A quick PSA: next Saturday we'll have our fall listening poll. This Saturday, it's World Kindness Day, and then on Sunday it's World Diabetes Day.
We're carrying on with our standard open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the fragrance you're thinking you might buy if there's a decent Black Friday sale, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Moonrise [cropped] by Andy Maguire at flickr; some rights reserved.
A quick personal note: I spent much of yesterday in bed (after my covid booster on Thursday night). I am totally back to normal this morning. Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes yesterday! I have not done more than glance at Friday’s comments but I will read them through entirely by the end of the day.
Hi! Glad you’re feeling better. I’d think it would be good to know that your immune system was ready to kick into action again. 🙂 But it’s also good to be feeling back to normal, I’m sure. 🙂
Yay!
So glad you are feeling better!
Glad you’re back to normal so quickly.
Glad you’re on the mend!
Yay for your booster and glad you are feeling better!
Thanks everyone!
Glad you’re feeling better and a belated happy birthday to you!
Thanks Amyitis!
Glad to hear you’re feeling better!
Yay! So glad you are feeling better!
Glad you’re over the worst. Enjoy your weekend.
Glad you got your booster and that you’re feeling better!
Very happy to hear that you are feeling all right today! Would you say that the booster side effects were more or less intense than Shot #2 for you?
Not as bad…I had a fever of 101 for about 24 hours with shot #2. With this one, felt like crap and head was splitting, but no actual fever.
Glad you are feeling better! 🙂
Woo hoo, Robin. Glad you are better!
I’m glad you’re feeling better, Robin!
Sleep deprived from an application upgrade which didn’t go so well. A hazard of working in IT is the 3:00AM nerve-wracking need to fix stuff when no one needs to use it. Sleep, then shower, then Mitsouko to create some structure to my day….
Glad to read you are feeling better, Robin!,
Do application upgrades EVER go well? Hope the Mighty M rejuvenates you!
They never did in my old firm. Commonly, the philosophy seemed to be “roll it out and see what breaks”
Ugh, so sorry meredifay! Hope tonight you get tons of good sleep.
I’m in NR l’absolu for her, from a generous NSTer.
Well friends, we have reached the gray days of November. Remember when I was bragging about all those sunny days about a month ago? Yeah, I knew these days were coming. The shift in the weather has me craving all things fall and winter….roasts, stews, chili’s. Last weekend I made my Mississippi pot roast and this weekend it will be Irish beef stew today and chicken and dumplings tomorrow.?
Going to try and make it to a craft fair and the library today. I finnnnnally made it through my book club pick: Daisy Jones& the Six. The entire book was written in interview style with several main characters and I just struggled with that style of writing. Fine for a rolling stone article, but hard to take for 300 pages- for me anyway. I also felt very meh about the story. Oh well, back to my Norwegian murder mystery series. Tonight we will stream the new Bond. Can’t wait.
Hope the sun is shining where you are.? Please send some my way!
I felt the same way about Daisy. It was like reading a 300 page gossip magazine, and once I finished it, I never thought about it again. Some books you chew on in your mind awhile after you finish them, but not this one.
It’s sunshiny here in Houston; here is some for you! ☀️ ? ?
Yep, I totally agree. I had a hard time getting emotionally invested in any of the characters.
Thanks for the sunshine!??
Me too. I got fed up with it for the same reasons and was just glad that I was reading it for free as a library book.
It snowed for real here last night, and getting more through Monday. Your winter meals sound delicious.
No!!! That’s no good
Ugh, yeah we had some of the dreaded wintry mix on the way to work yesterday morning. When I got to work my coworker asked me if I saw the snow and I told her I was trying not to look.?
ACK! ?⛄☔
Sending you some of extra San Diego sunshine!?
What murder mystery series are you reading please?
Thanks for the sun, She-ra!?
I’m reading the inspector Sejer series from Karin Fossum, I’m on book 5, 13 in the series!?
Thanks! She-ra asked my question. The Scandi mysteries are invariably too stressful Abe gruesome for me, but my husband and SIL are addicted — I’ll forward this recommendation to them.
Thanks, MTG…I shall check that series out.
Oh yay, enjoy the Bond! I need to see it soon.
Will do! Looking forward to streaming it in the comfort of home.
Yes yes yes for all the fall foods! Mmmm, chicken and dumplings- I need to make some. So far I’ve made some chili, green chile stew, along with a lot of Korean soups…also a pot pie and a butternut squash Mac and cheese. I love to cook (well, eat haha) way too much.
Let us know what you think of the Bond movie- my hubs and I enjoyed it.
I love to cook and bake (and eat!) when I have the time. During the week we tend to eat meals I can throw together quickly.
It’s sunny but cool here – sending rays your way! I’m making spicy lamb meatballs in tomato sauce tonight – it’s the time of year for hearty food. (And we’re having green beans and a salad to go with them, because vegetables.)
It is the time of year for hearty food!
I hope you were not offended by my Joan Jett comment yesterday. I was laughing with you…not at you. You must have been a pretty cool kid to wanna grow up and be Joan Jett.??
No offense at all! If it wasn’t a personal experience I’d think it was hilarious. Just wish my family didn’t have such a fondness for that story…
What is the Norwegian mystery series?
It’s the inspector Sejer series by Karin Fossum. I loved that Asa Larsson series you recommended! My library’s website will recommend books based on what I’ve checked out, which is a pretty cool feature.
Oh good. I”m glad you enjoyed them. I’ve watched the Sejer series too. I’m reading a new one by Jo Nesbo, a standalone book called The Kingdom. It’s only so-so thus far. His Harry Hole mysteries are the best! (But very violent and brutal.)
If you have a good recipe for chicken and dumplings, please let us know. It’ll am starting to want to make stews.
My recipe is pretty basic. My mom taught me how to make it a few years ago. I just cover a cut up chicken, onions, celery, carrots with water and simmer for a couple hours til it falls off the bone. I remove the bones and skin then throw it back in, bring to a boil and add the dumplings. I am somewhat ashamed to admit I make my dumplings with bisquick? but they turn out fluffy and delicious every time.
Bisquick is the best! I make my chicken and dumplings the same, in the old speckled-blue turkey-roasting pan, preheat the oven to 400, and when the dumplings go in, put the lid on, place in the oven for 20 minutes. The dumplings are golden brown on top, tender on the bottom.
Daisy Jones is getting a Hulu series, I think it’ll work better in that format than it did as a book.
Huh, now that I might be interested in. I think you’re right, it will work better as a show than a book.
I was thinking as I was reading it that I wish I could have actually heard the songs!
It is 80 degrees and brilliant sun here in San Diego. Sending some your way!
Aw, thanks cazaubon!?
I’m with you regarding the interviewing/writing style. I find that it disrupts the flow, kinda annoying…
I enjoyed Daisy & The Six but that style of writing was annoying
Hello, lovely and pleasantly-scented people! I only seem to pop in every so often anymore. A large part of that is avoiding perfume temptation, since I really can’t wear fine fragrances or even use most noticeably scented functional products like lotions, soaps or shampoo either at home or in the car with Mom. And I’ve been in the house quite a lot over the last year and a half. My alternatives are mostly going to a grocery store or Wal-Mart, which I still find exhausting and stressful.
Anyway…
As for fragance: Every so often, I use the nice coffee-vanilla bath scrub that Koyel made. I find that scent relaxing, and a really pleasant fragrance. 🙂
I started using my Crabtree & Evelyn sweet almond oil lotion at night again, since my hands and elbows and such get dry during the day.
I brought lots of tender plants, like my jasmines and the begonias I had bedded out in various shady spots around the yard from late spring into fall. I’m still looking for a home for my butterfly ginger, a.k.a ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium). I brought it in for the few frosty nights we had early in November, but it was in a place where it was the first thing Mom saw from her comfy recliner. “That thing is monstrous!” Mom said.
“It’s actually a very nice specimen of a ginger lily,” I informed her. 🙂
“It’s just trying to grow to its normal height of 4′-6′ tall.” For some reason, Mom doesn’t want a plant that grows six-foot-tall canes in the family room. Go figure…
I’d deliberately planted my “French Perfume” jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum flora plena — or something like that) in a small pot. It’s root-bound, but it fits on the windowsill in my room, which is good. It’s blooming now. The other jasmines have grown as big as their pots will let them. I pruned the big poet’s jasmine right before I brought that in, so that takes up somewhat less space than it did.
I still have lots of daffodils and tulips and hyacinths and so on to plant outside. I got carried away again with getting flower bulbs that should bloom in the spring. I potted up five bulbs of ‘Grand Soleil d’Or.’ That’s a tender tazetta narcissus. It’s supposed to have a delicate, sweet fragrance, unlike many of its cousins in the paperwhite narcissus family. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it if the fragrance of the flowers isn’t delicate. LOL!
Have a good weekend, folks!
So nice to see you neyronrose! And as always your plant talk makes me jealous. I should have French perfume jasmine growing in my bedroom, right?
I bought some lovely daffodils this year though, Narcissus Gay Tabor, 20 bulbs, then got too busy and happily my husband planted them all for me. And then inspired by Kevin, I ordered some tuberose bulbs to be delivered in the spring … going to try to grow them in pots on the front porch. Have you ever grown them?
p.s. bought “Mexican single tuberose” and “Pearl Double Tuberose”, both from Old House Gardens.
Oh, I saw pictures of ‘Gay Tabor’ daffodils in a few catalogs! They’re very pretty. 🙂
I tried growing tuberoses several years ago. Fortunately, the place I planted them wasn’t near the house. I found the scent of the live flowers to be *extremely* indolic, much more so than the sambac jasmines and even considerably more so than paperwhite narcissus. Perhaps you’ll like the fragrance, though. There are certainly fans of tuberose perfumes here. 🙂 *waves*
Good luck with it all! 🙂
Oh interesting. Maybe I’ll be sorry when it’s really hot…I adore gardenias but on a really hot day a good sized bush can be headache inducing.
I am a terrible gardener but I love reading about it. Thanks for your posts!
Belated reply: You’re very welcome! 🙂
I’ve just planted sunflower seeds as it’s finally warm enough here for those. Love your plant stories.
Very belated reply: Thank you. 🙂 I enjoyed reading many of your lyrical descriptions of walks in the forest and through a graveyard back when you were able to do those hikes. You have such a keen eye for the details of plant and animal life that you see. 🙂
Got my Moderna booster last night, then slept in this morning till 8:45, which rarely happens. Very relieved, since I’ve been sleeping poorly all week, which I blame on the time change.
Hope my immune response is sufficient, since my only reaction to all 3 shots is a sore arm–no shortage of things to worry about!
In Shalimar MVP from hajusuuri’s split–a comforting winter scent, recognizably Shalimar (should do some comparisons to the vanille flankers I already own).
The time change messed with my sleep too. You smell great in MVP!
Yay for your booster and MVP!
Well I am jealous, I lost a day to the 2nd shot and then a day to the booster! But my husband and son, basically like you, sore arm and bit of tiredness, nothing else.
You smell great and My hope is like yours since my post-vaxx side effects pretty much consisted of a sore arm.
I’m still trailing the feathery fronds of fluffy froth (Gerard Manly Hopkins is one of my favorite poets!) that is Shalimar MVP.
Seriously pleased with the staying power of this little delite! Plus, I got floated to ICU COVIDLAND last night and got whiffs through my N95 and surgical mask! ? It was the only good part of my night.
If this becomes available again in the US, I’m buying a backup bottle. Donatella is so proud of my monetary contributions to the perfume world the past couple of months! ?
I hope everyone has a great weekend. Mine’s going to be four sucky days in a row, but I told myself “Suck it up, Buttercup!”
That’s the spirit, Deva!
You smell great and may your four ICU shifts not suck as badly as you expect.
Thanks!
https://youtu.be/MniVeP3HIDA
Hope the next 4 days are better than expected!
Thanks! Pretty sure I need a complete overhaul..?
Yay for MVP! Sending you extra strength for the next 4 days!
It’s very loverly! I really enjoy getting occasional wafts. Very soothing scent.
Hang in there, Deva!
I’m hanging! Smooches to my favorite Nacho Cheese Dorito! ?
I am so glad there was at least one small good part of your night, Deva!
Thanks! It wasn’t all bad. I’m just tired. And sometimes we get a good gut busting belly laugh. Like listening to another nurse explain to her male patient he’s perfectly capable of using his urinal independently and does NOT need hands on assistance….?
Oh for heaven’s sakes!
I hope your shifts pass smoothly!
Thanks! I love smooooth!
This too shall pass. When I was young I worked with a practice manager who, when I complained about how hard I was working, would just shrug philosophically and say “No rest for the wicked.”
Yeah, but why’s it taking so loooong?! ?
Thank you for everything you are doing as a nurse.I hope you are feeling appreciated.
Well, thank you, but that’s not what I’m waiting for. Here’s a two minute explanation, from a physicians perspective, but it applies to nursing as well. This is why most people in medicine do what they do.
https://youtu.be/bgQsBqpf_Bo
You have to FEEL it.
Yes, I definitely see the passion in nursing. My mom was an R.N., I was an LPN (1990s), and never have I worked harder in a job but had such satisfaction (and hilarious stories) in my life.
Wow, great video. He manages to summarize something so multi-tiered and vast. I’ve never heard this perspective before.
You smell wonderful!
Keep going, Deva!!! You will survive!!! ?
Thanks pl67! The chassis is getting old but the engine’s still running ?..!
Bon courage! You smell great.
Thank you! I’m so happy with this one because I was afraid it might be getting over hyped, and I’d get it and be a bit disappointed. Nope, LOVING it!
Morning NST!
I’m in approximately 12 sprays of 25 Obscuratio. It’s so lovely but very quiet.
When I can’t smell it anymore I will apply Bois d’Armenie, which I also love but find very understated. Was it always like this? I’ve not smelled it in over 10 years but I recall something more assertive.
Debating weather I ‘need’ full bottles of these two.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Bois d’Armenie was reformulated a while ago and is much less potent than it was. It’s a shame.
I am trying this one today too from the Splitmeet. It’s lovely. I like ylang but usually don’t love it.
I’m not sure what’s going on with Bois d’Arménie. It was very potent when first released, then seemed very thin, then the new bottle I bought last month in the new packaging smells strong to me again. Could just be my hormonal nose.
Started. The morning in L Air de Rien, now Cardin Paradoxe for the evening. I spent some time cooking and baking plus knitting socks for the boyfriend. Maybe I will do some sewing tomorrow.
Hope you got some rest, too, tannina!
Back in cozy Ambra from Etro for a relaxed Saturday! Just caved and bought myself the sample set from vilhelm perfumes, can’t wait to sniff some new fragrances!
Oh fun, I like Vilhelm.
First snow of the season this morning 😯
Maybe Ambre Sultan today?
My wishlist is long right now (Arabian Horse, Salome, Fougere Bengal), so I’m hoping for a good coupon soon. I’ve learned to wait until Cyber Monday for the best deals.
I have a hankering for making a quiche. That pie crust in the freezer is calling my name!
That reminds me, I have a pie crust in the freezer. I might try making quiche too.
Ooh, I may try using my air fryer for a quiche!
I am thinking about quiche and upcoming coupon codes too. 🙂
This is the time of year for the highest percentages off and agree that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are often the best days. Many stores/websites now do “Black Friday” sales for all of November but typically the best deals are right around Thanksgiving still it seems.
I think Target has great deals all month long and did not get better around Thanksgiving. You just have to catch them on the right day and / or week.
I remember making some online purchases on Friday last year; then everything I bought was marked down even more on Monday, ugh.
Fougere Bengale is really great. If you’re talking about the PdE one.
Yes, I drained my sample, and that’s usually a good sign 😉
Went out to see a movie, kid-less, last night for the first time in forever. (And as soon as she found out, she tried to tell us she was in for the movie, too. Nuh-uh.) We saw “The French Dispatch,” which I quite enjoyed. This is somewhat surprising as a lot of Wes Anderson’s movies are just twee for me. But I liked “Grand Budapest Hotel”, and this one even more. It felt like he’s coming into himself, finally; his style actually served the story rather than distracting from it for me. (My spouse LOVES Wes Anderson and has for forever. I’ve been more meh.)
No scent yet today, and no thoughts yet. Maybe I’ll pull out a random sample. Long day of kid wrangling ahead, though she gets out of cross-country practice to go get a COVID test (sigh) because she has a bit of a cough. Remember normal times when we knew this was just a cold and would go on with our lives? Now the provincial self-assessment says we have to go in for the COVID test. (It also says she’s supposed to self-isolate…seriously? It’s a mild cough.)
(And glad to hear you’re up and about and feeling well today, Robin!)
Cheers to your kidless movie!
Yay for a kidless movie and I appreciate the review! I want to see that one because I generally do enjoy Wes Anderson movies and loved Grand Budapest.
Man, I hope her test is negative.
I hope her test is negative.
Not sure if you will hit a paywall if you’re not a subscriber:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/06/style/does-everyone-have-a-cold-right-now.html
With this said, I find myself staying away from unmasked people and if a masked person sneezes or coughs, I definitely turn my head. I’m not sure if this helps any because I don’t wear an N95 mask.
Good to hear you liked the movie. We are seeing it on Monday. I too sometimes find Wes A. movies too twee (good word). There’s a house in our area that we refer to as the Wes Anderson house. It’s the lines and colors.
Thanks for a review, as someone so-so on Andersen myself I keep making a plan to see it and then putting it off. Maybe…tomorrow.
Oh lucky you! I am a fan of Wes Anderson ever since Bottle Rocket, and I love the movies even when I know they are overly twee. Plus, I have been reading the New Yorker since I was a teen. So really looking forward to French Dispatch.
Taking it easy this Saturday and feeling a bit under the weather this evening. I’m in Le Galion Iris that I didn’t wear for quite a while. I still find it very pretty.
The photo today is very simple
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWOAnXeocU0/?utm_medium=copy_link
Get well soon!
You smell great! Hope you get better soon!
Feel better soon!
Nice photo! Get well soon.
I hope you’ll feel better soon.
Nice picture!
I’m in the split meet winner, Shalimar MVP. What’s there not to like…I smell great ?
It’s a home football game so my plan to go to Sephora and catch the sale has to be delayed until tomorrow. I may be soaking in a hot tub later though!
Have a great weekend all
Enjoy your day! I haven’t sniffed that Shalimar but I’d imagine you smell wonderful!
It’s a sweeter Philtre imho
Floris Honey Oud yesterday for a day of running around all day- nails, shots, post office, grocery store.. I’ll be super sad when my decant runs out. I need to try other honey scents.
Got my booster plus a flu shot yesterday and am not feeling good today for sure. No fever but have terrible body aches and insomnia last night. Also a raging headache. But overall better than I did with my second Moderna. No scent today yet but maybe will do the Honey Oud again. I enjoyed it so much yesterday but went sparingly since I was going to be out in public and in close contact with others.
Glad you got your booster. And you’re brave to have it with the flu shot!
You definitely inspired me to act quickly and not dilly dally about it!
How’s Mr Nacho Nacho man today?
Lol!?
Lillyjo, I could make the most obscure musical reference, and I know you get it instantly. Every single tome! Your musical knowledge of the past decades is legendary. Keep on rockin’ in the (semi) free world!
I’m going to start singing that to him haha! But he’s really good considering! He’s eating and drinking well so they’re going to take his IV out today and they’re starting walks every couple of hours tomorrow. Unless there’s a setback today we can see him tomorrow!
Hooray!
Yay!! Hope you and Nacho are feeling tip top very soon.
That’s great!?
Aww, so happy to hear the little man is doing well! In case you need to refresh yourself with the lyrics so you can sing to him without any stumbling, here’s something to jog you memory.
https://youtu.be/YZ1glxX1BiQ
Smooches to Nacho! ?
Honey Oud is nice.
I hope you recover quickly from the shot.
I salute you for getting the flu shot at the same time! Hope you get good sleep tonight.
In 25 Obscuratio today from the Splitmeet…nicely done. Ylang is often a like but not a love for me as it seems prominent to nose and tends to stand out and not blend if that makes sense.
Sounds like it’s on the good side of like!
I’m wearing Breath of God for a relaxed Saturday. My husband’s allergies are really acting up so we’re acting like sloths.
When I went shopping yesterday one of the SAs was wearing Jicky. She was so excited when I recognized it and complimented her. She said it’s her fall/ winter signature scent, and she wears Herba Fresca in the spring/ sunner.
I think I will join you in Breath of God. Have a happy weekend.
Oh how cool, I am sure I have never smelled Jicky in the wild.
Jicky! Ohhh, I love that scent! I save that for when Mr. SmokeyToes isn’t home (he dislikes lavender).
Still hardly any sense of smell. I can always recognize Givenchy Vetyver and Timbuktu on my husband (also the tobacco shop coziness of Fougere Bengale), but today my husband wore GV and I only got a vague sweetness. And GV is actually not sweet at all. The husband’s sense of smell is almost back to normal. I made chicken wings in the air fryer and they came out great with only a teaspoon of olive oil per quarter pound wings and some garlic powder, lemon pepper and paprika. Thanks again, hajusuuri.
Woo hoo! I used my air fryer today and air-fried frozen waffles and bacon (which I was going to microwave or pan fry and said oh wait, let me try it in the air fryer).
I was talking to a shop proprietor from the September or early October art fair and her sense of smell is not back correctly since she had COVID earlier in the year. She makes wooden templates and what used to be a pleasant wood smell now smells like something else. This was true of a number of smells, as if her brain was somehow rewired. I hope your recovery continues to go well!
Oh my, having serious air fryer envy over here…
Spending time in Lyric woman today hoping that kerosene smell dissipates in my bathroom. I was putting some stuff away and organizing some stuff in my room and somehow cracked one of my Galileo thermometers. I set it near my toilet and bumped it somehow and part of the base broke and tons of fluid came out. Cleaned it up as well as I could. Since my bathroom has no windows to open, I have the fan going. I have too many glass things and I am thankful that I stopped collecting Galileo thermometers since perfume is expensive enough as it is.
Oh dear, kerosene is a strong smell. You say you’ve stopped collecting Galileo thermometers – how many do you have?
Around 25 but haven’t counted. Just happy that wasn’t one of the huge ones that I have. That would have been a real mess.
I’m enjoying a lazy start to Sunday morning, but I do need to get on with useful stuff like going to the supermarket. The fridge and cupboards are looking a bit bare.
Perfume-wise, I’m thinking of Noir Épices from Frederic Malle. There’s no particular reason for that, it suddenly leapt to mind.
Mmm love Noir Épices!
Good morning, all. I’m sampling Forest Walk from Sonoma Scent Studios. Instantly loving it. It’s a nice match for a rainy weekend that I have no plans for. I’m eager to just stay home and curl up with some coffee and a book. If I’m lucky I’ll have the time to finish Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead.
Are you enjoying Harlem Shuffle? Would love forest Walk, I’m sure.
I am! It’s taking me ages to get through it because work has been crazy all week, but it’s been nice to pick up something kind of cozy period/setting-oriented when my last couple reads have been thrillers.
Oh good, that one is on my too-read list…been painting so behind on all 3 of the books I’m already reading.
Thanks. Sounds like a good read
A raw day here…snow showers expected tomorrow morning. Just sprayed on Shalimar MVP, which I will refresh as necessary. A good scent for today.
We are lazing with college football on TV, and I’m reading another Elly Griffiths book. I surreptitiously took and posted a photo of my husband laid out on the couch with Agnes kitty tucked in under his arm. She is now laying flat and snoring in front of the fire.
I so love the name Agnes. I once wrote a novel with a main character named Agnes and the publisher hated it ( as too old fashioned) and sadly I allowed myself to be persuaded to change it ( ended up as Matilda). Wouldn’t happen now . Hope you snuggle down for the weekend.
This comment set me off daydreaming about Agnes. I never before thought about editors and publishers asking for name changes. There was a book I read with my book group, Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan, where there were two characters in the book with the same name. (I think it was a main-ish character, and then a child or baby much later in the book, but now I’m forgetting the details.) Anyway, we all wondered why the two characters had the same name. One of the women is friends with the author and finally got around to asking her. The answer was very unsatisfying– I forget that too now. It is so rare to have characters with the same name in a book who are unrelated. Names. Now why did I type out this story?? Oy.
That’s one of the most confusing things about Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. Argh! Different people from different generations with the same name. I guess if he can get away with it, other writers think that they can too.
Which Elly Griffiths? Your day sounds so relaxing and nice!
It’s a pretty typical Saturday for us if there are good college games on. I’m reading The Lantern Men. I had The Night Hawks on hold at the library. It finally came through, but as I started reading I could tell I must have missed a book, so I’m trying to blast through this one so I can read the other before the loan expires. Silly mistake.
Are you borrowing your books online for an e-reader? If so, I have found that putting my kindle on airplane mode will keep the book on it past its due date, although I generally try to be considerate of others and return on time!
Life hacks! I almost want to do a community project on “tell us about a life hack and scent whomever it came from”
I admit I have resorted to that at least once.
Raw is exactly how I would describe it here too. And my other half just went out for a bike ride. He’s crazy.
Still the film festival here but I no longer seem to have my youthful stamina for three movies a day ( plus I no longer get student discount…or “senior” discount, mores the pity). Love how people still sit through the credits at film festivals…glad to know who did catering etc. Sitting isn’t comfortable either but nevertheless off to see Asghar Farhadi’s A Hero today with my son (yay…we do all that after movie nonsense of ‘ranking’ and critiquing) and then Sorrentino’s Hand of God tomorrow and Jane Campion’s Power of the Dog. Looking forward to Campion’s film as it was shot in my city and region ( as a stand in for Montana). Wearing Breath of God today.
How fun, have a wonderful time! I love Jane Campion, her film The Piano was so moving I was speechless for several hours after watching it.
I really liked Angel at my Table ( such an amazing interpretation of Janet Frame’s life) and Bright Star.
Sounds like fun! Enjoy the time with your son.
Sounds like an amazing day, I’ve been itching to see all three when they’re available. Enjoy!
Just back from seeing A Hero and it was terrific. The acting and build up of tension and dread was gripping. Also, the setting of Shiraz made me want to go there. 8/10
I am VERY eager to see Power of the Dog. Would love to hear what you think of it.
Will report back. I still remember seeing The Shape of Water following your feedback. I think you would like Memoria too.
Not sure I could manage even two a day, but Power of the Dog does look amazing.
It’s one of those old grand theatres with frescoes ceilings and plaster work and sagging tip up seats …oooffff
Ohhh, I love those! The Castro theater in SF is like that. We don’t get there often, but they put real butter on the popcorn.
Oh, so lovely to be in, but generally so uncomfortable!
Again in L’Artisan 25 Obscuratio. I just cannot stop wearing it!
Happy weekend!
Is this a lemming I see before me? Looking it up.
Totally! I’m so intrigued by all the mentions
It is beautiful! I am seriously considering a full bottle!
Happy weekend P67!
Thank you, SmokeyToes! ?
Uncle!
I will now make it my mission to try this one. Yeesh, y’all made your 25 Obscuratio point.
?
Went for a 33km bike ride this morning along a sunny strand of beach, so wonderful. Resting now in 4160 Tuesdays Freeway.
Good on you! Rest well.
It’s quite heartening to feel myself getting back into shape. I lost so much strength during the pandemic lockdowns, at 55 I thought I might never get it back. So grateful that seems not to be the case. My goal is to be up to 100kms by next October.
Good for you Cazaubon! I’m inspired by your goal. I’m only one year behind you in age and don’t have the same energy or motivation I used to. Trying to stay active in any way I can.
I continued doing yoga for the past two years, but it isn’t very useful for cardio and isn’t as vigorous as bike riding. I am very motivated right now as this feels like my last chance to get into a condition that will hopefully sustain me through the last third of my life.
That sounds so lovely
That DOES sound wonderful!
That sounds amazing. San Diego is treating you well!
You’re motivating me to get a bike although there are no trails around here.
Just put on some Aprés l’Ondée after a scentless morning at rehearsal. I’ve really been enjoying it lately and have worn it several times this week. This week’s concert is Bartok Concerto for Orchestra and Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. I’m also playing a recital with a pianist friend tomorrow which I’m really looking forward to. I am so so happy to be back to performing regularly.
So so happy for you!?
This all sounds wonderful! Happy for you.
So happy for you!
Congratulations on getting back to live performances! ?
How wonderful. Did it feel like there was a hole in your life while you couldn’t perform?
Absolutely! Along with some major panic about live music never coming back and having to switch careers! I enjoy practicing because I love routine and I love my instrument, but at the end of the day it’s all about preparing music to share with other people. It was definitely hard to stay motivated for a while there.
I’m so happy you can perform again! Wish I could be in the audience.
Thank you! Next time I’ll make sure to share the livestream link here 🙂
?????????????!
Channeling Bear this AM
Wow, that’s great! I miss live performances, theater, opera, and concerts are so much fun! Seeing it live is so magical and theraputic.
Began my day in what is probably my favorite Zoologist, Musk Deer. Re-upped with Camel a few minutes ago before we head out shopping. Had a really lovely dinner last night with new-ish friends. Old friends are like limbs, indispensable. New friends are precious in an entirely different way—I have far fewer of them it turns out, and I really appreciate them.
Speaking of new friends, I loved this WAPO story this morning about these cheeky couch potatoes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/13/new-zealand-sealions-return-study/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/126977798/penguin-that-swam-from-antarctica-to-new-zealand-released-into-the-wild
Lazy things!! You might like this, too. Kind of the opposite : a Adelie penguin just swam 3000km from Antarctica to the South Island. Pretty staunch!
Wonderful. A well-deserved fish smoothie if ever.
I really need to make some new young friends – everyone I’m close to is 10-20 years older than me and I’m concerned about being left high and dry in the future.
You have a– well, middle-aged, friend in Oakland!
Aww, yes! 🙂 Looking forward to meeting up again!
It’s so sweet to hear of your new friendship! I need to put in more of an effort myself. I’ve gotten much closer to a coworker over the pandemic and treasure our friendship, and I should reach out newbies at work. I hardly meet anyone new outside of work these days!
I have found it so much harder to develop platonic intimacy as I’ve grown older. Polite warmth and good humor is fine, especially when served with terrific food and wine. But they are no match for real friendship–when you laugh and laugh, and find yourself reaching across to squeeze another’s hand.
Donna Karan Black Cashmere question: does anybody here have this? I have heard Hendley Perfumes Cola fragrance compared to DK Black Cashmere and was curious.
I have Black Cashmere but have never tried the Hendley.
Hi all, chiming in late, happy caturday! =^.^=
Spent the day with the hubby, ran errands and picked up new sneakers. Enjoyed lunch at a lovely outdoors cafe, grilled octopus, salmon with beet salad and a cocktail. Enjoyed people and dog-watching. 🙂
Purchased a few goodies at the Sephora sale, some candles, skin care, and perfume for my friends and Aunts. I spent more than I wanted but needed some cheering up. My Aunt isn’t doing well (we’re very close). I suspect she has Alzheimer’s with the corresponding symptoms. My uncle and I are looking into facilities for her as it’s getting to be too much for him. I suspected this was coming but it doesn’t make it any easier. Fortunately, she remembers me. Below is a picture of today’s lunch. 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWOuW9ghSnv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Wow, your lunch looks amazing. I love grilled octopus!
I’m very sorry to hear your aunt isn’t doing well. That’s so hard. Thinking of you, your aunt and your uncle.
Thank you Sistine. I knew this was coming, still not easy. He is stoic by nature but at our last conversation, for the first time, he admitted it was too much. That says a lot.
Sounds like a lovely day! My sympathies to you about your aunt. Things are going that way with my parents too, they are looking for an assisted living facility right now as my mom is starting to lose it.
Hugs to both of You SmokeyToes and Cazaubon. I really wish I could give You real hugs right now… So hard I just reading all this started crying. Luckily my loved ones seem light years away from dementia…
Hugs to you, cazaubon.
((cazaubon)) my thoughts and big hugs go out to you. Looking for an assisted living facility is draining. What’s helping me cope is the little things like kitty cats, cute doggies, and the wonderful interactions with random folks in the neighborhood. I need to find joy where I can.
Very true. A nice sunny bike ride and cuddling my puppy help.
I am envious of your sunny bike rides! I need more sunshine, that will help loads.
*squishing* your puppy from afar!!
Oh, hugs to you.
SmokeyToes, I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt’s situation. I *hate* dementia, because it steals away your loved one bit by bit.
Hugs to you and cazaubon.
Thanks Jalapeno, you are so kind. Stealing away loved ones incrementally is exactly it.
Thank you Jalapeno, what you said is so true.
SmokeyToes I am putting my prayers in for You and Your Aunt… Hugs!!
Wow You have a WONDERFUL taste when it comes to Your food!! I love everything You mention: from an outdoor cafe to every single thing You ate and drank.. Yum!!
Majokkobiachan, thanks for the prayers! They really do help. 🙂
Re: food – I can go to the unhealthy side quickly (Oreos for breakfast? SURE! ). 😀 I will try cooking octopus and more seafood at home. This dish was perfect, tender, with great flavor. I am not a fan of *fishy* seafood, but salmon has healthy fats and a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet.
Salmon is like the best fish and the omega 3 rich fats make it the healthiest fish of all. I am also a huge fan of (eating) octopus seafood. I am not sure about the oreos for breakfast though ?
Oh! And I discovered this Asian grocery store that had an assortment of prepared foods, snacks, skin care, and beverages. I got a little adventurous – tried a melon creamy soda. It was so refreshing and delicious! Not low-calorie but what a treat.
So sorry to hear about your aunt. Your meal looked really good!
I’m very sorry to hear about your aunt; I also was very close to mine.
We received birthday cards from her every year without fail. She spent Christmas with us quite often and she even took me on a special trip to Disney World when I was in early high school; we had such a blast together. I really miss her!
Oh, she sounds wonderful; your memories sound marvelous! 🙂
I took trips with my Aunt also. In our family, if there were shenanigans and laughter, she was usually in the middle of it all.
I wore perfume yesterday but not today. So yesterday I wore Rosarium by Shiseido. I was craving it all day, it is such a perfect rose. One day I would love to try Shiseido White Rose Natural and Creed Fleur de The Rose Bulgare. People say they smell great and like real roses.
I would love to try Shiseido’s White Rose, it sounds dreamy. I love a green rose scent. I haven’t tried Fleur de The Rose Bulgare but I do have a 30 y.o. bottle of Fleurs de Bulgarie by Creed (I’ve heard they are different). FdB starts out yellow roses/floral but ends more musk and ambergris. I love it though. It was a signature scent for my mom and brings good memories.
Robin, I am so glad You are back to normal today!! You did like a whole 180° in a day or two!!
Thanks! And boy, Sunday night and my arm still hurts & that whole area is swollen and red. But otherwise, fit as a fiddle 🙂
SOTD = L’Occitane Neroli & Orchidee EDT Eau Intense
It’s a lovely scent but not intense at all. This could probably even be considered a body spray that will fade off in a few hours.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWPSh9wrb-n/?utm_medium=copy_link
In other news, I had a very disappointing Starbucks breakfast yesterday and I complained online when I got home. I had 2 issues –
it took 10 minutes for my sandwich to be done. My second issue was because there is no self-service condiment station, you pretty much have to custom order. I am nothing but consistent with my drink order and my drink did not have half & half and if it did, it was so minuscule that a hummingbird would have left in disgust. I asked for the entire amount back for a do-over. The good news is I got my money back!
I tried the Néroli & Orchidée Intense too and found it not very intense. Glad you got satisfaction from Starbucks!
Should be called a cologne!
True!
I will do-over!
Great you got satisfaction! I am so tempted to get an egg nog latte from SB but so far, I’m well-behaved (we’ll see how long that lasts! 😀
I like the Egg White frittatta from Peet’s – it’s only 200 calories and tasty.
I’ve tried the eggnog latte in the past and I just did not like it. I got satisfaction from the end result but wish I didn’t have to even go through that.
In the end, I think I’d rather chew my calories like a nice salad or pork roast.
Robin, glad you woke up feeling fine today. I still need my booster and flu shot and am definitely planning on either getting the shots late on a Friday or taking the following day off work since I’m sure I’ll feel bad for 24 hours like I did with the first two shots.
Jumping on the bandwagon and wearing Shalimar MVP tonight. It’s such a smooth, wearable, and comforting perfume. I would like to snag a bottle if it restocks in the US.
After days of substantial rain, I finally got in a good four mile walk today. It was chilly, foggy, and atmospheric, which I loved other than having cold ears. Got to briefly pet the top of someone’s pet bunny’s head and boop its little nose. This bunny seems to have a good life living in an indoor/outdoor enclosure with another bunny in someone’s front yard. I’m happy the grey one comes over to me at the fence. Next time I need to take some carrots or lettuce on my walk so I can give it a treat.
I’ve had an injured foot and haven’t been able to go on walks in weeks. I am missing it so much! And we’re having the last of the warm winter sun these days. ?
Oh no! Hope you can at least lounge in your back yard under this glorious sun.
I hope your foot is well enough to walk on soon! I agree we really need our outdoor time. I’m trying to continue it through the fall and winter even though I didn’t do a good job of it last year.
It is worth planning a good time, yes, but seems like many people have no side effects at all. So good luck!
Today I took several pieces of art to be reframed, which was very satisfying. As we’re putting our house back together, after all the repairs of the last year, we’re switching around some of the art on the walls, and adding in some pieces I got from my late mother. All the framing will cost a lot, but I think the pieces will look great. It’s exciting to see everything coming back together!
I’m planning to make myself a DIY fragrance Advent calendar, using one of those refillable wooden Advent calendars with little boxes. I’ve wanted to do that for some time, but now I have collaborators, so that may be the extra nudge I needed. I’ve always loved Advent, and Advent calendars, so I’ll have fun with the project. My young adult children still squabble over which of them will get to place Baby Jesus in the manger on the family Advent calendar we’ve used since they were tiny.
I’m joining in the advent calendar challenge using brands as my daily choice … which expands my choices overall by a lot.
What materials are the frames?
Angel Muse to celebrate our first snow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWQlu7irtFA/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Wonderful photo!
You smell great
Pretty kitty!
Wow, so pretty but I am not even ready to think about snow. *cries*
Hello everyone!! So I was wondering about what to wear today… and I found a fresh, sealed sample of Le Labo Santal 33!!
How nice it is to shop at luckyS or other places that give You samples and to miss one or two when You first open the package only to find an extra one 2 months later!!
First time testing anything Le Labo. Should I be ashamed as a perfumista? I don’t know but then again my love affair with niche has begun years before Le Labo even came out.
Santal 33 is very nice. Quiet and close to the skin. Woody and aromatic. It is perfect for what it is – like an essential oil from the wood. Really natural smelling. Reminds me of something I cannot think about now. Maybe it was CdG AmaziGreen?
Only thing I am not a huge fan of is the whole “expiration date”. Do perfumes really go bad? Hard to tell maybe some do and some not so much. I have tried beauties from the 70s like the original opium and that was a hell of an experience. Smelled Chanels from 20 years ago and they smelled perfectly beautiful.
I have a couple of bottles and samples from previous years and they are as good as the come.
So do I really want to buy a 3.3oz bottle of something only to be watching for when it exactly expires? Just because the date is present on the packaging it would make me keep thinking about how much longer do I have… This is why all this time I have been skipping on Le Labo but!! Santal is very nice. But I will not be getting a bottle.
I like several LL scents, Rose 31 (musky rose), Bergamot 22 (bracing citrus w/ cumin dry down), Iris 39 (elegant patchouli iris).
I like the line, but ignore the expiration date. I prefer the perfume oils vs. the spray, they wear more discreetly. If the top notes decline, it’s not as noticeable in the oil. I like to put a drop or two of the oil in the bath with Epsom salts.
My only issue is LL scents are they can be “petal to the metal”. They come on strong and the gas petal is to the floor for the entire ride.
I enjoy my scents to be more discreet, I like the different phases of development.
Ummm Iris 39 sounds great!! Thanks SmokeyToes I like Your descriptions.
Iris 39 took a few tries, but once it clicked I needed a bottle!
I have a bottle of a Le Labo city exclusive that is well past its “expiration date”. I can’t tell any difference between when it was new and now, nor can my husband (and he has a crazy sensitive sense of smell). I thin the date is there as part of the marketing/ brand, not as a functional thing to worry about. It’s not milk!
But if the date concerns you, the 15 ml travel spray size is very reasonable.
You are so right… it isn’t milk perhaps – I smiled at Your comparison. Oh the 15ml? That sounds like something for me when it comes to Le Labo!! Didn’t they have an orange blossom scent yet? Neroli or something? I might want to get that one
Just bought myself a solid compact of L’ombre dans L’eau. I have never smelled this diptyque yet but ever since I saw those limited edition compacts with colored engravings I knew I always wanted the one with the Swan. Hopefully I like the fragrance inside!! Plus these compacts are refillable.
Those compacts are so pretty
I love the solid compacts, L’ombre dans L’eau was my first purchase from Diptyque and Fig soon followed…. I love the heft of the compacts also.
I bet you’ll love it!
Thanks KellyC!!
That’s a gorgeous scent. Enjoy!
Thank You, Sistine!!
Hope you will love it! That swan was really quite pretty.
In Iris Torrifie, also from the splitmeet. Now this is an iris I can wear! Glad I took a chance on it.
Just got back from the Sephora sale where I picked up alot of their own line products (everything I have tried from them has been really great quality at an amazing price point) plus an Ilia skin tint that someone recommended here.
I also got distracted by the shoe store next to Sephora and finally bought some German wool clogs I have been eyeing for five years. I think having snow today may have really influenced this decision!
I went out and hit Sephora too, got Maison Margiela Autumn Vibes and a facial scrub. Will check the website for Sephora brand stuff, was in a hurry to get home and didn’t look.
I found a three-pack of candles for $24, Voluspa. Of the three, I love the fig candle best, the Amber is also really great.
I tried Autumn Vibes today and my husband said “fancy pickles!” It’s the synthetic sandalwood – my skin makes it smell like a fabulous dill pickle. (See also Santal 33, Stash…).
I got a belly laugh from fancy pickles…
Twins! We smell great!
Any recommendations in particular from the Sephora line that you love, yasmina?
I love Sephora’s eye shadow sticks, they are highly pigmented, smudge, and don’t budge once they set. I have a few powder shadows – also very good. I like the lip gloss, some of the colors are great, but it’s highly-fragranced. The sort of fragrance I don’t want 1/2 inch under my nose.
Yasmina!! If You had Your eye on something for 5 years… It was time to finally buy it!! Congrats on the new shoes and Your sephora shopping!!
I think Sephora brand is of really good quality. I actually love all of the Sephora line!!
I’m wearing Hiram Green Lustre layered with 4160 Tuesdays Red Queen. Another glorious hot sunny day. I’m envious of the snow others are having, but not just yet, want to enjoy this sun a while longer.
I am shocked and a little disappointed we haven’t gotten any snow in Colorado yet but I keep reminded myself that this southern girl is going to see more snow that I imagined so just be patient haha
As a former Coloradoan, I can tell you a couple of things about winter there. 1) You will experience 70-degree days in January. 2) March is the snowiest month there.
That’s exactly what my neighbors said ha! That the snowiest part won’t be until much later!
Hi all and happy Sunday! My SOTD is Le Labo’s Bergamote 22. I’m headed to the gym and then grocery shopping. Thank you everyone, for the lovely words of support. xoxo =^.^=
I found a delicious recipe for a pork roast with dried fruit, link below. It’ll make meal planning easy. Here’s hoping I don’t turn this into boot leather.
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-pork-with-dried-fruit
Goodness that recipe looks great!
I spent yesterday in Baikal Leather Intense, and today’s post-yardwork fragrance is Paris-Deauville. I’m worn out, but the giant piney thing near the house has far fewer dead needles on it now, and it’s much less near the house now, which not only looks better but has to be safer overall.
Oh good for you! I have several similar outdoor projects that I really should get done.
Iris Torrefie today. This one is so good to me. Even for a compliment from the hubs, who only gives them when he really really likes a scent haha.
Got to see Nacho today. Kinda made me happy, kinda made me sad. He has almost his whole back shaved and a very long incision/stitches. Also he’s SUPER loopy but I’m guessing fentanyl patches will do that ya. He was happy to see us and we spent about 30 minutes outside with him, getting fresh air and letting him walk a little, giving him lots of scratches and petting until he almost fell asleep out there. His back legs seem to be working again and he’s getting around better than he was before the surgery so I’m taking that as a good sign!
That’s a great sign! Our puppy girl went in for surgery on October 10 and her shaved patches are only starting to grow back now, but she’s been 100% better for 2 weeks. Nacho will be 100% himself again before you know it!!
YAY for seeing your little Nacho dude today and getting quality pettins time! Sounds like things are trending in the right direction.
Oh, I am sure it did make you a little sad but it sounds like great news.
I wore Autumn Vibes today. It .. was a pickle fest. But that’s my skin. I did buy a tart pan – I plan to make a tart for the first timer ever over Thanksgiving. Wish me luck!
Ew, perfume pickles! ?
You will make a fantastic tart. I have faith in you! ????