It's Tuesday and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. Birthdays: Art Tatum, Lenny Bruce, Paul Simon. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm commando and very tired after a vaccine yesterday...I might put on something this afternoon.
Reminder: on 10/16, wear a savory gourmand fragrance, if you have one.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2026, where I'll occasionally manage to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image shows the Nathalie Lete Long Live Tea Rectangular Tray from Avenida Home, $40 at Beautyhabit.
I’m sipping Karibancha this morning, the last of it in my cupboard. It’s a smoky tea, picked during the first/second harvest & steamed and roasted in an iron pot, and apparently has a distinctive aroma unlike anything else.
I’ve just finished the fantasy novel I was reading, and now I’m in a bit of a dilemma. Sarah J. Maas’s new book comes out in just over two weeks, so do I start something new in the meantime or exercise patience and wait?
I’ve been sleeping beautifully over the past few days, which is no small thing after our mattress hunt, which began back in June! We finally settled on a coiled horsehair mattress with a box spring. It’s the first time since childhood that I’ve slept on a box spring. I suspect the one from my youth was little more than wood and air, whereas this one is full of coils and other natural materials. Whatever the difference, I’m delighted to be sleeping well again!!!!
We’ve also ordered new natural latex mattresses for the children and are still navigating the return of their Avocado mattresses. That saga deserves a post of its own 🙁
Today I’m wearing Melograno body oil and maybe some of the layering I have been doing with some SMN scents. I saw the Diptyque has a body oil, anyone try?
I’m hoping to squeeze in a visit to the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, which is something I look forward to every year. There’s always so much inspiration to be found there. A lovely way to spend a fall day, if I can manage it all. Maybe I should be drinking coffee…
I’m relieved you’re back to a good sleep! These days one bad night’s sleep ruins the next few days. It’s worth the $$ for a good mattress as well, it makes all the difference!
It took me many years to pinch pennies to realize I need to invest in a good mattress
Ours comes from a San Francisco company – very happy
Nice! I have to say, shopping for mattresses (or anything) is a real shocker these days!
We saw a mattress for $22,000 (not a typo).
Oh yes, we went to all those shops the savoir v- Springs Hastens all of them to try mattresses. We fell in love with that style, but we found a company that makes them just as well for not that much money.
So glad to hear you’re sleeping well!
Congrats on the new mattress! It’s incredible how much of a difference one can make.
For reference I
I was sleeping on a 12 year old Casper
So anything would be a step up 😂
Good morning, first thing comes to mind right off the bat is Eau des Merveilles as a savory gourmand. I will not wear it, my friend took over that one and claimed it “Hers”. I used to wear it, compliments left and right about how good I smell but my friend was lost for words. But when I gifts Her Elixir Des Merveilles She has gone to an olfactory heaven and claimed it as The Best Perfume Ever Created.
This morning, before even coming into NST I wore my tri-ritual: Allure parfum, Allure EdT dabbed and Allure EdP sprayed. Generally I am in a cloud of Allure. This is one of my go-to scents. But I just dabbed my Allure Sensuelle pure parfum – something I do to admire. Wow Chanel got that right, can’t believe it’s discontinued. The whole power and success lays in one simple fact: Chanel created an ambery, spicy beast all the whole being FRESH at the same time. It is just as spicy and ambery as it is fresh. I could even say it is savory-gourmand. Spicy spices and ripe peach. Right now I have these teeny tiny Allure Sensuelle pure parfum sample bottles but one day I will own a regular sized bottle. That’s what I told myself I would do with Chance – that besides these tiny sample bottles I will one day own a pure parfum regular bottle and I hunted one down that didn’t cost $300. It took a long time and sending someone an offer but it was done. It was also around my birthday so it was a perfect gift to myself. I hope I can find someone selling an old pure parfum of Allure Sensuelle but someone who is willing to part with it for around $150.
I like Allure, but I can’t wear it often
Something about it throws me off-like a headache
The edt can give me a headache, but not the edp.
I love all of them preferably vintage if possible
I think I will wear Eau des Merveilles tomorrow, now that you mentioned it.
It’s a really great perfume, highly recommend. Huge success just amazing line Merveilles is.
I’ve re-upped my Ummagumma game from yesterday. It’s a perfect day for this- cloudy, grey, and chilly. The hilltops have cloaked themselves in a foggy stole and the leaves are gently dripping last night’s rain.
The incense in this one is my favorite. I like it better than CdG Jaisalmer and Kyoto, both of which I love. I don’t really get any chocolate when I wear it, just the lovely incense and amber with a bit of sweet tobacco on the side. My battle is half empty, or half full, whichever way you want to look at it.
I’ve been up since 330am and I’m hoping to get things accomplished today. I’m already back from the grocery. Plans to pack and load up summer stuff into the camper, continuing my decluttering, and cooking/prepping are all on the agenda for today. We’ll see how much I actually get done. I’ll have 5 complete entrees frozen by the end of the day so that should give me plenty of choices over the next few weeks.
My tea (and the lovely tin!) is scheduled to arrive today so I’ll be right on theme for Teapot Tuesday! ☕️
What kind of freezer containers are you using for meal prep? I would love to start doing this.
Freezer bags. 🙃
Thanks!
Loved your sentence about the hilltops. Very atmospheric.
After twinning with Deva in Ummagumma yesterday (hi!), I’m back in Incense Pure this morning. It has a scratchiness that I’m finding soothing lately.
Interesting description, I will have to think about whether or not I find it scratchy.
I remember trying this years ago when I placed an order for multiple samples. I think you describe it perfectly. It gave me a dryness and scratchiness in the throat. I love incense but I like it on the smoother side. And I know everyone hates the word, but I like my incense moist.
LOL! My high school boyfriend was one who hated that word, and the word “queasy” also.
“Moist” has never bothered me. I honestly don’t get the kerfuffle about it.
I would call Incense Pure “arid”. Like desert dry. I can see how it can come off as scratchy.
Yes, that’s it exactly.
Thank you Jalapeno, that makes sense to me now.
I’m doing a week of Naomi Goodsir because I’ve neglected these for too long.
Sunday was Bois d’Ascèse and the smoke was perfect for a cold, clear fall day. Yesterday, I accidentally reached for Corpus Equus, thinking it was Cuir Velours and sprayed liberally. Oops. I smelled good, but intensely good😬
Today, I will indeed reach for Cuir Velours and enjoy the lovely, soft suede😊
LOL at “intensely good”…sometimes too much is too much 😉
it’s cloudy here but supposed to clear up in a little bit. I’m wearing Narciso Rouge, or what I think of as Red Cube. I get iris and powder, not much rose.
A few weeks ago I decided I needed a new crafty hobby, so I bought a Book Nook. It’s a tiny room filled with tiny detailed things that I have to put together. Yesterday I made a 1/2 inch planter box with flowers the size of pinheads. It’s very fun, requires concentration to get things right, and I will need a big magnifying glass on a stand not to get eyestrain. Also tweezers. Looking forward to doing more today with just my big clumsy fingers.
You might find an articulated magnification lamp more helpful than a floor lamp. I have one I use when beading because tiny, tiny beads. It has several settings for warm and cold light, can be clamped to a surface like a tabletop or can sit in its own stand. The arm is completely adjustable and the magnification lamp head swivels in any direction. Happy crafting!
Yes, that’s better. Thanks!
I had never heard of a book nook but I see it is a thing! That sounds like a good hobby.
Googling book nook really sent me down a rabbit hole! A good one! But thankfully I don’t think my eyesight could handle this hobby, even cross stitching is a bit challenging these days.
My high school BFF still does cross stitch. She was looking for bookmarks recently.
This sounds super cool foxbins.
Hi all, my SOTD is Ines de la Fressange (circa 2004) a beautiful bouquet of flowers and white roses. It has OB, LOV, Iris, Peony, White Rose, Benzoin, and Patchouli. I’m nearing the end of my bottle and will start my backup soon.
Two recent thunks are Sikkim by Lancome (chypre leather) and Escape by Calvin Klein. Both enjoyable but don’t need to repurchase. I’m on a dry spell regarding reading, I’ll have to look back at some NST book recommendations for ideas.
Book poll coming up this weekend!
Last book I finished was The Renovation by Kenan Orhan, it was fantastic…
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/books/review/podcast-book-club-renovation-kenan-orhan.html
love the book poll
Hello.
Sotd is Jo Malone Vanilla Scotch. It is so delicious.
I bought the mini set of 9ml x 5 holiday scents and I am tempted to get the 100ml of VS (plus the bottle is gorge).
I have recently tested a savoury gourmand. I don’t own it but I might pop to the mall on Friday to scent myself haha!
This sounds delicious!
Aha…that does sound tempting.
Thank you for weighing on Vanilla Scotch…I will probably succumb to the mini set…resistance is futile and all that. 😉
Thought I’d try Pearfat Stomped on a Bed of Lettuce today, since it was in the samples I ordered from Luckyscent and LT said it was rhubarb and grapefruit combined, so might work for the CP. So far, all I am getting is the smell of the disinfectant they used at the base nursery when I was a kid. (This happens to me sometimes with grapefruit, depending on how it’s used.) I think it’s about to settle into something more of a chypre, though.
No tea for me today — I’m at my dad’s, where I’m running him to appointments and trying to work. He’s not one for tea. And…cleaning as much as I can, because he lets the dust accumulate, plus he was out of the house for 2 months between hospital & the nursing facility. And trying to cook on an electric stove using my mom’s cookware from the ’70s and early ’80s, which has been a real experience. Sigh.
Working + helping care for someone is a tough job. You are a kind daughter!
2nd that!
I’m wearing Ummagumma also – happened to find a sample last night with a few drops left. Later today I’ll add something else as this will be gone. I’m thinking Ormonde Woman. I could see calling it a bit savory, though not gourmand.
Update on my COVID vax yesterday: I have a red spot on my arm (although it was super quick and didn’t hurt), but I never got the usual body aches (like I did with my Fluad vax a week and a half ago). We got Moderna this time as that’s what they had. Just a bit more tired as Robin said above though we may not have had the same vax. Happy to be all vaxxed up!
I had the novavax, whatever the official name is for it now…it’s the one traditional (non mrna) covid shot. Moderna tends to knock me out for days and days.
Flu next, that one tends to knock me out too.
SoCal weather is back baby!
Heading over to water for a good walk.
Indochine today because I missed my bottle while away.
I hid my checkbook before I left and cannot find it anywhere and have no more ***** to give. Guess I’ll never write a check again.
As lillyjo said – have a fiddllly doo day🌞🌞
HA, your missing checkbook, that sounds exactly like something I would do!! Good luck! And enjoy your weather!
I did that with a credit card when we went on vacation — didn’t need it on vacation and hid it because the cleaners and cat sitter would be in, but then couldn’t remember where I hid it when I got home.
We are duh 🙄
Woo-hoo for fiddley doo!
Had to laugh at this. I am currently wondering where on Earth I have stashed a bottle of perfume, namely a recent 50mL of CK Obsession. Can’t find it anywhere.
Joining you in Indochine today.
Welcome back and just caught up on the weekend’s comments…glad you had a wonderful trip!
I’ve treated myself to a couple of perfumes for my birthday today – I’m 63 and I was born in 1963, so I’m sure there’s something auspicious about that 🙂 .
I bought Papillon Perfumes Spell 125 and Prada Olfactories Some Velvet Morning. I’ll sniff them properly tonight after work, meanwhile I’m wearing Tobacco Vanille, a birthday present from my beloved a few years ago.
I love Spell 125! enjoy!
Happy Birthday, Gaynor!
Happy Birthday, Gaynor 🙂
Agree, that sounds auspicious! Have a lovely birthday, Gaynor!!
Happy birthday! With a special number no less!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! 🎂
Happy Birthday, Gaynor! You were born in the year of the Rabbit 🐇.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy birthday 🎁 Gaynor! Have a wonderful day 💕
Gaynor, happy happy birthday and so glad you celebrated with new bottles!
Best wishes!
Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Gaynor!
Happy Scented Birthday Gaynor! It sounds like you are having a very auspicious start to the year. 🎉🎁🥂🎂🎊
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! 🥳 Enjoy your new presents 🎁 🎁!
Happy Birthday, Gaynor!💐
Yay for 63! Happy birthday, Gaynor! 🙂
Happy birthday, belatedly! Enjoy your new perfume gifts to yourself.
Hello!
Still working on my work project, so I chose Hermes Mandarin Ambre. It’s mellow and doesn’t annoy me and I need these attributes cause my work project feels off the rails. Just need to focus and remember it always feels like this-I think the worry is part of my process to get it done. Aiming for Friday, which gives me another solid week to polish things and think about the presentation.
Hope it helped keep you reasonably chill today! I remember that “off the rails” feeling well.
Best luck on your work projects
On vanilla kick so far this month. Wearing Xerjoff-Casamorati Lira today, which I’ve been trading off with Sorce’s In Dreams and Fariry Tales (Vanilla) over the last week. Am also super into Cyklar’s Santal scented body products. They also have a vanilla, but the Santal one has that sort of chocolately/vanilla sandalwood vibe. Very cozy without being a gourmand.
So yeah, been a great smelling week!
I will have to google the Cyklar, that sounds lovely!
It’s at Sephora, IIRC.
Thank you!
It’s also Ada Lovelace Day, National Face Your Fears Day and National M & M Day.
I am wearing Midnight Oud.
Well, I did my part for National M&M Day, as I just ate a handful of dark chocolate peanut M&Ms. Not as much success with the National Face Your Fears Day.
Hey, 1 out of 3 – you did better than me!
If one of your fears was M&Ms then you were 100% successful. 😉
National face your fears day sounds pretty terrifying to me.
SOTD = Eris Mxxx.
Lovely!
In other news, I used to have the dreaded Sunday Scaries, but not anymore because I am happily retired. It doesn’t mean I don’t have them, just not as often. Here’s an article from the Wall Street Journal:
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/the-sunday-scaries-are-realand-theyre-getting-worse-1f27c82e?st=aPURiE&reflink=article_copyURL_share
Thankfully a thing of my past 🙂
I work most weekends. I get the Thursday scaries. Lol.
My brother has the Wednesday Scaries. Although his are more like “I really don’t want to deal with the rat race yet again.”
I think your brother probably isn’t really scared of anything. He sounds like a cool guy.
Neroli Botanica
Wearing Shalimar Philtre for one of those hot and cold Fall days.
You smell great..I wore Philtre last Thursday to work and the dry down on that one is pretty interesting. Kind of musky and animalic almost to my nose. It’s an interesting take on Shalimar and I get different things when I wear it which I love.
It’s actually chilly today! I have upgraded from my usual T-shirts to a light sweatshirt. Also changed my sheets over to flannel ones this morning, since overnight temperatures might be getting close to freezing soon. Teflon kitty loves those…
SOTD = commando. Nothing felt right after the crazy drop in temperature. At least I am wearing scented lotion in the usual spots.
Flannel sheets are so nice in the winter.
I put my flannel sheets on last week😂
I dithered for a bit this afternoon about changing them over, but then I checked the long term weather forecast.
Teflon had to “help” when I was putting on the flannels. Silly cat.
I am commando also, except the oil
I went with a light vanilla lotion today. Somehow the rose ones I have don’t feel right anymore.
I had a pretty good day today. I got some excellent news from my Doctor, so I’m happy about that.
My sotd is a favorite good mood perfume, Devotion.
Yippee for good news!
So glad you got good news!
Hooray!!
Yay!👍
Most excellent! 🎵🎶
Excellent medical news is wonderful!!!💐💃
Yay for excellent news! 🙂
Reading very late; I’m glad that you got good news, lillyjo!
Happy for your good news!
The last of our warm days today; yesterday we broke a record with 88 degrees, today was just a little cooler with close to 80 but a bit more humid. I’m glad I was late this year putting summer clothes away or I wouldn’t have anything to wear these last 2 days! We slept last night with the bedroom windows open and the ceiling fan on and will do so again one more time tonight; incredible, in the middle of October!
Busy day today with an extra-long volunteer shift at my library + more weed-pulling. SOTD was my favorite October earthy/spicy YR Nature Millenaire. 🍂🍁🫚🌶️
Ready for bed early tonight as soon as the DWTS is over.😴💤
88 degrees! That’s insane! But the chill is definitely headed your way…
Posting late with a lovely dry down of Kuumba Amber & Myrrh. 🥰
Typically not a big fan of perfume oils but I am so enjoying all the amber oils I haven’t in the past couple months…truly cheap thrills. ☺️