Hump Day, Boxing Day, Candy Cane Day and the first day of Kwanzaa. Happy birthday to Caroll Edwin Spinney — thank you for all those years of Big Bird and Oscar! What fragrance are you wearing?
I am commando while I do some day-after-Christmas chores. I will probably pick an afternoon fragrance from the comments.
Reminder: on 12/28 we're doing Best of 2018...wear one of your favorite fragrance releases of 2018.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2018, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is pink candycane [cropped] by Julee Dyer at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD is Parfums de Nicolai Cap Neroli, for the community project. Bright and happy citrus/white floral.
Thanks to everyone who suggested rose oud/dark rose perfumes yesterday, especially to Koyel and BobH for recommending Yves Rocher Rose Oud. I ordered a sample, and it should arrive tomorrow. This means I will have 8 rose oud scents to test this week-end. I can’t wait!
Cap Neroli is so nice ! You smell beautiful.
Thanks! It is a pretty scent.
Will be interested in your report!
Yes, I plan to write mini-reviews here, probably in Lazy weekend poll.
Great – looking forward to reading them.
Yay! I hope you enjoy it!
I am scent twins with Robin (commando)
Feeling a bit better today (Finally!)
My father in law is visiting and I am getting chai tea.
Hopefully that chai tea will speed up your recovery. 🙂
Feel better soon! I bet the chai can fix anything.
I am glad you are feeling better.
If I recall correctly, that chai tea is particularly good. Hopefully, it will bring you back to full health. 🙂
Hope you’re back to 100% soon!
Glad you are feeling a bit better. Enjoy your chai!
Cold twins and chai twins! I hope we are both back up and running very soon!
Hey twin! I ended up commando all through this very busy day. Hope you are well enough tomorrow to join me in perfume 🙂
Yay for FIL’s chai tea, I’m sure it will help!
Wearing the last drops of Robert Piguet L’Insomnuit. Another iris lemming that is pushing me to break my “no buy” resolution. Iris, tonka bean, sandalwood. So delicious!
Gail, if you have not tried this iris perfume, I highly recommend you do. I see you liking this a lot!
That sounds gorgeous.
It is!
THUNK….(and glad that I did NOT thunk it-LOL!) Do you need me to talk you out of it? DON’T BUY IT!!!
I am blaming you for the anxiety I have now ?. L’Insomnuit is very beautiful with good longevity and sillage. But it will stay on my to buy list. Someday, my friend!
Sorry my friend!!! It is beautiful though.
?
L’Insomnuit – what a great name for a fragrance.
Agree!
I thought the same!
Oy! You just created a lemming. My bad self will continue in its crooked ways next year when I can flex my shopping muscles.
The combination of iris and tonka is amazing. I am sure you will like.
Ha!!!
Oh gosh…that sounds wonderful. I guess I need to try to forget about it asap.
Try to forget about it! I wish I could, but I am smelling this beauty since this morning and I am sitting hard on my hands. I hope I survive the temptation…
You are my Iris gateway! Thank you; it sounds absolutely beautiful. I’ve added it to my list!
😉
Why does “Sleepless Night” sound so much better in French? Assuming that I have translated that right.
LOL!
Oh man, I was going to order this blind and talked myself out of it. 🙁
Oh no! You can always get it later! ?
I had rough few days because of weird family dynamics. We’re alone again, so for my first recovery day I wanted something beautiful and full of light. I’m wearing California Reverie and so happy to have bottled joy in my closet.
I hope everyone is having a good holiday week. I’m really looking forward to the New Year, far more than normal.
Family can be a source of joy, but also a source of pain.
I am glad you are enjoying your California Reverie.
Family. Nuff said.
Smell good, breathe deep, enjoy the coming of the new year.
The holidays can be really stressful.
I just got a decant of that one in the last swapmeet and it is really beautiful. You smell lovely!
What’s a holiday without family drama, whether small or large? I hope you’re back to normal. You’re smellin’ mighty fine!
Sorry for the weird family dynamics, but glad it’s behind you!
Me too!!!
Good to hear that you are away from the weird family dynamics now.
So glad to hear you are past the drama and recovering. CR is very soothing.
Delrae Wit on one hand, DSH Vanilla Bourbon on the other – the last two of my alphabetically arranged sample to test, hence the odd juxaposition.
I have thunked many samples over the last two months. If I decide to keep both of these, my sample stash is down to 23. Of course, my Decants and FBs to Buy list has ballooned, as a result, and I also have a happy pile of things to pass on during the next Freebie/Swap meet sessions.
Delrae Wit smells fascinating as always and doesn’t smell like anything else, so it is definitely on my “Get a Decant soon!” list. DSH Vanilla Bourbon was sent to me with the alcohol alternative she uses for international shipping, and i don’t really like that carrier, but i love the scent in spite of the slightly oily quality the carrier seems to put on everything it touches. I will probably order a sample of this in the traditional alcohol base and see how it stands up there. It resembles SDV, which I also admire greatly, but which has too much tobacco or something in it that irritates my sinuses and makes me sneeze. I would love for this to be a good substitute.
Happy Day after Christmas Day every one! My office mate is gone until 2019, so I am perfumiing my glorified closet of an office to my heart’s and nose’s content. 🙂
Enjoy your smelly year-end!
You too! Looking forward to 2019, which should be a very god year….
Good, good year. Ugh.
Congrats on your thunks! I haven’t smelled either of these, but they both sound good 🙂
Wit is a unique wonder, well worth seeking out. Vanilla Bourbon is a nice take on a familiar theme, as I mentioned. I keep sniffing my hand and am not having the unfortunate adverse effects that Spiriteuse Double Vanilla induced in my sinuses… 🙂
I do love Wit. STILL waiting for the travel size.
Yes, I find those squat wide bottles clunky and unhandy to spray and so that bottle has probably contributed to my not already buying a FB of this. Do wish they had travel sizes!
Happy 2nd Day of Christmas as we call the 26th of December in Poland.
I am wearing Mon Ame from 1907 brand for that touch of golden irisy elegance.
I’ve been going through my archives of 2018 posts in order to start making up a list of my favorite fragrances of the year. I plan to post it by the end of this week.
I’m looking forward to that list!
seconded!
Thank you both
Hi all. I’m wearing Van Cleef & Arpels Bois d’Iris today. Does anyone have the new Perfume Guide? It’s not listed in my original book. I’d be curious what they have to say about this fragrance. (I will still love it whatever they say!)
No fragrant gifts for me, but I wasn’t expecting any. I’m sure my family can’t imagine that I need any more! 😆
Doesn’t seem to have been reviewed in the new guide.
Thanks for checking.
You smell good, springpansy. I have a BUB of this one. Do you have a FB of this one? If not, Fragrancenet has it for a very reasonable price (or at least it did…I have not looked lately, meaning, in the past 2 days).
« Not in the past two days »… LOL. 🙂
One of my go-to favorites. If I can’t decide what to put on, I usually default to this.
CASABLANCA
(but at 4am I was wafting Cuir de Russie…enjoyed that for a few hours before my shower)
When you fall, you fall hard! Enjoy your Casablanca day??
You noticed that, huh? LOL ?? ?
You are…up at 4 am??
Ummm…if you look at the comments sometimes I am up at 2 am….. when I have insomnia.
When do you not have insomnia? ?
I am laughing so hard right now..the Marzipans are looking at me sideways!! This is so true!
My SOTD is Hermes Eau de Neroli Dore and I am drinking a cup of English breakfast tea. These past two days have wiped me out. I have a quick meeting, then I will come home to finish picking up from Christmas, and then probably take a nap.
I hope you have a nice relaxing afternoon
Today feels like Monday part two. My poor body is confused by the inconsistent waking times this week, so as a result, I’m very tired today. Hopefully that wears off soon as I get more coffee in me.
I’m wearing a perfume that I think deserves a spot in my favorites of the year, and it’s also from a little known new indie perfume line. It’s called Ariose by Fum Fragrances out of LA. They list the notes as: “A surface of hydro-distilled almond shimmers over warm textured notes of honeyed Amber, Carnation, Patchouli, Tonka bean, Coffee, Iris Root, Plum, Sangria, Rose and Musk. Iris, it’s redolent roots are the star ingredient in Ariose.” They also describe it as an earthy grown up gourmand, and I agree. It reminds me of a more sophisticated Jo Malone Honey and Crocus.
That perfume sounds wonderful! I’m joining you with the extra coffee today☕️☕️
My body is confused on what day it is too. Coffee, and then more coffee.?☕️
That sounds really intriguing. Off to check out Fum fragrances.
Yes, do. I bought their sample set and also really like Winter Crocus.
Winter Crocus looks stunning!
This sounds amazing!!!
I bet you would like it!
I am tempted to look them up!!! You know I have a weakness for indie lines!!!
Oh crap….a lemming is born….
Look them up, but DO NOT BUY ANYTHING!
$215 for 50 ml (it is extrait, but…) yikes.
Yes, not a fan of the price because it’s a bit out of my realm. I wonder if I can subsist on samples long enough for them to come out with a travel spray.
I seem to be staying up a lot later these days and it is not going to help me when I have to get used to the 5 hour time difference between the east coast and Lisbon.
And, woot on the Fum perfumes. I need to check them out!
Uh oh, I love Honey & Crocus, so this one sounds tempting.
Me too! Need to check out Fum (but NOT buy any!)
Wait, what?! You are my inspiration for giving myself permission to give in to my desires!
LOL! I’m trying to reign myself in (unsuccessfully) after buying all the perfume this month. :-0
Lalalalalalalala! (Fingers in ears). New and interesting indie perfume house? Can’t hear you!
Hey friends, I smell lovely in Halfeti today! (“Oh, you’ve covered yourself in smells,” my mother said, turning her nose up as she hugged me.) I got too many presents because my parents don’t believe me when I tell them that I don’t want any more cashmere sweaters or dresses, really, seriously. I think I may have convinced my father to donate to a cause in my name and gift me the receipt of said donation in an envelope. We’ll find out next year.
I ran some analytics on my perfume usage over all of 2018 last night, learning some exciting new Google Sheets functions along the way. I won’t say anything yet, because there are still five days left, but I think I know what my most-worn perfumes and houses of 2018 will be. (The most-worn perfumes were a close thing, and I have the opportunity to tip those numbers in the next few days, but my most-worn house was exactly what I thought it was, and outstrips the nearest contender by a fair margin.) I hope I can keep track again next year!
I am in awe of your spread sheet excitement! Trying to figure out what your most worn house was…
Haha. I’m a dork and love spreadsheets and numbers. I feel like we had this discussion at the beginning of the year when hajusuuri mentioned her own spreadsheet analysis and we had these same reactions 🙂
And I’m still in awe! ?
Fun! Curious to hear your results. And send those cashmere sweaters my way if you want. 😉
Lol. I thought the same thing about the cashmere sweaters.
psa: Everlane has a sale going on for the next three days. I may have ordered a cashmere sweater this morning.?
Ha – thanks.
Ha! Great minds because I also thought the same thing as I love cashmere sweaters but I don’t think Koyel and I are the same size ?
No, definitely not o.o ballet dancer shaped I am not!
Ooh I saw the Everlane sale and felt tempted. Enjoy your sweater 🙂
Ahaha. I don’t want any more, but cashmere is just so soft that I could never ever regift them! *snuggles into a pile of cashmere*
Ooh yes, I will be watching to see what your results were too!
Or you could ask for a gift certificate to luckyscent….
My parents think I have too many smellies already and refuse to do that on principle. I can’t say they’re wrong! (And besides, I’m on a no-buy, so I couldn’t even use it for a while!)
Wait, no buys include those bought with gift certificates or gifts or freebies too? That’s a strict no buy!!
I think purchasing with a gift certificate counts…. I had to fight to be able to get freebies/swaps! (My boyfriend helped construct the parameters of the deal.) I’ll have to think about it.
Ha! The fact that your bf created parameters intrigues me. Are you trying to downsize your collection or just not spend any more money? If downsize is the goal then no to both gift certificates and freebies and swaps. But if no monetary expenditures is the goal then you could certainly accept a gift certificate, no? (Do you like how I am providing you with a rationalization? Plus, the luckyscent certificate could potentially be used for tea or body products LOL)
Ooh, does Luckyscent carry teas? I didn’t even know!
I asked my bf to help me set the parameters! Actually, this whole no-buy is to get me to become more healthy. I gained a bunch of weight two years ago, when I was writing/defending my PhD thesis and my foot was broken, so I was stress eating and also not exercising. My foot has mostly healed and I’m nowhere near as stressed out as I was during my defense, but I haven’t done a good job getting healthy again. The idea is to use my passion for perfume to get me to be healthier by implementing a no-buy until I reach a healthier me, as goal posted by a target weight.
So I do understand his argument that freebies and swaps should count in the no-buy. BUT I think of them as cheat days in a diet! You need something to keep up your spirits once in a while, right?
Gift certificate is free money so it shouldn’t count as violating a no-buy. Although, if it were me on a no buy, I would probably buy myself a gift certificate and then use it to buy perfumes just to get around the techicality…
Hahahaha! I always love the way you think.
This is how I got my bottle of Assam of India when I was on a no buy??
We ran out of nested comments! The gift certificate may have an expiration so if I wer you, I would tell the bf that gift certificates ar out of scope.
Heh, just this morning, I found a cashmere sweater that I thought I had accidentally donated. I have the same style in light green and spice and I had been looking for the yellow one and finally found it.
Looking forward to the results of your perfume usage version 2018. I started the year strong but gave up (I lasted longer than the yer before). I have decided not to torment myself with trying again in 2019.
Ooh, what color is spice??
I thought you had successfully analyzed your 2017 wearing habits! I thought I had modeled myself off of you! Was it not you?
It had to have been Undina you modeled yourself after. (Heh, reminded me of grad school when I got a letter inviting me to speak during commencement and I just went whoa, I think you really want the other hajusuuri).
Spice is a nicer way of saying pumpkin ?. It’s actually a brownish orange.
Ah!! Actually, that makes sense–I think of you and Undina similarly 🙂 I think because you introduced me to Undina’s blog!
I got a cashmere sweater from my mom for Christmas–well, truth be told, I went shopping with her and picked it out for her to give me. It’s a beautiful true blue. Now I just wish we’d get a couple of weeks of colder weather so I can wear it! Cashmere isn’t comfortable when it’s in the 70’s and humid outside.
I hear you on the colder weather! I have two cashmere sweaters that I wear only when I go north! The weather here is almost always too hot for them.
Wow, where do you live? I’m in the Bay Area, so I can easily wear cashmere in the winter as long as I don’t wear a very heavy coat 🙂 It’s just cold enough near us that I can wear nice sweaters and winter perfumes.
Houston
High of 52 degrees on Saturday! It just might be cashmere sweater weather. ?
But cashmere sweaters hold scents so well. 😉
I keep track of the most worn scents too (no Google Analytics, just Excel). Knowing me, I will probably do the year summary on January 1. 😀
Hahaha 🙂 Good point!
Ah, I didn’t use Google Analytics; I just analyzed my Google Sheets results. Just the web version of Excel! I hope you’ll tell us the results of your own spreadsheet, too!
Color me impressed that you can 1) track the perfumes you have worn over the past year, and 2) got cashmere sweaters as a Xmas gift! Unfortunately, I can’t wear cashmere on bare skin… it makes me itch. ?
Oh no!!! Cashmere is the only wool that DOESN’T make me itch. I guess I have less sensitive skin, thankfully!
I was rather disappointed when I found out about the itchies. My wallet, OTOH, was happy.
SOTD is PdE Musc Tonkin. It’s warming me very nicely, and the hot cup of coffee that is currently brewing will complete the process.
For those that had to return to work today, hope it’s a quiet and pleasant day. I’m headed up the coast today and where I land, nobody knows!
Have a great day, all!
Safe and happy travels! I will watch for new pics!
Thank you and thank you! ?
Enjoy your day
You too! I think we should start a pool regarding the date your brand new Casablanca bottle will be thunked…! Methinks it will be fairly quick??
You are creating a serious Oregon lemming for me! Thanks for posting your gorgeous adventures. They were a serious mental escape for me over the past few days.
I love this state! I’m so pleased to be back here so soon. I will say I’ve noticed a lot more signage, limitations, and regulations since earlier this year. I’m afraid it may be headed the way California is now, which makes me sad.
So happy you’re enjoying the photos! Such a beautiful area here- every time you look out a window, you see a photo worthy scene. Absolutely loving the parts of the coast that are not developed, or only minimally so. Saw some wild turkeys and it made my day! Unfortunately, they didn’t cooperate with the photographer?
And the people are NICE! And HELPFUL! And FRIENDLY! Can’t say that enough! It’s such a nice change??
Hi Deva, I was showing my daughter picture’s of T-Rex and she wants to know his age and breed? I could not remember either answer. Safe travels to you!
Hi lillyjo, she just a hair over three years now. Cannot conclusively state her breed as I got her from a shelter in St Pete (the same one I got my last dog). They had gotten her from a kill shelter that had no room. That shelter was in a farming area in central Florida, so given that, and her looks and temperament, the best guess is a red heeler mix. Aka Australian Cattle Dog and Queensland Heeler. T-Rex sends you both a lot of love! She has a ton of it and really likes to be generous with it?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrjZ5b2AsVl/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1e2slxuo26juv
This is the shelter I got her from, and as you can see, they get dogs (and other animals) I’m various ways. This little puppy was thrown over the fence, as you can read. But better that than drowned…?
Thanks! My daughter loves all animals and will go up to everyone she sees, and inquire about their lives. And she will remember them. Most dog owners are happy to talk with her, but a few get annoyed. She says she wants to give T-Rex a hug ? ? I’m actually hoping that with time and more therapy that she will be able to work with animals in some capacity some day.
If you don’t mind telling me your daughters name, I can have T-Rex give her a High 5 and post it on Instagram just for her…long distance hugs are a bit more challenging! Lol Hoping she is able to work or play with animals as a hobby or career. I wish I had made that choice many, many times. ?
Deva, this is my daily brew, and it always makes me think of your T-Rex.
https://shop.colectivocoffee.com/products/blue-heeler
Madtowngirl, you will not believe this…! I stopped at a coffee shop in Bandon and saw this:
https://mobile.twitter.com/colectivocoffee/status/1011255679154380800
Same company and everything! What are the chances? I almost bought some but didn’t because I have a full coffee container right now. So funny!
OMG! Yes- that is their special July label for the same brew! I have a picture of that very bag on my instagram. Lol. Colectivo is based out of Milwaukee, but we have a few cafes here too.
You saw it all the way out in Oregon?! That’s so crazy!
Keep on trucking Deva!
Thanks, jalapeño! So sorry to hear about your terrible week! T-Rex and I are sending you many hugs! I lost my beloved grandmother as an adult, my first familial loss, and I was stunned by the depth of the pain I experienced. The waves of it just left me a crying, gasping mess. Let it come and let it go. Take good care of yourself. ?
Family loss is something that I am familiar with. The only grandma I had died when I was 14, and it sucked hardcore. ??
Extra skritches for T-Rex for the puppy hugs!
Today is my Saturday. Kind of, after working 4 twelve hour days in a row. I managed to leave early a couple of the days so it only ended up being forty hours. I am so completely lost on what day it is that my son had to remind me while we were watching the news last night that it was Tuesday.? Oy. I’m off now til January 2 though. Woo hoo! Today I think my daughter and I will head to Sephora. I’m looking forward to trying Atelier’s new Pacific Lime but I don’t know if my store will have it yet.
SotD is Heeley Blanc Poudre from a sample. I’ve never tried anything from this line and I am a sucker for a powdery scent. Do I like it? Yes. Do I like it $180 worth? Nah, so I will enjoy this sample while it lasts.
Yay for being off work! Report back if your Sephora has it, mine didn’t have it in, when I checked last week.
Yay is right! Hope you get some days off soon too! According to Sephora website when I put in my zip code, my store doesn’t have it yet either. ☹️
Let us know if you try the new Atelier.
Will do! Not today though, we never got out of our sweatpants. Lol.?
Oof, you’ve been busy. Yay for having days off work!
Oof indeed. Now it’s time for spending time with family.?
Enjoy your time off!!!
Thanks sistine! You too!
Great news on your string of days off! Enjoy!
Thanks Jalapeño! I just read your post and I am so, so sorry for your string of terrible events, especially the loss of your friend. Sending virtual hugs your way.
Thank you madtowngirl.
No perfume today, enjoying everybody’s choices vicariously. Boxing Day is a holiday in the UK and I’m just coming back from having visited a 17th century church in a gorgeous and green area, Wanstead, a bus ride away from where I live (also very green but not as historical).
There are probably some rocks where I live that were around in the 17th century but that’s about it.
🙂 and maybe a few trees from that time too.
No perfume today, enjoying everybody’s choices vicariously. Boxing Day is a holiday in the UK and I’m just coming back from having visited a 17th century church in a gorgeous and green area, Wanstead, a bus ride away from where I live (also very green but not as historical).
Sounds great. Is it the church of St Mary the Virgin? Your post got me reading about Wanstead.
Yes, Kanuka you’re right, thank you for your interest.
Beautiful building.
Back to work today (the UK has the right idea, making this a holiday), and it’s vewy vewy quiet here. I chose Gucci EDP to keep me company, and it’s doing a very good job of it.
Glad that it’s a least quiet, I think it should be a holiday everywhere, much more civilized 🙂
Well, you do smell great.
Is that the Gucci in the clear heavy bottle and dark brown juice?
Yes, that’s the one. Isn’t it heavenly?
Yes it is! I’ve pulled my little 1oz. bottle out for winter wearing.
Found a bottle I left behind years ago at my mom’s, first-release narciso edt, so that’s my sotd.
Love your new avatar.
Oh how sweet 🙂
Thank you! A friend has a plant, and the frog lives in that little spot.
Pretty cool that the old bottle is still good!
Hi everyone! Back to work today, but it’s the early shift so I should be leaving by time it gets crazy. A girl I work with brought me a bunch of what looks like homemade rollerballs of perfume. They are labled with various designer fragrance names. She said that her dad buys them super cheap from overseas. I’ve never heard of such a thing… does anyone know what these are? I can’t really smell them from the roller, and not really sure I want to put them on my skin. My sotd is Aura.
Good for you on being on the early shift before the crazies come staggering in demanding returns for something not bought at the store. In any case, with regards to the rollerballs, as long as you know they are brand new, it probably wouldn’t hurt to do a test patch with a little swipe.
I hope work goes okay and isn’t too stressful. Poor you.
Yes to an early shift!!!
I hope you had a good work day.
I know that it is bad form to look a gift perfume in the mouth (mixing up the expression there), but sometimes overseas “designer” perfumes are not the real thing. Hajusuuri is right in recommending a cautious patch test, IMO.
Yeah… I was kinda wondering about that, it was very sweet of her to think of me, she apparently has a lot of them and was doing a clean out.
Took a sample of FM dans tes bras with me on my trip to my sisters. I thought I loved en passant from that line but this one is very nice!
Ooh, I love Dans tes bras. Great choice!
I’m 60% relieved and 40% sad that Christmas is over (and 90% thankful that my kid’s pre-school is open today). Wearing Dasein’s Winter Nights, which I like very slightly less than Winter, which means I still like it a lot.
Happy Boxing Day!
What happened to the 10%? LOL, I’m teasing. The pre-school being open reminds me of a report I heard on the radio about the CEO of Quikchek working on Christmas Day at one of the company’s stores. He rotated among the stores and his reason for doing so is to be in solidarity with the workers expected to work on Christmas Day.
Oh, I’m 10% sad she’s back to school already! Her school also houses a daycare for younger kids, so they have pretty expansive hours.
Hmm, that CEO could’ve just given everyone (including himself) the day off . . .
They’re probably 24 x 7 shop, like Walgreens.
Wearing Rose Flash today wishing I had the day off to recover from the holiday. Tried to stop at the bank before work but holy crap, the line is long. I guess that I will have to do it after work. I just wanted the money in my bank account to either get a Tahitian pearl bracelet or the LADDM flanker.
At least you smelled pretty today. ?
Dear husband enrolled me in a perfume sample-of-the-month program as a Christmas gift — whoo hoo! I’m wearing Virgile by Sylvaine Delacourte today, and it’s lovely: an herbal sparkle (rosemary and sage?) on a non-sweet vanilla base. Perfect for winter in Northern CA, but it’s not too heavy for summer either.
That’s a very thoughtful gift from hubby!
I plan to wear it on Friday. You smell great!
I really like Virgile too. I haven’t decided which is my favorite from the vanilla series, Virgile or Valkyrie.
Those were my two favourites as well.
Day two of left-over turkey and tiramisu coming up…. thunked my JM Primrose and Rye . I bought all the English Fields at the start of the year so the thunk is a nice bookend. Speaking of fields of long grass I have to mow the lawns today. I have been signed up to spotify to help make weeding and gardening bearable but have been so overwhelmed by choice looking at podcasts that I haven’t used it. Any suggestions for podcasts that aren’t about murders or self-improvement (lost cause) would be appreciated.
Wow! You bought the entire JM LE collection!? Congrats on the thunk.
I am very partial to weeds and grasses ( and the wonderful names of grasses ) so it was beyond my control.
? no harm if you are enjoying them!! I think that one was a very popular LE series.
They didn’t give me hayfever so it was a win-win.
I’m pretty fond of that R4 classic, In Our Time. About ten years of episodes are now on Spotify.
This sounds perfect, thanks. Hope you have had a great Christmas and the sun came out. How are your squirrels and birds?
Hurrah!
I did, thank you. Even without any sunshine it was lovely.
Fatter! A couple of the squirrels have become remarkably bold… running over when they hear me open the window, and not scarpering when I scatter food for them. The ridiculous cat hides behind me during this. The magpies are still shouty–of course, because they are magpies–but have now started being particularly shouty outside my bedroom if I am late up and breakfast has not been delivered. I am less enamored of the many, many pigeons who live in the tower of the empty church…so, yep, still entertaining.
I have two podcast recommendations: 1) Lore, for spooky folklore tales. 2) American Fiasco – this sounds odd, because it’s about the story of how the US men’s national soccer team stank up the 1998 World Cup. However, it’s seriously one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to. An epic tragedy played out on a sporting scale.
Thanks, sounds great. I love it when a subject surprises you by being fascinating ( if you know what I mean)
Not sure if this would be an acceptable podcast or not, but NPR has a show called “The Pulse”. It deals with medical issues and stories. I listen to it on terrestrial radio, so can’t say what the podcast version is like.
Thank you. I will see if it has one on over-eating and drinking at Christmas!
Hello, all, and happy day of (I hope) some relaxation after the busy holiday period. I am wearing SL Participe Passe and enjoying it. It doesn’t seem that I have or even tried very many fragrances from this year. Partly because I was laid up with my hip issues for six months and just didn’t make it out to many stores, then also tied up with visits to my mom’s up in Michigan. Now that things are getting more settled down, perhaps I can go to the Galleria and visit the upscale stores where they’ll have more of the nicer new scents. The Sephora and Ulta that I go to just don’t have very good perfume selections. And the great niche store I like no longer is so up-to-date on things as they used to be when they had the best, most knowledgeable SA ever. Oh well. I’m buying two new chairs, one on clearance and one on a neighborhood list, trying to upgrade my sadly fraying collection. I can’t ever buy truly nice furniture because of, you know, cats….. CATS!!! And in keeping with the holiday today, my kitties definitely loved their present from my mom yesterday–the BOX from her new pair of shoes!
I enjoyed my first wearing of SL Participe Passe but cannot quite pinpoint what it reminded me of. Zoologist Camel was in the same sample packet and I enjoyed the first few minutes of it and then it started to annoy me.
Cats are easily amused, aren’t they?
I hear you on the cats & boxes! The latest one my 3 were hanging out in was the shipping box that their kibble came in. I had to wait a couple of days to recycle it.
SOTD = Aftelier Vanilla Smoke
I think it was from 2 years ago and I much preferred the extrait to the EDP.
Speaking of family drama…very minor but still annoying. We had our extended family gathering on December 23rd. My mom didn’t go because the venue was more “involved” (it was at a Hot Pot / Barbecue place) and she is very picky and particular about what she eats and how it’s served. My aunt said she will stop by and visit on December 26. On Christmas Eve, I got a phone call from my cousin who said that my aunt wants to come visit already (instead of today); I had to tell her no because I was very busy preparing the food I was going to bring to where I was spending Christmas Eve eve. I also said that early afternoon is best because my mom and I may be out and about but will definitely be around in the afternoon. Well, this morning, I left to go grocery shopping and when I called my mom to ask her about something on the list, she said my aunt called and will be visiting at 11:30. I ask you – in what planet is 11:30 early afternoon? Anyway, I hurried to come back in case my mom needed help with snacks for the visit. When I got home, my mom said that my aunt came and dropped off a pot of chicken soup and said that my nephew should stop by and take half of the soup for my sister and BIL…and then she left. Aargh, I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and she was well intentioned with the chicken soup, but really?
Thanks for everyone who chimed in with their DSH perfume likes and those that did not work out. If you have an opinion on the DSH perfumes you have tried, I would love to hear them!
And this is why Christmas this year was a movie and Chinese food for me. Too old for drama.
Based on others recommendations Pandora is a powerhouse!!! Had to give it away years ago because even one spray on my scent devouring skin elicited complaints from family and co workers!
Thanks! Pandora just got voted off the island ?
Your mom would HATE it!!
Oh yes, and then I would get voted off the island, too.
???
Some people have the most unique ways of making a holiday all about them. Hope the chicken soup is good enough to make up for the thoughtless inconvenience!
It was good!
In my world, early afternoon starts at 1pm. Eleven thirty is late morning.
You and I are normal; my aunt, not so.
? well we are both in good company!.
I agree with you and lillyjo: 11:30am is NOT in the afternoon. Nope.
Oh, and you might want to try DSH Tsukimi. It is woodsy and green to my nose.
Happy Boxing Day to any who celebrate! (what exactly do you do to celebrate Boxing Day?)
Wearing Havana Vanille in honor of finally getting to go to Cuba (which has been on my list for quite some time) – not Havana, but Cienfuegos. Very interesting. We were on a cruise and as we tendered in, I happened to glance across the aisle and saw a woman weeping. Turns out she left Cuba 50 years ago and this was her first time back.
Glad you were able to get to Cuba. I was there about 5 years ago on weeklong “cultural exchange” visa. We were on a chartered flight out of JFK. Coincidentally, I got a text this morning from a phone number I did to recognize. The person thanked me for being generous and for showing him/her pictures of Cuba. Well, I didn’t show anyone pictures of Cuba recently so I really should reply back and admit I don’t know him/her…
Wow, I can’t imagine having to leave my birth country and not being able to go back for 50 years! That’s tough! I hope she was able to be comforted by going. I bet she had a very interesting story.
For my family Boxing Day is just the 3rd day of the Xmas holiday. We have our traditional holiday meal on Xmas Eve, then Christmas itself is a relaxed day mostly at home (when I was younger and still living in DC, Christmas night was always Chinese food & a movie, which used to be something of a tradition in many cities with large Jewish populations), then on Boxing Day we usually eat out in a restaurant, plus often try to get together with family members who were elsewhere on Xmas Eve or Xmas night.
It has nothing to do with traditional British Boxing Day, and I don’t even know what traditional British Boxing Day is all about 🙂
Luxuriating in Bois des Iles parfum. Which is entirely perfect for a lazy Boxing Day bundled up in about seven soft layers on a cold day, while lolling about reading Christmas-present books, drinking too much tea, and amusing the cats with the ribbons from present wrappings…and being incredibly grateful to not have to deal with the heated dramas of family holidays of my past.
Mr crikey is sipping a little Shackleton whisky, nursing a cold, and playing games. All is well. Except the cold, poor love.
What a perfect day.
That sounds lovely. I’m glad you got to have such a relaxing day.
Glad to hear that you escaped holiday drama this year! ?
Do you know the book by Neville Peat Shackleton’s Whisky describing the background of the whisky etc.
https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/book-review-shackletons-whisky-neville-peat-checked-and-ready-weekend-review-ca-129456
You smell fabulous! What a great day!?
Happy Hump Day Everyone! For those of you wondering what fragrance I decided to wear yesterday, it was my JM Honeysuckle&Davana. I figured I should stick to what works and got compliment. Hope everyone had a great Christmas.
My SOTD is Laudano Nero by Tiziana Terenzi. Anyone heard or tried this one? Y our thoughts? I am quite impressed with this one. It’s a powerhouse of a scent. Not for the meek…lol?
When I first met my husband I wore the same fragrance around him for over a year because it was the only one he not only complimented me on during our first date but didn’t complain that it was too strong as he has with other fragrances in our over 23 years together. I just love the idea of your guy connecting you to one fragrance.
Boxing Day footy and (finally!) actual winter weather—heavenly!!! I’m wafting POAL and lounging in super-soft flannel jammie pants and my “SON OF A NUTCRACKER” t-shirt.? (“Elf” rules!) Will have a candy cane after lunch.
Thanks for the reminder about candy canes…I think I have 1 I filched from a holiday display somewhere. You smell nice!
I picked up a free candy cane lipgloss somewhere, and when I put it on, it’s kind of minty and fun!
Thanks—doubly so, since you were the perfume fairy who so kindly supplied me with my prrrrrecious decant!☺️
Hmmmm, I wonder if there are any candy canes left in the after Christmas sales? And do I want to brave them?
There should be leftover stock at drugstores and grocery stores, so if you should have to venture out to one of those anyway….
Ha! Awesome t-shirt! That’s our favorite Christmas movie, I just rewatched it the other night with my girls for the umpteenth time. So many quotable lines.?
‘Elf’ and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (the original, in black-and-white) are all I need to be happy this time of year. “You sit on a throne of lies!”?
Lunch at my boyfriends parents with lots of food…dumplings, goose, red cabbage. Raspberry Torte for coffee.
SOTD was Fils de Dieu, which matched the gourmand theme nicely.
Then three hours drive for home. Glad the Christmas holidays are over. Too much eating and sitting around….
Now testing a small decant of Marlou 50ml d’Ambiguit’e…. This is a really skanky animalic, notes of used panties, sweat etc…. I Think i could clear a room with three sprays!
Dumplings red cabbage and torte…. yummy
Oh, goose with dumplings and red cabbage! Yum!
That’s what I was thinking…I need to get invited to tannina’s boyfriend’s parent’s place 🙂
Fils de Dieu is great! One of my newer favorite and such a cheerful scent, too. You smell great!
CM8,
I remember you saying that one of the 1000 Flowers scents was one of your desert island keepers. I got a sampler for Christmas and wonder which one it is that is your favourite?
As sure as the sun rises ad sets, it has to be Reglisse Noir!
ScentSpirit, best wishes on your journey to recovery.
Thank you, hajusuuri, Lillyjo and Sistine, I appreciate everyone’s kind thoughts. I will meet with the first of two oncologists tomorrow and hopefully learn the extent of the spread and how to formulate a plan to treat it.
Yes,hajusuuri is correct, it’s Reglisse Noire..made me realize that I love licorice notes and something about the unique combo of mint, licorice, vetiver, cocoa, vanilla just hits the spot for me… between daily wearing and some decanting I almost finished the bottle in about a month!!!
Ooo but do let us know if you like any others! My middle one adores Ode for Him ….she kept stealing from the youngest’s bottle and the eldest discovered Rose Cassis Paradis and finds it to be a better and longer lasting version of Lush Rose Jam.
I don’t want to hijck your question, but just wanted to let you know you have been in my thoughts.
Piggybacking on the hijack… I’ve also been thinking of you. Glad you got such a cool perfumed present.
Very nice Xmas gift! I hope that things will go well for you with the oncologists.
Mechant Loup.
Ooooh, good one. I broke my bottle and need another!
Wearing Slinky Carnation today and waiting for my in-laws to finish cooking the turkey dinner
Anticipation…
I’m wearing Grandiflora Madagascan Jasmin. It’s a lovely jasmin actually and I’m enjoying it a lot. Tried Queen of the Night as well, gorgeous and great for summer.
Both of those scents sound really pretty!
Sprayed on some Clinique Wrappings today, just 4 spritzes from the tiny vintage mini i got on evil bay.
We ended up staying at my SIL’s overnight and were fed a beautiful brunch before we came home this morning. We had a great time at her house for Christmas dinner; it was extra nice as my hubbys brother, his wife and daughter were also there; they usually go elsewhere each year. We ended up playing cards and having alot of laughs until well after midnight.
Glad I’m still off today; going to rest up and watch some Harry Potter movies.
Wrappings is great stuff! ?
Hello NST! Many thanks to everyone who passed along well wishes and hugs my way on the 24th. I did have a good time with friends yesterday at a Christmas dinner & get together.
Now for the details. Angst warning: some sad stuff ahead.
Last week was possibly one of the worst in 2018 for me. You all know how things seem to happen in groups of 3? Well, there were 2 deaths and one medical emergency. The medical emergency happened to the father of one of my friends. Said father passed out and hit his head on the curb when he went to take out some trash. Thank God someone (a neighbor, I think) saw what had happened and called both the police and EMS. However, the father declined medical treatment at the scene and insisted that he was OK! 24 hours after the incident, my friend ended up calling his dad’s doctor and taking his dad to the ER, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. It could have been MUCH worse. My friend’s dad is all right now, but what a scare!
Now for the tougher stuff. The first death was that of Mr. Jalapeno’s stepmother’s mother. One of the in-laws. She was a nice lady, but I did not really know her all that well. She had been in poor health for a while.
The second death is one that has really hit me hard. Another friend lost her mother to metastatic cancer last week. The diagnosis was back in September. She had had previous bouts with cancer and survived, but had a horrible experience with chemo. It was so bad that chemo was not even an option for the recurrence. And the cancer was inoperable. I cried so hard when I read the email telling me about it all. And I’ve had a few bouts of Ugly Crying since. See, I considered my friend’s mom to be a friend of mine as well. And this is my first time dealing with the death of a human friend. Dear God it hurts.
My apologies for the novel, everyone.
SOTD = Chanel Coromandel EdT, many thanks to hajusuuri.
I understand your sadness and is ok to cry as many times as you need it. It is not easy to handle the death of a dear one and you have faced in a matter of days 3 events that are painful. I hope that as days pass you feel better. Thinking of you and sending hugs Jalapeno! ?
Thanks perfumelover67.
Oh Jalapeno, I am so terribly sorry to read this <3 Sending hugs and warm wishes your way.
Thank you Koyel.
Oh Jalapeno. Sending you hugs and warm thoughts thru Cyberspace. I am glad that you at least had a lovely Christmas dinner with your friends.
Thanks GateGirl. Yesterday’s festivities were definitely a pleasant escape for a little while.
Oh, what a horrible series of events! One would be bad enough but 3 in a short time gives you no space to process or react. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs.
Thank you sistine.
Jalapeño. I am so sorry you had to go through these. Thank God your friend’s father is OK but the deaths of Mr. Jalapeno’s step grandma AND specially your friend (friend’s mom) are devastating. I hope you take the time to grieve and think of the good memories to remember them by.
{{{ HUGS }}}
Mr. Jalapeno seems to be most concerned about his step mom’s state of mind. Her father also passed away around Christmastime many years ago.
Jalapeno, I’m so sorry. If there is ever a reason for ugly crying, it is death. You have more than your share right now… try and take care of yourself and let those around you bring you comfort, if you can. Lots of love to you❤
Thanks lillyjo. I actually felt a little guilty posting here on NST. I don’t want to be one of those people who only talks about the bad stuff and doesn’t spare a word for the good.
No one could ever accuse you of doing that! I promise you.
Thanks again lillyjo. Sometimes I am my own harshest critic.
Oh Jalapeno, loss is hard. There’s just no way around it. I sincerely admire that you have the strength and courage to feel the pain and persevere as best you can. It does hurt.
I recently read this prayer…
“May the stars carry your sadness away
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty
May hope forever wipe away your tears
May the silence make you strong”
The only way out of this is though, but it will be unpleasant. Thanks for the poem; it is very touching.
I’m so very sorry to hear this Jalapeno; I can’t even imagine how you begin to process it all.
Be sure to the take time you need to at this very difficult time. Sending you hugs.
Hugs are definitely appreciated right now. Thank you.
Jalapeno, I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so much in such a short time. Sending you peace and big hugs at this tough time.
Thank you Nancyleandros.
Jalapeno, that is a lot to get hit with in a week(!). Take care of yourself and let out the ugly cry if you need to. My sympathies and lots of hugs to you!!!
Thanks Creosote.
Wow, that’s a stunning amount of loss and bad news in such a short time, and you already had so much worry this year. Hugs to you and Mr Jalapeno and his poor stepmother, and your friend who had so little time to adjust before losing her mother.
I am so sorry. Cry it out, let it wash over and through you. Sending you hugs.
In Tam Dao today courtesy of a loverly NSTr. The pretty spices with the hint of floral was well suited for today’s cold day, but longevity was sorely lacking. Spent Christmas afternoon curled up on the couch with an old cat on my lap and a mini marathon of Great British Baking Show. Nice and quiet, just how I like it.
Which version of Tam Dao, EdT or EdP?
EdT.
My mom & I watched a bit of an old Christmas GBGS master class with Mary Berry last night … gingerbread house and mincemeat tray bake, all stuff I will never cook in a million years but so comforting to watch someone else do it.
Cedre Sambac today, courtesy of a beloved perfume fairy. It’s lovely, but the name is fitting for me – I’m getting more cedar than jasmine. I’m a major fan of the latter and was hoping that would come to the fore for me, but nope! Robin’s review sums it up for me, but unlike her, I’m not going to keep exploring it to discover the nuances.
(Thanks, Robin!) The reality is that I have too much stuff here clamoring for attention and it’s quite possible that I am disregarding subtleties.
Hey, happy to hear that you are back on the perfumed horse, so to speak. ??
HA, but I said that in March and then the rest of the year happened.
SOTD was Aftelier Secret Garden. Usually I wear this in warm weather, but it has been so warm here it feels like spring. This is still one of my all-time favorite perfumes, and a reliable go-to fragrance. It never feels wrong, annoys me, or makes me regret choosing it, no matter my mood or the weather.
Super busy today as it was DH’s birthday, so lots of outings and festivities. I wore lillyjo’s combo of Korres jasmine lotion and JHAG Mad Madame, it was very enjoyable. 🙂