It's Hump Day and there are 29 days left until spring (but only 10 more days until meteorological spring). Birthdays: Copernicus, Kay Boyle, Carson McCullers, Smokey Robinson, Amy Tan. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Providence Perfume Co Magnolia Mist.
Reminder: 2/21 will be Bucket List Friday...think of a place you'd like to go or a thing you'd like to do or something you'd like to accomplish, and wear the right fragrance for the experience.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2025, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is is visiting the Acropolis on YOUR bucket list? [cropped] by theilr at flickr; some rights reserved.
Listening to the LRB podcast this morning. I am not a podcast person, but OaklandF introduced me to the LRB about Mary Renault and I have been listening to various ones ever since.
Very cold this morning..coffee and tea is a must.
Almost finishing up Prophet Song. I like it, but not impressed. Has any one read Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow?
Yes, I have read it. It was pretty good, but I’m not a big gamer and it’s got a lot about video games and video game design. It was a big book club pick. It’s not really my type of book so I wouldn’t put it high on my recommendation list, but it’s okay.
Ok, I will pass on this one
You may find others that loved it. Don’t go by my opinion alone. There are many book club picks that people speak highly of that are just not my cup of tea. This was one of them.
I am gonna skip. Have others on my stack 🙂
I read it too, and didn’t understand all the buzz about it. My opinion is similar to Kris’s. I highly recommend The Husbands–I read it about a year ago and I still think about it sometimes. It’s not fluff.
I think you missed my question for you yesterday–Is Onyx Storm worth my time? I know you had reservations.
I am going to read Tin Man next. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jul/30/tin-man-by-sarah-winman-review
Skipping Tomorrow x3.
oh..Foxbins..your question about Onyx Storm is so loaded.
My opinion (and don’t listen to me!)….had all the makings of an intense, gripping read, but ultimately fell flat. While the first two books were impossible to put down, this one felt like a chore to get through. The pacing dragged, and the ending—rather than delivering a satisfying payoff—felt rushed and poorly executed. Worse, the author introduced a flood of new characters all at once, but without giving the reader any real reason to care about them. Instead of deepening the story, these additions only made it more cluttered and disconnected. What should have been a thrilling continuation ended up feeling more like an obligation to finish. I did finish it, so that says something. I feel like for “romantasy” Sarah Maas is the queen of this genre.
Thanks! I loved Fourth Wing, Iron Flame a little less, and Onyx Storm is feeling a little contrived. I might skip it.
I have The Husbands, but haven’t read it yet.
4160 Tuesday Opal Nights
Opal Lights
🙂
Either “Opal Nights” or “Opal Lights” work as a perfume name, TBH.
Hi everyone.
I am continuing my cold weather perfumes with Calvin Klein vintage Obsession. It smells great under my three layers of fleece. Thanks for posting the spring updates, Robin, they offer hope!
I love Obsession, and I also love their special editions-like the summer one. When we were in high school some kids went to Europe, and they went to the Fragonard factory. One girl brought me back a scent that was similar to Obsession-I loved it 🙂 You smell great!
Thanks carole!
Smelling amazing today, ringthing!
You should know! 😉
Thanks to AnnE, I sure do!
Hope is important 🌷🌷
Good morning! I’m wearing Jessica Simpson fiend and matiere premiere vanilla powder.
Thanks for the pic of the sweet pigeon friend. Yesterday I saw a raven at the end of my block, but ravens don’t live anywhere in my geographic area at all. What is he doing here??
He refused to ask for directions…?
It’s freezing here too and we had two big snowstorms so the roads are very very bad, trying to stay inside but I am planning a big event for Saturday, so I have lots to do before that.
Trying to be calm, wearing Misia that has this comforting calming effect on me.
Smelling wonderful in Misia.
You smell amazing, and please let us know how your event goes. I bet it will be grand!
Best of luck. It is always so stressful when planning before an event -once it is actually time, I hope you can just let go and enjoy!
Fingers crossed that the weather breaks and your event goes off without a hitch!
Papyrus Oud today by Parle Moi de Parfum. I’m still listening to Persolaise on Youtube review his top 25 perfumes of this century, so far. (I said it wrong in my post yesterday – it’s NOT the top 25 of 2025, haha, since 2025 has just begun!) He included Papyrus Oud in the video I watched today (Part 2 of 5 parts) and as I happen to have a decant of Papyrus Oud from a lovely perfume friend, that was my choice to wear. He also includes Cartier La Trezieme Heure on his list of 25 and as I have a large manufacturer’s sample of that, that may be my fragrance tomorrow. I am noticing a few similarities between those two, which is interesting. (La Trezieme Heure also smells similar to Le Labo Patchouli 24 to my nose.)
If anyone is interested in watching these videos from Persolaise – here is Part I. https://www.youtube.com/live/udrAokl6dmo?si=O2Pq_vHR6IZgb3Kq
Thanks for the link!
♥
You smell amazing!
Thank you! I agree. 😉
Papyrus Oud is a cool sounding perfume name. Don’t often see those 2 notes hanging out together.
Yes and they smell great together. I would say it’s a light oud.
I adore Carson McCullers, but then I have a soft spot for most Southern Gothic writers. Also love hillbilly goth music a lá 16 Horsepower and Slim Cessna’s Auto Club. I don’t know why, considering I was brought up in Yankee territory and never exposed to the “South” and it’s history other than studying the civil war back in school. I think it must be the outcasts, misfits, and twisted stories that somehow manage to entrance and mystify me at the same time. “As I Lay Dying” was like crack to me. Couldn’t stop reading it! Thankfully, it’s a slim novel. Highly recommend if you’re looking for literary gold.
Wearing Angel’s Share for the lux booziness it provides. Headed out on a dog walk in the blinding sun and cool temps.
*ears perk up at mention of auto* i definitely cued this SCAC up on Apple Music to listen to later.
FYI: the music has nothing to do with any kind of automobile. 🤷🏻♀️
Is it good for long drives w the windows down in your opinion?
Depends on what kind of music you like. It has a very loud, ramshackle sound with lots of twanging of vocals and banjo. Some might find it very annoying. 😆
We are TWINS!
Hi Twin! 👋🏼
I don’t know why I don’t re-read the southern gothic writers, but I should. I adored Carson McCullers and still have all her books, ditto William Faulkner. And likewise, I’m a Yankee who never went farther south than Virginia until I was out of college…
Ok, just remembered a trip to Myrtle Beach, and a trip to Daytona for spring break (yuck), but pretty sure those do not count.
Well, I moved to Florida at 17 but that doesn’t count either since 80% of the people there were from north of the Mason Dixon line. 🙃
Cold again today at -3 and -19 wind chill.
SOTD is Shalimar Millesime Jasmine.
Brrrrrrr. That’s too cold!
How’s Mr Kris doing in recuperation? Do you have any help?
He is doing okay but has a lot of pain. Oh, I don’t need any help as he gets around by himself. Neighbors and friends have said if we needed anything they would be glad to assist running errands or whatever we might need. Thanks for asking 😊
So glad he is doing ok and mobile!
Thanks Robin!
I think I will copy you today.
Yay 😀
You and I are both wearing tropical floral notes today.
So we are half twins😉
Ayup!
Wearing the pretty and spring-like Supra Floral. This is from the Mugler series where bottles were filled on the spot and therefore had no specific, named labels.
After years of getting the name wrong at first try – “Super Flower?” “Florissimo?” – I have finally written its name on masking tape and stuck it under the bottle.
If I can find mine, I will copy you tomorrow!
You smelled great today AnnieA!
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
I’m in Rauque from Roberto Greco. It made the Top 25 on Persolaise’s best of the century, and I can see why he chose it – it’s a very unusual blend, and it holds together beautifully. But I find it sort of exhausting to wear, and I’m not entirely certain why. There’s something very muscular about it, and it feels really demanding of attention. This might be one I’d prefer to smell on someone else.
Oh yay – I love Rauque. (I am only starting Persolaise Part 3 so haven’t gotten that far yet.)
I was watching that episode live, and I contributed a little financial gift to thank Persolaise for his writing and his videos. He’s just great.
I just saw that – very nice!
I know that hard core perfumistas know of him, but he deserves to be a household name for anyone interested in perfume. He’s got so much charm, expertise, and passion. Along with Victoria at Bois de Jasmin, he’s my favorite (active) internet fragrance critic.
I have not tried this, but a lot of people here seem to like it. Is it quite masculine? I noticed that several women like masculine leaning scents, but I am not one of them. At least I don’t think I am😊
It’s quite stunning, and in many ways I really like it. I’d say it leans masculine.
Thanks
I think it’s been sold out for a while at LuckyScent …
Yes, it has.
I’m wearing Lush Vegan Leather Jacket. I tried it yesterday and it immediately reminded me of Skive, a perfume I liked a lot but didn’t replace ( due to shipping problems) when I emptied my bottle. Vegan has a strong clove opening so it’s sharper upfront ( from memory Skive was richer nutmeg) but then the drydown is woodshop and campfire, with a whiff of Lush aromatic green. Old style Lush, from when Breath of God was more the norm. Off to the graveyard for a walk. The students have been partying up there and the place is littered in cans, glass and the bushes/ branches ripped. So much for being good neighbours.
You’ve made LUSH Vegan Leather Jacket sound rather intriguing.
Re: COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Would appreciate some guidance on fulfilling. I’m drawing a blank on scents Bucket List and Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie. NSTers’ creativity and lyrical writing was what had me lurking for years. I was an econ major and spent my career doing financial analysis (hello my sweet sweet spreadsheet! come to momma!) so help/ inspiration is appreciated!!!
If you’re trying to match perfume with the painting:
A perfume that reminds you of NY
A perfume that seems spirited and lively
A perfume that has a sense of musicality, rhythm
A perfume that strikes you as bright and cheerful
A modernist, abstract perfume
A perfume that was once reasonably priced and is now costs a fortune, and out of reach of any art ( perfume) lover
Thank you Kanuka for the detailed response!
Maybe wear a perfume that was around during Piet Mondrian’s lifetime? Something that was considered bold and daring for the time?
Jalapeño, this quite intriguing take got me searching through Mondrian’s history, then the impact of Helena Blavatsky and her writings. Truly a treasure trove of info there. Still searching for a fragrance idea, but am otherwise fascinated by concept that there are deeper ways to know nature than empirically. *down the rabbit hole so to speak*
💡 🙌🙌🙌
Also, seriously the community projects are just meant to be fun, and maybe a bit thought provoking once in a while, but also, they do not matter at all and if one does not appeal to you, don’t do it!
Furthermore, if you make any attempt at all that pleases you, give yourself points. We have no rules about points, obviously, and I don’t see why you should not give yourself points just for being annoyed by a project you did not like or that did not speak to you 🙂
I personally do not really have a bucket list anymore…the biggest item on my bucket list at the moment is to live through February and see some flowers bloom in my yard.
Gosh Robin, sending you a bouquet of flowers of the heart and big hugs! Nine more days! And thanks for the explanation of the CP. Mondrian has turned out to be quite fascinating and I got a moment of inspiration in the shower, where I do my best thinking.
My flight yesterday morning was uneventful, but the afternoon at work was crazy as I tried to catch up on events of the morning. I’m at work again today, then on leave tomorrow to spend time with my mother.
I’m wearing Neroli Outrenoir today.
You smell great! Someone on IG said she did not like this and I am still trying to process this opinion.
I recently had the same reaction when I watched a YouTube-r say that she didn’t like Neroli Outrenoir. Then it made me take all of her other fragrance opinions with a grain of salt, ha!
I just bought a decant of NO, and I have the soap. I love this scent and I think you smell great. I’d love to smell this on someone else 🙂
I’m in L’eau d’Hiver, and I’m looking forward to the end of L’Hiver-every time I see snow accumulating on the ground I feel like it’s a death and destruction in my head. I really mind winter driving, and I’m over it for the year. So we hold onto Robin’s countdown, and I saw a cardinal out this weekend. If some birds are appearing it’s got to be a good sign.
You smell lovely.
I envy the folks who are seeing robins and cardinals. All I have seen recently, bird-wise, are pigeons and Canada geese.
We have a few robins around, although I don’t know why, since it’s so cold.
An orange instead of a smoothie
I’ve been feeling unusually tired and although I don’t sleep very well am thinking I might also be deficient in something, so have started a course of B vitamins hoping it will be beneficial. Maybe some of you order from iHerb too, I chose their Life Extension B Vitamins Complex, 60 Vegetarian capsules.
I chose Rosine Majalis today, it’s my one Rosine, a cinnamon rose I purchased after getting their sampler maybe seven or eight years back. Majalis first became a boutique exclusive and then disappeared, so I wear it no more than once or twice a year. Tonight it’s FM Rose et Cuir, an aromatic rose leather with great longevity and projection, I really like it very much and acquired a 30ml spray for a good price two or three quarters ago.
I really love Rose and Cuir, and I agree it lasts and projects like crazy. It’s a beautiful scent.
So glad you like it too, it strikes me as the best geranium rose I’ve tried.
Highly suggest getting a B12 level drawn. It’s a very common deficiency in an aging population. Many elderly people diagnosed with dementia have been found to be B12 deficient and once this was corrected the dementia symptoms resolved. Replacing it orally is generally unhelpful if you’re aging, taking a PPI, or had any kind of gastric surgery because of intrinsic factor deficiency. The bloodwork isn’t expensive and IM/SQ replacement is also very cheap. In a perfect world, this is something that should be done with annual CBC, CHEM, Lipid Panel, and TSH because it can make a huge difference in quality of life. Ask me how I know…🤣
Thank you very much Deva, as I am a vegetarian my GP has my B12 levels checked every year, so I’m well looked after on that score.
Oh good! I’ll stop with my unsolicited advice now. 🙃
Please don’t stop — maybe not relevant to the person you replied to but something for others (me) to keep in mind. I’ve been taking oral B12 for a few years and it helps but will talk to my GP about checking levels and getting shots if warranted. I’d much rather get medical info from you than from a tv commercial!
Dear Deva,
your advice is always welcome, you are a nurse and it shows you care🙏💚
Some of the original Rosines are nowhere to be found here. But I never saw any Rosine perfumes in brick & mortar stores anyway.
Good luck getting to the bottom of your fatigue!
Rosine is rather confidential isn’t it.
Not sure why they are almost impossible to find here. 🤷♀️
Cashmere Mist today, to make adorable hubby happy. For some reason he loooves this, and I don’t hate it, so I wear it every couple weeks for positive marital vibes.: :-).
Sitting at the Ford dealer, getting the slow leak in one of my tires fixed. There was ice on the tire, and rather than try to air it up one more time in the cold, I decided to just get it fixed. As a kid, one of my wise 4-H leaders told me the easiest time to fix something is as soon as it breaks. I try to take that to heart. Stymied projects and sad malfunctioning equipment are such a drag on one’s energy.
Seems like you could just spray some on a scarf and put on the scarf as needed 😉
It smells ok to me just sort of bland or something. Maybe I am a Nosnik to something in it? I know lots of people find it charming.
You smell really good, I’m a fan of CM. Positive marital vibes are a good thing.
Positive marital vibes are much better than any other sort!
I’m wearing En Passant this morning. I think I overdid it yesterday so I am taking it easy today. More retail therapy, though–the insoles of my slippers have gotten all bunchy and uncomfortable, and I had to cut the arm off two shirts to accommodate the splint. I bought a new pair of slippers from LL Bean and a merino 1/4 zip top to replace the 2 shirts. I picked merino because I’m always cold and Deva mentioned how much she liked her merino tops a few weeks ago.
It’s good that you’re listening to your body and taking it easy today! Retail therapy does help!
Always looking for merino .recommendations. How is your top? Is it LL Bean, or where did you find it??
Smelling wonderful in Bake today from a most generous NSTer. 🍋🥰
In work news, our consultant told us we’re at risk of not passing a new, upcoming audit based on the state we are in. 😅 I am trying to remain calm.
Yesterday I wore Devotion which has been mentioned here quite a bit of late. They are often compared and I looked up the official notes and which are below. Cresp said he was going for panettone w/ Devotion and lemon cupcake w/ Bake. To my nose orange blossom and lemon are pretty distinct but I am also a person with at least 10 blushes that someone less informed might say are all the same color. 😉
Bake
TOP: Lemon peel
MIDDLE: Chantilly cream, Praline
BASE: Brown sugar, Vanilla
Devotion
TOP
Candied citrus.
HEART
Orange blossom
BASE
Vanilla
I wore Bake on Sunday. I 💛 it and it is least offensive with the birthday party.
So Bake and Devotion are perfume cousins?
I found them to be almost identical, but what do I know? So do you have both Bake and Devotion?
How bad is it that I want to lick my screen these scents sound sooo delish?
Ugh – yes, stay calm with the work situation!
So what is your verdict on Bake and Devotion? Similar? Is Bake actually more like a lemon cupcake? Do you have a preference? Inquiring minds…
Oh darn – that’s for She-ra, above!
I am just throwing my two cents in here and put it under She-ra. I find them almost identical. If you had one, I wouldn’t suggest getting the other, but that’s just my opinion. I think they are both like a lemon pastry.
Just checking back – thank you! (I just have a sample of Bake and wasn’t immediately thrilled.)
I wasn’t either so I gave my bottle to another NSTer. Then I thought Devotion was a little classier, but ended up thinking they were almost identical.
Hi all! I thunked the last of my sample of SoOud Ouris Parfum Nectar, recommended by Hajusuuri some years ago for the peach note I was seeking ☺️. It is nice and juicy, but my sample had evaporated a lot and now it’s giving off a not-unpleasant celery note. Interesting how much these can change over time!
I think pigeons are so sweet. I developed a phobia of them when I lived in NY after being pooped on on my way to work one time (in my hair, on my face and coat, so gross!), but I’ve come to admire their tenacity and gentle vibes.
I did not like pigeons when I lived in DC…and gosh, come to think of it I almost never see one now. We must have them, right?
Not a fan of pigeons. They’re always pooping on my car.
Snowed in since yesterday in NW Arkansas. Glad I had some birdseed in my feeders. I love looking at cardinals against the snow! Temp tonight is supposed to get down to -5! 🥶Wearing Guerlain Iris Ganache today from a small decant I’ve been hoarding. Glad I got it in a rollerball since those don’t seem to evaporate so much. Going to the Guerlain flagship in Paris is definitely on the bucket list!
You smell mighty fine!
I miss seeing cardinals. They aren’t this far West.
I love watching cardinals as well.
Oy vey! I thought I already posted today!
SOTD = Kilian Angels’ Share
So wonderful! And check out the cuddly yellow macaron (which I had featured before)!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGRI5sKRl5Y/?igsh=MW55d3NtaDg3MzhhMw==
Today is my one niece’s son’s 1st birthday. I did not go see him (too far) but greeted him a happy birthday, got him a gift card and got lots of videos and pictures! He will be a big brother (!) come June!
In other news, I don’t usually get it but twice in the past three weeks, I got a text saying I owe for tolls 🤷🏻♀️. The last time I used my EZPass was in the September / October timeframe. I chose to ignore the first one and will ignore this one too. Have you received such texts? What did you end up doing?
I just saw a video saying that those toll texts are scams. It said to delete them. I don’t have toll roads here ( thank goodness!) Maybe call them directly through an official number if you’re unsure.
https://youtu.be/u8XxHpFSIbc?feature=shared
Thanks for the suggestion!
You know what? What are they going to do other than put me in collections? I will delete and move on with my life.
Those toll texts are BS, pure and simple. My brother and I have both gotten some, and neither one of us use toll roads out here. Plus the country code for one of the offending texts was either from Hungary or Bulgaria.
EZPass will send you a letter if you have overdue tolls, as will any other legitimate toll authority here in the US.
PS. We both deleted the texts after marking the phone numbers as scammers.
Exact same thing happened to me.
PA even sent around an email saying those were spam and to delete them.
I was in my favorite perfume store to test Le Parfum de Therese that was mentioned yesterday. I found it interesting, but then I tried Lipstick Rose and that one conquered my heart ♥️. I imagined wearing it in a Parisian cafe and eating some fabulous dessert. So there it is, something new on my bucket list!
PdT is an old love but it is not always easy to wear!
Commando today because I was in a rush going to the office this morning and also had a couple of in-person meetings. But I will wear Comete tonight, I finally got myself a sample so I can properly test. I had previously only sniffed it on a blotter.
I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on Comete. It seems to have mixed reviews here at NST.
Not sure if you receive my email on Friday. Re: Amouage.
Pl67!! Great to see you!
Thank you, Springpansy! 😊
Songs of the Day (yes, plural!):
https://youtu.be/B_HSa1dEL9s
https://youtu.be/QuQbus0xfhk
These 2 songs were played one right after the other on the terrestrial radio station I listen to. Today’s theme for the lunch hour requests was “Books/Literature”. What would you all come up with?
Warmer (relatively speaking) here today, with a high temp around 18 degrees F. No wind and a bit of sun made it feel warmer than that, so getting groceries was not much of a hassle. So to folks East of me, milder weather is on the way!
SOTD = Natori EdP, in the very cool purple “window” bottle. I’m getting lots of ylang ylang in it. Definitely better sprayed as opposed to being dabbed on. Very nice floral that was crazy cheap for a while on the discount sites.
When it was rose week, I posted I Touch Roses from Book of Love.
This is the other book song that springs to mind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1d4r9awjKE
LOVE that song.
Good one!
Well now I have to wear Natori tomorrow to see if I get ylang ylang.
I also got something that was pleasantly powdery along with the ylang. Next time I wear it, I need to spray a bit more. Went minimal with my application today.
I’m also intrigued by the ylang ylang mention in Natori. I found my bottle last week so will have to spray it.
Curious to hear what you will discover. I was kind of surprised to not really notice any plum, which Natori is supposed to have.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXXu7jvPu8s
Can’t believe they didn’t play it.
Lately Colorado Sound has been getting more suggestions than what they are able to play. I’m sure the One Hit Wonder Day is going to be crazy…
Your title would have been perfect.
You smell great, on me it’s mostly fruity.
Thank you! I’m very happy getting ylang ylang and woods with this.
This week I had 2 days off, worked 1 day and have today off. Starting tomorrow though I am scheduled 7 days in a row. Ugh.
It looks like next week the weather is warming up above freezing!
I copied Kris today and am wearing Shalimar MJ. I stopped by Bath and Bodyworks to use my free travel size coupon. I got the Disney Belle travel spray which is vanilla and rose. The SA showed me Ariel and I said it smells like the 90’s. It’s Very aquatic.
Yeesh! That’s a long hitch working in retail.
Aquatic perfumes are something I do not miss from the 90’s at all. Bletch!
We’ll be weather twins next week, above freezing! I agree, 7 days in a row is definitely ugh! I hope there’s a couple shorter shifts in there.
Hi twin🙋♀️
I’m in Lush Tropical Fruit lotion; it’s from the Kitchen Exclusives and smells exactly like Jungle.
We got more snow today but it’s supposed to get up to 10° C, (50° F) by the weekend. My flower seeds arrived!
Yay for the flower seeds! And 50 degrees!
Yes! Both things brought a tiny bit of joy.
Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluto