hear you R feeling betteR me Matey !
Thanks LesLiesse! I’m feeling about 75% tonight.
Thank you! Glad you are feeling better already!
Happy Monday, Happy First Day of Fall or Spring, and for those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Shanah Tovah!
Sotd Zara Cocoa Bliss for the scent and to match my Clevr Blends Rose Cocoa Superlatte.
Wishing all a season of invigorating days!