It's Wednesday. Happy National Nurses Day (the first day of National Nurses week) and do enjoy International No Diet Day! Birthdays: Sigmund Freud, Willie Mays, George Clooney. What fragrance are you wearing?
"That simple pleasures of looking at butterflies in the garden is calming to the soul and spirit and good for us all",* says David Attenborough. I'm in L'Artisan La Chasse aux Papillons.
Reminder: 5/8 is Sir David Frederick Attenborough's 100th birthday! Honor the occasion however you like: scent your favorite animal? Wear a fragrance that honors plants or water or anything natural? Wear a fragrance that makes you think of one of your favorite Attenborough television series? It's a pretty open field (and it's also Iris Day, in case you want to kill two birds with one stone).
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2026, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
*Read more in Sir David Attenborough backs world's biggest butterfly count at BBC.
Hello.
Sotd is Kilian Angel’s Share.
Nurses do God’s work for real. As someone who worked in healthcare, I am grateful for all the hard work they do. Thank you!
Got my hand on some Japanese sweet potatoes so I will be making “Satsumaimo Amanatto”, the sweet potato version of marron glacé. That would be my whole morning and most of the afternoon.
Are they the Murasaki ones? We get those at Trader Joe’s they are so great, sweeter than the regular yams and sweet potatoes. We usually cut them in half, spread them face down on a foil-lined pan, and roast them. I often take them as snacks if will be gone from the house for awhile and eat them behind the wheel, peel and all. An excellent nosh.
Yes they are murasaki. I sometimes wrap them in foil and do a slow bake. Then I would eat them with butter and honey/maple syrup (and vanilla ice cream if it’s a dessert).
Microwaved sweet potatoes taste great with a bit of real maple syrup and some chipotle chili powder! 😋😋
Maple and chili!? I need to try that combo out!
I remember once I microwaved some sweet potato chunks for too long and they got burnt to a crisp. Lol.
Not perfume per sé, but I happened to be in a BBW the other day just wasting time. It was the last day of 40% storewide sale. I haven’t bought a candle from them in eons because most of them are like an ice pick to my sinuses, especially in my small space. Anyway, I fell in love with Fresh Amalfi Lemon and First Blooms Of Spring. Packaging media is gorgeous although it’s only a sticker. Still, I absolutely love them both and will repurpose the containers when the candles are done. I wonder if their candle formulation has changed because the floral is super soft and gentle and the lemon is a perfect fresh lemon that bears no resemblance to lemon bars or cleaning solution. It’s very bright but is not a sinus stabber. 😀
As for Sir David Attenenborough…the man is a legend. I’ll apply SSS Forest Walk in his honor after a morning appointment is completed. 🌲🌴🌳
I am a day late, but perfect pick for DA!
And enjoy your new candles 🙂
I’m tearing it up over here for the love of iris💜
Yesterday, following LL Iris 39 in the morning, I dabbed myself with DSH L’Or{ris} in the afternoon and ended the evening with IA O, Unknown!
Today, I’m starting out with the classic, Prada Infusion d’Iris and when this wears off midday, I’ll turn to The Harmonist Royal Earth from a generous NSTer and then wind down in La Pausa.
And my Sir Attenborough connection is that my love of irises began when I would spend most weekends at my grandmother’s house and fell nose over heals with her gorgeous purple Bearded Irises. My family didn’t vacation much and certainly didn’t camp or otherwise spend time outdoors so Grandma’s flowers helped an indoor kid start to appreciate all that the outdoors has to offer☀️🌸
P.S. If anyone knows of a fragrance that smells like a Bearded Iris, please let me know🥰
I love your description of your grandmother’s iris, allo. These childhood memories are so special and so important, aren’t they?
Yes! My childhood experiences and memories of my grandmother have scaffolded my life and filled gaps in such important ways.
I think many of us have had these individuals in our lives, people who made all the difference💕
I’m vicariously enjoying your iris binge, allo. Keep up the good work!
I remember smelling those purple bearded iris at various relatives’ houses when I was a kid. Usually aunts and uncles.
Hello! I chose Nuits d’Hadrien today. It’s similar enough to my beloved Eau d’Hadrien to feel comfortable and I love its amber-y warmth. I have the square orange bottle. I used to love all their special edition coloured bottles.
Regarding iris: I once was out cycling in the back of beyond and came across a huge field oof iris. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. They were just shimmering in the mid day heat. They don’t seem to have a very strong smell and there was a fantastic swamp nearby (so lots of cranes and eagles) and I smelled the swamp more than anything. But I do love that memory. Couple of years ago Manduka made yoga mats based on Van Gogh’s paintings, and I bought the iris mat 🙂
Beautiful image and memory🌸
Thank you allo-it was your post that reminded me:)
Wow! It sounds like a beautiful place, carole! Plus your yoga mat!
I love that mat, Gail 🙂 It’s easy to be sceptical about a consumer product but I liked the link between yoga and potentially better mental health (that’s what my experience was like). The mats were beautiful and so were the bolsters and other props, and they were careful to explain why they chose the images and the items. I thought it was sensitively done.
Very nice! Someone on MakeUpAlley once posted about cycling down an Arizona road where a tulip farm spread along both sides of the highway and how amazing those tulips smelled in the sun. And I didn’t even know that tulips had a scent, but I guess some varieties do, and I’ve always remembered that glorious image. And that’s what I immediately thought of when I read your post, carole.
DeniseH, MUA was really wonderful for awhile, wasn’t it? Thank you for sharing this memory:) And yes, some of those tulips do have an elusive scent.
It’s been a long time since I have been able to stick my nose into iris blooms. They aren’t used as much in public landscaping as they used to be.
Would that they were, right?
Yes.
Deauville today. 🍋🍋🟩
Yesterday I watched the 60 Minutes story on Grasse w/ interviews w/ Olivier Polge and Honorine Blanc yesterday and it’s fabulous! 🌹Keep your eyes peeled for other famous noses sitting around the table at Firmenich too. 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNg30J6_Dqc
Watched this also, She-ra.
You smell delightful.
I posted about this yesterday- terrific interview of Mr Polge
I’m in Tam Dao edt, to honor Sir David’s conservation efforts. I don’t know whether he actively supported sandalwood forest conservation or restoration, but I’m certain he’s in favor of both.
Great call SheriG!
I’m wearing 10 Corso Como for the same reason, SheriG. It is discontinued and was supposed to have Mysore sandalwood, which I understand India no longer exports due to overharvesting, unless that has changed recently.
I was also thinking about how perfume dovetails with ecology, conservation, enviornmental devastation, climate change, as once- common and even cheap ingredients used in perfumery for more than 100 years go extinct or become highly difficult and expensive to source. Civet (that might be a good one to be phased out due to animal cruelty), ambergris, myrrh, frankincense, labdanum.
I don’t know the status of vetiver and patchouli. Hopefully those will stick around.
Patchouli might be restricted due to potential sensitizing agents in it. But some fractions of patch are considered safe (for now).
Laila: thank you so much for the info about YSL Nu yesterday. It came in 30 ml, 50 ml, & 100 ml it’s helpful to know that the one that’s 30 inches across is 50 ml. My friend will be delighted as I’d told her it was probably 30 ml. It’s impossible to see how deep the bottle is due to the ‘silver compact’ covering.
yikes, not 30 inches across, 3 inches across. That would be some mighty huge bottle otherwise!
I have to admit the 30 inch one would have been impressive 🙂 Your friend will love Nu. I remember it so well-wonder why it was discontinued.
I was unaware that Nu came in 3 sizes; I’ve had mine so long I don’t even remember where or when or even why I bought it. I love it but only wear it during cold weather because it’s such potent stuff. But after I posted yesterday I went back and measured it with a ruler and, yep, mine is 3” across and 50 ml. or 1.6 fl. oz. Didn’t want to give you misinformation!
Ah, thank you for double-checking! That was so thoughtful of you! It was in the back of my closet and I had forgotten about it.
I’m branching out to Lilac in anticipation of lilac actually blooming here, in DS & Durga Lilac City. It smells like lilac and urban fumes. 😂
This does sound like a winning combination. Hopefully the lilacs bloom soon!
Should be flowers in the next 7-10 days!
Enjoy the lilacs while they last!
Not yet, maybe another week or so.
Beautiful day today in Los Angeles.
Aqua de Parma Boungiorno to match the day.
Buongiorno!
Today I wore the original Chance, the very one from when it was originally released meaning I was tripping over myself in pure bliss. I had this overall aura around me of the most beautiful scented vail. With just the right amount of a bite to it, it’s subtle and with a bite at the same time. It’s an amazing fragrance in my opinion. If someone thinks it’s too commercial I don’t really care because it is very appealing and that it does very well. The fragrance that had been originally released is an absolute beauty queen. And yes it has the pineapple in it. I am loving it. It came from the sweetest NSTer and I am super lucky to have a large roller ball filled with it. Here is the thing I always thought about the original Chance: that it just creates this special, delicate but not weak either veil around the person. That fragrant radiating is what is a special quality about Chance. The very original release one does it so well I thought I was radiating sunshine in every direction around me. I couldn’t stop enjoying myself. And I cannot say that I couldn’t stop sniffing myself because I was smelling it around myself more vs just having it come off my wrist. Absolutely gorgeous stuff. I also have a tiny (vintage of course) Chance parfum bottle – but I have not opened it yet. I have a problem with hoarding some little special treasures and that includes me hoarding that little pure parfum bottle. Maybe one day I can open it.
I got myself a mother’s Day gift just now: I ordered another tiny (only 1.5ml!!) vial of Chance pure parfum from evil bay. I paid like $50 with shipping for… 1.5ml of actual juice. But that’s because I feel a strong need to try the Chance pure parfum and I can have one vial for keeping as a keepsake and one for using. And if I fall in love I will have to then track down the 7.5ml bottle of it. I absolutely love, love, love pure parfum extraits from Chanel.
Enjoy your Mother’s Day gift!
It was an interesting commute to my friend’s of the library lunch at NYPL today. I encountered a woman who refused to move her iced coffee from the subway seat, preventing me from sitting down.
Arrived at the lunch to hear Anna Quindlen talk about her new book. She interviewed very well. Also talked about her love of mystery novels!
I wore No 19 Poudre
I love this while it lasts. I am almost finished with my bottle.
Do I need another?
Lucky you to hear Anna Quinlan, one of my favorites. My book discussion this month is her ‘After Annie.’
She was great!
No. 19 Poudre is a solid, 3-season perfume. Could even work in all 4 seasons depending on the weather.
Have you smelled the new reformulated no 19? I think last year they changed it…
No 19 Poudre is great… putting on my wish list
No, I haven’t smelled the “new” No. 19. The only place I know of where I could smell Chanel perfumes in person is an hour’s drive away.
Maybe hajusuuri has smelled it?
I vote yes for another bottle.
Me too.. it’s one that I reach for often when I need my powdery iris kick
A pear instead of a smoothie. This morning Lush Flowers’Barrow the first Lush perfume I came to know along with Sikkim girls and tonight Unum Lav.
This seems late for you to be posting. I hope you are having a good night’s sleep.
Very thoughtful as usual😀, yes it was rather late compared to the schedule I’ve kept these past few weeks but I fell asleep soon afterwards.
I’m currently enjoying some really nice Cara Cara oranges. Hard to peel but sweet and juicy. And some of them have a pinkish hue like grapefruits do.
That sounds delicious, here we have blood oranges but the season is short.
Blood oranges show up around Christmas/New Year’s for me. Very much a winter fruit.
I’m in two cherry blossom scents to say goodbye to the blooms on the cherry tree in my front yard. Last night’s rain took down the last of the pink petals. I’ve got Ormonde Jayne Sakura on one wrist and AA Flora Cherrysia on the other. They both started off with floral and melon notes, but the Sakura dried down into peppercorns and it now it kind of smells like soup to me. The AA FC has stayed linear.
Tea today is a blend of Harney & Sons Chocolate and Vanilla black tea with whole milk to make an ersatz tea latte.
Sending love and appreciation to all of the nurses in the NST community
Ew, perfume that smells like soup?? No thanks!
I think it may be that, in my mind, I associate a certain note or accord with soup. I can’t place it, but it might a pepper-coriander-bay leaf combo. So when a perfume has that accord, my mind immediately thinks “soup” even if it would be more accurate to say notes of pepper, coriander, and bay leaf. Long winded way of saying I think it is a me problem.
Not so sure. If I smelled bay leaf in a perfume, I might come to the same conclusion…
Another chilly day with frost warnings again tonight, sure doesn’t feel much like May. SOTD is vintage Dior Dune keeping me warm today. Yoga at our library and a bit of gardening afterwards, now finally tucked in for the remainder of the day. Will be watching the PBS special tonight on the story behind Attenborough’s documentary series ‘Life on Earth’ which changed his life forever.
It’s not only National Nurses 👩⚕️Week, it’s also National Teacher 👩🏫 Appreciation Week, so kudos to all of you who fill such vital roles and often go unappreciated!👏👏👏
Ugh, sorry…hope things have warmed up by today!
And thank you, sorry for missing Teacher’s Appreciation Week. I never manage to get it all.
Chilly weather twins with Laila today. Got a Freeze Warning for the overnight hours tonight.
When all was said and done, my town received 2 inches of snow. Had a lot of snow and mixed precipitation in the area yesterday. And a lot of melting has been happening today since the sun came out. Meanwhile the city of Longmont officially got 9 inches. And Estes Park really hit the snow jackpot with a whopping 28 inches!
SOTD = back in Dame Perfumery Black Flower Mexican Vanilla, aka BFMV. Paired it with Korres Coffee Beans body butter. It’s a perfect match.
Isn’t that more snow than you had all winter?
Nah. I think there was one other time where I had around 2 inches on the ground.
But this was by far the biggest winter-type storm of the last 6 months.
Oh, you smell really good today!
28 inches of snow! That is a no-joke snowed-in situation. Oof!
Thank you Vee!
A different TV station said that Estes Park got 31 inches of snow. They are almost 3000 feet higher in elevation than where I am at. The mountains are used to dealing with large amounts of late season snow.
Your snow weather was all over our news here today.
One of my friends from NJ texted me and said she’d heard about Colorado’s weather on GMA this morning. She wondered how much snow I ended up with.
Robin I finished “I Will Have Vengeance” by Maurizio di Giovanni and it was wonderful. Thanks to you and whoever else recommended it. I’ll be picking up the next one soon. I appreciated all the opera talk and descriptions of 1930s Naples and why he wore a hairnet to bed each night. The answer for all inquiring minds is: hair pomade.
Excellent! Do read what you can before you watch the tv series, the books are so much more detailed. I did just finish the tv series last night, and it goes several books past what has been translated to English, so at least now I know how the story continued. I am assuming they will do a season 4 and bring us to the end, but of course I have no idea.
It was Calypso who originally recommended the books to me, and who later told me they’d done a series and it was on PBS (under the Walter Presents collection).
I actually had a quiet workday today. It was nice. There was also plenty of sunshine.
I am wearing Lipstick Rose for some powdery goodness.
I think I am under a freeze warning again.
You and I are Freeze Warning twins then. 🥶🥶
You smell lovely. I haven’t done Lipstick Rose in a long time and should pull it out.
Keep warm, glad you had a quiet day. I admire LR but can’t wear it, too much grapefruit in the opening.
I went with Shalimar MI today, because after a string of unseasonably warm days, we were back down to a high of 15C today. I actually love it when it’s about this temperature, because it reminds me of summer days in the north of Germany many years ago, when it was continually overcast and about 15 in August. I hadn’t pulled the Shalimar out in a while (this is my only Shalimar), and it’s very comforting.
No real link to Attenborough, as much as I absolutely love him. I did notice a ladybug on a blade of grass today, as I was walking, and I think he’d appreciate that. We don’t see enough of those. I think he’d be unhappy that a jerk going too fast on a jetski just off the coast here on Monday hit a grey whale when he wasn’t paying attention. Others on the water said the whale had been repeatedly surfacing in the minutes before, so they were all staying back and watching. And the whale had been in the area for days, so people knew to be careful. But this guy was going too fast to notice or care. The good news is that the whale, by all reports, seems less injured than the jetski guy, and has moved on.
Oh gosh, that’s terrible.