Happy Almost-Friday and happy International Mountain Day! It's also the Día Nacional Del Tango, plus a very happy 94th birthday to Rita Moreno. What fragrance are you wearing?
For sitting in a sauna, easily my favorite winter activity, I'm in Comme des Garçons Moncole Scent One: Hinoki.
Reminder: on 12/12, tell us about a personal hobby or interest or any activity you do frequently, other than perfume, and match it to a fragrance. Suggested by Kanuka.
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 Sauna [cropped] by Lindner Hotel Antwerp at flickr; public domain.
Sauna is a good one, Robin! And we’re house twins – I’m in Comme des Garçons Avignon. When I visit a new place, local churches are usually one of my sightseeing priorities. Not for spiritual reasons – I just enjoy them aesthetically. Churches often have incredibly beautiful interiors.
Glannys, I was thinking about wearing Avignon, too, maybe tomorrow. I especially love walking into old churches in Europe and just breathing in that atmosphere and history, although for me it is also spiritual.
Nice pairing, Glannys! I do enjoy visiting churches as well. This brought back my memory of visiting the Aachener Dom in Germany. What a magnificent cathedral! It’s the oldest building I have ever stepped foot in, being built for Charlemagne c. 800.
Ditto on the sightseeing priorities: churches for me too, plus graveyards.
I’m still deep in my “big perfume” era—today I’m in Chanel Coco, the kind that smells like it remembers a more glamorous century.
One of my other slightly unhinged hobbies is 💄 makeup , specifically lipstick. I collect them like some people collect stamps. I have everything from Revlon Super Lustrous (national treasure) all the way to Chanel and Givenchy. Today’s shade: Cherries in the Snow ❄️
I can absolutely report more favorite colors, but I’m far more interested in hearing yours—this is a two-way obsession, after all.
Also, the sun is finally out, making the weather almost…bearable.
Off to volunteer at the library later this afternoon
I love Chanel Coco, especially on other people-it’s not a perfect fit for me, even tho its a perfect scent.
I love lipsticks too and right now it’s the Sisley matte ones. It’s available at the discounters for a semi reasonable price. Cherries in the snow is a beautiful lipstick. Take a look at Sisley 22, in the matte-it’s a really good deep pink red.
Is the Sisley 22 called Rose Paris?
In the Sisley matte line #22 is Rose Punch. Not sure how you feel about matte lipsticks-I love them, and find these non drying. I think you’re looking at the satin finish lipsticks.
Of course you smell wonderful ltsg. I’m pretty much only wearing tinted balms or glosses right now. I really like Merit lip gloss.
You smell glamorous, ltsg! I loved Coco enormously, but it never really suited me well, so I ended up giving my bottle to my mom, and she was happy to have it.
I’ve been on a lipstick binge lately, specifically the Dior Addict sheer formula. In addition to reformulating these some time ago, they also discontinued my fave color. Of course. I have a few which are nice but no HG, and since I’ve now spent a small fortune on them, I’m done. Washing my hands of it. Buying a new lippie used to be a cheap thrill, but no longer. 🤨
I came late to Coco but when I arrived, I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long. You smell fabulous!
I share your love of lipstick and the quest to find just the right color. I like that I can find inexpensive lipsticks that work for me as much as more expensive ones. Some favorites are Maybelline 200 Rose Embrace, Bobbi Brown 315 Neutral Rose, Maybelline SuperStay Lip Crayon in Lead the Way and for a nice lip stain, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Plum. And the search for the perfect red is in its own category altogether!
Taking notes on your recommendations ✏️
And tell me yours!
Sun finally came out here too! And the people razing the house next door went home early, double bonus.
Big fan of the Fresh Lip Balms here. My favorite YLLB shade is Rose. I also really like Plum, and a discontinued shade called Fig.
The Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is a classic for good reason.
I forgot to mention Black Honey – absolute classic!
Had oral surgery yesterday – an implant to replace a cracked back molar that had to be extracted. Soft foods for two weeks, and no chewing on that side for three months. Then a new crown for it. Thousands of dollars for a tooth no one will see. Grateful for the advances in dental care, but, man, even with insurance it’s mighty expensive.
I’ll be in a small, windowless recording studio all day today and tomorrow, so I have to be cautious with my perfume application – just a quick spritz of Sycomore under my shirt.
I’ve got to figure out what to wear for tomorrow’s project, and what activity or pursuit in my life (other than collecting perfume) could qualify!
Sycamore is a beautiful deep scent, Daniel-you smell great.
Good for you for looking after your health. Teeth are important and hugely expensive (that’s been my experience, too). Hope you feel better very very soon.
Hope everything heals quickly. I totally get that about all the $$$. After a super easy and fast root canal this past summer, I am extremely happy about the dental advances, too.
Hope you’re not too sore and swollen, and that your work goes well …almost weekend.
So sorry, Daniel!
But you smell wonderful!
Daniel, if it’s any consolation, you smell perfect! Sorry for your dental (and monetary) pain. I hope it heals soon and doesn’t impinge upon your time in the studio today.
Feel better
Ugh, you have my sympathies Daniel.
I hope the healing goes smoothly. Hopefully you can still have some holiday treats, maybe the liquid type!
Daniel, well done for prioritizing your health! You may not “see”’the molar but your cardiac health and inflammation levels will thank you! Plus you seem to be a man who appreciates cuisines of the world and that new molar will be valued for its part in your social life! I don’t know Sycomore but I’d bet a great many dollars you smell terrific!
OUCH for both your mouth and your wallet! Oral surgery isn’t cheap. Hope that your healing in uneventful.
Gah! “IS uneventful”, not in!
I am typing with a cat on my lap again.
I’m wrapping presents while waiting for the City inspector to show up. He has to inspect the new furnace.
My sotd is Dior Addict, because it’s been mentioned here lately.
Hope you get the gold star for your furnace. Keep warm. I haven’t started shopping for Xmas yet. I’m not very inspired.
I ended up with a silver star. There is one thing that isn’t up to code. I have to have the installation guy’s come back to fix it.
Bah humbug!! I hope it’s an easy fix. Good luck. You’re still a gold star in my eyes.
🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as a Perfumista as well as Lovely Person!
Right back at ya LesLiesse!💗
Heh. I had the same thing happen with my HVAC inspection when I was selling the condo in NJ. It needed a minor fix that took maybe 5 minutes. So I am hoping your furnace follows suit.
🤞
The good thing is I don’t have to pay for the fix.
I didn’t have to either!
DSH Perfumes Lumiere, Holiday No. 7. Warm spices in cream with a coffee note. I’m volunteering at a fundraiser all day so I wanted something soft. This works for the CP in a couple of ways. The spices for the baking I enjoy and my morning coffee ritual. I work out before my coffee (would love to have a cup first but…reflux, so I don’t have anything before I work out). And I REALLY look forward to that cup after the workout. I steam my milk and sprinkle a little cocoa on top and enjoy it thoroughly. Lumiere is more about the spices to my nose and not a strong coffee nor is it very sweet, so look elsewhere for that.
springpansy, I love coffee. The stronger the better.
But…reflux.
Recently I have purchased dark roast lo-acid coffee and mix it about 50/50 and limit myself to two cups. Has made a big difference.
Yes. I have one decaf only after I eat breakfast. Generally okay.
Thinking of you as I am starting to think about baking. My oldest decided she wants cookies for a party, so I am choosing those recipes you sent me a cookie or two.
She wants scones too. Today I am starting the long process of making clotted cream.
Very cool! I have never made clotted cream. Fun!
Acid reflux is a bane!
It is!
SOTD is a soft cherry vanilla oil a friend made for me. Not too sweet, just cozy. I’m making a big batch of sugar cookie dough for tomorrow’s project of cut out Christmas cookies.
I adore a sauna, steam or soak at a spa. Recently spent a week in Budapest with my best friend. We’d both been there before, so this time was strictly for visiting the famous baths (Szechenyi, Lukcacs and Veli Bej) and eating cake 😆. It was a delightful week to indulge and relax.
Sounds like a wonderful trip.
2nd that!! Cake and spa baths, that is luxury.
Your week in Budapest sounds amazing.
I’m in Carnal Flower-shower gel, body butter, and fragrance. I love tuberose. The bottle of 24 Faubourg just arrived for my friend’s birthday. Think I have one more package to arrive then it’s more wrapping and shipping. Then we rest and enjoy the holidays!
Carnal Flower could fit with my big florals to wear while reading this book..
I went with Bucoliques de Provence, combining gardening with perfume addiction. After about half an hour it had disappeared (to my horror — had it gone off, or am I in the throes of long-covid smell-loss??), but I respritzed and all is well. Phew! Am finally done with covid — tested negative a couple of days ago. Man, that hung on and hung on.
I didn’t know you had had it for so long, ugh. 👏🏻 for the negative test!
Your scent is L’Artisan, right? In my experience, they have not had good lasting power, even the original ones. hth!
Yes, L’Artisan, and my experience has been the same. I don’t own many of them, but Bucoliques and Thé Pour Une Été are very nice, even if short-lived.
So glad you can still smell!!
Me too!
W00t w00t w00t for *finally* testing negative! Like you said, that was a long stretch.
I have been painting in watercolours and acrylics for many years but this year I was thinking a lot about a tin of caran d’ache coloured pencils I had as a kid , the special smell of cedar pencil shavings, so bought myself a large tin ( at vast expense) of 40 pencils for my birthday. As soon as I opened it, the smell rushed out just as I remembered it. Every day I do a “ weather” sketch of the sky ….wherever I am. It’s quite a challenge to do airy clouds in pencils but it’s satisfying, and it’s like a visual diary. Recently we’ve had a few purple sunsets which have been good. Today, it’s low cloud and grey. Matching with Zero as I don’t have a straight cedar perfume so am going for the cloud minimalist vibe.
Kanuka, that’s a beautiful way to creatively mark each day and live in the moment. 💗
I’m not familiar with Zero – who makes it?
Comme des garçons : cedar, vetiver, wood varnish, rose, musk
That sounds absolutely wonderful. I have no drawing talent at all. If I could get a free genie wish it would be a talent of some sort…either drawing or singing, I can never decide.
Both! That’s what I would like but maybe that’s greedy. My dad was both musically and artistically very talented but I inherited neither.
We’ll just decide it is Cloud Dancer …
I’m wearing a newish EdT of Guerlain’s Vol de Nuit. It was launched in 1933, so would be a good accompaniment to sewing a 1950s dress pattern. Instead, I’m going to work, but I can look forward to some sewing time tomorrow.
Excellent! You must have an incredible dress collection.
Busy day with an overnight water leak from my aunt’s neighbor into her and adjacent condo’s.
Robin, can we do next year’s 12/11 CP as celebration of international Tango day perhaps? We could tie in other dance forms as well. E.g., I’m wearing Sotd Rose of Dangerous Flamenco, although I think of tango as more dangerous (small d) than flamenco. Don’t know if this is how we put a CP idea out there or not?
Nice idea for a CP. I was thinking that Kelly Caleche might work for your vintage car leather interiors. It has a slightly sweet rose with the leather so it’s like old leather, especially if you imagined it alongside polished walnut dashboards and window frames. I also think some leather amber scents might work. Something like Ambre Extreme from Artisan has an old car vintage feel.
Excellent idea Kanuka! I’ll add to my list of Gasoleather and Route 66 to sample.
Comme des garçons did an asphalt scent Tar as well as their Garage scent that Robin mentioned
When I looked at the notes for these two Series 6 scents, the plastic flowers and kerosene even though you can find those scents realistically in an automotive setting.
Yes it is how you make a cp request. I have made a note of Tango Day but it would not hurt to remind me next November 🙂
It’s just an idea as I’m sure there will importantly and noteworthy birthdays to celebrate. Brian Wilson was a highlight as I’m sure Edith Piaf will be!
Ugh, water leaks are absolutely horrid to deal with. Hope it wasn’t a big one.
No. The engineer shut off the water at 10pm. Plumber didn’t show up until 2 pm.
Hello fragrant friends,
Santa read my wish list from a few weeks ago and a bottle of PdE
Madagascar Le Balm Vanille has just been delivered and opened.
Santa 🤶 knows lol
Santa made an excellent decision, ltsg!
How is it? Is it boozy? I’ve been thinking about making the drive to Fumerie to try it.
foxbins, I am loving it.
Three sprays. Not overly boozy or rummy to me.
Not overly sweet and not powdery.
It seems…like a balm. Cozy, warm, comforting, a bit spicy.
Nothing sticks out or screeches.
I think this was perfectly named and I can see myself wearing this a lot.
Yes, Fumerie is the only place in conus to find it…make that trip!
I’m curious what you think of it!
Like many here, I’m a baker, so this morning I am wearing Lancome Santal Kardamon. I have a coffee cake that uses it and it is so nice, the recipe is from The Moosewood Cookbook.
Great cookbook, great match 🙂
The mention of that cookbook brings me right back to my college days! Their recipe for pastitsio is excellent.
Cardamom coffee cake, mmm. Nice match with your scent.
Same as AnnE, the mention of this cookbook has me feeling very nostalgic. Suddenly remembering the Silver Palate cookbook as well!
Yes, I had the Silver Palate cookbook too!
Me three!!
The cookbook is nostalgic for me also. It could possibly be in my basement.
It’s been a trying time for me over the last few weeks due to some health issues, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I’ve been lurking a bit, but it’s nice to join in again with the NST family. 🤗
Today’s scent is Zen, from the gorgeous splash bottle. Which is the biggest reason I bought it, haha. Today it suits, since I’m nursing my beloved doggie, who’s back from an overnight at the hospital, recovering from pneumonia. He just had his 10th birthday, and I can’t help but get anxious when he’s sick.
He’s a standard poodle, and that also ties in with fragrance- he gets a lot of hugs from me, and whatever scent I’m wearing tends to wear off a little on his big white fluffy head, lol!
Sending a big get well hug to Aubrey!
Thanks, foxbins! I’ll see that he gets it. 🤗
I hope you start to feel stronger and your dog too.
Have you ever watched the Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall movie “ Designing Woman”? There is a remarkable poodle in it that jumps into people’s arms whenever they come through the front door. It’s a great movie when you’re feeling poorly.
Sending good wishes that your health issues continue to improve and that your beloved doggie recovers quickly from his bout with pneumonia. Hugs to you both 🤗🤗!
Wishing good health to your entire household!
So sorry to hear that you and yours have been dealing with health issues. Sending healthy vibes that-a-way!
Sending the best of health wishes to you and your dog!
Light at the end of the tunnel is great news 🙂
SOTD = Chanel Coromandel EDT
Super excellent good! I need to wear this more often! Are you sick of me telling you I have ALL the formulations? 🤣
I had lunch with my neighbor from across the street. We exchanged gifts are per usual and it was her treat this time although if it were up to me, I would have paid for the whole thing. Anyway, I enjoy conversing with her for the most part but she is so negative, so much so that I sometimes have to steer her in the right (for me) direction!
For a palate cleanser, here’s a free gift article from The NY Times on aging “antique” furniture:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/realestate/antique-furniture-guide.html?unlocked_article_code=1.708.SkzN.viF9rRBhXNxc&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Glad that you enjoyed lunch with your neighbor anyway. 😉
My brother has a mid-Century style coffee and side table our parents owned. I remember seeing them as part of the furniture in my earliest memories. They need to be re-finished, though.
SOTD is SL La Fille de Berlin from a free sample I received yesterday with my order, and I’m very much enjoying its jammy rose scent with a little bit of patchouli at the bottom.
I took advantage of a recent special offer and ordered a beautiful set of 8 travel size Serge Lutens fragrances for my 18-year old grandtwins. I thought I’d up them up a bit to niche this year. I plan to print out a description of the scents and include it with the gift and let them each choose 4. Should be fun to watch!
Happy almost-Friday! ☃️
Thats a wonderful gift! They should have fun going through the scents.
It’ll be interesting to see what/how they choose and give them something to do on winter break. I buy them some kind of fragrance each year, usually something popular. This will be totally different.
I’ve been tempted by that SL travel set, too! It’s a beaut.
And it’s beautifully packaged as well. And I got 3 nice spray samples free, La Fille de Berlin, L’Eau Serge Lutens, and Dans le Bleue Qui Pétille. Very pleased with my purchase.
I’m in Prada Infusion d’Iris absolue. I try to be a gardener, through much trial and error. Irises are probably one of my favorite flowers in the garden; even when they aren’t in bloom, their stately leaves provide structure and a backdrop for so many other plants.
I’m thumbing through a seed catalogue that came in the mail today. Sadly I didn’t have too much luck with the seeds from that company last year. I’ll use it for ideas and maybe try some bedding plants this year instead.
Think Spring! Let’s hope for an early one. Bedding plants sound more reliable imo.
Posting a little late tonight. Just kinda happened that way.
The weather here has gone to Plaid levels of ridiculous today. It was almost 70! But with strong wind again. Had a Red Flag Warning issued today that expired at 5pm, and will probably have another one issued tomorrow. So, so dry. That atmospheric river the PNW is getting drenched with isn’t getting anywhere close to Colorado.
Other hobbies/interests I have besides perfume? Obviously, cats. I am also a sky watcher, both during daylight hours and the night. Used to garden in NJ. I do have a deck now, so I might try to get back into container gardening in 2026. I can also write a decent haiku if I think on it for a bit.
SOTD = back in Dior Addict, because it smells GOOD.
I love the ” gone to plaid” reference 😀
70 with major wind sounds a little scary to me.
I knew you would get the “Spaceballs” reference!
I was sorry to hear of your continuing issues with Teflon’s medicine/allergies. I sure hope it gets easier for both of you. 🤗. I once had an elderly cat with kidney issues I had to give shots to each day. He also had ear hematoma issues they couldn’t operate on because of his bad health. He would sometimes shake his head as his ears bothered him and spatters of blood would get everywhere. But he was my sweet❤️ so I somehow
Just coped with it til he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Thanks Laila.
It’s not the first major thing Teflon and I have dealt with. I had to get her used to an asthma inhaler several years ago. *That* was a slow and painful process.