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Lazy weekend poll ~ five questions, Madonna’s birthday 2014

Posted by Robin on 16 August 2014 146 Comments

madonna-desperately-seeking

Madonna is 56 today.

We're celebrating with five questions. As always, answer as many or as few as you like. Name...

1. Your favorite perfume for a rainy day,

2. Your favorite perfume to wear to bed or to spray on sheets,

3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable,

4. A subject you'd love to see covered in a lazy weekend poll, and

5. A great movie, tv show, book, or anything else you discovered recently and would love to tell us about.

Filed Under: poll

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146 Comments

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  1. melissa says:
    16 August 2014 at 10:33 am

    1. Sensuous
    2. POTL Luctor et Emergo or TBS Chocomania
    3. Most recently, Imaginary Authors Mosaic

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    • anngd says:
      16 August 2014 at 1:32 pm

      Melissa, I love PoTL. Will have to try that.

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  2. scentfromabove says:
    16 August 2014 at 10:58 am

    1. Any Jo Malone fragrance because it always puts a smile on my face.
    2. I usually wear fragrances from my collection of samples. This is how I learn if I like it and the staying power.
    3. I know people will think I am crazy, but the Amouage fragrances don’t mix well with my chemistry.
    4. A poll on what is someone’s favorite quote from a perfumer
    5. I am a reality show junkie, and I am loving Big Brother this season!

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:35 pm

      I’m probably not as much of an Amouage fan as many here. There are a few I do love though.

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  3. Lucy says:
    16 August 2014 at 11:03 am

    1. Après l’Ondee or Dzongkha. I like to either fully embrace the rain or have opposite day. Not much in between.

    2. I love using Tea Rose as a linen spray.

    3. Angel

    4. I’ll have think more about it and get back to you.

    5. I recently discovered..our new son. John William, “Jack,” was born just before midnight last night, on mom and dad’s fifth wedding anniversary. 8 lbs., 6 oz., 21 inches, 10 fingers, 10 toes. Very healthy and undoubtedly the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. Thank you to everyone for the happy thoughts, prayers, and support this week (and for the past nine months!)

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    • scentfromabove says:
      16 August 2014 at 11:17 am

      So happy for you! Congrats to you and your family.

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    • juicejones says:
      16 August 2014 at 11:42 am

      Congratulations on your happy, healthy little man. Welcome, Jack!

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 11:47 am

      How lovely, thanks so much for letting us know!

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    • mals86 says:
      16 August 2014 at 12:07 pm

      What a blessing! Welcome to Jack, and congrats to you.

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    • Jillie says:
      16 August 2014 at 12:25 pm

      Great news – hooray! So pleased all is well. And to celebrate you should get a bottle of Richard E Grant’s perfume which is called …. Jack!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      16 August 2014 at 12:45 pm

      Squeal! Congratulations to you and Mr. Lucy and what a nice coincidence or perhaps little Jack waited 🙂

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    • lynne marie says:
      16 August 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Congrats! What wonderful, happy news and Welcome Jack!!

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    • galbanumgal says:
      16 August 2014 at 1:03 pm

      best wishes to all, love the name Jack!

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    • anngd says:
      16 August 2014 at 1:28 pm

      Congratulations, Lucy, and welcome Jack!

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    • Anna Stromberg says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:05 pm

      Ooooh! Congratulations!

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    • jirish says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:53 pm

      Congratulations! What a wonderful anniversary gift.

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    • Aparatchick says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:57 pm

      How exciting! Congratulations to the Lucy family.

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    • Joanne says:
      16 August 2014 at 3:04 pm

      I read your happy news aloud to my hubby, who is stunned that you are already posting — he is pretty sure “Jack’s mommy is one strong lady!” Congrats to your family!

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    • Laila says:
      16 August 2014 at 3:26 pm

      Congrats to you and your family, now we know what Jack was waiting for!

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    • Nightingale says:
      16 August 2014 at 3:40 pm

      How wonderful!! This is such a beautiful time for you and dad to snuggle up and get to know Baby Jack. Congratulations to the entire family!

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    • Rappleyea says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:17 pm

      Adding my congratulations!

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    • C.H. says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:19 pm

      Yay!! Oh my gosh, so happy. How are you feeling??

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    • solanace says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:44 pm

      Congratulations! Welcome to this beautiful world, Jack!

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    • missionista says:
      16 August 2014 at 6:41 pm

      Lucy, congratulations, that’s wonderful!

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    • ihadanidea says:
      16 August 2014 at 7:56 pm

      Yay baby-ness! Congratulations Lucy!

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    • monkeytoe says:
      16 August 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Congratulations!

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    • Sapphire says:
      17 August 2014 at 11:31 am

      Congratulations to your family! It’s a true cliche that your life will be forever changed in ways that you couldn’t fully process before Jack was born. Let people help you as much as possible so you can do things that make the transition more normal for you. And don’t measure your success as a mother by the “What to Expect” books. Nobody can live up to that. Enjoy the little things. My best memory of my older son as a newborn was his little yawns.

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    • poodle says:
      17 August 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Congratulations! Enjoy your new baby.

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    • Lucy says:
      18 August 2014 at 7:59 am

      Thank you so much, everyone! We did end up inducing labor and it didn’t work, he was born via c-section. We did it early enough though that it was not an emergent/distress situation. We all are very tired, and of course I am sore. Hopefully we’ll all be going home tomorrow.

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  4. Coumarin says:
    16 August 2014 at 11:14 am

    1. Piment Brulant. I mean, it smells like wet peppers! 🙂

    2. I usually wear vintage to bed. This week it’s been Eau de Arpege.

    3. Sarrisins.

    4. Nit particularly though I love currently reading pollsml.

    5. I’ve had Roisin Murphy’s Mi Senti EP for a while and I can’t get over how good it is. A sultry British singer covers 5 classic Italian disco-era (in Italian), plus one original song. Her version of Mina’s Ancora ancora ancora is particularly good.

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:35 pm

      Curious — why vintage to bed?

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      • Coumarin says:
        16 August 2014 at 5:33 pm

        Most of my vintage perfumes don’t last very long, and there are few I can commit to for a day anyway. But I love smelling them, even so briefly.

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        • unseencenser says:
          16 August 2014 at 7:50 pm

          I like this idea. I don’t really like to wear vintage out – the sillage can be startling and unpopular. I’ll try this.

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        • Robin says:
          16 August 2014 at 8:13 pm

          Ah, makes good sense. Thanks!

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    • imapirate says:
      17 August 2014 at 5:04 pm

      Thank you for letting me know Roisin has something new out! I’m listening to it now. Love her. Non credere!

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      • Coumarin says:
        18 August 2014 at 12:10 am

        It’s so good. I’m seriously contemplating the (very overpriced) vinyl.

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  5. foxbins says:
    16 August 2014 at 11:21 am

    Dashing out the door this morning, wearing Iris Poudre. Congrats Lucy on your baby!

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  6. juicejones says:
    16 August 2014 at 11:36 am

    1. Summer monsoon: Timbuktu. Winter storm: Black Cashmere.
    2. Eau De Gentiane Blanche. Liquid Valium.
    3. Shalimar.
    4. A fragrance you can no longer wear. You grew up. You broke up. The new formulation makes you want to throw up.
    5. Great review in the NYT Book Review of two short story books by Stuart Dybek. I had never heard of him. I love short stories! So what is the first thing we do in these silly times? I went on Facebook and asked him to be my friend. He accepted! So, now I will commence reading the newest offerings by my friend, Stuart Dybek. Ha!

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    • tomate farcie says:
      16 August 2014 at 12:23 pm

      I love Stuart Dybek…great short story writer!

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    • Rappleyea says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:19 pm

      Great poll idea!

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    • C.H. says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Hahaha, extra points for rhyming your poll proposal!

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  7. MattArmendariz says:
    16 August 2014 at 11:49 am

    1. SL Ambre Sultan tied with Santa Maria Novella Nostalgia.

    2. Cambodian or Papuan Oud

    3. No. 8 by Brent Leonesio

    4. Food or cooking memories/smells

    5. What Coumarin above says: Roisin Murphy!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      16 August 2014 at 1:57 pm

      Nice Pics!

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      • MattArmendariz says:
        16 August 2014 at 2:36 pm

        Thank you! 🙂

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:44 pm

      Hey, your blog is gorgeous! And now I’m hungry.

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      • MattArmendariz says:
        16 August 2014 at 4:11 pm

        thank you thank you! 🙂

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    • C.H. says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Yum I just smelled Nostalgia last week–that is some great perfume!

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  8. Sajini says:
    16 August 2014 at 11:55 am

    1. Rainy day: Cuir Ottoman
    2. Sheet spray in summer Eau du Sud
    3. Art but unwearable: Dzing smells to me like a snake got scared and had an accident on my arm
    4. Poll subject: I’d like to hear about the top 5 most loved perfumes in everyone’s collection and what they think it says about them.
    5. Gotta love the Rod Man!!

    And congratulations Lucy on your new baby. Welcome to the world little Jack!

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    • Sajini says:
      16 August 2014 at 12:09 pm

      1. Rainy day: Cuir Ottoman
      2. Sheet spray in summer Eau du Sud
      3. Art but unwearable: Dzing smells to me like a snake got scared and had an accident on my arm
      4. Poll subject: I’d like to hear about the top 5 most loved perfumes in everyone’s collection and what they think it says about them.
      5. Gotta love the Rod Man!!

      Just back from a vacation in Bar Harbor. My vaca perfume was Reverie au Jardin, a decant from the last swap. One spray lasted all day and what an absolutely lovely scent. Andy Tauer makes such quality perfume. Also, went antique mall crawling and found a very large antique Jicky bottle in it’s presentation box. Opened it up and the scent was out of this world.

      And finally, congratulations Lucy on your new baby. Welcome to the world little Jack!

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      • mals86 says:
        16 August 2014 at 2:10 pm

        Bar Harbor is lovely! We honeymooned there (about a bazillion years ago…), in early May.

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        • Sajini says:
          16 August 2014 at 3:24 pm

          Aw that’s so nice. It’s such a romantic place to go. We stayed in a place called Eden Meadow Cottages near the water. The cottages were built in the early 30’s, and were just like the honeymoon cottage in “It happened one night”. I think the hotplate and coffee percolator were actually original to the place.

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      • Rappleyea says:
        16 August 2014 at 4:20 pm

        Am soooo jealous of your Jicky find. Congrats!!

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      • C.H. says:
        16 August 2014 at 4:23 pm

        Died laughing at your Dzing description! And AMAZING find with the Jicky!!

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  9. mals86 says:
    16 August 2014 at 12:06 pm

    1) Depends on whether cold rainy, warm rainy, and whether it’s been raining for some time or is a welcome break from a drought. Haven’t really thought through it, though I did notice that one wet chilly spring not long ago, all I wanted to wear was floral leathers like Jolie Madame and Cuir de Lancome. Apres l’Ondee might be perfect for summer rain.
    2) Annick Goutal Eau du Ciel smells JUST like line-dried sheets to me, so occasionally I put a bit on mine in the winter. Or sometimes the old version of Kenzo Parfum d’Ete (the LOTV one, not the greener one).
    3) Le Labo Patchouli 24. Vanilla Ham Smokehouse, baby! Fascinating, but not something I can manage to wear.
    4) First loves. (Also rainy day perfumes, though we’re covering that a little today.)
    5) Pleased with the new “Outlander” Starz series; have loved the books since I grabbed the biggest novel in the library to read while nursing my insatiable newborn (who is now 19 and loves the books herself).

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:46 pm

      My answer to #1 is similar to yours: depends.

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    • C.H. says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:26 pm

      Ooh Jolie Madame.

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  10. springpansy says:
    16 August 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Fun! (I turned 56 in May.)
    1. Your favorite perfume for a rainy day: Gypsy Water

    2. Your favorite perfume to wear to bed or to spray on sheets: CJ Scents Vanilla Incense

    3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable: Vero Onda

    4. A subject you’d love to see covered in a lazy weekend poll, and:
    Blind buys – what worked out and what didn’t and why

    5. A great movie, tv show, book, or anything else you discovered recently and would love to tell us about:
    Re-reading ‘Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight’ by Alexandra Fuller. About growing up white in Africa in an extraordinary family. A really great read.

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    • mals86 says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:10 pm

      Oooh, blind buys. Good idea.

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    • Aparatchick says:
      16 August 2014 at 3:02 pm

      Don’t Let’s Go is one of my “desert island” books. She writes so well that you can hear, feel, taste, and of course, smell the landscape. And it’s just an amazing story. Glad to hear it has another fan here.

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  11. tomate farcie says:
    16 August 2014 at 12:32 pm

    1. Favorite perfume for a rainy day: Fendi Theorema
    2. Favorite to wear to bed: Barbara Bui
    3. Fragrance I appreciate but find unwearable: Shalimar
    4. Subject for lazy weekend poll: favorite art exhibition you’ve ever seen
    5. I love All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:46 pm

      Yummm…Theorema.

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    • unseencenser says:
      16 August 2014 at 8:02 pm

      I like your #4. One of the few I can think of an answer for.

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  12. Jillie says:
    16 August 2014 at 12:36 pm

    When it’s raining and cold – PG’s Ilang Ivohibe as it brings back the sunshine with its tropical white flowers, zesty lime and cosy vanilla. I wore it all last Christmas and it made me smile.

    At the moment I rather like wearing Le Parfum de Therese to bed as its soft leather drydown and chypre notes seem comforting and remind me of the glory days of Diorella and Femme (and my lost youth!). But – cheating here – I also like spraying the sheets with Zum’s linen spray in Frankincense and Myrrh as it is so calming and brings sweet dreams.

    Just can’t like Angel, but appreciate it started a whole new trend.

    I’d love to know what cheap substitutes people have found for more expensive ‘fumes.

    Just watched The American President movie starring Michael Douglas – yes, I know I am really behind times! – but it was so interesting seeing all the ideas (and actors) that Aaron Sorkin was working on and which he put to use in The West Wing later.

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:47 pm

      Interesting…tried that Zum F&M shower gel & didn’t love it as much as everyone else, but a linen spray might be perfect.

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  13. hajusuuri says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Rainy Day Perfume – Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay

    Spray on sheets or to bed perfume = none. I need a break from scents.

    Art but unwearable = Enchanted Forest (art for its gorgeous bottle)

    Lazy Weekend Poll topic = Recently releases perfumes you’re afraid to try and why. Perfumes that are better dabbed than sprayed and/or perfumes that are better sprayed than dabbed.

    Recently discovered TV show or book = not recent but wanted to mention that the Royal Pains episode from two weeks ago featured a segment on a fictional (or maybe not) bespoke perfume perfumer who caters to The Hamptons’ in-crowd. In addition, one of the lead characters’ scent was sniffed out by a visually impaired spa owner. The perfume note was Vetiver but the brand was never mentioned. The book I am reading is It Happens in the Dark by Carol O’Connell. Its central character is a green-eyed detective (and her fat slob alcoholic partner) who scares the bejesus out of the suspects (guilty or not) and really, anyone who crosses her path.

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:50 pm

      Now I’m trying to think of perfumers associated w/ the Hamptons. Antonia’s Flowers is all I can think of.

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    • monkeytoe says:
      16 August 2014 at 9:36 pm

      Privet Bloom by Hamptons Sun?

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  14. Joe says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Criminy! Madonna at 56 makes me almost… 😮 hahaha

    Have a great weekend, everyone.

    1. Dans tes Bras
    2. KM Loukhoum (tiniest mist on the pillow/sheets)
    3. Shalimar
    4. Your personal “line in the sand” price for maximum you’d consider spending on a 100ml bottle. 😉
    5. Saw Linklater’s film “Boyhood” last night and I found it very sweet, simple, and poignant. I recommend it.

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:34 pm

      All I’m saying is that she’s older than me, ha!

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    • Coumarin says:
      16 August 2014 at 5:38 pm

      Ooo, Dans tes Bras is a beautiful one!

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  15. galbanumgal says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:18 pm

    You should have seen the wacky outfit Madonna had on when she was skewered last night on Fashion Police.
    1) anything sunny like Terracotta, BG or Carnal Flower
    2) lately been wearing Une Fleur de Cassie to bed. Haven’t thought to spray scent on bed linens, but Eau D’Hadrien seems a good candidate
    3) L’Heure Bleue only smells nice on others
    4) European travel + perfume shopping: does one declare fragrance purchases to Customs?
    5) probably mentioned this author before, but now reading an Alice Munro collection that’s new to me–The Love of a Good Woman. So compelling, I didn’t even mind a recent flight that included an extra 20 mins of circling around O’Hare!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:07 pm

      Ooooh – I will have to put the Alice Munro book on reserve!

      On a flight from DC to Newark pre-911, the puddle-jumper-sized plane circled around the Baltimore area for 30 minutes (!) before proceeding. The plane should never have left DC to begin with!

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  16. Jonas says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:21 pm

    1. Definitely Tam Dado

    2. Vanille Insensee. It’s always still there in the morning which is almost essential for a bed time perfume in my books.

    3. Chanel No. 5

    4. Worst and best blind buys.

    5. Takoyaki (Japanese octopus balls)

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    • Jonas says:
      16 August 2014 at 1:22 pm

      Damn auto correct!

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    • Sajini says:
      16 August 2014 at 3:19 pm

      I didn’t know octopusses had balls 🙂

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      • Jonas says:
        16 August 2014 at 3:43 pm

        Ha ha. Does octopus spheres sounds better?

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        • Sajini says:
          16 August 2014 at 11:13 pm

          not really

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  17. rebeccat94 says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:24 pm

    1.) Chanel No.19
    2.) Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater
    3.) I can’t think of anything specific, so I’d have to say any perfume with tuberose. I appreciate many of them, but I can’t stand the smell.
    4.) I would be interested in seeing a poll on everyone’s signature scent, or their absolute favorite. I’m sure there have been many like this, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.

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  18. ihadanidea says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Answering before reading so as not to be influenced.

    1. Favorite perfume for a rainy day: I’m hesitant to wear it out and about for fear that some might smell something different than I do, but I’d have to say L’Air de Rien. Warm and comforting and yes, kind of dirty.

    2. Favorite perfume to wear to bed: Rochas Femme. It seems so bed-appropriate.

    3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable: I respect that Secretions Magnifique could be created, but recoil from the bottle when I come anywhere close.

    4. Subject for a lazy weekend poll: how about perfume superlatives? Most skanky, most likely to succeed in the mass market, most sophisticated, etc. Has this been done yet?

    5. A great movie – I’ve been having a Robin Williams week and just re-watched the Birdcage. You forget how hilarious it is between viewings.

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    • hajusuuri says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:17 pm

      The Birdcage! When my now 14-year old nephew was 4, one of his favorite expressions was “when I was young, …”. One day, all the adults were so engrossed watching The Birdcage that we didn’t realize he was watching it with us until he piped up with questions…at which point, Auntie moved out of earshot and let the parents answer 😉

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      • ihadanidea says:
        16 August 2014 at 5:59 pm

        Ha! I’m betting most of it went over his head, but still quite educational, I would imagine.

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    • mals86 says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:18 pm

      The Birdcage *is* hilarious! I think I laughed the hardest at Hank Azaria tripping over his shoes (because he’s usually barefoot) and Robin directing a dancer (“You do an eclectic celebration of the dance! You do Fosse Fosse Fosse Fosse Fosse! You do Martha Graham Martha Graham Martha Graham, or Twyla Twyla Twyla, or Michael Kidde Michael Kidde Michael Kidde Michael Kidde, or Madonna Madonna Madonna Madonna… but you keep it all inside.”)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXkApy0gkjM

      (hope that link won’t kick this comment into spam…)

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      • ihadanidea says:
        16 August 2014 at 6:01 pm

        Hank Azaria kills it in that movie, but then again so does everyone. So, so good, and glad I’m not alone in appreciating it.

        By the way Mals, I’m discovering your blog and liking it a lot – way to go, lady!

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        • mals86 says:
          17 August 2014 at 2:54 pm

          Oh, thanks! Pop by and say hi sometime!

          Hank is HILARIOUS. We sometimes take “Pirin tablets” at our house…

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      • Sajini says:
        16 August 2014 at 11:15 pm

        You guys inspired us and we watched Birdcage tonight. Robin Williams was so touching in the scene where he gives Nathan Lane the palimony (?) papers.

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        • ihadanidea says:
          17 August 2014 at 1:55 am

          What a lovely man he was.

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  19. anngd says:
    16 August 2014 at 1:31 pm

    1. None. Perfume and humidity are a bad combo for me.
    2. Anything with lavender and vanilla
    3. Chanel No. 5 – love it but can’t wear it.
    4. Best tricks for sending samples via the post office (I am a terrible liar, they always know)
    5. Loved the first Outlander (Mals). I need a good book.

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    • mals86 says:
      16 August 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Read any of the sequels?

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      • anngd says:
        17 August 2014 at 10:44 am

        I’ve read all of them. The most recent, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, almost feels like a wrap-up for the series.

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        • mals86 says:
          17 August 2014 at 2:56 pm

          I do have favorites in the series that I reread, but the most recent – though it had some really great bits – isn’t going to be a favorite, I think. I don’t reread Dragonfly in Amber, either; too sad.

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          • anngd says:
            17 August 2014 at 6:02 pm

            That was a tough one. I haven’t tried the Lord John series yet. Have you?

  20. Anna Stromberg says:
    16 August 2014 at 2:18 pm

    1. Your favorite perfume for a rainy day,
    Tresor or Hypnotic poisin

    2. Your favorite perfume to wear to bed or to spray on sheets,
    L’heure bleu, very calming.

    3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable,
    Flower by Kenzo

    4. A subject you’d love to see covered in a lazy weekend poll
    The favorite scent you feel is yours, buy never wear anymore. Your favorite scent to wear when stressed. Scents that you think are sexy on others. The one that got away – The perfume you though about buying but didnt & now its too late. What you wore on your wedding day/exams/other significant day and what you would have wore if do it all over again.
    5. A great movie, tv show, book, or anything else you discovered recently and would love to tell us about.
    You know. Chase Giobertti in the tvseries Falcon crest was a pretty handsome fellah. I did not understand it back then, but it was on tv last week an then it dawned on me.

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  21. Aparatchick says:
    16 August 2014 at 3:10 pm

    1. Your favorite perfume for a rainy day: cold and rainy: Winter Delice, tropical downpour: Songes (if you can’t beat them….)

    2. Your favorite perfume to wear to bed or to spray on sheets: Garden Botanika Honey Citrus

    3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable: Just about anything from Uncle Serge – they are overpoweringly sweet on me.

    4. A subject you’d love to see covered in a lazy weekend poll. With $100 being the new free, are there any bargains left in perfume world?

    5. A great movie, tv show, book, or anything else you discovered recently and would love to tell us about. It’s been mentioned above, but I’ll second it: All The Light We Cannot See. A marvelous book.

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  22. jjlook says:
    16 August 2014 at 3:16 pm

    1. So many rainy days in Vancouver, but in the fall which approaches: the old Shiseido Feminite du Bois
    2. I love to spray Todd Oldham (discontinued sort of Noir-Epices ish but so cheap and long-lasting) on my sheets..
    3. Aromatics Elixir.
    4. Best scents for focus/calm/attention etc.

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    • mals86 says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:27 pm

      Oh, I can’t wear Aromatics Elixir either. It smells like intense cat pee on a rose hedge, on my skin… and I can *totally* wear some cat-pee stuff like Pamplelune and Enchanted Forest, but I can’t do AE. (I do notice that if I get it on fabric, it is absolutely fabulous 24 hours later. Just gorgeous.)

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      • jjlook says:
        17 August 2014 at 3:29 am

        It’s just so loud, and one of the few old-school loudies you still encounter out and about.
        I do sometimes encounter people wearing Angel so loud I can taste it metres away, but I don’t even find the art in that.

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  23. Celestia says:
    16 August 2014 at 3:17 pm

    Galbanumgal: I did see the skewering of Madonna’s outfit on Fashion Police and they were absolutely right! Way too many patterns made her look like an old-fashioned TV screen gone awry.
    1. It rains a lot here in Vancouver so with fall coming I look forward to wearing Givenchy III & Aliage. I also like Diorella and Miss Dior (original).
    2. Lolita Lempicka Eau de Desir.
    3. Jardins de Bagatelle. As many have said above, Angel and Shalimar are works of art but I cannot wear them.
    4. Choose the top five most beautiful bottles of all time!
    5. TV show: Vikings!!!

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    • farouche says:
      16 August 2014 at 3:41 pm

      Oooh, good idea for a weekend topic, Celestia! I do love a beautiful bottle 🙂

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  24. farouche says:
    16 August 2014 at 3:36 pm

    1. For a summer rain, Apres l’Ondee or En Passant.
    2. In the winter I like to wear L’Artisan Premier Figuier dry oil to bed. In summer either nothing (if it’s very hot) or one of my samples mixed with Curel unscented lotion. Trying to use those samples up!
    3. Although I can appreciate that Chanel No. 5 is lovely, it is a no-go for me.

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    • Coumarin says:
      16 August 2014 at 5:42 pm

      I’ve said it time and again, but on others, No 5 smells like warm gold. On me, like a urinal cake. 🙁

      I do own and love Eau Premiere, though.

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      • farouche says:
        16 August 2014 at 6:50 pm

        I need to try that one!

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  25. Laila says:
    16 August 2014 at 3:38 pm

    1. Je Reviens.
    2. Barbara Bui Le Parfum.
    3. L’Heure Bleue.
    4. Fragrances you loved then and still love now.
    5. Books: Until Tuesday by Fmr. Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan and his new companion children’s book, Tuesday Tucks Me In, the life-changing story of a highly-decorated 17-year war veteran, severely injured and in rehab, and his golden retriever service dog, Tuesday. I had the great pleasure of meeting him and Tuesday on his current book tour recently and was truly inspired not only by his words but the man himself – his openness, warmth and humanity. Don’t miss it if you have a chance and take your children (not affiliated, just uplifted).

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  26. Ida says:
    16 August 2014 at 4:27 pm

    3. Appreciate as art but find unwearable: Opium. Gag and suffocate to me, but I get why it became so famous.
    5. Poll topics. Many great ones mentioned. Second Mals’ “First Loves”. Anything on Scent Memories is always great, and one I’d like to see: How about we tell each other about outfit-scent-mood combo’s – those that are just a perfect “snap” and those that are mismatched. (Though some mismatches have a quirky memorability to them, of course!).

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  27. Rappleyea says:
    16 August 2014 at 4:32 pm

    1. Your favorite perfume for a rainy day.
    Vol de Nuit

    2. Your favorite perfume to wear to bed or to spray on sheets. Nothing! No perfume, light or sound to sleep.

    3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable.
    The Amouages. They give me a headache (but my credit card is happy).

    4. A subject you’d love to see covered in a lazy weekend poll, and
    Some great suggestions already made.

    5. A great movie, tv show, book, or anything else you discovered recently and would love to tell us about.
    I had two great reads very recently: The Perfume Collector, which I’ve had on my Kindle for some time and just got to. It exceeded expectations. She writes with the kind of beautiful, poetic prose that I had to keep highlighting. And secondly, Daddy Long Legs (free on Kindle) – this is a classic in the vein of I Capture the Castle. It was absolutely charming and wonderful. A definite re-read.

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    • tiffanie says:
      16 August 2014 at 4:44 pm

      I read The Perfume Collector this summer. I really enjoyed it and wished it were longer.

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    • mals86 says:
      17 August 2014 at 2:57 pm

      I need to reread I Capture the Castle. Thanks for the reminder.

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      • Rappleyea says:
        17 August 2014 at 3:31 pm

        I loved it so much (read on my Kindle) that I ordered a hard copy for the bookcase – a lovely old, worn book. I guess we’d call it vintage here. 😉

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  28. tiffanie says:
    16 August 2014 at 4:38 pm

    I don’t usually wear fragrance in the rain. When I lived in the Northeast of the US, rain made me more aware of the pleasantly damp smells around me, so I skipped perfume. Now I live in the Southwest of the US, so rainy days are rare.

    Lavender for bed is best for me, sometimes just essential oil, lavender scented lotion, or lavender buds from the garden.

    Fragrance as art: Bois des Iles. I wish I could wear it, but I want that fragrance all around me not on me.

    How about a poll for your most memorable/best/worst fragrance gift (given or received)? The ideas already mentioned are great — subs for expensive fragrances, first loves, break ups, best/worst blind buys, and favorites/signature scents would be fun.

    I’ve been reading The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig, author of the Pink Carnation Series, and I just finished her more recent novel, That Summer.

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  29. AnnieA says:
    16 August 2014 at 5:01 pm

    Rainy day perfumes either a) Rien or Eau de Protection to biff said day in the nose, or b) Cuir de Lancome or Lady Levine to embrace the sogginess. Like to wear Tuscan Leather to bed, and sometimes Vanille Ylang. Thought M/Mink was fascinating but unwearable. Just finished Major Crimes on DVD and thought it was really interesting, especially the premise for being a sequel to The Closer.

    Hope some of the above poll ideas get put into action.

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    • mals86 says:
      17 August 2014 at 2:58 pm

      Tuscan Leather is great stuff. (So is Cuir de Lancome.)

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  30. solanace says:
    16 August 2014 at 5:02 pm

    1. For a rainy day: Shalimar Ode à la Vanille, an ambery warm bubble that seems to dissipate all the grey around.

    2. To bed: dewy roses make my dreams sweet, and Rose Splendide is the best.

    3. Jour d´Hermès. I understand it is radiant and well crafted, but I kind of hate it. And think it might attract moths.

    5. Finishing Anna Karenina and mesmerized at how good it is.

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    • solanace says:
      16 August 2014 at 5:05 pm

      And a long and full of tuberoses life to Madonna!

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    • Merlin says:
      16 August 2014 at 7:54 pm

      I thought the last few pages of A.K. were like being taken by the throat and dragged! Very powerful.

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      • solanace says:
        17 August 2014 at 5:01 am

        That´s a fitting image, Merlin!

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    • mals86 says:
      17 August 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Moths!! Funny.

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  31. floragal says:
    16 August 2014 at 5:53 pm

    Happy weekend, all!
    I would say..
    1. Rainy days don’t typically affect my perfume choice, it’s more temp and mood
    2. A scent with lavender or some other aromatic
    3. Chanel 5
    4. Poll: Create your own scent – what notes would it be made of – top, middle, base
    5. NYC foodies: Hill County Barbecue Market – fantastic Texas bb food

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  32. PriscillaE says:
    16 August 2014 at 8:05 pm

    I’m going to chime in only on the weekend poll question – I’d like to know what everybody thinks are the best celebrity scent available and why.

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  33. cazaubon says:
    16 August 2014 at 8:29 pm

    I am having a huge fixation on almond & vanilla notes… cannot get enough of Guerlain Mon Precieux Nectar and L’Instant Magic Elixir, not to mention No. 68 le parfum. It rained all day today and the almondy vanilla smell was so fantastic.

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    • hajusuuri says:
      16 August 2014 at 9:41 pm

      There are two excellent vanilla + almond perfumes you should try if you havent —
      Annick Goutal Vanille Exquise and SoOud Ouris Parfum Nektar

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  34. Bear says:
    16 August 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Feel a bit of a kinship with Madonna because we are both B*tchy, Fabulous and I turned 56 on Thursday! OY! LOL 🙂
    Never thought I would be THIS old!
    Testing Le Labo Vanille 44 today and loving it, but it reminds me of some other scent I can’t quite identify.
    Anyone know? TIA

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    • galbanumgal says:
      16 August 2014 at 9:35 pm

      haha, happy bday, Bear! Now I have to try my Vanille 44 sample again to see if it reminds me of anything–really like that one too.

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    • monkeytoe says:
      16 August 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Happy Birthday, Birthday twin.

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      • monkeytoe says:
        16 August 2014 at 10:28 pm

        I think Vanille 44 smells like a close cousin to Vanille Insense.

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 10:38 pm

      A belated happy birthday!

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    • Bear says:
      17 August 2014 at 2:02 am

      Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone!!!
      Vanille Insensee is one of the Ateliers I have yet to sample, but I will put it on my list! LOL 😉
      It is something else and it bugs me that I can’t figure it out……………
      😉

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    • C.H. says:
      17 August 2014 at 11:08 am

      Happy birthday!! I think lots of people feel Vanille 44 has something in common with Diptyque Eau Duelle?

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    • mals86 says:
      17 August 2014 at 3:00 pm

      Happy birthday!

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    • nozknoz says:
      17 August 2014 at 6:36 pm

      The Le Labos usually smell like something other than the name – what are the prominent notes in this one?

      Also, Happy Birthday!

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    • Bear says:
      17 August 2014 at 8:22 pm

      Thank you again for the birthday wishes, GalbanumGal, MonkeyToe, Robin, C.H.,Mals86 and NozKnoz!!!! Much appreciated!!
      C.H. I thought it might be Eau Duelle also, so I wore it today and on my skin ED is mostly black tea, vanilla and spices, while 44 is guaiac wood and vanilla, and eventually some myrrh. They are similar (smells like the same variety of vanilla) but there is something else…..
      I am going to wear Memoirs of a Trespasser tomorrow – maybe that is the one. 😉

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  35. jen says:
    16 August 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Daddy Long Legs! There was a copy of that in my parents house when they bought it–magic! Dont miss Molly Make Believe! (Same author)

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    • Rappleyea says:
      17 August 2014 at 8:38 am

      Thanks! I’ll go get it as I also enjoyed the sequel to DLL, Dear Enemy.

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  36. monkeytoe says:
    16 August 2014 at 9:29 pm

    I share my birthday with Madonna (and Georgette Heyer, T.E. Lawrence am d Julie Newmar)

    1. Something with violet: CdG x Stephen Jones, CB:IHP Violet Empire, SL Bois de Violette, or Le Dix

    2. PG Ilang Ivohibe

    3. I don’t think I have found one, yet.

    4. Perfumes you love to smell on someone else.

    5. Snowpiercer

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    • hajusuuri says:
      16 August 2014 at 9:45 pm

      Happy Birthday, monkeytoe!

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    • Robin says:
      16 August 2014 at 10:40 pm

      Hey, happy birthday! (and don’t forget Steve Carell)

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    • Sajini says:
      16 August 2014 at 11:23 pm

      Snowpiercer was fantastic.

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    • mals86 says:
      17 August 2014 at 3:01 pm

      Happy birthday!

      Ooh, will have to try violet scents in the rain.

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  37. MikasMinion says:
    17 August 2014 at 12:25 am

    Congratulations to Lucy and happy birthday to all the birthday folks.
    1. I usually don’t wear perfume when it rains. It happens so seldom here I like to enjoy the outside damp smells.
    2. Luctor et Emergo, Ambre Sultan, any of the SSS violets.
    3. Sadly, everything I have tried by Vero Kern. They are so gorgeous on the blotter or someone else but the second any touch my skin it is death by dryer-sheets.
    4. I am lousy at this kind of thing
    5. Can’t think of anything new, re-reading Girl Genius for the billiontieth time and mostly watch anime so my suggestions probably wouldn’t be popular anyway 😉

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  38. Jaisalmer says:
    17 August 2014 at 3:23 am

    Happy birthday my wonderful madonna.

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  39. kaos.geo says:
    17 August 2014 at 7:42 am

    I love that you acknowledged Madonna’s birthday….
    for many years I celebrated with friends, a nice excuse to go out and have fun 😉
    1. Your favorite perfume for a rainy day,
    Not a particular one, buy YES to citrus for a rainy day… I love O de Lancome for example.

    2. Your favorite perfume to wear to bed or to spray on sheets.

    I am very sensitive to perfume and I prefer to go to bed scentless, else I wouldnt be able to sleep!

    3. A fragrance you appreciate as art but find unwearable,
    Many from Etro, there’s one from them that smells like fungus in a basement…. skillful, but I’ll pass.

    4. A subject you’d love to see covered in a lazy weekend poll… Mmmmm I’d like to see where people are from. Maybe asking Country, Province/state, city? Or just putting up a map and letting them tag themselves in.

    5. A great movie, tv show, book, or anything else you discovered recently and would love to tell us about.
    I have not discovered something truly noteworthy, but I have “cut the cord” from cable recently, and we are only using a Roku 3 with Netflix and other things… saving a lot of money! I need to get a digital TV receiver for the news though, as roku still doesnt do live tv channels… not because it can’t, just because live channels are greedy and don’t let them replay their feeds…

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  40. yukiej says:
    17 August 2014 at 12:33 pm

    1. L’air du desert marocain! Mostly because rainy days often are cooler days (if we’re lucky), and I take any excuse to wear LDDM if I can.

    2. Same as 1! Also sometimes PG Amber Precieux (and both on cooler nights).

    3. SL Arabie, CDG Avignon, Bottega Veneta, NR For Her

    5. I only recently finally saw the most recent season of Game of Thrones, which was great! I also saw the movie The Station Agent, which is a bit more artsy than my usual lowbrow fare, but I found it surprisingly enjoyable.

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  41. nozknoz says:
    17 August 2014 at 2:44 pm

    I like to sleep with perfume – it puts me in a positive mood for falling asleep, and I think it’s good for dreaming. However, I have occasionally had a perfume keep me awake; therefore, I have to be careful not to wear anything too new or stimulating. It also has to be something I have plenty of – don’t want to use up anything rare while I’m sleeping.

    It varies, but some of the ones I like are Amouage (Gold, Dia, or Lyric), Via del Profumo Mecca Balsam, Guerlain Idylle Eau Sublime and BK Rose Oud. Jasmine-centric perfumes such as J’Adore L’Absolu, Givenchy Organza Jasmine 2007 and SL A la Nuit are especially suitable. Jil Sander Woman III and SMN Melograno also work, though I’m not sure why.

    I can’t remember who mentioned the Chief Inspector Gamache murder mysteries in a previous book poll, but I owe them thanks – I’m about to start the 5th or 6th book already!

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    • mals86 says:
      17 August 2014 at 3:03 pm

      I feel the same way about bedtime perfume – has to be something not-rare or something I would be sad about missing the experience of. And it is possible to pick something too “alert” to be sleep-conducive.

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      • mals86 says:
        17 August 2014 at 3:04 pm

        I mean I don’t pick something I would be sad to miss the experience of.

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      • nozknoz says:
        17 August 2014 at 6:34 pm

        Exactly – I don’t think it’s a waste to wear perfume while I’m asleep, but also I want to have enough of it that I can experience it as much as I want when I’m awake, too.

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  42. Laila says:
    17 August 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Happy Birthday Weekend to Bear and monkeytoe . . . wishing you a wonderful year ahead with good health and happiness. May all your perfume wishes come true!

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    • Bear says:
      17 August 2014 at 8:32 pm

      Thank you Laila!! Your wishes are much appreciated, and I hope you have a wonderful year with good health and happiness, also! 😉
      The people on this site are so nice!!!

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