It's the first weekend of July, and day 2 of the dog days of summer. Saturday is Independence Day in the US, Sunday is National Graham Cracker Day, and Monday is National Fried Chicken Day. (And coming up: Donatella on Thursday the 9th, the summer reading poll on Saturday the 11th.)
We're celebrating it all with our usual open thread poll.
Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, your favorite fragrance for July weather, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is blue bang [cropped] by Graham Dean at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’ve been going through my Shiseidos this week, so today I am in Murasaki, a green floral. My bottle is apparently the “original” formula, in the dark reddish-purple bottle. I have always found green scents to be especially appropriate in summer, as they feel refreshing.
No special plans for today, other than watching the fireworks tonight. Our town’s fireworks display is not nearly as spectacular as those in the big cities, but we can get a good view by walking just a quarter mile to the park down the street, where we like to stand on the fishing pier at the edge of the pond so we can see the reflections in the water as well as the display in the sky. The city has promised that this year’s display will be “bigger than ever” so here’s hoping for a good show.
Meanwhile, I am baking a chocolate cake for the church potluck tomorrow. I use the Hershey’s recipe which has gone under several names over the years but currently is “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake. It has been on the back of the tin of Hershey’s cocoa, and is the only chocolate cake recipe I have baked for the last 40 years. It is simple, easy, mixes in one bowl, seems to be foolproof, and is just about the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted. Ina Garten’s chocolate cake recipe is essentially a minor variation on the Hershey’s recipe.
Enjoy your fireworks display, sounds lovely with the reflection in the water! And thanks for the tip about the Hershey’s chocolate cake recipe. I’ve never tried it but it sounds delicious and I’ll certainly give it a try in the future.
I realized I misspoke. I forgot that I have made one other chocolate cake a couple of times, and that is the “Original Cake Pan Cake” recipe from King Arthur Baking. That one is perhaps even a little bit simpler to make than the Hershey’s recipe, and uses no butter, eggs, or milk, so it can readily be made vegan if you use appropriate types of sugar and what not, and use vegan ingredients for any frosting you like. It is a little heavier and denser than the Hershey’s recipe, but also very good.
BTW, the cake is done, and I have already done the requisite quality control testing on it. It is delicious!
Yay!
I take it you do a chocolate frosting as well.
Yes. For the Hershey’s recipe, I use their “Perfectly Chocolate” frosting, which is a basic American buttercream with cocoa powder–just butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and milk.
For the King Arthur recipe, they give a very simple and easy recipe using chocolate chips and half-and-half. I have made a vegan version using vegan chocolate chips and coconut cream. I made it that way once for a potluck at work when one of my coworkers was having to avoid dairy, so there would be at least one dessert she could eat.
Thanks!
This morning I’m in Brandt Everveil, a sample that either I ordered or was included in a Lucky Scent package. Its opening blast was promising, but it shrank down to a pleasant, nondescript green scent in no time. It’s nice, but not nice enough to pursue further. Pretty name though, and the bottle label (more like a plaque) is gorgeous.
Have now switched to Eau Claire des Merveilles and am much happier.
I have three of the Eau des Merveilles but this one I have not tried. Sounds like you enjoy it.
I do! Years ago Robin mentioned layering Eau Claire over the OG Eau des Merveilles, and that is a lovely combination, but Eau Claire by itself is quite nice – slightly powdery and a bit sweeter than the OG, but definitely recognizable as a member of the Merveilles family.
Perfect, always!
Indeed!
Happy 4th July and weekend!
Sotd is Xerjoff Erba Pura, thanks to the department store tester. I was heading to Dior to looks for the newest loose powder because I do not like the Fenty I bought last week, major chalkville. But sad news, because the loose powder is not yet available.
Potential great news though is that I heard (read) that Guerlain’s elusive and gooooorgeous Iris Ganache is being relaunched!? No idea if it will be again annoyingly Paris exclusive or is true news at all!
More than a decade and half ago I scored an original bottle of IG (with the bulb spray) on evilbay but I only opened it once to dab a drop on my wrist and it’s been sealed and tucked away ever since. Much like Schrödinger cat, I have absolutely no idea if it’s turned or still good. My guess is the former because I have no idea how the seller stored her bottle so it could’ve been on its way to being spoiled. Tldr; I NEED a new bottle(s)!
I hope you will find one!
I just noticed Hiris was back, I think someone was asking about that recently.
Not celebrating today because I’m busy crying in a corner. Instead, the Baby T-Rex and I will hunker down and hope heavy rain causes a cancellation of the fireworks here. Very unsportsmanlike, I know. Sorry, not sorry.
For those who ARE celebrating, I hope you have a lovely day with friends and family, no one suffers a blown off hand or is blinded due to negligence handling fireworks, becomes horribly ill because the macaroni salad was left out in the 90F+ heat too long, and all the drunk and/or impaired drivers miraculously miss everyone and everything, managing to get home safely to pass out on their couch in such a position so they won’t aspirate on their own vomit. You yourself may be smart and cautious but many are not, so be on the lookout!
That’s my uplifting beginning to this holiday weekend. Happy “Independence” Day, America! 🙃
SOTD is CSP Vanille Banane because this Fourth of July is just BANANAS!
https://youtu.be/ax7C_gPXz8A?is=m_OeEkrqPLM9aU9E
“ This 💩 is BANANAS! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!”
Deva, we have had a rash of wrong way driver crashes here over the last few weeks. I’m going to be extra careful driving home tonight.
Yeah, be careful driving for sure! Hope your work night goes smoothly with nary a single rude, entitled customer!
I mean any day is a good day for Vanille Banane. It’s cartoony joy.
And have you tried the banana-scented Pochacco dusting powder at Lush? I tried it last week and put it down, thinking I could live without it, and then I saw that Posh Chocolate was discontinued but they had one bottle left so I obviously had to grab that, and then I figured, well, I’m going through the checkout, I might as well get the Pochacco too. It’s really quite nice! Not as smooth as a powder should be — there are some little clumps in it, making me think it should have been milled longer or something — but it smells good and it helps keeps you dry in the humidity.
Have you smelled the Pompompurin shower jelly in the collection? It is caramel egg pudding goodness! The jelly texture is a little delicate for shower but works fab as a hand soap.
I’m out in the sticks and the nearest LUSH is god only knows how far away…but it that powder sounds delish! 🍌
Aha, I might need to go get that powder!
PS they really should have done the posh chocolate in a powder at the same time.
Not sure why you are ‘crying in a corner’ but hope you and TRex are ok.🤗. Heavy storms have made a mess of holiday celebrations yesterday and today here and now in addition they’ve just issued a flash flood warning for us.🤬
Reality Laila, reality. Not to mention the irony of this specific day in this specific year in this specific administration. It’s got me crying. Hoping the floods don’t take any lives and damages are minimal, but we need so much rain!
Gotcha, and I empathize. I was just concerned something bad had happened in your world that I’d missed since I don’t always go back and read previous posts. After watching much of Disney Celebrates America 250 I have some hope we’ll make it; the program highlighted many caring and concerned individuals and groups doing their darndest to make our world sustainable and United.
Aw geez, no! Just my petty grievances and occasional wondering delights get posted here. Sorry! I’m sure Micky can save us! 🐭
I hope your mood improves Deva.
Vanille Banane is a fun one, hope that helped too.
I love it because it’s so much fun! It’s like what the B-52’s do to your ears when your listening to their music, only via smell. Just straight up campy fun. 🤩
Deep breaths Deva!!! This too will pass….You’re welcome to join me down here ( although it’s already the 5th)…reading, watching snow flurries, and burning a banana toast scented candle. Chin up!
Kanuka, that candle sounds wonderful! Snow flurries don’t sound half bad either. I just learned this week that billionaires all over the world are buying property in New Zealand because they consider it one of the last “safe havens” on earth where they can live out the remainder of their luxe lives without worrying about governmental instability and political interference. Is that true, or hyperbole?
Peter Thiel has land here but wasn’t allowed to build his “ modest” home due to the environmental impact on the landscape ( despite being granted NZ citizenship by a previous govt) so has decamped to Argentina. But rich people can buy homes here, if they spend more than $5 million on a house, under an investor visa. James Cameron is probably the most famous wealthy resident but he now has NZ citizenship. Rules change depending on whether we have a right wing government ( now) or left wing ( before). There hasn’t been anything in the news recently about billionaires buying up and building bunkers but there probably are somewhere.
It’s probably not a new maneuver for the ultra rich, but probably new to my plebeian brain. I wish countries would make this kind of purchase and development illegal, but that just me. I guess your property values would skyrocket if you anywhere in the near vicinity of these bunkers/mansions/zombie proof properties..?
Guys, I am very late but this is all veering a wee bit too far into politics, and some of us are enjoying the holiday by paying no attention to politics. No biggie and I’m not going to delete anything but let’s just let this bit of thread fade off…
Apologies, my bad! Consider my lip zipped…🤐
Thank you Deva!
https://youtu.be/G0CzKydbNsQ?feature=shared
Happy Independence Day!
Here’s legend Linda Ronstadt. 🎵😀
My son and I are working tonight. We should be able to see some fireworks on the drive home.
My sotd is TF Orchid Soliel.
I hope work goes smoothly and all your customers are friendly
Thank you Kanuka! So far so good.
Yay, hope it stayed that way.
Hope both of your nights were uneventful, lillyjo.
Your 4th of July SOTD is fantastic!
Today I was in the mood for Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme, but it was feeling a little… not flat, exactly, but insufficient, so I bolstered it with a couple spritzes of Mugler Angel Philtre Volupte, designed to be layered. (It’s mostly sandalwood and vanilla, but it has some bright notes and little filigrees.) That did the job! We’d planned to stay in and avoid the heat, so I was okay with wearing something a little more potent than usual.
And then we went out anyway, but took buses everywhere. I hope I didn’t bother anybody. At least the buses were air-conditioned.
That sounds like a great mix.
Yesterday’s nasty storms wreaked havoc with many holiday celebrations in my area including ours, so we didn’t go. Same situation today; storms are just beginning now and are ‘supposed’ to be over by 9 or so but a flash flood warning has just been issued, so I doubt we’ll get to either of the 2 events in surrounding suburbs tonight. Oh, well, we’ve had so many outings lately we did enjoy relaxing last night and watching the PBS and Disney specials. And have any if you watched today’s special 24-hour coverage of ABC/Disney Celebrates America 250 led by David Muir standing on the roof of the NYC Disney building since 5:30 a.m.? It has been absolutely awesome! Great coverage of our nation’s history from all around our country focusing on nature, places of interest, and indigenous peoples. I teared 🥲up several times and much of the program has given me hope that, Yes! Our country can make it despite our current contentious times.
SOTD is EL White Linen. Not sure when or why I started making this my traditional 4th of July scent but I’m continuing that tradition today and enjoying it ❤️!
Happy 🎇🎆🧨holiday! Stay safe!
Happy 4th of July Laila! I think it’s smart to stay in. I will have to find the Disney celebration tomorrow when I am not working. ( I’m assuming it might be on YouTube) it sounds really interesting. We were almost twins today, but I decided to go beachy smelling.
Yes, it was live on YouTube, hopefully it will stay on. Really really well done. Nice to have on and watch while doing mindless chores. Hope you can finally relax!
Lauder is a classic American house and White Linen is just made for summer days, that bright crisp floral. Sounds like a pretty good July 4th tradition to me.
👍 I agree; it always works for me!
You smell good, Laila, I’ve been wearing WL a lot lately.
We’ve been forecast the first snowfall of winter and I’m enveloped in low cloud…a good day for reading, the rather sobering The Nuremberg Women, about the women ( such as Rebecca West, Erika Mann) present and/ or working at the trials. It’s very interesting. Contrasting with Amberjack Banana Toast…like Vanille banana if someone got the formula wrong and doubled the banana
https://observer.co.uk/culture/books/article/the-women-who-brought-the-nazis-to-justice
Snow!
I know you will find a way to make it sound beautiful.
Double the banana has to be good…I am still disgusted that they mostly left the banana out of that Juliette Has A Gun number.
Robin, BBW just released banana body products and body mist. I will let you know how it is when I smell them.
Oh good, do! Especially now they are at Ulta so I wouldn’t even have to go to the mall 🙂
I somehow forgot to look at NST earlier, I must have been distracted by something, possibly a bit of housework – what a depressing thought that cleaning the hob or washing the dishes took my mind away from perfume!
I’m heading to bed soon after a pleasant and quiet weekend, wearing the warming cinnamon of SL’s Rousse.
I hope you all enjoyed whatever you did on 4th of July 🙂 .
Ha, that is depressing! But you did smell great while doing your chores!
Happy July 5th! Hopefully everyone had a safe celebration of the 4th. Poor Larry the cat hates fireworks and flinches at every pop and bang, so we played movies loudly to cover up the noise.
I wore American perfumer Estée Lauder yesterday in Bronze Goddess and today I’m honoring Shelley Waddington, another female American perfumer, with Go Ask Alice. It was inspired by the 1967 Summer of Love. My bottle is almost empty but the En Voyage website hasn’t been updated for at least a year or more and I don’t know where to purchase her perfumes. Does anyone know?
Happy July 5th! Hopefully it will be quiet tonight for Larry the Cat.
People in my neighborhood have been setting off fireworks randomly since Memorial Day, but last night was really crazy. Hopefully the rain will keep people inside tonight.
Gosh, that’s concerning about En Voyage Perfumes. I always planned to buy a bottle of Zelda once I finished my decant and spray sample. The perfume is so strong though that I still have a few drops left in my sample.
I can’t find her perfumes anywhere. For a little while, I know her line was carried at American Perfumer. Doesn’t seem to be the case right now. I hope it’s just a hiatus.
You know what I know. It makes me sad, she has some beautiful perfumes and Zelda is one of my favorites, my bottle of that is almost empty, too.
I’m sure you’ve probably discovered this already but I did a little online research last night and it looks like she’s (Shelly Waddington) no longer in business based on a Reddit thread. Back in 2025, people were still ordering from her website but never received their order. No response to their emails either. Her website is no more and her Facebook hasn’t been updated in over a year, according to people replying to the Reddit post. They’ve had to take it up with their bank. All of this seems pretty ominous to me. I hope nothing terrible has happened to her or her family that would cause this disappearance. I have a 3/4 full bottle of Zelda and I’m happy to send you some if you can’t track down a bottle to buy.
Wow, that’s a deeper dive than I did, thanks Deva even though it’s rather depressing news. I hope Shelley is doing alright regardless.
Thanks too about the Zelda, I’ll keep it in mind.
Thanks, I had somehow missed the Reddit thread but went and found it. That’s no good, but like ring thing, I hope all is well with her. And thanks for your generous offer -will keep that in mind.
Aw, poor Larry! I was rather impressed that Teflon kitty was utterly unmoved by the noise Saturday night.
Good for Teflon, staying chill amid the crazy.
She really has mellowed out as a senior.
hello fragrant friends..I’ve been volunteering quite a bit lately, so life has been busy.
Had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration. I took my family to see the original Declaration of Independence and spent some time talking about American history at the library branch where I volunteer.
This morning I’m sipping a rose tea from Mariage Frères and having yogurt with berries.
No horse lessons yet, although thankfully the heat has finally broken.
Still re-reading Bel Canto. Still wearing Melograno. Looking forward to the U.S. vs. Belgium match tomorrow.
I’ve started the day in SL Borneo because it’s alphabetically first in the SL line up but I’m going to switch to Melograno for a long walk today, inspired by you💕
Did you see them practicing? How was Melograno on your long walk?
Unfortunately, we didn’t see them but I smelled fabulous on my walk! Melograno really blooms in the heat (as I’m sure you’ve experienced already!🔥)
oh yes..its been my summer staple. Enjoying that one and my samples from SMN
On the above mentioned long walk, including the University of Washington campus, I’m crossing my fingers that the US soccer team might be practicing again today at the UW soccer field.
I’ve confessed to Mr. allo my love for Folarin Balogun and he was very understanding. We’re both thrilled that his Red Card was suspended and he’ll play in tomorrow’s game!
Good of him to understand, ha!
He’s much more understanding about this than BWFs🤣
I also love him too. I will be cheering this evening for him and the rest of the team.
SOTD Chanel No 5 L’Eau. What’s not to love ❤️
I think I will join you in L’eau today.
Yippee!
you smell lovely!
Why haven’t I pulled that one out recently?
…and a late “me too” over here
I forgot to mention yesterday that I really love that photo, Robin. It reminds me of an over the top, drama queen sea anemone.
Today, I’m still on my fun and frivolous perfume kick with CSP Amour de Cacao. I bought a 30ml replacement bottle when I purchased Vanille Banane not too long ago. Didn’t think I would need another bottle but I enjoyed the previous one so much I was missing not having it in my lineup. The 30ml was perfume math free so how could I resist? One day soon I’m going to layer these two and walk around smelling like a chocolate covered banana! 🍌 🍫
Hope everyone who celebrates had a fabulous Fourth! I made use of a night off by making a huge bowl of Mediterranean Salad with accompanying dressing because it’s delicious and healthy. Then I made ice cream again with walnuts, mini marshmallows, and a few swirls of fudge topping mixed in because it’s delicious and NOT healthy. The juxtaposition of those two is a direct representation of moi! It’s a legit struggle reconciling these two sides of my nature…😂
Back to work for the next few nights but at least I slept through my day off so I feel rested. Off to do laundry! 🧺
I hope your night is uneventful!
Thank you! Glad you and your son made it home safely last night and hope that now you get a couple days of R&R.
Agree, looks like a sea anemone more than a firework! Have eaten so much this weekend that it is a good thing I am heading home tomorrow. My sister just churned another batch of marmalade ice cream so I am very happy 🙂
Sounds like the best of times! 🍦
Marmalade ice cream?? Oh my!
Had a nice lunch out with my son and his family, caught up with a few chores, and now relaxing the rest of the day. SOTD is YR Sel d’Azur, a nice citrussy, seasalty scent with cedar and vetiver at the bottom, just what I like in July.
Still humid today but cooler and the nasty storms have ended. It was the weirdest Fourth of July holiday weatherwise I can ever remember. After 2 days of heat and nasty storms, we decided last night to take a ride to a nearby suburb to see their fireworks but skipped going into the actual grounds and just parked on the street nearby instead. After all the storms it was now foggy, of all things! And any firework that was shot higher into the sky became invisible – the sky would sometimes glow a little but that’s all. Reading Nextdoor today, I saw many complaints from those who’d gone to other suburbs and experienced the same. What a waste of fireworks $$$’s! Looks like only a few towns postponed their events.
Looking forward to a more ‘normal’ week weatherwise – whatever that means these days. 🤷♂️Wishing the same for you!
Oh what a shame, all that waste indeed!! Here’s looking forward to LOVELY summer weather. I prefer heat usually but have gotten more of that than I bargained for, for sure.
Total bummer about the lack of visibility for your fireworks. That’s no fun at all.
I am wearing 3 different ones today because I have a day off and I just enjoy it. I have Chanel Paris-Paris on one arm and 1932 on the other and Allure Sensuelle pure parfum on my left upper arm. So I am drinking my coffee, browsing and… Sniffing some of my favorite ones.
I do have a question for You though. Cuir de Russie – now I have some vintage CdR which is pure magic. But I am not talking about the vintage one. I also do have an unopened bottle of EdT and an unopened bottle of pure parfum. Not talking about them either.
I’m talking about if I was to go and order a bottle of Cuir de Russie from the Chanel website right now (which I haven’t yet) – the one that has been available nowadays – in EdP – what would it smell like?
You see my question stems from this: I wanted to find out what does today’s Cuir de Russie EdP smell like. In order to find out before ordering a bottle from the website, I went ahead and ordered a couple of decants from a very reputable decant seller: Rich ‘n L*** if You know what I mean. I got two so I can keep one in my purse. Later I stumbled upon the cute 4ml little sample bottle of Cuir De Russie EdP. Here is what my problem is. The decant from Rich n L*** smells very leathery, less mellow than the vintage version but that’s not the point. The decants smell very leathery and as if they have tabacco and all the “strong” notes in them. The 4ml bottle smells very herbal, green, sheer. Almost opposite from the decants I had ordered. The decants of Cuir de Russie EdP and the 4ml bottle smells like TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FRAGRANCES. It makes me so confused right now. Can anyone answer what does the current Cuir de Russie smell like? Herbal, green and sheer? Or very leathery, tobacco like with zero lightness.
oh, I have not smelled that one in a long while..
I’ve never tried Cuir de Russie. It’s been surprisingly hard for me to come across.
Happy Monday to everyone, and I hope you all enjoyed your weekend, however you chose to spend it. The fireworks display in our town was very nice. We had sunny, hot weather these past few days, so there were no interferences or delays. They really did put on a bigger show than ever; I would estimate perhaps 3 or 4 times as many fireworks as usual, as well as what appeared to be some fancier ones than usual. For the occasion I wore a tried-and-true American favorite, aka Avon Skin So Soft, to help ward off the mosquitoes, but it seemed they weren’t much of an issue after all.
I fell so hard for the Caswell-Massey White Rose from the collection of minis I bought recently that I tracked down a mostly full bottle. It was just now delivered by USPS, so I am marinating in it. The top note was a little wonky, but now about 5 minutes in, it is smelling the same as my mini.
I’m with you on the tried-and-true Skin-So-Soft; that’s my summer anti-mosquito protector too.
Another wet and wintry day here. I’m keeping warm in Ambre Lumière from Molinard.
Gaynor, it’s been so hot here that that almost sounds nice! Sort of 😉
Just checking in somewhat late in the long weekend stretch here. Mom has not been doing well lately, and is not eating much. That’s worrisome. My potato salad came out well the other day but I didn’t get to go to my friend’s for the fireworks show because she’s had a bad fall and didn’t feel well. I did make a hot dog and ate it by myself! Both yesterday and today I’ve been wearing some dregs of my much-loved bottle of MPG Fleur des Comores, which has always seemed like a beachy scent to me, almost salty even, though that’s surely an illusion. My bottle must have had bad evaporation; it’s pretty old but I never wore it very much, and now it’s down to some sticky brown residue, but wow does it smell divine. Just looked it up online and was pleased to learn it’s still in production! In fact I stumbled onto what I thought was a rather fascinating article about the man who founded MPG, at some point AFTER he had also founded (then left) L’Artisan. I’ll share it here just because it’s a well-done article and has some very fun sketches along with great perfume history. The title is self-explanatory and just how I feel too: “Fleur des Comores by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier: Thank You for Still Being With Us.”
https://www.fragrantica.com/news/Fleur-des-Comores-by-Maitre-Parfumeur-et-Gantier-Thank-You-for-Still-Being-With-Us-25256.html
Sorry that your weekend wasn’t so good but nice that at least your fragrance is ‘smelling divine’ and bringing you a bit of happiness. Hope that your mom starts to feel better.🤗
Sorry to hear about your Mom. It’s heartbreaking to watch a loved one in that situation.
I’m back in EL BG today because Persolaise mentioned it in recent video, stating something along the lines of, “It’s more Guerlain than Guerlain.” He was comparing it to a Guerlain Aqua Allegoria scent I believe. Anyway, reason enough to wear it.
HOT, HOT, HOT here! Supposed to be triple digits the latter half of the week and it’s not really cooling at night. It was 85F when I got out of work this morning at about 645am. 🥵
Please bring your pets in and leave out water for bees, bugs, and other wildlife if you can. This is an absolute killing heat and very dangerous for kids and elders because it’s unrelenting, stay more hydrated than you think you need, and avoid the sun. That’s my unsolicited PSA for the day! ☀️
Happily our bit of the heat wave is done, for now at least. That kind of heat is just exhausting!
And asked my mom (89) to please not even leave her apartment from Weds thru Sat last week when it was awful, and that is just what she did 🙂
Hello everybody! You all smell so good! This is my first post, as it took me a VERY long time to figure out that my registration emails were going into Hotmail spam. I’m wearing Caswell-Massey Supernatural Number Six for Independence Day weekend, and I love the soft, powdery citrus in this heat. But talk of No. 5 L’Eau and Eau Claire des Merveilles sounds quite excellent to these ears, and the hankering will build. Hope you all had a great weekend. Thank you, Robin, for helping me figure out how to get in!
Hello and welcome! Glad it got worked out. Sorry but your first comment is held for moderation, and it is now 10:22 ET so your comment will not get as much “traffic” as it would if I’d managed to see and approve it earlier.
Hope you will join in again as this is a very welcoming group! And, we’ve definitely had some Caswell Massey discussion going on recently…
Thanks, Robin! No problem – I understand that whole “held for moderation thing. A necessary inconvenience.
I will definitely keep joining in! I love this site, and especially appreciate the coverage and reviews of new releases. In fact, I need to go see what’s up right now!
Greetings cologniac! Glad you got things figured out and could join us. 😉
Welcome cologniac! This is one of the most lovely groups I have had the pleasure to participate in so I think you will be glad you joined us😊
Thank you most kindly! And thanks for showing me that emojis work here! Woo-hoo! I will try some! 😀
Welcome colonial! Always lovely to meet another perfume fan.
Thank you, Gaynor! This is a very welcoming bunch! It feels comfy already!
I was able to watch fireworks from my bedroom window on Saturday night. It was a novel experience to see them live and in person from the comfort of air conditioning. But I did kind of miss the up-close percussive “BOOM” this year.
July the Hot has arrived here. Yesterday it was 97 degrees, and today it is around 95 or 96 degrees. However, the bigger concern for me is the air quality. I couldn’t see the mountains again today. They are shrouded in wildfire smoke. The local news is saying that Denver has the 11th worst air quality in the world right now. The Aspen Acres fire is now over 91,000 acres and is the 7th largest wildfire in state history.
SOTD = Imaginary Authors Saint Julep. I’ve been wearing IA samples over the weekend. It looks like the original version of Yesterday Haze is being discontinued on August 1 and a new one will be introduced at a later date.
Interesting that you were able to se the fireworks with all the wildfire smoke in the area plus the heat. Hope some of that dissipates soon, I know how difficult it is to not be able to go outside comfortably. Today was our first day of relief in a long while and it was truly wonderful – I didn’t need anything else to make me happy!
The smoke hasn’t been bad at night. I think how the prevailing wind behaves here has something to do with that. Plus my location relative to the worst fires. Southern and western Colorado are really getting hammered.
I just read that airborne particulate matter increases by 42% because of fireworks. So that, added to wildfire smoke, must be horrible. You’re smart to stay inside. 🌡️
I’ve been keeping an eye on the air quality with a cell phone app. I am not socked in all the time, thank God. But I am have a KN-95 mask handy if I notice I am getting a headache when I step outside.
We finally got past all the intensive heat of last week and the nasty weekend storms that ruined the holiday in today’s picture-perfect day. Never have I been so grateful to open a window🙏.! No a/c, no ceiling fans, just open windows all over the house to air it out with cooler temps, lower humidity, blue skies and 🌞 .
😻😽😺came out from all their hiding places and enjoyed going in and out of the house onto the screened porch at will, and we enjoyed our morning coffee outside on our little deck listening to our little waterfall for the first time in over a week. A truly wonderful way to begin a new week and a day to be treasured.
SOTD is my favorite summer no-brainer combo, YR Naturelle layered over BBW Country Chic body products, which perfectly captures the beauty of this summer day.
Looks like the NE part of the U.S. is getting the nasty weather we had the past 2 days; hoping that everyone stays safe. Hang in there – may our beautiful weather come your way soon.🤞
Sounds like your furry girl trio had a rough weekend.
Been wearing lots of colognes and refreshing fragrances as L.A. heats up: Chanel Paris Deauville from a generous MUAer, Dzongkha, L’Occitane Verveine, the last dregs of my Acqua di Parma Colonia, L’Artisan Une Aire de Bretagne, Honore Payan Vetyver, Fragonard Patchouli. The latter two are very light EdTs. I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend and that the weather will stabilize for those in the Midwest and NE. My pup is very relieved that most of the fireworks are done, though she is still very flinchy about any sudden noise. We’ve been giving her meds to relax her but it hasn’t been a magic bullet.
oh goodness, Chanel Deauville not from a generous MUAer, a generous NSTer!! MUA = MakeupAlley and I am showing my perfumista age.
Also been wearing Cartier Declaration that I bought for the hubs but he doesn’t care for the cardamom note which I perceive more as a caraway note. Or maybe both together. I cook a lot with cardamom and it has more of a sweet aspect than Declaration. Anyway, I can see how it was a very groundbreaking fragrance when it came out.
Some of the Declaration flankers were really good…
Today I am wearing Allure Sensuelle extrait… Heaven on earth. “Just” the regular Allure Sensuelle EdP is already one of my top fragrances for life. There is just something about it. I have never smelled anything like it, not even close. But the extrait? Heaven on earth. A masterpiece. I read an article on Fragr*tica, something along the lines of “20 years of Allure Sensuelle” where the author raved about it, I think it was the EdP or just Allure Sensuelle in general and how they even preferred it over Coromandel.
When it comes to Allure Sensuelle extrait it’s beautiful and dark patchouli is almost comparable to the strength of it in Coromandel. I already wrote about my love for AS extrait on here but I just had to state my love for it again. Oh and that beautiful lavender in it!!